EWF Presents the "Iron Man" Tournament Day 1 Results

*The Iron Man Clock is pictured outside the Elite Coliseum.
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We are live!

The show begins with “Indestructible” by Disturbed roaring out of the speakers, drowning out the sound of the few hundred fans in attendance. The 10,000 seater stadium seems even bigger due to the vast amounts of empty seats, but the crowd that has gathered is making a lot of noise. There is a gigantic procession of pyrotechnics that erupt underneath the expensive looking stage structure and the giant screen that has been erected on top. The ring has black ropes, with golden aprons all around it. The words “EWF Iron Man” has been printed on all four sides in blood red text. At the foot of the ring there is one announce table set up, two men sat the desk smile as they are cast into shot. The first man is short and plump, wearing a baseball cap, he is clean shaven. Then second man appears to be much taller, tanned complexion and muscular. His hair is shoulder length, black, and he has a goatee. They are both dressed in white shirts, the plumper man with a black tie but the taller of the two has an open neck. The baseball capped man begins to speak.

JK: Ladies and gentlemen good afternoon and what a pleasure it is for me to introduce you to the first ever live broadcast from the Elite Wrestling Franchise. My name is Jonathan Kelly and I will be your lead announcer for all things EWF. I am joined, by this handsome son of a gun sat next to me, former AWC and PWA World Heavyweight Champion, the man with the knowledge, my play by play guy, Mr Donovan Franklin.

*The camera pans to the longer haired man

DF: Great to be here Johnny and boy oh boy, are we raring to go today. We have been lucky enough to be here for the last two weeks, watching all the developments take place, watching the signings being made and all the preparation. We have felt the buzz that has been generated and today it all comes to fruition, today it all begins. This is huge.

JK:It certainly is. Almost three weeks ago, Daniel Magnusson and the guys at HyperEx gave the green light to this promotion. They set the wheels in motion and ever since they have not stopped turning. It has all led to this point and to say we are excited would be an understatement. We recognise that there isn’t a huge crowd here tonight, but this is the opening evening and I estimate around about 300 in attendance, which is not bad as a starting point.

DF: But with the HyperEx money funding this scheme, I don’t see how we can fail. Look at this arena, it is state of the art. 10,000 seats, the finest equipment in the business, a 50ft HyperTron, we are set for the big leagues, I have no doubts. We have signed some of the hottest talent on the market and once this event is over, there will not be one wrestling fan who doesn’t know our name.

JK: There is a lot of confidence banding around here in the Elite Coliseum. HyperEx have ploughed a lot of resources into this investment and big things are expected. We have several media gurus in attendance, possibly drawing up potential television contracts if the next forty eight hours go to plan.

DF: A huge night for everyone involved, this is the start of something very special, I can feel it in my bones. Need to send out some thanks to the V2 forum who are screening this event, helping us get up on our feet, it is greatly appreciated and I really don’t think you are going to be disappointed.

JK:I don’t think this crowd is either. In-case you are unaware of the concept of the “Iron Man” tournament ladies and gentlemen, allow me to explain. Eight men, split into groups of four. They will compete through the course of today in three separate group matches in an attempt to amass as many points as possible.

The two men from each group with the most points at the close of play, will advance to tomorrow’s semifinals. Then tomorrow we will witness those semifinals, as well as a battle royal between the four superstars who failed to qualify from the groups, with that match crowning the first ever EWF TV Champion.

The for the finale, the two winners of the semifinals will meet tomorrow evening in the “Iron Man” final. 60 minutes in the Iron man concept. Whoever scores the most falls after an hour will be victorious, and will be crowned the first ever EWF World Champion.

DF: It is one of the most grueling schedules I have ever seen in pro-wrestling, but if you want to go down in history then now is the time to cement your place. This is a huge opportunity, and it will be interesting to see who takes this chance.

JK: Throughout the course of the next two days you will get to meet our entire roster, all of our staff and get a really good idea of what EWF is going to be all about. Now is the time to sit back and relax, enjoy the show, because it’s showtime!

DF:Yeah boy!

*The cameras veer away from the two commentators and then attention turns to the ring as a man, dressed in a smart beige suit, climbs into the ring with a microphone in hand.

Ring Announcer: Ladies and gentlemen….please give a warm reception for the Chief Executive of HyperEx, Daniel Magnusson!

*There is a respectful round of applause as a short, stocky man walks out onto the stage. He is bald and dressed in a designer business suit. He raises his arms in the air, acknowledging the reception from the crowd before beginning to speak.

Magnusson: Thank you Rick…

JK: Rick Ambrose, best in the business as far as ring announcing goes...

*The ring announcer smiles

Magnusson: And thank you to each and every one of you that has turned up here today for the opening of the EWF IRON MAN TOURNAMENT!

*Crowd cheer

Magnusson: Long has it been a dream of mine, and a dream of many of my colleagues to build a professional wrestling empire that would allow us to challenge the very structure of this business. We, like all of you, are fans of this industry and we want to give you a promotion that you can be proud of, a promotion that delivers for the fans each and every time we open up those doors.

DF: He’s saying all the right things so far, I’m on board.

Magnusson: This is just the beginning, and hopefully within a few months we will be packing this arena out and our name will be on the lips of the masses. We hope that we will be broadcast live on television, that our product will have gone global, but this takes time, money and hard work. Each of which we will be using to its fullest in the weeks that follow.

We are committed and we are determined that this will be no flash in the pan, this is the future of professional wrestling and we will be successful in our attempt. We are building something very special here, and I want all of you to be a part of it. I want you to know that when you come to our shows, you will be seeing the best in the business, giving their all, proving their worth….and that is exactly what tonight is all about.

Because when I sign somebody to a lucrative contract, I expect results and I expect them instantaneously. The men that have been drafted to this roster have been given a pedestal on which to showcase their abilities, they have forty eight hours to prove I did not make a mistake in signing them. This is the proving grounds, they have entered the COLISEUM!

*Crowd cheer again

Magnusson: This is a big investment from HyperEx and we are looking to deliver from the get go. We want the best in every department and so do each and every one of you. So that is exactly what you are going to get. It gives me great pleasure to announce the EWF Iron Man Tournament is officially open for business, let’s get this show on the road.

*The crowd roar as Magnusson smiles and then backs away as another expensive procession of fireworks explodes up into the air.

JK:Big state of address from Daniel Magnusson, and if there wasn’t enough pressure on the roster members already, there sure is now. EWF looking for instant results, it is time to deliver for these men.

DF: This is a cut-throat business. Do or die, so you have to be on point from the get go. These eight guys have the chance of a lifetime in the next two days, I really cannot wait to see who grabs their opportunity with both hands.

JK: Let the action commence!

Match 1
Group A
Alex Garcia vs Jason Sparxz

JK:Well Donovan you’re the guy that has been doing his homework on all the roster members, so I hope you have those notes ready.

DF: I’m ready, Johnny, let’s do this thing.

*The crowd wait patiently was “Seven Nation Army” by White Stripes plays out and then a man with scruffy brown hair walks out into view. He is wearing black tights with the image of flames down each leg and he smiles arrogantly at the crowd.

JK: This is Alex Garcia, an El Paso native. Tell us a little more, Donovan.

DF: Trained out of Drake Callihan’s school in Austin, Texas. Garcia is viewed as a “star pupil” to Drake, so that means very good things. But he is a hot head, no doubt about it. Spent eighteen months in state penitentiary for assault and it will be interesting to see if he keeps his composure when under pressure.

*Garcia twirls a mic in his hand as he makes his way down to the stage.

Garcia: That how you are all gonna treat me?. Like no reaction whatsoever, like I don’t even matter?.You dummies wouldn’t know talent if it slapped you in your fat faces.

*Crowd boo

Garcia: Oh you can boo, go right ahead. But when this match is done, you’ll realise just what you’re dealing with here. I’m not some big mouth, no back up kind of guy. I mean business and I will take care of said business each and every time I step through them ropes. Today, tomorrow, I’ve already got this taken care of, you can bank on that. I am the Iron Man, and whether you believe me or not….I’ll prove it. Because when tomorrow night draws to a close, I’m leaving here with that world championship, no two ways about it.

JK:Garcia certainly has a lot to say.

DF:He’s a confident individual, that goes without saying. Drake Callihan taught him all about this business, Garcia is certainly one to watch.

*Garcia bad mouths the crowd as he throws his microphone on the floor and then rolls under the bottom rope into the ring. He uses the ropes to stretch and then turns back towards the stage as “Lose Yourself” by Eminem blasts out. The lights go dark and then a thunderbang and a procession of pyros scatter light all around the arena. Standing on the stage is a figure, dressed in black tights and a hooded top.

JK:And his opponent……Jason Sparxz!

DF:Jason Sparxz is a gutsy, fiery individual. I think the fans are really going to buy into his style. He is very quick and loves to use an aerial advantage over his opponents, this could make for a cracking opening contest.

*The fans are cheering as Sparxz reaches out and touches their hands before running down to the ring and sliding in. Alex Garcia watches from his corner as Sparxz removes his hood and places the top underneath one of the turnbuckles. He then kisses both wrists in unison as more pyros erupt from the ringposts.

JK: Seems like we are starting off with a little fire and thunder combo…

DF:Absolutely, an explosive cocktail. Garcia is the “wildfire” and Sparxz brings the electricity…should be fantastic.

Garcia sits down in the corner and smiles as the referee checks Sparxz over for foreign objects and then he calls Alex to his feet in order to search him. After declaring himself satisfied, he backs away and signals for the bell.

JK: The stage is set, the first match in the Iron Man Tournament is about to begin…here we go!

The bell sounds and the crowd cheer as Sparxz and Garcia begin to circle the ring. Garcia throws a couple of searching leg kicks, but does not connect. Sparkz stays out of range and bobs from side to side before ducking another kick from Garcia and sliding down underneath him, locking his hands around the waist.

DF: Sparkz is extremely fast…

Sparkz looks to get Garcia off the ground for a german suplex but eats a heavy back elbow to the side of the face. Garcia swivels out of trouble and then drives a thunderous knee into the midsection of Sparkz and then nails a snap suplex…………………….1………………………2……………shoulder up.

JK:Garcia has a pretty decent wrestling resume, Sparkz does not want to get caught at close quarters too often.

They get back to their feet and Garcia lands with a hard right hand to the jaw before grabbing Sparkz’ arm and sends him towards the ropes. Sparkz shows great athleticism to run up the ropes and backflips off, over the shoulder of the oncoming Garcia. He then waits for his opponent to turn around and dropkicks him heavily into the corner, dropping Garcia into a seated position.

DF: Although I read up on Sparkz’ speed, I didn’t expect him to be this quick…..that’s nice!

Sparkz then does a lap of the ring to gain momentum before sprinting back to the corner and nailing a cannonball splash against Garcia. The crowd cheer as Sparkz gets back up onto his feet and he pulls Garcia into the middle of the ring and flattens him with a heavy DDT, dropping Garcia right on the top of his head.

JK: That could finish it..

1..
…..2
………shoulder up from Garcia. They get back to their feet and Sparkz lands a backheel kick to the stomach of Garcia and attempts a big uppercut but Garcia dodges the blow and counters with a desperation neckbreaker. A chant of “Lets go Sparkz” echoes around the Coliseum as both men slowly get back up to their feet and Garcia immediately lifts Sparkz onto his shoulders…

DF:Gutbuster…

Sparkz slips off the back and bridges Garcia into a german suplex……………………1………………….2…………..shoulder up. Garcia scrambles back and throws a frustrated clothesline, only to be countered into a backslide…………………..1……………………………..2……………Garcia kicks out!

JK:The speed is proving too much now for Alex Garcia…

They get back to their feet again and Sparkz looks for a hurricanrana but Garcia catches him on his shoulders and seems set for a powerbomb. Sparkz rallies with furious punches to the top of Garcia’s head and then rolls down the back into another pinning combo……………….1………………………..2……………….shoulder up. They get back to their feet and Sparkz ducks under another clothesline and springboards onto the ropes…

DF:Lionsault…

JK:Caught him…gutbuster!

The crowd applaud as Garcia catches Sparkz over his shoulders in midair and then ploughs him with the gutbuster………………………….1……………………………2…………………..shoulder up. Garcia quickly gets ontop of his opponent and lands heavy crossface punches before pulling him into a reverse chinlock…

DF:Garcia slowing the pace right down….

Sparkz slips into a camel clutch position as he tries to break free, but Garcia pulls right back on his head to extend the pressure. The referee asks Sparkz if he wants to quit but he shakes his head and somehow manages to roll forwards, sending Garcia crashing through the middle ropes to the outside of the ring.

JK:Neat counter from Jason Sparkz, he is really settling nicely into this match.

DF:Bright start for sure, but this is just the opening match and you don’t want to use up too much energy…

Garcia gets back to his feet on the count of three, only for Sparkz to slingshot himself over the top rope and look for a flying lariat, knocking Garcia back down to the ground. Sparkz stands up and tags hands with the fans in the front row before heading back to the ring…

JK:Good offense from Sparkz…..Garcia might be taking a count right now..

The referee’s count reaches five as Garcia stumbles back up and helps himself up onto the apron. Sparkz comes forwards and looks to suplex him back into the ring, but Garcia hangs him up on the top rope with a falling guillotine…

DF: Sparkz should have maintained his distance from Garcia, he presented that opportunity…

Sparkz staggers back up in the centre of the ring as Garcia springboards from the apron and wipes him out with a shining wizard straight to the jawline………………….1……………………………2…………Sparkz pops his shoulder.

JK:This could be a turn of the tide now….advantage back in Garcia’s court…

Garcia gets back to his feet and he stomps down on the chest of Sparkz before heading towards the corner and begins to scale the ropes. Sparkz is hurting from the assault, but slowly he gets back up to his feet…

DF:That was impact….

Garcia jumps from on high, turning his body sideways and landing a stiff European uppercut to the jaw of Sparkz as he comes down. Sparkz folds up with his feet in the air and Garcia presses down ontop of him………………..1………………………2………………..thr-kickout!

JK:That was very close to the three…..Garcia almost taking this one…

DF:Sparkz is hurt, great time for Garcia to end this….keep fresh…

Sparkz holds his jaw as he gets back to his feet and Garcia puts him back down with a spinning heel kick. Garcia then turns to the crowd and mocks them before kicking Sparkz over onto his stomach and grabs his ankle…

DF:Garcia has serious training in submission wrestling….this is a bad sign…

Sparkz’ screams of pain can be heard as Garcia suddenly twists the ankle sideways, applying a vicious lock. The referee immediately asks Sparkz if he wants to give it up, but there is no answer as Jason desperately scrambles for the ropes and reaches out…

JK:Garcia just pulling him right on back….

Sparkz’ hand misses the ropes as he is pulled back to the centre of the ring, only for him to roll forwards in desperation and flip Garcia 360 in the air. The crowd cheer as both men get back to their feet and Sparkz drop toe-holds the oncoming Garcia across the middle ropes…

DF: Dial ‘em up…

Sparkz quickly rushes to the opposite side and runs back, connecting with a tiger feint kick (619) to the face of Garcia. Wildfire staggers back into the centre of the ring as Sparkz climbs up onto the apron and leaps into the springboard…

JK:That is a delightful spinning heel kick…

DF: He nailed all if it aswell…

Sparkz almost decapitates Garcia as he connects with the flying heel kick and makes the cover..
..
..
…1
..
..
……….2
..
..
…………..shoulder up!

JK:And just when you thought we might see three…

DF: I think Garcia has some left in the tank just yet…

Sparkz looks at the referee, a little disappointed, before getting back up onto his feet. He pulls Garcia up and tries to lift him into a suplex but Garcia keeps his legs grounded and counters into a suplex of his own…

JK:Quick float over…

Sparkz floats over the shoulder of Garcia and quickly plans him with a sickening backdrop driver. There are cheers and screams from the crowd as Garcia folds up like an accordion and Sparkz crawls towards the ropes…

DF:Garcia took the full brunt of that move to his neck, he is hurt from the impact and this is a huge opportunity for Jason Sparkz…

JK:He’s taking the risk…he knows what is at stake…he calls this the LIGHTNING STRIKE!

The crowd watch on as Sparkz reaches the top rope and gives a signal before leaping through the air, picture perfect in his frogsplash attempt…

DF:Technique perfect…..landing not so much….

The crowd groan as Garcia drives both of his knees up into the midsection of Sparkz before impact can be made. Sparkz rolls away in agony as Garcia takes the opportunity to regain his composure…

JK:And then pendulum swings again….fantastic opening to the Iron Man competition…

Garcia looks out at the crowd, who fiercely boo him, and then pushes himself back up to his feet. Jason Sparkz is slowly getting back to his own vertical base, staring the other way, and Garcia runs up behind him…

DF:SUNSET HEIGHTS!

The crowd hold their breath as Garcia leaps for the “zigzag” neckbreaker, only for Sparkz to reach out last minute and grab the top rope, causing the bottom to drop out and Garcia to hit the deck. Alex gets back to his feet in anger and waits for Sparkz to turn around for kicking him in the stomach…

JK:CATLINA WINEMIXER!

1.
..
..
….2
..
..
………3!

DF:It’s over…

Garcia looks for his patented stunner but is rolled up into a schoolboy by Sparkz, who registers the three count for victory. The crowd are on their feet roaring as Sparkz rolls from the ring with a look of pure jubilation on his face.

JK:Well that shocked Garcia…

DF:It shocked me, I didn’t see that coming!

JK: I don’t think many did. But it happened. Jason Sparkz just defeated Alex Garcia in our opening match. Three points on the board for Sparkz.

DF:That was a big effort, but credit where it is due…it seemed Garcia was just taking over, but he let his frustration blind him momentarily and it has cost him…..pressure’s on for Wildfire now, Sparkz just eased a ton of it on himself…

“Lose yourself” is blasting out and Sparkz nods his head in time to the music as he slaps hands with the fans and makes his way up the rampway. In the ring, Alex Garcia is kneeling with his hands on his hips, a look of shock still on his face. He complains to the referee but his argument falls on deaf ears.

JK:Fantastic start to this tournament, it really is. And we are literally just beginning here today, so much more in store for you. Great moment for Jason Sparkz, who will approach his next match with a lot more confidence. Alex Garcia, on the other hand, is now very much swimming in the deep end.

Match Time: 7 minutes 26 seconds
Official Result: Jason Sparkz via pinfall

*We shoot backstage to a closed oak door. Outside stands a pretty blond haired woman, wearing a tight black dress.

Kelsey Hughes: Hey guys, it’s me Kelsey here backstage at the Iron Man tournament and I am looking to get a quick word with some of today’s competitors. Each superstar has been afforded his own personal locker room in order to prepare for this event, and it is my understanding that former CWA star, Mike Conrad is currently inside this room right here.

*Kelsey gives a small knock on the door and there is a brief pause. The door then opens and a man appears in the frame, long black hair down past his shoulders.

Kelsey: Mike Conrad…

Conrad: Yeah…?

Kelsey: Kelsey Hughes, reporter for EWF.

*Conrad relaxes and opens the door entirely, revealing the lavish locker room inside.

Conrad: What can I do for you Kelsey?

Kelsey: Did you catch the first match?

Conrad: I saw the end that Sparkz kid was plucky and you have to give him credit. But they aren’t in my group, so my focus isn’t on them right now.

Kelsey: So where is your focus?

Conrad: Well in about five minutes my focus will be on Bryan Wells, my first opponent here in EWF. He is the first obstacle between me and eternal glory, so I have to be prepared for anything that he might throw at me….and be prepared I will.

Kelsey: For those who aren’t aware of you Mike, what can we expect from you in the ring?

*Conrad smiles

Conrad: You can expect me to give 100% every time I am out there to compete. I don’t believe in leaving anything to chance. I can’t promise that every match I am involved in will end in victory, but I can promise that I will give it my all.

Kelsey: And are you at all worried about the physical toll the next two days may have on your body?. At the very least you will be competing in four matches over the next forty eight hours.

Conrad: As a professional wrestler, you have to take your opportunities when they come to you. Sure the schedule is tough, but this is a tough business and if you want to succeed then you have to be willing to go to any lengths to get what you want. I expect that when tomorrow is over I will be battered and bruised, but that is the future and we can worry about that when we come to it….this right now is the present and that is all I am concentrating on.

Kelsey: Thanks for your time Mike…

???: Yeah thanks Mike…

*Conrad and Kelsey both look up as a clean shaven man, with piercing red eyes and a long white lab coat is looking at them.

Conrad: Can I help you?

*The man smiles

???: How rude of me, allow me to introduce myself. I am Dr Bryan Wells, I’m the man that will be beating you to a pulp in about five minutes.

*Conrad snarls as Wells smirks at him

Conrad: You sure about that?

Wells: Quite….I am not here to just make up the numbers sir, I am here in EWF to conquer, and that is exactly what I will do. So please, continue with your little interview, and tell all of your fans about your hopes for the future…..because after I am done with you, you won’t have one!

*Wells nods curtly and strides away with a tinkle of laughter. Conrad breathes deeply and furrows his brow before speaking back to Kelsey Hughes

Conrad: Whatever happens over the next forty eight hours, as long as I achieve more than him, I’ll be satisfied.

*Kelsey smiles as Conrad’s eyes flicker with intent and he then follows Wells towards the entranceway

*The scene changes as Jason Sparkz is coming through the curtain after his match. Beads of sweat trickle down his head, but he wears a massive smile upon his face. A man dark brown hair and a microphone is waiting for him.

???: Jason, Hugh Cartwright here reporting for EWF. Obviously emotions are still running high, but tell us, how does it feel having won your debut match here at the Iron Man Tournament?

Sparkz: Wooo, I did it baby. I have to tell you man, it feels fantastic. I have waited a long time to get my break in the wrestling business and finally it came when EWF took a punt on me. They gave me a chance and I’ve seized it with both hands. Garcia was a tough guy, but I knew my speed could get to him and it did.

Cartwright: So your top of Group A, three points on the board, surely some of the pressure has eased on you now?

Sparkz: You could say that, but I won’t be relaxing just yet. This is a ruthless competition and I need to keep winning if I want to realise my dream at the end of tomorrow, winning a world championship. The other guys in this tournament won’t be taking anything lightly, so neither will I. It is good to kick off with a win, but there is plenty of work still to do.

Cartwright: Well the second pool of matches aren’t schedule until 4pm…

Sparkz: What time is it now?.

*Cartwright checks his watch

Cartwright: 12:20. How will you prepare before your next match?

Sparkz: I’ll probably grab a shower and then a nap, power it for an hour or so. I think it is going to be vital to re-charge the batteries when it is possible. Then I’ll maybe get something to eat and watch a match or two. We all know this is going to be a tough ride, so you cannot pass up the chance to rest. I think that is going to be the key.

Cartwright: I won’t keep you any longer then Jason, congratulations on your victory and good luck for the rest of the day.

Sparkz: Thanks pal!

*Sparkz fist pumps the air as he walks past Cartwright, heading towards his personal locker room.

Match 2
Group B
Mike Conrad vs Bryan Wells

Back to ringside and pyros shoot off into the rafters, before the familiar “beep, beep” noise of a bin wagon echoes out of the speakers. There is a brief pause and then Mike Conrad pushes through the curtain onto the stage. He is dressed in red and black chequered jeans, white vest, hi-vis jacket and a hard hat. In his hand he holds a trash can, which he holds into the air as he walks down to the ring.

DF: Mike Conrad, fighting out of the rough streets of Sheffield, England but born in New York City. This guy is a trooper…

JK:And what sort of style can we expect from Conrad?

DF: Oh this guy just loves to brawl, it is his natural mentality and he can throw down. Former trash collector, this guy is not afraid to get his hands dirty….

JK: But is there an element of skill to his game?

DF: He can wrestle if that’s what you mean. This guy is teak tough, and he is very humble…not many bad things you can say about Mike Conrad…

Conrad places the trash can at the base of the ring and removes his hi-vis jacket and hat, stuffing them inside the bin. He tags hands with a few fans at ringside before rolling under the bottom rope into the centre of the ring. Conrad throws his hands into the air, drawing cheers from the crowd, and then bounces back into the turnbuckle.

JK: Time to meet Conrad’s opponent…

DF: We just did in the back……Dr Bryan Wells, a disgraced surgeon…and he doesn’t seem to like Mike Conrad, so this could get tasty..

A slow heartbeat pulses out of the soundsystem, followed by the screeching of a flatline and then Bryan Wells makes his entrance. He is dressed in a long lab coat, with a stethoscope around his neck and a pen in his pocket. The crowd instantly takes a dislike to Wells as he makes his way down the rampway towards ringside.

JK: Disgraced ex-surgeon, we have got that part….but what else do we need to know about Wells?

DF: The guy is crazy strong, probably the strongest man on the roster bar none. Weighs in at 260 and he is going to be a handful for any competitor…..he is meticulous and he likes to cause pain…Conrad will need to be on his game…

JK: Yet again, another tremendous clash of styles in this contest…..and a little personal needle to this one…

DF: It’s not surprising….this is the first night, and everybody wants to outdo each other…..rivalries will build whether you intend them to or not….this is a competition, the overall winner will be the world champion…

The referee has a final few words with both men and then steps back as the bell sounds to start us off. Wells and Conrad circle each other, trash talking at the same time. Conrad flicks his hair out of his face and then lunges in for a lockup, but Wells sidesteps him and pushes him into the corner, where he begins to unload with big punches to the head and body…

DF: Conrad doesn’t want to get caught in there for too long…

Conrad covers up and takes a lot of the punches on the body, before he bursts back with a thumping right cross of his own. Wells staggers back and Conrad follows him out with two quick jabs, before he grabs Wells’ arm and whips him towards the ropes…

JK: Nice knee lift…

Conrad drives his knee into Wells’ stomach on the comeback, flipping him into a seated position. Conrad then runs back off the opposite ropes and returns with a heavy kick to Wells’ face……………………1…………………2……………..shoulder up.

DF: There is no time limit on these matches….so theoretically you are looking to get the job done as quickly as possible, preserve energy….you do not want to get dragged into the trenches at this early stage…

Conrad drags Wells up, but takes a jabbing thumb to the windpipe. Conrad staggers back and Wells runs up behind him, kicking him hard in the spine and sending Conrad through middle ropes onto the apron. Wells reaches over the top rope and he pulls Conrad back to his feet, beginning to lash vicious cross-chest shots (ala Sheamus)….

JK: Wells looks to be as brutal and as physical as possible here….

DF: But Conrad is resourceful…

Conrad takes four heavy shots to the chest before he reaches back and grabs Wells head, dropping it down across the top rope. Wells staggers back into the centre of the ring as Conrad quickly scales the ropes and flies off with a shoulder tackle….

JK:Could it be….

1……………..2…………..Wells kicks out.

DF: I think Wells is going to be a tough nut to crack…

Conrad gets back to his feet and he drags Wells up and pulls him into a suplex position. He tries to lift Wells up but the Dr kicks his feet and refuses to budge, before dragging Conrad down into an inside cradle……………….1………………………2…………………….kickout!

JK: Conrad almost caught cold there…….OUCH!

Conrad quickly shimmies back up onto his feet and he detonates with an explosive big boot to the face of Wells, leaving him sprawled on the canvass. Conrad then gives a signal to the crowd, drawing cheers, and begins to climb the ropes….

DF: Conrad doesn’t look like the sort of guy that goes airborne too often…but this is twice in one match, I hope he isn’t overdoing it…

JK: He is….

Conrad reaches the top and attempts to come off with a floating legdrop, but Wells has already moved, causing a crash landing for the dustman. Wells gets back up onto his feet and he lifts Conrad up into a bodyslam before dropping his forearm across the face………………….1………………………….2…………Conrad gets his shoulder up!

DF: Wells has the momentum now…..lets see how good he is when he has control…

Wells lands kicks to the back of Conrad as he tries to stand up before ragging him up by the head and whipping him into the corner. Conrad slams into the turnbuckle and Wells attempts to charge in for a bodysplash, but Conrad gets both knees up into the jaw….

JK: Watch out…..oh no!

Wells staggers back, disorientated, and Conrad rushes out after him for a clothesline, only for Wells to scoop him up onto his shoulders….

DF: Death before dishonour!

Wells looks to plough Conrad with the “over the shoulder cutter” but Conrad slips off the side and boots Wells in the gut, drilling him with a thunderous DDT…
..
..
..
……1
..
..
..
…………….2
..
..
..
………………..kickout from Wells!

DF: Conrad has resiliency, and I told you he was tough…

JK: Bryan Wells has similar traits, these guys could cancel each other out here…

Conrad makes it back up to his feet and he waits for Wells to join him before landing with a nice belly to belly suplex…………………………1………………………………..2………………….shoulder up. They get back to their feet again and Conrad stomps on Wells’ stomach before managing to lift him….

DF: That is impressive strength by Mike Conrad…..jackhammer!

JK: Quality variation….

Conrad drills Wells with the jackhammer and then hooks both legs……………………..1………………………2……………thr-shoulder up from Wells. Conrad gets back to his feet and draws his hair back into a ponytail before beckoning Wells to stand up, the crowd are fully behind the former binman….

DF: Conrad is really getting a reaction out of these fans…..DUSTBUSTER!

Conrad looks to end proceedings with an RKO but Wells blocks it by pushing Conrad against the ropes, and then drops him with a heavy battering ram headbutt to the chest as he comes back. Wells staggers way, looking to regain himself, as Conrad rolls in pain on the floor.

