Post by @whirlwind_LLC on Oct 31, 2019 8:32:28 GMT -8
The house lights are off inside the Gimnasio Nuevo Leon as All Hallows Eve begin. We can hear the Whirlwind faithful clapping and whistling and showing their love for Mexico’s favorite wrestling promotion. A dubstep like beat begins to play as a spotlight lights up the ring!
Standing in the middle of the ring is Thatcher, dressed up as Rick Grimes from the once uber popular AMC TV Show “The Walking Dead”. He hasn’t shaved in weeks, grew his hair out some to be shaggy and stringy and to get in full character, and he hasn’t washed it in a week. He bought a light brown cop shirt like the one Rick wore in season 1, and every time he worked out in the last three weeks, he wore that shirt to get life like armpit stains in it. Some could say that Thatcher is dedicated to this role.
The fans are super stoked for tonight’s Whirlwind Wrestling show and is super loud as Thatcher stands sideways, slowly looks up at the hard cam, slowly removes his oversized cop hat, tosses it in the ground, he pulls his revolver from his hip and raises it up pointing it at the camera.
Thatcher: “CARL! Stay Back! This about to get bad!”
Thatcher says in a slow southern drawl, the crowd just eating it up.
Thatcher: “I’m about to show these other promotion how to be real color guy. A Grade A MC, and I’ll ruin your A show one day, cause Sheriff Grimes calls matches dirty, like my armpit stains!”
Thatcher holds his arms up to show up his deep set in stains to cheers and laughter as Thatcher attempts to raps.
Thatcher: “I’m a post apocalyptic cop, who’s got a lot of issues, pop a cap in you, and point out all of the talent that you misuse.”
Some laughs and some ohhs! From the jam packed crowd.
Thatcher: “Cooking up better storylines, and plot lines here in the Gimnasio, While you hatch stupid little schemes like a, blind Vince McMahon.”
Gasps of “Oh no he didn’t!”
Thatcher: “You bore your fans to death, literally, pin by pin, Here, they cry for more, with every star we send in. So write this down, so you don’t forget this. I kill better zombies that are better wrestlers than you before breakfast!”
Round of applause as Thatcher smiles and takes a bow. All of the house lights come up to reveal a Halloween inspired set.
Thatcher: “Thank you! Thank you! I tried! What can I say? I gave it my best shot! While my little rap might have been a little cheesy, one thing that won’t be cheesy, is our show here tonight! So get strapped in and get ready! Because ALL HALLOWS EVE STARTS!”
Thatcher looks up, he looks down, looks to his left, to his right, looks at his watch, then, looks up at the hard cam.
Thatcher: “NOW!”
Thatcher: “Ladies and Gentlemen, as promised! My guest at this time is…..”
As Thatcher is getting ready to introduce Double J Joe Jones, he glances up at the entrance way and slowly waddling out from backstage is Nanook!
Thatcher: “Nanook?”
Nanook pauses at the top of the ramp and adjusts his custom made suit jacket. The Whirlwind faithful are unsure how to react to the guy who screwed Joe out of the International Whirlwind Championship at RANCOR.
Thatcher: “Well this is certainly a surprise. We were scheduled to have Joe Jones out here at this time, but as you can clearly see I am being joined by Nanook.”
Nanook makes his way down to the ring while Thatcher rambles on.
Thatcher: “Nanook, welcome to All Hallows Eve! Now last month we saw you come out when it was revealed that it was Mastodon who was wearing the OGDA mask in the main event at Rancor! Joe Jones replaced The Bad Ass James Kelloggs with Bester, who was wearing the mask thus making him, OGDA. Mastodon unmasked himself just when it looked like Joe was about to win the Whirlwind championship and he attacked Joe which allowed B Epic to win the belt. Now before we address the situation between you and Joe, what is your connecting with Mastodon?”
Nanook: “Thatcher! Mastodon is a star here in Whirlwind Wrestling!”
Pop for Mastodon.
Nanook: “Mastodon, will one day be the International Whirlwind Champion!”
Another pop for Mastodon.
Nanook: “I can see this. You can see this! All of these people can see this! Mastodon is a winner! Mastodon is thee big money draw! Mastodon puts asses in the seats, he forces eyeballs on the TV, he makes people part with their hard earned money because everyone just wants to see the big guy, wreck someone! As his agent, I will make sure Mastodon gets everything he has earned, everything he deserves and more because it’s a guy like Mastodon who is the future of this company! Not some old, broken down, past his prime, has been like Joe Jones!”
Thatcher: “Now wait a minute! We can both stand here and say a lot about Joe Jones, who is missing from his scheduled time right now.”
Nanook: “Joe? late for work? Never heard that before.”
Thatcher: “He is a former International Whirlwind Champion. The longest reigning champion in the history of that title. I wouldn’t say he’s past his prime.”
Nanook: “But a backstabbing little bitch, you can say that! Thatcher! Let me tell you a little story. A story of a kid who couldn’t speak English very well, weighed 105 pounds and had two left feet. A little boy just hanging around his old man when his mother got tired of him and sent him to the states just to get him out of her hair! His father is a world renowned wrestling legend, world famous! He’s fought all over the world and fans chanted his name in many languages! But his kid! Destined to be a huge disappointment. A failure!”
Nanook looks at the camera and holds his index finger up.
Nanook: “That was until I took him under my wing and showed that kid how to train, how to fight, how to wrestle! If it wasn’t for me! Joe Jones would have never made it in this sport! Everything he has ever done, was all thanks to me! His 19 championships he has held throughout his career! Was because of me! And he thinks he can just take everything I built? Over a shitty contract, a shitty contract I told him NOT to sign! A contract that I told him, would be a mistake! Oh but Thatcher! He said he’s got this! It’s just a standard contract! Yeah, a 360 deal, everything you have now belongs to that asshole in Knoxville! That is on YOU Joe! Everything that went down in Tennessee, California, is on you! NOT me! YOU! And the bullshit that went down in Florida ...”
Nanook stops and shakes his head, still angry about how Joe stole his agency.
Nanook: “Joe! Chamber’s not in Mexico! Chamber can’t even enter this country! He’s not here to save your ass! I’m TAKING back everything you stole from me! I’M GOING TO BURY YOU!”
Night Club’s Dear Enemy plays and slowing stepping out from the back is Double J Joe Jones! The Whirlwind faithful is giving him an earful as he slowly makes his way down to the ring.
Thatcher: “Gentlemen! I have to remind you…”
Joe Jones: “Can it Thatcher! No one wants to listen to you! And no one wants to listen to that fat piece of shit standing next to you either!”
More boos as Joe makes his way up the ring steps, stepping onto the apron.
Joe Jones: “Now, firstly, I am sorry that I’m late, but the traffic in this shit hole of a city absolutely SUCKS! Learn how to fucking drive you lazy fucks!”
More boos as Joe steps through the ropes.
Joe Jones: “Secondly! As soon as I got here and made my way to just behind that curtain, I stopped and listen to this fat fuck tell one lie after another! I didn’t take that 360 offer that Jay Jefferson put down on the table. I took that shit to you because I’ve never heard of a 360 deal! I threw that contract down on your table! You flipped to the last page! Looked at the dollar amount, and most likely figured out what your cut was going to be, looked up and nodded! You told me, looks good buddy! I even asked you, Are you sure? Did you see some of the things in this deal? I’m not sure about this, you cut me off and said that Tennessee company was going to take care of me!”
Nanook: “And they did take care of you! They took care of your travel! Your food! Your housing! Hotels! Cars! Plane tickets! THEY DID PAY FOR EVERYTHING!”
Nanook just yanks the mic from Thatcher and takes a step towards Joe.
Nanook: “That was until you got old and broken down and couldn’t get in that ring anymore!”
A bunch of ohs and ahs from the crowd.
Nanook: “How many matches did you have against their top guy? How many shots at their top belt did you have? Seven? And you just couldn’t get the job done. I mean, you did do the J.O.B!”
Joe drops the mic and balls up his fist. Thatcher tries to wedge himself between the two of the once close friends when all of a sudden the all important under 12 demo erupts in high pitched screams as I’m a superhero is pumped through the speakers as Bester comes jogging out and down to the ring.
Thatcher: “Guys! Not here! Not now! Let’s work this out!”
Bester slides into the ring and he gets in the middle of Joe and Nanook. He pushes Joe back while saying something to him as Thatcher picks up the mic. Bester has a moment with Joe and at least has his understanding for now. Bester turns and takes the mic from Thatcher.
Bester: “Thank you Mister Thatcher. Mister Nanook! Mister Jones! Please! Let me say something! I have known both of you for a long time! If it wasn’t for either one of you, I wouldn’t be here today! I wouldn’t have won my first championship of my career last year! I owe you both a debt that I’m unsure if I will ever be able to repay. I have stood by, off to the side for a while now and watched you two try to ruin each other, over what? A bad contract from several years ago? Look at us. We all have rebounded and landed on our feet! Mister Nanook, you have discovered Mister Mastodon. You brought Mister Mastodon to here and look at him, he’s a big star that I know my Shining Stars cheer for as hard as they cheer for me!”
Pause for kiddie cheers.
Bester: “Mister Jones! Why are you still mad at Mister Nanook? You helped me in Florida win my first belt. You helped me get hired there. You almost won back your title from Mister Callaway at RANCOR.”
Joe Jones: “Bester!”
Joe says with a touch of annoyance in his voice, and the crowd, IE the kids, turn on him.
Joe Jones: “I need you to SHUT THE HELL UP!”
Bester: “Mister Jones!”
Joe Jones: “Just shut the fuck up Bester! Jesus! I can’t stand dealing with you! I just can’t do it anymore! You’re so needy!”
And the boos come raining in and Bester looks sad. Nanook steps forward and places his hand on Bester’s shoulder.
Nanook: “I never thought you were needy Best. Unlike this ungrateful ...”
Joe Jones: “And you too can shut the hell up!”
More boos.
Joe Jones: “I don’t know what the hell happened at RANCOR! I don’t know how that Mastodon reject got a hold of your OGDA mask! But I know you had something to do with it! That is why I am making it my personal mission to ...”
Nanook: “To what Joe? To do what? Take my company away from me again! Go ahead! Take it! I’ll just start another! AND ANOTHER! AND ANOTHER! In fact Joe! This is what my mission is! Right here! In the greatest city in the world! Right here at Whirlwind Wrestling! This is where I will get my justice Joey! Whirlwind Wrestling will be the last company you ever work for! I will see to it!”
Joe Jones: “Is that a fact? With you and what army?”
Nanook looks at Bester. Bester looks at Nanook and nods.
Nanook: “Looks like I found the one man army!”
The crowd starts to cheer and cheer. Bester glares at Joe and slowly starts to pump himself when The Lacs' "Outlaw in Me" booms over the PA system and a large brooding, hulking figure strolls out from the back with disheveled black hair and a [majestic] beard that could have had a mind of it's own,m wwith a tank top that might have been the only thing dirtier than Thatcher's prop shirt during his skit. Nanook’s face turns white as Joe smirks. The man unscrews the lid to the mason jar he is carrying and takes a sip of his shine before tossing it into the stands and making his way down to the ring. Joe looks right at Nanook.
Joe Jones: “I talked to the one guy who has never liked Bester here, to join me in this shit hole!”
And with that, Joe unloads on Bester clocking him in the face with the mic. The man slides into the ring and is quick to his feet. Joe takes off after Nanook who scrambles out of the ring. The man catches a stunned Bester with a huge boot to the face knocking him down as the boos pour in. Joe lunges over the top rope for Nanook who exited the ring remarkably fast.
The man stands in the corner as Bester is stirring on the mat, trying to get up, and when Bester is on all fours, the man comes out of the corner and nails Bester with "The Shine!" (Curbstomp) to a chorus of boos. Joe watches Nanook makes his way around the ring and up the ramp in shock. The man reaches in his back pocket, pulls out his can of Kodak long cut wintergreen and stuff his bottom lip with chaw. Soda and beer cans start to get hurled through the air towards the ring as the man and Joe look on defiant…..
Thatcher: This got personal, and fast, I don't think I've seen this much bad blood since the summer of twenty-eighteen, right here in this company. Welcome to All Hallows Eve folks...you'd better buckle up!
Thatcher: After a lot of personal drama between Joe Jones and Nanook, let’s switch gears with an exciting exhibition between two of our newest signings, as our first-ever Japanese star Hideaki Hideyoshi takes on the only fifth generation athlete in professional wrestling, Geoffrey Thomas Anderson the Fifth! In what was to be a competitive match however, Geoffrey took things to a personal level, with insults directed at Hideaki and even comments about him not being worth his own time, when he blew off a press conference to further excite fans for this match! Hideaki on the other hand kept things professional and calm. Who knows what’s on his mind after GTAV’s comments, or if he’s even let those disparaging words get to him. At any rate, I know I’m excited for this match, and I hope you are too. Now, let’s get to the action!
Hideaki stepped up to GTAV with a serious expression, his hands out-stretched for a test of strength. GTAV rolled his eyes and casually sauntered close, earning a STINGING knife-edge chop for his blatant disrespect! GTAV recoiled back in pain as he clutched his chest, to which Hideaki continued the onslaught with a one-handstand enziguri that tagged GTAV behind the ear, then a quick transition to a basement sliding dropkick, taking GTAV off his feet with a blazing speed! Hideaki dipped down to cover GTAV, but GTAV quick reached up and gouged his eye with his thumb, forcing the young lion back. With the advantage his now, GTAV swept his leg, sending Hideaki to the mat back first and allowing GTAV to quickly mount, and deliver some stiff closed fist shots to the head, each one dotting the forehead harder than the last!
GTAV stood up then with his arms outstretched, leapt backwards with a standing moonsault, holding Hideaki’s shoulders to the mat as referee James Farva counted the pin;
1!
2 – Hideaki kicks out!
Thatcher: Love him or hate him, Geoffrey Thomas Anderson is an absolute beast of an athlete...even if his ego twice out-performs his natural athleticism on any night.
Hideaki easily enough made it to his feet while GTAV was a bit quicker to his. This time, GTAV was the first to strike, catching Hideaki with an open-palm slap right to the chest! Hideaki reeled in stinging agony from the shot, but the young lion fights through the pain, returning with another chop of his own – but GTAV low-bridges, matrix style, and then kips up with an uppercut to the gut! Hideaki snap holds his abdomen after the strike, noticeably wheezing and trying to regain his breath.
Thatcher: Hmm...Geoffrey Thomas Anderson seems to be REALLY dialing in those strikes to Hideaki. Surely this isn’t some sort of initiation...that’s silly, considering they’re both having their debut match with us.
“C’mon, kid! This is where the big boys play!” GTA shouted at Hideaki as he slapped the side of his face! GTAV again slapped Hideaki’s face off, this time the impact sending him sideways as he spat on the mat! “Hmph, you’re just some Japanese punk kid!”
Whether that was a trigger for Hideaki or not we’ll never know, but the young lion perks up and with perhaps a little bit of desperation in his eyes, Hideaki headbutts the nose of GTAV, sending him reeling to the mat face down, instantly! Without even catching his breath Hideaki quickly drops down and rolls GTAV over onto his back, covering him with a lateral press;
1!
2!
…
…
Farva waves off the count, pointing at GTAV’s foot draped across the bottom rope!
Thatcher: A desperation save from Geoffrey…but, maybe poetic with Hideaki giving the egotistical fifth gen athlete a taste of his own medicine.
Slowly, GTAV grabs the bottom rope and pulls himself to the outside as Hideaki cleanly breaks from the pin. On the outside though, GTAV blindly makes his way to the barricade while clutching his face in both hands, something clearly wrong with his nose from – most likely – that headbutt. In the ring, Hideaki stands tall and listens to the crowd whom begin chanting for the new guy’s comeback;
“HI-DEA-KI!”
“HI-DEA-KI!”
“HI-DEA-KI!”
And then his vision met it’s mark. He zeroed in on GTAV in obvious pain and across the ring he went. Rebounding off the ropes, Hideaki soars over the top rope, connecting onto GTAV with a beautiful, picturesque sommersault plancha, the impact sending GTAV spine first into the barricade! Hideaki lands spine first on the thinly padded floor though, neither man doing a lot of movement after the spectacular onslaught!
Thatcher: Showin’ up and showin’ out, these two are smoother than a fresh jar of Skippy™!
With the two of them down and out on the outside, Farva has no choice but to start counting both athletes out.
1!
2!
3!
4!
Hideaki slowly begins to sit up, albeit holding his back from the awkward landing.
5!
GTAV slowly rolls off the barricade, and really just into a pile on the floor.
6!
Hideaki, to his knees, makes his way over to GTAV. A series of hard, STIFF punches to the small of GTAV’s back leads to Hideaki dragging the egotistical one by the arm to the ring.
7!
Thatcher: Hideaki obviously wants to pin Geoffrey…and given everything, who could blame him? But maybe taking the countout win is smarter so you can fight again another day.
With a grunt, Hideaki picks up the dead weight of GTAV with all the energy he can muster – when GTAV bullrushes Hideaki hard into the ring skirt! Hideaki falls to his knees while clutching his back after the dastardly impact! Meanwhile GTAV braces himself with one hand on the ring apron and the other hand holding his face. As Hideaki starts to get back to his knees, GTAV takes his foot and stomps the young lion’s face in, sending him back to the floor with darkness falling around him!
Thatcher: Oh no, that might have been the strike that does him in!
8!
GTAV looks around, then grabs the bottom rope with both hands, pulling himself into the ring before just collapsing on the mat, a moment of solace finally afforded him.
9!
Hideaki starts to get to his feet, though clearly he’s not himself, “out on his feet” would be the non-technical term. He looks all around the ringside area, not really noticing anything in particular…
10 – perhaps, on happenstance and happenstance alone, Hideaki grabs the bottom rope and pulls himself inside with it, just as Farva’s hands would have gone up for the ten! The Gimnasio erupted in praise for the efforts!
“THIS IS AWESOME!”
clap, clap, clapclapclap
GTAV props himself up on his elbows, struggling to lift his head up to see, to his chagrin, his ambitions of a countout not happening as the young lion Hideaki somehow managed to overcome the odds and keep on showing what he’s made of!
“HI-DEA-KI!”
“HI-DEA-KI!”
“HI-DEA-KI!”
Thatcher: This capacity crowd is coming absolutely unglued for these athletes!
Slowly, GTAV crawls his way over to Hideaki, he drapes an arm over Hideaki’s chest – but Hideaki grabs his arm, and pulls GTAV into an armbar!! Farva, almost caught off guard he rushes over to check on GTAV, whom is screaming out as Hideaki hyper extends the arm!
Thatcher: A clutch submission by Hideaki this late into the match surely spells certain victory!
GTAV squirms and screams out in pain, his arm flailing and even coming within an inch from the mat, but he stops and yells out instead! Hideaki pulls harder as Farva asks GTAV if he wants to quit, but a resounding “NO!” can be heard booming through the entirety of the Gimnasio! Hideaki pulls once again, and GTAV screams, then his movements slow, even stop. Farva reaches down and checks on GTAV again;
He raises his arm once – it falls haplessly to the mat!
He raises his arm twice – but now, Hideaki’s grip loosens and GTAV frees his arm!
Thatcher: Extreme fatigue, these two STARS have nothing left in the tank at all…
“FIGHT FOREVR!”
“FIGHT FOREVER!”
