Welcome, wrestling fans, to another action-packed edition of VCW Monday Night Wrestling!! For the second straight week, we're coming to you out of the VCW Arena in California, and we have one HELL of a show for you tonight! Owen Addison will take on Dave Adams and Paul Canyon will face Julian Page in two matches in the Survival of the Fittest Tournament! In addition to that, Russel "The Muscle" Taylor will team up with the Grave Digger to face Lance Errington and Chris Champlain! But most exciting of all is our main event... Bass Rogers and "The California Crippler" Ken Collins will face the unlikely and unstable tag team of Troy Black and Crimson!! And...

And wait! "Denial" by Sevendust just started playing, and the crowd explodes as Gabriel Black comes out of the backstage entrance and starts heading for the ring! But there are a few boos mixed in with the cheers now... evidently, not everyone approves of Gabriel Black's drastic tactics towards his brother. He enters the ring and grabs a microphone, and he looks like he has something to say.

G. Black: I truly thought that, after Blood and Thunder, everybody knew that my brother was untrustworthy scum. I truly thought that nobody, except for our worthless bitch of a sister, was idiotic enough, depraved enough, even masochistic enough to call my brother an ally, knowing his history of betrayal. But last week, I was proven wrong. I was proven wrong by an overrated, incompetent, brainless, soulless imitation of a truly great wrestler. The man... no, wait. He's no man. The pathetic little mongrel that came to my brothers defense and stole my vengance from me last week is Brujah.

The crowd boos at the mention of Brujah's name. It begs the question, though... why DID Brujah come to help Troy Black last week, after Troy Black forced him to destroy his best friend Desmond, then fired Desmond from VCW?

G. Black: Now, despite what some rumormongers might think, I'm not the sort of man to needlessly offend or create enemies for myself amongst my co-workers. Ever since my return, I have been the very SOUL of diplomacy and tact to all of them. But now that ends, as I tell you the truth about Brujah. Quite simply, Brujah's nothing more than a weak attempt at imitation of my legendary father, "Superstar" Sean Black. The stiff strikes, the Power Bomb, the double-arm DDT, the Swandive Headbutt... all hallmarks of my father's offense. But at that theft, the similarity ends... my father is a legend of the wrestling ring, and Brujah is a backyard brawler who has inexplicably been given a contract with global wrestling organization. Brujah is not one-half the wrestler my father was... and he's not one-TENTH of the wrestler that I am.

The crowd gives another loud mixed reaction for that... but now "Woke Up This Morning (Chosen One Mix)" by Alabama Three begins playing, and the crowd boos as Brujah comes out of the backstage entrance, carrying a microphone himself! He stands at the top of the ramp and looks into the ring at Gabriel Black with an angry frown...

G. Black: Before you say anything that you may regret--and you WILL come to regret what you say next, unless it's a sincere apology and a convincing promise to stay out of my business in the future--let me ask you one question. Why in the HELL did you come to the aid of my brother last week?

Brujah looks into the ring at Gabriel for a second before responding.

Brujah: I have my reasons. Unlike some people, I'm capable of forgiving the wrongs of the past. But now let me ask you one question... why did the VCW executives let you come back, anyway? If they wanted a pompous blowhard to waste their airtime whining about Troy Black, at least Sandis Arlington works cheap these days...

A small portion of the crowd actually cheers for that remark, and Gabriel Black snarls in rage as he raises his microphone again.

G. Black: You'll pay for your insolence. In my first match in over half a year, I intend to make an example of you.

Brujah: Yeah, so you said already. Why do you think I came out here, because I like talking to you? If you want a fight with me, you don't have to try too hard to get it. I'm here to settle this right NOW.

Brujah starts heading for the ring, but Gabriel Black backpedals.

G. Black: Wait! Not now. LATER. I'm not cleared to wrestle now. My back isn't yet at full strength. In all honesty, I'm lucky you didn't reinjure it last week.

Brujah stops in the middle of the ramp, staring at Gabriel Black incredulously, as the crowd boos, disappointed in Gabriel's refusal.

Brujah: So you called me out here for a fight, and now you don't want a fight. Great. Thanks for wasting my time.

G. Black: No, you simpleton... I don't want a fight. I want a wrestling match, I want it at Survival of the Fittest, and I want the VCW Television Title on the line!

The crowd cheers for that, and Brujah shrugs.

Brujah: Fine. You can have that. But first, you're gonna get the fight, and you're gonna get it right now.

Brujah charges to the ring and slides inside... and Gabriel Black meets him on the way in, stomping and pounding on him before he can even get up! But somehow, Brujah gets up in spite of the blows and starts returning fire! He wins the resulting slugfest with Gabriel Black and backs him into a corner, then whips him hard into the turnbuckles on the opposite side! Gabriel Black staggers out, holding his lower back and moaning in agony... and Brujah charges him and spears him to the mat, then crouches over him and starts raining punches down on his face!! Gabriel Black is taking a beating... but he reaches up and gouges Brujah in the eyes, then throws him off and rolls to the outside of the ring, where he begins retreating up the ramp, holding his back in pain! Brujah gets up in the ring, and he's mad now, staring down the ramp at Gabriel Black as he withdraws backstage. And speaking of going backstage, we're going to go backstage and take a look at Troy Black's response!

Troy Black and Rebecca Black are sitting backstage, watching a monitor in Troy Black's dressing room. The expensive catering tables and wine buckets of days past are replaced by a single sofa and cooler. Troy Black gets up with a sigh.

T. Black: I don't know how he can stand to help me after what I did to him.

R. Black: Give yourself some credit. He just--

Suddenly, there's a knock at the dressing room door. Troy Black motions for Rebecca to stay seated, then grabs a steel pipe from behind the sofa and goes to the door with it. He opens the door, raising the pipe, and standing before him is VCW Commissioner James Applebee, who quickly raises his hands and backs up.

J. Applebee: For God's sake, Troy, put that thing down! I'm not here for trouble!

T. Black: I thought you might be someone else. What do you want?

J. Applebee: After seeing Brujah come out and open the show like that, we have to use you two on TV tonight. I'm here to tell you that you'll be teaming with Brujah against Ken Collins and Johnny Smiles in a match tonight.

Troy Black sighs.

T. Black: All right. That won't be a problem. But can you keep Gabriel from coming down there and going postal?

J. Applebee: I'll try, but I'll be honest here... I'm the VCW Commissioner, but there are limits to even my power. I couldn't keep you from nearly ending his career at Wrestlewar, and I don't know if I can keep Gabriel off of you tonight.

T. Black: What's that supposed to mean?

J. Applebee: I'll let him know that there'll be a fine involved if he tries anything, and I'll tighten security a notch or two, but that never stopped you in the past, and it might not stop him. Some people back here would be happier if I didn't even try. They'd like to see you die by the sword you lived by for this past year.

T. Black: You're not just "some people". You're the VCW Commissioner. You have a job to do.

J. Applebee: Troy, I'll be honest here. Gabriel is out of control, and when innocent people get caught in the crossfire, it upsets me. But after what you did to Gabriel... and to Falcon, Sandis, Melissa, Desmond, Tony Garcia, and everyone else in VCW who stood in your way... I can't say I'd be all that upset if Gabriel gets his hands on you and Rebecca. You can't rob every bank in town and expect the sheriff to hide you when the vigilantes come.

James Applebee steps out of the room.

J. Applebee: I'll send someone by to get you for your match when the time comes.

James Applebee shuts the door, and Rebecca Black turns to Troy.

R. Black: Troy... you're just gonna have to deal with Gabriel and get him out of the way. We could set him up... let him jump you, then Brujah runs in and whacks him with the chair. A half dozen Power Bombs on the chair later, his back's broken again and he's out of your hair for good.

T. Black: No. That'd just dig me in deeper. Tony or Dad would come out of retirement and want some blood, or he'd find a way to come back again somehow, or maybe Bruce would come over from Japan and want revenge for some weird reason--

R. Black: I don't think that'll happen any time soon.

T. Black: Or he could hire someone like Crimson or David Wright Hubbard to take me out, or anything like that. There has to be a way to end this without somebody's career ending.

R. Black: Yeah, well, let me know if you find it.

Troy Black sighs, then hands Rebecca Black the steel pipe.

T. Black: I need to go talk to Brujah. If anyone comes to the door, make sure you answer it with that. Just in case.

R. Black: No problem.

Troy Black steps out of the room, and the camera fades out on the backstage scene.

We're back, and now we're going to head for our first match! "Halfway Decent" by Audio Karate is playing, and that brings out the newest graduate from the VCW Power Plant, Heather Dannon. This is, in fact, her VCW debut... she has, as of yet, no dark matches or house show appearances under her belt. She's an athletically-built woman of average height, wearing blue jeans and a white latex tube top, and the crowd doesn't seem to know quite what to think of her as she walks to the ring, smiling. She calls for a microphone... evidently she's not exactly shy around crowds...

H. Dannon: Hello, everybody. I can see you all out in the stands, and I can imagine all of you at home... I know you're thinking, "Who's this new chick in the ring, and what's she doing here?" ... Well, allow me to introduce myself. I'm Heather Dannon, and I am the newest graduate of the VCW Power Plant.

A groan rises from the crowd, and Heather Dannon quickly raises a hand.

H. Dannon: Wait! I know what you're thinking... don't get up to go to the bathroom or change the channel just yet. Unlike some of the past Power Plant graduates, I'm not a total loser. I don't claim to be the best VCW has to offer, but I'm not the worst by a long shot. I may not wrestle like Troy Black or Owen Addison... but hey, at least I don't wrestle like Sid Eudy or Paul Wight. Maybe I'm not the greatest... but when it comes down to it, I AM good enough... most of the time. I COULD be a lot worse. I'd even venture to say that I'm perfectly adequate. I'm "Halfway Decent" Heather Dannon, and after seeing me wrestle, I think you'll agree: I'm actually NOT that bad.

Halfway Decent? How half-witted. But now "Ballbreaker" by AC/DC begins playing, and Heather Dannon's going to have to do a lot better than halfway decent to leave the ring in one piece, because here comes her opponent, one-half of the SJW World Tag Team Champions, Virginia! Wearing her title belt and accompanied by Stormy Weathers, Virginia strides out of the backstage entrance, looking completely unconcerned with this new opponent. Virginia casually strolls to the ring and hands the SJW World Tag Team Title belt to Stormy Weathers, then steps inside and looks down at Heather Dannon. She has a ten-inch height advantage and a hundred pound weight advantage, and unless Heather Dannon can go from halfway decent to amazingly talented in her first pro match, it's hard to see this one ending well for her. Brendan Powers enters the ring and calls for the bell, and we've got a match!

Virginia
w/Stormy Weathers

Heather Dannon rushes forward and nails Virginia square in the silicon-enhanced chest with a dropkick as the bell sounds, but Virginia just staggers back a few steps. She rushes Heather Dannon with a clothesline... but Heather Dannon takes her down with a drop-toe hold, then flows into an armbar submission! Virginia quickly fights her way to the ropes, then gets up and charges again, but runs right into an armdrag takedown! Virginia pounds the mat in frustration and gets up, but a dropkick from Heather Dannon sends her reeling into the corner! Heather Dannon whips her to the other corner, then follows her in, leaps up, and brings her out into the middle of the ring with a monkey flip! Virginia pulls herself up again... but Heather Dannon goes to the second turnbuckle and comes off with a bionic elbow that nails Virginia square in the forehead when she stands! Virginia rolls out of the ring, and Heather Dannon points to herself and smiles proudly in the ring, as the crowd starts to get behind her... maybe she's better than given credit for!

But Virginia's taking her time on the outside, conferring with Stormy Weathers... and now Virginia's using a little more caution as she gets into the ring. She's not rushing in overconfidently now... she's asking for a lockup with Heather Dannon. Heather (probably wisely) refuses, then runs into the ropes and nails Virginia with a dropkick! Virginia staggers back, and Heather Dannon comes off the ropes again... but this time Virginia rushes forward and spears her! The crowd boos loudly, and Virginia straddles Heather and opens up on her with a series of huge punches, changing the complexion of the match in a hurry! Virginia pulls Heather Dannon up and whips her into the corner, then follows her in with a jumping avalanche! Heather staggers out... into a spinebuster!! That could do it... but Virginia's not going for the pin! She puts Heather Dannon in a standing headscissors, then holds up three fingers. She lifts Heather Dannon... POWER BOMB!! But she doesn't release it... she muscles her up again and drives her down with a second power bomb, then muscles her up again and gives her a third!! It has to be over now... but Virginia's not going for the pin yet! She points to Heather Dannon, and draws her thumb across her throat, then lifts her in a fireman's carry and spins... VIRGIN SACRIFICE!! Heather Dannon flops down in a limp heap on the mat, and Virginia kneels beside her, putting one pinky finger at the base of her cleavage for the world's most arrogant cover... and Brendan Powers makes the academic three-count.

Heather Dannon started off impressively, but as soon as Virginia got in some of her devestating offense, it was over fast. Virginia scoops her up and tosses her out through the ropes like a sack of garbage, and now she's calling for a microphone! She gets one...

Virginia: As long as I'm out here beating up puny, insignificant rookies... I have a few things to say to that costume-wearing brat, Yuri Sonoda... or I guess she's calling herself the Pink Kitten now. I think it already speaks volumes about her that she spends her time hanging out with Johnny Smiles and Lars Coverdale, and playing with stuffed animals. But I guess that's all I can expect, since her other friends are nowhere to be found. Christina's back in Japan, jobbing to all the native talent who can wrestle circles around her, and Melissa ended her career at Blood and Thunder jumping off of a ladder like an idiot. So all that's left are me and Komachi... and you, Yuri.

