Plaudits? I can only dream, Wolf Man.
P.S. Holy shit it finally got freakin' posted
June 4th, 2008
The Hammerstein Ballroom – Manhattan, New York City, New York
“Don’t Call it a Comeback”
A black screen with what looks like just a little white square in the center of it. It looks like a faraway television screen just hanging in dark hyperspace, but with each passing second it creeps closer and closer. Images bursts across on that small screen in accordance to the audio that goes by. There’s a faint humming in the background, but above that, we can hear soundclips from the first season of Art of War Wrestling…
“Welcome to AOW – Art of War Wrestling!”
“…Lucky 13…”
“…MICHAELS TAPPED OUT!!”
“I am Chris Jericho and I am your AOW Heavyweight Champ…”
“My god, what happened to Rob Van Dam…”
“That’s…that’s ‘The Great!’…”
“Samoa Joe and Finlay are tearing each other apart on the balcony!”
“WORLD’S GREATEST DOOMSDAY DEVICE!!”
“One…step…ahead…”
“Gregory Helms just stole the Cruiserweight Championship!”
“Hell has ascended to the Earth with the A.O.K.O. match…”
“The Man…on the Moon…”
“The Sons of the Dungeon, American Made, and the Samoan Fight Club debut on the same night…”
“Christian Cage has gone ballistic on Bobby Lashley…”
“…I’m the Real Deal…”
“I…I…I will NEVER QUIT!!”
“LASHLEY JUST SPEARED RVD THROUGH THAT TABLE! Michaels is counting…”
“…this is my Worthy Legion…”
“No one saw Michaels get eliminated…”
“…because you have to win this title before the end of the year…”
“…get rid of all the scum…”
“CM Punk finally is Dynasty Champion!”
“…you don’t retire until I say you do…”
“HEYMAN SCREWED MICHAELS…”
“Shawn Michaels…YOU’RE FIRED…”
“Tyler Black and Kofi Kingston tear the house down on their debut night…”
“CHRISTIAN CAGE HAS RETURNED FROM EXILE!!”
“This world is mine…”
“CHRISTIAN CAGE SURVIVES THE WAR CHAMER!!”
“…the first ever pro wrestling Offseason…”
“Wait a minute…did somebody just jump ship…?”
“I am the Boondock Saint Antonio Banks…”
“The first ever AOW Trios Tournament…”
“…AN UNSANCTIONED MATCH!!”
“Shawn Michaels…has sold his soul to the devil!”
“…a knee to the face means the same thing to every race!”
“I am the Master of Puppets…”
“YOU’RE GONNA GET YOUR F*CKIN’ HEAD KICKED IN!”
“Danielson spins Helms around FORTY TIMES!”
“…the rookies take center stage and become AOW WORLD Tag Team Champions…”
“Colon just used the Samoan Fight Club for the victory!”
“PSICOSIS TAPS!! Mercenaries, Inc. have captured the trophy…”
“THAT’S A HALF-TON ELBOW DROP!”
“MUSCLE BUSTER TO THE BEHEMOTH!”
“Justin King is a racist!”
“Finlay is an absolute bloody mess…”
“HE’S BACK! RVD IS OFFICIALLY BACK!”
“Can Christian hold on…”
“YOU SCREWED BRET! YOU SCREWED BRET!”
“He almost hit Torrie Wilson…”
“UNPRETTIER!! THE UNPRETTIER HEARD ‘ROUND THE WORLD…”
“THE JOURNEY – THE DREAM – IT’S ALL COME TRUE!! THE MADNESS, THE EXILE – IT HAS ALL LED TO THIS VINDICATION!!”
….and suddenly the screen shuts off on the victorious picture of Christian Cage holding the title high…only for the screen to light up on the final image of the AOW Offseason, Christian Cage still sanding victorious in the center ring, the entire crowd chanting and chanting before the scene fades away, leaving only the audio…
AOW!! AOW!! AOW!! AOW!! AOW!!
…before that gradually fades away and all we hear is the narrator we’ve heard for the last year as the AOW logo posts up on the screen
Narrator:
Welcome back to the battlefield. We missed your blood.
***
We enter the Hammerstein Ballroom, 3,000+ people on their feet…AND THEY’RE ALL SINGING ALONG, A CAPPELLA, TO MARILYN MANSON’S “FIGHT SONG!!” The traditional package didn’t even air, but all in attendance are so ready to be back in the swing of things, they’re letting it be heard! No telling how long this has been going on, but the awe-inspiring moment goes on for the first few minutes of the broadcast, reaching a near euphoric moment when the entire arena hits the “FIGHT!! FIGHT!!” chants. They pop huge for themselves as even Tony Chimel is taken aback by what’s going on, but not enough to leave him speechless
Chimel:
Ladies and gentlemen from the Hammerstein Ballroom and all around the world…welcome to AOW Wednesday Night Oblivion: SEEEAA-SUUUUUUN TWOOOO!!
The Hammerstein comes unglued once again before anything even happens, and then the chanting no longer becomes a recording. The rabid, mutant crowd kicks up their own live “AOW!! AOW!! AOW!!” chant that goes a little bit longer and sets an absolutely incredible setting for everything.
With the glorious re-introduction out of the way, we await for a moment until “MISERE CANTARE” begins to play to an ENORMOUS pop. The first man who drew #1 is none other than Dynasty Champion CM Punk! Punk is taken aback at his huge reaction, his Dynasty title flaying by his side. He’s pumped up by the crowd being so pumped up, the frustration we saw in the Offseason subsiding for the euphoric entrance. Punk marches down the ramp and plays to the crowd some more, more than happy to be the first guy these people see as the personification of what AOW is about.
Joey Styles
CM Punk is as ripe and ready as this insane Hammerstein Ballroom crowd! Hello, everyone, I’m Joey Styles alongside John “Bradshaw” Layfield and neither one of us can stress enough just how pumped we are to be back behind this glorious desk for the greatest wrestling promotion in the world on the greatest wrestling show in the world, Wednesday Night Oblivion!
JBL:
AOW is back in the habit, Joey, an’ I wouldn’t have it any other way! This night is two and a half months in the making!
Joey Styles:
And we’re kicking it off in style because in AOW, we don’t sleep on the wrestling here, folks. We’re gonna give it to you heavy and all night long, this match the first of TEN, yes, TEN matches in the AOW Dynasty Tournament!
JBL:
An’ that’s the beauty of the Dynasty Tournament in that no one knows who is gonna face who! I just hope whoever faces this tattooed buffoon knocks him right the hell out of this Tournament.
Joey Styles:
The best way to start AOW Season II, ladies and gentlemen, John Layfield wearing his CM Punk underwear waiting for his favorite wrestler to give him an autograph.
The sweet sound of commentators arguing is music. Other than that, the crowd reminds Punk of how much they love him when they kick up a “CM PUNK!! CM PUNK!!” chant before they die down just a tad. There’s a bit of a hush that goes around the Hammerstein, but a buzz of great intrigue as we wait for the next man…to hear “STORM LANCING” chime out over the system to a huge ovation as well!! It’s Punk’s old mentor, Lance Storm! We’ve only seen Storm twice this year and that was in the Trios Tournament, and no one’s seen him since! The veteran is also surprised at his reaction, walking into the ring to share a smile with Punk. The Dynasty champ can’t believe it, but from the way it looks, CM Punk was asking for a ‘hero’ in the Offseason; a small light in the dark world of wrestling. And it looks like he’s gonna get it
OPENING CONTEST
~Dynasty Tournament: Rd. 1~
AOW Dynasty Champion CM Punk v.
Lance Storm
For most of the match, the two remain on even footing and have a lengthy feeling out process because of it. Even after four minutes of action, the two men continually trade advantages back and forth, neither man being able to sustain a lead. Storm becomes the first man to nail consecutive big maneuvers when he surprises the rebounding Punk with a LEG LARIAT!! Storm immediately covers his former subordinate – 1…2…3-NO!! Punk keeps himself in the Tournament! Storm doesn’t let this stop him, taking Punk up and sending him over with a FLAWLESS NORTHERN LIGHTS SUPLEX!! He keeps the bridge and hopes for another cover – 1…2…3-NO!! Punk stays alive again!
The elder Storm is making it hard for Punk to stay on his feet, getting a hold of him and grappling him back to the mat and squeezing at his ribs with a side waistlock. Punk screams that he doesn’t wanna give up, even though it’s wearing him down. He manages to give Storm a pair of hard shots right in the middle of the forehead, backing him off enough for Punk to get back to his feet. Storm rushes the younger champion, Punk sidestepping and causing Storm to bounce off the ropes, where Punk greets him with a SNAP SCOOP POWERSLAM!! The crowd ignites for Punk as he goes for a cover – 1…2…3-NO!! Storm trugs on
Lance tries to recover by going over to a corner. When Punk approaches him, he shoos him away with a stiff KICK that sends Punk reeling away. But the resilient young rebel rushes back towards the corner, looking for the CORNER HIGH KNEE…NO!! Storm sees the move coming a mile away and DUMPS PUNK OVER THE TOP ROPE…but Punk lands on the apron! Storm turns around to see Punk still up, who CLOCKS HIM WITH A ROUNDHOUSE FROM THE APRON! Storm goes down hard to a pop, Punk leaning back and preparing for his former mentor to get back to his feet, but he may be eating up time here…SPRINGBOARD CLOTHESLINE…NO!!
Storm moves out of the way, Punk landing on his feet after seeing it coming. Storm grips Punk in a rear waistlock and goes for a GERMAN SUPLEX…but Punk jams the move and won’t let Storm get him up and over. Instead, Punk nails a standing switch and tries for his own GERMA…but Storm jams that one, forcing Punk over his shoulder with a FEIRCE SNAPMARE! Punk is rolled over himself, getting back to his feet dizzied…and is greeted with a LANCE STORM SUPERKICK…NO!! Punk counters Storm now, catching the foot before it meets chin, spinning Storm around, and on the spinout, CATCHES HIM ON HIS SHOULDERS FOR THE GTS…but Storm squibbles out of that, landing right behind Punk…AND FINALLY NAILS THE GERMAN SUPLEX!! An impressive mentor-pupil sequence ends with Storm getting a cover – 1…2…3…NO!! It’s not over yet!
The match time clock is striking just after seven minutes, Storm getting a little flustered. He tries to bring Punk to his feet, but Punk springs to life and RAMS THE VETERAN INTO A CORNER!! A violent move by Punk only stopped by him tending to his tender neck area, but he takes several steps back before rushing again…AND HITS THE CORNER KNEE AND BULLDOG COMBO!! Storm falls with his eyes up towards the lights and Punk covering – 1…2…3-NO!!
Punk doesn’t get too mad over the kickout, perhaps a sign of respect, but he doesn’t rise from his knees, just clasping his hands together and putting them by an ear. It’s time to put the old man to sleep. The crowd roars as the taunt is made, Storm somewhat wobbly to his feet…PUT ON PUNK’S SHOULDERS…NO!! He squibs off again, rebounding off the ropes behind him…and cracks Punk with the SPINNING WHEEL KICK!! Storm with another cover – 1…2…3-NO!! As soon as Punk throws his legs up, Storm goes over and grabs it, delivering a pair of boots to the pit of the knee. He then grabs the ankle with the crowd buzzing…CANADIAN MAPLE LEAF…NO!! Punk pulls Storm in for a small package – 1…2…3…NO!!
Punk couldn’t win the way he retained his title at The Outer Limits, both men springing back to their feet, only for Storm to try and set-up Punk for a VERTICAL SUPLEX…but Punk short-arms out of it, wrapping Storm up…and NAILING THE PEPSI TWIST!! But as Storm hits the canvas, his hammerlocked arm flies out…AND ALLOWS PUNK TO LOCK IN THE ANACONDA VICE!! ANACONDA VICE FROM THE PEPSI TWIST!! Storm writhes in pain and tries to make his way to the ropes, the clock almost reaching the final minutes as Punk clamps down harder…………AND LANCE STORM FINALLY TAPS OUT!!
Winner: CM Punk at (8:44)
And the first match of the new season is over! Punk’s arm is raised high as he takes in the huge pop he’s getting, but after a moment or so, he picks up Lance Storm. Storm forces Punk into a handshake that gets a pop…but then Punk pulls his mentor in for a hug in the middle of the ring, the crowd popping even more. Punk is handed his Dynasty title and the two walk out of the ring together, the crowd buzzing still. The Hammerstein knows this may be Storm’s last time in AOW, the crowd letting out a “THANK YOU, STORM!! THANK YOU STORM!!” chant that he briefly acknowledges before walking out with a little bit of a tear in his eye…
Joey Styles:
The night is still young, this crowd isn’t going home, and we’re just getting started!! Keep it here, ladies and gentlemen, because we’ve got two whole hours to excite you! We’ve got two months to make up for, so keep it right here!
