WFWF Loaded: June 6th, 2008

We cut backstage as DGX sits in his locker room with his feet on a table, an open magazine open in his hands as he paruses the latest Hollywood happenings. His calm composure is quickly broken as three, loud knocks come from outside his locker room door. Before DGX can invite his guest in, the door opens revealing Alex Sean. DGX looks up briefly, hardly losing eye contact with his magazine, and sarcastically greets Sean.


DGX: No please, won't you come in.


Alex Sean: Heh... Maybe I should've waited a moment... What are you reading there?


DGX: Just the latest gossip around the Hollywood scene. Word is Angelina is sleeping around on Brad but I know them both and well... I don't think it could be true. Especially with Justin Timberlake...


Alex Sean: I always thought he was gay. Timberlake, not Pitt. And how do you know these people anyway? I don't remember seeing co-starring Jonathon Temple on the "Mr. & Mrs. Smith" poster.


DGX: Parties Alex. Parties...I know it's probably been awhile since you've been invited to them but I assure they exist past middle school. Honest. What can I do for you?


Alex Sean: I guess I'll get to the point. You know, maybe you might have forgotten but we have a Tag Team Championship match coming up in about a week. And, considering you haven't returned any of my calls... Well, I don't know. I'm having a hard time trusting that your mind's in the right place going into this match.


DGX: Well now that's an interest topic isn't it? My mind's place. Right now it's here and full cognitave, I'm able to process and deal with just about anything you can name but I seem to remember not long ago it moving me to narrowly avoid being knocked into next week. So I've been doing alot of thinking about your mindset. And just where we are with this whole tag team title thing...


Alex Sean: You are accusing me of trying to pull a double cross? That's rich. I'll run that one by J-Furry next time I see him.


DGX: Once again Alex, you speak without fact. To double cross someone you must at one point be on side with them, pay attention! I never contended to be Furry's ally or friend, I was quite up front with my disdain for him and with what happened he should of seen it coming really. No, but you want to talk double cross look no farther than yourself...I still remember that bewildered look on your face right before you...


Alex Sean: Whatever... look, I don't care about any of that right now. And I'll tell you straight to your face that I intended to hit Chris G with that Lariat, I succeeded in doing so, and we got the victory. All I'm getting at is... I mean you saw how we worked in there. If we're gonna be forced into this situation, we might as well make the best of it. If we work together rather than against one another, we could easily be the best Tag Team in this company's history. We'd be like a modern day Road Warriors or something...


DGX: Indeed. Besides it wasn't all bad times in the XWA, we DID win tag team of the year before. And the Road Warriors? No, together pooling our talents we could be a force more dominating and destructive than even Demolition. Ya know, without the S&M costumes, I still can't believe they somehow marketed that to children...


Alex Sean: I'm more surprised they marketed such a mediocre tag team to children. Demolition were garbage, Road Warriors were where it was at.


DGX: Yeah...when Scorpion wins a title.


Alex Sean: But Scorpion did win a title.


DGX: Alex! We don't speak of it.


Sean gives DGX a slight nod, clearly conceding his point.


Alex Sean: Yeah, I guess I see what you mean.


DGX: Anyways, this has been fascinating but I told you before. Business is business and we have a job to do, that's that. Now if you'll excuse me...


As DGX moves to exit his locker room, Sean follows in the same direction, provoking a confused glance from DGX.


DGX: Is there something else?


Alex Sean: Well, no. But this is your locker room, and I'm not booked.


DGX: Huh. Me neither.


Alex Sean: You hungry?


DGX: I could eat. There's a Denny's not far from here.


Alex Sean: I'm in.


As Sean and DGX exit the building, we cut back to ringside as all arena lights suddenly change to blue and white, circling around the stage.


Matthew Werner: The dynamic between Alex Sean and DGX is... well, strained to say the least.


Matt Steel: You really have to wonder if these guys can even co-exist on splitting the check, let alone a title shot.


Keri Thames: The following contest is scheduled for one fall and is a Semi-Final Match in the National Championship Tournament!


The arena public address system is now flooded with the familiar anthem; that of Finland. The crowd begins to boo as from behind the curtain steps the ‘Finnish Phenom’ Saku Salmelainen. His Finnish flag leaning on his shoulder he makes his way down to ringside.


Keri Thames: Making his way to the ring, hailing from Finland and weighing in at 230 lbs... Saku Salmelainen!


