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Post by Drakz on Jul 4, 2017 14:47:15 GMT -5
 Fireworks. Pyro. Are they the same thing? BOOM! You know the deal.Alecia Matthews: Ladies & gentlemen welcome to WFWF Confluence where we come to you LIVE from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada! Daniel Knight: Yes indeed and tonight's card is somewhat of a......mixed bag? A f*cking cheeseburger eating dog debuts, two Hall of Famers clash and our main event! Alecia Matthews: Oooooh yes, the main event. Two friends, two allies clash in what promises to be a display of the finest technical wrestling in the world today. Daniel Knight: So long as none of the usual f*ckry invades the ring. Alecia Matthews: It’s opening match time, and instead of boring you with entrances we’ve already got our two competitors in the ring! Daniel Knight: Yeah, boring ‘you’, that’s why there’s no entrances. Indeed inside the ring is a most bizarre duo. Lizzie Hyde, a woman most definitely ready to fight, and The Dog That Eats Cheeseburgers who… isn’t? It’s hard to tell, he’s wearing a dog costume. But that’s not where the camera lingers. No, it’s focus becomes a figure sitting in the front row, a familiar masked figure, the same one who’s popped up at the last few shows. As the official checks that the two are ready to compete it’s this masked man that makes the first move, climbing over the security barricade before anyone can stop him, taking his chair with him, and sliding inside the ring.Alecia Matthews: Woah, wait a minute, is that a fan brandishing that chair in the ring? Daniel Knight: Makes as much sense as the dog. Lizzie Hyde takes a step towards the fan which quickly turns out to be a bad move as he drives the chair right into her rib cage, then swings it again straight into the side of her skull, knocking her clean to the ground. The Dog That Eats Cheeseburgers doesn’t know what to do, and his hestiation costs him, as the masked man throws the chair across the ring straight into his face. Or where I assume the face to be. Hard to tell, what with the dog’s head and all. Either way the shot knocks him clean out, the Dog hitting the mat and then rolling out of the ring in a heap of limbs and fake fur.Alecia Matthews: Whoever this guy is he’s just taken out both competitors in this match! Daniel Knight: You’d think security would have stopped him by now. I really think we’re overpaying these schmucks. The masked figure rolls out of the ring, lifting the ring apron and digging around underneath it. He pulls out a baseball bat wrapped in barbed wire and something else entirely. The figure climbs inside the ring as Lizzie Hyde is pulling herself up to her feet, the masked man waiting for her to turn and then swinging the bat straight into her abdomen, the bat exploding on impact in a flash of white light!Daniel Knight: What the f*ck just happened?! The flash subsides as Lizzie Hyde collapses to the mat, smoking billowing from the exploding barbed wire baseball bat in the masked figures hand. He brings a hand to his head, slowly removing the mask to reveal… Jon Gotch.Alecia Matthews: That’s Jon Gotch! Jon Gotch is back in the WFWF and he’s made an immediate impact! Daniel Knight: Impact? I think he killed Lizzie Hyde! And will somebody please check on the poor dog! Jon Gotch doesn’t say a word, barely shows any emotion at all as he holds up the exploding barbed wire baseball bat before climbing out of the ring and heading to the back, having certainly made his name known upon his return to the WFWF.Alecia Matthews: Well folks seeing as our initial competitors just got destroyed and the match never happened….. Daniel Knight: One of them was a man in a dog suit. Are you surprised? Alecia Matthews: Whatever the case, we will be continuing with the remainder of the card as planned with a triple threat seeing Danny Young, Sean Casey and Vass “The Slayer” locking horns. Daniel Knight: He still works here? The referee calls for the bell and the three men circle the ring, weighing up who should make the first move. Vass tries it first, charging the smaller man in Casey, but Casey side steps pushes Vass harder chest first into the ropes and catches him on the rebound with a snap german suplex. Casey pops back up and offers Vass up to Danny, as though to say, show me what you’ve got.
Young and Casey then take it in turns hitting a variety of suplexes on Vass, each time staring the other man down before their turn. Eventually Vass bounces under the bottom rope and slumps on the outside of the ring as Young and Casey square up and begin exchanging blows.
Young uses his hard striking ability to gain the upper hand and pushes Casey back but Casey eventually catches one of Young’s blows and snaps his fingers in different directions before stepping under the outstretched arm and using a wrist lock to push Young down to his knees.
Casey begins a regime of stretching Young for a number of minutes with Danny struggling to gain traction. As Young reaches for the ropes Casey grabs the arm and bends that, as Young tries to get a toe to force the rope break instead Casey grabs the leg and twists it. Eventually Young is able to roll and put Sean Casey on his back to start a pin attempt. Casey breaks his grasp on 2 and Young slips under the bottom rope to reset. Casey tries to follow and, having stepped onto the apron, runs and tries to punt Young in the face but Young dodges, pulls the base leg of Casey out and catches him with a backdrop driver on the outside!
