 |
12 . 21 . 2009
|
Be a Rebel, Keep Your Hands Free
With a smirk on his face and a swagger in his walk, Allen Franks strolls down the back halls of the arena, his tag team partner a few steps behind. As the two of them turn the corner, they nearly run into Diego de Cardenas, just barely brushing past him. After Mostafa Bashir continues past the former No-Limits / Tag Team Champion, Diego turns around and glares at International Incident, whom he just avoided with an agile side-step hop. Diego de Cardenas: Whoa, not even an "excuse me"? Stopping and turning around, Franks and Bashir look at Diego. Allen chuckles slightly and Bashir's visage gets increasingly stern. Allen Franks: Neither of us was really watching where we were going, so is there really any fault here? Not that I can see. Diego de Cardenas: Hold up, I was watching where I was going, but the two of you? You just turned that corner and didn't care who was walkin' there, and in case you didn't notice? You almost ran me over, homes. Allen Franks: Well hey, no harm no foul, right? If you don't mind, I need a little grub... Allen starts rubbing his stomach, showing he's hungry, and Diego steps forward, obviously not amused, but Mostafa Bashir steps up beside Allen Franks at the same time. Diego de Cardenas: You win one pre-show tag match and now you're all cocky? Allen Franks: Actually? TWO pre-show tag matches in a row, HOMES, and this one had TWO teams in it, which you can think of as the tag team version of the match YOU lost at the pre-show... and back at Destined For Greatness, we were the winning tag team in the OTHER tag match on the same card where you lost in a tag match to V.I.P... And no, not "cocky"... I like to think of it as "confident". Mostafa Bashir: Are you stepping up to the International Incident? Because we will squash you like bugs. Looking at Mostafa Bashir, then back at Allen Franks, Diego backs up a step. Diego de Cardenas: Nah, I ain't stupid. Two on one? Not my style. The "confident" smirk growing, Allen pats Diego on the shoulder. Allen Franks: Call us if you ever find yourself a tag team partner, then maybe we can have this conversation again. As Diego's eyes narrow, Franks turns and walks off, with Bashir keeping his eyes locked on Diego for a moment before following him.
Josephina Colbert: Ladies and
gentlemen... the following contest is scheduled for one fall... and
it is for... the LEGACY... WORLD... TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP!!! Josephina Colbert: Making their way down to the ring first... hailing from Chicago, Illinois and The Bronx, New York respectively... weighing in at a combined weight of 524lbs... they are the LEGACY WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS... MIRAGE & CRONOS DIAMANTE... the... AGENTS...of.... DESTINY!!! An even larger amount of boos rain down as Cronos Diamante is seen
running toward the ramp from the ground entrance to the ringside area,
sporting the World Tag Team Championship held close to his body as if
it were a football. Instinctively, Mirage drops back into passing form
and points out to a fan holding up an “X-Calibur poster. Cronos
nods and quickly snaps his Championship belt around his shoulder. Bryan Harris: It’s interesting to note that X-Calibur is nowhere in sight. REAL tag team enter the ring together, after all. Jimmy Yate: While I don’t disagree with that sentiment entirely, I do think that with X and Cade... well, I think there’s more to it than meets the eye. Alan Ducard: One thing’s for sure, Cade wants him some AOD! Standing up and hopping to the middle turnbuckle, Cade beats his chest and raises his hands in the air in a photogenic moment while flashbulbs explode through out the arena. Hopping down from the middle turnbuckle, Cade Sydal looks at the elevate ramp entrance as All That Remains fades into silence. A few moments go by... and nothing. Jimmy Yates: Alright, so where’s X-Calibur? Alan Ducard: Excellent question, mate. Cade stands with his hands at his hips as the audience begins booing X-Calibur’s absence. Shrugging, Cade looks at referee Travis Rollins and shouts, “RING IT!”. Seeing this sight before them, Cronos and Mirage eagerly step onto the edge of the ring apron, almost salivating at the thought of having no X-Calibur to hinder the their destruction of Cade. Asking Cade if he’s sure he doesn’t want to wait for his tag team partner to arrive, Rollins nods his head at Cade’s eagerness to get things started The bell sounds and this match is officially underway. Alan Ducard: Well, it looks like this one is underway, sans X! Jimmy Yates: This isn’t looking good for- Without warning, the lights dim. The fans scream with joyous abandon
at the theatrics of what is about to come. Suddenly, a giant “X”
appears on the LEGACY Jumbo Vision, followed by the opening chords to
“Harvester of Sorrow”. Blue and orange strobe lights ensue.
All eyes on the entrance ramp. Except Cade’s... like he knew or
something. Smirking at Cronos and Mirage, Cade continued to stare at
them staring at the entrance ramp, when all of a sudden a giant wave
of mixed emotions fills the atmosphere. X-Calibur, looking much more
trim and toned than we’ve seen in recent promotional videos, makes
his way through the LEGACY embroidered curtains. Alan Ducard: Looks like we have a tag team match after all, folks! Slowly, methodically making his way down the ring, nary a smile or smirk, X-Calibur manages to bump fists with a few fans, ignoring the rest with his apparent passivity. His lack of fire ever-apparent, X-Calibur hops up onto the ring apron wearing his trademark gold and black tights, each leg alternating the color solid. As X just stands there on the ring apron, the lights fade back into full illumination. Bryan Harris: I’m not really sure what the point of that was... except to delay the inevitable. No way do Cade and X work as a cohesive unit in this match. No way, Jose. Jimmy Yates: Actually, it’s Jimmy. Standing with one foot on the bottom rope and the other on the edge of the canvas, hunched over the top rope with his elbows resting comfortably, X-Calibur watches on as Cade Sydal jumps in one place, raring and ready to go like we’ve never seen him. Across from him is Cronos Diamante, who’s demeanor, despite the silly charade upon his entrance, is filled with malicious intent. Alan Ducard: Looks like Cade and Cronos are going to start this one off. Not really surprised there.. Just as Alan says this, Mirage slaps Cronos on the back, making the official tag. Turning around, Mirage looks surprised at Mirage’s willingness to start things off in this match, rather than his usual cunning strategy of resting comfortably for a while and picking his spot to strike. Mirage almost shoos Cronos to the outside, and a wide smirk spreads across Cronos’ face as he happily steps between the ropes to let his partner commence the action. Bryan Harris: You gotta love the style of communication between Mirage and Cronos here. They’ve known each other for so long and understand each other so well that simple mannerisms conducted in mere seconds fill the pages of an entire book. Jimmy Yates: It’s definitely inspiring to the rest of this tag team division, to say the least. Alan Ducard: If what we’ve seen through out the last few weeks is any indication, then the communication between Cade and X could very well be a stark contrast. In fact, judging by X’s apathetic demeanor here, I see it being a major problem in this match. Jimmy Yates: I don’t quite get that, either. He seemed inspired again in his last promo. Bryan Harris: Smoke and mirrors, Jimbo. Smoke and mirrors. This guy should’ve