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Update: I will post the November Storm Front by the end of the week, as well as the preview to Storm Front: WAR IV.
Thanks Taker_2004 for the banner!
Finally finished reading!! Will get a review up tonight :-)
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
Ok, so it's actually a day or two later, but hey ho! Here we go!
Custom Cup Title, Chairs Match - McGroin (c) vs Avana: Avana get's the surprise win! Great match to start us off with. And a good showing from both competitors. McGroin will never go down easy, and whilst not as malicious in his cheating as say, Jack Valentine, he does go for every advantage he can! And in a steel chairs match, well, it's a lucky competitor who grabs the win from McGroin! Good story beats, goos action, good match all around.
Lotus/Janitur Backstage/Hardcore Title match: The stuff with Janitur just get's wierder and crazier month by month! And I think this may be the first match I've seen Janitur win in possibly years! Good for him.
Tag Team Titles, Cage Match - Run 'N' Gun (c) vs Umbra Maxima: Wrote it, and you're welcome Imperial Stingmon! :-P
13 Ghost Gauntlet: This was a ride! I actually found it quite surprising that no-one was able to get that second fall until quite late in the match, but then, there weren't really any power house competitors in the gauntlet this year at all! Well, except for Senecca, but he's deep in the tag division at the moment. Still, was a fun match, some good showings from all and for me at least, a surprise win for Tommy, all things considered. And for this especially, I loved the continuity! This can be somewhat lost with many writers, but I'm glad it was added as the things I put Tommy through in his Tag match would just be too much to come into this match at seemingly 100%, so good one there! (also, I will admit, me and Rhys did talk about this, so I knew Tommy was gonna win before hand, just not how, and I feel it was handled very well!)
Universal Title, Waters (c) vs Paige vs Moxie: Was actually surprised that Moxie didn't just turn face at this match! But, judging from later shows, she's still got some way to go! Still, it was fun watching the interactions of the two stable "mates" as they got in each others way! And for me, that really was the defining theme of this match. I was pretty certain Paige was going to be able to capitalise on the bad blood between Waters and Moxie, and she was able to in the end. Well fought match by her here! and congrats on your next stint as champ Paige!
Winner Becomes Owner, Lumberjack match - Cain vs Sery: I would so have loved to read the full match! I feel for you though buddy, I've had similar, though not quite as catastrophic instances of loss. But this is also why I use a word processor for all my things! That autosave can be a life saver! ;-) As it is, it got the story across, Sery finally beating his nemesis, some fun and unexpected cameos. Was not really expecting Viper to be on Sery's side for instance! Still, for what it was it was decent enough, and gave at least a taste of what could have been!
World Title, Gallows Pole - Jack Valentine (c) vs Carstein: Ok, so this is the reason it took me so long to finish reading this show! I'm sorry to say I just couldn't get into the match. The story was good, and there were some good spots, especially the end with Mad Dog cheating his way to victory again, but it just felt really clunky to read and for me at least, that made it a lot harder for me to read. A lot of short sentences, repetitive wording and the like. So yeah, I'm afraid for me this was the weakest match of the night as far as readability is concerned.
Match of the Night: 13 Ghost Gauntlet, no contest!
MVP of the Night: Gonna go with Mr Tommy Young, and not just because I'm bias, but because he managed to win the gauntlet even after all I put him through in that cage match!
Moment of the Night: I'm gonna be bias on this one though, and say Tommy doing a Shooting Star Press from the top of the cage!
Graphic of the Night: Not much to choose from this time around, and whist I do think the match graphics are very tiudy and a nice upgrade, I think for this one we'll go with the War Graphic.
4CW Hall of Fame Class of 2018. Triple Crown Champion 2020. 2 times Universal, 2 times Tag team and 1 Time World Heavyweight Champion.
Wrestler of the Year 2017, Champion of the Year 2017, Most Improved 2017
NOTE: Everyone worked their asses off for this show and I can't thank you guys enough. This show was shaping up to be so great. As you guys know, I lost my Cain vs Sery match. Arguably the best match I've ever written, I was so proud of it. Over 9,000 words with a ton of character and story development. I tried my best to recreate it in recap form, because I just can't write that match again. It just won't work and every sentence would feel forced. The recap I have written instead has the same story beats, just without a chunk of the meat the original match had. It went from originally 9,000 words to around 1,500. So sorry in advance for that. I can't tell you how disappointed I am that I lost that match, cos I know you guys would have loved it. Nevertheless, the rest of the show which is largely written by you guys, was fucking fantastic. So thanks, great job... and there's more 4CW content coming this week!
**PYRO**
**PYRO**
**PYRO**
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Phoenix: Ladies and gentlemen, people of all ages, WELCOME to the Halloween extravaganza of 4CW! THIS IS GALLOWS END! I am joined by my bradcast partners Ray Jeffrey and James Roberts!
Jeffrey: Tonight, we have a hell of a show lined up! In our main event it's a Gallows Pole match as 4CW World Champion Jack Valentine defends his championship against Satan's Outrider, Carstein!
Roberts: Rhys Cain will battle with Sery in a Lumberjack match! Our own Scott Phoenix will be the special referee, how are you feeling about that Scott?
Phoenix: I will do my part... but until that match, we've got a show to call! And we also have a 13 Ghost Gauntlet match! Someone will survive the Gauntlet and earn a 4CW World Championship match - but who will it be?
Jeffrey: Run 'N' Gun battle Umbra Maxima, as they defend the 4CW Tag Team Championships in a cage match!
Phoenix: Eli Waters will defend the Universal Championship against Pilgrim Paige and Erica Moxie!
Roberts: And that's not all! To open the show tonight, Xavier Avana will get his shot at the 4CW Custom Cup Championship, as he challenges Phil McGroin in a chairs match!
The bell rings around the arena.
Carson: The following contest is a CHAIRS MATCH scheduled for one fall and it is for the 4CW Custom Cup Championship!!
"You Ain't Ready" by Skillet hits the PA system. Xavier Avana steps out on stage to a sizeable pop from the small crowd.
Carson: Introducing first, the challenger... weighing in at 230lbs... XAVIER ... AVANA!!
Phoenix: Xavier Avana has had a great 2020 and tonight, he gets his reward! A one on one 4CW Custom Cup Championship match against Phil McGroin!
Jeffrey: You think his reward is losing to the greatest champion of all time?
Roberts: I think you'd be a fool to underestimate Xavier Avana! He's proven he can pull off big wins when he's at his best! 6'5, 230lbs... he's no pushover!
Jeffrey: Yeah, well no-one asked you, so how about shut your face!
Avana gets into the ring, still notably without a weapon. He takes his position in the corner of the ring and awaits his opponent.
"Numb" by Linkin Park hits the PA system. Camera Man takes centre stage, and following him comes Phil McGroin. He has the 4CW Custom Cup Title around his
waist, a steel chair in one hand and the Lightning in the Bottle in the other hand.
Phoenix: Speaking of good years, it doesn't get much better than Phil McGroin's 2020! Custom Cup Champion, Lightning in the Bottle holder and on a hell of a run!
Jeffrey: He's beaten Xavier before, as well as Senecca and Dirk Meyer... and let's not forget the man he beat to win the belt last year, Tommy Young!
Phoenix: Certainly an impressive list... tonight, though, it's one on one... and Avana is hungry for gold!
The confident and brash McGroin rolls into the ring, demanding Camera Man capture him from certain angles. Camera Man obliges, until McGroin gets bored and demands he leave the ring, to which Camera Man quickly agrees. McGroin turns his attention to Avana, shouting some obscenities. Avana ignores him and focuses on his preparation for the match. McGroin waves the chair around threateningly, but it still doesn't seem to phase Avana.
Phoenix: McGroin playing mind games but I'm not sure how effective they are!
Jeffrey: Well, let's see Avana try and no-sell a chair shot as soon as this match begins!
Referee Jason Trent decides he is ready to start the match and calls for the bell.
Immediately, McGroin charges forward with a swing of the steel chair. Avana is calm and collected and swiftly sidesteps the shot. McGroin quickly turns on the spot and throws another shot with the steel chair, but this time Avana not only sidesteps, but sweeps the leg and knocks McGroin on his ass. McGroin slides out of the ring to recollect himself, frustrated. He takes his frustration out on Camera Man, telling him he's "being too distracting!"
Avana steps back and allows McGroin to get back into the ring. McGroin does so, and goes for another chair shot, but this time Avana gets a ton of air from a jump and hits a dropkick, hitting the chair out of McGroin's hands! McGroin scrambles to his feet, but Avana is ready, grabs him, and hits a picture perfect suplex! Avana leans over to grab the chair - but Camera Man grabs it from the outside of the ring and yanks it out of the ring. Avana raises his brow and shrugs, before turning back to McGroin and hitting a neckbreaker, making the cover! ONE ... TWO ... NO! McGroin kicks out!
Phoenix: Looks like Avana has done his homework! He managed to avoid every attempt from McGroin to use that chair!
Avana sends McGroin to the corner. He runs after him and clotheslines him in the corner, then follows it up with a bulldog! Quick cover! ONE ... TWO ... McGroin kicks out again! Avana continues his offence, stomping McGroin a few times and keeping him near the corner. McGroin lifts himself up to sit against the bottom turnbuckle, but this turns out to be a big mistake as Avana runs in with a basement dropkick! Another cover! ONE ... TWO ... KICKOUT! McGroin rolls out of the ring to collect himself again.
Roberts: McGroin has spent more time outside of the ring than he has inside!
Jeffrey: It's called tactics, Roberts, so shut your face!
Avana decides this time his patience is wearing thin, and instead of waiting for McGroin to get his confidence back, he rolls out of the ring and follows him. Avana grabs McGroin and whips him into the barricade. He approaches with a few right hands, until McGroin manages to rake the eyes and gain some distance! Avana clutches his face, blinded, and McGroin pushes him head-first into the corner post! Avana goes down!
Phoenix: McGroin showing his true style!
Jeffrey: It's not cheating if it's not against the rules, Scott!
Phoenix: I never said he was breaking any rules - just that he is revealing his true self!
With the advantage now in his corner, McGroin throws Avana back into the ring. He grabs the steel chair that Camera Man had previously snatched out of the ring and takes it back inside with him. He then drops the chair on the mat and whips Avana into the ropes. On his return, McGroin ducks down, lifts Avana up and over with a back body drop right on the steel chair! Avana writhes but he is quickly covered by McGroin! ONE ... TWO ... NO! Avana kicks out!
Roberts: That was a rough landing for Avana, but he's still in this one!
McGroin rolls back to his feet and grabs the steel chair. Not even giving Avana a moment to come up with another fancy reversal, he smashes the chair across Avana's back and the rookie crumbles to the mat. McGroin unleashes two more chair shots to the back before moving to the corner and wedging the chair in between the top and middle turnbuckle.
Jeffrey: Looks like McGroin has finished playing around!
Roberts: And who can imagine what sick thing he has planned next with that chair?
With the chair securely wedged, McGroin goes back to Avana and picks him up. He grabs him by the head and throws him towards the chair-wedged corner, but Avana finds his feet and holds on to the ropes to stop his momentum. McGroin runs after him but Avana throws back an elbow, which catches McGroin in the side of the head. He then grabs McGroin and rams his head into the wedge chair!
Phoenix: Well that backfired on McGroin!
Roberts: Avana has an opening here!
With McGroin seeing stars, Avana grabs him and whips him into the opposite corner. He then charges after him and hits the HELLUVA KICK!
Phoenix: BENT OUTTA SHAPE! IT COULD BE ALL OVER!
Avana covers the champion! ONE ... TWO ... NO!! Camera Man grabs McGroin's leg and pulls him out from under Avana, breaking the cover! Camera Man helps McGroin to his feet on the outside and Avana looks none too happy about this latest development! He rolls out of the ring, to which Camera Man immediately lets go of McGroin and flees around to the other side of the ring. Avana gives chase as Camera Man sends him running completely around the ring, and when he arrives back at McGroin, Avana is blindsided by a chair shot from the champion!!
Phoenix: Say what you want about Camera Man and McGroin, but it looks like their tactic worked there!
McGroin kneels down and throws lefts and rights into the face of Avana, who is now unable to protect himself. Grinning, McGroin grabs Avana and pulls him up, slamming his face into the apron several times. McGroin then grabs Avana and holds him up, then screams at Camera Man "HIT HIM WITH THE CHAIR!"
Camera Man looks stunned and unprepared to do so at first but when McGroin screams "NOW!" he grabs the chair. McGroin holds Avana as Camera Man runs forward with a swing of the chair - but Avana slips down to the floor - and Camera Man smashes McGroin across the head!!
Phoenix: Well that didn't go as planned!!
Camera Man looks horrified at what he's done, but soon he doesn't have to worry about it, as Avana comes in with an uppercut that floors the sidekick. Avana throws McGroin back into the ring and rolls in after him. He throws him to the corner and hits McGroin with a SECOND Helluva Kick! He then makes the cover! ONE ... TWO ... THREE!!
Carson: Here is your winner and the NEEEEEEW 4CW Custom Cup Champion... XAVIEEEEEER ... AVANA!!
"You Ain't Ready" by Skillet hits the PA system. The crowd roar as the rookie sits up to his knees, tired but enthralled at his big win.
Phoenix: He's done it! Xavier Avana has done it!
Jeffrey: Camera Man just cost McGroin the match inadvertently!
Roberts: If I was him, I'd get a head start running right now!
Phoenix: And what a victory for the second generation 4CW star! We have a new 4CW Custom Cup Champion and his name is XAVIER AVANA!!
Xavier Avana celebrates in the ring as the referee hands him the Custom Cup Title. After standing up for the referee to raise his hand, he falls back to his knees and hides his face in the championship as we cut to a break.
We are backstage with Gabriel Crowe. There's an eerie atmosphere in the room and Crowe looks uncomfortable as he speaks.
Crowe: Hi everyone. I'm Gabriel Crowe and I am here with none other than the 4CW Hardcore Champion, Dark Lotus!
The camera pans out to show Dark Lotus looming next to Crowe. Lotus stares blankly ahead, the championship over his shoulder.
Crowe: Dark Lotus, the championship over your shoulder has become synonymous with you at this point. You've assumed the mantle of this division. My question is, what are your upcoming goals in 4CW given this success?
Dark Lotus shifts his eyes to glare at Crowe. Perhaps he is thinking how lame the question is, but we never find out, as suddenly the lights go out.
Crowe: Oh no...
Phoenix: What the-? The lights went out... was that Lotus' doing?
There's a loud and jarring spraying noise, like the sound of a fire extinguisher being set off. Then a big *clunk* as steel hits concrete. The lights flicker back on to show JANITUR standing by the light switch. On the floor is a fire extinguisher, panting black with golden stars and a crudely-written sign reading "Sleepy Potion" stamped on it. Dark Lotus is out cold on the floor!
Phoenix: What happened to Lotus?!
Roberts: I think Janitur and that extinguisher had something to do with it!
Jeffrey: How astute you are, Roberts!
Janitur covers Dark Lotus... who seems to be taking a big time nap... ONE ... TWO ... THREE!!
Carson: Here is your winner and the NEW 4CW Hardcore Champion... JANITUR!!
Phoenix: What the hell did we just see?
Roberts: I'm not really sure, but the end result is Janitur is now the Hardcore Champion! He's been a thorn in the side of Lotus for months now and this will be a big sting for Lotus.
Jeffrey: Which means when Lotus gets a hold of Janitur, that sting will be tenfold for the new champion!
Janitur picks up the 4CW Hardcore Championship and raises it in the air. He then scarpers from the area, coming back to pick up his mop he left leaning against the wall. The camera pans across the small but excited and surprisingly loud crowd before settling in on the commentary team, all smiles and professionalism.
Phoenix: Welcome back everyone! Next up we have our 4CW World Tag Team Championship match, inside the intimidating steel cage!
After this announcement, lights suddenly start flickering, and the cage begins to be lowered from on high. The crowd cheer even louder at the prospect of the violence to come.
Jeffrey: That's right Scott! These two teams, the current champions, Run 'N' Gun, and arguably the greatest tag team to enter the 4CW ring, Umbra Maxima, have been at it hard these last few months, with Umbra Maxima surprising Run 'N' Gun after their match with the Synth City Thrillers two months ago to win the belts for the third time.
Roberts: Some might say steal.. Anyway, last month Run 'N' Gun got their contractually obligated rematch, and after a hard fought contest, emerged the better team on the night!
Jeffrey: On the night, I'll give ya that. But Umbra Maxima have the experience edge and are hungry to break more records as the greatest Tag Champions in the world!
Roberts (beginning to get a little heated): Run 'N' Gun haven't lost a fair match yet! Every time they lost those belts they were screwed by none other than our very own General Manager, Rhys Cain! And two months ago was no different!
Phoenix: Ahem, gentlemen, the cage is in place, let's go to Michael Carson in the ring.
Mics fade, but just before you hear Scott admonish his colleagues; “Come on guys...”
Carson: This next bout will be a cage match for the 4CW World Tag Team Championship!
“Taking You Down” by Egypt Central hits the PA and the crowd become hostile. Umbra Maxima hit the stage and stare down the crowd, soaking in the anger and vitriol from the crowd.
Carson: Introducing first, from New York, New York, weighing in at 485lbs, UMBRA MAAAAXIMAAAAAA!!!
The crowd boo as Maximillian Yesgill and Elfan Simtul march with determination down the ramp towards the cage. They both make a lap around the cage, pulling on joists and slapping the chicken wire like walls to test the cages sturdiness. With a smirk of satisfaction, Yesgill hauls open the cage door and jumps up and into the cage. Simtul takes a little more time to look things over be fore nodding and climbing in himself.
Jeffrey: Umbra Maxima are satisfied with the cage and are ready to cause some pain!
The intro riff for “Thundersteel” by Riot hits as the lights fade to dark and the crowd roar in appreciation of their champions. An animated graphic of a Spitfire with a flaming skull design on it's nose flies across the screen, it's engine noise blaring even over the music. It flies up and we see a steam train with a flaming skull at the front of it's boiler stack speeding along the line. The Spitfire begins to fly above it as the train turns to head towards camera. Drums come in as the flaming skull comes into centre screen and the words Run 'n' Gun can be read as Brian White and Tommy Young both hit the stage, holding their belts on high with Miss Teri coming to stand seductively between them, hand on hip, looking across the crowd with a half cocked smile on her features.
Linking her arms with both men, she leads them down the ring, Tommy smiling and waving as he goes, Brian resolute and serious. The three stop at the bottom of the ramp and gaze solemnly up at the cage, ignoring their opponents in the ring. Miss Teri offers a few more words of wisdom and encouragement before leaving the two and making her way around to sit by the commentators at ringside, pointedly ignoring the leering glances made by Ray Jeffrey, but smiling a greeting at Scott and James as she takes her seat, crossing her knee high booted feet and getting comfortable.
