S2E8 – Problems in Puebla

Live in front of a sold out show at the Auditorio GNP Seguros in Puebla, Mexico.

The feed comes live, showing a drone fly over of the CWF arena setup. The crowd is going nuts as the Fireworks go off on the stage to indicate that the show is starting. But instead of Black Sabbath’s “Warpigs’ we get:

BEEP. CLICK. BEEP BEEP. CLICK CLICK.

Those digital opening tones of “Take It Easy, Chicken” by Mansun always bring a crowd to their feet, but they do so faster than ever tonight because tonight – right here in Mexico – fans of the CWF and wrestling fans around the world are finally going to get an answer to the questions that have been on everyone’s lips since the last installment of WarZone.

Why – why oh why – did Rob Riot and Frank Windsor dismiss Billy Fowler from The Bastards? Why did they ask Eddie Williams, formerly known as Eddie Havok, to replace him? Why did Eddie accept the invitation? Every single member of this new incarnation of The Bastards had been expected to address the topic in their promos for this event. Every single one of them had point-blank refused and said the answers would wait until tonight. Tonight has arrived. It’s WarZone, it’s hot, the crowd is ready, and The Bastards are here.

Ben Price – Welcome everybody to another installment of the hottest professional wrestling show in the world! Welcome to the Conquest Wrestling Federation! Welcome to WarZone!

Eddie Vega – Puebla is loud, the Auditorio GNP Seguros is sold out, and the most talked-about faction in professional wrestling is kicking off the show. Folks, life is good!

The Bastards’ trademark yellow Ford Cortina rolls through the entranceway, almost scraping the edges and threatening to bring the whole thing down as it does so. The iconic car looks the same as it always does from the outside – a dozen or more title belts are nailed or otherwise affixed to the doors and the trunk, but the space on the hood is reserved for two titles and two titles only – Frank Windsor’s CWF Valo(u)r Championship and Rob Riot’s CWF Conquest Championship. Inside the car, though, something is very different. Billy Fowler has always been the one to drive The Bastards to the ring and, presumably, down the long roads. Tonight, the man behind the wheel is Frank Windsor.

Ben Price – Can Frank even drive?

Eddie Vega – Sure he can. He’s doing it right now.

Ben Price – No, I mean legally.

Eddie Vega – He’s turned over a new leaf recently. I’m sure he’s a very responsible driver.

Ben Price – Uh-huh.

Windsor brings the car to a halt on the rampway, opens the door and steps out, snatching his title belt from the hood as he does so. A half-second later, the back doors to the Cortina open, and out step Rob Riot and Eddie Williams. Riot walks around the car, collects his CWF Championship, and stands on the opposite side of the vehicle to Windsor. Williams stands between the two, in front of the Cortina, his arms folded. The new trio stay there for a few seconds in that exact pose, allowing the thousands in attendance to take a memento photograph of the 2024 version of The Bastards.

Ben Price – This is surreal. It’s somehow wrong. The original Bastards had been together for ten years. To see Riot and Windsor with Williams instead of Fowler – it’s going to take some getting used to.

Eddie Vega – Get used to it, Benny boy. It’s a new year, a new world, and a new Bastards. This is your reality now.

Taking their time – and allowing “Take It Easy, Chicken” to play through another chorus – because man, that song is a jam – The Bastards slowly make their way to the ring. A CWF lackey hands a microphone to Rob Riot as he makes his way up the steps. Once in the ring, Riot offers it to Windsor, but Frank waves it off, content to let Riot kick things off. Riot nods and signals for the music to be cut.

The moment the song goes dead, there’s a wave of noise from the crowd. It’s mixed, but it sounds like more people disapprove of what The Bastards did last time out than approve of it.

Rob Riot – Well, to borrow a line from someone else, what do you guys want to talk about?

That was facetious, and it’s no surprise that it draws further boos. Riot laughs.

Rob Riot – I jest, Puebla, I jest. I know exactly what you want to talk about, but I ask myself whether or not it’s what we want to talk about. You want us to talk about what we did to Billy Fowler and why we did it. I get that. If I were you, I’d want to know that, too. But maybe we don’t want to talk about that. Maybe we want to talk about how everyone in this company suddenly seems to think it’s OK to call this man ‘Riot’s Monster.’

As he speaks those words, Riot points at Frank Windsor. Windsor sneers as the boos continue.

Rob Riot – Maybe we want to talk about how everyone in this company seems to have an opinion about who leads The Bastards, or whether Frank’s manipulating me or whether I’ve lost control of Frank. Maybe we want to talk about the fact that nobody can go a single damn promo without talking about us. Maybe I should stop saying “maybe” because we do want to talk about all these things – and trust me, Puebla, we will – but there’s something else we should talk about first. Ask not why we kicked Billy Fowler out of The Bastards. Ask why Eddie Williams wanted into The Bastards. Ask him what his motive was, and let him tell you. Eddie, this mic’s all yours.

Riot holds the microphone out for Williams, and the noise somehow goes up another notch. This is what the people have been waiting for. Williams waits a moment before taking the mic and then holds it up to his lips, allowing the noise of the crowd to wash over him before he speaks.

Eddie Williams – What was my motive? What was my motive for attacking Fowler? Trust me when I say that I don’t need any motivation. I never did in the past. It’s as simple as this. Once again, Billy, you had something that I wanted. So, I simply took you out of the picture and took it for myself. Last time, it was a world championship. This time, it was your spot in The Bastards.

Mexican crowds always favor the good guys more than crowds in the rest of the world do, and Eddie’s attitude isn’t that of a good guy. The boos intensify.

Eddie Williams – Trust me when I say it didn’t take too much effort on my part to persuade Frank and Rob to see my point of view. You’d put a target on your back with your record in CWF and your half-arsed efforts. When I offered to come in and replace you, that was the final nail in your coffin.

Eddie smirked as he looked around. He knew his job was done for the night. He turns and nods at Rob, who motions towards Frank. He passes the microphone over to him. Frank looks around and stretches his neck out as he prepares to talk.

Frank Windsor – Hello Mexico, it’s your boy, Frank f’in Windsor. You’ve heard from my boy Robbie tonight and now from our new acquisition Eddie here, but now it’s my time to flap my lips at you.

He walks around the ring and looks directly into the hard camera.

Frank Windsor – I am the greatest CWF Valour Champion of ALL time. Even if we travelled 200 years into the future, the greatest CWF Valour Champion would still be your boy Frank Windsor. Now let me get you up to date. Later tonight, I put my belt on the line against one of Valora’s lot. Abbie, I know she’s using you, and the offer is still open.

He lifts the belt high over his head.

Frank Windsor – Now, baby doll, if you don’t want to take up that offer, then we go on a different path, don’t we? I have said, and I will say it once again. If I cannot beat some girl like you, I don’t deserve to be in this ring. If I don’t win, then I will be done. Not just with CWF but with professional fucking wrestling.

He throws the microphone to Rob and leaves the ring. Rob looks surprised at this. The crowd goes quiet for a moment – this may not be the Bastards promo they were expecting.

Ben Price – Do you think he’s serious?

Eddie Vega – That man never says anything he doesn’t mean.

Ben Price – He calls himself “The Sultan of Schlong Style,” though?

Eddie Vega – Yeah. And he means it.

After taking a moment to compose himself, Riot takes over on the mic, pointing at the departing figure of Frank Windsor as he makes his way up the ramp.

Rob Riot – And that’s the guy people want to call “Riot’s Monster?” Like I’m Doctor Frankenstein, and I created him? I lit a spark under Frank Windsor when he was a rookie, and yes, I trained him, but that spark turned into a fire, and the fire that burns in Frank Windsor today is beyond any man’s control. I can’t control Frank Windsor. I don’t lead Frank Windsor. I don’t lead Eddie Williams. But Eddie Williams and Frank Windsor don’t lead or control me either. The Bastards have no leader. Why is it that nobody else in this promotion has any concept of democracy?

He shakes his head and says something to Williams that the microphone doesn’t catch. Williams also shakes his head and says something that looks like “morons.”

Rob Riot – Let me explain something very simple to you. When you have a group of three people, each with a vote, making decisions becomes really easy. If two people want to attack someone, but the third person doesn’t, we attack anyway because there’s a majority vote. Same with any decision. All you slack-jawed backseat passengers and wannabe journalists back there in the locker room who think I should slap Windsor into line, or Windsor should slap me because of my relationship with Valora, or we should have extended mercy to Billy Fowler – none of you can count to three. We’re a pack, and the pack leads. Not one man. Not one idea. We don’t even have to like each other’s ideas – we just run with the rule. So, if you want to ask me why Eddie Williams is standing here instead of Billy Fowler, that’s my answer. Majority rule.

Riot puts an arm around Williams as if formally welcoming him into the family.

Rob Riot – Billy Fowler dropped the ball. When he was a world champion in W:UK, Frank and I fell in line behind him, picked up the tag belts and ran the hard yards. When the time came for Billy to return the favour here, he couldn’t do it. We gave him chance after chance, but he allowed himself to be kidnapped by Kintaru – what an embarrassment – and then he lost to a rookie. Billy Fowler let himself down, and he let us down, and he fell off. Everything that we did to Billy, he asked for. And he knows that. When I looked down at him after we dropped him, I didn’t see a man who felt betrayed. I saw a man who felt grateful for the lesson he’d been taught. I saw a man who was relieved to be taken out of commission. I saw it in his eyes just before they went shut. What we did to Billy wasn’t a punishment. It was tough love. A kind of love that I don’t think any of you can understand.

The booing from the crowd suggests that the fans believe that they can, in fact, understand the concept of tough love, and they don’t like having their intelligence insulted.

Rob Riot – The Bastards have set the standard in this industry for the past decade. Failure will not be tolerated. You all saw the standard Frank Windsor holds himself to a few seconds ago when he made that promise. It’s the same standard that Eddie Williams has demonstrated and committed himself to. Billy Fowler fell below the standard, and action had to be taken. He should know that, and he should accept it. If I ever fall below that standard, I expect Frank Windsor and Eddie Williams to put me down the exact same way we put Fowler down, the exact same way that Frank or Eddie would be put down if they fell short. That’s what makes us different from any other faction in wrestling today. That’s what makes us better. That’s what makes us dominant. We are The Bastards….

He pauses for effect.

Rob Riot – And we are the only draw in professional wrestling today. Now hit the music.

“Take It Easy, Chicken” plays again as Riot and Williams mug for the crowd before making their way out of the ring.

Ben Price – They’ve got attitude, they’ve got ego, and they’ve got gold. They might have changed by one-third, but they’re still The Bastards.

Eddie Vega – Are they still The Bastards if Windsor loses to Dresden later?

Ben Price – That’s a hell of a question, and there’s only one way to answer it. Let’s start the show!

Eddie Vega – What do we have up first?

Ben Price – Eoin O’Rourke and Lady Lana Hill!

Eric Wilson – The following contest is scheduled for one fall! Featuring, first the challenger, hailing from Leitrim, Ireland…he is Eoin O’Rourke!

Lights dim in the arena as guitar riffs in the arena. Then as the music reaches a high point-

OH!

A sole light shines on the stage with Eoin O’Rourke standing on the stage with his eyes closed, arms stretched wide and hands open

It’s a smoke and mirrors. It’s a day in day out prison,
You’re living in, it’s smothering the power in you.

Eoin opens his eyes and lowers his arms and begins marches down the ramp

When the world’s out of control
And time is always racing
Everybody has a place
Where they can let it go

Eoin makes it to ringside and he stands in front of the ring. He begins cracking his neck and hopping on the sides, then he dives into the ring and rolls to stand back up with his arms stretched again with a green spotlight over him.

And fall into the feeling
Take a breath and never leave it
When the world is overwhelming
Just close your eyes, you’ll find the
Strength to seize the day

Nothing standing in your way
Just fall into the feeling
Take a breath, it’s time to let it go
It’s time to let it go

Eoin lowers his arms and walks around the ring, taking off his red glasses and jacket and readying for the match.

Ben Price – At the last show, Eoin came down to the ring to help out his wife. He was tased at least twice and told to “Stay down”. 

Eddie Vega – I think the tasing hurt, but the arrogant tone of him being told to stay down was more insulting than anything else that could have been done.

Ben Price – This is true. Now Eoin is here to score some payback against her. He even got some company to sign off on a bounty for her so he can collect it. 

Eddie Vega – Gets his pound of flesh and a payday? Seems like a good day.

Eric Wilson – And the opponent for this match, hailing from London, England…she is Lady Lana Hill!

“Shoot to Thrill” by AC/DC begins playing as Lady Lana Hill walks out to the boos from the crowd as she is joined by her two bodyguards right behind her. Lady Lana doesn’t appear to be very happy about being booed, even going to the point of wiping away a tear. 

She heads down to the ring with her bodyguards, still distraught over being booed by the fans. One of the bodyguards hops up to the ring apron to hold open the ropes while the other helps hold Lana’s hand as she walks up the stairs to the ring and goes through where the first bodyguard was holding the ropes open. She asks for a mic as the bodyguards settle into their positions outside of Lady Lana’s corner.

Lady Lana Hill – Umm, excuse me, boys? If you would not interfere in my match tonight, that would be great. Thanks! Love you. Mean it!

The fans go from beering to something of a hopeful cheer after Lana dresses down her bodyguards for their past interference in matches.

Ben Price – That’s a daring move by Lady Lana since she’s not that strong of a wrestler.

Eddie Vega – She should be appreciative that they take their jobs to protect her very seriously. I mean what? She’s gotten a couple of wins from her bodyguards interfering.

Ben Price – That’s just wrong. I don’t think that a wrestling match from bell to bell sounds like time for the bodyguards to get involved in the match.

Eddie Vega – Those are the rules. Rules that suck. Let her bodyguards into the match to help. Hell, let one of them wrestle for her. Why not?

Ben Price – Then it would be the bodyguard wrestling and not Lana. That makes no sense.

Eddie Vega – To you, maybe. 

As the bell rings to start the match, Eoin runs over and sends Lana to the mat with a stunning shoulder charge. Lana tries to get back up, but is leveled by several clubbing blows from Eoin.

Lana tries to get up again, but Eoin grabs her by the shoulders and delivers a super stiff headbutt that sends her right back to the mat. 

Eoin reaches for Lana again, but she rolls away and gets back to her feet. Eoin goes for a grapple, but Lana palm strikes him in the throat to stun him. She takes a step or two back and then superkicks him to the mat. She steps behind him as he gets back to his feet and nails an inverted exploder suplex! She quickly goes for the pinfall and referee, Ashley Beaton, gets into position to make the count.

….One

……Tw-Eoin kicks out!

Lana stands up and meets the rising Eoin with a backhand across the face that seems to just rile Eoin up. She whips him to the ropes, but a bodyguard reaches into the ring and trips Eoin right into staggering into a DDT! The crowd boo, but as Lana did not see the interference, she just looks out to the audience with a hurt expression.

Ben Price – Maybe if she wants cheered, she shouldn’t have her bodyguards at ringside at all.

Eddie Vega – What if someone else rushes to the ring and attacks her?

Ben Price – Press X to doubt, but I suppose so.

Eddie Vega – Don’t try to be young and hip there.

Lana pulls Eoin up, but he grabs her and whips her into the corner while following close behind. Lana grabs the corner and whips her body between the ropes so that Eoin crashes into the corner. She sees him recover quickly and boots him in the side of the head over the ropes to send him staggering back toward the center of the ring. She pulls herself to the top rope and leaps at Eoin to nail a missile dropkick that sends Eoin backward and over the ropes to the floor. 