Young begins to gain the upper hand using the guard wall and ring steps as props for his opponent as he delivers stiff as all hell kicks to the chest. They make their way back into the ring but Casey kicks out of a pin attempt on 2. Young lifts Casey to his knees and then hits the ropes looking for a running knee but Casey rolls sideways, making it to his feet. Young runs again but Casey sidesteps the knee, hits a forearm to the back of Young’s head and then a dragon suplex. Both men are down and Vass crawls in to the ring, making cover on Young. Young kicks out at 2. Vass crawls Casey but Casey kicks out on 1. Vass backs up and wills both men to their feet, looking for some kind of running strike to both men but instead Casey hits a brutal kick to the gut that folds him in half where he stands and then Young follows with an axe kick to the back of his head that sprawls him face down on the mat. As Young smiles at his handy work Casey spins him around and grabs him, tossing him shortly overhead and down onto his neck with the Call of the Void! (Wrist-clutch Exploder Suplex). Young rolls on the impact and, seeing that his feet are under the ropes, Casey makes the smart decision and drags Vass to his feet hitting a second Call of the Void, this time making the cover centre ring.… 1 …
… 2 …
… 3!Christa Adina: Here is your winner, The Violent Gentleman, Sean Caseeeeey! Alecia Matthews: What a victory for Casey, and after falling to the WFWF World Heavyweight Champion in his debut in a great showing he’s now picked up his first bit of forward momentum. Out back, Lila Sleater sits behind her desk, tucked away in her office diligently going over whatever sort of business graces the spread of papers strewn about the head booker's desk. Her focus is abruptly interrupted by a deafeningly loud BANG. She looks up to see her door swinging idly, having just been forcefully kicked in. There's no rush to identify the perpetrator - he simply lets himself in. Sleater doesn't flinch, even as David Brennan storms into the room, fuming as he stands before her, staring down at her menacingly.Lila Sleater: And to think, we used to have a hard time tracking you down when you were scheduled to compete. Brennan's composure doesn't subside at all, but there's no indication that he's at all amused by Sleater's arrogant quip.David Brennan: Fix it. Sleater leans back in her seat, a half smirk, half look of astonishment crossing her face as she resigns herself to the fact that Brennan won't be leaving in any short order.Lila Sleater: I don't know what you'd have me do. You sent your people to me. This one - like all of your other shortcomings, for that matter - is strictly on you. David Brennan: Vieira doesn't speak for me. Lila Sleater: Not anymore, I'm sure. I guess you two didn't hammer out all the details before we met, did you? David Brennan: I ain't gonna ask again, Sleater... Lila Sleater: Good. That might be the closest you've come to recognizing my authority. It's a good step. David Brennan: You can't uphold this sh*t. Lila Sleater: Excuse me? I book the shows, Brennan. I promise you I can, and I will. David Brennan: Gonna be a b*tch, runnin' a show with only one title to your name. Hear that sh*t's ain't cheap to replace. Lila Sleater: Not at all. Probably why I don't intend on replacing them. The legal approach will be much more affordable, I think. Brennan turns to pace irritably in place, kicking aside a guest seat that collides with a nearby wall with a thud. He's doing all he can to not give in to his basic instincts - there's nothing an assault charge would do for him at this point. He twitches his head to crack his neck several times, the realization that the end may be closer than he thinks slowly beginning to settle in.David Brennan: You must be right f*ckin' proud of yourself. You've been after this sh*t since day f*ckin' one. Lila Sleater: Brennan, like I've already said - this is on you. I'd have been just as fine to throw you up against someone more deserving of that International Championship than you and do whatever it took to keep you as far away from Joe Bishop as humanly possible. You sent Jason my way. You authorized him to negotiate on your behalf. You set this in motion yourself. You want to tell me to fix it? Why? I didn't break it. David Brennan: You didn't turn him down. Lila Sleater: My job is to produce television that people want to watch, Brennan! Buy rates have just about doubled since I announced the rematch for Pacific Rim. Jesus, Brennan - you may not like it, but everything I do here is strictly in the interest of fulfilling my duties better than anyone else in this industry! You might consider doing the same. David Brennan: That right? What would you f*ckin' suggest? Lila Sleater: For starters? Beat Joe Bishop. Brennan rolls his eyes, readying himself to storm out the open door.Lila Sleater: And stay away from Vieira. Fire him if you need to, but do it by phone, for Christ's sake. David Brennan: F*ck you. Lila Sleater: I can't advertise a match if my contender's in county lockup. Brennan has heard enough. Tired of Sleater's thinly veiled mockery, he storms out the open door, slamming it behind him. The force is enough to finish the job his boot had started upon his entrance, and the door collapses off of its hinges, landing with an audible BANG on the floor just beyond Sleater's desk. She curses under he breath as Brennan calls back from down the hall.David Brennan: Your f*ckin' door's broken! Sleater exasperatedly throws herself back in her chair, sighing with exhaustion as she stares at the ceiling, overwhelmed with her thoughts.Lila Sleater: Well, duh... A burst of static overtakes the feed from the pay per view, replacing it instead with a look in at a wrestling ring in the middle of a rundown warehouse lit by a single light suspended dead in the middle. A booming voice cuts through the air.It’s been said in this life you can either make friends or make money. When I started this venture I already had some friends, I chose to make some money.A large frame of a man approaches the ring on the opposite side, shrouded in darkness in the poorly lit warehouse.I became a hired gun, a mercenary. Set loose on anyone that got in the way of me making the most money possible. And I was damn good at my job.The individual hops up onto the ring apron, kicking up a cloud of dust.But now that I’ve made my money what more is there for me to do in this life?The man climbs over the top rope and begins to step towards the middle of the ring, his wide brim hat and duster jacket still keeping an air of mystery.Put the fear of God or the Devil himself into the hearts of every man that steps foot in a WFWF ring.The man takes his hat off to reveal a man not seen in the WFWF since Superbrawl…My name is Lucas Crowe, welcome to the Motor City Nightmare.The light above the ring flickers for a bit before shutting off, giving way to static and eventually a return to the WFWF Confluence programming.Daniel Knight: This is a lot to process. We just witnessed a 100% confirmation that David Brennan’s career will be on the line against Joe Bishop’s WFWF World Heavyweight Championship at Pacific Rim, and then we find out former WFWF International Champion Lucas Crowe is back in the picture! Alecia Matthews: And if that wasn’t enough up next we have what has to be one of my most anticipated matches in a long time. The return of WFWF’s resident superhero, The Future, against the undeniable villain of the WFWF, Trace Demon Daniel Knight: It seems like such an obvious match you’ll be surprised we haven’t done it sooner. The big question is whether The Future is able to come straight back into action and beat arguable one of the WFWF’s toughest talents. Alecia Matthews: Well Frank Lynn managed it last show, but I can’t imagine Trace will take too kindly to losing again in his own backyard. Christa Adina: Ladies and gentlemen the following contest is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first… The arena lights dim from movie theater pre-credits to completely pitch dark. A single spotlight shines from the rafters down into the ring, in the form of the 'F' Future symbol. The spotlight (Futch Signal) maneuvers its luminescent green life from its cage of the ring ropes to the base of the WFWF entrance stage. The crowd hushes in anticipation before the synth piano keys of Childish Gambino's II. Earth: The Oldest Computer hits the amplifiers and the crowd erupts with a deafening pop.
