No Brand Wrestling Presents: SLAM! Episode XIX
Live from Peace and Friendship Stadium, Athens, Greece.
We'll Always Remember
Conflict. The world thrives on it and wrestling is a shining example.
Today, we honour a man who died in the heat of battle. A supreme athlete who passed away doing what he did best - fight.
For 60 seconds, all feuds and disputes were forgotten as the entire roster, except Keegan and Son of Malta, gathered to mourn WAR's loss. They remained silent, their heads bowed, showing respect to one of the true nbW greats.
After the bell sounded to signify the minute was up, WAR's picture lit up the Epi-Center and ignited the crowd. Everyone clapped gleefully and chanted the fallen fighter's name repeatedly.
WAR is over...
If you want it.
These people in Greece and fans all over the world don't.
For that reason, William Arthur Reagan will always be remembered
Opening Reel
V/O - “Nearly Seven years ago a small-time promotion out of Reading, PA came to existence. Over the years superstars have debuted and grown, some have retired, and others are still around today. Owners have changed. Locations have shifted. But one thing has always stayed the same. The name. Three Initials that have survived through the thick and the thin.”
The NBW logo is shown as it fades in and out showing the various designs from past to present. The voice-over by Trent McKnight continues.
V/O - “Those initials represent the past, the present, and the future. No Borders. No Boundaries. No Bull. Nothing But Wrestling. Ladies and Gentlemen welcome to the NBW!”
A video package rolls showing past wrestlers and on-screen talent from the original promoter Alex Styles to Xander Napoli onto the current: Thaddeus Boyle. Three different men with three different agendas, all of which were responsible for the success that is NBW.
Shots of Jason Kain, Maximizer, Frost, Rey Campbell, Cal Roberts, Blake Gray, Rejection, Uncensored, Jade Greene and Alan Helms filled the screen before being replaced with shots of macWICKED, Ali Amore, Lunatic, D-T, Max Hopper, High Flyer, Sam Potright, Dream Warriors, Rik Bone, Callie Urban, Heaven and Hell, The Gordon Brothers, Andrew Martin, Mat Walton and numerous others as the clips speed up to a blur.
It all comes to a stop as the face of the Double Champion, World Heavyweight/Keystone Champion ‘Superstar’ Vince Jacobs fills the screen followed by the members of his Upper Echelon; Judasbleek, Son of Malta, Warren Spade, Zed and the new TFZ Champion William Arthur Reagan.
They are soon replaced by the likes of Shawn Jessica Hart, Remy Leroux, Brock Metzer, Spike Saunders, Keegan, Torment, RaVage, El Dragon Loco, The Night Life USA, For The Win, former TFZ Champion Johannes Antonious de Castonovo, Supersquad, Family Keeling, and more as the clips speed up once more.
The NBW logo spins to life once more and fades out to the simple initials before the opening video for SLAM plays.
N.B.W.
A Hometown Hero Returns
The NBW logo faded out and into view of the Peace and Friendship Stadium as the fans were jam packed and ready for action but also feeling for the WAR farewell presented. It was not a huge shock when ‘Reckless’ by Papa Roach played over the sound system and the General Manager walked down the ramp. He stopped at the ring and slowly walked around it in full before rolling into the ring.
“This takes me back. Back during my college years when I was out here every single night to entertain you all. How the times have changed. But it is great to be back in my home town, Athens!” Thaddeus smiled as a few cheers ranged his way. “Nonetheless I’m out here tonight to make a few announcements. Most of which involve our Double Champion, or rather his championships he holds dear.”
The fans booed at the mention of the golden Superstar.
“In a few short weeks we will be in Germany for our upcoming Pay per view, Schicksal. That night we are going to have a series of special matches for all to enjoy. Including the Champion defending his glory. But before I get to that, let’s talk about tonight. Tonight ‘Superstar’ Vince Jacobs will be in action against-“
Unfortunately for Boyle he was cut short as ‘Hero’ by Skillet interrupted the proceedings and Matt Haddon emerged from the back.
“Boss, his opponent tonight should be me. I should have known that Jacobs would have a trick up his sleeve like he did. I must say I was rather shocked that you even allowed him to use his rematch clause so quickly, yet after I lost we ended the show. Boyle, I ask – Where was my rematch?”
“Matt, I understand your frustration. I made an executive decision that was best for the company as we could not blindly ignore the request. Unfortunately the result was not in your favor. I understand this.”
“I was champion for mere minutes and just like that my world was flipped upside down. If not for the Upper Echelon coming down to tear into me after being pinned, I could have requested my rematch clause.” Haddon stated as he continued down the ramp and slid on inside.
“And after you beat Jacobs, he would request his again. Where does it stop? It would be an infinite squabble between you too. An executive decision was made to allow Jacobs request. As for the Upper Echelon members’ involvement afterward and the Night life USA’s, I have already provided both sides a chance to come to terms tonight.”
“I don’t care about them. I want to invoke my rematch against Jacobs tonight.” Haddon ordered.
“Unfortunately that will not be possible. Mr. Jacobs already has an opponent tonight which is what I was getting to before you interrupted me. You are also in action tonight against a man no stranger to championships, the former multi-time World and Blitzkrieg champion, RaVage.”
“That is a load of-“
Superior Being
Scene opens with The Forgotten Son sitting in a steel chair in the middle of dimly lit nBW locker room. He looks deeply inside the camera and then begins to speak.
Judasbleek: “That nBW ring is the battlefield of gladiators, warriors, NOT the weak. I have learned this craft to the best of my ability and I have conquered these obstacles like no other man could. No Brand Wrestling is nothing but a sickly child right now and I must make it my job to help it age and mature into the superior company that it should be. I look around and I see these inferior wrestlers running around here claiming to be the best, claiming that they will be world champion, claiming that they are better than every single person in this company”.
As he speaks his voice echoes thought out the locker room. As the camera crew draws near to Judasbleek there is a bit of resistance to go further as they begin to take their time lagging as they get closer to Judasbleek. A diabolic demeanor appears across the face of Judasbleek.
Judasbleek: “Please come closer for you have nothing to fear, after all I’m not facing either of you in the ring and you two are mealy my messengers that will bring nBW my message”.
Now with a sigh of relief the crew seems a bit relived with the words spoken by Judasbleek. Once they get their cameras set up in place Judasbleek begins to continue to speak about nBW.
Judasbleek: “I think it is a bunch of bullshit, complete bullshit at best, because I am the best damn thing going in this company. I am on my way to becoming a living legend that I should be, why? Because I deserve it, Gold around my waist, Money, Power and anything else I might want. I have put 100% into every wrestling match I have ever been in and I plan on taking over NBW and making it my own."
Judasbleek:"In with the powerful, and out with the weak. I am the Genetic Entity whose actions will indeed speak louder than his words. I want every single superstar backstage to hear my words loud and clear. I will stop you dead in your tracks, I will be the superior being left standing, and you all will bow to... The Forgotten Son!”
Judasbleek postures himself up right in the steel chair that he’s sitting in as he continues to rant off to the nBW audience.
Judasbleek: “Thaddeus Boyle it seems there’s no one left to withstand my wrath. What are you going to do about the lack of talent around here? The cancer is spreading, there’s no hope for this company. You fans are no better then Boyle and his feeble attempts of redeeming this company. You sit back and watch and hope that some hero will swoop down and save you all. Many have attempted it but have fail."
Judasbleek: "RaVage stated a valid point last week I haven’t won any championships, but I have established a fear into all of you wrestlers. The fans encourage you so called saviors to oppose me but why try to overcome your fears when you can’t even control any of the rest of your emotions. RaVage was indeed a champion but his emotions got the better of him."
Judasbleek: "Now look at him now, delusions of retaining his former glory has him foolishly challenging foes that out match him ten to one. I . . . have nBW’s fear in my possession, and under my dominion. Those who seek to sabotage my legacy will found that I don’t show mercy as it is a weakness that will get you killed in that ring. Supremacy is my mean focus to accomplish. I crave for battle with those who are superior beings such as me."
The camera slowly pans in tight for a close up of the Forgotten Son. His body scars show the results of many battles that he has endure over the years.
Judasbleek:"Boyle hear me in hear me well it is my time, my era, my legacy. The bad guys are winning and you are running out of lambs to sacrifice. Ali Amour is injured, Remy Leroux is injured, Spike Saunders is injured, and that coward Brock Metzer is nowhere to be found. Oh! Let me guess you must expect Matt Haddon and Ravage to bear the cross of this company while you sit in your office trying to figure out away to get rid of The Upper Echelon."
Judasbleek: "Just face it The Upper Echelon is only thing keeping this company alive. Thaddeus Boyle I know you have me book against anther has been but I will not face him or anyone else in tell you find someone worthy of facing me.”
Judasbleek rises up from the chair and releases a primal scream. Judasbleek shouts into the camera.
“I want a challenge.”
Camera Fades to ringside.
Adam Faulkner
Versus
Family Keeling's Newest Employee
We took it to ringside where currently, the fans were getting ready for an exciting match to occur. Last week, fans got to see the interview with the father/son management team of Thomas and Junior Keeling and the next match would be the debut of their first client. Ring announcer Brent Williams was ready to kick it off.
“Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is scheduled for one fall with a fifteen minute time limit! Introducing first, being accompanied to the ring by Vic Gravender, from Sacremento, California, weighing in at 245 pounds…“THE INNOVATOR OF IMPACT” ADAM FAULKNER!”
“Beat You Down” by Downstait.
The fans in the arena gave a nice little ovation for the first man coming out from the back. Fresh off a tough loss in an eight-man tag against the Night Life USA, this man was looking to get back on track. High-fiving some fans on the way to the ring, the smile didn’t fade from the wrestling veteran’s face as he and Vic Gravender walked to the ring. The big 405-pound Gravender looked irritable as always, but wasn’t letting the situation get him down. Tonight, Adam Faulkner was going it alone and was going to try and get them back on track. Faulkner waited in the ring as his music cut.
“AHEM! AHEM!”
A man with a shaggy-looking haircut, blue sportcoat and blue dress jeans made his way out as he looked out to the Grecian crowd. After getting no response for a few moments, he decided that more drastic measures were needed.
“PAY THE FUCK ATTENTION, I SAID A-HEM!”
And that got him a series of boos. Adam Faulkner didn’t look one bit impressed.
“For those that didn’t watch the show last week… shame on you, you’re all adopted and nobody likes you. For the rest of you, my name is Junior Keeling! Now, please throw your hands together and show respect for my dad! Thomas Keeling, Sr!”
A well-dressed man in a brown Armani suit made his way out next, a proud smirk on his face. The crowd only became more irritated at the Keelings, but Thomas wasn’t about to let the mood down. He had a mile-wide smile across his face like he was showing off his son’s first-place touch football trophy.
“Fine citizens of Greece… centuries ago, your part of the world was renowned for battles between gladiators… two gladiators being pitted against one another in the battle to the death. The ultimate show of supremacy. Tonight, the Family Keeling is more than happy to continue your proud and perverse traditions tonight!” He paused for booing since the Grecians weren’t a bunch of blood-thirsty heathens. “Tonight, Adam Faulkner, you are about to go one-on-one with not just any wrestler. A TRUE wrestler. A TRUE modern-day gladiator that’s going straight to the top of No Brand Wrestling and will stack many bodies if he has to… when I promised the blood of a former world champion, I mean it... the brother of ACW’s Andy Sharp… please welcome…
COLD STEEL…
TONY SHARP!”
“Bullet With A Name” by Nonpoint.
The fans booed as the man coming through the curtains looked straight ahead at the ring with nothing less than bad intentions. The bad man known as Tony Sharp hadn’t been seen or heard from in the wrestling world for close to two years now, rumors putting him somewhere in Japan after he’d suffered a neck injury at the hands of ACW’s Trevor Wilson. Whatever brought him to the Keelings wasn’t good news for Adam Faulkner, who was ready for a fight.
Standing at 6’6” and around the 260 mark, Tony Sharp calmly walked to the ring and climbed up the steps, looking right at his target standing across from him. The man with the moniker of Cold Steel had eyes that were just that. Steely, soulless eyes that said that there was nothing good about this man. He was a cold, remorseless monster in between the ropes. Adam Faulkner looked up at the Keelings’ first charge as the bell rang.
DING DING DING!
“OOOOF!”
