Post by Rick Majors on Jun 10, 2019 23:25:00 GMT -5
The crowd is just starting to settle for Living a Legacy, but the commentators haven't yet greeted everyone watching at home when the tron springs to life. We are taken backstage as a door from the parking lot opens into the backstage area.
Jerry Andrews: Well Ace, Stormm has arrived!
Ace Anderson: Why wasn’t he here already preparing for his match?
The Force of Nature communicates with a couple of backstage hands as well as a man that looks to have been a driver as he holds the door to the parking garage open, and following him through it are his wife and two children, Lindsay, Joe, and Remi Michaels. Adjusting his duffle bag with one hand, and grabbing his wife’s with the other while the rugrats run rampant around them, they make their way towards Stormm’s locker room.
Jerry Andrews: Maybe he was already preparing beforehand. Or maybe his priorities are right where they need to be, especially as we get a rare look at the man he is away from the lights and cameras.
Ace Anderson: I… Uh...
Jerry Andrews: Well said, Ace.
That camera continues to follow the Michaels family until they arrive at their destination, and Stormm holds the door open for his wife and kids as he follows them inside, and the door closes as the tron fades back to the Living a Legacy logo.
Jerry Andrews: Folks! Tonight is a momentous night as Ace Anderson is speechless, and Stormm will be facing off against Kyle Shane to see who will face the winner of Dominator and David Hunter for this year’s Icemann Invitational trophy!
Ace Anderson: Jerry Andrews: It doesn’t get much bigger than the Icemann Invitational! And now it's time for Living a Legacy!
Jerry Andrews: Well Ace, Stormm has arrived!
Ace Anderson: Why wasn’t he here already preparing for his match?
The Force of Nature communicates with a couple of backstage hands as well as a man that looks to have been a driver as he holds the door to the parking garage open, and following him through it are his wife and two children, Lindsay, Joe, and Remi Michaels. Adjusting his duffle bag with one hand, and grabbing his wife’s with the other while the rugrats run rampant around them, they make their way towards Stormm’s locker room.
Jerry Andrews: Maybe he was already preparing beforehand. Or maybe his priorities are right where they need to be, especially as we get a rare look at the man he is away from the lights and cameras.
Ace Anderson: I… Uh...
Jerry Andrews: Well said, Ace.
That camera continues to follow the Michaels family until they arrive at their destination, and Stormm holds the door open for his wife and kids as he follows them inside, and the door closes as the tron fades back to the Living a Legacy logo.
Jerry Andrews: Folks! Tonight is a momentous night as Ace Anderson is speechless, and Stormm will be facing off against Kyle Shane to see who will face the winner of Dominator and David Hunter for this year’s Icemann Invitational trophy!
Ace Anderson: Jerry Andrews: It doesn’t get much bigger than the Icemann Invitational! And now it's time for Living a Legacy!
Pure Class Wrestling Presents
Living a Legacy XI
Sunday June 9th, 2019
The show opens with the usual raucous PCW Faithful on their feet as "Crowbar" by Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes blares throughout the arena.
Jerry Andrews: Ladies and gentlemen, we have arrived at Living a Legacy! I'm Jerry Andrews alongside Ace Anderson and tonight someone's future will change!
Ace Anderson: That's right Jerry, in the Icemann Invitational Tournament one competitor will win $100,000 cash plus a guaranteed title opportunity! It's going to be intense!
Jerry Andrews: Here you see the brackets for the tournament. Four men remain: Kyle Shane, Stormm, David Hunter, and Dominator. Tonight one of these four men will endure two grueling matches and walk away with the tournament crown!
The 2019 Icemann Invitational Tournament
Now the camera takes the live audience backstage once more, and with the upcoming match spotlighting our first Icemann Invitational match of the night, it’s only appropriate that we find ourselves focused on the man who will be competing in his last one.
Ace Anderson: Oh, good, Stormm again!
Jerry Andrews: Stop being such a stick in the mud Ace, tonight is a big night for Stormm!
The Force of Nature moves between stretches as he warms up in his wrestling attire before his match. Close by, his newly trademarked black, leather trench hangs, while the all too familiar wooden, black baseball bat is propped up against the wall.
Ace Anderson: If he doesn’t retire tonight, it wasn’t big enough.
Jerry Andrews: You’re just like everyone else looking past the veteran. But while some choose to ignore the hall of famers existence in Pure Class Wrestling, there’s no reason we shouldn’t be highlighting it!
Ace Anderson: You would fill time with something like this!
Lindsay walks into view and gives Justin a quick smooch as he finishes up his routine and grabs the leather coat and bat, walking out of view with both.
Jerry Andrews: Ace, not only will tonight be the last time we see The Force of Nature competing in an Icemann Invitational, but his match against Kyle Shane marks Stormm’s one hundred and fiftieth match in PCW.
Ace Anderson: Is that all, Jerry. Only one fifty?
Jerry Andrews: Did you even get to a hundred, Ace?
Ace Anderson: We’re talking about Stormm here! As you were!
The camera pans around the arena to get shots of all the people and signs in the audience as preparations are made for the first semi-final match.
Jerry Andrews: Only two other superstars have hit that milestone, and have more time spent in a Pure Class Wrestling ring than Stormm. Non Compos Mentis, with 157 matches, and Grimm, whose match count continues to rise towards the 200 mark and beyond. Stormm is in good company!
Ace Anderson: Would they say the same about him?
Jerry Andrews: Forget you, Ace.
Finding its view back on the squared circle, the house lights are brought down to about seventy percent, and all spotlights fixate back onto the ring as the preparations for the match are coming to a close.
Jerry Andrews: In any case, one fifty for the Force of Nature is coming up shortly, and with any luck, we’ll get to see one fifty-one later on tonight!
Ace Anderson: Speak for yourself Jerry!
Jerry Andrews: What a tournament it's going to be!
Ace Anderson: Oh, good, Stormm again!
Jerry Andrews: Stop being such a stick in the mud Ace, tonight is a big night for Stormm!
The Force of Nature moves between stretches as he warms up in his wrestling attire before his match. Close by, his newly trademarked black, leather trench hangs, while the all too familiar wooden, black baseball bat is propped up against the wall.
Ace Anderson: If he doesn’t retire tonight, it wasn’t big enough.
Jerry Andrews: You’re just like everyone else looking past the veteran. But while some choose to ignore the hall of famers existence in Pure Class Wrestling, there’s no reason we shouldn’t be highlighting it!
Ace Anderson: You would fill time with something like this!
Lindsay walks into view and gives Justin a quick smooch as he finishes up his routine and grabs the leather coat and bat, walking out of view with both.
Jerry Andrews: Ace, not only will tonight be the last time we see The Force of Nature competing in an Icemann Invitational, but his match against Kyle Shane marks Stormm’s one hundred and fiftieth match in PCW.
Ace Anderson: Is that all, Jerry. Only one fifty?
Jerry Andrews: Did you even get to a hundred, Ace?
Ace Anderson: We’re talking about Stormm here! As you were!
The camera pans around the arena to get shots of all the people and signs in the audience as preparations are made for the first semi-final match.
Jerry Andrews: Only two other superstars have hit that milestone, and have more time spent in a Pure Class Wrestling ring than Stormm. Non Compos Mentis, with 157 matches, and Grimm, whose match count continues to rise towards the 200 mark and beyond. Stormm is in good company!
Ace Anderson: Would they say the same about him?
Jerry Andrews: Forget you, Ace.
Finding its view back on the squared circle, the house lights are brought down to about seventy percent, and all spotlights fixate back onto the ring as the preparations for the match are coming to a close.
Jerry Andrews: In any case, one fifty for the Force of Nature is coming up shortly, and with any luck, we’ll get to see one fifty-one later on tonight!
Ace Anderson: Speak for yourself Jerry!
Jerry Andrews: What a tournament it's going to be!
Ace Anderson: And that's not all, Jerry! In the second half of our huge double main event, you'll see PCW World Champion Gerrard Angelo face one of the most feared legends in PCW history as he defends his title against Grimm!
Jerry Andrews: Plus, we're also going to see chaos in the form of a falls count anywhere elimination match for the Underground Title! That ones going to be brutal!
Ace Anderson: Speaking of brutal, tonight Seromine finally gets his hands on that backstabber Rick Majors and it won't be pretty!
Jerry Andrews: I think you mean Rick Majors will finally get his opportunity to extract some revenge on Seromine, but we'll talk about that later. Right now, let's get down to the ring for our first tournament match!
Jerry Andrews: Plus, we're also going to see chaos in the form of a falls count anywhere elimination match for the Underground Title! That ones going to be brutal!
Ace Anderson: Speaking of brutal, tonight Seromine finally gets his hands on that backstabber Rick Majors and it won't be pretty!
Jerry Andrews: I think you mean Rick Majors will finally get his opportunity to extract some revenge on Seromine, but we'll talk about that later. Right now, let's get down to the ring for our first tournament match!
Sasha Greene: The following is a semi-final match for the 2019 Icemann Invitational Tournament!
Without warning, the lights in the arena go out in a flash, and the sounds of rhythmic drums begin to beat like an oncoming war. Very subtle orange lights illuminate the ramp way as the strings begin to accompany the percussion, and the tron flickers back on with black and white aerial shots of the Kansas City metro area. The faithful are left in total darkness, and their cell phone screens and flashlights begin to sporadically light up the crowd, like stars in the night, as a dense fog has risen, covering the ramp. Despite how little time has passed, the beat has brought the crowd to their feat.
Then, as the crescendo reaches its peak, a spotlight hits the entrance to accompany the climax of "Land of Shadows" by Audiomachine, and Stormm instantly comes into view.
Then, as the crescendo reaches its peak, a spotlight hits the entrance to accompany the climax of "Land of Shadows" by Audiomachine, and Stormm instantly comes into view.
Sasha Greene: Making his way to the ring, from Kansas City, Kansas, weighing in at two hundred and fifty-two pounds...
The Force of Nature looks out into the crowd from underneath a black hood attached to an ankle length, black leather trench coat. The coat is covered in straps and buckles all left dangling about as the open coat sways with his movements. The crowd's reaction rivals that of the music volume, and Stormm acknowledges, looking left and then right, with a nod. His stare turns back to the ring, and he makes his way down the ramp with a black, wooden bat in his left hand.
Sasha Greene: He is the Force of Nature... STORMM!
Having made it to ringside, Stormm patrols around to the opposite side of the ring in typical fashion before nodding towards Ace and Jerry, and tapping the announce desk with his bat. In one fluid motion, he hops up onto the apron, leans back onto the ropes, and points the bat out into the crowd, which draws in another pop from those in attendance. Climbing through the middle and top rope, he immediately scales to the second turnbuckle of the nearest corner, as the arena lights slowly come back on as the spotlight fades out.
Stormm hops down, and throws the hood of his coat off of his head as he walks with purpose to the opposite corner, as the overwhelming adulation continued. No smile. No mouthing off. All business. The battle music fades out well before the reaction of the crowd does, but the Force of Nature waits patiently, perched from the top turnbuckle, waiting for the match to begin.
Jerry Andrews: We begin our coverage of the Icemann Invitational with something of a grudge match, Justin Michaels and Kyle Shane have had a long history, dating back to the end of 2017, but they have not ever actually met on PPV before.
Ace Anderson: That just makes this match mean so much more, the stakes were already high enough with the need to win through to the finals. But you add the personal rivalry, the constant back and forth and verbal attacks on each other over these months, and there is a lot to be settled tonight.
Jerry Andrews: Well you see Stormm, clearly focused, and he's been to the finals of TIIT multiple times, going back as far back as 2006. He knows what it takes, and he knows he'll have to bring something special tonight if he wants to get past Kyle Shane.
Sasha Greene: And his opponent, he weighs in at 218 lbs... The God of Game... KYLE SHANE!!
For a second, the lights go out. And then, the rising guitar distortion and pounding backing of "2nd Sucks" by A DAY TO REMEMBER comes up, and the vocal sampling of Shao Khan from Mortal Kombat growling "FIGHT" blasts through the arena. Two pyros, a burst of flame from either side go off, and as the flickering tongues of flame burn higher, the scream of Jeremy McKinnon cuts through:
"You're afraid, like I make my deals with the devil
You've been at it for years
But couldn't reach that next level
Let's keep it real, this is no competition to me
Even if everyone around you acts like they don't see
(BOOM) Is anybody else listening?
Outta sight, outta mind, is what you'll always be
(OH) I hold my cards to my chest
I laid my life on the line
So I expect nothing less from you!"
"You're afraid, like I make my deals with the devil
You've been at it for years
But couldn't reach that next level
Let's keep it real, this is no competition to me
Even if everyone around you acts like they don't see
(BOOM) Is anybody else listening?
Outta sight, outta mind, is what you'll always be
(OH) I hold my cards to my chest
I laid my life on the line
So I expect nothing less from you!"
Kyle Shane walks between the two pyros, and he is wearing a custom made chest harness, hood and balaclava mask, yellow and black colored, patterned after Scorpion from Mortal Kombat XI! The crowd goes insane at the specialized entrance and custom cosplay from Kyle Shane. Shane tilts his head back, holding his arms out, and more flames emerge from the entrance ramp. There are some that react negatively, annoyed by the flippy, arrogant, self-absorbed so-called Game Changer, but the vast majority of the fans in the aisle, having seen what he can do, rise to their feet in appreciation. Some on the sides of the aisles even make a fanning bow motion as Kyle walks by. 1/2 the way down the aisle, Kyle pivots, holding his arms up to either side of him in the light of the flickering flame. He climbs onto the apron. Kyle balances on the ropes for a moment, as he pulls the hood and the Scorpion balaclava off, his normal, infuriating, arrogant smirk spreads across his face and he raises his eyebrow. He fluidly slips between the ropes, pirhouettes towards the entrance ramp and extends his arm fully out, his hand out flat in a pantomime of Scorpion's harpoon, before he shouts out the words "GET OVER HERE!" Then he turns, removes the Scorpion ninja chest piece and begins stretching for the match.
Jerry Andrews: As always, Kyle Shane going all out for the special event, with the pageantry on full display.
Ace Anderson: You gotta wonder if Netherrealm are paying him to cross promote, or if he just got that fit from a loot box.
Jerry Andrews: Regardless, Kyle's intention is clear: this tournament is a big deal to him, and he came prepared to fight, to the death if need be.
Ace Anderson: Finish him!
Shane looks over at Stormm, who is watching all of this, nonplussed from the corner where he is leaning, both elbows resting on the ropes. Shane gives him a very rude gesture, but the referee, wanting to make sure there's no shenanigans, tells them to keep it separated as he goes over the rules. The whole time Shane and Stormm are talking trash to each other from either side.
Icemann Invitational Tournament Semifinal
Stormm vs Kyle Shane
Referee: Nigel Gale
Jerry Andrews: As our first semi-final match gets underway, we know this is going to set the pace for tonight.
Ace Anderson: Yeah, but remember, whoever gets through this still has another match to go.
As the bell rings, Shane and Stormm each walk out towards the center of the ring, still talking trash to each other, and it all begins to boil over as they reach the middle, where they instantly begin a heated exchange of right hands! The crowd roars as Stormm lands a stiff shot, Shane fires right back with a shot, Stormm lands a knife edge chop across the chest of Shane! Shane comes right back with an open handed chop across the chest of Stormm! Stormm swings with a right hand only to be blocked by Shane, Kyle counters with a right hand rocking his opposition back against the ropes. Shane comes forward only to have Stormm come off the ropes with a boot the midsection where he quickly looks to deliver the Flash Flood only to have Shane squirm free by dropping to the mat and sliding out to the floor! Stormm walks towards the ropes , holding his fingers an inch apart, showing Kyle how close he was to suffering a possible loss of his TIIT Finals aspirations. The referee backs Stormm up before turning around to lay the count to Kyle only to find Kyle crawling up to the ring apron where he re-enters the ring.
Jerry Andrews: It's got to be extra hard on the ref for this match, only one of these men are going to be headed to face the winner of Dominator and Hunter, so he can't afford to blow his call.
Shane and Stormm circle each other before locking up center ring. Each man jockey for position, they continue to jockey before it's Stormm who snaps Shane over with a deep arm drag. There's a pop for Stormm as he reaches his feet while Shane reaches his knee's. Stormm kneels towards Shane while screaming in his face. Shane stands to his feet catching Stormm coming in with a thumb to the eye! Shane drives Stormm back into a corner where he unloads with right hands, before swapping with chops across the chest... before transitioning into boots to the chest, beating Michaels completely down into a seated position. Then, Kyle throws a gamer tag up to the crowd before bringing Stormm out of the corner with a snap mare take over which is followed up with a shining wizard! Shane quickly makes the cover hooking the near leg of Stormm, but Stormm is able to escape, throwing a shoulder up the mat breaking the count. Kyle reaches a vertical base where he reaches down picking Michaels up off the mat. Kyle under hooks the arms of Stormm looking for a double arm DDT, yet quickly Stormm manages to counter with a bridging northern lights suplex to the God of Game. Again, just as the referee is getting into position, Kyle claps his way free and breaks the count. Too early yet. Both Shane and Stormm reach their feet with Michaels landing a double thrust to the throat of Shane. The ref admonishes Stormm, who pays him no mind as he takes Kyle head first into a top turnbuckle! Stormm spins Shane around where he laces him across the chest with a knife edge chop before taking Shane and hurling him through the ropes and out to the floor. Out on the floor Shane reaches all fours, Stormm jumps off the apron, taking them both down with a flying clothesline from off the apron. The crowd pops heavily for this move. Stormm is relatively quick back to his feet. He reaches down picking Kyle up off the mat before driving him head first into the steel steps. Kyle is laid out across the steel steps, trying to catch his breath. Stormm hammers Shane with a straight right hand before choking Shane with both hands.
Jerry Andrews: Stormm's been waiting for this opportunity for a long time, he's holding nothing back.
Ace Anderson: You just know Shane's constant taunting of him has made him see red from time to time.
Stormm releases the choke before throwing Shane back into the ring under the bottom rope. Stormm slides into the ring where he hammers down with another hard right hand before once again choking Shane. The ref quickly starts laying the count to Stormm, but Stormm breaks on the count of four point two. Michaels releases the choke before reaching his feet where the ref is once again in his face admonishing Stormm. Michaels ignores the ref as he reaches down picking Kyle Shane up off the mat before taking Kyle back into the ropes, he shoots Shane across the ring, Kyle bounces off the ropes and into an overhead release belly to belly suplex! Michaels quickly makes the cover hooking the near leg of Shane.
The ref: One...
Two... Kickout.
Kyle throws a shoulder up off the mat breaking the count. Stormm works his way to his feet where he picks Kyle up off the mat only to have Shane quickly counter with a jaw breaker! Kyle stands to his feet where he follows up with a boot to the midsection before delivering a double underhook suplex to Stormm! Kyle begins to work his way back to his feet where he takes a moment to gather himself before coming forward towards Stormm where he lays in several stomps to the body before rolling Stormm over to his chest where Kyle places his right boot in the middle of Stormm's shoulder blades before taking both of Stormm's arm and curb stomping him into the mat face first. Shane reaches a vertical base, and he grips Stormm, picking Stormm up off the mat before hurling him out through the ropes and to the floor. The ref, much like with Stormm cuts Shane off from trying to take the fight to Stormm out on the floor. Michaels is shown starting to work his way to his feet, Shane quickly runs across the ring where he bounces off the ropes, he gains a full head of steam before sailing through the top and middle rope with a suicide dive that drives Stormm back against the security railing! Shane lands on his feet where he follows up by smashing Stormm face first off the steel security railing! Kyle takes Stormm by the head before walking around the ring towards the announcers table where he drives Stormm head first off the table!
Jerry Andrews: They're right out in front of us!
Shane takes Stormm and tosses him back into the ring. Kyle crawls up on the ring apron before scaling the turnbuckles! Kyle measures Stormm who slowly starts pushing himself up off the mat. Shane leaps off the top rope with a missile dropkick that's right on the money! Once again the former World champ makes the cover.
Jerry Andrews: Kyle Shane is starting to show that fire that took him to the finals of the Icemann Invitational in 2017.
Ace Anderson: This match is between two men who have both won the entire shebang. You have to figure that gives them some sort of edge over Dominator and David Hunter.
Jerry Andrews: But not each other, I think we're seeing they're a bit more evenly matched.
The ref: One...
Two...
Stormm throws a shoulder up off the mat to a mild pop from the crowd. Shane reaches down picking Michaels up by the head before delivering another solid right hand before shooting Stormm towards a set of buckles, Shane charges in after Stormm, Stormm side steps Shane at the last possible second which sends Shane sternum first off the buckles, Michaels quickly latches on to a back waist lock before hurling Shane backwards with a release German suplex. Michaels works his way to his feet where he shakes off the damage done by Kyle Shane. Stormm comes forward picking Kyle up off the mat before sending Kyle across the ring and into a set of buckles. Stormm charges across the ring where he delivers a running knee to the jaw of Shane before driving Kyle face first into the canvas with a running bulldog headlock! Stormm reaches his feet where he's met with a shocking ovation from the crowd. Michaels takes a moment as he looks out towards the crowd to the left and then to the right as they're starting to cheer "LET'S GO STORMM/LET'S GO SHANE". Michaels turns back towards Kyle who's still laid out on the mat. Stormm runs full speed towards the ropes before delivering a elbow drop to the sternum. Stormm makes the cover hooking the nearest leg of Kyle Shane.
The referee: One...
Two...
Kyle throws a shoulder up off the mat to a gasp from the crowd.
Michaels starts working his way back to a vertical base where he reaches down picking Kyle up off the mat. Stormm rocks Shane with a chop across the chest that sends Shane back into the ropes. Michaels comes forward shooting Shane across the ring, Shane bounces of the ropes ducking under Stormm's clothesline attempt, Kyle bounces off the farside where he's able to rip off a Goddess White Sword to Stormm. Both Shane and Stormm lay on the mat for several seconds before it's Kyle who manages to execute the cover hooking the near leg of Stormm.
The ref: One...
Two...
Jerry Andrews: No way, we all knew Stormm has more fight in him than that.
Shane doesn't hesitate in locking in a rear chin lock on Shane. The ref is on the spot asking Stormm to surrender. Michaels waves him off as Kyle applies more pressure. Stormm slowly starts working his way back to his feet where he's able to turn into the chin lock before looking to deliver a side suplex! Shane counters by flipping over Stormm's back and lands on his feet. Stormm spins around where he's met with a boot to the midsection! Shane latches on to a front face lock before delivering a vertical suplex! Shane doesn't let go, he twists his hips while turning Stormm over before lifting Stormm up to a vertical base where he delivers a second suplex! Shane twists the hips while picking Stormm back up off the mat where he delivers a third and final suplex. Kyle slowly makes his way to his feet before making his way towards the ropes. Kyle steps out to the ring apron before making his way to the nearest set of buckles. Kyle climbs up to the top rope. He stands up top before leaping off with a flying elbow drop across the chest of Stormm. The crowd is cheering wildly as Kyle executes the cover hooking the leg.
The ref: One...
Two... Kickout.
Kyle looks slightly irritated that the flurry of offense isn't getting to Stormm. He reaches his feet where he picks Stormm up off the mat leveling him with a knife edge chop across the chest. Stormm turns away, groaning and holding his chest, but as Shane turns his head a bit too cocky, Stormm quickly gouges the eyes of Shane, gaining mild dislike from the crowd for the shortcut. Stormm reverses the positioning and starts hammering away with right hands to the face of Shane before sending Kyle over the top rope and out to the floor again. Stormm drops down to the mat before rolling out to the floor after Kyle. Stormm reaches down picking Shane up off the mat before he hurls Kyle into the steel steps where he crashes into the steps with his right knee. The contact causes Shane to flip over the steps before landing hard on the floor as he clutches his right knee.
Jerry Andrews: Shane is gripping that leg like he felt something give.
Ace Anderson: Flesh and bone meets steel, it's always going to be steel that wins.
The referee starts to lay the count to both men as Stormm comes around the corner of the ring with a straight assault on the right knee of Shane with kicks before he picks Kyle up and sends him back into the ring under the bottom rope. Stormm slides into the ring as well where he pulls himself to his feet and measures Kyle as he pushes himself up off the mat and back to a vertical base only to receive a chop block from behind to the right knee which sends Kyle back to the mat screaming in pain! Stormm picks up the right leg as he rolls Kyle over to his back. He yanks Kyle towards the ropes where he drapes Kyle’s right leg across the bottom rope. Stormm steps up on the middle rope where he gets more momentum before driving his weight down on top of the right knee of the God of Game. Stormm steps back up on the middle ropes where he drives his weight down across the right knee of Shane a second time. The referee checks on Kyle as Stormm yanks the right leg off the ropes before dragging Shane out to the center of the ring where he executes a one legged Boston crab! There’s a mixed reaction from the crowd as Stormm cranks back on the right leg while sitting further on the lower back of Shane. The referee asks Shane to surrender. He refuses before starting to crawl towards the ropes. Stormm quickly transitions into a STF submission! The referee once again asks Shane to surrender, and again he refuses.
Jerry Andrews: And Shane is in agony.
Ace Anderson: You just know nothing would be more satisfying to Stormm than cruising on in to the finals of the TIIT having made Kyle Shane give up. He'd be bragging about that for... ten years, probably, at least as long as he's talked about the first one.
Jerry Andrews: Oh, don't you start.
Stormm cranks on the STF as the referee continues to ask Shane to surrender, and again Shane refuses. The bottom rope is inches away from his grasp and with one last effort Shane pulls his body close enough to the ropes to grab the bottom rope! The referee calls for the break yet Stormm doesn’t release the hold. The ref gives him to a count of five for disqualification, and Stormm finally breaks at, let's say, 4 and an eighth. ax releases the hold and is admonished by the official as he reaches his feet. Kyle clutches at his right knee. Stormm makes his way back over towards Shane where he picks him up off the mat. Stormm drives Shane back into a neutral corner with a shoulder block before he takes the right leg of Shane and props it up on the middle rope where Stormm then starts kicking away at the knee cap! The crowd starts to rally behind Kyle Shane as a “SHANE, SHANE, SHANE" chant starts to echo throughout the PCW Arena.
Jerry Andrews: The fans are trying to will Shane back into this!
The referee lays the count to Stormm as he continues to kick away at the right knee before backing away from the corner to loud boos from the crowd. Kyle manages to pull his leg back into the ring as Stormm charges forward looking for a clothesline, Shane quickly counters with a reverse elbow that sends Stormm staggering backwards towards the center of the ring. Shane steps up on the middle rope before leaping off with a crossbody that sends Stormm to the mat and rolling out to the floor under the bottom rope while Shane continues to grab at his right knee. Kyle rolls towards the ropes where he uses them to help him get to his feet while out on the floor Stormm is shown working his way to his feet. Kyle paces to the middle of the ring, barrelling across and then vaulting over with a Fosbury flop, clearing the top rope all the way to the outside, taking down the Force of Nature to a huge ovation from the crowd!
Jerry Andrews: Did you see the height on that as Shane vaulted over the ropes?!
Ace Anderson: Even with a damaged limb!
Shane manages to take a mount position on Stormm before hammering away with right hands to the face of Stormm! Kyle pushes himself up off the body of Stormm before picking him up and taking him towards the announcers table. Kyle picks Stormm up before dropping him ribs and face first across the announcers table! Kyle turns and limps towards the ring where he rolls in before rolling right back out breaking the referee’s count. Kyle picks Stormm up off the floor before driving him lower back first into the ring apron followed by a stiff right hand to the right ribs which nearly drops Stormm. Kyle rolls Stormm back into the ring before climbing up on the ring apron where he steps back through the ropes. Kyle reaches down picking Stormm up off the mat before hurling him into the corner. He takes Stormm back into a corner where he delivers shoulder blocks to ribs before delivering a european uppercut. Stormm sags down, dazed, in the corner. Shane brings Stormm into the ropes where he shoots him across the ring with an irish whip, Stormm bounces off the ropes and into Shane, coming from the opposite direction with a second Goddess White Sword! Stormm hits the mat like a ton of bricks. Shane takes a moment to draw in a few gasping lungfuls of air, looking around at the crowd, then he begins shaking with adrenaline. Shane slithers over to the ring apron before using the ropes to pull himself to his feet. The crowd gets louder and louder as Shane starts to scale the turnbuckles.
Jerry Andrews: What could this be?!
Kyle stands up on the top turnbuckle! The crowd roars as Shane delivering a moonsault to the ribs of a prone Stormm! Kyle quickly makes the cover hooking the nearest leg!
The referee: One...
Two...
Th- Kickout.
Stormm throws a shoulder up off the mat at the last second to a nice pop from the crowd. Suddenly the crowd starts breaking out into a "STORMM, STORMM, STORMM" chant!
Kyle ignores the crowd as he stomps away at the right arm and shoulder of Stormm. Shane reaches down picking Stormm up by the right arm. Shane hammers down with a clubbing blow across the right shoulder of Stormm before backing Michaels up against the ropes, he looks to throw Stormm across the ring, Stormm counters and it's Shane who's sent bouncing off the ropes and into a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker by Stormm! Stormm opts not to make the cover as he stands to his feet, and he goes to the turnbuckles. Not to be outdone by Shane's flashy move, Stormm then ascends the ropes, steadying himself, and then he flies off with a Macho Man elbow drop of such impressive distance and height that has the crowd wanting to snap into a Slim Jim, before connecting across the sternum of Shane. The crowd pops as Stormm manages to execute the cover hooking the closest leg!
Jerry Andrews: Not to be outdone by Shane, Stormm goes high risk... and it pays off!!
Ace Anderson: You know, both of these guys have such tremendous egos, they will not allow the other one the chance to outdo them.
The ref and the crowd: One...
Two....
Th - Kickout.
Jerry Andrews: Shane refuses to lose, with so much on the line!
Ace Anderson: Shane has said, this is where he starts everything again, to the "Remastered" Kyle Shane, winning the tournament means that he is going to do it better than the first time. He is not going down without a fight.
"THIS IS AWESOME, THIS IS AWESOME, THIS IS AWESOME" explodes from the crowd as Stormm starts working his way back to his feet where he shakes the right arm and shoulder before staggering forward where he picks Kyle up off the mat. Michaels swings with a right hand only to have it blocked by Shane and countered with a falling armbreaker across his knees. Kyle quickly attempts to lock in an omoplata crossface. Michaels quickly scurries to the ropes before it can fully be locked in! The ref calls for the break. Shane releases and reaches a vertical base where he shows Stormm just how close he was to being possibly put away before flipping him off like Stormm did earlier in the contest! There's a split reaction from the crowd!
Jerry Andrews: This is going to break down, I can feel it!