Future flashes out from behind the black curtain, firmly planting his feet on the main stage and centering his stance in the middle of the lit-up Futch signal.Christa Adina: Ladies annnnnd geeentlemen, introducing, From ARGENT CITTTYYYY! He is the WFWF's first and longest standing Superhero...WFWF hall of Famer....THE FUUUUU-TURE! Soaking in the introduction, Future raises his hand over his eyes as if blocking out the sun's glare & as he scans the arena for cheering fans, he is met with them every single place his eyes meet. Squinting his eyes, Future breaks his pose with a quick swing of his left arm as the song kicks into a semi-automatic burst of energy, he begins breaking stride down the entrance ramp with his arms spread wide on both sides, making wing-like reaches for the hands of throngs of fans trying to outstretch their fingertips to meet his. The spotlight of the Futch-signal following him, he lowers his arms from the crucifix position & stomps his right foot as the light breaks & dissipates into thousands of tiny molecules of light which disperses through the crowd & makes its way through fans in the audience like translucent fireflies. Future stands there, clearly happy to be back in front of a WFWF crowd.
And then not so happy, as he’s suddenly sent sprawling to the steel ramp, back burning in pain. The lights in the arena come back on to show Future down and hurt, Trace Demon standing behind him with a black metal baseball bat.Alecia Matthews: What the hell is this? The match hasn’t even started and Trace is out here taking cheap shots! Daniel Knight: Well we said last week Trace wasn’t happy about Future costing him the match with Frank Lynn, turns out he was even more pissed off than we thought. Trace Demon doesn’t look pissed off. In fact his sociopathic smirk says the complete opposite. He swings the bat in one hand, waiting as The Future tries to push himself back up to his feet and then slams it right into the back a second time, the force sending the WFWF’s resident superhero tumbling down the ramp. The crowd aren’t sure how to react, they’ve always had an unusual love for Trace Demon but here he is, literally beating up a hero. And not being kind about it either, the King of Demons booting Future in the ribs to tip him down the final few feet to the foot of the ramp. Trace throws the bat to the side, grabs Future and throws him face first into the turnbuckle.Alecia Matthews: Trace Demon is straight up assaulting The Future! We need somebody out here to stop this right now. Daniel Knight: But who Alecia? Security? We’ve seen that Trace Demon’s got no problem hurting them if he has to. Trace hauls The Future up again, this time lobbing him back first into the security barricade and walking around the ring towards poor, helpless Christa Adina. But Trace is a gentleman, holding his hand out and patiently nodding at the microphone in her hand. Christa, not wanting to anger him, quickly hands it over. He nods in appreciation and then grabs Future and rolls him into the ring, Trace speaking as he climbs up the steel ring steps and clambers in after his prey.Trace Demon: I warned Lila what happens when people get in my way. I warned her what happens when she sends yet another man to stop me. Was Scarlett not enough for you Lila? Was one broken star not enough to make my message clear? The Future desperately tries to claw his way to his feet but Trace Demon’s there first, slamming the top of the microphone straight into his forehead, dropping him like a rock.Trace Demon: Of course it wasn’t, because that wouldn’t get you ratings, would it Lila? There’s no spectacle in just leaving me be. And that’s what you want, that’s what all of you want, that’s why you’re here. For the spectacle. Well guess what Canada, you’re friendly neighbourhood Villain is about to give you the spectacle you all came for. I’m about to give you a moment that you won’t ever forget. Just a little warning before I do, for all you viewers watching at home… He looks straight down the lens of the nearest camera, smirking the entire time.Trace Demon: Viewer discretion is advised. And then he turns and dives at Future, slamming the microphone straight into his skull. Not just once, but over and over again, the shrill static of the microphone hitting flesh and bone echoing out across the arena. It’s bloody, horrendous, horrific. Future’s split open after only the second shot, blood pours down his face and onto the mat by the sixth, but Trace Demon doesn’t stop with that. His face is contorted, grinning, delighted as he delivers blow after blow until the casing of the microphone just straight up shatters against Future’s face. The superhero’s mask is in tatters, barely hanging onto his face, which is covered in his own blood.Daniel Knight: This is hard to watch. Alecia Matthews: We need more than security out here, we need the bloody police force. Trace Demon has snapped. The Canadian crowd aren’t cheering Trace Demon tonight. In fact many of them just stare in stunned silence. A number of children look close to tears. A six year old, wearing a replica Future mask, cries in his mothers arms.
But Trace Demon isn’t done. He grabs the cape that’s still hanging from Future’s back and yanks it off, then he drags Future up to his feet and throws him into the ropes, using them to prop him up. Trace takes one end of the cape and carefully ties it around the ring ropes and then the other around the throat of The Future. It’s now that a number of WFWF officials arrive, trying to stop Trace Demon, but it’s too late, the King of Demons throwing The Future over the top rope where the cape goes taught. An unconscious Future hangs there, literally, the cape tightening around his throat, his feet dangling. Trace Demon simply holds his arms out, grinning, before WFWF officials push him aside, desperately trying to undo the knot he’s tied.
