Civil War Two 30 April 2020

[Brooklyn Holloway]

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ENJOY THE SHOW

Zachariah Krahe takes a slow draw off his cigarette before flicking it to the side. His grey eyes were tracking the arch by the glow of its burning cherry tip until it burst against the cement. Small sparks flickered out in a tiny explosion that was oddly satisfying.

It was moments like this that he wished he wore a watch just for the comfort of checking it. Of course, he knew it would be a pointless action born from his restlessness than actual necessity.

Munin was never late, but he was secretly a creature of habit. One that had grown used to them driving to the shows together, and waiting here like this was making him restless.

He looked around the relatively empty side of the lot while scratching the back of his head.

Maybe he should have ridden shotgun with her after all...

The thought trails off as he suddenly feels the vibration of bass shivering in the air, closely followed by something that sounds like trap music.

His head turns towards the music just in time to see an ice cream truck that looked like it rolled off of a carnival horror movie set, turning into the parking lot...on two wheels.

The truck speeds past him in a blur of neon and black with a swoosh of displaced air. A demonic clown's face painted on the spasticity spinning ice cream cone topper seems to laugh at him as it passes by.

His mouth hangs open at the sound of high-pitched male screaming, barely heard beneath the bass and music.

Nope, he had no regrets driving himself here whats-so-ever.

His mouth clicks closed as the truck does a few doughnuts, before legitimately drifting into a parking spot...He didn't even know ice cream trucks could drift.

He blinks in further bemusement as Butterscotch Monroe nearly stumbles over herself, rushing towards the truck. With her sudden appearance, Krahe allows himself to settle into the surreal situation with a Gaelic shrug.

Just as his mind vaguely identifies the music playing as “Battle Royal” by Apashe, it abruptly cuts off the sudden silence deafening after all the noise.

Teeth nervously nibbling at her bottom lip, Butterscotch Monroe begins to creep closer. Only to startle back, as door bursts open to reveal a jubilant Munin licking a double scoop of ice cream in a waffle cone.

Butterscotch teeters comically on her heels, before catching her balance once more, and rushing forward to snag an interview with the elusive "Lady."

Butterscotch Monroe: Lady Munin! What do you have to say over the current outrage over the announcement of your match being the-

Glancing over her shoulder, Munin's eyes widen slightly, and she wastes no time in bouncing to the side. She just manages to avoid an unidentified male wearing green scrubs, leaving Butterscotch completely in his line of sight. His dusky skin turning sickly pale is the only warning Butterscotch gets before he's gripping the side of the door and puking at her feet. Munin's nose curls in comical disgust as she dances back clear of the mess.

Lady Munin: Dr. Mayall, you didn't tell me you get motion sickness.

Butterscotch seems to be in a horrified state of shock. Deaf, to the disgruntled doctor's, mumbled apologies. The disheveled manages to shoot Munin a half-hearted glare that's more embarrassed than annoyed. As these events unfold, Krahe lazily strides over to join the group.

Krahe: I thought you were bringing an ambulance.

Lady Munin: Meh, ice cream is better.

Dr. Mayall: How...can...you...eat?

Munin grins wickedly at Doctor Mayall and takes a big lick of chocolate ice cream.

Lady Munin: Like that.

The doctor shakes his head, looking slightly green again.

Butterscotch Monroe: Did you bring a doctor because you expect severe injury or a danger to yourself tonight, Lady Munin?

Butterscotch is obviously unamused, as asks this in a deadened tone that barely makes it a question.

Doctor Mayall: I don't treat humans.

Butterscotch blinks in confusion, while Krahe tilts his head inquisitively. His lips twisting into a smirk, as he patiently waits for the punchline he can feel is coming.

Butterscotch Monroe:...What?

Dr. Mayall: I'm a veterinarian, I treat animals.

Krahe's head dips down to his chest, and his shoulders start to shake with silent laughter.

Butterscotch Monroe: Why the hell would you bring a Vet to a wrestling match?

Munin's eyes alight with glee once more, and a Cheshire grin stretches across her red lips.

Lady Munin: Because I'm facing a Bitc-

ICONIC PRO WRESTLING PRESENTS
IN ASSOCIATION WITH ICONIC MEDIA LLC

A NIGHT OF PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING

Crumb: WELCOME EVERYONE TO CIVIL WAR TWO!!

“Battle Royal (VIP Mix)” by Apashe featuring Panther 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 “BRI, THE KAREN CONFLICT IS THE LONGEST CIVIL WAR!”, “If Drake Jones Doesn’t Win, We Riot!”, and “Cross Recoba: The New Mr. IPW”. The camera focuses on the commentators’ table where Patrick Nelson is dressed in a tuxedo, Rose Marie is dressed in a red evening gown, and Todd Crumb has on a novelty tuxedo t-shirt.

Nelson: I hope you are all safe at home and ready for one heck of a show! Tonight we will be crowning a NEW Icon Professional Wrestling Heavyweight Champion after the title was vacated a couple of months ago.

Rose: Ugh… to be fair, the last few champions have sucked the big one and considering a good chunk of these Icons had a pissing contest on Twitter about the main event, I don’t think any of them are deserving.

Crumb: Don’t be so strung up, Rose. They just feel like whoever would make it to the finals should deserve to be in the main event.

Rose: Well given how crappy the last few champions have been… there was no surprise of the change. Not like ASStrid is much more deserving than them.

Nelson: Besides the tournament, we will be seeing two debuts here in our first match as Extreme Hardcore Wrestling Federation legend, Eli Sykes, will be making his Iconic debut against Vin Halsted. Given his alignment and is friendly with Enforcer, I think maybe he will be coming into the equation.

Rose: That will do nothing but show the world that he can’t get the job done on his own and is nothing but a coward.

Crumb: I guess we’ll all just have to wait and see what really happens but I’m expecting something big!

Nelson: Speaking of Enforcer, he is going to be in the first match of the Iconic Professional Wrestling Heavyweight Championship Tournament going against Josef Beck. Beck did not have the debut he had hoped for, but he stands a decent chance at changing things around.

Rose: Imagine all the people on the roster who would bitch and moan should he win this whole dog and pony show. That makes me feel all warm and fuzzy.

Crumb: Well Enforcer has been pretty dominant since coming to IPW. So Josef Beck is going to have to give this match his all if he wants to win not only this, but the tournament in general.

Nelson: Well one of the most outspoken Lady Icons we have is Brianna Rissi…

Rose: You mean BEERana.

Nelson: What I was saying is that she has had a couple of chances at titles recently, well one, and she refused to compete with Brooklyn Holloway saying no more chances. Brooklyn has since put her in this tournament, leaving many to wonder why?

Rose: Hey, you’re not the only one. Like, why? She’s done nothing for months besides bitch and moan, complaining about this, that and the other thing… especially the main event switch.

Crumb: You can’t discredit her past accomplishments because of what she’s been like for the past few weeks.

Rose: Hey, I’m not the one that took a leave of absence because she probably had some sort of mental breakdown. Hell… given that ASStrid is more deserving because she’s perhaps the only one who hasn’t taken a non-medically ordered break.

Nelson: In the second bracket of the tournament, David Gideon Smitha going against THE Willie Pete is sure going to be one heck of a match. Given that both Icons have similar win and loss records, everyone is going to be keeping a close eye on this match to see which man is able to come out on top.

Rose: Both have a lot to gain… but just as much to lose. What I’m looking forward to is Willie blowing it for himself because he’ll flip the hell out and start overcompensating.

Crumb: Do you always need to find the negative in people, Rose?

Rose: Hey, I’m merely speaking the truth.

Nelson: And in the final opening round match of the tournament, Dr. Shyla Clemmens will be going up against Drake Jones. Both have not been having the best of luck in the past few weeks but stand poised to make history. We will also finally get to see the culmination of the feud that has been going on between Cross Recoba and Aaron Kostan.

Rose: Cross has been… well I really don’t know what to really say. It’s like he’s been poking the bear and then runs before he gets what he deserves.

Crumb: Well there will be no escaping here tonight. Everyone’s eyes are on this show and on every match.

Nelson: In our only tag team match of the evening, Scott Wilson and Jason Dave will be going up against Flaming Youth and Press in an unsanctioned match for the unofficial Iconic Professional Wrestling Tag Team Championships.

Rose: Oh come on. Those things are about as fake as that farce Real Championship from last year. We’ve been through this fake championship thing too many times.

Crumb: Hey, at least it put some semblance of interest back in an otherwise dead division.

Nelson: I am still anxious for the tournament finals and who is going to wind up in it. After weeks, we are finally going to have a new Iconic Professional Wrestling Heavyweight Champion upon its conclusion.

Rose: As long as it’s not BEERana, cry baby Willie or spastic Shyla… or no good Drake… I don’t really care. That title is nothing but a joke anymore.

Crumb: Don’t go saying that. Perhaps the winner will bring prestige back to it?

Nelson: And in our main event, we are going to be seeing Lady Munin going against the “Iconic Queen” Astrid Samson in a Crimson Chamber match. This is only the second time Lady Munin has been booked in a match, the last being foiled by Mrs. Samson. This is going to be Samson’s chance at some retribution.

Rose: Oh please, ASStrid has deserved everything she has gotten. You’d think that she’d have learned by now… but no.

Crumb: Astrid has done nothing but bust her ass since the very beginning of IPW and she’s been walked across like a rug in a foyer. She deserves better than this. I’m happy to see her in the main event.

Nelson Enough of the talking. Let Civil War Two begin!

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

Darkness shrouds the arena as the opening chords of "My World" by Code Orange pounds through the sound system. Red lights faintly illuminate the stage, revealing Eli Sykes standing menacingly at the top of it. With the shadow from the lights making it impossible to see his eyes, he slowly turns his head from left to right, panning the entire arena before making his way down the ramp. Each step is with a purpose as he takes his time approaching the ring. He makes his way up the ring stairs and steps between the top and middle ropes. He circles the ring with no sign of emotion on his face before backing his way into a corner. The lights come up, revealing his face. He hangs his head so his hair covers his face as he waits for the match to begin.

Nelson: Eli Sykes is a name that a few of our Icons know from Extreme Hardcore Wrestling Federation. He comes with a reputation but he has been out of the game for three years. Does he still have it?

Crumb: We’ve had a lot of prestigious names join our ranks over the eighteen-ish months we’ve been in business, but a lot of them have left about as quickly as they’ve come in. I want to see Eli be the one to break that “curse”.

Rose: I highly doubt it. Eli is just like the others and it won’t be long before he’s out of here like a fat kid after they close the buffet.

A blue strobe light flickers over the white smoke as Halsted rises up from the floor to the rampway while standing with his head down and hand-in-hand in front of his body when the first chord of “Hail to the King” by Avenged Sevenfold begins to play. He, then, rages forward with his arms spread and a massive yell from his abdomen “Hail to the King” as the line “Hail to the King” crescendos over the arena sound system. The blue strobe light fades as a cascading golden waterfall of fireworks flows from the top of the entrance to the rampway behind him, he saunters forward with a cocky strut and smirk on his face. He jumps onto the middle of the apron in front of the ring, wipes his feet, and jumps over the ropes with ease. He climbs the nearest corner first to stand in front of the crowd to bask in his glory as he stretches his arms with his fists clenched as the refrain of “Hail to the King” plays over again. The music fades as he climbs down, then he turns and smirks at his opponent at the start of the match.

Nelson: Vin Halsted is another Icon that has joined our ranks in the recent weeks. Both he and Sykes have the chance to show everyone what they got in the ring.

Crumb: They’re both pretty evenly matched size wise so you know that this is going to be one hell of a knock 'em down, drag' em out kind of showdown.

Rose: If this match doesn’t end up being good, then that means the rest of the show is going to be worthless. They better do good.

DING DING DING!!!

As the bell echoes, neither of the two were in any big rush to attack the other, approaching the center of the ring with an air of caution. When they begin circling each other, Halsted says something snide with Sykes smirking like it was no big deal. The second time around, Halsted lunges forward and stops short, putting Sykes on defense. This amuses Halsted and he teases Sykes, “Made you jump.” Sykes intends to cease Halsted’s shenanigans the third time they circled the ring, but only gets locked in a stalemate, the two muscular newcomers pushing and pulling with neither getting much of an advantage. Soon though, the collar and elbow tie-up has Sykes back-first against the ropes and the referee struggling to separate the two.

One…

Two…

Nelson: Halsted better watch himself. I know he is going to be wanting to make a big impact here, but you do NOT want a disqualification loss in your first match.

Crumb: If that were to happen he could wind up like Darren Calloway and get fired after your first match

Rose: That was just Brooklyn throwing her weight around. But yeah… they need to be careful.

Sykes pushes forward, backing Halsted to the center of the ring where Halsted raises a knee and doubles Sykes over. Halstead locks in a standing side headlock, cinches it in close before cranking it tighter and threatening with his free fist while working the ire of the crowd and patience of the referee. Instead of punching Sykes, Halsted grinds his knuckles into the top of his head. Sykes quickly shoves Halsted off and towards the ropes. Halsted ducks a clothesline, hitting the opposite ropes as Sykes floats over and Halsted goes through his legs and comes off the ropes again. Sykes runs full speed into the opposite and the two meet like a freight train smashing a Mac truck. Neither really budges or takes any damage from the booming shoulder tackle. So there comes another round with the same result. When they go for a third, there’s the result that leads to both men crashing to the canvas. They wipe one another out by trading clotheslines. The referee doesn’t have much time to count as both roll away from each other, smacking the mat in similar fashion and staring eye to eye from across the ring.

Nelson: You can almost feel the tension between Sykes and Halsted. These two are matching wits here and I am almost on the edge of my seat.

Crumb: Right you are there! Both seem to have an answer for the other one or they’re able to get away and create enough space to hit a move of their own.

Rose: These two locomotives keep hitting head on like that and neither are going to answer the count of ten.

Back in the center of the ring and locked up once again, the struggle for dominance continues between the two men. This time Halsted goes to transition but fails to grab Sykes’ head, allowing Sykes to transition into a wristlock, quickly wrapping Halsted’s arm up behind him in a hammerlock. With the clear advantage this time, Sykes teases Halsted, smacking him across the back of the head and neck. This then allows Halsted to break free and turn with a wild lariat. Sykes ducks under and takes off to the ropes, both returning from opposite sides with Halsted dropping hard as the victim of a running knee lift from Sykes. Sykes doesn’t let up, jerking Halsted from the mat and shoving him backward into the far corner before a jaw-crushing European uppercut rocks Halsted against the turnbuckles. Sykes turns loose a meticulous combination of precision strikes, elbows and knees followed by a shoulder thrust as the referee demands they move away from the corner.

Nelson: Sykes is now showing Halsted why he has the brutal reputation that he does. I am LOVING what I am seeing right now. This is how you make a good first impression.

Crumb: Sykes is showing Halsted that he’s going to have to go harder if he wants to defeat him. I’m pulling for Eli in this one.

Rose: I’ve seen what he can do in the ring and while he was good back in the day, it has been three years since he’s been in the ring and he’s not done much but make a rugrat in that time period.

Sykes uses every second of the count before pulling Halsted out of the corner at four. Sykes whips him hard across the ring, rocketing him forward as he follows close behind. Halsted catches himself and uses his momentum to kick his feet up, floating over Sykes. Sykes hits him with a mule kick, stopping any attack from behind as Halsted backpedals. Sykes turns around and closes the gap between the two before Halsted charges directly into an exploder suplex. Halsted smashes against the turnbuckles in the corner before smacking the mat. Sykes drops and hooks the leg for the cover.

One…

Two…

TH...KICKOUT!

As Sykes argues the count, Halsted rolls under the bottom rope before dropping to the floor.

Nelson: Sykes almost had it there but Halsted managed to kick out at the very last second!

Rose: And then rolled away like a coward.

Crumb: You have to give both of them major props here because they’re giving this their all.

Rose: But it doesn’t seem like it’s their best. I’m still waiting for something really exciting to happen. This is Civil War Two after all.

Inside the ring, Sykes is measuring Halstead as he comes off of the ropes nearest the entrance. Whatever he has planned is foiled as he falls straight to his face, his feet pulled out from under him by Enforcer. Sykes is soon at the side of the referee, neither knew where Enforcer had come from and, of course, Enforcer promised not to get involved again. Besides, Halsted is stalking the now distracted Sykes in the ring. Halsted blasts Sykes with a double axe-handle from behind and mauls him in the ropes.

One…

With Enforcer trash talking just inches away from a battered Sykes.

Two…

Halsted ignores the referee’s count, beating Sykes in the back of his head, neck and shoulders.

Three…

With a bent knee, Halsted presses his shin against the back of Syke’s neck, choking him out with the middle rope. Enforcer continues to belittle Sykes, occasionally turning to the front row to berate them as well.

Four…

Nelson: These two better be careful. Halsted might end up getting disqualified because of his freind’s actions.

Crumb: Eli is at a disadvantage here because he has to deal with two people. It’s basically a handicap match.

Rose: Pfft! The old Eli would have no issues with smoking them and leaving them in a heap.

Halsted drapes his arm around the shoulders of the referee and drags him away to point at the commentator’s table, seemingly complaining about something. Meanwhile, Enforcer tries to choke every bit of breath from Sykes. The crowd rages and eventually the referee turns around to find an innocent looking Enforcer holding his hands above his head. Sykes is gassed but Enforcer proclaims he had nothing to do with it.

It doesn’t matter to Halsted as Sykes could barely stand on his own once pulled to his feet. Halsted shoves him backward into the corner and drapes an arm to each side. The referee was occupied with Enforcer so Halsted lay into Sykes with heavy bombs, one after another until Sykes falls down to the mat, seated against the buckles. Halsted pulls Sykes back up to his feet and whips him to the opposite corner. Sykes has enough fight in him to raise both feet just in time to catch Halsted. Halsted just brushes it off before blasting Sykes with a back elbow before lighting up his chest, provoking a rambunctious from the crowd. Halsted repeats the sequence before backing away to break the count only to smash Sykes against the turnbuckles with a hip attack.

Nelson: Sykes is looking a little rocked or gassed right about now. I do not know how much more of Halsted’s offense he can take.

Crumb: He needs to come up with something and fast or else Vin Halsted is going to have himself a successful IPW debut.

Rose: I’m starting to get bored. This is just a hasbeen is going against a never will be… yeah… snoozeville.

Halsted then starts pushing Sykes up the corner towards the top. Standing on the second turnbuckle, Halsted positions Sykes just right and teases the crowd for a second before both men come crashing down. The fall takes its toll on both, Sykes getting the brunt of Halsted’s Fade Out (avalanche brainbuster). Enforcer goes insane on the outside, telling Halsted to make the cover.

One…

Two…

THRE...KICK OUT!!

Nelson: Oh it is really starting to look bad right about now!

Crumb: Sykes needs to come up with something quick.

Rose: Well if it wasn’t for that good for nothing Enforcer, Sykes wouldn’t be in this situation. I doubt Halsted can win a match on his own.

Somehow, Sykes manages to kick out. Halsted couldn’t believe it and he fully looked to give the official a piece of his mind, but that was under control. Enforcer smacks the apron three times as he argues through the ropes. Halsted pulls Sykes up, but finds Sykes ready to go when they get to their feet. Sykes and Halsted start to exchange lefts and rights, with each of Sykes’ stinging a little more before Halsted shoves Sykes backward. This gives Sykes the distance, allowing him to execute a perfect roundhouse kick that appears to have snapped Halsted’s head around and sending spit three rows deep. Outside the ring, Enforcer clutches his jaw and spins completely around as Halsted hits the mat. Immediately, Enforcer smacks the apron almost as quickly as Sykes was able to mount and start punching Halsted.

Sykes lands some sharp elbows and hard punches, but doesn’t use too much energy before ripping Halsted up to his feet and hitting him with another European uppercut, the sound resounding up into the nosebleeds. Sykes locks in a quick waistlock, as Halsted goes up and over only to come down hard with a German suplex. Sykes rolls through and brings Halsted back up for two more German suplexes, holding the last in a bridge position for a pin attempt. The referee is oblivious as he is arguing with Enforcer, ordering him to get off of the apron.

Nelson: Oh now this is messed up. The referee is letting himself get distracted by Enforcer and it is going to wind up costing Sykes the match.

Crumb: Well as long as he doesn’t do the same thing, Eli might be able to pull this one out of the hat.

Rose: At this point, they’re both desperate to win and so they’re going to be resorting to anything to get there.

Sykes pulls Halsted back to his feet and hoists him up, struggling a bit to get him onto his shoulders and with a sure win one move away, this was his chance to end it all with Syked Out (GTS). Luckily for Halsted, he was within reach of Enforcer who pulls him out of harm’s way by the sole of his boot at the very last moment.

After averting disaster, Halsted lands on his feet behind Sykes and starts clobbering him again with a double axe handle. Halsted jerks Sykes backward by the waistband and pulls him into the corner. Halsted ascends the turnbuckles backward and positions Sykes’ head under his arm, hitting him with Halsted’s Hanover (somersault stunner), bringing both men down hard with the bounce hitting Sykes right in the throat. Halsted rolls him over and hooks the far leg.

One…

Two…

Three!

Torres: Here is your winner… VIN HALSTED!

Nelson: After one heck of a battle between these debuting Icons, Vin Halsted has come out on top! It does suck for Sykes though because he was doing so well there at the end.

Crumb: That was one hell of a match and a great way to start off the show. I can’t wait to see what else is in store tonight and for these two Icons going forward.

Rose: That positivity and hype can be toned down a little bit ya know. But yeah… good match… I guess.

Nelson: If the opening match was any indication of the action we are going to see here at Civil War Two, what a night we have in store!

Rose: Solid action from bell to bell as two new Icons vied to make their mark in Iconic Pro Wrestling, Patrick!

Crumb: (ahem) If you two could take a breath, I would certainly appreciate it and, if you let me throw it to ringside where my colleague is standing by, I think everyone will thank me for shutting you two up.

Just to the left of the ramp, glaring at the commentary team from across the ring through a set of binoculars, Mickey “Mouse” Greer waited, killing several seconds with the camera focused on his exaggerated widened eyes.

Crumb: Go ahead, Mouse.

Mouse rolled his attention, binoculars and all, to flench backward as the camera focused on a man in a sloppy sports coat seated in the front row sipping on a red slurpee between handfuls of popcorn. With the binoculars now hanging from his neck, Mouse retrieved his tape recorder from the inside pocket of his jacket, smashed the red button and placed it on the barrier before he whipped open his spiral notepad and stood ready to jot.

Mouse: So, where do I recognize you from?

The ragged man looked to his left, eyebrows high in question, and then to his right. Popcorn bits rolled from his lip as he pointed to himself and mouthed, “Me?”

Mouse: Yes, you, Sir. I know you, don’t I?

Nelson: Well, if Greer does not know who that man is, I certainly do; and, I will tell you…

Crumb: *shhh* No you won’t, just hush.

The man stands up, dusting the kernels and other remnants from the chest of his jacket. He is average height, but not built like a wrestler.

Rose: Who is it?

The man attempts to hand his half-empty cup to Mouse, who, with pen in one hand and pad in the other, couldn’t possibly take it. Mouse shakes his head, prompting the man to sit the cup atop the barrier in exchange for the tape recorder.