Virginia smiles and paces in the ring. For all that she's saying, Christina Ellis and Melissa DelArmeggio are still under VCW contract, and it wouldn't be inconceivable to see either of them show up...

Virginia: So why, you might ask, are me and Komachi even still around? I'm a World Champion in Japan... I'm a respected athlete, an exotic sex goddess, and a media superstar... so what am I doing in this two-bit company? Why the fuck do I want to wrestle in hellholes like the VCW Arena and little holes in the wall all over the U.S. and Canada, when I could be getting six figures to show up in the Tokyo Dome in front of fifty thousand people? Why am I facing rookies, nobodies, and bottom-of-the-barrel scrapings from ALW and NCXCW in a company that doesn't even have a women's title?

Actually, that's a good question. Virginia has limited herself to competing with the women in VCW lately, and if she's not going to wrestle for men's titles, she probably would make a lot more money working for SJW full-time.

Virginia: Well, call me sentimental, but I just can't bear to leave this little three-ring circus behind. Sure, there's the little matter of my VCW contract, but the SJW president could wipe his ass with that and flush it down the toilet for all it means. The reason I'm here is because I still have a soft spot for beating up on some of the ignorant twits who used to look down on me. Specifically, right now, Yuri, I'm here to beat the hell outta you, throw your stupid stuffed cat in a woodchipper, and rip that goofy mask off your face and shove it straight up your skinny little ass. You thought it was a good idea to get in my business two weeks ago with Johnny... we'll just see how you like the consequences.

The crowd boos. Basically, it sounds like she's here to bully opponents who she doesn't think can fight back. She might be in for a surprise against the Pink Kitten if she's this overconfident, though...

Virginia: I tell you what. I'll give you about three more weeks to make yourself scarce. Don't go running back to SJW... I'm in good with the president, and I happen to know he doesn't want a stupid, spot-blowing brat like you back on the roster. But maybe you can go to ALW, or run to SMCW and make Ian Maness's wet dreams come true in exchange for a contract. Hell, you can retire and go work at a sushi bar or geisha house for all I care. The point is this; if you're still around by Survival of the Fittest, I'm gonna kick the crap out of you AND your stupid stuffed animal. You just think about that... and think about where you're gonna run to get away from me.

"Ballbreaker" by AC/DC begins playing again, and the crowd boos as Virginia prepares to leave the ring. She has just thrown down a challenge to the Pink Kitten... and if we know Yuri, she won't be running away from this. If anything, she has more courage than brains, and she won't back down from this fight. But right now, we're going to go backstage, where Brian Rivera is, we understand, looking for a tag team partner to face Monty Pompous and a partner of his own! Let's look at that!

Brian Rivera is hustling about backstage, looking around frantically as he talks to himself.

B. Rivera: Aw, man, where's Stormy at!? Virginia should be about done with that shit, and I need him to help me get a partner! Maybe he can be my partner if I can't find nobody else...

Brian Rivera happens upon Dave Adams as he roams the backstage area, and hurries up to him. Dave Adams greets him with a canny smile.

D. Adams: Hello, my good man. Nurse Vivacia is currently with a patient... but perhaps I can arrange an appointment with you once she's freed up?

B. Rivera: Yeah, look... normally that'd be kickass. But right now, I've gotta find me a tag team partner. You think you can help an ol' boy out?

D. Adams: The Doctor already has an appointment tonight, getting into the second round of the Survival of the Fittest Tournament. But Crimson's not booked tonight... why don't you ask him? Nobody better than the champ, right?

B. Rivera: Aw, HAAAAYUL YEAH!! Thanks, man!! I'm gonna get me the World Champion as my tag team partner! We're finna whoop so much ass, he'll make me an honorary member of Hell's Bikers and shit!

Brian Rivera walks down the hall, looking at doors, until he finally finds one with "HELL'S BIKERS" scrawled on a card and taped to it. He knocks on the door, and seconds later, Crimson flings it open, then glares down at Brian Rivera.

Crimson: This better be real, REAL damn important.

B. Rivera: Hey, word up, Big Dirty! Seeing as how you ain't booked tonight, I was thinking you could be my tag team partner--

Crimson: You want ME to be your tag team partner? The only thing I'll be for you is the cause of death listed on your certificate at the morgue, you punk-ass fucker.

B. Rivera: Aw, come on, Bugger Red, you ain't gotta be like that--

Crimson: Shut the fuck up.

Crimson cuts Brian Rivera off with a knee to the midsection, then grabs him and rams him head-first into the wall of the building. He crouches over him and starts punching him, but then two attractive women wearing nothing but halfway-unzipped leather jackets that barely come down to their upper thighs step out of the Hell's Bikers locker room, looking at Crimson.

Woman: Hey, big man... I believe you left some unfinished business back here. How about you forget about that punk and get back to the fun?

Crimson gets up from Brian Rivera and glares at the women.

Crimson: How about you keep your damn mouth shut unless it's got my dick in it, and don't tell me what to do?

One of the women smiles and presses herself against Crimson, purring seductively.

Woman: Ooh, I love it when you talk like that. Come on, let's go...

Crimson: If you love it when I hit you hard enough to splatter that pretty little nose all over your face, keep talking. I'll get back in that room when I'm good and ready.

Crimson grabs a handful of the woman's hair and tilts her head up forcefully, kisses her firmly on the mouth, then lifts her up and tosses her into the other woman, sending both of them tumbling to the ground back inside of the Hell's Bikers dressing room. Crimson turns back to Brian Rivera with a glare.

Crimson: You best be thankful I've got better things to do that fuck you up, boy. But if you EVER come wasting my time or calling me Big Dirty or Bugger Red or any of that shit again, it's the last fucking mistake you'll ever make. Got that?

Crimson kicks Brian Rivera in the side, then turns and walks back into the locker room, slamming the door shut behind him. Brian Rivera gets up with a slow struggle, grimacing in pain and muttering to himself.

B. Rivera: This shit ain't fair, man. He shoulda let me in there so I could be fucking them fine-ass biker hos... but now my head hurts something fierce, and I still ain't got no partner! I need the day off, man... this shit ain't right!

Brian Rivera staggers down the hallway, and finally sees Steve "Mongo" McMichael sitting at a small table, with a plate of hamburgers in front of him, eating voraciously.

B. Rivera: Hey, Mongo! How's it shaking, Donkey Kong?

Mongo looks up from his food, looking puzzled.

B. Rivera: Aw, man... this is the coolest, man! You're a Superbowl Champion, a former Four Horsemen... you're to wrestling and football what Dale Earnhart was to NASCAR, bubba. Damn shame about ol' Dale Earnhart, too, but damned if Dale Earnhart, Jr. didn't have his daddy's spirit guiding him when he won all them races--

S. McMichael: The hell you talking about?

B. Rivera: See, it's like this. I need me a tag team partner, and you ain't doing nothing, so I figured maybe you can help an ol' boy out, you know?

S. McMichael: Aw yeah, I get it now. Yeah, see, Moy and Beautiful Bobby were gonna wrestle tonight, but they went and cancelled to go see some show called A Midsummer Night's Dream... one of them Broadway musicals about dancing Nazis or something, I think. Anyway, I ain't got nothing better to do, so let's hit the ring and whoop on somebody, baby!

B. Rivera: Hell yeah! Let's go, big man!

Brian Rivera starts off down the hall, and Mongo follows him. As they leave, VCW referee Jerry Rogers wanders upon the scene, and notices Mongo's table full of hamburgers.

J. Rogers: Hey, it's some hamburgers! These look pretty good...

Jerry Rogers sits down at the table and begins devouring a hamburger. His fellow referee, Bobcat McGavin happens upon the scene, and notices the hamburgers with a hungry smile. He takes one and bites into it, and his smile grows even wider.

B. McGavin: Why, these partic'lar sandwiches got a right agreeable flavor to 'em, eh?

Jerry Rogers looks up from his feast and glares at Bobcat McGavin.

J. Rogers: Hey, you Brillo-faced bastard, these are mine! Get your own!

Bobcat McGavin's sideburn-laden cheeks tremble and his face reddens with rage.

B. McGavin: Dinno be talking to me with such disrespect, ya shoddy laddie, or they'll be sopping up yer blood with the crusts o' the mornin' loaf!

J. Rogers: Say what!?

B. McGavin: Sideswhich, ya canno possibly eat all o' these fine sandwiches yerself. I'm entitled to muh own share--

Bobcat McGavin reaches for another hamburger, but Jerry Rogers swats his hand sharply.

J. Rogers: I said hands off. They're mine, you jackass!

B. McGavin: Ya shouldno touched me with yer vile mitt, ya corn-shucking carpet-shagger. Yer knowing now that there's bad blood among us, and it's crying out fer vengance, eh?

J. Rogers: You want some of me? I'm a pretty mean scrapper, my friend. I got in lots of fights in high school.

B. McGavin: This goes beyond a routine round o' the fisticuffs, ya jolly dog. I'm wanting muh vengance to be public and oogly. And since weh got some sandwiches right here--

J. Rogers: You're on! Bikini contest, in the middle of the ring! You and me! Winner gets the hamburgers!

B. McGavin: Bikenny contest, eh? 'Tis not a surprise to know that a yellow blackguard such as yerself would want none o' an honest, manly fight. But I've the courage to compete on yer terms. I'll fetch muh skivvies, and after the next match, weh'll have a bikenny contest, with the winner to be abscondin' with the sandwiches!

J. Rogers: You're on!

B. McGavin: And I'm not fer letting ya sit here and devour the prizes while I'm away. Come with meh, and weh'll be fetching muh skivvies together!

Jerry Rogers grumbles, obviously having planned to eat the hamburgers in Bobcat McGavin's absence, but gets up and takes the plate of hamburgers with him as he follows Bobcat McGavin down the hallway. With that, the camera fades out on the backstage scene.

Oh, brother... between an ugly look into Crimson's romantic life, an alliance forged between Mongo and Brian Rivera, and a bikini contest between two pasty, white male referees, that may have been one of the most unwelcome looks at the VCW backstage environment that we've ever seen.

But right now, we're about to have a match... "Tziganne" by Bozzio, Levin, and Stevens begins playing, and that brings out Monty Pompous and Jacob Idol, accompanied by Jasmina Chastity, to a round of boos from the crowd. While these two men are not normally allies, Monty Pompous and Brian Rivera have agreed to meet in tag team competition and choose partners, and it looks as though Monty Pompous has chosen Jacob Idol. He could have chosen much worse... Jacob Idol is a two-time former VCW World Tag Team Champion, and a masterful technical wrestler. Jacob Idol slides into the ring first, then climbs to one of the second turnbuckles and poses. Monty Pompous, ever the gentleman, shakes his head at this lack of chivalry, then climbs up on the apron and holds the ropes open for Jasmina Chastity, who smiles and thanks him as she comes in. Monty Pompous enters behind her, and calls for a microphone... oh, no.

M. Pompous: Greetings, ruffians! It is I, the gallant gentleman adventurer, Monty Pompous! Tonight, I shall go forth into battle against a bold deceiver who would mock the ways of a gentlemen, with my valiant comrade Jacob Idol and the beautiful lady Jasmina.

Monty Pompous grabs Jasmina's hand and kisses it, getting a glare from Jacob Idol. Jasmina Chastity rolls her eyes, but smiles in spite of herself.

M. Pompous: Normally, I would not stoop to dirty my hands on a barbarian such as Brian Rivera. But after his ignoble actions two weeks ago, he has proven himself to be the basest of villains, and the mighty fist of justice must be his comeuppance. To battle against base treachery and barbarism is always the noblest course, and you'll find no man with a noble spirit and ready fist to match that of Monty Pompous! Send forth my villainous opponent and his lackey, and I shall aid them in taking measure of their lengths upon the ground!

Now "What'chu Lookin' At" by Uncle Kracker begins playing, and the crowd boos again as Brian Rivera and Steve "Mongo" McMichael come out of the backstage entrance. To be honest, most VCW fans don't like any of these four men, and wouldn't be at all sorry to see them just beat the hell out of each other here tonight. Fortunately, Brian Rivera and Mongo aren't going for microphones... they're heading straight for the ring and climbing inside! VCW referee Linda Peterson calls for the bell, and this match begins now!

Monty Pompous & Jacob Idol
w/Jasmina Chastity

Aside from a decent opening exchange of technical wrestling between Jacob Idol and Brian Rivera, this match is a lot of aimless brawling. It's all that Mongo is capable of, and Monty Pompous seems to be holding the flashier parts of his offense in reserve tonight. But when Brian Rivera comes in against Monty Pompous, he goes on the attack with a lot of intensity, remembering the betrayal of two weeks earlier. Monty Pompous is in a bit of trouble as Brian Rivera continues his onslaught and hits a few nice moves, but Jasmina Chastity trips him on the outside, and Monty Pompous retakes the advantage with a big clothesline, then tags in Jacob Idol.