One of them is Lila Sleater, who steps right up to Trace Demon, her face red with fury. Trace simply grins at her, shrugs, and tells her one simple thing.Trace Demon: This is all because of you. He pushes past her, climbing out of the ring and retrieving his baseball bat, glancing back just as The Future is finally freed from the cape, his body slumping to the floor. He breaths shallowly, alive but seriously hurt. Trace’s smirk fades as he walks up the ramp, the Canadian fans still unable to believe their eyes. Unable to believe that their hometown hero, proving once more to be the worst villain the WFWF has, may just have ended the career of a real hero.
And he doesn’t even show the slightest bit of regret.Alecia Matthews: I…..think we better go to commercial. |
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Post by Drakz on Jul 4, 2017 14:47:25 GMT -5
Alecia Matthews: Before we get to our next match, we have a special interview from earlier today with Frank Lynn.
On the tron, a series of clips from Frank’s recent matches against Ante Whitner, Scarlett Quinn, and Trace Demon flash, each sequence ending on a still of Frank getting a pin or submission of his opponent and all of it set to suitably dramatic music.
After the last clip, the image does a quick fade and is replaced by a shot of Frank Lynn from the waist up in the locker room standing in front of the Confluence poster. Frank is wearing his new “Join the Revolution!” t-shirt and baseball cap.
Alecia Matthews: Welcome Frank. As we’ve just seen, you’re on a roll right now.
Frank Lynn: Things are looking up compared to my showing in the Supreme Gauntlet. The last year has been one long learning experience for me and over the past two months I’ve put those lessons to good use. The worm has turned.
Daniel Knight: Has it? Or have you been the recipient of some timely interventions?
The question draws some boos from the more vocal members of the crowd who haven't forgotten or forgiven Frank Lynn.
Frank Lynn: Oh, hey Daniel. I didn’t notice you because you weren’t shouting crap about “Furious Frank” and his cheating ways. Its good to see you recovered from your little seizure after watching me choke out Trace Demon. You may have been the first to say it but many have echoed your sentiments, that somehow I broke the rules in a match where there were NO RULES! You and everybody else needs to get over it. I owed Scarlett Quinn an apology and an open invitation to a fair rematch if she wanted it. I don’t owe Trace Demon a goddamn thing. He bragged about the street fight being his match and how he was going to hurt me. He came up short. I won.
This draws more negative reaction from the crowd and a few more vocal fans start a “F*ck you Frank!” chant.
Daniel Knight: Did he? How can you be so cavalier about the Future’s assistance?
Frank Lynn: I’m not denying that the Future’s light show and speech was a part of the match but I do not accept that it changed the outcome in any way. Did it ever cross your mind that maybe I was playing possum, waiting for Trace to get close so I could take him down? Did you notice that after the Future finished his sophomoric monologue, I waited until Trace turned around and was fully aware of my presence? I gave him every opportunity to defend himself, something the Scarlett didn’t get because I was unaware of Trace’s interference in that match. I wrestled a match that was within the rules laid out and I won. End of story!
The crowd is split down the middle now, Frank’s impassioned words having swayed some to his point of view.
Alecia Knight: You don’t have to defend yourself, Frank. As you said, it was a street fight and anything goes. Congratulations on your win.
Frank Lynn: Thank you Alecia but since so many people have been talking about it I do need to address it. Everyone needs to understand, I would have won that match with or without the Future’s unwanted presence. I will not apologize for beating Trace Demon. And even though I don’t think he deserves it, I welcome a rematch with Trace. He has nothing I want but I’d be a fool to not recognize the value of another win over him.
Alecia Matthews: Moving on, tonight you are facing your co-revolutionary Joe Bishop. Can you pull off a second upset in a row?
Frank Lynn: I certainly plan to do my best and I believe my best is good enough. Joe is the king of the mountain right now and an inspiration to me. I’m not saying I want to be just like Joe Bishop but I do want to achieve the same things he has in the same way he has done it, one on one fair and square fights where the better man wins, with me being the better man. I haven’t had the chance to show off my full array of combat sport skills in some of my biggest matches because they were street fights or ladder matches or multi-man clusterf*cks. Tonight I get the chance to display my skills against the best in the world. I’m looking forward to it. Get ready for another shocking announcement at the end of the night because I plan to beat Joe Bishop.
Frank is cut off by a spontaneous show of support for the WFWF World Heavyweight Champion: “Let’s go Joe!” at first, then “Joe’s gonna’ kill you!”
Daniel Knight: Strong words but can you back them up? And if you do, what will it mean for your revolution? Will you and Joe still be allies after one of you beats the other?
Frank Lynn: Do you realize how negative you are? Of course the revolution can survive this match. In fact, it will come out stronger than ever. We are going to have the kind of match we want every WFWF match to be. We are going to blow the roof off this place. We’ve been all talk up to now, saying how much we want pure athletic competition only to get dragged down into the quagmire of the sh*t show with all of its cheating and ultra-violence. Tonight we can stop talking and show everyone what we want for the WFWF. Actions speak louder than words. Tonight our actions will show everyone. If we can convert just one suit back at WFWF HQ or one wrestler in the locker room or one fan who will speak out to the WFWF saying “This is what I want! Give me more!”… well if we do that then the revolution grows stronger and so will the bond between Joe and I.
This speech draws a surprisingly positive reaction from most of the crowd who apparently don’t mind Frank or the revolution as long as it isn’t running over Canadian home boy Trace f’n Demon.
Daniel Knight: Well thank you for the sermon, preacher. Anything else you have for us or can we all say “Amen” and get on with the show?
