Meltdown - Bossier City, LA (6/25/12)

[Johnny Rebel]

Our Louisiana crowd waits in anticipation for tonight’s action, buzzing among themselves as the arena lights dim. However, as the iconic opening riff to the Beatles’ “Helter Skelter” blares through the PA system, our audience rises to their feet in an 80/20 reaction for the North American Champion’s arrival, with the majority screaming as loud as their lungs and throats would allow.

”When I get to the bottom I go back to the top of the slide
Where I stop and I turn and I go for a ride
Till I get to the bottom and I see you again...
YEEEAHHHEEAHHHH...!"

Evan rushes out from behind the curtains, the North American Title hooked and hanging around his right shoulder, arms held high in the air to throw the “peace” sign to the crowd as he walks down the ramp. He is wearing a pink shirt which reads in white, Comic-Sans-esque lettering “DOUBLE-FISTIN’ PEACE”, illustrating two arms throwing up the peace signs, a la Envi. He smirks as the crowd holds their hands out, over the barricade, yearning for a slap on the palm or the stroke of a fingertip. He doesn’t appease them, of course, but hops onto the apron, climbing to the turnbuckles, rapidly pointing at several areas of the crowd, motioning for them to grow louder. They oblige, causing a near-deafening mixed reaction. Evan nods, satisfied by the noise and hops down onto the ring, holding his arms out and screaming back into the crowd.

West: And listen to this reaction!

Harris: Shane, it’s the CHAMP! Why wouldn’t they? Love or hate this man, he gives his heart to these people weekly. Bi-weekly. Tri-weekly. And they know it.

West: I don’t know if I buy it.

Harris: His dedication is not for sale!

West: ...Hm.

As Envi’s music fades, he makes his way to the ropes to demand a microphone from the timekeeper. In a timely fashion, he receives one, but is silenced by the surprising chant that now echoes throughout the arena.

”HEL-TER SKEL-TER!

HEL-TER SKEL-TER!

HEL-TER SKEL-TER!”

Evan suppresses a grin, gazing out upon the masses. He originally glares into the crowd, but quickly succumbs to a light laughter. He pumps his fist in tune to the chants, nodding in satisfaction. His eyes scan the audience for a moment before he drops down and rolls out of the ring beneath the bottom rope. Evan nods toward a fan in the front row and our cameras quickly adjust to follow Evan Envi to the front row.

Harris: Well, I’ll be damned.

Evan leans on the barricade, motioning for the cameraman to follow, which he soon obliges. We see a frail young woman in the front row wearing a pink shirt advertising her survival of breast cancer. She holds up a sign which reads “I CAME 1,180 MILES TO SEE EVAN ENVI.” Our audience cheers in approval as the sign is shown on the JumboTron. Evan leans to the fan, kissing her forehead, which earns a pop once again-- especially from her.

Harris: And YOU say this is a bad guy.

West: I don’t know. Two weeks ago, he’s telling the fans how much he hates them, and now he’s kissing foreheads. I just don’t know.

Evan slides into the ring again, hopping to his feet. He finally raises the microphone to his lips, but is stopped as the lights dim.

West: Now what...?!

What seems like two lightening bolts ignite over the ring and travel across the arena striking either side of the entrance ramp. With contact a huge explosion engulfs the entrance with a blinding white light almost like a portal of heaven had just opened up.

Harris: It’s your JESUS, Shane!

West: Oh, rejoice.

AFI's Misseria Cantare begins to serenade the shadow of Michael Lively standing at the top of the ramp with his arms outstretched in the I am JESUS pose. His head tilted sideways with a grin painted on his mug as he welcomes the shower of boo's from the crowd. With an arrogant swagger the man walks down the ramp absorbing the hatred, and flipping the fans off along the way. He dramatically shortens his strides as he reaches the bottom of the ramp. Evan and Lively lock eyes, with Evan hardly looking amused.

A “Lively sucks!” chant resonates heavily throughout Louisiana tonight. Lively pauses mid-smirk to turn and shoot the audience an annoyed glance, as if they had just interrupted him. He motions for them to be quiet, but this only cause them to grow louder in Bossier City. He flips the crowd off once more... Before his eyes settle on something in the front row. Slowly, Lively walks around the ring, toward the same woman, the breast cancer survivor who had traveled 1,100+ miles to the show. He struts toward her, saying something that’s inaudible to the camera.

West: ...What is he doing?

Harris: Greeting our lovely fans. Our LIVELY fans, if you will.

Lively pauses in front of the woman with the sign. She holds it up, proudly. He smirks, turning to look at Evan for a second. He then whips back to the woman, snatching the sign from her hands immediately. He rips it in half, earning an enormous chorus of boos.

West: HEY!

Harris: That’s her own fault for bringing a sign to the front row.

Evan walks toward the ropes, a concerned look on his face. He motions for Lively to get in the ring. Lively holds up one finger to Evan, asking him to wait. He turns to the fan again... And spits right in her face.

West: COME ON!

Harris: That’s not right...

Evan leaps out of the ring over the bottom rope, but Lively is already sprinting halfway up the ramp. Evan throws his hands to his head, looking shocked at what had just transpired. He lowers his title onto the apron and walks over to check on the fan as we cut to a replay.

West: For anyone watching at home, I sincerely apologize for what just happened. Michael Lively is a foul, disgusting, despicable human being. Tonight, you’re going to see him and ‘The Hitman’ Steve Stryker in action against Carmen Rivera and that man right there, Evan Envi. And if the look on the North American Champion’s face is any indication... Folks... This is gonna be a hell of a ride.

We cut back to ringside where Evan is done consoling the fan and is now walking, slowly up the ramp with his title clutched in his hand and a look of pure fury behind his eyes.

[Johnny Rebel]

West: Welcome back to Meltdown! Can you believe what we just saw, Dick? Somebody is going to have to get Michael Lively under control!

Harris: He's just having a little fun, Shane!

West: Well, here's somebody who can! We're told Meltdown General Manager Johnny Diamond taped a pre-recorded message today. Take a look!

The APW big screen switches to Diamond sitting at his desk in the APW offices, with both feet up resting on the edge. He leans forward as he notices the camera beginning to run.

Diamond: Meltdown fans! We have prided ourselves with bringing you the best action that APW has to offer and we're headed strong in to our third month. We wanted to bring you the best of the best and tonight, we've failed. It seems that two of our megastars that were slated to compete in tonight's opening contest couldn't be bothered to show up tot he arena tonight. It's a shame as both Luke Connors and Carter Clark had come highly recommended to us -- but never fail, the show must go on! Those two won't be competing tonight but it's possible we'll see them in the future.

Harris: Hopefully future endeavored!

Diamond: That's not all, though. We are all aware of the problems that Yarmouth has been having with Jason Royce, his former manager. I'm aware that last week I booked a match for the two to settle their score in the middle of that ring and it unfortunately wasn't in the cards for this evening. Royce checked in to the APW medical offices with an ingrown toenail and doctors ruled that he wouldn't be able to compete here tonight.

West: He must be talking about those "Sindicate" doctors, Dick! I can't believe any APW ordered doctor would excuse him for something so petty.

Harris: You'd be trying to do everything in your power to get out of a match with Yarmouth too!

Diamond: So, instead of cutting the card short, we have a special guest joining with us. I think you'll enjoy it quite a bit.

The tape cuts as the big screen fades to fizz, as the grandiose sound of “Land of Hope & Glory” blasts out of the PA and on cue the live audience greet it with raucous booing. As though he were being giving the tribute of a great King out steps “Quintessentially English” Julius Farquhar in his wrestling attire. He walks to the end of the ramp and raises in both hands his recently acquired APW TAP OUT Championship belt.

Paige: Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Asylum Megastar, the world’s only “Quintessentially English” wrestler, and current APW TAP OUT Champion...MISTER JULIUS FARQUHAR!

West: I guess this means the rumors are true, Julius Farquhar is here tonight and it looks like he is prepared for action.

Harris: Well you could say it with a bit more enthusiasm, Shane. JULIUS FARQUHAR IS HERE AND HE LOOKS READY FOR ACTION.

Julius makes his way down to the ring, extending the TAP OUT Championship belt towards some kind in the front row for a closer look, then yanking it out of reach when the kid tries to touch it. Julius climbs into the ring, takes the mic from Nicky Paige, then gestures in a way that suggests he is ordering her out of the ring. The booing intense and the vocal males are making it clear what they think about Julius Farquhar. Julius waits it out and when the booing subsides he begins to me.