Ben Price – Lana really pouring on the pressure. She wants to win this.

Eddie Vega – Anyone would want to win their match. No one goes to the ring in the hopes of losing.

Lana calls for a microphone, which she is handed for some reason. She begins dancing in the middle of the ring like she were at a concert instead of a wrestling match.

Lady Lana Hill – I put my armor on, show you how strong I am

I put my armor on, I’ll show you that I am

The crowd begin to cheer again and naturally, Lana thinks they are cheering for her singing as they normally would. That is until she turns around and Eoin O’Rourke is right behind her and running toward her. He jumps into the air and kicks her in the face, sending her into the ropes with the microphone flying from the ring. As Lana bounces back toward Eoin, he grabs her for an overhead belly to belly suplex! He goes for the pinfall with Ashley Beaton getting into position to make the count.

….one

……two

……..th-Lana kicks out!

Eoin stands up and helps pull Lana to her feet where he hugs Lana tight and then use all of his might to lift her up and chucks her over the ropes in a move called Over da Pond. Eoin rolls out of the ring and grabs Lana, sending her face first into the ringpost! Lana falls to the ground, her hands to her forehead as blood starts pouring from the gouge in it. 

Ben Price – Oh no, Lana’s busted open from that attack.

Eddie Vega – The wanted sign didn’t say what condition to bring Lana down in. Just to bring her down. 

Eoin grabs Lana and rolls her back into the ring, following. He pulls Lana up into a powerbomb position and twists around the ring before dropping her down onto his knees in what he calls Irish Car Bomb. He goes for the pinfall once again.

….one

……two

……three!

Eric Wilson – Winner of the match via pinfall…Eoin O’Rourke! 

Eoin raises his hands in victory, but only for a moment before he’s tased from behind by one of the bodyguards. The other one joins him and they begin kicking and stomping on Eoin to keep him down. 

Ben Price – This is disgusting! The bodyguards were told to not get involved!

Eddie Vega – In the match! The match is over isn’t it?

Elizabeth Devereaux-O’Rourke runs down to the ring, but she does not engage the bodyguards. Instead, she places a foot onto Lana’s throat. 

Apathy – Look here, boys. I think you’re going to back off my husband and exit the ring or else I crush this lil popstar’s throat. 

One of the bodyguards begins to advance with a taser, but Apathy just laughs.

Apathy – Do it. Tase me, but don’t think I won’t step down just before I fall. I can do that, you know. You looking to get an edge in this fight, but lose your paycheck? Do it.

The bodyguards back off and exit the ring, but don’t stray far. Apathy steps off of Lana and helps Eoin up. The bodyguards enter the ring to check on Lana as Apathy and Eoin exit the ring and head to the back. 

Ben Price – That could have gone down so much better.

Eddie Vega – It could have gone much worse too. Like yank our ability to be on the air bad.

Ben Price – This much is true.

Eddie Vega – Yeah. I don’t think the story is over between these two factions. I wonder if we are going to have bodyguards in the ring now?

Ben Price – We had the twins in the ring at least once.

Eddie Vega – True. True. 

The camera cuts to the back where we find Ms. Fortune standing outside the door marked for The Expendables. Valora is leaning in the door frame, while talking. 

Valora Salinas – So, you sure he’s good with this request? 

Ms. Fortune – Yes. He’s got security detail for it. Make sure nothing screwy goes down, and you can keep out of it. 

Valora Salinas – Thanks. I know he probably hates my guts…

Ms. Fortune – Hate is a strong word. But we understand your position here. As long as it doesn’t go really south really quick, or you aren’t going to screw us over. 

Valora Salinas – No, we’re good on this. Thanks. 

Ms. Fortune – You’re welcome, even though it’s not happened yet. Although hopefully it doesn’t actually need to.

Valora Salinas – The odds of that are… 

Ms. Fortune – Oh, I know. I know.

The camera cuts back to the announcers. 

Ben Price – What’s that all about?

Eddie Vega – I don’t know. But looks like Ms. Fortune is doing some wheeling and dealing?

Ben Price – They said he, so they making a deal with for Salazar to do something?

Eddie Vega – Yes, but… what?

Ben Price – I guess we’ll find out later. First, our streaming partners want to pay the CWF for airing commercials.

The Show comes back from commercial and Eric Wilson is in the ring.

Eric Wilson – The following contest is scheduled for one fall! Featuring first the challenger, hailing from San Juan, Puerto Rico…he is Savior Hawkins!

“Healing Pool” by Safest Ledge begins playing as Savior is waiting for the beat to drop(The beat drops at 0:36 on YouTube). As soon as the beat drops, he rushes out of the entrance and gets the crowd pumped up. He is doing a Cody Rhodes open arms “woah” with fireworks and the crowd being loud with him screaming “IT’S SHOWTIME!”(He does this at 1:00). After that, he takes the time to reflect around the arena and takes in the atmosphere for quite a bit and prays (From 1:02-1:20). (From 1:21) After finishing praying, he starts going around the arena to tag everyone to get them to excite for his match and he gets his energy flowing as he gets himself positioned middle of the ringside so he can slide in and do a back flip hero landing (He should be at the middle of the ringside at 1:44). He slides in the ring, does the back flip hero landing and quickly scans the crowd and quickly jumps out of his landing position to jump to the turnbuckle middle rope and do a bow and arrow taunt to the sky and screams “IT’S SHOWTIME!”. He jumps down and gets to his corner to get ready for his match.

Ben Price – He looks energetic.

Eddie Vega – IT’S SHOWTIME!

Ben Price – I think we get that.

Eddie Vega – Just thought I would reinforce that.

Eric Wilson – And his opponent, hailing from parts unknown…he is Mysterion!

The houselights lower and a spotlight falls on the stage, highlighting the entrance from the back. Everything slowly falls silent until an electronically distorted voice sounds over the PA;

“WHO… IS… MYSTERION?!”

“Basket Case” by Offspring kicks off at a deafening volume and strobe lights suddenly start flashing crazily, as though controlled by a kid with ADHD on a sugar rush. Fireworks tear off into the rafters, flooding the empty upper stadium in light. The excitement levels of the crowd grows.. Surely an entrance such as this alludes a someone.. a BIG someone! Suddenly that distorted voice sounds again as it once more asks;

“WHO… IS… MYSTERION?!”

A spray of sparks erupt either side of the stage and a man burst’s through onto the stage, the voice sticks to a loop, repeating the words;

“HE… IS… MYSTERION… HE… IS… MYSTERION… HE… IS… MYSTERION…”

The spotlight refocuses on the animated, excited wrestler to reveal…the Grinch!

Mysterion runs down the ramp, clapping the outreached hands of all the fans excited by this week’s impressive outfit.

Ben Price – A grinch eh? Pretty popular costume.

Eddie Vega – You’re a mean one, Mr. Grinch!

As the bell rings to start the match, Savior Hawkins runs across the ring and locks up with Mysterion, pushing him right back to the ropes. He breaks the hold and whips Mysterion across the ring, catching him with a big boot on the rebound to send him to the mat. 

Now it’s Savior’s turn to run as Mysterion slowly gets up. Savior runs to the ropes and rebounds behind Myterion, yelling “Weee!” as he hits a flying forearm on Mysterion as he turns around to send him back to the mat.

Mysterion tries to get up, but is kicked and stomped on by Savior until he manages to roll away and to his feet.

Ben Price – It looks like the Grinch is getting the boots put to him for stealing Christmas!

Eddie Vega – I thought he reformed?

Ben Price – Maybe this is pre-reformation Grinch?

Eddie Vega – Maybe. 

Savior Hawkins advances upon Mysterion and goes for a roundhouse kick, but Mysterion catches the foot and does a dragon screw leg whip that sends Savior out of the ring under the ropes. Mysterion poses in the middle of the ring for the cheering fans, but doesn’t notice Savior climbing back onto the ring apron. Mysterion notices the movement and turns, but Savior slingshots over the ropes into a Superman punch that totally knocks Mysterion back to the mat. 

Ben Price – Mysterion thought he had the time to showboat. Savior showed him otherwise.

Eddie Vega – Mysterion is all about the show. Why do you think he still works here? 

Ben Price – True. True.

Eddie Vega – I know it ain’t for his winning ways.

Savior jumps up to the top turnbuckle and balances himself there and looks down at Mysterion before leaping off of the ropes and hitting a Corkscrew Shooting Star Press! Now it’s Savior Hawkins’ turn to pose in the ring while he waits for Mysterion to get back to his feet. He kicks the masked wrestler in the gut and gets him up into a suplex position. He just lets Mysterion fall, catching him in a front facelock on the fly to do a catching future shock DDT!

Ben Price – Invictus! That was Savior’s finisher! This one should be all over!

Eddie Vega – Looks like the Grinch was knocked silly with that one!

Savior goes for the cover while referee, Scott Jones, gets into position toi make the count. 

….one

……two

……..three! 

Savior Hawkins jumps to his feet, the referee raising his arm into the air to celebrate.

Eric Wilson – Winner of the match via pinfall…Savior Hawkins!

Mysterion rolls out of the ring and heads to the back while Savior Hawkins celebrates in the ring.

As Savior Hawkins gets ready to head down to the back, a fog begins to come out from the backstage area. As if on a mission, the fog travels down the aisle and surrounds the ring that comes under a sickly crimson light that makes the fog that surrounds the ring as if it were a bloody mist. 

Ben Price – What is this?

Eddie Vega – I don’t rightly know, but it’s spooky whatever it is.

Shapes of people take form in the fog around the ring, giving Savior pause as to which side of the ring to exit from. He looks around the ring with increasing distress as it becomes readily apparent that he is not only outnumbered but these people outside of the ring do not mean to let him pass 

Ben Price – Who are these people outside of the ring?

Eddie Vega – I don’t see anyone. You must be mistaken.

Savior Hawkins starts backing up to the center of the ring as more and more shapes appear in the fog and crowd in on the ring, ghastly hands reaching under the bottom ropes. The lights flicker and DemoniK appears behind Savior Hawkins as he backs up. 

Ben Price – Look out!

Eddie Vega – Too late.

Savior backs up into DemoniK, his eyes go wide at the impact. He spins around as the lights flicker again and DemoniK is gone.

Outside of the ring is empty as well, the lights in the arena going back to normal and the fog fading with not a soul in sight. A voice comes over the PA system, startling Savior. It seems to be a young girl’s voice.

Voice – One, two he’s gonna come for you… 

With everything going back to normal, Savior Hawkins takes the opportunity to head to the back

Ben Price – So, DemoniK has an interest in Savior Hawkins?

Eddie Vega – Would sure seem so. I wouldn’t want to be Savior.

Ben Price – Ain’t that the truth.

Eddie Vega – I know it!

Ben Price – Well lets go get some money again, and when we come back we get Grub Grub against Gabriel Tuck!

Backstage, Grub Grub is at the staging area and waiting for his name to be called to go down to the ring. He hears someone clear their throat behind him and turns around to see Gabriel Tuck standing there. 

Grub Grub – What do you want, human? I’m going to be kicking your butt in a few minutes.

Gabriel Tuck looks down at the floor a moment before back up to Grub Grub’s glare.

Gabriel Tuck – I just wanted to wish you good luck in kicking my ass and that I hope that after the match, no matter what happens, that we can go back to being friends. I’m…sorry for the attack after the tag match. We lost and I was looking for a scapegoat. You were handy.

Grub Grub nods, but then shakes his head.

Grub Grub – You think that you are the first one to betray us? Humans go back on their words or try to attack us, photo us, all of the time. I don’t accept your apology. In fact, I’m going to make it so that you have to eat all of your steaks through a straw. 

Gabriel nods, looking unhappy. He reaches a hand into his pocket. 

Gabriel Tuck – Yeah, I mean that is an option on the table. OR, we could do this.

Gabriel leaps up into the air and clocks Grub Grub in the side of the head with the PIE brass knuckles.

Gabriel Tuck – Or you could have pie to the FACE!

Blood trickles from the corner or Grub Grub’s mouth. He looks unamused.

Grub Grub – Let me tell you what I think of that. 

Grub Grub grabs Gabriel and lifts him up. 

Gabriel Tuck – Oh shit!

The Camera then cuts back to the announcers.

Ben Price – Ladies and gentlemen, I’m told we cut away in case something happens that our broadcast partners would not agree with showing.

Eddie Vega – Yeah, but we’ll show hardcore matches.

Ben Price – But not actual murders.

Eddie Vega – Well if rumors have it, that might be on the list soon.

Ben Price – What?

Eddie Vega – I’ve heard there is an issue outside. Seems some of the local riff raff might be having a bit of an issue in our parking lot.

Ben Price – Why? Okay. I’m told tthey’ve broken the two apart, and we’re going to move on to the match!

Eric Wilson – The following contest is scheduled for one fall! Featuring the challenger, hailing from somewhere out there…he is Grub Grub!

The arena goes dark as Sasquatch by Tenacious D starts to play. Smoke fills the entrance ramp and stage, but instead of Grub Grub we see Gabriel Tuck flying from out of the back. He rolls down the ramp and gets back up to his feet as Grub Grub storms out from the back. He smashes into Gabriel with a shoulder charge, sending Gabriel backflipping away to a heap in the aisle. Grub Grub picks Gabriel up by the arm and drags him down to the ring, tossing him over the ropes and into the center of the ring before stepping over the ropes himself. The bell sounds to start the match.

Ben Price – I’m guessing Gabriel has bit off a bit more than he can chew in this match.

Eddie Vega – Gee. What makes you say that? The way that Gabriel is being sasquatch handled?

Ben Price – Yes.

Eddie Vega – Keep the hard facts coming, Ben.

Gabriel gets to his feet, but is leveled once again with a hard right bigfoot that smashes his nose like an overripe tomato. Gabriel writhes on the mat, blood pouring from his nose. Grub Grub picks him up like a plaything and hurls him at the ropes, hitting a clothesline on the rebound that flips Gabriel over. The new referee, Troy Reynolds, just looks on in awe and tries to stay out of the way.

Ben Price – Does Gabriel even stand a chance in this match?

Eddie Vega – I’m going to go out on a limb and say no. 

Gabriel Tuck gets up and takes a swing at Grub Grub with a brass knuckles fist, but Grub Grub catches him by the forearm instead. He pulls the PIE brass knuckles off of Gabriel’s hand and throws it from the ring. He brings his other fist down onto the top of Gabriel’s head, making the man go cross-eyed before he simply falls onto his face!

Ben Price – Grub Grub is just smashing Gabriel Tuck.

Eddie Vega – That’s what happens when you turn on a friend.

Grub Grub pulls Gabriel up and into a bear hug, squeezing him tight. Gabriel lets out a scream along with all of the air in his lungs. He also spits a spray of blood and spit all over Grub Grub’s chest. Grub Grub just growls. 

Grub Grub – The end of another human. Friendless. Loveless. Traitor. 

Ben Price – Is he intent on crushing Gabriel? 

Eddie Vega – Sure seems like it. 

Grub Grub relents on the pressure some, but doesn’t release the hold.

Grub Grub – You have any last words?

Gabriel works on catching his breath, blood dripping down his face and off of his jaw. 

Gabriel Tuck – You remember my life story? I have friends…

Hehehe and Hahaha roll into the ring and shoulder charge Grub Grub behind the knees to topple the beast over and break the hold. Troy Reynolds starts to signal for the bell, but Gabriel Tuck is up and has him by the striped shirt.