White and Young meanwhile enter the ring, again pulling on parts of the cage to test the give and finding very little. The music fades and lights return to normal as they turn and finally acknowledge Umbra Maxima. Both teams glower at each other for a few seconds, then as one, both Tommy and Brian lift their belts above their heads, taunting their opponents.
Senior official Anna Molly comes to take the belts from White and Young and lifts them towards the hard cameras, showing the prize to the masses watching on television. Then, after handing the belts to an official standing by the door she calls for the cage to be locked and then goes through her pre-match checks with both teams.
Surprisingly, Tommy nods at Brian and steps behind the corner ropes, meaning the White to take the lead in this match, despite it's non traditional format. Umbra Maxima share a glance in surprise then Simtul smiles. Yesgill nods at his larger partner and steps to his own corner.
Phoenix: Well, it looks like we're still going to have a tag match, despite the cage and it's technically no disqualification based nature!
Roberts: Just goes to show, both teams want to see who really is the best tag team in 4CW!
Anna Molly quickly hides her own shock at this turn of events, looks at the two giants in front of her and calls for the bell.
DING! DING!
Phoenix: And we are off!
The crowd roar as the two big men stand off, White looking down slightly at Simtul. He grins and raises an open hand into the air, plainly offering a contest of strength. Simtul burns a hole through whites head with his stare, and without breaking eye contact, lifts his own hand to take Whites. Both hands quickly go white as the grip intensifies, but neither man backs down. Slowly both men's free hand meet and clench. Muscles bunch and strain as both men begin to push. Neither seem to move as they grimace at each other and the crowd shout and chant their support for White. Yesgill can be heard shouting encouragement to his team mate, but it seems White's greater height and weight start to show as he begins pushing Simtul back and down, stretching his shoulders in a painful way as they near the maximum they can move back. With a shout, Simtul knees White in the gut, ending the contest and breaking the grip.
Roberts: Simtul couldn't take the strain!
White quickly recovers and throws a furious look at his opponent. Simtul throws a haymaker at White, but White blocks, throwing a quick punch that connects with Simtuls face!
Phoenix: White showing his street-fighting experience there.
Simtul throws a second haymaker, only to be blocked again, with white again, throwing out a quick punch. Neither seem designed to do much damage, but to enrage. And Simtul obliges by charging forwards with a shoulder check, knocking White aside, though not to the matt. Simtul hits the ropes and rockets back towards the waiting White. Ready this time, he braces as Simtul slams into him and it's Simtul who bounces back. Simtul looks shocked as White grins menacingly. He mouths 'My Turn' and slams into Simtul with his own shoulder tackle, knocking him to the ground!
Roberts: White showing Simtul he really is the bigger man here!
White doesn't let up and begins stomping a mudhole into Simtul, who covers up and manages to turn onto his front. White assists him in reaching a vertical base, only to launch his to the ropes, hitting a clothesline on the return. Simtul quickly regains his feet only to get whipped again into the ropes. This time white catches his large opponent around the waist, holds a second then hoists Simtul over his shoulder with an explosive belly to belly suplex! The crowd go wild!
Phoenix: White is showing pure dominance in the early moments of this match!
Jeffrey: It's only just begun, and the cage itself hasn't come into play yet.
White plays to the crowd, revelling in his power, giving Simtul a couple seconds grace. He shakes his head and groggily crawls to his teams corner. Yesgill tags in and hops the ropes. White sees this movement and steps up, ready to fight. Yesgill shakes his head at the big man before looking past towards Tommy Young. Silently, he points to Whites partner. White shrugs and turns to Tommy, his hand outstretched for Tommy to tag himself in. Mirroring Yesgill, Tommy also hops the ropes, and with as much poise and panache as the more experienced Yesgill.
Phoenix: We've had the big men duke it out, now it's time for the smaller men to show what they're made of.
Yesgill and Young stare each other down for a second, before Yesgill slaps Young across the face in a show of great disrespect. Tommy is shocked, but Yesgill is not done and follows up with a second, accompanied by a rant about being the best damn team in the world and that Young and White had no right to even compete in the same ring as Umbra Maxima! Young grimaces and manages to block a third slap, instead throwing an elbow shot at Yesgill, who reacts by going all in with strikes and kicks, forcing Tommy back against the ropes as he tries to defend. Yesgill throws Young to the opposite ropes, follows and slams into the young man in the back with a clothesline, bouncing Tommy's face off the cage. With a shout, Yesgill hits the Lunar Lasso, and it's his turn to play the crowd as Tommy shakes the cobwebs out.
Yesgill grabs Tommy by the head and lifts him to his feet, and hits a suplex. Tommy rolls over and climbs to his knees in time to receive a low dropkick in his chest, dropping him to his back. Yesgill covers and Anna Molly moves in.
ONE! TWO! NO!
Tommy kicks out and rolls to the ropes. Yesgill sits on his haunches for a second, watching Young struggle to climb the ropes. Suddenly, he launches himself into a charge strait at Tommy's exposed back, except, he's not there any more, and neither is the rope, as Tommy's dropped to the matt, dragging the rope down as far as he could, leaving only the cold embrace of the steel cage to slow Yesgill down! Yesgill bounces back around, holding his head and Tommy jumps up and lands a hard Bulldog! Both men are down on the matt, breathing hard.
Jeffrey: Looks like these small guys are showing they can go as hard as the big guys!
Slowly both men regain they vertical base amid the cheering and encouragement of the crowd and their partners, but instead of looking to the fresher men, both Yesgill and Young charge at each other, throwing lefts and rights, kicks and elbows, anything to get the upper hand! Finally Yesgill is thrown into a corner and Young charges in to hit a real elbow before throwing Yesgill back onto the matt and jumping up to the top rope to his a crossbody. Young goes in for the cover!
ONE! T... NO! Yesgill kicks out!
Phoenix: This match is going from one side to the other!
Roberts: Both teams are hungry for the win, it's just a matter of time before we see who wants it more!
Yesgill scrambles to his feet, glaring madly at Young. “You Are Beneath Me!” if heard over the crowd as Yesgill hits a massive adrenaline spike and charges in on Young with a Lou Thesz Press, slamming forearms into Young face and chest as Tommy tries to defend. Yesgill jumps back to his feet, runs to the ropes, rebounds and hit's a leg drop with force, right across the upper chest. Yesgill looks towards his corner to see Simtul watching on stoically, and drags Young back to his feet, only to Irish Whip him into the corner. Yesgill charges and hits a reverse elbow, staggering Young, and tags Simtul in. Simtul immediately starts hammering away at Young's body with hard strikes and stomps, forcing Young lower and lower before making a quick tag back to Yesgill, who continues the stomps for a few seconds, then yet another quick tag to Simtul.
Jeffrey: Classic tag team action here! Umbra Maxima showing their experience working as a unit.
Simtul stomps Young further into the ground before Yesgill tags himself in again, and this time runs out a bit further, only to charge in and hit a low dropkick into Young's face and chest. Young splutters and slumps to the side, clearly hurting from the prolonged assault. Yesgill cackles madly at this display of weakness and heaves Tommy back to his feet, tagging in Simtul who also gives himself some room. Yesgill positions Tommy and raises his head so Tommy can see what's coming. With a sick grin, Yesgill let's go just before Simtul hits the Total Eclipse! Tommy staggers forward a few steps before collapsing to his front. The crowd groan in dismay as Simtul and Yesgill play to the crowd, enjoying their handiwork.
Tommy coughs as he is kicked over onto his back by Simtul, who looks strait at White as he places his boot on Tommy's chest, going for the pin, in the most disrespectful way he can think of. Anna Molly grimaces at this show, but drops down to make the count.
ONE! TWO! THR.. NO!!!
Tommy gets his shoulder up and dislodges Simtuls size 15 boot! The big man looks down in shock as Tommy slowly rolls away, trying to get to his corner.
Phoenix: A close call there, though could possibly have been all over if Simtul went for a proper cover..
Roberts: Umbra Maxima feel they need to make a statement that they are the best in the business, but Run 'N' Gun aren't through yet!
Jeffrey: Jeez, this is meant to be a cage match, why don't they all just get in there and prove it?
Phoenix: Because, it seems, there is honour among these teams, even if one of these teams seems to associate with Mr Cain too much for my liking...
Simtul stalks the crawling form of Tommy Young as White begins stamping his foot, encouraging the crowd to take up the beat, willing Tommy to make it to the corner and get the tag. Simtul though, has other ideas as he grabs at Tommy's leg and drags him back to the centre of the ring. Grinning, he stamps hard down on Tommy's back, making it arch as Tommy again begins to crawl towards his partner. Simtul seems like a cat playing with it's catch as he stalks forward again, placing stomps on the back of Tommy's back and legs, weakening him still further. Finally, Simtul goes to grab Tommy's leg to drag him back again, but Tommy rolls over and in desperation kicks of against the big man, actually lifting him from his feet! The crowd roar as Tommy get's to his feet and launches himself the rest of the way to his corner, slapping White's outstretched hand. Simtul, a look of rage across his face as he realises his fun has been cut short braces himself as 'The Freight Train' come charging in.
Roberts: Young really needed that tag and now 'The Freight Train' is hear to deliver some hurt!
White charges in, grabs Simtul's arm and launches the surprised man into the ropes, the momentum enough that he rebounds off the cage wall as well. White catches the big man and hit's a massive spinebuster! Simtul rolls back to his feet quite quickly, though he does hold his back in pain. This turns out to be a bad idea as White immediately uses that to hit a pump handle powerslam! The crowd roar with approval at this show of strength.
Phoenix: White bringing out some big new moves here.
White Goes to pick up the recalcitrant Simtul, only to have Simtul poke White in the eye. Tommy, who is standing by now, shouts in disgust but Anna Molly just shrugs, looking around at the wall of steel they're all encased in. White steps back holding his face as Siumtul uses the space to build a head of steam. Running the ropes he charges back at White, hitting a clothesline, but still the big man won't go down. Simtul runs through and hit's a powerful axe handle smash to the back of Whites head and neck, knocking the big man forward onto a knee. Simtul runs back at the ropes, bouncing off and this time hits a big boot to the back of Whites head, stunning him and finally dropping him to the floor. Simtul laughs out loud as he finally manages to put the big man down and drops a heavy elbow to the small of Whites back.
Jeffrey: Simtul showing us he's one of the biggest, baddest men out there!
Roberts: And it only took him (checks watch) twenty minutes to do it...
Jeffrey (petulantly): Shut up Roberts!
Simtul leans back to the ropes and grabs a tag from Yesgil who runs to the corner near White, hops to the top rope and launches himself off with a picture perfect moonsault! There's a groan from the crowd as he lands squarely on White's back. Yesgil manages, with quite some effort, to haul the big man onto his back and gets the cover.
ONE! TWO! NO!!
White pushes Yesgill off and the smaller man shouts some choice words at Anna Molly for a presumed slow count. Molly's eyes harden as she steps back and let's the action continue. This interruption was enough for White to recover though and as he gets to a knee, he catches Yesgill around the throat just before he's able to slam a knee into his head, throwing the shocked New Yorker to the ground. White finishes getting to his feet and Yesgill rolls through and charges back in, hoping to use his speed to cut the big man down again. White doesn't let him as he almost nonchalantly lifts his boot and let's Yesgill slam himself into it. White then picks the smaller man up, cradling him against his body, before dropping to the ground with a vicious pavement slam. White looks up at the still recovering Tommy and makes a sign at him. Tommy, still breathing hard nods and jumps through the ropes as White lifts Yesgill and Irish Whips him into the now vacated corner. White then grabs Tommy and Irish Whips him into Yesgill!
Phoenix: I think we're gonna see something big from Run N Gun here!
Tommy dodges away and through the ropes just in time before White hits a stinger splash. Tommy is up to the top rope as White negligently throws the stunned Yesgil to the matt. The crowd roar in anticipation as Young launches himself off the top rope and hits his Bombs Away senton bomb!
Phoenix: And there it is! Run 'N' Gun's WMD! This could be it folks!
Tommy rolls back to the ropes as White goes down to pin.
ONE! TWO!! THRE... NO!!!
Elfan Simtul crashes into White to make the save! And before White can recover, Simtul lifts the big man by his belt and scruff of his neck, and slams him head first into the steel mesh of the cage! The crowd boo heartily and Tommy springboards off the top rope and hits Aces High onto Simtul in retaliation! Simtul goes down but not for long. Simtul smells blood as he rounds on the smaller man, picking him up and throwing him high into the ropes so he slams into the cage himself.
Jeffrey: Finally, this is starting to look like a cage match.
Tommy staggers back to be taken down by a big boot, but before Simtul can take advantage, White charges in bull rushing Simtul back against the ropes and begins slamming Simtul's head against the cage wall. Simtul batters his way out of his predicament and begins trading blows with White. Tommy and Yesgill meanwhile have also begun facing off, exchanging strikes and throws as the match finally breaks down.
Yesgil dodges a strike from Young, catches his arm and takes Young down with a Russian Leg Sweep before rolling over and dropping an elbow into Young's abdomen, making him splutter and cough. White meanwhile manages to swing Simtul into the ropes, leans over and braces for a second before sending the surprised Simtul up and over with a massive back body drop! The crowd cheer at the show of core strength as Simtul scowls in pain and reaches for his back. White grabs Simtul around the head and pulls him up, only to twist him round and drop the big man with a neckbreaker!
Phoenix: Neither side seeming to gain a full advantage at this point, but both competitors still standing are pulling out the stops here!
Yesgill turns to see the neckbreaker and launches himself at White with a stunning drop kick to the face! White is rocked but doesn't go down. Yesgill follows up with a kneeling DDT that puts White down for the count. Yesgill checks on Simtul, taking advantage of the fact that both members of Run N Gun were down. Yesgill looks over at the gate in the cage and yells at the ref outside to unlock it, then motions for Simtul make his way over.
Jeffrey: Looks like Umbra Maxima are ready to end this contest... Uh, hey!
Jeffrey's outburst is accompanied by Miss Teri, who up until then had watched the match with an impressive stoicism, getting to her feet and slowly walking around the ring. Simtul meanwhile is crawling towards the now open door, exhausted and in pain, covered by the equally exhausted though still standing Yesgill. Miss Teri makes it to the gate and shoos the ref away as Simtul begins to climb through the ropes to the outside.
???: Not today boys!
Simtul looks up in shock at the smiling visage of Miss Teri, just before she slams the gate back into his face with all her might! Simtul cries out and falls back into the ring, clutching his face as Miss Teri rewinds the chain and attaches the padlock again.
Miss Teri: You ain't getting out this way!
Roberts: Miss Teri playing defence!
Jeffrey: That was uncalled for, and illegal! Umbra Maxima should be given the win via DQ! (continued outraged spluttering)
Phoenix: You do remember Ray, that this is a cage match, and thereby, no disqualification? Hmm?
Jeffrey's indignation chokes off and Roberts smirks at his colleagues discomfort. Miss Teri is now standing guard at the gate, arms crossed and face set as she watches on.
Yesgil turns to see his partner on the floor and the gate now closed and locked with Miss Teri standing behind the steel and grimaces. Simtul takes his hand away to show that he's been cut open and the blood is beginning to poor freely from his forehead.
Run 'N' Gun make good use of this time and manage to regroup, both men bruised and battered, but grinning now at Umbra Maxima's unfortunate situation. Simtul makes his way to his feet as well, wiping blood from his face and grimacing in apparent rage at this insult. Referee Anna Molly is packed as far into a corner as she can get, waiting to jump in for a count now that the match has degenerated into an all out brawl.
With a howl, Umbra Maxima charge the champions, Simtul spearing White and pushing him back into the ropes, Yesgill flying through the air to hit a massive clothesline that takes Young down to the matt. Young manages to roll through and gets back to his feet quickly as Yesgill jumps back up himself. Simtul slams his shoulder into White's sternum a couple of times, trying to wind the bigger man, but White lands some heavy blows to Simtul's back, forcing some separation. Yesgill leaps forward again, adrenaline pouring through his body as he dodges past Young, bounces off the ropes and hits his Lunar Lasso! Young hits the matt hard but bounces to his hands and knees. Yesgill grabs Young by his neck and tights, lifting him slightly and ramming the young man head first into the cage.
Roberts: Damn! Maximillian Yesgil is pissed! He just took out Young, and looks like... yeah, Young is split open!
Yesgill switches targets as White and Simtul continue their clobbering, neither willing to back Yesgill runs the ropes and goes for the Booster Decent, hoping to finally take out the champions and prove Umbra Maxima's ascension! Except White has other ideas as his big paw wraps around Yesgill's throat in mid flight, whilst still fending off Simtul and chokeslams Yesgill!
Phoenix: Brian White showing everyone he is the strongest man in 4CW right now! Very few men could stand up to both members of Umbra Maxima and hold their own, let alone look like their winning!
Simtul rakes at the big mans eyes as his partner is writhing on the floor, coughing and holding his neck. White recoils away, hitting his head on the cage and bounces back in surprise, strait into Simtuls elbow! White staggers back, eyes glazing over as Simtul hits a second elbow to Whites forehead. On the third, Whites drops to one knee and brings a hand to his face. Simtul grins in malice as he sets up for the shadow hammer. White's hand comes away red and the big man seems to freeze.
Roberts: Now White's bleeding!
Phoenix: And after those hellacious elbows from Elfan Simtul, no wonder!
White begins to shiver and shake, as if either very cold or possibly in a growing rage of his own. Simtul's grin becomes less confident as he sees this, and comes in to lift White into a Shadow Hammer. White however bursts out of the hold with a bellow and slams Simtul with an elbow of his own! Simtul staggers back, clutching his face again, and White runs him down with a shoulder tackle. Simtul Bounces back up, only to be picked up and hit with a body slam that shakes the entire structure.
Tommy young by now has shaken off the cobwebs, tried to wipe away the blood and sweat mingling on his face and begins climbing up the ropes, and then up the cage. Yesgill, recovering against the ropes sees this and, dodging around the two behemoths in the middle of the ring, runs to the ropes under Tommy, leaps up and manages to spring off the top rope to catch up with Young. Young, feeling the impact against the cage wall, lashes out with his legs in an effort to knock Yesgil off, but whilst he is hit in the ribs, Yesgill clings on for dear life, and begins to climb. Tommy makes a grab at Yesgill and, grabbing at his hair, manages to slam him face first into the unrelenting steel. Yesgill lashes out with a fist of his own, but the damage is done as a trickle of blood rolls down across his nose. Both men continue to climb, eventually sitting astride the top of the cage, battering each other with lefts and rights. Tommy manages to grab Yesgill's head again as he has to check his balance and Tommy slams his head forward into the top bar of the cage. More blood flows down Yesgill's face and his eyes look glassy. Yesgill tries to throw a punch, but Young lies back and dodges it, kinda matrix style, and as he come back up, Young throws out a haymaker that stuns Yesgill, who leans towards the ring, pauses for a second then falls off the top of the cage. Parts of the crowd scream as Yesgill flops onto the matt, seemingly out of it!