GTAV pulls his arm close to his body, cradling it as he tries to work the circulation back into it while Hideaki gets to his feet. Very deliberately, he stomps the back of GTAV’s head, then slowly picks up his dead weight. Hideaki slips around behind, hooking GTAV’s arms as he lifts him up for a Dragon Suplex – but GTAV puts the brakes on with a back kick to the inner thigh of Hideaki, sending him to the mat in a heap! Dazed and disoriented, GTAV flips Hideaki over onto his back and near the corner. Slowly, he backs up to the turnbuckle, and step-by-step pulls himself up the ropes to the top. He takes a moment to balance then, with his arms he mimes a pump action shotgun firing before leaping off;
Geoffrey Thomas Anderson the Fifth manages to rotate seven-hundred-twenty degrees in the air, landing a shooting star press onto Hideaki – whom gets the knees up, sharply pulling GTAV over into a small package! Farva drops down to make the count;
1!
2!
…
…
…
…
…
3!
Cruz Bleckley: Ladies and gentlemen, your winner as a result of a pinfall...HIDEAKI!! HIDEYOSHI!!
Farva tends to Hideaki, raising his arm from the mat in the process as a rock ballad that sounds remarkably similar to one you’d hear in the eighties plays to match the celebration of the Gimnasio.
Thatcher: What...what a match! Hideaki and Geoffrey made sure to make the most of their first impressions, neither man would give an inch and it made for a special, once in a lifetime style encounter that I’m sure neither of these men will ever forget. And maybe, just maybe, Hideaki earned a modicum of respect from Geoffrey...much like I’d hope Geoffrey could respect the work Hideaki just put in. What a match folks, I’m freakin spent just calling this match from the best seat in the house, how on Earth will we top this tonight?! You’ll have to stick with us...but I already knew you would, right?
We open up back in a hallway of the Gimnasio with both Francine, and MAX Danger, in mid-conversation. Let’s zero in and take a closer look.
MAX: I love you baby, loved you when I popped the question, loved you on our wedding day, and love you ‘till death do us part. I just, ya’ man don’t get it sometimes, though? What was that hoopla with Jake last month? Y’know dude is straight trouble, you of all people know what that Hollywood sellout, wannabe badass can do, ‘specially ten years ago…so why even entertain a conversation with that clown?
Francine’s eyes wandered about before coming back to her husband, a twinge of sadness accenting them.
Francine: I know. And believe me, hun, Jake came to me. I know what he’s done, you know I can’t forget. ‘Specially to me...but we’ve, all three of us, we’ve known each other since high school, I can’t just dehumanize him. He’s still a person, and he ain’t no random guy. But it’s hard, I know you and him ain’t never got on together and you know I’m on your side, we’re in this life forever and ever, ride and die, and -
MAX: Then why entertain the thought? Y’know Jake like I do, and y’know that clown ain’t up to nothin’ good. Dude is the cockroach of the entertainment industry, barely surviving and outlasting anyone that might have surpassed his “success”. And his success is some low budget original movies on the SyFy channel…he a leech. He tryna latch on to you in an attempt to make himself more relevant.
Francine: Honey, I get it, you love me and just want me to be careful. And based on his reputation, you know he’s trying to do something. But don’t you think I know that? I’m a big girl, I know things about the world too.
?: Know things about what, Francine?
Just then, both MAX and Francine turned around toward the source of the unexpected voice.
Jacob Hotstuff: Go on, please, don’t let my presence interrupt your conversation...and nice to see you’re earning your check this month, Maximilian.
MAX: …
Jacob: I’m sure you’ll choke though. But the real question is, how many times do you have to get up to bat and choke at the plate, before this company finally realizes you make them zero dollars and it’s best to let you go?
Francine: You know if he goes, then I’ll have no reason to be here as well, right? Is that what you want, Jake? To see MAX and I jobless and struggling to pay the mortgage? What happened to you? You used to care, you used to be fun...now you’re just this remorseless...sociopath. What happened to the Jake that sat next to me in study hall and shared his Geography notes with me to ensure we could both pass the next test, huh?
Jacob: Francine…
Francine: Don’t Francine me. I wanna know what happened to my friend.
Jacob’s eyes in that moment darted all around the hall, at virtually every other place except her face. He turned away from her, his fur coat slightly waving with the breeze of his movement.
MAX: I think the woman asked you a question. Or is your words as sorry as your acting career?
Jacob shoots a glare at MAX before finally turning to Francine.
Jacob: Look, this business, it changes you. Back then I was a kid, back then we weren’t rich. Now I am, and I owe that to Whirlwind, I owe that to Hollywood. I’ve changed it’s true, and damn it…
Jacob turns away, offering her only a side eye over his shoulder.
Jacob: I’m a better man for it!
MAX: Better? Man, you still just the same ol’ punk kid. You hold this company hostage to collect an exorbitant sum of money for a few minutes of work because you’re “Hollywood” and you might name drop this place on the set. You’re a fraud, Jake. All hype no substance. You, Jake…are a carny.
Jake: Don’t you have a fight to get prepared for, Maximilian? You know, one of the two you try to compete for in a year…
MAX: ...Francine, let’s go. Leave the ego in a fur coat alone...just like he’s gonna end up in a couple years when he can’t get signed for an appearance anywhere. We’re going.
Jacob: That’s right, run away. Run away because you’re scared of the ONLY, Michael Bay of Pro Wrestling!
Jacob’s words seem to fall on deaf ears though as MAX along with Francine were half way down the hall, refusing to play into any more of the brash loudmouth’s antagonistic goads.
Thatcher: Okay folks, I’m right there with you. What the hell happened between these three all those years ago?! It’s clearly some kind of high school or college drama but...well let me just ensure I have some popcorn for the next time we see them run into each other. Folks, MAX Danger is in action later tonight so stay tuned. Right now let’s take a look at how the team of Stephen Callaway and International Whirlwind Champion B. Epic, came to become the unit known as Epic Angle.
Epic Angle’s Epic Beginning
(Note: Current International Whirlwind Champion, now working under the name B. Epic, wrestled here in the Kingdom under what we in the business call his “shoot name”, Bruce Hendrickson. as so many other wrestlers have been known to do when they’re just starting out.)
The camera comes back from commercial, where Stephen Callaway is standing in the middle of the ring. He blows his nose, and the noise goes through the microphone.
Keith Oswalt: Welcome back ladies and gentlemen. While I’m not exactly sure why, Stephen Callaway has decided to stay out in the ring…
Eric Witz: I love this guy. Fighting of all kinds of swine flu to be here and wrestle. God bless Stephen Callaway.
Stephen Callaway: Sorry everyone, I’m a bit on the sick side…but I’m still here. I just woke up, and was surrounded by animals. Maybe I’m hysterical, but maybe not! I do know that regardless of all the things that have happened tonight, I’m the still the man with the angle, and the most important man on the wrestler…Stephen Callaway!
Callaway does a fist pump in the air, getting a slight pop from the crowd.
Stephen Callaway: You know, I should have won last week. I blame the cold. Or, I blame Ryder Cup. Whichever sounds better. I-
Suddenly, “Any Means Necessary” plays throughout the arena to a chorus of boos! Bruce Hendrickson steps through the curtains, and walks down to the ring, as Callaway scratches his head curiously at him. Bruce grabs a microphone, and looks at him.
Bruce Hendrickson: Are you kidding me? Like, really? You’re standing there, claiming you’re the best person on this roster, while blowing boogers all over the ring?
Stephen Callaway: Actually, I’m using the sleeve method…
Bruce Hendrickson facepalms, as Callaway rubs his nose.
Eric Witz: Oh that Callaway!
Bruce Hendrickson: How can you be the best? You lost! Again! You’re not the best…I am! Kid Flanagan just cheated to beat me is all! So, I would highly appreciate it if you’d stop claiming that YOU, a one shot wonder with a lame catchphrase, were better than me…”The Epitome of Epic!”
Stephen Callaway: Um…okay…
Callaway shrugs…but Bruce appears to have an epiphany.
Bruce Hendrickson: Actually…I think there’s a way we can be the best…the best team ever, that is. You and I can help each other out immensely, simply by having the others back. So…I’m proposing that you and I form an alliance. You scratch my back, I scratch yours. Got it?
Callaway looks at him, and then reaches out and tries to scratch his back, but Bruce swats his hand away.
Bruce Hendrickson: Yeah, not literally…
Keith Oswalt: It looks like we’ve seen the forming of a new alliance here in Pride!
Eric Witz: Stephen Callaway and Bruce Hendrickson? The most epic angle ever baby!
Suddenly, “Dance with the Devil” blasts through the speakers, and out walks Kurt Noble. He smiles at both men, seeming creepily amused.
Kurt Noble: I was going to wait to announce this until the end of the show, but you two men have given me the perfect opportunity to do something I’ve been talking about for weeks. See, recently, I’ve acquired a new tag team here in Pride, and they’ve been wondering if there was another team out there that could match them. Before me stands that team…supposedly the “best team ever.” Well, I’d like to introduce you two to your new best friends…
The arena is silent for a moment…before two men step through the curtain. The crowd goes wild as they spot the two men. They’re legends of sort here in Pride. Who are they? They’re Robbie Venom and Shawn Stevens!
Kurt Noble: Introducing, the Best Team Eva…
Robbie Venom & Shawn Stephens: EVA!
The two men chest bump as the crowd cheers!
Keith Oswalt: Oh my God!!! Robbie Venom and Shawn Stephen have returned to the Kingdom of Pride!!!
Both Venom and Stevens run down to the ring, and the second they do, they’re jumped by Callaway and Hendrickson. They begin to go at it, but the “Best Team Eva” gets the upper hand over “The Best Team Ever”, and throw them out of the ring! Hendrickson and Callaway regroup, yelling at Venom and Stevens, who have gotten a “BTE” chant going!
The noise in the Gimnasio draws to a silence, the lights as dark as a winter’s night. Slowly a left spotlight turns on to reveal Mike Saturn followed by a right spotlight showing Gil Saturn, the low intro of Imagine Dragons in the background. Suddenly, at the forty-eight second mark of. Imagine Dragons’ “Natural” the center spotlight flips on revealing Veronica Taylor sat on a literal throne adorned with a solid ebony frame and redd velvet cushioning, the Gulf Coast Championship sat in her lap!
Imagine Dragons abruptly halts in transition to Fifth Harmony’s “Baby I’m Worth It” as The Saturn Boys in unison, pick up Veronica’s throne and carry the self-proclaimed “Queen of Mean” down the aisle to the ring.
Thatcher: That’s...oh geezus what sweet hell is this?! Veronica Taylor is sat upon a literal throne, she actually believes she’s genuine royalty! This all coming off the heels of The Whirlwind Consortium’s announcement of their decision to recognize that...that thing as an official sanctioned Championship. The Whirlwind Wrestling Gulf Coast Championship, folks...and it’s current owner, Veronica Taylor.
Once at ringside, The Saturn Boys set the throne down, then each take a slender hand of Veronica to escort her from her seat and place her on the ring apron, making sure their Queen of Mean never takes a step of her own. The Saturns then jump up on the apron on either sides of her to allow for the most royal of photo opportunities, from their “loving” fans in attendance before finally sitting on the middle rope and holding open the top rope to allow for Veronica’s easy entrance into the ring itself. Once there, the Saturns rush in on either side of her and drop to a knee and motion their hands like a Price is Right showgirl would reveal a big money prize. Veronica then raises the Gulf Coast Championship in the air, an arrogant, bitchy grin plastered across her face.
After that Veronica snaps her fingers as she is handed a microphone by a stage hand as she motions for her music to be cut. As it cuts all that can be heard is the loud boos from the fans.
Veronica Taylor: Can you basics shut up and bask in the greatness of the Queen of Mean for a second?
The boos only get louder as Veronica rolls her eyes.
Veronica Taylor: Yeah keep booing like the basics you are. Anyway? Last month you saw that monster Mastodon rampage around here like the mindless animal he is. And you know something he beat my boys and now I am stuck in this match ugh like their are so many better things I could be doing with my time you know? Then facing the man who was so cared he couldn’t even make it to our last one on one meeting.
The fans boo not buying the story from Veronica Taylor. Who rolls her eyes placing one hand on her hip in obvious annoyance.
Veronica Taylor: Oh please its true I was ready for the match but he never came instead faking an attack on himself I mean how pathetic is that? The scent of loser is so strong on him So now he acts like a lunatic because of some perceived injustice and he tries and takes it out on Whirlwind's hottest act literally. Like I am not only your Gulf Coast champion, but also I am the leading force behind Veronica's Secret the hottest fashion brand like ever!
The boos grow louder as she grabs a small pink bottle of her newest scent kissing it with a smug smirk on her face..
Veronica Taylor: The newest member of the Veronica's Secret family you call this one Aurora, and not like that basic mountain town in Colorado I mean talk about gross. Almost as bad as this country!
The boos only grow louder as Veronica rolls her eyes.
With hardly any time after the bell rang, The Mastodon dashed forward, lunging into Veronica and snapping her to the mat with a huge shoulderblock! Quickly the man beast covered her, prompting referee Farva to drop down and make the count;
1 – Vero kicks out!
Mastodon grabs her by the back of her hair before she can get too far away, cracking the back of her head with his elbow, and a second strike for good measure. Gil Saturn is quick to hop up on the ring apron to holler obscenities at the beast of a man, but a stern glare is all it took to cause him to back off!
Thatcher: Mastodon is wasting no time! Is this the fight we anticipated when they were scheduled back in the spring time of this year?!
Mastodon turns his attention back to Vero, with a handful of her hair in his meaty, ham-fisted paws. With it, he drags her to her feet with him where he easily – almost effortlessly – military presses her over his head. Triumphantly he marches around the ring while the raucous Gimnasio roars in approval of him!
“MAS-TO-DON!”
“MAS-TO-DON!”
“MAS-TO-DON!”
Mastodon repeatedly presses her over his head, like she was the lightest weight on the bench press, then, as he lets out a primal scream, Mike Saturn jumps up on the apron. He waves his arms at the man beast while Farva instructs him to get down, all the while Vero slides out behind the big guy, swooping him onto his back with a school boy roll up;
1!
2 – Mastodon kicks out!
Vero slowly scoots back, her eyes locking with Mastodon’s as she realizes the problem she just created. She kicks at his hardened, Godzilla-like calf – the man beast doesn’t avert his gaze, the strike seemingly had no effect! Vero starts shaking her head no as Mastodon grabs her by the leg, pulling her back into him. Then, from the prone position, he picks her up by her legs and swings her around until he can adjust the hold into a crude-looking sidewalk slam. He spins around further, finally dropping her in a ring shattering blackhole slam...but that’s not all! Again, the Mastodon picks her up, the Gimnasio telling the man beast what to do next.
“ONE MORE TIME!”
“ONE MORE TIME!”
“ONE MORE TIME!”
Thatcher: This crowd wants Veronica dead, one more slam like that would put anyone down!
Almost effortlessly, he picks up the light-as-a-feather Veronica and spins her around, once, twice, thrice, until Gil shouts up at the big guy. “Hey, you can’t do that to wrestling’s queen!” He shouted.
The Mastodon did not approve.
Sadistically, he shrugged, then moved closer to the ropes, throwing Vero over the top rope and to the floor, luckily The Saturn Boys breaking her fall on the floor! Farva began to count while Vero sat up in half-fright, half-astonishment.
1!
Thatcher: Folks, this match has been all Mastodon...and what would you have expected, given the deeply personal rivalry between the two? But holy hell, you’d think Veronica hired him, and then stiffed him on the payment to get this kind of reaction but that’s probably more akin to Nanook’s playbook.
Vero repositions herself to allow The Saturn Boys to get back up, which just as soon as they do, they feverishly tend to Vero to make sure she’s okay. “No!” she exclaimed to them, obviously upset that this beast has been manhandling her all match.
2!
3!
4!
The trio remains on the outside while the man beast pumps his arms up and down to the approval of the Gimnasio. Every time the camera shifts to Vero though, a chorus of loud, thunderous boos overtake the entirety of the venue.
5!
Finally, the trio breaks with The Saturn Boys very gingerly picking their queen up, each one grabbing her by an arm as they escort her to her feet. Then the two move around to opposite sides of the ring. Vero moves to a third unoccupied side, closest to Farva, whom she gets in the face of. She instructs him that something is wrong, stretching her arm in front of him as if she might have a strained muscle – when Mike slides into the ring behind Farva and clotheslines Mastodon from behind! The sudden surprise impact stumbles him forward, which then prompts Gil to slide in and remove a bottle from his trunks.
Thatcher: Veronica’s Secret!!
With a pump of the handle, a puff of the intoxicatingly beautiful perfume whiffs it’s way into Mastodon’s face! The big guy begins coughing and wheezing, and The Saturn Boys signal at each other to make their move! The two move to sandwich the man beast, with Mastodon meeting Mike with a blind back elbow (think Jericho’s “Judas Effect”) which knocks Mike on his ass and rolling out of the ring! Gil meanwhile tackles at his legs, clearly the duo were going for a “high lo” type of setup, but without Mike to catch him from behind, Gil does not have the velocity to send Mastodon tumbling down! So with Gil down in such a compromising position, Mastodon grabs him by the waist of his trunks and pulls him up into that same sidewalk slam position. Vero finally pushes the ref aside and storms into the ring “No! Put him down!” to which The Mastodon obeys – BY THROWING GIL RIGHT INTO VERONICA!!
Thatcher: LOOK AT THE STRENGTH OF MASTODON!!
The impact sends the two tumbling back through the middle ropes and to the floor below, with Gil landing on top of Vero in a...suggestive...position! Farva, again, begins to count her out;
1!
2!
3!
Vero slowly opens her eyes to see Gil lying on top of her. She smacks the sides of his face in an effort to wake him up. “C’mon! Get up!”
4!
5!
Gil finally slowly comes to, his vision in a haze but a smile on his face when he realizes the position he landed in. Vero slaps him again. “Focus!”
“Oh. Right.” He shakes the cobwebs loose and rolls off of her, then grabs her by the arm and helps her to her feet.
“BOOOOOOO!!!”
6!
Vero whispers in Gil’s ears and then the two approach the ring, with Farva admonishing Gil, warning him it’s a disqualification if he gets involved. Vero meanwhile ducks back, grabbing her Gulf Coast Championship and making her way around the ring and to the aisle…
7!
Thatcher: Oh c’mon, really?! You’re the “Queen of Mean” but in the face of harsh difficulty you take the low road?
“BOOOOOOO!!”
“MAS-TO-DON!”
“BOOOOOOO!!”
“MAS-TO-DON!”
8!
But Vero didn’t seem to even be fazed by the Gimnasio’s taunts towards her, while Mastodon beats at his chest and pumps his arms in alternating fashion.
9!
Once in the aisle and a fair few feet back from the ring, Vero looks at the Gulf Coast Championship and with a bitchy grin and raises it in the air with her left hand, almost daring James Farva to complete his referee obligations;
…
…
…
10!
Cruz Bleckley: Ladies and gentlemen, your winner as a result of a count-out, THHHHHEEEEE MAAASSSTTOOOODDDOOONNNN!!
Ozzy’s “Hellraiser” plays for the big guy in the ring.
Cruz Bleckley: However, still the Whirlwind Gulf Coast Champion...the “First Class Mean Girl” and self-proclaimed “Queen of Mean”...VEEERROONNIIICCCAAA TAAAYYYLLLOOORRRR!!
Thatcher: Absolutely ridiculous. That’s not exactly conduct becoming of a champion, at least not here in Whirlwind Wrestling. This is not how we do business, folks, and I can only presume The Consortium watched this whole circus with a very stern eye. Consequences will be had for Veronica Taylor, I can almost guarantee –
Suddenly, Gil slides back in the ring, along with Mike whom is still holding his eye, both men behind The Mastodon. Together, they both deliver a double back elbow strike to the head of the man beast, sending him crashing chest first in the corner! On the rebound, they both grab an arm of Mastodon and double whip him across the ring, where they catch him with a double hip toss! Mastodon is much, much slower to get up so The Saturn Boys help him out. Mike first nails a huge toe kick to the side of his face which slumps him over, then yells at Gil “Now, do it!” Mike holds Mastodon’s frame in place as Gil goes clear to the other side of the ring and returns, looking for the Hart Attack to finish the deal – but Mastodon shoves Mike into Gil, which knocks them both down!
