------------------------------------
SEGMENT
"Deja Vu"
------------------------------------
{ The camera cuts to a shot of the parking lot. Jennie Fenix is walking across the pavement, making her way into the Tokyo Dome. }
Iyo Kenshin: There is our IWF Women's Champion. She may be wearing a smile now, but Rayne, might that change tonight when she has the opportunity to confront Stephen Terrella and Shelly Diamond in her quest for answers to the question: who ran her down with a car?
Rayne: If she has any integrity whatsoever, she'll apologize tonight once the Work clears their good names later. So to answer your question: it better change, or it'll be the most insincere apology ever.
Iyo Kenshin: Given their history, I find it difficult to believe that the Work didn't have something to do with it.
{ As Jennie steps out from between two cars and into the normal path of cars coming into the lot, everything is still. She looks both ways, just to be safe, then makes her way across. Upon reaching the door to the arena, she finds it locked. She gives it a few pounds to no avail, forcing her to head back the way she came. Suddenly a late nineties model, black Acura Integra flips on its lights and comes speeding towards Jennie. She leaps into the air, taking a glancing blow from the vehicle that sends her over top the hood and front driver's side quarter panel. The car stops as Jennie's body hits the pavement, revving its engine. }
Iyo Kenshin: We need to get some help out there for Jennie now!
Rayne: Her carelessness is going to get her killed, Iyo!
Iyo Kenshin: Carelessness?! Rayne, I know for a fact that that door was designated to be open tonight! I came in that way myself earlier! That car was lying in wait, and this was no accident!
Rayne: Slow down, Sherlock. The windows of that car are tinted jet black. So before you start accusing the Work, keep in mind that it could be anyone.
{ The car starts to slowly back up, inching closer and closer to Jennie. As it closes the distance in menacing fashion, the door to the arena is flung open. Security and high ranking IWF official's spill out, and the car comes to a halt as they all stand in the red glow of the vehicle's brake lights. In what can only be described as a very uncomfortable moment, the engine is revved again. Instead of continuing on it's path backwards at Jennie, the Integra speeds off into the night, though. }
------------------------------------
TAG TEAM MATCH
TABLES MATCH
The Striking Unit vs The Wrecking Crew
------------------------------------
Iyo Kenshin Well certainly a disturbing scene to begin our show tonight. Nevertheless, our show must go on- and go on it will.
Rayne: Iyo, get the tables!
{ The house lights swirl, and the opening horns of "Genesis" by Justice play as the Wrecking Crew walk from the back, Michael Sather trailing them with his arms spread wide and a grin plastered on his face. Both members of the team roll their wrists with their heads down, David Counsell's expression quiet and contemplative, Dante Alcott's confident and self-assured.}
Alison Valance: Coming down the aisle, being accompanied by their manager, Michael Sather, at a combined weight of 540 pounds, David Counsell and Dante Alcott, the WRECKING CREW!
{As the beat kicks in, the trio begins to march down to the ring, Sather firmly fixed between his men. They march up to the ring apron and climb up on it, Alcott stepping over the ropes as Counsell wipes his feet and steps through into the ring. The two men remove their vests, tossing them outside the ring, and step back to their corner as Sather hops up onto the apron, clapping them on the shoulders and giving last-minute advice as the music fades. }
Iyo Kenshin: Wrecking Crew is a very apt name for this duo, Rayne.
Rayne: It is, and I'm a fan of their work. They have a very old school mentality.
{ “Bulls On Parade” by Rage Against The Machine comes on with the lights turning red. Nick Danger and RAM come out onto the entrance ramp wearing red and gray wrestling attire and shirts that say “The Striking Unit”. They make their way down the ramp giving fans high fives. They both walk up the steel steps having serious looks on their faces and entering the middle rope. Nick goes to the corner and takes off his shirt and throws it to the crowd, so does RAM. They both wait for the match to start. }
Iyo Kenshin: This is a team that it would be a mistake to sleep on, though. They're young, but they have the physical advantages of youth. When you pair that with some of the best mentors in the business, you have a recipe for future success in my estimation.
Rayne: RAM has potential, but he's surrounded by people that are only going to drag him down. I want to see him tap into his ruthlessness, because I know it's in there. Cut the dead weight and stand on your own two feet, kid.
{ Blue Shoes calls for the opening bell and the match begins. Dante Alcott starts for the Wrecking Crew, while Nick Danger takes the ring for the Striking Unit. They tie up. The "Blueprint" powers Nick Danger into a neutral corner, then opens up on Nick with some hard right hands. Alcott brings Danger out with a huge hip toss, followed by a running legdrop! Dante lifts Danger off the canvas and leads him to the Wrecking Crew corner, and we get a tag. Counsell comes in. Alcott holds Danger, allowing Counsell to cross the ring, building momentum to blast Danger in the jaw with a running big boot! The Wrecking Crew pour on the offense from there, using their strength and power to punish Danger. They make frequent tags, isolating Danger and cutting the ring in half. Twice RAM is unceremoniously knocked from the apron during that time, further preventing Danger from tagging out. Eight minutes into the match, Counsell introduces a table from the floor. He positions it in the corner, and appears to have designs on German Suplexing Danger through it. }
Iyo Kenshin: Nick Danger is in serious peril, Rayne! If he goes through that table not only will the match be over, but he may be put on the shelf with a serious injury!
Rayne: We can only hope.