Nelson: Anybody who is anybody in wrestling knows, that is…

Crumb: Both of you, shut up. Mouse is just about to find out…

After scrutinizing the outdated technology with a condescending smirk, the man slightly leaned over the barrier. Nearly nose to nose with Mouse, the recorder was raised to the side of the man’s mouth.

“The name’s Buddy. Buddy Winchester…”

Nelson: World renowned wrestling agent, Buddy WInchester is responsible for several high caliber careers and linking them to the promotions that got them started.

Rose: Who?

Nelson: I mean, I should not have to name names, but…

Mouse: And, uh, if I could ask another question, just why is professional wrestling’s super agent here at Civil War Two tonight?

Buddy: Because who in the Hell wouldn’t want to be?

Winchester gestured with his left arm, speaking into the recorder as if it were a microphone as he presented the sold-out crowd.

Buddy: I mean, I am in the Iconic Arena in Santa Monica, Mousey!

The excitement was overwhelming, cheap heat effective. Mouse cringed and all-but died where he stood as Winchester wrapped that free left arm around his shoulders and hugged him tight.

Buddy: Seriously though, on a night where we are going to witness a Crimson Chamber match and crown a new Heavyweight Champion, we just witnessed every reason for me ...the premiere agent to wrestling champions… to be sitting right here at ringside to get a good look…

Mouse: And, yes, what is it that you are hoping to get a good look at, possible clients or competition…

Buddy: ...or that fine Catriona, who knows, right?

Mouse refused a fist bump, so Winchester buddy-slugged his shoulder.

Mouse: I really don’t think you should speak like…

Buddy: Look, let me tell you this, regardless as to why and motives, this seat is one of the hottest tickets going tonight. I dare anyone to point me to a more stacked card happening right now.

With a wink, Winchester pressed the STOP button and cut the recording before shooing Mouse away. Sitting down, he called for the popcorn guy and resumed taking the color out of the ice block remaining in the cup.

Rose: So...who is he?

Crumb: Buddy Winchester.

Rose: And...what is he doing here?

Nelson: I guess we will have to find out; for now though, I am just as anxious to know what Buddy Winchester is up to as I am to say, the show must go on.

The scene moves to just outside a locker room door with a sign that has black letters set against a pink background that reads 'Benson Family'. The camera is suddenly shoved aside and when it rights itself it captures the image of a nervous Bobby Benson, complete in a black suit with loud pink music notes up and down his frame. Dead center of the shoulder blades in embroidery is a silhouette of Kip Classic, but on the megaphone dangling from his belt are the words 'THE Willie Pete'. Bobby wrings his hands free of any dampness before taking a deep breath and pushing through the door.

The camera follows him in to view Willie Pete, in the very far corner, digging through his bag and getting ready for his first bout in the IPW Heavyweight Championship Tournament. On the opposite side, more in the center of the lockers, Kip Classic is having a conversation with Erica Bragg who is half hanging off the well muscled man as he flexes. Bobby gives the couple a sidelong glance of irritation before stepping to the center of the room and addressing Willie.

Bobby Benson: This is it, Baby! I just know it! Tonight you teach these clowns everything they need to know about THE Willie Pete! Am I right?!?

Willie doesn't seem to pay any attention to Bobby who falls back a step in surprise, fists finding his hips. He shakes his head at being ignored, but another thought enters just as quickly causing him to turn towards Kip.

Bobby Benson: And you, baby, just cause you aren't competing here tonight at Civil War doesn't mean you have the show off. No sir, no way! I need you to keep your eyes glued to the monitor to make sure our pal Willie Pete over there becomes the IPW Heavyweight Champion. I don't want any screw ups, Kip! No more going after members of the audience. Just pay attention, and if Willie or I get into any trouble out there, you come a running!

Erica gives Bobby a look of disgust as Kip seizes up, looking constipated. Jostling a little as he steps out of Erica's grasp he steps over to Bobby and with an earnest expression lets out his distress.

Kip Classic: Well...you see, Mr. Benson, this is just the thing.

He pauses nervously, confrontation not being his strong suit. Wow...wrong line of work.

Kip Classic: But Erica doesn't think I should get involved in anyone else's business unless it's going to affect me directly, y'know? Like...maybe I should just hang back here with her and let Willie do this on his own.

Bobby shoots a look past Kip to Erica Bragg, who wears a smug satisfaction all over her face. There was something else that Bobby would like her to wear all over her face. Kip probably had his own ideas later in the night for what her face would be wearing. Gah! Focus! Bobby grabs Kip by the arm and gently leads him to the other side of the room, well out of earshot of the blonde.

Bobby Benson: The thing is, Kip, when Erica is giving you this sound advice, you need to kindly remind her that her vagina is not a legally binding document like the one you signed a couple of months ago that currently resides in my safe back home.

Kip Classic: I don't know, Mr. Benson...

Kip says sheepishly, looking a little confused.

Kip Classic: Erica's gine is pretty legit.

Benson's face turns to play-dough and completely falls off his jaw, and he blinks a few times like a cartoon character before pulling himself back together. Now, with a little more urgency, his irritation becomes apparent.

Bobby Benson: Listen, Kip! Erica's pussy can't take you to court, but I can! Think of it this way, what would your mentor, Brennan Devlin, do? Would he be saddled down with one woman when he had an entire promotion to fuck to death? No! You very well can't bring a bitch to heel when you have a wife waiting for you at home. No way, no how. Don't you want to make Devlin proud?

Kip Classic: But Mr. Benson, Erica and I aren't married.

Bobby claws at his face with his hands, his eyes bulging out in comic fashion. Just as he's about to lay into Kip, THE Willie Pete suddenly enters the conversation, having heard just enough to be dangerous from his spot over in the corner.

THE Willie Pete: Now wait just a minute, Bobby...Whose fucking me where?

Benson jumps a bit, startled by the sudden interruption from his up til now silent ward, and he turns towards Willie pumping the brakes with his hands.

Bobby Benson: Not to worry, Willie. I was just telling Kip here that there was no way that you weren't going to walk out of here tonight without that IPW Heavyweight Championship around your waist. No way, Baby! Isn't that right, Kip? Kip....

Bobby turns to find that Kip is no longer standing beside him but has returned to his side of the lockers with Erica Bragg, the two of them playing tonsil hockey loudly. As Erica sucks on the end of Kip's tongue, Bobby shakes his head in dismay, turning back to Willie who doesn't seem impressed.

THE Willie Pete: If this is Romeo and Juliet, how about they fast forward to the poison part?

With that, Willie returns to his solitude over in the far corner, but with Benson following close behind. Willie shakes his head as Benson plops down beside him, and he tosses a used roll of athletic tape off to the side while never quite looking over at Bobby. Bobby softens a bit, placing a gentle hand on Willie's shoulder.

Bobby Benson: Do you still believe that IPW is one big joke?

Willie snorted, allowing a sidelong glance over to Bobby in answer. Benson grins conspiratorially, leaning in close so that only Willie can hear.

Bobby Benson: Well then think about what it's going to feel like when you turn the joke around on them and walk out of here with their top prize?

Willie mulls the thought over for a moment and despite not being in a very conversational mood can't deny that it has an appeal. Realizing that Bobby is just trying to motivate him, he gives the man a half-hearted smile, which seems enough to satisfy the wily manager. Bobby happens to gaze back over to Kip and Erica and his eyes go wide as saucers. Leaping to his feet he rushes back in that direction, screaming...

Bobby Benson: NO! NOT AGAIN! YOU PUT THOSE BEADS BACK IN THAT BAG RIGHT NOW! WE AREN'T GETTING KICKED OUT OF ANOTHER LOCKER ROOM!

The camera fades back to ringside.

~~

Torres: The following contest is a FIRST ROUND MATCH in the IPW HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT! It is scheduled for ONE FALL with a THIRTY MINUTE time limit!

The crowd offers up a mixed reaction as "Burn" by the Cure plays over the PA, heralding the arrival of Josef Beck, who makes his way out from the back and down the ramp to the ring with little fanfare.

Torres: Introducing first, from Parts Unknown, weighing in at 187 pounds... the KETAMINE KID, JOSEF BECCCCCCCCKKKKKKKK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Crumb: What an opportunity for this kid, huh?

Nelson: You are not kidding, Crumb. Despite coming up short against Kip Classic in his Iconic Professional Wrestling debut, Josef Beck has himself a chance to end all chances here tonight, to run the table and come away from Civil War Two as the Iconic Professional Wrestling Heavyweight Champion!

Rose: It's a damn travesty that he's part of this field. You know that three out of eight Iconss, that’s forty PERCENT of the field, are coming into this tournament without clocking a single win?!

Nelson: We are aware of that, Rose Marie, yes.

Beck hits the ring, forgoing playing to the crowd in favor of getting in a few last-minute stretches as his music fades. A moment later "Natural Born Killaz" by Ice Cube and Dr. Dre starts up in its place, drawing the ire of the crowd as Anthony "Enforcer" Cross emerges from a billowing cloud of smoke onto the stage, arms held smugly out to his sides. Taking a moment to survey the arena, he nods to himself and starts down the ramp, the arrogant sneer not once leaving his face.

Torres: And his opponent... from Brooklyn, New York... weighing in at 275 pounds... ENFORCEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rose: And then there's THIS guy. The hell's he supposed to be enforcing, anyway… his very own mediocrity?

Crumb: Clearly above your paygrade and mine, Rose.

Nelson: A seemingly favorable matchup for Enforcer here. He is coming in with a ninety-pound weight advantage. The question of whether it will help him win, is to be answered shortly.

The ref backs both Beck and Enforcer into opposite corners as the latter's music fades, double-checking that both are in position before calling for the bell.

DING DING DING!!!

Nelson: There is the opening bell of this championship tournament and LOOK AT ENFORCER!

The crowd pops as Enforcer explodes out of his corner with a roar, clearing the ring in an instant and bullying Beck back against the turnbuckles. Crushed by the impact, Beck staggers dazedly out of the corner, only to be lifted up and dropped flat on his back with a sidewalk slam.

Crumb: A sidewalk slam... this could DO IT… just cover him already!

One...

Two…

TH...KICK OUT!

Nelson: Josef Beck kicks out, managing to weather that initial onslaught by Enforcer!

Rose: If he's able to sustain that level of offense, this one won't take very long. Which is good because I am feeling a bit parched and could use a drink.

Enforcer looks to do just that, rising quickly to his feet out of the cover and bringing Beck up along with him. The bigger man tees off on the smaller Beck, tagging him with a heavy right hand. Beck staggers back but responds a moment later with a forearm shiver that draws a small cheer from the crowd.

Crumb: All right, there we go. We’ve got ourselves a fight now.

Nelson: Beck is rallying back against the crushing offense of Enforcer with those stiff forearm shots.

Rose: The kid’s pretty damn lanky, but those strikes have some sauce on them. There may be hope for him yet.

Beck backs Enforcer up to the ropes with a barrage of forearms, capping the assault off with a sole kick to the gut for good measure. He takes Enforcer by the hand and goes to whip him across the ring, but is countered and sent to the far ropes instead; rebounding back, Beck manages to duck an oncoming Enforcer and actually baseball slides between his legs. Enforcer turns, sights him, but Beck is able to strike first!

Crumb: Nice!

Nelson: Impressive agility on display by Beck.

Beck connects with an inverted atomic drop, stunning Enforcer and causing him to double over, adding in a European uppercut that puts the big man flat on his back in the middle of the ring. Beck takes off to the ropes, bounces off, and flips into a somersault knee drop on the rebound that lands right across the bridge of the nose!

Rose: Wow!

Nelson: Look at that! Somersault knee drop by Josef Beck. It could very well have caused a concussion there!

One...

Two...

THR...KICK OUT!

Rose: Close, but no cigar. Thank you, come again.

Crowd support for Beck seems to be growing as he rises to his feet, seeing Enforcer start to rise as well. Beck descends on his opponent and sinks in a half-nelson, readying for a bulldog.

Nelson: Beck looking to press the advantage here.

Crumb: No dice though, because Enforcer is not budging!

Beck tries to heave Enforcer up... once, twice, three times… but the big man has grounded himself and will not be moved. Enforcer then winds up and swings for a HUGE clothesline, nearly decapitating Beck while the smaller man is at point-blank range. Beck manages to duck underneath, grab Enforcer while his back is turned and drop the bottom out with a neckbreaker.

Nelson: Beck once again managing to elude Enforcer's clutches with that neckbreaker!

Rose: The kid is trying to stay alive, I'll give him that.

One...

Two...

THRE...KICK OUT!

Crumb: Getting closer!

Beck is quick to his feet, eyeing the slow-to-rise Enforcer with the crowd now squarely behind him in this contest. He squares up with the big man, takes aim... and RIPS a kick at his temple!

Crumb: BUZZSAW -- no!

Nelson: Enforcer, paying like unto like, ducks what would have surely been the end of this match!

Crumb: He's got him... wants the suplex...

Rose: Damn, how 'bout that?

Nelson: Beck backflips out of the suplex, lands on his feet... hits the ropes, wants something big here and SPINEBUSTER!

Crumb: SPINNING SPINEBUSTER BY ENFORCER! He’s looking to make Beck a permanent part of the mat!

The crowd lets Enforcer have it as he gets up slowly, that same smug smile reborn on his face. He hauls a dazed and confused Josef Beck to his feet, drags him into a front facelock, and poses to the crowd for a moment before executing.

Nelson: ... and THERE it is, the Death Penalty DDT!

Crumb: Beck's down, the leg is hooked and this one is academic!

One...

Two...

THREE!!!

Torres: Here is your winner and advancing to the Second Round of the IPW Heavyweight Championship Tournament... ENFORCER!

The crowd's vitriol for Enforcer only intensifies as the big man rises to his feet and raises his fists above his head, smiling and laughing to himself as his music starts back up.

Nelson: A hard-fought effort from Josef Beck, but in the end it is Enforcer who walks away with this victory and advances to the semifinals later tonight.

Rose: Credit where it's due: the kid put up a fight, got some good shots in. But a ninety-pound weight advantage is damn-near impossible to overcome, especially against an offense as explosive as Enforcer's.

Crumb: Was that... Did you just pay Enforcer a compliment?

Rose: Oh, bite me, Crumbbum. Did you even SEE that spinebuster?

The show cuts to an advertisement as the Enforcer departs the ring and starts making his way up the ramp, mugging to the fans at ringside as he goes.

The camera fades backstage to show a door with the placard “Brooklyn Holloway” hanging. The unseen crowd can be heard jeering the sight of the apparent suite of the IPW owner.

Nelson: There seems to be something going on backstage.

Rose: Clearly it’s something to do with Brooklyn Holloway, idiot.

Those jeers suddenly transform to cheers as Joshua Samson, Esquire walks into the scene.

Crumb: WHAT CAN EVERYONE BE THINKING AS JOSHUA SAMSON, ESQUIRE IS BACK IN THE ICONIC ARENA?!?!

Without knocking, the immaculately blue suited Executive Representative pushes the door open, walks in, and closes it behind him.

~~

Torres: The following is a FIRST ROUND MATCH in the IPW HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT that is scheduled for ONE FALL with a THIRTY MINUTE time limit!

“Prototype” by Viktoria Modesta plays throughout the arena as Brodie walks to the ring.

Before any of the commentator’s can say a word, the lights dim as the sound of “I Miss The Misery blares over the PA system. The fans get to their feet as the former IPW Television Champion, Brianna Rissi makes her way out onto the ramp at a light bouncing skip. Her hair is hanging long, and she wears a lime green shirt with a black skull across the chest. Her short shorts are lime green and black plaid and her lime green socks reach her knees, with her signature skull sneakers with hot pink skulls on the side seem to glow. She pauses for a moment, before making her way down to the ring skipping, a slight malicious smile plastered to her face. Merrily, she goes over to the stairs, and climbs them, and then enters the ring between the bottom and middle rope. Twirling, she goes to the center of the ring, grinning out into the crowd.

Crumb: Interesting first round matchup here with an IPW veteren versus one of IPW’s newest signees!

Nelson: Definitely an interesting dynamic, on one hand you have Brianna Rissi, a woman who has been with the company since day one, a two time Iconic Professional Wrestling Television Champion! Someone who has fought long and hard to be even given this opportunity tonight…

Rose: And on the other Brodie, a girl who lost her debut match a few weeks ago on Chaos. One of the many people in this tournament that many fans and roster members believe have no business being there.

Nelson: Rose Marie, Brodie is a very competent competitor or she wouldn’t be here.

Rose: Hey I’m just calling it like I see it… Plus, that is yet to be seen…

DING DING DING!!!

The two Lady Icons circled each other before locking up in the center of the ring. Brianna pulls Brodie into a side head lock, Brodie backs Rissi up into the ropes. Pushing her off Rissi hits the ropes and comes back to a hip toss take down. Brodie quickly goes for the cover.

One…

Brianna backslides out from under Brodie.

Nelson: Brodie maybe a bit too eager tonight.

Rose: Eager or not qualified?

Crumb: There is no way she’s going to get a pin fall this early in the match with someone like Brianna Rissi.

This time Brodie hits the ropes and comes charging at Brianna, Rissi ducks a clothesline attempt. Brodie back from the other direction this time gets hit with a hurricanrana . Brodie’s momentum sends her to the mat and under the bottom rope to the outside of the ring.

Brianna Rissi exits the ring and stands on the apron, waiting for Brodie to get back to her feet. Brodie turns around when Rissi comes running off the apron and crashes into Brodie with a meteora!

Nelson: Rissi off to a quick start here tonight!

Rissi with a hand full of trunks one hand and hair in the other rolls Brodie back into the ring. Brianna rolls back into the ring only to be met with a forearm to the back of the head.

Crumb: Brodie appears to have found the opening she needed in this first round match up!

Brodie begins clubbing Rissi with forearms to the back of the head and back. Brodie picks Rissi up with a handful of hair. Brianna pushes Brodie away before running towards her, Brodie catches the running Rissi and falls backwards hitting a fall away Moonsault slam. Brodie plays to the audience stretching her arms out, cocky.

Nelson: School-girl pin by Rissi!

One…

Two….

TH...KICK OUT!

Rose: Brodie almost lost this match right now because of a rookie mistake!

Brianna makes a run towards the ropes as Brodie begins to get to her feet. Brodie reaches out and snags the ankle of Rissi, tripping her to the mat. Brodie quick to her feet runs past Rissi, hits the ropes and comes back with a shining wizard.

Nelson: Brodie nearly took Rissi’s head off with that shining wizard!

Brodie quickly transitions on the mat, throwing Brianna’s arm around her body and grips her chin, locking in a crossface submission!

Crumb: Brodie has locked in the cross face! She’s put away a lot of people with this move!

Rose: Name one…

Brianna reaches out for the rope break, fingertips away from reaching the bottom rope! With her free leg Brodie began stomping the hand of Rissi!

Nelson: Could we see an upset here in this first round match up!

Rissi struggled in the submission, her hand outstretched towards the fans who cheered her on. Rissi slowly repositioned her body, wiggling her legs out from under Brodie. Rissi pushes her weight back flipping the cross face into a pinning position!

One…

Two…

T...KICK OUT!

Brodie releases the submission hold to save herself from a pin fall loss.

Nelson: Smart move from Rissi!

Brianna turns over and throws a few punches to the face of Brodie, Brodie with a fist full of hair pulls Brianna down and the two switch positions. Brodie now on top of Rissi throws a few fist of her own! Brianna throws a leg up and connects to the back of the head of Brodie with a kick to the head. Rissi rolls her over once again, however Brodie uses that momentum to continue the roll as the two women roll to the outside and to the floor.

The two women make their way to their feet and have a brief stare down before they both charge each other throwing fists! The crowd goes nuts as the two women get into an all out brawl at ringside.

Crumb: This could get dangerous for Brianna, Brodie is known as a hardcore brawler and the outside is where she thrives!

Rose: Again, where are you getting your information?

Brodie with a strategically placed thumb to the eye of Rissi! Brodie throws Brianna face first into the ring steps! Rissi crawls away from the steps and pulls herself up with assistance from the guard rail. Brodie comes charging at Rissi, Brianna delivers a backdrop to Brodie sending her flying into the audience at ringside!

Nelson: The referee being very lenient in this first round match by not counting both these Lady Icons out tonight!

Brianna goes to retrieve Brodie from the audience only to be met with a drink to the face as Brodie throws a cup of beer at Rissi! Brianna’s eyes bulge not in shock but psychotic rage! Brianna lunges at the alarmed Brodie and drags her over the guardrail by her hair. Throwing her into the ring post before rolling her back into the ring.

Crumb: Brianna turning the tables on Brodie!

Brianna runs at the groggy Brodie and delivers a massive running Briemode Bulldog!

One…

Two….

THREE!!

Torres: The winner of this first round match and advancing to the Second Round of the IPW Heavyweight Championship Tournament…. Brianna Rissi!

Nelson: Brianna Rissi with a definitive victory in this first round matchup advances to the semi finals of tonight’s tournament!

Rose: BEERana is a whiner. She’s not going to be getting very far.

Crumb: Stop being so negative.

When the scene fades to the backstage area, the air is electric and no, it’s not because Lady Munin and Astrid Samson are recreating a rather shocking event from a previous show. The air is electric because of what’s taken place during the tournament and what’s yet to come. A meeting between David Gideon Smith and THE Willie Pete, the last match of the first round.

What a time to be alive.

THE Willie Pete and Bobby Benson are backstage near kraft services, talking over something that seems maybe not so important. Bobby’s all in THE’s ear, but he doesn’t seem to really be paying attention. Wisely, THE Willie Pete excuses himself from Bobby’s tirade and takes two steps away from the kraft services area with the intention of creating a road block for an approaching DGS. Smith stops short, eyeing THE, face cast in some inscrutable expression.

DGS: What?

Willie gives the larger man a good once over with his eyes and nods thoughtfully.

THE Willie Pete: You're a big one, aren't you then?

Saying nothing, Smith rolls his eyes and folds his arms over his chest, waiting for THE to get to wherever he's going.

THE Willie Pete: Quiet too. Anyway, we haven't been properly introduced, have we? I'm Willie Pete.

Willie shows his teeth in something like a smile intermixed with a wolf baring teeth. Wiĺlie offers DGS a handshake.

Smith's eyes flicker down to the outstretched hand, then back up to its owner. His arms remain folded.

DGS: David Smith.

THE Willie Pete pulls his hand away and points a finger at Bobby Benson, he snaps his fingers.

THE Willie Pete: Bobby, tell me what Miss Manners says about people who refuse to shake hands. Ignore the pandemic we sort of sell, but not really.

Without missing a beat, Bobby pulls up his phone and recites:

Bobby Benson: They could be injured, have a weakness, it may conflict with their religious beliefs. Or, they just don't like you.

It's pretty clear to THE, the fans, the world, and probably even to some aliens light years away why Smith isn't shaking his hand, but he asks anyway.

THE Willie Pete: So which is it then?

Smith exhales through his nose, expression unchanging.

DGS: The one you told him to ignore.

He nods at Benson without actually looking at the man.

DGS: Couple weeks back, you went on-record expressing a desire to give the rest of the roster COVID. In light of that and the fact that I have a kid at home, I'm not interested in touching you in any non-contractually-obligated, non-paying, non-violent capacity.

Willie smiles again.

THE Willie Pete: So we are selling it again. Good.

Again he points.

