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Gotta review this later as I’m technically at work, and I know it’s been crazy trying to even get this show up, and it’s great. That being said can you edit in the little interview segment I did with Scharff and Simtul please?
Gotta review this later as I’m technically at work, and I know it’s been crazy trying to even get this show up, and it’s great. That being said can you edit in the little interview segment I did with Scharff and Simtul please?
Oh of course! Totally forgot, sorry dude.
EDIT: All done.
Thanks Taker_2004 for the banner!
Halloween Hardcore Championship Matches:
Awesome way to open the show. Fun hot potato'ing of the title with a Halloween themed Hardcore madness element. Anna Molly getting a quick reign also made me pop.
Supergroup Backstage:
Wrote it.
Cain vs Valentine:
Fantastic job from LHeat87 by writing this iconic first meeting between Cain and Valentine. The match was an escalation of big moment after big moment. The fake out Turnbuckle Burner victory, and the whole final stretch was just great stuff. For the first match writing since coming back, this was superb.
Bonham Interview:
This feud with White has been brutal. This only makes me anticipate the match more. Good stuff.
Willow the Widow Segment/Match:
A very interesting character with a lot of questions still left unanswered. What's the deal with the puppets? Where did she even come from? As it is, I loved what I saw. Loved her entrance in particular, with the strings being cut and all that. Can't wait to see more of this unique debut.
The Bro Show Final:
Wrote it.
Gallows Pole:
This was a fantastically brutal Gallows Pole match that was a blast to read. I like the introduction of the new manager Teri, too. A great way to cap off a great feud. Bonham kissing Teri was a hell of a heat magnet and Bonham gets his comeuppance finally and White is now two-time Universal Champion. This match is a great addition to the Gallows Pole tradition. Great job, Gorgrim.
Hazel Post-Gallows Segment:
Interesting stuff that still doesn't answer all the questions about Hazel, but it certainly gives us a new aspect to her. Nothing about Hazel surprises me anymore, but I do so enjoy the ride.
Hazel's Harlequin Circus:
This show has been packed with exciting, action-packed matches and this one is no different. Love the circus layout and all the cool props. Loved the spots directly related to said cool props. Who doesn't like an elephany trunk spot right? Witch Hazel retains the title and nips this... well, "feud" is a bit strong, but rivalry in the bud quite neatly. She looks nigh on unstoppable frankly. Be interesting to see where we go from here.
Scharff/Simtul Segment:
I like that Simtul, one half of a tag team, is also legitimately seen as a potential singles guy too, with his success in the Rumble and just his sheer size. Also enjoyed the teasing of a future collision with Scharff, something I would be happy to see.
Cain Interview:
Wrote it.
Tag Team Championship 4 Way:
Wrote it. This match, I admit was rushed, and probably one of the worst matches I've ever written. Let's just call it a flop and move on. 😋
13 Ghost Gauntlet:
Wrote it. Hope you guys like it.
Janitur Open Challenge:
Wrote it.
Scharff vs Wolfbaine vs Paige:
This was another great match. Truly some awesome quality writing from everyone who contributed to the show. This match was action packed too, and all three participants got some good time in the limelight, making everyone looking reasonably strong. Huge win for Paige, and it's well deserved. And this match capped off what I feel was a really long, but really enjoyable show.
Match of the Night:
Cain v Valentine
MVP of the Night:
Phil McGroin/Pilgrim Paige
Graphic of the Night:
I'm gonna be a mark for myself and say Michael Carson's album.
Thanks Taker_2004 for the banner!
Just so people know: Hazel's barbecue will be written and be posted in this thread!
Who said that? ... Hazel is scared!
~*~So says Hazel~*~
Former Custom Cup Champion
Winner of 2018 Soul Survivor
Ok, let's get this out there!
Halloween Hardcore Championship Matches: This was quite the roller coaster and great way to start the show off. Great action and some fun spots. Anna getting a quick reign was great and generally a very fun, fast paced start to the show.
Supergroup Backstage: One of these days, these boys are gonna get themselves into some real trouble, and we're all gonna laugh!!
Cain vs Valentine: Hard hitting match and great victory for Mad Dog. It's great seeing a member of the old guard come back! But yeah, great story telling in this match, coulda gone either way, and I really enjoyed it.
Bonham Interview: Although I didn't write it, I did send it in! :-P Anyway, I will say that this interview did help me considerably with the gallows pole match with regards to Bonhams character and impulses during said match, so thanks :-D
Willow the Widow Segment/Match: I swear Paige is a glutton for punishment! Sooooooo many characters now, and each one so vastly different stylistically. This was very interesting and kinda creepy in a good way. Decent match too, but the marionette show was definitely the highlight of this bit.
The Bro Show Final: And the RockStarrs are back together! Was a fun little story bit with Carlos seeming to be suffering from amnesia though. Was actually kinda fun and a nice way to bring back some of the old jobbers. Whats next for the supergroup?
Gallows Pole: Wrote it, and must admit, I did enjoy writing it, hope you all enjoyed reading it! And thanks Jh007 for the feud!
Hazel Post-Gallows Segment: Paige did say there was gonna be some interesting reveals with Hazel during this show! And these certainly were! I've been really enjoying this story line and I love how the relationships have developed between Hazel, Tommy, even Paige and Kiko. It's been amazing to watch, and from my perspective, you probably know Tommy better than me now!
Hazel's Harlequin Circus: Everything I've come to expect from a match written by Paige for Hazel and Tommy, and by that I mean flippin' amazing! Crazy fun stipulation with some even crazier fun spots! Why wouldn't you dive off a statue of an elephant!
Scharff/Simtul Segment: Think I missed this first time round... Having gone back and read it, this is interesting. Seems we're gearing up for a singles push for Simtul, which wouldn't be a bad thing.
Cain Interview: I dunno man, I think you need a full heel run! :-P This is kinda becoming a yearly cycle for you Rhys, just try not to be too predictable and out your career on the line again for Revival! ;-)
Tag Team Championship 4 Way: I know you said this was a throwaway match, but it wasn't too bad. Got some decent time in and got to see some more character stuff for all the teams, especially the new boys in Murder of Crows. It was what it was and did the job I guess!
13 Ghost Gauntlet: I WILL GET YOU PHIL MCGROIN!!!!!!!! That is all! :-P
Janitur Open Challenge: This is actually developing to be a fun little distraction and for that it really did the job well. If this were a real show, then putting this kind of filler match after something as epic ad the gauntlet match really does allow for a breather, and it also does the say when reading the show. Also nice to actually see Myback actually wrestling!
Scharff vs Wolfbaine vs Paige: What a way to finish the show. Epic match with some epic and quite frankly, innovative offence. Great work by Stingmon keeping this flowing and exciting right to the end. Well done!
Match of the Night: I'm gonna say the Heavyweight championship match, though closely followed by the Gauntlet!
MVP of the Night: Think I'm gonna go with Hazel. Love that lass!
Graphic of the Night: Think I gotta go with the 4-Chi-W!
Great job by all involved! Shame it was so late, but such is life! :-D
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
Halloween Hardcore Championship Matches:
- Wrote this/these.
- Phil McGroin is always fun to write for and the whole hardcore thing just makes it all a big playground.
- The moment I had the idea for Anna Molly to briefly win the Hardcore Championship, I knew I had to do it!
- Props, props and more props, please. I pop for props!
Supergroup Backstage:
- Simple; serves its purpose. The whole thing with Starr having no memory of Rock has been amusing.
Cain vs Valentine:
- A standout of the show. This one was a really hectic, very competitive contest.
- Valentine is the kind of heel I like a lot; brash, unwavering and a good talker. And he can back it all up in the ring.
- Interesting bit there with the baseball slide/questionable 8-count stuff. I feel like this sort of foreshadows further stormy weather in the match's temperament, and that's what we get. Back-and-forth, incredibly near-falls, a fake-out win, etc. In-ring storytelling 101, folks.
- And at the end here we see Cain struggling with the loss, a different side of him peeking through. As this melts smoothly into the next segment, it's almost symbolic: Valentine rides off into the sunset, while Cain lingers in the darkness.
Bonham Interview:
- Really solid interview. Gives a little insight into Bonham's mind—his primal and brutal nature.
- In general I just like the way this interview reads, I can imagine his voice and mannerisms well in my mind and it has just enough colour in it to be memorable.
Willow the Widow Segment/Match:
- And surprise, surprise—I have yet another character, heh.
- Been working on her since May. Hope you enjoy the madness!
- Cain's a little off tonight, eh?
- I hope the puppet show conveys decently.
The Bro Show Final:
- Aaand the payoff to the RockStarr gag, heh.
- For a jobbery tag match, there's some decent action here.
Gallows Pole:
- Loved it. Great story told in this match. Some fun spots and a satisfying conclusion, too. Well done!
- I really like how Teri's role in White's life/career has been developing. Her presence/value here is the crux of the story.
- Bonham is a great heel, he lives up to the term in the best of ways. Just a real bastard with a mean streak and a chip on his shoulder.
Hazel Post-Gallows Segment:
- Wrote it. Was unsure if this would come across well or not. Hopefully it's at least interesting to some of you folks. Hazel's a complex character and even I don't fully understand her. I learn as I go; along for the ride, much like everyone else, just at a step or two ahead.
Hazel's Harlequin Circus:
- Wrote it. This is another set-piece kinda match, which is pretty obvious when you read it. Fun, crazy things to do for the sake of having fun, crazy things to do, heh.
- I toughened Tommy's game up a little bit here, trying to show he's growing as a competitor.
Scharff/Simtul Segment:
- Interesting and unexpected little exchange here.
- Elfan has thrown his chips on the table, putting the 4CW roster on notice. Sort of a wildcard in the deck of singles competition.
Cain Interview:
- Well... okey dokey, then.
Tag Team Championship 4 Way:
- I understand that this match had to be rushed. It's not as bad as Rhys views it, but we're all own biggest critics, right? It's fast-paced and violent. Umbra are the dominant team anyway, so them picking up a quick fall is believable. Silent Sorcery got some decent action in, which is grand. I didn't RP, so naturally they were gonna lose, and their elimination is done pretty well. Ending is frantic, but again, it's believable. So yeah. This match is a little clunky, but it works well enough. Oh and I like the verbal communication from the Crows. Suits them.
13 Ghost Gauntlet:
- A lot to say on this one, unsurprisingly. I enjoyed this gauntlet a lot—more than last year. It's got a better pace to it, the action is tighter and it follows up on common threads from earlier. It all feels very natural; very in keeping with IRL gauntlets.
- Moxie had a nice little run here. Suits her, makes her look strong. Reamer being an opportunistic is also spot-on.
- Hazel shuts down Reamer, then catches Rhys by surprise/nabsan upset of a sort = great and keeps up the theme of Rhys having a bad night.
- Tommy and Hazel taking it to each other after all they'd put each other through earlier is a great testament to both athletes' guts and drive. Tommy going over Hazel here feels right and is done in a cool way.
- Tommy also takes the fight to Bonham, but can only go so far and his risk-taking ends up doing him in under the circumstances. Bonham is as merciless as we've come to expect and moves forward.
- Interesting to see two of 4CW's biggest bastards go at it. High-impact action and Valentine looks very strong tonight.
- Simtul scoring a pin on Valentine follows up on his earlier warning to the singles competitors nicely.
- White and Simtul war it out, but White's intensity tonight is off the charts and he runs through the competition...
- Until McGroin pulls off the biggest upset of the night! Between him and Camera Man, I dunno who White is gonna hurt worse!
Janitur Open Challenge:
- Ha! Nice to see Myback return to action. I kinda forgot about the dude, and I'm the one who thought him up in the first place!
- I like the implied extra impact of the suplex there. It's the little things.
- I like the water bucket sequence. Rane is a fun character to play around with from time to time.
- End sequence is fun. Like Rhodri said, this is a change of pace from the Gauntlet, of course. Solid little breather match.
Scharff vs Wolfbaine vs Paige:
- I found it cool how wickedly clever Wolfbaine got with the rope right from early on. Stipulation prop turned storytelling aid. Paige getting in on the set-up to it, without knowing it, was interesting as well. Aggressiveness and opportunism on display from both Paige and Eddie. You can also see glimmers of Paige's character evolution here when she's shocked at Wolfbaine's actions and in the fact she goes after Eddie when Scharff's hands are bound.
- There's some fun, fast-paced action between Eddie and Paige here, with Paige quickening things up. I love the moment where Paige slips out of the Death Valley Driver with Eddie managing to get hold of her hair, reel her in the second she's on her feet and hit a very unique, highly effective maneuver. As expected, the pace slows down, gets more methodical. I had Paige evade Macondo calling last month; here; it's fun to see it connect while Wolfbaine is running the show. Love that move.
- Silvershade is a fun submission (that's similar to something I want for one of my characters, heh) and Paige lands a good reversal; then, she flies into Scharff as he tries to get back into this thing. I like this series a lot. Very well-paced action in this match and in terms of Paige and her size disadvantage, reversals and risk-taking being the order of the day makes sense.
- Whole end sequence is awesome. When the pinfall off the Lunar Eclipse was interrupted, I almost cried, haha. I dunno what else I can say about the outcome other than it feels great, I was very emotional when I read it (much like my efed counterpart) and it means a lot to me! 😄
Match of the Night:
Tough, this. I enjoyed all the matches on this show/the stories they told. I think I'll give the nod to the World title, for both the obvious reason and for the match itself—the former being the cherry on top that elevates the experience that extra bit.
I wanna highlight a couple other matches, too. I have to make note of White/Bonham. I liked how this feud was built, the intensity and the personal elements. Great payoff to a great feud. That said, I'd be amiss to not note how well Cain and Valentine was put together, both match-wise and (short) feud-wise. They did a lot with a little time.
MVP of the Night:
Brian White.
Graphic of the Night:
Michael Carson's album.
~☆~☆~Pronouns: she/her/hers~☆~☆~
~☆~☆~4CW Grand Slam Champ~☆~☆~
Note 1: This debut two-part edition of MoreCW is spoiler-heavy, so if you've not read the show yet, save this for after you have!
Note 2: For those who've read the main show and were wondering where the barbecue stuff is, it's the second half of this MoreCW episode, 45 minutes after the show.
20 minutes after Gallows End
In the backstage interview area, Marie Dubois wears a loose up-do and a big cheesy grin, standing alongside a weary, casually dressed Pilgrim Paige. The new champion wears a smile of her own, as well as her title belt, secured firmly around her waist.
Marie Dubois: Hello 4CW and welcome to the first-ever MoreCW, a place for post-show goings-on that are just too good to be missed! I'm here with the newly crowned 4CW World Champion, Pilgrim Paige.
Marie turns to face her interviewee.
Dubois: Paige, since your debut here in 4CW two-and-a-half years ago, you've solidified your place as an exhilarating and controversial performer; one who's willing to risk life and limb to succeed. Undoubtedly, the 4CW Universe is fully aware that you aren't afraid of heights and tonight, you find yourself at the top of the mountain. How does it feel?
Paige takes a moment to collect her thoughts and compose herself properly. Marie, meanwhile, continues on smiling her little doll-like grin.
Paige: Well, like you said, it's the top of the mountain. That's what it feels like: standing atop an actual mountain. You know—the triumph after a long hard trek, it's a little scary, I'm feeling a bit light-headed and I could really use a shower.
She laughs at her own joke.
Paige: All joking aside, this just... it just means the world to me. It's a culmination, a validation... it's a lot of different things to me. I was up against two of the best in the business, these seasoned, hard-working athletes—I have a lot of respect for Wolfbaine, for Scharff. Much of the past twelve months or so have been rife with injuries. I made some bad personal decisions, as we all know. I've grown a lot these past few months, pushed myself to be better in every way I can think of. I had a lot to learn and relearn, especially about respect, about myself, my values. Fact is, it's a blessing just to be here. I love this place, I love the intensity of the 4CW Universe. That incomparable rush of adrenaline when my music hits—you know, any of the ten thousand songs I've used so far! Heh. It's like being part of a big, dysfunctional family here in 4CW and I wouldn't trade it for anything. I wanna do this belt proud just as much as I'm proud to wear it. It's a privilege and an honour, Marie.
Dubois: Any thoughts on being the first woman to hold top gold in 4CW?
Paige: I mean, sure, it's a first of a kind and I'm all for that being penned into 4CW history. Beyond that, it just is what it is. 4CW has always been an intergender promotion, this has always been a possibility. It's about competition, not gender, basically. I'm proud to be a woman and I'm proud to hold this belt, and I had to scratch and claw like hell for both, as most of the 4CW Universe knows. My gender and my title reign aren't mutually inclusive or exclusive, they're just two separate facts about me that people can put together if they really wish to. On the other hand, if it inspires more women to pursue pro wrestling and if it shows trans people there's a place for them in this business—then by all means they can take it and run with it.
Dubois: And lastly, is there anything you'd like to say directly to the 4CW Universe?
Paige turns to the camera, her grin even wider than before. She widens her stances and throws her head back...
Paige: WOOOOOOOOO!!!
Marie thanks Paige for her time. The new World Champion nods and walks off as the video feed fades to black.
——————————
Forty-five minutes after Gallows End
Throngs of employees from both 4CW and the MSG arena mingle, relax and gorge themselves on barbecue inside Hazel's (re-purposed) big-top tent. The ring, mats and props have all been disassembled and moved along, leaving only the bleachers and the PA system—which is currently set at a more comfortable volume and making its way through a Halloween-themed playlist. To the right of the entryway "aisle" are three large charcoal grills. Witch Hazel and a volunteering Tommy Young are hard at work, cooking up batch after batch of hot dogs, frankfurters, steaks and roast potatoes. Every so often, one or the other has to retrieve more of one thing or another (as well as condiments) from the seemingly endless trays on a rectangular table nearby. Ever-helpful Anna Molly has also taken on two responsibilities: grilling up the veggie burgers and franks; and serving customers at an ice cream stand on the other side of the entrance, which she's doing currently. This has been the trio's routine for the past fifteen minutes and the crowd is growing by the minute. A tall, bearded man who looks to be in his mid-40s approaches Hazel's grill.
Patron: Hey, how'd ya like that lighting set-up tonight?
Hazel's eyes light up. Nearby, Anna heads back toward her grill.
Hazel: Oh, you did the lighting stuff for Hazel's tent?
He nods; Hazel grins.
Hazel: Good job! Hazel thinks everything came together nicely. *She gestures enthusiastically to the grill.* What would you like and do you have any food allergies we should know about?
Patron: No allergies and I'll try anything spicy!
Hazel: Ooh! One of Hazel's signature helldogs will do the trick.
A minute later, Hazel serves up a spicy homemade hot dog on a sesame seed bun with plenty of cracked black pepper and barbecue sauce to top it all off. The FX guy takes a big bite, grinning and licking barbecue sauce from his lips. He wordlessly gives Hazel a big thumbs-up while his mouth is preoccupied with meaty goodness... then is overtaken by the spicy dog's intensity, face turning a deep crimson! With a look of intense shock, the man's widened eyes meet Hazel's.
Hazel: Here ya go!
She tosses him a water bottle; he quickly opens it and sucks the water down like he's just found an oasis while lost in the desert. Nearby, Tommy tries to stifle a laughing fit.
Man: The water—it does nothing!
Tommy fails. The man turns and runs for the hills. Hazel calls out to him in her sing-song voice.
Hazel: Kiitos! Hyvää yötä!
Anna, who has since gotten back to grilling as well, cheerily addresses Tommy with a delighted smirk as the helldog customer exits the tent.
Anna: Hey, what'd I miss? Another satisfied customer in hot-dog hysterics, maybe?
Their chat is put on pause briefly as more customers come by and place orders. A slightly harried-looking Tommy Young wipes the sweat from his brow with his forearm as he tosses more steak on the grill.
Tommy: Yeah. The one that just ran off was her sixth of the night. How's the ice cream business treating you?
Anna: Great. I just love seeing all these happy faces in one place, enjoying the food. It's a different kind of high than being out there in front of a crowd, huh?
Tommy nods, a gesture that is performed somewhere between emphatically and wearily at the same time. Hazel notices this.
Hazel: Aww, does Tommy need a break? Maybe you're hungry. One of Hazel's Helldogs would be just the thing to put some pepper in Tommy's steppers! Look at all the energized, happy customers!
Hazel's seventh Helldog customer can be seen bolting away in the background. Hazel beams and her friends can't help but chuckle.
Tommy: I'm good for now, Hazel.
Hazel: Okey dokey.
The atmosphere at the grilling station changes when an irritated-looking Rhys Cain approaches the trio.
Hazel: Hei, Rhysy Piecey. What would you like?
Cain: I'll try the ice cream.
Anna narrows her eyes at Cain and his sourpuss demeanour, then transforms her expression into a thin smile when he looks her way. She sets her spatula down and steps away from the grill, gesturing to Cain.
Anna: Right this way.
Rhys Cain follows Anna Molly to the ice cream stand and folds his arms while he waits to be served. Anna completes her task with great efficiency.
Anna: There ya go, a cone for Cain!
Cain scoffs. Once he's got some of Hazel's Ice Scream in a cone, he achieves a rather bizarre feat—angrily eating ice cream. He looks about as pleased with it as his recent in-ring outcomes. Anna gawps at him.
Anna: So... ya like it?
Cain grunts his approval and wanders off through the crowd, eating ice cream with the face of a man sucking a lemon. Meanwhile, Phil McGroin and Camera Man stride up to the grills. As the two approach, Phil is rambling on about he great he is, just as he's been doing ever since the gauntlet match. As Anna returns to her grilling station, Phil gives her a dirty look and purposefully ignores her, stepping up to the next grill over.
Hazel: Heiiiiii, Angry Face Man. Why is your face so angry?
McGroin: As if you don't know!
Hazel just stands there, thinking and blinking. Tommy pats her shoulder a couple times, which leads to Phil shifting his attention to him. Phil is about to speak, but Tommy is a step ahead.
Tommy: She's had a hard night. Just leave it this once, okay? Besides, you have bigger fish to fry now, right?
McGroin's expression changes to a smirk.
McGroin: You're looking at the next World Champion. I'll be the only undefeated World Champion in 4CW history, mark my words!
Tommy: Right, right. So what'll you guys be having?
Camera Man I'm thinking medium rare steak and maybe a side..
Tommy: Okay. Hazel's just finished a lot of steak, done a few ways. For a side, I recommend our super-spooky ghost potatoes, those are pretty pop—
McGroin: What?
McGroin's face blanches. Meanwhile, Hazel gets to task and quickly picks out a nice piece of medium-rare steak. She slaps it down on a dinner plate with a big smile on her face. McGroin, to no one in particular, speaks up. There's confusion in his voice.
McGroin: Ghost... potatoes?
Hazel pipes up.
Hazel: Yepyep! On All Hallow's Eve, you can almost hear their souls scream out as they sizzle in the flames!
Phil gulps.
McGroin: S-s-souls? Do... potatoes have... souls?! Vengeful souls?
Phil McGroin is taken aback. Just as Tommy takes up a couple of foil-wrapped potatoes and passes the dinner plate to Camera Man, Phil grabs the nearest chair and bashes the contents of the plate with it, sending the food to the floor and smashing the plate to pieces. Several people in the tent scream and stare. The more skittish—and the more familiar with Phil's past antics—take off for the comparative peace of the outside world. Through the bustling crowd, a lone security guard tries to make his way to the barbecue area.
Anna & Camera Man: What the hell?!
Camera Man: Why? Just... why, God, why?!
Phil, who's now breathing heavily from a mix of anxiety and relief, lets his chair hang at his side in one hand. With his other hand, he points at the ruined food, then stares at his companion with a look of incredulity.
McGroin: What do you mean? I saved you! I can't employ a potato-possessed cameraman!
Camera Man: You mashed my potatoes you lunatic!
McGroin: They're better that way! Also when they're not unholy abominations.
The trio of barbecue buddies are trying their best not to totally crack up. Camera Man's lips threaten to turn into a smirk, but his narrowed eyes suggest less jovial, more murderous things.
Tommy: I didn't know you were so scared of ghosts, Phil.
McGroin: I ain't afraid of no ghost! ... potato.
It's at this point that security closes in on Phil.
Security Guard: Alright buddy, you're outta here. Get movin'.
Bewildered and frustrated with this turn of events, McGroin spins on his heel and shoves his chair into the guy's ribs.
McGroin: I'm the next world champ! I leave on my own terms. Come on, Camera Man.
And with that, the ever-disruptive Phil McGroin stalks away, once again jabbering on about himself to Camera Man.
Tommy: Well, that was a thing that happened.
He's openly chuckling now.
Anna: Yeah. I guess you might call the ghost potatoes a... smashing success!
Hazel and Tommy shame-stare at Anna for a long moment, then all three burst out laughing. A short while and a few customers later, Silent Sorcery come strolling up to the table, ponytailed and dressed down. They wave a synchronized greeting.
Anna: Hey, you two. Tough luck out there tonight. Maybe some ice cream will cheer you up? It works for me! ... 'til the sugar crash.
Tsukiko nods emphatically and moseys off to the ice cream station with Anna. Oki-Kira signs a few polite sentences in JSL, trying to place an order in the process.
Hazel: Aww, Hazel doesn't know any hand-signy languages! You can just point out what you want and Hazel will hook you up.
Kira points at the seasoned, homemade sausages on the table behind Tommy and co.
Tommy: Ah. One Frankenfurter for the Shiga Stomper, coming up!
Hazel: Okey dokey, Oki-Doki. Lots of those just done, and now Hazel can make more helldogs!
Kira's left eyebrow raises, still facing in her direction, but Hazel's eyes are back on the grill. Tommy spots Kira's reaction.
Tommy: They're spicy homemade hot dogs. Want one? I'll get that frankfurter for you in the meantime.
Kira nods, then bows very slightly upon receiving his Frankenfurter. While he awaits the grilling of his helldog, he heads over to the ice cream station to converse with Kiko.
As Hazel gets to work on her helldogs, Brian White and Teri Morzano walk up to the grilling station. Brian appears to be wound up and fuming.
Tommy: Hey, Bri.
White: Murder. I'm gonna murder the bastard, kiddo! And that Camera Man's days are numbered as well, the little prick.
Tommy: Good to see you've calmed down some.
Teri steps from White's side to right up close in front of him and pokes her finger in the middle of his chest. The fact she has to raise her arm to do so makes for a somewhat comical scene.
Teri: Brian White, you calm yourself right this instant!
Brian automatically raises an eyebrow, but lets it drop quickly enough. Teri removes her finger and takes on a more relaxed posture and matter-of-fact tone.
Teri: Now take a deep breath or two and put your mind on the present. Work time is over, babe. We're in a circus tent with good company and good food. How often do you get to do this right after a show? Let's just relax and enjoy it, babe.
Brian breathes a sigh and places his hands on his hips, caught somewhere between his frustrations and knowing that Teri is talking sense. He looks at Tommy.
White: And what are your thoughts, kiddo?
Tommy shrugs and smiles.
Tommy: She's got a point, Bri. And besides, if you settle yourself down, I'll tell you one hell of a story later that'll have you laughing instead of raging over Phil.
White's face takes on a look of great curiosity. White seems unable to stop himself huffing and puffing for a few moments longer, then finally secedes his rage.
White: I see I'm outnumbered, heh. *sigh* Yeah, alright. I'll try to be "in the moment" and all that.
He turns to face Hazel.
White: Hello, Witchy.
Hazel beams.
Hazel: Heiii, Mr. Monorail! You looked like steam might come out of your ears for a minute there! But that would make you a different kind of train.
Brian blinks a few times, unaccustomed to direct interaction with Hazel. After a short moment, he chuckles lightly.
White: Yeah, I suppose that's true.
Tommy: What can I get you, Bri?
White turns to Teri.
White: Ladies first.
Teri puts on an exaggeratedly surprised expression and saucy tone.
Teri: Oh, we're a gentleman now, are we?
White grins. Before Teri can place her order, Hazel spots Kiko, Kira and Anna heading their way.
Tommy: Hold on just a bit—you don't wanna miss this!
Kira strolls up to Hazel and gives her a big thumbs-up as he holds out his empty plate for her to take.
Hazel: Dogs are all done! You can come around to the table and pick out the condiments you want, okay?
She gestures to the table and the light-footed Oki-Kira is there in a flash. He settles on barbecue sauce, sriracha and powdered cayenne pepper. Tommy and Anna look mortified as Kira returns to Kiko's side and receives the suped-up helldog from Hazel.
Anna: Uhh... you sure like it hot, huh Kira?
Kira nods emphatically.
Anna: And you've made peace with your God?
Kira shrugs and feverishly tears into the helldog. Everyone around him watches on with bated breath... except for Kiko. Kira downs his first massive mouthful and licks his (now paint-free) lips, and gives Hazel another thumbs-up.
Hazel: Yay, another happy customer!
Kiko sets her spoon down into her dish of ice scream and gestures to Kira, who shakes his head "no". Kiko gestures further and Kira replies by acting out a shivering motion. Kiko shrugs and turns to leave; Silent Sorcery wave in tandem once more and wander off through the crowd. Tommy and Anna are baffled. White seems to be annoyed. He addresses Tommy Young.
White: What the hell was that all about? Are you putting me on, Tommy?
Tommy: All the other customers took off running! I tasted one earlier and had to spit it out, and that didn't even help... hottest thing I ever put in my mouth, Bri, I swear!
White has a skeptical look.
White: Uh-huh. Send one of those things my way, Witchy.
Tommy & Anna: Uhhh...
Hazel: Okey-dokey!
White necks with Teri a bit while he waits on Hazel. Tommy turns to Anna.
Tommy: This is gonna be a looong night...
~☆~☆~☆~☆~☆~
~*~So says Hazel~*~
Former Custom Cup Champion
Winner of 2018 Soul Survivor
Hardcore title match: "On the ramp, Phil - whose music has since cut out - is raging at Camera Man about his entrance being all screwed up by "those two clowns", while simultaneously blaming Camera Man himself." Classic Phil McGroin! 🙂
"Glock tosses McGroin away, sending him sailing through the air at ringside and landing on Moxie in an incidental body splash!" this was also awesome.
Good match action with a lot of twists.
Supergroup: I don't know why, but the whole "we never teamed up" thing cracks me up. Were they a team previously? Don't care. Just funny that one is adamant and the other denies it completely.
Cain vs Valentine: Man there were a lot of near falls in that! Not gonna lie, at first I read "Rhys who is spirting at him" as "Rhys who is sqirting at him" and was like, what the fuck? Then re-read it and it's not so weird. The false finish was great. Good back and fourth action.
Bonham interview: Loved it. Not much else to say really. I just thought it was great.
Willow the Widow vs The Virgin Rose: Was an interesting introduction. Entrance was then pretty cool. Not a bad introduction. Seems a bit too gimmaky for my tastes, but will see how the character evolves.
The Bro Show FINAL: The remembering was hilarious. Love the Bro Show. Congrats to Tony Rock, the newest member of the greatest stable in 4CW.