Matthew Werner: What a match we're going to see here, Steel.


Matt Steel: Absolutely. Both of these men have gone through hell to make it this far, and the winner of this match can say without a shadow of a doubt that they have earned it.


Matthew Werner: That was awfully well said.


Matt Steel: There's gotta be at least one match on this card that takes this seriously.


Matthew Werner: Touche.


His face sports a usual frown as he bypasses the ring and heads for the announcers booth; dropping off his flag. Saku now rolls into the ring and gazes out of the crowd. He is met by only more boos, until ‘Numb’ by Linkin Park begins to play.


Matthew Werner: Let's take you all back to one week ago where, to a live crowd, Flame.. I mean David Roberts decided to change his name.


We cue to David Roberts standing in the ring last week addressing a mildly apathetic crowd.


David Roberts: You know, some of you idiots doubted my skills last week. "Shields is more expierenced, you'll never beat him. You got no chance in hell." Well, I certainly proved them bitches wrong now right? Well I proved that point, now for something serious. You know, now that I've advanced in the tournament, I've been thinking. Some of the greatest wrestlers in WFWF have held the national title. MOD, Ray Smith, Josh, Macarbe, and more. They are some of the most respected people. I wanna become one of these people. But something needs to change. I want to be more respected not only by you the fans, but the guys in the back. I'm gonna earn that starting now. As of right now, Flamez is gone. From now on, I am still the street king, but not Flamez. I'm going by my real name, David Roberts. By the way, whoever I'm facing in the next round, good luck, your gonna need it!


We fade back to ringside.


Matthew Werner: Well there you have it.


As the first verse of the song begins to play, small fireworks spark from the edges of the stage. The crowd eagerly cheers as David Roberts, fists raised into the air, steps out onto the stage.


Keri Thames: And his opponent... David Roberts!


Pausing for a moment to take in the cheering crowd, David Roberts brings down his arms and begins to make his way to the ring. Never breaking eye contact with his opponent, Roberts enters the ring and salutes the crowd one last time, before his music fades.


Matt Steel: Looks like we're good to go here.


The ref has a quick word with both men, who have not stopped staring at each other, as the opening bell is rung.


Ding! Ding! Ding!


Matthew Werner: And the match is underway!


Wasting no time, the two men lock up, jockeying for position. Roberts, being the bigger man, slightly overpowers Saku, and gets the advantage, driving a stiff elbow into Saku’s shoulder. Saku groans in pain and releases from the lock. Roberts, seeing opportunity, excitedly tries to grab Saku’s legs, only to be met by a stiff boot to the face. Roberts, caught off guard, stumbles backwards, giving Saku enough time to rise to his feet. The two men are now on even ground again, staring at each other once again.


Matt Steel: It looks like both of these guys are gonna have a hard time getting a clear advantage in the early going of this match.


Not wanting to over-commit to a move, both men simply circle each other, their stares unshaken. Finally, Saku dives at Roberts, going for the legs. It appears that he has caught his opponent off guard, as in one swift movement, Saku is able to flip Roberts over his back and hard onto the mat.


Matt Steel: Or he'll do that...


Saku still has Robert’s leg in his arm, and is now capitalizing on his downed opponent, as he twists the leg and locks in a textbook Sharpshooter.


Matthew Werner: That was awfully quick.


Roberts is now writhing with pain, the ref talking to him, making sure he does not want to give up. After what seems like an eternity of surviving the hold, Roberts finally musters up the strength to begin crawling towards the ring ropes. Slowly and steadily he makes progress, until he is mere inches away. Seeing his opponent close to the ropes, Saku releases some pressure on the hold and drags Roberts back to the middle of the ring.


Matt Steel: I think he might kill him.


Matthew Werner: It's a good thing this is licensed.


Roberts, it seems, was prepared for this as he uses the lightened pressure to work one of his legs free, and is now kicking with it. Saku, annoyed, breaks the hold completely and drives a kick into the back of the self proclaimed Street King. Picking Roberts up by the hair now, Saku utters a few inaudible words to his opponent before attempting to drive his head into one of the turnbuckles. Roberts is able to grab onto the ropes at the last second to prevent the move from happening.


Matthew Werner: David Roberts is really on the defensive here.


