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MATCH
SINGLES MATCH
Nero Blake Vs Stephen Kingsley
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Vasco Dias: Tonight we’ve got the debut of a man who in my opinion could be a pretty scary new edition to the roster.
Trent Helms: There is exactly one person who makes me crap my pants and this guy is his little brother. NERO BLAKE!
Vasco Dias: And his first challenge in IWF is a man who is looking to strike out on his own and forge his own path here, STEPHEN KINGSLEY!
Terri Morasco: Why waste time talking about it when we can get to the action?
{ As the drums and didgeridoo kick in, Stephen Kingsley walk to the ring with a purpose. Stephen has on his corked hat and his vest. Stephen uses the steps and before he steps into the ring, Stephen takes off his corked hat as an acknowledgement to the crowd and place it on the ring post. He steps into the ring and he takes off his vest and he hands it to an employee. He waits for the match to start. }Vasco Dias: Kingsley has had a lot of trouble finding his footing since the end of criminal intent, tonight could just be the night he gets himself on track.
Terri Morasco: He’s got the size and strength to really take this roster by storm.
{ “Cry little sister vs hello zepp” by Celldweller plays and the lights go down and a spotlight appears on the stage and Nero is in it, he slowly makes his way down to the ring and runs up the steps before stepping into the ring and dropping to his knees in the center with his arms to his sides and his palms facing outward. }Trent Helms: Damn, he looks like he’d make a sexy vampire on that hbo show.
Vasco Dias: I always knew you found men attractive.
Trent Helms: I’m man enough to admit that he’s one pretty man. You got my back right Terri?
Terri Morasco: No comment.
{ The bell sounds and Nero comes right out of his corner and collides with Stephen and drives him into his own corner. Nero unloads some heavy clubbing blows over the back of Kingsley in the corner while Kingsley tries to fight him off, finally he grabs the ropes and the ref pulls Nero back. Stephen locks it up with Nero and then quickly knees him in the gut sends him into the ropes. Nero comes back and Stephen drives a knee into his get and sends Nero over onto his back. Kingsley backs into the ropes and comes back with a leg drop! Stephen gets up and pulls Nero up by the hair and sends him into the ropes. Stephen looks for a boot but Nero ducks it, hits the ropes and comes back with a flying shoulder block! }Vasco Dias: Two big men just tearing into each other here!
Trent Helms: Some pretty exciting action from the heavy weight division.
{ Nero is up and he pulls Stephen up and grips him around the waist and drives him into the corner and proceeds to drive his shoulder into the gut of Kingsley five times. Nero then short arm clothes lines Stephen onto his back! Nero hops onto the top rope and as Stephen gets up he comes off the second rope with a flying clothes line! Nero rolls to his feet and Stephen is slow to his as well, he dodges Nero and sends him chest first into the turn buckle and then quickly hits a front leg sweep into the turn buckles! Stephen gets up and Nero is behind him. Stephen hits a stiff and clubs him over the back then quickly under hooks him for double arm ddt. Stephen pulls Nero up and throws him into the ropes. Nero comes back and right into a clothes line from Stephen. Stephen stays right on Nero as he pulls him up and hoists him over head for a big time scoop slam! }Terri Morasco: Kingsley has taken firm control of this match.
Vasco Dias: He’s really giving the new comer a run for his money at the moment.
{ Nero staggers to his feet and Stephen coms up behind him with the JURY’S OUT! Kingsley covers. ONE TWO! KICK OUT! Nero quickly tries to get to his feet as Stephen comes off the ropes but Nero turns and hits a big European upper cut! Nero hits the ropes and connects with a big shoulder block and quickly gets behind Stephen and hoists him high into the air for a back drop driver! Stephen tries to get back to his feet but Nero is right on him with a club over the back and twists him around for a snap suplex! Nero turns Stephen over and pulls him up and knees him hard in the gut several times before connecting with another big European upper cut that sends Stephen into the ropes. Nero comes at him with a standing drop kick that sends Stephen out to the outside! }Trent Helms: Nero is right back in this and he’s showing off his mean streak!
Vasco Dias: I love wrestlers like Nero, brutish, powerful, the all around perfect package.
