We're backstage with a faceless wrestler getting ready. He throws his bag down. Reaches in. Pulls out his gear, and we jump to an outdoor Chess park. Two older men sit across from one another and put their chess peice carrying cases on the chess table. Each opens stairing at each other... eyes narrowed, angry.

We hear some clapping and sounds of a party fading in from the background.

Back to the faceless wrestler. He slides his knee pads up.

Back to the men setting up their chess peices. We get a good view of each man's chess set. They each have members of Legacy's roster as their pieces... as the guitar of Linkin Park's "Bleed It Out" comes in. We go back to the wrestler taping his fists. Once more to the chess game the men have their pieces set up, the two lean in intently a crowd starting to form around them. The lyrics hit and the first man moves a Legacy Supestar, Jake Dominion. The other man quickly moves a Diego de Cardenas piece, and smirks cockily.

"Yeah here we go for the hundredth time
Hand grenade pins in every line"

Flash to a Legacy ring lit to look like a chess board. Flash to Jake dropping Loco Martinez. And then Diego shows up.

"Throw 'em up and let something shine
Going out of my fucking mind "

We're back to the chess match, its much later some pieces have been removed, but there is a lot of activity. Pieces surrouning one another... chesses version of chaos.

"Filthy mouth, no excuse
Find a new place to hang this noose"

A shot of a Ladder beneath a dangling golden ring.

Flash to a Legacy Ring. Crazy Boy flies, landing on Eli Storm. Storm pinning Greg Alloca. Mirage brawling with Crazy Boy. Iley coming to the ring slapping hands. Finishing with Greyson Blade drilling Matt Towers with the Killshot.

"String me up from atop these roofs
Knot it tight so i won't get loose"

There's a flurry of moves at the outdoor chess table. Each move bringing the men closer... more intense.

Flash to Stephen Rawlings stretching an opponent. Wipes to Devastation making his return to Legacy... determination in each step.

"Truth is you can stop and stare
Bled myself out and no one cares "

A shot of the chess board a few pieces left. Both men sweating. The crowd surrounding them frenzied.

"Dug the trench out laid down there
With a shovel up out of reach somewhere"

Back to a Legacy Ring Cronos rocks an opponent after opponent each shot showing him morphing... getting more and more intense. More like the "Devil". Isaac runs a forked tongue over his sharpened teeth.

"Yeah, someone pour it in
Make it a dirt dance floor again"

Chris Turner revealing that he was Gigantus Awesomo. Ezekial reintroducing Damien Black.

"Say your prayers and stomp it out
When they bring that chorus in "

We spin dizzingly around the chess table.

"I bleed it out digging deeper
Just to throw it away"

The chess board morphs into an empty wrestling ring.

"I bleed it out digging deeper
Just to throw it away"

A chess pieces is captured off the board.

"I bleed it out digging deeper
Just to throw it away"

Eli Storm nails the Ratings Boost.

"Just to throw it away
Just to throw it away"

Another piece is snatched.

"I bleed it out"

Crazy Boy crushing someone with the Crazy Slam.

"Go stop the show
Choppy words and a sloppy flow"

The chess players jaw jack as the game draws near its climax.

"Shotgun opera lock and load
Cock it back and then watch it go"

John Thomas gets in the face of X-Calibur... we're shown the last time they faced at a Pay Per View, Thomas pinning X while placing his feet on the ropes.

"Mama help me I've been cursed
Death is rolling in every verse"

One of the chess players attempts to cheat and swipe his opponent's piece. An argument begins.

"Candy paint on his brand new hearse
Can't contain him he knows he works"

Domination fighting Diabolik. The Canucks face to face with Diabolik after finding out that Diabolik abducted Calgary Carl.

"Practice hurts, I won't lie
Doesn't matter how hard I try"

Both chess players stand up.

"Half the words don't mean a thing
And I know that I wont be satisfied"

Loco Martinez is battling Jake Dominion. Crash makes his way to the ring. Jake gets distracted...

"So why try ignoring him
Make it a dirt dance floor again"

The two chess players are nose to nose... There's a shove. One of the men clears all the pieces off the table in a fit of rage, and the other man tackles him across the table.

"Say your prayers and stomp it out
When they bring that chorus in"

Ray Willmott pinning Cade Sydal to become the number one contender. Flash and we see Justin Moreno pinning Loco Martinez at the last Strife.

"I bleed it out digging deeper
Just to throw it away"

One more shot of the brawling chess players the rabid crowd surrounding them slowly melts into a rabid Legacy crowd on their feet watching the amazing action that takes place inside a Legacy Ring!

"I bleed it out digging deeper
Just to throw it away"

X-Calibur nails the X-Terminator. John Thomas hits his sick falling neck breaker.

"I bleed it out digging deeper
Just to throw it away"

Isaac launches an opponent the Disembowler split screen with Cronos nailing the Coundown to Extinction.

"Just to throw it away
Just to throw it away
I bleed it out "

Black and Turner covered in blood thumbtacks, broken light bulbs, chairs litter the ring, as the two struggle to get up.

"I've opened up these scars
I'll make you face this"

A quick flurry of action: Iley hitting the Tyne Bridge. Eli dropping someone with a stiff clothesline, and revelling in his work.

"I've pulled myself so far
I'll make you, face, this, now!!!!"