Idol goes to work on Brian Rivera's right arm, no doubt setting him up for some kind of submission. But after about a minute Jacob Idol, like most of the fans in the crowd, appears to be overly anxious for this match to be over, and he applies an armbar submission before Brian Rivera has been properly softened up. Brian Rivera is able to pull himself to his corner, and he makes the tag to Mongo, who charges and mows down Jacob Idol with a clothesline, then does the same to Monty Pompous as he comes into the ring. Mongo starts cleaning house and playing to the crowd like a babyface wrestler on a hot tag, despite the crowd's utter lack of interest in this match, and soon Brian Rivera pulls Monty Pompous to the outside, where they begin brawling. Mongo tackles Jacob Idol to the mat forcefully, then hooks him from behind and lifts... he's going for the Mongo Suplex!! But Jacob Idol slips out behind him and quickly low blows him from behind, then pulls him back into an inverted DDT! Mongo's thick skull bounces off the canvas, and Jacob Idol covers him... and Linda Peterson counts to three! This match is over!

Ugh... between this match and the last one, tonight's show isn't turning out to be much of a wrestling program. On the outside, Monty Pompous and Brian Rivera continue brawling, and referee Linda Peterson hustles past them to head backstage... evidently even she wants to distance herself from this nonsense.

Jacob Idol and Jasmina Chastity are also leaving, as Monty Pompous takes Brian Rivera down on the ramp and starts pummelling him... but someone's charging out of the backstage entrance! It's Stormy Weathers, and he's wearing a flannel shirt and overalls, and carrying a pitchfork! He rushes at Monty Pompous, stabbing forward with the pitchfork as though it's a trident, and with a shocked expression and a cry of "EGAD!" Monty Pompous turns tail and runs! Stormy Weathers chases him around the ring with the pitchfork, cackling gleefully, but then trips over a camera cable and drops the pitchfork as he goes sprawling to the floor! Monty Pompous whirls around angrily as Stormy Weathers gets up... and he grabs him! SWASHBUCKLER ON THE FLOOR! Stormy Weathers isn't a trained wrestler, and there are only some thin, flimsy mats between him and the concrete floor. He probably won't be getting up any time soon.

Monty Pompous glares down at Stormy Weathers and starts making his way back up the ramp. As he gets out of here and some medics come to scrape Stormy Weathers off of the mat, we're going to go to some footage from the Royal Palace of Bonarbor!

Sophie is in a medieval-type gymnasium, and she appears to be training for combat. A penguin stands at the side, observing her and occasionally squawking. Sophie turns to it with a glare and puts her fists on her hips.

Sophie: Y'know... seeing as how you're my totem animal and all, the least you could do would be to teach me a few special attacks. So, c'mon already... start teaching!

The penguin waddles over to Sophie and speaks to her with a series of little squawks, and Sophie frowns skeptically and nods.

Sophie: The Arctic Power Slide, you say? I don't know... but I'll give it a try. Hey, Olaf! Wanna come over here and be my sparring partner!?

Olaf, a large, grizzled man with a bulky frame and massive, corded muscles, lumbers onto the scene. He looks Sophie up and down appraisingly.

Olaf: Think you're ready to take me on, Princess Sophia?

Sophie: Yeah. My penguin just taught me one of its special attacks.

Olaf: All right, then, let's do it!

Sophie and Olaf start circling one another, and Olaf lunges in with a powerful right-hand swing. Sophie ducks out of the way and peppers him with a punch-punch-kick combo, but Olaf barely seems to even register the effects as he gives Sophie a grim half-snarl, half-smile.

Olaf: You'll have to do better than that, Princess...

Sophie: You haven't yet felt the fury of my true power! Penguin Technique... ARCTIC POWER SLIDE!!

Sophie runs forward and dives at Olaf, sliding on her belly on the floormats towards him, and collides with his legs. But Olaf just wobbles a little bit, then clubs her in the back, lifts her up, and power bombs her onto the mats with a hearty "SMACK!" Sophie goes limp on the mats, and a despairing whine escapes from her lips as she lies there.

Sophie: Oww!! That HURT!!

Olaf: Sorry, Princess. But you have to be accustomed to real fighting.

Sophie: No, it's not your fault...

Sophie gets up from the floormats slowly, clutching her back.

Sophie: It's because of this stupid penguin! Its special attacks don't even work!! C'mere, you little dickens, I'll show you!!

Sophie rushes at the penguin, and the penguin squawks frantically and starts fleeing. As Sophie chases it around the gymnasium and Olaf stares in confusion, the court wizard Elderon and King Paragon come walking down the stairs at the end of the gym, talking to one another.

Elderon: So, yes, you see... your daughter has been making some progress--

Elderon trails off as he sees Sophie chasing the penguin around.

Elderon: Oh, bother... in the name of all things holy, not this AGAIN!! Sophia, how many times do I have to tell you NOT to chase your totem animal around or threaten it with acts of violence!?

Sophie stops the chase and hangs her head, and the penguin slumps in the corner, gasping pitifully. Olaf, Sophie's sparring partner, shrugs and lumbers off to go elsewhere.

Sophie: But the special attack it taught me didn't work! Dumb Arctic Power Slide... that's the stupidest move since the People's Elbow!

Elderon: What do you expect? Penguins aren't exactly the mightiest members of the animal kingdom.

Sophie: Yeah, I know... believe me, I know. If they were, you wouldn't be the only thing standing between that one and being cooked for a royal feast tonight!

Elderon: Sophia... treat your totem animal with kindness.

Sophie scowls at Elderon, but grudgingly goes over to the penguin.

Sophie: Okay, penguin... I'm sorry.

Sophie hugs the penguin, which returns the hug awkwardly with its wings and squawks contentedly.

K. Paragon: This is hardly the progress I would have hoped for.

Elderon: I'm afraid it can't be helped. In any event, I'm not certain anything can help us now. An army of Morgana's soldiers has been seen in the vicinity of the Eternal Stone. They know what they're looking for now, and it's only a matter of time before they can find it. And we cannot defend in such an inhospitable climate... how can we fight them off?

K. Paragon: We'll have to erect a garrison there. The cost in resources and lives will be staggering, but we cannot let Morgana have the Eternal Stone.

Elderon: Their numbers are dwindling rapidly. Every day, many of them desert, and others perish of exposure or starvation. The same will happen to our people if we attempt to make a defense in the Whitespire Mountains. Can we not simply hope that they will turn back or die before finding it?

K. Paragon: Not with the universe itself at stake.

Elderon: But stationing a large force there and building shelters and fortifications will surely alert them to the exact location of the Eternal Stone! We cannot--

The penguin waddles up to King Paragon and Elderon, and begins squawking and hopping energetically, and Sophie's face lights up.

Sophie: Hey, the penguin has an idea!

King Paragon and Elderon exchange a skeptical glance.

K. Paragon: Very well... what is it?

Sophie: The penguin says that one of the powers it gave me is that I'm not harmed by cold temperatures. Actually, it told me that a while ago, but I didn't think that was too useful, because I have a bunch of warm clothes and stuff anyway, especially this one really tight sweater that makes me look totally hot--

Elderon: That means that you could defend the Eternal Stone! We could send you there, with enough supplies to last until the threat is over, without losing hundreds of men to exposure in the cold, or alerting the enemy to the Eternal Stone's exact location!

K. Paragon: Indeed! This penguin is truly a blessing in disguise!

Sophie: It's a pretty good disguise, then...

Elderon: Sophia, don't you see? Since you're immune to cold temperatures...

Sophie: Hey... yeah! I could do it! I could stay in the arctic wilderness for weeks on end, waiting for a horde of ninjas and soldiers and bad monsters so I could fight them all and... HEY!! I don't wanna do THAT!

Elderon: You wouldn't have to fight them all. You'd just have to stay there and guard the Eternal Stone, in case any of Morgana's minions find it. If they do, then you can use my magic wand to open a portal directly to the castle, and we'll send our army out to meet them! Our men will be fresh, and theirs weary and half-frozen, and we can easily defend the Eternal Stone!

Elderon hands Sophie his magic wand, but she seems hesitant as she takes it.

Sophie: Yeah, but what if a polar bear or something sneaks up on me and starts chewing on my head while I'm asleep? What's gonna protect me, the stupid penguin?

As Sophie speaks, Gavin, the Prince of Cats, comes down the stairs.

Gavin: What's the problem here?

Elderon: We're going to send Princess Sophia into the Whitespire Mountains to guard the Eternal Stone, since she's immune to the cold temperatures there. But she's worried about being there alone.

Gavin: That's no problem. I could be her guardian there. The power of the snow leopard allows me to withstand cold temperatures as well.

Sophie turns to the penguin with an accusing glare.

Sophie: See, Gavin gets to be immune to the cold AND have a bunch of special cat powers! Why couldn't you help me like that!?

Elderon: Of course! It stands to reason that Gavin would have powers like those. We should have asked Gavin to begin with!

K. Paragon: Then perhaps, Gavin, we should send you alone. My daughter's somewhat... erratic behavior could only jeopardize the mission and her own safety, and I'm certain she'd be much happier here in the comforts of the castle...

Sophie: But if I went along, it'd just be me and Gavin there... all alone?

Elderon: Yes, but we have faith in his abilities to protect himself--and you, if you were present. But perhaps it'd be better if you did stay--

Sophie: No way! I'm going too! Me and Gavin will do it together... er, uh, and by "do it together" I mean we'll help each other out and stuff, not that we'll have a bunch of promiscuous sex or anything, I swear.

Elderon: I'm not sure that's wise...

Sophie: Aw, come on! It'll be a valuable experience for me! I'll get to join the fight against evil first-hand, with Gavin backing me up in case things go wrong!

K. Paragon: Your attitude is... somewhat promising. Very well, I'll send both of you. It couldn't hurt to have an extra pair of eyes. Gavin cannot always be everywhere at once, after all. Perhaps Gavin could scout the perimeter while Sophia remains vigilant at the site of the Eternal Stone at all times--

Sophie: Yeah, yeah, enough with the boring planning stuff, okay? Me and Gavin have a secluded winter wonderland to go to!

Elderon: Very well. Remember... if enemies arrive, use my magic wand to summon help from the castle. Now the King and I will prepare your supplies, and you will be sent to the Whitespire Mountains within the hour.

King Paragon and Elderon turn and walk up the stairs, and Sophie turns to Gavin with a sultry smile.

Sophie: Y'know, Gavin... since cold temperatures don't bother me, and nobody'll be around except us, I don't really see any reason why I'll need to wear clothes out there. Maybe I'll just run around naked... would you like that?

Gavin rolls his eyes and sighs.

Gavin: Sophia... this is an important mission to prevent the forces of evil from destroying the universe as we know it, not a several-week-long arctic orgy.

Sophie: Yeah, well... who says it can't be both?

Gavin turns back towards the stairs.

Gavin: I'm going to go pack some of my things for the stay in the mountains. You should pack your things too... and that DOES include several decent sets of clothes.

Gavin turns and walks up the stairs, as Sophie smiles giddily. She turns to the penguin.

Sophie: Penguin... I'm sorry for all the bad things I ever said about you. Oh, yeah... and all the times I hit you with a broom, and chased you around the castle... and that time when I held you upside-down in the chamber pot... and all the other things I did that I can't remember. Thanks to you, not only will I save the universe, but I'll get weeks and weeks all alone with Gavin! You're the best totem animal EVER!

Sophie gives the penguin an enthusiastic hug, and it squawks happily as the scene fades out.

We're back... and it looks like things could get really strange, because VCW referees Jerry Rogers and Bobcat McGavin just stepped out of the backstage entrance, wearing robes... and Jerry Rogers is carrying a plate of hamburgers. We heard them talking earlier about a bikini contest, and perhaps we could've hoped that it was idle banter... but now it looks like they're actually going to go through with it. Uh-oh. They walk to the ring and climb inside, and Jerry Rogers calls for a microphone.

J. Rogers: All right! We've got a little dispute to settle, and the winner gets this plate of hamburgers! So what we're gonna do is have a little bikini contest, and whoever the crowd cheers loudest for wins! So everyone, get ready to take your pick, because the bikini contest is about to begin. Bobcat... I'm saving the best for last, so I'll let you go first.

Bobcat McGavin scowls at Jerry Rogers, but then begins loosening the belt of his robe... and he throws it off, revealing his white, pasty, bulky, hairy physique in a pair of swimming trunks with tropical fish on them! The crowd boos and groans in dismay, as Bobcat McGavin starts flexing his muscles and posing with a wolfish grin on his face. His body firms up somewhat as he flexes, but it's still nothing to go parading around in public like this... how embarrassing! Jerry Rogers just points at him and snickers, then raises the microphone.

J. Rogers: Yeah... what a joke. Now, everybody... take a look at what a real man looks like!

Jerry Rogers throws off his own robe, and while he's leaner than Bobcat McGavin, that's about all that can be said in his favor. The sight of a skinny, pasty white guy in a pair of swimming trunks with hearts on them doesn't exactly win the crowd over either, and the boos are only slightly less loud than they were for Bobcat McGavin... and they actually grow louder as Jerry Rogers locks his hands behind his head and swivels his hips. Jerry Rogers picks up the microphone again and raises it with a smile.

J. Rogers: Well, they got louder for me than they did for you... I think those hamburgers are mine.

The crowd continues to boo... but now their fellow referee Brendan Powers steps out of the backstage entrance! He walks down to the ring, wearing a robe, and climbs inside, then snatches the microphone from Jerry Rogers.

B. Powers: You guys... this is just sad and pathetic. If you're gonna have a bikini contest, you could at least make sure you have bodies that someone would want to see. Me, on the other hand... when the ladies get a glimpse of THIS bod, there'll be more cream in their panties than a dairy. Check it out!

