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Presenting AOW: Art of War Wrestling - The Greatest Affair

125K views 305 replies 39 participants last post by  gatorzftw 
#1 · (Edited)
Last post of last thread was May 31st

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"Warfare is the greatest affair of the state, the basis of life and death, the Way to survival or extinction."

- Opening Line of Sun Tzu's Art of War​

Backstory

August 2005
The WWE comes to terms with Christopher “Chris Jericho” Irvine with his contract expiring

December 2006
The WWE comes to terms with both Paul Heyman and Paul “The Big Show” Wright

January 2007
John “Bradshaw” Layfield, as well as Mick Foley and Dean Malenko, cut ties with World Wrestling Entertainment

Late January 2007
Paul Heyman, shortly after being foolishly denied by TNA Wrestling, reportedly makes a few phone calls, the main ones of note being Foley and Layfield. Chris Jericho, meanwhile, is not called, but instead, calls Heyman. The groundwork for what appears to be a new wrestling organization appear to be set.

1/21/07
Mick Foley and Jericho reportedly rope in Dean Malenko, as well as extending international interest with AAA representative and the “Mexican Hulk Hogan”, Konnan.

Heyman and Layfield, meanwhile, secure sponsoring in Layfield’s own Layfield Energy. The duo is also busy securing what looks to be a television deal with the Fox branch channel FX

All this is overshadowed, however, by the TNA signing of Kurt Angle, a few mere months after his ‘retirement’ from the WWE. This reportedly does not sit well with a great deal of the TNA locker room
.

1/23/07
Heyman calls for a press conference to occur on the following day.

Foley and Jericho, meanwhile, secure Tony Chimel on his leave of absence from the WWE to come be their full time ring announcer. They are also able to fully convince Dean Malenko to became an agent and potential trainer

This, again, is covered up by bigger TNA news of the unconditional release of Jason “Christian Cage” Reso, as well as even rockier negotiations between TNA and Nuufolau “Samoa Joe” Seanoa, both stemming from the signing of Kurt Angle
.

1/24/07
In the press conference held by Paul Heyman, he announces the official founding of AOW – Art of War Wrestling. He also confirms a 1-hour time slot on FX at the beginning of their fall season in August. He also confirms involvement of Mick Foley, as well as Layfield’s financial backing, among others. With both Heyman and Foley’s backing, Heyman has to assure any interested that this is not some sort of ‘hardcore wrestling' promotion. Chris Jericho, present at the conference, confirms that he is the company’s first talent as part of a roster along with being a ‘founding father’. Jericho also confirms involvement from Dean Malenko as well as Lance Storm, whom is also confirmed to be the second competing talent. The launch of a website, aohdubya.com is established and is said to be the host of all future signings.

A few short hours later, aohdubya.com breaks the news that they have signed Christian Cage and Samoa Joe. With several months between the actual television launch of AOW Wrestling, AOW allows for confirmed and future signees to finish up their current contracts, as well as finish any independent circuit tours they may be attending
.

February 2007
AOW confirms the signings of Dave Finlay, Jack Evans, Elix Skipper, and the recently released from the WWE Chris Masters, Gregory Helms, and Jamie Noble. They also confirm the arrival of Aero Star, a top Mexican lucha libre prospect.

The WWE also acknowledges that Rey Mysterio’s contract has expired, with Mysterio not having resigned on the road to Wrestlemania


March 2007
AOW quickly stops all suspicion of what Mysterio will do by signing him, where he will go under the name Rey Mysterio Jr. During this month, AOW is able to sign Matt Sydal, Paul Burchill, as well as drawing Mark “Muhammad Hassan” Copani out of retirement from professional wrestling. Dirtsheets also report they have planted seeds to take Phil “CM Punk” Brooks and Shelton Benjamin straight off the WWE’s roster.

April 2007
Following the WWE’s annual PPV extravaganza Wrestlemania, their spring cleaning takes place. AOW acts quickly to snap up Carlito Colon, Charlie Haas, Paul London, Brian Kendrick, Psicosis, & Super Crazy, among the many more released. In the process, they are also able to snatch Shelton Benjamin away successfully.

May 2007
In news that seems to tickle ROH fan’s pickle, Bryan Danielson confirms he is leaving the promotion that gave him fame and going mainstream with AOW. This is made publically as a “Mick Foley signing”, but the bigger signing is that of another former ROH legend in CM Punk, who walked out on the WWE. Punk mentioned AOW on live television on his final RAW appearance before cutting ties with the company and confirming having signed with AOW.

Later in the month, another former ROH mainstay is confirmed to have signed, as Brandon “Low Ki/Senshi” Silvestry is no longer affiliated with TNA


June 2007
Following the WWE’s One Night Stand PPV, Rob Van Dam was written out of his feud with Randy Orton and announced his signing with AOW Wrestling a few weeks after, almost undoubtedly a “Heyman signing”. As this goes on, talks begin with Paul “Big Show” Wright over a possible return to wrestling following Show using his break from wrestling by losing weight and taking up boxing. No word yet on his alliance with the company.

Late June 2007
With the WWE cutting ties with Ohio Valley Wrestling and the formation of FCW, AOW is quick to announce that OVW will be used as their development talent home. Many former WWE development talents are signed to OVW or AOW official roster contracts. Brent Albright and Ken Doane are reportedly coming up to the main roster immediately, while Kofi Kingson, Afa Jr., Sonny Siaki, DH Smith, Tyson Kidd, Mike Kruel, Jack Swagger, Eric Escobar, Tyson Tarver, and Sheamus O’Shaunssey are signed to OVW deals.

AOW Wrestling later announces they’ve signed unknown talents Justin Gabriel and Tyler Black to development contracts, this being their first professional contract
.

July 2007
Just over a month before AOW debuts on national television on August 22, AOW suffers its first setback when they are unable to sign Mexican sensation Mistico. They are also turned down by Brock Lesnar, who wished to continue pursuing an MMA career.

Amongst this pair of disappointment, Lance Storm confirms he will only wrestle part-time, becoming the co-trainer of OVW with Malenko.

Heyman is also able to confirm that the first ‘season’ of AOW, the three months they’ve confirmed with FX, will take place in the Hammerstein Ballroom. They are to take place here until the funds are sufficient and FX sees fit to send Heyman and company on the road

In more company news, aohdubya.com confirms the four championships that will be used in AOW Wrestling: a world title, tag titles, a cruiserweight title, as well as a championship called the “Dynasty” Championship. This is most likely the name of the mid-card strap
.

Late July 2007
The double-whammy of failed signings in early June is quickly negated by the official word from Paul Wright, who is now officially signed with the company. Joey Styles also confirms he is leaving the WWE to commentate for AOW Wrestling, where his teammate is confirmed to be none other than co-founder John “Bradshaw” Layfield. The first and potentially only female signing for AOW is confirmed when Torrie Wilson reportedly signs, her purpose being a backstage interviewer. Another is reportedly signed, when former MTV actor Mike “The Miz” Mizanin is confirmed as another interviewer, as well as a sporadic competition clause.

This is quickly upstaged, however, when Bobby Lashley, coming on the heels of his WWE Championship loss at the Great American Bash, lets his WWE contract expire and sign with AOW. Many fans recall the Lashley winning of the ECW title in December was the final straw for Heyman, but this is cited as a “Mick Foley signing”.

…but THIS is quickly upstaged by the confirmed release by the WWE of Shawn Michaels, who reportedly asked for his release from the company while on a leave of absence
.

August 2007
…and it was only a matter of days, literally, days before the debut of AOW’s first ever programming (now given the title Wednesday Night Oblivion) that the company confirmed the signing of the one and only Shawn Michaels. It is later revealed that it took Foley, Jericho, and some help from Dean Malenko to fully bring Michaels in, although Jericho is said to have been the most aggressive about gaining the Heart Break Kid. This was done without the consent, knowledge, or a green light of Paul Heyman.

Premise

For those who care not for a backstory, the basic premise of this thread is exactly what it looks like - a dream fed for me. For those who have read my stuff before, realism isn't my strongest suit, but I wish to not stretch the realms too far in this thread. The roster is compiled of individuals and a time period of not only I feel I can write well, but are comferteble doing so, with a few new wild cards for me thrown in.

Oh, and props to Dubya b/c I'm about to steal his opening post format. Here's to hoping he'll forgive me.


-AOW-
ART OF WAR WRESTLING
Life. War. Wrestling.


“Founding Fathers”: Paul Heyman, Mick Foley, John “Bradshaw” Layfield, Chris Jericho, Dean Malenko


~The Administration~
Executive Producer/On-Screen Owner
– Commander in Chief
Paul Heyman
Acting Commander - Mick Foley
Play-by-Play – Joey Styles
Co-Vice Executive Producer/Color Commentator – John Bradshaw Layfield
Ring Announcer – Tony Chimel
Backstage Interviewer(s)The White Chick Torrie Wilson, Steve The Blank Canvas Romero, and Mike The Miz Mizanin


~Roster~
Aero Star
The Boondock Saint Antonio Banks - Suspended indefinately
Bobby Lashley - Inactive due to injury
Shooter Brent Albright
The American Dragon Bryan Danielson
The Bad Apple Carlito Colon
The Straight-Edge Superstar CM Punk
Charlie Haas
The Worthy Man Chris Jericho
The Masterpiece Chris Masters
The Man on the Moon Christian Cage
The Fighting Irishman Finlay
Primetime Elix Skipper
Gregory Helms
Harry Smith
Jack From the Heavens Evans
Jack Hagar
Pitbull Jamie Noble
Ken Doane
The Man With No Land Kofi Kingston
The Warrior Low Ki
Manu
Matt Sydal
Nick Nemeth
The Ripper Paul Burchill
Psicosis
The Biggest Little Man Rey Mysterio, Jr.
The Whole F’n Show Rob Van Dam
The Samoan Submission Machine Samoa Joe
The Heart Break Kid Shawn Michaels
Shelton Benjamin
Siaki
The Crazy Luchador Super Crazy
TJ Wilson
Tyler Black
William Regal

The Tandems and Alliances
The Mexicools - Super Crazy & Psicosis
Mercenaries, Inc. - William Regal, Paul Burchill & Brent Albright
Sons of the Dungeon - Harry Smith & TJ Wilson
American Made - Nick Nemeth & Jack Hagar
Samoan Fight Club - Siaki & Manu


~The Medals of Honor~
AOW Heavyweight Champion – Christian Cage
AOW Dynasty Champion – Tyler Black
AOW Tag Team Champions – The Mercenaries
AOW Cruiserweight Champion – Bryan Danielson


~Medals of Honor Archive~

AOW World Heavyweight Championship


Name: Christian Cage
Reign: March 16th, 2008 –
Event: The Outer Limits 2008*
Match Type: Triple Threat Match
Other Competitor(s): Chris Jericho; Shawn Michaels
*Note: Became AOW “World” Championship by being defended outside the US

Name: Chris Jericho:
Reign: August 22nd, 2007 – March 16th, 2008
Event: Wednesday Night Oblivion – Pilot Episode
Match Type: Lucky 13 Battle
Other Competitor(s): Shawn Michaels, Rob Van Dam, Bobby Lashley, Christian Cage, CM Punk, Chris Masters, Samoa Joe, Finlay, Muhammad Hassan, Rey Mysterio, Lance Storm, Paul Burchill

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AOW Dynasty Championship

Name: Tyler Black
Reign: July 23rd, 2008 -
Event: Wednesday Night Oblivion
Match Type: Singles Match
Other Competitor(s): CM Punk

Name: CM Punk
Reign: December 26th, 2007 – July 23rd, 2008
Event: A Very Merry War
Match Type: Singles Match
Other Competitor(s): Muhammad Hassan

Name: Muhammad Hassan
Reign: September 26th, 2007 – December 26th, 2007
Event: September 26th Supershow
Match Type: Tournament Final Singles Match
Other Competitor(s): Rey Mysterio

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AOW World Tag Team Championship

Name: The Mercenaries - Paul Burchill & Brent Albright
Reign: June 30th, 2008 -
Event: Wednesday Night Oblivion
Match Type: Tag Team Match
Other Competitor(s): Sons of the Dungeon - TJ Wilson & Harry Smith

Name: Sons of the Dungeon – TJ Wilson & Harry Smith
Reign: March 16th, 2008 – June 30th, 2008
Event: The Outer Limits 2008*
Match Type: Tag Team Match
Other Competitor(s): The World’s Greatest Tag Team - Shelton Benjamin & Charlie Haas
*Note: Became AOW “World” Tag Championships by being defended outside the US

Name: The World’s Greatest Tag Team - Shelton Benjamin & Charlie Haas
Reign: September 12th, 2007 – March 16th, 2008
Event: Wednesday Night Oblivion
Match Type: Ladder Match
Other Competitor(s): The Hooliganz – Paul London & Brian Kendrick

--------
AOW Cruiserweight Championship

Name: Bryan Danielson
Reign: September 26th –
Event: September 26th Supershow
Match Type: Tag Team Turning Point
Other Competitor(s): Gregory Helms, Paul London, Brian Kendrick, Super Crazy, Psicosis, Low Ki, Jack Evans, Jamie Noble, Elix Skipper


~Television Schedule~
Wednesday Night Oblivion | 9-10:30 pm EST on FX
Official Theme: “The Fight Song” by Marilyn Manson


~PPV & Supercard* Schedule~
September 26th Supershow

World Ablaze | November 11, 2007 | Boston, Massachusetts – TD Banknorth Garden
A Very Merry War | December 26th Supershow
This is Exile | February 3, 2008 | East Rutherford, New Jersey – Izod Center
The Outer Limitshttp://www.wrestlingforum.com/booke...restling-greatest-affair-24.html#post18213522 | March 16th, 2008 | Montreal, Quebec, Canada - Belle Centre
Offseason Finale Supershow | May 21st, 2008 | Louisville, Kentucky - Davis Arena
Rise of a Dynasty Supershow
| July 2nd, 2008 | Las Vegas, Nevada - MGM Grand
Origins & Endings
| August 24th, 2008 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - Mellon Arena

*Supercard names/dates/lengths subject to change

AOW Originals
Lucky 13 Battle - 13-man battle royal; final 4 becomes a Fatal 4-Way, one fall finish
Inaugural Match - Pilot Episode

Yin v. Yang - A veteran versus a younger competitor; done with no count-outs
Inaugural Match - Oblivion Edition 4 - 9.12.07

Tag Team Turning Point - Tag team gauntlet, winners face one another
War Rules - Hardcore match rules
Inaugural Match(es) - Sept. 26th Supershow

Art of the Knockout (A.O.K.O.) - Last Man Standing rules inside a steel cage
Inaugural Match - Oblivion Edition 8 - 10.17.07

The War Chamber - Eight men, pseudo-combination of War Games and Elimination Chamber rules
Inaugural Match - This is Exile

The Offseason - Two-month television hiatus for entire roster; crossover online shows with OVW
Inaugural Event(s) - Accumulates at
Offseason Finale

The Dynasty Tournament - Thirty-Two man #1 Contender's Tournament; follows Offseason
Inaugural Event - Accumulates at Rise of a Dynasty

------
~Contracted OVW Developmental Talent~
Aron "Idol" Stevens
Alex Riley
Brodus Clay
Chris Hero
Claudio Castagnoli
Drew Galloway
Eric Perez
Jay Bradley
Jay Uso
Jimmy Uso
Johnny Jeter
Justin Gabriel
Mike Kruel
PAC
Tyson Tarver
Steve Lewington
Stu Bennet


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DEM CREDENTIALS

1x King of the BTB Tournament winner (2012)

----
Most Underrated (2008)
Most Improved Booker (Spring 2011)
Best BTB of the Year (2012)
Best Individual Show - A Very Merry War (2012)
Most Creative (2008, 2012)
Best Used Character - Chris Jericho (2012)
Biggest Shock - The Double Turn (2012)
 
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#3 ·
I've been looking forward to this ever since you first advertised it. I didn't post reviews in your old thread but I was a reader and enjoyed your work. This looks like an amazing created thread and I like how you have explained every signing. Glad you aren't letting realism bother you. I like how you have used JBL's Energy Drink as a sponsor for the company, seems like a logical move and an easy way to get a sponsor for the company, also makes it seem legit instead of someone like Pepsi or Coca Cola randomly picking up the company. Joey Styles & JBL on commentary could be seriously epic if you write it well enough. Your roster has some promise, unsure what you will do with Muhammad Hassan but I'm happy you have brought him into play. A 1 hour show? It could work but I hope that eventually it will move to 2 hours once we get into more depth and all.

I'm hoping to God you can stick to this because it seriously looks like it has the potential to be fantastic.
 
#4 ·
While this does have a lot of potential, and your credentials speak volumes, I do have one major issue- Only three tag teams? I feel as if that's HARDLY enough to build a division around, unless you don't plan on putting that much emphasis on the tag team division, which would be kind of disappointing. Thus far, however, that's the only complaint I have. Your roster seems pretty solid, the back story was really good, and I'm pumped to see where this goes! I'm subbing this thread and I'll definitely keep an eye on my e-mail for updates!
 
#5 ·
Looks it'll be a lot of fun to read, sad as I might be that your WWE BTB is over. Here's hoping for the best. Incidentally, I can't picture Paul E. having a Cruiserweight title.
 
#6 ·
619IDH sad to see your last thread go however, this looks to be an amazing roster. I did look at the backstory and it was interesting. Overall I think it is pretty good. As you stated realism isn't one of the things you do but you set up great storylines, and you always have some decent chaos in your shows. I know I'm not around these parts as much as I used to, but this looks good and hopefully I will be able to read some of your shows. Best of luck.
 
#8 ·
Thanks for the early support and thoughts, fellas. It's greatly appreciated. Here's the first bit of news...


~The signing of Shawn Michaels, while done essentially behind the back then in the face of Paul Heyman, isn’t ruffling as many feathers as the Bobby Lashley signing. Heyman reportedly wanted to stay away from WWE “big guys” and isn’t too hot on the signing of Chris Masters, either.

~Michaels being signed gives the federation a legitimate, easily recognized multi-time world champion. He seems to be the shoo-in for the inaugural AOW World Champion, but HBK is taking t humbly. Michaels, who has been awarded creative control of his character and minimum backstage pull, is reportedly pulling for the title to go to Chris Jericho first.

~In roster news, a few talents will be held off the roster for several weeks being built up upon their debuts. Paul “Big Show” Wright is among these, as well as Carly Colon, who pitched a new gimmick for himself and won’t debut for a good while. Aero Star, the luchadore prospect from Mexico, will be built up before debuting several weeks into the promotion.

~The lack of publicized tag teams raises a few eyebrows, but with AOW’s desire to build a majority of the tag division from within, unannounced tag teams shouldn’t be that much of a surprise and will slowly begin to show up over the first several weeks of the promotion.
…and now the first preview!




8.22.07

The Hammerstein Ballroom – Manhattan, New York City, New York
“The Greatest Affair of the State”


War brings with it discord, famine, panic, and Oblivion. War has arrived, as Oblivion takes center stage! The inaugural episode of AOW Wrestling’s Wednesday Night Oblivion has arrived! This groundbreaking pilot is already breaking rules – by being granted a 90 minute time spot – live in the Hammerstein Ballroom.

The head founder of AOW, Paul Heyman, will be in attendance to address the fan faithfuls and has already promised to set the roster in its place to send shockwaves through the wrestling world!

The stars of AOW are ready to wow to world and show why they’re the best pro wrestling has to offer – and they’ll get the chance!! The Hooliganz will meet the World’s Greatest Tag Team in tag action, while Jack Evans and Jamie Noble will represent the AOW cruiserweights.

But this all fails to compare to the unveiling of the AOW World Championship…which will find its first beholder!! No match type has been announced, nor has the participants, but we have been assured to crown the FIRST EVER AOW World Champion!

Who will be the stars to look out for, who will be left in the dust, and who will be the first AOW World Champion? Find out, 9 EST on FX!



Show should be up Sunday-ish. Hope you guys stick with me 'til then.
 
#9 ·
As everybody else has said, this looks pretty amazing. The roster is as good as any I've ever seen for a created fed and there's a multitude of great feuds you can produce using it. Everything looks nicely in order and I'm glad you're going to be crowing a world champ right off the bat and not waiting for it. I'm excited for the first show to be posted and I'll definitely be reading it.
 
#10 ·


8.22.07

The Hammerstein Ballroom – Manhattan, New York City, New York
“The Greatest Affair of the State”
*Special 90-Minute Pilot*




-----

We open to a black screen, but we can hear the roar of a crowd in the background. We then hear what sounds like the dulled and muffled sound of an object rotating very fast. This slowly evolves into a quick electric guitar rift as the logo for AOW is finally shown to the world –





We hear a vast roar from the Hammerstein Ballroom, our focus still on the logo. The logo fades away after a second more, and we’re finally brought to the scene in the Hammerstein, filled to the brim with the new AOW faithful.

We get a good look at the stage, which is the host to a gigantic version of the logo, the yin-yang is filled by a jumbotron-ish big screen in a circular formation, a giant ‘A’ on its left and giant ‘W’ on its right. Sitting underneath both gigantic letters are gigantic pillars, modeled to look like they’re from Ancient Rome. Between the pillars is what looks to be a big, blood red curtain, perfectly suited for a warrior headed to war to burst through. The entrance stage and ramp appear to be plated with a coated black titanium, similar to the one used in the WWE.

A spotlight is in the ring, with ring announcer Tony Chimel in the middle of it
.

Tony Chimel:
Ladies and gentlemen…please welcome the Chairman of Art of War Wrestling – PAAAUUUUL HEEEYYYY-MAAAAANN!!!!

A grand pop from the Hammerstein is heard, as Paul E. Dangerously makes his way from behind the blood red curtain. As Heyman takes the first steps from behind the curtain, onto the stage, down the ramp, and into the ring, he acknowledges his vast pop here tonight.

Heyman:
Ladies and gentlemen, young and old, and all who have wrestling in their heart and soul – welcome to the debut of ART OF WAR WRESTLING!!!
~Big pop once again

Heyman:
For those of you who do not know me, my name is Paul Heyman – the owner and establisher of this fine company. This is the first national broadcast of our weekly show, Wednesday Night Oblivion. So each and every one of you in this arena tonight, YOU HAVE MADE HISTORY!
~Another big pop

Heyman:
I chose the name Oblivion because I thought it tied in perfectly to what our philosophy is here at AOW Wrestling. When something is cast into oblivion, it is to be forgotten and never heard from again. I want all of you here tonight – and I didn’t forget those of you tuning in at home – to forget all that you know about professional wrestling. The talent here on Oblivion will completely redefine all that you know about all that you know.
~Not as big a pop, but another decent one nonetheless followed by buzz

Heyman:
Only in AOW we’ve got names like Samoa Joe…

~A respectable pop, some not knowing who that may be

Heyman:
We’ve got names like Chris Jericho…

~A VERY welcome pop, as Jericho hasn’t been heard from in two whole years. Heyman smiles with this before continuing.

Heyman:
We’ve got guys like Rob – Van – Dam…

~Another huge pop from the Hammerstein crowd, a definite fan favorite. The arena soon bursts free with “ECW! ECW! ECW!” chants that last about a minute before Heyman continues.

Heyman:
And we’ve got guys like…no, we have THE – Shawn Michaels!

~A huge pop for the biggest name on the roster. Heyman once again smiles.

Heyman:
Here in AOW it’s not about all the lights and the cameras. It’s not all about the larger-than-life personas, and it’s not about all the theatrics professional wrestling has degenerated into. This is about fighting spirit. This is about the essence of war. This is about the art that is professional wrestling.

~Another pause, the crowd popping in agreement of this statement

Heyman:
I wanted to take this time to first thank all of the individuals who make this possible. Now I know – I’m a brilliant man. But money isn’t quite my smart suit and I can’t do all this alone. I would just like to thank my financial backers…oh and I guess FX too. You’ve made a very worthwhile investment.

~The Hammerstein crowd roars in approval at the shoot statement

Heyman:
And now to thank all of you people here – many of you faithful in my endeavors since my days in ECW –

~Heyman is interrupted by a MASSIVE pop

Heyman:
It’s because of folks like you – all of you – that this could all be even possible. So thank you for your…continued…


Heyman is interrupted by what sounds like a slow, sarcastic applause against a microphone. The crowd turns their attention towards the entrance stage, where we catch the first glimpse of Chris Jericho in a suit and tie. The crowd initially lets out a massive pop, with this being the first time anyone has seen Jericho in almost two years. The look on Jericho’s face, however, seems to be all business.

Jericho:
I’m not quite sure what all this buzz is about, Paul, but I’m pretty sure it’s all in the wrong direction.

~The crowd continues to buzz as he makes his way down the ramp, speaking as he goes

Jericho:
How many of you people came here tonight to come and see the return of Chris “The Sexy Beast”, “The Living Legend”, “The Atoyallah of Rock and Rolla” Jericho-ah?

~Another massive pop ensues, as this time, Jericho pauses on the ramp and takes in his ovation

Jericho:
You hear that, Paul? These people know who to praise. These people know exactly who they should be directing their desires towards. But unfortunately, Paul…you don’t seem to know the same.

Heyman:
Chris…how nice to see you.

Jericho:
But of course it is. Paul, you can thank your financial backers and investors, you can thank this gracious network, and you can thank all these suckers giving us their hard earned and slowly declining American dollars, but the one person you’d better be getting on your hands and knees thanking had better…be…ME.

~The crowd changes reaction sharply, but there’s still some noticeable buzz

Jericho:
In case you had forgotten, Paul, and just so enlighten those of you unaware, but I’m the man who had the idea to get this entire company off the ground. I’m the man who called you. I’m the man who gave birth to this very promotion. So Paul if it weren’t for me standing here…you wouldn’t be standing there.

~Jericho points this out, with the crowd slowly getting more hostile towards Jericho with every word

Jericho:
Now just so we’re clear, I’m not looking for any special treatment. No. I’m just looking to now get back what I put in, to get my cut and what’s owed to me. And what’s owed to me is the great Paul E. Dangerously giving me my due in front of all these easily manipulated Mutants, as I recall their name, that once worshipped the ground he walked on.

~With this, the crowd feels Jericho has much overstayed his welcome and delivers the first genuine batch of heat in AOW history

Heyman:
Chris, as much as I do appreciate your input and effort you’ve given into MY company, you are a member of MY roster. I’M the one who will get to sign your paycheck. I’M the one who decides what you deserve and I’M the one who decides if you’ll even get that.