White vs Bonham: I'll just say what Roberts said, as it sums it up nicely: What a brutal match! Everything we've come to expect from both the stipulation, and these two.
Hazel's Harlequin Circus:
Someone forgot to edit some parts of this - (Name of Gallows Pole loser) parts.
Scharff/Simtul Segment: Keep Simtul in a team! Need a good tag division. Although it's been coming, so should expect it really.
Cain Interview: I agree with Gorgrim. Go heel. Full on heel. Some of the best heel turns are the ones when they're full on and out of the blue.
Tag Team Championship 4 Way: Moving on lol
13 Ghost Gauntlet: MCGROIN!!!!!! Fuck yeah!
Janitur Open Challenge: Love these. I've said it before and I'll say it again, the Janitur open challenges need to continue. And Myback makes me laugh, so this was quite fun over all.
Scharff vs Wolfbaine vs Paige: Good match. If I wasn't being bias over McGroin winning, this would probably be my match of the night. But fuck you all, because Phil McGroin won the 13 Ghost Gauntlet and so that is match of the night by default.
Match of the Night: 13 Ghost
MVP of the Night: Phil McGroin, who else!
Graphic of the Night: Bro show poster
Hazel's Harlequin Circus:
Someone forgot to edit some parts of this - (Name of Gallows Pole loser) parts.
Hope you enjoyed the seg and/or match at least.
~☆~☆~Pronouns: she/her/hers~☆~☆~
~☆~☆~4CW Grand Slam Champ~☆~☆~
Hazel's Harlequin Circus:
Someone forgot to edit some parts of this - (Name of Gallows Pole loser) parts.Hope you enjoyed the seg and/or match at least.
Ha, I did. I thought I'd added more to that, but clearly forgot.
Hazel's Harlequin Circus:
Someone forgot to edit some parts of this - (Name of Gallows Pole loser) parts.
Took me forever to find the specific part you were talking about lol. Fixed now.
Thanks Taker_2004 for the banner!
Halloween Hardcore Championship Matches:
This really was the best way to open the show. Madness is also the perfect word, where at first I wasn’t sure how I felt, but I’m all in. I forgot how much I enjoy just general hardcore matches, nevertheless a triple threat. I’d watch wrestling again if there was more of this kind of fun. Damn permanent brain damage crap! I also felt if the camera man was going to be a reoccurring character he should have a name, but now I feel not having one and simply being the “camera man” just adds to the craziness and amusing story. This was and has been a joy with all this hardcore title shenanigans. “McGroin is now a seven-time undefeated Hardcore Champion! It's a Halloween miracle!” LOL
Supergroup Backstage:
I remember when Don and Tony first debuted. Now they’re 4CW vets lol. Funny little segment.
Cain vs Valentine:
Wrote it. Sometimes I feel like I come from another time in wrestling LOL and I really got some kind words. This was a blast. Thanks guys.
Bonham Interview:
Bonham has this unique personality and way with words where he can almost make you believe the bad guys are the good guys. Very Sith Lord like. Half through this I thought of Sidious but also those Netflix “Into the Mind of a Serial Killer” that may be dramatic, but my brain went there!
Willow the Widow Segment/Match:
Does anyone here remember Willy Twist!? More characters! This was fun in a dark way. I’m not surprised that Hazel has surprised me. Does that make sense?
The Bro Show Final:
Funny little match here to get the final member into the supergroup. I did like the sudden remembrance of the former Tag champs. Curious to see what the next step is for the group…..and those who didn’t make the cut.
Gallows Pole:
One thing I love about Gallows End is we have not one but TWO signature matches. Just scoring a win in either is a nice feather in the cap! At first glance I thought this match was a but short, but seeing how brutal it was, rightfully so. Would have actually been rather odd if it dragged on. I had my money on Bonham, but I’m a mark for the old school guys. White with a huge and deserving win. Great match. I love hardcore merciless matches. Especially for a non-Hardcore title at a PPV.
Hazel Post-Gallows Segment:
I have to admit coming in to this storyline later as I did, i’m having trouble following. Moreso because of all the characters. What the announcers say after the segment is how I feel. LOL. However, this is one of the most intriguing and unique storylines going on in 4CW right now. Hazel is batshit crazy and I like it. How she easily ignores a strangling Bonham, usually you can read a few segments from a character and kind of make out who they are and in some cases who they are trying to emulate. Not with Hazel. I can say she's “crazy” but it's more than that. Damn.
Hazel's Harlequin Circus:
Wow. So weren’t Young and Hazel dating? Or went on a date? Is this a mind fuck? LOL. This type of match is perfect for Hazel and I was glad to see her retain and in fantastic fashion. This was just fun and entertaining. I hope to see Hazel do this again much like the Undertaker would with Casket or Buried Alive matches.
Scharff/Simtul Segment:
Surprising little encounter, I like it simply for the fact I completely didn’t expect it. Ballsy move. Fortune favors the bold.
Cain Interview:
For a man who just can’t have much go right for him lately, he’s an optimistic chap!
Tag Team Championship 4 Way:
Awfully hard on yourself Rhys and rightfully so….JK! Seriously these matches are TOUGH to write, so many names to keep track of, want to get everyone time, and everything else that goes with writing a PPV Championship match. This was good! Murder of Crows showed they’re a lethal team, hard hitting match and everyone got their time in the sun. Umbra Maxima with a huge win. Seems these belts have been on the move, lets see if they can hang onto them for awhile.
13 Ghost Gauntlet:
I love this match. Favorite WWE match has always been the Rumble and this is the closest we got to it. Everyone got there time and everyone looked good. I’d imagine (unlike the 4-team tag match) that his was fun to write. Still hectic but fun. Iconic match. Knowing I couldn’t win, I still held out the slightest bit of hope and got super excited when i entered the fray. I’ve won before and I remember how exciting that was. Credit to your writing here. Great Gauntlet this year and great great great win for McGroin.
Janitur Open Challenge:
Love the Janitur. Always have. I think Gorgrim said it best, with this being a great distraction from the main card, better than the filler the WWE puts out. I dunno who Myback is but welcome back! Glad Janitur won though
Scharff vs Wolfbaine vs Paige:
Epic triple threat match. These matches are so fun to read and even watch (Benoit v Michaels V Triple H). The names in this Main Event made it all the better. Such good writing, back and forth and all over and to top it off, a dramatic big finish. Man Paige i’d have cried if I were you too. Epic truly is the word here. Great match!
Match of the Night:
So close between Gauntlet and Main Event. I give it to the Triple Threat simply because of what it meant for Paige.
MVP of the Night:
Pilgrim Paige hands down for me. I don’t know if this is your first World Title, but either way it's very much deserved. Your contributions to the forum and really to 4CW are unprecedented. Your reviews are world class. Congrats on the win.
Graphic of the Night:
TIE! The 4W Chi thing always kill me! Revival Poster looks amazeballs too.
Former 4CW Champion
4CW Hall of Fame Class of 2019
4CW 2019: Champion/Wrestler/Moment
oh and sorry for the delay! Crazy time at work and home just ended for me!
Former 4CW Champion
4CW Hall of Fame Class of 2019
4CW 2019: Champion/Wrestler/Moment
Hazel Post-Gallows Segment:
I have to admit coming in to this storyline later as I did, i’m having trouble following. Moreso because of all the characters. What the announcers say after the segment is how I feel. LOL. However, this is one of the most intriguing and unique storylines going on in 4CW right now. Hazel is batshit crazy and I like it. How she easily ignores a strangling Bonham, usually you can read a few segments from a character and kind of make out who they are and in some cases who they are trying to emulate. Not with Hazel. I can say she's “crazy” but it's more than that. Damn.
Some stuff that may aid you somewhat:
- Hazel debuted in 2017 as part of The Coven, a new faction led by Paige. So it was them and Tsukiko, who's now in Silent Sorcery with the man who trained them all. Hazel lacked direction for a while and was sort of just an attack dog til November 2017. I overhauled her moveset and had her get weirder -- including licking her opponents. Brian White took issue with Paige's apparent lack of respect for the 4VW veterans/what The Coven did to Sery in order for Paige to win her first belt (Custom Cup) in the company. So he Coven feuded with White and his protegé, Tommy. Hazel and Tommy were both newly being built up and are both high-fliers, so they were fun to put opposite one another. Tommy became Hazel's favourite "salt lick" and Tommy never knew what to make of her. Cut to Gallows End '18 and the two are more fleshed out, Hazel went singles competitor/had a huge falling out with Paige and esecially Tsukiko at the end of 2017... and she and Tommy have wrestled each other a ton in 2018 (see note about Anna later)... and had the very awkward date you read a while back. It never got to be more than that and they've settled on being unlikely friends/allies.
- I overhauled Paige's RP format and started new storylines when she got back off the injured list for the second time in 2018. One underlying thread is she and Hazel habe some kind of psychic link. The two patched things up to some extent and are now distant allies in 4CW.
- Tsukiko's contract expired in the middle of 2018 and upon returning, due to her past indiscretions with Hazel and all, a stip was added to her new contract: she cannot speak in 4CW until Hazel says she can.
- Anna Molly is just a cool referee who happens to be a referee and kinda digs Hazel, or did at least. She officiated the whole Soul Survivor tournament this year, which ultimately came down to Hazel vs. Tommy in the final. That series was contested for Hazel's Custom Cup title, btw. So yeah -- she, Hazel and Tommy have become well acquainted over time and get on well.
- Paige and Kiko (Tsukiko) dated from April 2017 to April 2018. Hence their awkwardness around each other.
- Hence all the characters and interactions involved in this seg. Phew! 😋
anitur Open Challenge:
I dunno who Myback is but welcome back!
A creation of mine (and a member of The Supergroup). Basically a Goldberg/Ryback hybrid but with back issues. 😋
MVP of the Night:
Pilgrim Paige hands down for me. I don’t know if this is your first World Title, but either way it's very much deserved. Your contributions to the forum and really to 4CW are unprecedented. Your reviews are world class. Congrats on the win.
It is!
~☆~☆~Pronouns: she/her/hers~☆~☆~
~☆~☆~4CW Grand Slam Champ~☆~☆~
If anyone wants more information on characters, check out our Compendium links. They usually give at least a basic idea of who a character is and in some cases, they have an extremely detailed history.
Thanks Taker_2004 for the banner!
I may need your help Paige, fleshing out the last year on the Wiki! :-P
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
Hazel Post-Gallows Segment:
I have to admit coming in to this storyline later as I did, i’m having trouble following. Moreso because of all the characters. What the announcers say after the segment is how I feel. LOL. However, this is one of the most intriguing and unique storylines going on in 4CW right now. Hazel is batshit crazy and I like it. How she easily ignores a strangling Bonham, usually you can read a few segments from a character and kind of make out who they are and in some cases who they are trying to emulate. Not with Hazel. I can say she's “crazy” but it's more than that. Damn.Some stuff that may aid you somewhat:
- Hazel debuted in 2017 as part of The Coven, a new faction led by Paige. So it was them and Tsukiko, who's now in Silent Sorcery with the man who trained them all. Hazel lacked direction for a while and was sort of just an attack dog til November 2017. I overhauled her moveset and had her get weirder -- including licking her opponents. Brian White took issue with Paige's apparent lack of respect for the 4VW veterans/what The Coven did to Sery in order for Paige to win her first belt (Custom Cup) in the company. So he Coven feuded with White and his protegé, Tommy. Hazel and Tommy were both newly being built up and are both high-fliers, so they were fun to put opposite one another. Tommy became Hazel's favourite "salt lick" and Tommy never knew what to make of her. Cut to Gallows End '18 and the two are more fleshed out, Hazel went singles competitor/had a huge falling out with Paige and esecially Tsukiko at the end of 2017... and she and Tommy have wrestled each other a ton in 2018 (see note about Anna later)... and had the very awkward date you read a while back. It never got to be more than that and they've settled on being unlikely friends/allies.
- I overhauled Paige's RP format and started new storylines when she got back off the injured list for the second time in 2018. One underlying thread is she and Hazel habe some kind of psychic link. The two patched things up to some extent and are now distant allies in 4CW.
- Tsukiko's contract expired in the middle of 2018 and upon returning, due to her past indiscretions with Hazel and all, a stip was added to her new contract: she cannot speak in 4CW until Hazel says she can.
- Anna Molly is just a cool referee who happens to be a referee and kinda digs Hazel, or did at least. She officiated the whole Soul Survivor tournament this year, which ultimately came down to Hazel vs. Tommy in the final. That series was contested for Hazel's Custom Cup title, btw. So yeah -- she, Hazel and Tommy have become well acquainted over time and get on well.
- Paige and Kiko (Tsukiko) dated from April 2017 to April 2018. Hence their awkwardness around each other.
- Hence all the characters and interactions involved in this seg. Phew! 😋anitur Open Challenge:
I dunno who Myback is but welcome back!A creation of mine (and a member of The Supergroup). Basically a Goldberg/Ryback hybrid but with back issues. 😋
MVP of the Night:
Pilgrim Paige hands down for me. I don’t know if this is your first World Title, but either way it's very much deserved. Your contributions to the forum and really to 4CW are unprecedented. Your reviews are world class. Congrats on the win.It is!
Wow! Thanks Paige I learned a lot!
Former 4CW Champion
4CW Hall of Fame Class of 2019
4CW 2019: Champion/Wrestler/Moment
4CW PRESENTS... GALLOWS END 2018
LIVE FROM MADISON SQUARE GARDEN
OCTOBER 31, 2018
Att: 19,750
"Just a Ride" by The Virginmarys plays over a video package highlighting the feuds leading up to tonight's card. Paige and Wolfbaine co-winning Rumble in the Storm to challenge Jacob Scharff, the feuds between White and Bonham, as well as Cain vs Valentine are highlighted. Flashes of Witch Hazel's madness under her title run, and Tommy Young's rise to prominence, a selection of Hardcore Championship wins for McGroin and the tag team insanity that ended the last show are also shown. Finally, we cut to the arena, to almost twenty thousand strong, as the familiar voice of Scott Phoenix introduces us to the show.
Scott Phoenix: Ladies and Gentlemen, we are LIVE from Madison Square Garden! Welcome to 4CW Gallows End! I'm Scott Phoenix, joined as always by my broadcast partners, Ray Jeffrey and James Roberts!
Jeffrey: Man, I'm so excited, let's just say I'm glad I'm sitting at a table!
Roberts: Well, that's .... lovely... but you know what, not even your sleaziness is going to put me off tonight, Ray! It's Gallows End! And we have a STACKED card if I've ever seen one!
Jeffrey: We've got so many matches I don't even know where to begin!
Phoenix: How about with our main event, as Jacob Scharff defends the 4CW World Championship against Eddie Wolfbaine and Pilgrim Paige!
Roberts: That will be an absolute firecracker of a match! And not only will we find out who walks away with the World Title, we're also gonna find a new number one contender in the Gallows End tradition, the 13 Ghost Gauntlet match!
Jeffrey: And speaking of Gallows End traditions, Brian White will challenge Clyde Bonham for the 4CW Universal Championship - in a Gallows Pole match!
Phoenix: It doesn't get more brutal than that! But we've got more madness tonight as four teams clash in a no disqualification tornado tag match for the 4CW Tag Team Titles! Silent Sorcery won the belts last month on Storm Front, and their first title defense will see them competing against three other tag teams! The former champs Umbra Maxima, The Liberation and of course, Murder of Crows!
Roberts: We also have Rhys Cain vs Jack Valentine tonight for the first time in 4CW History! We've never seen these two go one on one before! Who will walk out of here tonight with the victory and the bragging rights?
Jeffrey: And maybe the match I'm looking forward to the most - Witch Hazel defends her 4CW Custom Cup Championship against Tommy Young - and it will be a Hazel's Harlequin Circus match! I have no idea what that is, but I love it!
Phoenix: All this and so much more tonight, but we're going to kick things off with the 4CW Hardcore Championship!
We see that the stage and ringside area have been thoroughly "Halloween-ized". On the right side of the stage area, there are three lit jack-o-lanterns, each bearing a different facial expression. There are also three pumpkins on the left side of the stage, glowing from within. Each one of these pumpkins has only one carved space, and together they read, "4CW". Observing the ringside area, we see a big purple casket standing upright against a ring post. It's covered in fake spiderwebs and chained tightly shut. Even the ring posts have been included in the fun, having been wrapped with strings of little LED pumpkins and purple spiders, adding yet more to the cheesy Halloween vibes. And finally, each post has been topped with a pumpkin, carved through to the bottom and situated onto the posts like heads on pikes. Even the ringside commentary team has gotten in the Halloween spirit, with a small unlit jack-o-lantern situated atop each monitor and Ray Jeffrey wearing a suit, tie and slacks covered in pumpkin designs.
Phoenix: This is gonna be quite a hectic match, no doubt. And it will be violent!
Jeffrey: Yeeeaaah, boy! I love all this Halloween stuff! I had sooo much candy and wine and chocolate I might BURST! I guess I've been real good this year. James, have you been a good boy this Halloween?
Roberts: That's Christmas, Ray.
Jeffrey: You don't know what it's like where I'm from, James!
Roberts: You mean Portland?
Jeffrey: Shut up, Grinchberts!
Ring announcer Michael Carson enters the ring. Senior official Jason Trent stands nearby.
Carson: The following contest is the HALLOWEEN HARDCOOORE MATCH and it is for Hardcore Championship!
The crowd pops, hyped for some hardcore action.
Metallica's "Am I Savage? hits the PA system.
And just like that, the crowd noise becomes a loud chorus of boos. Sporting his familiar black trench coat, Glock strides out onto the stage and proceeds to the edge of the ramp.
Carson: Introducing the first challenger, from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, he stands at 6'6 and is known as... GLOCK NINE!!
Glock Nine makes his way confidently down to the ring. He sneers at the fans as he passes, making sure none of them can reach him. He takes his time as he strolls up to the apron, and climbs onto it. Glock steps over the ropes and into the ring, then takes off his trench coat. As he does so, he produces a balled-up chain from his coat pocket and wraps it around the knuckles of his right hand. A sadistic, self-satisfied smirk crosses his lips. Glock then turns around, leans on the ropes and beckons for his opponents. While he waits, he shouts some unintelligible venom to the most raucous of the front row.
"Break and Dominate" by The Charm The Fury takes over the speakers. This is met tonight by a modest pop. Moxie steps out onto the stage, dressed in loose black jeans and a black tank top. She approaches the ring with a determined scowl on her face and no weapon in sight.
Carson: And the second challenger, from Omaha, Nebraska, weighing in at 147lbs... ERICAAAA ... MOXIE!!
Roberts: And here comes the brazen and fearless Moxie!
Jeffrey: That's Miss Moxie to you, Roberts! You wanna keep your original head instead of one of those pumpkins, you'll do well to remember that!
Phoenix: This Erica Moxie is an intense competitor, and doesn't mess around. The most recent display of her talents was an impromptu match at last month's Storm Front, in which Moxie gave all manner of hell to Mark Redman.
Roberts: Couldn't have happened to a nicer guy!
Erica Moxie heads down to ringside and stares up at Glock Nine, who's practically salivating in anticipation of anarchy at this point.
Linkin Park's "Numb" hits the PAs. Camera Man is seen walking backward and flitting about to get the best angles as Phil McGroin makes his entrance to a chorus of boos. Phil carries a steel chair in his right hand; it has a crudely Sharpied pumpkin drawn on it. McGroin holds it high over his head as he mugs for the camera and soaks up the adulation of his small (but vocal) fanbase.
Carson: From Helston, England and weighing in at 14 stone... the man who once made a cow tap out... he is the 4CW Hardcore Champion... PHIL... MCGROOOIN!!
Jeffrey: The undefeated 6-time Hardcore champ is in the house!
Phoenix: Yeah, that statement sure makes sense. I'd have been undefeated, too, if I constantly rewrote my own history.
Jeffrey: You're just jealous of Phil's success, Scott.
Phoenix: Nothing gets by you, does it, Ray?
Phil McGroin takes his sweet time heading down the ramp, posing with his chair. In the ring, Glock is talking trash to Miss Moxie. In turn, Moxie is staring a hole through Glock Nine from her ringside position.
Roberts: I think the wise thing to do here would be to wait for McGroin to—
Moxie slides into the ring and heads straight at Glock! He takes a wild swing with his chain-wrapped fist. Moxie easily dodges the attack and pummels away on Glock as he tries to cover up, then is shoved aggressively away into the ropes. Moxie promptly bounces off and charges at Glock again. He lowers his head early and pays for it, receiving a stiff kick to the gut, courtesy of the newcomer. Glock reels back, momentarily off-balance. Moxie rebounds off the ropes again, this time hitting a clothesline—but Glock doesn't go down. Undeterred, Moxie repeats this action, putting her usual force and aggression into it—but Glock merely staggers. With a determined shout, she runs to her left rather than running back to the same rope. The ref gets the hell out of dodge as Moxie rebounds off from that side, leaps into the air and hits Glock like a battering ram, driving him down sideways to the canvas! Glock's chain winds up five feet away, out on the apron. The crowd roars; so does Moxie. On the ramp, Phil—whose music has since cut out—is raging at Camera Man about his entrance being all screwed up by "those two clowns", while simultaneously blaming Camera Man himself.
Phoenix: Erica Moxie came to fight and she's damn sure bringing it to Glock!
Jeffrey: No fair! The bell hasn't even rung yet!
Roberts: Yeah, who could have expected such chaos to erupt with 4CW's hardcore elite out here?
Jeffrey: Well, I don't take impromptu orders from other hardcore elite, like your mom. So like it or not, at least I'm consistent, Roberts.
Apparently done with his temper tantrum, Phil slides into the ring with his chair and swings at Moxie. She ducks under, sliding forward on one knee and turning on it in the process, using the opening to clip McGroin's leg out from under him with an improvised chop block. Referee Jason Trent climbs back into the ring and calls for the bell.
DING-DING-DING!
Roberts: Here we go, this match has officially started!
Moxie hammers away on Glock's back as he rises back up off the mat, but Glock gets vertical all the same. He gives Moxie a hard shove—right into the recovering McGroin! His chair goes flying off to the other end of the ring, and both the champ and Erica Moxie are down.
Phoenix: No finesse to be found where Glock Nine is concerned. It's all power, and a mean streak to drive it.
Glock finds his chain and begins to wrap it round his hand again, but abruptly stops halfway through the task. With a sneer, he unwinds the chain and instead simply grips it. As McGroin tries to get to his feet, Glock whips him across the back with the chain, knocking McGroin right back down. Glock turns round as Moxie finds her feet, and she suffers the same fate as McGroin did a few moments before. While Moxie writhes in pain, McGroin rolls out to the apron to create some distance and recuperate. Glock has other plans, however, and whips McGroin once more, catching him across the abdomen and folding him up like an accordion. Phil drops down to ringside, and Glock decides to follow his old nemesis out of the ring. Glock steps heavily over the ropes and tumbles to ringside when Miss Moxie drills him with an out-of-nowhere clothesline! Moxie goes up and over the rope with him, Cactus Jack style, and lands neatly seated on the ring apron.
Phoenix: I think Glock has underestimated Erica Moxie's resiliency going into this match.
Roberts: And it was all Glock for the last minute or so, right up to the point her took his focus off her!
Jeffrey: Three of our most rugged on display, beating the hell out of each other! What's not to love?
Moxie pulls herself up, standing on the apron. At the same time, McGroin finds his feet—and his chair! McGroin swings at Moxie's legs, baseball-style, but Moxie hops over the chair as it goes by. As McGroin raises the chair for another strike, she kicks it back in his face, knocking McGroin dazedly away against the barricade. In her peripheral vision, Moxie spots The Hollowpoint Bullet rising to his feet, facing away from his opponents. Thinking fast, Moxie grabs one of the post-mounted pumpkins and slams it down over Glock's head! Miss Moxie then drops down to ringside, retrieves Phil's abandoned chair and cracks The Hollowpoint Horseman over his pumpkin-y head! Glock wobbles, but doesn't go down. With a shrug, Moxie turns to Phil and jabs the chair into his ribs, causing him to double over and fall to his hands and knees. Moxie gets a running start, leaps off Phil's back and WHAPS Glock with a flying chair shot! Glock is down and seemingly out, bits of pumpkin are everywhere and the crowd is going nuts!
Phoenix: Well if chair shots can be poetic—and I'm sure that to Phil McGroin, they are—then that was pure poetry in motion!
*Ray Jeffrey has a mouth full of chocolate*
Jeffrey: Mm! Shogud! *gulp* And the move thingy. That was good, too.
Jason Trent rounds ringside and gets into position as Moxie covers...
One...
Two...
Broken up!
McGroin breaks up the pin at two-and-a-half. He stumbles to his feet and then stumbles over Glock, managing to pull off a hard knife edge chop along the way. He falls to his knees momentarily, but pops back up and throws another chop, eliciting a "WOO!" from the MSG crowd. Moxie returns these blows, then begins gaining the upper hand, picking up the pace. She adds in some punches, alternating between those and the chops, and then caps off the flurry with a spinning backfist—McGroins ducks it—Moxie catches only air—and McGroin uses the opening to grab her round the waist and drive her spine-first into the ring post! An "ooh" ripples through the arena, and Moxie is down. McGroin covers.
One...
Two...
Th—kick-out!
McGroin slaps the thin ringside mat in frustration. Seeing that Glock is still down, he attempts a cover on him as well.
One...
Two...
Glock tosses McGroin away, sending him sailing through the air at ringside and landing on Moxie in an incidental body splash! Trent counts...
One...
Two...
Kick-out!
The fans chuckle and applaud as McGroin rolls away from Miss Moxie and is seemingly consoled by Camera Man.
Jeffrey: Ha!
Roberts: That was quite a unique chain of events.
Jeffrey: Did you see that splash from McGroin?! He leaped off Glock sidelong and onto Miss Moxie! What an athlete!
Phoenix: Yeah, he sure is something, apparently. Defying physics and all, according to you.
Jeffrey: Pssh. It's no surprise you don't believe in the magic of Halloween, Scotty 2 Naughty. I bet you get coal in your trick-or-treat bag every year!
Roberts: That's still Christmas, Ray.
Jeffrey: You're still Christmas, James!
Glock is the first to get back up, removing his unwanted Halloween helmet in the process. He grabs the nearest opponent to him—Miss Moxie—and hoists her up onto her feet. Glock lift her up over his shoulder and carries her toward the standing casket. He backs up onto the ramp and charges forward, but before he can launch his human lawn dart, Moxie comes to—slips down Glock' back—and shoves him headlong into the side of the casket, taking Glock down yet again!
Phoenix: Ol' Glock's not having much luck with Erica Moxie here tonight.
Jeffrey: He's a man of action more than strategy. Once he gets his mitts on her again, Moxie is going down!
THWACK!
This sound is heard as Camera Man sneaks up behind Moxie and hits her in the back with Phil's chair! Moxie falls to her knees, and Camera Man lines up another shot, this time from the front, aiming for her head. Camera Man raises the chair high above his head—and is goozled by Moxie as she suddenly stands, a fierce expression replacing the pained one. Moxie uses both hands now for a full-on choke, and with his throat in a vise, Camera Man drops the chair. Moxie then uses one hand to grab Camera Man by the crotch of his slacks and hoists him up high in a military press! Moxie turns toward the ramp, looking to slam him down on it, just as McGroin comes up from behind and hits a blatant low blow! Camera Man tumbles awkwardly onto the ramp as the crowd boos McGroin. This gets even louder as McGroin runs up to referee Jason Trent and demand he be handed his hardcore title.
Phoenix: I think McGroin wants to bail! What a cowardly display by the champion.
Jeffrey: No way! McGroin is a fightin' champion, through and through! He just wants to make sure the referee didn't scuff the title up with his dirty mat-slappers!
Trent refuses, so McGroin rounds ringside to go get it himself—and is clotheslined out of his boots by Glock Nine! The crowd pops for McGroin's comeuppance. Glock wastes no time following up: he pulls McGroin onto his feet, wrenches his left arm and sticks a big size 16 boot under Phil's chin. Glock falls back, jacking McGroin's jaw and leaving him nothing to do but Count the Lights! Glock drops into the cover.
Jeffrey: Game/set/match, baby!
Phoenix: It's academic at this point!
One...
Two...
Moxie breaks up the pin with a chair shot to Glock's head! Moxie covers!
One...
Two...
Three!
The crowd pops!
Phoenix: Moxie did it! Moxie's the Hardcore champion!
DING-DING-DING!
Before the ref can retrieve the title for Moxie, Camera Man is right up in the ref's face, shouting about the 24/7 title defense rules. The crowd boos loudly.
Carson: The winner of this match, and NEW Hardcore Champion, ERICA MOXIE!
Camera Man slides into the ring and snatches the mic away from Michael Carson, glancing desperately now and then at his employer as the crowd rages. Referee Jason Trent slides into the ring. Camera Man resumes the "conversation".
Camera Man: Just do your job, for the love of all that's good and holy! You don't know what he's like when he's angry... at me!
Jason Trent: Ya know what? I've been here for over two years and you, you little sycophant—and *he points at McGroin, who's still down at ringside*—Phil, have zero respect for the officials in this company. I don't have to to take this shit. Get someone else.
Trent takes his leave, and a bewildered Camera Man tosses the mic and heads up the ramp after him, pleading, but to no avail.
Jeffrey: So is this thing done, or what?
Phoenix: It looks that way, long as there's no ref out here to call the action.
Moxie heads over to the timekeeper's area and grabs the belt, receiving a pop as she raises it above her head. Glock gets back up onto his feet and heads her way, but Moxie slides into the ring to evade him. She turns toward the ramp, but McGroin comes back from the dead and points his chair menacingly at her, raging and rambling about still being undefeated. Realizing her situation, Moxie holds the belt out like a weapon, glancing between Glock and McGroin. At some point, Glock seems to have retrieved his chain and re-wrapped his knuckles.
Roberts: Oh, this is fixing to be a bad scene for Miss Moxie!
Jeffrey: That idiot Camera Man had better find a ref, and fast! Phil won't be happy enough with just a beatdown!
As if on cue, Camera Man appears on stage, followed closely by an irritated-looking Anna Molly. She rubs her thumb, index and middle finger together, and Camera Man nods his head fervently.
Jeffrey: Hallelujah!
Phoenix: Well, it looks like Camera Man is gonna give junior referee Anna Molly some "overtime pay" to keep this thing rolling.
Roberts: So I guess that means it'll be on the usual 24/7 rules; the champ—him- or herself—must be pinned in order to claim the title
McGroin's attention falls momentarily on his approaching companion and Anna Molly, leading to an opening that sees Miss Moxie hitting a baseball slide when he turns back to face her, driving him down to the arena floor. Glock, in turn, uses this as a chance to climb into the ring. Moxie gets up to her feet as Glock charges at her—she turns around, and Glock scores a near-miss as Moxie dodges at the last second! Both competitors turn quickly on their heels, and Glock catches Moxie with a left-arm lariat that turns Moxie inside-out... as Moxie hits him with the belt! Moxie is down; Glock is on noodle legs!
