Untitled Document

[The scene cuts to the backstage area. We find "The Urufu" Red Wolf, peering through the curtain towards the ring and the sold out crowd that surrounds it.]

Are you beginning to feel the heat yet, Michael Sloan? Can you feel the energy in this building tonight? Have you heard this sold out Australian crowd?

They cheer for their heroes more now than they ever have at the Australian Open!

It is louder than the opening of the Formula One season, and these fans thirst for more violence now than they do during the Aussie Rules Football Games!

Soon enough, you'll feel the heat in their stares, Sloan. Moments from now, WWA history will be written. You will no longer be the champion of an Alliance you have so frequently turned your back against. Once again, these fans will have a champion to cheer for, and the members of the Alliance will have a champion that they can respect.

[Fueled by emotion, Red Wolf grabs the lens of the camera, pulling it closer to his face.]

Remember my name Sloan, because the last thing you hear these fans chanting as you drift out of consciousness in the middle of that ring will be...

[Lifeless, battered, and bloody husks of humanity lay in all directions as bomblast shake the very foundation beneath your feet.]

[Dismemberment is overshadowed only by the grim mask of the Dark Rider, sweeping forth across the battlefield to claim the fallen. Fire blends into the blood red sky, as the crimson essence of life rains down upon these brave soldiers.]

[The sun sets over the battlefield, leaving the grizzled visions of wartime in the forefront of your mind.]

[We fade into the backstage area, to a corridor in the locker room wing of the arena, lined with a multitude of doors -- most of them shut against interruption from outside, each one bearing a sign with a wrestler or team's name.]

[A lone young woman with black pigtails, in crimson ring attire, is skulking down the hall at a half-crouch, like a member of a covert-ops team. Misty Xiao glances to and fro warily, scanning for watchers; seeing none, she flattens herself against the wall and sidles up to one particular door -- the one marked "ULFRIC", with a note beneath warning camera crews to keep their distance. Misty cracks a mischievous grin.]

[She reaches into her waistband and plucks out a small plastic sac filled with red fluid, popping it in her mouth. Then she spins away from the wall, faces the locker room door, and gives it a loud knock.]

[Inside the locker room, Ulfric sits, staring at a photo of his son. He glared at the door, but the knocking continued, and with a growl he got to his feet. He was half ready for the ring, in just his blue jeans and boots, his shirt off and revealing a collage of tattoos and scars. He yanked the door open, the anger at the interruption apparent in his eyes.]

[And the moment Misty sees the whites of those eyes, she gives Ulfric a big ol' faceful of red mist!]

[Ulfric throws an arm up to block his face, having experienced not only Misty's red mist but that of one of his training partners. Immediately he takes a swipe at the stuff, brushing off what he can. Misty spits out the used sac and pumps her fist victoriously at a successful 'hit'.]

[Ulfric looks at Misty, annoyed at first, but then, upon seeing the look of glee on her face, his expression darkens and he glares at her. The downright evil look on his red-stained face jolts Misty out of her celebration.]

[Whirling on her heel, Misty yelps and bolts down the hall at near-Mach speed. Ulfric hurls a water bottle at her, misses and takes off in pursuit, stepping on the water bottle and nearly falling. He does manage to get his balance, with the help of a member of the tech crew, who is not quite as lucky, as Ulfric all but runs him over in his haste to try and get at Misty.]

[Massive fireworks explode in unison, sending the darkened arena into a flurry of cheers. Fans of all ages, sizes, shapes and accents line the seats -- as not a single one has been left unoccupied. Waving foam fingers and holding signs high into the air, a veritable mosh pit breaks out... as each person attempts to snag their fifteen minutes of fame... merely lending a look of riotous insanity to the setting as a whole.]

[Dizzyingly, the camera spins about... keeping tabs on the multiple bursts of pyro from seemingly all angles -- while spinning around to show off the packed seats. As it twirls about, a few signs become noticeable in the dim light...]

"U-Roo-Poo!"
"We Want a Trout Slap!"
"Ulfric /Erik = The MAIN Event!"
"Sloan for President!"
"Wendy needs a Titty-Twister!"
"I made love to Penguin!"
"Az - Kick the Beckett!"
"Archer, shoot an arrow through my heart!"

[...and finally, the camera comes to rest upon the smiling faces... er... face, of Alicia Lockheart. Beside her, is Frank Longely Jnr - with his head in his hands, shaking it slightly.]

[Frank snaps to life, whipping his head upwards quickly... already carrying a hollow, yet warm, smile.]

Frank Longely Jnr - "Welcome, one and all, to INTERNATIONAL WARS! Melbourne has been in a flurry of excitement over these past few days, as some of the world's BIGGEST Superstars have assembled here -- and are preparing, as we speak, to do battle!"

Alicia Lockheart - "...And we've got some classics in the making, tonight! ALL of the WORLD Titles are on the line, as Wendy Briese prepares to take on Joey Tesauro and Misty Xiao."

Frank Longely Jnr - "The LAST EVER Double Crown Title match will happen between Azrael and Ryan Beckett -- where we'll find out which of those Superstars are going to retire the prized belt."

Alicia Lockheart - "Jonathan Cross will put his International Title on the line, against "Twister" Terrance Thompson in a matchup that has been in the making for months!"

Frank Longely Jnr - "The Forces of Nature will be attempting to fend off Manifest Destiny, and avoid the embarrassment of a brutal trout slap!"

Frank Longely Jnr - "Perhaps not, who knows? Finally, Mike Sloan will be defending the biggest prize in the sport, against a very tough challenger -- "The Urufu", Red Wolf."

Alicia Lockheart - "...and that doesn't even mention the Terror Dome, Archer versus Diablo, or any of the other spectacular matches this evening!"

Frank Longely Jnr - "For now, let's cut to the back... as we've received word that Malik Johnson has a few things to say about his opponent, Hurricane Matt McClain!"

~Malik~ Man I could give a damn about what a win would do for me in the WWA. I only want to end McClain's career right now.

I don't want to be a puppet for somebody to pull my strings and tell me when and where I can fight. If I was a WWA champ, I would fight every week in a different region. That's what a champion is. These bitches they have now ain't about crap.

That's why McClain wants to win so bad tonight. I've got other plans in store for him. He'll be lucky if he can stand after our match, because I plan on breaking his whole damn body.

Frank Longely Jnr - "Maybe he's just here to watch the action, and it's about to start!"

Ring announcer: Ladies and gentlemen, this is the opening contest for the WWA’s International Wars PPV! Introducing first, from the BWA, he hails from parts unknown, he is “The Immortal One”, this is DIABLO!

(The lights cut out from the arena and come back up in dark blues, as the introduction to "Immortal" by Adema starts to play over the PA system. The BayouTron displays a hovering blue pentagram, floating around with the beat of the intro. Suddenly, Mark Chavez's voice rips through the arena.)

(Explosions rip through the arena, as flame and red pyro shoot in every direction, startling every fan in attendance. The guitars and drums pulsate and shake the walls of the arena, as the BayouTron displays images of Diablo executing his devastating Killing Fields finisher on various superstars, past and present, of the WWA.)

(A massive figure is seen at the entryway, a figure belonging only to The Immortal One himself. Diablo walks out to the ring, tugging a chain behind him. The chain comes into full view, and we see that it's attached to a collar, which is tied around the neck of none other then the WWA Cruiserweight Champion herself....)

Frank Longely Jnr: What are you laughing about? This is horrible! She's barely alive!

(Wendy stumbles down the aisleway, her ring attire tattered and torn [though preserving her dignity, or what's left of it]. Her normally gorgeous, flowing red hair is matted in dirt, blood, grime, and whatever other substance she was exposed to in those dank and dark dungeons. Her youthful glow now reduced to a sickly pale, her perfect physique reduced to weakness. Diablo gives the chain a hard tug as Wendy lurches forward, stumbling and nearly falling flat on her face.)

Alicia Lockheart: I know...that last tug had to have given her whiplash at least...

Alicia Lockheart: Lightly?? Whiplash is pretty serious man, people get sued over that shit...

(Diablo practically drags the semi-conscious woman over to the guard rail, and yanks her hard in his direction, letting her crash ribs-first into the steel pipes. Wendy slumps to the ground as Diablo wraps the chain around a steel post, produces a padlock, and promptly locks her into place.)

Ring Announcer: And his opponent…from the CCW, Weighing in at 227 pounds and hailing from Nova Scotia, Canada. He is a former WWA National Heavyweight and World Cruiserweight Champion. He is Rune ARCHER!!!!!!

[As "The Wicker Man" by Iron Maiden begins to rock the arena, the ACW fans rise to their feet as they know that the arrival of the former National Champion is at hand.]

    #Hand of fate is moving and the finger points to you
    He knocks you to your feet and so what are you gonna do
    Your tongue has frozen now you've got something to say
    The piper at the gates of dawn is calling you his way#

[After the crowd absorbs the first four lines, Rune Archer bursts out of the entranceway, as energetic as ever, pumping his fist in the air, feeding off the hot crowd. He is clad in his "Rune Archer: Pride of a Nation" t-shirt. He looks ahead to the ring with an ever-so-slight smirk on his face.]

    #You watch the world exploding every single night
    Dancing in the sun a newborn in the light
    Say goodbye to gravity and say goodbye to death
    Hello to eternity and live for every breath#

[Rune gets up on the apron, smile still on his face. He looks around the jam-packed arena, then quickly steps inside the ring, walking over to the far ropes. He gets up on the second rope, and pumps his fist in the air, sending flashbulbs all over the arena into a frenzy.]

    #Your time will come,
    your time will come
    Your time will come,
    your time will come#

Frank Longely Jnr: There is the bell and this match is underway. The massive giant Diablo towers over the former Cruiswerweight Champion and National Champion, as Diablo starts to smirk at the size of Archer.

Alicia Lockheart: Archer striming first with a series of lefts and rights, but they have no effect on the monster known as Victor Mandrake!

[Diablo reaches down and grabs the on coming fist of Archer , and bends it back, sending pain through out the arm of Rune, and he drop[s to his knees, allowing Diablo to apply more pressure. Rune looking for any way out, sends a right to the side of the big mans head, striking his temple, causing a ringing to echo through out his head.

Diablo regaining his focus, stands Rune up and sends him into the ropes with an irish whip and sends him right back down with a big boot to the face.]

Alicia Lockheart: Looks like the monster from the BWA has busted open Run with that boot to the mouth, His lip is split and the blood is just pouring down the front of his face.

Frank Longely Jnr: Looks like the big man likes what he sees and looks like he wants to end this quick, as he’s lifting Run up for what looks to be a powerbomb.

[Diablo lifts him up into the air as he gets ready to bring his body crashing against the mat, but all of a sudden, Archer starts to rock the big man with rights, trying to knock him down. Archer starts to rock the massive frame of Diablo and he goes crashing to the mat as Rune rides him down, keeping the rights pounding away at his face.]

Frank Longely Jnr: Archer mounting some type of offense against the 7’4” monster Diablo, could he do the impossiable?

[Archer lets up on his attack, and starts to boast to the crowd, witch allows Diablo to sit up and get back to his vertical stance all the while Archer is playing to the fans here in Melbourne. Diablo picks Rune up and whips him into the corner and charges in at him with a full head of steam, crushing Rune between his big frame and the turn buckle. Coming out of the corner, you can see the smirk has returned to his face as Rune falls to the mat, damn close a broken man.]

Alicia Lockheart: He’s picking up the lifeless body of Rune! What else could he do to this young man?

Frank Longely Jnr: Diablo throwing Archer into the ropes, and a massive clothesline nearly takes his head clean off!

Frank Longely Jnr: He's definitely the most inhumane creature I've ever seen. Look at Wendy for chrissake! She's still so out of it!

