LIVE! Sunday, June 20th 2021
From the OCW Arena
~The doors to the OCW Hall of Fame open. We breeze through the main hallway. It’s clear we know exactly where we’re heading and how we get there. Before too long, we reach the Hall of OCW Champions. The first few portraits feature faces synonymous with the red, white, and black brand of Online Championship Wrestling~
Lurrr
Scott Syren
Scorpion
SiLVeRFReaK
The Great One
Silver Cyanide
Johnny Hunter
The Big Bifford
Andy Murray
Titan 3
Josh Allen
El Linchador
Andrew Logan
Jason Stone
Jin Royale
~We come to a halt on Jin Royale. The last of what appears to be the legendary champions from OCW’s golden era. The lights in the Hall of OCW Champions dims. The portraits we pass by are shadowed beyond recognition. A voice over creeps up from the depths of silence~
Voice: Alice Knight is too injured to continue! The match has been stopped and MJ Bell has been awarded the OCW Championship!
3 Weeks Later
Voice: CJ O’Donnell and The Incredible One have laid MJ Bell out! PerZag is making the cover! He’s the new OCW Champion!!!
3 Weeks Later
Voice: PerZag has dropped the OCW Title! The third champion in less than two months to drop the belt under less than ideal conditions. This once prestigious title has taken a hit. Can it recover?
~The Hall of OCW Champions lights up. Four images of iconic, new era champions shine out. The four men who resurrected the OCW Title from potential obscurity~
Matt Meyhu
Voice: After sixty grueling minutes, “The Marvel” Matt Meyhu has defeated his former stablemate, The Incredible One claiming the OCW Championship! What a match!
Paul Paras
Voice: After two years in OCW, Matt Meyhu has finally been pinned...by none other than OCW Hall of Famer, Paul Paras! Paul Paras is the NEW OCW Champion! He has cemented himself as one of the greatest to ever compete in this company!
Mike Best
Voice: Mike Best has taken OCW by storm! He just outlasted and defeated Matt Meyhu, Paul Paras, and Vincent Langston to claim the OCW Championship! He has proven himself to be one of the absolute best to ever step foot inside a squared circle!
Mack O’Connor
Voice: He’s done it! Mack O’Connor has dethroned the undefeated Mike Best to claim his second OCW Championship! Unbelievable! That might be the best performance of Mack’s career...a testament to his ability as well as a testament to what you have to do to have a shot at claiming the OCW Title.
~The OCW Title, shining bright. The precious metals welded to a plate of gold, comprising the most coveted championship in pro wrestling. It sets, under a glass casing. The light shining over it begins to fade~
Three Weeks Ago
Voice: The OCW Championship has been vacated! Tossed at the feet of our General Manager! Given the current state of the promotion and the way the title has been treated...one has to ask, is OCW and it’s heart, it’s most prized possession worth what it once was?
~With the OCW Title immersed in darkness. The Hall of OCW Champions directs what light remains to an empty picture frame. Images fill the frame, only temporarily~
Brim
Curt Canon
Dylan Thomas
Ed Houston
Mike Zybala
Outcast
Peter Vaughn
Xavier Lux
Voice: Can one of these competitors help raise the OCW Title out of its current pit of disrepair and back into pro wrestling prominence? Who will accept the challenge? Which one of these eight men will rise above the rest to place OCW on their back? Tonight, we find out.
Voice: OCW is back. A new champion will be crowned.
~Instant cut from the OCW Hall of Fame into the OCW Arena! It’s jam packed with screaming fans! There’s no social distancing going on...nope, not here. These people are rowdy and ready. The four rings are set up against one another, making a giant square. The four cages stand, ominously around the rings. The fans break out into their beloved “OCW! OCW!” chant. They appear to be from all over...word has gotten out, travel arrangements were made...these people have come far and wide to witness something that never fails to disappoint – an OCW Pay Per View event. We take a brief cut to outside the OCW Arena as cars are still pulling into the parking lot. Fans eagerly head inside. The sun is shining bright. The golden voice of Smith hits our ears in a pleasing, intoxicating fashion. Get drunk on some OCW.~
Smith: Hello everyone and welcome back to Online Championship Wrestling! Welcome to Quarantined! And I’d just like to remind everyone that our opening promo was shot before Xavier Lux burned the Hall of Fame down.
Hood: Gotta get that shit rebuilt. But, yea, It’s great to be back, Smitty. Especially for, ya know, some real wrestling...and not whatever bullshit Infection was.
Smith: Ya gotta start somewhere, Hood. But yes...we are back and tonight we will crown not one, not two, not three...but FOUR brand new champions.
Hood: Half the roster getting belts. Socialism is in full swing right here...at OCW.
>
Smith: I wouldn’t go that far. The biggest story leading into tonight has to be Mack O’Connor, one of OCW’s most reliable, dependable, formidable stars dropping his OCW Title at Who’Re’s feet.
Hood: Yea, that surprised me. But, when you’re done. You’re done.
Smith: Well, we thought he was done. Then came the realization that his treasured, beloved TransAtlantic Title had been stolen by the very company that gave it to him.
Hood: Mack’s losing it. Like, for real. ANA ARCHIA held that title. It should have been burned, buried, and pissed on years ago. The fact that it still exists is a sign that we are nearing the seventh circle of hell as a society.
Smith: That might be a bit much, but you aren’t alone in your disdain for that championship. Mack, however, wants it back and he’s made it clear that he aims to retrieve it here at Quarantined.
Hood: Good luck with that. There’s no way Who’Re is going to let Mack take that title from her precious hand picked roster role model.
Smith: There’s things people say Mack can’t do. And there’s things Mack just goes ahead and does anyway. Given the passion he’s shown over this title I can’t imagine he’s going to let Sara Syren’s open challenge take place without some type of interruption.
Hood: Well, he’d better re-acclimate his body to prison food, then. Because his ass will be headed back behind bars...which is probably where I would have sent him after he disrespected the OCW Title.
Smith: The OCW Title is ownerless, folks. The only belt with a waist right now is the TransAtlantic Championship. OCW is standing, but barely. It needs a champion it can depend on and we hope to crown one later this evening.
~A hard hitting beat shakes the OCW Arena. Familiarity takes over. The beat belongs to ‘Hollaback Girl’ by Gwen Stefani. The women in the audience stomp. A few men stomp. A ton of other men look around like “what the fuck is this shit?” From behind the curtain, Grace Rimmer steps forward, arms extended, nodding her head to the music. Behind her emerges a procession. Seated a top a platform in a plush chair shaped in the letter ‘V’ is OCW GM Who’Re. Holding her up are several large, muscular, shirtless men. Surrounding them are the no-nonsense security members of Who’Re’s diVersity team. They are ready to pounce on anyone. Greg emerges, dancing around the procession...he leans into a few guys over the guardrail, getting up close and personal. Trailing the procession is Sara Syren. Her focus is intense. The TransAtlantic Title barely fits around her super muscular waist. The procession comes to a halt at ringside~
Smith: It’s our fearless GM, Who’Re and her entourage.
Hood: I’d say something about Grace Rimmer but I’m afraid I might, well…
Smith: Yes, the less said, the better.
Hood: Greg’s having fun, though.
Smith: Indeed.
~Sara Syren marches up the steps and opens the steel door to the nearest cage. She steps onto the apron before leaping over the top rope and into the ring. Those steroids and cocaine have really improved her agility. Grace Rimmer extends a hand to Who’Re, who accepts it, stepping down onto the apron. Greg parts the ropes, giving Who’Re easy access. She enters. All four notable members of her entourage march around the ring, taking a look at the crowd. diVersity surrounds the 4 caged rings, protecting the valuable assets inside. Who’Re is handed a mic...she’s flanked by her three associates~
Who’Re: OCW fans live and watching around the world...welcome to Quarantined!
~A HUGE ovation. “OCW! OCW!” chants fill the OCW Arena. It looks as good as new. It’s a weird visual. The three women and Greg standing inside one of four steel cages with a bunch of wrestling fans chanting for the promotion built on the backs of people like Scott Syren, Lurrr, Scorpion, Matt Meyhu, and Mike Best. But...this is 2021~
Who’Re: We’ve got a great show for you all tonight as FOUR champions will be crowned. The ultimate crowning being a brand new OCW Champion at the end of the biggest, most dangerous match in company history – The Prison Yard Match!
~The crowd gets EVEN LOUDER. OCW fans are notoriously bloodthirsty. These cages act as visual Viagra for the men in attendance~
Who’Re: But, before we get to all of that, I’d like to thank all of you for being so supportive of the new movement. This regime is unlike any in OCW history. For years leaders like Dean, Treat Cassidy, Bifford, Accelerator, Lurrr, Mike Zybala, and Marcus Welsh have shoved the women to the back of the line. They’ve used us merely as eye candy. But, those days are over. diVersity is here and we are going to take over the wrestling world!
~This doesn’t garner as loud a response...until members of the diVersity team step forward with tasers, threatening the people who aren’t clapping and cheering. They begin clapping and cheering almost instantly~
Who’Re: And look no further than the epitome of the modern day in-ring warrior standing next to me...The OCW TransAtlantic Champion, Sara Syren. She dominated a field comprised predominantly of MEN to claim a title OCW shunned because it had been held by mostly women. And, of course, a title drenched in feminism was handed to a MAN as soon as it was retired. Classic OCW, right?
~The fans don’t know how to react. Grace Rimmer boos. So they just mimic her act. It’s met with a smile from Who’Re~
Who’Re: We’ve left those horrible, oppressive days in the past. Now, we look toward a bright future. So, buckle up and get ready, wrestling world. The new and improved OCW is about to rock your world! Quarantined begins...NOW
~After that amazing video, we’re shown the GM suite, looking down upon the action from a very high, very safe location is Who’Re. She’s surrounded by members of diVersity. Seated with her are Grace Rimmer and Greg. Our view cuts to the ring. Remaining inside the cage is Sara Syren. She’s leaning against the ropes, warming up. Belvedere, inside the cage with her, clears his throat~
Belvedere: Ladies and Gentlemen...welcome to Quarantined!!!
~HUGE ovation for Belvedere and his golden voice. Gold keeps going up in value...as does the amazing mic work of Belvedere. Don’t ever leave, Belve! Belvedere, the consummate professional, does not let the popularity push him from his pedestal of practiced equanimity. He remains stoic and moves ahead~
Belvedere: Let’s get tonight’s festivities underway with Sara Syren’s OPEN CHALLENGE!!
~Another GIANT ovation. These fans are raucous and ready. Our view cuts to a rotating shot of the crowd...they are packed...jammed inside the OCW Arena. Hopping up and down, they are at a fever pitch, ready for some in-ring action. We instantly cut to inside the cage. Sara Syren marches across the ring, back and forth, shaking her head. Her muscles are oiled and ripped. She appears unbeatable, physically. A quick cut to Who’Re looking down...proud and confident in her chosen champion’s abilities~
Belvedere: The first competitor to answer Sara Syren’s challenge will compete in this ring for the OCW TransAtlantic Championship! Now...LET THE OPEN CHALLENGE BEGIN!!!
~Hoopla and “HUZZAHS” from the fans. They all turn toward the entrance ramp, eager to see who will answer this challenge. Belvedere exits the cage~
Smith: This is exciting! It could literally be anyone!
Hood: Well we know it ain’t gonna be Abraham Lincoln.
Smith: Of course not!
Hood: Hey, you said literally.
~The fans wait. Who’Re and her entourage wait. Sara Syren waits. THE WORLD WAITS~
Smith: Will THE JUDGE return for his rematch? How about Mike Zybala? Could we see someone pull double duty tonight?
Hood: Those are awful selections. Personally, I’d like to see Matt Meyhu return, win the belt, and then destroy the fucking thing.
~Who’Re shoots a menacing glare Hood’s way~
Hood: OR...Sara Syren could retain in dominant fashion, leading OCW into a brave, new world.
~Who’Re likes this hypothetical much better~
Smith: Whatever the outcome, we’re going to get tonight’s show started off with a…
~Before Smith can finish his sentence "Vagabond” by the Greenskeepers hits! The place goes wild!! OCW Hall of Famer and former 2x OCW Champion, Mack O’Connor emerges. He’s sullen and angry...he carries a bottle of Jameson. He rips the top off with his mouth, spits it out and takes a swig. He marches toward the ring with his eyes on Sara Syren and HIS TransAtlantic Title. The fans chant “MACK! MACK!”~
Smith: It’s Mack O’Connor! He’s answering the open challenge!
Hood: I guess we should have seen this coming.
Smith: This place has come unhinged! These fans are fully behind Mack!
Hood: I can’t imagine our GM is enjoying this.
~Mack, sporting his usual jeans and black tank top, reaches the ring and heads straight for the steps. Nothing is stopping him. Sara Syren motions for him to enter. She’s unafraid. Belvedere looks around, unsure over what to do. He glances up at Who’Re. OCW’s GM is furious. Grace Rimmer and Greg are both waving their hands ‘No’. Who’Re folds her arms, staring down at Belvedere. Mack reaches the cage door. Before he can enter, diVersity rushes the door, grabbing him, preventing him from entering~
Smith: I don’t think our GM is going to allow this match to take place.
Hood: Kinda defeats the purpose of an open challenge, doesn’t it?
Smith: I mean. I...I don’t really know what to say.
~One of the overly aggressive members of diVersity causes Mack to spill some of his Jameson. He goes livid, punching and shoving the security team. It’s getting pretty wild. Sara Syren points up at Who’Re and yells, “LET HIM FIGHT!” The fans hear this and join in ‘LET HIM FIGHT! LET HIM FIGHT!’ Who’Re looks around, anxious~
Smith: Sara Syren isn’t afraid. She wants to face Mack O’Connor.
Hood: She’s got some balls.
Smith: The fans are behind it, too. Who’Re could lose control of this crowd if she doesn’t let this match happen.
~Who’Re sighs. She points at Belvedere and gives a thumb up. The crowd goes wild!! Sara Syren hops around, ready to go. The diVersity group backs away, giving Mack room to enter~
Smith: Permission granted! Sara Syren will be defending her OCW TransAtlantic Title against Mack O’Connor!
Hood: Here we go!!
Sara Syren (c) vs. Mack O'Connor
Belvedere: Ladies and Gentlemen, the following contest is scheduled for one fall and is for the OCW TransAtlantic Championship! Introducing first, the challenger...he is an OCW Hall of Famer, a former two time OCW Champion, and a once proud holder of the TransAtlantic Championship...the man who answered the Open Challenge...he is...Mack O’Connor!!!
~Mack enters the ring and takes a huge pull from his Jameson. Once finished, he sets his eyes on Syren. She returns his competitive gaze~
Belvedere: And, his opponent...the reigning, defending, undefeated TransAtlantic Champion...she is SARA SYREN!!!!
~Already outside the ring, Belvedere distances himself from the door. It’s left open. Syren and Mack continue to stare one another down...Syren is huge...bigger than Mack. The former OCW Champion takes another sip of whiskey~
Smith: Look at the size of Syren...Mack might be outmatched, physically.
Hood: I mean, maybe. But he’s got whiskey running through his veins.
Smith: Classic Mack.
Hood: And motivation. For some fucked up reason he really, REALLY loves that belt.