**COMMERCIAL BREAK**
We return from the break to an arena that’s still rockin’ and they seem to remain that way because we see Jack Evans jumpin’ and jivin’ all down the entrance ramp and to the ring to the tune of “JACK E.”, his original theme. Able to dance on the way to the ring full time without a tag team partner for the first time in a long time is somewhat bittersweet for Evans, but he gets in the ring and break dances away his pain just fine.
…but the Hammerstein is somewhat stunned when the next sound heard is “HOLLA TO THA WORLD”. It’s not long before Antonio Banks comes on through the curtain in one of his signature garish outfits, this time decorated in a burgundy hue. Banks has his sunglasses on and a microphone as well as an aura of confusion, considering that we know he probably shouldn’t be here…
Banks:
Knock, knock you cracka’ bastards.
~Banks gets a big round of heat, not pulling any punches on that
Banks:
Yeah, that’s right. “The Boondock Saint” Antonio Banks. I’m back. I’m still black. And I’m still mad as hell.
~The heat continues as Banks steps a little farther out
Banks:
I did everything right. I stated my issue. I went out and spread my message. I gathered a following. Hell, I even got a whole petition of support. Then I consulted administration. And somehow, someway…THE MAN IS STILL KEEPIN’ ME DOWN!!
~Banks is still sustaining a deal of heat
Banks:
So a black man with a worthy cause and justified grievance is somehow suspended from in-ring competition. But this joker. This joker that broke up his tag team, this white devil that keeps on tryin’ to dance and rap like a black man is more than forgiven to keep his job and his spot in this Dynasty Tournament. How much sense does that make?
~A smartass in the crowd close to Banks is heard saying ‘perfect sense’, Banks hearing him and prepping a pimp slap in his direction before stopping and continuing his spiel. Jack Evans shrugs his shoulders and points at himself like ‘who, me?’
Banks:
Yes, I’m talkin’ about you, Jack Evans! I done told you about all the culture you’re tryin’ to take from my people! And somehow you’re still here not changin’ a damn thing! See this is how it is. The white man gets everything he wants and stays alive by takin’ from everybody else while everybody else is forced to change. Well that just forces me to be stronger, wiser, and more resourceful, now doesn’t it?
~Banks is pacing on the stage a little bit
Banks:
I’ve been suspended, my title shots have been suspended, and my right to be in this Dynasty Tournament has been taken away from me.
~The crowd pops for this, which pisses Banks off even more, but he sucks it up and then wags his finger
Banks:
No, no, no. I’m too smart to be held down for long. See I might be gone from this Tournament and this ring…but I found a loophole! The white man ain’t got rules tight enough that I can’t rope around. See I found out that I can find a replacement for myself in this Tournament. And if he wins…I still get my guaranteed AOW World title shot. And then they’ll be forced to lift my suspension. You know how bad it would look if the winner of the inaugural Dynasty Tournament couldn’t even compete?
~Banks now has a smirk as he shakes his head
Banks:
So without further ado, I introduce to some and present to others a man that I have scouted and I have full faith in to follow me in my cause. He is the first of my brothas in arms. He is the most dangerous man in all of wrestling and now that he is signed to a personal services contract to me, he’s the most dangerous man in AOW. And I’m glad these tournament matches are timed…because Jack Evans, you’re gonna be wheeled outta here in about…1.9 seconds. My representative…TYSON TARVER…!!!
“HOLLA TO THA WORLD” restarts as the now Most Dangerous Man in AOW, Tyson Tarver, bursts on through the curtain and on down to the ring. He’s got his face-covering bandana and his taped fists, Banks following up behind him. He gets in Tarver’s ear and he shows the only sign of emotion possible with a slight nod. He intimidating presence and stoic expression on Tarver’s face remain the same when he steps in and takes off his bandana, staring an absolute hole through Jack Evans, who is trying to brush off his fear.
Match 2
~Dynasty Tournament: Rd. 1~
Tyson Tarver w/Antonio Banks
v.
Jack Evans
Evans gives it his all to try and keep up with the intimidation of Tarver, but even his uber flexibility falls flat to Tarver’s stature. After two minutes in, Evans is still trying to fight for an advantage and not be thrown around like a rag doll, but when he tries to whip Tarver, he gets whipped into a corner himself. Tarver rushes at the cruiserweight, only to get a BOOT TO THE FACE. Evans has some separation finally, but when he tries to set up something on the second rope, Tarver jumps forward and CLUBS HIM OFF!! Evans falls face-first into the corner, giving Tarver time to take a few steps back…AND HIT THE MODIFIED FACEWASH!!
Evans could possibly have a concussion, wandering right back into Tarver’s clutches, right into a DEVASTATING CLOTHESLINE!! Evans drops like a stone and nearly flips over himself. Tarver stops for a moment to let in all the heat he’s getting, with Banks scoffing at the crowd and telling them to ‘shut up and go play golf or somethin’’. Banks’ and Tarver’s grandstanding finally ends when Tarver reaches down and starts pulling Evans up by his hair…only for Evans to spring up and hit a JAWBREAKER! Tarver stumbles for one of the only times in the match, Evans using this space to rush at Tarver…only to get A SNAP OVERHEAD BELLY TO BELLY SUPLEX…RIGHT INTO A CORNER!! EVANS IS FLIPPED RIGHT INTO A TREE OF WOE!!
An absolutely devastating move that keeps Evans pinned right up in the corner, but Tarver is stopped when he tries to go back after him. Like a dog having to be pulled by his leash, referee Justin King (who else) gets between Tarver and Evans, telling him to back away. While that happens, Banks winds up a fist and HITS EVANS SQUARE IN THE UPSIDE DOWN FACE WITH A LOW CLOTHESLINE!! Evans falls over from the tree of woe, flat on the canvas. Tarver is back on the prowl, his focus completely on Evans again, picking him up…and blatantly HEADBUTTING HIM BETWEEN THE EYES. This causes Evans to drop down to a knee. Tarver takes Evans and reaches down and looks to perhaps pull him up FOR A POWERBOMB…BUT EVANS TURNS IT INTO A BACK BODY DROP!! Almost as soon as Tarver hits the canvas, Evans nails an incredible STANDING CORKSCREW MOONSAULT!! Again, the athleticism of Evans is on display as he gets a definitive cover – 1…2…NO!!
The crowd deflates as Evans can’t quite end it there, Banks calling his prized fighter over to a corner. Tarver doesn’t seem tired, but Banks calls him over anyway and talks to him like he’s the corner man of a boxer. He then massages his shoulders before patting him on the back and getting him back to the ring. Tarver shadow boxes on his way back in, only to be greeted by a Jack Evans RUNNING DROPKICK!! Tarver is put right back into the corner, Evans backing away…AND HITS THE TUMBLING ELBOW!! The crowd is rapidly now on the side of Evans, but when Evans possibly tries to follow it up with a BULLDOG…but Tarver CHUNKS HIM ACROSS THE RING!! Evans lands on his tailbone and slowly rises back up…only to be SPEARED IN HALF BY TARVER!! FUCKING HELL!! Evans is absolutely DESTROYED by the Tyson spear, leaving Evans effectively dead. But to really pour the cement on things, he drapes Evans across his chest…AND NAILS HIM WITH TARVER’ LIGHTNING!! Evans is motionless as Tarver emphatically covers the white urban wrestler – 1…2…3…!!!
Winner: Tyson Tarver at (5:31)
With absolutely no emotion, no remorse, Tarver lifts himself off the body of Evans. He completely scares Justin King away from raising his hand just by glancing over at him. It’s Banks who casually crawls into the ring and raises Tarver’s arm instead to a great rain of heat. As Tarver stands like a mechanical man, Banks bends over and looks at the decimated body of Jack Evans, shaking his head. We can see him mouth something…it looks like…‘don’t go to sleep yet…’? While unclear, what this means quickly becomes apparent, as Banks lifts up the limp body of the eliminated cruiserweight and holds him up for Tarver. The crowd is throwing even more buzzing heat, Joey Styles not liking where this is going at all…and TARVER KNOCKS HIM OUT WITH THE KILL SHOT!! Evans could effectively be dead as Banks just lets go of his body! The two then exit the ring to an incredible round of heat that Banks just shrugs off and smiles at, while Tarver just goes up stoically, as we fade away…
~Backstage, Green Zone interview area, but it’s been transformed into the host of some kind of large bingo game roller…
Torrie:
‘round and ‘round, what the numbers will be, nobody knows!
Miz:
Hey, blondie. I’ll be the one to turn the handle because I understand that that’s too difficult for you to even do.
Torrie:
I understand it perfectly. I mean, you’re standing here. So I know how to work with tools good for only one thing.
~BURN!! Miz has his mouth open as Wilson goes over and takes it by the handle, spinning it and sending the numbered balls around and around. It isn’t long before someone walks into frame…er…a pair of someones
London:
WOH!! Dude, Brian, look at that! It spins!
Kendrick: (mesmerized)
No. Freakin’. Way.
~London and Kendrick, possibly stoned, just stare at the tumbling balls in the roller. Neither one of them even blink until Miz breaks it up
Miz:
HEY! You two yutzs gonna draw numbers or what?
~the Hooliganz completely ignore him, still hypnotized
Kendrick:
It’s like watching a dryer.
London:
But with balls.
Kendrick:
Or like a whirlpool.
London:
But with balls.
Kendrick:
We should pick some.
London:
But which balls?
~Wilson stops spinning it for a moment for both men to reach in, the spell breaking and letting them live again
London:
Heh heh. Lucky #7.
Kendrick:
#4? Who else got #4?
???:
I guess we’ll find out.
~All four people in the room turn around to see all three members of Mercenaries, Inc.
Regal:
How about you blokes clear out so true gentlemen can enter the fold?
~The disgruntled Hooliganz look at the Mercs funny before taking their balls and leaving the scene. Paul Burchill takes one savage look at The Miz and that causes him to scatter from the scene, leaving the Mercs and the blonde bombshell
Albright:
Turn it around again, tootz.
~Wilson gulps and turns the cage one more time before all three members alternate in putting their hands in and pulling their numbers out
Regal:
Don’t show this to anyone. Alright, gents?
~No sooner does Regal say that does Albright try to look over to Burchill’s ball, but Burch wraps all his fingers around it so he can’t see. Regal jabs his head in the direction away from the scene, all three men heading out that way and leaving Wilson to herself and the tumbler as we fade away…
~Back at ringside…
“QUEN SOY YO” hits the sound system now, a very disgruntled Carlito Colon comes on through the curtain to a decent array of heat for his debut in the new season. He’s got a terrible scowl on his face and we’re not sure why…until he looks behind him and from behind that blood-red curtain comes Carly Colon Sr…?? He’s dressed up in some of Carlito’s older attire, the tropical shirt and all. He doesn’t have an apple, but he points for Carlito to go on down the ramp like he needs some kind of instruction. Carlito aggravatingly waves off his father and walks down the aisle.
A little bit of pause for interest that seems to be the theme for the night, the crowd throwing up a pop when “MAN WITH NO LAND” hits the threshold to welcome the arrival of Kofi Kingston. Kinston hits a pair of thunderclaps before ripping off his exercise shorts and springing on down to the ring. The rookie sensation slaps hands with many front row fans, his thousand-watt smile radiating in his first shot at potentially getting an AOW world title opportunity.
Match 3
~Dynasty Tournament: Rd. 1~
Carlito Colon w/Carly Colon, Sr.
v.
Kofi Kingston
Having Carlito’s sire with him actually seems to throw Carlito’s rhythm off in the early goings, possibly succumbing to the pressure of having his father at ringside. Even so, he gets his blows in, but is shaken and taken aback by the speed and veracity of the young tropical newcomer, still technically in his rookie year. When we cut in four minutes in, Kingston is still using his speed to his advantage and surprising Colon when he springboards off the second rope and LANDS ON CARLITO’S SHOULDERS…but Colon seems to hold him up in an ELECTRIC CHAIR POSITION…but Kingston twists and slips down his spine to turn it into a SUNSET FLIP – 1…2…NO!! Carlito still has life, but he PUNTS Kofi right in the gut as the two get up.
