No Limits Championship Match Thomas Manchester Black vs Ethan Leers ©

Josephina Colbert: Introducing first, the challenger... from Charlotte, NC now residing in Hartford, CT.. weighing in at 265 pounds.. he is... THOMAS MANCHESTER BLACK!

"If I Was Your Vampire" by Marilyn Manson comes on and the lights in the arena flicker, dim, and then go out entirely. The crowd cheer loudly when the enormous screen over the entrance comes to life with a live image of Thomas Manchester Black waiting in Gorilla position to make his entrance. TMB has on a pair of black stone washed jeans. His fist and forearms are taped up and he is wearing a grey “TMB” hoodie that hides most of his head and face. The pyros go off as TMB start to walk out to the middle of the rampway.

“6 a.m. Christmas morning. No shadows, No reflections here.”

Out of nowhere Leers rushes through the curtain and bashes TMB in the back of the head with a light bulb tube. TMB goes flying off the raised walkway onto the guardrail. Black is shaken up by the attack, but before he can do anything he catches another shot from Leers, who comes flying off the raised walkway, smashing another light bulb tube across the top of Black’s head. Leers grabs a nearby Production cable and wraps it around TMB’s neck, choking him. Leers uses the cable like a leash and drags TMB inside of the ring.

*DING DING DING!*

Alan Ducard: Leers’s got TMB reeling and we’re just seconds in.

Bryan Harris: And it looks like Leers isn’t waiting for TMB to make it to the ring to start.

Jimmy Yates: You would do the same if someone knocked you out on national TV.

Ethan hops out of the ring to the floor, yanking TMB up by the neck. Leers lets go of the cable and TMB hits the mat. Ethan slides back into the ring and sends two downward elbows into TMB’s neck. Leers roll out of the ring and pulls a box of Light bulb tubes from under the ring. Ethan slides the box in the ring and follows. He begins to stomp his feet, waiting for TMB to get up.

Bryan Harris: I don’t like the look on his face.

Jimmy Yates: What are you some poor little child actor reciting lines?

Bryan Harris: No, I’m a announcer stuck next to an jackass.

TMB gets up and turns around, only to have Leers kick him in the gut. Ethan grabs TMB’s arm and brings him face first down into the box of Light bulb tubs with a jumping armbreaker. TMB rolls off the box holding his face. Leers grins and picks TMB up and unleash a brutal looking elbow to his face, sending the big man back. Ethan gets a good head of steam and rushes towards TMB, who at the last minute nearly takes off his head with a Yakuza Kick.

Alan Ducard: What speed by the big man.

With Ethan on the mat, TMB plants a foot in Leers back before dropping an elbow of his own onto Leers’ back. TMB blinks his eyes to make sure no glass is in them, before picking up Leers. Black lifts Ethan up in a bearhug, shaking the reigning No Limit champion.

Alan Ducard: Here we go, TMB using that submission game to try and put a hurt on Leers.

Bryan Harris: After how Ethan started this match, who blames TMB for this.

Leers is punching away at TMB, staggering the big man. At the last moment TMB hurls over his head with a release belly to belly suplex. Leers hits the mat and rolls out of the ring to put space between him and TMB. Leers catches his breathe and looks back up in the ring and sees that TMB is gone. As he turns around to find him…he is greet with a vicious chairshot to the head.

Jimmy Yates: I guess the chair shot is to pay for the light bulb tube shot.

Bryan Harris: That’s some trade off.

Leers drops down to one knee and TMB fires off another shot. Now Leers is down to both knees, which fuels TMB even more as he starts to unleash 3 more shots to the head of Ethan, opening him up. TMB sets up the chair and grabs Ethan by his bloody head. TMB yanks Leers into a front facelock and falls back towards the chair.

Alan Ducard: DDT ON THE CHAIR! TMB pushes Leers off the chair and goes for the pin.

One…

Two…

TH-NO…

Alan Ducard: Near fall for TMB!

But Ethan has responded with a last second shoulder up. TMB looks down at Leers and shakes his head before getting up and kicking the chair out of his way. TMB looks under the ring and pulls out two tables. TMB sets up one table across the ring apron to the guardrailing making a bridge. He punts Leers in the side before setting up the other table in front of the bridged one. TMB goes to lift Leer up, but Ethan quickly rakes the eyes. Leers quickly nails a low blow before slamming TMB’s face into the ring apron. As TMB’s head bounces back, Leers takes him down with a clothesline. As TMB lays on the ground…Leers reaches into the front of his pants and gets a handful of “ball sweat” and smacks TMB in the face.

Crowd: ASS-HOLE! ASS-HOLE! ASS-HOLE!

Bryan Harris: Choice words for Ethan Leers, as he decides tis the season to share.

TMB spazz from the contact and smell but is met with a boot to the face. Ethan laughs as he pushes TMB’s face into the guardrailing. Ethan grabs the kicked away chair and swings it at TMB’s head which is laying against the guardrailing. At the last minute TMB moves his head.