Roberts: Yesgil takes a massive fall, and Young is still at the top! All he has to do is reach the floor and Run 'N' Gun retain!
Phoenix: Well, White still needs to get out as well...
Tommy seems to look back and shimmy towards the corner behind him. Down below, Simtul has regained some momentum and is pushing White back with punches and uppercuts. White is defending, but Simtul manages to Irish Whip White into a corner, following up quickly with a Total Eclipse, staggering White. Simtul staggers back as well as the length and nature of the match takes it's toll on both men. Suddenly White launches out of the corner, hitting a surprise spear!
Phoenix: White hits the Runaway Train! But can he capitalise!
Both Men are laid out on the matt, Simtul faced up, White face down a few feet away, both breathing hard. And Yesgill unmoving from where he landed. Young however..
Phoenix: What the hell is Young thinking?!
Tommy Young is now standing across the corner, a calculating look on his face and the crowd breath in.
Jeffrey: He can't be...
Roberts: He is...
Phoenix: TOP GUN TAKES TO THE SKIES!!!!
'Top Gun' Tommy Young leaps off the top of the cage into a Shooting Star Press!! The crowd scream as Young falls all of 20 feet back to the matt, and lands right on top of Elfan Simtul! Tommy Young bounces off, rolling away and clutching his ribs, barely able to stop himself from screaming.
Roberts: Holy hell! That was like, uuh... The Fatman Bomb or something!
Phoenix: (slightly mumbled) More like Castle Bravo...
Roberts: What? Castle Bravo?
Jeffrey: (exasperated) What, you don't know about Castle Bravo? Jeez, it's only the biggest explosion created by the US Military! Also happens to be the biggest Nuclear disaster in the world too, but who's counting... There's literally a whole chuck missing from Bikini Atoll because of it... Read your history Roberts!
Phoenix: Well, I'm impressed.
Jeffrey: (smirking) There's more to me than just wrestling and ploughing Roberts Mom! HAHAHA!!!
The crowd, not being able to hear the commentary teams bickering, begin a commendable “HOLY SHIT” chant for the barely hundred people in attendance and they keep it going for a few minutes. Anna Molly checks on Yesgill, Young and Simtul, shock and worry plain on her face as no competitor moves for a good minute or so as the crowd chant. Even Miss Teri is showing concern, though she hasn't moved from her position in front of the door.
Slowly, Yesgill and White begin to rouse and Simtul rolls to the edge of the ring. Young is still in the fetal position, clutching his ribs and breathing hard. Both men stagger to their feet, hearing the chant and looking around and seeing Young and Simtul out on the matt. Yesgill is the first to act and rushes at White, throwing lefts and rights in an effort to overwhelm the big man with speed. Yesgill is tired though and, whilst White does give ground, he's able to throw Yesgill away. Yesgill however lands on his feet and throws himself back at White, unleashing a superkick to Whites jaw that rocks him.
White staggers back against the ropes and bounces back slightly, right into a devastating Booster Decent by Yesgill. The crowd roar as Yesgill drops to cover the fallen giant, to tired to even hook a leg! Anna Molly rushes in.
ONE!
TWO!!
THREE!!!!
DING! DING! DING!
Phoenix: Unbelievable! Maximillian Yesgill has cut the big redwood down and pinned Brian 'The Freight Train' White!!
Roberts: Umbra Maxima are FOUR-TIME 4CW Tag Team Champions! And that, folks, is a 4CW record!
Jeffrey: Whilst I was rooting for Umbra Maxima, and I was right after all, Umbra Maxima are the best Tag Team in the whole god damn world!, I gotta give credit where it's due. Both teams left everything in that cage. Every one of them are still bleeding, and I'm sure the medics are gonna be looking over all of these guys. You gotta wonder, will Tommy Young be able to compete later in the 13 Ghost Gauntlet later tonight?
Roberts: It was certainly a battle worthy of the history books!
Miss Teri has sunk to her knees is shock as the cage is hoisted back to whence it came and medics begin filling the ring. Anna Molly hands both belts to Yesgill as Simtul still seems uncomprehending and a quartet or stretchers are rolled down to ringside as medics haul the three seemingly unconscious men onto them. Yesgill is told to lie on one too but refuses and walks back up the ramp next to Simtul's bed.
Miss Teri dejectedly walks up the ramp following her team as the camera fades to black.
When we return, Tommy Young is laying on a bed in the doctor's room. There is no audio, but the doctor is clearly checking up on Young.
Phoenix: Well, Young just went through that hellacious cage match and we know he's due to take part in the 13 Ghost Gauntlet next... but will he even be cleared to compete?
Jeffrey: I'm not sure after that war he can make it in time!
Roberts: And if he doesn't, who will take his place?
Phoenix: Well, regardless of whether Young will be ready, that match is coming up ... RIGHT NOW!!
Carson: The following contest is the 13 GHOST GAUNTLET MATCH!! The rules are simple! Two competitors will compete until a winner is decided by pinfall, submission, countout or disqualification. Then, the next entrant will join the match until all THIRTEEN "GHOSTS" have entered! The last remaining competitor will win the Gauntlet and will receive a future 4CW World Championship match!
"Those In My Way" by Straplocked hits the PA system. The crowd pop in approval as the strobe lights hit the stage and 4CW rookie Kinzy Kane steps out on stage!
Carson: Introducing the competitor who drew #1, from Downtown New Toronto, Neontario, weighing in at 130lbs... NEON RAIN ... KINZYYYYY ... KANE!!
Kinzy comes down the ring, visibly taking a deep breath to take in this big moment, being part of the historic 13 Ghost Gauntlet.
Phoenix: Well, you can tell this is a big deal for Kinzy... unfortunately, it reduces her chances of winning to near zero. You have to go through twelve opponents in this match, something that has never been done by a single person in the Gauntlet... but if she can get a fall or two, it might put her on the map for future opportunities.
Jeffrey: And that's what this match is all about... opportunity! An opportunity for the winner, the opportunity of the position you draw. It's a shame Kinzy was drawn an early number. No beginner's luck for her!
Roberts: Nevertheless, she looks ready. She understands the importance and legacy of this match. The question is, as she steps into the ring, who will be her first opponent? Who drew #2?
"Step" by Ministry hits the PA system. The crowd give a respectable pop at the arrival of a long time favourite.
Carson: And introducing her opponent, the competitor who drew #2... from Valhalla, New York, weighing in at 240lbs... 4CW Hall of Famer... DIRK ... MEEEEYER!!
Phoenix: And Dirk Meyer, Hall of Famer and 4CW veteran, will no doubt provide a sufficient challenge for Kinzy tonight! Both these competitors were drawn the short straw of the match, but which one of them will progress into the madness?
Roberts: Meyer has plenty of experience in this kind of match too, so that will probably give him the edge here tonight!
Phoenix: Probably, but you can never underestimate the fire of a hungry rookie, as we saw earlier tonight with Xavier Avana!
Once Meyer is settled in his corner of the ring, the referee of the match Anna Molly makes sure the rules are known to each competitor and does pre-match checks. Then, satisfied with her checks, she signals for the bell to be rung.
Entrant #1: Kinzy Kane
Entrant #2: Dirk Meyer
On the bell, Kinzy and Meyer waste no time locking up in the middle of the ring. Meyer comfortably overpowers Kinzy and throws her back towards her corner. Kinzy rolls through and lands back on her feet. Meyer approaches and Kinzy takes him down with a swift Japanese arm drag. Meyer gets quickly back to his feet but Kinzy is ready with a second Japanese arm drag. Then, without looking back, she runs to the ropes and takes Meyer down with a dropkick on her return, making a quick cover! ONE ... no! Meyer kicks out immediately, both competitors get back to their feet and stand off. The crowd applaud the early stalemate.
Phoenix: Well Meyer showed he clearly has the strength advantage and Kinzy showed him how clearly that doesn't matter!
Jeffrey: She certainly looked impressive in that opening exchange, but given who she trains with, it shouldn't come as much of a surprise.
They lock up again and this time Meyer transitions into a side headlock. After an initial struggle between the two, Meyer overpowers Kinzy with a takedown. He applies pressure on the headlock with them now on the mat. Kinzy seems like she is going to start fading when suddenly, she comes to life. Her sudden movement allows her to wriggle free of Meyer's grasp. The two clash again, and this time, it's Meyer with a clothesline that flattens Kinzy! He covers! ONE ... TWO ... NO! Kinzy shows defiance with a kick out.
Phoenix: The technicalities are going out of the window as frustration mounts. Kinzy is trying to outmanoeuvre Meyer, which is a fine tactic, but when it doesn't work, Meyer can come back with the power than comes with being 100lbs heavier.
Jeffrey: And she may have kicked out, but that clothesline definitely rocked Kinzy!
Meyer picks up Kinzy and chops her multiple times, sending her reeling back into the corner. Then, he whips her to the opposing corner, chasing after her and clobbering her with a corner clothesline! Kinzy gasps and chokes as she scrambles out of the corner, but Meyer is quick behind her. Meyer spins Kinzy around and plants her with a DDT! He then covers for the ONE ... TWO ... NO! Kinzy kicks out!
Meyer grabs the rookie as he gets up again. He hooks her up and executes a perfect suplex. Another cover, smothering her face with his hand as he does so. ONE ... TWO ... NO! Kinzy kicks out and hits Meyer's hand away from her mouth. Meyer picks up Kinzy again and sends her to the ropes. He leans down for a back body drop, but Kinzy foresees it. She stops her run and kicks Meyer straight in the face! Meyer recoils and Kinzy spins on the spot, hitting a BRUTAL spinning back elbow!!
Phoenix: BOOM!! BLADE RUNNER!!
Jeffrey: That's enough to knock out the biggest guy! Oof!
Meyer goes down clutching his jaw and Kinzy is quick to the cover! ONE ... TWO ... TH--NO!! Meyer kicks out just in the nick of time!
Roberts: I thought she might have had it there, but Meyer proved me wrong!
Phoenix: Meyer has to be rocked after that, though!
Inside the ring, Kinzy is already back to her feet. She runs to the ropes and hits Meyer with another dropkick before he can get up from his knees, knocking him back down. Kinzy then makes her way up the turnbuckle to the top rope!
Phoenix: What does Kinzy have planned?!
She waits for Meyer to get back up to his feet and TAKES HIM OUT with a crossbody! Another cover! ONE ... TWO ... NO! Meyer is not done yet! Kinzy decides two crossbodies are better than one and heads back up to the top rope. She positions herself perfectly and dives off to crash into Meyer again - but this time Meyer holds his weight and catches Kinzy in the air!! He then throws her backwards with a fallaway slam! Meyer picks up Kinzy and puts her in the Full Nelson!
Jeffrey: Meyer is going for the Full Nelson Neckbreaker! This will be it!
But NO! Kinzy slips out of his grasp suddenly and takes out Meyer with the SITOUT JAWBREAKER!!
Phoenix: Learned from her partner, Pilgrim Paige! Kinzy with the Sitout Jawbreaker!
Kinzy rolls over to cover Meyer! ONE ... TWO ... THREE!!
Carson: Dirk Meyer has been eliminated!
Meyer rolls out of the ring as Kinzy tries to prepare herself for the next opponent.
Phoenix: And there goes Meyer! What a win for Kinzy! But the long and gruelling road has just begun!
Jeffrey: Who's next?!
"Head Like A Hole" by Miley Cyrus hits the PA system. The crowd pop but then groan for Kinzy as 330lbs Senecca makes his way out.
Entrant #3: Senecca
Carson: On his way to the ring, from Valhalla, New York... weighing in at 330lbs... 4CW HALL OF FAMER... SENECCA!!
Phoenix: Well, that's unfortunate! She just took out Dirk Meyer and now Kinzy has to take on Meyer's PARTNER, who has TWO HUNDRED pounds on Kinzy!
Jeffrey: That's the luck of the draw! Bad luck this time, I guess!
Senecca pats his partner sympathetically on the back as he passes him on the ramp, then turns his attention to Kinzy. Senecca rolls into the ring and spends a glorifyingly long time in his corner, interacting with the fans and seemingly being super confident of his apparent victory here. The bell rings and Senecca is still not fully prepared to start, and so Kinzy surges forward, pulls him back and ROLLS HIM UP!
Phoenix: OH MY GOD!
ONE ... TWO .... TH--NO!! Senecca KICKS OUT just in time, coming to his senses. Senecca storms back up to his feet but Kinzy is ready and ducks under his clothesline. She comes back from the ropes and hits a basement dropkick on the legs of Senecca, bringing him down to his knees. Kinzy then grabs Senecca swiftly into a headscissors DDT, planting his head into the mat!
Phoenix: KINZY UNLEASHED! Neural Implant!
Kinzy covers once again! ONE ... TWO ... NO! Senecca kicks out and forcibly throws Kinzy off of him as he does so. Kinzy scrambles to her feet as Senecca gets back up. Senecca isn't smirking anymore and means business as he charges in and squashes Kinzy in the corner! Kinzy stumbles out of the corner and Senecca takes her down with a body slam. Senecca then runs to the ropes and hits a HUGE SPLASH out of nowhere! Kinzy clearly isn't expecting it either as she gasps and wheezes in surprise! Senecca covers Kinzy! ONE ... TWO ... THREE!!
Carson: Kinzy Kane has been eliminated!
Phoenix: Wow! Well, she gave a good account of herself... but Senecca was fresh and two hundred pounds heavier and sometimes, that actually does make a difference!
Jeffrey: I hope she isn't hurt after that splash! Sounded like it was hard enough to break a rib!
Kinzy rolls out of the ring as Senecca gets back to his feet. He brushes his hands off as he awaits his next opponent.
"Inked in Blood" by Sigh hits the PA system. Out comes the former Custom Cup Champion Witch Hazel to a respectable pop!
Entrant #4: Witch Hazel
Carson: On her way to the ring, from Everywhere... and NOOOOWHERE.... weighing in at 128lbs... WITCH ... HAAAAZEL!!
Phoenix: Another big size advantage for Senecca... but his next opponent knows him much better! They've had many a battle over the years!
Roberts: Yeah, this will be no walk in the park for the big man!
Witch Hazel looks delighted to be there, with the small amount of fans (and Licky) spurring her on, she jumps up on to the barricade and runs the length of the ramp on there, then jumps down to get into the ring with glee. She hands Licky to a ringside assistant and nods enthusiastically at Senecca. Senecca smirks a little but otherwise pays her no mind, waiting for the bell to ring.
When it does, Senecca charges for Hazel, but she swiftly (and almost like she's having fun), rolls away and jumps back to her feet. The two opponents close the gap and Hazel jumps up, taking down Senecca with a hurricanrana! She keeps the offence going on the big man with a dropkick to the kneeling Senecca. Hazel wastes no time, reaching the corner in two strides and reaching the top of the turnbuckle in a third. Hazel then walks along the top rope with supreme precision!
Phoenix: Hazel tiptoes through the void!
She then dives off and takes down Senecca with another hurricanrana! She rolls over to cover the fallen giant! ONE ... TWO ... NO! Senecca kicks out!
Jeffrey: Unfortunately for The Lunatic Minge, it's not enough to take down Senecca!
Roberts: She needs to keep up with the offensive! Can't give Senecca a chance to recover!
Hazel gets back up to her feet, clearly a little laboured and head back up top! She waits for Senecca to get up and dives off with a crossbody! And Senecca catches her! Senecca throws her away with a fallaway slam - but Hazel lands on her feet! Senecca scrambles back up to his feet, and Hazel flies in - BOOMSTICK! The dropkicks sends Senecca crashing into the corner.
Phoenix: Hazel bringing the big guns!
Hazel charges forward and jumps on Senecca's face with her crotch, bashing him several times!!
Phoenix: And there's the BRONCO BUSTER!
Jeffrey: Senecca, you lucky man.
Roberts: What?
With Senecca down, Hazel finds her momentum building and adrenaline pumping. The crowd cheer her along as Hazel approaches Senecca, waiting in the perfect position for him to get to his feet. When he does, Hazel tries to lock in the Nilswitch, but Senecca breaks out of her grasp! Hazel doesn't even have time to turn around as Senecca bashes her in the back of the head with a brutal forearm!
Phoenix: Oh no! Hazel may be out after that!
Senecca roughly picks up a lifeless Hazel and sets her up on his shoulder for The Dark Plunge - but NO! Hazel wriggles free! Senecca spins around - Hazel grabs him and hits the NILSWITCH!! ONE ... TWO ... THREE!!
Carson: Senecca has been eliminated!
Phoenix: What a surprise! Hazel with the Nilswitch out of nowhere and Senecca is gone!
Roberts: But who's next for Witch Hazel?
"Creatures of Habit" by Polaris hits the PA system. The crowd cheer a little as newcomer Lindon Jett steps out on stage. He is wearing a sleeveless wool jacket which he takes off on the stage before heading down to the ring.
Entrant #5: Lindon Jett
Carson: On his way to the ring, from Brisbane, Australia, weighing in at 247lbs... FULL GEAR ... LINDOOOON ... JETT!!
Phoenix: And this man had an impressive debut showing on Storm Front where he defeated Grant Zaiden in singles competition. Now he has the opportunity to make a splash in the Gauntlet!
Jeffrey: And I don't know much about this guy, but I know he's a badass inside that ring! Hazel will have her hands full with Jett!
Jett rolls into the ring and stands up to face his opponent. He then turns to the turnbuckle, climbs, and poses for the fans by miming a turning gear and jumping down.
The referee calls for the bell and Jett and Hazel lock up in the middle of the ring. Jett, being fresh, wins the duel and locks Hazel in a headlock. He applies pressure fast, bringing her down to her knees in mere seconds. Hazel fights back with a few weak shots to the gut but nothing that relinquishes Jett's hold. Hazel manages to get back up from her knees to her feet, repositions herself, and throws an elbow into Jett's gut which does relinquish his hold, however, he immediately retaliates with a rough knee to Hazel's midsection. He then throws her into a nearby corner.
Jett rocks Hazel with a European Uppercut then sends her to the ropes. On Hazel's return, Jett chases her down and takes her out with the slingblade!
Phoenix: Broken Barriers! Jett has come out of the gates flying!