Carly Sr. doesn’t like this, urging Carlito to show more discipline, but the second-gen competitor argues with his father as Kofi gets back up, hunched over. Carlito rebounds off the ropes behind him, and crushes Kingston with the RUNNING KNEE LIFT, only to rebound off the opposite ropes and come back at Kingston with a NASTY CLOTHESLINE!! Carlito with a cover – 1…2…3-NO!! The match continues, albeit with Carlito a little more frustrated, taking Kingston up and whipping him towards a corner…but Kingston leaps cleanly onto the top rope before launching himself back…REVERSE DIVING CROSSBODY!! Carlito is caught completely off guard – 1…2…3-NO!!
The two tropical warriors keep duking it out, although when Kofi takes Carlito and whips him into the ropes, it’s his turn to be taken by surprise by a Carlito SPRINGBOARD BACK ELBOW!! Carlito has to take a moment to gather himself from all the rapid damage he’s taken, floating over and covering – 1…2…NO!! Kofi stays alive, much to the dismay of the Puerto Rican. Carly Sr. is telling Carlito for ‘mas suave’, Puerto Rican slang for ‘calm down’. Carly Jr. actually nods his hair in confirmation with this, surprisingly. He slowly tugs Kofi up by his hair (which irritates his father), but he delivers a pair of hard knuckles to his head before hoisting Kingston on his shoulders and whipping him around…FIREMAN’S CARRY FLAPJACK!! Kofi’s face hits the canvas with a hard *thud* that prompts another cover – 1…2…3-NO!!
Kingston keeps his title shot dreams alive, Carlito getting more and more frustrated. He stomps on Kofi a pair of times, getting admonished by his sire in the process. Carlito ignores this and takes Kingston up, only for Kofi to shove Carlito back-first into a corner. Kofi shows off his resolve by running and leaping up high, and STARTS HITTING THE 10 PUNCH…but he only gets to four before Carlito shakes the ropes and makes him off balance, catching Kofi in his clutches before rushing forward…SITOUT SPINEBUSTER!! A unique move indeed for the Cool One – 1…2…3-NO!!
The Hammerstein pops big as Carlito knows now how Tyler Black felt in all those rookie duels, pounding the mat and tugging at his mess of a Hispanic afro. He drags the near limp body of Kingston back to a vertical base and sets up for the COOL SHOT…S.O.S.!! KINGSTON TURNS IT INTO THE RANHEI!! A cover – 1…2…3-NO!!! Kofi almost pulls one out of his hat, both men feeling the damage here. Kofi is the first man to his feet, still a little groggy, but able to bounce off the ropes and shift his shoulders and leap up for the BOOM LEG DROP!! But instead of going for another cover, Kingston rolls away and crawls back, grabbing at Carlito’s wrist and wrapping his legs around his neck…A TRIANGLE CHOKE!! THE BERMUDA TRIANGLE CHOKE so says the commentators, Carlito gasping for air. Carly Sr. is telling his son to hang in there, ‘lito’s entire body almost going numb…before he manages to angle his body enough to SLING and arm over the bottom rope!
The crowd’s buzz on the new submission dies down to fizzled heat at ‘lito’s resolve. But as Carlito tries to get to his feet using the ropes, behind him the Hammerstein is getting revived, courtesy of Kingston waving his dreads around and starting to thunderclap his hands together. As the Puerto Rican gets to his feet, he turns around to see Kingston preparing for the TROUBLE IN PARADISE - BUT CARLITO POKES HIM IN THE EYE!! A blatant move that immediately gets him reprimanded by the ref and shouted at by his father. The full of attitude Carlito pays no mind to either man, approaching Kofi...but he's greeted by the swirling hurricane that is the TROUBLE IN PARADISE…A NO!! Carlito ducks the spinning kick by the still blinded Kingston and winds up behind him…BACKSTABBER!! BACKSTABBER!! Carlito connects with his finishing move, Kingston backflipping over Carlito’s knees on the impact!! The selling is effective as effective as the eye poke, as ‘lito shoots the half and covers – 1…2…3…!!!
Winner: Carlito Colon at (8:40)
Carlito crawls off of Kofi’s body and quickly rolls under the bottom ropes with a raised fist in victory. He’s getting his fair share of heat, but when he tries to walk away from the scene, his father stops him in his tracks and tells him to turn back around and “show you’ve got some discipline”. Carlito argues with his father before his dad threatens to take off his belt. Carlito gives him a blank ‘you gotta be kidding me’ stare before just signing and rolling back in the ring, helping Kingston back to his feet…and giving him a begrudging handshake. Almost as soon as the deed is done, Carlito rolls away even faster out of the ring and darts up the ramp and pays no heed to his father with his ‘I told you so’s’.
Joey Styles:
Well…uh…the somewhat confused look on Kofi Kinston’s face explains most of the story here, as Kingston will not be advancing in the Dynasty Tournament in his rookie year, but he did put up a hellova fight.
JBL:
Kingston’s pretty impressive, but I think Carlito’s daddy knows something that we don’t about motivating that guy.
Joey Styles:
Well, we saw online over the last few months that Carlito’s father has been trying to discipline his son and making him more respectful and less lazy, so perhaps that might be the key to getting Carlito a shot at that World title. Besides, that was a blatant shot to the eyes from Carlito!
JBL:
Ain’t no motivation like daddy’s leather strap.
Joey Styles:
Well, gold and leather straps are all the motivation you need in professional wrestling, but coming up on the other side of the break, the AOW Dynasty Tournament continues! We’re not sure who the heck is gonna show up, but we do know London and Kendrick will both compete sometime tonight, including Kendrick coming up next!! But don’t forget later on tonight, Christian Cage will make his first televised appearance with the AOW World Champinoship! Expect the unexpected, all night long, here on Oblivion!
**COMMERCIAL BREAK**
“BETTER THAN GREAT (REMIX)” begins to chime out as we return, a bit of a harder sound to it with a bit of a twist. This certainly doesn’t sound like the World’s Greatest Tag Team theme very much like we’re used to hearing in this same key and tune, but the aggressive tone of it in no surprise gives way to Shelton Benjamin, showing his face for the first time since his actions since The Outer Limits. No, his hair isn’t gold, but his tights are, an entire new demeanor surrounding him. He’s actually getting a bit of heat, but some aren’t sure what to give him, his new flair following him into the ring.
Like before, there’s a bit of a hush before a new theme is heard, this one getting a big pop, as “LONDON CALLING” gears over the system to show us Brian Kendrick. One of the men who was often overlooked in Season 1 high-steps out to the stage before BOLTING down the aisle and sliding into the ring…ONLY TO BE CUT OFF BY SHELTON BENJAMIN CLUBBING AND STOMPING ON HIM BEFORE HE CAN EVEN GET UP!!
Match 4
~Dynasty Tournament: Rd. 1~
Shelton Benjamin
v.
Brian Kendrick
With that auspicious opening, it’s no surprise the newly aggressive Benjamin takes the upper hand for the first three minutes with this new attitude, but Kendrick starts to find a way to counter it with his own daredevilism, using what brought him to the dance. Benjamin tries to get too aggressive and launches himself a rope-resting Kendrick, but Brian lifts him up over his head…but the athletic Benjamin lands on the apron, akin to Punk earlier in the night. Kendrick turns around to see him, only to DROPKICK HIM TO THE FLOOR!!
The crowd pops as the aggressive athletic competitor falls onto his ass, leaving Kendrick alone in the ring. His locks bounce around a bit as he looks to the crowd to garner a bigger reaction, rushing against the opposite ropes and watching Benjamin as he tries to get up…SUICIDE DIVE!! IMMENSE SUICIDE DIVE!! Kendrick wipes out Benjamin! The smaller Kendrick is the first to get up and rolls Benjamin back into the ring, climbing after him for a pinfall attempt – 1…2…NO!! The match continues, Kendrick waiting for Benjamin to get back to his feet. Kendrick rushes and ducks underneath a counter clothesline and rebounds again…SAMOAN DROP!! BENJAMIN SAMOAN DROP!! Kendrick’s ribs are crunched as Benjamin covers – 1…2…3-NO!!
Benjamin isn’t worried about it, forcing Kendrick up to his feet before lifting the cruiserweight up and crashing down with a HIGH ANGLE BACK SUPLEX. Kurt Angle would be proud of that one, but Kendrick has the veteran wherewithal to start crawling towards a rope, however in pain. Benjamin relishes in the heat he’s getting by taunting him as he climbs the ropes like a ladder to get up. Benjamin grapples him for more offense, but Kendrick manages to whip him off by holding onto the top rope. Benjamin rolls right back to his feet, however, Kendrick springing off the ropes with a clothesline…but Benjamin wraps around it…and turns it into the PULL-BACK BACKBREAKER!!
Kendrick is now tending to his neck area as the crowd ‘oooh’s, on that one, Kendrick trying to get back to his feet…only to be CUT OFF BY A RUNNING BENJAMIN KNEE!! Shelton braces himself against the ropes after cracking Kendrick in the skull, smiling wickedly and getting heat for it. Benjamin is enjoying himself. The sick bastard turns now to cockily cover Kendrick – 1…2…NO! Brian is no pushover, raising a shoulder. Benjamin waits for Kendrick to get up, stalking him…SUPERKICK…NO! Kendrick throws the leg around…DRAGON WHIP…NO!! The dragon whip misses, spinning Benjamin all the way around…LEAPING CALF KICK!! Kendrick nails a crisp move of his own that fells Benjamin, Kendrick standing in place…AND HITS A STANDNIG MOONSAULT! An aerobatic move that gets him a cover – 1…2…3-NO!!
The angry black man gets back up to a knee, but Kendrick is trying to up the tempo and quicken things up to his pace that a match with a limit like this can have…going for a RUNNING HURRICANRANA…BUT SHELTON HANGS ON! He holds on and keeps Kendrick’s legs over his shoulders…TURNBUCKLE POWERBOMB!! OH MY!! Kendrick falls limp as the crowd throws heat and awe at the powerful and aggressive move. Benjamin, again, looks like he’s enjoying this, but instead of covering, he takes Kendrick by the tights and neck…and SHOVES HIM SHOULDER FIRST INTO THE OPPOSITE RING POST!!
Benjamin blatantly turns Kendrick into a corner dart, the referee admonishing him for that, but Kendrick is dead and Shelton is smiling. BK slumps out of the corner, Shelton dragging the limp cruiserweight away…AND LOCKS IN THE SCISSORED ARMBAR!! THE SCISSORED ARMBAR!! The move Benjamin debuted earlier in the year in his duel with Charlie Haas is shown again here on a devastated opponent…and it isn’t long before KENDRICK SHEEPISHLY TAPS OUT!!
Winner: Shelton Benjamin at (6:24)
And Benjamin won’t let go of the hold! The referee has to beg Benjamin repeatedly to get off before forcibly tugging Benjamin away, Shelton finally letting go. The sinister looking Benjamin looks down at his prey with a sick little smile before raising both of his arms to the sky the crowd throwing a considerable amount of heat on him.
Joey Styles:
This is just disgusting. This is what Shelton Benjamin has become and it’s a damn shame.
JBL:
A damn shame? A man who is a bona fide winner is a damn shame?? Shut your face, Joey. A guy gets a new attitude and you and these people just hate him for it. How is anyone supposed to evolve that way? No, you get in there and you do your thing. Shelton Benjamin is the most gifted athlete on this roster and now he’s finally taking it in.
Joey Styles:
But at what cost?? We hear he’s already burned all bridges with Charlie Haas of putting the World’s Greatest Tag Team almost completely out of commission. I would ask how you could be so enthusiastic about a man ditching a tag team partner and becoming a new man, but I already know that answer.
JBL:
And Benjamin is just like me. He’s an ace. And its damn time he embraced it.
~Backstage, Green Zone Bingo Tumbler set…
Torrie is back to spinning the cage, but coming into the foreground, we see Aero Star…playing referee to a Rock, Paper, Scissors game?? Both Super Crazy and Psicosis appear to reach a tie before Star shakes his head and pats them to do it again.
Mexicools: (pounding their fists against their palms)
PIEDRA, PAPEL, TIJERAS!!
~the gauntlet is THROWN…and Super Crazy’s scissors beats Psicosis’ paper!
Crazy:
ORALE~!! Super Crazy es gonna be in de Dynasty Tournament with you, homes!
~Crazy slaps Aero with a high five as both walk up to the cage and pull out balls
Psicosis:
Watchu guys get?