Shane confers with the referee for a moment, but he spins around only to be met with a double leg take down by Stormm! Michaels mounts Shane before viciously hammering way with right hands to Kyle's face. The ref lays the count to both men out on the floor but it's as if Stormm see's red! He finally stops wearing out Shane's face with his right hand before getting up off Kyle, he picks Shane up before tossing him back into the ring. He gazes down at Shane with a look of sheer evil. Shane rolls over to his chest before pushing himself up on all fours. Stormm charges forward looking to punt Shane in the skull! Shane throws his head back at the last second causing Stormm to miss, Shane reaches up and brings Stormm over with an school boy. The ref drops down to make the count allowing Shane to hook the tights!
Jerry Andrews: Is Shane - does Shane have the tights of Stormm?!
Ace Anderson: By any means necessary!!
The referee and the crowd: ONE...
TWO...
TH - Kickout!
Stormm still manages to escape before the ref's three count to a pop from the crowd! Shane beats Stormm to his feet where he's able to deliver a knee to the midsection of Stormm which doubles him over. Kyle attempts to lift the bigger man up, trying for a lifted Last Ride powerbomb. Kyle hoists Stormm up in the air... Stormm manages to counter by taking the momentum all the way over with a sunset slip; Shane rolls through, and he goes for a buzzsaw kick, which Stormm ducks his head underneath. Both Shane and Stormm reach a vertical base. Shane swings with a clothesline, Stormm ducks which sends Shane bouncing off the ropes and into a boot to the gut and an inverted STO by Stormm to a thunderous ovation from the crowd.
Jerry Andrews: And Stormm drops Shane with a Flash Flood!!
Stormm rests, trying to summon the energy to push himself over, but the exertion is starting to creep in. It takes several long, torturous seconds before he can push Shane over and hook the leg.
The referee and the crowd: ONE...
TWO...
THR - Kickout!
Stormm flops off Shane, and looks distressed as his hair is sticking up. He cuts his eyes to the referee, and then back to Shane.
Jerry Andrews: Stormm and Shane are putting on a God damn classic!!
After a few moments to catch his second wind, Stormm starts pulling himself up to a vertical base. He reaches down picking Kyle up off the mat. Stormm drives Shane back into a set of buckles before hoisting Kyle up and setting him on the top turnbuckle. The crowd comes alive as Stormm steps up to the middle turnbuckle before locking in a front face lock. Stormm looks to deliver a Superplex only to have Kyle hammer away at the ribs of Stormm! Shane breaks free before slamming Stormm head first into the top turnbuckle before leaping over Stormm while bringing him off the middle rope with a sunset flip powerbomb! The crowd is going crazy as Shane slumps to the mat, and spasms a little bit, meanwhile Stormm has been spilled across the ring like he's been thrown from a car. At length, the lanky God of Game gets to his feet pulling himself in the corner. He jogs his knee in anticipation as Stormm contorts on the mat. Shane makes a rising moment as he's tuning up the band with his knee, and as Stormm starts pulling himself up, Shane stalks him from behind, making grabby hands motions to feed Stormm in. Then as Stormm gets to a vertical base Kyle grips him with a rear chinlock and falls back with a devastating falling single leg backstabber. The point of Shane's knee and shin hit like a blade right between the shoulders of Stormm and he bounces off. Shane grimaces and holds the knee again, but refuses to let it slow him down for more than a second. He scrambles over, pulling Stormm in and hooking a leg.
Jerry Andrews: Black Flag! Black Flag!
Ace Anderson: And it isn't because Shane is a Henry Rollins fan, Stormm looks like he is in serious hurt.
The referee and the crowd: ONE...
TWO...
THR- Kickout!
Kyle cannot believe that Stormm got a shoulder up. He runs a hand through his spiky hair in agitation, and holds three fingers up to the ref. The referee assures him that Stormm kicked out. Kyle grits his teeth and curses. Kyle starts working his way back to a vertical base where he doesn't hesitate in picking Stormm up off the mat before positioning him where he effectively delivers the sitout Last Ride powerbomb this time!
Jerry Andrews: And Shane with Caress of Steel!
Ace Anderson: THAT'S GOING TO DO IT!
Shane crawls into the cover hooking the nearest leg!
The ref and the crowd: ONE...
TWO...
THRE- KICKOUT!!
The crowd explodes as Stormm throws a shoulder up off the mat!
Jerry Andrews: My God, Stormm kicked out!
"THIS IS AWESOME, THIS IS AWESOME, THIS IS AWESOME" rings out throughout the building as Kyle Shane has a complete and utter look of shock across his face as he cuts his eyes towards the ref. The ref shows him how close he was as Kyle starts working his way to a vertical base. Shane staggers forward where he reaches down to pick Stormm up only to have Stormm counter with an inside cradle from out of nowhere!
The ref and the crowd: ONE...
TWO...
THREE - Kickout!!
Jerry Andrews: We are seeing two titans of this company go at it tooth and nail for the right to be crowned the 2019 Icemann Invitational winner tonight.
Ace Anderson: If I was David Hunter and Dominator I would be sweating bullets right now... these two men are surely showing that they are the real threat in the finals.
Jerry Andrews: I will say that, whoever goes through to the next round will have earned it.
Shane beats Stormm to his feet where he bounces off the ropes and delivers a straight kick to the temple of Stormm as Stormm looks to reach his feet! Shane knocks Stormm back to the mat. "STORMM, STORMM, STORMM" echo's throughout the arena as Shane drops down to the mat where he looks to lock in the bully choke. Stormm frantically manages to fight his way to the ropes to a pop from the crowd. Shane reaches his feet where he stomps away at Stormm before reaching down and picking him up off the mat, Shane sends Stormm across the ring, Stormm bounces off the ropes where he catches Shane swinging with a right hand! The crowd roars as Stormm forces Shane to the mat with an armbar take down! He uses his right arm to grab Shane's right arm and uses it to apply a modified half nelson, and starts to wrench the right shoulder. With his free left arm he places it around the front of Shane's face and then uses his left hand to grab the forearm of Shane's right arm that is caught in the half nelson. Stormm then locks in the hold and starts to tweak Shane's right shoulder, elbow, and wrist, while applying pressure to Shane's face as well.
Jerry Andrews: Oh my god! He's got the Eye of the Stormm locked in! The pressure may be too much for Shane!!
Stormm cranks back further and further on the submission as the ref is shown getting in position, he asks Kyle to surrender. Shane's eyes, though bugging out and frantic, are full of pain and rage, and he looks over to the ref and screams out garbled words while in the crossface. The referee asks him if he gives up, but Shane refuses. Shane reaches out with his free arm, flailing for the ropes. Stormm yells for him to tap. Several dramatic moments go by, as Shane's strength seems to be fading, and then, suddenly, his free arm balls up into a fist, it begins shaking with resurgent, fiery energy, and Shane arches his free arm back, ignoring all pain and his limb being stretched to the breaking point, and rams his elbow into Stormm's side, trying to get space. Stormm releases the half-nelson just enough for Shane to yell out "FUCK YOU!" defiantly, and he floats out of the hold, elbowing Stormm in the side of the head. He then bends across Stormm's back, clenching both hands under the chin and clasping in a rear headlock, before pulling back with all of his might. Kyle effectively transitions by floating across Stormm's back into a bully choke, with it locked in so tight that Shane's midsection rises in a bridge!
Jerry Andrews: Wait a minute - Kyle breaks free! Kyle is transitioning over his shoulder... he's got the choke! He has the Lens of Truth clamped on DEEP!
Ace Anderson: Yeah, look at Shane using that bridge to apply an evil amount of leverage, he is trying to choke the life out of Stormm.
Shane hauls back on the rear headlock, and it's his turn to snarl for Stormm to tap. The ref starts asking Stormm to surrender! Stormm refuses to surrender as Kyle cranks back harder and harder on the hold! Stormm raises his right hand up off the mat!
Ace Anderson: Stormm's going to TAP!
Actually it's the exact opposite, Stormm manages to get his free hand across the face of Shane before raking him across the eyes! The crowd roars as Shane breaks the hold! Both he and Stormm start working their way back to a vertical base, Shane swings wildly at Stormm, Stormm ducks and manages to hoist Shane up in a torture rack position before dropping down with a torture rack backbreaker to Shane! Shane contorts and rolls around on the mat holding his back... but Stormm is not done, instead he grips Kyle by the hair and lifts him back up, turning him in for an inverted implant DDT. The crowd gasps as Stormm falls back to the mat, and Kyle turns onto his back as well. Both men stare up at the lights.
Jerry Andrews: Hangcloud DDT connects!
Ace Anderson: But man... these two men are DONE.
It's true, the grueling match has taken it's toll. Both Shane and Stormm are laid out, drawing lungfuls of air into their bodies which are now completely drained of all of their sweat and blood. It's not enough. Neither one of them is able to move. Stormm isn't able to capitalize on his big move. Kyle isn't able to pick his way up. Both men are just laid out. The referee doesn't know what to do. If both men get counted out... then what happens to the finals. The referee looks from man to man, checking on them to see if he can get a response. Finally, he begins counting...
The referee: One...
Two...
Three...
Four...
Five... Stormm finally moves, crawling over onto his side.
Jerry Andrews: Stormm is alive!
Stormm, painfully, not getting enough breath to adequately make his face not beet red after the Lens of Truth, crawls on his elbows and pulls himself closer to Shane. He drapes an arm over.
The referee and the crowd: ONE...
TWO...
THR - KICKOUT!
Jerry Andrews: HOW IS SHANE STILL IN THIS?!
Ace Anderson: You pose a good question, I - I don't know, I don't have a good answer.
"THIS IS AWESOME, THIS IS AWESOME THIS IS AWESOME" once again echo's throughout the building as Stormm is shown slowly working his way back to his feet. The crowd roars as Stormm reaches a vertical base. Stormm looks down at Kyle, before running his thumb across his throat. Stormm staggers towards Kyle where he picks him up off the mat. Stormm scoops Shane up, Stormm sets Shane up in a suplex position, with his left arm over the back of Shane's head, and Shane's left arm over his left shoulder. Stormm then grabs Shane's left leg, lifting it up close to Shane's own torso, and then lifts Shane up into the cradle suplex position. However before Stormm can spin Shane off and plant him into the mat, Shane drops down behind Stormm, kicks him in the back of the leg. Stormm drops to one knee, grimacing, and Shane comes from behind at high velocity, unloading a vicious elbow strike to the base of Stormm's skull.
Jerry Andrews: SHANE JUST TURNED OUT THE LIGHTS WITH THE HIDDEN BLADE!
Ace Anderson: That's what triumphed over Stormm the last time both men met in the triple threat!
Shane is too spent to move, but he at least is using his forearms to keep himself from totally collapsing. Still, seconds tick by as he tries to shake the cobwebs out, blinking. Finally, Shane crawls over, muscling Stormm over into a cover.
The referee and the crowd: ONE...
TWO...
THREE -
KICKOUT!
Jerry Andrews: MY GOD WHAT A BATTLE WE'RE SEEING TONIGHT IN THE PURE CLASS WRESTLING ARENA! THIS IS HISTORY IN THE MAKING!!
Ace Anderson: Both of these men have traded some of their strongest shots, and now both are down and spent... the first one to get to his feet may just have the advantage!
Jerry Andrews: The first one to his feet may be that much closer to becoming the winner of the 2019 Icemann Invitational!
Both men are down on the mat again, having to take a few more moments to gather their wits. Shane is laid out, holding his face in disbelief, fatigue seeping from his veins, and Stormm is trying to hold his head as if he is barely coming to. The referee checks on both men, but rather than start another countout, he waits it out, and a few moments later they both start turning on to their sides, gingerly picking their way up to their feet. At length, both men transition from all fours, to one knee, to finally starting to get to their feet.
Both men are standing! But not for long. They each take a wobbly step or two and then collapse again.
Jerry Andrews: This match has taken absolutely everything out of these two men!
Ace Anderson: Maybe neither of them will make it to the final round!
The referee doesn't want to count both men out. He gives them quite some time before starting a count.
The referee: One....
Two....
Three.....
Four.....
Five.....
Six.....
Seven......
Eight......
The referee pauses. Neither man has moved.
Nine....
Another pause. He's giving both men more than the benefit of the doubt to get to their feet.
Ten.
The bell rings. The crowd boos.
Jerry Andrews: Well.... this is disappointing.
Ace Anderson: I guess the referee had no choice... but what do we do now.
PCW officials come out and members of the medical team slowly help Stormm and Shane get to their feet. The crowd is booing loudly. Several referees are speaking to one another at ringside. Finally, Nigel Gale walks over to Sasha Greene, speaks with her for a moment, and then heads back to the ring.
The crowd cheers.
Ace Anderson: YESSSS!!!
Both Stormm and Shane seem happy about this decision. The medical staff leave the ring and Nigel Gale motions for the match to continue. Suddenly Kyle Shane leaps forward....
Jerry Andrews: DEAD EYE!
He quickly goes for the cover!
The referee: One.....
Two......
Three!!!
Jerry Andrews: Kyle Shane has done it!!
The referee has not called for the bell. Shane gets to his feet and raises his arms in victory. There's still no bell.
Ace Anderson: Wait a second... Nigel Gale is pointing at Stormm's hand and the ring rope! I don't think this one is over!
Jerry Andrews: What? Let's take a second look.
The replay airs and the referee is seen slapping his hand on the mat for the third time.... but as he does Stormm manages to reach his hand under the bottom rope!
Jerry Andrews: Did Stormm get his hand under the rope in time?
The replay airs again.
Ace Anderson: Oooohhhh..... I think maybe he juuuuust did!
Jerry Andrews: I'm not so sure. Let's see that again.
There's confusion inside the arena has the replay airs again. Kyle Shane is arguing with the referee.
Ace Anderson: Well, Jerry, the referee's decision inside the ring is final and it looks like he's decided that the match will continue.
As Nigel Gale explains the situation to an irate and exhausted Kyle Shane, Stormm rolls him up from behind.
The referee: One.....
Two.......
Three!
Jerry Andrews: Did he get him!?
Kyle Shane kicks out, seemingly, just as the referee hits the mat for three! The official calls for the bell!
Ace Anderson: It looks like Stormm got it!
Jerry Andrews: Wow!
Stormm rises to his feet as the official raises his arm in the air. The replay is shown to the viewers at home.... and it's tough to tell from the angles available. The referee did count to three and Kyle Shane did kick out... but which happened first?
Jerry Andrews: That's a tough one, Ace! I think Stormm had him there, but I can see why there's controversy!
Ace Anderson: I agree... it's nearly impossible to say if Shane kicked out a fraction of a second after the three count or before, even with the benefit of slow motion replay!
Jerry Andrews: Well, as you said Ace, the referee's decision in the ring is final and that decision is that Stormm has advanced to the final!
Ace Anderson: What a match. These two left it all in the ring. They did absolutely everything possible to defeat one another. I don't think I've ever seen a closer match.
Jerry Andrews: It was certainly something to behold, and we're just getting started, folks!
Both competitors leave the ring and officials get things reset for the next match as replays of the epic match we just witnessed play for the crowd and the audience at home.
Ace Anderson: That's right Jerry, as we all compose ourselves, we've got our second semifinal match happening right now!
Ace Anderson: Yeah, but remember, whoever gets through this still has another match to go.
As the bell rings, Shane and Stormm each walk out towards the center of the ring, still talking trash to each other, and it all begins to boil over as they reach the middle, where they instantly begin a heated exchange of right hands! The crowd roars as Stormm lands a stiff shot, Shane fires right back with a shot, Stormm lands a knife edge chop across the chest of Shane! Shane comes right back with an open handed chop across the chest of Stormm! Stormm swings with a right hand only to be blocked by Shane, Kyle counters with a right hand rocking his opposition back against the ropes. Shane comes forward only to have Stormm come off the ropes with a boot the midsection where he quickly looks to deliver the Flash Flood only to have Shane squirm free by dropping to the mat and sliding out to the floor! Stormm walks towards the ropes , holding his fingers an inch apart, showing Kyle how close he was to suffering a possible loss of his TIIT Finals aspirations. The referee backs Stormm up before turning around to lay the count to Kyle only to find Kyle crawling up to the ring apron where he re-enters the ring.
Jerry Andrews: It's got to be extra hard on the ref for this match, only one of these men are going to be headed to face the winner of Dominator and Hunter, so he can't afford to blow his call.
Shane and Stormm circle each other before locking up center ring. Each man jockey for position, they continue to jockey before it's Stormm who snaps Shane over with a deep arm drag. There's a pop for Stormm as he reaches his feet while Shane reaches his knee's. Stormm kneels towards Shane while screaming in his face. Shane stands to his feet catching Stormm coming in with a thumb to the eye! Shane drives Stormm back into a corner where he unloads with right hands, before swapping with chops across the chest... before transitioning into boots to the chest, beating Michaels completely down into a seated position. Then, Kyle throws a gamer tag up to the crowd before bringing Stormm out of the corner with a snap mare take over which is followed up with a shining wizard! Shane quickly makes the cover hooking the near leg of Stormm, but Stormm is able to escape, throwing a shoulder up the mat breaking the count. Kyle reaches a vertical base where he reaches down picking Michaels up off the mat. Kyle under hooks the arms of Stormm looking for a double arm DDT, yet quickly Stormm manages to counter with a bridging northern lights suplex to the God of Game. Again, just as the referee is getting into position, Kyle claps his way free and breaks the count. Too early yet. Both Shane and Stormm reach their feet with Michaels landing a double thrust to the throat of Shane. The ref admonishes Stormm, who pays him no mind as he takes Kyle head first into a top turnbuckle! Stormm spins Shane around where he laces him across the chest with a knife edge chop before taking Shane and hurling him through the ropes and out to the floor. Out on the floor Shane reaches all fours, Stormm jumps off the apron, taking them both down with a flying clothesline from off the apron. The crowd pops heavily for this move. Stormm is relatively quick back to his feet. He reaches down picking Kyle up off the mat before driving him head first into the steel steps. Kyle is laid out across the steel steps, trying to catch his breath. Stormm hammers Shane with a straight right hand before choking Shane with both hands.
Jerry Andrews: Stormm's been waiting for this opportunity for a long time, he's holding nothing back.
Ace Anderson: You just know Shane's constant taunting of him has made him see red from time to time.
Stormm releases the choke before throwing Shane back into the ring under the bottom rope. Stormm slides into the ring where he hammers down with another hard right hand before once again choking Shane. The ref quickly starts laying the count to Stormm, but Stormm breaks on the count of four point two. Michaels releases the choke before reaching his feet where the ref is once again in his face admonishing Stormm. Michaels ignores the ref as he reaches down picking Kyle Shane up off the mat before taking Kyle back into the ropes, he shoots Shane across the ring, Kyle bounces off the ropes and into an overhead release belly to belly suplex! Michaels quickly makes the cover hooking the near leg of Shane.
The ref: One...
Two... Kickout.
Kyle throws a shoulder up off the mat breaking the count. Stormm works his way to his feet where he picks Kyle up off the mat only to have Shane quickly counter with a jaw breaker! Kyle stands to his feet where he follows up with a boot to the midsection before delivering a double underhook suplex to Stormm! Kyle begins to work his way back to his feet where he takes a moment to gather himself before coming forward towards Stormm where he lays in several stomps to the body before rolling Stormm over to his chest where Kyle places his right boot in the middle of Stormm's shoulder blades before taking both of Stormm's arm and curb stomping him into the mat face first. Shane reaches a vertical base, and he grips Stormm, picking Stormm up off the mat before hurling him out through the ropes and to the floor. The ref, much like with Stormm cuts Shane off from trying to take the fight to Stormm out on the floor. Michaels is shown starting to work his way to his feet, Shane quickly runs across the ring where he bounces off the ropes, he gains a full head of steam before sailing through the top and middle rope with a suicide dive that drives Stormm back against the security railing! Shane lands on his feet where he follows up by smashing Stormm face first off the steel security railing! Kyle takes Stormm by the head before walking around the ring towards the announcers table where he drives Stormm head first off the table!
Jerry Andrews: They're right out in front of us!
Shane takes Stormm and tosses him back into the ring. Kyle crawls up on the ring apron before scaling the turnbuckles! Kyle measures Stormm who slowly starts pushing himself up off the mat. Shane leaps off the top rope with a missile dropkick that's right on the money! Once again the former World champ makes the cover.
Jerry Andrews: Kyle Shane is starting to show that fire that took him to the finals of the Icemann Invitational in 2017.
Ace Anderson: This match is between two men who have both won the entire shebang. You have to figure that gives them some sort of edge over Dominator and David Hunter.
Jerry Andrews: But not each other, I think we're seeing they're a bit more evenly matched.
The ref: One...
Two...
Stormm throws a shoulder up off the mat to a mild pop from the crowd. Shane reaches down picking Michaels up by the head before delivering another solid right hand before shooting Stormm towards a set of buckles, Shane charges in after Stormm, Stormm side steps Shane at the last possible second which sends Shane sternum first off the buckles, Michaels quickly latches on to a back waist lock before hurling Shane backwards with a release German suplex. Michaels works his way to his feet where he shakes off the damage done by Kyle Shane. Stormm comes forward picking Kyle up off the mat before sending Kyle across the ring and into a set of buckles. Stormm charges across the ring where he delivers a running knee to the jaw of Shane before driving Kyle face first into the canvas with a running bulldog headlock! Stormm reaches his feet where he's met with a shocking ovation from the crowd. Michaels takes a moment as he looks out towards the crowd to the left and then to the right as they're starting to cheer "LET'S GO STORMM/LET'S GO SHANE". Michaels turns back towards Kyle who's still laid out on the mat. Stormm runs full speed towards the ropes before delivering a elbow drop to the sternum. Stormm makes the cover hooking the nearest leg of Kyle Shane.
The referee: One...
Two...
Kyle throws a shoulder up off the mat to a gasp from the crowd.
Michaels starts working his way back to a vertical base where he reaches down picking Kyle up off the mat. Stormm rocks Shane with a chop across the chest that sends Shane back into the ropes. Michaels comes forward shooting Shane across the ring, Shane bounces of the ropes ducking under Stormm's clothesline attempt, Kyle bounces off the farside where he's able to rip off a Goddess White Sword to Stormm. Both Shane and Stormm lay on the mat for several seconds before it's Kyle who manages to execute the cover hooking the near leg of Stormm.
The ref: One...
Two...
Jerry Andrews: No way, we all knew Stormm has more fight in him than that.
Shane doesn't hesitate in locking in a rear chin lock on Shane. The ref is on the spot asking Stormm to surrender. Michaels waves him off as Kyle applies more pressure. Stormm slowly starts working his way back to his feet where he's able to turn into the chin lock before looking to deliver a side suplex! Shane counters by flipping over Stormm's back and lands on his feet. Stormm spins around where he's met with a boot to the midsection! Shane latches on to a front face lock before delivering a vertical suplex! Shane doesn't let go, he twists his hips while turning Stormm over before lifting Stormm up to a vertical base where he delivers a second suplex! Shane twists the hips while picking Stormm back up off the mat where he delivers a third and final suplex. Kyle slowly makes his way to his feet before making his way towards the ropes. Kyle steps out to the ring apron before making his way to the nearest set of buckles. Kyle climbs up to the top rope. He stands up top before leaping off with a flying elbow drop across the chest of Stormm. The crowd is cheering wildly as Kyle executes the cover hooking the leg.
The ref: One...
Two... Kickout.
Kyle looks slightly irritated that the flurry of offense isn't getting to Stormm. He reaches his feet where he picks Stormm up off the mat leveling him with a knife edge chop across the chest. Stormm turns away, groaning and holding his chest, but as Shane turns his head a bit too cocky, Stormm quickly gouges the eyes of Shane, gaining mild dislike from the crowd for the shortcut. Stormm reverses the positioning and starts hammering away with right hands to the face of Shane before sending Kyle over the top rope and out to the floor again. Stormm drops down to the mat before rolling out to the floor after Kyle. Stormm reaches down picking Shane up off the mat before he hurls Kyle into the steel steps where he crashes into the steps with his right knee. The contact causes Shane to flip over the steps before landing hard on the floor as he clutches his right knee.
Jerry Andrews: Shane is gripping that leg like he felt something give.
Ace Anderson: Flesh and bone meets steel, it's always going to be steel that wins.
The referee starts to lay the count to both men as Stormm comes around the corner of the ring with a straight assault on the right knee of Shane with kicks before he picks Kyle up and sends him back into the ring under the bottom rope. Stormm slides into the ring as well where he pulls himself to his feet and measures Kyle as he pushes himself up off the mat and back to a vertical base only to receive a chop block from behind to the right knee which sends Kyle back to the mat screaming in pain! Stormm picks up the right leg as he rolls Kyle over to his back. He yanks Kyle towards the ropes where he drapes Kyle’s right leg across the bottom rope. Stormm steps up on the middle rope where he gets more momentum before driving his weight down on top of the right knee of the God of Game. Stormm steps back up on the middle ropes where he drives his weight down across the right knee of Shane a second time. The referee checks on Kyle as Stormm yanks the right leg off the ropes before dragging Shane out to the center of the ring where he executes a one legged Boston crab! There’s a mixed reaction from the crowd as Stormm cranks back on the right leg while sitting further on the lower back of Shane. The referee asks Shane to surrender. He refuses before starting to crawl towards the ropes. Stormm quickly transitions into a STF submission! The referee once again asks Shane to surrender, and again he refuses.
Jerry Andrews: And Shane is in agony.
Ace Anderson: You just know nothing would be more satisfying to Stormm than cruising on in to the finals of the TIIT having made Kyle Shane give up. He'd be bragging about that for... ten years, probably, at least as long as he's talked about the first one.
Jerry Andrews: Oh, don't you start.
Stormm cranks on the STF as the referee continues to ask Shane to surrender, and again Shane refuses. The bottom rope is inches away from his grasp and with one last effort Shane pulls his body close enough to the ropes to grab the bottom rope! The referee calls for the break yet Stormm doesn’t release the hold. The ref gives him to a count of five for disqualification, and Stormm finally breaks at, let's say, 4 and an eighth. ax releases the hold and is admonished by the official as he reaches his feet. Kyle clutches at his right knee. Stormm makes his way back over towards Shane where he picks him up off the mat. Stormm drives Shane back into a neutral corner with a shoulder block before he takes the right leg of Shane and props it up on the middle rope where Stormm then starts kicking away at the knee cap! The crowd starts to rally behind Kyle Shane as a “SHANE, SHANE, SHANE" chant starts to echo throughout the PCW Arena.
Jerry Andrews: The fans are trying to will Shane back into this!
The referee lays the count to Stormm as he continues to kick away at the right knee before backing away from the corner to loud boos from the crowd. Kyle manages to pull his leg back into the ring as Stormm charges forward looking for a clothesline, Shane quickly counters with a reverse elbow that sends Stormm staggering backwards towards the center of the ring. Shane steps up on the middle rope before leaping off with a crossbody that sends Stormm to the mat and rolling out to the floor under the bottom rope while Shane continues to grab at his right knee. Kyle rolls towards the ropes where he uses them to help him get to his feet while out on the floor Stormm is shown working his way to his feet. Kyle paces to the middle of the ring, barrelling across and then vaulting over with a Fosbury flop, clearing the top rope all the way to the outside, taking down the Force of Nature to a huge ovation from the crowd!
Jerry Andrews: Did you see the height on that as Shane vaulted over the ropes?!
Ace Anderson: Even with a damaged limb!
Shane manages to take a mount position on Stormm before hammering away with right hands to the face of Stormm! Kyle pushes himself up off the body of Stormm before picking him up and taking him towards the announcers table. Kyle picks Stormm up before dropping him ribs and face first across the announcers table! Kyle turns and limps towards the ring where he rolls in before rolling right back out breaking the referee’s count. Kyle picks Stormm up off the floor before driving him lower back first into the ring apron followed by a stiff right hand to the right ribs which nearly drops Stormm. Kyle rolls Stormm back into the ring before climbing up on the ring apron where he steps back through the ropes. Kyle reaches down picking Stormm up off the mat before hurling him into the corner. He takes Stormm back into a corner where he delivers shoulder blocks to ribs before delivering a european uppercut. Stormm sags down, dazed, in the corner. Shane brings Stormm into the ropes where he shoots him across the ring with an irish whip, Stormm bounces off the ropes and into Shane, coming from the opposite direction with a second Goddess White Sword! Stormm hits the mat like a ton of bricks. Shane takes a moment to draw in a few gasping lungfuls of air, looking around at the crowd, then he begins shaking with adrenaline. Shane slithers over to the ring apron before using the ropes to pull himself to his feet. The crowd gets louder and louder as Shane starts to scale the turnbuckles.
Jerry Andrews: What could this be?!
Kyle stands up on the top turnbuckle! The crowd roars as Shane delivering a moonsault to the ribs of a prone Stormm! Kyle quickly makes the cover hooking the nearest leg!
The referee: One...
Two...
Th- Kickout.
Stormm throws a shoulder up off the mat at the last second to a nice pop from the crowd. Suddenly the crowd starts breaking out into a "STORMM, STORMM, STORMM" chant!
Kyle ignores the crowd as he stomps away at the right arm and shoulder of Stormm. Shane reaches down picking Stormm up by the right arm. Shane hammers down with a clubbing blow across the right shoulder of Stormm before backing Michaels up against the ropes, he looks to throw Stormm across the ring, Stormm counters and it's Shane who's sent bouncing off the ropes and into a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker by Stormm! Stormm opts not to make the cover as he stands to his feet, and he goes to the turnbuckles. Not to be outdone by Shane's flashy move, Stormm then ascends the ropes, steadying himself, and then he flies off with a Macho Man elbow drop of such impressive distance and height that has the crowd wanting to snap into a Slim Jim, before connecting across the sternum of Shane. The crowd pops as Stormm manages to execute the cover hooking the closest leg!
Jerry Andrews: Not to be outdone by Shane, Stormm goes high risk... and it pays off!!
Ace Anderson: You know, both of these guys have such tremendous egos, they will not allow the other one the chance to outdo them.
The ref and the crowd: One...
Two....
Th - Kickout.
Jerry Andrews: Shane refuses to lose, with so much on the line!
Ace Anderson: Shane has said, this is where he starts everything again, to the "Remastered" Kyle Shane, winning the tournament means that he is going to do it better than the first time. He is not going down without a fight.
"THIS IS AWESOME, THIS IS AWESOME, THIS IS AWESOME" explodes from the crowd as Stormm starts working his way back to his feet where he shakes the right arm and shoulder before staggering forward where he picks Kyle up off the mat. Michaels swings with a right hand only to have it blocked by Shane and countered with a falling armbreaker across his knees. Kyle quickly attempts to lock in an omoplata crossface. Michaels quickly scurries to the ropes before it can fully be locked in! The ref calls for the break. Shane releases and reaches a vertical base where he shows Stormm just how close he was to being possibly put away before flipping him off like Stormm did earlier in the contest! There's a split reaction from the crowd!
