MWL Redline - November 28, 2007
"Stevan, I'm going into a one-on-one match with Panzer. PANZER!" Jim shouted. "I'm about as prepared as you'd be."
"Well, last week, we saw David Hitz defeat Anthony Jacobs in a tournament quarter-final. What are your thoughts on that?" Stevan continued.
"David beat AJ? It was a fluke. AJ's way too vicious for his own good. I swear, I don't like the guy, but something tells me he'll be a champion." Jim answered. "But hell, I s'pose if David can beat AJ, I can take on Panzer."
"So, then--" Stevan began.
"Shut up." Jim interrupted. "Come on, Amy. We're going to the ring."
* * *
"But Michael, why do I have to call the match?!" Shane demanded, as he and Michael entered his office. Michael then proceeded to sit in his chair before speaking.
"Because, Shane, I have more important things to do than call a quarter-final rematch." Michael answered, flipping through his papers. "Now, who are we going to give the title shot tonight?"
"Well, I think Martel's proven himself worthy of a shot, lately." Shane muttered, peeking at Michael's papers.
"Yeah, I suppose. I just don't think it'll go over well, since I'm double-booking him, tonight..." Michael sighed.
"Oh, yeah. That might get him a bit miffed..." Shane answered with a laugh.
* * *
The symbol of The X flashed on the titantron, as the image faded to the six members of the rapidly growing group. Melissa was hugging Yugo's arm as SYN and the Norton Brothers stood to the left and right of them, respectively. "Count yourselves lucky we weren't given a match tonight, MWL! Had we been given the opportunity, we'd be tearing you all apart!"
Melissa chuckled, donning a twisted smirk. "Don't worry, Yugo. It's just a matter of time, before we hold all the titles." Yugo laughed in reply.
"That's true, that's true!" Yugo snickered. "We've held the MWL World Heavyweight Championship since Domination, when I beat Kairez. We only lost the tag titles at Uprising. We'll get them back at Dead Heat..."
"Seiryu, Kouryuu, listen closely, and listen well. At Dead Heat, SYN will take the MWL World Tag Team Championship back from you. And then, it'll just be a matter of time until we tear your whole group apart and stand victoriously over your broken bodies. Including that monster, Genbu." Lino growled.
"The games have begun, gentlemen. It's only a matter of time, but you WILL be broken." Yugo cackled, raising one hand as the feed cut off.
Match 1: North American Championship Tournament Quarter-final - Jim Norris v. Panzer
As Jim Norris rolled out of the ring, Amy Kaldahl walked over to him and handed him his MWL World Lightweight Championship, as Panzer stood in the ring, celebrating his advancement to the semi-finals. In the midst of the celebration, Anthony Jacobs came charging to the ring. AJ slid in, approaching Panzer from behind, who was still unaware of AJ's presence. AJ quickly struck Panzer in the back of the head, knocking him down. Panzer gripped his head in pain as AJ slid out of the ring and grabbed a chair. He tossed the chair in and stepped back into the ring, grabbing the chair and lifting it high over head before slamming it down on Panzer's skull.
AJ grabbed Panzer by the head and started to pull him up, as Nicholas Hunter appeared on the stage, making his way toward the ring. As Nicholas slid in, AJ slumped Panzer into the corner, and blasted him in the head with another chairshot. Nicholas approached Panzer in the corner, and turned him around before placing him on the top rope, climbing up, as well. Nicholas wrapped his arm around Panzer's head, and lifted him over and hit the Fox Arc from the top rope.
AJ smirked, lifting Panzer up and tossing him into the turnbuckle before dropping the steel chair on the mat. AJ returned to Panzer, lifted him to the top rope, turned around, and his The Fall, onto the chair. AJ and Nicholas backed away, as Panzer's blood flowed onto the chair. As the two looked on, pride on their faces, Michael Jamborgh appeared on the stage.
"Alright, since you all seem so intent on causing so much damage, I suppose I should let you know right now that the title match is for the MWL World Lightweight Championship!" Michael announced. Jim Norris forced himself to his feet in anger, and stumbled over to grab a microphone, slumping against the ring apron.
"Michael, I'm in no shape to have another match!" Jim shouted.