{ Stephen staggers to his feet on the outside as Nero comes off the ropes and leaps over the top with a big time body splash on Stephen!!! The crowd goes crazy as the big Nero crashes into Kingsley on the outside!!! }Trent Helms: That big man just flew like a freaking Angel!
Terri Morasco: He got some amazing height!
{ Nero is up and looks a little worse for wear. He pulls up Stephen and looks to whip him into the steps but Kingsley reverses it and sends Nero crashing over the steps. Nero tries to get up as Stephen comes running up behind him with a clothes line. He grabs Nero, turns him and slams his face into the steps then whips him hard into the crowd barrier. Kingsley gets back into the ring, hoping to get Nero counted out. Nero runs back in and Stephen drops an axe handle on him and then starts to just pummel him on the mat. Stephen pulls Nero up and wraps him in a bear hug, carries him around the ring and then sends him whipping over his head and crashing hard onto his back. }Vasco Dias: There’s the brute strength of Stephen Kingsley.
Terri Morasco: Kingsley is like a well oiled machine tonight.
{ Nero tries to use the ropes to get up but Kingsley is right on him with a club and spins him around and sends him into the corner. Kingsley unloads some body shots. He backs up and runs at him looking for a running boot but Nero just slides out of the way as Stephen hangs himself up on the ropes! Nero clothes lines Stephen out onto the apron. Stephen pulls himself up and Nero grabs him around the neck and drops him across the top rope and Stephen falls off the apron. Nero rolls to the outside and grabs Stephen. He rams Kingsley hard into the ring apron and then sends him into the crowd barrier. Nero upper cuts Stephen again and then rolls him into the ring. Nero goes in after him but Stephen hits a desperation right hand across the jaw. Nero stumbles and Kingsley just boots him in the face! }Trent Helms: Damn. This match has just been back and forth the whole time. Neither of them can seem to keep control long enough to get a real advantage.
{ Kingsley is trying to catch his breathe as Nero pulls himself up on the ropes. Stephen charges Nero with a shoulder block and pulls him in for a big knee to the gut. Kingsley rips Nero off the mat for a sit down power bomb and a cover. ONE! TWO! KICK OUT! Kingsley rolls back and looks pretty tired as he gets to his feet. Nero struggles to get up as Stephen grips him around the neck in a side head lock and drives him into the mat with a big bull dog. Kingsley pulls Nero up and sends him hard into the turn buckles and Nero bounces off and falls to the mat. Stephen looks like he’s ready to put Nero away as he pulls him up to his feet but Nero snaps back to life with a European upper cut and then fires off six rapid forearm shivers! Nero runs back and hits the ropes and comes back with a flying shoulder block! Nero pulls Stephen up and just levels him with another standing drop kick. Nero quickly covers. ONE! TWO! KICK OUT! }Vasco Dias: Nero was down but he’s right back in this!
Terri Morasco: This man could easily be one of our next big title contenders!
{ Kingsley gets to his feet but Nero is right on him and drives him into the corner where he lays in several hard back elbows followed by more forearm shivers and then pulls Kingsley’s head into a hard knee. Nero snapmares Stephen out of the corner and then hits the ropes and comes back with a clothes line on the seated Stephen! }Vasco Dias: Both men have given each other everything they have here in our opening bout.
Trent Helms: It’s why IWF is the best damn wrestling promotion on the planet.
Vasco Dias: Finally something we can agree on.
{ Nero pulls Kingsley to his feet and looks to set him up for the finish but Kingsley snaps back to life with a kick to the gut, he bounces off the ropes with a running knee lift and quickly grabs Nero for the GUILTY AS CHARGED! Stephen covers. ONE! TWO! THREE!!! }Vasco Dias: Kingsley picking up a huge win here tonight!
Terri Morasco: He was looking to make an impact and I think he did it tonight with that impressive performance.
{ Kingsley celebrates as his music plays. }----------------------------------------------------------
SEGMENT
"A Message Is Sent"
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{ We come back from commercial break with Tara Fenix in the ring, mic in hand. }Terri Morasco: Tara is in the ring with something to say.
Vasco Dias: I imaging it’ll be directed at our Ruby Champion, Amber Richards.