Julius: Wow! What a reception! But it is okay, you do not have to thank me; it is my duty to give back something to the underprivileged fans who attend these Meltdown events.

This just evokes more booing from the crowd.

Julius: As you can all see, I have with me the evidence that finally sophistication and civility has been restored to the Asylum brand. Last week I defeated Anthony “The Lie” Bailey and became not only the new APW TAP OUT Champion, but its greatest TAP OUT Champion, and the first ever “Quintessentially English” Champion in APW’s history. The doubters can doubt no longer; the “Quintessentially English” Empire is in full swing, and it was about time it paid a visit to Meltdown.

West: These fans sound like they are absolutely elated about the idea.

Harris: I got that impression too. So much love for Mr. Quintessentially English.

West: I was being sarcastic.

Julius: So here I am, and already in just a few short minutes I have elevated Meltdown from third-rate to first-class television. I hope you all have your cameras ready because you are just seconds away from the biggest photo opportunity of your lives. Children, you will remember this for the rest of your days, a story to tell the grandchildren on a cold winter’s evening. Ladies and gentlemen be upstanding for, get your cameras pointed because you are about to witness a real-life APW Megastar and a true Champion with a real Championship belt.

West: Oh please! This is completely disrespectful.

Julius starts to parade around the ring, posing with his belt to all sides and in all corners. The noise of the booing is cranked up, but Julius continues to posture as though he were receiving a hero’s welcome.

Harris: What a guy! What a nice gesture this is. He’s given these people a real treat tonight. Quick, Shane, get the camera out.

West: The guy is totally delusional.

Julius stops his posturing, and with a big beaming smile on his face, he speaks again.

Julius: You are all very welcome.

More booing; Julius waits it out.

Julius: But I didn’t just come here to show you what a real professional wrestler looks like. I have also come to show you how a real professional wrestler performs. As you can see I am dressed for action, and I am about to give you all a demonstration, a ‘clinic’, in the art of professional wrestling from a proper APW Megastar.

Julius makes a gesture towards the ramp and out jog five male personalities; they have the appearance of athletes, but they are nobody this audience has ever seen. They all enter the ring and stand around Julius.

Julius: Now I have decided to give five local talents an opportunity here tonight. I have hand-picked each of them, so they are automatically more qualified and more talented than the usual fare you are subjected to.

The crowd start booing again.

West: This is completely outrageous!

Harris: What you talking about, Shane? This is going on the Meltdown highlight reel.

Julius: Now the rules are, I will spar with each of these young talents, one by one, and if any of them can get in some offense to take me down to the mat they will earn a special “Quintessentially English” title opportunity here tonight.

Harris: I’m telling you Shane, Julius Farquhar is one stand-up guy, supporting local talent like this.

The bell sounds and Julius calls in the first guy into a collar-elbow tie-up. Julius quickly overpowers the guy and puts him into a waistlock before drilling him into the mat with a release German suplex. Julius gets to his feet, gestures guy no.1 is out and call in the next one. Guy no.2 moves in tentatively, but Julius kicks him in the shin to double him over, then lifts a knee into his face. Julius runs to the ropes and springboards from the second rope, nailing an English DDT. That’s two down, Julius motions in guy no. 3 who charges, but Julius side steps and helps him over the top rope and out of the ring, brushing his hands together to signal he’s just disposed of some rubbish. Now it’s guy no.4’s turn. He is a bit bigger and therefore a bit stronger and he twists Julius into an arm wrench, but the TAP OUT Champion quickly counters with an arm twist of his arm and locks in a hammerlock. Guy no. 4 taps immediately, but Julius doesn’t break the hold and with a knee to the small of the back the guy falls to his knees. Julius bounces off the ropes and hits Pay Homage to the back of the head. Julius is down to the fifth and final guy, who Julius calls in then thumbs him to the eye. Julius whips him against the ropes and tries to follow up with a superkick, but guy no. 5 ducks then floors Julius with a standing dropkick. The crowd cheers and guy no. 5 is on his feet celebrating earning a title shot.

Harris: This isn’t right....Julius got screwed.

West: He got his comeuppance is what.

Julius is furious and grabs his mic again as the crowd start chanting ‘You Suck’ at the Englishman.

Julius: No-No-No! This is not right. I am changing the rules. If you want your shot, you have to keep me on the mat for a count of three. I can not reward lucky one-shot punks like you.

Guy no. 5 wears the look of a man who has just been treated unjustly, but he shrugs his shoulders and moves in for a collar-elbow tie-up, but Julius hits him with a rake of the eyes, then kicks him square in the balls. Guy no. 5 drops to his knees and Julius lines up Pay Homage when “Hide and Seek” by Nonpoint blasts out of the PA. The whole arena are on their feet as “The Soul of Philly” TJ steps out from the back with an expression that suggests he is not amused.

Harris: What is this guy doing out here?

West: I get the feeling he’s not coming for a front-row seat.

Julius is absolutely furious in the ring that he has been interrupted. TJ marches his way down to the ring and takes up a microphone of his own. Julius looks on with a ‘who in the blue blazes are you?” type expression. [/color]

“The.Soul.Of.Philly”.TJ: Well, I can’t speak for everyone in Bossier City, but I will speak for the ones that feel that the money that they worked for and spent on a ticket to see the Megastars of Meltdown but instead get you playing Grab Ass with the Backstreet Boys. No offense fellas. [/color]

The crowd cheers for TJ; the vocal males are again on the case of Julius.

Julius: Excuse me, but who are you? And who do you think you are interrupting my wrestling clinic like this.

TJ cocks a smile.

“The.Soul.Of.Philly”.TJ: Ooooooh, that little game of Grab Ass was what qualifies as a “wrestling clinic”? I’m sorry for interrupting that sorry excuse you call “wrestling”. I mean, seeing as I’m here now, why not you continue that “clinic” of yours for a bit and then I put you out of your misery and we can get back to the real reason these fans are here.

The crowd again cheer this comment.

Harris: The audacity of this guy.

West: I don’t think Julius is too keen on that suggestion.

Julius is mouthing off at TJ, his face red with rage.

“The.Soul.Of.Philly”.TJ: I’m sorry, I didn’t answer your question. I’m, ahem, “THE SOOOOOOOUUUUUUULLLLLLL OF PHILLY!” TJ.

TJ extends a hand for a handshake, after Julius looks down at it, he brings his hand back in.

“The.Soul.Of.Philly”.TJ: Wow, for an Englishmen, not as polite as you make yourself to be. I mean first you kick poor Nick Carter over there in the man parts because he hit your, ah, “pleasant face”? Then I go to properly introduce myself to you and you don’t return the gesture? Very rude. Not as rude as you parading around on my ground with your championship like it makes you better than anyone on the Meltdown roster. I mean, look at yourself; you have to come here to make yourself feel important. See, I’m tired of these “legends” and returning superstars and these posers with a championship, tired of them coming down here and disrespecting any one of us Meltdown Megastars. It’s disrespectful to them and the work they are putting in and disrespectful to the fans who come see us do what we do. And where I come from, The City of Brotherly Love, you disrespect us, we disfigure your face.

Another cheer from the crowd. Julius gulps heavily and his eyes widen.

“The.Soul.Of.Philly”.TJ: So instead of putting on a “clinic” against these five chumps you found in the parking lot, why don’t you come over here and try to school me.

West: Now that’s something I would like to see....and judging by the response of these fans, so would they.

Julius: *trying not to look flustered* Okay. You want to represent Meltdown against some like me, a real APW Megastar, a Champion, then you got a deal. I will wrestle you and I will teach you a lesson. As a matter of fact, school starts now.

TJ nods along at that, the crowd cheer. TJ turns to toss away his microphone when Julius moves in and slams the TAP OUT Championship belt into his head, knocking TJ down. Julius mounts TJ and starts pounding away at his head with the belt, then he lifts TJ onto his knees, takes a few steps back and runs in looking for Pay Homage, but TJ, quick as a flash, counters by wrapping a hand around Julius’ throat and lifts him into the air.

West: I think Julius Farquhar is about to have his SOUL BUSTED!

Julius, in desperation, flails about with his limbs and one of his feet connects with TJ’s groin area, breaking the hold and allowing Julius to escape to safety under the bottom rope. Julius quickly heads back up the entrance ramp, but its TJ’s music that plays as the segment ends with a close-up shot of The Soul of Philly TJ staring daggers back at the slippery Englishman, mouthing the words “I’ll see you around.”