Frank Longely Jnr: Look in the ring! Diablo's lifting up Archer again! He hoists him up on his shoulders!

Alicia Lockheart: Twister and the ref arguing back and forth, and wait a minute, Wendy's climbing into the ring!

Alicia Lockheart: Diablo's just standing there though! Look at that sick grin on his face! There's something seriously wrong with that man!

Frank Longely Jnr: WENDY JUST TOOK THE CHAIN AND WHIPPED DIABLO ACROSS THE FACE!!!

Alicia Lockheart: He's busted wide open and completely unconscious! This is unbelievable!

Frank Longely Jnr: Wendy getting back out of the ring, as Archer crawls over to Diablo and drapes an arm over his chest!

[We cut to the hallway where Erik Cross is seen raiding the candy machine and he seems agitated as he is kicking at the machine and swearing under his breath.]

[From around the corner a member of staff event sees Erik just as Erik spots him. Erik steps in his path and puts a hand on his chest to impede him.]

Staff Event Guy: No, the guy from the candy company has the only key for stocking it.

[Erik now really upset curses under his breath and tries to restrain himself, but with failure and grabs the guy by the collar and slams him up against the wall.]

Erik: I have to have Reeses Pieces before my match! If I lose my match because of it I am going to come back here and find you.

[The beleaguered crew member starts to sweat a little under Erik's malicious gaze. Then a voice wafts down the hall, becoming steadily louder.]

[Erik turns his head to look -- just in time to see Misty Xiao rocketing toward him with furiously pumping legs, and a look of sheer terror on her face. She blasts by Erik fast enough to cause a draft that flutters his hair, still screaming.]

[In hot pursuit, blowing through, or over anything and everyone in his path, comes Ulfric, with a murderous look in his eyes and a broom handle in one hand which he pitches at Misty, again missing. This time it strikes the wall inches from a catering table and those milling around it.]

[Then as quickly as they appeared, hunter and prey veer around a corner and out of sight, Misty's cries and sounds of objects hurled by Ulfric still audible in the distance.]

[Erik hurls him into the candy machine and much to his surprise the packet of Reeses Pieces falls into the receiving tray. He looks back and forth from the chase to the Reeses Pieces a couple of times.]

[Erik runs off in pursuit of the terrified Misty and the angry Ulfric, who is now swatting at her with a metal folding chair snatched from against the wall.]

Frank Longely Jnr - "This doesn't look good for the former Cruiserweight Champion..."

(We cut backstage, where Wendy and Terrence are standing, fresh after making the Great escape from Diablo. Both Birdz are panting, and hugging each other.)

Terrence Thompson- Well, that went better than expected.

(Wendy hugs her boyfriend again, this time giving him a short kiss on the cheek.)

Wendy Briese- I knew Diablo was lying. I knew that you were going to somehow… some way come and try to break me out. Though what took you so long?

(Terrence shrugs)

Terrence Thompson- Sorry. Couldn’t find the place.

(Wendy laughs, and hugs her boyfriend again, before sighing)

Wendy Briese- I don’t know what got into me out there, though… I…

(Twister shushes his girlfriend with another squeeze)

Terrence Thompson- Don’t worry about that… you know as well as I that Diablo deserved what was coming to him.

(Wendy sighs.)

Wendy Briese- I suppose you’re right. Even so, Terrence… I can’t thank you enough for finally coming to my aid. But…

Terrence Thompson- But what?

Wendy Briese- Don’t you think that was a bit too easy, Terry? How Diablo just left me out there for you to rescue me?

(Terrence thinks for a second, before shrugging)

Terrence Thompson- I wouldn’t worry about it. C’mon… you have to be starving.

Wendy Briese- You have no idea.

(Terrence turns to head towards the Birdz’ locker room, but stops, as if he doesn’t want to ask Wendy the next question.)

Terrence Thompson- I’m not going to be able to talk you out of competing tonight, am I?

(Wendy looks almost offended)

Wendy Briese- Of course not! That’s MY title on the line, and I’m not giving it up without a fight.

(Terrence nods)

Terrence Thompson- I figured as much… anyways, Dan brought you your spare ring gear… just in case. Lets go. And we should get you something you eat before you compete… you look hungry.

(Wendy nods, and follows Terrence through the halls)

RING ANNOUNCER: The following match is one on one match with a twenty minute time limit. First coming to the ring at this time. Weighing in at 215 lbs, and hailing from Detroit, Michigan. Representing SWF and the current SWF Heavyweight Champion. He is.... "RUTHLESS" WALLY RENFIELD!!!!

[The whole arena goes pitch black and the crowd grows silent. "Welcome To My Nightmare" by Alice Cooper begins to play through the audio systems.]

Welcome to my nightmare
I think you're gonna like it
I think you're gonna feel,
you belong...

[A single red spotlight and a single green spot light begin shining just at the top of the entranceway.]

We sweat and laugh and scream here
Cuz life is just a dream here
you're gonna feel at home,
cuz you belong...
Welcome to my nightmare...
whoa oh oh oh

[The entranceway become completely illuminated by a string of white lights dancing wildly as the pace of the song picks up. Renfield emerges from the backstage area wearing a t-shirt that says "THE REAL F'N PUSSY RYAN MATTHEWS CAN LICK MY BALLS!!!".]

Welcome to my breakdown...
I hope I didn't scare you
that's just the way we are...
when we come down...

[Renfield begins to walk down to the ring the ring and the red and green spotlights follow him. He hops onto the ring apron and steps inside, making his way to the center of the ring.]

We like to laugh and scream here...
Cuz life is just a dreeeeeeaaaam...here...
You know inside you feel...
right at home...here...
Welcome to my nightmare...
Yeah...welcome to my nightmare...
yeahhhh... Welcome to my...

[A blaze of fireworks begin blasting, starting at the beginning of the entranceway and making its way down towards the ring. The whole display is topped off with shower of sparks emerging from the four ring posts. 2 of which are red and 2 of which are green opposite of each other. Finally, all the lights in the arena turn back on.]

RING ANNOUNCER: And his opponent. Weighing in at 240 lbs, and hailing from Cleveland, Ohio. He is RYAN MATTHEWS!!!!

[As those words are spoken in the voice of Ryan Matthews, they scroll across the screen near the entrance in blood red letters. After they have passed, the opening chords of “I Disappear” by Metallica begins to play over the loudspeakers inside the arena. When the first verse begins, Ryan Matthews parts the curtain and walks out into a chorus of boos, almost drowning out the music. He smiles and shakes his head. He is dressed in a pair of black cargo pants, black boots, and a basketball jersey which is black with white numerals with silver trim, on the front of the jersey are the letters STFU and on the front and back are the number 30. His hands are taped as are his wrists in the style that Muay Thai fighters use and the tape goes all the way up to mid-forearm. He carries with him to the ring in his right hand one of his most prized possessions, an ivory handled Dragon's Head Katana, and as we watch him walk we can see his grip on the sword tense, as he carries it with his hand around the scabbard. When Matthews gets to the ring, he walks over to the near turnbuckle and places his sword on the mat before sliding it a short distance into the ring, then sliding after it himself. He comes up on one knee, then grabs the sword around the scabbard once again and turns the sword so that it is vertical to the mat, as though he were resting on it while kneeling. He stays in this position as the music fades out...]

[Before the match begins, Matthews turns the sword parallel to the mat, then gently hands it to the ringside attendant, never taking his eyes off his opponent. He comes out of the kneeling position and rubs his hands together before faking a spit into each of them and rubbing them together more, waiting for the match to begin...]

[Matthews quickly runs towards Renfield. Catching him off guard and backs him into the corner and starts hitting him with lefts and rights. Renfield slumps to the ground as Matthews lets off and backs away. Matthews is soaking up the fans cheers for him as he runs in at Renfield and dropkicks him in the face. Matthews quickly up to his feet picks up Renfield and throws him with force into the opposite turnbuckle Renfield hits it and staggers out and then slams into the mat.]

[Matthews slowly walks over to Renfield and goes to pick him up, Renfield low blows Matthews and then hooks him and drops him to the mat with a DDT. Renfield with the cover.]

[Both men quickly get back to standing position. Matthews quickly charges towards Renfield, but Wally counters with a drop toehold that makes Matthews lands throat first on the second rope. Renfield quickly rolls outside and begins pulling on Matthews' head, choking him on the ropes. Renfield breaks the hold on the referee’s count of four and quickly slides back into the ring.]

[Renfield trying to keep this match fast paced to wear down Matthews whips Matthews at the ropes and hits him with a diving body press. Renfield slowly walks over to the turnbuckle and pulls himself up and points at Matthews and jumps off. Trying to nail his Remy Deluxe, his patented top rope diving elbow drop. Matthews moves out of the way at the last second and Renfield goes slamming into the mat elbow first.]

LONGLEY JR.: Yeah Wally Renfield tried to finish the match off with the high risk move, but in the end. It backfired on him.

[Matthews Irish whips Renfield to the far side, and then catches him coming off the far ropes with an arm drag before twisting himself in one fluid motion and attempting to sink in a Kimura Arm Lock.]

[Renfield, seeing what Matthews is trying, rolls away from the pressure and manages to wrench his arm free before Matthews can lock the hold in.]

[Matthews stays in a kneeling position, looking up at Renfield, who has backed into a corner, shaking his arm. Matthews smiles, and then shakes his head, knowing he almost had it locked in. He backs away, clapping his hands in a show of semi-respect.]

[Both men go and tie up with each other again. This time Matthews gets the advantage and Irish whips Renfield into the ropes. Renfield springs off the ropes, and takes Matthews down with a back elbow smash. Renfield then follows up by grabbing both of his Matthews's legs, and begins to stomp Matthews in the groin. Rather than letting go, however, Renfield looks from side to side and stomps Matthews in the groin three more times for good measure.]

[The referee is quick to scold Renfield for his blatant rule violations, which allows Matthew time to recover and get back to standing position. While Renfield and the referee are still arguing, Matthews sneaks up behind Wally and locks him in a full nelson. In one clean motion, Wally gets spiked into the mat by huge release dragon suplex. Matthews goes for the pin.]

[Both men get back up to their feet. Renfield whips Matthews into the ropes and charges at him. Both men extend their arms and connect perfect Double Clothesline. Slowly, both men pull themselves to their feet using the ropes. As they both reach their knees, they begin exchanging lefts and rights.]

Frank Longely Jnr.: This match is cut and dry down the middle. Neither man is giving an inch without taking one in return.

[Finally reaching their feet, they lock up. Renfield begins leaning himself over the top rope, holding onto Matthews hair at the same time.]

ALICIA LOCKHEART: It looks like Renfield is trying to flip himself over the top rope, and take Matthews with him!

[Renfield hangs there momentarily, feet suspended off the ground by the top rope. The ref moves in closely to encourage both men to take it to then center of the ring. With one thrust of momentum, Renfield finally takes himself over the top rope, and in turn, takes Matthews with him by his hair. Both men hit the side of the ring hard and tumble lifelessly to the outside floor.]

Frank Longely Jnr.: They looked like rag dolls when their backs bent backwards falling to the outside!

[With both men still lying motionless on the concrete floor, fireworks begin to blare at the entrance way. "In My Darkest Hour" by Megadeth begins to blast throughout the arena and the current BWA Liberty Bell Champion emerges from the backstage area.]

Frank Longely Jnr.: It's Goliath! It's Goliath! Renfield and Ryan Matthews both got involved with his match at the Pre-show and it looks like he's here for revenge!