~The crowd pops again as Heyman is instantly unphased, putting his foot down

Heyman:
So Chris Jericho, if you don’t mind me asking, what do you think – what does the “King of the World” think that he is owed…?

Jericho:
I think all of this hullabaloo about having a match to crown the first ever AOW World Champion should be ceased and the title be handed over to me.

~Another good bit of heat for this

Heyman:
So wait…after what I’ve just said, you want me to immediately take the fighting spirit out of Art of War Wrestling and just HAND you a world title…?

Jericho:
A title I’ve rightfully deserved tens of thousands of times over, Paul, and you know it.

~Heyman looks at Chris very crossly, before apparently giving a hand signal. Upon that, two men in production attire bring something down the ramp, something that has a large black cloak surrounding it so we can’t see what it is. It is put between Heyman and Jericho center ring. Heyman approaches it and gets a grip on the cloak.

Heyman:
So you just want me to take this and simply give you the most prestigious thing in the company…?

~With that, Heyman removes the cloak, revealing a podium of sorts. Atop the podium is a glass case, and inside the glass case is a series of gorgeous, solid gold plates bolted down to a shining strap of leather. This beauty is getting a close-up, which allows us to read the words “AOW Wrestling World’s Heavyweight Champion” across the huge, magnificent, and illustrious central plate. The title is sitting on a bed of red velvet within the glass case. The crowd is in momentary awe, as is Jericho, whose eyes are as wide as his mouth right now

Heyman:
As you can see Chris, this is what wars are fought for. And you’ll have to fight one if you want it. So I’m officially announcing what kind of match this baby will be given away…pardon…EARNED in the very first Oblivion main event.
~Jericho’s awe turns into a scowl, while the crowd lets loose some buzz as to what the match might be

Heyman:
I will introduce to the world an AOW Original match – the Lucky 13 Battle. Thirteen men will enter this ring and nine of them will be tossed over the top rope and out of the match. The final four will duke it out in a no holds barred, first fall to a finish, winner take all war.

~A respectable pop for the brutal rules of the match

Heyman:
So with that, Chris Jericho, the folks watching at home and the many who have sold out the Hammerstein tonight, once again – WELCOME TO ART OF WAR WRESTLING!!!

~Heyman roars this in the face of Jericho. The crowd lets out another roar of approval, as Jericho’s scowl seemingly only grows bigger. Before he turns to leave the ring, we can hear him say “This isn’t over, Paul.” Jericho leaves the ring, still scowling, but his head held high and prominent as we see Heyman smile as “The Fight Song” echoes over the sound system

**COMMERCIAL BREAK**

Joey Styles:

Ladies and gents, I know Paul Heyman said it a few moments ago, but we welcome you all to Art of War Wrestling’s first ever edition of Wednesday Night Oblivion!! We’re here with you tonight for 90 minutes. I’m Joey Styles here at the announce table at ringside, and with me is my colleague and color commentator – you know him, you love him, many love to hate him, but he is John “Bradshaw” Layfield.

JBL:
You best introduce me better than that, but as a pr’fessional I will move on and let it slide because I am far too excited about being here in Art of War!

Joey Styles:
Well my apologies partner, but we’ve already seen a monumental start to what should be a monumental show. If you missed it, just moments ago, Paul Heyman welcomed us all to the Hammerstein Ballroom before being interrupted by Chris J –

JBL:
And Chris Jericho had every right to do so. As another ‘founding father’ of this company and the man who gives Paul Heyman the money to even sign on those paychecks, I don’t have a doubt in my mind I would’ve done the same thing Chris Jericho just did. A man deserves his cut for the work he does and -

Joey Styles:
But John, you have to consider that Chris Jericho is under the authorization of Paul Heyman, regardless of what he’s done to help build this company. And I would think, and many would agree with me, that if Jericho were handed that title, that would be a gross misuse of influence and power
.
~On “that title”, Styles points and leads the cameraman to the spot right next to the announce table where the podium with the AOW World title has been set up for all to see for the whole night

JBL:
I will misuse my hand upside your head if you ever interrupt me again, Joey!

Joey Styles:
Well, maybe you should say something worthwhile there, John.

JBL:
(Dryly)
Joey, I like you. You are favored in the eyes of John Bradshaw Layfield. I would think it’s in your best interest to not change that.

Joey Styles:
We will have a lot of time to spend together John, but as I was saying, Chris Jericho interrupted Paul Heyman before Heyman announced that the brand, spanking new and glistening AOW World Championship would be up for grabs in our first ever main event – a Lucky 13 Battle, what Heyman declared an ‘AOW Original’.

JBL:
Righ’ off the bat, we’re showing you why AOW is the premier choice in pr’fessinal wrestling with a match that amazin’, even if I b’lieve Chris Jericho should be champion right now.

Joey Styles:
Well be that as it may, John, we here at AOW are excited to bring you the best action in professional wrestling and we’re gonna prove it to you right now with the very first match in Oblivion history
.

“LONDON CALLING” is heard over the brand new AOW sound system, as the team of the Hooliganz, Paul London and Brian Kendrick, become the first competitors to come on the ramp. They give each other a quick high five and a special handshake before rushing down to the ring in their signature fashion.

“BETTER THAN GREAT”, an unfamiliar instrumental now, is heard as Shelton Benjamin and Charlie Haas make their way down the ramp as the World’s Greatest Tag Team. They’re garnered in matching white and gold short tights, as well as matching colored hoodie vests. They truly do look like the world’s greatest.

OPENING CONTEST
The World’s Greatest Tag Team (Shelton Benjamin & Charlie Haas)
v.
The Hooliganz (Paul London & Brian Kendrick)


After both teams shake hands, Haas and London are the men who kick things off. The two circle each other before a lock-up is initiated, which Haas quickly wins by getting a headlock in on London. London is very quick to counter this, however, forcing Haas back with what looks to be a modified crucifix, but Haas kicks out of this quickly. As both men reach their feet, London takes the two he has and drives them into Haas’ chest, knocking him off his with a well-placed dropkick.

As Haas gets to his feet following that quick maneuver, he’s greeted with a series of arm drags from London, before London caps it off with his signature Dropsault. He tries another quick cover, but Haas gets on out at two. As both men scramble to their feet again, it’s Haas who surprises London with a dropkick of his own. Haas doesn’t let London stay on the ground for very long following the move, as he brings London to his feet and throws him in his corner, tagging in Benjamin for the first time into the match. The two jointly whip London into the ropes and on the rebound, Haas lets London fly with a free fall drop, but the cruiserweight comes crashing down on both of Benjamin’s knees, a two man double-knee gutbuster. Benjamin gets the WGTT their first cover of the night, but London won’t go down so easily.

Benjamin now in complete control of London doesn’t waste any time, taking more shots at potentially broken ribs of London, capping it off by whipping London ribs-first into a corner, leaving London hunched over in an awkward position in the corner. He’s quickly taken out of it by Benjamin, who pulls London out of the corner in that position and nails a flawless German suplex. Benjamin keeps the bridge, prompting a pin count. 1...2…NO!!! London throws his legs into the air and out of the move!

London still can’t get much momentum, as following this, the World’s Greatest rotate and single out London before London finally shows some life after dodging a Haas rebounding clothesline and turning it into a hurricanrana, which becomes a jumping calf kick, before becoming a well-aimed kick to Haas’ jaw!! London sells the hurt on his ribs, but the flurry of offense gives him the momentum to finally tag in Kendrick.

Kendrick ups the momentum with a rapid sequence of leaping calf kicks, but he’s stunted when Haas ducks, causing Kendrick to fly over his head on a third attempt. With that, Haas pulls Kendrick to his feet and hits a beautiful vertical suplex, followed quickly by a tag in to Benjamin. Benji tries to pounce on Kendrick, but Spanky surprises him with a backflip kick that grants Kendrick the chance to tag back in London. Benjamin flops into London and Kendrick’s corner, where Kendrick forces him to bend over. Unbeknownst to L&K, Haas has gotten back into the ring. As London jumps back into the fray, he leaps onto and off of Benjamin’s back with a double stomp, before bouncing off and nailing the rushing Charlie Haas with a hurricanrana.

The crowd is in awe at that move, but the ‘ganz aren’t quite done. With Benjamin still in the corner, London rushes at him with a full body splash, hurting his midsection even more. London then lifts Benjamin into a powerbomb position, to which Kendrick grabs his head, looking for Sliced Bread…Tower of London!!! Back to back tag team maneuvers for the Hooliganz! London covers Benjamin quickly now – 1…2…3…NO!!!! Charlie Haas has kicked back in at the very last second to knock London off with the double axe handle!

As London gets to his feet holding his ailing ribs, Haas is sizing him up for something. We then catch a shot of Benjamin knocking Kendrick off the apron. As London finally gets up, he turns towards the stalking Haas, London is grabbed around the waist by Benjamin. As he looks down to see this, he’s met with a superkick from Haas, dominoing into another flawless German suplex from Benjamin. Once again, Benjamin keeps the bridge. 1…2…3…!!!!

Winners: The World’s Greatest Tag Team at 8:24

~As Benjamin and Haas lift their arms in celebration, they’re quickly greeted by the Hooliganz, who extend their hands for an honorable handshake, despite their hard-fought loss. Benjamin and Haas look at each other and then look at their beaten up cruiserweight opponents….and then extend their hands and shake their opponent’s hands very respectfully. The crowd recognizes this and gives both teams a great ovation.


Joey Styles:
That’s the epitome of what Paul Heyman was talking about – fighting spirit and the art of wrestling. Both teams displayed that tonight in that very ring and that very sportsmanlike handshake is the cherry on top.

JBL:
You and I fin’lly agree on somethin’, Joey, but don’t sugar coat stuff and put cherries on it. As much as I enjoy watchin’ London and Kendrick, the simple fact is that they lost and are not in the same league of the World’s Greatest Tag Team. And that was just respectfully proven.

Joey Styles:
How can you say that? They pushed Benjamin and Haas to the limit in the very first contest in AOW. Besides, that handshake is a huge sign of respect, not superiority, Bradshaw.

JBL:
Do I have to spell it out for you, Joey? WORLD’S. GREATEST. TAG. TEAM. No one’s in their league on this planet.

Joey Styles:
Not even the APA?

JBL:
We were the best in the universe, not just the world. These guys are the best in the world, but the APA was universal.

~Touche, Joey Styles

Joey Styles:
Well whatever you say partner, but coming up later on tonight a universally pleasing main event – the filling of the throne. The first ever Lucky 13 Battle match to decide who the first ever AOW World Champion will be is still to come! But first, we’re gonna send you backstage to our ‘Green Zone’ interview set and the very, very –

JBL:
VERY.

Joey Styles:
…yes – VERY lovely Torrie Wilson.


~We cut backstage to an area lined against the wall with a white curtain, the color of peace in the ‘Green Zone’. There’s a small pillar podium nearby with a prop microphone on it, but behind the white curtain, seems to be what looks like titanium plates, as if to symbolize a fortress.

Torrie Wilson:
Thanks, Joey! This is Torrie Wilson from the Art of War Green Zone, where –

~Wilson is cut off by a leather jacketed body’s arm is seen being wrapped around her shoulders. Wilson looks on in disgust and the face the body and arm belong to are revealed to be Mike Mizanin.

The Miz:
And I’m Mike “The Miz” Mizanin.


Torrie Wilson:
Yeah. He’s The Miz. Big deal. But we are your backstage interview team, where our goal is to give you the most coverage possible behind the scenes and outside the ring.

The Miz:
What do you mean, big deal? I was on MTV, babe, of course I’m a big deal.

Torrie Wilson:
Oh, really, little boy?

The Miz:
Uh, yeah stupid girl. Been sniffing our purse dog’s freshly done fur a little much? Get a reality check, sister. I’ve got the interview skills to go take on anyone with this mike and in the ring!

Torrie Wilson:
Really? Well here’s our first ever guest here in the Green Zone, Bobby Lashley!

~The crowd lets loose for a very surprising mixed reaction, but it favors many boos. Who knew Lashley wasn’t a smark favorite? Regardless, Miz looks on terrified at the big hulking black guy before him.

The Miz:
Uh…you can take the first one, Torrie
.
~Miz exits the screen very quickly

Torrie Wilson:
That’s what I thought. So Lashley, how do you feel about being here in AOW Wrestling?

Lashley:
I –

~Lashley has absolutely no chance to get a word out before Christian Cage enters the frame, arms crossed and a small smirk on his face. Even so, Christian gets a massive pop from the crowd, possibly b/c he’s loved, but also possibly b/c he’s stopped Bobby Lashley from talking

Christian Cage:
How are you, Torrie? It’s been years. You look great!

Torrie Wilson:
Well thank you, Christian! Same to you, but uh…I’m in the middle of an interview here.

Christian Cage:
Yeah, well, Torrie, how about you let me take this one?

~Christian takes the seemingly prop microphone from the pillar and lets us see it’s an actual working mike. The camera shifts focus to Lash and Christian, but Wilson is still standing nearby.

Christian Cage:
How’s it going, Lashley? Don’t answer that. I’ll tell you where you should be going – and that’s far, far away from AOW. Like away from Oblivion and into oblivion itself.

~The crowd lets out a pop of approval for this, their mixed reaction going in favor of Christian now. Christian’s smirk is still present.

Christian Cage:
Why are you here, Lashley? I’m here because the company I was in before treated me like dirt and I wasn’t given the appreciation I deserve. And before I could quit, they fired my ass. If I recall, Lashley, you voluntarily walked out on your contract after you’d just been given a world title match and been treated like a superhuman god who could do no wrong. So, why exactly are you here?

~Before Lashley can answer, Cage pulls the microphone back to his mouth, still smirking.

Christian Cage:
Don’t answer that. If you’ve come here because you think you can just mosey on in here and take whatever you want just because of your name and be worshipped, you’re sorely mistaken. Chris Jericho is sorely mistaken. And if Shawn Michaels thinks that way, then he’s sorely mistaken. There are too many of us back here who have worked our tails off only be turned away. And I’ll speak for them and say we won’t stand for a guy like you to come here on our opportunity and take it way before we can even breathe on it.

~This almost seems like Christian’s (or maybe Paul Heyman’s…?) legitimate feelings. Is this a worked shoot? Either way, the smarky crowd is cheering very wildly, agreeing with Christian’s sentiments, worked or not. Christian’s smirk has now completely disintegrated into a look of seriousness.

Christian Cage:
So Bobby Lashley, you’d better prove yourself and earn everything you get here. An entire legion of us back here are fairly certain you didn’t earn the right to be the last ECW World Champion in the presence of Paul Heyman. We don’t know why you’re here, but we don’t like you. And we don’t want you. So if you didn’t know…now you know.

~The Hammerstein lets out a massive roar b/c now Lashley knows their sentiments towards him as well. Lashley is left stone faced and ‘soft spoken’. Christian’s face is of pure intensity before we catch a glimpse of a very troubled looking Torrie Wilson before we cut away.


**Video Package**

There is a creature alive today…

We see a shot of what looks to be that of a gargantuan 7-foot, heavyset being in the shadows

That has survived millions of years of evolution…

The man steps from the shadows, head down, face still concealed by an equally enormous hoodie

Without change…

A quick shot flashes of the man ROARING while grabbing a man by the throat in the middle of a ring

Without passion…

The giant lifts and chokeslams the man into the ground, causing the canvas to crack and the ring to collapse

And without remorse…

The giant rolls up his sleeve, revealing a taped fist the size of a bowling ball

It lives to kill; a merciless, monstrous machine….

The ‘monstrous machine’ prepares, as another man rushes towards the beast

It will attack and destroy anything…

The hooded giant swings his giant fist, crushing the attacking man’s jaw as if it were a wrecking ball

It is as if God created the devil and made him…

Flashback to the shot of the giant in the hood standing alone, still surrounded by shadows

…GREAT

The giant finally raises his head, but before we can see his face, the screen cuts to black, where we then see the words –

~Paul “The Great” Wright~
COMING SOON TO AOW


**COMMERCIAL BREAK**


As we return from the break, we get to see the face of the one and only Rob Van Dam. The Hammerstein lets out a deafening roar. Van Dam doesn’t acknowledge the camera for a second, as he’s beating the hell out of a punching bag with punches and kicks. He eventually turns towards the camera and acknowledges his reaction with his trademark smile and shrug. He gets a little more serious when he begins talking.

Van Dam:
So Chris Jericho thinks he can just groove on in here, co-sign on the line, and proclaim himself champion? And you, Chris, have the gall to sit there and try and upstage a man like Paul Heyman?

~A great deal of heat

Van Dam:
Chris, I respect you for the wrestler you are. I respect you for the things that you’ve done. And hell, I do appreciate you having the idea to get this company off the ground. But I respect Paul Heyman much, much more than I could ever respect you, dude.

~HUGE pop

Van Dam:
I think someone said it best earlier, but you gotta earn everything you get here in AOW. And you’re no different, dude. So when we get in that ring tonight to decide the first ever champion of this company you so proudly says is yours, you’re gonna come face to face with me. And that doesn’t bode so well for you, dude.

~Another great big pop

Van Dam:
One more guy needs a mention here…a guy named Shawn Michaels is back here, too.

~Another roof-popping pop for a mention of the Heart Break Kid in AOW

Van Dam:
Shawn, I hear you’ll be in that ring later, too. And I’ll be staring you in the eye. I respect you too, Shawn. But this is the house that I built. And I’ve brought it down before. And if my memory serves correct, Shawn…you’ve never been to my house before.

~Another decent pop from the crowd

Van Dam:
It takes a lot of balls to go from where you were with all you’d done to come here, man. But I’m not just gonna hand you that title on a silver platter. No one here is. And as for everyone else in the main event tonight, hope you guys brought your A-game. Simply ‘cause there’s only one man walking away with that gold tonight, so say it loud, say it proud, Hammerstein -
(thumbs in the air, crowd joins in) ROB – VAN – DAM.

~Back at ringside…

Joey Styles:
Rob Van Dam makes his case and it’s a damn good one if I do say so myself.

~Pun not intended

JBL:
Listen, Rob Van Dam has what it takes to electrify a crowd and put on fantastic matches, he’s a fantastic athlete, but I don’t think he’ll be able to take that world title.

Joey Styles:
And what about that very cold greeting to Bobby Lashley by Christian Cage concerning Lashley just being here in AOW? That’s gotta raise quite a few eyebrows.

JBL:
Look, I’m not gonna judge Christian for not wanting Bobby Lashley here, but I think he’s using his story as a cover up. Christian, as good as he is, has never been good enough and he’s pro’ly just jealous at Lashley’s success.

Joey Styles:
Christian does have a history of that, John, but we’re back here on Oblivion to present you with our cruiserweight division ready to go on display!


The unfamiliar tune of “JACK E.” is heard across the Ballroom, as Jack Evans bursts forth from the curtain, about to dance out of his shoes. Evans is donning his trademark white boy wave cap tonight before stepping into the ring and hitting a few break dance moves. The crowd is amused enough to give him some pops. We learn from commentary that the man rapping in the theme song is Evans himself.

“A COUNTRY BOY CAN SURVIVE (Instrumental)” hits the speakers now, as Jamie Noble comes through the curtain with the polar opposite demeanor of Evans – focused and ready for a fight. Noble is getting a decent reaction, as a few of his ROH and indy followers are present. One of his biggest fans appears to be JBL, who declares Noble as ‘his boy’ while on commentary.

MATCH 2
~Cruiserweight Duel~
Jack Evans
v.
Jamie Noble

The roughneck, no nonsense Noble has an intense look still on his face, but perhaps its agitation, seeing as how Jack Evans hasn’t stopped moving since he entered the ring. Evans is moving in some combination of dancing and a wrestling stance. When Noble hesitates to attack for a moment, Evans uses this chance to jive continue to jive around before surprising Noble with a swift leg sweep, causing Noble to fall. Evans gets on his feet quickly from the low sweep before executing a beautiful, standing moonsault to cover Noble very quickly – 1…2…NO! Noble won’t go down in such a flash!

Noble gets to his feet with a nasty scowl on his face, punting Evans in the gut before grappling him from behind and thrusting him face first into a turnbuckle. Evans’ head bounces off violently, sending him whiplashing back into the arms of an awaiting Noble, who grapples his head from behind for a split second before executing what looks like a cobra clutch slam. Noble’s version of ‘Dream Street’ gets him his first cover of the contest. 1…2…-NO!! Evans has more fight left in him!

This hot start has the crowd in both men’s corners, but Noble has the advantage. He uses this to chuck Evans between his legs now and get some double underhooks in, looking for something, but as he flips Evans for what looks like a Tiger Driver, Evans counters with a lightning-quick hurricanrana pin, holding onto Noble’s leg and getting another pinfall attempt. 1…2…3-NO!!! Noble slides from under Evans, leaving Evans on his knees. Noble bridges back to his feet before executing a back kick that catches Evans in the jaw. Evans’ head makes a beeline for the canvas before Noble goes for another cover. 1….2…NO!! Evans kicks out again!! With that kickout, Noble grabs hold of Evans’ arm and locks in an armbar, hoping to drain some of the jive out of Jack E’s step.

Evans finds a way to fight out of the hold after a few seconds of agony, finally getting to his feet and jabbing Noble in the ribs to force him to let go of his arm. Evans then whips Noble into a corner, going to the opposite one, performing a cartwheel across the ring before nailing Noble with an elbow. Noble collapses to the canvas before rolling out to recover, but Evans is in quick pursuit. Evans leaps to the top rope, his back towards Noble on the outside. Noble looks up to see Evans performing a DOUBLE MOONSAULT onto Noble, right in front of the commentators. The crowd has never seen anything like it, and judging from JBL’s and Joey’s (OH MY GOD!!!) reactions, neither have they.

“HOLY SHIT!!! HOLY SHIT!!!” chants are abound, which is rare for TV anyway, but nonetheless, it roars across the Hammerstein. Evans gets to his feet to a big pop, who throws Noble back into the ring. As Noble gets to his feet, Evans rebound off the ropes in front of him, ducking under a Noble retaliation clothesline and rebounding again. On this rebound, Noble tries a clothesline again, forcing Evans to duck once more. Quickly, Noble grabs the doubled over and momentous Evans with one arm, hooking an underhook, then grabs the other, and locks in another underhook before nailing a nasty Tiger Driver. The wind is knocked all out of Evans, his neck driven into the canvas. 1….2…3…!!!

Winner: Jamie Noble at 5:56


Joey Styles:
Now THAT was something! Jamie Noble may have gotten the W, but the crowd will definitely be talking about Jack Evans and his absolutely impressive display here tonight!

JBL:
What the hell are you talking about, Joey? So a white kid can break dance and do crazy flips – so can the guys on Jackass. My man “Pitbull” Jamie Noble just proved that all that fancy footwork doesn’t mean a damn thing. It’s about the win and loss column here in AOW Wrestling.

Joey Styles:
Oh come on! An impression is an impression, John, and Evans made a damn good one just now.

JBL:
You think if our Founding Fathers made just an ‘impression’ on Great Britain, they would’ve had a revolution and formed the United States of America? NO! They beat the bumblin’ Brits! They won! So you can go on your little blog and talk about Jack Evans and you saying ‘OH MY GOD’ all you want, but the fact remains Jamie Noble is a winner and just inserted himself in the running as the most dominant cruiserweight here in AOW.


**Video Package**

We’re brought to what looks to be a desert, sand going on for miles. The camera pans all the way across until it eventually hits a man’s torso. The camera climbs to see the man’s face. He’s quickly identified as Muhammad Hassan.

Hassan:
My name is Muhammad Hassan. And I am a changed man.


The camera shifts out of focus for a moment, then re-focuses on Hassan in another part of the desert.

Hassan:
You see, I used to get so angry at Americans for the way they treated me. They hated me just because I looked just like some kind of terrorist
.

The screen shows a quick flash of the notorious Osama Bin Laden, but only for a quick instant

Hassan:
I vehemently expressed my opinions and defended the fact that just like them, I was just a regular American man from Minnesota. They didn’t listen. So I became exactly what they wanted me to become. A terrorizing individual. And it cost me my career
.

A short and shadowy re-enactment of Hassan and his ‘sympathizers’ beating the shit out of someone and Hassan choking them with piano wire shows. The man who’s obviously substituting for the Undertaker in this clip’s face is not shown.

Hassan:
But like I said – I’m a changed man. And it’s a funny way how life works. My Saudi Arabian great uncle recently passed, but in his will, he beset me something of great wealth and value –


Hassan is still in the desert, but he points to something next to him. In an instant, the ground opens up and shoots out what appears to be oil.

Hassan:
My uncle had an oil empire!!! So now all those Americans who wanted me dead are paying me millions to do nothing but drive around in their pointless luxury cars!


We now see Hassan in a city, expensive sunglasses and suit on, rolling around in a gas-guzzling Hummer H2.

Hassan:
I used to hate my fellow Americans for their hate of me. Now I love them for making my wallet as big and fat as their children!! HA-HA!!


We now see a shot of Hassan in his Hummer passing by and snatching an ice-cream cone out of the hand of a very obese young lad. Hassan takes a lick before laughing.

The scene goes back to Hassan, no sunglasses, still in a suit, against a black background. He has a look of sheer intensity on his face
.

Hassan:
Because of you, I am leagues richer than you. But this doesn’t make me a happy man. No. I won’t be happy until I see every cent my millionaire uncle willed to me used for making my fellow pious Americans suffer. My name is Muhammad Hassan – exile turned tycoon. And I am a changed man
.​
***


We’re back backstage, where we see the first shot of that one guy everyone keeps talking about – Shawn Michaels. The crowd lets out an enormous pop, as the first real physical evidence has shown up that he’s real and here. Michaels is preparing himself before he stares at the camera and grins. The crowd pops one more time, but he turns away when someone taps on his shoulder from behind…

???:
Hey! Shawn Michaels!

HBK:
Yes?


Michaels turns around at about eye level, then drops his head to show he was looking for someone a little…bigger. The man he sees instead is the rather non-physically intimidating Bryan Danielson. A few folks who know his face let out a few cheers.

HBK:
Um…hey there, little fella! What can I autograph for you?

~Danielson is not amused, apparently

Danielson:
I don’t really want an autograph, Michaels, but eh…well, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a fan
.

HBK:
Of course you’re a fan! The Heart Break Kid’s found a new home to start breakin’ hearts and stealin’ shows all over again! Who wouldn’t wanna come see that?

