Loveless: Ladies and Gentlemen, the following contest is the fourth round of the Sole Survivor tournament! This round will be contested under Three-Way Dance rules! Three competitors will start, and all opponents must be eliminated from the match to win!
The first fall is to determine who will be eliminated from the tournament. The second fall to determine who has immunity next week!
Jeffrey: So you can eliminate someone, and not win immunity for next week? Phoenix: That’s right Ray! But keep in mind, since Revival is only two weeks away, gaining immunity here means a guaranteed spot in the custom championship match!
WH Storm is the first out. He has immunity so heads over to the commentator's table. Renfield, Steven Penance and Chris Dawson come out, and climb into the ring.
Ding, ding, ding!
Match 1 - Renfield v Christopher Dawson v Steven Penance Renfield hangs back to watch Penance and Dawson go at it. The two men work a very stiff style, with brutal chops and big power moves. It’s not long before both men are raw red.
Renfield takes advantage when they’re both weakened; hitting some moves of his own, and locking in some nasty submission holds. As Renfield tries to slap a camel clutch on Dawson, Penance sneaks up behind him and hoists him into the air.
Phoenix: WH Storm, welcome to ringside. Storm: Thanks for having me out here, Scott. Jeffrey: So, it must suck to be you right now, huh? Storm: I don't know about that, Ray. I have immunity! Phoenix: Ray, don't be an ass. Jeffrey: What? I'm just saying! All three of those guys in there right now have a shot at jumping right into the Revival title match. The only guy who is guaranteed to be working another match next week is you! You chose a bad time to win immunity. Storm: There's no such thing as a bad time. Yeah I have to work another match, but I'm nice and rested now and so I'll be the freshest guy in there next week. Phoenix: Plus instead of working a triple threat match tonight, you work a one-on-one next week. Storm: Absolutely. Jeffrey: Psh. You've been lucky these past couple of weeks, you've avoided Penance. Storm: Hey, if he keeps winning and I keep winning, our paths will cross. And I'm not scared of him, I beat Redman last week.
Penance dominates Renfield, destroying him limb from limb. Renfield’s soon busted open, blood pouring from his forehead. Penance grins as he sees the carnage and devastation he has caused.
He sets Renfield up for a piledriver, but Dawson creeps up behind him and rolls him up. Penance is caught completely by surprise and doesn’t realise what’s happening!
1! 2! Kick out!
Penance makes it just in the nick of time. Dawson tries quickly to gain an advantage, but Penance is too fast. He bashes away at Dawson, but Dawson kicks out of all the pin attempts. The two brawl some more, hitting some big moves. Poor Renfield’s still sat in the corner, recovering and bleeding.
Dawson brings Penance down with an enzugiri, then climbs up to the tope rope. He leaps off, but Penance catches him, and sets him up for a powerbomb. Dawson wriggles, but it’s hopeless.
1! 2! 3!
Loveless: Ladies and Gentlemen, Chris Dawson has been eliminated from the Sole Survivor Tournament!
The bloody and bruised Renfield comes to, but it’s ultimately pointless. Penance traps Renfield in a figure four leglock. Renfield screams and taps out furiously. Winner: Steven Penance, to secure a spot in the custom championship match at Revival X Eliminated: Christopher Dawson
Loveless: Ladies and Gentlemen, Steven Penance has won immunity for next week!
Jeffrey: Wow, what a showing from Steven Penance this week! He single handedly took care of two men! Phoenix: The odds of winning Sole Survivor are definitely in Penance’s favour now!
Backstage we cut to Jenny Loveless in her interview position, looking a little less confident than usual. She delivers her lines with a little awkwardness.
Jenny: Ladies and gentlemen, my guest at this time..."The Icon" Mark Redman. M-Mark? I understand you requested this interview time.
Jenny doesn't seem to want to make eye contact with her guest, and he's not looking at her any more than he has to either.
Redman: That's right. Last week, something terrible happened. Something sick. Something that I should never have let happen. Jenny: Wh-! How dare you!
She slaps him. Hard.
Redman: Ow! What are you doing? Jenny: Was it that bad?! Well you weren't so great yourself! Maybe it wouldn't have happened if I knew beforehand that your ego was your...biggest attribute. Redman: What?! No! No, you were...acceptable. No, I'm talking about the sole survivor tournament. I was eliminated from the sole survivor tournament. My sole survivor tournament! I brought it back so I could become the custom champion! And not only was I eliminated, it was at the hands of that punk WH Storm. After all we've been through, all the times I've proven that I am better than him in every way, it's him at the commentary booth tonight with immunity and me, here, with you.
Jenny looks a little hurt.
Redman: So plan A is out, the 4CW championship picture is all locked up. Plan B is out, sole survivor was a failure. I need a plan C.
The Icon's eyes drift over to the right as he spots someone.
Redman: And I think I just got one. HEY! Hey, get over here. Yeah, you. Come here.
Who is it? It's Smoke.
Smoke: What's up? Redman: You won the universal title last week, right? Smoke: Not exactly, no. Redman: Kincaid has it? Smoke: ...no. Redman: Then what the hell happened? Smoke: Well Redemption showed up and the match got thrown out. Did you not watch the show? Redman: I was...
Redman glances over toward Jenny.
Redman: ...busy. So you're saying the universal title is up for grabs? Smoke: I didn't say that. Look, it may have been delayed a little, but I'm still going to win that belt. Redman: Sure, sure you are. Thanks Smoke, you've been real helpful.
Redman gestures for Smoke to leave. Smoke doesn't appreciate being dismissed, he pauses to assert himself but as Redman insists he walks off with a look of disgust. Just as Smoke turns his back, Redman clubs him from behind and slams his head into the set.
Jenny: Mark! Stop!
Redman slams Smoke into a table full of catering stuff, sending the cups and whatever else flying all over the floor, then hoists Smoke up and sends him through the table with a Razor's edge. The Icon stands over the fallen Smoke with a sick smile while Jenny kneels down to check on him.
Jenny: Someone get the medics! Why did you do this?! Redman: Same reason I made you do what you did last week.
He kneels down beside Jenny and leans in close to her.
Redman: Because I can.
Jenny looks not just disgusted but violated. Redman laughs to himself and leaves as EMTs arrive to tend to Smoke.
Back to the arena, where Minion is standing in the ring with his backup Roman and Mullet Superior at ringside. Pink Floyd's Money hits, bringing Gemini and "The Ambassador" Mark Holmes to the stage. The Kincaids flank their teammate, who rolls into the ring showing no fear of the big man.
Match 2 - Minion v Mark Holmes Holmes takes the fight to Minion, trying to take him down with various amateur wrestling moves. Minion stays on his feet, but struggles to throw Holmes around like he wants to. Roman and Mullet get involved, but Gemini aren't opposed to a little rule breaking either so they're quick to neutralise the threat. The referee tries to maintain some kind of order, but it's too late as all six men are brawling around the ring. While the officials are busy trying to separate Redemption and Gemini, Descent, Virus and Jakob Villani of the Cowboys From Hell sprint down the ramp. Holmes leans through the ropes to yell at them, Virus and Villani grab his arms giving Descent a free shot to crack him with a nightstick. Holmes flops back into the ring and Minion accepts the pinfall. Winner: Minion
Gemini are distracted by the attack and are quickly overwhelmed by the numbers. Virus, Descent and Villani lay Victor and then Dredrick out at ringside with the nightstick, then climb into the ring to stand victorious over High Society. New Redemption regroup and stand alongside the Cowboys, all six men raise each others' hands.
Phoenix: What the hell is going on here? Jeffrey: I don't know Scott, but this could be the most fearsome faction we've ever seen in 4CW! Phoenix: I...I just don't believe what I'm seeing! The Cowboys, and Redemption? Allied?
No. As if with a psychic connection, all at once the Cowboys turn on Redemption. Virus hits a flatliner on Mullet, Descent takes Roman down with a high-angled back suplex brainbuster and the big man Villani floors his counterpart big man Minion with an Irish whip into a bicycle kick.