~The bell rings! A pop from the crowd (once again)! Sara Syren lunges at Mack...blinded by rage, she wants to destroy this MAN. Mack ducks a muscled lariat. Syren stumbles into the ropes. Mack marches into a corner and calmly sets his whiskey down. Syren turns around, seeing Mack with his back to her. She charges forward. Mack, hearing the footsteps, throws a back elbow...it smacks Sara in the chin! She stumbles toward the center of the ring, staggered. The fans yell with delight~
Smith: Mack just drilled Sara Syren with a back elbow...he didn’t even look!
Hood: A ring general. Sara Syren is WAY too hyped for this match.
Smith: Indeed. She’s rushing right into everything.
Hood: She could have used a drink before the bell, not Mack.
~Who’Re cringes. Grace Rimmer casts a side glance, worried. Greg chews on his finger nails. Mack looks down at Syren, shaking his head. He may or may not utter the phrase “Pathetic bitch.” Sara looks up, eyes full of hate and fury. The TransAtlantic Title still around her roided waist. She pushes up and stumbles to her feet. Mack yells “Come on!” He motions for her to come at him. She takes a wild swing...he ducks and boots her in the gut. He stuns her with HOLLOW POINT!! The crowd leaps to their feet~
Smith: Hollow Point! Here comes Claymore!
Hood: Sheesh...the meth that is in Syren’s serum better kick in, otherwise this thing is OVER
~Who’Re face palms. Both Greg and Grace Rimmer lean away from the soon-to-be apoplectic GM. Syren staggers into the ropes, out on her feet. She ricochets off...Mack hooks her, spins around and drills her into the mat with Claymore!!! The entire ring shakes!! The cage walls tremble. Mack leans across Syren, like he’s lounging on a pile of pillows. Scruff slides in~
1!
2!
3!!!!
~The bell rings~
Belvedere: Here is your winner...AND NEW OCW TRANSATLANTIC CHAMPION...MACK O’CONNOR!!!!!
Smith: He’s done it! Mack O’Connor answered the open challenge and has reclaimed his TransAtlantic Title!
Hood: For whatever the fuck that’s worth.
Smith: Unfortunately, it appears our GM is not going to stand for this. She seems...well, more than a little upset.
Hood: If she could instantly clone she’d definitely be beside herself.
Smith: Sheesh
~Who’Re, on her feet at this point, leans over the balcony of her GM suite, screaming down at the ring. Belvedere tries to hear what she’s saying but the crowd is too loud. “MACK!” chants fill the arena. He flips Syren onto her front and unhooks the belt. Standing up, he rips the belt out from under her, violently, before holding it up for the crowd. They go wild~
Smith: This crowd, deprived of OCW for so long, is so hot...so loud, that our GM is unable to communicate anything with ringside.
Hood: Mack had better get out of there before the pop dies down.
Smith: You don’t think he can sustain it.
Hood: There’s only one man I know who could sustain a pop this loud. That’s Matt Meyhu.
Smith: Don’t let Mack hear you say that!
~Mack tosses the title over his shoulder and grabs his bottle of Jameson. The crowd is still cheering. Who’Re is about to lose her voice. She grabs Greg and points toward the ring. Greg is like, “I don’t want to go down there.” Mack stands over Syren, who is still down. He gets an idea. He looks over his shoulder at Who’Re while reaching for his belt buckles. Who’Re’s eyes widen...she points and yells “NO! DON’T YOU DO IT!” Mack unzips the front of his jeans and yells out, “CLASSIC OCW, BABY!”~
Smith: Oh no. Surely he’s not...no way.
Hood: He’s gonna piss all over Sara Syren. This is a hilarious form of irony!
Smith: Scott Syren did make a name for himself by peeing on people.
Hood: Do it, Mack! You can’t keep Classic OCW down, baby!
~Who’Re acts like she’s going to leap from the balcony, into the cage, but Grace and Greg grab her. The fans chant “PISS ON HER, PISS ON HER!” diVersity tries to subdue this unruly, uncouth group of fans. It’s a wild, chaotic scene~
Smith: We may need to cut away. I don’t think Youtube allows THIS type of nudity.
Hood: I guess we’re about to all see why that therapist won’t leave Mack alone. And why Lissie Hope can’t get Mack out of her head.
Smith: Oh dear.
~He’s just about to whip it out when...the crowd’s attention is diverted. A blur hits the ring, sliding in under the bottom rope after diving through the opened door. It’s a person. It’s a wrestler. They pop to their feet behind Mack. Who’Re, recognizing the figure, jumps up and down, eagerly pointing at Belvedere. She yells “RING THE BELL!!” Grace and Greg look hopeful. Mack halts. He knows something is up...he hears and senses it. The person is standing behind Mack, tense and ready to go~
Smith: Hood! Look!
Hood: What the fuck?
Smith: That’s Vhodka Marie!
Mack O’Connor (c) vs. Vhodka Marie
~It is, indeed, Vhodka Marie! Belvedere points toward the timekeeper. The bell sounds. Mack spins around...as he does, Marie delivers a devastating spinning heel kick. Instinctively, Mack holds his left hand up, to block the blow. Unfortunately, that hand contains the glass bottle of Jameson. Marie’s kick smashes the bottle into the side of Mack’s head!!! He collapses to the mat! The fans chant “HOLY SHIT!” Vhodka Marie looks around...she’s feeding off the crowd. These OCW fans...unsure of how to chant for her...rely on what they know best, alcohol. Chants of “VHODKA! VHODKA!” fill up the arena~
Smith: We have another match!
Hood: Is the title on the line?
Smith: I’m going to assume so!
Hood: Does this mean Vhodka is battling Whiskey?
Smith: Maybe?
~VM marches toward the nearest corner. Mack isn’t moving. She leaps onto the top buckle with ease, looking down at the OCW legend. She stands upright...the crowd continues to chant “Vhodka! Vhodka!” She leaps off with a picture perfect corkscrew shooting star press (On the Rocks)!!!! She connects!!! The ring...the cage...the arena shakes from impact!! VM hooks the leg! Who’Re screams for Scruff to count. He slides in...whiskey, glass, sweat, Sara Syren’s body, and some of Mack’s blood litter the ring~
1!
2!
3!!!!
~The bell rings~
Belvedere: Here is your winner...AND NEW OCW TRANSATLANTIC CHAMPION...VHODKA MARIE!!!!!
Smith: Vhodka Marie is the new TransAtlantic Champion! She just pinned Mack O’Connor!
Hood: Well, it’s official. Vhodka beat Whiskey. This is officially a women’s fed.
Smith: What a moment...but is she signed? What does this mean?
Hood: No idea. But our GM seems happy.
~Who’Re high fives Grace Rimmer and Greg. She points down at VM. Vhodka hoists her TransAtlantic Title in the air. The fans go crazy! Who’Re rapidly motions for Vhodka to exit the ring and meet her in the back before, ya know, anything weird can happen. She exits...walking up the ramp, the fans reach out, trying to touch and congratulate Vhodka. The entire OCW Arena is unsettled~
Smith: What a start to Quarantined! Two champions crowned!
Hood: I think this was all a setup, Smith.
Smith: There had been rumors Vhodka Marie was nearing a deal with OCW. She did appear on Piledriver earlier this week.
Hood: Yep. All a setup to fuck Mack over, once again.
~Mack sits up. The left side of his face is bleeding from a gash due to the spinning heel kick that broke the bottle against his skull. He feels around and looks at the blood on his hand. Scanning the ring, he finds spilled whiskey, broken glass, and no sign of his treasured TransAtlantic Title. Glancing at the entrance ramp, he sees the back of Vhodka Marie entering the curtain with his title draped over her shoulder. He pounds his fist into the mat, yelling, “FUCK!”~
Smith: This isn’t over, Hood. Mack is very upset.
Hood: Vhodka Marie just put a target on her back. Mack will not rest until he’s retrieved the TransAtlantic Title...for whatever reason.
~Mack gets to his feet, staggering a bit...his equilibrium off from the kick. Members of diVersity grab Sara Syren and drag her lifeless body from the ring as though she’s a piece of trash. Mack watches and glances up at the GM box, which is now empty. He shakes his head~
Smith: Pretty clear that Mack isn’t onboard with OCW’s leadership.
Hood: Well, look at Sara Syren. She was Who’Re’s golden goose ten minutes ago. Now? She’s trash.
Smith: A true ‘what have you done for me lately’ regime, it appears.
Hood: The entire roster had better be on notice.
~Mack exits the cage. The OCW cleaning crew, led by THE KNIFE MAN, rush in to get things sanitized and ready for The Prison Yard Match. While heading up the ramp, a few fans offer Mack their condolences. He walks up the ramp, hands on his hips, shaking his head~
Smith: Mack was so close to retrieving the TransAtlantic Title. Now, he’s got to start all over again...find a way to get to Vhodka Marie.
Hood: Which is going to be a lot tougher than reaching Sara Syren. Is Vhodka Marie even a member of OCW? Will she take the TransAtlantic Title to Outlaw Pro Wrestling...or elsewhere? Mack may have to travel the fucking globe to get this thing back.
Smith: Which is why he’s so frustrated. Mack hates being forced to travel places.
~Mack reaches the curtain and pauses. He looks out at the fans...he casts a look that says “I’m not done.” The fans go wild. He steps through the curtain with a purpose. We cut to commercial~
~We cut backstage to where Dylan and Lissandra are gearing up for tonight's event. Dylan is warming up while Lissandra is looking through her phone~
Lissandra: .....And there's a message from Dave. He says to absolutely kick ass, tonight.
~Dylan smirks, not saying a word, concentrating on exercising.~
Lissandra: Rob, Vincenzo and Tank all say exactly the same. Well, Tank not literally of course but you know what I mean.
Dylan: Anything from Ian or Knux yet?
Lissandra: Mm. No. But the night is young, baby.
~She sighs.~
Lissandra: It's so good to see Hood again. He's gonna go crazy when he sees us again.
Dylan: He's a good bro.
~We fade out. Back to the OCW announcers~
Smith: Dylan Thomas and Lissandra appear focused and ready for tonight’s Prison Yard Match.
Hood: I’m telling you...don’t sleep on that duo. They will do whatever it takes to win...and they have the talent to do it.
Smith: Are they paying you? Seriously?
Hood: I’ll act like you didn’t just say that, Smith. You know I can’t be bought. My loyalties always reside with the elite of the elite. Those two are ELITE.
Smith: I mean, I guess we’ll find out. In the meantime, let’s cut backstage to Alpha Kenny Body who has a very special message about a very concerning trend.
~We cut backstage. AKB is standing with a microphone in hand. A couple of diVersity members are eyeing him...making sure he doesn’t ‘step out of line’. He brings the mic to his mouth and speaks~
AKB: Hello OCW fans! What a great start, right? Vhodka Marie is already making an impact, defeating OCW Hall of Famer Mack O’Connor for his desired TransAtlantic Championship. If that’s any indication for how the rest of this evening will go down then I can only say…’Wow’.
~That ‘wow’ sounded pretty weak. Almost as though he’s trying to placate his superiors~
AKB: And while I wish I could stand here and do Cheasy M’s job...talk about all the cool things happening in OCW. Instead, I must bring to light a very serious issue that is attempting to corrupt and decay the Pro Wrestling Industry.
~A giant hyphen appears in the top right corner of the TV Screen~
AKB: I’m, of course, talking about Hyphengate. You see, certain individuals in and around the industry want to demolish the English language. They aim to do so by placing hyphens in between every word they write in an effort to fit thousands of words within a simple, standard word count. Not only is it cheating. But it’s bastardizing the greatest language in the history of the world.
~AKB shakes his head at the thought of all these hyphens~
AKB: So what is, Hyphengate, actually? What does stringing a bunch of hyphens accomplish, really? Is it some cute, little gimmick one can utilize to skirt their way around rules and regulations? No. It’s much worse than that.
~AKB turns toward a new camera angle. In the top right corner we see a new image. It’s the DVD cover for the infamous film “The Human Centipede”~
AKB: Stringing a bunch of innocent words together without their consent is the metaphorical equivalent to The Human Centipede. It’s corruption. It’s ruination. You’re taking a beautifully complex language and turning into an assembly line of shit.
~AKB shakes his head. He shudders as mental images of this horrific movie pass through his unfortunately vivid memory~
AKB: Do you want to force these wonderful words to eat shit? No? I didn’t think so. So, unless you want to force feed shit into the mouths of words while making the world watch...stay away from excessive hyphens. Abide by the simple, altruistic laws of the English language. Do what’s right. Let’s put an end to Hyphengate.
~AKB looks at the members of diVersity who surround him. They seem okay. Therefore, he sighs with relief...no beat downs are coming. A professional voice over plays before we cut away~
Narrator: The following message concerning Hyphengate has been brought to you by pro-word cap companies around the world. Along with people who get tired of or don’t have the time to complete excess reading. You may donate to ending Hyphengate by sending money to OCW. Thank you.
~We cut back to the broadcast~
Smith: Hyphengate is a thing, fans.
Hood: Yes and if you can’t figure out how to get your money to OCW, you may send it to Hood. I will do everything in my power to put it to good use.
Smith: Yes and there really are billionaires in foreign countries looking to hand us millions of dollars if we’ll just give them our bank account.
Hood: Well, my grandma thought so.
Smith: Oh my word...she didn’t lose all her money, did she?
Hood: Nope, I stepped in to help.
Smith: Aww, Hood. That’s so…
Hood: So I took the money to manage for her. Haven’t heard from her in a few years but I figure she’s doing okay.
Smith: …
Hood: *claps hands together* So what’s next?
Smith: Well, Belvedere is in the ring. And there’s a covered plaque behind him.
Hood: You mean to tell me he engraves his speeches into plaques? Pompous bastard.
Smith: OR...and stop me if this sounds a little wild...maybe we’re about to induct someone into the OCW Hall of Fame.
Hood: Be cool if it were Syren. For a second time. Ya know, just because.
Smith: No, that wouldn’t be cool. Fans, let’s send it down to Belvedere for what looks to be a historic announcement!
~It is Hall of Fame time! Cutting to the ring we’ll call Cage 1. Belvedere stands inside. Behind him is a giant, oversized plaque covered in a black cloth with the OCW Hall of Fame logo on it. The fans chant “OCW! OCW!” Belvedere lets them express their excitement. We get a brief glimpse of Who’Re as she looks down on the scene with pride. The chants die down and Belvedere speaks~
Belvedere: Online Championship Wrestling first opened its doors in 1999. Since then, hundreds...maybe thousands of wrestlers have stepped in between these ropes. The majority of those were quickly forgotten. Others received some notoriety. A select few found championship success. But only the elite, the absolute best of the best achieved enough success to be considered, by their peers, as Hall of Fame quality.
~Ovation from the fans~
Belvedere: Tonight, the hallowed halls of the OCW Hall of Fame will add a new member. This OCW legend appeared on 100% of the voting ballots.
~Anticipation builds~
Belvedere: Now, introducing the newest member to the OCW Hall of Fame…
~Belvedere yanks the cloth concealing the plaque to reveal...~
~The crowd pops! A “Lang-Ston” chant fills the OCW Arena. Some clips of Langston’s storied OCW career play on the OCWTron. His victory over Iggy Hardy for the Savage Championship. His victory over Syren and Canon to win the Margarita Mix. His victory over Aidan Collins at Throwback. His constant wins over Max Kael. But the one that gets the biggest pop is when he decided to ditch Melinda Rhodes~
Belvedere: Vincent ‘The Legend’ Langston joined OCW as an unknown. Shortly after joining he’d win the Margarita Mix Trophy alongside Melinda Rhodes, earning the tag titles in the process. His next great triumph would come by defeating Iggy Hardy for the Savage Championship. He’d captain a team in Death March, outlast all others in the prelims, making it to the main event where he’d wage war with two all time greats in Paul Paras and Aidan Collins. His performance earned him a match against Aidan Collins at Throwback – a match he’d win. Langston would continue to carry the Savage Title, holding it an impressive ten months.