~Another roar of approval from New York

Danielson:
Shawn Michaels…I’ve been a fan of yours since I was a little boy. I sat there and I watched you through all your, y’know, show stealing moves and your zipwire entrances and your boyhood dreams. But I was also a fan for those smiles you lost and all those injuries –

HBK:
I appreciate it, kid, I really do, but if this isn’t really going anywhere, I need to finish getting ready –

Danielson:
I’m not done yet. I was a fan of yours through all that, and you greatly inspired me. So I went and enrolled in your wrestling academy where I could learn to become a professional wrestler. Just like you.

HBK:
Oh, did you now?

Danielson:
Oh yeah. I couldn’t wait to be there and train under the same roof as the Heart Break Kid. But I was sorely disappointed. I wanted to meet the man who I called my own Icon, my own hero. But you never showed up, Shawn. You never step foot in that school or shook my hand, or even came to see any of my matches.

~This leaves the crowd buzzing and Michaels silent

Danielson:
All I wanted to do was be able to look my idol in the eye and make him proud. But I never got that chance.

Michaels:
But now you do. Look, son…all I can say is I’m terribly, terribly sorry from the bottom of my heart. I used to not be the…uh…most pleasurable guy on the planet. I made some promises I never kept, I had some debts I never paid. And I’m sorry I never held up my end of my bargain for you. But this is a new start for me and a whole new start for you. So I will promise you – I am not that guy anymore. And who do I have the privilege of addressing, mister…?

Danielson:
Danielson. Bryan Danielson. And some call me the Best in the World
.
~The two shake hands again to very nice pop, despite the somewhat cocky self-bidding of Danielson. Michaels begins to walk out of the frame, but not before another hand appears on HBK’s shoulder…

???:
That seemed a bit intense, huh Heartbreak?

~Shawn Michaels turns around to see another face he might not have ever seen before in Samoa Joe

HBK:
Uh…sure, big fella.

Joe:
My name’s Samoa Joe. And you’re the great Shawn Michaels, am I right?

HBK:
You’d be correct there, Joe.

Joe:
Hm. Funny, huh. Everyone here seems to know you and you don’t seem to know anyone, do you? That kind of stuff puts a big, big target on your back, my friend. And add to the fact all those showstoppin' moments and matches? And the fact that you’re THE Shawn Michaels? Yeah. You’ve got a huge target on your back.

HBK:
Well thanks for the heads up, Joe, but I think I’ll be fine fending for myself. And I’m sure a big guy like you can fend for yourself too. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a match to prepare for. So I’ll see ya around, Joe.

Joe:
No, see, it’s not ‘see ya around, Joe’. Here’s another heads up - I’m gonna be out there in that Lucky 13 Battle for that AOW World title. So it’s ‘see you in a few minutes when you’ll be kicking my ass, Joe’
.

The crowd actually chuckles a bit at this before it lets loose into laughter when Joe slaps Michaels’ ‘target’ on his back, causing the off-guard HBK to collapse from the heavy hand of the Samoan Submission Machine. Michaels holds his back, comically making an attempt to get back to his feet.

HBK:
Man…where do these guys keep COMING from…?



~Back at ringside…


JBL:
Who do these guys think they are? Disrespecting Shawn Michaels like that.

Joey Styles:
I think it’s just like Samoa Joe said – Shawn Michaels definitely has a target on his back. He’s a big name, and as you can sympathize, partner, taking down a big name could be the key to a breakout star.

JBL:
I defeated a star in Eddie Guerrero for a world title once, so yes, it is key to a breakout star.

Joey Styles:
You’ve also been the defeated star a few times, right Bradshaw?

JBL:
I haven’t the slightest clue what you’re talkin’ about.

Joey Styles:
Well as my partner suffers from his selective memory loss, ring announcer Tony Chimel is in the ring to announce the start of our first ever main event.


Tony Chimel:
The following main event contest is the Lucky 13 Battle for the A-O-DOUBLE EEEEUUUUUU CHAMPIONSHIP!

~Grandour pop

Tony Chimel:
The rules are as follows: thirteen men will enter the ring, being eliminated by being thrown over the top rope. The final four men will then compete by one fall to the finish rules. The man who pins or makes submit one of his final four opponents will be crowned the AOW WORLD CHAMPION!!!

~Even bigger pop

**MISERE CANTARE**

The crowd lets out a bursting cheer, as CM Punk makes his way through the curtain to his elder indies theme. Punk’s got a big, satisfied grin on his face, happy to be back in a place with a cult following. Punk’s generous pop follows him all the way down the aisle
.

Tony Chimel:
Making his way to the ring – from Chi-ca-goooooooooo, Illinois, weighing in at 222 pounds…the Straight-Edge Superstar…CEE…EMM…PUNK!!!!

Joey Styles:
CM Punk is here in AOW to bring his straight-edge beliefs to all! CM Punk lives a life that is drug free and alcohol free, and on top of that, his knowledge of wrestling is second to none. This kid is definitely one that we have to be on the watch for, Bradshaw.

JBL:
Why? Who you really have to be on the watch-out for are any old ECW convicts who drink, gamble, and have their way with whoever they want. This guy doesn’t drink, he doesn’t smoke, and he doesn’t do anything without asking mommy and daddy for permission.

~Punk smiles and nods toward the crowd before respectfully asking Chimel for his microphone

CM Punk:
In case you folks missed my awesome introduction, my name is CM Punk
.
~The crowd explodes again

CM Punk:
And with all due respect to you, Tony Chimel, yes, I am from Chicago, yes, I am Straight-Edge…but no, I am not a “Superstar”
.
~A little buzz for this curious statement

CM Punk:
You see, what “Superstars” do is come out here and put on a show, pandering to everyone in sight. They have their own PR departments, they have other people make decisions about their lives and who they are for them, but most importantly, what a “Superstar” is, through all that glitz and glamour, is a mere puppet
.
~Crowd keeps buzzing for this still curious statement. This is potentially a pot-shot at the WWE

CM Punk:
So you see, my name is CM Punk and I am not a “Superstar”. I don’t have all that glitz and glamour. I don’t have all the bells and whistles. And I’m pretty damn sure I don’t have any strings attached to me making me dance. I am a wrestler. Pure and simple. What I do is come out here and wrestle. If it so happens to entertain you Hammerstein folks, so be it. But whether or not you love me, or even like me, is merely a formality to me. Because I love this ring and everything done in it
.
~Punk gets a surprising ovation following those remarks, his passion showing vigorously

CM Punk:
So Tony, from this day forth, do not ever call CM Punk a “Superstar” again. You can call me the Straight-Edge Saint, the Straight-Edge Salutatorian, the Straight-Edge Sigmund Freud – I don’t care. Just so that when my intro is done, these people know that CM Punk is a professional wrestler who loves professional wrestling. And tonight, I will become the first ever champion of war
.

The crowd gives a standing ovation to this address, Punk having gotten to the heart of the former ECW Mutants. A heart many weren’t sure they had. Punk’s ovation refuses to die down as he gives Chimel back his microphone and does some warm ups, shadow boxing, etc.

Joey Styles:
The Straight-Edge CM Punk is just the first man in this World Championship Lucky 13 Battle and has made it quite clear where he stands here in AOW. Who will be crowned the FIRST EVER AOW World Champion? We’ll find out next!!!


**COMMERCIAL BREAK**

Upon returning from the break, the sound stage lets loose with a very daunting pipe organ, before continuing into some very creepy sounding tones, as “WELCOME TO WHITECHAPEL” is heard. The crowd buzzes for a second to find out who it is, but while the wait is short as Paul Burchill makes his way down the ramp, being announced as “The Ripper”. He’s donning a gentleman’s coat, but throws it off as he enters the ring.

“LAMBEG” plays now, as we see for the first time in an AOW environment, the Fighting Irishman they call Finlay. Finlay comes on down the ramp, unamused at the large crowd he’s performing in front of.

“STORM LANCING” plays for the first time across AOW, as development trainer and one of the first talents announced with the company in Lance Storm comes down the ramp to a solid reaction, being in the final home of ECW and all, surrounded by those who watched him.

“MASTERPIECE” hits the speakers now, as a largely dull reaction is heard (or unheard) for Chris Masters, making his AOW presence known with his signature poses at the entrance stage, sans pyro. The man with the feared full-nelson makes more taunts and gestures before sliding in the ring. He meets and stares down Lance Storm upon entering, the veteran not giving an inch.

*HIILALIAH LALIAH LAAALIAH…*

“MAD MAN”
is heard following this ominous Arabian chanting, as the newly-wealthy Muhammad Hassan makes his way down the ramp. He’s getting some pretty heavy heat, as Hassan’s golden tights match his golden head towel, Hassan taking the heat as a blessing and not caring. Heat or no heat, he’s still rich.

*GODZILLA HORN*
*DON’T CALL IT A COMEBACK…!!!*

“MAMA SAID KNOCK YOU OUT”
hits the airwaves, as Samoa Joe makes his way through the curtain now, going back to an ROH theme. He’s getting a nice reaction, taking his time and keeping an absolutely intense composure getting into the ring.


Joey Styles:
We saw Joe moments ago with Shawn Michaels, but Samoa Joe is no stranger to the ring. He’s undefeated in North America as a professional wrestler in singles competition. Now that’s impressive!

~AOW seems to be acknowledging his TNA undefeated streak…

“619 ESTA VIVO” hits for the first time, but this is quickly recognized as the remixed entrance theme of none other than Rey Mysterio Jr. Rey gets the biggest ovation out of everyone who has competed so far, a fact that the “King of Mystery” acknowledges with some high fives.


JBL:
Oh no. He’s followed me to AOW.

Joey Styles:
That man that my partner so loathes is Rey Mysterio Jr., easily the most recognizable cruiserweight on the entire planet, and from the looks of things, the lucha legend is here to make a statement in his new company.

“JUST CLOSE YOUR EYES”
meets quickly afterward, as Christian Cage stops on the stage to look for his “peeps” for just a second before coming on down to a great reaction from the smarky Mutant setting. Perhaps the fans agree with his statements earlier…?

…but things hit a new level of “Bizarro World” when “HELL WILL BE AT YOUR DOOR” begins to play and the physical specimen that is Bobby Lashley comes out to DEAFENING HEAT. And all Lashley’s done is walk out on stage. And he hasn’t said a word all night. The incredibly smarky mutants here tonight are making their voices heard, showing their extreme (pun intended) displeasure with the last man to hold the ECW title in the presence of Paul Heyman, perhaps because of being an overpushed McMahon product and they agreed with Christian, or maybe the Hammerstein doesn’t really care much for black people. Nonetheless, the surprising reaction doesn’t seem to phase Lashley.

This is quickly whiplashed by “WALK” by Pantera, as the Mutants know only who that can be. Rob Van Dam makes his way to the stage with a THUNDEROUS ovation, as the entire arena joins Robbie V in his “Rob! Van! Dam!” taunt before he jumps into the ring.

“BREAK DOWN THE WALLS”, this remake done by Fozzy, explodes from the stage, as the first bit of pyro to go off tonight does for Chris Jericho’s entrance. Jericho, usually a smark favorite, is getting a great amount of heat following his comments earlier. The ‘holier than thou’ stride in Jericho’s step just tells us he doesn’t give a damn. As Jericho struts down to the ring, he takes the time to walk over to the podium bound title and stare into the golden reflection.

…and finally, “SEXY BOY” lets fly, as the Heart Break Kid Shawn Michaels flies from the back, getting a larger-than-Van Dam-sized reaction now. Michaels doesn’t pray or set off pyro, but his energetic strut to the ring tells us he’s more than ready to put on a show tonight and be crowned a champion in the process, target on him and all.


MAIN EVENT
~Lucky 13 Battle~
*TO CROWN THE FIRST EVER AOW WORLD CHAMPION*

Rob Van Dam v. Chris Jericho v. CM Punk v. Shawn Michaels v. Christian Cage v. Bobby Lashley v. Finlay v. Muhammad Hassan v. Rey Mysterio v. Samoa Joe v. Chris Masters v. Lance Storm v. Paul Burchill


The match kicks off with what seems like a small cluster, but a good bit of order is instilled when folks start branching off towards the corners, leaving the men in the middle of the ring to be Shawn Michaels and Rob Van Dam. The two meet in a staredown, which gets a great pop from the crowd. Behind Van Dam, Chris Masters looks to be attempting a sneak attack, but Michaels moves Van Dam out of the way and delivers some Sweet Chin Music that sends Masters toppling over the top rope.

ELIMINATION #1: CHRIS MASTERS at 0:31

Van Dam returns the favor almost immediately, as behind Michaels, Finlay is sneaking up, which Van Dam quickly delivers his own superkick to, with the crowd loving that. Finlay, however, doesn’t fly over the top rope, simply being forced against the ropes. Unfortunately, this is quickly followed up by Samoa Joe coming out of nowhere and clotheslining Finlay over the top rope.

ELIMINATION #2: FINLAY at 1:12

Two men quickly eliminated here, but the remaining ten men are disbursed among each other, still forcing some anarchy. Lance Storm has started brawling with Danielson, Punk is the target of Hassan and Chris Jericho, while Mysterio and Lashley are trying to deal with Christian and Samoa Joe. Following the superkick, HBK tries to sneak behind Van Dam and dump him over, but Van Dam catches himself on the ropes, landing on the apron and staring back in to Michaels. This gets some heat, but Van Dam walks back in, everything being confirmed that no one really has allies in a world title war.

This is cemented even further when Michaels turns his attention to Lance Storm, who dodges a Michaels clothesline that sends him stumbling into some ropes, where he’s quickly ambushed by Paul Burchill. Burchill is on the apron, using some unorthodoxed headscissors to maybe try and bring the biggest name in the fight over, but Michaels manages to throw him off and back onto the apron. Michaels is then hit by a shot from Bobby Lashley, but Burchill doesn’t stay on the apron long, using the ropes to launch himself towards the ring, nailing Lance Storm with an explosive slingshot shoulder block. The bystander goes down hard, but as Burchill gets to his feet, he’s being stalked by CM Punk. As Burch turns to face Punk, he gets a swift roundhouse kick, sending him head over heels and over the ropes.

ELIMINATION #3: PAUL BURCHILL at 4:23

Punk looks on in satisfaction momentarily, before going back into the fray. Around the ring, Mysterio now has his hands full with Samoa Joe now roaming over to him, CM Punk and Christian are exchanging blows, as well as Storm and Van Dam. Lashley and Michaels are trying to eliminate each other, while Jericho and Muhammad Hassan get together momentarily to pick targets, Jericho roaming over to double team Punk again, while Hassan goes over to feast on Mysterio, but gets caught with a massive flurry of chops and slaps from Samoa Joe, pretty much telling him to go find his own kill.

Michaels and Lashley soon run into Lance Storm and RVD, which turns into a show of strength from Lashley, who soon clubs down all three men before Storm gets to his feet and attempts to rush at the big black guy, but is soon lifted into a military press and almost thrown from his perch over the top rope…but Storm finds a way to fight his way off. Attempting to eliminate an ECW Alumni member does NOT help Lashley’s standing in the Hammerstein to say the least, but as soon as Storm gets his footing, he’s ambushed from behind by Chris Jericho, dumping his fellow Canadian over the rope.

ELIMINATION #4: LANCE STORM at 6:19

Jericho flexes a taunt, which prompts forth more heat, which is amplified when Jericho says “I’m top dog, ass clown!”. This turns into a pop when he’s bashed from behind by CM Punk. The natural smartass attitude of CM Punk then leads him to flex the same taunt Jericho just did, this time to a reaction of approval. Jericho uses this to his advantage, however, and attempts to knock Punk over the ropes, but Punk hangs on, Jericho continuing to try and ambush folks. Unfortunately for Punk, just as quickly he sticks the landing on the apron, he gets a running back elbow from Muhammad Hassan, knocking him off the apron and out of this match.

ELIMINATION #5: CM PUNK at 6:50

This garners heat for the tag team elimination, but Hassan is quickly in the grasp of Shawn Michaels, who delivers a few shots to his head. Jericho is met with Rey Mysterio, while Samoa Joe shows us that Lashley is human by delivering a fierce CHOP(Woooooo!) to him that sends him reeling. Van Dam and Cage are now in each other’s face, as it looks like there’re only a few bodies left in the ring.

The next body to leave, however, comes while Christian and Lashley are throwing blows. Christian manages to pull ahead with those blows, forcing a hard shoulder into the gut of Lashley before Lashley tries a suplex, but Christian floats behind him and locks the arms, looking for that Unprettier…which he has locked in…BUT LASHLEY STANDS STRAIGHT UP, putting Christian on his shoulders in a compromising position. The strength of Lashley is on display again, as Christian is still gripping the wrists of Lashley while sitting on his shoulder. Lashley backpedals into some ropes, sending Christian tumbling off Lash’s shoulders and to the floor.

ELIMINATION #6: CHRISTIAN CAGE at 8:01

Lashley eliminates his first man in this match, but again, it doesn’t help his standing in the Hammerstein. Potentially getting back at Christian for his comments earlier, Lashley jumps back into the fray, having more momentum than anyone…SWEET CHIN MUSIC FROM NOWHERE. Shawn Michaels makes the lid come off the Hammerstein and the head come off the shoulders of Lashley, doing just what the Showstopper does best. In keeping with his attitude tonight, Michaels is quickly attacked from behind by Chris Jericho, attempting another ambush dump, but Michaels hangs onto the apron. Michaels manages to get back in, but his spine gets crushed by a Samoa Joe backbreaker.

The ‘target’ Joe was talking about earlier seems all the more apparent right now, as nearly everyone in the ring has their eye on HBK. It’s Muhammad Hassan who pulls him away, however, fighting back Joe with hard shots to the head. Hassan rolls HBK to his stomach and locks in a Camel Clutch, increasing the strain on Michaels’ historically bad back. Even so, Michaels is able to crawl to a rope, but it doesn’t break the count, the match being no-DQ. Even so, Hassan is dangerously close to the ropes, a sight not lost on one Rey Mysterio Jr., who rebounds and rushes across the ring nailing Hassan with the 619 while still holding onto a Camel Clutch.

Hassan falls off Michaels back, but rolls to his feet, only to see Mysterio shooting off the top rope towards him with a hurricanrana . This sends Hassan flailing towards some ropes, but in front of them, is Samoa Joe. The momentum puts Hassan on the shoulders of Joe, who quickly dumps him off his shoulders, eliminating the Mad Man.

ELIMINATION #7: MUHAMMAD HASSAN at 9:07

A decent pop goes around, but before anything else happens, Joe gets struck in the face with some SWEET CHIN MUSIC. Joe goes tumbling, but somehow, is still able to grab onto some ropes, being laid out on the apron. Michaels seems to have responded to Joe’s ‘target’ remark by putting a target on Joe’s chin. On the other side of the ring, Jericho is again trying to ambush and dump, this time Mysterio, but Rob Van Dam is quick to stop this with a spinning wheel kick to stop the stalking. As Joe gets to his feet on the apron, the crowd begins to buzz. This is because someone’s rushing down the ramp…its Finlay, with his signature shillelagh in hand. Finlay, not one to forgive or forget, drives the staff into the back of Joe’s knee, performing an Irish drive-by of sorts, causing Joe to fall from the apron to the floor.

ELIMINATION #8: SAMOA JOE at 9:37

Just as quickly as he came, Finlay disappears into the back, having eliminated the man who eliminated him. After this, the realization sets in to those in the ring that one more elimination sends this match into a Fatal-4 Way setting. With this, Jericho is quick to attempt to target Rey Mysterio once again, being someone easy to throw over the top rope. He grabs Mysterio by the back of the head and flings him over…but Mysterio hangs on and attempts to skin the cat back into the ring…right into some headscissors to Jericho. However, Y2J is quick to throw Mysterio’s legs back onto the apron, but he’s quickly attacked by Rob Van Dam from behind. After a blow, Van Dam grabs Jericho’s attempted kick and attempts the step-over spinning wheel kick, but Jericho drops his body at the least minute, forcing Van Dam to miss Jericho and hit the man behind him, which was Mysterio still on the apron.

ELIMINATION #9: REY MYSTERIO JR. at 10:00

That’s it!!! A whole new match will begin!! Van Dam isn’t exactly pleased with whom he eliminated, but he’s in the finals, so he’ll take it.​


Joey Styles:
We have our Final Four!!! Who’s gonna walk away with the title – Chris Jericho, Bobby Lashley, Rob Van Dam, or Shawn Michaels? Find out next!!!

**COMMERCIAL BREAK**

MAIN EVENT, PT.2
~FINAL FOUR BATTLE~
*TO CROWN THE FIRST EVER AOW WORLD CHAMPION*
Rob Van Dam v. Chris Jericho v. Shawn Michaels v. Bobby Lashley


Every man is now ready, with the commercial break having served as their brief breather. All four men are in the different respective corners, but yet again, the words of Samoa Joe ring true as Van Dam, Lash, and Y2J all jump into Michaels’ corner and begin pounding on him. Michaels takes the blows like the Iron Man he is, but is quickly overwhelmed until he delivers a flurry of CHOPS(Wooooooo!) to all three men in quick succession. This sends everyone reeling away, leaving Michaels to duel with Jericho, while Van Dam and Lashley pull away and start a brawl of their own.

This separation doesn’t last long, as both duels wind up crossing in the center ring, with Lashley now taking control and throwing his weight around. He clotheslines Van Dam over the top rope before turning his attention towards Jericho and HBK with a vicious club to the spine of Jericho, who had taken the offensive against Michaels. As Michaels hurts in the corner, Lashley whips Jericho across the ring violently, causing Jericho to get thrashed against the corner, his violent momentum forcing him back out and right into a Lashley belly-to-belly suplex. This gets the first cover of this match going - 1…2…NO!! Jericho is able to kick out!

As Michaels stands hurt in the corner, RVD climbs back on the apron adjacent to Michaels, sneaking up on the Kid of Heartbreak with a well-placed kick to the back of the head of an unsuspecting Michaels. The flexibility of RVD is on display on that one, as Michaels drops like a stone to the canvas. Van Dam quickly gets back in to get his first pin attempt – 1…2…NO!! Van Dam is shoved off by Lashley with a heavy blow to the back of the head. This rocks Van Dam for a second, long enough for Lashley to take him into the air and hold him there with a delayed vertical suplex. As RVD hands on the shoulder of the awfully powerful Lashley, he lets go and holds him up with one hand, prompting the crowd to make some noise. The Mutants give him noise, but not what Lashley was hoping, as Lashley gets a parade float of heat once again, and hoisting up the Van Daminator doesn’t help. Before Lashley can suplex Van Dam, however, Chris Jericho comes back to life. He sees Lashley veering far too close to some ropes and uses this to execute his triangle dropkick, right into Lashley’s midsection, but it causes him to backpedal into the ropes behind him, sending Van Dam tumbling from an elevated position all the way to the floor.

Lashley hits the ropes hard, his neck catching the ropes bad. Jericho takes the momentarily stunned Lashley and throws him across the ring, hitting him with a nice dropkick on the rebound, taking down the big man. This gets sort of a sarcastic pop from the crowd, but Jericho flashes his first grin of the night. As Jericho stands smiling to himself, he’s suddenly brought head over heels to the canvas, as Shawn Michaels has him a school boy roll-up!! Michaels taking a sneaky page out of Jericho’s own book tonight – 1…2….NO!!! Jericho throws his feet up to continue the contest!!

Jericho’s smile goes into a snarl as he gets back to his feet, but he doesn’t wait for HBK to get to his. Jericho jumps on the still hunched over Michaels and punts him in the gut once again before quickly taking him and hitting a backdrop that immediately has Michaels tending to his lower back. Jericho stomps on Michaels back a few times, obviously knowing of the ‘target’ on Michaels’ back and taking it from metaphorical to physical. Jericho then grabs a handful of Michaels’ hair and brings him to his feet, whipping him into the ropes. As Michaels comes back, he nails Jericho with the flying forearm that lays both men out to a great pop before Michaels kips back up.

As Michaels gets to his feet, Bobby Lashley jumps back into the fray, but he’s met with a Michaels inverted atomic drop and a blow to the head to down him again. HBK’s fired up, and the Hammerstein is fired up with him. But before Michaels can head to a corner to perhaps tune up the band, he’s met with the flying foot of Rob Van Dam from the top rope, taking Michaels clean off his feet and getting himself right back into this thing. A corner bound Lashley is next to get some, as Van Dam rushes at him with a hard shoulder to the gut before taking a step back and a backflip before nailing him with one more, forcing Lashley down and to roll out of the ring. The on-fire Van Dam then takes a look behind him, as Chris Jericho attempts a kick, but it’s caught yet again, with Jericho getting nailed with the step over spinning wheel kick. The crowd is all behind Van Dam at this point, who takes a peek at Michaels, flat on his stomach. Van Dam takes a moment to look around, thumbs at the ready –

“ROB!! VAN!! DAM!!”

With the theatrics done, Van Dam rebounds on some ropes and crunches Michaels’ back with some Rolling Thunder. With as much momentum as anyone, Van Dam attempts a cover on Michaels – 1…2….3…NO!!! Michaels, bad back and all, will not go down!! Van Dam knows there’s only one place to go now though – the top rope. Van Dam leaps onto the nearest one to Michaels body, with this Hammerstein crowd knowing exactly what he wants. Van Dam leaps with a world-title aimed Five Star Frog Splash…WHEN HE’S SPEARED OUT OF MID-AIR FROM NOWHERE BY BOBBY LASHLEY!!!! HOLY SHIT!!!! Not even this hostile crowd, hating Lashley all night, can prevent themselves from popping their heads off. It takes Lashley a second to come to after his somatically defiling spear, being forced to climb up the ropes as leverage. He takes one step towards the downed body of Van Dam, when he’s HIT WITH SWEET CHIN MUSIC!!!!

Another move that could kill a man makes the crowd lose their heads, as Bobby Lashley has possibly lost his for the second time tonight. HBK quickly collapses, back first, eagle spread onto Lashley, looking to become the first ever champion – 1…2……WHAT? The eagle spread HBK is pulled off Lashley by his feet…by Chris Jericho, who TURNS MICHAELS OVER FOR THE WALLS OF JERICHO!!! All the abuse Michaels has taken into this match directed towards his back has accumulated in it nearly being destroyed!!! The crowd is still white hot, prompting Michaels to not give up. And he isn’t. The Ironman is refusing to tap out, even though his back has probably been thrown out. It takes everything Michaels has left to start to crawl on his elbows towards a rope, moving inch by inch. Jericho recognizes that Michaels isn’t gonna go down and is trying to escape, so he quickly shifts his body weight INTO THE LIONTAMER VERSION OF THE WALLS OF JERICHO, contorting Michaels back and neck into positions a 40-year old’s body should not be twisting in. This cuts Michaels off at the pass for crawling to the ropes, and deflates the crowd a bit before firing back up, hoping for Van Dam to possibly recover or just for Michaels to hold on a bit longer….