Jeffrey: I was wrong Scott! The Cowboys were already the most fearsome faction we've ever seen!
Descent demands a microphone, and is handed one pretty quickly.
Descent: For the last few weeks we've seen High Society and New Redemption bicker back and forth like children over which team is the greatest faction in 4CW's ten year history. Well, allow me to clear this little situation up for you. You are looking at the greatest faction in history. Not High Society, not New Redemption. The Cowboys From Hell are the originals, and the Cowboys From Hell are the best. If either of these teams wish to challenge this fact, we're not difficult to find. We'll be standing right here in this ring in two weeks at Revival, where our place in history will be cemented. So it is written, so it shall come to pass.
We head backstage to the interview area, where Jenny Loveless is standing by. She's looking a little flushed, her face is red and she's starting to perspire.
Jenny: Ladies and gentlemen, my guests at this time are the RockStarrs and their manager, Candi. Guys, you've requested this interview time this week to address the interruptions you've been suffering lately. Candi: That's right Jenny. We're si- Look, can you get that light out of my face? It's, like, super bright.
Jenny looks over to her lighting guy and gestures for him to move the light. T-Rock is standing silently behind Candi and Carlos Starr, but he's not looking so good. He's squinting because of the light, is turning bright red and putting his hand to his head as if he's suffering a headache.
Starr: Dude, you ok?
T-Rock grunts. He looks faint.
Starr: Look. We're just trying to get back to where we deserve to be. Someone apparently doesn't like that, and they've been- Seriously, it's really hot in here. What's going on?
T-Rock suddenly collapses to the ground.
Jenny: Tony! Are you ok? Hey, someone get some help over here! Candi: What the hell is this? Why is it so hot?
There's a commotion nearby as one of the crew guys finds a small fire amongst some of the stage equpment. A whole crazy scene develops as EMTs crowd around the giant T-Rock trying to revive him while a couple of guys with extinguishers deal with the fire. Candi and BA Starr are completely confused and pissed that once again their segment has been interrupted.
Loveless: The following contest is scheduled for one-fall, and it is to determine the #1 Contender to the 4CW Women's Championship! Introducing first, Jenna Divyne!
Jenna makes her way down to the ring, a look of steely determination on her face. Jenna climbs into the ring as the lights slowly dim, and Ozzy Osbourne’s “Hell Raiser” screams from the PA. The hooded and robed figure of Marie Dubois appears from the back, clutching a skull in both hands.
I’m living on an endless road Around the world for rick and roll Sometimes it feels so tough But I still ain’t had enough.
Loveless: And her opponent, from New Orleans, Louisiana, the Mistress of Magic, MARIEEEEEE DUBOOOOIIIIIISSSSSS!!!!
Almost as if she were gliding, Marie walks down the ramp towards the ring.
I keep saying that it’s getting too much But I know I’m a liar Feeling all right in the noise and the light But that’s what lights my fire!
From outside the ring, she places the skull in ring corner nearest the steel steps, the grinning face looking towards the middle of the ring. She climbs up the steps, removes her hood, and climbs into the ring.
Hellraiser, in the thunder and heat Hellraiser, rock you back in your seat Hellraiser, and I’ll make it come true
Once in the middle of the ring, her robe falls off like water, revealing her wrestling attire of black boots, blue denim shorts and black t-shirt with “Carstein” on the front and “The Lord of the Night” on the back in red.
Hellraiser, I’ll put a spell on you!
The arena’s lit up once more, and Marie and Jenna face each other in the middle of the ring.
Ding, ding, ding!
Match 3 - Jenna Divyne v Marie Dubois #1 contendership Fury overtakes Marie for the interference last week. She dives at Jenna, taking her down. Marie pounds away, showing a vicious side. The ref tells Marie to get off Jenna, but doesn’t listen. The ref pulls Marie off, and she fights and to get free. Jenna scrambles to her feet, but before she can recover, Marie again dives into her, this time backing her into the corner.
Marie hits various moves on Jenna in the corner, and pulls her out for a 2 count. Marie locks in some submission holds, but Jenna doesn’t tap out, showing some toughness.
Jenna fights out of a Boston Crab, and gains the advantage over Marie, hitting some big power moves. It’s not enough to keep Marie down, and the match goes back and forth, neither side gaining an advantage over the other.
The match quickens up, as the two use big power moves and some aerial techniques. But again it’s not enough to keep the other down.
Jenna hits Marie with a DDT and climbs to the top rope to hit a moonsault. But Marie gets up and climbs up too. The pair wrestle on the top rope, trying to push the other down. The two eventually fall and crash onto the mat together. Marie covers Jenna, and Jenna does likewise to Marie.
1! 2! 3! Winner: Draw
Loveless: Ladies and Gentlemen, the referee tells me that Marie Dubois and Jenna Divyne both pinned each other at the same time. This match has thus been declared a draw!
Jeffrey: A draw? Phoenix: Then who’s the #1 contender?
We cut to the announcers at the commentary booth, Phoenix looks serious.
Phoenix: Well folks, I have some unfortunate news for you all. The first match announced for Revival this year was for the tag team championships, the Skill Set challenging the Unnatural Predators. Last week the returning NME decided to get themselves involved with this, and both Lord Skywolf and Eddie Wolfbaine were brutally assaulted backstage.
Phoenix continues to narrate as a series of still images are shown on screen. A few shots of the Predators laying on the floor from last week, followed by some exclusive footage of their trip to the medical facility.
Phoenix: I've been given official word from the office of Chris Marks that the doctors are yet to clear the Unnatural Predators for competition. It is unclear at this time whether or not the champions will be able to compete at Revival. To resolve this as best he can, Chris Marks has ruled that the tag team titles will be defended at Revival in a triple threat match, between the Unnatural Predators, the Skill Set and NME. If the champions are not cleared by April 20th, the match will go ahead without them and we will crown new tag team champions. Both Skywolf and Wolfbaine have been informed of this, and, well, needless to say they're not happy. So much so, in fact, that I cannot repeat their exact quotes. But on behalf of 4CW and our fans I want to wish the Unnatural Predators a speedy recovery, and on a personal note, want to ask Kensai and Wells not to hold back when they get to Revival. Guys, kick those sons of bitches asses for me, won't you? Jeffrey: Scott! How unprofessional! Phoenix: Hell! They started it!
With time killed, the ring has been adorned with a red carpet and a table with a black cloth draped over it. There's a clipboard and two microphones on the table, and a big office chair on either side. In the ring at the end of the table is 4CW whipping boy Hugh Knowles.
Knowles: Alriiiight! Who's ready for a contract signing? I can't hear you! I saaaaid! Whoooo's ready for a contract signing?! Seriously, I can't hear you. Why are you all so disinterested? Are contract signings not the most exciting part of a wrestling show? Of course they are! And if there's one thing I know about, it's paperwork! So let's get this show on the road. First up, 4CW veteran and the victor of the legends tour, Jack - Mad Dog - Vaaaalentine!
Jeffrey: Jeez. He's really hamming it up in there. Phoenix: Oh let him have his moment.
Mad Dog's classic Powerman 5000 song blasts and the man himself shows up ready for business. He comes down to the ring in his street clothes, not wanting to waste any time. He sits in his chair and asks for the pen.
Knowles: Not yet, just wait. Ok! And with no further ado, ladies and gentlemen, another 4CW veteran, four time 4CW champion and hall of famer, "Mr 4CW" [chux] McCooooool!
The most decorated champion in company history comes out from behind the curtain and poses for the pyro blast he has written into his contract. [chux] takes a little more time getting to the ring than Valentine did, just playing some last minute mind games. He hops up to the apron, but instead of getting in he drops back down and heads over to a ringside fan with a "[chux] sux" sign. He grabs the sign and rips it up, throws it on the floor and stamps on it. He gets into the fan's face and yells.