~Belvedere pauses. That’s a lot to spit out. Langston accomplished a shit ton~
Belvedere: He waged war with the eMpire, defeating Max Kael at Not Safe For Work. Upon losing the Savage Title, Vincent Langston would move into a Commissioner role in OCW where he could have a bigger impact on the promotion. But, Langston’s biggest win would come in December of 2019 when he’d outlast 9 other legends to earn the title as ‘Face’ of OCW. Among the stars he defeated were Hall of Famers Mike Best, Scott Syren, Mack O’Connor, and Chad Vargas.
~Another pause for the cause. The fans continue to clap and support the accolades of Vincent Langston~
Belvedere: Langston had as big an impact on OCW as any wrestler during their tenure with the company. His induction is long overdue. Vincent Langston, welcome to the OCW Hall of Fame!
~The fans stand and give a rousing ovation~
Smith: Well deserved.
Hood: Yea, I was on the fence. But when he defeated Best, Syren, and Mack at FrostByte, that convinced me.
Smith: Best, Syren, Mack, Aidan Collins, Max Kael, Cecilworth Farthington...those are some massive names in the industry he defeated.
Hood: No doubt.
Smith: I’m told Vincent Langston is expected to give an induction speech at this week’s Piledriver.
Hood: Sweet.
Smith: History is being made...one segment at a time, it seems. So, before anything else of significance can take place...let’s take another commercial break!
~We cut to GM Who’Re’s suite. She’s very happy. Sipping on a Cosmo. Not at all basic bitchy. She’s talking about the historical moment earlier in the show when Vhodka Marie defeated that MAN, Mack O’Connor~
Who’Re: Not only is Vhodka Marie showing that women will succeed in OCW. She’s also going to expand our brand by parading the TransAtlantic Championship in Outlaw Pro Wrestling. It’s a win-win!
Greg: Mmhmm...you got that right!
Who’Re: And while I commend Langston on his Hall of Fame induction. I’m looking forward to the future when we can even the Male vs. Female disparity out a bit. Only two women in the Hall of Fame. It’s insulting.
Grace Rimmer: Extremely.
~There is a knock at the door. An extremely irascible member of diVersity answers. Someone that looks a lot like Tony the Spider but is dressed as Anthony the Arachnid stands, holding an urn~
Who’Re: What the…
Anthony the Arachnid: hehehehe
~He hands the urn over and runs away before diVersity can destroy him. Who’Re takes the urn. Everybody around her urge her to leave it alone. But she’s a brave, strong woman. So she opens it. She removes two pieces of paper~
Who’Re: I vote PerZag for HoF. I vote Pryde off the island.
~She’s visibly confused~
Who’Re: "Pryde?" What the hell is this??
~She crushes the paper in her hand~
Who’Re: Whoever this is...they are remarkably, hopelessly late in submitting their HOF ballot...and they seem to be a little crazy. I think I know who sent me this.
~We cut to the announce team~
Smith: Interesting urn message sent to Who’Re.
Hood: I don’t know why...but I think the sender has a last name that starts with a Z.
Smith: You blame everything on him!
Hood: Hold on. I could be talking about Zolton.
Smith: Yea, right.
~We cut to the OCW Locker Room. Curt Canon paces back and forth, nervous, anxious, excited. He doesn't know how to feel. The door Swings open. James Vorex walks in carrying two coolers, he walks towards the couch and drops them next to it.~
Curt Canon: "Why did you bring two?"
James Vorex: "Well open them and find out."
~Curt walks over to the coolers, reaches down and opens them simultaneously. He stares at the contents then looks up at James confused.~
Curt Canon: "Uh, 1 is High Life, the other is High Life Light...."
James Vorex: "Exactly. You see the High Life light is in case you somehow defy the odds and gain a title. You will need to get back in to super training mode, so you will have to start watching what you put into your body. The regular High Life I like to call the depressed drink. That is in case you are in and then out. It is for when you realize that you should have stayed retired."
Curt Canon: "I wanted to stay retired!! You had to drug me to get me here."
James Vorex: "Yeah well, logistics or whatever the fuck they say. Besides you need this."
Curt Canon: "No, what I need is one of those High Lifes."
James Vorex: "Well take a light, you still have to compete tonight."
Curt Canon: "Good call, I’m glad you have my back."
James Vorex: "Always."
~Curt reaches into the cooler and pulls out two High Life Lights. The frienda cheers and take a sip, Curts nerves relax for a brief moment. A sense of deja vu is felt, it's like this scene has played out before. Curt needing a beer, the firends cheersing. Is this how he will be remembered in OCW????~
Smith: Curt Canon continues to feel conflicted.
Hood: Tonight is not the night to focus on self-doubt. You’re facing 7 dangerous wrestlers inside 4 steel cages. You have to be confident.
Smith: Well, maybe like Mack he’ll toss some alcohol in his blood stream and push all his worries aside.
Hood: Not if James Vorex has anything to say about it! What a buzzkill.
Smith: Well, fans, The Prison Yard Match is moments away. Each and every competitor is filled with angst knowing what their bodies will be put through in an effort to walk away with gold. However, before we get to the match...let’s head to Grace Rimmer for a special, important announcement.
~We return to Quarantined for what feels like a special announcement. Grace Rimmer is standing by looking very much like Grace Rimmer usually looks. Seriously seductive~
Grace Rimmer: OCW fans in the arena and watching at home! For too long Online Championship Wrestling has promoted misogyny. This great promotion was viewed, by outsiders in the industry as the most misogynistic workplace in the industry. Sarah Twilight. Kitty Petrova. Melinda Rhodes. Josie Barnes. All excellent female talent who were held back by the male dominated roster and regime.
~The fans boo. Grace thinks they are booing the aforementioned names misfortune. So, she nods along. Turns out these fans fuckin hate those four names~
Smith: I mean, accusations of misogyny were a thing.
Hood: Josie fuckin Barnes? She couldn’t blow a balloon let alone anybody in charge in an effort to give head to get ahead.
Smith: Hood!
Grace Rimmer: But no more! Those days are gone! OCW’s new General Manager, Who’Re is bringing this company out of the dark ages and into the light!
~The fans give a mixed reaction~
Grace Rimmer: Women are just as strong, just as capable, just as entertaining as men. We are, in every single facet, every bit as fierce as a man. You don’t believe me? Well, sit back and watch this video put together by the new regime at OCW to promote gender equality.
~Grace points the mic in the direction of the OCWTron. The lights dim. Music from the OCWTron begins to play. Pink ribbons blow in the breeze. We see a young boy being bullied~
Strong Female Voice: In a male-dominated world. It’s up to us to step forward and enforce change.
~A female classmate steps in and beats up all the bullies. It’s a very choreographed, fake looking fight. She then helps the bullied boy to his feet. He bows to her. We cut to a man in his kitchen trying to open a pickle jar~
Strong Female Voice: Don’t stand back and let the men continue to promote this narration of inequality. Show them. Prove to them that you are fierce and your voice should be heard.
~His wife charges in, ripping the pickle jar away. The lid nearly comes off, kinda like it wasn’t really on all that tight to begin with. She rips it off and slams the jar into his chest, spilling pickle juice all over his expensive shirt. He nods and says, “Wow”. The man is inspired by her strength~
Strong Female Voice: You see? Women are every bit as strong as men. Here at OCW, we look forward to nurturing, raising, and pushing this message out into the pro wrestling community because…
~The video cuts off~
Smith: What the…
Hood: Thank god.
Smith: Huh?
Hood: Uhh, I mean...what on Earth is happening?!
~Two men are seen looking out at you from the screen. One has curly brown hair and a goatee, the other is wearing a lucha mask.~
TK: Bobby, is this thing fucking on?
~The portly masked one looks over at a television illegally streaming Quarantined.~
BB: Yeah, we’re on.
~The man with the curled hair looks pleased.~
TK: Told ya it would work!
BB: I had no doubts.
TK: That fucking any woman can do anything men can do shit. Sure. Some of them can but Christ on a fucking bike, not all goddamn women can do what men can do.
BB: Uh, to be fair, not all men can do what women do. I mean, we'll never give birth. But that said, not a soul on this show can do what we do, and we are men, so there's that. But that begs the question, who are we?
TK: You gotta be fucking living under a rock if you don't know who the fuck we are.
BB: Well then let's educate the people under rocks. Ladies and gentlemen, I am one half of the greatest tag team on the planet, my friend here is the other. I am the Sultan of Smacktalk, he is Smacktalker Jesus. I am the Big Bad Big Bad of Big Bads, he is the Relentless Legend. Bobby Bourbon is my name, Thunder Knuckles is his, together we bring pain, destruction, violence, and other forms of quality entertainment to the masses. We wield the most devastating move in the business today, the Rainbow Laser Death Sequence, a maneuver so potent that the best minds at MIT and NASA question if anything else in the universe has as much energy output. We've got the brains, we have the brawn, we make lots of money, your kids want to be us, your wives want to feed us, your parents want to adopt us and kick you out of their lives. Four simple letters, folks, T.N.G.B, and those in the know run to the hills. We are, will be, and are proud to be Them No Good Bastards! Now, congregated peoples here of OCW, let us give pause.
~Bobby and TK bow their heads briefly. Bobby raises his head and glances towards TK.~
BB: Preach.
TK: OCW with your goddamn, not accepting applications, bullshit. You know why that is, Bobby?
~Bobby holds his hands up like he’s praying and looks to the heavens because the words TK is about to produce are the sheer gospel.~
TK: You’re not accepting applications because if anyone else came in this bitch. You’d be all out of fucking jobs. You’re all little fish stuck in a goddamn pond, you couldn’t survive in the ocean of true talent. Unlike ourselves. So prepare to get dog-walked mother fuckers. We’re going to disembowel you and pull you along by your fucking entrails. Look at the person next to you in the locker room, then ask yourselves. Could we even mount a team of people and take these guys on? You know the answer but you’ll try. They all fucking try but I guarantee you can’t. That main event spot is looking pretty nice it looks like it could use some real fucking stars.
BB: So, yeah, about that not accepting applications thing. We don't give a shit. This ain't the first party we've ever crashed and it sure as hell ain't the last we ever will. Check it. We don't excuse ourselves for being so bold, count the shirts, count the buy rates, count the tickets we've sold. Two No Good Bastards, or so we've been told, this isn't a show it's a heist and we’re here for your gold. One for the money, two for the show, three is too many, all of you got to go. We aren't scaling anything, we're already at the top, we are the damned ladder. And the person running shit around here, what's their name? There's an apostrophe, is it Who-ray? Hooray? Like fucking 'yippee' or 'oh boy' or 'hot-diggedy', maybe even a 'twenty-three skidoo'?
TK: I’d just say straight up Whore. Fuck’em.
~Them No Good Bastards give each other a no-look fist bump. Now back to your regularly scheduled broadcast of Quarantined.~
Smith: Oh dear
Hood: *tries his best not to cheer*
~A quick cut to the GM box. Who’Re is furious. She shoves Grace Rimmer toward the door, demanding she figure out what just happened. Greg tries to calm her down, but she throws her drink in his face. The tantrum is full blown~
Smith: Yea, our GM doesn’t like being called the ‘w’ word. Not to mention having her vision of OCW being verbally dismantled like that.
Hood: Those dudes straight up hijacked the broadcast. Now that’s initiative.
Smith: I’ve heard of those two. They’ve certainly got ‘Classic OCW’ written all over them. But would they fit in this new OCW? Or, maybe the even bigger question...would they want to? Or, well, I guess...what do they want?
Hood: Gold. Recognition. And all the accolades. Two guys barging in here looking for gold...I’m not the smartest man around but that seems to indicate those prestigious OCW Tag Titles.
Smith: But we don’t have a tag division.
Hood: Doesn’t mean they can’t be defended...ya know, outside of OCW. Or in some type of cross promotional match.
Smith: Dean and Welsh would never have allowed such a…
Hood: Yea and Who’Re may not, either. But Vhodka Marie, unsigned, just walked in and took a title. Could Them No Good Bastards be next?
Smith: This feels like the wild west. What happened to all our fancy rules and borders?
Hood: Who’Re is taking them down.
~Another shot of Who’Re. She’s screaming at the members of diVersity that can hear to do something. To find Thunder Knuckles and Bobby Bourbon...even though they are probably hundreds of miles away. She needs to gain control. She spots a fan wearing a TK t-shirt...it’s part of the QuagCup advertisement. She orders diVersity to deal with him. So, they beat the ever loving shit out of him before dragging him from the arena~
Smith: Yikes.
Hood: Hell hath no fury like a Who’Re scorned.
Smith: Indeed...I think we need a pick me up. Something to soothe our GM’s ego. So, let’s very quickly and very eagerly announce our next Pay Per View Event!
~We cut to Leo the High School Intern. The House of Cards logo is nicely posted on a green screen behind him~
Leo the High School Intern: A PPV unlike any other. A match concept unlike any other. 4 matches. All 8 wrestlers out at the ring to start. The first match is a Caged Ladder Match. The other six wrestlers can choose to stay in the cage or sit this one out. The second match is a Hazardous Ladder Match. The third match is a standard ladder match. The final match is a simple NO DQ match for the OCW Championship.
~Sounds kinda strange...explain...more~
Leo the High School Intern: The matches decrease in severity. Rather than increase. The wrestlers around the ring must stay out there until their match is over...then, they can leave, if they choose. It’s also up to them on whether or not they want to interfere and help certain competitors win. In doing so, I’m sure they’d expect the favor to be returned.
~Sounding a little clearer~
Leo the High School Intern: It’s a concept set up for alliances and, ultimately, betrayal. Whose word can you trust? Who can you count on? Who do you have to keep an eye out for? You’ll constantly be watching your back. House of Cards.
~The crowd pops. That sounded pretty cool. Although the details are still a bit hazy~
Smith: The staff is definitely trying to increase the ‘creative’ factor with these matches. I’m curious to see how this one goes down.
Hood: Yea, sounds like something Christopher Nolan would come up with...not necessarily a good thing.
Smith: It’s about trust and betrayal, Hood. Do you have friends or are you all alone? Anybody can attack anybody at any given time. People can choose to leave when their match is over, casting everyone else aside or they can stick around and help the OCW Champion out, hoping they may be rewarded with a title shot.
Hood: Okay, okay. But why do the matches decrease like that?
Smith: Aside from being different? I guess to keep the main event competitors from being too tired to climb cages and ladders. Start strong and finish simple. After all the beatings, betrayals, and stress...that final match is going to feature two extremely fatigued wrestlers.
Hood: Yea, true.
Smith: Anyway, House of Cards...it’s either the next great concept in pro wrestling or it’ll just be something we tried and did pretty-okay at. Fans...we’re on the precipice of what you’ve all tuned in for (or most of you). The Prison Yard Match is up next. Before we get to the main course of this meal...let’s cut to commercial
~We cut to the backstage locker rooms. One, in particular, in case you were wondering. Inside, we find Peter "The Janitor" Vaughn. He's staring blankly at the mirror in front of him, with a set of headphones around his ears. From behind, we can see Pryde, wearing his mask once again proudly inside the OCW Arena. Pryde walks forward, grabbing hold of Vaughn's headphones and lifting them off his head. A weird sound can be heard briefly, even as Pryde sets them to the side. After a few seconds, Vaughn suddenly starts blinking, making you realize that he hadn't blinked until then. He looks around, focusing on Pryde in the mirror.~
Peter Vaughn: ... Pryde?
