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Post by Jess Fowler on Jan 31, 2022 5:37:43 GMT
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PRE SHOW
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TAG TEAM MATCH
Nick Knight and Abraxes vs Warren Suffering and Mr. Happy
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{ Nick Knight and Abraxes made quick work of Warren Suffering and Mr. Happy, picking up the victory only two minutes into the match. However, Knight had to step in when Abraxes seemed like he wanted to take things to another level by hitting Warren with Consign to Dream across the crowd barrier. Knight stopped Abraxes and it was clear these two still remember their earlier wars. However, Abraxes put Warren down and walked past Knight saying "You've changed" loud enough for the camera to pick up. }
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SINGLES MATCH
Gabriela Luna vs Caroline Machado
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"Her ongoing mission...to boldly go where no one has gone before..."
{ The voice of Sir Patrick Stewart echoes throughout the arena before Dua Lipa's "Levitating" begins to blare. A blast a pyro goes off as Caroline Machado heads out to the stage, dancing to the beat of the tune while sporting a brief, but warmhearted grin on her face. }
"(Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
I got you, moonlight, you're my starlight
I need you, all night
Come on, dance with me
(I'm levitating)
You, moonlight, you're my starlight
I need you, all night
Come on, dance with me
(I'm levitating)"
{ The Brazilian shimmies and twirls down the ramp, often stopping to give some lucky fans a hug or two. Her motion is fluid as she makes her way down to the ring, again dancing to the beats. }
"You can fly away with me tonight
You can fly away with me tonight
Baby, let me take you for a ride
(Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
(I'm levitating)
You can fly away with me tonight
You can fly away with me tonight
Baby, let me take you for a ride
(Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)..."
{ The lights fade out to a rotating green and yellow hue, with Caroline continuing to dance and pose for the cheering crowd. Eventually, the lights come back on as she gets into her MMA fighting position and waits for the match to start. }
Vasco Dias: Wow...what a difference a year makes, huh?!
Terri Morasco: This time, Caroline was at the preshow desk with Summer and Company! Now she’s here and lookin’ to make 2022 her year!
{The relentless opening chords of "Vortex" by Los Savants crash out as Gabriela Luna dashes out onto the stage, throwing her fist into the air to the cheers of the crowd. She shouts at the crowd, beckoning them on with her hands, and grins widely at them before turning and charging down the ramp. Gabriela leaps and slides feet-first under the bottom rope, rolling to her feet and coming up with a defiant shout of joy. She runs over to the nearest empty corner, leaping up onto the second turnbuckle and further beckoning the crowd on before hopping down into a crouch and waiting for the match to start.}
Vasco Dias: She’s gotta get through Gabi first!
Terri Morasco: Either way, this is gonna be a fun match!
[DING!]
{ Caroline Machado and Gabriela Luna had quite the entertaining match, a fifteen-minute affair that left fans questioning why the hell would THIS be on the preshow! At the start, neither woman gained an advantage over each other. Gabi was quick to dazzle the crowd with her brand of hardcore, high-risk action – hitting Caroline with an Asai moonsault on the outside before scoring a two-count with a very impressive leaping headscissor takedown! Caroline, being the learner, adapted to Luna’s strengths and took her off of her thrill-heavy game. The Brazilian showed off her ground-and-pound MMA flair, wowing the crowd with, mong other things, a trio of vertical suplexes that get her a count of two. Both of these women gave it their all throughout the contest – with Gabi hitting her trademark Onatopp Driver and Caroline with her own Six-Pack Spike, both getting extremely close two-counts from Blue Shoes. Eventually, Gabi got the three-count at 16:30 after hitting Caroline with the dreaded PHOENIX SPLASH! }
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MAIN SHOW
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SINGLES MATCH
Denny Winston vs Nick Danger
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Alison Valance: The following match is for one fall!
Terri Morasco: I am really excited to see how this match turns out. Nick Danger and Denny Winston have been going back and forth for weeks.
Vasco Dias: Someone isn’t walking out of here, that’s for damn sure.
{ The lights dim then there’s a sudden loud explosion. That’s when “Save a Horse Ride a Cowboy” kicks over and Denny comes walking out laughing a little. Denny strikes a flexing pose on the stage. As the music kicks it up again, the flash of pyros burst upward, and the lights come up as Denny makes his way down to the ring, slapping hands along the way. He slides in the ring, and poses in the corner, waiting for the match to begin.}
Alison Valance: First down to the ring, weighing in at 205 pounds, standing at 6’2’’ from Greenville, Alabama… Denny Winston!
Terri Morasco: Denny is still pretty new into Imperial wrestling but he certainly made an impact here.
Vasco Dias: He’s been a little shit but sure, an impression.
{I Hate U by Boston Manor comes on the speaker and Nick Danger walks out to the entrance ramp wearing Red and White wrestling attire and his leather jacket says Savior. He stands on the entrance ramp hyping the whole crowd to chant his name and starts walking down the ramp while giving fans high fives. He walks up the steel steps and goes through the middle rope to stand near the center of the ring for a moment then takes off his leather jacket and then throws both of them to the crowd then stands at the corner turnbuckle ready for the match to start. }
Alison Valance: Last down to the ring, weighing in at 195 pounds, standing at 5’11’’ from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania… Nick Danger!
Terri Morasco: I’m surprised Nick looks so relaxed here.
Vasco Dias: Nick isn’t concerned. He probably feels pretty good about the fact Harper kicked Denny’s face in last week.
{The bell rings and Nick kicks things off with a Pele Kick. Denny takes the hit and responds with a snap Suplex. Nick rolls from the impact, Denny goes in with a knee drop. Denny tries to hit Nick but Nick counters with a Springboard Roundhouse Kick.
Nick goes for the pin
1
2
Kick out!}
Terri Morasco: That was close!
Vasco Dias: Come on, things are barely started!
{ Nick tries to get away but Denny comes with an Not on my watch
Denny goes for the pin
1
2
Nick Kicks out!}
Terri Morasco: That was too close for comfort.
Vasco Dias: Now things are getting interested.
{Nick Danger going forearm smash to the back of Denny's head five times then connects with a Phoenix Blade and goes for the Rise And Fall but Denny counters with a dropkick.}
Terri Morasco: Things are getting intense now!
Vasco Dias: You are easily entertained.
{ Denny bounces and hits Nick with a Hurricanrana. Nick staggers slightly but knocks Denny back with a Rising Brainbuster.}
Terri Morasco: Oh the tides are getting in Nick’s favor!
{Nick hits Denny with a Reborn Phoenix. He takes a moment to breath before going back and hitting Denny with it again as soon as the other man tries to get back on his feet.}
Terri Morasco: could this be it?
Vasco Dias: Shut up and let me watch the match.
{ Nick gets up and kicks Denny in the head. He moves back, breathing hard before hitting the mouthy little shit with a RISE AND FALL knocking him to the mat.
Nick goes for the pin
1
2
3}
Alison Valance: Your winner by pin fall Nick!
Terri Morasco: That will put that punk Denny Winston in his place!
Vasco Dias: Will it? I’m not sure.
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IWF WORLD TELEVISION CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
1K RP Word Limit
Stephen Terrella vs Pax Stormcrow(c)
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Terri Morasco: I want to take a moment and go back to Holiday Havoc in December, where Pax Stormcrow was defending the Television Title against JC Keeton. It was a fantastic match but we wouldn't see a winner due to the interference of Stephen Terrella, which sets the stage for the match we're about to see because Terrella stole the belt that night and has held onto it ever since.
Vasco Dias: Slow down, Morasco. Terrella didn't steal the Television Title, he's just trying it on for fit. Do you just so to the supermarket and grab any old melon off the shelf? No, you squeeze them a bit. We test things out in this world before we buy them, and that's really all Terrella was doing. He's walking into this match carrying the title, and he's going to walk out as the Champion. It's a foregone conclusion.
Terri Morasco: Do you ever stop and think about what you're about to say, or does it just pop right out? In what world does any of that make sense? I'd certainly say Pax is going to have a lot to say, too, in regards to rather or not Terrella walks out with the title.
Vasco Dias: Swell. When he regains consciousness after this is over, you go talk to him and give me the cliff notes version of why he failed. Now shut up, Morasco, so Alison can bring out the soon-to-be champion!
{ Alison Valance stands in the middle of the ring for the introductions. }
Alison Valance: The following contest is scheduled for one fall and is for the IWF World Television Championship...
{ The camera takes a long shot of the entryway as and the arena darkens. Smoke begins to rise from the ground atop the stage, cast in a purple hue from the lighting directly overhead as 'Disorder' begins to blare across the speakers. Terrella makes his entrance carrying the stolen Television title over his shoulder and holding hands with Portia. They take a few steps before stopping to stand side-by-side on the stage. After releasing hands, she places her left hand on his right shoulder and runs her right hand down his chest and abdomen as he lowers his glasses down the bridge of his nose before turning for a kiss. }
Alison Valance: About to make his way down the aisle, being accompanied by Portia... standing 6'2"... and weighing in at 309 pounds... from Cold Springs, Nevada... The King Of Clubs... Stephen Terrrrellllllaaaa!
{ Terrella re-positions his sunglasses and begins a slow walk toward the ring, arm-in-arm with Portia to a chorus of boos. They reach the bottom of the stairs where they release arms. Terrella removes his sunglasses and vest and hands them to Portia. He surveys the arena for a few seconds with a menacing scowl before making a slow march up the stairs. Terrella walks the apron to the center of it, stopping with his left hand resting on the top rope to stare down the crowd as Portia applauds for her man from the floor. Finally he ducks under the top rope to enter the ring, rolling his shoulders once inside to ready himself to fight. }
Alison Valance: And his opponent...
{ The lights in the arena dim, and there is the sound of a powerup collected in an old video game system. At the sound, the crowd leap to their feet with cheers A beat is laid out, filling the arena with the sounds of a Midi file. The lights pulse in time with the music. As they flash as the beat trembles, an explosion of sparks rocks the entrance stage. Pax walks out onto the stage, looking around as the crowd bursts into cheers. He gives a smirk as the chanting on Suplex by A Tribe Called Red kicks in. }
Alison Valance: Coming to the ring... standing 6'2"... and weighing in at 240 pounds... hailing from Aitkin, Minnesota... he is the reigning IWF World Television Champion... Paaaxxx Storrrrrmmcrow!
{ He stands at the top of the ramp, lifting his right fist into the air with his head down, bobbing his hooded head along with the music before marching down to the ring. He slides into the ring and jumps onto the second turnbuckle, throwing his hood off and hyping up the crowd with yells. Before Stormcrow is able to slip off his coat, however, Terrella rushes him! Pax sidesteps the attempted cheap-shot, and Terrella crashes chest-first into the turnbuckles! Alison quickly scurries out of the ring! }
Terri Morasco: Terrella tried to blindside Pax, but our champion was ready! We are starting off fast as Tommy Knocker signals for the bell! And Pax with a backhand chop right across Terrella's chest!