Thatcher: Good lord, how many lives does Mastodon have?!
Now he’s pissed. Mastodon, in a fit of seething rage, mercilessly stomps on Gil’s body several times before turning to Mike and picking him up. In one fell, lightning quick swoop, Mastodon lifts Mike into a snap “Mastobomb” (Deep Six Powerbomb), drilling Mike RIGHT ON TOP OF GIL!! Vero looks on, with maybe a bit of fear in her eyes, but she wasn’t about to show that. Mastodon then turns to Vero and shouts at her;
“FEEDING. TIME. YOU’RE NEXT!’
Mastodon then turns to the rubble of what’s left of The Saturn Boys, this time he picks up Gil and in a beautiful powerbomb execution, drills Gil with the “Mastobomb”, this time right on top of Mike!! Veronica looks on with eyes wide, and jaw dropped in shock, her hand slowly stroking the Gulf Coast Championship……for however long she may still be able to keep it for!
Thatcher: Wow! Just when you thought things couldn’t get any more tense, you could cut it with a knife and fork. And speaking of tense, sometimes when I get a knot in my back from a rough night of sleep, my whole back is tensed up the whole next day or two. Now, if you’re like me and can’t take time off for a personal day like that, so when it does happen, I like to use Icyhot. Icyhot is a unique over-the-counter medication that, through it’s own patented, unique blend of cold and hot temperatures, soothes your pain with hot and relaxes the affected area with cold. I can’t recommend it enough. So, why let your body suffer with physical aches and pains? Take my suggestion. Do things the Whirlwind way. Try Icyhot today!
Thatcher looks to the camera with a cheeky grin while a medic team is dispatched to the ring to tend to The Saturn Boys. Veronica disappears behind the curtain while Mastodon stomps – triumphantly, at least – through the crowd. The moral victory may have been his...but morals don’t come with a pay bump. As slimey an agent as Nanook is, while tonight may have pleased him to see his investment work out so well, surely he’s going to be motivating his monstrous client just a bit more after such a devastating performance. After all, if his client is holding a championship, then surely there’s a greater cut in it for him as well, right?
Epic Angle’s Epic Antics
As Death’s Desire cuts back to the ring, “Any Means Necessary” by Hammerfall begins to play as Bruce Hendrickson and Stephen Callaway walk out from behind the curtains. Receiving a chorus of boos from the crowd Hendrickson and Callaway walk confidently down to the rings, prepared for their match against the self-proclaimed Best Team Eva. More than ready to take the crown of being the best tag team ever, Bruce Hendrickson and Stephen Callaway slide into the ring and grin at each other as Ike Rose introduces them.
Ike Rose: The following contest is a tag team match and will be contested under Scramble rules! Introducing first, weighing in at a combined weight of 254 pounds, the team of Bruce Hendrickson and Stephen Callaway, Epic Angle!
“Bad Medicine” by Bon Jovi begins to play following Ike Rose’s introduction of Epic Angle. Cheering, the crowd screams as Robbie Venom and Shawn Stevens walk out from behind the curtains. However, carrying on their shoulders they hold the former Kingdom of Pride Scramble championships. But, on the faceplates of the titles the KoP logo has been replaced with a BTE logo whereas the word Scramble has been replaced with the words Best Team Ever! Grinning as they hold their titles, the two men grin at each other before sprinting to the ring, resulting in Epic Angle sliding out of the ring as the Best Team Eva look at Ike Rose for their introduction.
Ike Rose: Introducing their opponents, weighing in at a combined weight of 437 pounds, they are the team…
Before Ike Rose can finish, Robbie Venom gets in his ear and whispers something to him.
Ike Rose: They are the “unofficial” Kingdom of Pride Best Team Eva Champions, they are the team of Robbie Venom and Shawn Stevens, they are, The Best Team Eva!
Now holding their championships above their heads, the tandem grins as they hold the belts to Ike Rose as he exit’s the ring. Finally, the two look back across the ring while deciding who will start the match off against Bruce Hendrickson as he stands in the corner.
Keith Oswalt: Those are the Scramble championships! Shawn Stevens and Robbie Venom, they’ve…
Eric Witz: They’ve defaced Kingdom of Pride property’s what they’ve done! That’s just another line they’ve decided to cross! Jeremy Sterling should have them sued for what they’ve done!
Keith Oswalt: The Scramble championships are no longer a sanctioned Kingdom of Pride title, in fact, they are no longer property of the Kingdom of Pride, rather they are Shawn Stevens and, technically, Johnny Dalton’s property, however it appears that Dalton has given the title to Robbie Venom! So by legalities, Jeremy Sterling couldn’t sue the two of them, even if he wanted too.
Eric Witz: Keith, please shut the fuck up.
Ringing the bell, the match finally starts off as it’s decided that Robbie Venom will start the match off against Bruce Hendrickson. As the bell rings, the two meet each other in the center of the ring, but as Bruce Hendrickson charges Venom to start the match off, Venom hits him with a drop toe hold, making him slam into the mat. Quickly moving around, Venom puts Hendrickson into a side headlock, but despite this, Hendrickson can pyramid up to his feet and is able to push Venom back to the ropes and finally push him off. Running back at Hendrickson, Venom levels Hendrickson with a leg lariat! Nearly decapitating Bruce with the incredible move, Venom quickly covers Hendrickson,
1...
Kick out! Knowing that all he had intended to do was force Hendrickson to expend energy, Venom doesn’t let the one count get under his skin as he pulls Hendrickson back to his feet before kicking him in the stomach and then rocketing off a snap suplex on Hendrickson. Rolling through the move, Venom pulls Hendrickson back to his feet, but instead of being able to hit another move on Hendrickson, Hendrickson punches Robbie in the stomach and backs him away from him. Now running at Bruce, Bruce shows off his ability to think quickly as he jumps up and nails a dropkick on Robbie, making him land on his upper shoulders, nearly being thrown out of the ring altogether.
Rolling out of the ring, Robbie Venom effectively allows Shawn Stevens to hop over the top rope and get into the mat himself, however as Stevens charges at Hendrickson, Hendrickson takes Stevens off of his feet with a belly to belly suplex. Both men are able to get back to their feet relatively quickly, however from here Hendrickson decides to slow the pace down decisively by locking Stevens into a hammerlock. Wrenching in the hold, Hendrickson then steps forward into a headlock, but only holds onto this for a few seconds before pulling Stevens down to the mat with a headlock takeover. Holding onto the move with his left arm, Hendrickson uses his free right arm to tag in Stephen Callaway, who hops up onto the top rope before diving off and hitting a diving knee to Stevens face!
Keith Oswalt: Despite having never teaming before, Callaway and Hendrickson definitely seem to have chemistry as Hendrickson uses his superior ability to chain wrestle to set Callaway up for the diving knee drop.
Eric Witz: Kill ‘em Stevie C! Be the best!
Keith Oswalt: I really shouldn’t ever expect you to call a match, sometimes I wonder if you’re even worth having on pay roll.
Eric Witz: I’m worth about as much as Robbie Venom, so you decide that one for yourself.
Following the knee drop, Stephen Callaway goes for a cover on Shawn Stevens, however as he does this Robbie Venom runs in the ring and stomps him in the back, quickly pulling him back up to his feet, Robbie Venom elbows Stephen Callaway in the face before throwing him to the ropes and as Stephen Callaway runs back at him, Venom rockets off a spinebuster on Callaway! Grinning after hitting that, Venom helps Shawn Stevens back up to his feet, and after doing this tells him something. Suddenly, Stevens ascends to the top rope as Robbie Venom grins before leaping up and hitting a huge standing moonsault on Stephen Callaway! As Stevens stands on the top rope, Bruce Hendrickson rapidly leaps up to the apron and from here climbs up to top rope after having swept Stevens feet from under him, making him crotch himself in the process.
After doing this, Hendrickson quickly flips over Stevens body and hit’s a sunset powerbomb on Stevens, crashing him down over Robbie Venom’s back! After hitting this move, Hendrickson grins and taunts his opponents while catering to the booing fans. After gesturing at the crowd, Hendrickson finally turns back to his opponent’s who are still laying over Callaway in a heap. Despite this, Hendrickson runs at them and punts Stevens in the head! Making him roll out of the ring after doing this, Hendrickson then lifts Venom up to his feet and finally throws him to a corner, face first. After doing this, Hendrickson helps Stephen Callaway back up to his feet. After having recovered, Callaway notices Venom in the corner and drops to his hands and knees just a few feet in front of him. As Callaway gets in position, Hendrickson sprints at him and runs on Callaway’s back using it as a step to jump higher before kneeing Venom in the shoulder’s ramming him chest first into the turnbuckles!
Landing on the top rope from this as Venom stumbles back and trips over Callaway’s body, Hendrickson finally leaps off of the top rope and hit’s a huge back senton on Robbie Venom! Instantly after doing this, Hendrickson goes for a cover on Venom,
1...
2...
Kick out!
Eric Witz: Damn it! Come on Bruce, kill that asshole!
Keith Oswalt: I suppose we can throw any advertising that we’re family friendly entertainment away.
Eric Witz: That should have been thrown away when it was announced that a pill-popper was the owner of the company.
Keith Oswalt: I can’t believe you just said that.
Slamming the mat in frustration, Bruce Hendrickson gets back up to his feet, however as he gets up to his feet, Shawn Stevens sprints at Hendrickson and demolishes him with a Diamond Fire (Running Diamond Cutter)! Driving Hendrickson’s face into the mat, Shawn Stevens quickly gets back to his feet and almost sensing behind him, he backflips and crushes Stephen Callaway with a pele kick! Rolling out of the ring after being hit from the kick, Callaway collapses on the ground as Stevens now turns his attention back to Bruce Hendrickson and lifts him up to his feet before helping to revive Robbie Venom. Lifting him up, Stevens instructs him before lifting Hendrickson up off of the mat.
After having lifted Hendrickson up to his feet, Stevens kicks him in the stomach before lifting him up and nailing him with the Shades of Silver (Twirly Cutter)! After driving Hendrickson into the mat with the move, Stevens grins as he looks up at Robbie Venom who leaps off of the top rope and nails the Venom Splash (630 Splash) on Bruce Hendrickson! After hitting this, Robbie Venom goes for a cover as Shawn Stevens protects the ring,
1...
2...
3!
Ike Rose: Here are your winners, at 14 minutes and 24 seconds, the team of Shawn Stevens and Robbie Venom, the Best Team Eva!
As Robbie Venom and Shawn Stevens have their arms raised in victory, the two grin at each other, however as they do this, Stephen Callaway rushes into the ring, with both of the Best Team Ever championships in his hand, slams them into the back of Stevens and Venom’s heads! Knocking them down with the blow, Callaway helps Hendrickson up to his feet as they both get out of the ring, and despite being in pain, hold the Best Team Ever Championships over their heads as they walk to the back.
Keith Oswalt: The Best Team Eva gets the win, but Epic Angle steals their championships!
Eric Witz: Finally the Scramble championships are back in the hands of a respectable team!
Keith Oswalt: I can’t believe you condone this behavior, it’s unacceptable!
Lil Troy's "Wanna Be a Baller" hits to send the Gimnasio to a pop for the NEW International Whirlwind Champion, B. Epic!
Cruz Bleckley: Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome your NNNEEEEWWWWW International Whirlwind Champion; B. EPPPIIIICCCCC!!!
With the title fastened firmly around his waist, his eyes told the story of a peculiar sense of proud humility. Like he knew that he was good, but to be not just a champion, but THE champion, it was all still so surreal to him. Of course he took the time to pander some, slapping hands with the fans that paid for their ringside seats, as the cameras cut back to the Voice of All, Derrick Thatcher!
Thatcher: Folks, in case you missed last month, B. Epic managed to win the title for "Epic Angle" on behalf of his friend, Stephen Callaway, causing his friend to as of this writing, take on the distinction of being the shortest reigning International Whirlwind Champion in this company's history to-date at just under forty-five days. We've tried all month to catch up with Stephen Callaway, but it's all been to no avail. Whatever he's feeling after his partner's recent success, he's keeping close to himself! Smart plan, I'd say.
Back ringside, B. Epic makes jumps up from the floor to the ring skirt, followed by taking a long pose for the benefit of those with flash photography, on the second and top rope for about five seconds, Championship unfastened and raised in the air.
Thatcher: B. Epic is taking it all in. He's deserved that, surely.
Once in the ring, B. Epic receives the microphone from announcer Cruz Bleckley and begins to speak, Championshipm positioned over his left shoulder as he does.
B. Epic: Whoooooo! When I quietly retired in twenty-sixteen, I had never thought I'd be out here again. Let alone standing here before everybody as the guy putting this company on my shoulders! But, here I am. The Epitome of Epic, right here live in twenty-nineteen, the guy. But, if I'm honest though, I wish it didn't have to come down the way it came down. I took the pinfall from my partner to win the match, that's been weighing on my head for the last two months it's true. And I pinned the former champion Joe Jones after his plan failed to come to fruition. So, you could say it's kind of tainted...
The Gimnasio oohs sympathetically.
B. Epic: But like, Stephie C. knew what the stakes were, y'know? And I know, with the fighter in him, had he been in the same situation, he'd have done the same thing, on everything! Because we competitive. But we still friends, and friends can be competitive. At the end of the day, the goal had to be to keep Joe Jones from winning that title again, we all know that, and we did that. But like, that ain't enough, I know I got everything in the tank to beat Joe on my own, and I know if Stephie C. and I gonna lock up, ain't neither of us gonna walk out of that arena under our own power. Nah, we gonna give each other our all, and we gonna give each and every one of you our all, because this Title? What it means to be the International Whirlwind Champion? This is EVERYTHING! To this company. To us. To life! And y'know, if you ain't fight with all your might, then how the hell you gon call yourself the best? Shit ain't make no sense.
Thatcher: Well said champ, but I think what we all wanna know is...what's your choice?
B. Epic: And that's why it's my decision, when Whirlwind officials asked me how I wanna defend my Title, in Truth or Dare, it ain't take me no time at all to let 'em know, that I choose -
Kid Rock's "American Badass" plays interrupting the new champ, and disgusting the entirety of the Gimnasio as the smallest little badass in all of pro wrestling emerges, James Kelloggs!
James is of course flanked by two, stunning, breathtaking models, most likely from Instagram with huge boobies and booty and wearing next to nothing, which gets cheered from the male population inside the Gimnasio. B Epic lowers the mic and slowly shakes his head as James, in a nice suit and jacket snaps his fingers and his two lovely ladies in high heels scamper off the stage for just a second, only to return with a custom made soap box and mic stand with a gold plated mic on it. His girls place them in front of him and holds his hand as James steps up on the soap box to make him a full five feet tall. The chick on the right adjusts the mic so it’s at the right height and angle.
Thatcher: Just when we were about to learn what our new champion B Epic was going to pick, along comes this little guy.
James clears his throat. He holds his hand up for a second signalling for everyone to shut it, then he points a the new champ.
James Kelloggs: I’m only going to say this one time! I’m going to say this shit nice slow so you can keep up, and hopefully, maybe, perhaps, you will understand the words that are about to come out of my motherfucking mouth, a mouth I might add, will, as soon as I am done here, will be firmly planted between the legs of my Baes here! Where! Where I will suckle, nibble, lick and eat myself into heaven! I promise you, it’s going to be so fucking glorious! So epic that even your old lady B Epic is going to be wide awake tonight feeling the aftermath of what is going down here later tonight!
Thatcher: I’m sorry folks, we didn’t know what he was going to say. Is it too late to get a 30 second delay?
James Kelloggs: But before all of that! Allow me to address you! Allow me to tell you what is on my mind and please, allow me to tell you how I feel about the decision you are about to make! As important as Truth or Dare is, to your future match against me! Oh yeah! You heard me correctly! We all know how important Truth or Dare is to the history of that title, to these fans, there is just one thing you must know before picking Truth or Dare. And that is, simply.
James pauses for a second and stares down the champ before leaning forward to the mic.
James Kelloggs: Bitch! Please!
B Epic isn’t very happy to hear this.
James Kelloggs: The only thing you best get through that fucking head of yours is this! You! Will! Be! A! One! Match! Champ! I’m taking that belt! I’m the rightful number one contender to that belt! I didn’t lose at Rancor! You sure and shit didn’t beat me! But I’m going to kick your ass! Truth or Dare! I don’t give a shit what you pick! I’m claiming your first title defense! And not only will I beat you and take that belt, but I’m going to send your ass back into retirement! And the best part! It’s going to B so fucking EPIC when it happens!
Cold's "Remedy" sends the Gimnasio into an even greater fever pitch for the arrival of --
Thatcher: The former International Whirlwind Champion, Stephen Callaway is here! And he does not look pleased...
Stephie C. wastes little time as he bee-lines it to the ring.
Callaway: Congratulations are in order to the other half of Epic Angle for his incredible ability...
Callaway first brushes off the faceplate of the Championship, then raises B. Epic's arm briefly.
Callaway: I knew, you knew, we all knew the stipulations going into RANCOR! and you had the better angle on that night. I'm not taking anything away from you for that...but I'm here to claim my rematch for my title that I never lost!
B. Epic nods with no aversion to squaring up with his old partner while Stephie C. turns Kelloggs.
Callaway: First of all short stack, you're not even a former champion, have you even won a match in this company? And you think you deserve the buck the line when my..."partner" and I have some business to settle?
James tries to speak but gets cut off by the former champion.
Callaway: In fact, how are you gonna fight for my title...when you're scared of getting punt kicked by me into the asteroid belt?!
"OOOOOOOH SNAP!"
Kelloggs was visibly flustered at a combination of getting kicked and...looked over. Yes that's a short joke.
Callaway: So what do you say, pal? Next month at Seasons Past, Stephen Callaway and B. Epic - Epic Angle - faces off mano-a-mano for that International Whirlwind Cham --
Callaway sputters out before crashing into B. Epic, the camera jump cutting to thee side...revealing James Kelloggs! In the confusion, Kelloggs quickly darts around behind them and dropkicks the champion in the back of his knee fold, sending him down to the mat over Callaway.
"BOOOOOO!"
Shortly thereafter, Kelloggs climbs the turnbuckle to the top rope and stands up with a deep breath.
Thatcher: The Badass Bomb, c'mon James, this isn't the way to do things...
Before too long, head of security Officer Brent Justice quickly jogs down to ringside and grabs Kelloggs, restraining him from hitting the signature double foot stomp! This hesitation provides enough time for the Callaway to get up and lean into that Calsi Kick (Superkick) stance...
In another moment, B. Epic picks himself up, the first thing his eyes see though, is Callaway ready to kick someone. Silently, he backs up towards the ropes, foot rested on the middle with hands on the top as he sets himself up for "The Epic" (Springboard Carbon Footprint).
Just as Brent Justice gets Kelloggs away from the situation, B. Epic launches himself into the air, turning one-hundred-eighty degrees just as Callaway turns around and launches his kick straight up!
B. Epic quickly halts his forward momentum, landing in front of Callaway. The two men stare at each other awkwardly, both being quite aware of the other's intentions. B. Epic picks up the title that spilled to the mat in the commotion and holds it up with his hand. Callaway points at the International Whirlwind Championship, mouthing "next month, that's mine."
The Gimnasio oohs and ahhs at the tension rising.
Thatcher: A tense staredown between friends, tag team partners, and now a champion and it's former champion...
Callaway backs away, his eyes never leaving B. Epic's...or rather, never leaving the alluring gaze of the International Whirlwind Championship. B. Epic meanwhile keeps the Title raised up and with his free hand motions around his waist, he mouths "anytime, brotha. anytime." Neither man was going to back down.