Phoenix: What a collision right there!
Roberts: Moxie scored with the belt, but the power of Glock Nine is just devastating!
Glock falls into a cover as Anna stuffs a wad of bills into her breast pocket and slides into the ring.
One... Phil is climbing to the top rope!
Two... Phil is off-balance, but leaps anyway!
Two-and-a-half! Phil crashes in a heap... NEXT to Glock and Moxie!
Three!
DING-DING-DING!
The MSG arena is in hysterics in the wake of Phil's misguided missile launch.
Roberts: And in unusual fashion, Glock Nine has reclaimed the Hardcore title!
Jeffrey: What are these idiots laughing at?! Phil MEANT to do that! It's all part of the bigger plan!
Phoenix: Of course it was.
Dazed and confused, Phil McGroin shakes the cobwebs out and surveys the damage. Both Glock and Moxie are unmoving. Phil shrugs, grins and shoves Glock off of Moxie, rolling him onto his back. Phil drops into a lateral press...
One...
Two...
Three!
DING-DING-DING!
The MSG arena make their distaste heard once more.
Phoenix: Boy, Madison Square Garden is filled with more boos than a ghost tonight!
Jeffrey: Who cares?! McGroin is now a seven-time undefeated Hardcore Champion! It's a Halloween miracle!
McGroin grabs the title belt, rolls out of the ring and orders Camera Man to bring him his chair. He does so, and with that, the still groggy Phil McGroin heads up the ramp, using the guard rail for a bit of help and cussing out anyone in the front row who dares to touch him. Along the way, one fan actually pie-faces Phil, shoving him back a couple feet. Phil looks for the culprit and finds none other than Witch Hazel! Phil cocks an eyebrow up.
Hazel: YOU'RE MEAN!
And with that, she blasts him with the Brain Fog, spitting silver mist right into Phil's face!
Roberts: It's Hazel! What the hell is going on here tonight?!
Phoenix: I guess she wanted to get a good look at the action, I dunno!
Phil reels to his left and then his right as the blind rage induced by the Brain Fog sets in. Camera Man, unluckily, is still much too close by, and falls victim to a wicked chair shot for his troubles! Camera Man is out cold!
Phoenix: My god what a chair shot!
Jeffrey: Oh no!
Sightless and incensed, McGroin ends up tossing both the belt and chair away and going the wrong way, undoing his chances of escaping with the belt, at least for the time being.
Hazel: IT'S HAZEL'S BIRTHDAY!!!
The MSG crowd: HAP-PY BIRTH-DAY! *clap, clap, clap-clap-clap*
This chant goes on for a little while. A close-up of Hazel shows her delighted face.
Phoenix: Well, Hazel isn't exactly trick-or-treating the way I know it, but the birthday girl just chose TRICK!
Jeffrey: That was the worst Halloween present ever!
Roberts: Anything can happen here in 4CW!
The chant dies down as Moxie gets back up, gingerly walks to the ramp-side ropes and reaches through, grabbing Phil by the hair. Moxie pulls McGroin up onto the apron and into the ring, unceremoniously dumping him down on the canvas. Phil lashes out with some blind swings, catching Moxie with a glancing blow that gets her leaning on the ropes to recover. Phil drops to the mat and finds the ropes, using them to pull himself out to the apron and down to the relative safety of ringside. The momentarily forgotten Glock Nine makes his presence felt, rushing at Moxie and getting low bridged in his clothesline attempt, sending him tumbling to the arena floor! Moxie takes a breather, seeming to be making a plan in her head. After a bit, she nods to herself and rolls out of the ring on the commentary side. She grabs a bottle of water from the timekeeper's area and cautiously approaches Phil McGroin, communicating verbally with him. She gets him calm enough to whisper a plan to him, then rinses his eyes out. The crowd is a bit baffled.
Roberts: Moxie has some kind of scheme, it seems.
Moxie gestures to McGroin as she turns her attention to the big purple casket—and the chains that bind it shut. A short search under the ring yields a pair of bolt-cutters and soon, Moxie has broken the chain and opened the lid. Between Moxie and McGroin, with considerable effort, they manage to pick up the groggy Glock Nine and stuff him into the casket! McGroin then retrieves his chair while Moxie wraps the chain round the casket. Using the chair legs, McGroin creates a makeshift lock for the chain, trapping Glock inside! Glock curses up a muffled storm, unable to get out!
Jeffrey: Well, that's a handy thing. Also, NO FAIR!
As soon as the chair legs are hooked down through the chain links, McGroin and Moxie's uneasy alliance breaks down. The two trade hard forearms shots back and forth 'til McGroin digs down deep, closes the gap and hits a kick to Moxie's solar plexus. McGroin then grabs Moxie in a side headlock, takes a few steps back and charges straight for the casket, driving Moxie's head into the elevated chair! The crowd oohs and groans in response.
Roberts: Just punishing!
Phoenix: Moxie may be out!
Anna Molly slides out to ringside as McGroin makes the cover...
One...
Two...
Th—shoulder up!
The MSG crowd offers up some applause for Miss Moxie's resiliency.
Growing frustrated, Phil retrieves his title belt, holds it at one end and begins mindlessly whipping Moxie with it. A few strikes in, Moxie shouts out, rushes McGroin and takes him down by both legs, climbing on top to hammer away on him afterward! Phil covers up as best he can, but Moxie is reigning down fists and forearms like a woman possessed!
Roberts: Erica Moxie is still in this thing!
Jeffrey: She's going crazy! Where's that idiot Camera Man?! You gotta get Phil outta there!
Phoenix: Well, he's knocked the hell out is where he is! And you said it yourself, didn't you? Phil's a fightin' champion.
Moxie grabs Phil and sends him into the ring, then grabs the title belt and climbs up onto the apron. Phil springs to his feet as she begins to enter through the rope and charges—headlong—right into his own belt! Moxie drills McGroin with the belt! McGroin goes down like a sack of potatoes and rolls onto his side near the middle of the ring.
Phoenix: That's a big opening right there!
Phil dazedly gets to his feet, a bit off-balance. From the apron, Miss Moxie tosses the belt in through the ropes, landing it on the canvas just a couple feet feet in front of Phil. Moxie then grabs the middle rope and slingshots into the ring, rolling through the momentum and leaping up to catch Phil McGroin with a cutter RIGHT ONTO THE BELT! 20, 000 at the MSG arena are on their feet!
Phoenix: The Omaha Slicer!
Jeffrey: Phil might be out!
Moxie picks up McGroin and tries to set him up for the Moxie Massacre, but McGroin slips out of her grip. Out of nowhere, McGroin moves in and grabs Moxie, taking her out with a spinebuster onto the belt!
Jeffrey: WOOHOOHOO! Phil may be running on fumes, but he's still a well-oiled machine, baby!
Roberts: Last-second dodge by the champ on that one and Moxie is in big trouble here!
Phil drops into a cover...
One...
Two...
Th—-kick-out!
Roberts: Two and three-quarters! What guts this Erica Moxie has!
Jeffrey: Yeah, all guts and no brains! She's done for now!
Phil gets up in the ref's face about the count, saying it was a three. Anna Molly is holding up her index and middle finger together, saying it was a near fall. Phil starts mouthing off at her, but Anna isn't having any of it. Phil scoffs at her and turns back toward Moxie, but as he does so, he quite purposefully bump shoulders with Anna. The crowd boos.
Phoenix: Well, that's disrespectful and uncalled for, in my book.
Phil approaches Moxie, bends down and grabs her by the hair, pulling her head up off the mat. He then rears back, readies a forearm shot and suffers a low blow courtesy of referee Anna Molly! Phil lets go of Moxie's hair and crumples to the mat beside her! The MSG arena greatly approves of this turn of events.
Phoenix: And turn-about is fair play!
Jeffrey: Are you kidding me with that?!
With both of McGroin's hands preoccupied with his crotch, Anna Molly covers and counts with her other hand, checking the shoulders as she pins...
One...
Two...
Three!
DING-DING-DING!
Jeffrey: What the hell?!
Phoenix: Well, I guess Anna Molly is the Hardcore champion now!
Anna stands back up and pumps her fist, taking in the crowd response. A few moments into this, however, Phil rolls her up and uses Anna's own hand to count her out!
One...
Two...
Three!
DING-DING-DING!
Phoenix: And it's back to Phil now!
Moxie grabs the belt out of Anna's hands and turns to leave, but McGroin grabs a hold of her ankle, taking her off-balance. Phil rises to his feet—Moxie takes a swing with the belt—and catches only air as Phil dodges! McGroin hits a kick to the gut, Moxie drops the belt in the process, and Phil sets her up for the Eggcution DDT. Phil is about to hoist her up when Moxie starts firing back with lefts and rights to the gut. Phil clubs away on her back, but Moxie powers through, hoists Phil up and drives him down onto her knee with an inverted atomic drop! Moxie is quick to follow up—she kicks Phil in the gut—underhooks the arms—and snaps him down to the mat with the double-arm DDT!
Anna Molly is in position as Moxie shoots the half...
One...
Two...
Three!
DING-DONG-DING!
Roberts: Glock is still trapped, McGroin is down and out and Moxie's the last one able to walk away with the gold!
Carson: The winner of this match... and the NEW Hardcore Champion!... ERICA MOXIE!
The crowd roars its approval as "Break and Dominate" begins pummeling the sound system.
Jeffrey: No! This is all your fault, Grinchberts! Damn you for trying to steal Halloween!
Roberts: What?!
Phoenix: Only thing making any sense right now is Erica Moxie just got kicked some ass and made herself a three-time Hardcore Champion!
Jeffrey: This is the worst Halloween ever!
Phoenix: Only if I have to keep looking at that suit.
Jeffrey: What—
Phoenix: We've got more 4CW action right around the bend, folks!
Moxie raises the title high above her head, then exits the ring and confidently strolls up the ramp, chuckling at the KO'ed Camera Man along the way.
We cut backstage where The Supergroup are in their locker room. They are circled around both Tony Rock and Don Stone, who are sitting on the locker room benches.
Zak E Justice: Now, this is it! Tonight, you two take part in The Bro Show Final... and one of you will join The Supergroup. The only question is, which member of The Supergroup will each of you pick tonight to team with?
Don Stone: Well I don't know about Tony here, but personally, I'm gonna pick someone who compliments my power with speed. Rane, I'm picking you.
Rane silently nods and Justice and Waverly smirk approvingly to each other.
Waverly: Good thinking, bro.
Justice: What about you, T-Rock?
Rock looks up and stares right at Carlos Starr.
Rock: I'm going with experience, and I'm a former tag champion with Carlos, so I'm picking him.
Carlos Starr lifts his arms in the air and drops them again with a sigh.
Starr: Bro, not this again... I know you have fantasies of being part of The Supergroup - but we have never teamed up!
Rock stands up, determined.
Rock: Believe what you want, Carlos. We'll be teaming up tonight either way, bro, and when we win, it'll be like old times.
Starr just stares at Rock blankly, clearly with absolutely no recollection of the "old times".
Starr: Whatever you say, bro...
The camera cuts out of the locker room and back into the arena.
Phoenix: What a fantastic Halloween Night we’ve had so far!
Roberts: More important than Halloween. Its Gallows End night!
Phoenix: Right you are James! And what a show we’ve seen so far!
Jeffery: I’m not impressed.
“Supernova Goes Pop” by Powerman 5000 hits and the crowd reaction cuts off the commentary. A strong mixture of booing and just pure screaming. Valentine slowly emerges from behind the curtain and stares out to the crowd with a frown on his face. His still sports the long weaved pony tail and the nicely maintained five o’clock shadow. His wrists are taped in black and up starting up around his thumb and down to his forearm. He wears long skin tight black and green wrestling pants and black boots. His physique is impressive showing some bulk, but highlighting striking body definition.
Roberts: Looks like Valentine wasn’t messing around during his latest hiatus from 4CW.
Phoenix: Looks like he’s been working on that cardio!
Jeffery: Alright enough! Yes he looks fantastic but these guys are going to step into that ring and fight! Not play any grab ass!
Carson: The following contest is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first! Hailing from Atlantic City, New Jersey. Weighing in at 215 pounds and standing 6 feet 2 inches. I give you 4CW’s most prized and original possession! Jack “Mad Dog” Valentine!
A signature grin slowly creeps across Valentine’s face and he starts making his way down the ramp. Little kids hold their hands out for high fives and Valentine holds his own hand out approaching them, only to quickly pull it away and pretend to make sure his hair is perfect. You can see an adult reach out towards Valentine, but fall short of making any contact due to the guard rail. Valentine arrives at the ring and pulls himself up onto the apron. He gets into the ring through the middle rope and quickly throws his arms out once through. He puts his head back and inhales slowly with his eyes closed and head back. He reaches the center of the ring and opens his eyes again looking out to the crowd and his grin immediately turns back into a frown and he begins mouthing off to the crowd. He even steps towards the ropes and extends his arm out before extending his middle finger to the roaring fans. Simultaneously, his music cuts and "The Burden" by Bury Tomorrow hits. The crowd explodes!
Phoenix: And here comes Rhys Cain!
Carson: And his opponent! Hailing from Wales and now residing in Tampa, Florida, weighing in at 220lbs. Standing 5 feet 8 inches. THE BRUISER .... RHYS ... CAAAAIN!!
Rhys Cain comes out from the back with scowl across his face as the crowd goes wild. He seems unaffected as his gaze is locked on Valentine. He marches straight down the ramp with thoughts of vengeance. He points his finger directly at Valentine mouthing off and spit can be seen flying out of his mouth. Valentine smiles from the center of the ring and motions with both arms for Rhys to bring it on.
Phoenix: Rhys is fuming! I can’t remember the last time we saw The Bruiser this visibly upset!
Jeffery: I’m enjoying every minute of it Scott.
Rhys quickly slides into the ring and Valentine charges, swinging for his head. Rhys somehow manages to stand and duck under the attack. Both men turn to face each other and Rhys unloads with a right to Valentine’s jaw! He then grabs him by the hair on his head and starts connecting with blow after blow. Valentine takes a defensive swing at Rhys’ head again, but he’s prepared and ducks under it, before grabbing the same spot of Valentine’s head and resumes his barrage. Valentine suddenly grabs Rhys’ head with both hands and pulls it downward while simultaneously bringing his knee upward and smashing the two together! The Bruiser grabs his face and falls to the mat hard as Valentine stumbles back into the corner holding an area on his face near his right eye.
Phoenix: What an explosive start! I didn’t think Valentine was going to survive that early attack!
Jeffery: This dog would never go down that early! Now he’s just……mad.
Roberts: I think I can speak for Scott and the 4CW Universe when I say I hate you, Ray.
Valentine seems to shake it off and walk over to Cain who is now on all fours. He bends down and gets him to his feet by his hair. Rhys suddenly throws a left, but Valentine swiftly blocks with his left and connects on the kisser with a right that sends Rhys sprawling into the nearest turnbuckle. Valentine then turns away facing the crowd and pretending to nurse his right hand, implying just how hard he hit his opponent. He then quickly turns back around and charges the corner, slamming into Rhys with a clothesline! Rhys nearly topples over the top rope from the force, but remains in the corner slumping forward now. Valentine forces him back upright exposing his chest. Valentine then rears back with his right arm and slams it right into The Bruiser’s chest! The sound echoes throughout the arena, but Valentine quickly follows up with another, and another, and another! He picks up speed as Rhys’ chest his beat red. Valentine hits a final fifth chest chop before swiftly stepping away and facing the crowd, shouting out to them with a loud “WOOOO!” Rhys slumps over but remains in the corner. Valentine takes off again towards Rhys, but this time he moves, more so falls, out of the way as Valentine collides with the turnbuckle chest first! He gasps for air as he stumbles along the ropes. Rhys gets to his feet and charges Valentine and clotheslines him right over the top rope!
Phoenix: Good God! Rhys is hurting but Valentine just took a big spill!
Roberts: Very opportunistic Scott. Valentine may be the old timer, but Rhys hasn’t left the 4CW ring in quite a long time and he’s still sharp!
Jeffery: You say sharp, but you mean lucky.
Rhys takes a minute to compose himself and then rolls under the bottom rope to meet Valentine. He grabs him by his ponytail and gets him to his feet. He grabs his head with both hands and thrusts it right into the ring apron and Valentine’s head bounces off and he stumbles away, holding his head. Rhys doesn’t let up as he leaps and dropkicks Valentine in his back and he flies head first into the guardrail! Cain looks to be hurting less and his anger seems to take over as he keeps on the pressure, picking Valentine back up by his ponytail and his belt with his other hand. Rhys then tosses Valentine back into the ring and he rolls towards the center. The Bruiser gets up onto the apron slowly. Suddenly, Valentine nips up and runs the ropes and plows himself right into the unexpecting Rhys Cain and he flies off the apron and slams his chest into the guardrail! Rhys is hurt, but does get himself up and turns towards the ring. As soon as he looks back he’s just in time to see Valentine leaping over the top rope and he comes down plowing into Rhys! Now both men are down on the outside!
Roberts: Valentine! Out of nowhere!
Phoenix: Now both men are down! Neither competitor seems to be able to get the upper hand for more than a few moments!
Both men are starting to stir around the count of 4 from the official. Valentine holds his ribs, but using the guardrail gets to his feet and heads towards Rhys. He grabs him by his hair and gets him up. He immediately guides him towards the ring and then the ring post. He slams Rhys’ forehead into the cold steel! Rhys noggin bounces off and he falls and rolls away, now closer to the announce table. Valentine rolls into the ring and flexes for the crowd receiving a chorus of boos and obscene gestures. The official continues his count.
6!
Rhys uses the announce team’s table to get himself up.
7!
Rhys, now standing, staggers over to the ring apron.
8!
Rhys puts his hand on the bottom rope and appears to be pulling himself back in the ring when suddenly Valentine comes flying in with a Baseball Slide! His feet crash into the side Rhys’ face and he stumbles back and into the announce table! Valentine gets himself up back in the ring and over hears the official starting counting from one. He gets right in the man’s face and starts arguing that he did not leave the ring and that the count should be at 8! The crowd boos, but Valentine does not let up and the official begins to warn him.
Phoenix: Not sure what the ruling is there fellas, but I’d say whatever the referee says goes!
Jeffery: 4CW management will do whatever they have to do, to keep this guy at the top! This is all about selling merchandise and not about who is the best! That should have been a ten count! This match should be over!
Roberts: Why don’t you just take it easy Ray. Winning by a count out won’t prove anything to the 4CW Universe and get him the respect he is so desperately craving.
Rhys has taken this opportunity to crawl over the ring and slowly get to his feet. With Valentine’s back to him, he reaches in and grabs Valentine’s foot and drags him back out of the ring. A surprised Mad Dog hits the outside, but quickly gets to his feet and swings at Rhys Cain, but he throws up an arm and blocks the attack! Rhys then unloads his own haymaker and connects with Valentine’s jaw leaving him stunned! Rhys continues his assault landing three more hard shots before grabbing Valentine’s head and slamming it into the ring apron! Valentine’s head slams into the canvas, but before he even has a chance to fall, Rhys grabs his head and slams it again! And again! Then tosses him right back into the ring! The crowd starts getting behind “The Bruiser” and he slides back into the ring. Immediately getting Valentine to his feet and whipping him against the furthest ropes. Valentine returns into the side and arms of Rhys who lifts him up and slams him back down for a Side Walk Slam! Rhys pops back up and motions for Valentine to get up which he slowly does. He takes a wild defensive swing against Rhys, but he easily ducks under it and grabs Valentine from behind and simultaneously lifting up and slamming him back for a German Suplex! The crowd is going wild as Rhys Cain heads over to the corner and squats stalking his prey! Valentine slowly gets up, having no idea what is coming. He stands and slowly turns to face his opponent and Rhys comes rocketing out of the corner head and shoulder first for the Spear! But suddenly Valentine, with a very small window, jolts forward with his right leg up and connects with Rhys’ jaw for a devastating Super kick! Both men hit the mat! Valentine is slow getting over to Rhys’ but he hooks the leg for the first pin attempt of the match!
1…
2…
Rhys throws a shoulder up!
Jeffery: Damn it!
Phoenix: I can’t take this anymore! Back and forth! Back and forth!
Roberts: Rhys Cain had Valentine right where he wanted him and Valentine with legendary reaction time!
Valentine looks at the referee with further displeasure before getting to his feet. He brings Rhys with him and scoops him quickly for a body slam positioning him near the turnbuckle. He then exits the ring onto the apron and climbs the turnbuckle. He mouths off to the crowd and before they can even respond he leaps high into the air! As he begins his descent he reveals a sharp elbow that he drives right into the heart of Rhys Cain! But instead of going for the pin, Valentine gets to his feet walks over to the ropes facing the crowd and shouts out to them. He climbs the same turnbuckle again and waits for Rhys to stand. He continues his back and forth with the fans until Rhys is now standing and slowly turning towards him. Valentine waits and times his next move. As soon as Rhys faces him he leaps out into the air feet first, but Rhys catches each leg with on under each of his arms! Valentine slams his back into the canvas and Rhys flips him over holding him in The Back Snap! Valentine screams out in agony! The crowd erupts and the camera view begins shaking back and forth! The official slides in asking Valentine to quit! He shakes his head back and forth! He won’t give up! He reaches for the ropes but they’re just out of reach! Rhys wrenches back with all his might! Valentine has nowhere to go. He holds out his hand!
Phoenix: He’s going to tap! He must tap!
Roberts: Its over!
Jeffery: Noooo!
Valentine brings his hands down, but not without managing to jolt his body just enough so that he grabs the bottom rope! The official steps in and gets Rhys off Valentine who releases him immediately. Valentine rolls around in pain, trying to nurse his back. Rhys takes a minute to compose himself before walking over to Valentine and getting him to his feet. He leans him against the ropes and whips him. He returns and surprisingly its Valentine with a clothesline, but Rhys ducks it! Valentine hits the adjacent ropes and returns to Rhys’ right arm being held outward, but instead of a clothesline, he locks in the sleeper hold! Valentine flails his arms wildly! The referee gets in close for the submission check, but Valentine desperately grabs him with his flailing arm begging for help! The official is trying to get him off of him! Suddenly you see Valentine’s leg kicks up from behind and between Rhys’ for a cheap low blow! Rhys releases the hold grabbing his groin and falls to the mat! Valentine stumbles over to the closest ropes and uses the top one to hold himself upright.
Roberts: Unbelievable!
Jeffery: Yeah! That official can’t get involved in the match like that! He needs to be fined! Suspended! Fired! Fired I say!
Valentine stretches his back still in pain from The Back Snap. He then sees Rhys start to get to his feet and he stalks him, staying behind him at all times. He holds his hands out to each side and when Rhys does stand he comes in and quickly locks in the Euthanasia Lock! Shades of the Million Dollar Dream! Now Rhys begins flailing his free arm! Both men dance back and forwards before Rhys starts to slow. He drops to a knee!
Jeffery: He’s counting sheep! Come on ref!
The official holds up Rhys’ free arm and it drops lifeless to the side!
1!
He lifts it again and it falls the same as before!
2!
He picks it up a third time and Rhys shoves the official away! He pulls Valentine over to the closest turnbuckle and walks up it! He manages to push both men backwards using his feet! Rhys lands on top of Valentine who has not released the hold. Rhys rolls backwards and has Valentine’s shoulders pinned in an awkward positon! The referee sees and slides in for the pin!
1!
2!
3……Kickout! No! So close!
Phoenix: My god that was one of the best submission reversals I’ve ever seen!
Jeffery: This official sucks. He was out cold!
Roberts: Was he Ray? He just came back to life?
Jeffery: Certainly, looked like it.
Valentine cowardly scrambles away towards the ropes and exhales with a deep sigh of relief. He gets up keeping his eyes on Rhys Cain who is on all fours. Valentine gets up and kicks Rhys in the midsection and he rolls over holding his ribs. Valentine grins and leans in to grab Rhys, but he quickly grabs Mad Dog and rolls him back for a Small Package Pin!
1…
2…
Kickout!
Valentine rolls away and gets up fueled by anger and rushes Rhys, who quickly counters with a drop toe hold and sends Valentine into the middle ropes and he lies there helpless! Rhys stands and runs the ropes returning and leaping onto Valentine’s back! He falls backward in pain as Rhys is heating up! As Valentine gets up he faces away from Rhys. The Brusier doesn’t wait for valentine to turn around as he dropkicks him in the back and sends him chest first into the turnbuckle! He rolls him back for a School Boy, but doesn’t hold for the pin! Valentine rolls backwards and onto all fours before standing up on his knees, only to see Rhys’ foot! Rhys Cain connects with his own Super kick! Valentine falls back holing his jaw as Rhys heads back over to the corner and stalks him once again! Valentine gets up still nursing his jaw and turns towards Rhys who is spirting at him! Valentine side steps him at the last second and Rhys somehow manages to stop himself from slamming into the turnbuckle! He turns and charges Valentine who side steps again and aids in throwing him into the ropes. Rhys comes back and ducks under a Valentine clothesline and hots the adjacent ropes! He comes back with much more force and finally nails the Spear! Valentine hits the canvas hard! Rhys hooks the leg for the pin!
1!
2!
3!
NO! Not yet!
Phoenix: Valentine just managed to get a shoulder up! I can’t believe it!
Roberts: I’d check that again Scott. I don’t think he did!
Jeffery: Official says count of two. Therefore, it’s a count of two!
Rhys glances at the referee in disbelief, but it doesn’t faze him much as he gets up bringing Valentine with him. He stands him up and kicks him in the gut before tossing an arm over his head. He then lifts Valentine straight up in the air and holds him. He takes a step forward and then gracefully allows Valentine to fall backward slamming his body into the mat. But Rhys does not release the hold as you can see his legs come off the ground and twerk to the right as he rolls over and gets both himself and Valentine up for another suplex, although much quicker this time! Valentine again slams his body into the mat! Rhys does it all again one more time. He holds Valentine up in the air, but you see Valentine’s knee come down and strike Rhys in the head. Rhys stalls. Valentine hits the knee again. And again! Valentine drops down from the suplex and lands on his feet as Rhys nurses his head. Valentine grabs Rhys arm and attempts to whip him into the ropes, but Rhys reverse it sending Valentine for the ride! He returns and swings for a vicious clothesline, but Valentine ducks underneath and hitting the ropes again gaining steam. Rhys swings a second time, but coming up empty again! Valentine hits the adjacent ropes and it doesn’t even look like his feet touch the ground as he flies through the air at Rhys! With his left hand he forces Rhys’ head into his right forearm for a Flying Forearm Smash! Both men hit the mat! Valentine manages to roll and get up to a knee and keeps an eye on Rhys while taking a breath. Rhys starts to stir and get on all fours while trying to shake the cobwebs out. Valentine swiftly stands and grabs Rhys’ head and forces it in-between his legs and lifts him straight up. He then leaps and drives his head into the mat for a brutal Piledriver! He wastes no time in climbing the turnbuckle. He glares at Rhys and looks like he’s contemplating something. He then turns facing away from Rhys.
Phoenix: Mad Dog setting up for something big!
Jeffery: Finish him Jack!
Valentine looks between his legs at Rhys’ position one last time before facing the crowd and flipping backwards through the air for a near perfect Moonsault! He flips through the air and comes down hard! And onto the mat! Rhys Cain managed to roll out of the way and Valentine begins flopping around in agony holding his gut! Rhys uses the ropes to get to his feet and waits for Valentine to stop squirming. Valentine eventually stops stirring and gets to a knee with his head down. Rhys immediately runs the ropes charging at his opponent. Valentin looks up only to eat a vicious knee to the face at top speed, for the Caput Draconis! Shades of the Enziguri! Valentine’s eyes seem to roll into the back of his head and Rhys hooks the leg for the pin!
1!!
2!!
3!!
NO!!
Again Valentine manages to get a shoulder up at the last second and even Rhys has to question the official. The crowd lets out a deep sigh of displeasure.
Roberts: Wow! Just wow!
Phoenix: Rhys Cain can’t believe it and neither can I!
Rhys takes a second to catch his breath before helping Valentine to his feet. He looks completely dazed and even a small stream of blood begins to trickle down from about his right eye. Rhys pulls back with a right and cracks Valentine. Rhys’ looks sluggish but throws a left and connects. Shockingly Valentine swings with a defensive right and connects which catches Rhys by surprise. He swings another right and Valentine blocks it and counters with his own right. Rhys is slowing down, but throws another right which is again blocked! Valentine’s right comes flying in, but Rhys blocks it! He counters with his a right and Valentine ducks under it getting behind The Bruiser! He grabs Rhys from behind, but is quickly hit with an elbow to the jaw and then another to the bad eye! Rhys turns around and clasps his hand around Valentine’s neck and Chokeslams him into the turnbuckle!
Phoenix: The Turnbuckle Burner! The Turnbuckle Burner!
Jeffery: Nooooooo!
Rhys lethargically falls onto Valentine for the cover!
1!!!
2!!!
3!!!
Phoenix: Rhys has done it! He’s beaten the 4CW Original!
Jeffery: This is bullshit!
Roberts: Wait! Wait! Wait! The official is waving it off! Valentine’s foot is on the bottom rope!
You can hear and feel the excitement leave the arena at this sudden realization. Rhys Cain sits up on his knees breathing heavily, as he just can’t put Valentine away. Frustration and fatigue are beginning to set in, but Rhys preserves and gets to his feet. He walks over to the turnbuckle and turns waiting for Valentine to stand. Mad Dog, using the ropes, gets to his feet with blood streaming down around his eye and down the side of his face. He holds onto the top rope with one hand as he stumbles backwards and eventually faces the former 4CW Champion. He completes his turn and Rhys charges in and leaps into the air knee first! Valentine just manages to side step the Dragon Rage! Rhys lands awkwardly on his knees, but quickly tries to get up and face Valentine. Mad Dog kicks Rhys in the stomach and hooks both of Rhys arms setting up for the Flea Shot! Rhys wriggles free and both men spin away and then face each other. Rhys is ready and swings for a Clothesline, but Valentine ducks underneath and when Rhys turns to face him he leaps up knees first and grabs the back of Rhys head and pulls it down onto his knees, as he falls backward to the mat! Rhys’ face slams into Valentine’s knees, shades of the Codebreaker! Rhys is standing but dazed as Valentine scrambles to his feet and kicks Rhys in the gut and double hooks the arms! From the Double Arm DDT position, he leaps back in a Pedigree style position and slams Rhys’ unprotected face into the canvas! Valentine quickly hooks the leg!
1!!!
2!!!
3!!!
Phoenix: It can’t be!
Jeffery: YES!
Carson: The winner of this match via pinfall! JACK ... MAD DOOOOOG ... VALENTINE!!!!