Pryde: Hello, Peter. It's almost time for your match, your chance to show everyone that you are one of the greatest wrestlers in the world today. How are you feeling?
Peter Vaughn: Feeling? ... I'm feeling... angry...
~Vaughn begins to glare at the mirror, as if thinking about attacking any reflections he sees in it. Pryde, though, pats him on the shoulder, quieting him.~
Pryde: Save it for the ring, Peter. Save it for that blowhard, Thomas. Save it for that cowardly henchman, Brim. Save it... for Zybala.
Peter Vaughn: Zybala... yes...
Pryde: He deserves to fall tonight, Peter. Above all else, we must make sure that Zybala does not get to win.
Peter Vaughn: He won't. He'll get exactly what he deserves tonight. They all will. Tonight, my true history begins... the history of a champion that no one appreciated until now.
~Vaughn reaches to his right, picking up the mask that was sitting there.~
Pryde: Become your true self, Peter. Show these bastards what you're worth.
~Vaughn begins to don the mask, as we slowly fade out.~
~A LARGE gut is the only thing that we see, however, it is not the stomach of The Big Bifford. I mean otherwise there would be a HUGE POP emanating from the OCW faithful. No, instead, from the darker skin complexion, we recognize this to be the stomach of Brim. With the cameraman panning back, we get a full, well not full, maybe from the thighs up… view of Brim who appears focused for the upcoming Prison Yard Match. He bounces from ball of his foot to the other, throwing shadow punches. Byson can be seen sitting on a couch nearby, scrolling through his phone. Seemingly done with whatever it was that he was doing, Byson stands up and walks over to Brim, slapping him across his shoulder~
Byson Kaliban: Are you ready for tonight?
~Coming to a complete stop, Brim glances over at Byson~
Brim: So, I’ve been sitting here doing some thinking, right?
~Byson nods~
Brim: Y’know, I really didn’t consider the fact that I might have to actually climb a cage. You saw what I did to the ladder back at the crib.
Byson Kaliban: Don’t worry about it Benji. Look, check this out, while you’re out there, if you’re having any doubts. Just remember, light as a feather and stiff as a board.
Brim: Light as a feather and stiff as a board? Why does that sound like some voodoo shit?
~Byson nervously looks at the camera, but he quickly collects himself~
Byson Kaliban: Hey man, don’t question the methods, just trust the process! Those words alone led Duce to several victories.
Brim: I don’t believe that fuckery.
Byson Kaliban: Hey man! We don’t have time to be second guessing anything tonight. Go out there and do you, I’m sure by the end of the night, you’d be surprised with what you may accomplish.
~Brim questionably looks at Byson but shrugs it off. He goes back to bouncing and shadowing sparring, while we cut back to ringside~
Smith: Peter Vaughn and Pryde collaborating one last time before The Janitor enters the toughest, most dangerous match of his career.
Hood: He’s got a mask. He’s got a legend backing him. But he’s still got the skills of a Janitor...so, like, none of that other stuff matters. Guy reeks of Outsiders Wrestling. NO CHANCE
Smith: I disagree...the new attitude he’s adopted seems to be working. I think we see a new, dangerous, competitive Peter Vaughn.
Hood: You always pull for the losers.
Smith: Meanwhile, Brim contemplating the fact he may have to climb a cage.
Hood: I know he’s athletic...but a guy that size...climbing a cage can’t be easy. And shit, it’s not just climbing...it’s getting OVER the cage.
Smith: Indeed. But, he seems confident. He’s the true wildcard in this one, Hood. Brim could finish last or win the whole thing...I have no idea how he’s going to perform.
Hood: I’m excited to see this dude get in there and mix it up. Think we might be witnessing the debut performance of a future OCW star.
Smith: I’m sure all OCW faithful hope that is correct. OCW fans...you've stuck around this long. Now, your patience is about to get rewarded. It's time...The Prison Yard Match is upon us.
Prison Yard Match
1st Place – OCW Championship
2nd Place – Savage Championship
3rd Place – Paradigm Championship
4th Place – Craze Championship
Brim/Curt Canon/Dylan Thomas/Ed Houston/Mike Zybala/Outcast/Peter Vaughn/Xavier Lux
~The mood has changed. The fans in the arena know what’s upon them. The four rings. The four cages. Scruff, Gruff, and Puff all situated inside a cage. One cage remains empty...OCW only can afford three refs, I guess. Belvedere stands outside the cages, to the side. The four cage doors are open. All the lights in the arena focus on the giant square of ring, rope, and steel that, moments away, feature carnage and competition for gold and glory. Belvedere clears his throat. It acts as a dinner bell for these starving OCW fans. They go from intrigued to ravenous. A huge ovation~
Belvedere: It is now time for the Prison Yard Match!!!
~An OCW first! “PRISON YARD!” is chanted by the fans. No doubt some actual, legit prisoners look on and shake their heads at these ignorant sons of bitches. No offense to any moms watching at home!~
Belvedere: If you would, please turn your attention to the OCW Tron for a break down of the rules.
~A pretty decent way to attempt to explain these rules. It looks complicated. But it isn’t that complicated. Or, at least, it shouldn’t be. If it is, maybe you should go wrestle in one of them other, dumber feds. Anyway. The rules are laid out. The fans are buzzing...taking a quick gander we see shirts for all 8 wrestlers repped in the crowd. Banners. Signs. It appears everyone has backing...even Peter Vaughn. A coalition of custodians stand ready, mops in hand~
Smith: All month, Hood. It’s built to this.
Hood: Eight men who whether it started that way or evolved during the process...hate one another. I’m not sure there’s a single ally in this match.
Smith: Zybala likes Vaughn, I think.
Hood: Well he’d better wake his ass up before he gets out here. Otherwise Vaughn is gonna send Zybala packing.
Smith: Any predictions on who gets stuck in what cage?
Hood: Man, I don’t know. Dean would have probably put all the top guys in with the lower tiered guys...if that’s even a thing with this roster. Welsh? He would have protected his favorites. Zybala? He would have thrown all eight into one ring and then let his Outsiders wrestle in the other three rings while some giant lizard thing looks on. Who’Re? No idea how she’s gonna divvy this up.
Smith: Well, we’re about to find out.
Belvedere: And now, introducing the wrestler who will start off in cage #1!
~“Killjill” by Big Boi ft. Killer Mike and Young Jeezy hits! The fans, at first, don’t react. It’s an unfamiliar theme. However, once the owner steps out, they give a curious reaction. An ‘oh shit’ vibe...because they all know Brim is here to fuck some people up. With a sour expression on his face and a look that could kill, Brim heads down the ramp, working his fists open and shut. He rubs the tape around his wrists. He pauses, reaching the giant steel structure in front of him. He looks up...Scruff, standing in cage one, motions his way. Brim spits at the ground and heads up the steps, entering into the first cage~
Belvedere: From Baltimore, Maryland. Standing 6’3 and weighing in at 385lbs...Brim!!!
Smith: That is a big, bad man, Hood.
Hood: Think it’s kinda bullshit that the one black man on this roster is the first guy thrown in a fuckin cage.
Smith: Hood!
Hood: I’m just saying. Fuck em up, Brim!
Belvedere: And now, introducing the wrestler who will start off in cage #2!
Smith: We know who that is!
Hood: Ya know, it’s not like I ever liked Andrew WK...but Zybala has taken the guy’s music to an all new level of hate.
~The crowd leaps to their feet! Former OCW President and Commissioner, Mike Zybala emerges from behind the curtain. He looks around...placing his hand over his eyes, staring out into the crowd. “MIKEY Z! MIKEY Z!” He nods along with the chants...he throws his arms in the air, increasing the volume. We cut to Brim who is snarling and pacing in his cage, thinking very little of what’s going down. Zybala reaches the top of the ramp and he throws a few SUPERKICKS!! Pyros go off!! Fans scream ‘SUPERKICK PARTY!!!!’ Zybala nods and sprints down the ramp...he hustles around the steps. Brim suddenly reaches out, trying to grab him...but Zybala dodges the quick, fast moving hand. He looks up at Brim, smiling, wagging his finger ‘no’. Brim grabs the side of the cage and shakes it, staring Zybala down. Mike laughs and charges up the steps into Cage #2~
Belvedere: From Buffalo, New York. Standing 5’6 and weighing in at 175lbs...he is a former President and Commissioner of OCW...he is the Winner of Survivor, Season 2. He is Mike Zybala!!!
Smith: Brim tried to snag Zybala as he ran around the cage!
Hood: Brim wants to fuck him up.
Smith: Fortunately for Mike, Who’Re has them starting out in different cages.
Hood: Zybala better hope Brim don’t catch him in a cage...otherwise, it’s lights out.
~Brim stares through his cage wall, into Zybala’s cage. Mike looks at him, leaning against the ropes, waving Brim away. Brim points at him, yelling, “I’m gonna get my hands on your ass. You just wait.” Zybala rolls his eyes, “Yea, yea, sure sure.” Gruff, refereeing in cage 2, tells Zybala he might not wanna ‘poke that damn bear’.~
Belvedere: And now, introducing the wrestler who will start off in cage #3!
~'Watch Me Shine' – Fozzy hits! It takes the fans a second to realize who’s coming out...but, once they do, the boos pour forth. Dylan Thomas, with Lissandra on his arm, steps out from behind the curtain. He looks around, taking in the boos. He scoffs. Lissandra tells him ‘not to worry about these florida people.’ Thomas nods. Together they walk, stride for stride, down the ramp, toward cage #3. Brim eyes Lissandra...he gets a good gander at her rack. They take a left, avoiding the two occupied cages. Reaching Cage 3, Puff holds the door open. Dylan hustles up the steps and enters through the ropes. Puff tries saying something to Lissandra but she looks at him as though he’s super disgusting. His ego injured, he sulks back into the ring. Zybala peeks through his cage, waving at Lissandra. She waves him off, frowning with annoyance~
Belvedere: From Greenwich Connecticut, while residing in San Francisco, California. Standing 6’2 and weighing in at 225lbs...Dylan Thomas!!!
Smith: I guess that woman Lissandra is going to hang around ringside for this one.
Hood: That woman? Where’d that chivalry of yours go?
Smith: I’m just not a fan.
Hood: Boy you sure are fickle. If Alice Knight were out here you’d have blown three loads by now.
Smith: How dare you!
Belvedere: And now, introducing the wrestler who will start off in cage #4!
~Figure 8 by Trust Company hits!! The OCW Arena explodes!! We see Who’Re lean back, shaking her head. A hard roll of the eyes. These new general managers really do seem to hate the past. Curt Canon emerges from behind the curtain!! He’s as fired up as ever!! He runs to the right side of the ramp and throws his arms up...the fans jump up and down. He hustles to the left side of the ramp, doing the same...the fans respond just as eagerly. He looks down at the rings and sprints down the ramp!! He’s about to dive headfirst but stops...he points at the cage and his head before composing and walking, upright and very stiff, toward the lone empty cage. The fans at ringside laugh~
Belvedere: From Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Standing 5’4 and weighing in at 155lbs. He is a former OCW LightWeight Champion. He is a former OCW Champion. He is in the OCW Hall of Fame. He is the one, the only…Curt Canon!!!
~Curt stands in front of his ring. He points at Brim. He points at Zybala. He points at Dylan. He waves at Lissandra. She rolls her eyes and turns her back to him. He frowns, for a split second. He then motions that his ring is empty and deduces that this is the one! He charges up the steps and leaps over the top rope, landing feet first on the mat. He charges around the ring, signaling with his hands that there is no ref~
Smith: Curt Canon looking as energetic and enthusiastic as ever!
Hood: Yea, but where’s the ref for that cage? Seriously. We couldn’t have put The Knife Man in there, or something?
Smith: I’m sure it’ll all make sense.
Belvedere: And now, introducing the wrestler who will occupy Cage #1 with Brim.
~The fans go ‘ooohhhh’~
Smith: It’s getting good, Hood. We’re about to find out the match ups!
Hood: Scruff is gonna have his work cut out, keeping Brim from attacking whoever steps in that cage with him.
Smith: Especially if it’s Vaughn.
~"The Infection " by Disturbed hits! The fans give a strong pop. The more knowledgeable fans are super excited. Not only is the legend, Scorpion’s son, making his OCW debut...but he’s being put in the same ring as Brim. Xavier Lux emerges, all business. He doesn’t pander. He doesn’t wave. He barely notices the fans. Instead, he marches down the ramp, keeping a sharp eye on the monster that awaits him in Cage #1~
Belvedere: From Los Angeles, California. Standing 6’2 and weighing in at 225lbs...he is…
~Xavier passes by Belvedere. A look is exchanged. Belvedere calls a verbal audible~
Belvedere: He is ‘Venom’ Xavier Lux!!!
~Lux ascends the steps. Brim stands in the center of the ring, working his fists. Lux, if afraid, isn’t showing it. He slides through the ropes and heads for the center of the ring. Brim coils, ready to strike. Scruff jumps in front of them. GM Who’Re barks instructions down to Belvedere. Brim and Lux are in each other’s face...about ready to go. Scruff won’t physically be able to hold them back~
Belvedere: I have just been informed that if any action takes place before the bell then one or both competitors could be disqualified!
~Scruff shoves both men apart, pointing at Belvedere. Brim shakes his head, saying, “Bullshit”. Lux keeps his eye on Brim, slowly working his way into his corner. The men are now on opposite sides of the ring, adhering to the rules~
Smith: Good, impromptu decision by our GM. This could have got out of hand really, really fast.
Hood: No shit. Brim is gonna kill somebody, maybe. Or, at least, murder them.
Smith: Isn’t that the same thing?
Hood: Nah. Killing is worse than murder.
Smith: If you say so.
Belvedere: And now, introducing the wrestler who will occupy Cage #2 with Mike Zybala.
~Zybala hops around. He throws a few superkicks. He’s very excited. "This Time It's Different" - Evans Blue plays! Now comes the big “ohhhhh shit” vibe from the OCW fans. Even Zybala takes a break from his constant, excited movements. He pauses, staring through the various cage walls, toward the ramp. Peter Vaughn emerges, mask over his face, carrying a mop. The custodian coalition goes wild!! They twirl their mobs, dance with them, sword fight with them...their hero has arrived~
Smith: Who’Re has placed Peter Vaughn and Mike Zybala in the same cage to start the match!
Hood: I wonder if this decision was before or after Vaughn’s change.
Smith: Doesn’t matter, really. It could have been changed.
Hood: True. Women change their minds all the time.
Smith: I’d watch it!
~Peter Vaughn takes his mop and snaps it over his leg. The custodian coalition cease their acts. They all drop their mops and fall to the ground, curling up in the fetal position. The new, angry, focused Peter Vaughn marches down the ramp. He walks around Cage 1. Lux and Brim both keep an eye on him. He reaches Cage #2~
Belvedere: From Dallas, Texas. Standing 5’6 and weighing in at 175lbs...he is at least a 2-time Outsider Champion. He is Peter Vaughn!