{ Danger fights back with some wild back elbows, loosening Counsell's grip! Nick turns and stuns Counsell with a Pele Kick. The hulking figure staggers backwards, but is able to catch himself against the ropes. When Counsell comes out, Nick finds a burst, springboarding off the ropes and catching Counsell with a "Legacy Cutter"! Both men lay flat on the canvas. RAM leans forward as far as he's able with an outstretched arm! The official reaches the count of "five" on his standing ten count when Counsell starts to stir. Danger rolls over onto his side, casting a glance back at Counsell. Both men make a move for their corner. Counsell beats Nick to the punch, tagging in Alcott. As Dante enters the ring, Danger dives for the hot tag to RAM! }
{ Marshall comes in firing! He dishes out some powerful punches to Alcott's jaw! He puts a boot into his bigger adversary's midsection and then drops him with a DDT! RAM clears Counsell from the apron with a flying forearm! The young Marshall just keeps on rolling! He scales the turnbuckles in the Wrecking Crew corner, where Counsell had been standing, and leaps off with a diving headbutt onto Alcott! A battered and bruised Nick Danger circles the outside of the ring and goes into battle once more with Counsell. As the two illegal men tussle on the outside, RAM makes his way back to his feet. He unfolds the table legs and sets it up. He fights with Alcott a little more, eventually maneuvering him onto the table. RAM heads skyward again, working the crowd into a frenzy! Counsell tries to get back inside the ring to save his partner, but Danger latches onto his ankle. Sailing through the air, RAM crashes down on top of Alcott with "Braver!" The table breaks beneath them, and Blue Shoes signals for the bell! }
Iyo Kenshin: That's it! What a gutsy move by R.A. Marshall, laying his own body on the line to pick up the win for his team! Also give a very timely assist to Nick Danger!
Rayne: I'm mildly impressed. But only mildly, Iyo. I'm not going to shower them with praise. I don't want anyone thinking that I think James Gilmore is a good trainer.
{ Danger joins Marshall in the ring as their music plays. The referee raises their arms in victory. They slap hands with each other before each taking a turnbuckle to celebrate with the cheering fans. }
Winners: The Striking Unit
------------------------------------
SEGMENT
"Reckless Driving"
------------------------------------
{ The camera quickly cuts to the parking lot for the second time tonight. A backstage official is filling Tara Fenix in on the details of what happened to her sister, Jennie, earlier as they walk into the arena. Headlights flip on in the distance, and the same black Integra that struck Jennie begins to race across the parking lot, aiming right at Tara! She alertly dives in between two parked cars, momentarily escaping danger. The staff member isn't near as nimble, though, and takes a direct hit that sends him over top of the car as it whizzes past! }
Iyo Kenshin: We have a maniac loose in the parking lot! Tara Fenix narrowly avoids disaster! Rayne, there is no way this is coincidence. Someone is targeting the Fenix sisters, and I think it's a member of the Work.
Rayne: Okay, yeah, that didn't look like an accident. Do you know how many people in the back hate the Fenix sisters, though? Especially Tara. It could be anyone.
{ The car stops about sixty yards away. Tara gets to her feet, briefly looking at a scrape on her hand before stepping out from between the cars, refusing to cower in fear. She stands in the street defiantly, watching the reverse lights come on on the car. It briefly creeps backward, then comes to a stop, as if the driver thinks better of it. The car speeds off with a squeal of the wheels. With the car gone, Tara kneels down to check on the staff member lying in the roadway. }
Iyo Kenshin: I'm being told we have EMTs and backstage personnel on their way back to check on our fallen colleague. We need to take a commercial break while we get this sorted out.
Rayne: Rub a little dirt on it. When did everyone become so fragile?
------------------------------------
SEGMENT
"The Doctrine Awakens."
------------------------------------
{As the violins string, a dozen or so robed individuals of various heights walk to the ring. Each holding their own candelabra. Darkness consumes everything except the light from the candelabra. A podium sitting in the middle of the ring is spotlighted as one of the robed walk up to it. His robe is slightly different, with a white hand seemingly painted on the whole robe. He holds up a book and sets it on the podium. When the beat drops, Alek and Miyamoto throw back their hoods as they stand on each side of the Robed One. His raspy voice comes out of the hood as the music fades.}Robed: Allow me to introduce myself. I am Cocytus. I am the one Fate has chosen the spread her Doctrine to the world. To guide the fateless to their real fate. To lead the young into becoming the righteous old elders destined to be leaders themselves. To choose Fate's champions in their battle here in IWF. With Miyamoto and Alek, we will grow our cause to new heights. My left and right hand respectively, Fate will lead us through the darkest of times.
{Cocytus throws back his hood revealing a bald head, and a long brown beard. His hazel eyes staring into the abyss of the camera. A smile revealing giant white teeth. His height just a few inches shorter than Alek. He begins to speak again.}Cocytus: Miyamoto is facing a man by the name of Charlie Van Ruth tonight.
{Cocytus turns to Miyamoto} Brother, use Fate's might to crush that individual and show him the power of the Doctrine.
{Miyamoto steps up and hands out his hand. Motioning for the mic, Cocytus gives it up freely.}
Miyamoto: Now while I have agreed to joining. I did so for Alek. Not for your "Fate".
{throws up air quotes} I do agree though. I will beat Charlie. I am still my own person, do not mistake that. Cocytus. It still feels fishy.
{Alek steps up and puts his hand up. Miyamoto looks at the hand and slowly gives it to Alek}
Alek: Miyamoto. You said you would give him a try. We agreed. He truly helps me. I am much more focused. To even prove it, we will be out there beside you. I am not asking you to try and change you. I am just asking to help me. It might even help you in the long run.
{During all of this talking, Cocytus grin has slowly faded. A stern look at Miyamoto as he puts his hand on Alek's shoulder and grabs the mic softly from Alek}
Cocytus: Like Alek said, I will support you. Soon you will see what the Doctrine has offered like all of her other followers.
{gesturing to the robed figures around them} We are here for you. Use us if you want to.
{His smile returns} Do not distrust us. I have no want to change you, Alek's dear friend.
{Miyamoto nods as he is handed the mic again.}Miyamoto: Charlie, you heard them. You better bring all of your best moves, and tactics cause I ain't going down easy. I have a whole group behind and I want to make them proud. Improve our bond and trust. Let Fate decide our match tonight and I know she'll choose me.
{He gives a lopsided smile and sticks his hand out with his thumb up.} Let's have a good match, Charlie.
{Cocytus puts his hand on Miyamoto's shoulder and grabs the mic}
Cocytus: May Fate bless you, Charlie. I hope you people will soon see our Doctrine as proof of our great Fate.
