New Year, Who Dis? II - 30 January 2020

[Joshua Samson, ESQ]

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ICONIC PRO WRESTLING PRESENTS
IN ASSOCIATION WITH ICONIC MEDIA LLC

A NIGHT OF PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING

Crumb: WELCOME EVERYONE TO NEW YEAR, WHO DIS? TWO!!

“RICH GIRL$” by Down With Webster blares as the show pans about the capacity crowd of about a thousand or so people. Signs, banners, and posters are sprinkled throughout the crowd such as “Where Are The REAL Awards?!”, “Give Me The Heavyweight Title!”, and “THE Willie Pete Stole My Lunch!”.

Nelson: Welcome everyone to Iconic Professional Wrestling’s first supershow of the year, “New Year, Who Dis? 2”!! As per usual we have an actioned packed show for you that will be starting off with a debut match in which Iconic Professional Wrestling newcomer Enforcer will be going up against Richard Dweck.

Crumb: On the last edition of Chaos, Richard Dweck lost his debut match to Cross Recoba so he’s going to be looking to turn things around against Enforcer.

Rose: I doubt that he’s going to be able to. That match was a total travesty and Enforcer is bigger than Cross, so he’s going to wipe the floor with him.

Nelson: Our second match will see a double debut with THE Willie Pete taking on Scott Wilson, a man a lot of our Icons are familiar with.

Crumb: From what I understand, THE Willie Pete came to IPW because of unfinished business with Recoba Cross so I can only imagine what’s going to happen tonight.

Rose: I know Scott Wilson from my EHWF and while he is quite the storied veteran, he’s been out of the game for a while and things don’t work here like they did there. I have a feeling he’s going to fall into the revolving door.

Nelson: Chris Crippler and Silver Kazama will be doing battle in our third match and to tell you the truth, I am looking forward to it.

Crumb: Both of them have been doing pretty good since their respective returns to the company, though both did lose their matches on our last show.

Rose: They’re both a couple of has-beens who think they still have what it takes. PFFT! I think this is going to be my pee break match.

Nelson: Last Chaos, Krähe soundly defeated Captain All-Star in his Iconic Professional Wrestling debut but he is going to have a tougher go at things tonight as he is set to face Jessie Roberts.

Crumb: And we all know that Jessie is quite the fighter in the ring when she has to be. With the influx of talent that we’ve been having lately, she needs to put out her very best.

Rose: Oh please… this is Jessie Roberts we’re talking about. She’s going to have to have a bit of luck tonight if she wants to win.

Nelson: Cross Recoba and Drake Jones have been at each others’ throats for the last couple of shows and everything will be coming to a head here tonight as they are finally going to have the chance to do battle.

Crumb: This match is going to be interesting for sure. There’s no doubt that the bad blood between these two Icons will be coming into factor tonight.

Rose: That just means that everything is going to turn into a shit show. We all should know by now that Drake is just a bag of hot gas and will explode when he’s overinflated.

Nelson: Aaron Kostan, the former Television and Heavyweight Champion, will be making his in-ring return to Iconic Professional Wrestling by going one on one with Cerberus, a man that has been on a tear since making his debut here a couple weeks ago.

Crumb: Ah, but you can’t count Aaron Kostan out. He’s done a lot in and for this company and I doubt he’d like intimidation get to him. Aaron is basically Mr. IPW!

Rose: Cerberus is overcompensating and that’s clear. As for Aaron, his time as come and gone, so it won’t be long before he’s realized this.

Nelson: I am sad to say that we will be bidding Bill Ryder adieu tonight as he announced his retirement earlier this week.

Crumb: It will be sad to see him go, but if this is what he wants I can only wish him the best.

Rose: I think it’s because he knows he won’t amount to much of anything here. He’s only gotten wins because of help. Baby Daddy is stupid sometimes...

Nelson: Last week not only did we see Stasi Herveaux quit the company, but Astrid Samson also took her place in the match against The Bombtrax, securing a victory for her and Mike Mason.

Crumb: Mason then went through a table for the second time. Astrid’s teaming up with Brianna this week and these two work well together. We’ve all seen what they can do in the ring and I hope that Press and Flaming Youth don’t think they’re going to be too easy.

Rose: Oh please… ASStrid got lucky last week. Maybe she’s turning into Jessie Roberts?

Nelson: Our main event is going to be one for the ages as Oliver Black will be putting is Iconic Professional Wrestling Television Championship on the line against Jason Dave.

Crumb: I don’t know about the two of you, but I’ve been looking forward to this match for weeks. I think that Jason will give Oliver a run for his money.

Rose: Considering that Oliver’s reign has been just as, if not more, boring that his IPW Heavyweight Championship reign, I’m hoping Jason wins. At least he won’t be a whiny little bitch.

Nelson: So without further adieu, let New Year, Who Dis? Two begin!

”Natural Born Killaz” By Ice Cube and Dr. Dre starts playing throughout the arena. Smoke comes from the entranceway. As the smoke is clearing The Enforcer walks through the smoke and looks out at the crowd. Enforcer than walks down to the ring. He walks up the stairs onto the ring apron, looks out at the crowd and lifts his arms out to the side. Enforcer steps through the top and middle ropes. Enforcer walks over to the opposite ring ropes and lifts his arms out to his side.

Nelson: Enforcer looks to me like he is a force to be reckoned with. His sheer size will be a factor tonight.

Crumb: Yeah, but he’s still new. We don’t know what he’s capable of so there’s not much for us to judge off of.

Rose: You know what they say… the bigger they are, the harder they fall. And he looks like he’d fall like a ton of bricks.

Richard Dweck walks out shaking his head to stretch his neck, stretches his hands to crack his knuckles as he walks down the aisle he high fives the fans salutes a peace sign and rolls into the ring. He rises and cartwheels into a basic martial arts stance.

Nelson: Richard Dweck lost his last match and he is definitely going to be looking to turn things around here tonight.

Crumb: I can tell you one thing, it isn’t going to be easy for him, that's for sure. Dweck is going to have to push himself much harder than last week if that’s what he wants to happen.

Rose: Oh please… we all know what’s going to happen. He’s going to choke again just like he did at Chaos two weeks ago.

DING DING DING!!!

The two Icons circle the ring. Dweck rushes his opponent attempting to cut him down to size, but Enforcer tosses him off, sending Dweck crashing onto his back. He allows him time to get to his feet and the two Icons lock up. Enforcer connects with a couple of knees to his gut, as he then backs him into the turnbuckle. Dweck and Enforcer continue to hold onto each other and the referee begins to count.

One...

Two...

They break the hold, with Enforcer backing up to give some distance between them.

Nelson: These two seem to be pretty evenly matched thus far, this is sure going to be interesting.

Crumb: They’re both looking to make an impact here, or change things in Dweck’s case. An even match between then is pretty much expected at this point.

Rose: Until it all goes to hell in a handbasket… which is more likely to happen.

Dweck quickly connects with a right hand, and then a chop to the Enforcer's chest.

Crowd: Wooo!

The two competitors begin to exchange blows, with Dweck slowing down. Enforcer gains the upper hand and kicks him in the gut. He thrusts Dweck between his legs and lays him out with a powerbomb, simultaneously launching Dweck into the ropes. Dweck grasps onto his head, having landed in an awkward position. Nonetheless, he attempts to get to his feet with the help of the ropes. As he is almost on his two feet, Enforcer strikes him down with a Mafia kick!He assists in lifting Dweck to his feet, before whipping him into the ropes. Dweck bounces off and is met with a spinebuster!

Nelson: Oh, things are not looking too good for Dweck right now. Enforcer just slammed him down hard with that spinebuster!

Crumb: I don’t know how much he can withstand after that? He got drilled!

Rose: I told you, I told you both that he wasn’t going to do much of anything. But y'all didn’t want to listen.

Enforcer circles Dweck's body, grasping his arms around him and eventually locking in his katahajime. Dweck struggles towards the ropes, trying to reach with his feet but quickly taps out. The referee calls for the bell.

Torres: The winner of this match…Enforcer!

Nelson: Enforcer wins his debut here in Iconic Professional Wrestling! I think that he has just put the roster on notice.

Rose: He beat a curtain jerker… that’s not putting someone on notice.

Crumb: He decimated Richard Dweck like he was his own personal toy.

Rose: No surprise there. When will you two believe me when I say something?

The scene opens to a shot from behind Captain All-Star as he walks through the parking area of the Barker Hanger staring down at the concrete. He comes to a stop in the middle of a lane and the camera pans around to see that it isn’t the floor he’s concentrated, but a note in his hands that reads;

Captain,
Meet me in the parking lot tonight.
The Lady

The sound of stilettos striking the pavement has All-Star snapping his head up, and the camera follows his view to a particularly dark section of the parking lot. The sound of the footfalls become louder as they get closer, and from the shadow’s steps Lady Munin’s petite frame. She’s wearing an elegant slinky black number that manages to be both elegant and sensual. The only color to her somber monochrome attire is the bright red of her lips, and the bright red underside of her glossy black high heels.

The Lady doesn’t look happy to be here, but at the same time, she isn’t discontented either. She regards All-Star with what almost appears to be sympathy, though it is covered in a layer of frost.

Munin: Hello old dog, it's been a long time. Such a pity that we meet like this.

She pauses to move a stray strand of raven hair from her face. All-Star opens his mouth as if to say something, but closes it again with a pained expression. Munin simply regards the man with that same cool, and the hint of a sad whimsical smile. The smile told the older man that she understands his actions completely, but that understanding doesn't change a thing.

Munin: I suppose I should have known that it would come to this. Perhaps it was naive of me to hope otherwise...

She trails off with a small huff of laughter.

Munin: Naivety, is definitely a trait that is rarely associated with me. Maybe that's why your actions cut me so deep. After all, I’ve always respected you, Captain. We may have had our differences, but you’ve always tried to do what is right. Stood up for honor and justice. But this place, these people, need to be…

She searches for the word but doesn’t have to reach far.

Munin: Punished.

It lingers for a moment as if the statement were a physical entity and just when All-Star looks like he’s about to respond she holds up a hand to silence him. With a few short steps, she comes to stand right in front of him, having to look up to stare into his eyes.

Munin: I know that you think you are doing good by standing in our way, but that too is naïve. Perhaps I should have paid more attention when Joshua opened this venture, and when he was ultimately cast out of it, but I had other matters to attend to.

The glint in her eyes is a quickly cooling version of her wistful gaze. The small sad smile slowly falling away from her red lips, as she continues to stare up at the Captain.

Munin: But I’m here now, and unfortunately your virtue has put you in the crossfire, and with your recent actions...Well, I am forced to face the fact that you are just as much to blame for what happened to Joshua as anyone else.

For a moment a look of pain quickly followed by pure fury chases across her face.

Munin: Why couldn't you just stand down...For once...

Her words snapped out like vicious blades, only to end in a sad whisper. Her anger drains away, as she lays her delicate palm on the larger man’s chest and sighs, a slight look of regret crossing her features. Was it hers, or for him, who could say? She gives him a gentle pat before turning to walk back from where she came, pausing at the edge of the darkness to look over her shoulder.

Munin: Contrary to popular belief, I guide them, but I don’t control them…

She ruminates over that statement for a moment and seems to find some resolution in it before continuing into shadows, final thoughts ringing through the parking lot.

Munin: I never did…Good bye, old dog.

The camera swings back around to find Captain All-Star watching as she goes, cast into silence with longing in his eyes. The camera also picks up the hulking figure now standing behind the Captain wielding a steel chair. The weapon cries out like a shotgun blast upon impact and has much the same effect as it sends All-Star rocketing forward to splay across the concrete. He tries to rise but Press moves to his side, chair high overhead, and brings it crashing down again, angled so that it strikes the back of the head and shoulders. The Captain crumbles back down to the concrete as Youth steps into frame, silently watching his partner go about his methodical work. Strike after strike finds its mark on All-Star’s body, like a hammer to stone. Press is a surgeon with the weapon, each swings a meticulous incision that will open up the correct places.

By the time the attack is over, Captain All-Star is left lying there in a heap whimpering as the big man tosses the mangled steel to skid across the parking lot. Press motions towards the cameraman which doesn’t immediately respond, prompting Youth to step over and grab the man and drag him to stand directly over Captain All-Star's beaten body. Blood seeps from bruised whelps where the steel had actually cut into the flesh, and the man's back looks like a black and blue mess. The camera focuses on the image for an unsettling amount of time before the operator finally feels safe enough to swing the view around to see the reactions of the two attackers, but when he does…they are already gone.

~~

The scene opens to a shot of Willie Pete standing in the hallway leading towards guerrilla just before his match. Pete looks ready to go when an unfamiliar figure to IPW steps into frame beside him. The man is about five foot five, all of 165 pounds, and is dressed in a loud lime green suit with a yellow button up and tie. Hanging from a belt loop is a megaphone that matches the outfit with ‘Willie Pete’ airbrushed on its side. Pete looks up and seems to recognize the man, but when he motions to speak the man holds his hand up and turns to the camera.

Man: Hello IPW wrestling fans, allow me to introduce myself. I am Bobby Benson, manager extraordinaire and the representation of the enigmatic Willie Pete! And I’m here to tell you right now that Willie is going to go out there and give an awe-inspiring performance. He’s going to electrify. He’s going to dominate. He is going to be the one with his hand raised by the end of the night and move one step closer towards dreams of gold!

Willie steps forward now, intently listening to Bobby’s pitch, and seems to get more excited the longer it goes.

Bobby Benson: See, when you join The Benson Family, you get the top shelf treatment. I book travel. I book events. I get merchandise, marketing, and radio spots. I ensure that my clients needs are at the very top of my game, and I will do whatever it takes to ensure that my man…Willie Pete…gets what he deserves!

Willie looks a little puzzled, pretty sure that he booked his own travel, but just when he’s about to interject, Bobby cuts him off with gusto.

Bobby Benson: What you people need to understand is that Willie Pete is a man’s man! He’s not here in IPW to play patty cake with these substandard opponents, NO! He’s here to take the bull by the horns and prove to everyone why when you’re with The Benson Family, you go all the way!

Willie looks a little confused by the usage of farmyard animals and the phrase ‘go all the way’, but he lets go of the thought to interject when Bobby cuts him off again, this time looking directly at Pete.

Bobby Benson: Now baby, what I want you to do is go out there and make an honest man out of me. Cause you are the man! The best! The only person in this entire joint that has the right to call themselves an Icon!

Willie, surprisingly, looks pumped up and raring to go when Bobby suddenly turns back to the camera.

Bobby Benson: AND YOU SCOTT WILSON! You really are going to be the ‘Last King’ when my man is finished with you, cause there isn’t going to be anything left to claim! Mark my words, Willie Pete is going to take that crown off your head and shove it straight up your ass, or my name is not Bobby Benson!

With that Bobby gives an emphatic point towards the curtain, and Willie, amped to the nines, takes off in that direction. As the wily manager watches him go he reaches into his jacket lapel to produce a handkerchief and dabs at his sweaty forehead.

Bobby Benson: Shit…I hope he doesn’t botch this up. I’ve never actually seen him wrestle.

With that, Bobby turns to search for a monitor as the scene fades back to ringside.

Torres: The following is a DEBUT MATCH scheduled for ONE FALL with a FIFTEEN MINUTE time limit!

The unmistakable sound of hastily generated 1980’s montage music can be heard as “You’re the Best Around” by Joe Esposito hits. Follow that with some sweet eighties laser beams shooting around the audience, you’ve got yourself a guy in his forties who just can’t seem to let go of his childhood.

