Waste-of-Time:
It's that time again, VCW fans... we're bringing you the LEAST exciting pre-game show in wrestling television, the Waste-of-Time! "Wasting My Time" by Jimmy Page is playing as we open this show, and we've got thirty minutes to waste until Disaster Area begins! Tonight, you can be witness to some of the most anticipated matches we've seen in a long time in VCW... but first, you'll be witness to a bunch of hype packages and B-level matches. And to begin, let's recap the growing animosity between Falcon and David Wright Hubbard. It all started a year and a half ago, at Horror Show '99, when David Wright Hubbard faced then-champion Gabriel Black for the VCW World Title, as this newly remastered footage shows:
From Horror Show '99 (remastered footage):
Falcon's at ringside, and nobody really seems to know why... Gabriel Black's a bloody mess, and David Wright Hubbard is dominating this match! He still has the wooden axe handle he used to defeat Richard Tobian earlier... but in the ring, David Wright Hubbard just nailed Gabriel Black with a kick to the midsection, doubling him over... DDT!! Gabriel Black's head leaves a bloody blotch on the canvas where it connected, but David Wright Hubbard's not going for the pin... he just smiles grimly and pulls him up! David Wright Hubbard whips Gabriel Black into the ropes... and nails him with a massive kick to the head when he comes off! Blood spatters off of Gabriel Black's face, and the crowd explodes into cheers as he crumples to the mat in a heap!
David Wright Hubbard's going up to the top turnbuckle now... could it be the Flying Cross Bodypress? Gabriel Black gets up and turns around... FLYING CLOTHESLINE!! David Wright Hubbard turned Gabriel Black inside out there, and he's limp on the mat... but David Wright Hubbard's still not looking for a cover! He wants to be sure about the victory, and not give Gabriel Black any moment for recovery... and now he grabs the table in the corner of the ring and lines it up near a turnbuckle. He places Gabriel Black on the turnbuckle, facing the crowd, then climbs up the opposite side... Gabriel Black's just too out of it to resist, and the crowd explodes as David Wright Hubbard puts him in a standing headscissors... TOP-ROPE POWERBOMB THROUGH THE TABLE!! The crowd explodes in a huge chant of "VCW!" and Gabriel Black's a crumpled, bloody husk in the middle of the ring, in the wreckage of the table!
David Wright Hubbard looks down at him, then drops to go for the cover... but Falcon's up on the apron, shaking his head "no" and waving David Wright Hubbard up... and he's telling David Wright Hubbard to give him more punishment! David Wright Hubbard smiles and nods grimly, then puts Gabriel Black in a standing headscissors... and Gabriel Black slumps down to the mat, unable even to remain upright. David Wright Hubbard looks down at him and shakes his head, smiling, then pulls him up again, then tries to lift... but somehow, Gabriel Black blocks it! David Wright Hubbard tries to lift again, but Gabriel Black pushes free and staggers back a few steps... and Falcon yells out to David Wright Hubbard, then tosses the wooden axe handle into the ring! It sails high over David Wright Hubbard's head as he stares incredulously... and into Gabriel Black's grasp! David Wright Hubbard turns around... AND GABRIEL BLACK NAILS HIM UPSIDE THE HEAD!! David Wright Hubbard collapses to the mat, as Gabriel Black drops to one knee... James Applebee's calling for the bell immediately, and Gabriel Black will retain the title via disqualification!!
Falcon looks on in horror, but the crowd's booing and chanting "FALCON SUCKS!". Especially after what happened in his match with Richard Tobian earlier tonight, we have to wonder... was this an accident!? Or did David Wright Hubbard just get screwed out of the VCW World Title!
A few weeks later, we learned that the worst was true... Falcon had, in fact, joined Gabriel Black's Inquisition. Over the next several months, Falcon and David Wright Hubbard met in several matches. Most of these Falcon won, with his sneaky tactics and outside help from fellow Inquisition members triumphing over David Wright Hubbard's rage and physical power. Finally the two met in a climactic battle at Wrestlewar II, inside of a steel cage. This time, David Wright Hubbard won that match in dramatic fashion.
From Wrestlewar II (remastered footage):
David Wright Hubbard has Falcon up, on the top turnbuckle... the crowd's on its feet... TOP-ROPE POWER BOMB!! Rebecca Black screams out in horror, and Falcon just bounced off of the mat! He flops down in a limp heap... and David Wright Hubbard's going up again! He's not stopping at going up to the top turnbuckle, either... he's going to the top of the cage!! His leg's slowing his progress considerably, after the abuse he endured in the figure-four leglock... but he makes it to the top! Falcon's finally starting to get up, but he's nearly out on his feet... Rebecca Black screams out a warning, but Falcon just gives her a glassy-eyed stare. David Wright Hubbard takes aim on the top of the cage as Falcon turns around slowly... FLYING CROSS BODYPRESS!! He just hit it from the top of the cage, and Falcon crumples like tissue paper beneath him!! Linda Peterson makes the count... this is academic... ONE!! ... TWO!! ... THREE!! David Wright Hubbard wins!!
That match seemed to settle things, and for over a year after that, there were no major confrontations between Falcon and David Wright Hubbard. Each man had bigger things to worry about... but that changed when the announcement was made for No Quarter, earlier this year. VCW Commissioner James Applebee declared that David Wright Hubbard would put the VCW World Title on the line against "Macho Man" Randy Savage and Tony Garcia... but to prevent a two-on-one situation that the two cunning veterans would be likely to create by forming an alliance, he added Falcon to the match as well. Perhaps another man would have applauded that decision... but not David Wright Hubbard.
From VCW 113:
M. DelArmeggio: Don't worry about the Quadruple Threat Match. When it comes down to it, you've shown you can take either Randy Savage or Tony Garcia... and Falcon'll be there, too.
D.W. Hubbard: Yeah, and that damn well makes everything better. The only reason that I'm glad knowing Falcon's in the mix is because I know he has a bad back, and I can take him out with a quick power bomb.
Melissa DelArmeggio shoots an angry glare at David Wright Hubbard.
M. DelArmeggio: Think about this for a second. Tony Garcia and Randy Savage may not like each other, but they have one thing in common... they hate you. They hate you so much that you can't count on them turning on each other. Falcon might just be the only thing standing between you and a handicap match.
D.W. Hubbard: If they want to come at me two-on-one, they can go ahead and try. I know that Falcon's your friend or something, but me and him spent a few months beating the ever-loving hell out of each other a year or so ago, and that kind of bad blood just doesn't go away. I know he doesn't like me, and I damn well know I don't like him. Come on... are you gonna try to tell me that he wouldn't turn around and stick me for a shot at the title?
David Wright Hubbard saw Falcon as more of a threat to his title reign than as a security against a double-team situation... and one week later, Falcon told us via a video package that he saw himself in the same way.
From VCW 114:
Falcon: ... It seems like everyone's just looking at me as the guy that Applebee put in there so that Tony Garcia and the Macho Man don't gang up on Cowboy Dave. Maybe that's what people think, but I'll tell you something else. I've had my run-ins with David Wright Hubbard, Tony Garcia, and the Macho Man... and if you check the records, I won most of those fights. I'm a former VCW World Champion. I know I've taken my fair share of brutal beatdowns, but I've given out a few, too. So you can look at me and see the guy that they threw in to save David Wright Hubbard from a two-on-one beatdown... but the way I see it, I'm the best athlete and the best fighter going into that ring.