Brendan Powers throws off his robe, revealing a lean, but toned, tanned, and chiselled body in a Speedo. A few female screams do indeed rise up from the audience, but they're mostly drowned out by the men in the crowd booing him for being a pompous ass. Brendan Powers flexes and gyrates his hips, then turns back to Jerry Rogers and Bobcat McGavin with a smile.

B. Powers: Now THAT... is how you win a bikini contest. I'll be taking those hamburgers--

Hold it... VCW referee Linda Peterson just stepped out of the backstage entrance, also wearing a robe, and she has a microphone! She walks to the ring, smiling and giving Brendan Powers a golf clap as she climbs inside. Now she raises the microphone...

L. Peterson: I have to hand it to you, Brendan... at least you look presentable out here. But as far as winning the contest goes... the statistics don't lie, and the numbers show that the majority of VCW fans are heterosexual men. So in this particular contest... you just don't have what it takes.

Linda Peterson drops her robe, revealing a skimpy, revealing bikini underneath, with black and white horizontal stripes like a referee's shirt! The crowd explodes into cheers, and Brendan Powers and Bobcat McGavin stare in dismay as she grabs the plate of hamburgers and begins walking backstage with it! Bobcat McGavin grabs the microphone...

B. McGavin: Wait! 'Tis not fair! She's a mere slip of a girl, nigh bout a hundred pounds soaking wet! She canno possibly eat all those sandwiches!

Jerry Rogers jerks the microphone away from him.

J. Rogers: To hell with the hamburgers, man... hey, Linda! Wait up! What'cha doing after the show tonight!?

Linda Peterson ignores all of them, smiling to herself as she steps backstage with the hamburgers. Seconds later, VCW Commissioner James Applebee steps out of the backstage entrance, his face red with anger.

J. Applebee: What the HELL are you idiots doing out here!? You're wasting our airtime and killing the ratings! Get back here and put some damn clothes on, or you're all fired!

The three male referees exchange a worried stare, then begin hustling towards the backstage entrance as the crowd cheers with relief. Finally, this pointless segment's over... so now we're going to go backstage and hear from the VCW World Tag Team Champions, Jack Norman and Butch Manson!

Ziggy Adderloaf is standing backstage with the VCW World Tag Team Champions, Jack Norman and Butch Manson. They're wearing the title belts and dressed for a fight as they prepare to speak.

Z. Adderloaf: Hello, I'm backstage with the VCW World Tag Team Champions, Jack Norman and Butch Manson of Hell's Bikers... and while you normally do most of your talking in the ring, tonight you've asked for some interview time. What do you have to say?

J. Norman: It's like this, Ziggy. The big man's busy tonight with a few of his lady friends, so me and Butch are gonna take care of his light work. Lately, there's been one big, fat, irritating, smelly giant pimple on Crimson's title reign, and that's Bass Rogers. Me and Butch... we've been beating Bass Rogers's fat ass all year long, and it ain't gonna change now. So since we're the champions, we're calling Bass Rogers out, to find a partner to replace that crippled British bastard Dean Sanders, and come get a piece of us one more time. He ain't even gonna make it into the ring with Crimson. If he steps in the ring with us, we'll put him on the shelf right next to his partner!

Z. Adderloaf: Bass Rogers has never backed down from a challenge, I know that much. But don't you think it's a little arrogant to let him pick anyone on the roster as his tag team partner? We're talking about guys like Ken Collins, Gabriel Black, David Wright Hubbard, and the Grave Digger... some of the toughest men in the industry, and you don't even know who you'll be facing!

B. Manson: It don't matter who we're facing, Ziggy. Get this through your flimsy little skull... WE are the toughest men in the industry. Any of those guys you mentioned, if one of 'em steps in the ring alongside Bass Rogers, we'll beat his ass, and beat Bass Rogers's fat ass too! We don't get no respect. People talk about great tag teams in VCW, and they talk about the Ontario Colour Show or Idol and Solomon... the fact is, they ain't the champions right now. Would you be scared to meet a couple sissies like the Ontario Colour Show in a dark alley? Hell no. But you damn well better be scared of us. We ain't no technical wrestlers, we're a pair of street fighters, and if Bass Rogers wants a fight with us, he's gonna lose. Hell, he better HOPE he doesn't make it past us, because Crimson's just itching for an excuse to squash him like a big, fat bug.

Z. Adderloaf: We just heard it here... Jack Norman and Butch Manson have offered to put the VCW World Tag Team Titles on the line against Bass Rogers and any partner of his choosing tonight. That'll be a big match, but first, let's get back to the ring!

The camera fades out on the backstage scene.

We're back, and now "Stuntman" by 24-7 Spyz is playing over the arena sound system, and that brings out Tommy Hustle, to a mild pop from the crowd. He walks to the ring, preparing for his upcoming match, which should be a good one. He'll be facing Tim Bell, in what amounts to a contest between youthful enthusiasm and veteran experience between two fine athletes. This contest should be a fine athletic display, and we have every reason to believe that it will be free from outside interference; we should find out convincingly who the better man is here. Tommy Hustle enters the ring and begins stretching, then hops in place and shadow-boxes to loosen up for the match.

And now "Through The Never" by Metallica begins playing, and that brings out Tim Bell, accompanied to the ring by Jennie. The crowd cheers as he makes his way to the ring, looking prepared and focused for his match. Tim Bell is going into this match with a bit more momentum than Tommy Hustle, to be sure; he has a pair of tag team wins behind him in recent weeks, though he hasn't fared so well in singles competition in recent history. However, unlike Tommy Hustle, he brings a history of solid performance to the ring; he was a solid worker in the latter days of the NCWA, and he's a four-time former VCW Television Champion. He's in his mid-thirties, but so far hasn't shown many signs of breaking down from repetitive wear to his body. Still, one wonders if he can keep up with Tommy Hustle, who is in his early twenties and wrestles at a breakneck pace. Tim Bell enters the ring and stops to get some last-minute advice from Jennie, and now (fully clothed, fortunately) VCW referee Bobcat McGavin is in the ring to call for the bell!

Tim Bell
w/Jennie

The match starts with a lockup, and Tim Bell quickly takes the lead, bringing Tommy Hustle down with a headlock takedown into a side headlock on the mat. Tommy Hustle rolls Tim Bell onto his shoulders for a two count, but Tim Bell rolls it back over, then releases the headlock, flows behind into a waistlock, and gets up, pulling Tommy Hustle to his feet. He goes for a German suplex, but Tommy Hustle nails him with a back elbowsmash, then hooks his legs under his arms and takes him down with a rolling forward cradle for a two count! Tim Bell kicks out, then quickly gets up and locks up with Tommy Hustle again. Again, he goes behind into a waistlock, and Tommy Hustle throws another back elbow, but this time Tim Bell ducks! Tommy Hustle's momentum whirls him around so he's facing Tim Bell... and Tim Bell brings him crashing down with a Northern Lights suplex, and holds the bridge for a two count!

Tommy Hustle winces in pain as he gets up, and seems to realize that he's not going to outwrestle Tim Bell, so he rushes forward and takes him down with a dropkick. Tim Bell gets up again, and this time Tommy Hustle springs up to the second rope, then springs backwards at Tim Bell with a leg lariat! Tim Bell ducks, and Tommy Hustle's extended foot flies over his head! Tim Bell runs the ropes, and Tommy Hustle falters for a second but somehow lands on his feet, but he regains his balance just as Tim Bell comes off with a leaping forearm that catches him in the jaw! Tim Bell starts to go up to the top turnbuckle... but Tommy Hustle gets to his feet too fast! As Tim Bell reaches the top, Tommy Hustle rushes forward, springs up to the top rope, and comes off to nail Tim Bell with a dropkick that sends him flying from the top turnbuckle to the floor! The crowd lets out an "Ooh!" and Tommy Hustle lands back in the ring... but now he's getting up and climbing to the top turnbuckle. Tim Bell gets up, a little shaky... and Tommy Hustle leaps out onto him with a ringpost moonsault that sends him right back down!

Obviously, Tim Bell made a huge mistake there in switching to Tommy Hustle's preferred arena and matching aerial skills against him. Perhaps it was a matter of pride; in the early nineties, Tim Bell was heralded as one of the sport's great high-flyers, and being upstaged by the new generation of high flyers may not sit well with him. Tommy Hustle continues to take the fight to Tim Bell on the outside, getting the better of a brawl on the outside, then rolls him back into the ring. But when Tim Bell gets up on the inside, Tommy Hustle leaps up on the top rope, and comes at him with a springboard Thesz press!! But Tim Bell catches him... SPINEBUSTER!! Both men are down, as Tim Bell continues to suffer from the previous abuse he took, but that could turn the match around in a hurry!

Indeed it does; both men get up at the same time, but Tim Bell's in no mood to match aerial moves with Tommy Hustle now. He dodges an attempted dropkick from Tommy Hustle, then opens up with a few forearm smashes and begins dipping into his suplex arsenal, bringing Tommy Hustle crashing to the mat repeatedly. A backbreaker and a Samoan Drop continue the offense, and then Tim Bell puts on a Boston crab. Not a popular move with the crowd, who would rather see Tommy Hustle's high spots or Tim Bell's hard-hitting suplexes than a submission hold, but perhaps a smart move, as it works over Tommy Hustle's back and forces him to use up some of his boundless energy fighting to the ropes, though he does make it and force a rope break.

Looking for the finish, Tim Bell whips Tommy Hustle into the corner, then follows him in with a clothesline that rocks him back, and sets him up on the top. Tim Bell's climbing up with him, no doubt wanting the Top-Rope Frankensteiner, but Tommy Hustle fights back with some shots to the ribs, then shoves Tim Bell backwards and off! Tim Bell gets up, and Tommy Hustle turns the tables by leaping off of the top rope to snare Tim Bell's head with his legs and bring him down with a Frankensteiner! That wasn't the sort of move Tim Bell had in mind, but it works for Tommy Hustle, who's back in the match now! Despite Tim Bell's targetted offense, Tommy Hustle's back doesn't seem to be hurting now as he hits Tim Bell with a rapid series of moves, culminating in a swinging neckbreaker that gets a two and a half count on an ensuing cover. Tommy Hustle bodyslams Tim Bell in front of one of the turnbuckles, then goes up top... FLYING SOMERSAULT HEADBUTT!! Tommy Hustle covers... and only gets a near fall!!

Tommy Hustle pulls Tim Bell up from behind, and goes for a lift, looking for his Backdrop Driver to end it... but he's a little bit slow to lift, having evidently remembered that his back was injured, and Tim Bell blocks it with an elbow, then slips behind him and hooks his arms... DRAGON SUPLEX!! But Tim Bell, still groggy from the abuse he's taken, lets the bridge slip and doesn't hold him for the pin! He gets up, holding his head and neck in pain as he tries to shake off some of the cobwebs. Tommy Hustle's up too... but Tim Bell pulls him into a standing headscissors, then lifts... POWER BOMB!! That could do it! Tim Bell flops down on the mat, but quickly refocuses and crawls across Tommy Hustle, as Bobcat McGavin counts... SHOULDER UP AT TWO AND NINE-TENTHS!! Tim Bell, not quite having the size or power of a David Wright Hubbard or Crimson, didn't get enough force on that power bomb to put Tommy Hustle away, especially with that moment of delay after hitting it!

Tim Bell, still in a bit of a daze, picks Tommy Hustle up and goes to repeat the power bomb... but this time, Tommy Hustle counters it by grabbing Tim Bell's head and jamming him face-down to the mat! Both men are down... but Tommy Hustle kips up! Once again, his back doesn't seem to be bothering him, and he's going to the top turnbuckle... but Tim Bell gets up, and with a desperate lunge nails him with a forearm to the back of the knee! Tommy Hustle wobbles, then falls crotch-first on the top turnbuckle, facing the crowd! Tim Bell climbs up behind him, then gives him a couple more forearms to the back and grabs him from behind... BELLY-TO-BACK SUPERPLEX!! Tim Bell brought Tommy Hustle crashing to the mat from the top, and now he crawls across him for the cover! Bobcat McGavin counts... and this time, gets to three! Tim Bell wins!!

What a match that was! Tommy Hustle's back seemed to recover and worsen at random, but this showcasing of age and experience against youth and energy has given us a great, competitive match! Tim Bell gets up and leans in a corner for a second to regain his senses, then helps Tommy Hustle to his feet and offers a handshake... and Tommy Hustle accepts, to an eruption of cheers from the crowd! With a nod of respect, they leave the ring and begin walking backstage, with Jennie accompanying Tim Bell... and now we're going to go backstage as well, as Tim Bell's ally Owen Addison prepares for his match in the Survival of the Fittest Tournament!

Owen Addison is stretching and warming up for his upcoming match in a backstage locker room. With him is his former tag team partner and fellow member of the Technicians, Paul Canyon. As he stretches, he stops to look back at the monitor and see Tim Bell walking back with Jennie after his win.

O. Addison: Tim's match with Hustle is done... looks like I'm on next against Dave Adams. Make sure you're ready for Julian Page tonight, so we'll go three-for-three and I'll see you in the second round.

P. Canyon: I'll do my best. You want Jennie to watch your back, since Dave Adams'll have Vivacia out there? I could go find her and Tim. They probably went to get some ice for him--

O. Addison: What!? Hell, no. It's bad enough that you and Tim let her come around so much. You don't think she'll turn on us again the instant some cute guy comes around?