Jerry Andrews: This is going to break down, I can feel it!
Shane confers with the referee for a moment, but he spins around only to be met with a double leg take down by Stormm! Michaels mounts Shane before viciously hammering way with right hands to Kyle's face. The ref lays the count to both men out on the floor but it's as if Stormm see's red! He finally stops wearing out Shane's face with his right hand before getting up off Kyle, he picks Shane up before tossing him back into the ring. He gazes down at Shane with a look of sheer evil. Shane rolls over to his chest before pushing himself up on all fours. Stormm charges forward looking to punt Shane in the skull! Shane throws his head back at the last second causing Stormm to miss, Shane reaches up and brings Stormm over with an school boy. The ref drops down to make the count allowing Shane to hook the tights!
Jerry Andrews: Is Shane - does Shane have the tights of Stormm?!
Ace Anderson: By any means necessary!!
The referee and the crowd: ONE...
TWO...
TH - Kickout!
Stormm still manages to escape before the ref's three count to a pop from the crowd! Shane beats Stormm to his feet where he's able to deliver a knee to the midsection of Stormm which doubles him over. Kyle attempts to lift the bigger man up, trying for a lifted Last Ride powerbomb. Kyle hoists Stormm up in the air... Stormm manages to counter by taking the momentum all the way over with a sunset slip; Shane rolls through, and he goes for a buzzsaw kick, which Stormm ducks his head underneath. Both Shane and Stormm reach a vertical base. Shane swings with a clothesline, Stormm ducks which sends Shane bouncing off the ropes and into a boot to the gut and an inverted STO by Stormm to a thunderous ovation from the crowd.
Jerry Andrews: And Stormm drops Shane with a Flash Flood!!
Stormm rests, trying to summon the energy to push himself over, but the exertion is starting to creep in. It takes several long, torturous seconds before he can push Shane over and hook the leg.
The referee and the crowd: ONE...
TWO...
THR - Kickout!
Stormm flops off Shane, and looks distressed as his hair is sticking up. He cuts his eyes to the referee, and then back to Shane.
Jerry Andrews: Stormm and Shane are putting on a God damn classic!!
After a few moments to catch his second wind, Stormm starts pulling himself up to a vertical base. He reaches down picking Kyle up off the mat. Stormm drives Shane back into a set of buckles before hoisting Kyle up and setting him on the top turnbuckle. The crowd comes alive as Stormm steps up to the middle turnbuckle before locking in a front face lock. Stormm looks to deliver a Superplex only to have Kyle hammer away at the ribs of Stormm! Shane breaks free before slamming Stormm head first into the top turnbuckle before leaping over Stormm while bringing him off the middle rope with a sunset flip powerbomb! The crowd is going crazy as Shane slumps to the mat, and spasms a little bit, meanwhile Stormm has been spilled across the ring like he's been thrown from a car. At length, the lanky God of Game gets to his feet pulling himself in the corner. He jogs his knee in anticipation as Stormm contorts on the mat. Shane makes a rising moment as he's tuning up the band with his knee, and as Stormm starts pulling himself up, Shane stalks him from behind, making grabby hands motions to feed Stormm in. Then as Stormm gets to a vertical base Kyle grips him with a rear chinlock and falls back with a devastating falling single leg backstabber. The point of Shane's knee and shin hit like a blade right between the shoulders of Stormm and he bounces off. Shane grimaces and holds the knee again, but refuses to let it slow him down for more than a second. He scrambles over, pulling Stormm in and hooking a leg.
Jerry Andrews: Black Flag! Black Flag!
Ace Anderson: And it isn't because Shane is a Henry Rollins fan, Stormm looks like he is in serious hurt.
The referee and the crowd: ONE...
TWO...
THR- Kickout!
Kyle cannot believe that Stormm got a shoulder up. He runs a hand through his spiky hair in agitation, and holds three fingers up to the ref. The referee assures him that Stormm kicked out. Kyle grits his teeth and curses. Kyle starts working his way back to a vertical base where he doesn't hesitate in picking Stormm up off the mat before positioning him where he effectively delivers the sitout Last Ride powerbomb this time!
Jerry Andrews: And Shane with Caress of Steel!
Ace Anderson: THAT'S GOING TO DO IT!
Shane crawls into the cover hooking the nearest leg!
The ref and the crowd: ONE...
TWO...
THRE- KICKOUT!!
The crowd explodes as Stormm throws a shoulder up off the mat!
Jerry Andrews: My God, Stormm kicked out!
"THIS IS AWESOME, THIS IS AWESOME, THIS IS AWESOME" rings out throughout the building as Kyle Shane has a complete and utter look of shock across his face as he cuts his eyes towards the ref. The ref shows him how close he was as Kyle starts working his way to a vertical base. Shane staggers forward where he reaches down to pick Stormm up only to have Stormm counter with an inside cradle from out of nowhere!
The ref and the crowd: ONE...
TWO...
THREE - Kickout!!
Jerry Andrews: We are seeing two titans of this company go at it tooth and nail for the right to be crowned the 2019 Icemann Invitational winner tonight.
Ace Anderson: If I was David Hunter and Dominator I would be sweating bullets right now... these two men are surely showing that they are the real threat in the finals.
Jerry Andrews: I will say that, whoever goes through to the next round will have earned it.
Shane beats Stormm to his feet where he bounces off the ropes and delivers a straight kick to the temple of Stormm as Stormm looks to reach his feet! Shane knocks Stormm back to the mat. "STORMM, STORMM, STORMM" echo's throughout the arena as Shane drops down to the mat where he looks to lock in the bully choke. Stormm frantically manages to fight his way to the ropes to a pop from the crowd. Shane reaches his feet where he stomps away at Stormm before reaching down and picking him up off the mat, Shane sends Stormm across the ring, Stormm bounces off the ropes where he catches Shane swinging with a right hand! The crowd roars as Stormm forces Shane to the mat with an armbar take down! He uses his right arm to grab Shane's right arm and uses it to apply a modified half nelson, and starts to wrench the right shoulder. With his free left arm he places it around the front of Shane's face and then uses his left hand to grab the forearm of Shane's right arm that is caught in the half nelson. Stormm then locks in the hold and starts to tweak Shane's right shoulder, elbow, and wrist, while applying pressure to Shane's face as well.
Jerry Andrews: Oh my god! He's got the Eye of the Stormm locked in! The pressure may be too much for Shane!!
Stormm cranks back further and further on the submission as the ref is shown getting in position, he asks Kyle to surrender. Shane's eyes, though bugging out and frantic, are full of pain and rage, and he looks over to the ref and screams out garbled words while in the crossface. The referee asks him if he gives up, but Shane refuses. Shane reaches out with his free arm, flailing for the ropes. Stormm yells for him to tap. Several dramatic moments go by, as Shane's strength seems to be fading, and then, suddenly, his free arm balls up into a fist, it begins shaking with resurgent, fiery energy, and Shane arches his free arm back, ignoring all pain and his limb being stretched to the breaking point, and rams his elbow into Stormm's side, trying to get space. Stormm releases the half-nelson just enough for Shane to yell out "FUCK YOU!" defiantly, and he floats out of the hold, elbowing Stormm in the side of the head. He then bends across Stormm's back, clenching both hands under the chin and clasping in a rear headlock, before pulling back with all of his might. Kyle effectively transitions by floating across Stormm's back into a bully choke, with it locked in so tight that Shane's midsection rises in a bridge!
Jerry Andrews: Wait a minute - Kyle breaks free! Kyle is transitioning over his shoulder... he's got the choke! He has the Lens of Truth clamped on DEEP!
Ace Anderson: Yeah, look at Shane using that bridge to apply an evil amount of leverage, he is trying to choke the life out of Stormm.
Shane hauls back on the rear headlock, and it's his turn to snarl for Stormm to tap. The ref starts asking Stormm to surrender! Stormm refuses to surrender as Kyle cranks back harder and harder on the hold! Stormm raises his right hand up off the mat!
Ace Anderson: Stormm's going to TAP!
Actually it's the exact opposite, Stormm manages to get his free hand across the face of Shane before raking him across the eyes! The crowd roars as Shane breaks the hold! Both he and Stormm start working their way back to a vertical base, Shane swings wildly at Stormm, Stormm ducks and manages to hoist Shane up in a torture rack position before dropping down with a torture rack backbreaker to Shane! Shane contorts and rolls around on the mat holding his back... but Stormm is not done, instead he grips Kyle by the hair and lifts him back up, turning him in for an inverted implant DDT. The crowd gasps as Stormm falls back to the mat, and Kyle turns onto his back as well. Both men stare up at the lights.
Jerry Andrews: Hangcloud DDT connects!
Ace Anderson: But man... these two men are DONE.
It's true, the grueling match has taken it's toll. Both Shane and Stormm are laid out, drawing lungfuls of air into their bodies which are now completely drained of all of their sweat and blood. It's not enough. Neither one of them is able to move. Stormm isn't able to capitalize on his big move. Kyle isn't able to pick his way up. Both men are just laid out. The referee doesn't know what to do. If both men get counted out... then what happens to the finals. The referee looks from man to man, checking on them to see if he can get a response. Finally, he begins counting...
The referee: One...
Two...
Three...
Four...
Five... Stormm finally moves, crawling over onto his side.
Jerry Andrews: Stormm is alive!
Stormm, painfully, not getting enough breath to adequately make his face not beet red after the Lens of Truth, crawls on his elbows and pulls himself closer to Shane. He drapes an arm over.
The referee and the crowd: ONE...
TWO...
THR - KICKOUT!
Jerry Andrews: HOW IS SHANE STILL IN THIS?!
Ace Anderson: You pose a good question, I - I don't know, I don't have a good answer.
"THIS IS AWESOME, THIS IS AWESOME THIS IS AWESOME" once again echo's throughout the building as Stormm is shown slowly working his way back to his feet. The crowd roars as Stormm reaches a vertical base. Stormm looks down at Kyle, before running his thumb across his throat. Stormm staggers towards Kyle where he picks him up off the mat. Stormm scoops Shane up, Stormm sets Shane up in a suplex position, with his left arm over the back of Shane's head, and Shane's left arm over his left shoulder. Stormm then grabs Shane's left leg, lifting it up close to Shane's own torso, and then lifts Shane up into the cradle suplex position. However before Stormm can spin Shane off and plant him into the mat, Shane drops down behind Stormm, kicks him in the back of the leg. Stormm drops to one knee, grimacing, and Shane comes from behind at high velocity, unloading a vicious elbow strike to the base of Stormm's skull.
Jerry Andrews: SHANE JUST TURNED OUT THE LIGHTS WITH THE HIDDEN BLADE!
Ace Anderson: That's what triumphed over Stormm the last time both men met in the triple threat!
Shane is too spent to move, but he at least is using his forearms to keep himself from totally collapsing. Still, seconds tick by as he tries to shake the cobwebs out, blinking. Finally, Shane crawls over, muscling Stormm over into a cover.
The referee and the crowd: ONE...
TWO...
THREE -
KICKOUT!
Jerry Andrews: MY GOD WHAT A BATTLE WE'RE SEEING TONIGHT IN THE PURE CLASS WRESTLING ARENA! THIS IS HISTORY IN THE MAKING!!
Ace Anderson: Both of these men have traded some of their strongest shots, and now both are down and spent... the first one to get to his feet may just have the advantage!
Jerry Andrews: The first one to his feet may be that much closer to becoming the winner of the 2019 Icemann Invitational!
Both men are down on the mat again, having to take a few more moments to gather their wits. Shane is laid out, holding his face in disbelief, fatigue seeping from his veins, and Stormm is trying to hold his head as if he is barely coming to. The referee checks on both men, but rather than start another countout, he waits it out, and a few moments later they both start turning on to their sides, gingerly picking their way up to their feet. At length, both men transition from all fours, to one knee, to finally starting to get to their feet.
Both men are standing! But not for long. They each take a wobbly step or two and then collapse again.
Jerry Andrews: This match has taken absolutely everything out of these two men!
Ace Anderson: Maybe neither of them will make it to the final round!
The referee doesn't want to count both men out. He gives them quite some time before starting a count.
The referee: One....
Two....
Three.....
Four.....
Five.....
Six.....
Seven......
Eight......
The referee pauses. Neither man has moved.
Nine....
Another pause. He's giving both men more than the benefit of the doubt to get to their feet.
Ten.
The bell rings. The crowd boos.
Jerry Andrews: Well.... this is disappointing.
Ace Anderson: I guess the referee had no choice... but what do we do now.
PCW officials come out and members of the medical team slowly help Stormm and Shane get to their feet. The crowd is booing loudly. Several referees are speaking to one another at ringside. Finally, Nigel Gale walks over to Sasha Greene, speaks with her for a moment, and then heads back to the ring.
Sasha Greene: Ladies and gentlemen, neither competitor in this match was able to answer the referee's ten count. However....
The crowd cheers.
Sasha Greene: Referee Nigel Gale has used his discretion to request that the match continue!
Ace Anderson: YESSSS!!!
Both Stormm and Shane seem happy about this decision. The medical staff leave the ring and Nigel Gale motions for the match to continue. Suddenly Kyle Shane leaps forward....
Jerry Andrews: DEAD EYE!
He quickly goes for the cover!
The referee: One.....
Two......
Three!!!
Jerry Andrews: Kyle Shane has done it!!
The referee has not called for the bell. Shane gets to his feet and raises his arms in victory. There's still no bell.
Ace Anderson: Wait a second... Nigel Gale is pointing at Stormm's hand and the ring rope! I don't think this one is over!
Jerry Andrews: What? Let's take a second look.
The replay airs and the referee is seen slapping his hand on the mat for the third time.... but as he does Stormm manages to reach his hand under the bottom rope!
Jerry Andrews: Did Stormm get his hand under the rope in time?
The replay airs again.
Ace Anderson: Oooohhhh..... I think maybe he juuuuust did!
Jerry Andrews: I'm not so sure. Let's see that again.
There's confusion inside the arena has the replay airs again. Kyle Shane is arguing with the referee.
Ace Anderson: Well, Jerry, the referee's decision inside the ring is final and it looks like he's decided that the match will continue.
As Nigel Gale explains the situation to an irate and exhausted Kyle Shane, Stormm rolls him up from behind.
The referee: One.....
Two.......
Three!
Jerry Andrews: Did he get him!?
Kyle Shane kicks out, seemingly, just as the referee hits the mat for three! The official calls for the bell!
Ace Anderson: It looks like Stormm got it!
Jerry Andrews: Wow!
Stormm rises to his feet as the official raises his arm in the air. The replay is shown to the viewers at home.... and it's tough to tell from the angles available. The referee did count to three and Kyle Shane did kick out... but which happened first?
Jerry Andrews: That's a tough one, Ace! I think Stormm had him there, but I can see why there's controversy!
Ace Anderson: I agree... it's nearly impossible to say if Shane kicked out a fraction of a second after the three count or before, even with the benefit of slow motion replay!
Jerry Andrews: Well, as you said Ace, the referee's decision in the ring is final and that decision is that Stormm has advanced to the final!
Ace Anderson: What a match. These two left it all in the ring. They did absolutely everything possible to defeat one another. I don't think I've ever seen a closer match.
Jerry Andrews: It was certainly something to behold, and we're just getting started, folks!
Both competitors leave the ring and officials get things reset for the next match as replays of the epic match we just witnessed play for the crowd and the audience at home.
Ace Anderson: That's right Jerry, as we all compose ourselves, we've got our second semifinal match happening right now!
Sasha Greene: The following is a semi-final match in the 2019 Icemann Invitational Tournament! Introducing first, he weighs in at 365 lbs... he is the Pure Class Wrestling North American Champion... DOMINATOR!!
Indeed, this very sentiment rings true in the most literal sense as a graphic appears on the Tron in scripted white letters; “A Presentation By The Chronological Order,” Horacio steps aside as the lights suddenly begin flashing fiery colours; orange, yellow, white and red, as the image change to the hands of a clock spiralling out of control, accompanied by an ominous guitar riff. After a few seconds, the name that strikes fear towards all who oppose him appears in front of another image of a clock in bold red letters…
DOMINATOR
The guitars suddenly increase their tempo and energy as the Tron shows the total devastation of various PCW stars at the hands of the titular monster. The Zenith arrives with purpose, standing directly next to Horacio Mortimer. Dominator looks out across the sea of fans in attendance, lifting his forearm in front of his face whilst flexing his gargantuan bicep to display the wristwatch that he wears always, without fail. As he raises his arm further into the air, to the point where the giant cannot reach any higher, a shower of fiery sparks falls from the top of the Tron, briefly masking the entrance video being played. He holds this position for no more than eight seconds before lowering it, taking deep breaths in preparation for the oncoming duel.
The thrashing of the guitars mirrors the intensity in every single one of The Zenith’s strides. Horacio follows his client at his own pace. Dominator makes no attempt to slap hands with the fans. He reaches the ring apron, grabbing the middle rope to haul him onto the side of the ring. He pushes down the top rope with his right hand, throwing one foot over the top before the other follows. He slowly makes his way to the center of the ring, turning a full three hundred and sixty degrees to admire the capacity crowd before raising his arm in the air in the exact same manner as he had done atop the entrance ramp, lifting it with malicious purpose to display the watches covering his wrists.
He cricks his neck back and forth before swinging his arms in preparation for the impending fight. All the while, that devious smile is still on his face and he looks to make eye contact with his opponent without a single hint of intimidation. Horacio Mortimer patrols the perimeter of the ring. The music slowly fades, the lights returning to a more average level of illumination as Dominator waits with masked enthusiasm for the start of the match.
Jerry Andrews: We are about to witness history again, after the clash between Kyle Shane and Stormm, this is the second semi-final match.
Ace Anderson: You got that right, and it doesn't need to be understated just how much this round means to these two competitors.
Jerry Andrews: You get a sense from Dominator that he wants this more than anyone. That he feels this is his time, his moment to step up.
Ace Anderson: He fell short in last year's tournament, but not this time.
Sasha Greene: And his opponent, he weighs in at 247 lbs... DAVID HUNTER!!
"Hopes and Dreams/Save the World" by GaMetal starts blaring on the PA speakers. The lights in the arena all go out, barring the spotlights on the stage. David Hunter comes out, adorned in his usual Hawaiian shirt. He steps to the stage, arms spread, chest exposed. He looks around at the crowd, breathing deeply and ready for what's to come, but otherwise focused on the ring in front of him. He cracks his wrist, neck, and knuckles, glancing around at the crowd before him.
As the drop begins, David pumps his fist forward, punching the air. David begins to walk to the ring, the lights in the arena coming on completely. His eyes focus on the ring in front of him, and shows heavy remnants of a scowl. He avoids the audience members looking for a high-five or some hope of touching him.
As he approaches ringside, he starts to head towards the steps, before taking a u-turn and jumping onto the apron. He climbs the nearest turnbuckle and stands tall, one foot on the top rope, another on the middle. He points towards the hard camera, giving it a wink and something akin to a smirk before resetting and hopping into the ring. He takes off the Hawaiian shirt, tossing it towards the nearest body. He begins doing some quick warm-up stretches.
Jerry Andrews: For weeks, Hunter has been calling himself the real main event, the next in line, if you will, and I know he feels like tonight is his moment, too, to step up to the plate and back up everything he's said.
Ace Anderson: There is so much groundswell of support for David Hunter, he proved himself one of the best Underground Champions of all time. And his star is rising. If he can pull this off tonight, he is going to be a made man.
Jerry Andrews: You know he wants nothing more.
Icemann Invitational Tournament Semifinal
Non-title Match
David Hunter vs Dominator (PCW North American ©)
Referee: Manny Cruz
Flashbulbs flicker throughout the building as Dominator and Hunter meet in the center of the ring. The air is electric in the arena as we've already seen a banger of a semi-final, and now the winner of this one will go on to the finals. Both men obviously know what's at stake as they stare each other down, Dominator flexing his arms and motioning forward with a smile on his face, David Hunter circling him, not looking perturbed by the size difference between the two. Dominator starts trying to clear the distance, laughing confidently but just as the massive paw of Dominator comes in for a swat, Hunter dances out of the way. Dominator tells him to come on. Finally, Dominator closes the space between them, but Hunter begins lighting him up with an aggressive flurry of chops. Dominator blocks one right hand, and starts throwing bombs of his own, backing the smaller man up. Hunter, taking the opportunity, ducks under a larger right hand arc, and kicks Dominator in the kneecap to make him bend down before he begins pounding on the head. Back and forth they go like this, when its Dominator who blocks a Hunter right hand and counter with a knee into the midsection. Dominator takes Hunter back into the ropes before shooting him across the ring, Hunter bounces off the ropes as Dominator drops his head looking for a back body drop, Hunter counters with a boot to the face. Dominator's head spins to the side, and he immediately gets back up, straightening and wiping his chin off with an expression of "Huh." and nodding his approval. Then, the Zenith snarls at Hunter and clubs him down with a forearm smash. He goes for a cover, but Hunter slides under his feet and rolls to the apron.
Jerry Andrews: David Hunter is doing everything he can to eat away at Dominator's armor with quick strikes and evasion.
Ace Anderson: Stick and move, baby, stick and move.
Dominator, annoyed now, goes over to reach over the ropes and pul Hunter up, but Hunter reaches up, grabbing the head and hangs Dominator up, and Dominator's head snaps off the top rope and he stumbles away a few steps. Dominator hunches over, but he looks backwards with an expression that is clearly saying he's having quite enough. As he turns around Hunter springs between the middle and top rope, hitting a slingshot spear. The fans cheer at the massive and lightning quick assault that Hunter just administered on the predator who rolls on the mat in pain, holding his midsection. David goes for an early cover.
The referee: One...
After a second of gathering their respective wits, both men are to their feet. Dominator holds his arms up to clinch Hunter, who feeds right into it, looking like he's going straight into a tie up. However, as he leans in, Hunter again attacks the knee, kicking the side of it and making it twist to the side and bringing Dominator's massive head down about a foot. With this momentary position change, Dominator eats a hard right. Rolling away from the red hot David, Dominator quickly rises and regroups in the corner. The cocky smirk is gone and replaced with a sadistic and sinister snarl.
Jerry Andrews: Dominator doesn’t look like he’s appreciating the assault from David.
Dominator shakes his head and slaps his hands together as he approaches Hunter. They go for the tie up again, but this time Dominator kicks him in the gut instead. Grabbing his arm he whips Hunter into the ropes and knocks him to the ground with a shoulder block on the return. A few stomps has Hunter reeling in pain as he tries to stand. Dominator headbutts The Next In Line into the corner and follows up with a few shots to the body. An elbow to the face has Hunter bleeding from his nose, and stumbling away. Dominator plants him with a vicious and simple scoop slam, and follows it up with an elbow drop across the chest. The big man rolls onto his haunches for a pin.
The referee: One... Kickout.
Dominator lifts David off the mat and goes to throw a punch, but David manages to get a jab in. A stunned Dominator is caught off guard as David grabs his head and drives a few knees into his forehead from a clinch; and also a few dirty elbows that split his lip open. David releases the clinch, backs up and lunges forward with a clothesline that floors Dominator. He transitions down toward the knee of the big man. David looking to wear the monster down with a knee bar, this move, when done correctly, can cause a significant amount of pain. Dominator yells in pain in the middle of the ring. He lunges towards the ropes, but The Next In Line isn’t making it easy. Finally, Dominator manages to make it to the ropes and the referee forces Hunter to break the hold. Dominator tries to stand on his injured leg, but David is like a shark that smells blood and quickly goes back to work. He drives a shoulder into the back of the injured knee and forces Dominator to collapse on the bad knee. He quickly backs up and executes a beautiful superkick to the back of Dominator’s head. It takes some work to muscle the 365 pounder over for a pin, but Hunter does it.
The referee: One... Kickout.
Dominator throws a shoulder up off the mat. Not wasting the time to bitch about it, Hunter quickly and aggressively locks in a rear chin lock. The referee is on the spot asking Dominator to surrender. Dominator refuses before starting to work his way up to a vertical base where he counters with a jaw breaker. Dominator gets back to his feet where he nails Hunter with a chop across the chest which sends Hunter back into a neutral corner. Dominator comes forward where he shoots him across the ring and into the opposite buckles. Dominator charges forward where he's met with a boot to the face that staggers Dominator back out towards the center of the ring. Hunter explodes with a running knee to the jaw of Dominator which sends Dominator to the mat. Hunter quickly snatches both legs of Dominator where he looks to lock in a sharpshooter. Dominator quickly squirms towards the ropes where he's able to latch on to the bottom rope which causes a break at the referee's request to Hunter.
Jerry Andrews: They're starting off at a fast pace in the early goings of this semi final match.
Ace Anderson: There is so much at stake here, with the prestigious Icemann finals and the cash prize, I wouldn't expect anything else.
Hunter releases the thick legs of Dominator as he makes his way out to the center of the ring while Dominator slides out to the floor where he begins pacing back and forth with his hands on his hips. The referee starts laying the count to Dominator, it's at his five count that Dominator climbs back up on the ring apron before stepping back into the ring. He and Hunter circle each other once more before looking to lock up. The crowd boo's as Dominator thumbs Hunter in the eyes before driving a boot to the midsection which allows Dominator to take a front face lock. He snaps Hunter over with a suplex before quickly getting to his feet where he pulls Hunter towards a neutral corner. Dominator then unexpectedly gets an angry look in his eye, and the big man throws all caution to the wind as he starts getting up on the ropes, even though it doesn't look like structurally they want to hold his weight. Dominator picks himself up to stand on the second rope, and then he goes one step higher to the top rope before coming off with an attempted Vader Bomb, but suddenly Hunter pulls his knees up at the last second which causes Dominator to drive himself into them midsection first. It is quite possibly the most breath taking few seconds we could expect. Especially so in the aftermath, for Dominator, who is rolling around holding his midsection. The crowd erupts in a burst of applause.
Jerry Andrews: We just saw Dominator willingly take his feet off the ground, and try for a splash from the ropes!
Ace Anderson: And, somehow, Hunter is not lying flat as a pancake. Amazing.
Groaning and holding his midsection, Dom lays on the mat as Hunter starts pushing himself up on his elbows, thinking if he scrambles over he could get a cover. Dominator suddenly gets a burst of energy and slides out of the ring. Dominator paces into the aisle, coughing and having a fit. David follows, foolishly, right into the trap of the monster. Dominator turns and catches an off guard David with a thunderous clothesline. The Next In Line’s head bounces off the thin mats in a sick fashion. David holds the back of his head as Dominator continues to regain his composure. He finally approaches David, lifts him off his feet, and whips him into the steel post. David can’t stop his momentum and goes shoulder first into the cold steel. He ricochets off the post and collapses in a heap. Dominator stalks his prey and drives a few boots into the injured shoulder of Hunter. He lifts him up and grabs his arm, only to drive his own shoulder into the injured area on David. A few shoulder blocks later and David is on the ground writhing in pain. Dominator smiles at the damage he’s inflicted and goes to work on the arm. He puts Hunter in a chicken wing and wrenches forward with all his force. The referee begs them to get back in the ring.
Jerry Andrews: Dominator is having his way with Hunter on the outside.
Dominator releases the hold enough to Biel toss Hunter across the entire aisle, letting him splat against the pavement. He gives the referee a dark look, rolls under the bottom rope just enough to break any count the ref was thinking of giving, and goes back to lift Hunter up. He lifts Hunter up by the arm, and irish whips him with force into the steel steps, dislodging them a bit with a jarring bang and Hunter hits shoulder first. Again, Hunter grips his arm and screams. Dominator, his confidence at an all time high, turns to the crowd to taunt them with a signature roar. He then backs up around the corner of the ring, gathering steam for a running start. He then charges around the ring, gaining momentum, and he bull rushes Hunter, laying against the steel steps. He's about to boot Hunter's head into the steel steps when Hunter, at the last second, drop toeholds him. Dominator falls face first into the corner of the steel steps. Dominator is dazed, and he lays against the apron, blinking. David also takes a second, trying to use the steel steps to push himself up. The referee checks on both men, and he's aware he should be counting them both out, but he holds off as he leans out and checks.
Jerry Andrews: With a match this important, you get the sense that the referee does not want this to end in a countout.
Ace Anderson: Of course not, if they both get counted out, who's doing to go to the finals?
Dominator painfully gets to his feet, and he clubs Hunter, trying to keep him beaten down although he's dazed himself. He lifts Hunter up and throws him in the ring. Hunter starts pulling himself up to his knees. Dominator gets in the ring himself. The referee checks on Hunter, but he waves it off. He’s already taken a battering, but he is not willing to give up just yet. Dominator goes to lift him, but Hunter gives him a jawbreaker, making Dominator stumble off. Hunter runs at Dominator, going for another running lariat, springing up into the air so that there is full force behind his punch, but Dominator swings Hunter in a circle, driving him into the mat with a Black Hole slam. Dominator quickly smirks as he gets back up to his feet. Hunter struggles to roll onto his front and push himself back up. Dominator grabs him by the back of the neck yet again, plucking him back into the air and holding Hunter with one hand by his cheeks. He shouts some abuse into his face, but Hunter suddenly counters with a kick to the kneecap. Dominator instantly lets go of Hunter, keeling over painfully. Hunter runs at the ropes, rebounding and flattening Dominator with a cross body.
Jerry Andrews: And the big man is taken off his feet!
Ace Anderson: Hunter is just jamming a stick into a beehive, it’s only a matter of time before he gets stung!
Jerry Andrews: That’s VERY metaphorical of you, Ace.
Ace Anderson: I’ve been catching up with the works of Dickens and Shakespeare the last couple of weeks.
Jerry Andrews: Really?
Ace Anderson: Pffft... No!
Hunter begins to deliver an array of ground based moves to Dominator. Stomps to the chest, elbow drops, knee drops and the like before finally kneeling down on Dominator’s torso and delivering an array of punches to Dominator’s head. Dominator claws at Hunter, trying to force him to dismount whilst swatting the punches away. Dominator finally manages to get Hunter to cease his attack by raking his eyes, a tactic deployed by Hunter not so long ago. Dominator throws Hunter off of him and quickly climbs to one knee. Hunter suddenly runs and hits the bicycle kick, leaving his feet to plant a boot to the side of the head on the kneeling Dominator.
Jerry Andrews: Ode to Frank connects!
Hunter makes the cover on Dominator...
The referee: One...