Vasco Dias: I think that definitely stung Terrella, but he's a hard man to strike there! He's got a chest like stone!
Terri Morasco: Stormcrow fires up with a right hand square to Terrella's jaw... and that did more than sting him! Terrella stumbles back... and there's another chop from Pax to a somewhat limited effect. Stormcrow unloading with another big fist, though!
Vasco Dias: Stormcrow clearly wants to bring the fight to Terrella, but he may be letting his emotions overcome him here... he's not going to win a slugfest against Terrella.
Terri Morasco: How can you blame him after the past few weeks?! Pax goes in tight under Terrella's jaw with a European uppercut! The force of that drives Terrella backwards into the corner! There's a second European uppercut from Stormcrow! The Champion is looking really strong here tonight early on!
{ Pax tries to throw another punch, but Terrella blocks this one. The King lands a headbutt on the Champion. Stormcrow staggers, allowing Terrella to connect with a heavy left hand to the body of Pax, bringing the champion up off his feet. Terrella drives another left into Pax's abdomen, again elevating the champion off the canvas. Terrella snatches Pax up, only to drop him throat-first across the top rope. Stormcrow hits the canvas gasping for air. Stephen seizes the opportunity to stomp away at Pax's ribs. The challenger muscles Pax up with two hands wrapped around his throat, holding him in the air for almost the entirety of a very slow five count by Tommy Knocker. At that point Terrella releases Pax, letting him fall to the canvas. Stephen reaches down and fish-hooks Pax in his nostrils, guiding him to his feet. }
{ The champion grabs at Terrella's wrist and snaps the challenger's arm over his shoulder. As Terrella shakes out his arm Stormcrow transitions into a go-behind waistlock. Pax tries for a German suplex, but Terrella bends at the knees and turns his three hundred pounds into dead-weight for the block. The King rises up, striking Pax in the ear with a back elbow! The force of the blow breaks Pax's grip and he stumbles away, but he regains his bearings and fires a boot into Terrella's midsection. Placing both hands behind Terrella's head, Stormcrow scores with a facebuster! Pax quickly covers Terrella. Tommy Knocker is slow to get into position, but his hand does land for the One!... But Stephen kicks out! }
{ Stormcrow is up quickly, stomping away at Terrella now. Stephen expends some energy getting out from underneath the offensive onslaught. The champion tries for an Olympic Slam, but Terrella fights it off with some elbows to Pax's head and shoulder areas. Stormcrow abandons the Olympic Slam attempt, electing to transition into a double-leg take-down in an effort to neutralize some of his challenger's power. Pax works his way into a front headlock on Terrella, then slipping into a gator roll. The King is clearly out of his depth on the canvas, and Pax once more puts Terrella's shoulders to the mat. The official slides in for the count, registering a very slow... One!... Two!!... No!!! }
Vasco Dias: Whew! That was way too close!
Terri Morasco: I'm interested to see if that count is consistent because it was absolutely a slow count. To his credit, Pax is keeping a level-head about it. Stormcrow dragging Terrella up... and there's a backbreaker! The Champion with an impressive display of strength... dropping the larger man across his knee there!
Vasco Dias: You can see the pain on Terrella's face, Morasco. Being three hundred pounds works against you when your body is dropped over another man's knee. Why is this idiot Stormcrow playing to the crowd, though!? You picked him up, yeah, but you didn't beat him!
Terri Morasco: It's called enthusiasm, Vasco.
Vasco Dias: I'd call it stupidity, Morasco.
Terri Morasco: Pax drops a knee right in the small of his challenger's back! You can see Portia looking on from the outside there, trying to encourage Terrella. If I were Pax I'd keep one eye on her, too.
Vasco Dias: If you were Pax, then Pax would be cross-eyed, Morasco. She hasn't even done anything! She's standing there rooting for her boyfriend. You really need to stop throwing shade at her just because she's prettier than you are. I'm sure they'll find a spot on the IWF calendar for you, too. Maybe on the back, like a tiny half inch square next to the first three months of next year that no one ever uses?
Terri Morasco: You are an a-
Vasco Dias: Pax with another backbreaker! How about that!? Do your job, Morasco. I can't do play-by-play, too! I'm the color! Stop worrying about me and start calling the moves!
{ Terrella rolls underneath the bottom rope, spilling himself onto the floor at Portia's feet for a powder. Portia checks on Terrella, occasionally glancing up to yell at Pax. Stormcrow goes to the outside, and Portia quickly runs away from the action. Pax helps Terrella the rest of the way up so that he can bounces his face off the apron! Terrella leans against the apron to try to support himself, and Pax rattles off another chop across Terrella's chest! Terrella answers with a knee deep into Pax's abdomen, then lowers his shoulder and plows into Pax's midsection area, driving Stormcrow into the barricade. The wind goes out of Stormcrow, but he continues to fight with a doublesledge to Terrella's back. }
{ Terrella reaches out and gouges Pax's in the eyes as the referee shouts "Four!", blinding Pax. More dirty tactics from Terrella follow, this time seeing him bite at the champion's forehead. Tommy Knocker shouts, "Six!", and Terrella scoops Pax up and drops his ribs across the barrier around ringside. Tommy gives Terrella some rope with a very slow count, enabling Terrella to hoist Pax up and punish him with a bodyslam on the floor below, causing Pax to shout in pain.. Terrella rolls in-and-out under the bottom rope at the official's count of "Eight!", resetting the count. The King continues to punish Pax, executing a pumphandle slam onto the floor! Stephen flips off some of the audience members in the crowd rooting for Pax, drawing a heavy dose of jeers from the crowd. Terrella places his boot across Stormcrow's throat, choking his opponent. He relents, and Stormcrow gasps for air. Terrella leaps and crashes down on Pax's chest with nearly all of his three hundred pounds and a standing splash! }
{ Stephen is slow to rise, taking some time to try to catch some breath himself. He paces away from the champion, clutching at his lower back and grimacing a bit. Terrella waits on Stormcrow to stand as Stephen sets his hand to the ground, forcing Pax to expend the energy to bring himself up. Terrella charges... lunging into Pax with a spear!!! There's almost a collective gasp in the arena at the impact. Terrella, spitefully, puts his hand on Stormcrow's face to push himself up. Terrella rolls back inside the ring, sitting perched on one one knee. The referee begins to count. }
{ One! }
{ Two! }
{Three! }
{ Four! }
{ Five! }
{ Six! }
{ Seven! }
{ Eight! }
{ Knowing he cannot win the title via countout, Terrella engages Tommy to break the count, telling him to, "Stop fucking counting." Seeing an opening, Portia capitalizes on the opportunity to add a tiny bit of damage to Pax's toll by stepping on his chest with her high heel. She feigns innocent to the crowd, drawing more boos from the sold out Melbourne Cricket Ground. Growing impatient, Terrella pushes Tommy aside and goes out after Pax. He picks the champion up with both hands by the throat, sorta throwing him onto the apron against the ring ropes. Terrella rolls inside again, reaching over the top rope to drag Pax up by a short tuft of his hair. The challenger bends Pax backwards over the top rope and rains down a series of vile, clubbing blows across Pax's chest, reddening it! After a series of those strikes, Terrella scrapes Pax's eyes across the top rope for the entire length of one side of the ring. The King puts one hand under Pax's armpit, the other around his throat, and just heaves him into the ring! }
Terri Morasco: That is just raw, scary strength! Pax Stormcrow is not a small man. Think what you will of Terrella -and I think he's a terrible human- but there's no denying his power.
Vasco Dias: I like the guy. He doesn't try to sell me a t-shirt every time I see him unlike some people -ahem, Pax- around here. Do you know how hard is to brace yourself over a toilet with your feet pressed against the walls of the stall so he doesn't know you're hiding from him in there? I've pulled like three hamstrings.
Terri Morasco: Will you stop! You're making that up. Terrella back on Pax now... he looks like he might be looking for a powerslam here... but wait! Pax slipping off his shoulder! There's still some fight left in the champion!
Vasco Dias: Gah! Where is he getting this from!? Does he ever run out of gas in the tank?!
Terri Morasco: Pax strikes with a right hand! There's another! The champion is feeding off the energy of this crowd here!
Vasco Dias: Terrella has an answer with a left of his own!
Terri Morasco: That one did send Pax reeling... but Pax responds with another right!
{ The two men trade shots, with the crowd booing every time Terrella lands one and cheering every time Pax answers. }
Terri Morasco: Pax blocks a kick by Terrella... and he has Terrella's leg!
Vasco Dias: I don't like where this is going...
Terri Morasco: Stormcrow with a kick to Terrella's hamstring!... followed by a dragon screw legwhip! Terrella is down! Pax is pressing his advantage... he's not going to... is he looking for a German Suplex!?
Vasco Dias: If he German Suplex's Terrella I will eat this entire stack of program notes. There's no damn way.
Terri Morasco: Pax locks his hands... and there's a German Suplex! He's holding on!!!... The Champion turns his hips, and he is dragging Terrella back up! There's another German Suplex!!! He's going to do it again! Pax turns, and there's a third German Suplex! That's an enoromous amount of weight Stormcrow is tossing! Every person in this arena is on their feet!
Vasco Dias: This is a disaster! Terrella's looking up at the lights with a thousand mile stare!
Terri Morasco: You want some salt for those papers? Oh! Wait! The champion covers! Come on Tommy, get over there! Here's a count... One!... ... Two!!... ... Th-No! That might've been three, but Tommy Knocker was incredibly lax getting over, and Terrella shot his shoulder up at the last second.
Vasco Dias: Easy on the man, Morasco... he's doing the best he can.