JK: Normally, you would wrestle your match and the rest of the night off….but these guys still have to fight twice more tonight….

Conrad staggers back up and Wells takes him down again with a running axe handle. Conrad gets back up to his feet and is floored by a wind up punch before getting back to his feet for a third time and he is scooped onto the shoulders of Wells, who nails a running powerslam…

DF: Good combos….

1…
…….2
………………..Conrad gets his shoulder up off the canvass once again!

JK: Conrad fighting on, but you have to feel that the punishment is only going to continue…

DF: Of course it is…

Conrad holds his back as he tries to, gingerly, get back to his feet. Wells is watching him from the corner, picking his moment to strike…

JK: Wells has his eyes on the prize…..FLATLINER!

Wells storms out and looks to finish Conrad with a brogue kick but Conrad has the presence of mind to duck and then swipes his opponents’ legs…

DF: Boston crab!

The crowd cheer as Conrad manages to turn Wells over and sits down onto his back, extending the pressure to full capacity. Wells lets out a cry in anger and pain but refuses to accept the opportunity to tap out. Instead, he crawls for the ropes….

JK: Conrad has this applied nicely…..I don’t know if there is much Wells can do….

DF: He has to use his leg strength before it gets sapped away….

Wells struggles against the grip of Conrad but manages to make some ground on the ropes and he reaches out again, his fingertips brushing the bottom rope. Conrad has the legs bent right back and is upping the ante at every available chance he gets…..

JK: This would be a massive victory for Mike Conrad…..five points scored for a submission win….

DF: And it would leave Bryan Wells with a heck of a lot to do….

Wells makes it to the ropes and reaches out again to grab ahold, only for Conrad to spot the situation and he drags Wells back towards the centre of the ring…

DF:Now is the time to pounce…

Wells uses his strength to turn his body onto his back and kicks out with both feet, connecting with the chest of Conrad and sending him back into the corner. Wells scrambles back to a vertical base and runs in, driving against Conrad with a brutal splash….

JK: All of the wind just got driven out of Conrad there, he could be a sitting duck…

DF: DBD!

Conrad staggers out, worse for wear, and Wells immediately lifts him up onto his shoulders and then spins him around for the cutter…

JK: Dropped out….SLEEPER!

The crowd roar in approval as Conrad sneaks off the back and then wraps his arms around the neck of Wells, pulling him into a tight sleeper hold. Wells attempts to pull Conrad’s grip free but cannot manage it…

DF: Conrad holding on for dear life right now…

Wells is struggling and his legs seem to be getting weaker as Conrad really tugs back on his head and neck, extending the pressure as much as possible. Wells drops down onto one knee and Conrad leans over him, dropping all his bodyweight down ontop of his foe…

JK: This will be a sweet victory for Mike Conrad if he pulls it off….

Wells’ eyes begin to close as Conrad really hammers the point home and the referee makes a judgment call, grabbing ahold of Wells’ arm. He lifts it up and then lets go………it drops!

DF: This drops three times and Conrad is walking out victorious….

The referee lifts the arm again……..it drops for a second time!

JK: Third time is a charm for Mike Conrad…

The referee lifts the arm up for a third time and Conrad relaxes his grip slightly, allowing Wells to stand up out of nowhere and lift Conrad into a back suplex position before throwing him over the top rope. Conrad lands badly on his back…

DF: He was playing possum….what a crazy son of a gun….

JK: Wells is a former surgeon, I am sure he knows a ton of tricks to slow his heart rate down…..he tricked Conrad big time right there….

DF: And now Mike Conrad is in a bad way on the outside…

JK: He landed right on his back…

Conrad is down and out on the concrete floor and Wells orders the referee to begin counting him out……..1………..2………..3……………..4……………..Conrad is barely stirring on the outside as Wells sits against the turnbuckle and watches the action……………5…………….6…………….7……….Conrad uses the ringside barrier to help himself to his feet, and he staggers around……………..8……………………….9…………….He pulls himself under the bottom rope in time as Wells uses the ropes to stand up and rushes out with a hard body block…

DF: It’s advantage Bryan Wells now…

Conrad holds his back as he tries to stand up, allowing Wells to drive heavy shots against his spine before turning him around and whipping him off the ropes. Conrad comes back and Wells lowers his head, throwing Conrad up into a backbody drop……Conrad lets out a yell of pain as he gets back to his feet and Wells nails him with a backbreaker………………………………1………………………………..2……………………….kickout!

JK: Conrad keeps fighting, and he is desperate to take something from this match…but his back has to be hurting him, and he needs to think of the bigger picture…

Wells implores the referee to count faster as he gets back up to his feet. He stomps down on the back of Conrad before leaping into the air and driving a sickening kneedrop to the spine. Wells rolls back up onto his feet and he lets out a sarcastic roar, drawing boos from the crowd, before beckoning for Conrad to stand up…

DF: Wells said he was going to inflict pain…..that he would beat Conrad to a “pulp” and he is sticking to his word right now…

JK:That one move changed the whole complexion……..FLATLINER!

DF: DUSTBUSTER!

Wells rushes out and attempts to take Conrad down with the “Brogue kick” but Conrad ducks underneath it and looks to counter with an RKO but Wells counters again and looks for a back suplex, only for Conrad to backflip over his shoulder and spin him around, nailing the RKO this time…

1.
..
..
…..2
..
..
………………3!

JK: He did it…..Conrad victorious in the Iron man….

DF: That is a tremendous effort, but Conrad used a lot of energy for that match, I wonder how much he has left in the tank…

Conrad kneels in the ring with a smile on his face and nods his head in happiness. The referee then raises his arm in victory and Conrad gives the crowd the thumbs up, as they cheer his name.

JK: Well it seems Mike Conrad has earned himself an army of followers here tonight, as well as three very valuable points…

DF: But the case remains, how is his back holding up?....because he needs to wrestle twice more tonight, four more times in the next two days if he wants that world championship…..as good as this victory is, the manner of it is not so successful…

Conrad climbs from the ring to celebrate with the fans, as Bryan Wells begins to come around in the ring. Wells has an ugly grimace on his face as Conrad smiles back at him and then raises his trash can into the air.

Match time: 6 minutes, 13 seconds
Official Result: Mike Conrad via pinfall

*The action moves backstage as Hugh Cartwright is standing by with a blond haired man with startling blue eyes.

Cartwright: Ladies and gentlemen, I have been joined at this time by “The Viper”, Liam Wood!

*Nice reception from the crowd

Cartwright: Now Liam, you’ve seen the first two fights. You have watched the first Group A match between Jason Sparkz and Alex Garcia, how confident are you that you can shine here at the Iron Man?

Wood: I’m blessed with God given talent, Hugh. I know that comes across as brash, but its just pure honesty in my opinion. I know how good I am, I know just how far I can go in this industry, so why not tell the truth?

*Cartwright shrugs his shoulders and Wood laughs

Wood: The fact is, I’ve watched these guys compete, and they are good, really good infact, but I am better, so much better then all of them. And I could stand here and talk about that all day, or I can go out to that ring and I can prove it.

Cartwright: Your certainly confident, but three matches in one day, that is a big ask for anybody…

Wood:It is a good job that I am not just “anybody” then. I see the risks of this kind of schedule but I am not fazed, not even remotely. I know my abilities, and I know that I am ready, that I was born ready for a tournament like this.

Cartwright: And your opponent up next, Vincent Costello…

Wood: Yeah the mafia guy, thinks he’s a big shot because he did a little time. Well I’ve got news for “Vinny”, because this ain’t the prisonhouse anymore…..but boy, you are going to wish there was iron bars between us when this all gets started…

*Wood laughs at his own joke

Cartwright: In forty eight hours, we will be crowning the first ever EWF World Champion….what makes you believe that you will be the man picking up the prize when all is said and done?

*Wood looks at Cartwright for a moment and then shakes his head

Wood:Have you seen me?....look at me, Hugh, I’m natural perfection and I am prepared for whatever is thrown my way. I can outwrestle these guys, outhustle them, I can outfight them if needs be….there is nothing that I can’t do better than anyone else……by the time tomorrow draws to a close I will be basked in ultimate glory, you can count on it…my face fits the bill, I’m beautiful…

*Cartwright and the crowd laugh

Wood: Why wouldn’t you want to see me as your leader?....of course you would, and you will…..because this is my time, and we are all going to share a momentous moment……today my career starts, tomorrow my legacy begins….

Cartwright: Good luck out there Liam…

*Viper nods at Cartwright before throwing his hands up in a rocker pose to the cameras. He then heads out towards the stage.

*The scene changes to the parking lot where a white Bentley has pulled up and the driver’s door opens, revealing a man inside dressed in a red hooded top. He pulls a kitbag with him and swings it over his shoulder.

JK: This was moments ago folks, outside the Coliseum. Basking in the LA sunshine is “The Talent” Jimmy Phillips and he looks ready for action…

DF: Seems like Phillips has taken for a late arrival and that could be a benefit for him…he isn’t scheduled on ‘til last so perhaps a late sleep was in order…

JK: He certainly seems relaxed…….for those who don’t know, Jimmy Phillips is a former college footballer, who seemed destined for a career in the NFL…

DF: Phillips injured his neck badly during his football days….but after career-saving surgery, he has changed his pathway…..he wants to be a pro-wrestler, and with his athletic nature he could go far in this business…

JK: Phillips goes up against Dario Machiavelli in our final first session match, so I imagine Phillips is on his way to get ready….

*Phillips is shown walking towards the doorway, which is pushed open for him by security. An aid is on hand to show Phillips towards his locker room as the action turns back towards the ringside area.

Match 3
Group A
Vincent Costello vs “The Viper” Liam Wood

JK: So by my reckoning, all roster members have arrived at the arena…

DF: You would hope so, considering we are in the middle of the Iron man tournament….

*A quick recap of the earlier match between Sparkz and Garcia is shown on the Hypertron, with Sparkz gaining the victory with a rollup pin.

JK: That was earlier this afternoon folks, the first match in Group A with Jason Sparkz defeating Alex Garcia. But now it is time for our second contest in that group between the remaining competitors…..Vincent Costello and Liam Wood…

*Flames burst out from the stage as “I killed the prom queen” blares out. There is a big round of applause from the crowd as the flames die down and Liam Wood makes his way out onto the stage, confidently raising his arms. Wood makes his way down to the ring, high fiving the fans as he does so.

DF: The Viper has good MMA skills and he is a powerful kid…

JK: And how much does self-confidence play a part in your preparation?

DF: Massively, if you are confident in your abilities then you are more likely to perform….but over-confidence can lead to mistakes, it is a fine line…

JK; Well Liam Wood is certainly confident….he hasn’t even wrestled yet and he believes he is walking out of here tomorrow with the world championship…

DF: Well now is the time for him to back up those claims…no point in running your mouth if you can’t cash out….time to step up…

Wood removes his t-shirt and throws it into the crowd, drawing wolf whistles from the female members. He then climbs up into the ring and begins to shadow box as he waits the arrival of his opponent.

JK: I hope this match can live up to the standard that has been set so far…

DF: These guys are so eager to impress that I don’t think that will be an issue…

“Godfather theme” creeps out and Vincent Costello makes his way out onto the stage. He looks at the crowd and begins to point at them, shouting insults as he makes his way down the rampway.

JK: Vincent Costello not doing a great job of endearing himself to these fans….

DF: I’m sure it isn’t bothering him….raised in the flames of Hells Kitchen, this guy is hard as nails…….five years in the pen, he has been fighting his entire life…..Costello won’t be here to make friends, he will be here to prove a point, to dominate and excel….he oozes that “bada55” mentality….

Costello removes his t-shirt and offers it to a fan at ringside. When the fan reaches out to grab it, Costello throws it on the ground and stomps on it, laughing at the fan. The crowd boo louder and Vincent makes his way towards the ring…

JK: I’m sure Jason Sparkz and Alex Garcia have one eye on this match……

Wood has seen enough of Costello’s disrespect towards the crowd and runs forwards, landing with a flying baseball slide under the bottom rope that sends Vincent rolling back into the aisleway. The crowd cheer as Wood follows him….

DF: Liam Wood wasting no time……and the fans are happy to see him take the fight to Costello…

JK: Wood has certainly earned himself some points from the crowd…

Costello gets back up and throws a right hand but Viper blocks it and runs him backwards into the ringside barrier. Wood lands with several punches to the midsection before grabbing Vincent’s arm and sending him towards the ring…

DF: Blocked out there…..OH!

BOOM!....Costello heads towards the steel steps, but he gets his foot up to block the impact. Wood then darts at Costello, only to be countered into a hiptoss that lashes Wood across the steel.

JK: That is not a good landing at all…

The referee orders Costello to get the action in the ring and he smiles as drags Wood up to his feet. He lifts him up into a back suplex position and then drops him backwards, cracking his spine against the security railing.

DF: And we thought Mike Conrad had back problems…..Wood will be lucky if his spine isn’t damaged…

Costello dusts off his hands mockingly and then climbs up into the ring, allowing the referee to finally start the match. The crowd will Wood on as the referee begins to count him out…

JK: This could be a record time…..Costello could be closing in on a countout victory…

Wood makes it over to the apron on the count of five and drags himself under the bottom rope, but only into the path of Costello, who begins to furiously stomp down on the back of his opponent.

DF: Costello is ruthless, man, he has that target on the back now and he’s going to just keeping going at it…

Viper attempts to crawl away to the corner, for refuge, but Costello follows him and begins to stomp a furious mudhole into the chest and stomach of Liam Wood. The referee initiates the count and pulls Costello away on the count of four…

JK: Costello wants to watch he doesn’t get himself disqualified….

Costello drags Wood out of the corner and lifts him up into a suplex position, holding him there for five seconds, and then drops him across the canvass…………………….1………………….2………….shoulder up. Vincent gets back to his feet and he pulls Wood up by the head before flipping him up into the air…

DF: This is turning into a beating now…

JK: Impressive stuff by Vincent Costello….

Costello holds Wood in the air, before powerbombing him back into the turnbuckle, extending the pain to the back. Wood slumps there and Costello lands a heavy knee to the gut before grabbing Viper’s arm and whipping him to the opposite side…

DF: Wood is in a bad way right now…..

Wood slams into the opposite turnbuckle and collapses on the floor, drawing a smile from Vincent Costello. Vincent then begins to stomp down on the back of his opponent again, unrelenting in his aggression…

JK: This is hard to watch….

Costello turns to the crowd and he mockingly gestures a championship belt around his waist, causing the fans to him viciously. He smiles and then pulls Wood up by the head…

DF: The Viper is gonna keep fight, there is no doubt about that…

Wood rallies with quick punches to the midsection of Costello and breaks free of his grasp before running off the ropes and returning with a jumping big boot to the chest of Costello, knocking him down. Costello gets back up and Wood pulls him in…

JK: Belly to belly…

The crowd suddenly start booing as Costello pokes Wood right in the eye, breaking free of his grip. The referee chastises Costello, but he merely shrugs and picks Wood up on his shoulders before running him to the corner and dropping him for snake eyes across the turnbuckle…..Viper staggers away and Costello runs off the adjacent ropes and returns with a thunderous clothesline………………………..1…………………………….2…………………..shoulder up!

DF: Wood trying to rally when he can, but Costello is controlling the pace…

Costello stands up and he rakes his boot into the face of Viper before backing into the corner and lifts himself onto the second rope. Viper is slow to get back to his feet and Costello comes off the ropes with a heavy elbow to the spine, dropping Wood down to his knees again, Costello then takes his kneeling opponent and snaps him into a DDT…………………………1……………………………………2…………………Wood kicks out!

JK: I would imagine the rest of the roster is watching this and they have to be impressed by Vincent Costello….

DF: Of course they do….he’s really fighting like a Trojan so far….

Costello cracks his neck with a grimace and then gets back onto his feet. He presses Wood’s right arm out to the side and begins to stomp heavily on that appendage now, causing Wood to cry out in pain…

DF: Changing the point of attack….a clever tactic…

JK: He’s softening Wood up…

Costello drags Wood up by the arm and yanks it to a hyperextension, before driving the point of his elbow into the shoulder joint. He twists the arm into a modified submission and pushes upwards….

JK: Liam Wood not having the best of starts to his EWF career right now…

DF: But he’s still in the fight, and that is all that matters right now…

Costello continues to torque the arm of Wood, dropping him down to knee as he does so. Wood refuses to accept the possibility of quitting and gets back to both feet, using his free arm to land uppercuts to the midsection of Costello.

DF: He’s got spirit….

Costello doubles up, winded, and Wood pulls clear of him and counters with a big german suplex. Wood stumbles up and tries to get the sensation back in his arm as he waits for Costello to get back to his feet…

JK: Wood showing a lot of heart…..

Costello gets back up and he walks straight into Wood, falling victim to a overhead belly to belly suplex. The crowd are on their feet, willing Wood on, as he beckons for Costello to get to his feet again and this time dodges a clothesline and counters with a full nelson slam………………………..1……………………2………….Costello gets his shoulder up!

DF: Seemed like it was the end right there…..but now Costello needs to show his heart…

JK: Does he have one?

Costello stumbles back up and receives a sharp kick to the gut before Wood whips him, hard, towards the corner. Vincent clatters, chest-first, into the turnbuckle and then stumbles back out into a second german suplex. Wood gets up to his feet and he looks down at Costello before heading towards the corner….

DF: Viper is gonna climb…….ELBOW DROP!

The flashbulbs go off as Wood reaches the top rope, throws his arms up, and then drives into a picture perfect elbow drop to the chest of Vincent Costello. He stumbles back up to his feet and gives a signal to the fans before pulling Costello up…

JK: This is how he ends it…VIPER DROP!

Wood looks for his variation on the pedigree, but Costello swipes his legs at the last minutes and slingshots him towards the corner. Wood collides with the turnbuckle and then staggers back out into a rollup…………………..1……………………………..2……………….kickout!

DF: Costello almost caught Wood cold…

They scramble back up and Costello looks for a swift kick but Wood catches his leg and then swipes his standing one, dropping ontop of Costello and administering a ground and pound beating….

JK: Viper exploding now…..

DF: A lot of venom stored up inside that boy…

The crowd roar as Wood lands blow after blow and then pushes back up onto his feet. He lets out a triumphant roar and then screams at Costello to get back up onto his feet….

DF: This is how you build momentum…..CHOKESLAM!

JK: We could have a winner….

The impact shakes the ring as Viper plants Costello with the chokeslam and makes the cover………………………1………………………2………..shoulder up!

JK: I thought that was a three…

DF: In most cases it would be…..but the chokeslam is usually used by a guy near the 7ft mark, Wood is only around 6’2 which means he can’t get that elevation….still an effective move but it does not have the same explosiveness….

JK: Always great to get an insight…..

Wood rolls over and looks disappointed but pushes himself back onto his feet and beckons for the crowd to make some noise. They follow his lead and begin to cheer as he drags Costello up, putting him in place for the “X marks the spot”….

DF: Game over…..

Costello swings out of the attempted “test drive” and counters with a flapjack that hangs Wood up on the top rope. Costello drags him into the centre of the ring and connects with a russian legsweep………………..1……………………..2……………..Wood kicks out!

JK: None of these guys so far have reserved too much energy…..and I wonder how much that is going to impact on them later in the tournament….

Costello gets back to his feet and he tries to pull Wood up into a powerbomb, but Viper counters with a backdrop. Costello gets back up to his feet and looks for a running clothesline but Wood ducks underneath it and shoots off the opposite side….

DF: SPEAR!

Costello shows great athleticism to leapfrog over the top of the attempted spear, causing Wood to crash head-first into the turnbuckle and stagger back into a neckbreaker……………………..1……………………2……………shoulder up. Costello is up and he runs Wood into the corner and lands with sickening shoulder thrusts before lifting him up onto the top rope. He lashes chops against the chest of Viper and then climbs up the turnbuckle with him…

JK: Big gamble…..either way this doesn’t end well….

DF: No happy ending to this scenario….

Costello climbs up and rocks more punches to the head of Viper before pulling into a front facelock and beginning to lift him towards a superplex…

JK: Bad landing imminent…

Viper drags crashes a heavy forearm across the bridge of Costello’s nose and then shoves him hard in the chest, sending him flying from the top rope to the canvass below. The whistles and cheers go out as Viper settles himself up top and then waits for Costello to rise….

DF: FLYING LARIAT!

Roars echo around the Coliseum as Wood connects with the lariat across the throat of Costello as he comes down through the air. He then rolls back onto his feet and pulls Costello up…

JK: VIPER…

The pedigree looks imminent when Costello swipes Wood’s legs and slingshots him, causing Viper to connect with the referee and send him clattering across the floor. Viper shakes his head and then turns around, allowing Costello to land a vicious low blow…

DF: That merits a disqualification right there…

JK: I agree, but the lack of an official is hindering that…

Costello taps his head and laughs before getting back to his feet. He begins to trash talk Viper before pulling him and hooking his arms…

DF: He’s gonna use Wood’s own finisher on him…

JK: The ultimate insult….VIPER…

Wood suddenly drops to his knees and he lands a low-blow of his own, drawing cheers from the crowd, and then he stands up and hooks the arms of Costello…

DF: I guess what goes around, comes around….VIPER DROP!

The crowd roar in approval as Wood lifts Costello vertically and then drills him down on top of his head, he hooks both legs…
..
..
..
….1
..
..
…………2
..
..
……………………3!

JK:It’s over….

DF: It would be, if we had a referee…

The crowd are shouting and screaming, but the referee is still out on the mat. Viper looks over and shakes his head before climbing to his feet and trying to revive the official…

JK: Referee took a clash of heads, and he is not a trained athlete….he is dazed and confused….

DF: But his confusion is costing Viper points….

Viper pushes the referee down in frustration and then turns back towards Costello, who is on all fours.

JK: What do you do if your Wood, at this point in time?

DF: The only thing you can do, keep beating on your opponent until the referee comes around…

Wood stands over Costello and looks out at the crowd before dragging him up and he underhooks the arms once again, giving a signal….

JK:As if one Viper Drop wasn’t enough…..two seals the deal….

DF:OH GOD!

The crowd grimace as Costello pulls away in desperation and lifts Wood up into a flapjack position, before falling backwards, causing Viper’s head to snap against the top of the ringpost. Costello scrambles back to his feet and he punches Wood clean in the face as he staggers around…

JK: I think the force of the ringpost blow has knocked Wood out cold….

DF: Yeah and the rest…

JK; What do you mean?

DF: Check Costello’s trunks and you’ll find out…

The cameras pick up on Costello stuffing something back in his trunks as the referee comes back around and he makes the cover…
..
..
….1
..
..
……2
..
..
……………………3!

JK: This is over….but what happened?

DF: Let’s get a replay up and watch this……he pulled this from the backstreets without a doubt….

*The instant replays show Wood’s head snap off the top of the ringpost, and at the same time Costello pulls a gleaming item out of his trunks and wraps it around his fist before planting the punch on Wood’s jaw.

JK: He had brass knucks on…..cmon?....referee…

DF: Referee is too dazed to have a clue what went down there…..Costello beat the system….

JK: This result should be reversed, he cheated…

DF: He did cheat….but he did what he had to do, and got away with it…..this result stands and Costello has won a barnstormer here in Group A…

JK: It smells like an injustice to me…..but what can you do?...Vincent Costello joins Jason Sparkz at the top of Group A on three points……despite a terrific effort from Liam Wood here, he leaves empty handed…

DF: And he is going to need all the rest he can get before 4pm…

JK:What time do you make it now?

DF: Just after one….

Costello staggers into the aisleway and mockingly kisses his fist as the crowd boo him. The referee is clearly hurting, but he trying to revive Liam Wood as the action goes to a few commercials.

Match time:9 minutes
Official Result: Vincent Costello via pinfall

*The action returns and Vincent Costello is just entering the backstage area, a smug smile on his face. He picks up a bottle of water and begins to sip from it before shouting at the production workers around him.

Costello: Did you all see that?....did you see what I did to that little punk out there?.....I whooped him good, because I’m the best……I’m the future world champion…

*Costello pours some of the water over his head and then throws the bottle across the floor, as he is approached by a slim black man, with a microphone.

???: Vincent Costello…

Costello: Who the hell wants to know?

???: Carlton Jacobs, EWF reporter…

Costello: I don’t talk to the press kid, get the hell out of here….

*Costello makes to walk away but Jacobs hounds him

Jacobs: Just a quick interview….it won’t take long…

Costello: Your not wrong about that….

Jacobs: I just want to get your views on your last match……the blatant use of the…

*Costello whirls around and Jacobs staggers back in fright.

Costello: Be careful with how you finish that sentence, because I am not in a forgiving mood. I told you once, and I am not going to tell you again…..no press…..you want an interview with me then you can get one tomorrow…..approximately 9:15 pm tomorrow evening….the moment when I’ll be stood right here…..EWF World Championship around this waist…..then you’ll get your interview…until then, stay the hell outta my way….get out of it….

*The cameraman tries to get in close but Costello grabs the lense and shoves it backwards, causing the cameraman to sprawl across the floor. Costello’s feet are shown walking away as Jacobs can be heard off camera.

Jacobs: I need an interview with that guy….he’s gold…

*The scene changes and Kelsey Hughes is standing by with another EWF newcomer, who is holding a portable video camera.

Kelsey: I am joined at this moment in time, by Dario Machiavelli…..and Dario in just a couple of minutes you will be making your EWF debut….

*She stops speaking as Dario aims the camera at her and moves it up and down

Dario: You really are quite striking dear….have you ever given acting a thought?

Kelsey: Erm, no…

Dario: Oh but you should….you are perfect, in fact I could have used you in a few of my own movies…

*Kelsey takes a step back, obviously freaked out by Machiavelli’s nature…

Kelsey: Ok…back on topic, in just a moment you will be out in that ring making your EWF debut against Jimmy Phillips….your first contest in the Iron Man tournament…

Dario: Ah yes, Jimmy Phillips…….the athlete….

*His mouth curls into a smile

Dario: I have read all about Mr Phillips and I know exactly what is expected from him in his career….he has the god given talent, but does he have the substance?.....does Mr Phillips actually have the ability to flourish when the pressure is on?

Kelsey: How do you mean?

Dario: Let us be frank, out of the whole roster that has been amassed, Jimmy Phillips’ name carries the most weight in the professional wrestling ranks…..the favourite if you will…….which means the spotlight is on him, he is expected to perform……

Kelsey: And you don’t feel the same expectation?

Dario: I am the man behind the camera my sweet…..I direct the spotlight onto others, it is my job…..so naturally, when he is in the ring me, Jimmy Phillips’ pressure will be magnified enormously…

I have made a career by making stars of others…..of directing masterpieces, and my work here in EWF will be my finest to date…..because I have more than a willing cast…..I have a desiring audience………and I have a stage on which to re-enact my script…….I couldn’t have asked for anything else…

Kelsey: So you have a plan then?

Dario: A good director never reveals his true motives until the correct time, but naturally I am confident in what I have mapped out. I did not enter this profession lightly, I have taken great measures to guarantee my success…..this following bout will merely be prologue to an award winning showcase…

Kelsey: But this being your first venture into the profession, are you in no way concerned about the severity of the schedule that awaits you?

Dario: What is there to fear but fear itself?. If I do not quiver in terror at what awaits me in this industry then my mind will see no obstacles, and that is how I shall approach it. Sure, to the untrained eye this is going to be a “slog”…..but for somebody who has planned sufficiently for the next forty eight hours’ activities, I see no reason to worry….

Because any fan, or audience member, that is expecting me to give away all my secrets, to reveal my plot within the first scene….I am afraid you will be sadly disappointed. I am in this for the long haul, and you will not see what I want you to see, until I make it happen…

Jimmy Phillips will be the first to sample my script….but he will not be the last……I have a message to send, and I promise you are going to receive it….loud and clear!

*There are some boos from the crowd as Machiavelli scans Kelsey Hughes with the camera once again, before turning on his heel and walking off.

*The scene changes and the crowd cheer as Jimmy Phillips is shown with Hugh Cartwright. Jimmy has his trademark red hoody on, but it is unzipped and his muscular body is on view. He bobs from one foot to the other, perspiration running down his head.

Hugh: Jimmy….just a couple of minutes and you make your debut in EWF. Obviously your previous stints in promotions were full of expectation, but they didn’t pan out…..what makes you believe that EWF will be any different?

Phillips: I feel wanted, I feel fresh and I feel like this is the place for me to make my name. For me it has never been about money or fame, its been about recognition and achievement….I want to be known as a guy that reached his peak and achieved everything that was possible for me to achieve…..for the first time in my life, I am certain that that is what is going to happen…

Hugh: With your previous credentials, you have to know that you are the “favourite” for this tournament, does that add any pressure?

Phillips: Of course it does, it doubles the pressure on me….but if I’m not prepared for that then I am in the wrong business. If I want to get to the top of this industry, if I want to see my name up in lights then I have no choice but to accept when the spotlight shines on me…..

But it’s a good pressure, the best kind….because I don’t feel nervous, I feel prepared and I feel ready to go out there and perform to the best of my ability. I want the guys in the crowd to enjoy what I bring to the table….I want them to go home happy….I want them to experience “The Talent” first hand…

*Phillips flexes his pectoral muscles, drawing wolf whistles from the crowd

Hugh: You’ve had the opportunity to look at the rest of the playing field…..who has impressed you so far?