[chux]: You suck! That's not funny! Get a new joke!
Now he gets into the ring and makes sure to shake Knowles' hand before taking his seat. Of course, he puts his feet up on the table.
Knowles: Ok! Thank you both for being here. Now, as you both know, tonight we're going to make your Revival match official! Before we get to the signing, you both have an oppor- Valentine: Seriously, Hugh. Give me the pen. Knowles: But that's not how I rehearsed it... Valentine: Hugh! Knowles: Fine, fine.
Hugh pulls a pen out of his jacket pocket and hands it to Valentine, who spins the clipboard around and scribbles his name on the line. He then spins the board around to [chux] and slams the pen down.
Knowles: Jack "Mad Dog" Valentine has signed! Now, [chux], it's your turn. [chux]: I know, Hugh.
[chux] picks the contract up, flips through a couple of pages and reads the small print.
[chux]: You got my bonus in here. Good work. Well, it all seems to be in order. Tell whoever wrote this up that they did a solid job. Valentine: You see that line at the bottom? That's where you sign your name. [chux]: Thank you Dog, I am aware. Valentine: So are you going to do it or not? [chux]: I...am.
[chux] picks up the pen, clicks it, and puts it to the paper...then carefully puts it back down on the table.
[chux]: ...not. Valentine: Why the hell not? [chux]: Oh Dog, look at you getting all upset. You look like those ring rats whose hearts I used to break in the morning. Well I'll tell you exactly what I told them; It's not you, it's me. Valentine: What are you talking about? [chux]: It's not you, Dog! You're...you're fine! I mean, you're a good hand. You've had a good career here for a long time, made a good living, got your face on TV. You should be happy! You aren't the problem here. I am. See, I'd only let you down. I'm not a good investment for you. See, what you need is someone who will stay with you, make a nice little home and settle down in your little world. Me, I can't give you that. You have to understand, I'm a big star. I'm going to fly around the world, living the dream, making money faster than I can spend it and experiencing all that life has to offer. You need someone more on your level. You need someone like...oh, I don't know, Cyber Dragon. What's he up to these days? Valentine: I'm not one of your rats. I'm someone you know can beat you. You're scared, you don't want this big return to be for nothing, so you're backing off. [chux]: Didn't we go through this last week? Call me a coward all you want, it means nothing. Valentine: So sign the contract. Prove it. [chux]: I don't have to prove anything to you. Who the hell do you think you are? Who do you think I am? Fortunately for you, I am proving something right now, I'm proving that I am the guy people like you chase. I don't ask for opponents, you do. People like you come to me looking to make a name for themselves, and I get to pick and choose which I do or - in your case - don't want to challenge. Valentine: What's your point? Yeah, I know who you are and I know everything you've done. I was there. I saw it. Every time you won a belt you'd take it back to that locker room. I'd be there. I'd see you walk in and toss it onto your bag like it was nothing. I heard everything you said about every one of those titles. I heard you call them props. I heard you complain about carrying them through airport security. I was there. You don't need to tell me who you are. [chux]: Apparently I do, because you still don't get it. I'm not signing your little contract. I'm not the legend who comes back to put someone over. I'm not the guy you use to make your little fairy tale come true. I'm the guy who baits you into wasting the three months leading into the biggest show in 4CW history, and leaving you with nothing. You want a match at Revival? I'm sure they can make some room for you on the pre-show. Good luck getting a main event now.
[chux] laughs to himself and starts to stand up. Valentine stands up with him.
Valentine: What's this really about? I know it's not that you're scared. I know no one lasts as long as we have in this business if they're scared of wrestling. I know there's more to this. Why are you walking out?
[chux]'s face drops, he hangs his head for a moment and takes a deep breath to calm himself as his temper is starting to boil over.
[chux]: You don't want to know what this is about. I'm going to leave now, and you're going to get on with your life. Valentine: Don't give me that. If you're going to ruin the biggest night of my career, at least give me an explanation. [chux]: Look at you. Still so full of hope. You still have ambitions. How old are you? Mid-30s? Acting like a damn kid. You've been acting like you're going to be a big star one day your whole life, why wake up from your dream now? You don't want this. Valentine: I do. [chux]: You're a fool, Dog. You're just like all these people, you think that this business is all about becoming a world champion. You think that when you finally win that belt, you're on top of the mountain. Guess what? Sooner or later, someone is going to come along and knock you right off. You think that in wrestling there are the losers at the bottom, then the middle of the pack where young guys struggle to break out and old guys fight to star relevant, and the upper tier where the world champions are. Let me show you something.
[chux] ducks between the ropes and hops down to the floor. He walks over to the security wall and grabs a cup of something from a fan. The fan woos into the camera, enjoying his moment of fame.
[chux]: This guy is happy that I took his beer. I could give this beer to anybody in this building and they'd take photos of themselves drinking it and tweet them out to the world. You could do that.
He then raises the cup up and spits into it.
[chux]: Now, who wants this? Believe it or not, Dog, there are people who still want it. Hell, there are a few people in this building who actually want this thing more now! Do you have that effect on these people? And how about this...
[chux] then throws the drink into the fan's face, splashing it all over him and the people next to him. The man reacts badly, trying to jump the wall, but is held back by security and escorted from the building.
[chux]: Look! Look at him! I steal his drink, spit into it and throw it into his face, and it's him being dragged away!
He then approaches one of the ringside photographers.
[chux]: You. Got any good shots of that? Yeah? Let me have a look.
He snatches the camera from the guy and has a little look at it, then simply drops it on the floor.
[chux]: You know why I can do that and no one else can? Because I'm me, and no one else is. I came here today, walked into Chris Marks' office and took a sandwich right out of his hands. You know how many people can do that and get away with it? I wasn't even sure I could. That fan may never buy another ticket, never order another pay per view and never watch our shows again. The photos this guy had on that camera may have been iconic. But those losses are nothing compared to the gains I create for this business. I made more money in the time it took to smash that camera than it could cost to replace it. I'll be fined, and I won't even notice it.
With his point made, McCool then climbs back into the ring. Valentine is unimpressed by his actions, and says something inaudible.
[chux]: You think I'm just a world champion, Dog? You know what, you proved my point for me this last month. When we look back at all the greats this business has produced over the last ten years, we come up with names like Supreme, Mike Nichols and Jacob Scharff. Three men who have proudly held that 4CW world championship. Because you want that status for yourself, you challenged them and you won. Congratulations, you may just be on that level. You could become 4CW champion one day. What you don't seem to understand is that there's a lot more beyond that belt. The hierarchy of this business doesn't peak with the world champions. No. There are men and there are kings, but there are also gods. Not many can be gods, there's no shame in never making it to my level. But let me make one thing perfectly clear, you will never be what I am.
The self-proclaimed god places his microphone back onto the table and leaves the ring again. He gets half way up the ramp before Valentine responds.
Valentine: There's a reason I won't ever be what you are. I don't want to be. I'm not here to make money and I'm not doing this so I can treat this place like my playground. I'm here to live my dream, and to give back to the business that has given me so much. You can act like a god all you want, but you're just a man. You forget that we've done this all together. You may be able to fool some of these people and even some of the guys in the back, but you don't fool me. I watched you start out, I watched you come backstage after brutal, bloody brawls with a smile on your face, and I watched your head grow with every match you won. You can act all you want like this is about status, but don't make the mistake of thinking I don't understand what's really going on.
[chux] stops and turns. The camera gets just close enough to faintly pick up what he says.
[chux]: And what is really going on? Valentine: In ten years you've become a god, and in ten years I've become...whatever I am. But we lived those years together, travelled the same roads. And when you live the same lives for so long, you get to know a person. I watched you do a lot of things while you didn't even notice I was there. I watched you come backstage year after year at Revival, and I saw what was going on inside your head.
[chux]'s face falls a little.
Valentine: I saw you lose a five way match at Revival I back in 2005. I saw you lose in the main event of Revival II. I saw you lose the world title in the main event of Revival III. Do I need to go on?