P. Canyon: She didn't REALLY turn on us for Brujah, you know.

O. Addison: Yeah, you just tell yourself that. This is why the Ontario Colour Show had to break up... because you think with parts of your body other than your brain.

P. Canyon: What's that supposed to mean?

O. Addison: Face it, if she was a truck driver with a beer belly and a ZZ Top beard instead of a sexy young blonde who likes to run around half-naked, I don't think you'd be so quick to forgive her.

Paul Canyon smiles and shakes his head.

P. Canyon: Think whatever you want. Just go on out there and chalk up another win in your skyrocketing singles career.

O. Addison: Okay, I think I will. You'd best do the same later on... the Hammer of the Gods messed up our Blood and Thunder match, and we still need to give these people a singles wrestling match that'll make their jaws drop.

P. Canyon: Yeah... good luck out there. Not that you'll need it.

O. Addison: Damn right. Thanks anyway, though. See ya.

Owen Addison gives Paul Canyon a thumbs up and a smile, then leaves the room, and the camera fades out on the backstage scene.

We're back at ringside, and now "Calling Dr. Love" by KISS is playing, and that brings out "Doctor" Dave Adams, along with Nurse Vivacia! The crowd boos as he comes to the ring, scowling at the fans who jeer at him. He climbs inside and poses for the crowd, but only gets more boos; he's not a really popular guy. This could be a big chance for him to elevate his career; really, just beating Owen Addison tonight would turn a lot of heads in the Doctor's direction.

And here comes his opponent... "Until It Sleeps" by Metallica begins playing, and that brings out Owen Addison to a loud round of cheers! He walks to the ring, looking at Dave Adams with a single-minded, determined gaze... we know he's focused on taking Dave Adams apart in that ring, and Dave Adams has to know it, too. He enters the ring and poses for the crowd, getting a loud round of cheers... but hold it, Dave Adams has a microphone now! What's this all about!?

D. Adams: Y'know, Owen... it's been pretty well-documented that you don't want anything to do with Jennie these days... and I don't blame you a bit. Word around the Doctor's Office is that she needs to come in and get an antibiotic perscription for a couple nasty social diseases, if you see what I'm driving at. But when you look at the ladies, you have to realize that there's more than one fish in the sea... and Nurse Vivacia has passed ALL of my intensive physical exams with flying colors. And if you'd be willing to take a dive in the tournament for me... I might just be inclined to give you a special appointment with her, free of charge.

Owen Addison shrugs and nods, and now he's calling for a microphone of his own... what's this!?

O. Addison: Yeah, what the hell... I need to get laid anyway, and I don't really want to win this stupid tournament to begin with. You've got a deal... get a ref in here and ring the bell!

Owen Addison sits on the mat and lies flat on his back, and the crowd is stunned! Dave Adams's face grows in a scheming smile, then scrambles across Owen for the pin, and Jerry Rogers enters the ring and calls for the bell!

"Doctor" Dave Adams
w/Nurse Vivacia

Owen's down, Dave Adams is covering him, and Jerry Rogers goes to count the pin in the ring... and Owen Addison pulls Dave Adams over into a small package, getting an eruption of cheers from the crowd! Jerry Rogers counts, and gets to two and nine-tenths!! Owen Addison almost embarrassed Dave Adams with a three-second loss! Dave Adams yells out angrily and takes a swing at Owen Addison as they get up, but Owen Addison blocks it and hits Dave Adams with a chop of his own, then takes control of the match and begins working Dave Adams over mercilessly.

It quickly becomes clear that Dave Adams isn't anywhere near the technical wrestler that Owen Addison is, as he gets victimized in the ring without getting in any offense of his own. He finally manages to roll to the outside of the ring, but even then Owen Addison runs and leaps out at him with a plancha between the second and third ropes! Dave Adams crashes into the guardrail, and Owen Addison assaults him with some brawling offense, but here Dave Adams takes control again, reversing a whip to the ringpost that sends Owen Addison in shoulder-first. Seizing the opportunity, and remembering Owen Addison's history of injury to the right shoulder, Dave Adams begins working over the shoulder, pounding on it and taking it into the ringpost again, then rolling Owen back in the ring and continuing the abuse. After some more punishment, Dave Adams goes for a shoulderbreaker to begin looking for the kill... but Owen Addison slides out behind him, then kicks him in the midsection when he turns around and brings him down with a jawbreaker!

Owen Addison gets up before Dave Adams, stretching his shoulder to try to work the pain out of it as he prepares to retaliate. Though he seems a bit slowed and limited by his weakened shoulder, Owen Addison still outwrestles Dave Adams, hitting him with a barrage of suplexes and takedowns, with a few aerial moves for good measure. After a string of great moves, culminating in a German suplex for a count of two and three-quarters, Owen Addison lifts Dave Adams for the Tombstone... but his right shoulder seems unable to hold Dave Adams, and he squirms out behind Owen Addison now! Owen turns around... into a low blow! Dave Adams hooks his head... DDT!! He covers... but only gets two and three-quarters!!

Nurse Vivacia protests indignantly, telling Jerry Rogers he made a fast count, but Jerry Rogers just brushes her off and starts to turn back to the match... so Nurse Vivacia raises her skirt and rubs her crotch through her white cotton panties, then invites Jerry Rogers to do the same! A goofy grin spreads across his face as he goes to Nurse Vivacia... but Dave Adams just rolled out of the ring and grabbed a chair!! He brings it inside, and waits on Owen Addison to get up... but someone's coming out of the backstage entrance! JENNIE!! She runs to the ring and slides inside, just as Owen Addison gets up! Dave Adams swings the chair for his head... and Jennie jumps in the path of the chairshot, taking the blow for him! Both Dave Adams and Owen Addison stare in shock for a second... but Owen Addison recovers first and grabs the chair from Dave Adams, then nails him in the head with it! He chucks the chair aside as Jerry Rogers turns around, Vivacia having seen what was going on and ceased her distractions... and now Owen's pulling Dave Adams up again... TOMBSTONE!! He covers... and Jerry Rogers counts to three! It's over!

Dave Adams rolls out of the ring, clutching his head in pain, as the crowd cheers... and now Owen turns to Jennie with confusion. She's still sprawled out on the mat after taking that chairshot. Owen finally just shrugs and turns to leave the ring, but the crowd starts to boo... and he stops! With a visible sigh, he turns around and kneels beside Jennie, checking on her, then helps her to her feet to a pop from the crowd. A radiant smile of surprise and delight slowly shines through the groggy haze of pain on Jennie's face, and she throws her arms around Owen Addison... but he just pushes her back and says something to her with a stern look on his face, then turns and leaves the ring, leaving Jennie and the crowd a little bit disappointed. He may be appreciative that she helped even the odds this time, but it doesn't look like he's willing to accept her at the side of the Technicians again.

We're going to take you backstage again now, where Derek Cole, Lance Errington, and Chris Champlain are standing by, preparing to comment on their upcoming tag team match with the Grave Digger and Russel "The Muscle" Taylor! Let's see that now!!

Lance Errington and Chris Champlain are standing backstage, dressed to wrestle, as Derek Cole stands with them, wearing a black leather jacket, an old Golden Society T-shirt, and a pair of black denim pants.

D. Cole: Lance, can you believe it? Really, now... can you? The Grave Digger, that big seven-foot IDIOT, challenged you to a match. He must be a glutton for punishment... but if that's his problem, I know you've got enough to satisfy his appetite.

L. Errington: You're right. Everyone takes one look at this set-up and says, "What's Lance Errington thinking, he's gonna get killed!" ... They think I'm some midcard wrestler with an ego. They didn't start watching until after Spontaneous Combustion last year, and they never saw me beat the best that VCW has to offer. They didn't see all the times when I came within an eyelash of winning the VCW World Title, only to get screwed each time. Contrary to popular belief, I beat Gabriel Black more times than he beat me, and I beat Falcon more times than he beat me, and THAT is God's honest truth. For some reason, the matches I win don't make the highlight reels, and everyone up at the top of the VCW just thought they could forget about Lance Errington. The Grave Digger forgot, all right... he forgot to give me a title shot back when he had the belt, in the midst of the two or three dozen shots he gave Tony Garcia. But now, after what I did to him two weeks ago... I think I jogged his memory.

D. Cole: You're absolutely right. Like everyone else, he just can't read between the lines of the history books and find out who the real backbone of VCW is. When you take away all the prima donnas, the overrated rookies, the washed-up nobodies, the pantywaists who sit out for six months every time they stub their foot on a rock, and the crybabies who couldn't cut it in VCW... what's left is you. Always near the top of the card, always being held down by the people right above you. YOU, Lance, are the VCW FRANCHISE.

Chris Champlain steps forward before Lance Errington can speak again, with a predatory grin on his face and *that* look in his eyes again.

C. Champlain: And I may not be the VCW franchise... but what I am is a nightmare given shape and substance. Russel Taylor found that out two weeks ago as well. I WARNED you, Russel, that in the sewers you would not find life so easy, and the fact is that you barely escaped with your life. You're a strapping young chap, Russel... but that big, toned body of yours won't be of any use, barring limited agricultural purposes in an area of approximately six feet by three feet, after I've had my way. At Blood and Thunder, I made you pass out... but that's not GOOD ENOUGH. I want to beat on you and wear away at you and inflict pain on you until you know the meaning of despair and hopelessness... until you beg for mercy. Until all that mighty heroic resolve and determination vanishes in the face of sheer, crushing PAIN, and you're forced to beg evil Uncle Chris to spare your miserable life and admit that you're not strong enough to defeat me.

Derek Cole stares at Chris Champlain, then looks to Lance Errington with a concerned look on his face.

D. Cole: He's on our side, Lance... isn't he?

L. Errington: Damn well better be. Honestly, I don't care about him and Russel... the issue here is me, my future, and my legacy... and tonight, as at Survival of the Fittest, I build upon that at the Grave Digger's expense. Let's go.

Lance Errington turns to leave, and Derek Cole and Chris Champlain follow him as the camera fades out on the backstage scene.

We're back at ringside, and "Wait And Bleed" by Slipknot is playing now, bringing out Russel "The Muscle" Taylor and the Grave Digger to a huge round of cheers from the crowd! These two men come from very different career paths... one's a dominating monster, and the other was a long-time perennial loser, but now they'll have to function as an integrated unit to overcome their opposition. There's a lot of bad blood in this match, and while ordinarily the raw physical dominance of the Grave Digger would make his team a heavy favorite, the cunning and sadistic streaks of Lance Errington and Chris Champlain may be able to overcome the raw power and athleticism of their opponents. Russel Taylor jogs to the ring, slapping hands with the fans, then climbs inside and begins posing, while the Grave Digger takes his time, walking slowly to the ring and stepping in over the top rope.

And now "Perfect Strangers" by Dream Theater begins playing, and the crowd boos loudly as Lance Errington and Chris Champlain come out of the backstage entrance, accompanied by Derek Cole. These two men are no strangers by any means; they were both part of the Golden Society in the earlier days of VCW, and have met in the ring several times as allies and as enemies, but more often as allies. That may give them the edge in teamwork that they need to overcome the Grave Digger and Russel "The Muscle" Taylor tonight. They enter the ring and huddle in a corner, discussing strategy... and Chris Champlain steps forward to start the match for his team! Russel Taylor does likewise, and VCW referee Brendan Powers enters the ring and calls for the bell!

Lance Errington & Chris Champlain
w/Derek Cole

Russel Taylor rushes at Chris Champlain with a lot of intense energy, taking him down repeatedly with his intense offense. The Grave Digger gets the tag after a bit, and he enters the ring, knocking Chris Champlain around like a rag doll, then stepping back and telling him to tag in Lance Errington. Chris Champlain crawls to his corner, and Lance Errington comes in rather hesitantly. He approaches the Grave Digger cautiously, trying to outwrestle him, but the Grave Digger is just too big and strong, and he begins knocking Lance Errington around as well, dominating the match!

Lance Errington rolls to the outside, looking for a breather from the match, but the Grave Digger just follows him right out and continues his onslaught! As he does, Chris Champlain creeps around to the other side of the ring and pulls Russel Taylor off of the apron, then begins assaulting him! Brendan Powers turns around to yell at them to break up the fight, but as he does, Derek Cole grabs a steel chair and climbs up onto the apron, then leaps off and clobbers the Grave Digger from behind with it! The Grave Digger stumbles forward and doubles over, and Lance Errington grabs the ring bell from the timekeeper's table and whacks the Grave Digger in the skull with it, sending him down!

Brendan Powers turns around, having gotten Chris Champlain off of Russel Taylor, and Lance Errington pulls the Grave Digger up and rolls him into the ring. He climbs in after him, then grabs his right leg and drops a few elbows into it! The Grave Digger's not moving... and now Lance Errington puts on a figure-four leglock!! The Grave Digger's still not moving... he's laying flat on the mat in the figure-four leglock! Brendan Powers looks at him with concern, then goes to count... THE DIGGER SITS UP AT TWO!! There's no pain in his eyes, only intense wrath, and he pulls himself to the ropes quickly and mechanically, dragging Lance Errington along in the figure-four like he was no more than a puppy on a leash! Lance Errington is forced to break the hold, but takes a full four-count to do so. The Grave Digger starts to get up, and Lance Errington grows desperate, gouging him in the eyes, then stepping out and heading to the top turnbuckle. He comes off with a flying axhandle... but the Grave Digger steps to the side a bit and catches him... GRAVE YARD SLAM!!