{ Pax voices a little frustration with Tommy Knocker's count. The champion flips Terrella onto his stomach, then he locks in a cross-armed surfboard near the ropes! With both his arms trapped, Terrella struggles to find an escape. Pax drives his knee deep into Terrella's back and wrenches back with everything he's worth! The anticipation starts to mount in the crowd! Terrella shakes his head no when Tommy asks him if he wants to quit, and Pax leans him forward and yanks back again! Tommy asks Terrella one more time, and while his attention is on Terrella, Portia reaches in and puts Terrella's boot over the bottom rope. The crowd boos as Portia screams for Tommy, pointing to Terrella's leg. Tommy demands Pax break the hold, starting a rapid five count. Pax slams Terrella's face down into the canvas, eyeing Tommy with a bit of frustration. }
{ Stormcrow drives a stomp into Terrella's back for more punishment. Pax heads for the corner, slipping to the outside where he begins to scale the turnbuckles. The champion perches himself on the top, a bit unsteady in what is an uncharacteristic position for the amateur wrestler. Portia moves for the apron, putting a hand on the bottom rope. Tommy seems to warn her only because he has to, and Pax keeps an eye on her. Portia verbally rips into Pax as Terrella begins to stir. Pax seems to be trying to measure Terrella for something while simultaneously keeping an eye on Terrella's girlfriend. The King grabs the official by the waist, acting as if he's trying to use him to help himself stand. Instead, Terrella gives Tommy a bit of a shove into the ropes, throwing off Pax's balance. Stormcrow comes down, and the steel cable leading to the turnbuckle splits the uprights and strikes Pax south of the border. Pax falls to the canvas. Terrella collapses again from what appears to be some fatigue, also holding an arm to his back in pain. The referee starts a standing ten count. }
{ One! }
{ Two! }
{Three! }
{ Four! }
{ Five! }
{ Six! }
{ Seven! }
{ Terrella is on all fours, crawling for Pax. Terrella makes it to his knees. Pax has pressed himself up with his arms. Terrella drives a headbutt into the base of Pax's skull, and Terrella himself sways backward from the blow. Terrella lifts Pax's head, smashing his face into the mat. The challenger takes in a deep breath, then turns the champion over and begins just viciously smashing the back of his head off the canvas repeatedly. Stephen flips off Pax before climbing into a mounted position and just starting to bombard the champion with heavy left hands about his face and head! }
Terri Morasco: Pax is in a lot of trouble here, Vasco. He told us this was going to be a war of attrition though, and I assume he's trying to weather the storm and let the big man gas himself out.
Vasco Dias: That always sounds great in theory, but it's another thing in practice when you're getting your face smashed in by those giant ham-hocks that Terrella has for fists! All the cardio in the world doesn't prevent you from getting a concussion, or a broken nose, or a busted lip.
Terri Morasco: Terrella grimacing in pain, still clearly favoring that lower back of his. He's willing himself up, though, trying to get to a vertical base...
Vasco Dias: Both of these men are going to be hurting tomorrow. This has been an absolute war!
Terri Morasco: Terrella slowly dragging Pax to his feet... and I can't argue with you on that last point, Vasco. Terrella whips the Champion into the corner... and 'Silver Crush!' Terrella just bulldozed Pax in that corner and there was no where for Pax to go!
Vasco Dias: Terrella with a cover! We're going to have a new champion!
{ Tommy Knocker quickly slides into position this time, his hand hitting the mat at the same time as his stomach for... One!... Two!!... Th-No!!!! The Champion just barely pulls a shoulder up! Portia stands with her hands on her head in disbelief on the outside as Terrella just grabs his mouth in frustration. Terrella yells, "Fuck!" Sweat is pouring off of Terrella's body. He pounds the mat out of more frustration. }
Terri Morasco: Pax Stormcrow has so much heart... so much will.
Vasco Dias: He's like a cockroach, you just can't get rid of him.
{ Terrella snatches Pax up and dumps him to the outside with authority. Stephen very gingerly makes his way out after his opponent. Terrella asks for Portia's help tearing up the mats on the concrete floor, and the two go to work with evil intentions. The official offers a warning, but seems content to let it slide from there. Portia and Stephen rip and tear at the protective padding, exposing a large swath of concrete. Terrella jaws at a few fans at ringside before eventually setting his sights back on Pax. He drags Pax up, but Stormcrow surprises him with a European uppercut! Pax pops Terrella with a closed fist, then a second European uppercut! Terrella launches a knee deep into Pax's midsection again though, halting his momentum! Terrella brings Pax forward, and puts him into position for a powerbomb... }
Terri Morasco: No, come on!... Not on the concrete!... You'll fracture the man's back!
Vasco Dias: I seriously doubt Terrella cares, Morasco.
Terri Morasco: Pax powers up... and he takes Terrella over with a backdrop!!! Terrella back-first onto that concrete!
Vasco Dias: That sound was brutal! That was flesh and bone against concrete, and concrete always wins every time.
{ Pax wipes some sweat from his brow as he looks back at Terrella writhing in pain on the floor. Portia is on her knees on the floor, just a few feet from her man with her hands over her mouth in concern. Pax slaps hands with a few fans at ringside on his way back for Terrella. Stormcrow pulls Terrella's broken body up off the floor, digging down to push the three hundred pound frame of his challenger into the ring. Pax gathers himself, looking for a final push. He rolls in under the bottom rope, Terrella barely able to move. Pax lifts Terrella one more time. He wraps his arms around Terrella's waist... }
Terri Morasco: Terrella is on wobbly legs!... And Pax takes him over with a Saito Suplex!!!
Vasco Dias: I don't think Terrella has anything left! How can he!?
Terri Morasco: Pax covers, hooking the leg tight... and the official slides into position... One!... ... Two!!... ... ... Three!!! Pax Stormcrow has successfully retained his Television Title over Stephen Terrella!!
{ Pax falls back onto the canvas with his fists in the air as his music hits. Tommy Knocker goes over to retrieve the Television Championship as Portia crawls into the ring to check on Stephen Terrella. Pax sits up, receiving the title belt from the official. The crowd roars in approval, the belt back in possession of it's rightful owner. }
Winner by pinfall: Pax Stormcrow
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IWF WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP GAUNTLET MATCH
TDH vs Vendetta vs Leo Hemmingway and Jason Williams vs Roberto Verona and JC Keeton(c)
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{ This match kicked off with Vendetta and TDH going back and forth. TDH, Nick and Nate, had Vendetta against the ropes several times though out the match but Jesse and Travis would fight back and ultimately hit the Stormbreaker on Nate for the first fall in this gauntlet match. Next up was Leo and Jason and they really took it to Vendetta who didn't seem as prepared for this team. Jason was the main man for his team for a long time while Vendetta tagged out as often as they can. Eventually Travis hit a chop block on Jason that led to Vendetta taking control of the match. Jason would get the hot tag to Leo and hit clothesline after clothesline until Jesse stopped him with an atomic drop. Vendetta then went to work on Leo before hitting him with Stormbreaker! Jason tried to break up the count but unfortunately was a second too late as Vendetta moved forward to the final challenge, the tag team champions themselves. Verona and JC had their way with Vendetta in the opening moments, clearly they were much more well rested and ready to go. Roberto and Jc worked together to isolate Travis from Jesse. JC would work over Travis and then tag to Verona who would come in and do the same. Jesse was starting to lose it on the outside. Roberto seemed prepared to put Travis away but Jesse entered the ring. The referee stopped Jesse, JC came in but the referee stopped him as well. Travis hit Roberto with a huge spine buster here. Travis then tagged in Jesse and Roberto tagged in JC. Jesse and JC went back and forth but eventually Jesse got the upper hand. Vendetta then isolated JC from his partner and kept him on their side of the ring. Travis and Jesse resorted to quick tags to get maximum impact while having time to rest until they were ready to put JC away. Roberto entered the ring as Vendetta made preparations but Travis was there with a running clothesline that sent Verona to the outside! Vendetta then hit the Stormbreaker on JC to pick up the victory! }
Winner and NEW IWF WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS! VENDETTA!
{ Vendetta celebrated all the way to the back as their music played. JC and Roberto regrouped in the ring as JC apologized to Roberto. Roberto could be seen whispering something to JC before dropping back and hitting JC with the SILENCER!!! Roberto then walked away from his former partner. }
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IWF WOMEN'S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Rowan vs Shelly Diamond(c)
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Vasco Dias: Welcome back to Metamorphosis! Next up we have the Heiress to the Throne taking on the Women’s World Champion! It’s Rowan MacDonnough versus Shelly Diamond! NEXT!
{ We cut to a video package set to the tune of Ghost’s “Hunter’s Moon.” We see clips of Shelly Diamond as she fought her way through the ranks of the IWF women’s division culminating in her Women’s World Title match against Abigail. We then see clips of Rowan’s journey through the Heiress to the Throne culminating with her defeat of Tara Fenix at Diamonds are Forever. We then see clips from their tag match together ending with Rowan and Shelly staring each other down. As the video concludes we come back to the arena. }
{Lights out.}
"Sanctus Espiritus!"
{The hymnal opening of “Our Solemn Hour” by Within Temptation rings through through the arena, matched by a few flashing sparks of dark red light throughout the building. Red lights shine down and around the entranceway, still accompanied by sporadic flashing throughout the arena, illuminating the silhouette of Rowan MacDonnough standing at the top of the ramp, a graphic of Chiropteran wings seeming to sprout from her back, dominating the imperatron. She breathes heavily, shoulders heaving as her head hangs down. As the opening continues, red smoke floods down the ramp as Rowan occasionally twitches spasmodically in rhythm with the music...}
"Insanity is all around us..."
{As the song roars to life, Rowan's head snaps upwards, glaring around at the audience as her golden eyes glint in the smoke and the red light. The wings behind her burst into flame and are reduced to cinders as graphics throughout the arena show images of roaring flames and swirling crows. She lopes forward, unconsciously rolling her wrists as her eyes bore a hole in the air before her. The smoke seems to follow her down the ramp as she walks.}
"Time keeps on slipping away and we haven't learned, so in the end now what have we gained?"
{She leaps into the ring, landing with a roll in the center of the ring and pulling into a feral crouch. She stands, raising her arms as though conducting a savage chorus, posing one last time...}
"Sanctus Espiritus! Is this what we deserve? Can we break free... from chains of never-ending agony?"
{She slowly, reluctantly backs towards a corner, eyes constantly moving as she settles in to wait for the bell.}
Terri Morasco: What an incredible video package that carried us right into Rowan making her entrance.
Vasco Dias: I completely agree, Terri. And by god, what a presence Rowan has. She’s truly a once in a lifetime professional wrestler.
Terri Morasco: That she is, Vasco and tonight she looks to become a three time Women’s World Champion, the only other women to have held the Women’s World Title more than twice is Eternity!
Vasco Dias: That’s rare company Rowan could put herself in and what’s amazing is she is facing someone she has never faced before!
{ The lights in the arena dim to a dull grey as smoke emits from the ramp way. Envy by Ice Nine Kills hits the pa as the lights in the arena turn bright white. As the song really kicks in the lights die down to a normal level to reveal Shelly Diamond standing on the ramp posing like her ex husband with her arms outstretched. She throws her arms down as pyro erupts behind her before strutting her way toward the ring to the beat of the music. Shelly walks up the steps then climbs up the outside ropes before throwing her arms out again as the lights in the arena turn up to a blinding level. When the lights return to normal she is now standing in the center of the ring, ready and waiting. }
Terri Morasco: And here she is, the IWF Women’s World Champion! Shelly Diamond! You were saying tonight Rowan looks to become a three time World Champion but tonight Shelly is looking for her first successful World title defense.
Vasco Dias: It’s incredible that Shelly has been Champion since August and doesn’t have a successful title defense. The weight of that has to be crashing down on her coming into this match.