THE Willie Pete: Did the Covid test ever come back?

Bobby Benson: Well, it did, but it turns out the ones we bought off of Kijiji were actually pregnancy tests.

Willie pauses and breaks eye contact with Smith for a moment.

THE Willie Pete: Are we..?

Bobby Benson: No, we're not pregnant.

THE Willie Pete: Aw, I'm relieved, but a little sad too.

Willie looks at Smith and his expression takes a turn for the serious.

THE Willie Pete: Absolutely fair on your part, Mr. Acronym. I may be somewhat of a bad guy, but I certainly would never wish to cause harm to a child.

Willie stifles a laugh.

THE Willie Pete: Best of luck to you, sir.

He bows and steps aside, allowing DGS the opportunity to finally exit the madness that is his existence. The latter does so without another word, stalking off down the corridor, suppressing a curl of the upper lip as he goes.

~~

Butterscotch: Mrs. Holloway, Mrs. Holloway, one moment of your time, please?

Brooklyn Holloway turns around, forcing a smile onto her face as she lowers her phone from her face. She's none too happy to see Butterscotch but, someone is at least doing their job.

Brooklyn: Well look what the cat dragged in... Butterscotch Monroe. Glad to see you're actually doing what I pay you to. You have one moment... get on with it.

Always the consummate professional, Butterscotch smiles at the woman that pays the IPW bills.

Butterscotch: Just moments ago we witnessed Brianna Rissi defeat Brodie in the first round of the IPW Heavyweight Championship Tournament. It is no secret that a few ago you made it clear that she would never get another chance at IPW gold. Now with her accomplishing the first step toward it, do you have any regrets about your decision?

Brooklyn: My only regret is that I didn't suspend her after the blatant disrespect and insubordination. But I am a genuinely good person, it's not my fault that people can't see it... even AFTER I've given BIRanna this one last chance. To be fair, I didn't expect her to make past the first round and I definitely don't expect her to make it to the finals. She just doesn't have the drive or determination.

Butterscotch: And if by chance she does make it to the finals, ma'am, and she wins it, wiill you be able to acknowledge her as the face of the company?

Brooklyn: Just because she would be the champion, doesn't automatically make her the face of the company. People have been eclipsing the holder of the IPW Heavyweight Championship ever since Oliver Black's reign. She needs to rebuild its reputation before we get anywhere near considering its holder the face of the company.

Butterscotch: To make things clear though, you would have no issues with Brianna Rissi as your Heavyweight Champion?

Brooklyn: That championship, the prize that people are so butt hurt about being bumped from the main event, is nothing but a hunk of leather and metal. I've begun to agree that it has not been worth anything in months. And I doubt that someone like Biranna Rissi will be able to elevate it.

Butterscotch: That doesn't give any clarity on my question, Mrs. Holloway. Also, is it very prudent from a business perspective to verbally tarnish the company's top prize?

Brooklyn: Are you so incapacitated in that head of yours you can't decipher my words? I guess so... so I'll put it into layman's terms. No... I wouldn't care because nobody really cares about the title anyway. It needs to be elevated back to its prestige and by someone who is worthy to call themself the champion.

The veteran journalist sensing the temperament of the interviewee nods.

Butterscotch: Thank you for your time, Mrs. Holloway. Enjoy the rest of Civil War Two.

Brooklyn: Watch yourself Butterscotch. I've only got five more people who are remnants of that weasel Joshua Samson around. You don't want to find yourself out of a job.

Brooklyn turns back around and walks down the hall, the heels of her Christian Louboutin pumps clicking on the floor.

~~

Torres: The following is a FIRST ROUND MATCH in the IPW HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT and it is scheduled for ONE FALL with a THIRTY MINUTE time limit.

♫ You hit me once
I hit you back
You gave a kick
I gave a slap
You smashed a plate over my head
Then I set fire to our bed ♫

The rousing sound of Florence Welch can be heard as ‘Kiss With a Fist’ hits. Sweet eighties laser beams start shooting around the audience as the music continues to build. Finally, THE Willie Pete appears at the entrance, flanked by Bobby Benson. The two men make their way down to the ring as the fans reach out attempting to ‘get some’ of THE Willie Pete. He gives a little here and there because he’s a really nice guy.

♫ My black eye casts no shadow
Your red eye sees nothing
Your slap don't stick
Your kicks don't hit
So we remain the same
Love sticks
Sweat drips
Break the lock if it don't fit ♫

THE Willie Pete stops at the ring and has a quick conversation with Bobby Benson, no doubt planning something potentially nefarious to play out during the match. Or maybe just trying to decide on what to do for dinner after the match. Who knows! Willie makes his way to the ring steps.

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!

♫ I broke your jaw once before
I spilled your blood upon the floor
You broke my leg in return
So sit back and watch the bed burn
Love sticks
Sweat drips
Break the lock if it don't fit ♫

From the top of the ring steps, he casually enters the ring. Casually, like he’s going into the kitchen to make a sandwich. 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/be killed himself, he crosses himself. Now he prepares for the upcoming fight.

Nelson: THE Willie Pete has had a couple ups and downs in his tenure thus far with Iconic Professional Wrestling but he stands poised to change all that in this first round tournament match.

Crumb: He was pretty vocal about the match changes when the main event was changed, now is his time to show Brooklyn what a mistake it was.

Rose: I doubt that’s going to be happening. He’s nothing but a hot head that will probably end up blowing it big time.

The lights go down as the low opening drone of "Razorface" rumbles through the arena. Random pulses and strobes of light flare across the Tron and throughout the rafters, eventually centralizing to the center of the Tron as a white pulse that grows brighter and faster in time with the sonar-beep. This builds to a crashing synthetic dirge, accompanied by orchestral strings, that signals the arrival of David Smith: he paces slowly out onto the stage, garbed in featureless black boots, tights, and kick/knee/elbow pads, a similarly featureless black duster swirling behind him.

Smith pauses at the top of the ramp, staring predatorily down at the ring. Then, after a moment, he starts down to the ring, not once breaking stride or acknowledging the crowd as he reaches the outside mats, ascends the steel steps, and enters through the ring ropes. He crosses the ring and goes up to the second turnbuckle, where he scans the crowd like a hawk before hopping down to the mat, removing and tossing the duster to the outside, and beginning to limber up.

Nelson: David Gideon Smith has won all his matches thus far, save for one. If he makes it through this tournament he will have put all of the Icons on notice.

Crumb: While that is true, there are some other great talents that stand in his way. If he wins this, he’s going to have to immediately start looking at his next one.

Rose: The other two in this bracket are complete jokes. One thinks too highly of themself and the other is Drake Jones.

DING DING DING!!

As the bell signaling the start of the match resounds into the rafters, both men collide in the center of the ring. They lock up for a moment before Willie quickly transitions into a side headlock. DGS attempts to slip out, but Willie rolls around his backside, reaching around his waist before sending DGS with a gut-wrenching suplex. Willie was quick to hook the leg and DGS was just as quick to kick out. Both men get up but DGS turns directly into a kick in the guts that doubles him over. Willie punches him in the face and then hurls him into the corner by the back of the neck. DGS’ face bounces off of the top turnbuckle before Willie turns him around to light up his chest with a knife-edged chop. Because of the roaring crowd, the cracks of all three chops cannot be heard on the loading docks in the back.

DGS’ chest is throbbing red when Willie pulls him out of the corner and whips him to the opposite side. DGS manages to reverse in the middle and sends Willie smashing hard against the buckles. Willie gets both feet up as DGS charges towards him, causing DGS to stumble backward as Willie hops up onto the second turnbuckle and then to the top. DGS catches Willie coming off of the top with a snap scoop powerslam, planting him hard before he goes for a lateral press.

One…

Two…

Willie rolls his shoulder to break the count and moves to his belly as DGS stood up.

Nelson: THE Willie Pete took the fight right to Smith before the bell had even finished echoing throughout the arena.

Crumb: But look at how quickly things turned around into DGS’ favor. Willie needs to watch himself if he wants any hope at winning.

Rose: The look on his face… oh my god that was PRICELESS!

DGS exchanges words with the referee briefly before stomping down hard between Willie’s shoulders and kicking him in the side of the head. As Willie lifts himself to all fours, DGS lines up a field goal kick into Willie’s abdomen. The momentum nearly rolls Willie to his feet, but DGS snags his head and puts him back down with a snapmare. DGS then locks on a full-nelson, Willie has some fight in him and he fights with all he has to push both he and DGS back to a vertical base. It winds up being to no avail because DGS leans in hard and soon has Willie seated back on the mat. Willie has a few bursts, but it’s not enough to free him as DGS positions his legs while pulling Willie’s arms into a Lotus Lock. Willie’s screams of agony were clearly heard over the crowd, but he refuses to give up.

Nelson: Things most certainly are not looking good right now for Pete right now. Smith has that lotus lock in tight.

Crumb: He’s going to need some sort of miracle if he hopes to get out of this. Otherwise, DGS is going to be moving on.

Rose: Good… Willie needs a reality check.

Several times Willie shakes his head and yells out “NO” loudly. Consequently, each time he goes slightly limp or stops stamping his heel against the mat. DGS demands the referee to “ASK HIM”! As the crowd gets louder, DGS transitions into a half-nelson but Willie gets his right arm free and then breaks completely free, rolling into DGS and landing some sharp closed-fists to the abdomen.

Willie favors his shoulders as he quickly whips DGS to the ropes. DGS dodges a weak back elbow on his first pass and ducks under a wild lariat on the second, Willie’s arms flailing around like limp noodles. Willie comes off the opposite ropes and floors DGS with a flying forearm smash, but the momentum brings him right back to his feet and directly into a running clothesline that bounces him off of the mat hard and back to his feet. A successful back elbow sends DGS reeling into the corner backward with Willie popping him in the mouth with a hard running knee lift.

A single-arm bulldog from the corner smashes DGS’ face into the canvas and Willie goes to the far corner, measuring DGS up as he stalks his prey. DGS stands up and with his back to Willie has no idea his opponent is closing in. DGS turns around, Willie hits him with a jumping knee strike before quickly hooking the leg.

One…

Two…

THRE...KICK OUT!!

Nelson: I am not going to lie, THE Willie Pete is making a pretty awesome comeback right about now. If he can keep things like this up, perhaps it will work out for him?

Crumb: There’s still a lot of time to tell. Anything can happen.

Rose: Again… he’s going to blow it because he’s always overcompensating.

After DGS kicks out, Willie stays on him. Willie pulls DGS to his feet and stuns him with an inverted atomic drop before hoisting him back up with an inverted waist lock, walking him to the corner, sitting him on the top turnbuckle. DGS fires down a few rights, but Willie smashes his jaw with an elbow and kicks him in the temple. Uncertain what he was going to do, Willie hits DGS with a hurricanrana, bringing out of the corner hard. Willie quickly hooks the leg with the fans counting along.

One…

Two…

Thr… NO!

Nelson: Oh THE Willie Pete almost had the match won there!

Crumb: That just shows him that he’s going to have to work harder to get DGS down for the count.

Rose: Awe… look at how disappointed he looks.

This time, Willie goes through the ropes to the apron. Top rope in hand, Willie times a springboard as DGS groggily finds his feet. With Fire and Rain (Flying Forearm Smash, springboarding off top rope) in mind, Willie instead is caught with The Last Word (stiff lariat) as DGS swats him out of the sky. DGS then quickly seizes the chance and hooks the leg.

One…

Two…

Three!

Torres: Here is your winner and moving on to the second round of the IPW Heavyweight Championship Tournament… DAVID GIDEON SMITH!

Nelson: To be truthful, I did not expect this to be the outcome after seeing the comeback from THE WIllie Pete. He should not be upset though… he did a great job in the ring.

Crumb: I think he waited a little too long there on the outside before trying to hit that flying forearm. That hesitation is what cost him.

Rose: So do you think he’s going to pitch a fit again?

Coming Soon to Chaos

We go backstage to find a bit of a commotion. THE Willie Pete appears to be speed walking down the hallway with Bobby Benson in tow. Bobby is trying to slow down his client, but it doesn’t seem to be working.

Bobby Benson: Can’t we talk about this, Willie? One loss isn’t the end of the road for you! Please, baby! Let’s calm down and talk about this!

Willie ignores Bobby’s call for reason. He steps around a corner and straight into a random staffer in the backstage area--knocking them right on their ass. He keeps moving. His eyes are cold and his hair is still wet from the heat of the fight.

Bobby Benson: Look, we’ll talk to them. We’ll get you that rematch. You’ll get your opportunity to make this right! This was a big tournament, difficult to train for! Jesus, Willie, what do I have to say?

Willie stops and turns around abruptly, taking Bobby’s cheeks gently in his hands. Bobby’s cheeks look like that of a chipmunk as Willie softly pulls them towards each other.

THE Willie Pete: Nothing Bobby! You’ve done nothing wrong. I lost, it’s simple. I just have some thinking to do about my future! It’s fine!

Willie’s speaking through grit teeth.

THE Willie Pete: Everything’s up in the air, for now.

Willie pulls his hands away from Bobby’s face and dusts off his shoulders and gives him a firm shoulder embrace with both hands.

THE Willie Pete: There’s no need for panic.

Willie turns and continues to walk, he’s headed for an exit door. He pushes the door open to reveal a Mercedes Benz S600 Pullman Guard (yes the bulletproof one) waiting for him. The door opens to reveal none other than that Tony Chu guy everyone’s been talking about.

Tony Chu: Hey! Loser! Get in the fucking car, you dopey mother-fuck!

Willie lets out a sigh and turns to face Bobby one last time.

Bobby Benson: But Willie.

Willie puts one finger across Bobby’s lips and whispers,

THE Willie Pete: Don’t say a word. I just want to remember your face, like this, for always.

Willie then turns and slides into the limo. Bobby tries to follow, but he’s accosted by Tony Chu.

Tony Chu: If that fucking Mullet-Man gets anywhere near this limo, he will be shot! Now fuck off you old testicle bitch!

The door slams and the limo speeds away. Bobby Benson watches as it goes and his chin quivers as this may be the last time IPW ever sees THE Willie Pete again.

Dramatic music plays as the scene fades back to ringside.

~~

Torres: The following is a FIRST ROUND MATCH in the IPW Heavyweight Championship Tournament and is scheduled for ONE FALL with a THIRTY MINUTE time limit!

The fans are rabbid with cheers as the sound of ‘Raw Material’ by Deap Vally hits the PA system. Signs go up in the crowd welcoming the ‘Caustic Siren’ as she steps out onto the entrance stage. She’s wearing a vicious smirk.

“Get your hands off my raw material
It's up to me if I'm animal or mineral
Baby, don't take it too personal
But your behaviour is typical, typical”

Her stride is less that of a human and much more that of a predator. She moves slowly, slapping the outstretched hands of fans as she goes. Her focus however, is on the ring. Methodically she continues, smiling here and there, posing for selfies with a couple fans, until finally she finds herself at the ring steps.

“Get your hands off my raw material
It's up to me if I'm ethereal or visceral
These beats are so delectable it's criminal
Your attempts to change them, it is so pitiful”

She slowly climbs the ring steps and quickly slides in between the ropes. Once inside the ring, the lights dazel fans as she goes to the center of the ring and holds her arms outstretched. As ‘Raw Material’ boils to its apex, Shyla moves to her corner of the ring and lightly stretches as she awaits the arrival of her opponent.

Nelson: Shyla Clemmes stands poised to get her first Iconic Professional Wrestling victory here tonight. If she can keep that momentum going she can go even further.

Crumb: She exchanged a few quips with Astrid Samson over on Twitter, being one of the three Icons who voiced their disdain for the change in main event.

Rose: Pfft! She’s nothing but a bitter hag who’s upset because she didn’t get what she wanted. Who’s to say that she’ll even make it to the finals considering she’s lost all her matches thus far?

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.

Nelson: This is the biggest chance that Drake Jones has had in his Iconic Professional Wrestling tenure thus far. He could open so many doors for himself should he get through this tournament.

Crumb: Will he be able to do it though given his history and match record? He’s been known to blow chances when they’re handed to him.

Rose: And why should tonight be any different? Shyla’s destined to get the victory here because hot head Drake won’t be able to.

DING DING DING!!!

The two start off the match in typical fashion, locking up in the center of the ring. After pushing each other around for a few moments, Drake manages to overpower Shyla, hitting her with a stiff knee to the abdomen before throwing her with a judo throw. Drake waits for Shyla to get up to her feet before hitting her with a delayed vertical suplex, floating it over and pulling them both back up to their feet before whipping her off into the corner. Charging towards her, Drake has his arm extended out for a clothesline but Shyla can see what’s coming a mile away and is ready, hitting him with a boot to the face. She starts to fight back a little bit, but Drake is able to counter one of her strikes and hit her with a European uppercut, following it up with a snap DDT before going for a cover.

One…

T... KICK OUT!

Nelson: Jones has been impressive straight out of the gate but he has to watch himself and do a little bit more if he wants to make it to the second round of the tournament.

Crumb: He’s got the drive to make it. He just needs to remain focused and not let anything distract or get to him.

Rose: History is going to be repeating itself… there’s no doubt about it.

Drake grabs Shyla by the wrist and pulls her up to her feet, keeping hold of her wrist and hitting her with a short-arm clothesline before yanking her back up again. Smirking, Drake hoists her up, clutching her at his side, before dropping her back first across his knee for a backbreaker. He gets up and gloats a smidge before bending down to pick her up again, only to be met with a roll up from Shyla. Drake kicks out just after two and scrambles away, leaning against the rope and he visibly looks caught off guard. Both get up to their feet but Shayla is the first to capitalize, rushing towards Drake and hitting him with a spinning back fist, following it up with a series of knife edge chops that back him up into the corner.

Crowd: WOOO! WOOO!

Nelson: I really thought that Jones was showing some promise, but that roll up from Clemmens caught him off guard and he has let it rattle him.

Crumb: Sure he was being impressive… but you can’t count Shyla out. She’s done pretty good in her past matches but she’s still hunting for the dub.

Rose: Well given she’s clearly got herself an attitude… she too better keep her eye on the prize.

Shyla hits a splash to Drake in the corner that causes Drake’s head to bounce off the top turnbuckle. He comes stumbling out of the corner and walks right into a series of dirty boxing before Shyla follows it up with a knee lift after using the ropes for some added momentum. Drake drops face first to the mat, and Shyla can see the opportunity for something big. She turns Drake over onto his back and drags him a bit closer to the rope. Shyla then takes a quick run towards the ropes and launches herself off, bounding backward for a springboard moonsault. But during that time, Drake manages to get his knees up and Shyla falls right into them as she comes down. She scrunches her body into the fetal position as she clutches at her stomach, writhing around on the mat in pain as Drake gets up to his feet.

Drake steadies himself using the ropes before heading over to a still writhing Shyla. Grabbing her by the neck, he forabily pulls her up to a vertical base and hoists her up onto his shoulders before hitting a fireman’s carry neckbreaker. He could’ve gone for a pin attempt but he just waits for her to stagger to her feet before rushing and hitting a codebreaker. Then Drake goes for the cover and the crowd counts along.

One…

Two…

TH...KICK OUT!

Nelson: Oh no! Drake Jones almost had the match won there but Shyla Clemmens kicks out as the referee’s hand was inches from counting three.

Crumb: He can’t be too happy right about now. I mean, I would be if I was in his shoes.

Rose: He’s going to have to do a hell of a lot more if he wants to move on. Things are only going to get harder from here on out.

Drake looks visibly frustrated, banging his fists into the mat before he gets up to his feet. He backs off into a corner and waits for Shyla to get up. It takes a few moments, but when she does Drake instantly charges at her… only to get tripped up by Shyla who sweeps his feet out from underneath him, taking the chance to lock in an arm bar. Drake fights to get free, but Shyla keeps the hold locked in tight until Drake manages to get a foot on the bottom rope, forcing her to break the hold. Both scramble up to their feet but Shyla is the first to capitalize, hitting Drake with her signature move Shattering Point (double knee facebuster) before going for a cover.

One…

Two…

THR….KICK OUT!!

Nelson: Oh I thought Clemmens had it there. I am VERY surprised Jones was able to kick out of that one!

Crumb: I don’t think you’re the only one, Patrick. She’s got to be pretty peeved and almost to the point of willing to do anything.

Rose: Oh… you mean desperate? Yeah… totally agree with you on that one.

Both competitors seem to be running on fumes, Shyla looking a bit upset as well. Once both have gotten to their feet, they trade blows back and forth before Shyla hits Drake with a roundhouse kick that lands directly against Drake’s ribs and causing him to fall to a knee. Shyla then runs towards him, hitting a shining wizard that drives her knee right into his temple. The fans erupt into a sea of loud cheers, propelling Shyla up to her feet using the ropes. She glares daggers at Drake, waiting for him to get up and when he does, he comes running towards her but she’s ready, jumping onto the ropes and hitting him with Giant Killer (springboard roundhouse kick). The fans erupt again as Shyla goes for the cover.

One…

Two…

THREE!!

Torres: Here is your winner and moving on to the second round of the IPW Heavyweight Championship Tournament… SHYLA CLEMMENS!

Nelson: Shyla Clemmes has done it and won her very first Iconic Professional Wrestling match. Hopefully this is able to lift her confidence going forward.

Rose: You act like she’s not confident enough already… it’s teetering on the edge of cocky.

Crumb: Well congratulations to Shyla nonetheless. I’m anxious to see what else she’s capable of here tonight.

Torres: The following contest is a SEMIFINAL MATCH in the IPW Heavyweight Championship Tournament and it is scheduled for ONE FALL with a THIRTY MINUTE time limit!

The crowd's rote repetition collapses into a chorus of vitriol as "Natural Born Killaz" by Ice Cube and Dr. Dre hits the PA, signaling the appearance of Enforcer, who emerges from a cloud of smoke sporting a sizable smug sneer. He pauses for a moment atop the stage, sizing up the crowd, then nods to himself, spreads his arms wide, and starts down the ramp.

Torres: Introducing first: from Brooklyn, weighing in at two-hundred and seventy-five pounds... ENFORCER!

Crumb: Man... Have you guys ever envision a scenario where Enforcer seemed like a shoe-in for a Heavyweight title opportunity?

Rose: No and I can't tell if it bugs me because it's Enforcer, or doesn't because of who he's facing.

Nelson: Rampant unprofessionalism aside, you two are not wrong: as if the size and weight advantages he enjoyed in his first-round victory over Josef Beck were not enough, Enforcer comes into this contest with -- get this -- a foot-and-a-half height advantage and a 170-pound weight advantage.

Rose: Absolutely criminal.

Enforcer's music fades as he hits the ring, playing arrogantly to the crowd and bouncing on the balls of his feet in anticipation. He doesn't have to wait long, as "I Miss the Misery" by Halestorm hits the PA to a big pop from the crowd. Brianna Rissi skips out on-stage, her usual sardonic smirk conspicuous by its absence as she regards her opponent in the ring. A moment later she starts down the ramp, still skipping despite her otherwise-grim demeanor.

Torres: And his opponent: from Melbourne, Australia, weighing in at one-hundred and three pounds... BRIANNA RISSI!

Rose: One-hundred and three pounds versus two-seventy-five. Damn.

Nelson: Indeed, a tall order for the former Television Champion to overcome here in this semifinal bout, facing down an opponent nearly three times her size.