Frank Lynn: Yes, I do have one more thing to say and that is a message for Anna Ahriman. Hi Princess. Remember me, the coattail riding lackey? At Foundation I showed you that I’m not riding coattails. Tonight I’m going to show you I’m no lackey. Where does that leave you going into our match at Pacific Rim? I’ll tell you. In serious trouble. I was riding high last Christmas, having just won the Rookie of the Year and qualified for the Golden Opportunity match at SuperBrawl. I was unstoppable and I talked a lot of sh*t to that effect. Then I got bitch slapped repeatedly by the likes of Ante Whitner, Trace Demon, and David Brennan. I learned from it, got better… a LOT better… so much better that I got the wins back against Ante and Trace. And now it is my turn to bitch slap a mouthy, over confident rookie. Go home, gather every one of the WFWF legends who loves you and train your pretty little ass off. You’re going to need it if you don’t want to be embarrassed at Pacific Rim. You can inherit a name but you can’t inherit the skill that comes with it. You have to work at it. I’ve been working for ten years to get here and I’m going to wrestle circles around you and your ?six months? of experience. You have a long way to go to live up to your legendary last name. You’ll see just how far at Pacific Rim.
Alecia Matthews: Thanks for your time, Frank, and good luck tonight.
Daniel Knight: You’ll need it.
Frank Lynn: You’re welcome, Alecia. And thank you to the fans who are supporting me and the revolution. I promise you are going to get the very best of the WFWF tonight. If you like what you see, then let your voice be heard. Join the revolution!
As Frank finishes speaking, pyro shoots off on the stage and the lighting rig above the ring, followed by a shower of thousands of red and blue flyers dropping from the rafters onto the the fans below. The red flyers have a picture of Frank Lynn, the blue of Joe Bishop. On both red and blue flyers are printed the words “Join the revolution!”, “Let your voice be heard”, and below that, the twitter handles and e-mail addresses for many of the high ranking WFWF execs, Lila Sleater being at the top of the list in the biggest, boldest font.
Daniel Knight: If you’re feeling under the weather at home, come closer to your television because you’re about to see a clinic on your screen!
Alecia Matthews: You’re one in a million.
Daniel Knight: Thanks.
Alecia Matthews: Like the odds of being born without feet.
Daniel Knight: ...I’ll take it! Now we go to the ring with the lovely Christa Adina. Christa.
The arena goes black. The first psychedelic guitar screams of "Anthem of the Space" blast out over the arena speakers as multi-colored spotlights zoom around the arena, converging on the entrance stage to bathe Frank Lynn in a bright white light. He stands with his arms spread and looks to the sky, soaking in the moment. His manager Daphne comes out to join Frank on stage and they make a slow purposeful walk to the ring, the spotlight following each of their steps as it cycles through the colors of the spectrum. They get to the ring, walking completely around it. Frank lets Daphne walk up the steps first and she enters the ring. She holds the ropes for Frank who steps into the ring and stands in the center with his arms spread. The single white spotlight suddenly splits into many different colored spotlights which zoom out from them and dance around the crowd as the house lights come up. As he is announced, Daphne removes his coat, carefully folds it up, and exits the ring to take her position on the floor by Frank's corner.
Christa Adina: Ladies and Gentlemen, now entering the ring from Boston, Massachusetts standing at 6’ 2” and weighing 232 lbs...a member of the Revolution...FRANK LYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYNN!!!
Daniel Knight: Frank is looking focused but relaxed. He wants to win but he has the advantage of not having to worry about his opponent doing anything underhanded.
Alecia Matthews: Don’t be too sure. Joe Bishop is the WFWF World champion. Friends or not, I believe Joe will do whatever it takes to keep face here.
Darkness engulfs the MTS Centre as 'Stay Away' hits the loudspeakers. On the titantron clips of Bishop's two spells in the WFWF are interjected by clips of the Englishman competing around the world, with competitors much less familiar to the American audience. At “Monkey See, Monkey Do” a flash of pyro blasts out of the stage and from behind the curtain comes Joe Bishop, WFWF World championship fastened around his waist, to a hostile reception from the WFWF fans. The Englishman raises his right arm, with his hand forming a fist, as he takes a few seconds to take in the abuse from the crowd. Then, once the atmosphere dies down, Bishop begins to march down the ramp, concealing his emotions from the audience and looking entirely focused on his upcoming match. He climbs up the ring steps, and enters the ring through the second and third rope. Bishop is left completely still in the middle of the ring - with his arms folded as the music fades and the lights return. Joe takes off his championship belt, folds in the straps and hands it to the referee who walks it over to the timekeeper who takes it and sits it on the timekeeper’s table before taking his seat. The ref signals for the bell and it sounds as the crowd buzzes with anticipation.
Christa Adina: Introducing now, the reigning WFWF World Heavyweight champion...residing from Wimbledon, England, standing 6’1” and weighing in at 205 lbs...the leader of the Revoution...JOE BIIIIIISHOOOOOOP!!!
Alecia Matthews: This crowd has been waiting all night for this one.
Daniel Knight: So have I. This should be a classic!
Frank marches with purpose towards Joe who meets his pace and intensity. The crowd stands as they meet only inches from one another in the center of the ring. Both men wear a mask of seriousness before Frank cracks a sly smile and extends his hand. Joe takes a step back and returns a grin before clasping hands with Frank in a hearty handshake. The crowd rumbles in applause and stomps of their feet as both men return to their corners before starting to circle one another.
Daniel Knight: Canada has been a joy this entire tour but these fans take the cake.
Alecia Matthews: I think you mean the poutine.
Joe is the first to strike with a lightning fast arm drag that send Frank to the canvas but sees him rolling right back to his feet. Frank charges Joe again and receives another arm drag, rolls back to his feet and is given another. This time, Frank is up on his feet and pauses, nodding his head with appreciation. Joe returns a nod before moving towards Frank with a clothesline that Frank narrowly ducks. Joe turns around only to be sent to the canvas with authority as Frank lands a stiff clothesline of his own. Joe is quick to his feet but can’t avoid another clothesline from Frank and then he’s up again and takes a third clothesline, this time getting up and nodding to Frank with his own appreciation. The crowd applauds as Joe grabs the top rope and pulls on it before the two men begin circling each other again.
Alecia Matthews: This crowd is easily impressed.