Jett covers Hazel! ONE ... TWO ... NO! Hazel refuses to quit! Jett roughly picks her up and throws Hazel to the ropes again. This time, Hazel wakes up a little and runs back with intent, jumping up and taking down Jett with a hurricanrana! She runs at Jett and takes him down a second time with a standing crossbody! ONE ... TWO ... NO! Jett kicks out! Hazel and Jett both get quickly to their feet. Jett throws a forearm which Hazel ducks underneath. Hazel then smashes Jett with a forearm of her own and follows it up with a jawbreaker! She makes the cover! ONE ... TWO ... NO!! Jett kicks out!
Roberts: I thought Hazel might have had it there but no! Jett is still in this one!
Hazel gets back to her feet and signals she's going for another Nilswitch! The fans cheer as she positions herself behind Jett. She grabs him, turns him into the hold - no, Jett pushes Hazel away. He tries to clothesline her from behind but Hazel drops down and avoids the swing. She sweeps the legs of Jett, but Jett kips back up immediately. Hazel grabs him and hits a DDT! Quick cover from Hazel! ONE ... TWO ... NO! Jett kicks out!
Hazel forces herself back up to her feet. As Jett climbs back up also, she runs to the ropes for leverage then comes back with speed. She throws her legs up for a headscissors takedown and spins it out into a modified facebuster!!
Phoenix: Hazel is Running With Scissors! And that could be all she wrote for Lindon Jett! ONE ... TWO ... NO! Jett kicked out, wow!
Roberts: Hazel has to dig deep and find something special if she wants to put away Jett!
Hazel picks up Jett again, but this time Jett fights back, slugging Hazel with a right hand and taking her out with a suplex! Jett gets to his feet, takes out Hazel with a spinning neckbreaker and covers her again! ONE ... TWO ... TH--NO! Hazel kicks out!
Lindon Jett is stunned that Hazel kicked out that time. He bangs the mat with his fist as he gets back up. He sets up Hazel for another neckbreaker, but Hazel fights back, jumping backwards and hitting Jett with a (probably lucky) blind kick to the head! Jett drops Hazel and she recovers, running to the ropes and coming back with a BRUTAL big boot to the face!
Phoenix: SOLE SORCERY! Hazel hits the big boot!
Roberts: Could this be the end of Jett's night?!
Hazel sets up Jett for another Nilswitch attempt - AND THIS TIME EXECUTES IT PERFECTLY!
Phoenix: NILSWITCH! This has got to be it!
Hazel covers Jett, the referee counts... ONE ... TWO ... TH---NO!! Jett's foot is ON THE BOTTOM ROPE!
Phoenix: Wow! Such ring awareness! Jett is showing some wiser-than-his-years instincts right now!
Roberts: I think Hazel just gave everything she had for that! But now she has to find something else!
Hazel, now exhausted, struggles to get back to her feet... but she does so, using the ropes for support. She then groggily grabs Jett and tries to pull him back up to his feet. Jett pushes away Hazel, then hits her with a vicious forearm! Hazel is rocked as Jett grabs her arms and hits a savagely acute Backslide Driver!!
Phoenix: JETT LAG! HAZEL IS OUT. COLD!
It's a formality as Jett covers Hazel and the referee counts ONE ... TWO ... THREE!!
Carson: Witch Hazel has been eliminated!
Phoenix: Well she gave him a hell of a fight, but the fresher Lindon Jett won out in the end! And so far in this match, not one person has lasted more than one round! Will Jett buck that trend now? He'll have to if he wants to win this thing!
Jeffrey: That all depends on the answer to one question... WHO'S NEXT?!
"Into Nothing" by Bleed From Within hits the PA system. The crowd break out in moderate boos as The Red Rhino, complete in black trunks with an outline of a red rhino, black knee an elbow pads and black boots.
Entrant #6: Grant Zaiden
Carson: On his way to the ring, from Charlton, England, weighing in at 260lbs... THE RED RHINO ... GRANT ... ZAAAAIDEN!!
Phoenix: Oh ho! How fitting! The man Lindon Jett defeated in his debut... all he has to do to advance is repeat that feat!
Jeffrey: And The Red Rhino is as fresh as a summer breeze right now!
Zaiden breaks into a run and slides into the ring. The referee wastes no time in ringing the bell and Jett and Zaiden clash in the middle of the ring in a flurry of flying strikes, lefts and rights galore! Zaiden hits a mean forearm which rocks Jett, then takes him out with a spinebuster! Zaiden doesn't cover Jett, but instead picks him up and takes him out with a belly-to-belly suplex, and then makes the cover! ONE ... TWO ... NO!! Jett kicks out!
Roberts: The Red Rhino is coming in like the proverbial creature! He's ready to destroy anything in his path!
Zaiden picks up Jett and sets him up for another belly-to-belly. Jett reverses and elbows Zaiden in the side of the head. He then grabs Zaiden and hits a gutwrench powerbomb!! Jett with the cover! ONE ... TWO ... NO!! Zaiden kicks out!
Phoenix: Jett with a gritty display of his own power but it's not enough to put Zaiden down!
Jett grabs Zaiden and lifts him up, setting him up for the Backslide Driver... but Zaiden sees it coming and breaks free. Zaiden grabs Jett and pulls him arm. He puts him into a short-arm lifting inverted STO, smashing Jett's face into the mat!
Phoenix: He calls that The Last Stop! Is it enough to put away Jett? ONE ... TWO ... THREE! YES IT IS!
Carson: Lindon Jett has been eliminated!
Phoenix: And there goes Jett! Grant Zaiden advances!
Jeffrey: And we're still waiting for someone to last more than one round! Can Zaiden be the guy to do that after that dominant display?
"Good Times" by Finger Eleven hits the PA system. The crowd pop for the one and only 4CW Hall of Famer Supreme, as he steps out on to the stage.
Entrant #7: Supreme
Carson: On his way to the ring, from Supremeville, USA, weighing in at 240lbs... 4CW HALL OF FAMER... SUPREEEEEME!!
Phoenix: Oh boy! Grant Zaiden did well to knock off Lindon Jett quickly, but now he has Hall of Famer Supreme to deal with!
Jeffrey: This man has done it all in 4CW, but he has never won the 13 Ghost Gauntlet! I think 2020 is as good a year as any for Supreme to right that wrong!
Phoenix: Well, we are getting to the midway point of the match now! It's feasible someone could go from here and win the whole thing.
Supreme gets into the ring and takes a moment to look Grant Zaiden up and down, clearly judging him. Zaiden looks a little more frustrated at this than he tries to let on. The referee calls for the bell but the two don't immediately charge at each other and the tension builds a little.
Zaiden: You think you're better than me?
Supreme chuckles and shakes his head.
Supreme: Oh no, not at all.... I know I'm better than you.
Zaiden responds with a cold, hard slap across the face. The crowd ooooh. Supreme's face hardens. Then he grins. Supreme throws a rocking elbow right into the cheek of Zaiden. Having been hit into action, Zaiden retaliates with an elbow of his own. Supreme stumbles back a step, and then spins on the spot and takes down Zaiden with the SUPREME ANNOYANCE!!
Phoenix: What a savage roaring elbow from Supreme! Zaiden is knocked on his ass!
Supreme grabs Zaiden and takes him out with a belly-to-belly suplex. He jumps right back up, grabs a recovering Zaiden, and hits him with another belly-to-belly suplex! Supreme then grabs Zaiden and throws him into the corner. He chases after him and hits a corner clothesline, then takes Zaiden down with a DDT! Supreme covers Zaiden! ONE ... TWO ... NO! Zaiden kicks out!
Phoenix: Zaiden not done yet!
Jeffrey: Supreme is not messing around tonight! Clearly, he wants this win!
Supreme continues to beat down on Zaiden with some stomps in the corner. Then, he picks him up and hooks him up, executing a picture perfect suplex! Another cover! ONE ... TWO ... KICKOUT! Zaiden rolls away from Supreme and tries to get back to his feet but the Hall of Famer pounces. He grabs Zaiden and hooks the leg before setting off the Fisherman's Suplex, keeping it hooked into a bridge!
Phoenix: Supreme Compromise! Is it all over?
ONE .. TWO ... NO! Zaiden kicks out again!
Roberts: What a kick out! I thought that was it for the Red Rhino!
Supreme clearly thought it was too. Annoyed, he gets up and grabs Zaiden, locking him up and turning him over into a TEXAS CLOVERLEAF!!
Phoenix: SUPREME DEMISE LOCKED IN!
Roberts: Will this be it?!
Inside the ring, Zaiden screams in agony. He tries to escape, but to no avail! Accepting defeat, Grant Zaiden TAPS OUT!!
Carson: Grant Zaiden has been eliminated!
Jeffrey: It is! Grant Zaiden taps out! Wow!
Phoenix: Supreme just put his stamp on this match! Who's going to come and stake their claim next?
"Ding Dong Song" by Gunther hits the PA system. Janitur steps out on the stage, with the 4CW Hardcore Championship on one shoulder and a fire extinguisher in the other. Janitur signals for his music to be cut, and then points at Swifter, who toddles out after him.
Phoenix: I think Janitur is saying HE'S not entering this match, but Swifter is in his place!
Jeffrey: Smart move! Entering this match is a great way to lose his 4CW Hardcore Championship.
Entrant #8: Swifter
Janitur lifts the fire extinguisher with a crudely written label of "LUCK POTION" attached and shoots it all over Swifter. Swifter flexes his muscles and seems to be getting some kind of untapped confidence due to the spray. Satisfied, Janitur points him to the ring and leaves. Swifter heads down, standing firmly well under five feet tall but feeling like a giant.
Phoenix: Did that extinguisher say "Luck Potion"? What does that even mean?
Roberts: I'm not sure I want to know, frankly!
Supreme, who has watched all this unfold, looks utterly bemused as Swifter gets into the ring. The referee shrugs and calls for the bell and Supreme CHARGES forward with a ROARING ELBOW!
Phoenix: Well, that's all she wrote! Supreme Annoyance! ONE ... TWO ... THREE! So much for that luck potion!
Jeffrey: Well, it didn't say good luck.
Carson: Swifter has been eliminated!
Phoenix: And that makes Supreme the first competitor in this match to survive more than one round. If he wants to win this thing, he has to survive five more!
Jeffrey: Who's next?!
Swifter is kicked out of the ring by Supreme as "You Ain't Ready by Skillet hits the PA system. The new 4CW Custom Cup Champion steps out on stage to a big pop from the crowd!
Entrant #9: Xavier Avana
Carson: On his way to the ring, weighing in at 230lbs... he is the NEW 4CW Custom Cup Champion ... XAVIEEEEER ... AVANA!!
Phoenix: Xavier Avana has already had a hell of a night tonight, winning the Custom Cup Title in the opening match, but he's looking to make it a historic night for himself as he does double duty!
Jeffrey: Considering Supreme has been through two opponents, I'd say they are both evenly matched in terms of time spent in the ring tonight!
Xavier Avana hands the belt to a ringside assistant as he steps into the ring. He stares down Supreme and the two nod acknowledgement to each other. The referee calls for the bell and Avana and Supreme waste no time in locking up in the middle of the ring. They struggle for a bit, exchanging leverage back and forth, until Supreme gets the advantage and puts Avana into a headlock. Avana pushes Supreme off of him and towards the ropes, and takes down Supreme with a clothesline on his return. Supreme jumps back up to his feet and is met with another clothesline. The third time Avana goes for another clothesline, but Supreme ducks, runs to the ropes, comes back twice as fast and clotheslines Avana!
Phoenix: Evenly matched and similarly built! This one could go either way!
Avana grabs Supreme and throws him in the corner. He unleashes some knife edge chops, hitting three before Supreme grabs Avana, switches their positions and unleashes four knife edge chops of his own! Then, Avana reverses and switches their positions, and Avana unleashes a mean Grizzly Magnum set of chops that echoes around the island and earns a groan from the crowd.
Jeffrey: Hard hitting action from Avana! He's no pushover!
Avana runs to the ropes and comes back to take down Supreme with a hurricanrana! He follows it up with a big dropkick to a seated Supreme and makes the cover! ONE ... TWO ... NO!! Supreme kicks out! Avana picks up Supreme and whips him into the corner. He then runs at him and hits a HELLUVA KICK!!
Phoenix: BENT OUTTA SHAPE! That's how be put away McGroin earlier tonight!!
Avana covers the Hall of Famer! ONE ... TWO ... NO!! Supreme kicks out!
Phoenix: No! Not this time!
Roberts: Supreme fights on!
Avana gets back to his feet and climbs the turnbuckle.
Phoenix: We know how dangerous Avana is up there! What could he be planning?
We never get to see what Avana is planning, as Supreme gets back to his feet and punches Avana in the gut, causing him to fall seated on the top turnbuckle. Supreme uses this new advantage to hit the DIAMOND DUST out of nowhere!!
Phoenix: SUPREME IMPACT!!
Jeffrey: What a move! He took Avana OUT!!
Supreme covers the Custom Champion! ONE ... TWO ... THREE!!
Carson: Xavier Avana has been eliminated!
Avana rolls out of the ring as Supreme struggles to his feet.
Phoenix: Avana was good tonight, but Supreme is just better! He's not a Hall of Fame veteran for nothing and maybe in a future bout, the result might be different! For now, Supreme proves his namesake with his third victory in this match!
Jeffrey: The competitors are dwindling down! Who could be next?
"Almost Honest" by Megadeth hits the PA system!! The crowd cheer, despite their knowledge of the entrant, because of the surprise of his unexpected arrival! JON VIPER steps out on to the stage!
Entrant #10: Jon Viper
Carson: On his way to the ring, from Madison, Wisconsin, weighing in at 220lbs, 4CW HALL OF FAMER.... JOOOOOOON ... VIPER!!
Phoenix: It's been a while since we've seen Jon Viper! He's one of the surprise entrants in this match!
Jeffrey: And honestly, he could be the guy to put a stop to Supreme right now!
Phoenix: It's hard to disagree given that Supreme is now about to face his fourth challenger tonight!
Roberts: Supreme has done pretty well so far though, and the funny thing about momentum is it tends to build exponentially quicker!
Jon Viper heads down the ramp and rolls into the ring without much fan fare. Clearly, he's not here for the fans. He's here for the glory. He stares down Supreme on the opposite side of the ring, who is nodding slowly, seemingly in deep thought about something.
Phoenix: A tired Supreme is still a tough challenge for anyone, but a fresh Jon Viper is a dangerous thing!
The referee calls for the bell and Viper leaps on to Supreme with some strikes and punches that send him on the defensive back into the corner. Supreme eats a few more shots before he is able to retaliate with a forearm to gain some distance. Viper recovers almost instantly and retaliates with an elbow strike, sending Supreme to the ropes. On his return, he takes down Supreme with a clothesline! When Supreme tries to get back to his feet, Viper dives on to him and throws him into a swinging neckbreaker, before making the cover! ONE ... TWO ... NO! Supreme kicks out!
Phoenix: And as expected, Viper is vicious and swift in his punishment!
Jeffrey: He's a nasty piece of work, alright! Supreme has a hell of a fight on his hands!
Viper grabs Supreme and yanks him towards the ropes, dumping him over the top rope. Supreme lands on the apron, but a quick elbow from Viper sends him crashing to the floor below. Viper follows after Supreme. He whips him into the steel steps, which implode upon impact. Viper then throws Supreme over the barricade, causing him to crash on the other side.
Phoenix: Viper is throwing Supreme around like a ragdoll. Particularly impressive when you realise Supreme has at least twenty pounds on him!
Supreme stumbles back over the barricade and Viper throws him back into the ring and sliding in after, ending the referees count out at 7. Viper whips Supreme into the corner. He chases after him and jumps up to hit a high knee to the face of Supreme, following it up with a thunderous bulldog! Viper makes another cover! ONE ... TWO ... NO! Supreme kicks out!
Viper picks up Supreme and takes him out with a snap DDT! Then, kicking him in the back first for good measure, Viper picks up Supreme and sets him up for a suplex. He lifts - but Supreme blocks the move, repositions, and executes a suplex of his own! Supreme rushes back to his feet, clutching his back and Viper is quick to follow. Supreme attempts a roaring elbow, but Viper avoids the blow. Supreme turns to face his opponent, kick to the gut - DDT again!
Phoenix: I don't know how many more DDTs Supreme can take!
Viper picks up the now hurt Supreme and hooks him up on his shoulders. Supreme comes to life and fights his way back down to his feet. He hooks up Viper for a Fisherman's Suplex - but Viper punches him in the gut and manages to reverse the move. Viper hits a standard suplex! He rushes to his feet, a moment faster that Supreme manages. He lifts Supreme on his shoulders - GO 2 SLEEP!!
Phoenix: Viper with the Go 2 Sleep! And that could be it for Supreme's night!
Viper covers! ONE ... TWO ... THREE!!
Carson: Supreme has been eliminated!
Phoenix: Wow! That was a hell of a run for Supreme, but Viper's return was one opponent too many!
Jeffrey: Who will Viper have to take on next?!
"Spiders on the Wall" by Magnolia Bayou hits the PA system. The crowd cheer at the prospect of this upcoming match as DARK LOTUS steps out on to the stage!
Entrant #11: Dark Lotus
Carson: On his way to the ring, from Devil's Back Bone, Louisiana, weighing in at 275lbs... DAAAAAAARK ... LOTUS!!
Phoenix: Now THIS is a confrontation!
Roberts: And we know Dark Lotus is pretty pissed off already, after losing the Hardcore Title earlier tonight thanks to some kind of vapour concocted by Janitur that put him to sleep!
Phoenix: Well, he's awake now! And he's woke up in a fightin' mood!
Jeffrey: Oh ho ho! VIPER VS LOTUS! The thing nightmares are made of!
Dark Lotus storms to the ring. No Ol' Smokey, no Swamp Folk. Tonight, he means business and is out only for himself. He gets into the ring and gets in Jon Viper's face. Viper smirks and doesn't back down. The referee decides the best thing to do is just call for the bell and she does so.
Immediately, Lotus unleashes forearms at Viper, who quickly retaliates with strikes of his own. It's soon clear that Viper, vicious as he is, loses in the power battle against Lotus as Lotus tosses him across the ring and then, when Viper jumps back up to his feet, knocks him down with a brutal big boot! Lotus hooks the leg and makes the first pinfall attempt! ONE ... TWO ... NO! Viper kicks out!
Phoenix: Lotus welcoming Viper to the swamp with that boot!
Lotus picks up the Hall of Famer and sends him to the corner. Lotus runs up and takes out Viper with a clothesline and then follows it up with a big body slam. Not satisfied, he goes to the ropes and comes back with a big leg drop! Then he covers Viper! ONE ... TWO ... NO! Kick out from Viper! Lotus continues his attack, grabbing Viper and sending him to the ropes again. Upon his return, Lotus grabs him and hits a sidewalk slam! Another cover! ONE ... TWO ... NO! Viper kicks out again!