Crumb: Don't count Bri out here, though; she's looked damn good in her last few matches, knocking off Shyla Clemmens two episodes of Chaos ago and Brodie -- who also had her outsized -- earlier tonight.

Nelson: True enough.

The official backs both Icons up into their respective corners; Enforcer continues to sneer across the ring at Rissi, whose own dire countenance hasn't wavered. The official gives one last double-check and, satisfied, calls for the bell.

DING DING DING!!!

Nelson: There is the bell, and here we go -- Enforcer versus Rissi, with a trip to the finals on the line and LOOK AT ENFORCER!

Surging out of his corner with a roar, Enforcer charges across the ring to crush Rissi in the corner, but Brianna dives out of the way and he goes crashing into the turnbuckles.

Crumb: Enforcer, looking to repeat his opening volley against Beck, but Brianna had it scouted!

Rose: Idiot. Maybe don't try the exact same thing, the exact same way, twice in a row next time.

Stunned, Enforcer stumbles backward out of the corner, leaving himself susceptible to a sudden rollup by Rissi.

Nelson: Brianna with the schoolboy, shoulders DOWN...

One...

Two -- KICKOUT!

Nelson: OH, but Enforcer kicks out with authority.

Rose: A stupid mistake that nearly cost him. Can't be doing that with gold on the table.

Both Icons are quick to their feet, but Brianna arrives first and cuts Enforcer off at the pass with a dropkick to the jaw. As the big man again tries to rise, Rissi is on him with a barrage of right hands, doing everything she can to keep him grounded.

Nelson: Rissi on Enforcer like an attack dog...

Rose: This is smart. Keep him low, keep that vertical base out of play, and you divorce him from that power he used to put Josef Beck to bed.

Despite Rissi's best efforts Enforcer fights his way up to a knee, at which point he's able to shove Brianna away from him. She's sent back to the ropes but rebounds off, coming back and leaping into the air for a crossbody...

Crumb: Uh oh.

Nelson: He caught her! All one-oh-three of Brianna Rissi goes flying, and Enforcer manages to snag her out of midair!

Rose: Hoo-boy, this isn't gonna be pretty --

Nelson: AND A FALLAWAY SLAM, bouncing Brianna off the mat like a crash-test dummy!

Enforcer takes a moment to collect himself, then advances on Brianna as the latter writhes on pain on the mat. Hauling her up with one hand, he again scoops her up and executes a crisp pendulum backbreaker, falling across her and hooking the leg after.

Crumb: Yeesh -- nasty backbreaker there, and now a cover!

One...

Two...

TH...KICK OUT!

Nelson: Rissi gets the shoulder up, but she is in a bad way here.

Crumb: You're not kidding, Enforcer's in rare form tonight.

Rose: As he should be, IPW's top championship is at stake!

Wasting no time, Enforcer flips Rissi over and applies a Scissored Armbar, bearing down on her with all his weight while simultaneously cranking back on her arm and shoulder.

Nelson: And now look at this -- that modified armbar, known as the Rings of Saturn in some circles!

Crumb: Never would've taken Enforcer for a submission specialist, but here we are.

Rose: Seriously. You thought Bri-Bri was in a bad spot before? Tell me -- how's she gonna muscle out of this one?

Crying out in pain, Rissi suddenly grits her teeth and seems to shrink inward, compressing her smallish frame; Enforcer's grip goes slack for a split second, but that's all the time Brianna needs to free herself and slip out the backdoor.

Crumb: She's not, apparently.

Nelson: Excellent use of size and space by Brianna Rissi, freeing herself from an otherwise insurmountable submission hold!

Enforcer scrambles to his feet, desperate to keep the momentum from swinging, but Rissi again beats him to the punch (so to speak) with a shotgun dropkick, drilling him in the chest with both feet and putting him flat on his back.

Crumb: Hey, there we go!

Nelson: High-velocity, high-impact offense from Brianna Rissi. The question, as always: can she sustain it?

The crowd noise starts to swell as Brianna hits the ropes, rebounding and bearing down at Enforcer as the big man again starts to rise. A second shotgun dropkick puts him back down, and a third, but as Rissi comes back for a fourth Enforcer is ready, scooping her off her feet and lifting her high into the air.

Crumb: Ohhhh no...

Rose: See? Go to the well one too many times, and this is what you get!

Nelson: Rissi, going for the RIDE -- NO!

Crumb: Counter!

Nelson: Rissi shifts her weight and counters into the hurricanrana, pitching Enforcer off his feet!

Enforcer hauls himself up in the corner, but Rissi is back on him quickly, charging in and leaving her feet as she spears into his midsection.

Crumb: That's over a hundred pounds, straight to the gut... OOF!

Nelson: And she follows it up with an enzuigiri CRACKING Enforcer on the temple!

The big man crumples to the mat, and Brianna dives for the cover.

Nelson: Shoulders down, leg hooked!

One...

Two...

THR...KICK OUT!

Crumb: But Enforcer stays alive!

Brianna sits up out of the cover, visibly frustrated. She looks to the ref questioningly, to no avail; ultimately setting her jaw in resolution, she gets to her feet, steps through the ropes to the outside apron, and ascends to the top rope as Enforcer begins to stir on the mat.

Crumb: Brianna looking at some high-rent real estate here!

Rose: Do it! Crash and burn! DO IT!

Nelson: Rissi measuring Enforcer... she LEAPS -- NO, misses with the double stomp!

This time it's Enforcer's turn to nimbly dodge out of the way, rolling to his feet in the corner. Brianna hits the mat feet-first and rolls through herself, charging back into the corner, but the big man is ready and HEAVES her off her feet!

Nelson: SPINEBUSTER!

Crumb: Whoa!

Nelson: Spinning spinebuster into the corner, SMASHING Brianna against the turnbuckles! ... and he's still holding on! Enforcer's still holding on, and OH MY!

Rose: Oh-hoho, YES!

Nelson: ANOTHER spinning spinebuster, out of the corner and down to the mat, and Brianna Rissi looks like she has been in a car crash!

Crumb: Enforcer with the cover, this is it!

One...

Two...

THR -- KICK OUT!

Nelson: No! No, Brianna Rissi says 'not yet'!

Rose: ... damn. Really thought that was it.

Enforcer, clearly rattled by the fight he's received, is quick to his feet and quick to pull Brianna up with him. Forgoing the fanface he employed against Beck, he spins her around and tries to sink in the Katahajime... only for Brianna to drop down to her knees and scoot backwards between his legs.

Crumb: ANOTHER slick counter!

Nelson: Enforcer's grabbing for her, but can't find purchase. Brianna kicks out his leg, brings him down to a knee... she kips up, and SHINING WIZARD! SHINING WIZARD TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD!

Rose: Look, he's still up though!

Nelson: Enforcer, out on his knees... Brianna sights him, measures, and THERE IT IS! THE BRIEMODE BULLDOG SPIKING THE ENFORCER'S FACE OFF THE MAT!

Crumb: Cover!

One...

Two...

THREE!!!

Torres: Here is your winner, advancing to the finals of the IPW Heavyweight Championship Tournament... BRIANNA RISSI!

Nelson: It is official, ladies and gentlemen! Brianna Rissi will be the first of two to challenge for the Iconic Professional Wrestling Heavyweight Championship!

Crumb: Finally, after adversity and frustration and setback after setback, instead of being given a chance she is TAKING it!

Rose: You wanna blow some more sunshine up her ass? Not like she's gonna win it.

Crumb: You don't think so? Her last three matches have been wins over Shyla Clemmens, Brodie, and now the Enforcer. If that's not a roll, what is?

The show goes to backstage as Brianna hits the turnbuckle, playing to the crowd as her music starts up.

The scene fades in on the Iconic Arena suite of owner Brooklyn Holloway as she watches Brianna Rissi continue to celebrate her win over Enforcer.

Brooklyn: Well, well, well... 2 for 2 Biranna. But there’s a lot more you have to do still.

Seated on a small loveseat is Tapioca Joe. The IPW General Manager smiles behind the glass of dark liquid he puts to his mouth as he also watches the celebration.

Tap: One more match is all it takes, Holloway. You surely didn't think she was going to make it this far.

Brooklyn: Excuse me?! But I will kindly remind you that I am NOT one of these ungrateful Icons and so you should not refer to me as such as if I am one. Learn your place Joe. You can easily be replaced.

Tap sips on the drink once again before replying.

Tap: You'd be hard-pressed to replace me, Holloway. You and I both know that the contract Samson has me under is ironclad.

Brooklyn: And I know the best lawyers in the country. Call me Holloway one more time and I'll put YOU in the ring against someone like Enforcer.

This elicits a chuckle from the grizzled old veteran.

Tap: Would you prefer Brooklyn then?

Brooklyn: That or MRS. Holloway... one of the two. That asshat I deposed a year ago might've been fine with you... but you're on thin ice Joe.

Tap: Hardly, Holloway.

He raises a cocky/self-assured eyebrow toward the woman.

Tap: The point of the matter is Brianna Rissi. She's one match away from possibly becoming our Heavyweight Champ. If she does win it, how are you going to play it?

Brooklyn slams her hands to the desk.

Brooklyn: WHAT THE HELL DID I JUST SAY!? Has the memory loss kicked in that much already? You're about as annoying as that haggard looking interview that is lurking around backstage.

Tap: I respect your position, Holloway, you know I do but there's no way you can make me cower. None.

Brooklyn: You really don't know how to listen. We literally just had this conversation not even 2 minutes ago. I really need to have my lawyers look at your contract.

He takes another sip from the glass.

Tap: You have to do what you have to do.

Brooklyn: Yeah clearly. There's a long list of people who's contracts need to be looked at. You can go by the way. It's not like I asked for you to come here anyway.

Having another chuckle before downing the rest of the contents of the glass, Tap stands to his feet to give his boss a tip of an imaginary hat.

Tap: Enjoy the rest of the show, Holloway. By the end of the night Clemmons, Smith, or Rissi will be our new champ. I hope you won't try to make their tenure a living Hell.

Brooklyn: I wasn't going to. But now that you've said something...

Brooklyn's lips twisted up in the corners.

Brooklyn: I guess you really are useful.

Tap nods and turns to leave. Once he gets to the closed door of the office, he looks about at her.

Tap: Just know I'm going to be there to ensure that you don't. Always vigilant, always Honor Guard. have a goodnight, MRS.[/i Holloway.

Brooklyn rolls her eyes as he exits the room.

Brooklyn: That damn honor guard of his has been dead for a long time. And he can't overrule me... I can do whatever I want.

A Disney villain-like laugh escapes from her lips as the shot fades back to ringside.

~~

Torres: The following is a SECOND ROUND MATCH in the IPW HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT and it is scheduled for ONE FALL with a THIRTY MINUTE time limit!

The lights go down as the low opening drone of "Razorface" rumbles through the arena. Random pulses and strobes of light flare across the Tron and throughout the rafters, eventually centralizing to the center of the Tron as a white pulse that grows brighter and faster in time with the sonar-beep. This builds to a crashing synthetic dirge, accompanied by orchestral strings, that signals the arrival of David Smith: he paces slowly out onto the stage, garbed in featureless black boots, tights, and kick/knee/elbow pads, a similarly featureless black duster swirling behind him.

Smith pauses at the top of the ramp, staring predatorily down at the ring. Then, after a moment, he starts down to the ring, not once breaking stride or acknowledging the crowd as he reaches the outside mats, ascends the steel steps, and enters through the ring ropes. He crosses the ring and goes up to the second turnbuckle, where he scans the crowd like a hawk before hopping down to the mat, removing and tossing the duster to the outside, and beginning to limber up.

Torres: Coming to the ring first weighing in at two hundred and forty-five pounds….standing at a height of six feet five inches….he is DGS….DAVID GIDEON SMITTTTTHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

Nelson: After an impressive victory over THE Willie Pete, David Gideon Smith has one more person to go through but it is not going to be an easy one for him.

Crumb: Skyla… sorry, Shyla… got her very first IPW victory earlier tonight and she is definitely looking to keep that going.

Rose: Ooh Skyla… I think I’ll use that. You think she’ll get as pissed as Misty Vega did back in EHWF?

The fans are rabbid with cheers as the sound of ‘Raw Material’ by Deap Vally hits the PA system. Signs go up in the crowd welcoming the ‘Caustic Siren’ as she steps out onto the entrance stage. She’s wearing a vicious smirk.

“Get your hands off my raw material
It's up to me if I'm animal or mineral
Baby, don't take it too personal
But your behaviour is typical, typical”

Her stride is less that of a human and much more that of a predator. She moves slowly, slapping the outstretched hands of fans as she goes. Her focus however, is on the ring. Methodically she continues, smiling here and there, posing for selfies with a couple fans, until finally she finds herself at the ring steps.

“Get your hands off my raw material
It's up to me if I'm ethereal or visceral
These beats are so delectable it's criminal
Your attempts to change them, it is so pitiful”

She slowly climbs the ring steps and quickly slides in between the ropes. Once inside the ring, the lights dazel fans as she goes to the center of the ring and holds her arms outstretched. As ‘Raw Material’ boils to its apex, Shyla moves to her corner of the ring and lightly stretches as she awaits the beginning of the match.

Nelson: The confidence is absolutely radiating off of Shyla Clemmens right now. She is going into this match with her head held high.

Crumb: But how long is it going to be that way? You saw what DGS was like against THE Willie Pete. Shyla has to have that in the back of her mind.

Rose: Pfft… Skyla is in for the ride of her life.

Crumb: It’s SHYla…

Rose: Whatever...

Both Icons take their place in the ring, the fans cheering both of them on. David Gideon Smith looks across the ring at Shyla and nods. Shyla does the same in return. The referee then takes a moment to truly make sure that both Icons are ready. He then calls for the bell, the match now officially underway.

DING DING DING!!!

DGS cautiously takes a few steps across the ring to get things started. Suddenly, Shyla charges and nails DGS with a side thrust kick! DGS falls back and hits the mat! Smirking, Shyla quickly goes for the cover, hooking the leg.

One...

Two...

THRE...KICK OUT!

Crumb: David Gideon Smith did NOT see that one coming!

Rose: Shyla Clemmons decided to start things off with a bang and nearly advanced to the Finals because of it!

DGS grabs the ropes and uses them to try and pull himself back up to his feet. Shyla smirks at him before running and hitting him with a series of quick kicks to try and wear him out. Kick after kick connects with the veteran, DGS tries to create a bit of space between himself and Shyla. Shyla continues until she has DGS back in the corner. Shyla nails DGS with one forearm smash for good measure before stepping back toward the center of the ring. She pauses for a moment before running at DGS and trying to hit him with a back elbow in the corner! DGS ducks out of the way as soon as Shyla gets close, causing her to hit the turnbuckle instead! She staggers out of the corner, DGS powering her into the air and slamming her down to the mat with a huge back body drop!

Nelson: That is always going to be the struggle when you are going against Smith.

Rose: He gets his hands on you and he can do a lot of damage in a very short period of time!

Shyla tries to pull herself back up to her feet. DGS quickly closes the gap and steps toward Shyla, hitting her in the mouth with a forearm shot! He follows it up with a second causing Shyla to get knocked back against the ropes. DGS almost immediately charges at her to knock her out to the floor! Shyla shows off her athleticism, getting a foot into the air and kicking DGS in the jaw! DGS stumbles back from the impact. Shyla wastes no time in charging and showing off her speed. As soon as she gets close, DGS lifts her into the air and slams Shyla down onto his knee with a kneebreaker! Shyla's eyes go wide in pain! DGS keeps his grip on her and then slams her back down to the mat with a belly to back suplex! He bridges it into a pin attempt as the referee counts.

One...

Two...

THR...KICK OUT!

Nelson: David Gideon Smith is absolutely capable of slowing down Shyla Clemmons.

Crumb: If he keeps attacking her knee like that, she's going to be in a lot of trouble!

Nelson: Take away her speed....

Rose: ...and she's a sitting duck!

David Gideon Smith drags Shyla back up to her feet by her hair. He hits Shyla with a back elbow smash that sends her stumbling, and then follows it up with a second. DGS then grabs Shyla and tries to pull her in toward him, swinging at her with a lariat! Shyla just barely manages to duck underneath the attempt. She waits for DGS to turn around before leaping into the air and hitting DGS with a jumping knee strike! DGS stumbles back from the impact, but Shyla immediately begins to favor her knee upon hitting the mat.

Shayla shakes off the pain and charges at DGS in an effort to recover, only to give DGS enough of an opening to lift her into the air and slam her back down to the mat with a Samoan drop! Instead of going for the cover, DGS grabs Shyla's legs and delivers a few stomps to them to try and do further damage!

Nelson: Did you ever think we would see the day that David Gideon Smith was actually focusing on strategy?

Rose: Despite common wisdom, DGS DOES know what he's doing in the ring!

Shyla scampers back toward the ropes and grabs hold of them. She slowly tries to pull herself back up to her feet. DGS closes the gap and hits Shyla in the chest with a series of chops.

Crowd: WOOOO! WOOO!

He then grabs hold of Shyla and shoots her across the ring. DGS waits for Shyla to come back on the rebound before once again lifting her in the air, this time gunning for a sitout spinebuster! Shyla shifts her positioning in the air and instead sends DGS crashing to the mat with a dropkick! The fans cheer for the show of athleticism as Shyla needs to take a moment to try and recover.

Shayla glares down at her leg and then DGS. Shyla quickly steps toward him and hits DGS in the mouth with a hard right hand. She follows it up with a second, and then a spinning backfist. David Gideon Smith drops to a knee, as Shyla again takes a moment to test her leg's strength. She then nods as she bounces off of the ropes and tries to pick up speed---stepping toward DGS and getting lifted into the air! DGS slams her down to the mat with a gorilla press! He hooks the leg for the cover.

One...

Two...

THRE….KICK OUT!

Crumb: I don't think David Gideon Smith expected her to kick out of that one!

Rose: DGS set that up by working on Shyla's knee, though! Let's not ignore that!

The fans continue to show their support for both Icons. David Gideon Smith grabs Shyla by the hair and drags her back up to her feet. He immediately overpowers Shyla and shoves her back against the nearest turnbuckle. DGS immediately starts to pound away on Shyla in the corner with short-arm clotheslines! Blow after blow connects as Shyla is barely able to keep herself upright. DGS is relentless, the referee finally having to come over and count.

One…

Two…

Three…

Four...DGS stops!

The referee starts to warn him, but DGS ignores the referee and instead drags Shyla toward the middle of the ring. He grabs hold of her leg and tries to get Shyla into position for Eschaton Powerbomb (a.k.a. The Powerbomb at the End of Time) (Elevated Sitout Powerbomb)!

Nelson: Every single one of those strikes were DEVASTATING!

Rose: The good doctor has to be feeling it right now.

Crumb: These fans absolutely loved that, too!

Just before DGS can snap off Eschaton Powerbomb and send Shyla to the mat, she spins out of his grasp! Shyla leaps into the air and hits DGS with a knee strike! She then jumps up into the air and catches DGS by surprise with a hurricanrana! She goes for the cover.

One...

Two

THRE...KICK OUT!

David Gideon Smith tries to drag himself back up to his feet. Shyla closes the gap between the two and hits DGS with a few strikes. DGS uses his strength to shove Shyla away. She stumbles a few steps, her knee almost giving out on her. Nonetheless, she recovers and remains upright. She charges at DGS with as much speed as she can. DGS tries to cut her off with a clothesline, though Shyla ducks underneath the attempt. She bounces off of the ropes and throws herself at DGS, sending him crashing to the mat with a somersault clothesline! The fans cheer for the show of athleticism!

Shyla once again pulls herself back up to her feet---albeit, more slowly than she'd probably like. She takes a moment to let her knee recover as David Gideon Smith starts to drag himself back up to his feet as well. Shyla tries to line herself up with DGS for possibly her The 540° (540° gyro crescent kick). DGS sees it coming and throws himself at Shyla's knee instead! She hits the mat in pain, her eyes going wide!

Nelson: Smith knew what Clemmons was going for and once again found a way to completely kill her momentum dead!

Crumb: I'm not even sure that she'll be able to recover from that one!

Shyla tries to drag herself back up to her feet. DGS does the same, grabbing Shyla and pulling her toward him. He hits her with a short-arm lariat that nearly sends Shyla crashing to the mat. DGS holds Shyla upright and instead shoots her across the ring. When she comes back on the rebound, DGS throws himself at her and connects with The Last Word (stiff lariat)! The impact of the clothesline sends Shyla flipping through the air!

Crumb: WHAT CAN SHYLA CLEMMONS BE THINKING AS DAVID GIDEON SMITH TURNS HER INSIDE OUT WITH THE LAST WORD?!?!

Rose: Probably, “I think I’m dead!”

DGS covers Shyla once she hits the mat.

One...

Two...

THREE!!

Torres: The winner of this match...and advancing to the Finals of the IPW Heavyweight Championship Tournament...David Gideon Smith!!!

Nelson: David Gideon Smith and Shyla Clemmons hit each other with everything they had, but Smith was able to take Clemmons’ speed away from her and that made all the difference!

Rose: Shyla knew what she needed to do, and if DGS didn't start to focus on her knee a bit earlier in the match...I actually think she might've been able to do it!

#JoinTheMovement

“Turn to Stone” by Joe Walsh plays over the arena’s pa system as Cross Recoba walks to the ring.

Nelson: Cross Recoba is quite pretentious and I think that the perfect person to put him in his place is Aaron Kostan.

Crumb: Cross has been a thorn in a lot of people’s sides since his arrival in IPW six months ago.

Rose: I wish he would just go away… but alas… he’s still around to annoy us.

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.

Nelson: Aaron Kostan has adopted the “Mister IPW” nickname recently and has been living up to it. Should he win tonight, it is cemented.

Crumb: Possibly, but he does have some pretty stiff competition in Cross Recoba.

Rose: It’s 50/50 because Aaron isn’t as great as you’re making him out to be.

The two men stood in opposing corners of the ring, the referee checking the pads and boots of each opponent for foreign objects. Herbert Torres steps into the center of the ring, microphone in hand. As the lights in the arena dim, a spotlight illuminates the two competitors in the ring.

Torres: The following contest is a TWO OUT OF THREE FALLS MATCH scheduled for a THIRTY MINUTE time limit!

Nelson: Big match feels here tonight for this one!

Torres: In one corner, coming in at 6’1” 211lbs. Hailing from Charlotte, North Carolina...he isa former Iconic Pro Wrestling Television Champion...he is a former Iconic Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Champion...he is Mr. IPW…..AARONNNNNNN KOSTAAAAANNNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!

Kostan steps towards the center of the ring, holding up one arm in a salute of respect to the fans cheering him.

Nelson: Kostan no stranger to big supercard matches, in fact it was at last year's Civil War event that he stepped up to win the Television Championship!

Rose: And while there is no championship on the line, there is no doubt he will be looking to repeat last year's success here tonight!

Torres: And in the other corner! From New York, New York…

Crumb: Look out, Aaron!

Cross Recoba ignores the announcement by Torres and charges at Aaron Kostan driving him into the corner with a shoulder block as Torres scurries from the ring.

DING DING DING!!!

Crumb: And we’re off! Cross is wasting no time tonight, even if it was a cheap shot!

Rose: Some call it cheap while others call it smart! In a two out of three falls match it is often imperative to get the upper hand early!