….










...


HE TAPS!!! SHAWN MICHAELS TAPS!!! SHAWN MICHAELS TAPS OUT!!! AND WE HAVE A CHAMPION!!!

Winner and FIRST EVER AOW World Heavyweight Champion: Chris Jericho
at (13:09) (23:09 total match time)


Joey Styles:
WE HAVE A CHAMPION!!! WE HAVE A CHAMPION!!!

JBL:
Wars create heroes – that was a war and Chris Jericho is a hero!! That’s what a hero does! He sets his goals, lets you know it, and then does everything he can to fulfill his word! All of these men fought hard, tooth and nail, but Chris Jericho, the hero he is, walks away with the glory!

Joey Styles:
What does this mean for AOW? Chris Jericho, the man who stepped on Paul Heyman’s toes is now the man who is the very best in the world. I’m not sure if this bodes well for AOW at all.

JBL:
Who gives a damn?! You’re supposed to be unbiased!! Whether you like it or not, call it like you see it, damnit!! Give that man his due!!

Joey Styles:
Indeed, whether this was desired, Chris Jericho has defeated a muscle man, the Ironman, and Rob Van Dam to become ‘The Man’! I’m Joey Styles alongside John Layfield, wishing you good night and a look at our FIRST EVER Champion of War, Chris Jericho
.

The final shot of the very first edition of Oblivion is that of Chris Jericho being handed his gold by a referee, kissing the large gold plate, and throwing it over his shoulder to a mixed, but huge, reaction. Van Dam and Lashley are forced to look on in disappointment and defeat, while Shawn Michaels’ face is still buried in the canvas, conscious and aware, but unable to focus on anything but the pain in his lower back and in his pride.

Chris Jericho hoists the title high from off his shoulders with the sinister grin of a mastermind stretched across his face as we

Fade…

To…

Black….

END SHOW



Here's to hoping I didn't try to do too much. Trying to find my bearings first. Enjoy :)
 
#12 ·
I usually don't do the full review, and focus on only a couple things, but since A- This was your first show, and B- I enjoyed it so much, I'll break it down segment-by-segment.

The opening was great, and really helped me visualize what it would be like to be in the Hammerstein that night! Paul Heyman's speech at the beginning was very well written, but the stand-out part of this segment was Chris Jericho debuting in AOW as a heel. Very good choice, in my mind. I thought that you were going to debut him as a face and maybe have him slowly turn into the heel persona he portrayed in WWE the past few years, but it was pleasent to see him come out, day 1 as that character. Also, Heyman mentioning that things were going to be earned and not handed out... I like how you portrayed that message.

As a quick note, I like how your handling both Joey Styles and JBL. You have their characters down to a T, and they have pretty good chemistry playing off one another.

Having your first match be "The Worlds Greatest Tag Team" VS The Hooligans was a good pick. Good match, although I'm really looking forward to seeing what other teams spring up!

The Miz as a cocky heel interviewer is pretty fun to read.

Christian's worked shoot was PERFECT!!! He described what I think a lot of fans feel about Bobby Lashley, and, if this is what your going for, it really does set the ground work for a Lashley-Christian feud rather well.

The Big Show... er, Paul Wright debut promo was done pretty damn well, and has me excited to see the character appear in an AOW ring soon.

The Rob Van Dam promo was done quite well. You really nailed his Cocky-Yet-Lovable persona.

Jack Evans VS Jamie Noble was a fun, fast paced match to read, although I'm not too sure about Noble winning... that could be because I'm a huge fan of everyone's favorite spot monkey, though!

The new packaging for Muhammad Hassan is pretty cool, and it really does give the character new life.

The Shawn Michaels-Bryan Danielson-Samoa Joe segment was cool to read, and it really does emphasize that HBK is going to have a bit of a target on his back.

The CM Punk promo was enjoyable to read, and it was nice to see him sort of debunk the term "superstar" in AOW.

The Lucky 13 match was extremely well written, although I feel as if the final four AND the winner of the match was a bit predictable. That said, I understand why you went the route that you did.

My only complaint over all was the fact that there were only three matches, yet there were somewhere around 7-8 promo segments. While I do understand that, this being the first AOW show, you had to establish the characters of your wrestlers, I feel like you could have done this with a few of the guy's in a future show. It didn't bother me that much, however, because of how well they were written.

All in all, I'd give this an 87/100. I'm looking forward to seeing what you do next week, and even farther in the future!
 
#13 ·
Oblivion Feedback​

I constantly peeked at your old thread, and what I saw was enough to make me want to follow this one from the start. It was good to begin with a description of the actual setting and what not, so we just get a good picture of things. In a way it can be seen as a small thing, but if you didn’t describe the setting, I would have been disappointed.

Whilst I’m not the biggest fan of the whole ‘war’ direction you seem to be taking with the company, Heyman’s promo was still alright. I wasn’t to sure about Heyman thanking FX and his financial backers in the promo though. It just seems like something that wouldn’t be acknowledged on air, because how many wrestling fans actually care about how the company is being run? They don’t. They just want it to put on a good product. I’m not really sure what direction you’re going to go with Jericho, You had him talk himself up with all his old school gimmicks in the beginning, but the over the top stuff stopped pretty early on, and then he sounded like a hybrid of his most recent character. So yeah, I’m really interested to see exactly what you do with that. Little things like Jericho calling the audience “suckers”, and the word “hullabaloo” being used didn’t sit well with me. Hullabaloo is just stupid, and well, suckers is just to much of a lame insult for a guy like Jericho. I also didn’t like Jericho bragging about how it was his idea to make the company, there should be some level of kayfabe. That stuff not being mentioned would have been a hell of a lot better. Despite that, you’ve established your companies top heel (probably), as well as revealed the AOW title, and you’ve made a unique match that I like the concept of for your main event tonight. The promo did its job, although there were little things I thought could have been a little better throughout.

Just by reading through the first bit of commentary, it really seems you’re going to try and build some argumentative chemistry between Styles and JBL. I like that, but once again, I didn’t like JBL bragging about how he helped fund the company. It was alright, but I’m sure it’ll get better as you get more comfortable writing the guys and build a relationship between the two.

I can’t see much of a better way to open up the in ring action of a new company than with two polished tag teams like these. The match was written pretty well, and seemed to flow nicely, with the WGTT having a period of dominance, before The Hooligans looked to come back. The ending was nice enough as well, although I think Kendrick might have been a little under utilized in the match. He barely got in, and then quickly tagged back out, which was a bit disappointing. Anyway, a good opening contest, and a nice show of respect with the hand shake after the match. If I wanted to be really picky, I didn’t really like the format of the match. Just a little bit to much in bold for my liking, but stuff like that is completely up to you. :lmao at JBL’s universal comment regarding The APA as well, awesome stuff.

Torrie Wilson and The Miz as a backstage interview team? Okay. I enjoyed the cockiness of Miz, as well as Wilson owning him. :lmao at Miz pissing off when Lashley showed up. Honestly, I have mixed feelings about this segment. You tried to have Christian come across as the intense face who doesn’t want his opportunity stolen by a ‘made man’, although it didn’t come across like that. He basically just rudely interrupted Lashley, and that made him come across as jealous. With the fans clearly behind Christian, I don’t think that’s what you wanted. I’m interested to see what happens from here, but yeah, I just don’t think this was executed well.

A pretty cool video package for Paul Wight here. I’m intrigued to see just how you push him, although judging by this; it seems he could receive an epic monster push.

The interview RVD was alright to signal his intentions, but RVD is no easy character to write. I’ve only seen a handful of people write an RVD promo that I didn’t think was awkward, and unfortunately, this isn’t one of them. Also, could never picture RVD asking somebody if they had the “gall”. It’s similar to the sucker’s thing with Jericho early, just certain words thrown into the promos that don’t fit. Anyway, at least you got the main purpose across of RVD wanting the title.

A nice win for Noble here. You gave Evans some offense, not making it a complete squash, but Noble was always going to get the win here. Good squash-ish match.

I really liked the Muhammad Hassan video package. A new character indeed and one I’m looking forward to after that.

An interesting segment with Michaels and Danielson and Joe. The Danielson situation was really interesting and makes me think that something may come of that further on down the track. As for Joe, not to sure if it’s going to escalate anywhere, but interesting stuff nonetheless.

CM Punk promo was really good, I liked it. Really not much else to say, it was just a solid promo, denouncing the term superstar which fits with the company’s image nicely.

As I said earlier, I really like the concept of this Lucky 13 scenario. I’m not going to give my thoughts on every elimination because we’ll be here all day. Michaels struck me as a little cocky during the segment with Danielson and Joe, and sneaking up on RVD could be a sign of HBK possibly becoming a prick. The first elimination that I really liked was Christians. Lashley’s strength was shown off in a unique way, and makes him look kind of beastly. A Finlay/Joe feud is definitely a unique one, but it seems like that’s what will happen after Finlay’s attack on Joe after he had been eliminated.

I think you’ve chosen the right four to be in this main event. They are probably the four biggest names in the whole company so it makes sense that they’ll fight it out for the gold. A pretty good contest here, with bits and pieces of the match being extremely entertaining, especially the ending. Chris Jericho making Michaels tap out is a big scalp, and after the opening promo, it’s fitting that this man is the first champion of AOW. I’m intrigued to see just how the main event scene develops from here, but you’ve done a fine job establishing just who will be a part of it tonight.

The booking of this show was fine, as was the match writing. There seems to be certain off little things in your promos that will hopefully be ironed out in time, but that’s probably my only negative. Just try not to blur the line between reality and kayfabe TO much. Anyway, a first show that will make me want to read the second, so good luck with this thing. Stick to it, we need a good created thread around these parts.
 
#14 ·
Oblivion Feedback

Very nice description of the set up to the arena, really help set the scene. As a new company and a brand new show, this was an small, yet important way to get things going.

Heyman out to start is an obvious choice, very ECW-esque of you. Strong message put across, and I'm liking the philosiphy of it being all about the wrestling. Jericho out suggests you're positioning him as the number one heel of the company, and tbh he's probably the best choice looking at your roster. I'm not so sure that contrasts well with the way Jericho spoke of financial backers and the company being his idea. With the company just starting and a certain state of euphoria about the place, the man who's idea it was would be more likely to be the number one face imo. I've got no problem with Jericho being number one heel, that part was fine, but the contenet was a little off for me. I think you should have paid less emphasis on Jericho being the brains behind the idea, perhaps you could habe had him go in a different direction. Heyman was spot on, really setting the tone, and the announcement of the title match sounds awesome, but Jericho was a little hit and miss. Positioning him the way you did, and the characterisation were both great, just the content was a little off. But a very prmosing first segment.

As you know, I'm always a big fan of commentators who argue, JBL in particular. Seems like we're in for plenty of that from the opening exchanges. Looking forward to more of this.

Loving the fact you kicked off with The Hooligans and TWGTT for two main reasons. One, they're two great teams capable of putting on a tremendous match, which is exactly what you'd want as the first ever match for a new company. And two, it suggests you'll be paying a distinct ammount of attention to the tag division. The match was pretty well written with enough detail and a nice flow to it. The handshake afterwards was a nice touch, and I'm pretty excited to see what you do with your tag division after this. Titles soon yeah?

I quite like the idea of calling the interview area the green room. I dunno why, it's not a big thing, but it just really struck a chord with me. Anyway, lol at Miz disappearing when Lashley showed up. Christian was very interesting here. Much like earlier, you blurred the lines of kayfabe, but it was very hard to decide if he was being a heel or just a very truthful face. The fact you then gave the description of the smarks cheering has me unsure. I'm leaning towards you having Christian as the number two heel in the company right now, but I'll need to wait and see. That "we don't want you" line was killer btw.

I never did get to find out who the kickass video in your last thread belonged to. :( Anyway, another fine video package here for 'The Great'. As I've said before, videos really are something you do extremely well.

RVD is a guy who fits the ideal of this company pretty well, so nice to see him involved. Decent enough promo with Van Dam stating his intentions, and the Shawn Michaels mention was interesting. One thing though, when you said thsi was the house Van Dam built, I naturally assumed you were referring to the Hammerstein Ballroom. You then went on to say Michaels had never been in Van Dam's house. Given that the early editions of Raw were all taped in the Hammerstein, I find that hard to believe. Or have I just completely missed the point. :eek:

Another solid match here, with some pretty cool spots, especially that double moonsault. At 5-odd minutes itmust have been a real fast paced match. Anyway, Noble wins, a nice start for the cruiserweight division. :lmao at JBL after the match.

Real good Hassan video. Simillar to the character he made his name with, but at the same time, you've given it a twist. Should be able to generate some good heat easily with this character.

The smark in me had a giggle at the interaction between Michaels and Danielson. Bryan came off as a legit member of the roster with this, so intrigued as to how you use him going forward. Not so sure about Joe coming in just after though. Kinda took away from what Bryan had to say. I dunno if you'll do anything with Michaels and either of these two guys, but it was a nice way to introduce us to a few more characters.

Loved Punk. Very in fitting with some of his stuff irl right now. Can't say a whole lot more, this was the segment of the night thus far imo.

:lmao at Masters. That guy can't catch a break anywhere. Anyway, some good names like Finlay and Lance Storm in this one, sure they'll become key cogs of your undercard as the thread progresses, especially if you go for a Finlay/Joe feud which sounds like it could be brutal. The way Lashley eliminated Christian was a pretty unique situation, so props for that. No complaints really for the final four, with perhaps the only change we might have saw being Punk in place of Lashley. Anyway, the action was pretty good, although until the spear Lashley was pretty quiet. Jericho making Michaels tap out is a hueg deal, the kinda thing he could live off of for the duration of the thread, much like he does with being the first Undisputed Champion irl. In a contrast to me not agreeing with what Jericho did at the start of the show, I fully agree with him becoming champion at the end. As a founding father, it makes a lot of sense to give him the title first.

Overall, a very solid start to the thread. There was a lot of buzz and intrigue, and for the most part you delivered. A few things I didn't agree with, but I'm very intrigued to see how the thread develops. You did well to establish yourself here though, so keep it going man. I'll be back next week. :)
 
#15 ·
Thanks for the feedback, fellas, very much appreciated. I realize some things were out of line and I hope to improve on that, but thanks for the feedback while I'm trying to get my bearings in the thread.

And now more news...


~There’s been extensive talks about what position Mick Foley should hold on screen in the near future. Foley has gone on record saying he would only be an in-ring competitor if the right situation arose, but at the beginnings of the company, he’s highly doubting it. Expect the Foley situation to be resolved in the coming weeks.

~With the pilot episode of AOW surpassing all expectations as far as ratings are concerned, we’re being told FX gladly extended AOW: Wednesday Night Oblivion for another three months, extending the life of the promotion to at least February.

~However, the company heads have confirmed nothing as far as a PPV schedule or extending the show to two hours or even ninety minutes. It’s been reported that Heyman and Foley at least asked for a few PPVs, but were denied until the company proved it was a “profitable network production”, waiting to see more results.
…and now another preview!




8.29.07

The Hammerstein Ballroom – Manhattan, New York City, New York
“Sit on the Mountain and Watch the Tigers Fight”


Last week, we saw an AOW Original in the Lucky 13 Battle for the AOW World Heavyweight Championship. When all the dust and smoke settled, it was Chris Jericho who was forcing Shawn Michaels to tap out in the Walls of Jericho and being handed the gold strap. Now, with the egotistical Jericho’s request for ring time granted, what will “The Living Legend” have to say, especially following his remarks to Paul Heyman last week? Chris Jericho makes a championship address.

And on note of the AOW World Heavyweight Championship, we now need a #1 Contender! With Shawn Michaels taking the fall last week, the other two men who did not will face each other to find out who’ll be first to face Jericho. Rob Van Dam and Bobby Lashley duke it out in our Week 2 main event.

The roster continues to unfold, as this week we’re promised another debuting star, and a last minute tag team match addition…? We’re back to being one-hour, but it’s the most explosive 60-minuteson the planet. Don’t miss the second, yet explosive, episode of Wednesday Night Oblivion on FX!

.:Confirmed for Oblivion:.

#1 Contender's Match
Rob Van Dam v. Bobby Lashley

Chris Jericho's championship address


Aiming for Sunday again. Once everyone's done reading Legend's Gold Rush, hope you guys come see me.
 
#16 ·
Created fed BTB's are a lot of work with backstory and starting feuds from nothing, champions, tag teams and making things as good as it can be taking off from scratch. It isn't easy. I always enjoy creatd feds that stick around long enough to see things through because it is always fun to read, with it being compiled of a roster full of people that you like and enjoy writing for. You've got lots of potential with this thread, I skimmed roughly over the first show and so far so good. Keep it up.

Please have Van Dam go over Lashly never really liked Lashly, just another jacked up beast. I'll try and drop some comments on the next show.

Good luck. (Y)
 
#17 ·
Mick Foley being used as a rare part timer is definitely the right thing to do. He can be used at the right time to put over some young talent, similar to what he did with Randy Orton in 2004. Created feds are hard to find these days, so the fact that Oblivion has been green lighted until February makes me hope that you'll get there. I don't like when created feds have PPV's right from the get go. I definitely think having to earn them is much more realistic, so I'm all for that.

Now, onto the preview. Van Dam should be able to carry Lashley to a decent enough match, whilst Jericho promo time will OWN. A tag team match could be good, and I'm excited to see what wrestler will be debuting. I'm looking forward to seeing how you follow up what was a successful first show.
 
#18 · (Edited)
I am NEVER trying to post on a PPV Sunday again...




8.29.07

The Hammerstein Ballroom – Manhattan, New York City, New York
“Sit on the Mountain and Watch the Tigers Fight”


With not enough company footage for an opening vignette (it will come soon, don’t worry) we’re treated to a much less theatrical cold open this week. Ironically, the cold open is filled with heat, as the Hammerstein is raining down a great deal of boos on the man already standing in the middle of the ring – AOW World Champion Chris Jericho. Jericho is standing center ring on a platform and a podium, his newly won title on the top of the podium. Jericho is in a very nice suit and has a stoic expression, although we can see a tiny smirk.

Jericho:
If I could borrow a phrase from my past and, in doing so, a phrase that you degenerates can fully understand – will you please SHUT. THE HELL. UP.

~Naturally, more heat reigns down from the Hammerstein heavens. Like that was gonna work, Chris.

Jericho:
I was granted this time and this spotlight to fully relish in my light as the first ever AOW World Champion. And whether you people like it or not you will listen to me.

~The amount of heat almost makes it a tad hard to listen to him

Jericho:
It takes a worthy man to lead an army. It takes a worthy man to set an example for all to follow. It takes a worthy man to bring relevance and a guiding light to any and all who set foot in his presence. I want all of you people here, and even the people in the back, to recognize that you are unworthy and you need a worthy man to guide you.

~The heat barrage doesn’t cease

Jericho:
You people can stay in denial all you want, and this roster can deny that all they want, but the fact is that I’m standing here with this title. No one else is. With this worthy title befitting a worthy man. And none of you people have what it takes to take it from me.

~Continued heat

Jericho:
So to all listening, Chris Jericho is the worthy man who will lead each and every one of you to higher, holier ground. Everything I do, you people should emulate. Everything I say, you people should grasp and remember. Every time I show up in this ring, you people should gather in awe.

~The heat, astonishingly, picks up more with this statement

Jericho:
And that includes you, Paul Heyman. I’m glad you set the tone for this company; I’m glad you went and put your foot down and said everything in this company was to be earned. To earn something is to be undisputedly worthy of it. I’ve earned this, Paul. I’m worthy to hold this title, but more importantly, I’m more worthy to lead this company in the right direction much moreso than you.

~Another burst of boos at the shot at Heyman

Jericho:
You wanna be the boss? That’s fine. I can live with that. But as long as I hold this title, your power over this roster and these people is completely irrelevant. Who holds the gold is who leads the people, and Paul, when a man gets a hold of that power…he will NEVER. LET. GO.

~Buzz, as Jericho is vowing to hold onto that thing for a long, long time

Jericho:
Y’see Paul, I’m at the top of the mountain of this company and if you make an effort to topple me, you, like ECW, will fail.

~Jericho wants to finish his phrase, but he’s cut off by another savage downpour of disapproval

Jericho:
And I will watch this roster go to war with each other just so they can attempt to prove themselves on the same worthy plane as me. But they too will fall at the altar.

~Amongst all the hate spewing from the rafters right now, Jericho’s composure has not changed in the slightest. He’s still keeping a civilized, intelligent, yet piercing presence, a bit of a far cry from the “Atoyallah of Rock n’ Rolla” Jericho people yearned for in 2007

Jericho:
You see, out of all the unworthy souls in that locker room, Shawn Michaels is most definitely the most unworthy. In case some people here may have forgotten - I made Shawn Michaels tap out.

~A great deal of heat once again

Jericho:
I made Shawn Michaels tap into nothingness. Into obscurity. Shawn Michaels’ name is no longer on par with wrestling legends, but his name is far beneath the level of dirt. The moment Shawn Michaels submitted to me, he submitted to my every whim and gave away any and all rights he had of being…worthy.

~Yet another barrage of heat

Jericho:
Shawn, you are just like Paul Heyman to me. I am now and I am always going to be one step ahead of you. And as you sit at home tonight, tending your wounds and hurt pride, Shawn, I just want you to know you didn’t just tap out to me – you submitted to me.

~This again is said within near deafening heat

Jericho:
So let it be known to you, Paul, to your fellow unworthy souls here in this arena, watching at home, or in that locker room – especially you, Shawn Michaels - that Chris Jericho is, undisputedly, your AOW World Champion. He is on top of the mountain. And he is a worthy man.


Jericho keeps garnering more heat, as he takes his belt in hand and is ready to walk off the podium, but before he can do so, SEXY BOY lets out a roar across the arena the arena goes absolutely nuts, leaving Jericho very uneasy. Jericho turns towards the ramp and walks over to the ropes…but no one’s coming out. Jericho’s face goes from calm to frantic, back to a somewhat calm, but still very confused. The crowd is still popping their heads off, even after Michaels’ music stops. That’s because as he turns around, the AOW World Champion GETS HIT WITH SOME SWEET CHIN MUSIC!!! SHAWN MICHAELS IS HERE!! HBK, cowboy hat and jeans, has just kicked the World Champion’s teeth down his throat! Michaels has an intense, stoic stare, not changing. It doesn’t change when we see Michaels stoop down close to the fallen Jericho before mouthing the words –

“One…step…head…”


...

**COMMERCIAL BREAK**

~We return to Oblivion, at the announce table, in the middle of JBL having a cow about Shawn Michaels…

JBL:
THIS is the art of wrestling? THIS is the spirit of competition? Shawn Michaels has no right on God’s green earth to come out here and kick Chris Jericho off his podium!!! Chris Jericho is the greatest champion in the history of AOW Wrestling –

Joey Styles:
Well…he’s the only champion so far, Bradshaw…

JBL:
SHUT UP, STYLES!

Joey Styles:
Well, John, I can’t quite do that. It’s kind of my job to keep talking.

JBL:
You really want me to hit you, don’t you?

Joey Styles:
So wait – you interrupt me, threaten to hit me, and you’re berating Shawn Michaels for doing the same exact thing you wanna do? Typical Bradshaw.

JBL:
The difference is Chris Jericho deserves respect. He is the first ever champion of this fine comp’ny and a damn fine competitor. You’re not Chris Jericho, Joey.

Joey Styles:
Despite who I may or may not be, welcome to Wednesday Night Oblivion, ladies and gentlemen. You just witnessed Shawn Michaels kicking Chris Jericho’s teeth down his throat after Jericho’s championship address, but later on tonight, we’ve got Rob Van Dam facing off against Bobby Lashley to find out who will face Chris Jericho next week for that AOW World title.

“WELCOME TO WHITECHAPEL”
hits the speakers for the second time in as many weeks, as “The Ripper” Paul Burchill makes his way to the ring. Just like last week, Burchill has on a gentlemen’s coat that’s a tad ragged with a rose on it. His hair is down and covering most of his face, but what’s visible of it is his intense and dark (possibly mascaraed) eyes. The rugged looking Ripper steps up to the apron and wipes his feet on it before entering the ring, a possible homage to William Regal, but showing us that he may be a gentleman.

“MEXICANO MUY LOCO” hits now, as this is the AOW debuts of The Mexicools, Super Crazy and Psicosis. Chimel only announces Super Crazy for competition, but Psicosis stays outside the ring while Crazy gets in the ring and panders for a moment before looking at his daunting first opponent. Crazy goes over to talk to Psicosis for a split second…when Burchill attacks him from behind!!

OPENING CONTEST
“The Ripper” Paul Burchill
v.
Super Crazy

{w/Psicosis}


The dirty opening to the match immediately puts Burchill in control and forces Crazy into a corner, where Burchill delivers hard repeat right hands and giving the Crazy Luchador no room to breathe or move. Burchill then whips Crazy across the ring to the opposite corner, following him with a momentous body elbow smash that sandwiches Super Crazy’s ribs and rocks his jaw with Burch’s elbow. As Super Crazy groggily steps out of the corner, he’s clubbed in the back hard by Burchill, forcing him to the canvas.

Burchill continues his onslaught with several stomps to Crazy, though of note they’re to one particular area and that’s Crazy’s left shoulder. As the boots lay into and nearly pop the shoulder out of place, Burchill brings Crazy back to his feet and chunk him into the ropes, but on the rebound, Super Crazy ducks under a clothesline attempt and meets Burch on the rebound with some swirling headscissors! This gets a pop from the crowd, as Burchill goes flipping. He lands and rolls onto a knee, but Crazy is quick to think and act, rushing at the knee-bound Burchill, leaping off his knee, and hitting a low level leg lariat! It’s Super Crazy who attempts the first pinfall – 1…2…NO!! Burchill powers out.