Thatcher: This is intense. Stephie C. and B. Epic are both prideful and want to be the very best of the best, they're proud to claim the International Whirlwind Championship as a sign of the superority, and James Kelloggs is just as intense and maybe a bit spiteful, as ever. It's nice to see our new champion has an appetite, because man...he's got an over-crowded plate right now, in the state of Whirlwind Wrestling!
We open to a dusty, what appears to be a smoker’s lounge. There was a couple tables set up in sporadic places, and some background patrons engaged in idle chatter. The main focus though was the black couch where Whirlwind mainstays RUIN and Monte the Python were sat. Sloth as ever, neither man was even attempting to prep or practice for their big main event tonight, instead they idled their time away with cigars, bottles, and some boastful belly laughs as they traded stories with the other.
Monte: So what we do now big dawg?
RUIN: Why? We already got the main event. Money is already in the bank...why else we need to do something, it’s not increasing the bottom line…
Monte: MAX and the masked freak dude though, how well you know them? They professional? Or we gonna have to worry about a busted nose or some shit? I ain’t tryna collect a check and then spend it all in a hospital.
RUIN: Relax, just follow my lead. Fall down a couple times, take a pin, make the easiest two large for under ten minutes work you ever made…
Monte: That it? We ain’t gonna get lynched by some angry mizarks…I mean “fans” cause we got a quick buck then got the hell out? We ain’t gotta worry about the company dropping us cause we dipped out early?
RUIN: Listen, kid. When you been doin’ this as long as I have, you know where your bread is buttered. I got a longterm deal with Whirlwind. I negotiated it with The Consortium himself. If they drop me, send me home, I’ll collect my money whether on a breach lawsuit or for doing nothing but watching TV and boozin’. It ain’t that serious.
Monte: How the eff you get that? I only got an office deal, this performer contract kinda hinges on this match...I ain’t tryna lose all these extra monies bruh…
RUIN: Oh.
Monte: …
RUIN: Just go out there and entertain. Be something, do something the Gimnasio ain’t gonna forget. Do something the office guys will see dollars and cents in. It’s really not that hard. Just think it up, and do it.
Monte: Aight…
RUIN: We’re gonna be fine. Here, you want another smoke?
RUIN leans in and hands Monte another cigar and a light, which Monte takes, blowing a puff of smoke away from the veteran RUIN.
Monte: Yea...I’ma think of somethin’. Bet that. Whirlwind ain’t ever gonna see another Monte the Python, no way.
RUIN: Good. Now, let’s check Sportscenter before we head out. I gotta make sure Pats Nation is still undefeated.
Monte: Haha, bet. Let’s just kick back and take it easy.
The cameras cut backstage to the locker room as Pendragon can be seen sitting in a black folding chair, already in his ring gear with a black and orange scheme, befitting of the holiday. He rips the orange tape from the roll as he finishes taping up his hands as Sean Tuoni, the first graduate of his wrestling academy walked into view. Tuoni was wearing a black pair of black pants and a red t-shirt with the iconic lightning bolt logo of comic and TV superhero The Flash, his eyes seemingly capturing that same electricity and intensity as he extended his hand. Pendragon and Tuoni slap hands back and forth several times before ending with a fist bump as they greeted one another.
“How are you feeling being around the Gimnasio for another month; everything starting to slow down for you a little?” The masked strategist quizzed his prized pupil as he lifted his head, almost as if he was studying his face and body language.
“I'll admit, I'm still adjusting; I can't believe I'm still here. To go from practicing and training inside a small class to being around such an electric crowd in the biggest promotion in Mexico; the only thing that's going to acclimate me is experience and time.” Pendragon nodded, appreciating the honesty of his student. Sean could've easily tried to talk a big game, like the stage wasn't too big but he also knew Pendragon would've saw right through that veil of bravado.
“With time it'll become second nature. You don't need to rush, you know. The powers that be understand that you're still a rookie and adjusting to your new environment; I've been in your shoes at one point in my career. I charged head first with bravado and confidence that at times flirted with and became full-blown arrogance. It's easy to lose yourself in the transition early on, even easier if you taste success early and begin to believe in your own hype.” Pendragon clasped his hands together and formed a pyramid with his fingers as he leaned forward in his chair. “The allure of such a path can be intoxicating, Sean, but it can also lead to disaster. I've witnessed plenty of promising careers burn out before their time and I too at one point risked the same before I saw the error of my ways and rediscovered myself. One should aspire to burn like a steady flame, others may shine brighter at first, but your flame will outlast all others and light the path to the future.”
Sean Tuoni nodded as he listened, one could tell that he was taking his teacher and mentor's words to heart but there was another side that seemed to light up in his eyes. Youth, a certain headstrong aura that was willing and able to take on all of wrestling's challenges anyway. While Sean was taught better, he hadn't been through the baptism by fire to truly know better. “I understand, but Pendragon, you've taught me well. You spent the time with us at the Academia, taking the time with each one of us to refine our mechanics and the basics and how to address a crowd. Your wisdom, man, your wisdom is far beyond your years. But I know I'm ready to be out there, you said it yourslf before that I can only acclimate with time and experience, right? Why not tonight? I know you and MAX got a Nightmare on Elm Street Fight against the buffet boys, The Meat Sauce Mafia, why don't you let me go out with you? Consider it a... Ride-A-Long? On the job training.”
Pendragon thought it over as he leaned back in his chair, rubbing his hand over where his chin would be located under his mask. On one hand he appreciated his student's eagerness to acclimate himself further but on the other... he felt uneasy about introducing him to such a lawless environment. “I don't know. Sean, you do realize it's a no disqualification match, right? There'd be nothing stopping them from going after you. I appreciate your attempt of trying to use my own logic as a justification for such an ambitious endeavor but your health would be at risk. There's always next month, Sean.”
“Come on, Pendragon! I'll let you and MAX do your thing. Besides, you know those two will be up to something; they've never seen a shortcut they wouldn't take. You need an extra set of eyes out there to keep the playing field level. I know I can handle this, you trained me; I don't think you would've gone to corporate to advocate for me if you didn't think I was ready.”
Pendragon sighed; he had to admit that Sean had him on that point. Pendragon slowly stands up and places his hand on his student's shoulder. “Alright, fine. On one condition; you only act in self-defense. MAX and I can handle business inside the ring and I don't want you to act unilaterally to give us any kind of advantage.”
“Deal!” Sean enthusiastically chirped back as he wore a wide grin on his face; he was excited to stand in front of a live crowd for the first time. Pendragon takes his roll of athletic tape and placed it in Sean's hands and reached down to pull out a spare set of elbow and knee pads from his bag nearby.
“Suit up; always be prepared.”
We go backstage with lead correspondent Nikki Mynx.
Nikki Mynx: Ladies and gentlemen, standing by my side, the International Whirlwind Champion...B. Epic.
B. Epic: Yoooo, thanks shawty, that's right it's me, it's me, it's B-EP-IC. Early t'nite ya boy was bouta make a decision that's not just a but THE tradition 'round Monterrey, my Truth or Dare call when we got interrupted by a couple of guys that think they can step to the Epitome of Epic.
B. Epic straightens the Championship on his shoulder and pats the faceplate of his beautiful Title.
B. Epic: So, ya boi is here to tell yawl, that he understand what this Strap has been through, what it's legacy has been about. Tag Team matches and triple threats, no holds barred, it's seen it all. And ya boi know that this is gon be a hard life to live up to. Ya boi knows, what every single one of yawl out there in the Gimnasio expect when you hear this International Whirlwind Championship is on the line...
Nikky Mynx: So what's it gonna be? The answer to the question we've all been waiting for. B. Epic...will you live in Truth...or on a Dare?
"Oh you sonavabitch, that ass is mine now!"
From nowhere the pint-sized badass one comes sprinting in, taking the champion down at the legs! He reaches over to grab the IWC, but B. Epic quickly pushes him off and backs up.
B. Epic: Nah lil B, you done messed with the wrong dude...
"Allow me."
The camera shoots over to show the silhouette of who we can now deduce to be the man whom ALWAYS has an angle, Stephen Callaway!
Callaway: I think it's time we named you Team Rocket, because James, you're about to blast off at the speed of light!
Stephie C. begins stalking James, but before he can strike, a group of event security led by Officer Brent Justice again hits the scene and gets between the three men, holding them back from getting to physical contact with each other!
James Kelloggs: #$@!^%$!
Callaway: Come on, just let me have one kick...
B. Epic: Man, screw this, all this bullshit gotta stop. Ya boi is THE champ, I ain't scared of either one of yawl! So next month, Seasons Past? I'll take you BOTH on...in TRUTH!
Nikki Mynx upon hearing this, chimes in.
Nikki Mynx: Whoa! There it is folks, B. Epic just made his decision...he wants to live in TRUTH! And he wants both Kelloggs, and Callaway...under PRIDE Fighting Rules! Back to you, Thatcher.
Thatcher: That's huge! I believe this marks the first time we've had a Champion elect to fight under the Truth ruleset, and what a bold declaration. B. Epic wants to carve out his own way in this world and prove just how much of a fighting champion he is!
MAX Danger took his place in the ring to start the match while Pendragon took a few final words with protege Sean Tuoni on the outside. Monte the Python “got stuck” in the ring while RUIN held his hands up, almost washing his hands of it, you could see the laziness in his eyes.
Thatcher: Look at RUIN, the coward that he is. Why even still claim to be a wrestler if you don’t want to put in the work?
MAX flashed a mischievous grin as he pounded one fist into the other, his eyes locked on Monte who could only try to beg off, almost pleading with the underground MMA legend. “C’mon boi, why it gotta be like ‘dis? Black on black crime ain’t the way, we gotta UNITE! Fight the powah brotha!” MAX was having none of Monte’s bullshit as he smashed his meaty forearm into the side of Monte’s face, then grabbed his arm and threw him across the ring! Monte hit the ropes and, clearly out-gunned in this fight, he held onto the top rope to stop the momentum. Pendragon approached from the corner and silently with just a finger point, he directed Monte to lie in the bed he made last month. Slowly Monte turns around – and into a beautiful standing dropkick, with an incredible vertical leap – from MAX! Monte took the impact hard and went down like a sack of bricks.
Thatcher: C’mon Monte, you’re the one that begged the office to go on all these months...show us WHY you’re getting not just a spot, but a main event spot.
Monte briefly clutched at his back from the fall while MAX went right to a knee drop to Monte’s inner knee, followed by a legbar, tightening his grip quickly on the gopher slash laughing stock of the Whirlwind offices. Even Sean Tuoni at ringside shared in a chuckle at Monte’s expense. “C’mon, get up foo’” MAX barked at The Python.
Thatcher: MAX clearly having a bit of leeway with Monte here.
Monte meanwhile, remained down on the mat, even rolling over onto his back like a total green rookie fresh out of an academy. But let’s be honest, ain’t no academy worth it’s weight in salt that would claim to have trained Monte...it’d probably hurt their ability to attract new clientele. MAX would turn to Monte, placing one huge boot across his chest, prompting senior referee “The Jazz” to make the count;
1!
2!
MAX removes his foot, albeit somewhat disappointed in the lack of fight. So, he picks up Monte, and slings him into his own corner where he tags in Pendragon for the first tag of the night! “You better fight, you worthless sack of shi --” MAX growled at Monte as the intensity in the Gimnasio rose for Pendragon’s entrance into the match! Pendragon pulls Monte out of the corner, then receives a slap to the face for his troubles. Monte then goes into a crane kick, just as you’d imagine it straight from The Karate Kid, his eyes narrowed at Pendragon. He starts to make the kick, but Pendragon catches it, pulls him closer, and unleashes a spinning heel kick that puts the obnoxious Python down!
Thatcher: What the hell was that…
Pendragon drops to a cover with a hook of the near leg after the kick, Jazz following to count;
1!
2 – RUIN from across the ring comes in to break the pin!
Thatcher: Oh yeah, NOW this guy wants to come in the match? Since MAX tagged out?
RUIN starts to back away as Pendragon gets to his feet, closely following RUIN back to his own corner. RUIN eventually turns around and bows up to Pendragon, flexing his larger, refrigerator-shaped frame towards the smaller masked man, but Pendragon doesn’t back down. RUIN shoves Pendragon, while Pendragon comes back with a stinging chop across his bare old man chest. RUIN winces, but his facial suggests he’s not affected despite his actions. “Man get out me face, kid” he said while placing his hand on Pendragon’s face, shoving him backwards like a child. RUIN then turns back to his corner and starts to leave the ring.
Thatcher: Big mistake.
Pendragon responds by grabbing the veteran by the arm and pulling him back – when Monte the Python comes back and shoves Pendragon into the ropes chest first! Before Pendragon could respond, Monte presses his wait onto Pendragon to hold him to the ropes while RUIN hops down and out to grab Pendragon by the neck and pull him down across the middle rope, choking him! Despite this being a street fight, a blatant choke is still a blatant choke and thus The Jazz steps in to instruct Monte to back off the masked man. Monte refuses though, which prompts big MAX to come back in and from across the ring he charges into Monte to deliver a spear to his spine! Naturally the impact breaks the double choke, though Pendragon is crushed by the sudden velocity of mass coming his way, but anything has to feel better than being stuck in the middle of these two. Despite being a bit worse for wear, Pendragon breaks from RUIN and turns his attention to the legal man...the same man that MAX was now focused on. Slowly, Monte stood up, clutching at his back and appearing to breathe extra heavy. He looks at Pendragon and begs off. He turns to MAX and begs off again. The response he got was certainly nothing of the sort, and not even the Gimnasio could save him…
“BEAT HIS ASS!”
“BEAT HIS ASS!”
“BEAT HIS ASS!”
“Gladly, yawl!” MAX shouted out, only being added to by a silent nod of approval by the masked strategist. On three, the two of them charged Monte simultaneously, with Monte quickly dropping to the mat and sliding out of there, Pendragon and MAX stopping short of colliding with each other. A chorus of boos, DEAFENING BOOS breaking out for Monte escaping certain asskickery. Meanwhile RUIN began digging under the ring while Monte found himself on the outside, approaching Tuoni.
Thatcher: Hey, waitaminute now, that kid is one of the brightest rookies under development, but he’s still just a rookie. Monte better not be…
Sean didn’t appear scared though as Monte drew near. Pendragon watched from afar, perhaps silently judging his protege. By the time Monte got up in the kid’s face, he shoved him back. “Man, you just a punk ass boy,” Monte debased him, shoving him back into the barricade. “And you ain’t never gunna be nuthin’ long as you listenin’ to that freak in MY ring, y’hear?” Monte pushed Sean back firmly into the barricade, this time ending with a slap across his face!
Thatcher: Monte the Python, folks. Disgusting…
That strike was enough to send Pendragon rushing to the defense of his student, which only prompted Monte to goad further. “Oh, look at this, can’t even fight your own battles. Man, you jus’ a lil bit --” That was when Pendragon lost it. He opened up on Monte with a barrage of kicks, open palm strikes, and finally a whip from the barricade that sent Monte flying into the ring apron chest first! Pendragon followed it up with a high angle jump that lands with one foot on the apron as he...turned the tides (Disaster Kick) onto Monte’s face!
“PEN-DRA-GON!”
“PEN-DRA-GON!”
“PEN-DRA-GON!”
Thatcher: Turning Tides off the ring apron, good God almighty that is utterly insane and the balance that took is INSANE to think about!
By this point The Jazz has lost control of this raucous main event but it’s a street fight and this crowd seems to be utterly enjoying the chaotic nature of it just as well!
CLICK. CLACK.
It was the sounds of a steel folding chair being folded up, courtesy of RUIN coming out from under the ring, but that wasn’t all. He also had a brown bag tied to his belt. It seemed he was ready to play. He even let out a primal roar…
On the other side, Pendragon quickly makes his way to Sean to check on him, to which Sean nods physically, but internally he’s (probably, I guess, we can’t see that!) a bit shaken up by Monte’s intimidation. RUIN’s primal roar surely didn’t help things either...and RUIN’s approach on the two of them was only going to make things worse. Not wanting his student to take a chair shot from a bitter old veteran, Pendragon stepped in front of him as RUIN raised the chair over his head and…
…
…
…
CRASH!
When the dust cleared, MAX Danger stood above RUIN, chair laid out across RUIN’s body!!
Thatcher: MAX has gotten very adept at that spear...like a quiet ninja, or a viper, poised and ready to strike from outta nowhere…
There it was. Monte was struggling to find himself after the Turning Tides, RUIN was laid out by a spear, the chair was on the floor, and then the brown bag…what was in the bag? That’s when Pendragon had an idea, he took the bag, and directed MAX and Sean to get into the ring, with Monte. Once there, Pendragon opened the bag and dumped the contents out…
CANDY CORN!!
Thatcher: Of course it’d be candy corn, and Pendragon has spread it all over a portion of the ring. Happy Halloween, from Whirlwind Wrestling, folks!
MAX then brings Monte up to his feet, whom is naturally out on his feet, on dream street so much that he’s gonna start making a mortgage payment to live on that street. He rears back – but Pendragon stops him from delivering the crushing knockout punch the Gimnasio all knows and loves. He whispers to MAX, whom then starts laughing while nodding his head. Pendragon then turns to Sean, pointing at him, before calling out “Show me what you’ve learned!”
“YES!”
“YES!”
“YES!”
Thatcher: What?! Are we really doing this? This kid’s first moment on a live wrestling show, is in a pay-per-view main event and during a match he’s not even a part of! But, it’s Monte the Python so...couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy!
Sean Tuoni stepped back, looking surprised, among other things. Not wanting to leave his mentor disappointed though he stepped back and took a deep breath. Then, with all of his energy he ran straight at Monte, leaping into the air, delivering a ring-shaking Busaiku Knee to The Python! Monte took the full impact on the chin, falling back into the pile of candy corns to a MASSIVE pop for the kid! Pendragon then went in for the final blow, applying the “Gaes” (Katahajime). With no response from a clearly very knocked out Monte, The Jazz calls for the bell!
Cruz Bleckley: Your winners, as a result of a submission, and thus earning the opportunity to fight for the number one contender spot next month at Seasons Past...MAX DANGER, and PEEEENNNNNDDDRRRAAAGGGOOONNNN!!”
Kamelot’s “Karma” plays for the celebration of the two proud athletes over the Meat Sauce Mafia while the Gimnasio applauds their stunning victory!
Thatcher: Was there any doubt? Pendragon is one of the most reliable forces in the company, and MAX Danger is the most beastly of beasts, together you had to know they’d be as unstoppable a basketball player in a hotel – err, let me retract that statement before legal gets on my case for it. Anyway, MAX, Pendragon, next month have earned the right to decide which man from among the two of them will be next in line to challenge for the International Whirlwind Championship…but to whom will they fight? B. Epic, the current champion? Stephen Callaway, the man whom always has an angle? Or James Kelloggs, the biggest little Badass in all of Mexico? Find out next month at Seasons Past, for Whirlwind Wrestling, good night everybody!
The cameras cut one last time to the sight of Pendragon, MAX Danger, and of course Sean Tuoni posing and celebrating in the ring.
Standing in the middle of the ring is Thatcher, dressed up as Rick Grimes from the once uber popular AMC TV Show “The Walking Dead”. He hasn’t shaved in weeks, grew his hair out some to be shaggy and stringy and to get in full character, and he hasn’t washed it in a week. He bought a light brown cop shirt like the one Rick wore in season 1, and every time he worked out in the last three weeks, he wore that shirt to get life like armpit stains in it. Some could say that Thatcher is dedicated to this role.