{ Tara paces the ring before lifting the mic to her mouth. }Tara Fenix: I’m going to make this short and sweet, AMBER RICHARDS! GET YOUR ASS OUT HERE!
{ The crowd goes crazy for Tara as Amber’s music hits the pa, the Ruby Champion struts out onto the ramp, her title firmly over her shoulder. She looks down the ramp at Tara and sighs before pulling a mic out of her back pocket. }Amber Richards: I’m here Tara, what do you want?
Tara Fenix: You know the answer to that question. I WANT MY TITLE!
Amber Richards: Your title? Excuse me dear, perhaps your memory is failing you in your advanced age but I beat you for this belt not once but twice.
Tara Fenix: You never pinned me.
{ Amber rolls her eyes at Tara. }Amber Richards: You know, this is my problem with IWF. They opened the doors promising everyone here a clean slate and then people like you come in and start reminding us all of the things you did some place else. People like you, like InFamous like Joe Everyman. You stand there and despite the glaring truth staring you in the face that your time is over, you tell us yet again what you did in that other company.
{ The crowd is all over Amber with boos. }Amber Richards: WELL I’M SICK OF IT! What have you done for us lately Tara? Huh? What legends have you beaten!?
Tara Fenix: Get in the ring and I’ll show you.
{ Amber nods and drops the mic and begins to head down to the ring. She gets about half way there when out of the crowd come Cable Arcane and Gjenrei. Both men roll into the ring on either side of Tara Fenix. }Terri Morasco: What the hell are Honorbound doing out here!?
Trent Helms: No way, are the honorable guys about to beat Tara’s ass?
{ Tara looks to both her right and left and lunges at Cable as Amber slides into the ring behind her and clubs her of the back of the head with the Ruby Championship. The crowd is livid as Gjenrei and Cable hoist Tara up so that Amber can get another clean shot right to the forehead of Tara with the Ruby title! }Terri Morasco: Oh my god I can’t believe this.
Trent Helms: I can and it’s awesome.
Terri Morasco: What the hell is Honorbound’s problem?
{ Amber tells Honorbound to pick Tara up again so Amber can level her for a third time. From the back come Angel and both members of Infamous just as Amber lays out Tara again, this time opening a deep wound on her forehead. Honorbound and Tara roll out of the ring just as the cavalry slides in. }Terri Morasco: Finally, Angel and Infamous here to help Tara out.
Vasco Dias: Looks like it’s too late.
Terri Morasco: Better late than never, they were looking to end her career!
{ Angel glares at the men and woman he helped train as they all back up the ramp, Infamous standing guard over the fallen Tara and Angel. }----------------------------------------------------------
MATCH
Triply Threat
Mike Laszlo Vs Mike Machado Vs Xavier Cross
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{The lights dim, as the echo of a bird of prey screeching rips through the arena, a large explosion of orange/red/gold pyro erupts across the front of the stage. As it dies down we see the back of Xavier Cross, facing towards the curtain. This is when ‘The Phoenix’ by Fall Out Boy begins to play off the P.A.}
{The fans are on their feet, chanting.}
“Xavier Cross! Xavier Cross! Xavier Cross!”
{Cross turns around, doing the Atlanta Falcon ‘Dirty Bird’ wing flap, as he makes his way to the ring. He’ll stop and find the first child he sees, pulling a pen out of his boot, immediately signing something for the kid. Before moving over to the other side of the ramp giving fans a series of hi-fives.}
Alison Valance: "Hailing from Atlanta, Georgia, coming to you from Lexington, Virginia....Weighing in at two hundred and thirty-one pounds... Xavier....'THE PHOENIX'....CROOOOOSSSS!"
{Cross stares at the ring for a second before marching up the steps, looking around he doesn’t enter through the apron but climbs the outside of the turnbuckle, standing tall as he looks around the arena a grin on his face. He slaps his chest three times before hopping into the ring. He kisses his middle and index finger, pointing them to the sky, before looking down, crossing each wrist to make an X, he slowly raises his arms up. Each post shoots a pyro cannon perpendicular to each other, creating a flaming X for a moment.}
{Xavier moves to the corner, pulling himself on top of the turnbuckle, adjusting the tape on his wrists, waiting for the bell to ring and the match to begin.}
Terri Morasco: "Xavier Cross is coming off a tough loss at Legacy, and is now looking to get back on track with a win here tonight."