Try to be best
‘Cause you're only a man
And a man's gotta learn to take it
Try to believe
Though the going gets rough
That you gotta hang tough to make it

He doesn’t really care what anyone thinks as he steps through the entrance out onto the stage. He stands before the crowd, trying to remember whether or not he turned the oven off, before he makes his way down the ring ramp.

Torres: Making his way to the ring, fighting out of Shaniko, Oregon, weighing in at thirteen point five stone... He is the fighter that burns hot and can barely be contained, he is THE WILLIE PETE!

Try your best to win them all
And one day time will tell
When you're the one that's standing there
You'll reach the final bell!
You're the best!
Around!

Once Willie gets to the ring, he climbs the ring steps and casually enters the ring. Casually, like he’s going into the kitchen to make a sandwich, or going into the bathroom to take a shit. He’s so calm, it’s ridiculous. Once it’s clear that he’s one hundred percent prepared and making peace with the fact that he might kill someone, he crosses himself. Now he prepares himself for the upcoming fight.

Nelson: The Willie Pete is making his debut here tonight after coming to Iconic Pro Wrestling with the mission of facing off against Cross Recoba but instead he is getting Scott Wilson.

Crumb: I don’t know much about Pete, but I do know that he sounded determined. If he were to get a win here Cross would have to acknowledge him.

Rose: What I want to know is why IPW keeps signing people that look like they don’t care about their appearance. First Sah’ta, then Fat Sah’ta and now Hobo Sah’ta. That doesn’t make us look good.

Nelson: You really need to learn to have a bit of a kinder side. Did your mother not teach you that you cannot judge a book by its cover?

“L's Theme A” plays and Scott Wilson reveals himself to the audience, soaking in the atmosphere. He makes his way to the ring, mentally preparing himself for the upcoming match.

Torres: Coming to the ring hailing from Somerset, New Jersey….weighing in at two hundred and ten pounds….standing at a height of six feet ten inches….making his Iconic Pro Wrestling debut….he is The Last King….SCOTT WILSOOOOOONNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nelson: Scott Wilson might be making his debut here tonight, but he has quite the reputation proceeding him as a lot of our Icons know who he is.

Crumb: That could be both a good thing and a bad thing. And a lot don’t know who he is, Willie being one of them. I can’t wait to see what both men are able to accomplish here in IPW.

Rose: He’s a has-been… plain and freaking simple. And like a lot of other has-beens, he won’t last very long.

DING DING DING!!

Both Icons are slow out of their respective corners. Walking around in circles, they trade sides of the ring without advancing towards one another.

Rose: Great, it’s going to be that kind of match.

Crumb: It just builds the excitement, Rose!

THE Willie Pete is the first to make a move, closing the distance fast. Wilson drops to a knee, swings around behind his opponent, and grabs him in a waist lock. However, both men are carried forward into the corner by Pete’s momentum. Willie holds on to the ropes, and the official backs Scott off.

Nelson: The slow start continues. Neither Icon wants to make any mistakes early.

Rose: Listen, I completely understand feeling each other out, but at some point you just have to go for it!

Pete turns around with the same calm he entered the ring with, but it doesn’t last as Wilson is on him fast with a knife edge chop that slings him back into the corner. Scott follows it with another then whips his opponent into the opposite corner. Following close behind, Willie Pete has little chance to react, but still finds the time to get his feet up. “The Last King” runs right into his boot and stumbles backwards. In the middle of the ring he collects himself enough to duck under an enzuigiri. He quickly grabs Willie around the waist and as the two men get back to their feet, he throws him up and over with a German suplex. He’s quick to the cover.

One…Pete has the shoulder up fast!

Nelson: It really is exciting to see Scott Wilson back in a wrestling ring.

Crumb: Agreed. Rose?

Rose: Eh. That depends on how entertaining this match is.

Pete tries to roll up to a vertical base but his opponent won’t let him as he’s to his feet first. Wilson lays into him with shoot kicks first one, then two, three, four, five. On the fifth one, Willie has the wherewithal to grab the leg and throw his opponent to the mat with a dragon screw takedown. The momentum carries Scott Wilson into the corner, where he’s fast to his feet, but right back down as Willie Pete pops him with a running knee strike!

Crumb: I heard Sott’s teeth crack against each other from here!

Nelson: Wow! This is why I am excited about seeing THE Willie Pete here in Iconic Professional Wrestling.

Rose: Weren’t you just excited about Scott being back in the sport?

Nelson: So? Why not both?

Rose: Well, that was a wicked knee. I’ll give you that. I hope Scott has a good dentist.

Scott collapses out of the corner and Willie, smiling as he does so, jumps into the air and lands on him with a standing moonsault.

Crumb: Amazing athleticism!

Rose: Athleticism we used to see constantly from Scott Wilson before his age slowed him down a bit.

Rose: Are they not almost the same age?

Nelson: Everyone is different, Rose Marie!

Rose: True. I know you won’t be doing any moonsaults anytime soon.

Crumb: Hey, I can do one right now!

Nelson: Hold up there, Crumb! How about uh...oh look a pin!

Pete finishes a rather lewd air jerk before hooking the leg for the cover.

One…

Tw…Barely a two count as Wilson gets the shoulder up.

THE Willie Pete wastes no time now, pulling him up and tossing him towards the ropes. Scott ducks under a leap frog on the return, but on the second pass he’s not as lucky as he tumbles over a lifting knee. Pete is now firmly in control, driving his feet into Wilson’s abdomen with a standing double foot stomp and dropping into a lateral press.

One…

Two…A powerful kickout by “The Last King”.

Nelson: Pete thought it was almost over, but that kick out shows that “The Last King” still has a lot of fight left in him.

While Scott rolls around on the ground, Pete exits the ring to climb up to the top turnbuckle. Scott is up to one knee, and then on his feet. He looks for his opponent, and sees him flying through the air a bit too late! The missile drop kick drives him from the ring, and Willie follows it up quickly, bouncing off the opposing ropes, and getting serious air and he flips over the top rope to lands a suicide senton!

Crumb: Now those are some daredevil antics!

Rose: That’s what the fans pay to see!

The camera zooms in on Willie’s face, wild eyes bugging as he yells from the very depth of his lungs towards the crowd. They happily join in on the hype. By now Wilson has rolled back into the ring and Willie follows. He is rapidly back up on the top turnbuckle, but not quick enough. Scott rushes the corner. Willie Pete dodges any potential harm by jumping over him and rolling back up to standing. He runs in after him, but a sharp elbow drives him back.

Nelson: There we go! Scott Wilson finally fighting his way back into this one.

Willie doesn’t give up that easily. He charges the corner again, and this time he eats a forearm from “The Last King”. Wilson shrugs and uses the brief chance he has to go for the Wilson Kick (Superkick). Pete’s eyes grow wide as he slides right and the kick misses by a hair!

Crumb: WHAT CAN EVERYONE BE THINKING AS…

Rose: He missed, Crumbbum!

Crumb: Oh….yeah

Nelson: That “vanilla superkick”, as Pete called it a few days ago, almost decapitated him there!

Rose: But...he...missed. Everybody calm down.

Pete, for one, is not calming down. Knowing how close he was to the end, Willie frantically closes the distance and grabs Scott around the waist. Wilson is quick to reverse out of it into a hammer lock. He wrenches at it for a few moments before Willie tries to free himself. Wilson transitions to a side headlock. Pete grabs his wrist, twists out of the headlock, and goes to whip his opponent into the ropes. Scott reverses it and its Willie Pete thrown into the ropes instead, and on the mat after Wilson almost breaks him in half with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker! He drops to the cover.

One…

Two…Shoulder up!

Nelson: And there is some of that technical prowess Wilson has apparently been developing since his retirement.

Rose: I liked the daredevil antics better. DO A FLIP!

Wilson gets back up to his feet, pulling his opponent to a seated position along with him. He bounces off the ropes and connects with a dropkick to the seated Willie Pete. Another cover.

One…

Two…Kickout!

Scott sits back up and looks around for a clue of what to do next. He finally spies the top turnbuckle and slowly gets to his feet. Grabbing the ropes of the corner, he looks to the crowd for momentum then begins to climb.

Crumb: It’s over! He’s going to finish it here!

Rose: If he climbs to the top rope before we all die of old age maybe.

Nelson: He is probably tired, Rose Marie. Give him some time.

From the top rope he looks down at his opponent. He pats his elbow, but before he can jump, Willie Pete dives for the ropes, knocking him off balance. After a couple moments of rest, Willie pulls the wincing Wilson off the turnbuckle and towards the center of the ring. With Wilson already doubled over, Willie grabs one of his arms in an underhook. As he goes to grab the other one though, Scott fights back. He wriggles free, ducks a wild punch, and locks up for an exploder. Pete is having none of that, as he hits an elbow and rolls out to the side. Scott holds on though and whips his opponent into the ropes. He doubles over again as if going for a back body drop, but THE Willie Pete jumps over him, grabs his waist, and pulls him down into a pin.

One…

Wilson reverses the pin into one of his own!

One…

Willie kicks out and both men are to their feet fast. Pete ducks a kick and rolls Scott up again.

One...

Wilson rolls himself out of it using his opponent’s arm for leverage, and tries to lock in an arm bar but Willie shuffles to the ropes and breaks the hold before it’s locked in! Both men spring up and stare daggers at each other, daring the other to make the first move.

Nelson: My goodness, it is like we are starting all over!

Crumb: How exciting! What a match!

Rose: This is a long card. We don’t have time for this nonsense!

The competitors begin to circle again, much as they did near the top of the match, though clearly more exhausted. The crowd, meanwhile, applauding their efforts.

Crumb: And the admiration from the crowd here is well deserved!

Nelson: Both of these Icons are putting it all on the line in their first matches here in Iconic Professional Wrestling.

By this point, the two men are shouting at each other from across the ring. They slowly inch towards each other until their faces are all but touching. A knife edge chop from Scott pushes Willie back.

Willie: Is that all you got? I was promised a king!

Willie returns the chop, the high pitched sound of hand on chest reverberating throughout the arena. Scott laughs and returns the favor. Now it escalates, back and forth they go. Willie, Scott, Willie, Scott, Willie, Scott, Willie. Finally Scott breaks the cycle with a massive forearm! Scott goes to whip Pete into the ropes, but Pete reverses. It’s of no consequence though as Wilson comes off the ropes with a pointed springboard elbow, bringing both men to the mat. Wilson though is up fast and backed up in the corner, getting ready to end the match with one decisive kick.

Crumb: Oh this is it, for real this time!

Nelson: Scott Wilson for his signature Wilson Kick!

Rose: Will he hit the target this time?

Wilson is motioning with his hand now, begging his opponent to stand. Willie is a little groggy, but looks more pissed than anything as he finally stands up. Shooting out of the corner like a bat out of a well lit cave, Scott Wilson goes for the Wilson Kick!

Rose: Did he get it!?

Nelson: No! Willie Pete was too fast again!

Pete dodges again at the last second and hits the ropes instead. “The Last King”, who put all of his effort behind the lightning fast kick from the corner, spins around off balance and gets his lights knocked out by the Rise (Jumping Knee Strike)! Wilson wilts and falls towards the canvas, but Willie grabs his wrist and sets him up for a powerbomb. He looks at the crowd breathing hard, but smiling.

Crumb: It’s been a hard fight, but I think THE Willie Pete is ready to collect.

He lifts Scott up to his shoulder, up to the sky, and then down with authority with the You’re Flying (Golden Star Powerbomb) and holds for the cover.

One…

Two…

Three!

Rose: Back to retirement for Scottie to Hottie?

Nelson: Wilson said he would die in the ring before doing that again, and I believe him.

Crumb: One loss is only a small setback. “The Last King” will rise again.

Rose: If you say so….

Willie Pete shoves his opponent away from and stands so the official can raise his hand.

Torres: The winner of this match via pinfall...THE Willie Pete!

Nelson: Both Icons gave it their best in that ring.

Rose: But Willie gave a little bit better.

The post-match celebratioin of Willie Pete is interrupted when "Cocky AF" by Megan Thee Stallion begins to play throughout the arenas speakers.

Rose: OH SHIT!

Blaise saunters out from the back. She's wearing leather pants with a cropped black shirt, over it a matching leather jacket that sits over her shoulders with her arms hanging loosely underneath. She wears a grin on her face as she stops at the top of the ramp, arms folded. She stares the men in the ring down for a moment, before unfolding her arms and clapping in a sarcastic manner. She can be heard shouting down the ramp.

Blaise: Really? After how long... this is your "big" return?

She shakes her head, beginning to laugh. The fans respond with mixed reaction as Blaise rolls her eyes and heads back through the curtains.

Check Your Local Listings for Dates and Times

Torres: The following SINGLES match is scheduled for ONE FALL or SUBMISSION with a FIFTEEN minute time limit!

The lights in the auditorium switch off as "Ultraviolence" By Cliff Lin begins to play over the PA system, as soon as the rift kicks in, the spotlights goes around the audience and the stage lights illuminate as Chris Crippler steps out from behind the curtain.

Torres: Introducing first, standing at five foot eleven and weighting in at 256 pounds, hailing from Colchester, Essex, England…he is CHRIS CRIPPLEERRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He casually strolls down the aisle way, ignoring the fans ringside, stepping up the ring steps to the apron and walking along to the middle. He gazes out at the crowd in attendance with a look of disgust before stepping through the ropes, Chris walks over to the opposite side of the ring, adjusting his wrist tape as he presses his back against the turnbuckles. The referee checks him for foreign objects as the music fades away.

Nelson: Chris Crippler first made his presence known on the Thanksgiving edition of Chaos where he all but called out Oliver Black.

Crumb: Since then he’s had success in singles competition against Maggie D, but had some trouble when he finally met up with Oliver Black during the tag match last show. Crazy enough, even though Jason Dave will be taking on his tag team partner that night in our Main Event, it was Jason that pinned Chris for the win.

Rose: Whatever! You know just as well as I do that it was unfair. Chris Crippler is planning on putting a hurt-on Oliver Black in the future and not to mention he was hamstrung that night by Baby Daddy!

"Deceive me
Release me
Unleash me
You've unleashed the wild within"

The lights go out in the arena as blue and white lights send a glow across stage. The low hum of the first verse to “Unleashed” by Killswitch Engage hits over the PA System with the glow resonating in time with the rhythm.

"Welcome to the madness
That dwells inside these eyes
Pushed unto the breaking point
You're running out of time"

The black curtain is pushed aside and Silver Kazama bursts out from behind it onto the stage. The crowd erupts into boos and jeers as Silver pauses at the top of the ramp to examine the assembled fans. A sneer flashes across his face as he makes his way down the ramp, verbally berating the front row of people as he makes his way down to the ring.

Torres: Introducing his opponent, standing at six foot and weighting in at 220 pounds, hailing from New Orleans, Louisiana…he is SILVER KAZAMMAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"This innocent blood is on your hands
Deceive me
Come face to face with the final stand
Release me
It's the part of me you can't comprehend
Unleash me
You've unleashed the wild within
The wild within"

He takes his time climbing onto the apron facing the hard camera. He smirks into the camera throwing his arms to his sides. He climbs into the ring, or tries to, but is completely taken by surprise when Chris Crippler charges to dive into a chop block that crumples Kazama’s knee in an unnatural way. Silver is sent crashing to the mat, right leg still tangled up in the ropes, when Crippler leaps to his feet, grabs the top for leverage, and begins raining down stomps all along the man’s body.

Nelson: GOODNESS GRACIOUS!