The Grave Digger tags in Russel Taylor, who enters the ring and pelts Lance Errington with some simple, but intense offense, taking him down repeatedly and getting a good reaction from the crowd. But he goes for the Power Bomb too early, and Lance Errington brings him down with a double-leg takedown, then steps through and puts on the Scorpion Deathlock!! Russel's still healthy, and his legs haven't been targetted by attacks in this match, but he's still feeling some pain as he drags himself to the ropes! After several seconds, he makes it, but that clearly killed his momentum... and he crawled to the ropes right next to Lance Errington's corner, so Lance Errington reaches back and tags in Chris Champlain, still holding the Scorpion Deathlock! As Brendan Powers counts for him to release the hold, Chris Champlain enters the ring and drops a knee on Russel Taylor's head! Only then does Lance Errington release the hold and leave the ring.

Chris Champlain begins working over Russel Taylor with relish, taking special care to target his legs, possibly preparing to cause him more pain via the Texas Cloverleaf that he enjoys using lately. He lets Lance Errington have a turn, and the two men isolate Russel Taylor in the corner, working him over for several minutes, always managing to cut off any attempts to make a comeback or tag the Grave Digger. Finally, Chris Champlain takes Russel Taylor down in the middle of the ring, then grabs his legs and applies a Texas Cloverleaf!! Russel Taylor struggles, now in serious pain, but refusing to give up! He fights his way towards his corner, battling for every inch, but he finally makes it, and tags in the Grave Digger!!

The Grave Digger enters the ring and immediately grabs Chris Champlain, mauling him with heavy blows and power moves, as Lance Errington watches in awe. The Cradle To Grave gets a near fall, and then the Grave Digger picks up Chris Champlain and grabs him by the throat... CHOKESLAM!! Chris Champlain is a broken husk on the canvas, and the Grave Digger picks him up and drags him to his corner, telling Lance Errington to tag himself in! Lance Errington shakes his head "no" and steps off of the apron, backing away... and with a disgusted glare, the Grave Digger lifts Chris Champlain up... BURIAL!! He covers, and gets three!!

Lance Errington and Derek Cole are retreating up the aisle, leaving Chris Champlain's fallen carcass in the ring along with the Grave Digger and Russel "The Muscle" Taylor, and the Grave Digger ignores Brendan Powers's attempt to raise his hand as he stares after them. He won this match, but he didn't do what he wanted to do, and that is bury Lance Errington in the middle of the ring. As the Grave Digger and Russel Taylor leave the ring, we're going to go backstage, where Troy Black has caught up with Brujah. This could be interesting...

Brujah is standing in a dressing room backstage, leaning against one of the cinderblock walls, as Troy Black comes onto the scene.

T. Black: Glad I found you. I have something to say.

Brujah turns to Troy Black, his face totally passive and unmoving.

Brujah: Oh?

T. Black: Thank you for helping me last week... and I'm truly sorry about what I did at Blood and Thunder. It was inexcusable.

Brujah: You've been saying you're sorry a lot these days.

T. Black: I have a lot to be sorry for. Almost everything I've done in the past six months, really.

Brujah: Can't take any of it back now. None of us can.

T. Black: Yeah, I know.

Troy Black sighs and looks at the ground, pausing for a second, then looks back to Brujah.

T. Black: We're tag team partners tonight against Ken Collins and Johnny Smiles. Do you... have a problem with that, after what I made you do at Blood and Thunder?

Brujah: I didn't have a problem helping you out last week... no, I don't have a problem being on your team tonight.

T. Black: Why DID you help me last week, anyway?

Brujah: You're the only friend I have left, and I'm the only friend you have left. Isn't that enough of a reason? We both share a common bond; we've damned ourselves through choices we've made in the past. Maybe you should've never even thought of forming the Black Plague in the first place. I'm pretty sure I should have told you to kiss my ass when you told me to take out Desmond... hell, while I was at it, I should've taken a pipe wrench to the skull of that sick fucker Lorenzo. But the past is unchanging, and there ain't no turning back now. I'm on your side. All I need in return is to know that you're on mine.

T. Black: You know I am.

Troy Black tries to smile, but just sighs, and for a while, the two men stand in silence.

T. Black: Tell me, do you think I made the wrong choice, at Wrestlewar III?

Brujah: Maybe. I don't know if anybody deserves what you did to Gabriel. But if anyone does... he does. Can't say I blame you. I was there, and personally, as a part of that whole set-up, I wasn't exactly shedding any tears over the thought of putting Gabriel Black in traction. I saw him back during the Inquisition days, and I've seen him now. The man's on a permanent power trip. You grew up dealing with that every day of your life. Don't blame you for what happened to him, but there were plenty of other people... Ken Collins, Melissa, and Desmond, off the top of my head... they damn sure deserved better than they got. Let me put it to you this way. You didn't go wrong by taking out Gabriel... you went wrong by selling your soul to Tony, Lorenzo, Rebecca, and Amy.

T. Black: I never really wanted Ken or Melissa or Desmond to suffer from this like they did. What Lorenzo did to Stacey, what Amy did to Melissa, what I made you do to Desmond... it all makes me sick now. At least when I look back at what I did to Tony, I can tell myself that he was an evil bastard who got what he deserved. But I sat by and let the rest of that happen... worst of all, I specifically told you to hurt Desmond.

Brujah: Maybe this is just me putting the blinders on so I can have one friend left and justify not beating you to death right here and now, but as far as I saw you were just a tool in that situation. Amy was the one who wanted him gone, after the fallout at Disaster Area.

T. Black: You're sorta right. But I got wrapped up in it too. When I saw him with Melissa, or when he beat me that one night... it stung my pride. I wanted to see him fall. Not like that, I guess, but I sure didn't do anything to keep it from happening like that. I can’t lay any of the blame with anyone else, there.

Brujah: Yeah, well... I didn't do anything to stop it either, and I was the one in the ring with him. Look, Troy... we ain't no nice guys. We're a couple of evil bastards who've done some sick shit for some truly twisted reasons. Nobody's gonna deny that. And if you can't deal with it and move on, you might as well find yourself a corner to curl up and die in.

T. Black: You’re right. ... So what do I do about Gabriel?

Brujah: I know what I'm gonna do about Gabriel... I'm gonna give him the beating of his life at Survival of the Fittest. What you do about him... you're the only one who can answer that. But worry about Ken Collins and Johnny Smiles, too. I'm sure they wouldn't mind making you pay a little more for Lorenzo's sins tonight.

T. Black: You're right. It's no fun being hated by everybody, is it?

Brujah: Can't blame them for it, though.

Troy Black sighs and slumps to sit on the floor beside Brujah as the camera fades out on the backstage scene.

We're back, and we're going straight to our next match! "Kashmir" by Led Zeppelin is playing, as Julian Page makes his way to the ring to a loud round of boos from the crowd. He climbs inside and calls for a microphone. He's out here for a Survival of the Fittest Tournament match against Paul Canyon, but it looks like he has something to say first...

J. Page: In a few moments, I'm going to be winning my first match in the Survival of the Fittest Tournament. I've felt a higher calling of sorts in this tournament, and I think that I'm pretty well guaranteed to win, so I'd like to make my victory acceptance speech now. I'd like to thank my teammates Jacob Idol, Jasmina Chastity, and Rob Solomon for standing behind me and supporting me all the way, for doing all of the little things that contributed to my success. Thanks, guys; you know that when I win the VCW World Title at Wrestlewar, you'll be the first ones to get shots at it. And perhaps I'd also like to thank those few fans among the teeming throng of idiocy who have the good taste to cheer me on as I battle--

There's been quite enough of this... "Magical Mystery Tour" by the Beatles begins playing, and that brings out Paul Canyon, as the crowd cheers loudly. Jennie's not with him, however; perhaps the chairshot she took earlier in the night prevented her from coming to ringside. Julian Page scowls, obviously upset at having his phony, premature victory speech interrupted, and Paul Canyon slides into the ring and steps into a corner, cautiously eyeing Julian Page and preparing to do battle with him! Linda Peterson enters the ring and calls for the bell, and this match begins now! 

Paul Canyon takes the advantage early in the match, using his speed and superior technical wrestling ability to take Julian Page down several times, gaining the edge. With Julian Page reeling from a flurry of offense in the opening minutes, Paul Canyon hits him with a particularly impressive dropkick that sends Julian Page spilling wildly out over the top rope to the floor! Paul Canyon climbs to the top turnbuckle, then leaps out after him with a flying cross bodypress... but Julian Page dives out of the way! Paul Canyon crash-lands on the floor, and goes down holding his left knee! And that's a bad thing to happen in a match with Julian Page, opportunistic bastard that he is!

Julian Page immediately begins stomping at Paul Canyon's left knee, then rolls into the ring to break the count, rolls back out, and rolls Paul Canyon in... then pulls him groin-first into the ringpost by the legs, and wraps his left leg painfully around the post not once, but twice! Paul Canyon's in pain, and Julian Page grabs his legs, then applies a figure-four leglock around the post! Linda Peterson counts for him to release it, and Julian Page finally does, at four, but the damage may have been done! Back in the ring, he continues his onslaught, working over Paul Canyon's leg with a single-minded focus... but when he goes for a figure-four leglock, Paul Canyon kicks him away, sending him crashing into the turnbuckles! Julian Page staggers out, but Paul Canyon struggles to his feet, then grabs his head, twists into position, and brings him down with a reverse neckbreaker!

Both men get up at the same time, and Julian Page gets off a quick kick to the kneecap that stuns Paul Canyon. He backs him into the ropes with a series of punches then runs into the ropes on the other side, and comes off with a leg lariat... but Paul Canyon ducks! Julian Page crotches himself on the top rope, and Paul Canyon limps to the corner and climbs a bit slowly to the top turnbuckle, then leaps off to catch Julian Page with a flying clothesline as he straddles the top rope! Julian Page tumbles out to the apron, but Paul Canyon's down in the ring, clutching his left knee... the landing from did him no favors. Still, he blocks it out and gets up, then pulls Julian Page up and hooks him for a suplex... but Julian Page blocks, then gouges Paul Canyon in the eyes and pulls him down throat-first across the top rope!

Julian Page gets up on the apron, then climbs to the top turnbuckle... but he's moving a little slowly himself, because Paul Canyon gets up to meet him! He grabs Julian Page at the top, and Julian Page frantically shakes his head "no"... but Paul Canyon press slams him off the top turnbuckle anyway! Julian Page crashes to the mat and howls in pain, but Paul Canyon winces and clutches his left leg in pain as Julian Page gets up! Seeing his chance, Julian Page rushes forward with a clothesline, but Paul Canyon ducks and hooks his arm as he wraps around behind him, then hooks the other arm for a full nelson and lifts... DRAGON SUPLEX!! But Paul Canyon's knee's not strong enough to attempt a bridge, so he releases it! Instead, he's going up to the top turnbuckle... Julian Page is down, and he comes off... MAGIC CARPET RIDE!! He hit it!! But Paul Canyon rolls to the side, clutching his left knee... it hurt him to come off the top like that! After a few seconds, he rolls over onto Julian Page... but the delay was crucial, and he gets only two and nine-tenths!

Weary and in pain, Paul Canyon pulls Julian Page up into a front chancery and goes for a vertical suplex... but his leg wobbles and he falters, going to one knee and allowing Julian Page to slip out behind him! Paul Canyon turns around... and gets kicked square in the kneecap! He doubles over, clutching his left leg in pain, and Julian Page pulls him into a standing headscissors and hooks his arms... SWAN SONG!! That could do it! The crowd's booing loudly, and both men go down on the mat... but Julian Page is getting up first, wiping his sweaty hair out of his face! But he doesn't go for the pin... he grabs Paul Canyon's legs and applies a figure-four leglock!! Paul Canyon's struggling, trying first to reach the ropes, then as that fails trying to turn the hold over... but after about twenty seconds, he can't seem to take anymore, and he submits!! Julian Page wins!

Julian Page has won in this final match of the second round of the Survival of the Fittest Tournament, and he will face Owen Addison in the second round. He releases the figure-four leglock and goes up to the second turnbuckle to pose... and while he may have been cocky in his early predictions of victory, it's not at all unlikely that he'll win the tournament. He turns and begins heading backstage now, and the crowd's boos follow him as he leaves backstage. We're going to take a look backstage now as well, with Johnny Smiles and Ken Collins as they prepare to head to the ring!

Johnny Smiles and Ken Collins are backstage, dressed to wrestle and preparing to head for the ring. Stacey Lockman is with them, as is The Pink Kitten and Sumiko, the stuffed cat. Ken Collins is wearing the VCW Intercontinental Title.

K. Collins: Johnny, this is it. In a few minutes, we're going up against what's left of the Black Plague... though these days, they look more like a common cold.

J. Smiles: This'll be fun. You know, we should team up more often. We need a really catchy tag team name... like, how about the Flying Concubines!

Ken Collins and Stacey Lockman stare at Johnny Smiles oddly, and The Pink Kitten falls into a fit of giggles.

S. Lockman: Johnny... you DO know that concubine is another word for "mistress", right?

J. Smiles: Yeah, but it sounds cool enough that I was hoping people would overlook that part. Okay, fine... how about the Raging Hormones?