That was the sound of a big foot being rammed right into the gut of Adam Faulkner as Tony Sharp went right on the attack. One quick headbutt to the top of the head later and The Innovator of Impact was already down on the ground, trying to shield himself from a nasty and violent barrage from Cold Steel.
He pulled a dazed Faulkner up and continued to wallop him with several vicious right hands as Vic Gravender remained on the outside, trying to get his tag team partner to fight back. Faulkner tried to muster up a few right hands, but Sharp returned fire with a couple more headbutts that knocked Adam Faulkner retarded.
After a stiff European Uppercut caught him underneath the jaw, Sharp backed him up against the ropes and tried to whip him across the ring, but Faulkner used the momentum to slide right back out and onto the floor.
Not amused, Tony Sharp followed him and tried for an attack, but the veteran of 12 years rolled back into the ring to try and keep Tony off his game. He tried to climb back into the ring, but a quick running shoulder block by Adam Faulkner caught him in the stomach, sending him flying off the apron and down to the floor.
Adam Faulkner wasn’t done yet and climbed out to the ring apron, waiting for Tony Sharp to regain his bearings. The Family Keeling were looking on as Faulkner gave a thumbs up. As Sharp got back to his feet, Adam went rolling off the apron with a Somersault Dive to the outside!
The referee started making the mandatory ten-count for both men to get back into the ring as Adam Faulkner whipped Tony Sharp back inside the ring. He attempted to follow, but Junior Keeling charged forward, trying to stop him from getting any further. Faulkner kicked away the younger of the two Keelings, but that was all the distraction that Tony Sharp needed in order to catch him with a Big Boot to the face, sending him crashing to the floor!
While Gravender protested with the referee, Tony didn’t waste any time in climbing to the outside and taking the punishment right back to Adam Faulkner, whipping the Innovator of Impact hard into the steel guardrail. After he did that, he continued to deliver a series of hard European Uppercuts to the jaw, almost trying to knock his jaw around the opposite side of his head. After he was satisfied with the damage he’d caused, he tossed Adam Faulkner back into the ring and followed him inside.
As the Innovator of Impact tried to mount some sort of a comeback, Tony continued to deliver a series of precise stomps aimed right at the body and head of his opponent before bouncing off the ropes and delivering a Leaping Knee Drop right to the chest! Tony pushed him down harshly to the canvas and went for a lateral press.
ONE!
TWO- NO!
Barely a two-count, but Adam Faulkner was still in the game. With no wasted motions, he clubbed Adam in the back before lifting him right off the canvas cleanly and dumping him back down with a Belly to Back Suplex!
Cold Steel paid no attention to the crowd who were booing him, but he shrugged them off and waited for Adam to try and get back up. When Faulkner tried to do so, he was only the recipient of another vicious stomp to the face. Faulkner tried using the corner to pull himself back up, but this turned out to be a big mistake as Tony merely rammed a series of shoulders right into his gut, then dragged him in the middle of the ring to follow up with a vicious Snap Suplex!
ONE!
TWO!
THR- NO!
Again, Adam Faulkner kicked out of the big-time move, but Tony Sharp didn’t show any emotion on his face. He continued to chop away at the chest of Faulkner, shooting him back into the corner before ramming him against the turnbuckle face-first. Adam threw a couple elbows to the chest of Tony to try and stop him from continuing his offense, but Tony stopped him dead with a hard knee to the chest. He shot Faulkner violently across the ring and sent him crashing back first into the corner before crumbling to his knees.
“You got him, son, hurt him!” Thomas Keeling shouted while Tony nodded.
The Cold Steel approached Adam Faulkner slowly and continued to lay into him meticulously with a series of chops before shooting him back towards the other side of the ring. Faulkner crashed hard into the turnbuckles and got caught right into the clutches of Sharp again, grabbing him by the waist and throwing him to the side with a painful Belly to Belly Suplex!
But Tony Sharp didn’t let go. Instead, he held onto the waist and pulled him up again, only to plant him firmly into the ground with a second one. And before Adam Faulkner could mount any kind of a counter or reversal, number three hit just as fast as the first two, finally driving him back down into the ground.
Pulling down his black elbow pad on his right arm, he looked out to the jeering crowd before climbing to the second turnbuckle. Shooting an icy gaze back to his target, he went flying off the second turnbuckle and drove a Flying Elbow Drop right to the back that he’d been working over the majority of the match. Faulkner cringed in pain while Tony rolled him over and hooked the far leg.
ONE!
TWO!
THR… NO!
Adam Faulkner got the shoulder up at the last second, surprising both of the Keelings and Tony Sharp. Vic cheered on his tag team partner from the outside while Tony ignored him and went for a big suplex. He picked him up off the canvas and tried for another Belly to Back Suplex, only this time, Adam was ready and delivered a couple of punches to the head in mid-air before adjusting his body weight and falling on top of Tony Sharp with a pinfall!
ONE!
TWO!
NO!
Sharp got the shoulder up while Faulkner rolled off to the side, trying to shake off the punishment he’d eaten in the last several minutes. As Sharp got up to try and chop him again, Adam ducked and jabbed a a double chop right into the throat of Tony before delivering a crippling Discus Palm Strike to the face.
Adam Faulkner grabbed Tony Sharp by the arm and whipped him into the corner and as he went bouncing backwards, Adam ran off the ropes and connected with a Bulldog Lariat!
While Tony tried to recover from the big lariat, Adam Faulkner was back on his feet and grabbed Sharp by the arm, sending him off the ropes again. Tony came back and got caught in a Fireman’s Carry before DRIVING him into a Flapjack Gutbuster! Wasting no time, he turned him around and went back into a cover.
ONE!
TWO!
THR- NO!
Tony Sharp got the shoulder up and wasn’t about to get shown up in his debut match. Adam Faulkner beat his chest and roared to the crowd as he prepared his next attack, throwing a kick into the chest of Tony before twisting him around and attempting a neckbreaker, but Sharp twisted him around and buried a knee into his back before leaping into the air and CRUSHING him with a Lungblower!
While Faulkner shouted in pain from the grueling maneuver, Tony Sharp wasn’t done yet. He locked himself around Adam’s body in a Crucifix-like maneuver before tying up his neck in a Crossface submission and pulling back as far as humanly possible.
Adam struggled and screamed as he tried to fight out of the submission. But he’d been too beaten down and Tony Sharp was too strong, locking him in his submission move called THE JAWS OF DEFEAT! Adam Faulkner had no choice any more….
TAP.
TAP.
TAP.
And just like that, the match was over as Tony Sharp relinquished the very dangerous submission hold. Adam Faulkner had made it clear since he’d joined up with nbW earlier in the year that he was no pushover, but Tony Sharp had been completely relentless in his power assaults until soundly defeating his opponent. The ring announcer told the story to the jeering crowd.
“LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, HERE IS YOUR WINNER OF THE MATCH… TONY SHARP!”
Tony Sharp simply climbed out of the ring and was congratulated by both Thomas and Junior Keeling while Vic Gravender came into the ring to the aid of his tag team partner, still shaken up from the grueling bout. Thomas Keeling had a mic in hand.
“Cut my client’s music!” He demanded as the music did indeed fade out. The crowd booed while Junior Keeling yelled for them to shut up.
“I’ve got something very important to say. You see, we’re not going to stop here. This is only just the beginning of what’s in store for No Brand Wrestling. Tonight, you’ve seen a very talented individual just defeat a wrestling veteran like he was nothing at all! And it's not just going to stop with Tony Sharp. The Family Keeling has much more talent waiting in the wings. And with this killer right next to me leading the charge as our crown jewel… we're going to SHRED through No Brand Wrestling like a buzzsaw until there's nobody left at the top!”
He handed the microphone over to Junior Keeling, who blocked out the booing of the fans and laughed.
"Upper Echelon... Night Life USA and anybody else that thinks they're going to oppose the Family Keeling... I suggest you pricks hold your titles tight... because sooner than later... you're gonna be kissing every one of them goodbye!"
Junior dropped the microphone as he, Tony Sharp, and Thomas Keeling all raised hands at the top of the entrance. Meanwhile, an angry Vic Gravender looked back at the trio as they made their exit. But the message had been sent. The Family Keeling were here to stay.
Warriors Respect Warriors
“Where do Gangsters Go.”
How fitting that it’s Keegan’s entrance music, especially now. William had died at the Englishman’s expense in the highly-anticipated Uncivil WAR and where would Special K go following his arch-enemy’s demise? Heaven or Hell?
Or, as speculated, head into retirement?
He waved briefly at the Greek fans here. Was he offering an olive branch to the Peace and Friendship Arena’s inhabitants? Then, he walked slowly to the squared circle, head down, shuffling feet and a solemn demeanour you wouldn’t associate with the outspoken superstar.
K asked for the music to be cut upon entering the spotlight and held his hand up: “I’d like to apologise for not being out here at the beginning of the show. I didn’t think it would be appropriate and I wanted to address the situation in my own personal, private way. I think I owed that to WAR and each and every one of you.”
The Newcastle native was uncharacteristically nervous, letting out a giggle that betrayed his lack of confidence: “That’s the quietest reception I’ve ever had. Ordinarily, my pride would be dented but this is the time for peace and silence.
I know WAR was a big name on both sides of the Atlantic and he should be remembered as a legend.”
Special K was warmly applauded by all sections of the audience who didn’t know how to react to him when he came out.
“Although I’ve been cleared of any wrong-doing, I’m seriously considering retirement.”
The European import afforded himself a slight smile as the Greeks told him not to go. He seemed embarrassed.
“Thank you. Anyway, that’s another speech for another night. Tonight, we’re here to honour a hall-of-fame competitor. While we had our difference and exchanged a lot of hurtful words, usually spewed by myself in all honesty, I meant him no serious harm. When all is said and done, I respected him.
“Warriors respect warriors.”
Tears filled The Yardstick’s eyes and he nodded as the crowd cheered his show of respect to the man he pulverised and terrorised not only in Palermo, but for months in the build-up to the shootout.
“Even in his last fight, semi-retired, he gave me a heck of a challenge. All bravado aside, I knew he would. He was a massive man, a monster and an athlete rolled into one, a multi-dimensional machine and capable of doing whatever he turned his hand to.
“I don’t regret anything I said in the build-up because it was designed to promote a long-awaited fight. Unfortunately, it had a sad ending.
“He had an incredible career and was an extraordinary competitor. His burning desire brought the best out in anyone he faced and you had to be at your best to beat him.
WAR fans probably hate me and will forever. I’d like to take comfort in the fact that he literally fought to the end. He was born to fight and he died to do it too. Rest in peace, William.”
Like he came in, he left without accepting any accolades in spite of a great ovation on the way out.
Keegan seemed to be a tormented spirit but one who knew that tonight was not about what he did or said, hence why he didn’t overstay his welcome in the public eye, sensibly choosing to leave and quit while he was ahead.
It was about honouring WAR.
Opportunity Comes A-Knockin'
Backstage, the camera cut to an assorted group of people who had been waiting about the halls for several minutes, wondering what all the hubbub was about. Several of the nbW roster were gathered together among the halls, waiting for a particular door to open. Various superstars like Zatch Rollins, Nemo, Ace and Spade Creede, Jupiter, Erick Davies, Alyx Norwood, and even random appearances by some other local guys who couldn’t have been older than twenty were there backstage, no doubt trying to horn in on whatever was going on.
The group of wrestlers continued to wait for several moments, a couple of them getting restless. As soon as Ace and Spade Creede both gestured to mosey on out of there, a door could be heard creaking, getting everybody’s attention. The door cracked open and there stood the man who had won his debut match earlier, the 6’6”, 264-pound “Cold Steel” Tony Sharp. Looking pretty smug, he nodded at the group of on-lookers while behind him, the forms of Thomas Sr. and Junior Keeling appeared, taking notice. Junior Keeling waved his hands in the air to try and settle the commotion down among the group.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa, take it easy! Take it easy!” Junior Keeling yelled over the crowd, trying to settle them down. “We’re here, okay? Sorry we’re late; we’ve been discussing strategy in the ol’ Family Keeling war room! But thanks for the great turnout and we appreciate all of you being here. Pops, take it away!”
The well-dressed Armani-clad Thomas Keeling adjusted his glasses as he took notice of the large turnout from the crowd. Proudly, he began to walk among the group of people that were there.