As it turns out, these statements were an accurate fortelling of what would happen in that match. It was a chaotic brawl, pitting every man for himself against every other man... and towards the end, David Wright Hubbard's fears of Falcon costing him the opportunity to defend his title were confirmed...
From No Quarter 2001:
David Wright Hubbard pulls Tony Garcia up, and drives him back to the ropes with a series of punches. He whips him to the other side and measures him as he comes off... LARIAT!! David Wright Hubbard just knocked the living hell out of Tony Garcia with that lariat, and he pulls him up again... and grabs his throat! He braces himself and lifts... can he do it? Yes he can! CHOKESLAM!! Tony Garcia's down, and David Wright Hubbard's going to the top turnbuckle! He perches on top, as Tony Garcia gets up... FLYING CROSS BODYPRESS!! Tony Garcia crashes to the mat beneath David Wright Hubbard, and David Wright Hubbard covers him and hooks the leg!! Brendan Powers counts... ONE!! ... TWO!! ... THR... Falcon pulls him off!!
David Wright Hubbard gives Falcon a look of pure murderous rage, then rushes him with a lariat... but Falcon ducks, and David Wright Hubbard knocks poor Brendan Powers into next week!! David Wright Hubbard turns around... SUPERKICK!! Falcon just took him down! Tony Garcia's still down, and Randy Savage is just beginning to stir... but Falcon can't go for the cover, because Brendan Powers is still down! He pulls David Wright Hubbard up and hooks him... FALCON ARROW!! That could do it!! Falcon covers David Wright Hubbard and hooks the leg... and he looks to Brendan Powers, who's still down on the mat, not moving! Falcon slaps the mat three times as he covers David Wright Hubbard, but that's not going to count...
As it turned out, Tony Garcia won that match... but had Falcon not broken the pin earlier, we might have seen a very different outcome. But in a competitive environment where every man wants to be the VCW World Champion, nobody could blame Falcon for taking the actions which anybody else in his position would have taken as well... nobody except David Wright Hubbard, when he returned two weeks later with in a decidedly foul mood. An argument ensued over Melissa DelArmeggio's well-being, and the old hatred between the two men rekindled strongly...
From VCW 118:
D.W. Hubbard: Don't worry about it. She's tough. Hell, you and me... they want us to jump in, all half-crippled like we are, so they can get us too. Just settle down a little.
Falcon: Yeah, but... my back feels okay these days. I could've done something to--
D.W. Hubbard: Yeah, well my knee's still busted up. I can't believe they expect me to come in and work tonight, when it comes down to it. Look at me. I'm a hurt man. What the hell could I have done except get my ass beat too!?
M. DelArmeggio: Really... I'm fine. Don't worry about it.
David Wright Hubbard seems to ignore Melissa's protest as he continues speaking to Falcon.
D.W. Hubbard: Yeah, I don't see what you're saying where there's anything I could have done. My knee's a damn mess. No thanks to you, trying to take me out at No Quarter with your little Boston crab. I'd even have the title right now if it wasn't for you pulling me off of Tony Garcia. If there's one thing you could've done, it was try to keep them off me at No Quarter instead of piling in with them, and maybe if you'd done that I'd be healthy enough to take care of business.
The situation continued to escalate later on that night, when David Wright Hubbard confided his feelings about his tag team partners that night to Melissa, not noticing as those partners stepped in behind him...
From VCW 118:
D.W. Hubbard: They're not the only ones, either. Falcon... you saw how he caused me to lose the title on Sunday. I still owe him for that. And the Grave Digger... that big son of a bitch is walking around with MY title. I'm telling you, I've still got it in for the Black Plague, but I've got half a mind to take up and settle things with Falcon and the Grave Digger after the match. I oughtta lay out both those assholes as soon as the match is...
As David Wright Hubbard was talking, Falcon and the Grave Digger entered the room behind him. Melissa DelArmeggio points for him to look behind him, and David Wright Hubbard trails off as he turns to face Falcon and the Grave Digger. He gets up from his chair and steps back a few steps, his eyes widening in surprise as Falcon and the Grave Digger both glare at him, having heard his last several words.
Falcon: Hey... we just came by to see if you're ready to go to the match. Nice to know you're already thinking about us.
Despite that confrontation, the team went to the ring, and battled the Black Plague successfully. But at the end, with chaos reigning around the ring, everything fell apart, and Falcon was left with a crucial choice.
From VCW 118:
David Wright Hubbard's down in the ring, as Tony Garcia drops a few elbows into his knee... and on the outside, Troy Black's still keeping the Grave Digger isolated and occupied... but Falcon just took Lorenzo Vasquez down to a heap on the floor by taking him head-first into the steel ringpost! Tony Garcia rips off David Wright Hubbard's kneebrace, and tosses it out of the ring, then puts on a kneebar... and on the outside, Amy Lin just turned Melissa DelArmeggio over, and she rips off her eyepatch, then stands over her, raising half of the broken, splintered wooden axe handle in preparation to drive it into her eye! Come on, don't do it... this is gonna be sick... and Falcon looks back and forth between David Wright Hubbard and Melissa, then runs and tackles Amy Lin to the floor! But on the inside of the ring, David Wright Hubbard's caught in a kneebar, and he's struggling... and he taps out!! Tony Garcia just made David Wright Hubbard tap out again!!
The decision to save Melissa DelArmeggio from Amy, rather than to save David Wright Hubbard from Tony Garcia was one that came naturally to Falcon, but it was the spark that ignited the glowing coals from their previous dislike into a blaze of anger and resentment...
From VCW 119:
Falcon steps in through the arena doors, accompanied by Lady Erica Whitmore, evidently just arriving at the arena. He begins walking, but doesn't get very far before David Wright Hubbard rushes onto the scene, grabs him, and shoves him up against a wall.
D.W. Hubbard: Listen, boy... I want some answers about what happened last week, and I want them now. I saw the tape, and you didn't come in the ring to help me last week. I was all set to be a team player... but it seems to me like your teamwork skills were lacking. What the hell's up with that!?
Falcon: You mean when Tony Garcia had you in the kneebar? Maybe you didn't see it, but Amy was about to attack Melissa on the outside. I had to help her.
D.W. Hubbard: I saw that just fine. But Tony Garcia WAS attacking me, and there's no "about to" to it. And I was your partner in the match.
Falcon: What did you want me to do!? Amy was gonna gouge Melissa in the eye with a broken axe handle!
D.W. Hubbard: Yeah, and Tony Garcia was about to fold my damn knee backwards. And I was your partner in that match... you should have been in that ring, getting me out of that hold!
Falcon: Look, first of all... get your big sweaty hands off of me before I knock you out.
Falcon grabs David Wright Hubbard's hands and pries them loose of his shirt, then shoves him back.
Falcon: And second of all... me and Melissa used to be a team... me and you, we just kicked each other's asses a few dozen times one year. No offense, cowboy, but if I have a choice of helping Melissa or you... I'm gonna help her out, and you can go to hell.
David Wright Hubbard's eyes widen, and he stops to turn away, running a hand down his face, then turns back to Falcon with a menacing glare.
D.W. Hubbard: Well, then how about I just whip your ass!? You ever had your ass whipped over something like this!?
Falcon puts up his fists and steps forward without hesitating, ready to fight David Wright Hubbard.