Two... Kickout
Dominator POWERS out of the pin, sending Hunter crashing across the ring. Hunter catches his breath as Dominator angrily gets back up to his feet. Dominator charges at Hunter, picking him up and ramming him into the corner, before unleashing a combination of shoulder thrusts to the mid section. Dominator backs away for one final blow, looking to hit a spear in the corner. He lunges at Hunter, who quickly pulls himself up onto the top turnbuckle. Dominator’s shoulder goes straight into the steel ring post. He roars in pain, trying to withdraw his now trapped shoulder from the corner. Hunter stands on the top rope, delivering a double foot stomp to Dominator’s spine before rolling across the canvas. Hunter climbs between the ropes, grabbing Dominator’s arm and slamming it against the ring post. He bellows in pain once again as Hunter follows up with a punch to the face. You can feel the anger and frustration in Hunter that is overflowing here in this match. Dominator is finally able to prise his shoulder out of the turnbuckle and stands back up in the center of the ring, trying to shake the pain out of his arm, rolling his shoulder back and forth to get the blood flowing again. He isn’t aware of Hunter, who has now climbed to the top of the turnbuckle, perched like a cat ready to pounce. Dominator turns, when Hunter finally makes a bold leap, looking to take down Dominator with another cross body, but this time Dominator catches Hunter in midair before driving Hunter’s ribs into his knee with a rib breaker. Hunter yells in pain, but Dominator doesn’t release Hunter, instead he repeats the painful maneuvre twice over before lifting Hunter high above his head before putting him in a torture rack. Dominator clamps down on the hold, bending Hunter in half over his broad shoulders. The ref asks if he gives up.
Jerry Andrews: Hunter is in a world of pain up there, and there's no easy way down.
Seeing that Hunter continues to refuse to give up, Dominator spins the torture rack into a devastating neckbreaker, laying David out in the middle of the ring. Dominator then gets to his feet, gripping the wrist and pulling it up before laying a few stomps on the injured arm of David. Finally, using that arm he lifts him up, walking him to the corner, before slamming his hand onto the turnbuckle. Hunter yells in pain. As Dom goes for it again, David fights back and manages to land a quick elbow into the abs of Dominator. With himself free he uses his injured hand to deliver a vicious knife edged chop. Dominator reels backwards in pain and so does David as his injured hand feels the effects of the move.
Feeling the life back in his hand The Next in Line executes the maneuver one more time and goes for a double leg takedown, only to find Dominator much more stout than he imagined. Dominator gets his hand in between David and his body and uses it to wrap himself around the neck of The Next in Line. David rolls and escapes only to catch a right hook to the face. Then, Dominator backs up a few steps only to come straight in with a big boot.
Ace Anderson: And Dominator with some sudden facial reconstructive surgery.
Jerry Andrews: That kick could take your head off. Oh, no, he's going for the cover.
The referee: One...
Two...
Dominator stands and yells at the referee for a bit, which gives David enough time to stand up again. Hunter comes in behind Dom, booting him in the back of the kneecap. Dominator staggers a few steps holding his leg. He turns to Hunter, who boots him in the gut and goes for a flying knee facebuster, but Dominator pulls his head free at the last second and straightens up, Hunter turns around and is dropped by a headbutt! Hunter is stunned, and he staggers over to drape against the ropes, blinking and trying to shake the cobwebs out. The reinvigorated Dominator grits his teeth and steps forward. He grabs Hunter by the hair, walking him over to the corner, where he slams David's head off the turnbuckle. Dominator slaps David in the chest several times with a series of chops. Dominator picks David up and he sits him up on the top rope. Dominator stars to climb up, but Hunter stops him with a rake to the eyes. David shoves Dominator off of the ropes with a boot. David stands up on the second rope, and just as Dominator stands up, Hunter flies and he crushes Dominator with a second rope bulldog. David crawls over and he drapes his arm across Dominator’s chest.
Jerry Andrews: David is still showing signs of life!
Ace Anderson: This is Hunter's moment, if he can pull off a big win tonight in the Icemann, it will validate everything he's been saying for months.
The referee: One…
Two… Kickout
David gets to his feet as Dominator holds his knee in pain. David tries to pull him back to the center of the ring so he can reapply the hold. Dominator twists his body in such a way that he’s able to push Hunter off with his other foot. David flies and he smacks the corner face first. Dominator gets up to his feet, favoring his injured knee. Hunter turns around, only to be slammed to the mat with a spinebuster. Both men are down for a second as The ref checks on them. Dominator is the first man to move, pushing himself up. David also starts to stir, but Dominator is to his feet before Hunter can get up. David stands up with his back to Dominator. Dominator wraps his arms around Hunter's waist and he flings him with a high angle release German suplex. Dominator stands up and he gets charged up by his adrenaline rush. Dominator pulls Hunter to his feet and he executes an Irish whip. Dominator destroys David on the rebound with a sidewalk slam. He rolls over for the cover.
The referee: One...
Two... Kickout
Dominator snarls down at Hunter. He screams for him to get his ass up, and when he goes Dominator boots him in the gut, walks him towards the corner and sticks his head between his legs. He gives Hunter a vicious jack-knife style powerbomb into the turnbuckles. Hunter's head snaps back with sickening whiplash, and he falls to the mat. Dominator starts to turn him over for the pin, but he shakes his finger "no" with a cold expression on his face. He lifts Hunter up, whipping him into the corner, then he paces to the opposite corner. Dominator charges in and nearly beheads Hunter with a devastating corner big boot. David limply tries to hold himself up in the corner, but then simply flops to the mat. Dominator has a look of aggression on his face as he looks down at Hunter. The ref tries to come between the two men so that he can check on Hunter. Dominator and The ref argue for a second. Dominator finally pushes The ref away. He goes to lift Hunter up, only to be cut off by a punch to the stomach, then Hunter drops down, pulling Dominator's head across his knees with a double knee facebuster. Dominator stumbles back to the ropes, checking him mouth. Hunter rests, trying to catch his breath. At length, Hunter pulls himself up, and he ducks under a right hand from Dominator. Hunter tattoo's Dom with several more rights, firing up on the big man. Hunter whips Dominator to the ropes, but Dominator stops himself by holding on to the top rope. Hunter spots Dominator, and comes running at him, but Dominator runs forward, hooks his arm across Hunter's throat and in one quick motion, slams him down to the mat with powerful STO. David arches his back. Dominator takes a moment to lift him up, and drop him with a gutbuster. David yells in pain and holds his injured midsection. Dominator applies a rear bearhug, grinding his forearms into Hunter's midsection. Hunter screams and yells, trying to thrash his arms. Dominator simply sweeps him down to the mat with a belly to back takedown. He gives David several powerful mounted knee strikes to the midsection. Dominator lifts Hunter back up, shaking his head and giving him some choice words. He lifts Hunter up in powerslam position, then drops him across his knee with a backbreaker. Dominator pulls back with all his might as he stretches David across his knee, putting David in a serious amount of pain.
Jerry Andrews: And yet again, Dominator has stretched Hunter beyond humanly limits!
Ace Anderson: Dominator wants to get to the finals of this tournament in a big way, to make up for last year.
Jerry Andrews: But this is Hunter's first year, and you know he is going to push as hard he can to see how far he'll go.
The ref asks Hunter if he gives up. Hunter shakes his head, but he starts to slip in and out of consciousness. As he does, his arms and head start to sag. Once he goes limp, The ref does the required arm-check. Hunter's arm falls once... twice... on the third time, it stay in the air. The crowd erupts in cheers.
Jerry Andrews: He’s not out for good! Somehow, Hunter fought the pain and is still alive in this match!
Ace Anderson I’m shocked! I thought it was over for sure!
Dominator screams in disbelief as lets go of the hold, tossing Hunter to the mat. He argues with the ref for a second. The ref assures him Hunter's hand stayed up. Dominator turns back and he pulls Hunter to his feet. Dominator goes for an Irish whip, but Hunter holds onto the ropes. Dominator charges, and Hunter drops down with the top rope in hand. Dominator goes over the rope and he hits the floor hard. Hunter slowly rolls out of the ring and he goes right at Dominator with hard boots to the gut. Hunter clubs Dominator over the back, and then he devastates Dominator with a dragon suplex onto the concrete. Hunter rests on the floor for a second. The crowd is starting to get behind him with "Hunter" chants. Hunter's arm is shaking as if he's willing himself to collect all of the energy. Hunter pulls himself up. The ref is warning them to get in the ring. Hunter slowly get in the ring, and then he looks at Dominator. Dominator is on the outside, trying to pull himself up on one knee. Hunter looks to Dominator, then to the crowd, and then he runs off the opposite ropes. He comes charging at the ropes, flies over with a suicide dive, coming down across Dominator with a plancha. Both men are down, and the crowd pops. After a minute or so, Hunter starts to come to life. Hunter pulls himself up using the guardrail. He holds himself up so he can catch his breath and get his wits about him. Hunter holds his injured midsection as he walks over and he picks a limp Dominator to his feet. Hunter struggles to move the big man, but he’s able to get him to the ring. Hunter slides Dominator into the ring and he follows closely. Hunter covers and he hooks the leg.
The referee: One...
Two...
Th- Kickout!
Hunter goes to pick Dominator up, only to be cut short by a throat thrust uppercut. Dominator lifts Hunter up, viciously clubbing him over the back. He spins Hunter around, and then he sends Hunter crashing to the mat with a t-bone suplex. Dominator pulls Hunter up by the back of his trunks. Dominator whips Hunter into the ropes, and then he nails Hunter with a clothesline. Dominator drags Hunter back up. He hoists Hunter high up in the air, and then he drops Hunter head first with a brainbuster. He goes for another pin attempt.
The referee: One...
Two..
Th- Kickout!
Dominator stands up and he doesn’t believe Hunter kicked out. The ref assures him it was only a two count. Dominator takes a couple of deep breaths and he walks over to David. Dom drags Dominator back to his feet, lifting him up and calling for a chokeslam, and he has him clinched by the throat. He hoists David up in the air, but David counters in midair into a sick looking DDT. Suddenly, "Spiders" by Billy Corgan hits on the PA and David Hunter's running buddy comes walking out onto the stage, but keeping his distance. Hunter is trying to push himself up.
Jerry Andrews: Wait a damn minute, is Hunter's running buddy going to come down here and give Hunter the assist?
Ace Anderson: Bite your tongue, these two men form the best tag team in the world!... Allegedly.
With the referee looking Holden Ross' way to make sure he doesn't get into the action, David goes to pull Dominator up. He lands several furious right hands. Hunter backs up as Dominator is on his knees, and goes for another Ode to Frank, until Dominator grabs the referee and pulls the referee in front of himself like a shield. The referee gets collided with and dropped in a heap on the mat. Dominator takes the opening to jab David in the eye and kick him in the groin. Dominator takes a few gasping breaths, and he looks over to see Holden Ross is now charging the ring, without the rule of the referee. Dominator stands up, and motions for Holden to back off, taking a swipe at him. Holden Ross holds his hands up as he backs up from the apron. Dominator, having enough of playing by the rules himself, rips off his shirt and wraps it around the neck of David and pulls backward as he puts his boot on the back of David and pushes forward. The Next in Line struggles for breathes as he tries to fit his fingers in between his neck and the shirt.
Jerry Andrews: And we thought it was Holden Ross who would be playing the game loosely with no referee out here!
Ace Anderson: It's becoming anarchy, pure anarchy!
Jerry Andrews: He is choking the life out of Hunter!
Several long, torturous seconds tic by as Hunter's face is turning red from lack of oxygen. Dominator finishes choking Hunter, and raises his hands and receives a chorus of boos in return. He tosses the shirt away and goes to check on the referee who is still out. Hunter rolls out of the ring somehow, and he lays there, gasping for air, as now Holden Ross goes surreptitiously to his side, making sure Dominator doesn't see him. Dominator can’t see and only notices Hunter lying on his back outside. Holden Ross goes under the ring and gets a steel chair. Finally, Dominator spots Holden Ross, and he bucks forward at him, chasing him a few steps around the ring. Holden Ross holds his hands up, indicating he wants no part of this. Dominator looks back towards where Hunter is, but Hunter is hiding the chair tucked against his midsection. Dominator fervently paces over to grab Hunter by the back of the neck but he is stopped short by Hunter bringing the chair Holden Ross fed him in, to jab the edge hard into Dominator's sternum. Dominator grunts and doubles over, and then, he’s immediately brought down by Hunter with a chair shot to the knee. Hunter stands quickly and crashes the chair over Dominator’s head. The crowd roars at the sudden beating with the steel chair. Hunter lifts the chair overhead. He continues raining down chair shots, Dominator across the back and the head until the chair is deformed and useless.
Jerry Andrews: And turnabout comes swiftly for Dominator.
Ace Anderson: Bet he's regretting getting rid of that referee now, huh?
Jerry Andrews: Well you have to give an assist to Holden Ross.
The fans cheer as they see the pain written on Dominator’s face. Hunter tosses the chair and helps Dominator back into the ring. He stomps on the Zenith's head until the referee comes to. Dropping for a cover the ref weakly counts.
The referee and the crowd: ONE...
TWO...
THR- Kickout.
Hunter grits his teeth, and painfully starts pulling himself back to a vertical base. The referee looks at Holden Ross, who is pitching a fit. Holden Ross says "Come on that was a bullshit call!" and the referee, coming fully to awareness, is questioning why he's there. The referee looks at Holden Ross, then points at a suspicious steel chair laying in the aisle, and he points to Holden Ross. Ross' eyes fly open wide and he has to suddenly try to proclaim his innocence. The referee motions that he isn't having any part in Ross' shenanigans, and he motions he's throwing Ross out of there. Ross explodes, throwing his arms up, and a humongous cheer goes up from the crowd.
Jerry Andrews: Holden Ross not wanting to be a quiet spectator just got him ejected from ringside!
Ace Anderson: He's like one of those backseat referees.
David Hunter tilts his head at his associate, who is trying to protest, but Hunter yells "What are you doing??" Holden Ross is on the ramp, and the ref is pointing for him to go. Reluctantly, pleading with Hunter that he's sorry for this, Ross walks up the ramp. Hunter grimaces, holding his head in his hands, and he knows he has to get it together. This is for all of the marbles, the finals of the prestigious Icemann tournament await him. He’s waiting for Dominator to stand as well. Irish whip, Dominator ducks the clothesline, but runs right into a drop kick on the return. Hunter stands and tries to regain himself from the move. His nose hasn’t stopped bleeding the entire match and has caused him to lose quite a bit of blood. Dominator isn’t any better as he’s bleeding from above his eyes and his mouth. The ring is a crimson shade that it wasn’t meant to be. Hunter waits for Dominator to stand, kicks him in the gut, and grabs his head for a DDT. Dominator blocks the attempt, wraps his arms around the back of Hunter and drives his hips forward sending Hunter over in a suplex. He then gets back to his feet, takes a deep breath and stands. He lifts Hunter up, picking him up in a gutwrench before destroying him with a Namesake. An exhausted and battered Dominator goes for a cover.
The referee and the crowd: ONE...
TWO...
THR - Kickout!
Dominator flops off the pin and covers his face with his hands. He looks bleakly up to the ref. Dominator grits his teeth as he gets up, and he goes to pull Hunter in. He's looking for a powerbomb, but Hunter kicks his legs in midair and resists being lifted. Dominator pounds on his back and tries again. He goes to lift Hunter again, but as Hunter gets up in the air he drops down behind Dominator. Hunter sinks to one knee, utterly spent. Dominator stands and readies himself for Hunter, who carefully stands to his feet and anticipates the charging monster. He ducks out of the way and lands a boot to the gut, and connects with a flying knee facebuster. However, Hunter is too weak to make a cover.
Jerry Andrews: Hunter Suite connects!!
Ace Anderson: But Hunter is too beaten down to continue.
Jerry Andrews: Just think of how grueling this match has been, and yet, whoever wins this match will still have to compete once more tonight.
Ace Anderson: Yeah, but whoever wins through is going to be a very, very rich person. We've already seen how much motivation that can be.
Finally, Hunter crawls over for a cover.
The referee and the crowd: ONE...
TWO...
THRE - Kickout!
Hunter hides his face in his hands as he lays on his stomach, trying to parse what else he can do in this match. Finally, he starts getting to his feet. He pulls the bigger man up, trying to get him up in position for a stunner, but Dominator pushes him off. Hunter relentlessly, getting his second wind, comes right back in, tagging Dominator with right hands all before Dominator can even get to his feet. Dominator cuts him off with a headbutt, making David stagger all the way into the corner, and then Dominator explodes out of nowhere with a getting to his feet, rushing charge in to splash Hunter in the corner. Dominator paces out, roaring with sudden and massive energy. He goes over to Hunter, punching him so hard Hunter's feet fly up in the air, and then he takes a limp Hunter and he begins endeavoring him up onto the top rope. Hunter offers little resistance, and Dominator begins positioning him for a superplex. The two men go up the turnbuckles, and Dominator looks around at the crowd before standing on the top rope. He goes to superplex David off the top rope, but as he begins to peel Hunter off the top rope, Hunter converts it in midair, turning it into a botched halfway sort of crossbody, and both men land hard in a way they weren't expecting. Both men are down in the middle of the ring, and the crowd explodes at the sudden reversal.
Jerry Andrews: Oh! My! Both of these men are now down and out! At this point in the match anything could happen!!
The referee's jaw has gone slack because he was not prepared for this wild, crazy match, or this outcome with both men down on the mat. It takes him a second, as both men are laid out, too winded to move. Finally the referee begins counting.
One...
Two...
Three...
Four...
Five...
Six... Hunter begins to stir...
Seven... Dominator rolls over onto his side...
Eight... Both men are starting to push themselves up on their elbows and knees...
Nine...
Hunter is the first to his feet and with a rush of adrenaline he surges in, as Dominator is staggering to his feet, he is booted in the gut and taken down with a leaping single armed stunner. Dominator's head hits off the collarbone, and he flings back.
Jerry Andrews: Thrill of the Hunt connects!!
David scrambles in to the pin.
The referee and the crowd: ONE...
TWO...
THREE- KICKOUT!!
The crowd erupts in a million conflicting emotions as the kickout comes. David, incensed, throws his arms up in the air. He pounds the mat, yelling, and he gets a look in his eye not seen since his Underground battles with Sicko. His face is covered by a snarl. He stays in hunched, ready position as he kneels and as Dominator starts trying to push himself up, Hunter waits for him again, and Dominator turns right into a boot to the gut and a second leaping stunner. Dominator flips backwards, and this time, David does not waste time going for a cover. He gets in the corner, gripping the top ropes, ripping and raring to go, and Dominator takes another ten seconds to start pulling himself up to his feet, flailing his massive arms, and at length the big man gets up, stumbling and unsure of where he is, and Hunter boots him in the gut one more time and takes him down with a third leaping stunner. Dominator falls back to the mat, and Hunter lays on his side.
Jerry Andrews: Three consecutive Thrill of the Hunts, similar to how he defeated Sicko at Mass Destruction. David Hunter is going all out in his bid to get to the finals.
Hunter crawls over Dom for the pin.
The referee and the crowd: ONE...
TWO...
THREE -
Kickout!!
The crowd roars in shock, amazement, delight, and outrage. Hunter's mouth is wide open, both shocked and angry himself. He looks up at the referee and yells that that was three. The referee assures him it was only two. Hunter grips his shirt, telling him that there's too much at stake for all of this. The referee and Hunter have a little more back and forth, and then Hunter spots Dominator picking his way to his feet and gives him a harsh boot to the side of the head, just to cut off his comeback. Hunter then adjusts his elbow pad, and he goes over to the corner, calling for the Deathshot as his last resort. He runs the entire length of the ring, but gets halfway there when Dominator comes to life, turning and meeting him in the middle for a spear that cuts Hunter in half, folding him like a rag doll in midair. The crowd goes ballistic at the sudden and violent counter, and Hunter is laying on the mat, holding his gut like he's just been murdered. Dominator, weakly, in on all fours, but he pounds the mat, trying to will himself back into it. Finally, he gets to his feet. He lifts Hunter up, planting him with a lifted reverse STO.
Jerry Andrews: And there's the Anachronism!!
Ace Anderson: It's all over but the crying.
Dominator goes for a cover.
The referee and the crowd: ONE...
TWO...
THREE -
Kickout!!
Jerry Andrews: NO.
Ace Anderson: WHAT.
Jerry Andrews: He kicked out! He by god kicked out!!!
Dominator has a look of utter disbelief written on his face as Hunter kicked out of his strongest move. He looks up at the referee deliriously. The referee assures Dominator, too, and Dominator, sweaty, blood running from his eye, and bruised, has a look of shock. The crowd is chanting for both men, the atmosphere intense. Dominator goes to pick Hunter up. He slowly lifts Hunter up, going to grip his throat for a chokeslam, but Hunter kicks his knee out. Dominator stumbles, and David runs off the ropes behind him and then he goes for a running Thrill of the Hunt. Dominator slides his head out of it, and uses his arm to fling Hunter to the mat. Hunter hits the mat, and holds his lower back, and then Dominator wastes little time, going to pick Hunter up, lifting him onto his shoulders and connecting with a muscle buster. Dominator sinks to the mat, utterly spent.
Jerry Andrews: He's going for the Thrill of the Hunt - NO! Dominator powers out of it - And there it is!!
Ace Anderson: Butterfly Effect crushes Hunter to the mat. And that's it.
Dominator gingerly pushes Hunter over. The ref slides in.
The referee and the crowd: ONE...
TWO...
THREE!!
Ding Ding Ding
"Wave of Darkness" by Garik Wheeler hits on the PA, and Dominator lays on the mat, too spent from his match to get up. He holds an arm up to the crowd.
Jerry Andrews: Dominator pulled out one of the most hard fought performances of the entire tournament.
Ace Anderson: You have to give all the credit in the world to Hunter for such a gutsy performance, he gave the juggernaut of Pure Class Wrestling everything he had to give.
Dominator is weakly pulling himself to his feet, and he breathes heavily, red faced as the referee holds his arm up. Dominator celebrates, letting out a yell and flexing his arms. Hunter is still down on the mat.
Ace Anderson: We only have one more match to go. And if there's any man that's looking towards that trophy, it's Dominator.
Jerry Andrews: Our tournament final is set. Either that man Dominator or _________________ will be this year's Icemann Invitational Tournament winner! I can't wait for that main event match!
Ace Anderson: Oh man it's going to be great!
Jerry Andrews: David Hunter is doing everything he can to eat away at Dominator's armor with quick strikes and evasion.
Ace Anderson: Stick and move, baby, stick and move.
Dominator, annoyed now, goes over to reach over the ropes and pul Hunter up, but Hunter reaches up, grabbing the head and hangs Dominator up, and Dominator's head snaps off the top rope and he stumbles away a few steps. Dominator hunches over, but he looks backwards with an expression that is clearly saying he's having quite enough. As he turns around Hunter springs between the middle and top rope, hitting a slingshot spear. The fans cheer at the massive and lightning quick assault that Hunter just administered on the predator who rolls on the mat in pain, holding his midsection. David goes for an early cover.
The referee: One...
After a second of gathering their respective wits, both men are to their feet. Dominator holds his arms up to clinch Hunter, who feeds right into it, looking like he's going straight into a tie up. However, as he leans in, Hunter again attacks the knee, kicking the side of it and making it twist to the side and bringing Dominator's massive head down about a foot. With this momentary position change, Dominator eats a hard right. Rolling away from the red hot David, Dominator quickly rises and regroups in the corner. The cocky smirk is gone and replaced with a sadistic and sinister snarl.
Jerry Andrews: Dominator doesn’t look like he’s appreciating the assault from David.
Dominator shakes his head and slaps his hands together as he approaches Hunter. They go for the tie up again, but this time Dominator kicks him in the gut instead. Grabbing his arm he whips Hunter into the ropes and knocks him to the ground with a shoulder block on the return. A few stomps has Hunter reeling in pain as he tries to stand. Dominator headbutts The Next In Line into the corner and follows up with a few shots to the body. An elbow to the face has Hunter bleeding from his nose, and stumbling away. Dominator plants him with a vicious and simple scoop slam, and follows it up with an elbow drop across the chest. The big man rolls onto his haunches for a pin.
The referee: One... Kickout.
Dominator lifts David off the mat and goes to throw a punch, but David manages to get a jab in. A stunned Dominator is caught off guard as David grabs his head and drives a few knees into his forehead from a clinch; and also a few dirty elbows that split his lip open. David releases the clinch, backs up and lunges forward with a clothesline that floors Dominator. He transitions down toward the knee of the big man. David looking to wear the monster down with a knee bar, this move, when done correctly, can cause a significant amount of pain. Dominator yells in pain in the middle of the ring. He lunges towards the ropes, but The Next In Line isn’t making it easy. Finally, Dominator manages to make it to the ropes and the referee forces Hunter to break the hold. Dominator tries to stand on his injured leg, but David is like a shark that smells blood and quickly goes back to work. He drives a shoulder into the back of the injured knee and forces Dominator to collapse on the bad knee. He quickly backs up and executes a beautiful superkick to the back of Dominator’s head. It takes some work to muscle the 365 pounder over for a pin, but Hunter does it.
The referee: One... Kickout.
Dominator throws a shoulder up off the mat. Not wasting the time to bitch about it, Hunter quickly and aggressively locks in a rear chin lock. The referee is on the spot asking Dominator to surrender. Dominator refuses before starting to work his way up to a vertical base where he counters with a jaw breaker. Dominator gets back to his feet where he nails Hunter with a chop across the chest which sends Hunter back into a neutral corner. Dominator comes forward where he shoots him across the ring and into the opposite buckles. Dominator charges forward where he's met with a boot to the face that staggers Dominator back out towards the center of the ring. Hunter explodes with a running knee to the jaw of Dominator which sends Dominator to the mat. Hunter quickly snatches both legs of Dominator where he looks to lock in a sharpshooter. Dominator quickly squirms towards the ropes where he's able to latch on to the bottom rope which causes a break at the referee's request to Hunter.
Jerry Andrews: They're starting off at a fast pace in the early goings of this semi final match.
Ace Anderson: There is so much at stake here, with the prestigious Icemann finals and the cash prize, I wouldn't expect anything else.
Hunter releases the thick legs of Dominator as he makes his way out to the center of the ring while Dominator slides out to the floor where he begins pacing back and forth with his hands on his hips. The referee starts laying the count to Dominator, it's at his five count that Dominator climbs back up on the ring apron before stepping back into the ring. He and Hunter circle each other once more before looking to lock up. The crowd boo's as Dominator thumbs Hunter in the eyes before driving a boot to the midsection which allows Dominator to take a front face lock. He snaps Hunter over with a suplex before quickly getting to his feet where he pulls Hunter towards a neutral corner. Dominator then unexpectedly gets an angry look in his eye, and the big man throws all caution to the wind as he starts getting up on the ropes, even though it doesn't look like structurally they want to hold his weight. Dominator picks himself up to stand on the second rope, and then he goes one step higher to the top rope before coming off with an attempted Vader Bomb, but suddenly Hunter pulls his knees up at the last second which causes Dominator to drive himself into them midsection first. It is quite possibly the most breath taking few seconds we could expect. Especially so in the aftermath, for Dominator, who is rolling around holding his midsection. The crowd erupts in a burst of applause.
Jerry Andrews: We just saw Dominator willingly take his feet off the ground, and try for a splash from the ropes!
Ace Anderson: And, somehow, Hunter is not lying flat as a pancake. Amazing.
Groaning and holding his midsection, Dom lays on the mat as Hunter starts pushing himself up on his elbows, thinking if he scrambles over he could get a cover. Dominator suddenly gets a burst of energy and slides out of the ring. Dominator paces into the aisle, coughing and having a fit. David follows, foolishly, right into the trap of the monster. Dominator turns and catches an off guard David with a thunderous clothesline. The Next In Line’s head bounces off the thin mats in a sick fashion. David holds the back of his head as Dominator continues to regain his composure. He finally approaches David, lifts him off his feet, and whips him into the steel post. David can’t stop his momentum and goes shoulder first into the cold steel. He ricochets off the post and collapses in a heap. Dominator stalks his prey and drives a few boots into the injured shoulder of Hunter. He lifts him up and grabs his arm, only to drive his own shoulder into the injured area on David. A few shoulder blocks later and David is on the ground writhing in pain. Dominator smiles at the damage he’s inflicted and goes to work on the arm. He puts Hunter in a chicken wing and wrenches forward with all his force. The referee begs them to get back in the ring.
Jerry Andrews: Dominator is having his way with Hunter on the outside.
Dominator releases the hold enough to Biel toss Hunter across the entire aisle, letting him splat against the pavement. He gives the referee a dark look, rolls under the bottom rope just enough to break any count the ref was thinking of giving, and goes back to lift Hunter up. He lifts Hunter up by the arm, and irish whips him with force into the steel steps, dislodging them a bit with a jarring bang and Hunter hits shoulder first. Again, Hunter grips his arm and screams. Dominator, his confidence at an all time high, turns to the crowd to taunt them with a signature roar. He then backs up around the corner of the ring, gathering steam for a running start. He then charges around the ring, gaining momentum, and he bull rushes Hunter, laying against the steel steps. He's about to boot Hunter's head into the steel steps when Hunter, at the last second, drop toeholds him. Dominator falls face first into the corner of the steel steps. Dominator is dazed, and he lays against the apron, blinking. David also takes a second, trying to use the steel steps to push himself up. The referee checks on both men, and he's aware he should be counting them both out, but he holds off as he leans out and checks.
Jerry Andrews: With a match this important, you get the sense that the referee does not want this to end in a countout.
Ace Anderson: Of course not, if they both get counted out, who's doing to go to the finals?
Dominator painfully gets to his feet, and he clubs Hunter, trying to keep him beaten down although he's dazed himself. He lifts Hunter up and throws him in the ring. Hunter starts pulling himself up to his knees. Dominator gets in the ring himself. The referee checks on Hunter, but he waves it off. He’s already taken a battering, but he is not willing to give up just yet. Dominator goes to lift him, but Hunter gives him a jawbreaker, making Dominator stumble off. Hunter runs at Dominator, going for another running lariat, springing up into the air so that there is full force behind his punch, but Dominator swings Hunter in a circle, driving him into the mat with a Black Hole slam. Dominator quickly smirks as he gets back up to his feet. Hunter struggles to roll onto his front and push himself back up. Dominator grabs him by the back of the neck yet again, plucking him back into the air and holding Hunter with one hand by his cheeks. He shouts some abuse into his face, but Hunter suddenly counters with a kick to the kneecap. Dominator instantly lets go of Hunter, keeling over painfully. Hunter runs at the ropes, rebounding and flattening Dominator with a cross body.
Jerry Andrews: And the big man is taken off his feet!
Ace Anderson: Hunter is just jamming a stick into a beehive, it’s only a matter of time before he gets stung!
Jerry Andrews: That’s VERY metaphorical of you, Ace.
Ace Anderson: I’ve been catching up with the works of Dickens and Shakespeare the last couple of weeks.
Jerry Andrews: Really?
Ace Anderson: Pffft... No!