Jimmy Yates: He’s a pocket-sized morsel of shit-kickingAnd we almost had TMB’s head turn into a pancake there.

Bryan Harris: I guess Leers is still upset about what TMB did the last show. He looks like he wants to make sure that TMB never does that again.

But Ethan does not stop with that swing. Ethan takes one more swing crashing the chair against TMB’s arm until it starts to dent. TMB is screaming in pain and holding his shoulder as Ethan throws the chair to the side.

Jimmy Yates: It’s gonna be hard for TMB to use that offense of his with one good wheel.

Alan Ducard: One good wheel…what is this the 80’s. He has a hurt arm.

Jimmy Yates: A real announcer knows more than one way to say something...

Leers lifts TMB up and slams his arm on the guardrailing, causing TMB to stumble back holding his arm. Ethan smiles and starts to stalk TMB as he staggers around the ringpost and over the guardrailing into a bunch of fans. As Ethan goes to pick TMB up and TMB quickly grabs a drink from a fan and splashes it in Leers’ face.

Bryan Harris: It looks like TMB sensed that Leers may be a little thristy.

Jimmy Yates: Yeah that must be it.

Leers stumbles back and TMB starts to make his way through the crowd. Leers, even more pissed off then before, darts through the crowd after him. TMB pushes through the curtain towards the backstage area and ducks around a corner. Leers comes bursting through the curtain, only to get hit with a trash cart at high speed. Leers bounces off the wall from the impact and is met with a brutal right hand from TMB.

Crowd: LEGACY! LEGACY! LEGACY!

Alan Ducard: Well it looks like Leers walked into TMB taking out the trash.

Jimmy Yates: Really…that is what you come up with?

TMB shakes his right arm trying to pump some life back into it. TMB turns to grab Leers, but has to switch hands from right to left. A quick knee to the gut and TMB steps back. He waits until Leers is about to turn his head and nails the running knee lift. With Ethan staggering back, TMB body splashes him against the wall.

Jimmy Yates: Oomph! Talk about being stuck between a rock and a hard place.

Bryan Harris: TMB going for the pin!

One…

Two…

Thr…

Crowd goes bananas, nectarines, and apricots as Ethan gets a shoulder a couple inches off the mat. TMB sits up with a disgusted look on his face. TMB grabs Leers and lifts him up, but Leer yanks his right arm down. TMB yells and steps back, allowing Leers to grab him and ram his head into the go entrance ramp.

Alan Ducard: Leers wants this back in front of the fans.

Leers throws TMB out through the curtain onto the raised walkway. Out comes Ethan with a steel trash can in his hands. TMB is starting to crawl towards the ring and Leers slams the trash can down on his back. Each time TMB crawls towards the ring, Leers nails another shot with the can.

Jimmy Yates: Leers is beating TMB back to the ring

TMB lays motionless after all the hits and Leers takes the trash can and wedges it between the walkway and guardrailing. Leers starts to unload a barrage of punches and kicks on the weakened challenger. Leers wraps TMB up and points towards the trash can and signals for the Cyclorama.

Bryan Harris: Somebody has to stop this…Leers could end TMB’s career with this!

Leers leaps off the raised walkway putting TMB through the trash can with the Moonsault Belly to Belly Suplex. The crowd goes insane as Leers slowly gets up. Leers staggers to the guardrailing to steady himself as it looks like TMB is not moving.

Jimmy Yates: I think he may have killed him

Leers wipes the blood off his face and smears it on TMB’s face. Leers could get the pin right there but he looks over at the tables that TMB set up earlier. Ethan drags TMB’s limp body over towards the tables. Leers rolls TMB up on the table set up on the floor. Leer looks over to the table that is bridged slightly higher than the table he is on.

Alan Ducard: It looks like Leers wants to step things up.

Leers rams TMB’s face against the other table before he hoist TMB’s body up on the table. Leers hops off the table he is still on and slides it under the table he has placed TMB on. Leers climbs up on the bridged table and begins to smile.

Bryan Harris: If he nails this, it’s all over for TMB.

Jimmy Yates: Looks like TMB’s title hopes are about to come down crashing.

Leers gives the signal for the Revolution Driver, but TMB drops to one knee. Thomas quickly nails the low blow and spins Leers into an inverted facelock. Not knowing how long he can keep a tight hold on Leer with his weak arm, TMB spins Leers over into a falling diamond cutter. Both men go crashing through the table onto the ringside floor below.

Jimmy Yates: VIOLENT PARTY THROUGH THE TABLES!!!!!

Alan Ducard: But how much pain did TMB put himself through to nail that move.

HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT!

The crowd is hot as both men are still as the ref looks over to check on them. TMB slowly reaches over and drapes his arm over Leers with his last bit of strength.

One…

Two…

Three!

The ref calls down the EMTS for both men as the official announcement is made.

Josephina Colbert: Here is your winner - and NEW No Limit Champion - THOMAS MANCHESTER BLACK!