Even as Burchill kicks out with authority, he’s still in shock and is still on the canvas. As Super Crazy recovers from his failed fall, he starts ascending towards the top rope. Burchill eventually gets back to a vertical base, but Crazy is already up and leaping….DIVING CROSSBODY!! DIVING CROSSBODY!!...NO? Crazy gets crazy air on the aerial maneuver, but Burchill catches him and rolls over to stop the momentum.

Almost as soon as Burchill stops rolling, we see his expression change from stoically intense to sheer anger, as he takes the still draped across his body Super Crazy , rushes across the ring, and crunches his left shoulder into the steel post. Again, it looks like Burchill is targeting something, but almost as soon as Crazy is let go after the nasty move, Burchill grabs him from behind and nails a Regal-plex! The very move innovated by his fellow Englishman effectively kills Super Crazy, but Burchill isn’t done. As Crazy’s body goes limp, Burchill takes a split second to stare at him manically before grabbing Super Crazy’s left arm he’s been targeting…and locks in the Royal Mutilation. This is what he was planning all along, as the nasty Fujiwara armbar wrenches Crazy’s shoulder out of place. We can hear the tendons ripping from the bone before Crazy, mercifully, taps out.

Winner: Paul Burchill at (3:37)

~Following that brutal beatdown, Burchill takes a microphone…​


Burchill:
My name is Paul Burchill. And as you just witnessed, I am the most dangerous man in AOW Wrestling
.
~Some heat, but more buzz than anything

Burchill:
But despite my tendency to cause my fair share of pain, I am a gentlemen first and a savage second. And being the gentlemen that I am, I wish to extend my expertise of this ring to another fellow. I am in search of an apprentice
.
~More buzz here, with this maybe being an extension of the tag division…?

Burchill:
So if there’s anyone in the back here who thinks that they have what it takes to keep up with me, all I ask for you to do… is to prove it
.
~Burchill drops the mike from more buzz before his theme plays his sendoff

Joey Styles:
What an absolutely savage display here tonight from Paul Burchill, a man who looks to be of few words but of great impact.

JBL:
Paul Burchill is my kind of guy. He’s tough, rough, classy, and out to help out one of his fellow wrestlers.

Joey Styles:
No offense, John, but um…when have you ever helped out anyone?

JBL:
I’m helpin’ you righ’ now, Joey. ‘f weren’t for me, these good people would be sittin’ here listenin’ t’ you babble on about your geeky little blog posts and your Star Wars doll collection. But thanks to me, these people are gettin’ the insight of a former world champion.

Joey Styles:
They’re not dolls…they’re action figures…

JBL:
Point proven.

Joey Styles:
Yeah, well if it weren’t for me, John, these people would be sitting here listening to you ramble on about business and Republican advice as though this were a segment on CNN and –

JBL:
I make my home of Fox News, jackass! Don’t associate me with those liberal twits over on CNN who wouldn’t know how to run this country if it slapp’d’em upside their head!

Joey Styles:
Point proven.

JBL:
My offer still stands to hit you, Joey.

Joey Styles:
Come on, John. We’ve got a whole ‘nother forty-five minutes to go without killing each other.

JBL:
Don’t tempt me.

Joey Styles:
Well in order to cut down the witnesses in an impeding commentator murder trial, we’re gonna head backstage to our Green Zone, where Torrie Wilson is standing by.


We head backstage now to the Green Zone, where Torrie Wilson is indeed standing by, greeted by whistles and boners…

Torrie Wilson:
Thanks, Joey! I’m here with my guest at this time, Christian Cage!

~Christian enters the frame to a solid pop, despite his comments last week

Torrie Wilson:
So Christian, your comments last week have people buzzing. You claimed to not want Bobby Lashley to have anything to do with AOW Wrestling. People have been calling you rude, jealous, or just whiney. Could you set the record straight tonight?

Christian Cage:
Rude? Jealous? Whiney? No, no, no people just completely misunderstood my statements. I don’t mind Bobby Lashley being here, he’s a terrific asset to this roster, but I would like it even more if he just…y’know…stopped being here.

Torrie Wilson:
Well, why is that exactly, Christian?

Christian Cage:
A guy like him waltzes into a place like this and they think that just because of their name . . just because of who they are, they think they can bypass all the work the rest of us have to do and go straight to the top.

Torrie Wilson:
Do you think Bobby Lashley thinks that way…?

Christian Cage:
Do I think Bob…? Think? Torrie, I KNOW a guy like him thinks like that.

Torrie Wilson:
Well, Christian…if I may…you never gave Lashley a chance to actually tell us what he’s thinking. You just went off your assumptions and…went off. Maybe you could…y’know…ask him why he’s here exactly…?

Christian Cage
: (Pondering it over)
Y’know, Torrie…you just might be on to something. Maybe I should ask Lashley myself why he’s here…beauty and brains. Thank you, Torrie.
~Christian walks out of the frame, leaving Torrie a tad bewildered

Torrie Wilson:
Um…you’re welcome…?

**COMMERCIAL BREAK**


We return from the break in what looks like an office setting, where Paul Heyman is seen for the first time tonight. He’s directing some mover men, who’re holding a chair, where to set it down. He finally settles on right behind a fresh looking desk.

Heyman:
Thank you, gentlemen.

~Heyman shakes both men’s hands before strutting behind his desk and preparing to sit, but before he can, there’s a knock on his door.

Heyman:
Come in…I guess…

~Entering into Heyman’s office with a little bit of a cocky strut is Ken Doane

Doane:
Paul Heyman…the man himself.

Heyman:
Thank you…um…who are you, exactly…?

Doane:
I’m Ken. Ken Doane. You know…

Heyman:
(Mystified)
No…I don’t…OH!! Kenny! Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t recognize you without your megaphone and pom-poms.

Doane:
Uh…yeah.

Heyman:
What can I do ya for, Mr. Doane?
~Heyman prepares to finally sit down…

Doane:
Don’t sit down, this’ll make you stand up anyways – picture this, Mr. Heyman: Kenneth Doane, the hottest prospect in all of AOW, no, in all of wrestling, finally graces AOW with his debut…next week!

Heyman:
(Legitimately underwhelmed)
…that’s it?

Doane:
That’s it? That’s all you need, Mr. Heyman!

Heyman:
Look, Ken, I’m a busy man lately, but I’ll see what I can do with penciling you in a match next week. Just let me –

~Heyman attempts to sit down again, only for someone else to bust through the door to his new office…

???:
Hey, Paul!

Heyman:
Oh, what no - …well hey, Joe.

~A decent pop goes around for Samoa Joe approaching the desk of Heyman.

Joe:
How’s it goin’…and who’re you?

~Samoa Joe takes a peek over to Doane

Doane:
I’m Kenneth Doane, the hottest prospect in all –

Joe:
(Cuts Doane off, incredibly uninterested)
That’s great. So Heyman, I want a match against Finlay next week.

Heyman:
You and everybody else want something next week...

Joe:
Yeah, well you saw what happened last week. I can’t just let that fly. I gotta take him and show him who he’s messin’ with.

Heyman:
Hmmm…well here’s what I can do for you gentlemen. Kenny, you want your debut match. Joe, you wanna let off some steam…so how about you two meet next week, huh?

~Crowd lets out a pop for this. Kenny’s enthusiastic and cocky expression fades, as he can’t even formulate coherent sentences.

Doane:
Face…um…but…uh…

Joe:
Hm…you may not be Finlay, but I’m sure I can kick your ass like you are.

~Crowd pops a little, as Joe walks off. Kenny looks back at Heyman with an angry and confused face before eventually walking out of the frame.

Heyman:
Finally…it’s great to be the boss again.

~Heyman finally does set his butt in his seat and lets out a relaxing sigh.


~Back at ringside…

“BETTER THAN GREAT” hits the speakers, as the World’s Greatest Tag Team enters the stage. They’re getting a great reaction, especially after their showing last week. They’re still donning their gold and white attire, stepping into the ring.


Joey Styles:
And this is perhaps an incredible development. We were scheduled to have another cruiserweight contest displaying our fantastic cruiserweight division, but we’re being told that this match was specially requested not by the men they’re facing, the Hooliganz, but it was requested by the World’s Greatest Tag Team themselves!

JBL:
I said it last week and I’ll say it again - Shelton Benjamin and Charlie Haas are in a class unmatched by any other tag team in the world, and this just shows how much class they really have.

Joey Styles:
I will have to agree with you partner. These two teams who put on a clinic last week, are back to do it again in a very sportsmanlike manner. They are the epitome of the AOW way of the art of wrestling fighting spirit.

“LONDON CALLING”
plays now, as the Hooliganz, Paul London & Brian Kendrick explode onto the stage and down the ramp, hoping to even the score after their loss last week. They once again shake hands with the WGTT, both teams still beaming from their encounter last week. May the best team win.

MATCH 2
The World’s Greatest Tag Team (Shelton Benjamin & Charlie Haas)
v.
The Hooliganz (Paul London & Brian Kendrick)


Following another handshake, Haas starts again for the WGTT, while Kendrick starts this go round for the ‘ganz. The two circle each other for a moment before Kendrick attempts a lock-up, but Haas shoots behind him and gives him a hard forearm shot into a kidney. This sends Kendrick flailing towards the WGTT corner, which prompts a quick tag to Benjamin. Haas holds Kendrick still while Benjamin fires a sort of haymaker shot towards Kendrick’s ribs again. Benjamin takes Kendrick now and tosses him into the ropes, but on the rebound, Kendrick dodges a clothesline and shoots back with a low dropkick, taking out Benji’s feet. As he gets to one knee, Kendrick rebound off the ropes again and hits him with a low front dropkick square to Benjamin’s jaw.

With this, Kendrick drags Benjamin’s body towards his corner, tagging in London. Kendrick brings Benjamin to his feet, as London comes in and both men execute a double Russian leg sweep. This gets the first pinfall chance going. 1…2…NO!! Benjamin shoots his shoulder up, which London responds to by sitting Benjamin up and kicking him hard in the spine. The strain is evident on Benjamin’s face, but as London goes for a kick to the front, Benjamin lays flat and quickly gets to a vertical base, surprising London with a snapmare followed by a retaliation kick to the spine. Its London’s turn to squirm in anguish, as Benjamin tags in Haas now, who shoots across the ring and hits the sitting London with a low clothesline. This gets the WGTT their first cover – 1…2…NO!! London is still alive!

This causes Haas to wear down London now, bringing London back into a sitting position and locking in a chin lock, complete with a knee to the spine. London screams in pain, with the crowd getting hot to try and get London to escape, which finally prompts London to get to his feet and nail a few elbow shots to London’s ribs and managing to escape. London shoots off some ropes back towards the prone Haas, who promptly catches him in a hard sleeper hold that drains the crowd again. London goes reaching, but is far away from Kendrick, as Benjamin tags in behind Haas. Haas promptly then drops London with a sleeper drop before Benjamin scales to the top rope…AND NAILS A SENTON BOMB!?!? WOW!! Joey Styles calls it a “Shel-Ton Bomb”, as the crowd is now on the side of the WGTT following that, going for a cover – 1…2…3-NO!!!! London stays alive!!

Benjamin is a tad frustrated at that, and brings London to his feet, to which London responds by swinging wildly with a hard right, followed by a left swing, both of which back Benjamin away. London backpedals into some ropes and shoots back to Benjamin, dodges a clothesline, and scoots through Benjamin’s legs. London then leaps with a well-placed dropkick to the back of Benjamin’s head. This forces Benjamin forward and through the second ropes, tumbling to the floor. The crowd is hot again, with Haas dropping off the apron to tend to his partner. London takes this time to legally tag in Kendrick again, as both men back up and look at their situation…before looking at each other and rushing across the ring, and THROUGH THE ROPES WITH A DOUBLE SUICIDE DIVE!!!


Joey Styles:
These two teams are taking each other to the limit tonight!!! Who’s gonna win the rematch? Please, PLEASE don’t go anywhere!! Look at this…

**COMMERCIAL BREAK**

As we return from the break, we catch what happened during said break, as L & K whipped Haas into a steel post, eliminating him for a while. As we return to live action, Benjamin is back in the ring, but he’s unaware that Kendrick is now the legal man. He shoves Kendrick away and pulls London into the ring with him. Upon getting back into the ring, the weakened Benjamin whips London into some ropes, which London counters with a hurricanrana…but Benjamin catches him and executes a devastating powerbomb!!! Wow! Benjamin keeps his weight on London, leaving him hunched over…but the referee isn’t counting. Before Benjamin can lift his head and argue, something flies into the shot from above. It’s Brian Kendrick…as he soars from nowhere from the top rope with a sunset flip on Benjamin!!! This is a surprising cover – 1…2…3…NO!!! Benjamin finds a way to throw his feet up in a kickout!!!

The crowd is simply on fire right now, these men taking it past the point they did last week. Kendrick is wondering what he has to do now, helping London get to the apron, whose ribs are destroyed between last week and that senton bomb, before going back to the top rope. As the referee finishes trying to get London to the apron, Charlie Haas has recovered and lowers the top rope, dropping Kendrick’s family jewels on the steel post!! Kendrick’s pain explains his predicament, as Haas gets back in his corner, the WGTT showing a bit of heelness now. With Kendrick hung up, Benjamin gets a burst of energy, running and leaping to the top rope and tossing Kendrick over his head!!! The crowd is back on fire, as now both men are completely laid out. Haas is leaning over his rope, trying to prompt Benjamin to get the tag, with the crowd prompting both men to get to their corners or just get up. As London comes to on the apron, he does the same Haas does, but Kendrick is all the way across the ring. Both men start to crawl, with Benjamin gaining much more ground than Kendrick has. Benjamin eventually gets the hot tag to Haas, but as Kendrick is a fingertip away from London, he’s stopped dead by an elbow to the back by Haas, which turns into an STF!

Haas continues to try and wear down his opponents, knowing they won’t go down easily at all. The Hammerstein is still prompting Kendrick to try to get to his corner, London virtually vertical over the top rope to get the tag in, barely holding onto the tag rope. Kendrick is holding his hand out, desperate for the tag. Not able to take it anymore, London just leaps in and stomps on Haas, forcing him to release the hold. Shelton Benjamin rushes from across the ring to stop London, who hits him with a Cactus clothesline, sending both men over the top. London, however, is able to land on his feet outside, while Benjamin falls.

London is momentarily stunned, but as Haas brings Kendrick to his feet, Spanky is able to reverse a whip attempt. On this, London slides back into the ring beside Kendrick, unbeknownst to Haas until he rebounds right back, when he’s struck with a double superkick!!! The referee is quick to notice London and tells him to get of the ring, putting him out of position when Kendrick covers Haas. With this distraction, Benjamin rushes back into the fray, picks Kendrick off Haas by the waist, and nails a perfect German suplex. The crowd delivers a bit of heat for this, and London telling the ref to look behind him aren’t helping things for Kendrick. This gives Benjamin enough time to pull Haas on top of Kendrick. When the ref finally turns around he counts – 1…2…3…NO!!!! Another kick out!!! Haas pounds the mat in frustration as the match STILL isn’t over!!!

Benjamin on the apron has his hands on his head as well, not knowing what this is gonna take this time, even with the WGTT pulling everything out. Haas, still a bit groggy, runs his fingers through his hair momentarily before exhaustingly pulling Kendrick to his feet, but instead he eats a jawbreaker that sends him reeling a bit. Kendrick takes a second to run over to Benjamin and bash him in the face one good time and off the apron before turning back to Haas, grabbing him in the front facelock, and hitting the Sliced Bread #2!!! The crowd is popping hard, as Kendrick finally tags in London, who’s already halfway up to the top rope. When he gets there, Kendrick leaps through the second rope feet first to kick Shelton Benjamin square in the chest, both men falling to the outside. London sees the way is clear now and leaps and spins with the 450 Splash!! A cover – 1…2…3…!!!

Winners: Paul London & Brian Kendrick at (11:39)


Joey Styles:
Wow…just…wow…I’m speechless and I can barely breathe…just wow…

JBL:
It’s not very often I don’t have much to say, but goodness…goodness…you wanna talk about the best that this sport has t’ offer? I don’t think anyone should look further than these four men righ’ here.

Joey Styles:
I’m with you, John. The World’s Greatest Tag Team pulled out all the stops, shedding a sportsman image and still couldn’t keep the Hooliganz down this week.


As the Ballroom and the commentators go nuts, London and Kendrick are helping each other get to their feet and get their hands raised, although London's ribs are probably pudding right now. Behind them now, the World’s Greatest Tag Team have gotten to their feet and are awaiting the Hooliganz to turn towards them. When they finally do, both teams have a brief staredown before the WGTT extend their hands. London and Kendrick look at each other for a second before shaking the hands of the men they just defeated, in an exact opposite image of last week’s encounter. The crowd gives both teams a great ovation, but as the Hooliganz turn to walk away, Benjamin and Haas…don’t let go of their handshakes. This jerks L & K back center ring for a second, with Benjamin and Haas again showing an intense as hell staredown. Sportsman as they may be…this isn’t over.

**Video Package**

There is a creature alive today…

We see a shot of what looks to be that of a gargantuan 7-foot, heavyset being in the shadows

That has survived millions of years of evolution…

The man steps from the shadows, head down, face still concealed by an equally enormous hoodie

Without change…

A quick shot flashes of the man ROARING while grabbing a man by the throat in the middle of a ring

Without passion…

The giant lifts and chokeslams the man into the ground, causing the canvas to crack and the ring to collapse

And without remorse…

The giant rolls up his sleeve, revealing a taped fist the size of a bowling ball

It lives to kill; a merciless, monstrous machine….

The ‘monstrous machine’ prepares, as another man rushes towards the beast

It will attack and destroy anything…

The hooded giant swings his giant fist, crushing the attacking man’s jaw as if it were a wrecking ball

It is as if God created the devil and made him…

Flashback to the shot of the giant in the hood standing alone, still surrounded by shadows

…GREAT

The giant finally raises his head, but before we can see his face, the screen cuts to black, where we then see the words –

~Paul “The Great” Wright~
COMING SOON TO AOW
**COMMERCIAL BREAK**

~We return to the Green Zone, where this time, The Miz has a microphone...

The Miz:
This is Mike “The Miz” Mizanin, the single BEST interviewer in the wrestling world. And I’m here with my guest at this time, a man who’s considered one of the greatest cruiserweights of all time, yet a man who falls far short of my standards and…well falls far short of everything else – Rey Mysterio, Jr
.
~The crowd lets out a big reaction to Rey, who’s not too thrilled at his introduction

The Miz:
How are ya, Rey?

Mysterio
: (Dryly)
I feel great, Miz, thanks.

The Miz:
I just have a burning question for you, Rey – what do you plan to prove here in AOW? I mean, a guy of your size can’t possibly be having big dreams here in AOW, can you?

Mysterio:
Miz, you sound exactly like everyone I’ve ever met in my entire career. No one has ever thought I’d be able to make it or do anything. But y’know something, Miz? I’ve never let any of that keep me back or hold me down. I’ve let it fuel me. So Miz, thanks for the fuel. I’ll need it to go the extra mile and be the best in AOW.

~The crowd lets out a roar of approval for the hard-fighting Rey. But almost as soon as Mysterio’s statement is over, the screen keeps breaking in and out with static before becoming overwhelmed with the static. It stays that way for a second before the screen looks like a home video camera has been set up. We see what looks to be a small room with no one there, when suddenly, Gregory Helms’s face jumps into the frame.

Gregory Helms:
So Rey Mysterio gets an interview, and I don’t? Rey Mysterio gets consideration as one of the greatest cruiserweights of all time? Please. Rey Mysterio, you’ve just been hacked by Helms – Gregory Helms, to be exact.

~Helms pauses to shake his head

Gregory Helms:
You’ve been hacked, Rey Mysterio, because you don’t deserve airtime over me. Has Rey Mysterio ever held a championship for over a year? My records show that - NO Rey Mysterio has not! So he cannot be the greatest cruiserweight of all time. But I have. So I am!

~A bit of heat can be heard

Gregory Helms:
Y’know, I was gonna do this and call myself the “Best in the World”. But it’s come to my attention that somebody’s already taken that one – some punk by the name of Bryan Danielson.

~A pop for the name of the man seen in the same screen as HBK last week

Gregory Helms:
I’ve never seen or heard of Bryan Danielson. So how can he be the “Best in the World”, much less, be a better cruiserweight than me? I’m gettin’ reports that this guy weights 180. 180? There’s cruiserweights and then there’s you-need-to-eat-weight.

~heat for the dig on Danielson

Gregory Helms:
In due time, Rey Mysterio, Bryan Danielson, and anybody else who wants to say they’re better than Gregory Helms, they’d better stand back. ‘Cause there’s a hurtin’ that’s gonna be comin’ through!

*END TRANSMISSION*


~Back at ringside…

“WALK” begins to blare across the Hammerstein, as it again goes nuts for Rob Van Dam walking out to the “House That He Built”. The fans chant along with Van Dam’s thumbs before he gets into the ring. Van Dam is still in his chill nature, but he’s definitely not gonna let up on Lashley tonight.

“HELL WILL BE AT YOUR DOOR” begins to play, and just like last week, Bobby Lashley comes out to the stage with a great deal of undeserved heat. The smarks still are shooting the boos towards Lashley just for being Lashley, but just like last week, “The Real Deal” remains unphased.

MAIN EVENT
~#1 Contender’s Match~

Rob Van Dam
v.
Bobby Lashley


Lashley and RVD meet center ring in a competitive staredown with the crowd getting behind them. Van Dam, knowing good and well that he’s got this crowd in his back pocket against the smark heat-magnet that is Lashley, raises his thumbs again, as the crowd joins in – “ROB! VAN! DAM!” With that, RVD just nods his head towards Lashley, who can’t really rely on the crowd to retaliate. Instead, Lashley goes with what he does have – sheer power. Lashley backs up a step before extending his arm, looking for a strength test. Van Dam ponders it over for a second before accepting Lashley’s bait, locking fingers up high with Lashley. They lock fingers on with their other hands, seeming even at first, but then Lashley begins to overwhelm Van Dam before Van Dam slides between the open legs of Lashley, sending him off the ropes. As Lashley turns to him, Van Dam’s momentum is stunted when he runs right into Lashley’s unflinching shoulder.

Van Dam quickly gets to his feet following this, nodding his head rapidly, knowing he might have to rethink a strategy. It’s Van Dam who offers up his hand this time for a strength test, with Lashley accepting. As the two lock grips again, Lashley again begins to overpower RVD, when RVD does the exact same thing – he scoots through Lashley’s legs. But this time, Van Dam keeps the fingers locked and causes Lashley to flip over, then holds onto Lashley’s legs and bridges, prompting a nifty small package pin. 1…2…NO!! Lashley unwinds the package and gets to his feet this time, having potentially underestimated Van Dam’s speed and flexibility.

Both men having fully seen what they might be up against, Van Dam again offers up the strength test. Lashley is hesitant to accept it this time, but eventually does. As Lashley’s fingers touch RVD’s, Van Dam drops with a split and nails Lashley with a throat thrust, totally stunning the big man. RVD uses this to get to his feet and nail the high aimed, high impact spinning crescent kick. Lashley falls to the canvas now, Van Dam tries for another cover – 1…2…NO!! RVD is forced off by a very much still alive Lashley. RVD takes it a step further and rushes towards some ropes, before rebounding with a cartwheel-into-a-moonsault….but he’s caught in mid-move by Lashley into a sort of spinning spinebuster move!!! Lashley shocks the crowd by again catching Van Dam in mid move, this one potentially fatal. As Lashley moves to cover RVD, the crowd starts to buzz and let out a bit of a pop. This obviously isn’t for Lashley…so who’s it for…Christian? Christian Cage is standing on the entrance stage, microphone in hand, and proceeds to come down the aisle.


Christian Cage:
So I was told that maybe I’ve been a little unfair to you, Bobby Lashley. I’ve been told that I came off last week as a jealous, pious, and just a downright rude guy. But I’m none of those things. I don’t have any problem with you here, Bobs, I would just very much like it if you left.

~Christian says all this while walking down the aisle, having now reached the base of the ramp

Christian Cage:
But in sight of my disapproval of your presence here in AOW, I did indeed lose sight. I never really allowed you the chance to tell us why exactly you’re here.

As Lashley is looking up from the canvas, he walks over to the ring ropes closest to CC and stares down on him, back completely to RVD.

Christian Cage:
So Bobby Lashley, please tell all of us here why exactly are you here…? Why did you leave a –


As Christian finally tries to get Lashley to talk, RVD has taken the opportunity to grapple Lashley from around the waist, force him into the ropes, and roll him back with a victory roll. 1…2….NO!!! Lashley manages to throw RVD from off the top of him.

Christian Cage:
Woh, watch yourself there, Bobs. You almost got caught. But if you could answer my question, why did you leave a company you were very comfortable in and come here to the young, promising, AOW?​

Lashley is in no place to answer this question, even as Christian jumps on the apron and juts the microphone into the ring. As Lashley gets to his feet following the kickout, he takes RVD and whips him into the ropes closest to Christian’s arm now, prompting Christian to say “Come on, Bobs. Just answer the question.” Lashley ignores this, swats the hand away, and gives Van Dam a pair of hard rights in the corner before taking him and whipping Van Dam into a short-arm clothesline. This folds RVD over, but Christian is getting agitated.

Christian Cage:
Bobby Lashley, answer my question: Why are you here in AOW when you don’t need to be?​

Again, Lashley ignores this to attempt to cover Van Dam – 1…2…NO!! RVD kicks out! As Lashley reaches down to bring RVD to his feet, Van Dam’s educated feet kick Lashley square in the side of the head. Lashley backpedals a bit into the ropes, where Christian hops up onto the apron behind Lashley, again sticking the microphone in his face.

Christian Cage: (Increasingly agitated)
Why. . are. . you. . here…?

Lashley shoves the microphone out of his face before approaching Van Dam again, who greets him with another high crescent kick…but Lashley ducks! The kick keeps going, however, and Van Dam lands a low back sweep that takes Lashley’s feet from beneath him. Christian’s face is growing more and more angry.

Christian Cage:
Hey, don’t ignore me! ANSWER ME!​

Christian’s so annoying now that Van Dam has to address him. Van Dam just looks over with a “dude, shut up” line, which doesn’t help Christian’s attitude right now. Christian even starts to climb into the ring, but the referee advises him not to. While that goes on, Van Dam is kicking the spine of a sit-up Lashley repeatedly. Van Dam follows up on this with a flipping neck snap, Lashley’s neck getting whiplash. Lashley’s head hits the canvas hard as well. Van Dam nears a corner, seeing Christian nearby and tells him to “go away, dude”. We can hear Christian tell him “I’m on your side, Rob!” Van Dam leaps onto the rope with the split-legged moonsault…but Lashley rolls out of the way! As Van Dam crashes and burns, Lashley is able to get to his feet, looking Christian on the apron in the eye.