Nelson: I agree with you both, in this kind of a match up an early advantage could easily be something to carry a man on to a victory!

Recoba quickly begins throwing lefts and rights landing a few body strikes as Aaron holds his hands up blocking his face. Kostan waits for his spot, as Cross slows Aaron takes his shot reversing Recoba into the corner and delivers a chop that echoed through the arena. Not once, not twice, but three times.

Crowd: Wooooooooo! Wooooo! Woooo!

The crowd returns each chop with a woo! The chops were enough to give Kostan a short breather, but it isn’t long before Recoba explodes out of the corner with a running drop kick that sends Aaron Kostan through the top and middle rope and to the outside.

Rose: I’m loving the fire I'm seeing from Cross tonight!

Nelson: Well a win tonight over someone like Aaron Kostan would definitely put Recoba on the Iconic Professional Wrestling map.

Recoba runs towards the corner and vaults himself over the top rope with catlike agility and lands on the ring apron. As Kostan crawls back to his feet using the bottom rope for support, Cross continues his onslaught delivering a thrust kick to the side of Kostans head.

Nelson: Caught by the veteran, Kostan!

Aaron caught the foot of Recoba, running forward boot still in hand sending Cross falling face first into the ring apron. Aaron smirks before tapping the side of his temple with his finger, a mocking sign of outwit.

Crumb: Cross has to be getting frustrated as it seems that for the time being Aaron has an answer to everything Cross has attempted!

Kostan rolls into the ring, but not enough damage has been done as Cross is already to his feet. Recoba charges Aaron Kostan for a lariat clothesline, but is caught by Kostan! Kostan flips Recoba over his head for a northern lights suplex!

Nelson: Kostan going for an early pin fall for the first fall!

One...

Nelson however spoke too soon as Kostan flips his feet backwards over Recoba and lifts him up for a second northern lights suplex! And a third northern lights suplex, this time landing with a perfect arch!

One….

Two….

THR...KICK OUT!

Crumb: Close call for Recoba as Kostan nearly takes the lead one fall to none!

Nelson: Kostan looks very impressive so far here tonight.

Kostan picks Cross up with a hand full of hair, but Recoba quickly sends Kostan into the ropes. Aaron comes back and is caught by a sidearm taken down by Recoba! Both men quickly get to their feet, this time Cross gets taken down by a sidearm takedown by Kostan. Once again both men get up quickly, Cross hitting the ropes, leap frog by Kostan, Cross comes back from the opposite ropes only to get knocked off his feet by a shoulder block from Aaron!

Rose: Cross is going to have to find his spot if he wants to win this first fall and fast!

Recoba slides out of the ring, slapping his hands on the mat in frustration. Kostan eyes his opponent before hitting the ropes on the opposite side of the ring and goes for a baseball slide into Cross. Recoba fast on his feet pulls the ring apron up, catching his opponent inside of it. And quickly begins throwing strikes into the head and face of Kostan, still trapped in the ring apron. Cross takes a few steps back before delivering a hard clothesline to Aaron who crumbles to the floor.

Nelson: This may be Cross Recoba’s moment to turn this match around?

A groggy Kostan crawls out from under the apron and rests against the ring steps. Recoba turns around and runs full speed at Aaron who narrowly falls out of the way, sending Cross’ barreling into the ring steps before crumbling to the floor.

Crumb: I can’t believe that Aaron Kostan narrowly dodged that running knee by Cross!

Aaron begins pulling himself up using the ropes, Cross half under the apron begins to stir. As Kostan is pulling himself up onto the apron and back into the ring to break the referees count, Recoba's head comes out from under the apron with a large grin on his face.

Nelson: I do not like that look on Recoba’s face!

Seconds later his arm appears with a shiny silver wrench in hand. And as Kostan begins to enter the ring, Recoba reaches up and smacks Kostan in the knee cap with the wrench!

Crumb: WHAT CAN EVERYONE BE THINKING AS CROSS RECOBA JUST TOOK OUT AARON KOSTAN’S KNEE WITH A WRENCH?!?!

Rose: Probably, “that’s a blatant disqualification.”

Nelson: While that is true, it appears that the referee was out of position and did not see it!

Kostan screams in pain and falls the rest of the way into the ring and clutches his knee! Cross slithers under the bottom rope and immediately goes for the pin, grabbing the now injured leg for leverage!

One…

Two….

Nelson: No, not like this!

Three…

Torres: The winner of the first fall… CROSS RECOBA!

Crumb: A dastardly move by the bastard Cross Recoba!

Rose: But also a good move because not only is he up 1-0, but Aaron Kostan now has a large target on that injured knee!

The referee backs a laughing Recoba off into the corner, Cross holds his hands up in surrender and a big smirk on his face. The referee bends down checking on Kostan, clutching his knee in pain. The referee asks Aaron if he wants to continue.

Aaron Kostan: Ring the damn bell!

DING DING DING!!!

Cross Recoba - 1
Aaron Kostan - 0

As soon as the bell rings for the start of the second fall, Recoba charges the injured Kostan and immediately begins stomping at the injured leg!

Nelson: Like a shark in the water smells blood, Cross Recoba’s starting this second fall going right for the leg of Kostan!

Cross places Kostan’s leg across the bottom rope before using the rope himself as a springboard. Recoba comes crashing down with his knee into the joint of Aaron’s injured leg! Cross drops to the canvas, grabs Aaron by the ankle and rolls to the outside. Recoba drags Aaron by the leg towards the corner.

Crumb: Cross Recoba with some evil intentions here!

Cross pulls back on Aaron’s injured leg before throwing it against the steel ring post! Kostan screams out in pain and attempts to pull the injured leg back into the ring. The referee hollers at both men to get back into the ring. Cross bends one of Kostan’s legs across the ring post, throwing one leg over and his weight backwards Recoba locks in a figure four leg lock around the ring post!

Nelson: Recoba vowed to embarrass Kostan and make him tap out for his final fall here tonight!

Rose: Too bad he can’t do that outside of the ring!

One…

Two…

Recoba hammers at the injured leg with his free hand.

Three….

Four….

Cross releases the hold just before the referee’s five count and falls to the floor before rolling back into the ring.

Crumb: If Cross isn’t more careful he’s going to end up getting himself disqualified here tonight!

Rose:... he hit a man with a wrench, I don’t think Recoba cares about disqualifications!

Cross continues to pick the leg of Kostan, ankle in hand he delivers a couple kicks to the back of Kostans’ knee. Cross places one boot into the hip joint before throwing his weight into his knee, driving Aaron’s knee into the canvas attempting to snap it like a wishbone.

Nelson: Recoba being very calculated with his attacks to Kostan’s knee.

Aaron begins crawling towards the ropes, Cross takes Aaron by the ankle. Kostan pulls himself up with the help of the ring ropes to a standing position. Aaron hops on one foot while Cross leads him around the ring by the ankle.

Nelson: Recoba is like a lion playing with his prey!

Rose: You're just full of the animal references tonight aren’t you?

Recoba has spent a majority of this second fall in control when Aaron pops off his foot and delivers a hard enziguri to the back to Cross’ head!

Crumb: Kostan just took Recoba’s head off!!

Rose: Cover!

One…

Two…

THRE...KICK OUT!

Aaron still grabbing at his knee rolled to the outside. As he stood on the ring apron he pulled up his elbow pads, not putting any weight on his injured leg. Aaron vaulted himself up and off the top rope diving off for a springboard dropkick.

Nelson: OH MY, what a superkick by Recoba!

At the last second Recoba reverses Kostan’s attempt at a comeback and catches the legs of Aaron. Kostan falling hard, back first into the mat. With both legs in Cross’ hands, he steps through with one leg!

Nelson: It looks like Cross might be setting up another submission here with a sharpshooter!

Aaron Kostan in a last ditch effort to escape the submission reaches up and pulls Recoba down into a roll-up!

One…

Two…

THREE!!

Torres: The winner of the second fall… Aaron Kostan!

Crumb: Aaron Kostan has once again out-witted Cross Recoba here tonight!

Nelson: That does seem to be the ongoing narrative in this match! With as much effort Recoba is putting into this match tonight the wily veteran Kostan seems to be one step ahead!

Rose: Which begs to ask the question, can Recoba recover mentally from this loss and overcome the smarts of the artist in this third and final fall?

DING DING DING!!!

Cross Recoba - 1
Aaron Kostan - 1

The third and final fall starts with both Icons now on their feet. Cross and Kostan circling each other, Aaron walking with a limp still not putting much weight on the injured leg.

Nelson: A much different start to this third fall here, the first two seeing a very aggressive and eager Recoba!

Rose: Well he also didn’t fair two well either fall, even having won the first. If the game plan isn’t working one must think to change the game plan.

Cross attempts a hard kick to the leg of Aaron, Kostan backs away narrowly missing the attack. Again Recoba kicks at the injured leg and again Aaron backs away. But this time he backs himself into the corner, Cross takes advantage and kicks Aaron across the stomach. Recoba grabs the injured leg of Kostan and tangles it in the ropes before giving it three solid kicks in succession. Cross walks to the opposite side of the ring before charging the still prone Kostan who is entangled in the ropes!

Nelson: Kostan once again is one step ahead of Cross Recoba!

Aaron lifts his free leg up to deliver a big boot to the face of Recoba! Cross falls to the mat and is almost immediately hit with a diving elbow drop from Aaron Kostan!

Nelson: Kostan off the top rope with a spectacular elbow drop!

One…

Two…

THRE...KICK OUT!

Kostan lifts Recoba back up to the standing position and backs Cross into the corner and lifts him up to the top rope.

Nelson: Kostan looks to be setting Recoba up for something big here!

Kostan steps up the middle rope and begins firing rights into the face of Recoba. Kostan makes the mistake of playing to the audience and gets a headbutt to the face from Recoba, sending Aaron back to the mat. Kostan stumbles when he puts weight on his injured leg, prompting Recoba to jump down into the pile driver position!

Nelson: OH my god! Up All Night in Dakota!!!

Recoba launched off the ropes and into Up All Night in Dakota (jumping spinning inverted piledriver)!

One…

Two…

THRE...ROPEBREAK!

Crumb: WHAT CAN EVERYONE BE THINKING AS AARON KOSTAN JUST GOT A FOOT ON THE ROPE?!?!

Recoba smacks the mat in frustration, Aaron is still laying out on the mat foot on the bottom rope. Recoba takes the injured leg of Kostan off the bottom rope and turns him over, walks him towards the center of the ring and locks in a single leg Boston crab!

Nelson: Recoba looking for that submission win again!

Rose: And to rub salt in the proverbial wound he intends to do it with a variation of Aaron’s own Kostan Crab! Brilliant!

Kostan screams out in pain, clutching handfuls of his hair.

Cross Recoba: Tap damn it! It’s my time now, Kostan, you has been!

Recoba hollers back at Kostan, Aaron feeling the rush of the crowd begins desperately crawling towards the ropes. The fans urged him on inch by inch.

Crumb: Come on, Aaron, get there!!

Rose: Way to be impartial, Crumbbum.

Nelson: Kostan is just fingertips away!

Kostan’s fingers brush the bottom rope just out of reach!

Cross Recoba: Not today!

Recoba begins stomping his way back towards the center of the ring and sits back down into the Boston crab!

Aaron reaches his hand out in preparation to tap! But he can’t get himself to do it. Instead he uses the last of his energy to push up off the mat with both hands and begins walking on his hands towards the ropes!

Nelson: He made it! Recoba has to break this hold or risk getting disqualified!

One…

Two…

Three…

Four….

Recoba throws down Aaron’s injured leg in frustration just before the five count. Cross paces around the ring, hands on his hips looking out into the crowd.

Crumb: Cross has to be thinking, what just do I have to do to put down Aaron Kostan?!

Nelson: Kostan has definitely proven here tonight just why he is Mister IPW, and that he is far from ready to pass the torch to the new batch of the Iconic Professional Wrestling roster!

Cross goes back to Aaron Kostan who still is nursing the injured leg on the mat. Recoba goes to lift his opponent off the mat, Aaron’s arms fly up and break Cross’ hold! Firm kick to the gut.

Rose: Aaron Kostan was playing possum!

Nelson: Did you just make an animal reference?

Rose: Not now, Patticake.

Aaron Kostan with a burst of energy picks Cross up on his shoulders, he stumbles when he puts his full weight on his injured leg but quickly recovers and drops Recoba into a Finale (Argentine DDT)

Nelson: FINALE! FINALE! It has to be over!

One

Two…

THR… KICK OUT!

Crumb: WHAT CAN EVERYONE BE THINKING AS CROSS RECOBA JUST KICKED OUT OF THE FINALE?!?!

Both men lay on the mat as the arena of fans begin giving both Icons a standing ovation.

Nelson: The fans letting both Icons know that they appreciate the fight both of them are putting on tonight!

As both men begin to stir, Kostan makes it to his feet first. Kostan looks down at the prone Cross and up at the top rope.

Nelson: Kostan appears to be looking for something high risk!

Kostan climbs the top rope, but appears to be unsteady on the injured leg. The injury buys Cross Recoba enough time to recover and runs up the ropes to meet Aaron Kostan and tucks his head down before hitting The Fall of Valachi (top rope tiger driver)!

Crumb: WHAT CAN EVERYONE BE THINKING AS CROSS RECOBA JUST HIT THE FALL OF VALACHI?!?!

Cross lands the Tiger driver in a pinning position!

One….

Two…

THREE!!

Torres: The winner of the third and final fall… Cross Recoba!!

Nelson: What a tremendous series of matches between two tremendous Icons!

Crumb: In no way should Aaron hold his head down! In a show that has been jam packed with action so far, that has to be the match of the night!

Rose: So do we call Cross “Mr. IPW” now?

The scene opens up backstage where The BombTrax are standing in their locker room. They are already in their ring gear with the “IPW Tag Team Championships” around their waists. Press is standing rigid, stoically looking slightly up at the ceiling while Youth runs in place, excitement clear in his eyes. He turns to look up at his partner with a grin.

Youth: Can you feel it, Big Man?

Press nods silently, still looking off into space. Youth turns his attention directly to the camera.

Youth: I know I can feel it. I bet Jason Dave and Scott Wilson can feel it. This is the calm right before the storm. That moment in any professional athlete's life where the big bout is before them and they are nothing but a jumble of nerves and adrenaline. Anticipation so thick to get out there and perform with God given talent that you it's pliable. A thing you can touch and taste. It's intoxicating. Thrilling, rousing, stirring, stimulating, galvanizing, invigora--

Press: Dude...

Youth pauses to find that Press is no longer looking off into space but right at him, and with a twirl of his finger he motions to get on with it. Youth sighs, shaking his head. No one ever appreciates a good round with the thesaurus.

Youth: Anyways, you get the picture, right guys? This is your moment. This is the chance you get to go out there and shine and do everything within your power to take these IPW Tag Team Championships from around our waists! Only...

Youth allows the boyish grin to fill up the camera.

Youth: It's not going to happen. See, we may have been letting on a little bit guys. All that stuff I said before is exactly how you two feel, but for us...this is just another day in the office and you two are just a few more bodies we get to toss on the IPW bonfire.

Wink.

Youth: Because at the end of the day, that victory over me last Chaos didn't mean shit. So what, you bought yourself another championship opportunity. HELLOOOO!

Youth pauses to roll his eyes.

Youth: The only thing you earned is a one way ticket to defeat, cause you are taking on two of the meanest, nastiest, sumbitches around. Don't believe me? Ask Stasi Herveaux. Ask Brianna Rissi. Ask Astrid Samson. Ask Captain All-Star. Ask Mike freakin' Mason. We've left a trail of bodies since stepping into this place that would make the Spanish Flu proud, and after tonight you can add Jason Dave and Scott Wilson to that list. Cause guys, big show or not, we don't sweat it. You're all the same to us.

With that, Youth smirks before stepping out of frame towards the door as Press finally looks to the camera.

Press: Don't take it too personally guys. We're only assholes if it isn't true. Go on… come to that ring and prove us wrong.

With a guttural laugh full of confidence, Press follows his partner out of frame just before the camera cuts back to ringside.

~~

Torres: The following contest is a TAG TEAM match set for ONE FALL with a THIRTY MINUTE time limit for the IPW TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP!

“L’s Theme A” hits over the PA system as the lights dim and Scott Wilson steps out onto the stage to a loud reaction, nodding his head and staring out at the capacity crowd with confidence. He soaks in the atmosphere for a moment longer before strolling forward and stepping to the side as ‘Changes’ by Lucidious suddenly replaces his music and the cheers nearly drown out the entire building as Jason Dave steps out from the curtain. He pauses to give Wilson a grin, and the two give a double high five before making their way down to the ring.

Torres: Introducing first….at a combined weight of four hundred and twenty pounds, the team of “THE LAST KING” SCOTT WILSOOOOONNNNNNNN and JASON DAVVVEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!

The two Ions move to their respective sides of the ramp to slap hands with the exuberant fans. When they reach ringside, they both leap to the ring apron and swing through the ropes into the ring at the same time, taking off to opposite corners and leaping to the second to hype the crowd even further.

Nelson: Well, it sounds like Torres has just decided to do as The BombTrax have instructed. They are still claiming that those Iconic Professional Wrestling Tag Team Championships are legit when they are not.

Rose: You know, guys, I'm kind of getting tired of the debate. If they are willing to put them on the line, who gives a crap whether they are sanctioned by the company or not?!

Crumb: Can't you see what a dangerous concept that is, Rose? I mean...that would mean anyone can just declare themselves a champion without ever earning it.

Rose: So...

Nelson: So, how about we stay on point. Jason Dave defeated Youth last Chaos to ensure they would have this opportunity at Civil War Two, despite the best efforts of The BombTrax.

Crumb: True enough, and now the two interlopers are on a collision course with a team that damn near beat them last time they were in a tag team contest!

Rose: Whatever. These do-gooders couldn't fight their way out of a paper bag.

The other two commentators just shake their heads as the lights go dim and "Strangle Hold" by Ted Nugent begins to blare across the arena. Red strobe lights flicker all around the building and finally settle on the entry way. When the song settles into the breakdown, Press, with one of the IPW Tag Team title belts over his shoulder, strides out from behind the curtain, stopping at the top of the ramp to gaze 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, with the other IPW Tag Team title belt around his waist, 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.

Torres: Introducing their opponents, hailing from Las Vegas, Nevada and coming in at a combined weight of 560 pounds, they are the...uh... IPW TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS…PRESS, FLAMING YOUTH…THE BOMBTRAXXX!!

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 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 staring across the ring at a very eager looking Jason Dave and Scott Wilson.

Crumb: Well folks, I'd like to say that we're about to see a fair and even match for those fake titles, but with these two, it isn't likely.

Rose: See, that's your problem right there, Crumbbum! You always focus on the negative. These guys have just been living up to their reputation as legit bad asses!

Crumb: If by bad ass you mean backstage attacks, after match beat downs, and cheating to get ahead...then, yeah, sure. They are bad asses.

Rose: Hush, dear, the match is about to start.

DING DING DING!!!

Jason Dave and Scott Wilson confer with one another over in their corner, Dave continuing to stare daggers into their opponents, who for their part, seem pretty nonchalant. Press leans against their corner and looks over to Youth with a shrug as the younger of the two begins doing rock paper scissors to see who will start. Finally the big man sighs, and plays the game, coming up short with a rock being covered by Youth's paper. He steps over the top rope out onto the apron, and Youth turns around to find Jason Dave standing across from him.

Nelson: Dave and Youth to start this match as the two begin to circle...feels like dejavu, eh?

Rose: What? Are you Canadian now?

Nelson: No...I just mean these two faced off last sho--you know what… nevermind.

Crumb: Well the two move into a collar and elbow tie up in the center of the ring, both jockeying for position, and it looks like Dave is going to have the upper hand here as he forces Youth back over into the neutral corner.

The referee calls for the break, but Dave is still pushing against Youth when the referee interjects himself between the two men. Finally, Jason lets loose of his grip, and the minute he does receives a paintbrush slap across the face from the BombTrack. Dave looks furious, shoving the referee out of the way just as Youth slips between the top and middle rope to create distance. Jason tries clawing at the air to get a hold of him as the referee grabs him around the waist and pulls him back. Dave and the referee have some severe words once back at the center of the ring, and when Jason turns back to his adversary, Youth has propped himself up across the top ropes in that corner as if he were lying down, grinning from ear to ear. Again Dave lunges for him, but the referee is already there to get in his way.

Crumb: I really do not know how wise it is of Flaming Youth to get Jason Dave so fired up? He looks like he is ready to tear the little punks head off!

Nelson: Indeed, and now the two Icons are circling once more and move in for a lock up. But Dave sidesteps it and drives his knee right into Youth's solar plexus!

Rose: Another gut shot there from Dave with the same knee, and now tee's off with a right hand that sends Youth stumbling back into the ropes!

Dave steps up to grab Youth by the wrist and shoots him hard across to the other side. Youth bounces off the ropes and Dave steps forward to meet him with a clothesline, but it's ducked at the last minute. Youth rebounds once again, only this time Jason slides backward with an elbow, but again Youth ducks it. This time, on the third rebound, Dave steps to the center of the ring looking just to catch him no matter what direction he goes. Just when it looks like he's going to get him, Youth drops and baseball slides right between Jason's legs. Popping up behind his man he catches Dave in a waistlock and with a burst of energy lifts him off the ground and throws him to the mat. He quickly follows, spinning around to the front to get the man in a front face lock as the referee tries his best to keep up with the action.

Nelson: Youth showing his speed there against Dave but I will remind you that this is what happened last Chaos, and Jason Dave was the one who came out victorious.

Rose: You really are hung up on the past, aren't you?

Nelson: I would just like to see someone finally put these two guys away and maybe stem the quell of the issues they have been causing.

Crumb: Regardless, Dave is now forcing himself and his attacker up to their feet, and OH! SNAP NORTHERN LIGHTS SUPLEX HAS YOUTH IN A PINNING POSITION!

One...

Two...

Thre...KICK OUT!

Jason and Youth quickly scramble up to their feet and as Youth rushes at Jason to get the upper hand when he's completely taken by surprise with a snap arm drag. He hits the canvas and bounces up, coming in once more only to find another one that sends him back to the mat. Youth pops up once more, albeit slower, and Dave is there with right fists that send him falling back into the opponent's corner. Dave quickly tags in Wilson who leaps into the ring and picks up where Dave left off, opening up with right hands that have The Flash rocked! He leads him out of the corner and moves to shoot him off the ropes, and when he returns is there to meet him with a high arching back body drop!

Nelson: Big impact for Youth, and itis funny… Dave and Wilson are running at a rabbits pace, something that usually Youth would be able to combat with his own speed.

Crumb: Yeah, well, it's hard to do anything when you're taking offense like these two are doling out!

Rose: If you nimrods would pay attention, Wilson just got Youth to his feet and is looking to do something nasty!

Wilson reaches down and yanks Youth's left leg up so that it's trapped between their two bodies, wraps his arms around him, and then sends him soaring with a T-Bone suplex that see's Youth crash hard to the canvas. He clutches at his back as Wilson scrambles over for a quick hook of the leg.

One...

Two...

Thre… BREAK UP BY PRESS!

Nelson: Press with the assist, but is now yanking Wilson up to his feet and waylays him with a massive right hand...