Gabriel Tuck – The twins just having some fun is all. No need to make it stop.

Troy shakes his head, but Gabriel just headbutts him, sending him to the mat hard. The bell is rung to stop the match.

Hehehe and Hahaha each kneel on an arm to pin Grub Grub down and they both start laying into him with PIE brass knuckles, sending blood splattering with each impact. 

Ben Price – This has got to stop!

Eddie Vega – Gabriel just says that they’re having a little fun.

Gabriel walks over to by Grub Grub’s head and cocks his head as he looks down.

Gabriel Tuck – You know Armand didn’t give a fuck when I said we was fighting? He told me to take you down if I had to and that you were a poor strong person’s replacement. I’ll earn quite the reward for turning you in to a zoo to be studied. Goodbye, Grub Grub.

An arm reaches into the ring and grabs Grub Grub by a foot. 

Sticky the Clown!

He pulls Grub Grub from the ring and throws him over a shoulder to take him down the aisle to the back with the twins and Gabriel Tuck right behind them. 

Eric Wilson – Winner of the match via disqualification…Grub Grub!

Ben Price – Where are they taking Grub Grub?

Eddie Vega – Didn’t you hear? Some zoo is going to pay Gabriel. I’m sure the will have him as an exhibit while people study him until he dies and then sell his body to science.

Ben Price – That’s just wrong.

Eddie Vega – Well, he’s out of our hair at least. 

We come back from commercial and we’re backstage.

Hehehe and Hahaha stand outside of the dressing room of Iro Waters. Isaiah Zepp answers the door and looks down at the fat, ghastly clowns with a sneer.

Isaiah Zepp – So it’s Army’s little puppets. We don’t need you around here. You need to leave.

Hehehe – You have someone looking for you.

Hahaha – A Kermit?

Isaiah frowns, looking from one of the twins to the other as they giggle in a horrible sort of way

Isaiah Zepp – Who?

Hehehe – Uhhh-

Hahaha – Kapper Colinneck is here to see you!

Isaiah perks up real quick, even going into a smile

Isaiah Zepp – Colin Kaepernick? 

Hehehe – That’s the one!

Hahaha – He wants to see you!

Isaiah Zepp – Why didn’t you say so? Perhaps here to meet a fellow politically-chastised athlete…  Iro, my lad, I’ll be back!

The twins lead Isaiah away and it isn’t five minutes before Iro Waters is out of the dressing room and heading to the staging area to be called down for his match. A flicker of a flame lights a dark corner as Armand von Krauss lights an Egyptian cigarette. 

Armand von Krauss – Your mentor not here to see you off?

Iro Waters – Some athlete came to see him so it’s just me. Whatever, you know. 

Armand von Krauss – You know you don’t have to go it alone. Eddie Williams is a part of the Bastards. I have no doubt that they will work to help him win his debut match against you. 

Iro Waters – Then, I will have to remain extra vigilant in my match.

Armand von Krauss – You could fight fire with fire, young Iro. My twins could be at your disposal as bodyguards.

Hehehe and Hahaha step up and laugh, it’s a greasy, phlemy sort of ghastly laugh that turns the stomach. 

Hehehe –  We can help you-

Hahaha – Against those Bastards!

Armand von Krauss – They are not the brightest of crayons, but they are loyal to a fault. They would help you become great, you know. I could help you become great. No more defeats. 

Iro Waters looks nervously between Armand and the Twins, wondering if his next words are going to cost him.

Iro Waters – I think that I’ll be alright tonight. I mean I think they will let Eddie try to earn his first win back into the ring instead of trying to help him. If they do try to help, I will be ready! So, respectfully, no thank you. Please don’t kill me!

Armand grins, flicking cigarette ashes onto the floor. He motions for the Twins to leave and they do so. 

Armand von Krauss – It is your choice, of course. I won’t be the one to harm you. I will leave that to the Bastards. Good luck in your match!

Iro Waters – Thanks!

Armand walks away, leaving Iro Waters sighing in relief that this did not turn bloody. Though it did make him wonder where Isaiah Zepp really was.

In a broom closet someplace in the backstage, there is knocking from the inside of the locked door.

Isaiah Zepp – Hello? You in here, Kaep? Olly olly oxen free!… Ah hell.

Ben Price – Wait? I’m not sure I like this. Since when does Von Krauss loan the clowns to anyone?

Eddie Vega – Since Tonight?

The ramp starts to flood with smoke. A figure appears in the entranceway with his arms crossed. A series of fireworks go off along the top of the entrance ramp. The light adjusts back to normal. Eddie Williams starts to walk down the ramp. He is sporting one of the new Bastards t-shirts and points at it when he passes a camera.

Eric Wilson – …introducing at this time; from Cambridge, Essex, England…weighing in at two hundred and fifteen pounds…Eddie Williams!!!

He slowly and methodically makes his way toward the ring, bathing in the reaction of the fans within the arena. Eddie enters the ring standing with his arms raised and fireworks go off from the four turnbuckles. He walks over to the furthest turnbuckle and climbs up to the middle rope. He looks out across the crowd. As his music dies down, he grabs a microphone.

Eddie Williams – This is where I deserve to be. I am Eddie Williams. I should be given more respect from you guys.

Eddie pauses here and looks around at the booing, angry crowd.

Eddie Williams – This is the way it is now. This is reality. My reality. The Bastards own this promotion… deal with it. And tonight I’m going to slap down Iro Waters and he’s never going to get…

But Iro Waters has heard enough. Bursting through the curtains at the top of the entrance ramp, Waters comes running to the ring, the referee running behind him as quickly as he can to keep up with the furious wrestler. Waters hits the ring as Eddie turns around, moving forward and slamming the microphone into the head of Waters. The pop and boom is heard around the arena. Eddie continues to use the microphone stump, now broken and cracked, to slam into Water’s head. A cut opens up above Water’s eye, but with his teeth bared he tosses Eddie back into the ropes and with one strong backhand shoots the remains of the microphone out into the crowd.

Eddie Vega – Wow this one’s kicking off already.

Ben Price – You can say that again.

Waters moves in, grabbing Eddie by the neck and slamming him up against the turnbuckle; But Eddie rakes the eyes and slides out and down, under Water’s legs and up behind him. Eddie quickly locks in a sleeper hold as the crowd begins to boo. Waters grabs the ropes, and the referee warns Eddie to release the hold. But before Eddie can, Waters rams his head backward, catching Eddie in the temple with the head butt and sending the newest member of the Bastards reeling. Waters shoots back with a series of elbows, and then tosses Eddie into the ropes. Eddie ducks the clothesline attempt and returns with an arm bar and works to lock it in. Both wrestlers go down to the mat, and Waters uses his upper body strength to power out of the hold, but Eddie moves quickly up and around and slaps on a cross face submission hold. Using his legs to hold Water’s arms away from the ropes, the referee leans down to ask Waters if he will submit.

Ben Price – Ask him ref!

Waters spits and leans into Eddie’s hold and then rolls up and over it to break the hold. Waters climbs to his feet faster than Eddie, and brings a big boot down into Eddie’s skull. Eddie bounces on the mat, coughing blood as Waters pushes the referee to one side and continues stomping down on his opponent’s head. Bringing Eddie up with one large hand, Waters pops Eddie in the head and locks in a double arm bar. Eddie screams and twists to break free, but Waters has the submission hold tightly locked and Eddie finds himself unable to break free. Shaking his head to clear it, Eddie pops out his shoulder and twists, bringing up the boot and nails Waters over the eye with one stiff kick. Waters let’s go of the hold and stumbles backward as Eddie snaps his loose arm back into joint. Moving forward quickly, Eddie hits a running lariat that forces Waters out of the ring and down to the concrete floor below.

Ben Price – Did he just separate his own shoulder?

Eddie Vega – I think so.

Eddie flips himself over the top rope in a flying splash, but is caught by Waters on the outside and rammed, back first, into the steel turnbuckle. Eddie screams in pain and collapses on the ground. Waters grabs a chair from ringside, but the referee is out, warning him, threatening the disqualification. Grumbling, Waters tosses the chair aside and it clatters to the floor. Waters picks up Eddie and launches him back into the ring over the top rope, then slowly climbs in after him. Eddie holds his arm, still in pain over popping it out of joint and then being rammed into the steel. Waters, seeing the weakness, grabs the injured arm and snaps it into a clothesline that takes Eddie onto the mat. On his back Eddie kicks up with hard boots, but Waters struggles to avoid them and drives a knee into Eddie’s injured arm.

Ben Price – Ouch he’s going to destroy that arm.

Waters rolls to one side, but not fast enough to avoid another wild kick from Eddie that catches him in the nose and causes him to stumble back into the ropes. Waters is dazed, and Eddie, his arm still limp and loose, moves in and hooks in a jujigatame. Waters screams in pain, but is able to quickly hook the ropes and shove Eddie off. Eddie, gasping for breath, can see himself running out of time.

Eddie Vega – I can’t believe Eddie’s being overpowered, Ben?

Ben Price – True but it is his own fault.

Waters comes off the ropes and grabs Eddie into a full nelson hold. Working to bring it into a dragon suplex, Eddie hooks the leg and moves down, blocking the hold. Undaunted, Waters and Eddie meet in a reverse Greco-Roman lock up, but Eddie is able to slip away and slam Waters with another of his stiff kicks to the side of the head. Eddie, frantic now, uses heavy chops with his strong arm to work away at the back, shoulders, neck and finally chest of Waters. Eddie moves closer and attempts to slap on a double chicken wing hold, leaping onto Water’s back for more leverage. But Waters falls backward, slamming back onto the mat and crushing Eddie beneath him. But Eddie does not let go of the hold, and both men roll toward the ropes, through them, and crashes down onto the floor.

Ben Price – Oh this is interesting.

But on the concrete, Eddie keeps the double chicken wing hold locked in, holding on for dear life on the outside. On the cold floor, Waters struggles to his feet, desperate to get free from the hold and his back twitching in agony. Suddenly, at the top of the ramp way appears Frank Windsor. The crowd cheer their approval, and the sudden noise surprises Eddie into loosening the hold just enough for Waters to flip him up and over… Eddie’s back slamming into the ring apron. Eddie clutches his back with his good arm, and Waters scoops him up and rolls him back into the ring. On the mat, Waters brutally stomps down, still favouring the back that is aching from the submission hold. Measuring Eddie, Waters hits the rolling elbow and quickly scoops up Eddie and tosses him into the dragon suplex. The move hits solidly, and the referee goes down for the count.

… One

…… Two

But Eddie shoots up an elbow, the ring veteran not to be put away so easily.

Ben Price – What does Frank want out here?

Eddie Vega – I don’t care, just watch the match.

Waters stays on the offense as Eddie favors the arm. Picking him up, Waters shoots Eddie into the air, clutches the neck, and brings Eddie down with a sitting side bomb. Eddie now lies still on the mat. Waters walks to the turnbuckle and raises one arm to the cheering crowd. Nodding with approval, he climbs to the top rope and slaps the forearm. He measures Eddie, and then prepares to leap off the turnbuckle with the flying elbow.

Eddie Vega – Now this is going to be good.

From behind him Frank jumps onto the ring apron just as he was preparing to leap off at Eddie. The referee approaches Frank. Eddie kips up and charges at Waters straight up to the turnbuckle and leaps up catching Waters in a top rope hurricanrana. Waters lands hard on the mat with Eddie next to him. Eddie turns, tapping his forehead with one finger and laughing at Waters.

Eddie Vega – Eddie has a plan.

Inside the ring Eddie slowly drapes an arm over Waters, and the referee drops for the count.

… One

…… Two

But Waters shoves upward, and Eddie looks in disbelief at Waters. He wouldn’t be put away… and so Eddie climbs slowly to his feet, wincing at the swollen and pained arm, and raises Waters to his feet. Eddie kicks Waters in the stomach, and then goes for a DDT. But the damage done to his arm is too great. Eddie can’t lift the arm in, can’t hook Waters, and before he can attempt a counter move Waters has grabbed him by the neck. Eddie coughs as he is raised up, and a brutal choke slam follows.

Ben Price – Oh that’s got to hurt.

The referee kneels for the count as Frank dove for the ring.

… One

……Two

Eddie barely manages to get an arm up. The referee tries to push Frank out of the ring but not before Frank slides a chair into the ring.

Eddie Vega – Its good to see Waters on form?

Ben Price – Yeah, yeah……but he does seem a bit frustrated.

Waters climbs the turnbuckle, and prepares for the second time in his match to execute a top rope move on Eddie. The fans in attendance cheer as Waters launches off towards Eddie. He flies through the air, making his way to Eddie. Eddie picks up the chair, and smiles, before blasting Waters in the back of the head with it, making him fall in mid-air to the mat. Eddie gets up, and lifts up Waters as the fans in attendance boo the hell out of Eddie. He smiles and picks up the bloodied Waters, signaling to the crowd for the end he attempts the move formerly known as the Fall of Havok but Waters reverses it into a big time ddt for a pin.

… One

…… Two

……….Eddie grabs the tights and rolls Waters up.

… One

…… Two

……………..Kick out!!!!

Eddie Vega – Wow what a move!!! What a reverse!!!! What a reverse of a reverse.

Ben Price – We agree again!!!

Angrily Eddie, kicks Waters in the gut, and delivers a devastating Orange Crush bomb onto the chair, and lifts him up again. He waves his finger towards the booing fans and repeats the move. The referee tries to turn but Frank grabs him, pulling him back towards the ropes. Eddie grabs Waters and locks the chair onto his leg and smiles. He goes up top and leg drops the chair. He throws the chair out of the ring and looks out at the fans and shrugs. He dives down for the pin as Frank jumps off of the apron. The referee sees Eddie pinning Waters.

… One

…… Two

……… Three!

Eddie Vega – Eddie’s done it but at what cost?

Ben Price – Security……..Security………Get someone out here; its bedlam out here.

The camera cuts backstage and we see Kronin and Kara are backstage, talking to each other in German when a number of men walk in, looking around.  The twins look up from their conversation and then look to each other, almost as if communicating without speaking.  Kara walks to a nearby food vendor.  

Kara Reindhardt – Lemme try a hot dog. 

She says before leaning in and saying quietly.  

Kara Reinhardt – And a lot of jalapenos. 

 The vendor is surprised when he gives her two small cups of the requested peppers and Kara takes cup one, crushing them and rubbing the juice onto her hands and pulls cup 2 close to her preparing herself.

For his part, Kronin casually walks over and takes an issue of CWF magazine, casually flipping through it.

One of the thugs comes up to Kara and grabs her ass.  

Thug – Sexy.  How’d you like to spend time with a real man?

 Kara turns and grins at the man.  

Kara Reinhardt – If you see one, let me know.  

He points to his gun and one of his partners draws a gun and shoots at  a nearby CWF merchandise vendor. 

Kara quickly jabs him in the eyes.  The man grunts in surprise then cries out as the jalapeno juice takes effect.  Kara adds the peppers from cup 2 to this and slams him face first into the vendor’s desk and draws his gun as the other possible cartel thugs begin their attack, Kara fires the gun 2 times appears to possibly hit two people.

Ben Price – What the hell? 

Eddie Vega – I told you, we got some ruffians in the house!

Kronin rolls the magazine up and cracks the other one in the back of the head and throws him face first into a Samsung stand.  

More thugs come in firing and both twins dive for cover.  Whomever the cameraman is, dives right behind him as things get shaky for a bit. 

Kara comes up and fires, taking down 2 more thugs.  She waves some of the civilians and innocents over by her, encouraging them to take cover.  Kronin, for his part, focuses on evacuating some of the innocents near him and holding his position until CWF security arrives. 