[Goliath jogs down next to the ring where Ryan Matthews and "Ruthless" Wally Renfield both lay broken. Goliath gestures to the crowd, before picking Renfield up by his hair. He clocks back his right hand and clenches it into a fist, but before he can strike, a slender hand taps him on the shoulder.]

ALICIA LOCKHEART: It's Amy Levesque! It's the link between these two men and their ill-fated love triangle!

Frank Longely Jnr.: She won't let Goliath attack Renfield. She's trying to reason with him. I guess, even though she's back with Goliath, she still has feelings for Renfield.

ALICIA LOCKHEART: Well, it looks like Renfield has some feelings too, as he is starting to get back to his feet.

[Slowly getting back to his feet, while Goliath is distracted by Amy Levesque, Renfield reaches into the audience and grabs a steel folding chair. Amy points behind Goliath, but before he can react, Renfield has already cracked him in the back of the head with the chair. Goliath falls like a ton of bricks and Renfield turns his attention to Amy.]

Frank Longely Jnr.: Uh oh, Amy looks absolutely terrified! There's no telling what type of damage Renny can do to her.

[Amy slowly backs away from Renfield, position the fallen Goliath between the two. She fuddles around in her purse for a moment before her hand emerges with a can of mace, threatening Renfield with it.]

[As Amy is waving the can at Renfield, Goliath gets back to his knees and looks at Amy. Amy turns the mace on Goliath, blinding him.]

Frank Longely Jnr.: Amy Levesque just mace Goliath! What's going on here? I don't understand!

[As Goliath rolls around on the floor, Amy and Renfield embrace in a long hug and then, right in front of Goliath, they engage in a deep French kiss Goliath attempts a swipe at the couple, but Amy once again unleashes a cloud of mace into his eyes.]

ALICIA LOCKHEART: I'll tell you what happened. Amy Levesque has just stabbed Goliath in the back AGAIN! The Suicidal Giant is back to square one.

[Roughly 10 feet away, Ryan Matthews is finally pulling himself back to his feet. Renfield, noticing this, takes him down with one swift swing of the chair. Matthews falls hard to the floor, now bleeding from his forehead. To top it off, Amy walks over to Matthews, and just like Goliath, she sprays him directly in the eyes. The referee calls for the bell.]

ALICIA LOCKHEART: She's deadly with that stuff! Do you think she was ever a cop?

Frank Longely Jnr.: I have no clue, but one thing I know for sure. Wally Renfield has just been disqualified for his actions outside the ring.

[Renfield just realizing the referee disqualified him for his chair shot. Begins to repeatedly beat both Goliath and Matthews back and forth with chair shot after chair shot. Until a group of officials come down to ringside and tell him to leave. Renfield and Amy relish in the carnage they delivered then lock in one more long kiss before heading back to ring.]

[A few moments later, Ulfric angrily retraces his steps, a scowl on his face. An unsuspecting tech crew member slams into him, with a tray full of soft drinks, and Ulfric grabs the man and hurls him across the hall, taking out a table of said drinks. He kicks the spilled and fallen cans out of his path as he makes his way back to his locker room, streaks of red mist still evident on his face.]

[Ulfric stops near the candy machines, noting the shattered glass and the body sized hole that caused it. He spots the Reeses Pieces as well, and pockets them, as well as several Snickers bars and a king sized Kit Kat before continuing on his way.]

[Erik walks down another hallway somewhere in the arena and stops before a broom closet door. He leans against the wall and folds his arms across his chest. Casting a wicked glare at a couple people that walk past, then when the coast is clear he cracks a grin.]

[He raps on the door a couple times. A tiny peep comes from within, like a cry being stifled just a little too late. Still grinning, Erik grabs the door and whips it open, pulling Misty out and almost causing her to fall.]

Erik: He's gone now. Tell me something, Misty. Ulfric has a red face and I doubt very much that bastard blushes. What gives?

[Wrenching free of his grasp, Misty darts back behind the broom closet door, pigtails flying like a pair of comets. She peeks out with one wide-open eye, looking nervously to either side.]

[Erik grabs Misty again and this time so she can't get away. He forces her up against the wall and grabs her face bending her head so that her eyes meet his gaze.]

[Frowning slightly in irritation, Misty shrugs his hand away. She keeps a leery watch on the end of the hall.]

Misty: All I did was try to blind him with mist. I didn't think he'd go all gorilla 'n stuff on me! Jeez!

[Erik lowers his head and casts his black eyes to Misty's paranoid glances from one end of the hall to the other.]

Erik: Hello, we are talking about Ulfric here. Of course he would go ballistic when someone tries to blind him. Why did you do it? What do you have to gain by pulling such a dangerous stunt?

[Misty flashes a merry little grin, banishing for a moment the anxious look on her face.]

[Erik's face begins to darken and he leans in to Misty sniffing hard as if taking in her scent like a wild animal.]

[He looks at her with dark eyes that seem to spiral as the light hits them. Erik points down the hallway.]

[Misty stares at him a long moment, the grin frozen on her face, as if half-expecting Erik to drop the pretense and chuckle at his own act. But he doesn't. Misty's face crumbles, her shoulders droop. Crestfallen, she averts her eyes to the side.]

[Abruptly she drives the point of her boot right into his shin, making him yell and hop up and down in shock and pain. Misty turns and runs off without a second glance.]

[Erik grits his teeth and stomps his foot on the floor as if to stomp the pain away, then without warning slams his fist through the wall.]

[Backstage in the locker room of the Angels of Misery we see two of the four members inside. We pan to the right and we see the WWA International Champion, Jonathan Cross polishing his title and to the left of him, we see Matt McClain adjusting his white paten books and starts to tape his wrist.

A knock rings through out the room, which turns both the heads of Cross and McClain as Cross answers the knock.]

[In walks a WWA Camera crew, and following behind them, is the president of talents and part time announcer/interviewer for the BWA, Bryan Scoops.]

Scoops: I’m a little confused…I thought you said you would never join another stable after the MSS?

McClain: Ha! Don’t make me laugh, the MSS is NOTHING compared to us! I mean we are stronger then the MSS ever was. Tonight we are going to prove to the BWA, and the WWA, that we mean business. Tonight it starts with Malik Johnson.

Malik I told you, I’m going to beat you and end you in the center of the ring, Malik, tonight, it all starts with you. Now Scoops, beat it, I have things that I need to talk to Jonathan about.

Frank Longely Jnr - "...And that BWA Supergroup isn't anything to take lightly. Those four could become the Bayou's entrants for Summer Games!"

Alicia Lockheart - "Summer Games already, Frank? We've barely started International Wars!"

Frank Longely Jnr - "Well, we'de better keep it moving along then!"

- TERRORDOME MATCH: MALIK JOHNSON vs. "HURRICANE" MATT McCLAIN -

RA: The following match is the Terrordome Match. Introducing first, weighing in at 245 lbs. and hailing from Shreveport, Louisiana. He is MALIK JOHNSON!!!!!!

# I'm A THUG for the Dirty South
# Puttin' Pipe in yo girl's mouth
# You can't stop me
# You can't fade me
# But yo bitch just page me

[The entrance goes dark and smoke appears as "You Can't Stop Me" by Malik Johnson blast over the system. Out of the smoke we can see a dark figure standing]

# Back yo ass up
# Pass the muthaf#@Kin' cup
# While I'm rollin on chrome
# Busta ass punk better leave me alone
# Why
# Cause you can't stop me
# You can't fade me
# But yo bitch just paged me

[Johnson begins to make his way down the aisle as there are mixed reactions toward him. He's wearing all black and has his wrist and hands wrapped in black tape. He stops half way there and looks at the terror dome. He smiles and then begins C-Walking down to the ring.]

[The fans erupt in a chorus of cheers as Johnson has given them some of his old wit before his slides into the ring.]

[Malik walks around the dome and laughs as he points to the screen. The PEERLESS logo is displayed.]

RA: And his opponent. Weighing in at 230 lbs. and hailing from Houston, Texas. He is “Hurricane” Matt McCLAIN!!!!!

[The sound of waves crashing along with the sound of thunder and howling winds fill the arena. They are soon joined by the shrill of sirens echoing though out the building. As the sounds echo, the lights act as if they were streaks of lightning, lighting up the area with each burst. ]

#SHUT UP WHEN I'M TALKING TO YOU…SHUT UP….SHUT UP…SHUT UP…SHUT UP WHEN I'M TALKING TO YOU!

Soon the lights dim down, as a hush falls over the crowd leaving the arena in total darkness. With out warning, multi-colored lights start exploding through out the arena. With in a matter of seconds a massive explosion rips through out the entranceway leaving most of the fans breathless as a wall of fire reaches out to touch the top of the arena. As the smoke and fire start to clear out, the fans can see that McClain's Bayoutron video has come to life as his theme, a remix of One Step Closer, performed by Linkin Park, starts to rip though out the PA system! As soon as the fans hear McClain's theme, they break out into thunderous chants of HURRICANE! On his Bayoutron, a golden outline of a flame comes into sight as McClain silver cross slams into the flame as it sounds like steel hitting steel, and is quick to fade to blackness as his name is quick to fade in! Soon it starts to flash across the Bayoutron into all kinds of various different letter fonts and colors! Behind his name, there are clips of The Submission Specialist winning past titles, making opponents tap with his crippling Breaking Point, climbing to the top rope and hitting the high flying Point of No Return, and his newest submission move, The Perfect Storm, as well as his Natural Disaster as well as pulling off some of the most unbelievable moves ever seen!

#EVERYTHING YOU SAY TO ME, BRINGS ME ONE STEP CLOSER TO THE EDGE AND I'M ABOUT TO BREAK…

#I NEED A LITTLE ROOM TO BREAK, BECAUSE I'M ONE STEP CLOSER TO THE EDGE AND I'M ABOUT TO BREAK

#I FIND THE ANSWERS AREN'T SO CLEAR, I WISH I COULD FIND A WAY TO DISSAPPEAR…ALL THESE THOUGHTS THEY MAKE NO SENSE, I FOUND THIS IN INGRONCE, NOTHING SEEMS TO GO AWAY…OVER AND OVER AGAIN… JUST LIKE BEFORE!

He soon steps into the entranceway looking around the arena as a grin plays across his lips. As soon as the fans see him, they come unglued! He raises both arms high into the air as the crowd roars with approval! As he makes the slow walk to the ring, the multi-colored lights start to glisten off his skin. He's dressed in a pair of metallic blue tights. On his left leg of his tights in a metallic gold lettering, and outlined in black is his name "McCLAIN", and on his opposite leg, in the same metallic gold material and outlined in black is a modified cross surrounded in flames. You can see HURRICANE spelled out on the back of his tights. His white paten leather boots bare the same cross as his tights in a blue paten leather color. His wrist and forearms are taped up with the similar metallic colored tape. His hair has just been cut short again, with the longer front, and dyed a deep royal blue, almost black, along with wild streaks of gold running wild through the rest of his hair. His metallic black-framed Oakley's hide his cold ice blue eyes from the world! The shimmering ruby reflective lens shine with the exploding lights as they blink off and on suddenly as he makes his way closer to the ring.

#EVERYTHING YOU SAY TO ME, BRINGS ME ONE STEP CLOSER TO THE EDGE AND I'M ABOUT TO BREAK…

#I NEED A LITTLE ROOM TO BREAK, BECAUSE I'M ONE STEP CLOSER TO THE EDGE AND I'M ABOUT TO BREAK…

#EVERYTHING YOU SAY TO ME, BRINGS ME ONE STEP CLOSER TO THE EDGE AND I'M ABOUT TO…BREAK!

#SHUT UP WHEN I'M TALKING TO YOU…SHUT UP….SHUT UP…SHUT UP…SHUT UP….I'M ABOUT TO BREAK!