stayed retired and stayed the hell out of LEGACY. Taking a few steps across the ring, Cade stops jumping in place and readies himself to counterattack Mirage. However, Mirage does nothing but offer a paltry “handshake”, eliciting an incredible chorus of boos from the capacity crowd. Without hesitation, Cade hocks a nasty one and SPITS right in Mirage’s eye, turning the chorus of boos into a crescendo of wild cheers. Jimmy Yates: EWWWW!! Bryan Harris: Good God... I’m gonna be sick... oh... oh look at it dripping. *audible gag* X chuckles to himself on the outside, and much to everyone’s surprise, so does Cronos. Turning around, Mirage looks right at Cronos with the wad of saliva sliding down his eyelid, cascading off of his cheek. Mirage also smiles, and both Agents share a laugh with one another. Yes, a laugh. Having enough of this charade, Cade goes in for the strike, but Mirage immediately tags back out to Cronos. Jimmy Yates: Annnnd there it is. The Mirage we all know and hate. Bryan Harris: Correction... you mean, LOVE to hate. Which is why this man is nothing short of brilliant! Slowly stepping between the ropes, Cronos re-enters the ring, but not before pausing for a moment with his leg still between the middle and top rope. Looking out at everyone in attendance and back at Cade, Cronos smirks for a moment. Having enough of this waiting business, Cade bursts over towards the Agents’ corner. Cronos thinks twice of stepping into the ring though and steps back to the outside, dropping to the mat below. Mirage does so as well, and Cade looks up shouting “COME ON...”. Bryan Harris: Looks like the Agents’ plan of frustrating Cade is working to a tee. Jimmy Yates: Yeah, not sure if this is such a good idea though. Angering Cade is like pissing all over the cage of Taz the Tasmanian Devil and then letting him loose. Not a good idea at ALL. With the Agents “re-grouping” on the outside the fans grow increasingly impatient as the Tag Team Champions continue to stall. Chants of, “You Suck ”, shake the foundations and Mirage and Cronos look out into the sea of Bostonians with their eyes closed and noses in the air, almost as if they were a pair of metal conductors absorbing lightning from the sky. Hoping to catch them off guard, Cade runs into the opposite side of the ring. Gaining some speed off of the rebound, Cade looks as if he’s about to launch himself over the ropes. Mirage and Cronos are much too cognizant of what is about to happen however and scatter far away from the position Cade had locked onto like a heat sinking missile. Jumping into the ropes and twisting his legs through the middle and top rope with a feint-619, Cade lands safely in the ring as the audience boos the dismal effect of what could only have been a suicide dive attempt. Mirage and Cronos point to their noggins and then at the crowd, who let them have it with all of their disdain and hatred. Bryan Harris: Give me a break. Mirage and Cronos know this game inside and out like the back of their hands. I say it now, no WAY are they going to let a little firecracker like Cade Sydal work his fancy little flips and twisting do-da’s on them. Jimmy Yates: The Agents of Destiny might be more alert than most we’ve seen enter that ring, but they’re far from infallible. Alan Ducard: I agree with James here. No one is impenetrable to one’s game plan in a wrestling match. As the match wears on, everyone opens up at some point. Bryan Harris: I feel like there’s an "Alan’s Mom" joke hidden in there somewhere, but I’m going to show some class and refrain. Alan Ducard: Well... I’m impressed. With X-Calibur still standing on the edge of the ring apron as calmly as he was when he first entered the ring, Cade looks back at his teammate and asks him if he wants to go after Mirage and Cronos for their obvious attempt at stalling the match. Shaking his head no and signaling to Cade as if he was saying, “By all means...”, Cade shrugged. In an instant, he charged into the ropes, and as Mirage and Cronos were fixated on letting the world know they are too smart for everyone, Cade no-hands his way to the top rope, and in one amazingly swift motion he BACKFLIPS down across his opponents with a no-handed springboard shooting star press. Jimmy Yates: OH MY GOD!!! Bryan Harris: WHAT THE... HE GOT THEM ANYWAY!!! Alan Ducard: AMAZING!!! With Mirage, Cronos, and Cade down on the outside mat in a heap of hurt, “LEG-A-SEE!! LEG-A-SEE!!” chants break out across the Boston Arena, interspersed with, “THAT WAS AWE-SOME!”. Jimmy Yates: Well if they were sleeping before because of the Agents’ stalling, they aren’t now. Ths crowd just got woke the eff up! Alan Ducard: Language, James! Jimmy Yates: What... I said eff! 'Sides, this is PPV! Realizing he is the only man still standing on his own two feet, X-Calibur steps through the ropes and into the ring as Travis Rollins initiates a count to the outside since Cade and Cronos are technically the legal men. Mirage and Cronos slowly get to their feet, and X-Calibur looks out at the buzzing crowd. Feeling a bit reckless himself, X-Calibur smirks and races into the ropes. Off the rebound, the crowd readies itself for another insane stunt. Rather than leaping, X-Calibur rebounds off the ropes closest to the action outside, picking up speed as he returns to the other side of the ring again. Suddenly though, X-Calibur latches his arms onto the ropes and stops himself cold. Looking out at everyone, X-Calibur shouts, “F*** THAT ”, and returns to his corner as Bostonians watching all share an abrupt laugh at X’s second thoughts. Jimmy Yates: Hahaha... oh man. I was gonna say... no WAY can X pull off something like that Cronos is the first man to his feet through the chaos left by Cade. Cade trying to get to his and it’s obvious he took the brunt of the landing himself in that insane shooting star press. Grabbing Cade by the back of his head, he manhandles Cade under the bottom rope and rolls him into the ring. Cronos follows him in, stands up, and immediately begins laying the boots to Cade Sydal amidst a massive wave of booing. Looking out at the jeering audience, Cronos seems to be a little angry. Jimmy Yates: Cronos looks a little perturbed.. Alan Ducard: Probably because that “little firecracker”, as Bryan put it, just embarrassed Cronos Diamante. If there’s one thing you DON’T want to do during a match, it’s embarrass that man right there. He'll make you absolutely SUFFER for it. Lifting Cade up to his feet by the underside of his chin, Cronos shoots in with a crossing elbow that wobbles Cade into the ropes. Instinctively though, Cade bounces off the middle rope and fires back with a shot to the mid-section, catching the much larger Cronos off guard. Momentarily stunning him, Cade follows the shot to the mid-section with a flurry of short-distance forearms to the face. Jimmy Yates: Look at Cade unleashing here! After about the sixth forearm shot, Cade spins around 360 degrees and delivers one final forearm shot that sends Cronos to the other side of the ring on spaghetti legs. Cade recoils back into the ropes, but just before he can bounce off of them, Mirage reaches over the ropes and claws at Cade’s eyes, getting a handful of face in the process effectively stopping Cade from capitalizing on his forearm shots to Cronos. Jimmy Yates: Aw c'mon! Alan Ducard: God this illegal tandem offense is so... so... Bryan Harris: Justified? Awesome? Jimmy Yates: You would, Bryan. Bryan Harris: Yes, I would... and DO. Why? Because Mirage and Cronos are the tag team champions of the WORLD. That means, they are the most EFFECTIVE and most EFFICIENT tag team in all of LEGACY. And