Falcon: You want to fight!? Let's take care of this. Come on!
David Wright Hubbard quickly backpedals, putting his hands up defensively and shaking his head.
D.W. Hubbard: No, come on... I didn't mean it like that. Look at me... I'm a hurt man. I've got a bad leg. I can't fight you, because I'm hurt. Let's just drop it right now, and when I'm good and healthy... THEN we can settle this. Right now... I don't want to fight you.
Falcon stares at David Wright Hubbard oddly, then shrugs.
Falcon: Fine. We don't need to be fighting each other anyway.
Falcon turns to continue heading down the hall, along with Lady Erica Whitmore, but David Wright Hubbard looks around, then spots a steel pipe wrench among some supplies for the ring crew, and picks it up with a crafty smile, then begins walking towards Falcon again.
D.W. Hubbard: Yeah, but... about not wanting to fight... I think I changed my mind.
Falcon turns around, and David Wright Hubbard nails him in the forehead with the wrench. Falcon goes down to the floor, busted open, and David Wright Hubbard crouches on top of him, then starts raining right hands down on his bloodied face, assaulting him viciously.
D.W. Hubbard: Yeah, how about that!? Do you like getting your ass beat!? Is this what you wanted!? Huh? You want to fight a man with a hurt leg!? Is that what you want!? How do you like me now, you son of a bitch!?
L.E. Whitmore: Come on, you're crazy! Get off of him! Stop hitting him!!
Lady Erica Whitmore steps forward and grabs David Wright Hubbard's hair, trying to pull him off of Falcon, but David Wright Hubbard gives her a massive backhand that sends her sprawling to the floor, then begins assaulting Falcon with more punches to the face.
David Wright Hubbard's sneak attack on Falcon was only the beginning, though it was perhaps the first clear sign that David Wright Hubbard was now a changed man, more aggressive and paranoid than ever before. After a falling-out between Falcon and Melissa, David Wright Hubbard signed for a match against Falcon at Disaster Area, allegedly with the intent of doing it for Melissa's benefit... but his true motives soon became clear.
From VCW 119:
D.W. Hubbard: Yeah, I did it. Now, he went and left the arena, and I've got a match with Tim Bell tonight, so I can't get my hands on him just yet... but at Disaster Area, I'm gonna make that stupid little punk sorry he said any of that.
M. DelArmeggio: You really shouldn't have done that.
D.W. Hubbard: Don't worry about it. So I've got a hurt knee, and I probably shouldn't have taken the match in my condition... but I'm not gonna put my own welfare above doing the right thing by you.
M. DelArmeggio: No, I mean you REALLY shouldn't have done that. I don't want you to hurt him. Maybe he's mad at me, but he's mad at me, he's still my friend... and besides, maybe he was right about some of the things he's said.
D.W. Hubbard: What the hell are you saying, he was right?
M. DelArmeggio: I haven't really--
D.W. Hubbard: So now he's right, calling me a stupid redneck, calling me a big, smelly, musclebound cowboy, saying I'm selfish, telling you all these little lies. Maybe you don't care what he says about you, but I do... and I care what he says about ME, too. I'm a proud man, and I don't take that kind of crap from some punk...
Despite his claims that he was doing this for Melissa, it was clear that that wasn't his primary motive. In the face of his body breaking down on him, David Wright Hubbard's pride was pushing him to prove to himself that he wasn't losing a step.He made that clear with his hostile reaction to Melissa's protests. But Falcon had left the arena with a severe headache, and was safe... for that night. But with his new win-at-all-costs mindset, David Wright Hubbard just couldn't leave it at a single match at Disaster Area...
From VCW 120:
David Wright Hubbard's walking through the backstage area with a slight limp, dressed to wrestle and wearing a kneebrace on his right knee. As he does, he spies Falcon standing down the hall, talking to Lady Erica Whitmore, and a crafty sneer crosses his face as he begins stalking up to him, trying to catch him by surprise. As he does, though, Falcon turns around and sees him, and an angry look spreads across his face.
Falcon: What're you doing here?
Falcon obviously seems to know something's up, and David Wright Hubbard winces in disappointment at his failed sneak attack.
D.W. Hubbard: Not a damn thing. Besides, do you think I should be held accountable to you for what I'm doing!? I'm just minding my own damn business right here in this hallway. That's what I'm doing. And it ain't none of your business either.
Falcon: Yeah, whatever. Just get out of my face. I'll deal with you at Disaster Area, cowboy.
David Wright Hubbard grows angrier, stepping in close to Falcon again.
D.W. Hubbard: Look, you better watch your tone with me. I don't like your attitude.
Falcon: Get lost already, okay? I don't care what you think. I don't stand around and socialize with maniacs who try to bash my skull in with a wrench.
D.W. Hubbard: Well, then how's about I just whip your ass?
Falcon steps back, balling up his fists and preparing for a fight.
Falcon: What's stopping you? Come on!
D.W. Hubbard: I'll tell you what's stopping me... I got a match with Owen Addison in a few seconds, and I can't be late for it. It wouldn't take me but a minute or two to whip your sorry ass, but I don't have that kind of time right now. I'll whip your ass LATER.
David Wright Hubbard takes a few steps away, then whirls around to face Falcon again suddenly.
D.W. Hubbard: You hear that? It ain't because I got a bad leg. I ain't running from you. I just don't have time for this right now. We're gonna do it LATER. You hear me?
Falcon: Yeah, fine... whatever. Just get the hell out of here and go have your match.
D.W. Hubbard: It's good we both understand that. I ain't running from a fight. I just don't have time. I can't do it now. I'll do it later instead. That's what I'll do.
Too proud to back down from a fight, but too afraid of failure to attack Falcon openly, David Wright Hubbard backed off... but he made good on his promise to take Falcon on later. Unfortunately for Falcon, "later" in this case was after a grueling match with Lorenzo Vasquez in which he had already been knocked unconscious once...
From VCW 120:
Falcon and Lady Erica Whitmore are heading backstage now, but Falcon's still a little out of it after being knocked out after the match by Lorenzo. They step through the backstage curtain... and Falcon falls backwards after getting hit with a massive right hand! The owner of that hand, David Wright Hubbard, steps out of the backstage area and nails Falcon again as he attempts to stand, then crouches over him and begins hammering him with a series of right hands! Lady Erica Whitmore screams for him to stop, but David Wright Hubbard takes a careless swing at her, causing her to jump back in fright. The crowd boos, and finally David Wright Hubbard steps off of Falcon's motionless body, and demands a microphone. What the hell is he thinking!?
D.W. Hubbard: I told you, you stupid idiot... we were gonna fight later. I didn't have time before... but now this is later, and you just got your ass whipped. I told you I'm not scared of you, boy, and I just proved it by whipping your ass. And if you show up at Disaster Area, I'm gonna do it again. How do you like me now!?
David Wright Hubbard tosses aside the microphone and heads backstage, with the crowd booing after him, as Lady Erica Whitmore kneels at Falcon's side. He may think he had to do this to prove his courage after backing down from Falcon earlier... but he didn't prove anything! Falcon was still barely conscious after taking a DDT on a chair, and couldn't even defend himself. David Wright Hubbard had to know that... what's he trying to prove by attacking under those circumstances?