[Johnny Rebel]

As "Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites" by Skrillex's starts up, El Insecto de Negro runs out from the back and sprints down the aisle. Once near the ring, he slides under the bottom rope into the middle of the ring and at that point he looks about at the crowd before jumping up to his feet while raising both arms in the air. He then heads off to his corner, where he sits on the top rope while waiting in anticipation for the start of the bout.

Paige: The following contest is scheduled for one fall. Introducing first: from Boston, AM; he weighs 205lbs...EL INSECTO DE NEGRO!

West: El Insecto de Negro - or “The Black Bug” for those not versed in Spanish – made a winning debut last week on Meltdown, but tonight he faces a real test of his credentials.

Harris: I wonder who’d win in a fight between El Insecto and Batman.

West: What has that got to do with anything?

Harris: Just saying.

As the lights dim throughout the arena, red strobe lights start shining everywhere as the sound of "Wanted Man" by Rev Theory blairs through the arena. Shane Borderland slowly comes out behind the curtain and stops when he reaches the top of the ramp and looks throughout the crowd. He raises his arms up in the air as the crowd boo’s him. He starts walking down the ramp looking side to side at the crowd. He jumps up on the apron, and turns an looks at the crowd and shakes his head. He goes through the middle rope and hops up on the turnbuckle and extends his arms. (Randy Orton Style) then he jumps off the turnbuckle.

Paige: His opponent: from New Orleans, Louisiana; weighing 243lbs; he is “The Bad Boy”....SHANE BORDERLAND!

West: Contrasting fortunes for Borderland who returned to an APW ring with a defeat to Cameron Wolves last week.

Harris: I’m sure ‘The Bad Boy’ will have worked off the ring rust and feel he is going to make a big impact tonight.

El Insecto de Negro vs. Shane Borderland

Borderland charges in and unloads repeated punches to the head of Insecto, pushing him back against the ropes. Borderland grabs Insecto by the arm and whips him the full length of the ring, but the lightweight handsprings against the ropes, bounces back onto his feet and catches Borderland, who followed through, with a back elbow. Insecto gets to his feet and raises his right arm high in the air. Borderland gets to his feet, Insecto grabs him into a reverse headlock and runs to the ropes, springboarding from the middle one in search of a bulldog, but Borderland counters and plants Insecto with a back drop suplex. Borderland dives over Insecto, but the ref’s count is abruptly ended on two with a kick out.

West: Great back and forth action so far; evidence that both men have done a fair bit of scouting this week.

Harris: Insecto looks like real bundle of energy....like a busy bee.

West: Oh geez! I was wondering when you would crack out the insect jokes.

Borderland drags Insecto to his feet and quickly locks him into a wristlock for the Lights Out, but Insecto counters by stamping on Borderland’s foot. Insecto runs against the ropes and takes Borderland down with a flying arm lariat, then climbs to the top rope and connects with a flying leg drop from the top rope. Insecto hooks this legs, but Borderland kicks out this time on the count of two. Insecto gets to his feet and tries to put Borderland into a Boston crab, but Borderland squirms and using the power in his legs, kicks Insecto away. Both men get to their feet, Insecto charges in but Borderland counters with a huge spinebuster.

West: It’s the Spinal Tap from Borderland.

Harris: Game, set, mat....no! Insecto gets up the shoulder.

Borderland picks up Insecto and again gets him into a wristlock, this time even manages to get in the lift, but Insecto rolls through and counters Borderland into a reverse facelock, the prime position for La Espiga (double reverse DDT). However, Borderland proves his strength with a counter of his own, pulling himself upwards and lifting Insecto into position for a piledriver, which he duly completes. Borderland drags Insecto up and for good measure drills him with Lights Out (wrist lock exploder). Borderland makes the cover...

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Winner: Shane Borderland

West: He got the job done out there. Shane Borderland picks up that vital first win in APW.

Harris: Very impressive from Borderland, especially the way he countered El Insecto to win the match. I guess you could say ‘The Bad Boy’ squashed him like a bug.

West: Good grief!

Borderland celebrates in the ring, no doubt relieved to get that monkey off his back. Insecto remains grounded, selling the effects of Borderland’s finishing offense.

The scene fades in to the concession area of the arena where many fans are getting their beers, popcorn, and nachos before sitting down to see the next match. As the camera rounds the corner it shows the people standing in line and the person waiting on them is none other than Steve Stryker.

Stryker: Can I help whoever is next?

The next person in line walks up and stares at Stryker for a second.

Fan: Um, could I get some nachos please?

Steve starts to get the nachos, he has an odd look on his face as he does it.

Stryker: Here you go. Anything else?

Fan: Wait a second, aren't you The Hitman Steve Stryker?

Stryker doesn't answer, but looks ashamed.

Fan: I thought so! You poor piece of crap. They got you working out here? What is this like some hazing ritual?

The fan looks down at his nachos and then slams them down.

Fan: You know what you forgot you idiot? Cheese! Nachos and Cheese! Go get me my cheese you server.

Stryker: Cheese is that what you'd like?

Fan: You're damn right.

Stryker turns and grabs a packet of cheese and hands it to the man.

Stryker: Is that enough...sir?

Fan: No, I don't think it is, I need more, you peasant.

Stryker: More cheese you say? I think we can do that.

Stryker turns around and yells into the kitchen.

Stryker: Hey, we're going to need some more cheese out here!

A person comes from the back with a large bucket of cheese. Stryker grabs the bucket.

Stryker: I've got your cheese right here a**hole!

He throws the bucket of cheese on the fan standing at the counter who starts to flail and fall down in it.

Stryker: Is that enough cheese now!?

Stryker hops over the counter and starts to poor the remnants from the bucket on top of the fan who has fallen down now.

Stryker: Anyone else need some cheese tonight?!

Stryker throws the bucket down on the fan and walks away.

Stryker: I don't need this sh*t.

The scene fades out.

[Johnny Rebel]

We come back to the ring where TJ, Jason Andrews and Matthew Turner are already in the ring prepared for their match.

West: It looks like Turner and Bacon look deathly afraid of the monster that is TJ! I wouldn't be surprised if either man duck out of the ring before the match even begins.

Harris: I'm not looking for either one to compete here!

Matthew Turner VS Jason Andrews VS “The Soul of Philly” TJ

When the bell rings Matthew Turner looks to utilise the element of surprise by taking advantage of TJ as he bilaterally stares down Bacon. Turner leaps in with a fore-arm to the face but TJ sees him coming out of the corner of his eye and prepares accordingly. With a mammoth sized Soul Buster coupled with a 90 degree left turn, Turner is turned inside out as he's dumped over the top rope onto his neck with the greatest of ease and effectively left incapacitated right from the get-go.

West: By the hairs on Christ's chin, I've never seen such power exhibited like TJ does when he hits the ring. That's a ridiculous amount of force to thrown someone onto solid concrete with!

Harris: We've learnt a lesson here West.

West: What lesson is that Harris?

Harris: Don't ever try and sneak attack a giant man when you're in plain sight.

West: Fair play.

TJ wastes no time on following up the destruction by gunning right after the clinically insane Bacon who's most definitely worse for wear after his recent injuries. TJ looks to manhandle Bacon but Bacon somehow manages to take an early lead by using quick smarts and desperation to nail some chop blocks, fore-arms to the neck and even a big right boot. This beat-down continues for a good five minutes or so until TJ pushes himself off the ground and laughs in Bacon's face. It's going to take a lot more than that. A back and forth of suplexes and guerilla tactics ensues until Bacon sees to counter a charging TJ with a boot from the corner. Staggering back, Bacon climbs the top rope and launches himself at Dat Soul of Philly with a Flying Hurricanrana but TJ catches him dead in the air with yet another Soulbuster damn near breaking the ring with the sheer amount of power.

TJ plants a boot across the limp, unconscious pork-meat and raises his arms in victory.

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Paige: Here is your winner, via pinfall, "The Soul of Philly" TJ!

West: An extremely impressive win from TJ! He's a rising star here on the Meltdown brand and tonight he made short work of Bacon and Turner!

Harris: It wouldn't surprise me to see Diamond give Turner the pink slip by next week!

Andrews, frustrated at his lack of offense in the match, slides out of the ring and grabs a chair from the outside. He rolls back in underneath the bottom rope and waits for TJ to dismount from the top turnbuckle. As soon as he does, Bacon nails him with the chair and flattens him out in the middle of the ring. Andrews drops the chair over the chest of TJ and leaves the ring as the crowd is stunned at the turn of events.

West: Bacon isn't messing around and he's sending a message to TJ that he won't be pushed around, Dick!

Harris: He better be careful or TJ will have his head!

Our scene flips back to the locker room. The fans come to life as we see Dita Morgan stretching before her match tonight. She wears her ring gear as she reaches from side to side. The men in the crowd eat it up. She puts her foot on the bench in her locker room, retying her laces. There is a knock at the door.

Dita: Yeah, come in.

The door opens and Shadow walks in. He is wearing his leather duster and black leather pants, Shadow’s long black hair free flowing behind him. He approaches Dita. She speaks before he does.

Dita: I know exactly what you’re going to say and I don’t want to fight about this. You know I care about you, you know that. I don’t want to hurt anyone but I need to work out what’s right for me. Right now this isn’t something I want to argue about.

Shadow: Hey, listen calm the hell down. I had to tell you something. A lot has been said about you and I in this match and the six man tag a few weeks back. I want you to understand that I know you want your life, Dita and I respect that. But as your friend it was my job to tell you what I think of Horrowitz. And I don’t think much of him. The man tried to jump you on the Debut episode of Meltdown, and now he wants to be your man? You're a smart girl Dita. You deserve better than that. There I said my piece and yes, as you are well aware, I do miss you. But I understand having to do something on your own, I honest to God really do. I will always watch your back, regardless of our status.

There is a brief pause. Shadow’s eyes remained trained on her. After several seconds to take everything in, Dita exhales sharply and finally says.

Dita: Thank you. And you know I’ll always have your back. I know this is awkward for us both and I’m not asking for approval, but I’d still like to know you’re there.

Shadow: I’ll always be there Dita. Whether you want to view it as hopelessly pathetic or whatever that’s fine, but you know anytime you call I will always answer. You’re something special Dita. No matter what ever happens between us, I want you to remember something.

He smiles and turns toward the door.

Shadow: Sometimes, even when you least expect it, you still take my breath away.

He walks away and pulls to door open. While the camera pans back to Dita we hear the locker door swing shut. She stands there pondering what truly awaits her in the future. Then the camera begins to fade to black as we hear Shane West’s voice.

West: Huge tag team match up when we come back!

[Johnny Rebel]

As the first chord of, "Strange Deja Vu", by Dream Theater, feverishly pours out from the arenas PA system, a minor cascading of booing is admitted from the audience in attendance. The lights dim to a slight degree, and hasty arrays of yellow, green and red flashes.

Nicky Paige: Ladies and gentlemen, the following tag team match is schedule for one fall. Introducing first,

West: This is a strange match up.

Harris: It IS a twisted angle.

As the rest of the instrumentation kicks into full effect, Cameron Wolves struts onto the stage. His face mixed between that of megalomania, and a look of lividness. As he proceeds down the ramp, he 'sykes' out a couple of younger fans, extending his arm for high-fives, then instantly retracting his arm back when signs of a returned high-five seem imminent.

Nicky Paige: From Windsor, Ontario, Canada; weighing in at 217 lbs. Cameron Wolves!

West: First you have this man, being thrust into a tag match with a man he despises.

Dashing around the ring, halfway, Wolves grasp upon he middle rope, pulling himself upon the apron, and with great haste, ascending the top turnbuckle. Upon arriving atop of the ring, Wolves fully extends both of his arms, pushing his chest slightly forward, o be met with cascading boo's, in which he indulges himself.

Nicky Paige: And his tag team partner,

The melodic techno chords of “The Shard” (Puzzle) hits the sound system and automatically the crowd know how to respond. Cheering in admiration as “The Celestial Samurai” Benny Horrowitz makes his way out of the curtain is a unanimous response from the crowd. There's not a single person in the building not cheering and chanting the reborn urban gangster.

Nicky Paige: From Manhattan, New York: weighing in at 192 lbs. “The Celestial Samurai, Benny Horrowitz!

He walks down slowly, high-fiving fans before doing an impressive leap from the ground, grabbing the top rope and pulling his legs up as he sails over it and into the ring with an impressive display of free-running ability.

Harris: Being tagged with this man. Two weeks ago, Benny drove Cameron and himself through an electronic box. How can Cameron Wolves trust someone like that?

He then takes the corner and makes a hand triangle to the audience as his theme song starts to die down.

Nicky Paige: And their introducing their opponents.

Eyes of a Panther by Steel Panther hits the PA and plays around the arena. Dita Morgan steps out on to the entrance way, her eyes scan the arena and the huge crowd.

West: Then this woman, the object of Benny’s desire. She and Benny have been spotted talking in the back and out on a date or two according to the tabloids.

Nicky Paige: First, from Camden Town, London, England weighing 115 lbs. She is “The Wild Child!” Dita Morgan!

After taking a deep breath she starts to make her way down to the ring. She walks by the crowds and heads up the stairs and steps through the ropes. She stands in the center of the ring and waits for the music and the crowd to settle down. Then the lights go out, everyone gets quiet.

Nicky Paige: And her tag team partner.

[glow=navy,4,600]

I AWAKE FROM MADNESS, ONE MORE TIME!

[/glow]

The fans explode. lighting bursts across the titantron. Two explosions rip across the stage as Shadow emerges from behind the curtain on a monochromatic screen. The arena on their feet, cheering.

Harris: Add in this man, Dita’s ex, or something.

Nicky Paige: From Denton, Texas. Standing at six foot eleven, weighing in at two hundred and ninety nine pounds, Shadow!

West: You know that the combined weight of the other team is just over 400 pounds.. Shadow makes up a is three quarters that. And Dita is just a quarter. How uneven is that team?

Harris: Why do you hate Shadow?

West: When I worked backstage, they hounded me endlessly. I will never support him, Dick.

He wears his leather duster and strides through the fog at his knees. Lightning flashes on the screens behind him as they cause more fireworks to explode as he marches toward the ring. As he makes his way around the ring, Shadow shakes hands with the kids, the fans who are there. He turns after circling the ring and pulls himself up and over the top rope. Inside Shadow raises one arm high as the two corners behind him burst with flames. The color returns to normal as the fans cheer wildly. The fans die down as the two teams both look at each other to see who will start. Cameron Wolves begins blatantly yelling at Horrowitz to vacate the ring. Shadow tells Dita he will. She shakes her head in disagreement. So Shadow says rock paper scissos. He throws rock! She throws scissors! Dita climbs onto the apron as Shadow turns to face the second biggest person in this match.

Ding, Ding, Ding!

Tag Team Match
Dita Morgan and Shadow versus Carmeron Wolves and Benny Horrowitz

Shadow stands tall as he circles the ring with the cautious Cameron. They lock up! Shadow leans back and hurls Wolves off into a neutral corner! Cameron rolls to his feet as Shadow stands there, he raises his arm to the adoring fans.

Harris: While you may not like him, the crowd certainly does.

West: I never understood that.

Wolves charges and Shadows throws a high right but Cameron ducks, turns, leaps and smashs Shadow in the back of the head with a forearm smash. Shadow staggers forward as Wolves goes to him. But the big man shakes away, spins behind Wolves and hits a belly to back suplex! Wolves is up, and caught with a snap suplex! Shadow follows through and nails Cameron with a scoop slam. First cover of the match!

1
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.
-Wolves kicks out quickly!

West: I don’t know why he would have thought that would be the end.

Shadow grabs Cameron Wolves and whips him into the corner. He tags in Dita who hops over the top rope, springs onto Cameron, launching him with a Monkey toss! He lands center of the ring! Morgan is up, runs and hits a hard elbow drop. She goes for a cover!

1
.
.
2
-Wolves rakes Dita’s eyes to break the cover!

Harris: Wolves, you have to hand it to him, he is takes every opportunistic shot offered.

He grabs her by the back of her head and slams her face forward as he rises. Outside Horrowitz and Shadow both yell at the ref for missing the eye rake. Wolves stomps Morgan several times keeping her on the mat. Then he drags her over to his corner to make the tag. But “The Celestial Samurai” refuses to tag in! Wolves points at Horrowiz’s boot and the turnbuckle but Benny shakes his head!

Harris: Well that’s just not team work at all.

West: Well Benny Horrowitz and Dita Morgan kind of have a thing. He wouldn’t want to ruin that.

Wolves pulls Morgan to her feet, lifts her up; big brainbuster center of the ring. He goes for the cover!

1
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.
2
.
Dita rolls her shoulder off the mat.

Harris: So close! What a beautiful execution!

Wolves picks her up as Shadow’s outstretched hand is nowhere near close enough to reach. He launches her into a neutral corner! Quick charging splash and a big bulldog coming out! Dita is down! Wolves is up! He bounces off the ropes and Horrowitz tags himself in!

Harris: What is he doing?

West: I think he is trying to save her.

Horrowitz climbs in through the bottom rope ad Wolves gets in his face screaming at him. The referee orders Wolves to the apron. Benny kneels and checks on Dita telling her to make the tag. Morgan looks at him, Kick to the midsection DDT!

Harris: Pity doesn’t sit well with her.

West: It wasn’t pity.

Harris: Not how she saw it.

Morgan scrambles over and tags in Shadow as Horrowitz shakes the surprise off. Shadow lets him stand up. The two look at one another they go to lock up! The fans come alive!

Harris: And here we go!

Horrowitz instead starts throwing hard kicks at Shadow but the big man keeps coming. He blocks several and grabs Benny by both shoulders wrenching down Horrowitz uses this time to kick Shadow in the ribs to break free. But Shadow still grabs him and shoots Benny off! Horrowitz comes back for a jumping side Kick but Shadow grabs him and slams him down to the mat. Big man drops a leg, then a second. Shadow gets up and goes to bounce off the ropes for a third but Cameron Wolves knees Shadow in the back. Shadow turns and flips Wolves into the ring!

West: What?

Harris: All hell is breaking loose already?

Cameron pulls himself up as Shadow grabs him from behind and drops a huge full nelson slam! Horrowitz is up. He charges Shadow with the Machine gun Chops! He beats the big man back to the corner! He starts with the shoulder thrusts. Then a solid kick to the side of the head! The fans are screaming. Benny backs away and charges in, he leaps!

West: White No!

Shadow powers out and mows down the airborne Horrowitz with a decapitating clothesline! Shadow yells and holds the side of his head as Dita calls for the tag. Shadow looks at her then finally walks over and smacks her hand. Meanwhile Horrowitz is unnoticeably moving closer to his corner. Morgan comes in as Benny staggers to his feet. She sprints in and hits a headscissors take down but it launches Benny into his corner Wolves makes another tag. Dita is back on her feet in time to see! Wolves leaps up and hits a big drop kick taking Dita off her feet! He grabs her as before she can get back up and and drives his knee into her back driving her to the mat. He goes for the cover!

1
.
.
.
2
.
.
-Shadow kicks Cameron Wolves in the shoulder breaking the pin attempt.

Harris: Shadow with the save there. Wait Wolves!

He turns to exit the ring and as he is climbing over the top rope, Wolves leaps hitting a dropkick taking Shadow to the floor. He crashes to the mat and looks back at Dita. She leaps!

West: Downt-No!

Cameron grabs her and pulls her to his shoulder in midair. He drops!

Harris: Cave Allegories!

Looking straight at Horrowitz, Cameron sits back, laying across Dita, smiling.

1
.
.
2
.
.
3!!!

Ding, Ding, Ding!

Paige: Here are your winners, Cameron Wolves and Benny Horrowitz!

Wolves’ music begins to play just as Shadow is pulling himself up on the outside. Horrowitz just stares at Wolves who stands in the ring laughing proudly.

West: Benny Horrowitz had trouble letting Cameron Wolves beat Dita Morgan!

Cameron turns and sees Shadow out side the ring pulling himself up on the apron. He then runs and baseball slides kicking Shadow in the face. He gets back up and looks at Dita. She is just starting to move in the ring. He stalks her!

Harris: White Light!

Horrowitz plants his knee right into Wolves’ head drilling him. He turns to Dita and helps her to her feet. She looks at him confused as both Wolves and Shadow lay on the ground. Benny Horrowitz turns and leaves Dita in the ring then heads up the ramp and walks backstage. The camera remains on the confused Dita Morgan and fades to commercial.

[Johnny Rebel]

The scene cuts to the hallways in the locker room. Shadow is walking down the corridor and turns into a door on the right. He pushes the door open and enters the adjacent room. Benny Horrowitz looks up. We see that he was packing his gear, already changed into a loose fitting brightly colored outfit. His eyes snap onto Shadow. Before Shadow says a word-

Benny: Hold up a sec! The match ended out there buddy, I'm in no mood to fight you right now, I-

Shadow's open hands raise up to try and calm Benny. Shadow has no intentions of continuing tonight's stellar encounter.

Shadow: Listen whoa, calm down. I’m here because I owe you an apology. I know I said some hurtful things earlier. I want you to know that I know what went on out there in the ring, Benny. You saved Dita. I know what I saw. You rescued her when Wolves was going to strike. I asked you to prove yourself and you did sir.

His right hand reaches out, patiently waiting. Benny's body tenses up just like how he does it in the ring when he's about to go for that White Light Knee. His eyes are almost incandescent with fury as he gnaws his bottom lip until blood starts to leak out. With eyes set to kill, Benny finally-

Benny: A'ite, cool.

… shakes his hand.

The relief of broken tension sweeps over both of them as Benny and Shadow share a mile wide smile.

Benny: Listen man, you don't have to apologise to me. You had every right to distrust me. I did some wild things when I got here because I wanted to be the man, I wanted this to be my play pen and fuck what anyone else thinks. Now I realise there's more to this business than that. Dita, she's a really special lady for making me realise that and if I can say one thing? You were a damn fool to let her go. Look man, how about you and I go get a bro beer sometime? I'll take you round NY and we can put this BS behind us. Ya' dig?

Shadow: As long as you don't try and do to me what you do with Dita when you guys hang out? I'm sure we can make that happen.

The two share a chuckle as the war between the two men seems to be over.

Benny: Haha, man. Iunno, I'll try my best but an alpha like me can't be contained. Nah mean?

Benny holds up a bro-fist to dap Shadow, but Shadow respectfully nods and declines the gesture out of simply not feeling street enough to attempt such a gesture. The two men part ways as the scene fades to black.

West: Something is brewing there and I'm not sure if I like it!

The lights go down in the arena and a red spot light spans all over the crowd as they cheer loudly then red a red mist forms at the top of the ramp then red and white pyrotechnics blast of at the top of the stage.

Nicky Paige: Ladies and gentlemen, the following match is scheduled for one fall. Introducing first, from, New York, weighing in at 245 lbs. Yarmouth!

I don't care about you by Fear rages out of the arena speakers and Yarmouth comes out and swaggers down to the ramp tagging the fans as he goes down the ramp and climb's in to the ring climb's onto the top turn buckle and waves to the fans in the arena. Hysteria, by Muse, hits the PA system as strobe lights flicker on and off around the arena. The camera pans into the crowd as Kyle Goodburn emerges through the arena audience.

Nicky Paige: And his opponent, from Grand Rapids, Michigan, weighing 210 lbs. Kyle Goodburn!

APW fans pat Kyle Goodburn on the shoulder, as others shout jeers at him. Kyle gets a smirk on as face as he hears the discouraging comments at him, he continues down to the ring, jumping over the barricade and circles the ring as his music continues. He rolls into the ring and does a few poses in the ring for the fans, as they boo him more. His music dies out. Then another bit of music begins.

I'm living in the 21st century doin' something mean to it
Do it better then anybody you ever seen do it
Screams from the haters, got a nice ring to it
I guess every superhero need his theme music

The beat comes in and the pulsating red and white lights continue to do so as Jair Hopkin holds his arms up in the air like a true ‘Winner’ while he makes his way down the ramp. He slaps a few of the fans hands on each side. He doesn’t gain much of a pop, but there aren’t any boos heard. Jair hops his small frame up onto the edge of the apron as he rolls under the bottom rope.

Nicky Paige: And their opponent, from the Bronx, New York, weighing 200 lbs. Jair Hopkins!

Inside, he stands up, again with his arms in the air. He looks around, admiring the view as he takes it to the nearest corner turnbuckle, getting a better view before dropping down, readying for the match at hand. The Rohff begins to play and the fans turn ugly again.

Nicky Paige: And their final opponent, from Cologne, Germany, weighing 250 lbs. Stefan Raab!

Stefan comes out through the curtain just wearing his gold and black wrestling tights with his nickname The Killerplauze on the front of them with TV Total logos on the side of his trousers and ignores the fans as he goes up the stairs before going in-between the ropes and does a holdup on each turnbuckle and everyone boos him as he does a few boxing punches to the cameras before he looks at his opponent with anger in his eyes waiting for the match to start.

Yarmouth Vs Kyle Goodburn vs. Jair Hopkins Vs Stephan Rabb

When the bell rings Yarmouth leaps across the ring and begins firing punches at Kyle Goodburn.

West: Those are ballistic!

On the other side of the ring, Jair Hopkins and Stefan Raab lock up with Raab hitting a quick arm drag and locks in the hold! Hopkins grabs the ropes as the ref tells Stefan to break the hold. On the other side of the ring, Goodburn is beaten back into a corner still being hammered away on by Yarmouth. Raab pull up Hopkins and shoots him to the corner, no wait counter! Raab hits the corner hard. Across the ring Yarmouth whips Kyle! Goodburn collides with Raab on the other side of the ring, crushing Stefan’s body between the flesh and steel. Hopkins looks up and Yarmouth mows him down with a clothesline! The fans pop!

Harris: What a ruthless monster. Did you see the way he just destroyed everyone in the ring?

West: I wouldn’t say destroyed, Dick. But we may well be looking at the next man to challange for the North American Title.

Yarmouth grabs Hopkins and pulls him back to his feet, he scoops Hopkins up and walks around the ring before slamming Jair in the center. He goes for the cover!

1
.
.
2
- Stefan Raab and Kyle Goodburn both drop and elbow on Yarmouth breaking the hold. The two men grab the mammoth. But he powers free. He hits Kyle rich hand! But Raab hits the chop block taking Yarmouth’s legs out from under him. Stefan is up and drops a snap leg drop. Goodburn is back on his feet. He and Raab both grab a leg!

Harris: Make a wish, Shane!

The wishbone makes Yarmouth grab his lower region in pain. Before he can roll away, both men begin to stomp away at him.

West: I don’t care who you are, that will always slow you down.

Yarmouth tries to get up, but both men continue to hammer away, stomping and clubbing until Yarmouth battles back to his knees, then Raab dropkicks Yarmouth’s legs taking the big man back down! He goes for a cover!

1
.
.
-Kyle Goodburn pulls Stefan Raab off by his leg.

He hits a knee drop to the sternum and goes for the cover!

West: It was bound to happen.

Harris: They may have been on the same page before, not anymore!

1
.
.
- Raab rips Kyle off Yarmouth.

Harris: Things may turn ugly!

Goodburn gets right into Stefan’s face, both men yelling at one another. The referee tries to reason. They both turn and are take down from above!

West: Hopkins hits them both with a crossbody off the top rope!

Stefan and Kyle crash to the mat as Jair uses both men’s momentum to his advantage. He bouncers to his feet, hits the ropes, flips and lands a splash across both of them! The fans are on their feet! Jair Hopkins springs back up and raises his arm. He turns and sees Yarmouth looking at him, glaring!

Harris: Hope you had your fun, Jair!

But instead Yarmouth nods, Hopkins bounces off the ropes and Yarmouth steps in the way ducks.

West: What a big back body drop!

Harris: Hopkins must be ten feet up!

Hopkins rolls a completed flip in the air as Yarmouth steps forward pushing the much lighter athlete higher. Jair brings his knees in and kicks out before he hits the splash!

West: What a frog splash!

Goodburn and Stefan roll around on the mat in pain as Hopkins gets back to his feet. The fans are cheering for both he and Yarmouth. Suddenly Hopkins decks Yarmouth! The crowd goes quiet!

Harris: Wow!

West: I don’t think Yarmouth liked that.

The big man stands there; he turns back to Hopkins who just smugly grins. Yarmouth goes to seize him, but Jair ducks under and goes for a German suplex. But Yarmouth doesn’t budge. He elbows back twice spins behind and nails Hopkins with a big belly to back suplex. He gets up and grabs Jair who stumbles back to his feet and hits hit with a stomach crusher, dropping Jair across his knee. Yarmouth gets up and turns,

West: Whoa!

Harris: Talk about out of nowhere!

West: Where did Kyle Goodburn come from?!

Kyle Goodburn comes sailing across the ring driving his forearm into Yarmouth’s face. He takes the big man down! Goodburn is back up and so is Yarmouth! Kyle grabs him! But Yarmouth snaps free, grabs Kyle by the throat and hits him with a big chokeslam in the middle of the ring! Suddenly Yarmouth’s legs come out from under him!

Harris: Again!

West: Oh Stefan Raab is back in the fight as well!

Before Yarmouth can move, Stefan has him by the ankle and is pulling him by the leg across the ring, stomping at Yarmouth’s thigh and hamstrings! Yarmouth tries to wriggle free but instead Raab steps over and drops his knee across the leg, bending Yarmouth’s leg between both of his own! The crowd jeers angrily as Raab just grins. He gets up and grabs Yarmouth leg and does it again! This time he spins around and locks in a reverse ankle lock!

Harris: Yarmouth is in the center of the ring!

The referee asks him if he wants to end it but Yarmouth shakes his head! Stefan synchs in the hold applying more pressure. Again the referee asks, still no.

West: Yarmouth doesn’t want it to end just yet!

Suddenly Jair Hopkins drops a leg drop across Stefan breaking the hold. He pulsl up Raab and the two begin to trade blows in the center of the ring. Jair with a Japanese armdrag, Raab is up he and Jair charge an hit each other both with clotheslines! Both men are down!

Harris: The referee doesn’t know what to do here!

West: There is no ten count in this match!
All four men begin to slowly pull themselves up. Yarmouth uses the ropes as Jair grabs the ropes in the corner. Goodburn rolls onto his stomach and Stefan brings himself to his knees, still holding his head as he is doubled over.

West: These men, are all fighting for something here. This is there big opportunity!

Hopkins works his way over to Raab and the two men begin trading rights. Suddenly Jair blocks one, kick to the midsection, DDT! The fans pop as Jair kips up only to be grabbed by Yarmouth and hurled across the ring with a fallaway slam!

West: Yarmouth, still showing such brutal strength!

Yarmouth gets back up but Kyle Goodburn sweeps the legs. He locks it in!

Harris: Sharp shooter! Sharp shooter!

Yarmouth scrambles to reach the ropes but Kyle pulls him back to the center of the ring and wrenches in the hold. Yarmouth turns and reaches the referee asks him! Raab hits Kyle with a Killcutter!

Harris: Raab may have just saved the match!

West: It’s not over!

Jair Hopkjins stumbles to his feet, but before he can react! Stefan hits the Killer Pin! The fans boo loudly as the referee counts!

1
.
.
2
.
.
3!!
Paige: Here is your winner, via pinfall, Stefan Raab!

Harris: Shane you saw it here, Stefan Raab just won a shot at the North American Title!

Raab’s music begins to play loudly as he celebrates his victory with glee. He remains in the ring to the disgust of the fans. They jeer him. He climbs a turnbuckle for the angry crowd and keeps taunting them until the camera fades away.

[Johnny Rebel]

Tom Sawyer by Rush blasts over the PA as the unforgettable guitar riff from Geddy Lee takes the crowd by storm. Bossier City is on their feet, wholeheartedly booing Steve Stryker.

Harris: Here’s the man representing Meltdown at Test for the Best. What an ungrateful crowd.

Paige: Our following contest is a TAG TEEEAAAM MATCH scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, from Detroit, Michigan, weighing in at two-hundred-and-eighty pounds, the ‘Hitman’ STEEEEVE STRYYYYKERRRR!

After the first two riffs, The Hitman makes his way out from backstage and raises both arms high into the air while walking down the ramp. As he gets booed he only treats them like cheers and continues to amp himself up. He slides in the ring and bounces off of each rope and gets himself ready for the match.

Paige: And from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, his partner...

What seems like two lightening bolts ignite over the ring and travel across the arena striking either side of the entrance ramp. With contact a huge explosion engulfs the entrance with a blinding white light almost like a portal of heaven had just opened up. AFI's Misseria Cantare begins to serenade the shadow of Michael Lively standing at the top of the ramp with his arms outstretched in the I am JESUS pose. His head tilted sideways with a grin painted on his mug as he welcomes the shower of boos from the crowd.

Paige: Weighing in at two-hundred-and-twenty-five pounds, MICHAELLLLLL LIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIVVEEELY!

With an arrogant swagger the man walks down the ramp absorbing the hatred, and flipping the fans off along the way. The man slides under the ropes springs to his feet and whips out his arms once more welcoming the roaring disapproval of the fans as a shower of blue sparks falls on him from over head. As his music dies, another “Lively sucks!” chant has quickly and loudly developed.

Our cameras pan over to the young lady that Lively spat in the face of earlier in the night. She is clutching the two halves of her Evan Envi support sign, glaring up at Lively. He mockingly blows her a kiss from the center of the ring.

Paige: And their opponents...!

"Superhero Heart" began to play over the p.a. system as the cameras panned towards the stage. After a few moments of delay, out from the back comes a "fashionably late" Carmen Rivera with a deviant's snicker on her gorgeous face. She stands atop the ramp on the center of the stage, demanding attention as a few of her fingers run through her long hair. The superficial vixen then begins to make her way down the ramp, careful to avoid touching the extended hands of any fans who were brave enough to try and capture her attention. Strutting up the steel stairs, she was by no means in any sort of a rush.

Paige: From San Diego, California, weighing in at one-hundred and thirty pounds, CARRRMEEEEEEENNNNNN RIIIIIIIIIIIVERA!

Carmen struts along the length of the apron, bending into the ring underneath of the second rope. Brushing any sort of wrinkles out of her ring gear, she made her way towards a nearby turnbuckle. Standing on the second rope, her hands glide down her curvaceous figure before she twirls off of the rope, bouncing back to the canvas. Immediately, her music fades and our lights dance wildly throughout the audience.

Paige: And her tag team partner, from Hollywood, California...

”When I get to the bottom I go back to the top of the slide
Where I stop and I turn and I go for a ride
Till I get to the bottom and I see you again...!"

Paige: Weighing in at two-hundred-and-twelve pounds, he is the North American Ch--

Evan Envi has said “be damned” to the routine entrance and has already sprinted down the ramp and slid into the ring by the time his introduction is finished. Predictably, he lunges for Lively, who slides out of the ring. In the same motion, Stryker catches Envi, using his strength to throw him backwards. Evan lands in the center of the ring, stumbling backward. He looks past Stryker and to Lively on the outside, though Stryker is taunting Evan, motioning for him to come lock up with him, a grin on his face.

West: Evan Envi is wasting no time! He wants his hands on Lively!

Harris: Right? Talk about blasphemy.

Main Event
Tag Team
Evan Envi & Carmen Rivera vs Steve Stryker & Michael Lively

The bell rings, and things have quickly been decided. Evan and Stryker start things off. Evan steals a look to his corner where Rivera is looking at her nails, completely uninterested in the match. He turns his attention to Stryker and Lively’s corner next, where Lively is saying something to Stryker, giving him orders. Stryker gives Lively an annoyed glance before going to the center of the ring to lock up with Envi. Quickly, Envi is overpowered. He sinks down to one knee several times before Stryker is able to shove him back. Evan rolls over his shoulder and to his feet, sizing Stryker up. Stryker taunts him again and once more they lock up with Stryker getting the upperhand, shoving Evan back harder this time. Evan slams his fists on the mat in frustration and tackles Stryker with a double-leg takedown. Evan pounds the bigger man with right and left forearms to the delight of the crowd. Stryker coves up, trying to roll over onto his side. He eventually forces Evan off and Evan is pushed back by the referee while Stryker reaches his feet.

West: Quickly in this match, Stryker is showing his strength-- that brute strength that brought him this far in APW. But Envi’s crafty, and it’s going to take more than muscle to put him down.

Harris: Well, I think Stryker’s got that. And-- WHAT a shot!

Dick Harris is referring to a closed right fist from Stryker to Evan’s jaw while the referee’s back is turned. Carmen objects from the apron, finally showing concern for the match. Stryker waits for Evan to get up before hitting a Belly-to-Back Suplex. He drags Evan over to Lively, extending his hand, but Lively is hesitant to accept it. He tags in, earning thunderous boos from the audience. Evan is getting to his feet, but Lively is quick to ground him with a Bulldog. Evan scrambles to his feet, but a running knee to the jaw knocks him roughly against the ropes. Lively opens up on Evan with rapid shots to the face and torso. Evan sinks down, defenseless. Lively holds his arms out, performing his “JESUS” pose as he struts around the ring. He turns back to Evan, but Evan runs forward and hits a Swinging Neckbreaker! Again, Evan is on top of his opponent, hammering him with rights and lefts. Lively desperately covers up, unprepared for the onslaught. Again, Evan is restrained via referee and Lively dives into his corner to tag the Hitman back in. Stryker looks at Lively from the apron with a look of disbelief on his face. Lively leans against the barricade, motioning for Stryker to pay attention. Stryker turns-- and Evan slides between his legs to the outside! Our crowd roars as Evan leaps onto Lively, continuing to hammer him with rights and lefts.

West: Envi is like a man possessed!

Lively covers up, but falls to a seated position on the floor. Evan backs up, perhaps thinking to hit a boot or a knee, but Stryker nails him from behind with a shot to the base of the neck followed by a Sidewalk Slam to the floors outside! Evan arches his back in agony and is rolled back into the ring where Stryker hopes to cover him but only gets a one count. Evan is thrown into a side headlock on the ground, but this is only temporary as he hits elbows to Stryker’s abdomen to loosen his grip and climb up to a vertical base. Eventually Evan breaks free and nails a Back Suplex on Stryker. They both return to their feet due to Evan being worse-off between the two. Evan is hit with a knee to the midsection and is then Irish Whipped across the ring. Carmen Rivera tags Evan on the back as he comes off the ropes, unbeknownst to Stryker. Stryker flattens Evan with a Tilt-A-Whirl Side Slam. He hooks Evan’s far leg for the cover, but the referee doesn’t count, indicating that Evan isn’t the legal man.

Harris: Stryker had better turn around!

West: He’s too busy arguing with the referee!

Harris: You’d think after just winning a Battle Royal, you’d be wise enough to never turn your back on the competition.

Stryker finally heeds the referee’s words-- but it’s too late. Carmen is on the top rope and flies off with a Diving Cross Body! She hops off of Stryker as they hit the ground. He groggily gets up, and immediately falls victim to a double-knee facebuster. Stryker flops onto his back and Carmen hooks both legs for a deep cover.

ONE
.
.
.
TWOOOO
.
.
.
THR-- Kickout!

West: By a fraction of a second!

Harris: Hell... Fraction of a millisecond.

Rivera immediately disputes this call with our referee, slamming her palms on the mat in frustration. She gets to her feet and storms back over to her corner, tagging Evan Envi right back in our match. He has barely regained his footing on the apron when he feels her slap his shoulder. Rivera exits the ring to the floor and makes her way over to the announce table.

Harris: What a treat! Rivera’s joining us over here at ringside.

Evan angrily steps into the ring. Nevertheless, he scoops Stryker up off of the ground, looking at Rivera as he positions Stryker for a Suplex... He then nails a Brainbuster with authority! Stryker cries out in pain and rolls back to his feet. Evan goes to Irish Whip him into the corner, but Stryker reverses it to send Evan to the turnbuckles instead. Evan runs up the turnbuckles displaying feline-like reflexes, twisting off to swing his entire body back around and hit a Flying Hurricanrana to Stryker to the delight of Bossier City! Stryker gets to his feet immediately, but groggily. Evan runs at him, but Stryker delivers a Flapjack, hanging Evan up rib-first over the top rope. He then delivers a sharp kick to Evan’s side, knocking him to the canvas.

Harris: Ha! Old school!

Evan clutches his ribs in pain, but Stryker pushes him over for the pin.

ONE
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TWO
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TH--

Evan kicks out and fights to his feet. Stryker catches him in a front facelock and tries to drag him over to the corner to tag in Lively, but Lively just glares at Stryker. Stryker, clearly upset, turns back to Evan and knees him in the gut before delivering an inverted swinging neckbreaker. Evan folds up on the mat awkwardly and Stryker once again goes to tag in Lively... But is once again denied. Lively screams for Stryker to finish the job. Stryker glares at Lively and turns back to Evan, going for a Fisherman’s Suplex, but Evan counters it into a Small Package!