{The candelabras go out as the spotlight fades.}
------------------------------------
SINGLES MATCH
CHE' vs Latoya Hixx
------------------------------------
{ With CHE' already in the ring, Sky's The Limit hit's she comes out on stage and grooves a little bit and she takes both of her hands in covered it up and dip toe her pose and lifts up her blue sunglasses and hands them to her fans and walks straight down and over the ring and hops on it and she holds onto the ropes and bend over and show them her Boss Knuckles and she gets inside of the ring and she takes off her wrestling gear and waits for the match to begin. Tonight, we see that James Gilmore has joined Rayne and Iyo at the announcer's desk. }
Iyo Kenshin: Well JJ, what's your assessment as CHE' makes her debut tonight against Latoya Hixx?
James Gilmore: Reinvention is the key here. You're comin' into a new world, you're surrounded by folks who've trained and done this thing longer than yourself. The idea here is to evaluate the competition so you can apply what you've learned and make your own l'il niche in this business.
Rayne: Damn, man...that monologue was just as long as your beard!
James Gilmore: And WHO writes your corny dialogue, J.K. Rowling?!
[DING!]
{ Blue Shoes calls for the bell to get this contest underway. While the match lasted a tad over ten minutes, the action was fast-paced throughout. Both CHE' and Latoya traded near-falls early on as they showcased their power and technical skillset. At the 8:45 mark, Latoya was able to gain the advantage and nails the upstart CHE' with a frog splash that gets her a close two-count. But the upstart first-timer was, in the end, too much for Hixx to handle -- CHE' would eventually connect with her patented modified Pervian necktie combination she calls MESMERIZED! Realizing that she's not going anywhere, Latoya is forced to tap out at 10:35! }
Winner: CHE' by submission.
------------------------------------
SEGMENT
"The Women's World Champion Speaks."
------------------------------------
{ The crowd goes crazy when “Sweet but Psycho” by Ava Max plays over the PA and the IWF Women’s World Champion quickly brushes past the curtains with the championship around her waist… The usual demeanor isn’t present, but rather she is taking bold strides toward the ring with a microphone already clasped in one of her hands. She doesn’t take the usual time to mingle with the crowd, and goes right down the ramp and slides under the bottom rope, and on her way back to her feet, she unclasps the belt from behind her and rushes to the nearest turnbuckle to hold it up high over her head. She jumps and spins in a one-eighty to land back in the ring, and quickly raises the microphone to begin speaking. }
Jennie Fenix: Gratzi, everyone! Thank you for coming out here tonight! And I have to apologize, but not really, for being in a bit of a bad mood here this evening… Because I was having a GREAT DAY! Right? Okay! I was having a GREAT! DAY! I had a victory speech ready to go for my victory back at Survival of the Fittest where I… WON…
{ The crowd cheers incredibly loud, and Jennie pauses for a second to let the sounds die down. }
Jennie Fenix: The IWF Women’s World Championship.
{ Jennie paces back and forth inside of the ring, giving the fans several seconds to continue cheering. It takes them a while to finally settle down this time around, but they finally do, and Jennie resumes. }
Jennie Fenix: So came to this building here TONIGHT to give my speech, and some MOTHERFUUUHHH!
{ She grumbles under her breath, but refrains from finishing that word. }
Jennie Fenix: SOMEONE! TRIED! TO RUN ME OVER, AGAIN!
{ The crowd boos. }
Jennie Fenix: I KNOW, RIGHT?!
{ Their boos get louder. }
Jennie Fenix: Now, I’ve already questioned Stephen Terrrantino. His whole person… I’ve had people try to blame other people, but right now, y’know? I’m not going to let this ruin everything! BECAUSE! HERE! I STAND! AS THE IWF WOMEN’S WORLD CHAMPION!
{ She parades around the ring, raising the title high overhead again. }
Jennie Fenix: When people DOUBTED ME! When people called me the BABY SISTER! When people said I would NEVER win! I DID IT! I busted my ass learning everything I could, improving everywhere I could, and now I stand at the top of the IWF, and the only question that I have is… WHO WANTS NEXT?! Because I do not want to be the champion that sits on my ass all day, I want to be BACK IN THIS RING! NEXT! WEEK! I want to DEFEND MY TITLE! AND! WHO! WILL! IT! BE?!
{ Jennie stands over by the ropes, and hangs over it slightly to wait for someone to come answer her challenge, but while waiting, a sudden chime is heard… She digs into her pocket, and pulls out her cell phone. }
Jennie Fenix: Oh! OH! Well, MY DOOR IS OPEN! But I do have to see someone about a cat. Ciao for now!
{ “Sweet but Psycho” comes back over the PA, and the scene fades to commercial as Jennie is heading up the ramp. }
------------------------------------
TWO ON ONE HANDICAP MATCH
Warren Suffering & Mr. Happy (Happy Suffering) vs Dark Tiger
------------------------------------
{ The lights go out and "Miseria Cantare" plays and a purple spotlight is shone. Dark Tiger and his wife Gabriella Tigress come to the ramp. The crowd goes nuts for him. }
Alison Valance: Ladies and gentlemen coming to the ring being accompanied to the ring by his wife Gabriella Tigress and hails from Richmond Virginia. He stands seven feet one inch and weighs in at two hundred ninety two pounds. He is the legendary Beast of Darkness, Darkkk Tiger!
{ When it transitions to The Animal they come to the ring. Dark Tiger lowers the ropes for Gabriella and she enters and they come to the middle of the ring and Dark Tiger raises his arms and purple Pyro comes from.the turnbuckles. }
Iyo Kenshin: This gargantuan man is quite the spectacle, Ranye. The less than dynamic duo of Mr. Happy and Warren Suffering have a tall task ahead of them, pun intended.
Rayne: This is a handicap match, and I can't sit here and pretend it's fair- Warren Suffering and Mr. Happy could use about three more partners in their corner.
{ The camera cuts to a close-up of Happy Suffering in the ring. }
Alison Valance: And his opponents… Warren Suffering and Mr. Happy!