The fans are super stoked for tonight’s Whirlwind Wrestling show and is super loud as Thatcher stands sideways, slowly looks up at the hard cam, slowly removes his oversized cop hat, tosses it in the ground, he pulls his revolver from his hip and raises it up pointing it at the camera.
Thatcher: “CARL! Stay Back! This about to get bad!”
Thatcher says in a slow southern drawl, the crowd just eating it up.
Thatcher: “I’m about to show these other promotion how to be real color guy. A Grade A MC, and I’ll ruin your A show one day, cause Sheriff Grimes calls matches dirty, like my armpit stains!”
Thatcher holds his arms up to show up his deep set in stains to cheers and laughter as Thatcher attempts to raps.
Thatcher: “I’m a post apocalyptic cop, who’s got a lot of issues, pop a cap in you, and point out all of the talent that you misuse.”
Some laughs and some ohhs! From the jam packed crowd.
Thatcher: “Cooking up better storylines, and plot lines here in the Gimnasio, While you hatch stupid little schemes like a, blind Vince McMahon.”
Gasps of “Oh no he didn’t!”
Thatcher: “You bore your fans to death, literally, pin by pin, Here, they cry for more, with every star we send in. So write this down, so you don’t forget this. I kill better zombies that are better wrestlers than you before breakfast!”
Round of applause as Thatcher smiles and takes a bow. All of the house lights come up to reveal a Halloween inspired set.
Thatcher: “Thank you! Thank you! I tried! What can I say? I gave it my best shot! While my little rap might have been a little cheesy, one thing that won’t be cheesy, is our show here tonight! So get strapped in and get ready! Because ALL HALLOWS EVE STARTS!”
Thatcher looks up, he looks down, looks to his left, to his right, looks at his watch, then, looks up at the hard cam.
Thatcher: “NOW!”
Thatcher: “Ladies and Gentlemen, as promised! My guest at this time is…..”
As Thatcher is getting ready to introduce Double J Joe Jones, he glances up at the entrance way and slowly waddling out from backstage is Nanook!
Thatcher: “Nanook?”
Nanook pauses at the top of the ramp and adjusts his custom made suit jacket. The Whirlwind faithful are unsure how to react to the guy who screwed Joe out of the International Whirlwind Championship at RANCOR.
Thatcher: “Well this is certainly a surprise. We were scheduled to have Joe Jones out here at this time, but as you can clearly see I am being joined by Nanook.”
Nanook makes his way down to the ring while Thatcher rambles on.
Thatcher: “Nanook, welcome to All Hallows Eve! Now last month we saw you come out when it was revealed that it was Mastodon who was wearing the OGDA mask in the main event at Rancor! Joe Jones replaced The Bad Ass James Kelloggs with Bester, who was wearing the mask thus making him, OGDA. Mastodon unmasked himself just when it looked like Joe was about to win the Whirlwind championship and he attacked Joe which allowed B Epic to win the belt. Now before we address the situation between you and Joe, what is your connecting with Mastodon?”
Nanook: “Thatcher! Mastodon is a star here in Whirlwind Wrestling!”
Pop for Mastodon.
Nanook: “Mastodon, will one day be the International Whirlwind Champion!”
Another pop for Mastodon.
Nanook: “I can see this. You can see this! All of these people can see this! Mastodon is a winner! Mastodon is thee big money draw! Mastodon puts asses in the seats, he forces eyeballs on the TV, he makes people part with their hard earned money because everyone just wants to see the big guy, wreck someone! As his agent, I will make sure Mastodon gets everything he has earned, everything he deserves and more because it’s a guy like Mastodon who is the future of this company! Not some old, broken down, past his prime, has been like Joe Jones!”
Thatcher: “Now wait a minute! We can both stand here and say a lot about Joe Jones, who is missing from his scheduled time right now.”
Nanook: “Joe? late for work? Never heard that before.”
Thatcher: “He is a former International Whirlwind Champion. The longest reigning champion in the history of that title. I wouldn’t say he’s past his prime.”
Nanook: “But a backstabbing little bitch, you can say that! Thatcher! Let me tell you a little story. A story of a kid who couldn’t speak English very well, weighed 105 pounds and had two left feet. A little boy just hanging around his old man when his mother got tired of him and sent him to the states just to get him out of her hair! His father is a world renowned wrestling legend, world famous! He’s fought all over the world and fans chanted his name in many languages! But his kid! Destined to be a huge disappointment. A failure!”
Nanook looks at the camera and holds his index finger up.
Nanook: “That was until I took him under my wing and showed that kid how to train, how to fight, how to wrestle! If it wasn’t for me! Joe Jones would have never made it in this sport! Everything he has ever done, was all thanks to me! His 19 championships he has held throughout his career! Was because of me! And he thinks he can just take everything I built? Over a shitty contract, a shitty contract I told him NOT to sign! A contract that I told him, would be a mistake! Oh but Thatcher! He said he’s got this! It’s just a standard contract! Yeah, a 360 deal, everything you have now belongs to that asshole in Knoxville! That is on YOU Joe! Everything that went down in Tennessee, California, is on you! NOT me! YOU! And the bullshit that went down in Florida ...”
Nanook stops and shakes his head, still angry about how Joe stole his agency.
Nanook: “Joe! Chamber’s not in Mexico! Chamber can’t even enter this country! He’s not here to save your ass! I’m TAKING back everything you stole from me! I’M GOING TO BURY YOU!”
Night Club’s Dear Enemy plays and slowing stepping out from the back is Double J Joe Jones! The Whirlwind faithful is giving him an earful as he slowly makes his way down to the ring.
Thatcher: “Gentlemen! I have to remind you…”
Joe Jones: “Can it Thatcher! No one wants to listen to you! And no one wants to listen to that fat piece of shit standing next to you either!”
More boos as Joe makes his way up the ring steps, stepping onto the apron.
Joe Jones: “Now, firstly, I am sorry that I’m late, but the traffic in this shit hole of a city absolutely SUCKS! Learn how to fucking drive you lazy fucks!”
More boos as Joe steps through the ropes.
Joe Jones: “Secondly! As soon as I got here and made my way to just behind that curtain, I stopped and listen to this fat fuck tell one lie after another! I didn’t take that 360 offer that Jay Jefferson put down on the table. I took that shit to you because I’ve never heard of a 360 deal! I threw that contract down on your table! You flipped to the last page! Looked at the dollar amount, and most likely figured out what your cut was going to be, looked up and nodded! You told me, looks good buddy! I even asked you, Are you sure? Did you see some of the things in this deal? I’m not sure about this, you cut me off and said that Tennessee company was going to take care of me!”
Nanook: “And they did take care of you! They took care of your travel! Your food! Your housing! Hotels! Cars! Plane tickets! THEY DID PAY FOR EVERYTHING!”
Nanook just yanks the mic from Thatcher and takes a step towards Joe.
Nanook: “That was until you got old and broken down and couldn’t get in that ring anymore!”
A bunch of ohs and ahs from the crowd.
Nanook: “How many matches did you have against their top guy? How many shots at their top belt did you have? Seven? And you just couldn’t get the job done. I mean, you did do the J.O.B!”
Joe drops the mic and balls up his fist. Thatcher tries to wedge himself between the two of the once close friends when all of a sudden the all important under 12 demo erupts in high pitched screams as I’m a superhero is pumped through the speakers as Bester comes jogging out and down to the ring.
Thatcher: “Guys! Not here! Not now! Let’s work this out!”
Bester slides into the ring and he gets in the middle of Joe and Nanook. He pushes Joe back while saying something to him as Thatcher picks up the mic. Bester has a moment with Joe and at least has his understanding for now. Bester turns and takes the mic from Thatcher.
Bester: “Thank you Mister Thatcher. Mister Nanook! Mister Jones! Please! Let me say something! I have known both of you for a long time! If it wasn’t for either one of you, I wouldn’t be here today! I wouldn’t have won my first championship of my career last year! I owe you both a debt that I’m unsure if I will ever be able to repay. I have stood by, off to the side for a while now and watched you two try to ruin each other, over what? A bad contract from several years ago? Look at us. We all have rebounded and landed on our feet! Mister Nanook, you have discovered Mister Mastodon. You brought Mister Mastodon to here and look at him, he’s a big star that I know my Shining Stars cheer for as hard as they cheer for me!”
Pause for kiddie cheers.
Bester: “Mister Jones! Why are you still mad at Mister Nanook? You helped me in Florida win my first belt. You helped me get hired there. You almost won back your title from Mister Callaway at RANCOR.”
Joe Jones: “Bester!”
Joe says with a touch of annoyance in his voice, and the crowd, IE the kids, turn on him.
Joe Jones: “I need you to SHUT THE HELL UP!”
Bester: “Mister Jones!”
Joe Jones: “Just shut the fuck up Bester! Jesus! I can’t stand dealing with you! I just can’t do it anymore! You’re so needy!”
And the boos come raining in and Bester looks sad. Nanook steps forward and places his hand on Bester’s shoulder.
Nanook: “I never thought you were needy Best. Unlike this ungrateful ...”
Joe Jones: “And you too can shut the hell up!”
More boos.
Joe Jones: “I don’t know what the hell happened at RANCOR! I don’t know how that Mastodon reject got a hold of your OGDA mask! But I know you had something to do with it! That is why I am making it my personal mission to ...”
Nanook: “To what Joe? To do what? Take my company away from me again! Go ahead! Take it! I’ll just start another! AND ANOTHER! AND ANOTHER! In fact Joe! This is what my mission is! Right here! In the greatest city in the world! Right here at Whirlwind Wrestling! This is where I will get my justice Joey! Whirlwind Wrestling will be the last company you ever work for! I will see to it!”
Joe Jones: “Is that a fact? With you and what army?”
Nanook looks at Bester. Bester looks at Nanook and nods.
Nanook: “Looks like I found the one man army!”
The crowd starts to cheer and cheer. Bester glares at Joe and slowly starts to pump himself when The Lacs' "Outlaw in Me" booms over the PA system and a large brooding, hulking figure strolls out from the back with disheveled black hair and a [majestic] beard that could have had a mind of it's own,m wwith a tank top that might have been the only thing dirtier than Thatcher's prop shirt during his skit. Nanook’s face turns white as Joe smirks. The man unscrews the lid to the mason jar he is carrying and takes a sip of his shine before tossing it into the stands and making his way down to the ring. Joe looks right at Nanook.
Joe Jones: “I talked to the one guy who has never liked Bester here, to join me in this shit hole!”
And with that, Joe unloads on Bester clocking him in the face with the mic. The man slides into the ring and is quick to his feet. Joe takes off after Nanook who scrambles out of the ring. The man catches a stunned Bester with a huge boot to the face knocking him down as the boos pour in. Joe lunges over the top rope for Nanook who exited the ring remarkably fast.
The man stands in the corner as Bester is stirring on the mat, trying to get up, and when Bester is on all fours, the man comes out of the corner and nails Bester with "The Shine!" (Curbstomp) to a chorus of boos. Joe watches Nanook makes his way around the ring and up the ramp in shock. The man reaches in his back pocket, pulls out his can of Kodak long cut wintergreen and stuff his bottom lip with chaw. Soda and beer cans start to get hurled through the air towards the ring as the man and Joe look on defiant…..
Thatcher: This got personal, and fast, I don't think I've seen this much bad blood since the summer of twenty-eighteen, right here in this company. Welcome to All Hallows Eve folks...you'd better buckle up!
Hideaki Hideyoshi vs Geoffrey Thomas Anderson V
Thatcher: After a lot of personal drama between Joe Jones and Nanook, let’s switch gears with an exciting exhibition between two of our newest signings, as our first-ever Japanese star Hideaki Hideyoshi takes on the only fifth generation athlete in professional wrestling, Geoffrey Thomas Anderson the Fifth! In what was to be a competitive match however, Geoffrey took things to a personal level, with insults directed at Hideaki and even comments about him not being worth his own time, when he blew off a press conference to further excite fans for this match! Hideaki on the other hand kept things professional and calm. Who knows what’s on his mind after GTAV’s comments, or if he’s even let those disparaging words get to him. At any rate, I know I’m excited for this match, and I hope you are too. Now, let’s get to the action!
Hideaki stepped up to GTAV with a serious expression, his hands out-stretched for a test of strength. GTAV rolled his eyes and casually sauntered close, earning a STINGING knife-edge chop for his blatant disrespect! GTAV recoiled back in pain as he clutched his chest, to which Hideaki continued the onslaught with a one-handstand enziguri that tagged GTAV behind the ear, then a quick transition to a basement sliding dropkick, taking GTAV off his feet with a blazing speed! Hideaki dipped down to cover GTAV, but GTAV quick reached up and gouged his eye with his thumb, forcing the young lion back. With the advantage his now, GTAV swept his leg, sending Hideaki to the mat back first and allowing GTAV to quickly mount, and deliver some stiff closed fist shots to the head, each one dotting the forehead harder than the last!
GTAV stood up then with his arms outstretched, leapt backwards with a standing moonsault, holding Hideaki’s shoulders to the mat as referee James Farva counted the pin;
1!
2 – Hideaki kicks out!
Thatcher: Love him or hate him, Geoffrey Thomas Anderson is an absolute beast of an athlete...even if his ego twice out-performs his natural athleticism on any night.
Hideaki easily enough made it to his feet while GTAV was a bit quicker to his. This time, GTAV was the first to strike, catching Hideaki with an open-palm slap right to the chest! Hideaki reeled in stinging agony from the shot, but the young lion fights through the pain, returning with another chop of his own – but GTAV low-bridges, matrix style, and then kips up with an uppercut to the gut! Hideaki snap holds his abdomen after the strike, noticeably wheezing and trying to regain his breath.
Thatcher: Hmm...Geoffrey Thomas Anderson seems to be REALLY dialing in those strikes to Hideaki. Surely this isn’t some sort of initiation...that’s silly, considering they’re both having their debut match with us.
“C’mon, kid! This is where the big boys play!” GTA shouted at Hideaki as he slapped the side of his face! GTAV again slapped Hideaki’s face off, this time the impact sending him sideways as he spat on the mat! “Hmph, you’re just some Japanese punk kid!”
Whether that was a trigger for Hideaki or not we’ll never know, but the young lion perks up and with perhaps a little bit of desperation in his eyes, Hideaki headbutts the nose of GTAV, sending him reeling to the mat face down, instantly! Without even catching his breath Hideaki quickly drops down and rolls GTAV over onto his back, covering him with a lateral press;
1!
2!
…
…
Farva waves off the count, pointing at GTAV’s foot draped across the bottom rope!
Thatcher: A desperation save from Geoffrey…but, maybe poetic with Hideaki giving the egotistical fifth gen athlete a taste of his own medicine.
Slowly, GTAV grabs the bottom rope and pulls himself to the outside as Hideaki cleanly breaks from the pin. On the outside though, GTAV blindly makes his way to the barricade while clutching his face in both hands, something clearly wrong with his nose from – most likely – that headbutt. In the ring, Hideaki stands tall and listens to the crowd whom begin chanting for the new guy’s comeback;
“HI-DEA-KI!”
“HI-DEA-KI!”
“HI-DEA-KI!”
And then his vision met it’s mark. He zeroed in on GTAV in obvious pain and across the ring he went. Rebounding off the ropes, Hideaki soars over the top rope, connecting onto GTAV with a beautiful, picturesque sommersault plancha, the impact sending GTAV spine first into the barricade! Hideaki lands spine first on the thinly padded floor though, neither man doing a lot of movement after the spectacular onslaught!
Thatcher: Showin’ up and showin’ out, these two are smoother than a fresh jar of Skippy™!
With the two of them down and out on the outside, Farva has no choice but to start counting both athletes out.
1!
2!
3!
4!
Hideaki slowly begins to sit up, albeit holding his back from the awkward landing.
5!
GTAV slowly rolls off the barricade, and really just into a pile on the floor.
6!
Hideaki, to his knees, makes his way over to GTAV. A series of hard, STIFF punches to the small of GTAV’s back leads to Hideaki dragging the egotistical one by the arm to the ring.
7!
Thatcher: Hideaki obviously wants to pin Geoffrey…and given everything, who could blame him? But maybe taking the countout win is smarter so you can fight again another day.
With a grunt, Hideaki picks up the dead weight of GTAV with all the energy he can muster – when GTAV bullrushes Hideaki hard into the ring skirt! Hideaki falls to his knees while clutching his back after the dastardly impact! Meanwhile GTAV braces himself with one hand on the ring apron and the other hand holding his face. As Hideaki starts to get back to his knees, GTAV takes his foot and stomps the young lion’s face in, sending him back to the floor with darkness falling around him!
Thatcher: Oh no, that might have been the strike that does him in!
8!
GTAV looks around, then grabs the bottom rope with both hands, pulling himself into the ring before just collapsing on the mat, a moment of solace finally afforded him.
9!
Hideaki starts to get to his feet, though clearly he’s not himself, “out on his feet” would be the non-technical term. He looks all around the ringside area, not really noticing anything in particular…
10 – perhaps, on happenstance and happenstance alone, Hideaki grabs the bottom rope and pulls himself inside with it, just as Farva’s hands would have gone up for the ten! The Gimnasio erupted in praise for the efforts!
“THIS IS AWESOME!”
clap, clap, clapclapclap
GTAV props himself up on his elbows, struggling to lift his head up to see, to his chagrin, his ambitions of a countout not happening as the young lion Hideaki somehow managed to overcome the odds and keep on showing what he’s made of!
“HI-DEA-KI!”
“HI-DEA-KI!”
“HI-DEA-KI!”
Thatcher: This capacity crowd is coming absolutely unglued for these athletes!
Slowly, GTAV crawls his way over to Hideaki, he drapes an arm over Hideaki’s chest – but Hideaki grabs his arm, and pulls GTAV into an armbar!! Farva, almost caught off guard he rushes over to check on GTAV, whom is screaming out as Hideaki hyper extends the arm!
Thatcher: A clutch submission by Hideaki this late into the match surely spells certain victory!
GTAV squirms and screams out in pain, his arm flailing and even coming within an inch from the mat, but he stops and yells out instead! Hideaki pulls harder as Farva asks GTAV if he wants to quit, but a resounding “NO!” can be heard booming through the entirety of the Gimnasio! Hideaki pulls once again, and GTAV screams, then his movements slow, even stop. Farva reaches down and checks on GTAV again;
He raises his arm once – it falls haplessly to the mat!
He raises his arm twice – but now, Hideaki’s grip loosens and GTAV frees his arm!
Thatcher: Extreme fatigue, these two STARS have nothing left in the tank at all…
“FIGHT FOREVR!”
“FIGHT FOREVER!”
GTAV pulls his arm close to his body, cradling it as he tries to work the circulation back into it while Hideaki gets to his feet. Very deliberately, he stomps the back of GTAV’s head, then slowly picks up his dead weight. Hideaki slips around behind, hooking GTAV’s arms as he lifts him up for a Dragon Suplex – but GTAV puts the brakes on with a back kick to the inner thigh of Hideaki, sending him to the mat in a heap! Dazed and disoriented, GTAV flips Hideaki over onto his back and near the corner. Slowly, he backs up to the turnbuckle, and step-by-step pulls himself up the ropes to the top. He takes a moment to balance then, with his arms he mimes a pump action shotgun firing before leaping off;
Geoffrey Thomas Anderson the Fifth manages to rotate seven-hundred-twenty degrees in the air, landing a shooting star press onto Hideaki – whom gets the knees up, sharply pulling GTAV over into a small package! Farva drops down to make the count;
1!
2!
…
…
…
…
…
3!
Cruz Bleckley: Ladies and gentlemen, your winner as a result of a pinfall...HIDEAKI!! HIDEYOSHI!!
Farva tends to Hideaki, raising his arm from the mat in the process as a rock ballad that sounds remarkably similar to one you’d hear in the eighties plays to match the celebration of the Gimnasio.
