[As the closing notes to the "Sanford And Son" theme fade into nothing, we are greeted with a black screen. Still photos of the previous night's action start to flash by on the screen as the voice of Gordon Myers fills the air. "It was a night of veterans proving they can still hang with the young lions of our business." A black and white shot of a victorious Rough N Ready flashes by - replaced by one of the War Pigs. "It was a night of newcomers making an immediate impact." The image is replaced by one of Despair and "Hurricane" Kirk Maclean. "It was a night where two former enemies were thrown together into a triumphant team." Then one of Calisto Dufresne and Adrian Freeman. "It was a night where two of the most reviled men in the AWA managed to escape defeat against their biggest rival." A shot of the Oklahoma Brothers, battered but jubilant. "It was a night that saw one of the most unlikely upsets ever." Juan Vasquez and Raphael Rhodes are declared the winners while eyeing each other warily. "It was a night where a Wild Card team took one more step towards becoming golden." Mark Shaw stands in the ring victorious as Adam Rogers looks on in shock. "It was a night where two bitter rivals found themselves forced to work side by side." Kentucky's Pride stands alone in the center of the ring. "It was a night where two long-time partners got even closer to the titles they came here for." The shots of all eight teams fill the screen as two golden title belts are super-imposed over all of them. "It was a night of victory, of defeat, of glory, of failure, of opportunities grabbed and lost. It was a night on the trail to gold." The images of the teams fade away, leaving just the title belts. "And on this night, we reach the end of the trail as we crown the first National Tag Team Champions." The final voiceover echoes to nothing. The dark screen remains for a moment as music slowly starts to build in the background. The music erupts as the screen changes. 'Working On A Dream' by Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band rocks over the graphic announcing exactly what we're watching: ********************************************************** ********************************************************** ********************************************************** ***                  American Wrestling Alliance *** ***                    Proudly Presents              *** ***                                               *** ***                    BLACK FRIDAY BEATDOWN              *** ***                                               *** ***                  Live from the WKIK Studios              *** ***                      Dallas, Texas              *** ***                    November 28, 2008              *** ********************************************************** ********************************************************** ********************************************************** From the opening graphic, we fade up into the jam-packed WKIK Studios in downtown Dallas, Texas, where the fans of the American Wrestling Alliance are going crazy, hootin' and hollerin' as the Springsteen song continues to play over the PA system. The squared circle sits in the middle of it all. Decked out in its' holiday finest, there appears to be brand new red, white, and blue ring ropes and turnbuckle pads to go with the canvas that is adorned with the AWA logo. The thin grey pads sit on the concrete surrounding the ring area. The camera zooms into the bleachers surrounding the ring, showing the wild AWA fans dressed in the gear of their favorite AWA superstars. As the camera pans to show more and more fans, the voice of Gordon Myers is heard.] GM: Good evening, fans, and a very Happy Thanksgiving weekend to you all from all of us here at the American Wrestling Alliance as we welcome you to a very special edition of AWA television featuring all the stars of the AWA, _the_ major league of professional wrestling. [The camera cuts to reveal our announce duo. One man is clad in a dark black suit, white dress shirt, and red and white striped tie. He sports nicely-styled salt and pepper hair and a well-groomed moustache. He grips a wireless mic in his hand, grinning widely at the camera. In his late-50's and the epitome of professionalism, this man is Gordon Myers. By his side is the Announcer of the Mid Year, Bucky Wilde. Bucky is lightly slapping the side of a glitter-covered briefcase that rests atop the announce desk. Mr. Wilde is sporting a slightly-large gut that appears to be one turkey leftover away from busting the buttons on his eye-scorching orange dress shirt under a lime green jacket that makes you want him to get tested for color blindness. His black hair is cut into a bowl cut, showing a bit more style than usual. He flashes his freshly-whitened grin to the masses. They're standing in front of a bluish gray standard television studio set where you can see the AWA logo splashed across the wall above a small television monitor.] GM: I am Gordon Myers, your host for this exciting night of professional wrestling action. And by my side is the Announcer of the Mid-Year... for another month at least. BW: Don't steal my thunder, Gordo. I've already cleared off a spot on my desk for that Announcer of the Year trophy too. Polish it up nice and bright cause the Buck Wilde is takin' it home! GM: Let's not get ahead of ourselves, Bucky - but speaking of taking home gold, after tonight's action, one of these eight remaining teams will be taking home the National Tag Team Title belts for the very first time. Let's run down the quarterfinalists and their chances, Bucky! What about Rough N Ready? BW: You know how I feel about those old fossils, Gordo. They'll be lucky if they don't forget how to get to the ring before their match. They don't stand a snowball's chance on a Dallas summer day of taking home the titles - especially facing the War Pigs in the first round tonight. GM: You think the War Pigs are going to win it all? BW: I don't know, Gordo. They've got the power and intensity but they come up a little short in experience. I think they'll get past Rough N Ready but after that, I just don't know. GM: What about the second quarterfinal match with two new tag teams. Despair shocked us all by bringing out "Hurricane" Kirk Maclean as his partner last night and then getting past the Glamour Boys to make it to tonight's action. They'll take on Calisto Dufresne and Adrian Freeman who, while new to tag team action, were pretty impressive last night. BW: I think Dufresne and Freeman have only scratched the surface of what they're capable of, daddy. By the time this night is said and done, the Ladykiller and the Subzero man may be taking home the gold. GM: How about the Cindarella story of this tournament, the Oklahoma Brothers? BW: ... GM: No comment? BW: You were serious about that? GM: Moving on, how about the Wild Card team of Juan Vasquez and Raphael Rhodes? BW: They've got the talent but I don't know if they can mesh in time to get the job done. GM: Speaking of meshing, how about Adam Rogers and Mark Shaw? BW: They'll be lucky if they get to the ring before Shaw rips Rogers' head off and punts it out the front door onto the streets of Dallas. GM: So, you think Kentucky's Pride will make it to the semifinals? BW: I don't think even Fat Man Jack and Old Man Dust can blow it against a team that would rather be fighting each other than their opponents. GM: That means it's pick 'em time, Bucky Wilde. Who walks out with the gold tonight? BW: I've gone over and over it, daddy, and I just don't see any other ending but Calisto Dufresne and Adrian Freeman shocking the wrestling world by strapping those big gold belts around their waists. GM: You may very well be right but we've got a long way to go before we find out for sure. Throughout the night, we'll be checking in with our backstage reporter, Jason Dane, to get all the goings-on with tonight's show as well as the quickly developing lineup for Christmas Clash which was announced this morning! Jason? [We cut to the backstage area where a nicely-suited Jason Dane is standing alone.] JD: Thanks, Gordon! Things are wild backstage here at the WKIK Studios as we've got eight tag teams remaining in this tournament to crown the first National Tag Team Champions. All eight teams are reportedly in the building and the eyes of the wrestling world are locked on the AWA tonight. There's a lot of pressure, a very bright spotlight, and the stakes have never been higher. Gordon, Bucky - tonight could be the biggest night in the careers of many of these men. Back to you! [We cut back to ringside - more specifically to the ring where Melissa Cannon is standing.] ************************************************************************ *                       AWA NATIONAL TAG TEAM TITLES * *                                       QUARTERFINALS: * *                         Rough N Ready vs The War Pigs * ************************************************************************ MC: Ladies and gentlemen, our opening contest of the evening is set for one fall with a twenty minute time limit and is a quarterfinal match in our tournament to crown the first National Tag Team Champions! [The crowd roars in response.] MC: Introducing first... [The opening strands of Deep Purple's "Knocking At Your Back Door" kick in, the chords seemingly building anticipation for what is to come. And once the chords reach their crescendo and the drums kick in, that's when Rough N Ready emerges from the entranceway.] MC: They hail from Albuquerque, New Mexico. At a total combined weight of 615 pounds and being accompanied to the ring by their manager, Sarah Sharpe... they are Dave Cooper and Eric Matthew Somers... ROUGH N READY! [Dave Cooper wears black wrestling trunks, matching kneepads and white wrestling boots, and also wears a black T-shirt that says "Rough N Ready" in white lettering. Eric Matthew Somers wears a black singlet and white wrestling boots. Standing in between them is their manager, Sarah Sharpe, dressed in black pants and matching jacket and a white T-shirt. The trio makes their way to the ring, Sarah walking in front with Dave and Eric side by side, Dave with a serious look on his face and Eric with a mischievous grin. They reach the ringside area, where Dave is the first to ascend the ring steps and duck between the ropes, followed by Eric, as Sarah takes her place at ringside.] GM: They're the Number One seed in this tournament and so far, there looks to be nothing stopping Rough N Ready, Bucky. BW: Maybe not yet but they're about to run headfirst into a wall - a War Pigs-sized wall of power and brutality. GM: This is the biggest test to date for the War Pigs as well though. They've steamrolled through everyone so far but with Rough N Ready in there with them, they may not be able to do the same. BW: We're about to find out. [Melissa continues.] MC: And their opponents... [The crunchy guitar intro to Black Sabbath's "War Pigs" buzzes to life over the PA as the crowd slowly rises, keeping their eyes peeling for the arrival of the tag team by the same name.] GM: Somers and Cooper are ready - they know the M.O. of these guys from Parts Unknown. [The guitar cuts out to leave the vocals of Ozzy behind - which brings the War Pigs charging from the entryway, their manager, Richard Eric Lee, trailing behind. Both physically ripped as can be, Hammer and Sabre, tear into view, diving headfirst under the bottom rope as referee Marty Meekly calls for the bell, leaving Melissa Cannon to run for her life as the two powerhouses burst to their f eet, fists a-flyin'.] GM: Here we go! Here we go! [Hammer, the larger of the two men, peels off to go right after Eric Matthew Somers, the two big men throwing bombs that seem to shake the entire ring. On the other side of the ring, Sabre quickly manages to overwhelm Dave Cooper, knocking him back against the ropes under a barrage of big blows to the head and neck. Outside the ring, Richard E. Lee is screaming instructions as a nervous Sarah Sharpe does the same with her men.] GM: We've got a fight broken loose here in Dallas! BW: It's not like the War Pigs know any other way, Gordo. [Sabre pushes Cooper back with a forearm before blasting him with an overhead forearm blow across the chest, forcing Cooper to hang onto the ropes to stay on his feet. Nearby, Somers and Hammer are trading right hands with the crowd roaring in response. At a shout from Lee, Sabre buries a knee into the gut of Cooper, grabbing him by the head and throwing him through the ropes and out to the floor before turning to drill Somers with a double axehandle across the back of the neck, knocking the big man down to a knee. With Somers down on a knee, the War Pigs take turns blasting him with overhead forearms and double axehandle blows.] GM: Eric Matthew Somers is getting pummeled by the War Pigs! They've got him all alone in the ring, working him over repeatedly. Ohh! Hammer with a boot to the face knocks Somers down to the mat! [Outside the ring, Sarah Sharpe kneels over the downed Dave Cooper, trying to get him back to his feet. Back inside, Somers is eating a pair of leaping fistdrops by Sabre while Hammer continues to stomp Somers in the ribs. Richard E. Lee slaps his rolled-up magazine down on the apron, grinning widely as his musclebound duo drags Somers to his feet, dragging the big man back into the corner. Kicks to the body keep Somers in place while the referee screams for one man or the other to vacate the squared circle.] GM: Come on, referee! Get some control in there! BW: You want to jump in there and help him? GM: I don't think so. But someone needs to get the War Pigs out of there! This is a two-on-one situation with Dave Cooper trying to recover out on the floor. Sarah Sharpe is frantic out here - she knows the perilous situation that her men are in right now. [Hammer and Sabre dash across the ring, connecting with a double clothesline that takes the massive Somers over the top rope, dumping him on the barely-padded concrete floor below. Hammer flexes to the crowd, screaming at the top of his lungs to the jeers of the fans jammed inside the WKIK Studios. Nearby, Sabre mounts the midbuckle, pointing at a couple of fans holding up a "ROUGH N READY FOR GOLD!" poster. He shouts a few unprintable words in their direction before leaping back down on the canvas, stepping through the ropes to the apron where he leaps off, causing Sarah Sharpe to quickly backpedal away from the downed Cooper. Sabre stomps Cooper a couple of times, throwing a cold glance at Sharpe who is still shouting encouragement.] GM: Sabre rolls Dave Cooper under the ropes - and we still have a two-on-one! The referee has had absolutely no luck in getting this duo under control. They need to get one of these men outside of the ring and out on the ring apron. BW: The War Pigs have no respect for authority, no respect for the rules of this game. They like to fight and they like to beat people up. GM: That could earn them a disqualification and exit from this tournament, Bucky! BW: I'd like to see someone with the guts to DQ the War Pigs. [Hammer drags Cooper off the mat, blasting him across the face with a forearm shot that puts Cooper against the ropes. Grabbing him by the wrist, Hammer fires the technician across the ring, flooring him on the rebound with a running shoulder tackle. Hammer strikes a big double bicep pose before leaping high into the air, slamming an elbow down across the sternum of Cooper.] GM: Biiiiig leaping elbow drop by Hammer and that's the scary thing about these guys. Not only are they big and strong - they're also incredibly athletic. He got incredible height on that elbowdrop, Bucky. BW: He certainly did - and now Sabre is joining him back inside the ring again. GM: Marty Meekly steps in his path, trying to keep this- ohh! [The crowd jeers as Sabre throws Meekly aside, stomping across the ring where Hammer has pulled Cooper off the mat and is battering him against the ropes. Each man grabs a wrist, firing Cooper into the ropes and taking him down with a leaping double shoulderblock! Hammer applies a quick pin attempt that the referee ignores as he tries to clear Sabre from the ring. An irate Richard E. Lee steps up on the apron, screaming over the ropes at Marty Meekly as Sabre ignores the official's instructions. Together, the War Pigs pull Cooper off the mat again, Hammer whipping him into the nearest buckles as Sabre backs to the far corner.] GM: Dave Cooper is at the mercy of the War Pigs - Sabre from corner to corner! [Sabre smashes Cooper against the buckles with a running clothesline that knocks Cooper down to a seated position in the corner as Hammer follows his partner in, pushing his boot down on the windpipe of Cooper as Sabre screams at the downed technician. Outside the ring, Eric Matthew Somers regains his feet, reaching up to pull himself onto the ring apron.] GM: Here comes Somers! He's trying to get in there to help his partner! [Sabre dashes across the ring towards Somers - and eats a big boot to the jaw that knocks the smaller War Pig off his feet to the cheers of the crowd. Hammer turns away from the choke, charging towards Somers. Showing surprising quickness, Somers catches Hammer coming in, twisting him through the air and DRIVES him down to the canvas with a spinning powerslam. A surprised Richard Lee steps up on the apron again - and promptly gets popped with a right hand by Eric Matthew Somers, knocking the mouthy manager to the floor to the roaring cheers of the capacity crowd.] GM: Eric Matthew Somers is on fire! He's taking out all three members of the War Pigs including Richard Lee! BW: I can't believe he laid a finger on Richard Lee! What kind of a savage animal is this- GM: LOOK AT THAT! [The powerhouse of Rough N Ready pulls Sabre off the mat, quickly hoisting him into the air and pressing him high overhead. The crowd roars at the amazing show of power as Somers holds him in the air - and then charges towards the ropes, HURLING Sabre over the ropes and down onto the barely-padded concrete floor below. Somers quickly pulls Hammer off the mat, throwing him into the corner. He retreats across the ring where Dave Cooper has regained his feet, grabbing him by the wrist.] GM: A doubleteam on the way from Rough N Ready - big whip by Somers! [Cooper stampedes across the ring, slamming a back elbow into the jaw of Hammer Somers cracks a grin, slapping his ample belly a few times as he settles against the buckles. With a big whoop, Somers stampedes across the ring from corner-to-corner squishing the bigger War Pig against the corner before tossing him down to the mat.] GM: Ohhh my! Eric Matthew Somers squashes Hammer in the corner! Hammer is down and Rough N Ready are standing tall in the center of the squared circle, Bucky! Tell me they don't look like the Number One seeds now! BW: They may look like the Number One seeds for the moment but when the War Pigs get back on track, Somers and Cooper are gonna crumble like the rotten old fossils that they are, daddy! [Grabbing Cooper around the waist, Somers hoists him high like a back suplex - and then drops his partner down onto Hammer with a legdrop. Cooper applies a quick lateral press, reaching back to hook the leg as the referee shakes his head.] GM: And again, the official won't count the three. Again, the referee is trying to get the illegal man outside of the squared circle. Somers is trying to get him to make the count but the referee is not having any of it. BW: Of course he isn't! Somers and Cooper are trying to cheat to win this thing! [An irate Somers steps through the ropes to the apron, slapping the turnbuckles to cheer on his partner as Cooper drags Hammer off the mat, blasting him across the chest with a forearm shot that causes Hammer to fall back against the turnbuckles. Cooper promptly steps up to the middle rope, fist raised in the air.] GM: Cooper's fired up! BW: That's a clenched fist! Come on, referee! [Out on the floor, a dazed Richard Lee pulls himself back to his feet, one hand rubbing his jaw as he looks inside the ring where Cooper is throwing a right hand down into the temple of Hammer over and over. The crowd counts along with the mounted punches, reaching the count of ten before Cooper hops down from the ropes, popping Hammer with an uppercut before dragging him from the corner, hooking in a front facelock. With the crowd roaring, Cooper attempts a suplex - which quickly goes nowhere.] GM: Uh oh. BW: Give me a break, Gordo. Hammer's just too heavy for Cooper to get off the ground. GM: He's trying it again! [Again, the technician tries to get Hammer into the air and again, it goes absolutely nowhere before Hammer throws Cooper up and over with a snapping suplex of his own that puts Cooper down hard on the mat. From outside the ring, Sabre climbs up on the ring apron as Hammer pushes up to a knee, breathing heavily with exertion as he glares at the downed Cooper.] GM: We're finally down to a two on two matchup after all this time and- "TEN MINUTES HAVE ELAPSED! TEN MINUTES REMAIN!" GM: We're at the halfway point in this matchup as Hammer pulls Dave Cooper off the mat, dragging him into the corner where he shoves him back to the buckles. There's a quick tag to Sabre who looks pretty banged up from being thrown to the floor but at least he hasn't been in the ring for a little while now. BW: Lee's shouting instructions to his men. He needs the War Pigs to keep the fresh man inside the ring and now that they've got Cooper on the ropes, they need to keep him there. Keep him in there and pound him out. [Sabre throws a few right hands into the jaw of Cooper before dragging him out of the corner where a hard forearm shot across the face knocks Cooper into the ropes where he grabs the top rope to stay on his feet. Grabbing Cooper by the wrist, Sabre fires him across the ring and levels him with a running clothesline, dropping into a lateral press.] GM: One! Two! Th- [The crowd cheers as Cooper fires a shoulder off the canvas just before the three count falls. Sabre immediately pushes up to his feet, stomping on Cooper until he's right back down flat on his back on the canvas. Outside the ring, Sarah Sharpe begins slapping the canvas, trying to rally her man. An irate Richard Lee shouts in her direction, an assault that she happily responds to with words of her own as Sabre drags Cooper up in a front facelock, slowly turning him over and snapping him down to the mat with a reverse neckbreaker.] GM: Oh my. Nicely executed neckbreaker by Sabre and another pin attempt. BW: That oughta do it. GM: A one... a two... and no! The shoulder's up just in time again! [Sabre barks a few well-chosen words in the direction of the official as he pushes up off the mat, gesturing for Hammer to lift his leg - allowing Sabre to slam Cooper's face into the boot of his partner. A quick tag brings Hammer back inside the ring where he pummels Cooper with a series of double axehandle blows that puts the wily veteran back down on the mat. Hammer bellows loudly as he rolls his neck, drawing jeers from the crowd as he leaps up and drops a big elbow across the chest of Cooper. Hammer does a pushup on the torso of Cooper, taunting a waiting Eric Matthew Somers.] GM: Look at him just taunting Somers! What a jerk! [Outside the ring, Lee cackles with delight before shouting orders to his men who quickly oblige by pulling Somers off the mat and easily slinging him over Hammer's beefy shoulder. The powerhouse backs into his corner and then charges out, DRIVING Cooper into the canvas and making a pin attempt.] GM: ONE!!! TWO!!! THR- OHHH! BW: No fair! No fair! GM: Somers makes the save! [An irate Hammer pushes off the mat, blasting Somers in the back of the head with a running double axehandle as Somers tries to exit the ring. The big man turns back towards the squared circle, drawing the referee's attention as Sabre slides back into the ring. With the referee's back turned, the War Pigs doublewhip Cooper into the ropes and floor him with a double clothesline. Sabre quickly slips back out to leave Hammer making a cover as the referee turns around.] GM: ONE!!! TWO!!! THR- [The crowd roars as Cooper slides a shoulder off the mat again. A frustrated Hammer slaps the canvas before climbing to his feet. He drags Cooper up again, slapping the hand of Sabre before positioning Cooper for an electric chair lift. A frantic Dave Cooper begins throwing right hands at the top of Hammer's skull as Sabre scales the ropes. The crowd buzzes with concern.] GM: They're going for the WMD! If they hit this on Cooper, the War Pigs are moving on to the semifinals! [Fearing for his partner, Eric Matthew Somers steps over the ropes, dashing across the ring as Cooper struggles to free himself, blasting Sabre with a right hand that causes the smaller War Pig to go sailing off the ropes and down to the concrete floor!] GM: OHH! SOMERS CLEARS OUT SABRE! [And with Hammer stunned, Cooper somehow manages to flip him into a victory roll!] GM: ONE!!! TWO!! THREE!!! "DING! DING! DING!" [The crowd ERUPTS as a triumphant Eric Matthew Somers pumps a fist in the air, racing to help his partner up off the mat to celebrate their victory.] MC: Your winners of the match - moving on to the semifinals - ROUGH... N... READY! [Another big cheer goes up for the announcement as a stunned Hammer rolls from the ring to join his partner and their manager on the floor. Somers and Cooper continue to celebrate their win inside the squared circle.] GM: Rough N Ready are your winners - moving on to the semifinals where they will face either the team of Despair and Kirk Maclean or Adrian Freeman and Calisto Dufresne! Speaking of which, I understand that Jason Dane is standing by with the latter team right now just moments before their quarterfinal matchup. Jason? [We cut to the back where Adrian Freeman is standing with AWA interviewer Jason Dane in front of the standard AWA backdrop.  