The security team are led by Yukio Kushinga-McClancy, as well as a male who looks a lot like her.  

As the CWF Security get there, and take up position, Kronin ushers the innocents with him towards the security guards, dodging a thug swinging a machete, grabbing the man and bringing him to the ground with a German suplex, making sure to bring the thug down more on his head and neck than usual.  He then sprints for the security line and exits the battle.

Kara moves her innocents from cover to cover getting them to safety as well and immediately handing the gun she had acquired from the thug to Yukio, who takes it and orders Kara to withdraw, which she does.

Ben Price – my god!  It’s a warzone here at… oh shit.

Eddie Vega – Walked right into that one Benny boy.  Still I gotta say.. That German chick was kinda hot.  Good shot too.

Ben Price – You’re not more concerned with armed thugs trying to kill us!?

Eddie Vega – It’s Mexico.. How bad must the crime be that they gave someone like Valora a badge?

Ben Price – Are we actually going to the next match? We should be evacuating?

Eddie Vega – I’m being told that our security team has escorted the ruffians from the building with extreme prejudice.

Ben Price – Guess we’re ready for the next match then, as long as everything is under control.

The first thirty seconds of the “Raining Blood” by Slayer play over the PA system as the arena lights alternate from complete darkness to red, Steve Murdock stands at the entrance ramp, a barbed wire wrapped kendo stick in hand. He raises the stick as the guitar riff begins and makes his way down to the ramp and into the ring.

Eric Wilson – Hailing from Dallas, Texas in the United States of America. He comes in at 6’ 5” and 220 lbs. This is the “Hardcore Icon” Steve Murdock!

Ben Price – The Hardcore Icon is ready for tonight. 

Eddie Vega – Just tell that guy that this is a bar or something. 

Ben Price – really?

Eddie Vega – You think he doesn’t go to bars just to get into bar fights? Look at him.

Eric Wilson – And his opponent: 

The sound of a vintage picture reel began to click and pop, the screen illuminating up counting down like a picture show. The pops, scratches, nicks and debris covered the screen, the numbers counting down, 5…4….3….2….1….as the reel continued, the faint familiar sound of a text message being composed. The tell tale sound of clicks followed by the sound of a message received. The demonic, distorted voice of SKYND creeps through “You’re gonna have to prove me wrong”. On the screen, a barrage of action shots, in still form from Apathy’s career, centered and fixated, like an old film would. As the arena went down, red and white lights bathing the fans in a sea of color, Elizabeth rises from beneath the stage, head lowered, arms outstretched. A mixed chorus of boos, jeers and cheers pelted at her. She gradually raises her head, soaking in the animosity and fervent support. Inhaling it like a drug

Eric Wilson – Hailing from lsace-Lorraine, France. She comes in at 5’ 8” and 220 lbs…

##I love you, now die

I love you, now die

I love you, now die

I love you, now##

As the heavy bass kicks in and the words of the chorus reverberate through the arena, she snaps her head up, a cocky self-assured smirk creeping across her lips as she saunters her way to the ring casually engaging towards the fans either encouraging more of their venomous verbal harassment or acknowledging the respect and adoration from her legions and devotees, basking in the glow

Eric Wilson – She is Elizabeth Devereaux-O’Rourke, also known as APATHY!

##Go, in your truck and drive in a parking lot

Do it early, do it now

Do it early, do it now

Go, just park and sit there in your car

It will take twenty minutes

It will take twenty minutes##

##Go, in your truck and drive in a parking lot

Do it early, do it now

Do it early, do it now

Go, just park and sit there in your car

It will take twenty minutes

It will take twenty minutes##

As the perverse and twisted sound of SKYND’s auto tuned verbal melody pulsates through the speakers, Elizabeth stops at the base of the walkway, grinning from ear to ear as she playfully mouths the words, “It will take 20 minutes”, holding up two fingers and flashing them forwards and backwards as she says “20 minutes”, then rushes the apron, hopping up and catapulting herself over the top rope, rolling through to the far side of the ring and climbing the turnbuckle and extending her arms, bowing aristocratically and smugly as her coup de grace.

Ben Price – Tale of the tape here: Both of these competitors are about the same size weight wise. But Murdock has an easy 9 inches on Apathy. 

Eddie Vega – That’s what she said?

Ben Price – What? You sicko… I mean in height. 

Eddie Vega – I’m about to astound you…

Ben Price – Go ahead, try.

Eddie Vega – that means that Murdock is actually not going to have as easy of a time tossing Apathy around. Women have a lower center of gravity naturally. With them being near the same size, just a difference in height, and her being shorter. He’ll have to try harder to get her up and about. 

Ben Price – So you’re saying he’s not Kronin Rienhardt. 

Eddie Vega – The guy is 6’ 5” and 220 lbs. He needs to eat some Birria Tacos or something and get a few more pounds on him. He’s skinny, man. 

Erir Wilson – Your referee for this match, Erica Costa- Alvarez!

Costa-Alvarez signals for the bell to ring to start the match. As soon as she does, Steve Murdock is on the move across the ring towards his opponent.

DING!DING!

Upon hearing the bell, Murdock drops the kendo stick, letting it roll out of the ring. Apathy turns just as he’s getting there, moving her to the corner with a running forearm to her chest. He delivers a few more forearms before pulling her out of the corner and whipping her to one side. 

Ben Price – Steve Murdock is taking the fight to Apathy tonight. 

Eddie Vega – He’s after a win here tonight. 

Apathy bounces off the ropes, and Murdock gets right there to catch her as she comes off, lift her up and then delivers a spinebuster into the middle of the ring. He goes for a quick pin. 

… One

…… Two

Apathy pushes Murdock off with a little authority added to it. 

Ben Price – Not yet. Apathy isn’t out just yet. 

Eddie Vega – But, not sure she was ready for The Hardcore Icon to just start the fight like that this Warzone.

Ben Price – He’s been hungry for some wins, and probably wants to get back to where he can get another challenge in for the Valor Championship here some day.

As both recover, Murdock whips Apathy to the ropes, and catches her as they come off with a running lariat that bounces her to the side ropes, not knocking her down. Apathy recovers pretty quick, and as she comes off, floats around him, and grabs him into a waist lock from behind, lifts and drops Murdock back into a German Suplex. She rolls with it, and tries to bring him up again for another one. 

Then she goes for a third, and final one before she lets him go. 

Ben Price – And The Butterfly Effect from Apathy lets her get in 3 German suplexes on the Hardcore Icon. 

Apathy goes for a pinfall. 

… One

… Nope, Murdock gets a shoulder up. 

Ben Price – A quick shoulder up by The Hardcore Icon. 

Apathy grabs Murdock’s hair as she pulls him up. Once she has him there, she pulls his head in between her legs, then double underhooks his arms. She lifts, and drops him down across her knee in a backbreaker. 

She’s quick to get back on it, and pulls him up again, trying to capitalize, and goes for a back suplex. She bridges the landing, and goes for another pinfall.

… One

…… Two

Murdock manages to break the bridge and roll out of the hold and out of the ring. 

Eddie Vega – Steve Murdock going for a walk here. Breaking Apathy’s momentum. 

Ben Price – Think he’s looking for his Kendo stick?

Eddie Vega – This isn’t a hardcore match, but I’d not put it past him. 

Apathy rolls outside right behind him. She reaches out to grab Murdock, but he looks to have been expecting it, and she turns, grabs her and whips her hard into the ring steps nearby. The ring steps  blow apart in a huge ruckus as Apathy tumbles over them. 

Erica Costa-Alvarez starts to warn them to get back into the ring. 

Murdock rushes into where Apathy had rolled over the ring steps. He kicks her in the midsection, and grabs her into a double underhook when she bends over. He drops her down onto the top part of the ring step with a DDT. Apathy pops out of that impact, rolling to the side, while Murdock looks like he really hurt his own back doing that. 

Ben Price – And the Hardcore Icon gives Apathy a Cactus Drop onto the busted up ringsteps outside!

Eddie Vega – Someone is going to need some good pain meds after this for that headache.

Costa-Alvarez starts her 10 count while they’re outside. 

1…

Apathy starts to get to her feet. The camera picks up the blood coming from her forehead from being DDT’d onto the ring steps. 

Ben Price – And we have blood! Apathy was busted open hardway on that ring step!

2…

Murdock starts to get up, and he’s got an obvious cut on his back as well. 

Eddie Vega – Well she’s not the only one. Murdock ripped some flesh on his back as well.

3… 

Murdock moves in and whips Apathy into the hard side of the ring. She comes off with a forearm that hits him right across both collar bones, and might have caught his throat as well. 

Ben Price – Apathy fighting back!

4… 

Apathy whips Murdock into the railing at ringside. She follows in with a running Kick that hits Murdock in the face and drops him over the guard rail, Apathy ends up softly stradling the railing. 

Ben Price – And it’s a Guillitine’s Kiss!

5… 

Apathy starts to move back towards the ring after getting her leg back over the railing. 

6… 

Murdock comes up right behind her, and hops back over the guard rail. When the crowd reacts, Apathy turns around to try to catch him. Murdock turns it into a Rolling Elbow that knocks her back. 

7… 

Murdock scoops Apathy up and drops her into a snake eyes on the ring apron. She doesn’t fall down, but staggers back, holding her already busted open forehead. 

Ben Price – More of a headache for Apathy, looks like she left her mark on that spot on the apron as well.

8… 

Murdock grabs the 2nd rope and climbs up onto the apron and rolls in. Costa-Alvarez signals that he’d made it in. 

Ben Price – Murdock is back into the ring!

Before she can give Apathy a 9th count, Murdock rolls back outside the ring getting another warning from the Referee. 

Eddie Vega – But he’s not done. He only broke the count.

Murdock goes to try to lift Apathy back onto the ring apron, but she hits him with a back elbow to block. She then turns, grabs him, and takes him over onto the ring steps with an overhead belly to belly suplex!

Ben Price – She might have just broke Steve Murdock!

Eddie Vega – You know that one hurt. 

Apathy climbs back into the ring, and gets into position to wait for Murdock to come back in, while getting a much needed breather. 

Murdock rolls to his knees, holding his back as he does. 

Costa-Alvarez looks to not be ready to start another count, and she just warns Apathy to not block him from getting back into the ring. 

Ben Price – What’s the referee doing? Count him out?

Eddie Vega – She’s already counted enough. She’s telling him to get back up into the ring. Let her decide. 

Murdock gets up to his feet, and walks around to the next corner to walk up the ring steps. The whole time he keeps his eyes on his opponent. 

Ben Price – Not taking any chances there. 

Eddie Vega – Don’t blame him. Really, you can’t. 

Murdock steps up and climbs between the ropes. He’s met by Apathy who pounces as soon as his body starts to enter the ring. She comes up grabs him, pulls him in so his feet are still hanging on the ropes, and then hits him with a lung blower. 

Ben Price – Apathy showing she’s in control right now. 

Apathy doesn’t go for the pin, and instead pulls him up. She whips Murdock to the ropes and she heads for the other side. She tries to pick up some steam and go for a huge kick to Murdock’s face, but he suddenly stops, and slips down. He catches her leg up, and grabs her to then take her over into a huge capture suplex. 

Ben Price – Red Hook Suplex from the Hardcore Icon. 

Eddie Vega – Maybe Apathy wasn’t in as much control as she thought.

Murdock tries for a pin. 

… One

…… Two

Apathy kicks out!

Ben Price – Murdock almost had it there. 

Eddie Vega – Not sure you could say almost, she had an easy extra second left.

Murdock lets Apathy get to her feet, where he then grabs her to trap her arms and hits her with a headbutt right to where she was already busted open. 

Ben Price – And again he gets her in the forehead. 

Eddie Vega – He’s like a shark, he sees blood and wants to get more. 

Murdock goes for another headbut, but this time Apathy side steps and pulls his head into  lifted knee. She then hooks him into a front face lock, with the arm draped for a suplex. 

Apathy tries to lift Murdock up for a suplex, but he blocks it. She delivers a couple of knee lifts to him, and tries again, but he still blocks it. 

Ben Price – We’ve seen Apathy use this suplex to the corner turnbuckles before. It’ll soften Murdock up, for sure. 

She tries to lift it one more time, but this time it’s Murdock who delivers a punch to her midsection. He then lifts her up, but only partially. He steps forward and sits her down onto the top turnbuckle. As he breaks away from her, he shoots a couple of forearms to her face, then turns those into elbows right to the middle of her forehead. 

Ben Price – What is Murdock setting up for here?

While Apathy appears to be out of it, Murdock climbs up so that his feet are on the second rope. He pulls her up and tries to load her up onto his shoulders. Just as he almost gets her up into a fireman’s carry, she comes to and starts to elbow him to the side of his head. 

Eddie Vega – Still some fight in her!

She manages to get off his shoulders, but Murdock holds on. He again headbutts her again, followed by another one that he grabs the back of her head and pulls her into. Apathy appears staggered and out of it, her face covered in blood after that. 

Ben Price – The Hardcore Icon has given someone a crimson mask tonight. And this isn’t even a hardcore match up!

Eddie Vega – He always wants that to happen. So do his fans. 

Murdock pulls Apathy again, forcing her up onto his shoulders into the fireman’s carry. He doesn’t waste time, hooking her head into position with his arm, and just drops off the turnbuckles in an Avalanche style death valley driver. 

Ben Price – Broken Dream Driver!

Murdock holds his back, also a bit bloody from earlier as he moves to cover Apathy and get a pin. 

… One

……Two

……….Three!

Ben Price – Stever Murdock puts Apathy away tonight!

Eric Wilson – The winner of this match, via pinfall.. “The Hardcore Icon” Steve Murdock!

Ben Price – And again, we have to cut to a commercial. We’ll be right back, and hopefully no more gunmen in the building.

And we come back from commercial with the camera on the announcers table.

Ben Price – Welcome back, ladies and gentlemen. Warzone continues tonight as we’re now going to get ready for a debut match for the first of two Reinhardt’s on tonight’s show.

Suddenly Godsmack’s “Straight Out of Line” starts to play over the arena’s PA system.

Eddie Vega – Looks like we’re about to get interrupted by the commissioner first. 

And that’s what is happening. As Blaise McClancy strolls out to the crowd’s cheers. He shakes or high fives various people along the ramp way.

Ben Price – I’ve heard rumors that we were going to have something of an announcement coming up tonight. 

Eddie Vega – I’ve heard that as well, guess we’re about to find out. 

Blaise doesn’t go around the ring, but instead heads right for a set of ringsteps and heads up into the ring. Eric Wilson of course is waiting there as he thought he was ready to start the next match. 

Blaise walks over and asks him for the microphone, having not brought one of his own. Wilson hands it over, and the CWF Commissioner takes a spot looking up at the stage area and the big arena

Blaise McClancy – Well, what a year it has been for the CWF, and I’ve not even been here a year yet. You know that usually I get to deliver good news out here, and well… that’s not changing tonight. I’m coming to you to tell you about  changes to the CWF and how we’ll be doing the shows from here on out, starting during the next couple of weeks as we head into the next Warzone, as well as eventually Urban Warfare as we go back to Mexico City, Mexico… into a bigger arena this time. 

Ben Price – Changes to the show?

Blaise McClancy – We’ll be working with our streaming partners, but before the next warzone, we will be doing a NEW Show… 

He points with a finger and up on the screen the logo for CWF Presents: Vanguard comes up onto the screen. 

