MWL Dead Heat - December 16, 2007
After a moment, Chance made his way onto the stage behind Michael and Shane, look at the two.
"Well, since we're all out here, demanding matches, and whatnot..." Chance began. "...I want a shot, one-on-one with Genbu, for the MWL-CAW Championship!"
"Alright." Michael shrugged.
The Asian Persuasion vs. The Norton Brothers
"Michael Jamborgh! You saw that pathetic display earlier tonight, I know you did, so get your ass out here!" After a moment, Michael Jamborgh appeared on the stage, looking impatient, with Shane Warner at his side.
"What do you want?" Michael asked.
"You can't let the Asian Persuasion climb their way up in this company by count-outs!" Yugo shouted. "We demand a match that will end with either a pin or a submission, nothing else! The Norton Brothers and the Asian Persuasion in a tag team match, no disqualification, and falls count anywhere!"
Allan Martel vs. Anthony Jacobs
"Allan, you're next." Allan limped to the box and reached in drawing out his number.
"S...seven." Allan stated, a sharp gasp interrupting him.
"Look, Allan, I don't think you should be competing in this tournament. Not in the shape you're in after Extinction. I'm worried about you and Chris." Michael stated.
"I drew seven." Allan repeated, as Stevan wrote "Allan Martel" next to the seven on the whiteboard.
"I'm gonna stop you right there, Stevan." Allan interrupted. "There is no way I'll lose that qualifier. Come on, now, two former tag team champions facing two former singles champions? Me and Seiryu have essentially built our legacy here in MWL on tag team matches. I figure that Warner and Hitz will let their egos get the best of them, and they'll end up trying to outdo each other, eventually breaking down their team, and leaving two weakened opponents for us." Allan explained.
"That makes a lot of sense, but how can you be so confident after Extinction? After all, you did take a pretty hard shot through that table from Kentan..." Stevan asked.
"Aaw, it's nothing. It's not like I haven't competed with worse things than sore ribs..." Allan began, being interrupted by a hard axe-handle by none other than Anthony Jacobs. Allan fell to the floor, as Stevan backed away. AJ crouched and waited for Allan to work his way to his feet, in front of the chain-link fence background of the interview area. Allan finally stood, and turned to face AJ. AJ smirked, and charged, full-speed, into Allan, slamming him into the background, and knocking it over.
AJ stood, as Allan laid, unconscious, on the chain-link background. AJ began to circle Allan, while also looking for a new weapon to use. He quickly grabbed a chair, and raised it high, slamming it down onto Allan's chest, as security arrived, pried the chair away from AJ, and pushed him back. He began to back off, admiring his work, and slowly left as the medical staff arrived to attend to Allan.
As Shane Warner helped Viper to his feet, the two shook hands, as Anthony Jacobs appeared at the top of the stage, charging toward the ring, chair in hand. He struck both Shane Warner and Viper with the chair, tossing it aside as he circled Viper. AJ tucked into a corner by the ramp, and watched as Viper began to get up. A grin appeared on AJ's face as he prepared to charge into Viper, while Allan Martel charged down to the ring, wrapping his arms around AJ's foot as he lunged. AJ tripped and fell face-first to the mat as Allan grabbed him by the ankles and pulled him into the ringpost.
Allan slid into the ring and grabbed AJ's chair, propping it against his head. Allan walked toward the opposite corner as Shane Warner stood, then turned and charged toward AJ, who quickly recovered and fled from the ring, looking back and rubbing his head. "Dead Heat, AJ!" Allan shouted, pointing toward him. "One on one!" AJ looked up, nodded, and mouthed a reply.
MWL North American Championship: Shane Warner vs. David Hitz
"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.
As Jim Norris rolled out of the ring, Amy Kaldahl walked over to him, as he looked to the MWL World Lightweight Championship, now in the hands of David Hitz, as he stood. As David stood in the ring, celebrating, Shane Warner's theme blared through the arena, as he appeared on the stage, looking toward the new champion. Shane mouthed out something, then proceeded to point at David, and motion toward his waist, followed by a laugh.