“Folks, I’d like to thank each and every one of you for coming to this little impromptu get-together.” After shaking a couple more hands with guys like Ace and Spade Creede, he nodded. “Know that your time is very much valued and appreciated. Now, I’ll get right to the point… earlier this evening, you watched my first associate here, Tony Sharp, dismantle and take apart Adam Faulkner systematically, putting this entire locker room on notice.”
Sharp proudly smirked behind Thomas while he continued.
“He’s the first of many talents represented by the Family Keeling and tonight was just the first step in that process. Soon, you’ll be seeing this man selling out shows, cheering for HIM, wearing HIS t-shirts and somebody who will be hailed as the new standard of No Brand Wrestling for the future. But tonight isn’t just about all of that.”
Junior Keeling handed his father a black binder and Thomas held it up.
“As we stated previously, the reason that we’ve come to No Brand Wrestling is because we excel at what we do. As talent agents, my boy and I represent nothing less than world-class athletes; the finest in-ring warriors of an elite caliber that have no equals. We’ve got Tony Sharp and we have another waiting in the wings, but it won’t end there. We don’t just look to the outside, but we’ve looked to the inside of this organization as well. No Brand Wrestling has outlasted various other organizations and with it, some of the finest ring warriors have entered its halls.”
A few more hollers and murmurs among the crowd had Thomas and Junior Keeling smiling like father and son Cheshire cats.
“If you guys want to be part of the winning team, this is your chance. Show us your physical and mental fortitude. Show us that you have what it takes to be represented by the Family Keeling. Show us that you have the talent and the skill necessary to be noticed and your efforts will be rewarded. Your faces will be on merchandise, your names will be chanted in sold-out arenas worldwide, and you’ll…”
“…What? Have you two leeching off our work just to put some money in your pockets?”
The voice of Jupiter spoke out among the crowd. As of late, the big man had promised to turn over a new leaf and had earned the respect of his peers and some fans. The Planet-Sized Superstar walked up to Tony Sharp and the Keelings and scoffed in their faces.
“Help us cheat to win matches? Kick people when they’re down? Stomp on them? Sell out for cash? I’ve heard how you guys operate over in Legacy of Champions. And I want no part of it.”
“Oh, Jupiter…” Thomas Keeling bowed his head like a disappointed parent. “You, friend, have a lot of potential. You showed it when you almost beat Warren Spade a couple weeks ago. Tell me, how did you fare then? And how many matches have YOU won since you’ve been a part of nbW, huh?”
Jupiter frowned.
“Get back in line, tons-of-fun,” Tony Sharp added. “We’ll talk to you if we want lessons on how to bastardize our careers.”
“Count me out of this BS…” Jupiter kindly shook his head and brushed off the Keelings and Sharp, leaving the rest of the crowd there as Thomas narrowed his eyebrows.
“That’s the kind of attitude that we DON’T take within the Family Keeling,” Junior said as he pointed a finger down the hall. We don’t want losers in our camp. We want winners. Trendsetters. Go-getters. CHAMPIONS. Show us something. We want somebody from this roster on our team and you all have the potential to do it.”
“Next week, an opportunity has presented itself. Adam Faulkner and Vic Gravender have challenged my colleague, Tony Sharp to find a partner and take them on next week in a tag team match. So we need somebody here to rise up and help represent The Family Keeling. It could be any of you. Feel free to make a worthy… ahem… donation to our cause. Make us proud, gentlemen. After all, it could be any one of you.”
Thomas Keeling finalized their statement as more hollering and cheering took place among the crowd. As the crowd dispersed after the Keelings’ little pep talk, Tony Sharp lowered to Thomas’ height and whispered in his ear.
“And what if none of these guys cut the mustard?” Tony raised his eyebrow.
“Oh, believe me, Tony,” Thomas looked up. “For the right price, people can do anything.”
THE SIX
FIRST ENTRANT IS
SPECIAL K' KEEGAN
Zatch Rollins and Nemo
Versus
Shawn Jessica Hart and Torment
Having won the Dynasty Tag Team Championships in the Triple Threat against the Dream Warriors and champions D-T at Pinnacle, many had wondered where the Phenom Shawn Jessica Hart and the Monster Torment were on our last episode. That unfortunately remains a mystery. Tonight however they were set for their first championship defense against the high-flying ninja duo of Zatch Rollins and Nemo.
The champions arrived first, with ‘Magic Dance’, only to drops the lights and explosions of fire from the entry as Torment soon followed. The challengers then arrived in their usual high energy form with a dash down to the ring and flipping right on in with ease. The bell would ring and the action would be underway.
Hart opted to start things off with Nemo, which resulted in a fanfare with the fans until a missed dropkick from Nemo allowed Hart a opportunity to corner her in the corner. Referee Tal Nedrick gave him the five count warning which was broke immediately, and Nemo used it to her advantage. A series of kicks on all parts of his body had him staggering and Nemo Vaulting over the form of Hart and making a diving roll to tag in her partner. Zatch flew off the top rope with a splash on Hart, but Hart caught him in the process and rolled right on through to a carried form.
Torment caught his partner as he came within reach and made the tag. He hooked the head of Zatch with his hands and the two drove him to the mat with ease. Hart left the ring while Torment proceeded to drive in a series of boots to Zatch, lift him and toss him into the corner, shoulder tackle, and then a nice big boot to the skull to level things off.
He raised him back up with his two hands and drove him to the mat with a double-handed choke bomb for the quick pin but only a two count achieved. Torment a bit frustrated stomping on the head of Zatch which brought Nemo into the ring only to be stopped by Nedrick. Torment dragged Zatch to the corner and had Hart hold him against the ropes. A vicious chop down the chest brought him to his knees and Torment drove his knee upwards into his jaw for added measure.
Tal Nedrick finally turned around and ordered them to tag or release which Hart simply waived his hands outwards stating he had nothing to do with it. Torment grabbed the masked warrior and hurled him into the corner, causing him to flip upside-down on impact.
Nemo once more tried to get in but was held back by Nedrick while Torment just laughed at her sorry attempt to save her friend. Neither noticed as the two collegiate athletes and veterans of the ring, the dastard Creede Brothers, made their way slowly down to the ring and clipped Hart’s legs out from under him where they then proceeded to hurl him into the ring steps and barrier before making their way back the way they came. The fans sat in shock as the two brothers left as quickly as they had arrived, perhaps out there to send a message to Family Keeling and the rest of the locker room.
Torment went to boot Zatch who rolled through his attempt and clipped him from behind before making the dive to Nemo. Nemo with fire launched into the ring and delivered a picture perfect dropkick to stumble the Monster, but a second one was met with a vicious swat to her chest. He grabbed her by the throat and within an instant chokeslammed her to the mat. He went for the cover but Zatch flew off the top rope onto Torment.
Angered he looked to Hart for some assistance but saw nothing. He booted Nemo and then grabbed at Zatch, ducking his crescent kick and Chokeslammed him in much the same way only this time on Nemo. He shoved him out of the ring and again he went for the pin and this time it was achieved. Nedrick left the ring and rolled back in with the titles handing one to Torment who walked to the side and stepped out to the groundfloor where Hart was leaning up against the barricade.
Torment shook his head and pulled the other belt from Tal and dropped it on Hart before leaving. Hart shortly after stumbled along as well.
Their first championship defense was a success, albeit nearly a catastrophe thanks to the Creede Brothers. One has to wonder what their purpose was out there considering their own loss to the debutting tag team of Arthur Pendergast and Ventrel Dex last week.
A Long Night
Once more the cameras begin to roll backstage where immediately a door flings open as the human steam engine emerges inside.
“I want Judas, TONIGHT.” Spoke RaVage as he walked up to the desk of his boss.
“Ravage, I understand your frustration. We all saw what became of your match last week, so you have every right to be upset. But-“
“A roll-up. A school boy roll-up. I did NOT go from becoming your multiple Blitzkrieg champion to a multiple time World Champion, just to get beat by that snot nosed punk.” RaVage leaned across the desk so he was quite close to Thaddeus’s own face. “You know me as well as the rest. I am a calm person in most circumstances but that night my legacy was spat on.”
“Ravage, I understand. I do. But as I was stating before, Judasbleek is already scheduled for action tonight against Erick Davies. You are also scheduled for action tonight as well, in case you forgot.”
“Judas already stated he isn’t wresting your opponent for him tonight. Boyle, you owe me this.” Ravage leaned back and looked knowingly at his boss. “You know in your heart and what is best for this business that you OWE me this.”
Boyle sighed. “You may be right, but that doesn’t change the fact that he is already scheduled and he will wrestle tonight. It is in his contact and he does not oblige than there will be repercussions.”
“Change it.”
“Huh? I can not-“
“Change it. The card is always subject to change. Replace Judas with another opponent for Davies and make my match with Haddon a Triple Threat.”
“Hmm,” Boyle stood from his chair. “Fine. We will do just that. You have your match next. Judasbleek will be added in and he will show up or face suspension.”
“Thank you.” Ravage sincerely stated as he headed towards the door. Boyle sighed and sat back in his chair. He took a moment and then pressed the intercom on his desk. -BUZZ- “Miss Diouge, please inform Mr. Erick Davies that there has been a change in his match up tonight.”
Speaker: “Yes sir, right away.” were the words spoken before fading off into a commercial set.
Judasbleek
Versus
Matt Haddon
Versus
RaVage
Brent Williams: "Ladies and gentlemen, the following is a Triple Threat Match set for one-fall! "Introducing first from South, Dakota weighing in at 230 lbs. He is 'The Human Steam Engine' RAVAGE!!!"
Coming back from commercial, the lights die down till the arena is completely dark. White smoke surrounds the entrance stage as Wanted Man by Rev Theory blasts through the speakers. Red and white strobe lights begin flashing at the stage as RaVage emerges from behind the double sliding doors. As his fans start giving him cheers a spotlight appears on top of him while the lights in the arena are still out. He stands at the top of the entrance ramp.
The dark red pyrotechnics explode all around him. After the pyrotechnics die down, The Human Steam Engine walks down the ramp with purpose. There's no smile or grin on his face as he continues to make his way to the ring ignoring the front-row fans holding out their hands for a high-five. He stops at the end of the ramp for a short while before charging at the ring and sliding into it. A pyros shoot out of the top of each ring post after he slides in. After this, he gets up and walks over to the first corner he sees, climbs up to the second turnbuckle, and then raises his arms in the air. He jumps back down to the mat and remains in the corner with his back leaning against the turnbuckles. He awaits the arrival of his opponents.
Brent Williams: Introducing the second participant from Malone, Vermont...weighing in at 270lbs! The Innovator, MATT HADDON!!!"
As Hero by Skillet blasted through the out the arena RaVage looks towards the entrance ramp as the lights in the arena turn off, blue spotlights shining around the arena, and as the bass hits all of the spotlights combine on the ramp as Matt Haddon walks out onto the stage, his face obscured by a blue and yellow NBW hoodie. Matt walks out onto the ramp before holding out his arm, his fingers pointed like a gun at RaVage. His other hand grasps the hood as he simultaneously pulls the hood down and throws his fists up, mouthing “Boom” as a huge wall of Blue fire works shoots up from the stage and the lights turn back on.
Matt Haddon starts to walk down the ramp while maintaining his focus on the man that stands in the ring. RaVage's not breaking his focus either as he stares back at Matt Haddon. Matt Haddon quickly jogs up the steel steps, walks across the apron and leap frogs over the top rope while maintaining two grips on it. RaVage leaves the ring through the ropes and now stands on the outside; giving his opponent the space he needs to pose for the fans. Matt Haddon doesn't need to worry about any unexpected attacks now since RaVage stands directly in-front of the announce table where Marc and Terry are seated at.
Matt Haddon climbs up to the second turnbuckle and raises a fist in the air for all the fans to see. The fans give somewhat of a small pop for this veteran. Matt Haddon jumps down from the turnbuckle and lands on the canvas just as his music dies down. The arena falls in a chilling silence. The place goes black as the opening lines of Animal I Have Become by Three Days Grace are sung; Adam Gontier's voice provides a chilling aura as Judasbleek makes his appearance trough the double sliding doors.
Brent Williams: "And the final participant is weighing in at 271lbs. From Chicago, Illinois, The Forgotten Son JUDASBLEEK!!!!"
Judasbleek makes his way down the ramp at a fast walking pace. Judasbleek is sporting a short arm band with the initials of the late William Arthur Reagan. Suddenly, this fast pace of walking turns into sprinting. He slides into the ring under the bottom rope and immediately tackles Matt Haddon to the ground, hitting him with repeated punches and elbows.