~Crazy tries to peer over Star’s shoulder, who clenches his fists around it and holds it close to his chest, shaking his head
Crazy:
Homes, ju always so mysterious, man. Well I got…#5!
Psicosis:
What’re ju doin’ back here then, vato? Ju’re match is up, like, NOW! We gotta go!!
~Crazy gets an ‘oh shit’ look on his face before rushing out of the scene, Psicosis trailing right behind, as we quickly fade away…
~Back at ringside…
There’s a little moment of uncertainty going around until “MEXICANO MUY LOCO” hits the soundwaves for the showing of Super Crazy and Psicosis following behind him, pushing him through the curtain. Neither are on their lawn mowers for rushing reasons, but Crazy makes his way down the ramp anyway, almost Santino Marella speed-walking to the ring. He doesn’t get to play to the crowd for very long before his music cuts off
...and gives way to “BLACK AND WHITE”, the daunting rock-esque theme for Tyler Black. His stringy hair looks somewhat different, having colored part of it blonde while leaving the other part of it black, looking like he does in real life over here. Black’s stringy hair now fits his black-and-white philosophy, but he’s still got his longcoat on and his head down to a solid array of heat, almost swatting a front row fan for trying to touch him. He plays with his wrist tape before jumping into the ring to face his Mexican foe.
Match 5
~Dynasty Tournament: Rd. 1~
Super Crazy w/Psicosis
v.
Tyler Black
The first couple of minutes in the contest are actually back and forth for a bit, Black being caught off guard by the Mexican’s ability to change the pace at the drop of a dime. After the first two and a half minutes, Crazy is still in control of the tempo, stunting a lock-up attempt by Black and trapping his legs with his own legs, getting a LEGSCISSORS ROLL-UP – 1…2…NO!! Black isn’t caught that off guard, getting back to his feet, only to eat a SUPER CRAZY ENZEGUIRI!!
The crowd and Black are taken aback by his offense here, but as the commentary notes, this man was almost on a team that won the Trios Tournament, so he’s no complete pushover. Tyler tends to his jaw in a corner, Super Crazy approaching him, and Black springing to action...REVERSE STO ON THE TURNBUCKLE!! Black shows his ability now to shift the tables, dropping out of the corner and rolling Crazy over himself for a roll-up of his own – 1…2…NO!! Black is somewhat pissed that Crazy won’t go down, but knows he can’t waste time, wearing him down with a side headlock. Crazy is prompted by the crowd to get out of it, getting to his feet and whipping Black against the ropes…TILT A WHIRL BACKBREAKER!! Crazy’s offense surprises again – 1…2…3-NO!!
Black is still in this thing, but he has to go to a corner to recuperate his back pain. Crazy sees this as an open spot, heading to the corner and mounting him for the TEN PUNCH…and he gets the crowd to count with him in Spanish, but he only gets to five when Black starts stirring and walks out of the corner with him in a POWERBOMB POSITION…only to shift him into a fireman’s carry…FIREMAN’S CARRY FACEBUSTER TO THE IRON POST!! The modified Snake Eyes stuns Crazy and makes him drift away from the ropes, Black rebounding off the ropes quickly…YAKUZA KICK!! BLACK BLASTS CRAZY’S HEAD OFF!! Black with a cover – 1…2…3-NO!!
Frustration sets in now for Tyler Black, but he smells the end, taking the picked apart cruiserweight and lifting him for the backdrop…but then shifts it INTO THE INVERTED STO!! THE BLACK TO WHITE!! Black is licking his chops now, not going for the cover there, but signaling that it is indeed time for the end. Like Benjamin, he has a somewhat sick smile as he brings Crazy up and looks for the PAROXYSM…NO!! Crazy spins out somehow…AND TURNS IT INTO A HEADSCISSORS TAKEDOWN! Black goes flying through the middle ropes, but he somehow hangs on and actually counters it somewhat by landing on his feet on the apron. Crazy is still feeling all the blows from the match, not able to get up immediately, but then Black suddenly FLIES INTO FRAME WITH THE SPRINGBOARD DIVING KNEE TO CRAZY’S SKULL!! OUT OF NOWHERE!! Crazy is dead on the canvas as Black shoots the half and rolls him over – 1…2…3…!!!
Winner: Tyler Black at (5:12)
Black rolls off of Crazy to and actually gets a little bit of a pop for his flashy flying finish. He stays on his knees and raises an arm with his stringy new hairstyle falling over his face. His mouth hangs open in both fatigue and victory. He snatches his hand away from Goose Mahoney and walks out of the ring on his own. He jumps at Psicosis when he gets outside, causing him to flinch, but Black pulls the false attack back and laughs to himself as he heads back up the ramp.
Joey Styles:
Well Tyler Black with a rather impressive showing here in the opening round of the Dynasty Tournament, faring better than the man many consider his rival, Kofi Kingston.
JBL:
Of course he fared better. He won.
Joey Styles:
Such gripping analysis, Mr. Color Commentator.
JBL:
I hate you too.
Joey Styles:
While Bradshaw and I hand out valentines to each other, we’ve already gotten half of our scheduled matches out of the way tonight, five men already going on to extend their title dreams. But ten more men and five more matches are on the way! But coming up next on the other side of the break, the man who finally toppled the tyrannical Chris Jericho will be in the building, in the flesh! Christian Cage, our AOW World Heavyweight Champion, makes a statement! Keep it here, live, on Oblivion!
**COMMERCIAL BREAK**
We’re back in the Hammerstein, an illustrated buzz going out all over the place before the place absolutely EXPLODES when “JUST CLOSE YOUR EYES” hits the threshold, as Christian Cage is home in the Hammerstein for the first time in two months. And for the first time in the company’s entire young history, the AOW World Championship in in the middle of the Ballroom, resting on the shoulders of a man not named Chris Jericho. Cage pats his chest on the stage and looks out – finally able to find his long-lost Peeps. He makes his way down the ramp with the title proudly branded around his waist, stepping in, and being introduced by Tony Chimel. He gets Chimel’s own microphone as he stands in the middle of the ring.
Christian:
You guys have no idea how good that feels.
~…and the crowd ERUPTS all over again
Christian:
I’ve had this gold around my waist for a little over two months now. But I haven’t quite felt like a ‘champion’ until I just walked through that curtain and was reminded that ‘hey. I’m not just a champion. I’m the AOW World Heavyweight Champion.’
~A whole new explosion of a pop from New York
Christian:
And I made a champion’s address way in Kentucky, but I think the rabid fans here in the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York deserve a little love too.
~Cage gets his cheap pop, but it’s yet another huge pop nonetheless, but this one is followed by chants of “CHRISTIAN CAGE!! CHRISTIAN CAGE!! CHRISTIAN CAGE!!”
Christian:
Thank you. Now, before I talk about –
Dark. The entire Hammerstein flickers it’s lights and it’s suddenly dark. The entire arena is consumed in this, no one being able to see much of anything. We know the broadcast is still going on because we can see a few cell phone lights going on, the camera trying to follow what looks like a vaguely seeable Christian silhouette. The crowd is also buzzing considerably, telling us that the telecast isn’t completely turned off. But some perhaps wish it was because we hear something incredibly eerie with all the lights still off
???:
Chriiiiiiistian…Chriiiiiiistian…
~The voice sounds very familiar, but no one’s sure where it’s coming from
???:
Chriiiiiistian…don’t look too hard, oh Savior…
~FLASH. The only real light produced in the whole building now is a spotlight targeted on the entrance stage. In that spotlight, we see a man seated in a chair, sitting with the chair turned around. He’s facing the front in his three-piece suit, his normally astute blonde hair a mess…and Chris Jericho slowly raises a microphone back to his lips. We the shadows still hide his eyes, but we’re more than certain it can be only that one man
Jericho:
There’s no need to reiterate what these people already know about you. You were a man with a vision, who saw the future, but was exiled for his brilliance, only to be the guiding light to take me down. And then…you did just that. You took me down.
~We can see a very faint light on the face of Christian’s face now, most of it still sunken in darkness. His delivery is aggressive, but hypnotic, like a broken dictator…
Jericho:
You did it, Savior. You killed the championship reign of the greatest champion in all of wrestling history. You killed the reign…of a god.
~The crowd is over the incredible intrigue of all this and is now throwing an immense rain of heat, again, Cage’s expression being only seen with a sliver of light
Jericho:
But Christian…you, nor anyone else that’s a mere mortal…can finish the impossible. You can kill my reign. But you can’t kill a god.
~More heat, as the light shows Christian taking the title from around his waist and slinking it over his shoulder
Jericho:
My name is Chris Jericho. And I am what you will never be, Christian Cage. I am a Worthy Champion. And I am a Worthy Man. You stand there looking at me with the utmost uncertainty and I know you know what this is about. I have no rematch clause, Christian.
~Jericho gets up out of his chair and starts walking down the aisle, his eyes still buried and hidden in shadow as the spotlight follows him
Jericho:
And you, the fighting champion I know you will be, have no reason to grant me a rematch. I mean, you had to do so much to even topple me the first time. And I’m probably the only man on this entire roster who you have no quams about…what was the anaology you used…‘toppling down the mountain…?’
~Jericho keeps walking down the ramp, each step more and more daunting
Jericho:
But think about it, Christian. Your doubts are radiating in your eyes. You know you’re not worthy to hold that gold. You could barely defeat a man like Jamie Noble in the Offseason. And you know you’re not nearly the Worthy Champion that I was and was always going to be.
~Jericho roams over to the ring steps, walking up them and to the apron
Jericho:
So what are you really a champion of, Christian? Huh? These people? The same people who ditched you and wanted out of this company not even a year ago? Are you the champion of this administration, one of which still has it out for you, and the other is incredibly incompetient? Are you the champion of that locker room, which right now, is literally filled to the brim with men who have no problem beating you to a pulp for that belt?
~Jericho is almost raving mad here, having to take several breaths before stepping into the ring
Jericho:
You’re a champion of nothing. You’re an unworthy champion of nothing. So you have that gold around your shoulder and it means nothing. Your doubts and your unworthiness are already devaluating this company and that gold I worked so hard to make important. You need me, Christian Cage. These people need me, this administration needs me. It doesn’t need some naval-gazing champion who contemplates his very existence. No. They need a champion who knows all and sees all. They need me. And let’s face it Christian. You beat me once. But it was garbage. And the only man who can even remotely validate you as the man at the ‘summit’…is me.
~With that, Jericho is in center ring, his intense, red-rimmed eyes meeting Christian face to face. The only light in the entire arena is now enveloping the bodies of both Chris Jericho and Christian Cage. Christian seems unmoved
Jericho:
I don’t have a rematch clause. I’m not in the Dynasty Tournament. And damn your ‘celebrations’. But you know you need me, Christian Cage. So all I’m saying is put your doubts to rest. Put your very existence at ease and erase it all away. You’re nothing. But I…I will make you something. Face me again for that AOW World Heavyweight Championship. And one way or another, this company will get its validation.
~Jericho’s mad eyes meet Christian’s, giving us an incredibly intense scene in this ominous spotlight…but Christian remains unmoved as he raises his microphone to his lips. He pats it a couple of times to see if it’s been turned back on and it has
Christian:
Through all that madman talk, Jericho, pardon me while I revel in the fact that the great Chris Jericho, the Worthy Man, the Master of Puppets, the God of Gods…has basically been reduced to a raving lunatic that’s reaching at logical straws and basically begging me for a title shot.
~A huge pop for that, but Jericho’s face is the one unmoved and still mad
Christian:
I revel in this the most, oh worthy one, because it’s like I’m looking in a mirror at what I was months ago. And to be honest, it’s scary. Because I know there’s nothing you’ll stop at to get your hands on what you want and what you’ve lost. But Jericho, I think I’ll revel even more in the fact that as mighty as you think you are and as huge as you think you’ve become, the only thing you’re gonna be able to do…is get. To the back. Of the line.
~Cage is all up in Jericho’s face, completely undaunted by the unstable aura surrounding this broken Lionheart
Jericho:
Keep lying to yourself, Cage. But we both know the one thing seeded deeper than your pathetic self-doubt, deeper than your self-righteousness…is your hatred for me.
~…and here Jericho seems to have struck a nerve
Jericho:
You hate me so much, Christian, that without a me…there would have never been a you. You know that, don’t you? If there was no Chris Jericho to begin with, there would have been no conspiracy and there would’ve been no purpose for you to even be present. In a way…you hate me so much…that I…complete…you. That’s why you know you need my validation…and no one else’s. No matter who is in that line in front of me.