Greyson brawling. Crazy Boy Flying. MiRage leaning cockily against the top rope, arms crossed.

The drums drop out leaving us with just guitar and clapping hands...

We are dropped into the middle of a Legacy Crowd standing, cheering, applauding at the action in the ring.

"I bleed it out digging deeper
Just to throw it away "

Diabolik drops Justin Moreno and continues the vicious post match attack.

"I bleed it out digging deeper
Just to throw it away"

Domination launch an opponent high into the air, and drive him into the mat.

"I bleed it out digging deeper
Just to throw it away"

The Cowboys stand proudly at the top of entrance ramp before making their way to a match.

"Just to throw it away
Just to throw it away"

Domination with Total Domination on their opponent. Gryffin hits the Devastator. Jerry Starr buries the Starrstruck into an opponents grill.

"I bleed it out digging deeper
Just to throw it away"

A shot from the tag match at Strife. Ray, Crash, Justin, and Loco stand in the ring together. They eye one another up. The calm before the storm.

"I bleed it out digging deeper
Just to throw it away"

Loco making the cover on Jake Dominion. Quick cut to Crash backing up the ramp laughing at his dirty work.

"I bleed it out digging deeper
Just to throw it away"

Ray drops an opponent and locks in the Anxiety Amplified.

"Just to throw it away
Just to throw it away"

Justin leaps off the top rope with his opponent hitting the M-80!

"I bleed it out
I bleed it out
I bleed it out"

Loco with the Locapitator. Crash with the Aero-Zeppelin.

And as the music fades out we go back to the chess board... its a mess. Peices broken and scattered all over the place. We cross fade to a shot of a Legacy ring filled with bodies scattered much like the chess pieces.

And as the music stops, the bodies fade away and we find ourselves hanging above the ring looking down into a sold out Arena that is rocking in anticipation for Elevated Tensions!!!!

The scene open to the front of Greyson blade's locker room. In front of the door is Matthew Kanyon. He smiles as one by one, fans file out of the locker room and hand him money. As the last fan leaves the locker room. Storm walks out with a huge sign under his arms.

Storm: Do you think he is gonna miss this stuff?

Kanyon: Naw, he has tons of gear. He won't even miss that stuff.

Storm: What about his share of the money?

Kanyon: You can give that to me and I'll make sure that he gets it.

Storm: Matt!!!

Kanyon: Scout's honor. Trust me.

Storm: so what should I do with the sign.

Kanyon: Toss it... don't really need it now.

Storm shrugs and tosses the sign into the nearby trash can. As the two men walk down the hallway, the camera zooms in on the sign. As the scene begins to fade you can now clearly see the sign. And the sign says "Welcome To The Loose Cannonz Tag Sale". "The money from each item sold shall go to the Greyson Blade Retirement Fund"

The show opens on a shot of Alan Ducard, Bryan Harris and Jimmy Yates sitting behind the announce table at ringside. Each of the three of them is dressed in a suit and tie, with Alan Ducard's more formal than the rest, with Bryan Harris is wearing a bolo tie. Behind them is a packed arena, with the fans all going wild.

Alan Ducard: Good evening everyone and welcome to ELEVATED TENSIONS, we've got a very packed night of action yet to come.

Bryan Harris: Whether you're checking this out on pay per view, DVD, or if you steal cable signal or satellite signal or whether you found a way to watch this illegally on the internet, we don't have time to give you a run-down of all the matches coming to you in the next few hours, so regardless of whether you've got the card memorized or if you're coming in clueless, sit back, relax, and enjoy yourself, because I have a feeling this is going to be one hell of a ride!

Jimmy Yates: With so much action yet to come, we don't have any more time to welcome you to our ELEVATED TENSIONS broadcast, it's time to get down to business.

Alan Ducard: Our first match up is a budding rivalry between Diego de Cardenas and Jake Dominion. Diego was part of a plot to rob Jake a fair fight in his world title match with Loco Martinez.

Bryan Harris: It serves JD Ice right. You have to have focus and determination to win the Legacy World title. Clearly he didn't, letting Diego goad him like that.

Jimmy Yates: Lets not forget Hector and Crash who helped. Jake was trying to protect himself, and in the process got robbed!

Alan Ducard: Well these two will get at it straight away. Lets go to Josephina Colbert for our opening bout.

We go the ring where Josephina Colbert stands, the live crowd roars in anticipation.

Josephina Colbert: Our first match of the night is set for one fall… Introducing first…

The familiar chords of "Whatever" by Godsmack start blasting over the P.A. system and the fans immediately rise to their feet and begin cheering.

Josephina Colbert: From New York City, New York… Jake… Dominion!!

Jake Dominion steps out onto the entrance ramp, decked out in his signature black shades, blue muscle tank, and his trademark baggy black nylon Kikwear cargo pants, looking as focused as ever. Standing atop the ramp for a couple moments, he soaks in the cheers with his trademark cocky smirk surfaces on his face and he slowly makes his way down the aisle and into the ring.

Bryan Harris: Does that look like the face of a guy who is about to set in motion the next big phase of Diego de Cardenas' career? It's almost like Jake Dominion thinks he's going to win this match.

Alan Ducard: I wouldn't expect him to look happy if he was expecting to lose… I would say Jake Dominion fully intends on winning this match.