DING
DING
RaVage rolls into the ring. He's got to be content with what he sees. He might not have to do anything at this point. The main rule in a Triple Threat Match is to let your other two opponents wear each other down so that you can go in and pick up the scraps per-say. Matt Haddon taking some hard hits, but the frustration gets to him as he musters up the power to turn Judasbleek on his back and start returning the favor.
RaVage, however, gets bored of this and offers an unsuspecting running boot to the side of Matt Haddon's head knocking him over. While Matt Haddon favors his head RaVage picks up Judasbleek. He kicks him in the midsection and then whips him into the corner. Judasbleek pulls out a counter you'd only expect seeing from The Forgotten Son. He dives head first into the turnbuckles and actually ends up doing a handstand on the second turnbuckle before leaping off of his hands, floating over the top rope and landing on the apron.
RaVage can't really believe it either. He charges towards Judasbleek, hoping to possibly knock him off of the apron, but Judasbleek meets him with a big forearm to the face; this stops RaVage in his tracks. Judasbleek then starts climbing over the top rope like “Kevin Nash” would do. RaVage naturally turns his back from the forearm strike towards the corner only to meet by an impactful dropkick by Matt Haddon, which sends him flying back first into The Forgotten Son. This, however, throws Judasbleek off balance and sends him flying off of the apron and ultimately landing on the outside rolling into the barricade.
Matt Haddon looks to follow-up from the dropkick as he spaces himself out before charging towards RaVage in the corner. Using his instinct RaVage moves out of the corner in the nick of time causing Matt Haddon to Stinger Splash the corner. He staggers backwards towards the center of the ring, but gives RaVage the opening to perform a Bulldog. He turns Matt Haddon over on his back and goes for the quick pin.
One.....
Matt Haddon kicks out at one. Meanwhile, Judasbleek can be seen slithering his way back into the ring. RaVage gets up after that failed pin attempt and doesn't suspect a thing. Matt Haddon, however, notices Judasbleek right when he's about to charge at RaVage. Matt Haddon flips onto his belly allowing Judasbleek to hop over him and RaVage turns around just in time to get clocked with a clothesline. This clothesline actually knocks RaVage over the top rope and he lands on the outside. Judasbleek then turns around, but probably wishes he hadn't 'cause Matt Haddon almost nearly dropkicked his head off his shoulder.
Judasbleek is able to get up after that nicely placed kick and Matt Haddon goes for another one that he successfully connects with. RaVage slips into the ring after seeing that second dropkick connect. As soon as Matt Haddon kicks up, he's immediately knocked down after RaVage hits him in the back of the head with a lariat.
As soon as Judasbleek gets up from, RaVage kicks him in the midsection and places him in a headlock before spiking him down with a DDT. He turns Judasbleek over on his back and pins him, but it doesn't even get up to 2-count 'cause it's broken up by Matt Haddon! RaVage is no doubt pissed off at this as he gets up in anger and looks to deal with Matt. He swings, but it's a swing-and-a-miss and Matt Haddon ends up grabbing RaVage from behind.
I might possibly be an attempt at a German Suplex, but it doesn't happen because RaVage's resiliency is too much. Matt Haddon does get him a few inches off the ground, but RaVage lands back on his feet. Instead, RaVage counters it and turns it into an unofficial stunner. Matt Haddon sold this move like a fucking pro as the impact sent him sailing through the air until he finally landed on his back with a THUD. Well Matt Haddon will be out for a while, but RaVage's still not done as he sees Judasbleek running at him. RaVage performs another counter hitting the power slam on the oncoming Judasbleek.
Instead of pinning Judasbleek RaVage gets up and screams at the top of his lungs towards the heavens. This wild man has been unleashed. He looks to pick Judasbleek up, but RaVage isn't the only one with counters as Judasbleek surprisingly takes RaVage down and locks in a Step over Toehold Facelock. RaVage's in a troublesome predicament here. He's at the center of the ring, no way off reaching the ropes.
Can he possibly break out it himself? As he's about to attempt just that along comes a certain individual who kicks him in the temple. Indeed he is, but Matt Haddon's not about to let Judasbleek win this one. So, he stomps on Judasbleek's back. Judasbleek naturally reacts to this in the following way arching his back and grunting. Matt Haddon rolls RaVage over on his back for the quick pin.
One.....Two....
RaVage surprisingly kicks out of the pin. Matt Haddon as well as everyone else watching thought he was out cold from that hard kick. Matt Haddon pins him again, but it's Judasbleek who breaks the pin up. He gets on Matt Haddon and begins punching him like a madman. After Judasbleek ceases, he stands and screams at the top of his lungs, tugging at the back his mask, showing us some of that weird behavior he displays in his weekly promos.
The man who's now in control is now angry. He looks to be ready to end it here as he picks Matt Haddon up and gets him in a three-quarter face-lock. However, Matt Haddon counters this with an impactful German Suplex that has Judasbleek landing on his trapeziums muscles. Now Matt Haddon has him set up as he maintains himself behind the Forgotten Son. Judasbleek almost barely stands to his feet, but it's just enough for Matt Haddon to lock in a full nelson.
Marc: " What's Matt going to do her-- wait a minute!!!"
Terry: "You see it too? That's the beginning stages of a full-nelson facebuster!
Now, now, Terry! Before you get mad, take a gander at RaVage and what he does. Right before Matt Haddon connects with his move, its RAVAGE who comes behind Matt Haddon and locks in a half-nelson. Now, this is probably the first time something like this is attempted, but since all this is off the top of my head, I'm going to try to make it a reality. A double full-nelson facebuster is about to be attempted here.
Marc: "This looks to be something unthinkable!!! Never been done in the nBW!"
And it's at that time where all three men fall forward and both Judasbleek and Matt Haddon meet with the canvas face-first!!! Matt Haddon connects with his full-nelson facebuster on Judasbleek; RaVage connects with the half-nelson facebuster on Matt Haddon. It's an absolute impossibility that just occurred at this very moment! The crowd's only reaction to this is Holy Shit!
Terry: "Did.....did that just happen??"
It certainly did, my dear Watson! And now that this has happened the only thing to do now is to pin someone and win the match. However, RaVage's confidence couldn't possibly get any higher as he decides to hook the leg of The Forgotten Son. The referee sees this and slams his hand down.
One......Two.......Thre-NO!!!!!!
Judasbleek manage to muster the energy to get his shoulders off the mat in the nic of time as RaVage quickly pop up off the canvas dumb founded and Matt Haddon rolls out of the ring still dazed from the impact of the pervious move. Judasbleek begin to stir. Judasbleek turns his attention to RaVage. As RaVage sent a forearm into Judas’s head. Judasbleek staggers toward Matt Haddon who has returned into the ring as the two men begin to exchange blows.
Matt Haddon begins to gain the upper hand as he pounds Judasbleek towards the ropes. RaVage continues to look on in an observer the capacity as Judasbleek and Matt Haddon reach the ropes and the referee swoops in to attempt to break up the brawl between the two grapplers. As the Ref breaks them up, RaVage enters the fray, dropkicking Matt Haddon in the back, who in turn thanks the forward momentum RaVage produced, knocks Judasbleek out on to the ring apron. Matt Haddon bounces back off the ring ropes, flying back towards RaVage, backwardly. RaVage takes advantage of the dazed Matt Haddon grabbing his tights and rolling him up with the school boy.
One…NO!
Matt Haddon manages to roll out of the roll up before the Ref reaches a two count. As both Matt Haddon and RaVage return to steady footing, they both turn to face enough other. Matt Haddon lunges towards RaVage; however RaVage manages to sidestep it, sending him towards a recovering-on-the-apron Judasbleek. Judasbleek take advantage of the situation, grabbing Matt Haddon's head and dropping him throat first on the top rope. The Ref admonishes Judasbleek for the usage of the top rope as a weapon.
Matt Haddon slumps up against the ropes trying to gain back his breathe, but as he does so, RaVage attempts to take advantage of the situation attempting to take Matt Haddon down with a spinning heel kick. However, Matt Haddon manages to duck the kick, causing RaVage to crotch himself on the top rope. Seeing an opening, Judasbleek takes a few steps on the apron and rushes towards RaVage, clotheslining him off the ropes and sending him tumbling back into the ring. Judasbleek follows up the clothesline by propelling himself into the ring using the ropes, using his momentum to drop an elbow on the downed RaVage. He stays on top of RaVage for a quick pin attempt.
One!
Before the ref even comes close to counting to two, the nearby Matt Haddon drags Judasbleek off of RaVage. Judasbleek gets back up to confront the pin-breaker in Matt Haddon. However before Judasbleek gets the chance to confront Matt Haddon, Matt Haddon smacks him with a European Uppercut.
The uppercut drives Judasbleek away from the prone RaVage and towards the other side of the ring. Matt Haddon heads towards Judasbleek to follow up the attack but RaVage takes down the unsuspecting Matt Haddon with a drop toe hold and Matt Haddon falls face first down to the mat. Judasbleek takes advantage of the situation by jumping up and driving his leg down upon the back of Matt Haddon's neck.
RaVage now recovered enough from the elbow scrambles back towards the corner of the ring, allowing Judasbleek to continue to focus his attacks on Matt Haddon. Judasbleek grabs Matt Haddon and pulls him back to his feet by the hair alone. He then creates some distance between himself and Matt Haddon carefully measures up the situation and looks to take Matt Haddon out with a super kick.
Matt Haddon manages to show enough presence of mind to duck the super kick and as a frustrated Forgotten Son turns back towards Matt Haddon he is met with a full force bicycle kick to his temple courtesy of Matt Haddon. RaVage pulls himself back up in the corner, which catches Matt Haddon's attention. Matt Haddon dashes over to RaVage' corner, smashing him with a running forearm that carries enough momentum to knock RaVage' out of the ring and on to the protective matting on the outside.
Matt Haddon turns his attention back towards the ring, and back towards Judasbleek, still out of it from the swift bicylce kick right to the temple that came from Matt Haddon. Matt Haddon walks over to Judasbleek and delivers and good few stomps to ensure that Judasbleek stays down. He carefully surveys the situation all around him and begins to scale the turnbuckle, heading up to the top. Matt Haddon positions himself up on the top rope and takes measure of Judasbleek, looking ready to deliver a Pin-Point Elbow.
Just as Matt Haddon is about to take flight, RaVage jumps up on the apron and manages to carry enough momentum to shove Matt Haddon off of the top rope and crashing towards the ringside area barricade "SMACK-Thud". RaVage looks in the ring and sees Judasbleek stirring and pulling himself back up. Spotting an opportunity, he pulls himself up to the top rope and lurks there in waiting.
As soon as Judasbleek finds himself fully erect he turns towards RaVage but before he can do anything to react to the top rope perched RaVage he finds himself with a knee smashing directly into his face courtesy of RaVage. Judasbleek crumples back down to the mat. RaVage quickly picks Judasbleek off the mat and plants him with his rarely use Double Arm DDT and hooks the leg of The Forgotten Son.
One...Two...Three!
The Referee signals for the bell.
DING! DING! DING!
Brent Williams: Ladies and gentlemen, the winner of this bout...RaVage!
RaVage quickly poped up off the canvas and went wild as the nBW went crazy as well. Judasbleek begin to slowly stir as RaVage lost his self in the moment celebrating with the fans. Judasbleek stood dead center of the ring still groggy and staggering in place awaiting his foe to turn around. As RaVage turn around he was met by a vicious spinebuster. Judasbleek gets up and for the second time in this contest releases one of his trade mark roars. When the echo of the scream has died down Judasbleek reaches down again to lift RaVage from the floor. Holding the Savage limply in his grip he looks into his lifeless eyes and he ducks to scoop RaVage up into an Alabama slam position.
Judasbleek falls forward whilst spinning RaVage over head and slamming him down to the floor, causing the ring to shake with the impact. The pair lay there for a second as it seems the adrenaline rush that Judasbleek has been running on begins to fade. Lying in a heap of RaVage is not moving at all but Judasbleek is panting heavily. Judasbleek rolls from RaVage and uses the nearest set of ropes to get to his feet and begins to climb out of the ring but pauses half way out.