~We see a sly little smile developing on Jericho’s face mixed in with his intense eyes and the shadow of the spotlight and it makes for one of the downright creepiest things ever seen in AOW history. And he’s getting closer to Christian’s face because Christian is obviously struck by this notion
Jericho:
And that…makes you…burn.
Christian:
The only man here who needs to burn is you.
~Oooooh. The crowd is in a bit of awe at that one, as Cage responds by getting in Jericho’s face
Christian:
There’s a special circle of Hell for what you did for seven months, Chris Jericho. And I already made you pay for what you did to this company at The Outer Limits…
~Cage seems to tail off
Christian:
But you’re right. I still haven’t made you pay for what you did to me. But I’m not gonna go there, Jericho. No. I may not know what kind of champion I am, but I know I’m a better man than you. And as much as I hate you right down to the core of my very being…a guy like you doesn’t deserve anything from me. I, Christian Cage, am the AOW World Heavyweight Champion. And no matter how bad I want you…dare I say…dead…I don’t want it so bad that I’ll blind myself with that hatred. But for the sake of me and everyone involved with this company…the puppet strings end here, Jericho. You won’t control anyone else anymore.
~Christian goes to walk past Jericho before stopping right beside him, the spotlight still enveloping both men
Christian:
You really wanna know how to kill a god, Chris? You stop believing in them. You stop giving them power. It ends here, Jericho. It’s not me who is nothing. It’s you. I did topple a god for this. And I think I did just kill one to keep it.
And with that, the crowd lets out one final roar of approval for the AOW Heavyweight Champion, who drops his microphone and walks out of the ring. His barely lit shadowy figure is seen through the arena that’s been dark this whole time, the spotlight now only shining on Jericho standing alone in the middle of the ring. He’s muttering to himself inaudibly as the screen slowly dissipates…
**COMMERCIAL BREAK**
~Back at ringside…
Joey Styles:
Er…ladies and gentlemen as you can see, the lights in the arena are back and fully functioning after what I believe is by far the strangest wrestling promo I think I’ve ever seen in my entire life and I’ve seen some doozies.
JBL:
I might actually be on board with you, Joey. That was quite strange. I knew what Chris Jericho was going for, but it didn’t look like Christian was any kind of fazed.
Joey Styles:
We all saw right through Chris Jericho. He tried to use every single psychological trigger he could on Christian Cage to try and perhaps gets himself another shot at the AOW Championship, but he couldn’t do it. By some kind of divine will, Christian Cage shot the puppetmaster, the grand manipulator that is Chris Jericho down without so much as a flinch or even a punch.
JBL:
The kicker for me, Joey, was I think I saw something in Chris Jericho’s eyes that I’ve never seen before.
Joey Styles:
What was that? Madness?
JBL:
No. Desperation.
Joey Styles:
You…actually made a fantastic point, Bradshaw. Wow. Really something to think about as the AOW Dynasty Tournament continues on right here, right now.
As we return from that surely strange promo, the Hammerstein is filled with the sound of “EXECUTORS FOR EXCELLENCE”, signaling the arrival of one of the members of the AOW Tag Team Champions. On this go, it’s TJ Wilson who pushes through the blood-red curtain and gets a pop from the crowd, any member of the Sons of the Dungeon making their debut with their title tonight. Wilson plays to the crowd and shows off his gold, patting it before handing it off and waiting for his opponent…
…and much to our surprise, “EXECUTORS OF EXCELLENCE” hits the threshold one more time. A big pop of intrigue comes from the crowd and it gets even bigger when Harry Smith steps through the curtain. He’s walking rather slowly, looking down the aisle to look into the eyes of his own tag team partner. Wilson is just as shocked, but the Hammerstein loves it. Smith walks down with his half of the titles in hand and climbs in the ring. Both men smile in disbelief before shaking one another’s hands, making sure the best man will win. The uncertainty of the Dynasty Tournament may reach an apex here.
Match 6
~Dynasty Tournament: Rd. 1~
AOW World Tag Team Champion TJ Wilson
v.
AOW World Tag Team Champion Harry Smith
As one would imagine, these two know each other like the back of their Canadian hands, exhibiting a damn near endless wave of chain wrestling for the first five minutes of the contest. Neither one can gain any kind of upper hand before the other one shows him the counter, no definitive falls set. Harry establishes his power game early, Wilson having to use his quickness, but they’re not pulling punches, evidenced when we cut in to Smith CLOTHESLINING HIS PARTNER’S HEAD OFF!! The first definite cover of the contest has the big man on top – 1…2…NO!!
The ‘Dungeon Resolve’ that’s in both men could be on display tonight, Wilson up first, but Smith shows his by not giving in. He takes his smaller partner up and clubs him in the back of the neck, really not pulling any punches. He then gears back like he’s going for a BACK SUPLEX…WILSON FLIPS OUT!! TJ continues the counter by rebounding off the ropes, but he gets caught by Smith in an OVERHEAD BELLY TO BELLY…BUT WILSON LANDS ON HIS FEET AGAIN!! Wilson flips out of his partner’s move again with insane athleticism, but he’s off balance, using that momentum to run at and leap off the second rope…TORNADO DDT…NO!!
Smith’s strength throws his best friend off of him while he’s spinning, forcing TJ against the ropes. Smith charges him, looking to keep the offense on with more than half their time limit gone…BACKFLIP KICK!! Wilson backflips round the rope and to the apron, Harry reeling, as he looks up…to eat a SPRINGBOARD MISSILE DROPKICK!! The counter-fest ends in sublime fashion, the crowd popping for the sequence as Wilson covers – 1…2…3-NO!! There’s still more work to be done, Wilson getting right to it, LOOKING FOR THE SHARPSHOOTER…but Smith’s strong legs kick him away. TJ rushes right back at him, going for a RUNNING SHOOT KICK, but Smith catches the leg and keeps the momentum…SPINEBUSTER!! A huge spinebuster puts him on top of his partner – 1…2…3-NO!!
These guys know each other almost too well, but Smith keeps his business face on and takes Wilson back up, pumping him above his head and then taking him over with the MILITARY PRESS DROP!! Harry looks to follow up on that, possibly with a FINISHING SPLASH…BOOT TO THE FACE!! As Smith legs gravity do his work, it also does the work on his chin as it collides with Wilson’s boot! He stumbles to the canvas as Wilson rolls away, tending to his back area, but then springboards right back in…SPRINGBOARD ELBOW DROP!! Right across the heart that one is as Wilson goes with another cover – 1…2…3-NO!! Wilson is forced to roll away and await the big man to get his footing back, only to rush at him for something else, but Smith sidesteps it and grabs Wilson’s arm, whipping him into the ropes. The two seem to rush at one another and DOWN EACH OTHER WITH CRASHING CLOTHESLINES!!
Both men think far too much alike and down each other, their recovery killing several precious seconds. It’s Harry who is the first man to be perfectly vertical, an equally exhausted Wilson getting up as well and swinging wildly with a missed clothesline. If this were a Cena match, we’d know what’d happen, but here, Smith wraps around TJ with a rear waistlock and preps for a GERMAN SUPLEX…but TJ jams it and rolls forward with the WHEELBARROW VICTORY ROLL – 1…2…Harry Smith rolls forward, now putting him on top in the victory roll – 1…2…NO!! TJ throws his legs up and forces Smith away, TJ getting up only to see his partner and opponent coming at him with a BIG BOOT…but he ducks it and initiates a SCHOOL BOY – 1…2…3-NO!!
A damn near fall there, both men springing back up, only for TJ to eat a boot to the gut and be hoisted up for a VERTICAL SUPLEX…only to be kept up there for the DELAYED VERTICAL SUPLEX!! The crowd is already hot from the rapid-fire near falls and is getting hotter, regardless of JBL bashing Smith for wasting invaluable time…only to have Wilson wiggle a little bit and slide all the way down Harry’s back and get a very nifty SUNSET FLIP PIN – 1…2…NO!! Harry reveres it by tilting up, TJ now trapped beneath him – 1…2…NO!! Wilson again tilts it and gets another sunset flip – 1…2…NO!! AGAIN it’s reversed to a tilt by Harry – 1…2…NO!! The move is finally broken, both men initiating the highest pace of the night, their hearts racing as they get to their feet. TJ tries to whip his larger partner into the ropes, but this is reversed, as TJ rebounds and seems to leap a little bit and twist into a RUNNING BACKSLIDE PIN…but Harry Smith CARTWHEELS OUT OF IT before the shoulders are all the way down!! The crowd has a legit ‘WOW!’ moment on that, but they only have a second or so before Wilson gets back up, Smith charging the legs and GOING FOR HIS OWN SHARPSHOOTER…BUT TJ PULLS HIM INTO A ROLL-UP – 1…2…3-NO!!
An absolutely incredible sequence by both men finally ends when the package is broken up, the Tag Champions exhausted from the ridiculous pace they just pushed each other into. The Hammerstein is actually on their feet, giving these men an incredible due as they try to regain their breath in opposite corners. They actually smile at one another from across the ring…until they look up at the Ying-Yangtron…to see that a timer has popped up for the remaining minute left of the match. Unfortunately for them, it’s already at fifty seconds remaining.
This deflates both of their smiles as they rush at each other, Wilson pushing for another move, only for Smith to send him over with a HEADLOCK TAKEOVER and shifts his hips for a cover – 1…2…NO!! Wilson bridges out of that and snaps to his feet, grabbing Smith’s legs as he gets vertical and getting a JACKNIFE COVER – 1…2…NO!! Smith wraps around the waist and twists around out of the pin to torque into a BACKSLIDE PIN – 1…2…NO!! TJ Slides all the way down and rolls back to his feet, only to climb up to the second rope and LEAPS FOR A DESPERATION BIG HIT…BUT HARRRY CATCHES HIM!! The Bulldog’s son then slings him over a shoulder and prepares for the RUNNING POWERSLAM…but TJ slides off and bounces Harry off the ropes for ANOTHER VICTORY ROLL…WHILE HOLDING THE ROPES – 1…2…NO!! A buzz of intrigue for that one, but Harry kicks out of it, grabs Wilson, and literally drags him to the ground with an amateur-style pin attempt, SMITH NOW USING THE ROPES AS LEVERAGE – 1…2…NO!! Just showing how badly both men want that AOW title opportunity, they’re back to their feet when Wilson charges at Smith, only to be lifted over his head and to the apron. The two duke it out with several blows there, but as the clock winds down, so do they, as Smith hits TJ so that he falls off the apron, Smith himself falling to a knee from exhaustion…and a BUZZER sounds.
Winner: TIME LIMIT DRAW at (10:00)
THEREFORE, BOTH TJ WILSON AND HARRY SMITH ARE ELMINATED
There’s a bit of heat from the crowd for the inconclusive finish, but then there’s a big noticeable pop once both men get to their feet, being applauded for their incredible efforts. Both men have to kind of keep each other up, but they embrace one another when they get back in the ring and raise their World Tag Team Championships high to another pop.
We’re brought to the booming, bright city of Las Vegas, Nevada – casinos lined up on every corner, people dressed in their finest, limousines all over the streets, and live band tunes blaring their trumpets.
The camera steps through the doors of one of the casinos and shows us to a room bustling with commotion, but a closer look shows us one of the men participating in the fun is Antonio Banks rolling some dice…and rolling terribly
Banks:
Damn! Another bad roll!
A man in a tux next to Banks leans in
Man:
Shouldn’t you be better at this?
Banks:
What? Just ‘cause I’m black, I’m supposed to be good at dice?
The camera leaves the offended Banks to show us a quartet of guys playing cards – Jack Evans, Low Ki, The Miz, and Jamie Noble
Dealer:
Alright, gentlemen – show your hands!
Jack Evans throws a hand down, followed by Jamie Noble
Noble:
HA-HA!! Read’em an’ weap, ya city slickers!
Noble is stopped from grabbing his winnings by Miz, who lays down his hand
The Miz:
I don’t think so! Mike Mizanin, poker extraordinaire!!
Miz now reaches over to grab the chips, but he’s stopped by Low Ki with no change in expression…who drops down…a full house!
Evans:
Wow! That’s some poker face, Ki!
The Miz:
HEY! That’s four in a row! No fair!
Evans:
Do you want him to kick you back into a closet?