“Supernova Goes Pop” by Powerman 5000 hits and the crowd boos heavily. Valentine slowly gets to his feet, but once his hand is raise he rips it away from the official and is reinvigorated. He raises both hands and yells out to the crowd, ignoring the blood from his eyebrow. He climbs the turnbuckle and beats his chest and raises an arm in victory. Rhys finally comes too and looks up at Valentine in utter disbelief before rolling out of the ring. Valentine drops down from the turnbuckle and leans over the top rope shouting out to the fans.
Phoenix: What an incredible back and forth match!
Jeffery: Any time Rhys Cain loses, it’s a match of the night candidate!
Roberts: That match was impressive regardless and we’ve still got much more to come!
We go backstage with Gabriel Crowe, who is standing by with Clyde Bonham.
Crowe: Clyde, we are hearing that you are pretty confident about tonight, and reasonably so following your dastardly attack on White. What are your thoughts about tonight?
Clyde twists his lips into a smile, reflecting on last week.
Bonham: Well let me tell you something Gabe. I'm not sure if I would call what I did dastardly, but it most certainly was one thing, and that is brutal. You see, all of you people keep looking at me as the bad guy, but all I see is a ways to a mean. In this world, you have to do what you must to survive, and that means getting your hands a little dirty here and there.
Crowe looks a bit perplexed.
Crowe: But inherently, wouldn't you self serving motives be bad in their own nature?
Bonham let's out a chuckle.
Bonham: Perception is a bitch, ain't it Gabe?
Crowe: I'm not sure I follow.
Bonham shakes his head.
Bonham: Of course you don't, you are looking at the world through rose colored glasses and I see it for what it is Gabe. It's a dark, grey place. Just like I like it. What I did was ensure I keep the title where it belongs, and I don't find myself dangling from the wrong end of a rope.
Bonham rubs his neck in discomfort of the thought.
Bonham: So tonight, 3's and 7's will come across that PA, and I will walk out and stand in the middle of the ring... No actually, I will bring a chair, sit down, and wait for my opponent to show up. But he won't, because he can't! Thanks to me. As the ref is forced to call the match, the only thing that will be hanging high is my pride right off of cloud nine. And since I'll be done with White, I think it's time to aim for the top of the world, if you catch my drift. My world.
Bonham walks off, abruptly ending the interview.
We cut back to the arena, with Jack Valentine gone and his music cut, but Rhys Cain is still sitting in the middle of the ring, moping in his own world, an expression of pained frustration etched upon his face.
Phoenix: Cain's really gotta get himself out of the ring and go hit the showers or something.
Jeffrey: Somebody get out here and drag the midget off by his straggly hair! He's holding up the show!
All at once, the arena lights go out. Some time passes with no signs of them coming back on.
Roberts: What is this, now? Technical difficulties?
Phoenix: Well now we've got no lights out here! I can't see my own hands right in front of me!
A single, circular shaft of light illuminates center stage, and an odd scene begins to unfold. A dark-haired woman appears on the stage wearing a hooded, long-sleeve black dress that laces tightly beneath the bust/around the waist. This is a bit odd in and of itself... but between the skin-concealing dress, black lycra tights and—of all things—a black gas mask, everything about her feels "hidden" in some fashion. brings with her a decidedly mysterious atmosphere. What's more, she carries a large suitcase in one hand. There appear to be various strings and two wooden objects dangling off to one side of it. The crowd is unsure what to make of all this.
Jeffrey: What the hell is all this?! ... WHO the hell is this?
Phoenix: Not a clue. I will say the atmosphere in this place has done a complete 180, however.
The strange woman kneels down on the stage and opens her suitcase. She produces what appears to be a homemade toy wrestling ring that has thick red strings for the ropes, and sets it down in front of her. Next, she produces and unfolds a large backdrop and sets it behind the ring on a little stand. The backdrop has been painted to look like a wrestling arena, with fans and barricades and a ramp. Lastly for her set-up, the stranger moves behind the backdrop and drags her suitcase along with her.
Roberts: This is very bizarre.
Phoenix: It is. I wonder could this be the woman that was referred to in the last those strange videos we've been seeing?
A moment later, the nature of this set-up begins to become clear as the woman holds up a rectangular paddle with many strings hanging from its outer edges, then sets the large marionette at the strings' end into the ring.
Jeffrey: I hate puppet shows! They're so creepy!
Roberts: Really, Ray?
Jeffrey: Yes, really, James! Look at her. Manipulating a little man. All those strings. I tell ya, no woman is gonna control me ever again! Other than Mrs. Roberts. She can string me up and manipulate aaanything she wants!
*Roberts shudders*
Phoenix: When did any woman ever try to control you, Ray? You were only married for a half hour and you didn't even know the girl!
Jeffrey: I've said it before: worst half hour of my life.
A dramatic classical song starts up on the PAs, and the masked woman begins making the puppet—a big, beefy black man—beat his chest with his massive fists.
Roberts: Wait a minute... that's MONSTAR! That's a MONSTAR marionette!
Phoenix: Huh. I suspect you're right, James.
Meanwhile, Rhys Cain finally begins to head up the ramp, ignoring the crowd. At the top of the ramp, he gets an up-close look at the stranger's marionette show, though he doesn't seem to be really taking it in. A portion of the crowd boos as Cain absently stands in the way of the puppet show. The masked woman stops what she's doing and the music stops for the moment.
Jeffrey: Well now the idiot has caused an impromptu intermission!
Rhys gets moving again. With everything situated at the middle of the stage, Rhys has to make his way around the backdrop. As he does so, he eyes the newcomer with a look of mild annoyance and puzzlement, but continues on his way and heads through the gorilla position; soon, he is out of sight. The music picks back up and the woman proceeds with her puppet show.
The song reaches its crescendo, and the MONSTAR puppet dances violently around the ring for a bit—then stops, hand at his chest—and drops to the mat, unmoving as the song ends. Some of the audience ooh or politely applaud. The black-clad woman then removes the puppet, ring and backdrop from the stage and hastily sets them down in her suitcase.
Phoenix: Well, then. I, uh... I never thought I'd witness the death of MONSTAR in puppet form.
Jeffrey: You okay there, Scott?
Phoenix: Yeah, I'm fine. A little thrown off is all.
Roberts: I'm kinda thrown as well! This is pretty morbid; I don't quite know what to make of it!
The masked woman now sets up a new scene: she has a three-sided papier-mâché backdrop made up to look like the interior of an office, with the front-facing section being larger than the sides; a floor piece, painted to look like a hardwood floor; a little wooden desk; an impressive miniature chair that actually reclines; a stack of tiny papers that she sets on the desk, along with a miniature bottle of scotch and a shot glass; and a slightly disproportionate cardboard wall clock, set up on the backdrop. A zoom on the clock reveals it to claim the time is "Late o'clock". Lastly, she lowers a different puppet down on the stage. This is a pale puppet wearing a disheveled suit, messy ponytail and a notable five o'clock shadow. He heaves his shoulders and shakes his head, then sits down at the desk.
Jeffrey: Hey. that's Skywolf! Ol' Skypup, if you will. Ooh! Maybe most fittingly—Skypuppet! Ahaha!
Phoenix: Clever.
Roberts: I think I see where this tale is going now.
"Skypuppet" leans forward and looks down at the stack of papers. He heaves his shoulders once more, in exaggerated fashion. He then turns to the bottle of scotch and lastly, the shot glass. Skypuppet ultimately turns back to the bottle of booze, picks it up between both hands and takes a big swig, throwing himself back over the recliner in the process. He tumbles to the floor, then pulls himself up with the aid of the desk.
Gnarls Barkley's "Crazy" hits the speakers, and the Skywolf puppet begins to dance and flail about the office, knocking the papers off the desk and slamming his fists down on it. After a while, the song fades, and the Skywolf puppet sits at the desk again. The masked woman sets down her control paddle and retrieves another tri-folded papier-mâché backdrop—or rather, foreground—painted to look like closed red curtains. She sets it down in front of the office scene, steps out from behind the display and takes a small bow. The woman gets a warm, modest response from the New York crowd, then packs up her things in the suitcase and leaves.
Roberts: Well, that was different. I don't know much about puppeteering, but that was fairly effective.
Jeffrey: Pretty good puppet representations of the people, too.
Phoenix: Small correction for better accuracy—those were marionettes.
Jeffrey: Huh. The more you know!
The 4CWTron's video feed cuts out, as do the house lights. Darkness overtakes the arena once again, and the eerie keyboard intro to "Nocturnal Strains" by Eternal Tears of Sorrow takes a trip around the PA system. The blackness is overtaken by the dancing of pale blue spotlights as the rest of the instrumentation kicks in, forming a heavy, brooding build. One spotlight holds steady at center stage as dense black smoke billows across the entire stage area. I begins to rise rapidly, obscuring some of the video feed as the 4CWTron starts back up; what we can see on the visible parts of the screen are scenes from the various mysterious promo videos of the past few months. The song picks up somewhat, though still building up, as the hooded, masked woman comes crawling out through the smoke, keeping low to the stage floor.
Roberts: Well, this is freaky.
Jeffrey: I kinda like it! She's got my attention, I figure that's the whole point.
Phoenix: Almost forgot the 4CW universe revolves around you, Ray. Thanks for that.
Jeffrey: I'm here to help. Not just a pretty face, y'know.
As she crawls out of the most dense region of smoke, something odd begins to become clear: the woman appears to have cords—or "strings", as it were—attached to to her wrists and the back of her gas mask. All at once, she collapses face-down onto the stage—but is pulled up onto her feet with an unseen "tug" of the cables. Another vertical tug raises her lowered, inert head enough to make it face forward, and the build of Nocturnal Strains gives way to a moody, mid-tempo metal verse.
Carson: Making her way to the ring, from Widow's Hill... WILLOW THE WIDOW!
Willow tries to take a few steps down the ramp, but is pulled back to the top of it by her arms. With a frustrated howl, she produces a pair of scissors from a hidden pocket in her unusual hooded coat and hacks away the strings on her arms and head. Free to move of her own accord, she takes off down the ramp at a clip, slides into the ring and rises up off the canvas. The lights go back to normal.
Carson: And already in the ring, her opponent: weighing in at 128lbs, from Rosemont, Virginia... The Virgin Rose!
Nocturnal Strains cuts out while the punky, mohawk-wearing Rose removes her leather jacket. She absently tosses it to ringside, totally focused on her bizarre-looking opponent. Willow the Widow's pre-match ritual is a bit more thoughtful, involving her carefully removing her jacket and hanging it over the nearest ring post. She does the same for her gas mask, beneath which is a black fabric mask, firmly tied and covering about her face from the cheeks down. Willow's appearance/attire consists of long black lycra tights with a series of horizontal slits along the thighs; a black lycra crop top; a similarly cropped, long-sleeved mesh shirt over it; and laced-up black ring boots with kickpads over them. Her straight brown hair is dyed a rose gold colour at the ends and drapes below her collarbone. Willow also wears extremely thick black eye make-up, framing her chestnut eyes. Altogether, her presentation is rather creepy.
Junior referee Jude O'Cater calls for the bell.
DING-DING-DING!
Roberts: Alright, we've got a name and we've got an opponent. This girl is odd; if nothing else, this should be interesting.
Phoenix: Let's see what this "Willow the Widow" can do with the very aggressive Virgin Rose.
Rose fearlessly approaches Willow, who meets her in the middle of the ring. She offers her hand to shake/slap, but Willow just stands there, staring. The short-fused Rose gets right up in her opponent's face, talking trash.
Jeffrey: We don't even have any stats here, huh? That's more your area—got anything on this Willow girl at all, Scott?
Phoenix: Not a thing. I will say that—mohawk notwithstanding—Rose stands about an inch or two taller, so I'd put Willow at about 5'7, 5'6. And I'm fairly certain Widows' Hill is an entirely fictional place. I also figure she's not someone to be talking trash to.
Rose is getting nothing back from The Widow, so she gives her a hard shove. Willow stumbles back a few steps, but keeps her feet and continues staring, motionless, at The Virgin Rose. Rose takes a walk with her hands on her hips, chuckling and shaking her head to herself. She abruptly stops laughing all at once, spins on her heel and charges at Willow for a clothesline, but Willow ducks under. Rose rebounds off the ropes, Willow lowers her head too early and The Virgin Rose makes her pay for it with a kick to the chest, knocking Willow back. Rose rushes the newcomer again, but gets caught along the way, scooped up sidelong and driven into the mat with a high-impact tilt-a-whirl gutbuster! The crowd pops, and some of the fans applaud.
Phoenix: Great modified gutbuster there. Ol' Rockin' Rosie got hoisted up, twisted up and now she's all folded up!
Jeffrey: Ahahahaha! Hey, wait—Rockin' Rosie?
Phoenix: Oh, there's my age showing again, heh. That was her moniker on the indies.
Willow then hits the ropes, rebounds off and... slides on her knees, stopping short of Rosie's head. The Widow then grabs her opponent by the head—raises it off the mat—lowers her face close to Rose's—and begins weeping! Tears drip from Willow's eyes onto Roses's face, bringing Rose to her senses—at which point she shoves Willow off of her and scoots away, rolling to the outside! The fans seem both bewildered and amused.
Jeffrey: Well, you don't see that every day! How do you call that one, Scott?
Phoenix: It's a new one for me, no doubt about it. In a creative mood I suppose I'd say that's a Weeping Willow.
Jeffrey: Ha! God, I love this job. Have I told you lately how much I love ya, buddy?
Phoenix: You can tell me after the show, Ray.
Roberts: Hey, why don't I get any love?
Jeffrey: Oh, please. I tell your mom what a good kid you are all the time!
Rose leans against the commentary table, runs her fingers over her red mohawk and takes a breather. Jeffrey leans over and addresses her.
Jeffrey: I don't think anyone wrestles like that back in Virginia, but you're a long way from Virginia now, honey!
*Rose turns and stares daggers at Ray. She grabs him by his Halloween jacket, leans forward and speaks into his headset's mouthpiece.*
Rose: Well, my boot isn't very far from your ass. Want me to close the gap?
Jeffrey: *ahem* N—no, ma'am! No gaps in need of closing around here!
Rose: That's a shame.
At the count of six, Willow climbs back into the ring and meets Willow at center ring again. Rose looks a bit reluctant at first, but soon, the two lock horns. Rose transitions into an arm wringer, but Willow twists her way out of it and lands a quick elbow. She then whips Rose into a far corner. Willow dashes into the corner but is met with a pair of boots to the face, knocking her down at last. Rosie pulls Willow up and bashes her off the turnbuckle a few times, then spins away and picks her up piggyback-style. Facing the corner, Rose begins to climb the turnbuckles as Willow tries to shake the cobwebs out.
Phoenix: Oh, I know this move! What she calls When Pigs Fly!; if she hits this, she'll knock the wind right out of Willow!
Jeffrey: Ha!
Just as Rose gets both feet situated on the second rope, Willow finds her senses and starts bashing away on Rose's back, knocking her off-balance. Rose has to release her hold on Willow, leaning into the ropes to try to right herself. Willow lets herself fall to the mat on her feet, catching her balance quickly. She takes a swing at Rose but eats a mule kick for her troubles, sending her reeling away. Rose rights herself, climbs up to the top rope and gets crotched on the top rope thanks to Willow clobbering the ropes! An "ooh" ripples through the crowd. Willow closes the distance, grabs Rose and pulls her down into a tree of woe.
Roberts: The tree of woe! Not a good place to be.
Jeffrey: Not only a tree of woe, it's a Willow tree of woe! Ahaha!
Willow steps back from the corner and produces a pressed daisy from under her wrist tape and, bizarrely, begins a game of She loves me, she loves me not, tearing the petals off one at a time. After a while, the crowd gets in on the counting of each petal. When the last petal is picked, Willow lands on She loves me. Willow shrugs, drops to her belly, crawls over to her Rose and gives her big, upside-down smooch! The crowd pops, and with that, Willow lets Rose down relatively gently.
Phoenix: Boy this is a bit of a different kinda contest, in my books. Very psychological, this Willow.
Referee Jude O'Cater isn't particularly pleased with Willow the Widow's antics and admonishes her as he kicks the loose petals out of the ring. Rose is quick to take advantage, running up behind Willow and taking her down with a running bulldog! She turns Willow over and hooks a leg...
One..
Kick-out!
Roberts: Ooh, big bulldog there. Willow was distracted with the referee and took her eyes off the prize.
Phoenix: Bit of a hiccup there, she's gotta focus up to turn this back around.
Rose lays into Willow with some stomps before picking her up and placing her in the corner. Rose fires off a knife edge chop, and the crowd WOOS! She throws a second chop to similar effect, then whips Willow out of the corner—reversal!—Willow sends Rose off to the opposite corner, follows in fast and for the second time eats boot! Before she can stumble away, Rose grabs her by the head and hooks on a headlock. Rose runs toward the buckle, leaps and gets tossed away in mid-air, crashing crotch-first into the middle buckle!! A loud "OOH" sounds out in the MSG arena.
Jeffrey: WOOHOOHOOHOO! Now that's a ride you don't wanna take!
Phoenix: Good counter! I think Rosie wanted a springboard off the buckle, but Willow had presence of mind to turn the momentum against her!
Roberts: That may spell the beginning of the end.
Willow grabs Rose by the head and drags her out of the less-than-comfortable straddle, then sets her up in a standing headscissors. Willow lifts Rose up over her shoulder, then re-positions her arms to hold Rose up high in a crucifix powerbomb position. Willow turns herself around 180°, facing away from the turnbuckles—and tosses Rose down onto the top turnbuckle, chest-first! The crowd response is deafening!
Jeffrey: Welp, she's dead! No more worries about that boot of hers.
Roberts: What a devastating maneuver!
Willow picks Rose up. Remarkably, she can still keep her feet—well, more or less. Willow positions herself beside and slightly behind Rose, and grabs her round the neck with both hands, seemingly setting up for a neckbreaker of some kind. Instead, Willow bends forward and low—and in turn, bends Rose way back—swings one leg for momentum and drops, driving the back of Rose's head into the mat with a skull-rattling inverted snapmare driver! Another loud response from the crowd precedes Willow's cover...
One...
Two...
Three!
DING-DING-DING!
Carson: Here is your winner... Willow the Widow!
"Nocturnal Strains" hits the speakers as Jude O'Cater raises Willow's hand in victory. Willow just stands there for a bit, motionlessly staring at her downed opponent, much the way she behaved before the match began.
Phoenix: Well that was a solid first outing for this "Willow" individual.
Roberts: A decisive victory in her debut match, and on pay-per-view no less!
Jeffrey: I'm all for more madness around here and this girl seems like another great source of it!
Carson: The following tag team contest is The Bro Show FINAL and it is scheduled for one fall! Whoever wins the match with his selected Supergroup partner will join The Supergroup!
"A Man of Stone" by Crystal Viper hits the PA system. Don Stone comes out, an echo of boos filling the arena. Rane follows behind Stone, donned all in blue and masked as usual.
Carson: Introducing first, The Supergroup member RANE... and contestant DOOOON ... STONE!!
Phoenix: You heard Carson! It's The Bro Show final! Don Stone & Rane vs Tony Rock & Carlos Starr! Whoever wins is the sixth member of The Supergroup,
Jeffrey: You know, this whole show has been ridiculous - BUT Stone and Rock have both somehow made it here and whoever wins this would be a part of the greatest faction in 4CW currently.
Phoenix: Yeah and conveniently the only active faction...
"Where The River Flows" by Collective Soul hits the PA system. Tony Rock comes out with Carlos Starr lagging behind him. Rock is all smiles as he leads Starr to the ring, who really looks like he doesn't want to encourage the insistence that Rock and he used to team up.
Carson: And their opponents, The Supergroup member CARLOS STARR and contestant TONYYYYY ... ROCK!!
Phoenix: And here's Tony Rock. He's been trying to convince Carlos Starr they used to be tag champions. And it's true, they did. Granted, only for a day. Starr unfortunately has no recollection of such an event.
Jeffrey: And nor do I... are you sure you're not just making it up, Scott?
Starr and Rock slide into the ring and the two teams take their places in the corners. Rane goes into the corner on her team and Starr starts to do the same but Rock stops him. Rock signals that he wants Starr to start the match, "like the good ol' days"... Starr rolls his eyes and gets back into the ring, looking at the bigger Stone on the opposite side of the ring. Starr looks to Rock, then back to Stone, and mumbles something to himself with a shake of the head. The referee does his final checks and rings the bell!
Starr starts to move forward when suddenly he stops. He has the most curious expression on his face, almost as if he is remembering a long supressed memory. He looks back over to Rock in the corner, then at his own hands, then at Stone, who is waiting for him on the other side of the ring. And then, all of a sudden, the penny drops.
Starr: Hey! I DO remember!
Starr turns around with his back to Stone and faces Rock.
Starr: We WERE tag team champions! The RockStarrs!
Rock: See? I told you!
Starr: Bro, we were the best tag team champions of all time too, how could I forget that?
Rock: Bro...
Starr: And to think I was -
Rock: Bro, watch out!
Too late. Stone, tired of waiting for Starr, had taken matters into his own hands and ran at him from behind, smashing Starr with a clothesline to the back of the head! Rock cringes on the apron as Stone picks up Starr and whips him into the opposite corner. The bigger man charges across the ring and smashes into Starr, before tagging in Rane. It takes Rane a moment to get used to the weirdness of wrestling against Starr but she throws a few forearms into his face before wrapping his arm over her neck and taking Starr out of the corner with a snap suplex!
Rane covers her co-bro and the ref counts. 1...no! Starr kicks out. Rane picks up Starr and puts him back in the corner, before tagging in Stone again. Stone comes back into the ring and smashes Starr in the gut with a shoulder barge. He repeats the process two more times with increasing momentum!
Phoenix: Well in the early going it looks like Rane and Stone make a surprisingly great team!
Stone lifts Starr back up to his feet by the throat. He tries to club Starr in the corner again, but Starr ducks under the blow and under Stone's arm. Starr runs to the ropes and Stone turns around just in time to eat a dropkick! Stone gets back up to his feet and Starr takes him down with an Enziguri! Starr covers Stone! 1... 2... no! Stone kicks out!
Roberts: Starr has gained some momentum but he needs to tag in his fresh partner!
Starr seems to be thinking along the same lines as he hobbles over and tags Tony Rock, to a surprisingly big pop from the crowd.
Phoenix: A tag made! The RockStarrs back together!
Rock comes into the ring as Stone gets to his feet. They stare each other down for a moment, then charge like two raging bulls! They exchange a flurry of lefts and rights but Stone gets the advantage being the bigger and more powerful man. He clocks Rock with a sharp European Uppercut, and then follows it up with a clubbing blow to the back of the neck! Rock falls to his knees and Stone drags him back up and whips Rock into an empty corner. Stone runs at Rock at alarming speed, but Rock is prepared for the offense, and lifts his foot in the air, his boot connecting with Stone's head!
Hurt, Stone retreats, clutching his head. Rock lifts himself up onto the middle ropes to get a bit of height and waits for Stone to get back up to his feet and turn around. Rock launches at Stone - but Stone was playing possum! He grabs Rock and turns the dive into a destructive spinebuster!
Phoenix: Spinebuster out of nowhere!!
Stone rolls over and covers Rock. The ref counts! ONE ... TWO ... NO! Rock kicks out!
Jeffrey: I gotta say, Rock kicking out there was impressive! That Spinebuster was enough to wind the toughest man or woman in 4CW!
Stone, frustrated at how much offense his opponents have managed to take him on with, takes a breather as he tags Rane back in. As Rock gets back up to his feet, using the turnbuckle as leverage, Rane runs at him and takes him out with a running dropkick! Rock hits the buckles behind him and slouches down to the mat. Rane lifts her arm in the air, and the crowd pop for what they know is coming.
Phoenix: I believe Rane is calling for the Chokeslam From Well!
Rane stands in position, her arm outstretched, seemingly chomping at the bit from her frenetic movement as Rock staggers back up to his feet groggily. She grabs Rock by the throat, in which he immediately grabs her hands to try and release the grip. Rane attempts to lift Rock for the Chokeslam! He lifts into the air about an inch or two, before coming back down to his feet. Rane tries a second time but Rock is firmly rooted to the ground. Instead, he kicks her in the gut, and she releases the clutch on his throat. Rock then grabs Rane in a uranage position and takes her out with a Rock Bottom!
Rock hooks the leg! ONE ... TWO ... NO! Rane kicks out! Tony Rock looks to be in disbelief! Rock turns to his partner incredulously, who shrugs his shoulders. Rock decides offense is the best defense and picks up Rane to deal more damage, but she wriggles out of his grip and falls backwards into her own corner - where Stone tags himself in!
Jeffrey: Looks like Stone has decided to take control for his team!
Stone jumps into the ring and the two collide again. Stone sends Rock to the ropes, but Rock ducks Stone's clothesline on the rebound. Rock rolls behind Stone and rolls him up for a schoolboy! The ref counts ... ONE .. TWO... KICKOUT! Stone and Rock quickly both get back to their feet, but Rock is quicker to the punch and takes out Stone with a lariat for the ages!
Phoenix: What a lariat! Stone is down! Can Rock find his partner in this crucial moment?!
Rock is clearly gassed but he staggers over to his partner regardless and tags in Starr! Starr comes into the ring just in time to stop Stone tagging in Rane by running past him and clotheslining her off the apron! Realising his predicament, Stone tries to get to his feet. Starr calls over to Rock, who comes into the ring.
Starr: Bro! SUPERNOVA KICKS!
Rock grins at this and nods. As Stone stumbles back up to a standing position, he groggily looks between the two opponents, who run at him from opposite sides, and hit two simultaneous superkicks! Rock rolls out of the ring as Starr hooks the leg! ONE ... TWO... THREE!!
Carson: Here are your winners, CARLOS STARR ... and the winner of The Bro Show and NEEW member of The Supergroup... TONYYY ROOOOCK!!
"Superstar" by Lupe Fiasco hits the PA system. Starr and Rock rejoice and hug in the middle of the ring. Among all the celebrations, the rest of The Supergroup, Rane holding her head, all gather round and congratulate Rock, with Stone on the outside seemingly forgotten about.
Phoenix: Well, we have a winner! Tony Rock is the newest member of The Supergroup! And The RockStarrs have officially reunited!
Jeffrey: Man, with this new addition, is there anything The Supergroup can't do?
Roberts: Well, they haven't really done anything --
Jeffrey: Shut up, Roberts!
Inside the ring, The Supergroup circle around Starr and Rock. Starr taps Rock on the shoulder and when Rock turns, he hands him a pair of Bro Shades. Rock grins and, with a held breath released, he slides on the shades and instantly gains 5 Brotality Points. The Supergroup celebrate together as the camera fades.
The camera pans over the crowd and focuses on the ring, where a metal construct has been set in a corner, an elongated L with a winch and a noose hanging from it; the gallows for this match, and it looks somewhat overly supported. Carson is standing in the middle of the ring, microphone in hand.
Carson: The following match is a Gallows Pole Match and is for the Universal Championship! To win, the competitor must wrap the noose around his opponents neck and hoist so that he is hanging from the gallows. There are no pins, no submissions, no disqualifications, and no count outs!
Jeffrey: Thanks Carson for explaining a match that everyone here already knows! Sheesh!
Roberts: To be fair, I'm sure we have many new fans both in attendance and watching...
Phoenix: Indeed. And this next instalment of this classic match should be a doozie, although the champion, Clyde Bonham, is also very confident that this match won't even take place!
Roberts: That's right. We've not seen Brian White today at all, and after the heinous attack he suffered last month on Storm Front, no one knows if he'll even make it.
Jeffrey: He'll make it, I'm sure! He's taken some serious hits and always come back swinging! And he has the 13 Ghost Gauntlet to compete in for another shot at the World Championship, so there's no way he's missing this tonight!
3's and 7's by Queens of the Stone Age begins to play on the PA as the Titantron shows an image of a desert road, a vehicle coming closer. The song kicks in as a large Dodge drives past and Clyde Bonham comes out onto stage, belt held high in one hand, steel chair in the other. He confidently strides down the centre of the ramp, ignoring the crowds boos as the noise gets increasingly loud.
Roberts: The crowd don't like what their Universal Champion admitted to earlier.
Jeffrey: Yeh think? Captain obvious strikes again!
Carson: Introducing first, on his way to the ring, from Death Falls, Nevada, weighing in at 231lbs, he is the 4CW Universal Champion... CLYYYYYDE ... BONHAM!!
Bonham chucks his chair into the ring, Carson having to dodge slightly out of the way, climbs up the stairs and through the ropes. Ignoring Carson's glare, he mounts a corner post and holds his championship high, taking in the hate from the crowd, smiling and laughing, bad mouthing the crowd, and generally lording it over everyone. He then retrieves his chair, sets it up in the middle of the ring and sits facing the ramp. After a few awkward seconds he shoos Carson away.
Phoenix: Clyde Bonham is ready and waiting. Now we see if Brian White will enter...
Bonham waits in the middle of the ring, the crowd booing and jeering as loud as they can. After a few minutes of this, the crowd start a chant. “FREEEEEIGHT TRAAAAAIN! FREEEEEIGHT TRAAAAAIN!” with Bonham beginning to conduct as he lounges back in his chair. He shouts at a camera “He ain't commin'!” and laughs, before looking towards the reff to demand that he call the match.
Suddenly the lights go out and the beginning notes of a sitar begin to strum across the PA as “Wherever I May Roam” by Metallica strikes. The crowd roar as the image of a flaming skull, very reminiscent of Ghost Rider appears on the titantron, the flames enveloping the skull and streaming through it's grinning mouth. The sitar finishes, the skull opens it's mouth as if to scream and 8 massive jets of flame shoot up across the stage in time with the snare drum hits. The lights hit, the titantron lights up with White's video package and out strides the big man himself, Brian White, holding a large sledge hammer and a look of grim determination, accompanied by a beautiful young woman in a leather fur lined jacket covering a light blue crop top, denim mini skirt and black knee high heeled boots. (Think Trish Stratus when she was with T&A http://www.wrestlingkingdom.com/trish/tanda2.jpg)
Carson: And his opponent, being accompanied to the ring by Miss Teri Morzano, Brian, “The FREIGHT TRAIN”, WHIIIIIIIIIIIITE!
The crowd pops massively at the pairs arrival, Bonham on the other hand can't believe his eyes. A camera focuses on him just in time to see him mouth “That's impossible” before his face cracks into a visage of rage and he begins to pace frantically around the ring, shaking his head and shouting “no, no, no, no!” over and over.
Phoenix: I don't believe it! The Freight Train is here and he looks ready to go!
Roberts: Ahah! You got that right! And Bonham is as shocked as the rest of us!
Jeffrey: WOOOOO! Who's the babe he's got with him?! I gotta get to know her!