#EVERYTHING YOU SAY TO ME, BRINGS ME ONE STEP CLOSER TO THE EDGE AND I'M ABOUT TO BREAK…

#I NEED A LITTLE ROOM TO BREAK, BECAUSE I'M ONE STEP CLOSER TO THE EDGE AND I'M ABOUT TO BREAK…

#I NEED A LITTLE ROOM TO BREAK, BECAUSE I'M ONE STEP CLOSER TO THE EDGE AND I'M ABOUT TO BREAK

As soon as he enters the ring, two spotlights bath him in a pale blue color, circle around the arena and then converge into the center of the ring where the man stands, as if he's frozen in place. His chiseled body, which is bathed in the pale blue light, is ridged. He soon breaks the still like stance by jerking up his arms high into the air. The roars of the fans give him a sudden massive rush like none other before! For a brief moment, he feels as if he's a God as the fans cheer uncontrollably! With his arms out stretched high into the air, flash bulbs all over the arena pop with a bright white light. It's almost an indescribable rush! To think that the fans would worship him as if he were a God is just an indescribable feeling, even if it's only for a brief moment! As the pyros go off behind him, the lights start to come back up as the fans start to go crazy yet once again!

#I NEED A LITTLE ROOM TO BREAK, BECAUSE I'M ONE STEP CLOSER TO THE EDGE AND I'M ABOUT TO BREAK…

#I NEED A LITTLE ROOM TO BREAK, BECAUSE I'M ONE STEP CLOSER TO THE EDGE AND I'M ABOUT TO…BREAK!

[Malik Johnson and Matt McClain circle each other in the ring as pyro starts to go off all around the very large cage as they look around keeping an eye on the other and the sparks jumping off of the cage.]

Alicia Lockheart -: Talk about a devilish, diabolical structure. Only Malik would think of something like this.

Frank Longely Jnr - I really don't like McClain 's chances in this match. There's so much electricity flowing through the cage, sparks are flying . Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to the Terrordome!!!!

[McClain and Malik finally lock up in the middle of the ring. Both men jockey for position but neither gives up any sort of advantage. Both men break apart and circle each other in the ring once again before locking up in a collar and elbow tie-up. McClain finally comes away with a side headlock. Malik quickly grabs McClain's hair but McClain tightens the pressure. Malik finally reverses it into an overhand wristlock. McClain tries to power out when Malik claims that McClain is pulling his hair. The ref checks on in it when Malik grabs McClain by the hair and pulls him into a side headlock of his own.]

[McClain connects with a couple of forearms to the ribs before reversing it into another overhead wristlock. Malik spins through it and whips McClain into the ropes. Malik goes for a right hand but McClain slides under Malik 's legs and pulls Malik into a double-leg takedown before burying a right hand into the nether regions of Malik as he rolls around in agonizing pain.]

[McClain gets to his feet and drops an elbow to the chest of Malik. McClain drops another elbow, and follows up with a fistdrop to the jaw. McClain continues to fire away with right hands to the face before he gets to his feet and brings Malik to his feet when he whips him into the ropes and brings him up and over with a high back drop.]

Frank Longely Jnr - Talk about being sent into a new time zone. Malik got some frequent flyer points on that trip.

[Malik grabs his groin and his lower back in pain when McClain picks him up and grabs a waistlock and violently drops him to the mat with a belly to back suplex. McClain follows up with a cover.]

Alicia Lockheart - Damn, McClain is starting things off quickly. He's going to make Malik very angry.

[McClain gets to his feet while Malik rolls to a vertical base. McClain regains the advantage with a side headlock. Malik tries to shoot McClain off but McClain holds on. McClain takes Malik down with a headlock takedown. Malik counters with a headscissors but McClain floats over for a cover.]

[Malik bridges up and spins McClain around and takes him down with a backslide.]

[McClain flips over and goes for a clothesline but Malik ducks underneath and throws McClain over the top rope to the floor below.]

[Malik rolls to the outside and picks up a stunned McClain and runs him face first into the cage. McClain falls to the floor as sparks fly into the air while Malik follows up with rapid-fire stomps to the chest. Malik drops to his knees and fires away with right hands to the face and follows up with a blatant choke. Malik releases the choke and throws McClain back into the ring and follows him in. Malik picks up McClain by the hair and whips him into the ropes and connects with a spinning clothesline as McClain falls down hard from the impact. Malik goes for the cover.]

[Malik starts looking around for something before he pulls McClain into position when he locks on an anklelock. The ref drops down to the mat and checks on McClain to see if he wants to give it up but McClain says no. Malik finally lets go of the anklelock and points to the cage as the fans continue to boo him.]

Alicia Lockheart: Like him or hate him, Malik is grounding the Hurricane on the mat with that Pit Bull.

[Malik picks up McClain and tries to throw him out but McClain counters with a japanese arm drag out of nowhere. Malik gets back to his feet and is met with a right hand to the midsection. Malik comes back with a right hand of his own, McClain fires back with a couple of right hands before grabbing the arm and taking it over with an arm wringer before taking him down to the mat with a side russian legsweep. McClain climbs up to the second turnbuckle before leaping off with a legdrop across the throat. McClain goes for the cover.]

[McClain gets to his feet and scoops Malik up and puts him down hard with a body slam. McClain hits the ropes and goes for a big elbow drop but Malik rolls away quickly. Malik pulls himself up and tries to get in a couple of breaths in while McClain gets to his feet. Malik connects with a boot to the midsection and pulls McClain up before drilling him to the mat with a jumping piledriver. McClain grabs his head and neck in agony.]

[Malik gets to his feet and waits for McClain to get up before hitting the ropes and takes him over with a springboard arm drag. Malik gets to his feet and hits the ropes when he knocks down McClain with a clothesline and goes into the ropes once again, McClain stays down then comes up and catches Malik with a powerslam and holds on for the cover.]

Frank Longely Jnr: The ring shook on that one, I don't even want to imagine what the hell that felt like!

[McClain with a figure four leglock on Johnson and Malik is screaming in pain. Johnson reaches in his tights and pulls out a pair of wire pliers and cracks down on McClain's toes.]

[Matt releases the hold, but Johnson holds on and delivers a kick to the groin. McClain down to his knees as Johnson nails him in the head with the wire pliers.]

Frank Longely Jnr: That shot was on target as McClain is bleeding from above his eye.

[McClain gets up and pummels away at Malik with vicious rights to the forehead. McClain throws Malik into the near corner and climbs up the turnbuckle to continue the punishment. McClain tries to take him out with a monkey flip but Malik grabs a waistlock and drops McClain face first into the top turnbuckle.]

[Malik shakes off the cobwebs and gets out of the ring and pulls McClain out to the apron. Malik climbs onto the apron before he jumps down and connects with a forearm to the throat. McClain grabs his throat when Malik continues to pummel away with the pliers to the forehead. Malik pulls McClain out of the ring and stands him up in front of the cage.]

[Malik takes aim and dropkicks McClain into the electrified cage while McClain convulses and tries to regain his balance as Malik delivers a kick to the midsection and follows up with a face driver to the floor. Malik climbs up to the apron before coming down with a stiff stomp to the head of McClain. Malik wipes the sweat off of his forehead and rolls McClain back into the ring. Malik goes under the ring and grabs a steel chair.]

Alicia Lockheart: Excuse me for the bad pun but Malik just took the wind out of McClain's sails.

[Malik rolls back into the ring and goes over to pick McClain up but McClain comes back with a quick shot to the ribs. Malik goes for a home run swing but McClain ducks and grabs Malik and takes him straight down to the mat with a DDT onto the chair. McClain grabs Malik and throws him into the near corner. McClain starts jawing away at Malik as he repeatedly smashes his head into the turnbuckle as Malik stumbles away bleeding from the forehead. Malik stumbles out of the corner while McClain charges out and drives Malik to the mat with a bulldog. McClain gets to his feet and climbs up the opposite corner and waits for Malik to get up before taking him down with a big flying clothesline. McClain goes for the cover.]

[Malik just barely kicks out when McClain picks up Malik and knocks him to the floor with a chair shot to the face. McClain rolls out of the ring and tries to run him along the cage but Malik is blocking it with everything that he's got. Malik finally counters with a low blow to McClain as both guys go down from the massive amount of electricity flowing through them.]

Alicia Lockheart: The ref is just standing there while they lay there electrocuted.

Frank Longely Jnr: The only thing the ref is there for is to count the pinfall or the submission in this match.

[McClain finally sits up as Malik is slowly getting to his feet. Malik throws McClain back into the ring and follows him in. Johnson coming off the ropes and nails McClain with a flying forearm. He undoes the turnbuckle padding and hoist McClain up and drops him face first on the expose turnbuckle.

Frank Longely Jnr: This one of the bloodiest matches I've seen in a long time. Thank YOU fellas.

[Johnson picks Matt back up drops him over the exposed area again, but between McClain's legs in the groin area.]

[McClain falls off of the turnbuckle onto the mat when Malik tosses McClain into the turnbuckles and connects with a back elbow. McClain winces as Malik does it again, but McClain sidesteps and comes back with a flurry of knife edge chops and right hands. McClain whips Malik into the ropes and goes for a clothesline but Malik ducks under. Malik hits the ropes but McClain takes him over with a back body drop but falls to a knee in pain. Malik gets right back to his feet again and goes after McClain with a clothesline but McClain ducks and lifts Malik up on his shoulders. McClain drops Malik face first with an inverted powerbomb onto the steel chair.]

Frank Longely Jnr: Both men look like hell but how are they still going especially after that shot.

[Both men continue to lay on the mat bleeding when McClain picks up Malik and nails him with a headbutt to the nose and follows it up by dropping Malik with a snapmare and fires away with right hands to the jaw before he locks in a reverse chinlock. The referee does the standard hand check, which Malik holds his arm up on the third attempt. Malik stands McClain up and slingshots him into the ropes. McClain ducks a clothesline attempt by Malik and comes back with a Lou Thesz press and fires away with numerous punches.]

[Malik rolls onto of McClain and comes back with a barrage of punches of his own leaving McClain stunned before he rolls to the outside. Malik looks for the door when McClain nails him with a baseball slide dropkick that sends Malik into the cage. Malik is stuck to the cage for a few seconds from the electricity as he falls to the floor and looks extremely dazed. The ref goes and checks Malik to see if he is still alive. McClain goes outside and shoves the ref to the side and stomps away at Malik who can not defend himself.]

Alicia Lockheart: Well we know that no one is going to stop this thing, so the question now is how much can these guys dish out and take???

[McClain wipes some of the sweat off of his face as he picks up Malik and rams his head into the steel post. McClain delivers another boot to the head before he grabs Malik by the ears. McClain lifts Malik onto his shoulders and rams him back first into the cage before he drops him onto the floor.]

[McClain walks around the ring while Malik is coughing up blood. Finally, McClain picks up Malik and throws him into the ring. McClain climbs up the turnbuckle and drives his knee into the stomach of Malik. McClain goes for the cover.]

[McClain can not believe his eyes as the ref holds up two fingers. McClain picks up Malik but Malik counters with a small package.]

[McClain kicks out and stomps away at Malik once again. McClain rolls out of the ring and grabs a table from under the ring and sets it up in the middle of the ring. McClain goes under the ring and grabs a ladder and sets it up in front of the corner. McClain goes over to Malik, who gives him a right hand to the midsection and follows up with another one. Malik ties up with McClain again with punches, but McClain comes out on top, dropping Malik with a solid right to the nose. Malik pops back up several times and gets knocked back down again. McClain drops him again and taunts Malik to get up, then drops him with a DDT when he does. Malik rolls to his feet, McClain runs through him with a big clothesline and Malik is down again]

Alicia Lockheart: I think we are seeing the utter destruction of two former friends.