Bryan Harris: A BRUTAL match, just like I like it, and we have a new champion!

Jimmy Yates: Thomas Manchester Black isn't exactly the most personable guy in the world, but if given the option between him and the morally repulsive Ethan Leers? The choice is easy.

Alan Ducard: I'd have to agree, and what I've seen of Leers thus far - including that despicable act back on Friday night involving invading Josephina Colbert's dressing room - I'm glad "The Cult Leader" is no longer a champion in LEGACY.

Dangerous Liasons

Off-white foam. Clear plastic ladle.

Clear plastic cup, half filled with creamy off-white beverage.

Delicate hands pour more, filling near brim's edge.

Landscape's newest feminine addition.

Battered, bruised, scarred; a night off after battle won nights ago.

Both with beverage, an attempted exit.

Front office's representative, looking for beverage.

Eyes lock. Confusion.

Tabitha: Good Evening, Landon.

Worried eyes glance, first to her - a first look on her since a puzzling disapperance. Then to him, a grizzled enigma with freakish habits. Her, here... with HIM?

Landon Savage: Hello... Tabitha.

Tabitha: You two know each other, right? I'd assume so, since you work together.

Landon Savage: Uh... yeah, I'm familiar with Frank.

Tabitha: Good, good.

frank GARVIN: And how do you two know each other?

Carefully plucked, thin blonde eyebrow raises, corner of mouth follows into a grin. Eye sparkles.

Tabitha: How else do you think I got to Boston?

Minx begins to make an exit. Male eyes remain locked. Dual shock.

Minx returns, head inches from glasses of road agent, nearly cheek to cheek.

Tabitha: I hope this doesn't affect Frank's position in the division. He really should be the one to get the first shot at T.M.B.

Matter of factly, minx turns and leaves. Eccentric "freak" follows.

Tao of Valor Championship 30-Minute Iron Man Match Hazard vs Matthew Dawson ©

The lights dim and the LEGACY Vision Jumbotron lights up with a golden token which reads “30” on it.

Josephina Colbert: Ladies and Gentlemen, the next contest is set for 30 minutes, with the Tao of Valor Championship ON THE LINE!

The crowd begins to cheer.

Josephina Colbert: Whoever gets the most falls during the 30 minute time limit will be the winner! Introducing first… the challenger…

The arena lights begin pulsing blue and the familiar strains of Stranglehold by Ted Nugent blare through the arena. The LEGACYtron flashes to a plain, white screen, before one red drop plops down onto it. As it spreads, the sound of a typewriter clicking away can be heard. The words "One Man Riot" appear in typeset below the thin red line. There's a momentary pause before the word "Hazard" appears in the same manner above the line.

Josephina Colbert: He is the FX Network Champion… HAAAAAAAAZARRRRD!!

As the music kicks up a little in volume, through the curtain and onto the ramp appears the LEGACY FX Network Champion, Hazard.

As Hazard stands in the ring with Josephina, the arena goes black as the LEGACY Vision tron flashes to life as just a snippet of Fergie’s Glamorous hits the PA system.

*Static*

Championships

Riches

Status

The following five stare performance is brought to by … THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE NIGHT.

*Static*

A highlight video begins to roll of Matthew Dawson as “Touch, Peel, Stand” by Days of the New hits the PA system, and the fans don’t hesitate to boo the arrival of the ToV Champion before he can even appear before them.

Josephina Colbert: Ladies and gentlemen, now introducing the ToV Champion … here is The Elite Champion, Matthew Dawson … The Highlight of the Night!

Just as Josephina finishes her introduction, Dawson appears before the hate-filled masses. The ToV Title is strapped around his waist and he stops at the top of the rampway as golden pyros explode from around the rampway and shower the champion in a regal entrance. He then heads towards the ring with a smirk plastered across his countenance. He raises a hand to a couple of loud naysayers along the walkway to dismiss their jeers, but otherwise he is focused on his opponent in the ring. Upon arriving at ringside, he steps through the ropes and motions for Hazard to move away to his corner so he can climb the turnbuckles and pose with the ToV Championship and have his much deserved “spotlight”. As Dawson climbs the buckles, a spotlight comes down in the darkness of the arena and bathes The Elite One in its harsh glow for a few moments before finally, the spotlight leaves, the lights in the arena flash on once more, and the match is imminent.

Dawson, outwardly, appears loose and confident..perhaps overly so. The Tao of Valor champion leans back into the corner and drapes his arms over the top ropes to either side of him, smirking across the ring at his opponent. Hazard, the FX Network champion is coiled in the corner, in a 3/4 crouch with his elbows on his knees, rocking side to side, waiting for the bell to ring. After checking with each man to ensure that they're ready for action, the referee signals for the bell and we're underway.

Bryan Harris: My gut says Dawson breezes through this one.

Jimmy Yates: This is a change of pace for Hazard, coming off of an extremely brutal - mentally and physically - feud with Frank Garvin.

Alan Ducard: And for Dawson, he's coming in with considerable momentum after winning the Tao of Valor Championship for the second time, and avenging his loss to Laura Seton.