Christian Cage:
Is there a reason you won’t answer me, Lashley? Is it because you’ve got nothing to say on account of me already having figured you out…? I will NOT be ignored! Why. .are. . you. . here…?​

Lashley just shakes his head at Christian, before turning back to Rob Van Dam…but he’s not in the spot where he was left a minute ago. By the time Lashley figures out where RVD is, he gets hit with a diving side kick from the top rope!! Lashley’s godly build goes down hard to a smirk from Christian, as Van Dam covers – 1…2…3-NO!!! Lashley kicks out! Van Dam looks up to see Christian still on the apron, before Van Dam tells him, again to “leave it alone, dude”.

Christian Cage:
I’m on your side, Rob! I want answers for you too! But fine, if you want me to chill –

~Christian drops from the apron and grabs a nearby steel chair and sets it up outside the ring, right next to a corner.

Christian Cage:
…I’ll just chill right here. I can wait.

RVD takes Lashley, whom he planned to cover but is now futile, and attempts to bring him to his feet. While he’s doing this, Lashley springs to life momentarily again and tosses him over his head with a vicious belly-to-belly! Both men are down now, as they’ve both taken their blows and are reaching a fatigue pitch. The referee quickly checks on both men before beginning a double knockout –

…1...

….2…

…3…

…4…

…5…
{Christian (not into the mike): Don’t get knocked out, Bobs, then you can’t answer my question!}

…6….
Lashley starts brewing, and gets to his feet first. He’s close to Christian’s corner, who rises from his chair and jumps on the apron again, and sticks his mike-grasped hand into the ropes.


Christian Cage:
So Lashley – can you finally tell us why you’re here? Or was I right in saying you –​

Christian is cut off when Lashley shoves the microphone back into Christian’s face hard, almost causing Captain Charisma to fall off the apron. The mike goes tumbling, as Christian’s face is now just one of sheer rage, while Lash’s is only slightly agitated. RVD, on the other side of the ring, has finally recovered in the opposite corner. While Christian and Lashley stare down, Christian finally sets foot into the ring. The referee jumps on Christian, telling him that he can’t come in and has to leave now. While that goes on, we see RVD rushing towards the corner, boot high, aimed for Lashley…Lash moves, Christian manages to dodge, but the referee gets clocked in the back of the head.

The referee goes tumbling, Lashley moves to the opposite corner, as RVD is now in the corner with Christian, exchanging some harsh words.

“I’m on your side, Rob!”
“What’s my side? The whiney, jealous side?”
“You know as well as I do why he’s here!”
“Open your eyes, dude. No one agrees with you!”
“I’m doing this for you! Get rid of him, and the right people flourish!”
“Don’t ever speak for me, dude. Or for anyone else. Get over yourself.”

As Van Dam turns around, he’s greeted with a Lashley Spear attempt…RVD sidesteps…AND CHRISTIAN IS NAILED WITH THE SPEAR. Lashley seems to smile a bit, but he’s getting a very positive reaction from the crowd. Christian goes rolling out of the ring, but unfortunately for Lashley, he gets to his feet only to be drilled in the head with a Rob Van Dam roundhouse. The hot pop Lashley just got goes right into the pocket of Van Dam, who follows this up by immediately leaping to the top rope. The crowd is white hot as Van Dam leaps…AND HITS THE FIRST FIVE STAR FROG SPLASH IN AOW HISTORY!!! The final cover – 1…2…3…!!!

Winner and NEW #1 contender: Rob Van Dam at (9:49)


Joey Styles:
RVD’s done it!! RVD’s done it!!! He will face Chris Jericho for the AOW world title!!

JBL:
And he had Christian to thank.

Joey Styles:
Did you not hear RVD? He told Christian to get lost!

JBL:
Oh, and he wasn’t a distraction? He wasn’t a big, whiney, long-winded distraction?

Joey Styles:
Woh, woh, woh…what’s going on here…​

What’s going on is RVD looking back at the downed Lashley, where we can hear him mutter the words “You’re okay, dude. You’re okay.” As RVD rolls out the ring, however, he meets Christian. The two stare down for a second, before RVD speaks up.

“Don’t speak for the locker room, man. Speak for you. And don’t do for us. Do for you, dude.”

Van Dam keeps going on up the ramp, but takes a look back to Christian, who’s been staring at the spot RVD was just standing in a few seconds ago, stoic. He then gets a spark and rushes to the other side of the ring, grabbing the steel chair he had been sitting in moments ago. RVD is reading his intentions a mile away, as Christian slides into the ring, raising the chair aimed for the still downed Lashley – but RVD catches it before it can come down! The two men are in a tug-of-war for the steel chair, which Christian finally wins by punting Van Dam in the gut, then SMASHING THE CHAIR ACROSS THE SKULL OF VAN DAM.

Lashley, now standing on his own, sees the whole thing. Christian has an almost apologetic, completely stunned look on his face, as though he didn’t mean to do what he just did. Lashley makes a short burst towards Christian, which sends Christian scurrying through the ropes, steel chair still in hand. The crowd’s heat that they’ve usually been aiming towards Lashley is POURING on Christian right now. As Christian, still with a somewhat confused and apologetic look on his face, backs up the ramp, he’s getting pelted with garbage. The final image of Oblivion is Christian, seemingly sorry, and Bobby Lashley attempting to revive RVD as we…

Fade…

To…

Black…

END SHOW




*aohdubya.com exclusive off-air footage*

Bobby Lashley and the official help Van Dam get to his feet to a grandeur pop. After RVD shakes the cobwebs out of his skull, he shakes hands with Lashley center ring before raising Lashley’s hand to another rousing round of cheers. Lashley finally gets the reaction intended for him in AOW.

Before both men can leave the ring, however, Paul Heyman comes from the back and into the ring, shakes hands with both men before taking a microphone.

Heyman:
Gentlemen, I and these fans would like to thank you for that incredible display of, full of what AOW is all about.
~A burst of cheers

Heyman:
However, I do have a message concerning next week. That’s when you, RVD, will face Chris Jericho for the AOW World title.
~RVD nods in approval, as the Hammerstein approves as well

Heyman:
And just to show Chris Jericho who still has the power around here…I’m going to appoint a Special Guest Referee.
~A bit of buzz

Heyman:
Next week on Oblivion it’ll be Chris Jericho versus Rob Van Dam for the World title…with Special Guest Referee Shawn Michaels!
~A big pop from the crowd and a smirk from Van Dam, knowing what happened earlier in the show

Heyman:
One step ahead, huh Chris?
~Heyman smiles into the camera

Heyman:
Thank you all for attending this evening, join us, next week, and do it all again!
~The crowd lets out one final pop as the camera stops rolling​
.:Confirmed for next week:.


~AOW World Championship~
Special Guest Referee:
Shawn Michaels
Chris Jericho(c) v. Rob Van Dam

Samoa Joe v. Ken Doane​

Hope things still make a bit of sense. Still tryin to find my bearings.
 
#19 ·
Before I start my review, I just want to point out a mistake that you made. In the "Announced for Next Week" section, you have only the AOW title match posted, but you also announced Samoa Joe VS Ken Doane. Just throwing that out there. Also, I want to thank you for popping in and reviewing my BTB, that was cool of you, buddy! Anywhozzles, on to my review!

The Chris Jericho promo at the beginning was a good way to kick things off strong. It really did help set the tone for Chris' new character, and helps set the tone for what to expect from his championship reign. I do feel that Shawn Michaels' run in was a little too typical of an event to happen, but it didn't really take away from anything, and it puts a little bit of heat in their feud, which it looks like your going to make happen. Plus, I'm looking forward to HBK getting called out as a hypocrite for being a role model to kids, and then going around and doing something like that (I'm sure you could make that sound so much better!)

The Mexicools debuting was something I wasn't really expecting (Maybe I'm having a brain fart, but I don't remember seeing them in your roster), but the show-stealer for that portion was Paul Burchill. The way you portrayed his character makes Burchill one of the people I can't wait to see more of, especially with the protege angle.

The Heyman-Doane-Joe promo was kind of a nice little comedy break (I thought it was funny, anyway), and I can't wait to see little Kenny get killed by Joe next week! I have a feeling that Finlay's going to get involved in that, somehow...

WGTT-Hooliganz II was just as good as their first match up, if not better! I'm hoping that III will be for the tag team titles, because the tag team division could be built around either one of these teams with how your building them.

I feel that you could use a bit of variety with the Paul Wright debut promo's. I mean, doing the same promo again gets the job done in building buzz around the guy, but the first time I read it, I was generally excited to see the debut, the second time around it was just meh.

Rey Mysterio's little promo was a good way to establish his character, and Miz as the heel interviewer is working out really well, but the show stealer was Gregory Helms hacking into the green screen and jiving a bit about Mysterio and Danielson! This helps build some buzz around your cruiserweight division (Side note- Please keep Rey in the CW division. He's more exciting that way, and he would make a great veteran character in that division).

RVD-Lashley was good for what it was (I wasn't a big fan of Lashley's in ring work, so I couldn't really get into reading the match), but Christian's interference with trying to get answers from Lashley in the middle of the match made it interesting to read. It's no shock that Christian's interference kind of cost Lashley the match, but Christian accidentally beaming RVD in the head with the chair kind of was. It looks like your building Christian up to be a heel, and that's a good move, in my opinion.

The announcement of RVD-Jericho next week for the title and HBK as the referee is a little.... I don't know how to feel about this. Having the match so soon instead of having somewhat of a build for it is kind of disappointing to me. I understand that the main focus of this is the HBK-Y2J feud, but a little side feud between Y2J and RVD would have been enjoyable to read. I doubt that your going to let me down with this, though, so I'm not going to bitch about it too much.

All in all, this week's show is just as good as last week's. No better, but definitely no worse. I'm excited to read next week's, mate, and I'm hoping that you dive into the other titles pretty soon, as well!
 
#21 ·
Oblivion Feedback​

Common sense to open the show with the first ever AOW Champion in Chris Jericho. I like the idea of Jericho standing on a podium, immediately making him and the title look big time. Obviously you did a good job of making the title seem important last week, but this beginning just confirmed it’s the main thing in the company, and that’s important. The promo began pretty well, and I preferred this one immediately more than I did Jericho’s promo last week. In my feedback last week I mentioned Jericho’s character seemed a little blurred, although it’s obvious he’s playing the more serious Jericho role in this thread after this promo. Jericho beginning with cheap heat, before talking himself and the title up was all done well. The crack at Paul Heyman, even mentioning ECW, as well as the transition into insulting Shawn Michaels was all done pretty well to. Not much at all to complain about, and the ending with Shawn Michaels coming from behind was okay. I don’t really like the faces coming from behind and attacking the heel though, it has always seemed a little cowardly to me. Either way, a promising start to the show with the best promo of this thread so far.

Nothing but a squash, but it does the job of establishing Paul Burchill’s character as a tough SOB. Yes, Crazy and Psicosis can be entertaining jobbers, but they could also be a pretty good tag team. So, I’m really hoping you do something worthwhile with them. Burchill’s little promo was fine, and I think putting him in a tag team could be nice. Give him somebody who can actually speak on the microphone, and they can be a vital part of this thread.

Christian Cage interview, much like last week, left me befuddled as to whether he’s going to be a heel or a face. Yes. The crowd hated on Lashley last week, but I’m still not sure exactly where this is going. At least this week, it seemed like you made Christian jump the gun on purpose, and hopefully this means he will actually allow Lashley to explain himself.

Ken Doane approaching Heyman, and being extremely cocky was nice. Heryman’s little crack about Ken’s former cheerleader role in the WWE was nice as well. Samoa Joe making an appearance and wanting a match with Finlay, once again, makes sense. These two going at it next week should be a decent enough match, and it allows you to add more fuel to the fire before Joe and Finlay square off. Smart booking, imo.

I actually like the idea of a rematch between these two teams because they are probably the best you’ve got, at the moment. The way the match came about with the WGTT asking for it fits in with the company’s spirit of competition policy as well. This match topped last weeks match, not just in length, but I felt as if the match was written better as well. The offence flowed well throughout, with a lot of nice reversals and what not taking place as well. Obviously it was a smart decision giving The Hooliganz win, meaning these two teams are going to have to meet at least one more time sometime soon. The hand shake followed by the stare down was a nice way to confirm my suspicions of another match.

I still am pretty excited to see this incarnation of Paul ‘The Great’ Wright.

Much like last week, I enjoyed the arrogance of The Miz on the mic, insulting Mysterio for being short and what not. Mysterio’s response was rather generic, but that’s pretty much what I expected. I’m intrigued to see just how you book Mysterio though.

The whole hacked thing is an interesting enough concept, and tbh, I enjoyed this little Helms promo. Picking on Mysterio and Danielson was done pretty well, although Helms’ main two punch lines, the need to eat weight, and the hurtin’ coming through both came across as a little lame to me. I like the idea of this Helms character, just hating on everybody, but I think the writing could have been a little better.

Main event time already? I forget that these shows are going to be shorter than the usual episode of Raw and Smackdown. Your first two shows have been rather refreshing to read. Anyway, onto the main event. The opening of this match was actually pretty good, as I felt you were using RVD’s flexibility to make Lashley look like he can actually wrestle in the early going. Christian interrupting the match fully confirms that he’s going to be the heel in this scenario, and it means that all my criticism regarding his character has been pointless so far. I don’t mean to sound disappointed, that’s definitely a good thing. As the match went on, and Christian continued to talk, it lost all momentum. Whilst the offense was still alright, when reading, constantly interrupting the flow of the match was Christian. It works in terms of booking, so I won’t criticize, especially since I’ve done something similar before, but it doesn’t sit well with the reader. Anyway, RVD and Jericho going at it should be an epic match. The ending with Christian hitting RVD with the chair was nice to, adding some more intrigue to the whole thing.

The aftermath of the show itself, with Lashley and Van Dam showing a nice amount of respect to each other was good. It’ll finally establish Lashley as a face in this company. Heyman making the match between Jericho and Van Dam for next week means we have another really good main event to look forward to. My only real issue is that there’s no hype work at all being done for this contest. This Jericho/Heyman thing definitely has HEAPS of possibilities from here, so obviously I’m going to predict Jericho retaining next week.

Overall, much like last week, another nice show. The booking was pretty spot on throughout, and the writing was solid as well. You haven’t taken to long to find your niche here, tbh, so here’s hoping this is just the beginning of a great thread. Keep it up, mate.
 
#23 ·

Overall, much like last week, another nice show. The booking was pretty spot on throughout, and the writing was solid as well. You haven’t taken to long to find your niche here, tbh, so here’s hoping this is just the beginning of a great thread. Keep it up, mate.
Do you mean in this thread or in the section? Been here four years. Taken forever to find my niche in the section, really.

Once again, a little bit of news...

~Paul Heyman has done it. He's managed to nab an extended time slot with the company, if only for one night. Numerous sources are reporting that Heyman has been granted a 2 or 3-hour time slot in the near future. This isn't permanent by any means, but it does give the company a potentially huge Oblivion card to work towards in the near future. The date is expected to be announced at the very least within the next week.

~In signing news, AOW has succesfully signed Nic Nameth to a development deal. Nameth, like Ken Doane, was a former member of the WWE's "Spirit Squad" team and is expected to be rapackaged before arrival.

~In other, perhaps more mysterious signing news, former WWE "Phat Man" Solofa Fatu, better known to the world as the two stepping, Stink Facing Rikishi has been reported to have signed a short-term deal. What this means and when he appears is up in the air.
And now a preview, now officially being presented by aohdubya.com




9.5.07

The Hammerstein Ballroom – Manhattan, New York City, New York
"Reinforcements of the Army"


Paul Heyman has announced that he has huge news! In an aohdubya.com exclusive statement, Heyman proclaimed that he'll be addressing the entire AOW fan base, as well as the entire AOW Roster with the biggest news the company has seen. He has claimed it will change the face of AOW forever. What could this news possibly be?

Last week, Chris Jericho challenged Paul Heyman and his 'power'. Rob Van Dam earned his shot to challenge Chris Jericho for his 'power'. And just to mess with Jericho's power, Heyman flexed his and made the special referee for that match the man who kicked the teeth of the "Worthy Man" down his throat!! Headlining the third edition of Wednesday Night Oblivion, Chris Jericho defends his AOW World Championship for the first time against the Crown Jewel of ECW himself, Rob Van Dam, with the man in charge of the three-count being good ol'Haitch - Bee - Kay himself, Shawn Michaels!

Samoa Joe wants Finlay, but instead, he'll get Ken Doane. With the "hottest prospect in AOW" granted his debut match, will Kenny be able to walk away with a win from a man as dangerous as Samoa Joe? Will Doane live past his debut match with the potential anger Joe has?

Get ready for potentially the biggest edition of AOW Oblivion thus far in company history. All this, and we've also been promised the debut of yet another member of ever growing AOW ranks. The most dynamic wrestling program this side of Jupiter comes to you Wednesday at 9/8c, only of FX!

.:Confirmed for Oblivion:.

~AOW WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP~
Special Guest Referee: Shawn Michaels
Chris Jericho(c) v. Rob Van Dam

Ken Doane debuts v. Samoa Joe

Plus...

Paul Heyman drops a groundbreaking bombshell

I should be spending the weekend getting caught up on most feedback I owe, so expect the show sometime Monday.
 
#22 ·
Review for 619's Oblivion

Right, I told myself I'd keep up with this but I didn't review the first show, so I do apologise. I'll try review all shows from here on out, mate.

And the show kicks off with Jericho, the champ. This promo was great, I thought and it was very characteristic of a heel Jericho. His long winded yet very blunt insults alkways work a charm and he's getting pretty easy heat. I read the backstory and I noticed thaqt both Jericho and Heyman were founding fathers of the company so having Jericho go at Heyman (who I presume is a face?) is an interesting two dynamic. It's only two weeks in and the company seems to be falling apart form the inside, ratings as far as I'm concerned. Meh, the line about ECW was a bit iffy tbh but I see why you did it, with the show being held in the ballroom and whatever, it just seemed awkward. But other than that, the promo did its job - It put over Jericho, continued the rivalry (if you can call it that) between Jericho and Heyman and it sets the tone for the night. Shawn Michaels? I may be a bit out of the loop here after not reading your first show but I'm guessing Y2J cheated HBK out of the title? Anyway, hopefully you don't rush this feud. It's been done twice in real life and I loved it both times and they mesh very well so I hope you have this slowly burn away and have a final conclusion at your first PPV, or whatever. Good job.

:lmao @ the arguing between styles and JBL. Very inetresting dynamic you have there and a good choice of commentators even though I hate Styles, lol.

Burchill vs. Crazy and there should be only one winner, really. Burchill is someone I have my eye on in this thread because he just stands out compared to everybody else on your roster. I don't know what it is, but he just jumps off of the screen at me. Glad t see the match end with the Royal Mutiliation as it really does put over Burchill's aggressiveness as well as showing he can end a match any which way he wants. Hopefully its a slow gradual push for Burchill. I was hoping you kept Burchill a man of few words but what he said after the match was good and really put over he confidence (which he can back up). Expecting a debut to an swer the challenge, maybe.

More arguing between Styles and JBL, was to be expected.

Great to see Torrie back as I've always had a soft spot for her :p. But yeah, interested to see where this Christian/Lashley angle goes and with the main event tonight, I expect CC to show up. Just from this one segment I already like your interpretation of Christian - The brains and the sarcasm. It's all very nicely done. Keep it up and you may have the most interesting character on the roster right there!

Oh dear, poor Kenny. I Loled at the Spirit Squad reference and tbh I'm kind of digging this "hottest prospect" dealio. I don't really like Doane as a competitor though, so you're gong to have to do a hell of a lot to convince me he's really worth having on the roster to be more than a midcarder at best. Joe coming in is great, I'm a huge Joe mark so you get points whenever he shows up. Not sure what happened between him and Finaly but the match between Doane and Joe should be decent, I guess. Expecting Finaly to interrupt so that feud can continue and Doane has a successful debut. Make Doane work and I'll be a happy chappy, but don't job Joe out and I'll be even happier.

Top match between Haas/Benjaming and Londrick, top notch and to be honest I wouldn't expect anything less. I hope you develop your tag division as it seems to be a bit thin at the moment but none the less, top match my friend. I'm a bit surprised about Londrick picking up the victory tbh and I'm fully expecting WGTT to bounce back, whether that be next week or even further in the future. Oh nevermind, WGTT won last week, lol that shut me up. Nice to see some respect between the two teams as I prefer both teams face. So a heel tag team in the coming month? Yes please. It needs to be done, as far as I'm concerned.

Paul Wight, hmmm. Interesting. Hopefully you will make him a hell of a lot different to how h is in the WWE or ever has been.

Oh dear, Miz as interviewer? Genius! Straight away taking the piss out of Rey, love it. Rey's responses seemed to, bleh. But I expected that. Gregory Helms as well, never been a huge fan but I can see why people are. Him joing The Miz on the "take the piss out rey" tirade is great, puts both Miz and Helms over. Expecting big things from Helms in this thread, as much as I hate to say it.

Main event time and even though the match wasn't a stechnically sound and gripping as the tag match, it had an interesting dynamic with Christian, as I predicted, playing some role. The constant chittr chatter and distraction of Lashley is a good touch obviously just adding fuel to the fire. Expected RVD to win and him vs. Jericho shall be very good next week, hopefully that gets some hype whether that be an AOW.com type thing or a video package or whatever. Expecting big ghintgs from that match so don't dissapoint.

HBK as special referee? Great. All I can say really, not sure what to expected which is great but other than that I can't really say much!

Overall, it was a great show from top to bottom. All feuds progressed well and the building of characters built just as well. One thing I do have to say is that a lot of things seems so predictable. Not that thats necessarily a bad thing, but some surprises would be nice but I' expecting one next week in the main event so I'm looking forward to that. Sorry if this isn't "feedback" so to speak, still finding my feet when reviewing so bare with me. Keep on going mate because this can, and this will be something special if you stick to it.
 
#24 ·
I meant you found your niche with this thread. In no time at all, everything seems to be at a pretty good standard. :eek:

A super show of sorts I guess would be a huge show, but I don't know if I like the decision of it being announced already. Oblivion has been running for TWO weeks, surely the network wouldn't already trust them with a much longer time slot. Anyway, I think you should go with two hours, because three hours this early on would be pretty absurd. No problem with Nemeth being signed, although I don't like the idea of Rikishi being around, whether short term or not. The new company should be making new stars, not relying on old ones.

Paul Heyman promo, announcing the super show (?), as well as a main event that will be epic, and a mid card match that will be good, means this show should be promising. I'll be reading.
 
#25 ·
Oblivion Feedback

Kicking off with the champ, and it had to be that way really after the way the opening show ended. I remember enjoying the way you used Jericho in your old thread, and it was the same here. The way you use such a variety of words and phrases with Jericho is always impressive, and I can only assume you really enjoy writing for him as it comes across as such when reading. The early stuff about being worthy wasn’t bad, but it picked up once Jericho turned his attentions to Heyman and then Michaels. Liked how he bragged about making Michaels tap out, and it was rather poetic that he said he was one step ahead only to be caught out. Although, you messed up the main line of the promo. Should be “One step ahead” not “One step head” jobber. <3

I can see this Styles/Bradshaw combination is gonna be gold. Although when has logic ever mattered to a heel? :p

Quick work from Burchill, but a good win that he needed after his efforts last week. Let’s hope The Mexicools do more work in the tag division than as singles guys. What with the description of the jacket and rose and the gentlemen savage words, I’m very much reminded of Wade Barrett’s character from NXT. Perhaps you were going for that? Anyway, an apprentice seems an interesting angle, and I like that you’ve quickly gave Burchill a storyline to get into.

:lmao Fox News ya’ jackass!

Strange little interview here, in the fact that Torrie seemed to do more talking than Christian did. Anyway, definitely a sense of jealousy on Christian’s part, especially when he considers his achievements hard work while claiming Lashley can just walk straight to the top. Match between the two should be around the corner really.

Lol at that pom poms line. Anyway, another solid addition to the roster in young Kenny. Push him to the moon plz :side: Joe’s in, and after what happened between he and Finlay last week during the battle royal, makes sense that he would want a match. Poor Kenny though, unless there’s some shenanigans on Finlay’s part, he’s in big trouble next week.

Surprised to see a rematch so soon, but man what a match it was. Once again these two teams deliver for you. Gotta admit, this one outshone last week’s efforts, in terms of both the length of match and the quality of the writing. Just really enjoyable to read, nothing to fault really, just another good match. Post match was very interesting, fully suggesting we’ll get a third and final match in the series. Hold off a week or two though, let it build with some promos and then deliver, maybe to even crown new champions? Anyway, top stuff here.

THE GREAT~!

Wow, Helms… awesome. Hacked by Helms. I love it already. Just… yeah, this was awesome. Loved it. Very excited as to how you’ll use Helms going forward.

Main event time, and it seemed a pretty back and forth match, as both men had some nice spots but neither was able to gain a measure of true control. What on earth is Christian playing at here? :p I gave it a laugh, as it’s just very goofy to see him out during the match trying to ask Lashley questions. You executed it pretty well, as despite the fact he didn’t actually mean it, Christian cost Lashley the match. Certainly is a different angle to go with, and I can see Christian playing the whiny heel by claiming it was all an accident, but really he knew exactly what he was doing. Lashley/Christian should be a pretty solid uppercard feud.

I dunno why but I laughed at that website address. For a show set in the Hammerstein that sure as hell makes them look like ********! But yeah, sweet announcement, fully expecting Michaels to have to reluctantly count the 3 for a Jericho win, but Jericho/Van Dam should be a great main event next week.

Overall, two for two in terms of impressive shows. Once more a lot of characters were developed, but I guess the limitations of only having 1 hour means we can’t always get both sides of the story with regards to feud development, ie, Finlay wasn’t around tonight. But apart from that, I really enjoyed it. Keep this going man, this thread has mega potential. :)
 
#26 ·
---


~“…somebody, please…get some help…”
~“Check his breathing…is he…okay, we have a pulse…”
~“Bring the gurney over…”

We finally cut to an image from the dark screen, but we immediately wish we hadn’t. The image is that of Rob Van Dam, lying in a pile of stage equipment. It appears as though Van Dam has fallen from a great height and crashed through the rubble, potentially slammed through it all. We see a few folks in the background, with several officials and EMTs, but Torrie Wilson and Bryan Danielson are present at the scene as well. The EMTs are having some difficulty bringing him up until Samoa Joe comes into the frame and helps them.