Eddie Vega – Vanguard?

Blaise McClancy – Why Vanguard? Well the Vanguard is the first forces into a combat zone. Vanguard is going to target building up talent and giving them time to shine outside of The Warzone.

Ben Price – So…

Eddie Vega – So a developmental show. 

Blaise McClancy – Now Vanguard will not be JUST wrestling. We’ve hired 4 new people to make this show something else. It’ll have interviews, behind the scenes looks, and a handful of wrestling matches in between everything else.

Ben Price – A new show? I wasn’t told we’d be doing a new show?

Eddie Vega – I’m not sure we’re doing the new show.

Blaise McClancy – Now, we have 4 main stars that will be taking Vanguard to a level the CWF hasn’t seen before. To start it off, the General Manager of Vanguard will be Ms. Jan Coughlin.

On the Screen a shot of Jane Coughlin comes up under the Vanguard Logo.

Blasie McClancy – And we will have 3 main interviewees, of which all of them may have some double duty on Warzone. First we have our first line interviewers with Vanguard: Joseph Greer and James Collins.

Both men come up on the screen off to the right of Jane Coughlin, leaving one space between her and them. 

Blasie McClancy – Most of the guys and gals in the back are familiar with Mr. Greer. And I’m familiar with the work of Mr. Collins. Top notch guys, both of them. Mr. James Collins is also taking over a role as our Online Media and News Liason.

Eddie Vega – Hey, isn’t James Collins the guy in that video with Ravenna Jaeger?

Ben Price – Yes, they have made it public.

Eddie Vega – Why hire him?

Ben Price – Because he’s been reporting on Wrestling News for about 20 years now? And he’s actually got some integrity.

Blaise  McClancy – But, you’ll notice there is a spot still up there. We can’t NOT include Ms. Alyssa Lucchi on anything dealing with interviews or the likes. And while Ms. Coughlin is the General Manager of the Vanguard production, Ms. Lucchi is now being promoted to Director of CWF Media and News, working with Mr. Greer, Mr. Collins, as well as Adrian Styes, Joey LaDude and Tommy Onions, making sure the CWF on top of it’s online presence, and making sure we don’t have any issues with muck rakers and that out there in the internet world. 

Ben Price – Allyssa Lucci getting recognition here in the CWF. 

Eddie Vega – Well, we’ll see how this goes, but who is going to be doing the play by play on Vanguard?

Ben Price – Guess we’ll have to wait and see. 

Blaise McClancy – Which also leads us to one more bit of news, that is kinda new.

He pulls a piece of paper out of his pocket.

Blaise McClancy – So, need to make sure I get these right here. Now we all remember when the LWA was a thing… in fact, other than one… their Champions were all ever from the CWF. 

Blaise looks around at that, getting a good reaction from the crowd. 

Blaise McClancy – But the LWA is no more, and their title is up on someone’s wall now. But, the CWF is entering into a relationship and affiliate status with Ik0n Wrestling which includes Asylum Underground Wrestling, Women’s Extreme Wrestling, KORE, Tri-State Wrestling and Hardcore Championship Wrestling.

Eddie Vega – That’s a lot of implied hardcore, extreme and bloody wrestling

Ben Price – Well we have people like Steve Murdock and Valora Salinas, we can out hardcore HCW or the Asylum. 

Eddie Vega – Oh, you can say that again… but don’t. 

Blaise McClancy – So, be on the lookout. I’m going to go ahead and give an open invitation to anyone holding an Ik0n talent to maybe join us for Urban Warfare to maybe let us see what they’ve got?

Ben Price – And Mr. McClancy tosses down the gauntlet.

Blaise McClancy – Then again, maybe I’ll need to see if anyone in teh back wants to go pay some other feds a visit?We’ll see. 

Eddie Vega – Can we just send them Tommy Onions and be done with it? 

Ben Price – Might have to agree with that one. 

Blaise McClancy – So to recap: Be on the look out for CWF Presents: Vanguard on any of our streaming partners… and we’re not affiliated with Ik0n wrestling and its Various Federations. So How about we get to the rest of the show? 

Blaise hands Eric Wilso his microphone back and leaves as his theme plays again.

Eric Wilson – Ladies and gentlemen, the next match is set for one fall!  Introducing first.  She hails from Dresden, Germany.  Standing 5 feet, 11 inches tall and weighing in at 165lbs.  KARA REINHARDT!!!”

The lights dim and ‘Ich Will’ by Rammstein plays over the PA as Kara makes her way out from the backstage area, pausing at the top of the entryway as she looks down at the ring.  She makes her way to the ring with a slow, methodical pace and climbs into the ring, climbing between the ropes and making her way to her corner where she holds up a hand and then begins warming up, throwing a few warm up punches in her corner.

Ben Price – It’s the debut match for Kara Reinhardt.  I’ve heard rumors that she has some experience in MMA but we’ll see if she can translate that training to in ring action.

Eddie Vega – I wanna know what she did before this.  She’s starting her career at an age where most fighters are thinking about retirement.

Eric Wilson – And introducing her opponent, hailing from the Open Road, he stands 6 feet tall and weighs in at 195lbs.  He is the Outsider, LEX COLLINS!!!”

The lights dim, and “One Finger And A Fist” by Drowning Pool erupts at ear-splitting volume over the arena sound system, getting an ear-splitting huge pop from the female fans in attendance. Lex Collins bursts through the curtain and sprints towards the ring. Midway there, Lex stops and shrugs out of his hoodie, tossing it into the crowd. He pauses for a few selfies with fans before hopping up on the apron and wiping his feet. Grinning at the crowd, he presses his right fist over his heart to a pretty loud but decidedly mixed reaction before turning and springing over the rope. 

Ben Price – And Lex Collins enters the ring, last show he fought and lost a close match to Kronin Reinhardt and now finds himself taking on his twin sister.

Eddie Vega – You know, this match is unfair for Lex.  Not only did he fight this woman’s brother last show which means he was able to give her scouting info, but no one has seen this chick fight before.

Eric Wilson climbs out of the ring and the time keeper rings the bell.  Kara comes out and takes a martial arts stance.  Lex smirks and counters with the crane kick pose from Karate Kid but Kara simply stares at her opponent unimpressed.  Finally Lex comes out of the pose and charges forward throwing a punch which Kara bats away.  He throws another punch which Kara also bats away.  He throws a third punch to have that punch also batted away.  Lex throws a fast three punch combination that Kara also expertly defends, but this time her left hand fires effortlessly through to Lex and slaps him. The blow does little physical damage, but clearly irritates the man who throws another flurry of punches which is again defended by Kara.

Eddie Vega – The fuck!  Is this chick toying with Lex, which I could get behind, or does she not know how this shit works?!

Ben Price – Umm Eddie, you wanted to know what Kara did before becoming a wrestler.. I think she’s German military.  German special forces, to be more specific.

Eddie Vega – Whatcha talkin’ bout Benny boy?

Ben Price – She’s using Wing Chun, a style of wushu, or kung fu as those of us in the West call it.  The martial art style is a favorite of a lot of European military special forces, including the German KSK or ‘Special Commandos’

Lex Collins looks over at Kara, who smirks a bit and waves for Lex to attack.  He gladly obliges her charging in and tries for a clothesline but Kara drops down to a split legged position and rolls through, coming up to her feet as she turns to face Lex Collins who charges he tries to kick but Kara blocks the kick and then moves from the block to a kick right away hitting Lex on the knee.  This creates an opening and Kara steps in and her fists fire in rapid fire fashion as piston like punches pound Lex from his stomach up to the top of his torso, every punch seemingly hitting a critical point on the torso and/or hammering his ribs,  Lex takes the hits and grabs Kara by her collar and tries for a head butt but Kara leans back to try and dodge and she does, but Lex Collins maintains his grip on her and pulls her back and hurls her towards the ropes.  Kara hits the ropes and rebounds off, hitting the spear and knocking Lex Collins down, moving into a mounted position and hammering Lex with more ground and pound shots.

Ben Price – Kara showcasing her MMA skills there and damn, the fact that Lex Collins can still breathe after that is impressive.

Eddie Vega – Yeah she can throw punches, very impressive.  We’ll see if she can beat an experienced wrestler.

Kara continues hammering Lex with ground and pound style punches, Lex finally counters by hooking one of her arms and trying for an armbar.  Kara immediately rolls towards Lex, trying to ease pressure on her elbow.  Lex counters this by trying to lock in a triangle choke and Kara counters by eventually slipping out of the hold, both fighters getting to their feet and Lex doesn’t give Kara a chance to get into her martial arts stance and grabs her in a collar and elbow tie up as the two vye for advantage over each other.  The two exchange knee strikes to the gut and then finally Lex breaks the hold and hits a stiff elbow strike that catches Kara flush and does the job, breaking the grapple as Kara shakes her head to clear the cobwebs.  Lex tries to lock in a full nelson, but Kara drops to a knee and leans forward, flipping him over and immediately locking in a sleeper hold.  Lex puts a foot on the ropes and Leroy Wallace comes over and calls for the break.  Unlike her brother, Kara keeps the hold locked in until a 4 count and breaks the hold, backing off.

Ben Price – Well that’s interesting.  Kara decided to press her advantage there and milk the count a bit.

Eddie Vega – I wanna like her but there’s just something about this girl..

Lex Collins untangles himself from the ropes and looks over at Kara who has retaken her martial arts stance again.  He charges in and tries a clothesline but Kara surprises him by lifting him up and hitting an atomic drop.  She measures Lex and nails him with a European uppercut.  He fires a punch of his own, but Kara catches it and brings Lex over with a military style hip toss and transitions right into an armbar.  Lex rolls towards Kara to ease pressure on his elbow and the continue to struggle until Kara gives up the armbar attempt, both fighters race to their feet but Kara hits Lex with a DDT, moving into the cover

… One

…… Tw-Lex kicks out!

Ben Price – Kara is looking solid in her debut so far, but I don’t envy the headache Lex will have after that DDT

Eddie Vega – No doubt Benny boy, that one is definitely in the ‘getting your bell rung’ category.

Kara gets up and lets out a sigh.  She moves to pull Lex Collins up but he counters into a small package.

… One

…… Tw-Kara counters into a roll up of her own!

… One

…… Tw-Lex reveres into a roll-up!

… One

…… Two

……… The- Kara kicks out!

Both wrestlers get to their feet as the crowd cheers and nod at each other

Ben Price – Well we can certainly say that in addition to her own training, Kara certainly has been taking lessons from her brother on mat wrestling!  She’s a very well rounded target!

Eddie Vega – Yeah but can she keep it up.  This isn’t an MMA fight where you’re fighting for maybe a few seconds.  She’s been fighting for a while, likely longer than she’s used to.

Lex comes in and fires off a flurry of punches which Kara counters again, Kara gets a few shots into the rib cage area of Lex.  She follows this up with an attempt at a Tornado kick, but Lex catches the leg and hits an exploder suplex on Kara.  Pulling Kara to her feet, he sends her into the ropes  Kara rebounds off the ropes and  charges and tries for a clothesline but Lex counters, picking her up and bringing her down for a side slam except he turns it into a backbreaker at the last second.

Ben Price – Lex coming back.  Kara tried to go for a fight ending move and it definitely did not pay off for her.

Eddie Vega – No it did not, Benny boy.  We can’t forget, Lex is a vet.  He knows his opponent is going to make a mistake, he just needs to take advantage

Lex Collins pulls Kara to her feet and leads her over to the corner where he slams her face first into the top turnbuckle a couple times.  He tries for a third time but Kara slips the attempt, reversing and putting Collins in the corner.  Kara wastes no time and, tucking her elbows in behind each strike, her fists once again slam into the center of his chest, hammering him again and again.  Some blood starting to show around his mouth as Kara finishes the series off with a vicious European Uppercut.  Lex slumps down into a sitting position as Kara turns and plays to the crowd as she tries to catch her breath and plan her next move

Ben Price – Blitzkrieg Bop.  And yes, fans both the Ramones and Rob Zombie have put out songs with that name.  Maybe Kara is giving us some insight into her music tastes.

Eddie Vega – Or she’s showing us that unlike her brother, she has a personality.

Lex forces himself to his feet and comes out of the corner, faster than Kara expected and she turns just in time to catch a massive right hook from Lex Collins right on the temple.  Kara drops to the mat in a heap out cold.  Lex Collins blinks in surprise and looks to Leroy Wallace who looks at Kara and calls for the bell.  Lex Collins waves the doctor over as he backs away into his corner.

Ben Price – That is a mean right hook Lex Collins has fans, he calls it Bricks and boy, it sure looks like a fight ender.

Eddie Vega – I’ll say, I think she’s out cold!

Eric Wilson comes in and confers with Leroy Wallace and makes the announcement

Eric Wilson – Ladies and Gentlemen, Kara Reinhardt has failed to answer the referee and has been declared unable to continue this fight.  The winner, by Knockout, The Outsider LEX COLLINS!!!

Ben Price – You called it, Eddie, Kara Reinhardt has been knocked out cold by Lex Collins.

Eddie Vega – Yeah and it looks like she’s got reinforcements coming too.

The ringside doctor, Dr. Corgan uses some smelling salts to bring Kara around and he helps Kara out of the ring to the arriving Kronin, Lilly and Rayven who help Kara make her way to the back.  Dr. Corgan goes to check Lex as well but is waved off.

The Show comes back and it’s in the ring, getting ready for the next match up.

Eric Wilson – Ladies and gentlemen, the next match is set for one fall!  Introducing first, hailing from the Okinawa Prefecture in Japan.  He stands 6 feet, 1 inch tall and weighs in at 235lbs.  He is the Paragon, GREG SALAZAR!!!

A cover version of ‘Limits’ by Bad Omens performed by Greg Salazar’s band plays over the PA as Greg Salazar makes his way out from the backstage area and walks with a steady pace to the ringside area and climbs into the ring.

Ben Price – A mixed reaction from the crowd as Greg Salazar makes his way to the ring, in preparation for what should be a good match.

Eddie Vega – When you say good match, I hear boring match.

Eric Wilson – And introducing his opponent, he hails from Dresden, Germany.  Standing 6 feet, 8 inches tall and weighing in at 275lbs, he is the German Suplex Machine, KRONIN REINHARDT!

Silence falls over the arena as the lights dim and ‘Sonne’ by Rammstein plays over the PA.  Kronin walks out from the back and pauses at the top of the entryway, giving the crowd time to notice who it is and react, which they do by cheering as he surveys the crowd briefly before his gaze falls on the ring and he nods once before making his way to the ring with a measured, deliberate pace as he easily steps up onto the ring apron and over the ropes with minimum effort

Ben Price – Kronin down to the ring now and he got a solid reaction which is surprising given his differences of opinion with Valora

Eddie Vega – If I had a build like that, I’d beat my opponents unconscious, I wouldn’t waste time with the boring stuff.

Ashley Beaton goes over the rules with the two fighters as Eric Wilson climbs out of the ring.  Once everything is ready, Beaton signals Charlotte Anderson who rings the bell

Ben Price – Well here we go, I think we can look forward to a solid match here

Eddie Vega – We’ll see.