~Zybala steps forward. He offers a hand in friendship, looking to aid Vaughn in entering the ring. Vaughn marches up the steps and kicks Zybala’s hand away. Zybala staggers to the side, nearly falling to one knee. Vaughn enters through the ropes. Zybala looks up at him...hurt in his eyes. Peter refuses to look at Mike. He knows any violence might end his dream of earning a title...so he locates his corner and stands, back to Zybala. Zybala looks around, arms extended. The fans boo~
Smith: Mike Zybala feels betrayed. Peter was like a son to him.
Hood: If that’s the case, I totally get Peter’s behavior. Imagine if Mike Zybala was your dad...you’d be pissed, too!
Smith: That’s not fair, Hood. Zybala nurtured and promoted Peter. And now Peter acts like this. It’s...well, it just isn’t the way things should be.
Hood: Toughen up, buttercup. I guarantee you this won’t even be in the top ten list of shit that offends you by the end of the night.
Belvedere: And now, introducing the wrestler who will occupy Cage #3 with Dylan Thomas.
Smith: Only two remain, Hood.
Hood: And both have nicknames with the word ‘man’ in them.
Smith: Huh?
Hood: You’ve got Rocketman.
Smith: Okay.
Hood: And Oldman.
Smith: Hey!
~Binge & Purge by Clutch hits! A mixed reaction for pro wrestling veteran, Outcast. He emerges, making his way down the ramp. A few older fans, standing by the guardrail, wearing shirts that are very obviously from the early 00s, salute Outcast. One says, “Tonight is finally your night!” another chimes in, “Better late than never, sir!” Outcast gives them a ‘wtf’ look. He then spots a woman who may or may be the manager of the McBurger joint he worked at a few weeks ago. He slaps a tray of nachos out of her hands, and laughs. The OCW fans, instead of being horrified and booing...decide this is the action of a face. So they go wild~
Belvedere: From Chicago, Illinois. Standing 6’1 and weighing in at 228lbs...he is a former OCW Ascension Champion. He is a former OCW Savage Champion. He’s looking to finally capture the OCW Title. He is...Outcast!!!
~Outcast takes a left at the ring setup. He marches past Canon’s ring. Curt doesn’t even notice him, he’s too busy standing up on the second buckle and waving at some female fans who are probably over 18. Outcast reaches his cage. Lissandra takes a few steps back, eyeing the grizzled vet. He pays her little mind. He’s seen all shapes of tits and ass. He marches up the steps and enters, eyeing the young, cocky Dylan Thomas~
Smith: You’ve got the brash, young ‘sportscar’ in Dylan Thomas taking on the beat up, rugged pick up truck in Outcast.
Hood: Way to just shit all over Outcast.
Smith: Some people prefer pick ups.
Hood: Yea, but do they prefer beat up and rugged over brash and young? I think not!
Smith: Well, Outcast is starting out in the same cage with Dylan Thomas. So, that can mean only one thing…
Hood: Ohhh shit...the feud that never gets old will write another chapter tonight.
Smith: That’s right...two of OCW’s most popular stars will, once again, do battle!
Belvedere: And, introducing the eighth and final contestant. The man who will begin the match in Cage #4 with Curt Canon…
~A rocketship appears on the OCWTron. We get a countdown...5...4...3...2...1...the word BLASTOFF hits!! “You’re Gonna Go Far Kid” by Offspring rocks the OCW Arena!! OCW fans jump around. Several of them leap through the air, pretending to be rocketships. They are very drunk and land very hard but because they are very drunk they are not very hurt. Ed Houston steps from behind the curtain. He’s got some money in his hand. He heads down the ramp and hands it to a few ‘less fortunate’ looking people. You can make of that what you will~
Smith: Ed has become very philanthropic.
Hood: Bullshit, he’s trying to buy the audience!
Belvedere: From Miami, Florida. Standing 5’9 and weighing in at 175lbs...he is a former OCW Craze Champion. A former OCW Ascension Champion. He is a former GCWA Champion. Ladies and Gentlemen...he is The Rocketman. He is...Ed Houston!!!!
~The music is blaring. The crowd is singing along. Houston sprints up the ring steps and flips into the ring, over the top rope. He runs across the mat. Curt has to get out of his way. Houston leaps onto the second rope and throws his hand into the air three times in correspondence with the beat. 3! 2! 1! The crowd “With a thousand lies and a good disguise...hit em right between the eyes!!!” Houston throws both arms into the air. Canon throws his hands at Ed as if to say, “BIG DEAL.”~
Smith: What a scene! These fans love Ed Houston!
Hood: Because he’s paid them all off!
Smith: He has not!
~The music dies out. Houston hops off the second rope. The fans are still chanting “ED! ED!” he claps his hands, appreciating the ovation. Things start to calm~
Smith: Four rings. Eight competitors.
Hood: Yea, but we only have three referees.
Smith: I think we’re just gonna go with three, Hood.
Hood: Classic OCW, Baby.
~Who’Re’s voice breaks through. A mic is in her hand, from her GM box~
Who’Re: Classic OCW is dead, Hood. No longer are we going to half-ass things. Of course we’ve got a fourth referee. OCW fans in the arena and watching at home...may I present to you tonight’s fourth and SPECIAL GUEST REFEREE…
~The crowd stands, turning toward the entrance~
Smith: Who could it be?!
Hood: If it’s some bullshit like MJ Bell I’m going to self harm.
Smith: Hood!
~The OCW Arena loses it’s fuckin mind!! “HOLY SHIT!!!”~
Who’Re: ‘The Marvel’ Matt Meyyyyyyhuuuuu!!!!!
~“HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT!” Meyhu appears from behind the curtain. He’s sporting black ref pants. His shirt, however, is completely lime~
Smith: IT’S THE MARVEL!
Hood: One of the greatest wrestlers in OCW history! And look at him, Smith...he looks like he should be carrying the OCW Title.
Smith: Maybe one day in the future. But tonight, he’s here as a ref. Which is weird because he’s not wearing any stripes.
Hood: Yes he is. That shirt is striped. You’ve got lime. And then you’ve got slightly limer.
Smith: Whatever.
~Meyhu marches down the ramp. Fans are basically worshiping him. He nods and says “Thank you. Thank you.” in his very charming yet totally arrogant way. Reaching the rings, he looks up at the cages and says, “Boy I’m glad I’m retired.” Turning to his left, he whistles and hustles up the steps entering Cage #4. He looks at Curt, saying, “Curt, good to see you.” Curt sulks in his corner. Meyhu spots Ed and high fives The Rocketman. “Ed, my man!” Houston smiles, patting his pal on the back~
Smith: Well, I have to admit, Meyhu’s involvement is great. His placement, however, seems a little…
Hood: HEY! You don’t question Meyhu.
~Belvedere has vanished. Who’Re no longer wields a mic. The members of diVersity appear around the rings...they grab the four doors and in unison slam them shut. The doors are immediately locked. The diVersity team exits the ringside area. The only person at ringside is Lissandra. Puff looks at Gruff. Gruff looks at Scruff. Scruff looks at Meyhu. Meyhu nods, appreciating the show of respect. “Ring the bell!” he yells out. The bell sounds and the crowd goes wild~
Smith: And we’re underway!
Hood: Fifteen hours later.
Smith: I personally enjoyed those intros.
Hood: I still side with Scott Syren. Intros should be outlawed in pro wrestling.
Smith: Anyway...the match is underway...and the action is already apoplectic!!!
~Brim yells “Come on, bitch!” storming out of the corner. Xavier ain’t backing down. The two men meet in the center, trading blows. We shift to Dylan Thomas and Outcast. Thomas rushes in with a high knee. Outcast moves, Thomas slams his knee into the middle buckle. Outcast grabs Thomas by the arm and takes him down with an armbar. He looks at Lissandra and points to his head...the wily veteran. Vaughn stalks Zybala. Mike holds his hands out, “Peter, c’mon. Let’s talk this out.” Vaughn rushes at him. Zybala side steps. “Peter, c’mon, man. What’s your deal?” Vaughn grunts and rushes Zybala once again. Again Zybala is too quick. “Seriously, stop it. I’m your friend!” Peter stumbles into a corner, having missed, he drops to one knee and hugs the middle turnbuckle. While we can’t see his face, his tensed muscles and bulging neck veins tell us he’s pissed. And, in the fourth and final ring...Curt Canon and Ed Houston circle each other. Canon looks at Ed, “You ready?” Houston nods. They lock up! The crowd goes wild. Meyhu leans in a corner, keeping an eye on the action. Ed hooks Curt in a side headlock. Curt shoots Ed into the ropes. Ed bounces off. Curt drops to the mat. Ed leaps over him. Ed hits the ropes. Curt pops to his feet. He leapfrogs Ed. Ed stops on a dime. Canon turns around, expecting Ed to be running...instead Houston leaps back and smacks Curt in the head with a Pele Kick!!! Curt stumbles backwards, into the ropes, the back of his body hitting the cage. Meyhu claps, “Way to go, kid!” pointing at Ed~
Smith: And we’re off! Brim and Xavier are brawling! Zybala is trying to talk sense into a possessed Peter Vaughn! Dylan Thomas rushed into things a little too fast against Outcast and…
Hood: The Champ is guiding The Kid to legendary status!
Smith: Yea, Curt kinda got the short end of the stick on that one.
Hood: Speaking of short...is this the shortest roster in OCW history? I think over half these guys are under six feet tall.
Smith: Does it matter?
Hood: As long as you stay away from Brim, I guess not.
~The crowd reacts upon seeing Xavier staggering Brim!! While Brim might be bigger, stronger...Xavier knows how to throw a punch. They are landing fast, and furiously! Brim’s hair flails around, violently, with each fist hitting its desired target. He stumbles into a corner. Lux doesn’t waste time, rushing forward. He continues his assault on Brim, however, the space between them has narrowed. Brim, realizing the lights could go out, bear hugs Lux. Xavier throws a few downward elbows, trying to break Brim’s grip. But, Brim is too strong. He bullies Xavier back toward the center of the ring. Xavier hits Brim in the back with a few double axe handles...but Brim is too much of a beast to be impacted, much. Brim’s bullying picks up steam...it turns into a charge...a charge that results in him slamming Lux into the opposite corner! Xavier’s wind is forced from his lungs. Brim releases his hold but remains in position...he drives his shoulder into Xavier’s midsection over and over~
Smith: Lux can go toe to toe with Brim...but, when the big man can get his arms around you, that changes the game.
Hood: Dude’s a force, for sure. You can tell Xavier has had more extensive training, given the accuracy of his punches. Brim’s more of a brawler.
Smith: Yep, but brawling may prevail inside those cages.
Hood: They certainly represent a street fight more than a wrestling match.
~“Pete!” Zybala yells. Vaughn remains on one knee, his chin pressed into the middle buckle. Mike heads his way, arms extended, trying to talk some sense into his friend. Reaching out, he touches Vaughn on the shoulder. Peter responds by turning around and nailing Mike with a low blow!!! The crowd BOOOS. Zybala has a look on his face that asks, “Why?” He falls to the mat, curled up. Peter rises, standing over Mike. Zybala is helpless. So, Peter takes advantage...he begins to lay some stiff kicks into the side of Mike’s head. The boos only get louder~
Smith: I just can’t believe Peter Vaughn is behaving this way. That’s his mentor!
Hood: No, his mentor is the dude that told him Zybala sucks ass.
Smith: Zybala led Vaughn to gold. Peter wouldn’t even be in this match if it weren’t for Mike!
Hood: Yea, Zybala led Vaughn to OUTSIDERS gold. Then threw him in this death match, totally unprepared. Some friend!
~Outcast has that armbar locked in, tight. Lissandra shakes the cage from the outside, trying to inspire her husband. Dylan winces with discomfort. Using his core strength, he manages to fight through the pain and force Outcast to his feet. Outcast, holding onto the arm, has Thomas doubled over. Dylan throws a few stiff punches into Outcast’s gut. These stagger the veteran. With a littler room to maneuver, Dylan torques his body...he spins forward and throws a discus lariat at Outcast...but Outcast ducks, releasing Thomas’ arm! Dylan stumbles ahead, hitting the ropes. His forehead pressed against the cage. He reaches for his arm, trying to rub the pain away. Outcast charges ahead...Thomas hears him coming and drops the mat, rolling away. Outcast stops just short of ramming face first into the cage. He turns around...as he does, Thomas takes him down, from his knees, with a sideheadlock. Outcast slaps the mat out of frustration. Lissandra cheers from the outside~
Smith: These two seem to be trying to out wrestle one another.
Hood: You can’t out wrestle perfection personified, Smith.
Smith: Maybe not. But maybe Outcast can out think Dylan Thomas.
Hood: Seriously? Have you SEEN the dude?
Smith: Of course I’ve seen him...he’s on tv, right now!
Hood: He’s not out thinking anybody. Maybe Mike Zybala.
~Canon rubs the top of his head...that Pele Kick really found its mark. Meyhu yells at Ed, “Stay on him!” Houston runs ahead and drills Canon in the upper abdomen with a knee! Canon’s back, again, hits the cage. He doubles over. Houston hooks him for a bulldog. He charges ahead...but Canon shoves him off. Ed leaps into the air, landing on the middle buckle. Canon, center of the ring, tries to take a moment to catch his breath. Houston leaps off the middle turnbuckle with a moonsault! It connects!! The two men hit the mat. Ed gets to his knees and begins pummeling Curt with right hands. Meyhu paces around them, urging Ed, “Hit him! C’mon, kid!”~
Smith: Again, totally unfair.
Hood: Meyhu is just calling the match as he sees it, Smith.
Smith: Well, he’s watching it through rocket colored glasses.
Hood: What color would ‘rocket’ be?
Smith: Red? I don’t know. Why ask such a silly question?
Hood: I’ve never seen a red rocket go into space. Unless there’s some giant, red, soviet rocket you’re talking about. You aren’t a soviet spy, are you?
Smith: Leave me alone.
~Brim stands upright. Lux leans over, gasping for air. Brim measures Lux up and delivers a stiff uppercut into Xavier’s throat, straightening up the former NLW Champion. Brim grabs Lux by his waist and lifts him up in an awkward position...it’s half way between a belly-to-belly and spinebuster. He turns around, places a hand in Xavier’s chest and throws him to the mat as hard as he can. Xavier’s body crashes to the canvas!! Again, he gasps for air. Brim charges forward, leaping into the air and coming down onto Xavier’s chest, flattening out the son of Scorpion. He remains seated. Scruff slides in for the count~
1!
2!
Shoulder Up!!
Smith: My goodness. Brim is manhandling Xavier at this point.
Hood: It doesn’t look much like wrestling...but it’s working. Brim is a big, strong, angry man.
Smith: Indeed. Xavier is going to have to get this guy to expend some energy. Tire him out.
Hood: Or he can climb the fuck outta there.
Smith: An option, sure. An option I doubt Lux would ever consider.
~The masked janitor drops to his knees. Zybala remains down. Vaughn elbows Zybala in the ribs, sending Mike rolling onto his front side. Vaughn snares the back of Zybala’s head and begins rubbing his face into the mat. For the first time this evening...perhaps the first time in his career, Peter begins to hear the boos of the crowd. He pauses, looking out...wondering if those are for him. The momentary lapse gives Zybala a chance to roll away. Peter snaps back into it, popping to his feet and going after Mike. His rush leads him into a veteran trap...Zybala rolls forward, right into Peter’s legs. Vaughn falls forward, into the ropes...his forehead hitting the cage! The fans cheer!! Vaughn’s body snaps back, violently, from the cage...he holds his head in pain. Mike reaches for the ropes, using them to return to his feet~
Smith: Mike Zybala using that crafty veteran mind to trip Peter up, literally!