McClain pulls Malik up and whips Malik Johnson into the ropes and catches him with a spinebuster. McClain drags Malik over to the table and places him on it. Malik is still bleeding from the mouth as McClain climbs up the turnbuckle onto the ladder. McClain flies off the ladder with a flying elbow drop that puts Malik through the table. McClain goes for the cover and hooks the leg.]

Frank Longely Jnr: Damn, and every time they climb to the turnbuckle they carve themselves up on the wires some more, what the hell are they thinking.

Alicia Lockheart: They are thinking about being the best Frank Longely Jnr, they are thinking about being the better man in the Bayou. What’s a little pain when you know that you are going to leave the other guy in a pool of blood.

[The ref is holding up two fingers again as he is telling McClain that Malik got his shoulder up. McClain moves the ladder over and hits the ropes and leaps off with an asai moonsault onto Malik. Malik is not moving as the ref is getting rid of the remnants of the destroyed table. McClain is screaming at Malik to get up but Malik is barely able to move. McClain picks Malik up by the hair. McClain irish whips Malik but whips him back in for a short arm clothesline. Malik stays down, McClain goes to the top turnbuckle. He goes for a legdrop, but Malik rolls away. Malik pops up and starts nailing McClain with rights and lefts. A bloodied Malik rolls beneath the bottom rope again and shoves in another table from under the table. Malik starts setting up the table in the ring as McClain attempts to scale the ladder. Malik chases him up the ladder now, catches him near the top and back body drops him off the ladder through the table. Malik gets into position and leaps off with a 450 splash onto McClain. Malik with the cover]

[Malik pulls McClain to his feet now and McClain is whipped into the ropes, McClain ducks under a clothesline attempt then hits a Lou Thesz press for a pin attempt. Malik kicks out instantly and McClain pulls him back to his feet and drives him back against the ropes with a series of knife edge chops. Malik staggers into the corner, McClain with another chop. Malik grabs McClain, tossing him into the corner, fires back with a pair of chops. McClain reaches up with a thumb to the eye, followed by a bulldog.]

McClain pulls Malik up and he sets him up for a tombstone piledriver but Malik is swinging his legs with all of his might. Malik reverses it and drops McClain with a tombstone of his own. Malik is somehow getting to his feet after all of the punishment he has taken. He drags McClain to the center of the ring. McClain tossed into the ropes, Malik tries for a hiptoss. McClain reverses, Malik rushes back in, McClain with a Japanese arm drag. Another arm drag, McClain catches Malik's leg for a dragon screw takedown. Malik back up, McClain takes him down with a snapmare and locks in a sleeper hold. Malik fights back up, throws McClain into the ropes. McClain with a shoulder knockdown, bounces back into the ropes. Malik rolls under, McClain comes back in with a flying lariat and Malik goes down!]

Frank Longely Jnr: That damn near took his head off and if it weren't for the cage we might have seen it fly into the second row.

McClain pulling Malik to his feet, low blow by Malik, followed by a double underhook piledriver and Malik climbs up to the top turnbuckle. Malik leaps off with a diving headbutt onto McClain as the fans are chanting (BWA!!!!!!! BWA!!!!!!!!! BWA!!!!!!!!) Both men are laid out in the center of the ring as they are bleeding all over. Malik throws an arm over McClain for a cover.]

[McClain gets his shoulder up in the nick of time as Malik crawls over towards the corner to get to his feet. Malik gets up as McClain makes his way to his feet. McClain turns around and catches a superkick in the face and goes down hard. Malik with the cover once again]

[The referee holding two fingers in the air as Malik slams his fist into the mat in frustration then grabs McClain by the hair and lets loose with a series of chops to the chest. McClain driven back into the corner. Malik lays a shoulder into McClain's midsection. Another one, but McClain sidesteps the third. McClain drags Malik back out and hits a backbreaker. Malik stays down, McClain with a cover.]

[McClain throws his arms in the air, and the crowd responds with cheers. McClain picks Malik up and puts him on the top turnbuckle. Malik fights back and tosses McClain off the bottom rope, but can't capitalize. McClain gets back up and hits a chop on Malik. He looks out into the crowd and changes his mind, reaching through Malik's left arm and grabbing the right wrist. McClain climbs to the top rope and flips Malik up into a powerbomb position. He spins 180 degrees with a sitdown powerbomb, then rolls into a pin. ]

[McClain reaching down to pull Malik up once again and Malik with the schoolboy one more time]

McClain and Malik both wearily getting to their feet, McClain with a clothesline attempt, Malik ducking underneath it nails McClain in the back with a dropkick and Malik is giving the signal that it's all over. Malik grabs McClain by the nose to get him to his feet. Malik goes for a gutwrench powerbomb but McClain lands on his feet and kicks Malik in the midsection before hitting the ropes and taking him down with a bulldog. McClain rolls out of the ring and pulls out a bag of some sort and throws it into the ring. McClain comes back into the ring and opens the bag. McClain drops hundreds of thumbtacks onto the mat before hooking Malik into the boston crab but Malik powers out and sends McClain back to the mat. Malik kip-ups and catches a charging McClain with a kick to the groin and drops him into the thumbtacks with a pedigree. Malik picks up a bloodied McClain and hooks him for a vertical suplex, but McClain counters and takes him up and over into a fireman's carry then down into a DVD on Malik, and then a kneedrop on him and the cover.]

[Malik staggers up and blocks a McClain fist, rallies with one of his own. Exchange again, Malik hits a clothesline. Malik into the ropes, McClain redirects Malik into the corner. He follows in with a big clothesline, and then tosses Malik onto the turnbuckle. McClain reaches in and hooks his arms, flipping him up and over for the Natural Disaster and makes the cover.]

Frank Longely Jnr: It's over!!!! He actually did it, Matt McClain survives the Terrordome!

[McClain is slumped in the corner after this grueling match up. Malik is seen under the ring pulling something out. As he crawls from underneath the ring, Johnson has a logging chain in his hands. He slides into the ring and swings that chain and nails McClain in the mid section.]

Alicia Lockheart: Malik Johnson has lost his damn mind. He could seriously injure McClain here.

Frank Longley Jnr: Yes.....Yes......I hate them both but I love to see stuff like this go down.

[Johnson bouncing off the far ropes and catches Matt with the chain across his neck as McClain was getting back to his feet. Malik kips up and lays the chain across the back of McClain. Johnson to the top rope.....]

Alicia Lockheart: Malik is climbing the cage and he looks down at McClain and leaps off with a frog splash and nails it.

Frank Longley Jnr: OH MY GOD....Malik Johnson may have injured himself, but I know McClain is down. Look at him....

[Johnson pulls himself to his feet and laughs as blood spills from both his and McClain's mouth. Refs and other wrestlers make it to the dome and pull both men out as the EMTs arrive.]

Frank Longley Jnr: And you can bet that when McClain gets out of the emergency ward, it's going to be on all over again...

...Coming Soon...

September, Two-Thousand Four.

Summer

Games.

Are you ready?

[Lightning-quick images of WWA Superstars fly by, lending recognizable images, but no distinct features.]

They are.

[A darkened room, presumably somewhere in the arena. Indistinct shapes are only dimly visible in the gloom, but front and center is a discernibly human figure, kneeling on the floor.]

[A tiny flame appears, etching away a small circle of darkness. The scant yellow light reveals Misty Xiao's face in stark monotones of gold and shadow -- her mouth turned down despondently, thin tear-streams trickling from the corners of her eyes. She sniffs back a running nose, staring down at the lighter in her clasped hands.]

Misty: No matter how hard I try, it all keeps coming out wrong... Now Ulfric wants to kill me, and Erik's mad at me...

[Seconds pass in silence, and with each moment her face changes: emotion draining from it like water from an upturned bottle, the glimmer of spirit in her eyes fading to a dull sheen, like unpolished glass.]

Alicia Lockheart - "Not at all, Frank. I wonder if she is planning to interfere in our upcoming match - against two people she just mentioned."

Frank Longely Jnr - "Right, let's get to ringside... for what might just be the showstealer of the night!"

[The lights begin to twitch and flicker and they take on the deepest shade of mushroom blue. Then within a few breathless moments "Mr. Self Destruct" by Nine Inch Nails begins to rumble out of the arena loud speakers.]

I am the voice inside your head
and I control you
I am the lover in your bed
and I control you
I am the sex that you provide
and I control you
I am the hate you try to hide
and I control you

[...Then the young child's voice is cut off by the sounds of the child gasping as if someone has wrapped their deadly hands around her throat. We hear the choking for a few seconds until the child screams out in horror, and Erik Cross steps out of the darkness with the scream.]

I speak religion's message clear
and I control you
I am denial, guilt and fear
and I control you
I am the prayer's of the naive
and I control you
I am the lie that you believe
and I control you

[Erik steps out onto the ramp to a shower of boos from this Melbourne, Australia crowd, with his head lowered and his long black hair streaked with white dangling down over his face. He slowly takes a few steps forward.]

Announcer: Introducing first! From Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania... At a height of 6'1" and weighing 245 lbs... He is ERIK CROSS!

I take you where you want to go
I give you all you need to know
I drag you down, I use you up
Mr. Self Destruct

[As the music climaxes Erik rips his head back flipping his hair back, revealing his death-like face and cold black eyes staring out at a sold out crowd. The fans continue to boo Erik as the music stops and he begins his descent to the ring.]

Alicia Lockheart: And here comes the first contestant in what is probably THE most highly-anticipated match tonight, Frank! The buzz surrounding this bout has been absolutely overwhelming!

Frank Longley Jnr: Not for nothing, Alicia... For a long time, Ulfric's been the most twisted, screwed-up person in the WWA -- but in Erik Cross, Ulfy just might have a rival, because Erik is JUST as twisted and JUST as screwed up as he is!

Alicia Lockheart: That's the truth. Just looking at this man -- Erik Cross, former WWA National Champion -- and the way he carries himself, as if wrapping an air of malice around him like a cloak... Well, suffice it to say that he exudes danger in all senses of the word, and it's a hardy person indeed who'll stand up to someone like that.

Frank Longley Jnr: Right you are. Kind of makes you wonder what it is that a sweet girl like Misty Xiao finds so attractive about him. That's just weird.

Alicia Lockheart: I think she sees him as a friend... but I don't know if that's mutual, judging by the way he blew up at her backstage. I understand Erik is a proud man and would rather win this match on his own efforts, but Misty was only trying to help him -- and my God, am I actually defending Misty Xiao for trying to blind Ulfric?!

Frank Longley Jnr: Hey, you're right -- Erik Cross IS a proud man, and Xiao should've stayed out of his business. She had it coming.

Alicia Lockheart: In any case, Erik Cross is now sliding into the ring and going to his corner to await his opponent... staring toward the entranceway with a look I can't even describe. Whatever it is, it's scary, almost predatory -- not the sort of look you'd want directed at you.

[Smoke begins to pour down the entrance ramp as the heavy guitar laden opening rift of "Time does not heal" by Dark Angel blares from the house PA system. The lights dim, and as a blue glow emenates from somewhere deep inside the tunnel. For a moment the haunting cords give way to equally chilling words.]

"It's always darkest before it goes completely black
I'm older now so I should know, you can never look back
But the scars of childhood memories dominate my head
The inner pain I've vowed to keep until the day I'm dead"

"You can't see, the life I was forced to lead
What it's like to die daily
You can't feel, the thoughts I've learned to steal
Survivals my reality"

[A series of blue Pyro erupts in front of the entrance as Ulfric steps through the fog, his long blue/black hair hanging lose in his face, he is wearing a pair of frayed blue jeans, a black Dark Angel t-shirt, and motorcycle boots with "Lucifer" his black barbed wire wrapped baseball bat
strung over his left shoulder like a guitar. He wears a long gray duster that trails the ground behind him as he moves and his pale green eyes are full of focus and intensity.]