Terri Morasco: It absolutely has to, Vasco. Shelly faced off against Tara Fenix twice without a clear winner but tonight she faces a different challenge. Tonight Shelly Diamond defends the World title against the woman who defeated Tara Fenix to be here tonight.
Vasco Dias: Rowan MacDonnough, one of the all time greats in IWF, men or women.
Terri Morasco: That’s enough chatter, Vasco, it’s time for the announcements!
{ Shelly and Rowan stand on either side of the ring as Alison Valance prepares. }
Alison Valance: The following contest is scheduled for one fall with a sixty minute time limit and it is for the IWF WOMEN’S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP! To my left, she is the challenger and the 2022 Heiress to the Throne, ROWAN MACDONNOUGH!!!
{ Rowan steps forward slightly and rolls her shoulders as she keeps her eyes locked on Shelly. }
Alison Valance: And to my right, she is the reigning and defending IWF WOMEN’S WORLD CHAMPION!!! SHELLY DIAMOND!!!
{ Shelly takes the World title off her shoulder and raises it up over her head in one hand. Shelly starts to walk across the ring but the official for the match, Jessica Andrews stops her. }
Vasco Dias: Alright, the introductions are over! It’s time for our co main event!
Terri Morasco: Please don’t try and make that into your catch phrase.
Vasco Dias: Why not?
Terri Morasco: It just doesn’t feel right.
{ Jessica Andrews calls for the bell and we are off! Shelly makes her way to her right as does Rowan, the two of them circling each other at the outset. Shelly begins to move in for a tie up but Rowan sets off a stiff shin kick to Shelly’s left quad. Shelly backs off and kicks her leg out to stretch it as Rowan keeps her hands up. Shelly moves in for the tie up again but Rowan goes for another quad kick but Shelly grabs the leg of Rowan and looks for a single leg takedown but Rowan blocks the attempt and crushes the jaw of Shelly with a stiff elbow shot! }
Terri Morasco: OH! Rowan has clearly been watching some tape coming into the match!
Vasco Dias: Tape? Like video tape?
Terri Morasco: I imagine Rowan prepares for matches by watching her opponents other matches on 8mm film in a dimly lit and for some reason wet basement with meat hooks hanging from the ceiling.
Vasco Dias: That sounds about right.
{ Shelly backs off from Rowan now but Rowan see’s an opening and comes in fast with a basement dropkick to the left knee of Shelly! Shelly drops down to one knee and Rowan is up and starts to brutalize the face of Shelly Diamond with knee strikes! Rowan then backs off and looks to send the head of Shelly Diamond into the third row as she lights the champion up with a nasty spinning heel kick to the jaw! Rowan goes in for a cover, making sure to bury an elbow in the face of Shelly Diamond but Jessica only gets a one count before Shelly gets an elbow up. }
Vasco Dias: Rowan really seems to have Shelly on the backfoot right now.
Terri Morasco: Rowan is an absolute expert at limb assasination and that is what we are seeing right now and it would appear that Shelly wasn’t fully prepared for it.
Vasco Dias: I don’t think Shelly has even hit Rowan with a move yet and we are already several minutes into this match!
{ Rowan pulls Shelly up but Diamond slams several back elbows into the gut of the Beast of the Abyss to creat some space. Shelly turns and looks to throw a right hand but Rowan hits a thrust kick straight to the gut of Shelly Diamond and then a low kick to the left knee of Shelly that brings her down to a knee again! Rowan looks for a running knee strike but Shelly moves at the last moment to grab Rowan with an ankle pick! Shelly quickly mounts Rowan and starts to rain down elbow strikes as the Heiress covers up. }
Vasco Dias: Woah! Rowan has just been having her way with the Champion but it looks like Shelly has had enough!
Terri Morasco: I think Shelly maybe underestimated Rowan there in the opening of the match but she seems to have come around.
Vasco Dias: We will see if she can keep the pace up!
{ Shelly breaks away from the mount and Rowan is quick to get back to her feet but Shelly comes right in with a drop behind into a rear waist lock on Rowan. Rowan fires off a back elbow but Shelly avoids the strike and picks Rowan up and slams her down with a rear waistlock takedown. Shelly transitions into a front chancery with Rowan in the center of the ring. The Beast of the Abyss isn’t having it and manages to fight her way to her feet and break Shelly off of her. Rowan goes for a punt but Shelly picks the leg and this time nails the single leg takedown before locking in a knee bar on Rowan! }
Terri Morasco: Shelly just turned up to 11 with that display of technical prowess.
Vasco Dias: It’s incredible watching athletes at the peak of their careers battling it out for the biggest prize in professional wrestling!
Terri Morasco: I absolutely agree with you! This has been amazing so far and we aren’t even ten minutes in yet!
{ Jessica Andrews checks on Rowan but Rowan isn’t anywhere near tapping or even thinking about it. Instead Rowan begins to claw her way toward the ropes. Shelly is doing everything she can to wrench that knee bar but Rowan just continues to drag the both of them hand over hand, nails digging into the canvas. Finally Rowan gets to the ropes to break the hold. Shelly holds on for a full four count before letting go, getting up and then dropping a knee across the left knee that Shelly just had in the knee bar! }
Vasco Dias: Rowan just drug her and Shelly all the way across the ring to get the ropes!
Terri Morasco: That was incredible!
Vasco Dias: Rowan is incredibly strong! I can’t believe she just did that!
{ Shelly starts to drag Rowan back toward the center of the ring but Rowan catches Shelly on the jaw with her right heel! Shelly backs off and Rowan swings up to her feet. Rowan rushes in as Shelly turns and connects with a huge European upper cut! Rowan then starts to chain European upper cuts together that push Shelly back across the ring until she’s in the corner! Rowan then unleashes a volley of shin kicks to the left knee and quad of Shelly until she drops to a knee! Rowan backs up and then runs in connecting with a huge dropkick on the kneeling Shelly in the corner! Rowan drags the limp body of Shelly out of the corner before sitting on her chest and unloading the Defiler headbutts on the downed Diamond until a cut is opened over her right eye! Rowan goes for a cover but it’s only another one count before Shelly kicks out! }
Terri Morasco: Rowan has drawn blood!
Vasco Dias: And you know that only makes Rowan more dangerous!
Terri Morasco: But what will it do to Shelly once she see’s that she’s injured?
Vasco Dias: We’re about to find out what our champion is truly made of.
{ Rowan pulls Shelly up to her feet and Diamond springs up with a leaping knee strike! Shelly then rubs the blood that is pouring down her face and smiles before slapping Rowan across the face with her blood soaked hand! Shelly drops behind Rowan and grabs her for a dumping snap dragon suplex! Shelly gets right up and she looks like a person gone mad as she grabs Rowan for a deadlift into a dumping German suplex on the mat! Shelly pulls Rowan up to her feet and looks for the Diamond Cutter and hits it right in the center of the ring. Shelly makes her first pin attempt of the match but Rowan kicks out at one! }
Vasco Dias: It’s going to take a hell of a lot more than that top put down Rowan MacDonnough!
Terri Morasco: It was a nice attempt by Shelly and I think Rowan has opened something up in her challenger but Rowan is only just getting started herself.
Vasco Dias: Absolutely. This match has only just begun.
{ Shelly looks shocked as she looks to Jessica Andrews who holds up just one finger. Shelly goes to grab for Rowan but Rowan hits palm thrust into the throat of Shelly. Rowan then works her way up to her feet and grabs Shelly around the neck and bends her over. Rowan hits a huge knee to the face of Shelly as blood goes flying. Rowan then hits another hard kick to that left knee! Rowan picks the left leg of Shelly and hits a dragon screw leg whip. Rowan stands back up with the left still in her hands and DDT’s that left leg into the mat. Rowan then moves into position to lock in the Eater of Souls! Rowan has Shelly dead to rights in the center of the ring and Shelly is doing everything in her power to fight back. Rowan grips the head of Shelly with her free hand and begins to bash the champions skull into the mat while the Eater of Souls is still locked in. Shelly grabs at the thumb on Rowan’s right hand and then just rips on it as hard as she can dislocating it! }
Vasco Dias: OH GOD!
Terri Morasco: That’s disgusting!
{ Rowan tilts her head a little and closes her eyes like she’s fighting back some pain. Slowly, with her left hand. Rowan grips her thumb, with the Eater of Souls still locked in and puts it back in the socket! The crowd loses their minds as Rowan roars from the effort. Shelly kicks her feet around to grab the free left arm of Rowan and pull her down into a triangle choke! Rowan has her fingers jammed down the throat of Shelly, Shelly has the head and left arm of Rowan in the triangle, both women are basically face to face just glaring daggers into each other’s eyes until finally they both let go at the same time and roll away from each other. }
Terri Morasco: That was absolutely insane!
Vasco Dias: Shelly dislocated the right thumb of Rowan and she didn’t even blink!
Terri Morasco: Didn’t blink!? She put it back in place and continued to keep the Eater of Souls locked in!
Vasco Dias: And somehow Shelly fought back from that to lock her in a triangle!?
Terri Morasco: This is incredible. These two are so evenly matched but on such different ends of the wrestling spectrum.
Vasco Dias: You have to wonder if the doubt is starting to set in for Shelly yet? She wrestled Tara to a time limit draw once and we are getting a little deep into this match.
Terri Morasco: It has to be weighing on her and she needs to push it out of he remind because all Rowan is seeing is a wounded animal right now.
{ Both women get up to their feet and meet in the center of the ring. Shelly engages Rowan with a strike war that Rowan quickly takes control of as she hits palm strikes, knee kicks, chops and everything else she knows until Shelly is basically a standing corpse. Rowan goes to the ropes for Beast of War but Shelly pulls her put of the sky with her own dragon screw leg whip! Rowan tries to get up but Shelly hits her across the jaw with a knee strike! Shelly grabs Rowan with an underhook and plants her in the center of the ring with Tara Cries! Shelly rolls Rowan over to make the cover and Jessica Andrews is there with the count but once again it’s only a one count! }
Vasco Dias: Rowan kicked out!
Terri Morasco: Rowan has been to the top of the mountain twice already and she can feel the peak in her grip once again! Shelly is going to have to dig real deep to put the beast away!
Vasco Dias: She is and I think Rowan is going to have to dig a little deeper than maybe we originally thought!
{ Shelly seems like she’s annoyed now as she looks at Andrews. Shelly grabs Rowan by the head and starts to pull her up but the Beast of the Abyss hits a massive European upper cut on Shelly that drives her backward. Rowan then comes in and grabs the champion with inverted facelock backbreaker spun into a neckbreaker! Rowan stands back up and hits a huge knee drop to that left leg of Shelly that she has been working over the entire match! Rowan is right back up and looks to be ready to put Shelly away once and for all. Rowan gets set up and then connects with Dance the Spiral!!! Shelly is down in the center of the ring and Rowan makes the cover, hooking a single leg for One! Two! KICK OUT! }
Vasco Dias: Rowan should have hooked both legs there!