Getting back into the ring he looks at the lifeless form on the mat and then around the arena briefly. Judasbleek charges towards RaVage and punts the man in the head causing his head to snap back at a sickening angle and roll around limping coming to rest at an angle that no neck is supposed to be able to do.
Looking down at the carnage in the middle of the ring Judasbleek finally allows an evil demeanor to spread over his face as he turns and climbs the nearest set of turnbuckles holds his hands out to the side roaring loudly. Matt Haddon slides into the ring quickly checking the status of RaVage as Matt is over taken with rage. Matt darts in between the legs of Judasbleek as he is still gloating to the fans. Matt Haddon drops The Forgotten Son to the canvas with a powerbomb. Judasbleek rolls to his feet not from his on doing but from the momentum of the impact. Matt Haddon takes Judas back down to the canvas with an ab splitting spear.
The nBW fans pop as they get to witness The Forgotten Son getting his ass handed to him. Judasbleek lies on his back trying to gain his composer as Matt takes to the top turnbuckle and executes his trademark Pin-Point Elbow Drop. Landing dead on Judas’s head knocking him clean out. RaVage finally staggers to his feet rubbing his neck looking to get even. Matt Haddon encourages RaVage to get him some as well. RaVage looks out to the nBW crowd for their approval and with a huge pop they give it to him.
RaVage ascends to the top turnbuckle in screams “whose the ****ing savage?” and leaps in the air gaining some huge hang time before coming down with a CannonBALL across Judasbleek’s mid-section. Judasbleek rolls around in agony as RaVage and Matt Haddon quickly roll out of the ring leaving The Forgotten Son to lick his wounds. RaVage’s music hits as him in Matt clap hands and celebrate with the fans and walk up toward the stage ramp. The camera cuts to a shot of Judasbleek hanging on the bottom rope cursing them both as the scene faded out to a commercial.
Investigation Findings
Despite the solemn environment they found themselves in the NBW superstars and employees did their best to keep the show moving along. For one man this was his old stomping grounds, his home town. And that man was the boss himself, the general manager, Thaddeus Boyle.
The cameras opened back up to his office where he sat behind his large oak desk going through documents while in conversation with his son Gyle.
“Not the home town appraisal I was hoping for Gyle, but given what happened and the heart felt appeal going out by all our talent and fans, it is more than worth it.”
“I agree. But we do have some pressing matters to attend to Father.”
“We do,” he slid the papers to the side so his full attention was with his son. “What did Ronin find out?”
“Exactly as we expected. There is another circuit running in the European countries under our banner and initials. I was not able to find out who was running the organization but one name did come up in my research.”
“Interesting.” Gyle handed his father a stack of folders. “And these?”
“Those are the dossier’s on some of the talent involved with the other NBW. Upon reading over these I do believe you will find some talent rather similar to your own here.” Stated Gyle as he placed his arms on the desk and waited.
“These are very familiar. Their World Champion is ‘Anti-star’ Chris Boom, I wonder if he runs a faction?” Boyle smirked as he thumbed through the documents. “Hah this one sounds familiar. ‘Mystery, real name unknown he hides his identity behind his mask and shrouds his body within a dark blue cloak.’” Gyle nods as Boyle continues to thumb through the documents. “Pretty clear their creativity factor is rather minimal over there.”
“Ronin said he will provide us with more information when able but there is one important piece that we both think you need to read.” Gyle opened his vest and withdrew a manila envelope which he handed over. Thaddeus flipped the flap open and dumped the contents on his desk. “That name is the one that has come up in all of our investigations. He may be the one calling the shots or just a financial backer, but regardless we need to find out who he is.”
“Hmm.” Thaddeus rested his hand on his chin as he stroked his goatee. “Find out what you can about this Dace Molehill and see where he fits in all this. Tell Ronin if he can find a way, to arrange a meeting with whomever is in charge.”
Gyle nodded his head in agreement. “Right. I will get right on it.”
“Good.” Thaddeus closed the documents and dropped them in his open drawer before shutting it and locking it with a key. He noticed Gyle still standing there as he pocketed the key. “Was there anything else?”
“Not at this time. See you at the house later Father.”
Gyle stood and took his leave out of the office while Thaddeus went back to his work again. A boss’s job is never done after all.
Is He Really that much of an Asshole?
The camera pans backstage to an NBW logo were all of sudden the double champion, ‘Superstar’ Vince Jacobs came into view. The fans in attendance started to jeer the double champion. The same man that regained his Keystone title after his shocking lost to Matt Haddon last week. Jacobs had on his wrestling gear as later tonight he would be in the ring facing Techno Dragon from the Night Life USA; the very group that turned their backs on the Upper Echelon last week.
Jacobs placed the microphone to his lips as he heard the chorus of jeers from the fans. “Tonight is a very dubious night. On one hand I am ecstatic because once again I am YOUR NBW Keystone Heavyweight Champion. The man that dismantled Matt Haddon last week to avenge the fluke and poor officiating, which saw me lose the title in the first place.
The fans cheered Matt Haddon and his win last week.
“Zed messed up again and decided to “help” me last week. But the imbecile dropped the ball once again. That will not be tolerated in the Upper Echelon. I will deal with Zed in due time but I need to speak about something that is very somber.”
Jacobs paused before speaking. “Last week we lost one of the greatest wrestlers and men in this business. William Arthur Reagan was the epitome of a champion and he fought for the thing he loved to do and that was to wrestle in that very ring.”
The fans erupted in a WAR chant.
“He was a man of honor and dignity. He was a man that had taken young up and coming talent and showed them how to make it in the business. I respected the man and I do not respect a lot of men. William was a man that I called friend in my time in NBW and there will be no one like him.”
Vince pulled the microphone from his lips as the fans appreciated WAR.
“Now I heard Keegan’s comments earlier and I can safely say that he is the biggest hypocrite this business has to offer. Last week the man goes out and belittles WAR and then comes out here tonight to talk good things about him. He is a big pile of shit. It was him that killed William Arthur Reagan. He was the one that continued to push and push and push until William’s heart gave out. Keegan is the blame for a great man dying.”
The fans erupted in massive jeers.
“Son of Malta knows Keegan is full of shit. He did not even try to send his condolences to SoM last week after WAR died. Keegan you are nothing more than a glory hound. You are trying to exploit WAR’s death for your own nefarious purposes. I know your kind and I know Malta will not take to kindly of this display of utter disrespect for his mentor. You are lucky that I have a match tonight or I would walk to that ring and slap that smug condescending look off your face.”
“Now for the matter at hand tonight. Techno Dragon, you and your after school gang think you did something last week. You think your little group got noticed by stepping up to the main event. The problem with that is you have gotten noticed by the wrong people. See if you have not figured it out yet let me fill you in on something. Hi, I’m ‘Superstar’ Vince Jacobs, the Icon of professional wrestling. I am also YOUR NBW World Heavyweight and Keystone Heavyweight Champion. The second man to have held these two title at the same time, with the first being the incomparable William Arthur Reagan.”
Jacobs paused.
“Techno Dragon I am the wrong man you want to get on the bad side of. I do not understand what possessed you and your little rag tag of misfits to want to end your young careers early. I am the leader of the most powerful group of wrestlers this company has ever seen. I do not think you realize what you have done. I had to calm down Spade and Judas from tearing through the backstage area and ripping your little group apart limb by limb. Tonight courtesy of Boyle you will get your chance to be in the main event against me. So Techno are you ready for the bright lights and big time atmosphere of a main event. I hope you are because tonight I show you why I am reason there is a show.”
Jacobs dropped the microphone and walked away from the backdrop as the camera faded to the ring.
Erick Davies
Versus
RaVage Unknown
The fans in Greece were in a constant roar throughout the night and that only slightly dulled when Erick Davies walked out to the ring. He was prepared for his match with the Upper Echelon’s Judasbleek but it had been changed and now he was uncertain as to whom he would be facing. His wait was not long as the lights dimmed and the Italian music pumped through the arena sound system.
Wasting little time the Adriatic Gargoyle stormed down to the ring and immediately tackled Davies down to the mat before the bell could even ring. He hammered him with a series of lefts and rights, open and closed fists, while driving his knees’ into his sides as well.
The former TFZ Champion was in a unhappy mood ever since losing his precious championship and trophy to the late William Arthur Reagan. Tonight was no exception as he hammered down on the man until his face was nearly impossible to distinguish him with. Security and Officials led by Michael O’Dell eventually charged down to the ring and pulled Johannes Antonious de Castonovo off of his victim while a few EMT’s entered into the ring to check on Davies.
JAC was escorted back up the entryway and onto the back while the EMT’s worked on Erick Davies.
First Simon Starks and now Davies. Somebody needs to put a leash on the Gargoyle before he takes out his frustration on somebody else. And they need to do it soon.
Tuff Love
The Scene opens up to see an every aggravated Judasbleek kicking the door in to The Upper Echelon locker room after losing his triple threat match against Matt Haddon and RaVage.
Judasbleek: I can't believe this Bullshi....
Vince Jacobs: What was that Judas? You had Matt and RaVage more then once? What's going on in your head? We are the Upper Echelon and we can not let go of our stranglehold of this company. I already am not happy with the things that have been going on for the past few weeks. First the passing of one of are beloved members William Arthur Reagan. Zed losing to Haddon, then Zed costing me the Keystone title to Haddon, and now this Night Life USA crap. So you need to get it together because we all need to be on the same page.
Jacobs looked at the Forgotten Son in his face.
Judasbleek: Vince! Get the hell out of my face and you know damn well what’s going on in my head if it wasn't for RaVage, I would have had the match won. That peon Matt Haddon sticking his nose in my business, I’m not in the mood right now.
Jacobs stood nose to nose with the impressive kid that he brought into the UE.
Vince Jacobs: You know what your problem is Rook? If you would have kept your eye on the f****ing ball and your head in the damn game then you would of won the damn match, but you let you’re ego get the better of you, like it was going to be a walk in the park. RaVage is a multi time champion. Do you really think I took him lightly when I faced him? No! I brought my A-game and I showed him that he will never be in the same league as me. This is the reason why I am a veteran in this sport and the only double champion in this company.
Jacobs pointed to both titles sitting on the table.
Judasbleek: I can beat him I know I can, I just need my shot you don't know him like I do. He is a weakling and I won't rest till I get him one on one again and prove that I can beat him. I'm going to Boyle's office and demand that I get him one on one next week!
Judasbleek was still fuming.
Vince Jacobs: Calm down. Don't even waste your time going to see Boyle. You know damn well he wants too see the Upper Echelon fall apart. You think cowering to him is going to get the job done. You know what must be done. Take RaVage out of his misery for good. I don’t know if I should be piss off more at you or Zed. I will not let anyone tarnish the image of this group.
A puzzled Judasbleek gives Vince an odd look about what he just said to him.
Judasbleek: And why the hell shouldn't I go to his office?
Vince Jacobs: Because you have a match next week that I already set-up, a singles match.
Judasbleek: And who in the hell I'm in the ring with this time!
Vince Jacobs: ME!!!!!!!!!!!!
Judasbleek: What the hell! Why are we going against each other? Which one of the board members set this up? Was it Boyle?
Jacobs smirked at Judasbleek’s questions.
Vince Jacobs: Hush God damnit! I’m the one that asked for this match because the only way anyone is going to talk some sense into you is by beating it into you’re freaking skull and I'm going to be the one to do that no one else.
The Video fades to black with Judasbleek looking pissed off by the news that will be facing his leader in a single match.
Climbing to the Upper Echelon
Somewhere backstage was none other than nbW’s lovely backstage interviewer and ball of sunshine, Allison Cadence. Smiling into the camera, she had the microphone in hand and appeared ready to bring some news to the nbW fans.
“Ladies and gentlemen, with me right now is none other than the opposing force of the Upper Echelon… please welcome the Night Life USA!”
The fans gave something of a mixed reception for the group of rag-tag ravers that had, up until the previous edition of Slam, a general nuisance among the nbW fans. But now the reaction seemed to be a little more positive in light of their recent actions. The large Plazma stood stoically while Polar and Hotstreak smiled, Techno Dragon was dressed in ring gear and the Night Life USA’s manager, Kaylee, was proud of her men.
“Now, last week we all saw what happened out there. You went out there to form an allegiance with the Upper Echelon to take nbW by storm for good, only to turn on the Upper Echelon at the end of the night and save Mat Haddon from a further assault. Guys, care to share regarding your actions?”