Tonight, Disaster Area has come... and tonight these men meet one-on-one, face to face, in a wrestling ring. For all of David Wright Hubbard's aggression and pride, we'll find out tonight what he has to prove, as Falcon seeks to gain a measure of revenge for all of the sneak attacks and bad blood between them. These two men have met before, but tonight's match will have a huge impact on the standing of both in the big picture of VCW, and it may just be the definitive chapter that puts their rivalry to rest again.
We're going to see a match now... "Jump" by Van Halen begins playing, and that brings out NCXCW star Teddy Van Haven. Formerly a tag team partner of Lars Coverdale during Lars's days in NCXCW, he's going it in solo competition, walking to the ring with a cocky, yet brainless and Neanderthalic look on his face. His shaggy black hair, tight white leather pants, and matching white leather vest give him a look straight from the eighties. The crowd responds mostly with boos and silence as he climbs into the ring, and begins jumping around to the music, his legs kicking straight apart in splits at the peak of each jump. Finally, the music dies down... and he grabs a microphone? What's this!?
T.V. Haven: Fuck the farmers... let's ROCK!!
Um... okay. Whatever. He gets a weak round of confused boos as he steps back in a corner. Now "Ratamahatta" by Sepultura is playing... and a huge man steps out of the backstage entrance. He's only about six and a half feet tall... but he must weigh three hundred and fifty pounds, with a sculpted, chiselled body that makes Scott Steiner or Hunter Hearst Helmsley look puny in comparison. He's completely bald-headed, but wearing an orange and black bandanna, and he's wearing no shirt, and his tights are dark orange with black tiger stripes on them. We know nothing about this combatant, except that his name is "Rock Solid" Mack God. He's not even an NCXCW wrestler... we know NOTHING about his background or anything! He stops halfway up the ramp... and he grabs a microphone away from a ring crew member! The crowd boos as he raises the microphone and begins bellowing at the top of his lungs, speaking so loudly and crudely that he's barely understandable.
R.S.M. God: You pathetic MORTAL!! You're about to feel the FURY of facing "ROCK SOLID" MACK GOD!! And when "ROCK SOLID" MACK GOD gets in the ring, EVVVVERYYYYBODY gets a little DAAAUGH GHHHOOOOAAHH SHAAAAWWWGHH!!!
He trails off into random bellowing at the end, his face turning bright red and a huge, pulsing vein sticking out of his neck. The crowd doesn't know what to make of this...
R.S.M. God: You see, PUNY MAANNN... some men are WORSE than GOD HIMSELF!!! And ONE of those MENNNN... is "ROCK SOLID" MACK GAAAAAUUUUUGGHHH!!! You're going DOOOOWWWWN, and we can do this ONE of TWO WAYS!! We can do it... MMMYYYYYY WAAAAYYYYY!!! ... ORRRRRRR... we can do it MYAAAAAUUUUGHHH MYAAAUUUUWWWGH!!!
What the hell is he talking about!? "Rock Solid" Mack God throws the microphone aside, and begins charging the ring with murderous intent in his beady eyes, as Teddy Van Haven's eyes widen in pure terror and he yells out in fear into the microphone.
T.V. Haven: OHHH NOOOO!!
Teddy Van Haven leaps out of the ring and runs to the guardrail, fleeing for his very life, then begins trying to climb over it and escape through the crowd... but "Rock Solid" Mack God catches him and drags him back! He hauls Teddy Van Haven, who is literally kicking and screaming like a baby, to the ring, then tosses him aside and climbs in after him! VCW referee Brendan Powers enters the ring, calling for the bell, and this match is starting now!
Teddy Van Haven
vs.
"Rock Solid" Mack God
"Rock Solid" Mack God immediately whips Teddy Van Haven into the ropes, then measures him as he comes off and just KILLS him with a lariat!! That was stiff beyond all reason... he's going to seriously hurt Teddy Van Haven here! Teddy Van Haven gets up groggily, and "Rock Solid" Mack God tosses him carelessly into a corner and begins potatoing him repeatedly, drawing blood from his nose and lips with the first few blows! This musclebound freak is insane... even Brendan Powers is just watching with horror on his face! "Rock Solid" Mack God pulls the battered, frightened Teddy Van Haven out of the corner, then nails him with a swift kick to the midsection and puts him in a standing headscissors... POWER BOMB!! And he drove him into the mat full-force, too... he's not holding ANYTHING back! Teddy Van Haven is down on the mat, not moving, and as Brendan Powers goes down to check on him, "Rock Solid" Mack God just shoves him out of the way.
"Rock Solid" Mack God's mouth is open in labored breath, and his massive chest is heaving powerfully... he's blown up and out of breath already! But he still lifts Teddy Van Haven up, and wraps his arms around him in the massive Bearhug!! His eyes widen and his face contorts into a horrible, toothy, maniac rictus, and his whole body trembles violently as he crushes Teddy Van Haven with his massive arms in the Bearhug. But Teddy Van Haven was unconscious before the move was ever even applied. Brendan Powers calls for the bell, and this one's over.
"Rock
Solid" Mack God made Teddy Van Haven submit to the Bearhug
in 0:00:51.
Rating: *
"Rock Solid" Mack God finally drops Teddy Van Haven to a crumpled husk on the mat, and Brendan Powers begins flagging down the trainers. That was just a display of pure brutality... "Rock Solid" Mack God stands over his fallen opponent, beating his own chest violently, forcefully, and repeatedly, until it's covered with large red welts and the beginnings of several bruises, then bellows "UUUUUURRRRAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!" at the top of his lungs, so loudly that it reveberates through the packed arena even without a microphone! With no other explanation, he sprints towards the ropes, then amazingly leaps out over the top rope to land on his feet outside of the ring, then sprints at full speed up the ramp and through the backstage entrance!
That was... just bizarre. That man had to be insane... whose idea was it to hire him for the Waste-of-Time anyway? Teddy Van Haven could be seriously hurt... fortunately, his arms and legs are moving, and he gives a thumbs up as the trainers load him onto a stretcher and wheel him backstage. As they tend to him, we're going to move along, chronicalling the history of another of our big matches tonight... the no-disqualification, no-countout, no-time-limit Steel Cage Match between Sandis Arlington and Troy Black. It started when Sandis first came to VCW at the ending moments of the Big Fight...
From The Big Fight 2001:
The lights flicker, and they come back on... and someone's standing on the entrance ramp! SANDIS ARLINGTON!!! IT'S SANDIS ARLINGTON, FORMERLY OF SMCW!!! The portion of the crowd that recognizes him cheers wildly, and the others just sit in stunned silence. The Black Plague members are staring at him in shock, with Melissa DelArmeggio and David Wright Hubbard in lifeless, forgotten heaps on the mat, but Troy Black quickly recovers his composure and raises the microphone again...
T. Black: Who in the HELL do you think you are to show up in my wrestling company and stick your nose in my business!?
Sandis Arlington just returns Troy's glare with a look of bored annoyance as he raises his microphone to speak.
S. Arlington: To put it simply... I'm Sandis Arlington. Those who've seen me before know that I'm the reason why you're only the SECOND-best wrestler the world has ever seen... and those who haven't are about to find out.
That was the beginning. Sandis Arlington walked into VCW with one clear goal in mind... the goal of demonstrating that he is a superior wrestler to Troy Black. He recieved an opportunity to achieve that goal at No Quarter, but thanks to outside circumstances and a controversial finish, the question remained unanswered...