Miz gets sweaty and terrified, sitting back down silently. The camera now pans aside to see Bryan Danielson standing alongside William Regal at a roulette table. The dealer stands between them
Danielson:
So, how the heck does the Dynasty Tournament even work?
Man:
Well, it’s random. No one knows who they’re gonna face until the night of the contest. Everyone draws numbers and whoever gets the same numbers, that’s who you face.
Danielson:
Really? There’s like thirty-two guys in that tournament!
Regal:
Quit complaining, youngster. Hey you – throw that pebble.
Danielson shrugs his shoulders and the dealer flicks the little white ball, the ‘pebble’ landing on a little square that has the number “16”
Danielson:
16? Hey, who’s the unlucky guy who’s gonna face me! Who else got 16?
Danielson is consumed by a large shadow before looking up and seeing Samoa Joe. Regal has a small chuckle as Danielson’s mouth goes agape, but we soon pan away from that to see Brian Kendrick and Paul London jumping on a pool table and kicking things all over the place and acting like general monkeys
We then switch to a view of a security viewer wall, Chris Jericho apparently the man in charge of the entire casino. He speaks into a walkie-talkie
Jericho:
We’ve got a couple of guys acting like Hooliganz on table four. Get rid of’em.
Cut to a shot of Paul Wright in a bouncer’s outfit and sunglasses, throwing the struggling tag team out the front door. We then cut to someone sitting at a bar, the bartender taking note of what just occurred
Bartender:
Well, I guess those guys got eliminated. You want somethin’ hard there, tough guy?
The camera turns to reveal the man to be CM Punk
Punk:
Naw. Just get me a Pepsi. It’s gonna be a long night.
The scene becomes blurry and in the background to words scrolling across the screen
Narrator:
The 2008 AOW Dynasty Tournament – starting June 4th and lasting until July 2nd for the 3-hour Finals Supershow, Rise of a Dynasty, live from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas!
***[/I]
**COMMERCIAL BREAK**
~Ringside, commentators’ table…
Joey Styles:
Welcome back, ladies and gentlemen, to what has been an incredible night of Oblivion so far.
JBL:
Incredible ain’t the word to describe it, Joey!
Joey Styles:
I know, Bradshaw, but I also know you don’t possess the vocabulary to describe it. But this ‘Season Premiere’ is only the beginning because folks next week when we return to our regular 90 minute spot, we’re gonna have the remaining six matches in the first round of the Dynasty Tournament! It’s just as unexpected and uncertain as tonight has been, like what we just saw with the Sons of the Dungeon!
JBL:
I tell ya there’s nothin’ like that itchin’ feelin’ in a tag team to know who is better, but we couldn’t find out tonight. Still, kudos to the kids for not holding back against their best friends.
Joey Styles:
But we’ve still got plenty more to look for for the rest of the night!
~Backstage, Green Zone Balls in Cage area…
For once, Torrie Wilson is nowhere to be seen. This time, we see Paul Heyman for the first time live this season to a loud rain of heat from beyond the walls. He has a sour face on in his wheelchair before someone BURSTS into the room, that man in a hurry being Alex Riley. A-Ry is in huffing and puffing from running around
Riley:
I…I can’t find it anywhere!
Heyman:
Are you sure you didn’t simply misplace it, Mr. Riley?
Riley:
Mr. Heyman, I swear, this is the biggest night of my career…no…my life. I would never misplace my number in a million years.
Heyman:
Well then that means there’s only one thing that happened to it. We have a thief in our midst.
Riley:
Well the whole roster is back there. How do we find them?
Heyman:
Calm down, Mr. Riley. I’m on your side. Do you really think I’d the debut of one of my top prospects be soured by such an underhanded tactic?
~Heyman calms down his ‘prospect’ and goes over to the bingo tumbler and digs around for a little bit and is delighted when he finds what he wants. He pulls out a ball and hands it to Riley
Heyman:
I gave you the #10 ball so that you may main event your first night here. Luckily, the other #10 ball is still here. All we have to do is go out there for the final match of the night. Whoever is the man who stole your number will come out and admit to being slimy, pathetic, weasel of a being simply by competing.
Riley:
And then I get to beat him to a pulp, right?
~Heyman and Riley smile. Heyman then…pinches Riley’s cheek…?
Heyman:
There’s my Boston College graduate.
~Heyman smiles like a dumbass as Riley cockily smiles as we fade away…
~Back at ringside…
“LONDON CALLING” belts out now for the second time in the night, the spot we knew Paul London drew earlier. The other half of the Hooliganz pops on through the curtain and rushes down to the ring, but fares much better than his counterpart because there’s no one in the ring to beat him down. London climbs the turnbuckle to a nice ovation before backflipping off and preparing himself for his mystery opponent…
…only for his chances of winning to go down once “LAMBEG” hits the waves. A sourer than usual looking Dave Finlay pushes back the curtains with his shillelagh in hand, the crowd throwing the most heat they’ve thrown for someone not named Chris Jericho. Finlay doesn’t pay any attention to anyone at all except his eyes staying locked on London. Before he climbs in, Brian Hebner has to ask for Finlay’s shillelagh, Dave just looking at Hebner like he’s gonna hit him with it. He finally hands it over, but his expression doesn’t change in the slightest before stepping in to face his cruiserweight opponent.
Match 7
~Dynasty Tournament: Rd. 1~
Finlay
v.
Paul London
Predictably, this contest sees Finlay dominate from the opening bell, almost seemingly taking out any pent up aggression he’d been storing up during the Offseason and releasing it on poor Paul. London doesn’t roll over and die, however, staying in there with the “undefeated” Irishman for much longer than it seemed he would last. After Finlay rips apart London’s leg, the handicap constantly slows London’s offense, but he’s still competitive almost six minutes into the duel. Finlay grows incredibly frustrated, wanting to end the match quite soon, but he’s stooped by London NAILING HIM WITH THE DROPSAULT…THAT SENDS FINLAY OUT OF THE RING!! A big hope spot for the Texan cruiserweight, launching himself through the ropes…SUICIDE DIVE CONNECTING!!
Justin King is counting both men out, the competitors taking a while to get to their feet thanks to the impact and London’s knee injury. London is still the first man to his feet and tries to pull Finlay up, having some trouble with his lack of leverage, and almost rolls him under the bottom rope…only to have Finlay come to life and POUND London’s face off the ring lip. Finlay then rolls London back into the ring and climb up on the apron himself, only to have London recover and charge back…AND NAILS FINLAY WITH A LOW DROPKICK…THAT SENDS HIS FACE OFF THE RING LIP!! It’s Finlay’s turn to eat his environment, knocking him for a loop. London charges back at him looking for the BASEBALL SLIDE…FINLAY TRAPS LONDON IN THE RING SKIRT!!
The pragmatic Irishman uses one of his signature maneuvers and traps London and starts POUNDING on the back of his neck and head. The referee’s ring out count is restarted thanks to London, but Finlay wastes no time keeping his beating going before slinging London back in. London tries to spring back to his feet, but as soon as Finlay rolls in, he takes London and rocks him with a EUROPEAN UPPERCUT!! Finlay shoves a forearm in London’s face as he presses – 1…2…3-NO!! Finlay roars in London’s face to ‘roll over and die’, but London tries to get up, only to be hoisted on Finlay’s shoulders for the ROLLING HILLS…NO!! London slides off a bit and adjusts his angle…FLOAT OVER DDT!! London is still very much in this, driving Finlay’s head down and following it up with a DOUBLE FOOT STOMP…that in hindsight seems like a bad idea because his injured knee begins to act up again. He has to tend to is for a moment before actually covering Finlay – 1…2…3-NO!!
London’s not done, wrenching Finlay’s arm and going over for the OKLAHOMA ROLL – 1…2…3-NO!! Finlay kicks London out so hard, he unwinds and rolls under the bottom rope, but London stays on and slingshots back in…with a SLINGSHOT OKLAHOMA ROLL – 1…2…3-NO!! Both men scramble to their feet, Finlay going for a clothesline, but London wraps around it and tries for a BACKSLIDE…but Finlay fights it and wins the tug of war by turning around and whipping London into the ropes. On the rebound, London tries a HURRICANRANA…but Finlay holds on and then pulls London up over his shoulders, possibly for the CELTIC CROSS…only for London to keep flipping and try for a SUNSET FLIP…but Finlay isn’t getting pulled over, standing over London…AND DROPPING ON HIM WITH THE FINLAY PRESS!! The hip drop lands right on London’s chest, Finlay just sitting on him and hooking a leg with his toothless grin – 1…2…3…NO!! LONDON USES HIS HOOKED LEG AS LEVERAGE TO PULL FINLAY ALL THE WAY OVER INTO A SUNSET – 1…2…3…NO!!!
London almost came within a quarter of a second of pulling off the biggest upset thus far in the Tournament, but Finlay got out of it. The crowd deflates as they almost saw Finlay “pinned for the first time” in a sanctioned match, but Finlay shares none of this enthusiasm…especially when he and London look up at the screen to see that the timer has shown up and they only have less than a minute. Finlay sees London staring at the clock too long and takes advantage with a HUGE CLOTHESLINE, dropping and hooking the hurt leg – 1…2…3…NO!! FINLAY IS FURIOUS!! He really wanted to end it there, letting out an agitated cry before picking London back up…and get HIT WITH A SURPRISE SUPERKICK!! LONDON FELLS FINLAY!!
London falls to his hurt knee since he had to use it as a base, but after a second, Finlay is still down and London begins slowly climbing to the top rope, the crowd all kinds of behind him as he gets his balance…and sets…450 SPLASH…NO!! FINLAY COMES BACK TO LIFE BY CUBBING THE INSIDE OF THE INJUREDK KNEE!! London collapses and leans over the top rope, but doesn’t fall, Finlay bringing himself up to the second rope and finishing pulling London over his back…CELTIC CROSS!! CELTIC CROSS FROM THE SECOND ROPE!! OHHH MY GAAAAD!!! Finlay with a brutal move there, an elemental cover – 1…2…3…!!
Winner: Finlay at (9:44)
Such brutality! Finlay drops London’s hooked leg WITH AUTHORITY~! demanding that the referee get him his shillelagh. Hebner hands the wooden staff to the toothy-grin bearing Irishman. Finlay steps on London’s face as he walks by to add incredible insult to injury, London not having moved in any capacity since being drilled into the canvas. The ref has to check on him as Finlay storms out of the ring and up the ramp, not looking much worse for the wear.
Joey Styles:
Well Finlay seems to be back on the right track after what couldn’t have been a very enjoyable Offseason for him after taking his first genuine loss in the company back in March.
JBL:
Clearly, you didn’t pay attention to what Finlay said over that Offseason. It was in an Unsanctioned match. It doesn’t count. He’s still never been pinned or made to submit.
Joey Styles:
Schematics and technicalities, John. At that, Finlay almost lost it against Paul London there, London lasting over nine and half minutes before Finlay finally put him down. Maybe the veteran is losing a bit of steam?
JBL:
It’s guys like him that excel in tournaments like these. If I had any number of picks, one of them would have to be on Dave Finlay.
Joey Styles:
Even with that overkill, Paul London may be faring better right now than Alex Riley, who won a chance to be in this Tournament, almost lost his marbles and his Dynasty number!
JBL:
But Paul Heyman is always thinkin’ on his feet, even when he’s not on his feet.
Joey Styles:
Well, folks, more Dynasty Tournament opening round matches are just around the corner, including evidently our tenth and final match which will serve as our main event. Alex Riley, one of AOW’s top prospects, will be making his debut and facing whoever it is that potentially stole his actual number! How will all that and the rest of the bracket pan out? Stay here on Wednesday Night Oblivion!
**COMMERCIAL BREAK**
Upon our return from the break, “619 ESTA VIVO” is heard, heralding the Season II debut of none other than the Master of the 619 himself, Rey Mysterio! Mysterio is greeted with a wonderful ovation, Rey Rey shaking out his previously injured knee to show it’s pretty much all-right. Mysterio hops into the ring and plays away with the crowd, hitting all his semi-religious taunts to perhaps aid him in moving on in this Tourney.
But a whole new daunting aura develops when “JIMBO” hits our ears, as Siaki and Manu of the Samoan Fight Club both come down the ramp. The commentators tell us that unlike the Mexicools, both members of the team are in the Tournament, which means they’re breaking the ‘honor’ code set forth by the Tourney standards. Neither seem to care, but we also don’t know which one is going to be in the match until it’s Siaki what leaps up onto the apron and into the ring, shoving the much smaller Mysterio away to a solid shot of heat.