Kaylee was the first to step up as he pulled the microphone her way.
“First off, before we go on further, we do want to give our condolences to the Reagan family. The five of us have been in nbW for a short time, but William Arthur Reagan was a very respectable man. Love him or hate him, he was a legend and this business is going to be a little bit different without him. WAR, thank you for everything you’ve done.”
The NLUSA members each nodded to one another and stopped while a “WAR” chant echoed among the crowd. After letting the rowdy crowd die down, Techno Dragon stepped up.
“Now, as for the Upper Echelon… keep in mind, Allison, that we meant every word that we said when we told the world that we were ready to step to the upper echelon of No Brand Wrestling. We aren’t going to pretend that we’re a bunch of saints that can be trusted… You of all people should know this, Jacobs.”
Kaylee winked at the camera while the fans cheered at Techno Dragon’s jab in his direction.
“But we’ve seen what the Upper Echelon has done and for far too long, we’ve been forced to sit and watch the same dreck every week since they’ve come into power. Whether that be Superstar Vince Jacobs showing off his flexibility by sucking himself off every week in front of a live audience, Judasbleek cutting some macabre segment in the deep, dark recesses of some gas station bathroom, Warren Spade getting more gassed than Billy Gunn in the Himalayas, or Zed being the world’s best hanger-on... we’re tired of it. Can’t speak on behalf of Keegan, but he’s probably tired of it. We know that Thaddeus Boyle is tired of it. And not to kiss ass… but we’re all pretty sure the fans are tired of it, too.”
The fans did respond pretty kindly, voicing a pretty big cheer for the Night Life USA.
“That’s why we pulled the proverbial wool over their eyes. To show them what they’re up against now. Anybody that’s opposed the Upper Echelon so far has been put on the shelf. Guys like Ali Amore, Remy Leroux, Brock Metzer have all tried to fight the good fight, but the list of victims keeps growing with each show. We’re here to tell you that it stops tonight.”
Polar took the microphone.
“Thaddeus Boyle gave us opportunities against the Night Life… me and Hotstreak are going toe to toe with Zed and Warren Spade. Yeah, Zed’s pretty skilled in the ring, but you wouldn’t know this because his head is lodged up Vince Jacobs’ ass all day. And once you get past the part where Fenton Woods speaks and you just want to crawl into the nearest hole and die so you don’t have to listen to him, Warren Spade is unpinned in singles matches for a reason. But if you think that that intimidates us for one second...”
It was his twin brother, Hotstreak, that now had his chance to speak.
“Well, like the kids on the interwebs like to say… El-Em-Ay-Oh. Not gonna stop us from climbing up there and proving that <I>WE’RE</I> the best tag team that No Brand Wrestling has to offer.”
Allison Cadence took back the microphone.
“And as for you, Techno Dragon, we saw that tonight’s main event is going to pit you as the Night Life USA leader against the Upper Echelon’s leader and nbW’s current double champion, Superstar Vince Jacobs. Your thoughts?”
“We take nothing away from what the Upper Echelon has done collectively and individually. Vince has lived up to probably … let’s say eighty percent of the nicknames that he’s bestowed upon himself over the years. He can call himself the Icon of professional wrestling, the reason that there’s a show, our god and all that jazz. But like Mat Haddon proved, he can still be beat. And after tonight, you’ll all be calling me the reason that Vince Jacobs realized he was still a mortal man.”
The members of the Night Life USA looked ready for the task of taking on the members of the Upper Echelon tonight as Techno Dragon jerked a thumb to Polar and Hotstreak.
“You guys are up first. Knock ‘em dead.”
The twins nodded and turned off in the opposite direction as Slam went to commercial.
Upper Echelon (Spade/Zed)
Versus
The Night Life (Polar/Hotstreak)
Due to the events of the last Slam show, coming up next was going to be the first of two Upper Echelon vs. Night Life USA matches. The Night Life USA announced that while they weren’t exactly the poster children for love and kindness for their fellow man, but after turning on the Upper Echelon, they vowed that they nor anybody else were going to be forced to bow down to Superstar Vince Jacobs or his group any longer.
The NBW logo faded onto the screen as then it soon replaced by the fans in the EpicCenter. The fans were in rare form tonight with signs canvassing the arena. The fans continued to cheer until the lights dimmed and the Epictron lit up with the words Upper Echelon. Suddenly the cheers turned to jeers.
The names flashed repeatedly on the EpiCenter as the sounds of “Battleflag (Space Raiders Mix)” by Lo Fidelity All-Stars played over the speakers. And the crowd gave a respectable cheer to the twins of the Night Life, Polar and Hotstreak. The two identical twins parted the curtains and high-fived one another, then actually did the same for a few fans that were actually willing to do so. The new fan favorites both leaped into the ring at the same time, then each took a turnbuckle and looked to the sky. After the did that, they both did backflips off the middle buckle and landed on their feet to pop the hot Greece crowd.
The bell rang, signifying the start of the match as they were going to start it off with Polar and Zed. The Annihilator smirked as he waited for Polar to make a move. He tried to go in for an early grab, but Polar ducked out of the way and did himself a little bit of a breakdance on the ground, popping the crowd. Zed wasn’t going to take any more of that dancing nonsense as he rushed right at Polar and tackled him into the corner.
The referee told him to get out of the corner or get disqualified. Zed wasn’t about to cost them another loss, so he backed up and did as he was told, trying to keep it clean. As Polar shook it off, Zed came rushing at him again, but Polar was ready and ducked behind then threw Zed to the ground with a takedown. He turned him around and applied a quick rear chinlock to keep him grounded as Hotstreak cheered on his twin from the apron.
Zed pushed Polar up and again, brought him back to the corner and rammed a few good shoulders into his chest to keep him trapped again. Zed unloaded on him with some hard punches right in the corner and kept the blows coming. Zed whipped Polar into the opposite corner, but Polar was quick enough to grab the corner leap right over Zed as he crashed into the corner.
Zed got turned around and was chopped many times by Polar, then kicked in the chest several times before he took him over with a snapmare and followed it up with a running front dropkick to the back of the head. In one fluid movement, Polar kipped to his feet and got the crowd on his side while Fenton Woods frothed at the mouth outside, telling him to stop showing off. After getting the crowd on his side, he went for a lateral press.
1…
2…
But no, Zed kicked out. picked up Zed by the hair and pushed him to the ropes but Zed quickly put on the brakes and sent Polar flying. He came back and ran right into a big elbow smash from Zed, knocking him silly. Zed wasted no time in trying to win.
1…
2…
But Polar pushed his way out, keeping Zed from ending the match early. Zed tried to scoop him over the shoulder but Polar slid out the back and shoved him to the NLUSA corner. Polar tagged in Hotstreak and the two of them pushed Zed to the ropes. Off the rebound, Polar got him with an inverted atomic drop. Zed was stunned and walked right into a Russian leg sweep from Hotstreak. While he was down, Polar ran off the ropes and jumped into the air, bringing down a hard headbutt across the chest, then Hotstreak finished off the high-speed combination with a leaping senton splash right across Zed’s chest.
After being bombarded by both brothers, (say that ten times fast), Hotstreak went for his first attempt at a cover.
1…
2…
Close, but no! Zed kicked out of the pinfall attempt while Hotstreak grumbled underneath his breath. Zed fought back from a cover as Hotstreak tried to stomp him, but Zed scurried away and tagged in big Warren Spade for the first time in the match. Spade snarled as he stepped over the ropes while Hotstreak shook his head.
“Oh, dear…”
But Hotstreak had to shake off whatever nerves he was feeling right now and lived up to his hot-tempered name, running at Warren and trying to tangle with the big man. Warren Spade casually tossed him across the ring like he weighed nothing at all. Hotstreak rolled through and landed on his feet. He tried one more time, but the result was the exact same as Warren grabbed him by the head and tossed Hotstreak across the ring again. Polar shook his head from the ring apron.
“Do something else.” Polar snapped.
“I got this!” Hotstreak yelled at his brother.
After turning his attention back to Warren Spade, who was waving his hand for Hotstreak to make a move, the NLUSA member did something all right. He went behind and tried to apply a waistlock, but Spade wasn’t amused and backed the smaller man into the corner. He tried to go for a couple of big elbows to catch Hotstreak in the face, but he managed to duck long enough to keep him from connecting with the blows.
The Monster of the Mid-south turned around and tried to hit him again, but Hotstreak moved and when he bounced back, he got caught in the face with a leaping kick. Hotstreak ran at Warren Spade again, but the Upper Echelon’s biggest weapon lifted him up and sent him flying over the ropes.
Somehow, Hotstreak landed on the apron and grabbed him by the head, pulling him neck-first over the top rope. While Warren backed up a few steps, Hotstreak climbed back into the ring and ran off the ropes before grabbing Spade by the head again and dropping his knee right into the chin. With Warren Spade stunned, he and his brother nodded to one another as they both climbed out onto the apron. Out of the same corner, both Polar and Hotstreak jumped right at the big man…
SPRINGBOARD FLYING FOREARM~!
And it was with that big shot that Warren Spade went down for the first time in the match. Polar cleared the ring while Hotstreak went for a cover.
1…
2…
Despite the twin’s best efforts, Warren Spade still kicked out with relative ease and shoved Hotstreak off him. Hotstreak stayed on the attack as he grabbed Spade by the arm. Spade tried to pull him back in, but Hotstreak doubled him over with a thrust kick to the chest. With the big man doubled over, he ran for the ropes but he caught Hotstreak in his arms and paraded him around the ring for several moments.
He dropped him across his knee with a rib breaker but held on and kept him locked in his grip. He let Hotstreak have it a second time with a second rib breaker and still held him in place again. While carrying Hotstreak in his arms like a small child, the camera caught a glimpse of Fenton Woods. Woods turned to the camera.
“That’s what’s waiting for you eventually, Saunders!”
Warren Spade then lifted Hotstreak and nearly tossed him the entire length across the ring with a big ring-shaking fallaway slam. Polar grimaced for his brother as Hotstreak tried to protect himself. That wasn’t going to do anything as Warren picked him up and trapped him in the corner, hitting a series of alternating elbow strikes to the head, Matt Morgan-style.
While Hotstreak was doubled over in pain, The Monster of the Mid-South picked him up over the shoulder and lifted him before ramming him into the corner. He set him up in a tree of woe position in the Upper Echelon corner before tagging in Zed. The Annihilator climbed into the ring and Warren set it up for Zed to get irish whipped in the corner, hitting a spear right to the exposed ribs of Hotstreak, knocking the breath right out of him.
Hotstreak wailed in pain as he doubled over, holding his sides in pain. Zed casually pushed him away from the ropes and went for a pretty lazy pin, barely covering him.
1…
2…
The twin kicked out pretty easily despite being in pain, but Zed was clearly having fun at this point, taking his time. He knew that he couldn’t afford to blow this, so he turned up the aggression by doubling over Hotstreak with a pair of knees to the chest before clobbering him with a big overhead sledge, bringing the twin to his knees.
Polar rooted for his twin brother to try and survive the beatdown, but Zed was now bringing it. He choked the life out of Hotstreak and tried to keep him from getting any air, but the referee ordered him to break it up or get disqualified. Zed didn’t risk pushing the count any more and let go, but didn’t stay off Hotstreak for too long as he slapped on a tight modified camel clutch.
“Come on, little boy, fight back!” Zed screamed in Hotstreak’s ear as he tried to fight his way out of the hold from his knees. Zed continued to pull and twist on the neck to keep the twin brother grounded, but slowly he was fighting his way back up to his feet.
Hotstreak tried to protect himself with a couple of hard elbows and a couple of stiff kicks to the leg of Zed to keep him from fighting back, but Zed went low and caught him in the chest with a pair of knees. He then set him up with a double underhook before powering him up and over with a big-time suplex. After the beautifully executed suplex, Zed went for cover.
1…
2…
And was that gonna be three?
Nah, he kicked out again.
Zed grimaced before dropping a couple of hard elbows to keep Hotstreak grounded. After he did that, he tagged in Warren Spade again, who climbed into the ring and stepped right on the back of Hotstreak, pushing all his weight down on him.
Hotstreak groaned in pain while Warren Spade raised a fist in the sky, much to the hatred of the Greece crowd. He picked up Hotstreak by the arm and powered him up over before lifting him up and dumping him in the middle of the ring with a reverse alley oop powerbomb. He was looking much worse for wear as he crumbled over while Spade went for a cover.