Roberts: *Rolls his eyes* That's Teri Morzano, his girlfriend and also now part time sports therapist for 4CW. (Roberts eyes Jeffrey slyly) Her massages are great by the way....
Jeffrey almost falls off his chair at this revelation and someone in the back has the good sense to mute his mic for the next minute or so!
White raises the hammer single handedly above his head before lowering it to point at the raging Bonham. Teri looks up at her man, smiles primly before locking her arm in his and the two of them walk down the ramp to the ring. White's eyes do not leave Bonham and Bonham takes that challenge, leaning over the ropes facing the ring to shout at the approaching pair.
Bonham: I knocked you out cold! You're done! You shouldn't even be here! I'm gonna put you back in that hospital and then me and your bitch are gonna go enjoy ourselves!
Bonham retreats just before White gets in range to swing with the hammer, but continues to vent, including shouting at the reff.
Bonham: Is he even cleared to compete?!
The ref just shrugs as he sits by the time keeper, his presence at ringside almost completely superfluous.
Bonham turns back angrily at White as he enters the ring, sledge hammer in hand and quickly scrambles to retrieve his chair.
Whites music fades. Teri stands at ringside, watching. The crowd cheer all the louder as the two men stand facing each other, chosen weapon in hand. It's not long before a “This Is Awesome!” chant begins as the stand off continues.
Phoenix: These two men have been at each others throats for several months now, neither one giving an inch. And now they find themselves in one of 4CW most notorious matches.
Roberts: I don't mind saying, this is giving me tingles!
Jeffrey: I don't mind saying, she's giving me tingles! HAH!
The two men stand and stare at each other, Bonham in a defensive stance, White looking somewhat relaxed, both just letting the crowd noise wash over them.
With a sudden movement, White swings his hammer down like the wrath of the gods, it's head impacting right where Bonham was standing as he just manages to dodge out of the way, shock at the sudden attack showing on his face. Reacting as quick as he can, he uses his chair as a shield, dodging as many blows as he can and strait up tanking those he can't with the chair as White releases a veritable flurry of blows, the heavy hammer seeming no more than stick in his grasp.
Roberts: My god, look at him go! Bonham can barely keep himself protected with that chair!
Bonham is forced back, step by step towards the ring ropes. Finally feeling the ropes against his back, he manages to dodge an overhead swing by ducking out and under the ropes to the outside. White steps back, his arms wide as he taunts Bonham. In contrast to Whites cold anger, Bonham starts to seethe, even shouting in rage as he notices Teri covering her mouth as she laughs.
In rage he throws the chair at White as hard as he could, though a negligent swing of the hammer is enough to deflect it. The distraction is enough though as Bonham launches himself between the ropes, his momentum so much so that he gains his feet in a single movement and drives his shoulder into Whites midriff, driving the wind out of the big man. Driving lefts and rights into the big man's stomach, Bonham begins to gain some momentum, his attacks fuelled purely by rage.
Phoenix: We were expecting a fight and that's what we're getting!
Roberts: No finesse whatsoever from these two!
White manages a clubbing blow to the back of Bonhams neck, forcing some separation between the two, but Bonham doesn't give much time as he charges in again with elbow strikes to the chest and head. White drops the hammer and goes into a boxers defence in an attempt to ward off Bonhams furious attack. Instead, Bonham reaches down quickly to grab his dented chair and drive it into Whites stomach, dropping him to his knees. Coughing, White fends off another attack from the chair with one of his oak like arms as he grasps for his sledge hammer, using it to hook Bonhams foot and trip him.
Phoenix: What an innovative move by White there, but it looks like he is unable to capitalise!
White manages to stop coughing and regain his footing in time to square up with Bonham again, both men armed again, though Brian's meaty forearm already looks bruised. Bonham grins suddenly and throws his dented chair to the corner, putting up his hands in a fighting stance.
Bonham: Come on then White, fight me!
White drops the hammer and grimly steps forward to meet Bonham in a collar and elbow tie up. The two contest their strength for a few seconds before surprisingly, Bonham comes out on top, twisting White already bruised arm uncomfortably round and forcing White to crouch down.
Roberts: Looks like we're finally seeing some wrestling from these two!
Bonham changes his grip slightly on Whites wrist and twists further, yanking the big man's arm as he does so.
Phoenix: Bonhams definitely got a game plan, working that shoulder practically negates all of Whites biggest moves!
As if on cue, Bonham jumps to his back, pulling White off his balance and forcing his shoulder into Bonhams knees in an improvised codebreaker. The crowd boo as White drops to his hands and knees, cradling the weakened arm. Bonham doesn't let up the pressure as he begins stamping on the big man's back and shoulder in an effort to get him fully on the floor.
Roberts: You're being uncommonly quiet there Ray...
Jeffrey: Eh? What? I was just... watching... Miss... Uuuuh, anyway, we have a match to call gentlemen!
Phoenix: Indeed....
Bonham, giving up on stomping tries to wrestle Whites hurt arm out of it's protective cradle and, after a few more elbows to Whites side, manages to grab the massive limb and pull it taught, before leaning back into White, locking in a fujiwara armbar. White, now grunting in pain, slowly crawls to the ropes and grabs hold of the bottom one. Bonham just laughs and cinches the hold in tighter.
Bonham: That won't stop me this time ya bastard!
White, nevertheless continues to pull himself towards the ropes, before with a roar of pain, managing to roll both himself and Bonham underneath the ropes and onto the floor, Bonham taking the worst of it as Whites massive bulk lands on his back! White rolls off his unsuspecting crash mat and begins to crawl away towards a worried looking Teri. Bonham, stunned by the sudden turn of events, lies on the mat, twitching slightly.
Jeffrey: *Mumbling* God damn him... How? Just... Just how!?
Teri helps the big man to his feet, taking a few seconds to massage some feeling back into Whites injured shoulder as Bonham lies there stunned. With a nod of thanks, White moves back towards his tormentor, rolling his shoulder a little. With some effort, White manages to drag Bonham to his feet, before using his uninjured shoulder to whip him around into the ring apron, following this up by ramming his shoulder into Bonhams back, again smashing him into the apron and then grabbing the spluttering Bonham and dropping him with an inverted DDT!
Phoenix: My God, he just smashed Bonhams head open with that DDT!
Momentum now firmly in Whites corner, he manhandles Bonham back into the ring and tiredly climbs in after him, rolling the supine form of Bonham towards the corner with the gallows.
Roberts: White's going to attempt to finish this!
Phoenix: He's in a good position to do so, although his usual fury and tenacity do seem to be lacking at the moment. Maybe some lingering effects from the concussion he suffered last month...
White manages to sit Bonham in the corner and grabs the noose, pulling it towards him. Teri looks worriedly on as White gets to work getting the noose round Bonhams head. As the rope slides under his chin, Bonham suddenly awakes and starts thrashing about in a panicked frenzy, an errant fist smashing White in the side of his head, dazing him and allowing Bonham time to get out of the noose and roll out of the ring. Bonham leans against the ring, eyes wide as he lightly holds his neck, his breathing slowly coming back to normal. Looking back at the ring, he notices White laid out in the ring, apparently unconscious and Teri climbing in to check on him.
Grinning maniacally to himself, he begins drag out a whole bunch of weapons from under the ring and toss them into the ring. Grabbing a fresh chair, he also climbs back into the ring. Teri meanwhile is trying to get some life back into White, who's staring vacantly up at the roof. She continues the attempt as various household items begin to fall around her and her pleas become more urgent as Bonham mounts the ring apron again.
Teri: COME ON BRIAN! *SLAP*
With a final effort, White blinks in surprise as her hand lands a resounding slap across his face. Bonham chuckles as she scoots as quickly as she can to the opposite side of the ring and drops to the mat.
Roberts: That's certainly one way to wake someone up!
Phoenix: Miss Morzano ought to be careful about getting too involved in this match!
Jeffrey: She should come get involved with me! WOOO!
White barely has time to remember where he is before Bonham smashes his new chair into Whites body, and with maniacal laughter he continues his assault with further chair smashes before discarding it and finding a new weapon, a kendo stick, and renewing his attack on the shoulder he previously went after.
Phoenix: Bonham is on the warpath, and he is desperate to put White's shoulder out of commission!
Teri jumps back up onto the apron, screaming at Bonham to stop his assault, and with a final thwack, Bonham does indeed stop, allowing White to curl up in a ball, again cradling his now badly bruised arm. Bonham saunters over to Teri, casually dropping the split kendo stick on the floor and leans into her space, forcing her to lean back a bit, and grabs her right arm as if to steady her, but really to hold her in place.
Bonham: So what you gonna do about it sweet cheeks? Eh?
And leans in to kiss her!
Phoenix: Has he no shame?!
Jeffrey: HNNNNGGGGG!!!!!
The crowd noise picks up again at this display as Teri is unable to escape. Teri does manage to push him away, breaking the kiss and Bonham laughs at her disgust. Teri then leans back even further, her left hand open and Bonham actually offers his cheek, smirking. Instead, Teri smirks and smashes him with a solid left hook right on the nose. Bonham falls back in shock and pain, letting go of Teri's arm. Reaching up to check his noes, he looks down and sees blood. Teri smirks at him, taking in the crowds applause at her gall in attacking a competitor. Bonham sees red and backhand slaps Teri across the face, dropping her off the apron onto the floor, and then hears a roar of pure frenzied rage!
White had been trying to recover his wits enough to help his partner, watching, unable to move as Bonham kissed her and finally assaulted her. This finally broke through the fog that had been plaguing him for the past month and with a roar loud enough to peak the cameras microphones, he rose to his feet and charged.
Jeffrey: Bonham did just fucked up bad!
Roberts: I wouldn't have put it that way, but I have to agree! I don't think I've ever seen White like this!
Bonham turns as he hears the roar and eats a spear that knocks him through the ropes and lands next to Teri, who manages to scoot away up the ramp behind her with respectable speed. Bonham gets to his feet, somewhat stunned. White sees this and a look of madness crosses his features. He runs to the opposite ropes and bounces off them.
Jeffrey: Oh, no.. He's not going to....
Building up all the speed he can, White dives through the second rope smashing Bonham with a humongous suicide dive! The crowd explode!
Phoenix: BAH GAWD! SUICIDE DIVE FROM THE FOUR HUNDRED POUNDER!!
Roberts: Bonhams dead, there's no way...
White drags Bonham up to his feet.
White: I'LL KILL YA IF YOU TOUCH HER AGAIN!
And with that White lifts Bonham with a military press and bodily throws him over the top rope! Climbing onto the apron, then stepping over the top rope, it's as if White hadn't just suffered badly at the hands of the person now rolling at his feet. With a thunderous expression, White lifts Bonham up into a powerbomb position.
Jeffrey: I think White is looking to finish it!
With speed and aggression, White drops Bonham with the Train Crash, right into the turnbuckles under the gallows. Bonhams eyes roll back as his head is bounced off the turnbuckles and he just lies there. White, a little more in control of himself, grabs at the noose and roughly jerks it over his head. Grabbing behind for the rope, he hoists the barely conscious man into the air and the bell rings!
DING! DING! DING!
Carson: Here is your winner, and new Universal Champion, BRIAN, “THE FREIGHT TRAIN” WHIIIIIIIIIIIITE!
White holds Bonham aloft for a second, raising his other arm in victory, before dropping him back on to the turnbuckle, still tied by the neck, as paramedics come running out to check on him, and Teri enters the ring holding the Universal Championship. With a smile, she hands the belt over to her partner and lifts his arm again.
Roberts: What a brutal match! Everything we've come to expect from both the stipulation, and these two.
Jeffrey: I don't think I've seen such carnage in a long time! This match must have shortened both of these men's careers.
Phoenix: And Brian White comes away the winner and now two times Universal Champion. Stay tuned folks, the action here is far from finished!
White leaves with Teri and the championship. Some of the fans in the arena cheer and chatter, facing the ramp. They watch on as Hazel leaves her front-row seat, climbs over the barricade and heads toward the ring with a Licky plush in tow. She seems out of sorts, moving slowly and looking paler than usual. White's theme song stops. Some of the fans approaching the exits with Harlequin Circus tickets in tow turn back to see what Hazel—one of that event's two featured performers—is up to.
Jeffrey: Hey, what's Hazel doing? Her match is up next and she's going the wrong way. Bonham isn't even out of the noose yet!
Phoenix:: Well, Hazel's Harlequin Circus is up next, but that's scheduled to take place in the big-top tent rather than here.
Hazel reaches ringside and stares up at Bonham's unconscious form. She looks confused. Half a minute later, Hazel begins to make her way up the ring steps, which seems a laborious task for her in her current state. On the last step before reaching the top, her legs give way and she falls forward. The crowd makes a shocked noise, but Hazel catches hold of the ring post in time to not hurt herself. She drops Licky in the process, but doesn't even seem to notice.
Roberts: That was scary for a moment there.
Jeffrey: I think we need someone out here to help her, something's clearly off.
Hazel crawls up the last step and into the ring. For a while, she just sits there on her knees, looking now and then between the pole structure and Bonham, now lying motionless on the mat, his neck still in the now-slackened rope. This devolves to simply rocking back and forth, teary-eyed and whispering something repeatedly to herself. A smattering of light cheers rises through the crowd as Tommy Young jogs down to the ring, followed soon after by Pilgrim Paige and Anna Molly. One by one they each slide into the ring and attempt to communicate with Hazel, but she just keeps violently rocking, head now hanging and face curtained by her pale hair. Tommy shares a look and a few words with Paige, leading to her retrieving a microphone and handing it off to Tommy. Before he speaks, a quiet mixed response ripples through the stands: Tsukiko Mizuno has appeared on stage and now paces back and forth, looking disquieted. She seems torn; lost on what, if anything, she should do. Tommy—kneeling next to Hazel—raises the mic. As he speaks, Hazel's repetitive whispering can be faintly heard in the background.
Tommy: Hey Hazel.
No change on her end. Tommy glances at Anna, then continues on.
Tommy: Hazel, your friends are here. If there's some way we can help—or if you just need company, or a shoulder—we're all here for you.
Hazel's mantra and rocking breaks for a moment. So close to Tommy, she can be heard when she speaks up.
Hazel: Friends.
Not a question, or anything with clear meaning behind it—just a parroting back of the word. Hazel returns to her rocking motion and mantra; more audibly now.
Hazel: Not her. Not Ambry. Not her. Not Ambry.
The ring's other three occupants share a look. Through body language, it becomes clear no one understands the meaning of what Hazel is saying. Paige looks away and lets out a concerned sigh, unwittingly meeting Tsukiko's eye in the process. Kiko shakes her head, and Paige nods in acknowledgement of her response. All at once, an odd expression crosses Paige's face, and she takes over the mic from Tommy Young.
Paige: Hey, Haze.
Hazel looks quite confused. Her face scrunches up.
Hazel: "Haze?" Hmm... I don't know who you mean. It's just me, just Hala. Or... well. My mom used to call me Hazel. You were real close! How'd you do that? That's spooky! It's like magic.
Paige: Well, it's what I call the Hazel that I know.
Hazel thinks about that for a long moment. She begins to nod slowly, and stops rocking; her alertness seems to improve.
Hazel: Ohhh. Okay, I see now. Yeah, she's usually here with me, or.. sort of "over" me. I don't think you ever got to meet *me* before. I don't come out much, even at therapy. Strong trigger tonight. Lesson learned.
Paige pushes down her confusion and keeps on a brave face.
Paige: Well, it's nice to meet you. I'm a friend of hers. I was a bad one for a while. But I'm working on it.
Hazel: She's very forgiving. I try to learn from her. I—
She looks around briefly before having to look down at the mat; she starts rocking once again.
Hazel: I—I shouldn't be here. Not without *her*; not without that layer over me... it's bad for me. I'll see if I can find her; sometimes I can do that, especially when I really need to. I'm pretty good at it by now.
Paige: If that's what you need right now.
Hazel nods. After a while, her facial expression changes; in fact, it does so a few times. She stops rocking, her demeanor shifts, and her physical tension eases somewhat. She then tosses her head back and looks around at her allies.
Hazel: Heiii, ladies and singular gentleman!
Her friends smile awkwardly. Hazel observes the crowd and the canvas; her eyes seem to make it a point not to focus on Bonham, though when he starts to stir and remove the noose, she casts a glance his way.
Hazel: Wake up, sleepyhead! Hazel has a match! (...) Oh but wait! That's Hazel's super special match with Tommy! That one's not for here.
She raises an eyebrow Tommy's way, then nods once at Bonham.
Hazel: If his match is over, it must be tent time! Are you ready to go play? It's gonna be fun! 😄
Tommy, who still looks rather concerned, leans his face toward the mic.
Tommy: Uh.. yeah, of course. Let's go have fun, Hazel.
Anna leans forward and chimes in, speaking in a calm, matter-of-fact tone.
Anna: I have some last-minute preparations to take care of, you two take your time.
Anna exits the ring as Paige and Tommy help a slightly shaky Hazel to her feet.
Hazel: Weird! Hazel doesn't feel cold! Buuut it IS All Hallow's Eve; maybe a spirit went WHOOSH! through her body as it danced about on the thinned lines of the mortal tether! What a rare thing... Hazel is a very lucky birthday girl.
Hazel goes quiet and nudges Tommy playfully, seemingly anxious to go to her big-top tent. Paige tosses the mic aside and sits across the middle rope until Tommy and Hazel exit onto the apron. Tommy heads toward the steps and, without looking, offers his hand back to Hazel. In the meanwhile, she's already hopped down to ringside, unaware. She picks Licky up and begins merrily skipping up the ramp—and spots Tsukiko. Hazel strolls right up to her; says something; smiles; and exits the arena with Tommy as he catches up to her. Paige and Tsukiko make an awkward exit alongside one another, and with that, the winners of the seating draw make their own way out and to the tent.
Roberts: *ahem* Well, I'm still at a bit of a loss here.
Phoenix: Disassociative identity disorder.
Jeffrey: Hmm?
Phoenix: Disassociative identity disorder. I minored in psychology. You know—back when the dinosaurs roamed the earth. Of course, it wasn't called that in those days. Anyway—Hazel's case seems really severe, or somehow different than what I remember learning about. And we've never actually seen the host before tonight. Or did we? I figure the Hazel we know is the primary alter—but even then, that's someone who speaks in third-person. That's new to me. *Scott sighs.* I should've spotted it. And yet it never even crossed my mind.
Jeffrey: It's alright. Not your fault, Scott. And hey, now someone's pegged it, Hazel can get the help she needs.
Phoenix: Sounded like she's getting help, from what she said—but I'll rest easier tonight after speaking to Sery and our medical team; make sure there's some truly intensive treatment and management in her life. I imagine there is, if Skwyolf's prior—and Sery's recent—wellness checks are up to snuff. I just wanna know.
Roberts: That's an admirable heart you have, Scott. *ahem* And with that, it's now time for the Harlequin Circus match!
**DECEMBER 9TH, 2018**
Camera feeds take us around the exterior of a massive, rainbow-colored big-top tent. At its entrance, the last handful of ticket-holders await admission, chattering in anticipation. We cut to the interior of the tent and are treated to a colourful, intimate set-up. A huge formation of bleachers lines the "walls"; a standard-size ring has been gussied up to look festive, with purple turnbuckle pads and multi-coloured streamers wrapped around the posts; and rainbow-painted ring steps. Referee Anna Molly is in the ring, readying herself for the action ahead. The ringside set-up is quite unusual: at one end, near the barricade, there is a long table with a variety of circus-themed items on it; at one side of the ring is a set of monkey bars; and at the opposite is a massive elephant statue, posed in a seated position and facing forward, its trunk reaching higher the ring ropes. The camera feed cuts to the commentary team back in the arena, observing their monitors. They look up and face the camera; Ray puts on his best cheesy grin.
Roberts: That's a pretty unique set-up for a wrestling match, at least by modern standards.
Jeffrey: Modern standards? Nah. Even in the olden days, I'm pretty sure they didn't surround the ring with statues and tables and monkey bars. I'm no historian, though. Scott?
Phoenix: Not to my knowledge, Ray. Any case, if Hazel's past stipulations have taught us anything, this is gonna be a wild ride, so buckle up, boys!
Back at the big-top, ring announcer Michael Carson enters the tent and strolls along the makeshift aisle between two sections of bleachers. Upon reaching the rainbow ring steps, he shakes his head in disbelief before climbing them. He enters the ring and walks to the middle of the ring, looking irritated—as per usual when a Hazel stipulation is involved—with his current assignment. He clears his throat, takes a deep breath and raises the mic to his lips.
Carson: The following contest is the HARLEQUIN CIRCUS MATCH, scheduled for one fall and it is for the 4CW Custom Cup Championship!
The crowd pops. Carson waits a few moments before continuing.
Carson: This match will be contested with no disqualifications, rope breaks or count-outs and can be won only by pinfall or submission, whether inside or outside the ring itself. Introducing first, the challenger... from Barry, South Wales and weighing in at 195 pounds... "TOP GUN" TOMMY YOUNG!
The crowd launches into a loud, enthusiastic pop as Iron Maiden's "Aces High" pushes the decidedly simpler PA set-up to its limits. Tommy Young jogs through the tent entrance and down the aisle, slapping the hands of the fans at the near ends of the surrounding bleachers, leaping up early on to slap five with those in the higher seats. The breakout young superstar is as energetic as ever, and seems delighted at the set-up of the ring area. Tommy approaches the elephant statue, giving it a few pats in good humour.
Jeffrey: *sigh* Look at this goof. It's not a real elephant, fool!
Phoenix: I think he knows that, Ray. What are you all in a tizzy about, anyway? He's not even dating Hazel anymore, near as I can tell. They're friends, Tommy said so himself earlier.
Roberts: Boy, that was a sad scene. I really hope she's in a much better state now, and she'll need to be if she hopes to hang onto that title.
Tommy strolls back over to the rainbow steps and heads up them, grinning the whole time. In the center of the ring, he does his fighter jet pose and holds it for a few seconds, then picks a far corner and warms up.
Sigh's "Inked in Blood" baffles the poor PA system and is met with an uproarious response from the attending fans. Hazel appears through the entrance with the belt slung over her shoulder, carrying a Licky plush in one hand.
Carson: And now, the defending Custom Cup Champion... from both everywhere... and nooowheeere... weighing in at 128 pounds... WITCH! HAAAZELLL!
Hazel approaches the ring in uncharacteristically peaceful fashion, but when she reaches the ring steps, she looks around at all the people and colours with a look of wonderment. She smiles; her eyes light up; and Hazel goes prancing around the ringside area, taking in the end result of her big imagination. The crowd launches into a "HAZEL" chant as she stops at the big elephant statue and—like Tommy—gives it a pat on the side.
Phoenix: What a hectic night this young athlete has already had. I give her all the respect in the world, pulling herself together for this match.
Roberts: Absolutely.
She then merrily climbs the rainbow steps, sets Licky down on the apron by the corner and enters the ring. The chant tapers off when Anna approaches Hazel and says something that makes her giggle. Hazel removes her title belt and hands it off to Anna, who winks and steps aside as Tommy walks up to Hazel. Standing close together, Tommy offers some words of encouragement to his friend/opponent, and the two embrace meaningfully. Tommy and Hazel then end the hug and watch as Anna raises the title over her head. A modest pop rises up and in lieu of an attendant, Anna wraps the belt around Licky's neck and calls for the bell, which is rung by the usual timekeeper in an unusual spot—the stands.
DING-DING-DING!
Roberts: Yes indeed, the title is on the line in what promises to be a unique contest here.
Jeffrey: C'mon, let's get into it!
Hazel and Tommy back off and circle each other in lowered stances before locking up at center ring. They lock up and fight for leverage, which Tommy Young gains. He backs Hazel away, right up against the ropes and sends her off to the other side. Hazel picks up speed along the way, rebounds back and skips over Young as he drops down low to the mat. Hazel is still running; she comes back off the side she started on as Tommy lowers his head for the back body drop. Hazel is ready and leapfrogs over him, headed for the ropes again. Tommy turns on his heel to meet Hazel but she's there first, bringing Tommy to the mat with a headscissors takedown! Tommy kips up off the mat and turns to face Hazel, finding himself on the receiving end of a knife edge chop and a WOO from the crowd. Hazel hits another hard chop, then follows it up with a kick to the gut and an arm wringer, wrenching away on Tommy's left arm. Young neatly flips forward and lands on his feet, untwisting his arm in the process. He reverses the hold, but follows through behind Hazel and turns the wringer into a hammerlock.
Phoenix: Pretty fast-paced action in the early goings here, as expected from these two.
Hazel reaches behind her head, searching for Tommy's. Her fingers find his hair and she makes a move for the neck. Before she can do anything further, however, Tommy releases one of his hands from the hold and shoves her right shoulder, causing her to turn outward. Now facing one another, Tommy Young reels Hazel in and rams his shoulder into hers. He repeats this move, then reels Hazel into a short-arm clothesline. Tommy hits the ropes, comes back and lands a quick leg drop. He covers...
One...
T—kick-out!
Roberts: Tommy's on a roll, working a pretty tight close-range game.
Phoenix: Good approach; it's a smart way to keep Hazel from utilizing the ring to quicken the pace. Sure, that's a big part of Young's style as well, but if you can throw your opponent's game plan off early in the match, you may make more openings for yourself down the line.
Young pulls Hazel onto her feet and whips her into the nearest corner. He charges in and hits a running dropkick, sending Witch Hazel staggering out of the corner. Tommy runs up onto the second turnbuckle right behind her, leaps off and plants her into the mat with a diving bulldog! Top Gun looks to cover, but Hazel rolls out of the ring and drops to her knees at ringside, shaking her head in search of mental clarity.
Jeffrey Kid's off to a good start, huh?
Phoenix He is. One does wonder, too, whether or not Hazel will be quite on her game tonight.
Roberts: Anything less than 100% against Young is gonna put her title in serious jeopardy. Whatever feelings they may have for each other—frankly, it seems like they come out strongest in spirited competition. They don't hold back.
Tommy Young follows Hazel out of the ring and picks her up, then hits a stiff shoot kick to the back of Hazel's left calf. She stumbles backward toward the elephant statue and is set up against it by Young. Tommy lays into Hazel with a big knife edge chop. A second chop is narrowly evaded by Hazel, who ducks under and away, causing Tommy's hand to smack against the statue with a sick thud! The small, enthusiastic audience oohs in response. Tommy "drunkenly" walks away from the elephant, attention on his hand more than where he's going. Luckily, he bypasses the steps.
Phoenix: Man! That's not gonna do him any favours in this match.
Jeffrey: Or back at his hotel room.
Phoenix: RAY!
Jeffrey: What? He's just been dumped, for all intents and purposes. Gotta do something with that pent-up energy.
Roberts: Y'know, I think this might suffice!
Anna Molly now exits the ring, keeping a (hopefully) safe distance. Hazel strolls up to Tommy and returns the shoot kick favour with one of her own, staggering the challenger. Tommy is slowly trying to round ringside and create some distance, but the defending champion is right on him. A second stiff kick sends him reeling away, at which point Young uses the barricade to help keep his feet. Hazel grabs hold of Tommy's head and hair, then bounces his chest off the barricade. Young remains leaning over it, dazed. Seizing the opening, Hazel hops over the barricade and into the crowd—measures the distance—and cartwheels herself into Tommy, driving her legs down across the back of his head! The crowd pops as Tommy Young winds up flipped head over heels into the stands. Hazel calls to Anna, who clambers over the barricade and counts as Hazel covers Tommy.
One...
Two...
Kick-out!
Jeffrey: How's that for "being on her game", Scott?!
Phoenix: Oh, she's an impressive athlete, no question. I don't doubt that for a second, the girl just has me worried is all.
Hazel looks to follow up, but Top Gun bunny-kicks her away and attempts to regain a vertical base. Hazel comes charging in, but ends up being launched over the barricade by a recovering Tommy Young! She lands roughly at ringside right beside the table of goodies, writhing on the thin black mats.
Jeffrey: Whoa! She almost got tossed right into the table there.
Hazel crawls toward the ring apron and uses it to pull herself up. At the same time, Young climbs up onto the barricade and perches with impressive balance. He waits for the right moment—Hazel turns around—and Tommy Young executes a sensational spinning heel kick off the barricade, rendering the champion dazed and confused on the floor! Anna hops the barricade and gets into position as the challenger covers...
One...
Two...
Thr-no!
Roberts: Tommy Young's pulling out all the stops here at Gallows End!
Tommy pulls Hazel onto her feet and whips her away. Hazel uses a baseball slide to put on the brakes and turn herself around, at which point she comes back at Tommy with a forearm flurry. She seeks to slam Tommy's face against the ring post, but Tommy elbows his way out of her clutches. Hazel stumbles off toward the monkey bars with Young in hot pursuit. Tommy spins Hazel round to face her and lands a simple gut kick to keep her off-balance. From here, Tommy Young hooks Hazel up for a suplex. She blocks it with her right leg, but Tommy throws a series of gut shots that wear her down and weaken her guard. Tommy takes Hazel up high, but instead of falling back with her, he tosses her forward, dropping her chest-first on top of the monkey bars! Before the crowd can finish "oohing", Tommy grabs Hazel's by the neck as her head hangs weakly over the edge of the structure—takes a few steps backward, Hazel being towed along the bars with him—and swings her down to the floor with a huge suplex! Young crawls into a cover.
One...
Two...
Thr-kick-out!
Phoenix: "Top Gun" Tommy Young is wrestling a more aggressive match here tonight. These two go hard as it is, but the kid's showing a little extra edge, extra fire in his belly on this occasion. Digging down to depths you never knew you could reach is what it takes to become champion, in my view.
Tommy is now eyeing the monkey bar structure, apparently gauging something out in his head. He grabs Hazel by the arms and drags her near to the structure, setting her down sidelong to the series of bars. Young then walks to the far end and steps onto the starting foothold—then proceeds to make his way, hand over hand, across the steel rungs. At the very last, he begins to sway back and forth, building momentum. Once enough has been gained, "Top Gun" Tommy Young swings himself forward—tucks his knees—backflips—and crashes down on Hazel with a shooting star press! The fans—600 strong—are going nuts!
Roberts: Well that's something you don't see every day!
Phoenix: A swinging shooting star press, my god! Shades of Pilgrim Paige at Gallows End one year ago today, in terms of technique.
Jeffrey: A monkey bar press! Ahaha!
Tommy stays on top for the cover.
One...
Two...
Thr-no!
Hazel's shoulder rolls up on instinct at the very last possible moment. Tommy attempts a second cover, with similar results. He looks a little frustrated, but powers through it and stays on task. Deciding to return things to the ring, Tommy scoops Hazel up and dumps her onto the apron, then rolls her in. Referee Anna Molly slides in and checks on Hazel, as she's lying near motionless on the canvas. Tommy seizes the opening to go back to his wheelhouse: he climbs up onto the apron, swiftly climbs the corner and perches on the top rope. Hazel gets up onto her hands and knees, so Young waits her out. The moment Hazel finds her feet, Tommy Young takes flight, taking the Silver-Haired Sorceress down to the mat with a crossbody! Hazel rolls through the impact!