Jimmy Yates: A lot of people are expecting him to win this match. In fact, I'm guessing a lot of them called Vegas and put money on it.

Bryan Harris: psht.. people "betting". A lot of people bet on Michigan over App. State too... and Diego AIN'T no App State. Diego is more like, Ohio State! And I'm saying he's gonna put Dominion and that confidence of his in its place.

Once he gets to the bottom of the ramp he hops up onto the apron and ducks under the top rope and gets into the ring. He ascends the turnbuckle and throws his arms out in the sign of the cross as the crowd roars. He then quickly hops down and faces the entrance ramp eagerly waiting for his opponent's entrance in the "it's go time" position. The music fades out as Josephina stays in the middle of the ring.

Josephina Colbert: And his opponent…

Once Jake Dominion is in the ring and waiting for things to get started, Jake's theme cuts out, green spotlights come up from one side of the entrance ramp, red ones come up from the other side, both shining upwards, and Santana's "Oye Como Va" begins playing, the organ and drums starting things out.

Josephina Colbert: Hailing from Chihuahua, Mexico… Diego… de… Carrrrdenas!!!

Bryan Harris: And here comes a man who will no doubt continue to own and frustrate Jake.

Jimmy Yates: There's a distinct chance that Jake Dominion is going to rain on that little parade.

Alan Ducard: We have heard two opinions on what's going to happen in tonight's opener, and there are thousands more in attendance and maybe millions more watching at home... But in the next fifteen minutes or so, we'll find out who is right.

Stepping out through the curtain first is Hannah Perez, a smirk on her face, knowing that all the fans, most of whom have now started booing, are staring down on her and her short, short skirt and low, low cut top.

Alan Ducard: Does that young lady know how much skin she's showing?

Jimmy Yates: Oh I think she does…

Bryan Harris: And that just gives you one reason to be thankful for Diego, because without him, Hannah Perez wouldn't still be sticking around after the ring announcer contest, which she should've won, by the way.

Next out through the curtain is Diego's amigo Alfredo, carrying a huge Mexican flag on an eight foot metal pole. He seems a bit more bothered by the booing than Hannah was, but not by much. Stepping out to one side of the top of the ramp, Alfredo holds the Mexican flag high and looks back towards the curtain, and that's when the third member of the trio walks through the curtain. Wearing a huge sombrero and poncho, Diego de Cardenas joins his best friend and his girlfriend at the top of the ramp. Staying there for a moment, he then leads them down the ramp towards the ring, a smirk on his face as he passes all the hostile members of the crowd which line the ramp.

Jimmy Yates: I guess Diego's keeping his entourage at two members tonight.

Alan Ducard: One might wonder why Diego needs to have Hannah and Alfredo accompany him.

Bryan Harris: First of all, why would he not bring his drop-dead gorgeous girlfriend Hannah Perez to the ring with him, especially with all the obvious managerial skills she has? And secondly, I think it's great that Cardenas is letting his friend Alfie experience this sort of thing. In fact, I'm jealous!

Jimmy Yates: Jealous?

Bryan Harris: For getting to stand ring side next to the lovely Hannah. For getting to witness this match first hand!

We see Jimmy and Alan staring slack jawed.

Jimmy Yates: You're sitting right here!

Bryan Harris: Right, but I could be STANDING right over there next to the caliente Hannah!

As they reach the bottom of the ramp, Hannah has already started to yell at Jake Dominion, who is standing in the ring. Not saying a word, Dominion just smirks as Hannah gets increasingly more mad. When she starts pointing her finger at him while yelling, Jake just lifts his foot and starts stomping it down on the mat while glaring at Hannah.

Alan Ducard: I believe that's Jake Dominion's way of reminding Hannah Perez about her Iced Out experience at STRIFE 29.

Bryan Harris: Now that's just rude! It was bad enough when he kicked her in the mouth, but now he's rubbing it in her face?!

Jimmy Yates: She did deserve it!

Bryan Harris: I don't care what you say, or what these people think. Violence against women is wrong. Jake should be ashamed of himself... should be fined... or fired!

Diego huddles up with Alfie and Hannah for a moment, while the crowd boos. Jake watches on annoyed, with a smirk. They break, Diego takes off his sombrero and poncho and slides into the ring. Jumping to his feet he throws his hands up. But before he can pose any further he is leveled from behind with a spinning back elbow from Jake. Diego falls to the mat and Jake rolls him, and mounts begining to drive fists to the face of Diego.

Alan Ducard: A fast start. So fast that Jake beat the bell.

Bryan Harris: Taking a short cut. I would suspect nothing less from a man who would attack a woman.

Jake drags Diego up to his feet, and buries a boot into the midsection of Diego with a straight kick to the ribs. He whips him off the ropes and lifts him sky high with a back body drop. Diego landing with thud in the middle of the ring. Jake drops a knee across the chest and then slides his shin up across de Cardenas' throat, choking him. Diego flails, and Jake lifts his hands up in faux innocence as the referee admonishes him and begins the count to break the hold. As the referee gets to four Jake pops up and glares down at Diego with an evil smirk. As Diego struggles to his feet.

Alan Ducard: Jake is exacting his revenge on Diego.

Jimmy Yates: He's very aggressive tonight. Looking to take out all of his frustrations that have built up over the past weeks.