Crumb: WHAT CAN EVERYONE BE THINKING AS CHRIS CRIPPLER STOMPS THE HOLY HELL OUT OF SILVER KAZAMA?!?!

Rose: Probably, “that this is one hell of a way to start a match!”

Nelson: Crippler focusing those stomps right down into Kazama’s knee joint, and now slips to the outside to grab the man by the ankle and is dragging him towards the corner!

Crippler pulls Kazama to the post and grabs his other ankle just before giving a violent jerk so that Silver slams crotch first into the ring post. The referee is all over him from inside the ring, but Chris pays him no mind as he pulls the left leg far away from the post and then slings it back so that the knee joint strikes the steel hard. Silver reacts like anyone would, crying out in pain and trying to escape, but Crippler retains his hold to swing the leg again and again.

Nelson: My goodness…I do not even think that this match has even started yet and Silver Kazama is at a severe disadvantage!

Rose: If you call having your leg ripped off at the knee joint, then I agree.

Crumb: Chris now finally letting go of Silver, and just rolled into the ring…and…what the? He’s demanding that the referee start the match!

The referee pushes Double C back into the far corner, and then turns back to check on Silver Kazama who has just now gotten himself free of the corner. He’s clutching at his left knee, obviously in pain, but shakes his head ‘yes’ to the referee when he asks if he wants to continue. The ref looks concerned, but finally shrugs and signals for the bell.

DING DING DING!

Nelson: I realize that Silver Kazama is a warrior, but I don’t know that it was a wise decision to start this match after that brutal attack by Chris Crippler…

Rose: I think that’s obvious since the guy can barely make it to his feet.

Crumb: AND HERE COMES CHRIS RIGHT BACK IN ON THE ATTACK!

Double C allows Silver to get halfway to his feet before coming in behind with wicked shin kicks right to the back of the man’s bad knee. It only takes about three of these before the other leg is swept out from under him, and Kazama ends up back down on the mat. Crippler wastes no time in grabbing Kazama by both ankles once again, but this time he drags him to the center of the ring where he deftly applies his Debilitater (Sharp Shooter).

Crumb: SILVER KAZAMA IS ALL TIED UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RING WITH NOWHERE TO GO!

Crumb: He’s clawing to try and get to the ropes, but everytime he gets close, Chris pulls him back out to the center.

Rose: Go ahead and call it guys. There is no way he can take much more.

After what seems like forever, an intense Chris Crippler yanks back even harder on the hold, and it looks like Silver Kazama might be bent in half when the veteran finally reaches out and slaps the mat in submission. The referee calls for the bell, but Double C doesn’t immediately break the hold, and it isn’t until the ref threatens to reverse the decision that he finally drops Silver’s legs back to the mat.

Torres: And here is your winner...CHRIS CRIPPLER!

Nelson: Not exactly what we expected out of this booking, but Chris Crippler has definitely sent a statement to the locker room.

Rose: And rightfully so! After what happened on Chaos, he needed to get back on track, and what better way to send a message to Oliver Black than damn near sending Silver Kazama to the back in a wheelchair?

Crumb: Well, I think he got all of our attention tonight with that one, but Oliver has his own problems with Jason Dave here tonight, and that match will be decided in our Main Event.

Nelson: Folks, stick with us, as we will have more Iconic Professional Wrestling after this.

The camera gets one last shot of Chris Crippler forcing the ref to raise his arm in victory before cutting to backstage.

The scene fades in on the backstage interviewing area, where Butterscotch Monroe is waiting for her cue. It finally comes and the camera pans over as Aaron Kostan walks into frame.

Butterscotch: “Ladies and gentlemen, my guest at this time…the returning Aaron Kostan.”

Aaron: “Glad to be back Mrs. Monroe. Though I must say that I’m surprised to have gotten your invitation for an interview so early with everything else going on around the company right now.”

Butterscotch: “I’m not swamped with interviews. I usually have to chase people down to get a word in. This is a refreshing change of pace.”

Aaron: “Well I am happy to oblige.”

Butterscotch: “Speaking of everything else going on around the company, the first question that comes to mind is...did you find a trophy in your locker room?”

Aaron: “Haha...no, Oliver didn’t leave my trophy in my locker room. But none of us really expected him to now did we?”

Butterscotch shrugs.

Butterscotch: “No, I guess not. Are you going to get it from him?”

Aaron: “Nah, I sense he needs trophies a whole lot more than I do. That and, to be honest, I’m not in the mood to reignite that fire just yet.”

He smiles and shakes his head with a questioning glance.

Aaron: “I just got back. Can I not just have a couple of months without Aaron Kostan and Oliver Black’s names being intertwined? I know I kind of asked for it with that message to him a couple of weeks ago, but the opportunity just presented itself. Was I not supposed to take it?”

Butterscotch: “So new year, new you. What is the plan?”

Aaron: “The plan? Ha...I don’t have one.”

Butterscotch looks at him, skeptical.

Butterscotch: “No championship aspirations, list of names, debts to repay?”

Another smile from Aaron.

Aaron: “No, not at all. I’m just here to wrestle some matches, pick up some wins, have some fun, and ultimately...see where the wind takes me...because it doesn't usually take long around here for the wind to push you into something. Whether I like where it takes me or not, we'll have to wait and see.”

Butterscotch: “And how does your match tonight play into that plan?”

Aaron: “It’s pretty simple. It would be a pity to come back and strike out on my first at bat. So, naturally, I have to go out there and pick up the win against Cerberus.”

Butterscotch: “You make it sound like it’s simple.”

Aaron: “Oh, well pardon me. Of course I don’t mean to put down other talent. Listen, the man has a reputation, and he’s fresh out of prison. Of course he’s no push over, and I fully expect to have my work cut out for me.”

Butterscotch: “You know, he seemed to be full of praise for you late last week.”

Aaron: “Complete with a helping of insults and criticism of course. I will say he surprised me though. He did a heck of a job debunking what I said about him being predictable, typical…”

His brow furrows as his voice raises a couple of pitches.

Aaron: “Do you think he did that on purpose?”

Now its Butterscotch Monroe with the questioning glance.

Butterscotch: “I uh- I don’t know.”

Aaron: “Oh well. Regardless of what he said at the beginning of his speech, it’s the end that matters. He said that my reputation precedes me, but that it won’t be enough...That’s all fine and dandy, because it’s not my reputation that I’m relying on. I’m relying on the training I have completed over the past month preparing to come back here...an already perfect art perfected even further. That’s what I am relying on. I’m relying on the laser focused, precision driven artist of the here and now.”

An intense look at the camera, a grateful smile at Butterscotch, and then Kostan walks out of the frame and the scene fades.

~~

Torres: The following contest is set for ONE FALL or SUBMISSION with a FIFTEEN MINUTE time limit!

The lights dim and a flood light from the entrance kicks on brightly while smoke pillows out onto the stage as 'Beat The Devil's Tattoo' by Black Rebel Motorcycle Club hits over the PA. The roaring crowd come to their feet when a silhouette appears in the flood light, and then steps out onto the stage wearing a black leather biker’s jacket, mussed hair, and a cigarette hanging out of his mouth. The crowd has a mixed reaction for the superstar as he sends a plume of smoke up into the rafters just before taking his first step down the ramp.

Torres: Introducing first, hailing from Hell, Michigan…weighting in at 245 pounds and standing at six foot three…he is THE CATALYST...ZACHARIAH KRAHHHHHHHEEEEE!

Krahe stops at the bottom of the ramp to regard the front row to his left, then his right, letting a plume of smoke escape his lips. Sniffing the air as if he could smell the electricity, he butts the cigarette out on the steel steps just before climbing them to slip through the ropes. He stalks over to the far corner where he flops back against the turnbuckles, shooting the camera a whimsical grin.

Nelson: Krahe was successful in his first outing last Chaos against Captain All-Star, who subsequently was taken out earlier this evening by The Catalyst’s running buddies, The BombTrax!

Rose: I don’t know how buddy-buddy this little team of Munin’s actually is. It seems to me like the only thread that holds them together is her snatch!

Crumb: Careful, Rose…I really want our announce table to make it through this show!

The Stooges are interrupted when ”Mama Said Knock You Out” begins and Jessie Roberts walks out onto the stage and starts to bounce around trying to get loose. The crowed erupts as she waits for a few moments before walking down and slaps hands with a few fans as she does. Eventually she reaches ringside where she stops at the steps, slapping the top of them before getting in the ring. She then bounces around staring across at her opponent with a confident nod.

Torres: Coming to the ring next hailing from Iowa City, Iowa….weighing in at one hundred and forty-eight pounds….standing at a height of five feet ten inches….she is a former Iconic Pro Wrestling Television Champion….she is the Hawkeye Warrior….JESSIE ROBERTTTTSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Crumb: The Hawkeye Warrior looks ready to go here tonight, and these fans are electric for her.

Rose: That’s cause their idiots. They don’t know any better.

Nelson: Rose Marie, please…let’s not insult the folks who pay our bills.

Rose: Whatever! Seriously, how can they cheer for this do-gooder? Bouncing around the ring like she took a nose full of crank before coming out here…

Nelson: Fans at home, we do not condone the use of illegal drugs. Our broadcast partner simply has a unique way of describing people.

Crumb: Thank goodness! Saved by the bell!

DING DING DING!!!

Jessie Roberts steps to the middle of the ring in a fighters stands, looking ready to go as Krahe casually looks over at her as if disinterested. When the referee calls for them to lock up he shrugs as if bored, but then suddenly steps out of his corner and marches right into a lock up with the Hawkeye Warrior. He uses his obvious size advantage to push Jessie all the way back to the opposite side, and when the referee calls for the break he surprises everyone when he gives it to her clean.

Rose: See what I’m saying? She came out here all hyped up and in the first few seconds gets punked!

Nelson: It is true that Roberts is going to have to use her speed and ingenuity to get past this obvious size advantage hurtle, but if anyone can do it, itis the Hawkeye Warrior!

Rose: You sound like these cheering morons…

Crumb: Uh...guys…they are locking up again!

The two Icons indeed lock up once more, only this time, Krahe doesn’t even try and force Jessie back. Instead, he pulls her towards him and then gives her a massive toss that sends her slamming down to the mat. She scrambles backwards and up to her knee quickly, while Krahe looks out at the crowd with another shrug of his shoulders. The mixed reaction he received earlier turns to boo’s as Roberts gets back to her feet.

Nelson: These fans are letting Zachariah Krahe know that they do not appreciate his bully like tactics.

Rose: Bully? Are you kidding me? He was booked in this match to compete. Is it his fault that he is that much bigger and stronger than Roberts? Give me a break!

Crumb: Wait a minute…last week you weren’t very high on this guy at all, and now you’ve suddenly joined his fan club?

Rose: No, I’m just stating the obvious. Now pay attention to the action in the ring.

The two Icons go for another lockup, but Jessie Roberts is wise this time, instead ducking under Krahe’s grasp and hooking him around the waist to end up behind him. She starts digging into the mat for traction and manages to push the man towards the ropes to bounce him off for a roll up pin. Krahe hooks the top rope, however, and Jessie is sent rolling backwards by herself, but in the process ends up back on her feet. When Krahe turns back around to engage he’s surprised by a standing dropkick that sends him falling back into the ropes!

Nelson: Krahe bouncing back and Roberts with a drop toe hold takes him face first down to the mat.

Crumb: Jessie now leaping over Krahe’s body to end up at his head, and hooks him in a headlock!

Rose: Size advantage comes into play immediately as The Catalyst pushes Jessie back to her feet!

Krahe lifts Jessie into the air for what looks like a side suplex attempt, but the Hawkeye Warrior uses the momentum to flip right up and over to land on her feet. Behind him once again, Roberts delivers another dropkick to the small of his back, this one sending him stumbling forwards to run right through the middle and top rope to crash to the concrete outside!

Nelson: Nasty spill to no man’s land by Krahe thanks to Roberts.

Crumb: What do you have to say about that, Rose?

Rose: I’d say that Jessie Roberts better continue to stay one step ahead, cause Krahe is already working his way back up to his feet!

From inside the ring the Hawkeye Warrior notices, falling back into the far ropes for spring before barreling across the ring in that direction. She commits to a baseball slide, sending both feet square into Zach’s face as he grips at the apron. Like a shotgun blast he is flung back until coming to a crashing halt thanks to the steel guard rails.

Crumb: That’ll realign your spine…

Rose: Yeah, and now Jessie’s on the outside with Krahe dragging him back to the ring…

Nelson: She shoots him back in and now slides back in for a cover!

One…

Two…KICK OUT!

Nelson: Krahe out at two as Jessie has to go back to the drawing board.

Roberts gets to her feet and pulls Krahe up with her only to fire in three sharp forearms that send him stumbling back into the corner. She follows him in with rights and lefts, trapping him there, tagging at will. The Catalyst is left trying to cover up during the onslaught that drives him down to a seated position where Jessie transitions into front kicks to his chest.

Nelson: The referee having to step in as Jessie Roberts beats down Zachariah Krahe. Man, what fire from the Hawkeye Warrior!

Crumb: We saw the same no-nonsense attitude out of her on the last Chaos when she dropped Maggie D in record time.

Rose: Maybe this new aggressive streak is her way of getting back in the title hunt. Either way, Jessie has let off the gas for a moment to allow Krahe out of the corner, and…what the hell?!

To everyone’s amazement, Jessie Roberts rushes back in on Krahe just as he steps out of the corner and somehow manages to lift his 264 pound frame up onto her shoulder before spinning and driving back to the mat into a brutal Power Slam!

Crumb: WHAT CAN EVERYONE BE THINKING AS JESSIE ROBERTS JUST SLAMMED ZACHARIAH KRAHE?!?!

Rose: Probably, “that this bitch has been eating her Wheaties!”

Nelson: That display took something out of Roberts as she now massages at her lower back. She is still going for a cover!

One…

Two…

Thre...KICK OUT!

Nelson: Zachariah Krahe just barely got the shoulder up, and he looks as shocked as the rest of us.

Crumb: I mean, he had a slow start against Captain All-Star as well, but nothing like this. He might have shown off in the beginning, but Jessie Roberts has brought the fight to him!

Rose: I have to admit, I’m slightly impressed.

Roberts pulls Krahe up to his feet and pushes him towards the ropes only to send him to the other side. She’s surprised when at the last minute he reverses the momentum, sending her instead. Jessie bounces back from the ropes and Krahe swings hard for a clothesline, but she ducks it, instead hooking the arm to spin around to end up behind him. She leaps onto his back and hooks him around the head for a Sleeper.

Nelson: JESSIE ROBERTS WITH A SLEEPER HOLD ON KRAHE DEAD CENTER OF THE RING!

Crumb: This could spell disaster for The Catalyst...wait…Krahe reached back and pulled Jessie’s legs up on either side of him...

Rose: AND LEAPS BACKWARDS TO CRASH LAND WITH ALL OF HIS WEIGHT STRAIGHT DOWN ONTO JESSIE ROBERTS!

Krahe rolls away from Roberts who lies flat on her back, mouth agape with the wind having been knocked right out of her. The Catalyst crawls towards the ropes, gripping at the back of his neck thanks to that slam from earlier, clawing to get up to his feet. Jessie slowly rises behind him, still trying to catch her breath, but when she sees him leaned against the ropes a look of resolves comes over her face.

Rose: The Hawkeye Warrior realizes she still has a chance to keep the momentum here with Krahe literally on the ropes…

Nelson: I think you are right, because here she comes in a rush from behind…

Crumb: But Krahe turns into her and lowers his head…BACK BODY DROP RIGHT OVER THE TOP ROPE TO THE OUTSIDE!