Phillips: I think a lot of these guys have done so well, considering for many this is their first foray into the business. Obviously Mike Conrad was impressive, and I am an admirer of that guy…..but I have to have confidence within myself before I start passing off compliments upon everyone else. I know this is a tough competition, I know this is going to be a difficult journey…..but I will never be better equipped than I am now….for me, EWF is my real roll of the dice…I’m all in for this one….and failure just isn’t an option….

Hugh: So with the prospect of five matches in forty eight hours, including a sixty minute iron man match…..how do you prepare yourself for that?

Phillips: Physically I don’t think you can…..you can get in the best shape possible, but your body will withstand whatever it can withstand, no matter how hard you train. I believe it’s all in the mental training, to prepare yourself in the mind that you are going beyond the pale….you need to be willing to go one step further, to break all barriers, and that is as much mental as it is physical….

Not many pro-wrestlers will ever have to go through a test like this one….but EWF is looking to make a name for itself, and a tournament like this will be putting us on the map, without a doubt….so it has to be my aim to go straight to the top….if I can prove myself in the next two days, I’m going to make a statement that nobody will ever deny….

???: And with a physique like that, I’d like a history of your medical records…

*The crowd boo as Dr Bryan Wells is shown leaning on the wall outside Phillips’ office, he clicks his tongue as he looks at Phillips.

Phillips: What the hell do you want Wells?....did Conrad not kick your a55 enough earlier?

*Bryan merely smiles and steps forwards

Wells: Don’t deflect this one Jimmy……Conrad got lucky earlier…..a mistake that will not happen again….you will find that out later on….

Phillips: You serious?....I watched your fight, I think I’d be more afraid to fight your stethoscope than you….

Wells: I mean what I say Phillips, I am a qualified surgeon….and I know irregularities when I see them….that (he points at Phillips’ washboard abs) is not natural….

*Phillips grins and taps his abdomen

Phillips: That, is all natural…..that is what a lifetime of hardwork and dedication will get you…..heck you can every medical record I have ever posted….i’ll take a test in front of you, but when I do…

*Phillips suddenly launches forwards and pins Wells against the far wall

Phillips: You will never, ever question me again…..I don’t appreciate false accusations, especially from some jumped up, disgraced surgeon who doesn’t belong in a medical room, let alone a wrestling ring….so keep your mouth shut, and I’ll see you later on…..

*Phillips pushes away from Wells and shakes his head in anger as he storms towards the entranceway

Wells: Oh you’ll be seeing me much sooner than that Jimmy……

*Wells laughs to himself as we go back to ringside

Match 4
Group B
Jimmy Phillips vs Dario Machiavelli

JK: Bryan Wells really is not making friends tonight is he?

DF: He’s an obnoxious guy that is for sure. But his questions about Phillips’ physique are really disrespectful….especially when he has no substance to those claims…

JK: In seems in light of the whole Armstrong saga, there are some wild accusations now flying around…

DF: Wells will do well to avoid a reprimand for saying things like that…

JK: Aside from that, what did he mean by Phillips seeing him “much sooner” than later tonight?...

DF: Seems like Wells has something planned….Phillips will have to watch his back…

“People are strange” echoes out and there is a muted response from the crowd as Dario Machiavelli makes his way out onto the stage, his handheld camera in his grasp. He begins to aim the camera at the crowd, zooming in on their faces as his live feed appears on the Hypertron….

JK: This is a bizarre character…

DF: A former film director, there is a lot of suspicion surrounding this guy…….apparently some of his former employees went missing whilst working for him, disappearances that were never resolved…

JK: But no charges were ever brought to Machiavelli….so whilst he is strange, there isn’t much we can speculate about when there is no evidence…

DF: Oh absolutely not, but his demeanor is certainly deranged and he is not someone I would want to be around….

JK:Anything you can tell is about his wrestling ability?

DF: Not a lot…..he’s the one guy on the roster that wouldn’t allow an open workout session, so I haven’t seen him perform….I don’t really know what he is bringing to the table…

JK: So an unknown essentially….

DF: Absolutely…

Machiavelli places the camera under the turnbuckle and then climbs up into the ring, removing his jacket as he stands on the apron. He steps through the ropes and begins test the bounce of the ropes as “Cold Ash” roars out, and the biggest reception of the night so far is heard…

JK: The most well known member of the EWF roster…..and certainly the “fan favourite”, Jimmy Phillips looks all fired up…

DF: Phillips already felt he had a point to prove when he signed to EWF….but I think Bryan Wells’ comments will have just ignited a second fire, he will have fanned those flames….I believe we can expect an explosive nature from “The Talent”….

Phillips runs from one side of the stage to the other, pointing at the fans as he does. He then removes his hoody and tosses it into the crowd, revealing his muscular stature underneath. Machiavelli eyes his opponent with focused eyes as Phillips makes his way down to the ring…

JK: Phillips has been touted for great things ever since he started pro-wrestling, but as of yet he has yet to hit top gear….will EWF be the start of something special?

DF: It certainly could….he’s quick, athletic and crazy strong…..Phillips has all the natural talent to be a huge star in this industry……he can be prone to lack concentration but if he tightens that up, then you have to put him at a huge advantage…

JK: Phillips is certainly pulling the big support from the crowd here in the Coliseum, what effect will that have Donovan?

DF: A massive one, that can literally pull a guy through a fight…..Phillips will feel like he has a tag team partner in his corner……this could really work to his favour….

Phillips nods in appreciation of the fans’ support and then jumps up on the apron, causing pyros to erupt from all four turnbuckles. He stares at Machiavelli for a moment and then climbs inside the ring to join his opponent…

JK: So if put on the spot, you would pick Phillips for the win?

DF: Without a doubt, that isn’t a debate…..we don’t know anything about Machiavelli, we’ve seen Phillips wrestle before so naturally he is favoured…..but I wouldn’t bet on it, because Dario is unknown, we couldn’t make a judgment on this guy….

Phillips and Machiavelli stand toe to toe and look into each other’s eyes as the referee has a quick word with them and then signals for the bell to start the match. The staredown continues for a few more moments and then Machiavelli drives his head forwards, connecting with the bridge of Phillips’ nose…

JK: A little unconventional?

DF: But effective all the same…

Phillips staggers away, temporarily blinded and Dario follows him, landing with a solid haymaker that knocks Phillips back into the corner. Phillips tries to cover up as Machiavelli targets him with hooking blows to the body, only for JP to finally shove forwards and send Dario flying across the canvass…

DF: That is the strength that Phillips’ possesses, but he needs to use it effectively…

Machiavelli gets back up to his feet and Phillips runs at him, driving a heavy knee against the temple of his foe and dropping him to the canvass. Phillips turns to the crowd and flexes his arms before he drags Dario up and flips him up….

JK: Powerbomb looks likely…

Machiavelli rakes the eyes of Phillips in midair and then drops out onto his feet, nailing JP with a forearm uppercut that knocks “The Talent” down. Phillips gets back up to his feet and swings for the fences, but Dario ducks and counters with an atomic drop and then a crunching neckbreaker…
..
..
..
…..1
..
..
…………….2
..
..
………………..shoulder up!

DF: So Machiavelli can fight, that much is obvious…..but still it’s early days…

Machiavelli gets back to his feet and he pulls Phillips back up into a pumphandle position, only for JP to slam a hard back elbow into the jaw of his foe and spin out into a huge overhead belly to belly suplex…

JK: Back to that strength…

Machiavelli gets back up and runs at Phillips, only to be scooped up and planted by a samoan drop………………..1…………………………………2………………kickout. Phillips gets back to a vertical base and he kneels in the corner, beckoning for Dario to rise…

DF: I told you Phillips would be fired up for this match….

Phillips bursts out of the corner for a spear, but Dario is ready for him and drop toe holds him to the canvass before rolling ontop into a camel clutch….

JK: That is an impressive counter…

DF: Credit where it is due…

Dario pulls back on the head and neck of Phillips’, applying maximum pressure. Phillips shakes his head and refuses to quit as he claws his way towards the bottom rope…

JK: Machiavelli trying to squeeze the life out of Phillips….

Phillips grips to his side, realising the ropes are too far away, and begins to demonstrate amazing strength by standing back up on both feet, Machiavelli clinging to his back…

JK: That is astonishing….

Machiavelli is still clinging on for dear life as Phillips staggers back and crushes him against the turnbuckle. JP spins around and connects with heavy shoulder thrusts to the midsection before grabbing Dario’s right arm and whipping him towards the opposite corner….

DF:Phillips really does possess amazing strength….that could be the key in any contest that he competes in….

Machiavelli crashes into the far corner and Phillips rushes in after him, diving for a bodysplash but finding nobody home as Dario rolls away. Machiavelli waits for his opponent to stagger out and then drills him with a russian legsweep…
..
……1
…
………….2
..
..
……………….kickout from Phillips!

JK: You have to be surprised by how well Machiavelli has adapted to life inside a wrestling ring?

DF: Very surprised, but he is a focused individual so I guess you could have anticipated him to be prepared….

Machiavelli gets back to his feet and he punts Phillips in the ribs before bouncing back off the ropes and returning with a big legdrop across the throat……………….1…………………….2…………….kickout. He pulls JP up and plants him with a snap suplex before backing to the corner and lifting himself onto the second rope…

JK: Million dollar fist….Dibiase will be proud…

The fist of Machiavelli plants into the forehead of Phillips and then he gets back to his feet. The crowd boo him but he merely shrugs them off and grabs his camera from the corner. The crowd watch in amazement as Dario films Phillips’ struggling on the canvass…

DF: I have never seen anything like this in a wrestling match before…

JK: Strange behavior from Machiavelli…..he should be concentrating on the match….

Dario rolls the camera back under the ropes and waits for Phillips to rise, stalking his every move. Eventually JP reaches his feet and Machiavelli grabs him…

DF:EXTENDED CUT!

Phillips senses the danger in time, slipping out of the attempted tazzmission and countering with a huge full nelson slam. Phillips then runs off the ropes and returns with a big splash…………………..1……………………2………….Machiavelli pops his shoulder in time!

JK: Phillips riding a storm there….he needs to get back in control…

DF: I think he knows that….

Phillips gets back up and he hauls Dario up onto his feet and lifts him into a suplex position, before bouncing his legs against the top rope and turning him onto his shoulders, nailing a running powerslam………………1……………………2………………kickout.

JK: Jimmy Phillips’ seems to be growing in confidence again now…

Phillips stands over Machiavelli and then drops an elbow to the chest before getting back up to his feet. He ushers Machiavelli to stand back up and drags him into place…

DF: TOUCH…

Dario elbows his way free of the attempted “rockbottom” and then attempts to counter with a scoop slam, but Phillips slips off the shoulders of Machiavelli and pushes him against the ropes, before bodypressing him into the air on the comeback….

JK: That is exceptional…

DF: That’s what this guy brings to the table….

Phillips benches his foe twice and then slams him down with serious impact. He lets out a primal roar and then hits a northern lights suplex as Dario stumbles back up…
..
..
….1
..
..
..
…………2
..
..
..
……………….Machiavelli just kicks out!

DF: Machiavelli’s chances are fading here….

JK: And this crowd are happy about the scenario…

Phillips gets back to his feet and he begins to stalk Machiavelli, his eyes gleaming with intent as he watches his every move…

DF: Phillips lining this up nicely…TOUCHDOWN!

JK: DOWNWARD SPIRAL!

The crowd boo as Machiavelli counters the “rockbottom” into a “mic check” maneuver that plants Phillips face-first into the canvass. Both men are slumped on the mat and the referee begins to count them down…

DF:A double countout does nobody any favours….

JK: No points awarded for a draw…

Machiavelli crawls over to the corner and uses the ropes to drag himself back up onto his feet. He waits for Phillips to get up and then runs towards him, jumping through the air and drilling him with a crunching bulldog. Machiavelli then turns to the crowd and shouts “Fear”…

JK: What does that even mean?

DF: Beats me…

Machiavelli then turns towards the stage and the crowd look on in shock as a giant figure appears on the stage, dressed in a long black cloak and an executioner’s mask. The newcomer begins to walk down towards the ring…

JK: What the heck is going on here?

DF: I don’t know, I have no idea….but it does not look good…

Phillips staggers up to his feet and Machiavelli grabs his arm before whipping him into the corner. He lets out a laugh and then darts in afterwards for a stinger splash, only for Phillips to roll aside and send Machiavelli crunching into the turnbuckle….JP then sprints off the adjacent ropes and comes rushing back…

DF: GAME-CHANGER!

Machiavelli ducks his head in time and he uses Phillips’ momentum to lift him up and backdrop him over the ropes to the hard flooring below. The giant newcomer is just stood in the aisleway, watching with silent interest…..

JK: I really don’t know what is going on here ladies and gentlemen…..

Phillips stumbles back up to his feet on the referee’s three count and makes his way back to the apron, climbing up. Machiavelli grabs him by the head and attempts to suplex him back into the ring but Phillips clings on and then manages to guillotine Machiavelli across the top rope, staggering him back towards the centre….

DF: Phillips bought himself a reprieve….oh wait a minute…

The referee quickly checks on Machiavelli, and it allows the giant masked man to swipe Phillips’ feet from the apron, dropping him face-first against the canvass, collapsing to the outside.

JK: Phillips could be out cold, and now we know this guy’s agenda….he’s working with Machiavelli…

DF: But who is he?

The crowd are booing furiously, as the referee turns back around and the masked man is back in the aisleway. Phillips is practically out cold on the outside of the ring, leaving the referee no choice but to start counting….

JK: I think Jimmy Phillips is staring down the barrel of a countout defeat right here…

The count reaches five and Phillips is trying to use the apron to get himself back up……….6………..7………….Phillips’ legs are unsteady as he gets towards a vertical base……..8…………………………9……………..Phillips just rolls back into the ring, crawling into the corner, but only to get crushed by a running bodysplash…..he staggers out and Machiavelli pulls him around…

DF: FINAL CUT!

Phillips almost falls prey to the inverted DDT, but instead he drops down into a seated position and drills Machiavelli with an inverted jawbreaker. Machiavelli staggers away, disorientated, and Phillips somehow gets back up and rushes forwards….

JK: GAME-CHANGER…..FINISHED IT!

The crowd roar as Phillips almost spins Machiavelli inside out with the giant clothesline from hell. Phillips collapses ontop of his opponent…
..
..
….1
..
..
……………2
..
..
..
………………………3!

JK: Over…

DF: Not it’s not…

The crowd jump up to celebrate, but then draw breath in scandal as the hooded man outside the ring places Machiavelli’s foot on the bottom rope. Phillips gets to his knees, celebrating, but the referee pulls his arms down and points to the foot on the ropes…

JK: This is ridiculous…..Jimmy Phillips had this match won…

DF: And he knows that there is no way Machiavelli would have had the sense to find the ropes after that impact…

JK: Phillips is getting screwed here…..

Phillips begins to remonstrate with the referee and he points to the man outside the ring, casting accusations. The referee tells Phillips that he didn’t see anything and therefore cannot make a ruling…..Dario Machiavelli takes this time to roll under the bottom rope and stagger back towards the barrier…

DF: Machiavelli looking to catch a breather…

The crowd are booing Machiavelli and hauling abuse at him, causing him to turn towards them with a venomous look on his face.

Machiavelli: You will fear me…..I will make you fear me…..

The boos grow louder and Machiavelli shakes his head in disgruntlement before signalling to the big man on the outside. The hooded figure looks at him and then nods his head, before walking towards the ring…

JK: What the hell is this….

DF: Seems like Machiavelli is done fighting….

The hooded figure is just stepping over the top rope when Phillips spots him and shakes his head. He backs to the opposite side and climbs out to get a free run at Dario Machiavelli. Dario throws his hands up in mock surrender as Phillips closes in on him…

JK: Machiavelli all alone again…

Phillips kicks Dario in the stomach and then grabs him by the head before launching him back into the ring. Phillips rolls back in after him but Machiavelli crawls through the hooded man’s legs and leaves Phillips’ path blocked…

DF: Get him out of there referee…

The big man swings a big punch at Phillips, but he manages to duck it and uses his power to push the hooded man towards the ropes and over to the outside…
..
..
..
….1
..
..
..
…………2
..
…
..
…………………..Phillips just gets his shoulder up!

JK: Machiavelli almost stole one…

Both men quickly scramble back to their feet and Phillips catches Machiavelli coming in with a crunching spinebuster. He then drags him back up and detonates with a huge overhead belly to belly suplex, drawing cheers from the crowd. Phillips screams for Machiavelli to get back up…

DF: Machiavelli has played his games now….time for him to face his punishment like a man………TOUCHDOWN!

BOOM!

JK: Oh my….

The bell sounds, but it is too late to stop the impact. Phillips was seconds away for scoring the “rockbottom” when the hooded man dragged him under the bottom rope before grabbing him in a choked vice and chokebombing him straight through the announce table, signifying a disqualification.

DF: I have to lay some blame at the door of the official here…..he should have got rid of that guy as soon as he turned up out here, he had no business to be at ringside….it was obvious that this was going to happen…

JK: I have to agree with you there….Jimmy Phillips was cost a point here…..instead of three, he walks away with two, and perhaps a serious injury…

DF: It was obvious from around the mid-way point that Dario Machiavelli wanted no part of this match….he was looking for an out….

JK: But why?.....surely his aim is to be the world champion like everyone else in this tournament, so why intentionally try to get disqualified?

DF: I have no idea, but I think “fear” has something to do with it….Machiavelli seems hell-bent on leaving an impression, more so than attaining actual results…

JK: Well I can’t say I understand it…but Dario Machiavelli seems very happy with the outcome of this match….

*Machiavelli scares the referee from the ring and then laughs as he raises his arms in the air. The crowd are booing furiously as the giant hooded man joins Dario in the ring, standing behind his apparent “boss”.The cameras pick up on Machiavelli’s words.

Machiavelli: Fear…..now you see that I hold the key to all of your fears…..and this is just the beginning….oh I am just getting started……..FEAR!

*Machiavelli climbs from the ring and passes a couple of medics in the aisleway, who have arrived to check on Jimmy Phillips. JP is trying to stand out of the wreckage of the table, but his seems to be struggling to move his right shoulder…

DF: The injuries are really racking up….and we are just getting started here in the Iron Man Tournament….I hate to think how these guys are going to be feeling when all is said and done…

JK:With everything we have seen so far, I would be surprised if all eight of these men make it to the end of tonight…

DF: I won’t argue that…..by my reckoning we have two and a half hours until the next installment of this competition, time for all of these guys to get some rest and heal up as best as they can….because there is still much, much more to come…

JK: Yes there is….the first round of matches are over….but starting at 4pm we see round two, 8pm we see round three……these guys need all of the time they can get…..but for now ladies and gentlemen we will be taking an interval….be sure to get back here around 3:45 pm when the second session will begin, live and exclusive here on the V2 forum…

DF: And we sure hope you are enjoying the birth of the Elite Wrestling Championship as much as we have….the new home of wrestling…

JK: I promise you guys, you have seen nothing yet…..we are just getting started….starting at 3:45 we are kicking it up a notch….and you will not want to miss it…

Match Time:10 minutes 46 seconds
Official result: Jimmy Phillips via Disqualification

*Back from the interval and Jonathan Kelly and Donovan Franklin are sat at a new ringside desk. The crowd behind them seems to have grown by about fifty.

JK: Ladies and gentlemen, welcome back to EWF presents The Iron Man Tournament….live from the Elite Coliseum in Los Angeles. We are exclusive on the V2 forum and we are ready for the second session of what promises to be an enthralling evening of pro-wrestling action….I am here alongside my broadcast colleague, Donovan Franklin, and Don, what are you expecting from this second session?....and what are your thoughts on what we saw from the first ever session here in EWF?

DF: The first session in one word, incredible. Now look this isn’t bias, this is just honesty. Whenever any new promotion opens its doors, you have to expect that they aren’t going to be right on point in the beginning….but all of these guys were, they were sensational and the action was second to none. It really means a lot for these guys to be successful in EWF, and that translates into how they have conducted themselves in the early going..

JK: But what can we expect in the second round of matches?

DF: Some of the guys got pretty banged up earlier on, so maybe we are going to see a little caution in certain areas. But other guys, who recorded a win in their first match, they are going to be a lot more confident, and that should bring plenty of excitement…..

JK: It certainly was a rollercoaster opening to this tournament earlier today…..and after four matches, we were left with the league tables looking like this:

Group A:
Jason Sparkz
Vincent Costello
Liam Wood
Alex Garcia

Group B:
Mike Conrad
Jimmy Phillips
Dario Machiavelli
Bryan Wells

DF: So as things stand, Sparxz, Costello, Conrad and Phillips would be heading for the semi-finals….but there is a long way to go yet, these guys have plenty of obstacles to over come before we start talking about the semis…

JK:You are absolutely right…..every man still has two group matches to get through tonight….and any injuries they may be suffering with now, are only going to get worse as the night wears on…

DF: I am already loving EWF, this is the place to be….and seems the fans think so to, because we have a bigger crowd than when we started earlier..

JK: Tickets are on sale all weekend, seems word is getting out…before the second session gets underway though folks, I believe HyperEx chief, Daniel Magnusson is standing by with Kelsey Hughes..

*The scene changes and the crowd give a respectful round of applause as Magnusson is standing with Kelsey Hughes.

Kelsey: Mr Magnusson, can I get your thoughts on the first session of the Iron Man Tournament earlier this afternoon?

Magnusson: I thoroughly enjoyed it, it was exactly what I was hoping for. You see ever since I entered the business world, I have wanted to create a global masterpiece in the form of a professional wrestling company…..and now I believe I have. With the vision and the backing of my colleagues, I believe we have unearthed a crown jewel here with EWF…

Kelsey: So far we have sold just over 360 tickets for the show, are those numbers what you were expecting?

Magnusson: Probably a little short of expectations but this is our first night…..we are lucky enough to be streaming this event live over the internet, so I believe our publicity will go through the roof when the public see what else we have to offer in the next two days…..the crowd that have arrived here have been fantastic, and I can feel the atmosphere growing….

Kelsey: And what is the goal here with EWF?....what do you think will make you stand out amongst the crowd?

Magnusson: A good question, but the answer is merely, entertainment. Because I am a wrestling fan, a fan that has grown frustrated with the same, watered down, monotonous product that is currently on the market…..the general public want intrigue, conflict, scandal and edginess….they want non-stop action and I intend on giving it to them.

Because at the most basic standpoint, I want a show that everyone tunes into and gets hooked, I want everyone talking about EWF and in a few months I believe they will be. I want to get our statement out there, showing the fans that we are bringing our A game every single time….me and my colleagues on the board are working very hard to ensure that this brand will flourish…

Kelsey: In terms of an “authority” role here in EWF….it has been speculated that you have been interviewing potential candidates in recent weeks, any updates?

Magnusson: For now, there is nothing to confirm….I have spoken to a few people, but I don’t believe what we are looking for right now. Until I have 100% confidence in a potential commissioner, I will be fulfilling the role myself, making sure that things run as smoothly as possible…..it is not an ideal situation, but for the greater good I believe it is necessary….

Kelsey: And finally, to all our viewers, what can we expect from EWF in the coming hours and days?

Magnusson: Drama, I really think you are going to witness some truly astonishing things. Because as this tournament goes on, these superstars are going to become more desperate, they know what is at stake. And as the desperation to qualify grows, so will their willingness to do whatever it takes to win, this is exactly what wrestling fans want to see.

This is all on the line for these men, an opportunity to see their names up in the lights. This is a chance for them to justify their brand new contracts and for them to be the man that steers the EWF Ship into the mainstream…….at the end of tomorrow we will crown our first ever world champion, I am as interested as anyone to know who that man is going to be.

But in order for us to not fall into a sense of staleness on our very first night…..I am introducing a time limit to this next session of matches…..I want ten minutes on the clock…..and when the counter reaches zero, if we still don’t have a decision, then it’s a tie and nobody gains a point….

Kelsey:And what is the reasoning behind this decision?

Magnusson: I want to quicken the pace a little…..I know these guys are feeling the fatigue, I believe they need an incentive to break the barrier. Nobody wants to “draw” a wrestling match, so time to take some chances and throw caution to the wind….it should make things a little “interesting”….

*The crowd cheer as Magnusson smiles at Kelsey and then nods his head, backing away.

Kelsey: Thank you for your time Mr Magnusson…now back to JK and Don at ringside….

Match 1
Group A
Jason Sparxz vs Liam Wood

JK: Well there you have it folks, a ten minute limit for this next round of group matches….do you agree with that decision, Don?

DF: I certainly do…..we didn’t have a limit in the first round, and whilst it was exciting, I felt a few of the guys were a little cautious….now there is no time for caution unless you want to end up with a “draw” that does nobody any favours…

JK: Are we likely to see a little more erratic behaviour now?

DF: I wouldn’t say “erratic” but I definitely think you are going to see less caution, maybe everyone will take a few more chances….which of course, leaves your guard open for counter strikes….this next session should be a whirlwind…

JK: Well without further ado, I say we get back to it……kicking back off with Group A…

A thunderbang ignites the front of the stage and then “Lose yourself” by Eminem blasts out, to a good reception from the crowd in attendance. Jason Sparkz bounces out onto the stage and he tags hands with the fans as he makes his way down to the ring…

JK: Earlier tonight we saw Jason Sparkz begin this campaign with a victory over Alex Garcia….he is the current leader in Group A, but he will not be resting back on his laurels…

DF: He can’t afford to, because this can all change in the blink of an eye….Sparkz was impressive earlier on, it will be interesting to see how the new “time limit” plays into his style…because he is one hundred miles an hour anyway…

JK: Sparkz seems to be a “risk taker” no matter what limits are applied……this kid has already gathered fans here in the Coliseum, and he seems in a confident mood…

Sparkz nods his head in time with the music and then rolls into the ring. He climbs up onto the ropes and poses for the fans, who cheer him on, before jumping down to await his opponent. A few moments pass and then “I killed the prom queen” echoes out, to another decent reception….

DF: Another guy with a fan following….but the pressure falls on this guy’s shoulders a little more….

JK: Liam Wood certainly displayed a lot of heart in his match earlier today, but after a few “illegal” moves from Vincent Costello, Wood ended up in the throes of defeat…..does he have to win here, Don?

DF: Looking at the way this group is lined up, I wouldn’t say he “has” to win, but if he doesn’t then it will triple the pressure he will feel going into the final bout….I think a win in this match is very important to Wood’s progression in this tournament…

JK: Wood looks to be moving a little easier than last time we saw him….seems the two hour rest has done him good…

DF: For now, but he hurt his back….and no matter how much rest he gets, that pain is going to return when he is out here competing….Wood is going to need to dig deep….

JK; Certainly is balanced beautifully for this match….should make for a cracking contest…

Wood’s eyes are still full of cocky confidence as he makes his way down to the ring and touches hands with a few fans. He climbs up onto the apron and steps through the ropes into the ring, facing Sparkz in the centre…

DF: I think there is a great mutual respect between these two….but that means nothing now, it is all out of the window….because it is all about victory, that is all that matters to these two men at this moment in time..

The referee gives his instructions and then backs away, signalling for the bell that begins the contest. For the first time today the crowd are split, half supporting The Viper and half in favour of Sparkz, creating an electric atmosphere.

JK: Seems we just ignited a little electricity here in the Coliseum…

DF: This is exactly what we want…

They lockup in the centre of the ring and Wood looks to twist the arm of Sparkz, only for Jason to spring onto the ropes and counter with a slingshot armdrag. They get back up their feet and Sparkz nails Viper with a big dropkick before welcoming him up once again and running at him, knocking him down with a corkscrew elbow…..Sparkz gets up and lands a standing moonsault………………..1…………………….2………………..shoulder up.

JK: The speed of Sparkz could be the difference in this match….

DF: It is something he will have to utilize time and again if he wants to win….

Sparkz pulls Wood up to his feet and looks to put him in place for a powerbomb, but Viper Poopie his weight and lifts Sparkz up onto his shoulders before slinging him through the air, dropping him throat-first across the top rope. Sparkz staggers back at Wood nails him with a german suplex…

JK: This is Wood’s game right now…

Wood keeps his hands locked around the waist of Sparkz and he pulls him back to his feet before nailing a second german suplex…….he summons all of his strength and drags Sparkz up for a third time…

DF:Fancies the hat-trick…

Wood lifts Sparkz up, but Sparkz rolls his body weight forwards and pulls Wood down into a pinning combo………………………….1………………………………….2…………….kickout. They scramble back up and Wood kicks Sparkz heavily in the gut before planting him with a DDT…………………………….1…………………….2……………shoulder up.

JK: Remember the clock is ticking on this match….I make it almost two minutes elapsed….

DF:Closer to three actually Johnny…..you are always amazed by how quick this time can move…

Wood gets back up and he picks Sparkz up and whips him towards the corner. He follows him in and lands with a back splash before beckoning him out and drilling him with a sideslam. Viper then heads for the corner and he begins to climb…

DF: This is what I said about the time limit, it makes people take risks…

Sparkz is already back up and he connects with a leaping enzeguiri (ala Del Rio) and connects with the side of Wood’s head, dropping him into a seated position on the top rope. Sparkz then makes his way up the ropes and connects with two hard forearms to Wood’s face before jumping up…

JK: FRANKENSTEINER!