Hunter begins to deliver an array of ground based moves to Dominator. Stomps to the chest, elbow drops, knee drops and the like before finally kneeling down on Dominator’s torso and delivering an array of punches to Dominator’s head. Dominator claws at Hunter, trying to force him to dismount whilst swatting the punches away. Dominator finally manages to get Hunter to cease his attack by raking his eyes, a tactic deployed by Hunter not so long ago. Dominator throws Hunter off of him and quickly climbs to one knee. Hunter suddenly runs and hits the bicycle kick, leaving his feet to plant a boot to the side of the head on the kneeling Dominator.
Jerry Andrews: Ode to Frank connects!
Hunter makes the cover on Dominator...
The referee: One...
Two... Kickout
Dominator POWERS out of the pin, sending Hunter crashing across the ring. Hunter catches his breath as Dominator angrily gets back up to his feet. Dominator charges at Hunter, picking him up and ramming him into the corner, before unleashing a combination of shoulder thrusts to the mid section. Dominator backs away for one final blow, looking to hit a spear in the corner. He lunges at Hunter, who quickly pulls himself up onto the top turnbuckle. Dominator’s shoulder goes straight into the steel ring post. He roars in pain, trying to withdraw his now trapped shoulder from the corner. Hunter stands on the top rope, delivering a double foot stomp to Dominator’s spine before rolling across the canvas. Hunter climbs between the ropes, grabbing Dominator’s arm and slamming it against the ring post. He bellows in pain once again as Hunter follows up with a punch to the face. You can feel the anger and frustration in Hunter that is overflowing here in this match. Dominator is finally able to prise his shoulder out of the turnbuckle and stands back up in the center of the ring, trying to shake the pain out of his arm, rolling his shoulder back and forth to get the blood flowing again. He isn’t aware of Hunter, who has now climbed to the top of the turnbuckle, perched like a cat ready to pounce. Dominator turns, when Hunter finally makes a bold leap, looking to take down Dominator with another cross body, but this time Dominator catches Hunter in midair before driving Hunter’s ribs into his knee with a rib breaker. Hunter yells in pain, but Dominator doesn’t release Hunter, instead he repeats the painful maneuvre twice over before lifting Hunter high above his head before putting him in a torture rack. Dominator clamps down on the hold, bending Hunter in half over his broad shoulders. The ref asks if he gives up.
Jerry Andrews: Hunter is in a world of pain up there, and there's no easy way down.
Seeing that Hunter continues to refuse to give up, Dominator spins the torture rack into a devastating neckbreaker, laying David out in the middle of the ring. Dominator then gets to his feet, gripping the wrist and pulling it up before laying a few stomps on the injured arm of David. Finally, using that arm he lifts him up, walking him to the corner, before slamming his hand onto the turnbuckle. Hunter yells in pain. As Dom goes for it again, David fights back and manages to land a quick elbow into the abs of Dominator. With himself free he uses his injured hand to deliver a vicious knife edged chop. Dominator reels backwards in pain and so does David as his injured hand feels the effects of the move.
Feeling the life back in his hand The Next in Line executes the maneuver one more time and goes for a double leg takedown, only to find Dominator much more stout than he imagined. Dominator gets his hand in between David and his body and uses it to wrap himself around the neck of The Next in Line. David rolls and escapes only to catch a right hook to the face. Then, Dominator backs up a few steps only to come straight in with a big boot.
Ace Anderson: And Dominator with some sudden facial reconstructive surgery.
Jerry Andrews: That kick could take your head off. Oh, no, he's going for the cover.
The referee: One...
Two...
Dominator stands and yells at the referee for a bit, which gives David enough time to stand up again. Hunter comes in behind Dom, booting him in the back of the kneecap. Dominator staggers a few steps holding his leg. He turns to Hunter, who boots him in the gut and goes for a flying knee facebuster, but Dominator pulls his head free at the last second and straightens up, Hunter turns around and is dropped by a headbutt! Hunter is stunned, and he staggers over to drape against the ropes, blinking and trying to shake the cobwebs out. The reinvigorated Dominator grits his teeth and steps forward. He grabs Hunter by the hair, walking him over to the corner, where he slams David's head off the turnbuckle. Dominator slaps David in the chest several times with a series of chops. Dominator picks David up and he sits him up on the top rope. Dominator stars to climb up, but Hunter stops him with a rake to the eyes. David shoves Dominator off of the ropes with a boot. David stands up on the second rope, and just as Dominator stands up, Hunter flies and he crushes Dominator with a second rope bulldog. David crawls over and he drapes his arm across Dominator’s chest.
Jerry Andrews: David is still showing signs of life!
Ace Anderson: This is Hunter's moment, if he can pull off a big win tonight in the Icemann, it will validate everything he's been saying for months.
The referee: One…
Two… Kickout
David gets to his feet as Dominator holds his knee in pain. David tries to pull him back to the center of the ring so he can reapply the hold. Dominator twists his body in such a way that he’s able to push Hunter off with his other foot. David flies and he smacks the corner face first. Dominator gets up to his feet, favoring his injured knee. Hunter turns around, only to be slammed to the mat with a spinebuster. Both men are down for a second as The ref checks on them. Dominator is the first man to move, pushing himself up. David also starts to stir, but Dominator is to his feet before Hunter can get up. David stands up with his back to Dominator. Dominator wraps his arms around Hunter's waist and he flings him with a high angle release German suplex. Dominator stands up and he gets charged up by his adrenaline rush. Dominator pulls Hunter to his feet and he executes an Irish whip. Dominator destroys David on the rebound with a sidewalk slam. He rolls over for the cover.
The referee: One...
Two... Kickout
Dominator snarls down at Hunter. He screams for him to get his ass up, and when he goes Dominator boots him in the gut, walks him towards the corner and sticks his head between his legs. He gives Hunter a vicious jack-knife style powerbomb into the turnbuckles. Hunter's head snaps back with sickening whiplash, and he falls to the mat. Dominator starts to turn him over for the pin, but he shakes his finger "no" with a cold expression on his face. He lifts Hunter up, whipping him into the corner, then he paces to the opposite corner. Dominator charges in and nearly beheads Hunter with a devastating corner big boot. David limply tries to hold himself up in the corner, but then simply flops to the mat. Dominator has a look of aggression on his face as he looks down at Hunter. The ref tries to come between the two men so that he can check on Hunter. Dominator and The ref argue for a second. Dominator finally pushes The ref away. He goes to lift Hunter up, only to be cut off by a punch to the stomach, then Hunter drops down, pulling Dominator's head across his knees with a double knee facebuster. Dominator stumbles back to the ropes, checking him mouth. Hunter rests, trying to catch his breath. At length, Hunter pulls himself up, and he ducks under a right hand from Dominator. Hunter tattoo's Dom with several more rights, firing up on the big man. Hunter whips Dominator to the ropes, but Dominator stops himself by holding on to the top rope. Hunter spots Dominator, and comes running at him, but Dominator runs forward, hooks his arm across Hunter's throat and in one quick motion, slams him down to the mat with powerful STO. David arches his back. Dominator takes a moment to lift him up, and drop him with a gutbuster. David yells in pain and holds his injured midsection. Dominator applies a rear bearhug, grinding his forearms into Hunter's midsection. Hunter screams and yells, trying to thrash his arms. Dominator simply sweeps him down to the mat with a belly to back takedown. He gives David several powerful mounted knee strikes to the midsection. Dominator lifts Hunter back up, shaking his head and giving him some choice words. He lifts Hunter up in powerslam position, then drops him across his knee with a backbreaker. Dominator pulls back with all his might as he stretches David across his knee, putting David in a serious amount of pain.
Jerry Andrews: And yet again, Dominator has stretched Hunter beyond humanly limits!
Ace Anderson: Dominator wants to get to the finals of this tournament in a big way, to make up for last year.
Jerry Andrews: But this is Hunter's first year, and you know he is going to push as hard he can to see how far he'll go.
The ref asks Hunter if he gives up. Hunter shakes his head, but he starts to slip in and out of consciousness. As he does, his arms and head start to sag. Once he goes limp, The ref does the required arm-check. Hunter's arm falls once... twice... on the third time, it stay in the air. The crowd erupts in cheers.
Jerry Andrews: He’s not out for good! Somehow, Hunter fought the pain and is still alive in this match!
Ace Anderson I’m shocked! I thought it was over for sure!
Dominator screams in disbelief as lets go of the hold, tossing Hunter to the mat. He argues with the ref for a second. The ref assures him Hunter's hand stayed up. Dominator turns back and he pulls Hunter to his feet. Dominator goes for an Irish whip, but Hunter holds onto the ropes. Dominator charges, and Hunter drops down with the top rope in hand. Dominator goes over the rope and he hits the floor hard. Hunter slowly rolls out of the ring and he goes right at Dominator with hard boots to the gut. Hunter clubs Dominator over the back, and then he devastates Dominator with a dragon suplex onto the concrete. Hunter rests on the floor for a second. The crowd is starting to get behind him with "Hunter" chants. Hunter's arm is shaking as if he's willing himself to collect all of the energy. Hunter pulls himself up. The ref is warning them to get in the ring. Hunter slowly get in the ring, and then he looks at Dominator. Dominator is on the outside, trying to pull himself up on one knee. Hunter looks to Dominator, then to the crowd, and then he runs off the opposite ropes. He comes charging at the ropes, flies over with a suicide dive, coming down across Dominator with a plancha. Both men are down, and the crowd pops. After a minute or so, Hunter starts to come to life. Hunter pulls himself up using the guardrail. He holds himself up so he can catch his breath and get his wits about him. Hunter holds his injured midsection as he walks over and he picks a limp Dominator to his feet. Hunter struggles to move the big man, but he’s able to get him to the ring. Hunter slides Dominator into the ring and he follows closely. Hunter covers and he hooks the leg.
The referee: One...
Two...
Th- Kickout!
Hunter goes to pick Dominator up, only to be cut short by a throat thrust uppercut. Dominator lifts Hunter up, viciously clubbing him over the back. He spins Hunter around, and then he sends Hunter crashing to the mat with a t-bone suplex. Dominator pulls Hunter up by the back of his trunks. Dominator whips Hunter into the ropes, and then he nails Hunter with a clothesline. Dominator drags Hunter back up. He hoists Hunter high up in the air, and then he drops Hunter head first with a brainbuster. He goes for another pin attempt.
The referee: One...
Two..
Th- Kickout!
Dominator stands up and he doesn’t believe Hunter kicked out. The ref assures him it was only a two count. Dominator takes a couple of deep breaths and he walks over to David. Dom drags Dominator back to his feet, lifting him up and calling for a chokeslam, and he has him clinched by the throat. He hoists David up in the air, but David counters in midair into a sick looking DDT. Suddenly, "Spiders" by Billy Corgan hits on the PA and David Hunter's running buddy comes walking out onto the stage, but keeping his distance. Hunter is trying to push himself up.
Jerry Andrews: Wait a damn minute, is Hunter's running buddy going to come down here and give Hunter the assist?
Ace Anderson: Bite your tongue, these two men form the best tag team in the world!... Allegedly.
With the referee looking Holden Ross' way to make sure he doesn't get into the action, David goes to pull Dominator up. He lands several furious right hands. Hunter backs up as Dominator is on his knees, and goes for another Ode to Frank, until Dominator grabs the referee and pulls the referee in front of himself like a shield. The referee gets collided with and dropped in a heap on the mat. Dominator takes the opening to jab David in the eye and kick him in the groin. Dominator takes a few gasping breaths, and he looks over to see Holden Ross is now charging the ring, without the rule of the referee. Dominator stands up, and motions for Holden to back off, taking a swipe at him. Holden Ross holds his hands up as he backs up from the apron. Dominator, having enough of playing by the rules himself, rips off his shirt and wraps it around the neck of David and pulls backward as he puts his boot on the back of David and pushes forward. The Next in Line struggles for breathes as he tries to fit his fingers in between his neck and the shirt.
Jerry Andrews: And we thought it was Holden Ross who would be playing the game loosely with no referee out here!
Ace Anderson: It's becoming anarchy, pure anarchy!
Jerry Andrews: He is choking the life out of Hunter!
Several long, torturous seconds tic by as Hunter's face is turning red from lack of oxygen. Dominator finishes choking Hunter, and raises his hands and receives a chorus of boos in return. He tosses the shirt away and goes to check on the referee who is still out. Hunter rolls out of the ring somehow, and he lays there, gasping for air, as now Holden Ross goes surreptitiously to his side, making sure Dominator doesn't see him. Dominator can’t see and only notices Hunter lying on his back outside. Holden Ross goes under the ring and gets a steel chair. Finally, Dominator spots Holden Ross, and he bucks forward at him, chasing him a few steps around the ring. Holden Ross holds his hands up, indicating he wants no part of this. Dominator looks back towards where Hunter is, but Hunter is hiding the chair tucked against his midsection. Dominator fervently paces over to grab Hunter by the back of the neck but he is stopped short by Hunter bringing the chair Holden Ross fed him in, to jab the edge hard into Dominator's sternum. Dominator grunts and doubles over, and then, he’s immediately brought down by Hunter with a chair shot to the knee. Hunter stands quickly and crashes the chair over Dominator’s head. The crowd roars at the sudden beating with the steel chair. Hunter lifts the chair overhead. He continues raining down chair shots, Dominator across the back and the head until the chair is deformed and useless.
Jerry Andrews: And turnabout comes swiftly for Dominator.
Ace Anderson: Bet he's regretting getting rid of that referee now, huh?
Jerry Andrews: Well you have to give an assist to Holden Ross.
The fans cheer as they see the pain written on Dominator’s face. Hunter tosses the chair and helps Dominator back into the ring. He stomps on the Zenith's head until the referee comes to. Dropping for a cover the ref weakly counts.
The referee and the crowd: ONE...
TWO...
THR- Kickout.
Hunter grits his teeth, and painfully starts pulling himself back to a vertical base. The referee looks at Holden Ross, who is pitching a fit. Holden Ross says "Come on that was a bullshit call!" and the referee, coming fully to awareness, is questioning why he's there. The referee looks at Holden Ross, then points at a suspicious steel chair laying in the aisle, and he points to Holden Ross. Ross' eyes fly open wide and he has to suddenly try to proclaim his innocence. The referee motions that he isn't having any part in Ross' shenanigans, and he motions he's throwing Ross out of there. Ross explodes, throwing his arms up, and a humongous cheer goes up from the crowd.
Jerry Andrews: Holden Ross not wanting to be a quiet spectator just got him ejected from ringside!
Ace Anderson: He's like one of those backseat referees.
David Hunter tilts his head at his associate, who is trying to protest, but Hunter yells "What are you doing??" Holden Ross is on the ramp, and the ref is pointing for him to go. Reluctantly, pleading with Hunter that he's sorry for this, Ross walks up the ramp. Hunter grimaces, holding his head in his hands, and he knows he has to get it together. This is for all of the marbles, the finals of the prestigious Icemann tournament await him. He’s waiting for Dominator to stand as well. Irish whip, Dominator ducks the clothesline, but runs right into a drop kick on the return. Hunter stands and tries to regain himself from the move. His nose hasn’t stopped bleeding the entire match and has caused him to lose quite a bit of blood. Dominator isn’t any better as he’s bleeding from above his eyes and his mouth. The ring is a crimson shade that it wasn’t meant to be. Hunter waits for Dominator to stand, kicks him in the gut, and grabs his head for a DDT. Dominator blocks the attempt, wraps his arms around the back of Hunter and drives his hips forward sending Hunter over in a suplex. He then gets back to his feet, takes a deep breath and stands. He lifts Hunter up, picking him up in a gutwrench before destroying him with a Namesake. An exhausted and battered Dominator goes for a cover.
The referee and the crowd: ONE...
TWO...
THR - Kickout!
Dominator flops off the pin and covers his face with his hands. He looks bleakly up to the ref. Dominator grits his teeth as he gets up, and he goes to pull Hunter in. He's looking for a powerbomb, but Hunter kicks his legs in midair and resists being lifted. Dominator pounds on his back and tries again. He goes to lift Hunter again, but as Hunter gets up in the air he drops down behind Dominator. Hunter sinks to one knee, utterly spent. Dominator stands and readies himself for Hunter, who carefully stands to his feet and anticipates the charging monster. He ducks out of the way and lands a boot to the gut, and connects with a flying knee facebuster. However, Hunter is too weak to make a cover.
Jerry Andrews: Hunter Suite connects!!
Ace Anderson: But Hunter is too beaten down to continue.
Jerry Andrews: Just think of how grueling this match has been, and yet, whoever wins this match will still have to compete once more tonight.
Ace Anderson: Yeah, but whoever wins through is going to be a very, very rich person. We've already seen how much motivation that can be.
Finally, Hunter crawls over for a cover.
The referee and the crowd: ONE...
TWO...
THRE - Kickout!
Hunter hides his face in his hands as he lays on his stomach, trying to parse what else he can do in this match. Finally, he starts getting to his feet. He pulls the bigger man up, trying to get him up in position for a stunner, but Dominator pushes him off. Hunter relentlessly, getting his second wind, comes right back in, tagging Dominator with right hands all before Dominator can even get to his feet. Dominator cuts him off with a headbutt, making David stagger all the way into the corner, and then Dominator explodes out of nowhere with a getting to his feet, rushing charge in to splash Hunter in the corner. Dominator paces out, roaring with sudden and massive energy. He goes over to Hunter, punching him so hard Hunter's feet fly up in the air, and then he takes a limp Hunter and he begins endeavoring him up onto the top rope. Hunter offers little resistance, and Dominator begins positioning him for a superplex. The two men go up the turnbuckles, and Dominator looks around at the crowd before standing on the top rope. He goes to superplex David off the top rope, but as he begins to peel Hunter off the top rope, Hunter converts it in midair, turning it into a botched halfway sort of crossbody, and both men land hard in a way they weren't expecting. Both men are down in the middle of the ring, and the crowd explodes at the sudden reversal.
Jerry Andrews: Oh! My! Both of these men are now down and out! At this point in the match anything could happen!!
The referee's jaw has gone slack because he was not prepared for this wild, crazy match, or this outcome with both men down on the mat. It takes him a second, as both men are laid out, too winded to move. Finally the referee begins counting.
One...
Two...
Three...
Four...
Five...
Six... Hunter begins to stir...
Seven... Dominator rolls over onto his side...
Eight... Both men are starting to push themselves up on their elbows and knees...
Nine...
Hunter is the first to his feet and with a rush of adrenaline he surges in, as Dominator is staggering to his feet, he is booted in the gut and taken down with a leaping single armed stunner. Dominator's head hits off the collarbone, and he flings back.
Jerry Andrews: Thrill of the Hunt connects!!
David scrambles in to the pin.
The referee and the crowd: ONE...
TWO...
THREE- KICKOUT!!
The crowd erupts in a million conflicting emotions as the kickout comes. David, incensed, throws his arms up in the air. He pounds the mat, yelling, and he gets a look in his eye not seen since his Underground battles with Sicko. His face is covered by a snarl. He stays in hunched, ready position as he kneels and as Dominator starts trying to push himself up, Hunter waits for him again, and Dominator turns right into a boot to the gut and a second leaping stunner. Dominator flips backwards, and this time, David does not waste time going for a cover. He gets in the corner, gripping the top ropes, ripping and raring to go, and Dominator takes another ten seconds to start pulling himself up to his feet, flailing his massive arms, and at length the big man gets up, stumbling and unsure of where he is, and Hunter boots him in the gut one more time and takes him down with a third leaping stunner. Dominator falls back to the mat, and Hunter lays on his side.
Jerry Andrews: Three consecutive Thrill of the Hunts, similar to how he defeated Sicko at Mass Destruction. David Hunter is going all out in his bid to get to the finals.
Hunter crawls over Dom for the pin.
The referee and the crowd: ONE...
TWO...
THREE -
Kickout!!
The crowd roars in shock, amazement, delight, and outrage. Hunter's mouth is wide open, both shocked and angry himself. He looks up at the referee and yells that that was three. The referee assures him it was only two. Hunter grips his shirt, telling him that there's too much at stake for all of this. The referee and Hunter have a little more back and forth, and then Hunter spots Dominator picking his way to his feet and gives him a harsh boot to the side of the head, just to cut off his comeback. Hunter then adjusts his elbow pad, and he goes over to the corner, calling for the Deathshot as his last resort. He runs the entire length of the ring, but gets halfway there when Dominator comes to life, turning and meeting him in the middle for a spear that cuts Hunter in half, folding him like a rag doll in midair. The crowd goes ballistic at the sudden and violent counter, and Hunter is laying on the mat, holding his gut like he's just been murdered. Dominator, weakly, in on all fours, but he pounds the mat, trying to will himself back into it. Finally, he gets to his feet. He lifts Hunter up, planting him with a lifted reverse STO.
Jerry Andrews: And there's the Anachronism!!
Ace Anderson: It's all over but the crying.
Dominator goes for a cover.
The referee and the crowd: ONE...
TWO...
THREE -
Kickout!!
Jerry Andrews: NO.
Ace Anderson: WHAT.
Jerry Andrews: He kicked out! He by god kicked out!!!
Dominator has a look of utter disbelief written on his face as Hunter kicked out of his strongest move. He looks up at the referee deliriously. The referee assures Dominator, too, and Dominator, sweaty, blood running from his eye, and bruised, has a look of shock. The crowd is chanting for both men, the atmosphere intense. Dominator goes to pick Hunter up. He slowly lifts Hunter up, going to grip his throat for a chokeslam, but Hunter kicks his knee out. Dominator stumbles, and David runs off the ropes behind him and then he goes for a running Thrill of the Hunt. Dominator slides his head out of it, and uses his arm to fling Hunter to the mat. Hunter hits the mat, and holds his lower back, and then Dominator wastes little time, going to pick Hunter up, lifting him onto his shoulders and connecting with a muscle buster. Dominator sinks to the mat, utterly spent.
Jerry Andrews: He's going for the Thrill of the Hunt - NO! Dominator powers out of it - And there it is!!
Ace Anderson: Butterfly Effect crushes Hunter to the mat. And that's it.
Dominator gingerly pushes Hunter over. The ref slides in.
The referee and the crowd: ONE...
TWO...
THREE!!
Ding Ding Ding
Sasha Greene: Here is your winner, advancing to the finals of the Icemann Invitational Tournament, DOMINATOR!!
"Wave of Darkness" by Garik Wheeler hits on the PA, and Dominator lays on the mat, too spent from his match to get up. He holds an arm up to the crowd.
Jerry Andrews: Dominator pulled out one of the most hard fought performances of the entire tournament.
Ace Anderson: You have to give all the credit in the world to Hunter for such a gutsy performance, he gave the juggernaut of Pure Class Wrestling everything he had to give.
Dominator is weakly pulling himself to his feet, and he breathes heavily, red faced as the referee holds his arm up. Dominator celebrates, letting out a yell and flexing his arms. Hunter is still down on the mat.
Ace Anderson: We only have one more match to go. And if there's any man that's looking towards that trophy, it's Dominator.
Jerry Andrews: Our tournament final is set. Either that man Dominator or _________________ will be this year's Icemann Invitational Tournament winner! I can't wait for that main event match!
Ace Anderson: Oh man it's going to be great!
"Heaven Knows" by The Pretty Wreckless plays. A school bell rings....the crows claps along with the clapping of the song matching its beat. A motorcycle emerges from the back with Cory Steel on the back, the outlaw stops at the top of the ramp where he holds a fist up in the air. The massive man also lays down on the accelerator drowning out the music and the crowd!
Cory smiles and then launches himself down the ramp on his motorcycle. He takes a few laps around the ring before coming to a stop and rolls into the ring. The large man lumbers to his corner turning his rage into focus on his opponent who is about to be announced.
Can you feel it coming? Can you feel it coming?
'Switchblade Smiles' by Kasabian gradually rises in volume to announce the arrival of Tyler Scott. The lights dim and flicker as the crowd react with alternative waves of boos and cheers.
Move back this wrecking ball,
Rips through the blackest hole,
Violence is coming. It's coming. It's coming
However, as Tyler Scott appears through the curtain, the boos surpass the cheers. He pauses at the top of the ramp and takes a moment to adjust the strapping around his wrists and direct a few abusive words to the front row crowd. A quick turn of the wrist and crack of the knuckles and Tyler continues his descent down the ramp.
He heads to the ring, climbs through the ropes and walks to the centre where he stands and stares intensely into the crowd. He mouths a few obscenities before beginning warming up for the upcoming contest.
Cory smiles and then launches himself down the ramp on his motorcycle. He takes a few laps around the ring before coming to a stop and rolls into the ring. The large man lumbers to his corner turning his rage into focus on his opponent who is about to be announced.
Can you feel it coming? Can you feel it coming?
'Switchblade Smiles' by Kasabian gradually rises in volume to announce the arrival of Tyler Scott. The lights dim and flicker as the crowd react with alternative waves of boos and cheers.
Move back this wrecking ball,
Rips through the blackest hole,
Violence is coming. It's coming. It's coming
However, as Tyler Scott appears through the curtain, the boos surpass the cheers. He pauses at the top of the ramp and takes a moment to adjust the strapping around his wrists and direct a few abusive words to the front row crowd. A quick turn of the wrist and crack of the knuckles and Tyler continues his descent down the ramp.
Sasha Greene: Now, making his way to the ring, weighing 225lbs, from London, England. Tyler Scott!!!
He heads to the ring, climbs through the ropes and walks to the centre where he stands and stares intensely into the crowd. He mouths a few obscenities before beginning warming up for the upcoming contest.
Singles Match
Tyler Scott vs Cory Steel
Referee: Ty Little
The bell sounds as Steel and Scott face one another in the ring. There's a pause. Everyone in the arena is waiting for something to happen.
Jerry Andrews: Alright.... what's going to happen now?
Nothing. The referee motions toward the center of the ring. There's another pause. Finally Scott and Steel meet with a collar-elbow tie up. Steel with a big knee to the sternum of Scott. Tyler Scott retaliates with a knee to the sternum as well. Scott pulls Steel back towards him and hits a vertical suplex. Steel and Scott both get to their feet relatively quick and they stare each other as Cory Steel is on one knee and Scott is on his feet.
Ace Anderson: It's happening! It's really happening!
Jerry Andrews: Tell your friends! There's a match!
Ace Anderson: Hashtag-ScottAndSteelMatchIsHappening
Jerry Andrews: Please never say the word "Hashtag" again.
Ace Anderson: Hashtag-sad
Cory Steel charges. Scott moves and catches Steel with a drop kick. Tyler is quick to his feet as Steel is too. Steel runs at Scott, Scott ducks as Cory hits the ropes. Flying elbow to the chin on Scott. Steel flips to his back after hitting Scott. Steel gets to his feet as Scott does. They lock up again as Tyler puts Steel into a arm bar. Scott comes down hard on the shoulder blade knocking Cory to his knee. Scott really wrenches it in. Steel gets back to his feet as Scott puts Steel arm around him and suplexes Cory Steel to the mat.
Jerry Andrews: It's a real wrestling match!
Scott grabs Steel legs and drops a knee on the inner thigh as he wrenches it in. Steel gets a kick to the face of Scott breaking the hold. Both men get to their feet. Scott comes in. Steel hits his opponent with an atomic drop and bulldog combination. Cory gets up and he drags Scott to his feet. Steel sends Scott into the ropes and he goes for a spinebuster. Scott reverses with a DDT.
Ace Anderson: A big time DDT reversal from Scott!
Jerry Andrews: Tyler Scott just predicted that move.
Scott back to his feet as he pulls his opponent up. Scott with a double arm DDT on Steel. He goes for a cover and gets one and a half. Steel slow to his feet. Scott with a kick to the gut. Cory blocks the next move with his foot and he hits a northern lights suplex. Steel slowly rolls out of the ring as he pulls Scott out with him. Cory hits a big left. Tyler Scott retaliates with a right. The two men start trading blows on he outside!
Ace Anderson: These two are really getting into now!
Jerry Andrews: What a heated brawl between these two long-time rivals!
Tyler Scott gets the upper hand and he hits Cory with a big boot into the stomach, doubling him over. Scott now throws his opponent head-first into the guard rail. Scott grabs him and sets him up for a piledriver, but Cory reverses it into a back body drop. Cory Steel now picks up his opponent and rolls him back into the ring.
Jerry Andrews: Heading back to the ring now.
Ace Anderson: Wait... what...!?
Jerry Andrews: Alright.... what's going to happen now?
Nothing. The referee motions toward the center of the ring. There's another pause. Finally Scott and Steel meet with a collar-elbow tie up. Steel with a big knee to the sternum of Scott. Tyler Scott retaliates with a knee to the sternum as well. Scott pulls Steel back towards him and hits a vertical suplex. Steel and Scott both get to their feet relatively quick and they stare each other as Cory Steel is on one knee and Scott is on his feet.
Ace Anderson: It's happening! It's really happening!
Jerry Andrews: Tell your friends! There's a match!
Ace Anderson: Hashtag-ScottAndSteelMatchIsHappening
Jerry Andrews: Please never say the word "Hashtag" again.
Ace Anderson: Hashtag-sad
Cory Steel charges. Scott moves and catches Steel with a drop kick. Tyler is quick to his feet as Steel is too. Steel runs at Scott, Scott ducks as Cory hits the ropes. Flying elbow to the chin on Scott. Steel flips to his back after hitting Scott. Steel gets to his feet as Scott does. They lock up again as Tyler puts Steel into a arm bar. Scott comes down hard on the shoulder blade knocking Cory to his knee. Scott really wrenches it in. Steel gets back to his feet as Scott puts Steel arm around him and suplexes Cory Steel to the mat.
Jerry Andrews: It's a real wrestling match!
Scott grabs Steel legs and drops a knee on the inner thigh as he wrenches it in. Steel gets a kick to the face of Scott breaking the hold. Both men get to their feet. Scott comes in. Steel hits his opponent with an atomic drop and bulldog combination. Cory gets up and he drags Scott to his feet. Steel sends Scott into the ropes and he goes for a spinebuster. Scott reverses with a DDT.
Ace Anderson: A big time DDT reversal from Scott!
Jerry Andrews: Tyler Scott just predicted that move.
Scott back to his feet as he pulls his opponent up. Scott with a double arm DDT on Steel. He goes for a cover and gets one and a half. Steel slow to his feet. Scott with a kick to the gut. Cory blocks the next move with his foot and he hits a northern lights suplex. Steel slowly rolls out of the ring as he pulls Scott out with him. Cory hits a big left. Tyler Scott retaliates with a right. The two men start trading blows on he outside!
Ace Anderson: These two are really getting into now!
Jerry Andrews: What a heated brawl between these two long-time rivals!
Tyler Scott gets the upper hand and he hits Cory with a big boot into the stomach, doubling him over. Scott now throws his opponent head-first into the guard rail. Scott grabs him and sets him up for a piledriver, but Cory reverses it into a back body drop. Cory Steel now picks up his opponent and rolls him back into the ring.