The Australian grappler looks as focused and serious as ever.] JD: I'm here with Adrian Freeman and... well, his tag team partner Calisto Dufrense was scheduled to be here, but... AF: Calisto is busy right now. [Dufrense walks by the interview station with his arm around a buxom blonde.] JD: Right... well, last night you and Dufrense moved onto the second round of the tag tournament with a DQ victory over Rick Marley and Scott Pain. AF: Last night just proved further everything I've been saying about Rick Marley.  He knew that he couldn't beat me and Calisto even with that big lug for a partner.  So he decides to cheat and, being an idiot, gets himself disqualified.  Which just gives us an easy trip to round 2.  Honestly, I'm apalled at his lack of respect for the rules. JD: Well, you and your partner have been rather... liberal with respects to the rules. [Adrian Freeman acts offended.] AF: What are you implying here, Jason?  I've never been disqualified.  Are you suggesting that our esteemed referees aren't doing their jobs properly? JD: Well... no, but... [He trails off, and Freeman takes the opportunity to talk.] AF: I'll tell you what, Jason.  I have a theory about why the AWA put me and Callisto together. JD: You always have a theory, don't you? AF:  Because they know that they need credible champions and, quite frankly, none of the other tag teams are good enough.  Just take a look at the rest of the field.  You have not one but two teams of old geezers who, if they somehow made it to the finals, would be wheezing down the aisle in crutches.  You have two teams of thrown-together singles wrestlers who can't stand each other. JD: Weren't you and Calisto thrown together? AF: Eh.  I suppose so, but we've always shared a certain sort of... sensibility. [Jason rolls his eyes.] AF: So who else is left in this thing?  A couple of overgrown face-painted freaks?  The Oklahoma Brothers?  Are you kidding me?  And these are the teams that made it through the first round.  To be quite frank, it'd take effort for us not to win this thing. JD: What about your quarterfinal opponents, Despair and Kirk Maclean? AF: I respected Despair a bit... when he was teaming with Gregorson.  Now he's dragged up some nobody that doesn't even like him.  Seriously, Kirk Maclean?  Who?  We're going to tear through them before you can say "train wreck waiting to happen." JD: Well, Adrian Freeman obviously very confident heading into the second night of the tournament.  We'll be right back after this break! [And with that, the camera holds on Freeman and Jason Dane for a moment before fading to black. After a moment, we fade back up on a very long shot of the exterior of a pretty dingy looking building.] "Have you ever dreamed of fame?" [Cut a little closer.] "Of glory?" [A little closer.] "Of your friends and family seeing you on television?" [And just a little closer, revealing a red, white, and blue sign that reads "AWA Combat Corner."] "Well, now you can make all your dreams come true by signing up today at the AWA Combat Corner - the official training school for the American Wrestling Alliance!" [We cut to the interior of the building where we can see lots of standard gym equipment surrounding a very basic wrestling ring. There are people lifting weights, running on treadmills, and of course, working out in the ring.] "With the very best trainers in the business, the AWA Combat Corner is the most-equipped training facility to get you in shape and get you in the ring in the shortest amount of time!" [Cut into the ring where Todd Michaelson is barking out instructions.] "With former World Champion Todd Michaelson leading the classes, you can guarantee that you will be prepared for in-ring action upon graduation and with the AWA expanding by the day, you will have a place to work on Day One!" [Two young students are grappling on the canvas.] "So, stop by the Combat Corner today... call our offices... visit our website... and let them know that you want to be the next AWA Superstar! You want to be the future of the business! You want to wrestle!" [Fade to a graphic that has all the info on the AWA Combat Corner. We freeze there for a moment... ...and then back up on the broadcast table.] GM: Welcome back, fans. And Bucky Wilde, you've made it very clear that you like the chances of Freeman and Dufresne to not only advance past the quarterfinals but possibly win this entire tournament. After seeing the arrogance on display by Adrian Freeman moments ago, your thoughts? BW: I feel better than ever about my pick, daddy-o. It takes confidence to win in this game and those two definitely aren't lacking that. GM: Confidence? I'd say they're overconfident, Bucky - flat out arrogant actually. BW: There's a thin, thin line between confidence and arrogance, Gordo. I'd rather have too much than too little. GM: Judging by your waistline, I don't think you've ever had a problem with having too little. BW: You wound me, Gordo - cut to the quick, daddy. GM: I'm sure. Fans, let's go up to the ring for our next second round matchup! ************************************************************************ *                       AWA NATIONAL TAG TEAM TITLES * *                                       QUARTERFINALS: * * Despair & Kirk Maclean vs Adrian Freeman & Calisto Dufresne * ************************************************************************ [Cut to the ring where Melissa is standing.] MC: The following contest is set for one fall with a twenty minute time limit and is a quarterfinal match in the tournament to crown the first National Tag Team Champions! The winner of this match will face Rough N Ready in the semifinals. Introducing first... at a total combined weight of 435 pounds... they are the team of "Subzero" Adrian Freeman and "The Ladykiller" Calisto Dufresne! [ZZ Top's "Sharp Dressed Man" starts up to a big blast of boos from the WKIK Studio audience as Dufresne and Freeman make their entrance through the curtain.] GM: Here they come, Bucky. The team you've picked as the odds-on-favorite to leave Dallas, Texas tonight as the National Tag Team Champions. But to do it, they've got a long road to walk here in the WKIK Studios. BW: There's a serious need to get through the early matches as quickly as possible. You don't want to go near 20 minutes in the second round with a semifinal and final still to come. That being said, of all the teams in the tournament, Freeman and Dufresne likely have the best endurance and stamina in their favor. [Dufresne steps into the ring, ripping off the tearaway pants to the cheers of some of the ladies in the crowd. He points to them and gives a wink as he settles into the corner. An intense Adrian Freeman rolls his neck back and forth, glaring at the entryway as Melissa continues.] MC: And their opponents... [The howl of a wolf echoes through the arena, and a montage of voices begins to play over the P.A. "Bring out your dead! Bring out your dead!" "He's dead, Jim." "FATALITY!" And the crowd comes to its feet with a loud cheer as Dream Evil's "The Chosen Ones" begins to blast out over the P.A. and Despair steps out onto the stage dressed in black MMA-style shorts with "The Dead Pool" written down the sides of each leg. A step behind him is "Hurricane" Kirk Maclean dressed in a pair of full-length green tights with the word "Hurricane" written down the side of each leg in gold lightning bolt-style letters, the 6'2", 228 pound, blond-haired superstar from Shawnee, Kansas, looks out at the crowd and nods his head in approval before making his way down the aisle with his partner by his side.] MC: They are the team of Despair and "Hurricane" Kirk Maclean! [More cheers go up for the newly-formed team as they step up onto the ring apron, climbing through the ropes into the squared circle. Despair immediately has to be restrained by Maclean, screaming in the direction of their opponents.] GM: Whoa! Despair is no stranger to Dufresne and Freeman - remember, they were locked inside that dangerous double cage in WarGames a few months back together. You can bet there is still plenty of bad blood left between those three men. BW: They need to shove all that to the side though tonight. It's not about bad blood or getting payback - this is about becoming the first National Tag Team Champions. It's about putting yourself in the history books forever. GM: You've got that right. [Both teams quickly huddle up, exchanging a few last minute words of strategy as Melissa Cannon exits the ring, leaving referee Mickey Meekly in the ring to control the action. With a nod, Maclean steps out to the apron to leave Despair inside. On the other side of the ring, Calisto Dufresne steps out as well, leaving Adrian Freeman.] GM: It's going to be Freeman and Despair starting this off - easily the two most intense men in this match. Freeman looks like he wants to break someone in half everytime he gets inside the ring and Despair's just a step away from being a wild animal most nights, ripping and clawing to tear someone up. BW: He'll need to control that temper tonight though. You can't afford a mistake in a tournament with stakes this high. [Meekly calls for the bell as the two men begin circling one another, each looking for an advantage over the other. They quickly tieup in a collar-and-elbow lockup, two small men jockeying for position. Freeman spins Despair, pushing him back against the ropes where he quickly breaks and throws a right hand that Despair blocks before connecting with a right hand of his own that sends Freeman pedaling backwards. A brutal reverse knife-edge chop fills the small studio with a horrific sound as Freeman falls back even further.] GM: Despair's taking it to him in the early moments of this one! [With Freeman clinging to the top rope with his left hand, Despair drives a few more clenched fists into the jaw of the Australian before connecting with another horrific-sounding chop that causes Freeman to drop to a knee. Despair grabs him around the neck, hauling him up to his feet where Freeman slips a knee into the gut of his attacker, grabbing him around the neck and throwing him into the corner where Calisto Dufresne is standing. Dufresne quickly throws a right hand of his own, catching Despair in the side of the head. The crowd jeers as both Dufresne and Freeman throw right hands at Despair.] GM: Come on, referee! Get in there and restore some order! BW: They've got a five count, Gordo! The ref's not counting - that's his only weapon and he's not using it so they're going to take advantage of it. GM: Despair's being worked over by- [The crowd roars to life as Despair pops Freeman with a right hand, staggering him before uncorking a brutal chop to Dufresne. A second right hand knocks Freeman back further and gives Despair a step more momentum for a second chop that could be heard back in the locker room. A third chop causes Dufresne to fall to a knee as Despair moves out of the corner, pounding on Freeman.] GM: He's fighting out of it! Despair's fighting out of the corner and- BW: Here comes Dufresne! GM: The Ladykiller's in illegally! [Dufresne slips into the ring, drilling Despair in the back of the head with a clubbing overhead right hand which brings Maclean into the ring. Soon, all four men are in the ring throwing right hands and sending the crowd into a frenzy for the chaotic action. Referee Mickey Meekly screams at all four men, trying to regain control. A pair of big right hands by the fan favorites send Dufresne and Freeman scrambling to the floor to search for some composure - which they're not likely to get as Despair and Maclean slide out to the floor as well.] GM: They're going out after them! BW: What kind of sportsmanship is this? GM: The same kind as that illegal doubleteam! [Out on the floor, Despair uncorks another chop on Dufresne, this one actually knocking the Ladykiller into the front row of fans. Around the corner, a big right hand from Maclean has Freeman stumbling away from the ringside area towards the announce area.] GM: Uh oh - they're coming over here by us. BW: If Despair gets near me, I'm headin' home, daddy! [Maclean grabs Freeman by the head, slamming him facefirst into the wooden announce desk to the roars of the crowd. The referee shouts at both men from inside the ring as Despair whips Dufresne under the ropes into the ring. As Despair steps through the ropes though, a kneeling Dufresne jabs a finger into the eye of his attacker, temporarily blinding him.] GM: Ohh! Cheap shot by Dufresne! BW: What? I didn't see anything! GM: Figures. [Grabbing the blinded Despair by the back of the head, Dufresne charges towards a neutral corner, attempting to slam Despair's face into the turnbuckles - but at the last moment, Despair drops down and shoves Dufresne from behind, causing him to crash into the corner instead. Maclean steps back up onto the apron in his corner as a wobbly Freeman staggers towards the ring. Inside the ring, Despair hits the ropes and knocks Dufresne off his feet with a spinning heel kick that brings the crowd to their feet. Despair moves to make a pin attempt but Freeman rolls back into the ring, looking to attack - and eats a right hand from an incoming Kirk Maclean instead!] GM: Freeman and Dufresne are getting outgunned by Maclean and Despair at every turn, Bucky! BW: It's not over yet, Gordo. This one's a long way from being over. GM: Not at the rate it's going right now. [With Freeman dazed, Despair grabs him by the back of the head, tucking his own head under Freeman's chin and drops down to his knees in a jawbreaker. The move causes Freeman to stumble back even more before a picture-perfect dropkick catches Freeman right on the now-hurting jaw, sending him rolling under the ropes and out to the floor where Dufresne grabs him, pulling him to safety as the crowd roars for a celebrating Despair and Maclean.] GM: And Freeman and Dufresne have GOT to regroup, Bucky! BW: They certainly do. This can't be what they had in mind for the early moments of this match. This pace, this speed can not be in the favor of Freeman and Dufresne. They need to slow things down, wear one of these guys down, do some damage to a bodypart, and see what happens. [A surprised-looking Dufresne huddles up with Freeman, glaring up inside the ring at Maclean and Despair who are calling them back inside the squared circle. Freeman gives a few words to Dufresne who nods his head in agreement. Dufresne makes a "settle down" gesture with his arms as the referee starts to count the two men outside on the floor. Freeman points at Despair before whispering something to Dufresne again who again nods his head. As the referee's count gets to seven, the two men slowly climb the ringsteps, Dufresne stepping through the ropes slowly as he keeps his eyes locked on Despair.] GM: Back down to a one-on-one scenario and if you're a Despair/Maclean fan, you have to be happy with what you've seen here so far tonight. BW: Like I said, it's still early, Gordo. [The two men quickly tie up once more, Despair snatching Dufresne into a standing side headlock, wrenching down on the head and neck of his rival. Dufresne shouts in pain, wrapping his arms around the waist to try and find an exit. After a bit, he simply throws Despair off the ropes but gets bowled over by a rapidly-running Despair with a shoulder tackle to the cheers of the crowd. Both men quickly pop back up, Despair taking Dufresne down to the mat with a headlock takedown but promptly gets rolled over onto his shoulders for a quick two count.] GM: Whoa! That was close! BW: Despair's overconfidence almost- GM: Overconfidence?! Give me a break, Bucky! With Dufresne and Freeman out there, you're gonna accuse Despair of being overconfident? [Rolling out of the pin attempt, Despair is rapidly brought up to his feet as Dufresne gets his legs under him. Despair calmly walks Dufresne over to the corner where he slaps the outstretched hand of Kirk Maclean who steps into the ring and buries a boot in the ribcage of Dufresne as Despair lifts the arm to expose the torso. With Dufresne hurting, Maclean grabs his wrist and executes a quick armtwist, causing to front flip away from the pressure down onto his back on the mat. Still holding the wrist, Maclean drops a leg across the outstretched arm of the Ladykiller, moving fast into a kneeling armbar.] GM: And surprisingly, it's Kirk Maclean going for the bodypart first. That's a trademark of men like Dufresne and Freeman. BW: It is surprising. I thought Despair and Maclean would be happy going for all their flippy floppy high-risk, high-pace offense all night. GM: Seemed to work well so far. BW: But like I said earlier, you don't want to wear yourself out in the first round. All that running and flying - that's a sure way to be running on fumes by the end of the match, Gordo. [Dufresne rolls away from the pressure again, getting his legs under him to force Maclean up to his feet, walking him back towards the ropes. Dufresne quickly ducks down, scooping Maclean up off the mat, and slamming him down to the canvas - but Maclean rolls through it, hanging onto the armbar to the cheers of the crowd.] GM: Great tenacity on display by Maclean. We don't know a lot about him but in the little we've seen, he's shown himself to be one heck of a competitor. I don't know if anyone can replace Werewolf Gregorson in this team with Despair but Maclean's doing well so far. BW: As someone who has managed tag teams for years, it's a heck of a blow psychologically to lose your long-time tag partner. Despair seems to be doing alright so far but there's always a little bit of a problem getting to the same level with a new partner. [Hanging onto the arm, Maclean drags Dufresne across the ring back to his own corner. The "Hurricane" reaches up to slap the hand of Despair who quickly scales the ropes to the roar of the crowd. With Maclean stretching out the left arm of Dufresne, Despair leaps off the top, smashing down across the arm with a forearm smash that drops Dufresne to a knee, clutching his left arm. Outside the ring, Adrian Freeman reaches his arm out, screaming at his partner to make the tag. The Ladykiller tries to oblige but Despair grabs the injured arm, yanking Dufresne away from his corner and dragging him across the ring. Dropping down to the mat, Despair rolls under the ropes near the ringpost.] GM: Uh oh! BW: Wait a second, Gordo! Wait a darn second! Don't do- GM: OHHHH! [The crowd roars as Despair slams Dufresne's arm into the steel ringpost, pumping a fist in triumph out on the floor as Dufresne wails in pain. The Ladykiller attempts to slither back inside the ring but Despair grabs the arm again, getting a roar from the crowd in response before slamming the arm home into the steel again. Despair quickly rolls back into the ring, grabbing Dufresne by the ankle to prevent his tag attempt and dragging him back across the ring.] GM: Despair is showing his tag team experience here. Keeping the injured man inside the ring, cutting the ring in half, making quick tags. This is the kind of skill it's going to take to become the National Tag Team Champions, Bucky. BW: Dufresne's in desperate need of a tag right now. But instead, it's Despair and Maclean making another exchange. GM: Despair pins the wrist down - ohhh! Big leaping kneedrop across the arm by Kirk Maclean! [Maclean kneels on the arm for a bit and then pushes his body up into the air before driving the knee down on the arm again. With a grin, he re-applies the armbar which allows Dufresne to force his way back up to his feet again. Turning away from the official, Dufresne grabs the hair of Maclean with his free hand, backing him towards the corner and slapping the outstretched hand of Adrian Freeman.] GM: Tag made by Dufresne - look out! [The fans jeer as Freeman buries a knee into the lower back of the Hurricane. Freeman yanks him away from Dufresne, popping him with a fist to the forehead before shoving Maclean back into the buckles. The boos only increase as Freeman starts kicking away at the midsection of the cornered Maclean. A few kicks force Maclean down to a knee where Freeman grabs him by the hair, measuring him, and blasts him with a vicious haymaker to the eyebrow.] GM: Ohh! Big right hand right above the eye - a dangerous place to be hit. BW: It'd be very easy to split that eyebrow wide open and if there's one thing you can't afford in a tournament like this, it's an injury. Be it a tweaked knee, a wrenched neck, or a busted eyebrow that bleeds like a faucet whenever it gets hit. That can take you out of a match in a hurry. [A couple more right hands to the eyebrow connect before Freeman pulls Maclean off the mat, grabbing him by the wrist. An Irish whip is attempted but Maclean powers into a reversal, sending Freeman to the opposite corner. Maclean charges across the ring - and runs right into a raised knee to the gut from "Subzero!"] GM: Oh! He caught him coming in! [Freeman smirks at the booing crowd as he hops up on the midbuckle, taunts the fans, and then leaps off with a double axehandle across the right shoulder of Kirk Maclean, knocking him flat on the mat.] GM: And now, now we see Freeman and Dufresne playing to their strengths. They're trying to slow things down, trying to get things to a pace that's more to their liking. BW: It's just like basketball, Gordo. If you're playing the Showtime Lakers, you don't want to run with 'em. You slow things down and make them play to your pace. That's where you hold the advantage. [Pulling Maclean up by the hair, Freeman rakes his bootlaces down over the face of Maclean to even more boos from the fans. He's smirking as he drags Maclean off the mat, blasting him with a right hand that knocks him back into the buckles. Maclean rubs his eyes as Freeman grabs him by the wrist, whipping him to the opposite neutral corner. The Australian charges across the ring - RIGHT into the raised knees of Maclean!] GM: OHHH! HEADFIRST TO THE KNEES! [A dazed Freeman staggers out of the corner - then charges back in - RIGHT into the raised boot of Maclean!] GM: TO THE BOOT! [Freeman drops to a knee as he staggers away. Maclean steps out of the corner, leaping up to the middle rope, and then springing back, DRIVING both feet squarely into the jaw of Freeman and knocking him flat to the roars of the crowd. Dufresne slips through the ropes, charging towards Maclean who ducks a running clothesline and executes a picture perfect backflip, catching Dufresne on top of the skull with his boot to an EXPLOSION of cheers!] GM: BACKFLIP KICK! DID YOU SEE THAT?! [Dufresne and Freeman quickly roll from the ring again, leaving Kirk Maclean alone in the ring to celebrate, soaking up the roaring cheers of the capacity crowd. He pumps a fist in triumph as Dufresne and Freeman again huddle up.] GM: Calisto Dufresne and Adrian Freeman have shown signs of an effective strategy at times in this match but so far, we haven't seen them able to put it to use for an extended period of time, Bucky. BW: It's gotta be frustrating for those two - I know it's frustrating for me to watch. [Despair gives Maclean some words of encouragement in their corner as they wait for the two men outside the ring to get back into the fray. Dufresne gives some instructions to Freeman who nods as they both climb back on the apron. Freeman steps into the ring, glaring at Maclean. He quickly slaps the hand of Dufresne who climbs in in his place.] GM: Dufresne back into the ring - and he's asking for Despair. BW: Asking? No, no, no. He's DEMANDING that Despair tag into this match. GM: It's an interesting strategy. BW: Well, they're not having any luck with Maclean at the moment. Might as well try something else. Besides, the Ladykiller is buying them a lot of time right now. Maclean wants to stay and fight but Dufresne is waving him off. [With an egotistical sneer, Dufresne gestures Maclean away, pointing a finger right at Despair - who gladly tags himself into the match.] GM: You want him? You got him! [Despair rushes into the ring, barreling towards Dufresne who looks a bit nervous as he backpedals, sticking his head through the top and bottom ropes to buy himself some time.] GM: Oh, come on! You got what you wanted! Get in there and fight! [Dufresne orders the referee to back Despair away which he quickly does. A frustrated Despair complains as Dufresne slowly slips back into the ring, glaring at Despair. He edges away from the ropes and gets wrapped up in a collar and elbow that Despair turns into an armtwist before snapping off a hooking back kick into the midsection of Dufresne that knocks the Ladykiller back against the ropes. Despair slowly moves in on Dufresne - who pops up to his feet and uncorks an openhand slap across the face of Despair!] GM: Ohh! A slap! What disrespect! What a show of disrespect by this- BW: Look at Despair's eyes! That might have been a mistake! [With fire in his eyes, Despair launches himself towards Dufresne who slips through the ropes out to the floor.] GM: Dufresne's out to the floor and Despair's going after him! [The two men make a circle around the ring, Despair in hot pursuit of the fleeing Dufresne who rolls under the ropes near his corner, slapping the hand of Freeman as Despair is trying to follow him into the ring.] GM: There's a tag by Dufresne but- BW: But Despair didn't see it! He let his temper get the best of him! [Outside the ring, Dufresne grabs Despair by the wrists, tying him up to allow Freeman to slip legally into the ring and bury a knee into the kidneys of Despair, knocking him down to a knee!] GM: Ohh! Cheap shot by Dufresne and Freeman! BW: Are you kidding me? That was brilliant strategy, Gordo! GM: It's all about perspective, I suppose. [Freeman pushes Despair's throat down over the top rope, strangling him as Dufresne rolls back inside the squared circle. A protesting Kirk Maclean charges in but gets cut off by the official, allowing Dufresne to hop up on the midbuckle, delivering a crushing double axehandle down across the back of Despair as Freeman holds his legs up in the air to worsen the blow.] BW: Beautiful! Absolutely beautiful! [The fans jeer as Freeman exits the ring, leaving Dufresne to hook a front facelock, snapping Despair over in a vertical suplex as the referee moves back towards the action. He questions Dufresne and Freeman for the illegal exchange but gets nowhere as Dufresne applies a lateral press for a two count. Dufresne quickly grabs Despair by the head, delivering a trio of