Match 8
~Dynasty Tournament: Rd. 1~
Rey Mysterio v.
Siaki w/Manu
Siaki tries to throw his weight around from the opening bell, the cocky and brash youngster making Mysterio feel his superior might. The strong Samoan is able to succeed in this mission for the first three minutes of the contest, but Mysterio keeps showing his vigilance and tries to fire right back. Siaki tries to keep the pressure on the luchador, but as Siaki lifts Mysterio onto his shoulders, the veteran whips himself around and takes Siaki over with a WILD HEADSCISSORS TAKEDOWN!
Siaki is thrown for a loop, getting back to his feet quickly, only for his feet to be DROPKICKED FROM UNDERNEATH HIM…AND HE DROPS ON THE MIDDLE ROPE!! The Hammerstein ignites as Mysterio preps himself, bouncing off the ropes…619 COMING…NO!! Siaki ducks out of the way and off the ropes! Mysterio goes swinging all the way around, but lands safely on the apron. Siaki gathers himself, only to look up and see FLYING AT HIM WITH A SPRINGBOARD SENTON!! Mysterio downs Siaki and gains some momentum, springing up and rebounding off the ropes several times before coming back at Siaki…and nails him with the INVERTED BODYSCISSORS BULLDOG!! Mysterio with a big cover – 1…2…3-NO!!
The young man stays alive and quickly gets to his feet, Manu screaming at the referee in an almost distracting way. This allows Siaki to take advantage and quickly grab Mysterio by the skull and start RAKING HIS EYES ACROSS THE ROPES! The Mahoney sees it and tells him to stop, Sonny finally dropping him. He keeps the offense on, however, taking Mysterio and capturing him in a pumphandle…SIAKI DROP!! THE PUMPHANDLE FALLAWAY SLAM CONNECTS!! Manu roars in approval as the crowd buzzes in approval as well, not seeing a move like that before as Siaki sticks a forearm in Mysterio’s raked eyes on the cover – 1….2…3…NO!!
Rey’s infamous resolve again rears its head, but Siaki is having none of it. He wastes no time pulling Rey back up and driving a knee into his gut before chunking him right back towards the ropes. On the rebound, Rey ducks a clothesline and shoots to the second rope, LOOKING FOR THE SPRINGBOARD CROSSBODY…SIAKI CATCHES HIM!! The much stronger Siaki catches Rey in his arms and then charges forward to SMASH MYSTERIO INTO A CORNER!! Mysterio is sandwiched something fierce, drifting back out to the middle of the ring…AND WALKS RIGHT INTO A SAMOAN DROP!! Siaki with another cover – 1…2…3…NO!!
The Biggest Little Man keeps earning that moniker as Siaki is holding two fingers up to question if it was just two. The angry Siaki starts gritting his teeth and shooting an elbow into the side of Mysterio’s neck before taking him back to his feet and hoisting Mysterio up onto his shoulders again, this time in an ARGENTINE RACK…SPINNING…but Mysterio turns the power display…INTO A DDT!! A SPINOUT DDT!!
Both men are down on the canvas to a roaring crowd, but they start to stir after several seconds of gathering themselves. As they get up, Siaki grapples Mysterio’s waist and looks for a belly to back suplex…but Mysterio flips out…and hits the double front dropkick to Siaki’s spine…THAT PUTS HIM ON THE MIDDLE ROPE!! The crowd is gearing up big time as Mysterio rebounds…AND HITS THE 619!! 619 CONNTECTS!! Siaki is thrown back to the center of the ring, trying to get to his feet to see a flying Mysterio…WEST COAST POP!! Rey grapples a leg – 1…2…3…!!
Winner: Rey Mysterio at (6:43)
The graceful elder luchador unhooks the Samoan’s leg and scoots under the bottom rope to possibly avoid any altercation from the larger Manu, who stomps into the ring and almost gets his hands on Mysterio. The San Diego native rights a little bit of revenge on the men who possibly cost him his match against Carlito Colon to conclude last season, getting back to his feet and heading back up the ramp with a smile, as Manu seethes in his direction as we fade away…
~Backstage, Paul Heyman’s office…
Heyman is in his wheelchair, sitting by himself and watching the show from a backstage screen when there’s a knock on his door.
Heyman:
I’m home.
~The door creeks open to reveal Ken Doane walking in. Doane has an incredibly eager look on his face as he approaches Heyman. Paul is not nearly as enthusiastic.
Heyman:
Ah. Kenny.
Doane:
The man himself, Paul Heyman. Look, uh, I know you asked me in here, but I kinda wanna hurry up so I can go get my number.
Heyman:
I’m glad you’re so eager, Kenny, because you’re not in the Dynasty Tournament.
~Doane suddenly loses the ants in his pants
Doane:
Wait…what?
Heyman:
Yes, I figure it’d be hard for you to swallow. See, Kenny, there’s a stereotype here in professional wrestling that we in this profession, well, that we have short memories. I mean, we do this every week of the year, so it’s easy to forget things. But I remember everything, Mr. Doane, and this wheelchair is a constant reminder of you. While others may have pushed me down a flight of stairs, it was you who put me here in the first place.
~Doane looks incredibly nervous
Doane:
I, uh…haha…though we were past that.
Heyman:
I hold a grudge tighter than a noose holds a throat, Kenny. Especially when people leg drop me through tables.
~Heyman is smirking all kinds of facetious
Heyman:
See, I want to use this second Season as a way to right all the wrongs that were done to me in the first. So congratulations on your Dynasty Championship opportunity in the Offseason. Salvage it. Savor the memory. Because it might be the last of anything you get here for a long, long time.
~Funnily enough, there’s actually a pop from beyond the walls of the Hammerstein at Doane’s misfortune. Kenny is completely dumbstruck, completely unable to make any real emotion. Heyman pats him on the shoulder with a smug as shit look and tries to wheel out of his office as we fade away…
~Back at ringside…
JBL:
Paul Heyman isn’t playin’ games this season, I tell you what.
Joey Styles:
Can Paul Heyman even do that? I mean it’s one thing to be authoritative, but it’s another thing to try and derail someone’s career like that.
JBL:
Derail? How about putting a powerful man in a wheelchair and handicapping him for virtually the whole year! If that doesn’t deserve some kind of retribution, then what the hell does?
Bradshaw’s tirade is cut off by “WELCOME TO WHITECHAPEL” bellowing out over the sound system to an actual mixed reaction, this smarky Hammerstein crowd popping for the accomplishments of whichever member of Mercs Inc. walks out. This time, it’s Brent Albright, the man whom some call the ‘mechanic’ of the group, comes to the ring without much fanfare to himself at all but a noticeable ovation beside some heat from the crowd. One third of the 2008 Trios Tournament trophy holders slides into the ring, ready for business and adjusting his wrist tape for whoever it may be.
…and in almost an exact replay of earlier in the night, “WELCOME TO WHITECHAPEL” blares out yet again, the crowd letting out a big buzz of interest. The man who comes through the curtain next is Paul Burchill, the man who just considered Albright like a brother. The mentor somewhat hesitantly walks onto the stage and looks his pupil in the eye from across the distance before he walks a normal stride down the ramp. He doesn’t seem much affected by the chance pairing at all. When he steps into the ring, Albright isn’t fazed either, looking at Burchill as though he’s looking at CM Punk or anyone else. But there’s still an uncomfortable tension between them.
Match 9
~Dynasty Tournament: Rd. 1~
2008 Trios Tournament Winner Paul Burchill
v.
2008 Trios Tournament Winner Brent Albright
The uneasiness between the two in the opening seconds subsides and is much different from the match between the Sons of the Dungeon earlier tonight. While this one has almost as much chain wrestling as that one did, it feels darker than the Punk/Storm dynamic of earlier, this one is much more physical, the heel mentor and mentee striking and slamming each other without much concern for the other’s health. It’s almost as if Burchill is still teaching his apprentice some things, but Albright is trying to show what he’s learned. Their physicality reaches new heights roughly five minutes into the contest, when Burchill looks like he’s GOING FOR A C-4 ATTEMPT…but Albright twists his arm and short arms his mentor into a DDT…which Burchill turns into a NORTHERN LIGHTS SUPLEX!! He keeps the bridge for a cover – 1…2…3-NO!!
Burchill is somewhat proud Albright kicked out, but somewhat disappointed he couldn’t put him away, although that’s nothing some boots to the ribs won’t help solve. Burchill shows his apprentice boot after boot of tough love before dragging him back to his feet and striking him with a knee to the gut. He then sets Albright up for a suplex before bouncing his legs off the top rope…SLINGSHOT SUPLEX!! Burchill really not pulling any punches here, floating over – 1…2…3-NO!! Burchill throws his locks out of his face, looking down at his strong-willed mentee before heading up to the second rope and looking for something, then leaping with a DIVING KNEE DROP…NOBODY HOME!! Burchill misses the big blow and tends to his knee, Albright jumping to his feet and seeing an opportunity by bouncing off the ropes…RUNNING KNEE LIFT!! Regal would be proud, but Albright hits Burchill so hard, he goes dangling on the middle rope. Albright takes that chance to take his mentor’s legs and pull him away before pulling back…WHEELBARROW SUPLEX!! A deadly combination gets Albright a fall – 1…2…3-NO!!
Albright doesn’t waste much time, taking Burchill up and whipping him into the ropes and catching him on the rebound, setting his hips and going for the OVERHEAD BELY TO BELLY…NO!! Burchill jams the move before he can fly with an elbow strike to the face before shoving his stablemate back into the ropes, Albright bouncing off…RIGHT INTO A BURCHILL ENZEGUIRI!! Albright runs into the climb-up, Burchill with another cover – 1…2…3-NO!! Another near fall, Burchill again not wasting time, taking his apprentice in another suplex position…but Albright jams whatever he had planned there, twisting out of that move and grabbing Burch from behind…REGALPLEX!! Another move that would make Regal proud, Albright now with a big cover – 1…2…3-NO!!
The guys are going blow for blow to a heavy extent, but Albright doesn’t look like he wants to get up, grabbing Burchill’s wrist and shoulder as he tries to get up…GOING FOR THE CROWBAR…but Burchill rolls out of that. Albright keeps hold of his mentor’s wrist, however, and whips him into the ropes, only for Burchill to shoot low and then behind Albright on the momentous charge…AND THIS HIS OWN REGALPLEX!! The tit-for-tat continues as Burchill keeps the bridge – 1…2…3-NO!! The match continues! It’s Burchill who possibly gets desperate now, trying to force a ROYAL MUTLIATION…but it’s Albright turn to get out, scooting by the ropes to force a break. He pushes Burch back, and as Burchill rushes back at him, Albright pops up…AND THEN POPS BURCHILL UP WITH THE FREE FALL DROP!! Burchill falls flat…AND ALBRIGHT GOES RIGHT FOR THE CROWBAR!! Burchill squirms around as the crowd is hot for the finish, Paul struggling to find a way out of the Fujiwara…until he GETS CLOSE ENOUGH TO GRAB A ROPE!!
Albright almost fumes at not finishing the match right there, but Burchill’s shoulder is killing him to the point that he can’t get up immediately, prompting Albright to head to the top rope. He looks down on his mentor…before looking up on the ‘tron to see that they have one minute left. Albright hesitates no more, leaping for the DIVING HEADBUTT…NOBODY HOME!! Albright lands flat on his front, but pops up a opposed to rolling around. Burchill sees this and finishes getting Albright vertical, taking him up ONTO HIS SHOULDERS…but the vigilant Albright squibbles off after hitting Burchill’s weak shoulder. He lands behind his mentor…AND NAILS A DESPERATION GERMAN SUPLEX!! Albright takes a moment to roll over with it, still feeling the missed headbutt, and Albright makes him pay when they get to his feet, hitting a standing switch…AND HITTING NOT ONE, BUT TWO BIG GERMANS!! The clock is winding down, at thirty seconds, so Burchill wastes no more time…AND LOCKS IN HIS OWN ROYAL MUTILATION!!
Albright is scurrying around much like Burchill did, trying to angle his body so he can sling a leg over a rope, but Burchill keeps moving with him and torqueing the elbow and shoulder back. He’s in the hold so long as the clock keeps counting down, the crowd actually white hot for this down-to-the-buzzer finish. Albright is scurrying, tendons almost ripping…’TIL HE GRIPS A BOTTOM ROPE FOR DEAR LIFE!! Burchill doesn’t release the grip immediately, forcing the referee to take action and make him get off, pushing him away from his apprentice. The crowd deflates back to counting down with the clock, Burchill’s agreement with the referee making the lock tick down all the way to four…
4…
3…
Burchill glances at Albright then to the ref with a look of anxiety and frustration in his eyes
2…
…AND BURCHILL BLATANTLY SLAPS THE REFEREE IN THE FACE!!