{ Suffering raises his arms in the air. Mr. Happy swallows hard as he looks at Dark Tiger. }
{ Referee Jessica Andrews signals for the opening bell! Warren Suffering takes the direct approach, charging straight ahead at Dark Tiger, only to catch a big boot to the face for his efforts! Mr. Happy is much more tentative, hanging back in the corner as DT pulls Warren off the canvas and loads him up for a powerbomb. Happy comes to his partner's aid by pulling on Tiger's long locks of hair, which does free Warren; however the Beast of Darkness swats Happy's arms away and wraps a hand around his throat. With absolute ease, DT hoists Mr. Happy up and chokeslams him onto the canvas! }
Iyo Kenshin: One would have to imagine the game plan is not going as intended for Happy Suffering.
Rayne: Mr. Happy is convulsing. This is pretty much going exactly as I imagined it would.
{ With Warren getting to his feet, Dark Tiger bounces off the ropes to build a head of steam and levels Suffering with a huge lariat that turns him inside out! Gabriella Tigress cheers on her husband from the outside as Dark Tiger pivots to focus on Mr. Happy. He drags Happy's lifeless body off the canvas, cinches his arms in a double underhook, and deposits him back on the mat by way of a double underhook powerbomb! Turning to grab Warren Suffering, DT points down at Mr. Happy, drawing even louder cheers from the crowd. The Beast loads Suffering up for another powerbomb attempt. He hoists Suffering seven feet up in the air and powerbombs him down on top of Mr. Happy! Warren rolls off, clutching his back. Mr. Happy doesn't move, having been practically flattened into a new logo on the canvas. Suffering, though… he tries to crawl on his belly for the corner… looking for an escape. Tiger stalks him, eventually helping him to his feet and lifting him into a seated position on the top turnbuckle. }
Rayne: Warren should just tap out now. Quit. There is no doubt in my mind that the humiliation he'd suffer would be far less painful than what's to come.
Iyo Kenshin: The Beast has him set up… and he hits Warren with Etched! In! Stone! We've got a cover…
Rayne: The referee could count to a million…
{ The referee slides into position for a count, and her hand slaps the canvas… }
One!...
Two!!...
Three!!!...
{ She signals for the bell, and the crowd roars! Dark Tiger gets to his feet as his music hits, and he's soon joined in the ring by Gabriella Tigress as the referee raises DT's arm in victory over two men. }
Winner: Dark Tiger by pinfall
------------------------------------
SINGLES MATCH
Charlie Van Ruth vs Miyamoto Okazaki
------------------------------------
{ Red clouds fill the tron and ramp as fog comes. }
To sink or swim, ikinokoru tame ni
Dog eat dog world da to iikikase
What went wrong?
Survival of the fittest, jakuniku kyoushoku
If it’s the world that our wisdom will lead
Well, tell me what went wrong
I’ve paid my dues
I’ve sold my soul
So tell me, what is left for me
When I’ve given up everything
{ Okazaki steps out to the drum dropping and the chorus as the lights shine on him. He smiles as he shoves his thumb to his chest. Walking through the fog, he slides into the ring as he steps on the turnbuckle as he sings along to the song. Then finally drops down. As the fog begins to settle, a few men in robes, including Alek Bronson, follow Okazaki down to the ring. }
Alison Valance: This contest is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, from Houston, Texas, weighing in at 225 pounds… Miyamoto Okazaki!
Rayne: I struggle to think of a person who embarrasses themselves on a more consistent basis than Miyamoto Okazaki.
Iyo Kenshin: I think you come pretty close, Rayne.
Rayne: Me? You’re lucky that I choose to tolerate you, Kenshin!
{ The instrumental to Blue Stahli’s “The Fall” starts up as Charle Van Ruth walks onto the stage. He pulls back his hood and surveys the crowd before nodding. Going down the ramp, he hops up onto the apron and flips into the ring, making a Superman landing as he comes down. }
Alison Valance: And his opponent, from Orlando, Florida, weighing in at 202 pounds… Charlie Van Ruth!
Iyo Kenshin: This is a big night for Charlie Van Ruth! He makes his singles debut in IWF and I don’t think there is a better place to do it than here at Holiday Havoc!
Rayne: Are we forgetting that he wrongfully attacked Caleb Cannin last week? This guy should be getting interrogated, not having some exhibition match!
{ Van Ruth and Okazaki stand face-to-face in the middle of the ring. The bell sounds and the two take off with a collar-and-elbow tie-up. Okazaki gains the advantage by going behind and performing a waist lock. Van Ruth slaps down at Miyamoto’s hands, causing him to lose grip. Van Ruth sweeps the legs and runs off the ropes, hoping to hit a Penalty Kick on a seated Okazaki. The kick misses as Okazaki leans back. Quick to act, CVR goes for a standing moonsault, but Okazaki rolls away. Van Ruth lands on his feet and rushes forward, finally landing a standing shooting star press on a prone Miyamoto! Van Ruth immediately goes for a cover.
ONE…
TW- kick-out from Miyamoto!
Okazaki begins to stir as Van Ruth runs off the ropes again, but he gets intercepted with a flying forearm. He opts to lift Charlie up for a brainbuster, but Van Ruth drops down and hits a quick German suplex on Okazaki. Rolling through the suplex, Miyamoto comes back with a brutal bicycle kick, knocking Van Ruth down. He backs Van Ruth into the corner with alternating chops and forearms. The chest of Van Ruth is already starting to welt as Miyamoto lays down a vicious gauntlet of strikes in the corner. Once Van Ruth is beaten down, Okazaki runs to the opposite corner and charges back for a corner splash. However, Van Ruth slips to the side as Okazaki eats nothing but turnbuckle. Charlie eases his way to the apron as Miyamoto clutches at his jaw. With no time to waste, Van Ruth sprints across the apron and up onto the turnbuckles, backflipping off the top and back into the ring to hit a fantastic moonsault DDT! }
Iyo Kenshin: Are you serious?! Charlie Van Ruth is wrestling like he’s got cheat codes on!