hard short right hands to the temple of his victim.] "TEN MINUTES HAVE EXPIRED! TEN MINUTES REMAINING!" GM: You heard Melissa. We're at the halfway point of this one, Bucky. BW: And I told you that a longer match benefits the stamina of Dufresne and Freeman. They wanted to end it early but it didn't happen. Now they've got to wear these two out and finish it however they can. [Dragging Despair off the mat, Dufresne signals to Freeman who lifts his knee up, allowing the Ladykiller to sling Despair into the raised knee before moving in on Despair - who throws himself into a hard chop on the incoming Dufresne!] GM: Big chop! Despair's fighting back! Another chop! He's trying to get out of the- ohh! Dufresne buries a knee into the gut again! BW: Just like that. Nothing fancy. Nothing dazzling. Just a simple shot to the gut to knock the wind out of his sails. [Dufresne slaps the hand of Freeman, bringing him in as he yanks Despair's upper body back, exposing the midsection which allows "Subzero" to slam a right hand into the gut of Despair. The Australian drags Despair away from the corner to the middle of the ring and promptly HURLS him hard into the neutral turnbuckles with an Irish whip that causes the crowd to groan with sympathy.] GM: Ohhh! What a whip! That's just brutal. He really put everything he had into that one to try and turn the tide of this match in their direction. Freeman has felt disrespected by the entire AWA and the fans since he got here. Well, after this weekend, Adrian Freeman may have a golden answer to his critics' questions. BW: Hard forearm down across the small of the back of Despair - and you're seeing a shift in targets now. We've got Freeman and Dufresne going after the lower back of Despair, trying to do a number on it. [With Despair trying to wobble away, Freeman blasts him with a right hand in the back of the head that sends him back down to a knee on the mat. As Freeman moves in, Despair pops back up to his feet with a chop across the chest that brings the crowd to their feet. A second chop knocks Freeman away from him, giving him enough space to uncork a thrust kick to the chest of the Australian. Despair frantically starts moving towards the corner where Kirk Maclean is waiting with his arm outstretched - but Freeman grabs him by the leg, stopping the tag attempt. Despair desperately throws rights and lefts down on Freeman, trying to break his grip but Freeman slams his own head into the gut of Despair to stop him short.] GM: Despair was looking for a tag there - desperately needing that tag but it wasn't happening. Freeman grabs him by the arm, Irish whip... [Freeman ducks down for a backdrop but Despair throws himself over the doubled-up Freeman for a sunset flip.] GM: SUNSET FLIP! HE'S TRYING TO PULL HIM DOWN! [But Freeman stays on his feet just long enough to slap the outstretched hand of his partner before getting pulled down in a pinning situation.] GM: He got him down! But the referee's not counting! BW: He got the tag, Gordo! GM: Dufresne is in and- [And the Ladykiller plants a boot HARD in the back of the neck of Despair, breaking up the sunset flip. Dufresne slowly walks around the ring, glaring at the downed Despair before stomping down on the head hard once more.] BW: That was a great tag - you gotta admit it, Gordo! GM: He certainly saved himself with that one. These guys have a lot of talent and a lot of skill as a tag team but their tactics leave a lot to be desired - that's for sure. BW: But they are in control now, Dufresne pulls him up - scoop! [The crowd groans as Dufresne slams Despair down HARD on the mat. The camera zooms in on the Ladykiller, smirking at the crowd's reaction. He gestures at the fans, trying to get more boos from the crowd.] GM: I think this son of a gun feeds off this reaction. You hear of wrestlers that feed off the cheers of the fans - I think Dufresne feeds off their boos. [Dufresne cups a hand to his ear as the fans jeer his every move and then promptly rakes the eyes of Despair with his boots to even more jeers. From outside the ring, Freeman shouts for his partner to "take it to him!" as Dufresne nods his head, reaching down to hoist Despair off the canvas. The Ladykiller drags him up, hoisting him into the air... and SLAMMING him down across his own bent knee!] GM: Backbreaker - and a brutal one. [Reaching back, Dufresne slaps the hand of Freeman who slides into the ring, promptly diving down onto Despair with a chokehold. The crowd boos, the referee counting to try and get Freeman to break the strangle. At the four count, Freeman breaks the choke, climbing back to his feet to insult the referee. Ignoring the official, Freeman reaches down to pull Despair up - and gets a brutal chop across the chest!] GM: OHH! WHAT A CHOP! [A second chop causes Freeman to stumble backwards into the ropes, clinging to the top rope to stay on his feet. Despair grabs him by the wrist, throwing him across the ring.] GM: Irish whip by Despair... backdr- no! Freeman caught him with an elbow to the back of the head when he came off the ropes. Despair set too early and he paid the price for it. BW: It was a bad decision on his part. He needed to get out of the ring and- GM: Ohh! Back suplex by Freeman! Right down on the back they've been working on and look at the anguish on the face of Despair. Freeman to his feet - and dives down for a cover! He may have him here! [The referee dives to the mat, slapping the mat once... twice... but Despair throws a shoulder up just before the three count comes down. The fans cheer wildly as Kirk Maclean breathes a sigh of relief in the corner, slapping the buckles, encouraging his teammate to get over to make the exchange. Freeman hauls Despair up by the hair, blasting him with a right hand to send him back into the corner. A second right - this one to the body - puts his back against the corner.] GM: Freeman's got him cornered once again and- oh! Chop! [The crowd roars for the chop, then boos as Despair gets rocked with another right hand. The cheers go up again as another chop finds the mark. A third chop connects - and a fourth!] GM: There's daylight between Despair and his partner! [Seeing the same, Despair tries to get across the ring - but gets cut off by a rake of the eyes by Adrian Freeman who promptly tries to regain control by firing Despair across the ring with an Irish whip. Freeman sets for a backdrop that Despair counters by grabbing Freeman by the hair and SLAMMING his face into the canvas with a leaping faceslam! The crowd ERUPTS as both men collapse on all fours on the canvas!] GM: This is his chance! This is Despair's opportunity to make the tag! [With the crowd roaring, Despair tries to do exactly that by slowly inching across the ring as Freeman lies facefirst on the canvas, clutching his face. Dufresne leans over the ropes, screaming at his partner to stop the tag, to stop Despair from getting to his goal.] GM: Despair's getting closer! He's getting- BW: Ha! Caught him! [The boos go up as Freeman scissors Despair's ankle with his own legs, preventing him from going any further as he reaches up to slap the hand of Calisto Dufresne who is leaning over the ropes as far as he can to make the tag. Dufresne charges into the ring as Despair tries to kick free of Freeman. The Ladykiller stomps the back of Despair's head hard to break his tag attempt, rolling him to his back for a pin attempt.] GM: ONE!! TWO!! THR- shoulder up! [A frustrated Dufresne throws a few more hard right hands on Despair before dragging him off the mat - and eating a forearm to the gut from a still-fighting Despair!] GM: Despair's fighting back! Another shot to the midsection! [Dufresne promptly yanks Despair up, throwing him up into a scoop, and driving him down with a backbreaker, applying a cover with a leg hook.] GM: Another cover! ONE! TWO! THR- no! Despair kicks out again! [An irate Dufresne screams at the official as he pops up to his feet, yanking Despair off the mat. Desperate, Despair rakes the eyes of his opponent, dipping down to scoop him up for a bodyslam.] GM: SCOOP SLA- NO! BW: He couldn't do it! The weight of Dufresne, the injury to the back - he just couldn't do it! GM: ONE!! TWO!! THRE- OHHHH! BW: So close, Gordo! So close! [Pulling Despair up, the smaller man lunges towards his corner. Dufresne quickly applies a front facelock, positioning himself between Despair and his eager partner. Despair struggles against Dufresne as the larger man powers him back towards Adrian Freeman, falling into a drop toehold as he reaches up to tag in Freeman. Freeman slides through the ropes and promptly stomps on the small of Despair's back.] GM: Cut off from the tag yet again. This crowd is living and dying with every tag attempt by Despair and Maclean. They know as much as we do just how badly those two men need to make the exchange right now. BW: At this point, Gordo, even if Despair and Maclean were able to advance, what kind of condition would Despair be in to continue? [Freeman drags Despair up by the hair. He goes to throw a right hand but Despair swats it aside before snapping off a kick to the right knee that knocks Freeman down to a knee. Despair promptly throws himself off the ropes, rebounding back.] BW: SHINING WIZAR- [The crowd ERUPTS in shock as Freeman catches the legs of Despair, falling back and rolling through into a Boston Crab.] GM: DEEP FREEZE! FREEMAN'S GOT THE CRAB LOCKED IN! BW: This is it! It's over, daddy! It's all over! GM: Freeman's leaning back - listen to the screams of pain coming from Despair! [The wounded Despair pushes up onto his elbows, trying to bellycrawl his way across the ring where his partner is waiting. Kirk Maclean slaps the turnbuckles over and over and over, causing the fans to clap along with him, cheering him closer and closer.] GM: Despair's trying to fight the Deep Freeze! He's trying to get across the ring! He needs to make the tag and he knows it! [With just inches to go, Despair can't go any further... and decides it's time for a desperate act.] GM: What's he- he's pushing up! BW: This puts the pressure even more on the back of Despair! He needs to do this quickly or he'll have no choice but to give it up! He needs to- GM: HE'S BREAKING THE HOLD! [Suddenly, Freeman breaks the hold himself, spinning around just as Despair lunges.] GM: TAG! [The crowd EXPLODES as Kirk Maclean sprints into the ring, blasting Freeman with a knife-edge chop that knocks him down to the mat. A charging Calisto Dufresne catches a chop as well that knocks him down to the mat.] GM: Maclean is in and he's on fire! [Grabbing Freeman, Maclean fires him off the ropes, bouncing off the closest set and leaping into the air, taking down Adrian Freeman with a leaping lariat that sends the crowd into a frenzy!] GM: DOWN GOES FREEMAN! [As Dufresne staggers to his feet, Maclean kicks him in the gut, pulling him into a front facelock and reaching back to hook the free leg.] GM: Cradle suplex - he gets him up! [And DUMPS Dufresne on top of his head with a fishermanbuster!] GM: DOWN GOES DUFRESNE!! [With the crowd roaring, Maclean pulls Freeman up off the mat, firing him across the ring. As the Australian bounces back, Maclean buries a boot in his gut, running to the ropes behind him. Running back across the ring, Maclean leaps into the air, grabbing Freeman by the head, and SNAPPING him down with a somersault neckbreaker! He dives across Freeman's chest, reaching back to hook the legs.] GM: ONE!! TWO!! THRE- BW: DUFRESNE BREAKS THE PIN! [The rulebreakers breathe a sigh of relief as Dufresne throws himself onto Maclean to break the pin attempt. The Ladykiller is barely able to stand as he drags Maclean off the mat, tossing him towards the corner. The referee moves in - trying to get Dufresne out of the ring as Freeman drags himself to the opposite corner. Maclean quickly turns it around, rocking Dufresne with chop after chop in the buckles.] GM: Maclean's working him over in the corner! Dufresne is getting- BW: FREEMAN! [Dazed, Freeman wobbles across the ring, leaping into the air and driving a knee squarely into the upper back of Maclean, smashing Dufresne against the buckles. Freeman pulls Maclean out of the corner, hooking him around the waist. He hoists Maclean into the air for a back suplex but Maclean flips out of it, landing on his feet behind Freeman. He hooks a crossface chickenwing on Freeman.] GM: Crossface chickenwing! He's got it- what's he... NOOOOO! [The crowd gasps as Maclean hoists Freeman up and over DUMPING him on the back of his head with a crushing suplex!] GM: OHHHHHH MYYYYYY STARRRRRRS! [Freeman lies motionless on the canvas as Maclean springs to his feet, pumping a fist in triumph as he turns around... and eats a boot to the gut from Dufresne who quickly hooks a front facelock, hoisting Maclean off the mat and SPIKING him skullfist to the canvas!] GM: WHAM BAM THANK YOU MA'AM!! [Dufresne collapses on top of Maclean as the referee dives to the mat.] GM: ONE!! TWO!! THREEEEEE!!! "DING! DING! DING!" MC: Your winners of the match - the team of Adrian Freeman and Calisto Dufresne! [The boos pour down as an exhausted Dufresne rolls from the ring, reaching in to pull his partner out by the ankle. Slinging Freeman's arm over his shoulders, Dufresne wobbles towards the entryway.] GM: Freeman and Dufresne score the pinfall and the victory - and they move on to the semifinals to take on Rough N Ready in the semifinals. What a match that'll be - and what a showing by Despair and Kirk Maclean. They've got nothing to be ashamed of. BW: Sure they do. They lost. GM: Fans, don't go away - we'll be right back! [The camera holds on the ring where Despair has rolled back in, checking on his partner before fading to black... ...and then fading back up on a pair of kids outside of what appears to be a grade school. They're both wearing cold weather gear as they trudge up the steps to class.] Kid #1: How was your weekend? Kid #2: Amazing! Did you see AWA Saturday Night Wrestling? [The two kids talk animatedly about the show as a third joins them.] Kid #3: Guys! Did you see Adam Rogers on Saturday Night Wrestling? I want to be just like him when I grow up! Kid #1: Not me. I want to be like City Jack or Tin Can Rust! Kid #2: You guys are lame. Check out my new shirt! [Kid #2 opens his jacket to reveal a shirt that reads "San Jose Shark" with a large golden shark taking a bite out of the text. The others "ooh" and "aah."] Kid #3: I want one of those! Kid #1: Me too! Where did you get it? Kid #2: At AWAShop.com! Kid #3: I know what I want for Christmas! [The kids continue to talk as a voiceover is heard.] "Don't be the only one at school without your official AWA gear! Check out AWAShop.com today for your holiday wish list items!" [A shot fills the screen of various wrestler merchandise before fading to black... ...and then back up on the backstage interview area where Jason Dane is standing.] JD: Welcome back, fans! We are LIVE here at the WKIK Studios with all of the backstage goings-on and check out this news... we have just received word that at Christmas Clash, the fans will be treated to a high-flying battle of epic proportions. The Japanese superstar, Naitomea, will be going one-on-one with "Showtime" Rick Marley! Those two men will clash later tonight in the Five-On-Five Elimination Match in a bit of a sneak preview for what should be quite the exciting showdown on Christmas night at West Dallas Community College! Gordon, Bucky - back to you at ringside! [We cut back to the ringside area where Gordon Myers and Bucky Wilde are standing.] GM: Thanks, Jason. The lineup for Christmas Clash is slowly taking shape. We now know that the first National Tag Team Title defense will happen that night no matter who takes home the gold here tonight. We also know that Naitomea and Rick Marley will collide in a match you just might need slow motion to watch without getting motion sickeness. It's going to be an exciting night next month and Jason will keep updating us throughout the night on that lineup. But coming up next, we've got our third quarterfinal matchup of the night. We've got two teams in the semis and we're moments away from adding a third. And at this time, let's welcome one of the two teams that will be battling for the third spot in the semis - the Oklahoma Brothers! [Again, with no music or fanfare, Kaden and Cooper Oats come out of the entrance to a loud pop from the AWA faithful present tonight in the WKIK studios. The taller Kaden Oats is on the left while the slightly smaller brother Cooper comes down the aisle on the left - both brothers slapping the hands of fans nearby as they pass. The two dress in similar garb - crimson wrestling shorts with "OK Bros" in creme color lettering and black T-shirts with an outline of the state of Oklahoma on it. The two brothers change direction and head towards the announcers.] GM: Cooper and Kaden Oats, welcome. KO: Mighty fine of ya havin' us here, sir. CO: Thankya. GM: Well, I think you can thank yourselves with your shocking win against the heavily favored Russians. How did you manage to do what not many have been able to do so far beat them? KO: It wasn't 'nythin' much like thatun, no shockin' or nothin'. We went to the rin' and jus' believed. CO: Kaden and I, we had heart. Thatun somethin' thems two Reds never had. We showed dem, Kaden - we showed'dem 'nly real red is Sooner red! [The crowd murmurs a bit at that remark and Kaden knows it as he slaps his brother in the back the head lightly to cut it with the college football references.] CO: Uh, heh... Yehbut more? Us two? Why, we never had design's to go down! KO: Okies dasent even have the word to lose in our speak, sir! GM: And what about tonight's quarter final match up against the wild card team of Juan Vasquez and Raphael Rhodes? CO: Aw my, the Juan Vasquez in the same rin'? Whoo - [Cooper steps back and hoots a couple more times towards the fans as Kaden steps up to the mic in Myers' hand.] KO: I think what my brother's sayin' is we're up fer the challenge 'gain. Why others may see standin' 'cross the rin' an promisin' star and a legendary wrassler, us two - even you, Coop - [Kaden pats his brother in back.] KO: We jus' see two more men in our way from dem titles. Thatun's all! [An excited Cooper Oats nods.] CO: Yayus, Kaden! I'm jus' so darned excited 'bout this match! Mr. Myers, do ya know why I'm so fired up to git in thatun rin'? GM: Uh, to wrestle against Juan Vasquez and Raphael Rhodes? [Cooper straightens up, with a sly smile on his face.] CO: Naw, Mr. Myers! Not to wrassle dem... To beat dem! [Cooper and Kaden exchange a hand slap.] CO: Cause my name's Cooper - KO: And my name's Kaden - CO: And we'll show 'gain thatun you can't put a good Okie down! [The fans cheer the Cinderella team of the Oklahoma Brothers as they leave the announcer booth and make their way into the ring where Melissa Cannon is standing.] ************************************************************************ *                       AWA NATIONAL TAG TEAM TITLES * *                                       QUARTERFINALS: * * Oklahoma Brothers vs Juan Vasquez & Raphael Rhodes * ************************************************************************ MC: The following contest is scheduled for one fall with a twenty minute time limit. It is a quarterfinal match with the winner moving on to the semifinals. Introducing first... already in the ring at this time... Kaden and Cooper... The Oklahoma Brothers! [A pretty good-sized reaction for the Cindarella story of the tournament so far as they salute the cheering fans.] MC: And their opponents... at a total combined weight of 439 pounds... they are the Wild Card team of "Catch Thug" Raphael Rhodes and Juan Vasquez! ["Return of the Tres" by Delinquent Habits starts up to a loud cheer from the AWA crowd. The curtain parts and the makeshift duo of Juan Vasquez and Raphael Rhodes walk into view. Neither man seems especially thrilled to be walking to the ring with the other but they quickly make their way to the ring.] GM: Rhodes and Vasquez went through a lot of people to get this spot in the tournament and defeated Sweet Heat last night to make it to the second round. Tonight, if they beat the Oklahoma Brothers, they'll be two matches away from championship gold. BW: You mean WHEN they beat the Oklahoma Brothers. GM: The Russians thought the same thing until Vladimir Velikov found his shoulders pinned to the mat. [Rhodes and Vasquez stand several feet away from another, not meeting to discuss strategy or teamwork as the referee gives final instructions to both teams. Kaden Oats stays in the ring as does Raphael Rhodes as the bell rings to start the match. A naive Oats strides to the center of the ring, extending his hand in the direction of the "Catch Thug" who smugly smirks at his opponent. Nodding his head, Rhodes moves out to the middle of the ring as well.] GM: Is Raphael Rhodes actually going to shake Kaden Oats' hand? Look out for a trick. BW: Seriously, why don't you trust anyone? Why wouldn't Raphael Rhodes give up a good show of sportsmanship here on the day after Thanksgiving? He's got a lot to be thankful for too, you know? [Rhodes extends his hand to Oats, shaking it - and then tugging him into a boot to the gut, followed by a brutal headbutt to the back of Oats' head, knocking him flat on his face on the mat. The crowd boos Rhodes who simply shrugs before stomping Oats in the back of the head, smashing his face into the mat. The referee reprimands Rhodes who nods his head in agreement - and then stomps Oats' face into the canvas again.] GM: What a jerk! Come on, referee! BW: What has he done that's illegal, Gordo? Tell me one thing he's done in this match that's illegal. GM: That's not even the point, Bucky. He's just a brutal, vicious individual. BW: Some of the legendary names in our sport are vicious individuals. Last night, Caleb Temple was voted into the Wrestling Hall of Fame. Was he a Boy Scout? Kissing babies and shaking hands? This ain't ballet, Gordo. Some times you've gotta hurt someone. [Using his boot to roll Kaden Oats onto his back, Rhodes measures him and drops a knee right on the eyesocket. The referee tries to back him away as Oats rolls around in agony, clutching his eye.] GM: This isn't right. This isn't what this match, this tournament, heck, this entire promotion is all about. BW: This is the promotion that hired Grant Stone - you better know somethin' before you talk somethin', daddy. [Clenching his fist, Rhodes threatens the official before dropping down to his knees, connecting with a fistdrop to the eyesocket. Still kneeling, Rhodes holds Oats' head down by the hair and drives fist after fist perilously close to the right eye of Kaden Oats. The referee starts counting.] GM: There! That's illegal! Closed fists to the eye of Kaden Oats! BW: Well, yeah - if you want to nitpick. GM: Nitpick?! He's trying to do permanent damage to the man! [Rhodes breaks off his assault at the four count - and then blasts him in the eye one more time, causing Oats to roll from the ring to the floor. Rhodes smirks at the official's shouts as he climbs to his feet, miming an open hand strike.] GM: An open hand, my rear end! BW: Gordo! GM: I can't help it. There's no call for this, Bucky. [The "Catch Thug" steps out on the apron, dropping down to the floor where Kaden Oats is kneeling, clutching his eye. Grabbing Oats by the head, Rhodes drives a knee into the eyesocket of Oats, knocking him flat on his back on the floor. From the ring apron, Juan Vasquez has a few choice words for Rhodes who ignores them as he stalks a crawling Oats. Grabbing Oats by the back of the trunks, Rhodes drags him off the floor, chucking him under the ropes into the ring. Rhodes methodically walks up the steps, glaring at a protesting Vasquez as he steps into the ring.] GM: Juan Vasquez is demanding a tag. BW: Five bucks says he don't get one. GM: I think you're right. [With Oats down on the mat, Rhodes measures him... and falls over with a headbutt aimed right at the eyesocket.] GM: Ohh! I think he might be able to get a pin right there. BW: I'm not sure he wants one. This is a dangerous game to play in a tournament like this but Raphael Rhodes seems like he's got something else in mind tonight. [And we quickly learn exactly what it is that he is in mind, scissoring Oats' left arm with his legs while holding the right arm with his own right arm. That leaves Rhodes' left arm free to come down violently over and over and over with an elbowstrike aimed squarely at the injured eyesocket of Kaden Oats. The referee frantically drops to his knees, looking for a submission. Vasquez screams at Oats to quit from outside the ring. Cooper Oats does the same from his side of the ring - but Kaden Oats refuses, screaming "NO!" at the pleading official.] GM: Come on, kid! Give it up! Think about your career! [Kaden Oats stays strong - refusing to quit - and giving the referee no choice but to call for the bell on his own. Juan Vasquez is the first into the ring, diving onto Raphael Rhodes to prevent him from throwing any more strikes. Cooper Oats is quickly in as well, diving to cover up his injured brother. The referee is on the scene as well, calling for medical attention as Vasquez drags Rhodes away from Oats. The ring is filled with chaos as we fade to black. After a moment, we fade back up on a shot of Jason Dane and Mark Stegglet in an apparently moving car.] JD: Hey, AWA fans - so much of our lives are now spent on-the-go, wouldn't you love to be able to keep track of your favorite AWA superstars when you're away from home? MS: I know I would, Jason! And I'd also love to have a place to put out all those rumors we hear during the week that never make AWA Saturday Night Wrestling. JD: You've got that right. Wouldn't it be great if we could combine both of those ideas into one? [Suddenly, a giant graphic of an iPhone appears between them!] JD & MS: NOW WE CAN! [A voiceover takes over - thank God.] VO: Starting today, you can download AWA Access - a great new application for your iPhone where you can get all the AWA news, rumors, and happenings before the rest of the world. And don't forget to check out the "exclusive" section for matches that never aired! AWA Access - coming to an iPhone near you! [Fade back to black... ...and then back to the announce area. The crowd can be heard still buzzing over what they just saw as a solemn Gordon Myers and Bucky Wilde are looking on.] GM: Welcome back, fans. Moments ago, we saw a brutal assault on Kaden Oats by Raphael Rhodes - an assault the results of which, we're still watching in the ring as they try to get Kaden Oats some medicial attention. It was a horrific, brutal, and unnecessary assault by Rhodes and I, for one, am completely appalled. BW: Well, it wasn't the way you like to see someone end a match but you can't argue with its effectiveness. GM: Effective, I suppose. The official referee decision was that Kaden Oats was no longer able to defend himself and therefore the referee stopped the match on his behalf. As a result, Juan Vasquez and Rhodes have advanced to the semifinals - although I don't believe Juan Vasquez was very happy about how it happened. BW: That's just for show, Gordo. Vasquez is the kind of guy who'll take a win however he can get it especially if there's a title on the line. Don't be fooled by what he's been telling everyone lately. He's still the same ol' Juan Vasquez. GM: Perhaps but he seemed very upset at his partner during our last match. Fans, we've still got medical team members in the ring so let's go backstage to Jason Dane where I understand he's got one of the participants in our big elimination tag team match standing by with him. Jason? [We cut to the backstage area where Jason Dane is standing with Naitomea by his side. Naitomea is in his ring gear as Jason speaks.] JD: Thanks, Gordon. Naitomea, you asked for this time to address some words we heard last night on Broken Wishbones from one Triston Rockford. The floor is yours. [The Japanese superstar rubs a hand over his head.] N: “Oh come on, admit it.  