DF: Tremendous impact…

JK:And Wood has landed on that back that he hurt earlier tonight……this could be a problem…

The crowd roar as Sparkz successfully nails the top rope hurricanrana, causing Wood to land heavily in the centre of the ring. Both men feel the brunt of the move and are slow to get back to their feet, Sparkz is a little more energetic though and he successfully dropkicks Wood in the back, sending him sprawling across the middle rope…

DF: Nice tactic…..619!

The crowd applaud as Sparkz runs the opposite side of the ring and returns with the tiger feint kick that sends Wood rolling back to the middle of the ring. Sparkz climbs up on the apron and he grips the top rope before launching into a springboard….

JK:Right on the button…

Sparkz connects with the flying heel kick on the jaw of Wood and makes the cover..
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…1
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……………..Wood gets his shoulder up!

DF: Wood has his back up against the wall now, if he wasn’t feeling the pressure before…he will be now…

Sparkz gets to his feet and he connects with hard martial arts kicks to the chest of Wood (ala Daniel Bryan) and then swings a hard roundhouse towards the temple, only for Viper to duck the final blow and pull Sparkz into a schoolboy…………………………….1……………………………2………………..kickout. Sparkz is quick to rush back to his feet and he lays Viper out with a stiff low hesitation dropkick before running to the ropes…

JK: ASAI MOONSAULT!

The crowd groan as Sparkz comes off the springboard into the moonsault, only to take the knees of Wood straight into the midsection. Jason Sparkz rolls under the bottom rope and doubles up in pain, as Wood struggles back up in the ring…

DF: Both superstars feeling the effects of this match….but if you wanna make it in this business, then you fight through the pain…

Sparkz spits on the floor before pulling himself back up on the apron. Wood is just getting back up in the middle of the ring as Sparkz vaults into another springboard…

JK:SPEAR!

*Crowd cheer

DF: Top quality counter…..that’s what you wanna see….lets get some replays….

The crowd jump to their feet as Wood leaps through the air and catches Sparkz in mid-flight with a crunching spear. Both men are down before Viper drapes an arm across his opponent’s chest…………………….1……………………2…………….Sparkz gets his shoulder up!

JK: That was a close call….

Wood rolls his eyes in frustration as the referee signals a two count. He slowly gets back up to his feet and slaps some feeling into the bottom of his back before he drags Sparkz back up by the head and rocks him with heavy right hands, knocking him back to the ropes…

DF: Wood has to know how important it is for him to get this victory….

Wood grips Sparkz’ right arm and whips him across the ring, and looks for a big boot on the comeback, only for Sparkz to baseball slide underneath. Sparkz kicks back up onto his feet and looks for a flash kick but Wood catches his foot and spins him around before nailing a big time belly to belly slam……………………1……………………….2……………………shoulder up!

JK: Liam Wood is knocking on the door now….he is getting closer and close to putting Jason Sparkz away…

Wood drags Sparkz back up, but eats heavy punches to the midsection for his trouble. Sparkz breaks free of Viper’s grip and lands a backheel kick to the stomach before grabbing Wood’s head and flipping backwards…

DF: Beautiful variation on the “sliced bread”….

Sparkz plants Wood into the canvass and quickly bursts over to the corner. He leaps onto the second rope and then vaults up top before backflipping….

JK:Best Moonsault Ever!

Liam Wood is alive to the danger and rolls under the bottom rope, causing Sparkz to land with a splatter on his chest. The crowd groan as Sparkz writhes in pain and then Viper rolls back into the ring on the opposite side….

DF: Wood’s chance…..BIG BOOT!

Sparkz staggers back to his feet and then eats a thunderous boot right to his face, crushing him to the floor. Wood drops ontop and hooks both legs……………………..1…………………………..2…………………….thr-shoulder up from Sparkz!

JK: Jason Sparkz just keeps on bringing the resiliency….this kid has guts….

Wood slaps his hand on the canvass in anger and then gets back up to his feet again. He drags Sparkz up by the head into a gutwrench and easily throws him into a suplex. Sparkz stumbles back up and throws a wild haymaker, which is ducked by Wood and countered by a big time full nelson slam….

DF: Wood just ploughed Sparkz…..and now he’s taking a risk!

Wood heads back to the turnbuckle and he begins to climb. The flashbulbs go off around the arena as he reaches the top and he waits for Sparkz to stagger up before launching himself off…

JK: What a lariat!

DF: Jason Sparkz got drilled…

Sparkz is almost flipped inside out by the flying lariat takedown by Liam Wood. Viper gets back up to his feet and he gives a signal to the crowd before dragging Sparkz up….

JK: This could be goodnight godbless…..X MARKS THE SPOT!

Viper drags Sparkz up and puts him in place for the rolling cutter (Crossrhodes) but Sparkz spins out from nowhere and counters with a backstabber that leaves both men down again…

DF: Tremendous counter…I feel like I should be on my feet applauding these stallions…

JK: It certainly is a terrific advert for what we are trying to build here in EWF….

The referee stands over both men and he begins to count………..1……….2………3…………4……….5…….Sparkz and Viper head for opposite sides of the ring and begin to use the ropes to pull themselves up…..6……7…..They both reach a vertical base and turn to face each other in the centre of the ring….Sparkz lashes hard chops into the chest of Wood, only to be answered by stiff forearms….both men trade blows before Wood drives his knee into Sparkz’s gut and whips him off the ropes…

DF: Tilt-a-whirl…

Sparkz comes back and Wood attempts to tilt-a-whirl him but it is countered into a terrific tornado DDT. Sparkz quickly springs up and runs to the ropes….

JK:MOONSAULT…..GOT ALL OF IT!

1..
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……2
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………………………..3!

DF: Finished….NO!

There is roars all around, and Sparkz holds his head in his hands as the referee points to Liam Wood’s foot draped across the bottom rope. Sparkz shakes his head in disbelief but refuses to be distracted…..he gets back up to his feet and climbs out onto the apron. He waits there, anticipating Wood to stand up and then springboards….

JK:CLOTHESLINE!

Sparkz lands the springboard clothesline that takes Wood off his feet and leaves him sprawled on the deck. Sparkz then rolls over to the corner and he leaps up top….

DF: Jason Sparkz….go hard or go home…….LIGHTNING STRIKE!

All eyes on the ring as Sparkz goes airborne and leaps through the air with a spectacular five star frogsplash, only to land right on the high knees of Liam Wood as he comes down. Sparkz rolls away in pain as Wood slowly gets back up…

JK: Impact like that can cause someone to vomit….Jason Sparkz may have a broken rib….

DF: And Liam Wood may have a victory…..CHOKESLAM!

JK:Beautiful…

Wood seizes Sparkz by the throat and he lifts him into the air before dropping him down into a crushing chokeslam. He covers…
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….1
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……………………………Sparkz just gets his shoulder up!

JK:What does it take?

DF:More than that…..Liam Wood is going to need his very best offensive weapon to finish Sparkz off….

Wood finds it difficult to suppress a smile as the referee symbolises another two count. The crowd are in a raucous mood at what they are witnessing and Viper begins to get back to his feet. He wipes sweat off his brow and then he pulls Sparkz up and underhooks his arms….

JK:One big shot and this ends….

DF:VIPER DROP!

Sparkz looks destined to fall victim to the elevated pedigree but he somehow manages to swipe Wood’s feet and he bridges over the top……………….1…………………………….2……………………………..Wood bridges back out of the pin and spins to face his opponent, looking for a kick to the stomach…

JK:Caught him….legsweep….

DF: ANKLELOCK!

Sparkz swipes Wood’s standing leg and quickly twists him over into the anklelock submission hold. Wood yells in pain and quickly tries to scramble for the ropes, but Sparkz drags him back to the centre and twists the appendage at a sickening angle…

JK: This has been a truly fantastic bout to kick off the second round of group stage matches….back and forth….but now Liam Wood is in a whole world of trouble, submission locked tight….

The face of Wood is etched in agony as the referee asks him if he wants to submit, only for him to shake his head in refusal. Wood claws at the canvass and tries to crawl for the ropes, but Sparkz has a firm grip and is unwilling to let him move….

DF: Fine effort from Wood, but he surely can’t withstand much more…

Sparkz is really wrenching and twisting on the ankle, but Wood refuses to quit and instead makes another beeline for the ropes, missing by mere inches this time. Sparkz pulls his opponent back towards the centre again, allowing Wood to turn onto his back and kick out with both feet….

JK:Pure desperation but it worked….

Wood sends Sparkz staggering back to the corner with both feet and then tries to stand back up. He wobbles unsteadily on his injured ankle as Sparkz comes running at him….

DF: SPINE…

JK:MONKEY FLIP!

Wood looks for a big spinebuster but Sparkz collapses backwards and counters with an impressive monkey flip. They both get back up to their feet and Sparkz lands a swinging roundhouse kick to the temple, sending Viper staggering into the corner. He charges in after him and lands with both knees flying into the chest of Wood before rolling backwards as Wood slips into a seated position.

DF: Sparkz needs to muster something big to finish his opponent off…..rolling cannonball!

Sparkz sprints back into the corner and nails a rolling senton into Wood and he then drags him out towards the centre of the ring. Sparkz gives a signal to the crowd and he then begins to climb up the ropes to the top. The noise in the Coliseum is growing….

JK:Sparkz on the verge…..

Sparkz looks ready to hit the frogsplash but Viper is beginning to get back to his feet, causing Sparkz to change tactic. Instead he stands tall on the ropes and then dives off into a beautiful crossbody…

DF: Check out that hang time…

JK: He rolled through….

Sparkz lands the crossbody but Viper rolls through and on top…………………………1………………………………2………………….Sparkz just kicks out in time.

DF: Liam Wood almost stole one…

They both scramble back up and Sparkz times a stiff kick to the injured leg of Wood, dropping him to one knee. He then runs off the ropes for more momentum and comes sprinting back…..BOOM!

JK: Outstanding…

Wood uses Sparkz’ momentum to push him into the air and catches him on his shoulders, where he drills him with a powerful sitdown powerbomb…
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……………………….3!

DF: Ring the bell…

JK:No, no not just yet……..Sparkz kicked out…

DF: No way….

The crowd are stunned once again as Jason Sparkz somehow pops his shoulder before the three count. Wood stands up and looks in despair as he kicks the ropes and punches the turnbuckle…

JK: Wood just does not know what to do….he has thrown everything at Jason Sparkz…

DF: But world championship glory is beckoning, that is what keeps these guys fresh….

JK: I just can’t believe they are still standing…

DF: Sparkz won’t be for much longer……SPEAR!

Wood bursts out of the corner for the massive spear, but Sparkz swivels on a six pence and drop toe holds him to the canvass before pulling his ankle up….

JK:ANKLELOCK APPLIED AGAIN!

DF: Rolledthrough!

Wood screams in pain as his ankle is twisted, but this time he rolls forwards and pulls Sparkz down into a pinning combo……………………………1………………………………….2…………………………..kickout. They get back up and Wood seizes Sparkz by the throat and lifts him…

JK:Choke….

Sparkz is lifted off the ground but he kicks his feet and scrambles over the shoulders of Wood and down onto the other side. He spins his opponent around and kicks him in the stomach…

DF: Pile…

Wood swipes Sparkz’ legs and stomps down on his stomach before slingshotting him into the corner. Sparkz head hits the top of the turnbuckle and he staggers back into a full nelson…..

JK: Liam Wood is going to try and squeeze the life out of Sparkz now…

DF: He’s a strong guy, he could do it….

Sparkz thrashes and tries to pull three but Wood’s grip is determined and does not break. He really applies pressure, to the point where Sparkz begins to stumble down on his knees…

JK:Jason Sparkz is struggling here….the whole toll of this match has taken everything from him…

DF: From both of them….this is Wood’s last roll of the dice without a doubt….

Sparkz is looking at the referee and shaking his head, refusing to submit. Wood then pulls his grip from around the back of Sparkz’ neck and applies it to the front instead….

JK:Modified full nelson camel clutch….

DF: He calls this the Viper Lock….and look how deadly this is…

JK:Jason Sparkz in a bad way, trapped in the centre of the ring…

Wood is really pulling back on the head of Sparkz’ now and his opponent’s fight is becoming more and more reduced. Viper’s face is reddened with the effort, but Sparkz’ complexion has tinges of purple to it as he slumps forwards, not even able to answer the referee’s questions…

DF: Looks like Jason Sparkz is out cold here….

JK: Referee will check him…..he’ll administer the count….

The referee grabs Sparkz’ right arm and lifts it, it drops almost immediately. The crowd watch on as he lifts Sparkz arm up for the second time….

DF: It dropped again…..I am telling you, he is done in this contest….

Sparkz’ arm slumps right down at his side on the second attempt. The referee then lifts his arm for the third time and looks over to the timekeeper, who is ready to end it on instruction…..

JK: If the arm drops…..Wood wins by submission….

DF: Biggest points haul he could have hoped for…

..
..
..ding ding ding!

JK:Eh?

DF: Unbelievable…

The referee is just about to drop Sparkz’ arm when the timekeeper begins to ring the bell, leaving the crowd stunned. The referee looks over to ask what is going on, and the timekeeper taps his watch….

DF: Are you serious?

JK:Oh they are deadly serious….ten minutes has elapsed and this match is all over…

DF: But Wood was just about to win….Sparkz was unconscious and that arm was dropping for a third time…

JK:I agree, but it didn’t happen within the allotted time…..Wood can eel seriously aggrieved but that is the letter of the law….

Liam Wood drops Jason Sparkz to the mat and he begins to look at the referee in shock and confusion. He signals that Sparkz is out cold but the referee explains that the time has elapsed and there is nothing that can be done about it….

DF: Liam Wood may have just seen his dream go up in smoke because of what we just witnessed…on the cusp of victory when the bell sounded…

JK:Time waits for no man, it holds no moral conscience….I feel sorry for Liam Wood, I really do, but unfortunately those are the rules and they have to be adhered to….

DF: I just think we could use a little leniency in cases like that….he literally needed one more second….

JK:I’m sure this is going to cause a debate for years to come….but the decision is official, this match is a time limit draw……and both superstars neither gain nor lose any points….

DF: Big opportunity for the other two men in their group later on now…..

Liam Wood is still shaking his head in disappointment as he climbs from the ring and staggers into the aisleway. The fans reach out and touch him on the back as he makes his way up the rampway towards the backstage area. Jason Sparkz is sat on the ropes, looking very groggy, before nodding his head in acknowledgement of how lucky he just got…

JK: Jason Sparkz knows how close he came to defeat just then, but fate has smiled upon him…

DF: A tournament like this, you need luck and it seems Sparkz is getting that right now….who knows, this could be his time….

JK:Folks this second session is just getting started….and if the next three fights are anything like the first, you are in for a real treat.

Match time:10 minutes
Official Result: Time limit draw

*The scene goes backstage and there is an up close screening of a man’s bearded face, and he is laughing, eerily. The camera zooms out a little to reveal Dario Machiavelli standing by with Hugh Cartwright.

Hugh: My guest at this time, Dario Machiavelli!

*The crowd boo

Hugh:Dario, the first question everyone wants the answer to is, who is the hooded man that assisted you earlier?

*Dario’s mouth curls into an evil smile again and he laughs

Dario: Wouldn’t you like to know?

*Hugh nods his head

Dario: I promise you Hugh, and the rest of the faithful that are watching this…..in time I will share with you, but for now you can sit back and enjoy the show….I do not wish to reveal my secrets just yet!

*Machiavelli’s eyes glow with malice

Hugh: Well if you can’t answer that…..then how about sharing with us the finer details of the “Fear” campaign?

*Machiavelli laughs again, a dark and unnerving laughter that chills to the bone.

Dario: Reveal my grand plan….to you?....please give me a little credit, for you see what I want you to see…..and nothing else. When the time is right, I will show you….and you will stand in shock at what you witness, but for now I think the mere presence of “Fear” is enough to keep everybody on their toes…..

Hugh: But….

Dario: There is no “but”, there is nothing but consequences to actions….and there is a word to be spread. I am not talking about “fear” that hides under you bed, or “fear” that exists in the fantasy of your mind…..I represent “fear”, the darkness of this world in which we live….the “fear” that each of you convince yourselves will never come calling at your house in the dead of night……”fear” that could be anyone and anything just watching and waiting for the right moment to pounce….

Hugh: But how do you believe that “fear” can help you in this tournament…..you already walked out of one match….your chances of qualifying are slim….

Dario: And yet you still talk of them as they exist…..believe me, “Fear” is spreading through EWF as we speak…..and for everyone opponent I encounter tonight, I have a very special surprise in store for them….I told you at the beginning that I have my methods, my own unique way of doing things…..and so far, everything is working as it should……Jimmy Phillips “fears” the waking nightmare of another injury setback that has plagued his life……and I have made that “fear” a reality……his shoulder is closely balanced to dislocation…

*Dario smiles vindictively

Dario: And I will then expose the “fears” of both Mike Conrad and Bryan Wells….because I am not orthodox in my methods…..I am original and I am destined to be successful….you will soon find that out…

*Hugh suddenly steps back in fear as the giant hooded figure steps behind Machiavelli and then they both walk away from the scene.

*The scene changes as a visibly exhausted and frustrated Liam Wood is lent over a production case. He is shaking his head and looks down as Carlton Jacobs walks into shot.

Jacobs: Liam…

*Wood looks up slightly

Jacobs: Mind if I grab a word?...I understand if you would rather be left alone….

*Wood beckons for Jacobs to begin the interview

Jacobs: Thank you…..obviously you have to be severely disappointed with the outcome of your last match. It seemed as though victory was yours, but the time limit elapsed and has left you in a precarious position as far as qualification to the semi-finals are concerned…….can you tell us what are your thoughts on the event?

Wood: As you can see, I’m spent…..I really am tired, I am beat up…..and I have nothing to show for it. Sparkz is a great competitor but I felt I could get the better of him, and everyone that watched that match knows that I did get the better of him……but I have no control over time, and things just didn’t go my way…

Jacobs: You will have one match left….against Alex Garcia…but even a victory will not assure you of qualification…..considering how tired you are, will you consider taking the last fight off?

*Wood looks up and smirks

Wood: Is that a serious question? I’m tired, that is granted, and right now I need to get some rest but there isn’t one bone in my body that contains an ounce of quit. Sure, I may not be able to qualify, but I’d rather go out on my shield then take the coward’s way out…..

I’ll heal up as best as I can and then I’ll go to war with Garcia, because win or lose I am a fighter and I will leave it all in that ring…I will leave all these great fans in no doubt that I am going to be a big game player here in EWF…..

*The crowd cheer as a battered and bruised Jason Sparkz hobbles into the picture and claps Wood on the shoulder. Wood looks up and he stares at Sparkz for a moment, and then both men share a respectful handshake.

Sparkz: That was a heck of a performance out there pal….

Wood: ‘preciate it….

Sparkz: I have never had a fight like that in my life, you brought it and there is no doubt that you will shine here in EWF….no hard feelings about the clock…

Wood:None at all…..neither of us have any control over that…

Jacobs: Jason, mind if I just ask…..how possible do you think it is that Liam can still qualify?

Sparkz: I can only speculate….I think he is more than capable of taking out Garcia, that performance showed that…..but that still might not be enough…..I wouldn’t like to say….but no matter what happens, this guy is going to be a star…

*Wood nods in thanks

Jacobs: You got a slice of fortune out there Jason, but in a tournament like this, you need all the luck you can get…..how confident are you that this could be your moment?

Sparkz:I’m not getting carried away with anything…I’m working hard and I’ve worked hard for many years to get a shot like this…I’m getting a little luck, but that is never a bad thing…..and if things keeping going the way they are going, then who knows…..

Jacobs: Well I’m sure if Liam can’t be the guy to win the gold….he’ll be supporting you?

*Wood looks at the interviewer and then at Sparkz

Wood: If it’s not me, then obviously I want to see someone worthy lift the championship….but at the same time, and no offense meant, I know I can beat this guy….so it will kind of feel like he is holding my belt…

*Sparkz smiles

Sparkz: I can see your claim, but obviously I don’t buy that…….if I win the world championship tomorrow it will be all on merit and my hard work…….but heck, if I do walk out of the Coliseum as the champion, I will be more than happy to settle the score with you….leave nothing in doubt…

Wood:I’ll hold you to that…

*Sparkz nods and both men shake hands again before Sparkz heads off towards his locker room. Liam Wood stands tall and drapes a towel over his head.

Wood:I’m gonna grab a shower…

*The crowd cheer as Wood turns from Carlton Jacobs and heads in the opposite direction

Match 2
Group B
Mike Conrad vs Darius Machiavelli

JK: Certainly a lot of mutual respect between Sparkz and Wood after that thrilling encounter….

DF: No doubt about it…..they left it all in the ring, and I, for one, would love to see them go at it again….

JK: Depending on circumstances for the rest of this tournament, that could very well end up as our world championship match tomorrow evening…

DF: You just never know, but I would happily watch that….

JK:But for now folks, we settle our sights on Group B….

The crowd roar as the sound of a garbage truck beeping comes over the soundsystem and Mike Conrad comes ambling out onto the stage. He has his trademark trash can in his hands and he waves at the crowd, slapping their hands as he walks down the rampway.

DF: A lot of support in the Coliseum for the Binman……Mike Conrad already establishing a cult following…

JK: It’s not surprising…..Conrad is a true warrior and he loves to fight....maybe not the most technical wrestler on the roster, but he will give you his all…

DF: Walked away from his match with Bryan Wells earlier with a pinfall victory…..he currently sits top of Group B…..and he will be looking to extend that lead with another win right now…

JK: But lets talk about Conrad’s opponent, because this guy has certainly got everybody’s attention here in EWF…..

Mike Conrad places his trash can at the base of the ring and then rolls under the bottom rope. He kneels there for a moment and brushes his hair from his face and then stands up. The word “FEAR” appears on the Hypertron and then “People are strange” echoes out of the speakers. There are boos as Dario Machiavelli floats out onto the stage.

DF: You want to talk about Machiavelli?....where the hell do you start?

JK: Lets talk about the “fear” campaign…..Machiavelli claims he will expose the “fears” of all of his opponents and that it will all tie into his masterplan….

DF: Heck the guy has a plan and he has confidence, but I have never come across a character quite like this before….he is dark, and pretty disturbing….

JK: He claims he exposed Jimmy Phillips’ “fear” by injuring him in their match earlier….and he has promised to manipulate the same “fears” out of Mike Conrad and Bryan Wells…..I just don’t know what this guy’s agenda is…

DF: He doesn’t want you to know……and I don’t know if I want to know anyway….aslong as Machiavelli is signed to EWF, I think we can expect bad things to happen…

Machiavelli stands at the bottom of the ramp and he smiles as the crowd boo him. He then looks up towards Mike Conrad and mouths the word “fear” before making his way towards the ring. Conrad is beckoning Dario to join him inside the squared circle…

JK: Conrad failing to be intimidated by Machiavelli’s mindgames….he just wants to tear this up…

DF: Bryan Wells tried to play with Conrad’s mind earlier today and it cost him big…..Machiavelli may suffer the same fate…

JK: I notice Dario is out here alone…no sign of his mysterious ally…

DF: I imagine that the “insurance policy” is hanging around somewhere….just incase Machiavelli needs some assistance…

JK: Well if that is the case then I hope the official handles the situation better than it was earlier…

The referee checks Machiavelli and Conrad for illegal weapons, and then backs away with a satisfied expression. He then turns to the timekeeper and calls for the bell, starting the matchup. Conrad and Machiavelli slowly circle each other before Conrad rushes in and Machiavelli grabs the ropes to force a break…

DF: Machiavelli knows all the tricks, you can just tell how difficult he is going to make it or his opponents….

The referee forces Conrad to back off a few steps and then orders Dario to let go of the ropes. He does so and takes a step forward, allowing Conrad to rush him again…

JK: Straight back to the ropes…..this is just time-wasting from Machiavelli….

The crowd are booing as once again the referee forces Conrad back and beckons for Machiavelli to release himself from the ropes. Machiavelli sniggers and takes his hand away from the ropes, stepping forwards….

DF: Conrad just wants to get this match going….

Conrad once again bounces forwards but Dario steps back and reaches out for the ropes, causing Conrad to shake his head and rush forwards, clotheslining Machiavelli with serious force over the top rope to the outside…

JK:Infringement by Mike Conrad, but I think the referee was sick of Machiavelli’s time wasting as well…

Conrad climbs onto the apron and runs across before diving off and double axe handling Machiavelli across the back. Dario staggers into the ringside barrier and Conrad kicks him in the midsection before grabbing his arm and he whips him forwards, sending him chest-first into the steel steps…

DF: Conrad is fired up now….I see no “fear” in his eyes…

Machiavelli writhes on the floor in pain as the referee begins to count both men out. Conrad pulls Dario up by the head and throws him back under the bottom rope before he climbs onto the apron himself….

JK: Conrad taking the early control of this match…

Conrad scales to the top rope and he perches himself there as Dario staggers up, jumping off and colliding with a solid shoulder tackle takedown. Conrad then gets back to his feet and he waits for Machiavelli to join him before nailing a sidewalk slam………………………………1…………………………….2……………….shoulder up!

DF: I saw Conrad before a few times for the CWA promotion and he had plenty of guts….but he wasn’t quite main tier talent,......he seems to have worked on his skillset since then, and I see no reason why this guy can’t climb the mountain here in EWF….

Conrad rocks the head of Dario back with right and left jabs before kneeing him in the stomach and whipping him off the ropes. Dario comes back and Conrad sends him up and down into a solid backdrop before running off the adjacent ropes and returning with a swinging neckbreaker……………………….1……………………..2………Machiavelli gets his shoulder up!

JK: I don’t get the feeling that Machiavelli is going to rely on his wrestling ability alone to gain success here in EWF…..it just doesn’t seem like that is his goal…

DF: I think this guy is going to do whatever he wants, whenever he wants….

Conrad gets back to his feet and he jams the point of his elbow into the back of Machiavelli’s head before bouncing back off the ropes and returning with a solid kick to the temple. Machiavelli slumps on the mat and Conrad backs into the corner, lifting himself onto the second rope, and dives off into a kneedrop that lands across the forehead….

JK: Excellent work from Conrad thus far….I think Machiavelli wound him up to the point where he was even more motivated…

Conrad welcomes Dario back and pulls him into a grip and nails a big belly to belly suplex……………….1…………………………2………………….kickout. Conrad gets back up and he stomps down on the top of Machiavelli’s head before he drags him back up and into position for a jackhammer….

DF: Machiavelli about to get drilled….

Dario manages to float over the shoulder of Conrad and he pushes him into the corner before charging in for a stinger splash, but Conrad moves aside and sends Machiavelli crashing against the turnbuckle. Conrad then runs off the opposite ropes and returns with a crushing boot to the head…………………..1………………………..2…………Machiavelli finds the ropes with his foot!

JK: Mike Conrad looking good to secure his position in the semi-finals if he keeps this up…

DF: As long as he stays in focus….because these things can switch so quickly if you are not concentrating…

Dario staggers back up and Mike grabs him for a german suplex but Machiavelli slings his head back and cracks Conrad across the bridge of the nose, causing him to stagger away in pain. Machiavelli then lifts Conrad up and nails him with an atomic drop, twisting him into a stiff neckbreaker combo…………………..1……………………….2…………..Conrad just kicks out!

Machiavelli gets back to his feet and he stomps down on Conrad’s chest, before dropping down into a ground and pound position, where he begins to unload with vicious punches to the face of his opponent. The referee jumps in and breaks the melee on the count of four…

JK:Machiavelli letting out some aggression there…

DF: This isn’t a guy you want to cross…

Machiavelli stalks the referee, who backs away, and then turns his attention back to Mike Conrad. He grabs him by the head and slams two brutal forearm uppercuts under the chin, knocking Conrad back and then whips him forwards into the corner. Conrad connects chest-first and Dario follows him in with a diving splash to the back…

JK: Conrad in trouble…..FINAL CUT!

Machiavelli looks to finish Conrad with the reverse DDT, but Conrad switches his footing and twists his body into a northern lights suplex counter…………………………..1…………………………..2…………………….kickout. They both stagger back up and Conrad lifts Dario onto his shoulders, only for Machiavelli to elbow his way off the back and counter with a russian legsweep…
..
..
…1
..
..
…….2
..
..
..
…………………..3!

DF: Got….no, Conrad kicking out in time there…

JK: But Machiavelli was close….and Conrad won’t want too many close calls like that one….

Dario gets back to his feet and he drives his knee into the front of Conrad’s face before grabbing his arm and whipping him off the ropes. Machiavelli drops his head for a backdrop on the comeback but Conrad unleashes a thunderous kick to the head as he bounces back….Dario staggers off balance and Conrad charges at him…

DF: CLOTHES…

Machiavelli drops down to avoid the clothesline and pulls the top rope down, sending Conrad flying over the top onto the apron. Machiavelli then runs off the opposite ropes and returns, slamming all his bodyweight into Conrad and sending him flying from the apron……BOOM!

JK: Big trouble…

The crowd groan as Conrad sails through the air and collides with the ringside barrier, leaving him in a crumpled head near the aisleway. Machiavelli orders that the referee begin counting immediately…

DF: Mike Conrad could be unconscious here, that was one hell of a collision….

JK: Those barriers are made of pure steel, there is no forgiveness there….