The two men are face to face in the center of the ring as precious seconds tick away. Dawson is jawing at Hazard, and while the din of the crowd drowns out most of the banter, certain words stand out.

"Don't deserve.....pay per view....your ass back...network...it belongs!"

Hazard's frustration turns into a smirk when Dawson gives him a shove in the chest. He takes a half step back, and true to form, loads up a right hand. As he throws, however, Dawson proves just how well prepared for his match he is. He throws up his left arm to block the punch, then uses his own right hand to deliver a very sharp, very loud slap across the face of Hazard.

Bryan Harris: Looks like Dawson just returned the favor of a slap in the mouth from that bully.

Alan Ducard: I hate to say it, but he did owe him one. I also..

Jimmy Yates: Can't say it was the smartest thing he could have done?

Bryan Harris: You're finishing sentences for each other now? Is this Bromance getting serious?

With nearly a minute gone by in the match already, and the left side of Hazard's face turning blood red in the shape of a handprint along his cheek, the two men finally get down to business. A collar and elbow tie up sees them jockeying for position until they find themselves against the ropes and separated by the referee. Hazard gives a clean break and invites the Tao of Valor Champion to center ring to resume the action. Dawson obliges and again the men engage in a very stiff collar and elbow tie up. Hazard quickly snares a headlock, but Dawson slips out before the move can be secured and uses a waistlock to lift Hazard off the mat and down to the ground. Once on the mat, Dawson floats over and cinches in a front facelock.

Alan Ducard: Dawson can wrestle very well between his bouts of showing off.

Bryan Harris: Of course he can, he's the Tao of Valor champ...again.

Hazard works his way to his feet, still trapped in the front facelock. He spins and forces Dawson's hands away from his chin and over his head into a top wristlock. The two men struggle for an advantage, but just as it appears Hazard is about to get the best of the situation, Dawson swings his front leg backwards, sweeping Hazard's leg from beneath him and sending him to the mat. Dawson rebounds off of the ropes and catches a rising Hazard with a back elbow. Timing it again with Hazard's return to a vertical base, the Highlight of the Night uncorks a picture perfect dropkick to Hazard's jaw. Three minutes in, and the Tao of Valor champion is firmly in control of things. As Hazard rises a little more slowly this time, Dawson begins gloating to the crowd, soaking in their disapproval of current events.

Jimmy Yates: This is one situation where the champion absolutely CAN afford to waste time.

Alan Ducard: I'm not sure taunting Hazard is the best way to do it.

Bryan Harris: Would you prefer he go outside the ring and start knitting a baby blanket?

Hazard shakes his head to clear the cobwebs and charges Dawson, but the ToV champ again proves to be ready for Hazard's pure aggression. He hits the mat with a drop toehold that leaves Hazard draped by the chest over the middle rope. Dawson wastes no time in slingshotting himself over the top rope and down to the floor, making sure to grab the back of Hazard's head and snap him down against the middle rope on the way down. Hazard pops off the middle rope gasping for air as Dawson slides back in under the bottom rope and uses a swinging neckbreaker to put Hazard right back on the mat. He covers, going for the first pin attempt of the match.

One!

Two!

Hazard gets his shoulder up well short of the 3 count, but Dawson has established a measure of control early in the contest.

Alan Ducard: Surprisingly enough, Matthew Dawson is cruising here.

Jimmy Yates: We have seen times where Hazard has been a slow starter.

Bryan Harris: And others when he's just plain slow.

Dawson rises, and uses a fistful of hair to pull Hazard to his feet. Using all of his body weight, he fires Hazard into the turnbuckles chest first, where Hazard remains long enough for Dawson to charge and leap through the top and middle rope feet first, delivering a lariat to the back of Hazard's neck. The Highlight of the Night "limbos" onto the apron, quickly mounts the top rope, and catches the staggering Hazard with a flying bulldog that leads immediately to another pin attempt.

One!

Two!

Thr-

Hazard manages to edge a shoulder up again, but it's much closer to a fall this time.

Jimmy Yates: Very close to a 1-0 lead there.

Alan Ducard: Perhaps the Network champion is in over his head here, in a much different way than against Garvin.

Bryan Harris: You guys ever consider that, you know, he's just not that good?

Dawson mocks Hazard and antagonizes the crowd once again, but there's no charge from the FX Network champion this time - he's too busy trying to get his wits about him again. Just as it appears that he's going to do so, Dawson cuts him down again with a trio of backhand chops to the chest. Looking down at Hazard, he smirks to himself and places one foot on Hazard's chest, opening his arms wide and looking up at the lights, basking in the momentary glory that comes with being in full control of a pay per view title match.

One!

Two!

Hazard shrugs out of the ridiculously cocky pin attempt, but his body language is showing frustration, even while he's on the mat.

Alan Ducard: There's no way Dawson thought he was winning the match with that.

Jimmy Yates: Probably not, but things like that allow him to get into Hazard's head.