The AWA is small potatoes on the wrestling scene.  It won't be until tomorrow that you finally have Tag Team Champions and your title is only National?  But there is talent here.  Oh yes, there is talent here.  Trust me, I have an eye for it.  But I thought about it.  I thought long and hard, and I came to a decision.  I, Triston Rockford, will bring TR Enterprises to the AWA.  I will do you all a favor.  I will bring AWA into the big time.  I will make it a World Power instead of a speck on the map.  And I, Triston Rockford, SuperAgent, will give you all a Christmas Present” [Naitomea stops his recitation cold and suddenly grabs Jason Dane by the collar.]   N:  National!     [Natiomea shoves Dane back against the wall, his voice full of anger.]   N:  He couldn’t have been more right!  I gave up a seven figure contract, syndication all over Asia and I flew 13 hours to come compete in some _National_ wrestling league where the best I’ve gotten was thrown into some mediocre Battle Royal which I would of won had it not been for a cowardly Raphael Rhodes jumping me from behind.   [The Japanese competitor releases his grip on Dane, turning to face the camera.]   N:  To throw me into some tag team with a mediocre Australian pretty boy who got man-handled by a couple of Kentucky Hillbillies is simply unacceptable and not what I signed up for... I’M BETTER THAN THAT!   Stevie Scott, Sweet Daddy Williams, Rick Marley, Scott Pain and Blue Tiger…. you bore me.  Your looks, your words, your lives. So before you all prepare a speech about your greatness as a team look into this face.   [Naitomea leans forward pulling at the eyeholes of his mask in an attempt to straighten it out]   N:  This is face that haunts you in your dreams!  We all have talent, we are all _SOMETHING_ However, what you five are bringing to the table just isn’t good enough.  I guarantee, no I promise you that I’m going to be the survivor or a member of the team that survives this eliminator match and then I want someone from this “National” league to step up and make a serious challenge to me.  Let's just see if anyone in the AWA has the guts to respond. [The masked man shoves Jason Dane aside as he storms out of view. A startled Jason Dane shakes his head, straightening his suit.] JD: We'll be right back, fans. [We fade away from Jason Dane... ...to a shot of a loving family around a crackling fire on what appears to be Christmas morning. The young son looks disappointed as he pulls a pair of socks from a box.] Son: Socks... again. Thanks, Mom And Dad. [The boy grabs a smaller nearby box. We catch a shot of the mother winking at her husband as the boy starts to tear away the wrapping paper. After a moment, he pulls out an envelope and cries out.] Son: TICKETS TO TONIGHT'S AWA SHOW! THANKS, MOM AND DAD! [The son throws himself into embraces with his parents as he beams at the tickets clutched in his hand.] Voiceover: Christmas night! The AWA brings all your favorite superstars to town for the final show of 2008! You do NOT want to miss it! [Fade away from info on the show back to the ring where Melissa Cannon is standing.] ************************************************************************ *                       AWA NATIONAL TAG TEAM TITLES * *                                       QUARTERFINALS: * *      Kentucky's Pride vs Mark Shaw & Adam Rogers * ************************************************************************ MC: The following contest is scheduled for one fall with a twenty minute time limit. It is the last quarterfinal matchup with the winner moving on to face Juan Vasquez and Raphael Rhodes in the semifinals. Introducing first... [Stephen C. Foster's "My Old Kentucky Home" plays, bringing out a loud cheer from the WKIK faithful.] MC:  At a total combined weight of 583 pounds... they are Tin Can Rust and City Jack... KENTUCKY'S PRIDE! [As City Jack and Tin Can Rust come through the curtain, the cheers get even louder for the two Kentuckians. Jack, wearing his normal wrestling garb and a "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death" black T-shirt, happily slaps the fans' hands nearby the curtain. Rust, though, looks on to the ring with a serious look. Jack tries to get his partner to lighten up and greet some of the fans, but he has none of it and walks towards the ring. As Tin Can Rust continues on towards the ring, City Jack takes another path right towards the announcer's booth. Gordon Myers gets up and fishes out a microphone to meet City Jack for the surprise visit.] GM: And it looks like City Jack, alone, is coming our way...City Jack, is he alright? [Jack looks back at Tin Can Rust in the ring.] CJ: Yeah, Mr. Myers. He's just all up on this here match, now. Last night, you couldn't get us done on here to talk to ya none cause the Can Crusher there wanted none of it. He said, "Jack - [City Jack stands up, arms akimbo, and gets a faux-serious look on his face.] CJ: "We're winning this match and that's it. No talking and no funny stuff." [Jack drops his arms, looks back at Rust again, and shakes his head.] CJ: But he's always like this before something big like these tournament matches. I remember in Louisville when he was holdin' the title, he barely said a word for six whole months. The man's just wrapped up tighter than I don't know what! GM: Well, we'll have to make do with just you right now then. CJ: Hey, I'm definitely alright talkin' for both of us. Shoot, I done it most of the time we'd been partners anyway. GM: Your thoughts your match tonight? You'll be facing two strong, determined individuals - both of whom could hold the National Title. CJ: Now you just answered the question right on for me, Mr. Myers. See, I got all the respect in the world for Adam Rogers and Mark Shaw's abilities. Them two are probably the finest pure wrestlers we got here in Dallas. But the problem is we're not fightin' for no National Title and this sure ain't no singles match. GM: But you saw their match last night, though? Mark Shaw defeated a team by himself. CJ: Yeah, I saw that. Impressive of him... but them two boys he beat weren't a real team now. A real team like Kentucky's Pride? A team that's been together some on high ten years, on-off? A team that knows what it takes to win a match against all and any odds? [Jack wags his finger.] CJ: No sir - they weren't fighting a real team. They weren't fighting Kentucky's Pride! GM: But you aren't concerned at all about Shaw and Rogers maybe setting aside their differences? CJ: Come on, Mr. Myers, you and I both know that ain't happening here. See, I've been in that situation before, fightin' with a man I didn't like none. Don't need to say it didn't work out - shoot, by the time the bell rung, us two were at each other's necks. Mr. Myers, you were even there right by Adam Rogers - you heard him say he wasn't even botherin' to tag with Shaw. GM: But if - CJ: If, if, if - look, the two could come out here, try to put aside whatever hatred they have for each other... At some point, it's just not avoidable. A missed tag here, accidental hit there, or even somethin' like just goin' for a tag could blow whatever paper thin bond they might come out with just now. GM: So you feel confident that you will be heading towards the semi-finals? CJ: Confident? Shoot, Mr. Myers, we haven't a doubt in our minds about it. Us two, this is what we came here for - this is what we prepared ourselves for this whole year now. This isn't like Mark Shaw or Adam Rogers coming into the tournament on a whim, whittlin' away time until they get their National Title shot. No sir, this is what we came here for - [Jack stands back, turns to the crowd who give out a loud pop.] CJ: To fight in front of these devoted fans on this wonderful Black Friday... To fight to be named the best duo in the world! That's what we came here for - [Jack turns back to Myers.] CJ: And that's what we're sure on to accomplish! [Jack pats Myers on the shoulder and then slaps a couple more fans' hands before leaving to enter the ring as Melissa continues.] MC: And their opponents... first, he hails from Los Angeles, California... he is "The Hellion"... MARRRRRK SHAAAAAW! [Shaw strides through the curtain, led towards the ring by the mysterious hooded individual whose face is obscured by the hood, revealed just his chin. The barrel-chested grappler rolls under the ropes, sitting in the corner not even acknowledging City Jack or Tin Can Rust.] MC: And his tag team partner... from Naples, Florida... he is "The Natural"... AAAAADAM ROOOOGERRRS! [The heavy opening guitar chords of "Smoke on the Water" by Deep Purple rip out over the PA system, signaling the entrance of former World Champion "The Natural" Adam Rogers.  The blond-haired Floridian with an impressive physique steps into the arena, all business as he walks to the ring with a wooden axe handle slung over his shoulder.] GM: Here comes Rogers! He's got that axehandle with him - just in case! BW: In case of what? In case his partner does all the work for him again? GM: You know Mark Shaw cannot be trusted, Bucky. Rogers knows it better than anyone else. He's ready to give Shaw all he wants if he needs to! [Rogers rolls into the ring, pointing the wooden axehandle directly at Mark Shaw. Shaw is stoic in response, simply ignoring the Natural's gesture. Shaw grabs the ropes, slowly dragging himself to his feet. After a bit, Rogers lets the referee take the axehandle away from him. He turns away from Shaw - quickly exchanging handshakes with both City Jack and Tin Can Rust before walking towards his corner where Shaw is standing, still oblivious to everything Rogers does.] GM: What happened to Mark Shaw? What is wrong with him? BW: Nobody knows, Gordo. Shaw has refused every interview attempt for weeks - not said a single word since that loss to Ron Houston when he snapped. No one knows who this guy is who comes to the ring with him. No one has ANY idea what's ticking inside that crazy brain of his. Not you, not me, and certainly not Adam Rogers. GM: Rogers and Shaw have been on a collision course for weeks now - sooner or later, that feud will blow up inside the ring. For Adam Rogers' sake, let's hope it's not tonight. Rogers didn't pick Shaw as a partner but now he's got him as one due to the injury to Ron Houston all those weeks ago. [Rogers glares at Shaw for a long moment as City Jack and Tin Can Rust whisper to one another. Shaw shrugs his shoulders, stepping to the middle of the ring as Rogers shakes his head, stepping out to the middle of the ring as the referee calls for the bell to start the match.] GM: City Jack is going to start this off against Mark Shaw. [Shaw doesn't even react to City Jack as the jovial Southerner walks out to the middle of the ring to join him there... and promptly pops Shaw upside the head with a right hand that knocks the Hellion back a step. The crowd roars as Jack springs into action throwing right after right after right that causes Shaw to fall back against the ropes. A quick whip sends Shaw off the far side and a running clothesline knocks the Hellion down to the mat.] GM: Jack's all over Mark Shaw! He's not giving the Hellion time to get that insane power game going. Shaw staggers up... METROPILL! [The bone-rattling forearm shot causes Shaw to fall back into his corner where he slaps the hand of Adam Rogers. A disgruntled Rogers steps into the ring. He stares at Shaw with his hands on his hips, questioning him for his actions.] GM: Rogers seems to think - did I hear that right? BW: He just accused Shaw of throwing the match! That's a very serious accusation, Gordo! GM: It certainly is. Do you think he's right? BW: Mark Shaw is an extremely intense, focused man who loves to compete. I can't imagine a scenario where he'd actually lose a match intentionally - no matter who he hurt in the process. [Rogers glares at Shaw for another moment before turning his back on him, waving for City Jack to "bring it on."] GM: City Jack is ready, fists cocked and- [Shaw springs to his feet, rearing back a right hand... ...but as he throws it, he finds Adam Rogers ready for it, blocking the right hand and throwing one of his own into the face of the Hellion!] GM: He knew it! Rogers knew it was coming! [Rogers keeps throwing right hands, barreling Shaw into the turnbuckles where he continues to throw right hands. His eyes filled with fire, Rogers wraps his hands around the throat of Shaw, strangling him against the turnbuckles as a shocked City Jack backs away, watching in disbelief. The referee charges to the corner, screaming for Rogers to release Shaw.] GM: The referee's trying to get Rogers off of Shaw and- [The crowd "oooohs" as Rogers shoves the referee down to the canvas. He moves right back in on Shaw, throwing right hand after right hand on the corner Hellion - who finally powers back, shoving Rogers down to the mat. Shaw charges out of the corner with a clothesline that Rogers ducks, hooking him around the waist.] GM: German Supl- Shaw elbows out of it! [The Hellion frees himself from Rogers' grasp - and then sprints towards the corner where City Jack is standing, blasting him with a running lariat. Shaw turns back to find Rogers who has staggered over near their corner. An irate Shaw stomps across the ring towards Rogers' exposed back.] GM: Adam! Adam! Behind you! [Just before Shaw gets to him, Rogers spins around and SLAMS the wooden axehandle into the left knee of Shaw, causing the Hellion to crumple down to the canvas on his knees, screaming in pain from the blow.] GM: OHHH! [Rogers stares down at the kneeling Shaw, an icy glare if there ever was one. He shakes his head, mouthing words we can not hear.] BW: What could he possibly be telling him, Gordo? [The Natural raises the axehandle high over his head, still talking... ...and then BRINGS it down on the skull of Mark Shaw, causing the Hellion to slump down to the canvas motionless.] GM: OHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! [Rogers stares down at Shaw, hate in his eyes, and spikes the wooden axehandle on the canvas. He spits on Shaw's prone form, turning to look across the ring at Tin Can Rust. He gestures at Shaw before walking out of the ring, leaving his unconscious partner behind.] GM: I can't believe it - I simply can't believe what we just saw. Adam Rogers just laid out Mark Shaw with that axehandle and- [City Jack climbs back to his feet, looking down at the motionless Shaw - and suddenly finds his shoulder slapped by Tin Can Rust who dashes into the ring, throwing himself on the prone Shaw.] GM: One. Two. Three. That's it. "DING! DING! DING!" MC: Your winners of the match - moving on to the semifinals... KENTUCKY'S PRIDE! [Tin Can Rust allows the referee to raise his arm in victory, ignoring an upset glare from his partner as they exit the ring to a mixed response from the AWA faithful.] GM: Kentucky's Pride is moving on to the semifinals but honestly, can anyone be happy with the way that went down? I know I was looking forward to a war between those two teams and it just- well, Adam Rogers has apparently had enough of Mark Shaw's mind games and decided to up the stakes. BW: Mark Shaw's not going to take this very well, Gordo. Not well at all. GM: That's for sure. Fans, our Final Four is set. Rough N Ready, Freeman and Dufresne, Vasquez and Rhodes, and now Kentucky's Pride. Four very good teams battling it out to be the first AWA National Tag Team Champions! But before we go to the semifinals, we've got other business to take care of. At this time, I'm told Jason Dane has been joined by two of the men in that big ten man elimination matchup - a team that is quickly becoming one of the most popular in the entire AWA - Sweet Heat! BW: Oh, good grief. GM: Take it away, Jason! [And back to Dane we go, where he stands flanked by Scott on the right and Williams on the left.  The Sweet Daddy is in his usual fluorescent green tights, his belly hanging over the waistband, and is dancing around and smiling a crap-eating grin.  Stevie is a bit more reserved, his once-long hair now trimmed to shoulder length and his beard shaved off completely.] JD: Thanks, Gordon.  I am indeed here with Sweet Daddy Williams and Stevie Scott, the team now known as "Sweet Heat" and gentlemen, though you lost your match in your quest to be crowned the inaugural AWA National Tag Team Champions, you put up a good showing for a team that has just begun working together. [Stevie steps forward to take the first comment.] HSS: Hey, baby, things didn't quite go the way that Stevie and the Sweet Daddy would have liked, but it's all good.  We were out there havin' fun, shakin' our money makers, and maybe next time we'll get 'em. Ain't that right, Sweet Daddy? [Sweet Daddy decides this would be a good time to turn around and indeed, shake his money maker.] SDW: You see that, Jase? You see that? JD: I do see that. SDW: You know what that is? JD: Well, yes... it's your- HSS: Ah, ah, ah... the censors won't like that one. SDW: That's right, baby. You're looking at Poetry In Motion, Jase! JD: Ah, I see. Well- SDW: No you don't! You don't see, Jase. You watch but you don't see. Ya see? JD: Um. Uh. SDW: Oww, baby! Sweet Heat is on the scene and they ain't no stoppin' us now. [Jason nods, opting to pursue another line of questioning.] JD: Stevie, I have to say, this is quite the change in attitude you've had.  Do you credit this man with your new outlook on life? [Stevie nods emphatically.] HSS: Jason Dane, you know about "Hotshot" Stevie Scott.  You know I've been around the world, been considered one of the best in the sport and all that, but this man here...this veteran from Hotlanta, Ge-aw-gia...when the Russians, Dufresne, and Freeman showed their true colors, he came to me when no one else in the locker rooms had anything to do with me.  And he said, "Hotshot, baby, you gots all the things goin' for you, man.  But you missin' a little somethin'." [Stevie pats his chest over his heart.] HSS: He said, "You missin' one of these, baby."  And he was right.  So I've checked my ego at the door, Jason Dane, and I've decided to learn from this man.  He's shown me a lot of things.  He's shown me how to have real fun in that ring, how to shake my thing, and how to make the ladies in the front row sing.  Thank you, Sweet Daddy. [Stevie extends his hand to SDW, who shakes it and leans in to the mic.] SDW: No, no, no - thank you, Hotshot. Ya see, if Stevie Baby here was missin' somethin'... [Sweet Daddy slaps his own heart, causing a bit of a ripple effect.] SDW: Then so was the Daddy, Jason. And ya know what that was? [Dane shrugs.] SDW: A partner. A runnin' buddy. A wingman, if you will. A brotha from anotha motha! [The man from Hotlanta grins and then wipes a (fake?) tear away.] SDW: But if I was lost then now I'm found, Amazin' Jase. Stevie is the best thang that has ever happened to the Sweet Daddy since that night in LA years and years ago with that hot lil' filly... mmm... I wonder what ever happened to her. [Sweet Daddy's gaze drifts off to Neverland.] SDW: Say hi to your sister for me. [Dane's jaw drops.] SDW: But tonight, Sweet Heat's headin' down to that ring. And we're here to do one thing, Jason Dane. We're here to rock the bodies and take home awwwwwwl the hotties, baby! Put the women to bed and tell 'em the Sweet Heat's comin' to town to burn all the beds to the ground. Owww, baby! [A big high five between Stevie Scott and Sweet Daddy Williams ends the interview as the duo jukes and jives their way through the entrance tunnel towards the ring.] JD: Fans, we'll be right back. [We fade away from Jason Dane to commercial. After a moment, we fade back up on a very long shot of the exterior of a pretty dingy looking building.] "Have you ever dreamed of fame?" [Cut a little closer.] "Of glory?" [A little closer.] "Of your friends and family seeing you on television?" [And just a little closer, revealing a red, white, and blue sign that reads "AWA Combat Corner."] "Well, now you can make all your dreams come true by signing up today at the AWA Combat Corner - the official training school for the American Wrestling Alliance!" [We cut to the interior of the building where we can see lots of standard gym equipment surrounding a very basic wrestling ring. There are people lifting weights, running on treadmills, and of course, working out in the ring.] "With the very best trainers in the business, the AWA Combat Corner is the most-equipped training facility to get you in shape and get you in the ring in the shortest amount of time!" [Cut into the ring where Todd Michaelson is barking out instructions.] "With former World Champion Todd Michaelson leading the classes, you can guarantee that you will be prepared for in-ring action upon graduation and with the AWA expanding by the day, you will have a place to work on Day One!" [Two young students are grappling on the canvas.] "So, stop by the Combat Corner today... call our offices... visit our website... and let them know that you want to be the next AWA Superstar! You want to be the future of the business! You want to wrestle!" [Fade to a graphic that has all the info on the AWA Combat Corner. We freeze there for a moment... ...and then back up on live action!] ************************************************************************ *                                  ELIMINATION TAG MATCH * * Sweet Heat/Rick Marley/Scott Pain/Blue Tiger * * vs Jarrod O'Lachlan/Naitomea/Glamour Boys/Vladimir Velikov * ************************************************************************ [As we cut back to live action, all ten men are already in the ring with the referee waiting for the bell to ring.] GM:  Ten men in the ring - all failed to advance last night but tonight, they're looking to make a major impact.  A win here could shoot someone into the Top Ten rankings in a hurry. BW:  And from what I understand, the first rankings for the tag team division will be released tomorrow morning as well.  For teams like Sweet Heat and the Glamour Boys, this match is just as important. [Referee Mickey Meekly takes a deep breath - and then calls for the bell before diving out of the ring as all ten men sprint towards one another, throwing fists as quickly as they can.] GM:  It's a tag match!  They can't be doing this!  They can't be- [Suddenly, "Kong At The Gates" plays over the PA to a deafening shocked reaction from the AWA faithful... ...and every single soul in the ring stops fighting, turning to face the entryway.  After a moment, a grinning Jonathan H. Smith emerges from the shadows with Mr. Kyoto.  Smith pauses a moment for dramatic effect.] GM:  Oh no.  He's not in this match! BW:  You want to be the one to tell him that? [The mammoth Colossus Hyde steps through the entrance tunnel, leaning very low to make it through.  The cloth hood hangs over his head, preventing him from seeing anything and actually making him quite docile as he strides into view.  With the giant leaning over, a cackling Mr. Kyoto grabs the hood - and jerks it away, revealing the manic, wide-eyed glare.  With a gesture, Kyoto sends Hyde towards the ring where he steps up onto the ring apron, swinging a leg over the ropes to stand alone in the ring with ten slightly frightened individuals standing on all sides of him.] GM:  What is going to happen here? BW:  Ten on one?  It just MIGHT be a fair fight. [With nine men somewhat cowering from Hyde, one man steps to the front of the pack, shoving Jarrod O'Lachlan aside to step into the middle of the ring to stare right at the giant.] GM:  Scott Pain says he'll throw down with the giant!  The former World Champion says he'll take on the big man! BW:  Pain's no midget at 6'10 but well... Colossus Hyde is an entirely different story, Gordo. [With Pain distracting Hyde, Blue Tiger and Naitomea show some Tiger Paw Pro teamwork by attacking Hyde from behind, flailing away with punches and forearms and elbows.  The Glamour Boys jump in from the front side, throwing punches and kicks at the torso of the giant.] GM:  Four men are pounding on Colossus Hyde from every possible angle but I can't tell if he even feels it.  I can't- [Hyde unleashes a mighty roar before shoving both Glamour Boys down to the canvas.  Hyde spins around, grabbing Blue Tiger by the throat, hoisting him high in the air, and SPIKING him down to the mat like a football.  