Jeffrey: Lotus bringing the power and brutality but Viper seems to thrive on that!
Lotus picks up Viper and throws him into the corner again. Lotus charges at Viper, but Viper moves out of the corner and sidesteps the monster. With Lotus now in the corner, Viper unleashes a gigantic knife edge chop. He then unleashes another, and another, and then takes down Lotus with a bulldog! He covers Lotus! ONE ... NO! Kickout at ONE from Lotus!
Lotus gets up and Viper pounces back on him, but Lotus breaks free and takes down Viper with another big boot! He then goes to the corner and begins to climb the turnbuckle! He waits for Viper to get back to a standing position, then dives off, taking him out with a diving clothesline!
Phoenix: Lotus showing he's not afraid to fly!
Viper struggles to get back to his feet and Lotus lifts a boot and grabs the arm of Viper, taking him down and out with a FOOT-UNDER-THE-CHIN CODEBREAKER!!
Phoenix: COUNT THE LIGHTS! Lotus takes out Viper!
Roberts: Could this be it?
Lotus covers the Hall of Famer. ONE ... TWO .... TH---NOO!! VIPER KICKS OUT!
Jeffrey: Still not enough to put away the former World Champion!
Lotus grabs Viper and pulls him up to his feet. He sets him up for a powerbomb position and lifts Viper in the air!
Phoenix: He's going for the Last Ride!!
Suddenly, Viper comes to life. He starts raining down punches on Lotus' head and gets back down to the mat on his feet. Lotus takes a moment to gather his bearings and it's long enough for Viper to PICK HIM UP - GO 2 SLEEP!!
Phoenix: GO 2 SLEEP! Viper has Lotus!!
ONE ... TWO ... TH-- NO!! LOTUS KICKS OUT!!
Phoenix: NO! STILL NOT ENOUGH!
Jeffrey: Lotus showing he's just as stubbornly resilent as Viper!
Viper scowls as he stumbles back to his feet. He's clearly blown up and exhausted, but he grabs Lotus anyway, setting him up for a DDT - but Lotus breaks free, and PUNCHES Viper in the jaw! Lotus drops and reveals a ROLL OF QUARTERS in his fist!
Phoenix: Quarter Pounder!
Lotus grabs Viper and lifts him in a powerbomb position... and takes him out with the LAST RIDE!! ONE ... TWO ... THREE!!
Carson: Jon Viper has been eliminated!
Phoenix: An absolute war between Viper and Lotus but it was Lotus who was able to put away the Hall of Famer!
Jeffrey: Incredible stuff! Brutal! And now Lotus has to do it all over again, but who will be his next opponent? There's only two more to go!
"Phoenix (Volkor X remix)" by Scandroid hits the PA system. Madeline Phoenix steps out onto the stage to a deafening roar from the crowd. The spotlights encircle her, then give way to just one, which centres itself over Phoenix herself. With her black-and-red spandex attire, wild hair and trailing streaks of eyeshadow, Madeline Phoenix looks ready for battle. Across her shoulders and extending down her arms to the wrists is a pair of scarlet "wings", made of well-tailored fabrics and an intricate feather formation. Lit from above, The Mad Phoenix throws her head back and spreads her wings wide—an action that is met with blasts of colourful pyro going off on either side of of the 4CWTron! The aftermath of these pyro blasts has two columns of red-hot flames licking at the steel frame of the Tron structure. Madeline takes a moment to drink in the crowd response.
Entrant #12: Madeline Phoenix
Carson: On her way to the ring, FROM THE ASHES OF THE PAST... weighing in at 128lbs... MADELINE... THE MAAAD... PHOEEENIIIX!!!
Phoenix: Lotus is here to win it all! He just has two competitors to get through! But from Madeline's point of view, she's at a fantastic advantage here! She's not competed tonight, so she's completely fresh! And Lotus just went through hell!
Jeffrey: Yeah, but he also still came out on top, which makes him a threat to anyone!
Roberts: Phoenix was runner up in this year's Rumble in the Storm match and tonight she has the opportunity to win the same prize she missed out on by winning this Gauntlet. Phoenix will have to overcome Lotus to advance, so something's gotta give!
Madeline Phoenix slides into the ring and in one smooth motion, she spins round on hands and knees before rising up from the canvas and spreading her wings once more, an action that is mimicked by many of her fans. The referee calls for the bell.
Phoenix: Madeline Phoenix ... Dark Lotus... here we go!
Both Phoenix and Lotus clash in the middle of the ring and everyone is surprised to see Phoenix come straight in with strikes, throwing some mean elbows. Lotus returns with some forearms, and clearly gets the upper hand... but Phoenix breaks through some kind of willpower barrier and screams as she unleashes a lariat that brings Lotus down to the mat!
Jeffrey: The Phoenix Ablaze!
Phoenix grabs Lotus and pulls him to his feet, before slamming him back down with a DDT! She covers the bigger opponent... ONE ... TWO ... but Lotus kicks out! Phoenix gets back up and Lotus follows closely behind, so she runs to the ropes with the hopes of taking him down, but Lotus is quicker to recover than expected and Phoenix eats a mean clothesline that sends her flipping one eighty in the air! Lotus then covers Phoenix! ONE ... TWO ... NO! Phoenix kicks out!
Phoenix: Madeline showing the steel she was born with!
Jeffrey: She's gonna need more than that to beat Lotus!
Lotus grabs Madeline and whips her into the corner. He follows her and takes her out with a big clothesline, then follows it up with a beasty belly-to-belly suplex that gets significant air time. Rolling over, he covers Phoenix. ONE ... TWO ... NO! Phoenix kicks out! With Lotus almost impressed with her stubbornness, Lotus picks her up, throws her into the corner and delivers a nasty running elbow smash! Phoenix stumbles out of the corner, wobbling on her feet. She falls to one knee and Lotus grabs her from behind.
Suddenly, she throws a wild elbow behind her, hitting Lotus in the gut. Then she runs towards the ropes, comes back and takes down Lotus with a running dropkick! Phoenix climbs back up to her feet but notices Lotus is right behind her, so she grabs him and flips herself forward with the Ranhei!!
Phoenix: Madeline Phoenix with the Barrel Roll!
Phoenix climbs back to her feet and goes up top!
Phoenix: And now she's looking to fly!
Phoenix gets to the top rope, and eyes her opponent on the mat below. With a deep breath, she DIVES off with a corkscrew shooting star press!!
Roberts: PHOENIX RISING!!
Phoenix: Can she put away Dark Lotus?!
Phoenix takes a moment to recover, clutching her stomach from the impact, but then her senses come back and she rolls over to cover Lotus! ONE ... TWO ... THR--- NO!! LOTUS KICKS OUT!
Phoenix: That impact took out Phoenix for a few seconds and that few seconds was enough for Lotus to kick out!
Roberts: She was so close!
Phoenix and Lotus both use the ropes to help themselves back up to their feet some thirty seconds later. Despite everything, Lotus has the slight advantage and gets to Phoenix before she can get to him, lifting her up and hitting a sidewalk slam! Lotus gets back up to his feet and lifts Phoenix, clearly looking to put her away as he sets her up for the same fate as Jon Viper. He lifts up Phoenix for the Last Ride... but Phoenix fights free and lands on her feet. Lotus goes for a clothesline, but Phoenix ducks out of the way. She grabs Lotus into a hammerlock and hits the STONECASTER DDT!!
Phoenix then grabs Lotus and picks him back up, hits him with an elbow to the face for good measure, then sets him up with the snapmare, and drives his head INTO THE MAT!
Phoenix: Madeline hits MARE DE LUNE! CAN SHE GET IT?!
Phoenix falls on top of Lotus and covers him! ONE ... TWO ... THREE!!
Carson: Dark Lotus has been eliminated!
Phoenix: Madeline did it! Madeline Phoenix defeats Dark Lotus!
Jeffrey: And that means we're down to two! But who's the last competitor?
"Aces High" by Iron Maiden hits the PA system. The crowd ROAR in approval of the last member. A bandage around his head and tape around his waist, TOMMY YOUNG hobbles out on stage!
Entrant #13: Tommy Young
Carson: On his way to the ring, from Barry, South Wales... weighing in at 195lbs... TOP GUN ... TOMMYYYYYY ... YOUNG!!
Jeffrey: Tommy Young! I forgot he was even in this match!
Roberts: But is he in any condition to fight?
Phoenix: Well, he must have been cleared or he wouldn't be here - but clearly, he isn't 100% tonight after that destructive cage match earlier tonight!
Tommy Young marches (with a limp) down to the ring and rolls in. He gets up to his feet and offers his hand to Phoenix, who shakes it and they begin to circle each other. The referee calls for the bell.
Phoenix: It's Madeline Phoenix - Tommy Young - 13 Ghost Gauntlet - Let's go!
Phoenix and Young clash in the middle of the ring with a lock up. Young, who clearly has injured ribs, recoils in pain and Phoenix locks him in a headlock. She quickly takes him down and forces him into a cover. ONE ... TWO ... but Young kicks out, grabbing Phoenix in a headscissors and rolling his way out of her grasp. The two of them get back to their feet and Phoenix is faster, taking down Young with a dropkick!
Phoenix picks up Young and roars, then lifts him up into the air.... and holds him... and HOLDS HIM.... AND HOLDS HIM! Eventually, she releases the 14 second vertical delayed suplex!!
Phoenix: And there's the Sonnet! That's enough to put away anyone!
Phoenix rolls over to cover Young and the referee counts ... ONE ... TWO ... KICKOUT!! Young isn't finished yet!
Phoenix picks up Young and sets him up for a neckbreaker, but Young breaks free. Young runs to the ropes and comes back with a slingblade! Clutching his ribs, he uses the ropes to help get himself back to his feet. He takes out a recovering Phoenix with a dropkick! Young then goes to the top!
Roberts: Hasn't Tommy Young had enough for one night? What's he got planned now?
Tommy Young leaps off with a diving elbow drop - but Phoenix rolls out of the way!!
Phoenix: Young attempted the Tomahawk Missile - but he missed his target!
Jeffrey: This could be an opportunity for Madeline!
Phoenix gets back to her feet and takes out Young, stumbling back up to his feet, with a hurricanrana! Phoenix goes up top and signals it's time for another PHOENIX RISING!
Phoenix: She's going for it!
Phoenix corkscrews into the shooting star press and lands on Young - WHO GETS HIS KNEES UP!!
Phoenix: Oh no...
Roberts: Young with the knees up! Phoenix is hurt!!
Young clutches his ribs, gasping as he limps to his feet. He manages to get up to the top rope and half-dives, half-falls onto Phoenix with the SWANTON BOMB!!
Roberts: BOMBS AWAY!! YOUNG HITS PHOENIX!!
Young falls back to cover Phoenix. The referee counts ... ONE ... TWO ... THREE!!
Carson: HERE IS YOUR WINNER ... TOP GUN ... TOMMYYYYYYYYYY ... YOOOOUNG!!
"Aces High" by Iron Maiden blasts through the PA as the crowd roar in approval of their winner.
Phoenix: I don't believe it! Against all odds, Tommy Young has won the 13 Ghost Gauntlet!
Jeffrey: An incredible victory from an incredible talent! He gave everything he had earlier tonight in a cage match - and found MORE to come back and win the Gauntlet! Incredible!
Roberts: There's only one TOP GUN... and his name is TOMMY YOUNG!!
Inside the ring, confetti falls as Tommy Young stumbles up to his feet. Phoenix is reeling in the corner as the referee raises his hands. Young celebrates, almost overcome with emotion, and then turns and walks up to Phoenix. He offers a hand and lifts her up! Young shakes Phoenix's hand and thanks her for the match. Exhausted and defeated, all Phoenix can do is nod respectfully, and then fall out of the ring under the bottom rope.
Phoenix: A fantastic display of sportsmanship from this man! Former Custom Cup and Tag Team Champion, now Tommy Young has his long-awaited opportunity at the 4CW World Championship, in the future!
Roberts: An incredible display from all involved, one more Gauntlet Match for the record books, but don't go anywhere because coming up next, we have a triple threat match for the 4CW Universal Championship!
One more shot of Tommy Young celebrating, while Brian White and Miss Teri appear on the stage, with White similarly bandaged up, and applaud the winner... but they don't come down to the ring, giving Young the spotlight he deserves as we cut to a break.
Order of Elimination:
Kinzy Kane defeated Dirk Meyer
Senecca defeated Kinzy Kane
Witch Hazel defeated Senecca
Lindon Jett defeated Witch Hazel
Grant Zaiden defeated Lindon Jett
Supreme defeated Grant Zaiden
Supreme defeated Swifter
Supreme defeated Xavier Avana
Jon Viper defeated Supreme
Dark Lotus defeated Jon Viper
Madeline Phoenix defeated Dark Lotus
Tommy Young defeated Madeline Phoenix
Carson: The following contest, scheduled for one fall, is a triple threat match for the 4CW UNIVERSAAAL CHAAMPIONSHIIIP!!!
Bring Me the Horizon's "Antivist" reigns supreme over the arena sound system, heralding the approach of Erica Moxie.
Carson: Introducing the first challenger, hailing from Omaha, Nebraska and weighing in at 147lbs... representing the Black Flame [the crowd gets vocal as Carson makes this call]... ERICAAAAAA MOXIEEE!!
"Antivist" rages on, breaking into its second chorus as Erica Moxie stomps her way out onto the stage. Tonight, she wears her usual black ring gear and a look of raw determination. Moxie marches down the ramp—face taut and focus unwavering. At one point along the way, she slaps herself in the face, apparently unsatisfied with her own level of intensity.
Phoenix: Ordinarily, saying something like, "What a year she's had!" would be shorthand for a year of incredible achievements. Not so, in the case of Miss Moxie. If anyone in 4CW needs a win more or has a bigger chip on their shoulder than she does, you'll have to point 'em out to me, 'cause no one even comes close from where I sit.
Roberts: No kidding. No one can deny her ferocity and skill, but she's in a remarkable rut right now. That said, there's an old saying: Oftentimes, a failed man is the most dangerous one. Corrected for pronoun, this phrase may fit Moxie here tonight. In short: Tonight, I expect we'll see the most aggressive version of Erica Moxie yet.
Jeffrey: Might?! She looks about ready to rip someone's head off—presumably Paige's! But with how much Waters has been getting under her skin, if he's not careful, who knows? It could end up being him, unless Black Flame loyalty wins out above all.
Phoenix: I'm sure that's what Cain is banking on. In any case, there can only be one victor in this contest.
Moxie jogs up the ring steps, enters from the apron and picks a corner to warm up in.
The lights go low as "Ravenous" by Killswitch Engage pummels through the PAs, followed closely by Eli Waters stoically striding his way onto the scene with his Universal title around his waist.
Carson: And now making his way to the ring, weighing in at 231lbs and representing The Black Flame [a chorus of boos rises from the crowd]... he is the reigning 4CW Universal Champion... "THE HORIZON"... ELIIIIII... WAAATERS!!!
Foregoing any semblance of pageantry, Waters simply heads on down to the ring and slides in, looking a little sour that his theme music hit before Paige has made her entrance. Nonetheless, he rises from the canvas and tosses his belt at junior referee Stanley Robb. Waters looks over and grins at Moxie—or is it a smirk? Either way, Moxie offers a curt nod in Eli's direction, then the Universal champion entertains himself by mouthing off at the vitriolic audience.
Roberts: Geez, what a pleasant presence Waters has been in 4CW since selling his soul for Cain to char with his Black Flame nonsense. Even winning that strap hasn't improved his attitude!
Phoenix: I don't get Waters' game, frankly. Hot young prospect comes in, tears it up on his own, then jumps on the first train to assured infamy and—arguably, I suppose—ill-begotten opportunity! And make no mistake, I haven't forgotten where this all jumped off with him, beating up on my Maddie like it's some sick initiation ritual. Then, Cain throws him a match against Paige right after she's already competed, and damn Moxie runs interference so we get a champion from the Black Flame camp! And hey, I'm not saying the kid's not talented or hard-working, far from it—there's just no way to not see him through new eyes since he hooked up with Cain and co.
Jeffrey: And it's damn sure no coincidence that the deck is stacked against Paige tonight.
When Waters' theme cuts out, the lights go down and give way to colourful, dancing spotlights. On the dimmed stage, peeking from behind the curtains, a bright beam of blue light appears. Dance with the Dead's "War" kicks in, and the spotlights focus on the stage. Kinzy Kane and Pilgrim Paige come out on stage to a huge pop, wearing Tron-inspired riding gear on a customized LS-218 sportbike. Paige—sitting on the back—throws her fists in the air, then holds on tight as Kinzy makes the bike zip forward, skip the stairs and land neatly at the top of the ramp!
Jeffrey: Woo! That's one way to make an entrance!
Roberts: The Lunar Pilgrim has never been one for subtlety, and that's all the more true for title matches!
Jeffrey: I wonder how it came to pass that Paige got her theme cued up after the champion's. I don't think Waters is too happy about it, and I definitely wouldn't wanna be out back in that truck when this one's over!
Kinzy drives to the bottom of the ramp, turns the bike off and dismounts along with Paige. Simultaneously, they both remove the helmets and riding gear, revealing black-and-orange variations of their usual ring gear. Kinzy has her '80s cyberpunk hair game on point, wearing a fauxhawk variant that sees the sides/neck worn in angled cornrows, with the rest of her long afro curls left free up top, flowing from crown to forehead. Keeping with the Halloween theme, she's got the tips of her twisty tendrils dyed blood-red. Paige is also having some Halloween hair fun, wearing three thick braids on one side of her head, Becky Lynch style; these are pinned back with orange pumpkin-shaped clips, complementing her perpetually purple waves.
Roberts: Theatrics and themed gear aside, I've gotta say: Paige is in a seriously unenviable position with this match!
Phoenix: You can say that again! Grit, experience and cunning can take you a long way, but a numbers game like this? Against two of the hungriest young members of Black Flame? Well, let's just say it makes for a whole other ballgame. She's gonna have to dig deeper than she's ever dug before, even with Kinzy out here for moral support.
Jeffrey: I dunno. I think she could dig all the way to China and not make it outta this match in one piece, Scott!
Roberts: I mean, there's no count-outs, so I guess techni—
Jeffrey: Shut up, Roberts!
Carson: And now introducing our second and final challenger, accompanied by "Neon Rain" Kinzy Kane and weighing in tonight at 135lbs... coming to us from THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOOOOON... PILGRIIIM PAAAIGE!!