Announcer: Now coming down the ramp... Hailing from New Orleans, Louisiana... At a height of 6'5" and weighing 260 lbs... He is "THE SILENT WARRIOR" -- ULFRIC!

"When I was young I lived in fear
The hands of doom forever drawing near
I wonder how I earned to perservere
As time advanced deceit was my life's truth
Spurred on by the peace I never knew"

[Ulfric pauses midway down the ramp and lets the duster fall. Further down the aisle he pauses again, this time to remove his t-shirt which he throws into the crowd before raising the bat in one hand and banging his head in time to the music. Finally he drops it and sprints the rest of the way to the ring, sliding in under the bottom and coming to stand in the center of the ring.]

[Once there Ulfric has eyes only for his opponent and they never leave him. Erik Cross meets his gaze with an unwavering stare of his own.]

Alicia Lockheart: Yikes. These two have been in the same ring for barely five seconds, and already you can feel the intensity building up between them. It's a volatile situation in there, Frank.

Frank Longley Jnr: That's putting it mildly. Both these men have traveled their own individual paths to get here -- Erik taking the path of darkness and evil, Ulfric walking the razor's edge between salvation and damnation. And the hardships and trials they've had to endure on the way to International Wars would make ANYBODY want to bash some heads open.

Alicia Lockheart: That's for sure. As different as they are in their own ways, they're also very similar in a lot of ways... and if opposites attract, then sameness most certainly REPELS.

Frank Longley Jnr: Not a bad analogy for this situation. [Pauses] ...Did I just use the word "analogy" on a wrestling show? Damn. Bring on the butt jokes.

[Ulfric doesn't move an inch from his spot in the center of the ring, continues to stare at Erik Cross, as if daring him to move him. Being the sort of man who makes it his mission to accept such dares with a grin on his face, Erik strides out of his corner and stands directly in front of Ulfric, never breaking eye contact.]

Frank Longley Jnr: It seems to be all about mind games here at the outset, Alicia -- who can psych out the other, break the other's focus?

Alicia Lockheart: This is a game that both these men excel at, Frank. But you have to think that Ulfric's experience will give him the edge in the long run -- he's done everything worth doing in the WWA, including winning Summer Games 4; won every title worth having, including the World Heavyweight Title; beaten everybody worth beating... and he's still in the sport. That's the sign of a man who's gotten pretty damn good at surviving.

Frank Longley Jnr: All that's true, yes... But let's not forget that Erik Cross hasn't been in the Alliance as long as Ulfy there, but he's already accomplished things that wrestlers who've been here for YEARS have yet to do. He's already held the WWA National Title, for crying out loud! And if he managed that in his first six months here, imagine what he'll do by the end of his first year. A victory over the mighty Ulfric would be one hell of a feather in his cap.

Alicia Lockheart: No doubt all those thoughts and more are running through the heads of both these men right now, as this staredown continues... Ulfric standing with the confident poise of a man who's seen every trick in the book; Erik with a posture of sheer, unflinching arrogance, showing every sign of thinking himself invulnerable...

[Slowly, never diverting his gaze, Ulfric tips his chin up a little, raises his hand, and taps the side of his jaw.]

Frank Longley Jnr: What, is he telling Erik to lay him out, and get this over with as soon as possible? Or is it just a show of audacity?

[Erik Cross scoffs, shaking his head almost in disbelief at this gesture from his opponent. He turns to glance out of the ring, listening to the attentive murmurs from the crowd.]

[Then Erik hauls back and nails Ulfric right in the side of the face. Ulfric's head snaps to the side, and he stumbles back a step from the blow.]

Frank Longley Jnr: The idiot should've known better than to let Cross have a clean shot.

[Erik puts on a smug look as Ulfric gingerly touches his jaw, running his tongue around the inside of his mouth to take inventory of his teeth. The Silent Warrior shoots Erik an indecipherable look.]

[Then Ulfric clenches his fist and clobbers Erik right back. Cross staggers off a step, his hand clapping to his jaw.]

[Erik Cross turns back to Ulfric and actually GRINS. Ulfric responds with a curt nod, almost in approval.]

Alicia Lockheart: A bit of a test of mettle between these two men... And I don't think they're disappointed with each other so far. If we're talking toughness, then you'd be hard pressed to find two more evenly-matched wrestlers.

Frank Longley Jnr: Pssh. Evenly-matched, my butt. Ulfric gets a whole lot of benefit of the doubt around here, but there's NO doubt at all about what Erik brings to the ring. Ulfy doesn't know what he's in for.

[As if on some unspoken cue, the two combatants move at the same time and fall into each other, each grasping roughly for some form of grapple. Erik goes for the arm, but is thwarted as Ulfric clamps his arm around Erik's head. Erik pushes out of the headlock and grabs Ulfric's wrist, giving it a sharp twist, turning the arm against the shoulder joint, before transitioning into a hammerlock.]

[But Ulfric is ready for this, and is already ducking his head and turning into the hold, and in a flash he has it reversed, wrenching the forearm hard against Erik's upper back. Erik reaches over his head with his free hand and grabs Ulfric's head, using it as a handhold as he kicks his legs up... and thrusts them down again, the momentum causing Ulfric to roll forward, over Erik's shoulder, in a modified snapmare. Immediately Erik goes for the arm again, twisting it back into a seated armwrench. Ulfric quickly powers up to his feet, but Erik increases the torque, making Ulfric double over. But then Ulfric lashes out with his free hand and snatches Erik by the near leg, pulling it out from under him with a grunt of effort. Erik is hopping precariously on one foot, momentarily off-balance, and Ulfric uses the moment to direct a sweeping kick at the back of Cross's other leg -- and Erik flops onto his back, releasing the arm hold.]

[This leaves Ulfric with Erik's foot in his grasp, and he quickly applies a standing anklelock, turning Erik's foot against the joint. But Cross kicks out with his free foot, connecting just below Ulf's knee. Ulfric tries to adjust his footing, but Erik kicks him again, and again, until Ulfric throws his own leg back to avoid being kicked again. Then Erik rolls into the direction of the torque being applied to his ankle -- onto his front side -- and pushes up with his hands at the same time as he thrusts his free foot back again in a mule kick, knocking Ulfric's grasp loose.]

[Swiftly Erik gets back to his feet, shaking one leg a little to ease the pain in it. Ulfric charges him with a lariat -- ducked by Erik, who spins around and goes for a lariat of his own to the back of Ulfric's head. With almost preternatural ring sense, Ulf ducks it blindly, and Erik continues to run into the ropes. He rebounds -- and runs SMACK into a STIFF Ulfric shoulder tackle that knocks Erik Cross flat.]

Alicia Lockheart: Good GOD! HARD impact right there, after that very impressive series of holds and counterholds!

Frank Longley Jnr: I'm shocked that a match like this is starting with technical wrestling. These guys oughta be swinging chairs.

Alicia Lockheart: Don't forget that Ulfric's in his "Silent Warrior" mindset -- he wants to approach this from a wrestling, not a brawling, standpoint. And Erik Cross is a proficient mat wrestler himself, from his years wrestling the amateur style in state schools... So is it that surprising that they'd want to test their own technical skills against each other?

[Ulfric steps back as Erik Cross quickly gets upright again. They come together in another rough grapple. Ulfric bends low, getting his arm between Erik's legs and tossing him over with a fireman's carry -- but Erik counters into an armdrag, taking Ulfric to the canvas.]

[Ulfric starts to get up again, and Erik charges with a lariat -- which Ulf counters into a Fujiwara armbar, but Erik braces himself with a foot to avoid being forced down to the canvas. He spins, grabs Ulfric's wrist and starts to reverse the hold, but Ulfric shoves him away.]

Alicia Lockheart: More reversals here, both men successfully finding ways out of each other's holds. Erik Cross not going far after Ulfric shoves him: he stops on a dime and charges back-- OH! And runs face-first into a big boot!

Alicia Lockheart: Ulfric putting an abrupt stop to that as Cross is knocked down once again. This time Ulfric isn't standing back to let his opponent recover; he stoops down and grabs Erik by that black hair, getting him off the mat. Ulfric scoops him up over one shoulder -- shoulderbreaker coming up!

[Landing on his feet, Erik immediately kicks at the back of Ulfric's knee, making that leg buckle. Then he grabs Ulfric's arm and drops him with a Fujiwara armbar of his own, putting the Silent Warrior facedown on the canvas. Erik stays on his feet, standing over Ulf as he torques the shoulder... And then, to add to the punishment, he places one foot on the back of Ulfric's head, grinding it under his heel with a sadistic grin.]

Alicia Lockheart: Cross taking control of Ulfric here, and you can tell he's enjoying this.

Frank Longley Jnr: Why wouldn't he? That's the big, bad dog of the WWA he's crushing under his foot.

[Cross wrenches harder on the arm, eliciting a grunt of pain from his opponent. Ulfric fights now, pushing up with his free hand and trying to get his knees under him. This change of position forces Erik to shift his footing -- and Ulfric manages to go up on one knee. Then, with a quick move, Ulfric thrashes out with both legs, scissoring the legs of Erik -- making him tumble forward to the mat.]

[He immediately bends Erik's leg, lacing his own leg around it, and reaches across to clasp his hands across Erik's face.]

[Suddenly finding himself being bent the wrong way, Erik claws at Ulfric's hands, trying to relieve the pressure. Ulfric responds by pulling harder on Cross's head, tightening his lock on the leg.]

Frank Longley Jnr: True, but I can't see Erik calling it quits anytime soon. Apparently the guy LIKES pain, so he's probably having the time of his life right now.

[The referee is hovering nearby, watching in case Erik gives any sign of submitting. But despite the increasing strain on his spine, and the weight of Ulfric across his body, Cross continues to fight: throwing elbows up and back, catching Ulfric in the ribs with hard shots. The blows make Ulfric's grasp falter -- and then Cross tears Ulf's hands away from his face, breaking the hold.]

Frank Longley Jnr: Ha! There you go. Not even the mighty Ulfric can keep Erik Cross down!

[Thrashing his body, Erik shifts the bulk of Ulfric's weight off of him -- and soon he drags himself clear, rolling to a safe distance before scrambling to his feet. Ulfric gets up as well, tracking his opponent with eyes narrowed with intensity.]

Alicia Lockheart: Ulfric knew he wasn't going to have an easy time dealing with the younger of the Cross brothers tonight, but I think he's now realizing just how right he was.

Frank Longley Jnr: Well, duh, Alicia. Erik Cross didn't come here to play around.

[Erik returns Ulfric's look with a less-than-pleasant one of his own, rubbing the back of his neck. Then he ducks his head and charges at Ulfric's midsection. Ulfric leans forward, anticipating the hit -- but Cross swerves him, spinning around and then going behind with a waistlock. Ulfric throws an elbow back -- ducked by Erik -- and Ulfric's momentum turns him facing his opponent.]

Alicia Lockheart: Cross avoiding the hit -- and brings his knee up, nailing Ulfric in the gut. Erik with a front facelock now... but Ulfric straightens up, throwing him over with a back body drop-- OH! Cross twisting in mid-throw, landing on his feet, with Ulfric caught in an inverted facelock!

[Ulfric is left sitting on the canvas, rubbing painfully at his lower back. Erik runs the opposite way, into the ropes, rebounds... and HURLS himself down, driving his shoulder RIGHT into the spine of Ulfric.]

Frank Longley Jnr: That's NOT gonna do wonders for Ulfy's posture, I'll tell you that!