With another loud scream, Hyde steps out of the ring, approaching Sweet Daddy Williams who had slid out of the ring.  With Tiger down, Naitomea dives atop him.] GM:  One!  Two!  Three!  [Naitomea springs to his feet, catching an incoming Rick Marley with a kick to the midsection as the two teams slowly make their way to their corners.] MC:  Blue Tiger has been ELIMINATED! [Naitomea grabs Marley by the hair, snapping short kicks into the face of the doubled-up high flyer.  Still holding the hair, Naitomea throws Marley back into the turnbuckles.  The crowd jeers as he chokes Marley against the buckles.] GM:  We're down to nine men in this match and now we're getting a sneak preview of that showdown on Christmas night between Marley and Naitomea.  BW:  As much flack as I give Marley, that's going to be an outstanding matchup, Gordo. [A few boots to the gut put Marley down on the mat as Naitomea chokes him with his boot against the buckles.  Outside the ring, Stevie Scott has joined his partner in throwing big haymakers at the giant who responds by headbutting Scott down to the floor while wrapping a big paw around the throat of Sweet Daddy Williams.] GM:  Naitomea pulls Marley off the mat - makes the tag to Vladimir Velikov. BW:  And you just know the big Russian's going to be looking to clean the taste of losing to those Oklahoma Brothers out of his mouth tonight.  I feel sorry for anyone who gets in there with him. [Velikov throws Marley towards the ropes, flooring him with a hard back elbow on the rebound. A surly Velikov turns towards the corner, threatening Scott Pain as well before he delivers a few well-placed stomps to the chest of Marley.  Dragging Marley up again, a hard forearm to the back of the neck knocks him right back down.  Cackling with his gravel-throated voice, Velikov leaps in the air and delivers a three-hundred pound splash on "Showtime" for a two count.] GM:  Velikov is all over Rick Marley right now.  Of course, these two are no strangers to one another.  It was Velikov who put Marley on the shelf with a throat injury during the National Title tournament. BW:  WITH the help of Stevie Scott - ironically Marley's partner in this match. GM:  Something that I understand Marley's not too happy about. [Outside the ring, Sweet Daddy Williams lies on the floor haven been thrown into the ring apron by the mighty Hyde.  Hyde pulls Stevie Scott up by the hair, rolling him under the ropes into the ring where Vladimir Velikov is more than happy to stomp the hell out of the former "Comrade Hotshot."] GM:  Velikov's stompin' Stevie.  Marley gets a breather for a moment and- uh oh! [The crazy roar of a giant fills the air as Hyde steps over the ropes into the ring yet again.] GM:  Why is the referee allowing this? BW:  Allowing it?  How does he stop it?  Do you disqualify everyone in the match? [Wild-eyed and nutty, Hyde glares at Vladimir Velikov who begs off, offering a hand of friendship to the giant... ...who replies by booting Velikov squarely in the jaw!] GM:  OHHH! [Hyde stands over the downed Velikov as Mr. Kyoto shouts instructions at him.  From the ring apron, Jarrod O'Lachlan dashes in behind Hyde, leaping onto his back.  Hyde grunts in response - and then DRIVES his body backwards into the corner!] GM:  OHHH! BW:  You can say that again! GM:  I think I just did! [With O'Lachlan gasping for air in the corner, Hyde takes two large steps across the ring, leaping up... ...and bringing all 460 pounds down squarely on the downed Vladimir Velikov.  Hyde rolls off of the Russian, sitting up and staring outside the ring where Mr. Kyoto is attempting to control him. Stevie Scott crawls across the ring, throwing an arm over the downed Vladimir Velikov.] GM:  ONE!  TWO!  THREE! [A frustrated Rick Marley dives at the last second onto Stevie Scott.] MC:  Vladimir Velikov has been ELIMINATED! [Marley kicks at the ropes in anger as Stevie Scott slowly climbs up to his feet, looking at Marley with confusion on his face.] GM:  We're down to eight men in this match - well, nine if you count Hyde. BW:  I think it's twenty-seven if you count Hyde. GM:  Nevertheless, Rick Marley seems to have taken some offense at Stevie Scott pinning Vladimir Velikov right there.  [Marley gestures at Scott, pointing at his throat.] GM:  Maybe some old bad blood boiling over right now? BW:  It's hard to forgive and forget someone who stole your chance at the National Title. GM:  Stevie Scott is apologizing - offering his hand to Marl- OHHHH! [The crowd gasps in confusion as Rick Marley snaps off a superkick under the jaw of Stevie Scott, knocking him flat.  With a wave of his arms, Marley walks out of the ring, heading straight for the entry tunnel.] GM:  Stevie Scott just got laid out - look at this! [Naitomea dives across the downed Scott with a senton splash, rolling over into a lateral press for an easy three count.] MC:  Stevie Scott has been ELIMINATED! [The referee looks outside of the ring, watching Marley exit - and then gives a few words to Melissa.] MC:  The referee has ruled that Rick Marley has also been ELIMINATED! [The crowd boos that decision as they quickly realize the dire situation their fan favorites find themselves in.] GM:  We're down to a two on four!  Sweet Daddy Williams and Scott Pain against Jarrod O'Lachlan, Naitomea, and the Glamour Boys! [Outside the ring, there's a wild disturbance as Colossus Hyde retakes his feet, looking around the ring for more victims.  The Hoff can be heard screaming at his men, shouting at his charges who quickly join their manager at ringside.  There's a brief huddle - and suddenly, all three men leave the ringside area.] BW:  Where are THEY going? GM:  I have no idea.  They're just walking out of here! [The Hoff stops to give a few words to Melissa Cannon before continuing on their path.] MC:  Ladies and gentlemen, The Hoff has decided to withdraw the Glamour Boys from this match under protest of "lax officiating tactics."  The Glamour Boys have been ELIMINATED! [The crowd actually cheers this news as it puts their favorites back into a decent fighting chance.] GM:  We're down to a two-on-two!  Sweet Daddy Williams and Scott Pain taking on Jarrod O'Lachlan and Naitomea!  I guess it's only fitting on this weekend dedicated to tag team wrestling that our elimination match ends with a good old fashioned tag team match. [A deafening roar from Colossus Hyde seems to startle everyone back into reality.] BW:  And then there's Hyde. [Suddenly, in almost a mind meld moment, all four men charge Colossus Hyde.  Pain, Williams, Naitomea, and O'Lachlan all trying in unity to chop the big tree down to a workable size.  A giant ham hock sized right hand grabs O'Lachlan by the hair, dropping him down to the mat with a headbutt.  The left hand hits a mammoth chop across the throat of Naitomea.  With a roar, he wraps both hands around the throat of Scott Pain - powering him up into the air and driving him down with a sitout chokeslam!] GM:  OHHHH MY!  Pain!  IS!  DOWN! [And with that, Colossus Hyde climbs back to his feet, pushing Sweet Daddy Williams back against the buckles.  Naitomea throws himself over the downed Pain.] GM:  ONE!  TWO!  THREE! [Naitomea springs to his feet, ready to attack once more as the announcement is made official.] MC:  Scott Pain has been ELIMINATED! [With Sweet Daddy Williams in the corner, Hyde delivers a mammoth chop that echoes throughout the entire WKIK Studios.  Naitomea stands across the ring from Hyde, not wanting to get anywhere near the giant beast as he drags Sweet Daddy Williams away from the buckles, hoisting him up in a fireman's carry.] GM:  Oh no... oh dear lord no. [Hyde suddenly lunges backwards, crushing the Hotlanta native with a Samoan Drop much to the dismay of the fans.  With the crowd jeering, Colossus Hyde slowly climbs back up to his feet, looking around at the bodies strewn everywhere - and then exits the ring, dipping his head as Kyoto slips the hood back over his head.] GM:  What?  NOW he's leaving? [Seizing the moment, Naitomea charges out of the corner, dragging Jarrod O'Lachlan towards Sweet Daddy Williams - and after a moment, throws the Hotlanta native's arm across O'Lachlan's chest.] GM:  What the-? BW:  Brilliant!  One!  Two!  Three! [The crowd buzzes with confusion as O'Lachlan is eliminated from the match - and then understanding emerges as Naitomea rolls Sweet Daddy Williams onto his back, diving across him for a lateral press.] GM:  One.  Two.  Three. [The bell rings as Naitomea springs to his feet, celebrating his victory.] MC:  Ladies and gentlemen, your winner of the elimination match... NAITOMEA! [The boos are deafening for the sneaky Japanese star as he celebrates his win.] GM:  Naitomea is the winner of the elimination match - through some quite nefarious means to be certain.  Fans, we'll be right back. [The shot holds on Naitomea celebrating and then fades to black. After a moment, we fade back up on a shot of Jason Dane and Mark Stegglet in an apparently moving car.] JD: Hey, AWA fans - so much of our lives are now spent on-the-go, wouldn't you love to be able to keep track of your favorite AWA superstars when you're away from home? MS: I know I would, Jason! And I'd also love to have a place to put out all those rumors we hear during the week that never make AWA Saturday Night Wrestling. JD: You've got that right. Wouldn't it be great if we could combine both of those ideas into one? [Suddenly, a giant graphic of an iPhone appears between them!] JD & MS: NOW WE CAN! [A voiceover takes over - thank God.] VO: Starting today, you can download AWA Access - a great new application for your iPhone where you can get all the AWA news, rumors, and happenings before the rest of the world. And don't forget to check out the "exclusive" section for matches that never aired! AWA Access - coming to an iPhone near you! [Fade back to black... ...and then back up on the backstage area where Jason Dane is standing.] JD: Welcome back, fans! Here on Black Friday Beatdown, we've seen an amazing night of action from our tournament and just moments ago in our wild elimination tag team matchup. Of course, we've got a lot more tournament action still to come as well as our big National Championship match. But let's talk Christmas Clash. [Dane cracks a grin like he's got the best scoop of the night.] JD: Let's talk two HUGE matches that we're going to announce here officially right now. First, earlier tonight, we saw this rivalry reach amazing heights - AMAZING heights. And on Christmas night, we'll see it grow even higher. At Christmas Clash, Mark Shaw will take on Adam Rogers one on one... FINALLY! [Dane pauses for applause that will not come since he's standing backstage. He quickly realizes it and continues.] JD: And our second announcement is just as huge. Last night, Grant Stone and Bobby Taylor battled all over this building to a controversial finish. On Christmas Night, we'll see the rematch. And if my sources are correct, we will see it in one of the most unique matches I've ever heard of. The Championship Committee had so many options that they wanted to consider for that match - falls count anywhere, cage match, street fight, Texas Death... you name it. [Dane smirks.] JD: The match will be known as the Hand Of Destiny. We will start the night with a deck of ten cards - each with a different kind of match on it. Throughout the night, we will draw one card at a time until only one card remains. The one card remaining will have the type of match on it. So, ten dangerous match types - and ZERO time to prepare for the one chosen by fate! Grant Stone and Bobby Taylor will END their rivalry that night in West Dallas - one way or another. [Dane grins at his own handiwork.] JD: Gordon, Bucky - back to you! [We cut back to the ringside area where Gordon and Bucky are standing.] GM: Unbelievable! Rogers and Shaw! Taylor and Stone in the Hand Of Destiny! What in the world could top that for Christmas Clash? Four matches announced in a tremendous lineup already. And don't forget the very first National Tag Team Title defense! It's time for the Semifinals in our tournament to begin - Melissa, it's all yours! [We cut to the ring where Melissa Cannon is standing.] ************************************************************************ *                       AWA NATIONAL TAG TEAM TITLES * *                                       SEMIFINALS: * *      Rough N Ready vs Freeman & Dufresne * ************************************************************************ MC:  The following contest is scheduled for one fall with a thirty minute time limit and is a semifinal match in the tournament to crown the first National Tag Team Champions!  Introducing first... at a total combined weight of 435 pounds... they are the team of "Subzero" Adrian Freeman and "The Ladykiller" Calisto Dufresne! [ZZ Top's "Sharp Dressed Man" starts up to a big blast of boos from the WKIK Studio audience as Dufresne and Freeman make their entrance through the curtain.] GM:  They were the #5 seed going into this tournament.  All that's left is 1, 2, 5, and 6.  Many wondered if their inexperience as a team would hurt them but they've made it to the semifinals by hook or by crook. BW:  I told ya, Gordo.  They've been my pick all along. GM:  I'd argue that one but they're in the semis - you've gotta give 'em that.  Of course, they're also taking on the Number One seed in this whole thing - Rough N Ready. [Dufresne and Freeman look pretty banged up and tired as they climb into the ring, waiting for their opponents.  Dufresne pats his partner on the back with a "It's in the bag!" and a grin.] MC:  And their opponents... [The opening strands of Deep Purple's "Knocking At Your Back Door" kick in, the chords seemingly building anticipation for what is to come. And once the chords reach their crescendo and the drums kick in, that's when Rough N Ready emerges from the entranceway.] MC: They hail from Albuquerque, New Mexico. At a total combined weight of 615 pounds and being accompanied to the ring by their manager, Sarah Sharpe... they are Dave Cooper and Eric Matthew Somers... ROUGH N READY! [Dave Cooper wears black wrestling trunks, matching kneepads and white wrestling boots, and also wears a black T-shirt that says "Rough N Ready" in white lettering. Eric Matthew Somers wears a black singlet and white wrestling boots. Standing in between them is their manager, Sarah Sharpe, dressed in black pants and matching jacket and a white T-shirt. Sarah leads the way, striding towards the ring... but her charges have a slight issue that prevent them from joining her.] GM: What the-?! BW: WAR PIGS! THEY DIDN'T GET ENOUGH OF ROUGH N READY! [Hammer and Sabre charge through the curtain, blindsiding both members of Rough N Ready. Hammer attacks Eric Matthew Somers while Sabre peels off and nails Dave Cooper from behind. Sarah Sharpe screams in shock as the powerful Pigs pummel her men on the concrete floor.] GM: I don't- why?! BW: They don't take losing well? GM: Hammer is battering Somers - got him down on a knee and just keeps pounding and pounding and pounding. Sabre and Cooper are trading shots, trying to- oof! Knee to the gut by Sabre... [Grabbing Cooper by the head, Sabre hurls him under the ropes into the ring where the vulture-like Freeman and Dufresne start stomping and kicking at the ring technician. Cooper attempts to crawl back out of the ring to help his tag team partner but his opponents are having none of it as they pull Cooper off the mat, throwing him back into the corner. The dastardly duo begins laying boots into the body of Cooper, keeping him in the buckles while Hammer and Sabre keep hammering Eric Matthew Somers on the floor.] GM: This is horrible! This is completely uncalled for! We need to get some help out here! [The War Pigs drag Somers off the floor, continuing the assault as they drag him towards the ring.] GM: Are they going to put Somers in as well? Is that the end of- [The crowd collectively GASPS as the War Pigs hurl Somers facefirst into the steel ringpost, causing him to crumple down to the canvas in an absolute heap.] GM: OHHHH! [Inside the ring, Dufresne and Freeman whip Cooper to the ropes, flooring him with a double clothesline. Both men are right back on top of the technician - working him over with stomps and kicks to the body. Dufresne hits the ropes, dropping a knee on the skull of the downed Cooper. Freeman delivers some hard stomps to the chest and ribs as the War Pigs continue to stomp Somers on the floor. The camera cuts outside the ring as the Pigs drag Somers up to his knees, revealing a disgusting cut on his forehead that has already covered his face in sticky crimson.] GM: Oh my... look at that, Bucky. BW: I'm not sure I can. Good lord have mercy. GM: The ringpost split Somers' head wide open - he's bleeding like he'd been stabbed in the head. Hammer's just pummeling that cut, punch after punch to the split open forehead. This is sickening. [The camera zooms in on Hammer, Somers' blood starting to smear onto the torso of Hammer as he strikes the head again and again. Sabre holds Somers' arms behind him, keeping him exposed as his partner batters the big man. Sarah Sharpe screams in horror from a few feet away as Richard Lee cackles with joy, screaming at his men to do more damage. In a sickening display, Hammer leans over and bites the bloody forehead of his victim, causing screams of horror from some of the ringside crowd.] GM: He's trying to rip that cut open more - ripping and tearing with his teeth at the flesh of Eric Matthew Somers! The War Pigs couldn't beat Rough N Ready inside the ring so now they're doing their damndest to take them out of this tournament, Bucky. BW: That's gotta be it. They must be thinking that if they can't win the titles - neither can the men that beat them tonight. This is hard to watch. [Inside the ring, Adrian Freeman slingshots Cooper into a running clothesline from Dufresne, knocking the technician flat. Dufresne dives on top of Cooper, wrapping his hands around his throat, strangling the air out of him. Freeman regains his feet, stomping the downed Cooper over and over in the ribcage as the mat technician struggles for air.] GM: This match hasn't even started yet - I don't even know if it WILL start! How can the match start with one member beaten and bloodied out on the floor, Bucky? BW: If they can't wrestle, they forfeit, right? Freeman and Dufresne get a bye to the finals! GM: Dave Cooper will fight this match alone if he has to. I guarantee you that. BW: They shouldn't let him. He'll end up beaten up worse than Somers is. [On the floor, Hammer has pulled Eric Matthew Somers all the way to his feet again... ...and AGAIN slams him headfirst into the ringpost, causing Somers to collapse on the concrete floor in a bloody heap. Sarah Sharpe throws herself over her fallen charge's body, pleading for mercy. A cackling Richard Lee calls off his War Pigs, patting a blood-covered Hammer on the shoulder before exiting the ringside area to a deafening shower of boos.] GM: They're leaving! Hammer and Sabre have destroyed Eric Matthew Somers, bloodied him horrifically out on the floor and now they're leaving him there, barely conscious. BW: And now the referee doesn't have a choice. He just called for the bell! [A reluctant Marty Meekly calls for the bell to officially start the match, keeping an eye out on the floor where Sarah Sharpe is kneeling, her white t-shirt now covered in crimson as she cries over a downed Somers. Inside the ring, Adrian Freeman has left the ring while Dufresne continues to stomp Cooper into the canvas. Dragging the technician off the mat, Dufresne throws him off the ropes, popping him in the jaw with a flying forearm as he rebounds. With a cocky grin, Dufresne assumes the mount, driving punch after punch to the temple of the downed Cooper.] GM: Dufresne and Freeman are taking it to Dave Cooper and Eric Matthew Somers hasn't even moved out on the floor yet. This is a horrible situation. How could the semifinals of this tournament end up like this? [Climbing back to his feet, Dufresne drags Cooper off the mat as well, drilling him with a right hand that knocks the technician back into the corner where Adrian Freeman quickly slips a forearm across the windpipe, strangling Cooper in the corner while Dufresne drives boot after boot into the body. As the referee's count hits four, Freeman releases his grip allowing Dufresne to set up for a Russian Leg Sweep - but diving forward, smashing Cooper's face into the canvas!] GM: OHHH! Dufresne with a reverse Russian Leg Sweep - and there's a cover! [The count reaches two before Cooper fires a shoulder off the mat. An angry Dufresne pops to his feet, stomping Cooper in the chest. He reaches down, grabbing Cooper's wrist and dragging him over towards the ropes. Dufresne kneels down, throwing Cooper's neck over the bottom rope. The Ladykiller leans on the back of his head, strangling him over the ropes. The referee's count reaches four as Dufresne breaks, backing away as a teary-eyed Sarah Sharpe screams support at Cooper, standing over the bloodied Somers.] GM: Look at poor Sarah Sharpe - those War Pigs and Lee - I still can't believe it. BW: Check this out, Gordo. GM: Disgusting. [Kneeling next to Cooper, Dufresne hangs onto his hair, shoving his face through the ropes and showing him Sharpe and Somers.] "LOOK AT 'EM, OLD MAN! LOOK AT YOUR FRIENDS!" [A hard kick to the ribs causes Cooper to roll over onto his back. Dufresne grabs him by the legs, falling back and snapping Cooper's throat into the middle rope. The crowd jeers as Dufresne sits up, his chin resting on his fist as he smirks at the referee reprimanding him. The Ladykiller rolls to his feet, walking across the ring where he slaps the hand of Adrian Freeman.] GM: Freeman makes the tag, dragging Cooper away from the ropes... ohh! Hard elbow driven into the throat of Cooper! One! Two! No - Cooper gets the shoulder up in time. BW: We've got a medical team coming out here to help Somers now. GM: It's about time. He's in serious danger with all that blood loss. [Freeman drags Cooper off the mat, connecting with a hard European uppercut that puts Cooper in the buckles. The Australian quickly follows in - and gets popped in the jaw with a right hand that pops the crowd as well. Freeman throws a big chop in response - and gets drilled with a right hand that causes Freeman to fall backwards to a knee. Cooper quickly hurls Freeman across the ring.] GM: Cooper's fighting back - BIIIIIIIG BACKDROP! [The crowd cheers for Cooper as he stumbles back against the ropes. He gestures for Freeman to get up - and then levels him with a running clothesline! The crowd roars for his fighting spirit as he falls into the ropes again, looking right down at Somers and Sharpe. A concerned look covers his face as he looks down at his bloodied partner... ...and gets completely distracted, missing Calisto Dufresne planting a knee into his back, sending him through the ropes and out to the floor!] GM: OHH! Cheap shot by Dufresne! [The Ladykiller follows Cooper out to the floor, pulling him off and dragging him over to the exposed concrete. A furious Sarah Sharpe fires a few words in the direction of Dufresne and has to be restrained as Dufresne fires a few right back at her.] GM: What a jerk! How dare he speak to a lady like that? BW: There's a lady out here? All I see is that Sharpe broad. GM: Bucky! [Smirking at Sharpe, Dufresne blows a kiss at her before thrusting his hips in her direction - an action that causes an angry husband to yank Dufresne's legs out from under him, pounding away on the Ladykiller out on the concrete floor. The fans roar and Sharpe cheers her man on as Dufresne rolls him over, fleeing the scene as a fired-up Cooper follows closely behind.] GM: Look at that coward run! Not so tough now, is he? [Outside the ring, the EMTs have managed to get Eric Matthew Somers up on his feet, helping him towards the locker room as Dufresne rolls under the bottom rope, Dave Cooper in hot pursuit.] GM: Cooper's right behind him! Dufresne off the ropes... [And Cooper catches the Ladykiller coming in, spinning him around... ...and DRIVING Dufresne into the canvas with a spinebuster!] GM: OHHHHH! [But as soon as Cooper gets back to his feet, he catches a knee to the kidneys from Freeman who hooks him around the neck, snapping him down to the mat with a leaping reverse neckbreaker!] GM: Oh!! Cover by Freeman! ONE!! TWO!! THR- SHOULDER UP! [Freeman fires a few right hands to the side of Cooper's face before grabbing his legs.] GM: Freeman's going for the Deep Freeze! He's trying to finish- [The crowd cheers as Cooper powers out, kicking Freeman away to the corner. Cooper pops up to his feet, hopping up to the midbuckle where he starts throwing right hands to the head of the cornered Australian. The crowd counts along with every blow, reaching ten before Cooper drops down off the ropes. He grabs Freeman by the wrist, whipping him across the ring, sending him hard to the corner. Freeman staggers out of the far corner - allowing Cooper to do a full 360 turn and BLAST the Australian right under the jaw with a Rolling Elbow!] GM: OHHHH! [Cooper dives onto the downed Freeman, reaching back to hook a leg.] GM: ONE!! TWO!! THR- [The crowd explodes in boos as Calisto Dufresne dives onto the back of Cooper, breaking up the pin attempt. He yanks Cooper up to his feet, pulling him into a front facelock.] GM: NO! [Feeling the match ending, Cooper lunges forward, slamming Dufresne's back into the turnbuckles. He mounts the midbuckle again, driving right hands down into the head of the Ladykiller. But this time, as he reaches the count of seven, Dufresne slips free and uses the back of Cooper's trunks to pull him down hard, slamming the back of his head into the canvas!] GM: DUFRESNE TAKES HIM DOWN!! [The Ladykiller delivers a few hard stomps to the head, pulling Cooper off the mat and whipping him across the ring. He delivers a boot to the midsection, lacing his leg over the back of Cooper's neck, and leaping into the air, DRIVING Cooper's face into the canvas!] GM: COVER! ONE!! TWO!!! THRE- NO! NO! COOPER KICKS OUT! [Back on his feet, Adrian Freeman takes his turn, dragging Cooper