Terri Morasco: This match may be over if she had!
{ Rowan pulls Shelly to her feet and then hits one more absolutely devastating kick to the left quad of Shelly that drops her to both knees. Rowan backs up and then roars in, connecting with Balor’s Gaze right on the jaw of the champion! Rowan makes the cover and hooks both legs of Shelly this time as Andrews slides into position to make the count! ONE! TWO! THR-KICK OUT!!! }
Vasco Dias: I don’t believe it!
Terri Morasco: Shelly kicked out of Balor’s Gaze!!!
Vasco Dias: I don’t freaking believe it!
Terri Morasco: That was incredible! Impossible? It was both!
Vasco Dias: I’m not sure either of these women were fully expecting the match they are currently having!
Terri Morasco: But I know I’m enjoying the hell out of it!
{ Rowan looks to Andrews who says it was only two. Rowan takes Shelly by the head and pulls the champion up to her feet. Rowan backs up and looks to deliver a massive superkick. Rowan comes in but Shelly sides steps it. Shelly picks the left leg of Rowan that she was working on earlier and brings her down to the mat with a single leg takedown! Shelly stills has control of the leg and slams it hard into the mat before dragging before kicking the quad as hard as she can. Shelly wraps the left leg of Rowan up in her own legs and then drops down on top of the leg bending it in ways it is not supposed to bend! }
Vasco Dias: Shelly is going back to that leg and I don’t know that that is a great game plan!
Terri Morasco: Well it’s the only one she has at the moment.
{ Shelly spins Rowan over onto her back and locks in a Texas clover leaf on the left leg of Rowan with the ankle in her armpit and Shelly wrapping both her hands around the knee making sure she is in prime position to wrench this leg as hard as she possibly can. Rowan isn’t saying anything but she is clawing at the mat. The blood on Shelly’s face has dried now and it’s starting to crack off as she lets out a yell with Rowan in the center of the ring. Rowan isn’t giving up. Finally Shelly let’s go of the Texas clover leaf and pulls Rowan up as quick as she can and connects with TFD!!! Shelly makes the cover on Rowan in the center of the ring and Jessica Andrews moves in for the count, it’s a ONE! TWO! KICK OUT! }
Vasco Dias: A resounding kickout from Rowan MacDonnough!
Terri Morasco: That was Shelly’s finishing move, what the hell else is she going to do now!?
Vasco Dias: I don’t know and I have to wonder what either of them has left to throw at the other!?
Terri Morasco: I don’t know, they’re literally giving it everything they have!
{ Shelly cannot believe it and gets up in the face of Jessica Andrews who is telling the champion to back down. Rowan is standing up now as Shelly has her back turned. Shelly turns and the Beast of the Abyss hits a knee lift to the gut of the champion followed up by a knee lift to the face. Rowan hits a roaring spinning backfist to the jaw of Shelly before just punting Shelly as hard as she can in that left leg! Shelly is down and Rowan backs up but she hobbles slightly as her own leg is now bothering her. Rowan shakes it off and comes in with the second Balor’s Gaze of the match! }
Terri Morasco: Balor’s Gaze!
Vasco Dias: That has got to be it! There is no way that Shelly is getting up after that!
Terri Morasco: Very few have every kicked out of a second Balor’s Gaze!
{ Rowan looks down at Shelly but then looks to the ropes. She wants to be sure. Rowan moves toward the corner of the ring as the crowd roars. Rowan steps out onto the apron and begins her climb to the top rope. Rowan stumbles slightly as she presses off of that left leg. Finally Rowan reaches the top and she turns her back to Shelly and looks out into the crowd. Rowan signals to the crowd that this is the end for the current Champion and then back flips off the top rope with LIFE’S FINALE!!!!! AND SHELLY ROLLS OUT OF THE WAY!!!! Rowan lands hard and that left leg buckles, Shelly gets up to her feet and comes in to grab Rowan. Shelly lifts her up but her own left leg isn’t having it. Shelly fires off a TFD as best she can but once the move connects, Shelly goes down with Rowan and both women are no on the mat! }
Vasco Dias: That was incredible! I thought Rowan had it but she wanted to make sure she had it however whatever damage Shelly did to that leg caused Rowan to be a little slow on her climb and so Shelly had just enough time to become aware enough to move out of the way.
Terri Morasco: And then something clearly buckled in the leg of Rowan but Shelly isn’t in much better shape. She barely got Rowan off the mat for the TFD and when her knee connected? I think it hurt Shelly more than it hurt Rowan.
Vasco Dias: I think you’re right, Terri but as much as it hurt Shelly, Rowan isn’t in much better shape. These two are really taking each other to their absolute limits.
{ Finally, Shelly rolls over and drops an arm across the chest of Rowan for a cover, Jessica Andrews drop down and it’s ONE! TWO! KICK OUT! Rowan sits up and grabs the arm of Shelly. Rowan pulls Shelly up to her feet with that arm. Rowan hits a hard kick to the quad of Shelly’ left leg and then drills her in the jaw with an elbow shot. Rowan let’s out a roars and unloads several European upper cuts on Shelly Diamond in the center of the ring! Brown drops back after the final one and Shelly comes back to life with a leaping knee strike to the jaw of Rowan! Shelly then drops back and just cracks Rowan as hard as she can with a front chop block to the left knee of Rowan, bending it backward! }
Vasco Dias: OH GOD!
Terri Morasco: Limbs don’t go that way!
Vasco Dias: Yeah, that isn’t how joints work!
Terri Morasco: God, that just looked bad!
{ Shelly is quick to scoop Rowan up into the TFD but her own left leg buckles, Rowan drills Shelly with a knee. Rowan is down on her feet and hits a thrust kick to the gut of Shelly! Rowan then connects with a spinning heel kick to the head that damn near takes Shelly’s head off her shoulders! Rowan comes in behind Shelly and looks to pick her up into the electric chair position. Rowan has Shelly up for Storm of the Morrigan but that left leg of Rowan gives out and she drops down! Shelly breaks free and with Rowan down on a knee, Shelly connects with a knee strike directly to the face of the Beast of the Abyss! Shelly then picks Rowan up on her shoulders and let’s out a yell as her own left leg is clearly bothering her before delivering the TFD!!!!! Shelly covers Rowan as Jessica slides in for the ONE! TWO! THREE!!!! }
Alison Valance: Your winner… AND STILL IWF WOMEN’S WORLD CHAMPION!!!! SHELLY DIAMOND!!!!!
{ Envy plays as Shelly just kneels in the middle fo the ring with her title belt in hand. }
Vasco Dias: Shelly has done it! She has finally successfully defended the IWF Women’s World Championship! But not only that! She defeated the Heiress to the Throne, the Leader of the Pack, the Wolf of the Abyss! She defeated Rowan MacDonnough!
Terri Morasco: That was an absolutely incredible contest, worthy of it’s place as the co main event of the evening. Shelly, I feel, finally cemented herself as the champion by defeating Rowan tonight.
Vasco Dias: It has to feel good to hold a victory over the person who defeated your enemy.
Terri Morasco: Absolutely but that also begs the question. Who’s next?
{ Shelly finally stands up with the world title in her hands and holds it up over her head in just her right hand as she screams “THIS WAS THE MAIN EVENT! FOLLOW THAT SHIT!” and heads out of the ring. Shelly hobbles up the ramp as her music plays. }
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IWF MEN'S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Wraith vs Ulf Hednir(c)
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{The lights throughout the arena go out row by row, by row, until the arena is shrouded in absolute darkness. The lights come on and Wraith is standing in the center of the ring — in unison, the crowd let out a heavy gasp. He tilts his head back and forth, eyeing the crowd, while waiting for the match to begin.}
Vasco Dias: Wraith is the first one to enter the ring, coming right out of the shadows. He looks intense! He looks ready to fight!
Terri Morasco: But keep in mind all of the people who have said they were going to beat Ulf in the past…they’ve all talked about it. They’ve all thought they could do it, but none of them have! Ulf has been on an absolute tear!
Vasco Dias: Wraith has been held back by Angel every time that he’s been close to becoming the number one contender, and this time around…Angel is not going to intervene! Could Wraith prevail without Angel interference stopping him?
{The opening introduction for “Raise Your Horns” by Amon Amarth plays over the PA system, and the crowd goes into a frenzy! The music can barely be heard over the sound of the fans. Ulf Hednir quickly shoves the curtains aside, dressed in his wolf headdress, and marches out onto the stage with the IWF World Television Championship being worn around his waist, and his drinking horn held high over his head.}
Ulf Hednir: SKĂ…L!
Crowd: SKĂ…L!
{Ulf drinks from the drinking horn, and after, turns it upside down to show the crowd that there is nothing left. Ulf attaches the drinking horn to a strap hanging off his primary belt, and marches down the ramp to shake hands or high five many of the fans along the ramp; fans scramble to get as close as they can and he takes an extra moment to ensure he greets as many as he can. Ulf goes around to the right side of the ring, still greeting as many fans as he can until he reaches the timekeeper’s table, where he removes the headdress and the drinking horn, placing them on the table. He walks up to the apron and leaps up, grabbing the ropes, and leaning back to let loose a mighty howl.}
Raise your horns, raise them up to the sky,
We will drink to glory tonight!
Raise your horns for brave fallen friends,
We will meet where the beer never ends!
{The chorus plays over, and Ulf steps between the middle and top ropes before parading around the ring a bit. He removes the championship from his waist, and holds it over his head while showing it to all sides of the crowd. He finally hands it to the referee in charge, and waits for the match to start.}
Terri Morasco: And this crowd is in an absolute frenzy as the champion enters the ring! You can see how he is ready to get into this contest and looking to walk out with the belt intact!
Vasco Dias: As much as I would like to say we could be looking at a new champion tonight, I think that Ulf has had tougher challenges…Wraith may have surprised us with a victory over Angel, but I don’t think that’s going to be enough momentum to carry him to the title.
{ Ding! The crowd has erupted into a loud cheer as the champion and challenger, Wraith and Ulf, meet in the center of the ring; they are nose-to-nose at this point and just mouthing off at each other with neither man wanting to take a step back. Wraith is finally the one to take a step back but he begins to tap his chin ala to how he did at Sacrifice and is daring Ulf to throw the first punch: The Thor Punch. }
Vasco Dias: Is he high?
Terri Morasco: I don’t know, but I really– I don’t think that this is a good idea.
Crowd: KNOCK! HIM! OUT! KNOCK! HIM! OUT! KNOCK! HIM! OUT!
{ The crowd continues the chant. Wraith just gains a smirk and is encouraging Ulf to listen to the crowd and to just knock him out; Ulf backs up to the corner with a smile on his face… }
Ulf Hednir: Are du sure? Is disse hva dere want?!