Crumb: BUT HERE COMES DAVE!

Jason Dave launches himself at Press with a spear-like maneuver that actually causes the big man to stumble all the way back into the nearby ropes. Dave begins hammering right hands into his gut, but Press brings a wicked elbow down into the back of the man's head, followed by another that drops Jason to his knee. Pulling him up by the ears, he yells something unintelligible into his face, but when he goes to toss him over the ropes to the outside by the scruff of his neck, he's clobbered from behind with a double ax handle courtesy of Scott Wilson!

Rose: Oh yeah! Like this is fair!

Crumb: Press is not the legal man, and had no business being in the ring. This is just comeuppance as far as I am concerned.

Rose: Comeuppance my ass!

Nelson: Whatever it might be, Wilson has hammered Press up next to the ropes and Dave has recovered...now the both of them are punching and kicking the big man all the way down to the canvas!

Stomps reign down on Press and he's unable to keep his hold on the ropes to stay upright as he's driven down to the mat. The boots continue to come until he's all the way under the bottom rope and out onto the apron, eventually shoved by the duo so that he crashes down to the concrete floor below. Looking satisfied, Wilson and Dave turn back towards the other BombTrack only to find Youth up and running right for them. With a huge leap he collides with both men for a high cross body that sends all three tumbling right up and over the top rope to crash down on top of his partner!

Rose: Surely that wasn't the plan?

Crumb: I don't know if it was or not, but I like it! Youth getting to his feet first and now coming in behind a rising Scott Wilson.

Nelson: These two are still the legal men, BUT YOUTH JUST SHOT GUN DROPKICKED WILSON FROM BEHIND SO THAT HE'S SENT SPRAWLING GUT FIRST INTO THE STEEL STEPS!

Crumb: And now he turns his attention back to Jason Dave who's trying to get to his feet, and moves to whip him into the steel guardrai-NO!

Rose: REVERSAL!

Crumb: IT’S YOUTH'S TURN TO TASTE THE STEEL AS HE COLLIDES SPINE FIRST WITH THE BARRIER!

Nelson: Wait! Oh no! Press just rose up from behind Dave and he has no idea...HE TURNS AROUND RIGHT INTO THE BIG MAN'S WAITING GRASP, AND...

Crumb: WHAT CAN EVERYONE BE THINKING AS PRESS JUST CHOKESLAMMED JASON DAVE DOWN ACROSS THE HARD RING APRON?!?!

Rose: Probably, "You might always want to keep eyes on the other guy's partner during a tag match."

Press wipes a small trickle of blood away from his lip, a wound picked up when being stomped into the mat earlier thanks to Dave and Wilson. His nostrils flare a bit as he grabs the now injured Jason Dave up to his feet, wraps his giant arms around the man's waist into a bear hug, and then quickly snaps up and over into a belly to belly suplex that sees Press crushing Jason into the concrete with a splat. The crowd and announcers gasp at the impact, and Press gets to his feet to survey his mayhem with a grin as the referee reaches a nine count. He looks up, realizing his partner isn't in any condition to get back into the ring, so he swipes one of his bear like paws at the referee's feet, forcing him to leap or get clobbered and issues a stern warning. Fortunately for all involved, the distraction works, and he picks up his count back at one.

Nelson: I have to admit, that was a smart move by Press to keep this contest going, but it also gives him a little more time to cause some serious damage.

Crumb: Yeah, and it looks like he's waiting for Scott Wilson to dislodge himself from those steps…DON'T DO IT, SCOTT! HE'S RIGHT BEHIND YOU!

Rose: CRUMB! Show some damn bias for Christ's sake!

Crumb: What, like The BombTrax have shown all of us over the past few months. Whatever!

Wilson clutches at his bruised midsection, possibly having injured ribs thanks to that introduction to the steel. He slowly turns back towards the action only to find Press lumbering right for him, leg starting to come up for his patented big boot. At the last minute he's able to duck far out of the way, and the big man's boot sails harmlessly over the steps. That is until his posting leg collides knee first with the unforgiving steel. Press lets a howl of pain as he sits down on the top step to clutch at his knee, but the yelp is quickly cut off thanks to a sweeping superkick from Wilson that finds his boot practically in the big man's mouth.

Crumb: WHAT CAN EVERYONE BE THINKING AS PRESS WAS JUST KNOCKED SILLY BY A WILSON KICK?!?!

Rose: Probably, "Man...his eyes just went in the back of his head, and that doesn't look natural."

Nelson: Scott Wilson stumbling over to Jason Dave to check on his partner, helping him up to his feet… BUT HERE COMES YOUTH!

Flaming Youth sneaks in behind Wilson as he pulls J.D. up to hang onto the apron, and grabs a handful of hair and tights to toss him back into the ring. He springs up onto the ring apron just as Scott quickly comes to his feet, and is already springboarding off the top rope by the time he orients. Youth delivers a spinning wheel kick that slams The Last King down to the mat, damn near taking his head off. He quickly spins around and scrambles over to hook the leg.

One...

Two...

THRE...KICK OUT!

Nelson: It is a good thing that Wilson was able to kick out of that, because it did not look like Jason Dave would have made it in time.

Crumb: Speaking of partners! Look at Press! He's sitting on those steps and propped up against the ring post out cold after that Wilson Kick!

Rose: Don't you guys worry about him. He's just resting his eyes.

Youth slams his fist off the mat in frustration after Wilson's kick out, and quickly gets to his feet so that he can yank Scott to his. He forces him back over to a neutral corner where he lowers himself to get leverage and lifts him up so that he's now sitting on the top rope. Youth nods to the crowd who are on their feet as he climbs up to join Scott, and he signals just before leaping up to sit on Wilson's shoulders, and snaps back for an off the top hurricanrana. To everyone's surprise The Last King is able to hook his legs through the ropes, and Youth finds himself dangling upside down in a precarious position. Wilson quickly grabs Youth by the tights, and in an impressive feat of strength, pulls the man back up into a seated position. He immediately leaps from the second ropes forwards, bringing Youth crashing down to the canvas with a sit out powerbomb that leaves the crowd breathless.

Nelson: OH MY GOODNESS!

Crumb: WHAT CAN EVERYONE BE THINKING AS SCOTT WILSON JUST BROKE FLAMING YOUTH IN HALF?!?!

Rose: Probably, "Fuccckkk...."

Nelson: Rose Marie! I'd chastise you right now, but Wilson is hooking the leg!

One...

Two...

THRE… KICK OUT!

The roof nearly comes off the arena as Scott Wilson falls off of Youth completely in shock. The referee can't even believe it, looking at his own hand to try and work the fact out in his head. The Last King pushes off of Youth to regain his feet and then looks out at the crowd with a new resolve. His thumb comes up to his neck and he slowly drags it across his throat and lets out a roar of defiance before turning back to Youth and begging for him to get up. As he's doing that, Press stumbles off of the steel steps, shaking his head to get his bearings. Looking up into the ring he notices his partner in trouble, and with a grimace fishes under the apron until producing a steel chair.

Nelson: And here we go! I knew it!

Crumb: Press just hopped up onto the ring apron with that steel chair and drew Wilson and the referee's attention away from Youth...

Rose: That's right! Blast that fools head off!

Wilson prepares to rush the big man before he can make it into the ring, but Jason Dave suddenly appears on the far end of the apron that Press is standing on. He sprints across the thin walkway to deliver a low dropkick right into the big man's bum knee, causing him to tumble from the side and smack the floor below. He grabs at his knee while looking up to see Jason Dave, now in possession of the chair, a wild look on his face. Scott, seeing his partner about to cost them disqualification, calls out for Jason not to do it, and he rushes over to stick his head through the middle and top rope to try and stop him. Jason Dave, however, will not be moved. A mask of rage coming over his face as he swings the chair high up over his head to a loud clanging sound as it meets something solid behind him.

Nelson: Oh no!

Crumb: What...What can everyone be thinking as Jason Dave just accidentally cracked his own partner upside the head with a steel chair?

Rose: Probably, "Mistakes are made when a do-gooder tries to do something bad."

Dave slowly turns as Wilson clutches at the top of his skull and stumbles back through the ropes towards the center of the ring. Just then, Youth hooks him through the legs from behind, dragging him down into a roll up pin, and the referee, who looks just as shocked as Jason Dave right now, turns and on instinct starts to count. Jason lunges forward, but finds his movement impeded by Press, who has grabbed him by the ankle and won't let go.

One...

Two...

THREE!!!

The referee calls for the bell about the same time Press releases Jason Dave and Dave slides into the ring, scrambling towards Youth who quickly rolls out under the bottom rope on the other side. Youth throws both hands up in the air mockingly as Dave takes a swipe for him over the top rope incensed. Seeing that there might be more fight in Dave than he cares to deal with, Youth ignores the referee and grabs the “IPW Tag Team Championships”, running around the ring to join his partner by the ramp.

Torres: Here are your winners… THE BOMBTRAX!

Nelson: This...this was an absolute train wreck! And look at those hyenas! Just laughing it up on the ramp as they make their exit!

Crumb: I...I really can't believe this! Jason Dave was targeting Press and somehow cracked his own partner in the head when Wilson tried to stop him.

Rose: That's called poetic justice, Crumbum.

Nelson: There is no justice in this, Rose Marie. If Press had not grabbed that chair in the first place then none of this would have ever happened.

Rose: Please! Jason Dave has been like a ticking time bomb for weeks now, and he played right into The BombTrax hands. That's called strategy!

Crumb: It's called something, but what now? Jason Dave looks like he's on the verge of a meltdown as Scott Wilson gets to his feet to try and calm him down.

Much like their last tag bout, Jason Dave is beside himself, threatening the referee who quickly finds some room to bail out of the ring. Scott Wilson, still clutching his head, approaches his partner with a wary hand, but Dave knocks it aside fuming. This time, The Last King seems to have had enough, and he uses both hands now to grab Jason by the arm and spin him around. The two men are nose to nose as the fans rise to see what is about to happen. To everyone's relief Jason finally sighs, and while shaking his head steps back from his threatening posture and offers his hand to Wilson. The Last King readily accepts, and the two men move in for an embrace.

The fans begin to cheer but it's short lived, as when they separate, Jason retains his hold on Scott's hand...yanking him in and to the side so that he can hook him around the head, and then snaps him over into a rolling motion known as Natural Selection (Cross Rhodes)!

Crumb: WHAT CAN EVERYONE BE THINKING AS JASON DAVE HAS JUST LAID OUT HIS OWN BEST FRIEND WITH NATURAL SELECTION?!?!

Rose: Probably, "Finally, Jason Dave has removed that tumor he's been carrying around on his back!"

Nelson: ROSE MARIE! This is serious! Scott Wilson is down in the center of the ring and Jason Dave is stalking around like a savage...wait...oh no!

Dave comes to a full stop, staring down outside the ring at the steel chair that was the cause of all of their problems. With a snarl he leaps through the ropes to the outside, scoops up the chair, and then slides back in to pop up in the corner. The fans come out of their shock and begin to boo.

Jason begs for Scott to get to his feet, and after a moment The Last King complies. Wilson, on wobbly legs, slowly stumbles a step towards Jason Dave, who tears out of the corner and wraps the chair clear around his head. The sound of steel on skull sounds like a shotgun going off, and Wilson takes one more stumbling step as he falls to the mat with the chair still attached to his head. Dave steps back in satisfaction, a chuckle escaping him as he closes his eyes and takes in the negativity from the crowd.

Nelson: That...I....

Crumb: Yeah, what he said.

Rose: Wow! I can't believe it. I...I think I might be a Jason Dave fan now!

Nelson: Rose Marie, that was completely despicable! I cannot believe that you can condone this?!

Rose: Oh, C'mon, Patrick! Scott Wilson was dragging this team down! He's the reason they lost. Not once, but twice. Jason Dave is just doing exactly what any rational person would do when faced with those kinds of odds.

Crumb: You know, Rose, sometimes you really scare me.

Rose: Thank you, Crumbbum!

Jason Dave continues to stare down at his unmoving partner for a few more seconds before finally bailing out of the ring himself as the EMT's rush the ring to check on Scott Wilson. Dave doesn't seem to be affected by the crowd's reaction at all, stoically making his way through the curtain to exit.

Nelson: Believe it or not, folks...the shocks are sure to keep on coming at Civil War Two, because we still have to crown a Heavyweight Champion here tonight.

Rose: That's right, so why don't we cut to commercials or something so that the EMTs can finish up here, and we'll be right back with more IPW action. I’ve got to pee anyway.

The scene comes in on Butterscotch Monroe in the backstage interview area.

Butterscotch Monroe: Ladies and gentlemen please welcome at this time Enforcer and Vin Halsted.

Enforcer enters the screen from the left and Vin enters the screen from the right.

Butterscotch Monroe: Gentlemen, you two had an up and down night. Wha…..

Enforcer: Thanks for the recap of the night but we know how our night went. Both the good and bad.

Halsted: That’s right, Ms. Monroe. We are now looking towards the future. In our immediate future, Enforcer and myself have our eyes on those IPW Tag Team title belts.

Enforcer: As of late the team of The Bombtrax has been walking around IPW as the unofficial IPW Tag Team Champions. You know guys, we appreciate what you are doing. Mr. Press and Youth? Um ok, regardless of what you two call yourselves. We are only concerned with the championship belts they are carrying around.

Butterscotch Monroe: Wha…..

Halsted: We got this, Buttercup.

Butterscotch Monroe: Butterscotch, it’s Butterscotch.

Halsted: Unlike the guys of The Bombtrax who are not truly top level talent. Where the two of us actually are the top level talent. While there is plenty of amazing talent here in IPW like DGS, Brianna Rissi, The Willie Pete, Cross Recoba, and countless others all throughout this roster. But it’s guys like Enforcer and I who have sustained excellence over a long period of time.

Enforcer: One of the very few things I have not done throughout my career is teaming up with my friend over here and challenge for the IPW Tag Team titles. So, when Vin decided to come out to California and sign with IPW, I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to become the IPW Tag Team Champions. The Bombtrax, we are laying the challenge to the two of you for a IPW Tag Team title match.

Halsted: You two have the stones to actually become official IPW Tag Team champions? Only time will tell.

Enforcer and Vin walk away as Butterscotch Monroe shrugs her shoulders.

~~

Torres: The following is the FINAL ROUND of the IPW HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT for the IPW HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONS which is scheduled for ONE FALL and a THIRTY MINUTE time limit!

The lights dim and the sound of “I Miss The Misery” blares over the PA system. The fans get to their feet as the former Television Champion, Brianna Rissi makes her way out onto the ramp at a light bouncing skip. Her hair is hanging long, and she wears a lime green shirt with a black skull across the chest. Her short shorts are lime green and black plaid and her lime green socks reach her knees, with her signature skull sneakers with hot pink skulls on the side seem to glow. She pauses for a moment, before making her way down to the ring skipping, a slight malicious smile plastered to her face. Merrily, she goes over to the stairs, and climbs them, and then enters the ring between the bottom and middle rope. Twirling, she goes to the center of the ring, grinning out into the crowd.

Nelson: After the past few weeks, I did not think we would be seeing Brianna Rissi in this tournament let alone now in the final.

Crumb: It looks like Brooklyn had a change of heart and added her in. She stands poised to make history here as the third person to have held both IPW singles titles.

Rose: You act like being the third is something special. BEERana doesn’t deserve this chance because she’s becoming a whiny little worm like her new BFF.

The lights go down as the low opening drone of "Razorface" rumbles through the arena. Random pulses and strobes of light flare across the Tron and throughout the rafters, eventually centralizing to the center of the Tron as a white pulse that grows brighter and faster in time with the sonar-beep. This builds to a crashing synthetic dirge, accompanied by orchestral strings, that signals the arrival of David Smith: he paces slowly out onto the stage, garbed in featureless black boots, tights, and kick/knee/elbow pads, a similarly featureless black duster swirling behind him.

Smith pauses at the top of the ramp, staring predatorily down at the ring. Then, after a moment, he starts down to the ring, not once breaking stride or acknowledging the crowd as he reaches the outside mats, ascends the steel steps, and enters through the ring ropes. He crosses the ring and goes up to the second turnbuckle, where he scans the crowd like a hawk before hopping down to the mat, removing and tossing the duster to the outside, and beginning to limber up.

Nelson: I cannot be the only one who wanted to see this as the finale of this tournament. Two of the hardest working Icons going at it for our top prize. Is it not exciting?

Crumb: That it is and I was sure there for a little bit if this is what we’d see. But DGS managed to go over Shyla in another hard-fought win after both had done work in the first round in their respective matches.

Rose: Oh… so NOW BEERana is okay with facing off against friends and allies? Pfft… hypocrite.

The fans are on their feet. David Gideon Smith leans against the ropes and waits for the match to begin. Brianna Rissi glares at him, taking in DGS’ confidence. The referee displays the IPW title to both Icons as well as to make sure they are ready for the match to begin. When both nod their heads, he then calls for the bell, making the match officially underway.

DING DING DING!!!

DGS and Brianna both step toward the middle of the ring, Brianna still looking focused on the task at hand. DGS immediately tries to reach out and grab hold of Brianna, only to have her duck underneath the attempt. Brianna steps toward DGS and starts to hit him with a series of chops and forearm smashes in hopes of wearing the bigger man down. The blows seem like they are doing their job until DGS fires back with a hard right hand that knocks Brianna into the ropes. DGS tries to grab Brianna to try and connect with a second shot---only to have Brianna throw her body between the ropes.

The referee forces DGS to back away from Brianna and give her space. DGS takes a few steps back and glares at her. Once the referee has determined that Brianna's had a chance to recover, DGS quickly steps toward her again. Brianna uses the opening to rake at DGS' eyes. DGS stumbles back blindly and before the referee can realize what happened, she leaps into the air and hits him with an enziguri!

Rose: I know you two are going to complain about the fact that Brianna just did that, but that is EXACTLY what she needs to do if she wants to beat DGS!

Crumb: I'd be disappointed in Brianna if she didn't do everything she could to try and beat DGS! It doesn't mean that I support it, but I'd be disappointed…

Nelson: Exactly, Crumb.

David Gideon Smith just barely manages to hold himself upright after the kick from Brianna. Brianna looks at DGS and shakes her head. She charges and waits for him to try and strike. DGS does exactly what she expected, trying to cut Brianna off with a clothesline! She ducks under the attempt and bounces off of the ropes. When she comes back on the rebound, Brianna catches her mentor by surprise with a headscissors takedown!

DGS immediately creates space between himself and Brianna before she can try to lock in some sort of hold. This doesn't seem to affect Brianna all that much as she bounces off of the ropes and hits DGS with a running dropkick! DGS again rolls over toward the ropes to keep Brianna from locking in any sort of hold or going for any sort of pin attempt. He grabs hold of the ropes and starts to pull himself back up to his feet. Brianna quickly grabs DGS' right arm and tries to drape it over the ropes for leverage, but DGS shoves Brianna away almost immediately. She regains her balance and tries to hurry toward DGS---only to have DGS knock her down to the mat with a vicious back elbow smash!

Nelson: That was not pretty, but it may have been exactly what Smith needed to slow Rissi down a bit!

Crumb: The more that DGS hits her, the more likely it is that he's going to win this match!

Rose: Brianna's talented, but there are only so many times that someone like DGS can throw you around!

Brianna slowly pulls herself back up to her feet, but DGS is there to meet her with a European uppercut! He follows it up with a second and then a third---both of the blows knocking Brianna back into the ropes. Before she can force the referee to make DGS back off, DGS pulls her out toward the middle of the ring and immediately hoists Brianna high into the air. He lets her hang there for a moment before slamming her down to the mat with a vertical suplex! The fans cheer as the ring shakes on impact!

DGS grabs Brianna and drags her back up to her feet. He shoves her back against the nearest turnbuckle and then immediately charges in with a running clothesline! He shoves Brianna back against the turnbuckle again and then delivers a series of short-arm clotheslines in the corner, stopping only when Brianna falls down to the mat. The fans cheer loudly as DGS grabs Brianna and once again drags her back up to her feet.

Nelson: Smith’s sheer size advantage is coming into play after those wicked European uppercuts. They rocked her and while she has been impressive thus far, will she be able to mount a comeback?

Crumb: But the fans seem to be enjoying it. These two are friends and surely know a thing or two about what the other is like in the ring. So I knew that this was going to get good.

Rose: It’s not like anyone cares about this title except the participants anyway. It’s been over a year since it’s been something brag-worthy.

DGS drags Brianna back up to her feet and hoists her onto his shoulders. He steps toward the middle of the ring and then drops her down to the mat with a Samoan drop! DGS hooks Brianna's leg and goes for the cover.

One...

Two...

THR...KICK OUT!

Crumb: It doesn't matter who you are! There isn't much that you can do when you get hit like that!

DGS once again grabs Brianna to drag her back up to her feet. This time, he pulls her in toward him and nails her with a series of hard knee strikes. Blow after blow connects, with DGS only stopping when Brianna seems unable to hold herself up on her own. DGS then powers Brianna into the air, throwing her down to the mat with a butterfly suplex! DGS turns around and once again goes for the cover.

One...

Two...

THRE...Brianna kicks out again!

Nelson: Even when you manage to kick out of suplexes like that, Smith takes a lot out of you.

Rose: There's a reason that he's been as successful as he has been in all his years! He learned how to use his strength to his advantage!

Brianna Rissi tries to pull herself back up to her feet, crawling over toward the nearest turnbuckle in an effort to make it happen quicker. DGS tries to cut her off as soon as she reaches her feet, but Brianna wisely gets out of the way and causes DGS to crash into the turnbuckle instead! He stumbles around and Brianna uses the opening to her advantage, delivering a sunset flip in the corner that allows her to pick up the cover.

One...

Two...

THR...KICK OUT!

DGS powers out and tries to make it up to his feet. Brianna senses the opening and hits DGS in the face with a side kick! She grabs DGS' right arm and immediately pulls it on while locking in an armbar! DGS' eyes go wide in pain as Brianna tries to rip DGS's right arm out of its socket. DGS' overall strength allows him to position his body in a way that lets him grab the ropes, though Brianna has clearly managed to do some damage. DGS nonetheless starts to drag himself back up to his feet.

Nelson: That arm bar puts Rissi at a very high advantage here because she took out Smith’s arm which means a wide variety of his arsenal.

Crumb: It was smart for her to do that because if you look at his moves, they involve a lot of lifting and hitting maneuvers.

Rose: Woohoo… she actually did something smart for once. I was starting to think that all she knew how to do was run her mouth.

Once DGS is standing, Brianna closes the gap and begins to hit him in the chest with a series of chops.

Crowd: WOOOO! WOOOOO!

DGS tries to shove Brianna away. She stumbles a few steps and DGS thinks that he sees an opening. DGS charges at Brianna, only to have her catch him with a drop-toe-hold! DGS' face bounces off of the mat. Brianna tries to lock DGS into a STF almost immediately. DGS tries to power his way up to his feet while Brianna locks in the hold---nonetheless slamming Brianna down to the mat and getting her to release the hold!

Brianna groggily tries to drag herself back up to her feet, only to have DGS hit her with an elbow shot that knocks her groggy! He pulls Brianna in and tries to get her in position for a powerbomb. DGS runs toward the corner with Brianna in position, but Brianna manages to reverse the attempt and instead sends DGS into the turnbuckle with a hurricanrana! DGS' face bounces off of it as he stumbles up to his feet, absolutely no idea where he's at. Brianna smirks and uses the opening to hit DGS with a flying knee!