[chux] starts to head back down towards the ring.
Valentine: Yeah you won the tag titles at Revival IV, but what did they mean to you? You lost again at Revival V, and that's when you walked out. You took your ball and went home. [chux]: You listen here. You will never be what you're trying to be right now. I'm not even talking about the gods of wrestling, I'm talking about the 4CW legends. You look at the past decade of this business and you see some of the most talented, hard working men ever to lace up the boots. You will never be a Supreme, you will never be a Clyde Bonham, you will never even be a Drake Blackstone. And your little joke of a faction, Redemption? They will never be High Society. They will never be the Cowboys From Hell. You will never be anything but a failure who never learned to quit. Valentine: No, you listen. I may not know what it's like to hold that world championship and I may even be the failure you think I am. But being a failure, you learn to recognise a few things. Like how to cover up your shortcomings. Like how to distract people from noticing them. Like how to change the subject when someone hits a little too close to home. [chux]: You shut your damn mouth, or I'll shut it for you. Valentine: You have it all, no one can deny that. And you act like you don't care about wrestling, but I know as well as you do, no one does this for as long as we have if we don't love it. No one leaves and comes back as many times as you have if you don't love it. [chux]: I'm serious. Valentine: You do what you've got to do, but you're not fooling anyone. I can read you like an open book, and I'm seeing it so clearly. You hate that you've never been able to get the job done at Revival. You wanted to come back here and challenge me because you thought I would just roll over. You thought it would make a nice little story, the two veterans at Revival X, and you could be the hero one more time. But i showed you, didn't I? I showed you that I'm not the pushover I was back then. While you were travelling the world and experiencing all it had to offer, i was here, getting better every week.
[chux] snaps, slapping the mic out of Mad Dog's hand and slapping the taste out of his mouth.
[chux]: You want to read my mind, go right ahead. You won't see fear. When people look back at 4CW history, they'll see two men who have lasted this long, who have stayed the course. When you read my mind, you'll only see how sick it makes me that the man who shares my legacy...is you.
Out of rage and poor judgement, [chux] picks the pen up and signs the contract. Valentine looks on happy that he's gotten his match, while [chux] leaves without looking back.
The camera feed seems to be lost as the screen turns to static, but begins to flicker a bit, before strobing back and forth between static and a dimly lit scenery. Finally we settle on the scene, and the color comes full circle, with moonlight being the only source of illumination on the scene. We hear leaves crackling underfoot as the camera trudges forward through the woods. What seems like ages passes, but finally the camera reveals a clearing to a moonlit road, what seems to be a country highway down in the south. We hear a heavy sigh from behind the camera, before smoke billows in front of the lens, causing us to slowly lose sight.
Suddenly, headlights shine and speed towards the camera, leading to a sickening thud. Smoke fills the screen again, before turning to dust. The picture is lost and all we can hear is the throaty growl of an american muscle car, followed by a near maniacal laugh. Then, there is only silence...
BANG!
The camera strobes back to static, before flickering back to the announce table at Storm Front.
Jeffrey: What the hell was that?? Phoenix: That's a good question, but I unfortunately do not have an answer for you!
Loveless: Ladies and Gentlemen, the following contest is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, ZEPHYRIIIIISSSSSSSS!
The 4CW World Heavyweight Champion’s little brother emerges from the back. He points at the crowd and makes his way down to the ring.
Phoenix: You have to wonder what’s racing through the mind of Zephyris here tonight as he goes one on one with the man who’s been tormenting his older brother for almost a year.
Zephyris reaches the bottom of the ramp. He turns to face the ring steps, and then a fan jumps out from the crowd. Security tries to grab him, but he wriggles free. The fan leaps over the barricade, and dives onto Zephyris. The fan throws lefts and rights.
Phoenix: Wait, that’s not a fan! It’s J.J. Blaze!
Zephyris pushes Blaze off, and scrambles up to his feet. Blaze, too, gets up and continues his assault on Zephyris, pushing him into the ring pole. Zephyris eats cold steel as his face hits the pole. Blaze grabs the dazed Zephyris and rolls him into the ring. Zephyris tries to get up, but Blaze beats him down. Then the lights switch off.
Rob Zombie’s “Lords of Salem” plays, and the Lord of the Night emerges from the stage, rising through the mist flooding the entrance way. Carstein casually walks down the ramp, watching Blaze pound away on Zephyris in the middle of the ring.
Phoenix: This isn’t fair, someone should stop this!
Carstein climbs into the ring as the lights come back on and removes his frock coat, tossing it to the outside. Blaze gets up, and leaves the ring.
Carstein stands over the fallen Zephyris, smirking. He bends over and slaps him in the face.
Carstein: Get up! Get up!
Zephyris blinks, trying to wake up. Carstein laughs.
Phoenix: There’s no way Zephyris can compete tonight, not like this.
Carstein steps back as the ref checks on Zephyris. Zephyris tells the ref he wants to compete, and struggles to his feet. Once up, the ref calls for the bell.
Ding, ding, ding!
Match 4 - Carstein v Zephyris Carstein, like the predator he is, takes Zephyris down immediately. Carstein’s ruthless side is unleashed as he locks in various submission holds. Zephyris cries out in pain numerous times. Zephyris tries to tap out from every hold, but Carstein releases him before he can tap out.
Carstein allows Zephyris to crawl away, but then locks in more holds. And again Carstein releases his prey before he can tap, only to lock in another hold, and again releases Zephyris.
Carstein calls for a mic, and address the crowd and Rhysus.
Carstein: At Revival, The Reign of the Beast comes to an end, and the Law of the Midnight Court shall begin. 4CW will be saved.
Carstein drags Zephyris to his feet, and brings him down with the Blood Drinker DDT.
1 2 3 Winner: Carstein
Lovelss: And here is your winner, CAAARRRSTEEEIIINNNNNNNNN!!!!!!
Blaze slides into the ring to join Carstein, standing by his side. The two hold their arms up in victory.
Phoenix: This is hardly a victory. Jeffrey: Says you. Carstein's just delivered a powerful message to the Champ, telling him what he's capable of. This could get under Rhysus' skin, affect his mind. That's a victory.
Carstein looks down at Zephyris and kicks him hard. Blaze joins in, and the pair stomp away on the fallen man.
Phoenix: Oh c'mon! The match is over!
Just as they get into the swing of things, the 4CW World Heavyweight Champion, "The Bruiser" Rhysus, sprints down the ramp to save his brother. Rhys runs so fast the tech guys backstage don't get a chance to play his music!
Rhysus slides into the ring under the bottom rope, and runs at Blaze and Carstein. Carstein bolts, leaping through the ropes and runs into the crowd. Rhysus bounces into the ropes, snarling at the Lord of the Night. But he doesn't accept defeat. Rhysus climbs through the ropes and chases after Carstein into the crowd. The camera man tries to keep up, but loses Carstein and Rhys in the crowd.
Meanwhile in the ring, Blaze watched Rhys, watching him run into the crowd. He doesn't notice Zephyris get up. Blaze, like the camera man, loses sight of the chase and turns around, only to be met with a vicious dropkick to the face courtesy of Zephyris.
Too hurt to capitalise, Zephyris falls to the ring. He rolls over to the ropes and calls for a microphone. Blaze comes to as Zephyris begins to speak.
Zephyris: Blaze, you and me at Revival.
Blaze nods, then rolls out of the ring.
Phoenix: Zephyris vs. J.J. Blaze for Revival! A new battle in Carstein's war against Rhysus!
A cheer can be heard from the crowd, though a cheer mixed with some boos, as Rhysus re-emerges. He heads down to the ring, and stands with his brother. Rhysus holds his arm up, and his music plays.
Phoenix: That's all we've got time for tonight folks! Join us again next week! This is Ray Jeffrey and Scott Phoenix saying goodnight!