1…
2…
And Polar came to the rescue, hitting a low dropkick to the face of Warren Spade to break up the cover. Fenton Woods yelled at the referee and ordered him to disqualify the brothers for what he claimed to be Polar’s blatant interference, but he probably wasn’t going to be doing that.
After Spade recovered from the dropkick to the chest, Hotstreak was still hurt and was still easy pickings for Warren Spade to push him back into the Upper Echelon corner and tagged in Zed again. Zed hit a couple of big right hands while Warren returned to his side, watching with intent. He continued to throw some hard knees into the chest of Hotstreak and waited for him to get back to his feet.
He lifted up Hotstreak over his shoulders and tried to go for the Zector Hook off the second turnbuckle, but Hotstreak somehow had enough in him to slip out, then connect with a leaping double knee backbreaker, driving the air right out from the lungs of Zed.
Both Zed and Hotstreak were down in the middle of the ring. Hotstreak had been mauled by the two Upper Echelon members in the last several minutes and needed to tag out pretty quickly. Zed, meanwhile, was trying his best to keep Hotstreak from getting to his corner. After shaking off the hard blow, he tried to crawl over slowly and made it over to his corner as he tagged in Warren Spade.
Spade came in, guns blazing and ready to go…
And Hotstreak tagged in Polar!
Polar made it into the ring and jumped over the ropes, ready to go. As the fans came to their feet, Warren Spade went for a clothesline, but Polar ducked underneath and came back off the ropes with a hard clothesline to the chest that only teetered Warren a little bit.
A second run and another big clothesline off the ropes had just about the same affect as he ran right into Spade, but the big four-hundred pound mountain wasn’t going anywhere still. He ran off the ropes for a third time and Spade tried to catch him with a big boot, but Polar slid between his legs and made it to his feet again. As Spade turned around, he took a hard dropkick right to the leg and brought the big man down to his knees.
Hotstreak was woozy, but cheered on his brother as Polar took the fight to the big man. After connecting with a couple of hard kicks to the leg, he tried to whip him to the corner but Warren stopped him in his tracks and tossed Polar into the corner. He went for another running boot in the corner, but Polar moved out of the way as Spade’s foot landed on the top turnbuckle. This left his other leg exposed, allowing for Polar to run buck wild with a series of kicks to the leg once again.
He tried to whip Spade, but still the big man was too strong and whipped him off to the ropes. This time, Polar jumped onto the second rope and came back with a flying back elbow, catching Spade right in the face sending the big man staggering backwards.
While Spade was stunned, he gave a good running shot to Zed on the apron, running and connecting with a leaping round kick to the head, knocking him off the apron. He then turned his attention back to the Monster of the Mid-South and tried to get off the ropes, but found himself being goozled by the giant. Spade went up for a big chokeslam, but Hotstreak re-entered the match and clipped the giant’s leg, allowing Polar to grab him in mid-move by the head and bring him down with a hard DDT.
Fenton Woods was coming unglued on the ring apron as Hotstreak left the ring, allowing for Polar to get in another pin attempt on the big man.
1…
But he barely got that as Zed came out of nowhere and dropped an elbow to the back of Polar’s head. Zed’s aggression kicked in again as he took the fight to Polar in the other corner, throwing some hard knee strikes into his chest while holding him. He whipped Polar across the ring into the NLUSA corner, but his time, Hotstreak was waiting and clipped Zed in the back of the head with an enziguri from the apron.
While Zed was crumbled over in the corner, Hotstreak whipped Polar from across the ring into a big running assisted corner knee strike, cracking him in the head. As Zed stumbled forward, he walked right into a big spinebuster from Polar, catching him off the rebound.
Polar and Hotstreak both celebrated mid-ring while the fans cheered, but what they didn’t catch behind them was an angered Warren Spade, running at both brothers and taking them both down with stereo clotheslines. Spade growled to the sky and beat his chest like an animal proclaiming his dominance, obviously sending a message to Spike Saunders following their meeting earlier in the night.
In the midst of all the chaos, Warren Spade and Polar were still the two legal men in the match and Warren hadn’t forgotten. He chucked Polar hard across the ring and waited for a moment before running at him with all his body weight, but Polar got both feet up into the face, stunning Spade. While Spade backed up against the ropes, Zed had recovered long enough to make a blind tag. Polar came off the second rope with a missile dropkick, catching Spade and knocking the giant down, but he didn’t see Zed coming, looking for a roll-up!
1…
He grabbed a handful of tights…
2…
And kept him pinned…
3!... no!
Zed screamed as somehow Polar kicked out of his sneaky attempt at a pinfall to secure the match for the Upper Echelon. He punched the mat in frustration and turned his attention back to Polar as he waited for the twin to get back to his feet. Zed pushed him to the ropes and whipped him across, but now he didn’t see the blind tag this time from Hotstreak as he made his way back into the ring.
As The Annihilator came back off the ropes, he got lifted up into a fireman’s carry by Hotstreak…
THE ICE PICK~!
The thrust kick right to the jaw of Zed as he was trapped on the shoulders of Hotstreak lead to the next series of moves where Hotstreak grabbed onto Zed by the side. Polar ran off the ropes and waited for him to go…
THE BURNING ICE~!
The running STO combined with the Ranhei pin from Hotstreak connected beautifully. As Warren Spade tried to get back into the ring, Polar kept him at bay long enough for Hotstreak to go for the cover.
1…
2…
3!
The crowd came to life and roared in approval! It had to be considered something of an upset, but the twin brothers Polar and Hotstreak had stuck it to the Upper Echelon for the moment and walked away with a huge victory over a very game Zed and the downright dominant Warren Spade.
The referee raised the arms of both Polar and Hotstreak who powered through the onslaught of the Upper Echelon’s beasts in order to come through with a very hard-fought win.
Spade and Woods were having words with Zed, who was still staring up at the ceiling lights. Meanwhile, Polar and Hotstreak ran up the apron, not wanting to incur the wrath of an angered Spade as they headed up the curtains, celebrating. This was a huge night thus far for the Night Life USA.
A not so good night for Zed.
Time's Up
Cue-up: ‘Spike-It-UP!’
The hit remix exploded over the PA system of the Peace and Friendship Stadium which immediately cause the fans to stand and cheer. The double doors parted and out walked the Colossus of the NBW, the seven foot three giant, Spike Saunders. Ribs wrapped and taped, arm in cast, clearly showing the damage taken at Pinnacle.
He slowly walked down the entrance ramp and with his right arm he grabbed the top rope and hauled himself up onto the apron before stepping over the rope. Brent Williams happily handed the big man the microphone and left the ring.
“Hello GREECE!” roared the big man to the delight of the crowd. “It is great to be back in this ring. Back in NBW. Back in Greece. But folks, do not let it be forgotten that although I stand here before you in my unnatural state, the very man that put me in this condition lies in a hospital bed clinging to what is left of his life.”
A silence falls on the cheering fans.
“The brass above did not want you all to know about Jack Owyns’ situation but I felt it was needed. He took me to hell. We destroyed the roof and entire entrance section of the Sprint Center. That alone has blocked NBW from returning to the KC stadiums anytime in the near future. Truth is it was our fault for going all out as we did. The roof was never a great idea. Ultimately I failed.”
The fans changed Saunders’s name in admiration.
“Thank you, really it does mean a lot. But after what happened, and before the state you see me in now, I had a checkup with a specialist. The results were as I expected for years and I am here to tell you guys the truth. You deserve it. I have been at this sport for decades, and even prior to the wrestling ring I was an underground fighter. Throughout those years I’ve participated in insane matches, and my body has gone through ever torture and pain imaginable. Unfortunately those years are catching up with me. I love this sport. I love you guys. NBW is my Home. It really saddens-”
He pulled the microphone from his lips and looked up at the lights for a moment before readjusting his composure.
“It saddens me to have to do this but frankly there is no other choice. No amount of rehab is going to bring back my golden days. The days of my youth. Those are long gone. The fact is although my passion is still here one hundred ten percent, and my skill has never wavered… my body just can not keep up any longer.” He walked across the ring and placed his casted arm across the turnbuckle as he looked out at the crowd. “My back could give up at any time. My legs area already stressed from supporting my upper weight. A curse all we big men face. A good friend of mine inside and outside of the ring passed away last week following his amazing fight with Keegan.”
A slow ‘WAR’ chant rose from the crowd as Saunders smiled in return and nodded his head. Looking back up at the lights he then turned his attention back to the fans.
“Yes, with Reagan’s passing, and Owyns currently clinging to life in a Coma, there is no way that I would put you all through watching another fade away before you. This has left me with one choice. I must retire.”
A loud ‘NO’ echoed through the arena as the fans wished to change his mind.
“I still have a few matches in me. That much I know. But a smart man would consider his options and hang the boots up. This cast of mine will keep me from being one hundred percent for quite awhile, showing my mortality and-“
His words would never finish as ‘Downfall’ by TrustCompany interrupted him. “Did we hear right? The big phony is going to retire his fat ass?” The words were spoken by the loud mouth manager, flanked by the Upper Echelon’s largest arsenal, the Monster of the Mid-south. “You finally going to step aside and let the younger talent rise. Guys like my client Warren Spade here, whom have more talent in their pinky toe than you have shown over your entire career-“
“HOLD IT!” hollered out Saunders as he leaned over the ropes. “Nobody invited you two. Now scurry on back to the back and let me finish what I was saying out here. And don’t worry I haven’t forgotten your verbal threats against me last week.”
“We will hold it when I say we will. You tall sack of shit excuse being the better of the giants in NBW. We think not. My client here is the premier. He is big time. He is what you used to be and you wish you were again.”
Fenton and Spade slowly made their way down to the ring while speaking until they reached the apron.
“Go ahead then, come into the ring. I’ll let you embarrass yourselves where you do it best.” Saunders stepped back from the ropes and to the center of the ring as Spade and Fenton then entered.
“So, I seem to recall a statement you made last week Mr. Woods.”
“What of it? Spade here is the rising star of the NBW and with the backing of the Upper Echelon he will go on to do great things. Things that you never could do.” Remarked Fenton as he remained distanced from the Colossus and next to his silent Monster.
“That was not it, sorry. No see you made a statement last week. One that I happened to get a chuckle out of back home. Hmm what was it.” He looked at the fans and then back to Spade and Woods. “Oh right. If I were standing right here, Spade would finish the job he started month’s ago. Am I right?”
Fenton growled and shoved Spade in the side. “Wellgogethimalready!” Fuming with anger he fired the first shot in the form of the big man. Saunders met his punch with one of his own and the two proceeded to duke it out but the advantage was clearly Spade as he had two arms available to rain down on Spike whom couldn’t use his left arm to even meet his blows.
The two slugged it out for a short time before security and officials led by Michael O’Dell rushed down to the ring and separated the two big men. It took some time to get them to pull apart but once they did Spade and Woods stepped out of the ring while Woods warned Spike that he’d finish the job soon.
Saunders pushed himself free from the officials and security and reached back down to pick up his microphone. “Tonight I had one goal planned and that was to announce my retirement. Instead I had to deal with you two. Frankly I’m glad you interrupted me when you did and should thank you. It allows me a chance to clear the air with my adoring fans. Warren, I am in no way ready to compete in a one on one match with somebody like you in perfect conditioning and health. However that doesn’t mean I am going to avoid further confrontation and-”
Spike grinned as an idea popped into his head.
“Next week when we arrive in Malta, I’ll take you on in a tag team match. That is of course if you can find a partner that can stand your mouthy cohort and your bad attitude. You have little to lose, in fact you still have the advantage while I’m wearing this,” he clanked the microphone against the cast. “if you win, then you got me, one on one in Spain. So what do you say?”
He leaned up against the ropes and looked up the ramp where Woods was conversing with Spade. Fenton shook his head, disapproving the odds and nature of the setup being at Spike’s hands and not his own.
“Warren Spade is twice as good as you. We don’t need a tag match to prove it so we decli-“ the arm of Fenton is ripped upwards by the huge paw of Spade as he speaks.
“I Accept.”
Spade turned and walked through the curtain as Woods stumbled chasing him through. Back in the ring Spike dropped the microphone and stepped out of the ring before making the treck back to the stage where he raised his arm to the cheers of the fans, and departed through the curtain.
Spain had better be prepared when these two Bulls lock horns.