Roberts now is fighting his way out of the corner, hitting repeated elbows to the face of Saku. The crowd is now firmly back Roberts, as Saku loses more and more ground. Roberts whips Saku against the ropes and hits him with a huge clothesline on the rebound. Saku is now dazed on the mat and Roberts wastes no time ascending the turnbuckle. Jumping as high as he can, Roberts comes down hard and hits an epic leg drop.


Matt Steel: That leg drop was...


Matthew Werner: ... Epic?


Matt Steel: Yes, precisely.


Roberts seems to have hurt himself a bit with how hard he came down, as he is favoring his leg. Saku, meanwhile, has the worst of it, ask he rolls around in pain, clutching at his lower neck and chest area. Roberts, recovering first, picks Saku up to his feet and begins to hit him with numerous chops. Both men seem to be exhausted and hurting at this point, Roberts’ legs weakened, and Saku’s neck hurting. After several more strikes by Roberts, Saku has back up to the ropes, and with a last bit of gas in his tank he uses them to throw himself at Roberts, hitting the ugliest spear known to man.


Matt Steel: That was the ugliest spe...


Matthew Werner: Yes, yes, we get the po..


Matt Steel: Can I finish!? Can I finish!?


Matthew Werner: Fine.


Matt Steel: ... ar in the world!!!!!


Both men now lie heaving on the mat. Roberts appears to be winded, and Saku is clearly still dazed from the leg drop. Nevertheless, the Finnish Phenom slowly crawls over to his opponent and throws his arm over him. The ref begins a count.


Matthew Werner: We've got a cover.


... 1 ...


... 2 ...


Matt Steel: Not quite enough!


Roberts just manages to get the shoulder up in time. Realizing he won’t be able to pin his opponent, Saku uses the ropes to work his way to his feet, as Roberts in now on his knees leaning against the ropes. Saku charges the God of Violence, but Roberts sees him coming and lowers the shoulder, flipping Saku straight over the ropes and down hard to the outside.


Matt Steel: That may have been a huge mistake on the part of Saku Salmelainen.


Saku now lies, writhing in pain at ringside, as Roberts looks to the crowd for inspiration. Realizing he is trying to gain momentum, the crowd gets behind Roberts and begins to chant his name. Feeling the atmosphere, Roberts ascends the top rope and looks down at his injured opponent. Putting a fist in the air, Roberts throws himself off the top rope, coming down into a frog splash to the outside!


Matthew Werner: What a move! But at what cost!?


Saku has been sent into convulsions as the ref goes to make sure both men are all right. Roberts is clutching his stomach but is otherwise unscathed, as shortly he stands up and salutes the crowd.


Matthew Werner: Well, apparently not much of one at all.


Matt Steel: Yeah, he seems otherwise unscathed.


Matthew Werner: ... I hate you.


Roberts does not want to give his opponent any chance to gain an advantage, and immediately begins to lift him to his feet. Saku, it seems, has been faking his injuries to a degree, as he catches Roberts off guard and lifts him into spinebuster, bringing his back down onto the scarce padding of the ringside.


Matt Steel: Ouch.


It is now Roberts turn to convulse on the ground, but Saku wastes no time. Sitting on Robert’s chest, Saku pounds down on him with hard fists. Roberts is soon cut open, as the ref pushes Saku down and lectures him about using fists. The damage has been done, however, as blood flows freely from Roberts’ forehead. Saku now rolls his opponent into the ring, and lifts him to his feet, only to lock him into the Finnisher.


Matthew Werner: He's gonna land it!


As Saku turns to lift Roberts’ onto his back to complete the maneuver, Roberts manages to roll out of the hold and hit a gigantic German suplex on Saku. The injured Roberts now throws his own arm over Saku.


Matthew Werner: That's gonna do it!


... 1 ...


Matt Steel: He's got him!


... 2 ...


Saku has managed to sneak a foot onto the ropes. Frustrated and exhausted, Roberts falls back, clutching at his forehead. Both men lie for a moment, catching their breath and forcing whatever they have left. Slowly both men rise to their feet and begin to exchange strikes. Finally, after many strikes both ways, Saku grabs hold of Roberts boxing style, as both men now hold each other up and try to catch their breath. The ref breaks them apart, and the match continues. Roberts walks backwards now, until he hits the ropes. He stands their for a second, sizing up his opponent, until he uses the ropes to gain momentum and run at Saku, trying for his finishing spear. Just before it hits, Saku throws out a knee, catching Roberts squarely in the stomach, and throwing him to the mat. The pain, intensified by momentum, has driven Roberts right back up to his feet again, and he now runs around the ring clutching his stomach.