off the mat. He hoists Cooper in the air as Dufresne hits the ropes right behind him. Freeman brings him down hard in an inverted atomic drop as Dufresne runs at him, blasting Cooper with a running clothesline as Freeman ducks down!] GM: OHH! GREAT DOUBLETEAM! BW: Another cover - ONE!! TWO!! THR- GM: Cooper gets the shoulder up! Come on, Dave! BW: Hey! You're supposed to be unbiased! GM: Excuse me if I can't stomach the thought of these two slimebags as the tag team champions! [The duo pair off, stomping the hell out of Dave Cooper and ignoring the referee's demands that one of them leave the ring. Freeman drags Cooper up off the mat by the back of the trunks, shoving him to Dufresne who hooks a front facelock.] GM: Oh no - oh no, somebody stop this! BW: They're REALLY going to do him in now! [The Ladykiller hoists Cooper up for a suplex, setting his legs down on the shoulders of Adrian Freeman who holds him steady as Dufresne switches to a front facelock.] GM: They're going for an assisted Wham Bam Thank You Ma'am! If they hit this, it's- [Suddenly, the crowd EXPLODES as a bloodied Eric Matthew Somers emerges from the locker room, shoving aside protesting AWA officials and medical team members as he stampedes towards the ring.] GM: SOMERS IS COMING TO THE RING! ERIC MATTHEW SOMERS IS COMING TO THE RING! I DON'T BELIEVE IT! BW: This can't be happening! [The absolutely crimson-covered Somers stumbles towards the ring, trying to pull himself up onto the ring apron as a surprised Dufresne loses his grip on Cooper, allowing him to slip down to the mat. Dufresne points at Somers as the big man slaps the turnbuckles wearily, trying to cheer on his partner.] "YOU! IT CAN'T BE!" [Suddenly, Dave Cooper seizes his chance, crawling between the legs of Adrian Freeman, throwing himself into the air.] GM: TAG! [The crowd hits their loudest point of the evening as Eric Matthew Somers tags himself into the ring, charging towards a stunned Freeman and Dufresne, bowling both men over with a running double clothesline. He ends up in the other corner, breathing heavily from the exertion as both rulebreakers flail away on the mat. A fired-up Somers turns around, pumping a fist in the air as he reaches down to pull Freeman off the mat.] GM: He's got Freeman - scoooop... PRESS! [The crowd erupts as Somers fully extends his arms, pressing Freeman high overhead... ...and HURLING him over the ropes to the floor!] GM: OHHHH MY! [Still fired-up, Somers turns his attention to Calisto Dufresne who is kneeling on the canvas, clutching his own hand. Somers grabs him by the hair, pulling him to his feet as the referee checks on Dave Cooper who is collapsed in the corner.] GM: Somers pulls Dufresne off the mat to his fe- OH! [The crowd gasps as Dufresne uncorks a massive right hand to the jaw of the bloodied and weary Somers who absolutely collapses to the canvas. Dufresne quickly tucks his hand down the front of his trunks before diving onto the downed Somers.] GM: What the- [The referee turns around to find an unconscious Somers on the mat with Dufresne covering him.] GM: NO! BW: ONE!!! TWO!!! THREE!!! THEY DID IT! THEY DID IT! "DING! DING! DING!" [The crowd roars with a mixture of disgust and shock as Dufresne rolls from the ring, pulling Freeman off the mat and helping drag him towards the locker room area.] MC: Your winners of the match, advancing to the Finals of this tournament... the team of Calisto Dufresne and Adrian Freeman! [The boos grow louder as an exhaused Dave Cooper crawls over to the downed Somers, kneeling next to him as they're joined in the ring by a teary-eyed and blood-covered Sarah Sharpe. Cooper shakes his head in disbelief as he and Sharpe discuss what happened.] GM: I can't believe it. I can't believe what I just saw. Dufresne knocked out Eric Matthew Somers with one punch? Are you kidding me? Something happened... something must have happened. BW: He lost a lot of blood, Gordo. It makes sense he'd be dropped with one shot. GM: Perhaps. Fans, I am shocked quite frankly. I have to admit that I thought Rough N Ready would be advancing to the Finals. But I was wrong - we all were wrong... BW: Except for me. GM: And now Freeman and Dufresne are one win away from being the AWA's first National Tag Team Champions. Unbelievable. Fans, don't go- wait a second... Jason Dane's got breaking news! Go back there now! [The camera cuts to the locker room area where a frazzled Jason Dane is looking wide-eyed off camera.] JD: Are we on? There! Over there! [The camera turns to the side, casting a light on a dazed Adrian Freeman and Calisto Dufresne standing nearby talking to Richard Lee. All three men are laughing and a very visible white envelope is handed from Dufresne to Lee who peeks inside before laughing even louder than before.] JD: Gentlemen, can you explain what is going on over- [Having been confronted, Freeman and Dufresne make a run for it while the War Pigs' manager sticks around with a wide grin on his face.] JD: Richard Lee, what did we just witness? [Lee grins at Dane and slaps the envelope against his palm.] RL: Payment... for a job well done I'd say. [Lee slaps the envelope against the chest of Dane before walking out of view. A stunned Jason Dane fills the screen as we fade away... ...to a shot of a loving family around a crackling fire on what appears to be Christmas morning. The young son looks disappointed as he pulls a pair of socks from a box.] Son: Socks... again. Thanks, Mom And Dad. [The boy grabs a smaller nearby box. We catch a shot of the mother winking at her husband as the boy starts to tear away the wrapping paper. After a moment, he pulls out an envelope and cries out.] Son: TICKETS TO TONIGHT'S AWA SHOW! THANKS, MOM AND DAD! [The son throws himself into embraces with his parents as he beams at the tickets clutched in his hand.] Voiceover: Christmas night! The AWA brings all your favorite superstars to town for the final show of 2008! You do NOT want to miss it! [Fade away from info on the show back to Jason Dane in the interview spot.] JD: Welcome back, fans. Just moments ago, we saw what we can only assume was Adrian Freeman and Calisto Dufresne delivering payment to Richard Lee for the War Pigs' assault on Rough N Ready. We HAVE to assume that's what we saw. And the Championship Committee assumes the same. They have just revealed to me that at Christmas Clash, if Eric Matthew Somers is cleared to compete, Rough N Ready will take on The War Pigs in what should be quite the return match considering what we just saw. Back to ringside! [We cut back to the ringside area where the announcers are standing.] GM: Thanks for that news, Jason. Considering what they cost Rough N Ready, the War Pigs may be in for the worst night of their night at Christmas Clash. But whatever happens that night doesn't change the fact that Rough N Ready are eliminated from this tournament and the team of Freeman and Dufresne are in the Finals. BW: Just like I predicted, daddy. GM: The only question left is who will join them there. Will it be the Wild Card squad of Juan Vasquez and Raphael Rhodes or can Kentucky's Pride outlast their younger challengers to make it to the title match they came to the AWA for? We're about to find out so let's go up to Melissa! ************************************************************************ *                       AWA NATIONAL TAG TEAM TITLES * *                                       SEMIFINALS: * *      Vasquez & Rhodes vs Kentucky's Pride * ************************************************************************ [We cut to the ring where Melissa is standing.] MC: The following contest is scheduled for one fall with a thirty minute time limit. It is the last semifinal match with the winner facing Calisto Dufresne and Adrian Freeman in the Final match to determine National Tag Team Champions. Introducing first... at a total combined weight of 439 pounds... they are the Wild Card team of "Catch Thug" Raphael Rhodes and Juan Vasquez! ["Return of the Tres" by Delinquent Habits starts up to a loud cheer from the AWA crowd. The curtain parts and the makeshift duo of Juan Vasquez and Raphael Rhodes walk into view. Vasquez visibly upset at having to walk to the ring with Raphel Rhodes, his eyes burning a hole in the back of the Catch Thug's head.] GM: This team shouldn't be here, Bucky. Plain and simple. BW: Are you serious? There are very few teams in this entire business with the talent level of these two men. GM: They're very talented but Raphael Rhodes is a savage, a bully, a punk. Juan Vasquez should have refused to team with him in this semifinal matchup. He was as disgusted by Rhodes' actions in the quarterfinal as any of us were. BW: There's gold in his eyes, Gordo. I told you Vasquez is the same gold digger he's always been. [Inside the ring, Vasquez leans in the corner, never taking his eyes off of his partner who tugs on the ropes to loosen up.] MC: And their opponents... ["My Old Kentucky Home" by Stephen C. Foster kicks in to a tremendous ovation from the crowd.] MC: At a total combined weight of 583 pounds... they are Tin Can Rust and City Jack... KENTUCKY'S PRIDE! [The cheers become deafening as City Jack and Tin Can Rust walk through the curtain. Jack is immediately his charismatic self, pointing to the crowd, leaning in to slap hands with his fans. Tin Can Rust is a little more subdued, slapping an occasional hand but keeping his eyes locked on the ring. After a few moments, both men climb the steps, slipping through the ropes into the ring. City Jack steps up to the midbuckle, soaking up the cheers of the fans while TCR takes a long, hard look across the ring.] GM: Tin Can Rust, again, is all business in there as he wants SO badly to become the AWA National Tag Team Champions. That's the whole reason he and City Jack came to the AWA in the first place. They want that gold so badly. BW: Look at this, Gordo - Vasquez and Rhodes are having words already. GM: It looks like Vasquez wants to start the match. Rhodes doesn't seem real eager to let that happen, Bucky. BW: He won the last match singlehandedly. Why should he let Vasquez ruin that? GM: Juan Vasquez has beaten some of the biggest names in our sport. How would he ruin their chances to become the National Tag Team Champions? [Vasquez and Rhodes square off, trading words loudly as the referee moves in to try to settle the issue. After a bit more, Rhodes simply shrugs his shoulders and exits the ring to leave Vasquez behind. On the other side of the ring, City Jack pats Tin Can Rust on the shoulder and points at Vasquez. Rust nods his head, exiting the ring as well.] GM: We've got City Jack starting things off with Juan Vasquez - and the fans certainly like the idea of that. Listen to these fans as the bell rings to start this one off. Two teams left but only one more spot in the Finals to fill. [Both men dance out of their corners, circling around to look for an opening - and lunge into a collar and elbow tieup. Jack braces himself, resisting as Vasquez pushes harder and harder against the much bigger man. After a bit, Jack lets loose a whoop as he shows off his power and shoves Vasquez across the ring and down to the mat to a big cheer from the crowd. With a big grin on his face, Jack does a quick jig, bouncing back and forth from foot to foot to the roar of the fans.] GM: City Jack is havin' a good time in there as usual, Bucky. BW: That's the problem, Gordo. Tin Can Rust has been all business in this tournament but his partner keeps letting his jokin' jukin' jiggin' side slip through the cracks. It could cost them big in the end. [Jack is still dancing around a bit as Vasquez pulls himself using the ropes, nodding his head in respect at the big Southerner. After a moment, he strides out of the corner again, hooking in a tieup. The two men struggle against one another again for a moment before Vasquez drops down to the mat, scissoring the legs of Jack to take him down with a drop toehold. The Los Angeles native floats over the back of Jack, spinning his entire body round and round on the back of City Jack for a bit before popping up to his feet, wiggling his hips back and forth in something bordering on a bit obscene. He grins widely at the fans' reaction, reaching down to shake the hand of City Jack as the big man pushes up to his feet.] GM: Both men back up now on their feet - and again, listen to these fans. They really like these two. And a good show of sportsmanship there between those two men. [Vasquez looks over to his corner where his partner is faking a yawn. Rhodes waves Vasquez back into the fray as he puts his head down on the top turnbuckle to feign napping some more.] GM: And while Raphael Rhodes may not be impressed with his partner, I think these fans are for sure. BW: Yeah, but who cares what these nickel-and-dimers think? GM: You are too much, Bucky Wilde. [The two men tie up in the middle of the ring again, City Jack quickly applying a headlock. Vasquez looks for a way out but finds nothing, instead backing into the ropes where he sends the big Southerner for the ride. Vasquez drops down as Jack rebounds, causing Jack to hop over him as he continues running. On the way back, Vasquez leapfrogs over the oncoming Jack. As Jack comes back the third time, Vasquez attempts a standing clothesline that Jack ducks, stopping in his tracks and turning around with his forearm cocked back and ready to fire.] GM: METROPI- no! [Vasquez backrolls away from the forearm attempt, rolling up to his feet in a fighting position. The fans cheer both men again as they square off in the standoff for a moment. With a grin, City Jack jigs over towards the corner where Tin Can Rust slaps his hand to tag into the match. A focused TCR steps through the ring, locking his eyes on Juan Vasquez whose demeanor changes quite a bit. Vasquez starts to move in on Rust who lifts a hand and points squarely at Raphael Rhodes.] GM: Uh oh! Tin Can Rust wants a shot at the Catch Thug! BW: That could the biggest mistake of his lonnnnnng life, Gordo. GM: Rust wants Vasquez to make the tag... [Obviously annoyed, Vasquez walks to the corner, slapping his partner hard on the shoulder. A smirking Rhodes slips through the ropes into the ring. He turns towards Vasquez.] "Watch and see how a man does it." [Vasquez shakes his head, waving Rhodes into the match. The Catch Thug strides out of the corner towards Tin Can Rust, trashtalking the entire time as he walks towards him. He gets closer and closer, still running his mouth.] GM: This jerk Rhodes is really runni- ohh! [The crowd cheers as the grizzled veteran rears back and SLAPS Rhodes hard across the face!] GM: What a slap! That oughta teach this kid some respect for those that came before him! [Rhodes seethes for a moment, looking away from Rust. He runs a hand over his slapped cheek... ...and then returns the favor with seemingly even more fire and impact!] GM: OHHH! Rhodes slaps him right back and- [The crowd EXPLODES as Rust throws a right hand, knocking Rhodes backwards. A brutal knife-edge chop follows, causing Rhodes to stumble back into the turnbuckles. The brawler moves in on Rhodes, popping him repeatedly with heavy right hands to the side of the head. Rhodes, feeling the impact, clings to the ropes to stay on his feet. Rust has him cornered, throwing blows to the body but Rhodes quickly spins him around in the buckles, uncorking a chop of his own.] GM: These two are beating the tar out of each other! It looks like a drunken bar brawl in there right now! [With Rust against the buckles, Rhodes pulls his head down, blasting him under the chin with a rising European uppercut that snaps Rust's head back. Pinning him in the corner, Rhodes throws a wild elbow strike to the side of the face, knocking Rust down to a knee. Holding him by the head, Rhodes throws knee after knee after knee to the face of the veteran, knocking him flat where a stomping attack by Rhodes causes Rust to roll under the ropes and out to the floor.] GM: Raphael Rhodes sends Tin Can Rust scurrying to the floor. Rhodes has quickly become one of the toughest, most feared competitors in the entire AWA and what he did to Kaden Oats, while disgusting, will only add to that reputation. BW: I wouldn't want to tumble with him in a dark alley, daddy. GM: Me neither. [Rust climbs back up the ringsteps, shaking his head as he steps through the ropes, and gets caught with a huge chop across the chest. Rhodes throws the veteran back against the turnbuckles, moving in on him again - and getting caught square in the nose with a right hand that came from waaaaay back. The Catch Thug stumbles backwards but gets grabbed by the head, held in place as Rust winds up and slugs him right in the nose for a second time.] GM: And now it's Tin Can Rust working over Rhodes! He grabs Rhodes around the neck- ohh! Throws him back in the corner! [Holding Rhodes by the mohawk, Rust slams another clenched fist into the bridge of the nose and a second that knocks Rhodes down to a seated position in the corner. Rust ignores the protesting referee, delivering a hard kick to the heart of the stunned Rhodes. The referee steps in but Rust shoves him aside, delivering yet another hard kick to the heart!] GM: Tin Can Rust is out of control a bit - I've never seen him put his hands on a referee like that! There's no call for that - no matter how badly you want to be the tag team champions! BW: Wow - after all those months of me telling the truth about this bum, you're finally seeing the light, Gordo? GM: I don't approve of touching an official under any circumstances - you know that. [A third kick finds the mark as the referee steps in, forcing Rust back and allowing Rhodes to regain his feet. As Rust nudges past the referee, he winds up and delivers another bone-rattling punch to the face. But this time, Rhodes fires back with a backhand chop!] GM: Raphael Rhodes is fighting ba- ohh! Look at the headbutt by Rust! [The headbutt causes Rhodes to fall back into the buckles again but as Rust approaches, Rhodes connects with another chop before driving home a crushing headbutt that knocks Rust down to a knee.] GM: Good grief! [Grabbing Rust by the head, Rhodes slams his skull into Rust's again, this time opening a small cut on the forehead of the veteran.] GM: He split Rust's head open with a headbutt?! BW: These two guys are beating the tar out of one another! Vasquez and City Jack are in shock. Now THESE two men want to be the tag team champions, daddy! GM: Rhodes pulls him up... Irish whip... [And as Rust rebounds back, Rhodes winds up and blasts him across the pectorals, knocking the veteran down to the mat. The veteran rolls out to the apron, clutching his chest. He drags himself off the mat using the ropes. Rhodes quickly moves in, blasting him across the chest with another chop.] GM: He's trying to knock Rust off the apron! [Rust hangs onto the top rope strand with both hands as Rhodes winds up and unleashes another big chop, knocking Rust down to a knee out on the apron. The Catch Thug hits the far ropes, rebounding back... ...and SLAMMING his knee into the face of a kneeling Rust, sending him sailing off the apron and down to the floor below!] GM: OHH! Running knee finds the mark on Tin Can Rust! [With the referee reprimanding him, Rhodes waves him off and orders him to start the count on Tin Can Rust.] GM: The count starts up - and while it may not be the most satisfying way to win a match, you can bet Raphael Rhodes will take a victory that moves his team into the Finals any way he can get it right now. BW: As well he should, Gordo. A satisfying win in a match that could ultimately give you a title belt is any win you can get. Don't try to play it down by saying it's "just a countout." If Rust can't get back in the ring, Rhodes is carrying Vasquez all the way to the Finals of the tournament. GM: That's not going to happen. Tin Can Rust is crawling back towards the ring already. City Jack is cheering him on, trying to get him back inside the ring to keep the fight going. [Rust pulls himself up using the ropes - and then drags himself under the ropes to the cheers of the crowd. Rhodes delivers a hard kick to the ribcage of the grizzled veteran before dragging him off the mat to his feet where a thunderous European uppercut sends him falling back into the corner.] GM: Rhodes on the attack - big whip from corner to corner... [The Catch Thug charges across the ring at top speed, turning at the last moment to deliver a back elbow - but Tin Can Rust dives out of the way, causing Rhodes to slam backfirst in the buckles. As Rhodes staggers out, Rust reaches his corner and slaps the hand of City Jack who charges in and pops the dazed Rhodes with a running clothesline that knocks Rhodes down to the mat.] GM: Down goes Rhodes! [Jack jigs around the fallen Rhodes as the Catch Thug slowly makes his way back to his feet - and gets CREAMED with a Metropill that knocks Rhodes flat. With the crowd roaring, Jack drops a big elbow across the chest of Rhodes. He quickly gets back up, dropping the elbow once again. Then up again... then down again... then up again... and a long pause as Jack sucks wind into his body.] GM: A series of elbowdrops on Raphael Rhodes by City Jack - and one more tops it off! [The crowd cheers for the final elbowdrop as the referee dives to the mat to cover.] GM: ONE! TWO! [But Rhodes easily kicks out in time to break the pin attempt. City Jack pushes himself back up to his feet, reaching down to drag Rhodes off the mat, uncorking a right hand that causes Rhodes to fall back in the buckles. Grabbing him by the arm, Jack whips Rhodes into the buckles. As the Catch Thug rebounds out, Jack sends him sailing through the air and down to the mat with a backdrop!] GM: BIIIIIIG BACK BODYDROP BY CITY JACK! [Jack jigs around the ring, sending the crowd into a frenzy as he measures Rhodes who slowly gets to his feet... ...and gets wrapped up in a bearhug!] GM: HE'S GOING FOR THE METROBOOM! [But before he can execute the belly-to-belly suplex, Rhodes rakes his fingers across the eyes of City Jack, temporarily blinding him. The Catch Thug stumbles away, throwing himself towards his corner where Juan Vasquez tags himself into the ring. Vasquez comes in to huge cheers from the crowd, hooking Jack in a fireman's carry, somehow powering him up onto his shoulders.] GM: Whoa! Show of power by Juan Vasquez! [And to show off a little more, Vasquez shoves Jack up and over his head, dumping him down on his bent knee.] GM: OHH! Gutbuster on City Jack! [Jack rolls over to his back from the impact, exposing his midsection as Vasquez races off the ropes, rebounding back and taking to the air, slamming down across Jack with a Tommy Stephens style senton!] GM: Vasquez with a cover! ONE!! TWO!! TH- Shoulder up! [Vasquez rolls off the downed Jack to his feet and promptly drops back down with an elbowdrop. And just as City Jack did moments ago, Vasquez now repeatedly gets off the mat and drops elbows down across his foe's chest and midsection. The final time he stands, he takes a couple steps away before executing a picture perfect standing moonsault down onto City Jack!] GM: BACKFLIP SPLASH!! ONE!! TWO!! THR- NO! [The crowd roars for the near fall as Vasquez slaps the mat in frustration. He climbs to his feet, dragging Jack into the turnbuckles where he seats him against the ropes. He promptly drives knee after knee into the face of the downed Southerner before racing to the far ropes, running back, and DRIVING one final knee to the face of City Jack to the mixed reaction of the crowd!] GM: Look at Vasquez! He can smell it, he can taste it! There's gold in the air! He is one win away from fighting for the AWA National Tag Team Titles and he's so close, he can almost see himself strapping that title belt around his waist! [Dragging Jack across the ring towards the Vasquez/Rhodes corner, Juan leans over and props Jack up in a seated position on the top rope. The crowd roars as Vasquez starts to climb the ropes - and then explodes in jeers as Raphael Rhodes tags himself into the ring. The Catch Thug shoves past Vasquez to start climbing the ropes himself. He reaches the midbuckle, slinging Jack's arm over his neck.] GM: Rhodes is going for it all here! He's got that dangerous superplex in his arsenal! [But as Rhodes starts to go for the suplex, Jack starts to fight back, throwing right hands to the body of the Catch Thug. A few blows to the ribs softens him up and a wildly swung forearm smash sends Rhodes sailing off the ropes and down to the mat. With Rhodes down, Jack stands on the middle rope for a moment, soaking up the cheers from the crowd but as the Englishman stands... ...Jack HURLS himself into the air, hitting a Metropill-style forearm smash across the jaw of Rhodes, sending him flipping end over end and down to the mat! DEAFENING ROAR from the crowd!] GM: MIDDLE ROPE METROPILL!! OHHH MY!!! [With both men down, Jack starts crawling towards the corner where Tin Can Rust is waiting, arm outstretched. Across the ring, Raphael Rhodes lies flat on his back, chest heaving in and out as he tries to recover from the huge blow.] GM: Rust is ready! Rust is waiting! City Jack is trying to get to the corner to make the tag! [As Jack inches closer, Rhodes rolls towards his corner where Juan Vasquez is waiting with his arm outstretched. The Catch Thug actually manages to make the tag first - just a moment before a lunging City Jack does the same!] GM: DOUBLE TAG! [The grizzled veteran storms into the ring where Juan Vasquez is waiting, hooking Rust under the arm, taking him up and over to a roar from the capacity crowd! And as Rust starts to stir, Vasquez leaves his feet, popping him in the back of the head with an enzugiri!] GM: OHHHH! [The crowd is stunned by the head kick that leaves Rust staggered and barely able to stand. Vasquez quickly jumps up to the middle rope, leaping into the air for a double axehandle blow... ...but gets snatched out of the sky over the shoulder of Rust!] GM: RUST CATCHES HIM! [And with a powerful throw, DRIVES Vasquez down to the canvas with a bone-rattling sidewalk slam!] GM: OHHH! COVER! ONE!! TWO!! THR- NO! SHOULDER UP! [An angry Rust glares at the referee as he drags Vasquez off the