Hood: I guess that’s where that mask comes in handy.
Smith: It certainly helped in that situation.
Hood: You ever think wrestlers with masks look like giant insects?
Smith: I...huh...what?
Hood: I’m just making an observation.
Smith: Please. Focus on the action!
~Thomas, feeling superior, nods and cranks the headlock tighter and tighter. He talks trash, “C’mon, old man! Give it up! Spare yourself the agony!” Lissandra claps her hands and turns to the crowd, trying to get them to cheer Dylan. Instead, they yell out “SHUT UP, WHORE!” She’s super offended. With a heavy roll of the eyes, she turns back to the ring and cheers her husband on. He continues pressuring Outcast’s head. “I’m not letting go! Give it up, old man!” Thomas continues to bully. Outcast may be old, but he’s also wily. Those miles bring experience. He reaches up with his hand and jams a well placed thumb in Dylan’s eye. Thomas releases the hold and reaches for his face. Outcast rolls away and gets to his feet. Lissandra screams from the outside...she points at referee, Puff. Puff points out the steel cage and shrugs~
Smith: Lissandra can cry all she wants but that eye gouge was perfectly legal.
Hood: Fuckin Outcast. He might have blinded Dylan with that eye poke. He was working in fast food a few weeks ago.
Smith: So? That was weeks ago, as you said.
Hood: Yea, but you know he hasn’t washed his hands since. We need to get some water out here...we need to clean Dylan’s eye out!
Smith: Oh be quiet.
~Houston pops to his feet. Canon is down. Meyhu throws his hand up...Ed leaps up, high fiving it. The fans start to boo. Sure, they like Houston...but they aren’t too thrilled with what’s taking place inside Cage 4. Curt tries to get up...Houston quickly suppresses him by running forward and performing a standing shooting star press, crushing Canon back onto the mat. Ed is quickly back on his feet...he backs into a corner and hoists himself up onto the second buckle. Meyhu nods, pointing at Ed, nodding his head. Houston leaps off with double knees into Curt’s midsection!! He tucks and rolls forward, after impact, coming to rest safely on one knee. Canon, meanwhile, writhes around the ring in pain, holding his abdomen. He winds up resting under the bottom rope and against the cage~
Smith: Ugh. Ed is absolutely destroying Curt at this point. I’m not sure Canon can recover.
Hood: He’s old. He didn’t even really want to be here, Smith. Curt should just throw in the towel. Go home and play with his monkey. Oh, wait, I forgot...HIS MONKEY LEFT HIM
Smith: That is unfair, rude, and uncalled for.
Hood: Yea, but it’s also the truth. So what are you gonna do?
~Brim snatches Lux by the head, pulling him off the mat. Standing, he drags Xavier toward one of the cage walls. He stops. His eyes look through the chained link fencing and into Cage 2. Zybala is on his feet, recovering from Vaughn’s offense. Peter remains down. Brim begins shit talking Zybala. Zybala hears him and invites Brim to come over. Brim seems to oblige, reaching for the chained link...however, Lux regains his bearings and throws a couple of stiff body punches into Brim’s kidney area. Brim stumbles into the ropes. He turns, his face contorted by pain and anger. Lux delivers a chop that cuts through the OCW Arena’s atmosphere. Fans woo and wince. Brim leans into the ropes, his meaty back meshing into the cage. Lux throws a kick into Brim’s midsection. Brim doubles over...Lux smacks him with an uppercut. Brim, again, leans back. Xavier charges forward, he grabs Brim by the head and begins to repeatedly slam the back of his head into the cage. This is the first time we get a good shot at Xavier’s bandaged hand...damaged from his assault on Scorpion’s metal bust at the OCW Hall of Fame...a current pile of rubble as a result of conflagration~
Smith: Brim lost his focus when he saw Zybala and Vaughn.
Hood: Yea man, he hates those two. But he’s gotta keep his shit straight. Lux is too dangerous to ignore.
Smith: Indeed...and, as a result, Lux is making him pay.
Hood: Yea, the dude tried to knock out a fifty poundish ball of metal. He won’t have any problem pounding some dude’s face.
Smith: That hand does seem to be tender...hence the bandaging.
Hood: Oh, I’m sure that won’t come into play. Not at all.
~Zybala laughs at Brim as he gets his head smashed into the cage wall. An idea crosses his active imagination. He steps back and gets ready for a SUPERKICK! It looks as though he’s going to superkick the cage right as Lux slams Brim’s head into the fencing...potentially knocking out maybe his biggest threat. Zybala waits. He measures...he moves forward...but Peter Vaughn grabs his leg and trips him up!! Zybala stumbles forward, ripping his leg free. He spins around, spotting Vaughn. More frustrated than pissed (over Vaughn ruining what could have been a very cool spot)...Zybala kicks Vaughn in the side of the head, sending the janitor from all fours, onto his back. He runs into the ropes, hops onto the middle and springboards off with a moonsault, connecting!!! Zybala pops back to his feet! The fans are going wild “ZYBALA!” He plays to the fan support. Vaughn remains down...Zybala stops, looking down at Vaughn. His focus seems to be Peter’s mask~
Smith: The Janitor may have lost faith and respect for Zybala...but not these fans. I think he’s clearly their favorite.
Hood: Which means absolutely dick. If you let these fans book this shit they’d put Canon or Zybala over. They clearly have no idea what the fuck they are doing. MARKS
Smith: I think you are underestimating the knowledge OCW fans possess.
Hood: I think you are overestimating the average IQ of the people sitting in these seats. Which is sad considering you probably think the average IQ in here is in the mid double digits.
~Standing across the ring from one another, Dylan rubs his agitated eye. Outcast rotates his sore neck. Not willing to hesitate any further...the two men move ahead, clashing in the center of the ring. Outcast takes Dylan over with an armdrag! They get up...Outcast again takes Dylan over with an armdrag. Dylan slaps the mat before popping back to his feet...but he’s taken down for a third time with an armdrag!! His body slides across the mat, bumping against the steel cage. He kicks the cage and slaps the mat...a full on tantrum. Outcast returns to his feet and looks down at Thomas. Lissandra screams from the outside. The power couple’s ego has been bruised. Thomas reaches for the middle rope with both hands...he uses it for leverage, kicking his feet up...but Outcast catches them! He’s got Thomas hooked for a swing! He begins to swing Thomas around...we can hear the fans cheering and Lissandra screaming. Finally, perhaps getting dizzy himself, Outcast falls backwards, catapulting Thomas into the steel cage! He hits hard, right in front of Lissandra. He stumbles back, right into a school boy roll up from Outcast. Puff and his giant gut hustles into frame for the count~
1!
2!
KICK OUT!!
Smith: Outcast is out wrestling Dylan Thomas!
Hood: Perfection Personified is looking more like Mediocrity Magnified tonight!
Smith: Hey...some decent alliteration, Hood.
Hood: You saying I can’t fuckin read?
Smith: Nevermind.
~Meyhu claps his hands, “Stay on him!” Houston doesn’t give Canon any time to recover, snatching him up and shoving him into the ropes. He shoots Canon off...Canon hits the opposite ropes and right into a jumping side kick! It smacks Canon directly on the chin...Canon spins around and collapses to the mat. Houston remains on his feet. Meyhu leans back, impressed. Ed flawlessly pulled off one of Meyhu’s trademark moves. THE HUBRIS OF THIS KID. Ed hooks Canon around the waist. He pulls him from the mat. It looks like he’s going for a German Suplex. He looks over his shoulder...the cage door is right behind him. A cruel thought runs across his mind. Meyhu asks Ed if he’s sure he wants to try a suplex. Ed says something like, “Dude, I suplexed a pig. I got this.” Ed deadlifts Curt off the mat and falls back, tossing Curt over his head!! Canon flies through the air and SLAMS into the cage door!! The crowd gasps. The door breaks free! Canon’s body hits on the steel steps, roughly. He remains there, on his back, his head hanging off the bottom step. His feet barely on the apron. A brief “HOLY SHIT” chant makes its first appearance of the night...before fading away when they realize one of their favorites may be dead. Ed sits up...Meyhu extends a hand, helping the former GCWA Champion to his feet~
Smith: Canon is hurt!
Hood: No shit. Is he eliminated?
Smith: The floor, Hood. He has to touch the floor.
Hood: Always a fucking caveat.
~Brim seems close to losing consciousness. His head is taking a beating up against the cage wall. Doesn’t matter how strong a skull some dude has...metal wins every time. Realizing he’s in deep shit...Brim shoves Xavier away, violently. Lux, again, is thrown off by Brim’s power...stumbling into the center of the ring. Brim takes a step forward, staring with hate filled eyes at Xavier. He wobbles...he reaches for the back of his head...he finds blood on his hand. He looks ready to kill Lux...but he can’t. He drops to one knee. Lux runs up and SMACKS Brim in the head with a knee lift! Brim falls over. Lux covers him~
1!
2!
SHOULDER UP
Smith: Brim survives!
Hood: Yea, Xavier Lux almost did everybody in this match, not named Brim, a huge favor.
Smith: Well, Brim’s not out of the woods yet. His head is bleeding...he’s barely conscious and he’s got the son of one of the greatest wrestlers in OCW history looking to put him away.
~Zybala reaches for Vaughn’s mask. He’s trying to remove it! This wakes Peter up. He fights to keep the mask on. Zybala leans in closer, looking for leverage...Peter sits up, quickly, slamming his forehead into Zybala’s mouth/jaw. Zybala stumbles back, holding his mouth. Peter scurries away, getting to his feet. Zybala feels pain and sees a bit of blood from a mouth injury. He shakes his head and, still holding a bit of sorrow for what he’s got to do, lunges forward. Vaughn turns around only to eat a SUPERKICK! From Zybala!! He spins around and hits the mat. Zybala leaps on Vaughn, seeking the pin~
1!
2!
Kick Out!!
Smith: Peter Vaughn kicked out!
Hood: Well, he passed his first real test of the evening.
Smith: Indeed. He survived a flush, on the money Superkick from Mike Zybala.
Hood: Pryde must have given him a really thick mask. Softening the blow.
Smith: I don’t think that had anything to do with it, Hood.
~Zybala looks down on Vaughn. He’s prone. He’s vulnerable. Mike knows what he should do...but he can’t. Or, doesn’t want to. He leaves Vaughn on the mat and heads toward the side of the cage. He looks at Lux pounding the back of Brim’s head into the mat and decides to CLIMB. The fans go wild~
Smith: Zybala is climbing the cage!
Hood: Should have guessed he’d be the first to do something stupid.
Smith: I think he wants to help Lux eliminate Brim from this match.
Hood: Can’t be. That makes too much sense.
Smith: But in doing so...he’s leaving Vaughn behind to recover.
Hood: There’s no room for compassion in OCW, Smith. Zybala should have learned that awhile ago.
~Thomas rolls back after kicking out, into a corner. He gets to one knee and touches his tender forehead. No blood. Outcast is already back on his feet, heading Dylan’s way. Lissandra barks at Thomas to take control. Dylan pops up and throws a clothesline at Outcast...Outcast ducks and hooks Thomas around the waist. Dylan throws a back kick, right into Outcast’s groin!! The crowd BOOOOS. Outcast stumbles back, wincing in pain. Dylan turns around and rakes his hand across Outcast’s face. Outcast turns around, holding his face...Dylan snatches the veteran from behind and hurls him head first into the side of the cage. The BOOOS only increase. Lissandra claps, nodding with approval~
Smith: Dylan Thomas tried to out wrestle Outcast. When it became apparent that out wrestling the vet would be more difficult than he anticipated he, well, he resorted to other tactics.
Hood: So? He’s wrestling smart, Smith. If one route is blocked, you find another. Only a fucking idiot would continue to try and walk through a brick wall.
Smith: True. And those types of moves are legal in this match. Just seems...hypocritical.
Hood: You’re only saying that because Lissandra thinks you’re a nerd.
Smith: She does?!
Hood: Probably.
~Ed starts to go after Curt...but Curt moves. He sits up, holding the back of his head. His movements are slow and apprehensive. Looking around, he notices where he’s at. The door is wide open. The floor resides one, quick leg movement away. He turns and sits up, his back to the ring, staring at the floor. Houston watches. Meyhu folds his arms, “He’s gonna quit.” Ed gives Curt distance...if he’s gonna quit, let him quit. Canon eyes the floor. Slowly he gets to his feet and looks down, hands on his hips. The fans chant “NO! NO!” Canon slowly lifts his right leg, looking to place it on the floor. “NO, CURT, NO!” The fans beg him to stick it out. With his leg up, inches from the floor, he looks out into the crowd...his eyes are full of emotional confusion. He’s truly torn~
Smith: Don’t do it, Curt!
Hood: Give it up!
Smith: That would be a horrible way to potentially end his OCW career.
~Houston is growing impatient. The fans continue to cheer Curt to stay in the match. Houston heads Curt’s way, tired of waiting. He reaches for Curt’s hair...Canon feels him and throws a back elbow! It connects! Houston stumbles back. Canon looks up at the crowd and smiles...their spirits lift. He turns and jumps up, grabbing the top of the opening where the door once resided. He swings forward, wrapping his legs around Ed’s head, spinning around and taking Houston down with a Hurricanrana!!! The fans go wild! “CURT! CURT! CURT!” Canon nips up and stands, proudly...both hands on his hips. HE’S BACK~
Smith: Yes!
Hood: What a drama queen.
Smith: C’mon, Canon!
~Zybala reaches the top of the cage. He looks down at Lux, who slams the back of Brim’s head into the mat once more...he looks up, feeling Zybala’s presence hanging overhead. He stands and backs up, ready for anything. Zybala looks at the crowd. They scream, “DO IT!” Zybala nods and leaps off with a Guillotine Leg Drop!!! He comes all the way down and BAM! He hits it on Brim!! The entire ring shakes!! Brim’s body bounces off the mat a few inches from the impact. All other competitors stop what they are doing and look, given the impact. Even Meyhu...he shakes his head as if to say, “There’s Mike, for ya.” Zybala rolls around, holding his ass in pain. Lux dives in, taking advantage, covering Brim. Scruff slides in~
1!
2!
3...NO!
Smith: What?!
Hood: Brim survived a Guillotine Leg Drop from the top. Holy shit. This man is a fucking monster.
Smith: Yea, but he’s in bad shape and I think Lux and Zybala are probably going to stay on him until he’s eliminated.
Hood: WEAK ASS BOOKING
~Vaughn remains on the mat in Cage 2. He’s beginning to stir. In Cage 3, Thomas rakes Outcast’s scarred forehead into the chain linked fence. He does so until it starts to bleed. Feeling the blood running down his face, Outcast elbows Thomas in the gut...desperate for a reprieve. Thomas stumbles back. Outcast leans over the top rope, gasping for air and feeling around his cut. Dylan recovers...he charges ahead, looking to land both knees in Outcast’s back. Outcast moves! Thomas slams both knees into the cage!!! He tumbles roughly to the mat between the cage and ropes. He holds both knees in pain. Outcast, wiping the blood from his eyes, goes after Dylan, snaring his legs...he focuses on the right...he drops an elbow onto the right knee before locking it and twisting it. Dylan yells out. Lissandra grabs and shakes the cage, trying to do...well, whatever she can from her helpless position~
Smith: Outcast is trying to incapacitate one of Dylan’s legs!