The fans come to their feet in shock as Roberts lands with a splat on the concrete. In the ring, Krahe is still massaging his neck before dropping down to roll out after her. Jessie is already trying to find her footing when The Catalyst gets her by the hair of the head and the seat of the pants, keeping her hunched over, and runs her head and shoulders first into the ring steps. She crashes with enough impact against the steel that the top portion of the steps dislodges from the bottom and is sent skidding across the floor to come to a rest against the guardrail.

Crumb: WHAT CAN EVERYONE BE THINKING AS JESSIE ROBERTS IS SENT CRASHING INTO THE RING STEPS?!?!

Rose: Probably, “that’s one way to scramble an egg!”

Nelson: Krahe now pulling Jessie to her feet and shoots her back in, following close behind to hook the leg for a cover!

One…

Two…

THR...KICK OUT!

Krahe falls off of Roberts, just sitting beside the woman on the canvas and staring down at her in disbelief. He shakes his head before getting to his feet, and pulls her up along with him. Taking her by the wrist he pushes her into the ropes to shoot her off, and as she bounces back steps to the center of the ring to catch her with a clothesline. Jessie ducks and stops short, however, managing to spin around and leap onto The Catalyst’s back for another sleeper hold.

Nelson: This did not work out so well for Roberts before, but she has it synched in tight!

Crumb: Krahe is looking to try and do the same thing as last time, but Jessie keeps positioning so that she’s just out of reach...

Rose: Yeah, and WHAT THE...?

Nelson: ROBERTS SWINGS HER LEGS FAR OUT AND AWAY FROM KRAHE AND USES THE MOMENTUM TO BRING HIM CRASHING TO THE MAT ON THE BACK OF HIS SKULL!

Crumb: Jessie scrambles in beside him and hooks the leg…

One…

Two…

THR...KICK OUT!

Nelson: Krahe just barely able to get the shoulder up after that one, and if his neck was bothering him before, it has to be killing him now!

Rose: Wait a minute? What doesJessie think she’s doing now?

Crumb: Looks like she’s going to the outside so that she can ascend the turnbuckles…We don’t see that very often out of the Hawkeye Warrior!

Roberts, usually a powerhouse wrestler, finds herself on shaky ground as she reaches the top turnbuckle. Krahe manages to get to his feet, and she beckons for him to turn in her direction which he eventually does. It looks as if she has him dead to rights when she leaps from the top for what looks to be a cross body, but everyone comes completely unglued when Krahe rushes into a leap, snatching Roberts out of midair with a devastating spear.

Nelson: MY GOODNESS! WHAT A COUNTER!

Rose: Before you say it, Crumbbum, let me tell you exactly what everyone is thinking…DAMN!

Crumb: You might be right, as Krahe pushes up to his feet to this mixed reaction from the fans.

Zachariah Krahe rubs his neck, but his expression carries a vicious undertone as he bends down to get Roberts on her feet. There is no fanfare as he pulls her head in close, double underhooks her arms, and then plants her skull first into the canvas with his finisher!

Nelson: CATALYST DDT! This one might be over!

Crumb: Krahe with a half nelson to get Roberts onto her back, and now hooks the leg…

One…

Two…

THREE!!

Torres: And here is your winner by pinfall….ZACHARIAH KRAHE!

Krahe gets to his feet as the referee takes his wrist and lifts his arm in victory. Roberts rolls to the edge of the ring in disappointment, still clutching at the top of her head thanks to the nasty landing.

Rose: What did I tell you guys?

Crumb: Yeah, yeah, but still. You have to admit that Jessie Roberts gave Krahe one hell of a fight.

Nelson: Indeed! It seemed like she may have had the answer for the majority of the match, but in the end it was Krahe who changed the questions.

Crumb: I’m sure Munin is pleased with this outcome, but one has to wonder if The BombTrax will be able to keep this momentum going for their faction.

Rose: If this is any indication of what’s to come, ASStrid is going to get exactly what she deserves! Brianna Rissi should cut ties with that albatross now so that she doesn’t get caught up in this melodrama.

Nelson: Well that remains to be seen, but folks, do not go anywhere…we have more Iconic action up next!

The camera gets one last shot of Zachariah Krahe just as he exits the ring to head to the back, seeming uninterested in a celebration while Jessie Roberts tries to recover from the upset on the outside.

Torres: The following SINGLES MATCH is scheduled for ONE FALLwith a FIFTEEN MINUTE time limit!

”Turn to Stone” by Joe Walsh plays as Cross Recoba makes his way down to the ring.

Torres: Coming to the ring first hailing from New York City, New York...weighing at two hundred and thirty pounds….standing at five feet ten inches….he is CROSS RECOBBBBBBBAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nelson: Cross Recoba has been after Drake Jones for weeks and now finally we will see what these two can do to each other in the ring.

Crumb: Cross has been a thorn in Drake’s side and because of that, this match is happening and it’s going to be a knock em down, drag em out.

Rose: Oh please, he provoked Drake at the last show and then ran away like a little bitch. What do you think that really says for his character?

The opening line of "Bad Motherfucker" By Machine Gun Kelly slams out through the speakers as Drake Jones steps out from the back, his ginger hair wet as he makes his way down to the ring talking trash as he looks around the ringside area. He slides up onto the ring apron and leans against the top rope before throwing his leg back and stepping into the ring.

Torres: Coming to the ring next from Melbourne, Australia….weighing in at two hundred and three pounds….standing at a height of six feet one inches….he is DRAKE JONEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nelson: Drake Jones is heading into this match looking for some payback. He is going to be giving it everything he has in hopes of coming out with the victory.

Crumb: Personally, given Drake’s history, I don’t know if it’s going to work out in his favor. He has surprised us before and he might do it again.

Rose: I’m pretty sure the man will be adding another tally to the LOSE column because he’s a perpetual LOSER.

DING DING DING!!

Both Icons shoot a quick glance in the direction of Cerberus who stands stoically ringside. Drake is the first to make a move as he charges in for a lock-up with Cross sidestepping out of the way.

Crumb: Drake is keen to get this match going!

Rose: Trust me, I’ve been in matches like this - dictating the pace is crucial...

Nelson: You have to wonder what dog Cerberus has in this fight?

Drake shakes his head at the lack of respect shown to him and circles Recoba. Cross looks down at the floor and tosses his hair back as if to show his mind is now in the ring. He steps towards Jones but the Aussie cuts him off with an overhand right that sends him stumbling back, The Fox takes another step but meets another overhand right as the Cleveland crowd get behind the IPW stalwart.

Nelson: It seems like Jones’ plan is working, he told Recoba that he was going to make him eat his own words ahead of the match tonight!

Jones wastes no time in keeping on top of his opponent, he ducks a lazy attempt at a punch and hits him with a dropkick that takes down Recoba. He follows it up by coming off the ropes with a flying forearm to continue the pressure. Cross gets back to his feet almost immediately, the shock of the attack propelling him to his feet. The self-proclaimed Box Office only finds himself upright momentarily as The Aussie Aerial Assault comes back off the ropes with a flying-headscissors that sends Cross to the ground and out of the ring.

Crumb: You can hear the crowd getting behind Drake, that quick three-pronged attack is stopping Cross from finding any kind of rhythm!

The cameras cut to Cross who is trying to collect his marbles on the outside. He rests his hands on the apron as the referee starts the count…

Rose: Drake can’t let Cross do things like this, it’s buying him time and breaking any sense of tempo that he can set.

One…

Cross gets back to his feet and backs away, circling the ring while keeping an eye on Jones. Once he decides he is a safe distance he turns his back and gets to the entrance aisle.

Crowd: Cross Sucks Dick! Let’s Go Jones! Cross Sucks Dick! Let’s Go Jones!

Crumb: The crowd are making their feelings toward the IPW newcomer clear!

Nelson: Rose Marie is right though, this is just an attempt to make sure that Jones cannot find an opportunity to get some steam behind him!

Two...

Cross turns back to the ring and looks ready to flip the ref off but is cut off by Jones WHO COMES OVER THE TOP WITH A TOPE CON HILO!

Crumb: You can keep your steam, Patrick, Drake just brought the fire!

The camera zooms in on the pair, Cross looking dazed and a little shellshocked from the opening minute of action. Jones sits up and the camera captures the energy he is running on.

Nelson: The crowd is electric for Jones!

Three...

Jones gets back to his feet and hands out a high five or two to the ringside crowd. He spies Cross getting to his feet and keeps him on the backfoot with a sharp kick to the gut. Drake wastes no more time playing to the crowd as he follows it up with a quick jab to the jaw of his opponent who reels back once more.

Rose: Drake has done his homework, he’s not giving Recoba a second to relax into the match.

Four…

Jones rolls Cross into the ring to break the count and hops onto the ring apron. He looks to the crowd to his right, then to his left, and leaps onto the top rope before coming off with a springboard spinning heel kick that takes a Cross Recoba, struggling to know which state they’re in, back down to the ground.

Nelson: An excellent show of agility there keeps the ball firmly in the Australian’s court!

Drake keeps the pressure on as he lifts the legs of Recoba up and quickly lands two sharp kicks to the inside of his knee. Recoba tries to escape by rolling onto his stomach but Jones plants a foot on the back of his knee before lifting it up and driving it into the canvas.

Crumb: Rose, you think he might be softening up his legs for the Sharpshooter?

Rose: I think that’s an option he wants to keep open, but taking away Recoba’s legs means that moves like Up All Night in Dakota or The Skim will become lesser threats to Jones!

The camera captures Cross’ look of pain as he struggles to get space between Drake and himself. He grabs the referee’s foot in an act of desperation but they only step back, clearly not wanting to aid or abet him in his cowardly attempt to get some breathing space.

Nelson: Can you believe this? Recoba is practically begging the referee to come between the two Icons!

Jones grabs the leg of Recoba who kicks back with his free limb and lands a boot to the stomach of Drake buying him a few valuable seconds. The Illinois native gets to the ropes and clings like Jack should have in the Titanic as his opponent closes in on him. Cross weaves out the way of a European Uppercut and lifts the Australian over the ropes. Recoba turns round and immediately looks to buy more time for recovery as he rakes the eyes of Drake.

Nelson: Recoba already told us that he was going to exploit any advantage he could and this is keeping to form!

Crumb: It’s cowardly and has no place in this sport!

Rose: It’s not a pretty way to buy time but it’s an effective one!

Cross heads back into the center of the ring, the referee admonishes the IPW newcomer but it falls on deaf ears. Drake, keen to keep the pressure on his opponent, leaps onto the top-rope and looks for a springboard forearm but Cross rolls out the way. To his credit, Jones also manages to roll through, they both step towards the other and go for a dropkick at the same time. They kip-up and Cross goes for a waist-lock but no sooner has he wrapped his arms than Jones has slipped out the back and grabbed a waist-lock of his own. Recoba drops to the floor to slide out of the hold but Drake grabs his legs looking for a wheelbarrow based move, Cross lands on his feet and follows up with a no-look elbow to the temple and grabs an arm-bar. Drake shows his ring awareness by grabbing the top rope with his free hand and flipping backwards to his feet before springing onto the middle rope, then the top rope and coming back with a triple-jump arm-drag that gets the crowd back into the match.

Nelson: Drake Jones comes from a solid technical background. Add in the fact that training in the Australian heat is going to give you some cardio that really goes the extra mile and we can look forward to Jones keeping up this pace throughout the match!

Crumb: Drake has always shown off his athleticism in IPW…

Rose: Now the key is to making it pay off with a big win tonight!

Recoba gets in the referee’s face about the rope-assisted move. Drake, keen to put away the Fox approaches him. In a blatant disregard for the rules Cross feels a hand go to turn him back and instinctively mule kicks the Australian right in the Jatz crackers.

Nelson: Unbelievable! The referee’s view was obscured!

Crumb: The crowd are making their feelings known!

Rose: It’s a mule kick, Jones is perhaps showing his tender in-ring years by not being guarded against it.

The referee remains ignorant of the foul play that just took place but the Santa Monica crowd aren’t being shy in their feelings. Cross turns around and nonchalantly kicks at the head of Drake. He lifts him up by the hair and immediately looks to keep on the offensive as he peppers the face of Jones with quick forearms, backing him into a corner.

Nelson: Is Recoba looking to turn this into a streetfight?

Rose: It’d favor him, we saw Drake isn’t shy of a brawl earlier but, on Cross’ terms, this might get ugly!

Cross rams his shoulder into the midsection of the Australian...once, twice, he rears back a third time but mixes it up with a jumping knee strike to the head of Drake. He grabs hold of Jones’ head once more and uses the middle-rope to leap up and hit a legdrop bulldog. Cross gets back to his feet and starts to furiously reach behind the top turnbuckle cover.

Nelson: Come on! The referee can’t allow this, it’s turning a professional wrestling match into a sanctioned mugging!

With his opponent down, Cross takes the time to start unfastening the top turnbuckle cover. The crowd boo at the ill-spirited move but Cross waves a dismissive hand their way. The referee is the first to spot that Cross’ boot lays across the throat of Drake.

Rose: Clever boy…

Crumb: It’s unbelievable...

One…

Two…

Three…

Cross steps off his opponent as the turnbuckle cover falls to the canvas. The referee keeps Cross in the corner to warn him of his actions as Jones rolls into the center of the ring, this time buying himself some time.

Nelson: Finally, the referee steps in...

Recoba rolls his eyes at the referee as he steps past and ‘helps’ Jones back to his feet. He fires off more forearms to the head of his opponent, this time sending him back into the opposite turnbuckle. He grabs hold of his arm looking for an Irish Whip…

Crumb: This could be a game-changing moment of the match…

Jones comes to his senses just in time to reverse the Irish Whip, Cross holds onto the Australian’s arm and whips round looking for a short-arm clothesline but Drake manages to catch him with a quick kick to the leg that takes him down. Cross scrambles to get back up but is cut off by Drake springing off his knee and delivering an enziguri to the temple of Recoba.

Rose: That flurry of moves from Drake has got the momentum back with him.

Nelson: We heard that crack from the kick at ringside!

Cross looks dazed as he again tries to get to his feet but Drake cuts him off with a front dropkick that takes him down to the floor. The crowd once more erupt in cheers as Jones lifts up the legs of Recoba and puts a foot through them.

Crumb: Sharpshooter!

Rose: He’s got to make this work and really lock it in, this move can be devastating when applied properly!

Cross manages to reach up and grab a modified small package.

Nelson: Recoba was not even entertaining the notion of trying to escape once it was put on, can he get him?

One…

KICKOUT!

Crumb: Drake has far too much in the gas tank!

Cross pops back up with Jones and lands a stinging knife-edge chop to the chest of Drake who returns one back. Cross goes for an overhand right but Drake blocks it and lands a straight punch to the face. Recoba with a left that is ducked and followed up with a quick dropkick that staggers him. Cross swings wildly but Jones is too quick for him and catches him with a hurricanrana that sends him sprawling across the mat and into the turnbuckle.

Nelson: A little bit of rope-a-dope from the Australian. Rose Marie, Jones seems to have more luck keeping the action in the air, any thoughts?

Rose: It’s about making the advantages count, Drake is the quicker man but the moves are called high-risk for a reason!

Cross is still catching his breath as a smile forms on Drake’s face, he races forward and NAILS A HANDSPRING BACK KICK THAT CATCHES CROSS FLUSH IN THE FACE!

Crumb: That kick definitely counted for something!

Nelson: Without getting a closer look I would say it would count for some dental bills!