One...
Two...
Kick-out!
Roberts: Say what you like, Hazel has incredible instincts!
Phoenix: Tommy Young has been quite dominant in this match but hasn't been able to put her away as yet. I'd wager she's been running on pure instinct since that suplex a while back.
Tommy Young pushes his way out from under Hazel, who's quite slow to her feet. Top Gun whips Hazel off to a far corner and follows in with a running clothesline. Hazel once again finds herself wobbling out of the corner, at which time Tommy hits the ropes, comes back at full speed and sails right over Hazel with a missed spinning heel kick as she drops low. The result of this sees him ricochet off the ropes and land in a heap on the ring mat! The crowd emits a collective "ooh" of uncertainty, then Anna Molly crosses the ring to check on Young.
Jeffrey: Welp, he's done for the night!
Roberts: Let's hope not. Such an unfortunate turn of events for Top Gun on that play, can he get back in this thing?
Anna steps away from the Tommy-shaped pretzel currently propped against the bottom turnbuckle, seemingly satisfied with whatever bit of verbal communication the upstart competitor mustered.. lying under the bottom rope, . Witch Hazel, meanwhile, is busy shaking the cobwebs out. She spots the very dazed Tommy Young and her face tightens for a moment. When he begins to stir, however, the unhinged warrior woman look comes back out to play. Hazel takes off at a clip, leaps along the way and proceeds to bust herself a young bronco named Tommy!
Phoenix: Bit of bronco bustin' from the champion! Haven't seen that in a while.
Jeffrey: Woohoohoo! The Lunatic Minge, living up to the moniker!
Finished with her ride, Hazel rolls backward onto her knees, grinning devilishly while the fans make some noise. Meanwhile, Tommy Young turns onto his side and grabs the bottom rope, trying to start a slow climb back onto his feet. Seeing the opening, Hazel hits the far ropes across from Tommy—dashes back toward him with a full head of steam—and hits him with a baseball slide, driving Young down to the ringside floor beside the table! The Hedge Witch rolls out of the ring and observes the long table's assortment of circus-themed items, looking giddy at the prospect of having new toys to play with.
Phoenix: Hazel looks like a kid in a candy store! You'd swear this was a family outing, bless her heart.
Hazel shoves a big red clown nose over her own, then selects a large cream pie, holding it in both hands. She licks up some of the whipped cream, waits for Tommy to find his feet and mashes the pie right in his face! Tommy reels away to deal with the mess on his face as the crowd pops.
Roberts: Not the kind of pie face maneuver we're used to seeing here in 4CW! This one's a bit more literal.
Jeffrey: And that, folks, is the closest Tommy Young is ever gonna get to Hazel's pie!
Phoenix: Ray!
Jeffrey: What? It's Hazel who just rubbed it in, I'm just picking up on obvious symbolism. 😄
The next thing to catch Hazel's eye is an assortment of differently coloured noisemakers. Hazel's eyes light up and she begins audibly debating with herself and picking up her favourites.
Hazel: OOOH PINK! But there's purple, too! Hazel can't choose!
Her thoughts are rudely interrupted by Tommy Young's boots as he dropkicks the distracted defending champion, taking her off her feet. Young clears some of the items off the table, but gives special treatment to the coup de grace: a Licky-shaped chocolate cake (presumably made by Hazel herself) is carefully set up on the barricade. Tommy grabs a hold of Hazel, but the process of setting her up on the table is foiled by the sudden shrill trumpeting of Hazel's pink noisemaker ringing in his ears. She tosses this item and then raises the purple one to her lips, again producing that shrill tone right by Tommy's head. This is enough to get Tommy momentarily off his game and set her feet back down on the floor. Young lashes out with a swift kick to Hazel's leg, putting her off-balance. A second one sends her down onto one knee, at which point Young backs away. No sooner does he step back than he comes running back Hazel's way—catches her round the neck—swings round—and hits the floor when Hazel spares herself from the Sling Blade, using the ropes to prevent the fall! Young careens down to the ringside mats, landing awkwardly. Hazel catches her breath for a few moments and examines the remaining items on the table. Tommy Young's slow rise back onto his feet rushes her decision a bit, but it's a decent one, and Hazel turns around, leaps toward Young and cracks him over the head with a cake pan!
Phoenix: Big opening created right there!
Roberts: Let's see if Hazel can take advantage of it.
Hazel pulls Tommy up onto his feet and manages, with some effort, to hoist her familiar challenger onto the table and set him up length-wise. Satisfied, Hazel climbs up onto the apron and lines herself up, straight across from the middle of the table. With a deep breath and a middle finger to gravity, The Silver-Haired Sorceress turns round—springs back off the middle rope—and moonsaults into the table! Tommy Young is outta there at the last possible moment. tumbling away as Hazel crashes through the middle of the table! The fans in the tent are deafening!
Jeffrey: Oh no!
Roberts: Hazel crashed and burned! That hang-time was incredible, but it might have cost her!
Referee Anna Molly is right there to check on Hazel, who seems to be out. A short time passes, during which Anna receives no response. She looks about to call for the bell, but all at once Tommy Young drags Hazel from the wreckage and crawls into a cover!
One...
Two...
Thr-no!
Hazel barely rolls her shoulder up off the floor at two-and-three-quarters. The two don't really move again after that, so Anna must count again.
One... Tommy weakly tries to hook a leg.
Two... He manages it.
Th-no!
Hazel's right arm shoots up for just a moment, then falls once again. This time, she manages to roll onto her side afterward.
Phoenix: This match has been a real testament to competitive instinct.
Jeffrey: Yeah, but something's gotta break here sooner or... well, sooner. They can't take much more of this!
Soon, Young manages to find his feet and then drags Hazel along for a trip back into the ring. He then hops up onto the apron, a fire burning in his eyes as he waits for Hazel to get back up. The crowd is pumped up in a state of anticipation akin to Young's own. And finally, Hazel is up! She wobbles, facing the wrong direction, and nearly bowls herself over trying to turn around—but turn around she does! Young takes flight! He swings his forearm with all he's got and—mist! Silver mist! Hazel just barely dodges left as she does so, typically not enough to avoid contact, but the blinded Tommy Young grasps at his face in mid-air. The end result of this sees Young careening to the canvas and landing in a heap! A loud "OOH" rings out through the stands, and even some boos against Witch Hazel from the biggest Top Gun fans.
Roberts: Wow! If not for the Brain Fog, Tommy Young's flight path would've been sure and true!
Phoenix: I don't doubt it for a second. Same time, I don't condemn Hazel here. No DQ environment, title on the line, you may have have to fall back on some nasty tricks. It's an unpopular tactic to the fans in that big-top, but it kept her in the match!
Before Tommy Young can fall into the now-familiar effects of the Fog, Hazel sneaks up behind him. She over-hooking both arms—twists around—and plants Tommy in the middle of the ring with the Nilswitch!
Roberts: Nilswitch! That'll do it right there!
Hazel turns Young over, but foregoes the pinfall. Instead, she turns her attention to the Licky-shaped cake on the barricade. She slides out of the ring, retrieves the cake, and carefully re-enters the ring with it.
Jeffrey: Hey, what the hell's she doing with the barricake?
Phoenix: The what?
Jeffrey: Y'know, the cake that was on the barricade. Barricake.
Phoenix: Not a word, Ray.
Jeffrey: Okey dokey.
Hazel sets the Licky cake down on Tommy Young's midriff, sure to center it properly. Satisfied with her handiwork, she steps out onto the apron and sizes up the elephant statue. Nodding to herself, Hazel climbs up the corner and stands on the top rope. A few deep breaths and a big leap later, she's hanging off the elephant statue's trunk! With considerable effort, she pulls herself up and manages to straddle it. The crowd is abuzz.
Roberts: Oh no. You've gotta be kidding me!
Jeffrey: Really? It's Hazel. There, case closed on that one.
Hazel swings her legs up and presses her feet together on top of the trunk. From here, she proceeds to plant her feet, stand, and utilizes her rope-walking technique to make it to the edge. Throwing caution to the wind, The Silver-Haired Sorceress leaps off, twists in mid-air and smashes into the cake/Tommy Young's abdomen, causing a colourful explosion of icing to rain down all over the ring! Hazel seems out of it, but is still on top. Anna Molly slides into position.
One...
Two...
Three!
*DING-DING-DING!
Carson: Here is your winner and STIIIILL the 4CW Custom Cup Champion... WITCH ... HAAAZEL!!
Jeffrey: WoohoohooHOO! Awesome. So awesome!
Phoenix: What a bizarre and physical contest this was. And believe me, folks, it was no cakewalk!
Jeffrey: Ha! Scott made a funny!
Roberts: The action was all over the place, it was surprisingly aggressive and the roar of the crowd—or crowds, rather, you should hear the response in the arena as well—is a testament to how crazy this match really was.
Down in the mess of cake and humanity, Hazel's tongue springs into action, greedily licking up icing. The sugar rush seems to bring her round, and Hazel gets back up on her feet. Anna Molly raises Hazel's hand in victory and gives her the belt as we cut to a commercial.
*We cut backstage where we see Marie Dubois standing by with 4CW World Heavyweight Champion Jacob Scharff.*
Marie: Ladies and gentlemen I'm here with the man who has probably more on his shoulders than anyone else tonight as he defends his 4CW World Heavyweight Title for the first time since he won it, Jacob Scharff. Jacob, you have to deal with both Pilgrim Paige and long-standing rival Eddie Wolfbaine tonight. What are your thoughts?
Jacob: It kind of figures right. I invite everyone to climb the mountain and two people jump at the opportunity. Two people I know pretty well. Paige and I can finally settle who's better after Tsukiko rescued her last time, though I'm pretty sure that won't be happening this time, and Wolfbaine, I mean, of course we're not done. I'm still down by four in our little series.
???: Blah blah blah, looks like our champion is all talk.
*The camera pans right to reveal both members of the former tag champs, Umbra Maxima.*
Maximilian: You have more on your shoulders than anyone else tonight? Don't make us laugh. We are competing in a No DQ Tag Team Title Tornado Match and Elfan here is in the 13 Ghost Gauntlet. That's quite lucky for you Mr. Scharff for if he was in the place of Paige or Mr. Wolfbaine your title would be in much more jeopardy let me assure you.
Jacob: Yeah? Then how come Eddie was able to toss him out on his ass at Rumble in the Storm?
*Maximilian goes to speak but finds his mouth clamped shut by Elfan's hand.*
Elfan: I will handle this brother. Return to our room and prepare for our title match. Silent Sorcery will be screaming in pain before the night is through.
*Maximilian nods and leaves the scene. Elfan then turns his full attention to the champion.*
Elfan: I admit, I underestimated Mr. Wolfbaine. A mistake I believe you have made many a time.
Jacob: What's your point?
Elfan: My point is that you shouldn't underestimate me. I learn from my mistakes. It may take time, but one day I will come for that title, no matter who may hold it. At that time whosoever wields this title, hear my message now, you listen well too Jacob, for when I win the 13 Ghost Gauntlet you may be the champion who needs to heed these words. Cadas tu et luna sub umbra est scriptor. No matter who you are, you will fall under the moon's shadow.
*Elfan leaves the scene as Jacob watches, considering the words carefully.*
We cut to another area backstage where Gabriel Crowe is standing outside Rhys Cain's locker room. He knocks the door and after a few moments, Cain opens, with an ice pack on his shoulder from the match with Valentine earlier tonight.
Crowe: Sorry to bother you, Bruiser... but after that loss to Valentine earlier tonight, the 4CW Universe has expressed concern about your mental state after it took you... well, quite a while to leave the ring. How are you feeling?
Cain stares at Crowe for a few moments, almost long enough for Crowe to talk again, but eventually he does speak.
Cain: Don't worry about what happened earlier. Jack Valentine got one over on me... I'll admit it, but the night isn't over for me or him... and I'm going into that 13 Ghost Gauntlet tonight for the fourth time in my career. But I'm not going in there to be screwed over, or finish runner up - I'm going in there to do something I've never done and that's win the whole thing! And if I see Jack Valentine on my path to victory? Well... all the better for me, all the worse for him.
Cain retreats back into his locker room and closes the door behind him, as we cut back to the arena.
Carson: The following contest is a tornado tag fatal 4 way elimination match and it is for the 4CW Tag Team Championships!
"Taking You Down" by Egypt Central hits the PA system. Elfan Simtul and Maximillian Yesgill come out on to the stage to some boos from the crowd.
Carson: Introducing first, from New York, New York, weighing in at a combined weight of 485lbs ... Elfan Simtul ... Maximillian Yesgill ... UMBRA MAXIMAAA!!
Phoenix: Umbra Maxima lost the 4CW Tag Championships to Silent Sorcery last month and now they have the opportunity to reclaim them!
Jeffrey: Yeah but to do it they have to beat three other tag teams!
Umbra Maxima arrive in the ring together and await their opponents, discussing tactics among themselves.
"Eye of the Storm" by Killswitch Engage hits the PA system. The crowd pop as Garret Fischer comes out on stage, closely followed by Bruce Rigg.
Carson: And their opponents, weighing in at a combined weight of 530lbs ... Garret Fischer... Bruce Rigg... THE LIBERAAATIOOON!!
Phoenix: The Liberation have been after the tag titles since they debuted in 4CW, but have always come short! Will tonight be any different?
Roberts: They are a very well oiled tag team that can beat any team on their day!
"Forever Lotus" by Rude. hits the PA system. The crowd pop loudly as Tsukiko Mizuno and Oki-Kira come out, their tag titles strapped around their waists.
Carson: And their opponents, from Osaka, Japan, weighing in at a combined weight of 332lbs... they are the 4CW Tag Team Champions... Tsukiko Mizuno... Oki-Kira... SILEEEENT ... SOOORCERY!!
Phoenix: Kiko and Kira picked up their first pieces of gold last month and tonight is one hell of a tough first title defence!
Roberts: But if anyone can win this match, it's a team like Silent Sorcery with their frenetic energy and deadly strikes!
Silent Sorcery arrive in the ring alongside Maxima and Liberation taking the third corner and giving their belts to the ref as they all await the final team.
"Cowboys from Hell" by Pantera hits the PA system. The crowd boo as The Crows come out on stage. Both Jason and Robert have not come unarmed - both wield a steel chair!
Carson: Finally, from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, weighing in at 496lbs ... Jason and Robert Crow... MURDER OF CROOOOWS!!
Both Jason and Robert suddenly break into a sprint with the chairs in hand towards the ring!
Jeffrey: The Crows are making a break for the ring!
Roberts: HERE WE GO!
The Crows slide into the ring and all hell breaks loose. The Crows wildly swing their chairs. Jason takes out Garret Fischer with a head shot, but Robert's shot to Oki-Kira misses as Kira swiftly ducks under and leg sweeps Robert. Bruce Rigg grabs Jason Crow from behind and takes him out with a huge German Suplex and his steel chair flies away and out of the ring. Elfan Simtul takes out Tsukiko with a Big Boot while Yesgill rolls out of the ring and flips up the ring apron.
Phoenix: All hell is breaking loose in this opening salvo!
Yesgill pulls a 10 foot steel ladder from under the apron, much to the joy of the 20,000 strong in the arena. With everyone brawling in the ring, Yesgill is able to enter with the ladder and line it up on his shoulder without interference. He looks around for his first target - and spots it in Bruce Rigg - and runs at Rigg with the ladder as a battering ram, knocking him down to the mat! Yesgill then spins on the spot and swings the ladder at Oki-Kira taking him out too. Seeing many opponents still brawling around him, Yesgill lifts the ladder and puts his head through the middle, then spins around using the ladder as a windmill!
Jeffrey: Yesgill is going HAM with that ladder! Absolute chaos!
Yesgill takes out Jason Crow and Tsukiko with the spinning ladder, before he is stopped by Fischer, who ducks under the ladder and spears Yesgill to the mat! The ladder is knocked across the ring. With all the chaos erupting all around the ring, it ends up that Elfan Simtul and Bruce Rigg are the only two standing in the ring with everyone kneeling or laid out around them. The two behemoths clash in the middle of the ring with a flurry of clubbing blows! Rigg gains the advantage with a savage elbow to Simtul's skull and then takes him out with a belly-to-belly suplex!
Phoenix: Beautiful suplex from Rigg to take out Simtul!
Fischer approaches the corner and starts to climb the turnbuckle! Simtul groggily gets to his feet and Fischer dives off with a Flying Clothesline that knocks down Simtul!
Phoenix: The Rotterdam Raven flies!!
Rigg tells Fischer to go back up top and signals for the Doomsday Device! The crowd pop as Fischer nods and head back to the top!
Roberts: It looks like it's time to Liberate Your Sons And Daughters!
Rigg grabs Simtul and ducks into position, before lifting him up into the Electric Chair! Fischer prepares to dive - but suddenly Yesgill is on the apron - and he has a steel chair in hand! He runs up and hits Fischer with the chair, who loses his balance and crumbles to the outside!! Rigg struggles to put Simtul down and Yesgill uses the distraction to get into the ring and jab Rigg in the gut with the steel chair! Simtul recovers, spins around Rigg, lifts him up onto his shoulders - AND HITS THE SHADOW HAMMER!
Phoenix: Simtul hits Shadow Hammer! Liberation are in deep trouble!!
Simtul kneels down and hooks Rigg's leg! ONE ... TWO ... THREE!!
Carson: The Liberation has been eliminated!
Jeffrey: ONE TEAM DOWN! Three to go!
Rigg rolls out of the ring and falls near Fischer on the outside. Inside the ring however, The Crows jump Umbra Maxima from behind with a bunch of stomps and clubbing blows. Jason tells Robert to grab the ladder, who does so, setting it up in the corner by lodging it horizontally between the top and middle rope. Jason then lifts Elfan Simtul and rams him head first into the corner ladder!! Simtul hits hard, collapses, and rolls out of the ring. Robert grabs Yesgill, kicks him in the gut and, being much lighter than Simtul, positively THROWS Yesgill into the same corner ladder. The THUD echoes around the arena followed by a sick groan from the crowd.
Phoenix: Murder of Crows have taken out Maxima! Now they just need to get a pin!
Jason and Robert both lay boots into Maximillian Yesgill as he lay helpless on the ground, when suddenly, Silent Sorcery are back in the game! They both launch on one Crow each with a flurry of strikes. Tsukiko hits some skin-splitting knife edge chops to Jason while Kira takes Robert down with some leg kicks. With Robert falling to one knee, Kira runs forward and takes him out with an Enziguri! At almost the same time, Jason fights back against Tsukiko, retaliating her chops but with a crushing headbutt instead! Tsukiko goes down clutching her face and Jason runs into Kira, who hits a Superkick!!
Phoenix: Oki-Kira hits the Kadō Kick!! Can he put away Jason Crow?
Kira covers Jason and the referee counts the fall! ONE ... TWO ... TH--NO!! Jason Crow kicks out! Oki Kira sighs in frustration as he rolls back up into a standing position. He looks around at the chaos of the ring, seeing Liberation heading up the ramp, Umbra Maxima spread out on the mat (Yesgill) and on the outside (Simtul) and The Crows and Tsukiko strewn across the ring, kneeling or laying on the mat. Kira then looks over at the corner-lodged ladder and lifts Jason Crow, whipping him into the corner. Jason slams against the ladder and slouches. Kira follows up by running after him and hitting a dropkick, right into the ladder!
Oki-Kira gets back up to his feet and makes eye contact with Tsukiko as she recovers. He signs something and there's a nod of understanding, as the words "DEATH NOTE" appear on the titantron with the Japanese subtitles underneath!
Phoenix: We know what happens next! Murder of Crows are heading into the abyss!
Tsukiko grabs Jason Crow by the head and unleashes a ear-bursting scream into his face! Jason moves away in confusion, clutching his ear and walks right into a KINSHASA from Oki-Kira!
Phoenix: THAT'S IT! DEATH NOTE!!
Oki-Kira covers Jason Crow! ONE ... TWO ... NO!! Robert Crow is suddenly back in the picture with the steel chair! He breaks the fall with a brutal shot to Kira's back! Kiko comes to her partner's aid but EATS a chair shot to the skull! Robert kneels and covers Tsukiko! ONE ... TWO ... THREE!!
Carson: Silent Sorcery have been eliminated!
Roberts: WOW!
Phoenix: Silent Sorcery are out! And you know what that means?
Jeffrey: We're guaranteed NEW Tag Team Champions!!
Robert Crow rolls away from Tsukiko and stumbles back up to his feet, kicking Kira away from Jason and helping him to his feet. Robert has a sadistic grin on his face.
Robert: JASE! Hey! Just us and Maxima left!
Jason Crow seems to shake off some cobwebs and they whisper some tactics, before both The Crows head out to grab Yesgill, who rolled out of the ring moments before. Yesgill fights back with a few wild strikes when he is lifted, but the two Crows soon manage to subdue him with some gut punches and slaps, before throwing him back into the ring.
The Crows roll back in, happy with their 2-on-1 situation. Robert picks up the steel chair and slams it against the mat threateningly a couple of times. Jason grabs Yesgill and forces him to his knees, holding him in perfect position for a brutal head shot. Robert grins and takes a step back, lifting the chair in the air and getting ready to swing for victory.
Roberts: If he hits this chair shot, it's all over!
Robert Crow is about to move on the chair shot, when suddenly, Simtul jumps up on the apron! Robert Crow sees him in his peripheral vision and switches to Simtul, running at him with the steel chair. Simtul sidesteps the shot and knocks the chair out of Robert's hand! Robert stumbles back and Jason drops Yesgill to run at Simtul too, but Simtul grabs Jason by the throat, lifts him up into the air and launches him out of the ring and to the ringside below!
Inside the ring, Yesgill comes from behind Robert Crow and rolls him up! The ref counts! ONE ... TWO ... THREE!!
Carson: Here are your winners and the NEEEEW 4CW Tag Team Champions... UMBRAAAA ... MAAAXIMAAA!!
Inside the ring, Robert Crow gets up, trying to conceive what just happened, when Simtul, now in the ring, runs up and knocks him out of the ring with a HUGE clothesline! "Taking You Down" blasts through the PA as Simtul and Yesgill celebrate in the ring together. The ref brings in the tag titles and hands them to Umbra Maxima.
Phoenix: Umbra Maxima have done it! They are now TWO-TIME 4CW Tag Champions!
Jeffrey: That match was such fast-paced mayhem I've got the jitters! But Umbra Maxima being champions again is making me feel warm and fuzzy inside!
Phoenix: A showcase of the tag division tonight and Umbra Maxima have proven that they are superior team! Congratulations, Simtul and Yesgill!
Umbra Maxima climb each corner and raise their belts in the air. The crowd, who would much prefer Maxima to win than Murder of Crows, give a loud mixed reaction to the result. Maxima regroup in the middle of the ring and raise the belts one more time as we cut away.
Carson: The following contest is the THIRTEEN GHOST GAUNTLET MATCH! Now in this match, two competitors will start a gauntlet. When a person is eliminated via pinfall or submission, disqualification or count out, the next competitor will enter. The last person standing at the end of the Gauntlet will be declared the winner and will receive a 4CW World Championship match at 4CW Storm Front: WAR II in December!
"Break and Dominate" by The Charm The Fury" hits the PA system. The crowd pop for the rising star Erica Moxie as she bursts out from behind the curtain pumped with adrenaline.
Carson: Introducing first, the competitor who drew #1, from Omaha, Nebraska, weighing in at 147lbs, she is the 4CW Hardcore Champion... ERICAAAA ... MOXIE!!
Moxie makes her way down the ramp, a little beat up from her Hardcore bout earlier tonight, but ready to go with the 4CW Hardcore Championship over her shoulder.
Phoenix: Moxie has had a hell of a night already! She was involved in a brutal triple threat earlier and walked out with the 4CW Hardcore Championship!
Jeffrey: The night isn't over! She'd best hope she doesn't bump into McGroin in the middle of this match!
Roberts: Well, there's a little snag there! For the Hardcore Title to be on the line, it would have to be a Hardcore match. And for McGroin to initiate a Hardcore match, he would have to be disqualified from this match, where weapons are not allowed!
Jeffrey: Well then McGroin will win the whole thing and THEN take his title back! Shut up!
Moxie enters the ring and raises the belt in the air, before going to the corner and awaiting her opponent.
"The Man" by The Killers hits the PA system. The crowd start to boo immensely as Mark Redman comes out from behind the curtain. In the ring, Moxie grins maliciously.
Carson: And her opponent, from Miami, Florida, weighing in at 235lbs, "THE MAN" ... MAAARK ... REDMAN!!
Redman makes his way down the ramp, looking as smug as is humanely possible, basking in the atmosphere as if he is the sole creator of it.
Roberts: Redman was embarrassed last month by Erica Moxie and will be looking to get some revenge by knocking her out of this match!
Phoenix: But Moxie has made it clear she's not just here to fill space! She has only one goal in mind and that's becoming the 13 Ghost Gauntlet Winner!
Redman gets into the ring and eyes Moxie cautiously. He takes off his jacket and hands it to the ref. The ref, Jason Trent, takes the jacket to ringside and calls for the bell!
Ding, ding, ding!
Phoenix: Here we go! The 13 Ghost Gauntlet starts now!
Erica Moxie and Mark Redman circle each other before clashing in the middle of the ring with a grapple. Redman easily overpowers Moxie and sends her flying across the ring. Moxie recovers quickly and runs back at Redman, ducking under his clothesline, turning him around on the spot and hitting a sharp knife edge chop!
Moxie follows this up with a jab to the jaw, which staggers Redmna, then unleashes a flurry of jabs and chops repeatedly, before spinning on the spot and hitting Redman with a huge spinning back fist. Moxie then rolls up Redman from behind and the ref counts!
ONE ... TWO ... THREE!!
Carson: Mark Redman has been eliminated!
Jeffrey: WHAT? What just happened?!
Phoenix: What just happened is Moxie got the better of Redman extremely quickly! That may be the quickest elimination in Gauntlet history!
Roberts: What a start for Miss Moxie! One down, eleven to go!
"Born to Run" by Bruce Springsteen hits the PA system. The crowd give a respectable pop for Robert Smith, as he steps out on to the stage.
Carson: On his way to the ring, from Omaha, Nebraska, weighing in at 190.5lbs, "THE WRESTLER" ... ROBEEERT ... SMITH!!
Robert Smith makes his way down the ramp, and he and Moxie stare each other down as he does so.
Phoenix: Well, THIS is a very interesting development! Erica Moxie is from Omaha, Nebraska, just like Robert Smith. And not only was she trained by Rhys Cain and Zephyris, but also, for a time, by Robert Smith himself!
Jeffrey: Student vs Master, huh? This should be interesting!
Robert Smith gets into the ring and the ref continues the match. The two clash in a grapple and Robert Smith gets the upper hand, pushing his former student into the corner. The ref calls for a break and Robert Smith breaks cleanly, stepping back and allowing Moxie to get out of the corner.
Phoenix: Some clean sportsmanship here.
Moxie comes out of the corner ready to go again and Robert Smith obliges with a test of strength. Robert Smith overpowers Moxie with the handlock and brings her to her knees, but Moxie spins out of it and disconnects, sweeping the legs of Robert Smith to take him out. Moxie gets back up and waits for her old trainer to get back to his feet, showing respect in turn.
Roberts: Moxie showing Robert Smith that she has indeed learned a thing or two!
Robert Smith gets back up to his feet and for the third time they both clash, again a traditional grapple. Robert Smith puts Moxie into a side headlock and wrenches. Moxie screams as she tries to writhe out of it.
Phoenix: There's nothing quite like the perfection of The Robert Smith Headlock!
Moxie struggles for a moment but manages to slip out. She clubs Robert Smith across the back of the head with her forearm then sends him to the ropes with an Irish whip. When he flies back on the rebound, Moxie jumps into the air and takes Robert Smith down with a headscissors! Moxie jumps back up to her feet and a slightly dazed Robert Smith does a second later. Moxie runs at him again but Robert Smith suddenly throws his arm out and clotheslines Moxie!
Phoenix: And there's The Robert Smith Clothesline!
Robert Smith picks up Moxie roughly and lifts her into a perfectly succinct body slam lift, but suddenly, Moxie wriggles out of it and ends up behind Robert Smith. She rolls him up tightly and the referee counts! ONE ... TWO... THREE!!
Carson: Robert Smith has been eliminated!
Phoenix: She did it again! Two eliminations, two rollups! Erica Moxie is on a roll, no pun intended!
Jeffrey: Yeah but the big question is - who's next??
"Am I Savage?" by Metallica hits the PA system. The crowd erupt in boos as The Hollowpoint Bullet comes out on to the stage, looking a little beat up from earlier, partly thanks to the woman in the ring, Erica Moxie.
Roberts: Oh boy!
Phoenix: Glock and Moxie fought it out over the Hardcore Title earlier! But how will they fare now in a traditional rules match? Remember, if either of them uses a weapon, they will be disqualified, so they can't be hardcore right now!
Carson: On his way to the ring, from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, weighing in at 275lbs, GLOOOOCK ... NINE!!
Glock charges down to the ring and jumps up onto the apron. Moxie tries to gain an advantage by dropkicking Glock off the apron! Glock falls to the ground and jumps back up to his feet, furiously, but Moxie flies over the top rope and takes out Glock with a senton!! The two crash on the outside and the ref starts to count.
Phoenix: Erica Moxie throwing caution to the wind!!
....3....4....5.... Moxie is the first one to get to her feet. She grabs a half-up Glock and rolls him into the ring, following after. Glock gets back to his feet and Moxie runs at him with a clothesline, but Glock stands tall. He grins sadistically, almost daring Moxie to hit him again. Moxie runs to the ropes and tries another clothesline, to a similar result. Not one to give up, she runs to the ropes a third time, but this time, Glock is finished playing, and lifts a massive boot in the air to take out Moxie with a Big Boot!
Jeffrey: And THAT is why size matters.
Roberts: Is that what you tell yourself?
Jeffrey: Well, it's what I tell your mother, at least.
Glock lifts up Moxie by her hair, grinning as he does so. He leans in and says something to her quietly, with malice, and Moxie suddenly fights out of his grip and slaps him several times across the face and chest with open-handed chops. Glock takes a few shots before recouping and punching Moxie back, which drops her. Moxie reels from the shot and Glock grabs her by the hair again, but this time with no smile. Instead he snarls as he mumbles obscenities to Moxie, then suddenly lifts her up and takes her out with a Sidewalk Slam! Glock makes the cover!
ONE ... TWO... NO! Moxie kicks out!
Jeffrey: Why did she kick out? Don't be a fool, Miss Moxie, it'll only end badly for you!
Glock frowns and shakes his head, seemingly sharing Jeffrey's view that Moxie's kick out was idiotic of her and lifts her roughly back up to her feet. He grabs her by the face and pulls her close.