Nelson: That could be it!

Rose: She really might do it...

Brianna can't hide the smile on her face as she hooks the leg and covers DGS.

One…

Two...

THRE...KICK OUT!

Crumb: Wow!

Brianna glares at the referee, demanding that he count faster. She hooks the leg once again.

One...

Two...

THRE...KICK OUT!

Rose: No one ever said that DGS isn't a tough guy.

DGS tries to pull himself back up to his feet. Brianna Rissi glares at him angrily. She rushes at DGS and hits him with a knee strike, and then a second. The impact keeps DGS staggering, though he nonetheless tries to pull himself back up to his feet. Brianna bounces off of the ropes and charges at DGS, full speed ahead. Unfortunately for Brianna, DGS steps forward and lifts her into the air, slamming her down to the mat with a HUGE spinebuster! The fans cheer loudly.

DGS grabs Brianna and drags her up to her feet once again. DGS hoists her onto his shoulder and delivers a Dimension Driver (Death Valley Driver)! Brianna hits the mat with a THUD, but wisely rolls out of the ring and creates just enough space between herself and DGS that he's unable to stop her from reaching the floor.

Nelson: A smart move there from Rissi. Putting some space between her and Smith is going to allow her to formulate a quick plan of attack.

Crumb: Well she better come up with something quickly. DGS looks like he’s about to pounce at any second.

Rose: Perhaps he’s constipated and has to poop?

DGS glares at Brianna on the floor as the fans boo her loudly. DGS sighs and steps out to the floor, trying to give himself a moment to recover. He lines himself up with Brianna and throws her hard into the guardrail! Brianna bounces off of it and slowly tries to pull herself back up to her feet. DGS grabs Brianna and pulls her in toward him, hitting her with a short-arm clothesline that causes her to collapse to the floor! DGS smirks and gets ready to pull Brianna back up to her feet again, when suddenly, a fan in the front row throws his drink in DGS' face! DGS is briefly blinded by the fact as he takes a step back. Brianna uses the opening to trip DGS up, causing him to hit the floor.

Nelson: That fan needs to be thrown out! That was totally uncalled for and David Gideon Smith could have totally been injured there!

Crumb: Oh I fully agree with you on that one. Some fans don’t realize that there’s a line that they can’t cross.

Rose: Have you guys even stopped to think that MAYBE she planted him there? BEERana is sketchy.

Brianna grabs DGS and brings him back up to his feet. She quickly throws him hard into the ring post causing DGS to stumble around from the impact. Brianna slides into the ring and takes a moment to recover. DGS tries to shake off the impact and wipe the drink out of his eyes before following Brianna into the ring. He charges at Brianna and tries to hit her with a clothesline. Brianna ducks underneath the attempt and just barely avoids DGS. DGS tries to stop his momentum, but Brianna grabs him from behind and hits DGS with a double knee backbreaker! She then covers.

One...

Two...

THRE...KICK OUT!

Nelson: Okay… so now maybe I am starting to agree with Rose Maie: I find it all highly suspicious right now.

Crumb: Something is up because that was all a little too easy for Brianna. DGS hopefully can come back from this.

Rose: Leave it to Brianna to cheat because she knows that she can’t do it otherwise.

Brianna hits DGS with a series of quick knee strikes before grabbing his right arm. She once again tries to wrestle him into position for an armbar, but DGS stands and shoves Brianna away. Brianna stumbles away from DGS, but quickly recovers. DGS charges at her and Brianna tries to catch him by surprise with a superkick! DGS catches her foot in the air and blocks the attempt by shoving Brianna to the mat! DGS grabs Brianna and sets her up for a suplex. She hits the mat hard and DGS hooks the leg for the cover.

One...

Two...

THRE...KICK OUT!

Nelson: Well it looks to me as though Smith has moved past the drink incident and has taken control back of the match.

Crumb: Hopefully he’s able to keep it because after that malarky… he should have won the match by disqualification.

Rose: But you can’t win a title that way. The referee clearly isn’t doing his job either because nothing has happened to the fan or BEERana.

DGS pulls himself back up to his feet and waits patiently for Brianna to do the same. Once she's standing, DGS charges and tries to hit her with the Last Word (stiff lariat)! Brianna catches DGS by surprise with a jawbreaker! DGS just barely remains on his feet. He stumbles around and tries to recover, but can't before Brianna connect with her Briemode Bulldog!

Nelson: This could be it!

Brianna hooks the leg for the cover.

One...

Two...

THREE!!

Crumb: WHAT CAN EVERYONE BE THIN…

Rose: HOLY SHIT! BRIANNA ACTUALLY DID IT!

Torres: The winner of this match...AND THE NEW Iconic Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Champion...Brianna Rissi!!!

Nelson: She has done it! Brianna Rissi has made it through the Iconic Professional Wrestling Heavyweight Championship Tournament to become our NEW Iconic Professional Wrestling Heavyweight Champion!

Crumb: Do we finally have a champion that can bring prestige back to the title instead of bringing it down further?

Rose: Doubt it. Hey, maybe Jessie Roberts stands a chance at becoming the champ again. There is a precedence.

The referee hands Brianna Rissi the IPW Heavyweight Championship as she looks at it with pride on her face. Brianna holds the championship in the air for all to see, the fans booing her in the process. Brianna doesn't seem to care at all, however, as she continues to stare at the championship. She sits down in the middle of the ring, IPW Heavyweight Championship in her lap. Rissi looked down at her accomplishment with tears in her eyes.

Crumb: After nearly two long years, Brianna has finally earned her first IPW Heavyweight Championship!

Nelson: She also becomes only the third Icon in Iconic Professional Wrestling history to have held BOTH the Television and Heavyweight Championships!

As Brianna Rissi celebration continued in the ring, suddenly the lights in the arena went out, the crowd popped in excitement! But that excitement quickly turned into a nervous buzz of what was about to come.

Rose: Did Brooklyn Halloway forget to pay the light bill again?

The screen in the arena flickered for life, upon the screen a long row of pale green lights. At the very end of the row, under the light furthest from the camera stood a dark figure.

Nelson: What is going on? This is supposed to be Brianna Rissi’s moment!

A low melodic chuckle echoes through the arena before a familiar yet long forgotten voice reverberates through the speakers.

Unknown Voice: Ashes to ashes and dust to dust.

The green light the man stood under flickers out as the man stepped forward and into the next green spotlight.

Unknown Voice: They will insult you. Hurt you. Defeat you. Betray you. Injure you.
Set you aflame and watch you BURN!

Once more the figure advanced forward in a blur.

Nelson: This monologue sounds very familiar.

Rose: It’s because it’s word for word that that loser Oliver Black posted on his twitter before he disappeared off the face of the earth!

Nelson: But that is not the voice of Oliver Black?

Rose: No… it’s someone much worse.

Unknown Voice: But they will not, shall not, cannot destroy you!

The lights flickered and the man got one light closer to the camera!

Unknown Voice: Because you, like Rome, were built from ashes. And you, like a phoenix know how to rise and resurrect!

The lights flickered one final time. The screen glitches and when it smooths back out the face of the unknown voice is revealed!

Crumb: WHAT CAN EVERYONE BE THINKING THAT THE MISFIT HAS DEBUTED IN IPW?!?!

Rose: Probably, “I thought that psychopath was dead!”

The crowd erupted when the face of Misfit filled the screen, his eyes bulging and crazed, long dreadlocks falling in his face and a psychotic smile on his face.

The Misfit: Tonight you will be REBORN!

The Misfit began laughing hysterically before the screen went black! A long moment passed in darkness and in silence.

Nelson: What in the world did we just see!? The return of The Misfit!

Crumb: And what does that mean for the new Heavyweight Champion, Brianna Rissi?

”The world is a vampire!”

The voice of Billy Corgan and the Smashing Pumpkins song “Bullet with Butterfly Wings” pumped into the arena, small flickering white lights filled the stage and arena, the crowd popped slightly once more.

Nelson: Oh now what?

Set to drain! Secret destroyer, hold you up to the flames! And what do I get, for my pain?
Betrayed desires, and a piece of the game
Even though I know--I suppose I'll show. All my cool and cold-like old job!

The music built to the chorus, the crowd itching in anticipation!

Despite all my rage I am still just a rat in a cage!

As the words were screamed by Corgan and some of the audience a figure burst through the black curtain onto the stage.

Nelson: HE IS HERE! After a month's absence and much speculation, OLIVER BLACK IS AT CIVIL WAR TWO!

A new theme music wasn’t the only thing different about Oliver as he looked almost unrecognizable to the audience. Gone was his trademark top knot ponytail, aviator sunglasses and fur coat. Oliver stood on the ramp, spiked blonde hair, a torn and frayed black hoodie, and half of his face painted like a skull.

Crumb: And it doesn’t look like he’s alone!

As the crowd erupted at the return of Oliver Black and he took in their reaction, from behind slinked The Misfit behind the curtain! The Misfit stood close behind his son and whispered something in his ear. One hand covering his mouth the other pointing towards the ring. The camera cut back to a confused Brianna Rissi still standing in the ring as Oliver Black and The Misfit approached the ring.

Crumb: Surely he’s here to congratulate his friend and partner Brianna Rissi on finally winning the Heavyweight Championship!

Rose: Surely you can’t be that naïve?!

Oliver slowly climbed the steps, picking up the microphone that rested on the top step ready for him.

Once in the ring the lights turned on fully. Brianna smiled a coy smile. Slightly uneasy and hesitant, Brianna opened her arms and hugged Oliver Black. Oliver stood arms at his side, face reactionless, not returning the hug.

Rose: Still think this is a friendly congratulatory interaction, Crumb?

Oliver stared longingly at Brianna Rissi. Slowly he lifts the microphone to his lips.

Oliver Black: You gotta love when everything goes according to plan!

Crumb: See, I told you he was out here to congratulate his unholy alliance member!

Oliver's gaze broke from Brianna as his head slowly tilted down looking at the Heavyweight Championship that glittered on Rissi's shoulder.

Oliver Black: It took us a long time to get here didn’t it Bri? A lot of hard work by BOTH of us! Brooklyn Halloway’s worst nightmare has finally come true, right!? For months we fought to get you the respect we BOTH knew you deserved, for months we fought to get you here into THIS tournament!

Brianna smiled looking down at her title briefly before looking around at the crowd, taking in her moment.

Oliver Black: And here we are!

Oliver sounded happy and held out his hand towards the crowd, towards the arena though his face still showed no emotion whatsoever.

Oliver Black: Yes here… we… are.

His voice fell, somber.

Oliver Black: And now it appears that you… you have something that belongs to ME!

Oliver Blacks hand gestured as he spoke, his finger tip landing firm on the Heavyweight Championship with the word “me”. The crowd was a mixture of cheering and stunned silence!

Crumb: Watch out, Brianna!

The Misfit still on the outside slithered under the bottom rope behind Brianna Rissi! Rissi felt the movement behind her and turned around fast before The Misfit could make his move causing him to slip backwards back under the rope, never having fully entered.

Rose: That wasn’t an attack, that was a distraction!

Oliver Black grabbed Brianna from behind and pulled her back into his new finishing move Dust to Dust (coquina clutch)!

Crumb: WHAT CAN EVERYONE BE THINKING THAT OLIVER BLACK JUST TOOK OUT HIS FRIEND BRIANNA RISSI WITH A COQUINA CLUTCH!

Rose: Probably, “well I saw that coming!”

The Misfit laughed maniacally on the outside as the life of Brianna faded in the submission hold. Her limp arm lets the Heavyweight Championship fall to the mat. Oliver shoved the weight of Brianna Rissi off him before returning to his feet. Black adjusted his hoodie before picking up the IPW Heavyweight Championship up off the mat.

Nelson: This is just despicable!

Oliver Black held up the championship and stared longingly into the sheen of the title, almost in a trance.

Rose: Oliver Black is back and he has made a statement here tonight!

Black draped the title over the probe body of his friend Brianna Rissi.

The scene fades in from the match to the private dressing room of the Iconic Queen, Astrid Samson. Even though her back is 3/4 of the way turned to the door, she can be seen sitting in a chair, dressed in her new Powerline themed attire, the right side of her hair is french braided about half way down the back of her head as she checks the laces of her boots. She grabs her black boot covers and goes to put them on, her head snapping around like something straight out of The Exorcist when she hears the door open.

"Astrid."

Walking through the aforementioned open door is her husband, Joshua Samson, Esquire who closes the door behind himself and stands to look upon her.

Astrid: Josh, I thought you weren't going to come. I told Daveena to be at the house in case something were to happen... though I'm going to be trying my best that it doesn't. W-... I'm going into this prepared.

Samson: I've been here all night. I was in a closed door meeting with Tap and Brooklyn.

Astrid looks at him cautiously.

Astrid: You... were in a closed off room with the woman that ordered the brutal beatdown of you a year ago. Did you have personal security?

She slides the boot cover on, all while keeping eye contact with her husband. He doesn't move an inch.

Samson: No need for security. It's not like Brooklyn has it in her to attack. Besides, Tap was there.

Astrid: She's done it before and I don't trust the bitch. I don't trust a lot of people here really. And Tap is an old man. There's not much he could do to keep her from you.

She secures the boot cover before fully turning around to face him.

Astrid: So... were you successful in your venture of getting the match cancelled? I got ready just in case.

Samson: Of course....I wasn't.

A frown dons upon his face. She puts a hand to his cheek.

Astrid: Well then there is only one thing I can do... go out there, win and prove Munin how wrong she is. I've done it before, I'll do it again. Besides, I arranged a little insurance policy... just in case.

A faint smile starts to form upon her lips. He gently grabs her by the wrist, looking deeply into her crystal blue eyes.

Samson: Don't do this, Astrid. Don't go through with this match.

Astrid: I have to. Not just from a legal standpoint but for a personal one. If she wants to come after me, that's fine. But I can see the underlying conditions that she is trying to come after you. Everyone always uses me to come after you. I wasn't there to protect you last year because of... well stuff. This is my way of defending our family and showing these assholes that they're nothing but a couple of hasbeens grasping at straws.

Her eyes begin to glass over as Astrid fights back the tears.

Astrid: It still kills me that the Stasi and Brooklyn thing happened. It was all my fault! This time... it isn't going to be my damn fault.

Joshua looks away for a moment as if to hold back his own tears. Stoically he returns his gaze to hers.

Samson: That's...that's all bullshit, Astrid. Fuck these people. Fuck this company. You DO NOT have to do this.

Astrid: I do have to... for my own personal sanity. If I don't, then everyone's going to call me a pussy for bitching out. After everything that's happened to me... I can't just walk away until I get vindication. And I also don't want to deal with the court proceedings that are going to be thrown at me for breach of contract. All I want is your support. Why can't I have it?

Samson: Can't you see I'm giving you nothing but my support as the man who loves you?! You're so blinded by this dumbass thought of how people...complete strangers....perceive you that you truly are wandering around lost.

He shifts his weight.

Samson: Nothing good can come from this match. Nothing!

Astrid: I would say a win against Munin is a good thing. A win in the main event is a good thing. It'd be a huge middle finger to her and Brooklyn who's been hell bent our wiping us from existence for a year. I'm not going to let her put me in the hospital this time... the roles are going to be reversed!

Samson: I DON'T GIVE A DAMN ABOUT BROOKLYN, ASTRID! ARE YOU NOT HEARING ME?! NONE OF THIS...WIN OR LOSE...GOING TO DO A DAMN THING FOR YOU! IF YOU DON'T END UP PHYSICALLY HURT, YOU MOST DEFINITELY WILL MENTALLY

Astrid: And if I don't do anything I'm just going to sit at home, wallowing and thinking about everything I could've done that I didn't do. You never got this way before... what's so different this time?

Samson: Because this is a possible career ender match.

Astrid: If it is... then it was my time. Besides, it's not like I'll be destitute or anything. I'll still have my ability to practice law.

She puts a hand on his arm and gives it a gentle squeeze.

Astrid: You more than anyone know how much of a fighter I am. For 3 years I've been defying odds, kicking ass and taking names. As much as people didn't want to see me succeed... here I am, still standing... and as pig headed stubborn as ever.

Tears now welling in his eyes, Joshua strokes Astrid's face.

Samson: Astrid, if you go through with this, I won't be here to watch. I'm not even sure I'll be home when you come home.

Astrid: It's too late now. There's only one other match to go and if you couldn't get it cancelled... I have to. Believe me when I say that half of me wants to walk out and go home. But the other half of me needs to do this for my sanity. You don't have to watch... just sit in the car. Please... I need you here. Your face is going to be the first one I want to see after all this is over.

Samson: I...I...

He looks down to the floor before looking back up to her.

Samson: I have to go, Astrid. I just have to get out of here.

Joshua opens the door and walks out.

Astrid: Josh! Wait!

She chases after him.

Astrid: Please! Don't Go!

But he’s too far ahead and she can't catch up. Turning, she faintly sees her reflection in a window.

Astrid: Now… this means war! We’re going to ruin her.

Astrid turns on the balls of her feet and stomps her way back to her dressing room, ending the scene.

~~

Coming July 31st 2020

Torres: The following GRUDGE MATCH is set for ONE FALL or SUBMISSION and it will take place in a CRIMSON CHAMBER!!

The opening notes from a single guitar of “Dark Horse” by Our Last Night begin to waft their way throughout the arena as lights flash along in varying hues of pale purple and icy blue.

LET’S RAGE!

The moment the drums hit, the beat becomes heavy and picks up its pace, a very familiar pair of hypnotic blue eyes come onto the tron and the fans know exactly who’s coming out. After a few brief moments, Astrid Samson waltzes out from behind the black curtain and onto the stage with a confident swagger in her step and wearing her signature black crown. She walks towards the ramp, stopping just at the top before she spreads her legs about and uses her hands to fluff her hair as the twisted smirk we all know starts to make its way onto her face. Astrid remains standing there for a few moments, soaking it all the energy from the crowd.

As the lyrics begin to play, Astrid begins to make her way down towards the ring, emitting a tremendous amount of confidence. She reaches out to slap the hands of fans at ringside, but at the very last minute, she jerks her hand away, holding it up as she continues towards the ring laughing and twirling her hair around her finger. At the bottom of the ramp, Astrid scowls and smirks at the same time towards the ring before heading off to the right-hand side. She 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. Holding her arms up at the level of her shoulders, Astrid shakes her head from side to side as she talks smack to the crowd before hopping down. She waits for her opponent off to the side, sitting on the middle rope with her arms spread across the top one as her music slowly fading out.

Torres: Introducing first... standing at five foot even and weighing in at 101 pounds… from West Chester, Pennsylvania... THE ICONIC QUEEN, ASTRID SAMMSSSONNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!

Nelson: This is not the first time that Samson has been put into a situation like this and come out victorious. She certainly carries her usual confidence coming into this match.

Rose: Whatever, Patticake! ASStrid has to put up that false bravado to try and mask the fact that she's about to shit her tights!

Crumb: I don't know about that. I think she's been looking forward to this fight ever since Munin arrived spouting off about the events surrounding Astrid's husband's departure. Astrid’s far underestimated.

Rose: Maybe if we get lucky, Munin will leash and muzzle her again?

Nelson: I think we are going to get all of the gimmicks you could want in this match tonight and who is to say who will leave with egg on their face?

Just then the lights in the arena dim and the low hum intro of “You Should See Me In A Crown” by Billie Eilish begins over the PA system. Steam begins to rise around the stage as the lyrics start in…

Bite my tongue, bide my time
Wearing a warning sign
Wait 'til the world is mine
Visions I vandalize
Cold in my kingdom size
Fell for these ocean eyes

The minute the beat kicks in, strobe lights flash all across the arena and Munin appears in the steam, stepping through onto the stage to stare out at the packed arena with a poise and grace that only the Lady can provide.

Torres: And introducing her opponent, standing at five foot three and weighing in at 135 pounds, hailing from Purity, Louisiana… THE LADY OF WRESTLING, MUNINNN!

You should see me in a crown
I'm gonna run this nothing town
Watch me make 'em bow
One by one by, one
One by one by

The cage has already been lowered into place by the time that Munin reaches ringside and she gives the structure a cursory shake to ensure that it's been well fashioned together. Looking up at Astrid with predator-like eyes, she finds that the Iconic Queen is regarding her in much the same way. A coy smile tugs at the corner of The Lady's lips as she takes the steps up to the cage door and slips through the ropes to the interior of the ring.She grabs the door and yanks it shut behind her, the smile now forming into a Cheshire Cat-esque grin.

Crumb: That look right there on Munin's face used to give me nightmares back in GZW2K1.

Rose: What in the hell is GZW2K1?

Nelson: Well tonight she has exactly what she asked for, a cage match between herself and Astrid Samson. To think, this all started about five months ago when Munin arrived, putting the entire company on notice.

Rose: Uh… technically she didn’t come until AFTER The BoobTax… I mean Bombtrax. So it’s only been four months. Get your facts straight, Nelly.

Crumb: And since then we've received some clarification on that thanks to The BombTrax. They say it isn't so much an apocalypse as a terraforming, transforming the place that Joshua Samson built into one of their own making.

Nelson: But as long as Astrid Samson is around… they are going to have one heck of a time doing it.

Rose: We have had an influx of new talent over the past few months, but it's been like that since the beginning and most of them have not been able to hack it and left. I doubt many of these new talents will be sticking around.

Nelson: Well… when you put it like that…WAIT! HERE WE GO!

Astrid had all of Munin's smug grinning that she can take, charging across the ring and diving at Munin who tries to put up her guard. She's able to deflect the first few blows but Astrid has her pushed back into the corner before switching tactics, getting two fistfuls of Munin's hair and yanking her right out of the corner.

DING DING DING!!!

Munin strikes the canvas hard but is already back on her feet when Astrid tears out after her, delivering a devastating diving forearm that puts her back down. Astrid rolls up from the mat just as Munin gets to one knee and delivers a kick square to the side of Munin's head that sends her rolling back down to the canvas so as to put some distance between her and her assailant. Just as she comes up to her feet, Astrid is there with a standing dropkick that shoots Munin straight back into the ropes, and the cage wall. Seizing the opportunity, Astrid charges at the stumbling Munin again, hitting her with a tilt-a-whirl back kick.

Nelson: The clatter of flesh hitting steel… my god that had to have been painful!

Crumb: Once again, Astrid has taken the fight to Munin before she could pounce. She’s being damn near relentless!

Rose: Wow, this is not going how I thought it would… I’m hugely disappointed right now.

Munin hits the canvas hard and Astrid looks out at the crowd with a smirk as she drops down for a cover. The referee drops down as well to make the count, but is surprised when Astrid climbs right up on top of Munin, hammering in rights and lefts in a ground and pound manner.

Nelson: The referee can do nothing here as there are no rules in this match. And I do not know if you noticed...but those garbage cans and weapons hanging from the sides are there to introduce more extreme elements to the match

Crumb: I do not know if these two are going to even need it! Astrid is hammering Munin, who just got her arms free so that she can try and cover up.

Rose: I can't believe this! ASStrid actually has the upper hand!