{ Ulf’s voice is picked up by a nearby camera and Wraith turns toward him, still tapping his chin. The crowd answers with a resounding “YES!” and Ulf nods implying that he is going to give the crowd what they want…The Thor Punch, and a quick finish: Ulf rebounds off the ropes to build some momentum and as he approaches he leaps and fires for The Thor Punch! }
Vasco Dias: The Thor–
{ Wraith ducks out of the way! Ulf lands on his feet but is immediately met with a number of precise strikes from Wraith as he is battling him against the ropes and Ulf is forced to be on the defensive. Ulf manages to shove Wraith back, and Wraith immediately closes back in with a series of palm strikes, punches, and chops to keep Ulf on the defensive. Ulf shoves Wraith back a second time, and this time also rushes off the ropes to go for a clothesline!
Wraith is able to duck under his arm and rebound off of the far ropes; the two rebound off opposite ropes and come charging for one another when Wraith leaps up and takes Ulf down with a calf kick. Ulf goes down, and Wraith goes for the cover:
ONE!
…
…
…
TWO!
…
…
…
Ulf powers out of it! }
Vasco Dias: Wraith gets an early two-count, but it’s still far too early for this one to be in the books.
Terri Morasco: Wraith is a second-generation superstar, and I’m sure that he knew it would be too early, but he still has his reasoning for going for that cover so soon.
{ Before Ulf is able to get back to his feet, Wraith has already mounted over him and is throwing left and right punches against him. Ulf uses his arms to defend himself, primarily blocking his head, but moving for every body shot that Wraith does attempt. }
Vasco Dias: The striking game is not something that most people will try to go toe-to-toe with Ulf on because of his MMA experience, but it does look like Wraith has good top control over him and is just looking to inflict a little more damage against him.
Terri Morasco: The only issue here is that Ulf is blocking all of those shots, so it really is causing Wraith to just expend more of his own energy with little damage to answer for it.
{ After a few more attempts, Wraith does give up on the strikes and stands back up; Ulf starts to sit up only for Wraith to then drop down with a knee drop across his chest! Ulf clutches his chest and goes back down, but this time immediately rolls onto his stomach and is using one arm to get himself up; Wraith springs back to his feet, rebounds off of the ropes and connects with a front dropkick against Ulf’s skull. Ulf goes back down, flat on his back, and Wraith goes for the cover:
ONE!
…
…
…
TWO!
…
...
...
Ulf throws his shoulder off of the mat! }
Vasco Dias: Wraith is a man on a--
Terri Morasco: Monster, Vasco!
Vasco Dias: My mistake. Wraith is a monster on a mission! This match has been all Wraith thus far, with Ulf having little to answer against him.
{ Ulf rolls over onto his stomach quicker this time and is moving toward the ropes. Wraith cuts him off and begins to club his forearms against his upper back trying to send him back down, but Ulf is persistent in getting to his feet; Wraith transitions and gets him into a front headlock, quickly beginning to angle it up to transition him into a guillotine choke! Ulf is trying his best to break free, and delivers a few stiff shots to Wraith’s abdomen as he is unable to fend off the strikes while holding the choke but Ulf is unable to get all of his power behind the punches because of the angle of the punches. }
Vasco Dias: Wraith is cutting off Ulf’s oxygen supply here and we could see the champion fade!
Terri Morasco: He is trying to get some of those heavy punches in but he just can’t get too much behind any of the shots. Come on, Ulf!
{ The crowd is starting to rally behind Ulf and encourage him to continue fighting, as Wraith continues wrenching on the hold and getting it at a tighter angle; Ulf is able to power Wraith up and charge him into the corner! Ulf continues in with some shoulder thrusts to finally knock the wind out of Wraith, and looks to get himself free… Ulf turns his back to Wraith while rubbing his neck and drawing in a deep breath, but Wraith now leaps onto his back and gets him into a rear naked choke! Ulf reaches his hands up to Wraith’s arm that is locked in place trying to overpower him but Wraith has it expertly applied. }
Vasco Dias: This is still not looking too good for Ulf; he was able to get out of one hold only to be put into another!
Terri Morasco: But this crowd is still rallying behind him, and I just can’t believe that Wraith seems to be able to tune them out completely and focus on the goal. The crowd is still pulling for Ulf as the fan favorite of the two!
{ Ulf pushes back with all of his might and crushes Wraith between his own body and the turnbuckle! Wraith is still holding onto the rear naked choke, but Ulf repeats the process; it takes five times to finally get Wraith to release the hold. Ulf throws an elbow back that connects with Wraith’s jaw, and he takes one step forward letting Wraith’s limp arms fall to his side before stepping back and trapping him in the corner again. He raises an arm as a gesture to the crowd to signify what he is going to do. }
Terri Morasco: And now Ulf is going to make Wraith pay for everything he’s done so far in this match!
Vasco Dias: I don’t like the looks of this, and there he goes! The elbows are flying!
{ Ulf is alternating elbows back against Wraith’s skull and the crowd is counting in cadence with the number of elbows that are connecting. There is no disqualification but this does not stop Blue Shoes from pleading with Ulf to stop with this assault and keep the match relatively clean. After over a dozen elbows from Ulf, he finally does step out of the corner and Wraith, in an absolute daze, stumbles out of the corner; Ulf charges for the far ropes and comes back for The Thor Punch! }
Vasco Dias: This is going to end faster than we thought. Goodnight, everybody!
Terri Morasco: NO!
Vasco Dias: Wraith ducked!
{ Wraith was able to roll out of the way, and is quick to his feet; he dives at Ulf for a chop block against the back of his leg, and then proceeds to deliver some swift kicks against the same leg, beginning to wear it down. Ulf’s knee finally buckles and he goes down to one knee, and Wraith proceeds to begin firing away with everything he has against him! Rights and lefts, elbows, fists, chops, palm strikes; absolutely everything he can as Ulf is gripping the top rope with one hand and using his other arm to try to defend himself to the best of his ability.
Ulf finally uses the ropes to get himself back up to a vertical base, but he is constantly staggered from all of the strikes from Wraith. Ulf shoves Wraith back, but Wraith comes back in quickly with a cactus clothesline that sends both challenger and champion to the outside of the ring; both are able to land back on their feet although Ulf stumbles back and Wraith is immediately back on the offense with a series of strikes. Ulf is trying to block everything with his arms. }
Vasco Dias: Wraith is really taking this fight to Ulf, but he is exerting a lot of his own energy while Ulf is trying to find an opening.
Terri Morasco: I think– {The cameras take a shot over to Ashley Miller sitting in the front row, one of the few people cheering Wraith on over Ulf.} –with her cheering him on, he’s just fired up!
{ Wraith takes a step back, causing Ulf to drop his defenses for a moment: Wraith lunges forward and goes for Ode to Aphrodite! }
Terri Morasco: That’s a new one out of the arsenal! And–
{ Ulf is able to move to the side and as Wraith lands, Ulf goes for a swing that Wraith is then able to duck… }
Terri Morsaco: Ulf is able to avoid it!
Vasco Dias: The Ode to Aphrodite is a move that Wraith has taken up from Atara Themis, Sabin’s godmother, and Ulf is familiar with that knee as he ate it in the second Roth tournament in June of last year.
Terri Morasco: These two are battling on the ramp, and there’s no sign of Wraith slowing down. He did say some interesting details this week! He said it’s like a switch he can flip, and he’s got it on right now!
{ After Ulf misses with his own punch, he is forced back into a defense; Wraith shoves him as hard as he can against the barricade which seems to knock the wind out of Ulf momentarily. Wraith charges in for a kick aimed at Ulf’s midsection; it connects! Wraith spins through and lunges forward with a series of forearm strikes against Ulf as he is trying to batter him down; Ulf is able to shove Wraith off with another shoulder, but Wraith charges right back in with a series of strikes! Ulf shoves him back a second time, and this time comes out of the barricade with intent of hitting a running big boot– }
Vasco Dias: The champion is looking to get a bit of offense in with that running big boot, but Wraith ducks again!
{ As Ulf passes by Wraith, Wraith immediately fires with an elbow to Ulf’s back before charging them both forward and slamming Ulf’s head against the barricade. }
Terri Morasco: It’s as if Wraith is actually possessed!
Vasco Dias: He is not giving Ulf a chance to get any offense in; this is just incredible!
{ Ulf’s head bounces off of the barricade; the impact causes Ulf to look shaken up and turns toward Wraith as he uses a shoulder thrust to trap Ulf between the barricade and himself and drive the wind back out of him; however, this time Ulf gets Wraith into a front headlock with one arm, while the other comes clubbing down across his back and causes him to drop to one knee. Ulf wrenches on the front headlock for a moment longer and delivers another crushing blow to his back. }
Vasco Dias: We are finally seeing the champion get some offense in, and he is looking to just use that power to his advantage. Wraith could be in trouble now.
Terri Morasco: Ulf is one of those people that you shouldn’t really count out because all it takes is one heavy strike from him to get back into the mix of things.
Vasco Dias: And this crowd is trying to rally behind Ulf as he is continuing to hold Wraith up but continue to rain some of those heavy forearm strikes against him; Wraith is looking to get a good reversal and it...it looks like he just stomped on Ulf’s foot!
{ Ulf releases the front headlock while Wraith is now shaking out some of the cobwebs; Ulf hops a few times as if he had just stubbed his toe, and Wraith connects with an uppercut that staggers Ulf. Wraith is about to go into a clinch, but Ulf is able to connect with a quick elbow directly to his jaw. Wraith stumbles back to the opposite barricade and Ulf now takes a turn to charge in, but Wraith is able to lean forward and take Ulf over with a shoulder back toss that sends Ulf into the crowd! The crowd quickly is pushed back by security as Ulf crashes hard. }
Terri Morasco: Oh, my God! This crowd is going crazy as this action is spilling out into the stands!
Vasco Dias: But this match can ONLY end inside of the ring! This is not a falls count anywhere; this is just no disqualification, and no countout. That was over two-hundred-forty pounds that Wraith just tossed over him like a sack of potatoes!
{ Wraith turns toward the barricade as security is still trying to hold the crowd back, and finally climbs over at the same time that Ulf is rolling onto his stomach and pushing himself onto his feet. Wraith kicks Ulf while he is down, which only seems to slow Ulf down momentarily; he is still trying to get to his feet, and Wraith connects with a second, third, and fourth stomp. Ulf now up to his knees, and Wraith goes for a roundhouse kick! Ulf catches it and springs back up to his feet while shaking his head at Wraith as he hops to try to maintain his balance. }
Vasco Dias: And now the champion looks irritated!
Terri Morasco: Wraith has nowhere to go, and is struggling to maintain his balance.