Once Diego gets to his feet, Jake runs to the corner and jumps to the middle rope, and then launches himself twisting backwards into a high cross body, but Diego sees it coming and drops and rolls so that Jake flies over the top and lands awkwardlly on his side/shoulder. Jake holds his right shoulder as Diego gets up slowly. Menacingly. Smelling blood. Diego delivers a stomp to the back of Dominion's shoulder. Then a knee. He picks Jake up and then drops him with an arm breaker DDT. He floats over for our first cover of the match...

One...

Two..-

Jake shoulders out after a short two count.

Diego scoops up Jake delivering a few headbutt's to that same hurt shoulder, and burying one shoulder into Jake sending Jake down to the mat. But Diego doesn't let go, and drags him back to his feet. He pulls him into a side headlock position and runs towards the ropes.

Jimmy Yates: Looking for a running Bulldog.

... But instead of just jumping and delivering the bulldog, Diego gets all the way to the ropes and dives feet first between the middle and bottom rope driving Jake's throat across the bottom rope, and hanging him up there. Diego lands on his feet on the outside and stands proudly looking at Jake. Alfie and Hannah applaud grandly and Diego takes an overdramatic bow, which draws the ire of the crowd. Hannah leans in and screams at Jake.

Hannah Perez: Rot in hell!!

She winds up and slaps Jake hard and loses it and begins to violently choke him across the rope, hanging from his head occasionally lifting her feet off the ground for added effect. The ref slides out of the ring and pulls her off Jake, her kicking and screaming. While he's dragging her away, Alfie jumps on Jake choking him in the exact same manner, behind the referee's back. The referee calms Hannah down, and turns just as Alfie is letting go. Alfie steps away from Jake raising his hands innocently as the ref eyeballs him. Diego lines up Jake and nails a kick. He then jumps to the apron and flips over the top rope landing a senton across Jake's back and driving his throat across that bottom rope he's become so intimate with the last couple of minutes.

Alan Ducard: Why they are continued to be at ringside is beyond me? The referee has caught their underhanded tactics.

Bryan Harris: He realizes that Hannah had some revenge coming to her. That after what Jake did to her she was allowed that one instance, where she lost her cool.

Jimmy Yates: Lost her COOL?! She cheated. Choked Jake... with the entirity of her body weight. If she wants to take care of Jake for what he "did" last week? Step into a Legacy ring. If she wants to avoid that kind of thing, keep out of the matches... its actions like her choking Jake that gets her kicked in the first place.

Diego pulls Jake away from the rope and makes a cover.

One...

Two....

Thre-NO! Jake kicks out.

Diego drags Jake up and whips him violently into the corner. He follows it up with a vicious shoulder to the ribs. He jumps to the middle rope, and jumps up driving both of his feet into Jake's face, and sommersaulting backwards landing on his feet.

Jimmy Yates: Impressive display of athleticism with that Drop-sault.

Alan Ducard: The added height of being on the middle rope helped him be high enough to rotate to his feet.

Diego quickly jumps then and hits a dangerously low dropkick to Jake's crotchel reason. Jake falls to the mat clutching at his "manhood", the crowd "ooohs" sympathetically.

Jimmy Yates: C'MON!! That was clearly a low blow.

Bryan Harris: He was aiming for the midsection. Sometimes you're accurate... sometimes you're not. In this instance? Diego wasn't quite so accurate.

Diego gets up with a poop-eating grin which riles the crowd up futher. He drags Jake up once again, Jake shoves Diego and in an act of desperation goes for the Iced Out, but Diego ducks, and grabs him for a head and leg capture suplex. He sinches in the leg and then buries his knee into Jake's groin... AGAIN!

Jimmy Yates: WHAT THE HELL!!!! C'mon REF!!!

Diego then snaps him over in the suplex and floats over for the cover.

One...

Two...

THR…-NO!!!! Jake kicks out at two and 11/12ths.

Diego pounds the mat in frustration, while Alfie and Hannah chirp at the ref angrily. Diego gets up and into the face of referee.

Alan Ducard: He can't beat his opponent by brow beating the referee. This will give Jake some valuable recuperation.

Diego finishes his diatribe up shaking his head, muttering to himself. He jumps to the rop rope.

Jimmy Yates: Looking to end it?

Bryan Harris: I smell Montezuma's Revenge!

Jake stirs and gets to his feet, wobbily. Diego gestures to the crowd, standing straight up on the top rope, and launches himself towards Jake. He lands on Jake's shoulder... but Jake doesn't fall. He stumbles back a few steps and then uses the momentum turning and diving driving Diego to the mat with a sick powerbomb. The crowd roars as both men are down!

Alan Ducard: An impressive display of power from Jake. That has turned the tide, potentially.

Bryan Harris: An desperate act. Pure LUCK if you ask me.

Jimmy Yates: We didn't.

Both men are still down, and the referee begins his double ten count.

1....

2....

3.....

4.....

5.....

Diego gets up to his knees holding his neck.

6....

Jake stirs and is up to his feet. He runs and buries a kick to the ribs of Diego sending him back to the mat. Jake scoops him up and slams him down. Jake once again scoops him up and whips him off the ropes, and looks to nail the Iced Out, but Diego sees it coming and slides beneath it... but Dominion pulls back and doesn't commit to the kick. He whirls around and drops onto the back of Diego stopping the momentum of his baseball slide and locks in the Icemission!!!