Matt Steel: The man's like a walking, talking bop bag.


Matthew Werner: Yes, except he's not inflatable either.


Matt Steel: Or made of rubber.


Matthew Werner: Really not much of a bop bag to begin with.


Matt Steel: No, I guess not.


Saku waits until Roberts is close to him before ducking in, locking his arm across Roberts’ neck, and bringing him down face first, into a grounded Helsinki Driver STO. Saku uses his final bit of energy to make the cover.


Matthew Werner: That's gonna put him away!


... 1 ...


Matt Steel: He's out!


... 2 ...


Matthew Werner: Generic Comment Emphasizing That This is the Finish!


... 3 ...


Ding! Ding! Ding!


Keri Thames: Here is your winner, and moving to the finals of the National Championship Tournament... Saku Salmelainen!


Exhausted, Saku rolls off of Roberts, but remains on the ground, trying to catch his breath. After a long time, and with the help of the ref Saku stands up. His arm is raised in victory as the Finnish national anthem plays to boos from the crowd. Saku now is handed his flag and makes his way to the back, denying help from the WFWF officials.


Matthew Werner: I hate to say it but Saku Salmelainen just seems to be even more impressive and make more of an impact every week he comes out here.


Matt Steel: Absolutely. However speaking of impact, what an impact Yukio Blaze made last week when he attacked Obo and revealed that he had signed on to face for the WFWF Title at Attack! .. Of The Little Green Men.


Matthew Werner: You've been working on those segways, I see.


Matt Steel: I try.


Matthew Werner: Well, let's bring it to Ryan Riddel who had a very special "Riddel Me This?" with Yukio Blaze as well as Thunder.

We return from commercial cueing the lights to dim down as "Dance with the Devil" plays across the sound system.


Matt Steel: And here comes our second Semi-Final Match of the evening.


Matthew Werner: This should be very interesting.


Keri Thames: The following contest is scheduled for one fall and is a Semi-Final Match in the National Championship Tournament!


Flames shoot from the ramp as Trace Demon walks through the fire, without getting burned. A red glow erupts around the arena as Trace makes his way to the ring, carrying a large metal staff with a pentagram on the top.


Keri Thames: Making his way to the ring first, weighing in at 200 lbs... Trace Demon!


Trace leaves the staff at ringside and enters the ring as flames shoot from the turnbuckles, eventually turning off when Trace touches one of the turnbuckles.


Matthew Werner: Last week Trace was supposedly given the week off. However he made his presence felt when he, Morrison, and Gee ambushed High Horror. Horror got lucky that Reckless came to his rescue.


Matt Steel: And will you look at that, Demon is on the card this week and Reckless is not. What does that tell you?


Matthew Werner: Absolutely nothing?


Matt Steel: Exactly.


All of the lights except a very dim orange one have gone out. This orange light is set at the top of the stage. Though vague, you can make out the outline of a man standing in the light. The PA system is blaring the overture to ‘Hard-Rock Hallelujah’ by Lordi. All of a sudden a series of powerful guitar chords begin to play as techno-color strobe lights flicker on and off, bright and dim. High Horror puts his arms straight up from his side. He puts his hands above his head and quickly jerks them down as a powerful medley of blue, red, and orange flames shoot up from the stage. Horror proceeds down the ramp.


Keri Thames: And making his way the ring, standing 6 foot 11, and weighing 290lbs…The High Horror!


Horror runs into the ring and on the ropes a few times then throws his fists into the air. Demon takes advantage of an about-faced Horror and clotheslines him in the back of the neck, doing nothing more than causing Horror to lose his balance for a second. The ref calls for the bell.


Ding! Ding! Ding!


Matthew Werner: That was pretty hard. How did Horror not fall?


Matt Steel: Horror has the height advantage. Horror has the weight advantage. Horror has the power advantage. Only things Demon has on Horror is speed and brains.


Matthew Werner: Ouch.


Horror turns around and grabs Demon by the throat. He lifts Demon up, but Demon manages to reverse the chokeslam to a DDT. Trace gets up and begins to stomp on every visible part of Horror’s body. Horror begins to sit up as Trace brings his knee up and kicks Horror right in the face. Trace begins to stop away again, dropping a few knees too. Trace then sits Horror up and puts him in a reverse chin lock.