Bryan Harris: Probably a lot of room in there.

Dawson moves to pull Hazard up again, remaining calmly and consistently on the offensive, but Hazard lurches forward and delivers a headbutt to his midsection. Dawson gathers himself and cradles Hazard's head with both hands, again intending to pull him to a vertical position, but this time it's Hazard's fist that finds Dawson's stomach. He swats Dawson's hands away and raises up with a European uppercut that drives Dawson back, and for the first time in the match, the FX Network Champion is firmly on the offensive. Nothing fancy, just straight right hands to the jaw that snap Matthew's head around and eventually drive him back into the ropes. Hazard follows him there, whips him across, and catches him with a powerslam on the rebound. He reaches down and hooks Dawson's leg tight for a pin attempt.

One!

Two!

Th-

Dawson kicks out and Hazard shoots a glance at the referee.

Bryan Harris: Come on, that wasn't even close.

Jimmy Yates: Clearly some of the earlier frustrations are still lingering for Hazard.

Alan Ducard: And now it looks like he's beginning to take some of those frustrations out.

Hazard again whips Dawson into the ropes after dragging him off the mat and goes for his elevated clothesline, but the ToV champ ducks underneath it and turns on a dime. Hazard is momentarily off balance and that's all Dawson needs to reach up and around, grab Hazard's chin and pull him backwards. As he does, Dawson tucks his own knees up to his chest and falls back as well, the effect being the back of Hazard's skull and neck being driven against Dawson's knees with significant impact. Dawson scrambles to make the pin attempt, hooking both legs and rolling back, putting greater pressure on Hazard's neck and shoulders.

One!

Two!

Three!

Matthew Dawson scores the first fall via pin at 8:51 seconds.

Hazard - 0; Matthew Dawson - 1

Alan Ducard: What a move!

Jimmy Yates: Hazard had no chance to kick out after the impact to the back of his head and neck there.

Bryan Harris: Hazard never saw that one coming, and now he's going to have to try to come from behind against one of the most ruthless, intelligent, and skilled members of the LEGACY roster.

After the short break to send both men to their corners, they resume the action. Hazard's jaw is firmly clinched, and his left hand keep moving up to massage some feeling back into his neck and shoulders. Dawson is in no hurry to move things forward now that he holds the advantage. Hazard forces a lockup once, twice, three times - but each time sees Dawson moving to the ropes to force a break and chew up more of the clock. The fourth time they lock up, Dawson again moves to the ropes and the referee separates the men. As he wedges between them, Dawson smirks towards Hazard, who responds by hopping forward and driving his head into Dawson's face. The break isn't clean, but it gives the FX Network champion a semblance of offense for the time being.

Bryan Harris: Typical cheap shot from a guy that's outclassed.

Jimmy Yates: The name of the game is winning, and he can't afford to keep letting Dawson waste time here.

Hazard steps on the gas a little and keeps pursuing Dawson with right hands to the jaw and the stomach. Dawson is continually moving backwards, and after a sharp right hand that drops him to the mat, he simply rolls under the bottom rope to gather himself. The referee begins his count.

One!

Two!

Three!

Alan Ducard: This is just another way for Matthew Dawson to waste time.

Bryan Harris: And Hazard is too dumb to stop it.

Four!

Five!

Six!

Alan Ducard: And now Dawson is in a shouting match with a fan at ringside. Why bother?

Jimmy Yates: If he's not careful he's going to end up out there long enough to even this match up.

Seven!

Eight!

Nine!

Te-

Dawson rolls under the bottom rope in the nick of time but has no interest in staying in the ring, rolling right back outside and resuming jawing with the ringside fans. A clear look of frustration and contempt covers the face of Hazard, who has been entirely unable to get into a rhythm against the Highlight Of The Night.

Alan Ducard: I can't say it isn't smart, but this strategy isn't particularly admirable.

Bryan Harris: Smart, admirable. One and the same.

Jimmy Yates: The pinfall occurred, officially, at eight minutes and fifty one seconds. We are closing in on fourteen minutes elapsed now, meaning Matthew Dawson has wasted nearly five minutes of this match by stalling.

Hazard turns while the referee counts and ducks out of the ring on the side opposite Dawson. He gets into a crouch and hugs the ring apron while he edges towards his opponent. The crowd's buzz grows louder as the referee makes it to the count of six, at which point Hazard turns the corner and spears Dawson emphatically. He falls on top of him, throwing rights and lefts as Dawson covers up and tries to protect himself. Hazard stands and tosses Dawson in the ring unceremoniously and follows in before the referee can make the double countout.

Jimmy Yates: Finally some much needed aggression from Hazard.

Bryan Harris: Yeah, don't mention that it was just another cheap shot.

Alan Ducard: It got Dawson in the ring, and you just said that smart and admirable are the same thing.