Conrad is laying in a heap, unmoving, as the referee reluctantly begins to count him out…………..1…………………..2……………………..3……………..Machiavelli walks back to the corner and uses the turnbuckle as a hammock……4…………………….5……………………..6…………..Conrad is stirring, but holding his head in a clear amount of pain……………………………..7…………………….8………………..Conrad staggers back towards the ring……………9…………………..10!

DF: Conrad made it…..just….

JK: But he is in a real bad way…

Machiavelli drops down off the turnbuckle, looks incredulously at the referee, as Conrad uses the ropes to try and make his way back to his feet. Machiavelli makes his way across and begins to hammer sickening punches to the kidneys of Conrad before pulling him away from the ropes and lifting him into a big back suplex. Conrad flails in pain…

DF: I think Conrad may have suffered some serious head trauma when he flew off the apron….

JK: If that is true then he needs medical attention immediately….

Dario gets back to his feet with a sickening smile on his face and he begins to circle Conrad. The crowd are booing before Machiavelli presses his finger to his lips and then begins to crash sickening stomps down ontop of Conrad’ head…

JK: Oh this is horrible to watch…

DF: Conrad is suffering serious head injury here and the referee needs to step in…

The referee pushes Machiavelli away on the count of four and warns him that one more infringement and he will disqualify him. Mike Conrad is hunched up on the canvass, holding his head in his hands as the crowd watch on with anxiety…

JK: Mike Conrad is really showing signs of trouble here…

DF: And this is exactly what Dario Machiavelli wants to see….

Dario smirks at the referee and then he backs into the corner and lifts himself onto the second rope. He looks down at Conrad on the canvass and then he dives off, landing a solid legdrop across the back of Conrad’s head…

JK: That’ll end it….

1.
..
..
…..2
..
..
…………….shoulder up!

DF: Could the “Fear” campaign be legitimate?....I am starting to worry for EWF because Machiavelli seems to hold more cards than we anticipated…

Machiavelli begins to stalk Mike Conrad some more, ushering him to stand back up. Conrad is very groggy but he manages to reach his feet, before he is pulled into grip by Dario…

JK:FINAL…

Conrad spins of position for the inverted DDT and he dives up for the RKO but Machiavelli pushes Conrad into the corner and follows in with a big splash….

DF: Referee got trapped in between…

The official is crushed in between Machiavelli and Conrad, before Dario welcomes Conrad out and kicks him in the stomach before planting with a sickening package piledriver…

JK:Right on the top of his head…Conrad is really hurt….

DF: And we have no referee to intervene……we need assistance out here…

Machiavelli kneels with a smile on his face and then looks at the referee, who is grounded, before rolling under the bottom rope and he grabs Conrad’s trash can.

JK: Now this is against the rules…

DF: Unfortunately we have no referee to enforce said rules….

Machiavelli runs his hand along the steel and smirks as he cracks his neck and beckons for Conrad to stand up. Conrad’s eyes are unfocused as he stumbles up to one knee and staggers forwards…

JK: It all ends here….

DF: OH YES!

Machiavelli brings the bin crashing down but Conrad shifts his weight underneath and lifts Dario onto his shoulders before slinging him into a dominating fireman’s slam (Attitude Adjustment). The crowd are on their fee cheering as Conrad then drops the big over the head of Machiavelli, barring his vision, as he stands up…

JK: Conrad fighting on adrenaline…

DF: Pure instinct…..DUST BUSTER!

The roar around the Coliseum is huge as Conrad nails the RKO on Machiavelli, crushing the big around his head as he does so. Conrad then picks the bin up and slings it out of the ring before dropping down to make the cover….

JK: Conrad with a career-defining win….

DF: OH GOD….

Mike Conrad is suddenly dragged under the bottom rope by the giant hooded figure, who subsequently locks his hands around Conrad’s throat and lifts him into the air, chokebombing him down onto the steel rampway, Conrad’s head whiplashing off the metal…

JK: You have got to be kidding me…

DF: Medics….

The referee is just coming to, in the ring, as the hooded figure walks around to the opposite side and leaves Conrad motionless in the aisleway. Dario Machiavelli is completely out of it in the centre of the ring….

JK: Machiavelli’s out cold………Conrad had the three count…

DF: The referee saw none of it…

The referee is leaning against the ropes and he stares out at Conrad, lying unconscious on the rampway……………….1………………………..2……………………….3……………………….4………………….the crowd are willing Conrad to get up and make it back to the ring………………..5……………………….6………………………..7……………….8…………Conrad looks as though he is about to sit up but collapses back down……………………9……………..Machiavelli is on his knees in the ring, draped across the middle rope, watching the action…………………..10!

JK: I can’t believe this is happening………what a screwjob…..

DF: Dario Machiavelli adds two points to his tally…..a big win for him…

JK: A completely underserved victory….

“People are strange” echoes out of the speakers and the crowd are booing furiously as Machiavelli is declared the winner by countout. Dario is still leaning against the ropes, staring out at Conrad, and mouths the word “fear” with a grin….

DF: The “Fear” campaign is gathering momentum…..you have to wonder what is going to stop Dario Machiavelli, and can anybody overcome his tactics?

The giant hooded figure helps Machiavelli from the ring and leads him into the aisleway, past Conrad who is still not moving. Medics are down to check on Mike Conrad as Machiavelli and his hooded ally stand on the top of the stage, celebrating the victory.

JK:Mike Conrad seemed to have weathered the most unlikeliest of storms and put himself in prime position for victory……but once again Dario Machiavelli’s “insurance policy” has made an impact….this time handing Machiavelli victory on a plate, something he did not deserve…

DF: Machiavelli continues to steal the headlines…..I really hope Mike Conrad is ok…

JK: Well it doesn’t look too great right now…..Conrad added to the list of casualties left by the “Fear” campaign, and you have to wonder how he will recover in time to compete again later tonight…

DF: Machiavelli really is a scary individual….what else does have in store for the EWF roster?

JK: I shudder to even think about it…

Machiavelli and his cohort leave the stage as medics attend to Mike Conrad on the rampway. They are shining a light in his eyes and checking his reactions.

DF: Mike Conrad is going to need a serious examination……I believe he has at least a concussion after that….

JK: Concussion is bad enough, and will hinder Conrad’s chances of continuing to participate in this tournament….but depending on the severity of the situation, that could be the least of his worries…

DF: We will, of course, keep you updated as soon as we have more information folks…but for now, the show must go…

*The medics continue to check on Conrad as the action goes backstage.

Match time:7 minutes 08 seconds
Official Result: Dario Machiavelli via countout

*We are backstage and Vincent Costello is just leaving his lockeroom. He is dressed for action and looks confident as he turns towards the entranceway, only to find his way blocked by Kelsey Hughes.

Kelsey: A word?

*Costello rolls his eyes

Costello: Look lady, I told you before and I’m telling you again, we interview when I say so. I got a frickin match in two minutes, I don’t need you here talking trash.

Kelsey: But the fans have a right…

Costello: They have a right to shut the hell up and watch me perform. Not ask sycophantical, inane little questions that nobody gives a damn of the answer to, we are a long way from Kansas now Dorothy and we are not playing with kid gloves…

EWF signed me…I didn’t sign them…..which means back the hell off and let me do my job. You can all have your Oprah moment when the championship gold is right where it belongs…….until then, stay out of my way, unless you want to feel my wrath…

*Costello reveals the brass knuckles from earlier and he strokes them across Kelsey’s cheek, she shudders.

Costello: It’s time to set this place ablaze….then I’m gonna watch it burn…

*Costello laughs to himself and then brushes past Kelsey on his way out to the ring.

*The scene changes and Jimmy Phillips is sat on the medical bench, getting attention from the doctors. Jimmy winces in pain as they prod his shoulder.

Doctor: Serious muscular bruising, and that swelling is not subsiding…

Phillips: Quit all the talk Doc, let’s get to the point….are you going to sign my release form or not?

*The doctor stares at Phillips for a moment and then examines the shoulder a little more

Doctor: I really don’t think that would be a wise decision for me to make…

*Phillips closes his eyes in frustration, anticipating bad news.

Doctor: Jimmy, most pro-wrestlers compete a couple of times in one week at a maximum….they wrestle one televised show every seven days…….you are down to compete three times in twenty four hours…..twice more tonight with your shoulder in that state…

Phillips: Doctor you need to realize, this is my dream…my ambition and I’ve seen too many aspirations disappear in rooms just like this one…

*The doctor stares into Phillips’ eyes, that are gleaming with a sense of pleading.

Doctor: I have to be honest, that shoulder is in a bad way….and it is only going to get worse, no matter how well you protect it……it needs at least seven days rest…

Phillips: You know I don’t have that kind of time, Doc…

Doctor: No, I am aware of that……I can see how much this means to you Jimmy, so one shot…..I suggest you stay here and let me strap it up for you….

*Phillips beams widely

Phillips: Thank you so much, I owe you big time…you will not regret this…

Doctor: I sincerely hope not…..but I warn you, if that shoulder gets much worse, I will have no choice but to pull you from the competition….so keep your guard up…

*Phillips nods in acceptance as the doctor begins to strap the shoulder with bandages.

Match 3
Group A
Alex Garcia vs Vincent Costello

JK: Are you surprised that the referee is allowing Phillips to comepete?

DF: Not really…..this isn’t the playground now, we are talking big leagues with world championships on the line, there has to be a level of leniency in these kind of scenarios….

JK: But what if the injury worsens?

DF: Then blame will fall on both Phillips and the Doctor, but you have to be aware that this is Phillips’ life…his ambition to be a world champion, he will not pass up on that opportunity lightly….injury or not…

The crowd begin to boo as “Seven nation army” echoes out and flames burst up from the stageway, welcoming the entrance of Alex “Wildfire” Garcia. He is wearing a white beanie hat, which he removes and slings at booing fan in the front row, before removing his t-shirt and swaggering down the ramp towards the ring.

JK: Alex Garcia was beside himself with anger earlier tonight when he lost to Jason Sparkz…it seemed like Garcia was having plenty of success, but he made a slight mistake and he got punished….Sparkz capitalised and he walked away victorious…

DF: Pressure is on for Garcia now, he has to perform….otherwise his world title ambitions are gonna crumble…

Garcia climbs through the ropes and he uses the turnbuckle to stretch in preparation for the match. He stands tall and cracks his knuckles before “Godfather theme” creeps out and the boos continue for the arrival of Vincent Costello.

JK: Neither of these men have endeared themselves to the fans…

DF: But not many guys on the roster where more impressive than Vincent Costello in the first session…

JK: I agree with that….Costello may have cheated to defeat Liam Wood, but he looked good in the process…

DF: He sure did, this guy carries himself like a star…..he competes like a star…..like him or not, Costello looks like a money-maker to me….

Costello sneers at the fans in the front row and trash talks them before giving them the finger. He laughs off their boos and then climbs up onto the apron, where he slowly gazes at Alex Garcia in an intense staredown.

JK: Costello is a dangerous customer, especially with those brass knuckles in his possession….

DF: Referee is checking him over, so I think he is going to get found out….

As soon as Costello climbs in the ring, Garcia orders the referee to search him for illegal weapons. Costello smirks as the referee checks him over, but finds nothing out of sorts and declares himself satisfied. Garcia glares at Costello with suspicion, only for Costello to wink back.

JK: Referee found nothing illegal in Costello’s trunks…

DF: What the hell has he done with the knucks then?

JK: Beats me….

The referee asks if both men are ready and then he gives the signal to start the match off. Garcia and Costello circle each other and then lock up in the centre of the ring…

JK: Both these men have given very insightful interviews in the run up to this competition….extremely intelligent men…

DF: They are very clever, good talkers and good fighters….the perfect mix that you are looking for in this industry….it’s never easy to find the total package, but these two men have all the tools to develop into such…

Garcia manages to push Costello back towards the ropes, but Vinnie digs his heel in and pushes back. They jocky for position for a few moments before Garcia breaks his arms free of the lock and slaps Costello right across the face….

JK: I don’t know how wise that was…..

Costello’s head snaps back, a look of fury on his face, and he clatters Garcia with a thunderous right hook, knocking him back to the corner. Garcia tries to cover up but Costello is like a man possessed as he aims sickening punches to the body, arms and head of his opponent. The referee jumps in on the count of four, but Costello comes back and continues with his assault….

DF: Costello showing his wild side…

JK: This is a man that spent a good portion of his life behind bars….he has spent his life fighting for everything….

The referee counts to four again and this time Costello stops punching. Garcia is dazed and bruised in the corner as Costello seizes his arm and sends him clattering into the opposite corner. Garcia smashes into the turnbuckle and then Vincent runs across after him…

DF: Garcia with the knees high…

Garcia looks to drive his knees up into Costello’s face, but Vincent stops short and grabs Garcia’s legs before ripping him out of the corner and catching him in midair for a snap powerbomb…
..
..
…1
..
..
………2
..
..
……………….kickout from Garcia!

JK: Vincent Costello just looks like he is so determined to be top of the mountain here in EWF…

DF: It’s all down to his upbringing….Costello has always had to fight to get recognition, he knows what a struggle it is to be successful….

Costello stomps down on the back of Garcia’s head before running off the ropes and returns with a vicious punt to the ribs, sending Garcia rolling under the bottom rope. Garcia doubles up on the outside as Costello climbs out onto the apron….

JK: Looks like the fight is heading outside…

Garcia suddenly stands and he uses his arm to swipe the legs of Costello, dropping him heavily on his back and head on the apron. Costello rolls back into the ring in pain as Garcia pulls himself up onto the apron and then launches into a springboard….

DF: Garcia has a shot now…but will he take it…

Costello is back up as Garcia floats through the air and detonates a huge european uppercut under the chin of his foe…………………..1………………………….2………………….shoulder up. Garcia gets back to his feet and he pulls Costello up, nailing him with a big vertical suplex…………………………1……………………………..2…….kickout!

JK: Garcia is a talented individual….I know he lost his first match, but the results don’t do his skills any favours…

DF:Absolutely not……Drake Callihan personally trained this kid, tells you all you need to know in that aspect….

Both men get back to their feet and Garcia lifts Costello onto his shoulders but Vincent rolls down the back into a pinfall………………………1……………………………………2…………………………Garcia shifts his body into an inside cradle……………………….1………………………………….2……………………Costello flips back ontop………………………..1………………………….2……………………………..kickout from Garcia!

JK:Neither man able to gain that crucial three count….

They both scramble back up and Costello lands with a sickening kick to the stomach before attempting a DDT, only for Garcia to swivel out and counter with a tiger suplex………………….1………………………2……………..kickout. Garcia gets back up and rushes behind Costello as he stands…

DF: SUNSET HEIGHTS!

Garcia jumps in for the zigzag neckbreaker but Costello grabs the top rope to keep his balance and throws Garcia backwards with a roll of the shoulders. Garcia gets back up and charges back in, only for Costello to lift him up and drop him backwards onto the top of the turnbuckle, following up with a snap neckbreaker……

1..
……2
………………Garcia gets his foot on the ropes!

JK: Garcia’s desire to win led him to make a mistake there, and it very nearly cost him dearly….

Costello gets back up and he waits for Garcia to shimmy back into the corner before he begins to stomp a hard mudhole. The referee is forced to intervene on the count of four and Costello backs away with a grin…..Garcia makes it back to his feet as Costello runs in with a bodysplash before he whips Garcia off the ropes….

DF: OMERTA!

Garcia comes back and Costello tries to spin him into a black hole slam but Garcia slides out onto his feet and counters with a russian legsweep……………………………1…………………………….2………………….kickout from Costello. They both get back to their feet and Garcia lands a big kick under the chin of his foe, spinning him around and then nails him with a belly to belly slam…………………………..1……………………..2………………shoulder up.

JK: If Garcia can truly establish himself in this match then Costello may have problems getting the better of him…

DF: The problem I see is that Garcia, whilst very talented, doesn’t seem capable of grabbing a match by the scruff of the neck just yet…

Garcia backs into the corner and he lifts himself onto the second rope, waiting for Costello to rise. His opponent finally does so and Garcia spins off into a twisting back elbow takedown. Garcia then gets back up and he scoops Costello onto his shoulders, nailing a fireman’s lift gutbuster………………….1…………………….2………………..shoulder up!

JK: Remember that clock is still ticking….only ten minutes for either of these guys to find a finish…

DF: Half that time is gone…

Garcia lashes a stiff kick to the spine of Costello and then runs off the ropes, returning with a solid knee towards his seated opponent but Costello ducks it and rolls Garcia up…………………..1………………..2……………kickout. They both get back up and Garcia stomps on Costello’s gut…

JK:CATALINA…

Garcia attempts the stunner but it is countered into a bridging german suplex…………………..1…………………….2………………..shoulder up!

DF: Costello agonizingly close to ending the bout…

Costello gets back up and drives his knee into the stomach of Garcia and attempts to lift him into a pumphandle slam, but Garcia slips off the back of his shoulders and applies a sleeper…

JK: He may very well put Costello to sleep here…

Costello reaches around and grabs the back of Garcia’s head and then sits down into an inverted jawbreaker, sending Garcia staggering back across the ring. They both get back up and Costello catches Garcia coming in with a leaping DDT (ala Ziggler)…………………………1…………………………..2…………………….shoulder up from Garcia!

DF: A victory for Costello near enough guarantees his passage to the next round….should Garcia win, however, Group A is blown wide open…

JK: It really would come down to the final group matches if Garcia can defeat Costello…..the pressure would be paramount…

Costello gets back to his feet and he rains down punches into the head of Garcia before bouncing off the ropes and returning with a jumping kneedrop to the head. Garcia gets back to his feet and Costello floors him with a running clothesline, before repeating the process for a second time….Garcia gets back to his feet for a third occasion and Costello kicks him in the stomach before planting him with an x-factor facebuster……………….1…………………………….2…………………..Garcia just pushes his shoulder off the mat.

DF: Costello wants a faster count from the referee….

JK: I saw nothing wrong with the referee’s counting….

Garcia rolls over onto his stomach and Costello grabs his arms and pulls him off the ground before he jumps into the air…

DF: CURB STOMP!

Costello aims to come down with a sickening two footed stamp to the back of Garcia’s head, but Alex rolls away just in time to avoid it. He makes his way to the corner and waits for Costello to follow in before kicking out at his stomach and ramming him through the ropes into the ringpost….

JK: That could change the complexion of this match dramatically….

The crowd groan as Costello staggers back out and Garcia seizes ahold of him before planting him with a face-first russian legsweep in the centre of the ring……………………..1……………………………2…………………..Costello just kicks out!

DF: Closer and closer to that three count….but it is not forthcoming……

Garcia screams in fury at the referee before he gets back to his feet and begins to usher Costello to stand up. Vincent is holding his head as he slowly obliges and Garcia dives ontop of him, slipping his hands around the neck for a sleeper…

JK: All of Garcia’s weight ontop of Costello, looking to wear him down….

Costello struggles against the hold, trying desperately to unclasp Garcia’s hands from around his neck but with no luck. Costello thrashes around wildly but Garcia is unrelenting, causing Costello to take a very desperate measure….

DF: WHAT THE HELL…

JK: OH jeez….

Crowd: Holy (beep) x10

DF: I have to agree with them…

Costello rushes forwards and he suicide dives through the middle rope, taking Garcia with him and they both land with a crack on the hard flooring outside of the ring. The crowd are stunned and the referee looks on, disbelieving….

JK: Vincent Costello doing anything he can to be victorious here in EWF….

DF: That was an insane risk….too much of a risk if you ask me….

JK: He could have seriously hurt himself or Alex Garcia…

DF: I think both men are banged up….

Costello and Garcia are slow moving on their way back to their feet. Costello is a little looser and he drives Garcia back into the ringpost with venom before hoisting him up into a bearhug position and running him around the ring into the opposite ringpost….

JK: Costello’s mean streak coming out in force again now…

Garcia cries out in pain and Costello immediately dumps him back into the ring. Vincent then climbs up onto the apron and he slingshots himself over the top rope into an elbow drop across the spine of the grounded Garcia….

DF: This will be Costello’s point of attack from here on out…..I am sure…

Costello begins to stomp down on the back of Garcia before landing several elbow and knee drops to the injured area. Garcia rolls away in pain and tries to use the ropes to get back up as Costello runs across and drives a sickening knee right into the spine…Garcia spins away from the ropes and Costello then takes him down with a running neckbreaker……………………1………………………….2………..Garcia just gets his shoulder up in time!

JK: The back has a bullseye on it now, and Costello knows this…..this is what he feeds off….

Garcia stumbles back up and he is scooped into the arms of Costello, who quickly drops him into a hard backbreaker. Costello then rolls Garcia over onto his stomach and he goes to the second rope…..the crowd watch on and then Costello jumps off, driving a brutal two footed stomp into the back of Garcia….


DF: And that should finish it…

Garcia tries to roll away in agony but Costello is on him and drags him back towards the centre of the ring where he drops into the cover………………………..1……………………….2…………………Garcia kicks out with a lot of effort!

JK; Garcia trying to show that he is not hurt….but it is plain to see…

Costello rolls back onto his feet and he drags Garcia up before pushing him back against the turnbuckle, where he begins to land with sickening shoulder thrusts to the midsection. Garcia coughs and splutters in pain before Costello lifts him up onto the top rope…

DF: This is a bad, bad place to be….especially if Garcia’s back is hurting him…

JK: I am sure that is exactly what Vincent Costello is thinking…

Costello climbs onto the ropes and he pummels Garcia with a series of punches and then pulls him into a front facelock and looks for the superplex…

DF: This lands and you can ring the bell…

Garcia grips Costello’s tights and refuses to be budged from the top of the turnbuckle. He rallies with punches to the body and then a crunching headbutt to the face of Costello. Vincent staggers off balance and garcia lashes hard chops into his chest, eventually causing Costello to drop from the top….

JK: Bad landing for Costello….glimmer of hope for Wildfire…..MISSILE DROPKICK!

Crowd:OOOOOOO!

Garcia leaps off for the missile dropkick but Costello ducks out of sight at the last minute, causing Garcia to land hard on his back. He holds his spine as he stumbles back to his feet….

DF: OMERTA!

1..
..
..
…..2
..
..
………..3!

JK:And forget about it…

The crowd boo as “Godfather” plays out of the speakers and the referee raises Vincent Costello’s hand in victory. He cracks his neck and jaw with a smile before sneering at Alex Garcia as he rolls out of the ring to the outside.

DF: Just like that, Vincent Costello keeps his 100% record here in the Iron Man and he is now within touching distance of the semi-finals….big win, big performance….the pieces of this jigsaw and fitting nicely right for the man from Hell’s Kitchen….

JK; He looks good….he took Garcia’s best offense and he gave back even better….Garcia fought well but he was no match for Costello and it told out in the end….

DF: Garcia took some nasty bumps to the back….but Costello’s risk paid off, that suicide dive through the ropes with Garcia on his back is what changed the tide in this contest…..he showed that he is willing to do whatever it takes to win, and that could prove vital when all is said and done here in the Coliseum….

JK: Another defeat for Alex Garcia…his world championship aspirations are dead and buried as far as this tournament is concerned, of that it seems all too certain….it would take an absolute miracle to change his fortunes….

DF: The lockeroom is on notice though….because Vincent Costello is making waves…

JK:And he didn’t even need his brass knucks this time…

Costello reaches the top of the stage and he spits in disgust of the fans’ boos before raising his arms above his head and nods confidently. He turns on his heel and walks into the backstage area as Alex Garcia gets back to his feet in the ring. Garcia is still holding his back, and looks to be in a mixture of pain and anger as he stands…

DF: Garcia does not look a happy man…..he knows that today hasn’t worked out for him…he needs to go back to the drawing board….

JK:Prepare for his final match, because he can still restore a little self-pride with victory…..

DF: NOT LIKE THAT HE WON’T!

The crowd suddenly begin to boo as Garcia kicks the referee in the stomach and then drills him with the Catalina Winemixer (stunner) , leaving the official slumped in the middle of the ring. Garcia stares at the ref and trash talks him before rolling out of the ring, holding his head in his hands as he kicks the ringside barrier.

JK; That is completely reprehensible action from Alex Garcia….there needs to be some serious disciplinary action taken against him for that….you do not lay your hands on a referee…

DF: I agree…..Garcia is well known for his volatile temper, a hot-head if you will……but we cannot allow him to act like this in EWF, that was completely uncalled for….he lost the match fair and square, no point in directing blame elsewhere….

Garcia is still cursing and kicking the production equipment as he reaches the top of the stage. He takes one last look at the crowd, who are venting their feelings vehemently, and then heads into the backstage area.

Match time:5 minutes, 54 seconds
Official result: Vincent Costello via pinfall

*We come back from a brief commercial break and Alex Garcia is furiously trashing the backstage area. He picks up a monitor and smashes it off the floor before booting it through the air.

???:I’ll have you know that that is coming out of your wages…

*Garcia whirls around and faces the stern expression of Daniel Magnusson. He opens his mouth to speak but Magnusson cuts him off.

Magnusson: I think I’ll do the talking. Not only have you damaged a few hundred dollars’ worth of equipment, but you also assaulted one of my referees….a man that you had no business putting your hands on.

*Garcia merely stares at Magnusson in dislike

Magnusson: These actions may be acceptable in Mr Calihan’s gym, or even in the state penitentiary but not on my watch, and most certainly not in my arena.

*The crowd cheer

Magnusson: I took a chance on you Garcia because Drake told me that you had the talent to be a “star”, but so far all I have seen is all style with no substance. You have failed to perform Alex, and what’s more you have then taken it upon yourself to lash out on those that didn’t deserve it…

*Garcia just stands, void of compassion

Magnusson: For your offense I will be fining you $5,000 dollars from your annual salary…

*The crowd cheer again as Garcia’s eyes blaze with fury

Magnusson: I hope this will be a lesson to you in the future….I am hoping to build and empire here, I would very much like you to be a part of that….but any more indiscretions and I may be forced to take severe action….good day to you…

*Magnusson walks away, leaving Garcia in a temper. Wildfire spins and crashes his fist against the nearby wall, causing blood to stream from his knuckles.

*The scene changes and Mike Conrad is shown on the way back to his lockeroom, an icepack across the back of his head.

JK: Mike Conrad really does look in bad shape…

DF: I’m hearing rumours of a possible concussion, if that is true then you have to worry about Conrad’s ability to compete for the rest of this evening…

*Conrad reaches his locker room and he breathes deeply, wincing at the pain in his head, and then opens the door to step inside.

JK: I think a well earned rest is in order….

DF: Or not…

*Conrad’s eyes widen as he walks into the room and finds that it has been completely trashed. The sofas have been over turned and ripped open, casting stuffing all over the place. The television and cabinet has been smashed, paint has been smeared all over Conrad’s belongings and his sweeping brush has been snapped in several pieces.

JK: This is really uncalled for…

DF: No prizes for guessing who is responsible….

*Conrad’s eyes are full of rage as he looks up and sees the message “FEAR” that has been smeared over the wall in deep red paint. He shakes uncontrollably as he steps into the room and begins to scoop up his belongings, slowly trying to clean the mess.

JK: Mike Conrad has been described as a somewhat “clean freak”….and it seems that Dario Machiavelli knows that…..just a real low blow, compounding what happened to Conrad earlier….

DF: It’s one thing going after a man out here in the ring….but to interfere with his personal life, I don’t condone that in the slightest….

*Conrad picks the pieces of the wooden brush up and he looks at the message on the wall again before muttering to himself.

Conrad: Payback’s a b1tch!

*We change again, to see Hugh Cartwright standing by with Dr. Bryan Wells, who has surgical gloves on.

Cartwright: My guest at this time is the man that will compete in just a few minutes against Jimmy Phillips…..the man currently at the bottom of Group B, Bryan Wells!

*The crowd boo Wells, who merely smiles

Cartwright: Doctor Wells, you have got to have seen Jimmy Phillips is currently in a precarious position as far as involvement in this competition is concerned….do that give you an advantage?

Wells: You would think so wouldn’t you?......I may have lost my first match in this competition, but I left my impression. I weakened Mike Conrad to the point where he was easy pickings for Dario Machiavelli….

Cartwright: And in a way he has returned the favour, placing a weakened Jimmy Phillips at your doorstep so to speak….

Wells: An eye for an eye, an interesting prospect…..I suppose me and Dario have inadvertently assisted each of this evening…it would therefore be very fitting if we were both to advance from this group…

Cartwright: In order for that to be a possibility, though, you would have to dispose of Jimmy Phillips…..

Wells: I assure you Jimmy Phillips will be more than “disposed of” by time my match with him is over. I have studied his injury…..and believe me, I know exactly how to work this to my advantage…..

Cartwright: Earlier tonight, you also had some very accusatory statements to aim at Jimmy Phillips….do you wish to repeat those?

Wells:I say what I see, and if that offends then I am afraid you are just going to have to deal with it. You look at any man on this roster and then look at Jimmy Phillips….his physique is not natural…

Cartwright: Maybe he just works out a lot?

Wells: Believe that if you wish, but I am a trained surgeon…..I notice these things. Without supplements and aids, I cannot see how Phillips has created his sculpture like that, and still maintains a tremendous work ethic….it does not add up.

Cartwright: But all superstars were subject to the same medical tests on signing with EWF…

Wells: Then, in my opinion, the conspiracy runs deeper….

Cartwright: I think we will have to agree to disagree on that subject, but I am sure you can take it up with Mr Magnusson…didn’t he oversee a few indiscretions on your resume?