From No Quarter 2001:
Both Sandis Arlington and Troy Black are lying on the mat, catching their breath... but Sandis is up first. He hauls Troy to his feet and tosses him into the corner, then backs up to the opposite side and charges in with a jumping avalanche! Sandis backs up and measures Troy as he staggers out of the corner... SUPERKICK!! Troy Black's down!! But Sandis Arlington pulls him back up... RUSSIAN LEGSWEEP!! He's going in for the kill now... but Rebecca Black's waving to the backstage entrance! Could she be calling in reinforcements!? Someone's coming out of the back... it's the Grave Digger!! The Grave Digger's on his way to the ring!! Sandis Arlington climbs up to the top turnbuckle, preparing for the Moving Shadow... but he sees the Grave Digger approaching on the outside! Sandis turns to face the Digger... SHOOTING STAR PLANCHA!! Sandis Arlington just wiped out the Grave Digger on the floor, and now he's pulling him up... RUSSIAN LEGSWEEP!! The back of the Grave Digger's head collided with the steel ringsteps as he went down from that, and Sandis pulls himself back up on the apron, then climbs to the top turnbuckle again!! The Grave Digger's down on the outside, and Troy Black's still down on the inside... MOVING SHADOW!! NO!! Troy Black moves!! The Grave Digger distracted Sandis long enough for Troy Black to recover, and he moved out of the way!!
Sandis Arlington landed on his elbow, too... he's thrashing around on the mat, clutching his arm. That could've been the last straw for his right arm... he may have just Eddy Guerreroed himself with that missed frog splash. Troy Black gets to his feet, and the pain and fatigue etched across his face give way to a predatory half-smile, half-snarl! He grabs Sandis Arlington's right arm and drags him into the middle of the ring, then slaps on a cross armbreaker!! He has Sandis Arlington in the middle of the ring, and there's no way in HELL he's going to escape!! Sandis Arlington lets out several tortured yells as he struggles in the cross armbreaker, but he's just prolonging his misery... he's never going to make it to the ropes before his arm gives out. He's hanging in there, still trying to fight... but the inches of progress that he makes are coming too slowly, and his arm's too damaged. It's probably nearly broken already, and Sandis Arlington's just torturing himself and risking a permanent injury by holding out at this point... but he's still fighting!! He lunges towards the ropes... but he's still a good long distance from them, and that took the last of his strength!! He struggles and thrashes wildly for a few seconds... and he goes limp. Bobcat McGavin raises his arm... and it falls. He raises his arm a second time... again it falls. Bobcat raises his arm for the third time... AND THE BELL RINGS, AS SANDIS'S ARM DROPS A THIRD TIME!! But why'd the bell ring so early!? Troy Black breaks the hold, climbs slowly to the top turnbuckle, and raises his hands in victory, as the crowd begins a chant of "BULLSHIT!"... but ring announcer David Page has the microphone! What the hell's going on here!?
D. Page: Ladies and gentlemen... the sixty-minute time limit for this match has expired... therefore, this match has ended in a DRAW!!
The match had ended quite inconclusively... but that was in many ways only the beginning. Sandis made his presence felt with a sneak attack the following night, and then made his intentions of facing Troy Black again clearer a few weeks later, throwing down a challenge for a second match.
From VCW 118:
S. Arlington: ... I'd thought for a minute that you really were interested in discovering which of us truly is the greatest wrestler on earth... but I think that at No Quarter you already found that out. You gave it your best for an entire hour... and you couldn't beat me. I suppose you might take solace in the fact that I was unconscious in the final moments of that match... if you neglect the fact that it took you, your sister, Amy Lin, and the Grave Digger to reduce me to that state. Even before then, you stalled, you hesitated, you tried to run away, you tried to get yourself disqualified... anything to avoid the inevitable. Whether you want to face it or not, Troy... you already know that I'm better than you.
The crowd cheers loudly, but Rebecca Black just glares at him, then grabs a microphone herself.
R. Black: Would you please just shut up!? Everyone in VCW knows that Troy Black is the best wrestler in this company. You act like you WANT Troy to kick your overrated ass again!
S. Arlington: I want him to just try it. Anywhere, any time... I want to get back into the ring with Troy Black. He can only coast on his past accomplishments so long. He's beaten Strahd and Falcon and David Wright Hubbard... but who hasn't? If he wants to prove that he's still the best, he has to get through me... because I'm a better wrestler than Troy Black. Everybody knows that Troy Black was saved by a little luck and a lot of help from his lackeys at No Quarter, and if he wants to prove that's not true, all he has to do is give me one more match.
Next week, Troy Black would respond to that, speaking before going into a six-man tag team match against Sandis Arlington and the Ontario Colour Show. At that time, he didn't seem to want anything more to do with Sandis...
From VCW 119:
T. Black: You know, after getting hit in the back of the head with a chair a few times, there's one thing keeping me from focusing on enjoying Amy's company. That one thing is Sandis Arlington. He wanted a chance to prove that he could beat me, and I gave it to him, even though he didn't deserve it. And he couldn't beat me. He can make any excuses he wants to make, but anybody looking at the bare facts when it's all said and done will see one thing. Sandis Arlington was unconscious, in the middle of the ring, at the end of the match.
Troy Black pauses, and the crowd boos loudly. That's true... but it's also true that the official finish of that match was a time-limit draw, and that Troy Black had a little outside interference working on his behalf that night, and the fans here definitely remember that.
T. Black: That's not enough for Sandis Arlington. He has the nerve to want a second match on pay-per-view against me. But with all due respect to Sandis Arlington... and honestly, that's not very much... he deserves this match even less than he deserved the first one. And the sad thing is that there are other people who want a match with Troy Black on pay-per-view, more reckless fools who'll risk their life and physical well-being for the sake of pride, envy, ambition, or foolish revenge, or even just for the honor of being carried to the greatest match of their careers by the greatest wrestler in the world. Sandis can take a number and go to the back of the line.
But there is one more encounter between the two of us in our future... and that's right here, tonight. I'm signed with Brujah and Desmond to face Sandis Arlington and the Ontario Colour Show. As far as I'm concerned, there will be no need for a rematch... I'll prove to everyone, right here, tonight, just who the better man is. I'll give a demonstration of what happens when you come into VCW, the company built on the money drawn in from my five-star pay-per-view matches, and call yourself the best wrestler in the world. As much as it may crush your ego, Sandis, you're not number one... you're just one on the list of my victims. And you've hidden yourself from that truth long enough. Tonight I'm gonna shove it right in your face.
Troy Black's promises to let the six-man tag team match give a definitive answer to the question of who was the superior wrestler would turn around to haunt him later that evening, though.
From VCW 119:
Owen and Brujah have also spilled to the outside, and they're still going at it, as Troy Black tries to wear Sandis down enough to hit a few big moves... but Rebecca Black jumps up and starts distracting Brendan Powers, and Desmond grabs a chair on the outside, then lays out Paul Canyon with it! Desmond climbs up on the apron, and calls out to Troy Black, holding up the chair... and Troy Black nods, then whips Sandis towards Desmond as he swings the chair... but Sandis Arlington reverses!! Troy Black runs head-first into a brutal chairshot from Desmond... and staggers back into a roll-up from behind from Sandis Arlington, as Brendan Powers turns around! Sandis Arlington has a handful of Troy's pants, and he gets three!! SANDIS WINS!! Sandis Arlington just pinned Troy Black!!