Vasco Dias: Ulf pulls Wraith in and-- DAMN! What a clothesline!
{ Wraith cradles his head with his hands as it hits the ground rather hard, but he isn’t given too much time to rest; Ulf drags him up to his feet and sets him up for a suplex but Wraith is able to hook his leg with his own to try to fight it; Ulf fires with a punch to his ribcage, and then tries for the suplex again, but Wraith hooks his leg a second time; Ulf repeats the process and this time is able to succeed with a suplex causing Wraith to land hard on the concrete floor! He arches his back while rolling onto his stomach quickly while holding his back. }
Terri Morasco: That was a pretty hard fall, and there is nothing out there to protect them!
Vasco Dias: It looks like Wraith felt everything there!
{ Ulf pops back to his feet after the suplex, as Wraith is a bit slower, but still able to get onto both of his feet; Ulf charges forward and delivers a few forearm blows to Wraith’s back several more times, but the challenger is still able to get back to his feet although still hurting...Ulf continues raining in now with rights and lefts with no sign of Wraith looking to retreat. Wraith fires a front kick against Ulf which causes him to stumble back, and Wraith immediately follows in for a clothesline; Ulf ducks under the arm and sprints forward a few steps to keep some distance but quickly turns back to face Wraith…Wraith has stopped himself on the barricade, and turns toward Ulf just as he is charging in, and Ulf connects with a spear that breaks down the barricade earning a huge reaction from the crowd! }
Vasco Dias: That barricade just went over, and Ulf landed on top of Wraith!
Terri Morasco: This crowd is going absolutely crazy after that!
{ Ulf crawls over Wraith and pulls his head up before connecting with a hard right to send him back down. Ulf repeats the process two more times before grabbing Wraith and forces him back up to his feet; he is dragging him back toward the ring…Ulf goes to toss Wraith back into the ring, but Wraith shoves him forward and Ulf’s torso hits hard against the ring apron. Wraith follows in behind him and leaps up and goes for a double knee backbreaker– but Ulf is able to hold the ropes and keep himself on a vertical base. }
Vasco Dias: Wraith went for a move to transition the momentum back in his direction, but Ulf was smart enough to grab the ropes to prevent it.
Terri Morasco: And now Wraith is going to be in trouble as he tries to get back to his feet.
{ Ulf turns around and delivers a stomp to Wraith’s stomach before he has a chance to sit back up; Ulf stands over him and delivers a few more stomps trying to wear him down before finally dragging him to his feet and following in with an uppercut that sends Wraith stumbling backward…he stumbles into the next barricade closest to where Ashley Miller is seated, and Ulf gets right behind him before raising him up and dropping his back across the barricade! Wraith arches his back in agony and rolls onto the crowd side; security is back on the scene to ensure that the crowd is away from the scene…they permit Ashley to get a little time as she and Wraith are sharing just a few words; she seems to be encouraging him. }
Terri Morasco: It’s so strange to see him being like…what’s the word? Comforted?
Vasco Dias: Whatever it is she is telling him seems to be working, because he’s getting back up but Ulf is already closing in and I do not believe that he wants to let this action spill out into the crowd again.
{ Ulf does gesture for Ashley to back away; he did not want her to be caught in the crossfire of their fight. She does take a step back, and Ulf reaches over to pull Wraith back toward the barricade– Ulf sets Wraith up perfectly, and raises him up into a vertical suplex position! Ulf begins to showboat by parading around in a stalling suplex… }
Terri Morasco: That blood is all just rushing to Wraith’s head right now, but this crowd is getting louder as Ulf is just showing off his own strength.
Vasco Dias: Wraith is trying to shift his weight, but Ulf is just proving himself to be too powerful!
{ A couple of seconds after holding him up, Wraith is able to finally shift his weight and land behind Ulf! Wraith quickly commits and connects with a Russian Legsweep that sends both of their backs to hit the barricade and fall into a seated position. Ashley is hollering in celebration of Wraith’s reversal. Wraith shakes his head quickly to recover while holding his own back and getting to his feet; he takes a few steps away from Ulf before turning and charging against him: he connects with a shining wizard pinning Ulf’s head between his knee and the barricade! Ulf almost collapses over, looking unconscious.
Wraith is laid out beside Ulf, groaning in his own pain as he had hit the barricade pretty hard to successfully land the knee strike. He holds his shoulder which took the brunt of the impact against the barricade but rolls over onto his stomach anyway before finally getting up to his feet…he looks toward Ulf and sees that he may be out of it, so walks over and grabs him by the head to pull him up to his feet. He then walks him toward the ring and rolls him back under the bottom rope and slides in under; Blue Shoes slides in from the other side as Wraith makes the cover:
One!
…
…
…
Two!
…
…
…
Ulf kicks out! }
Terri Morasco: Unbelievable! I thought for sure that Ulf was out of it after that knee struck him, but this crowd is all out of their seat as Ulf is able to kick out of it!
Vasco Dias: The champion is not going to go down without a fight! That’s for absolute sure! This match has been back and forth, but I will say that so far it seems to have been leaning in favor of Wraith.
{ Wraith uses the ropes to pull himself up while Ulf is still lying on his side; after getting to his feet, Wraith leaps up and comes down with a knee drop against Ulf! He shoves Ulf back down and begins to use his knee to start choking him…Ulf raises his arms to get between his neck and Wraith’s knee, relieving some of the pressure; Ulf has a hold on Wraith’s knee and just by the expression on Wraith’s face you can see that the tide is beginning to turn…Ulf forces him up to a standing position, quickly joining him, and uses a dragon screw leg whip to take him back down! Ulf still has his leg and is back up beginning to try to get a single leg crab in! }
Terri Morasco: And just like that, Ulf seems to have turned this match back around!
Vasco Dias: Wraith is squirming to try to get free– rope breaks are still in effect, so he could save himself if he could get to the ropes, but that doesn’t mean that Ulf has to let go!
Terri Morasco: But you should know that about Ulf: he is not going to take an unfair advantage. He is going to play by the rules. Even if no one else does play by the rules, he still has! And it has gotten him to the World Championship!
{ Wraith is trying to prevent Ulf from being able to step over and get the hold locked in; Wraith tries to trip Ulf up, but to no avail…he is holding his leg with one arm to keep Ulf from stepping over, and sits up; he succeeds in a reversal by rolling Ulf into an inside cradle!
One!
…
…
…
Two!
…
Ulf releases and gets himself to be able to kick out. Both of the competitors get to their feet, and Wraith charges forward to go for a sunset flip– but Ulf is able to grab his legs to prevent him from being able to flip over him; Ulf is shaking his head as if to tell Wraith that it isn’t going to happen; Wraith is squirming to try to get free but still is unable to… He gets taken over to the corner where Ulf finally begins to tangle him up in a Tree of Woe position, or as Ulf likes to call it: Yggdrasil. }
Vasco Dias: Wraith is in serious trouble here. He is trying to get himself untangled, but Ulf– Ulf is delivering some hard kicks to him while he is defenseless!
{ Wraith is doing his best to defend himself but a solid kick from Ulf dazes him. }
Terri Morasco: Ulf is taking his time…getting a breather, while Wraith just has nowhere to go.
{ Ulf walks to the opposite turnbuckle before pointing across the ring to Wraith; he earns a pop from the crowd, and fires the finger pistols before breaking into a spring and coming in with a baseball slide hitting his mark! The impact causes Wraith to get untangled and face plant inside of the ring. Ulf slides through and ends up on the outside of the ring and starts beckoning for the crowd with a loud “SKÅL!” shout that fires them up and they return the call. }
Terri Morasco: Wraith is trying to get to his feet, but Ulf hits him pretty good right there!
{ Wraith slowly sits up with his face paint smeared, and blood starts to seep out from where Ulf had hit him. He sneers while pushing himself back up to his feet while Ulf turns back around and slides back into the ring; Ulf pops back to his feet and takes a quick glance at Wraith who is still getting up to his feet…he charges for the far ropes to get some momentum before coming back toward him; Wraith is now to his feet, and turns just in time to see Ulf coming toward him and leaping up for The Thor Punch! }
Terri Morasco: He’s going for a closure here!
Vasco Dias: Can he– NO!
{ Wraith is able to duck down and pull the top rope with him. Ulf lands on his feet but off-balance, and tumbles over the top rope and back to the outside of the ring. }
Terri Morasco: Wraith dodges a bullet with that one!
Vasco Dias: He has been doing good with avoiding those because I think he knows that if Ulf were to hit one, it's over! No one has kicked out of The Thor Punch, and at this rate...I don't think anyone will. The first time, he dared him to, but he proved to be smarter than that by not letting him actually land it.
{ Wraith then uses the ropes to pull himself back up. Ulf is recovering on the outside of the ring. Wraith charges to the opposite ropes to gain his own momentum; Ulf turns to face the ring and Wraith dives between the top and middle ropes to connect with a suicide dive! Ulf hits the barricade and falls to a seated position as Wraith is the first one up to his feet now; he continues forward and wastes no time with inflicting more damage against the champion by raining in with repeated left strikes against Ulf. After five clean shots, Ulf finally seems to come to and raises his arms to defend himself, but this doesn’t stop Wraith from showing that aggressive nature that he has.
He eventually does stop with the punches, and starts driving several knees in that are causing more impact despite Ulf still doing his best to block them; Wraith then takes his arm and pulls him to a standing position then into a side headlock…he starts to move forward to go for a bulldog, but Ulf is able to hold Wraith up before slamming him down on the apron! }
Vasco Dias: Ulf is pretty winded from some of the damage he took, but I think he did that more out of desperation.
Terri Morasco: With how hard he hit the mat, it did knock the wind out of him.
{ Ulf shoves Wraith under the bottom ropes before climbing onto the apron, and eventually up to the top rope; by the time that Ulf is able to get to the top rope, Wraith has already been able to get himself up to his feet…and Ulf dives off connecting with a diving shoulder block! He covers Wraith’s shoulder without hooking the leg, pressing all of his weight down across the challenger:
One!
…
…
…
Two!
…
…
Wraith is able to kick out! }
Vasco Dias: We saw Ulf fly off with a beautiful shoulder block, and I am a bit curious as to what Ulf may have intended to do. It seemed like he had to improvise.
Terri Morasco: But it was a good change, and he’s not giving Wraith any time to rest; he could be looking to chain some moves to keep Wraith on the ropes.
{ Ulf takes Wraith by the head to maintain control as he gets to his feet and pulls him with him; as both of them are back to a standing position, Wraith counters with a sitout jawbreaker! Ulf manages to stay on his feet as Wraith uses the ropes to pull himself back to a vertical base, and he launches himself forward before leaping for ODE TO APHRODITE! }
Vasco Dias: Wraith out of nowhere! And it– HE HITS IT! Ulf EATS it! Shades of the second Roth tournament! Could this be what ends him?