Drake lifts the vulnerable Recoba onto the top turnbuckle and looks to the crowd before springing to the top. He lifts up Recoba as both men stand precariously on top.

Rose: This could be bad news for Cross.

Nelson: But the path to a big win for the man from the Southern Hemisphere!

Drake places an arm across Cross, he flips LOOKING FOR THE ONE MAN SPANISH FLY

Crumb: If he hits this it’s over!

BOTH MEN LAND ON THEIR FEET! CROSS SCOOPS UP DRAKE LOOKING FOR THE TOMBSTONE PILEDRIVER BUT DRAKE GOES OVER THE TOP AND SCOOPS HIM UP...AIR RAID CRASH!

Crumb: KILLSWITCH!!!

Nelson: Great athleticism from Recoba but it only delayed the inevitable, we could be seeing the end right now!

One…

Two…

THRE...CERBERUS DRAGS JONES OUT OF THE RING BY HIS FEET!

Rose: Now we know why Cerberus was out here!

Nelson: He paid off Cerberus as muscle!

Crumb: WHAT CAN DRAKE JONES BE THINKING RIGHT NOW AS HE GETS DRAGGED OUT OF THE RING BY CERBERUS?!?!

Rose: It’s probably dawned on him that the numbers aren’t with him.

The referee starts to shout at Cerberus on the outside. Cerberus just laughs in his direction. Jones pops up from the ground and starts to square up to Cerberus, this gives Cross all the opportunity he needs as he SAILS OVER THE TOP ROPE WITH A DROPKICK TO THE FACE OF JONES!

Nelson: A Million Lira Dropkick from Recoba! But with him having taken some damage in this match what can he make of it?

One…

Rose: It’s a desperation move, we’ve all had to do them but no-one wants to rely on them!

Jones lays on the floor holding his head, Cerberus making his presence known by standing over him. Cross starts to stir.

Nelson: It is an easier risk to take when you have The Hell Hound at ringside!

Crumb: Why has the ref even allowed him to stay at ringside?

Two…

Cross uses the barricade to get to his feet, Jones has little choice in getting back to a vertical base as Cerberus hauls him to his feet. Recoba grabs the head of Jones and slams it into the apron.

Crumb: Come on, ref! What is he doing interfering in the match?

Rose: Earning some moolah!

Three…

The Illinois native drags Jones up to the apron and wraps his arm around his head. The Australian is lifted into the air and sharply dropped down to the apron once more with a lifting-DDT!

Nelson: Recoba presses his advantage with The Skim, the same move he took out Jones with when he was facing Jason Dave around a month ago!

Crumb: How is the ref letting this stand?

The crowd audibly boo Cross as the cameras capture his smug look sitting. He rolls into the ring to break the count and gets to his feet. He drapes Jones over the middle rope and leaves his opponent’s upper-body hanging inside the ring. He rears back and lifts a knee straight to the face of the Antipodean Superstar.

Nelson: Recoba was looking dazed earlier in the match, now he is paying back his opponent!

Crumb: Drake needs to rally past this and look for any opening he can!

The referee checks on Drake but Cross interjects himself between the two and pulls the dazed Icon into the ring. He wraps his arms around the torso of his opponent and lifts him over in a Saito Suplex.

Rose: That suplex is designed to compact the neck, we could be seeing him teeing up Up All Night in Dakota!

Recoba hangs on and rolls through to his feet, his arms set up Jones for a Reverse-DDT but instead he lifts him into the air and bounces him off the top rope and over into an Osaka Cutter!

Nelson: He might not need that, Jones could be done!

Crumb: I have hope!

Cross looks for the cover.

One…

Two…

THRE...KICK OUT!!

CROSS CAN’T BELIEVE IT!

Crumb: YES!

Nelson: Recoba is incredulous! Jones managed to get a shoulder up and out from under him and the Australian just showed the crowd this match is going to end on his terms!

Recoba gets in the official’s face, his repeated slap of one hand on the other telling everyone that he thought the count was too slow. The referee threatens to have the match thrown out with a disqualification win for Drake Jones if he doesn’t back off and accept the official’s decision. Cross throws up his hands in an exaggerated sign of acceptance and turns round ...CODEBREAKER!!

Rose: Cross got distracted by his own hubris!

Crumb: He’s going for the cover!

One…

Two…

THR...CERBERUS PLACES CROSS’ LEG ON THE BOTTOM ROPE!

Crumb: Unbelievable!

The referee stops the count and tells Jones’ about the rope-break. Jones’ face reads of disbelief and anger.

Nelson: This match might well have been over without the obvious and blatant interjection from Cerberus!

Rose: The referee didn’t see it though so, in his eyes, it’s all fair game!

Drake lays the boots into Cross, a way to take out his frustrations on his opponent. Cross keeps his foot on the rope, milking the break in the assault that Jones wants to lay on him. Drake backs off when the referee goes to get some distance. Recoba leans into the ropes and then sits back into the corner, looking for any possible way to recuperate. The ref leans into Cross and asks him if he wants to continue.

Crumb: Why is the ref getting in the way?

Nelson: Reoba looks punch-drunk, would he even get a standing ten in boxing?

Rose: I’m not sure this is entirely genuine be-

Crumb: Turn around ref!

While the official continues to check over Recoba who is leaning back into the turnbuckles as he brings himself to his feet the camera picks up Cerberus who has snuck into the ring behind Jones. The crowd noise rises to try and warn a favored Icon of the danger but Jones turns round as CERBERUS SPEARS JONES INTO THE EXPOSED TURNBUCKLE!!!

Nelson: ASSETS SEIZED SENDS JONES’ HEAD RIGHT INTO THE METAL!

Rose: He just ugly bumped! Did you see his head bounce off that turnbuckle!

The crowd’s boos do little to tip the referee off who is now happy to see Recoba standing upright, a sly smile across his features. The official is brushed off by Cross who approaches Jones, writhing in pain, and yanks him to his feet and in one fluid motion scoops him up once more for the Tombstone Piledriver.

Nelson: UP ALL NIGHT IN DAKOTA!

Crumb: Like he needed it!

One…

Two…

THREE!!

Torres: The winner of this match...Cross Recoba!!

Torres: The following is an IN-RING RETURN MATCH scheduled for ONE FALL with a FIFTEEN MINUTE time limit!

The sound of wailing sirens prelude the crack and whip of Nickelback’s opening chord, live coverage of the backstage area is displayed on the titantron; the hall is barely breathing with life as there are only a few stage handlers present; before too long a Herculean figure explodes from the men's locker room just off to the right. He storms the hall with fire in his eyes. During his expedition toward the stage entrance, he snatches a water bottle from the grip of a 'Make a Wish' child and impolitely shoves a member of the stage crew to the floor to his own appeasement. The fans however aren't shy about letting him know how they feel, as they're showering him with jeers. When he's finally met the stage entrance, he decapitates the swiped water bottle, pouring most of it over his head prior to in-taking some of its refreshing taste and tossing it aside.

Torres: "MAKING HIS WAY TO THE RING AT AN ASTOUNDING SIX FOOT SIX AND TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY TWO POUNDS...BILLED FROM YOUR WORST NIGHTMARES...CERBERUS!"

Cerberus slices through the curtain to a wave of jeers that he just rides all the way down the ramp. There's a crooked grin of self-assurance on his face that matches the mischief of his raised left brow as he breezes by those at ringside. He pauses approximately three feet from the ring, glaring from one side of the arena to the pupil frying lights high above to the other side of the compound. He measures his target, then without any given warning rockets onto the apron showcasing the strength and balance in his legs. The big man slithers into the ring approaching the far east side of the ring where the cameras are usually stationed, playing up to them by shouting expletives to the audience just to garner a reaction out of them from atop of the turnbuckle.

Nelson: Cerberus has been using his brute strength to his advantage since coming to Iconic Professional Wrestling, but I do not know if that is going to be enough to help him here tonight.

Crumb: He’s going to have a test ahead of him that’s for sure. I am not quite sure if he knows what he’s getting himself into here.

Rose: He’s clearly got anger issues if he started a petty Twitter fight with Joshua Samson over a woman.

The calming guitar intro to "Rust" begins to play over the speakers as cool blue spotlights scatter throughout the arena before unifying at the top of the stage. There, Aaron Kostan steps into the halo of blue light, hair pulled back in a tight bun, a smile on his face, and his arms stretched out wide. He takes a deep breath, drinking in the crowd's cheers. For a moment, "The Artist's" eyes close and his lips move in silent prayer as he looks heavenward. With one more deep breath, he begins to walk to the ring, doling out high fives and handshakes with the IPW faithful. The spotlight follows him to the steps where he calmly walks up, taps the ring post and strolls across the ring apron. With a final scan of the crowd, he ducks between the top and middle ropes to enter the ring.

Torres: Coming to the ring next hailing from Charlotte, North Carolina….weighing in at two hundred and eleven pounds….standing at a height of six feet even...he is the former Iconic Pro Wrestling Television Champion...he is a former Iconic Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Champion….making his in-ring return to Iconic Pro Wrestling...The Artist...AARON KOSTAAAANNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nelson: Aaron Kostan is making his in-ring return tonight and I can tell you that I am so happy that he is back. Kostan has done so much for this company.

Crumb: That is true, he’s put us on the map. And now that he’s back he’s going to be wanting to get back to his usual business as Mr. IPW.

Rose: You know, I didn’t even realize that he was gone. I don’t think anyone even missed him.

The referee signals to the timekeeper to ring the bell as this match is underway.

DING DING DING!!

The two men circle each other, the camera picking up The Artist who rubs a finger across his nose as he works out where to start his match. Cerberus, conversely, only takes a couple of steps to his side and is visibly motioning towards Kostan to bring it.

Nelson: The Hell-Hound was complimentary during the build-up, he has gone on record as saying that this match was one that he relished for not only the competitive aspect but all that The Artist had achieved.

Crumb: Cerberus remains undefeated, tonight sees his biggest test.

The two men step into the center of the ring and lock-up. The Hell-Hound throws Kostan back, sending him back-tracking into the ropes. They reset, Kostan once more goes to lock-up but the bigger man overpowers him once more and pushes him away.

Rose: If I were The Hired Gun I’d be welcoming a power challenge all night long.

Cerberus can be seen smiling broadly, the opportunity to face a man he respects clearly at the forefront of his thoughts. Kostan has slowed down his pacing to measured steps, wary of being drawn into the same trap he found himself moments earlier. He paces towards the big man and shoots in for what looks like a single-leg takedown. The Hired Gun raises his knee to try and meet him but the veteran judo rolls underneath and grabs a waist-lock.

Nelson: I spoke to Kostan ahead of tonight’s match and, regardless of who his opponent was going to be, he has maintained an intensive camp throughout his absence from Iconic Pro Wrestling.

Aaron doesn’t try to work from that position. Instead, transitioning to a side-headlock before flipping over the six and a half-foot frame of his opponent to the mat. The tight camera angle shows that Kostan is cranking down on the neck of his opponent. He scoots around into a front-facelock to continue his methodical opening to the match.

Nelson: We saw some glimpses into the technical side of Cerberus’ game last time out against Drake Jones, tonight might prove a step too far if he wants to go toe-to-toe.

Cerberus looks to try and power out of it but Kostan adjusts his body position, raising his posture to bear all of his weight down onto the neck of the Hell-Hound. The referee drops down to the floor, checking to see if Cerberus is being choked out but instead sees only the big man punching the floor as if to psyche himself up.

Crumb: Aaron’s pedigree almost needs no introduction, our first ever double-crown Champion. There’s a reason why I call him Mr. IPW.

Rose: Cerberus needs to realize his strengths are … well, his strengths...

The Hell-Hound reaches up and grabs the legs of Kostan, taking away his footing and to the canvas, breaking the hold. Cerberus looks for a quick elbow drop but Kostan rolls out the way and to his feet. Cerberus comes up seconds later but the window is enough to allow Kostan the time to set-up a textbook Discus Elbow that clobbers the Hired Gun square on the jaw, rocking him.

Nelson: Kostan is not fazed by the size or weight difference, he is going to be hoping to teach the so far undefeated Icon a lesson in humility.

Kostan follows up with a kick but it’s caught and Cerberus tries to demonstrate his power advantage by flipping him onto his back but the Artist counters by landing on his feet. This time Aaron mixes it up with a roundhouse kick that Cerberus ducks under but this only gives the Double-Crowned IPW Icon the opportunity to follow through with an enziguri that targets the neck of the bigger man sending him to the canvas again to a ripple of applause and cheers from the Santa Monica crowd.

Crumb: That was a picture-perfect enziguri, can he keep the big man down?

Cerberus gets to his knees and starts to smile, nodding his head in appreciation to the counter with what could well be genuine applause himself. He quickly gets back to a vertical base and tries to turn the match into one that favors him but his European Uppercut is weaved and a kick to the ribs is all he receives. He goes for another punch but it’s caught by the Inaugural IPW Heavyweight Champion who sends one back his way but Cerberus shows his own technical chops by taking the Artist down with an arm-drag.

Rose: He needs to follow this up with some big time offense!

The Hell-Hound is quick to bear his weight onto the two-hundred-and-eleven pound frame of Kostan. He holds onto the arm and moves to grab his ankle, lifting his opponent off the floor.

Nelson: Cerberus is keen to show off the power advantage he has, this could be trouble for The Artist.

The Artist though shows why the accolades were deserved by rolling quickly out of it and fluidly coming off the ropes. Cerberus raises the big boot looking to catch the face of Kostan but another judo roll sends The Hell-Hound off balance and as he spins round The Artists uses his own momentum against him with a high-angle neckbreaker that takes the legs away from the Hired Gun.

Crumb: Experience talked there, Aaron managed to take a disadvantage and quickly turn it back round to favor himself.

Nelson: We have seen him do this time and time again in an Iconic Professional Wrestling ring, it’s the mark of a champion.

Kostan hears the familiar cheers of the IPW faithful, one of their own returning at one of the biggest shows of the calendar. He rewards them by targeting a jumping knee drop directly to the neck of Cerberus. Rolling through he comes off the ropes and delivers a senton to the back of The Hell-Hound, concentrating on softening up his prey for the Kostan Crab perhaps.

Nelson: Kostan is wasting no energy where needed in honing in on the back of Cerberus!

Cerberus grimaces in pain as we hear the cane of Cross Recoba banging on the ring apron, cheering on the bigger man. Kostan though remains unperturbed. He locks in a ¼ Nelson and flips over the Hell-Hound into a pin, his leg hooking that of the big man.

Crumb: Excellent technical chops from The Artist.

Rose: The leg hook was a nice touch, too many people think they don’t need it!

One…

Two

THR...KICK OUT!

Nelson: Cerberus is not going away cheaply it seems.

Cerberus scrambles to his feet but Kostan drops down once more and takes him down with a drop-toe hold. Both men get to their feet but the lariat of Cerberus is ducked and his momentum used against him as Kostan sends him into the corner and arrives milliseconds later with a high knee to the chin of The Hired Gun before planting him down to the mat face-first with a one-handed bulldog.

Crumb: Crisp combinations from Aaron keep Cerberus from even trying to establish his size dominance.

The crowd are buzzing with anticipation.

Crowd: LET’S GO KOSTAN! LET’S GO KOSTAN! LET’S GO KOSTAN!

He rolls to the apron and rushes to climb the turnbuckle, one foot steady on the middle rope, the other planted on top. He turns to the crowd and raises his arms before pointing at the prone body of Cerberus.

Crumb: This could be the beginning of the end for Cerberus. A short end to a promising run.