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TWO
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Stryker pops out after two and with rage in his eyes begins to pummel Envi with hard fists to the base of the neck and upper back. He lifts him up, possibly thinking Fisherman’s Suplex again, but Evan nails a European Uppercut. Stryker reels back and Evan hits a second... a third... a fourth... He Irish Whips Stryker across the ring and leaps into the air to nail a Frankensteiner! Evan feels the momentum, rebounding off the ropes and coming back with a leaping Calf Kick! Stryker goes down hard, and Evan points to the turnbuckles, moving ever-so-slowly toward them. He begins to ascend to the top, but the fatigue catches up and Michael Lively hops up onto the apron, blatantly pulling Evan’s leg. Evan teeters, but does not quite fall... Until Lively leaps up onto the top rope with him, hitting a hard knee lift right to his jaw! While our audience appreciates the athleticism, they boo loudly as Evan crashes violently to the apron and then to the floor below.

West: My God, the North American champion may have just broken his spine!

We cut to ringside, where Rivera is seated a few feet from the announcers, mockingly applauding as Evan gets to his feet on the outside. Meanwhile, Lively has taken it upon himself to tag himself back in at his corner, dropping down off of the apron to finish off Envi. He stalks his prey for a few seconds before rushing forward to hit a running Front Dropkick to his temple! Evan cries out and falls to his side. He groggily pushes himself to his knees, but Lively lifts him up, only to hit a Scoop Slam onto the announce table! Evan cries out again in pain as his spine connects with the monitors. He rolls off, to the floor, feet from Carmen. Carmen rolls her eyes as Evan uses Lively’s tights to pull himself to his feet, eating a European Uppercut for his troubles. Lively goes to Irish Whip Evan into the apron, but Evan reverses it, sending Lively skull-first into the steel post! Lively’s eyes roll into the back of his head as he falls to his knees. Evan instinctively turns around in time to see Steve Stryker lunging toward him for a Shoulder Block-- but he dives out of the way and Stryker connects with Rivera, knocking her over the chair and into the side of the announce table!

Harris: What! NO! Evan just took out his partner!

West: No, Stryker took out Evan’s partner. And Evan’s back on the offensive-- Somersault Neckbreaker to Stryker on the outside! God, that’s not the thickest padding!

Evan pushes himself up, rushing to slide Lively into the ring. Lively reaches his feet first, however, hitting Evan with vicious stomps to his back and shoulders. Evan does everything in his power to fight him off before he is finally halted with an Enziguiri from the “JESUS” himself. Evan hits the mat and Lively jumps into the air, clearly pleased with his ability to play possum. He scans the crowd, nodding in satisfaction at their negativity. He drops down and slides out of the ring without much warning and marches over to the same Envi fan he had harrassed earlier. He slowly leans toward her, grinning into her face. The woman responds his look with a disgusted grimace-- but Lively soon reaches forward, yanking at her hair! Surprisingly, it slides off with ease, revealing the woman’s baldness. She throws her hands up to her head, sinking down into her seat while Lively hops up onto the apron, holding the wig high in the air to the chagrin of Bossier City. A thunderous chorus of boos, filled with expletives directed at Lively ensues while he puts the wig on and steps into the ring, hitting Evan with a punt to the ribs.

West: WHAT THE HELL is he doing?!

Harris: ...I uh... Wow.

Lively points to the wig, pointing and laughing at the cancer-surviving Envi fan. He lifts Evan up, holding a hand under his chin. Evan looks to be barely able to stand. Lively backs away, throwing one more finger up to the crowd before attempting to nail the Pele Kick-- but Evan counters, grabbing his leg! Lively lands awkwardly on the ground and Evan jumps up, delivering an inverted double-leg drop to the man’s groin region. Lively howls in agony, but as he climbs to his knees, Evan rebounds off of the ropes to deliver a Shining Wizard which is quickly maneuvered into a Triangle Choke-- the move he calls Breathtaking! The crowd roars for the application of the signature, but it's short-lived as Stryker slides into the ring to break it up. Carmen Rivera quickly interferes though, running to hit the Gucci Shoe Trippin' Big Boot to Stryker's face! Stryker drops and Rivera stumbles over him. Meanwhile, an enraged Evan throws Lively from the ring, immediately following him to the outside. He rips the wig off of Lively and in one swift motion, hands it back to the fan. He gives her a curious glance before turning his attention back to Lively, who AGAIN takes advantage of the distraction and tugs at Evan's tights to bring him face-first into the ring apron!

Harris: And this is why you just don't turn your back on your JESUS!

West: That seriously needs to stop, Dick.

Lively, now just as tired as Evan, rolls his slightly smaller foe into the ring, but has apparently forgotten about Rivera, who hits a high Dropkick under his jaw! Lively hits the ground in shock, while Rivera makes her way back to her corner. She shouts to Evan that she has to "SAVE THE DAY AS USUAL!" Evan presumably puts his pride aside as he crawls to his corner and tags Rivera in, to a very loud mixed reaction from our audience.

Harris: What a savior!

West: Are you kidding me? She was seated right here in front of us for more than half this thing, trash-talking her partner.

Harris: She wouldn't do that.

West: SHE DID IT!

Harris: Got a recording?

West: ...No.

Rivera hits Lively with hard chops across the chest, earning a series of "WOOOO!" chants from our audience. She backs him all the way to a neutral corner before mounting the second rope, hitting him with hard forearms to his jaw and skull. Lively eventually hoists her up and over his head, trying to dump her to the outside. Mistakenly, he thinks he did, though Rivera lands on the turnbuckles and quickly ascends to the top. She leaps off with a diving leg lariat to the back of Lively's neck, sending him hard into the canvas! Rivera backs away, waiting for Lively to get up before nailing the Midnight Call-- a leg-trap Sunset Flip Bomb! Lively is folded up and both legs are held for the cover.

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Broken up by Stryker! Rivera hardly takes kindly to it, however, going to Irish Whip Stryker, but it's reversed. Stryker prepares for a Back Body Drop, but Rivera delivers a Tornado DDT! Stryker rolls back to his corner, dazed and confused from the assault.

West: Carmen Rivera is ROLLIN!

This comes to a halt as she turns around-- right into a vicious Pele Kick from Lively. Lively hops up, performing yet another "JESUS" pose, screaming into the raucous crowd. He scoops Carmen up, only for the purpose of throwing her as hard as he possibly can shoulder-first into his corner. Carmen hits the post viciously and groans, staggering backward into a seated position. She cries out that her shoulder has been pulled to the referee, writhing in agony on the mat. Lively slaps hands with Stryker and Stryker climbs into the ring, smirking as he eyes his fallen victim.

West: Lively is looking like he's about to liven things up in the ring! He better be careful to not get overly confident!

Right on cue, Lively coils around his opponent and waits like a snake to attack his pray. Rivera slowly rises to her feet and as soon as she's up, Lively attacks, with several haymakers to the temple of the number one contender to the North American championship. Carmen stumbles backwards as Lively helps her fly backwards with a dropkick. Unfortunately for Lively, she stumbles right in to the hands of the champion and makes the clean tag to her partner for the evening. Envi comes in to the ring with fists full of fury and Lively isn't quite sure where he is at the moment. Stryker comes in to the aid of his partner but gets met with a bodyslam for his trouble. However, this gives Lively enough time to catch his bearings and low-blows Envi with a soccer kick. The fans groan as Envi screams out in pain and holds his elbow so the whole world won't know what hurts.

West: I don't think he's fooling anyone, Dick!

Harris: Hey, watch your mouth, Shane! We're on Cable TV here! I know they are scaling back the standards and practices but there is no reason to put Envi's private places on blast!

West: I was just saying your name, Dick...

Harris: See! There we go again!

Lively picks up the stumbled Envi in a bodyslam position and struts around the ring, yelling at each side of the crowd as he passes. In the meantime, Rivera is back up and perched on the top turnuckle. She waits for Lively's head to turn slowly and he's too late to move out of the way as she leaps off with a dropkick that connects with Envi's back and sends the two flying down to the mat, with Evan landing on top. Envi uses the momentem to carry the two towards the ropes and he kicks both feet on the middle rope as the referee begins his count:

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3
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3!!

Paige: Here is your winner, via pinfall, the team of Evan Envi and Carmen Rivera!

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West: Envi and Rivera pull off the victory tonight here on Meltdown and while they were able to work together well enough to earn the victory, they will face-off for the North American championship at Test for the Best!

Harris: And Envi will again prove why he's the best around!

West: We'll see you soon for another edition of APW Monday Evening Meltdown!

The camera fades as Envi stands in the ring with his championship belt raised high in the air and Rivera on the outside of the ring motioning that the championship belongs around her waist.