Matt Steel: Trace Demon taking control with this hold.


Demon also puts his knee into the back of Horror and pulls Horror’s head back. The ref asks Horror if he wants to quit, and Horror declines. Trace drives his elbow into the shoulder and neck of Horror and puts the hold on again. Horror raises his arms and starts to elbow Demon. Horror manages to get to his feet and shoves Trace into the ropes. Trace comes back on the rebound and Horror lowers his head and rams his right shoulder into Trace, flattening Trace. Horror jumps up and drops a leg across the chest of Trace. Horror then gets up, only to drop a heavy right elbow. Horror hooks the leg.


Matthew Werner: We've got a cover.


... 1 ...


... 2 ...


Trace kicks out at two. Horror picks up Demon, but Demon rakes Horror’s eyes.


Matt Steel: Dirty, but effective.


Trace is holding his ribs as he starts to kick Horror in the thighs and calves. Trace goes to kick Horror in the head, but Horror ducks. But Trace comes back around like a windmill and clocks Horror with an enziguri.


Matthew Werner: Great move by Demon!


Horror stumbles onto the ropes. Trace sees that and he runs off the opposite ropes and pushes off of Horror, out of the ring and he grabs onto Horror’s head and bounces Horror’s throat off of the top rope. Horror bounces off and down to the ground kicking and holding his throat. Trace goes to the top turnbuckle and leaps off, nailing a frog splash. He hooks both legs.


Matt Steel: He might have him here.


... 1 ...


... 2 ...


Matthew Werner: Close but no cigar!


Horror powers out at two pushing Trace off. Horror gets up and throws a couple of punches, then boots Trace dead center in the head. Horror turns around and notices Dave Williams walking down to the ring.


Matthew Werner: Well, here come trouble.


Matt Steel: Trouble for who?


Matthew Werner: Good question.


Momentarily it seems Horror and Williams are going to argue, however Trace Demon is able to come from behind and hit Horror with several elbows to the back. He grabs Horror and irish whips him to the opposite rope. On the rebound, Trace jumps up catching High Horror in a Triangle Choke!


Matt Steel: What a move by Demon! He might have him here!


Matthew Werner: For sure.


Horror struggles in the hold, but the effectiveness is undeniable as Horror's feet begin to give out from under him. He struggles momentarily, the Triangle taking it's effect, but then begins to move around a bit.


Matthew Werner: Can Horror make it out of this!?


Horror begins to gain his footing, first on one knee, then he manages to get a solid base and stand up, Demon still holding the choke. Horror manages to put his weight down, slamming Demon hard on his back. Horror then lifts Demon up again, this time using all his strength the throw Demon over his shoulder in the position of the Hangman's Horror.


Matt Steel: What a move by Horror! This has to be it!


Demon begins to struggle in this position, the weakened Horror unable to complete the move immediately. Finally Demon is able to shake himself off, however this causes him to accidentally collide with the ref, taking him down.


Matthew Werner: Well, that's never good.


Demon, seemingly unphased, turns around only to be met with a right hand by Horror. Horror then sets Demon in position for the Dreadful Acts. Suddenly David Williams runs in the ring, chair in hand, and drills High Horror in the skull!


Matthew Werner: What the hell was that for!?


Matt Steel: I can't believe he just did that!


The effect is instantaneous, as Horror crashes to the mat. Williams tosses the chair from the ring and immediately exits, shaking the ref slightly on his way out. This jars the official to stir and see the pinfall. Slowly but surely, he counts.


Matthew Werner: This match cannot end this way!


... 1 ...


... 2 ...


... 3 ...


Matt Steel: What a travesty!


Ding! Ding! Ding!


Keri Thames: Here is your winner, and advancing to the Finals of the National Championship Tournament... Trace Demon!


Trace Demon rolls from the ring, giving David Williams an uncertain glare as he makes his way up the ramp. Williams then slides into the ring, a cold stare locked on his face as he looks down at High Horror.


Matthew Werner: I can't imagine why David Williams would do this!


Matt Steel: Regardless of why, it's very clear he's accomplished what he set out to do tonight for better or worse.


We fade to commercial with Williams standing triumphantly over a fallen High Horror.