CERBERUS CUTS OFF KOSTAN WITH A KIP-UP AS HE LEAPS TO THE TOP ROPE WITH A SPEAR THAT TAKES BOTH MEN TO THE OUTSIDE!!

Nelson: WHAT AGILITY!

Crowd: HOLY SHIT! THAT WAS AWESOME! HOLY SHIT! THAT WAS AWESOME!

Rose: We spoke earlier about moving out of desperation but that was suicidal!

The referee looks over the top rope to see the two broken men on the floor as he begins the count.

One…

Kostan, having landed flat on his back holds the lower part of his torso. Cerberus, having had his neck worked over before is feeling the effects of his landing too.

Crumb: Cerberus just put himself front and center back into the match!

Two…

Cross can be seen going towards the two men but, learning from earlier in the night, the referee makes it clear he’s to keep his distance.

Nelson: The referee is having no repeats of earlier in the night!

Three…

Kostan rolls away from Cerberus, experience telling him that the smart move would be to recover with some breathing space. The Hell Hound remains down, though mobile.

Rose: Kostan might regret allowing the Hired Gun that breathing space.

Four…

Cerberus grabs hold of the ring apron and uses it to start to get to his feet. The seasoned veteran, The Artist, pushes himself up to his feet, his hands clasping at his back as he does so.

Nelson: We have seen Kostan push through pain barrier after pain barrier, can he get the job done tonight?

Five…

Cerberus is almost to his feet, leaning against the ring steps. Kostan spots an opportunity and charges at his opponent BUT CERBERUS GRABS KOSTAN AND LEAVES THE ARTIST TO MEET ONLY THE STEEL STEPS!

Crumb: Shoot…

Rose: That was awesome!

Nelson: Kostan might well have taken years off his career in the blink of an eye!

Six…

Cerberus grabs some time on the outside to regroup as the cameras cut to Kostan who absorbed the impact with his back again. He shows a pained expression as he sits where the steps once more.

Nelson: Resilience personified from a true Iconic Professional Wrestling icon right there. Now, can he recover enough to come out victorious?

Seven…

Cerberus rolls inside the ring and lies flat on his back. The ref glances away opening up the opportunity for Cross to get close to Kostan. Kostan has seen this one before and crotches The Fox with his own cane before pulling himself onto the ring apron and crucially laying a foot inside the ring.

Rose: Oooh…

Crumb: Serves him right, what purpose does he serve at ringside?

The Hell-Hound stalks his prey as he approaches. Kostan having now sat up and using the middle rope to aid his recovery. Cerberus pays no quarter to this fact and leans over the ropes, delivering a slow and deliberate vertical suplex to introduce Aaron back into the ring.

Nelson: Great display of power there from the currently undefeated Icon.

Cerberus measures up the former IPW Television Champion before dropping his own jumping knee drop to the sternum of Kostan.

Crumb: Is that tribute or taunt?

Nelson: We touched on it before, Cerberus almost looks up to his opponent.

Cerberus: Learned that from one of the best, Kostan!

The crowd are still firmly behind their hero as the Kostan chants continue to ripple and wave throughout the arena. Cerberus dead-lifts the Artist onto his shoulders, the added weight causing him to almost buckle as two-hundred-and-eleven pounds of muscle sits atop his worn neck. He recovers his footing before grabbing the head of Aaron and dropping him behind onto his back.

Nelson: The offense of Kostan seems to be taking its toll on Cerberus.

Cerberus goes for the cover…

One…

KOSTAN RAISES AN ARM!

Crumb: The Artist has a lot more in the tank yet!

Cerberus transitions to a full-mount and starts to unleash hammer-like punches to the face of Kostan. The referee warns him as he counts…

One…

Two…

Three…

Crumb: Unsportsmanlike…

Rose: But well within the rules of the game!

Cerberus stops the onslaught short of the five-count and backs off raising his hands in a mock display of innocence to the match official.

Nelson: Almost taunting the official there!

Kostan covers up his face as he rolls to his knees. Cerberus, in a rare sign of respect, gives Kostan some time to get back to his feet. He circles around back and as soon as the second foot becomes planted on the mat he sends a vicious forearm to the kidneys of Aaron before spinning him around and wrapping a bear hug on The Artist.

Rose: Cerberus is finally playing to his strength.

Nelson: That grip does look pretty vice-like.

The hold seems locked in, Aaron grimaces in agony but resolutely shakes his head as the referee asks him if he has had enough. The Hell-Hound cranks back on the hold, tightening his grip and not only applying pressure to the targeted back of his opponent but, most likely, looks to be squeezing the life out of him.

Crumb: Come on, Kostan!

Nelson: No need to drop the impartiality but if The Artist is going to come back into this he needs to do it quickly because Cerberus is going to make that frame work for him!

The Artist tries to eke an arm free of the vice-like wrap of Cerberus, the cameras pick up the inch-by-inch progress he makes.

Nelson: Kostan is slowly weaseling his arm out but will it be enough?

Kostan gets an arm free! Cerberus flashes a smile in appreciation at his opponent’s skill but it is quickly wiped away by a succession of quick shots to the kisser. One...Two..Three..Four...the fifth lands and frees the Artist. He goes back to the well but that is all that is needed for Cerberus to catch him in a full-nelson hold before slamming him down to the canvas, silencing the fervent pro-Kostan crowd.

Rose: You have to ask yourself whether Cerberus let the crowd build up their anticipation there only to crush it.

Nelson: He would be stupid to do that, we have seen Kostan come back from far worse odds!

Cerberus pauses, as if debating a pin attempt but decides against it. He yanks the tenured IPW Icon to his feet and drives a forearm into the forehead of Kostan which reels him back into the corner. The Hell-Hound shows no respite in his assault and grabs hold of the middle ropes before driving in a succession of solid shoulder thrusts to the midsection of Kostan, further targeting his back.

Nelson: An almost methodical approach from the big man, one he would say was suited for his far more technically adroit opponent.

Cerberus lifts his opponent to a seated position on the top rope. He begins to climb, first the middle turnbuckle, finally the top-rope.

Nelson: This could be trouble..

Rose: This could be Dragged to Hell!

He wraps his arms around the waist of Kostan and looks to lift him up, KOSTAN PLACES A LEG AND ROLLS-THROUGH INTO A MODIFIED TOP-ROPE SMALL PACKAGE DRIVER!!!!

Crumb: What a counter from The Artist!

One…

Two…

THR...KICK OUT FROM CERBERUS!

Nelson: A moment of instinct and ring-smarts almost stole it for Kostan!

Kostan gets to his feet and once more reaches for his back. Cerberus, almost out of instinct rises to his feet but he holds his neck, the force and impact of the pin attempt exacerbating the wear and work that Aaron has made on his neck.

Nelson: This has to be the toughest test that Cerberus has seen!

Crumb: Aaron is a wrestler’s wrestler, he’ll make the hard stuff look simple and the simple stuff work hard!

Cerberus goes for a swinging right hook but The Artist sees it coming and ducks round, using the momentum, into a German Suplex with bridge!

Nelson: Once more a counter swings it for The Artist!

One…

Two…KOSTAN CAN’T KEEP THE BRIDGE UP!

Nelson: Cerberus’ earlier work saves him late in the game!

Cerberus breathes a sigh of relief. Cross, on the outside, has resumed his consistent, and annoying, cane-assisted drum beat on the ring apron. Kostan looks annoyed at himself but confident.

Cerberus charges at his opponent looking for a bicycle kick but Kostan pre-empts it with a flapjack that sends the big man into the air and eating the canvas. The Artist smells blood and sees his earlier efforts beginning to bear fruit. He leaps to the top rope in one jump and immediately launches himself with a diving elbow that rings true!

Crumb: Go for the cover!

He lifts up the legs of The Hell-Hound and the crowd sense this one is going to be over shortly. He is about to turn the big man but CROSS RECOBA IS ON THE APRON JAW-JACKING AT KOSTAN!

Nelson: We saw Cerberus intercede on Cross’ behalf with power but Recoba is running his mouth again!

Rose: Work to your strengths!

Crumb: Level him!

Kostan turns around but the referee keeps him back, Cross continues his verbal assault but The Artist sees sense in ignoring the taunts and instead turns back to Cerberus. He goes to pick up the legs but Cerberus lands a desperate uppercut to keep him away. The big man gets to his feet and lands a Haymaker Lariat with such force that both men are down on the canvas. The referee looks at them both…

Nelson: The distraction clearly worked as both men now find themselves out for the count!

One…

Two....

Three….

Four…

Both men begin to stir and roll over. They get to a knee and are now mere inches from each other. They start to trade punches, one time, two times, Kostan goes for a third strike but The Hell-Hound manoeuvres around to grab the ankle of The Artist and locks in the hold.

Nelson: Cerberus is looking for the submission!

Kostan can be seen fighting against it but The Hired Gun seems to have the hold cinched in. Aaron grabs for the ropes but they are out of his grasp. Cerberus, in youthful exuberance, goes to lift a foot and place it on the back of The Artist. That is all the window that the wily and more experienced wrestler needs. He rolls through and applies his own ankle-lock.

Rose: He overstepped where he should have stayed!

Crumb: Superb ring-smarts from Mr. IPW though!

Cerberus looks to be in trouble. He tries to use his power and starts to inch towards the ropes. The referee goes to check on The Hell-Hound but he only sees the shaking and defiant face of The Hired Gun tell him to go forth and multiply. Kostan looks to be in control in the more familiar environment of his mat-game.

Nelson: This is a gut-check moment for Cerberus, we have seen Kostan grind out wins by simply wearing out his opponent and picking them off when he was ready.

Cerberus gets a finger on the bottom rope and manages to grab the rope. Kostan immediately breaks the hold but he doesn’t let up on his offense. He lets the big man get back to his feet but immediately charges him with a jumping knee to the chest before grabbing the back of Cerberus’ head...LUNG-BLOWER!

Nelson: CLINICAL MOVE AT A CRUCIAL TIME FROM THE ARTIST!

Kostan looks to stay on the legs. He grabs the left leg of the Hell-Hound and starts to spin around it. He rotates once, twice, CERBERUS KICKS HIM INTO THE ROPES!

Crumb: Spinning Toe Holds always offer that risk!

Cerberus gets off his back but Kostan takes two steps towards him before taking him back down to earth with a jumping swinging neckbreaker that pops the crowd back into full force.

Nelson: He measured him!

Kostan breaks into a smile, one that hadn’t been seen for a while in the match, as he signals to the crowd that he wants to wrap this one up.

Crumb: We’re heading to The Finale, folks!

He brings The Hired Gun to his feet and lifts two-hundred-and-sixty pounds onto his shoulders.

Nelson: What a show of power!

He drops Cerberus to his feet, holding his back. The Hell-Hound tries to capitalize by going for his own fireman’s carry lift but Kostan reaches into his bag of tricks and rolls down into a crucifix pin…

Crumb: That’s how to turn a negative into a positive in one!

One…

Two…

THR...CERBERUS DOES JUST ENOUGH TO BREAK THE COUNT!

Kostan knows enough to know not to protest to the ref. He drops another jumping knee, this time targeting the face of Cerberus. He rolls through and leaps back with an elbow off the second rope.

Rose: Cerberus needs to change the script of this match and quickly because Aaron is now in his element!

Aaron looks to the crowd once more and lifts up the legs of Cerberus, he rolls him over but before he can straighten up his stance, Cross Recoba sweeps his legs from under him with his cane. Kostan drops to the floor but immediately pops back up and leans over the ropes. He shouts inaudible insults to Cross over the top rope. Cerberus sees the opening and rushes The Artist with a Belly-to-Back Suplex.

Nelson: Recoba once more changes the narrative!

Crumb: Aaron should demand double-pay and double his win bonus!

Kostan looks to the ropes to get some space between himself and The Hell-Hound. He lifts his head and uses his arms to drag himself away from the center of the ring, towards the ropes but THE HIRED GUN REARS BACK AND PUNT KICKS KOSTAN IN THE HEAD!!

One…

Two…

THREE!!!

Nelson: Cerberus steals a victory where perhaps he should not have!

The bell rings and Cerberus has his hand raised by the referee. He raises his arm in victory as Kostan begins to stir.

Crumb: He still celebrates such a cheap win!

He rolls out the ring and he and Cross Recoba start to head down to the aisle. The camera cuts to the top of the ramp where Drake Jones stands there menacingly. The camera pans round and we see Kostan now fully upright and ready to unleash revenge. He heads towards the ropes as The Hell Hound and the Fox begin to become aware of the danger they’re in.

Rose: Use your heads!

Crumb: They’re trapped!

Nelson: They are running out of space!

Cross looks to the ring and then to the top of the ramp and shakes his head. Cerberus considers standing his ground but Recoba points to the barricade and they make through the crowd.

The scene opens to a shot of The BombTrax walking down the hallway when suddenly they are ambushed by backstage interviewer, Butterscotch Munroe. The two men come to a halt as she waves the camera over and once it is in place launches into her questions before either of them can bolt.

Butterscotch: BombTrax, you’ve already been seen brutally attacking Captain All-Star, who I have on good authority will not be returning to action anytime soon. Obviously you’ve been running roughshod ever since you arrived on the December 16th edition of Chaos at the behest of Lady Munin, but now you’ll be going up against the undefeated Queen Bees tonight in the Semi-Main, and I was wondering if you had heard what Brianna Rissi had to say about you on Twitter?

Press started to chuckle while Youth shook his head, holding his hands out in front of him as if to tell Munroe to ‘pump the brakes’.

Youth: Nah, see, we don’t really do social media. I know, I know! That’s probably going to be one more way for our opponents to comment on how old and tired we are, and how we have no place in the wrestling business anymore, but…well…we do the majority of our talking in the ring.

Butterscotch: Interesting. Especially considering your harsh words towards your opponents earlier in the week. But let me just show you the tweet and get your thoughts…

Munroe pulls her phone out of her back pocket and brings it up to access Twitter, scrolling until she finds what she wants, and then thrusts it towards the two men. The camera swings around to behind them for an over the shoulder shot so that it can display the tweet to the masses.

Press stares intently at the phone while Youth shakes his head sheepishly. Butterscotch arches her eyebrows and pushes on through.

Butterscotch: Obviously she’s talking about the beachside conversation you two had a few days ago…the one in which you didn’t realize our cameras were recording. It appears she’s putting you on blast for not having your facts straight.

Press grumbles something inaudible, and then looks to his partner who continues to quietly try and fade into the background. Without ever breaking his gaze from youth he answers through tight lips.

Press: Well, it looks like we must retract that statement. Apparently…SOMEONE…got the information wrong.

Youth sighs heavily, and when the camera swings around to look at him he gives a reluctant expression.

Youth: I didn’t check all the Super Shows…I just checked the Chaos/Metal archives. My bad.

Press rolls his eyes but finally turns back to the camera.

Press: Well, you got us. We fucked up. We didn’t remember a date in October of last year when we didn’t even know this place existed. Short and simple, we weren’t paying attention and this one slipped by us. I mean, it’s not like we missed what happened on a show that we were actually apart of only two weeks ago…

Press stares bullet holes in the camera, and a light bulb goes off in Butterscotch’s head as to exactly what he is alluding to.

Butterscotch: Oh no…

Press: Oh yes! This stupid bitch and her partner want to run their mouth on social media about factual errors when their entire build up to this match has been a fucking factual error. Brianna Rissi comes out on Santa Monica television and gives back handed comments about her tag partner teaming with Oliver Black when in reality it was the IPW Heavyweight Champion, Mike Mason. Not once but fucking twice. And we’re the ones misinformed?