MWL World Tag Team Championship: Seiryu & Kouryuu vs. SYN
"You see, there lies the problem. WE didn't lose the tag team titles. The Norton Brothers lost the tag team titles." Kouryuu announced.
"The MWL World Tag Team Champions, myself and Kouryuu, defend against not only the Norton Brothers, but Magnum and Chance, as well. But then, Chance pinned Red Norton." Seiryu explained.
"Then, we've got the #1-contender's match where Seiryu and Kouryuu will take on the Norton Brothers. The winners will be given the title of #1-contender to the MWL World Tag Team Championship." Michael announced.
"Well, there's some business we need to attend to, Michael." Shane answered, lifting up a set of papers, and handing them to Michael. "I was approached earlier by not only the Martels, but by the Ssu-Ling, as well. It seems they both want their respective matches to take place in a steel cage."
As Genbu stood in the ring, victorious, his championship belt in hand, Seiryu, Kouryuu, Byakko, and Suzaku made their way to the ring to celebrate the sign of things to come, as Lino rolled out of the ring, slinging his MWL World Tag Team Championship belt over his shoulder as Suzaku grabbed a microphone.
"On July 29th, 2007, we, the Ssu-Ling stole the show at Goldlust. We walked out with three title belts, and #1-contendership to a fourth. SYN, Shane Warner, Norton Brothers, beware. On Sunday, history will be echoed, and we will rule Uprising!" Suzaku announced as the team's theme blared.
As Lino made his way out the door, as Seiryu and Kouryuu carried their regained titles up the ramp, Catastrophe grabbed a microphone from ringside.
"Enjoy those titles while you can!" Catastrophe called. "Because at Dead Heat, we'll be coming for our rematch!"
"You pick any match type you want, little man!" Seiryu called. "It doesn't matter what it is, we'll walk out with these belts still on our waists!"
MWL World Heavyweight Championship: Yugo Ryan vs. Magnum vs. ?????
On the titantron, a green cursor appeared, blinking, as Yugo's microphone came back to life. "What the hell is going on, here?!" With that, a low, electronic humming came in over the arena's speakers, as the cursor on the screen moved. The text "I'm coming..." appeared on the screen, accompanied by the sound of a keyboard clacking. "Who is doing this?!" Yugo demanded. After a moment's hesitation, "Cyber----" appeared on the screen, again, accompanied by the sound of clacking keys.
"Lino, what the hell is happening?!" Yugo demanded.
"I...I have no idea!" Lino answered. Again, a moment's hesitation passed, before text reading "Are you scared...?" appeared on the screen. Another moment passed, before the text continued. "c:\conquer-dead_heat.whc" appeared, as the text and cursor faded from the titantron's screen, and the lights turned back on. Melissa was clinging firmly to Yugo's arm as he and Lino looked on in a combination of both awe and confusion.
"Whoever the hell was playing with the titantron last week, stop being a coward and show yourself!" Yugo demanded, as the lights faded out. The flashing green cursor appeared on the titantron, as quiet, digital-sounding music played through the arena. The cursor just stayed in place for several seconds, only blinking, before the clacking of a computer keyboard could be heard, as the text "c:\countdown-dead_heat.whc" appeared, followed by a heavy clack, and the figure "32:00:00:00" appeared in the lower corner, not ostructing the titantron's picture. The number then began to countdown, going to "31:23:59:59", and continuing as the cursor faded and the picture returned to normal, the countdown still visible.
"MAGNUM! I know it's you! Get your scrawny ass out here!" Yugo demanded, as Magnum walked out onto the stage. "Magnum, why do you still bother? You haven't beaten me since before Redline started! You've got no hope of beating me now!"