mat, drilling him with a haymaker that sends Vasquez spiraling back into the turnbuckles. Rust grabs him by the arm, throwing him from corner to corner.] GM: Vasquez hits the buckles hard - and here comes Rust! [The veteran runs at top speed... ...and comes up empty as Vasquez drops down to a knee, causing Rust to smash his face and chest to the buckles. As Vasquez stands, he has Rust slung over his shoulder, quickly pulling him into position for the Air Raid Crash known as the City Of Angels.] GM: Vasquez walking out of the buckles - Rust over the shoulders. BW: If he hits this, it's over! GM: Vasquez trying to keep him on the shoulder... trying to hold onto him... [And in doing so, he wanders too close to his own corner where Raphael Rhodes slaps him on the shoulder just before he races out, DRIVING the back of Rust's head into the mat with the City of Angels! Vasquez quickly covers only to get tapped on the shoulder by the referee who waves him off, pointing at Rhodes who is scaling the buckles.] GM: Rhodes made a blind tag! He tagged himself into the ring and- BW: Vasquez is livid! [An irate Juan Vasquez is screaming at Rhodes who reaches the top rope, pauses, and then swandives off the perch with a flying headbutt... ...that SMASHES into the skull of Tin Can Rust!] GM: OHHHHH! HEADBUTT OFF THE TOP!!! BW: But that took a lot out of Rhodes as well! He can't make a cover! [The crowd roars, trying to cheer on Tin Can Rust as Raphael Rhodes rolls around on the mat, holding his own skull. After a few moments, he rolls close enough to Rust to sling an arm over his chest as the referee dives down to count.] GM: ONE!!! TWO!!! THRE- NO!! SHOULDER UP! SHOULDER UP! [Still hurting from the headbutt, Rhodes is holding his own head as he pushes himself up off the mat. He grabs Rust by the head, pulling him up to his feet, shoving him back to the ropes. When Rust comes off the ropes, Rhodes buries a boot in the gut.] GM: I think - did City Jack make the tag there? BW: I didn't see one. GM: I think he did! [Rhodes pulls Rust into a standing headscissors near the corner, gesturing for a piledriver.] GM: He's calling for a piledriver! We've never seen one in the AWA before! BW: If he hits this, he may end Rust's career, daddy! [The smaller Rhodes strains and struggles, trying to get Tin Can Rust up into the air... ...and completely failing to notice City Jack as he climbs up the turnbuckles to the roar of the crowd. He pauses up top, waiting for just the right instant when Rhodes looks up, a sudden blast of fear in his eyes as Jack hurls his massive body from his perch, crashing down onto Rhodes with a cross body press that takes him down to the mat to a deafening cheer from the crowd!] GM: CROSSBODY OFF THE TOP!! ONE!!! TWO!!! THREEEEEEEE!!!! "DING! DING! DING!" MC: Your winners of the match - advancing to the Finals - KENTUCKY'S PRIDE! [The crowd roars even louder for the announcement as City Jack pushes up off the mat, helping Tin Can Rust up as well.] GM: The big crossbody off the top seals it for Kentucky's Pride, sending them on to the Finals of the tournament where their longtime rivals Adrian Freeman and Calisto Dufresne are waiting for them. BW: That's gonna be one heck of a showdown, daddy! GM: You've got that right. Fans, don't go away - we'll be right back! [The camera holds on Kentucky's Pride celebrating before fading to black. After a moment, we fade back up on a shot of Jason Dane and Mark Stegglet in an apparently moving car.] JD: Hey, AWA fans - so much of our lives are now spent on-the-go, wouldn't you love to be able to keep track of your favorite AWA superstars when you're away from home? MS: I know I would, Jason! And I'd also love to have a place to put out all those rumors we hear during the week that never make AWA Saturday Night Wrestling. JD: You've got that right. Wouldn't it be great if we could combine both of those ideas into one? [Suddenly, a giant graphic of an iPhone appears between them!] JD & MS: NOW WE CAN! [A voiceover takes over - thank God.] VO: Starting today, you can download AWA Access - a great new application for your iPhone where you can get all the AWA news, rumors, and happenings before the rest of the world. And don't forget to check out the "exclusive" section for matches that never aired! AWA Access - coming to an iPhone near you! [Fade back to black... And then back up to live action.] ************************************************************************ *                       AWA NATIONAL TITLE MATCH * *                                                          * *      Kolya Sudakov vs Bruno Verhoeven * ************************************************************************ MC: The following contest is scheduled for one fall with a sixty minute time limit and is for the AWA National Title. Introducing first... [As the haunting tunes of John Carpenter's "Halloween Theme" start to creep over the PA, the huge shape of Bruno Verhoeven steps into the aisle.] MC: Standing 6'8 and weighing in at 285 pounds... from Berlin, Germany... he is the Butcher... BRUUUUUUUNOOOOO VERHOEVEN! [For a moment, the young German's eyes wander around the arena, disgust obvious on his face as his cheeks turn a bright shade of red. He then marches toward the ring, not acknowledging the crowd at all anymore. His movements are tense, almost rigid, and his jaw is working all the time. Bruno slowly climbs the ring steps, pushes down the top rope and climbs over it into the ring. Verhoeven takes a moment to glare at the referee before he moves into the center of the ring and raise a gloved fist above his head. The salute lasts only a few seconds before he lumbers back into his corner.] GM: Verhoeven made this challenge - the Championship Committee made it official for tonight. And you can be certain that Kolya Sudakov has never faced a challenge of this size. BW: Sudakov's a big, big guy but Verhoeven is bigger. He's stronger. And he just might be tougher. The Russian War Machine's in for one heck of a fight, Gordo. [Verhoeven glares towards the entrance, waiting for his opponent to arrive as Melissa continues.] MC: And his opponent... [The Russian National Anthem kicks in to an enormous shower of boos from the WKIK faithful.] MC: Standing 6'2 and weighing in at 260 pounds... he is the Russian War Machine and the current AWA National Champion... KOOOOOLYAAAAA SUUUUUDAKOVVVV!!! [The boos increase as Sudakov strides through the entrance curtain. He's dressed in a pair of red and black MMA style trunks with the Soviet hammer and sickle across the rear. The title belt is slung over his shoulder as he marches towards the ring.] GM: Noticeable by his absence is Vladimir Velikov - probably still nursing his wounds from the elimination tag earlier in the night. But I believe this is the first time that Sudakov has come to the ring without his Uncle. That could be very important to the outcome of this match, Bucky. BW: No advice, no guidance, no one to keep him focused. Sudakov had better be on his A game if he wants to walk out of here tonight with the National Title still around his waist. [Sudakov steps through the ropes into the ring, immediately handing the title belt to Mickey Meekly - and then charging across the ring, leaping into the air to smash a surprised Verhoeven across the jaw with a forearm smash.] GM: Whoa! The champion comes out of nowhere on the attack! BW: Sudakov's got something to prove too, Gordo. He's been angry at the talk that he's a paper champion - that he couldn't have beaten Ron Houston at full strength - that he hasn't faced real competition yet for that belt. He's out to throttle Verhoeven and prove a point. [Slinging Verhoeven's arms over the top rope, Sudakov blasts him across the chest with a skin-blistering knife-edge chop that causes Verhoeven to stagger out of the corner to the opposite side of the ring where he collapses against the buckles again. The Russian War Machine stalks across as well, chopping the Butcher hard enough to be heard out on the streets of Dallas again.] GM: Ohh! What a pair of chops by the champion! Immediately going right after the challenger, taking it to him. [Verhoeven wobbles away from the corner, clinging to the top rope as he falls backwards into the third corner. Sudakov follows him in, grabbing the challenger by the wrist and whipping him to the fourth set of buckles. The Russian War Machine barrels across the ring at top speed, racing towards his staggered opponent - and BLASTS Verhoeven under the chin with a running Yakuza kick that ends with his leg over the top rope! The crowd actually cheers a little bit for the high impact blow.] GM: OHHHHH! BW: Good grief, daddy! Can someone check the third row for Bruno's molars? [Sudakov pulls his leg back over the ropes, glaring at Verhoeven as he slowly backs across the ring to the opposite corner, ponting a finger of warning in the direction of his challenger. He hits his back against the buckles, pausing a moment before sprinting across the ring again with the intent of delivering another running high kick.] BW: YAAAAAKUUUUUUZ- AHHHHHHHHH! [The crowd roars again as Verhoeven steps out of the buckles, grabbing Sudakov around the neck for a uranage slam, hoisting him into the air, and HURLING him down to the mat with thunderous impact!] GM: WHAT A SLAM BY THE BUTCHER! [Verhoeven marches out of the corner with evil intent in his eyes, yanking Sudakov off the mat and blasting him with a right hook that sends Sudakov falling back against the ropes. Hooking the Russian around the arm and neck, Verhoeven tosses Sudakov up high in the air and down to the mat with a huuuuge biel toss. The Butcher immediately races to the ropes, bouncing back, and leaping into the air to deliver a crushing near 300 pound kneedrop across the chest.] GM: Verhoeven drops all that weight down with a kneedrop on the champion - and Sudakov's in trouble early in this one, Bucky. BW: He got off to a quick start but Verhoeven battled right back. The challenger's incredibly tough... incredibly tough. [Sudakov rolls to his stomach immediately, staying off his shoulders to avoid any pin attempt. Verhoeven stands over him, barking at the Russian to get back to his feet. The crowd boos the Butcher's actions as he orders Sudakov back up.] GM: The champion back on his feet and- ohh! Headbutt by Verhoeven sends him falling back into the turnbuckles! The Butcher's got Sudakov cornered and- oof! Uppercut under the chin! BW: He nearly knocked him right back off his feet with that one. GM: Verhoeven's choking him in the corner! Both hands wrapped around his throat! The referee's counting him - ordering a break. [The Butcher breaks at four - throwing another looping hook into the ribcage of the champion before stepping back and getting yelled at by the official. Bruno pushes right past him to grab the wrist of Sudakov, firing him across the ring.] GM: Sudakov hits the corner - here comes Bruno! [The German Juggernaut tears across the ring at top speed, turning at the last second to blast Sudakov with a back elbow to the chin. Verhoeven takes two steps back towards the middle of the ring... ...and then turns around, throwing a HUGE clothesline in the buckles!] GM: OHH! He nailed the champ with that one! BW: Sudakov is getting rocked right now by Verhoeven! He needs to regroup in a hurry! [With Sudakov seated in the corner, Verhoeven puts his boot squarely on the throat of the Russian, pushing down on the windpipe of his opponent as the referee counts.] GM: Come on, referee! Get some control in there! [At the count of four, Verhoeven backs off, glaring down at the gasping Russian before he drags him up off the canvas. The former boxer shows off his skills, snapping jabs into the face of the Russian, knocking him back towards the ropes. The Butcher grabs him by the wrist, firing him towards the ropes.] GM: Clothesli- ducked by Sudakov! [The Russian goes immediately for the kill shot, the deadly high kick that has knocked out countless foes - but comes up empty as the skilled Verhoeven ducks the blow before throwing a boot into the gut of the champion. The Butcher hits the far ropes, rebounding back... ...and getting caught in the waiting arms of the Russian who pivots his hips, SLAMMING Verhoeven down to the canvas with a belly-to-belly suplex!] GM: Ohh! He takes the near three hundred pounder up and over with that impactful suplex - and there's a cover! One! Two! [The Butcher easily gets a shoulder off the mat before the count of three. Sudakov quickly gets up, throwing kicks at the head of Verhoeven who throws his arms over his head and face to absorb the blows.] GM: Soccer kicks! He's trying to get one clear shot at the head of the challenger to knock him out cold! [Sudakov switches to stomps, forcing Verhoeven under the ropes and out to the floor. The Russian steps through the ropes, dropping down to the floor where he grabs the Butcher by the arm, whipping him spinefirst into the steel ringpost!] GM: TO THE POST GOES VERHOEVEN! BW: And just like that, the champion turns the tide in this one. He's regained the advantage and now he's looking for a way to finish off the big man. [Grabbing Verhoeven, Sudakov fires him back under the ropes into the ring, rolling back in behind him. The Russian promptly kicks Verhoeven at full impact in the ribcage, causing the German to roll away again. Sudakov stalks around the Butcher - and then delivers another hard kick to the back of the head that causes Verhoeven to crawl to the corner, covering up as Sudakov throws kick after kick at his head.] GM: He can't get a clear shot! He can't get past Bruno's defenses! [An irate Sudakov yanks Verhoeven off the mat, blasting him with forearm smashes to the side of the face that put the Butcher back against the buckles. Grabbing him by the wrist, Sudakov whips Bruno from corner to corner. With the Butcher stunned, Sudakov charges across the ring at top speed... ...and BLASTS Bruno with another running kick to the jaw! Sudakov yanks him from the buckles, hooking a front facelock with a single underhook, throwing Bruno down to the mat with a bridging suplex!] GM: ONE! TWO! [Verhoeven kicks out before the three count falls. Sudakov quickly pulls him to his feet, repeatedly pounding Bruno in the back of the head with forearm shot after forearm shot before yanking him into a side waistlock, hoisting Verhoeven into the air and dumping him down on the back of his head and neck with a suplex!] GM: OHHH! Full impact on the back of the head! [Sudakov quickly rolls into a lateral press, reaching back to hook a leg for a two count until Verhoeven kicks out of the pin. The Russian rolls off, climbing to his feet. He slaps the canvas with both hands - waving for Verhoeven to get off the mat.] GM: Verhoeven starting to stir - slowly getting off the mat... [And as the Butcher gets up, Sudakov spins around, connecting with a spinning backfist that knocks Verhoeven down to a knee. Grabbing the German by the head, Sudakov pulls him down over and over into knee strikes to the head and face before finally slinging the Butcher down to the mat, diving atop him for a pin attempt.] GM: ONE!! TWO!! THR- BW: No! He got the shoulder up! GM: That was a close one. BW: Very close. Verhoeven got the shoulder up just in time to break the pin. [The National Champion drags Verhoeven off the mat, steadying him for a second before uncorking another spinning backfist, this one ducked by Verhoeven who hoists Sudakov off the mat over his shoulder... ...and SNAPS him down to the mat with an Angry Man's Spinebuster!] GM: OHHHH! [Verhoeven throws his near three hundred pounds down on Sudakov's chest.] GM: ONE!! TWO!! THR- oh my! So close! We were a half a count away from having a new National Champion crowned right here tonight at Black Friday Beatdown! [The Butcher pushes himself off the mat, shaking his head in frustration as he leaps into the air, dropping his weight down in a splash, reaching back to hook a leg.] GM: ONE!! TWO!! THR- again! Again, Sudakov gets the shoulder up! BW: I can't believe it! Where does he keep finding the strength to kick out of this three count time and time again? GM: Verhoeven pushes up off the mat, trying to find a way to get that three count, to get that title belt around his waist. [The Teutonic Terror pulls Sudakov up again... ...and wraps his massive paw around the Russian's throat!] GM: Uh oh! BW: If he hits the Slaughterslam, we've got a new National Champion! [Verhoeven lifts Sudakov into the air and chokeslams him down to the canvas.] GM: It wasn't the Slaughterslam but it was quite effective! Sudakov got SPIKED into the mat and he may be done for, Bucky. BW: But Verhoeven... he's not covering! [The big German shakes his head at the referee who is waiting to count. He spits on the prone Russian, dragging a thumb across his throat as he looks out at the jeering crowd.] GM: He's not covering him - he's going for the kill! [Verhoeven drags Sudakov's limp body up to his feet, promptly wrapping his hand around the throat once again. With a mighty roar, he hoists the champion into the air... ...where Sudakov slams his knee into the bridge of Verhoeven's nose, breaking his grip - and his nose - in the process. Back down on the mat, Sudakov hits the ropes, rebounding back... ...and OBLITERATES the Butcher with a Russian Sickle that flips the near three hundred pounder end over end before dumping him down to the mat!] GM: SICKLE!! ONE!! TWO!! THREEEEEE!!! "DING! DING! DING!" MC: Your winner of the match... and STILL AWA National Champion... KOLLLLLLYAAAA SUUUUUUUDAKOOOVV!!! [The mighty Russian throws a triumphant arm in the air in victory as the referee hands the title belt back to him - the crowd jeering the announcement.] GM: Sudakov is your winner - retaining the National Title belt. Fans, don't go away - we'll be right back with your MAIN EVENT of the evening! [The camera holds on Kolya Sudakov clutching the National Title belt to his chest before fading to black... ...and then fading back up on a pair of kids outside of what appears to be a grade school. They're both wearing cold weather gear as they trudge up the steps to class.] Kid #1: How was your weekend? Kid #2: Amazing! Did you see AWA Saturday Night Wrestling? [The two kids talk animatedly about the show as a third joins them.] Kid #3: Guys! Did you see Adam Rogers on Saturday Night Wrestling? I want to be just like him when I grow up! Kid #1: Not me. I want to be like City Jack or Tin Can Rust! Kid #2: You guys are lame. Check out my new shirt! [Kid #2 opens his jacket to reveal a shirt that reads "San Jose Shark" with a large golden shark taking a bite out of the text. The others "ooh" and "aah."] Kid #3: I want one of those! Kid #1: Me too! Where did you get it? Kid #2: At AWAShop.com! Kid #3: I know what I want for Christmas! [The kids continue to talk as a voiceover is heard.] "Don't be the only one at school without your official AWA gear! Check out AWAShop.com today for your holiday wish list items!" [A shot fills the screen of various wrestler merchandise before fading to black... ...and then fading back up on live action.] ************************************************************************ *                       AWA NATIONAL TAG TEAM TITLES * *                                       FINALS: * *      Freeman & Dufresne vs Kentucky's Pride * ************************************************************************ MC: The following contest is your MAIN EVENT of the evening! [Big cheer!] MC: It is scheduled for one fall with a sixty minute time limit and is the Finals of the National Tag Team Titles Tournament! [Bigger cheer!] MC: The man in the middle for tonight's Main Event is the AWA Senior Official - Michael Meekly! [The striped-shirted Meekly raises a hand to a mixed reaction.] MC: And now... the combatants. Introducing first... [The sounds of ZZ Top's "Sharp Dressed Man" plays for the third time of the night to the jeers of the capacity crowd.] MC: Earning their spot in this Final via victories over Rick Marley and Scott Pain, Kirk Maclean and Despair, and Rough N Ready... They are the team of the Ladykiller, Calisto Dufresne, and "Subzero" Adrian Freeman! [The boos grow louder as the egotistical duo makes their way through the entrance curtain into the WKIK Studios. Battered and tired, Freeman and Dufresne waste little energy in their usual parade of gloating and taunting, simply making their way to the ring. Dufresne and Freeman ignore the boos as they huddle in their corner, trading last-second strategies.] GM: Gone is the pomp and circumstance from these two - I think the finally realize just how serious this is, Bucky. BW: They knew all along - people have different ways of handling that pressure, Gordo. But they look more focused than I've ever seen them. More focused than WarGames even. They know EXACTLY what's at stake here - a shot at history. They want to be the very first National Tag Team Champions in AWA history. GM: They're not the only ones. Let's go back to Melissa! [Melissa continues.] MC: And their opponents... [The music changes to Stephen C. Foster's "My Old Kentucky Home" as the crowd erupts in cheers.] MC: They won their spot in this match with victories over Jarrod O'Lachlan and Naitomea, Mark Shaw and Adam Rogers, and Juan Vasquez and Raphael Rhodes. They are... KENTUCKY'S PRIIIIIIIIDE! [The crowd ROARS in response as City Jack and Tin Can Rust emerge from the entrance tunnel, stopping just beyond it to stare up towards the ring where Freeman and Dufresne are staring right back at them. The usually fun-loving City Jack is draped in intensity as he glares at the ring. Tin Can Rust whispers something to him, Jack nodding his head - and then breaking into a run towards the ring!] GM: What the- HERE WE GO! [Michael Meekly frantically calls for the bell to start the match as City Jack rolls under the bottom rope, popping up to his feet and making a beeline straight towards his long-time rival, Calisto Dufresne.] GM: There's no love lost there, Bucky! He's going for the Ladyklil- ohhh! [The crowd sounds as disappointed as Gordon Myers as the slippery Calisto Dufresne dives through the ropes to the floor just before City Jack gets his hands on him. Seizing the moment, Adrian Freeman rushes the big man from Kentucky from behind and buries a knee into his kidneys.] GM: Ohh! Freeman with a cheap shot! BW: Cheap shot? They played right into the hands of Freeman and Dufresne. You've gotta be smart - a lot smarter than the inbred duo from Kentucky can manage, daddy, if you want to stand a chance with these two. GM: Freeman spins him around - ohh! Hard European uppercut up into the chin of Jack, knocking him back against the turnbuckles. [Holding City Jack in place for a moment, Freeman arrogantly pats him on the chest before snapping off a brutal chop across the wide chest of the big man. Jack grimaces, hanging onto the top rope as he clutches at his stinging skin. The Australian pushes him back against the corner again, smirking as he uncorks a second chop that actually causes Jack to drop to a knee in pain, clutching his chest.] GM: Get him out of the corner, referee! BW: Jeez, Gordo, you already worried for your boys? GM: I just want to keep the rulebreaking to a minimum in this tournament finals. I know it's a lot to ask for with Dufresne and Freeman out here but... [Grabbing the wrist, Freeman attempts an Irish whip - but Jack reverses it, sending Freeman sailing across the ring, smashing backfirst into the buckles. With a whoop, Jack charges across the ring, smashing Freeman in the corner with a beefy clothesline!] GM: BIIIIIIIG CLOTHESLINE IN THE CORNER! [Jack backs off the middle of the ring, striking a fighting pose as Freeman staggers away from the buckles - and the big man cocks back the right arm, ready to throw the Metropill forearm smash.] GM: METROPI- "OHHHHHHHHH!" [The crowd roars its' disappointment as Freeman dives to the mat, crawling under the ropes and dropping down to the floor, fleeing away from the attempt at the Metropill forearm smash. An annoyed City Jack stomps the mat in anger as he retreats back to his corner where Tin Can Rust gives him some words of advice as Freeman walks around outside the ring, trying to regroup.] GM: Adrian Freeman had the edge early but Jack fights back and I think "Subzero" has some rethinking of his strategy to do. BW: Take it easy, kid. He needs to stay focused, Gordo. He can't get emotional. GM: It's difficult not to though - we all know that. [Inside the ring, Jack gets tired of waiting, stalking across the ring and reaching over the ropes to grab Freeman by the hair on the floor. He hauls the Australian back up on the apron by the hair, blasting him with a right hand that knocks Freeman down to a knee. Jack yanks him back up with a pull of the hair, draping Freeman's arm over his neck.] GM: He's gonna bring Freeman in the hard way! Jack's got him hooked for the suplex... UP! [The crowd roars as Jack powers him up - and then brings him crashing down with a big vertical suplex on the mat! Jack points a finger of warning at a nearby Calisto Dufresne who is standing on the ring apron while dragging Freeman off the mat by the hair, blasting him with a right hand that knocks Freeman back into the ropes.] GM: Jack grabs him by the arm... whip... [Jack cranks back the big right arm... ...but Freeman baseball slides through the legs of the big Kentucky native, springing to his feet and popping Jack in the jaw with another European uppercut - and another that sends Jack falling back against the ropes.] GM: And now it's Adrian Freeman who regains the edge with those brutal uppercuts to the jaw. Who would think that a man his size would be able to throw a blow like that, Bucky? BW: Sometimes size doesn't matter, Gordo - doesn't your wife tell you that? GM: Would you stop? [Freeman snaps off a pair of hard chops against the ropes, leaving Jack hanging onto the top rope with both arms to stay on his feet. Reaching over, he tags Dufresne into the match for the first time.] GM: That surprises me. I wouldn't think Calisto Dufresne would get anywhere near the ring with City Jack in there. Those two have been feuding for years now - and a lot of people wonder if that's