Press pauses to let out a short laugh before continuing.

Press: God damn, you were there! You received an award from your pal Ollie! You were supposed to be teaming with him that night, but then pulled out for, I don’t know…reasons.

I mean, from what we heard in the back, you were the one who arranged for Jason Dave to be the one that replaced you, so somewhere in that pea-sized brain of yours you forgot from one second to the next what the FUCK WAS ACTUALLY GOING ON!

Press voice booms down the hall as he gets dangerously close to the camera, forcing Butterscotch to backpedal for fear of getting hit.

Press: And you know, Astrid, this reflects on you. Your choices in life. You chose to marry a douche like Joshua Samson. You chose to make it work when said douche threw you two together as a tag team. Hell, you even chose to make this idiot your best friend. Then…THEN…you did exactly what we said you would do. You flapped those gums down every claim, everything we had to say. Your entire plan of attack was to try and say we didn’t earn the tag titles, that we haven’t earned our spot in your precious Iconic Pro Wrestling.

Press sneers at the camera.

Press: WE DON’T HAVE TO EARN SHIT! We’ve already made it at the top of the mountain. We’ve had the national exposure, the world championships, the big matches against credible sources. THIS IS AN INDY MUDSHOW PROMOTION IN SANTA MONICA, AND THE ONLY REASON WE’RE HERE IS CAUSE SOMEONE CASHED IN A PERSONAL FAVOR!

The big man is seething now, neck muscles bulging.

Press: The minute we stepped into the place, by your own admission, there was impact. You two are so fucking insipid that you cry about our backstage tactics when confessing that you’ve done them yourselves, but now…NOW…you want to see what it’s like when someone comes straight at you? Well tonight you’re going to find out exactly how that feels!

Press turns and storms off camera leaving Butterscotch Munroe dumbstruck and Youth standing there wide eyed. The younger man shrugs, a boyish grin coming onto his face when he looks directly into the camera.

Youth: Damn…hashtag, get your facts straight.

With that he bounds out of frame after his partner, and all Butterscotch Munroe can do is watch them go.

~~

Torres: The following New Year, Who Dis? Two match is scheduled for ONE FALL with a FIFTEEN MINUTE time limit!

HAIL TO THE KING.

The crowd showed a mixed reaction towards the opening chord of the former first-ever EHWF World Heavyweight Champion, and self-proclaimed "King" of the Professional Wrestling World, Bill Ryder. The opening chord to Avenged Sevenfold's "Hail To The King" continued to consume the crowd's attention, as they awaited the arrival of a legend in his own right. The energy in the building picked up once a motivated Ryder made his presence known as he stepped out onto the center of the ramp.

The King stood at the base of the ramp in fashion, allowing himself a moment to connect with the live audience. His beautiful blue cobalt colored eyes looked forward from underneath the black cotton hoodie he kept draped over his head. He kept the hoodie unzipped and open over his shirtless body for good reason, to show off his remarkable chest and six-pack that still to this day was at the top of the business.

The hoodie he wore was a custom-designed with "You can't kill the King" slogan written across the back in gold print. Both of his hands covered in his traditional black and gold fight gloves that matched perfectly with his long black wrestling tight pants, knee pads, padded boots, and a black elbow pad he often wore over his right elbow.

He wasn't much for taunting before his matches and wasted no time at all down the rampway. The fifteen-year veteran scanned the empty ring with a composed look across his face, ignoring the disgusting scent of welfare scum surrounding him.

He entered the ring at his own pace still not giving the crowd the time of day. He removed the hoodie from his body, tossing it out of the ring at the nearest pedestrian. He stepped over towards the far left turnbuckle, bracing his back against it, awaiting for his match to begin.

Nelson: This is Bill Ryder’s last match for not only Iconic Professional Wrestling but professional wrestling in general as he announced his retirement earlier this week.

Crumb: It is a tremendous loss for us but I hope that he’s able to find happiness in his post wrestling life.

Rose: Oh please… Baby Daddy will be back. He’s only doing this for attention because he’s not getting anything from the outrageously thirsty bitches on Twitter.

Pyros hit as Videos of bustling crowds in various locations of New Orleans appear on the tron as "Bad Religion" by Godsmack blasts on the P.A. system. Tanja comes out onto the top of the ramp in a style compared to Gail Kim during her early time in TNA before heading down the ramp with some of her black leather coat flows at her feet while the mix of boos and jeers and cheers from the crowd fills the arena. She slaps hands with a few fans at ringside before she reaches the bottom of the ramp.

Torres: Coming to the ring hailing from New Orleans, Louisiana; she is the Cajun Queen, Tanja Devereaux!

Tanja walks up towards the ring and enters via under the bottom rope and jumps onto the middle turnbuckle. She poses as she does her usual taunt with a hand and arm in the air as "Bad Religion" continues to play. Tanja steps off the turnbuckle as she removes the leather coat and throws it into a random corner.

Nelson: Should Tanja Devereaux be able to take down someone as great as Bill Ryder… things will be amazing for her.

Crumb: She has been on a bit of a rollercoaster ride since coming here to IPW. But as of late things seem to be on the up and up.

Rose: I think you both are a little bit delirious. You must be on something if you think Tanja Devereaux is going to amount to anything.

The bell rings and the two Icons square off, sizing each other up.

DING DING DING!!

Ryder smirks but Tanja, not one to be intimidated, hits him with a right hand. Ryder shrugs it off before clotheslining her to the canvas..

Nelson: Devereaux tried to show Ryder that she is a real threat… but he then just drilled her into the mat with that clothesline.

Crumb: I have a feeling that he’s going to be giving this match everything he has. Who doesn’t want to go out with a bang?

Rose: The man has been overcompensating since he reared his ugly head. To be honest, I think he’s going to go down in a blaze of glory.

Ryder pulls Tanja back to her feet. He puts both of his hands behind his back and leans in, giving her a free shot.

Crumb: Bill needs to take this match more seriously though. Otherwise he could lose.

Rose: Let Baby Daddy have some fun.

Tanja doesn't waste her chance and pulls off an impressive standing dropkick, sending Ryder backward a few steps.

Crumb: This is what I'm talking about!

Nelson: Ryder is making a mistake if he underestimates Deverauex like that.

Rose: I'll believe it when I see it!

Ryder attempts to throw Tanja with a hip toss, but she lands on her feet and immediately connects with a superkick. Ryder drops to the mat seemingly stunned that she was able to catch him with his own. Tanja covers.

One...

Two...

THREE!!

Crumb: I can't believe it!

Nelson: From the looks of it, neither can Tanja Devereaux!

Rose: Baby Daddy should've been paying attention.

Ryder sits up, shaking his head and laughing to himself, unable to believe the match ended like that. Tanja stands in the ring with her arms raised.

Torres: The winner of this match...Tanja Devereaux!

Nelson: Well that most certainly was quite the surprise. I did not expect this to be the outcome.

Crumb: Nobody did… it was very surprising.

Rose: Bye, Baby Daddy.

Torres: The following is a TAG TEAM MATCH scheduled for ONE FALL with a THIRTY MINUTE time limit!

The lights go dim as "Strangle Hold" by Ted Nugent begins to blare across the arena. Red strobe lights flicker all around the building and finally settle on the entryway. When the song settles into the breakdown, Press strides out from behind the curtain, stopping at the top of the ramp and gazes intently out at the crowd.

”Here I come again now baby
Like a dog in heat
Tell it's me by the clamor now baby
I like to tear up the street”

When the first lines bellow out, Youth appears, flashing around in front of Press, and spins a few times reaching out at the crowd who cheer in adulation. He comes to a teetering stop facing the ring, a coy grin on his face, as he looks back at his massive partner who merely nods his approval. The duo is followed by Munin.

Now I been smokin' for so long
You know I'm here to stay
Got you in a stranglehold baby
You best get oughta the way

Youth takes off into a sprint for the ring, sliding in under the bottom rope, and popping up with his hands over his head. Press stalks up to the ring, rising up on the ring apron, and then stepping over the top rope with one fist-pumped over his head. Youth takes a turnbuckle with a single bound, and plays up to the crowd, as Press turns and casually leans against the other corner, waiting for their opponents to appear. Munin beams with pride at the two men in the ring.

Torres: Coming to the ring at a combined weight of five hundred and sixty pounds...they are Flaming Youth and Press….THE BOMBTRAAAAAXXXXXXXXXXXXXX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nelson: After a losing effort in their debut on the last Chaos, The Bombtrax brutally put our Iconic Professional Wrestling Heavyweight Champion through a table for the second straight time.

Rose: And this time they’re being accompanied to the ring by Lady Munin. I have a sneaking suspicion she’s going to cause this to go to pot.

Crumb: Awe, don’t be so negative, Rose. She could be coming out here just to make sure that The Queen Bees don’t try anything?

“Mayhem” by Halestorm fills the room with a dominating feel. Out from behind the black curtain comes the domineering duo of Astrid Sedin and Brianna Rissi. Astrid has a confident swagger in her step and a diabolical smirk on her face. Astrid walks to the top of the ramp where she stops and poses. Meanwhile, Brianna skips around Astrid in her signature side pigtails, as Astrid poses, doing her usual hair fluffing, while Brianna comes to a stop beside her. Brianna places her hands behind her and rocks back on her heels, then spreads her feet and points one finger up in the air, wearing a matching smirk. The two women then look at each other and nod before they begin to make their way down the ramp and towards the ring. As they walk, Astrid twirls her blonde and pink hair around her finger. Brianna continues to skip at a slow pace to match Astrids, her hands behind her and her head leaning side to side. They ignore the fans that line the ramp, looking straight ahead.

Once they reach the bottom of the ramp, Astrid heads off to the right-hand side as Brianna stops at the bottom of the ramp. She watches as Astrid crosses in front of her, sees Astrid quickly hops onto the ring apron and gets to her feet, looking out at the crowd before she enters the ring through the ropes before bending her knees and quickly entering under the middle rope with a twirl. In the meantime, Brianna runs and baseball slides into the ring, timing her entrance to match Astrids. Brianna sits on her knees for a few seconds as Astrid enters the ring and then jumps up on to her feet. Both Astrid and Brianna climb turnbuckles on opposite corners and pose again, Astrid holding her arms up at the level of her shoulders, Brianna extending her arm and pointing out into the crowd, slowly rotating her hip to point at everyone in her visual vicinity. Astrid shakes her head from side to side as she talks smack to the crowd before hopping down. Brianna hops off at the same time. Both women wait for their opponents off to the side, sitting on the middle rope, Astrid with her arms spread across the top one, Brianna with her legs crossed and arms wrapped around the top rope resting near her hips, as their music slowly fading out.

Torres: Coming next at a combined weight of two hundred and four pounds….they are Brianna Rissi and “The Iconic Queen” Astrid Samson….THE QUEEN BEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nelson: This is the first time we are seeing Astrid Samson and Brianna Rissi team up for the first time since Helloween back in October.

Rose: Which is a lot sooner than what those dumbass over the hill losers said… a whole six months difference there.

Crumb: Rose, are you taking Astrid’s side for once?

Rose: I am absolutely doing nothing of the sort. I will admit that she got lucky last week but even ASStrid should know that lightning doesn’t strike the same place twice.

Astrid steps into the ring to get things started for her team, Press doing the same for his. The referee then calls for the bell and the match is officially underway.

DING DING DING!!!

Both Icons are cautious as they approach the center of the ring. They circle around one another and wait for an opening to appear. Suddenly Press charges forward and blasts Astrid in the mouth with a forearm shot! He follows it up with a second before grabbing hold of Astrid. Press immediately begins to crank at Astrid's neck in an effort to wear her down. Astrid tries to fight her way out of the hold, but Press quickly sends her crashing to the mat with a snapmare! Press bounces off of the ropes and hits Astrid with a running big boot! Press then hooks the leg for the cover.

One...

Two...

TH...KICK OUT!

Nelson: Very quick start to this match by Press!

Crumb: He needs to be careful because Astrid and Brianna are quite the tactical tag team and can be sneaky when they have to.

Press grabs Astrid, locking in a front facelock and begins to apply pressure in hopes of wearing Astrid down. It briefly appears that it's working, with Brianna trying to get the fans involved. The fans begin to cheer as Astrid starts to fight her way out of the hold.

Rose: I can’t believe these people are actually cheering ASStrid on.

Astrid hits Press with a series of strikes to get out of the hold. Once she's created a bit of space, Astrid begins to connect with a series of kicks. Press stumbles back with each that connects. Astrid bounces off of the ropes and picks up speed! Press tries to cut her off with a big slam on the rebound, but Astrid catches him by surprise and sends Press crashing to the mat with a headscissors takedown! The fans cheer as Press pulls himself back up to his feet and gets hit with a dropsault! Astrid covers.

One...

Two...Press kicks out!

Nelson: See, I did say that they can be tactical when necessary and Samson knew that she had to come up with something and quickly. Her quickness and agility came in to play there big time.

Rose: Pfft! Please… that was clearly a move out of desperation.

Crumb: Whether or not it was, it worked and she nearly got another pinfall victory over The Bombtrax.

Press pulls himself back up to his feet. Astrid hits him with another kick. She then grabs Press and tries to pull him in. Press immediately spins out and tries to set Astrid up for a swinging neckbreaker. Astrid spins out of that attempt and hits Press with a palm strike! Press staggers back from the impact, but quickly recovers and charges at Astrid! Press gets sent to the mat with an arm drag for his efforts! Before Press can pull himself back up, Astrid leaps into the air and tries to land on Press with a standing moonsault! Press gets his knees up and drives them into Astrid's ribs! Astrid clutches in pain. Press delivers a devastating knee strike to her ribs before dragging Astrid over to her corner of the ring and tagging Youth into the match!

Nelson: Samson sure does pack a punch and is a lot stronger than she appears to be.

Crumb: If Press didn't cut Astrid off there, he might've been in a lot of trouble!

Rose: I'm pretty sure that Press knew exactly what he was doing...

Youth steps into the ring and immediately connects with a European uppercut! He follows it up with a second, and then a third! The fans boo the effort that Youth is giving thus far, causing him to pause for a moment and look at the fans with utter disappointment on his face. Youth turns his attention back toward Astrid, who catches him by surprise with an enziguri! The impact of the kick sends Youth staggering, though he remains on his feet. Astrid takes advantage of the opening by charging at Youth and sending him crashing to the mat with a slingblade! The fans rise to their feet. Youth once again tries to pull himself back up to his feet---only to get caught by surprise with a running knee shot! Astrid hooks the leg and goes for the cover.

One...

Two...

THR...KICK OUT!

Nelson: Samson is being pretty impressive here tonight and is showing Youth and Press that the win last week was definitely NOT a fluke.

Rose: ASStrid got lucky… AGAIN!

Crumb: You say that but I say she’s got great ring awareness. She knows what move to hit when she needs to hit it and how to capitalize on it.

Youth quickly rolls over toward the ropes and tries to pull himself back up to his feet with their help. Astrid closes the gap and nails Youth with a series of quick chops to the chest.

Crowd: WOOO! WOOO! WOOO!

Astrid grabs Youth and tries to shoot him across the ring. Youth reverses the attempt and waits for Astrid to return on the rebound! Youth tries to hit her with a crescendo kick! Astrid ducks underneath the attempt and bounces off of the ropes, hitting Youth with a flying forearm smash! Astrid hurries over to her corner of the ring and hot tags Brianna into the match!

Nelson: That tag could be exactly what Samson needed!