"I hate to break it to you, Mr. Ego, but it's not my doing." Magnum answered. "But, truth be told, as screwed up as this guy's got you from the mind games, I wish I could take the credit for this."
"My ass!" Yugo shouted, as the lights faded, and two spotlights clicked on. One was aimed at Magnum, the other at the titantron, as the green, blinking, cursor, appeared. "He does not lie." appeared on the screen, accompanied by the sound of a keyboard clacking. There was a pause, before more text appeared, this part saying "Though, he will be in our match at Dead Heat."
"Who the hell are you?!" Yugo demanded. The cursor paused before continuing. "c:\3-25-2-5-18-16-21-14-9.exe".
"Then, about the incidents where the titantron keeps getting hijacked during the show, you and Michael seem to know who's behind those incidents, but why haven't you announced the hijacker's identity?" Stevan asked.
"Well, Stevan, y'know, Michael is starting to see the X for what they are: a threat." Shane answered.
"A threat?" Stevan repeated.
"That's right. Think of it this way, Stevan...the X contains five of the biggest names in the MWL today: World Heavyweight Champion Yugo Ryan, former tag champs Lino and Catastrophe, then last, but not least, the legends that are the Norton Brothers." Shane explained. "They have the means to capture all of MWL's championships. Without having a double champion."
"You, mister 80's, get your--" Yugo began, as his microphone cut off, and the arena went pitch black, with a single spotlight shining on the titantron, as the familiar green cursor blinked on the screen.
"Prepare, my time is nigh." Appeared on the screen as the cursor paused for a moment. "At Dead Heat, there will be three..."
Yugo shouted, indistinctly, at the titantron as the message continued.
"...Only one will emerge from the wreckage. He who does so will carry with him, the MWL World Heavyweight Championship." Appeared, as everyone in the arena looked on in awe. "You can think you are ready, Yugo Ryan, but you cannot truly be." The text disappeared as a loud, heavy, "click" rang out of the speakers, as the lights faded back in, and the countdown on the titantron's screen lowered ever more. Yugo proceeded to mouth out something more, looking to his title belt afterward, as everyone made their exit.
"Hello, and welcome everyone, to MWL Dead Heat! I'm Danny Tieso, and this is my broadcast partner, Chad Vritska!" Danny announced.
"Yo." Chad stated, lifting one hand.
"Tonight is a monumental night in the history of MWL! Tonight, we crown the first-ever MWL North American Champion. Will it be 'Mr. Reality' Shane Warner, or will David Hitz pull another upset and become a double champion, tonight?" Danny asked.
"And in addition to that, tonight, Yugo Ryan is in for the fight of his life when he defends the MWL World Heavyweight Championship against not only Magnum, but a mystery man, as well." Chad continued. "Now, let's send it over to Stevan Corber, who is standing by with Magnum and Chance."
* * *
"Magnum, Chance, tonight, the two of you will compete in two seperate title matches. Magnum, you will be competing once again for the World Heavyweight Championship, and Chance, you will be facing Genbu in just a moment for the MWL-CAW Championship. Now, Chance, why did you request tonight's match with Genbu?" Stevan asked.
"Well, Stevan, it's really quite simple. I just wanted a shot at the title." Chance shrugged.
"Alright, fair enough. Magnum, what are your thoughts on your match tonight?" Stevan asked.
"Well, the titantron hijackings are...creepy, to say the least, but Yugo, so help me, tonight, there is no way you will be walking out with that title still around your waist." Magnum stated.
"Magnum, I'm gonna head out for my match." Chance stated, tapping on Magnum's shoulder, before making his exit.
"Genbu defends the MWL-CAW Championship against the 'Soldier of Fortune' Chance, NEXT!" Stevan announced.
Match 1: MWL-CAW Championship - (C) Genbu v. Chance
Catastrophe stood in the backstage area, talking with the Norton Brothers as Yugo Ryan, Lino, and Melissa Rez approached. "Well, lookit here..." Catastrophe muttered, looking to his tag team partner.