Kronin and Greg Salazar meet in the middle of the ring, they shake hands and then immediately, the two lock up in a collar and elbow tie up.  Salazar moves into a side headlock.  Kronin counter by lifting Greg Salazar up for a high angle backdrop but Greg Salazar counters, landing on his feet and grabs Kronin from behind.  He tries for a German Suplex but Kronin blocks it and then uses a standing switch to make his way behind Greg Salazar and lifts the man up, hitting a German Suplex on Greg Salazar.  Salazar gets to his feet and comes up hitting Kronin with a ridge hand chop across the chest, followed by a second and a third, each one echoing through the arena as Kronin grits his teeth against the impact.  Greg Salzar rebounds off the ropes and tries for a follow up attack but Kronin tries his own counter and Greg Salazar runs and jumps, making contact with Kronin which helps him flip backwards and land on his feet only to be grabbed by Kronin and brought to the mat with a overhead belly to belly suplex bringing a roar of approval from the crowd given the exchange the two fighters had had.

Ben Price – Wow!  What an exchange.  You just saw two skilled fighters begin the high stakes chess match that this match could very well become!

Eddie Vega – Okay, that was pretty good.  I’ll give it credit

Greg Salazar and Kronin get to their feet and both fighters seem content to slow down the tempo of the match.  Each studying the other looking for an opening.  Salazar tries for another Ridge hand chop.  Kronin responds with one of his own.  The two men stand toe to toe trading Ridge hand chops with each other.  Salazar breaks this tic for tac with a cutting kick to the side of Kronin’s knee and then another one, striking the nerve.  Kronin grunts in pain and drops to a knee and Salazar charges hitting Kroning with a shining wizard kick, bringing the bigger man to the mat.  Salazar pulls Kronin to his feet and sends him into the ropes, Salazar running to the ropes opposite, both men rebound off the ropes, build up steam and slam into each other with shoulder blocks.  Both men remain standing but Salzar is knocked back a few steps.  Greg Salazar tries a spinning back kick but Kronin blocks and steps inside and throws a punch.  Greg also blocks and hits Kronin dead center mass with a spear hand and then grabs Kronin and brings him to the mat with a snap exploder suplex, the crowd again continuing to cheer and get into the match as Kronin and Greg Salazar continue to go move for move with each other.

Ben Price – I’ve noticed Kronin has a good ability to adapt.  Kronin began with knife edge chops but is now using the same ridge hand chops that Greg Salazar is.

Eddie Vega – Okay.. umm for those fans not as schooled in wrestling as you and me, why is that important?

Ben Price – Knife Edge chops might sound painful, that echoing sound they make makes one think it really hurts and it certainly can after a while, but a ridge hand strike hurts more.  Both Salazar and Kronin have red chests, they are doing more damage and breaking small capillaries much faster than a knife edge chop would.

Eddie Vega – Huh.  Guess it’s nice to have a nerd on hand at times.

Greg Salazar hops up to the top turnbuckle and jumps off, trying for an elbow drop but Kronin rolls out of the way and comes up to a knee.  He charges tries for a clothesline but Greg Salazar ducks under.  Kronin turns around and is met with a backwards scorpion style kick which he blocks.  Greg Salazar tries an elbow strike which Kronin dodges and Kronin then blocks the second elbow strike, he then tries to lock Greg Salazar into a Full Nelson, Greg breaks out of the hold by slamming his head backwards into Kronin’s chest.  Kronin eventually loosens his hold, and Greg Salazar quickly counters into a makeshift unprettier style move, driving Kronin face first into the mat.

Ben Price – Once more, these two fighters put on a clinic of wrestling and counter wrestling!  This crowd is here for it too!

Eddie Vega – Yeah, but I think you’re forgetting something.  Greg Salazar is an actual soldier.  An actual combat veteran.  Kronin’s experience has been well as a professional fighter, quite a bit different.

Ben Price – Kara Reinart is a soldier and she lost to a professional fighter.  I don’t know if someone forgot to tell you, but this is professional fighting.  Kronin’s experience is just as valid.. Also, the Reinhardts were ambushed by cartel thugs and granted, Kronin didn’t go into soldier mode the way his sister did, but he still held his own and dealt with people trying to kill him.

Eddie Vega – Well I have to say his sister was pretty hot with that gun.  She’s single right?

Greg Salazar looks at Kronin, as if debating going for the cover and decides against it, pulling Kronin to his feet.  As he does so, he moves into a wrist lock but Kronin cuts him off with a headbutt then goes into a wrist lock of his own.  GMS does a cartwheel like tumble to the side and unleashes a couple of cutting kicks to Kronin’s rib cage and Kronin counters by catching another kick from GMS and lifts him up and planting him on the mat with a Northern Lights suplex that he bridges into a cover for

Ashley Beaton slides into position and begins counting

… 1

……Tw-GMS kicks out!

Ben Price – I could watch these two all night.  It’s clear these two men did their homework on each other.  This is professionalism!  This is what happens when you take your art seriously and devote yourself to it.

Eddie Vega – Or you could just punch your enemy in the face.  Worked for me, all I’m sayin’

The two men get to their feet and engage in another collar and elbow tie up.  GMS wastes no time before hitting Kronin with a series of cutting kicks to the leg and rib cage before sending Kronin into the ropes but Kronin reverses and GMS hops onto the ropes, springboards off of them into a beautiful moonsault as he lands on his feet behind Kronin and brings him down into a dragon sleeper, bringing the crowd to their feet as Ashley Beaton moves to check for the submission but Kronin does not give up.

Ben Price – My god!  I don’t think I’ve ever seen that, a springboard moonsault into a dragon sleeper and if Kronin doesn’t find a way out soon, that move will very quickly begin to turn his size against him

Eddie Vega – Well, I’ll say this.  I think Rob Riot is smart to not want to face either of these men.  I thought it was because they didn’t deserve a match with him or something, but now, I think there are other reasons.  Not that I’m complaining.  Hell, both he and Valora have been really smart in picking their opponents.  Work smarter, not harder, that’s what I always say.

Kronin struggles both looking for a way out of the hold and also trying to make sure GMS doesn’t completely lock the hold in.  He makes use of his reach and reaches back, boxing the ears of GMS a couple of times, while using his legs to try and inch towards the ropes, getting a foot on them.  Ashley Beaton sees this and orders a break, GMS releases the hold and Kronin hits the mat trying to get his breath back.

Ben Price – Well both fighters have to be a bit dazed there, but I’d have to say Greg Salazar would be ahead on points now.  This match has been dead even, counter for counter, But coming out from this exchange, Kronin has had to use a lot of energy to just escape a hold, he wasn’t able to counter or anything.

Eddie Vega – You know, I think Kronin missed a golden opportunity.. When the boss comes to you and offers to help you if you take out someone.  You make sure the check clears then you do the job!

Ben Price – Not everyone is as mercenary as you, apparently.

Eddie Vega – Yeah, some people are chumps.

Greg Salazar takes a moment to regain his bearings while Kronin is trying to recover and he does recover faster than Kronin does, catching Kronin as he tries to get back to his feet and brings him to the mat with a snap exploder suplex.  GMS then rushes towards the ropes and jumps up, springboarding off the second rope and nails Kronin in the chest just as Kronin gets back to his feet from the suplex bringing a roar from the crowd 

Ben Price – Kabar kick!  Greg Salazar is making a move to take control of this match now!

Eddie Vega – This, folks, is what being ‘honorable’ gets you.  Your chest kicked in.

GMS pulls Kronin to his feet but Kronin cuts him off with a punch to the gut.  Another punch to the gut and then a cross to the face.  Kronin sends GMS into the ropes and catches him as he rebounds, planting him on the mat with the Black Hole Slam!  He immediately drops into the cover and Ashley Beaton comes in to count

… 1

…… 2

……… Thr-NO!  Greg Salazar kicks out.

Kronin pounds the mat once in momentary frustration and pulls GMS to his feet.  He then hits a series of 3 German suplexes, never breaking the hold to connect the 3 moves together.  After the third German Suplex, Kronin again bridges into a cover and again, Ashley Beaton drops down to  count.

… 1

…… Tw-Greg Salazar kicks out!

Ben Price – Beautiful Disaster and Death by Suplex!  Kronin is trying to regain  control of this match but he can’t keep Greg Salazar down!

Eddie Vega – Kronin’s also getting frustrated.

Eddie would seem to have a point as Kronin comes up to his knees after his failed pin attempt and lets out a sigh.  He pulls GMS to his feet and hits the man with a ridge hand and then punches GMS on the return.  GMS returns the favor with a ridge hand chop and punch of his own.  This leads to the two men standing toe to toe and trading punches with each other, the crowd building up to a fever pitch as the two men battle in the ring.  Kronin looks up and his eyes widen a bit as he sees something.  He then suddenly hits GMS with a knee to the gut, doubling the man over, Kronin then quickly grabs GMS and tries for a Belly to Belly suplex but GMS boxes Kronin’s ears right as he starts the move, causing the German to drop his hold on GMS as he shakes his head

Ben Price – Folks, this match has been a wrestling clinic.  It’s a shame one man has to lose.

Eddie Vega – You’re a nerd, what’s the point of that slapping ears crap?

Ben Price – Messes up your equilibrium.  In layman’s terms, it can stun/disorient a person for a few seconds. 

Eddie Vega – Huh.  Well you’re welcome Benny boy, I knew you were eager to explain that to our viewers.

Kronin stands up and he and Greg Salazar lock up in a collar and elbow tie up.  Kronin makes another attempt at a belly to belly suplex but GMS counters and twists around, hooking Kronin into a variation of the full nelson and lifts him up, slamming him face first into the mat, rolling him over into a pin.

… 1

…… 2

……… 3!  Ashley Beaton calls for the bell!

Ben Price – Memento Mori out of nowhere!  Talk about a clever move and it picks up another win for Greg Salazar as he comes out on top of great match between two top tier athletes.

Eddie Vega – These two gave everything they had, gotta respect that, I suppose.

Kronin stands up and he and Greg Salazar shake hands again and the crowd cheers both fighters as Kronin rolls out of the ring, and makes his way to the backstage area

Backstage, Eron Hunter is walking down the hallways toward the staging area before his match. He stops and sniffs at the air, sighing as Armand von Krauss comes into view in his tailored business suit and smoking an Egyptian cigarette.

Eron Hunter – I have nothing to say to you, Armand.

Armand just shrugs with a smile, flicking ashes onto the floor.

Armand von Krauss – I just wanted to come and say “you’re welcome” for the match against Rob Riot. All you have to do is beat him to get a Conquest championship match at Urban Warfare. Think you can manage that?

Eron Hunter – I am going to do my very best to win the match and earn my shot. Why did you give me this match?

Armand von Krauss begins walking toward the staging area and Eron Hunter matches his pace. 

Armand von Krauss – Have you ever cooked spaghetti before? You cook the noodles and then throw some at the wall to see what sticks. This is what I’m doing, only with wrestlers against the Bastards. I’m curious to see who can defeat them. Can you? Can Greg? Can anyone bring Riot down? I want to know.

Eron Hunter – Well, I am capable. 

Armand von Krauss – Good. See? I’m not such a bad guy.

Eron Hunter – You are and much worse.

Armand von Krauss – Okay, maybe I am. Do not fail me, Eron. Your next match will be more heinous if you fail. 

Armand flicks his cigarette against the wall where it explodes into a million sparks. He walks away as they get to the staging area. 

Armand von Krauss – Good luck, Eron. Maybe you will do better against Riot than you did against me…

Eric Wilson – Ladies and Gentlemen, the next match is set for one fall!  Introducing first, he hails from Sicily, Standing 6 feet, 2 inches tall and weighing in at 210lbs.  He the Vagabond, ERON HUNTER!!!

‘Long Walk Home’ by Howl Trance plays over the PA and Eron Hunter makes his way out from the backstage area and looks over the crowd as they give him some cheers and he makes his way down to the ring, climbing in and preparing for the upcoming match.

Ben Price – Eron Hunter comes out and down to the ring.  This is apparently an old rivalry being renewed here tonight.

Eddie Vega – Yeah, but I think Riot is right here.  Eron fails and gets rewarded from it.  He told everyone he was going to beat Armand Von Krauss and failed.  He almost lost to Abbigail Dresden in her first ever match.  Apparently Rob Riot and I are the only two willing to say it.  Eron. Got. Lucky.  Abbigail hesitated a second and by a fluke, Eron was able to counter a move.  Then he lost to Greg Salazar but here he is, facing Rob Riot.

Ben Price – Okay, well first off, if wrestlers were punished for every time they promised to beat an opponent and failed, there’d be no one in the business.  Second, Abbigail has proven to an exceptional talent who has been trained by a bona fide living legend and Greg Salazar is the former Conquest champion and Eron might have lost but it was a close match.

Eddie Vega – Call me crazy but in my mind if you wanna be the top dog, you need to be able to handle a debuting rookie, teenaged fighter, even if she was trained by all the Wrestling Gods themselves.

Eric Wilson – And introducing his opponent.  Fighting out of Manchester, England.  He stands 6 feet, 3 inches and weighs in at 245lbs.  He is the CWF Conquest Champion and the Riot Star, ROB RIOT!!

“I Feel You” by Depeche Mode bursts through the arena PA as the entrance ramp is bathed in red and white spotlights. They arc and twist over the ramp, waiting to pick out Rob Riot. Just as the vocals kick in, Riot steps through the curtains, twirling his long black ring jacket behind him as he does. He takes a moment to soak in the crowd’s response, nodding to himself as he does, before turning his attention to the ring.

Raising one arm and clenching his fist in the air, Riot walks down to the ring, now oblivious to the crowd around him. He’s all business. He walks around the ring once and takes his time to climb up the steps, walking half way along the ring and wiping his feet before he steps through the ropes.

Ben Price – And there’s our Conquest Champion, folks.  Rob Riot.  On one hand.  You have to respect his talent and ability in the ring.  On the other hand, he is a massive douchebag.  

Eddie Vega – He can’t be all bad, Benny boy.

Ben Price – Yeah?  One piece.  Give me one piece of evidence for that.

Eddie Vega – She’s sitting in the front row.  Guess Valora decided to come out to the stands one match early to see her man take care of this hypocrite.

Ben Price – He criticized Eron Hunter for being a multi-company guy.  Not loyal.  Valora has recently re-signed a contract to New Edge Wrestling.  Where is Rob Riot’s condemnation of her?

Eddie Vega – She ain’t claiming to be some damn knight in shiny armor.  Also, she’s a Hall of Famer in New Edge Wrestling, so I would argue she is loyal to a past employer and still loyal to CWF.  Checkmate Benny boy.

In the ring, Rob Riot looks over to where Valora is sitting as if expecting to see her there and nods, giving a smile in her direction before preparing for the match.  

Scott Jones gives his instructions to the fighters, being sure to warn Rob Riot.  Riot seems unphased by the referee and takes his belt off and hands it off to Eric Wilson.  Eirc Wilson gets out of the ring, Scott Jones, seeing the fighters ready, signals to Charlotte Anderson to ring the bell and the match begins.

Ben Price – Here we go, fans!  Eron Hunter vs. Rob Riot!

Eddie Vega – And mark my words, the rematch will end the same as the original and Rob Riot can say he’s beaten Eron Hunter in not one but two feds!  A 2 for 1 deal!

In the ring, Rob Riot takes a relaxed stance, the type your trainer takes right before he teaches you a lesson and waves Eron on, urging him to come at him.  Eron does not need the invitation and comes at Rob Riot throwing a right and left cross combo at the British wrestler, who dodges the first punch and bats the second one away but is caught with a kick in the gut as Eron presses the attack.  Eron follows this up with a knee to the gut and tries for and hits a Northern Lights suplex.

Ben Price – Rob Riot doesn’t seem to be taking the match very seriously so far.

Eddie Vega – Why should he?  If someone disrespected someone with Riot’s record that you liked, you’d be all for them taking offense.  Eron Hunter is disrespecting our Conquest Champion.  