After that loss, Troy Black was furious, grabbing a microphone and throwing down a challenge for the match we'll see tonight. Sandis Arlington, eager to prove that his victory that night could be repeated in a singles match, was quick to accept.
From VCW 119:
Amy and Rebecca begin consoling Troy Black and leading him towards the backstage entrance, and Brujah helps Desmond to his feet... but at the top of the ramp, Troy Black demands a microphone!
T. Black: Sandis... that doesn't prove anything. That doesn't settle anything. Before you go singing your own praises to the world, I've got an offer for you. I'm offering you a match... one-on-one, with me, Troy Black, at Disaster Area. No disqualifications, no countouts, no time-limit... and to make sure that no worthless clods like Desmond cost me the victory... let's make it a Steel Cage Match. Nobody gets in, nobody gets out.
The crowd cheers for the match, and Sandis Arlington quickly grabs a microphone. We may just get the Sandis Arlington versus Troy Black rematch for Disaster Area yet!
S. Arlington: I'm a little bit amused by how eager you've suddenly become to face me in a rematch after I pinned you in the middle of the ring. I thought we were going to settle this tonight, Troy? Or do we keep settling it over and over again until you're happy with the outcome? It doesn't matter. I'll take the match. You'll never have an outcome that you're happy with... because you'll never beat me. You're just not capable of beating Sandis Arlington... and I'll prove that to everyone watching at Disaster Area.
Troy Black's staring down the aisle at Sandis Arlington, but he just nods slightly and begins heading backstage, along with Amy Lin, Rebecca Black, Brujah, and Desmond. The match has been made... Sandis Arlington will go one-on-one against Troy Black, in a Steel Cage Match at Disaster Area!
The match has been made, and now it's official... Troy Black will meet Sandis Arlington, one-on-one, in a Steel Cage Match! The way the rules are set up, this match can only end via pinfall or submission... perhaps now we'll finally see which of these two men is the superior wrestler. You won't want to miss what should be one of the all-time great matches in VCW, when Troy Black takes on Sandis Arlington, one-on-one, inside of a steel cage!!
We're going to see a somewhat less spectacular confrontation now, but one that's all too familiar to most regular Waste-of-Time viewers. Cheesy instrumental heavy metal music begins playing, and that brings out Russel "The Muscle" Taylor, who jogs to the ring enthusiastically, trying without success to get the crowd pumped up for his upcoming match. He enters the ring and poses for the crowd, then tries to start a "U-S-A!" chant, getting ignored for his efforts. Finally, he turns back to the entranceway, to await his opponent.
The sappy martial arts music begins playing now, and that brings out his opponent tonight, the Super Giant Ninja. This costumed oaf lumbers his way to the ring, then climbs inside and prepares to face Russel "The Muscle" Taylor, his erstwhile tag team partner. Linda Peterson is in the ring now, calling for the bell, and that'll begin this match!
Super Giant Ninja
vs.
Russel "The Muscle" Taylor
They lock up when the bell sounds, and Russel Taylor whips the Super Giant Ninja into the ropes... no, the Ninja reverses! Russel Taylor comes off the other side, and the Super Giant Ninja leapfrogs over him... no, he accidently jumps too soon, and comes crashing down butt-first on Russel Taylor's back, knocking him to the mat! The Ninja looks down at Russel Taylor's fallen body, shrugs, then picks him up, and nails him with a weak little chop to the chest! Russel is rocked by the blow, and then the Super Giant Ninja gives him a Bionic Elbow, first with his left elbow, then with his right... then with the left again, and then with the right! Russel Taylor staggers back, reeling from the series of Bionic Elbows despite the fact that a couple of them obviously didn't connect with him, and the Super Giant Ninja pulls him up onto his shoulders, then brings him down with a Samoan Drop!
Russel Taylor's down, and the Super Giant Ninja's... going to the top turnbuckle!? He climbs to the top clumsily, as Russel Taylor gets up, then leaps off... nailing Russel with a top-rope Mongolian chop!! That move may look ridiculous, but... well, it looks ridiculous! Russel Taylor collapses to the mat, and the Super Giant Ninja wraps an arm around his throat and puts on a rear chinlock! Russel Taylor struggles... he's fighting the chinlock, trying to stay in this match... but he goes limp. Linda Peterson goes down to check him, lifting his arm... and it drops once. She lifts it again... it drops again. She lifts it a third time... and it stays up! Russel Taylor's arm stays up, and starts pumping in the air, trying to get the crowd behind him... and THAT's just not happening. Despite that, Russel Taylor struggles to his feet!
He fires an elbowsmash into the Super Giant Ninja's ribs, then another one, breaking the chinlock... and he runs into the ropes, coming off to nail the Super Giant Ninja with a clothesline! The Super Giant Ninja staggers, but he doesn't go down... so Russel Taylor runs into the ropes, and nails him with a second clothesline! The Super Giant Ninja's still wobbling, and Russel Taylor runs in again... and a third clothesline nearly knocks the Ninja over, but he pinwheels his arms and barely stays up! As he regains his balance, though, Russel Taylor scoops him up... BODYSLAM! Russel Taylor just slammed the gigantic Super Giant Ninja! He could have this one! He goes for the cover, and Linda Peterson counts... ONE!! ... TWO!! ... Kickout at two by the Ninja!
Russel Taylor's undaunted, and he pulls the Super Giant Ninja up, then whips him into the ropes. He lowers his head for a backdrop... but when the Super Giant Ninja comes in, Russel Taylor's unable to backdrop him over his head! The Ninja just stands there oafishly, with Russel Taylor in a standing headscissors, as Russel Taylor struggles, trying to backdrop the Ninja... and finally the Ninja just clubs him on the back with a double-axhandle smash! Russel Taylor's shaken by that move, and the Ninja grabs his waist and lifts, then sits... PILEDRIVER!! The Super Giant Ninja goes for the cover... and Linda Peterson counts... ONE!! ... TWO!! ... THREE!! This match, fortunately, is now over!
The
Super Giant Ninja pinned Russel Taylor after a piledriver in
0:03:13.
Rating: -** 1/2
Well, THAT's over and done with... as the Super Giant Ninja helps Russel Taylor back to his feet, and the two men head backstage, we're going to take a long at the VCW World Title match tonight, a Casket Match between Tony Garcia and the Grave Digger. It started the night after No Quarter, when Tony Garcia had just won the VCW World Title from David Wright Hubbard in a Quadruple Threat Match. Despite the intentions of the Black Plague, Tony Garcia was forced to live up to a pre-negotiated stipulation where the Grave Digger would get a shot at whoever the VCW World Champion was that night. Despite his reluctance, Tony Garcia tried to pass this off as a routine title defense...
From VCW 116:
Z. Adderloaf: Congratulations, Champ, on your victory last night. Now, I have to ask you... this is an internal conflict in the Black Plague, and we've been hearing about some sort of plan concocted by Troy Black for this match... what's going on? What's the plan?
T. Garcia: You know, Ziggy... sometimes this is a political business. There are some people in the wrestling world who want to see one thing happen, and some people that want to see another thing. You can't please all the people all the time... but I ain't in the business of trying to please nobody. Tonight... the only plan is that two big, powerful men are gonna go out there and give it their all for the biggest prize in this business. If this young lion has it in him to knock off the reigning King of the Jungle, then more power to him... I'll be wanting my rematch, but still, that'll mean that for this moment in time, he's the MAN. But if old Tony still has enough left in him to hold on tonight... then my reign as VCW World Champion has just begun. And that's the plan.