with defensive maneuvers like what Mirage just pulled out? They just keep on proving it. Jimmy Yates: Who the hell are you trying to kid, Bryan? Mirage and Cronos have HARDLY proven such a thing. Perhaps Mirage and Lucien were... but you are forgetting that Mirage and Cronos have only had ONE match together as a TEAM. So, what you surmise is a little off base if I may say so... which I DO. Alan Ducard: Be that as it may fellas, this crowd HATES what they are seeing... they want to see an actual tag team affair, not a match that’s being bogged down by tomfoolery such as stalling and eye gouges Jimmy Yates: Well said, Alan. Looking back at X-Calibur, almost begging for him to step between those ropes and help his friend, Cronos charges at Cade Sydal with a massive lariat, connecting right across Cade’s neck and almost decapitating the man entirely. With Cade down on the ground, Cronos goes for a cover, simultaneously looking up at X-Calibur to see what he’s going to try and do... One... Two... Cade manages to kick out. Nothing from X-Calbur. Not even a blink. Alan Ducard: Don’t even say it, James. I shutter at the thought. (Inaudible shutter) Bryan Harris: I seriously doubt it, but stranger things have happened. Lifting Cade to his feet, Cronos delivers a powerful right hand shot that sends him back down. Almost looking inconvenienced by Cade falling, Cronos shakes his head in disgust. Looking over at Mirage, Cronos sees his tag team partner’s hand outstretched. Cronos reaches down and brings Cade up to his feet, pulling him up by the back of his head and dragging him over to the champions’ corner. Bryan Harris: This could spell trouble for Cade! Jimmy Yates: For some reason, I'd be willing to bet that you can't spell that yourself. Bryan Harris: Ass. Alan Ducard: Now, now children... play nice. Tagging in Mirage, Cronos tosses Cade into the ropes. As Mirage steps between the ropes Cronos unleashes a series of knee shots and elbow shots that crumple Cade onto his keaster with his back resting against the bottom turnbuckle. As Cronos exits the ring, Mirage runs into the ropes opposite Cade. Gaining some speed Mirage extends a foot forward and SMASHES Cade Sydal’s face with a VICIOUS “facewasher” kick. Jimmy Yates: NASTY facewasher there.. Cade could be out! Rolling Cade over on the mat, Mirage hooks a leg, looking up and over at X-Calibur. One... Two... Thr- Cade manages a kick out just in the nick of time as the crowd boos X-Calibur for not coming to the rescue of his tag team partner. Alan Ducard: I can’t believe this... wake UP, X! Bryan Harris: Despite that catapult what-cha-ma-call-it in the beginning, Cade Sydal is getting his freakin’ ass kicked in this one, folks. Jimmy Yates: Yeah, and it’s no thanks to that man standing on ring apron. Bryan Harris: Who, Cronos?! Jimmy Yates: No... X. Bryan Harris: Hey, I’m no X-Cal fan but, that man hasn’t even done anything in this match! Alan Ducard: I think that’s James’ point, Bryan. Fans volley “LET’S GO CADE! - SCREW YOU X!” chants back and forth as X-Calibur continues to look on from the ring apron. Still hunched over and looking calm and comfortable, the man might as well be reading the newspaper. With Cade still hurting from the “facewash” kick, Mirage looks over at X-Calibur and smiles. “LISTEN TO THAT, X!”, shouts Mirage at X with his arms outstretched as he listens to the crowd’s chanting. “SCREW YOU, X ”, Mirage chants along with the crowd, hoping to elicit a response from X-Calibur. Nothing, though. X doesn’t even look at Mirage and instead focuses his attention on Cade Sydal, watching him clutch his face on the mat. Seeing this, Mirage’s confident smirk fades away to nothing and the color all but drains out of his face. Bryan Harris: I don't think Mir- OH!! Having enough of this obvious ploy to get inside his head, Mirage SLAPS X-Calibur right... across... the face. The impact sends an echo clear across Boston. Jimmy Yates: OH NO.. Bryan Harris: WOW... what a SLAP! Alan Ducard: I’m... I’m SPEECHLESS. I have NO idea what’s going on here... Reeling back from the apron, holding himself by latching onto the top rope, X-Calibur wipes away the momentary stinging sensation, straightens himself back up on the ring apron... and continues to look past Mirage. X-Calibur tries stifling a laugh, but he can’t hold it any longer as he breaks out into a fit of laughter. Looking absolutely puzzled as to X-Calibur’s reaction, Mirage doesn’t have any time to see Cade rolling him up from behind. Jimmy Yates: CADE’S GOT HIM!! ONE! TWO! THR- Cronos has none of this and stomps Cade right in the spine, effectively breaking up the roll-up. X-Calibur, meanwhile, continues to laugh to himself outside of the ring. Bryan Harris: If this is some kind of mental psych out on X-Calibur’s part... then he’s doing a wonderful job distracting Mirage. But... I don’t know. I think he’s gone funny in the brain. Jimmy Yates: Yeah... I agree, Bryan. Amazingly enough. Alan Ducard: If that’s what’s going on, then frankly he needs to do a better job helping his “friend” out. Cade can’t last much longer fighting these two by himself. Cade’s only human, you know? Incensed that Cade almost snuck out a victory there, Mirage stands up in a hurry and lays the boots into Cade’s body. Motioning Cronos to join in on the beat down, Cronos risks getting disqualified and picks his spots to kick and maim Cade where Mirage isn’t as Rollins begins counting for Cronos to leave the ring. It’s a sight resembling two vultures picking the meat clean off of rotting corpse in the desert. Cronos bends down and lifts Cade to his feet, holding his arms back and exposing his body for Mirage to punish. Shot after shot, Mirage tenderizes Cade’s abdomen with boots and crossing left kidney shots. With the light fading from Cade’s eyes, a sudden second wind revives Cade’s senses and he returns a kick to Mirage’s bread basket as Rollins physically pries Cronos off of Cade. Alan Ducard: He better watch himself here. He could get disqualified! Bryan Harris: Great! Then the AOD retains! Do it! Meat hook Trevor! Jimmy Yates: One, it's Travis... two... shut your skag-hole. Threatening to disqualify Cronos, Rollins yells at Cronos to return to his corner which gives Cade the chance to break away and return some of the viciousness to Mirage. The pendulum shifting in the other direction, Cade kicks Mirage in the ribs twice, and follows it up with a jumping spinning heel kick that sends Mirage to the ground. The fans go CRAZY as Cade seemingly mounts a comeback. Cade back to his feet, he runs over to Cronos and nails a high angled torpedo dropkick to Cronos’ face for good measure. Cronos falls to the outside mat in a sickening thud, and Cade is already back up focusing back on Mirage. Alan Ducard: Blimey! Lovely torpedo dropkick! Looking to end this comeback, Mirage lunches forward with a boot to the mid-section. Cade doubles over. Mirage lifts Cade up for a powerbomb, but Cade uses his own mid-air momentum to latch onto Mirage’s neck and float over with a blockbuster flipping neckbreaker. Cade hooks a leg for the cover.. ONE!! TWO!! THR- the crowd gasps with excitement as Mirage manages to kick out at the last second. X-Calibur, nodding his head at Cade, actually applauds his tag team partner for the athletic display. Cronos SEETHES on the outside as he makes it back to the edge of the ring apron. Cade brings Mirage back to his feet, but Mirage battles back from this with a knee to the gut. Cade doubles over once again, but instead of drawing sand from a water well again, Mirage tosses Cade awkwardly into his corner where Cronos is standing. Mirage rushes in, but Cade sidesteps it by clocking Cronos across the jaw with an elbow. Jimmy Yates: I think I saw a tooth go flying! Cronos buckles on the outside and Mirage hits the turnbuckle chest fist. Jumping up and behind Mirage with his feet tucked between Mirage’s arms, Cade rolls back with the lucha libre style roll-up with Rollins in position. Alan Ducard: He has him!! ONE!! TWO!! THR- Cronos extends a foot through the ropes and kicks Cade SQUARE