Rayne: Even I’m willing to admit that was slightly impressive. But cheat codes or not, he’s going to run out of gas very soon!
Iyo Kenshin: Well, so far, CVR has shown no signs of slowing down!
{ Keeping up the pressure, Van Ruth catches his breath as Okazaki slowly rises back up. He goes to the ropes and looks for a springboard cutter, but Okazaki catches him! He captures the arms and plants Van Ruth into the mat with a beautiful Dragon suplex with a bridging pin.
ONE…
TWO…
Kick-out by Van Ruth!
The undeterred Miyamoto grabs hold of Van Ruth’s legs, hoping to lock in a Sharpshooter. The Izanagi does not get locked in, however, as Charlie kicks away at Okazaki’s face. The anime lover backs off for a moment, but begins to wind up for his Serious Punch! Okazaki swings for the fences, but Van Ruth ducks and latches onto his arms for a crucifix bomb! He pins down Miyamoto’s shoulders for a cover.
ONE…
TWO…
It gets countered into another pinfall!
ONE…
TWO…
Van Ruth kicks out and counters into a school boy roll-up!
ONE…
Miyamoto kicks out and backs off before hitting a sunset flip into yet another cover!
ONE…
Van Ruth rolls back and goes for a Penalty Kick, but Okazaki dodges. Charlie uses his momentum to bounce back, but the two collide in the middle of the ring with dueling clotheslines! Both men are down! }
Iyo Kenshin: We are seeing these two men take it to that next gear! Both wrestlers said they wanted to give it their all, and I’d say they’re doing a great job at it!
Rayne: They can give it their all, but one of them is going to walk away with nothing but a loss.
{ Okazaki lunges for Van Ruth’s arm, locking in a bridging Fujiwara armbar. Van Ruth kicks his legs out, hoping to catch the bottom rope. He eventually finds the rope, causing the referee to call for a break. Miyamoto yanks Van Ruth up by his weakened arm, pulling him into a fisherman suplex. With Charlie down, Okazaki scales the turnbuckles. He gets to the top and rises to his feet, his arms spread out. He launches off and hits a moonsault! Okazaki hooks the leg.
ONE…
TWO…
Kick-out by Van Ruth!
Okazaki heads to the corner, determined to put CVR away. He waits for Van Ruth to get to his feet before exploding out of the corner for a Spear attempt. Gathering his bearings, Van Ruth spots Miyamoto and backflips over him, landing on his feet as well! Okazaki pumps the brakes on the Spear before turning around and being caught with a Cyclone Kick from Van Ruth! }
Iyo Kenshin: CYCLONE KICK! This could be it!
Rayne: Wait a minute, look!
{ The stunned Okazaki collapses, but he’s so close to the ropes that he actually falls out of the ring! Van Ruth tries to dive after Miyamoto, but it’s too late. Charlie holds his head in despair as Okazaki remains on the outside. }
Iyo Kenshin: I don’t know if that was intentional or not, but Miyamoto might have bought himself some precious time!
Rayne: It looked like he got knocked the hell out and he just happened to fall to the outside! And now, Van Ruth is whining because he didn’t win off of that!
{ Van Ruth comes off the ropes and goes for a suicide dive to the outside, but Okazaki manages to catch him. Lifting him onto his shoulders, he nails Charlie with a Spirit Bomb on the outside! He tosses Van Ruth back into the ring before entering himself. Miyamoto looks around at the crowd before looking at the robed men at ringside. He quickly nods before lifting Charlie back up on his shoulders again. Before he can hit another Spirit Bomb, Charlie counters with a poison rana! The dazed Miyamoto barely has enough time to register before Charlie springboards off the ropes for a cutter! After nailing the cutter, Van Ruth goes to climb up the turnbuckles. }
Iyo Kenshin: What a match this has been! Okazaki and Van Ruth are putting on what could go down as an Odyssey classic!
Rayne: I don’t know if “classic” is the word I’d be using…
{ Once he’s at the top, Van Ruth stands and goes for the Ruthless Press! He lands knee-first onto the abdomen of Okazaki. He hooks the leg as the referee begins to count!
ONE…
TWO…
THREE!
The bell rings as Charlie Van Ruth rolls over on the mat, exhausted. He slowly gets to his feet, his hand being raised in victory by the referee. }
Alison Valance: Here is your winner, Charlie Van Ruth!
Iyo Kenshin: Every expectation I had for this match was completely blown out of the water. Much respect to these two gentlemen!
Rayne: Charlie Van Ruth capitalized on one mistake from Okazaki, but I think there won’t be many more opponents who will make any mistakes against Van Ruth.
Iyo Kenshin: Regardless, these two absolutely put it all out there tonight in the Tokyo Dome!
{ As the instrumental to “The Fall” blares out in the arena, Van Ruth and Okazaki remain in the ring. Van Ruth offers a hand to Okazaki, who accepts as the two shake hands. Miyamoto bows to Charlie, with Charlie doing the same for Miyamoto. }
Iyo Kenshin: Respect being shown by these two bright prospects! You can only imagine what would come if they run this one back later on.
{ The two hold each other’s hands up as the Tokyo Dome crowd respectfully applaud, giving each man their due. }
Winner: Charlie Van Ruth by pinfall
------------------------------------
SEGMENT
"Is The Work Innocent?"
------------------------------------
{ 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. Stephen Terrella and Portia walk through the curtain holding hands, accompanied by Shelly Diamond. Terrella and Portia take a few steps before stopping to stand side-by-side on the stage, releasing hands. Portia places her left hand on his right shoulder, and runs her right hand down his chest and abdomen until her fingers come to a rest on the Invictus Championship around his waist. }
{ Terrella turns to Portia for a kiss, then the two begin a slow walk toward the ring, arm-in-arm, to a chorus of boos. Shelly Diamond follows a step behind, catching an earful from some of the fans. The trio make their way into the ring, where Portia demands a microphone as the music fades out. }
Iyo Kenshin: I sense a pack of lies is about to descend upon us courtesy of those three individuals in the ring.
Rayne: Why is it so hard for you to believe they're innocent?