Once in the ring, Dawson is again scrambling, but Hazard is more determined than ever to close the distance. He snags Dawson's wrist and fires him into the turnbuckles, following immediately behind with a clothesline to the chest, then locks his wrists together and brings him out of the corner with an overhead belly to belly suplex. Before Dawson can get his bearings, Hazard lifts him up and brings him to a vertical base with a European uppercut then rocks him back with a pair of forearm shivers. Hazard takes a step back himself, then the FX Network Champion sprints forward and hits Dawson with a running STO. With a forearm across his face and all of his weight high on Dawson's shoulders, Hazard goes for a pin.

One!

Two!

Thre-

Dawson gets a shoulder up, but Hazard places a hand on Dawson's head and one on his chin and begins wrenching the neck while plotting out his next course of action.

Jimmy Yates: Hazard finally getting something going here, and Dawson is in trouble.

Bryan Harris: No he's not. Hazard has 13 minutes to beat him twice. He hasn't been able to do it once in 17 minutes.

Dawson works his way to his feet despite the pressure on his neck. As soon as he gets there, he realizes he's fallen victim to a trap. Hazard immediately releases his head and scoops him up in a side slam position, muscles him up over his shoulder into a powerslam position, and executes a shoulderbreaker. Hazard stands and waits for Dawson to begin to rise, and as he does, moves forward and turns him inside out with a kneelift. Dawson is slumped near the corner, and Hazard sees an opening he can't pass up.

Alan Ducard: It looks like we're about to be even here.

Jimmy Yates:If he hits this and his follow up, we may see him score a handful of pinfalls in a row.

Bryan Harris:Not a chance. No way.

Alan Ducard: Then why do you sound worried?

Hazard has a maniacal look in his eye as he slaps at his right knee repeatedly, crouched in the corner. As Dawson sits up, he makes his charge. He plants his foot, swings his leg back, and prepares to drive his knee into Dawson's face for a Shining Wizard. Dawson, though, looks like something out of The Matrix as he simply lays back and avoids the deadly knee by what has to be less than an inch. Hazard's forward momentum carries him chest first into the turnbuckles and The Highlight of the Night is quick with a schoolboy roll up.

One!

Two!

Thre-

Bryan Harris:Two nothing! Two nothing! Dawson has this locked up!

Alan Ducard:Calm down. The referee is signaling a two count, meaning Hazard got him shoulder up.

Bryan Harris:Horse feathers!

Jimmy Yates: ...what?

Dawson is no longer wasting time, he's simply putting boots to Hazard's torso, keeping the wind out of him. He stands Hazard up and delivers a kick to the midsection, doubling him over. He then takes a page out of the One Man Riot's own playbook and uses a cannonball neckbreaker to drive him back to the mat. He goes for a pin, but fails to hook the leg.

One!

Two!

Hazard gets his shoulder up, but is clearly in pain from the neckbreaker and the earlier abuse he took.

Jimmy Yates: Dawson's arrogance may have cost him a crucial pinfall there.

Dawson executes a vertical suplex, followed by a kneedrop across the chest, before applying a hammerlock. As Hazard tries to roll away from the pressure, he finds himself on his stomach. Dawson simply floats over to a north-south position while maintaining control of the wrist and uses his other arm to apply a front facelock.

Jimmy Yates: Interesting submission hold here from Dawson.

Alan Ducard: I'm not sure that it's going to get a submission from Hazard, but it's giving him the opportunity to catch his own breath.

Nine minutes are left on the clock as Dawson continues to control the match. Hazard manages to make it to his knees, but Dawson simply pushes his head down and drives two quick elbows into the back of his neck, sending him right back to the mat. An irish whip into the ropes and a rising kneelift to the chest sends Hazard to the outside. Dawson is content to let the referee count while the clock runs.

One!

Two!

Jimmy Yates: Dawson may pick up a fall by countout.

Three!

Four!

Alan Ducard: Hazard is stirring, but he's taken considerable abuse in the last couple of minutes.

Five!

Six!

Hazard makes it back to the ring apron, where Dawson becomes uncharacteristically aggressive, breaking the referees count and pulling Hazard halfway into the ring by his head. He hooks his arm firmly under the chin and drives Hazard into the mat with a suspension DDT. He pulls Hazard into the ring and goes for another pinfall, but Hazard's left leg is still draped in the ropes. After a brief argument with the referee, Dawson hooks the far leg.

One!

Two!

Thr-

Hazard kicks out with some gusto, but isn't making any move to get to his feet. There are six minutes remaining in the matchup, and the Tao of Valor champion is proving why he's attained the status he has. He props Hazard up in the corner and begins peppering him with knees to the stomach, backhand chops across the chest, left hands to the jaw, and shoulders into the gut. The referee manages to pull Dawson away from the corner instead of completing his five count, but the damage has been done.

Alan Ducard: 25 minutes gone, 5 minutes left, and Hazard isn't making any progress.

Jimmy Yates: We've seen him take considerable abuse at the hands of Frank Garvin, though.

Bryan Harris: Garvin's a monster, but I"m fairly certain Dawson has the mental edge on him. He won't waste this opportunity.