in the temple. Jimmy Yates: Cade’s gonna feel that one in the morning, for sure. As soon as Mirage is back up, Cronos slaps Mirage on the back tagging himself in. Mirage falls back into the turnbuckle as Cronos enters the ring in a hurry. Cade is already halfway to his feet when Cronos, obviously pissed off over Cade’s neutralization of him in the corner, grabs him by the arm and whips him into the ropes. Bryan Harris: I think Cronos' patience for Cade just hit its limit. Awkwardly running back without having the chance to gain his bearings, Cronos lifts Cade over his shoulders with both of his hands out to the sides, as a sort of balancing mechanism, and in one fluid motion SNAPS him down to the canvas with a sick spinebuster, the force of which upends Cronos completely on the mat while Cade folds like an accordion. Jimmy Yates: Holy CRAP! Bryan Harris: That was a NASTY spinebuster. Shades of the late great Bob Holly.. Jimmy Yates: Are ye daft?! Bob Holly's not dead either! Bryan Harris: Oh, right... Jimmy Yates: I think it’s safe to say that Cade has officially entered Cronos’ bad side. He said coming into this one that he was going to brutalize his opponents... and he could be looking to do that right here. With the wind sucked from his sails after that wicked no-handed spinebuster, Cade gasps for air on the mat. Cronos wastes no time capitalizing on Cade’s prone position and drops an elbow right into Cade’s chest, trying to flatten the man’s lungs. Staying on top of him in a side-mount position, Cronos takes the point of his elbow and REPEATEDLY smashes Cade’s chest. Jimmy Yates: If Cade’s sternum isn’t shattered after this I’ll be amazed. Bryan Harris: Especially considering how Cronos’ elbows are sharper than K-Flo’s. Jimmy Yates: Stop. After having his way with him on the mat for a good amount of time, Cronos stands back up with Cade in his clutches. As quickly as he brought him up, Cronos brings him right back down with a hastily delivered snapmare. As soon as Cade lands, Cronos is off into the ropes. On the rebound Cronos’s feet leave the ground as he flies forward with a flying KNEE right into the back of Cade’s upper-back. With the crowd “OOOOOH”ing this painful display, Cronos turns cade over and locks in side-arm. The submission, however, is only a distraction while Cronos flattens Cade’s arms on the mat. One! Cade is too savvy for this trickery, though and lifts his shoulder up off the mat. Cronos tightens the grip on the side arm-bar, and Cade’s shoulders lower upon instinct. One! Two! Thr- Cade gets a shoulder up, and in a high-pitched voice of concern, the fans practically BEG for X-Calibur to do something about this vicious two-on-one beat down. One! Two! THR- Cade manages to escape again... X, however, remains cold and unresponsive with his eyes narrowed at Cade. Pushing back down, the fans clamor as Cade is once again in danger of being pinned... One! Two! Thr- Cade does it again. Cronos looks up at X-Calibur, and surprisingly enough, he releases is grip on Cade and stands right up, walking in X’s direction. Still seething, looking to inflict insurmountable pain on anyone in his path, Cronos raises a fist to X. He doesn’t have time to connect with it however as Cade, as resilient as a desert rose, is tripping Cronos up from behind with a surprise roll-up. X actually smiles as Cade puts all of his body weight down onto the legs of Cronos Diamante.. ONE!! TWO!! THR- Cronos muscles his way out and Cade is back to his feet. Cronos is back up on the mat and Cade is waiting for him. Running forward, Cade extends both feet and connects with a basement dropkick that trips Cronos back into his corner. Once again, taking advantage of their position, Mirage pats Cronos and effectively tagging himself in. Wasting no motion in his campaign of in-your-face speed, Cade rushes in at Cronos, jumps to the middle rope and SMACKS Cronos across his jaw with his right shin. Jimmy Yates: Cade just had Sex With Your Girlfriend! Backing up, Cronos spills through the ropes to the outside. All of a sudden, as Mirage steps into the ring, Cade rushes forward again, lands on the middle rope and smacks MIRAGE right in his grill with a second shin kick to the face. As Cade retreats from the corner, Mirage wobbly makes his way to the center of the ring before falling back to the mat. At this point, the audience ERUPTS with back to back “SWYG”’s from Cade. Jimmy Yates: Cade just had Sex With YOUR Girlfriend, too, Alan! Alan Ducard: TWICE! This handsome bloke is a home-wrecker! Bryan Harris: Super. All of a sudden, X-Calibur outstretches his hand. Jimmy Yates: LOOK! X wants in!! With Mirage on the mat and Cade holding his back from Cronos’ onslaught, Cade looks at X-Calibur and smiles. X returns the smile, and Cade can’t help but laugh a little bit from the beating he’s taken thus far. Shouting, “YEAH! DO IT, BRO!”, Cade darts forward and makes the TAG. Alan Ducard: For the first time in the match, X-Calibur is the legal man! Jimmy Yates: This should be interesting... Bryan Harris: If anybody’s eyes at home weren’t glued to their sets already, they are now. I have no IDEA what to expect from this man. He shows up late to the show... barely shows any interest in being tagged in... he has been a real enigma thus far. With the fans unsure of what to make of this... X-Calibur steps between the middle and top rope and enters the ring. With Mirage sitting up on the mat, looking up while rubbing his chin from the shin kick delivered previously by Cade, X-Calibur smirks widely. He takes his index and middle finger and points to his own two eyes and then back at Mirage as if to say, “I see you now.”. Bryan Harris: Uh oh.. Jimmy Yates: Yeah. Alan Ducard: Mirage has been BEGGING for X-Calibur's attention all week... and I think he finally has it! Just as Mirage held up his hands to plead with X-Calibur, the former LEGACY World Champion WAYLAYS Mirage right in the FACE with a vicious kick. The arena EXPLODES into cheers as X-Calibur grabs Mirage by his neck and pulls him to his feet, choking him, eyes filled with a rage that hasn’t been seen in quite some time. Manhandling Mirage to the corner with a hulking display of anger, X-Calibur tees off on the bridge of Mirage’s nose and jaw with lefts and rights. Completely stunned and overwhelmed by X-Calibur’s furious flurry of fists, Mirage’s head snaps back from each and every hard shot delivered. The fans chant, “BOOM...” with every hard shot connected. Shocked by this, Cronos steps into the ring... but is quickly cut off by an EXLOSIVE springboard missile dropkick from Cade that sends the audience into an even bigger frenzy. Bryan Harris: WHAT THE HELL? WHERE DID THIS COME FROM? Jimmy Yates: IT’S DEAFENING IN HERE!! I CAN’T HEAR ANYTHING!! Alan Ducard: ROLLINS IS LOSING CONTROL OF THIS ONE FAST!! Throwing Mirage into the ropes, X-Calibur takes one step forward, and on Mirage’s rebound, he stops Mirage’s body COLD in position for a belly-to-belly suplex. "BOOM", goes the crowd as X lifts up and slams Mirage back down onto the mat. Not even going for a cover, X-Calibur brings Mirage back up to his feet as the fans scream with delight over this sudden turn-around in the