{ Portia stands by Terrella's side, smiling almost as wide as she can as the crowd serenades her with boos. }
Portia: Okay… okay… I heard Jennie Fenix had another little accident tonight, and everyone is blaming us again. Just like the last time though, we had nothing to do with Jennie's little boo-boo.
{ Portia holds up a finger. }
Portia: Maybe there isn't some big conspiracy, though. Maybe she's just bad at crossing the street? That may run in the family because I heard Tara had a close call tonight, too…
{ Portia shrugs. }
Portia: Whatever is going on, I promise you that no one in this ring was driving those cars. We can prove it, too. So Tara, honey, there aren't any roads between the entrance and the ring, so why don't you come out–
{ Portia stands interrupted as every light throughout the arena flickers out while the crowd gives a premature cheer; when the beginning of “The Eagle Flies Alone” begins to play, a blue spotlight comes in at the same sequence and is shining at the curtain which gets the crowd riled up further. The cheers that The Phoenix Queen is receiving from the audience is outweighing anyone in the crowd that opposes her. The sound of the fog machines can be heard going off heavily as the stage soon fills with fog. The lights in the arena are coming back up creating a blue hue and just as the chorus kicks in, the crowd lets out a huge roar when they finally see Tara Fenix emerge from behind the curtain. She walks to the ring with purpose, eyes locked on the Work. }
Tara enters the ring and looks at each and every one of the members of The Work, then raises her microphone to speak. }
Tara Fenix: You, Shelly, are going to have to have a word with these people that follow you... Because they seem to differ from you in many ways. Where you proved to the world that you were a fighting champion, and you broke every record on the way to become the longest reigning champion in the history of the entire IWF, and you fought people face to face... You have someone amongst your ranks that is a coward. Someone amongst you that is trying to RUN! PEOPLE! OVER! Because they cannot fight them in the same way.
{ Terrella rubs at his chin, staring a hole through Tara. Shelly motions for the microphone from Portia, and Portia offers it up before stepping back to stand next to her man. Tara and Shelly stand face-to-face in the middle of the ring, neither blinking. Diamond starts to raise the microphone to say something to Tara, but Terrella rushes forward and levels Fenix with a clothesline! }
Iyo Kenshin: Stephen Terrella seizing the opportunity to land a cheap shot on Tara Fenix! This was a set-up from the start!
Rayne: Was it?! Or did Tara bring this on herself? She stood in that ring and portrayed Terrella as some kinda lackey, and now she's going to pay the price for her words.
{ Terrella kneels down over Fenix, grabbing a handful of her hair so he can unleash on her with a brutal series of very deliberate left hands to the head. Seven times he strikes her before dragging her up by her hair. Shelly takes a few steps back, and leans against the corner. Terrella whips Fenix into the buckles with authority. He tries to follow her in with a "Silver Crush", but Tara pulls her legs up and catches a charging Terrella in the face with both feet! The crowd rallies behind Tara as Terrella walks out of the corner holding his face, and Tara cuts him down to size with a chop block to the back of his right knee. Tara gives Shelly a look, but Diamond seems content to let it play out a minute. Tara looks Portia off, then fires a kick into Terrella's face. Suddenly the arena goes pitch black. Some fans hold up their cellphones for light. }
Iyo Kenshin: Is Wraith coming to even the odds?!
Rayne: Shelly hasn't done anything. I'd imagine he's probably deep into preparation for his match, too.
{ The lights come back up. An unknown woman is standing behind Tara Fenix with outstretched arms. }
Iyo Kenshin: Who is that woman?!
Rayne: Do you think I know?!
{ The woman yanks Tara to the canvas with two handfuls of hair and starts to stomp away on her. This buys Terrella time to recover, and he begins to get back to his feet. Portia slips off her heels and hands one of them to Terrella. The mystery woman reaches down, pulling Tara up off of the canvas. Working in tandem, the woman feeds Tara to Terrella, and he nails Fenix in the face with the heel of the shoe. The woman slides outside of the ring and begins to dig underneath it. }
Iyo Kenshin: At present we have more questions than answers, but this woman -whoever she is- appears to be cozy with the Work.
Rayne: She's dragging a mirror out from underneath the ring…
{ The crowd boos as the woman slides the mirror under the bottom rope. Terrella knees a rising Tara in the head to keep her down as the woman makes her way back inside. The woman arranges the mirror where she wants it, reflective side up. With that bit of business taken care of, she tells Terrella to "give her to me." The King shoves Tara to the woman, and she drives Tara into the mat with an inverted suplex slam! Then the woman bounces off the ropes and curb stomps Tara's face onto the mirror! }
Iyo Kenshin: This is a heinous assault on Tara Fenix!
{ The woman lays down on the canvas beside Tara, and she begins to stroke Tara's hair. Portia fetches the microphone from Shelly and hands it to the mysterious woman. }
Woman: I could finish you right now.
{ She lifts Tara's head slightly by pulling back on her hair. }
Woman: Behind this beautiful face there is an ugliness in you though, Tara... You have a sickness... and I won't make you a Martyr. I want people to see the real you before I rid this company of the dark cloud that hangs over it in your presence. Do you see it?
{ The woman takes a shard of broken glass and starts softly tracing the contours of Tara's face, careful not to scratch it. }
Woman: Or do you want me to peel away the layers in front of the world?
{ She gives Tara a little knick on the chin. }
Woman: Your choice. Every time you rise though, Fenix... Just know, the Widow is here... and I'm not just going to burn your precious world to the ground... I'm going to dance in it's ash as I do it, bitch.
{ She gently kisses Tara on the forehead before stuffing a car key into Tara's mouth. The woman, for now only known as the "Widow", slinks backwards on hands and knees away from Tara's body. "Change" by the Deftones hits. The woman sits on her knees in front of the rest of the Work, laughing to herself while gazing at Tara. }
Rayne: I think I am going to like her.
Iyo Kenshin: I think she is psychotic. This cannot be good for Tara, or anyone else in the IWF.