That is IF Spade and his tag partner can defeat the Colossus and his own next week in Malta.
Techno Dragon
Versus
'Superstar' Vince Jacobs
Non-Title Match
It was going to be main event time and in that main event, nbW’s second-only double champion Superstar Vince Jacobs would be competing for revenge. Not in just any match. While the match was a non-title match, this was going to be important to both parties. The supposed alliance by The Night Life USA and the Upper Echelon was nothing more than a smoke screen as the NLUSA turned their back on their night-long allies, assaulting them with chairs to send a message… they were not going to let the Upper Echelon run things any more.
It was going to be Upper Echelon leader Superstar Vince Jacobs vs. Night Life USA leader, the masked Techno Dragon in his first-ever main event. And that would happen right…
Now.
The UE stood in the ring as the lights faded out and suddenly, the hub lights around the entrance started to pulsate several different shades of blue, purple, and yellow. The EpiCenter started to display names.
After the last moniker appeared on the screen the all too familiar “Ring Superstar” reverberated throughout the arena speakers. Vince Jacobs in his ring gear made it to the stage.
The bank account's thick and his pockets are fat
Peep the smirk on his face when he watching you tap
A three-count or submission, which steez you wanna go?
'Cause this muthafucka right here is a reason there's a show!
The champion stood on the stage and looked out into the crowd. The fans were jeering loudly as Jacobs held both arms out soaking it in. He was holding one championship in each hand as he looked down at the ring. He wasn’t going to give this scrub a title shot. He would teach him a lesson in crossing him and getting in his way.
Techno Dragon, to his credit, showed no trepidation in the face of one of the greats in the industry as he climbed into the ring and handed both championships over to the referee. SVJ mouthed some words to Techno Dragon and laughed in his face.
“You’re a dead man, I hope you know this.”
“And you’re old and reek of cabbage.” TD chuckled under his mask.
SVJ raised an eyebrow and wasted no time as the bell rang. The two men locked up right off the bat and it would be Jacobs using his power and size advantage to muscle the smaller TD to the canvas, powering him down with a waist lock take down then switching quickly to a front face lock. He was showing his technical prowess over his opponent as Kaylee looked on from the outside, cheering on one of her boys.
Jacobs kept him locked up, but suddenly and quickly did Techno Dragon adjust his arm and twist it around into a hammerlock. Techno Dragon continued to hold him by the arm until Jacobs was able to push himself back up to his feet. He threw one elbow behind him and caught Dragon underneath the jaw, sending him flying backwards.
Vince turned the tables on the NLUSA’s leader quickly and locked him up in a headlock, trying his best to keep him grounded. The Techno Dragon shoved him to the ropes and pushed the double champion off the ropes, but Vince came right back with a running shoulder tackle that knocked Techno Dragon for a loop.
While TD was adjusting his mask, Vince Jacobs took a moment to parade and celebrate by moving his pecs for the crowd. He was in complete control and was going to show this little scrub just what it took to be in the main event and why he sold out arenas every place he went.
With a smug grin on his face, Vince pulled Techno Dragon up by his mask and ran the ropes again. He tried to rush at the NLUSA leader again, but TD went low and ducked underneath him. Off the rebound, he came back again, but this time Techno Dragon went high and leaped right over Jacobs’s head. Off the return, he stopped himself and charged again at Techno Dragon but the quicker man of the two locked himself in a wheelbarrow position and snapped him over with a quick arm drag that sent Vince flying across the ring.
Jacobs was pissed when he got back to his feet and ran at him, trying for another attack, but this time Techno Dragon stopped and hit a big Japanese arm drag that snapped the bigger man over.
Techno Dragon went for a hammerlock again and tried to go for an early submission attempt, but the frustrated Vince shoved him back into the corner and pummeled him in the corner with punches to make him let go. Vince set up TD on the top rope and looked to be going for something early, but stopped and lightly patted him on the head like a little kid.
“That’s how it’s done, kid. Enjoy your taste of greatness while it lasts.”
While SVJ preened some more for the crowd, he turned his attention back to Techno Dragon, who came flying off the top rope with a headscissors, sending him sailing across the ring. Vince rolled underneath the bottom rope and used the ropes to pull himself up on the apron, but Techno Dragon was on the attack and doubled him over with a hard kick to the chest. While Vince was doubled over on the apron, Techno Dragon gave a thumbs up to the crowd and hit a handspring kick, cracking Jacobs on the top of the head and sending the champion out to the floor.
While Jacobs tried to recover from the impact of the kick, what he didn’t see was Techno Dragon running to the middle turnbuckle and hitting a MOONSAULT from the inside of the ring all the way to the outside!
“Techno Dragon!
Techno Dragon!
Techno Dragon!
Techno Dragon!
Techno Dragon!”
The fans were cheering for the leader of the Night Life USA now as he stood up and slapped a hand on the guardrail, riding the adrenaline rush right now as Vince was still wondering where the heck he was.
After the breathtaking dive, Techno Dragon followed up his attack by pulling up Vince Jacobs by his hair and letting him have it with a few chops to the chest. He slammed Vince’s head into the ring apron and rolled him back into the ring before trying to follow up with some more attacks. He tried for a punch, but Vince blocked it and returned fire with a few good shots of his own.
He pushed TD to the ropes again and waited to get him in his clutches, but Techno Dragon ducked underneath. Off the rebound, he came back again with a tilt a whirl headscissors, snapping Vince Jacobs over yet again and as he got up using the turnbuckles, Techno Dragon used more of his unorthodox offense and ran at Vince, catching him with a hard flying back elbow strike to the chest in the corner. As Vince came staggering out, Techno Dragon came off the opposite side and cracked him right in the mouth with a powerful leaping leg lariat.
After coming out of the spin, Techno Dragon wasted no time in attempting a pinfall.
1…
2…
Close, but no cigar as Vince shoved Techno Dragon off him. The double champion was trying to regain his bearings as Techno Dragon whipped him into the corner. He ran right at Vince, but the veteran shot him up and over with a back body drop. The high flyer was able to land on the apron and when Vince turned around, he was surprised with a big leaping kick that caught him right underneath the jaw.
Getting the crowd behind him a little bit more, Techno Dragon slingshotted himself into the ring again and this time, connected with a springboard dropkick that caught the double champion right beneath the chin again. Techno Dragon went low and quickly rolled him up in a la majistral pin.
1…
2…
But Vince still kicked out again, showing just why he was the success that he was. Techno Dragon clinched his fist and as Vince got up, hit him with a couple of European-style uppercuts that rattled his opponent. He ran off the ropes and tried for another move, but Vince backdropped him over the ropes and sent him back out to the apron again.
Techno Dragon tried to repeat his previous feat, going for a kick, but Vince grabbed him by the body and ran him across the apron, sending him <I>CRASHING</I> hard into the ring post before sending him out to the floor in a heap. Jacobs tried to catch his breath after the explosive offense from Techno Dragon. The crafty vet rolled under the ring to the floor. The smirk and grin he displayed earlier was now gone as he mounted Dragon’s body and started to blast the leader of the NLUSA with big rights to his mask.
Jacobs continued the onslaught as the ref tried to break up the mugging. He went to the floor and scolded Jacobs but Vince did not care as he stood to his feet and kicked Dragon in the gut. Techno Dragon yelled in pain as Kaylee looked on at one of her men. Vince raised his arms high in the air as he rolled back into the ring with the ref who continued to yell at him. Kaylee finally moved near Techno Dragon to help him back up into the ring. Jacobs noticed what Kaylee was doing as he raced toward the ropes.
Kaylee stood her ground as Jacobs smiled. He jumped onto the top rope as Kaylee looked up at SVJ. Vince watched Dragon get to his feet as he leapt off the top rope and landed on Techno Dragon with The Ratings Grabber. The fans erupted in cheers for the move from Vince. He crushed Techno Dragon with the Shooting Star Press from the ropes to the floor. Both lay on the floor as Kaylee tried to help Dragon up. The ref looked on at both men and rolled to the floor to check on them. He decided that both men were okay so he rolled back into the ring.
The ref started the ten count on both men as the fans started to boo loudly. They did not want the match to end on a double countout. Both men struggled to get to their feet as the ref continued the count.
1…
2…
3…
4…
5…
6…
Jacobs got to his feet as he pulled himself up with the help of the guardrail. Vince moved over to Dragon and grabbed the smaller man by his mask.
7…
8…
Jacobs rolled Techno Dragon into the ring and followed him in as well. Vince hooked Dragon’s leg for the cover.
1…
2…
KICKOUT!!
Vince picked up Techno Dragon and whipped him into the corner as the jeers rained down on Vince. The double champion raced into the corner but was nailed with a double boot from the leader of the NLUSA. SVJ staggered backwards as Techno raced out of the corner, taking SVJ down with a flying headscissors. Dragon raced toward the ropes and sprung off the second rope only to nail Vince with a spinning legdrop. Techno Dragon was not done as he walked over to the corner.
He pointed to the top rope and the fans obliged with a chant.
Techno Dragon!
Techno Dragon!
Techno Dragon!
Techno Dragon!
Techno Dragon!
Dragon hoped onto the top turnbuckle with one quick leap. He was sizing Vince up on the mat. He jumped high in the air and nailed Jacobs with a senton bomb. Techno Dragon finally reached over and grabbed the Icon’s leg for the cover.
1…
2…
3--- NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
Techno Dragon was not happy that Jacobs had kicked out. He stood to his feet and waited again for Vince to get up. The double champion slowly made it to his feet as Techno Dragon was waiting for him to get to his feet. Jacobs finally stood up and turned around and was nailed with a spinning heel kick. Dragon was not done as he sprung to the top rope again. He dove off the top rope with a flying head butt that connected with Vince’s chest. Techno Dragon held his head as Kaylee started to yell at him to cover Vince.
Dragon shook his head before draping an arm over Vince’s chest. The ref dropped down for the cover.
1…
2…
KICKOUT!!
The veteran kicked out again as Techno Dragon and Kaylee was beside themselves. The fans jeered the double champion as Techno Dragon made it to his feet. He picked Vince up and whipped him into the ropes. SVJ bounced off the ropes and was nailed with a standing dropkick. Techno stood to his feet and raised his arms to the delight of the fans and Kaylee. Jacobs grabbed the bottom ropes to pull himself up. Techno Dragon saw what Jacobs was doing as he waited until Vince got to his feet.
SVJ made it to his feet as Techno Dragon raced across the ring and sprung off the ropes, turning in mid-air only to be nailed by a quick SUPERSTAR KICK. Jacobs nailed the kick flush as Techno hit the mat. Vince struggled over to Dragon slowly before placing his arm on the leader of NLUSA’s chest. Kaylee shot up onto the apron as the ref walked over to her to get off the apron.
Jacobs had Techno pinned for atleast a ten count but the ref was nowhere in sight. He was still trying to get Kaylee off the apron. Suddenly the fans jeered as Zed made his ay down to the ring. He pulled Kaylee down from the apron as the ref continued to arguer with the two. Kaylee stood in Zed’s face as the ref finally turned around to see the pin.
1….
2…
3.. NOOOOO!!!! KICKOUT BY TECHNO DRAGON!!!
Jacobs rolled off of Techno in utter disgust because he had the match won. Kaylee once again argued with the ref as Zed raced around the ring and grabbed the Heavyweight title from the timekeeper. He rolled into the ring and nailed Techno Dragon with the belt. Kaylee saw Zed get in the ring with the belt and turned the ref around just in time for him to see what had happened. The ref called for the bell as Zed dropped the Heavyweight title in the ring. The ref grabbed Techno Dragon’s hand as the winner of the match.
Jacobs couldn’t believe what just happened. Zed had cost him two matches two weeks in a row. Kaylee grabbed the leader of the NLUSA and pulled him out of the ring. Zed was trying to explain himself to the leader of the Upper Echelon as Jacobs finally stood to his feet. Zed continued to talk to Jacobs who did not say a word. Vince was seething. Suddenly SVJ nailed Zed with a Superstar Kick that dropped the UE member to the mat.
Vince rolled to the floor and grabbed his titles. He smirked at Zed laid out in the ring and walked up the ramp to the back. Vince was not happy and Zed looked to be out of the UE.
THE SIX
SECOND ENTRANT IS
TECHNO DRAGON
The Keystone Championship was defended as a part of the NA Championship in an interpromotional match at F.A.T.E?
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