Thatcher: What...what a match! Hideaki and Geoffrey made sure to make the most of their first impressions, neither man would give an inch and it made for a special, once in a lifetime style encounter that I’m sure neither of these men will ever forget. And maybe, just maybe, Hideaki earned a modicum of respect from Geoffrey...much like I’d hope Geoffrey could respect the work Hideaki just put in. What a match folks, I’m freakin spent just calling this match from the best seat in the house, how on Earth will we top this tonight?! You’ll have to stick with us...but I already knew you would, right?
We open up back in a hallway of the Gimnasio with both Francine, and MAX Danger, in mid-conversation. Let’s zero in and take a closer look.
MAX: I love you baby, loved you when I popped the question, loved you on our wedding day, and love you ‘till death do us part. I just, ya’ man don’t get it sometimes, though? What was that hoopla with Jake last month? Y’know dude is straight trouble, you of all people know what that Hollywood sellout, wannabe badass can do, ‘specially ten years ago…so why even entertain a conversation with that clown?
Francine’s eyes wandered about before coming back to her husband, a twinge of sadness accenting them.
Francine: I know. And believe me, hun, Jake came to me. I know what he’s done, you know I can’t forget. ‘Specially to me...but we’ve, all three of us, we’ve known each other since high school, I can’t just dehumanize him. He’s still a person, and he ain’t no random guy. But it’s hard, I know you and him ain’t never got on together and you know I’m on your side, we’re in this life forever and ever, ride and die, and -
MAX: Then why entertain the thought? Y’know Jake like I do, and y’know that clown ain’t up to nothin’ good. Dude is the cockroach of the entertainment industry, barely surviving and outlasting anyone that might have surpassed his “success”. And his success is some low budget original movies on the SyFy channel…he a leech. He tryna latch on to you in an attempt to make himself more relevant.
Francine: Honey, I get it, you love me and just want me to be careful. And based on his reputation, you know he’s trying to do something. But don’t you think I know that? I’m a big girl, I know things about the world too.
?: Know things about what, Francine?
Just then, both MAX and Francine turned around toward the source of the unexpected voice.
Jacob Hotstuff: Go on, please, don’t let my presence interrupt your conversation...and nice to see you’re earning your check this month, Maximilian.
MAX: …
Jacob: I’m sure you’ll choke though. But the real question is, how many times do you have to get up to bat and choke at the plate, before this company finally realizes you make them zero dollars and it’s best to let you go?
Francine: You know if he goes, then I’ll have no reason to be here as well, right? Is that what you want, Jake? To see MAX and I jobless and struggling to pay the mortgage? What happened to you? You used to care, you used to be fun...now you’re just this remorseless...sociopath. What happened to the Jake that sat next to me in study hall and shared his Geography notes with me to ensure we could both pass the next test, huh?
Jacob: Francine…
Francine: Don’t Francine me. I wanna know what happened to my friend.
Jacob’s eyes in that moment darted all around the hall, at virtually every other place except her face. He turned away from her, his fur coat slightly waving with the breeze of his movement.
MAX: I think the woman asked you a question. Or is your words as sorry as your acting career?
Jacob shoots a glare at MAX before finally turning to Francine.
Jacob: Look, this business, it changes you. Back then I was a kid, back then we weren’t rich. Now I am, and I owe that to Whirlwind, I owe that to Hollywood. I’ve changed it’s true, and damn it…
Jacob turns away, offering her only a side eye over his shoulder.
Jacob: I’m a better man for it!
MAX: Better? Man, you still just the same ol’ punk kid. You hold this company hostage to collect an exorbitant sum of money for a few minutes of work because you’re “Hollywood” and you might name drop this place on the set. You’re a fraud, Jake. All hype no substance. You, Jake…are a carny.
Jake: Don’t you have a fight to get prepared for, Maximilian? You know, one of the two you try to compete for in a year…
MAX: ...Francine, let’s go. Leave the ego in a fur coat alone...just like he’s gonna end up in a couple years when he can’t get signed for an appearance anywhere. We’re going.
Jacob: That’s right, run away. Run away because you’re scared of the ONLY, Michael Bay of Pro Wrestling!
Jacob’s words seem to fall on deaf ears though as MAX along with Francine were half way down the hall, refusing to play into any more of the brash loudmouth’s antagonistic goads.
Thatcher: Okay folks, I’m right there with you. What the hell happened between these three all those years ago?! It’s clearly some kind of high school or college drama but...well let me just ensure I have some popcorn for the next time we see them run into each other. Folks, MAX Danger is in action later tonight so stay tuned. Right now let’s take a look at how the team of Stephen Callaway and International Whirlwind Champion B. Epic, came to become the unit known as Epic Angle.
WhirlwindⓇ Flashback said:
Oblivion Taping, October 10th, 2010 content courtesy: Kingdom of Pride wrestling.Epic Angle’s Epic Beginning
(Note: Current International Whirlwind Champion, now working under the name B. Epic, wrestled here in the Kingdom under what we in the business call his “shoot name”, Bruce Hendrickson. as so many other wrestlers have been known to do when they’re just starting out.)
The camera comes back from commercial, where Stephen Callaway is standing in the middle of the ring. He blows his nose, and the noise goes through the microphone.
Keith Oswalt: Welcome back ladies and gentlemen. While I’m not exactly sure why, Stephen Callaway has decided to stay out in the ring…
Eric Witz: I love this guy. Fighting of all kinds of swine flu to be here and wrestle. God bless Stephen Callaway.
Stephen Callaway: Sorry everyone, I’m a bit on the sick side…but I’m still here. I just woke up, and was surrounded by animals. Maybe I’m hysterical, but maybe not! I do know that regardless of all the things that have happened tonight, I’m the still the man with the angle, and the most important man on the wrestler…Stephen Callaway!
Callaway does a fist pump in the air, getting a slight pop from the crowd.
Stephen Callaway: You know, I should have won last week. I blame the cold. Or, I blame Ryder Cup. Whichever sounds better. I-
Suddenly, “Any Means Necessary” plays throughout the arena to a chorus of boos! Bruce Hendrickson steps through the curtains, and walks down to the ring, as Callaway scratches his head curiously at him. Bruce grabs a microphone, and looks at him.
Bruce Hendrickson: Are you kidding me? Like, really? You’re standing there, claiming you’re the best person on this roster, while blowing boogers all over the ring?
Stephen Callaway: Actually, I’m using the sleeve method…
Bruce Hendrickson facepalms, as Callaway rubs his nose.
Eric Witz: Oh that Callaway!
Bruce Hendrickson: How can you be the best? You lost! Again! You’re not the best…I am! Kid Flanagan just cheated to beat me is all! So, I would highly appreciate it if you’d stop claiming that YOU, a one shot wonder with a lame catchphrase, were better than me…”The Epitome of Epic!”
Stephen Callaway: Um…okay…
Callaway shrugs…but Bruce appears to have an epiphany.
Bruce Hendrickson: Actually…I think there’s a way we can be the best…the best team ever, that is. You and I can help each other out immensely, simply by having the others back. So…I’m proposing that you and I form an alliance. You scratch my back, I scratch yours. Got it?
Callaway looks at him, and then reaches out and tries to scratch his back, but Bruce swats his hand away.
Bruce Hendrickson: Yeah, not literally…
Keith Oswalt: It looks like we’ve seen the forming of a new alliance here in Pride!
Eric Witz: Stephen Callaway and Bruce Hendrickson? The most epic angle ever baby!
Suddenly, “Dance with the Devil” blasts through the speakers, and out walks Kurt Noble. He smiles at both men, seeming creepily amused.
Kurt Noble: I was going to wait to announce this until the end of the show, but you two men have given me the perfect opportunity to do something I’ve been talking about for weeks. See, recently, I’ve acquired a new tag team here in Pride, and they’ve been wondering if there was another team out there that could match them. Before me stands that team…supposedly the “best team ever.” Well, I’d like to introduce you two to your new best friends…
The arena is silent for a moment…before two men step through the curtain. The crowd goes wild as they spot the two men. They’re legends of sort here in Pride. Who are they? They’re Robbie Venom and Shawn Stevens!
Kurt Noble: Introducing, the Best Team Eva…
Robbie Venom & Shawn Stephens: EVA!
The two men chest bump as the crowd cheers!
Keith Oswalt: Oh my God!!! Robbie Venom and Shawn Stephen have returned to the Kingdom of Pride!!!
Both Venom and Stevens run down to the ring, and the second they do, they’re jumped by Callaway and Hendrickson. They begin to go at it, but the “Best Team Eva” gets the upper hand over “The Best Team Ever”, and throw them out of the ring! Hendrickson and Callaway regroup, yelling at Venom and Stevens, who have gotten a “BTE” chant going!
Whirlwind Gulf Coast Championship
Veronica Taylor© w/ Mike & Gil Saturn vs The Mastodon
Veronica Taylor© w/ Mike & Gil Saturn vs The Mastodon
The noise in the Gimnasio draws to a silence, the lights as dark as a winter’s night. Slowly a left spotlight turns on to reveal Mike Saturn followed by a right spotlight showing Gil Saturn, the low intro of Imagine Dragons in the background. Suddenly, at the forty-eight second mark of. Imagine Dragons’ “Natural” the center spotlight flips on revealing Veronica Taylor sat on a literal throne adorned with a solid ebony frame and redd velvet cushioning, the Gulf Coast Championship sat in her lap!
Imagine Dragons abruptly halts in transition to Fifth Harmony’s “Baby I’m Worth It” as The Saturn Boys in unison, pick up Veronica’s throne and carry the self-proclaimed “Queen of Mean” down the aisle to the ring.
Thatcher: That’s...oh geezus what sweet hell is this?! Veronica Taylor is sat upon a literal throne, she actually believes she’s genuine royalty! This all coming off the heels of The Whirlwind Consortium’s announcement of their decision to recognize that...that thing as an official sanctioned Championship. The Whirlwind Wrestling Gulf Coast Championship, folks...and it’s current owner, Veronica Taylor.
Once at ringside, The Saturn Boys set the throne down, then each take a slender hand of Veronica to escort her from her seat and place her on the ring apron, making sure their Queen of Mean never takes a step of her own. The Saturns then jump up on the apron on either sides of her to allow for the most royal of photo opportunities, from their “loving” fans in attendance before finally sitting on the middle rope and holding open the top rope to allow for Veronica’s easy entrance into the ring itself. Once there, the Saturns rush in on either side of her and drop to a knee and motion their hands like a Price is Right showgirl would reveal a big money prize. Veronica then raises the Gulf Coast Championship in the air, an arrogant, bitchy grin plastered across her face.
After that Veronica snaps her fingers as she is handed a microphone by a stage hand as she motions for her music to be cut. As it cuts all that can be heard is the loud boos from the fans.
Veronica Taylor: Can you basics shut up and bask in the greatness of the Queen of Mean for a second?
The boos only get louder as Veronica rolls her eyes.
Veronica Taylor: Yeah keep booing like the basics you are. Anyway? Last month you saw that monster Mastodon rampage around here like the mindless animal he is. And you know something he beat my boys and now I am stuck in this match ugh like their are so many better things I could be doing with my time you know? Then facing the man who was so cared he couldn’t even make it to our last one on one meeting.
The fans boo not buying the story from Veronica Taylor. Who rolls her eyes placing one hand on her hip in obvious annoyance.
Veronica Taylor: Oh please its true I was ready for the match but he never came instead faking an attack on himself I mean how pathetic is that? The scent of loser is so strong on him So now he acts like a lunatic because of some perceived injustice and he tries and takes it out on Whirlwind's hottest act literally. Like I am not only your Gulf Coast champion, but also I am the leading force behind Veronica's Secret the hottest fashion brand like ever!
The boos grow louder as she grabs a small pink bottle of her newest scent kissing it with a smug smirk on her face..
Veronica Taylor: The newest member of the Veronica's Secret family you call this one Aurora, and not like that basic mountain town in Colorado I mean talk about gross. Almost as bad as this country!
The boos only grow louder as Veronica rolls her eyes.
Veronica Taylor: Like it's more like those fabulous lights in the sky. Which speaking of lights that is what The Mastodon will be seeing after I am done with him. But the scent is far better than this place that is for sure! The scent is out of this world and the only way to truly know is to buy it for $199.99 trust me it’s so worth it. But you basics can’t afford it. Neither can that lunatic Mastodon but don’t worry boo, your suffering will be over sorry bout it.
Ozzy's "Hellraiser" played and it wasn't more than two seconds later that The Mastodon came lightning quick out of gorilla and down the aisle, in what had seemed like an eternity to wait...he had finally been given what he wanted; Veronica Taylor, on a silver platter.
With hardly any time after the bell rang, The Mastodon dashed forward, lunging into Veronica and snapping her to the mat with a huge shoulderblock! Quickly the man beast covered her, prompting referee Farva to drop down and make the count;
1 – Vero kicks out!
Mastodon grabs her by the back of her hair before she can get too far away, cracking the back of her head with his elbow, and a second strike for good measure. Gil Saturn is quick to hop up on the ring apron to holler obscenities at the beast of a man, but a stern glare is all it took to cause him to back off!
Thatcher: Mastodon is wasting no time! Is this the fight we anticipated when they were scheduled back in the spring time of this year?!
Mastodon turns his attention back to Vero, with a handful of her hair in his meaty, ham-fisted paws. With it, he drags her to her feet with him where he easily – almost effortlessly – military presses her over his head. Triumphantly he marches around the ring while the raucous Gimnasio roars in approval of him!
“MAS-TO-DON!”
“MAS-TO-DON!”
“MAS-TO-DON!”
Mastodon repeatedly presses her over his head, like she was the lightest weight on the bench press, then, as he lets out a primal scream, Mike Saturn jumps up on the apron. He waves his arms at the man beast while Farva instructs him to get down, all the while Vero slides out behind the big guy, swooping him onto his back with a school boy roll up;
1!
2 – Mastodon kicks out!
Vero slowly scoots back, her eyes locking with Mastodon’s as she realizes the problem she just created. She kicks at his hardened, Godzilla-like calf – the man beast doesn’t avert his gaze, the strike seemingly had no effect! Vero starts shaking her head no as Mastodon grabs her by the leg, pulling her back into him. Then, from the prone position, he picks her up by her legs and swings her around until he can adjust the hold into a crude-looking sidewalk slam. He spins around further, finally dropping her in a ring shattering blackhole slam...but that’s not all! Again, the Mastodon picks her up, the Gimnasio telling the man beast what to do next.
“ONE MORE TIME!”
“ONE MORE TIME!”
“ONE MORE TIME!”
Thatcher: This crowd wants Veronica dead, one more slam like that would put anyone down!
Almost effortlessly, he picks up the light-as-a-feather Veronica and spins her around, once, twice, thrice, until Gil shouts up at the big guy. “Hey, you can’t do that to wrestling’s queen!” He shouted.
The Mastodon did not approve.
Sadistically, he shrugged, then moved closer to the ropes, throwing Vero over the top rope and to the floor, luckily The Saturn Boys breaking her fall on the floor! Farva began to count while Vero sat up in half-fright, half-astonishment.
1!
Thatcher: Folks, this match has been all Mastodon...and what would you have expected, given the deeply personal rivalry between the two? But holy hell, you’d think Veronica hired him, and then stiffed him on the payment to get this kind of reaction but that’s probably more akin to Nanook’s playbook.
Vero repositions herself to allow The Saturn Boys to get back up, which just as soon as they do, they feverishly tend to Vero to make sure she’s okay. “No!” she exclaimed to them, obviously upset that this beast has been manhandling her all match.
2!
3!
4!
The trio remains on the outside while the man beast pumps his arms up and down to the approval of the Gimnasio. Every time the camera shifts to Vero though, a chorus of loud, thunderous boos overtake the entirety of the venue.
5!
Finally, the trio breaks with The Saturn Boys very gingerly picking their queen up, each one grabbing her by an arm as they escort her to her feet. Then the two move around to opposite sides of the ring. Vero moves to a third unoccupied side, closest to Farva, whom she gets in the face of. She instructs him that something is wrong, stretching her arm in front of him as if she might have a strained muscle – when Mike slides into the ring behind Farva and clotheslines Mastodon from behind! The sudden surprise impact stumbles him forward, which then prompts Gil to slide in and remove a bottle from his trunks.
Thatcher: Veronica’s Secret!!
With a pump of the handle, a puff of the intoxicatingly beautiful perfume whiffs it’s way into Mastodon’s face! The big guy begins coughing and wheezing, and The Saturn Boys signal at each other to make their move! The two move to sandwich the man beast, with Mastodon meeting Mike with a blind back elbow (think Jericho’s “Judas Effect”) which knocks Mike on his ass and rolling out of the ring! Gil meanwhile tackles at his legs, clearly the duo were going for a “high lo” type of setup, but without Mike to catch him from behind, Gil does not have the velocity to send Mastodon tumbling down! So with Gil down in such a compromising position, Mastodon grabs him by the waist of his trunks and pulls him up into that same sidewalk slam position. Vero finally pushes the ref aside and storms into the ring “No! Put him down!” to which The Mastodon obeys – BY THROWING GIL RIGHT INTO VERONICA!!
Thatcher: LOOK AT THE STRENGTH OF MASTODON!!
The impact sends the two tumbling back through the middle ropes and to the floor below, with Gil landing on top of Vero in a...suggestive...position! Farva, again, begins to count her out;
1!
2!
3!
Vero slowly opens her eyes to see Gil lying on top of her. She smacks the sides of his face in an effort to wake him up. “C’mon! Get up!”
4!
5!
Gil finally slowly comes to, his vision in a haze but a smile on his face when he realizes the position he landed in. Vero slaps him again. “Focus!”
“Oh. Right.” He shakes the cobwebs loose and rolls off of her, then grabs her by the arm and helps her to her feet.
“BOOOOOOO!!!”
6!
Vero whispers in Gil’s ears and then the two approach the ring, with Farva admonishing Gil, warning him it’s a disqualification if he gets involved. Vero meanwhile ducks back, grabbing her Gulf Coast Championship and making her way around the ring and to the aisle…
7!
Thatcher: Oh c’mon, really?! You’re the “Queen of Mean” but in the face of harsh difficulty you take the low road?
“BOOOOOOO!!”
“MAS-TO-DON!”
“BOOOOOOO!!”
“MAS-TO-DON!”
8!
But Vero didn’t seem to even be fazed by the Gimnasio’s taunts towards her, while Mastodon beats at his chest and pumps his arms in alternating fashion.
9!
Once in the aisle and a fair few feet back from the ring, Vero looks at the Gulf Coast Championship and with a bitchy grin and raises it in the air with her left hand, almost daring James Farva to complete his referee obligations;
…
…
…
10!
Cruz Bleckley: Ladies and gentlemen, your winner as a result of a count-out, THHHHHEEEEE MAAASSSTTOOOODDDOOONNNN!!
Ozzy’s “Hellraiser” plays for the big guy in the ring.
Cruz Bleckley: However, still the Whirlwind Gulf Coast Champion...the “First Class Mean Girl” and self-proclaimed “Queen of Mean”...VEEERROONNIIICCCAAA TAAAYYYLLLOOORRRR!!
Thatcher: Absolutely ridiculous. That’s not exactly conduct becoming of a champion, at least not here in Whirlwind Wrestling. This is not how we do business, folks, and I can only presume The Consortium watched this whole circus with a very stern eye. Consequences will be had for Veronica Taylor, I can almost guarantee –
Suddenly, Gil slides back in the ring, along with Mike whom is still holding his eye, both men behind The Mastodon. Together, they both deliver a double back elbow strike to the head of the man beast, sending him crashing chest first in the corner! On the rebound, they both grab an arm of Mastodon and double whip him across the ring, where they catch him with a double hip toss! Mastodon is much, much slower to get up so The Saturn Boys help him out. Mike first nails a huge toe kick to the side of his face which slumps him over, then yells at Gil “Now, do it!” Mike holds Mastodon’s frame in place as Gil goes clear to the other side of the ring and returns, looking for the Hart Attack to finish the deal – but Mastodon shoves Mike into Gil, which knocks them both down!