part of the reason Jack is in the AWA - another chance to get at Dufresne. BW: They feuded in Pro Wrestling Revolution over Dufresne's Pacific Championship out there in Los Angeles so they've got a history of fighting over gold. No matter who wins this match - we may see many more title matches with Jack and Dufresne on opposite sides of the ring. [With both rulebreakers in the ring, they each grab an arm on City Jack, firing him across the ring, levelling the big man with a double back elbow as he rebounds back. Freeman exits the ring as a smirking Calisto Dufresne drives the flat of his boot down onto the back of Jack's head. He grins at Jack as he covers his head with his arms, trying to avoid the stomps. Dufresne stomps Jack hard on the kidneys - and then on the upper back as well - then turns to the crowd, spreading his arms wide to soak up their jeers.] GM: Look at that guy. You'd think he'd already won the tag titles with the way he's acting out there, Bucky. BW: They might as well have - they WERE my pick after all. GM: Another hard stomp to the lower back by Dufresne. [The Ladykiller drags Jack off the canvas, blasting him with a right hand that knocks Jack against the ropes. Grabbing Jack by the wrist, he fires him towards the ropes and buries a boot in the gut of the rebounding Southerner. Smirking, Dufresne races back to the ropes, rebounding back... ...and then slamming on the brakes as Jack straightens up, arm cocked back at the ready for a Metropill! A panicked Dufresne stumbles backwards, lunging towards the corner where he slaps the hand of Adrian Freeman as a disappointed Jack looks on in surprise.] BW: Hehehe. GM: What's so funny? BW: The big goof is gettin' all worked up cause he can't get his hands on the Ladykiller. He's playin' right into their gameplan. GM: Which is? BW: You're on a need to know basis, daddy-o. [Freeman steps back through the ropes, rushing towards Jack who pops him with a jab to the jaw that stuns the Australian. With the crowd cheering him on, Jack fires in another jab to the chin and another and another. A fourth jab finds the mark before Jack busts out a little jig that sends the crowd into a frenzy - and then a big uppercut sends Freeman down to the mat!] GM: Jack caught him comin' in and he let him have it! City Jack doesn't care if it's Freeman or Dufresne in there - he's focused on the National Tag Team Titles. BW: Sure he is. You keep tellin' yourself that. [As Freeman gets back to his feet, Jack hoists him into the air and slams him down hard to the canvas to a cheer from the crowd. He cranks back the right hand and throws it at Dufresne who dives to the floor, avoiding the blow. Out on the concrete, Dufresne shakes his head at Jack, wiggling his finger and pointing to his brain. Inside the ring, Jack turns back to Freeman, catching him as he gets to his feet, and tossing him effortlessly into the corner.] GM: Ohh my! Look at the power of City Jack! BW: He's pretty strong - all those years of makin' pigs squeal, helpin' sheep over the fence. The usual Kentucky stuff. [Jack hops up on the midbuckle to the cheers of the crowd, lifting a big clenched fist to even more cheers before he starts slamming the fist into the skull of the cornered Freeman. The crowd counts along with the corner punches, reaching ten before Jack drops down off the second rope. He backs up, waving Freeman out. The Australian staggers out of the corner, falling into a forearm by Jack.] GM: METROPILL! [Freeman collapses on the canvas from the forearm shot. Jack promptly walks across the ring, slapping the hand of his tag team partner, bringing Tin Can Rust into the match for the first time. Rust wastes no time in throwing himself down in a lateral press on Freeman.] GM: One! Two! Shoulder out at two. BW: No way you're getting Freeman that quickly. GM: You don't know if you don't try, Bucky. BW: I know. [Rust pulls Freeman up by the hair, keeping his hold on the hair as he drives fist after fist into the face of the Australian. After a few more blows, TCR climbs off the mat, dragging Freeman up with him and blasts him with a haymaker that sends Freeman falling back into the ropes. Grabbing Freeman by the wrist, Rust fires him into the ropes - and knocks him flat with a running shoulder tackle. Dufresne slaps the buckles, shouting encouragement to his partner but quickly going silent at a finger of warning from the grizzled veteran, Tin Can Rust.] GM: Haha! Check that out, Bucky! Looks like Dufresne doesn't want to tangle with Tin Can Rust either. BW: It's all mindgames, Gordo. Don't you know that by now? [Rust drags Freeman to his feet again, bringing his knee up into the gut of the Australian. Holding him by the hair, Rust drags him across the ring, slamming him facefirst into the top turnbuckle!] GM: Facefirst to the buckles! [The camera cuts to Dufresne who looks horrified by the faceslam, grabbing his own face in sympathy for his partner. Rust grabs the hair again, pointing across to the other neutral corner - and charges from corner to corner, SLAMMING Freeman's face into the top buckle yet again! Freeman crumples down to a knee - but promptly gets ripped right back up, rushed across the ring, and slammed into a third buckle. Dragging Freeman by the hair, Rust moves to the middle of the ring... ...and points right at Dufresne, charging towards the final corner and slamming Freeman's face into the buckle just inches away from the Ladykiller who drops down to the floor, glaring up at the Kentucky Pride member who simply watches as a dazed Freeman staggers away from the corner, falling down to the mat. Rust drops down into a lateral press as the referee counts.] GM: ONE!! TWO!! [The count ends as Freeman slips out of the pin attempt. Rust promptly drives home a few hard right hands to the side of his opposition's head before pushing the rest of the way back up to his feet. Grabbing Freeman by the hair, Rust pulls him up and drags him back to the Kentucky's Pride corner where Rust tags City Jack back into the match.] GM: Both members of Kentucky's Pride back in the ring... double whip... [As Freeman rebounds back, Jack and Rust toss him up and over with a double hiptoss. Getting back to their feet, Jack immediately drops down with an elbowdrop across the chest of the much-smaller Freeman. Jack rolls back to his feet, dropping another big elbow on target. The Southerner repeats the process two more times before staying down on Freeman with a pin attempt that reaches two before Calisto Dufresne steps into the ring, kicking Jack in the ribs to break the pin.] GM: Oh! Dufresne breaks the pin- HERE COMES JACK! [Getting a burst of energy, City Jack rushes towards Dufresne, trying to get his hands on him but again, the Ladykiller is too quick, slipping through the ropes to the floor. Jack stays near the corner, shouting some unfriendly words in the direction of Dufresne and giving Adrian Freeman a chance to recover. Jack glares down at Dufresne, gesturing with his hands at his waist in the "I want the belt" signal. He nods his head, turning back towards the recovering Freeman... ...and wrapping his beefy arms around the body of Freeman in a bearhug!] GM: METROBOOM! [But before Jack can plant Freeman with the powerful belly-to-belly to end the match, Calisto Dufresne strikes, sliding under the ropes... ...and slamming his shoulder into the back of City Jack's knee, clipping his leg out from under him!] GM: OHHHH! BW: Jack is down! GM: Dufresne - he... did you see that? He clipped the knee! BW: And City Jack has had problems with that knee for AGES! It's the kind of thing that only a student of the game - only someone who knows City Jack as well as Jack knows himself would know. Calisto Dufresne has tussled with this big goof for years and he knew exactly what he needed to get to him. [Dufresne rolls out of the ring, being reprimanded by the referee as a weary Freeman climbs to his feet, stomping the knee over and over. The Australian grabs the ankle of Jack, dragging him across the ring towards the corner where he slaps the hand of the Ladykiller to bring him legally into the fray. With Freeman holding the foot, Dufresne delivers a hard kick to the knee of his enemy.] GM: Oh! And you can believe that Calisto Dufresne has been absolutely DREAMING of this moment - this chance to bust up the knee of his long-time enemy. If he can do that AND win gold here tonight as well? We may never hear the end of it, Bucky. BW: If Dufresne and Freeman win the tag titles tonight and WHEN I retain my Announcer Of The Year title, it's going to be the best year ever! [A couple more stomps to the leg have City Jack grimacing. Dufresne steps over him, a leg on each side as he looks down on his injured opponent... ...and SLAPS him hard across the face!] GM: Oh, come on! BW: Hehehe - I love it, Gordo. GM: You would! [Dufresne smirks at a fuming Tin Can Rust who slaps the buckles, trying to cheer on his partner. The Ladykiller pins Jack's ankle down with one foot, looking across at Tin Can Rust... and then STOMPS down on the kneecap, sending a wail of pain into the WKIK Studio air. Tin Can Rust steps through the ropes, the referee quickly cutting him off before he can go any further. Cackling, Dufresne stomps the knee a few more times while taunting Rust from the opposite corner.] GM: Tin Can Rust needs to get control over himself. I know he wants in there and he wants in there badly but he needs to stick to the rules if his partner's going to have a chance in there. City Jack's knee is getting pummeled but he'll have no chance to make the tag if Rust can't keep his cool. BW: We talked about how important emotions are in a match like this and- [Dufresne props himself up on the middle rope, looking down at Jack who is grimacing on the mat. He flips an obscene gesture in Rust's direction before leaping off the ropes, stomping down with all his weight on the knee!] GM: Second rope stomp to the knee! [City Jack rolls onto his ample stomach, using his arms to attempt to crawl away from the onslaught of Dufresne. The Ladykiller laughs at his fallen foe, mockingly applauding him for his efforts. Dufresne settles back against the buckles, smirking as Jack tries to drag his massive body across the ring where Tin Can Rust is waiting to make the tag. The Ladykiller waits until Jack is just a few feet away before sprinting across the ring, stomping Jack hard on the back of the head... ...and then spitting in the direction of Tin Can Rust, an act that brings the veteran into the ring, getting grabbed around the waist by the referee as Dufresne drags Jack back across the ring by the foot, holding the leg as Adrian Freeman slips in and stomps the knee repeatedly before sliding right back out of the ring.] GM: Again, Rust hurting his own partner by getting too upset at Dufresne and Freeman. BW: And how surprising is it that the established tag team is being outworked as a team by the two singles wrestlers? GM: Dufresne pins the ankle to the mat - there's the tag... [Freeman quickly steps through the ropes, leaping into the air and dropping a kneedrop on the injured limb!] GM: Ohhh! [With the leg pinned under his knee, Freeman goes with the simple tactic of slamming his fist down on the knee over and over and over, causing Jack to yelp with pain with every blow. Freeman rises up off the leg, holding onto the foot and tucking the leg under his armpit before flipping Jack onto his belly.] GM: Oh! Single-leg Boston Crab applied by Freeman! [Freeman drops down to a knee himself, cranking up the pressure on the injured knee, and causing City Jack to cry out in pain. Across the ring, Tin Can Rust slaps the top turnbuckle in rhythm, causing the crowd to clap along with him to try to rally City Jack across the ring to make the tag. On the other side of the ring, Calisto Dufresne shouts advice to his partner who leans back further, torquing the knee as much as he possibly can.] BW: There's a lot of pressure on that limb, Gordo. This is an incredibly painful hold. You don't see much of it these days but it's the kind of thing that can rip and tear at tendons and cartilege and do some serious long-term damage. GM: The crowd is trying to rally City Jack - and the big man is trying to oblige, dragging himself an inch at a time across the ring, trying to get free from that single-leg Crab. [The Kentucky native manages to get halfway across the ring before Freeman releases the hold, stomping the back of the knee a few times as Jack rolls to his back, cradling the injured limb. Grabbing the foot, Freeman drags Jack back towards the corner, slapping the hand of Dufresne. Freeman returns the favor, pinning the ankle down to allow Dufresne to drop a knee on the knee.] GM: These two are absolutely ruthless in working over the knee right now of City Jack. It's been a long time since I've seen someone have their leg just physically dissected by someone else like this. BW: No one gave Freeman and Dufresne a chance in this tournament. Everyone overlooked them and disrespected them - except for me! I knew this was what they're capable of! I knew this was what they could do in the ring, Gordo! GM: Look at Dufresne - he's pinning the leg with his knee, twisting the leg against his own knee. That pressure on the leg is horrifying, Bucky. [Releasing the pressure, Dufresne climbs back to his feet, still holding the foot of Jack. He promptly steps over the leg, twisting it around his own...] GM: Figure fo- OHHH! [The crowd roars as Jack kicks Dufresne off, sending him smashing chestfirst to the buckles!] GM: JACK WITH THE COUNTER! COME ON, JACK! [With the crowd cheering him on, Jack crawls and crawls as Dufresne stays in the corner, trying to recover from the blow.] GM: Jack's trying to get across the ring. Tin Can Rust is ready and waiting for the tag! He wants in there just so badly! BW: Calisto needs to stop him! [The crowd's cheers grow louder with every inch that City Jack gets closer to the corner. A dazed Calisto Dufresne is crawling behind him, trying to cut him off before he gets to the corner... ...and with a LUNGE, Dufresne grabs the ankle of City Jack, preventing him from making the tag to Tin Can Rust's extended hand.] GM: So close! He was so close to making the tag right there. He's holding on tight, trying to prevent the- [With Jack kicking away at Dufresne's head, trying to break his grip, a desperate Ladykiller screams at Freeman. The Australian steps into the ring, charging across, and drills Rust with a right hand... ...which brings Tin Can Rust into the ring after him!] GM: HERE COMES RUST! [The veteran grabs the retreating Freeman, throwing him into the corner. He pursues, rearing back his right hand... ....and has it grabbed by the referee who prevents a blow from being thrown much to the disappointment of the crowd.] GM: Unbelievable! The referee stopped Tin Can Rust and- look at this! [Dufresne's grip is finally broken, resulting in City Jack being close enough to make the tag but finding his partner on the other side of the ring, trying to get at Adrian Freeman. With the ref restraining Rust, Freeman races back to help his partner drag Jack back out of his corner to the other half of the ring.] GM: And allllll the way back goes City Jack. BW: Freeman and Dufresne are doing a masterful job of keeping the ring cut in half, Gordo. You have to admit that. GM: They are showing signs of being a true tag team, that's for sure. We're a shade under fifteen minutes into this match and we've barely seen any sign of Tin Can Rust legally inside the ring. That says something about their opponents. [The referee forces Tin Can Rust back into his corner, putting him out on the ring apron as a still-shaken Calisto Dufresne makes the exchange with his partner.] GM: And there's another tag, bringing Adrian Freeman back into the ring. With City Jack as weakened as he is right now, we need to keep our eyes open for the Deep Freeze. That Boston Crab could end it all if he slaps it on. [But it's not a submission hold that Freeman immediately looks for, instead grabbing Jack's foot while placing his foot on the back of the Southerner's knee, slamming the kneecap into the canvas!] GM: Goodness. That's one way to shatter a patella in a hurry. [Weary but determined, Freeman lifts the leg again... and again, slams the kneecap into the mat.] BW: Freeman's using hardly any energy to do that either. Jack's expending all of this energy trying to get across the ring to tag in Tin Can Rust - but Freeman is hardly doing anything to keep him at bay. He's conserving his energy for- GM: And as he drags City Jack off the mat, you may have spoken too soon, Bucky. Ohh! Hard chop to the chest! [Jack collapses backwards into the buckles from the impact of the chop. Moving in, Freeman lifts Jack's injured leg, draping it over the middle rope. He delivers kick after kick precision targeted to the knee. A protesting official's cries fills the air as Freeman ignores him.] GM: What a brutal, ruthless assault on that knee and- now what's he doing? [Racing to the far ropes, Freeman rebounds back with a running knee strike to the side of City Jack's injured knee, causing the big man to let loose another cry of pain.] GM: Ohhh! Right on target with that and- BW: He's gonna do it again, Gordo! GM: Freeman to the ropes... here he comes and- [The crowd roars to life as City Jack frees his leg from the ropes, just barely catching an incoming Freeman with a big right hand.] GM: He caught him coming in right there! [Hanging onto the top rope, Jack hobbles towards the stunned Freeman, smacking him with another haymaker that sends Freeman stumbling away from his opponent. A third right hand finds the mark as well, knocking Freeman back into his own corner. He reaches back to make a tag only find Calisto Dufresne has dropped down to the floor.] GM: Dufresne's not there to take the tag! That coward! BW: I'm not sure I understand that one, Gordo. He needs to get his partner out of this trouble. Jack may be hurting but he can still turn your lights out in a hurry. [Jack shoves Freeman back into the corner, holding him there with his left hand as he winds up his right hand... ...and promptly gets popped in the knee with a right hand from Calisto Dufresne out on the floor! The crowd falls silent as Jack crumples to the mat, screaming in agony. The camera quickly cuts, revealing Calisto Dufresne turning his back to the ring and shoving something down the front of his tights.] GM: Did you see that, Bucky? BW: See what? GM: He just put something in his tights! He hit City Jack with some kind of foreign object - just like he did to Eric Matthew Somers earlier tonight! I thought he'd done it then and now I'm sure of it! BW: You sure you've got your glasses on? GM: I'm sure! Dufresne used some kind of a weapon to- what's going on here? [Dufresne reaches under the ropes, dragging Jack by the feet towards the ringpost. With the big Kentuckian's legs wishboned around the post, Dufresne grabs the injured leg, pulling it far away from the steel ringpost... ...and then SLAMS the injured knee into the steel!] GM: OHHHHHH! [The howls of agony from City Jack fill the air as does Calisto Dufresne's screams of "PIN HIM! PIN HIM!" Listening to his partner, Freeman pulls Jack slightly away from the ropes, jack-knifing the legs into a cradle. And as the referee dives down to the mat to count, Freeman props his feet up on the middle rope.] GM: NO! NOT LIKE THIS! BW: ONE!! TWO!! THR- WHAT?!? [The crowd ERUPTS as Michael Meekly stops counting the pinfall, pointing at the feet braced on the middle rope for leverage. An irate Adrian Freeman breaks the cradle, shoving Meekly back into a neutral corner, screaming at the AWA's Senior Official.] GM: Freeman and Dufresne tried to steal it but Michael Meekly saw it! Meekly saw it just in the nick of time to stop his count before the three came down! BW: That's not right! That's not fair! This match should be over! GM: Freeman is absolutely livid! He's screaming at the referee and- don't look now, but City Jack is crawling for his life! [With a second wind in his sails, City Jack crawls and crawls, Calisto Dufresne hopping up and down on the ring apron, screaming at his partner.] GM: Dufresne sees it but Freeman's got no idea! BW: TURN AROUND! GM: JACK'S ALMOST THERE! [Just before the tag is made, a frantic Adrian Freeman races to cut off the Kentucky native, blasting Tin Can Rust with a right hand that knocks him off the apron.] GM: Ohhh! He was so close! BW: Freeman may have just saved the match for his team, Gordo. That move right there might have saved the whole thing - the National Tag Team Titles. GM: Freeman drags Jack off the mat... oof! Big European uppercut! [Grabbing Jack by the head, Freeman slams his face into the buckles... ...to which Jack rebounds out, BLASTING Freeman in the face with a big Metropill forearm!] GM: OHHHH! BW: What?! How did he do that?! GM: Where did he get the energy to do that? [And with Freeman down, Jack pushes up to a knee and throws himself in the direction of the corner where Tin Can Rust is standing.] GM: TAG! [The WKIK Studio audience loses their collective minds as Tin Can Rust steps through the ropes into the ring. Calisto Dufresne does the same on the opposite side only to immediately get floored with a running clothesline by Tin Can Rust. The crowd cheers as TCR uncorks a fist pump, spinning around to nail a rising Adrian Freeman with a clothesline as well.] GM: Clotheslines to Freeman and Dufresne! Tin Can Rust is a house of fire! BW: Somebody stop this guy! GM: He pulls Dufresne up off the mat... big slam! [Rust shoves himself back to his feet just as Freeman dashes towards him... ...and PLANTS him with a spinning powerslam!] GM: ONE!! TWO!! THR- OHHHH! SHOULDER UP! [Rust slaps the canvas in anger as he climbs back to his feet. He pulls Freeman up by the hair, firing him towards the ropes. As the Australian rebounds, Rust catches him under his right arm, spinning around and driving him down to the mat!] GM: SIDEWALK SLAM! THE CAN CRUSHER! [The veteran throws himself on Freeman, reaching back to hook the leg.] GM: ONE!! TWO!! THRE- DUFRESNE BREAKS IT UP! [A diving save by the Ladykiller stops the count just before three. He quickly pulls TCR off the mat, driving a boot into his gut. A front facelock is locked in by Dufresne.] GM: He's going for the DDT... WHAM BAM THANK YOU- [The crowd ROARS as City Jack stampedes across the ring, connecting with a big running clothesline that breaks up the DDT attempt.] GM: DOWN GOES DUFRESNE AS WELL! [Kentucky's Pride pulls both of their opponents off the mat, shoving them back into opposite corners. With the crowd roaring, both men mount the midbuckles and start raining down right hands. The fans count along with the punches, reaching ten before they drop back down to the mat.] GM: Kentucky's Pride is all over Freeman and Dufresne! BW: This can't be happening. GM: Oh, it is! [With each man grabbing their opponent, Jack and Rust send Freeman and Dufresne racing towards one another, crashing together in center ring. Freeman collapses to the mat while Dufresne wobbles into the waiting arms of Tin Can Rust who hoists the Ladykiller up over his shoulder... ...and SNAPS him down in a standing spinebuster!] GM: OHHHH! [And as soon as Dufresne hits the canvas violently, a shiny and incriminating set of brass knuckles pops out of his tights onto the canvas.] GM: Aha! Look, Bucky! Look! BW: My monitor went out over here. Can't see a thing, Gordo. GM: Brass knuckles! [Gordon Myers isn't the only one who spots Dufresne's weapon of choice as Tin Can Rust leans over, picking up the knuckles. With a roaring crowd cheering him on, Rust slips the weapon onto his hand, leaning over to pick up Dufresne. The cheers grow louder as he winds up the fist... ...and has Michael Meekly leap into his way, waving him off!] GM: The referee may have just saved the match for Kentucky's Pride! He stopped Rust from making a huge mistake - no matter how badly he wanted to use that weapon on Dufresne! [With the referee arguing with Tin Can Rust, Dufresne staggers backwards... ...into City Jack who spins the Ladykiller around, rearing back his right arm.] GM: Metropill coming up! [Jack cracks a grin at Dufresne... ...and buries his boot between the Ladykiller's family jewels.] GM: OHHHHHHH! LOW BLOW BY JACK! BW: DQ! DQ! [And THEN the Metropill flies, knocking Dufresne over the top rope and out to the WKIK Studio floor!] GM: WHAT A SHOT BY CITY JACK! [For the first time all weekend, Tin Can Rust cracks a grin, throwing the knuckles aside as he pulls Adrian Freeman off the mat, shoving him into the waiting arms of City Jack who hoists the Australian up in a bearhug.] GM: Rust to the ropes... here he comes... [The grizzled veteran leaves his feet just enough to DRILL Freeman with a running clothesline just as City Jack executes a crushing belly-to-belly slam!] GM: DARK AND BLOODY GROUND!! [Jack reaches back to hook the leg as the referee drops to the mat.] GM: ONE!! TWO!! THREEEEEEEEEEEE!!! "DING! DING! DING!" [The crowd EXPLODES in cheers as the bell rings. City Jack gingerly pushes up off the mat, grabbing his very serious partner in a huge embrace in the middle of the ring as Melissa Cannon makes it official.] MC: Your winners of the match... and the FIRST AWA NATIONAL TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS... KENTUCKY'S PRIIIIIIIIIIDE! [The celebration continues as Michael Meekly retrieves the newly-made tag team title belts, handing them to an overjoyed City Jack who slings one over his shoulder before shoving the other one into his partner's waiting hands.] GM: They've done it! Tin Can Rust and City Jack have done it! Kentucky's Pride has made history as they are the very first AWA National Tag Team Champions! Fans, it's been an amazing night - an incredible two nights of action. We've gotta go. For Jason Dane and Bucky Wilde, I'm Gordon Myers and we'll see YOU... at the matches! [Jack and Rust exit to the floor, clinging to their title belts as the AWA faithful stretch out to congratulate and pay tribute to the new champions. Our cameras catch one final shot of the gleeful champions and their adoring fans side-by-side... ...as we fade to black.]