Vasco Dias: "He doesn't have the Heavyweight Championship anymore, but you'd best believe he's on the hunt to get it back."
{The opening guitar riffs to “Mustache Man” by Cake blare over the PA system, leading into an explosion of pyrotechnics. "Mediocre" Mike Machado stumbles through the smoke that is remaining, fanning his face and gasping for oxygen.}
Alison Valance: "From Orlando, Florida.... Weighing in at one hundred and ninety-five pounds..... MIKE MACHADO!"
{The fans give him a mixed but generally positive response; a mixture of pitied cheers and genuinely appreciative roars. A feint chant of "Me-di-ocre - clap clap clapclapclap” starts up as Machado makes it to the ring. He slides through the bottom ropes and begins to do his pre-match stretches, including cherry pickers and windmills.}
Trent Helms: "Now here's a man after my own heart, the man in the iron mustache, Mike Machado. He came so close to winning that Cruiserweight Championship last Sunday."
Vasco Dias: "Close, but not close enough unfortunately. He gave Bushido a run for his money, but he couldn't close the deal. A win here could get him right back in the thick of things."
{"Cult of Personality" by Living Color hits the sound system as Mike Laszlo walks out onto the stage, followed by Alexis Caffrey, to a favored reaction from the crowd. Surveying those who cheer, a smirk comes over his face as he heads for the ring with a slow confident walk, ignoring the fans along the isle who want to slap his hand, Alexis close behind.}
Alison Valance: "Making his way to the ring.... Accompanied by Alexis Caffrey.... From Cleveland, Ohio.... Weighing two hundred and thirty-seven pounds..... MIIIIKE LASZLOOOOO!"
{Mike slides into the ring under the bottom rope before posing for the crowd who give him another favored
reaction, as Alexis ascends the stairs and enters the ring. Backing into the corner Mike clasps his hands and loosens his wrists waiting for the start of the match.}
Terri Morasco: "Laszlo was the only man in this match who was successful at Legacy, and boy was he. He picked up a huge win over..."
Trent Helms: "Over me, Terri. Over me. I'll give Laszlo credit, he was the better man on Sunday, but I'm still a hall of famer. And nine times out of ten, I'm beating Mike Laszlo."
Vasco Dias: "Well that win has Mike Laszlo's profile higher than ever. He looks to carry over that momentum tonight."
Terri Morasco: "One of these men have tasted gold, and the other two are hungry to do the same. All three are ready and raring to go, so let's get this match going."
{All three men stare each other down from their various positions inside the ring, looking for someone to make the first move. When Cross and Laszlo's gaze catch one another, Mike Machado seizes the opportunity to charge at Cross, sees him coming out of the corner of his eye and sidesteps the attack. Cross grabs Machado's head and uses his momentum to send him flying through the ropes and out to the arena floor. This brief distraction allows Laszlo to strike Cross with a punch... and another... before booting Cross in the gut. Laszlo hits the ropes and rebounds, but Cross jumps into the air and tackles Laszlo down with a Lou Thesz Press.}
Trent Helms: "So who exactly is this 'Lous Thesz' guy that move is named after?"
Vasco Dias: "I'll tell you about it later, Trent."
Trent Helms: "Is this like the time you promised to give me the birds and the bees talk and never did?"
Vasco Dias: "....Shut up."
{Xavier mounts and strikes down with punches as Laszlo tries to cover up. Cross stands up and Laszlo follows, where cross hits him with a quick Shoulder Block. Laszlo is up immediately, and Cross hits another Shoulder Block. Laszlo gets up quickly yet again, and Xavier connects with a Backhand Chop that lights up his chest. Laszlo responds with by grabbing Cross and bringing him into a knee to the solarplexes, and lifting him up for the Scoop Slam. Xavier gets up instantly, but Laszlo shoots around behind Cross and hooks him up for a German Suplex. Cross blocks the move, and Mike Machado runs in from behind and starts to club Laszlo in the back with forearm shots.}
Vasco Dias: "It's always tough to get an advantage in one of these triple threat matches. You think you have one opponent where you want him, and then your plans go up in smoke."