*Wells suddenly looks a little shifty

Wells: There was no hard evidence….no conviction, do attempt to turn this on me, cretin…

*Cartwright raises his eyebrows, taken aback…

Wells: I have had to suffer the hardship of unfounded accusations time and time again…it has near enough ruined my career….and without the money I have been offered by the EWF, I would be broke…

Cartwright: My suggestion then, Dr Wells, would be that you don’t throw your own accusations around when there is no evidence to support your claims….especially if you know what it feels like…

*Wells’ eyes widen at the advice from the interviewer

Wells:Are you actually offering me advice?...you?....allow me to make a suggestion of my own, you keep your beak out of my private business…….and you, along with all these idiotic fans, watch as I publically dissect Jimmy Phillips for your viewing pleasure….

Your welcome!

*Wells looks Cartwright up and down with displeasure before brushing past and heading towards the entranceway.

Match 4
Group B
Dr.Bryan Wells vs Jimmy Phillips

JK: I can’t believe the comments coming out of Bryan Wells’ mouth….

DF: It is as personal as you can get with any athlete, questioning their training methods and casting accusations about his physical nature…

JK: The sort of accusations that may cause Jimmy Phillips to approach this match with unrelenting fury…

DF: But Phillips has to be careful…he is carrying a very serious injury and Wells is a dangerous competitor…

The sound of a heartbeat echoes over the speakers and then descends into a flatline, accompanying red pyrotechnics. The crowd boo as Bryan Wells makes his way out to the ring, dressed in a long white coat and a stethoscope around his neck. He ignores the boos from the crowd as he walks down the rampway…

JK: Wells was defeated by Mike Conrad earlier today…but a victory against a visibly weakened Jimmy Phillips would put him right back in the hunt…

DF: You have to give Wells a big shot here….Phillips is perhaps running at 50%, Wells is as fresh as it is possible to be……he has an advantage……it will be interesting to see if he can exploit it or not…

JK: None of these men were signed to the roster lightly….HyperEx and Daniel Magnusson were very careful in selection, which means Wells is more than capable of conquering Jimmy Phillips…

Wells removes his white coat and lays it across the steel steps, placing his stethoscope ontop of it. He then climbs up onto the apron and inside the ring, raising his arms in a mock pose as the boos continue. “Cold Ash” then echoes out, red pyros blaze from the stage, and the crowd scream and cheer for the arrival of Jimmy Phillips…

DF: Hell of a reception inside the Coliseum for Jimmy Phillips….but that shoulder does not look good…

Phillips runs out onto the stage and he raises his left hand in the air, keeping his right close to his chest. The right shoulder is heavily bandaged and Bryan Wells’ eyes are alive with malice as he watches JP make his way down towards the ring.

JK: Jimmy Phillips knows that all of Bryan Wells’ attacks will be concentrated on the shoulder…..he knows that there is a bull’s eye on that appendage….I just don’t know how Phillips is going to survive this…

DF: It certainly is going to be an issue for Phillips……but he has heart, determination and the drive to get through this…of that I am sure…

Phillips rubs his shoulder and tags hands with some of the fans at ringside before he climbs up onto the ring apron. Just as he reaches out and grabs the top rope Wells runs over and grabs Phillips’ arm, guillotining it across the top and causing Phillips to drop down to the outside in agony…

JK: And it begins…..it was always going to be Wells’ choice of attack, and here it is for all to see….

Phillips crashes back against the barrier, looking in agonizing pain. Wells climbs out onto the apron and drops down to the outside, where he then grabs Phillips’ arm and begins to smash it against the steel railing….

DF: Watching this, I had no idea just how bad the injury to the shoulder was…I don’t think Phillips shoulder be out here…

JK: Jimmy Phillips relies on strength to win matches, how is he supposed to do that with one arm?

Phillips staggers away in pain, around the ringside area, and Wells slowly follows him before running in behind and connecting with a chopblock to the back of Phillips left knee. He then begins to stomp down on the left leg of JP…

DF: He’s wearing out a leg now as well…

JK: Because he knows Phillips doesn’t have the energy to keep him off…

The referee’s count reaches five as Wells clatters Phillips’ leg against the ringside railing before backing away and climbing into the ring. The crowd are desperately trying to will “The Talent” on but he is in a bad way…

DF: Phillips is a warrior, but I think his heart is clouding his judgment right now…

The count reaches eight as Phillips drags himself under the bottom rope into the centre of the ring and Wells immediately begins to stomp on the back of the shoulder blade. He drags Phillips into the centre of the ring and lifts his leg up, smashing the kneecap down into the canvass and repeating the process several times…

JK: Wells is cerebral here, he is picking Phillips apart and he is enjoying it…

Phillips rolls over onto his back and Wells opens up his leg, driving stiff elbow drops to the knee joint and then wishbones the leg, causing JP to roll around in pain. Wells then stretches Phillips’ injured arm out and begins to drop sickening knees into the shoulder….

DF: Phillips will be lucky to get out of this match without that shoulder being separated….

Phillips rolls into the corner for refuge but Wells darts in and slams a vicious knee into the head and chest of his opponent. He then drags Phillips out and flips him up into a tombstone position before nailing him with a shoulder-breaker…..

JK:That could be all she wrote…

1..
..
..
…..2
..
..
………….shoulder up!

DF: Phillips is gonna keep fighting this, I know the kind of guy he is…..but I don’t think it is going to do him any good in the long run….

Phillips holds his right arm against his chest as Wells drags him up by the left and kicks him in the stomach, causing JP to release his right arm momentarily and Wells seizes it, connecting with a jumping arm-breaker across his knees….Phillips screams out in pain as Wells makes another cover………………….1…………………..2……………..shoulder up!

JK:I just don’t think Phillips is going to see out the remainder of this tournament if he sustains much more damage to that shoulder….

Phillips staggers up to his feet and Wells stomps down on his left knee before running off the ropes for more momentum…

DF: WHAT A SPINEBUSTER!

The crowd cheer as somehow Phillips lifts Wells up and spins him into a destructive spinebuster, only to roll away clutching his shoulder as he does so.

JK: A beautiful move by Jimmy Phillips….but what did it take out of him….

DF: Probably everything…

The noise inside the arena grows as the crowd will Phillips to stand up and suck it in. He uses the ropes to claw his way back to his feet and then he waits for Wells to stumble back up before gripping him with his left hand and slinging him into an overhead belly to belly suplex…

JK: He used one arm….what strength does this man possess….

Phillips lets out another roar of adrenaline as he stands up and Wells rushes at him, only to be scooped up and drilled by a samoan drop….
..
..
..
….1
..
..
..
………..2
..
..
..
……………………..Wells pushes his shoulder up!

DF: So close, I didn’t think Phillips was capable of this kind of onslaught….but he is pushing his body above and beyond right now….

Phillips gets back up onto his feet and he floors Wells with a running clothesline. Wells gets back up and Phillips repeats the process before welcoming him up for a third time and scoops him onto his uninjured shoulder…..

JK:Shades of the Bulldog….

The crowd applaud as Phillips charges across the ring and powerslams Wells into the canvass before hooking the leg………………………..1……………………………….2……………………..kickout. The “Talent” makes his way back up and he kneels in the corner, beckoning for Wells to get up…

DF: He seems to be lining up for a spear….I don’t know how wise this is….

JK: Phillips doesn’t seem to be feeling the pain right now….SPEAR!

Wells turns around in time and manages to roll out of the way, sending JP crashing through the ropes and into the ringpost.

DF: His shoulder could be broken after that impact…

The crowd groan as Phillips stumbles back out of the corner and Wells grabs his arm, spinning him into a variation of the “Angle” slam but making sure that JP lands right ontop of his shoulder…
..
..
..one…
..
..
…..two…
…
…
..
..
……………thr-shoulder up!

JK: I thought it was over there….

DF: It should be…..the referee needs to take a close look at this…..

Phillips is cradling his arm once again as Wells stomps down on the injured appendage, before setting back to the work on the left leg. He stomps viciously on the kneecap before lifting the leg up and spinning around into a standing leglock….

JK: Jimmy Phillips’ whole body has to be going through torture right now…

Phillips slams his elbows into the canvass and tries to crawl back towards the ropes for salvation, but he is held in place and his leg twisted at an abnormal angle. The referee asks JP if he wants to quit he screams “NO” and tries to shuffle backwards….

DF: Phillips needs to make the ropes….he needs to get out of there as quickly as he can…

Phillips eventually manages to reach behind himself and his hand closes on the bottom rope, causing the referee to break the hold. Wells merely smiles as he pulls JP by the leg back into the centre of the ring and slams it back down into the mat a few more times….

JK: Phillips now has one arm, one leg…..he can barely even move…

Phillips knee is now a cause of concern and Wells places the leg on the bottom rope, before using the middle rope to leap into the air and drive all his bodyweight down on top of the appendage. The referee warns Wells that his actions will not be tolerated, but he ignores the warning and leaps into the air again…

JK: That looked like a low landing…

DF: Referee is letting it go…

The crowd cheer as Phillips lifts his leg up and seems to catch Wells right between the legs. The Doctor staggers away in agony as Phillips tries desperately to get back up onto his feet…

JK: This is an opportunity for Phillips…..maybe a quarter of one, but still a chance…

DF: He has to take whatever he can….

Phillips makes it back to his feet but wobbles off balance as he puts weight on his left leg. He waits for Wells to get back up to his feet and then beckons him in…

JK: He just has to go for it…..TOUCHDOWN!

Phillips looks to plant his opponent with the “rockbottom” but Wells manages to elbow his way out and then takes Phillips down with another running chopblock. Phillips tries to stand back up but Wells lifts into a crunching knee-breaker and keeps ahold of his leg as he twists him into a figure four leglock….

DF: This should be a close to this match….

The crowd look away in despair as Phillips yells out in pain and the figure four is expertly applied. Phillips tries to makes his way back to the ropes but Wells has him held tight, jumping off the mat to extend the pressure to the legs of JP. Phillips is holding his head, trying to block out the pain, as Wells elevates himself off the ground slightly….

JK: He has to tap out, he just has to…

DF: I think Phillips is going to need a stretcher to make it out of the arena no matter what happens…

Phillips is shaking his head as the referee asks him if he wants to quit, but the pain seems to be scrambling his senses and he collapses back on the canvass, both his shoulders on the mat………………1…………………………2……………..Phillips sits up just in time!

JK: Phillips nearly pinned himself there….

Wells turns the pressure up another notch, bending the knee of Phillips to an extreme angle and JP’s hand shakes on the verge of tapping out. His face is etched in agony and he looks towards the ropes, sensing how far away they are….

DF: Jimmy Phillips deserves praise for his effort, and these fans have gained a lot of respect for him…but he needs to consider his career….

JK: But credit to Bryan Wells, this is a great performance from him…

DF: Wells is putting himself on the map tonight…

Phillips is really close to passing out now, beads of sweat dripping down his cheek as he flops back on the mat again…………………………..1………………………………….2……………he sits up again and stares into the eyes of Wells before pulling as hard as he can…

JK: Phillips is moving with everything he has….MADE IT!

The crowd cheer as Phillips’ hand clasps around the bottom rope and the submission is declared void. Wells keeps the hold locked in, though, and refuses to let go…

DF: Get him off ref…

JK: Referee needs to break the hold…

The referee reaches his count of four and shakes Wells’ shoulder, finally making him release the hold. Wells gets back up to his feet and he argues with the referee, who warns Wells that he is close to being disqualified…

JK: Wells would be a fool to throw this away now….he is right in the ascendency…

Jimmy Phillips is in agony, trying everything he can to stand up but slipping to his knees every time. He reaches out and grabs the ropes, helping himself up, only to turn around to face Wells…

DF: This ends it…..DEATH BEFORE DISHONOUR!

1.
..
..
..
…..2
..
..
..
…………..3!

JK: I don’t believe it…

DF: Were on earth did that even come from?

Wells runs across the ring with JP on his shoulders for the “over the shoulder cutter” but Phillips drops off the back, spins him around and nails the Touchdown (Rockbottom) for the three count out of nowhere…..back live and the crowd are on their feet in jubilation as “Cold Ash” echoes out of the speakers.

JK: But how?.....just where on earth did Jimmy Phillips find the energy to pull that off?

DF: He literally emptied the tank with that desperation move….it was the very last roll of the dice and somehow it has paid of….somehow, Jimmy Phillips is victorious…

JK: It doesn’t look like it right now though….

Jimmy Phillips is still slumped on the deck, barely even moving as the fans continue to chant his name. Even the referee looks a little dumbstruck as he stares at Bryan Wells, who is getting back to one knee…

DF:Wells controlled the whole match…he dominated infact and he took Phillips on a serious pain ride….but one moment and it all switched around….one moment and Jimmy Phillips flipped this match upside down…

JK: Wells will be absolutely stunned by what has just transpired…

DF: I’m not surprised, it has come way out of the blue…

Wells gets up and he gets right in his face, spit spraying from his mouth, and argues with the official about the outcome of the match. The referee tells him that there is no issue to be resolved but Wells begins to jab him in the chest…

JK: Wells needs to relax here….

The referee stands his ground and he tells Wells to back off, only for the Doctor to spin on his heel and run across the ring, driving a thunderous brogue kick straight into the injured shoulder of Jimmy Phillips. Wells stares evilly at the crowd’s reaction and then he climbs out of the ring and drops down to the outside. He grabs Phillips’ arm and drags it to the ringpost, where he begins to slam it against the unforgiving steel!

DF: This needs to be stopped….we need securty….

Security guards storm the ringside area and grab Wells, dragging him away from the scene, as medics climb into the ring to check up on Jimmy Phillips, who seems unwilling to let anyone check on his arm.

JK: Wells just snapped….this guy is a maniac…

DF: He does seem a few sandwiches short of a picnic, he lost this match fairly and instead of taking it on the chin he has taken measures into his own hands…

JK: What an ending to the second session of group matches this has been….

DF: it’s amazing to believe that this is the first ever EWF show….this has been like a rollercoaster already….

JK: We still have four matches lined up for this evening…not to mention what is happening tomorrow…

DF: But the schedule is starting to take its toll on the competitors now…Jimmy Phillips’ shoulder could be broken….

Phillips is sat in the middle of the ring, cradling his arm, as the medics try to check him over. The initial diagnosis does not look good as Phillips is helped from the ring and towards the backstage area. Bryan Wells has already disappeared from view.

JK: Bryan Wells really does have a lot to answer for….

DF: This Iron Man Tournament is turning into an historic set of events….and we still have so much more to see, we are scheduled for another interval now folks…but tune back in around 7:45 for the final group stage matches, and all the fallout from what we have seen so far…

JK: You really are not going to want to miss the finale to the group stages….with everything we have seen so far, I believe we are in for an explosive climax…

Match time:7 minutes 12 seconds
Official Result: Jimmy Phillips via pinfall

*The show is about to go off air when the action switches to the parking lot. It is not at first apparent what is going on, and then the cameras pan around to a body lying in the middle of the concrete floor, a pool of blood underneath the head.

DF: Oh my god…

JK: That’s Mike Conrad….what the hell has happened to him?

*The show ends with Conrad lying motionless on the floor as a door into the arena closes, the camera barely picking up on a hooded figure walking back inside the Coliseum.

*Interval*

*Back from the interval and we are at ringside, Jonathan Kelly and Donovan Franklin are sat at the announce desk, looking concerned.

JK: Welcome back, ladies and gentlemen, to the Iron Man Tournament, presented by EWF. So far today we have seen an amazing debut show from this promotion…the action has been hard-hitting and non-stop…but just before we went off air about three hours ago folks, we were left with some very disturbing images…

*The HyperTron documents the scene at the end of the second session. Jimmy Phillips being attended to by medics after an assault by Bryan Wells, and then the pictures of Mike Conrad lying in a pool of his own blood in the parking lot.

DF: Folks that was the image you were left with just a couple of hours ago, and now it is time for us to bring you an update ahead of the final session of group matches….

JK: First, Jimmy Phillips, who sustained serious damage to his shoulder over the course of today. It has now come to our attention that Phillips has cracked the shoulder bone and suffered a substantial rotator cuff injury….Phillips’ arm is now in plaster, and his involvement in this tournament is very much in doubt…

*Franklin and Kelly look worried

JK: But now to Mike Conrad, who’s attacker is still at large, was left with a severe laceration to the back of his head. Earlier today, Mike was involved in a personal bust-up with Dario Machiavelli, leading to Machiavelli destroying Conrad’s locker room…but Machiavelli is point blank refusing to accept responsibility for the attack on Conrad….

DF: Conrad’s injuries include a bruised cranium and a serious concussion….doctors have also advised Conrad to withdraw from this competition, but right now we understand that Conrad is refusing to quit…..it is expected that Daniel Magnusson will be meeting with Mike Conrad and Jimmy Phillips within the next half an hour and he will be making a judgement call….

JK: Big call for Magnusson to make, but it is my belief that he should remove both Phillips and Conrad from the competition………….they are only going to sustain more injury and damage to themselves if they continue….it would be such a shame to see two promising stars placed on the shelf on our very first evening…

DF: I think that’s where the perspective needs to be drawn….this is a huge event, no doubt about it, but EWF only just opened their doors…..there are going to be a ton of opportunities down the line for these kids, there is no need to throw it all away for pride….

JK: We assume that we still have four matches on the horizon for this evening’s session folks…but obviously we will update you as and when we get that information….but for now, the show must roll on…..and I am sure the action is only going to get better….

DF: EWF has really made an impression today…..the whole world is Tweeting about us tonight……this is the beginning of something very special…

JK: Yes it is…..this may be our first night, but I get the feeling there are many more to come…and if they are anything like we have so far, a legacy will be born in no time…

Match 1
Group B
Dario Machiavelli vs Bryan Wells

Ding ding

Rick Ambrose: Ladies and gentlemen it is now time for the final group stage session..

*Crowd pop

Rick Ambrose: I have also been informed by EWF Chairman, Daniel Magnusson that the following four contests will have a fifteen minute time limit!

JK:An extra five minutes on the clock…

DF: Could make all the difference…it certainly would have done in the last round between Sparkz and Wood, Viper only needed an extra second….now they have five minutes to work with….

JK: It all hinges on these final four matches folks…..let’s take a quick look at the group standings heading in…

Group A
Vincent Costello-8 points
Jason Sparkz-5 points
Liam Wood- minus 1 point
Alex Garcia- minus 4 points

Group B
Jimmy Phillips-8 points
Mike Conrad- 3 points
Dario Machiavelli-2 points
Bryan Wells- minus 4 points

JK: As you can see folks, everything still very much hanging in the balance…

DF: Especially considering the injuries sustained by Jimmy Phillips and Mike Conrad, Group B is wide open…

JK:And it is Group B that we will be kicking off with here this evening…

“People are strange” echoes out of the speakers and the crowd begin to boo violently for the arrival of Dario Machiavelli.

DF: This is a wanted man…..and this crowd inside the Coliseum are letting it be known…

JK:Machiavelli has claimed innocence…but the fact remains that he and Conrad were at each other’s throats, he is the prime suspect…

*Machiavelli has a microphone in hand as he walks out onto the stage, and a briefcase in the other. He stares around at the booing masses and shakes his head before speaking.

Machiavelli: Guilty until proven innocent I presume?

*The crowd boo louder

Machiavelli: I would expect nothing less from a bunch of idiotic barbarians such as yourselves. Right now, Mike Conrad is having the inside of his head examined because of an attack on him that took place inside the parking lot. The CCTV system has yet to be installed in that area of the arena, how convenient, and yet with no shred of evidence the finger points directly at me!

DF: Of course it does….

Machiavelli: I expected more from a country that was founded on free will and independence. The right to free speech and safe passage has clearly been long forgotten. I admit, I do not like Mike Conrad, and just half an hour before this event occurred I am more happy to say that I was responsible for the destruction of his locker room!

*The crowd boo

Machiavelli: That was part two of the “Fear” campaign…..I know Mike Conrad fears dirt, and grime…so I gave him a little to concentrate on whilst I plotted my next move…..

JK: Machiavelli isn’t making this sound good on himself…

Machiavelli: But believe me, if I wanted to attack Mike Conrad, I would want the whole world to know about it….that is what my whole campaign is all about……capturing reality, capturing fear at its prime moment….

*Machiavelli reaches into his jacket and he pulls out the old handheld camera

Machiavelli: This is the fundamental tool of my trade, and every time I make a statement, I record it upon this device……so that I can guarantee that my message will be heard around the world.

I don’t think you people quite grasp what I am doing here in EWF, and if you did you would not question whether I attacked a man in the parking lot……because the whole scenario would have recorded, live and exclusive for the universe to watch and behold…

DF: This guy is a fruitloop but in a way he makes sense…

Machiavelli: I make films, I shoot scenes, I bring you a new wave of entertainment than none of you have ever witnessed before. The “Fear” campaign is based upon real-time dilemmas….I bring you realistic life experiences…….I control your thoughts through the power of my actions…..

JK: Talk about deluded….

Machiavelli: I am not interested in pushing myself beyond my human limits, like everybody else in this competition,……instead I install a tactical approach and I film as my opposition break their bones, quite literally, in order to keep up….

*Machiavelli’s mouth curves into an evil smile

Machiavelli: Look at me, I am by far the most freshest man left on this roster….and yet my impact has been felt to a greater degree than anybody else…..because I think, I plan and I execute in a much more conservative way….

Over the coming weeks, months and years you are going to witness the “Fear” program in its entirety, and you will watch as my own unique blend of offense takes control of this company, because in the cold dead of night, there is nothing that can control “Fear”.

DF: Machiavelli scares the hell out of me…..he isn’t a giant, or a monster….and yet he is as intimidating as they come, because you just don’t know what he is capable of….

Machiavelli: I did not attack Mike Conrad……but I congratulate whoever did, because one less ounce of scum in this arena is all the better for the rest of us….

*Boos and the crowd chant Conrad’s name

Machiavelli: Conrad is a disease, just like Jimmy Phillips is a disease….but one after the other I exposed their weaknesses, and through the power of my procedures, their involvement in this tournament hangs by a thread…….a thread that is just one snip away from snapping…

*He smiles again

Machiavelli: Because that is what I do…..I expose the “Fear” of others and I use it to my advantage….and I will continue to do so until all power is wielded by my hand…..the pen maybe mightier than the sword, but the “Fear” controls all…

JK: We are scheduled for a match here folks, but I guess Machiavelli just wanted to talk…

DF: Trying to clear his name, I guess…

Machiavelli: Which brings me onto my evening opponent…………..the man currently sat bottom of Group B, Doctor Bryan Wells!

*The crowd boo

Machiavelli: This is an honourable man……..a good man, but a man whose path has been blinded and barricaded by injustice and wrong-doing. Doctor Wells has made some very poor career decisions over the years….but with my help, fortune shall favour him once more!

JK: What the hell is he talking about now…

Machiavelli: I read your file, Bryan, you see because my influence spreads far and wide…..and I know just how dismal your life has become since you were released from practise. I know that you have begged and borrowed, scraped and starved since the moment your medical career went up in flames…..I know that EWF is somewhat of a salvation to you Bryan…..but I also know that Daniel Magnusson placed you on the minimum $25,000 annual contract…

DF: How the hell does he know these things?

Machiavelli: Which is a tragic turn of events if I do say so myself. You deserve better than that Bryan, your performance here tonight has shown that you warrant much more substantial pay……….because a man like you does not deserve to return to the slums…..you do not deserve to live a abhorrent, derelict existence…..

JK: I have no idea what is going on here…

The sound of a beeping heartbeat echoes over the system and then the flatline takes over, as Bryan Wells walks out onto the stage looking quite angry and confused. He looks up at the Hypertron, where Machiavelli has somehow managed to get a picture of Wells’ contract.

Wells: How on earth did you get ahold of that?

Machiavelli: I have my sources, Bryan…

Wells: You take that down right now….these people have no right to know my personal business…

Machiavelli: I understand that Bryan, but I have a point to make and naturally I am going to make it, whether you like it or not!

*Wells looks thunderous as he continues to walk down the ramp. Machiavelli then points to the screen again, the picture of the contract disappears and one of Wells looking extremely scruffy comes into shot.

Machiavelli: This is what you were reduced to Bryan…..a victim of the establishment, and that is not your fault. You tried to impress your own ideas upon the world of surgery, and you were shunned away, I know just how that lack of acceptance feels.

*Wells stops, looking a little taken aback.

Machiavelli: I too was shunned by my fellow professionals, who said that my “work” was a violation, that I was sick…..but in reality, they were too blind to see the light, their minds were closed to the truth.

DF: I feel like I have entered the twilight zone….

Machiavelli: I have watched you tonight, Bryan, and you are a talented competitor, you could have a very bright future ahead of you. But at this very moment in time, your path has intertwined mine and I do not feel that is the right choice for you.

*Wells raises his eyebrows suspiciously, as he climbs up onto the ring apron.

Machiavelli: Bryan, you have seen what my campaign of “Fear” has done to those that have crossed my path thus far. I do not want to make you a victim of this Bryan, you do not deserve to fall as the others that have come before you….

*Wells climbs through the ropes

Wells: Am I supposed to be scared of you?. Do you think that your words are having an effect on me?

Machiavelli: Of course they are, otherwise why has your temperature risen?

Wells: Because I am seconds away from kicking your a55…

Machiavelli: I assure you that would be the worst mistake you could make….I want to value your new career, Bryan, and not abuse it like you did your old one…..embrace that now is not your time, but in the future, you can climb as high up this mountain as you like….

Wells: You expect me to just stand aside, for you?

Machiavelli: I am not asking you, Bryan, I am telling you that you will stand aside for me…..

*Wells smirks with a shake of his head

Wells: Really?

Machiavelli: Yes, really. Because I know how much this job means to you Bryan….I know that you do not get paid if you do not compete…

*Wells looks stunned again

Machiavelli: So what will weeks on the sidelines do to your lifestyle?....you do not want to return to desolation do you Bryan?

Wells: I fail to see what I get from this….

*Machiavelli smiles and takes a step back. He lifts the briefcase from his free hand and unclasps it, laying it down at Wells’ feet.

JK: Whoah…..how much do you think is in there?

DF: I have no idea….

*Wells is staring down at the money inside the briefcase, his eyes alive with interest

Machiavelli: Inside this briefcase, Bryan, is $50,000 of my very own money that I am offering to you. That is two years of your current salary for one nights work…..you do as I ask and you can walk out of here with this money, no questions asked.

JK: My word, this is something I was not expecting…

DF: You’re not the only one…

Machiavelli: No more motels after this Bryan….no more returning to that squalor you call a home, you can once again return to the life you were accustomed to as a respected surgeon.

Wells: This is a joke, right?

Machiavelli: This is no joke, Bryan, I am offering you $50,000 in cash……it is your decision whether you take it or leave it….

*The crowd are booing as Wells looks around the arena and then back to the money on the floor. Machiavelli extends his hand to seal the deal.

Wells: And what is it that you want me to do?

Machiavelli: It is very simple….you accept the money, the referee rings the bell and you lie down….I pin you, one, two, three….and our deal is complete.

JK: I can’t believe Machiavelli is buying him off….

DF: He’s playing on Wells’ “fear” of a life he does not want…..but how bizarre…

Wells: Just like that….?

Machiavelli: Just like that……this is a once in a lifetime opportunity, Bryan, and I believe, if you accept, it will the wisest choice you have ever made.

*Wells stares into Machiavelli’s eyes for a few moments and then back at the money. He seems fixated by the briefcase and then looks up again, extending his hand to shake Machiavelli’s drawing even more boos from the crowd.

Machiavelli: You are a very wise man…

JK: I don’t believe what I am seeing here…

Wells backs away, looking a little shocked about what he has just done, and Machiavelli fastens the briefcase back up and hands it to him. Wells stares at it for a moment and then places it in the corner before walking back to the middle of the ring. The assigned referee, looking uneasy at the deal that has been struck, rings the bell.

DF: Well now I guess Wells is just going to lie down….

JK: All to become $50,000 richer….

DF: It’s true what they say, Johnny, money talks…

Wells and Machiavelli stare each other down for a few moments and the crowd scream at Wells to fight. Machiavelli looks a tad nervous as he urges Wells to lay down in the middle of the ring, but Wells continues to look at him. The staredown lasts almost two minutes before Wells finally drops to his knees and then flat on his back…..Machiavelli looks around at the crowd, a smirk on his face as they boo, and then drops down to make a lateral cover….

JK: Nobody saw this coming…

1.
..
..
..
….2
..
..
..
………………….3!

DF: Well that was quick…

JK; No question that that was inside the fifteen minute time limit….

The crowd are booing louder than ever as “People are strange” echoes out and the referee raises Machiavelli’s hand in victory. Wells immediately rolls from the ring, grabbing the briefcase and holding it close to his chest, before storming up the rampway, ignoring the torrent of abuse from the fans.

JK: Bryan Wells really did sell out here tonight….he gave up his opportunity here in the Iron Man Tournament to gift victory to Dario Machiavelli….

DF: Not often you will see an outcome like that….but Machiavelli has once again done his homework and he knew exactly what made Wells tick…..he exposed the “fear” factor and Wells feel right in line, say what you want but Machiavelli is a smart customer…

JK: Too smart….

Wells disappears from view, as Machiavelli continues to celebrate his victory in the centre of the ring. He climbs onto the ropes and smiles at the booing fans, mouthing the word “Fear” over and over again before he eventually climbs from the ring.