Rob Riot gets to his feet and gives Eron a slow clap and waves him on again.  Eron Hunter shakes his head at the disrespect and comes in throwing a straight jab and then a cross.  Rob Riot bats away the jab and ducks under the cross, hitting Eron Hunter with a European uppercut then kicks Eron Hunter in the gut and brings Eron Hunter to the mat with a DDT.  Not wasting any time, Rob Riot pulls Eron Hunter to his feet and locks in a Cobra Clutch as Eron Hunter struggles to escape and Scott Jones moves in to check for the submission

Rob Riot – Enjoying the lesson wanker?  You know I usually charge good money for this!

Ben Price – This is the second time Rob Riot has baited Eron Hunter in.  Eron seems to be in trouble here with the cobra clutch but Rob Riot continues to show Eron Hunter any respect.

Eddie Vega – What about the respect Rob Riot is due?  I don’t see half the people coming after Valora for her Elite title.  Might be because she wrecked three men at once to get the damn thing.  But in the past few weeks, Rob Riot has had to endure blatant disrespect and disregard from half the damn roster, most of whom will never be in a match where winning the Conquest belt is even an option, let alone get their hands on the damn thing.  Count me as team Riot in this fight.  Like him or hate him, I don’t see Rob Riot claiming to be the defender of CWF while wrestling elsewhere.  Eron Hunter is a hypocrite.  How many times does this need to be pointed out before you people get it?!  Greg Salazar has pointed it out.  Rob Riot has called it out.  Abbigail didn’t but she was brand new in this fed and just accepted whatever bullshit she was fed by the man.

Eron Hunter struggles against the hold and finally kicks at the ropes and gets a foot on them and Scott Jones orders Rob Riot to break the hold.  Rob Riot holds on to a count of four and then releases the hold.  Eron Hunter then responds with a quick roundhouse kick, catching Rob Riot off guard and knocking him flat on the mat.  Eron Hunter springboards off the top rope into moonsault and lands on Rob Riot, then transitions into a mounted position and begins hammering Riot with punches.

Ben Price – Eron Hunter pulling out some new moves here as he uses the rope break to escape the cobra clutch, then nails Rob Riot with a roundhouse kick and transitions into a springboard moonsault, which I don’t think we’ve seen from him before and now appears to be pummeling Riot into another incarnation.

Eddie Vega – And if this was reversed, you’d be talking about it like it’s a crime against humanity or something.

Rob Riot catches one of Eron’s punches and turns it into a Triangle Choke.  Eron counters by lifting Rob Riot up and dropping into a sitting position, powerbombing Rob Riot onto the mat breaking the hold.  Eron Hunter pulls Rob Riot to his feet but Riot cuts him off with a few punches to the gut and charges bringing Eron Hunter to the mat with a double leg take down.  Instead of going for the mounted position though, he punches and uses elbow strikes to weaken Eron’s right leg around the knee area, culminating in a knee bar.  Eron growls out in pain and claws the mat, eventually getting to the ropes and forcing Scott Jones to order a break.  Rob Riot again waits to a count of four to break the hold and stands up, stomping on Eron Hunter’s right foot.

Ben Price – Like him or hate him, Rob Riot is very skilled at Catch Wrestling.  Not surprising as it has deep roots in British wrestling tradition.  Come to think of it, Abbigail Dresden is really the only British wrestler I’ve seen without a foundation in it.

Eddie Vega – Might be because she’s a soccer player pretending to be a fighter.  I mean.. Come on, you don’t see Rob Riot or Frank Windsor walking into Manchester City and expecting to be professional soccer players.  Eron Hunter is another pretender.  He’s just as gray as Rob Riot or Valora is but gets treated like he’s the goddamn paragon of virtue!  

Rob Riot stands there patiently as Eron Hunter gets back to his feet and the two men lock up in a collar and elbow tie up.  Eron Hunter nails Rob Riot with a series of knee strikes before breaking the hold and nailing Rob Riot right in the nose with a vicious elbow strike that sends blood flying.  Rob Riot staggers back a few steps and wipes the blood off his face, spitting some blood out from his mouth and nodding.  The two lock up again but Eron slips through it and brings Rob Riot to the mat with a belly to belly suplex.

Ben Price – Well it would seem, and this is just my opinion here, that not taking Eron seriously has bitten Rob Riot in the.. Well nose this time.  It might be broken.

Eddie Vega – Perfect excuse for some TLC from Valora, after they celebrate Rob’s impending victory.

The crowd are cheering both fighters on as Eron Hunter pulls Rob Riot to his feet and tries for a Northern Lights suplex but Rob Riot blocks and counter’s with a Fisherman’s suplex, bridging back into a pinfall attempt.  Scott Jones slides down and makes the count.

… 1

…… Tw-Eron Hunter kicks out.

Rob Riot comes to his knees, nodding as if he expected this result and locks in a Dragon Sleeper on Eron Hunter, wrenching it in as Scott Jones moves to check for a submission.

Ben Price – Rob Riot once again going back to what he knows and looking like he’s trying to continue whatever weird lesson he has it in his mind to teach.

Eddie Vega – R E S P E C T!  That is the lesson on tonight’s agenda.

Eron Hunter flails and tries to fight out of the hold until by luck, his hand finds the rope and grabs onto it, shaking the rope.  Scott Jones calls for the break and Rob Riot holds until 4 and breaks the hold.  Scott Jones warns him to break the hold sooner but Riot refuses.

While the two argue, Eron Hunter gets to his feet and runs towards Rob Riot and nails the man with a discus clothesline, sending Rob Riot into Scott Jones and knocking both men down.  Eron Hunter wastes no time as he locks in a single leg Boston crab and wrenches it in.  Taking full advantage of there being no referee at the moment.  Rob Riot grits his teeth but finally cries out, slamming his fist on the mat, taking his free leg and kicking back hitting Eron on the head and body as he tries to break the hold.  Scott Jones eventually wakes up and checks for the submission but Rob Riot fights his way out of it.  The two men lay on the mat, trying to catch their breath

Ben Price – Well, that actually helped Eron Hunter.  He hit Rob Riot, unfortunately Scott Jones got caught in crossfire, which led to Eron Hunter being able to really lock Rob Riot into a Boston crab for a long while.

Eddie Vega – and I will bet that he can win even as the proverbial one legged man in an ass kicking contest.

Rob Riot gets to his feet trying to get blood flowing through his leg again.  Seeing Eron Hunter still on the mat, Rob Riot sets himself and measures Hunter.  As soon as Eron gets to his feet and turns to face Rob Riot, Rob surges forward and nails Eron Hunter with a superkick that sends him back to the mat and brings a groan of shared pain from the crowd as the sound of the kick connecting with Eron echoes throughout the arena.  Rob Riot hops over the prone body of Eron Hunter and jumps into the air, landing on his opponent with a back senton and remains on him, ordering Scott Jones to count.  Jones slides down.

… 1

…… 2

……… Th-Eron Hunter kicks out!

Ben Price – Both men are fighting hard here but Rob Riot went for a rather lackadaisical cover there.

Eddie Vega – And almost got the win.  The man is Conquest Champion.  Can we just assume he knows what he’s doing?

Eron Hunter gets to his feet and meets Rob Riot as he gets up, the two locking into a collar and elbow tie up.  Eron hits with a few knee strikes and brings Rob Riot to the mat with a vertical suplex, before moving over and returning the favor to Rob Riot, locking him in the Dragon sleeper.  Scott Jones moves to check for the submission

Ben Price – Eron Hunter has turned things around and is now giving Rob Riot a taste of his own medicine

Eddie Vega – Well he did.  Rob Riot is trying to and holy shit!

Rob Riot jumps and kicks his feet out, grabbing the ropes with his feet and forcing a break.  Eron Hunter keeps the hold on until 4 and then breaks the hold.  The two men get back to their feet and move to the middle of the ring trading punches and kicks with each other as the crowd comes to their feet, loving watch the two men go toe to toe with each other. Eron Hunter tries for a boot to the gut but Rob Riot catches the foot and immediately transitions to the Heel Hook, Eron Hunter crying out in pain as the hold is locked in.

Ben Price – The Locking Clamp!  I do not think I’ve seen or heard of anyone escaping this hold!

Eddie Vega – Hear him screaming?  I think this match is over soon.

In the ring while the commentators talk, Eron Hunter taps on the mat crying out in pain.  Rob Riot keeps the hold on until Scott Jones threatens to DQ him, finally breaking the hold.

Eric Wilson – Ladies and Gentlemen, your winner the Riot Star, Rob Riot!!!

Ben Price – A hard fought match between two top tier athletes but Rob Riot, in the end, demonstrates why he is the Champ.

Eddie Vega  – Hopefully this will send a message to the rest of the fed to treat our champion with more respect.

The Camera comes back to the announcers at their desk.

Ben Price – Welcome back ladies and gentlemen, we’re in the home stretch tonight.

Eddie Vega – So what’s next?

Ben Price – I think we’re supposed to be going backstage to speak to the CWF Valour Champion.

Eddie Vega – Oh! Again? He’s had quite a showing tonight already. Maybe we’ll find out why he walked out of the ring earlier when the Bastards were having their little reintroduction.

A bombardment of British images fills the screen. Those images quickly dissolve as the Union Jack flag upon the screen burns from the outside inside. Footage of various things that have happened in history from around the country bleed through the flames until finally, it stops upon the Bastards logo.

The camera pulls back to reveal the wrestler known as Frank Windsor. He has the CWF Valour Championship belt over his left shoulders.

Frank Windsor – Greetings and salutations, you wankers think that I wouldn’t go through with what I had told you all?

He slaps the belt on his shoulder.

Frank Windsor – Tonight I put this belt on the line against the kid from the Expendables. Abbie, I have given you two options, baby doll. Do you think I will not follow through?

Frank laughs as he looks directly into the camera.

Frank Windsor – So where I start? Do I start on how I made my CWF debut only in this season, and then won the gold strap that I have here at the shows pay per view? Well it was easy and I am the Special One; I was born to do this bitches.

Frank shrugs his shoulders which made the title belt move.

Frank Windsor – I am the biggest asset this company possesses not some of these hacks that try to get their fifteen minutes of fame off of the Bastards. I forgive them for failing in what they’ve done elsewhere as I’d do anything in my power if I was ever in their spot to make a name for myself.

Frank nods at the camera.

Frank Windsor – It’s truly depressing isn’t it Abbie? Is that what this business has done to you honey? Figures, right?

Frank smirks at the camera.

Frank Windsor – So if you’ve been listening you’ll know what I said but for those of you that haven’t been paying attention why not?

He shrugs his shoulders before winking at the camera.

Frank Windsor – IF I can’t beat this girl I’m done. NOT just in CWF but in professional fucking wrestling!!! Swallow those plumbs bitch!

Frank pauses straightening his t-shirt. He throws the microphone done and leaves.

Eddie Vega – OH MY GOD!

Ben Price – He is never short of words is he?

Eddie Vega – No but he is the future of CWF!

Ben Price – IF he beats Abbie.

Eric Wilson – It’s time for tonight’s main event. This will be for the CWF Valor Championship, with TV Time remaining and will be fought under CWF Valor Division Rules! Introducing first… the Challenger.

The lights dim and ‘Give it a Go’ by Timbaland feat Veronic plays over the PA as Abbigail Dresden makes her way out from the backstage area, standing on the entryway before she and her manager, Samantha Topher, go into their version of the Dakota Goyo Dance. 

As she dances and makes her way towards the ring, the crowd cheers and claps along with the music. As Abbigail reaches the ringside area she stops in front of a few fans, giving them high fives before climbing into the ring and removing her hoodie, revealing her Swansea jersey as she throws a few warm up punches

Ben Price – Freshly turned 17! And tonight she has a chance to be the CWF Valor Champion.

Eddie Vega – She beat one, now former Bastard, in the Giant man Billy Fowler. Now she thinks she can beat the best in the CWF? All by challenging him?

Ben Price – Frank Windsor is holding the Valor Championship, fought under Valor title rules. So he must accept the challenge. 

Eric Wilson – And now, the CWF Valor Champion…

Cameras pan around the sea of anxious people who are cheering loudly at the showing of respect towards the Bastards. Suddenly, the cheering explodes as the loudspeakers crackle, all attention devoted to these very special proceedings. A large British Flag unfolds from the rafters and hangs majestically over the ring area, each ear expecting to hear the music of Frank Windsor.

The big screen started to show all sorts of British iconic sites. Children playing in the streets, football matches, police in the streets. The first few bars of “Hello” by Adele blares out before it seamlessly mixes into “Welcome to the Circus” by Five Finger Death Punch. Brilliant silver strobe lights flash through the arena as rainbow coloured confetti falls from the rafters. The screen now goes to show footage of Frank in his silver Mercedes convertible cruising the streets of Bradford, Yorkshire.

Eric Wilson –  Hailing from Bradford, Yorkshire, England. He is weighing in at two hundred and twenty two pounds. He is accompanied to the ring by his associate Sean Bean. This is Frank Windsor!!!

The curtains at the top of the ramp way are pushed open and they emerge. The fans give a mixed reaction as Frank pushes through the curtains dressed in his Leopard print fur coat. Natalia Santiago and Finn Corbyn walk through the curtains after him.Frank saunters down the ramp way, eyeing the crowd. Finn and Natalia enter the ring.

Eddie Vega – is Sean Bean not with him tonight? 

Ben Price – SAG Strike is over… he might be filming Knights of the Zodiac 2 or something. 

Windsor exhales slowly as he looks at his team in the ring before smiling and acknowledging the fans in attendance with a royal wave. He reaches the ringside area and uses the stairs to ascend onto the apron. Looking around momentarily, Windsor mounts the turnbuckle adjacent to the stairs, resting his left foot on the top rope. With a brief bow, Windsor lowers the hood of his leopard fur coat and gazes around the facility, soaking in the numerous reactions from the crowd. Upon listening to their calls and looking over at his associates, Windsor hops down into the ring and takes off his fur coat and hands it to Finn. He then stands and looks up at the ramp way waiting for his opponent.

Ben Price – Frank Windsor has promised that if he can’t keep his title tonight, he is going to quit wrestling. 

Eddie Vega – Well if he loses the Valor title against a 17 year old waif of a girl… I mean you’d want to quit as well.

Clyde Baxter starts to explain the rules to everyone. And actually does a pat down for any illegal objects or weapons. He’s very cautious when checking Dresden, compared to Windsor… Suddenly “Bring It” by Trapt starts to play over the Arena’s PA System. Windsor, Dresden and Topher all start to look at the stage area.

Ben Price – And here comes Valora Salinas. 

Eddie Vega – Oh this isn’t going to end well. 

The crowd starts to clamor as the stage remains empty. Suddenly there is a commotion over the audio feed to the viewers on the streaming platform. 

Ben Price – Wait? Valora Salinas?

Eddie Vega – What the?

Valora Salinas – Yes, yes. You think I’d not want to have a ringside seat to watch this match? My student is going for her first title. 

Ben Price – But why are you putting on a headset?

Valora Salinas – I was told that if I wanted to be out here, I had to be useful. And this is what McClancy and I came up with. I’m not allowed to get involved from here. Cause he said once I put the headset on, I was an announcer. 

Dresden and Topher look over to the announcers table, and Salinas gives them both a thumbs up as she sits down next to Price and Vega. 

Ben Price – Tell me, Ms. Salinas?

Valora Salinas – You can call me Val or Valora. I can call you Ben, sí?