Silence…










9.5.07

The Hammerstein Ballroom – Manhattan, New York City, New York
"Reinforcements of the Army"


We’re brought to a Hammerstein in somewhat disbelief at what they just witnessed on the AOW big screen, but it seems to dissolve a bit when Paul Heyman comes through the curtain to a great reaction. Heyman looks determined, as he should. He’s got a lot on his mind and, judging by recent events, he’ll probably have even more to think about…

Heyman:
Uh…I’m sure you all are uh. . just as stunned as I am at what I just witnessed. I will address this as the night goes on, but I do have some very important announcements
.
~A certain amount of buzz

Heyman:
Tonight, I’m here to present to AOW an idea that will completely revolutionize the way people view the wrestling world
.
~Big buzz

Heyman:
See…after several weeks of attempting to get ourselves a much wider audience with a few Pay-Per-Views…get ourselves a little bit of money-in-pocket, you know, to make this company as good as it can be for you people…

~A big pop for the address to the Hammerstein

Heyman:
After several weeks of trying to get that arranged…I finally got an answer. See, the folks in the front office finally granted us a 2-hour edition of Oblivion on Wednesday, September 26th
.
~A big pop for this

Heyman:
Now that’s not a Pay-Per-View Sunday like we wanted. But we’ll take it. And we’ll use it to have the single most explosive show the entire modern wrestling world has ever seen. Because we’ll use that pair hours to have ourselves a little Supershow. Like that?

~The Hammerstein is in total agreeance

Heyman:
Now…in case you folks haven’t noticed, it’s a little difficult, even for a bright mind like mine, to run a brand new wrestling promotion. And it’s a tad difficult to put together a 2-hour program on national television without a hitch, too. So I’m gonna need a little help
.
~A little buzz

Heyman:
Now…we were granted this opportunity on the grounds that we will get more people watching and garner more interest in this company – on our own. Now my hired help – any and all ‘cavalry’, I suppose – I might get better be able to get people watching
.
~A little more buzz. Who’s this ‘hired help’? Who’s the ‘cavalry’?

Heyman:
So I need a man who can draw a crowd. I need a man who can get people to turn on the telly and watch. I need a man who can put…butts. .in. .seats…

~A little bit of buzz, as many may know where this may be going…

Heyman:
So ladies and gentlemen, without further ado…I would like to introduce to you all the first-ever General Manager of Art of War Wrestling Oblivion – MIIIIIIIIIICK FOOOOOHHHH-LEEEEEEEE!!!


The Hammerstein EXPLODES, as “WRECK” plays on the sound system as the man, the myth, the Hardcore Legend Mick Foley comes through the blood-red curtain. Clad in his signature Foley flannel, Mick makes his way down the aisle, shaking a few hands before getting into the ring and shaking hands with Paul Heyman to an even bigger pop. Once this occurs, Heyman presents us Foley and leaves the ring, giving Foley the floor.

Foley:
You made a good move here, Paul. We all know that when you hire Mick Foley, you get a four man work staff for the price of one
.
~A dig at his own personal psyche; the crowd popping for it

Foley:
It feels great to be in a place where madness is more than welcome
.
~Another huge pop

Foley:
As much fun as I’m having right now, I’m here to get down to business. It’s my first day and I’m already a main event down and a Rob Van Dam short. I’ve got a two hour spot to fill in three weeks. So let’s get to it
.
~Great round of buzz

Foley:
On the first ever two-hour edition of Oblivion, we will have matches to decide who will become not just the first ever Cruiserweight Champion, but also something we like to call the AOW Dynasty Championship. Who’s gonna be the guys to fill those spots? I’ll be paying close attention to everyone’s matches from now until then
.
~A solid reaction to two more champions being crowned in a few weeks

Foley:
We still have one more set of belts to find a home for – the AOW World Tag Team Championships
.
~A pop for the tag division

Foley:
I’ve taken great note of the World’s Greatest Tag Team. I’ve also taken great note of Paul London & Brian Kendrick. They’ve traded wins and have shown they have what it takes when pinfalls and submissions are involved. But you see…I’m a hardcore kind of guy
.
~A grand pop

Foley:
So that is why next week – not in three weeks – NEXT WEEK, those two teams will face off against each other to see who’ll be the first ever AOW Tag Team Champions…IN A LADDER MATCH!!

~A great pop for this one

Foley:
But those are in due time. Tonight…tonight, as you all have seen, we’re a man down. Rob Van Dam was supposed to face Chris Jericho tonight for the AOW World Championship. But eh…RVD is unable to compete for the remainder of the evening…

~Disappointed boos

Foley:
So unless someone –


Someone in the opening segment is cut off for the second week in a row by the playing of “SEXY BOY”, as Shawn Michaels comes down the ramp to a very welcome ovation. HBK’s expression is a bit happier than last week, but he slides in the ring, where he and Foley share in a great embrace.

HBK:
Mick Foley. I was afraid I’d never see you again, Mickey!

Foley:
I was afraid I’d never see you again, ol’Haitch Bee Kay!

HBK:
Yeah well, I was. .y’know. .just in the neighborhood and I just so heard that you’re a main event short. Now I don’ know whatchu were gonna do ‘bout that, but good ol’Haitch Bee Kay has a proposition for ya, matchmaker Mickey.

Foley:
(Chuckling)
Matchmaker Mickey. I like it. Lay it on me, Shawn.

HBK:
Why waste the title match? Why not get Shawn Michaels out of a referee’s uniform and put him in a ring…? Why not give the Heart – Break – Kid another chance t’kick Chris Jericho’s teeth back down his throat?

~A great reaction for this proposal

HBK:
Now I don’ mean to upstage you, Mick. But if I step in that ring with Chris Jericho t’night – or ever again – the only thing I’ll want to do is take…his…head off
.
~Michaels’ happy disposition disappears, as he becomes an intense man

HBK:
So Matchmaker Mick, I know you’re good at givin’ folks exactly what they want. So give me what I want. Lemme show Chris Jericho just how worthy Shawn Michaels can be in an AOW World Championship match
.
~The Hammerstein roars in approval as Foley lulls it over…

Foley:
As much as I’d like to…I can’t quite just hand you a title match all willy-nilly, Shawn
.
~Disappointing boos

Foley:
Rob Van Dam earned his shot last week. And as big a statement as you made last week, Shawn…I can’t just give you a title shot. But what I can do is get you a non-title one-on-one match with Chris Jericho
.
~Michaels has a somewhat satisfied shrug

Foley:
But…should you win that, Shawn…Matchmaker Mick won’t be able to deny you a title shot again
.
~The crowd lets out one final pop as Michaels shows a grin and shares a handshake with Foley as the segment comes to an end.

**COMMERCIAL BREAK**

“MAD MAN” begins to play as soon as we’re back from the commercial break following some ominous Arabic chanting, as oil tycoon and millionaire Muhammad Hassan comes down the ramp in competition attire. He’s wearing the same golden towel and golden tights he was wearing two weeks ago.

Joey Styles:
Folks, welcome to the third edition of AOW: Wednesday Night Oblivion. I’m Joey Styles alongside John “Bradshaw” Layfield and we’ve just heard some tremendous news concerning the future of Art of War Wrestling.

JBL:
Tremendous doesn’t even begin to d’scribe what we just heard, Joey. A 2-hour edition of Oblivion, a tag title LADDER match next week, an’ a brand new main event?

Joey Styles:
That’s right, partner. Although all this comes following what appears to be an assault on Rob Van Dam backstage, and we will give you news on the condition of Rob Van Dam and all developments as the night goes on.

JBL:
What the hell are you talkin’, Joey? How d’you know RVD was ‘assaulted’? The guy’s so reckless, he pro’ly just tried to sit ‘n a chair.

Joey Styles:
I’m sure that’s a possibility, John, but all those matches came from the mouth of the man Paul Heyman has appointed as our very first General Manager – the Hardcore Legend Mick Foley!

JBL:
I respect Paul Heyman an’ I respect Mick Foley, but neither one of these guys know the first thing abou’ business.

Joey Styles:
Well Bradshaw, if we go under, you can go back to CNN.

JBL:
I’m on Fox News, damnit!

~Trollolol

All that goes on as Hassan slowly walks to ring, finally entering and grabbing a microphone…

Hassan:
In case you people have forgotten my name is Muhammad Hassan. And I am a changed man
.
~Bit of buzz

Hassan:
The last time you people saw me, I was trying to convince you peasant Samaritans that I was on the same level as you. But after coming into a great deal of money, I realize that I’m so much better than you
.
~A downpour of heat

Hassan:
You folks can boo and hiss at me all you want, but if want to know who you should be directing it towards, just look to your left and your right. It’s because of you that I have what I have and you folks had to shell out your paychecks just to get here on gas money
.
~Even more heat

Hassan:
It’s funny, seeing as how everyone’s talking about ‘power’. The only person who has any type of power in this company is me. I could buy the Hammerstein three times if I wanted! I could kick all of you out of this place and turn it into a New York villa
.
~Another barrage of heat

Hassan:
But then that…that would be no fun at all, now would it? No. I want every single one of you selfish, pious Americans to look at me, envy me, hate me, exactly the way you have for years. But it doesn’t matter because money…money has a way of changing people. I used to take it. But no more. I won’t rest until I spend every last cent making all of you regret the day you ever spread hate my way. I am Muhammad Hassan. And believe me – I am a changed man
.

One final downpour of heat rains down on Mr. Hassan, as he sets down his mike and takes off his head towel before hearing “MACH”, as the unfamiliar face of Matt Sydal comes on through the curtain and down the ramp with a pretty big grin on his face, never having this kind of audience before. Sydal takes a second to take it all in before rushing to the ring to face his ‘changed’ opponent.

OPENING CONTEST
Muhammad Hassan
v.
Matt Sydal


Sydal’s small stature has many writing him off at the onset, Hassan included. Hassan and Sydal walk towards the center ring, with Hassan giving Sydal a really cocky and creepy smile. Hassan gives him a couple of overconfident slaps to the head, taking the smile off Sydal’s face. Hassan takes his head back and laughs to the sky, while Sydal just gives a look of passive aggression. Hassan takes things even further when he sticks his palm to Sydal’s head, prompting him to try and hit him. Hassan continues to laugh, with Sydal sarcastically chuckling with him. Sydal then suddenly grabs hold onto Hassan’s arm, and uses it as leverage to nail Hassan on the side of the head with a summersault kick.

This surprises the hell out of Hassan, who goes stumbling, which Sydal follows up on by rebounding and hits Hassan with a running diving back elbow, which stunts Hassan even more. He falls but gets to his feet quickly, only to get hit by a Sydal dropkick that forces him into a corner. The high tempo has the crowd all on Sydal, who takes this momentum and rushes towards the corner-clad Hassan with a rushing shoulder block to the gut, which Sydal seamlessly flows through the middle ropes afterward. Hassan stumbles out of the corner holding his midsection, Sydal giving him no time to process his shock. He turns to see where Sydal is, but Sydal is already soaring through the air with double knees to Hassan’s chest. The crowd is on fire, as Sydal rolls on top of Hassan for the first cover – 1…2…3-NO!!!

Sydal doesn’t spend any time crying over spilt milk, as he rebounds off the ropes. Hassan gets to one knee on this, but on the rebound, is struck in the chest with a low level Sydal diving kick. Sydal tries another cover – 1…2…NO!!! Hassan doesn’t go down again! Hassan is still downed, however, as Sydal leaps to his feet and steps over Hassan before executing a flawless standing moonsault…that drives his knees into Hassan’s midsection!!! Sydal with another cover – 1..2…3-NO!!! Hassan stays strong!

Sydal, again, comes back strong by rebounding off the ropes again. Hassan is the one who surprises him this time, hitting Sydal with a clothesline that turns him inside out. Sydal goes flipping, with Hassan jumping onto him – 1…2…3-NO! Sydal’s got some heart! Hassan pulls Sydal to his feet before tucking his head into a front headlock and hitting a spinning lifting DDT onto Sydal. Hassan another cover – 1…2…-NO!! Sydal won’t go so! Hassan then drags Sydal over to a bottom rope, putting his weight all over the back of Sydal, choking the young cruiserweight. The referee is counting to five, to which Hassan eventually breaks in favor of a snap suplex.

Hassan forces Sydal to get to his feet yet again, this time setting him up for a reverse STO. Sydal, however, sees this move coming and starts to fight his way out with a few elbows to the side of the head. Sydal finally breaks free with a leaping kick to the jaw of the ‘mad man’. Sydal backs up a step and hits a leaping spinning back kick to Hassan’s face. This drops Hassan like a stone and gets the crowd on fire for Sydal again, who now ventures to the top rope. Sydal spreads his arms before leaping with…A SHOOTING STAR PRESS!!!! SHOOTING STAR PRESS!!! …Hassan moves!! Nobody home!! Sydal crashes and burns onto his ribs, with Hassan taking note. As Sydal gets back to his feet, Hassan grabs hold and nails the reverse STO, dubbed as the ‘American Made’. The impact spikes Sydal’s face into the canvas and leaves him limp, getting Hassan to shoot the half and cover again – 1…2…3…!

Winner: Muhammad Hassan at (6:01)

But Hassan isn’t done. That little bastard gave him much more trouble than he’d hoped for. With a raged look in his eye, he pushes away the referee trying to check on Sydal, brings Sydal to his feet and nails the Finishing Touch. The already deflated crowd delivers a myriad of heat now, but Hassan still isn’t finished. Hassan looks to make good on his promise to make Americans regret. He jumps on Sydal’s back and applies the Camel Clutch. Hassan showing a brutal side this match, but the crowd suddenly starts buzzing to life. Hassan doesn’t try to find out why, but he does anyway when CM Punk comes down the ramp and kicks him in his spine. The crowd roars as Hassan is forced off and goes scurrying away. Punk sees him out before tending to Sydal and making sure the mainstream newcomer is in good shape. He brings Matt to his feet before raising his hand to a solid pop and helping lead him out.


Joey Styles:
And CM Punk coming to the aide of Matt Sydal in very honorable fashion.

JBL:
Honorable? You make me diabetic with how much you sugar coat, y’know that Joey?

Joey Styles:
What’s up with Muhammad Hassan? That attack as uncalled for, it was unprofessional –

JBL:
Joey, a guy like Muhammad Hassan is hard to fig’re out. I don’t like him much, but I can’t deny that he just showed how much power he really has.

Joey Styles:
You can’t really condone something like that, can you John?

JBL:
Well if you don’t like it Joey, you can blog an’ whine about it.

Joey Styles:
Well Hassan seems like someone you’d like, JBL.

JBL:
Lemme tell you a little secret, Joey – no one with money likes anyone else with money.

~We head backstage now, where we’re met with the gorgeous face of Torrie Wilson in the Green Zone and a microphone…

Torrie Wilson:
Hi! I’m Torrie Wilson here in the AOW Green Zone here with uh…several guests at this time. With me are the men who will be competing in the first ever AOW Ladder match for the World Tag Team Championships – Shelton Benjamin, Charlie Haas, Paul London, and Brian Kendrick!

~A big pop for all four men, as both teams appear on opposite sides of Torrie

Torrie Wilson:
Gentlemen, I’m just looking for some thoughts from each of you on what exactly you’ll be expecting from each other next week for the tag team gold. You first, Paul.

Paul London:
Torrie, these guys are superbly gifted athletes. All I’m gonna expect from them is to do exactly what they’ve been doin’ to me and BK over here and that’s take us to the limit.

Shelton Benjamin:
Man…you guys are pesky. I think you’re down, Haas thinks you’re down, we look down and you’re all over the place. You don’t go easy. So I don’t expect you guys to go easy next week, either.

Brian Kendrick:
I don’t think you guys’ll have to worry about us being everywhere. ‘cause the only place to go in a ladder match – is up.

Charlie Haas:
Look, we can be here all buddy-buddy all we want. But next week, only one team can become champions. While the other – goes down
.
~The ever present tension in the room seems to now take over all four men, as they do indeed go from smiling Willies to a group of men focused on their task come next week.

Torrie Wilson:
Well thank you gentlemen, and I wish you both luck come next week
.
~The Hooliganz and the WGTT stare holes into one another across Wilson, who just now feels the tension and gets of the way. Neither team throws blows, but they continue to stare as we fade away…

**Video Package**

We’re brought to what looks like a wrestling ring surrounded by shadows. Three different men soon enter before the lights go out around them when we hear a narrator…

He’s here…

The lights come back on where the three men have been joined by the shadowed and deathly looking stance of a giant 7-foot being…

And all shall fall…

The monster socks one man in the jaw, beheading him as though he were a plaster statue…

To the great might of…

A second man is caught in the chokeslam, slammed through the ring itself, as the final man is lifted in a military press and thrown to the floor and disintegrates into fine powder

…THE GREAT WRIGHT

Paul “The Great” Wright
HE’S HERE...
**COMMERCIAL BREAK**

Upon our return to the screen we’re met with Mick Foley in what appears to be an office setting. There’s no Heyman in sight, but as Foley turns around, he’s got a book in his hand. We can’t see what it’s about, but he takes a few steps forward where he meets Bryan Danielson.

Danielson:
You asked to see me, Mr. Foley?

Foley:
Oh, please Bryan, call me Mick.

Danielson:
Um…you asked to see me Mick?

Foley:
Oh, please Bryan, call me Jack.

Danielson:
Um…okay…you asked to see me Jack?

Foley:
Oh, please Bryan, call me Dude.

Danielson:
(Takes a second…)
Ooooohhh…haha…I see what you’re doin’.

Foley:
Ah, just tryin’ to have a little fun, y’know, loosen up. It’s been all business tonight. I can’t work like that. Isn’t that right Mr. Socko?

~Foley holds his open boom in his other hand, the hand under the book comes to surface as indeed, the sock puppet himself Mr. Socko to a huge roar of approval. Foley makes Mr. Socko nod his ‘head’

Danielson: (Wise to the past, backs up a step)
Woh…hey there Mr. Socko…that’s not goin’ down my throat anytime soon, is it Mick?

Foley:
You? No. I asked you here for a reason. The other half of that reason isn’t here yet, though…
]~No sooner does Foley say this does the sound of his door opening and closing meet his ears. Both men (and Socko) turn to see none other than Rey Mysterio Jr

Mysterio:
Hey, Mr. Foley. And Mr. Socko. And...Bryan Danielson? I’ve heard a lot about you, man
.
~The two shake hands

Danielson:
Rey Mysterio? So great to finally meet the legend himself.

Foley:
Good! Nice to see you two know each other. Before I get to you guy’s business…I hate to ask this, but do either of you know any kind of information about RVD getting taken down?

~Mysterio shakes his head, while Danielson, present at the scene earlier, just shrugs

Foley:
Oh. Well then down to your business. Now guys –

~Foley takes out a pair of glasses before reading from his open book. We can’t read the words, but what we can see is the page has a picture of a yin-yang

Foley:
See, here in AOW, we have a philosophy. Not just concerning wrestling, but how wrestling fits in to everything, not just war. I don’t know if you know anything about the yin-yang, but it personifies exactly what AOW is about. The yin meeting the yang and everything coming together. They’re not opposites, just other sides of the same story.

Danielson:
That’s very eh…eloquently put, Mick, but what does that have to do with us?

Foley:
You forget another one of my alter egos is a best-selling writer, Mr. Danielson.

~A few chuckles

Foley:
I wanna introduce a new kind of match. The yin represents the older generation. The yang represents the up-and-comers. That’s where you two come in. See, next week, I wanna have the first ever Yin v. Yang match in AOW. And it will be one of the captains of the cruiserweight revolution himself in Rey Mysterio Jr. going one on one with the future of the cruiserweights and wrestling in general…Bryan Danielson
.
~This gets a HUGE pop and smiles from both Mysterio and Danielson

Foley:
Whaddya say, fellas?

Mysterio:
That sounds like a show stealer, Mick
.
~Both men nod in agreement before shaking hands again, but the handshake is interrupted by static interrupting the segment. The static gets stronger and stronger until suddenly, the screen is consumed by nothing but static. It soon cuts back to the same small room we saw last week, with the same home video camera set up from last week as well. And just like last week, Gregory Helms’ face soon jumps into the frame.

Gregory Helms: (Seemingly stupefied)
So wait…does no one listen to Gregory Helms? Do the divine words of Gregory Helms fall on deaf ears? Obviously, they must, but I need to be heard. That’s why Mick Foley, Rey Mysterio, and Bryan Danielson – you’ve just been hacked by Helms
.
~Helms adjusts the camera for a second. Crowd reactions seem to have been cut out in this segment

Gregory Helms:
See…last week, I told the reasons why I was the very best in the world. The best cruiserweight wrestler on the face of the planet. I should be the one facing Rey Mysterio next week! I should be the one takin’ down one era and buildin’ up a new one! But no. I’m completely ignored in favor of some guy no one’s ever heard of. I, the great Gregory Helms, who held a cruiserweight championship for over a year, am being ignored and glanced over
.
~Helms shakes his head angrily

Gregory Helms:
Rest assured, AOW Oblivion – Gregory Helms will no longer be ignored.

*END TRANSMISSION*


~Back at ringside…

Joey Styles:
An already huge night on Oblivion, and already two HUGE matches scheduled for next week now! We’ve got a ladder match for the Tag Team Championships and now we’ve got Bryan Danielson and Rey Mysterio Jr. facing off for the first time ever! And all this is a few weeks before our first 2-hour show!

JBL:
So you’re excited about a small, skinny guy facin’ a smaller, skinner guy?

Joey Styles:
How can you say that, Bradshaw? Rey Mysterio is one of the greatest competitors in all of wrestling, not just cruiserweight wrestling. You should know firsthand, Bradshaw.

JBL:
So what? Rey Mysterio is one of the best in the ring. Is that what you want me t’say? Fine. I said it. And see this is why Mick Foley is terrible for AOW. He completely overlooked the REAL ‘Best in the World’, Gregory Helms, and put in this Danielson dweeb who has yet to prove himself to anyone outside of a high school gym with fifty people watching him! This is the big leagues, an’ believe me Joey, this is no place for a rodeo clown
.

JBL’s ranting is cut off when we hear “I AM THE FUTURE”, followed by some nifty guitar riffs before Ken Doane comes through the blood-red curtain. Doane has a very cocky heir about him, his aura reeking of overconfidence. Kenny’s look goes from this to sheer annoyance when a front row fan throws a pair of pom-poms into his face. Doane acts as though it never happened, despite the crowd now laughing at him.

The laughter soon fades into pops of anticipation, as the Godzilla horn is sounded before we hear “MAMA SAID KNOCK YOU OUT”, as Samoa Joe comes down, towel clad, to a very solid reaction. Joe does indeed look like he wants to freakin’ kill someone. Very faint “JOE’S GONNA KILL YOU” chants start, but don’t last too long. Joe’s demeanor is that he’s obviously gonna direct his anger towards Finlay right at Kenny.

MATCH 2
Ken Doane
v.
Samoa Joe


Doane is very cautious of his larger and dangerous opponent, putting some space between the two. Joe, the machine he is, rushes towards Doane to immediately close the gap, but Doane cowers by going between the ropes, forcing the referee to back away from Kenny. Joe doesn’t let up, however, as he pulls on Doane’s ankle and drags him away from the ropes center ring. Doane crawls on his belly away from Joe even still, however. Again, Joe is not gonna let up that easily. As Kenny tries to crawl away, Joe swings hard with a kick that misses decapitating Doane by a hair. Doane crawls all the way outside the ring to re-thing this, as Joe is being incredibly aggressive. And even here, Doane isn’t safe, as Joe spins and rushes towards the ropes, leaping through them and nailing the elbow suicida!!

Kenny really has nowhere to run in this match, even though he’s been trying to get away the whole time. Joe recovers before Kenny does, right in front of the commentating table. Joe takes a chair and sets it up near a barricade, taking Kenny and forcing him to sit down in the chair, kicking him square in the chest with a stiff kick. Kenny reels in pain, as Joe steps several feet away from Kenny. He gets ready and set before taking Kenny’s face off with the Ole Kick! Wow! The crowd didn’t have much time to chant with the move, but nonetheless, Joe is in complete control, as he rolls Kenny back into the ring.

As Joe comes through the ropes, Kenny is still alert and kicks Joe in the skull, stunting him for a second. This gives Kenny enough time to ambush Joe with a hangman’s neckbreaker, twisting the big body of Joe around. Doane quickly covers Joe – 1…2…NO!! Joe rolls completely over after getting his shoulder up, but Kenny is again quick to jump on Joe with a grounded front headlock. He keeps this on Joe for several seconds, hoping to wear Joe down, but Joe gets to his feet after a while and unhooks the hold and brings Kenny over with a snapmare, followed by a low chop to the chest, a kick to the spine, and followed quickly by a knee drop. Joe gets his first fall of the match – 1…2…NO! Ken still has life.

Joe brings Kenny to his feet and tries to lock in some sort of standing submission, but before he can lock it in completely, Kenny stomps his heel on Joe’s foot, forcing him to let go what he couldn’t lock. Kenny uses this to rebound off the ropes, but on the rebound, Joe stiff kicks Kenny right in the midsection, doubling him over and onto all fours. Joe takes the blown Kenny and promptly powerbombs him…then transitions it into a half Boston crab!

The submissions have begun from the Machine, as Kenny is squirming a bit and trying to find his way towards the ropes. He moves an inch or so before Joe transitions the crab into a STF! He’s not letting Kenny escape! Kenny is forced to saddle with the weight of Joe, still trying to drag himself towards the ropes. The STF is locked in tight for several seconds, but Kenny is inching towards the ropes, when Joe suddenly transitions it into a crossface!!! Crossface!!! Kenny knows the hold and what it can do, and thrashes wildly before finally grabbing hold of the ropes. The referee is forced to make Joe break the hold, which Joe holds onto the count of four.