Brianna remains on the apron and glares at Youth. Once Youth is standing, Brianna springboards into the ring and lands on Youth with a crossbody! She hooks the leg and goes for the cover.

One...

Two...

TH...KICK OUT!

Nelson: Right out of the gate, Rissi goes for a pin attempt. I did tell you that these two are very tactical did I not?

Rose: Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Crumb: You have to admit, they’re not letting the size difference get to them. Astrid and Brianna are making sure of that.

Youth pulls himself back up to his feet. Brianna bounces off of the ropes and leaps, sending Youth crashing to the mat with a hurricanrana! She covers again.

One...

Two...

THRE...KICK OUT!

Nelson: Rissi definitely is not letting the attack at the hand of Bombtrax affect her in any sense right now. She is kicking some major butt.

Rose: She’s about as hot headed as her so called best friend. It’s going to wind up blowing up in her face… just you wait and see.

Crumb: I don’t think that will be happening. As long as Brianna and Astrid keep this up, it's sure to get them a victory.

Youth drags himself back up to his feet. Brianna fires away at him with a series of hard strikes. Blow after blow connects as Youth stumbles back to the ropes. Flaming Youth grabs hold of them. Brianna backs up across the ring and picks up speed. She gets ready to charge forward, but Press reaches into the ring and grabs Brianna's hair! Brianna stumbles a few steps!

Outside of the ring, Munin begins to circle around the ring. Brianna notices and charges past Youth, ducking underneath another attempted crescendo kick! Brianna then flies over the top rope and hits Munin with a splash that sends her crashing to the floor and causes the fans to cheer in delight!

Rose: Munin wasn't even doing anything!

Crumb: Brianna took her out of the equation before she could do anything.

Nelson: A smart move on her part.

Astrid turns around and offers words of encouragement for her best friend. Brianna turns around and goes to enter the ring, only to have Press run across the ring and knock Astrid off of the apron! Astrid hits the floor hard!

Nelson: It looks like Samson has been knocked out cold.

Rose: Oh come on… she is CLEARLY faking.

Crumb: You don’t know that. She did hit the floor pretty damn hard.

The fans boo Press, but he ignores it as he steps out on the floor to meet Astrid! Brianna notices and immediately turns her attention toward Press, running at him. Press slams Astrid down to the thinly matted concrete just a second before Brianna blasts him in the back of the head! Brianna tries to spin Press around, only to have Youth step out onto the floor with her. Youth throws Brianna hard into the ring post! Brianna's head bounces off of it before Youth quickly rolls Brianna into the ring. He waits until Brianna is standing before hitting her with a standing dropkick! Brianna slowly drags herself back up to her feet and gets hit with a Slow Burn (superkick)!

Crumb: WHAT CAN BRIANNA BE THINKING AS FLAMING YOUTH NEARLY BEHEADS HER?!?!

Youth covers.

One...

Two...

THREE!!

Torres: The winners of this match...Flaming Youth and Press...The Bombtrax!!!

Nelson: Cheap moves there from Bombtrax at the end.

Rose: I think it was smart. They distracted Brianna and took out ASStrid.

Crumb: I have to agree with Patrick. I think they felt threatened by what Astrid and Brianna were doing so they had to resort to desperate measures to win.

The referee and other members of the ringside crew are checking on Astrid, Brianna and Lady Munin as Press and Youth celebrate their win in the ring. Astrid gets up to her feet, saying she’s OK as she leans against the ring apron, the guys then moving away and back to their stations. Astrid pulls Brianna towards her, leaning her head closer to hear Brianna before helping her out of the ring. Press and Youth finish their in ring celebrations and look over the ropes as a couple of EMTs join the group checking on Munin.

Nelson: Lady Munin has barely moved since getting hit by Brianna Rissi towards the end of the match. I think she has been knocked out.

Crumb: Brianna wanted to remove the variable before it became an issue and that was a smart move on her part. But I wonder if that’s what cost The Queen Bees the match?

Rose: I doubt it those two just… WHAT ARE THEY DOING?!

Press and Youth still have their backs turned so they don’t notice that Astrid and Brianna have slid back into the ring… steel chairs in hand. They pull back and release the chairs towards The Bombtrax, Astrid hitting Press in the back of the knees with the top of the backrest as Brianna smacks Youth in the shoulder area. Both men turn around to face The Queen Bees and are instantly met with chair jabs to the gut. Press and Youth fall to their knees where they’re met with chair smacks to the back.

SMACK!

SMACK!

Youth is writing in pain as Press reaches for his back, rolling over.

Nelson: What in the world has gotten into Samson and Rissi?

Rose: It’s clear that they’re a couple of bitter bitches!

Crumb: They’re giving The Bombtrax a taste of their own medicine. They’ve each been attacked after their matches and they’re showing them that they’re not going to take it.

Rose: Okay Twisted Sister….

Astrid and Brianna stand over Youth and Press, seething as they look over their fallen victims. Brianna throws down her chair and pulls Youth up to his feet with Astrid’s help before they drop him head first onto it with a double DDT. They get back up to their feet as Astrid positions her chair under Press’ head.

Nelson: No… do NOT do it!

Rose: These two have gone crazy and I don’t know if I like it or not.

Crumb: I don’t like what I think they’re going to do.

Brianna asks if Astrid wants the pleasure and she of course nods and takes the chair (the same one they DDT’d Youth onto) from Brianna. With a wicked smile on her face, Astrid reaches all the way back with the chair before using all her might to send the chair crashing down onto Press’ head for a con-chair-to.

Crumb: WHAT CAN EVERYONE BE THINKING AS ASTRID SAMSON HAS HIT PRESS WITH A CON-CHAIR-TO?!?!

Rose: Probably… “these bitches are crazy!”

Nelson: I do not know what has gotten into these two but it is not like anything I have seen from them before.

”Mayhem” by Halestorm plays again as Astrid and Brianna continue to stand over Press and Youth as the scene fades to commercial.

Coming 16 February 2020

~~

Torres: The following match is the New Year, Who Dis? Two Main Event! It is for the ICONIC PRO WRESTLING TELEVISION CHAMPIONSHIP and it is scheduled for ONE FALL with a THIRTY MINUTE time limit!

”Changes” by Lucidious strikes the PA; however, the audience drowns it out with their cheers for Jason Dave! Jason walks out from behind the curtain, waving to each of the paying customers. A smile is drawn to his lips as he continues down the entrance ramp in black athletic trunks. He shakes hands with the members of the audience who paid for those premium ramp seats before sliding into the ring. He poses at each of the ring posts before patiently waiting.

Torres: Coming to the ring hailing from Boston, Mass….weighing in at a two hundred and ten pounds….standing at six feet two inches….he is JASON DAVVVVEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!

Nelson: On the last edition of Chaos we saw Dave team up with his opponent tonight and even though they won, you could sense the tension between them.

Rose: To be fair, Ollie thinks a little too highly of himself and gets easily butt hurt at any sort of criticism. The dude can’t accept the truth and because of that, Jason is going to take him down.

Crumb: Jason Dave returned after an extended period out of the ring and he’s thus far been proving that he’s not missed anything and he’s still able to get wins. Why stop here tonight?

The lights in the arena go out, the crowd pops as the pitch-black twinkles with the light of cell phones. A slow melodic chime of reassembling a child's jack in the box plays through the speakers. A few lights flicker on stage, a guitar, bass and drums all chime in slowly keeping beat with the creepy chimes. But then all goes silent.

NIGHTMARE!
(Now your nightmare comes to life.)

With the opening scream of "Nightmare" by Avenged Sevenfold echoes through the arena. The Nightmare Oliver Black pops up from a hole in the stage. The crowd erupts as Black stands center stage, black paint smeared under his eyes, a black nightmare bandana covering the lower half of his face.

Torres: Coming to the ring next...residing in Brooklyn, New York...weighing in at one hundred and eighty pounds….standing at a height of five feet ten inches….he is a former Iconic Professional Wrestling Heavyweight Champion….he is the current reigning and defending Iconic Professional Wrestling Television Champion...he is The Nightmare….OLIVER BLACCCCCKKKKKK!!!!!!!!!!

With the announcement of his name, the feathered shoulders of his entrance jacket burst open into a large pair of black wings! Oliver stands there a moment soaking in the crowd’s reaction, before making his way to the ring.

You should have known
The price of evil
And it hurts to know
That you belong here, yeah
Ooh, it's your fuckin' nightmare!

Nelson: Oliver Black has been a dominant champion in both reigns that he has had… but has his time come up?

Crumb: If anyone stands a chance it is Jason Dave. But I want to know if he’s in the right headspace after his confrontation with The Bombtrax.

Rose: That idiot is never in the right headspace because his head is so far up his own…

Nelson: ROSE MARIE! LANGUAGE!

DING DING DING!!!

Jason Dave and Oliver Black both circle around one another, the two Icons waiting for an opening to appear. Jason and Black continue to wait until they finally grapple up with one another in the center of the ring. Oliver immediately grabs Jason’s right arm and locks it into a hammerlock. He tries to wear Jason down, though Jason fights his way out of Black’s grasp with a few elbow shots. Black stumbles back but tries to close the gap. Jason begins to fire back with a few strikes of his own---a series of European uppercuts knocking Black off balance! Jason is relentless with his strikes as Oliver Black drops down to a knee. Jason quickly grabs him and powers Oliver Black into the air for a vertical suplex!

Nelson: Great start to this one by Jason Dave!

Rose: I don’t know that I’ve ever seen this man wrestle a match that he DIDN’T have an incredible start in! That’s one of the things that he does best!

Crumb: High praise there, Rose.

Rose: Lesser of two evils.

Jason Dave grabs Oliver Black and keeps him grounded on the mat---locking in a front facelock and using his knees to do more damage to the champ! Oliver tries to position himself so that he can begin to make it back up to his feet, but Jason is relentless with his strikes. Nonetheless, Oliver does eventually reach his feet. Jason Dave immediately tries to swing Oliver into position for a neckbreaker, but Oliver shoves him away. Jason stumbles a few steps before recovering. He turns around and Oliver Black leaps into the air, catching him with a knee strike! Jason bounces off of the ropes and charges forward---trying for a clothesline on the rebound! Unfortunately for him, Oliver grabs his arm and takes him down to the mat with a double knee arm breaker! Jason’s eyes go wide in pain as Oliver immediately tries to lock him into a Texas cloverleaf! The fans rise to their feet in anticipation, but Jason manages to reach the ropes before the hold can be fully applied!

Crumb: Well, that was close…

Rose: Oliver has a definite strategy here, and he’s going to stick with it!

Nelson: I do not know if Dave is someone who is going to tap out easily!

Rose: Probably not, but that’s what makes this especially interesting!

Jason pulls himself back up to his feet. He tries to keep his space from Oliver Black as he circles around the ring. Jason tries to get aggressive once again by stepping toward Oliver and hitting him with another European uppercut. Oliver blocks the attempt and grabs Jason’s arm. Jason smirks, seemingly expecting this. He drives his knee hard into Oliver’s ribs and then does it again a second time! Jason then hoists Oliver into the air and slams him down to the mat with an Olympic slam! Jason hooks the leg.

One...

Two...

TH...KICK OUT!

Oliver Black tries to stagger back up to his feet while creating space between himself and Jason. Unfortunately for him, Jason closes that distance in a hurry---running forward and delivering a flying knee! He hooks the leg and goes for the cover once again.

One...

Two...

TH,,,KICK OUT!

Crumb: Well, Rose, how do you explain the fact that Jason is once again showing just how good he is? This isn’t the beginning of the match!

Rose: No, it’s not, and I’ll give him credit for that! But he still needs to close this match out somehow!

The fans begin to show their support for both Icons. Jason grabs Oliver and pulls him up to his feet. He connects with a series of quick strikes before trying to send him crashing to the mat with a German suplex! Oliver spins out of Jason’s grasp at the last possible second and shoves him away. Jason regains his footing as he turns around and is sent to the mat with a perfectly timed dropkick! Jason rolls over toward the nearest turnbuckle and uses it to try and reach his feet in a hurry! Oliver runs into the corner and hits Jason with an avalanche! He then quickly grabs Jason’s arm and drapes it over the ropes. He uses the ropes for leverage as he tries to do more damage to Jason. The referee begins to count.

One…

Two…

Three…

Four…

Jason hits Oliver in the mouth with a vicious right hand! The impact of the blow knocks Oliver down to a knee. Smirking, Jason runs out of the corner and hits Oliver with a clothesline! He then grabs Oliver and hoists him into the air. He runs toward the corner and delivers a running turnbuckle powerbomb!

Crowd: HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT!

Nelson: Black just bounced off of that turnbuckle and now Dave is in a position to do some real damage!

Oliver barely manages to stay on his feet. Sensing an opening, Jason leaps into the air and hits Oliver in the jaw with the knee strike! Oliver drops to the mat but wisely rolls over toward the ropes. Jason waits for Oliver to reach his knees and begins to set him up for a shining wizard, but Oliver Black ducks! Oliver hits Jason in the mouth with a spinning backfist to drop him to his knees! He then bounces off of the ropes and plants Jason on the mat with a bulldog!

Crumb: And now it’s Oliver who is in a favorable spot!

Rose: Let’s see if he can make the most of it!

The TV Champ turns around and immediately begins to make his way over to the nearest turnbuckle. He takes a moment to steady himself before leaping off and trying to land on Jason with a guillotine leg drop! Jason rolls out of the way at the last possible second! Oliver crashes hard to the mat!

Jason throws Oliver hard into the ropes, chest-first. Oliver bounces off of it and staggers directly into the grasp of Dave! Jason gets ready to lift Oliver into the air for a German suplex! Oliver blocks the attempt with an elbow shot and then grabs hold of Jason’s arm! He runs toward the ropes and leaps over it---having the ropes do all of the work in damaging Jason’s arm for him. Oliver slides back into the ring and lines himself up with Jason---delivering another armbreaker once he reaches his feet! He then grabs hold of the arm and successfully locks in Back to Black (Border City Stretch/crossface variation)!

Nelson: This is NOT a good spot for Jason Dave to be in!

Crumb: Not at all…

Jason’s eyes go wide in pain as the fans are on their feet, eagerly anticipating the struggle between the two Icons. Jason tries to reach out to the ropes and does what he can to position his body in such a way that he can get at least a FINGER on the ropes. Oliver pulls back on his arm as much as he can. The fans will on God’s Gift to Wrestling as Oliver keeps the hold locked in perfectly! Jason slowly scoots his body toward the ropes and almost grabs hold of them---only to have Oliver pull him back toward the middle of the ring. He pulls on the arm even more as Jason’s eyes continue to show signs of excruciating pain!

Nelson: I am not sure how Dave is going to get out of this!

Rose: Goddamn it he’s not!

Crumb: Come on, Jason!

Jason continues to try and fight his way out of the hold, but his efforts grow weaker over time. Oliver continues to do as much damage as he can as Jason’s body finally goes limp---the pain too much for him to bear. The referee calls for the bell.

Torres: The winner of this match AND STILL the Iconic Pro Wrestling Television Champion...Oliver Black!!!

Crumb: And Oliver Black is STILL the TV Champion!

Rose: Goddamnit!

Nelson: Black was just too much for Dave to deal with. Though he wrestled a good match and deserves some respect for it!

Rose: Goddamnit!

An exhausted Oliver is handed the TV title belt as the crowd showers him with boos.

Nelson: What a night we have had here at “New Year, Who Dus? Two”. I am Patrick Nelson, and on behalf of Todd Crumb and Rose Marie, thank you for joining us tonight and we wil see everyone in two weeks time!

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