Glock: Nighty night, bitch!
Glock then lifts Moxie up in position for a Pumphandle Slam - but Moxie wriggles out of the grip from behind and rolls up Glock!! ONE ... TWO ... THREE!!
Carson: Glock Nine has been eliminated!
Jeffrey: What?!
Roberts: You were saying?
Phoenix: Unbelievable! That's THREE opponents that Moxie has eliminated with a roll up! It's an unreliable tactic to keep up, but it's working so far for her!
Glock immediately jumps back to his feet, furious, immediately after the elimination. He roars in frustration and takes out Moxie with a huge lariat! He then pounces on her and ground and pounds with lefts and rights until the referee comes in to break it up and send him packing!
Phoenix: Well Glock is out, and nothing can change that! But he took out his frustrations on Moxie and she's now down and out! Whoever the next challenger is will want to get into the ring quickly!
"Little Green Men" by Project 86 hits the PA system. The crowd reign more boos as Reamer comes out on to the stage, wasting no time and rushing down the ramp.
Carson: On his way to the ring, from Supremeville, USA, weighing in at 240lbs, REEEEAMER!!
Phoenix: Moxie's luck may have just run out! Here comes Reamer, 4CW Hall of Famer! I don't think a simple roll up is going to work a fourth time!
Reamer slides into the ring as Moxie struggles to get back up to her feet. He stands behind her, so that she isn't able to see his positioning as she rises, and Reamer waits for the perfect moment, before spinning on the spot and throwing out his Roaring Elbow to hit Moxie straight in the face! Moxie crumbles!
Phoenix: SUPREME ANNOYANCE! WHAT A STRIKE!
Reamer leans down and covers Moxie. The referee slides in and counts. ONE ... TWO... THREE!!
Carson: Erica Moxie has been eliminated!
Moxie rolls out of the ring as Reamer jumps back to his feet and shadow boxes on the spot, looking very pleased with his quick elimination.
Phoenix: Well, credit where it's due, Moxie put up a hell of a fight! But Reamer is fresh and she had that gruelling Hardcore match earlier!
Jeffrey: And now Reamer is in prime position to go and win the whole thing!
Roberts: Well, he still has a long way to go yet!
"Inked in Blood" by Sigh hits the PA system. The crowd erupt in a big pop as the 4CW Custom Cup Champion comes out on stage, looking a little worse for wear after her Harlequin Circus match but otherwise wide-eyed and seemingly joyful at the prospect of this momentous challenge.
Carson: On her way to the ring, from EVERYWHERE... and NOOOWHERE.... weighing in at 128lbs... she is the 4CW Custom Cup Champion, WITCH ... HAAAZEL!!
Phoenix: Hazel defended the Custom Cup Championship earlier tonight in the latest bizarre match her enthusiastically eclectic mind thought up, the Harlequin Circus, but now she's here to try and walk out of this night with a World Championship match too!
Jeffrey: But like Moxie, she's not 100% and Reamer basically is! It'll be tough to topple this man!
Witch Hazel runs across the barricade and jumps down at the bottom, before handing her belt to a ringside assistant and rolling into the ring. She circles the ring with Reamer. Both of them have smiles on their faces, though Hazel's looks deceptively naive, like she's about to have tea with this cold, sadistic opponent. Reamer is relishing the moment of another less than 100% opponent.
Reamer then decides to broadly expose his chest and signals to Witch Hazel that she can have the first shot.
Hazel: Oooh, Mr Supreamer is going to let Hazel go first? YAY!
And with that, she unleashes a ear-piercing knife edge chop which echoes around the arena. Reamer recoils slightly, but takes it in his stride, and retaliates with a knife edge chop of his own to Hazel's bosom. The crowd "oooh" at the noise of this one, which sounds a lot heavier and harder, and Hazel stumbles back to one knee before getting back up and coming straight back at Reamer with a forearm smash.
Reamer reels, and Witch Hazel takes advantage of the opening with another knife edge chop and another forearm to the face. Witch Hazel follows it up with some swift kicks to Reamer's left leg, which causes him to fall to one knee, and then she runs to the ropes and sprints back with a basement dropkick, knocking Reamer down! Hazel covers Reamer! ONE .. TWO... NO! Reamer kicks out!
Phoenix: Hazel is bringing the fight!
Hazel gets back up to her feet and runs to the ropes, coming back and jumping in the air for a leg drop! But Reamer rolls out of the way! Hazel's leg slams the mat and she grimaces from the impact. Reamer uses the ropes to get back to his feet and as Hazel recovers and gets up herself, he grabs her, hooking the leg up and hitting a Fisherman's Suplex! He holds it into a bridge!
Jeffrey: There's the Supreme Compromise!!
The ref slides in and counts! ONE ... TWO... NO!! Hazel kicks out! Reamer growls and with laboured breath, stands back up. He lifts his elbow into the air, signalling he's going to go for another Roaring Elbow! He waits, almost shaking with anticipation on the spot, as Hazel slowly drags herself back up to her feet. Reamer spins and launches the elbow - but Hazel ducks and runs to the ropes! Hazel comes back in a flash and Reamer spins around, but Hazel is primed to attack and takes out Reamer with a running, spinning facebuster!
Phoenix: HOLD ON TO YOUR IQ, FOLKS!
Roberts: What a move - and Hazel isn't done!!
Upon landing, Hazel keeps hold of Reamer's head and bashes it into the mat multiple times! Then Hazel staggers to her feet, wobbling slightly out of pure exhaustion after an emotionally and physically taxing night, and rests against the ropes. She waves her arm in the air, signalling for Reamer to get back up to his feet. When he does, Hazel grabs his arm, spins him around and hits the Double Underhook Facebuster!
Phoenix: There's the Nilswitch! That's gotta be it!!
Jeffrey: GET UP, REAMER!
Hazel rolls over and hooks the leg! ONE .. TWO... THREE!!
Carson: Reamer has been eliminated!
Phoenix: And Hazel beats Reamer!
Roberts: What a huge victory for Hazel there!
Phoenix: Indeed it was! But she's had an extremely long night and if she plans to win this match she has a looong way to go! Who's next?!
Reamer rolls out of the ring and Hazel stumbles back up to a standing position as the next opponent's music hits. "The Burden" by Bury Tomorrow hits the PA system. There's a huge pop from the crowd as The Bruiser makes his way out on to the ramp. Cain has a steely look of determination on his face. The usual interactions with the fans at rampside are bypassed tonight as he focuses on only the ring in front of him.
Carson: On his way to the ring, from Wales and now residing in Tampa, Florida, weighing in at 220lbs ... THE BRUISER ... RHYS ... CAAAIN!!
Phoenix: Well, as we saw earlier tonight, Rhys Cain was defeated by Jack Valentine and the loss seemed to crush him! He has a chance for redemption right now though, if he can go ahead and win this Gauntlet!
Roberts: And Hazel goes from one Hall of Famer to another. Neither of these two are 100% but the question is - who has the most left in the tank?
Cain reaches the bottom of the ramp and slides into the ring. He jumps up and circles Hazel, who is still staggering and clearly exhausted. The two clash in a grapple in the middle of the ring, which Cain easily wins by overpowering Hazel. Cain locks in a side headlock, but Hazel is quick to reverse and slip out of the hold, sending Cain to the ropes. Cain comes back and Hazel attempts a clothesline, but Cain ducks, slips behind, and lifts Hazel by the waist, hitting a German Suplex!
Phoenix: Picture perfect German Suplex by Cain!
Cain covers Hazel and the referee counts! ONE ... TWO ... NO! Hazel kicks out! Cain wastes no time in lifting Hazel back up to her feet and whipping her to the ropes. Hazel comes back and Cain is the one who tries a clothesline this time, but like Cain before her, Hazel also ducks the attempt and runs to the ropes opposite. When she reaches them, she suddenly springboards incredibly succinctly from the mat and lands herself on the top rope!
Phoenix: What incredible balance and precision by The Hedge Witch as she Tiptoes Through The Void!
Hazel keeps her balance and walks along the rope. Cain turns on the spot and heads towards her, but Hazel uses the ropewalk to gain some running momentum and jumps off, taking out Cain with a Hurricanrana! She hooks up Cain into a pinfall directly from the Hurricanrana! ONE ... TWO... THREE!!
Carson: Rhys Cain has been eliminated!
Phoenix: WHAT?!
Jeffrey: HAHAHA! YES!
Roberts: She got him! I don't believe it!
Cain jumps out of the fall a nanosecond too late! He gets back up to his feet, protesting desperately to the referee!!
Cain: No! Come on, ref! I kicked out at two!
But the decision is final! Cain looks absolutely devastated and stunned! He's unable to fathom that he just got caught by surprise and beaten! He drops down and out of the ring, staring stunned at the floor at this sudden turn of events. Then, without looking up, he storms up the ramp, shaking his head in disbelief and brushing his hands through his hair.
Phoenix: It has NOT been Cain's night! But it could still be Hazel's! She has now put away TWO Hall of Famers! Who will be her next challenger?
"Aces High" by Iron Maiden hits the PA system. The crowd pop for this unexpected rematch of earlier in the night as Tommy Young comes out on to the stage. Witch Hazel, now barely able to stand unaided by the ropes, meets eyes with her well-known opponent and the shadow of a smile creeps on to her pained face at the prospect of this next challenge. Young nods and heads down to the ring with a deep breath, still clutching his ribs from earlier.
Carson: On his way to the ring, from Barry, South Wales, weighing in at 195lbs, "TOP GUN" TOMMYYYY ... YOOOUNG!!
Phoenix: Well earlier tonight, Witch Hazel defeated Tommy Young in the Harlequin Circus match to retain her Custom Cup title - and now it looks like it's time for Round 2, albeit in a very different format!
Young gets into the ring and stares down Hazel. Both are laboured in their breathing and looking worse for wear. They circle each other for a moment before Hazel takes down Young with an arm drag. Young goes over and comes right back up, and the two opponents charge at each other again, and Hazel takes him out with another arm drag. Young gets back up a third time, noticeably a tad slower and they go at each other a third time. Hazel attempts to repeat the arm drag but Young scouts it this time and rolls behind Hazel, stopping her in her tracks.
Hazel spins around on the spot as Young throws himself backwards and hits a Pele Kick! Hazel goes down and Young covers! ONE ... TWO ... NO! Hazel kicks out!
Roberts: That was a blinding Pele kick! I think Hazel kicked out on pure instinct, she must have been seeing stars!
Young scrambles back up to his feet and lifts up Hazel too. He positions her for a DDT, but Hazel slips out of his grip. Hazel screams and unleashes a flurry of strikes from chops to kicks to fists in quick succession, taking Young by surprise and maknig him retreat towards the ropes. Hazel hits a particularly gruelling forearm, then runs and clotheslines Young over the top rope and to the outside!
Jeffrey: Hazel's strike game is on point tonight!
Roberts: But she's not done yet!
Inside the ring, Hazel runs towards the ropes behind her, then comes back at double speed. Young gets back up to his feet on the outside - only to be taken out by a Suicide Dive from Hazel!
Phoenix: The Hedge Witch flies! What a collision!
Hazel struggles as she forces herself back up. She takes a moment, wiping the sweat off her face, before grabbing Young and lifting him. Finally she gets him up and tries to throw him back in under the bottom rope. Young slides in, but spins on the spot, coming back and taking out Hazel from the other side with a Tiger Feint Kick! Hazel staggers and falls into the barricade. As she tries to recover from the strike, Young uses the ropes to drag himself to his feet. Hazel comes away from the barricade and Young dives off with a flying forearm smash!!
Phoenix: Aces High on the outside! Both Young and Hazel have collapsed in a heap! Have either of them got ANYTHING left in the tank tonight?
With no movement from either competitor, the ref starts the count. 1... 2... 3... 4... Both Hazel and Young begin to stir but neither move .... 5... 6... 7.... Hazel gets to a knee... 8 .... so does Young. Both of them look exhausted beyond belief, and seem to be doomed to failure when the referee counts 9!!
And then, with some last ounce of strength, Young finds the willpower to slide in under the bottom rope! Hazel tries to follow suit, but loses her footing and falls back to her knees. 10!!
Carson: Witch Hazel has been eliminated!
Phoenix: The Custom Cup Champion gave it her all! But she has just been through too much tonight and couldn't answer the count of 10!
Roberts: And while Young managed it, I'm not sure he's in much better of a state to be honest!
3's & 7's by Queens of the Stone Age hits the PA system. The crowd pop in pure surprise as it seems Clyde Bonham is next out! However, no-one shows up on the stage.
Phoenix: Well... Clyde Bonham was supposed to compete in this match but after earlier tonight, I'm not sure he can be cleared! And it seems like he's indeed NOT coming out - wait -
There's a roar of pure excitement from the crowd as Clyde Bonham finally drags himself out from behind the curtain. He's wearing a neck brace as he limps down the ramp.
Carson: On his way to the ring, from Death Falls, Nevada, weighing in at 231lbs, CLYYYDE ... BONHAM!!
Bonham shuffles down and slides into the ring sheepishly, holding his neck brace. On the opposite side of the ring, Young is leaning against the turnbuckle, breathing heavily.
Jeffrey: This just goes to show the fortitude of 4CW superstars! They've been through hell tonight, probably none more than Bonham, but here they are!!
Bonham decides to go all guns blazing and approaches Young in the corner. He throws a few wild punches which Young eats up as he slouches in the corner. Bonham then takes a few steps back, and runs forward for an attack, but Young somehow lifts his boot up to hit Bonham in the face! Bonham retreats and Young lifts himself up into a seated position on the top turnbuckle.
Bonham stumbles towards him and Young grabs Bonham, hitting a Tornado DDT! Young rolls over and hooks the leg! ONE ... TWO ... NO! Bonham kicks out!!
Roberts: HOW did Bonham kick out of that?!
Jeffrey: Because he's the toughest son of a bitch in this business that's how!
Tommy Young wonders desperately what he can do to put away Bonham as he struggles back up to his feet. He turns and looks at the top of the turnbuckle, then to the crowd! The crowd cheer him on as Young decides to go and climb the turnbuckle!!
Phoenix: Could we be about to see Bombs Away??
Young signals for exactly that and the crowd go wild! Lining up Bonham, Young launches himself off into a Swantom Bomb - BUT BONHAM ROLLS OUT OF THE WAY!! Young crashes hard on to the mat! Bonham scrambles over to the ropes dragging himself up to his knees. He struggles to gather his bearings as he looks around wide-eyed, possibly concussed, and tries to make sense of his surroundings.
Bonham sees movement from Young as he stumbles up to his knees and almost stands. Bonham jumps up and runs at Young, smashing him in the back of the head with a brutal clothesline! Young crumbles, and Bonham rolls him over and covers!
ONE .... TWO ... THREE!!
Carson: Tommy Young has been eliminated!
Phoenix: Young crashed and burned and Bonham was able to take care of the pieces!
Powerman 5000's "Supernova Goes Pop" hits the PA system. The crowd boo loudly as Mad Dog makes his way out on to the ramp. He looks fairly fresh, having had some time to recover after his match with Cain earlier in the night. Cain's loss earlier in the match seems to have rejuvenated Valentine some also.
Carson: On his way to the ring, from Atlantic City, New Jersey, weighing in at 220lbs, JACK ... MAD DOOOOG ... VALENTIIIINE!!
Valentine strides down the ramp while Bonham struggles to get up from the mat by the ropes. Valentine slides into the ring and grabs Bonham, lifting him back up to his feet. Wasting no time, he hooks up Bonham and takes him out with a snap suplex! Valentine covers Bonham. ONE .. TWO... NO! Bonham kicks out! Valentine sits up and shakes his head with a smirk. He mumbles about Bonham making a 'big mistake' and lifts him up and rips off the neck brace, throwing it to the outside! Big welts around Bonham's neck are visible.
Phoenix: Well this isn't good!
Bonham, out of pure adrenaline at being in immediate danger, roars and throws some forearms, which stumble Valentine. He retreats and Bonham whips Valentine into the corner. Holding his neck, he makes a slow start and speeds up to hit Valentine with a clothesline in the corner! Valentine stumbles out of the corner and Bonham grabs him hitting the Reverse Uranage!
Phoenix: That's one hell of an Uranage! Can Bonham take advantage here?
Both Valentine and Bonham lay out on the mat and the ref starts to count them both out. 1...2....3...4... Bonham starts to move and crawls over to Valentine, hooking the leg! ONE ... TWO ... TH--NO! Valentine kicks out!!
Roberts: Bonham put everything he had into that Uranage but it wasn't enough!
Bonham groans as he moves away from Valentine, trying to find the energy to once again get back to his feet and continue the match. He manages it, swaying a little, and weakly drags Valentine up too. Bonham then ducks and gets underneath Valentine's legs - AND LIFTS HIM INTO THE ELECTRIC CHAIR POSITION!
Phoenix: Bonham's setting up for the Crossroads!!
Bonham sways a little and then moves to complete the move - but Valentine jumps down and lands on his feet. Valentine reaches Bonham from behind and locks in the EUTHANASIA LOCK!!
Jeffrey: Valentine's got him!
Roberts: The Euthanasia lock! Valentine's got it cinched in good!!
Bonham writhes and struggles against the lock, but his previous injuries seem to be too much for him to overcome, and he soon goes limp!! The referee checks on Bonham for a second - AND CALLS FOR THE BELL!!
Carson: Clyde Bonham has been eliminated!
Phoenix: Bonham is out! Valentine wins! And there's only three participants left!
Roberts: Who's gonna be next?!
Bonham falls to the mat after the ref forces Valentine to release the hold. Bonham rolls out and Valentine immediately turns to the stage and awaits his next opponent.
Phoenix: Mad Dog is all business tonight!
"Taking You Down" by Egypt Central hits the PA system. Simtul comes out from the curtain, with his reclaimed Tag Team Championship on his shoulder.
Carson: On his way to the ring, from New York, New York, weighing in at 280lbs, he is one half of the 4CW Tag Team Champions... ELFAAAN ... SIMTUL!!
Phoenix: Umbra Maxima became 2-time Tag Champions earlier tonight! And Elfan Simtul here has had an impressive run in singles competition lately too! He ended up in the final four of the Rumble in the Storm match! That impressed Sery enough to put him in this match!
Jeffrey: And as awesome as Mad Dog is, I don't know ANYONE who will put away Simtul easily!
Elfan Simtul hands his belt to a ringside assistant, before climbing on to the apron and into the ring. He stares down Valentine, who is jumping on the spot and attempting to stay pumped in preparation for his next clash. The two seem to be going for a Test of Strength, when Valentine decides to sneakily kick Simtul in the gut. Simtul reels and Valentine whips Simtul into the corner. Valentine charges after Simtul and jumps into him, taking Simtul out with a Stinger Splash!
Phoenix: Valentine has caught Simtul off guard!
Simtul stumbles out of the corner and turns to face Valentine, who takes him out suddenly with a picture perfect Superkick! Valentine falls and hooks the leg! ONE .. TWO ... NO! Kickout!! Valentine uses the adrenaline to get himself back up to a standing position and makes a beeline for the turnbuckle!
Phoenix: Valentine's going up top!
Valentine gets in position for a moonsault! He prepares himself for the jump - but takes a moment too long, and Simtul, now on his feet, manages to knock the top rope! Valentine falls crotch-first into the buckle and grimaces in agony as the crowd gasp around the arena. Simtul decides instead of bringing Valentine down, to go up and meet him!
Jeffrey: Now Simtul is going up top!
Simtul lifts Valentine on his shoulders, in position for a Burning Hammer!! Valentine struggles to try and fight his way out, but Simtul has him held tight! Simtul jumps off the middle buckle and hits a BURNING HAMMER FROM THE TOP ROPE!!
Phoenix: SIMTUL HITS THE METEOR HAMMER!!
Jeffrey: OH MY GOD!!
Roberts: THAT'S GOTTA BE IT!
Simtul rolls over and covers Valentine! ONE ... TWO ... THREE!!
Carson: Jack Valentine has been eliminated!
Valentine rolls out of the ring as Elfan Simtul sits up in the middle of the ring, trying to regain his energy. As he sits there, "Wherever I May Roam" by Metallica hits the PA system. The Freight Train comes out from behind the curtain to a huge mixed reaction. He comes out alone this time, unlike earlier in the night, with the 4CW Universal Championship over his shoulder.
Carson: On his way to the ring, from Barry, South Wales, weighing in at 400lbs, he is the NEW 4CW Universal Champion... BRIAN ... THE FREIGHT TRAAAAIN ... WHIIIITE!!
Roberts: OH BOY!
Phoenix: Now THIS should be interesting! It's Simtul vs White!
Jeffrey: Both these men have already won titles tonight! Both these men are quite frankly huge! Which one of them will advance? I honestly don't know!
White climbs on to the apron and steps his massive frame over the top rope. Elfan Simtul gets back to his feet just in time for White's arrival but White is better prepared to strike first. He grabs Simtul and scoops him up, taking him out with a Body Slam! White then grabs Simtul and throws him into the nearest corner! White approaches Simtul and unleashes a huge open hand chop to Simtul's chest! Simtul reels and stumbles out of the corner.
Phoenix: White is all over Simtul here!
White stalks his prey and tries to set him up for a suplex. He lifts Simtul, but Simtul resists and lands back on his feet. White lifts Simtul again and he continues to resist. Then, Simtul unleashes a few jabs into White's gut and then - with an EXTRAORDINARY show of strength, Simtul roars and lifts White into the air and takes him out with a big suplex! Simtul makes the cover! ONE ... TWO ... NO! White kicks out!
Jeffrey: What a suplex from Simtul!
Roberts: Not enough to derail the Freight Train though!
Simtul gets back up to his feet, momentum and adrenaline flowing. He goes over to the ropes and he furiously shakes them and then he turns around and grabs a recovering White, lifting him up on his shoulders! Simtul sets up for the Burning Hammer, but White's weight proves too much and Simtul collapses under him! White recovers first and lifts Simtul from the mat and sends him to the ropes!
On his return, White grabs Simtul from the side and lifts him up before slamming him down with a Pavement Slam! White jumps back up to his feet and goes into the corner of the ring. He cups his hand and does his usual theatrics to set up for the spear!
Jeffrey: The train is about to leave the station!
The crowd are buzzing in anticipation as Simtul gets back up to his feet and he is barely able to find White when White collides into him with a DESTRUCTIVE spear!!
Phoenix: THE RUNAWAY TRAIN! WHITE HITS THE RUNAWAY TRAIN!
White hooks the leg! The referee counts! ONE ... TWO ... THREE!!
Carson: Elfan Simtul has been eliminated!
Jeffrey: Incredible!
Roberts: White advances! And there's only one man left to go!
Phoenix: And we all know who it is!
"Numb" by Linkin Park hits the PA system. The crowd erupt in boos as Camera Man comes out first, followed by his subject Phil McGroin! McGroin comes out knowing that he only has one guy to beat to win the Gauntlet and grins at his own good luck.
Carson: On his way to the ring, from Helston, England, weighing in at 14 stone, "The Man Who Once Made A Cow Tap Out", PHIIIL ... MCGROOOIN!!
When he reaches the bottom of the ramp, McGroin turns to Camera Man.
McGroin: Make sure you get all the best shots! I want close ups! I want slow-mo! I want bullet time!
Camera Man: I can't do all that!
McGroin: Find a way! Best angles! And also ...
McGroin continues to rant at Camera Man for all the shots he wants. Meanwhile, Brian White decides he's sick of waiting. He goes to the ropes and leans over. Then, he grabs McGroin by the head and hoists him up on to the apron, before throwing McGroin into the ring! McGroin falls and slams, then scrambles to try and get back to his feet! White grabs McGroin and whips him to the ropes. Upon his return, White lifts McGroin with a hip toss, getting huge air time and slamming him back down with force!
Roberts: McGroin is being thrown around like a rag doll!
Jeffrey: Of course he is, White's got 200lbs on him! But McGroin IS undefeated.. so I have faith he can get the job done!
Roberts: Not true, of course.
Jeffrey: Shut up, Roberts!
McGroin struggles back up to his feet and White throws him in the corner. He unleashes three open-hand chops, leaving red, blistering marks on McGroin's chest, and then locks him the bearhug!! White wrenches the hold and McGroin gasps and coughs as he writhes in pain.
Phoenix: I don't see how McGroin is going to get out of this!
White seems to be in a dominant position when suddenly, Camera Man jumps on the apron! The referee immediately goes to see Camera Man off the apron, when McGroin sticks a thumb in Brian White's eye! White releases McGroin and McGroin falls to his knees, and then takes out White with a low blow that the referee doesn't see!
Roberts: What the hell is that? Disgusting tactic!
Camera Man finally jumps down from the apron and the ref goes back to the action but the damage is already done. McGroin grabs the kneeling White by the head and hits the EGGCUTION DDT!!
Jeffrey: EGGCUTION! EGGCUTION! PIN HIM PHIL!!
Phil McGroin doesn't need telling, he immediately covers White! The ref counts! ONE ... TWO ... THR--- NO!!! White kicks out by launching McGroin across the ring!! McGroin crashes and White gets up to his knees, clutching his jewels with an expression of absolute rage! White gets back up to his feet, limping slightly, and grabs hold of McGroin. White sends McGroin to the ropes and when he comes back takes him out with a Spinebuster!! White makes the cover! The ref counts! ONE ... TWO... but Camera Man puts McGroin's foot on the rope, breaking the fall!
Roberts: OH COME ON!
Camera Man smirks - until he realises the referee has caught him in the act! The referee points at Camera Man and tells him to GET OUTTA HERE!! Camera Man storms around to the ramp side, but still climbs up on the apron to protest! The ref demands he get out of the arena! Behind the ref, White gets sick of Camera Man and runs towards him, finally causing Camera Man to jump down and run up the ramp.
White screams some warning up to Camera Man, but suddenly, McGroin slips behind White and rolls him up!! The ref slides in to count! ONE .... TWO ... THREE!!!
Phoenix: OH MY GOD!!
Carson: Here is your winner of the 2018 13 GHOST GAUNTLET... PHIIIIL ... MCGROOOOIN!!
"Numb" hits the PA system! White immediately kicks out a second too late and McGroin slides out of the ring immediately, regrouping with Camera Man on the ramp! Together, they celebrate McGroin's stolen victory!
Roberts: What a load of crap! Camera Man's distractions cost White!
Jeffrey: Say what you want Roberts, but it's only cheating if you get caught!
Roberts: He DID!
Jeffrey: Then stop complaining!
Roberts: But - argh!
Phoenix: Regardless, PHIL MCGROIN HAS DONE IT! McGroin wins the 13 Ghost Gauntlet! What an exhausting set of matches! We finally have a winner! And McGroin has now earned a World Title match at WAR!
Inside the ring, Brian White is irate and kicking the ropes. McGroin and Camera Man are already at the top of the ramp. McGroin screams "YEEEESSS!!" as he celebrates like he just won the World Title itself!
Phoenix: History has been made! McGroin with the biggest achievement of his career so far! And we have so much more to come! Don't go anywhere!!
"Ding Dong Song" by Gunther hits the PA system. Janitur comes out on to the stage with his mini-me at his side. He holds his mouldy 4CW contract in one hand and a mop and bucket in the other. Swifter has a mini-mop and bucket.
Carson: Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome, being accompanied to the ring by Swifter... JANITUR!!
Phoenix: Well, you guys know the deal by now. Janitur is doing an open challenge with his 4CW contract on the line. Somehow, he's managed to keep his contract for a few months now, victorious over the likes of Mark Redman and Zephyris. And now he seems to have a new friend - who goes by the name of Swifter!
Roberts: Every Janitur needs a Mini-Janitur, Scott!
Phoenix: I don't doubt they do! But the question is, who will be the one to step forward tonight and try to take on Janitur for his contract?
Janitur waits in the ring, while Swifter goes to ringside taking the mop and bucket with him. Janitur hands his previously soaked and now crusty and hard 4CW contract to the ref, who begrudgingly takes it and passes it swiftly to a ringside assistant. The ref then wipes his hands on his pants and Janitur awaits his opponent.
"Superstar" by Lupe Fiasco hits the PA system.
Jeffrey: Yes!! The Supergroup! But which member will accept the challenge?
The crowd seem to be wondering the same as they buzz a little, until MYBACK comes out from the curtain, dressed to compete!
Jeffrey: The triumphant in-ring return of MYBACK! He's been out for a few months with a back injury, but he's ready to compete tonight!
Roberts: Has he ever not had a bad back?
Jeffrey: Have you ever not had to be told to SHUT UP?
Myback comes down, with Rane behind him, for moral support, and the two of them make their way to the ring area. Rane waits by the steps as Myback slides into the ring. He even prepares himself with a stretch before the bell rings!
Jeffrey: Look how LIMBER Myback has become!
Myback and Janitur circle each other as the ref calls for the bell. As soon as the bell rings, they clash in the middle of the ring with a grapple. Myback fares surprisingly well, transitioning into a side headlock. Janitur manages to push off Myback who goes to the ropes, and on his return, Janitur takes him out with a dropkick!
Janitur jumps back to his feet and stances ready for Myback to get back up. Myback does so, and Janitur grabs him and takes him out with a suplex, to which Myback reacts by gripping his back in pain.
Roberts: Don't tell me he's injured again!
Jeffrey: Don't be so rash! Suplexes hurt, doesn't mean he's injured!
Janitur picks up Myback to continue his offense, but surprisingly Myback slips out of his grip and takes out Janitur with a drop toe hold! Myback runs to the ropes, as Janitur gets to a sitting position and takes him out with an Enziguri!
Phoenix: Myback is showing - well, more than he's ever shown before frankly, in this performance tonight!
Myback lifts up Janitur and continues his impressive offense, taking him out with a Swinging Neckbreaker! Myback covers! ONE ... TWO ... NO! Janitur kicks out!
Roberts: Myback is looking in a real good position here! But Janitur still has some fight left in him!
Myback signals that its time for his finisher by signalling snapping a spine in his hands. Then, he waits for Janitur to get back to his feet. Suddenly, Swifter jumps up on to the apron and shouts indistinguishably through the middle ropes. Myback looks at Swifter curiously, almost amusingly, before Rane comes behind Swifter and pulls him off the apron! Swifter hits the floor face first but quickly scrambles under the apron of the ring!
Phoenix: Swifter is looking for a quick escape!
Rane shakes her masked head and leans down, grabbing Swifter by the ankle and pulls him back out! Slowly but surely he wriggles out, but Swifter brings a bucket of water along with him!
Roberts: Oh no...
Swifter tips the bucket over and the water splashes all over the ringside area. Rane's lower legs and feet are soaked. She screams and tries to jump out of the water before rolling in to the ring in absolute panic. When she gets in, she bumps into Myback, then turns to leave at the other side. Janitur however, has come out of the ring on the other side. With Swifter distracting the ref, Janitur lifts and throws his own bucket - this one full of powder - and covers Rane!!