Alan Ducard: ICEMISSION!!! Its locked and Diego's in the center of the ring!

The crowd roars. As Jake wrenches the hold tighter.... and tighter.... pouring every ounce of energy and fury into the hold.

Jimmy Yates: He's fading. Diego's fading!

The referee checks on Diego, and to the side Alfie jumps up onto the apron.

Jimmy Yates: Dammit. NO!

Jake sees Alfie and jumps to his feet, and runs at Alfie. He lunges and swings at Diego's best friend but Alfie jumps down to the floor with ease. He glares down at him with hatred.

Alan Ducard: If looks could kill...

Jake shakes his head and turns and from behind Diego has gotten up and is standing there. As Jake turns Diego jumps landing on Jake's shoulders and rolls back with a modified hurrincanrana, but not fulling rotating landing in a push up position, Jake landing squarely on the top of his head. Jake is on his head for a split second and then slumps to the side awkwardly.

Jimmy Yates: What the hell was that?

Alan Ducard: It was a modified hurricanrana of sorts. Where the opponent lands square on the top of his head instead his back, and the man delivering it straightens out instead of rolling through... not allowing his opponent to land on their back or even the back of their neck.

Bryan Harris: What EVER it was? It. was. AWESOME!!!

Diego rolls over Jake and cockily makes the cover.

One...

Two...

THRE-!!! NO!!! Jake got his leg on the bottom rope.

Alan Ducard: The savvy veteran knew where he was. Knew he was by the ropes, and why bother using the energy to kick out when placing the foot on the ropes is so much easier.

Diego looks flabbergasted, as he gets up. He picks up Jake for a vertical suplex, but Jake's legs kick and he ends up sliding behind Diego, and once again locks in...

Alan Ducard and Jimmy Yates: ICEMISSION!!!!

Diego squirms desperately, but Jake has it locked in, a fire in his eyes. Diego looks around frantically and uses every last bit of strength to make a desperate dash to the ropes. He wraps BOTH arms around the top rope and the ref begins to administer the count for Jake to break the hold. Jake violently rips Diego from the ropes and throws him back violently with a modified overhead release german suplex. Diego landing hard on the back of his neck.

Jimmy Yates: Well... he let him go, alright!

Jake glares icily as he stalks Diego. He reaches down to drag Diego up, but Diego rolls him up in the small package!

One...

Two..- NO! Jake powers out.

Jake gets up, and Diego also gets up. Jake rocks Diego with a clothesline. Diego back up quickly, and back down again with a clothesline. Jake scoops up Diego and plants him with a DDT. Cover.

One...

Two...

Thre-NO!!

Jake pops up quickly and brings Diego back to his vertical base. He hooks the leg looking for the Ice Breaker, but Hannah gets up on the apron. Jake drops the leg and runs Hannah drops down, but Jake leaps to the middle rope and then launches himself back twisting his body towards Diego and flattens him with a enzuguiri.

Cover...

One...

Two...

Three-NO! Diego kicks out, barely.

Jake back to his feet. He picks up Diego, but Diego drops to his knees and looks to go for a low blow, but Jake gets both hands down there to block! And then delivers a sick knee to the face of Diego rocking him backwards. He then drags Diego to his feet, who looks wobbily after the knee. Lifts his leg into the Fisherman's position...

Alan Ducard: Ice Breaker!

Jimmy Yates: He hit it!

Bryan Harry: NO!!!!

Jake keeps the leg hooked, bridging.

One...

Two...

THREE!!!

The bell rings and Jake rolls off of Diego, exhausted. Hannah and Alfie slide in and drag Diego out by his feet as Josephina Colbert announces the final result.

Josephina Colbert: Your winner of the match... JAKE.... DOMINION!!!

"Whatever" by Godsmack begins to rock the arena as Jake slides out of the ring. Giving a few high fives to the fans he makes his way to the back.

Alan Ducard: A hard fought battle between these two, and I dare say the better man won.

Bryan Harris: I'd need to see a lot more out of Jake Dominion to give that claim you just made any kind of credibility, but I will say that at least Josephina didn't rub the result of this match in the faces of Hannah Perez and Diego like she did before, because that was just unprofessional.

Jimmy Yates: Josephina Colbert is an exciteable young woman who didn't have a ton of training before she started this job, but in the past couple months I'd say she's doing a really good job.

Bryan Harris: You're just saying that because you like to stare at her tits.

We find ourselves backstage. A door opens and in walks John Iley, participant in the Opportunity Ladder Match. Dressed in jeans and his Brilliantly Technical..." t-shirt, (he's not wearing a jacket? at this time of year?) listening to an iPod and with his bag over his shoulder, he makes his way down a corridor when he turns a corridor and bumps into someone, he removes his ear pods.

John Iley: Bollocks, sorry mate, I didn't see you there....

Iley trails off when he see's who he bumped into - the Tao of Valor Champion himself, X-Calibur. Iley seems hesitant at first before he nods.

Iley: X, long time no see..