"Settle down!" Yugo barked, as Catastrophe looked away. "The stakes tonight are high for all of us. Lino, Catastrophe, you guys need to bring the MWL World Tag Team Championship back to the X, Nortons, you have to show everyone that we're not playing games!"
"What about you?" Catastrophe demanded.
"I have to retain my championship by any means necessary..." Yugo muttered. "Nortons, your match against the Asian Persuasion is anything goes, falls count anywhere. Be as ruthless and vicious as you like, the ref can't do a thing about it."
"Right!" Spike answered, nodding.
"Catastrophe, you have every right to be upset with Lino, but the tag titles are on the line tonight. We can't afford to have in-fighting at a time like this. Is that clear?" Yugo asked.
"Hrmph." Catastrophe snorted, crossing his arms and looking away from Yugo. He then made his exit, walking past Yugo, and shooting him a glare as he passed.
"Alright, Spike, Red, get to the arena. Your match is coming up in a second." Yugo stated, as the two brothers made their way toward the arena.
"Yugo, good luck tonight." Lino stated, looking to his former partner.
"Thanks." Yugo answered.
Match 2: Hardcore - The Asian Persuasion v. The Norton Brothers
"And the Asian Persuasion pulls out a victory over the Norton Brothers!" Danny announced.
"Those two are starting to make up ground on the other tag teams here in MWL..." Chad stated. "It's hard to believe they just started shortly after Infection."
"Yes, it is." Danny answered. "Our next matchup is the first of two born from the North American Championship Tournament taking place over the last two months. During the tournament qualifiers, Anthony Jacobs assaulted both members of the tag team, Instant Epic Win, removing them from their respective matches. That happened shortly after Extinction, and tonight, Allan Martel gets a chance at revenge when he faces Anthony Jacobs tonight."
"Now, let's send it to the back, where Stevan Corber is standing by with Shane Warner." Chad stated.
* * *
"Shane Warner, this past Wednesday on Redline, you found out that your opponent would tonight for the MWL North American Championship would be none other than David Hitz. What are your thoughts?" Stevan asked.
"First of all, Stevan, do you ALWAYS ask 'what are your thoughts'?" Shane asked. "Look, either way, I'm facing David Hitz. He might be the MWL World Lightweight Champion, but I've got a size advantage over him. And not exactly a small one, either."
"Well, then, I'm guessing you're confident in yourself tonight?" Stevan pressed.
"Y'know what? Sure. Why not?" Shane answered, grinning.
Match 3: Allan Martel v. Anthony Jacobs
As Allan Martel celebrated his victory, AJ forced himself to his feet, snarling at Allan. He charged toward his opponent and struck him in the back, and turned him around on the top turnbuckle. He grabbed Allan by the head and prepared for the Fall, as Christopher Martel charged toward the ring. AJ quickly made his escape, leaving Allan on the top turnbuckle as he fled. Allan stepped down onto the mat and pointed to AJ, making a motion that he won, as Christopher raised his hand.
* * *
"Ladies and gentlemen, the time has finally come! We've waited two long months, and now, we will crown the first-ever MWL North American Champion!" Danny announced.
"The first competitor in the match is 'Mr. Reality' Shane Warner. Hailing from Westbrook, Maine, Shane stands 6-foot-five, and weighs two hundred and forty-eight pounds. He is a two-time CAW and Underground Champion, and held the TV Championship once." Chad stated.
"And the second man is none other than David Hitz, a former Wild Rush Champion, and current reigning two-time MWL World Lightweight Champion. He stands six-foot-three, weighs two hundred and sixteen pounds, and hails from Toledo, Ohio." Danny continued.
"On an interesting side note, these two men competed side-by-side in the tournament qualifiers at the beginning of the tournament around two months ago. Together, they defeated Seiryu in a handicap match where his partner was scheduled to be Allan Martel." Chad explained.