Loveless: Ladies and Gentlemen, the following contest is the fourth round of the Sole Survivor tournament! This round will be contested under Three-Way Dance rules! Three competitors will start, and all opponents must be eliminated from the match to win!
The first fall is to determine who will be eliminated from the tournament. The second fall to determine who has immunity next week!
Jeffrey: So you can eliminate someone, and not win immunity for next week?
Phoenix: That’s right Ray! But keep in mind, since Revival is only two weeks away, gaining immunity here means a guaranteed spot in the custom championship match!
WH Storm is the first out. He has immunity so heads over to the commentator's table. Renfield, Steven Penance and Chris Dawson come out, and climb into the ring.
Ding, ding, ding!
Match 1 - Renfield v Christopher Dawson v Steven Penance
Renfield hangs back to watch Penance and Dawson go at it. The two men work a very stiff style, with brutal chops and big power moves. It’s not long before both men are raw red.
Renfield takes advantage when they’re both weakened; hitting some moves of his own, and locking in some nasty submission holds. As Renfield tries to slap a camel clutch on Dawson, Penance sneaks up behind him and hoists him into the air.
Phoenix: WH Storm, welcome to ringside.
Storm: Thanks for having me out here, Scott.
Jeffrey: So, it must suck to be you right now, huh?
Storm: I don't know about that, Ray. I have immunity!
Phoenix: Ray, don't be an ass.
Jeffrey: What? I'm just saying! All three of those guys in there right now have a shot at jumping right into the Revival title match. The only guy who is guaranteed to be working another match next week is you! You chose a bad time to win immunity.
Storm: There's no such thing as a bad time. Yeah I have to work another match, but I'm nice and rested now and so I'll be the freshest guy in there next week.
Phoenix: Plus instead of working a triple threat match tonight, you work a one-on-one next week.
Storm: Absolutely.
Jeffrey: Psh. You've been lucky these past couple of weeks, you've avoided Penance.
Storm: Hey, if he keeps winning and I keep winning, our paths will cross. And I'm not scared of him, I beat Redman last week.
Penance dominates Renfield, destroying him limb from limb. Renfield’s soon busted open, blood pouring from his forehead. Penance grins as he sees the carnage and devastation he has caused.
He sets Renfield up for a piledriver, but Dawson creeps up behind him and rolls him up. Penance is caught completely by surprise and doesn’t realise what’s happening!
1!
2!
Kick out!
Penance makes it just in the nick of time. Dawson tries quickly to gain an advantage, but Penance is too fast. He bashes away at Dawson, but Dawson kicks out of all the pin attempts. The two brawl some more, hitting some big moves. Poor Renfield’s still sat in the corner, recovering and bleeding.
Dawson brings Penance down with an enzugiri, then climbs up to the tope rope. He leaps off, but Penance catches him, and sets him up for a powerbomb. Dawson wriggles, but it’s hopeless.
1!
2!
3!
Loveless: Ladies and Gentlemen, Chris Dawson has been eliminated from the Sole Survivor Tournament!
The bloody and bruised Renfield comes to, but it’s ultimately pointless. Penance traps Renfield in a figure four leglock. Renfield screams and taps out furiously.
Winner: Steven Penance, to secure a spot in the custom championship match at Revival X
Eliminated: Christopher Dawson
Loveless: Ladies and Gentlemen, Steven Penance has won immunity for next week!
Jeffrey: Wow, what a showing from Steven Penance this week! He single handedly took care of two men!
Phoenix: The odds of winning Sole Survivor are definitely in Penance’s favour now!
Backstage we cut to Jenny Loveless in her interview position, looking a little less confident than usual. She delivers her lines with a little awkwardness.
Jenny: Ladies and gentlemen, my guest at this time..."The Icon" Mark Redman. M-Mark? I understand you requested this interview time.
Jenny doesn't seem to want to make eye contact with her guest, and he's not looking at her any more than he has to either.
Redman: That's right. Last week, something terrible happened. Something sick. Something that I should never have let happen.
Jenny: Wh-! How dare you!
She slaps him. Hard.
Redman: Ow! What are you doing?
Jenny: Was it that bad?! Well you weren't so great yourself! Maybe it wouldn't have happened if I knew beforehand that your ego was your...biggest attribute.
Redman: What?! No! No, you were...acceptable. No, I'm talking about the sole survivor tournament. I was eliminated from the sole survivor tournament. My sole survivor tournament! I brought it back so I could become the custom champion! And not only was I eliminated, it was at the hands of that punk WH Storm. After all we've been through, all the times I've proven that I am better than him in every way, it's him at the commentary booth tonight with immunity and me, here, with you.
Jenny looks a little hurt.
Redman: So plan A is out, the 4CW championship picture is all locked up. Plan B is out, sole survivor was a failure. I need a plan C.
The Icon's eyes drift over to the right as he spots someone.
Redman: And I think I just got one. HEY! Hey, get over here. Yeah, you. Come here.
Who is it? It's Smoke.
Smoke: What's up?
Redman: You won the universal title last week, right?
Smoke: Not exactly, no.
Redman: Kincaid has it?
Smoke: ...no.
Redman: Then what the hell happened?
Smoke: Well Redemption showed up and the match got thrown out. Did you not watch the show?
Redman: I was...
Redman glances over toward Jenny.
Redman: ...busy. So you're saying the universal title is up for grabs?
Smoke: I didn't say that. Look, it may have been delayed a little, but I'm still going to win that belt.
Redman: Sure, sure you are. Thanks Smoke, you've been real helpful.
Redman gestures for Smoke to leave. Smoke doesn't appreciate being dismissed, he pauses to assert himself but as Redman insists he walks off with a look of disgust. Just as Smoke turns his back, Redman clubs him from behind and slams his head into the set.
Jenny: Mark! Stop!
Redman slams Smoke into a table full of catering stuff, sending the cups and whatever else flying all over the floor, then hoists Smoke up and sends him through the table with a Razor's edge. The Icon stands over the fallen Smoke with a sick smile while Jenny kneels down to check on him.
Jenny: Someone get the medics! Why did you do this?!
Redman: Same reason I made you do what you did last week.
He kneels down beside Jenny and leans in close to her.
Redman: Because I can.
Jenny looks not just disgusted but violated. Redman laughs to himself and leaves as EMTs arrive to tend to Smoke.
Back to the arena, where Minion is standing in the ring with his backup Roman and Mullet Superior at ringside. Pink Floyd's Money hits, bringing Gemini and "The Ambassador" Mark Holmes to the stage. The Kincaids flank their teammate, who rolls into the ring showing no fear of the big man.
Match 2 - Minion v Mark Holmes
Holmes takes the fight to Minion, trying to take him down with various amateur wrestling moves. Minion stays on his feet, but struggles to throw Holmes around like he wants to. Roman and Mullet get involved, but Gemini aren't opposed to a little rule breaking either so they're quick to neutralise the threat. The referee tries to maintain some kind of order, but it's too late as all six men are brawling around the ring. While the officials are busy trying to separate Redemption and Gemini, Descent, Virus and Jakob Villani of the Cowboys From Hell sprint down the ramp. Holmes leans through the ropes to yell at them, Virus and Villani grab his arms giving Descent a free shot to crack him with a nightstick. Holmes flops back into the ring and Minion accepts the pinfall.
Winner: Minion
Gemini are distracted by the attack and are quickly overwhelmed by the numbers. Virus, Descent and Villani lay Victor and then Dredrick out at ringside with the nightstick, then climb into the ring to stand victorious over High Society. New Redemption regroup and stand alongside the Cowboys, all six men raise each others' hands.
Phoenix: What the hell is going on here?
Jeffrey: I don't know Scott, but this could be the most fearsome faction we've ever seen in 4CW!
Phoenix: I...I just don't believe what I'm seeing! The Cowboys, and Redemption? Allied?
No. As if with a psychic connection, all at once the Cowboys turn on Redemption. Virus hits a flatliner on Mullet, Descent takes Roman down with a high-angled back suplex brainbuster and the big man Villani floors his counterpart big man Minion with an Irish whip into a bicycle kick.