He offers his hand to X while the Tao of Valor Champion looks John Iley up and down for a moment out of sheer surprise. With his hair loosely flowing, he sports a pair of black Timberland boots, loose fitting faded blue jeans, and one of his older black and orange "LEGENDARY PAIN" T-shirts that are currently on sale on the LEGACY Merch website for the Holiday season. Carrying a large red sack over his shoulder that was way too big to be a gym bag, X-Calibur nodded at his unexpected counterpart.

X-Calibur: Iley. What's happenin', dude?

Iley: Not much, wrestling here in LEGACY, looking after my investments in the bar industry, living life... you know. What about you?

X cordially nods and gives a slight chuckle.

X-Calibur: Busy being champ. Thinking about how I'm going to keep John Thomas from being able to stand ever again without ending up looking like a sadistic fuck and getting myself banned from any John Thomas interacting through 2023.

Grinning, X pats his Tao of Valor Title. Iley responds with a chuckle himself, almost as if it’s a private joke.

Iley: John Thomas, yeah. Anyway, yeah I see you’re... sporting gold there. *Admires the belt* Nice title.

He almost seems deep in thought while he looks at it. X sets down the big red sack and pulls off the Tao of Valor title from his shoulder with his left hand. He looks into the gold and then sighs an oh-so refreshing sigh.

X-Calibur: It really is.

X looks at Iley for a moment and sort of pats him on the shoulder in a half-friendly, half-competitive manner.

X-Calibur: Who knows guy, if by some chance you manage to climb those rungs out there tonight? You might even get another glimpse at this strap past our little meeting here. Then again... if you don’t? Who knows, you might yet still get a shot down the road - I mean look at me. We had this Opportunity Battle Royal many months ago... and...

X looks at Iley who seems confused.

X-Calibur: Well I’m sure you’ll familiarize yourself with the video vault some day.

The pat on Iley’s shoulder seems to have snapped Iley out of his trance.

Iley: Huh... uh... yeah. Yeah, I have the opportunity to go any title I want here. *Gives X a smirk* Your title would be a good place to start. Get me back into the swing of things so to speak.

X furrows an eyebrow, seemingly taking a little bit of offense to Iley's subtle scoffing. Looking at his Tao of Valor Championship, X places it back on his shoulder and picks up the large red sack again.

X-Calibur: A good "start" you say?

X smirks wide.

X-Caliubur: Careful, "mate". Last time we fought, it wasn't the start of anything for you but a 3 year hiatus from the business.

A nerve was apparently struck, and Iley got real good and close to the champion.

Iley: Don't think I haven't forgotten... 'mate'.

Iley checks his watch.

Iley: I better get going, I have to get ready for my match... and your sack looks like it needs emptying. I really do... wish you good luck!

X chuckles to himself and starts to head off away from Iley. Suddenly though, X turns back around and looks at Iley with a sudden and very serious stare.

X-Calibur: In all seriousness, John... watch your back with Allocca. He's a man possessed... and when weapons are in play... well, you saw what he fucking did to me.

X motions to the title on his shoulder, where there was some dried blood scrawled across the championship's face plate.

X-Calibur: See you 'round.

Iley: Sure, thanks for the tip.

Iley turns and heads off to the locker room.

Josephina Colbert: This next contest is scheduled for one fall!

The lights inside the arena cut to black suddenly as a buzz makes its way through the capacity crowd in attendance tonight. A spotlight descends on the curtain at the top of the aisle leading towards the squared circle. Then Black Sabbath’s Iron Man begins to play throughout the arena. The fans rise to their feet as the first guitar riffs are heard, anticipating the arrival of the man about to walk through that curtain. Then a roar goes up throughout the crowd as Devastation walks through the curtain and steps into the spotlight.

Josephina Colbert: Coming down the aisle towards the ring, he is from St. Louis, Missouri and weighs in tonight at two hundred and eighty four pounds, Devastation!

As you would expect it is all business for the former heavyweight champion as he walks slowly straight to the ring with his head down and covered by the hood from his jacket. Along with that he’s wearing black boots with green kickpads, green kneepads with black trim, and black thigh length tights with two small green lines running down the outside of each leg. His wrists and palms are heavily taped in black and the aforementioned hooded jacket is black with green trim.

Alan Ducard: Devastation appears all business tonight, as you would expect.

Bryan Harris: He's one of the greatest ring technicians that the wrestling business has ever seen and always approaches each match with that same degree of focus and professionalism. The man is always on top of his game.

Jimmy Yates: He’s been knocked because of that icy personality. A lot of people will tell you he’s boring, but a lot of people don’t have the track record that Devastation does. It’s hard to argue with the success that he’s had.

Alan Ducard: And he’ll have his hands full here tonight against another very good technical wrestler in Stephen Rawlings.

Devastation is now in the ring and facing toward the turnbuckle in his corner. He takes a knee for a few moments and says a short prayer before standing back up. He removes his jacket, hands it to ringside attendant, and then turns to face the entrance. He bounces slightly on the balls of his feet as he awaits his challenger.

Alan Ducard: Devastation looks really focused. You can sense he's been greatly anticipating this match.

Josephina Colbert: And his opponent…

After Devastation’s theme music fades under, it’s replaced by "Points of Authority" by Linkin Park. As it begins to play the fans around the arena give a fairly even mix of response. There are certainly some cheers from about half the people, and almost as many are booing him. Stephen Rawlings steps out onto the stage looking refreshed. His hair is cut and he's groomed nicely. Rawlings is dressed in his long black trunks with his name written in blue Japanese kanji text. He sports one of his "Good Enough, Perfect Is" t-shirts. Rawlings’ focus isn't on the crowd though, but his much larger adversary in the ring.