"Then, I suggest you find somebody to defend the title for you. But if they lose, Jimmy, that title is leaving Free Radical!" Michael announced. With that, he made his exit, as AJ and Free Radical headed for the backstage area, Jim Norris leaning on Amy Kaldahl and Nicholas Hunter.
* * *
"Hello, Stevan Corber here, with the man who has been given a chance at winning the MWL World Lightweight Championship tonight, Christopher Martel." Stevan announced. "Chris, how do you feel about your title shot tonight?"
"Stevan, how do you think I feel? I have no idea who my shot is against! I don't know if Norris'll get another Free Radical temp like he did with Scott Froelich in that match before Domination, or if he'll use Nicholas Hunter, or if he'll manage to get Genbu for the night! I have no idea at all!" Christopher shouted. "But am I worried? Not really. Whoever he'll get, I'll beat, and I'll walk out the new MWL World Lightweight Champion." Chris stated.
"Alright, thank you, Chris. David Hitz and Anthony Jacobs have their rematch from last week, NEXT!" Stevan announced.
Match 2: Guest Referee - Shane Warner: Anthony Jacobs v. David Hitz
The trio of Free Radical stood in line in the cafeteria, as Jim Norris stood, holding his ribs, the MWL World Lightweight Championship belt slung over his shoulder.
"How're you feeling, Jimmy?" Nicholas asked.
"How am I feeling? Nick, I got destroyed by Panzer! I feel like hell!" Jim shouted.
"Alright, alright, don't go all nuts on me!" Nicholas replied.
"What else am I supposed to do...?" Jim sighed. "The title is supposed to be on the line tonight, and I still don't have a replacement..."
"Hey, isn't that Melissa? Yugo's manager?" Nicholas asked, seeing her walk by alone.
"Holy...!" Jim began, starting to drool. "Who-hoa, mama!" With that, the MWL World Lightweight Championship belt slid off of his shoulder, as he limped after her. "Ow. Ow. Ow. Ow. Ow. Ow. Ow. Ow..." Jim continued, as Nicholas looked at the belt at his feet. Nicholas looked around, with shifty eyes, before bending over, grabbing the title, and slinging it over his own shoulder. Nicholas proceeded to giggle to himself, patting the center plate of the belt.
* * *
"Well, Michael, what's the plan, then?" Shane asked.
"For the tournament? I have no idea. After the beating Panzer took, I can't imagine he's in any shape to compete for a while. But AJ and Nicholas beating him down like that wasn't exactly at Jimmy's command, so...I'm at a loss, here..." Michael sighed, rubbing his temples.
"Well, I've got an idea, Mike..." Shane smirked.
"First, don't ever call me 'Mike' again. Now, what is this 'idea' of yours?" Michael asked, looking to Mr. Reality.
"Well..." Shane grinned.
Main Event: MWL World Lightweight Championship - (C) Nicholas Hunter (replacing Jim Norris) v. Christopher Martel
Nicholas Hunter approached the cameraman after the match, the MWL World Lightweight Championship in his hand. "This belt won't be leaving Free Radical for a long time, you hear me?!" With that, Amy Kaldahl appeared on the stage, escorting the still limping Jim Norris to the ring. As the trio celebrated at ringside, Michael Jamborgh appeared on the stage, microphone in hand.
"Well, we've come to a decision concerning the quarter-final match earlier tonight. Since I received word from the trainers that Panzer was given a concussion by AJ tonight, he has been removed from the tournament for his own well-being." Michael began. "To that end, since you, Jim Norris, were his opponent, you will be taking his place in the semi-finals, but I'll give you a chance to duck out, and here's why..." The trio of Free Radical all listened intently, as Michael continued. "Since your semi-final will be a match against David Hitz, that championship, your championship, the MWL World Lightweight Championship, will be on the line. That also means that, rather than being the opening bout that week, you two will be the main event! Now, Jim Norris, what do you say? Will you compete, or submit your standing?"
Nicholas Hunter grabbed a microphone from ringside and held it up for Jim. "Michael, you should know by now I NEVER back down from a match! You're on!" Michael looked on, nodding, before turning and making his exit.