…1!!!
THE REF CALLS FOR THE BELL!!
Winner via DQ: Brent Albright at (9:59)
Albright stands stunned, somewhat confused. He’s announced the winner by DQ and just stares at Burchill for a moment, blinking and looking for an answer. Burchill walks up to him and we can hear him say ‘duty above all’. Albright seems to nod his head in somewhat compliance before both men exit through the ring, Albright raising a fist to acknowledge that at least he’s advancing
JBL:
What a brilliant move by Paul Burchill!! I tell ya, Mercenaries, Inc. is by far one of the greatest three-man crews I’ve ever seen.
Joey Styles:
Brilliant?! How is that brilliant?! That was blatant loophole abuse!
JBL:
You wanna get in that ring and prove’em wrong, then? Be my guest.
Joey Styles:
I mean he got himself intentionally disqualified so Brent Albright could advance! If that’s not trying to find a way out, I don’t know what is!
JBL:
Look lawyerpants, it’s not that hard to figure out. One of’em advancin’ is a hellova lot better than both of’em gettin’ eliminated. That’s what Burchill was doin’. But numskulls like you are too stupid an’ narrow minded to see anything but what’s on the surface.
Joey Styles:
Well from here it looked –
JBL:
Shut up, Joey. You’re so dumb, I’ll even take your ad spot. Hold it right here, folks, because the final match of the night and our main event is up next. Alex Riley is in the #10 spot, an’ he’s gonna face the thieving rascal that tried to steal his spot in the first place. Who is the thief and how badly will Alex Riley lay waste to him? Find out when we come back! That’s how you go to commercial, Poindexter!
**COMMERCIAL BREAK**
As soon as we return from commercial, we see Alex Riley in his varsity jacket coming down the ramp to the tune of “COACH K”, his OVW theme. The normally cocky as all hell Riley has a little bit of worry in his step and it’s easy to know why when he steps into the ring. He demands a microphone and garners more of a negative reaction before stepping back center ring.
Riley:
My name is Alex Riley. I am the son of an All-American football star and a beauty queen mother. I have the genes of the perfect star and –
~Before he can finish his lineage talk, the crowd is throwing heat on him
Riley:
Y’know what? That’s okay. I mean, I’ve been the best at literally everything I’ve touched my entire life. I’m used to people being incredibly envious of me no matter what I do. So hate away, pencil pushers, hate away.
~Riley is playing it up here, eating up the great deal of cheap heat he’s getting
Riley:
But I digress. See I was given the #10 ball by Paul Heyman because I won a chance to make my AOW debut in the actual Dynasty Tournament. But somebody broke into my bag and stole it from me. Can you believe it? Somebody tried to steal from me!
~Riley is actually getting a “YOU SUCK!” chant started up that he has to acknowledge
Riley:
How can I suck? I’m the perfect athlete who has been criminally wronged here tonight! I don’t suck! New York, that’s what sucks!
~…and an ungodly downpour of cheap heat rains down so much that the Hammerstein crowd is getting much more graphic with their chants
“YOU SUCK DICK!! YOU SUCK DICK!! YOU SUCK DICK!!”
Riley:
I wouldn’t expect anything less from a population that sucks as bad as this one. One that houses and endorses criminal activity! So whoever it was who tried to steal away my right to be in this Tournament and tried to steal my debut from me, just get out here right now so you can confess and I can beat the holy hell out of you! You will answer to me – A-Ry – ALEX RILEY!!
~Riley roars into the microphone and still gets a huge amount of heat as he drops the microphone and snatches off his jacket. He’s pumped, prime, and ready, staring up the ramp as the whole crowd waits in anticipation for who it might be…
…
…
**SEXY BOY**
…AND THE ROOF BLOWS OFF THE HAMMERSTEIN!! Much like his surprise appearance in the Offseason, Shawn Michaels shimmies his way on through the curtains, looking much more like himself than a man forced to be Paul Heyman’s lackey. He digs into his tights and pulls out a ‘#10’ ball and shows it off like he’s a game show hostess before throwing it into the crowd. He bounces on down the ramp and rolls into the ring doing traditional Shawn Michaels things…before he tells Riley to ‘suck it’. Riley is beyond pissed, getting to his corner and anxiously awaiting the ring bell.
MAIN EVENT
~Dynasty Tournament: Rd. 1~
Shawn Michaels
v.
Alex Riley
As everyone gets settled back into their seats, it’s no real surprise that Michaels takes the upper hand for the first few moments of the contest, igniting the arrogant youngster with a series of CHOPS(Woooo!). But after the elation of seeing HBK wears off, so does his advantage, with Riley’s youth showing up when he is able to us his superior speed and power to corner Michaels. We cut into this some three minutes into the action, Riley having rammed Michaels into the corner and is MERCILESSLY DELIVERING SHOULDER BLOCK AFTER SHOULDER BLOCK!!
The Heart Break Kid probably hasn’t been hit that hard in a long time, and Riley doesn’t let up. He violently whips HBK across the ring to the opposite corner, his chronic back pain coming into light as he pops right back out of the corner…INTO A RILEY CLOTHESLINE!! A huge upset on the way – 1…2…NO!! It’s gonna take a lot more than that to take down this guy, Riley realizing that and staying on him. As Michaels tries to recover, A-Ry cuts him off with a front headlock and starts delivering clubbing blow after clubbing blow to the spine. When Michaels collapses, Riley just grabs HBK by his tights and SKIDS HIM ACROSS THE CANVAS, UNDER THE ROPE, AND FACE FIRST TO THE OUTSIDE!!
An extremely cocky smile envelops on Riley’s face now, enjoying every last second of tearing Michaels apart here. He eats a lot of heat for this before going outside and retrieving Michaels, taking him up and AGAIN RAMMING HIS BACK INTO THE RING LIP!! Riley looks to be targeting the oft-cited back troubles of Shawn, Riley now taking Michaels and rolling him back into the ring. Riley doesn’t immediately follow him, taunting towards the crowd as he climbs up the apron and keeps climbing onto the top rope, waiting for the cringing Michaels to recover before leaping…WITH A TERRIFIC DIVING CLOTHESLINE FROM THE TOP ROPE!! Can Riley legitimately pull it off here – 1…2…3-NO!! Michaels keeps his chances alive!!
Despite the resiliency, A-Ry has really taken control here, staying right on Shawn and laying more boots into. He pulls Michaels up by his hair and keeps talking trash the whole way up before once again RAMMING Michaels’ back into another corner. Riley’s feeling really cocky now, backing away a few steps and eating up his heat before charging into the corner again…only to eat an HBK UPRAISED BOOT!! Michaels takes that chance to rush at Riley and HIT HIM WITH THE LOU THESZ PRESS!! MICHALES IS POUNDING AWAY AT THE YOUNGSTER’S HEAD!! HBK gets to his feet, all kinds of pumped up now, but still has to tend to his back. Riley gets up rather quickly, if dizzy, but regrets it when he’s again lit up with a pair of CHOPS(Wooooo!) that send him retreating to a corner. Michaels grabs a wrist and looks to whip the youth to the opposite side, but Riley slides down to one knee and reverses the whip, then pulls Michaels right back at him and ducks underneath a swing attempt, getting him in a BELLY TO BACK SUPLEX LIFT…INTO A NASTY TAKEDOWN LARAT!! THE GAME CHANGER!! Riley again with a commanding cover – 1…2…3-NO!!
Riley is getting incredibly frustrated, telling Ray Ramsey that the match should be over. Ramsey ignores the arguing rookie and makes him get back to business regarding The Icon. Riley starts arrogantly slapping at Michaels’ head as he tries to get up, whipping Michaels into the ropes again…AND HITS THE DIVING FOREARM SMASH!! The crowd lights up because they know what’s coming…AND MICHAELS KIPS UP!! He’s a little slow because of the targeted lower back, tending to it as he rises, but as Riley gets up and charges, he’s met with an INVERTED ATOMIC DROP and then a punch to the head before eating ANOTHER INVERTED ATOMIC DROP and eating a clothesline! Riley bounces back to his feet, still energetic, but he gets caught right in a Michaels scoop slam. HBK makes a small smirk before heading to the top, everyone knowing the sequence by now…DIVING ELBOW DROP!! The theatrical drop connects!! Michaels pulls up a leg, hoping its all he needs – 1…2…3-NO!!
Riley shows some fire, but it’s nothing compared to what HBK has left, getting off of Riley’s body with more life than he had at the start. The crowd is all behind him as he goes over to the corner and looks to start TUNING UP THE BAND. The crowd is ready to count with him…but he stops as the crowd buzzes. That’s because he looks up at the entrance stage…where PAUL HEYMAN has suddenly appeared, apparently having rolled out not too long ago. The look on his face is not one of much pleasure at all, Paul E. staring down Michaels as he blatantly starts TUNING UP THE BAND ANYWAY. The Hammerstein counts along with Shawn, ready for the killing blow…SWEET CHIN MUSIC…SPINEBUSTER!! ALEX RILEY TURNS IT INTO A SPINEBUSTER!! Riley with a huge cover – 1…2…3-NO!!
Paul Heyman damn near cost Michaels his shot, and we can see Heyman visually displeased that Riley didn’t get the job done there. Michaels is still in the Dynasty Tournament to the administration’s displeasure. Riley now heads back to the top rope, looking for another exclamation point on a win. He sets up…leaps…AND COPIES MICHAELS’ SIGNATURE ELBOW DROP!! The crowd throws deafening heat as Riley covers again – 1…2…3-NO!! Michaels holds on! Riley is getting incredibly frustrated here, pounding the mat and forcing Michaels up, putting him on his shoulders, possibly for the FINAL SCORE…NO!! Michaels manages to slide off and push Riley away towards a corner. Riley’s back doesn’t fully hit as he stops himself right before, hopping up onto the second rope. He sees a still recovering Michaels before leaping for ANOTHER DIVING CLOTHESLINE…SWEET CHIN MUSIC!! SWEET CHIN MUSIC!! MICHAELS ERASES RILEY’S FACE OUT OF MIDAIR!! The crowd comes unglued as that incredible visual plays out just as the clock appears on the big screen, a beaten up HBK crawling and slinging an arm and then himself on top of the now headless Varsity Villain – 1…2…3…!!!
Winner: Shawn Michaels at (9:06)
WOW!! Michaels lifts his body off of Riley and even beats his chest a little bit before he gets his hand raised. Ramsey raises his hand as Michaels looks smugly right up the ramp to see Paul Heyman about to blow a goddamn gasket
Joey Styles:
What a scene!! The ‘puppet’ that Shawn Michaels has used what little freedom he has to find a way into the Dynasty Tournament!
JBL:
You mean abuse all power he doesn’t even have!! You mean weasel his way into a prestigious bracket! What the hell is wrong with Shawn Michaels?!
Joey Styles:
Nothing! But something tells me that even if Shawn Michaels remains under Paul Heyman’s control, he’s gonna have a lot to say about it this season! I think if we had one word to sum up this entire night to set the tone for the whole season...I think 'unpredictable' would be pretty damn apt!
The final image of the Season Premiere of AOW Oblivion Season II is that of a smug bastard in Shawn Michaels looking up on the entrance stage to see Paul Heyman reduced to a sort of tranquil fury as he looks at his puppet stretching his limbs. A sort of semi-smirk makes its way across his face as the wheelchair-bound Chief looks at the triumphant Heart Break Kid. We’re only left to wonder what both Shawn and Paul Heyman are planning as we
Fade…
To…
Black…
END SHOW
.:Confirmed for next Oblivion:.
The final 6 Dynasty Tournament opening round matches
~RISE OF A DYNASTY~
*Confirmed Card*
~2008 Dynasty Tournament~
~Quarter Finals~
TBD v. TBD
TBD v. TBD
TBD v. TBD
TBD v. TBD
~Semi-Finals~
TBD v. TBD
TBD v. TBD
~The FINALS~
TBD v. TBD
Admittedy, it's probably not my best installment (probably for the reasons of the Wolf Guy mentioned) and I felt a little burnt out with my schedule and writing this. But hope all enjoy and don't hate me until your King sees you again