Trent Helms: "You have to have eyes in the back of your head, so you can know where everyone is at all times. Coincidentally, I dated a girl with eyes in the back of her head. She was a real looker."
Terri Morasco: "Rimshot."
Trent Helms: "It's not my best work, but it'll do."
{Machado spins Laszlo around and pulls him in for a Vertical Suplex, but Laszlo blocks to and lifts Machado, tossing him face-first to the mat with a Flapjack-like counter. Machado bounces to his feet, holding his chest in pain, and Laszlo drops him with a Clothesline. Mike turns back around and Cross catches him with a Shoot Kick to the chest that sends him to the mat. Cross sees Machado getting to his feet and catches him with a Shoot Kick as well.}
Trent Helms: "It looks like the former champion is on a mission. He's firing on all cylinders."
Vasco Dias: "Cross is as quick as they come. He's a Cruiserweight in a Heavyweight body."
{Cross helps Laszlo to his feet and catches him with a forearm shot before running and hitting the ropes, looking for a Spear. Laszlo leapfrogs the move, and Cross barely keeps his balance, turning around and getting dropped by a Belly-to-Belly Suplex. Laszlo stands up and is grabbed from behind by Mike Machado's Sleeper Hold. Machado jumps onto Laszlo's back for extra leverage, but Laszlo shrugs it off. He grabs Machado's head and falls forward, Snapmaring him off of his back, and as Machado gets to his feet and charges, Laszlo grabs him and drills him down hard with a Spinebuster. The larger Mike goes for the pin cover. 1..... 2. Cross rips Laszlo up from the mat and tosses him into the turnbuckles.}
Terri Morasco: "Laszlo thought he could steal a quick win there with that sick Spinebuster, but Cross wasn't having any of it."
Trent Helms: "He didn't check to make sure Cross was still down before going for the pin. Rookie mistake by a non-rookie."
{Cross grabs Laszlo's head and pulls him away from the corner a bit, before stepping onto the second rope and jumping off, hitting a Spingboard Bulldog. Both men are up fairly quickly with Laszlo holding his face, stumbling into a Reverse STO from Cross. Xavier gets to his feet and is immediately hit in the face by a Mike Machado Dropkick, causing him to stumble back into the ropes. Machado stands, a bit shocked that his move was successful. He looks around for a second in wonder, allowing Cross to plant a boot in his gut. Machado keels over and Cross pulls him into position for a Tiger Driver, but Mike Laszlo comes out of nowhere and drops Xavier with a Clothesline. Laszlo guides Cross to his feet and whips him into the corner, before charging in and hitting a big Corner Splash. Laszlo steps back and charges in again, nailing a second Corner Splash on Xavier.}
Vasco Dias: "Those Stinger Splashes are taking all the wind out of Cross. He has to be struggling to catch his breath."
Terri Morasco: "Laszlo is looking to send a message to the Heavyweight Division tonight by taking out the former champion."
{Laszlo gets cocky and heads all the way back to the opposite side of the ring and gets a good running start, but Machado steps in his path and goes for a Clothesline of his own... that causes Machado to fall to the mat. Laszlo looks down at him and laughs, before charging Cross in the corner again, but this time the former Heavyweight Champion is waiting, ducking his shoulder and sending Laszlo over the top and to the ring apron. Cross tries to strike Laszlo, but the man on the outside blocks it and connects with a forearm shot to the jaw. This backs Cross up and allows Laszlo to try and enter the ring, but as he does, Machado runs and collides with him, sending both men out to the arena floor.}
Trent Helms: "Cross has the familiar look in his eye. Is he going to steal a page out of my book?"
Vasco Dias: "He looks like he wants to fly."
{Cross sees the two men getting to their feet on the outside, and starts to motion to fire the crowd up. He runs and hits the ropes before coming forward and leaping over the top rope... landing on his opponents with the Cross Body Block! The crowd cheers as Cross stands up and catches his balance.}
Trent Helms: "I give it a four out of ten."