------------------------------------
IWF WORLD TELEVISION CHAMPIONSHIP
EXPLODING BARBED WIRE DEATHMATCH
Wraith vs Nick Knight(c)
------------------------------------
Alison Valance: The following contest is your Odyssey Main Event and it is an Exploding Barbed Wire Death match for the World Television Championship. Introducing first the challenger, fighting out of Anchorage, Alaska "The White Wolf" Wraith!!!
{The lights throughout the arena go out 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.}
Iyo Kenshin: Wraith's entrance always creeps me out.
Rayne: It is one of the most intimidating in all of professional wrestling.
Alison Valance: His opponent fighting out of Los Angeles, California is the reigning and defending World Television Champion "The Hollywood Butcher" Nick Knight!!!
{ Slowed down carousel music begins to play and is soon joined by unhinged laughing. Driving guitars join the fray and as the voice of Ivan Moody growls "Welcome to the Circus" Nick Knight step onto the stage and takes in the cheers of the Tokyo fans before stomping his way towards the ring. }
Welcome to the shit show
Just another freak show
Hang your hat and hate at the door
It's a game of torture
Souls are made to order
Everything you wanted and more
{ Knight reaches ring side as the pre-chorus begins }
You've gotta kill somebody to thrill somebody
Everybody's gotta reason to bleed
You've gotta fuck somebody to know somebody
That motherfucker ain't me
{ He begins to clap trying to get the fans into it as the chorus begins to play. }
Am I the only one
That doesn't buy into the lies?
Am I the only one
That doesn't wear a disguise?
'Cause if I can't break it
And I can't change it
Then tell me, how will I know? (Tell me, how will I?)
Am I the only one
That isn't just here for the show?
{ When it get to the very last line the entire arena joins in with Ivan's snarl }
WELCOME TO THE CIRCUS!!!
{Carefully he slides under the barbed wire and awaits the bell.}
Rayne: How much did Nick Knight pay the fans to cheer him like that.
Iyo Kenshin: Knight is a Japanese Deathmatch legend, and these fans respect and appreciate that.
{Blue Shoes, dressed in a special protective suit, calls for the bell. The participants stare across the ring at one another, intensity burning in two sets of blue eyes. Slowly they approach one another before finally locking up. They jockey for the advantage, but Knight is able to use his thirty pound weight advantage to take control. Grabbing Wraith by the wrist the champion whips him towards the ropes, but the challenger is able to put on the brakes just inches from the barbed wire.}
Iyo Kenshin: If you've never seen a match like this before, here are the rules. Explosives are connected to the barbed wire on all four sides of the ring and they will be triggered any time a competitor hits the hellish stuff. The match has a twenty minute time limit and when it hits zero explosives under and around the ring will go off.
Rayne: Don't forget the boards.
Iyo Kenshin: Each corner has board propped up in them and beneath is an explosive.
{Charging like an angry bull Nick looks to knock his opponent into the barbed wire, but at the last second Wraith jumps out of the way. There is a loud eruption and the champion is thrown back into the center of the ring flopping around like a fish out of water. Wraith makes a quick cover…
One…
Knight kicks out with authority.}
Iyo Kenshin: Nick Knight is the first one to taste the barbed wire, but it hardly seems to have effected him.
Rayne: Wraith made a big mistake of not hooking the leg, but I don’t think it would have mattered any. It is going to take a lot more than that to put down “The Hollywood Butcher.”
{Wanting to end the match quickly Wraith stays with Knight trying to lock on a juji-gatame. The TV Champion does his best to get his fingers into an S grip and turn his hips towards his opponent, but the submission game of Wraith is too good and soon he has the arm bar locked in tight. Fighting to relieve the stress Nick gets his hips turned towards his opponent, but he just can’t get the hold broken. Finally out of desperation Knight rolls into the barbed wire. Smoke and fire fills the air of the Tokyo Dome as both men scramble away from the razor sharp wire tearing flesh.}
Iyo Kenshin: Nick Knight found himself in a hold that he was not going to be able to escape. He made the sacrifice to keep his title reign intact.
Rayne: I guess when you don’t have the skill you’ve got to resort to being an idiot and throwing yourself into barbed wire.
{Trickles of blood can be seen on the sides of both men as they slowly climb to their feet. Knight charred in two spots from where he took to brunt of the collisions with the wire. Gone is the intensity from the cold blue eyes and in its place is barely controlled rage. Approaching the center of the squared circle “The Hollywood Butcher” snaps off a jab which Wraith easily dodges before connecting with one of his own. Back and forth they play a game of cat and mouse with Knight missing more punches then he hit and “The White Wolf” lands almost every single one that he throws. Frustrated the champion decides to up the ante by faking with the left and landing a headbutt that rocks Wraith. The former World Champion staggers back and Knight follows up with a stiff elbow that drives Wraith spine first into the exploding board in the corner.
The painted faced man flies back into the arms of Nicky Nightmare who throws him back towards the center of the ring with a release German suplex, but somehow Wraith lands on his feet. Knight slowly turns, obviously feeling the effects of his run ins with the the wire, and goes wide eyed in shock when he sees “The Alpha and Omega” standing tall. The twenty-three year veteran of the ring nods to his much younger opponent in appreciation of his athleticism, but Wraith shows no reaction and charges towards Nick and lands a stiff lariat that sends “The Hollywood Butcher” ass over tea kettle.
Staying on the attack Wraith lifts the injured and bleeding champion up onto his shoulders looking for Lights Out. Not seeing any other option Knight begins to rake at the eyes of the younger man, until Wraith drops him. Sensing an opening to end the match once and for all Nick shoots a half nelson and is desperately trying to sink in the La La Land, but “The First Son” grabs his wrist blocking the choke. Realizing that he was not going to be able to choke out his opponent out Knight quickly changes course and lands a La La Land Suplex.}
Iyo Kenshin: Back and forth this match goes without either man really getting any kind of an advantage. They do realize that there is a time limit right?
Rayne: Obviously they realize there’s a time limit, but they probably don’t realize is that ten minutes have already gone by.