Tony Garcia's words may have been more accurate than he had anticipated... he definitely didn't seem prepared for what actually happened in the ensuing match.
From VCW 116:
Tony Garcia steps away from the staredown, smiling... and his smile quickly spreads into a grin, as he extends his hand and shakes hands with the Grave Digger. He looks at Rebecca Black, then around at the crowd, and back to the Grave Digger, smiling a knowing smile, as the Grave Digger just looks down at him emotionlessly! What the hell's going on here!? They're not attacking each other!! If this is a legitimate competition, then where's the competition!? The crowd begins to get the same idea, and starts booing loudly. Finally, Tony Garcia draws back a massive fist, clenching his knuckles tightly, then kisses his middle knuckle and draws back... and taps the Grave Digger gently on the chest!! BUT THE GRAVE DIGGER DOESN'T GO DOWN!! Tony Garcia looks around, confused, then taps the Grave Digger on the chest again... and he still doesn't go down!
Now Tony Garcia's mad, and he's yelling something at the Grave Digger... he draws back his fist again, and this time he unloads on the Grave Digger with a devestating right hand to the ribs, but the Grave Digger doesn't even flinch, except to shoot an arm out and grab Tony Garcia!! He has his throat!! CHOKESLAM!! The Grave Digger just chokeslammed Tony Garcia!! Rebecca Black jumps up on the apron, screaming wildly... and the Grave Digger drills her with a massive punch, sending her flying back into the guardrail!! Tony Garcia's up... and the Grave Digger picks him up, upside down! He has him... BURIAL!! He planted him with the Burial! The Grave Digger folds Tony Garcia's arms over his chest and kneels at his head, covering him, and Linda Peterson counts!! ONE!! ... TWO!! ... THREE!! NEW CHAMPION!! THE GRAVE DIGGER IS THE NEW VCW WORLD CHAMPION!!
That was quite obviously not the intention of the Black Plague or Tony Garcia, but it was out of their control now. The Grave Digger had thrown them off of his back and ceased to do their bidding, and he made that even clearer with his interview next week, the first words ever spoken by the Grave Digger inside a wrestling ring.
From VCW 117:
Wait... he's calling for a microphone! Is he actually going to speak!? No, he lowers the microphone and puts a hand to his mask... AND RIPS IT OFF!! The Grave Digger just tore his mask off, revealing a grim, stony face with bright green eyes that seem to burn with a feral glare. He stares around at the crowd for a second, as they alternate between shocked silence and loud cheers, with cameras flashing... and now he's raising the microphone! He's never spoken before... but he's never taken his mask off before either!! Will he actually speak!?
G. Digger: I am the Grave Digger... I'm the VCW World Champion... and I'm through taking orders from the Black Plague.
The crowd erupts into cheers as the Grave Digger paces around in the ring, holding the microphone.
G. Digger: Since I came to VCW, I was a servant of the Black Plague. I was called a tool... a monster... an insurance policy... but I was never one of them. But I'm nobody's tool... nobody's servant. Not Strahd, not Troy Black... the Grave Digger serves NOBODY. For too long, I had thrown away my conscience and my independence for money... but just like I took the VCW World Title last week, I'm taking those back. I'll never lose that again... but if the Black Plague wants this title, I dare them... any of them, whether it's Troy Black, Tony Garcia, that little mongrel Brujah, or that human filth Lorenzo Vasquez... to come and take it from me.
The crowd bursts into cheers... the Grave Digger's ready and willing to finally stand up to the Black Plague and keep them down, and as we saw last week, he's damn sure able to! But "I, Zombie (Europe In The Raw Mix)" by White Zombie begins playing over the arena sound system, and Tony Garcia's out... he must be here to accept the dare made by the Grave Digger for any member of the Black Plague to try to take back the title! He was VCW World Champion for just one day, and it's clear that he's still hungry for the title, eager to get it back and have a long, proper title reign... and he grabs a microphone and stops halfway up the aisle! He's not getting in the ring after all... the crowd boos loudly, but Tony Garcia ignores them and raises the microphone.
T. Garcia: You didn't win NOTHING, punk!! Last week... we had a deal, Digger. You went back on your deal. You talk about honor and not being nobody's servant... you forgot, big man... Troy Black bought your big punk ass!! Guess what... since you went back on your deal, Troy Black went back on his... and you don't got a contract no more, you son of a bitch! You don't work here anymore! And since you're not working for VCW anymore, I'm DEMANDING that James Applebee get his ass out here right now and strip you of that title!! Applebee, you've got ten seconds, or I'll make a phone call that sends you down to start scrubbing the floors in the Ivory Tower basement!
A few seconds pass... but not many before "Takin' Care Of Business" by Bachman-Turner Overdrive kicks on and James Applebee steps out of the backstage area, carrying a briefcase. He stops to talk briefly to Tony Garcia, then nods reluctantly and heads to the ring, with the crowd not really sure what to make of this. He climbs inside with the Grave Digger and grabs a microphone.
T. Garcia: Applebee... he doesn't even work here! His contract was voided the instant he laid a hand on me, and he had no right to be in that ring, pinning me for the VCW World Title! I was robbed, and if you don't reverse that decision and give me my title back RIGHT NOW, the Digger's not gonna be the only one who don't work here no more.
James Applebee puts on some reading glasses and pulls a clipboard out of his case, reading it briefly, then sets it down and turns to the Grave Digger.
J. Applebee: All right, Grave Digger, he's got a point... I'll need to see the VCW World Title belt.
The crowd explodes into boos, and a smirk crosses Tony Garcia's face as he looks into the ring. The Grave Digger stares a hole through James Applebee's eyes, forcing him to break eye contact and glance around nervously, but he slowly hands over the VCW World Title, to a renewed round of boos from the crowd. James Applebee takes the title and places a new document on the clipboard, then hands it to the Grave Digger.
J. Applebee: Thanks for your cooperation, Digger... I know this is a tense moment here. Just sign there and make this official... I know this decision might upset some folks, but Tony Garcia's absolutely right... I can't have a World Champion who's not even working here. Give me back the clipboard, please.
The Grave Digger finishes signing the document, then hands it back to James Applebee, as Tony Garcia nods and smiles triumphantly.
T. Garcia: That's DAMN right. Applebee, I expect my title belt and a written apology delivered to my dressing room before we go to the next commercial, or the Black Plague's taking the night off!
J. Applebee: Since the finish of last night's match was so controversial, let me explain the decision to the fans here. The Grave Digger is not actively on the VCW roster, after having his contract voided by Troy Black... and because of that, I really had no choice... I'm not letting a non-VCW employee carry the VCW World Title. So the only thing I could do... was to have the Grave Digger sign a new VCW contract, which he just did! Last week's decision stands, your winner and VCW World Champion is the Grave Digger!!
The crowd explodes into cheers, but Tony Garcia, standing on the ramp, appears to be ready to have a heart attack. He stares in flustered shock, trying to come up with words, as James Applebee hands the VCW World Title back to the Grave Digger, who raises it high to a thunderous roar of cheers from the crowd before strapping it on again. Tony Garcia finally gets the composure to raise the microphone again.