DF: And he didn’t even need his “insurance policy” to win this one…

JK: I have a feeling that policy was reserved just in case Wells turned the offer down….

DF:You could be right, but he didn’t……..Bryan Wells just got $50,000 richer and Dario Machiavelli has gone second in Group B…….he may have very well just bought his qualification….

JK: I think that is exactly what he just did…

DF: It will be interesting to find out what ruling Daniel Magnusson makes on Jimmy Phillips and Mike Conrad before their clash later tonight…..because Machiavelli could very well find himself topping this group when all is said and done…

JK: I guess the fear is growing…

DF: It would seem so….

*Machiavelli reaches the top of the stage and he brushes his hair out of his face and smiles maniacally before laughing. The crowd boo him and he mockingly bows at them before making his exit from the scene.

Match time:0 minutes, 10 seconds
Official Result: Dario Machiavelli via pinfall

*The action goes backstage, where a visibly irate Alex Garcia is standing by with Hugh Cartwright.

Cartwright: This is it guys, the final session of the Iron man group stage…and my guest at this time is a man whose involvement in the tournament is practically over…

*Garcia looks thunderous as he snatches the mic from Cartwright

Garcia: Practically over?. Is that what you think huh? Look here, a55fiend; I may be unable to qualify for the next round of the Iron Man tournament….but as far as my involvement in this competition goes? I would advise you don’t talk about things of which you have no knowledge…

Cartwright: How do you…

*Garcia shoves Cartwright away

Garcia: Don’t interrupt me, it really is not advisable. I mean exactly what I say, there is no way that my impact in EWF is over just because I lost a couple of matches. I am the most accomplished, talented and decorated athlete on this roster and whether it is tonight, tomorrow, a week from now or in a year’s time, you are going to know that what I say is the unrivalled truth.

Cartwright: But can I ask about the fine imposed on you earlier by Daniel Magnusson…

Garcia: Magnusson is a jerk, a power hungry dictator that much is obvious from the outset. He is a businessman; he has no concept of what it takes to run a successful wrestling promotion.

Cartwright: You did assault a referee?

Garcia: And he very much deserved it….what Mr Magnusson failed to recognize and what your cameras conveniently forgot to pick up, was that the referee insulted me after my match.

Cartwright: How so?

Garcia: I was in a state of shock after defeat, a match where I did not perform to the best of my ability, and was taking my time to compose myself before leaving the ring. The official then said to me “Get out of the ring, redneck”…..does that sound like the words of a professional to you?

*Cartwright raises his eyebrows in a disbelieving manner

Garcia: But of course your coverage did not screen that live, and none of that surprises me, considering how this dictatorship works. Daniel Magnusson wishes to paint me as a pantomime villain, the resident bad guy, if you will, and I will not be portrayed in a manner that does befit me, I will not be accused of something I did not do.

Cartwright: So how you rectify the situation?

Garcia: It is very simple Hughey, very simple indeed. Because Daniel Magnusson wants a villain, he wants a bad guy…..so leave it with me, because I will give him everything he ever wanted. Once I’m finished, Daniel Magnusson will rue the day that he believed he could challenge me on my own turf….Daniel Magnusson can bow at my feet and he can kiss my a55 because I assure him, you ain’t seen nothing yet!

*Garcia stares at Cartwright and then into the camera with a dark expression, before walking off.

*The scene changes and Liam Wood is pacing back and forth in his locker room, awaiting the call from the production team to make his way out to the arena. He looks full of focus as a knock comes at the door and Kelsey Hughes walks in.

Kelsey: Time for a quick word, Liam?

Wood: Yeah no problem…..

Kelsey: Just a few minutes away from a crucial match for you against Alex Garcia. There is no guarantee that you are going to qualify, but a victory over Garcia is vital for you to have any chance whatsoever…

Wood: Tell it how it is Kelsey, because it is real simple. Not only do I need to beat Alex Garcia, but I more than likely need to pick up victory via submission, to gain enough points to even remotely challenge for qualification.

I know Garcia has lost his two matches, but he is a dangerous competitor, and now he has nothing to lose, which makes him even more of a threat. So nothing is taken lightly……I know just how damn good I can be, I know that sooner rather than later I am going to be at the top of this industry……but today might not be my day, I cannot afford to make any more mistakes.

Kelsey: The loss to Vincent Costello obviously hurt your chances badly, but you were markedly improved against Jason Sparkz…..I’m sure no matter what happens, you can re-build yourself….this is, after all, only the first night of EWF…

Wood: And I know that…..of course my time will come again, but I’m not thinking about that, I’m thinking about now because I still have a shot, aslong as I win against Garcia I am still in the mix. And to be honest with you, I would love nothing more than to wipe that smug grin off Costello’s face…

Kelsey:I see the bad blood between the both of you hasn’t died down?

Wood: Of course I haven’t…..not only did we trade insults in the run up to this tournament, but he made threats towards my staff, and I do not appreciate that. To top it all off, he won our match by sucker punching me with brass knuckles…..we have plenty of issues to iron out the next time we clash…

Kelsey: And I am sure the EWF fans will be looking forward to that battle when it comes….but for now Liam, I wish you luck against Alex Garcia…

Wood: Give the luckk to Garcia, he’s going to need it…

*Wood smirks cockily and the crowd cheer as a member of the production crew pops his head round the door and gives Wood the thumbs up. Viper breathes deeply and then heads out towards the entranceway.

Match 2
Group A
Liam Wood vs Alex Garcia

*Back at ringside and the crowd are in fine voice as “I killed the prom queen” screams out and the cheers echo from all around. Blue and green pyrotechnics explode up into the air and then Liam Wood pushes out onto the stage, a focused grimace upon his face.

JK: Huge match in the terms of Group A standings now….

DF: All eyes and all pressure upon the shoulders of Liam Wood right here….because if he doesn’t win, then Vincent Costello and Jason Sparkz will qualify…..

JK: It really is all or nothing for Wood…..because even in victory he isn’t guaranteed qualification, but without a win he is done in this tournament….

The crowd reach out to tag Wood on the back and he lets them, before tagging a few hands and then climbs up the steps. He climbs through the ropes and takes to all four corners in turn, posing for the fans, before jumping down to await his opponent…

DF: Biggest match of this young man’s career so far…..a world championship tilt is still on his horizon…

JK: But even if it fades into the distance, Wood will still have a shot at the EWF TV Championship tomorrow night…..and we have literally only just begun here in EWF, there will be plenty more opportunities around the corner…

DF: Oh I agree with you…but there is something special about being the ”first ever” and that is exactly what these guys are fighting for….to be the first ever EWF World Champion…

Wood cracks his neck and crouches in the centre of the ring as “Seven nation army” plays out and the boos accompany the arrival of Alex Garcia. “Wildfire” stares at the fans with disgust and then begins to make his way down to the ring…

JK: Alex Garcia is 0-2 in his EWF career so far, but he has promised to make an impact no matter what happens in this tournament…

DF: Well Garcia is very disgruntled with how things have gone so far…

JK: Do you really buy this B.S. about the referee insulting him?

DF: It sounds very farfetched but Garcia is adamant it happened…I’m sure it isn’t the last we have heard of it…

JK: Well Garcia has subsequently been fined $5,000 from Daniel Magnusson…..and Garcia has retaliated by calling Magnusson a “dictator”…..I don’t think that is the last we have heard of that situation either…

DF: There certainly are many combustible elements on show here…..I anticipate an explosion somewhere soon…

Garcia slaps a fan’s hand away from his shoulder and spits on the floor before making his way to the ring and climbs up onto the apron before stepping into the ring. There is a lot of intensity in the air as the referee keeps both men apart.

JK: You could cut the tension with a knife….this really is last chance saloon for Liam Wood….

DF: And he knows it, he knows that a pinfall is acceptable but a submission really is desirable….

JK: He will need to fight with everything he has to make sure he gets the victory that he so desperately needs….

DF: Should be a great contest…

Both men back away into opposite corners as the bell sounds and the match is underway. Garcia circles the ring and drops to a knee, beckoning for Wood to come forwards. Viper watches Garcia with intensity and then swings a heavy roundhouse kick forwards…

JK: Clever thinking by Wood, Garcia narrowly missed having his head kicked off there…

Garcia bounds out of the way and he smirks at Wood’s attempt before ushering him forward again. This time, Wood raises his fists and he beckons for Garcia to stand up and lockup, which he does and they jockey for position. Wood begins to shove Garcia backwards towards the ropes and then Viper lets out a roar of adrenaline as he launches Garcia across the canvass…

DF: Garcia really needs to get into his groove, because Liam Wood is not wasting any time…

Garcia looks disgruntled as he gets back up onto his feet, nodding in mock respect to Wood. The Viper merely glares back and they circle each other again before locking up in the centre of the ring. Wood pushes Garcia back against the corner and runs in for a clothesline, but Garcia ducks it and begins to unload with a barrage of thunderous punches…

JK: It seems Garcia has really brought out a different side of his persona since Magnusson reprimanded him….

DF: It happened before then, when Garcia decided to start striking officials…

Garcia does not relent with the punches he throws at the midsection and head of Wood, only pausing to break the referee’s count on four. Garcia grabs Wood’s head and lashes a hard european uppercut under the chin before grabbing his arm and whipping him across the opposite side of the ring….

JK: Garcia trying to build some steam….

Garcia charges across the ring for a bodysplash but Wood plants his boot up into the chin of his opponent, staggering him back. Viper then explodes out of the corner and spears Garcia to the mat, crawling on top of him and slamming furious punches to the head…

DF: This is a taste of Garcia’s own medicine…

Wood pummels Garcia’s head and then stands up, letting out a roaring shout. He drags Garcia up by the hair and lifts him into a big vertical suplex before running off the ropes and returning with a big jumping elbow to the chest…………………………….1……………………………2……………………Garcia kicks out!

JK: Wood is a strong guy, stronger than Garcia is, so he needs to use that to his advantage….

Wood lets Garcia stand up and he rocks him back towards the ropes with big, heavy right hands. He then pushes Garcia against the ropes and sends him across the ring, only for Garcia to duck a back elbow on the comeback and then run off the opposite side…

DF: Garcia gaining speed…

JK: NOT ANYMORE!

Garcia comes back off the ropes again, but Wood spins on his heel and catches Garcia with a huge overhead belly to belly throw. Garcia staggers back up to his feet and he swings a wild clothesline, only to get caught and lifted into a crunching full nelson slam…
..
..
…1
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..
………2
..
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…………………shoulder up!

DF: Wood’s getting a groove now…..he’s settling and that is good to see…

Wood pulls Garcia up and places his head in between his legs for a piledriver, but Garcia kicks his feet and refuses to budge. Viper attempts the piledriver three times, but on the third attempt it is countered into a backdrop by Garcia. Wood gets back to his feet and Garcia dropkicks him back into the corner before he charges in with a flying clothesline (ala The Miz)……Wood then staggers out of the corner as Garcia goes up top….

JK: Big risk for Wildfire…..GOT HIM!

DF: Sensational…

Garcia perches up top, waiting for Wood to turn around, and then dives off and detonates a thunderous European uppercut under the chin of Viper. He dives ontop………………………..1…………………………2…………..Wood pushes Garcia up onto his feet.

JK: Still plenty of strength in Wood…

Garcia looks a little annoyed as he slams kicks into the legs of Wood and then jumps up, heel kicking his opponent in the jaw and flattening him. Garcia then backs into the corner and lifts himself onto the second rope, diving off with a double knees that plant straight into the chest of his foe…..Wood staggers up to his feet, trying to catch his breath, as Garcia charges over and takes him out with a running neckbreaker……………………….1……………………………2…………………..shoulder up.

DF: Garcia starting to show that he can play a little now….


Garcia looks at the crowd with dislike and then drags Wood to his feet and lifts him into a vertical suplex, before planting him down into a DDT. Viper rolls onto his back, feeling the effects of the move, as Garcia climbs out onto the ring apron and then launches himself into a springboard….

JK: SENTON!

Wood drives both knees up into the air, crashing them into the spine of Garcia as he comes down from the top rope. Garcia rolls away in agony as Viper slowly stumbles back up to his feet and then Wood seizes his opponent by the throat….

DF: CHOKESLAM!

Wood drops down to both knees to force the impact, slamming Garcia right on his back with a sensational chokeslam……………………………………..1………………………………………2……………………………….Garcia just gets his shoulder off the mat.

JK: It really looked like Garcia was finished there….

DF: Wood putting a little more impact on the chokeslam now, but still he lacks the elevation….

Wood breathes deeply and then he gets back to his feet, beckoning for Garcia to stand up and face him. Garcia spits on the canvass as he gets to a vertical base, walking straight into a boot to the stomach for Viper…

JK: VIPER DROP…

Wood tries to hook the arms for the pedigree but Garcia spins out of it and takes Viper down into a fujiwara armbar, prompting screams and groans from the crowd…

DF: What a counter….Garcia is extremely skilled in the art of submission wrestling…

Garcia doesn’t have the arm set properly as Viper tries to scramble free from the hold. But Alex Garcia shifts his body so that his weight is pressed down on the shoulder, denying Wood from moving, and then he tugs up on the elbow joint to force the pain….

JK: Garcia almost has this in tight…..and as soon as he does I can us hearing the bell….

DF: An armbar is such a brutal submission…..a kimura lock is slightly more devastating but this is equally as damaging…

Garcia finally manages to wrap his own arm into the point where Wood cannot move, and he tugs back on the arm with the submission fully applies. Wood screams out in pain but refuses to tap out as he claws at the canvass and drags himself within touching distance of the ropes…

JK: This is Wood’s dream, he does not want to see it disappear in the blink of an eye….

DF: He really is determined to survive this onslaught…

Wood’s face is wracked with pain but he will not give up and he reaches out, wrapping his hand around the bottom rope and forcing a rope break. Garcia looks annoyed as he is made to release the hold and get back to his feet. He stares down at Viper on the mat with dislike, and then he drags him out towards the centre of the ring by the arm and looks to apply the submission again….

JK: Wood needs to get out of this predicament…

Wood turns over onto his back and he uses the point of his elbow to strike out at the head of Garcia, forcing him to roll away in pain. Both men get back to their feet and Garcia charges forwards, only Wood to lift him up and rush across the canvass, drilling Garcia with a spinebuster.

DF: That was very good from Liam Wood……eases the pressure from that armbar…

Wood gets up and he slaps his arm, re-gaining the feeling in the appendage, before beckoning for Garcia to get up, allowing him to dart across and thunder into him with a brutal big boot. The impact of the move sends Garcia stumbling back over the top rope and crashing down to the outside….

JK: That is not where Wood wants his opponent to be……

Wood looks annoyed as he climbs out of the ring to join his opponent. He grabs Garcia and hauls him up, only for Garcia to jab him in the eye and then crack his head against the ringside barrier. Garcia then lifts Viper up into an atomic drop position before slamming him down across the security railing…

Crowd:OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

DF: That is horrible to see…..Wood will not be celebrating tonight….

Garcia mockingly slaps Wood across the face and leaves him dangling across the barrier as he heads back towards the ring. Garcia climbs inside and orders the referee to start counting……………………..1……………………..2…………………………….3…………….Wood drops down off the barrier………………4…………………………5……………………….6……………..he drags himself across the floor towards the railing……………….7…………………………..He pulls himself up on the apron as Garcia comes over and pulls Wood through the middle rope, resting his legs on the middle for elevation………

JK: WHAT A DDT!

Garcia drills Wood with the DDT (ala Randy Orton) and then pulls him away from the ropes………………1…………………….2……………………..kickout.

DF: I thought Wood’s lights had been put out right there…

Garcia looks at the referee for a moment with an air of disdain before getting back to his feet. He circles Wood, his eyes alight with malice, waiting for him to stand up and then runs at him…

JK: SUNSET HEIGHTS!

DF: He got all of that…

The crowd look away in disappointment as Garcia drills Wood with the zigzag neckbreaker and hooks both legs with a confident smile..
..
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…1
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…………..2
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…………………………thr-shoulder up!

JK: WOW!

*Crowd cheer loud

DF: Impossible…

The crowd are on their feet applauding as Wood pushes his shoulder off the canvass, denying Garcia a certain victory. The man from Texas slams his hand against the canvass repeatedly and then begins to argue with the official…

JK: Garcia needs to back away from the referee….

DF: He could have another fine on his hands otherwise…

The referee tells Garcia to back away, which he does but with a look of anger on his face. He looks at Wood, who is barely able to stand, and screams at him to get back up onto his feet….

JK; Garcia starting to lose his cool now….things aren’t going his way….

DF: Dude needs to calm down…

Wood is blinking back the pain as he gets back up towards his feet and Garcia ushers him to turn around before kicking him in the stomach…

JK:CATALINA…

Garcia looks for the stunner but Wood pushes him away to the ropes, and then sends him toppling over the top with a huge running clothesline. Garcia lands on his feet and staggers back into the announce desk, where he begins to beat away with his fists…

DF: Garcia is plain losing it here…

Garcia slams his hands ontop of the table and then boots it before he pushes the timekeeper onto the floor and drags a chair up from the floor. The crowd boo as Garcia folds the chair up and heads back to the ring….

JK: Sure-fire way to get yourself disqualified…

DF: Garcia can’t qualify anyway, so he doesn’t have any restraint….

Garcia climbs up into the ring and the referee immediately tries to grab the chair off him, only for Garcia to tug harder and send the referee flailing on his backside. Garcia shakes his head and then walks towards Wood with the chair over his head….

JK: This has a bad ending…..

CRACK!....The chair slams against the turnbuckle as Wood ducks out of the way, wrapping his hands around Garcia’s waist and throws him into a huge german suplex. Garcia then staggers back up as Wood darts towards him and flips him a complete 360 with a big boot to the jaw….

DF: Now that is what you call impact….

Wood turns to look at the cheering fans and he lets out a roar before he drags Garcia back up to his feet and underhooks both of his arms….

JK: What a performance this is……….VIPER DROP!

DF: Garcia’s night just went from bad to worse….

Wood drills Garcia with the elevated pedigree and then hooks both legs as the crowd count along…
..
..
…..1
..
..
…………..2
..
..
………………………….3!

JK: And that is that………The Viper just struck….

DF: It isn’t guaranteed that Wood is going to qualify, but he has done all he could do…..sublime effort from this young man…

JK: And where does Alex Garcia go from here…

DF: He just needs to go back to the drawing board and assess a few things….Garcia is still a fantastic competitor, it just hasn’t worked out for him yet….but he’ll be back, of that I am sure…

JK: Liam Wood faces an anxious wait now….he must await the outcome of Jason Sparkz vs Vincent Costello to find out if he will progress to the next round…

DF: No matter what else happens tonight, Liam Wood can be proud of his efforts…..sensational stuff…

Wood continues to celebrate his victory before climbing from the ring and tagging hands with the fans around ringside. He looks to the ceiling and says a little prayer before walking into the aisleway and heads towards the backstage area. Alex Garcia is getting back to his feet in the ring, looking very annoyed.

JK: Garcia just cannot get a break right now…

DF: I think he needs a rest….and maybe see a shrink, because he is barmy……OH GOD!

The crowd scream as the referee turns around and Garcia blasts him right over the head with the steel chair from earlier. Garcia then begins to kick the ropes in a fury before he climbs out of the ring, ripping the cover off the announce table and then smashing the monitors off the floor.

DF: He has absolutely lost it…

JK: I wonder if he is going to blame this on the referee insulting him again?....because the official was nowhere near him…..Garcia is a maniac….

DF: He certainly has a few screws loose…

Garcia boots the steel steps over as he walks past them, ignoring the jibes from the crowd. He spots a sign that says “Garcia sucks” and he pulls it from the fan and tears it up, spitting on it as he tosses it to the floor.

JK: I’m sure Daniel Magnusson is going to have plenty to say about this….

DF: And too right…..Garcia is becoming a liability, and it is only our first night…

Garcia stomps up the rampway, looking very angry, before bursting through the curtain to the backstage area, chants of “a55hole” following him as he goes.

Match time: 8 minutes, 34 seconds
Official result: Liam Wood via pinfall

*We go immediately backstage and production workers are moving out of the way as Garcia smashes his way across the fear, striking out at any equipment that gets in his way. He looks furious as he picks up a steel chair and launches it against a nearby wall.

???:ENOUGH!

*Garcia turns around to see Daniel Magnusson, accompanied by five security guards

Magnusson: Enough of this bull(beep) Alex, I’ve had enough. You have already been warned, and you chose not to heed that warning. Two referees on the injured list and the damage to my arena is mounting up.

*Garcia just looks at Magnusson with disgust

Magnusson:It seems that me docking your wages has had no effect on you whatsoever, so instead I’ll take a different route of action. Instead of taking your money away from you Alex, I’ll take your opportunities instead.

*Garcia stares at his boss with raised eyebrows

Magnusson:These gentlemen will be escorting you from the arena….and you will not be welcome back here tomorrow.

Garcia: Excuse me?

Magnusson: You heard me, I do not want you on my show. You have consistently broken the rules, and even when I give you a verbal warning, you decided to do what you wanted anyway. So you are hereby banned from this arena until further notice.

Garcia: But I am scheduled to compete in the battle royal for the TV Championship tomorrow night…

Magnusson: No anymore you are not. You are going to learn, Alex, that you either follow my rules, or you deal with the consequences. I’ll be in touch!

Garcia: Son of a…

*The security guards step in front of Garcia as Magnusson takes a last look at him and then walks off. Garcia shouts after his boss.

Garcia: You’ll regret this Magnusson, I swear to God you are going to regret this.

Security: if you’ll please follow us, Mr Garcia…

*The security reaches out to grab Garcia’s arm, but he swats it away

Garcia: I’ll see myself out!

*Garcia spits in rage and then storms towards the parking lot, security following behind him.

*The scene changes and Jimmy Phillips is shown heading out towards the entranceway, his right arm has been placed in a cast. Carlton Jacobs is standing by.

Jacobs: Jimmy….hey Jimmy…

Phillips: What’s happening?

Jacobs: I was going to ask you the same thing…..

Phillips: Well I’ve had further tests and the muscle is damaged and the bone is chipped, no getting away from that. But Mr Magnusson has had a look at things and after a lot of consultation with the doctors, they seem to think I should be able to go.

Jacobs: But obviously you have to be in pain?

Phillips: I wouldn’t deny it, I have been a lot more comfortable over the years but what can you do? It is my dream to be a world champion, and this is a huge opportunity for me. I can’t allow myself to pass up on such a chance, I would regret that for the rest of my life.

Jacobs: But this is the first ever night of this promotion, Jimmy, surely chances like this will come again? Would it not be wiser to get some rest and live to fight another day?

Phillips: Maybe, but that isn’t my motto and it never will be. I go hard every time I get out there in the ring and I am determined to see my name up in the brightest lights, dreams of success consume me. So yeah, I could withdraw but I don’t want to, that isn’t my style. I have an injury, it puts me at a disadvantage, but it’s now down to me make sure I use the skills that I possess in order to gain a safe passage through to tomorrow’s semifinals.

Jacobs: Do you know anything about Mike Conrad?

Phillips: No, nothing. I think Mr Magnusson is on his way to see him now but I’m not sure. I hope Mike is ok, because I would rather be facing him when he is ready for the challenge.

Jacobs:Both of you have been victims of the “Fear” campaign it would seem…

Phillips: Yeah I heard that and maybe it’s true, but I don’t like the term “victim” because it would suggest that I have been left scarred by what has happened to me, and that really is not the case. I’ve seen guys like Machiavelli many times….he runs a little terror scheme for a while, but in the end it backfires on them….the next time he is unlucky enough to stumble upon the same path as me, I assure him he will not be so lucky….he will get his own first hand experience of what “fear” is all about….

Jacobs: And Bryan Wells?

Phillips: He’s just a parasite, feeding off the scraps provided by Machiavelli. He showed his true colours when he accepted $50,000 to throw a match….that isn’t what this industry is all about. But don’t worry about Wells, sooner or later he’ll get his….I promise you that.

Jacobs: Thanks for your time, Jimmy, and good luck out there!

*Phillips nods in thanks before heading out towards the entranceway as the scene changes once more.

*We are in the trainer’s room and Mike Conrad is sat on the medical bench, having his head examined again. There is a heap of bloodied bandages by his side and a knock comes at the door, Daniel Magnusson entering the room.

Magnusson: How you doing, Mike?

Conrad: I’m ok…

*Magnusson looks a little disbelieving.

Magnusson: And you have no idea who did this?

Conrad: None at all….I was looking for Machiavelli, when I just felt something hit me over the back of the head and I blacked out.

Magnusson: I am doing everything I can to locate the culprit….Machiavelli is not claiming responsibility…

Conrad: Sounds crazy, because obviously me and him don’t like each other but I have to admit I believe him….just before I got attacked I remember hearing the sound of heels….

Magnusson: Heels?

Conrad: Yeah, you know like how they click on the floor….

*Magnusson looks at Conrad for a moment, seemingly thinking his brain has been messed up from the attack.He turns to the doctor.

Magnusson: What is the diagnosis, doc?

*The doctor beckons Magnusson towards him and they both stare at the deep laceration in the back of Conrad’s head. Magnusson looks very concerned.

Doctor: It needs stitches, possibly even pinning with the size of the cut. And we know for definite that he is suffering from concussion.

Magnusson: Looks nasty…

Conrad: Honestly, Mr Magnusson, I feel ok…

*The doctor shakes his head to Magnusson

Magnusson: This is a mess, Mike…..you need to get this checked out at the hospital…

Conrad: And I will, just as soon as I finish my match with Phillips…

Magnusson: I’m not sure that is a good idea…

*Conrad whirls around and stares at his boss with a hint of pleading in his eyes

Conrad: Mr Magnusson, I understand this is a gamble…but I am ok, my head hurts a little but I can go….I’m good to wrestle….please, one shot….

*Magnusson seems to be weighing up the pros and cons of the situation. He looks back to the doctor.

Magnusson: What do you think?

Doctor: Honestly? We shouldn’t even be having this conversation. The man has a serious cut on the back of his head, a cut that will definitely grow if he wrestles again. I can’t stress how much you would be increasing the risk of infection. Not to mention the concussion, there is the chance that you suffer long-lasting damage if he sustains any more blows to the skull.

*Magnusson looks from the doctor to Conrad and back again

Magnusson: I guess I’ve got a decision to make…

*We go back to ringside as Magnusson continues to discuss with the doctor and Mike Conrad

Match 3
Group B
Jimmy Phillips vs Mike Conrad

JK: Seems like this match is hanging in the balance….

DF: I think Daniel Magnusson has to take the advice of the doctor….Mike Conrad is risking permanent damage if he wrestles again tonight…..a concussion is a dangerous prospect, it can develop very quickly…

JK: I agree with you….Conrad needs to rest up, his tournament should be over here and now….

DF: I’m shocked that Jimmy Phillips has been green lighted for this match….his shoulder is in a bad way…

JK: Once again I agree with you, but it would seem the fact that Phillips has a shoulder injury is more acceptable than a head injury…

DF: And I accept that, Conrad would face more serious injury…but Phillips has a chip in the bone, it’s not as if he just has a little bruising…

JK: Well we know Jimmy Phillips is coming out here….but what we don’t know is if Mike Conrad will be joining him for this final Group B match…

“Cold Ash” echoes out and the crowd pop as Jimmy Phillips runs out onto the stage. He walks from one side of the stage to the other and points at the adoring fans before heading down to towards the ring. He removes his hoody and passes it to an admirer in the front row, revealing his heavily strapped arm underneath. He then makes his way into the ring as red pyros explode from the four turnbuckles.

DF: Jimmy Phillips currently leads Group B…..he knows a semifinal place is within touching distance for him…..but he still has an injury to contend with, I’m not sure how much pain he will be able to withstand….

Phillips holds his injured arm close to him, but uses his free arm to give the fans the thumbs up. He bobs from one foot to the other, mentally preparing himself for the upcoming match, and then all eyes turn back towards the stage.

JK: And now we will have our questions answered….is Mike Conrad cleared to compete? Or are Jimmy Phillips and Dario Machiavelli advancing to the next round of the tournament…

DF: Moment of truth…

The crowd wait in anticipation and there are chants of “Lets go Conrad” echoing from all around. Jimmy Phillips has his eyes firmly set on the stage and then the boos filter through as Daniel Magnusson appears in the entranceway.

Magnusson: Believe me guys, this isn’t a statement I want to be out here making either!

JK: I guess we are about to get the news we expected…

Magnusson: But the fact is, Mike Conrad’s injury is a serious one, and I would be taking a tremendous risk with his career if I allowed him to compete here tonight.

*Crowd boo

Magnusson: I am extremely disappointed to have made this call, but the medical advice left me with no choice. Mike is understandably gutted by this news, but he accepts that this is the right decision. He asked me to pass on his apologies to all of you and Jimmy for not being able to go through with this contest…

Crowd: We want Con-rad x5

DF: This is all down to Dario Machiavelli, he is responsible for this scenario…

Magnusson: In an ideal world we would be bringing you Jimmy Phillips versus Mike Conrad in the middle of that very ring, right now….but it is imperative that Mike gets his rest, it is extremely important that he heals as well as possible….and in some ways it is a blessing in disguise for Jimmy, because he barely functioning either….

*Phillips looks up from the ring and nods his head, slight disappointment on his face

Magnusson: It is touch and go but right the doctors are confident that with twenty four hours rest, Mike will be able to compete in the battle royal tomorrow for the EWF TV Championship….but wrestling here tonight could lead to him being injured indefinitely, and that is not something we want to happen….