Jeffrey: I was wrong Scott! The Cowboys were already the most fearsome faction we've ever seen!
Descent demands a microphone, and is handed one pretty quickly.
Descent: For the last few weeks we've seen High Society and New Redemption bicker back and forth like children over which team is the greatest faction in 4CW's ten year history. Well, allow me to clear this little situation up for you. You are looking at the greatest faction in history. Not High Society, not New Redemption. The Cowboys From Hell are the originals, and the Cowboys From Hell are the best. If either of these teams wish to challenge this fact, we're not difficult to find. We'll be standing right here in this ring in two weeks at Revival, where our place in history will be cemented. So it is written, so it shall come to pass.
We head backstage to the interview area, where Jenny Loveless is standing by. She's looking a little flushed, her face is red and she's starting to perspire.
Jenny: Ladies and gentlemen, my guests at this time are the RockStarrs and their manager, Candi. Guys, you've requested this interview time this week to address the interruptions you've been suffering lately.
Candi: That's right Jenny. We're si- Look, can you get that light out of my face? It's, like, super bright.
Jenny looks over to her lighting guy and gestures for him to move the light. T-Rock is standing silently behind Candi and Carlos Starr, but he's not looking so good. He's squinting because of the light, is turning bright red and putting his hand to his head as if he's suffering a headache.
Starr: Dude, you ok?
T-Rock grunts. He looks faint.
Starr: Look. We're just trying to get back to where we deserve to be. Someone apparently doesn't like that, and they've been- Seriously, it's really hot in here. What's going on?
T-Rock suddenly collapses to the ground.
Jenny: Tony! Are you ok? Hey, someone get some help over here!
Candi: What the hell is this? Why is it so hot?
There's a commotion nearby as one of the crew guys finds a small fire amongst some of the stage equpment. A whole crazy scene develops as EMTs crowd around the giant T-Rock trying to revive him while a couple of guys with extinguishers deal with the fire. Candi and BA Starr are completely confused and pissed that once again their segment has been interrupted.
Loveless: The following contest is scheduled for one-fall, and it is to determine the #1 Contender to the 4CW Women's Championship! Introducing first, Jenna Divyne!
Jenna makes her way down to the ring, a look of steely determination on her face. Jenna climbs into the ring as the lights slowly dim, and Ozzy Osbourne’s “Hell Raiser” screams from the PA. The hooded and robed figure of Marie Dubois appears from the back, clutching a skull in both hands.
I’m living on an endless road
Around the world for rick and roll
Sometimes it feels so tough
But I still ain’t had enough.
Loveless: And her opponent, from New Orleans, Louisiana, the Mistress of Magic, MARIEEEEEE DUBOOOOIIIIIISSSSSS!!!!
Almost as if she were gliding, Marie walks down the ramp towards the ring.
I keep saying that it’s getting too much
But I know I’m a liar
Feeling all right in the noise and the light
But that’s what lights my fire!
From outside the ring, she places the skull in ring corner nearest the steel steps, the grinning face looking towards the middle of the ring. She climbs up the steps, removes her hood, and climbs into the ring.
Hellraiser, in the thunder and heat
Hellraiser, rock you back in your seat
Hellraiser, and I’ll make it come true
Once in the middle of the ring, her robe falls off like water, revealing her wrestling attire of black boots, blue denim shorts and black t-shirt with “Carstein” on the front and “The Lord of the Night” on the back in red.
Hellraiser, I’ll put a spell on you!
The arena’s lit up once more, and Marie and Jenna face each other in the middle of the ring.
Ding, ding, ding!
Match 3 - Jenna Divyne v Marie Dubois
#1 contendership
Fury overtakes Marie for the interference last week. She dives at Jenna, taking her down. Marie pounds away, showing a vicious side. The ref tells Marie to get off Jenna, but doesn’t listen. The ref pulls Marie off, and she fights and to get free. Jenna scrambles to her feet, but before she can recover, Marie again dives into her, this time backing her into the corner.
Marie hits various moves on Jenna in the corner, and pulls her out for a 2 count. Marie locks in some submission holds, but Jenna doesn’t tap out, showing some toughness.
Jenna fights out of a Boston Crab, and gains the advantage over Marie, hitting some big power moves. It’s not enough to keep Marie down, and the match goes back and forth, neither side gaining an advantage over the other.
The match quickens up, as the two use big power moves and some aerial techniques. But again it’s not enough to keep the other down.
Jenna hits Marie with a DDT and climbs to the top rope to hit a moonsault. But Marie gets up and climbs up too. The pair wrestle on the top rope, trying to push the other down. The two eventually fall and crash onto the mat together. Marie covers Jenna, and Jenna does likewise to Marie.
1!
2!
3!
Winner: Draw
Loveless: Ladies and Gentlemen, the referee tells me that Marie Dubois and Jenna Divyne both pinned each other at the same time. This match has thus been declared a draw!
Jeffrey: A draw?
Phoenix: Then who’s the #1 contender?
We cut to the announcers at the commentary booth, Phoenix looks serious.
Phoenix: Well folks, I have some unfortunate news for you all. The first match announced for Revival this year was for the tag team championships, the Skill Set challenging the Unnatural Predators. Last week the returning NME decided to get themselves involved with this, and both Lord Skywolf and Eddie Wolfbaine were brutally assaulted backstage.
Phoenix continues to narrate as a series of still images are shown on screen. A few shots of the Predators laying on the floor from last week, followed by some exclusive footage of their trip to the medical facility.
Phoenix: I've been given official word from the office of Chris Marks that the doctors are yet to clear the Unnatural Predators for competition. It is unclear at this time whether or not the champions will be able to compete at Revival. To resolve this as best he can, Chris Marks has ruled that the tag team titles will be defended at Revival in a triple threat match, between the Unnatural Predators, the Skill Set and NME. If the champions are not cleared by April 20th, the match will go ahead without them and we will crown new tag team champions. Both Skywolf and Wolfbaine have been informed of this, and, well, needless to say they're not happy. So much so, in fact, that I cannot repeat their exact quotes. But on behalf of 4CW and our fans I want to wish the Unnatural Predators a speedy recovery, and on a personal note, want to ask Kensai and Wells not to hold back when they get to Revival. Guys, kick those sons of bitches asses for me, won't you?
Jeffrey: Scott! How unprofessional!
Phoenix: Hell! They started it!
With time killed, the ring has been adorned with a red carpet and a table with a black cloth draped over it. There's a clipboard and two microphones on the table, and a big office chair on either side. In the ring at the end of the table is 4CW whipping boy Hugh Knowles.
Knowles: Alriiiight! Who's ready for a contract signing? I can't hear you! I saaaaid! Whoooo's ready for a contract signing?! Seriously, I can't hear you. Why are you all so disinterested? Are contract signings not the most exciting part of a wrestling show? Of course they are! And if there's one thing I know about, it's paperwork! So let's get this show on the road. First up, 4CW veteran and the victor of the legends tour, Jack - Mad Dog - Vaaaalentine!
Jeffrey: Jeez. He's really hamming it up in there.
Phoenix: Oh let him have his moment.
Mad Dog's classic Powerman 5000 song blasts and the man himself shows up ready for business. He comes down to the ring in his street clothes, not wanting to waste any time. He sits in his chair and asks for the pen.
Knowles: Not yet, just wait. Ok! And with no further ado, ladies and gentlemen, another 4CW veteran, four time 4CW champion and hall of famer, "Mr 4CW" [chux] McCooooool!
The most decorated champion in company history comes out from behind the curtain and poses for the pyro blast he has written into his contract. [chux] takes a little more time getting to the ring than Valentine did, just playing some last minute mind games. He hops up to the apron, but instead of getting in he drops back down and heads over to a ringside fan with a "[chux] sux" sign. He grabs the sign and rips it up, throws it on the floor and stamps on it. He gets into the fan's face and yells.