Jerry Andrews: Heading back to the ring now.
Ace Anderson: Wait... what...!?
Suddenly there's a spark above the ring and a big piece of the light rig comes crashing to the mat, narrowly missing both competitors and the referee. Everyone pauses for a moment, but soon Steel and Scott get around the equipment and they start to trade blows once more!
Jerry Andrews: These two just want to keep fighting each other!
Ace Anderson: Can you blame them? They've finally gotten the chance!
Ty Little calls for assistance from the back and PCW officials rush down to the ring. The two competitors continue fighting as technicians examine the lights and referees debate what should happen next. Another spark shoots from the ceiling and Little calls for the bell. The crowd boos.
Jerry Andrews: Well.... it looks like the referee's put a stop to this one.
Ace Anderson: You can't really blame him, it's not safe in the ring right now.
Scott and Steel don't care. They continue fighting, eventually brawling on top of the fallen equipment. Another spark shoots up, causing both men to fall to the mat.
Jerry Andrews: Oh my God!
Ace Anderson: We're going to need some help out here!
Jerry Andrews: These two might both be seriously hurt!
Medical staff rush down to the ring as the show heads to a prerecorded segment.
You, the viewer, are brought into a familiar room. The one with a lamp that's switched on, highlighting the small table under it. The lone four-pane window offering a glimpse of the moon spotlighting her beam through an orange tree (or is it...trees?). The soft glow from a fireplace burning bright.
And of course, Lucy Willard calmly rocking back and forth in her rocking chair, watching her child drawing pictures at her feet, humming to herself. Scattered crayons point outward. Each one representing the brightest colors in the box.
"Rick Majors has you all believing that he's a victim. THE victim. That I somehow could force him to do things opposite to his natural whims."
Seromine shows his mother the first picture. It represents that night in 2017 when Rick turned on Kelli Starr and watched as Seromine retained his International title. The night Rick became Gabriel. The three involved are stick figures in a scribbled ring. Kelli, in pink, is down with X's in her eyes. Majors, in blue, is drawn kneeling. Seromine, in black and towering higher than necessary, is holding his championship in the air.
The picture is crumpled and thrown into the fire.
"It's easy to blame someone for your own faults, Rick. I provided you the platform to rebuild yourself, safe from the dangers of a world that doesn't give a shit about you. When you no longer needed me, you put the knife in my back and walked away."
Lucy is shown a second picture. This is of the last night Rick was Gabriel. The photo depicts a VERY large knife sticking through the body of stick figure Seromine. Stick figure Rick is holding it with glee. A caption bubble is above his head reading, "HA! HA! HA! HA!" Stick figure Stormm is drawn in orange outside of the scribbled ring. Stick figure Kyle Shane in red inside. The picture is crumpled and thrown in the fire.
"Now you want to make idle threats against a man who has made a career out of ending them? Poor Rick. Without me, you've given new life to being weak and pathetic. You aren't strong enough to beat me. You really want to be the victim?"
The third picture is shown to Lucy. Her rocking has slowed for the moment, not because of how it looks, but because Seromine has mentioned the threats Rick previously made. The picture is stick figure Rick with dismembered limbs in a pool of blood. There's no scribbled ring, but there is blood. Rick's blood. Stick figure Seromine stands over with with stick figure Lucy by his side. She's drawn in purple. There also is a crude drawing of what appears to be a carousel in the picture.
This drawing finds its way into the fire. "Consider me the perpetrator of a crime scene. I'm not going to end you out of revenge. I'm going to end you because I can." Seromine smiles at the camera. Nothing malicious behind it, just a natural, innocent expression. This is when he turns and hands Lucy a final drawing.
"I made this for you!"
It's a pink heart. Inside of the pink heart is five bold letters in red. MOMMY. Lucy is delighted to receive the gift. She kisses her son on the head and resumes rocking. "I love you too, sweetie! I love you too."
You, the viewer, are now taken out of the familiar room. But not before catching the quick glimpse of a son laying his head on his mother's lap.
Sasha Greene: The following match is scheduled for one fall. Introducing first...
The arena goes pitch black. It remains that way longer than anticipated. With no entrance music or colored light to gleam cues from, the faithful are left puzzled by what's going on.
Suddenly the lights come back on and Seromine is shown in the ring. He has on a long sleeve, light blue button-up shirt over a white undershirt, navy blue pants with a black leather belt and black security boots. He informs Sasha that no introduction is necessary. Seromine pays the faithful no attention despite the mass booing that greets him. In fact, he starts to jump rope...but without actually having one. Sasha shrugs and raises the mic as she presses on.
Sasha Greene: And his opponent....
The lights go out. The crowd cheers instinctively before eventually falling silent. Suddenly the sound of guitars pierce through the silence. "Wastelands" by Linkin Park begins to boom throughout the arena, the lights in the building flashing along with the drum beat of the song. Then, from the entrance way, steps Rick Majors.
Sasha Greene: ... from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He weighs 227lbs, RICK "THE IMPACT" MAJORS!
Wearing a black denim military jacket, a grey t-shirt, and jeans, Rick Majors pauses for a moment and looks down briefly. He then looks up and starts to make his way to the ring.
"This is war with no weapons,
Marching with no stepping,
Murder with no killing,
Illing every direction."
Majors walks slowly, looking out around the arena as he continues his way down to the ring.
"And no, I'm not afraid of that
Print it in your paperback
Every rap is made in fact
To act as a delayed attack
Every phrase a razor blade
That's saved until they play it back
To slay and leave em laying on the pavement
Bang, fade to black"
The lights in the arena burst on fully as the song's chorus hits.
In the wastelands of today,
When there's nothing left to lose,
And and there's nothing more to take,
But you force yourself to choose,
In the wastelands of today,
When tomorrow disappears
When the future slips away,
And your hope turns into fear,
In the wastelands of today.
Majors climbs the ring steps and pauses. He turns towards the crowd, standing on the ring apron for a moment before entering the ring. Majors stands in the centre of the ring, looking towards Seromine, eagerly awaiting the start of the match.
Jerry Andrews: These two look ready to tear each other's heads off. The referee is already giving a warning to them.
Ace Anderson: Rick Majors hasn't been of sound mind since he broke free. The referee is asking him if he wants to go see a doctor.
Jerry Andrews: Will you stop?? Seromine has had an identity crisis ever since Grimm gave him what he had coming at Mass Destruction!
Ace Anderson: Your bias is showing!
Singles Match
Rick Majors vs Seromine
Referee: Charles Lim
Feeling his instructions have been sufficiently explained to them, Charles Lim calls for the bell.
DING!
DING!
DING!
Seromine and Rick Majors waste little time going right at each other. Haymakers fly like they were heavyweight boxers slugging it out. The shots are stiff as they come and are finding their mark. Neither are backing down despite the referee trying to get in between. Majors goes around by executing a double leg takedown of Seromine. He continues to pummel the former cult leader like a man possessed.
Seromine's attempt at underhanded tactics are brushed aside. Majors pulls Seromine's head off the mat. He delivers multiple headbutts to him. Referee Lim pulls Majors back after his count is ignored. Majors exchanges words about that, but doesn't take his eyes off Seromine, who is shown scurrying for the corner like a young boy crawling through tall grass. Majors charges and sticks Seromine head first against the middle turnbuckle with a knee. He then pulls him up to introduce him to all four top turnbuckle pads. Sixteen times.
Seromine swings at sixteen Majors before falling face first. Rick gives him no breathing room. He yanks him up by the ponytail, wrapping it around his right hand. Seromine is worked over with rapid half hatch knee strikes to the chest and ribs. Majors again tests the authority of the ref by working highly aggressively. Majors has some strong words for his former ally before sending him over the top rope.
Jerry Andrews: Rick Majors has waited two years to do this and he's bringing "The Impact" to Seromine in a "major" way.
Ace Anderson: Don't quit your day job, Jerry. Seriously. You're as funny as a fart in the shower.
Majors sprints through the ropes to cut off any rest for Seromine. He gives him a HARD whip to the steel railing. Seromine damn near backflips over it once contact is made. Majors is there to greet him with a forearm smash that does dump him into the front row. He hops the rail and then issues some stomps. Seromine tries to crawl away, but Majors puts a boot in the middle of his back; twisting the heel into his spine. Seromine can do nothing but yell in pain. Or (as some may later attest to hearing) for his mother.
Majors looks to referee Lim on his count. It stands at seven. Seromine is hip tossed back over. Majors follows and takes the action back into the ring. But he doesn't follow up on it. Someone has pulled his attention from the front row. Has Lucy Willard been spotted? At Trauma it was her very presence that lead to Majors becoming distracted throughout his tournament match against David Hunter, resulting in him losing, and finding out after that her son WAS under the ring the whole time!
But it's not her. Instead, this is someone Rick looks happy to see. He runs Seromine over with a clothesline before exiting the ring to go approach.
Jerry Andrews: Is that...it looks like...it is! That's Kelly Chalmers, Rick's ex-wife in the front row!
Ace Anderson: Nice of him to invite her to his funeral. She's probably calling him over to ask about his life insurance policy and how much she stands to inherit.
Rick and Kelly share a quick hug and then engage in some sort of conversation. He looks happy to have her there. Like he missed her presence. Leaving stupid cults behind can improve one's stability it seems. Kelly quickly alerts Rick to danger. He turns just in time to take a suicide dive from Seromine who flies right at him like a bullet. Now it's his turn to smash Rick's head into things. The aisle. The bottom of the rail. His ex-wife's breasts (kidding). The ring apron. Majors crouches after being left disoriented.
Seromine moves in and out of the ring to break the count. He's favoring his own head from the assault carried against it. Seromine hits a stiff roundhouse kick into the ribs of Majors, taking the wind out of him, and making men, women and children cringe at the sound. Rick is aggressively pulled up and taken face first into the ring steps. Seromine grates his face back and forth across it while side-eyeing Kelly. Majors is then slammed onto the second step, and this time Seromine kicks him in the head to smash it between the steps.
Seromine takes Majors over to Kelly. Holding him up with a fish hook in front of her, he exchanges words before taunting Rick about being helpless and hopeless. Majors is discarded like a piece of garbage. Seromine informs Kelly that "he's sowwie!" in a way that a child would after doing something wrong. Seromine turns around to Majors clocking him in the head. But the offense is short lived because Seromine gets him with a split-legged jawbreaker.
Jerry Andrews: Seromine IS sorry. He's a sorry excuse for a human being, something Kelly made quite clear to him.
Ace Anderson: If he's sorry, then what is Rick? After all, she divorced him for a reason.
Seromine breaks the count at eight and then slips back out, causing Charles to tell him to get back in the ring. The loud booing are met with equally loud SEROMINE SUCKS chants, neither of which get him to bite. Seromine goes to grab Rick and is promptly driven back first against the apron. Majors pushes him through the ropes, but stays on top of him. Seromine counters this into a monkey flip that then becomes a running brainbuster! Seromine rolls over with an arrogant cover.
1!
2!
Majors has no trouble kicking out. Seromine stomps him in the throat and then delivers a double stomp onto his face. Majors covers up as he rolls away from his attacker, obviously feeling the pain. Seromine mimics a game of hopscotch as he works his way to him. Majors is turned onto his back and then has his guts stomped on like wine was getting made. Seromine turns that into hyper aggressive knees to his head while holding the top rope and then a blatant choke with the side of his boot.
1!
2!
3!
4!
Seromine switches right to left and continues. His wide-eyed stare and count mocking added for effect.
1!
2!
3!
4!
This time Seromine lets go just a hair before five. He listens intently to what referee Lim says. Seromine throws an arm around him like they've been friends for years. "Mommy raised me right. I know how rules work." Seromine takes Majors by the hand and pulls him up like he had witnessed an accident on a playground somewhere. "Are you ok, Richard?"
A slap. "Richard? RICHARD?? I am asking you a question, can you please answer it?"
Majors peppers him with stinging knife-edge chops, but is cut off when his arms are trapped. Seromine bridges them behind Rick, then hits a double-arm suplex. Seromine keeps it held for a pin attempt.
1!
2!
Majors kicks out of that. Seromine clicks his tongue. His attention goes over to Kelly. Then Rick. Kelly. Rick. Rick wins the prize of getting bodyslammed OVER the top rope which causes his back to collide with the edge of the ring. Majors grabs his lumbar, arching his body from the hip while he does.
Jerry Andrews: Was he trying to break his back there??
Ace Anderson: Does Rick look like a cowboy in Wyoming to you?
Jerry Andrews: ...I don't get it.
Ace Anderson (laughing to himself): I'll tell you later.
Seromine traps Majors arms behind him again with a chickenwing. Only this time, he runs Rick FULL FORCE into the ring post with his head being the primary target. Rick pings right off and is busted open immediately. Majors covers his head up with one hand and then pounds the mat with his other. Seromine hides behind the post like it were a tree, peeking just enough to see what Rick is doing. For a split second he looks full of sorrowful about it...
Key word: looks. Because it masks the glee he's actually feeling. Seromine drags back into the ring. He pulls him up onto his hands and knees, backs up, then gives him a disgusting punt kick to send blood droplets flying. Majors falls in a heap and despite what he may be feeling while down, he picks himself back up. Seromine waistlocks him into a deadlift German and keeps the bridge.
1!
2!
Majors throws his shoulder off the mat. Seromine gives Lim a look that implies the count was slow. Seromine picks Rick up to his feet to shoot him into a corner. He takes a pair of boots to the face on the inbound. Seromine shakes that off and eats an elbow smash to get backed up. Majors dives at his right knee with an attempted chop block, but Seromine counters into a sudden flip piledriver for a counter.
Ace Anderson (applauding): Impressive!
Seromine stands to tell the camera "Hi, Mommy! I love you!" This before stepping onto the ring apron. Seromine moves down and tosses out a "VINTAGE" (suck on it, Michael Cole) crucifix pose. It draws plenty a hefty negative response as expected. Majors, showing early signs he's starting to weaken, is lined up for GREETINGS FROM ORANGE COUNTY.
He captures Seromine's forearm, flips him over, and locks in a cross armbreaker! That gets Kelly and the faithful going. Seromine does his best Curly shuffle to try and free himself. He manages to lift Majors while his arm is hyperextended which becomes a mistake. Majors swiftly adjusts and drops Seromine with TAINTED EXCELLENCE. Majors goes for the pin!
1!
2!
Seromine kicks the hell out of that. Majors wipes his blood off his face. Lim fetches him a towel so he can get some more cleared. Majors waves him off and instead brings Seromine to his feet for an attempted suplex. But his legs buckle before a brainbuster, so Seromine winds up landing on him. His instinct kicks in. Seromine delivers a trio of northern lights suplexes with the third becoming a DDT.
Seromine rolls to his feet and fights through acknowledging a momentary distraction in the front row. He tiptoes to Rick Majors. Then in an exaggerated motion, picks him up like he were a toy. Seromine shakes his head with disapproval. Majors swings wild, Seromine ducks, and then gives him the Beautiful Bobby special. Majors head flops back from the rocket of a punch.
Jerry Andrews: Did you HEAR the sound of that?!
Seromine wastes no time in sending Majors to orbit with an absolutely decapitating TRAGIC KINGDOM. Majors body twitches after he lands, much to the horror of his ex-wife. Seromine rolls him over, hooks the legs and demands Charles Lim count the fall.
1.
2.
3---KICKOUT!
MAJORS! MAJORS! MAJORS!
Seromine sits up with shock. He holds up three fingers and slaps his hands three times. Lim fires back with what he saw. Majors condition continues to look weakened as this match carries on. Seromine calms himself down with breathing techniques. He rolls himself under the bottom rope. Once more, Majors is lined up for GREETINGS FROM ORANGE COUNTY. Seromine hits it! He covers.
1!
2!
3---KICKOUT!!
Seromine yells at the top of his lungs and then goes into full child tantrum. Those chants for Majors only grow louder. His blood stains the ring. His muscles are in a weakened state. But his heart still beats. Seromine is up and kicking the ropes. He looks over at Majors. Then cartwheels over to him. Seromine rips him up, but Majors counters with BELIEVE IN THIS and then out of a surge of adrenaline, spikes Seromine with THE MAJOR IMPACT!! Seromine bounces in the air. Majors is crumpled over and not making an effort to pin Seromine...
Jerry Andrews: He just hit his finisher! Pin him, Rick! Pin him!
Majors weakly finds his bearing and locates Seromine. He tosses himself over him for the cover.
1!
2!
3!
NO! - SEROMINE BEATS THE COUNT! -
Majors thinks he's won for a split second, along with Kelly, the faithful, and everyone at home. When he's informed otherwise, his weakness starts to strengthen into anger. Seromine winds up staggering to his feet. Majors wipes the crimson mask off and goes right for him.
Seromine is met with brawling strikes anywhere they'll land. Majors beats on him until Seromine is seated in the corner, then gives him a running boot across the face. Seromine is whipped corner to corner ten times. The last one flips him up onto the top turnbuckle. Majors hits a reverse suplex! He follows through with a dragon sleeper!! Seromine refuses to go as he instead uses his strength to flip himself over so that Majors shoulders are down.
1!
2!
Majors releases the submission in order to save himself. Both men are giving everything they have to this opening shot of war. Seromine boots Majors suddenly and gets him set for THE HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH. Majors stomps Seromine's feet and instead dosey-doe's into bridging Seromine for MAJOR DAMAGE. Seromine starts to be pulled down, but he balks and shows off his upper body strength as Majors is spun into a fireman's carry. He pushes off and high knees Seromine forward. Seromine turns into a running clothesline...
He captures the arm, spins into a wringer, and yanks Rick into a short-arm clothesline. This is punctuated with an obliterating DDT!
Jerry Andrews: LITTLE BOY BLUE!
Ace Anderson (impersonating Jerry): He just hit his finisher! Pin him, Seromine! Pin him!
Cameras pick up Kelly with her eyes wide and full of concern as she cups her mouth with crossed fingers. Seromine is half in and half out of the ring, looking like a man who is trying to collect himself. He slumps out to the floor and crawls towards the barricade to procure a half empty bottle of water. Seromine pushes himself to stand. He staggers backwards to the ring, but slides under the bottom rope.
Seromine is heard singing "Kumbaya" in paused sprints. He drags Majors over to him. The cap is twisted off and discarded. Seromine dumps the contents over Rick's face and then chucks the bottle. Seromine maneuvers a dead weighted Rick Majors to the center of the ring. Majors winds up collapsing onto his knees. Seromine leads him up a second time.
MAJOR IMPACT FROM OUT OF NOWHERE!! Majors covers Seromine on the spot.
1!
2!
3!!
The arena EXPLODES with cheers. Kelly Chalmers is practically beside herself as Rick has slayed his past. "Wastelands" by Linkin Park gets the crowd into a frenzy as Rick is shown getting his arm raised.
Jerry Andrews: What a victory! Majors reached deep for that something extra and put Seromine down!
Ace Anderson: This is a travesty!
Jerry Andrews: Seromine can go cry to his mommy now about how he got beat tonight.
Ace Anderson: Have some respect for the woman who gave him life. Rick "The Fluke" Majors got lucky tonight. You know it. I know it.
Jerry Andrews: I know that the City of Denial has informed me you've been elected Mayor.
Ace Anderson: ...really? By how much?
The victorious Majors rolls out of the ring and promptly collapses to a kneel. He knows he's won, but the toll is evident. He looks right at Kelly and seems to be getting a second lease on life from her transferred energy. He stands up and takes steps towards her.
That's when everything goes dark again. No more Linkin Park. Nothing but the ambiance of the faithful.
Jerry Andrews: This is ridiculous. Is the ghost of Luis Malave here? Did somebody request a séance??
The lights return. First, Kelly Chalmers is now handcuffed to the railing. Second, Lucy Willard is in the ring with a warm expression. A look of a loving mother being proud of their only child. It has him distracted. Third, Seromine clocks him running with a pastel wind-up carousel. Seromine offers the trinket back to his mother and then takes Majors into the ring.
Kelly fights against the restraints, but is helpless to do anything. Before Lucy winds the carousel, she shows off the key that would free her. Seromine kisses his mom on the cheek as she wraps him in a hug. Something is told to him. A chipper Lucy winds the carousel up. As the melody plays the horses around, Seromine drops Rick with LITTLE BOY BLUE over and over until the carousel stops.
Lucy picks it up and calls her son over. He winds up hugging her at the waist, while his head lays just under her breasts. Lucy ruffles his loosened hair before leading him by the hand out of the ring. She pauses long enough to issue the key to Kelly. Seromine is heard telling her, "A boy's best friend is his mother!" Lucy leads him away to the back while officials race down to both check on Rick Majors and free his ex-wife.
Jerry Andrews: What a night we've seen so far and we've got a lot more!
Ace Anderson: Oh yeah! Coming up next is the Underground! I love the Underground!
Jerry Andrews: Yeah, but do you love its king?
Ace Anderson: Sicko is terrifying. He's not here yet, is here?
Jerry Andrews: Not yet. Sit down, Ace.
The lights flicker and fade out as the pulsating beats of Dope Star Inc's "10000 Watts of Artificial Pleasure" pops on the PA system. Smoke fills the arena as a figure stands in the middle of it.
All the sudden, Crazy Boy comes out of the smoke and pumps a fist in the air. He walks down the entryway and climbs the ropes of the ring. He bounces around the ropes a few times, pumps his fist in the air one last time and waits for his opponents to come.
"Pick Up the Pizzas" by James Gang starts. The tron features gritty footage of vintage classic rock bands. Darren runs out onto the stage, throwing a few chords of air guitar out to wind up the crowd.
Darren runs down to the ring, sliding in under the bottom rope. Ready for a fight, he bounces his back to the ropes a couple of times and throws up a double-shooting gesture with his fingers to the hard camera, grinning and soaking in the crowd's cheers.
Synthesizers explode from the speakers and the arena is plunged into darkness. Red strobes begin pulsating in time with the music and after about thirty seconds or so, Holden strolls out from the back.
Holden makes his way down to the ring, ignoring the fans, apparently all business. He ascendes the ring steps and takes a few steps along the apron before wiping his feet. He enters through the ropes and proceeds to his corner where he removes his mask and hangs it atop the ringpost.
The lights start going out as if with a rolling blackout, flickering and struggling to maintain power as the first guitar chords of "Fixxxer" by Metallica starts playing over the PA. As the lights come fully up, a battered, dilapidated ice cream truck, it's paint and decals peeling in a sinister manner rumbles up on stage, it's axles shaking with effort. The entrance ramp is backlit with a hellish red lighting as the ice cream truck pulls into a spot just to the left of the entrance ramp, making this vessel seem like some demonic harbinger.
As the music hits the midpoint heavy guitar break the jumbotron shows images of Sicko, walking down a long hallway, his back turned to the camera, then the screen splits and two images of Sicko, two faces, one laughing, one letting out a bestial roar.
Tell me
Can you heal what father's done
Or fix this hole in a mother's son?
Can you heal the broken worlds within?
Can you strip away so we may start again?
Tell me, can you heal what father's done
Or cut this rope and let us run?
Just when all seems fine and I'm pain free
You jab another pin, jab another pin in me
Then, as the music kicks in harder, shots of Sicko ruthlessly attacking and destroying PCW superstars flicker on the screen. Sicko steps out from behind the wheel of the ice cream truck, and as he does, he cocks an ear, listening to an unheard spoken word or command, and he responds, talking to himself. A red mist rolls out from the interior of the ice cream truck with Sicko. The Demon Clown slowly makes his way down to the ring, like a predator on the hunt. As he climbs onto the apron, James Hetfield is just getting to the "NO MORE PINS IN ME" part of the chorus and in time with that, Sicko holds his arms out at his sides and he throws his head back, letting out a guttural roar. As Sicko climbs over the top rope, he turns his head to talk to a voice only he can hear, waiting for the match to start.
DING!
DING!
DING!
Seromine and Rick Majors waste little time going right at each other. Haymakers fly like they were heavyweight boxers slugging it out. The shots are stiff as they come and are finding their mark. Neither are backing down despite the referee trying to get in between. Majors goes around by executing a double leg takedown of Seromine. He continues to pummel the former cult leader like a man possessed.
Seromine's attempt at underhanded tactics are brushed aside. Majors pulls Seromine's head off the mat. He delivers multiple headbutts to him. Referee Lim pulls Majors back after his count is ignored. Majors exchanges words about that, but doesn't take his eyes off Seromine, who is shown scurrying for the corner like a young boy crawling through tall grass. Majors charges and sticks Seromine head first against the middle turnbuckle with a knee. He then pulls him up to introduce him to all four top turnbuckle pads. Sixteen times.
Seromine swings at sixteen Majors before falling face first. Rick gives him no breathing room. He yanks him up by the ponytail, wrapping it around his right hand. Seromine is worked over with rapid half hatch knee strikes to the chest and ribs. Majors again tests the authority of the ref by working highly aggressively. Majors has some strong words for his former ally before sending him over the top rope.
Jerry Andrews: Rick Majors has waited two years to do this and he's bringing "The Impact" to Seromine in a "major" way.
Ace Anderson: Don't quit your day job, Jerry. Seriously. You're as funny as a fart in the shower.
Majors sprints through the ropes to cut off any rest for Seromine. He gives him a HARD whip to the steel railing. Seromine damn near backflips over it once contact is made. Majors is there to greet him with a forearm smash that does dump him into the front row. He hops the rail and then issues some stomps. Seromine tries to crawl away, but Majors puts a boot in the middle of his back; twisting the heel into his spine. Seromine can do nothing but yell in pain. Or (as some may later attest to hearing) for his mother.
Majors looks to referee Lim on his count. It stands at seven. Seromine is hip tossed back over. Majors follows and takes the action back into the ring. But he doesn't follow up on it. Someone has pulled his attention from the front row. Has Lucy Willard been spotted? At Trauma it was her very presence that lead to Majors becoming distracted throughout his tournament match against David Hunter, resulting in him losing, and finding out after that her son WAS under the ring the whole time!
But it's not her. Instead, this is someone Rick looks happy to see. He runs Seromine over with a clothesline before exiting the ring to go approach.
Jerry Andrews: Is that...it looks like...it is! That's Kelly Chalmers, Rick's ex-wife in the front row!
Ace Anderson: Nice of him to invite her to his funeral. She's probably calling him over to ask about his life insurance policy and how much she stands to inherit.
Rick and Kelly share a quick hug and then engage in some sort of conversation. He looks happy to have her there. Like he missed her presence. Leaving stupid cults behind can improve one's stability it seems. Kelly quickly alerts Rick to danger. He turns just in time to take a suicide dive from Seromine who flies right at him like a bullet. Now it's his turn to smash Rick's head into things. The aisle. The bottom of the rail. His ex-wife's breasts (kidding). The ring apron. Majors crouches after being left disoriented.
Seromine moves in and out of the ring to break the count. He's favoring his own head from the assault carried against it. Seromine hits a stiff roundhouse kick into the ribs of Majors, taking the wind out of him, and making men, women and children cringe at the sound. Rick is aggressively pulled up and taken face first into the ring steps. Seromine grates his face back and forth across it while side-eyeing Kelly. Majors is then slammed onto the second step, and this time Seromine kicks him in the head to smash it between the steps.
Seromine takes Majors over to Kelly. Holding him up with a fish hook in front of her, he exchanges words before taunting Rick about being helpless and hopeless. Majors is discarded like a piece of garbage. Seromine informs Kelly that "he's sowwie!" in a way that a child would after doing something wrong. Seromine turns around to Majors clocking him in the head. But the offense is short lived because Seromine gets him with a split-legged jawbreaker.
Jerry Andrews: Seromine IS sorry. He's a sorry excuse for a human being, something Kelly made quite clear to him.
Ace Anderson: If he's sorry, then what is Rick? After all, she divorced him for a reason.
Seromine breaks the count at eight and then slips back out, causing Charles to tell him to get back in the ring. The loud booing are met with equally loud SEROMINE SUCKS chants, neither of which get him to bite. Seromine goes to grab Rick and is promptly driven back first against the apron. Majors pushes him through the ropes, but stays on top of him. Seromine counters this into a monkey flip that then becomes a running brainbuster! Seromine rolls over with an arrogant cover.
1!
2!
Majors has no trouble kicking out. Seromine stomps him in the throat and then delivers a double stomp onto his face. Majors covers up as he rolls away from his attacker, obviously feeling the pain. Seromine mimics a game of hopscotch as he works his way to him. Majors is turned onto his back and then has his guts stomped on like wine was getting made. Seromine turns that into hyper aggressive knees to his head while holding the top rope and then a blatant choke with the side of his boot.
1!
2!
3!
4!
Seromine switches right to left and continues. His wide-eyed stare and count mocking added for effect.
1!
2!
3!
4!
This time Seromine lets go just a hair before five. He listens intently to what referee Lim says. Seromine throws an arm around him like they've been friends for years. "Mommy raised me right. I know how rules work." Seromine takes Majors by the hand and pulls him up like he had witnessed an accident on a playground somewhere. "Are you ok, Richard?"
A slap. "Richard? RICHARD?? I am asking you a question, can you please answer it?"
Majors peppers him with stinging knife-edge chops, but is cut off when his arms are trapped. Seromine bridges them behind Rick, then hits a double-arm suplex. Seromine keeps it held for a pin attempt.
1!
2!
Majors kicks out of that. Seromine clicks his tongue. His attention goes over to Kelly. Then Rick. Kelly. Rick. Rick wins the prize of getting bodyslammed OVER the top rope which causes his back to collide with the edge of the ring. Majors grabs his lumbar, arching his body from the hip while he does.
Jerry Andrews: Was he trying to break his back there??
Ace Anderson: Does Rick look like a cowboy in Wyoming to you?
Jerry Andrews: ...I don't get it.
Ace Anderson (laughing to himself): I'll tell you later.
Seromine traps Majors arms behind him again with a chickenwing. Only this time, he runs Rick FULL FORCE into the ring post with his head being the primary target. Rick pings right off and is busted open immediately. Majors covers his head up with one hand and then pounds the mat with his other. Seromine hides behind the post like it were a tree, peeking just enough to see what Rick is doing. For a split second he looks full of sorrowful about it...
Key word: looks. Because it masks the glee he's actually feeling. Seromine drags back into the ring. He pulls him up onto his hands and knees, backs up, then gives him a disgusting punt kick to send blood droplets flying. Majors falls in a heap and despite what he may be feeling while down, he picks himself back up. Seromine waistlocks him into a deadlift German and keeps the bridge.
1!
2!
Majors throws his shoulder off the mat. Seromine gives Lim a look that implies the count was slow. Seromine picks Rick up to his feet to shoot him into a corner. He takes a pair of boots to the face on the inbound. Seromine shakes that off and eats an elbow smash to get backed up. Majors dives at his right knee with an attempted chop block, but Seromine counters into a sudden flip piledriver for a counter.