{Xavier grabs Machado by the neck and rolls him into the ring before climbing in after him. He hooks Machado's leg and goes for the pin. 1.... 2... Machado gets the shoulder up to some scattered cheers from the crowd. Cross picks him up and slams him back down with the Scoop Slam, positioning him perfectly in the center of the ring. Cross steps through the ropes and ascends to the top turnbuckle, he points to the sky before leaping off for the Macho Man Experience Elbow! Machado narrowly avoids the move, rolling in towards the corner, and Cross crashes hard to the mat. Machado sees Cross writhing on the mat in pain and heads out through the ropes himself, gingerly climbing the turnbuckles before looking down at Cross. He does a cross motion across his chest with his hand before leaping... and somehow nailing his Mustache Ride Diving Headbutt! Machado holds his head and slowly crawls onto the cover. 1.... 2... Cross kicks out.}
Vasco Dias: "Mike Machado, risking life and limb to win this match... and for once it actually paid off!"
Terri Morasco: "But that Diving Headbutt took as much out of him as it did Cross. It's going to take a while to recover from that one."
{Machado gets to his feet, still holding his head. He uses his free arm to drop an elbow on Cross, and go for another pin. 1.... 2. Xavier kicks out, and Machado's pin attempt is thwarted yet again. The mustached wrestler bends down to try and lift Cross, but Mike Laszlo grabs him from behind and turns him around, lifting and drilling him with the Welcome to the C-L-E Backbreaker! Laszlo rips Machado off of the mat and tosses him through the second rope, but keeps hold of him and spins him around, pulling him back through and draping his feet over the rope. Laszlo twists and turns, nailing his signature Executioner Cutter! Laszlo rolls Machado over onto his back and goes for the pin. 1..... 2..... Machado gets his foot on the bottom rope!}
Terri Morasco: "Say what you will about Mike Machado, but he has a ton of fight in him. And to even have the wherewithal to get your foot on the rope at a time like this shows that he's learning."
Trent Helms: "But after that big move from Laszlo, you have to wonder how much he's got left in him. I've taken that move before, and I'm way tougher... and better looking than Machado."
Vasco Dias: "You should consider growing a mustache."
{Laszlo, looking frustrated, pulls Machado to his feet and away from the ropes. He powers Machado up onto his shoulders and into Reverse Death Valley Driver position, but before he can do anything, he turns and is met by a stiff kick to the upper thigh from Xavier Cross. Cross hits another stiff kick to the leg, causing Laszlo to drop Machado back to the mat. Cross connects with a third kick before hitting a quick boxing combination of jabs, and then an Uppercut. As Laszlo falls to the mat, Machado tries to grab Cross, but the former Heavyweight Champion catches him with an Uppercut as well, sending him falling to the mat, right next to Laszlo. With both men down, Cross jumps into the air and looks to complete his B/S/T Combo with a Standing Shooting Star Press.... but both men get the knees up at the same time! Cross falls back after landing on two sets of knees, and holds his gut.}
Vasco Dias: "Four knees colliding with one body at the same time. That's gotta hurt."
Trent Helms: "No doubt about it, Vassie."
{Both Mikes get to their feet and look at the fallen Cross. Laszlo reaches down to grab Cross from the mat, but Machado's hand comes in and grabs his arm. Laszlo laughs in the face of the smaller man, as he steps away from Cross and moves around the ring, all while Machado still his a grasp of his arm. Laszlo stops and looks at Machado give him a look that says "Seriously?", when out of nowhere, Machado hooks his arm and sends him flying to the mat with a picture perfect Arm-Dragon! Laszlo crawls back into the turnbuckles and uses them to stand up as the effects of the world's most powerful Arm Drag take effect on him. Machado charges in and grabs Laszlo's arm again, sending him out of the corner with another Arm-Dragon! Laszlo stumbles up to his feet, clearly off balance, and is hit by a boot and pulled into the Handle-Bar Mustache DDT! Machado stuggles to roll Laszlo over onto his back and goes for the pinfall. 1.... 2.... Laszlo barely kicks out! Machado sits up off of the pin and flashes three fingers to the referee, challenging his counting ability, when Cross runs in and drills him in the side of the head with his signature Shining Wizard!}
Terri Morasco: "To the skull! It's gotta be over now."