Alicia Lockheart: That's for sure, Frank. With Ulfric still in that seated position, Erik grabs both of Ulf's arms, pulling them back and up -- and putting his foot right between the shoulderblades, giving himself ample leverage to try and yank those arms right out of joint.

Frank Longley Jnr: That's good strategy by Erik -- Ulfric's not going to be able to do much if his arms are rendered useless.

[Grimacing at the strain, Ulfric rocks forward while shifting his legs, trying to get them underneath him and stand up. Erik cranks harder on the arms, making Ulfric groan -- but Ulf manages to get halfway up. Then Cross quickly changes position: letting go of the arms, ducking his head under Ulfric's armpit and grabbing him in a waistlock--]

Alicia Lockheart: --And TAKES him down with a belly-to-back suplex! Good offensive move by Cross, who's up at once... and DROPS a knee across the head of Ulfric! Ulfric rolls to one side, clutching at his face, but Erik rolls him on his back again and makes the cover:

Alicia Lockheart: Kickout after one, and a strong kickout at that, Ulfric more or less SHOVING Cross off of him.

[As Ulfric starts to pick himself up, Erik is all over him. He grabs Ulfric's legs, yanks them out from under him, knocking the bigger man on his back. Erik tries to turn him over into a Boston Crab -- but Ulfric thrusts outward with his legs, pushing Erik away. Ulfric quickly stands up... only to be walloped in the face by a hard right hand from Erik Cross.]

Alicia Lockheart: Ulfric returns with a right hand of his own! Cross punches back -- Ulfric blocks, and boots him in the midsection, doubling him over. Ulfric steps back... charges forward and-- OH! Swinging neckbreaker takes Erik down!

[And instantly Ulfric slips over to Erik's legs, snatching one up, and scissoring it with his own legs. He throws himself down, wrenching hard on Erik's limb.]

Alicia Lockheart: Crucifix kneebar applied by Ulfric, on the same leg he'd applied an anklelock to earlier. In all likelihood he's looking to weaken Erik's vertical base, and take away the speed advantage Cross has over the larger Ulfric.

[Again the referee hangs by, as Ulfric uses his strong legs to try to hyperextend Cross's knee. Wearing a pained look, Erik hitches himself up on his palms, and starts hand-walking backward. It takes effort to move Ulfric's weight, but with a grunt he does it, inch by inch and foot by foot approaching the ropes. Ulfric tries to shuffle them back toward the middle of the ring, but Cross flings his arms back -- and grabs the bottom rope.]

Alicia Lockheart: The referee ordering Ulfric to do just that, and issuing a five-count... Ulfric releasing at the count of four.

[But he doesn't let Cross go free: he grabs him by the foot and drags him away from the ropes. Then he twists Erik's leg around and goes for a figure-four leglock -- but Erik puts his free foot against Ulf's backside and kicks him off. Cross pulls his knees to his chest and--]

Frank Longley Jnr: Kip up by Erik Cross! Amazing resilience; I told you, this guy has it all!

Alicia Lockheart: Yeah, but the damage has been done to his leg, as you can see by the way he stumbled just a little on landing. Ulfric moving in now -- Cross with a standing dropkick! But Ulf sidesteps it! He stoops down to pick up Cross again, locks on a front facelock... up in a vertical suplex!

Alicia Lockheart: Cross with a HARD kneelift to the midsection, and another, as Ulfric falters... OH! Erik CUTS him down with a RUTHLESS LARIAT!

[Cross is already running for the ropes as Ulfric picks himself up. He turns around just as Erik rebounds and launches himself through the air--]

Alicia Lockheart: CONNECTS with the cross-body press! Cross not going for the pin, though -- he stalks nearby as Ulfric gets up again. Ulfric with the bull charge -- DROP TOE HOLD by Cross, sending Ulfric sprawling throat-first into the second rope!

Alicia Lockheart: Cross runs to the opposite side of the ring -- runs back -- SLAMS his weight down on the angled back of Ulfric! My GOD, that must hurt!

[Erik proceeds to push his knee into the back of Ulfric's neck, crushing the man's larynx on the rope, and the referee issues a stern five-count -- Erik finally backing away at about 4.95. Then he goes right back, yanking Ulfric out of the ropes by the hair, and kicks him hard in the abdomen, folding the Silent Warrior over.]

Alicia Lockheart: Cross with a front facelock -- OOHH!! DRILLS him with a corkscrew implant DDT!

[Without waiting for his opponent to get up, Erik goes to the side of the ring and steps out onto the apron. As Ulfric starts to climb back to his feet, shaking the fog from his head, Cross grabs the top rope -- then vaults himself up onto it, and springboards off -- CONNECTING with a missile dropkick to the face of Ulfric!]

[Gaining a bit of confidence, Erik Cross twists his lips in a smirk as he hauls Ulfric off the mat. He whips him into the corner -- where Ulfric hits the turnbuckles hard. Then, shooting a smug look toward the fans, Erik charges in with a cartwheel--]

Alicia Lockheart: HANDSPRING ELBOW! NO! Ulfric countered with a mule kick -- RIGHT to the back of Erik's head! And Cross is down on his front, clutching at his neck in what must be HELLISH pain!

Alicia Lockheart: No kidding, Frank... Ulfric taking a moment to catch his breath as Erik slowly gets up, very gingerly kneading the muscles of his neck -- and Ulfric has him! Double chickenwing -- OOHH!! TIGER SUPLEX!! He holds the bridge:

Alicia Lockheart: Indeed, as Cross kicks out at two. But that's more damage to the neck, which is only going to get worse as the match goes on.

[Fighting to his feet, Erik Cross continues to hold his neck in considerable pain. He whirls around to face Ulfric -- only to have that very man clamp his arms around his head and under one arm and--]

Alicia Lockheart: HEAD AND ARM SUPLEX! AGAIN, dropping Cross RIGHT on his neck and shoulders! Cross rolling around on the mat, hurting in a BAD way, I guarantee!

Frank Longley Jnr: Yikes... Erik may have a high tolerance for pain, but you're right, he's feeling that.

[Cross struggling to get vertical, as Ulfric moves in again, reaching for some kind of grapple. Enraged, Erik Cross takes a wild swing at him -- but Ulfric catches his arm!]

Alicia Lockheart: Armbar takedown! LOCKS IN THE CRIPPLER CROSSFACE! Ulfric's going to end this one RIGHT NOW!

[Hands locked firmly over the face of Cross, Ulfric wrenches back hard, drawing a loud growl of rage and agony from his victim. But Erik is pushing against the mat with his free hand, getting one knee under him -- and with a desperate burst of strength, he rolls himself and Ulfric over, so that Ulfric is now on his back with Cross on top of him.]

Alicia Lockheart: And a kickout by Ulfric before the three! Boy, that just about backfired on Ulfric in a big way!

Frank Longley Jnr: HA! What do you say to that, Ulfy? Cross had your big move scouted!

Alicia Lockheart: That he did, Frank, and a good thing, too, because with the punishment already inflicted on his neck, THAT would've done him in!

[Cross half-crawls to the ropes, hanging an arm over them for support as he tries to haul himself upright. Ulfric closes in, reaching to grab him -- but Cross lashes out with a foot, kicking Ulfric away. Ulf approaches again, and again Erik kicks at him -- but this time Ulfric catches it, leaving Cross to hop up and down helplessly on one foot.]

Alicia Lockheart: Ulfric knocked practically head over heels by that shot! Cross may have bought himself some recovery time here!

[Cross hangs on the ropes a moment, catching his breath and blinking his eyes laboriously, trying to clear his head. Ulfric starts to rise, hand braced on his knee, shaking his head painfully. Spotting this, Erik glares and goes into action -- rushing behind Ulfric, crossing the man's arms in front of him and clasping them from behind--]

Frank Longley Jnr: DEVASTATING! Ulfric driven RIGHT on his head with that release straitjacket suplex!

Alicia Lockheart: Pure, unadulterated maliciousness behind that, Frank! Ulfric is down, forearms clamped around his neck in what has to be HORRENDOUS agony... And Cross is making his way to the corner!

[Seeming to regain his more of his faculties with every step he takes, Erik ascends to the top turnbuckle. He perches there a second -- as the fans begin to buzz -- measuring the distance to the supine form of Ulfric... and then he launches himself!]

Alicia Lockheart: That was a HELL of a high-risk move, and he got it! And there's the cover!

Alicia Lockheart: ...NO! Ulfric getting the shoulder up JUST in time! But the blood is indeed flowing from his nose, Frank!

Frank Longley Jnr: Cross sees it, too... and by the look on his face, that's EXACTLY the motivation he needed!

[Indeed, Erik Cross is now wearing an expression of pure bloodlust as he rises to his feet... and starts stomping mercilessly at the bloodied visage of Ulfric. Ulfric tries to cover up, but on succeeds in getting his hands and forearms stomped on as well. Finally Erik stoops down and grabs a handful of Ulf's hair, tugging him off the canvas. He takes the arm and wrenches it, using his arm hold to lead the groggy Ulfric over to a corner of the ring. Here, Cross steps up the turnbuckles until he's standing on the top rope. Still holding Ulfric's twisted arm, he takes a few nimble steps along the rope, like a tightrope walker -- then jumps off, catching Ulfric around the head with a headscissors, and flipping him almost across the ring with a WILD hurricanrana.]

Alicia Lockheart: WHAT agility by Erik Cross, and WHAT a move that just sent the Silent Warrior flying!

[Plainly becoming irritated, Erik Cross storms away and slips out onto the apron, peering at Ulfric with eyes narrowed to slits.]

Alicia Lockheart: Cross setting up for another springboard move here... Ulfric starting to pick himself up again -- Erik about to vault up onto the top rope! No! Ulfric throws himself toward that end of the ring, which puts him too close for Erik's assault to be effective.

[Erik Cross leans over the top rope, trying to grab at Ulfric... but Ulfric darts forward, grabs Cross by the head and snaps his neck down on the rope. Erik almost falls off the apron, but hooks an arm on the rope, saving himself; still, the move has stunned him, and he rubs at his throat, coughing. Breathing hard, blood dripping down the front of his face, Ulfric reaches over and hooks Erik's head in a front facelock.]

Alicia Lockheart: Ulfric looking to suplex Erik back into the ring -- but Erik blocks it! Cross now with the suplex! HE'S GONNA DROP HIM RIGHT TO THE FLOOR!

Alicia Lockheart: But Ulfric kicks his legs, grabbing frantically for the top rope -- and manages to land safely on the apron instead!

Alicia Lockheart: And now these two men are exchanging some STIFF AS HELL shots to the face, Frank... If they developed ANY kind of camaraderie when they met before I-Wars, there's no trace of it here! They're just trying to knock each other's HEADS off! And-- OOHH!! Erik ROCKING Ulfric with a back elbow to the chin... and a kick to the gut! Erik hooks up the arms--

Alicia Lockheart: UNBELIEVABLE! CORKSCREW FACEPLANT!! OFF THE APRON TO THE FLOOR!! ULFRIC'S FACE HAS TO BE *CRUSHED*!!

Alicia Lockheart: Erik Cross taking a heavy jarring from the execution of that move, but Ulfric UNDENIABLY getting the worst of it! Cross looking over at Ulfric... who is rolling slowly on the floor, face buried in his forearms! NOT out cold... but probably knocked SENSELESS!

[Shaking his head incredulously, Cross crawls into the ring under the bottom rope. He uses the ropes to help him get upright. Looking outside once more -- where Ulfric has worked himself up to all fours -- Erik dashes off in the opposite direction, rebounding off the far ropes.]

Alicia Lockheart: Ulfric is just POURING blood out there on the outside... but here comes Cross! SPRINGBOARDS OFF THE TOP! SUICIDE DIVE!!