match. Mirage doesn’t even have time to think or react when X-Calibur lifts up underneath one of Mirage’s legs, clasps his hands together behind Mirage’s head and LIFTS for a perfectly executed capture suplex. Jimmy Yates: Mirage sent flying! What a suplex!! They could have it!! Alan Ducard: That looked as good as I remember it six months ago! With Cronos stirring on the ring apron, Cade pulls Cronos’ feet out from underneath him, causing him to smash his face on the outside ring apron. Kicking Cronos across the head with a roundhouse, Cronos falls to one knee. Hopping back up onto the ring apron, Cade looks behind him briefly to measure up Cronos. As the fans prepare for something amazing, Cade launches himself to the middle rope and BACKFLIPS down onto Cronos’ head, crushing his skull against the announce booth as Cade’s lower body slams down onto the actual table!! The thud of the table NOT breaking echoing into the atmosphere sends “HOL-EE SHIT!” chants through Boston. Spilling behind the announce booth, Cade lays on the outside floor as Cronos is seemingly unconscious. Alan Ducard: MY GOD!!! CADE IS DEAD!! Jimmy Yates: Did you SEE Cronos hit his head against our table here?!?! I think he moved it about a foot with his cranium!! He could be seriously hurt... Bryan Harris: We're damn lucky this table isn't in pieces right now!! Bryan Harris: Oh no.... oh NO.... TELL ME this isn’t gonna end like this... X has... oh God... Bringing Mirage to his feet, X-Calibur scoops him up for a slam and motions that he’s going to the top rope for his signature Hang Time Elbow. The fans roar with excitement as X-Calibur exits to the apron and begins his ascension to the top. With Mirage in a prone position on the mat, the crowd slips into a momentary silence as X-Calibur measures up his opponent in the middle of the ring. Alan Ducard: If he connects with this, it could be OVER... Bryan Harris: If X-Calibur single-handedly beats Mirage like this and takes those titles... man, I don’t even know WHAT to think. Jimmy Yates: Let’s not count Mirage out of this yet. He’s still one of the craftiest players in the game and one little slip up by X and it could spell doom for Cade and X’s chances tonight. Speaking of Cade, that landing was rough and he could have a serious rib injury here... he doesn’t look so good.. Leaping from the top rope, X-Calibur flies through the air and DRIVES his elbow right into the black heart of Mirage. "BOOM!". X hooks a leg for the first time in the match, and Rollins drops down for the count as the crowd counts along with them.. ONE!!! Jimmy Yates: HE HAS HIM!!! HE HAS HIM!!! TWO!!! THREE!!! NO!!! Mirage shoulders out just in time and X-Calibur looks at Rollins in disbelief. Bryan Harris: JESUS... TWO AND NINE EIGHTHS!! Jimmy Yates: Um... you're an idiot. Standing back up, X-Calibur looks at the now pro-X crowd and motions that he’s going for his X-Terminator. Looking at Mirage, X stands hunched over to the side of Mirage, and stomps his feet onto the ground. The crowd stomps in return, and a few seconds later, X stomps again. With the crowd volleying a stomp back at X-Calibur, Mirage rolls over and starts trying to get to his feet. Jimmy Yates: LISTEN to this CROWD... MY GOD... Bryan Harris: Man... they’re calling for it just as badly as X-Calibur is.. Mirage makes it to his feet, and as soon as he turns around, X-Calibur leaps up for a jumping ace crusher similar to the RKO as seen by Randy Orton, a variation often used by X-Calibur himself. In mid-air however, Mirage pushes X-Calibur forward, where X-Calibur lands on his feet. Instead of turning around though, X-Calibur notices Osamu Hayashi hopping up onto the ring apron seemingly from out of NOWHERE. Alan Ducard: OSAMU HAYASHI!!! Blimey, it’s the new LEGACY International Champion!! Jimmy Yates: Where the HELL did OSAMU come from?!?! Under the RING?!?! Bryan Harris: I have NO idea... he’s so stealth-like no one seemed to – MIRAGE WITH THE ROLL-UP!!! As X-Calibur’s attention was momentarily distracted by Osamu hopping up onto the apron, Mirage grabs a handful of tights and rolls X-Calibur up just as Osamu dropped back down from the ring and out of X and Rollins’ view... Jimmy Yates: TIGHTS!!! HE’S GOT THE TIGHTS!!! Alan Ducard: HIS FEET!!! THEY’RE ON THE BLOODY ROPES, REF!!! ONE!!! TWO!!! THREE. The bell sounds and everyone stands in silence. They can’t believe it. Bryan Harris: NO WAY!!! Wow... I can’t believe he GOT HIM... Jimmy Yates: Wha- huh..... I don’t believe it... Mirage GOT HIM.... Mirage... GOT... HIM... oh this is just disgusting... Alan Ducard: Bloody HELLRollins didn’t see Mirage’s feet or hands!!! The Agents of Destiny have done it!!! They’ve retained!!! X-Calibur looks absolutely STUNNED as a beaming Mirage falls forward, almost exhausted by the endless amount of offense X-Calibur was getting on him. Cade meanwhile is finally coming to on the outside, holding his ribs and wondering what just happened. Josephina Colbert: The winners of this match... and...... STIIIIIIIIIIILLL.... LEGACY WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS.... MIRAGE AND CRONOS DIAMANTE... THE AGENTS... OF... DESTINY!!!!!!!!!!!! Standing up, Cade looks absolutely perplexed as to how the Agents could have pulled this victory off. X-Calibur looking out at Cade, X-Calibur suddenly realizes that it was all for nought. All the waiting... and they failed. With Osamu helping Mirage up, X-Calibur steps through the middle and top rope and makes a bee line for the timekeeper’s table. Grabbing a chair and folding it up, X-Calibur races back to the ring and slides under the bottom rope. Jimmy Yates: Oh GOD... X has a chair... X HAS A CHAIR... Alan Ducard: What is he DOING?! Bryan Harris: DON'T DO IT, X!! Just as X-Calibur stood up, Osamu took a step towards X-Calibur, ready to pounce on him... but he thought better of it when he noticed the steel chair in his hand and the fans going crazy for him to use it. Osamu drops to the mat and escapes to the outside... leaving a tired and beaten Mirage in the middle of the ring. Mirage stands on his feet.. X-Calibur turns and faces Mirage. They lock eyes for only half-a-second before X-Calibur DRILLS Mirage across the forehead with the cold, unforgiving steel. The "pang" of metal meeting skull rings through out the entire world. Jimmy Yates: HOLY CRAP!! As soon as Mirage drops to the mat, X-Calibur raises the steel chair and SMASHES it down across Mirage’s face. He does it again. And AGAIN. The audience ROARS for Mirage’s blood as X-Calibur brings it down AGAIN across Mirage’s face. Crimson fills the mat. Looking out at Osamu, X screams, “YOU WANT SOME?! YOU SOME OF THIS SHIT?!”, Osamu shakes his head, stunned at the chair wielding maniac. X-Calibur looks at the capacity crowd with a WILD look in his eye, screaming; “YOU WANTED ME BACK?! YOU... WANTED... ME... BACK?!” Alan Ducard: You hear what he’s shouting? Jimmy Yates: Yeah... and I’m beginning to think people should be careful for what they wish for around here.. Bryan Harris: DAMMIT... he... he can’t DO THIS!! HE'S SNAPPED!!! Jimmy Yates: Well, I think he is, Bry... X-Calibur takes the steel chair and places it over Mirage’s face, blood pouring out from Mirage’s face caking to the seat of the chair. Rushing over to the turnbuckles, X-Calibur steps between the middle and top rope and begins ascending to the top rope, pointing in the air as if to call for the “Hang Time Elbow”. The fans lose it once again, calling for Mirage’s timely demise. At this time, though, Cronos is beginning to come to, holding the spot in his head that took a severe lump against the table Cade crashed him into. Just