Trent Helms: "I thought it was over on that Double Arm DDT. So who knows?"
{Cross lays on top of Machado and goes for the pin. 1.... 2.... Laszlo slides his boot up and kicks Cross in the head, breaking the pinfall. Laszlo gets to his feet first, and rips Cross up from the mat as well. The Ohio native pulls Cross into Suplex position and hoists him up, looking to score with No Mercy. As he maneuver Cross through the air, Cross breaks free and slips down behind Laszlo's back. He grabs Laszlo and spins him around, looking to land the Crossifixion! Laszlo lifts Cross and sends him over his back, where Cross lands on his feet and stumbles backward, right into Mike Machado and a School Boy Roll-Up! 1.... 2.... again Laszlo breaks up the pin with a boot!}
Vasco Dias: "Laszlo breaks up another pinfall. He's playing great defense right now."
Trent Helms: "He obviously doesn't play for the Dallas Cowboys then. Worst team ever. Worst fans ever."
Terri Morasco: "Well that's something we can all agree on."
Vasco Dias: "Anyway.... All three of these men have a chance to win this thing. Someone has to seize the opportunity."
{Mike Machado gets to his feet quickly and charges Laszlo, but the bigger man catches him with kick to the stomach. Laszlo pulls Machado in for Malicious Intent, lifting him high in the air onto his shoulder. Before he can follow through with the move, Xavier Cross runs in out of nowhere and spears Laszlo, causing both Mikes to crash to the mat. Laszlo rolls under the bottom rope and to the floor, and Cross is left alone in the ring with the groggy Machado. The former Heavyweight Champion grabs Machado's leg and takes him to the ground, locking on the Cross Word Puzzle! Cross traps the leg in the painful submission hold, and Machado has no choice but to tap out after a few seconds!}
Alison Valance: "Here is your winner by submission.... XAVIER CROSS!"
{Xavier breaks the hold and gets to his feet, before having his hand raised in victory. The crowd cheers wildly for their hero as he climbs to the second rope and celebrates his victory.}
Vasco Dias: "After coming up short in his title defense at Legacy, Xavier Cross is back on track with a huge win over one of the up-and-coming Heavyweights, and the most recent Cruiserweight Championship contender. He looks to be back in championship form!"
Trent Helms: "Hey. It's only the first step back for him. There's a big difference in winning now, and winning when the gold's on the line. He did look pretty awesome out there tonight though."
{Cross jumps down to the apron and then the arena floor, before going over and high-fiving the outreached hands of the fans. He reaches the top of the ramp and looks back at the ring, mouthing some words before raising his arms again.}
Terri Morasco: "Xavier Cross is a determined individual. He's not happy with how things went down on Sunday, and he's going to show IWF what he's really made of."
Trent Helms: "He's looking as good as ever, and he's on a mission. Cross continues to be one to watch in Imperial Wrestling."
----------------------------------------------------------
SEGMENT"A Disgrace"----------------------------------------------------------
{ We return to IWF Monday Night Sacrifice just as “King of the World” blasts out of the PA system and the crowd erupt into boos as the IWF COO Roberto Verona makes his way out from behind the curtain and down the ramp, looking at the fans as he goes in a fine Italian suit. He asks for a microphone as he enters the ring and looks around the arena as scorn is poured on him from every man, woman and child here in Ohio. }
Roberto Verona: What a warm welcome…
{ The crowd erupt into boos as Verona just smiles. }
Roberto Verona: You’d have thought somebody had died, which is perhaps apt as I am here to deliver a eulogy to the demise of something so dear to our hearts. Please, join me in a moments silence as we remember the brief… brief reign of Joseph Everyman as our Imperial Champion.
{ Roberto lowers his head and stays perfectly still and silent as the crowd deliver a chorus of disapproval on him, but he insists on remaining still for a whole minute. }
Vasco Dias: See, this is class.
Terri Morasco: This is an ass.