*Phillips nods in agreement

Magnusson: It is regrettable, but with the Iron Man concept it was always likely that someone was going to fall afoul of the system, unfortunately that someone is Mike Conrad. Group B is now complete…..and Jimmy Phillips tops the group, taking his place in the semifinals….along with Group B runner up, Dario Machiavelli…

*Crowd ultra boos

Magnusson: I completely understand your reaction, and I assure you I will be keeping a very close eye on the “Fear” campaign that is currently being run by Mr Machiavelli. The Iron Man competition was designed to crown the most deserving first ever EWF World Heavyweight Champion….whoever walks away victorious tomorrow night will have well and truly earned it, of that you have my word!

*Crowd cheer

Magnusson: I suggest you get your rest Jimmy….you’re going to need all the energy you can get for tomorrow’s conclusion…

*Magnusson nods curtly at Phillips and the crowd before turning on his heel and heading into the backstage area. Jimmy Phillips looks a little embarrassed to have won in this fashion, but he climbs all four corners in turn to pose for the fans, motioning a belt around his waist.

JK: Well the decision is final and nothing can be done about it now….Mike Conrad’s world championship hopes are over thanks to Dario Machiavelli………………..and now Jimmy Phillips and Machiavelli have advanced to the semifinals of the Iron Man tournament tomorrow afternoon……..Phillips has almost twenty four hours to hope that arm heals enough for him to compete to the best of his ability…

DF: The bone is chipped in the shoulder, most Phillips can hope for is that he is around 70%, but that still could enough….he still has an opportunity to walk away from the Coliseum with the world championship in his possession….the same cannot be said for Mike Conrad, his tournament is over…

JK: Conrad now has twenty four hours to see if he can make it into the TV Championship battle royal, the early diagnosis does not look good…

DF: We are fast approaching the business end of the competition now….legacies can be cemented, career-defining moments can be written in the stars…it really is time to go hard or go home…

JK; Just one final group match remaining….time to find out who will be joining Jimmy Phillips and Dario Machiavelli in tomorrow’s semis……

DF: It really is getting interesting now…

*Jimmy Phillips climbs from the ring and tags hands with his adoring fans as he makes his exit up the rampway. The cameras watch him go through the curtain to the back before the scene switches.

Match time: 0 minutes
Official Result: Jimmy Phillips by forfeit

*The scene changes to backstage and Dario Machiavelli is standing with Hugh Cartwright. Machiavelli’s hooded assistant is standing with him.

Cartwright: Dario, first let me get your thoughts on qualifying to the semi-finals of the Iron Man tournament.

Dario: Naturally I feel very good about the situation, and I feel it is well deserved.

*Machiavelli smiles as the crowd boo him

Dario: I played the system and I won, I formulated a plan by which I knew I would reach this stage in close to peak condition. Whilst you vilify me and jeer me, you must begin to accept that my methods are borderline genius. I have negotiated my way through one of the most physically demanding concepts ever designed, and I have done it without wasting energy. I stand here before you, the freshest qualifier for the semi finals…..and therefore….the favourite!

Cartwright: But what do you feel inside, knowing that you are responsible for the withdrawal of Mike Conrad from this tournament?. And knowing that Jimmy Phillips’ participation is hanging by a thread because of you…

Dario: Because of fear, do not get mistaken. Phillips and Conrad are weak, just like Bryan Wells…they all succumbed to fear. That does not mean you can lay the blame at my door, because I refuse to be made responsible for their own inadequacies. I merely showed them the true face of fear, and they cowered like the meek, pathetic individuals that they are.

Cartwright:And what exactly does the “Fear” campaign entail?. Who is this man working with you (he points to the hooded giant).

Dario: This is a follower, a man that shares the same pearls of wisdom that I do and that is all there is to it. I have sought far and wide to find those who share in my nature, and this man right here answered my call. We are not savages, we do not fit your description of “evil” and we do not conform to societies’ expectations. We forge our own path, we intend to cleanse this earth of those who are not worthy…we will continue to use “fear” to eke out the cowards, and we will restore former glory back to this kingdom.

Cartwright: Well now you have the rest of the evening off, the semifinals begin tomorrow. How will you prepare for the next twenty four hours?

Dario: I have filming to do….that will relax my mind to a point of unconsciousness. I will re-charge and tomorrow I shall return, ready for the “final push”.

Cartwright: And what about him?

*Dario looks at the hooded figure and smiles

Dario: He will prepare. Daniel Magnusson has been kind enough to enter my charge into the TV Championship battle royal. I intend on showing the world what a lethal combination we can really be.

*Machiavelli grins sadistically before exiting the scene, the hooded ally close behind him.

*The scene changes and the crowd boo as Vincent Costello is shown wrapping his hands for the upcoming match. Carlton Jacobs can be seen peeking his head around the door, hoping to catch Costello’s attention.

Costello: Go now, or I swear you are going to regret hanging by my door.

Jacobs: Just five minutes…

*Costello picks up a steel pipe from underneath his bench and launches it at the wall, missing Jacob’s head by inches.

Costello: You might be wrapped up in this little fairytale, kid, about the wonderful promotion that just opened up with the ambitions of challenging the big time. But some of us have got our heads on straight, some of us actually know what a dark and dismal place this world really is.

*Costello stands and Jacobs backs right out of the room into the corridor, only for Vincent to follow

Costello: You have no idea what sort of desolation and sin breeds just outside your perfect suburb lifestyle. But I do, because I grew up in the gutter and I know just exactly how you survive in those kind of conditions. You bite before you get bitten…..you get them before you get got. So when I tell you to leave me the hell alone, I don’t just say it for effect, I do it because I mean exactly what I say. I don’t fear consequences , I revel in them because that is exactly the type of person I am.

So until further notice, unless I arrange it with you, don’t come round here anymore. Do we understand each other?

*Jacobs nods his head

Costello: Good, because I really didn’t want to mess up that suit.

*Costello grabs Jacobs suit jacket and pulls him forwards before pushing him backwards into the cameraman. They both stumble down the corridor and he watches them leave, and then heads in the opposite direction.

*We change once more and Jason Sparkz comes into view with Kelsey Hughes by his side. Jason looks pumped for action. He is bouncing from one foot to the other, beads of water running down his head.

Kelsey: Last match of the group stages, Jason…..and a victory would guarantee you top spot in Group A. After seeing the qualifiers from Group B, do you have any preference over who you would like to face in the next round?

Sparkz: To be honest, I’m not thinking that far ahead. With Viper beating Garcia earlier on, the pressure is well and truly reaching fever pitch. Because now I need to win in order to guarantee my passage to the next round, I can leave nothing to chance. Sure Machiavelli and Phillips are two quality competitors and it wouldn’t make a blind bit of difference who I faced in the semis…but I’m not there yet and I can’t afford to believe that I am.

Kelsey: Vincent Costello is your opponent, he has been very impressive thus far in the competition. How confident are you that you can overcome him?

Sparkz: I think if you lack confidence in this business, you need to consider a new career path because it just won’t work out. I know how tough the playing field is but if I didn’t think I could beat every man on this roster, I wouldn’t be here. Costello has been mightily impressive, but I believe I have what it takes to overcome him and I intend on showing that in just a few minutes.

This has been a long day, fatigue is now setting in for everybody….Costello is not immune to that. This could be my perfect chance to catch him cold, and if I do…if I have my hand raised in victory, I know I’m through…one step closer to my dream….winning the EWF World Heavyweight Championship…

*The crowd cheer

Kelsey: Well I can see you are ready Jason….and I wouldn’t want to keep you any longer from your match, because I know you and this crowd in the Coliseum are itching to get underway. Good luck out there.

*Sparkz nods in appreciation before giving the thumbs up to the camera and heading out towards the entranceway.

Match 4
Group A
Jason Sparxz vs Vincent Costello

JK: The final match of the evening is upon us, and what an opening day to EWF this has been…

DF: I doubt many promotions have kicked off with a bang like we have. Sensational day of action and it comes to a close with the final group stage match. Time to find out who will be joining Jimmy Phillips and Dario Machiavelli in tomorrow’s semifinal matches.

JK: Liam Wood is sat in the back with a very close eye on this….he could still make it through to the next round….but the favourites have to be the two men involved in our final contest….

DF: Without a doubt the money is riding on Costello and Sparkz, but you just never know…….this night has thrown up enough surprises already, anything is possible…

“Godfather” echoes out and the crowd begin to boo. Purple pyros explode along the front of the stage and then Vincent Costello walks out through the curtain. He stands with a mean expression on his face, glaring at the fans with dislike, and then swaggers down to the ring.

JK: Vincent Costello is 2-0 and arguably the most impressive competitor on day one…

DF: The results don’t lie and Costello has been a standout performer without a doubt. But there are weaknesses to be exposed, and Jason Sparkz is more than capable of doing just that.

JK: But who will be fresher?.....Sparkz has been involved in a few wars already today, you would have to favour Costello in that department.

DF: But Sparkz has the crowd on his side, and a ton of heart…..this is going to be a cracking bout…

Costello climbs up into the ring and he removes his t-shirt, tossing it to the arena floor. He then circles the ring, bouncing off each set of ropes and building his focus. He then stands in the centre of the ring and beckons for his opponent to come out and face him.

JK: Costello is ready….and this crowd are too…

“Lose yourself” blasts out and there is a thunderous ovation inside the Coliseum as Jason Sparkz makes his entrance. Blue thunderbolts erupt on the stage, followed by a procession of silver pyros, and then Sparkz bounces out with a jubilant look on his face. He slaps hands with the crowd as he makes his way down the rampway towards the ring.

DF: Sparkz has a victory and a time limit draw to his name so far in this tournament…

JK: He is on the cusp of qualification….but it could all disappear depending on what happens in this match…

DF: Should Sparkz lose by pinfall or submission then his dream is over and Viper replaces him in the next round….if Costello loses by pinfall, then both of these men will advance to the next round…but if Costello loses by submission, then he is eliminated and Sparkz and Viper advance…

JK: It really is all still to play for……exactly the sort of finale you want to see……two men, who have to put it all on the line…

DF: Fifteen minute time limit is set, this should be a corker…

Sparkz climbs up onto the apron and vaults over the top into the ring, where he joins Costello. There is a little trash talking from Vincent, but Sparkz ignores him as the referee checks them both over for concealed weapons.

JK: In his first match, Costello knocked Liam Wood unconscious with brass knucks from his tights….but since then, we haven’t seen those knucks come into play.

DF: I think Costello knows he needs to toe the line as much as possible…if the knucks become his signature, then the referees will suspect him…..

The official steps back, satisfied neither are hiding anything, and then the bell sounds to begin the contest. Both men circle each other for a moment or two and then they lockup in the centre of the ring…

JK: Costello is a ruthless brawler…..Sparkz a high-flying technician, the sort of blend of styles that can create magic…

Sparkz looks to adjust out of the lockup into a monkey flip but Costello catches his legs and drops him on the back of his head before slingshotting him to the corner. Sparkz shows great athleticism to land on the middle rope, springing to the top rope and flashing back with a flying kick to the jaw of Costello, as he stands back up….

DF: Jason Sparkz starting off with the pace…

Costello gets back up and runs straight into a spinning heel kick from Sparkz, who follows up with a standing moonsault……………………………1………………………….2………..shoulder up. Sparkz pulls Costello back up and tries to faceplant him into a suplex but Costello drags him down into an inside cradle……………………….1…………………..2…………….kickout!

JK; Both superstars getting close with a pair of nearfalls…

They get back up and Costello looks for a clothesline but Sparkz ducks underneath and wraps his legs around the arms of his foe, pulling him into a crucifix pinfall……………………..1………………………….2…………….shoulder up from Costello. Back to a standing position and Sparkz lands a crunching kick to the stomach before running off the ropes and lands with a diving dropkick to the side of Costello’s head, sending him scattering across and through the ropes to the outside.

DF: Talk about leaving your mark…

Sparkz gets back to his feet and he gives a signal to the fans, and they roar in approval, before he charges across and suicide dives through the middle rope, taking Costello down on the outside. Sparkz stands and tags hands with the crowd before grabbing Costello and dumping him back into the ring…

JK: This is a terrific start by Jason Sparkz…

Sparkz is back up on the apron, waiting for Costello to stand up, and then slingshots himself onto the top rope and dives through the air, connecting with a flying headscissors takedown. Costello gets back up in the corner and Sparkz charges in for a shining wizard and then drags Costello out into a faceplant suplex………………….1……………………..2………………shoulder up.

DF: This is the sort of performance you see from a champion….Jason Sparkz looks a million dollars right now…

Sparkz stands up and he breathes deeply before crashing stiff kicks to the legs of Costello as he tries to stand up. Sparkz drops Costello back to his knees and then runs off the ropes for more momentum, only to return into a bursting clothesline from Costello, that wipes him out.

JK; Costello needed that, something to slow down the pace…

Costello is back up and he hammers hard right hands into the head of Sparkz before grabbing his arm and whipping him towards the corner. He follows in but Sparkz spins around the ropes (ala Kofi Kingston) and lands a kick to the face of Costello over the top, sending the Hells Kitchen native staggering backwards. Sparkz then climbs to the top rope and soars into an amazing crossbody takedown..
..
..
….1
..
..
……………2
..
..
……………….powerout from Costello!

DF: Something just hasn’t clicked yet for Costello….

Sparkz pulls Costello back up, but is charged back into the corner and Vincent lands with crunching shoulder thrusts to the midsection. He then stands and connects with a flurry of punches before he grabs Sparkz arm and sends him flying across the opposite side. Sparkz reaches the corner and uses the top rope to propel himself up and over the head of the oncoming Costello, only to be caught across the shoulders of his opponent….

JK: Sparkz in trouble…

Costello spins around and looks for a running powerslam but Sparkz drops out back and counters with an edge’o’cution ………………………………1……………………………………..2……………………….kickout. They get back to a standing base and Sparkz connects with stiff forearms before whipping Costello off the ropes and floors him with a corkscrew back elbow on the comeback. Costello gets back to his feet again and Sparkz looks to plant him with a backdrop driver….

DF: Costello flipped out on his feet….nice neckbreaker!

Costello floors Sparkz with the neckbreaker…………………………..1…………………..2……………..shoulder up. Costello is back up and he kicks out at the face of his opponent before running off the ropes and returning with a splashing kneedrop to the face. Sparkz tries to stagger back up to his face but Costello charges across with a vicious knee to the temple………………………………1………………………..2……………kickout from Sparkz!

JK: That looked like it could have gone for three, close call….

Costello drags Sparkz back up and snapmares him onto the canvass before lashing a furious kick to the spine. The crowd boo as Costello gives them the finger and then backs into the corner, lifting himself onto the second rope. He looks down at Sparkz with a smile and then dives off, ploughing his fist right between the eyes….

DF: Sparkz starting to feel the heat now…

Sparkz stumbles up to his feet and is scooped onto the shoulders of Costello, then drilled by a rolling firemans carry (green bay plunge)……………………………..1…………………………………2……………………….kickout by Jason Sparkz. Costello is back to his feet and he pulls Sparkz into a piledriver position, but Sparkz swipes Costello’s legs and bridges over the top……………………1………………………….2………………….Costello bridges out. He swivels through and bridges Sparkz into a german suplex………………………………….1………………………2……………………shoulder up from Sparkz.

JK: These are two very fine individuals…..I think EWF has been very lucky to acquire such talent at the very early stage that we are in….

They get back up and Costello looks for a heavy kick to the gut, but Sparkz catches his foot and counters with a dragon screw and then keeps ahold of Costello’s foot…

DF: Anklelock!

Costello yells out in pain but quickly scrambles to the ropes and seizes ahold of them, forcing the break from the referee. They get back to their feet and Costello rests in the corner, waiting for Sparkz to come towards him and then kicks him in the gut. Costello switches positions and pushes Sparkz against the corner, landing with stiff uppercuts to the midsection before lifting Sparkz up onto the top rope…

JK; Risky business….

DF: These guys want to win the group….willing to do what it takes…

Sparkz grabs Costello by the hair as he stands onto the ropes, and lands with a hard right hand to the face, rocking Vincent back. Costello fires back with a blinding poke to the eye, drawing the ire of the crowd, and then stands up on the top rope with Sparkz…

JK: Costello making sure that he is in the ascendency…

DF: Whatever it takes….SUPERPLEX!

The whole ring shakes upon impact, Costello driving Sparkz heavily into the canvass. The crowd look concerned as Costello smiles and covers their idol…..1
..
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…..2
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………………just a shoulder up from Sparkz!

JK: The three count looked a certainty….

DF: Sparkz’ heart on show for everyone…

Costello makes his way back up to his feet and he waits for Sparkz to rise before scooping him into a big sideslam…………………………..1…………………………2…………………………..kickout. Costello kneels over his opponent and rallies with sickening punches to the face, only breaking when forced to upon the count of the referee.

JK: Costello’s violent side coming out…

Costello pulls Sparkz back up to his feet and lifts him into a vertical suplex position before dropping him into a sitdown powerbomb…………………………………..1…………………………..2…………………..kickout. Costello pushes himself back to a standing position and he looks up at the giant “Iron Man” sign in the rafters and then points to himself.

DF: Costello letting everyone know exactly what he thinks of himself…

JK: Doesn’t sound like many agree with him….

Sparkz stumbles back up and Costello underhooks his arms for a DDT but Sparkz counters into a backdrop. Costello gets back up and charges at Sparkz, only to be drop toe-holded across the middle rope…

DF: Sparkz lining it up….619!

The crowd cheer as Sparkz runs the ropes and returns with tiger feint kick, sending Costello sprawling across the canvass. Sparkz then springboards onto the top rope and floats through the air…

JK: Clothesline connects….Sparkz building his head of steam.

Sparkz knocks Costello down with the flying clothesline and then welcomes him back into a corkscrew roundhouse kick that sends Costello staggering back into the corner. Sparkz follows in and connects with a monkey flip that sends Costello crashing into the centre of the ring before he runs off the ropes…

DF: ROLLING THUNDER!

Sparkz returns with the rolling senton splash…………………………1………………………………………..2……………………..thr-shoulder up from Costello!

JK: That was so very nearly game over for Vincent Costello….

Sparkz is back up on his feet, feeding off the energy of the crowd, and he lets Costello back up before nailing him with a Ranhei (Kofi’s SOS)…………………………………….1…………………………….2…………………..Costello just kicks out.

DF: Jason Sparkz seems to be getting better as this tournament goes on…..

JK: This is the best performance of the tournament so far for me…

Costello staggers back up and he looks for a swinging haymaker but Sparkz ducks it and lands with a sickening backdrop driver, folding Costello up like an accordion. The cheers ring around the Coliseum as Sparkz gives the thumbs up and heads for the corner…

DF: Sparkz feeling it now….he knows the semifinals are in sight….

JK: Liam Wood still in with a chance of qualification….

DF: I think the end is nigh….

Sparkz leaps up onto the top rope and he stares around the arena, sucking up the immense atmosphere from the cheering masses. He stands tall on the top and then glides….

JK:LIGHTNING STRIKE!

The flashbulbs go off all around as Sparkz floats into the picture perfect frogsplash, only to land right ontop of the knees of Vincent Costello. There are groans and grimaces on sight as Sparkz rolls away in agony and Costello begins to get back to his feet.

DF: Has the tide turned?

JK: Costello still needs to recover from the early onslaught…

Costello is able to get up to his feet and he underhooks the arms of Sparkz, drilling him with a stiff implant DDT……………………………….1…………………………………..2……………………shoulder up.

DF: This contest very much back in the balance…

Costello claps his hands three times at the referee, but the official shakes his head and indicates it was a definite two count. Costello gets back up to his feet and he pushes the official out of his way before standing in the corner. He beckons for Sparkz to stand up…

JK: Sparkz hurting bad right now….he’s in some pain…

DF: Could be about to get worse…….RUNNING PUNT!

Sparkz forward rolls out of the way of the punt and springs onto the ropes, flying back into a moonsault takedown……………………………1……………………….2………………….shoulder up!

JK; That is the epitome of improvisation….

They both get back to their feet and Sparkz lands a backheel kick to the stomach of Costello, doubling him over, before springboarding onto the ropes and back into a sunset flip………………….1…………………..2………..Costello kicks out again. They both scramble and Costello lifts Sparkz up onto his shoulders for a death valley driver but Sparkz elbows his way free and runs off the ropes….

DF: OMERTA!

Costello looks for the black hole slam on the comeback but Sparkz counters by performing three revolutions around Costello’s midriff and out into a russian legsweep……………………….1……………………….2……………….shoulder up!

JK: Just not quite enough to get the job done…

Sparkz pulls Costello up into a gutwrench and attempts a suplex, but Costello keeps his feet and spins out, taking Sparkz down into a fujiwara armbar…

DF: Submission could end it…

JK: Submission puts Liam Wood through….

Sparks rolls out of the armbar attempt quickly and back to his feet. He waits for Costello to get up and aims a buzzsaw kick at his head but Costello ducks it and counters with a half nelson german suplex….

DF: Snapped right on the back of his neck…

JK: Sparkz feeling all of that whiplash….

Costello stands up and he mockingly draws his finger across his throat before he pulls Sparkz up and plants him with a piledriver…

DF: Right back to the neck..

1.
..
..
….2
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……………….kickout!

JK: That was a millimetre away…

DF: The crowd don’t like to admit it but this is Costello’s to lose now…

Costello is back up on his feet and he adjusts his tights before heading towards the corner and begins to climb the ropes towards the top.

JK: Very unorthodox for Costello to climb so high…

DF: You should always stick to what you know…..see!

Costello reaches the top, but looks a little unsteady, and Sparkz is able to get back to his feet, run into the corner and counter with a leaping enziguri to the side of the head, dropping Costello into a seated position on the top of the turnbuckle. The crowd cheer Sparkz on as he hauls himself up onto the ropes and then takes Costello out with an amazing frankensteiner…

JK: Get that on the highlight reel….sensational stuff!

The ring shakes as Sparkz nails the impressive top-rope hurricanrana. He looks around to make the cover but Costello has rolled out under the bottom rope to regain his senses. The referee tries to keep Sparkz in the ring, but he isn’t interested and climbs out onto the apron.

DF: Sparkz wants to keep fighting whilst he has the momentum….watch out…..INCOMING!

Crowd: Holy (beep) x5

JK: That is the stuff dreams are made of…

The crowd are on their feet as Sparkz runs across the apron and senton splashes off into a cannonball that collides with Costello, knocking them both back into the ringside barrier. The noise grows louder and louder from the fans as the referee begins to count…

DF: Brilliant stuff from Jason Sparkz…but now both men face a test to get back to the ring…

JK: A race against time if you will…

1………………………..2……………………………….3…………………Sparkz begins to stagger back towards the ring, slumping against the right hand side apron. ………………………4…………………………..5……..Costello is holding his head as he crawls towards the front of the ring………………….6…………………..7………………Costello rolls back under the bottom rope as Sparkz climbs up on the adjacent apron……………

DF: They both made it…

JK: Could be only a matter of time for Costello though…

Sparkz springboards over the top rope and lands a legdrop on Costello……………………..1…………………………2……………..kickout.

DF: Sparkz needs to capitalize on all of the success he is having…otherwise Costello is likely to make him regret it….

Sparkz gets back up to his feet and he pulls Costello to his feet and looks for a swinging neckbreaker but Costello counters into a backslide…………………………1…………………………………2………………….shoulder up. Back to their feet and Sparkz looks for a kick but Costello catches his foot and spins him around…

JK:DRAGON WHIP!

Sparkz spins back around with his trailing foot and detonates the kick on the jaw of Costello. He then gets back to his feet and staggers over to the corner, leaping on high.

DF: Didn’t work first time around……but this is Sparkz’ chance…..LIGHTING STRIKE!

The frogsplash attempt is once again unsuccessful as Vincent Costello, this time, rolls out of the way and causes Sparkz to land badly on his chest.Costello spits in anguish and makes his way back to his feet, gutwrenching Sparkz up and slamming him into a brutal powerbomb……………………1………………………….2…………..foot on the ropes from Jason Sparkz.

JK: Looked like we were heading for the end right there…

DF: I think Sparkz is there for the taking, if Costello can land the correct offense…

Costello kneels down next to Sparkz and mockingly slaps him around the back of the head, willing him to stand up. Sparkz is dazed and confused as he stumbles to his feet and is lifted straight onto the shoulders of his opponent….

JK: DEATH VALLEY….

Sparkz counters the death valley driver into a falling headscissors that sends Costello flying across the middle rope. Sparkz then runs off the opposite ropes and comes charging back…

DF: 619!

Sparkz spins around the ropes for the tiger feint kick but Costello catches his legs this time and drops to his back, guillotining Sparkz against the top rope.

JK: That is horrible…

DF: And it changes everything…..DEATH VALLEY DRIVER!

Sparkz is coughing and spluttering, clutching at his throat, as he stumbles straight up into the death valley driver from Vincent Costello…
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….1
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……………2
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…………………….kickout!

JK: NO!.....still not enough….

DF: What is enough?.....I just do not know…

Costello looks furious as he gets back up to his feet and kicks the ropes in frustration. He watches as Sparkz struggles to get back up to his feet and then pulls him up into position for a side-effect neckbreaker…

JK: Sparkz gonna get planted….

Sparkz elbows his way free and spins out, keeping ahold of Costello’s arm and dragging him forwards into a belly to belly suplex. Costello gets back up onto his feet and Sparkz levels him with a brutal buzzsaw kick to the temple….

DF: That’ll do it…

Sparkz looks down at Costello, motionless on the mat, and then back to the top rope again. The crowd are going wild, willing him on, and he slowly begins to make his way back to the turnbuckle…

JK: Sparkz already failed twice from the top rope……surely he isn’t considering a third stint?

DF: That is exactly what he is doing…..

Sparkz looks down at Costello and then he begins to climb the ropes, his back facing the ring and looking out towards the crowd. The flashbulbs begin to go off as he reaches the top…

JK: A little variation on the arsenal…..MOONSAULT!

Sparkz reaches the top rope and flips backwards into the moonsault, only for Costello to roll aside once again. This time, Sparkz amazingly lands out on his feet and as Costello gets up, he jumps forwards with a superkick attempt….

DF: Dodged it…

JK:OMERTA!

DF: Got him…

1..
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…….2
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………………3!

Ding ding ding

JK: Six seconds away from the time limit and we have a winner….

DF: My god what a great match that was…..and what an end…

The crowd are going absolutely wild as “Lose yourself” blares out of the speaker system and Jason Sparkz has his arm raised in victory. He looks ecstatic with the decision and fist pumps the air before running to the corner and jumping onto the ropes, reveling in the celebration.

JK: Costello thought he had it wrapped up….Jason Sparkz felt differently….

DF: Sparkz used that speed…it has benefitted him so well tonight……

The instant replays show Sparkz missing with the superkick and Costello attempting the black hole slam, only for Sparkz to swing out into a rolling schoolboy for the three count. Back live and Costello is on the outside of the ring, shaking his head in disappointment, as Sparkz continues to celebrate the victory.

JK: Sparkz was spectacular from start to finish in this bout….but Costello matched him all the way, until that one slip….one small lack of concentration and the victory belongs to Jason Sparkz…

DF: And with a pinfall victory, that means that both Costello and Sparkz will advance to the semifinals. Commiserations to Liam Wood, but he narrowly misses out on qualification.

JK: It was in the balance, Wood was very close…but Sparkz wins Group A….Costello a close runner up….our lineup for tomorrow is complete….

There are strong chants of “E---dub-----f” from the crowd as Sparkz points up to the Iron Man sign and nods his head. Costello ignores the jibes of the crowd as he stands on the stage and points back at Sparkz, motioning a belt around his waist before disappearing.

Match time: 14 minutes 54 seconds
Official Result: Jason Sparxz by pinfall

DF: Costello will have his chance to come again….he is a part of the final four…..as is Jason Sparkz….it promises to be an amazing night tomorrow in the Coliseum…

JK: And as far as we know this is the lineup….

*Semi Final Draw

Jason Sparkz vs Dario Machiavelli
Vincent Costello vs Jimmy Phillips

JK: You pick a winner out of those four, Donovan?

DF: Are you kidding? It is a lottery, honestly any of those four are more than capable…..tomorrow promises to be a fascinating day…..

JK: It really is going to be historic….as well as those semi finals, we will also have the final and the battle royal for the TV Championship. It is going to be yet another rollercoaster of an occasion and you are not going to want to miss it. Allow me to thank each and every one of you, on behalf of all us here at EWF, for tuning in because your support has allowed this to happen….

DF: It really is great that we have amassed such a fanbase already…and we are only just getting started. Tomorrow is going to be even better….and the weeks that follow will establish us as a main player, I guarantee it…..EWF is alive and we are rocking…..

JK: Be sure to join is tomorrow afternoon….we go live here on the V2forum at around 2:45pm with the semifinals…..you are not going to want to miss it. But for tonight folks we are done, thankyou for watching….goodnight!

DF: Night guys!

*The show goes off air with an image of the semifinal draw. It then splits into a four-way screen and depicts Sparkz celebrating in the ring, Costello entering the backstage area in a bad mood, Jimmy Phillips being looked at by medics and finally Dario Machiavelli, sat in a dimly lit room, watching Sparkz on a television set with a dark grimace on his face.