Dawson moves back into the corner draws back to deliver a huge right hand. Hazard blocks the punch, though, and in one fluid motion, wraps the arm up tight. Dawson tries to push him back with the left hand, but that arm quickly gets trapped as well. Hazard grins at his opponent and begins delivering a series of headbutts to his chest as the crowd counts along. They make it to seven before Hazard releases Dawson, pulls him into position for a powerbomb and delivers a reverse shoulderbreaker and goes for the pin.

One!

Two!

Three!

Bryan Harris: Are we tied up?

Jimmy Yates: No we're not, the referee is saying Dawson's shoulder popped up at the last second, too late for the referee to stop his hand.

Bryan Harris: Hazard should probably kill some time by arguing with him here.

Alan Ducard: I don't think you or Dawson is going to have much luck with that.

Hazard quickly mounts the second rope and delivers a fistdrop right between the eyes of Dawson. 4 minutes on the clock and Hazard has regained control of the matchup. He whips Dawson in and delivers a powerslam, cradling the head and leg for a pin.

One!

Two!

Thre-

Dawson is out earlier than the last time. 3:30 remaining, and Hazard again whips Dawson into the ropes and this time connects with a huge spinebuster. He floats over, bringing the far leg with him for another pin.

One!

Two!

Thre-

Again, Dawson pops his shoulder up. Hazard checks the clock on the big screen to see 3:10 remaining and begins assaulting Dawson with right hands. Dawson stumbles backwards into the ropes and tries to drop the floor, but Hazard uses a handful of hair to drag him back in and prevent further stalling.

Bryan Harris: Come on, ref get him out of the hair!

Jimmy Yates: Hazard has a little over two minutes to score at least one pinfall here. This has turned into a brilliant match.

Desperate to be separated from Hazard, Dawson throws a haymaker right. Hazard ducks, spins Dawson, clamps his hands around his waist. Dawson realizes he's in position for the Flatscan, but there's nothing he can do to get away before Hazard gets him off the ground and into the air.

Jimmy Yates: Flatscan!

Alan Ducard: This will definitely tie it up!

Dawson reacts quickly, though, bringing his feet up and rolling through it, essentially doing a backflip to land behind Hazard. He has time to breathe a sigh of relief, but not much more as Hazard spins and drives a forearm/elbow into his jaw. Dawson staggers back against the ropes and then rebounds forward looking all the world like he's coming out of a tavern at last call. Hazard cradles his head and pulls him down into a small package.

One!

Two!

Three!

Hazard scores the second fall of the match via pin at 28:02.

Hazard - 1; Matthew Dawson - 1

Jimmy Yates: After the mandatory 30 second break, there's going to be right at a minute and a half left in this match.

Alan Ducard: This has been a great showing by both men, I'm thinking we're in for one hell of a finish.

Matthew Dawson gets to his feet and backs up into a corner, trying to ready himself. Once the referee indicates that the 30 second timed break is done, Hazard charges in. Dawson ducks his head under the top rope, moving his abdomen and head outside the ring. The referee moves in and tells Hazard he can’t hit him due to a rope break, so Hazard backs up a step. Dawson takes the opportunity and gets back into the ring and drives a forearm into Hazard’s chin, rocking him backwards. Dawson moves in to continue the assault, but Hazard grabs him by the head and rolls backwards…

Jimmy Yates: Hazard with another small package attempt…!

One…

TWO…

NO!!

Matthew Dawson kicks out and rolls away, getting back to his feet, then quickly steps in and kicks Hazard just above the knee, dropping him into a semi-kneeling position. Dawson measures him up and then glances up at the clock on the LEGACY Vision jumbotron…

Bryan Harris: You got this, Matty Boy! Make it happen!

Charging in, Hazard wipes Matthew Dawson clear off his feet with a huge clothesline. Holding his head, Matthew Dawson rolls aside, exiting out onto the ring apron under the bottom rope. Moving in, the challenger tries to get to Dawson to pull him back in under the bottom rope, but The Highlight of the Night drops down off the apron and backs up a couple steps, obviously dazed. Before Hazard can get his hands on Matthew Dawson again, the time keeper signals the end of the match with three tolls of the bell.

Josephina Colbert: The 30 Minute time limit HAS expired!

Alan Ducard: Ladies and gentlemen, the time limit for this match has indeed expired, and now Hazard is approaching the official, and I believe this match is going to continue since we still tied at one fall a piece for each fighter.

Jimmy Yates: Alright, sudden death overtime!

Alan Ducard: The official is nodding to Hazard now, and now to Dawson on the outside, and it looks like we are ready to go.

Bryan Harris: Everyone but The Highlight of the Night – look he’s heading to the time keeper’s table and he is taking the ToV Title over his shoulder.

Jimmy Yates: What in the world does he think he’s doing?

Alan Ducard: Hazard is over to the ropes now and he’s telling Dawson to get back into the ring to finish this.