[chux]: You suck! That's not funny! Get a new joke!
Now he gets into the ring and makes sure to shake Knowles' hand before taking his seat. Of course, he puts his feet up on the table.
Knowles: Ok! Thank you both for being here. Now, as you both know, tonight we're going to make your Revival match official! Before we get to the signing, you both have an oppor-
Valentine: Seriously, Hugh. Give me the pen.
Knowles: But that's not how I rehearsed it...
Valentine: Hugh!
Knowles: Fine, fine.
Hugh pulls a pen out of his jacket pocket and hands it to Valentine, who spins the clipboard around and scribbles his name on the line. He then spins the board around to [chux] and slams the pen down.
Knowles: Jack "Mad Dog" Valentine has signed! Now, [chux], it's your turn.
[chux]: I know, Hugh.
[chux] picks the contract up, flips through a couple of pages and reads the small print.
[chux]: You got my bonus in here. Good work. Well, it all seems to be in order. Tell whoever wrote this up that they did a solid job.
Valentine: You see that line at the bottom? That's where you sign your name.
[chux]: Thank you Dog, I am aware.
Valentine: So are you going to do it or not?
[chux]: I...am.
[chux] picks up the pen, clicks it, and puts it to the paper...then carefully puts it back down on the table.
[chux]: ...not.
Valentine: Why the hell not?
[chux]: Oh Dog, look at you getting all upset. You look like those ring rats whose hearts I used to break in the morning. Well I'll tell you exactly what I told them; It's not you, it's me.
Valentine: What are you talking about?
[chux]: It's not you, Dog! You're...you're fine! I mean, you're a good hand. You've had a good career here for a long time, made a good living, got your face on TV. You should be happy! You aren't the problem here. I am. See, I'd only let you down. I'm not a good investment for you. See, what you need is someone who will stay with you, make a nice little home and settle down in your little world. Me, I can't give you that. You have to understand, I'm a big star. I'm going to fly around the world, living the dream, making money faster than I can spend it and experiencing all that life has to offer. You need someone more on your level. You need someone like...oh, I don't know, Cyber Dragon. What's he up to these days?
Valentine: I'm not one of your rats. I'm someone you know can beat you. You're scared, you don't want this big return to be for nothing, so you're backing off.
[chux]: Didn't we go through this last week? Call me a coward all you want, it means nothing.
Valentine: So sign the contract. Prove it.
[chux]: I don't have to prove anything to you. Who the hell do you think you are? Who do you think I am? Fortunately for you, I am proving something right now, I'm proving that I am the guy people like you chase. I don't ask for opponents, you do. People like you come to me looking to make a name for themselves, and I get to pick and choose which I do or - in your case - don't want to challenge.
Valentine: What's your point? Yeah, I know who you are and I know everything you've done. I was there. I saw it. Every time you won a belt you'd take it back to that locker room. I'd be there. I'd see you walk in and toss it onto your bag like it was nothing. I heard everything you said about every one of those titles. I heard you call them props. I heard you complain about carrying them through airport security. I was there. You don't need to tell me who you are.
[chux]: Apparently I do, because you still don't get it. I'm not signing your little contract. I'm not the legend who comes back to put someone over. I'm not the guy you use to make your little fairy tale come true. I'm the guy who baits you into wasting the three months leading into the biggest show in 4CW history, and leaving you with nothing. You want a match at Revival? I'm sure they can make some room for you on the pre-show. Good luck getting a main event now.
[chux] laughs to himself and starts to stand up. Valentine stands up with him.
Valentine: What's this really about? I know it's not that you're scared. I know no one lasts as long as we have in this business if they're scared of wrestling. I know there's more to this. Why are you walking out?
[chux]'s face drops, he hangs his head for a moment and takes a deep breath to calm himself as his temper is starting to boil over.
[chux]: You don't want to know what this is about. I'm going to leave now, and you're going to get on with your life.
Valentine: Don't give me that. If you're going to ruin the biggest night of my career, at least give me an explanation.
[chux]: Look at you. Still so full of hope. You still have ambitions. How old are you? Mid-30s? Acting like a damn kid. You've been acting like you're going to be a big star one day your whole life, why wake up from your dream now? You don't want this.
Valentine: I do.
[chux]: You're a fool, Dog. You're just like all these people, you think that this business is all about becoming a world champion. You think that when you finally win that belt, you're on top of the mountain. Guess what? Sooner or later, someone is going to come along and knock you right off. You think that in wrestling there are the losers at the bottom, then the middle of the pack where young guys struggle to break out and old guys fight to star relevant, and the upper tier where the world champions are. Let me show you something.
[chux] ducks between the ropes and hops down to the floor. He walks over to the security wall and grabs a cup of something from a fan. The fan woos into the camera, enjoying his moment of fame.
[chux]: This guy is happy that I took his beer. I could give this beer to anybody in this building and they'd take photos of themselves drinking it and tweet them out to the world. You could do that.
He then raises the cup up and spits into it.
[chux]: Now, who wants this? Believe it or not, Dog, there are people who still want it. Hell, there are a few people in this building who actually want this thing more now! Do you have that effect on these people? And how about this...
[chux] then throws the drink into the fan's face, splashing it all over him and the people next to him. The man reacts badly, trying to jump the wall, but is held back by security and escorted from the building.
[chux]: Look! Look at him! I steal his drink, spit into it and throw it into his face, and it's him being dragged away!
He then approaches one of the ringside photographers.
[chux]: You. Got any good shots of that? Yeah? Let me have a look.
He snatches the camera from the guy and has a little look at it, then simply drops it on the floor.
[chux]: You know why I can do that and no one else can? Because I'm me, and no one else is. I came here today, walked into Chris Marks' office and took a sandwich right out of his hands. You know how many people can do that and get away with it? I wasn't even sure I could. That fan may never buy another ticket, never order another pay per view and never watch our shows again. The photos this guy had on that camera may have been iconic. But those losses are nothing compared to the gains I create for this business. I made more money in the time it took to smash that camera than it could cost to replace it. I'll be fined, and I won't even notice it.
With his point made, McCool then climbs back into the ring. Valentine is unimpressed by his actions, and says something inaudible.
[chux]: You think I'm just a world champion, Dog? You know what, you proved my point for me this last month. When we look back at all the greats this business has produced over the last ten years, we come up with names like Supreme, Mike Nichols and Jacob Scharff. Three men who have proudly held that 4CW world championship. Because you want that status for yourself, you challenged them and you won. Congratulations, you may just be on that level. You could become 4CW champion one day. What you don't seem to understand is that there's a lot more beyond that belt. The hierarchy of this business doesn't peak with the world champions. No. There are men and there are kings, but there are also gods. Not many can be gods, there's no shame in never making it to my level. But let me make one thing perfectly clear, you will never be what I am.
The self-proclaimed god places his microphone back onto the table and leaves the ring again. He gets half way up the ramp before Valentine responds.
Valentine: There's a reason I won't ever be what you are. I don't want to be. I'm not here to make money and I'm not doing this so I can treat this place like my playground. I'm here to live my dream, and to give back to the business that has given me so much. You can act like a god all you want, but you're just a man. You forget that we've done this all together. You may be able to fool some of these people and even some of the guys in the back, but you don't fool me. I watched you start out, I watched you come backstage after brutal, bloody brawls with a smile on your face, and I watched your head grow with every match you won. You can act all you want like this is about status, but don't make the mistake of thinking I don't understand what's really going on.
[chux] stops and turns. The camera gets just close enough to faintly pick up what he says.
[chux]: And what is really going on?
Valentine: In ten years you've become a god, and in ten years I've become...whatever I am. But we lived those years together, travelled the same roads. And when you live the same lives for so long, you get to know a person. I watched you do a lot of things while you didn't even notice I was there. I watched you come backstage year after year at Revival, and I saw what was going on inside your head.
[chux]'s face falls a little.