Paige and Kinzy slide into the ring, spin round to face hard cam and then stand—but before they can even decide what pose to hit, Moxie and Waters rush them both! Eli Waters comes in from behind, blindsiding Paige with a nasty chop block; at the same time, Kinzy matrixes under Miss Moxie's wild lariat, handsprings back up and interrupts Moxie's second attempt with a roundhouse kick to the chest!
Phoenix: Chaos right out of the gate, but Kinzy slays her runner!
Jeffrey: Definitely more than just moral support, at least til that bell rings, huh Scott?
Moxie gingerly rolls out of the ring and lowers herself to the floor. Meanwhile, down on hands and knees, Paige finds herself being grabbed by Waters, who applies a front facelock and attempts to pull the former champion onto her feet. With remarkable speed and agility, Kinzy comes running over, twists round while jumping and springboards off Paige's back, landing herself seated across Waters' shoulders! In the process, the 6'5 Black Flame recruit releases his hold on Paige and rises to his feet. Kinzy attempts to throw her weight back/down, hoping to carry through for her poisonrana, but Waters is ready for her—he throws all his weight forward to counter Kinzy's efforts, causing a stalemate. Then Paige scrambles back up—runs the ropes behind Waters—Kinzy pulls off a sort of "mid-air sit-up"—and Paige dropkicks the big man square in the small of the back, shifting the balance for Kinzy to sway back once more and spike Eli with the Sonic Screwdriver!! To his credit, Waters impressively rolls through the landing; on the other hand, he's too dazed to take advantage of his vertical status and ends up tumbling out through the ropes, winding up right beside Moxie on the floor. Paige and Kinzy then take off like shots, sail over the top rope and take Paige's enemies down with stereo suicide planchas! The exclusive Fight Island fans pop big and take a collective breath in response to all this hectic action!
Roberts: All this and the bell hasn't even rung yet!
Jeffrey: Who cares, I love it!
The high-flying couple slides back into the ring, all pumped up. In an effort gain some semblance of control, the junior referee directs Kinzy out of the ring; she obliges, keeping well away from Moxie and Eli. The moment all three legal competitors are squaring off in the ring, junior referee Stanley Robb eagerly calls for the bell.
DING-DING-DING!
Right off the bat and as a shock to approximately no one, Waters and Moxie immediately close the gap between one another and formulate a plot. All the while, the two faction-mates never take their eyes off their wary prey on the opposite side of the ring.
Roberts: In a more typical match environment, I'd say the classic "stick-and-move" approach is key.. but this is a whole other door to un—
Paige rushes Moxie, hammering away with forearms! Waters brings a clubbing blow down across Paige's shoulders, creating an opening for Moxie to shove the crazed moon maiden away. Waters lands a boot to Paige's midriff, then whips her into the far corner. Paige evades as Waters follows in and the defending champ eats turnbuckle! Coming up from behind, the Lunar Pilgrim tries for Moon-O-Matic, but Waters' height poses a challenge. Paige reaches up high, locks her hands round Waters' neck and leaps, only for Erica Moxie to rush in with head lowered and take Paige up onto her shoulders; Waters twists out of Paige's faltering grip, hops up onto the second rope and pulls off a Doomsday Device with Moxie!
Roberts: Great double-team right there.
Jeffrey: See, that's what I'm talking about. This Black Flame thing.. they're thick as thieves. And not much more appealing.
Waters follows up with a few basic stomps, then leaves his feet for the double-foot stomp. Paige evades, only to roll right into Moxie's path and receive some more casual punishment. The former champ tries to cover up and eventually gets a lucky knee into her aggressor's abdomen. Paige makes a mad scramble to sit back up and succeeds in doing so, just in time for Moxie to come rotating forward, putting the Lunar Pilgrim back down with a Moxie-go-round! Moxie stays in place and reaches back for a leg...
One!
Two!
Waters yanks Moxie out of the pinning combination! A moment later, he's up in Moxie's face.
Waters: All you have to do is not screw this up, Moxie! Got it?
[Moxie clearly isn't interested in hearing any of this, but just nods anyway.]
Moxie: Whatever bloats your ego, dickface.
Clearly, neither of them is too keen on the other's perspective, but anything else they might like to say is promptly knocked out of their mouths, thanks to a dual-targeting dropkick by the third wheel to this quarrel! Waters is rocked, while Moxie tumbles against the ropes. Before Paige can get both feet back under her, Waters smoothly rotates his way through a handstand—a difficult capoeira technique—and brings his heel down on Paige's head! The Lunar Pilgrim crumbles!
Phoenix: Guys like Eli Waters are so dangerous in this kind of environment, his size belies just how quick and reflexive he can be.
Jeffrey: Pssh, that didn't look so tough. I'm sure I've had Mrs Roberts pull that off a few—
Phoenix: RAY!
Waters forces his unmoving opponent from slumped to prone and shoots the half...
One!
Two!
Moxie stumbles back from the ropes and awkwardly "falls" on her ass right in front of the ref, effectively blocking Stanley Robb's view of the pinfall and stopping the count! Waters is absolutely fuming.
Roberts: Huh. Was that intentional or not?
Phoenix: Either way, Waters is none too happy.
Jeffrey: Well, at least it was good for Junior Senior! Ol' Stanley hasn't been that intimate with a woman since the Mesozoic era!
"The Horizon" hauls Moxie up off the mat and gets straight to jaw-jacking at her. Moxie replies with a shrug, sticking to the story that she broke the pin by accident. In any case, both faction-mates turn back toward Paige, who's currently dazed but rising from the mat anyway. She ends up wobbling right into a clothesline from Moxie, then pops back up and gets taken halfway to the moon by Waters' forceful back body drop! Keeping the pain train a-rollin', the newcomer turns Paige over and repeatedly drives the point of his elbow into the small of her back. Seemingly enjoying himself, Waters sets about directing traffic; he orders Moxie to stand in the nearest corner, then picks Paige up fallaway-style. Moxie readies herself in the corner and hoists herself up with legs pulled up tight. As Eli completes the release fallaway slam, his throw sends Paige crashing spine-first into Erica's Moxie's knees!! A pained "ooh" ripples through the crowd, and from Kinzy.
Jeffrey: Yeesh!
Phoenix: Y'know, everything these two have done when they've worked together in this match has been very high-impact. The more these two work together, the more my thoughts on Paige's odds come back to mind. This is shaping up to be an absolute mauling!
Paige uses the ropes to help get herself vertical, but is being closely watched by her opponents. Moxie delivers a knee lift, then sends her off into the ropes for Eli to deal with; he does this with fierce precision, suplexing Paige overhead, belly-to-belly style! Eli quickly finds his sadistic grin faltering, however, when the Lunar Pilgrim somehow props herself up in the corner, refusing to stay down. Moxie (who's closer) wisely closes the gap and pulls Paige out of the corner before she can get her wits about her. In the middle of the ring, Moxie Madness reigns supreme: Vicious chop after vicious chop, reddening the former champion's chest in a matter of seconds; a frighteningly hard pair of closed-fist punches that catch Paige below the left eye, sending her reeling back into Waters; and to cap it off, Waters shoves the muddled moon maiden headlong into a skull-rattling spinning back fist from Moxie that seems to knock the Lunar Pilgrim out on her feet!! The crowd is aghast as these last two blows land; Kinzy is distraught; and Waters wears a twisted facial expression that seems to say, "I like what I see!" Junior referee Stanley Robb is up in arms over Erica Moxie's utter brutality, but his verbal warnings are obviously falling on deaf ears.
Phoenix: Have I mentioned lately that this Black Flame thing brings out the absolute worst in all involved? 'Cause it bears repeating!
Roberts: And you just know Cain's watching backstage, hyped as hell about Moxie "stepping things up" like that.
Paige wobbles in place, insensible. Moxie stands across from her, talking trash and boom, Moon Mist outta nowhere!! Moxie reels backward, clawing at her freshly purple-stained face. She ends up falling back into the middle rope, but manages to rebound back up and blindly throw all her forward momentum into a lariat... at the same time Waters spins round for a discus clothesline to the back of Paige's head—she dodges disaster—and the faction-mates end up taking each other out!! Paige crumbles to the mat and now, all three competitors are down!
Jeffrey: WOO BABY!!
Phoenix: Instant karma! Moxie wants to throw soupbones into the mix, she'd better be prepared to taste the brine!
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Waters is the first to get his wits about him. At ringside, Kinzy is banging on the mat, trying to rouse Paige, but she remains unmoving on the canvas. Seeing this, Waters crawls into a lateral press—and, wisely, hooks the far leg.
One!
Two!
Thre-
The ref spots Paige weakly gripping the bottom rope at the last possible moment, stops the count and indicates the extremely near fall for all to see.
Roberts: Too close for comfort on that one!
Phoenix: That well-honed instinct for ring awareness is all that saved the Moon Maiden right there!
Visibly annoyed but otherwise undeterred, Waters aggressively drags Paige to the middle of the ring, only to hoist her up in front of him and drive her into the mat with a hellacious spinebuster!! The air in the fans' collective lungs seems to go out of them just as Paige's does!
Roberts: This Fire Burns!
Jeffrey: The ropes can't save her now!
Waters goes lateral and hooks the leg yet again...
One!
Two!
Thr-!
One shoulder just barely wriggles off the canvas for a half-second.
Waters growls, then scoops up both legs.
One!
Two!
Th-no!
Paige's other shoulder shudders off the mat. The Horizon is beside himself!
Phoenix: Young Eli's rookie card is showing now; this isn't the time to throw a fit, it's time to bring it even harder!
The Horizon does, in fact, bring it even harder: Waters applies a front facelock to Paige, drapes her arm behind his neck and deadlifts her high into the air! Waters brings her down hard with this classic vertical suplex, but isn't done there: Taking a page out of his mentor's playbook, Waters rolls his hips and takes the Lunar Pilgrim on another unwelcome journey, this time delaying the hold with Paige up in the air, letting all the blood rush to her head. Recuperating on the apron nearby, Moxie's stinging eyes like what they see. Hanging in the air, Paige musters her senses enough to start kicking her legs about. Waters maintains balance as best he can, but eventually is thrown off to the point that Paige can over-balance the hold and rotate down onto her feet; now, she finds herself standing behind her much taller adversary. Waters violently wheels round and throws an elbow that gets ducked. Paige uses the resulting opening to deliver a sitout jawbreaker, momentarily stunning her opponent. She follows up with a kick to the gut and goes for a DDT, but Waters grabs her arm, twists round under it and fires off a ferocious forearm shiver that absolutely rocks the ex-champion! Paige reels, ending up facing the wrong way round on hands and knees, right across from Moxie's position on the apron. The defending champ directs traffic again, holding his prey, wheelbarrow-style, in place.
Jeffrey: Here we go again!
Moxie somersaults in through the ropes—Waters hoists Paige out in front of him—Moxie leaps—Paige tucks inward with whip-speed, throwing her body weight downward—Eli is thrown stumbling forward—and Moxie takes her cohort out with the Omaha Slicer!!! All the Pilgrim Paige fans (including Kinzy) erupt!
Jeffrey: WOOHOOHOO!!
Roberts: Major misfire for the Black Flame! Question is, how much does Paige have left in her?
Paige and Moxie are each in a mad scramble to be the first to get back up, but it ends up being pretty much simultaneous. They subsequently find themselves warring it out in the middle of the ring, hammering away at each other in a blur of swinging limbs. A European uppercut puts a halt to Paige's offense, at which point Moxie boots her in the gut and goes straight for the double-underhook. Paige has it scouted and spins out of it before her arms can be properly pinioned, gets herself behind Moxie and plants her right beside Waters with the Moon-O-Matic! Aching and tired, Pilgrim Paige heads out to the apron and gingerly ascends the nearest corner.
Phoenix: Talk about a turn of the tide! Can Paige actually get out of this one alive?
Paige finds herself standing on the top rope in good time, but knows she has no time to waste. Breaking out the big guns, the Lunar Pilgrim comes flipping off the top rope and crashes into Moxie's knees!! Erica Moxie yanks Paige up off the mat, tries to hoist her up gutwrench-style and gets pulled down to the mat with a pair of knees in her face!! Moxie doesn't know what hit her!
Roberts: Spellbreaker!! Pilgrim Paige counters Moxie with a Spellbreaker!
Jeffrey: This whole thing is breaking down fast! Who's it gonna be?!
Waters finds his feet and promptly lines Paige up for The Death of Injustice when she gets back up. Paige unknowingly turns his way, Waters takes off like a shot and violently collides with Moxie as she staggers into his path! Both Black Flame representatives hit the canvas, dazed! With Kinzy excitedly shouting nearby, Paige shakes the cobwebs out and formulates a gameplan. With what little strength she has left, Pilgrim Paige drags Moxie over to Waters and drapes her prone body across his chest. Junior referee Stanley Robb recognizes this as a pin attempt and runs over, sliding into position. At the same time, still facing her opponents, Paige uses the top rope to hoists herself up onto the middle rope, then works her way up to the top.
One! (Paige struggles to find her balance for just a quick moment)
Two! (She jumps off the top...)
Thr-(and drives both feet into Moxie's back, with Eli's chest right beneath!!!)
Phoenix: Footprints on the Moon!!
Paige pushes Moxie off of Waters and covers the latter...
One!
Two!
Three!!
DING-DING-DING
Carson: Here is your winner and the NEW 4CW Universal Champion... PILGRIM PAIGE!!!
In the wake of this chaotic contest, it takes a few moments for Paige collect herself. Kinzy slides in and helps her out, managing to get her girlfriend into a seated position. Ol' Stanley moseys over and hands the title off to Paige. Aching and exhausted though she is, the Lunar Pilgrim raises her arm, holding the title aloft for all to see.
Jeffrey: Phew! That one was hectic, huh?!
Phoenix: Absolutely. So many ups and downs, and such poor odds for Paige. But in the end, it seems Moxie and Waters just couldn't get out of each other's way!
Roberts: Honestly thought Waters had it in the bag near the end there, but the whole thing just crashed and burned in spectacular fashion thanks to Moxie's unsteady feet. Unintentional, to be sure, but when Waters he gets his wits about him, I wouldn't want to be Erica Moxie!
Phoenix: This was a very hard-fought bout with some serious close calls. No doubt Waters will be pissed... who knows what manner of tongue-lashing or "punishment" Cain has in store for Moxie... but any way you slice it, Pilgrim Paige has reclaimed the Universal title!
As Paige and Kinzy take their leave, Waters and Moxie begin to recover in the ring. They launch into an unheard war of words as we go to commercials!
Carson: The following contest is a LUMBERJACK match scheduled for one fall. The rules are as follows. There are no disqualifications or countouts. The only way to win is via pinfall or submission. The ring will be surrounded by lumberjacks. The winner of this match will become the NEW owner of 4CW!! Introducing first, the Lumberjacks!
"Black Flame" by Bury Tomorrow hits the PA system.
Carson: First, on their way to the ring, representing The Black Flame... ZEPHYRIS ... ERICA MOXIE ... GARRET FISCHER ... BRUCE RIGG ... AND ELIIII ... WATERS!!
"Taking You Down" by Egypt Central hits the PA system.
Carson: ...on their way to the ring, from New York, New York... Elfan Simtul... Maximillian Yesgill... UMBRAAA ... MAXIMAAA!!
"Cowboys From Hell" by Pantera hits the PA system.
Carson: ...on their way to the ring, from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, JASON AND ROBERT CROW ... MURDER OF CROWS!!
"Into Nothing" by Bleed From Within hits the PA system.
Carson: ...on his way to the ring, from Charlton, England ... GRANT ... ZAAAIDEN!!
"The Astral Dialogue" by Agalloch hits the PA system.
Carson: ...on her way to the ring, from the DARK SIDE OF THE MOOOON, PILGRIIIIM ... PAAAIGE!!
"Thundersteel" by Riot hits the PA system.
Carson: ...on their way to the ring, from Barry, South Wales, BRIAN WHITE... TOMMY YOUNG ... THIS IIIIIS .... RUN 'N' GUUUN!!
"Creatures of Habit" by Polaris hits the PA system.
Carson: ...on his way to the ring, from Brisbane, Australia ... LINDOOOON ... JETT!!
"Roadgame" by Kavinsky hits the PA system.
Carson: ...on their way to the ring, from London, England... REUBEN KOJO ... DEVON DRUMMOND... SYNTH CITYYYYY ... THRILLERS!!
"Forever Lotus" by RUDE. hits the PA system.
Carson: ...on their way to the ring, from Osaka, Japan... TSUKIKO MIZUNO ... OKI-KIRA ... SILEEEEENT ... SORCERY!!
"Inked in Blood" by Sigh hits the PA system.
Carson: ...on her way to the ring, from EVERYWHERE... and NOOOWHERE.... WITCH ... HAAAAZEL!!
"Phoenix (Volkor X Remix)" by Scandroid hits the PA system.
Carson: ...on her way to the ring, from the Ashes of the Fire, MADELINE .... THE MAAAAD ... PHOEEEEENIX!!
"3s and 7s" by Queens of the Stone Age hits the PA system.
Carson: Aaaaand on his way to the ring, from Death Falls, Nevada... CLYYYYYDE ... BONHAM!!
"Almost Honest" by Megadeth hits the PA system. The fans realise who it is, and make the connection to Cain, and begin to roar!
Carson: Aaaaaaaaaaand finally, from Madison, Wisconsin... JOOOOON ... VIPER!!
Jeffrey: I can't believe it! Even Jon Viper is here tonight!
Roberts: To my count, that's 22 lumberjacks! And it's pretty much even in terms of where their loyalties lie!
Jeffrey: This is a civil war within 4CW. The lines are drawn, allegiances revealed... now all that's left to do is fight!
Carson: And please welcome the SPECIAL REFEREE... SCOTT PHOOOOENIX!!
Scott Phoenix steps into the ring, wearing the black and white stripes of a 4CW official.
"Red Flag" by Billy Talent hits the PA system. The crowd give one of the loudest pops of the night so far as 4CW Hall of Famer Sery steps out on to the stage.
Carson: Introducing first, from Antigo, Wisconsin, weighing in at 185lbs ... 4CW Hall of Famer... SERY!!
Sery comes down to the ring, looking at all the faces, friends and foes, surrounding it. He wastes no time in rolling into the ring and taking a corner.
Roberts: Sery is in it to win it tonight! It's really simple! The winner of this match becomes owner of 4CW! We settle the dispute, once and for all!
Jeffrey: And I think this may be the only time I ever actively support Sery in any endeavour, but I really hope he kicks the snot out of Cain tonight!
Roberts: I think, for once, we are in complete agreement Jeffrey.
"As I Am" by Dream Theatre hits the PA system. The crowd becomes a plane of dismay and negativity as Rhys Cain steps out on to the stage. He stands in the midle and raises his arms. Black and white flames surrounding him, followed by some black and white pyro. Cain nods in approval, before heading down to the ring.