Dawson stands outside the ring, the belt on his shoulder with a Cheshire grin across his lips, and he shakes his head “no”. The official, looking a bit surprised comes over with Hazard and he then tells Dawson they are ready to go and to get back into the ring. It is at that point that The Highlight of the Night walks over to the time keeper’s table again, but this time he moves back towards the ring not just with the ToV Title, but with a mic as well.

HOTN: Get back in the ring? Why would I want to do that? You had your chance, and you blew it. According to the stipulations of the match you had a full thirty minutes to get more falls than me, and you failed. Overtime? Not going to happen.

With that the crowd unleashes a torrent of hate-filled jeers and all sorts of profanity as Dawson ignores their venom.

HOTN: I have NOTHING to gain in that set up. It’s like I told you “champ” this was about one thing, and one thing only and that’s keeping the ToV Title out of your hands and in my possession.

The Highlight of the Night stops and smirks while mockingly “shining” the ToV Title over his shoulder.

HOTN: Sorry “champ” but what can I say? You were “good” … but you just weren’t … Elite, now hit my music, I’ve got a celebration to attend.

“Touch, Peel, Stand” hits the PA system, and much to Hazard’s dismay, heads up the elevated rampway towards the locker room.

Jimmy Yates: I can’t believe it … he’s walking out … just like that?

Bryan Harris: Jimbo – like or not, Hazard didn’t do enough to win, and Matthew Dawson said he’d do whatever it took to remain champion, and right now he’s using his head and the stipulations to get the job done – The Elite One is walking out of Darkest Day still the ToV Champion!

Dreams and Nightmares

“Sweet Dreams” by Marilyn Manson begins to assault our senses, followed by LEGACY video footage of three very different competitors. The vocals grind out in an almost haunting quality, and the video feed is sepia tone, crisscrossed with blackened edges.

“Sweet dreams are made of these.”

Justin Moreno is shown taping his fists, and on the wall we see a photograph of his wife Allison and his daughter Jade. J-Mo kisses his fingertips and touches the photo, a courageous gleam in his eyes.

“Who am I to disagree?”

Jester Smiles is seen in his locker room, shadow boxing, throwing his hands and mentally preparing himself for the battle to come. A greasepaint smile adorns his face, and in his eyes we see the will to succeed.

“Travel the world and the seven seas.”

Issac Entragian sits indian style on an obsidian marble floor, rocking back and forth with the World Heavyweight Championship held before him. Issac stares into the faceplate, and in his eyes we see dark obsession mixed with twisted madness.

“Everybody’s looking for something.”

Moreno sits on Huntington Beach, during his bad times, looking out at the ocean of thinking of what will become of his wife.

“Some of them want to use you.”

Entragian looms onto the scene while J-Mo sits backstage, and Issac sits beside him, like a manipulative snake that’s looking to offer a taste of the tree of knowledge. He whispers in Justin’s ear, and his whispers are tainted with venom.

“Some of them want to get used by you.”

Various shots of Jester Smiles debuting in LEGACY, making his mark on the company, a joker with the heart of a hero in his chest, looking to begin a new crusade towards greatness.

“Some of them want to abuse you.”

Scenes from Entragian’s horrendously brutal past. Issac smashing an iron cudgel into Greyson Blade’s face. Issac lawn darting X-Calibur right through the windshield of a sedan. Issac running his forked tongue over the cheek of Laura Seton, leaving specks of saliva on her face.

“Some of them want to be abused.”

Moreno is shown walking the borderlands between good and bad, his frustration boiling over, his shame at his wife’s actions bubbling up to the surface.

“I wanna use you and abuse you.”

Entragian picks Moreno to be on Team Kindred for the Co Op Challenge, the monster looking to quite literally use and abuse Justin’s tragedy for his own personal gains.

“I wanna know what’s inside you.”

Jester battles against his comrade Cade Sydal, putting on a tremendous show and proving to the world that inside of Jester Smiles, there beats the heart of a champion.

“Hold your head up, movin’ on.”

Smiles confronts Entragian backstage, stepping up to the pale hellion without showing ANY fear, tapping a finger against the World Heavyweight Championship with a smile stretched across his jovial face.

“I wanna use you and abuse you.”

Justin Moreno TAKES it to The Albino Abomination during tag team competition, throwing kicks into Entragian, bringing him into his knees. We see hot emotion shimmering in J-Mo’s gaze, and the will to protect the honor of his family.

“I wanna know what’s inside you.”

Issac CRUSHES a bicycle kick into J-Mo’s skull as he flies off the top rope, and then Entragian leans over Moreno’s beaten carcass and whispers “This is only the beginning” in his ear.

“Keep your head up, MOVIN’ ON!”

A flash of Entragian standing in the ring, his shoulders hunched down in a predatory stance, his face drawn down into a sinister sneer. A flash of Smiles in the ring, hands on his hips, his painted-on smile matching the real smile that shines on his countenance. Flash to J-Mo, a determined individual who fights for the chance to peacefully rebuild his family. Three world-class athletes…

One prize.

THE WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP!