Monday Night Warfare 3rd April 2006

[Alicia "Atomic" Kitsune]

Philip: Sylvan Mint has been defeated! Which means that RDK’s next opponent, or should I say opponents… from the Office of the Chairman, Ginger’s personal security team, Bruce and Tyrone!

Ah… so THAT explains where they were during their employer’s time of need; preparing for this match. Evidently oblivious to what’s recently occurred backstage, Bruce and Tyrone come out dressed in simple black pants, and get something of an affectionate pop from the crowd. They walk down to the ring, step through the ropes, and face RDK, who just smiles and cricks his neck muscles, not at all fazed by having two men to face in this round.

The referee calls for the bell, and the match re-starts.

Bell Rings.

Tyrone leads off for the bodyguards, approaching RDK and throwing a strong looking punch in his direction. RDK sidesteps it and kicks Tyrone in the ribs, leading in to a string of underhook punches; as he does this, however, Bruce makes a move around behind the Macho Man, and clubs him with a fist to the back. Tyrone quickly hooks RDK’s arms and restrains him as Bruce continues to work over RDK; this only lasts for a few seconds, however, as RDK manages to headbutt Tyrone and loosen his grip, slipping free and whirling around to strike an unprepared Bruce in the side of the head. As both men stagger, RDK grasps Bruce and lifts him into a stalling vertical suplex; the crowd is impressed, as Bruce is a large man, and then winces as RDK completes the move and makes a cover. The referee counts, 1….2- Tyrone comes to his partner’s rescue, breaking the pin, and the more savvy fans pick up that RDK needs only to pin one of his opponents to defeat them both.

Using his crowd control skills, Tyrone applies a kind of bearhug to RDK; instead of trying to crush him, he locks his arms solidly so that RDK is once again restrained. Bruce, annoyed after the suplex, gets up and goes to work on RDK’s chest and abdomen, making the crowd boo at the double teaming. RDK struggles, and when Tyrone suddenly lets him go, RDK thinks he has been successful; but this time, the bodyguards have a plan, and as RDK aims a kick at Bruce, Bruce sidesteps and he and Tyrone deliver a perfect double powerbomb to their foe. The fans are quietly impressed, and both men make the cover, using their combined weight to hold RDK down, 1….2….- RDK does well to get his shoulder up, and now the fans are yelling and cheering their hero once again. RDK rolls himself forward to get clear of his foes; Bruce and Tyrone come after him, and RDK finds himself sandwiched between the two as they batter him with punches. This, however, is a mistake; RDK retreats to the ropes, and then as Tyrone swings, RDK ducks, causing Tyrone to hit Bruce in error. As Tyrone realizes his mistake, RDK uses a backward kick to send Bruce over the top rope, and then before Tyrone can defend himself, RDK signals for and produces the RockBottom. He pins without delay, and the referee counts the 1….2….3 before Bruce can get back in the ring to assist his partner.


Philip: Bruce and Tyrone are eliminated!

Tyrone still looks slightly groggy as Bruce helps roll him out of the ring; the two guards can be heard arguing as they walk to the back, but the fans just laugh and give them a cheer anyway. Meanwhile, Philip refers to his instructions for the match…

[Alicia "Atomic" Kitsune]

Philip: Hang on, this can’t be right…

The timekeeper assures him that it is. Philip shrugs.

Philip: All right, if you say so… the third gauntlet opponent… from Yellowknife, Canada, the Macho Man RDK!

There is a great deal of confusion in the crowd as “Macho Man” hits, and RDK comes to the ropes, wondering what this can mean. Then, someone appears on the stage… and there is a gasp of surprise from the fans.

For at a medium distance, it truly does look like the Macho Man himself; his build and movement is spot-on, and only when the camera gets in close can the difference in facial features be seen (though even these are a surprisingly good match). RDK is intrigued, and watches his “double” as he comes to the ring, slapping hands with the audience members. When he gets to ringside he gestures for a mic, and RDK himself does the same so that in a matter of moments, the pair are facing one another in the ring. RDK looks around, and then back at his doppelganger.

RDK:…..All right, who are you Brudah?

The double looks at the camera, and does a perfect eyebrow raise before looking back at RDK.

Double: I’m…. the Macho Man, Brudah! Ooooooh Yeah!

It is, it has to be said, a pretty good rendition, and the crowd pops for it. Even RDK smiles.

RDK: Heh… that’s not bad. But…

RDK gets in really close….

RDK:…There’s only one TRUE Randy Dallas Kanyon, and I’m gonna prove it to you, brudah! OOOOOOOOOOH-

Crowd: YEAH!

RDK grins, and tosses his mic to the outside. His double smiles back, and does the same, taking up a fighting stance as the referee signals for the bell once more.

Bell Rings.

RDK goes into action straight off the bell; he uses overhand punches to test the water with his foe, and to his surprise his double responds with almost identical punches. RDK then grabs one of his opponent’s proffered arms and tries a whip, only to have this promptly reversed. As he ricochets off the ropes, RDK runs straight into a powerful spinebuster; the double makes a pin right away, and RDK kicks out just short of the 2 count. Not only has the double got his look and mannerisms captured, he also seems to have an impressive knowledge of RDK’s wrestling style, and as soon as RDK kicks he gets back on his feet and applies a Texas Cloverleaf. RDK grits his teeth as the pain begins to mount up, but his double, while skilled, is clearly not a true expert, and with a concerted effort RDK is able to break free of the hold after 30 seconds or so. The crowd gets excited and cheers as RDK lays down a few more Canadian chops to his foe and then delivers a Belly to Belly suplex; he gauges the distance as his opponent gets up, and then knocks him right back down again with a running shoulder block. The crowd continues to shout and yell as RDK drops and makes a pin, hooking his opponent’s leg; the referee counts, 1…2…- and the doppelganger kicks out, making RDK raise an eyebrow once again. The crowd even pops a little, impressed by the mystery man’s spirit.

The two men get back on their feet, and tie up; as might be expected, they are closely matched, but RDK’s better technique allows him to get traction on the mat, and he pushes his opponent back toward the corner. As his back touches the ropes, the double tries to climb up and get an advantage from the height; RDK, however, knows how to deal with this and climbs up with him, before pulling off a superplex from the second rope. The crowd cheers again, and RDK makes another cover, 1…2….- the double kicks out in the nick of time, and somehow manages to get back on his feet before RDK does, kicking him back to gain a little extra time. The double starts to pound his chest, and to everyone’s surprise does a rather good impression of RDK “Machoing Up”; RDK is back on his feet by now, and as the double comes at him he swings a punch and connects, making RDK stagger back. The double punches again, with the same result, and as RDK teeters, he gestures before swinging a third and final time-

-but RDK catches his hand, and shakes his head… some things can’t be copied. The fans go mental as RDK punches his foe back, and shows him how it should be done; the punches come faster and faster until the double’s defenses crumble, and he can make no attempt to protect himself as RDK lifts him and delivers the Macho Slam to a thunderous pop. The result is now elementary, and RDK makes the simplest of covers, picking up his third three count of the evening to the delight of the fans.

Philip: Our mystery double has been defeated! Ladies and Gentlemen, please show your appreciation for ACW’s special guest this evening, Mr. Tanoai Reed!

The fans’ applause and cheering is generous; a few of them had already recognized Dwayne Johnson’s stunt double and cousin, and they give him a warm send-off as he shakes hands with RDK and waves before making his way to the back.

Philip: And that means that the winner of this gauntlet is none other than-

Philip is cut off as a very familiar theme is heard; “Click, click, boom” launches the fans into a massive burst of boos, and RDK doesn’t see Santiago coming from out of the crowd before it’s too late. Santiago delivers his ICU at full power, and rolls up RDK, yelling at the referee to count; highly confused, the referee does so, 1….2….3.

Somehow the booing gets even louder, and Philip finishes his sentence in incredulous tone.

Philip:…………Santiago Rivera!?

Santiago doesn’t hang around; he smirks as he rolls out of the ring, and RDK stands back up with a look of pure anger on his face. He keeps eye contact as Santiago backs away, laughing and claiming victory… and tonight, it seems that Santiago truly has had the upper hand on both friends and foes alike.

But one reaps what one sows… and the fans suspect that the upcoming tour will be no pleasure cruise for Santiago, as the show cuts to its final break.

[Alicia "Atomic" Kitsune]

The Epiphany (Credit: Torak)

”Expectation is the root of all heartache” – William Shakespeare

Expectation is the prelude to disappointment. – Me

We all garner expectation throughout life. From personal experience or just logical assumption we come to know what to expect. Expectations can also craft ambitions, shaping them based on realism and likelihood.

High expectations can be attributed to false hopes, lies and delusions of something greater than we know, leading us to believe we can achieve beyond our potential. Our dreams are cruelly waved in our faces, tempting and teasing us, but they are almost always out of reach.

Those of us with low expectations may not be happy in the early stages of life, a person commonly referred to as an emo, or Jake, but they grow and mature into a happier person knowing that they achieved all they can.

Expectation can also be a momentary thing. For example; the moment we catch a glimpse of a certain person, we instantly know what to expect when we encounter them.

However, Expectation has a rival. That rival is unpredictability. It’s through this unpredictability that we do not know what to expect, hurling us into a state of surprise or fear for the unknown, keeping us on our toes.

The constantly glaring eyes of Torak usually dictate your expectations. Mostly ones of malice and torment. You expect pain. You expect anger. You expect the suffering of a poor soul and, due to the events on Thursday, would not rule out that soul being of Torak, if he has one that is.
Unpredictability strikes again.

Torak sits, ever silently, but unusually calm and solemn. His hands clinch each other tightly, hiding the self-infliction of Thursday, almost protecting themselves from the usually malevolent mind of Torak.
At this moment though, they appear quite safe. Although, you half expect unpredictability to show it’s dastardly face once more.

Torak continues to stare dazedly, his eyes laden with disappointment. His thoughts weigh a tonne yet race through his mind rapidly, twisting and meshing together, obscuring solution or explanation. It all builds up, Torak swells up from his cerebration and he tries to block it out the only way he knows.

His eyes clamp shut.


The old man reads every line carefully, a similar disappontment etched on his face. His eyes view each letter from behind a pair of old fashioned, thick lens spectacles. His dark, bushy eyebrows rest in a frown on the bridge of the glasses. He intakes some air through his elderly nose then follows it up with a sigh. He lowers the paper and looks up.

”Well son, I must say I’m disappointed.All that time in school studying has gone to waste. These exam grades are quite frankly, appalling.”

His voice, carrying a slight English accent, pauses as he awaits a response. Young Jack seems unfazed though as he continues glaring hypnotically at the television. After a few seconds of silence he offers no response and the old man picks up the baton of conversation again.

”Come on now Jack, don’t you want to go to college? University? Do something with your life other than sit around all day watching that stupid wrestling show you watch”

Again he opens the door for Jack to reply but Jack, as always, does not issue a verbal response. He merely shrugs, universal sign-language of the indifferent.
The thing is, Jack didn’t want to go to College. Jack didn’t want to go to University. He didn’t want a career, sitting behind a desk performing menial tasks day-in, day-out for the rest of his short and inevitably pointless life.

Pointless. Not so. Torak inhales deeply and drops his head into his hands. They glide through his hair slowly, straightening it back behind his ears. The sensation of the thick matted hair rubbing along his left hand causes him to pull away, a rare moment of pain for Torak. He examines his scarred hand, a reminder of his fury that become his biggest detriment last week.
One memory always leads to another and as Torak travels down the road of recollection, passing through the junction of self-inflicted wounds he heads inexorably to the cul-de-sac of defeat. There is nothing beyond the defeat to Hunter last week, nothing else has mattered since then.
The failing of his exams was an early metaphor of how his stint in ACW had progressed. He studied through the subjects of ACW, defeating them one-by-one, but when faced with the final test, the former champion, Torak’s opportunity to display just how unstoppable he is was scuppered by Torak’s own doing. He has no-one to blame but himself.

This recall has done little, if anything to pull him out of the pit of depression, only sinking him deeper in his sense of failure.

He Expected to beat Hunter.

That thought strikes Torak hard and he attempts to clear his thoughts again. His eyes shut out the images.


Cordelia is brimming with emotion. Her eyes welled up with tears and a tone of sadness clings unshakably to her every word.

So what’s it to be Jack? Do we give up everything we’ve worked at, everything we shared together to form our love…because you can’t grasp the fact that you couldn’t defeat Latino! Or is it more than that?”

Torak seethes, he knows it is more, but not much more than that. Not only has he been left humiliated by his loss, he now has to answer to the woman he calls his fiancé, his lover…the only person who has ever loved him.

It’s bad enough that you just flat out walked out on ACW…but now you’re walking away from me too? You have to snap out of this! You have to see sense!

He sees no sense. All he sees is the red mist descend upon him and prompts him to act without much though. He arm raises so quickly that Cordelia has no chance to react before it strikes her hard and cleanly across her face, knocking her flat on the floor. She clutches her face and tears stream from her face. She sobs as she looks down at the floors, almost ashamed of herself.

I…I thought that one day you and I could have children. I thought that was what you wanted. I know that’s what I wanted.

She must be joking. Offspring was the last thing on the list of his desires. There is no way Jack could handle the responsibility of a child. Nor could he feel right about setting a child into the world that was so unjustifiably cruel to him. Besides, children require selflessness in their parents but Jack hadn’t done what he wanted yet. He hadn’t fulfilled all of his own ambitions yet. He had other priorities.

His main priority? Defeat Latino!


He did defeat Latino. However, he did not have the desired effect. Latino’s victory kept Torak out of action for a year. Torak’s victory only kept Latino out for a month.
It goes to show that mental anguish is harder to take than physical anguish.

He expected to keep Latino out longer.


Back to the matter at hand, Torak is not doing himself any favours by conjuring up memories of the past creating a Snowball effect of emotion.

Unpredictability rears it’s head once more and the unthinkable occurs. A tear, tiny in size but huge in terms of relevance, forms in the corner of Torak’s eye and slowly rolls down his cheek. A tear representing the last drop of pure emotion escaping and trying to put as much distance between itself and it’s source as possible. It eventually seeks cover underneath the mask and is never seen again.


A dawn of realization sweeps by him and urges him to his feet. Expectation WAS the root of his heartache! Expectation WAS the prelude to disappointment.
Expectation is a bitch. But now he’s faced with two choices. Does he continue to expect, aim high and risk further disappointment, spurred on by his past failures., altering his goals such as his pursuit for Championship gold.

Or does he give up. Walk away like last time, foiled by disappointment and sit at home and decay, both physically and mentally. Surrender his expectations and accept life and the failure that he is.

Fallen Heroes approaches every second with all eyes and dreams focused on becoming the last-man standing, rightfully gaining the opportunity to contend for the coveted ACW Championship. Usually Torak would not care for such a reward, he would just be content with participating in a free-for-all Battle Royal. He would see it as a “Torak and 29 casualties match”. He would expect to win the match.

Torak DOES expect to win that match

He nods his self approval, reassured that he is indeed capable, despite the self-doubting of the last few minutes.
He holds his scarred hand up again and glares at it calmly. After a few seconds he slowly closes his hand, balling it up into a fist. Not a fist of anger…but a fist of concealment. A fist of progress. A fist that urges him to put everything in his past behind him and look into his future.

Expectation is with him now

Fade out.

[Alicia "Atomic" Kitsune]

Segment: And Oh, What Happened Then Was Rich (Credit: Yoko)

As the scene opens, we see Yoko Satoshi zooming through the ACW corridors, still apparently trying to find her destination. She is very noticeably frustrated at the moment.

Yoko: No wonder guys stink, they probably can’t find their locker room either! I hope Scarlet won’t be mad at me…

As she rounds the corner, she bumps into someone very tall. Leo “Crocjaw” Garrett.

Yoko: Sorry, I didn’t mean to run into you. I was in a hurry. Do you know where the boys’ locker rooms are?

Crocjaw: Hey, you’re that Satoshi chick. Listen, you don’t want to go there.

Yoko: Oh, you’re the crocodile man! I saw how you helped ACW, I liked that. Why shouldn’t I go there?

Crocjaw: It’s a trap.

Yoko: What?

Crocjaw: The note you got. It’s a fake. Fancy Dan wrote it. He wrote the others, too.

Yoko: The others? Explain.

Crocjaw: He wrote notes to the champ, you, and your girlfriend. He knocked those two out when they showed up, then we went to get Ginger, and then we took them all downstairs. You never showed up, but they’re still looking for you.

Yoko: What?! Where?! Why would you…

Crocjaw: I was following orders…I needed a last paycheck. Just so I could make ends meet until I get real work.

Yoko: Then why would you tell me?

Crocjaw: I hate this line of work. I got out of it a long time ago. I’m not being dragged back into it. He paid me my last check when we got them down there. That Stanton guy. He offered me a job, but I turned it down. I’m telling you because I quit right after that. I’m not doing this anymore.

Yoko: Croccy…Where are they? I have to save them!

Crocjaw: Downstairs. The first major room on the right.

Yoko: How do I GET downstairs? I didn’t know we had a basement!

Crocjaw: There’s a hallway where one of the lights is broken. There’s a door there that says “storage” on it.

Yoko: I know exactly the place, I didn’t know it went to a basement! I have to go!

She runs off toward her new destination. Crocjaw pulls out a pack of cigarettes, pulls one out, puts it into his mouth, and lights it.

Crocjaw: Stick THAT in your tailpipe, Stanton. That’s for trying to use Leo Garrett.

He chuckles to himself and walks away.

End Segment.

[Alicia "Atomic" Kitsune]

Segment: Blind Faith (Credit: Hunter)

The scene fades in following the latest commercial break into a dark room with barely a lit object safe in its sanctuary. A few moments later, the door cracks open and a speck of light enters the room, but still not enough for one to make out where this mysterious location is. The door closes soon thereafter and the light disappears once more. There are muffled footsteps going to and fro, and then suddenly the door opens once again. The lights flash on in a moment as Hunter and the Senator enter the room together, and there are no signs of any unwanted intruders in the light. The Senator approaches his desk and sits down, leaning back and relaxing as Hunter enters his part of the Senatorial Locker Room.

Senator: So it would appear you have many fans, no?

Hunter: It would appear so indeed. Still, that guy kind of freaked me out.

Senator: How so?

Hunter: It's weird, because he was just too damn normal.

Senator: Normal?

Hunter: Most people see me and freak out and stuff. This guy didn't even ask for an autograph.

Senator: Well maybe he is not that big of a fan. Are you sure he even is a fan in general? Perhaps he simply watches this show on a weekly basis and sees everyone.

Hunter: It's a possibility. But still...

Senator: Oh, forget it. It is not a situation worth remembering.

Hunter nods and finally exits his locker room, wearing his wrestling gear and having his infamous trench-coat wrapped over his shoulder. He continues wrapping his wrist tape as the Senator looks down at his desk, hopeful that he does not have any paperwork. And lucky for him, there is none. But then then his eye catches something, and he leans in for a closer inspection.

Senator: ...is that yours?

Hunter: What?

Hunter follows the Senator's glance and sees that he is looking at a small white card that is lying casually on the edge of the desk.

Hunter: Oh come on, it's probably your business card.

Senator: It is too large to be such. And I know for a fact that I did not leave that there.

Hunter scoffs and approaches the card, picking it up and flipping it over.

Hunter: It's not like it's got anthrax---

He stops suddenly as he reads the card, completely in shock, whether it be for the irony or for the comfort.

Senator: What is it?

Hunter: "Revelations Private Detectives: We find that which you have lost and that which needs to be found. Need proof of spousal infidelity? Need some incriminating photos against your boss or enemy? Need to find someone who in generally has simply disappeared? Well then visit us and we promise satisfaction. Note: All assignments must be made in person."

Senator: So?

Hunter: Well you know that I'm trying to find Sarah. This...

Senator: Well it is perfect, then! You now have a grand opportunity to find this woman you speak of so highly. Why are you worried?

Hunter: ...it's just too damn ironic. I've been looking all of this time, and only now do I find something that might help me. And it's randomly lying on your desk, of all places.

They suddenly hear the door shut behind them and turn around swiftly, only to find the room empty, sans the two of them.

Senator: ...must have not shut it all the way when we entered.

Hunter: Still, I don't trust this. It seems like a trap.

Senator: Nonsense. If you really care about this woman, you will go there.

Hunter: But it's far, and we're starting the tour soon. I doubt Ginger will let me take a day off from the tour just so I could visit some private detectives.

Senator: I will handle Ginger, do not worry. All you have to do now is make up your mind: will you go or not?

Hunter looks at the card in deep consideration, flipping it between his fingers and looking around, hoping for some signs of inspiration. But none come. Instead, Hunter simply looks at the clock and notices his rapidly approaching match is merely minutes away, and so he puts down the card and turns around. He walks up to the door and opens it, looks back... and sees the room is completely empty. This does not disturb Hunter... he's got used to these random hallucinations by now.

He closes the door once he is out of the room. He looks to his left and right...and he sees nothing. But this does not hinder any of his thoughts, and he is left to face a great opponent and simultaneously ponder his next actions. But no matter what he decides to do, the consequences will still be dire.

Nothing is safe.

Fade Out

[Alicia "Atomic" Kitsune]

Segment: Oh shit… (Credit: Scott Andrews)

The ACW parking lot seems deserted of human life as Scott and NBK walk slowly and cautiously through the assorted vehicles in the decent lighting. Both men have their bats in hand, raised and ready to strike. They pass a few sports cars, a couple of utes, a motorbike, and a skateboard, which Scott looks at strangely before regaining his focus. The CBK constantly scope out there surroundings, stopping at the slightest noise or movement in order to figure out what it is. Without notice, the lights go out. Total darkness engulfs the parking area.

Scott: Oh shit…

NBK: Just stand still and swing if something touches you…

Scott: Ok…

The lights return to normal and a quite amusing scene is revealed. Scott and NBK are hugging each other in complete fear. But they quickly release their grip as they realise nothing is there.

?: BOO!

Scott: AGH!...Gary? You little shit! You almost gave me a heart attack!

Gary: Light switches are fun to play with! You can make it dark or light. Dark or light. Dark or light. Dark or---

NBK: Enough, Gary! We get it. Now get to wherever the hell they keep the retards in this place! Your owner is probably getting worried.

NBK gives Gary a swift boot in the behind to encourage him to scram, which he does, much to the CBK’s delight.

NBK: Look, there’s the car there. Let’s get the hell outta this place.

Scott: Agreed.

Scott and Lex pick up their bats and run to their red 2003 Ford Mustang Cobra R. They open the doors with haste and plant their bottoms in the seats. Lex turns the keys and the car squeals out of the parking lot, leaving a trail of smoke behind them. Fade to black.

[Alicia "Atomic" Kitsune]

Match 7: The Great KUDA vs. Hunter

Things are becoming increasingly serious backstage, and the tension can be felt in the air… but as Ginger has already dictated, the show can and must continue. Philip re-enters the ring to announce the main event.

Philip: Ladies and Gentlemen, our final match tonight is a singles match set for one fall. Introducing first, from Rochester, New York… he is a member of the Senatorial Stable, Andrew Hunter!

"The Divine Wings Of Tragedy - Part II - In The Room Of Thrones" by Symphony X plays, and Hunter comes out to a broadly positive response from the crowd. He seems ok after his earlier altercation with Santiago, and walks briskly to the ring, sliding in and pacing purposefully around.

Then, “Vampire Killer” hits, the lights shut off, and the crowd becomes louder as they await a man they both know, and yet is a stranger…

Philip: And his opponent, from Kyoto, Japan… The Great KUDA!

In the almost total blackness, Kuda makes his way slowly to the ring; the lights are restored as he performs a praying rope walk and then jumps back to his feet, entering the ring itself. He carries as always his red, white and black flag, and watches like a hawk as Raymond Allen Fleming takes it and hands it to the outside.

With everything in place, RAF gives both men a stern reminder of the rules, and then calls for the bell.

Bell Rings.

Both the audience and Hunter know that this isn’t going to be a gentle ride, and Kuda begins true to form in very aggressive style, launching straight in with stiff strikes from both upper and lower limbs. Hunter’s first instinct is to back off, but something in his head makes him resist that urge, and instead he stands up boldly to Kuda’s offense, defending until he gets a feel for Kuda’s rhythm and is able to slip in some forearms and kicks of his own, and finally get a hold of one of Kuda’s arms. He tries to whip him, but instead Kuda grasps Hunter’s other arm and the pair draw close; Kuda gives Hunter a couple of knees, and when Hunter goes for a lift into a suplex, Kuda quite literally gets his teeth into things, biting his foe in an attempt to draw blood. Hunter kicks him away, not looking impressed, and head referee RAF gives Kuda a warning that he won’t tolerate any of the masked man’s disrespect for the rules. Kuda simply gives RAF an acid glare, and he and Hunter circle a couple of times until Kuda nears the ropes and suddenly uses them to launch a flashback elbow. Caught unawares, Hunter staggers back and Kuda rushes forward, using a dropkick to the chest to knock Hunter down. Hunter is quick to get back up, but even as he does so Kuda charges in and uses Hunter’s locks of hair to perform a bulldog. Only now does Kuda go for the pin; he gets a solid 2 count, and the crowd is split, some cheering and some booing the masked menace as he sticks his tongue out at Hunter, trying to get his opponent wound up. Hunter does indeed look slightly angry, but he has enough sense to control his temper and simply rises, making full eye contact with Kuda to show that he is not intimidated.

Kuda’s response is to do what he does best, which is steaming in with another huge barrage of kicks and other direct strikes. Once again the stiff style makes life difficult for Hunter, but he’s developed a thick skin against such assaults and this time things are more evenly balanced from the start. Defense is not something that the violent Kuda specializes in, and Hunter is able to exploit this; he lands perhaps half as many blows as his opponent, but each one is made to count, and after about 20 seconds of such an exchange, Kuda switches tack and runs to the ropes again. Hunter comes after him, and Kuda rebounds directly into a clothesline at the ropes, sending him over the top… the crowd cheers, and Hunter makes a mistake, taking his eye off his foe for just a fraction of a second. Not only does Kuda grab the ropes to prevent his fall; he also uses his legs to apply his Hangman’s Hell, choking Hunter as he arches his own body backward over the ropes. RAF starts a 5 count on the illegal move at once; 1…..2…..3…..4…..5- and orders the break, but Kuda pretends not to hear and instead shows off with a couple of sit-ups with the hold still applied.

[Alicia "Atomic" Kitsune]

Turning a fascinating shade of crimson, RAF roars at Kuda, and is moments away from DQing him when the hold is finally released; greatly weakened, Hunter stumbles forward and then falls on to his knees as he tries to get oxygen back into his lactic-acid soaked muscles. Evidently “scenting” Hunter’s compromised state, Kuda taunts the fans and then dashes to the ropes; Hunter stands, and Kuda leaps into a springing Terrorana. The fans cry out, expecting the worst, but adrenalin floods Hunter’s system and he throws his own weight as Kuda connects so that he is able to roll the pair of them over on landing and get Kuda’s shoulders to the mat while he is still holding Hunter around the neck with his lower limbs. RAF makes the count, 1…2…- Kuda has to let go in order to kick free, and both men are down for a few seconds as the crowd becomes louder and louder, anticipating a grandstand finish…

Hunter knows that Kuda’s mounting frustration will only make him stronger, and he rallies to try and take the match back to his opponent. As Kuda is getting up, Hunter makes his play and whips him into one of the corners; Kuda hits the turnbuckle hard, and Hunter charges, going for a shoulder tackle. Eyes fiery beneath the mask, Kuda holds the ropes and lifts his feet to repel Hunter, but Hunter expects such a trick and slows just enough to catch hold of Kuda’s legs before he can drop them. Using his greater height and leg length, Hunter kicks Kuda in the back a couple of times, and the instant he lets go of the ropes, Hunter falls back with a yell of determination and throws Kuda up and over, causing him to slam face-first into the mat. The crowd goes nuts as Hunter scrambles to turn Kuda over and pins, 1….2…- Kuda gets a shoulder up, rakes the eyes of his foe, and kips up to a standing position. Hunter is determined to follow suit, and as he gets on to one knee he sees Kuda pull back just a fraction… a flash of memory is triggered, and his body reacts by ducking and rolling before his mind remembers that this is the prelude to a poison mist. The cloud that Kuda spits is red, though it is only visible for a split second; RAF doesn’t like it at all and would possibly have called for a DQ, had he not been more immediately preoccupied with Hunter’s delivery of the Phoenix Exploder. The fans are on their feet as one, and the count is made, 1….2…thr-

Kuda kicks out as if his body is made of pure energy; Hunter’s rarely encountered such force of feeling, and in the blink of an eye Kuda is up and savaging Hunter with yet more blows, faster and faster, until with a glancing shot he gets what he wants and opens up a wound on Hunter’s forehead. Energized still further, Hunter has only a second or two to react as Kuda rushes to the nearest ropes and bounces off to build speed for his Yakuza Knee. When the footage is played back in slow motion, it reveals that Kuda’s knee grazes the side of Hunter’s cheek – it was THAT close – but just fails to connect, and Kuda lands a couple of feet away, facing away from Hunter. His momentary hesitation, possibly caused by a reasonable expectation that the move would succeed, is his undoing; Hunter grabs Kuda and delivers the Shotgun without its usual stall but with all its devastating power. RAF wastes no time making the count, and the noise is arena-shaking as Hunter gains the crucial 1,2,3.

Philip: Here is your winner… Hunter!

"The Divine Wings Of Tragedy - Part II - In The Room Of Thrones" hits once more, and Hunter rises, wincing as his body’s production of pain-delaying chemicals winds down. Kuda has his fists clenched as he gets up, and Hunter readies himself in case there’s more trouble in store… but Kuda instead rolls out of the ring and takes back his flag, holding it up. He then shows the camera his hand, stained with Hunter’s blood, and smears the crimson across the flag with almost ritualistic care before turning and starting to walk away. Like many of the people in the arena, Hunter has a most uncomfortable feeling that the Great KUDA simply needs to fine-tune his aggression, and these first couple of matches will seem like halcyon days to the rest of the locker room…

But for tonight at least, Hunter has the spoils, and he accepts the applause and cheering of the fans before making his way to the back. It’s been a dramatic main event… but deep in the recesses of the ACW building, the true drama is just starting to unfold…

[Alicia "Atomic" Kitsune]

Closing Segment: The Man Who Sold the World (Credit: Yoko)

It’s dark. Dark and wet. And it smells like something is rotting. These are the things Ginger notices as he comes to his senses. He groans as he opens his eyes. He’s face down on wet concrete. Wet from…something he doesn’t want to know. He slowly forces himself up as he shakes off the throbbing pain in his head.

He’s in a simple room. A single flickering light keeps it from being pitch black. Unsanitary liquids are spilling onto the floor from some broken piping across the wall. He reaches out and finds something to help himself up; a single table. The only piece of furniture in the room.

??: Oh, you’re awake now.

He turns at the voice. The female voice. He’s relieved to see AK standing there. Next to her is Scarlet. Ginger is just glad to not be alone.

Scarlet: We were wondering if you were going to be ok.

Ginger: Where are we?

AK: Somewhere beneath the arena.

Ginger: …We have an underground?

AK rolls her eyes, fortunately Ginger doesn’t pick up on it in the gloom.

AK: Somehow that response doesn’t surprise me. But yes, we do. The crew knows about it and uses it. The cleaner sections, anyway. It’s mostly storage space.

Ginger: How’d we-

The door on the opposite end of the room opens. Mercer Stanton steps inside, and all eyes turn to him.

Mercer: All awake now, I see. I thought you had been hit too hard for a moment there. Elias found this little room in our last stay here. I knew it would come in handy. We’re away from all of those annoying wrestlers always barging into offices asking for favors.

Ginger: What’s going on here, Stanton?

Mercer: Negotiations of course! I’m willing to give you back the ACW bank accounts if you simply sign that contract on that table over there.

Ginger glances at the table. He lifts up the sheet of paper on it and looks at it.

AK: It says-

Ginger: I can read it. It says in exchange for the accounts, you get full control of ACW. Is that some kind of joke? I’m not signing this.

Mercer: I didn’t think you would. That’s why I also brought the girls. We’ll add another bit to the offer, off paper since we’re such good friends. Along with the bank accounts, these two also get to keep their lives.

AK(under her breath to Scarlet): Here it comes, the big theatrical declaration…

Mercer: I knew you wouldn’t sign it, not even I would in your situation. These two are why you’ll sign it. Yoko was going to be here too, but she got lost it seems. Still, these two will work just fine. The accounts, Alicia, and Scarlet, for ACW.

Scarlet: My name is Sarin!

Mercer: I didn’t learn your name. But I’m calling you Scarlet, so it doesn’t matter what your name is. Scarlet.

He smirks at her. As if driven by some force, Scarlet rushes toward Stanton with a spin, preparing to nail him with the Rin Kick. She doesn’t get to finish her spin. Stanton’s knee is lodged into her right side before she even gets to turn back around to face him and she collapses to the floor with the wind knocked out of her.

AK rushes to Scarlet to make sure she’s ok.

Mercer: You can’t get the jump on me, Scarlet. Now Ginger, about the contract.

Stanton, as quickly as he drove his knee into Scarlet, grabs AK by the hair and pulls her up, locking his arms around her head. She struggles but she can’t escape his massive grasp.

AK: Let go!

Mercer: You’ll sign it, or I’m snapping Alicia’s neck.

It’s patently clear that this is no idle threat; Stanton is easily strong enough to do it.

AK: Argh… As little as I want to give him the satisfaction, Ginger, sign the bloody thing, you can start over! It’s just wrestling, and we can’t let this escalate to put more people in danger. It’s not worth this!

Ginger grabs for the pen, but then looks at Stanton and AK. He looks…beyond them. He then sets the pen back down.

Ginger: I don’t think I will. I’m not afraid of you, and I think you’re bluffing.

AK: Oh, NOW you’ve found your heroic side!?

Mercer: Sudden boost of confidence, Ginger? I can assure you that I’m not bluffing. Just like I can assure you that I heard the rat sneak in just now.

AK: What?

With that, Stanton pushes AK forward and away from him. He then turns around, flinging his elbow backwards. The elbow grazes…the top of Yoko Satoshi’s head! She had tried to sneak in, unsuccessfully. Yoko ducks under the elbow and rushes around him. As she passes, he grabs her by the arm, stopping her swiftness. He then pulls her arm, forcing her to follow, and spins her face first into a wall. While she’s there, he pulls his free arm back and thrusts his palm at the back of her head to smash it into the wall. Fortunately, Yoko maneuvers herself to avoid the strike; Stanton just palms the wall.

[Alicia "Atomic" Kitsune]

Mercer: You ARE a quick one, aren’t you? That’s two blows you’ve dodged.

Yoko: How’d you go from being on your deathbed to being like your old self, Stanton? That wasn’t natural.

Mercer: That’s none of your-

The sound of shuffling footsteps. Stanton throws his elbow back again, this time it hits a target. It happens to be the chin of AK. She falls to the ground, momentarily disabled by the sheer force of the blow.

Mercer: I told you, no one gets the jump on me, Alicia.

While Stanton is looking at AK, Yoko kicks her foot straight up, nailing him in the hand. It forces him to let go of her arm. Yoko takes a few steps back, and knowing she cannot possibly beat him on her own, leaps into the air, flinging one leg up toward his head for the YKO. The highest she’s ever had to jump. Gravity will do the rest.

…Or it would normally do the rest. Stanton thrusts his palm upward through her legs, to her face. The upward momentum of his arm plus the downward pull of gravity plus Yoko’s face equals great pain.

Yoko is drilled by his hand and flies back. She lands nearly upside down, on her neck. She isn’t moving. Stanton then pulls out a handkerchief from his suit and wipes his hands as he turns toward Ginger.

Mercer: I’m sure you thought Yoko was going to “take me out,” but as you can see, I’m not one to be out fought. Now, are you signing it?

Ginger: Why are you doing this, Stanton? What’s the point? What do you gain?

Mercer: What do I gain? I gain satisfaction, Ginger. Last year, you outdid me. You beat me at my own game. I didn’t care about ACW, not after Pain Inc dissolved. Not after Yoko turned into a good girl. But I wasn’t going to let you win. And then…you did.

Stanton loses his usual friendly gaze, his face being taken over by a dark scowl. He steps toward Ginger.

Mercer: This is my revenge. ACW dies either way. But based upon your choice, lives may go with it. Either you sign that contract and turn it over to me so I can close ACW down, or I kill these three and leave with the money and you go bankrupt. Don’t make me kill them, Ginger. I hate getting my hands dirty.

That gaze would make many a man crumble, but Ginger finds strength from somewhere within, and refuses to be cowed. He even manages a hint of a smile.

Ginger: I feel sorry for you. Having to close down a wrestling organization just to recover your pride. That’s probably the saddest thing I’ve heard recently. You’ve gone to such great lengths infiltrating ACW, too. You put a lot of thought into something so incredibly petty… is that because you’ve found that the world has moved on, and your influence everywhere else is waning?

Stanton lets out a growl of frustration and steps toward Ginger. He’s breathing a little more deeply than usual and lets out a cough as he nears him.

Ginger: You don’t look so good, either. You look like you’re dying.

Mercer: Not if I can help it. Now sign the-

Thunk. A metal pipe, presumably from the wall, hits Mercer Stanton across the back of the head. He staggers wildly toward the wall to keep himself from falling down. He sees AK out of the corner of his eyes, wielding the pipe and fixing him with her “I’m getting really rather hacked off” glare. He clinches his eyes together hard, dealing with the pain. He reaches to his head and feels blood.

Mercer(Slurring): You..schoopid…

Ginger: …He can’t still be conscious, why didn’t he go down?!

AK: I don’t know, but I’m damned if I’m going to just sit here while he tries to screw with all our lives! I’m going to give him something to remember me by!

She holds up the pipe again, pulls back, and swings at his head again. This time, Stanton’s arm shoots up, taking the blow. He winces in pain, but he felt it was better than taking another head shot. AK is simply stunned that not only could he still be up from the first blow, but that he blocked the second.

Stanton darts his hands out like a striking snake and grabs her by the head. He forces her head down into his lifted knee, nailing her in the face, and then pushes her face into the wall, and then shoves her back toward Ginger. He staggers toward Ginger slowly, unable to balance himself properly. He then sees Scarlet kneeling at Yoko’s side, and looks at Ginger. He points at Scarlet.

Mercer(Slurring): Thaght one dies! I’m tired of thisgs!

Ginger: I’ll sign it!

Mercer(Slurring): Too late, Gingegr!

Stanton staggers toward Scarlet, who gets up from Yoko’s side. She begins to back up slowly as he inches closer in a zig zag pattern. She backs into the wall next to the door, but doesn’t try to escape.

Stanton presses his palm against his head as if trying to correct any damage. He steadies himself and clears his throat as if he were all better, but he’s still blinking his eyes in pain, and a rather large red stain is forming at the top of the back of his white suit.

Mercer: Silly, silly girl. Escape was through that door, but you were too scared to realize it.

Yoko: Or maybe she did that on purpose to trap you.

Stanton spins, nearly falling down. Yoko is no longer on the floor. She’s standing there, perfectly fine. Well, not fine, but not unconscious or dead like he thought.

Mercer: Trap how? Blocking me from the door?! Ha!

Yoko smiles and rushes at him, turning a spin kick similar to Scarlet’s Rin Kick. Stanton prepares to pre-empt it.

Scarlet: Hey!

He’s caught off guard by Scarlet’s yell and spins back toward her. She’s also doing a Rin Kick. He realizes his careless mistake as Yoko’s foot impacts the back of his head while Scarlet’s hit’s the front, in some sort of twisted kicking Conchairto.

Yoko and Scarlet both fall to their knees, having put everything into their kicks, disregarding balance. The scared Ginger, the battered AK, and the fallen Yoko and Scarlet look on in anticipation as Mercer Stanton stares blankly at the door. He takes one small step, then a second one to the right, and then…collapses like a newly cut tree.

Ginger: Yeah!

[Alicia "Atomic" Kitsune]

Stanton doesn’t move, he’s out cold. They all sigh in relief. Yoko and Scarlet quickly go to check on AK and Ginger.

Ginger: You just popped up like you were fine!

Yoko: I am hurt, trust me. That fall did a number on me. But I just pretended to be out so I could try to make a plan with Scarlet. It worked.

Scarlet: Alicia, how are you?

AK: My face hurts like hell, but I think I just need a few minutes and I’ll be good as new. He hits really, really hard. Harder than I thought anyone could. I thought I had him with the pipe, too… there’s something wrong with this whole scenario. It gives me the creeps.

Ginger: We need to get back up stairs and get the police.

AK: I agree. Lock him in this room, though.

Yoko and Scarlet help up AK as Ginger tears up the contract out of spite, and they exit the room. Ginger looks through the adjacent room and finds some large chairs, which he slides in front of the door.

Ginger: There. Now which way is out?

Yoko: Just up this hallway.

They make their way back to the ground floor, emerging right across the hall from the old Demon Pit, or more recently Stanton’s office. The light is still off in this hallway. Policemen run by a different corridor, but spot them, and come rushing over.

Policeman#1: Here they are, get the chief.

Some of the policemen rush on. The previous one and another one stay.

Yoko: What? We didn’t-

Policeman#2: Guy who looked like a crocodile got us here, but didn’t tell us where to go. Down those stairs?

Ginger: Yes. The room with chairs blocking the door.

The two policemen rush down the stairs.

Scarlet: Ginger…he still has the accounts.

Ginger: I’m transferring the money to new ones immediately, fines be damned. I’ll pay them out of my own pocket. If I hadn’t been greedy about it, this wouldn’t have happened. I wouldn’t even have hired Triple A…Which I need to fire.

Yoko: I’ve made a lot of money, I’ll help cover the fines.

Scarlet: So will I.

AK: Me too.

Ginger: I’m really sorry. I-

One of the policemen comes back up the stairs.

Policeman#2: We found the room with the chairs in front of the door, but there was no one inside when we moved them and went in.

Ginger: What?!

Yoko rushes back down the stairs to the room. The only thing inside is the first policeman, looking around for some kind of clue. Mercer Stanton is gone.

Yoko: No…He was here! Right here! Trapped inside!

She cries out in frustration, and AK and Scarlet hurry down to her. They all stand and look at the empty room for a few moments, then turn and start back up the stairs. AK glances over her shoulder a final time.

AK: You know, I wouldn’t want to be in Stanton’s shoes. You can cheat death, but sometimes the alternative turns out to be worse…

They reach the top of the stairs and walk out into the light, as the screen fades to black.

Mercer Stanton has slunk back into the shadows. There’s no telling what plans he may have in the future if he continues to seek his revenge on ACW, but for now, he’s been thwarted once more.

And on that happy note, the show closes; the trucks outside are already partially loaded, and tomorrow they will roll toward Florida, and the docking point of the ship which will carry ACW on its cruise tour of the Caribbean.

What effects will this have on the roster and the crew?

Will the weather be kind, and the crowds friendly?

Are we going to finally get some hot Bikini action from the female contingent? Or even the Senator in Bermuda Shorts?

…well, who knows. But I guarantee it’ll be a LOT better than Speed 2. (Ok, so most things are better than Speed 2, but you get the point.)

And if you’re REALLY good… there may even be pirates. Arrr.

Fade to Black.

End of Show.

[hunter]

Awesome, awesome show. Great job all.

[scrawn]

Excellent Show.

Props to everybody.

[rawt]

Great show

[The Senator]

You know it, you love it, [glow=red,2,300]The Senator's Moment of the Show![/glow]

The arena darkens a little, and then “Rock and Roll All Night” by KISS hits. Only a handful of the long-term fans know who is about to appear on the stage…

Philip:…making a special one-off appearance tonight, Sylvan “Pay Day” Mint!

The man who emerges into the arena is slightly stockier than the last time he was seen in an ACW ring, but his full-length coat covered with $ signs is as distinctive as ever. Some of the fans boo, but most are just amazed to see Sylvan again after all this time, and they cheer enthusiastically; Sylvan jogs to the ring, slides in and removes his coat, ready to go. RDK nods, and the referee gets round 1 underway.

Former champion returns!!! Awesome show by everyone...and....SANTIAGOOOOOOOO!