Carson: And his opponent, he is the General Manager of 4CW, from THE SCORCHED PATH... weighing in at 230lbs... THE BLACK FLAME ... RHYS ... CAAAAAAIN!!
Roberts: The video package you saw earlier is just a snippet of the history between Sery and Cain. Honestly, this match has been building for years.
Jeffrey: Yeah. They've crossed paths before, but never with any substantial stakes on the line. Tonight, the stakes don't get any bigger. You win, you own this whole damn enterprise.
Roberts: It's a prospect that sets me on edge a little, I won't lie.
Jeffrey: Tell me about it! I respect some assholes in this world, but Cain? He's not a guy I can respect. I used to. I'd never admit it, but I'm telling you now I did. Then he hurt my best friend, more than he will ever know. Or maybe he does know, and that's why he did it. Either way, I hope he gets what's coming to him tonight. In fact, nothing would give me more satisfaction than Scott Phoenix intentionally screwing him out of this match.
Roberts: Wow... OK then.
Jeffrey: What? That's my take. Fuck this guy.
The bell rings and the arena burst into a huge pop expecting both men to fly into each other but no-one moves. This starts a buzzing from the crowd as the tension and anticipation builds and builds.. Sery and Cain circle each other slowly, inching closer and closer until they are a meter apart… and then Cain spits in Sery’s face!
This disgusting antic incites borderline riots from the crowd as some fans try to climb over the barricade, though the Lumberjacks soon put a stop to that, causing the fans to retreat. Inside the ring, Sery wipes the spit from his face, looks up at Cain with a huge grin on his face and takes down Cain with a double leg takedown. He then pummels Cain with hard, closed fists in an absolute unleashing of pent-up frustration.
Sery sends Cain to the corner and hits him with a quick flurry of knife edge chops. Cain eventually breaks free of Sery’s grasp but doesn’t get very far as Sery hits him with a superkick for a two count. Sery takes down a kneeling Cain with a dropkick and then throws him out of the ring. Cain lands on top of The Black Flame, who support him back to the floor and encourage him as he heads back into the ring.
Cain slides back in and he and Sery exchange lefts and rights, then forearms. Their strikes quicken until Cain gets the advantage and hits a clothesline, knocking Sery down. He sends Sery to the ropes and hits him with his own knife edge chops. These are slower and more powerful than Sery’s. Three is enough to redden Sery’s chest. After a fourth, Sery fights back by headbutting Cain. Cain retreats and Sery takes him down with a hurricanrana and then a snap DDT for another two count. Cain reverses a suplex attempt with one his own, and then throws Sery out of the ring. The Black Flame swarm Sery with boots and stomps until the Sery supporters among the lumberjacks come to his aide and The Black Flame retreat.. For now.
Bonham helps Sery to his feet and encourages him back into the ring. Cain grabs Sery and takes him out with the Atonement DDT for his first pinfall attempt of the match and Sery kicks out at two. Cain continues his offence with a Side Effect for another two count. Cain then takes out Sery with Avada Kedavra… but still only gets a two count!
Cain turns his frustrations to special referee, Scott Phoenix.
Cain: You trying to screw me, Scotty?
Phoenix: I called it fair and you know it.
Cain: Hey, aren’t you scared of me anymore? That would be a foolish thing, Scotty. I can end you.
Phoenix: I was never scared of you, Cain. And please. Hit me. “End me”. Nothing would make me more accepting of a beating from you than it making you lose this match.
Reminded of the frustrating stipulation, Cain turns his attention back to Sery. Sery throws a few punches to Cain’s gut to fight back. He then grabs Cain and takes him out with a facebuster! Sery grabs Cain and throws him out of the ring. Cain crashes near Bonham, Viper and Phoenix, and they all simultaneously (but independently) decide to attack Cain. After a few shots from each of them, The Black Flame show up to rescue their leader. Sery’s supporters retreat… for now.
The tension outside the ring clearly begins to heat up as both “factions” surrounding the ring start to hurl insults at the other.
Inside the ring, Sery takes down Cain with an Enziguri! He follows this up with a springboard moonsault but only gets a two count! Sery picks up Cain and attempts a snap suplex, this time hitting it succinctly. He follows this up by climbing to the top turnbuckle and diving off with a huge Elbow Drop - but still Sery only gets a two count!
Sery picks up Cain to prepare him for some kind of DDT but Cain slips free and LOW BLOWS Sery! Jeffrey’s note that technically, the only rule Cain has to follow is that he can’t put his hands on Scott Phoenix. However, moments later, karma is served. Cain takes control after the low blow, taking out Sery with a spear and following up with a trifecta of suplexes! Cain only gets a two count after that display so picks up Sery for another move, but this time, Sery slips out of Cain’s grasp and LOW BLOWS Cain! Roberts suggests turnabout is fair play!
At this point, Sery’s momentum is running high. He takes down Cain with another superkick and then goes up top and hits the SERYOUS SENTON BOMB! Sery gets back up to his feet, and Zephyris enters the ring and SMASHES Sery across the head with a steel chair, busting him open! Everyone, crowd, lumberjacks and commentators alike, are furious at this development.
The rest of The Black Flame: Erica Moxie, Eli Waters, Bruce Rigg and Garret Fischer, step into the ring and join Zephyris as they all form a shield around Cain. Viper jumps up on to one apron, and he is soon followed on other aprons by Bonham, Madeline Phoenix and Lindon Jett. The Sery supporters get into the ring and clash with The Black Flame.
A big brawl ensues between them all, with highlights including Viper hitting the GTS on Bruce Rigg and Bonham taking out Waters with a DDT, resulting in the Sery supporters clearing the ring of all members of The Black Flame.
As soon as the ring is clear, Jett picks up a steel chair and SMASHES it across the back of Cain! Madeline Phoenix questions his actions, and Jett shrugs, providing his logic that Sery got a chair shot and Cain got a chair shot, so now they are even. When no-one has an argument for that, the Sery supporters leave the ring.
Moments after being left in the ring alone again, Cain and Sery are right back at it. Sery takes out Cain in the corner with a Tornado DDT. He hits a springboard elbow drop to get a two count and follows it up by taking out Cain with ANOTHER superkick … but still only getting a two count!
Sery climbs the turnbuckle and hits a second SERYOUS SENTON BOMB! He covers Cain but somehow, Cain kicks out at two! Sery decides third time is the charm! He goes up top for a third senton bomb, but Cain rolls out of the way and Sery crashes hard!
Cain recovers before Sery and takes him out with a second AVADA KEDAVRA! Cain covers Sery… but there is no count. Scott Phoenix stares at them as if in a trance, and whatever it is is holding him in place.
Cain: FUCKING COUNT IT!
Phoenix breaks out of his trance and makes the count. ONE … TWO … TH--NO!! SERY KICKS OUT!!
Furious at Phoenix’s initial refusal to count, Cain gets really close and personal with him, inches away from his face, furious at him but unable to physically touch him. Cain turns his attention to Murder of Crows and tell them to come into the ring. They do and he orders them to beat up Sery. They swarm Sery, and take him out with a double suplex, before Brian White and Tommy Young decide they’ve seen enough and enter the ring as well.
Young and White go for Jason and Robert respectively. Young takes out Jason with a hurricanrana and White body slams Robert before Run ‘N’ Gun dump them out of the ring.
Irate, Cain reacts to this by slapping White across the fact. Before White can even react, Young flies in with a shotgun dropkick! White lines up Cain and when he gets to his feet, hits the RUNAWAY TRAIN!
This brings Umbra Maxima into the ring! After a quick brawl, Young clotheslines Yesgill over the top rope. White and Simtul wrestle with each other and fall over the top rope together, landing next to a few outbreaks of brawls between the lumberjacks. Young sees the pile of people on the outside, comes back off the ropes and SUICIDE DIVES to the outside, leaving Cain and Sery alone in the ring again, and taking out Umbra Maxima, his partner White and four or five other lumberjacks!
Both Cain and Sery stumble to their feet after at least half a minute of barely moving. Sery gets the first strike with a superkick! He covers Cain, but only gets a two count! Sery sets Cain up for Sliced Bread #2 but Cain reverses. He pushes Sery away and then takes him out with a second AVADA KEDAVRA! Cain covers. Phoenix counts… ONE - NO!! SERY KICKS OUT AT ONE!! ONE!!
Cain storms to his feet and pulls up Sery, setting him up for the Atonement DDT, but Sery slips out of his grasp and hits an ENZIGURI! Sery then grabs Cain - runs up the turnbuckle - SLICED BREAD #2!!
The crowd are electric and chant along with the Scott Phoenix’s count. ONE … TWO … THREE!!!
Carson: HERE IS YOUR WINNER.... AND NEW OWNER OF 4CW ... SEEEEERRRYYYYY!!
"Red Flag" by Billy Talent hits the PA system.
Roberts: IT'S AAAAALLL OVER! Sery has defeated Rhys Cain!
Jeffrey: This match was absolute bedlam from beginning to end, but it's settled! Sery is going to become the OWNER of 4CW!
Roberts: Which is frankly how it should have been from the start! Good on Sery, but more importantly, good on 4CW... because our future is in much safer hands now!
Inside the ring, Sery is celebrating! He climbs all four turnbuckles and shows his appreciation to the crowd, who send the same energy back to him. On the outside, all the heels have either been beat up or run off. The faces roll into the ring and life Sery on their shoulders.
Roberts: A true celebration here tonight! It seems virtually everyone is happy that Cain is out of power!
Jeffrey: Well, hold on, now! Sery may be the new owner, but that doesn't mean Cain is out of the GM role! Maybe Sery will let him keep his role...
Roberts: ...
Jeffrey: ...
Roberts & Jeffrey both start to laugh together, maybe for the first time in the history of 4CW, and this monumental moment is matched only by the monumental moment in the ring as Sery is raised high into the air.
Cain: No - stop! -
The music cuts and the wrestlers in the ring put Sery down.
Cain: You stupid pricks... all of you, every single one of your cunty little faces... fuck you all! You think this match means anything? I'm going to put my bid in ANYWAY! YOU CAN'T STOP ME!!
Sery calmly moves over to the ropes and grabs a mic from the ringside assistant.
Sery: You've lost, buddy. Just face the music. Oh, and by the way... YOU'RE FIRED... AS GENERAL MANAGER OF 4CW! Ha! You already knew that but I just wanted to make it official!
Cain: You think you're something special, Sery? You're a JOKE!
Sery: I'm also your boss, so mind your lip before you lose your bonus this year!
Cain: I'll rip your face off! You and any one of those idiots in the ring with you!
Sery: You and who's army?
Cain looks around and realises, for the first time, that he's alone. And in the ring, it's clear Viper doesn't like being called an idiot. He snarls as he slips under the bottom rope and outside the ring. Coming from the side, he takes out Cain with a clothesline! Viper picks up Cain, and the crowd in the ring part as Viper slides him into the middle of the ring!
Roberts: Cain is in trouble now!
Cain stands up and eats a SUPERKICK from Tommy Young. He stumbles away into a GO 2 SLEEP from Jon Viper!! Madeline Phoenix, who is on the top rope, jumps down and hits the corkscrew shooting star press!!
Roberts: PHOENIX RISING!!
Jeffrey: And THAT is how you put away Rhys Cain! Maybe he'll be too ashamed to ever show up again, if we're lucky!
Roberts: And what a monumental match that was, despite the chaos surrounding! And believe it or not, after all that, we're still not done! OUR MAIN EVENT for the 4CW World Championship... JACK VALENTINE DEFENDS AGAINST CARSTEIN... GALLOWS POLE MATCH... and that match is COMING UP NEXT!!
Carson: Ladies and gentlemen! The following match is the annual Gallows Pole match! And it is for the 4CW Heavyweight Championship of the World!!! Introducing first! The challenger!
"Rattle Them Chains" by Wayne Murray hits the PA system. The crowd explodes into waves of cheers for, The Lord of the Night, as he steps out onto the stage. Carstein walks out slowly and glances around the arena and then down the ramp at the Pole and noose hanging from it. He steps out of the mist that appeared on the stage at his feet and walks down the ramp.
Phoenix: Looking as focused and betrayal free as ever!
Jeffrey: He looks scared to me…..
Carson: And his opponent, from Parts Unknown, weighing in at 231lbs ... 4CW Hall of Famer... CAAAAARSTEIN!
Carstein reaches the bottom of the ramp and slowly rolls into the ring under the bottom rope. He stands and looks up at the noose and holds it, as in a trance.
Phoenix: Carstein is healthy. Carstein has gotten his revenge against his old ally Inferno! Finally! The final piece is right before his eyes! The title he never lost!
Jeffrey: Well, until Revival.
Roberts: As stated by Scott here, the Inferno problem is gone. And even Valentine’s cronies have been banned from ringside!
Phoenix: That’s right! It’s going to be one on one and the loser hangs!
Jeffrey: That’s dark, Scott.
Phoenix: Such is the nature of the Gallows, Ray.
Carstein finally breaks whatever hold has him focused on the noose and slowly turns his head towards the stage as simultaneously…
“Supernova Goes Pop” by Powerman 5000 hits the PA and Jack 'Mad Dog' Valentine saunters onto the stage, the 4CW World Championship around his waist and a sneer visible on his face.
Carson: And introducing, from Atlantic City, New Jersey, weighing in at 220lbs, 4CW Hall of Famer and 4CW World Heavyweight Champion, JACK ... MAD DOOOOOG ... VALENTIIIINE!!
Mad Dog steps to the top of the ramp and raises his arms wide, taking in the crowd reaction as they crow and boo their champion. Valentine shuts his eyes, leans his head back and let's the noise wash over him. His precious championship gold draped over his shoulder. He lifts it off and up. With one hand, he holds it up for all to see and for every light in the arena to reflect off of it. The stage suddenly explodes with fireworks and pyros, up and down the ramp and around the stage.
Jeffrey: Let us welcome! The longest reigning 4CW champion of ALL TIME!
Roberts: All reigns eventually come to an end. It’s as sure as death and taxes Ray.
Phoenix: Nevertheless, Jack Valentine has been untouchable since his 2018 4CW return! Which is why his loss to my daughter last Storm Front was so…...iconic!
Jeffrey: I’d say fluky is the word. Not so much iconic. Actually nowhere near it.
Valentine tosses the title back in his shoulder and struts down the ramp. He then flips off the crowd to his left and makes his way over to the steel steps. He stops in front of them before high kneeing it up the steps as some cheap show of athleticism. He then eyes up Carstein as he slowly moves through the ropes. Valentine surprisingly gets right up in Carstein's face, uncharacteristically showing no fear. Carstein looks down at the champion, just as unfazed. Valentine takes the title off of his shoulder and hands it over to the official without ever breaking eye contact, and then his music cuts out. The official holds the title up high for all to see and then hands it over the ropes to another official on the outside.
Phoenix: And things are about to explode!
Roberts: No cronies, no Inferno, no one to save him now! He's all alone on death row! And the Hangman himself is staring him down the barrel!
Jeffrey: You're supposed to remain unbiased James.
Valentine starts flapping his gums and then points up and to his right at the Pole and the noose, staring up into Carstein's calm yet screaming eyes. Carstein looks to his left and up at the pole and boom! Valentine kicks him hard in the gut and he leans forward. The champion grabs Carstein's hair with his left and drills into him with right after right. The official frantically calls for the ring bell!
*Ding* *Ding* *Ding*
Valentine starts pummeling Carstein with right handed Haymakers, he stumbles back against the ropes. Valentine swiftly leaps and dropkicks Carstein in the side of the head and he holds onto the top rope and walks away towards the turnbuckle. Valentine is back on his feet and charges. He jumps and flies into the bigger man's back and he eats the turnbuckle face first. He remains on his feet, as Valentine forces him around to face him. He connects with three more shots and Carstein slumps back against the turnbuckle. Valentine turns away and walks toward the center of the ring. He turns back and rushes his opponent! Boom! Valentine runs right into a defensive Big Boot from Carstein! He stumbles backwards as Carstein shakes the cobwebs out. He then looks up and charges Valentine as he turns around and drops him with a hard clothesline! He walks backwards and leans heavily into the ropes, he comes back and reveals his going to drop an elbow. He swings his leg around and then leaps up high and crashes down onto nothing but canvas! Valentine rolls away safety. Carstein recoils, but gets to his feet at the same time as Valentine.
Roberts: And we're right back where we started!
Phoenix: Valentine can't trick him now, gonna have to take him straight on.
Jeffrey: He's taken on bigger and badder than Nosferatu there.
The two competitors stare at each other for a second, sizing each other up. Then Valentine dives in and they lock up. Carstein immediately reels back and launches Valentine backwards, he actually leaves his feet for a split second. He rolls backwards and gets up quickly, looking a bit embarrassed. He shouts out a challenge to Carstein and then gets up and meets him in the middle of the ring for a third time. He holds up his right hand, signaling the challenge for a test of strength. Carstein looks around the arena and they go wild. A "Carstein" chant breaks out and after a moment he grins. Valentine egging him on. He reaches up and locks hands. Valentine holds up his other hand and Carstein begins to reach for it. Valentine kicks Carstein in the gut! But Carstein, expecting it all along, immediately grabbed the foot! Valentine stands leaping on one leg. Carstein throws the leg downward which makes Valentine lean forward and The Lord of the Night grabs the Champion around the throat with both hands! He starts choking the life out of Valentine! Valentine drops to a knee!
Roberts: Oh look at that! Just giving him a little taste of what's in store for him!
Phoenix: Carstein knew what Valentine was up to all along!
Jeffrey: He can't do that! Isn't that illegal or something!?
Valentine is now down on both knees and trying to pry Carstein's hands off. Carstein is leaning downward, towards Valentin for more leverage. Valentine's eyes start to roll back. He leans forward and suddenly comes quick and hard with a vicious looking Low Blow! Carstein immediately releases the hold and grabs his family jewels falling backwards to the mat. A loud "Ooooof" can be heard over the crowd as they wince themselves. Valentine falls forward and rolls away holding his throat and coughing hard.
Jeffrey: The maneuver that'll bring any man down! No matter how big or small!