K. Collins: I don't know, Johnny. That sounds like the name of a lame underground punk band...

J. Smiles: Yeah, I know. It's also too phonetically similar to "Razor Ramon", and I'd hate for anyone to get confused and think that Scott Hall had returned to VCW... so instead, maybe we could call ourselves the Strange Sensations?

K. Collins: We're not really all that STRANGE, though. I mean, we're off-kilter in a charming sort of way, but truly strange? I don't think so. Maybe if we drop the adjective-noun formula, we'll come up with something unique... maybe something like the Dynamics...

J. Smiles: With THAT name, we sound like we should be OPENING for a lame underground punk band. It's too bad two of us don't have the same last name, because then we could make a whole big team out of all of our friends, and use that name. Kind of like how Van Halen named itself Van Halen... it works on SO many levels!

Stacey Lockman looks down at her watch and frowns.

S. Lockman: Maybe we could think about it later? You guys are gonna be late.

J. Smiles: I suppose. Let's head out. Can't keep the Johnnycoholics waiting... after all, if we don't show up, there'll probably be some boring, lame Hell's Bikers segment or another referee bikini contest instead.

The Pink Kitten looks to them with a smile.

P. Kitten: Good luck, guys. Sumiko and I will be looking out for you!

J. Smiles: Thanks, Yuri. We'll see you later!

Johnny Smiles, Ken Collins, and Stacey Lockman leave the room, and The Pink Kitten sits down in front of a monitor, with Sumiko at her side. But shortly after she's sat down, there's a knock at the door. The Pink Kitten gets up and answers it, and Virginia's muscular arm quickly shoots past the door to grab her by the arm.

Virginia: Gotcha, you stupid little bitch!!

Virginia pulls the Pink Kitten forward, into a punch to the sternum. She doubles over, clutching her chest, and Virginia clobbers her with a forearm, then grabs her by the back of the head and flings her head-first into the wall of the arena. The Pink Kitten collapses to the floor, but Virginia pulls her up again, then grabs her by the throat and drives her down hard on the floor with a massive chokeslam. The Pink Kitten begins gasping for breath as she lies motionless on the floor, and Virginia straddles her, then reaches down and begins choking her.

Virginia: How do you like that, you little weakling!? Pink Kitten!? What a load of shit. You look like a complete idiot. I oughtta rip that stupid mask off that ugly face of yours and stick it where the sun doesn't shine!!

The Pink Kitten's struggles grow weaker, but suddenly the door flies open again, and Christina Ellis steps in, carrying a nightstick. Virginia gets up and turns around, but Christina Ellis nails her in the midsection with the nightstick, doubling her over, then drops her by clubbing her in the back of the head with it. Christina Ellis beats on Virginia with more solid blows from the nightstick as she tries to get up, then pulls her to her feet and doubles her over again with a shot from the nightstick. Dropping the nightstick, Christina Ellis grabs a double handful of Virginia's hair, and tosses her out the door of the room, then slams the door shut behind her and turns to the Pink Kitten.

C. Ellis: Yuri, are you all right?

The Pink Kitten starts to pull herself up, at first too stunned by the beating she took to notice what happened, but then she turns to Christina Ellis and her face lights up with joy.

P. Kitten: Christina!! I missed you so much!

Despite her injuries, the Pink Kitten springs forward and gives Christina Ellis an enthusiastic hug. Christina Ellis smiles.

C. Ellis: I missed you too, Yuri.

The Pink Kitten steps back after a few seconds, wincing from the pain of exerting herself like that, but still manages to smile as she looks at Christina Ellis again.

P. Kitten: You're back! And... where'd you get the nightstick?

C. Ellis: I stole it from the H.A.R.P. Squad. I came back today, and after I heard Virginia's little tirade in the ring, I figured you'd need a little backup. I was coming to the dressing room with Johnny and Ken where I heard you've been hanging out, and I saw her waiting outside, behind some crates, so I went and got the nightstick... are you all right?

P. Kitten: I will be now! ... But where's Melissa?

C. Ellis: She's still at home.

P. Kitten: Will she be back?

C. Ellis: I don't know. She was hurt pretty badly at Blood and Thunder, in more ways than one. But I'm here, at least. You've got a little more backup against Virginia now.

P. Kitten: Thanks... I think I'll need it.

The camera fades out on the backstage scene as the Pink Kitten sits down, and Christina Ellis sits at her side.

We're back at ringside, and now "Degenerated" by the Lone Rangers begins playing over the arena sound system, and the crowd cheers wildly as Johnny Smiles and the VCW Intercontinental Champion, "The California Crippler" Ken Collins, come out of the backstage entrance, accompanied by Stacey Lockman. They enter the ring and pose for the crowd, which showers them with a huge round of appreciative cheers, and Johnny Smiles grabs a microphone.

J. Smiles: HEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRE'S JOHNNY!!

The crowd chants along and cheers loudly.

J. Smiles: I know that all of the Johnnycoholics are looking forward to one big match coming up. It's an epic collision between two titans of our sport... well, not really. Actually, not at all. But it still may be the most highly-anticipated match in VCW history. In the second round of the Survival of the Fittest Tournament, Lars Coverdale and your hero--that's me, by the way!--will have one of the most brutal matches in VCW history!

The crowd cheers.

J. Smiles: But first, there's something else Ken and I have to deal with. We have a pompous shmuck and an angsty goth nincompoop who need to be put in their place. So tonight--

Wait... "Favorite Things" by Incubus just started playing, and the crowd boos loudly as the lights change to dim silver-blue lights, and Troy Black and the VCW Television Champion, Brujah, step out of the backstage entrance, accompanied by Rebecca Black! Rebecca Black and Troy Black have microphones, and it looks like they're going to respond...

R. Black: Hey, Stacey... long time, no see! How's your neck?

The crowd boos loudly, and Stacey Lockman glares at Rebecca Black from in the ring. Even Troy Black turns to look at Rebecca with a little anger and disgust. Stacey Lockman takes the microphone from Johnny Smiles...

S. Lockman: It's okay, actually. Thanks for your concern. And I would ask about Lorenzo, you know, but I don’t really need to. I mean, obviously he's not in such great shape if you're trying to hook up with your brother instead...

The crowd explodes into cheers and laughter, and a huge "SLUT!" chant starts. Troy Black shakes his head and turns to leave.

T. Black: I can't deal with this. Let's get outta here.

The crowd cheers as Troy Black turns to leave, but Brujah stops and says something to him, and he turns back around to face the ring. The crowd is still taunting them loudly as Troy Black prepares to speak, so he looks around at them with a glare.

T. Black: Shut up.

The crowd only gets louder, and again Troy Black turns around to leave, but again Brujah stops him and says something to him. He looks back into the ring, and raises the microphone again.

T. Black: I'm not leaving. And we'll see who's laughing when this match is over. Johnny, if you think you're going to put us in our place, you're wrong. OUR place is at the top of this company, getting some well-deserved respect for once, putting on the five-star matches that bring in all the money so you can take home a paycheck. YOUR place is in the undercard, killing time with a goofy match with Lars Coverdale. Is that clear? Tonight, we're going to put you in your place... and after I win the Survival of the Fittest Tournament, I'll go on to destroy Crimson at Wrestlewar and retake MY rightful place.

The crowd boos loudly, and Ken Collins gives Troy Black a grudging nod as he takes the microphone.

K. Collins: You know, Troy... I've been in the ring with you, and I can say that maybe your rightful place really IS somewhere near the top of VCW. I don't like you... but I have to admit, I respect the hell out of you. Brujah, on the other hand... let's be honest here, Troy. His rightful place is wrestling on a trampoline in some teenager's backyard, being taped with a camcorder.

The crowd laughs and cheers, but Brujah snarls angrily as he takes the microphone from Rebecca Black.

Brujah: Who are you to tell me where my place is? You're just some overrated pretty boy who once wore a dress and got in a catfight with Bobby Danson.

The crowd laughs a bit at that, and Ken Collins shrugs and smiles.

K. Collins: Yeah, so? You're just an apathetic prick who was run out of SMCW by a hairy behemoth with a pet monkey and a guy who carries around a teddy bear.

Brujah: Run out? I LEFT. Why would I want to stay there when I could come here and beat the best athletes VCW has to offer for six figures a year?

K. Collins: You beat the best athletes here? I doubt that. Who exactly have you beaten, anyway?

Brujah: I beat Tim Bell to get this title.

Brujah gestures to his VCW Television Title belt, but Ken Collins seems unimpressed.

K. Collins: So you got lucky. I beat Lorenzo Vasquez to get THIS title, and it's bigger and shinier than yours.

Brujah: I beat Falcon, and you never did.

K. Collins: Yeah, but I beat David Wright Hubbard.

Brujah: I beat your stupid friend, Lars Coverdale.

K. Collins: I beat Tony Garcia.

Brujah: Don't make me laugh. I beat the Grave Digger, and HE beat Tony Garcia AND Troy Black at the same--

Troy Black raises his microphone to cut Brujah off.

T. Black: Let's not talk about that right now, okay?

The crowd cheers and starts a "DIGGER!" chant, and Troy Black glares at them, then turns back to the ring, facing Ken Collins and Johnny Smiles.

T. Black: We could debate like this all night, but we have a match scheduled. I'm not the kind to come out here and spend twenty minutes on the microphone putting myself over, so...

Ken Collins and Johnny Smiles immediately double over in the ring, laughing hysterically, and Troy Black trails off, staring at them with a confused look. Finally, they straighten up, and Johnny Smiles takes the microphone, wiping an imaginary tear from his eye and still struggling to keep a straight face.

J. Smiles: I'm sorry. Go on...

T. Black: I think I'll do my talking in the ring. You'll find out tonight--and Ken, you'll find out in the Survival of the Fittest Tournament, if you even make it past Jacob Idol--just who the greatest wrestler in VCW is.

Troy Black tosses aside his microphone, and now he and Brujah are headed to the ring! They slide inside, and VCW referee Bobcat McGavin enters the ring and calls for the bell to begin the match!!

Johnny Smiles & "The California Crippler" Ken Collins
w/Stacey Lockman

Troy Black & Brujah
w/Rebecca Black

Brujah starts off the match by calmly walking forward and nailing Ken Collins with a stiff, nasty punch to the face, and Ken Collins immediately retaliates in kind, as the two men begin going toe-to-toe, punching each other in the face forcefully, to cheers from the crowd. Brujah wins the slugfest and backs Ken Collins into a corner, but when he whips him to the other corner, Ken Collins leaps up onto the second turnbuckle and springs back off with a cross body press as Brujah charges in, taking him down! The crowd erupts, but the ensuing pin only gets a two-count. Ken Collins takes command, aggressively outwrestling Brujah and taking him to the mat to ruthlessly work over his right shoulder, but the crowd seems to enjoy his aggressive approach and the resulting domination of Brujah. Finally, Brujah escapes and makes a tag to Troy Black.

Troy Black enters the ring and cautiously goes up against Ken Collins, but he too ends up getting outwrestled and taken to the mat, and Ken Collins puts on a side headlock, grinding down on his neck. Troy Black fights his way up, struggling to his feet, then lifts Ken Collins for a belly to back suplex, but Ken Collins flips out behind him, clubs him with a forearm to the back of the neck, then reapplies the headlock, whips Troy Black to the mat with a headlock takedown, and keeps the headlock applied to wear down his neck, getting a loud pop from the crowd. Troy Black once again starts to fight his way up, but this time as he gets to his feet Ken Collins drags him to his corner, and tags in Johnny Smiles.

Johnny Smiles comes in with a flurry of energetic offense, mostly punches and dropkicks, taking Troy Black down repeatedly. But that comes to a quick stop when Rebecca Black trips him from the outside as he comes off the ropes. Johnny Smiles stumbles forward, but doesn't actually fall... but he runs right into a throat jab from Troy Black, and that takes him off his feet in a hurry! Troy Black glares down at Johnny Smiles and stomps at him a few times, then makes the tag to Brujah. Brujah comes in and begins dissecting Johnny with stiff blows and hard takedowns, and the crowd boos. Troy Black and Brujah tag in and out frequently, working over Johnny Smiles and keeping him isolated in their corner.

After a few minutes, Troy Black seems to feel Johnny Smiles is ready to put away, and he takes him down with a double arm DDT, then goes up to the top turnbuckle for the Black Dagger... but Ken Collins rushes forward and shoves him off! Troy Black falls off and crashes to the mat, but gets up and whirls to face Ken Collins... so Ken Collins grabs his head from the apron, then drops down and pulls him throat-first across the top rope! Brujah angrily complains, and Bobcat McGavin warns Ken Collins against doing that sort of thing, but Troy Black's down now, and Johnny's starting to stir! Troy Black's up, and heading for his corner... he tags in Brujah, but Johnny Smiles tags in Ken Collins!!

Ken Collins comes in and quickly begins cleaning house, opening up first on Brujah, then on Troy Black as well, with a flurry of rapid-fire offense. Johnny Smiles comes back in, and a two-on-two brawl erupts in the ring, with Ken Collins and Johnny Smiles getting the upper hand. But on the outside, Rebecca Black is slinking around to the other side of the ring... and she blindsides Stacey Lockman!! She clobbers her with a few forearms to the back of the neck, then drags her over to the steel ramp and puts her in a standing headscissors!! No, this isn't right! This could reinjure her neck again! But in the ring, Troy Black drops Johnny Smiles with a low blow, and as he looks up he sees Rebecca and Stacey, and he quickly slides out of the ring!