"And now, let's go to the arena for the first-ever MWL North American Championship match-up!" Danny announced.
Match 4: MWL North American Championship - Shane Warner v. David Hitz
Shane Warner stood, holding the North American Championship, and slinging it over his shoulder, extending his hand to help David Hitz stand. The two shook hands as the referee returned the MWL World Lightweight Championship to David, and they raised their respective championships high into the air.
* * *
"Alright, Lino, you're not going to go costing us the match tonight, are you?" Catastrophe asked.
"Would you let that go?!" Lino shouted. "So I made a mistake! You're not perfect either, you know!"
"More than you." Catastrophe grumbled.
"Enough!" Yugo barked, as SYN turned to face the champion. "Quit bickering like a couple of kids. We can't afford you two to be doing this now. Beat the Ssu-Ling tonight, then you can argue as much as you damn well please!"
"Right..." Lino sighed, as Catastrophe snorted.
"Catastrophe!" Yugo snapped. "Are we clear?"
"...Yeah..." Catastrophe answered.
"Then shake on it." Yugo commanded, as Lino and Catastrophe reluctantly shook hands. "Good, now get your asses out to the ring. Your match is about to start."
Match 5: MWL World Tag Team Championship - Ladder: (C) Seiryu & Kouryuu v. SYN
"This is your god damn fault!" Catastrophe screamed, grabbing a microphone after the match. Lino went to ringside and grabbed a microphone of his own, before stepping back into the ring.
"If you would have grabbed the title instead of taking a swing at me, Catastrophe, we'd be the tag champs right now!" Lino answered.
The symbol of the X flashed on the titantron as the other four members appeared on the screen. "That is enough!" Yugo announced as the arena went silent. "Since the two of you have so much friction right now, I talked to Michael Jamborgh, and he signed a match for the next Redline. That match will be Lino, one-on-one, with Catastrophe. It doesn't matter who wins, or who loses, but you two had better settle things then, or else there will be hell to pay. Is that understood?"
"Yes." Lino answered, as Catastrophe nodded silently.
"Good. Now, get back here. It's almost time for my match." Yugo commanded, as SYN stepped out of the ring and made their way up the ramp.
* * *
"Alright, Chance, Arctica, this is my opportunity to finally beat Yugo. I want the two of you to make sure nobody comes out to the ring and gets involved in the match, alright?" Magnum asked.
"Sure thing." Arctica nodded.
"Yeah, the X won't be getting past us." Chance agreed.
"Alright, good. Wish me luck, guys." Magnum stated.
Main Event: MWL World Heavyweight Championship - (C) Yugo Ryan v. Magnum v. ?????
Yugo stood, wiping the blood from his face, and holding the MWL World Heavyweight Championship up high, as the other members of the X made their way to the ring. Melissa handed Yugo a microphone, as he leaned against the turnbuckles. "Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, the newest member of the X, Nicholas Hunter!" Yugo announced, as Nick's music hit the speakers. The group waited for a minute, before Yugo looked to Melissa in confusion.
"I said, Nicholas Hunter!" Yugo repeated, as Nick's music continued. After a few moments longer, Nicholas Hunter appeared on the stage, microphone in hand.
"Wait, now, did somebody send out a memo? 'Cause...I never got one. I mean, hell, you expect me to just join you guys?" Nick asked. "See, I'm afraid it doesn't quite work that way. I've already got a team. They weren't notified. Of course, it's not like Free Radical would've joined the X, anyway."
"You DARE to say no to us?!" Yugo demanded, as Jim Norris and Amy Kaldahl joined Nicholas Hunter on the stage.
"Well, I do believe we do." Nick answered, grinning. "Look, we won't be joining you, but I'd be more than glad to take that MWL World Heavyweight Championship off your hands, for you..."
"You'll regret this day!" Yugo shouted, as Nicholas Hunter nodded, almost in a sarcastic way.