{Grabbing a handful of hair Nick drags Wraith towards the barbed wire with bad intentions. The smaller man realizing he’s in trouble begins to fight for his life until he is back to his feet and has a hold of Knight by the back of the head and pushing it towards the wire. The pair fight, each man trying to shred the others face on the over mile of fencing that has been wrapped around the ring, but neither man is willing to give an inch. Taking a risk Nick pulls Wraith’s head towards his and hits a stiff headbutt that loosens the grip of the former World Champion. Inch by inch The TV Champ pushes the face of Wraith towards the barbed wire, trying to mar the movie star good looks of his opponent. Finally out of shear desperation Wraith makes a leap at the face of Nick Knight and latches onto his forehead with his teeth. His flesh being torn at by the man turned monster he’s facing Knight screams and desperately tries to get away.}
Iyo Kenshin: I knew we were in for a bloody affair, but I had no idea we would see someone resort to biting.
Rayne: I just hope Wraith has had his rabies shots, and Nick Knight has been tested. You know he’s marrying a former pornstar in a couple of weeks, right?
Iyo Kenshin: What does that have to do with the match?
Rayne: Everything is Wraith ends up with some strange porn star disease. The man just had his first child for the love of God.
{Knight releases his hold on “The White Wolf,” but both men stagger and fall into the barbed wire causing an explosion that sent debris high into the air. Both men rip themselves from the tangle of barbed wire and fall to the canvas unmoving. Standing over them Blue Shoes begins the ten count…
One…
Two…
Three…
Knight is the first to move rolling to his belly.
Four…
Five…
Wraith sits up as if he’s risen from the dead.
Six…
Nick has pulled himself up to his knees.
Seven…
Eight…
“The White Wolf” desperately tries to stand on spaghetti legs.
Nine…
Te…
Somehow the pair has managed to reach their feet at the exact same moment and they begin to throw lefts and rights with reckless abandon. Neither man is willing to give an inch as a hockey fight has suddenly broken out in the middle of the Tokyo Dome.
An air raid siren begins to blare and it is announced over the PA in Japanese that there is only five minutes remaining in the match. The fans begin to clap, shout, and stomp their feet willing their man to battle through the pain and leave Tokyo as the IWF World Television Champion.}
Iyo Kenshin: There is only five minutes left before the whole damn ring explodes, and neither man is giving an inch. What is it going to take for one of them to win this match?
Rayne: Honestly, I think at this point the first man that can string together some offense is going to be the winner.
{The sound of the siren doesn’t slow the two men in the ring down as the haymakers continue to furiously fly, with neither man willing to back down an inch. Finally the TV Champion takes the low road and slows Wraith down with a thumb to the eye. “The White Wolf” desperately tries to regain his vision, but before he can he is nearly knocked out of his boots by a brutal lariat. Staying on the attack Knight lifts his opponent to his feet before sending him crashing skull first to the canvas with a Non Dairy Creamer. Nick hooks the inside leg and makes a cover…
One…
Two…
Thr…
Wraith weakly jerks his shoulder up off of the mat.}
Iyo Kenshin: I seriously thought the match was over right there.
Rayne: Wraith showing the instincts of a champion by kicking out. Most men would still be on their back staring up at the lights.
{The Champion is obviously frustrated as he pulls Wraith up by two handfuls of hair before applying a rear waist lock. Knight tries to lift "The White Wolf" up German suplex, but Wraith lowers his hips and widens his base to block the attempt. "The Hollywood Butcher" tries to muscle his opponent over, but instead Wraith punches at his hands to break his grip and performs a standing switch. Before anyone knows what's happening the World Television Champion is being thrown into the barbed wire with enough force that he nearly tumbles up and over to the floor.}
Iyo Kenshin: The Champion is tangled up in the barbed wire and he took the full force of that explosion. He's in serious trouble right now.
Rayne: Wraith needs to get him pulled free and pin him ASAP.
{Knight's screams echo through the Dome as he pulls himself free shredding clothing and flesh alike. Nick is barely free of the tangled web when Wraith sends him right back with a shotgun dropkick triggering another blast.}
Iyo Kenshin: Wraith just needs to finish Knight off and walk out of Tokyo as TV Champion.
Rayne: I have a feeling that he is enjoying playing with his food, especially after some of the things Knight has said in the past.
{A louder siren begins to blare and a sixty second countdown clock appears in the corner of the screen.}
Iyo Kenshin: Well he better stop playing because the whole ring is going to explode in one minute.
{Wraith rips a nearly unconscious Knight from the barbed wire and throws him down to the canvas before making a nonchalant cover…
One…
Two…
Thre…
Somehow the Champ kicks out!!!}
Iyo Kenshin: Just forty seconds left, Wraith needs to finish the job!
{"The White Wolf" lifts Knight up off the mat and across his shoulders once again looking to hit Lights Out, but once again Nick slips free. Shooting the half nelson a battered and bloodied "Hollywood Butcher" sinks in the La La Land.}
Iyo Kenshin:Twenty seconds
{Wraith fights trying desperately to break the choke, but he's beginning to fade.}
Iyo Kenshin:Ten seconds!!!
{Knight pulls Wraith to the mat and grapevines the body.}
Iyo Kenshin: Five seconds can Wraith hold on!
{The clock continues to run down as Wraith fades more and more…
Four…
Three…
Two…
Blue Shoes jumps on top of the two men when suddenly all of ringside is engulfed in flames as the countdown timer has hit zero.}
Iyo Kenshin: Can you see what's happening?
Rayne: I can't see a thing.
{Slowly the fire dies down and the smoke clears on three men laying on the blood stained and charred canvas. Blue Shoes is the first on his feet and he calls Alison Valance closer to the ring and says something to her.}
Alison Valance: The official has just informed me that at nineteen minutes and fifty eight seconds by referee stoppage you winner and still IWF World Television Champion Nick Knight!!!
Iyo Kenshin: Nick Knight has now made nine straight defenses of the World TV Championship.
Rayne: One more and he will earn a date with Angel Blake for the IWF World Championship.
Well howdy there pardner.