{ Ulf goes down, and Wraith quickly goes for the cover:
One! }
Vasco Dias: New champion! New champion is coming!
Terri Morasco: This crowd is stunned!
{ Two!
…
…
…
THR– ULF KICKS OUT! }
Vasco Dias: NO! HOW?!
Terri Morasco: Instincts, Vasco! I don’t know how Ulf managed to kick out of that.
Vasco Dias: I haven’t the faintest idea, either. Wraith landed the flying bicycle knee that he learned from Atara perfectly; directly to the jaw, but he may have not gotten as much of an impact as she would typically do because if she does hit that…it’s over.
Terri Morasco: No doubt about it, but this match is still on! Someone better make sure Ulf still has all of his teeth.
{ The camera pans backstage momentarily to show Vivienne sitting with Thea, and Ulf’s two twins in their double-stroller; she has her mouth covered as she lets out an exasperated sigh from Ulf being able to kick out. The camera then flashes back over to Ashley who had prematurely pumped her fist into the air in celebration, but to no avail. }
Terri Morasco: I think everybody thought that was the end right there!
Vasco Dias: I thought it was!
{ Wraith lays on his back for several seconds while shaking his head wondering how the hell Ulf was able to kick out after what both of them have been through; however, he knows that he cannot give up too much time and eventually does roll himself over before pulling Ulf up with him– as both are back to a near-standing position…
Ulf lifts Wraith onto his shoulders! The crowd is going crazy as Ulf is looking for one of his own trademark moves. Wraith is kicking his legs to try to get himself free, but Ulf has him held perfectly– }
Vasco Dias: Ulf comes out of nowhere!
Terri Morasco: We could be looking at the Valhalla Driver!
Vasco Dias: Ulf has him up, and– and–
{ Ulf is able to take Wraith over with the Valhalla Driver successfully! The impact causes Wraith to bounce a bit off of the mat, but Ulf quickly turns over and makes the cover, this time pulling the leg up to be able to successfully hook it:
One!
...
...
…
Two!
…
…
…
TH– WRAITH POPS A SHOULDER UP!
The crowd lets out a loud groan when they prematurely count the three, only for Blue Shoes to signal it off. }
Vasco Dias: There was no way– this entire crowd was shocked by that kick out!
Terri Morasco: I thought for sure… FOR SURE that Wraith was not getting out of that one, but you can see that resilience that he has! That fighting spirit! Keep in mind as to who his mother is; one of the toughest this business has ever known.
{ Ulf sits up and shakes his head in a bit of disbelief. He even is trying to ensure that Blue Shoes had not counted three, and Blue Shoes ensures the champion that it was only a two-count. Ulf nods his head in understanding before finally getting back up to his feet, and circles to Wraith’s legs; he leans down to pick both of them up, hooking them both under his arms as he gestures to the crowd and they know what’s coming… }
Vasco Dias: No! No way, Ulf! He’s not going to be able to keep his balance in this one!
{ The crowd is in an absolute uproar as Ulf begins with a quick jerk to get the spin started; Wraith is lifted off of the mat and Ulf continues to spin in circles! FLIGHT OF THE VALKYRIES! The crowd is counting with each rotation that Ulf is able to make and he surprises everyone. One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six. Seven. Eight. Nine. Ten! Into the double-digits, Ulf is able to successfully rotate eighteen times before finally having to let go and Wraith is flung to one side as Ulf stumbles back and saves himself from falling by backing up against the corner. }
Terri Morasco: Wraith doesn’t seem to know where he’s at, but he’s trying to get up– just completely dazed! Completely out of it!
{ Wraith finally manages to get to his feet and gets into the opposite corner of Ulf… Ulf regained some of his own composure and charged out of his corner! He goes for the beginning series of Fury of the Gods! Wraith kicks his legs up and is able to catch Ulf around the neck; he leans back over the top rope with a figure four neck lock as Blue Shoes is trying to shout that the move is illegal, but there is no disqualification! Wraith keeps the hold applied long enough to get his own breather in while depriving Ulf of that same luxury. }
Vasco Dias: He is using everything to his advantage, and that is shades of classic Tara! She used to frequent that hold or the allotted time, and it was usually enough to wear her opponents down for her to be able to get back into a match, and now Wraith is using it at his leisure.
{ After several seconds, Wraith finally does let go of the hold before landing on the apron; he rolls back into the ring as Ulf is covering his neck and chest trying to get the air circulating back through…Wraith walks over and pulls him up before repeating the same transition that Ulf had him in earlier for the Valhalla Driver! Wraith is going for the Lights Out (Go To Sleep)! }
Vasco Dias: And now Ulf is in trouble! Wraith is showing his own strength by powering up the champion, but– I don’t know, it looks like– yes, Ulf is free!
{ Ulf does manage to get himself off of Wraith’s shoulders, and fires with a back elbow that connects with Wraith’s jaw. Wraith and Ulf begin alternating blows with Wraith’s blood splattering all over the place; his face is covered in his own blood, his face paint is absolutely smeared and barely covering…but he is fighting toe-to-toe with Ulf Hednir. Ulf connects with a European Uppercut that staggers Wraith, and as he looks to continue with his own assault, Wraith is able to connect with a spinning back kick into Ulf’s sternum causing him to keel over. Wraith looks to continue his attack this time, but Ulf is able to snap back up and go forward with a standing clothesline; the impact causes Wraith to almost bounce right back up; meanwhile, Ulf charges against the ropes…he rebounds off of them, and Wraith ducks an oncoming clothesline then rebounds off the ropes as well…both are charging for each other, and Ulf goes for it! Ulf connects with CLOTHESLINE FROM VALHALLA earning a huge roar from the crowd in the process. }
Terri Morasco: You know what usually follows the Clothesline from Valhalla, Vasco!
Vasco Dias: The Thor Punch! We could be looking at another successful retention from Ulf Hednir here tonight, and it looks like that is exactly what he is looking for.
{ Ulf is stalking Wraith while waiting for him to get up to his feet and pounds his fist down into the mat, and starts grinding his knuckles into it…he is calling for Wraith to get up, but after the match that has taken place, Wraith is still a bit winded; Wraith finally does manage to roll over onto his stomach and is pushing himself up… }
Vasco Dias: You better get back down! Ulf is going in for the kill!
{ Ulf leaps up as Wraith is about to turn around, and just as he does, Ulf fires for The Thor Punch! }
Terri Morasco: The Thor!
Vasco Dias: No! What did we just see?!
{ Wraith caught Ulf’s fist between his own wrists, and drags Ulf toward the center of the ring before connecting with a modified single-knee Fallen Phoenix! }
Vasco Dias: Wraith caught it! Wraith caught the punch! And countered with a move out of Tara's arsenal!
{ After landing the modified Fallen Phoenix, Wraith maintains his grasp on Ulf and transitions into the Gogoplata! Ulf is struggling to get free and groans out in frustration as he has been caught; his face is starting to turn shades of blue, but he is still refusing to tap for the time being…he manages to wearily plant his feet on the ground trying to find his own balance. }
Terri Morasco: This crowd doesn’t know what they just saw! Ulf is trapped in the Gogoplata, and he is nowhere near the ropes, and he looks like he’s just hanging by a thread!
{ Ulf grunts as he is trying to lift Wraith–
Wraith doesn’t budge, and Ulf’s legs give out beneath him…Ulf finally taps against Wraith’s legs with his hand, and Blue Shoes signals for the bell! This crowd is astonished after what they just saw. }
Alison Valance: Your winner! By way of submission! AND NEW! IWF Men’s World Champion! WRRRRRRRRRR--RAAAAIIIIITH!
{ Immediately after the bell sounds, Wraith does release the hold; he is lying flat on his back and breathing heavily as Ulf collapses beside him. The two are exchanging their own words with one another– Ulf only appears mildly frustrated by the result, but more frustrated with himself for letting himself fall into that situation. The sound of “The Joker” by Damien and Terje Tylden begins to play over the PA with the crowd giving a mixed reaction… }
Vasco Dias: I believe that is the first time in his career, but Ulf Hednir has tapped out!
Terri Morasco: I just– I’m at a loss for words! Ulf was unstoppable throughout all of 2021, and he was chasing the record to become the greatest IWF Men’s World Champion of all time but he was STOPPED by Wraith here tonight!
Vasco Dias: That’s what happens! Anybody can win on any given night, Terri; Wraith came in prepared…and Ulf had nowhere to go.
{ Blue Shoes retrieves the championship from the timekeeper while Wraith is kneeling by the ropes; shades of Sabin begin to shine through when Blue Shoes presents him with his newly acquired championship. Wraith cradles the belt in his arms with his eyes sparkling with a fixed gaze on the belt. Blood drips from the bridge of his nose onto the championship, and Wraith smears it across the golden plate with his hand…Ulf finally does get to his feet and puts his hands on his hips as he still is disappointed with himself, but he walks over to Wraith and stands him up. The two are exchanging a few words, but Ulf pats Wraith on the shoulder before embracing with a congratulatory hug for who is his friend outside of the ring. }
Terri Morasco: That’s the sportsmanship we’re looking for!
Vasco Dias: It was a hard fought contest, but you have to imagine that Ulf is also telling him that he wants his rematch!
{ Ulf bows out to Wraith, giving him his time to shine. The crowd has transitioned from a mixed reaction into cheers for The First Son; The Heir, triumphant over Ulf Hednir. Unfortunately, he’s not twenty-one-years old yet so he can’t share a beer with Ulf…although they are in Australia, so it is legal here, right? Right? Right. Wraith puts the belt over his shoulder and climbs the nearest corner to hold the belt high over his head while letting out his own victorious howl to the audience; doing what his biological father was never able to do: win the big one. Wraith takes a moment to point toward Ashley Miller who has been cheering louder for him than anyone else throughout the whole match, and still cheering louder afterward. }
Vasco Dias: Well, congratulations to that young man! We have just witnessed history here tonight with the breaking of a record previously held by Dean Harper, Wraith’s own stepbrother: Wraith now stands as the YOUNGEST IWF Men’s World Champion OF ALL TIME!
Terri Morasco: Just– incredible. At his age? INCREDIBLE! He has a long career ahead of him, and this could very well be the first of many.
{ Wraith has climbed down from the corner and exited the ring with the belt; he walks over to Ashley Miller and the two are celebrated…Ashley excited for him; he climbs over the barricade and takes her hand, and just then, the lights finally do go out and when they come back on: Ashley Miller and Wraith are both gone. }
Vasco Dias: That is all the time that we have here tonight, folks! Thank you for tuning in!
Terri Morasco: And we will see you all at Sacrifice!
{ Despite Wraith’s now-absence, “The Joker” continues to play as the show fades to the IWF logo and finally comes to a close. }
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Well howdy there pardner.