Josephina Colbert: Coming down the aisle towards the ring, he is from Grand Rapids, Michigan and weighs in tonight at one hundred and ninety two pounds... Stephen... Rawlings!!

Making his way down the isle, he basically ignores the people lining his way. It doesn’t matter whether they’re reaching out to shake his hand or if they’re yelling and swearing at him, he just goes calmly about his business. At the bottom of the ramp, he picks up the pace a bit and Rawlings slides into the ring, gets to his feet and removes his shirt as he paces back and forth, waiting for the bell to ring.

Jimmy Yates: Both men seem like they can't wait to get this thing going. They both claim to be the best technical wrestler in LEGACY.

Alan Ducard: They each go about it their own way, with Rawlings taking a faster paced approach in his style, Devastation playing up to his strength and power. We'll see which one holds up.

Bryan Harris: To me, it comes down to which one of them wants it more. Whichever one of them is willing to take it to the next level, do whatever it takes to win this match, that’s the guy who’s gonna get his hand raised in the end.

The referee talks to both individuals and then moves to the corner, the bell rings and we're off. Both men pace around a little, trying to size the other up. Rawlings looks to strike with a quick takedown, but is leery of Devastation's size and weight advantage. Meanwhile, Devastation seems worried about being taken and losing the size advantage. They lock up. Rawlings snatches a quick side headlock. Before Devastation can do anything though, Rawlings is behind him with a hammerlock now. Devastation quickly takes him down with a drop-toe hold. Rawlings is quick to his feet and dives past Devastation, taking him down in mid-air with an inside cradle.

1...

KICKOUT!

Alan Ducard: Stephen Rawlings with the first pinfall attempt, but Devastation is able to easily kick out of it.

Bryan Harris: Just testing the waters, Alan, seeing what he can get, just like fly fishin’.

Alan Ducard: Do what?

Jimmy Yates: Nevermind.

Both men back to their feet. Devastation takes Stephen Rawlings down with a Japanese armdrag. Rawlings is quick up to his feet again and bounces off the ropes. He comes hard at Devastation with a
clothesline. Devastation ducks the move and waits for Rawlings to turn on, so he can snap off a quick T-Bone suplex. Momentum carries Rawlings out to the floor.

Alan Ducard: Mr. Rawlings seems a little thrown off his game right now.

Jimmy Yates: Rawlings is just slowing the place down right now. Its still early.

Bryan Harris: That’s a bad sign when a guy like Rawlings is in a match with Devastation and wants to slow down the pace. He should be doing the exact opposite.

Alan Ducard: Exactly my point.

Rawlings climbs back into the ring and walks right up to Devastation and slaps him across the face. The
loud crack of flesh sent loudly through the arena.

Alan Ducard: Oh boy...

Devastation turns around slaps Rawlings back. Rawlings follows suit as well with another slap. Devastation comes back with a knifehand chop. Rawlings with an elbow strike. Devastation with
another chop. Rawlings with another elbow. Devastation throws an uppercut, connecting with
Rawlings jaw, nearly knocking the former champion off his feet. Rawlings turns around trying to fire back,
but is hit with a palm strike to the face, taking him to the mat. Devastation covers.

1...

2...

Rawlings kicks out!

Alan Ducard: I'm not sure you could size up and execute that palm strike any better. Devastation's
striking ability so far is surprising his opponent.

Devastation pulls Rawlings up by his hair, and attempts a brain buster. Rawlings attempts to shift his weight and land back on his feet. He does. Devastation executes a kneelift and lifts once more.
Rawlings shifts his body once more and takes the former champ down with a snap mare. He nails
Devastation in the back with a stiff kick, than comes off the ropes with a shining enzuigiri, taking his
opponent down to the mat.

Alan Ducard: Where's he going now? He's pointing towards the air.

Bryan Harris: He has been known to fly on occasion, though I think it’s a bit early for him to go for his top rope hurricanrana finisher.

Rawlings climbs to the top rope. He looks one last time to see how far he is from Devastation, than dives off the top rope, hitting a front somersault. His rotation continues and Rawlings nearly drops a 360 degree kneedrop on Devastation…

…except Devastation isn't there. Having rolled out of the way, Devastation takes a breather on one knee in the corner watching Rawlings scream out in pain, holding his knees.

Jimmy Yates: That miss right there could take a few years off the career of Stephen Rawlings.

Alan Ducard: The bloke is trying to throw Devastation a curveball or two by going for such a high risk aerial maneuver so early in the match. Do what he can to take it from him.

After a few more moments of resting, Devastation steps in and attempts a Scorpion Deathlock. Rawlings comes to life, wiggling like a fish on a boat, trying to stop Devastation from stepping over and locking the move in. Rawlings fights as Devastation tries to stepover and turn the move.

Alan Ducard: He's not waiting at all. Devastation knows the legs are hurting on Mr. Rawlings, so he's
targeting them with the right maneuver.

Jimmy Yates: He should've pulled Rawlings closer to the center before putting this move on. Watch this now.