Roberts: What the hell is all this now?
Rane spins around blinded. She reaches out and punches Myback in the face by mistake. Thinking she has found an enemy, Rane grabs Myback by the throat and hits the Chokeslam From Well! Rane then falls and rolls out of the ring, still trying to get the powder out of her eyes. Janitur rolls back in and covers Myback. Swifter jumps down. The ref turns and while temporarily distracted by the powder residue in the ring, decides to count the fall! ONE .. TWO... THREE!!
Carson: Here is your winner.... JANITUR!!
Carson: The following is a Triple Threat Match scheduled for one fall, and it is for the 4CW World Heavyweight Championship!!
"Ten Thousand Against One" by Unleash the Archers begins to play and the crowd starts to make noise as Eddie Wolfbaine strides out onto the stage, the title he formerly held absent from his body.
Phoenix: Eddie is looking to take back the title he has held longer over his career than any other man. The problem tonight is that he has two opponents to deal with.
Roberts: But after being bested by Pilgrim Paige last month, Eddie Wolfbaine has something to prove!
Eddie slaps a few hands, but his gaze stays on the ring, the battlefield upon which tonight he attempts to carry out his mission of regaining the 4CW World Championship. He gets in the ring and turns his attention to the ramp to await the other challenger.
The music changes to "The Astral Dialogue" by Agalloch and purple mist begins to cover the stage. The noise of the crowd picks up again. A signature purple flame appears, illuminating the face of the woman known as The Lunar Pilgrim briefly before she extinguishes it. A Purple firework brings light and the full reveal of Pilgrim Paige!
Phoenix: Paige came back and immediately staked her claim to the 4CW Title but unfortunately for her Eddie grabbed that same stake now they both have a daunting task ahead of them.
Paige enters the ring, making sure not to take her eyes off Eddie, as she can't afford any mistakes.
The music changes one final time, to Crush 40's "His World" and the crowd noise reaches the loudest volume it has to this point. Jacob "The Thunderbolt" Scharff stands atop the stage, his mountain, as it were, the 4CW championship fastened around his waist, blue and yellow lights illuminating the man 4CW recognizes as its highest champion.
Phoenix: Jacob won the title back at Duskfall and this is his first true test and defense of that title. I don't envy his position tonight and he's going to need a solid plan to topple both The Lunar Pilgrim and The Self Proclaimed King of Halloween.
In the ring Jacob relinquishes his title to the referee who shows it to all the participants.
Carson: Introducing first, currently residing in New Orleans, Louisiana, and standing 6'3", weighing 230 lbs, EDDIE ... WOOOOOOLFBAINE!!
Eddie throws an arm into the air as the crowd cheers but there's still a smattering of boos amidst the noise.
Carson: Next, currently residing on the dark side of the moon, and standing 5'7", weighing 134 lbs, PILGRIIIIIM ... PAAAAIGE!!
Paige raises her arm to the sky like Eddie, but there are a couple of boos amidst the mostly positive cheers this time.
Carson: Finally, he resides in Atlanta, Georgia, stands 6'1" and weighs 260 lbs, and is the 4CW World Heavyweight Champion, JACOB ... THE THUNDERBOOOOOLT ... SCHARFF!!
Jacob chops a lightning bolt in the air and then throws his fist in the air to raucous cheers from the audience.
Phoenix: What do you guys think about this matchup?
Jeffrey: Eddie slipped last month and got caught but he's not gonna make the same mistake twice. He's taking his title back.
Roberts: Paige probably feels like she has something to prove too, after her time away. She's the smallest competitor in this fight but she took Scharff to the limit the last time they crossed paths, at Gallows End 2017. And of course she beat Wolfbaine last month! Neither man should underestimate her or we could have our first female world champion.
*The bell rings. All three competitors look between each other, wondering who will make the first move. After a few moments Paige catches Wolfbaine's eye and he nods at her and she and him start moving in on the champion.*
Phoenix: Looks like a plan has been hatched by the challengers. Take out the champion.
Jeffrey: And Scharff has too much pride to back down. This is about to get ugly.
*Wolfbaine tries to attack with a right and Scharff blocks but a low shot to the gut from Paige goes undefended and Scharff soon finds himself under heavy fire from both challengers early on. They drive him into the corner and are unrelenting in their assault. Wolfbaine clocks him and tells Paige "Do it." Paige then starts to unleash a barrage of kicks on Scharff!*
Phoenix: This is the start of Paige's Madness of the Moon! The plan the challengers made appears to be working to perfection so far.
*Paige delivers the finale of Madness of the Moon, an enzuigiri, right to the back of Scharff's head and he stumbles out of the corner into a wicked Yakuza Kick from Wolfbaine!*
Phoenix: Looks like they're not done quite yet. Wolfbaine is rolling Scharff in our general direction and has just kicked him under the bottom rope and out of the ring. This is bad for the champion.
Roberts: Might be bad for us too.
*As if on cue Wolfbaine tells Paige to clear the announce table! She sets to work and Wolfbaine starts pulling Scharff back up for whatever diabolical move they have next. Scharff with a desperation punch to the gut! And another! And another! A big right to Wolfbaine's face and he drops The Big Bad Wolf! He turns to deal with Paige who has backed up and now looks to take him out with a running crossbody! He catches The Lunar Pilgrim! he turns to figure out something to do with her but gets caught by a surprise Hammerspace Lariat!*
Phoenix: Jacob almost fought his way out of this predicament but Paige and Eddie are working like a well-oiled machine right now.
Jeffrey: That machine has to break down at some point. Only one can be champion.
*Eddie tells Paige to ascend to the top rope! She follows his insructions as he pulls Scharff up and into Powerbomb position! He puts Scharff in position above the table an Paige comes flying off with a seated senton as Wolfbaine powerbombs Scharff through table!!
Phoenix: Oh my *bzzt!!*
*The commentary goes silent as Wolfbaine starts looking for something under the ring. Paige slowly gets up and watches Eddie, trying to figure out what he's doing. He soon pulls out a length of rope from under the ring! He goes over to Scharff's unmoving form and binds his hands together! Paige looks a little taken aback at Eddie's actions as he rolls back in the ring. She stares at Scharff and then Eddie yells "Come on!" and she breaks her reverie to roll in the ring. She quickly runs full pelt at Eddie, looking to catch the larger star off guard. She uses a flurry of strikes, trying to gain the advantage, but Wolfbaine shoves her away, her size proving an immense disadvantage. She regains her feet as Wolfbaine taunts her with a "bring it" gesture. Paige runs in again and this time she goes for a low dropkick and it connects! Wolfbaine drops to one knee from the impact and looks surprised and hurt.*
Phoenix: Ladies and gentlemen we're finally back I believe. This has been a rough and tumble match early on.
Roberts: Jacob is down and out here at our feet and his hands have literally been tied. If Wolfbaine or Paige wraps this up while he's here there's nothing he can do. Where'd that rope even come from?
Jeffrey: One and done just like you huh Roberts?
Phoenix: I imagine that rope is left over from the Gallows Pole match. Eddie was smart to think about that.
*Paige hits a kneeling snap DDT and covers Eddie!
1!
Eddie kicks out! Paige goes to work, stomping on Eddie, trying to keep him down. He manages to catch a stomp though and throws Paige off balance! He gets to his feet and Paige gets to hers and she uses the ropes to gain some momentum and she goes for a headscissors takedown! She gets Eddie! Eddie flies out of her grip and hits the mat but quickly gets up only to be caught in the leg with another low dropkick! Paige goes for another dropkick to the kneeling Wolfbaine and it catches him square in the chest! He falls onto his back and she quickly follows up with a shooting star press! Cover!
1! 2! Eddie kicks out!*
Phoenix: Paige really in control here. She wants to prove that she's back and she can get to the top no matter who stands in her way.
Roberts: Jacob is finally stirring here at our feet but he's got a long fight to get back in this match.
*Paige has Eddie in a chinlock on the mat. He struggles for a few moments, as the relentless assault from The Lunar Pilgrim has left him gasping for air, but slowly he starts to regain his feet. He gets up and Paige is dangling from him and he reaches behind him and grabs her by the hair and flips her over his head and onto the mat hard! She gets up and turns right into a huge lariat! She gets up again but Eddie puts her up on his shoulders!*
Phoenix: Looks like Eddie is looking to send Paige into the Valley of the Wolf!
Jeffrey: New champion!
*Paige slides off but Eddie grabs her by her hair and pulls her back and then up into his arms and he spins her out into what looks like a Black Hole Slam but instead of driving her back into the mat he spins it into a Codebreaker! Cover!
1! 2! Paige kicks out!*
Phoenix: Hugely innovative move there by the former champion but it was just not enough to put Pilgrim Paige away.
Jeffrey: That's why I love Eddie, he's always thinking on his feet, coming up with new stuff.
Roberts: Paige has gotta keep fighting. Jacob's still down and incapable of drawing any of Eddie's attention.
*Eddie pulls Paige up and puts her back down with a simple yet effective body slam. He's got control now and has slowed the pace. He bodyslams Paige again and she arches in pain upon landing. Eddie pulls her up by one arm to a kneeling position and then twists the arm and proceeds to kick Paige in the back of the head.*
Phoenix: Macando Calling!
Jeffrey: Calling for a victory!
*Eddie decides that's not enough and proceeds to lock Paige in Silvershade!*
Phoenix: This is bad for everyone but Eddie! If Paige taps then Eddie takes the title!
*Paige scrabbles and claws at Eddie, trying to break one of his infamous holds. She appears to start to fade though. The ref comes to make the check but a second wind appears to surge through Paige as she starts fighting harder than ever and starts to get her feet underneath her! Try as he might Eddie can't keep her down. Paige runs up the nearby ropes and flips over Eddie and drives him down with a facebuster!*
Phoenix: What a manuever by Paige!
Jeffrey: Holy crap. Eddie got caught unawares there and Paige made him kiss the canvas.
Roberts: Jacob is finally getting up here in front of us but his hands are still bound by that rope!
*Jacob realizes the predicament he's in and starts tearing at the rope with his teeth, trying to loosen his bonds! Paige pulls her self up using the ropes and sees Jacob attempting to get back in the match and she runs the far ropes and charges towards him launching herself over the top rope and into the champion!*
Phoenix: Paige with Sailor Moon there!
Jeffrey: That lady just became a 130lb. missile!
Roberts: Scharff hasn't caught a break since this match started.
*Paige gets up and back into the ring as Scharff writhes in pain on the ground. She walks over to Eddie who hits her in the gut with a forearm and then a second one before rising to his feet and catching her across the face with a third. He throws Paige into the corner and follows up with a shoulder charge to her gut. He then proceeds to sit Paige on the top rope but as he goes for a move Paige kicks him down to the ground. Paige positions hersself better to fly into Eddie and jumps off the top rope but Eddie catches her in mid-air with a bicycle knee!! Cover after Paige slams into the ground!
1!
2!
NO! Eddie can't believe it!*
Phoenix: That was pure instinct by Pilgrim Paige there. Jeezus what a counter.
Jeffrey: She's gotta be nearly unconscious. One more shot Eddie!
Roberts: I hate to agree with Jeffrey but I don't see what else can happen now. Jacob is tugging on the rope nearby but unless he gets it undone his reign is going to end here.
*Eddie lets loose a loud howl and taunts the crowd as he stalks Paige! Eddie picks up the young woman on his shoulders! He runs all the way to the opposite corner! The Valley of the Wolf! It connects! Eddie into the cover!
1!
2!
Jacob breaks it up with a diving tackle!*
Phoenix: The champ barely saving the match there!
*Eddie stares at Jacob who is struggling to get up as his hands still appear bound. Eddie laughs at the desperate champion. He flashes a six hand sign followed by a one hand sign indicating the record he thinks he will hold over Scharff as he pulls him up and then up onto his shoulders, seemingly going for the Valley of the Wolf again! Jacob slides off and hits a crude clubbing blow with both of his arms to Eddie's face!*
Phoenix: Scharff with a sort of modified double axe handle swing there. Anything to keep himself in this I guess.
*Jacob kicks Eddie in the gut and then slams his back with another crude clubbing blow. He starts tugging at his ropes with his teeth again and he finally makes some progess as the ropes visibly loosen before falling to the ground! Jacob picks his head up, but he doesn't see Paige on the top rope. She stalks him and the crowd noise clues him into to something happening behind him. He goes to turn but Paige comes flying off with Lunar Eclipse and she catches him! Scharff takes the diving corkscrew stunner directly on his chin and drops like a stone! Paige into the cover!
1!
2!
Eddie breaks it up!*
Phoenix: This has been an insane battle. One of these three has to find a way to end this or this could go all night.
Jeffrey: I'd be okay with that.
Roberts: Same.
*Eddie looks furious and he kicks Jacob from the ring. Eddie stalks Paige and picks her up but instead of Valley of the Wolf he goes his crosslegged Air Raid Crash, The Glorious Burden! It connects, Paige's head being driven into Eddie's knee! Eddie with another cover!
1!
2!
Eddie finds himself lifted into the air! Scharff has returned, and wrapped his arms around Eddie, lifting him off of Paige!*
Phoenix: What a show of strength by or champion! Eddie's 230lbs but he may as well be 15!
*Scharff German Suplexes Eddie! He keeps the hands clasped! They roll through and Scharff hits a second German! He still keeps his hands clasped! A third German Suplex and this time he finally releases! He gets up and Paige comes running in with a Codebreaker! She nails it! Scharff rolls to the floor and Paige heads to the top rope, measuring Wolfbaine! She jumps off and nearly drives her feet through Eddie's sternum with Footprints on the Moon! Cover by Paige!
ONE...
TWO...
THREE!!!
Carson: Here is your winner and...NEW 4CW WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION..."THE GOLDEN PILGRIIIIIM" PAAAAAIGE!!
Phoenix: PAIGE HAS DONE IT! Paige's speed proved invaluable tonight as she was able to capitalize on the craziness and a weakened Eddie to plant her Footprints on the Moon and win her first World Title. Congratulations to Pilgrim Paige!
Inside the ring, Paige gets back up to a kneeling position. The ref hands her the 4CW World Championship and Paige stares at it with tears in her eyes. She places the belt on the mat and buries her face into it, as twenty thousand strong cheer and Paige's music blasts through the speakers again. Wolfbaine and Scharff remain down and out on the mat.
Jeffrey: Wolfbaine unfortunately got caught by two big moves in a row in Rumbling Thunder and the Footprints and just couldn't possibly survive that back to back attack.
Roberts: Jacob fought hard but he was at a disadvantage from the start thanks to Paige and Eddie and unfortunately the duo proved too much for him in the end.
Pilgrim Paige slowly but surely manages to wobble back up to a standing position. She hold the title up high and screams "WOOOOO!". She stops when she coughs her guts out, still feeling the effects of the match. The ref tries to tend to her but she brushes him off, climbs the turnbuckle and raises the title high in the air. Confetti explodes from the ceiling and covers the ring and ringside area.
Phoenix: Pilgrim Paige makes history tonight! The FIRST EVER female 4CW World Champion!! Another year, another gruesome Gallows End. For Ray Jeffrey and for James Roberts, I'm Scott Phoenix, GOODNIGHT LADIES AND GENTLEMEN AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US!!
Pilgrim Paige holding the title high with the confetti falling down is the final image as the end show graphics pop up and the screen fades to black.
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20 minutes after Gallows End
In the backstage interview area, Marie Dubois wears a loose up-do and a big cheesy grin, standing alongside a weary, casually dressed Pilgrim Paige. The new champion wears a smile of her own, as well as her title belt, secured firmly around her waist.
Marie Dubois: Hello 4CW and welcome to the first-ever MoreCW, a place for post-show goings-on that are just too good to be missed! I'm here with the newly crowned 4CW World Champion, Pilgrim Paige.
Marie turns to face her interviewee.
Dubois: Paige, since your debut here in 4CW two-and-a-half years ago, you've solidified your place as an exhilarating and controversial performer; one who's willing to risk life and limb to succeed. Undoubtedly, the 4CW Universe is fully aware that you aren't afraid of heights and tonight, you find yourself at the top of the mountain. How does it feel?
Paige takes a moment to collect her thoughts and compose herself properly. Marie, meanwhile, continues on smiling her little doll-like grin.
Paige: Well, like you said, it's the top of the mountain. That's what it feels like: standing atop an actual mountain. You know—the triumph after a long hard trek, it's a little scary, I'm feeling a bit light-headed and I could really use a shower.
She laughs at her own joke.
Paige: All joking aside, this just... it just means the world to me. It's a culmination, a validation... it's a lot of different things to me. I was up against two of the best in the business, these seasoned, hard-working athletes—I have a lot of respect for Wolfbaine, for Scharff. Much of the past twelve months or so have been rife with injuries. I made some bad personal decisions, as we all know. I've grown a lot these past few months, pushed myself to be better in every way I can think of. I had a lot to learn and relearn, especially about respect, about myself, my values. Fact is, it's a blessing just to be here. I love this place, I love the intensity of the 4CW Universe. That incomparable rush of adrenaline when my music hits—you know, any of the ten thousand songs I've used so far! Heh. It's like being part of a big, dysfunctional family here in 4CW and I wouldn't trade it for anything. I wanna do this belt proud just as much as I'm proud to wear it. It's a privilege and an honour, Marie.
Dubois: Any thoughts on being the first woman to hold top gold in 4CW?
Paige: I mean, sure, it's a first of a kind and I'm all for that being penned into 4CW history. Beyond that, it just is what it is. 4CW has always been an intergender promotion, this has always been a possibility. It's about competition, not gender, basically. I'm proud to be a woman and I'm proud to hold this belt, and I had to scratch and claw like hell for both, as most of the 4CW Universe knows. My gender and my title reign aren't mutually inclusive or exclusive, they're just two separate facts about me that people can put together if they really wish to. On the other hand, if it inspires more women to pursue pro wrestling and if it shows trans people there's a place for them in this business—then by all means they can take it and run with it.
Dubois: And lastly, is there anything you'd like to say directly to the 4CW Universe?
Paige turns to the camera, her grin even wider than before. She widens her stances and throws her head back...
Paige: WOOOOOOOOO!!!
Marie thanks Paige for her time. The new World Champion nods and walks off as the video feed fades to black.
——————————
Forty-five minutes after Gallows End
Throngs of employees from both 4CW and the MSG arena mingle, relax and gorge themselves on barbecue inside Hazel's (re-purposed) big-top tent. The ring, mats and props have all been disassembled and moved along, leaving only the bleachers and the PA system—which is currently set at a more comfortable volume and making its way through a Halloween-themed playlist. To the right of the entryway "aisle" are three large charcoal grills. Witch Hazel and a volunteering Tommy Young are hard at work, cooking up batch after batch of hot dogs, frankfurters, steaks and roast potatoes. Every so often, one or the other has to retrieve more of one thing or another (as well as condiments) from the seemingly endless trays on a rectangular table nearby. Ever-helpful Anna Molly has also taken on two responsibilities: grilling up the veggie burgers and franks; and serving customers at an ice cream stand on the other side of the entrance, which she's doing currently. This has been the trio's routine for the past fifteen minutes and the crowd is growing by the minute. A tall, bearded man who looks to be in his mid-40s approaches Hazel's grill.
Patron: Hey, how'd ya like that lighting set-up tonight?
Hazel's eyes light up. Nearby, Anna heads back toward her grill.
Hazel: Oh, you did the lighting stuff for Hazel's tent?
He nods; Hazel grins.
Hazel: Good job! Hazel thinks everything came together nicely. *She gestures enthusiastically to the grill.* What would you like and do you have any food allergies we should know about?
Patron: No allergies and I'll try anything spicy!
Hazel: Ooh! One of Hazel's signature helldogs will do the trick.
A minute later, Hazel serves up a spicy homemade hot dog on a sesame seed bun with plenty of cracked black pepper and barbecue sauce to top it all off. The FX guy takes a big bite, grinning and licking barbecue sauce from his lips. He wordlessly gives Hazel a big thumbs-up while his mouth is preoccupied with meaty goodness... then is overtaken by the spicy dog's intensity, face turning a deep crimson! With a look of intense shock, the man's widened eyes meet Hazel's.
Hazel: Here ya go!
She tosses him a water bottle; he quickly opens it and sucks the water down like he's just found an oasis while lost in the desert. Nearby, Tommy tries to stifle a laughing fit.
Man: The water—it does nothing!
Tommy fails. The man turns and runs for the hills. Hazel calls out to him in her sing-song voice.
Hazel: Kiitos! Hyvää yötä!
Anna, who has since gotten back to grilling as well, cheerily addresses Tommy with a delighted smirk as the helldog customer exits the tent.
Anna: Hey, what'd I miss? Another satisfied customer in hot-dog hysterics, maybe?
Their chat is put on pause briefly as more customers come by and place orders. A slightly harried-looking Tommy Young wipes the sweat from his brow with his forearm as he tosses more steak on the grill.
Tommy: Yeah. The one that just ran off was her sixth of the night. How's the ice cream business treating you?
Anna: Great. I just love seeing all these happy faces in one place, enjoying the food. It's a different kind of high than being out there in front of a crowd, huh?
Tommy nods, a gesture that is performed somewhere between emphatically and wearily at the same time. Hazel notices this.
Hazel: Aww, does Tommy need a break? Maybe you're hungry. One of Hazel's Helldogs would be just the thing to put some pepper in Tommy's steppers! Look at all the energized, happy customers!
Hazel's seventh Helldog customer can be seen bolting away in the background. Hazel beams and her friends can't help but chuckle.
Tommy: I'm good for now, Hazel.
Hazel: Okey dokey.
The atmosphere at the grilling station changes when an irritated-looking Rhys Cain approaches the trio.
Hazel: Hei, Rhysy Piecey. What would you like?
Cain: I'll try the ice cream.
Anna narrows her eyes at Cain and his sourpuss demeanour, then transforms her expression into a thin smile when he looks her way. She sets her spatula down and steps away from the grill, gesturing to Cain.
Anna: Right this way.
Rhys Cain follows Anna Molly to the ice cream stand and folds his arms while he waits to be served. Anna completes her task with great efficiency.
Anna: There ya go, a cone for Cain!
Cain scoffs. Once he's got some of Hazel's Ice Scream in a cone, he achieves a rather bizarre feat—angrily eating ice cream. He looks about as pleased with it as his recent in-ring outcomes. Anna gawps at him.
Anna: So... ya like it?
Cain grunts his approval and wanders off through the crowd, eating ice cream with the face of a man sucking a lemon. Meanwhile, Phil McGroin and Camera Man stride up to the grills. As the two approach, Phil is rambling on about he great he is, just as he's been doing ever since the gauntlet match. As Anna returns to her grilling station, Phil gives her a dirty look and purposefully ignores her, stepping up to the next grill over.
Hazel: Heiiiiii, Angry Face Man. Why is your face so angry?
McGroin: As if you don't know!
Hazel just stands there, thinking and blinking. Tommy pats her shoulder a couple times, which leads to Phil shifting his attention to him. Phil is about to speak, but Tommy is a step ahead.
Tommy: She's had a hard night. Just leave it this once, okay? Besides, you have bigger fish to fry now, right?
McGroin's expression changes to a smirk.
McGroin: You're looking at the next World Champion. I'll be the only undefeated World Champion in 4CW history, mark my words!
Tommy: Right, right. So what'll you guys be having?
Camera Man I'm thinking medium rare steak and maybe a side..
Tommy: Okay. Hazel's just finished a lot of steak, done a few ways. For a side, I recommend our super-spooky ghost potatoes, those are pretty pop—
McGroin: What?
McGroin's face blanches. Meanwhile, Hazel gets to task and quickly picks out a nice piece of medium-rare steak. She slaps it down on a dinner plate with a big smile on her face. McGroin, to no one in particular, speaks up. There's confusion in his voice.
McGroin: Ghost... potatoes?
Hazel pipes up.
Hazel: Yepyep! On All Hallow's Eve, you can almost hear their souls scream out as they sizzle in the flames!
Phil gulps.
McGroin: S-s-souls? Do... potatoes have... souls?! Vengeful souls?
Phil McGroin is taken aback. Just as Tommy takes up a couple of foil-wrapped potatoes and passes the dinner plate to Camera Man, Phil grabs the nearest chair and bashes the contents of the plate with it, sending the food to the floor and smashing the plate to pieces. Several people in the tent scream and stare. The more skittish—and the more familiar with Phil's past antics—take off for the comparative peace of the outside world. Through the bustling crowd, a lone security guard tries to make his way to the barbecue area.
Anna & Camera Man: What the hell?!
Camera Man: Why? Just... why, God, why?!
Phil, who's now breathing heavily from a mix of anxiety and relief, lets his chair hang at his side in one hand. With his other hand, he points at the ruined food, then stares at his companion with a look of incredulity.
McGroin: What do you mean? I saved you! I can't employ a potato-possessed cameraman!
Camera Man: You mashed my potatoes you lunatic!
McGroin: They're better that way! Also when they're not unholy abominations.
The trio of barbecue buddies are trying their best not to totally crack up. Camera Man's lips threaten to turn into a smirk, but his narrowed eyes suggest less jovial, more murderous things.
Tommy: I didn't know you were so scared of ghosts, Phil.
McGroin: I ain't afraid of no ghost! ... potato.
It's at this point that security closes in on Phil.
Security Guard: Alright buddy, you're outta here. Get movin'.
Bewildered and frustrated with this turn of events, McGroin spins on his heel and shoves his chair into the guy's ribs.
McGroin: I'm the next world champ! I leave on my own terms. Come on, Camera Man.
And with that, the ever-disruptive Phil McGroin stalks away, once again jabbering on about himself to Camera Man.
Tommy: Well, that was a thing that happened.
He's openly chuckling now.
Anna: Yeah. I guess you might call the ghost potatoes a... smashing success!
Hazel and Tommy shame-stare at Anna for a long moment, then all three burst out laughing. A short while and a few customers later, Silent Sorcery come strolling up to the table, ponytailed and dressed down. They wave a synchronized greeting.
Anna: Hey, you two. Tough luck out there tonight. Maybe some ice cream will cheer you up? It works for me! ... 'til the sugar crash.
Tsukiko nods emphatically and moseys off to the ice cream station with Anna. Oki-Kira signs a few polite sentences in JSL, trying to place an order in the process.
Hazel: Aww, Hazel doesn't know any hand-signy languages! You can just point out what you want and Hazel will hook you up.
Kira points at the seasoned, homemade sausages on the table behind Tommy and co.
Tommy: Ah. One Frankenfurter for the Shiga Stomper, coming up!
Hazel: Okey dokey, Oki-Doki. Lots of those just done, and now Hazel can make more helldogs!
Kira's left eyebrow raises, still facing in her direction, but Hazel's eyes are back on the grill. Tommy spots Kira's reaction.
Tommy: They're spicy homemade hot dogs. Want one? I'll get that frankfurter for you in the meantime.
Kira nods, then bows very slightly upon receiving his Frankenfurter. While he awaits the grilling of his helldog, he heads over to the ice cream station to converse with Kiko.
As Hazel gets to work on her helldogs, Brian White and Teri Morzano walk up to the grilling station. Brian appears to be wound up and fuming.
Tommy: Hey, Bri.
White: Murder. I'm gonna murder the bastard, kiddo! And that Camera Man's days are numbered as well, the little prick.
Tommy: Good to see you've calmed down some.
Teri steps from White's side to right up close in front of him and pokes her finger in the middle of his chest. The fact she has to raise her arm to do so makes for a somewhat comical scene.
Teri: Brian White, you calm yourself right this instant!
Brian automatically raises an eyebrow, but lets it drop quickly enough. Teri removes her finger and takes on a more relaxed posture and matter-of-fact tone.
Teri: Now take a deep breath or two and put your mind on the present. Work time is over, babe. We're in a circus tent with good company and good food. How often do you get to do this right after a show? Let's just relax and enjoy it, babe.
Brian breathes a sigh and places his hands on his hips, caught somewhere between his frustrations and knowing that Teri is talking sense. He looks at Tommy.
White: And what are your thoughts, kiddo?
Tommy shrugs and smiles.
Tommy: She's got a point, Bri. And besides, if you settle yourself down, I'll tell you one hell of a story later that'll have you laughing instead of raging over Phil.
White's face takes on a look of great curiosity. White seems unable to stop himself huffing and puffing for a few moments longer, then finally secedes his rage.
White: I see I'm outnumbered, heh. *sigh* Yeah, alright. I'll try to be "in the moment" and all that.
He turns to face Hazel.
White: Hello, Witchy.
Hazel beams.
Hazel: Heiii, Mr. Monorail! You looked like steam might come out of your ears for a minute there! But that would make you a different kind of train.
Brian blinks a few times, unaccustomed to direct interaction with Hazel. After a short moment, he chuckles lightly.
White: Yeah, I suppose that's true.
Tommy: What can I get you, Bri?
White turns to Teri.
White: Ladies first.
Teri puts on an exaggeratedly surprised expression and saucy tone.
Teri: Oh, we're a gentleman now, are we?
White grins. Before Teri can place her order, Hazel spots Kiko, Kira and Anna heading their way.
Tommy: Hold on just a bit—you don't wanna miss this!
Kira strolls up to Hazel and gives her a big thumbs-up as he holds out his empty plate for her to take.
Hazel: Dogs are all done! You can come around to the table and pick out the condiments you want, okay?
She gestures to the table and the light-footed Oki-Kira is there in a flash. He settles on barbecue sauce, sriracha and powdered cayenne pepper. Tommy and Anna look mortified as Kira returns to Kiko's side and receives the suped-up helldog from Hazel.
Anna: Uhh... you sure like it hot, huh Kira?
Kira nods emphatically.
Anna: And you've made peace with your God?
Kira shrugs and feverishly tears into the helldog. Everyone around him watches on with bated breath... except for Kiko. Kira downs his first massive mouthful and licks his (now paint-free) lips, and gives Hazel another thumbs-up.
Hazel: Yay, another happy customer!
Kiko sets her spoon down into her dish of ice scream and gestures to Kira, who shakes his head "no". Kiko gestures further and Kira replies by acting out a shivering motion. Kiko shrugs and turns to leave; Silent Sorcery wave in tandem once more and wander off through the crowd. Tommy and Anna are baffled. White seems to be annoyed. He addresses Tommy Young.
White: What the hell was that all about? Are you putting me on, Tommy?
Tommy: All the other customers took off running! I tasted one earlier and had to spit it out, and that didn't even help... hottest thing I ever put in my mouth, Bri, I swear!
White has a skeptical look.
White: Uh-huh. Send one of those things my way, Witchy.
Tommy & Anna: Uhhh...
Hazel: Okey-dokey!
White necks with Teri a bit while he waits on Hazel. Tommy turns to Anna.
Tommy: This is gonna be a looong night...
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Thanks Taker_2004 for the banner!