Seeing that her punches aren't having the same effect, Astrid pops up off of Munin and delivers a stomp down into her gut before making her way over to one of those aforementioned weapons. She eyes up a kendo stick and that smirk appears upon her face again as she rips it down from the cage wall. The fans come to their feet in anticipation as Astrid turns back to Munin. But before she can even bring the weapon to use, a furious Munin bolts forwards and spears Astrid down to the ground, coming up to mount the woman herself. Instead of fists, she instead starts dropping her elbow down into Astrid's skull before the Iconic Queen can finally squirm free. Astrid scrambles up to her feet but is instantly met by a knife edge chop from Munin that knocks her into a nearby corner.

Crowd: WOOO! WOOOO!

Crumb: Another one… and another one!

Rose: Calm down there, ugly DJ Khaled.

Nelson: Samson looks a little rocked by those devastating elbows to the face… and those chops sure are not helping matters.

The crowd joins in the fun, chanting and cheering as Astrid’s chest is lit up by the chops.

Crowd: WOOOO! WOOOO!

Munin winds up for one more blast and it comes with enough force that Astrid goes slack against the turnbuckle, the top rope catching her under the arms before she can slide all the way down. Munin takes a short step away to survey Astrid and with a snarl, fires off some shoot kicks square into Astrid's midsection. As Astrid’s body is pushed further into the turnbuckle, to the point it looks like she's sitting in the middle, Munin suddenly spins around with a roundhouse that catches Samson right in the jaw. Munin steps to the side and Astrid falls out of the corner, face first to the mat. Astrid seems to struggle to get onto all fours, crawling away from Munin.

Nelson: MY GOODNESS! Astrid Samson put to task by those jujitsu like strikes from Munin!

Rose: See, now this is more what I was talking about!

Crumb: And now it looks that Munin has noticed that kendo stick that Astrid was planning to use.

Munin scoops up the kendo stick and holds it in front of her just as Astrid reaches the center of the ring, making the push up to her feet. Before Astrid even has the chance, a loud 'CRACK' echoes throughout the arena as the bamboo meets her flesh. The fans grimace as she falls back to the mat, clutching the spot as Munin lets out a chuckle that quickly turns maniacal as she raises the kendo stick high over her head, bringing it crashing back down across Astrid's shoulder blades... her lower back... her haunches... and finally the back of her head. Munin finally pauses in her assault, holding the splintered bounded bamboo up in front of her before tossing it aside. She then pulls Astrid back up to her feet before shoving her back to the ropes.

Crumb: WHAT CAN EVERYONE BE THINKING AS ASTRID SAMSON WAS JUST WORE OUT BY LADY MUNIN?!?!

Rose: Probably, "That has been a loooonnggg time coming!"

Crumb: I think that’s just you really.

Nelson: I do not know about that. What I do know though is that Munin’s brutality is in full effect.

Munin shoots Astrid off to the other side and when the Iconic Queen rebounds, Munin steps out to meet her with a yakuza kick. Astrid manages to duck under it as she passes. Munin reorients herself as Samson rebounds once more, and when she steps out to meet theher again, she sees that Astrid picked up something when she approached that side of the cage. Munin does her best to try and dodge out of the way, but the wide surface of a garbage can lid clips her shoulder, slowing her progress. She shakes that shoulder loose as pain inches down her arm and when she turns to get a head on her opponent, Astrid is bringing the lid down in an overarching assault that sees skull meet aluminum. The fans come to their feet with a cheer as the CRACK echoes and the garbage lid wraps clear around Munin's skull.

Nelson: GOODNESS GRACIOUS! The way that garbage lid formed around Munin’s skull resembles something straight out of a cartoon!

Crumb: Yeah, but she didn't go down… she's just standing there on spaghetti legs with the lid caved in on her head.

Then with the garbage can lid still wrapped around Munin’s head, Astrid then leaps up and delivers a hurricanrana that sends her flying across the ring.

Rose: DAMN!

The two other commentators look over at Rose, who shrugs, just as shocked as they are.

Rose: What can I say?! I've never seen anything quite like that!

Nelson: That makes two of us, and look!

Astrid rolls Munin onto her back and goes for a cover.

One...

Two...

TH... KICK OUT!

Astrid shakes her head in disgust as she gets to her feet, stumbling a few steps back to catch herself on the ropes. The red welts made by the kendo strikes are starting to turn blue, and the back of her head has turned a small patch of her blonde locks red from an unseen gash. Munin manages to push the garbage lid free from her head, revealing a large gash at her hair line. Blood pours into her right eye as she pushes up to her feet, leaving Astrid an opening. Astrid charges her with a full head of steam, looking to hit Off With Their Head (Flipping Neckbreaker).

Nelson: Both Lady Icons showing their lumps thanks to this unforgiving atmosphere.

Crumb: Munin isn't all the way up yet, but it doesn’t look like Astrid is going to be stopping.

Rose: Ugh… please for the love of god...

Munin goes flat, causing Astrid to land on her bottom post flip. But Astrid quickly scrambles back up to her feet to go back on the attack. This time, Munin is ready for her. She evades the oncoming danger once more by sidestepping and reaches up to get a fistful of Astrid's hair, proceeding to use her own momentum to run Astrid face first right into the side of the cage. Astrid cries out a bit as Munin rocks her back a step, driving her head into the cage’s side one more time. This splits Astrid’s forehead open, causing blood to rush down into her face as Munin drives her knee into her back, holding her in place before she rakes Astrid’s face across the steel.

Nelson: MY GOODNESS!

Rose: Boy, you said it.

Crumb: It looks like Munin is trying to force Astrid’s face clean off her skull!

The fans are on their feet as one of those passes across the cage catches Astrid's nose, bending it unnaturally to the side before springing painfully back into place. Out of sheer desperation, Astrid begins to send elbows into Munin's midsection. After about three, Munin is forced to relinquish her grip. Astrid gets untangled from the cage, blood pouring from several cuts on her face and as Munin tries to step back in, Astrid hears her coming, dropping straight back and sending her boots into the air, catching Munin square in the face with a pele kick. Munin hits the canvas, and for a moment, both women lay there and bleed beside one another.

Crumb: All I can say is wow! These two Lady Icons are trying to maim one another and these fans are on the verge of exploding!

Rose: It's always nice to see ASStrid put in this position. Now if she'll just take what's coming to her, we can all get on with the rest of the show.

Nelson: I would not hold your breath, Rose Marie. As we just saw, there is still quite a bit of fight in our Iconic Queen.

Crumb: And this is the main event. There isn’t anymore show after this.

Munin rolls for the center of the ring, gingerly pushing back to her feet while Astrid uses the ropes to pull herself up. The two women raise their bloodied heads to stare at one another, a look of rage crossing both of their faces. Munin rushes forward just as Astrid does, both going for cross bodies at exactly the same time. They collide in an abnormal manner, spinning off of each other from the impact and sending them both clattering to the mat. They don't stay down for long and quickly move in on the attack. Munin goes for a right hand that is blocked by Astrid, forcing her to swing around and try for a spinning back elbow. This time, Astrid ducks and drives her shoulder into Munin's midsection, forcing her over into the corner. She lays in two more shoulder thrusts for good measure, knocking the wind out of Munin before rising up and peppering her with straight right fists. Astrid lowers herself again, and Munin tries to get around her and up to the top turnbuckle. Astrid is quick to join her on the second rung.

Nelson: Astrid Samson had Munin dazed in the corner. She is not taking Munin too lightly.

Crumb: Munin and Astrid always seem to have an answer for everything that the other throws at them.

Rose: Yeah, but see… Munin wasn't quite out of it.

Munin hits Astrid with a few stiff headbutts, causing Astrid to slip back down to the mat. With a straight kick to the face, Astrid is sent stumbling out of the corner while Munin uses the cage to pull herself up so that she's standing on the top turnbuckle. Just as Astrid turns back in her direction, Munin comes soaring off with a shooting star press. The fans come to their feet at the move with audible gasps, even more so when Astrid leaps into the air with a high angled dropkick, catching Munin before she makes her full rotation. Munin slams into the mat nearby, Astrid landing on her stomach. Astrid lays there for a bit as a smirk comes across her face.

Crumb: WHAT CAN EVERYONE BE THINKING AS ASTRID SAMSON JUST PULLED OFF THE REVERSAL OF THE CENTURY?!?!

Rose: Probably, "High risk moves like that should probably be reserved for an opponent you're sure you have down."

Nelson: Be that as it may, an incredible turn of events as Munin is now on the canvas clutching at her midsection and Samson is back looking for 'goodies'!

Astrid looks inside one of the garbage cans and looks out to the crowd with a shrug and a wide smirk. Grabbing the can, Astrid yanks it free from its bindings, sending cookie sheets and street signs flying. With the can in her possession, Astrids turns back to Munin who is trying to regain her footing. Just as Munin gets up to a vertical base, she has just enough time to see Astrid storming in before bringing the garbage can crashing into Munin’s already injured gut. Munin doubles over and Astrid reverses her hold on the can, taking the open end and jamming it right onto Munin so that her upper body is consumed by the garbage can.

Nelson: Good Lord! Samson has Munin trapped inside that garbage can!

Crumb: Munin’s arms are pinned… she doesn't have anywhere to go!

Rose: Yeah, boo!

A superkick from Astrid sends Munin crashing down to the mat. The fans cheer and jeer as Astrid struts around the ring, wiping her face clear of the blood and grime that has started to cake on her face. She points to the nearby corner and the place explodes as Astrid makes her way over to climb the turnbuckles. Once perched, facing from the ring, she calls out something mocking Munin over her shoulder, before she then dives back into a moonsault while tucking her legs into her body for the landing. Both knee's come crashing down like a meteora into the garbage can, crushing the woman trapped inside. The roof literally blows.

Crumb: WHAT CAN EVERYONE BE THINKING AS ASTRID SAMSON JUST HIT DATKNEE, DISKNEE TO A GARBAGE CAN WITH MUNIN INSIDE IT?!?!

Rose: Probably, "It's odd to see trash landing so far outside of the bin."

Nelson: You can mock Astrid Samson all you want, but that was incredible...and I think it might be enough.

Astrid has to pry that garbage can open so she can pull Munin out, but manages and hooks the leg for a cover!

One...

Two...

THRE...KICK OUT!

Nelson: MY GOD! That had to be one of the longest two counts in Iconic Professional Wrestling history!

Rose: Ok, ok. Even I'm a little surprised by that one.

Crumb: Patrick, you know just as well as I do that Munin is one tough woman… but so is Astrid. She has to be wondering, if that didn't work, what will?

There is a look of shock on the Iconic Queen's face that seems to say just that she’s in denial at the referee's signal of two. The surprise quickly turns to blinding fury as she stalks up to her feet and back over to the corner, talking trash all the while as she climbs back to the top. Munin lies in the center of the ring, motionless with the busted garbage can lying two feet to her side. Astrid reaches her perch, but this time she turns so that she's facing the ring. Pointing her finger at Munin as if it were a gun, she pulls the trigger with a confident smirk before diving high into the air for Flippin' Out (somersault seated senton), a finisher of her's that is rarely seen anymore. But as she’s in the air, Munin grabs hold of that same can Astrid used on her, pulling it into her place as Astrid comes crashing down.

Nelson: OH... MY... GOODNESS!

Crumb: Munin moved! I can’t believe it but Munin was able to move!

Rose: MORE THAN THAT! She had tremendous ring awareness and pulled that can forward so that ASStrid crashed into it. I LOVE IT!

The fans are at a fever pitch as both ladies lie in the center of the ring. The referee moves to check on both, but seeing as he can't do anything about it, backs off when neither woman gives the signal to quit. They lie there for a while, battered and bruised, eventually stirring at about the same time. Astrid is amazingly up to her feet first and when she looks over to see Munin getting to hers, rushes at the woman to try and take her head off. Only she runs headfirst right into a low elbow that catches her in the solar plexus. Astrid is stunned, her mouth coming open but no sound comes out. Her eyes are wide as Munin slowly rises in front of her.

Nelson: Oh no… Folks, it is a known fact that Munin is a martial arts expert and I believe that particular blow is a pressure point move.

Rose: Are you saying that ASStrid is paralyzed?

Nelson: Not exactly, but I think she is about to be.

Munin's eyes narrow, and she swiftly spins around, dropping low so that her elbow finds her right floating ribs for Strikes to Denko. With another spin in the opposite direction, Munin comes in low again, this time driving her fist directly into Astrid's left floating ribs for Strikes to Tsukikage. Still low, Munin takes a step back, drawing both hands into her sides, and then firing them out like a serpent to strike a blow that is just below the navel... Strikes to Myojo.

Crumb: Oh things aren’t looking too good for Astrid right about now. I don’t think she’s going to be able to come back from that.

Rose: Good… I would really like to see her carted out of here on a stretcher again.

Nelson: Astrid Samson has proven you, me and everyone else wrong on a number of occasions. We should know by now that she is not going down easily.

Rose: Munin has been anything but easy… ASStrid is just stubborn.

Astrid teeters a bit before she falls over flat on her back. Munin looks out at the crowd with a look of fury, stalking over to one of the other garbage cans and with a harsh pull, she rips it from the side of the cage and dumps its contents out onto the canvas. She sifts through the selection of weapons until her scan narrows in on one small item that sits apart from the others. She bends down and picks up the item as a dark grin spreads over her face, slipping the brass knuckles over her right hand. There is a buzz from the crowd as Munin turns those eyes over to where Astrid has yet to find the ability to move.

Nelson: This does not look good! Munin just found a pair of brass knuckles!

Rose: Finally! Finally this little shit is about to get what she deserves!

Crumb: You can't be serious! This can't happen… the referee needs to stop it. Astrid is helpless!

The referee does make a step to intervene, but a dangerous glance from Munin freezes him in his tracks. She steps over Astrid, dropping down to straddle her chest, and gingerly, almost lovingly, cradles the back of Astrid’s skull to pull it up off the mat. With another lustful smile to the crowd, she raises her brass fist and brings it crashing down like a piston right into Astrid's face. Fresh blood spatters with each hit and when Munin finally steps off, Astrid is left looking like a horror movie victim as her blood pours onto the canvas.

Nelson: Ooh… that was brutal!

Rose: I… that was pretty sick. It’s making me feel all warm and fuzzy inside… and appalled at the same time.

Crumb: Oh, are squeamish Rose? Where is that gusto from moments ago when you thought this would be great.

Rose: I guess I didn't expect it to look like that...

Munin removes the bloodied brass knuckles and tosses them to the side, turning to make her way towards the far corner. She climbs with intent reaching the top turnbuckle, using the cage to turn herself so that she's facing the ring. The crowd watches breathlessly with anticipation as Munin nods, but just when she's about to dive, Astrid suddenly regains control of her motor functions and begins pulling herself away from the blast radius. Munin watches this with a set jaw of frustration, hopping down from the top before stalking towards Astrid who has reached the far side and is using the turnbuckles to pull herself back to her feet.

Nelson: I cannot believe this. How in the… how is Astrid Samson still on her feet?!

Crumb: She's tougher than anyone has ever given her credit for, that's why. We've seen her in so many battles in the past and she continues to surprise!

Rose: Well, Munin doesn't look surprised. She looks pissed and is ready to go on the attack!

Munin rushes in towards the corner where Astrid has posted up, but Astrid uses the ropes to pull herself out of the way at the last second. Munin is unable to put on the brakes before running chest first hard against the top turnbuckle, causing her to stumble back in pain. Astrid looks up past her bloody vision to her opponent and falls into the rope for some spring to send her careening past her and to the opposite side. Munin manages to turn as she goes, watching as Astrid leaps up to the top rope, grabbing the cage as she goes, and then pushes off the cage wall to spin back around and send both knee's crashing into Munin's chest with a meteora!

Crumb: Munin has to be reeling right now as the full brunt of Astrid’s weight landed right on top of her.

Nelson: I cannot believe this! Where is she getting this will to continue?

Rose: I believe that candle might be fading, guys. ASStrid just slumped off to the side of Munin and both women are now looking gassed.

The referee checks on both women but they respond with venom, forcing him to back off and allow the contest to continue. Slowly but surely, the two women make it back to their feet, Astrid a step before Munin and in her left hand she has in her possession a lead pipe. When Munin turns to face Astrid, she's met with an overhand strike from the pipe that cracks the top of her skull, splitting her forehead wide open. Munin crumples to the mat before Astrid who tosses the bloody pipe to the side while wearing a sadistic grin.

Crumb: WHAT CAN EVERYONE BE THINKING AS MUNIN'S SKULL HAS JUST BEEN SPLIT IN HALF?!?!

Rose: Probably, "She should have covered ASStrid when she had the chance!"

Nelson: Be that as it may, Astrid just signaled for the end and she is doing everything in her power to get the limp Munin up to her feet to hook her around the head.

Astrid eventually does this, and while keeping her head hooked, she moves to flip through for her patented Off With Their Head (Flipping Neckbreaker)! To everyone's surprise, Munin doesn't stop spinning through, but instead ends up all the way back around on her feet. Astrid, feeling the momentum shift, remains latched onto Munin's head for leverage, completing her front flip so that she also lands on her feet. The position puts Astrid in front with Munin behind her, and Munin quickly reaches up for Astrid's arms and shifts her position so that Astrid is now locked in Mercy (figure four blood choke)!

Nelson: Munin has Astrid Samson locked in with Mercy and there is nowhere for her to go.

Crumb: WHAT CAN EVERYONE BE THINKI---

Rose: OH SHUT IT, TODD!

Astrid's arms flail wildly out in front of her as Munin seizes up on the hold, both women bleeding profusely onto the other from various head wounds. After a few seconds, and because of the damage done, Astrid’s arms don't have the same fight as before and they slowly begin to drift down to her sides as Munin grits her teeth, tightening up the choke even more. Suddenly, Astrid comes alive once more, digging in with her feet to pull herself and Munin towards one of the cage walls. As she reaches the ropes, Munin watches as one by one Astrid walks up until both feet are on the top, and with a surge of strength she shoves backwards so that Munin falls flat on her back. However, Munin doesn't release the hold, so when Astrid lands, her feet are up over her head and her neck bent in an awkward position. But technically, she is the one making a pin as the referee drops to make the count.

One...

Two...

THRE...NO!

At the last second Munin releases Mercy and rolls the shoulder, saving herself from losing the match, but looking completely spent. Astrid falls off to the side of her, spitting and sputtering, looking like a complete mess as she fights to get air to cooperate with her breaths. The referee is once again put in an awkward position, motioning as if he may call the match until he feels something latch onto his ankle. When he looks down, both Astrid and Munin have a hold of him, but their exhausted gazes continue to glare at one another. The referee frees himself as the two women make it to their knees, both slightly unstable as they continue to stare.

Nelson: This is unbelievable! It has to be a match of the year candidate for sure!

Crumb: I concur… and it should be a legitimate award at that.

Rose: Me three… as much as it pains me to agree.

Astrid gives a dazed expression to Munin, but lunges forward with a right hand that rocks Munin back until she almost tumbles over. Munin catches herself before she actually goes over and when she pushes back up, she swings a wild right hand that slams into Astrid's face. Astrid falls back as well, and just when it looks like she might fold, she puts her elbow down to stop her, shoving back up to her knees and sends her whole face forward with a headbutt into Munin. Munin slumps forward after the last shot and Astrid starts pushing up to get to her feet her arm wrapped around Munin’s arm and head

Nelson: Well things certainly are not looking too good for Munin right now. Samson has fought back and is now poised to end it all.

Crumb: Astrid is probably looking for her #LILBIT (Slingshot DDT) finisher, but I don't know if she has the strength left to get Munin's lower half up for the top rope!

Rose: Well, she just led them that way anyways, and she's got a handful of tights…

Munin yanks herself free from Astrid’s graps and delivers a headbutt of her very own. Astrid falls back into the ropes and springs back, Munin sidestepping and locking her right back into Mercy.

Rose: Oh... this time… she just brought her legs up to grapevine ASStrid's torso! OOh… I can sense good things coming.

Astrid goes face first down into the mat, blood smearing on the canvas as she shakes her head 'No' to the referee, but Munin swings her body to the right which turns both women so that they are on their side, the choke still fully maintained. Astrid kicks and gasps, grabs for ropes that wouldn't save her anyways thanks to the nature of this match, before her finally her arm falls limply to her side. The referee drops to one knee and lifts her arm, which offers no response.

One...

He tries again, Astrid’s arm falling to the mat.

Two...

Once more, maybe this time....

THREE!!

The ref hops up and immediately starts calling for the bell, while Munin takes in a deep breath before releasing the hold and shoving the unconscious form of Astrid away from her so she can lie back and rest.

Nelson: WHAT A MATCH!

Crumb: I can honestly say I had forgotten what it was like to see Lady Munin in action. And after witnessing this… it's terrifying!

Rose: I have to admit, this was one hell of a fight. ASStrid gave as good as she got, but in the end it just wasn’t enough.

The chamber is starting to raise as Torres climbs the ring steps to make the announcement!

Torres: The winner of this match by submission.... MUNIN!!

The fans watch as EMTs rush towards the ring, carrying boards for both Lady Icons. When they reach Astrid she lolls her head to the side, having come back to consciousness, and a look of distress and disappointment crosses her face as she allows the medics to work her over. As Munin is being lifted onto a board, she kicks and shoves one of the EMTs away with her foot. She then rolls under the rope to land with both feet on the floor and it takes her several seconds before she can let go of the apron, not really sure which part of her body hurts more. She ambles halfway up the ramp, turning her bloodied face to look over her shoulder at Astrid. Though the wound in her forehead looks absolutely grotesque, it looks even worse as it peels further back when Munin smiles. The display over with, Munin turns back towards the curtain and begins to hobble towards the exit.

Nelson: You know, Crumb, now that you mention it....she is kind of terrifying.

Crumb: Like a ghoul from one of those horror movies

Rose: Well, would you look at that. ASStrid just shoved those EMTs off of her. I guess she thinks that if Munin is going to walk out of here, she's going to attempt it as well.

Astrid gets under the bottom rope but when her feet hit the concrete, her knees buckle and she ends up on them just by the ramp. Blood droplets hit the smooth, cold surface and she shakes her head, forcing herself up to her feet as she too ambles up the ramp towards the back.

Nelson: What has to be going through Astrid Samson’s mind right now? She really needs to accept medical attention.

Rose: She’s stubborn as all hell.

Crumb: She can’t be feeling too bad right about now. She gave it everything she had and then some. At least she’s walking out of her own free will.

Rose: She’s surely used to being carted out.

The crowd erupts into a roar as at the top of the ramp Joshua Samson, Esquire, facial expression one of worry, walks out. He pays no attention to the crowd but instead makes a beehive toward his wife.

Rose: Well look who is here?!

Nelson: Everyone thought that Joshua Samson had left the Iconic Arena after that heated confrontation between him and his wife.

Crumb: I knew Joshua wouldn’t abandon Astrid like that! That’s true love!

Rose: Ugggh!

Realizing who stands in front of her, Astrid smiles through her blood caked face before falling into Samson’s arm. The crowd explodes again in cheers. Samson scoops her small five foot frame up into his arms and walks back up the ramp into the back.

Nelson: What a night we have had here tonight at Civil War Two, ladies and gentlemen. I am Patrick Nelson, and on behalf of my colleagues, Rose Marie and Todd Crumb, we thank you for joining us and wish you all a goodnight!

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