Ace Anderson (applauding): Impressive!
Seromine stands to tell the camera "Hi, Mommy! I love you!" This before stepping onto the ring apron. Seromine moves down and tosses out a "VINTAGE" (suck on it, Michael Cole) crucifix pose. It draws plenty a hefty negative response as expected. Majors, showing early signs he's starting to weaken, is lined up for GREETINGS FROM ORANGE COUNTY.
He captures Seromine's forearm, flips him over, and locks in a cross armbreaker! That gets Kelly and the faithful going. Seromine does his best Curly shuffle to try and free himself. He manages to lift Majors while his arm is hyperextended which becomes a mistake. Majors swiftly adjusts and drops Seromine with TAINTED EXCELLENCE. Majors goes for the pin!
1!
2!
Seromine kicks the hell out of that. Majors wipes his blood off his face. Lim fetches him a towel so he can get some more cleared. Majors waves him off and instead brings Seromine to his feet for an attempted suplex. But his legs buckle before a brainbuster, so Seromine winds up landing on him. His instinct kicks in. Seromine delivers a trio of northern lights suplexes with the third becoming a DDT.
Seromine rolls to his feet and fights through acknowledging a momentary distraction in the front row. He tiptoes to Rick Majors. Then in an exaggerated motion, picks him up like he were a toy. Seromine shakes his head with disapproval. Majors swings wild, Seromine ducks, and then gives him the Beautiful Bobby special. Majors head flops back from the rocket of a punch.
Jerry Andrews: Did you HEAR the sound of that?!
Seromine wastes no time in sending Majors to orbit with an absolutely decapitating TRAGIC KINGDOM. Majors body twitches after he lands, much to the horror of his ex-wife. Seromine rolls him over, hooks the legs and demands Charles Lim count the fall.
1.
2.
3---KICKOUT!
MAJORS! MAJORS! MAJORS!
Seromine sits up with shock. He holds up three fingers and slaps his hands three times. Lim fires back with what he saw. Majors condition continues to look weakened as this match carries on. Seromine calms himself down with breathing techniques. He rolls himself under the bottom rope. Once more, Majors is lined up for GREETINGS FROM ORANGE COUNTY. Seromine hits it! He covers.
1!
2!
3---KICKOUT!!
Seromine yells at the top of his lungs and then goes into full child tantrum. Those chants for Majors only grow louder. His blood stains the ring. His muscles are in a weakened state. But his heart still beats. Seromine is up and kicking the ropes. He looks over at Majors. Then cartwheels over to him. Seromine rips him up, but Majors counters with BELIEVE IN THIS and then out of a surge of adrenaline, spikes Seromine with THE MAJOR IMPACT!! Seromine bounces in the air. Majors is crumpled over and not making an effort to pin Seromine...
Jerry Andrews: He just hit his finisher! Pin him, Rick! Pin him!
Majors weakly finds his bearing and locates Seromine. He tosses himself over him for the cover.
1!
2!
3!
NO! - SEROMINE BEATS THE COUNT! -
Majors thinks he's won for a split second, along with Kelly, the faithful, and everyone at home. When he's informed otherwise, his weakness starts to strengthen into anger. Seromine winds up staggering to his feet. Majors wipes the crimson mask off and goes right for him.
Seromine is met with brawling strikes anywhere they'll land. Majors beats on him until Seromine is seated in the corner, then gives him a running boot across the face. Seromine is whipped corner to corner ten times. The last one flips him up onto the top turnbuckle. Majors hits a reverse suplex! He follows through with a dragon sleeper!! Seromine refuses to go as he instead uses his strength to flip himself over so that Majors shoulders are down.
1!
2!
Majors releases the submission in order to save himself. Both men are giving everything they have to this opening shot of war. Seromine boots Majors suddenly and gets him set for THE HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH. Majors stomps Seromine's feet and instead dosey-doe's into bridging Seromine for MAJOR DAMAGE. Seromine starts to be pulled down, but he balks and shows off his upper body strength as Majors is spun into a fireman's carry. He pushes off and high knees Seromine forward. Seromine turns into a running clothesline...
He captures the arm, spins into a wringer, and yanks Rick into a short-arm clothesline. This is punctuated with an obliterating DDT!
Jerry Andrews: LITTLE BOY BLUE!
Ace Anderson (impersonating Jerry): He just hit his finisher! Pin him, Seromine! Pin him!
Cameras pick up Kelly with her eyes wide and full of concern as she cups her mouth with crossed fingers. Seromine is half in and half out of the ring, looking like a man who is trying to collect himself. He slumps out to the floor and crawls towards the barricade to procure a half empty bottle of water. Seromine pushes himself to stand. He staggers backwards to the ring, but slides under the bottom rope.
Seromine is heard singing "Kumbaya" in paused sprints. He drags Majors over to him. The cap is twisted off and discarded. Seromine dumps the contents over Rick's face and then chucks the bottle. Seromine maneuvers a dead weighted Rick Majors to the center of the ring. Majors winds up collapsing onto his knees. Seromine leads him up a second time.
MAJOR IMPACT FROM OUT OF NOWHERE!! Majors covers Seromine on the spot.
1!
2!
3!!
The arena EXPLODES with cheers. Kelly Chalmers is practically beside herself as Rick has slayed his past. "Wastelands" by Linkin Park gets the crowd into a frenzy as Rick is shown getting his arm raised.
Sasha Greene: Here is your winner, Rick Majors!
Jerry Andrews: What a victory! Majors reached deep for that something extra and put Seromine down!
Ace Anderson: This is a travesty!
Jerry Andrews: Seromine can go cry to his mommy now about how he got beat tonight.
Ace Anderson: Have some respect for the woman who gave him life. Rick "The Fluke" Majors got lucky tonight. You know it. I know it.
Jerry Andrews: I know that the City of Denial has informed me you've been elected Mayor.
Ace Anderson: ...really? By how much?
The victorious Majors rolls out of the ring and promptly collapses to a kneel. He knows he's won, but the toll is evident. He looks right at Kelly and seems to be getting a second lease on life from her transferred energy. He stands up and takes steps towards her.
That's when everything goes dark again. No more Linkin Park. Nothing but the ambiance of the faithful.
Jerry Andrews: This is ridiculous. Is the ghost of Luis Malave here? Did somebody request a séance??
The lights return. First, Kelly Chalmers is now handcuffed to the railing. Second, Lucy Willard is in the ring with a warm expression. A look of a loving mother being proud of their only child. It has him distracted. Third, Seromine clocks him running with a pastel wind-up carousel. Seromine offers the trinket back to his mother and then takes Majors into the ring.
Kelly fights against the restraints, but is helpless to do anything. Before Lucy winds the carousel, she shows off the key that would free her. Seromine kisses his mom on the cheek as she wraps him in a hug. Something is told to him. A chipper Lucy winds the carousel up. As the melody plays the horses around, Seromine drops Rick with LITTLE BOY BLUE over and over until the carousel stops.
Lucy picks it up and calls her son over. He winds up hugging her at the waist, while his head lays just under her breasts. Lucy ruffles his loosened hair before leading him by the hand out of the ring. She pauses long enough to issue the key to Kelly. Seromine is heard telling her, "A boy's best friend is his mother!" Lucy leads him away to the back while officials race down to both check on Rick Majors and free his ex-wife.
Jerry Andrews: What a night we've seen so far and we've got a lot more!
Ace Anderson: Oh yeah! Coming up next is the Underground! I love the Underground!
Jerry Andrews: Yeah, but do you love its king?
Ace Anderson: Sicko is terrifying. He's not here yet, is here?
Jerry Andrews: Not yet. Sit down, Ace.
Sasha Greene: The following match is a fatal four way elimination match for the PCW Underground Title! Introducing first...
The lights flicker and fade out as the pulsating beats of Dope Star Inc's "10000 Watts of Artificial Pleasure" pops on the PA system. Smoke fills the arena as a figure stands in the middle of it.
Sasha Greene: From Biloxi, Mississippi. He weighs 227lbs, CRAZY BOY!
All the sudden, Crazy Boy comes out of the smoke and pumps a fist in the air. He walks down the entryway and climbs the ropes of the ring. He bounces around the ropes a few times, pumps his fist in the air one last time and waits for his opponents to come.
Sasha Greene: Introducing next....
"Pick Up the Pizzas" by James Gang starts. The tron features gritty footage of vintage classic rock bands. Darren runs out onto the stage, throwing a few chords of air guitar out to wind up the crowd.
Sasha Greene: From Staten Island, New York. He weighs 184lbs, DARREN "THE BOMBER" HUGHES!
Darren runs down to the ring, sliding in under the bottom rope. Ready for a fight, he bounces his back to the ropes a couple of times and throws up a double-shooting gesture with his fingers to the hard camera, grinning and soaking in the crowd's cheers.
Sasha Greene: Introducing next...
Synthesizers explode from the speakers and the arena is plunged into darkness. Red strobes begin pulsating in time with the music and after about thirty seconds or so, Holden strolls out from the back.
Sasha Greene: Making his way to the ring, standing at six feet, five inches tall! He weighs in at three hundred and twenty-five pounds! He is the Avatar of Hate! Holden Roooooosssssss!
Holden makes his way down to the ring, ignoring the fans, apparently all business. He ascendes the ring steps and takes a few steps along the apron before wiping his feet. He enters through the ropes and proceeds to his corner where he removes his mask and hangs it atop the ringpost.
Sasha Greene: And finally...
The lights start going out as if with a rolling blackout, flickering and struggling to maintain power as the first guitar chords of "Fixxxer" by Metallica starts playing over the PA. As the lights come fully up, a battered, dilapidated ice cream truck, it's paint and decals peeling in a sinister manner rumbles up on stage, it's axles shaking with effort. The entrance ramp is backlit with a hellish red lighting as the ice cream truck pulls into a spot just to the left of the entrance ramp, making this vessel seem like some demonic harbinger.
Sasha Greene: From Death Valley, California. He weighs 381lbs. The PCW Underground champion, SICKO!!
As the music hits the midpoint heavy guitar break the jumbotron shows images of Sicko, walking down a long hallway, his back turned to the camera, then the screen splits and two images of Sicko, two faces, one laughing, one letting out a bestial roar.
Tell me
Can you heal what father's done
Or fix this hole in a mother's son?
Can you heal the broken worlds within?
Can you strip away so we may start again?
Tell me, can you heal what father's done
Or cut this rope and let us run?
Just when all seems fine and I'm pain free
You jab another pin, jab another pin in me
Then, as the music kicks in harder, shots of Sicko ruthlessly attacking and destroying PCW superstars flicker on the screen. Sicko steps out from behind the wheel of the ice cream truck, and as he does, he cocks an ear, listening to an unheard spoken word or command, and he responds, talking to himself. A red mist rolls out from the interior of the ice cream truck with Sicko. The Demon Clown slowly makes his way down to the ring, like a predator on the hunt. As he climbs onto the apron, James Hetfield is just getting to the "NO MORE PINS IN ME" part of the chorus and in time with that, Sicko holds his arms out at his sides and he throws his head back, letting out a guttural roar. As Sicko climbs over the top rope, he turns his head to talk to a voice only he can hear, waiting for the match to start.
Falls Count Anywhere Elimination Match for the PCW Underground Title
Sicko (PCW Underground 👑) vs Tyrone "Crazy Boy" Smith vs Darren "The Bomber" Hughes vs Holden Ross
Referees: Joseph Buckland, Tyrone Little Jr
DING!
DING!
DING!
Sicko is shown staring a black hole right through Crazy Boy as if he's thinking "how did you escape?" Darren Hughes is also a carryover from the previous battle. Holden is an extra addition to the fun, but Sicko doesn't care about numbers.
That just gives him another to destroy without remorse.
Sicko wastes little time picking things up as he goes for Crazy Boy. Crazy parkours off the rotund Sicko, lands on the top rope, and then hits a corkscrew crossbody. Only Sicko winds up capturing and pressing his much smaller opponent over his head. Hughes comes to his rescue as he throws his body weight off the chest of Sicko. Crazy Boy is shaken, but Sicko is not stirred. That's when he's thrown into Holden Ross. The Bastard and one-half of the unofficial tag team champions stares down the massive demon clown.
Crazy Boy squirms but isn't overcoming the strength advantage the two biggest men have. Holden presses Crazy Boy over his head and then he BENCHES him over and over. Having enough of that, Crazy Boy is thrown back to Sicko. Hughes makes the error of turning his head in Holden's direction. Ross blasts him with a dynamite packed lariat. He then lifts Hughes off the mat by his neck and with some maneuvering, turns him around so that he's gorilla pressed!
Sicko is not amused and not about to be shown up. Crazy Boy is pressed as high as Sicko's arms will allow him. Holden steps forward, going face-to-face (or as close as he can) with the champ. They engage in a battle of the bench press with Crazy Boy and Darren Hughes. After one of those, they are dumped behind their backs with a splat. That's when Holden starts throwing fists and feet at Sicko. The champ absorbs everything without so much as a chip in the armor.
Holden is hoisted under his arms and thrown against the ropes. Sicko bullrushes but finds himself lunging at air. He turns and looks like Holden is going to press HIM in the air! Sicko puts a stop to that by wrapping his massive arms under Holden's body. Before the former Underground champ knows what hits him, a gutwrench powerbomb drives him to hell! Hughes and Crazy Boy work in speedy tandem to try and keep Sicko off balance.
Jerry Andrews: After that...interesting start, Sicko asserts him as the TRUE powerhouse. But he's got some uninvited company it looks like.
Ace Anderson: You can consider Crazy Boy and Darren Hughes to be flies. Sicko is a giant flyswatter. You know what happens after that.
Sicko goozles the two challengers by the throat, gazing at them with eyes as black as coal. But it's coal that's been lit on fire as Sicko's grip intensifies. Darren and Crazy Boy find themselves being wringed off their feet as Sicko stands. Both throw knee strikes but it's futile. Enter HOLDEN ROSS. The Bastard SPEARS Sicko with such intensity that everybody winds up going over the top rope. The landings vary, but it appears similar to a car crash.
Once everyone starts to gather their wits, Holden pounds Sicko's face off the protective mat. Sicko is still moving. He turns a snarled smile in Holden's line of sight. Holden suddenly finds himself being posted by Darren Hughes. Crazy Boy stops Sicko with a 450 splash off the apron! Just as he sits up, Darren WAFFLES Crazy Boy with a wicked chair shot. He flips the weapon upside down, raises it up and goes for the jugular of Sicko.
Sicko stops that with one of his meathooks. Hughes tries pushing it down, but it's trapped in space. Murder death clown makes Hughes pay by sticking the chair into the floor which in turn brings Hughes down throat first on the top of the chair leg. Hughes gasps for air as he clutches his neck. He turns towards Holden who winds up running him back first into the ringpost.
Repeatedly.
While Holden stays zeroed in on Darren, Sicko has evil things in mind for Crazy Boy. Sicko jams a pair of fingers inside of Tyrone's nostrils before dragging him the length of the ring. That's when Sicko violently picks him off the floor and slams him like a slab of meat across the top of the steel guardrail. Crazy Boy is spun at an angle as he finds his head jerked back on a nostril propelled fall.
Sicko finally takes his fingers out, but appears to have started a nose bleed. Crazy Boy is pushed against the rail back first like Sicko were trying to squish him through the openings. What follows next is the textbook definition of violent.
Jerry Andrews: OH MY GOD! Sicko is determined to give our crew a mess to clean, isn't he??
Ace Anderson: Look at how intense those clubs are. Crazy Boy is getting broken with nowhere to go.
What Ace is referring to is Sicko working Crazy Boy with front and back handed assaults. Those turn into closed fists with increased fury, like Sicko is being controlled by the voices in his head he's heard talking to. The crazy one is shoved out of the way so Sicko can dismantle a section of the rail. He picks the right moment to drive it into the midsection of Crazy Boy with as much force as he can.
While Crazy Boy is doubled, Sicko makes a bridge out of the rail by diagonally positioning it between the aisle and the edge of the apron. Off in the background, Holden Ross is shown being bulldoged onto concrete floor. The protective mat is spotted being passed around by the faithful like it were a beach ball. Cameras pick up Crazy Boy getting dragged by Sicko now, moving ever so closer to that makeshift bridge.
Jerry Andrews: It's like Sicko is leading him to the steps of the gallows.
Ace Anderson: What makes you say that?
Jerry Andrews: Because his arm is around his neck as he's dragging him.
Sicko goes up the ring steps and down the apron. Crazy Boy is turned around so that he is facing Sicko. Tyrone Smith is lifted in the air with a choke and after one giant leap for clown-kind, is driven with a CHOKESLAM FROM HELL ACROSS THE WEDGED RAIL BRIDGE, bending it upon impact. The sight elicits holy shit chants and plenty of squeamish reactions.
Sicko remains stoic as he takes in what he just did with delicious malice. Meanwhile on the far side of the ring, Holden is plowing Hughes with clothesline after clothesline of every variety, welcoming him to the opening of CLOTHESLINE CITY, BITCH! Holden tears the remaining mat portions away so that exposed concrete is what is left on his side. Around this time an angry Sicko is spotted hucking chairs into the ring from the timekeeper's table. The forecast called for steel and sure enough, it's raining chairs. Enough to make it a pile.
Action returns to Holden who is in the process of an attempted apron bomb. Hughes adjusts in mid-air so that he bounces off the ropes. This springboard leads to a flying knee across the face of Holden. Ross is stunned more than he thought he'd be, evidenced by a kneel instead of shaking it off. Darren slides inside of the ring and moves to the pile of chairs. He starts picking one up when all of a sudden a massive foot stomps it back down. Darren looks up and up until he sees that frightening glare Sicko gives. Hughes frantically grabs another from the pile, but this one is punched nearly out of the ring. That's when Hughes gets a chokeslam of his very own. Right into the chair graveyard.
Jerry Andrews: Sicko is a Sicko! These chokeslams are beyond brutal. The human body isn't meant to take that kind of punishment.
Ace Anderson: This is the underground, Jerry. Those who sacrifice life and limb to compete are what drives business for doctors. They know what they're in for.
Not forgetting about that spear from earlier, Sicko SUICIDE DIVES through Holden on the apron, putting him with a sick landing on that concrete floor. Sicko DRAGS Holden by the ankles up the aisle with aggression. With purpose. With a second reminder of payback. Once to the front of the ice cream truck, Sicko remembers that attempted gorilla press slam. Holden is pushed high in the air, turned sideways and sent THROUGH the windshield on the passenger side, leaving him half-in and half-out! The faithful let out a collective OOOOOHHHH from it.
Sicko is not done. He hops into the driver's seat and actually starts up the truck. For some reason the arena lights go out. All isn't dark. The trucks beams are on. Sicko makes a slow right-hand turn. The truck has a light on the ring. Directly caught in the glow is Crazy Boy...
Jerry Andrews: He wouldn't.
Ace Anderson: Yes he would.
Jerry Andrews (frightened): GET THE HELL OUT OF THE WAY!
Sicko charges down the ramp. CRAZY BOY IS CRUSHED BETWEEN TRUCK AND APRON!!
The arena lights come back on as Sicko kills the engine. He peels Crazy Boy out like roadkill and then flings him like a dead body over one of his massive shoulders. Sicko climbs onto the roof of his truck, turns Crazy Boy around for a powerbomb and then delivers a RUNNING POWERBOMB OFF THE TRUCK AND INTO THE CHAIRS!! Crazy Boy is left broken where he lands. Sicko fights off Darren Hughes' chair shots with a transition into a ring shaking, back breaking, question-your-decision-making UNDER THE BIG TOP.
Sicko sits up and seems to actually be admiring what he's done. The only noise he hears are the ones in his head. The ones he's communicating with like he's receiving a directive. One that leads him to removing a bloodied Holden Ross from his windshield, which will now need to be replaced. Holden is drug through fragments of broken glass and the top rope. Sicko leaves him laid out long enough to go set up four chairs. Each is opened and set facing one another, so that it makes a small platform.
Holden receives a DARK TOOTH CHEW which immediately collapses the chairs into a warped mess. This is when Sicko gathers Holden, Darren and Crazy Boy for a stacking of their bodies. Sicko places a single finger on top and gets the referee to count.
1.
2.
3.
The bell is called for as three eliminations have just happened in one violent shot. Metallica's "Fixxer" roars to life like a mighty triumphant anthem as Sicko is awarded his title.
Sasha Greene: Here is your winner and STILL Underground champion, Sicko!
Jerry Andrews: What brutality! Sicko just devastated some of the toughest guys in this company!
Ace Anderson: Who can possibly stop him???
Pure Class Wrestling Trauma Thursday April 11th, 2019 Shane Dodge is standing outside of a door that we assume to be a locker room. On the door is a sign that says GERARD ANGELO. Dodge: “Ladies and gentleman, I’m Shane Dodge and I’m here to get a word with the World Champion.” Shane go to knock on the door but before he does, the door opens. The Faithful cheer loudly for the World Champion as he stands there, dressed in a black suit and designer shades, the PCW Championship over his shoulder. Angelo: “What can I do for you, Shane?” Dodge: “I wanted to get your thoughts on the huge main event of Trauma tonight. With Grimm facing off against Kyle Shane and Stormm in a triple threat match, it seems like the winner of this would seemingly be the next contender for the World title.” Gerry smirks at Shane. Angelo: “It would seem to be that way, huh? Truth be told though the only person in the match that has a claim of being the number one contender is Grimm. Ya know ‘cause he actually won his match at Mass Destruction.” Dodge: “So you’re saying Kyle Shane and Stormm don’t have any claim to being your next challenger?” Angelo: “That’s exactly what I’m saying, Shane. We shouldn’t reward failure here. But it seems that we do this all the time. I was trying got be the bigger man last week. It should have been all about me, but I went out of my way to put Kyle Shane over. And what does he do? Typical Kyle Shane shtick where he tries to paint himself as this amazing and wonderful person while throwing me under the bus. He makes excuses for himself losing against me and tries to say I don’t care about being champ for anything other then the fame. Well here’s a message for you, Kyle….” Gerard turns and stares at the camera. Angelo: “… you lost bro. No amount of excuses or backtracking is going to change the fact that I beat you, and took this from you.” He motions to the World title on his shoulder. Angelo: “You couldn't beat me at Collision Course and you couldn’t beat me at Mass Destruction. You can talk about being the best in there world or remastering your stupid games all you want, it’s not going to change the result. I don’t care if you come back as Kyle Shane, Game of the Year Edition. The result is going to be the same. Beaten and put back on the shelf to collect dust.” “Now this brings me to Stormm. The guy gets his ass handed to him by Dominator. So what does he do? Come try to steal my fucking spotlight after I just won the World title. Don’t think I forgot about that stunt you pulled, Justin. You’re the least deserving person to get a title shot out of the three. Sure you had a ‘historic’ reign as North American Champion, but lets be honest. You spent most of that time playing side kick to your brother in law and dressing up as a scarecrow for no reason. And you have the nerve to try and ruin my moment.” Gerard laughs. Angelo: “I get what you’re trying to do. Trying to skip the line and all. Think you’ll get me to lose my composure and gift you a title shot. For a man who considers himself this wise old vet, you sure are a moron. Earn an opportunity like everyone else. In the ring, not by coming out at the end of shows like we owe you something. I could give two shits about how many dues you paid or main events you’ve had. Gift title shots stops in the Era of Angelo. Earn ‘em like a real man, Stormy.” He adjusts the title over his shoulder and turns back to Shane. Angelo: “And this brings me to Grimm. The Hangtown Horror. The one man everyone in Pure Class is suppose to fear. Now I don’t have any personal problems with you, Phinehas. But I know you are a legend around here. In more ways then one. If I had my choice, I would pick you as my challenger. Now I know there is probably a portion of the audience that is asking, ‘why would you do that?!?!’ And my answer is simple. I want to go down as the best of all time. And the only way to do that is to face the best, and beat the best. I ended the greatest title reign in PCW history. And now I want to beat the greatest wrestler in PCW history.” |
Sasha Greene: The following match is scheduled for one fall and it is for the PCW World Title!
The words 'World Title' excite the faithful. Can Grimm capture his seventh title reign? Or will Gerard Angelo turn back the mighty challenge of The Hangtown Horror in his first defense?
The lights shift to a sickly shade of yellow. A pale glow, as if the arena has been cast in the harvest moon’s reflection off the season’s first killing frost. With the sound of a sharp nib scratching across a ragged sheet of parchment, a sepia-toned cursive scrawls grimm across the PCW-Tron. The name flickers in the guttering candle light.
Sasha Greene: Introducing first. Hailing From Hangtown, Kentucky. Weighing 217lbs...he...is...GRIMM!!
Thump. Clap. Thump. Clap. An incessant electric tremolo. The deep end of a piano. The ebb and flow of a dissonant wail builds to a wall of noise as Zeal and Ardor’s “You Ain’t Coming Back (Instrumental)" breaks forth upon the masses, heralding the arrival of Grimm.
A lone silhouette steps out onto the entry way, and as it begins the long walk to the ring, candle wax drips onto the parchment. The lights fall into a pestilential throbbing, in and out of time with the discordance raging from the speakers. The Hangtown Horror remains deadset on the ring, steadfast in his approach. He climbs onto the apron and slides between the ropes. Hopping upon a turnbuckle, he casts his gaze out over the crowd with his arms at his side, eyes shifting to take in the sea of faces spread out before him. Grimm then drops down. And waits.
Sasha Greene: And his opponent.
There's a momentary pause. Groundswell support begins. GERRY! GERRY! GERRY! The faithful may respect Grimm. Most, if not all, are probably afraid of the boogeyman. But they are throwing their vocals behind the champ.
The PCW Arena is plugged into darkness as the opening hook to "Amazing" by Kanye West blasts out over the PA. Suddenly a spotlight blasts down onto the stage, revealing Gerard Angelo down on one knee with his back to the crowd, hood pulled low over his face. He bursts suddenly to his feet, spinning around to face the PCW Faithful as the house lights come on, leading to the Faithful erupting into cheers as he pulls his hood back. The light shines off the massive golden faceplate of the PCW World Championship strapped around his waist. Gerry un-hooks the title, holding it up in one hand, staring at it for a minute. Gerard smirks as he surveys the fans from behind his sunglasses, extending his arms as if absorbing the energy from the crowd.
Sasha Green: From Hollywood, California, weighing in at 221 LBS, he is "The Hollywood Hero", and PCW World Champion, GERARD ANGELO!
Gerry throws the PCW Championship over his shoulder as walks down the ramp, cocky and confident as always, pointing at the fans wearing his merch, telling them they made a solid investment. He stops at the ring stairs and slaps the top step before climbing them, and walking to the center of the ring apron. Angelo surveys the PCW Arena once more, holding the Championship up and pointing at it, before slipping through the middle and top rope into the ring. He runs to the opposite ring post and leaps onto the second turnbuckle. Gerry points to the crowd before unzipping his hoodie, pulling it off and tossing it to the Faithful. Gerard looks at the title again, before giving it a kiss. "The Hollywood Hero" hops down and hands the title to the referee. Gerard removes his trademark sunglasses as he leans against the turnbuckles, awaiting his adversary.
The referee holds the championship high in the air and then passes it off to be displayed at the timekeepers table. He signals for the bell.
PCW World Championship
Gerard Angelo (PCW World ©) vs Grimm
Referee: Ed Lane
DING!
DING!
DING!
The charismatic champion claps his hands and stomps his feet. Almost to the exact beat of "We Will Rock You" by Queen. Grimm stands cold on his side of the ring. He doesn't engage the fans. He doesn't show much, if any, emotion. What he does is beat those on the roster who get fed to him. Two opposite personalities are about to clash.
Gerard plays up to the fans again, but remains aware of where Phinehas is. The Hangtown horror takes his time in cracking his knuckles. His frigid stare fixed on the cocky champion. Finally it appears this match is about to start. Grimm entertains Gerard by moving away from his stoic stance. Angelo shuffles forward in his general direction. Angelo begins to size the challenger up for a collar-and-elbow tie up.
What he gets instead is a very forceful kick to the previously injured left knee. Gerard is dropped like a stone as he clutches his joint. Grimm pries his hands away, stomps on them as a message to not put them there again, and then proceeds to viciously target that knee. Gerard screams in pain as he tries to shift his body away from further damage. Grimm aggressively tears off the knee brace and promptly discards it to the floor.
Jerry Andrews: Grimm has found himself the bullseye and his arrow made full contact.
Grimm takes Gerard by the left leg. The champ does his best to hop onto his right. With enough wiggle, he baits Grimm into swinging him around. This allows Gerard to put Grimm back with a heel kick. Grimm shifts his head just as he's met with a flurry of lefts and rights. Grimm covers up and then applies a bit of strategy by throwing himself down. Gerard has his left leg swept out from under him. Grimm rolls under the bottom rope while clutching the left leg. He takes a brief jaunt to the ring post where he then introduces that very leg to it.
Gerard clings to his knee while fighting the rising pain. Grimm tries to pendulum swing him again, but Gerard pretzels his right leg in between his knee and the post in an effort to block. Grimm pries the limbs apart but pays for it as Gerard muscles him face first into the post with a loud ping after. With Grimm backed off, Gerard rolls further inside the ring, escaping Grimm's wrath...for now.
Gerard takes to the ropes to stand up. Grimm re-enters and makes a beeline for him. A well timed European uppercut stuns Grimm. He throws a headbutt in return. Gerard fires off a second one after shaking the first off. Grimm's next attempt finds him getting surprised by a leaping knee. Gerard sends Grimm to the buckles and moves in with a noticeable limp. Grimm chops him in the throat and with a nifty illusion that the referee can't see, engages with a blatant choke near the top rope.
Jerry Andrews: First the knee, now his airway. Grimm is determined to make Gerard's challenge of beating him that much harder.
Ace Anderson: Gerard wanted this match and is quickly finding out what Grimm is about.
Jerry Andrews: Gerard is no slouch. He ended the record breaking reign of Kyle Shane. He has surely done his homework in preparation for this night.
Sensing the illusion is beginning to wane, Gerard is given the gift of air again. His coughing and gasping is enough for the referee to ask Grimm what he was doing. The Hangtown Horror doesn't answer to the authority. Gerard is turned against the corner. His left leg is picked up and placed over the middle rope. That's when he starts stinging Grimm with elbows to the head. Grimm backs off and shakes the cobwebs free. By this time, Gerard has slipped out to the apron.
Grimm gets a shoulder jammed in his stomach. Then a leg drop from the right leg that pushes his head into the edge of the apron. Gerard pulls Grimm out until his legs are bent on the middle rope. He cinches him and in one quick jerk, brings Grimm to the floor with a suplex off the apron! Grimm clutches his back while Gerard uses the steel barricade to stand. He limps away from the action for a moment. Concerned fans root him on and give him pats on the back.