when X-Calibur looked like he was going to make the leap onto Mirage’s face, Lucien Gray makes his way down the elevated ramp. Bryan Harris: Haha... this changes everything. Jimmy Yates: Here comes the cavalry... and I can’t believe I’m saying this, but... maybe that’s a good thing? Alan Ducard: For Mirage’s sake, it is. X was gonna bloody end him right here and now! Looking at the impending regrouping of the Agents, X-Calibur steps down from the turnbuckles and jumps to the outside, throwing the chair down onto Mirage's bloodied, lifeless body. The fans are unhappy with this as they want to see more of Mirage’s blood, so the booing commences. Cade looks to want to finish what X started and hops onto the ring apron, but X thinks better of the situation and pulls Cade back to the outside mat. Motioning over at Cronos coming to and the big nasty Lucien Gray bum rushing the ring like an NFL offensive line, X desperately shoves Cade towards to the guard rail, obviously not wanting to see his partner suffer a fate that was meant for him instead. Shouting to make a run for it, X keeps his hand on Cade’s back and begins climbing over the guard rail. Begrudgingly, Cade hops over the guard rail and the two make a run for it through the audience, leaving the chaos behind them in a thick cloud of shock and awe. Bryan Harris: I for one am SHOCKED and APPALLED at X-Calibur’s actions tonight. Not only did he not come to Cade’s aid for ninety percent of the match... but when Mirage pinned X-Calibur clean in the middle of the ring, he had a hissy fit about it. What a sore loser. That attack was unwarranted and entirely unprovoked. Eryk Van Warren should be FIRED from LEGACY and stuffed back under the rock he crawled out from. Jimmy Yates: What match were YOU watching?! Mirage not only grabbed a handful of tights, but he had BOTH feet on the ropes. That’s HARDLY clean, and as a matter of fact, that’s par for the course when it comes to Marcus Mirage. Besides, the Agents of Destiny haven’t been playing fair since they got together, and, while under normal circumstances I certainly don’t condone maliciously assaulting someone like X did here... I think it’s about damn time someone started fighting terror with terror. Alan Ducard: Based on the way X rushed away Cade from the scene because of his actions, part of me is also wondering if X staying on the outside of the ring was apart of X and Cade’s plan all along. It was clear that, on several occasions, X’s inaction in the match seemed to distract his opponents enough for Cade to gain the advantage. Bryan Harris: Too bad it didn’t work. Because like it or not, the Agents of Destiny have RETAINED the LEGACY World Tag Team Championships. Rolling into the ring with both tag team championship belts, Cronos holds his head as he crawls over to his fallen teammate, who hasn’t moved since being struck in the face with the steel chair. Peeling the chair back from his face, Cronos’s eyes widen as he immediately shouts, “GET SOME GODDAMN HELP DOWN HERE, NOW!!!”
As he exits his locker room, John Thomas finds himself face to face with Andrew Kelley, who has a microphone in hand. Locking eyes with the interviewer, John can't help but chuckle. John Thomas: You weren't trying to watch me get dressed through the key-hole, were you? Because that's a dead-bolt... Andrew Kelley: Actually, no, I was hoping to get a word with you, since you stood me up for our interview on Friday. Looking both ways, John checks to see if anyone (or a certain someone) is around, and when he's satisfied with what he sees, John responds. John Thomas: I didn't stand you up, I never agreed to it in the first place. I remember Anastasia telling me about the interview she wanted to setup, but I told her that I couldn't, because I had other plans. Andrew Kelley: What could be more important than getting face-time on PPV weekend? John Thomas: It's really none of your business... but if you must know? I was visiting with my grandparents whom I've only met like twice... alright? Not waiting for the interviewer's response, John shakes his head and walks off, shouldering Andrew Kelley out of the way in the process.
The lights in the arena dim, and the broadcast zooms in, using a camera which seems to be set up in the rafters. When we settle on the ring, the close-up falls on Josephina Colbert. Josephina Colbert: Our next contest is set for one fall. Introducing first… LEGACY Vision jumbotron lights up with a blue horseshoe on it, which fades out as the word “Awesomeness” appears in white. Then the jazzy remix of “Hey Man Nice Shot” by Filter starts to play, slightly louder than the boos of the crowd. Bryan Harris: Here he comes, a star in the making! Josephina Colbert: Hailing from Poolesville, Maryland… he is the author of the AWARD winning “Awesomeness Blog”… Joooooooooooohn… THOMAS!! Jimmy Yates: What award, exactly, did that blog win?! Bryan Harris: Ugh, Best LEGACY Blog of the Year. Jimmy Yates: Might be the ONLY LEGACY Blog of the Year. Parting the curtain, John Thomas steps out the stage wearing a white silk top and matching pants. He’s wearing white sunglasses with frosted white lenses. Not taking even a moment to look at the fans, John saunters across the entrance walkway towards the ring, ignoring them at his feet. Alan Ducard: Interesting choice of attire by LEGACY’s infamous blog-writer as he goes into a match with one of the best technicians in the business. Bryan Harris: Don’t down-play John Thomas’ skills. I’m sure in this match he plans to dismantle Devastation. Jimmy Yates: We’ll see if he’s able to do that – I’m kinda doubtful, myself. Reaching the apron, JT parts the ropes and enters the ring. After taking off his shirt and shooting a wink at Josephina Colbert, John Thomas pulls off his tear-away silk warm-up pants and walks over to the corner and tosses them to the ring attendant. John’s ring attire consists of white tight shorts which extend almost to his knees, a blue horseshoe high on his left thigh. Not impressed, Josephina continues on with her job. Josephina Colbert: And his opponent… The jazzy sounds of John’s remixed theme song die out, and it’s replaced by the unmistakable guitar riff and drum beat. They knew the match booking, so they knew who to expect, but as “Iron Man” by Black Sabbath starts, the cheering starts rolling in. As the song starts to really get going with the main riff being played after the opening, Devastation steps through the curtain. Josephina Colbert: Hailing from St. Louis, Missouri… he is former LEGACY World Champion… DEVAAAAAASTAAATION!