Daniel Knight: They appreciate technical wrestling. Real competition. You won’t see any chairs or shortcuts in this one.
Alecia Matthews: That’s a shame.
Frank and Joe meet in the center of the ring with a collar and elbow tie-up. They struggle before Frank gains the advantage and backs Joe into the corner. Before the ref can call for a break, Frank slowly steps back and allows Joe to exit the corner. The crowd applauds the sportsmanship. Joe walks down Frank and they again engage in a collar and elbow tie-up, this time Joe gains the advantage and drives Frank into the opposite corner. The ref calls for the break and counts to one before Joe breaks the hold and backs up into the middle of the ring.
Daniel Knight: The ref might as well take the night off. These two won’t be bending any rules.
Alecia Matthews: I wish I had taken the night off.
Frank hits the ropes and goes for another clothesline but Joe ducks it and hits the opposite ropes. Frank lunges with another clothesline but Joe slides through his legs, rolling up to his feet. Frank charges off the ropes, determination on his face but is met with a spinning wheel kick from Joe, his right foot landing flush on Frank’s right temple and sending him down hard to the mat. Joe hits the ropes again and connects with a flying knee high on the chest of Frank who grimaces and stumbles back into the ropes but springs off with a forearm that narrowly misses its mark. Frank’s momentum swings him around with his back to Joe who locks his arms around Frank’s waist and delivers a high-arching german suplex that send Frank to the canvas, his upper back and shoulders taking the brunt of the impact and sending him rolling over and resting on facedown. The crowd erupts with cheers and applause, the MTS Centre rumbling once again.
Daniel Knight: What a series of moves from these technicians! Frank Lynn has been turned inside out!
Alecia Matthews: Finally a little action.
Joe wastes no time and drops to his knees beside Frank, locking him in the Anaconda Vice and turning him over onto his back.
Daniel Knight: Mactabilis Factum! Mactabilis Factum!
Frank’s eyes bulge as he realizes the gravity of the situation and lets out a roar as he rolls to his side, pinning Joe’s shoulders to the mat.
1…
…2
Joe lets out a grunt as he forces Frank to his back once again. The crowd lets out a collective breath at the near fall. Frank is inching his way to the ropes, sliding with his hips and stretching his left leg toward freedom. Joe leans back on the hold but Frank times it well and uses his momentum to roll Joe onto his shoulders again.
1…
…2
But Joe rolls back to a seated position only to have Frank use his opposite momentum and roll his shoulders onto the mat on his other side. Frank is able to post his right leg, putting extra weight on Joe’s shoulders this time.
1…
…2
Joe is forced to release the hold just before the ref’s hand lands a third time. Frank is up but is favoring his right arm and neck as Joe grabs Frank’s neck, throwing his injured arm over his own neck in preparation for a suplex but Frank snaps his head out and hits an STO with a sickening thud before quickly applying a D’arce choke on Joe.
Daniel Knight: Dasuchoku! Dasuchoku!
The crowd comes unglued, shaking the MTS Centre as Frank cranks the D’arce choke and struggles to keep Joe stationary while he grunts in pain. Joe is failing his legs, aware that he is only inches from the ropes, trying to wedge his right hand between Frank’s forearm and his neck.
Alecia Matthews: These two may be friends, but they are wasting no time going for the kill.
Daniel Knight: Good, honest, pure competition at its best. This is what the WFWF is all about!
The toe of Joe’s right boot touches the bottom rope and the ref immediately calls for the break. Frank exhales a deep sigh as he lets go of the submission and stands to his feet. Joe is up, pulling on the top rope to assist him and both men are rubbing their necks. The crowd begins a loud, thunderous chant.
Crowd: THIS-IS-WREST-LING!!!
CLAP, CLAP, CLAP CLAP CLAP.
Crowd: THIS-IS-WREST-LING!!!
CLAP, CLAP, CLAP CLAP CLAP.
Crowd: THIS-IS-WREST-LING!!!
CLAP, CLAP, CLAP CLAP CLAP.
Frank and Joe look around at the standing crowd and take in the chants before Joe extends his hand and Frank shakes it before shouting and throwing his fist in the air, firing the capacity crowd up even more.
Alecia Matthews: This is what wrestling is all about. This is what Joe Bishop and Frank Lynn are all about. THIS is what the Revolution is ALL ABOUT!
Daniel Knight: Did you co-sign on a loan for these guys?
Alecia Matthews: Very funny. I respect these two men. These wrestlers. Besides, I don’t have that kind of credit.
Frank cracks his neck and there are some groans from the crowd at the clustered sounds of air popping next to muscle, ligament and bone. Joe fakes a jumping forearm, purposely landing short and grabbing the exposed head of Frank who had ducked in anticipation of the coming blow. Joe locks on a side headlock and goes to work wrenching on the head of his opponent. Frank tries to rotate his body away from Joe’s and break the hold but Joe’s arms shake as he applies more pressure which causes Frank to wince and stop his escape. Frank wraps his arms around the waist of Joe and begins to lift him off the canvas in what appears to be a suplex attempt, but again Joe torques his head and Frank sets him back down. The ref is right there, surveying the action and asking Frank if he has had enough. Frank wraps his arms around Joe’s waist again, this time letting out a growl as he staggers backward into the ropes, stringing off and releases his hold around Joe’s waist and plants his hands in the small of his back, pushing Joe with all his might as they both run forward but they both end up on the canvas in the center of the ring as Joe is able to hang onto the headlock and drags Frank down with him. Frank pounds the mat with his fist in frustration and Joe nods intensely, the crowd buzzing as they return to their seats.
Daniel Knight: I think this is the first time this crowd has sat down since this match began.
Alecia Matthews: Can you blame them? They’re witnessing a classic!