Ben Price – Yes, sure you can. 

Eddie Vega – Well Valora… 

Valora Salinas – Did I say you could call me Valora, Mr. Vega?

Eddie Vega – Uhm. 

Valora Salinas – Nah, es bueno. We’re just good old friends out here doing commentary on a Valor Title match.

Ben Price – Well let me ask you, Valora: What will happen if the Bastards try to… well, be the Bastards.

Valora Salinas – I made a deal. I’m an announcer till this match is done.

Windsor walks over to look at Dresden in the middle of the ring. As everything is back after that interruption, Baxter signals for the bell to begging. 

Ding! Ding!

Windsor tries to move first, going to grab Dresden, but she ducks under and moves out of the way, breaking into a run for the ropes. She comes off and tries for a clothesline, but it only staggers Windsor a bit. 

Ben Price – And Abbigail Dresden gets the first attack of the match. 

Valora Salinas – That’s it Hermana. Take it to him.

Dresden grabs Windsors hand and pulls him into an irish whip to the ropes. As he comes off, she catches him into a drop toe hold. She tries to float over with the move, and puts him into a side chin lock. She doesn’t quite get it locked in and Windsor breaks out of it and starts to get up. 

Dresden hops up and again heads for the ropes. This time Windsor catches her as she does with a roundhouse kick that gets a glancing blow on her shoulder. 

Ben Price – Nice counter by the Valor Champion. 

Valora Salinas – Well I have to give Windsor props. I mean, he was trained by one of the best in the business in the current Conquest Champion. 

Eddie Vega – That’s surprising. 

Valora Salinas – I can respect him and give him props, doesn’t mean I like him. 

Dresden recovers and heads in to lock up with Windsor. As the bigger man starts to overpower her, she turns it into a swinging neckbreaker. She tries to float over for a pin attempt but Windsor pulls her into a headbutt. He then actually grabs her into a front face lock, and holds on as he gets up. 

Eddie Vega – Look at that, a display of power from the champion. 

Ben Price – Well he is 80 lbs bigger than her. 

As soon as Windsor is back to his feet, he makes a display of it, and drops her down with a DDT. He then goes for a quick pin. 

… One

… Dresden kicks out.

Ben Price – And the challenger kicks out. 

Valora Salinas – She’s tougher than that. 

Dresden rolls to get out of reach of Windsor, and comes up to her knees to get her eyes on him before she comes up again. She takes a step forward and then moves into a boxing stance. She motions for Windsor to come in. 

Ben Price – Looks like she’s going to change things up a bit?

Windsor moves in to try to grapple, but he’s met by a hard right jab to the nose. She then follows up with a slide to the right, and a reverse punch to the side of his head. Windsor swings, and she ducks under it. When she comes back up she delivers a one-two combination to his ribs on the other side. 

Eddie Vega – Well that’s not what we’d expect. 

Valora Salinas – She’s got a boxing background. We’re working on expanding that out to Kickboxing and maybe some more pure martial arts. 

Windsor swings at Dresden again, but she ducks it again, and this time gets behind him to deliver a couple of rabbit punches to his kidney area. This time, Baxter steps in and warns her about the use of a closed fist.

Eddie Vega – Hey, rabbit punches are illegal!

Ben Price – Only in boxing, this is wrestling. 

The referee’s warning gave Windsor a chance to recover a bit. He grabs her arm and gives it a good twist and then pulls her back a step to keep her off balance. He transitions into a wrist lock. 

She tries to pull back but that’s just what he was after as he turns it into a hard short arm clothesline that he calls the “Decapitator”

Ben Price – And there is classic Windsor right there. 

Valora Salinas – One of his better moves, for sure. 

Salinas’ words are covered in venom as she watches. Windsor plays a bit as he steps back, letting Dresden recover. As soon as she’s up to her hands and knees he bounces to the ropes, comes off and tries for a running knee strike. Dresden ducks it, and he misses. Then she delivers a back elbow to his knee that drops him to the mat. 

Valora Salinas – That’s thinking through it!

Eddie Vega – What? He missed?

Ben Price – And what a counter as well. 

Dresden gets up, and looks over her shoulder to where Windsor is now on his hands and knees. She takes a step forward to line it up, and goes for a standing moonsault. But Windsor rolls to his back and pulls his knees up. 

Valora Salinas – Damnit!

Windsor gets to his feet and moves to pulls Dresden up. He whips her to the ropes and then pops her up for a popup power bomb. But she turns that into a hurricanrana instead!

Valora Salinas – Yes!

Ben Price – Another fine counter from the challenger!

Dresden goes for a pin, but Windsor doesn’t even give Baxter a chance to get down for the count. Dresden tries to grab him as they come up. She tries to go behind him for a waistlock. She tries to lift him up, but Windsor just leans forward to block it. She tries again, and he leans forward again, and grabs at her hands to try to get free. 

He slowly powers out of the hold. Then he whips her to the corner, where she hits with her back hard. He follows her in for a jumping splash. As he comes out of the corner he pulls her into an exploder suplex that sends her halfway across the ring. 

Ben Price – Not looking good for Abbigail Dresden now. Windsor is solidly in control.

Valora Salinas – We’ll be working on a few things in the next training session. But she’s not out of it yet. 

Windsor slowly stalks over to where Dresden is coming to her feet He grabs her hair and tries to pull her up, but she hooks his arm and takes him over in a hip toss. 

Dresden then grabs him as he’s coming up, trying for a small package. 

… One

…… Two

Windsor rolls the package over, turning the pin. 

… One

…… Two

Dresden breaks the pin by letting go of the hold. 

Ben Price – That was close there!

Valora Salinas – Too close. 

Eddie Vega – Well you can say one thing, she’s getting a lesson from the best in that ring right now. 

Windsor gets up first and scoops Dresden up onto his shoulder. He then motions with a quick gesture to Valora at ringside, before backing up to the ropes across from the announcers table, and then bouncing off into a running powerslam. 

Ben Price – He’s trying hard. 

Valora Salinas – Trying to get me to interfere. I’m good, right now. She’s not out of it yet. 

Windsor doesn’t try for a pin this time, and instead pulls Dresden up by her hair as he gets up. He keeps an eye on Salinas at ringside as he does. This gives Dresden a moment to put a leg behind him and use it for leverage to take him over into an across the knee backbreaker. She then pulls him up from that and tries to take him over in a hip toss, but she’s not in the right position. 

Ben Price – Almost!

Windsor nails her with a clubbing forearm to the chest that knocks her down. Dresden rolls, holding her chest, and seems to be gasping for air. Windsor takes a moment to give her a few kicks to her back, while she tries to recover. 

Ben Price – That’s not called for!

Valora Salinas – Not against the rules. Just a dick move. 

Eddie Vega – Well he is the Sultan of Schlong Style!

Valora Salinas – I’ll pretend I didn’t just hear that. She’s 17 years old. 

Eddie Vega – Oh, wait.

Finally Windsor pulls Dresden back up. He pulls her into a piledriver position, and double underhooks her arms. He pulls up, but she frees her arms and tries to take him over with another ‘rana. This time he grabs the ropes and she just falls off to her feet. She pulls back and hits Windsor with a huge haymaker punch, and then launches herself to the ropes. 

Ben Price – Good punch, right on target. 

Valora Salinas – Now she just has to capitalize. 

Windsor moves off the ropes, and heads for Dresden. Dresden comes off the ropes and Windsor looks to try for a snap pop up power bomb again, but Dresden floats over to get out of it. As soon as she lands, she immediately launches herself up into a pele kick that catches Windsor as he turns around, right in the face. 

Valora Salinas – That’s it Hermana! That’s it. 

Windsor drops down, and Dresden is quick to hit the ropes and come off with a springboard moonsault from the 2nd rope. She mostly catches Windsor’s legs with it, but still tries for a pinfall. 

… One

…… Two

Windsor kicks out!

Ben Price – Two count for the challenger!

Valora Salinas – Got to give it to Windsor there. He took that footie to the face, and still kicked out. 

 Suddenly, the Crowd’s noise rises as Eddie Williams suddenly appears, running down the ramp. 

Ben Price – It’s Eddie Williams!

Valora Salinas – I knew they’d try something. Pinchés pendejos!

Valora sounds like she’s gritting her teeth as she says that, obviously being stuck at the announcers table isn’t ideal. Williams jumps up onto the ring apron. Baxter is still checking on Windsor, when Samantha Topher calls out something to Dresden. 

Ben Price – What’s he doing out here?

Valora Salinas – Trying to prove himself to Windsor, that’s what. Or pay Windsor back for the assist earlier.

Williams goes to Windsor’s corner, joining his regular retinue and starts to slam his hand on the mat and try to give encouragement.

Windsor keeps complaining, which leads to Dresden grabbing him, and spinning him around for a kick to the midsection. She doesn’t hesitate, and pulls him in for a piledriver position before giving the signal. 

Ben Price – What’s this?

Valora Salinas – Go for it!

Dresden then proceeds to hit a standing sunset flip piledriver, her finisher she calls the Swansong.  Windsor pops up from it, hits the ropes, and falls back to the mat, near his corner. She then goes for a pin attempt. 

… One

Williams leans in and yells in Windsor’s ear that he’s near the ropes to put his foot up. Windsor tries and Williams… might have helped a little. 

…… Two

Williams yells to Baxter to check the ropes. Baxter looks up and sees Windsor’s food there, and stops the count. 

Ben Price – Did he just help him? 

Eddie Vega – I couldn’t see it. 

Valora Salinas – He better not have. But I have to admit, from our vantage point it wasn’t the best. I know he yelled for him to do it. 

Dresden tries to pull Windsor back up, she pulls him in for another piledriver setup and signals again!

Valora Salinas – Not yet! 

Williams jumps up onto the apron and starts to yell at Dresden, pointing at her, and getting very animated with it. She hesitates which allows Windsor to grab her legs, stand up and then slam her down with an Alabama slam in the middle of the ring. Dresden rolls, holding the back of her head. 

Ben Price – That was a huge mistake.

Eddie Vega – Williams with a distraction there. 

Baxter warns Williams to get off of the apron, as Windsor turns and gives his stablemate a high five. Williams says something not picked up by the camera, and Windsor nods. Williams seems to be purposely arguing with Baxter, now distracting the referee. 

Ben Price – What is Eddie Williams doing? 

Eddie Vega – Buying time. 

Valora Salinas – Making sure Baxter doesn’t see what’s about to happen. Does anyone actually watch wrestling?

Eddie Vega – Well we’re right here. 

Windsor grabs Dresden and pulls her up to her feet, hits her with a hard european uppercut.  and then whips her to the corner right next to where Williams is. As soon as he does, Windsor spins Baxter around and starts to argue with him about not paying attention in the ring. 

Williams looks to be sizing Dresden up. 

Ben Price – Wait, that would violate Valor Division rules.

Eddie Vega – if the ref don’t see it… 

Valora Salinas – Chica! 

Until… Someone jumps over the guardrail, runs up and pulls William’s feet out from under him. William’s chin appears to bounce off the ring apron before he’s hooked into a half nelson. 

Eddie Vega – Is that… 

Ben Price – Greg Salazar!

Valora Salinas – Well, he does keep his word. 

Salazar finishes the leg hook part and then launches Williams towards the next set of ring steps with his Ring Toss suplex. The ring steps blow apart with a commotion that gets both Windsor’s and Baxter’s attention. Windsor immediately starts to demand that Dresden gets disqualified, but Baxter points out that Williams isn’t in the match. 

Salazar looks towards the announcer’s table and gives the two eyes watching signal to Salinas who the camera then shows her nodding. 

Ben Price – Wait, that’s what you were talking to Ms. Fortune about earlier?

Valora Salinas – Maybe? I was told I couldn’t help her. But, got someone to watch her back in case of meardá like that. 

Baxter does give Salazar a warning who puts up both hands and signals he’s not going to get involved. But he does move towards an area where he can keep an eye on Williams, over to the side closest to the announcer’s table. 

Eddie Vega – When Williams gets up, he’s going to be all over Salazar. 

Ben Price – Well reading into it, that’s what he’s out here for. If he’s dealing with GMS, then he’s not messing with the match. 

Windsor turns around to get back to the match, after arguing with Baxter, only to eat a superkick from a recovered Dresden coming out of the corner. She heads for the ropes, comes off and tries for another one, but this time Windsor side steps, and lets her fumble a bit before grabbing her into a waistlock and taking her over in a release German suplex. 

He comes up and takes a moment to adjust his elbow pad to pull it down a bit. 

Williams comes to his feet, but Windsor actually yells for him to not do anything. Which he acknowledges he heard. 

Ben Price – Huh?

Eddie Vega – What’s that?

As Dresden comes up, Windsor steps in with a roaring elbow strike that catches her right on her temple. She crumples like she was made out of paper. 

Ben Price – Holy shit!

Eddie Vega – He just knocked her out?

Valora Salinas – What the? Caproné!

Windsor takes a moment to mock her as she’s down, pointing and laughing before he reaches down and goes to pull her up. She seems to be able to stand with help, but very much ‘not there’. He pulls her in for a vertical suplex pickup and takes her up halfway to walk her over to the turnbuckle. 

Ben Price – I don’t believe it. 

Windsor points and laughs again. Then he adjusts his elbow pad again, pulling it back up to where it’s normally worn. He adjusts his waist band on his tights as well. Taking his time. 

Eddie Vega – Is he just adding to it?

 Windsor then moves in and gets Dresden into position to pull her up onto his shoulder to set up for his version of the muscle buster. He then takes a few steps into the center of the ring. Turns so he’s facing the announcer’s table, and drops down to finish it. 

Ben Price – Is he sending a message there? 

Valora Salinas – You can bet on it. 

Windsor leans back onto Dresden and lets the referee count. 

… One

…… Two

………. Three.

Ben Price – I don’t believe it. 

Valora Salinas – Believe it. 

The camera shows Eddie Williams still staring at Greg Salazar, and then moves up to show Clyde Baxter handing Frank Windsor the Valor championship. 

Eddie Vega – 3 down, 2 to go for the Valour champion!

Valora Salinas – Yeah, he did it. 

Ben Price – I mean… he did. But I have questions. 

Samatha Topher slips into the ring, and starts to check on Abbigail Dresden. 

Valora Salinas – We all do. 

Eddie Vega – I don’t. 

Ben Price – The elbow pad?

Valora Salinas – You think? 

At that Valora puts down the headset, slamming it onto the table. She then jumps up into the ring, and starts to ask Baxter questions. Baxter points out that he checked them for weapons before the match and everything was good. 

Greg Salazar yells to them motions that he’d high fived Williams during the match. 

Ben Price – We worry about the warzone outside, but there is also one about to start in here!

Valora Salinas motions that she’d like to check Windsor’s elbow pad. He appears to let her know what she can do with that, and then rolls out of the ring to join the others in walking away. 

Ben Price – I don’t know if Windsor cheated or not. But one thing is for sure, that elbow rung Abbigail Dresden’s bell for sure. 

Eddie Vega – Because he is Frank F’n Windsor, and he’s the best there is in the CWF. And he didn’t lose, so he’s not going to quit!

Ben Price – Well, that’s all the time we have for tonight. We will be coming to you from Mérida, Mexico next Warzone! Oh, and we will have the debut of CWF: Vanguard as well!

Eddie Vega – And hopefully no more gunfights in the parking lot!

Ben Pric – I’m Ben Price, and this is my broadcasting partner Eddie Vega. And remember… 

#JoinTheConquest