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Standing on the sage, he takes of his LEGACY signature shirt and tosses it out into the screaming legions and then just watches the fans – the ones in front of him, the ones closer to the ring, the ones in the rafters. He soaks it all in before wiping his hands on his wrestling tight pants, sets his sights on the ring and starts walking the elevated walkway. Alan Ducard: To the ring now walks a man who has accomplished so much in this business, multiple World Titles and countless great matches. It’s because of those accomplishments that John Thomas is seen as the challenger in this match. Jimmy Yates: And very well he should be – I don’t think John Thomas has EVER beaten Devastation in a one-on-one match; John doesn’t have a World Title to his credit either. Why shouldn’t Devastation be seen as the favorite to win this battle? Bryan Harris: History don’t mean a thing, Jimbo, and John’s gonna prove that here tonight. Jimmy Yates: You mean just like Greyson Blade did against JT back at Destined for Greatness? Riiiiight. Getting to the apron, Devastation wipes his feet, then ducks underneath the top rope, keeping his eyes on John. Taking a quick step forward, John feigns like he’s going to attack Devastation, but then backs off with a chuckle, having made Devastation flinch. Referee Ross Quattro moves in and tells John Thomas to back up, but he’s already moving back to his corner. Devastation stretches slightly while Quattro talks to him, nodding his head in understanding. After motioning to John Thomas to make sure he’s still aware of the rules, Ross then signals for the bell. Alan Ducard: Now the match will officially get underway, and it looks to start with the two competitors circling the ring, looking for an opening. Bryan Harris: I could very well see John Thomas making this a chess match and surprising everybody by beating Dev at his own game. Jimmy Yates: You’re not predicting a quick knockout victory? Bryan Harris: I don’t think that’s what John is looking for here tonight. Planting his back foot, John Thomas quickly stops circling and agile as a cat, sweeps in and ducks under Devastation’s arms as he reaches out for John. Getting behind Devastation, John sends a knife-edge over-hand chop at a downward angle which connects to the side of Devastation’s head, right along the ear. Swinging around, Devastation tries to grab at John, but Thomas moves too quickly and evades. Alan Ducard: Good stick and move from John Thomas, who might be looking to frustrate Devastation here early on. Jimmy Yates: He’s sure not going to do enough damage with those types of shots to beat Devastation or even slow him down. Bryan Harris: I don’t know if you’ve been watching a lot lately, Yates, even though it is your JOB to do so, but Devastation has NOT been his old self the past couple months – definitely not as strong, and I’d say probably not even as tough. Look at him, he doesn’t even look as muscular tonight. Maybe he’s going for a more cardio-driven approach, but somehow, I don’t think that’s it. I think he’s just not in as good shape as he was before. Again John stops his circling to move in, evade Dev’s grap, this time sending a forearm uppercut into Devastation’s right shoulder, and just like before, Devastation can’t turn around in time, and John starts circling again. This time, Devastation plays the angles and works JT towards a corner. A couple times John looks to shoot in, but Dev lowers his body, and John backs off, realizing his attempt wouldn’t be met with success. Before long, John finds himself without much room to work, his back closer to the corner. Alan Ducard: Devastation worked his opponent into the corner, so now it’s up to John to make move to find a way out. Jimmy Yates: Clobber him, Dev!! Before John can get away, Devastation moves in and sends a swift leg kick that connects just above the knee on John’s right leg. Trying to escape, John spins around, wincing at the shot to his leg, but he finds himself trapped between Devastation and the ropes, so he tries to change course, but he’s again drilled with a leg kick. Wincing again, John plants his feet and sends a punch which drills Devastation on the cheek, and Devastation takes a short step back, then fires in with his own punch with his right arm. John absorbs the shot, then quickly grabs Devastation’s outstretched arm, twists slightly and then drops straight down to the mat, pulling Devastation down with him. Bryan Harris: Brilliant move by John Thomas, yanking down on that shoulder, bringing Devastation down to his knees, putting tons of pressure on that shoulder. Alan Ducard: If John can continue on this sort of attack, it’s going to not only help to set up for a potential Crossface Chicken Wing, but it will also take away from the damage done by Devastation’s punches. Jimmy Yates: John Thomas slid to the outside, and I guess he likes his chances in this match better if he can avoid Devastation for a bit. Regrouping, John Thomas moves around the ring, hopping up onto the apron after giving himself some room away from Devastation. When he sees John Thomas climbing the turnbuckle, , Devastation tries to move in quickly, but John Thomas hops off the top rope, sending a dropkick to the right portion of Devastation’s chest, knocking him backwards, down to the mat. John gets to his feet, trying to get up before his opponent. After stomping down onto Devastation’s right shoulder, John is surprisingly taken down to the mat as he finds his legs wrapped up by his opponent. Alan Ducard: Great double-leg takedown by Devastation, and John Thomas wriggles his legs free, pulling himself underneath the bottom rope with the aid of the apron structure, escaping to the outside. Jimmy Yates: And again John Thomas is “regrouping” on the outside because he’s afraid to be INSIDE the ring. Alan Ducard: As you might expect, Devastation wants to get him back into that ring, and he’s reaching over the top rope, trying to get to John. After first backing up, John takes a quick step towards the ring apron, leaps up, grabs Devastation by the arm and pulls down, straining Devastation down into the ropes before JT releases, slingshotting Devastation back into the middle of the ring. Diving underneath the bottom rope, John rejoins the action. As Devastation tries to get to his feet, John grabs him by the wrist and twists around into a standing armbar, then yanks down on the right arm, putting pressure on that shoulder. Devastation tries to get out of the hold, and John yanks down a second time, slowly Devastation and limiting his attempts to get out of the hold. Measuring his opponent up, John gets behind Devastation and leaps up into the air after letting go of the arm, going for the standing dropkick to the back of the shoulder, but Devastation drops to the mat and avoids the kick. Jimmy Yates: How about that scouting by Devastation! He knew what was coming, avoided it! Swinging his legs around, Devastation tangles his legs in with John’s legs, and before John can get away, Devastation twists around and brings JT down to the mat, rolling over and hooking in a heel hook submission hold. Before the hold is on too long, John Thomas reaches back and grabs onto the bottom rope, forcing Ross Quattro to tell Devastation to release the hold. Bryan Harris: If these fans were hoping to do that “1,2,3,Quattro” thing in this match, it ain’t gonna happen when it’s up to Devastation. He’s not bright enough to realize that he could do another four seconds worth of damage with that submission hold. That’s why he’ll never be World Champ again. Trying to figure out what to do next, John notices that Devastation is being slow to get up, so instead of escaping to the outside, he spins his legs around and gets up first, immediately throwing his legs forward and connecting to the right shoulder of his opponent, keeping Devastation down on the mat. Rolling away, John again gets to his feet and moves around to Devastation’s left side, trying to stay out of his line of sight. As Devastation starts to get up, John Thomas charges in, leaps, grabs Devastation by the head and takes him down sideways with a modified bulldog. Alan Ducard: Brilliant takedown by John Thomas, using something of a bulldog to slam Devastation again onto his right shoulder, clearly John’s target here in this match. Again taking Devastation by the wrist, John helps pull Devastation back up to his feet. After twisting around into a standing armbar, John looks to go for an armdrag takedown, but Devastation swings around with his free left arm and slams it into the side of John’s head, halting the attempt. Pulling Thomas in, Devastation shoots a knee into