{ Verona mockingly wipes away a “tear” before he lifts the microphone back to his lips. }
Roberto Verona: It pains me to see that respect and dignity is lacking here in Ohio, although I have to be honest, it doesn’t surprise me. No, you are the same class of people who clapped away like seals and bawled you hearts out with joy every time that piece of trash walked down my ramp with my Imperial Championship draped over his shoulder when he would have just as well dragged it through the mud because let me be honest, that is what he did with the prestige of that belt.
{ Verona pauses for a moment as his intensity rises. }
Roberto Verona: Now I have been accused of many things over the past few years, but I am not as heartless as you like to portray. When I lay in my bed at home, barely able to walk, I sat and watched history being made when Joe Everyman finally achieved a lifetime dream and you know what? I was happy.
Terri Morasco: Why do I find that hard to believe?
Vasco Dias: Will you be quiet, sheesh.
Roberto Verona: No, really. You see, when I founded this company along with Simon de Montfort to continue NCW’s legacy, I always knew that my own dream was realised. A company where the little guy, with a bit of hard work and determination, could achieve just as much as the star power whose legacies are already secured. Joe Everyman proved to the world that my vision was alive and well and bearing fruits.
{ Verona begins to pace the ring. }
Roberto Verona: I watched with pride as Joe shoved every criticism he has ever had down everybody’s throats, I enjoyed the beaming smile emanating from him as he marched around with his chest puffed out… but...
{ Roberto suddenly pauses and raises a finger. }
Roberto Verona: I was betrayed. Two weeks ago, when my own recovery should have been my paramount concern, I had to wake up to see my Imperial Champion’s gormless face plastered all over some of the shit stains of journalism like TMZ because he had taken it upon himself, in his infinite wisdom, to disgrace this company by getting himself involved in a car crash whilst allegedly under the influence.
Vasco Dias: He has a point…
Terri Morasco: Shut up Vasco.
Roberto Verona: The man who I had invested so much pride and faith in betrayed me, he took everything I had given him and all my goodwill and he pissed all over it like it was some cheap whore he could use and abuse anyway he saw fit. After so many years begging for an opportunity I allowed him that chance to grasp at it and he repaid me by involving himself in some b-list celebrity gossip column shenanigans that not only made himself look bad, but he made each and every one of us here in the IWF family look bad too. However, most of all, he made all of you look bad too.
{ The crowd boo, clearly disagreeing with him. }
Roberto Verona: Really? You don’t believe me? This was the man who thrived off our belief in him, who courted your love and affection and when he finally earned the plaudits you’ve all been queuing him to give him, he threw it back in your faces by acting like anything but a champion. A champion doesn’t lower himself to being involved in incidents like the one Joe found himself in, a champion upholds a company’s values, represents it in the best light possible, after so much promise Joe Everyman took the best thing to ever happen to him and he soiled it.
Terri Morasco: Soiled? Are you kidding me here?
Trent Helms: We’d need to ask Lex how it smells now.
Roberto Verona: People want to know why I came back and laid him out, it is simple. He made me look like a joke, he made this company look like a joke and for that, he had to be punished. I gave him every opportunity to retain his championship and truth be told, his fate would have been the same regardless of whether he was still, technically, the champion or not. The moment he stumbled out of that car wreck he was set on a collision course with an immovable force that will stop at nothing to make him pay for his transgressions.
Vasco Dias: Strong words, couldn’t agree more with our COO.
Trent Helms: Let me just log on Twitter, I am sure Xavier Cross will be disagreeing with all of them…
Roberto Verona: IWF requires a strong leadership, IWF requires champions who represent this company in the best possible way. For every success we have made in our short lifespan there have been mistakes just around the corner. Joe Everyman will pay for dragging IWF’s name through the mud, this company will have a champion it deserves, and this company will be represented by the men and women it deserves. Not some drunkard who threw away his dreams. You can keep on blaming the boogie man all you want, but sooner of later you’ll have to blame him for his own shortcomings.
{ Verona looks right into the camera. }
Roberto Verona: Welcome to your reprisal, Joe. Last week was just the beginning.
{ Verona drops the mic as his music hits and he goes to exit the ring as we cut to a commercial break on the image of the COO walking up the ramp, ignoring the protestations of a few fans. }
Well howdy there pardner.