Angelo slaps hands as he slowly returns. Grimm is pulled up only to be slammed head first off the top of the rail. Gerard follows by picking him up and slamming him groin first onto it. Gerard quickly favors his left knee after that, so he's unable to follow up his offense immediately. Grimm straddles the rail in a precarious position. He can get a peace of mind knowing his stay will be brief once Gerard hits him with a neckbreaker!
Jerry Andrews: That's one way of freeing him!
Gerard uses his good right leg to brace his weight. Grimm is picked up and sent back into the ring. Gerard slides under the rope from his back. As he begins to stand, Grimm drives a sudden shoulder into the middle of that left knee, buckling Gerard's body weight in a crumpled heap. Phinehas attempts to drag Angelo away, but he holds onto the ropes. He winds up getting pulled out like a piece of human taffy.
Wiggling just enough to shake Grimm of his plan, he forces the ginger challenger to move towards him. Gerard lands seated on Grimm's shoulders like he were going to be powerbombed. He shifts his body for a hurricanrana, but Grimm meets him with a countered piledriver! Gerard spikes and falls to his back. Grimm hooks him by the bad left leg and then rolls back.
1!
2!
Gerard kicks out at two. Grimm grapevines the left leg and then snaps back to further torque the knee. Gerard flies up in agony. Grimm decides he doesn't wish to see that face, so he turns Gerard over and sits down on a half crab. Angelo digs his fingers into his scalp as he shakes his head to the referee asking him about submitting. Grimm starts throwing closed fists with the top of Gerard's leg as the target. This in turn leads to an STF from Grimm...who is then rolled into a pin!
1!
2!
Grimm powers out of that and back to the STF attempt. Gerard refuses to cooperate as he again flips Grimm onto his back, this time from the opposite side.
1!
2!
Grimm kicks out again and this time he abandons the submission attempt. Gerard slowly hops onto his right leg. Just as he does, Grimm puts him back down with a savate kick. As Gerard adjusts his jaw (maybe he even feels his teeth), Grimm returns to targeting the left knee. A series of stomps and elbow drops all further weaken the ligaments. Grimm runs his forearm back and forth like it were a saw. Angelo feeds off the support of the faithful and those wonderful GERRY GERRY GERRY chants. Grimm has his beard grabbed with both hands. Gerard introduces the back of Grimm's head into his right knee, which does disorient the Hangtown Horror enough.
Gerard starts to kick the back of Grimm's head from his good leg. Grimm covers up and retreats away from what's being done. Gerard starts to scoot back on his right hip. Grimm turns his attention in that direction. He makes his move and is suddenly dropped face first into the middle turnbuckle with a drop toe hold. Gerard rolls himself like a log closer to the middle of the ring. Gritting his teeth he picks himself up and attempts to place some weight on his left leg.
He calls for Grimm to stand. This while he starts clapping with the fan support. Grimm rises up, turns around and is met with ONE HIT WONDER. NO! Grimm catches his foot. Gerard is now forced to put ALL of his weight on the worked over left leg. Grimm gives that knee a kick, displacing the Hollywood Hero into an awkward split. Grimm pulls Gerard up, turns him around with an assisted lift and goes for FODDERSHOCK.
Gerard hooks Grimm around the neck, countering into a bulldog! Gerard pulls himself up. He takes a couple of good hops off his right leg and then tries a springboard. Gerard shows off a beautiful, picture perfect moonsault, but lands into the knees of Grimm. Phineas capitalizes by cradling him tight. The ref jumps down.
1!
2!
Gerard springs out of the pin. Grimm beats him to the punch of offense, planting Gerard with a snap DDT. It's not a pretty sight. Grimm pulls Gerard up with him. He absolutely unloads with DEAD RECKONING. Gerry slithers like his legs have turned to rubber, while his head droops from the mass headbutting. Grimm begins to pull him to the nearest corner. He hooks an arm around Gerard and starts to move up the ropes until seated on the top turnbuckle.
Jerry Andrews: This could be it. Grimm could be claiming his seventh world title in a matter of moments...
Ace Anderson: It's going to be straight-to-video for him now!
Grimm spins like a tornado. THE HARVEST hits a block!! Gerard presses his hands down to block his head from impaling the ring. He flips over with a bridge and Grimm's legs folded under his arms.
1!
2!
3---KICKOUT!
Angelo clings to his left knee while being the quicker of the two to stand. The moment Grimm does, ONE HIT WONDER connects flush under the chin. Grimm takes a mighty big fall. He continues rewriting the script with a successful STUNT DOUBLE as Grimm further loses air. Gerard remains favoring that injured leg, but he has Grimm covered.
1!
2!
3---NO!
Grimm dislocates his ball-and-socket joints in his shoulders in order to give himself an extended (and disgusting) reach of Gerard. Once he's got him wrapped up, Grimm pops those joints back to where they rightfully belong. Gerard is maneuvered up and then thrown at a bad angle into the corner with a release German suplex. Gerard is bent in different directions against the ropes.
Grimm goes over and untagles Gerard. The second attempt at THE HARVEST is successful! Grimm shuts out all the external noise as he hooks the legs of the champ.
1!
2!
3---FOOT ON THE ROPES!
Jerry Andrews: Ring awareness may have saved Gerard!
Ace Anderson: When one is facing Grimm, is that good or bad?
Jerry Andrews: Gerard has something to prove tonight and by god he's determined to do it!
Since Gerard decided to do that, Grimm sticks that worked over left leg across the middle rope and then gives it a leaping stomp just above the kneecap. Gerard sells things like he's just been shot. He writhes in absolute pain. Grimm likes the sound of a foe's agony. If the man sleeps (has anyone EVER seen Grimm do that...?), the sound may be as soothing as the natural notes of mother nature.
Gerard is pulled out to the center of the ring. Grimm attacks the back of the left knee before grapevining the leg, planting a foot on Gerard's right leg to pin him down and then giving that left knee an odd looking twist. Gerard flails his arms against the mat, yells at the top of his lungs, but refuses to surrender. The torque continues to be applied. Gerard reaches for any part of Grimm he can grasp, but the Hangtown Horror isn't a willing participant.
Instead he locks a figure four in. Worse yet, he bridges the damn submission for extra pressure. Gerard rises like a zombie from the grave. Anguish is etched on his features. LET'S GO, GERRY! LET'S GO! The rally cry grows louder and louder. Grimm decides to take things a step further by WALKING on his hands while dragging the figure-foured Gerard Angelo with him around the ring. The referee is kept busy trying to stay on top of things.
Jerry Andrews: There is no quit in Gerard! The pain he must be feeling is unreal.
Ace Anderson: He may have those ligaments re-torn before long.
Grimm settles back down to a traditional figure four. Just as it appears Gerard is going to flip it, Grimm severs the idea. Grimm turns around and hooks the left leg back for the pin.
1!
2!
3---KICKOUT!
He tries again.
1!
2!
3---KICKOUT!
Grimm goes back as far as he possibly can.
1!
2!
3---GERARD ROLLS GRIMM OVER!
1!
2!
3!
NO! GRIMM kicks out of one himself! Grimm brings Gerard up with a claw hold. He then channels the ghost of Kerry Von Erich by going for a discus punch. Gerard ducks it. He gets under Grimm and gets him up on his one good leg.
Jerry Andrews: HOLLYWOOD ENDING!!
Ace Anderson (exasperated): I don't believe he hit that off one leg!
It comes at a cost as Gerard is clutching his left knee instead of getting the cover. GERRY! GERRY! GERRY! Gerard finally capitalizes on his fortune. He rolls over to Grimm's right to prevent him getting to the ropes.
1!
2!
3!!
NO! NOT SO FAST! The referee's hand is stopped inches away from that final count. Both the faithful and Gerard were ready to explode in jubilation. Gerard is beside himself as reality sinks in. Gerard takes some time standing up following that. His limp has become noticeably worse.
Grimm is pulled up by the wrist. Gerard goes for an Irish whip but Phinehas reverses. Only Gerard doesn't run. Gerard gets yanked down with a manipulation that buckles his left knee in a nasty pirouette. Angelo rolls around in misery. Grimm smells blood and he's got his sights set like a great white shark. Gerard gets viciously pulled to a corner. Grimm sits on the top turnbuckle...but with Gerard's legs under his arms. In a show of power, Grimm rips Gerard to a seated position. Both men stand precariously on the top rope.
Jerry Andrews: I don't like the look of it.
Ace Anderson: Oompa Loompa, doompadee dah...If you're not greedy you will go far...
Jerry Andrews: Really, Ace? Really?
Ace Anderson: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory IS a movie and Gerard Angelo IS a movie star! It just felt right.
Grimm catches everybody by surprise as he kicks Gerard's left leg out from under him! Gerard's "golden globes" are crushed under the straddled buckle. Following Grimm's excellent display of balance, he turns THE HARVEST into a contorted, unusual, snarled mess of a landing. But boy is it an ugly one with impact. Grimm rolls himself back over Gerard's body (after untangling it). He hooks the legs...
1!
2!
3!
A few seconds after, Gerard's shoulder appears to -maybe- involuntarily move off the mat, but it doesn't matter. This one is over and there's a gold going back to Kentucky.
Sasha Greene: Here is your winner and NEW PCW World Champion, Grimm!!
The Hangtown Horror is awarded the top prize for a seventh time, which further adds to his legend and his record held. Zeal and Ardor’s “You Ain’t Coming Back (Instrumental)" has begun to serenade everyone as they are witness to Grimm departing with the gold. Meanwhile Gerard is being checked over by the official.
Jerry Andrews: Gerard may have come up short tonight, but he made Grimm earn every ounce of that victory. Even on one leg, it appeared he may have been able to retain at points.
Ace Anderson: He just found out the difference between challenging Grimm and defeating Grimm. Anyone can challenge him. But beating him is a different beast. Grimm has just put PCW on notice.
Jerry Andrews: And folks.... We. Are. Not. Done.
Ace Anderson: We've still got the final of the Icemann Invitational Tournament!
Sasha Greene: The following is the final match for the 2019 Icemann Invitational Tournament!
Without warning, the lights in the arena go out in a flash, and the sounds of rhythmic drums begin to beat like an oncoming war. Very subtle orange lights illuminate the ramp way as the strings begin to accompany the percussion, and the tron flickers back on with black and white aerial shots of the Kansas City metro area. The faithful are left in total darkness, and their cell phone screens and flashlights begin to sporadically light up the crowd, like stars in the night, as a dense fog has risen, covering the ramp. Despite how little time has passed, the beat has brought the crowd to their feat.
Then, as the crescendo reaches its peak, a spotlight hits the entrance to accompany the climax of "Land of Shadows" by Audiomachine, and Stormm instantly comes into view.
Then, as the crescendo reaches its peak, a spotlight hits the entrance to accompany the climax of "Land of Shadows" by Audiomachine, and Stormm instantly comes into view.
Sasha Greene: Making his way to the ring, from Kansas City, Kansas, weighing in at two hundred and fifty-two pounds...
The Force of Nature looks out into the crowd from underneath a black hood attached to an ankle length, black leather trench coat. The coat is covered in straps and buckles all left dangling about as the open coat sways with his movements. The crowd's reaction rivals that of the music volume, and Stormm acknowledges, looking left and then right, with a nod. His stare turns back to the ring, and he makes his way down the ramp with a black, wooden bat in his left hand.
Sasha Greene: He is the Force of Nature... STORMM!
Having made it to ringside, Stormm patrols around to the opposite side of the ring in typical fashion before nodding towards Ace and Jerry, and tapping the announce desk with his bat. In one fluid motion, he hops up onto the apron, leans back onto the ropes, and points the bat out into the crowd, which draws in another pop from those in attendance. Climbing through the middle and top rope, he immediately scales to the second turnbuckle of the nearest corner, as the arena lights slowly come back on as the spotlight fades out.
Stormm hops down, and throws the hood of his coat off of his head as he walks with purpose to the opposite corner, as the overwhelming adulation continued. No smile. No mouthing off. All business. The battle music fades out well before the reaction of the crowd does, but the Force of Nature waits patiently, perched from the top turnbuckle, waiting for the match to begin.
The arena is enveloped in total darkness, save for a solitary spotlight shining at a vacant spot central to the stage. Stepping into view, Horacio Mortimer is welcomed by a chorus of thunderous boos. He wastes little time, extending his arm as if to beckon the audience to bear witness to a presentation crafted of his own accord.
Indeed, this very sentiment rings true in the most literal sense as a graphic appears on the Tron in scripted white letters; “A Presentation By The Chronological Order,” Horacio steps aside as the lights suddenly begin flashing fiery colours; orange, yellow, white and red, as the image change to the hands of a clock spiralling out of control, accompanied by an ominous guitar riff. After a few seconds, the name that strikes fear towards all who oppose him appears in front of another image of a clock in bold red letters…
The guitars suddenly increase their tempo and energy as the Tron shows the total devastation of various PCW stars at the hands of the titular monster. The Zenith arrives with purpose, standing directly next to Horacio Mortimer. Dominator looks out across the sea of fans in attendance, lifting his forearm in front of his face whilst flexing his gargantuan bicep to display the wristwatch that he wears always, without fail. As he raises his arm further into the air, to the point where the giant cannot reach any higher, a shower of fiery sparks falls from the top of the Tron, briefly masking the entrance video being played. He holds this position for no more than eight seconds before lowering it, taking deep breaths in preparation for the oncoming duel.
The thrashing of the guitars mirrors the intensity in every single one of The Zenith’s strides. Horacio follows his client at his own pace. Dominator makes no attempt to slap hands with the fans. He reaches the ring apron, grabbing the middle rope to haul him onto the side of the ring. He pushes down the top rope with his right hand, throwing one foot over the top before the other follows. He slowly makes his way to the center of the ring, turning a full three hundred and sixty degrees to admire the capacity crowd before raising his arm in the air in the exact same manner as he had done atop the entrance ramp, lifting it with malicious purpose to display the watches covering his wrists.
He cricks his neck back and forth before swinging his arms in preparation for the impending fight. All the while, that devious smile is still on his face and he looks to make eye contact with his opponent without a single hint of intimidation. Horacio Mortimer patrols the perimeter of the ring. The music slowly fades, the lights returning to a more average level of illumination as Dominator waits with masked enthusiasm for the start of the match.
Sasha Greene: And his opponent, he weighs in at 365 lbs... he is the Pure Class Wrestling North American Champion... DOMINATOR!!
The arena is enveloped in total darkness, save for a solitary spotlight shining at a vacant spot central to the stage. Stepping into view, Horacio Mortimer is welcomed by a chorus of thunderous boos. He wastes little time, extending his arm as if to beckon the audience to bear witness to a presentation crafted of his own accord.
Indeed, this very sentiment rings true in the most literal sense as a graphic appears on the Tron in scripted white letters; “A Presentation By The Chronological Order,” Horacio steps aside as the lights suddenly begin flashing fiery colours; orange, yellow, white and red, as the image change to the hands of a clock spiralling out of control, accompanied by an ominous guitar riff. After a few seconds, the name that strikes fear towards all who oppose him appears in front of another image of a clock in bold red letters…
DOMINATOR
The guitars suddenly increase their tempo and energy as the Tron shows the total devastation of various PCW stars at the hands of the titular monster. The Zenith arrives with purpose, standing directly next to Horacio Mortimer. Dominator looks out across the sea of fans in attendance, lifting his forearm in front of his face whilst flexing his gargantuan bicep to display the wristwatch that he wears always, without fail. As he raises his arm further into the air, to the point where the giant cannot reach any higher, a shower of fiery sparks falls from the top of the Tron, briefly masking the entrance video being played. He holds this position for no more than eight seconds before lowering it, taking deep breaths in preparation for the oncoming duel.
The thrashing of the guitars mirrors the intensity in every single one of The Zenith’s strides. Horacio follows his client at his own pace. Dominator makes no attempt to slap hands with the fans. He reaches the ring apron, grabbing the middle rope to haul him onto the side of the ring. He pushes down the top rope with his right hand, throwing one foot over the top before the other follows. He slowly makes his way to the center of the ring, turning a full three hundred and sixty degrees to admire the capacity crowd before raising his arm in the air in the exact same manner as he had done atop the entrance ramp, lifting it with malicious purpose to display the watches covering his wrists.
He cricks his neck back and forth before swinging his arms in preparation for the impending fight. All the while, that devious smile is still on his face and he looks to make eye contact with his opponent without a single hint of intimidation. Horacio Mortimer patrols the perimeter of the ring. The music slowly fades, the lights returning to a more average level of illumination as Dominator waits with masked enthusiasm for the start of the match.
Non-Title Match
Icemann Invitational Tournament Final
Icemann Invitational Tournament Final
Stormm vs Dominator
Referee: Eric Russo
Jerry Andrews: He we go folks. This is it. One of these two men will be tournament champion.
Ace Anderson: The crowd is electric in here right now and they should be. This is going to be A MATCH. It's going to be a battle. It's going to be a classic. You can feel it.
The two competitors face off in the center of the ring.
Jerry Andrews: Both men went through grueling battles earlier tonight. You know that neither of them are one hundred percent.
Ace Anderson: That's right, so look for both of them to try to end the match early.
Suddenly, Dominator slugs Stormm in the face, surprising him. Stormm staggers backwards and Dominator is all over him, unloading with stiff shots.
Jerry Andrews: It looks like that's exactly what Dominator wants to do!
Ace Anderson: He got Stormm by surprise and now he's in charge of the match. In a situation like this, getting an early advantage is so important.
Dominator backs Stormm into the corner. Stormm covers up, trying to absorb the blows with his arms. He finally breaks free, shoving Dominator back and bounding out of the corner with a big clothesline followed by a dropkick that sends Dominator down to the mat. Stormm takes a step back and Dominator gets to his feet. The two men lunge forward into a collar and elbow tie up, Stormm with an advantage, pushing Dominator backwards but the North American champ digs in his heels, stopping the momentum and pushing Stormm backwards. Stormm stops and both men struggle to gain an advantage over the other. They break the tie up and stand staring into each other’s eyes, nodding and then circling each other. They lock up one more time and struggle again for a few moments before Stormm moves forwards, attempting a knee to the gut but Dominator is too quick, blocking the move and grabbing Stormm’s leg, sweeping the other to send Stormm crashing to the mat. Dominator steps back, allowing Stormm to get to his feet.
Jerry Andrews: Dominator plotting his next attack.
Ace Anderson: You have to wonder how fatigued they are, both physically and mentally. They're going hard right now, but how long will it last?
Stormm and Dominator both stare at each other then run at each other, Dominator going for a clothesline but Stormm ducks, getting behind him and locking his arms around the waist. Stormm lifts Dominator, who wraps his legs around Stormm and rolls forwards. Stormm falls face first to the mat and Dominator kneels, straddling the lower back of his opponent. Dominator holds Stormm’s legs under his arms, the ankles of his opponent pressed against the chest of the challenger. Dominator leans forwards, folding the legs and stretching the back and thighs of Stormm as he cries out in pain.
Jerry Andrews: Rather unique submission move here.
Ace Anderson: An unexpected one from Dominator as well...
Jerry Andrews: Dominator breaking he hold and picking up Stormm now, waistlock applied, Stormm with an elbow to the head of his opponent another one and now Dominator hit with a knee to the gut and a beautiful Northern Lights suplex!
Ace Anderson: Sometimes you've gotta try something a bit different in a situation like this and both men are certainly doing that here tonight!
Jerry Andrews: Both of these men are incredible competitors. It’ll be interesting to see who comes out of this one with the tournament crown.
Ace Anderson: Honestly, if I had to bet, I wouldn't know who to pick.
Stormm drops an elbow, then another, then locks in a cross armbreaker. Dominator is asked if he wants to give up but he refuses, slowly starting to inch towards the ropes, his fingers reaching out as Stormm holds on, yelling at him to tap out. Dominator refuses and manages to get to the ropes, Stormm breaks the hold as the referee counts to four and Dominator holds his arm as Stormm yells at the referee then turns his attention to Dominator. He lifts Dominator up and hits a snap DDT, driving his head into the mat and going for a cover. 1….. 2…..
“OHHHHHHHHH!!”
Jerry Andrews: Dominator kicking out of the situation there at two. Stormm punching the canvas and arguing with the referee there, that’s not a wise move.
Ace Anderson: No it isn’t. Stormm, focus on beating him.
Jerry Andrews: Stormm now with a pumphandle slam on Dominator, his kidneys colliding hard with the mat.
Ace Anderson: That could rattle your insides.
Jerry Andrews: It sure could. Another now.... but Dominator with a reversal!! German suplex here, another one, going for a third. He got it!!
Ace Anderson: He’s still going!
The fans go wild as Dominator hits his seventh German suplex in a row and lies on the mat breathing heavily as beads of sweat run down his face. Dominator picks up Stormm and.....
Ace Anderson: THE NAMESAKE!!
Jerry Andrews: 1……2……OHHHHH, almost three there.
Ace Anderson: Stormm kicked out!!! How!?
Dominator stomps at Stormm, pulls him up and whips him into the ropes, waiting till he comes back the hitting a huge clothesline, flipping Stormm head over heels.
Jerry Andrews: What an incredible clothesline!!
Ace Anderson: Stormm can't possibly take much more of this! No one can!
Dominator goes for another cover, the referee’s hand slapping the mat once, twice, not a third time. Stormm kicks out again. Dominator waits for him to stand up of his own accord then hits him with a flurry of strikes, running against the ropes and attempting another clothesline. Stormm ducks out of the way and he hits his opponent with a dropkick. He picks up Dominator and hits a belly-to-back suplex, the back of Dominator's head crashing hard with the canvas. The referee immediately checks Dominator to see if he’s ok but Stormm doesn’t care, picking up his opponent and hitting a belly-to-belly suplex, attempting a pinfall. 1….. 2…..
Jerry Andrews: Just two there, Dominator too resilient.
Ace Anderson: Stormm whipping him to the turnbuckle and charging at him. But he missed!
Jerry Andrews: Dominator with a hard shot to the back of Stormm and now he's raising him onto the top turnbuckle.
Ace Anderson: What's he going to do here!?
Dominator drops Stormm off the top turnbuckle with a huge fallaway slam!!!
Jerry Andrews: OH MY! WHAT A MOVE!
Ace Anderson: THE COVER!!!
1….. 2….. Once more, Stormm kicks out.
Jerry Andrews: No!!!
Dominator lifts up Stormm, but Stormm shoves him away and quickly grabs him, hitting a snap suplex before quickly going for the cover.
Jerry Andrews: 1…..2…..HE KICKED OUT!!!
Both men get up, and Dominator quickly grabs his opponent, picking up Stormm who breaks free. Stormm goes for a Russian leg sweep, but Dominator drives his elbow into the midsection of the Stormm. Dominator whips Stormm towards the ropes and hits a big boot!
The fans all cheer wildly and count along with the referee.
“1!!!”. . . “2!!!” . . . “OHHHHHHHH!!!!”
Stormm kicks out yet again, Dominator looking a little frustrated. He lifts his opponent up to his feet, picking him off the ground but Stormm reverses, getting behind his opponent and hitting a German suplex of his own. Dominator tries to stand, but Stormm punches Dominator in the chest. Stormm then rushes forward with a clothesline! Dominator avoids the move and he levels Stormm with a clothesline of his own! Dominator then pulls Stormm back up to his feet and he hits him with a scoop slam piledriver! Dominator now pulls Stormm up, only to powerslam him back down to the mat!
Jerry Andrews: Dominator using that huge size of his to punish Stormm now!
Ace Anderson: And it's gotta be wearing Stormm down. He must be tired. Both men must be.
Dominator now pulls Stormm up and he Irish whips him into the corner! Dominator charges at Stormm, but Stormm moves out of the way and Dominator hits the corner! Stormm now quickly grabs Dominator and he backdrops him! Stormm now hits Dominator with a legdrop! Stormm now climbs up to the top ropes!
Jerry Andrews: Stormm going upstairs!
Dominator is getting back up to his feet when Stormm leaps off of the ropes with a moonsault! However Dominator catches him in mid-air! He then powerslams Stormm down to the mat hard!
Ace Anderson: OUCH! Stormm's high risk move didn't pay off there!
Dominator gets back up to his feet now. He then he pulls Stormm up to his feet. He now sets Stormm up and he hits him with a one arm chokeslam!
Jerry Andrews: Big move!
Dominator now goes for a cover:
1...
2...
Jerry Andrews: Kickout by Stormm!
Dominator now pulls Stormm up to his feet. He Irish whips Stormm across the ring. Stormm ducks Dominator's clothesline and he rebounds with a float over DDT!
Ace Anderson: Wow!
Stormm is on his feet now. He leg drops Dominator. Now Stormm grabs Dominator's right leg and he stomps on the back of it!
Jerry Andrews: Here we go! Stormm now trying to take the wheels off the big man!
Stormm now stomps on Dominator's leg again. Now Stormm hits Dominator with another leg drop. He then pulls Stormm to his feet and he hits Dominator with a piledriver! Stormm now heads for the corner.
Jerry Andrews: Stormm going upstairs again!
Ace Anderson: Stormm seems to have realised it's gonna be difficult to outpower Dominator, so he's taking to the air!
Stormm then leaps off of the ropes and he connects with a big elbow drop! Stormm goes for the cover now:
1...
2...
Jerry Andrews: Dominator kicks out!
Stormm pulls Dominator to his feet. He then DDTs Dominator down to the mat. Stormm now grabs Dominator's right leg. Dominator quickly pulls away and he kicks Stormm in the head!
Ace Anderson: Dominator sure doesnít want Stormm to get a hold of that leg!
Both Dominator and Stormm get back to their feet. Stormm runs at Dominator with a clothesline, but Dominator avoids it! Dominator now grabs Stormm and he hits him with a full nelson bomb! Dominator now pulls Stormm back up to his feet and he hits him with Daybreak! Dominator now pulls Stormm to his feet and he Irish whips him into the corner. Dominator now rushes in and he hits Stormm with a big boot to the head! Dominator then clutches his knee in pain.
Jerry Andrews: That kick might have been two much for Dominator's leg!
Stormm shakes his head and he turns towards Dominator, who is still clutching his leg in pain. Stormm now climbs to the top ropes! As Dominator limps towards the corner, Stormm leaps off! He catches Dominator in a DDT position, but Dominator will not let Stormm drop him to the mat! Dominator uses all of his strength and he pushes Stormm off of his neck, over the ropes, to the outside!
Jerry Andrews: Stormm just went FLYING there!
Ace Anderson: We're used to seeing Dominator use his strength, but that was impressive. And it looked painful too!
Dominator clutches his knee once again. He then leaves the ring. Stormm is out on the mat outside. Dominator walks over to him. He pulls him up, but then sends him right back down with a chokeslam!
Jerry Andrews: WOW! Chokeslam to the outside!
Ace Anderson: Vicious!
The crowd is on their feet now! Dominator grabs Stormm and he throws him back into the ring. Dominator now returns to the ring. He rolls Stormm over and he goes for the cover:
1...
2...
Jerry Andrews: Oh my God! Stormm kicked out!
Dominator slowly gets back up to his feet. He shakes his leg off. He then pulls Stormm back up to his feet. Dominator now places Stormm on his shoulder and he charges at the corner!
Ace Anderson: Snake eyes!
Stormm drops down from Dominator;s shoulder at the last minute! He then pushes Dominator from behind, sending him into the corner!
Jerry Andrews: Great counter!
Stormm now grabs Dominator from behind and he hits him with an atomic drop! Stormm now picks Dominator up and he hits him with a back breaker! Stormm now sets Dominator up and he hits him with a full nelson slam!
Jerry Andrews: Wow!
Ace Anderson: Stormm is on a role now!
Stormm now goes for a cover:
1...
2...
Jerry Andrews: And Dominator kicked out!
Ace Anderson: I'm not sure what else these guys can do to one another!
Stormm now pulls Dominator up to his feet. He throws a punch, but Dominator blocks it! Dominator then catches Stormm around the neck and he hits him with a chokeslam!
Jerry Andrews: Another chokeslam!
Dominator now pulls Stormm up to his feet. He sets him up for the Butterfly Effect! Stormm drops over Dominator's shoulder and he ends up behind him! Stormm now bounces off of the ropes and hits Dominator with a Hangcloud DDT. The cover:
1......
2.......
KICKOUT!
Stormm pulls Dominator up, but Dominator shoves him backwards against the ropes. Dominator then hits him with a huge clothesline sending him tothe outside. Dominator now struggles to his feet, using the ropes for leverage. He now leaves the ring and limps towards Stormm, who is still not moving. Dominator pulls Stormm up and he rolls him onto the apron. Dominator now enters the ring. Stormm is still on the apron. Dominator reaches over the ropes, towards the lifeless Stormm. He pulls Stormm to his feet, outside the ropes. Dominator now sets Stormm up for a suplex back into the ring! Somehow, Stormm blocks the move! He then elbows Dominator in the chest. Dominator bends over. Stormm now grabs Dominator around the neck! He now lifts him up, and he DDTs him over the ropes to the outside!
Jerry Andrews: NO!
Both men are down, outside the ring now! The referee starts to count!
1...
2...
3...
4...
5...
Stormm starts to stir now.
6...
7....
Stormm is on his feet. He grabs Dominator and he rolls him into the ring at 9. Stormm follows shortly after.
Jerry Andrews: Both men beat the count!
Ace Anderson: Good! I want to see a winner!
Stormm now goes for a cover:
1...
2...
Jerry Andrews: Kickout! I can't believe it!
Ace Anderson: What now!?
Stormm pulls Dominator up and he Irish whips him into the corner. He sets him up on the top ropes and he grabs him in a headlock but Dominator pushes him down to the mat! Stormm lands on his feet. Dominator gets off of the ropes, and he grabs Stormm. Stormm gets free and he pushes Dominator into the corner! He now sets Dominator up on the top ropes! Dominator shoves him off. Stormm hits the mat. Dominator gets off the ropes and pulls his opponent up....
Jerry Andrews: Anachronism!!!!!
The cover:
1......
2.......
3!!!!!!
DING DING DING
Ace Anderson: He did it!
Sasha Greene: Ladies and gentlemen, here is your winner and the 2019 Icemann Invitational Tournament Champion: DOMINATOR!
Jerry Andrews: What a match! What a winner! Dominator take the tournament crown!
As Dominator raises his arms in the ring, the camera quickly cuts to the entrance way where Grimm stands.
Ace Anderson: Uh oh....
Jerry Andrews: Could there be trouble in paradise??
Ace Anderson: Grimm is our World Champion and Dominator has won the tournament! Are they destined to battle one another?
Jerry Andrews: Good night everyone and thanks for watching!
- CLICK -