Frank slowly but surely works his way to his knees and then to his feet, forcing Joe to follow. Frank lands a stiff elbow into the ribs of Joe, then another, another and a fourth finally breaks the headlock, but before Frank can capitalize, Joe connects with a quick and powerful DDT, spiking Frank’s head into the mat. The crowd gasps and cheers as Frank is on his knees, his head seemingly permanently apart of the canvas now. Joe pushes his limp body over, hooking the outside leg for the cover.
1…
…2
Frank jerks his right shoulder off the mat and two and a half causing the crowd to erupt. Joe sits up on his knees for a few seconds before hooking the leg again and covering Frank.
1…
…2
Frank again gets a shoulder up, this time solidly at the count of two. Joe is quick to his feet and steps outside of the ropes to the apron and in one quick motion perches himself on the top turnbuckle.
Daniel Knight: Wow! Frank Lynn was absolutely planted by that DDT. I thought he was finished!
Alecia Matthews: He may have a concussion. These two may not swing chairs or dive through tables, but they are no less hard-hitting and dangerous for it.
Joe slowly stands upright from a crouched position as Frank finally reaches his feet. Frank turns just in time to catch the feet of Joe smashing into the top of his chest, sending him to the canvas with such velocity that he flips over twice and rolls over the bottom rope and crashes to the floor, finally coming to rest just inches from the guardrail.
Daniel Knight: Frank Lynn is DEAD!
The crowd are again on their feet, louder than before as Frank lays motionless, facedown on the protective mats. Joe is favoring his left hip as he makes it back to his feet, punching it a few times and stomping his left foot into the mat before seemingly satisfied with his doctoring. The crowd is buzzing again as Frank is up to a knee, using the guardrail to help his rise.
Daniel Knight: It took Jesus Christ three days to rise again but it only took Furious Frank three minutes.
Alecia Matthews: That’s a fitting comparison because it may take a miracle for for Frank to beat Joe Bishop.
Frank is at the apron and places a knee up, grabbing the middle rope and pulling himself up but is cut off with a baseball slide to the stomach from Joe, sending Frank staggering in a flurry back-first into the guardrail. He grabs the guardrail with his right hand to stay on his feet and has his other hand gripping his ribs.
Daniel Knight: Frank Lynn driven hard into the steel guardrail. What else will the champion do to him?
Alecia Matthews: We’re about to find out!
Joe runs with almost a contempt for the ropes as he hits them at a blistering pace and springs off in a blur, leaping from the canvas and sailing over the top rope and driving the point of his right elbow into the left temple of Frank. The crowd is in a lather, shaking the arena once again with applause and stomps. Joe lets out a growl as he lands hard on the same hip he hurt a few minutes ago. Frank goes down like he has been shot, flat on his back, splayed out like the letter X.
Daniel Knight: MY GOD! Someone call an ambulance!
Alecia Matthews: Call two. Joe may have broken his leg on that one.
The ref slides out of the ring and kneels down between both men, checking on them. After several minutes, Frank has not moved and Joe is still down, clutching his hip in agony. The ref slides back into the ring and stands up.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Daniel Knight: You have to give a lot of credit to the referee here. He gave these two men a lot of time to recover before starting the count but it looks like this one will end in a double countout.
Alecia Matthews: It’s unfortunate for the fans here and everyone watching at home, but I have to wonder if it isn’t for the best.
8
Daniel Knight: They know each other so well, they know what the other is made of and they know what it will take to finish the other. What competitors!
Joe frantically gets to his feet, leaping off of his uninjured leg and rolling just inside of the bottom rope.
9
Alecia Matthews: Looks like we’ll have a winner afterall.
Just as the ref is about to call the count of ten, Joe rolls back onto the outside, wincing as he puts weight on his injured leg. The crowd comes unglued at his gesture. Frank is stirring, rolling to his right side and shaking the sleep from his mind.
Daniel Knight: Joe Bishop refuses to win this way. It’s not in his nature to take the easy way out.
Alecia Matthews: There’s sportsmanship and then there’s stupidity. Joe Bishop may regret this.
Joe again lays solid shots into his hip and stomps the protective mats before limping over to Frank who has used the steel steps to finally reach his feet again. As Joe reaches him, Frank shoves him back, Joe charges Frank who wraps his arms under Joe’s and send him flipping over the middle rope and crashing to the canvas with a loud thud, only rivaled by the roar let out by Frank.
Daniel Knight: Frank Lynn just belly-to-belly suplexed Joe Bishop from the arena floor, over the middle rope and INTO THE RING! How is that even possible?!
Alecia Matthews: Frank Lynn is a measured monster!
The crowd is feeding off of the move and the guttural reaction of Frank as he slides into the ring and again locks his arms under Joe, lifting him from his knees this time and connecting with another belly-to-belly suplex, this time floating over with the move and covering Joe.
1…
…2
Joe’s right shoulder flys off the mat, catching Frank in the mouth. Frank reels back onto his knees and brings his right hand to his mouth before drawing it back and surveying the blood. His mood intensifies as his eyes bulge out and he begins raining down stiff forearms to the bridge of Joe’s nose. After almost a dozen, Frank rocks back onto his knees again, breathing heavy, his eyes slowly returning to a normal state.
Daniel Knight: I don’t think Bishop intended to bust Frank’s lip but he did and it certainly lit a fire under Lynn’s ass!
Alecia Matthews: Still waiting on those ambulances.
Frank is back to his feet and turns his back to Joe before landing a picture-perfect standing moonsault, staying on Joe for the cover.
1…
…2
Joe kicks out with his legs, a noticeable grimace on his face as he does. Frank is up again and lands a second standing moonsault, this time hooking the inside leg as he makes the cover.
1…
…2
Joe gets his right shoulder up at two and a half and the crowd exhales in excited relief. Frank is up again, grabbing Joe by his left wrist and ankle and dragging him to the corner. He turns his back to Joe, facing the corner and grasps the top rope with both hands on either side of the turnbuckle and in one fluid burst of motion slams down onto Joe with a split-legged moonsault, their chests connecting upon impact. Frank lays atop Joe for the cover as the ref slides into position.