Devastation is finally able to turn the move over now. Rawlings is too close to the ropes now and he sees it. He reaches up and grabs the bottom rope before Devastation can do too much damage to him. The referee forces a break.

Alan Ducard: Devastations looks a bit irritated. He worked so hard to get the hold, but it got broken up.

Jimmy Yates: It was broken because Rawlings grabbed the ropes. Whats fair is fair.

Rawlings takes his time getting up, trying to get himself back together. Devastation only gives him so
much room though. They lock up once more. Devastation gets the advantage locking Rawlings in a
standing wristlock. Devastation wrenches his arm with an arm wringer, than tightens his grip here with the wristlock.

Alan Ducard: Rawlings looks to be trying to figure a way out of this move.

Jimmy Yates: The work he did to his own knees isn't helping him. He'll figure something out though.

And Rawlings does. He cartwheels over and lands on his feet. Devastation tries taking him down with a clothesline, but Rawlings ducks it. He nails Devastation with an elbow to the back of the head, then throws him out to the floor. As Devastation rises to his feet, Stephen Rawlings is coming off the ropes with a baseball slide. Rawlings nearly hits Devastation in the chest, but Devastation side-steps it and Rawlings lands on his feet, nearly hitting the guardrail. Devastation hits him with a knifehand chop to the chest. Stephen Rawlings fires back with a right cross. Devastation with another knifehand chop, that nearly sends Rawlings over the guardrail into the fans!

Jimmy Yates: I think that caught Rawlings off guard.

Alan Ducard: I concur! I don’t believe Devastation’s intent was to send Stephen into the seating area, but he very nearly did just that!

Rawlings is quick to fire back by sending Devastation head first into the guardrail. Rawlings climbs up onto the apron and looks back at Devastation while keeping his hands on the top rope. The crowds anticipation grows as it thinks Rawlings is going to attempt another high flying move. Maybe some sort of moonsault. Rawlings just shakes his head, as if saying not again and enters the ring.

Alan Ducard: It didn't work the first time. He's getting a little smarter, eh?

Jimmy Yates: Rawlings knows his bread and butter is wrestling. He's not gonna fly again.

As Devastation climbs back up onto the apron, Rawlings charges him and nails a jumping forearm smash. This nearly takes Devastation off the apron back into the guardrail, but he holds on. Rawlings sets him up for a vertical suplex back into the ring. Devastation blocks it and tries suplexing his opponent out of the ring. Rawlings begins shifting his weight once more and hooks his leg on the middle rope. Devastation's brute force though frees Rawlings from the ropes after a few moments. It was too much though, as Rawlings is able to quickly snap suplex Devastation back into the ring, after being up in the air. The crowd pops.

Rawlings covers.

1...

2...

Devastation kicks out.

Alan Ducard: Mr. Rawlings seems a little frustrated.

Jimmy Yates: A little? It doesn't get much more crisp than that snap suplex! Do you blame him?!

Rawlings slaps the mat enraged, but waists little time. He pulls Devastation to his feet and hoists him
up into a fireman's carry. The crowd begins to stir.

Jimmy Yates: This is the Knock Out Move! The TKO!

Rawlings nails the Death Valley Driver. He maneuvers into position for his Dragon sleeper. The referee checks to see if Devastation wants to quit.

Alan Ducard: There is no quit in Devastation. He's trying to get to the ropes.

Jimmy Yates: He's going to choke himself out if he doesn't get there quick. Rawlings is going to win
this!

Devastation uses his size advantage over his smaller adversary and gets his foot across the top rope.
Rawlings is almost livid now, thinking Devastation should've tapped.

Jimmy Yates: Rawlings isn't giving Devastation a break. He's back on him. He pulling Devastation back to his feet.

Rawlings tries lifting Devastation into the air for The Finishing Move. Devastation comes back down on his feet though and snaps off a fisherman's suplex.

1...

2...

Back up to their feet and Devastation throws a clothesline at Rawlings, but he ducks it and takes
Devastation down with a rolling reverse cradle into a bridge.

1...

2...

Devastation rolls through into a cradle move.

1...

2...

Rawlings rolls through into a rolling reverse cradle.

1...

2...

Rawlings grabs ahold the middle rope.

3!

The referee gets to his knees and signals to the time keeper’s table for them to ring the bell.

Alan Ducard: Did you see that?!

Jimmy Yates: What?

Alan Ducard: That slimey bugger just cheated! He grabbed the bloody ring rope to win!

Jimmy Yates: I must've missed that. I was watching the referee count.

Josephina Colbert: Here is your winner by pinfall... Stephen.... Rawwwwlings!!!

Rawlings stands up and allows his arm to be raised in the air. The crowd saw the ending and boo's him for his work. He just stands in the ring and smiles.

Jimmy Yates: I hate it when a match which had the potential to be GREAT ends like that! Stephen Rawlings wasn't having an easy time in there, but he could've won it without using the ropes.

Bryan Harris: I'm sorry, Jimmy, you really wanted to see a clean winner, did you? Well it serves you right for being all "high and mighty". Wrestling is about winning and moving up the ladder, not about getting the guy across the ring to respect you.

Alan Ducard: Well it will go down in the record books that Stephen Rawlings did, in fact, get the victory, but I don't believe there's anyone out there who would say that Rawlings proved he was the better wrestler.