Thatcher: Good lord, how many lives does Mastodon have?!
Now he’s pissed. Mastodon, in a fit of seething rage, mercilessly stomps on Gil’s body several times before turning to Mike and picking him up. In one fell, lightning quick swoop, Mastodon lifts Mike into a snap “Mastobomb” (Deep Six Powerbomb), drilling Mike RIGHT ON TOP OF GIL!! Vero looks on, with maybe a bit of fear in her eyes, but she wasn’t about to show that. Mastodon then turns to Vero and shouts at her;
“FEEDING. TIME. YOU’RE NEXT!’
Mastodon then turns to the rubble of what’s left of The Saturn Boys, this time he picks up Gil and in a beautiful powerbomb execution, drills Gil with the “Mastobomb”, this time right on top of Mike!! Veronica looks on with eyes wide, and jaw dropped in shock, her hand slowly stroking the Gulf Coast Championship……for however long she may still be able to keep it for!
Thatcher: Wow! Just when you thought things couldn’t get any more tense, you could cut it with a knife and fork. And speaking of tense, sometimes when I get a knot in my back from a rough night of sleep, my whole back is tensed up the whole next day or two. Now, if you’re like me and can’t take time off for a personal day like that, so when it does happen, I like to use Icyhot. Icyhot is a unique over-the-counter medication that, through it’s own patented, unique blend of cold and hot temperatures, soothes your pain with hot and relaxes the affected area with cold. I can’t recommend it enough. So, why let your body suffer with physical aches and pains? Take my suggestion. Do things the Whirlwind way. Try Icyhot today!
Thatcher looks to the camera with a cheeky grin while a medic team is dispatched to the ring to tend to The Saturn Boys. Veronica disappears behind the curtain while Mastodon stomps – triumphantly, at least – through the crowd. The moral victory may have been his...but morals don’t come with a pay bump. As slimey an agent as Nanook is, while tonight may have pleased him to see his investment work out so well, surely he’s going to be motivating his monstrous client just a bit more after such a devastating performance. After all, if his client is holding a championship, then surely there’s a greater cut in it for him as well, right?
WhirlwindⓇ Flashback said:
Death’s Desire iPay-Per-View, October 31st, 2010 content courtesy: Kingdom of Pride wrestling.Epic Angle’s Epic Antics
As Death’s Desire cuts back to the ring, “Any Means Necessary” by Hammerfall begins to play as Bruce Hendrickson and Stephen Callaway walk out from behind the curtains. Receiving a chorus of boos from the crowd Hendrickson and Callaway walk confidently down to the rings, prepared for their match against the self-proclaimed Best Team Eva. More than ready to take the crown of being the best tag team ever, Bruce Hendrickson and Stephen Callaway slide into the ring and grin at each other as Ike Rose introduces them.
Ike Rose: The following contest is a tag team match and will be contested under Scramble rules! Introducing first, weighing in at a combined weight of 254 pounds, the team of Bruce Hendrickson and Stephen Callaway, Epic Angle!
“Bad Medicine” by Bon Jovi begins to play following Ike Rose’s introduction of Epic Angle. Cheering, the crowd screams as Robbie Venom and Shawn Stevens walk out from behind the curtains. However, carrying on their shoulders they hold the former Kingdom of Pride Scramble championships. But, on the faceplates of the titles the KoP logo has been replaced with a BTE logo whereas the word Scramble has been replaced with the words Best Team Ever! Grinning as they hold their titles, the two men grin at each other before sprinting to the ring, resulting in Epic Angle sliding out of the ring as the Best Team Eva look at Ike Rose for their introduction.
Ike Rose: Introducing their opponents, weighing in at a combined weight of 437 pounds, they are the team…
Before Ike Rose can finish, Robbie Venom gets in his ear and whispers something to him.
Ike Rose: They are the “unofficial” Kingdom of Pride Best Team Eva Champions, they are the team of Robbie Venom and Shawn Stevens, they are, The Best Team Eva!
Now holding their championships above their heads, the tandem grins as they hold the belts to Ike Rose as he exit’s the ring. Finally, the two look back across the ring while deciding who will start the match off against Bruce Hendrickson as he stands in the corner.
Keith Oswalt: Those are the Scramble championships! Shawn Stevens and Robbie Venom, they’ve…
Eric Witz: They’ve defaced Kingdom of Pride property’s what they’ve done! That’s just another line they’ve decided to cross! Jeremy Sterling should have them sued for what they’ve done!
Keith Oswalt: The Scramble championships are no longer a sanctioned Kingdom of Pride title, in fact, they are no longer property of the Kingdom of Pride, rather they are Shawn Stevens and, technically, Johnny Dalton’s property, however it appears that Dalton has given the title to Robbie Venom! So by legalities, Jeremy Sterling couldn’t sue the two of them, even if he wanted too.
Eric Witz: Keith, please shut the fuck up.
Ringing the bell, the match finally starts off as it’s decided that Robbie Venom will start the match off against Bruce Hendrickson. As the bell rings, the two meet each other in the center of the ring, but as Bruce Hendrickson charges Venom to start the match off, Venom hits him with a drop toe hold, making him slam into the mat. Quickly moving around, Venom puts Hendrickson into a side headlock, but despite this, Hendrickson can pyramid up to his feet and is able to push Venom back to the ropes and finally push him off. Running back at Hendrickson, Venom levels Hendrickson with a leg lariat! Nearly decapitating Bruce with the incredible move, Venom quickly covers Hendrickson,
1...
Kick out! Knowing that all he had intended to do was force Hendrickson to expend energy, Venom doesn’t let the one count get under his skin as he pulls Hendrickson back to his feet before kicking him in the stomach and then rocketing off a snap suplex on Hendrickson. Rolling through the move, Venom pulls Hendrickson back to his feet, but instead of being able to hit another move on Hendrickson, Hendrickson punches Robbie in the stomach and backs him away from him. Now running at Bruce, Bruce shows off his ability to think quickly as he jumps up and nails a dropkick on Robbie, making him land on his upper shoulders, nearly being thrown out of the ring altogether.
Rolling out of the ring, Robbie Venom effectively allows Shawn Stevens to hop over the top rope and get into the mat himself, however as Stevens charges at Hendrickson, Hendrickson takes Stevens off of his feet with a belly to belly suplex. Both men are able to get back to their feet relatively quickly, however from here Hendrickson decides to slow the pace down decisively by locking Stevens into a hammerlock. Wrenching in the hold, Hendrickson then steps forward into a headlock, but only holds onto this for a few seconds before pulling Stevens down to the mat with a headlock takeover. Holding onto the move with his left arm, Hendrickson uses his free right arm to tag in Stephen Callaway, who hops up onto the top rope before diving off and hitting a diving knee to Stevens face!
Keith Oswalt: Despite having never teaming before, Callaway and Hendrickson definitely seem to have chemistry as Hendrickson uses his superior ability to chain wrestle to set Callaway up for the diving knee drop.
Eric Witz: Kill ‘em Stevie C! Be the best!
Keith Oswalt: I really shouldn’t ever expect you to call a match, sometimes I wonder if you’re even worth having on pay roll.
Eric Witz: I’m worth about as much as Robbie Venom, so you decide that one for yourself.
Following the knee drop, Stephen Callaway goes for a cover on Shawn Stevens, however as he does this Robbie Venom runs in the ring and stomps him in the back, quickly pulling him back up to his feet, Robbie Venom elbows Stephen Callaway in the face before throwing him to the ropes and as Stephen Callaway runs back at him, Venom rockets off a spinebuster on Callaway! Grinning after hitting that, Venom helps Shawn Stevens back up to his feet, and after doing this tells him something. Suddenly, Stevens ascends to the top rope as Robbie Venom grins before leaping up and hitting a huge standing moonsault on Stephen Callaway! As Stevens stands on the top rope, Bruce Hendrickson rapidly leaps up to the apron and from here climbs up to top rope after having swept Stevens feet from under him, making him crotch himself in the process.
After doing this, Hendrickson quickly flips over Stevens body and hit’s a sunset powerbomb on Stevens, crashing him down over Robbie Venom’s back! After hitting this move, Hendrickson grins and taunts his opponents while catering to the booing fans. After gesturing at the crowd, Hendrickson finally turns back to his opponent’s who are still laying over Callaway in a heap. Despite this, Hendrickson runs at them and punts Stevens in the head! Making him roll out of the ring after doing this, Hendrickson then lifts Venom up to his feet and finally throws him to a corner, face first. After doing this, Hendrickson helps Stephen Callaway back up to his feet. After having recovered, Callaway notices Venom in the corner and drops to his hands and knees just a few feet in front of him. As Callaway gets in position, Hendrickson sprints at him and runs on Callaway’s back using it as a step to jump higher before kneeing Venom in the shoulder’s ramming him chest first into the turnbuckles!
Landing on the top rope from this as Venom stumbles back and trips over Callaway’s body, Hendrickson finally leaps off of the top rope and hit’s a huge back senton on Robbie Venom! Instantly after doing this, Hendrickson goes for a cover on Venom,
1...
2...
Kick out!
Eric Witz: Damn it! Come on Bruce, kill that asshole!
Keith Oswalt: I suppose we can throw any advertising that we’re family friendly entertainment away.
Eric Witz: That should have been thrown away when it was announced that a pill-popper was the owner of the company.
Keith Oswalt: I can’t believe you just said that.
Slamming the mat in frustration, Bruce Hendrickson gets back up to his feet, however as he gets up to his feet, Shawn Stevens sprints at Hendrickson and demolishes him with a Diamond Fire (Running Diamond Cutter)! Driving Hendrickson’s face into the mat, Shawn Stevens quickly gets back to his feet and almost sensing behind him, he backflips and crushes Stephen Callaway with a pele kick! Rolling out of the ring after being hit from the kick, Callaway collapses on the ground as Stevens now turns his attention back to Bruce Hendrickson and lifts him up to his feet before helping to revive Robbie Venom. Lifting him up, Stevens instructs him before lifting Hendrickson up off of the mat.
After having lifted Hendrickson up to his feet, Stevens kicks him in the stomach before lifting him up and nailing him with the Shades of Silver (Twirly Cutter)! After driving Hendrickson into the mat with the move, Stevens grins as he looks up at Robbie Venom who leaps off of the top rope and nails the Venom Splash (630 Splash) on Bruce Hendrickson! After hitting this, Robbie Venom goes for a cover as Shawn Stevens protects the ring,
1...
2...
3!
Ike Rose: Here are your winners, at 14 minutes and 24 seconds, the team of Shawn Stevens and Robbie Venom, the Best Team Eva!
As Robbie Venom and Shawn Stevens have their arms raised in victory, the two grin at each other, however as they do this, Stephen Callaway rushes into the ring, with both of the Best Team Ever championships in his hand, slams them into the back of Stevens and Venom’s heads! Knocking them down with the blow, Callaway helps Hendrickson up to his feet as they both get out of the ring, and despite being in pain, hold the Best Team Ever Championships over their heads as they walk to the back.
Keith Oswalt: The Best Team Eva gets the win, but Epic Angle steals their championships!
Eric Witz: Finally the Scramble championships are back in the hands of a respectable team!
Keith Oswalt: I can’t believe you condone this behavior, it’s unacceptable!
Lil Troy's "Wanna Be a Baller" hits to send the Gimnasio to a pop for the NEW International Whirlwind Champion, B. Epic!
Cruz Bleckley: Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome your NNNEEEEWWWWW International Whirlwind Champion; B. EPPPIIIICCCCC!!!
With the title fastened firmly around his waist, his eyes told the story of a peculiar sense of proud humility. Like he knew that he was good, but to be not just a champion, but THE champion, it was all still so surreal to him. Of course he took the time to pander some, slapping hands with the fans that paid for their ringside seats, as the cameras cut back to the Voice of All, Derrick Thatcher!
Thatcher: Folks, in case you missed last month, B. Epic managed to win the title for "Epic Angle" on behalf of his friend, Stephen Callaway, causing his friend to as of this writing, take on the distinction of being the shortest reigning International Whirlwind Champion in this company's history to-date at just under forty-five days. We've tried all month to catch up with Stephen Callaway, but it's all been to no avail. Whatever he's feeling after his partner's recent success, he's keeping close to himself! Smart plan, I'd say.
Back ringside, B. Epic makes jumps up from the floor to the ring skirt, followed by taking a long pose for the benefit of those with flash photography, on the second and top rope for about five seconds, Championship unfastened and raised in the air.
Thatcher: B. Epic is taking it all in. He's deserved that, surely.
Once in the ring, B. Epic receives the microphone from announcer Cruz Bleckley and begins to speak, Championshipm positioned over his left shoulder as he does.
B. Epic: Whoooooo! When I quietly retired in twenty-sixteen, I had never thought I'd be out here again. Let alone standing here before everybody as the guy putting this company on my shoulders! But, here I am. The Epitome of Epic, right here live in twenty-nineteen, the guy. But, if I'm honest though, I wish it didn't have to come down the way it came down. I took the pinfall from my partner to win the match, that's been weighing on my head for the last two months it's true. And I pinned the former champion Joe Jones after his plan failed to come to fruition. So, you could say it's kind of tainted...
The Gimnasio oohs sympathetically.
B. Epic: But like, Stephie C. knew what the stakes were, y'know? And I know, with the fighter in him, had he been in the same situation, he'd have done the same thing, on everything! Because we competitive. But we still friends, and friends can be competitive. At the end of the day, the goal had to be to keep Joe Jones from winning that title again, we all know that, and we did that. But like, that ain't enough, I know I got everything in the tank to beat Joe on my own, and I know if Stephie C. and I gonna lock up, ain't neither of us gonna walk out of that arena under our own power. Nah, we gonna give each other our all, and we gonna give each and every one of you our all, because this Title? What it means to be the International Whirlwind Champion? This is EVERYTHING! To this company. To us. To life! And y'know, if you ain't fight with all your might, then how the hell you gon call yourself the best? Shit ain't make no sense.
Thatcher: Well said champ, but I think what we all wanna know is...what's your choice?
B. Epic: And that's why it's my decision, when Whirlwind officials asked me how I wanna defend my Title, in Truth or Dare, it ain't take me no time at all to let 'em know, that I choose -
Kid Rock's "American Badass" plays interrupting the new champ, and disgusting the entirety of the Gimnasio as the smallest little badass in all of pro wrestling emerges, James Kelloggs!
James is of course flanked by two, stunning, breathtaking models, most likely from Instagram with huge boobies and booty and wearing next to nothing, which gets cheered from the male population inside the Gimnasio. B Epic lowers the mic and slowly shakes his head as James, in a nice suit and jacket snaps his fingers and his two lovely ladies in high heels scamper off the stage for just a second, only to return with a custom made soap box and mic stand with a gold plated mic on it. His girls place them in front of him and holds his hand as James steps up on the soap box to make him a full five feet tall. The chick on the right adjusts the mic so it’s at the right height and angle.
Thatcher: Just when we were about to learn what our new champion B Epic was going to pick, along comes this little guy.
James clears his throat. He holds his hand up for a second signalling for everyone to shut it, then he points a the new champ.
James Kelloggs: I’m only going to say this one time! I’m going to say this shit nice slow so you can keep up, and hopefully, maybe, perhaps, you will understand the words that are about to come out of my motherfucking mouth, a mouth I might add, will, as soon as I am done here, will be firmly planted between the legs of my Baes here! Where! Where I will suckle, nibble, lick and eat myself into heaven! I promise you, it’s going to be so fucking glorious! So epic that even your old lady B Epic is going to be wide awake tonight feeling the aftermath of what is going down here later tonight!
Thatcher: I’m sorry folks, we didn’t know what he was going to say. Is it too late to get a 30 second delay?
James Kelloggs: But before all of that! Allow me to address you! Allow me to tell you what is on my mind and please, allow me to tell you how I feel about the decision you are about to make! As important as Truth or Dare is, to your future match against me! Oh yeah! You heard me correctly! We all know how important Truth or Dare is to the history of that title, to these fans, there is just one thing you must know before picking Truth or Dare. And that is, simply.
James pauses for a second and stares down the champ before leaning forward to the mic.
James Kelloggs: Bitch! Please!
B Epic isn’t very happy to hear this.
James Kelloggs: The only thing you best get through that fucking head of yours is this! You! Will! Be! A! One! Match! Champ! I’m taking that belt! I’m the rightful number one contender to that belt! I didn’t lose at Rancor! You sure and shit didn’t beat me! But I’m going to kick your ass! Truth or Dare! I don’t give a shit what you pick! I’m claiming your first title defense! And not only will I beat you and take that belt, but I’m going to send your ass back into retirement! And the best part! It’s going to B so fucking EPIC when it happens!
Cold's "Remedy" sends the Gimnasio into an even greater fever pitch for the arrival of --
Thatcher: The former International Whirlwind Champion, Stephen Callaway is here! And he does not look pleased...
Stephie C. wastes little time as he bee-lines it to the ring.
Callaway: Congratulations are in order to the other half of Epic Angle for his incredible ability...
Callaway first brushes off the faceplate of the Championship, then raises B. Epic's arm briefly.
Callaway: I knew, you knew, we all knew the stipulations going into RANCOR! and you had the better angle on that night. I'm not taking anything away from you for that...but I'm here to claim my rematch for my title that I never lost!
B. Epic nods with no aversion to squaring up with his old partner while Stephie C. turns Kelloggs.
Callaway: First of all short stack, you're not even a former champion, have you even won a match in this company? And you think you deserve the buck the line when my..."partner" and I have some business to settle?
James tries to speak but gets cut off by the former champion.
Callaway: In fact, how are you gonna fight for my title...when you're scared of getting punt kicked by me into the asteroid belt?!
"OOOOOOOH SNAP!"
Kelloggs was visibly flustered at a combination of getting kicked and...looked over. Yes that's a short joke.
Callaway: So what do you say, pal? Next month at Seasons Past, Stephen Callaway and B. Epic - Epic Angle - faces off mano-a-mano for that International Whirlwind Cham --
Callaway sputters out before crashing into B. Epic, the camera jump cutting to thee side...revealing James Kelloggs! In the confusion, Kelloggs quickly darts around behind them and dropkicks the champion in the back of his knee fold, sending him down to the mat over Callaway.
"BOOOOOO!"
Shortly thereafter, Kelloggs climbs the turnbuckle to the top rope and stands up with a deep breath.
Thatcher: The Badass Bomb, c'mon James, this isn't the way to do things...
Before too long, head of security Officer Brent Justice quickly jogs down to ringside and grabs Kelloggs, restraining him from hitting the signature double foot stomp! This hesitation provides enough time for the Callaway to get up and lean into that Calsi Kick (Superkick) stance...
In another moment, B. Epic picks himself up, the first thing his eyes see though, is Callaway ready to kick someone. Silently, he backs up towards the ropes, foot rested on the middle with hands on the top as he sets himself up for "The Epic" (Springboard Carbon Footprint).
Just as Brent Justice gets Kelloggs away from the situation, B. Epic launches himself into the air, turning one-hundred-eighty degrees just as Callaway turns around and launches his kick straight up!
B. Epic quickly halts his forward momentum, landing in front of Callaway. The two men stare at each other awkwardly, both being quite aware of the other's intentions. B. Epic picks up the title that spilled to the mat in the commotion and holds it up with his hand. Callaway points at the International Whirlwind Championship, mouthing "next month, that's mine."