Hood: A one legged man in an ass kicking contest is...well...not a good spot to be in.
Smith: Indeed. It is not.
~In Cage 4, Canon has Houston on his feet. He headbutts Houston, sending the former Paradigm Champion stumbling into a corner. Canon rushes forward and hops on the middle buckle. He holds a MIGHTY FIST in the air...the fans go wild. Canon brings that fist down over and over and over into Ed’s head. Canon dives in and bites at Ed’s head! The fans cheer! Meyhu reaches over, yanking Curt down. The fans BOO. Canon is like “what the fuck, man?” He shoves Meyhu! The crowd gasps. Meyhu looks ready to fight back. Ed jumps in, throwing a wild punch at Curt. But Canon ducks! He hooks Ed around the waist and yells, “So, you like suplexing people?” He hoists Ed up and drops him with a German Suplex! He rotates his hips and does it again and again and again...after Four German Suplexes...he barely makes it to his feet...stumbling around. Ed is folded up, on the canvas~
Smith: Tremendous strength by the Hall of Famer...four straight German Suplexes to his nemesis, Ed Houston.
Hood: Can’t believe Curt tried cheating. Thank goodness we have Meyhu in there to maintain order.
Smith: Don’t get me started on ‘The Marvel’ and his refereeing.
Hood: I understand. He’s so great at it that it would take you all broadcast to sing his praises.
~Houston manages to get out of his uncomfortable position and rest up against a corner. Canon charges forward and lunges ahead with Canon Ball (Corner Cannonball Senton)!!!! Ed is squashed!! Canon pops back to his feet. Houston slumps forward and rolls conveniently near the center of the ring. Curt points at Ed. He points at the top rope...the fans leap to their feet. “THE END IS NEAR” they yell. Curt leaps onto the top buckle with ease. He stands upright. Meyhu, nearby, casually rests against the top rope. Canon loses his balance and is crotched on the top rope. The fans BOOOOO. Meyhu looks around as if to say, “What? What happened?”~
Smith: Oh come on!
Hood: Yep. Curt’s getting old. He can’t balance on the top rope anymore.
Smith: Bee-ess! Meyhu caused him to lose his balance! This is totally unfair!
Hood: Sure. Blame the most talented man in OCW history. You’re always on the wrong side of history, Smith.
~Houston returns to his feet. He looks around and spots Canon leaning forward on the top buckle, wincing in pain. He looks at Meyhu. Meyhu shrugs. Something seems off to Ed. But opportunity awaits...so he takes advantage, running ahead and leaping up, smacking Curt in the head with a Shining Wizard!!! Curt falls off the top, tumbling to the mat, landing on his back. Houston, back on his feet, grabs both ropes and hoists his body up to the top rope. Meyhu stands back. Ed Houston stares at Curt...one of the biggest rivals of his career. Houston leaps off and soars through the air...he comes down, right on top of Canon with Blastoff (Shooting Star Press)!!!! The ring shakes with impact. Houston covers Curt, hooking both legs. Meyhu slides in~
1!
2!
3!!!!
~The crowd gasps. The other wrestlers (who aren’t unconscious or in pain) stop and look, taking note of the elimination. Houston pops to his feet, pumping his fist, fired up. Meyhu pats him on the back. The crowd, however, is booing. Meyhu grabs Canon by the arm and drags him toward the opened door. He then shoves Canon out of the ring and to the floor with his left foot. More boos from the crowd~
Belvedere: Ladies and Gentlemen...Curt Canon has been eliminated.
Smith: Son of a…
Hood: Well, you know who’s gonna get blamed for this one.
Smith: Meyhu?
Hood: James Vorex. He should have left Curt at home. Instead he drugged him and drove him to Key West only so he could be the first guy eliminated in this match.
Smith: I’m sick. This wasn’t how Curt’s return was supposed to go.
Hood: Hey, somebody had to be the first one eliminated. Sucks. But that’s life.
~Meyhu points out the three rings to Ed. They see Outcast trying to destroy Dylan’s knee. They see Lux and Zybala stomping on Brim. Then they see Peter Vaughn sitting in a corner, recovering from a Zybala superkick. Meyhu points at that ring, “I’d go there.” Houston contemplates but turns toward Cage 3. He begins to climb. Meyhu doesn’t get it but, whatever. He remains in Cage 4, watching the action~
Smith: Ed’s not going to take advantage of Vaughn’s predicament in Cage 2. He’s heading for Cage 3...he’s heading for Outcast and Dylan Thomas.
Hood: Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. This is why you’ll never be a Marvel, Ed!
Smith: I think he sees an opportunity to help Outcast eliminate Dylan Thomas.
Hood: Well then he’s fuckin blind. The ONLY opportunity right now is Peter Vaughn. Eliminate his useless ass and chill in that cage while the others tear themselves apart.
Smith: It does seem like people are underestimating Vaughn right now.
Hood: I guess they figure they can just eliminate him whenever. But you let a wound fester long enough and you’ll pay.
~Houston reaches the top of the cage. He looks down at Outcast and Thomas. Outcast stares up, wiping blood from his eyes. That scar tissue leaks pretty heavily. Houston and Outcast share a ‘moment’. Outcast nods and releases Thomas’ leg. He stands and grabs Thomas’ right leg. He holds it out. Houston jumps off the top of the cage. Lissandra screams, “NOOOO!” Ed comes down with an elbow right across Dylan’s knee!!! Dylan writhes around, slapping the mat with his hands. He grasps at his knee. Houston kick slides back into a corner, holding his elbow in pain. Outcast wipes some blood from his face and flicks it at Lissandra. She stumbles back, nearly falling over the railing and into the crowd. Her face stained by the old man’s blood~
Smith: Lissandra won’t like that.
Hood: I think she’s having the worst night of everyone, to be honest. Well, aside from Curt.
Smith: It certainly isn’t going her way.
~Zybala and Lux seem to be working together...kinda. Lux is far less enthusiastic about it than Zybala. But their goal is a common one: Get Rid of Brim. Zybala asks Lux if he can do a Superkick. Xavier just looks back at Zybala as though he’s an idiot. Mike reaches down, grabbing Brim by the hair. Xavier joins in. They stand Brim up. He’s wobbly. They back up and charge forward with Superkicks...but Brim ducks!!! Brim stumbles forward. Lux and Zybala lose their balance. They turn around, quickly. Brim does the same and grabs them both by the throat! Lux and Zybala respond by kicking at Brim’s legs. He loses his grip. He lunges at them for a double clothesline. Lux and Zybala duck and hit the ropes. Brim hits the ropes. They all bounce off...a collision is coming in the center of the ring. Brim barrels through both Lux and Zybala with a double spear!!! The crowd pops for the move! Zybala and Lux roll around, holding their midsections in pain. Brim, on his knees, rubs the back of his cut, bleeding head. Most of the blood being absorbed by his hair~
Smith: Well, that backfired.
Hood: Lux is going to learn. You never, ever, listen to Mike Zybala.
~Outcast is relentless, grabbing Thomas by the leg. He uses his free hand to yank Dylan to his feet. He then spins back to the mat, tearing Dylan’s knee up with a Dragon Screw LegWhip. Thomas yells out, holding his knee in pain...he’s nearly in the fetal position. Ed pulls himself up and charges forward, stomping the crap out of Dylan’s knee. He stomps again and again. Lissandra runs for the door, trying to get into the ring...but it’s locked. She can’t open it to try and do...whatever she can to help her husband~
Smith: This is an all-out assault.
Hood: Yep and there’s no Lord Allton or Dave Branson to help him.
Smith: He’s not very well liked, is he?
Hood: That’s what happens when you’re the envy of the entire wrestling profession.
Smith: I seriously doubt that’s the cause.
~In Cage 2, Peter Vaughn is standing. He looks at Cage 3. Nothing interests him. He looks in Cage 1 and finds Zybala and Lux both down with Brim on his knees. He heads that way. He feels around his mask...perhaps retrieving inspiration from his mentor...the high-flying Pryde. He begins to scale the cage. Meanwhile, inside Cage 1, Brim finishes assessing the damage. He goes after Zybala. He gets his giant hands around Zybala’s neck. Zybala looks up. The wind leaving his lungs. Brim’s eyes suggest he may very well end Zybala’s life. Xavier stands...he hustles forward, delivering an Enziguri to the side of Brim’s head!!! Brim lets Zybala go and falls over. Zybala coughs and rubs his irritated throat. He gets to his feet and extends a hand, thanking Xavier. Xavier slaps it away...the impact spins Zybala around. Lux picks him up, spins toward the center of the ring and drops him with a Blue Thunder Bomb!! Xavier holds on for the pin...Scruff slides in~
1!
2!
KICK OUT!
Smith: Zybala survives!
Hood: I think Xavier has had enough of Mike.
Smith: I’m not sure Xavier really wanted to team with anyone, to be honest. He just saw an advantageous situation.
Hood: Yep, too bad he didn’t realize who he was dealing with.
Smith: The power of Brim?
Hood: The incompetence of Zybala.
~Vaughn, seeing Zybala nearly get pinned, begins to climb faster. If anybody is going to pin Mikey Z, it’s gonna be him. Our view quickly cuts upon hearing the fans react to something at the top of the ramp. It’s Curt Canon. Holding his head, covered in sweat, disappointed with defeat. The fans take a moment to pause and stand, giving him a huge ovation. He stops, right in front of the curtain and turns around, waving at the fans and thanking them for all their support throughout the years. His eyes look emotional. He nods, turns around and exits through the curtain~
Smith: Is this the end for Curt Canon?
Hood: Kinda feels that way.
Smith: If it is...thanks for everything, Curt. You are and were truly one of the most memorable wrestlers...one of the most influential wrestlers...one of the best wrestlers in OCW history.
Hood: Truth.
~Vaughn reaches the top of the cage. He looks down. He’s trying to get a clear shot on Zybala. Lux, however, is in his way, he’s got a foot pressed into Zybala’s throat. Vaughn shows patience. His goal is clear – get Zybala. Xavier pulls Zybala to his feet...Mikey Z suddenly shows the resiliency we’ve all come to know. He shoves Lux back and thrusts forward with a SUPERKICK! It isn’t flush...but it’s enough to send Lux stumbling into a corner. Zybala bends over, hands on his knees. He thinks he’s got a moment...but, in reality, he’s fucked. Vaughn has a free shot. The Janitor leaps off with a SUPER HIGH CROSS BODY. The fans scream. ‘LOOK OUT!’ Zybala looks up just in time...Vaughn crashes down on top of him!! They hit the mat...but Vaughn’s momentum sends them tumbling with Zybala on top! The wily veteran hooks both of Peter’s legs and Scruff slides in for the pin~
1!
2!
3!
NO!!!
~Brim suddenly yanks Zybala off of Vaughn. He tosses Mike over his shoulder before sliding him into position. He leaps into the air and drops Zybala with Crackin’ Necks (Back to Belly Piledriver)!!! He sits out! Zybala’s head and neck are crushed. He holds onto Mike’s legs. Scruff slides in~
1!
2!
3!!!!
~Again, the fans boo. Their OTHER favorite has been eliminated. Brim gets up. Zybala remains on the mat. Vaughn, witnessing Zybala’s elimination, begins to shake with rage. The door, which is next to him, is unlocked...for Zybala’s exit. Vaughn reaches his feet...he grabs Mike and throws him through the ropes and to the floor. Zybala tumbles terribly...slamming into the barricade. The fans yell and scream, giving Peter Vaughn the middle finger. He doesn’t react. Instead, he turns to Brim...seething~
Belvedere: Ladies and Gentlemen...Mike Zybala has been eliminated.
Smith: Dang it!
Hood: Oh man, Vaughn is pissed.
Smith: Why? He’s outlasted Zybala.
Hood: Yea, but he wanted to be the one to eliminate Zybala. Brim stole that from him.
~Outcast and Houston turn and watch as Zybala is eliminated. That’s two down. Both men realize they are two eliminations away from gold. They turn and look at the injured Dylan Thomas. “One away” they think to themselves. Back in Cage 1, Vaughn leaps on Brim’s back. He tries to hook a sleeper...but Brim slings him over his head, down onto the mat. Vaughn lands on his ass, hard. Brim kicks him in the back as hard as he can. Vaughn arches his back in pain. Brim loses focus on Lux. Lux hops onto the middle buckle and leaps off with headscissors! He sends Brim tumbling forward, through the ropes...his head banging against the cage. Vaughn manages to crawl ahead and pull himself up. He sees the two strong, menacing men in the ring with him. He turns and sees an injured Dylan Thomas, the old Outcast, and the similarly sized Ed Houston. Showing he’s something of a pragmatist...Vaughn climbs the corner of the cage, heading toward the center of all this action. The middle of a metal ‘X’. He reaches the top. He looks down at Meyhu who is admiring his lime shirt. He then looks down at Cage 3. Outcast and Ed aren’t paying attention. Vaughn leaps off, once again! The crowd rises. He comes crashing down on both Outcast and Ed Houston with another SUPER HIGH CROSS BODY!! He squashes them both into the mat, front first. Meyhu turns, upon hearing the impact. He sees Ed down and shakes his head~
Smith: Peter Vaughn is proving to be the true high flyer in there!
Hood: I mean, I guess. He’s just jumping off of the top of the cage over and over.
Smith: It’s working.
Hood: I’ll give the fucking Janitor this much...he was smart to get away from Brim and Lux.
~Vaughn rolls into a corner, holding his midsection in pain. Ed and Outcast remain down. Thomas slides into a corner of his own where he’s able to hold and rub and protect his right knee. Lissandra consoles him from the outside...she gives him words of encouragement and advice. Meanwhile, in Cage 1, Brim is hanging over the middle rope...his arms and head draped across. Lux jams his knee into Brim’s back, pressuring his throat against the rope. Back in Cage 3, Vaughn returns to his feet. He stands over Outcast and Ed...he begins stomping on both men. One, then the other. Thomas sees this and looks at his knee. He then looks over at Lux and Brim and he decides to stand and climb the cage~
Smith: Wait a minute...where is HE going?
Hood: You think Lissandra told him to pack it in? Live to fight another day?
Smith: I doubt it. I think she wants that OCW Title as badly as he does.
Hood: Well he sure as shit better not be trying to jump off anything with one good leg.
~Thomas slowly climbs. Nobody is really paying him any attention. So, the climb is a safe one. He reaches the top and takes a seat...his legs danging over the edge. While up there, he begins working on his knee...stretching it, rubbing it...he’s obviously up there to buy some more time, hoping that he can get his right knee back close to 100%. Meanwhile, in Cage 3 Vaughn has Outcast on his feet, backed into a corner. He pulls Ed up and whips him into Outcast! Houston hits hard. Vaughn measures them up and sprints forward...he flies in with a HUGE splash!! Both men are squashed. Houston falls forward, rolling out of view. Outcast remains in the corner, slouched. Vaughn straightens him up and unloads some impressive right hands into Outcast’s already bloodied face~
Smith: Peter Vaughn is kicking it into gear.
Hood: I think Zybala being eliminated might have helped him. Now he can spread that intensity out onto all the other wrestlers.
Smith: He’s gonna have to do that if he wants to win.
Hood: Yea but, man...Peter fucking Vaughn as OCW Champion after our initial return show...that can’t be a great sign.