Kenny scrambles into a corner, while Joe keeps on him like a rabid dog. Kenny manages to lift a boot to Joe’s face that sends him back a few steps. Kenny tries to capitalize on this by bursting from the corner with a hard clothesline…but Joe’s completely unphased. Joe just looks at Kenny with no change in expression before chopping Kenny like mad into some ropes. He whips Kenny into the opposite ropes, but Kenny ducks under a clothesline attempt, but on the next rebound, Kenny attempts to throw his knees into Joe’s chest. Joe, without flinching, catches Kenny and uses this to hoist him onto the top rope and sets Kenny up for the MUSCLE BUSTER!!! KENNY IS DEAD!!! But Joe doesn’t want to stop there. Almost as soon as Kenny touches down, the Machine quickly locks in The Clutch, the rear naked choke making Kenny fade rapidly. Doane barely has enough in him to tap the canvas in submission.

Winner: Samoa Joe at (7:43)

~The scene almost immediately cuts backstage where we can see Finlay taking a peek at a TV screen in the locker room area. We quickly cut back to ringside…​


Joey Styles:
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is why Samoa Joe is considered one of the must see talents in all of AOW. He’s got the size, the power, the prowess, and he works like a machine. The Samoan Submission Machine, at that.

JBL:
It’s very rare that I agree with you Joey, but I will say that it would be an absolute surprise if this man is not AOW Champion by the end of th’ year. The real travesty is why Paul Heyman would send his biggest prospect in Ken Doane to be fed to this monster of a man. It’s beyond me.

Joey Styles:
Well John, you may not agree with most of Foley or Heyman’s decisions are, you have to think that they’re for the best.

JBL:
The best is sittin’ here on the announce table, Joey. There’s a man at this commentator table who knows what to do better than those two twits.

Joey Styles:
Why thank you, John! So flattering.

JBL:
Do I have to threat’n to slap you upside the head on a weekly basis…?

Joey Styles:
Well what about Finlay? Samoa Joe’s rage isn’t even targeted towards Kenny. It’s directed at the man who may have cost him the AOW World title two weeks ago in Dave Finlay.

JBL:
Joe can throw all the hissy fits he wants, but he’d better be careful what he wishes for. Finlay is the most no-nonsense guy I’ve ever seen in my life.

Joey Styles:
He may have found his match in Samoa Joe, if that’s the case, John. Well, we may not know if Joe and Finlay will ever lock horns, but what we can do is update you on the condition of Rob Van Dam from earlier in the program. For those who did not see, RVD, who was in a scheduled title match tonight, was found…well…like this.

A quick flashback to the beginning of the program, with RVD lying in the rubble in extreme agony.

Joey Styles:
We have been notified that Van Dam will was not able to compete for the remainder of the evening, but the question also arises who caused this. Whether that is answered tonight is another mystery, but what isn’t a mystery is our main event this evening.

JBL:
Mick Foley has made the best ‘f a bad situation with this one, but it’s a doosey.

Joey Styles:
That’s right – on the other side of the break, AOW World Heavyweight Champion will go face to face with the man who kicked him down to size last week in Shawn Michaels. This non-title matchup is next!


**COMMERCIAL BREAK**

**Video Package**

We see a clip of Christian from the pilot episode of Oblivion

“We don’t know why you’re here…but we don’t like you…”

We hear the audio from Christian asking Lashley a question last week…

“Why. .are. .you. .here…?”

We chime back to Christian on the first show…

“We don’t want you…”

In the background, we can hear the previous statement echoing…

“Why. .are. .you. .here…?”

A flash to last week’s main event, with Rob Van Dam taking on Bobby Lashley. The two hit a sort of climax before Christian walks out and demands that Lashley answer him…

“Why. .are. .you. .here…?”

This echoes yet again, as RVD and Van Dam get into it with words

“I’m on your side, Rob!”
“No one agrees with you dude…get over yourself…”


The match is approaching its close, when Lashley spears Christian in half, enabling Van Dam to get the win. We then see Van Dam say –

“Don’t do for us. Do for you”

Before Christian grabs a chair and jumps into the ring, words echoing in rapid, overlapping fashion…

“Why. .are. .you. .here…?
“We don’t want you here…”
“…now you know”
“If you didn’t know…”
“Why. .are. .you. .here…?”


Christian raises the chair to hit Lashley…

“Why. .are. .you. .here…?”

RVD catches the chair and the two wrestle for it for a second before Christian comes away with it and bashes RVD across the skull, seemingly accidentally…

“If you didn’t know…”

Christian walks away in a bit of a daze, a looked of glazed confusion befalling him as he’s pelted with garbage…

“If you didn’t know…”

A close up, slow motion frame of Christian’s shocked face, the echo now muffled, almost to a creepy, deranged whisper…

“Why…

…are…

…you…

…here…?”


*END PACKAGE*
We’re brought back to the real world from that video segment, where we do see the devil himself in Christian Cage. He gets a rain of heat but he’s seen entering a locker room door, evidently waiting for someone. When a big, black mass passes by him, he stops him. We see this man to be Bobby Lashley, but Lash isn’t really pleased to see Christian.

Christian Cage:
Look, Bobs…I know I’m not the man you wanted to see right now. But I need to set the record straight.

Lashley:
You’d better start fast.

Christian Cage:
Look, I’ve been completely misunderstood the last few weeks. I never said I didn’t want you here –

Lashley:
No, but you did say it’d be great if I were gone.

Christian Cage:
Not the point, Bobs. The point is I never let you get your point across. And I know I’ve been a Class A prick to you since you’ve been here. But I just wanna put it all behind us and ask you – man to man – why, Bobby Lashley, are you here.

Lashley:
Fine. I’m here because where I was didn’t have the best. Now Christian, I don’t know if you know this, but you become the best by competing with the best. I came here to compete with guys like Rob Van Dam, Chris Jericho, and Shawn Michaels. Those guys are the best. But you, Christian? You’re nowhere near their levels. I’m not here for you
.
~Christian legitimately seems hurt by this

Lashley:
But maybe…maybe you’re here for Rob Van Dam, too. I mean, after clockin’ him in the head with a chair last week, maybe you wanted to finish the job this week…?

Christian Cage:
I try to make peace with you, and you accuse me of that?

Lashley:
I don’t know, Christian. Van Dam said some pretty strong things to you last week. About how you really need to get over yourself. About how no one is agreeing with what you’re saying. About –

Christian Cage:
SHUT UP!!

~A dead silence…

Lashley:
…you’re alone, Christian. All alone. So why are you here. .?

~Lashley exits the frame, leaving Christian to dwell in those comments. Between what RVD said last week and this, Christian’s face tells the story of possibly anguish with himself…?

~We cut back to Mick Foley’s surroundings, although this time he’s talking with Torrie Wilson on the set of the Green Zone. The two seem to be conversing pleasantly when Samoa Joe bursts into the frame, fresh with some sweat.

Joe:
Mick Foley. The Hardcore Legend himself. What did ol’ Heartbreak call you earlier…Matchmaker? Well ‘Matchmaker Mickey’, I’ve got a match you can make right now.

Foley:
I can at least hear you out, Joe. Nice display put on, by the way.

Joe:
That wasn’t for show. Paul Heyman couldn’t give me what I wanted. So maybe you can. I want Finlay in a ring, one-on-one with me.

Foley:
Well, Joe, I’ll see what I can do. No guarantees
.
~Joe begins to walk away with still an angry look in his eye, getting no different result than he did with Heyman. But as he turns to go, he’s met face to face with the very man he wants – Finlay

Finlay:
So you wanna face me in a ring, do ya Joe?

Joe:
No. I wanna beat the hell outta you. Next week
.
~A pop of approval from New York

Finlay:
Hm…well, tough luck. Oi’ve already got a match next week. And it ain’t against you.

Joe:
You sure about that? You think the fact that you already have a match next week is gonna stop the fact that I want to beat you down? I mean, last week, you were already eliminated from the match, but that didn’t stop you from eliminating me, did it?


Finlay:
In case you didn’t know, I love ta fight. So bring it, Joe. I want you ta come after me. I’ll be waitin’ for ya, boy.
~Finlay walks off, with Joe staring a hole through him as he does so. Joe eventually walks in the opposite direction, showing us that Foley and Torrie were watching the whole thing. Just as Foley turns to talk to Torrie again, he’s met with the bitter face of AOW World Champion Chris Jericho. Y2J stands speechless, just staring at Foley

Jericho:
So this is Paul Heyman’s ‘cavalry’…? A pathetic, perverted, has-been stuntman?

Foley:
Chris Jericho! Another old face. You’re already doin’ good for yourself, eh Chris?

Jericho:
Y’know…I would be doing a lot better if I didn’t have a match tonight against someone who I’ve already presented evidence against that is incredibly unworthy to even be in my presence, much less face me
.
~A deal of heat

Foley:
Look, Chris – I’m not gonna play favorites, okay?

Jericho:
Not playing favorites, huh? So how in the world did Shawn Michaels magically conjure up a match tonight with me?

Foley:
Well, Chris, how about you let out any conflict you have with Shawn Michaels in that ring in a few minutes. Because if you don’t do what I say, Chris. .that title you’re so proud of can disappear as quickly as it got there
.
~Pop for Foley, like Heyman, putting his foot down on Chris Jericho

Foley:
By the way, Chris…you wouldn’t happen to know anything about the guy who was gonna challenge you for that world title winding up beaten, do you?

Jericho:
I am a worthy and honest man, Foley. I would never indulge in such atrocities. But to answer your question, yes. I do know something about it.

Foley:
Well then who did –

~Foley is cut off by Jericho…somewhat suspiciously

Jericho:
Listen closely, Foley. I don’t care how much power you have. .you are a hypocrite. Paul Heyman is a hypocrite. Shawn Michaels is a hypocrite. The only honest and worthy man in this entire company is holding its greatest prize. Now I will be the worthy champion and do the right thing by sucking all this up and go out there tonight and make Shawn Michaels submit to me yet again
.
~Jericho flicks something off the collar of Foley’s flannel

Jericho:
Hm…so you’re Heyman’s heavy hitting ‘cavalry’…? Just know, Foley that Chris Jericho is always one…step…ahead
.
~This last statement gets a great deal of heat, as Jericho gets closer with every word to Foley’s face. He eventually stops and leaves, his match time approaching.

~Back at ringside…

“SEXY BOY” roars over the speakers for the second time tonight, as Shawn Michaels comes down the ramp, as energized as ever to get his chance to go toe to toe with the AOW World Champion and maybe, just maybe, weasel his way into the title picture.

“BREAK DOWN THE WALLS”, this remake done by Fozzy, roars now, as pyro sets off for AOW World Champion Chris Jericho. Jericho’s nose is high in the air as he walks to the ring, as even his stride is telling us that he thinks we’re all unworthy. The crowd lets Jericho hear their ‘unworthy’ beats of heat. He doesn’t look happy at all to know Michaels is across from him.

MAIN EVENT
~Non-Title Match~
AOW World Heavyweight Champion Chris Jericho v. Shawn Michaels


Jericho hands off his title with the same unhappy expression, it having never changed since stepping into the ring. As soon as the bell goes, Michaels begins circling Jericho aggressively, while Jericho is just walking around the ring, not even looking at Michaels. Michaels attempts a quick strike, rushing at him, but Jericho slips under the bottom rope to the outside to a great deal of heat. Jericho still hasn’t even looked in Michaels’ direction now, aimlessly walking around the outside while the referee begins a count.

Jericho slides back in, still not looking at HBK. Michaels is really getting the sense that Jericho thinks he’s really that superior to HBK that he won’t even look at him. Michaels looks to take advantage with a school boy roll up – 1…2…NO!!! Jericho throws his legs up!! Jericho uses his momentum out of the kickout to roll outside the ring again, setting off actually fighting Michaels even longer. Jericho is holding the back of his neck now, as the crowd is starting to get really annoyed, as is Michaels. As the referee reaches a count of 5, Jericho rolls back in, still not looking at Michaels. HBK has had enough, and lunges at Jericho wildly…but Jericho lowers the top rope!!! Michaels goes soaring over, all the way to the floor!!! Jericho lets out a smirk before lounging in a corner and finally looking at Michaels’ downed body.

HBK is able to crawl back into the ring at a count of 6, with Jericho glaring a hole in him. When Michaels is fully back in, he gets jump by Jericho, who drives knee after knee into his back, potentially setting up yet another Walls attempt. As Michaels gets to his feet, Jericho stays cheap and tries a school boy of his own – 1…2…NO!!! Michaels too throws his legs up! But as Michaels throws the legs up, Jericho grabs them and tries to flip Michaels onto his stomach for the Walls of Jericho…but Michaels resists and flips Jericho over!!! Jericho goes tumbling away, all the way near some ropes, but as soon as he gets to a vertical recover, he gets NAILED BY SWEET CHIN MUSIC!!! SWEET CHIN MUSIC!! Jericho goes down, but he’s very wary and falls between the ropes he’s near, heading straight to the floor from the superkick.

The crowd is pumped from that very early finishing sequence, and Michaels is even grinning to himself, but Jericho is not amused in the slightest. He raises his head, face scowling, rubbing his chin in pain. Jericho’s scowl goes to sheer frustration it seems, as Jericho is quick to get to his feet and walk around to the timekeeper’s table, grabbing his title, and begins to stride towards the entrance ramp. The crowd is delivering a huge amount of heat to his, and Michaels is throwing his hands up. Jericho doesn’t seem to care, however, as his head is high, title on his shoulder, and walks up the ramp aimed for the locker room.

…but he doesn’t quite make it there. As he reaches the stage, Michaels runs him down and chunks him into the titanium frame of the entrance stage before forcing him to go back down the ramp by following him with blow after blow. Punching Jericho’s way all the way back to the ring, Michaels then whips Jericho into some nearby ring steps, displacing them, but getting Jericho’s back to be as damaged as Michaels’ is. This prompts Michaels to finally chunk Jericho back under the ropes, fed up with Jericho’s games. Michaels pounds on Jericho once he’s in the ring, with Jericho struggling to get to his feet. When he finally does, Michaels whips Jericho into the ropes, but on the rebound, Jericho ducks under a clothesline attempt, springboarding off the ropes, and surprising Michaels with the triangle dropkick!!!

This surprises everyone, even Jericho. Michaels is downed, but as Jericho goes over to stomp his back out some more, Michaels is quick to sock Jericho in the face with several right hands, backing the worthy champion away. Jericho stays close as Michaels gets fully to his feet and backs him away even more with a knife edge CHOP(Woooooo!) that sends Jericho reeling. Another hard CHOP(Wooooooo!) sends Jericho all the way back into the ropes, which Michaels whips Jericho across the ropes again. On the rebound this time, Michaels returns the surprising favor with a nifty spinebuster!!! Michaels holds onto the legs of Jericho as he goes down, flipping over Jericho with the jackknife cover – 1…2…NO!!!

Jericho grapples Michaels around his waist and bridges himself up, turning the hold around into a backslide cover – 1…2…3…NO!!! Michaels rolls back to escape the cover, using it to get to his feet, as Jericho steps up but Michaels is cocked back and loaded SWEET CHIN MUSIC…FEINT!! Michaels pulls the leg back at the last minute because Jericho has cowered out of the way, having been hit with that superkick one time too many as of late. Jericho is outside the ring yet again. Jericho seems to be heading back up the ramp to the back, but when the referee asks where he’s going Jericho just replies “I’m getting my belt, ingrate!”, using the paper thin excuse of getting his title he dropped earlier on the ramp. Jericho takes his sweet time picking the title up and kissing it before walking with it back towards the ring and handing it back to the timekeeper as though it were a newborn child.

Jericho then actually does roll back into the ring, but Michaels is again looking to give him no breathing room, taking Jericho and dropping him on his family jewels with the inverted atomic drop!!! Michaels is then quick to scoop up Jericho and drop with the scoop slam, before getting charged up and getting the crowd pumped with him. They know where he’s going. Michaels climbs through the ropes and ascends to the top rope, looking for the diving elbow drop…JERICHO GETS THE KNEES UP!! The knees of Jericho go driving into Michaels’ elbow and ribs, causing him to fall back. Jericho rises with a seething look in his eye, dragging Michaels away and covering – 1…2…NO!!!

Michaels isn’t going down so easily, but Jericho doesn’t give up so easily, either. Jericho starts stomping like a psychopath on Michaels’ back, before kicking him square in the head and getting close to him –

“YOU ARE BENEATH ME, MICHAELS!!! YOU WILL SUBMIT TO ME AGAIN!!!”

Once Jericho’s gotten that off his chest, he grabs Michaels legs and starts turning him over…WALLS OF JERICHO!!! WALLS OF JERICHO LOCKED IN!!! Michaels is on the receiving end of yet another Walls of Jericho!!! Does he have what it takes to survive this time? Will he submit to Chris Jericho yet again? Michaels is crawling towards the corner…edging…reaching…but Jericho pulls him back towards the center!! Jericho looks to want to put his weight back for that Liontamer Walls of Jericho, but Michaels is keen to this, even in his pain, and sees this as a chance to use this change of weight to help roll forward and roll Jericho up yet again! 1…2…3…NO!!! Jericho scampers out, and scampers out of the ring!! He goes back over to the timekeeper and grabs his title, pissed beyond reasonable belief, frustrated that he couldn’t get Michaels to submit to him again. Jericho hissy fits back up the ramp…but he stops halfway before looking back into the ring…with a smile on his face. The hell is Jericho smiling at…?

The crowd is abuzz as Michaels tries to get to his feet, gripping his back, but falls upon attempting. Even so, Michaels has to look up and see what everyone’s buzzing for…and it’s not Jericho smiling…it’s the seven foot tall monster coming down the ramp. The commentators immediately recognize this as Paul “The Great” Wright, the man we’ve heard of only in legend so far. The man formerly known as the Big Show is coming down the ramp with his fists taped in a huge, black hooded vest. The crowd is buzzing in awe, with Jericho’s grin never fading. Michaels is in great pain, but is stuck in awe as well at the gargantuan man approaching him. Wright steps over the top rope into the ring, with the referee approaching him and telling him he can’t be here. A close-up reveals the referee visibly and audibly GULPS. The referee then hauls ass and leaves the ring. The simple stare of this man is enough.

Wright is staring at Michaels with pure intensity, who has since retreated to using the ropes to get to his feet. Wright takes his first steps towards Michaels, but Michaels springs forth WITH SWEET CHIN MUSIC!!! SWEET CHIN MUSIC!!! SWEET CHIN MUSIC TO THE BIG MAN…BUT HE DOESN’T EVEN FLINCH. Wright just takes one step back on the impact, but simply brings his chin back down to stare Michaels in the face, striking pure fear into the heart of the Heart Break one. Michaels face simply says “are you shittin’ me?” before it gets STRUCK WITH THE WRECKING BALL THAT IS THE FIST OF PAUL WRIGHT. Michaels’ hair and neck whips violently on the impact of the punch, causing the referee outside the ring to ring the bell.

Winner via DQ: Shawn Michaels at (15:31)

Michaels drops like a stone, but he drops forward, supported only by the leg of Paul Wright right now. Michaels mouth is agape, drooling and barley conscious. Wright doesn’t like where he is. He grabs the already dead Michaels by the throat and hoists him into the air…CHOKESLAM!!! CHOKESLAM!!! If Michaels wasn’t already dead, he certainty is now, with Jericho finally coming back into the ring.


Joey Styles:
…I’m…I’m in utter shock…oh. .oh my God…

JBL:
This…my God…Shawn Michaels can’t be alive…

Joey Styles:
Ladies and gentlemen…this monster…this Paul “The Great” Wright…I think we may have just found out who took out Rob Van Dam…

JBL:
I’m in disbelief, Joey…in all my years in this bus’ness, I have never seen something as sick’ningly dominating as what I just witnessed…

Joey Styles:
This giant appears to be at the beck and call of Chris Jericho…what carnage…unbelievable…


Jericho’s grin almost looks psychotic now, but still incredibly confident. The closing shot we have of the third edition of Oblivion is that of Shawn Michaels decimated, Paul Wright standing tall behind Chris Jericho, and Chris Jericho stooped over the downed body of Shawn Michaels, title in hand, with the closing words…

“One…step…ahead…”

...


*Black*

*END SHOW*





.:Confirmed for Next Week:.

YIN V.YANG
Rey Mysterio v. Bryan Danielson

*LADDER MATCH*
~To crown the FIRST EVER AOW World Tag Team Champions~

The World’s Greatest Tag Team v. The Hooliganz


Tried to get this up Monday, but I guess early Tuesday works too. I think I tried to do too much, but I'll let you guys decide for that. Anything's appreciated, fellas :)
 
#27 ·
Told ya' I'd be back to review!

Rightio, first off - Wow? I think that's the word? RVD out cold through the stage equiptment? I'm trying to rack my brains thinking who it could be that did it but I can't think of anybody on your roster who has beef with him? Interesting to say the least, I hope this is the start of something very big, my friend.

Good move getting Heyman to come out here to clear the air, hopefully he can clear it up a little. Or not? So you're telling me that RVD was attacked and chucked throgh the equiptment and no-one knows a thing? I don't like the idea of that but I guess I do like the sound of the rest of the night somewhat being themed on the attack. But what Heyman does say is great, amazing, phenomenal! A two hour supershow sounds great and I'm guessing the attack on RVD will culminate on that show? My guess :p I like guessing, haha.

I can understand the hiring of Mick Foley but I don't really dig it. I haven't liked Foley since his Programme with Orton in 2004 so it will be interesting to see if you could change that. However it does make sense to bring him in, but not to particularly "put butts in seats".

Foley getting straight down to business is alright but I would have liked to have seen more of a welcoming promo from Foley and not strictly business. I really do hope we see some genuinely funny and entertaining promos and skits with him because that's what he does best but I understand why he is all business tonight. The announcement of the Cruiserweight and Dynasty title matches for the supershow are good and hypes that up seeing as I was wondering when those two titles will be addressed. The tag team title match for next week is a huge announcement and I'm fully expecting it to be main-eventing next week because let's face it, it is worthy to. Like I said in my last review, you need a heel tag team. After this match you need a fresh team and I really do hope you can bring in or form an interesting one.

:lmao @ Matchmaker Mickey, classic. It was typical HBK on the mic and I thoroughly enjoyed readin the little bit he said. Nice to see you're not handing out title matches and it's almost as if that's adding prestige to the world title which is always a good thing and something every booker should aim to do. A non-title match will do though and I'm expecting Jericho to weasel his way out of it. Good way to open the show with plent of controversy and interest created out of it (Y)

Banter between Brashaw and Styles. Love it.

I hate Hassan, plain and simple. I never liked his character, his promo skills or is in-ring talent. I'm hoping you can change that. I'm not too keen like the idea of the gimmick change, even if it is a slight one, but It's just overdone. The rich, snobby, "look down on you" gimmick is so old & unoriginal and pairing that with a foreigner who could get heat anyway is just bleh. I knew Hussan was going to qin but I'm glad Sydal gave him a good match because I really don't want you burying him. I can see him being a huge part of The Cruiserweight Division and possibly even a part of the Dynasty Division? I don't know, just don't job him out.

Hussan getting a cheeky shot in after the match is a good move making him look even more of a bitch and it's nice to see Punk coming to the aid of Sydal. Obviously a feud between the two is coming up? Or maybe not but either way it was decent enough.

"Honorable? You make me diabetic with how much you sugar coat, y’know that Joey?" - Where did you steal that from? I joke, but that's a classic line, absolute classic :lmao

The WGTT/Hooliganz interview was so bland and generic. I know that that's what all men are in terms of character and personality but still, you could have added some spice to their characters, even if it was a likttle sentence from each man. I hope you do give them characters or small gimmicks just to make sure that they aren't bland. Did it's job though, hyping the match next week, I guess.
Interested to see Paul Wright (isn't it Wight, you probably meant to do that, though) debut and how you'll differentiate him from the WWE

Glad to see another Foley segment as obviously he has to be one of the focal points of tonight because of how much of an impact he's caused. Glad to see a bit of comedic Foley like I wanted earlier and it was a good touch for Danielson to fall for it. I'm not too sure on the ying. yang match but it sounds as whacky as any other Foley creation. Don't know if you wanted that effect or what, I just wasn't too fond of it.
Helms stepping in is okay, not a big fan of him, but it's much like last week IIRC. Helms taking the piss out of BD and Rey. What Helms said was good, putting over his arrogance and cockiness. Not a big fan of him and I can't really get in to him but what he said was solid even though I would have liked to have seen more interaction between him and BD/Rey/Foley.

Have been looking forward to this match since last week and it didn't dissapoint. Surprised to see Joe get the victory as I was expecting Doane to go over on he debut and Finlay to interrupt but like I said last time, I'm a huge Joe mark and not a fan of Doane so I'm not complaining. :p Interesting to see Finaly watching from a TV screen? I'm guessing a passing of the torch from Finaly to Joe, something like that possibly. Who knows, looking forward to see what happens though.

Interesting segment between Lashley and Cage. Never liked Lashley as a speaker so I'm glad you kept it short and sweet for him. Accusing CC of the attack is a great way to build up the attack and he has legit reasons to beleive CC did it as well which makes it even better. Cage obviously backs away and denies it. I don't think it was Cage but the fact that he acted so defensive would plant the seed of doubt in anybody's mind.
Segment between Finaly and Joe was alright, nothing special. Finlay doesn't sound like a heel though? I don't know whether you wanted that or not but he just dounds generic. It was a bit iffy, for me to be honest. Joe was solid enough though.

Amazing stuff from Jericho as I expected. The interaction between him and Foley was great and obviously Jericho would be the prime suspect seeing as RVD is a legit threat to his title but once again I doubt it was him. You seem to be building on Jericho being the prime suspect which makes me think that there will be a swerve even more. I'm liking the reoccuring "one step ahead" line though. Hope to see a lot more interaction between Jericho and Foley in the future because the two of them would play off each other brilliantly!

The main event was a classic as I expected and nothing less than brilliance. I can not fault it at all in terms of match writing but the sudden appearance of Wright didn't really click for me. It may have been too soon or maybe not enough hype? I don't know but whatever. He has been put to great use already and defnitely causes interest in next week as we obviously will see the repercussions.

Overall the key word for this show as shown in my review is interesting. Everything you wrote today caused some interest. Even though I wasn't too keen on some things as I have talked about above, the show was well written and definitely will get me to tune in next week. I'm hoping for this RVD angle to continue for a while and like I said to probably culminate at the supershow. Everythings looking sweet, your match writing is superb and definitely one of the better aspects of your writing. Good job, you still have me hooked.
Sorry for any spelling mistakes, I rushed this a little bit, lol.(Y)
 
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