The Gimnasio oohs and ahhs at the tension rising.
Thatcher: A tense staredown between friends, tag team partners, and now a champion and it's former champion...
Callaway backs away, his eyes never leaving B. Epic's...or rather, never leaving the alluring gaze of the International Whirlwind Championship. B. Epic meanwhile keeps the Title raised up and with his free hand motions around his waist, he mouths "anytime, brotha. anytime." Neither man was going to back down.
Thatcher: This is intense. Stephie C. and B. Epic are both prideful and want to be the very best of the best, they're proud to claim the International Whirlwind Championship as a sign of the superority, and James Kelloggs is just as intense and maybe a bit spiteful, as ever. It's nice to see our new champion has an appetite, because man...he's got an over-crowded plate right now, in the state of Whirlwind Wrestling!
We open to a dusty, what appears to be a smoker’s lounge. There was a couple tables set up in sporadic places, and some background patrons engaged in idle chatter. The main focus though was the black couch where Whirlwind mainstays RUIN and Monte the Python were sat. Sloth as ever, neither man was even attempting to prep or practice for their big main event tonight, instead they idled their time away with cigars, bottles, and some boastful belly laughs as they traded stories with the other.
Monte: So what we do now big dawg?
RUIN: Why? We already got the main event. Money is already in the bank...why else we need to do something, it’s not increasing the bottom line…
Monte: MAX and the masked freak dude though, how well you know them? They professional? Or we gonna have to worry about a busted nose or some shit? I ain’t tryna collect a check and then spend it all in a hospital.
RUIN: Relax, just follow my lead. Fall down a couple times, take a pin, make the easiest two large for under ten minutes work you ever made…
Monte: That it? We ain’t gonna get lynched by some angry mizarks…I mean “fans” cause we got a quick buck then got the hell out? We ain’t gotta worry about the company dropping us cause we dipped out early?
RUIN: Listen, kid. When you been doin’ this as long as I have, you know where your bread is buttered. I got a longterm deal with Whirlwind. I negotiated it with The Consortium himself. If they drop me, send me home, I’ll collect my money whether on a breach lawsuit or for doing nothing but watching TV and boozin’. It ain’t that serious.
Monte: How the eff you get that? I only got an office deal, this performer contract kinda hinges on this match...I ain’t tryna lose all these extra monies bruh…
RUIN: Oh.
Monte: …
RUIN: Just go out there and entertain. Be something, do something the Gimnasio ain’t gonna forget. Do something the office guys will see dollars and cents in. It’s really not that hard. Just think it up, and do it.
Monte: Aight…
RUIN: We’re gonna be fine. Here, you want another smoke?
RUIN leans in and hands Monte another cigar and a light, which Monte takes, blowing a puff of smoke away from the veteran RUIN.
Monte: Yea...I’ma think of somethin’. Bet that. Whirlwind ain’t ever gonna see another Monte the Python, no way.
RUIN: Good. Now, let’s check Sportscenter before we head out. I gotta make sure Pats Nation is still undefeated.
Monte: Haha, bet. Let’s just kick back and take it easy.
The cameras cut backstage to the locker room as Pendragon can be seen sitting in a black folding chair, already in his ring gear with a black and orange scheme, befitting of the holiday. He rips the orange tape from the roll as he finishes taping up his hands as Sean Tuoni, the first graduate of his wrestling academy walked into view. Tuoni was wearing a black pair of black pants and a red t-shirt with the iconic lightning bolt logo of comic and TV superhero The Flash, his eyes seemingly capturing that same electricity and intensity as he extended his hand. Pendragon and Tuoni slap hands back and forth several times before ending with a fist bump as they greeted one another.
“How are you feeling being around the Gimnasio for another month; everything starting to slow down for you a little?” The masked strategist quizzed his prized pupil as he lifted his head, almost as if he was studying his face and body language.
“I'll admit, I'm still adjusting; I can't believe I'm still here. To go from practicing and training inside a small class to being around such an electric crowd in the biggest promotion in Mexico; the only thing that's going to acclimate me is experience and time.” Pendragon nodded, appreciating the honesty of his student. Sean could've easily tried to talk a big game, like the stage wasn't too big but he also knew Pendragon would've saw right through that veil of bravado.
“With time it'll become second nature. You don't need to rush, you know. The powers that be understand that you're still a rookie and adjusting to your new environment; I've been in your shoes at one point in my career. I charged head first with bravado and confidence that at times flirted with and became full-blown arrogance. It's easy to lose yourself in the transition early on, even easier if you taste success early and begin to believe in your own hype.” Pendragon clasped his hands together and formed a pyramid with his fingers as he leaned forward in his chair. “The allure of such a path can be intoxicating, Sean, but it can also lead to disaster. I've witnessed plenty of promising careers burn out before their time and I too at one point risked the same before I saw the error of my ways and rediscovered myself. One should aspire to burn like a steady flame, others may shine brighter at first, but your flame will outlast all others and light the path to the future.”
Sean Tuoni nodded as he listened, one could tell that he was taking his teacher and mentor's words to heart but there was another side that seemed to light up in his eyes. Youth, a certain headstrong aura that was willing and able to take on all of wrestling's challenges anyway. While Sean was taught better, he hadn't been through the baptism by fire to truly know better. “I understand, but Pendragon, you've taught me well. You spent the time with us at the Academia, taking the time with each one of us to refine our mechanics and the basics and how to address a crowd. Your wisdom, man, your wisdom is far beyond your years. But I know I'm ready to be out there, you said it yourslf before that I can only acclimate with time and experience, right? Why not tonight? I know you and MAX got a Nightmare on Elm Street Fight against the buffet boys, The Meat Sauce Mafia, why don't you let me go out with you? Consider it a... Ride-A-Long? On the job training.”
Pendragon thought it over as he leaned back in his chair, rubbing his hand over where his chin would be located under his mask. On one hand he appreciated his student's eagerness to acclimate himself further but on the other... he felt uneasy about introducing him to such a lawless environment. “I don't know. Sean, you do realize it's a no disqualification match, right? There'd be nothing stopping them from going after you. I appreciate your attempt of trying to use my own logic as a justification for such an ambitious endeavor but your health would be at risk. There's always next month, Sean.”
“Come on, Pendragon! I'll let you and MAX do your thing. Besides, you know those two will be up to something; they've never seen a shortcut they wouldn't take. You need an extra set of eyes out there to keep the playing field level. I know I can handle this, you trained me; I don't think you would've gone to corporate to advocate for me if you didn't think I was ready.”
Pendragon sighed; he had to admit that Sean had him on that point. Pendragon slowly stands up and places his hand on his student's shoulder. “Alright, fine. On one condition; you only act in self-defense. MAX and I can handle business inside the ring and I don't want you to act unilaterally to give us any kind of advantage.”
“Deal!” Sean enthusiastically chirped back as he wore a wide grin on his face; he was excited to stand in front of a live crowd for the first time. Pendragon takes his roll of athletic tape and placed it in Sean's hands and reached down to pull out a spare set of elbow and knee pads from his bag nearby.
“Suit up; always be prepared.”
We go backstage with lead correspondent Nikki Mynx.
Nikki Mynx: Ladies and gentlemen, standing by my side, the International Whirlwind Champion...B. Epic.
B. Epic: Yoooo, thanks shawty, that's right it's me, it's me, it's B-EP-IC. Early t'nite ya boy was bouta make a decision that's not just a but THE tradition 'round Monterrey, my Truth or Dare call when we got interrupted by a couple of guys that think they can step to the Epitome of Epic.
B. Epic straightens the Championship on his shoulder and pats the faceplate of his beautiful Title.
B. Epic: So, ya boi is here to tell yawl, that he understand what this Strap has been through, what it's legacy has been about. Tag Team matches and triple threats, no holds barred, it's seen it all. And ya boi know that this is gon be a hard life to live up to. Ya boi knows, what every single one of yawl out there in the Gimnasio expect when you hear this International Whirlwind Championship is on the line...
Nikky Mynx: So what's it gonna be? The answer to the question we've all been waiting for. B. Epic...will you live in Truth...or on a Dare?
"Oh you sonavabitch, that ass is mine now!"
From nowhere the pint-sized badass one comes sprinting in, taking the champion down at the legs! He reaches over to grab the IWC, but B. Epic quickly pushes him off and backs up.
B. Epic: Nah lil B, you done messed with the wrong dude...
"Allow me."
The camera shoots over to show the silhouette of who we can now deduce to be the man whom ALWAYS has an angle, Stephen Callaway!
Callaway: I think it's time we named you Team Rocket, because James, you're about to blast off at the speed of light!
Stephie C. begins stalking James, but before he can strike, a group of event security led by Officer Brent Justice again hits the scene and gets between the three men, holding them back from getting to physical contact with each other!
James Kelloggs: #$@!^%$!
Callaway: Come on, just let me have one kick...
B. Epic: Man, screw this, all this bullshit gotta stop. Ya boi is THE champ, I ain't scared of either one of yawl! So next month, Seasons Past? I'll take you BOTH on...in TRUTH!
Nikki Mynx upon hearing this, chimes in.
Nikki Mynx: Whoa! There it is folks, B. Epic just made his decision...he wants to live in TRUTH! And he wants both Kelloggs, and Callaway...under PRIDE Fighting Rules! Back to you, Thatcher.
Thatcher: That's huge! I believe this marks the first time we've had a Champion elect to fight under the Truth ruleset, and what a bold declaration. B. Epic wants to carve out his own way in this world and prove just how much of a fighting champion he is!
Nightmare on Elm Street FIght
Tag Team Match
Pendragon & MAX Danger vs The Meat Sauce Mafia (Monte the Python & RUIN)
Tag Team Match
Pendragon & MAX Danger vs The Meat Sauce Mafia (Monte the Python & RUIN)
MAX Danger took his place in the ring to start the match while Pendragon took a few final words with protege Sean Tuoni on the outside. Monte the Python “got stuck” in the ring while RUIN held his hands up, almost washing his hands of it, you could see the laziness in his eyes.
Thatcher: Look at RUIN, the coward that he is. Why even still claim to be a wrestler if you don’t want to put in the work?
MAX flashed a mischievous grin as he pounded one fist into the other, his eyes locked on Monte who could only try to beg off, almost pleading with the underground MMA legend. “C’mon boi, why it gotta be like ‘dis? Black on black crime ain’t the way, we gotta UNITE! Fight the powah brotha!” MAX was having none of Monte’s bullshit as he smashed his meaty forearm into the side of Monte’s face, then grabbed his arm and threw him across the ring! Monte hit the ropes and, clearly out-gunned in this fight, he held onto the top rope to stop the momentum. Pendragon approached from the corner and silently with just a finger point, he directed Monte to lie in the bed he made last month. Slowly Monte turns around – and into a beautiful standing dropkick, with an incredible vertical leap – from MAX! Monte took the impact hard and went down like a sack of bricks.
Thatcher: C’mon Monte, you’re the one that begged the office to go on all these months...show us WHY you’re getting not just a spot, but a main event spot.
Monte briefly clutched at his back from the fall while MAX went right to a knee drop to Monte’s inner knee, followed by a legbar, tightening his grip quickly on the gopher slash laughing stock of the Whirlwind offices. Even Sean Tuoni at ringside shared in a chuckle at Monte’s expense. “C’mon, get up foo’” MAX barked at The Python.
Thatcher: MAX clearly having a bit of leeway with Monte here.
Monte meanwhile, remained down on the mat, even rolling over onto his back like a total green rookie fresh out of an academy. But let’s be honest, ain’t no academy worth it’s weight in salt that would claim to have trained Monte...it’d probably hurt their ability to attract new clientele. MAX would turn to Monte, placing one huge boot across his chest, prompting senior referee “The Jazz” to make the count;
1!
2!
MAX removes his foot, albeit somewhat disappointed in the lack of fight. So, he picks up Monte, and slings him into his own corner where he tags in Pendragon for the first tag of the night! “You better fight, you worthless sack of shi --” MAX growled at Monte as the intensity in the Gimnasio rose for Pendragon’s entrance into the match! Pendragon pulls Monte out of the corner, then receives a slap to the face for his troubles. Monte then goes into a crane kick, just as you’d imagine it straight from The Karate Kid, his eyes narrowed at Pendragon. He starts to make the kick, but Pendragon catches it, pulls him closer, and unleashes a spinning heel kick that puts the obnoxious Python down!
Thatcher: What the hell was that…
Pendragon drops to a cover with a hook of the near leg after the kick, Jazz following to count;
1!
2 – RUIN from across the ring comes in to break the pin!
Thatcher: Oh yeah, NOW this guy wants to come in the match? Since MAX tagged out?
RUIN starts to back away as Pendragon gets to his feet, closely following RUIN back to his own corner. RUIN eventually turns around and bows up to Pendragon, flexing his larger, refrigerator-shaped frame towards the smaller masked man, but Pendragon doesn’t back down. RUIN shoves Pendragon, while Pendragon comes back with a stinging chop across his bare old man chest. RUIN winces, but his facial suggests he’s not affected despite his actions. “Man get out me face, kid” he said while placing his hand on Pendragon’s face, shoving him backwards like a child. RUIN then turns back to his corner and starts to leave the ring.
Thatcher: Big mistake.
Pendragon responds by grabbing the veteran by the arm and pulling him back – when Monte the Python comes back and shoves Pendragon into the ropes chest first! Before Pendragon could respond, Monte presses his wait onto Pendragon to hold him to the ropes while RUIN hops down and out to grab Pendragon by the neck and pull him down across the middle rope, choking him! Despite this being a street fight, a blatant choke is still a blatant choke and thus The Jazz steps in to instruct Monte to back off the masked man. Monte refuses though, which prompts big MAX to come back in and from across the ring he charges into Monte to deliver a spear to his spine! Naturally the impact breaks the double choke, though Pendragon is crushed by the sudden velocity of mass coming his way, but anything has to feel better than being stuck in the middle of these two. Despite being a bit worse for wear, Pendragon breaks from RUIN and turns his attention to the legal man...the same man that MAX was now focused on. Slowly, Monte stood up, clutching at his back and appearing to breathe extra heavy. He looks at Pendragon and begs off. He turns to MAX and begs off again. The response he got was certainly nothing of the sort, and not even the Gimnasio could save him…
“BEAT HIS ASS!”
“BEAT HIS ASS!”
“BEAT HIS ASS!”
“Gladly, yawl!” MAX shouted out, only being added to by a silent nod of approval by the masked strategist. On three, the two of them charged Monte simultaneously, with Monte quickly dropping to the mat and sliding out of there, Pendragon and MAX stopping short of colliding with each other. A chorus of boos, DEAFENING BOOS breaking out for Monte escaping certain asskickery. Meanwhile RUIN began digging under the ring while Monte found himself on the outside, approaching Tuoni.
Thatcher: Hey, waitaminute now, that kid is one of the brightest rookies under development, but he’s still just a rookie. Monte better not be…
Sean didn’t appear scared though as Monte drew near. Pendragon watched from afar, perhaps silently judging his protege. By the time Monte got up in the kid’s face, he shoved him back. “Man, you just a punk ass boy,” Monte debased him, shoving him back into the barricade. “And you ain’t never gunna be nuthin’ long as you listenin’ to that freak in MY ring, y’hear?” Monte pushed Sean back firmly into the barricade, this time ending with a slap across his face!
Thatcher: Monte the Python, folks. Disgusting…
That strike was enough to send Pendragon rushing to the defense of his student, which only prompted Monte to goad further. “Oh, look at this, can’t even fight your own battles. Man, you jus’ a lil bit --” That was when Pendragon lost it. He opened up on Monte with a barrage of kicks, open palm strikes, and finally a whip from the barricade that sent Monte flying into the ring apron chest first! Pendragon followed it up with a high angle jump that lands with one foot on the apron as he...turned the tides (Disaster Kick) onto Monte’s face!
“PEN-DRA-GON!”
“PEN-DRA-GON!”
“PEN-DRA-GON!”
Thatcher: Turning Tides off the ring apron, good God almighty that is utterly insane and the balance that took is INSANE to think about!
By this point The Jazz has lost control of this raucous main event but it’s a street fight and this crowd seems to be utterly enjoying the chaotic nature of it just as well!
CLICK. CLACK.
It was the sounds of a steel folding chair being folded up, courtesy of RUIN coming out from under the ring, but that wasn’t all. He also had a brown bag tied to his belt. It seemed he was ready to play. He even let out a primal roar…
On the other side, Pendragon quickly makes his way to Sean to check on him, to which Sean nods physically, but internally he’s (probably, I guess, we can’t see that!) a bit shaken up by Monte’s intimidation. RUIN’s primal roar surely didn’t help things either...and RUIN’s approach on the two of them was only going to make things worse. Not wanting his student to take a chair shot from a bitter old veteran, Pendragon stepped in front of him as RUIN raised the chair over his head and…
…
…
…
CRASH!
When the dust cleared, MAX Danger stood above RUIN, chair laid out across RUIN’s body!!
Thatcher: MAX has gotten very adept at that spear...like a quiet ninja, or a viper, poised and ready to strike from outta nowhere…
There it was. Monte was struggling to find himself after the Turning Tides, RUIN was laid out by a spear, the chair was on the floor, and then the brown bag…what was in the bag? That’s when Pendragon had an idea, he took the bag, and directed MAX and Sean to get into the ring, with Monte. Once there, Pendragon opened the bag and dumped the contents out…
CANDY CORN!!
Thatcher: Of course it’d be candy corn, and Pendragon has spread it all over a portion of the ring. Happy Halloween, from Whirlwind Wrestling, folks!
MAX then brings Monte up to his feet, whom is naturally out on his feet, on dream street so much that he’s gonna start making a mortgage payment to live on that street. He rears back – but Pendragon stops him from delivering the crushing knockout punch the Gimnasio all knows and loves. He whispers to MAX, whom then starts laughing while nodding his head. Pendragon then turns to Sean, pointing at him, before calling out “Show me what you’ve learned!”
“YES!”
“YES!”
“YES!”
Thatcher: What?! Are we really doing this? This kid’s first moment on a live wrestling show, is in a pay-per-view main event and during a match he’s not even a part of! But, it’s Monte the Python so...couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy!
Sean Tuoni stepped back, looking surprised, among other things. Not wanting to leave his mentor disappointed though he stepped back and took a deep breath. Then, with all of his energy he ran straight at Monte, leaping into the air, delivering a ring-shaking Busaiku Knee to The Python! Monte took the full impact on the chin, falling back into the pile of candy corns to a MASSIVE pop for the kid! Pendragon then went in for the final blow, applying the “Gaes” (Katahajime). With no response from a clearly very knocked out Monte, The Jazz calls for the bell!
Cruz Bleckley: Your winners, as a result of a submission, and thus earning the opportunity to fight for the number one contender spot next month at Seasons Past...MAX DANGER, and PEEEENNNNNDDDRRRAAAGGGOOONNNN!!”
Kamelot’s “Karma” plays for the celebration of the two proud athletes over the Meat Sauce Mafia while the Gimnasio applauds their stunning victory!
Thatcher: Was there any doubt? Pendragon is one of the most reliable forces in the company, and MAX Danger is the most beastly of beasts, together you had to know they’d be as unstoppable a basketball player in a hotel – err, let me retract that statement before legal gets on my case for it. Anyway, MAX, Pendragon, next month have earned the right to decide which man from among the two of them will be next in line to challenge for the International Whirlwind Championship…but to whom will they fight? B. Epic, the current champion? Stephen Callaway, the man whom always has an angle? Or James Kelloggs, the biggest little Badass in all of Mexico? Find out next month at Seasons Past, for Whirlwind Wrestling, good night everybody!
The cameras cut one last time to the sight of Pendragon, MAX Danger, and of course Sean Tuoni posing and celebrating in the ring.