Alicia Lockheart: ERIK CROSS MISSED!! ULFRIC ROLLING OUT OF THE WAY AT THE LAST SECOND!! ERIK GOT NOTHING BUT FLOOR!!

[Cross is sprawled on the floor with limbs akimbo, like a rag doll thrown from a moving car, breathing in ragged gasps but otherwise not moving. Neither is Ulfric, who is laid out flat again -- as if the effort of dodging Cross's suicide dive took everything he had left. Surveying the human carnage from inside the ring, the referee begins a ring-out count.]

Alicia Lockheart: This thing could end right now, Frank. Neither of these men looks like they're going to be in any shape to continue. Ulfric has been turned into a bloody mess... and for all we know, Cross could've broken every bone in his body.

Frank Longley Jnr: If he'd HIT his move, I guarantee Cross would be pinning Ulfric in the ring right this moment. But damn that tenacious fool and his survival instincts.

Alicia Lockheart: Still, there's no denying the fact that Erik Cross has done some massive damage to Ulfric over the course of this match... Ulf wouldn't still be lying out there, unmoving, if that wasn't the case!

Frank Longley Jnr: Right you are, Alicia... Cross claimed all the way up to tonight's event that he had Ulfric's number, and I believed him, of course -- but anyone who doubted it will HAVE to change their opinion now.

[Amid a roar from the crowd that is best described as "utterly bonkers", Ulfric starts to stir again. He hitches himself up on one elbow, then on all fours, and begins to crawl toward the ring.]

[And then Erik Cross returns to the world of the living: half-rolling, half-crawling after Ulfric, while alternately clutching at his back, ribs and neck.]

Alicia Lockheart: This one's gonna come down to the wire! Ulfric now hauling himself up onto the apron... with Cross maybe two steps behind him!

Frank Longley Jnr: Cross now draping himself over the apron -- hauls himself inside the ring!

Alicia Lockheart: Both men JUST making it back before the referee reached the ten-count... not that they look any better for it. But Ulfric seems to have more of his faculties about him as he fights to his feet...

[Blinking bleary, unfocused eyes, he spots Cross trying to pick himself up off the canvas as well. Moving as if by instinct, Ulfric grabs him, puts him in a standing headscissors, and lifts him upside-down--]

Alicia Lockheart: Good GOD, what toughness by Erik Cross! Ulfric can hardly believe it!

[Clapping his hands to his face, Ulfric more or less flops backward on the mat, in a state of exhaustion. Cross rolls over once or twice, consciously or unconsciously putting some distance between the two men. This tableau remains motionless for a few long, tense seconds... until Ulfric ponderously struggles to kneel up, and then begins the arduous task of standing up.]

Alicia Lockheart: Ulfric does NOT look to be in a good way, Frank. He must have lost quite a lot of blood by this point, not to mention some of those NASTY impacts to the head he's taken. He could be a walking concussion right now.

Frank Longley Jnr: Seems likely, Alicia... but much as I hate to say it, HE'S the one who's moving around, while Cross is having trouble even picking himself up.

[Indeed, Erik Cross has worked himself up to all fours, but getting any farther seems to be beyond his powers. Meanwhile, Ulfric is stumbling over to him with purpose.]

Alicia Lockheart: Ulfric with a fistful of Erik's hair... dragging him bodily upright. And... OH MY GOD! LOCKS ON THE EMBRACE!! YOU CAN RING THE BELL RIGHT NOW, IT'S OVER!!

Alicia Lockheart: Cross put up one HELL of a fight, Frank, but Ulfric's about to draw the curtains on this match-- WHOA!!

Alicia Lockheart: Cross with a desperation move-- THREW himself forward into the corner, and drove Ulfric's face RIGHT into the top turnbuckle!! Ulfric's eyes rolling back in his head -- he releases the hold and flops backward to the mat! Cross could STILL pull this one off!

Alicia Lockheart: Cross once again dragging himself up to the top rope! He perches on the top, swaying dangerously but holding himself steady with hands on the rope... Peers down at Ulfric on the mat... AND THE JUMP!

Alicia Lockheart: PURGATORY!! HE LANDS THE CORKSCREW SHOOTING STAR PRESS!! CROSS STAYS ON HIM FOR THE COVER!!

[Once again, the effort and the impact of the move leaves both men laying in the ring like corpses with heaving chests. Several seconds later, it's Cross who moves first -- but Ulfric stirs as well, though with hardly any energy to speak of.]

Alicia Lockheart: Cross now helping a more-dead-than-alive Ulfric to his feet, where he stands there in a state of catatonia... And Erik now taking deep breaths, filling his lungs for one more move. He charges into the ropes -- second-rope Asai moonsault! CATCHES ULFRIC IN THE DRAGON'S DESCENT!!

Frank Longley Jnr: That had to be pure instinct on his part, because the man's got NOTHING left!!

Alicia Lockheart: CROSS IS DOWN! THAT'S GONNA DO IT FOR HIM! ULFRIC TRYING TO MOVE OVER TO MAKE THE PIN...

[Ulfric kneels up to crawl over -- but he sways drunkenly, a hand going to his sweaty, bloody countenance, and then whatever final reserve of energy got him this far seems to run out completely. He collapses face-down on the canvas...]

[The ring has become a still-life image yet again, with two bodies laid out on the canvas, as the announcer makes the final call...]

[At this, the arena goes totally berserk: every fan rising to their feet to roar their raucous approval for the match they've just witnessed. The sound is deafening, and our intrepid broadcasters Alicia and Frank have to shout to be heard.]

Alicia Lockheart: It was DAMNED close, Frank! Ulfric got the pin -- but I don't know if he was even conscious for it! That's a testament to the fight Erik Cross brought to the ring tonight! Meanwhile, Cross DID get his shoulder up after the F-5, but a fraction of a second AFTER the three!

Frank Longley Jnr: I don't know if this can be called a conclusive finish... but my GOD was it a war!

[By this time Erik Cross has rolled out of the ring, and is leaning against the apron, rasping for breath. He begins to stalk away, toward the rampway -- holding his battered body with his arms, and snarling audibly in dissatisfaction. Fans reaching out to touch him as he passes get malevolent looks in return, and quickly flinch back.]

Alicia Lockheart: Well, Cross certainly isn't happy about the outcome of the match, though he should DEFINITELY be proud of the performance he gave tonight...

[In the ring, Ulfric is up on one knee, elbow leaned on it, sweeping the mix of blood and sweat from his face with his hand. Then he peers out of the ring after Cross with an unreadable expression.]

Frank Longley Jnr: And that man right there has to be impressed as well... Has to KNOW that on another day, if one more second had gone by, things could have turned out differently. But... there you have it. On THIS day, Ulfric pulled it off.

[We cut to the back to see Ryan Matthews walking out of the arena. He has his gear bag over his shoulder, and as he turns to the door to leave we see a set of headlights pull up outside the door. Matthews opens the door and calmly exits. The camera moves over to see out the door and for a moment we see a huge black van filling the frame of the picture, until the cameraman dives for cover and all we see is the ground]

[The camera is picked back up, and see Joey Tesauro, challenger for the World Cruiserweight title, jump out the back of the Twat Van, a gym bag on his shoulder. Apparently late, he goes running past the camera guy]

[Matthews hears the apology and recognizes the voice that seemed to come from the blur that just flew past him through the door. He looks at the van and recognizes it as well. He looks down at the ground for a moment, mentally trying
to put two and two together...when it finally clicks, he smirks slightly and shakes his head.]

[Halfway on his way to the locker room, Joey finally puts together who the other guy was that he passed at the gate before]

Frank Longely Jnr - "Earlier, we recieved some footage... a series of previously filmed segments including Jonesy Frost and Ashley Hyatt. We're not quite sure what to make of them... but here they are:"

[Still carrying his headphones, the Forces of Nature member stares towards the ground while standing beside his partner-in-crime. Before the devilish duo stands a large stone, bearing engraved words.]

Ashley Hyatt: "I still don't see what you like about that crap. It's terrible..."

[As if it were on cue, a tree branch sways mightily through the windless cemetary -- smacking Ashley Hyatt across the forehead, and sending him tumbling towards the ground.]

[Adding insult to injury, a rather large drop of white goo finds itself implanted into the forehead of the grounded warrior... splattering with a sickening sound. With a look of unadulterated horror, he sits up, peering towards his partner with panicked eyes.]

Frank Longely Jnr - "There's more to come later... perhaps it will be explained."

Frank Longely Jnr: Anyways... Coming up now folks we have a three-way dance between "The Angel" Azrael, Deke Rivers, and “Irish” Ryan Beckett.

Lockheart: Actually Frank, Deke Rivers missed his flight here so the match will officially be Azrael versus Beckett.

[The sounds of "Shamrocks and Shenanigans" by House of Pain fill the arena as the lights slowly dim. A subtle green hue invades the auditorium as Ryan Beckett emerges from the darkness, the OCW Texas Heritage title around his waist. He is wearing a pair of blue jeans and a wife-beater shirt. His red hair is pulled back and his green eyes peer out from his chiseled face]

Breaker, breaker, here comes the caper
Straight with the taper, the lyric skyscraper
Hit ya like a lyrical murderer
I know ya think I have, but yo
I never heard of ya
Just because you heard of me kid
Fuck around until you do the lifetime bid
I'll put you in the dirt, and leave your ass for dead
When it comes to tools, T's the sharpest in the shed
Cause I'm the 55 Cadillac king
It ain't no thing, my cargo ring
We'll bust you in the crib
I got the skill, you gots to chill
Cause I bring doom, I got the boom sha lock lock boom

[Beckett stares out upon the masses as the words "2004 Pacific Cup Champion, Former Double Crown Champion, Current OCW Texas Heritage Champion" scroll across the JumboTron above. Beckett drops his head, saying a quick prayer for his father, then pointing skyward. Beckett taps the belt across his waist twice as "House Of Pain" continues to explode across the arena.]

Boom Sha Lock Lock Boom
'All Right Now'
Boom Sha Lock Lock Boom
'A Little Louder'
Boom Sha Lock Lock Boom
'Everybody'
Boom Sha Lock Lock Boom
'All Right Now'

[The heavy guitars continue to play as the irrepressible sounds of 'Da House' echo throughout the arena. Beckett slowly makes his way to the ring and slides under the bottom rope. He paces one end of the ring to another as the music finally comes to a close.]

["Suffer" by Staind erupts from the PA system as Azrael walks from the back through a thick haze of blue tinted smoke, his eyes scanning the crowd, searching the faces of the people for their reactions.]

The more you see the more you do
The television’s feeding you
Write what you want to hear, anger and fear
because you suffer the hate you feel won’t go away
you’re all programmed to feel this way to live
another day within a world that loves to suffer

[Azrael is clad in blue and black full body wrestling gear with blue and black boots and a blue and black mask with his long white hair hanging halfway down his back, streaked with bright blue highlights. The blue and white strobe lights mixing with the thick blue and gray fog rolling down the ramp combine to form an illusion much like the ocean before a storm with Azrael blending right in. The flash of cameras as he walks down the aisle illuminate the bright blue eyes behind the mask, eyes which are focused and full of intensity as they lock upon the ring. For the few fans who reach out to him, Azrael moves closer to the sides, slapping hands with them as he continues on down to the ring. Azrael has the Double Crown title over his shoulder and he moves closer to a girl who reaches out to stroke the shiny surface. The child is wearing an “Angel” T-shit and Azrael reaches over the barricade, hands the kid the title, then picks her up and holds her high over his head while the child holds up the belt. More flashing bulbs go off all around Azrael as he turns around in the aisle so all sides ca