1…
…2
Daniel Knight: He got him! Frank Lynn with a series of moonsault ending with a devastating split-legged moonsault. What a ma--
Alecia Matthews: Hold on a second. The ref is waving off the count. He...says, he’s saying that Joe’s foot was under the bottom rope!
Daniel Knight: Wow! I don’t know if it was ring awareness or dumb luck, but Joe Bishop has survived, at least for now.
Frank is up quickly and in the ref’s face, debating his decision.
Daphne: No, Frank! No!
Frank turns to Daphne who is slapping the canvas and shouting at him while shaking her head, a stern look on her face.
Daphne: Remember the Revolution.
Frank takes a deep breath and raises his hands in front of his chest and seems to be backing down and accepting the two count.
Alecia Matthews: Daphne hasn’t moved a muscle this entire match. She has been beside the timekeeper watching in silence.
Daniel Knight: But she spoke up when the moment called for it. They don’t call him Furious Frank just for the cool t-shirts. Frank easily could have gotten himself disqualified, or worse, laid his hands on a WFWF official. What a setback that would have been for the Revolution!
Frank grabs a stirring Joe up the head and guides him up to his feet and shoves him with authority into the corner and lays in a series of forearm and elbow smashes into the chest and ribs of Joe before backing off when the ref asks him to. Joe crumples, sitting on the bottom turnbuckle, holding himself somewhat up by grasping the top rope with both hands. Frank immediately goes back into the corner, lifting Joe up into a sitting position on the top turnbuckle before moving his legs behind the ropes.
Daniel Knight: Frank Lynn is a hell of a wrestler, but lest you forget his MMA background, those big elbows and forearms will serve as a painful reminder.
Frank climbs the turnbuckles, grabbing Joe in a front facelock and slinging Joe’s right arm over his own neck. Frank climbs to the top turnbuckle, hesitates for a few seconds and snaps Joe down into the center of the ring with a huge, arching superplex that shakes the ring upon impact. The crowd erupts, applauding the manoeuvre.
Alecia Matthews: That has to be it. Joe Bishop can’t survive that.
Daniel Knight: If anyone can find a way, it’s the WFWF Heavyweight champion!
Frank is shaken from the impact and slowly turns over, draping his right arm over Joe’s chest for the cover.
1…
...2
..
Joe’s shoulder barely makes it off the canvas, to the point that the crowd is on their feet, leaning in, unsure if he was pinned or not. The ref is on his feet and throws up two fingers, a look of disbelief on his face.
Daniel Knight: JOE BISHOP REFUSES TO DIE!!!
Joe slowly rolls back over and sits up, slowly getting to his feet. He looks down at Joe and nods his head with half a smile, half a grimace. The crowd is still standing and begins to buzz as Frank slowly looks to the corner.
Alecia Matthews: I don’t know what Frank has in mind, but it isn’t anything Bishop is going to like.
Frank walks over to the corner and begins climbing the turnbuckle, his back to the ring. He reaches the top turnbuckle, balances himself and stands up.
Daniel Knight: Could it be…
Frank leaps backwards, flipping over into a high arching moonsault and lands hard on his chest and stomach as Joe narrowly escapes the impact, slowly crawling towards the ropes.
Daniel Knight: Frank Lynn took a gamble but forgot that the house always wins and Joe Bishop is the house!
Alecia Matthews: He was really on a roll but now Joe Bishop is back in play. What a contest.
Joe pulls himself back to his feet, clutching the ropes and breathing heavily, a look of defiance on his face. Frank reaches his feet as well, a similar look on his face as he waves Joe on while saying something inaudible, yet the intensity is clear. Frank and Joe rush one another and begin laying stiff forearms into each other’s jaws. The crowd is in a frenzy. After about two dozen blows, Frank gains the advantage and launches Joe into the far ropes but is met with an explosive flying forearm that send him down like he’s been shot, but somehow Frank is right back up and is met with another flying forearm by Joe who flies off the ropes again. Again, Frank is up, staggering this time and takes a third flying forearm from Joe, this time both men crashing to the mat, sucking oxygen as the crowd is at a fever pitch.
Daniel Knight: Unbelievable! Frank Lynn is making the champion work for every advantage here. These men are giving it all for this great sport and these great fans!
The crowd grows somehow louder as Joe lands solidly on his feet with a kip-up. He points to the corner and limps quickly over to it. He climbs slowly, wincing as he does, before reaching the top and turning to face a prone Frank a few feet in front of him in the ring. Joe does not hesitate and flips in a tight, lightning-fast roll, crashing down with a four-fifty splash onto the ribs of Frank. He hooks Frank’s outside leg and folds his body up, bridging his legs and putting as much weight and pressure on Frank’s shoulders as possible.
1…
...2
…3!
The bell sounds as “Stay Away” by Charles Bradley & The Menahan Band blares through the arena speakers, it’s high volume only bested by the thunderous cheers of the crowd.
Christa Adina: The winner of this match by pinfall, the WFWF World Heavyweight champion...JOOOOOOOE BIIIIIIISHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOP!!!
Joe rolls over onto his back, his and Frank’s heads touching, their bodies splayed out on the mat, both breathing heavy and glistening with impossible amounts of sweat. The ref walks over and lays the WFWF World Heavyweight championship belt across the chest of Joe and kneels, raising his right arm briefly before letting go as it falls limply back to the canvas.
Daniel Knight: Ladies and gentlemen, this is as good as it gets. This is wrestling at its finest. What more can I say?
Alecia Matthews: Thank you for joining us for Confluence. For Daniel Knight and Christa Adina, I am Alecia Matthews. Goodnight!
The camera fades out as Frank and Joe are still laying in the ring, the crowd standing, applauding both men. |
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