Valentine: I saw you lose a five way match at Revival I back in 2005. I saw you lose in the main event of Revival II. I saw you lose the world title in the main event of Revival III. Do I need to go on?
[chux] starts to head back down towards the ring.
Valentine: Yeah you won the tag titles at Revival IV, but what did they mean to you? You lost again at Revival V, and that's when you walked out. You took your ball and went home.
[chux]: You listen here. You will never be what you're trying to be right now. I'm not even talking about the gods of wrestling, I'm talking about the 4CW legends. You look at the past decade of this business and you see some of the most talented, hard working men ever to lace up the boots. You will never be a Supreme, you will never be a Clyde Bonham, you will never even be a Drake Blackstone. And your little joke of a faction, Redemption? They will never be High Society. They will never be the Cowboys From Hell. You will never be anything but a failure who never learned to quit.
Valentine: No, you listen. I may not know what it's like to hold that world championship and I may even be the failure you think I am. But being a failure, you learn to recognise a few things. Like how to cover up your shortcomings. Like how to distract people from noticing them. Like how to change the subject when someone hits a little too close to home.
[chux]: You shut your damn mouth, or I'll shut it for you.
Valentine: You have it all, no one can deny that. And you act like you don't care about wrestling, but I know as well as you do, no one does this for as long as we have if we don't love it. No one leaves and comes back as many times as you have if you don't love it.
[chux]: I'm serious.
Valentine: You do what you've got to do, but you're not fooling anyone. I can read you like an open book, and I'm seeing it so clearly. You hate that you've never been able to get the job done at Revival. You wanted to come back here and challenge me because you thought I would just roll over. You thought it would make a nice little story, the two veterans at Revival X, and you could be the hero one more time. But i showed you, didn't I? I showed you that I'm not the pushover I was back then. While you were travelling the world and experiencing all it had to offer, i was here, getting better every week.
[chux] snaps, slapping the mic out of Mad Dog's hand and slapping the taste out of his mouth.
[chux]: You want to read my mind, go right ahead. You won't see fear. When people look back at 4CW history, they'll see two men who have lasted this long, who have stayed the course. When you read my mind, you'll only see how sick it makes me that the man who shares my legacy...is you.
Out of rage and poor judgement, [chux] picks the pen up and signs the contract. Valentine looks on happy that he's gotten his match, while [chux] leaves without looking back.
The camera feed seems to be lost as the screen turns to static, but begins to flicker a bit, before strobing back and forth between static and a dimly lit scenery. Finally we settle on the scene, and the color comes full circle, with moonlight being the only source of illumination on the scene. We hear leaves crackling underfoot as the camera trudges forward through the woods. What seems like ages passes, but finally the camera reveals a clearing to a moonlit road, what seems to be a country highway down in the south. We hear a heavy sigh from behind the camera, before smoke billows in front of the lens, causing us to slowly lose sight.
Suddenly, headlights shine and speed towards the camera, leading to a sickening thud. Smoke fills the screen again, before turning to dust. The picture is lost and all we can hear is the throaty growl of an american muscle car, followed by a near maniacal laugh. Then, there is only silence...
BANG!
The camera strobes back to static, before flickering back to the announce table at Storm Front.
Jeffrey: What the hell was that??
Phoenix: That's a good question, but I unfortunately do not have an answer for you!
Loveless: Ladies and Gentlemen, the following contest is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, ZEPHYRIIIIISSSSSSSS!
The 4CW World Heavyweight Champion’s little brother emerges from the back. He points at the crowd and makes his way down to the ring.
Phoenix: You have to wonder what’s racing through the mind of Zephyris here tonight as he goes one on one with the man who’s been tormenting his older brother for almost a year.
Zephyris reaches the bottom of the ramp. He turns to face the ring steps, and then a fan jumps out from the crowd. Security tries to grab him, but he wriggles free. The fan leaps over the barricade, and dives onto Zephyris. The fan throws lefts and rights.
Phoenix: Wait, that’s not a fan! It’s J.J. Blaze!
Zephyris pushes Blaze off, and scrambles up to his feet. Blaze, too, gets up and continues his assault on Zephyris, pushing him into the ring pole. Zephyris eats cold steel as his face hits the pole. Blaze grabs the dazed Zephyris and rolls him into the ring. Zephyris tries to get up, but Blaze beats him down. Then the lights switch off.
Rob Zombie’s “Lords of Salem” plays, and the Lord of the Night emerges from the stage, rising through the mist flooding the entrance way. Carstein casually walks down the ramp, watching Blaze pound away on Zephyris in the middle of the ring.
Phoenix: This isn’t fair, someone should stop this!
Carstein climbs into the ring as the lights come back on and removes his frock coat, tossing it to the outside. Blaze gets up, and leaves the ring.
Carstein stands over the fallen Zephyris, smirking. He bends over and slaps him in the face.
Carstein: Get up! Get up!
Zephyris blinks, trying to wake up. Carstein laughs.
Phoenix: There’s no way Zephyris can compete tonight, not like this.
Carstein steps back as the ref checks on Zephyris. Zephyris tells the ref he wants to compete, and struggles to his feet. Once up, the ref calls for the bell.
Ding, ding, ding!
Match 4 - Carstein v Zephyris
Carstein, like the predator he is, takes Zephyris down immediately. Carstein’s ruthless side is unleashed as he locks in various submission holds. Zephyris cries out in pain numerous times. Zephyris tries to tap out from every hold, but Carstein releases him before he can tap out.
Carstein allows Zephyris to crawl away, but then locks in more holds. And again Carstein releases his prey before he can tap, only to lock in another hold, and again releases Zephyris.
Carstein calls for a mic, and address the crowd and Rhysus.
Carstein: At Revival, The Reign of the Beast comes to an end, and the Law of the Midnight Court shall begin. 4CW will be saved.
Carstein drags Zephyris to his feet, and brings him down with the Blood Drinker DDT.
1
2
3
Winner: Carstein
Lovelss: And here is your winner, CAAARRRSTEEEIIINNNNNNNNN!!!!!!
Blaze slides into the ring to join Carstein, standing by his side. The two hold their arms up in victory.
Phoenix: This is hardly a victory.
Jeffrey: Says you. Carstein's just delivered a powerful message to the Champ, telling him what he's capable of. This could get under Rhysus' skin, affect his mind. That's a victory.
Carstein looks down at Zephyris and kicks him hard. Blaze joins in, and the pair stomp away on the fallen man.
Phoenix: Oh c'mon! The match is over!
Just as they get into the swing of things, the 4CW World Heavyweight Champion, "The Bruiser" Rhysus, sprints down the ramp to save his brother. Rhys runs so fast the tech guys backstage don't get a chance to play his music!
Rhysus slides into the ring under the bottom rope, and runs at Blaze and Carstein. Carstein bolts, leaping through the ropes and runs into the crowd. Rhysus bounces into the ropes, snarling at the Lord of the Night. But he doesn't accept defeat. Rhysus climbs through the ropes and chases after Carstein into the crowd. The camera man tries to keep up, but loses Carstein and Rhys in the crowd.
Meanwhile in the ring, Blaze watched Rhys, watching him run into the crowd. He doesn't notice Zephyris get up. Blaze, like the camera man, loses sight of the chase and turns around, only to be met with a vicious dropkick to the face courtesy of Zephyris.
Too hurt to capitalise, Zephyris falls to the ring. He rolls over to the ropes and calls for a microphone. Blaze comes to as Zephyris begins to speak.
Zephyris: Blaze, you and me at Revival.
Blaze nods, then rolls out of the ring.
Phoenix: Zephyris vs. J.J. Blaze for Revival! A new battle in Carstein's war against Rhysus!
A cheer can be heard from the crowd, though a cheer mixed with some boos, as Rhysus re-emerges. He heads down to the ring, and stands with his brother. Rhysus holds his arm up, and his music plays.
Phoenix: That's all we've got time for tonight folks! Join us again next week! This is Ray Jeffrey and Scott Phoenix saying goodnight!