Smith: Why not? He would have earned it.
Hood: If it happens you can bet your ass OCW will start taking applications. Immediately.
~Houston returns to his feet. He’s a bit wobbly. He sees Vaughn slugging Outcast. Ed rushes ahead and leaps off, nailing Vaughn in the back of the head with Houston We Have a Problem (Superkick!). Vaughn’s head snaps forward and hits Outcast’s head with a sickening thud. Both men fall to the mat. Houston tries covering Vaughn. Puff hits the mat for the count~
1!
2!
Kick Out!!
Smith: So close!
Hood: The hell is the Janitor doing kicking out of all these superkicks?
Smith: He’s proving to be tougher than anybody gave him credit for.
~Ed wants to cover Outcast...but he’s already moving around. So, it’s too late. Frustrated, he looks around...he spots Dylan Thomas resting on top of the cage. Ed has an “aw hell no” look on his face. He heads that way, gripping the fencing and climbing up. Dylan’s face shows concern. Ed nears the top. Dylan tries to kick him down. Ed grabs Dylan’s right leg and slings it into the cage...the back of his knee hits the metal and he yells out, grabbing the wounded appendage. This gives Ed time to join him on top of the cage~
Smith: Ed Houston has reached the top of the cage...alongside Dylan Thomas.
Hood: Dylan, We Have a Problem.
Smith: This seems like a good time to remind people that if you exit the cage in any manner, hitting the floor, you are eliminated.
~Houston snags Dylan’s right leg...they’re standing on top of the sides of Cage 2 and Cage 3. Ed kicks the back of Dylan’s knee...he then flips Dylan over, gingerly...keeping both men on top and he locks in Countdown (Ankle Lock)!!! It’s focused on the right ankle...but also the right knee. Dylan yells out in pain, reaching for something...anything. But there’s nothing to hold on to. Lissandra looks up, hands covering her mouth with anxiety. Meanwhile, in Cage 1...Lux ceases with the pressure to the back of Brim’s neck. He takes a few steps back before charging forward and crashing a boot into the back of Brim’s head!! The impact sends Brim face first into the cage! He immediately whips his body backward, violently, holding his face in pain. Lux slowly slides his boot off of the middle rope and looks at the bottom...it’s stained with the blood from the back of Brim’s head~
Smith: Xavier Lux is in total control over Brim right now.
Hood: He’d better quit admiring his work and stay on that big ass mother fucker.
Smith: Brim has shown to be pretty resilient.
Hood: Yea, well, Brim survived prison. Xavier survived NLW. Come to think of it...I’m not sure what’s worse.
Smith: Stop.
~Dylan is in tremendous pain. Finally, he begins to tap out on top of the cage. Only problem is...there isn’t a ref to see it. Gruff is chilling in Cage 2. Scruff is watching Lux and Brim. Meyhu is busy talking to a few female fans in the front row, showing off his lime shirt. Puff is busy watching the action in Cage 3. Lissandra can’t take anymore...she begins to climb the side of the cage. The crowd rises with excitement~
Smith: This...might be a mistake.
Hood: What a woman...she can’t stand back and watch her man take anymore punishment. It’s time for her to act!
Smith: I don’t think she realizes how high up that platform is.
~Lissandra reaches the top. She climbs onto the top and manages to wrap her legs inside the metal beams that comprise the thicker, top portion of the cage. This gives her a strong base. She leans forward and grabs Dylan’s hand, preventing him from tapping. He looks at her...she looks at him. Houston twists and twists. Lissandra and Dylan lock hands...Dylan, with his free hand, pushes up...using all the strength he has left...he tucks and rolls forward!!! Houston is tossed ahead! Dylan nearly goes over...but Lissandra’s base and their locked hands keep him at the edge. Houston does go over...but he manages to grab the edge of the cage...displaying tremendous strength he hangs on the edge, facing the crowd. His legs dangle~
Smith: Ed Houston is on the brink of elimination!
Hood: Every wrestler should marry a woman like Lissandra.
Smith: Don’t get me started on that woman.
~The fans in the OCW Arena hold their breath. Ed tries to hang on. Dylan uses his left leg to kick at Ed. It’s not doing much. Lissandra reaches to her back, left and scrapes her nails across Ed’s face!!! Houston lets go!! He falls to the outside and hits hard!! The fans BOOOO. Lissandra and Dylan embrace at the top of the cage...sharing a moment of brief triumph~
Belvedere: Ladies and Gentlemen...Ed Houston has been eliminated.
Smith: No! Dang it! That isn’t fair!
Hood: Hey, it isn’t against the rules.
Smith: Dylan Thomas tapped out. Nobody saw it. He should be out.
Hood: If nobody sees it then it never happened. Besides, I don’t think Dylan was tapping out, I think he was sending morse code to Lissandra, instructing her to climb up there and help him.
Smith: Yea, sure.
~Back inside Cage 3, Outcast has taken advantage of Peter Vaughn. We get a quick replay...while the crowd is gawking at Ed hanging from the cage, we see Peter Vaughn rush in a little too recklessly at Outcast, only to get kicked in the gut, hoisted up and dropped with a Gut Wrench Suplex. Back in real time, we see Outcast suffocating Vaughn with a front face lock. As he does this...Zybala walks by...he’s high fiving fans, even though he’s clearly disappointed. While walking by the cage, Outcast laughs. Zybala stops and looks Outcast’s way. “You think this is funny?” he asks. Outcast nods in the affirmative. “Okay, okay,” Zybala replies, leaving the ring with a renewed purpose. What that purpose is...we’ll have to find out. Back on top of the cage, Lissandra is massaging and working on her husband’s leg~
Smith: Can somebody get her down from there? Please!
Hood: What, and get her next to that evil Ed Houston? I bet you’d like to see him beat on a defenseless woman, wouldn’t you?
Smith: Oh give me a break
~Finally, Meyhu is told that Ed was eliminated. He hops out of Cage 4 and heads over to find Ed laid out at ringside. Meyhu drops to one knee, checking on his friend. Back in Cage 1, Lux has Brim wobbling in the center of the ring. Brim is now bleeding from the front of his head. Lux rakes away at the cut on his forehead. Brim shakes his head and staggers. Lux grabs the big man’s huge arm and whips him into a corner. Brim hits HARD. He stumbles forward...Lux leaps into the air with a picture perfect dropkick!!! Brim staggers back into the corner. Lux pops to his feet and moves with a focus~
Smith: Xavier Lux just hit Brim with the combination he dubs The Toxin.
Hood: Ah shit. The big man is about to go down.
Smith: Indeed...Lux is now looking to hit The Cure.
Hood: We’re one elimination away from securing a championship, right?
Smith: Yes we are.
~Lux heads for the corner...and for Brim. He leans to his side, looking to lift Brim onto his shoulders. It’s been a long match and Xavier’s stamina has taken a hit. He struggles getting Brim up. But, he finally does...Xavier staggers toward the center of the ring. The mood in the OCW Arena builds with anticipation. Can he get Brim over? He begins to try...but Brim starts to shake and fight...he’s studied up, he knows what Lux intends to do. Lux stumbles, a bit. Brim elbows Xavier in the side of the head. He shakes and moves around, as violently as he can. Finally, Lux loses his footing and he falls forward with Brim on top of him. The big man has, once again, averted disaster. Brim rolls off of Lux and onto his back, staring up at the lights, gasping for air. His head seems to be leaking blood from all over~
Smith: Great awareness by Brim. Xavier Lux was about to put him away.
Hood: These two have been after each other since the start.
Smith: Yep. Neither man has left their cage.
~Outside, we spot Ed being consoled by Meyhu. Houston, limping, exits the ringside area. The fans give him a big, standing ovation. The Rocketman heads up the ramp...he reaches the top and waves to the fans before exiting...he, much like Curt, looks extremely disappointed in how the night went. Meyhu remains at ringside, talking with the fans...telling them stories about how many matches he won and how he’d win this match if he were in it. Back in Cage 3...Vaughn looks like he’s just about knocked-out from the front face lock. Atop the cage, Lissandra finishes massaging Dylan’s knee. She asks if he’s okay. He says he is. She looks down and sees an advantageous situation. She leans in and gives him a kiss before heading back to the floor. Dylan is fired up. Outcast suddenly releases the front face lock, hooks Vaughn and flips him over with a Snap Suplex!!! Vaughn hits hard! Dylan heads down...he moves with surprising ease. He gets onto the top buckle before dropping onto the mat. Outcast’s back is facing him. He doesn’t feel or sense Dylan’s presence. Instead, he pulls Vaughn off the mat and boots him in the gut. He hooks Vaughn by the waist~
Smith: Outcast is looking to drop Vaughn with Burnout!
Hood: Yea, but Dylan Thomas is standing right behind him.
Smith: You think he’s gonna let Outcast pin Vaughn?
Hood: I mean, I would. Then again, Outcast is a bigger threat than Vaughn...in my opinion, anyway.
Smith: People have to quit overlooking Peter Vaughn. He’s already survived three eliminations.
~Thomas does not allow Outcast the opportunity to execute Burnout. He runs up and knees Outcast in the back with his right knee. Dylan’s face contorts. It’s clear that hurt. Outcast releases Vaughn and stumbles in a corner. Vaughn drops to the mat and rolls out of the way. Dylan fights through the discomfort, spinning Outcast around and knife edge chopping the hell out of his chest. Thomas rakes away at Outcast’s face. He gets some blood on his hands. Lissandra cheers him on. Outcast stumbles forward. Dylan backs up...with a slight limp. He straightens Outcast up and slugs him across the face. He then knees Outcast in the gut before grabbing Outcast by the head and slamming him down onto the mat. Outcast is down. Thomas grabs both of Outcast’s legs and uses them for leverage, leaping into the air and hitting Outcast with a Senton Leg Drop!! He connects!! However, he does so with his right leg. He instantly reaches for it. Lissandra quiets with concern. Thomas uses the ropes to pull to his feet...he’s limping quite severely. His back faces most of the ring. He turns to fight through the pain and work toward championship glory...as he does, Peter Vaughn pops up and rolls him into a small package!! Puff drops down and makes the count~
1!
2!
3!!!!
~Dylan Thomas tries to kick out...but there isn’t enough strength in his right leg. Peter Vaughn lets go and rolls away, sitting in a corner, staring at Thomas. Thomas falls to his side, holding his right leg. The pain overwhelms the disappointment. Lissandra rushes to the door, screaming for the OCW employees to get it opened~
Belvedere: Ladies and Gentlemen...Dylan Thomas has been eliminated.
Smith: Tough spot for Dylan Thomas. That knee injury prevented him from ever getting some momentum in this match.
Hood: Yea, these jealous assholes took out his right leg because they knew that with two good legs he’d have won...easily.
Smith: Well, I’m not sure I agree with that.
~The door opens and Lissandra reaches into the ring and grabs her husband’s arm. He feels her touch and responds, rolling in that direction and out of the ring. He puts his arm around her as she helps him to the back. The fans don’t really like Thomas but they aren’t exactly gonna boo a man while he’s down and hurt. Some amount of respect has been earned watching this warrior fight through the pain. He limps up the aisle and to the back. We are now down to four~
Smith: And we’ve reached the Championship Level of this match. Every competitor remaining will exit with gold.
Hood: I mean, half the field receiving gold seems excessive. But given what I’ve seen, it was extremely fucking hard to get to this level.
Smith: Indeed
~Outcast rolls into a corner to recover. Vaughn is on his feet...he looks at Outcast. He looks into Cage 1. Brim is resting. Lux has found a seat in a safe corner, catching his breath. It hits all four competitors...they’ve made it this far. But, they’ve got quite a ways to go. For a moment frozen in time, all four men take a breath to gather their wits and prepare for the home stretch. Meyhu, on the outside (hey, he’s easy to spot with that lime shirt) paces around the cages, taking in the action with the best ‘seat’ in the house. Vaughn, the only one on his feet, turns to Outcast. He charges forward, looking for a double knee stomp...but Outcast moves!! Vaughn slams both knees into the bottom buckle~
Smith: Peter Vaughn has improved a lot...but he still seems to be working to acquire elite in-ring awareness.
Hood: It’s one thing to work in Emilio’s backyard. It’s another thing to work in a venue like this...against wrestlers of this quality.
Smith: That’s the truth.
~Brim pops up. Xavier Lux does the same. Again, these two go at each other...it’s like they’re forced to battle forever. Before either can land a blow...Brim reaches around his head, collecting some blood and he flings it into Xavier’s eyes!! Xavier is stunned. Brim smacks Xavier with a roundhouse kick! The fans are awed by his agility. Xavier is staggered. Brim kicks him in the gut, lifts him up and SLAMS him into the mat with a powerbomb. Brim pauses...he looks over his shoulder to find Peter Vaughn struggling against Outcast. Brim tastes some of the blood running down his face. He spits it into the mat and heads their way. The fans are like “OH SHIT” as the big man begins to climb~
Smith: I think Brim wants a divorce from Xavier Lux.
Hood: Irreconcilable differences, probably.
Smith: More accurately...he wants to get his hands on Peter Vaughn.
Hood: So he’s a cheater. Infidelity is what you’re saying?
Smith: I’m not saying that! I’m saying Brim wants to end Peter Vaughn!
Hood: These grudges, man. He’s already pinned Zybala. Can he pin Vaughn, too?
Smith: Maybe...or maybe this tunnel vision costs him the OCW Title.
~Brim reaches the top of the cages...he stands on that center...that ‘X’. The cages are pretty damn sturdy. He looks down. It’s a tremendous sight. Will he jump? He ain’t that crazy. He climbs down, coming to rest on the top rope. Outcast turns, he spots Brim looking down on him. Vaughn struggles to his feet, standing next to Outcast. Brim leaps off with a Senton!! He lands on both men, taking them down!!! And while it may not have been from the top of the cage, a man that size leaping off the top rope is pretty impressive. The fans chant ‘HOLY SHIT!’ Brim’s momentum takes him rolling into a corner. Vaughn and Outcast are down. Meyhu stands outside the cage, leaning back, impressed and also thinking “Glad I didn’t have to take that move.”~
Smith: What athleticism by Brim! This guy has everything, Hood.
Hood: Fucking right he does. I’m telling you...he not only could win this match...but he might be the favorite.
Smith: I think we’ve all been overlooking him. That much is clear.
~Brim fires back to his feet with cat like quickness. Spinning around he eyes both Outcast and Vaughn. He yanks Outcast off the mat and tosses him, with ease, into the side of the cage. Outcast gets wrecked. Brim grabs Vaughn by the hair. Peter tries to small package him...but Brim ain’t moving. Instead, he clobbers Vaughn in the back with the heaviest forearm Vaughn has ever felt. Vaughn crumbles to the mat, reaching for his back. Brim leaps up and double stomps Peter into the mat with both feet. The fans wince. This is turning into assault~
Smith: Brim’s got his hands on Peter Vaughn and, well, it isn’t pretty.
Hood: I’m sure it’s pretty to Byson. And Duce...wherever he is. And Krayzie.
Smith: Peter Vaughn is at a complete disadvantage...he’s experiencing a level of competition without much experience. Whereas the rest of these competitors are battle tested.
Hood: And, yet, the fucking janitor may still walk out OCW Champion.
~Brim shoves Vaughn onto his back and he places his hands onto Peter’s shoulders, pinning him to the mat. He tries to eliminate Vaughn via pure strength. Puff drops to the mat to count~
1!