After a few moments, Valentine has stopped coughing and crawled over to the ropes, using them to get himself up. He waddles over to Carstein who had only just gotten onto his hands and knees. Valentine then punts Carstein straight in the exposed gut and Carstein gasps, before rolling onto his side. Valentine follows up with several kicks to the back and head. He then reaches down and grapes Carstein by his hair, slowly forcing him to his feet. He then forearms him twice in the head before whipping him across the ring and into the ropes. Carstein returns and drops Valentine with a hard shoulder block! Valentine hits the mat hard and opens his eyes to see a big boot descending upon him hot! He rolls away avoiding the attack, and you can hear Carstein’s foot slam into the canvas hard and loud. Valentine rolls again until he gets to the corner and uses the ropes to swiftly get to his feet. Carstein stares at Valentine as he stares back showing the first signs of concern. Then Valentine charges out of the corner, only for Carstein to side step him, but not without jabbing him hard in the gut. Valentine reels forward, but Carstein grabs him from the hair on the back of his head and holds him in an inverted DDT position. He starts to fall back, but brings his free arm around to add an elbow to the throat of the maneuver! Valentine’s head slams into the canvas and eats an elbow to throat! Carstein gets up, looks down at Valentine, and swings his leg around and drops another elbow to the chest connecting! Carstein then gets up and runs the ropes, returns to Valentine, leaps high in the air in a seated position and lands a hard leg drop to the Champion!
Phoenix: Carstein is heating up!
Roberts: Valentine is in trouble now! He can’t keep Carstein down!
Jeffrey: Would you two nut jobs relax! This is all a part of his master plan…..
Phoenix: Oh the confidence is just oozing out of that statement, Ray. Haha!
Carstein forces Valentine to his feet and scoops him up onto his one shoulder, with his head facing forward. He backs away into the corner and then runs forward, leaps, and slams Valentine’s body down into the center of the ring, for a vicious running Powerslam! Carstein gets up and looks over to this left where the noose swings. He looks back down to Valentine and then gets him up to his feet again. He then picks him up in the same position and heads to the opposite corner of the swinging noose. He takes off running again, but this time Valentine wriggles free and drops down behind Carstein and then violently shoves him from the back. Carstein’s own running speed, combined with the extra push, sends him barreling into the opposing turnbuckle chest first! He manages to stay on his feet as he stumbles backwards out of it, holding his chest. Valentine leaps onto Carstein’s back and locks in a Sleeper Hold! Carstein reaches back for him and swings left and right. Valentine has the hold firmly locked in and his legs wrapped around Carstein’s waist! Carstein’s movements begin to slow and then he drops to a knee!
Jeffrey: Sap that energy right out of him Champ! That’ll cut him down to size!
Phoenix: He better not put him completely out. How is he gonna lug him over and up to the Gallows!?
Roberts: It won’t even get that far Scott. I believe in Carstein, he’ll get out of this!
Jeffrey: You believed at Revival too. Oh your face!
Valentine releases the lock around the waist as Carstein falls closer to the mat. Carstein is on both knees with Valentine wrenching back and forth with hold directly behind him. Valentine glances back at the pole and squeezes as tight as he can for a moment. He then completely releases the hold and runs the ropes. Before Carstein can react, Valentine slams his boot into the side of the head of the Lord of Darkness! He falls over onto his back, but Valentine keeps up the attack. He walks over to this head, leaps straight up in the air, and brings his foot straight down on Carstein’s face! He then quickly climbs the turnbuckle. He holds both his hands up as fists and extends a middle finger on each. He waves them around to the crowd and the leaps high into the air! He pulls back his arm revealing a sharp elbow and drives it into the heart of Carstein!! Carstein’s legs flop up into the air and back down, after impact! Valentine gets up and throws out both his arms to his sides and looks out to the booing crowd. He continues to taunt them as the booing grows louder and louder. Carstein can be seen trying to get up, moving slowly. To the crowd’s dismay, Valentine turns and sees this feeble attempt and aids him in his ascent. He pulls Carstein’s head in between his legs and lifts him in the Piledriver position! He waits, he holds, and the leaps! He drives the head of Carstein down hard into the mat for a Spike Piledriver!
Roberts: What!? Wait!? Isn’t that maneuver illegal?
Jeffrey: Not in this universe.
Phoenix: Regardless, this has been the Jack Valentine show. Carstein needs some offense and fast!
Valentine gets up with a big grin across his face. He looks out to the crowd and shouts. He points down at Carstein and shouts more. The crowd erupts with more booing and he smiles like the Grinch as he readjusts his wrestling trucks. He grabs the leg of Carstein and drags him toward the pole and noose. He walks over and grabs Carstein by the head and forces him up. It's slow as Carstein seems to be deadweight. As he finally gets Carstein to his feet, Carstein springs to life and slaps Valentine’s arms away! He grabs him by the throat with both hands, as a surprised Valentine grabs his attacker’s wrists. The Lord of the Night squeezes with anger and then suddenly tosses Valentine like a ragdoll into the corner, just below the noose. Carstein unloads a fury of rights into the head of Valentine, with demonic speed! After roughly ten shots, he stops and Valentine stumbles out of the corner along the ropes. Carstein scoops Valentine straight up and lets him fall crotch first, onto the top rope! Valentine yelps and holds steady, but Carstein has already taken off for the adjacent ropes! He returns and lands a powerful running Big Boot to the side of Valentine’s head! Valentine looks completely stunned as he slips off the top rope and drops to the mat below! The crowd starts heating up for Carstein! He holds his right arm up to them and they respond widely! He turns and sees Valentine using the guardrail to get himself up. Carstein wastes no time in running the ropes again, and leaping over the top rope and colliding with Valentine for a sick Suicide Dive! Both men lay out on the floor!
Phoenix: Jesus Christ! Carstein just killed Valentine!
Roberts: Not very often do you see guys that size, pull off that high risk maneuver!
Jeffrey: God Damnit! You’re supposed to move Jack! MOVE! Well at least that dumbass managed to hurt himself in the process.
Roberts: Carstein may have taken some punishment, but your boy looks to be concussed.
After a few moments, the roaring crowd pipes down a bit, and Carstein uses the ring apron to get to his feet. Breathing heavily, he looks down at Valentine who has barely moved at all. Carstein takes a long breath and heads over to Valentine who hasn’t moved. He drags him by his leg and away from the guardrail. He reaches forward to get him up.
Roberts: Valentine may be unconscious. There is no sign of life.
Phoenix: There’s something in his hand!
Suddenly, Valentine turns and throws a clump of salt straight into the eyes of Carstein! He grabs his face and yells out! He stumbles away trying to get the salt out! Valentine rolls over onto his back still recovering, but a little plastic bag falls to the ground beside him!
Roberts: That's cheating! He can’t do that!
Jeffrey: Anything goes James! You know this, the 4CW Universe knows this! And most importantly, the 4CW World Champion knows this!
Phoenix: Can’t say I’ve seen that maneuver in awhile, but it is legal James. Looks like Valentine came prepared!
Carstein is on his hands and knees away from Valentine in front of the announce table. He is frantically trying to get the salt out of his eyes, as it is clearly starting to burn his eyes badly. Finally, Valentine has gotten to his feet and looks over to Carstein. He walks over and sees the Carstein is paying no mind to anyone or anything. Valentine shouts for the official timekeeper to get up and scram. He does so. Valentine then grabs and folds up the steel chair he was sitting on. He walks right up behind Carstein and then slams the steel chair straight into the big man’s back! Carstein arches his back in pain and falls over to this right. Valentine grins and stands over Carstein. He holds the chair up and slams it down onto the back and right shoulder of Carstein! He flinches in pain, but tries to cover up. Valentine pulls the chair up again and connects for a second time in the same spot! The Champion pulls the chair up over his head, breathing heavily and then suddenly his eyes go as wide as they’ve ever been! He drops the chair! Carstein has desperately reached up and grabbed Valentine by his two best friends! Valentine cautiously grabs the wrist of Carstein with both his hands, but you can see Carstein flex his forearm and Valentine yelps out in pain and pulls his hands away. Carstein, with his eyes closed, gets to his feet still holding Valentine! Valentine can be heard begging like he’s never begged before, but clearly in much agony! Carstein grapes Valentine by the throat with his other hand and then lifts him straight up over his head and slams him down, stomach first right onto the announce table! Valentine lays nearly on top of the announce team, holding his groin and breathing short quick breaths. Carstein stumbles over to the guardrail, still nursing his eyes. Several fans push beverages in his face and he spots a bottle of water! He grabs it and uses it to wash out his eyes the best he can! The crowd begins to heat up as Carstein flips back his hair, rubs his eyes, and sets his sights on Valentine!
Jeffrey: Interference! Jack get up! He’s coming!
Roberts: And that’s why you shouldn’t shit on the fans, Ray!
Phoenix: I wouldn’t say he’s perfect, but Carstein is suddenly in a lot better position after the fan assist!
Carstein slowly walks over to Valentine who has rolled off the table, leaning on it in a standing position. Carstein just grabs the back of his head and slams it straight into the announce table! Valentine springs up into the air and hits the ground and rolls away. Carstein picks up the chair used against him and throws it into the ring. He picks up Valentine and sets him up for an Irish whip. Valentine reverses it and instead sends Carstein shoulder and head first into the steel steps! Valentine leans over still nursing his injuries, but realizing he needs to keep up the attack, he reaches under the ring again.
Phoenix: Now what is he going to pull out?
Jeffrey: That’s what she said!
Roberts: Do my eyes deceive me? It doesn’t look like he’s searching for anything, but like he’s signaling for something??
Jeffrey: That’s ridiculous James.
Valentine pulls out a baseball bat wrapped in barbed wire. He limps over to Carstein holds the bat around him and forces his head into the barbed wire! He holds the maneuver as Carstein thrashes about, immediately getting cut open in several spots on his forehead. Valentine stands back and takes a few swings with the bat, connecting with Carstein’s back, ribs, and shoulder blades! He tosses the bat aside and forces Carstein up. He then slowly rolls him into the ring. Carstein lies perfectly laid out just a few feet from the turnbuckle. Valentine ascends from the outside, straight to the top rope! He faces away from Carstein, takes one last look for good measure, and then performs a perfect Moonsault off the top rope! And he eats canvas! Carstein has rolled out of the way by hair! Valentine holds his stomach and looks to be dry heaving. Carstein rolls over onto his side and you can see both his eyes are nearly swollen red, he has blood rips in his flesh on his forehead, and little streams of blood trickle down onto the mat! Heroically, Carstein gets to his feet with the help of the ropes. The Midnight Aristocrat grabs Valentine and gets him to his feet. He kicks him in the gut and sets up for a Powerbomb! He lifts Valentine and gets him up onto his shoulders! He then slams Valentine down hard into the mat! Valentine’s body flinches and he looks to be down and out! Carstein now ascends the turnbuckle! He looks out to the crowd for just a second and then leaps up into the air! He flips backwards while moving forward! He comes down hard on Valentine for a Shooting Star Press!!! The crowd erupts! Carstein rolls off of Valentine and onto his back!
Phoenix: Carstein connects with a huuuuuge high risk maneuver!
Roberts: Valentine could not afford to take that much punishment, this late into the match! Carstein get up! Get up and end this reign of terror!
Jeffrey: I’m starting to get a little worried. Just a little. He should have MOVED! Damnit Valentine!
Carstein does slowly get to his feet and he grabs the legs of the downed Valentine. He then drags him over the Pole and Noose. Every move looks painful, but he fights through and gets Valentine up. He sets him up in a Suplex position and uses it to sit him on the turnbuckle. The noose dangles just above the Champion’s head! Valentine looks to be coming out of his daze, but Carstein reels back and connects with a right handed haymaker to the jaw of Valentine! Then he begins climbing the ropes next to the turnbuckle. He grabs Valentine by the throat with his left hand and reaches for the noose with his right. As soon as Carstein grabs hold of the noose, Valentine takes both hands and grabs Carstein’s face. He then digs both of his thumbs into the barely recovered eyes of the Challenger! Carstein screams in agony and drops down from the turnbuckle holding his face. Valentine leaps off the turnbuckle and catches Carstein’s head! He drives it down into the canvas for a big time Bulldog! Carstein’s head bounces off the canvas! Carstein scrambles to get up and he does. He turns around and eats a Superkick to the jaw! He flops back hard! Carstein’s eyes are glazed over as he stares at the stadium ceiling!
Jeffrey: YES! Carstein is down! Hang em Jack! Hang em high!
Valentine slowly gets to his feet. He’s breathing heavily and looks exhausted. Blood trickles out of his mouth and he wipes it with his forearm. He heads over to Carstein and gets him halfway up. He then leans down and manages to get him onto his shoulders, fireman carry style. He walks over to the turnbuckle with the noose and sits him on it. He’s quicker to ascend the turnbuckle and reaches out for the noose. He grabs it and pulls it down for some slack. He then begins to fasten it around Carstein’s neck!
Jeffrey: He’s got em! It’s over!
Phoenix: No Ray! He’s gotta tighten it and hang em!
Roberts: Why does the noose have slack? How would anyone hang?
Valentine Tightens the noose, but Carstein forces his hand in between the rope and his throat. He grabs Valentine by the face with his free hand and launches his backwards off the turnbuckle! Carstein slips off the turnbuckle in the process, but hands on his feet. He works his hand out of the noose and attempts to take it off his neck, but Valentine springs into action with the steel chair! He swings it at Carstein, but Carstein catches it! The two battle with the chair before Carstein pulls it free and rams the top of it, into Valentine’s gut! He then brings it down again, but this time he cracks it over Valentine’s back! He then tosses the chair to the mat just below him and grabs Valentine in the Double Arm DDT position!
Roberts: The Blood Drinker! He’s going for his finisher and he’s going to do it on that steel chair!
Phoenix: There is no way Valentine can recover from that! Ladies and gentleman! We are going to have a new champion in moments!!!
Suddenly, Valentine drops to mat free of the hold! Carstein is violently pulled backwards against the turnbuckle! He grabs the ropes with both hands, fighting it but choking! Mike Kim and Julian MagneZ are both on the outside! MagneZ pulls the slack back and Kim begins reattaching the rope to the pole!
Phoenix: Where in the hell did those two come from!?
Roberts: God Damnit! God Damnit I knew it! They were under the ring! They’ve been there all along! That’s who Valentine was signaling to! That’s why the rope had slack! Son of a Bitch just can’t fight fair!!!!
Jeffrey: It ain’t over til the fat lady sings boys! But it looks like she’s about to step up to the mic!
Carstein is pulled up onto the top of the turnbuckle and Valentine swiftly follows him up! Valentine fights with Carstein to tighten the noose, but the Lord of the Night won’t give up! He fights with every last ounce he has, barely being able to fight off Valentine and hold off the tightening noose! Valentine tries to pry his hands away. He pulls, he bites, he even starts kidney shotting the man, but he won’t give in! MagneZ pulls as hard as he can and Mike Kim now joins him! Finally, Valentine takes his thumbs again and digs them into the swollen red eyes of Carstein and he yells out before finally releasing the rope! It quickly tightens around his neck and Valentine lights him from the waist and tosses him off the turnbuckle! Carstein hangs!!!! He’s hanging! He grasps at the rope around his throat in agony as Valentine falls backwards off the turnbuckle!
*Ding* *Ding* *Ding*
Several officials quickly spring into action to cut Carstein down. Kim and MagneZ purposely stand in the way as they scramble about, even Michael Carson waiting to announce anything.
Jeffrey: Yeeee Haaaawwww!!!! STILL!!!!! Still 4CW World Champion! I can’t believe it!
Phoenix: I can’t believe it myself. I’ve never seen someone with such heart and resolve get so…..robbed! Flat out screwed over!
Jeffrey: That’s the beauty of it Scott. You can’t be robbed in a NO DQ match! Has Carstein learned nothing!?
Roberts: I’m going to be sick. You nailed it Scott. No one deserves that title more than Carstein and less than Valentine. If the wrestling Gods do exist…..they are some screwed up individuals.
The rope is finally cut and Carstein falls to the ground on the outside. His face is blue and he’s not moving. Marie Dubois comes rushing down the ramp and to Carstein’s side, beating the paramedics. Her sobbing is uncontrollable, as she begs everyone surrounding Carstein for help.
Valentine starts shouting at Carson to start talking and then orders Kim and MagneZ to get his belt. They do so and slide into the ring. They both scramble to put the belt on Valentine’s waist.
Carson: Here is your winner and STIIIILLL 4CW UNDISPUTED WORLD CHAMPION...
“Supernova Goes Pop” by Powerman 5000 hits and Valentine allows Mike Kim to raise his hand in victory as MagneZ finishes fastening the belt.
Carson: JACK ... THE MAD DOOOOOOOOOG ... VAAAAALENTIIINE!!
MagneZ quickly runs over and raises his other hand as the crowd begins to throw empty bottles and other debris into the ring. Valentine pulls his arms down and makes his lackeys human shields for anything incoming. He continues his celebration and gets on the turnbuckle mouthing off to the irate crowd.
Phoenix: I simply cannot believe what just transpired here tonight fellas. I thought there was no way in hell, that Jack Valentine would come out of this battle as champion. Just no way.
Roberts: Carstein had everything. He had the skill, the strength, the pure will. But he did not have a couple of nimrods to do his bidding and it cost him dearly.
Jeffrey: All I know, in the record books. It will say. Jack Valentine retains the 4CW Championship! What a night!
==
Quick Results:
-Xavier Avana defeated Phil McGroin (c) in a Chairs match to win the 4CW Custom Cup Championship
-Janitur defeated Dark Lotus (c) to win the 4CW Hardcore Championship
-Umbra Maxima defeated Run 'N' Gun (c) to win the 4CW Tag Team Championships
-Tommy Young wins the 13 Ghost Gauntlet match to receive a future 4CW World Championship match
-Pilgrim Paige defeated Erica Moxie & Eli Waters (c) to win the 4CW Universal Championship
-Sery defeated Rhys Cain in a lumberjack match to become the new owner of 4CW
-Jack Valentine (c) defeated Carstein in a Gallows Pole match to retain the 4CW World Championship
Review Sheet:
Custom Cup Title, Chairs Match - McGroin (c) vs Avana:
Lotus/Janitur Backstage/Hardcore Title match:
Tag Team Titles, Cage Match - Run 'N' Gun (c) vs Umbra Maxima:
13 Ghost Gauntlet:
Universal Title, Waters (c) vs Paige vs Moxie:
Winner Becomes Owner, Lumberjack match - Cain vs Sery:
World Title, Gallows Pole - Jack Valentine (c) vs Carstein:
Match of the Night:
MVP of the Night:
Moment of the Night:
Graphic of the Night:
Writing Credit:
Custom Cup Title Chairs match: Rhys
Lotus/Janitur Backstage/Hardcore Title match: Rhys
Tag Team Titles, Cage Match - Run 'N' Gun (c) vs Umbra Maxima: Gorgrim
13 Ghost Gauntlet: Rhys
Universal Title, Waters (c) vs Paige vs Moxie: Paige
Winner Becomes Owner, Lumberjack match - Cain vs Sery: Rhys
World Title, Gallows Pole - Jack Valentine (c) vs Carstein: Lheat
Thanks Taker_2004 for the banner!