John’s gut, doubling him over, then grabs him by the head, lifts him high off the mat with a vertical suplex, and then after holding him there for a brief moment, Devastation falls backwards, slamming John into the mat. Jimmy Yates: Here comes Devastation on the return. Bryan Harris: I still think something’s not completely right with him. That was a standard vertical suplex, not something you typically see from Devastation, who usually likes the snap suplexes or at least does a little stalling at the top. Alan Ducard: Possibly some of the work John Thomas has inflicted on Devastation’s right shoulder has gotten to him. Trying to shake it off, John gets to his feet and sees that Devastation is trying to set himself, so JT rushes into the ropes, rebounding for momentum. He’s not expecting Devastation to react as quickly as he does, so John is surprised as he’s taken down to the mat by Devastation, who uses something of a trip / bulldog takedown, coming to the mat with him and attempting to lock in a crossface submission. Resisting it, John Thomas shoves away Devastation’s right arm, not letting it lock around his throat. Bryan Harris: Decent takedown by Devastation, but my boy JT is just too crafty for him. Jimmy Yates: YOUR boy? Bryan Harris: Hey, I’m friends with him on Facebook, I follow him on Twitter, and I got his “Awesomeness Blog” on my RSS Google Reader. John Thomas is only up to his feet a moment before Devastation is, and after John slams a clubbing blow onto Devastation’s right shoulder, JT gets taken down with an STO clothesline / leg sweep combination, sending him flat onto his back. Alan Ducard: Near perfect “Space Tornado Ogawa” by Devastation to keep the momentum in his favor… Bryan Harris: Are you SERIOUS with the name of that move?! How do you know those kind of things? Better yet, WHY do you know those things? … Actually? Don’t answer that. Crawling over to John’s leg, Devastation wraps his arm underneath John’s knee, flips him over onto his stomach and then lifts the leg up into position and attempts to lock in a single-leg Boston Crab, but John twists slightly and starts kicking Devastation in the leg. When his ensnared leg has a little bit of room, John throws his free leg up and over Devastation’s head, twisting around to free himself, and immediately shoving Dev with his legs, shoving him away. Jimmy Yates: AGAIN John Thomas manages to escape a submission attempt. SOMETHING isn’t right with Devastation tonight! Returning to his feet, John ducks a clothesline attempt from Devastation, then turns around and immediately dropkicks Dev in the upper right portion of the back, sending him into the corner turnbuckles. Obviously in pain, Devastation turns around and tries to come after John, but he grabs Dev by the wrist, spins around into a hammerlock with the right arm, then grabs Devastation around the head and pulls him down to the mat head-first. Alan Ducard: Brilliant chicken wing DDT by John Thomas, which not only does damage to the shoulder of his opponent, but also slows him down considerably with the affects of the DDT portion of the move. Bryan Harris: Oh, look what we have here… John Thomas going to the top rope from inside the ring… and when’s the last time we saw this?! With his back to the ring, John Thomas hops slightly on the top rope, springing himself off backwards into a high arching moonsault, coming CRASHING down onto Devastation. Ross Quattro slides in to go for his pinfall attempt responsibilities, but John Thomas grabs Devastation by the head and lifts him up slightly off the mat. Jimmy Yates: I can’t believe what I’m seeing, but it looks like John Thomas is ignoring a potential victory opportunity here, looking to do more damage on Devastation! Bryan Harris: You can BET that he’s gonna go for that submission! Alan Ducard: He’d be wise to look for a victory however he can get it… Taking Devastation again by the right wrist, John hoists Devastation up off the mat, having to do a lot of pulling to get Dev to his feet. Twisting around into a standing armbar, John walks back over to the corner, pulling Dev with him, and then he starts ascending the turnbuckles. Jimmy Yates: Anyone who has seen a John Thomas match in the past few years knows exactly what JT is going for here… he’s been working over that shoulder all match… he’s going to try for the New School here. Having reached the top rope, John starts to walk across the top rope, but Devastation reaches up, grabs John’s arm and pulls him off the top rope, into his grasp and then immediately spins and DRIVES John down into the mat with a HUGE spinebuster which gets a HUGE ovation from the crowd. Alan Ducard: Great reversal from Devastation, and just like that, he has turned the momentum into his favor… and I think John’s head bounced hard off the mat, and this could very well have done it! Sending a couple kicks down into his opponent, Devastation decides he can do better with John on his feet, so he grabs JT by the arm and starts hoisting him up. John weakly swings with a hooking blow, but Devastation drives his knee upwards into John’s chest, slowing his attack considerably. Jimmy Yates: I see the look in his eye, Devastation is going to look to finish it here… Grabbing John Thomas around the waist, Devastation tries to hoist him onto his shoulder, but he takes so long to get John up there, JT is able to swing his legs off, setting himself down behind Devastation. Grabbing him by the wrist and twisting around into the chicken wing, John Thomas throws his arm across Dev’s throat, hooking in from behind and taking Devastation down to the mat into the submission hold. Bryan Harris: John Thomas locks in that crossface chicken wing, and all that work he’s done on that right shoulder is going to be put to work! Alan Ducard: There’s no question that John did quite a bit to that shoulder, but I am surprised at how easily John was able to wrangle Devastation down to the mat… Trying his best to wrench John’s arm from around his throat, Devastation struggles and struggles, but he’s unable to budge John from him. As it looks like the fight and strength inside of Devastation has run to empty, he stops struggling, puts his arm out to the side and taps the mat, causing Ross Quattro to signal for the bell. Josephina Colbert: The winner of this match as a result of a submission... JOOOOOOHN... THOMAS!!!!!!!! Bryan Harris: At Destined For Greatness, John Thomas lost to an opponent he had previously never lost to... and tonight he gets right back on the horse and defeats an opponent who he's never beaten before! Jimmy Yates: I have to admit it, as "non-Awesome" as I find John Thomas, this was an impressive win for him tonight, getting Devastation to tap out. Alan Ducard: Not to take anything away from his win, but Devastation certainly didn't look like himself in this match tonight, and the look in his eyes when he tapped out? It wasn't one of confidence. You Can't Spell
"coMfortablE" without "ME"
We are backstage of the arena, where you can see a cameraman striding
fast-paced down a hallway corridor. The cameraman steadies his equipment
as he turns the corner of the hallway and sees a figure running down
the hallway, banging on the walls and screaming on the top of his lungs. ???: Mmmmphhhmm! MMMMMPHPMMM!! Something isn't right, Crazy Boy thinks. It's Chivalric. It has to be. He lifts the chair, ready to strike and as he does, the figure falls
limp to the floor. Crazy Boy begins to grow worried, quickly taking
off the hood to see none other than Fan Boy. He doesn't look beaten,
but he has been roughed up. Over his mouth is duct tape. |
|||||||||
-Go To Page 3-