On the outside, Troy Black seems to be telling Rebecca Black to let Stacey Lockman go... and Rebecca Black stares at him in confusion, then shoves Stacey Lockman away! He seems to be explaining something to Rebecca... but someone's coming out of the back!! GABRIEL!! Gabriel Black runs out of the backstage entrance, and he has a chair! Rebecca Black yells out a warning, and Troy Black turns around, throwing his arms up to shield himself as he sees what's coming, but that only blocks part of the chairshot!! Troy Black goes down to his knees, and this time Gabriel Black nails him with an unprotected chairshot to the head that sends him down!!

Back in the ring, Brujah just countered a German suplex attempt from Ken Collins with an elbow to the face... and now he sees Gabriel on the outside! Gabriel Black signals to the crowd for the Destiny Driver, then lifts Troy Black... but Brujah slides out of the ring, runs forward, and clobbers Gabriel Black from the side! Gabriel Black drops Troy and goes down, and Brujah climbs on top of him, then begins beating the hell out of him!! Inside the ring, Bobcat McGavin stares in confusion, but he's counting. Ken Collins and Johnny Smiles are up, and they don't seem to know what to make of it either as Brujah continues to hammer Gabriel Black! Gabriel finally throws Brujah off, then turns to flee, but Brujah charges after him, tackles him to the ramp, and starts clobbering him again!! Bobcat McGavin counts to twenty... and this match is over! Ken Collins and Johnny Smiles will win by count-out.

On the outside, Brujah is still beating on Gabriel Black, and once again, Gabriel Black manages to throw him off, and starts fleeing again. This time, he makes it backstage, but when he turns to look back it can be seen that he's bleeding from the lips, and his face is swollen and red. Brujah stares after him, then turns to Troy Black to ask if he's all right. Inside the ring, Ken Collins and Johnny Smiles seem to be at a loss for what to think of this. They won the match, but I'm sure they would have preferred to win by defeating Troy Black or Brujah in the middle of the ring, not like this. Stacey Lockman joins them inside the ring, saying something... but now, we're going to cut away to the backstage entrance, where Ziggy Adderloaf has gone to check on Bass Rogers, and get his response to the challenge issued by Jack Norman and Butch Manson of Hell's Bikers!

Ziggy Adderloaf is standing backstage with Bass Rogers, who is dressed to wrestle and appears to be psyching himself up for a match.

Z. Adderloaf: Earlier tonight, Bass Rogers was challenged to find a partner and challenge for the VCW World Tag Team Titles against Jack Norman and Butch Manson of Hell's Bikers. Bass Rogers, you look ready to fight... but do you have a partner?

B. Rogers: See, Ziggy, I ain't got a lot of friends in this company. I'm mean, and I'm ugly, and I ain't a real likable guy, so I ain't exactly had the whole locker room lining up wanting to be my partner. So I tell you what. How'd you like to be one-half of the VCW World Tag Team Champions, kid?

Z. Adderloaf: Me?

B. Rogers: Yeah, you. I'm gonna go out there and beat those two chumps singlehanded, and all I need you to do is sit on the apron and read a comic book or something while I take care of business, just to make it nice and official. Whaddaya say!?

Z. Adderloaf: I don't know. I mean, I have to interview Crimson sometimes, and he keeps threatening to kill me anyway... so if I did this, I bet I'd just make him mad so the next time I saw him--

B. Rogers: Yeah, sure, take advantage of the fact that I've gone too soft to beat your scrawny ass for turning me down. But that's okay. I'm gonna head for the ring, and I'm gonna find some camera crew or janitor or H.A.R.P. Squad goon along the way and win the VCW World Tag Team...

As Bass Rogers talks, the door opens, and Dean Sanders walks in, dressed in a finely-tailored three-piece suit. Bass Rogers trails off and looks at him.

B. Rogers: Hey, Dean! Just the man I wanted to see!! You hear about the challenge!? If you're ready for some action again, then suit up, and let's take those mugs out!

D. Sanders: Unfortunately, I haven't been cleared to wrestle again. But I may have the answer to your problems.

VCW newcomer "The Star Player" Darren Michaels walks in, standing with Dean Sanders.

D. Sanders: I may not be able to fight by your side now... but it seems to me as though you need a bit of guidance. So I've found a tag team partner for you tonight. In addition, I shall go out there at your side... but not as a tag team partner. As a manager.

Darren Michaels steps forward.

D. Michaels: Bass... I'm Darren Michaels, and if you want me for a tag team partner, I'd be honored to step up to the plate and be in your corner. How about it?

B. Rogers: I seen you wrestle a couple times here... I think you can handle it. You got a deal, kid. We're a team.

D. Sanders: Splendid! Shall we go forth and punish these ruffians?

B. Rogers: Hold up! We need to name this tag team! I tell you what. I'm one tough customer. You a tough customer, kid!?

D. Michaels: I know I'm tough enough to handle these bikers, Bass.

B. Rogers: Then it's settled, this tag team's called the Tough Customers! Let's get out there!!

Bass Rogers turns and storms out of the room, and Dean Sanders and Darren Michaels quickly turn to follow him, as Ziggy Adderloaf stares after them.

Z. Adderloaf: Can you believe it? At the last minute, Dean Sanders has brought in Darren Michaels to be Bass Rogers's new tag team partner! Let's go to the ring and see if they can take the titles in our next match!

The camera fades out on the backstage scene.

This is quite a development, and a huge opportunity for Darren Michaels, to work with a veteran like Bass Rogers in a high-profile match like this one. Can the newly-formed Tough Customers achieve the same success that Stiff Competition did before Dean Sanders's injury? We're about to find out!

"War Machine" by KISS begins playing, and the crowd explodes into cheers as the Tough Customers, Bass Rogers and "The Star Player" Darren Michaels, storm out of the backstage entrance. With them is Dean Sanders, Bass Rogers's former tag team partner, who it appears will be acting as the manager for this new tag team. These are two intense athletes, and Bass Rogers is a proven commodity, with a lot of experience and a stellar won-loss record behind him. Darren Michaels is a rookie, but he is so far undefeated in VCW, and with Bass Rogers to guide him, he could have some great success here. They enter the ring, and Darren Michaels takes off his football jersey and poses for the crowd as Bass Rogers beats his chest and roars loudly. They’re ready for a fight, there’s no doubt about that.

But now "Highway To Hell" by AC/DC is playing over the arena sound system, and the crowd boos as Jack Norman and Butch Manson of Hell’s Bikers, the reigning and defending VCW World Tag Team Champions, step out of the backstage entrance. For all that the team of Bass Rogers and Darren Michaels is a promising one, these two bikers may have the advantage. They’re both experienced fighters, and while Bass Rogers is a veteran of the squared circle, this is Darren Michaels’s third professional wrestling match. In addition, this isn’t a tag team that was born five minutes ago... these two members of Hell’s Bikers have been fighting together since before VCW came into existance. They enter the ring, and if they’re worried about Bass Rogers’s choice of partner, it’s not showing. Jerry Rogers enters the ring and calls for the bell, and this match will begin!

Tough Customers
w/Dean Sanders

Bass Rogers doesn’t waste any time, charging at both members of Hell’s Bikers before they can even take off their title belts, and clobbering them with massive blows. They immediately begin giving him a two-on-one assault, but that’s broken up quickly as Darren Michaels joins the fray, and together he and Bass Rogers clean house, beating on the two members of Hell’s Bikers, then whipping them to opposite turnbuckles, giving them each ten punches, and whipping them back to the center of the ring so that they collide in the middle! Jack Norman and Butch Manson both go down and roll to the outside of the ring for a break, and the crowd cheers loudly!

Butch Manson cautiously reenters the ring, and Bass Rogers steps out, allowing Darren Michaels to start off. Darren Michaels charges Butch Manson and starts opening up on him, taking him down with shoulder tackles, big clotheslines, and other powerful moves, then tags in Bass Rogers. The mauling of Butch Manson continues as Bass Rogers beats the hell out of him and tosses him around, but when he goes for a big splash after a belly to belly suplex, Butch Manson gets his knees up into Bass Rogers’s ample midsection, stunning him. Both men go to their corners and make tags, and now Jack Norman and Darren Michaels come in. Darren Michaels charges in and begins slugging it out with Jack Norman, but that proves to be a mistake. Jack Norman’s too big and strong, and he overpowers Darren Michaels, then takes him down on the Hell’s Bikers side of the ring.

Jack Norman and Butch Manson isolate Darren Michaels in their corner, stomping at him and working him over with a lot of brawling moves and restholds. The crowd starts to grow restless, and they let their opinion of Hell’s Bikers’s offense be known with boos and a "BORING" chant. Jack Norman yells at the crowd to shut up, then puts on a camel clutch, which of course prompts more boos and chanting. But Darren Michaels begins to power his way to his feet, with Jack Norman on his back! The crowd cheers for the display of power, and the nearly three hundred pound Jack Norman seems shocked as Darren Michaels fights to his feet, holding Jack Norman on his back, then falls backwards with him!! But he fell back towards the wrong side of the ring! Both men are down, but Jack Norman’s far closer to his corner, and he rolls over and tags in Butch Manson. Darren Michaels crawls towards Bass Rogers, reaching out with his hand as Bass Rogers extends his own hand... but Butch Manson enters the ring, grabs Darren’s ankles and pulls him backwards, then drops an elbow on the back of his head, cutting off the tag!

Again, Hell’s Bikers begin to take turns working over Darren Michaels, and after a few more minutes it looks like he’s starting to fade. Jack Norman plants him with a bodyslam, then tags out to Butch Manson. Butch Manson goes up to the top turnbuckle, and comes off... MOONSAULT!! No, he misses!! Darren Michaels rolled out of the way, and Butch Manson just wiped out! The crowd cheers, and Dean Sanders yells "MAKE THE TAG, MAN!" from the outside of the ring... and Darren Michaels is crawling to his corner! He’s going to do just that! Butch Manson tags out to big Jack Norman, who charges in angrily... and Darren Michaels slaps the hand of Bass Rogers!! The crowd erupts!!

Bass Rogers comes in, a roaring engine of destruction, and no-sells a stiff punch to the face from Jack Norman that bloodies his nose, then clobbers Jack Norman with several hard punches in return. Butch Manson charges in, and Bass Rogers tosses Jack Norman aside with a fallaway slam, then gets up, absorbs a blow from Butch Manson, and whips him into the ropes, then clobbers him with a huge lariat when he comes off! Darren Michaels enters the ring, cutting off any more offense from Butch Manson by assaulting him with some big right hands, and Bass Rogers turns back to Jack Norman, bringing him crashing down with a belly-to-back suplex, then giving him a big splash! He covers and hooks the leg... but Jerry Rogers only gets to two and a half before big Jack kicks out!!

Bass Rogers pulls Jack Norman up again and gives him a huge backbreaker, then lifts him again and puts him in a standing headscissors, as Darren Michaels does the same to Butch Manson! They both lift their opponents... and give them stereo power bombs!! That could be all!! But someone’s charging out of the backstage entrance... CRIMSON!! The VCW World Champion, and third member of Hell’s Bikers, is running out of the back!! He slides into the ring, and rushes at Bass Rogers... but Darren Michaels stands in his way! Crimson snarls and charges Darren Michaels with a lariat, but Darren ducks, then unloads on Crimson with a series of big right hands when he turns around! He staggers Crimson back into the ropes, then runs into the other side, and knocks him out over the top with a big clothesline!! The crowd erupts, and Darren Michaels raises his fists in the air and lets out a triumphant roar!!

But on the other side of the ring, Bass Rogers just pulled Butch Manson up, and tossed him to the outside of the ring! Jack Norman starts to get up on shaky legs... but Bass Rogers scoops him up, and bodyslams him to the canvas!! Jack Norman’s down, and Bass Rogers points to the ceiling, getting a huge round of cheers from the crowd!! He climbs slowly to the top turnbuckle, facing the crowd, then takes a big leap... MOONSAULT!! It connected!! Bass Rogers just squashed Jack Norman flatter than a pancake with that huge Moonsault, and now he’s hooking a leg!! Jerry Rogers goes down to count... AND GETS THREE!! WE HAVE NEW VCW WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS!!

We have new tag team champions!! Dean Sanders grabs the title belts and enters the ring, giving one to Bass Rogers and the other to Darren Michaels, then raises their hands to an explosion of cheers from the crowd!! On the outside, Crimson gets up, holding his head, and he glares into the ring with murderous intent... but the H.A.R.P. Squad’s out now, and as Crimson jumps up on the apron to prepare to enter the ring, the H.A.R.P. Squad grabs him and pulls him back! Four or five men surround him, all grabbing his limbs, and even still they can barely keep him restrained!

As the H.A.R.P. Squad men drag him away, struggling mightily for every inch, Crimson stares into the ring, yelling "I’M GONNA KILL YOU, YOU FAT MOTHERFUCKER!!" ... and Bass Rogers is yelling for the H.A.R.P. Squad to let him go!! He wants some of Crimson right here and now!! But the H.A.R.P. Squad’s not going to let him go, and we may have to wait. But tonight, we’ve seen Bass Rogers take the VCW World Tag Team Titles away from Crimson’s right-hand men, and you know that he won’t let that go unpunished! The inner fury in both Bass Rogers and Crimson has grown to even greater levels tonight! When these two big men get in the ring together, they may just destroy each other!! We’re out of time... here are the brackets for the Survival of the Fittest Tournament! We’ll see you next week!!

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