T. Garcia: No. No, damn it!! This ain't gonna go on. I wasn't ready for that match! I wasn't prepared... we had a deal, and he went back on it! I got screwed last week, and everyone knows it! I want a rematch, or I'm gonna jump in there and put the screws to both you clowns right here, right now!!
J. Applebee: On one hand, Tony... you got yourself into that mess with your shady deals. But on the other hand... nobody can deny your record in the past several months, and by virtue of that you're STILL the number-one contender to the VCW World Title. So you get your rematch... at Disaster Area. You'll have plenty of time to prepare for that match... and just so you can prepare to the best of your ability, let me tell you one more thing. Disaster Area is known for a little extra violence and mayhem every year, and we can't have just any old match for the VCW World Title... and I figure since this is the Grave Digger... we should make it a CASKET MATCH.
The crowd explodes into cheers, but Tony Garcia doesn't look happy about that stipulation! But what a main event it'll be! Tony Garcia against the Grave Digger in a Casket Match, for the VCW World Title!? That's bound to be one hell of a match!
Tony Garcia was also granted a rematch that night, and in a private interview he continued to make his displeasure known, promising that he'd take the title back soon.
From VCW 117:
Z. Adderloaf: Tony Garcia... last week, you went into the ring against the Grave Digger as the VCW World Champion, and you didn't know what to expect from him. Tonight, you're the challenger, but you--
T. Garcia: Didn't know what to expect!? You're damn right I didn't. That son of a bitch stabbed the Black Plague in the back... and he didn't know what kind of mistake he made. You cross people who are as powerful as me and Troy Black, and the vultures'll be picking your bones somewhere in the deserts of Arizona when we're done. We got a Casket Match at Disaster Area... but let me tell you, Ziggy, he's gonna be lucky to even make it to that match after I'm done tonight.
Z. Adderloaf: Er... obviously, your title reign last week, since it only lasted one day, must have been a pretty hollow taste of being at the top, and--
T. Garcia: That's putting it mildly. I bust my ass for twenty-five YEARS to get that belt, and it gets taken away from me in one day!? I don't think so. I ain't done yet. I'm coming to take the title back, and this time I'll let it leave my hands when I'm good and ready, and not a damn second before. And if the Grave Digger thinks he can stop that... if he thinks he can stop me... hell, I don't care what he thinks, Ziggy, I'm gonna kick his big ass.
When Tony Garcia and the Grave Digger met again that night, we got a taste of what we might see tonight, as both big men tore into one another powerfully. But the ending was marred by outside interference, ending in a disqualification.
From VCW 117:
Tony Garcia and the Grave Digger are both feeling the effects of that... Tony Garcia's winded and fatigued, but the Grave Digger is down on the mat, not moving. Tony Garcia drags the Grave Digger to the corner, and slowly starts climbing up one of the turnbuckles... Tony Garcia's going to the top turnbuckle! He's not any sort of high-flyer by any stretch of the imagination... but the the Torture Rack didn't get the job done, and he's willing to try anything now! But he's winded, and he's not moving too quickly... AND THE GRAVE DIGGER SITS UP!! The Grave Digger just sat up behind Tony Garcia, and he goes forward and shakes the ropes before Tony Garcia can turn around! Tony Garcia falls across the top turnbuckle, facing the crowd, and the Grave Digger steps out to the apron and slowly climbs up the other side to meet him! Tony Garcia fires back with a few punches, but the Grave Digger absorbs them and retaliates with a few of his own, then grabs Tony Garcia by the throat... TOP-ROPE CHOKESLAM!!
The crowd bursts into cheers, Rebecca Black screams in anguished horror, and Tony Garcia lands on the mat with a heavy impact! This match is practically over... but the Grave Digger's not going for the cover! He's signalling for the Burial!! But Brujah's running out of the backstage area, as the Grave Digger pulls Tony Garcia to his feet! The Grave Digger lifts Tony Garcia, with clear effort and pain in his back... he's going for the Burial! But Brujah grabs the wooden axe handle and slides into the ring, and nails the Grave Digger in the back with it! He crumples under Tony Garcia, and that'll be an instant disqualification!!
Several more of their encounters in coming tag team matches ended similarly with outside interference or cheap shots, and the one thing that the Grave Digger can learn from this is not to expect a fair fight. Tony Garcia has a small army of allies who can come to his aid, and especially in a Casket Match, where the only way the match can end is with a human being stuffed in a casket, they'll be free to interfere with impunity unless the Grave Digger has a plan to neutralize them. Still, despite the odds, when the Grave Digger spoke again, he seemed sure of his ability to fight off Tony Garcia and the Black Plague in tonight's Casket Match.
From VCW 120:
G. Digger: As for Tony Garcia... it's fitting that we should talk about throwing dirt upon caskets. At Disaster Area, when we meet in the Casket Match... it'll be quite clear to him that, like death itself, his seperation from the VCW World Title is final and irreversable. For too long, I made my own morals and dignity a second priority behind serving someone else... but now, the desire to take all that back, to defy the Black Plague and crush them, drives me like no other force. The old Grave Digger, the monster behind the mask, is dead and buried. But what I have become is even more formidable, even more deadly than the monster ever was. After Tony Garcia has his appointment with the Reaper... after I've finished my work at Disaster Area... he'll be SIX... FEET... UNDER.
Tony Garcia also spoke one more time, assuring everyone that he wasn't afraid of the Grave Digger, and that he'd show everybody that he was even more powerful and devestating than the Grave Digger... but when he came face to face with the VCW World Champion, the Grave Digger, his confidence seemed to waver a little bit.
From VCW 120:
T. Garcia: Grave Digger... are you trying to scare ME!? You think I'm scared? Let me tell you something. So you're the Grave Digger... how many people have you REALLY buried? How many people did you really put in the ground? You're all talk, my friend. Me... I've been in this business for twenty-five years. I've beat the hell out of a whole bar full of Hell's Angels... I've broken men's arms so the bone sticks out of the skin... I've done stuff I can't tell you about on live TV, because if the cops heard me say it I'd be in maximum security for the rest of my life. Look at me, Digger... I'm the real deal. I ain't no big kid in a big costume, talking about burying caskets... you put me in a back alley with any man in the locker room, and they ain't walking out of there. I don't care if it is a damn casket match... I'm gonna kick your big ass like you ain't never had anyone do, and I'm taking my belt back. You're the one who needs to be scared, Digger. You better be plenty scared of me.
The crowd boos, but you can't deny that it's not a good idea to sell Tony Garcia short. He has years and years of experience behind him, and may be as much of a force as the Grave Digger himself... but as "Wait And Bleed" by Slipknot begins playing and Sandis Arlington and the Grave Digger come out to the cheers of the crowd, the confidence in Tony Garcia's face seems to wash away. Troy Black steps back, conferring with Amy Lin and Rebecca Black as he eyes Sandis, but Tony Garcia's just staring at the Grave Digger. He's determined and ready to fight, but it's clear that facing a man this much bigger than himself is something that he's not totally comfortable with... and that only becomes more clear when the Grave Digger steps in over the top rope and stares across the ring at Tony Garcia, towering over him by nearly a foot.
Tonight is the night, and we'll see that Casket Match go down tonight!! Tonight, we'll see which of these men will leave the arena with the VCW World Title, and which will be leaving in a casket. And we'll see it soon, because Disaster Area is starting right now! Make sure you join us for all the great action on pay-per-view!!
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