Pond: Right, our next bout sees a rematch between Brendan Samuels, and Kaiden Hawke. Brendan won the last encounter between these two in slightly controversial circumstances, and over the past few months Kaiden seems to have been stalking and plaguing him, ultimately, I think, looking to goad Brendan into giving him this rematch.
The Big L: The Big L knows that’s what he’s done. Kaiden knew Brendan wouldn’t just stand up and give him another go, so he applied pressure. And that’s a great way to get what yo’ want.
Minoru Asano: I WANT ANOTHER DRINK! WHO MUST I PRESSURE?
David Zinkus: Ladies and Gentlemen… the following bout is scheduled for one fall, introducing first…
Ghost Of The Navigator blasts over the PA, as Brendan Samuels paces out from the back, ignoring the crowd as he marches on down the ramp. He rolls into the ring, remaining on one knee as he utters a prayer under his breath before looking skywards. Using the ropes to help him up, he finally stands, pulling on the ropes to test them before waiting for the match to begin.
David Zinkus: From Cobh, County Cork, Ireland, and weighing in at 244lbs… BRENDAN SAMUELS! And his opponent…
A blast of dissident sound hits the PA all at once, pounding into the eardrums of everyone in the arena. Schema's rhythmic lyrics soon follow, the vocals piercing through the air. As the anthem continues to croon… the entrance way is left empty. Slightly annoyed, Brendan makes his way to the ropes nearest the entrance, imploring his opponent to come forth. Suddenly, there’s a burst of white noise, accompanied by the arena lights cutting out, which gradually fades to
strange noises, echoing eerily around the arena. As they start, the Tron bursts into life, a back and white camera feed whizzing through the backstage corridors, the footage seemingly sped up. In 8 second intervals, brief images crop up, from the CCTV footage discovered in recent weeks, of the man in the white Hawk hoodie, quickly returning to the zooming camera. As we reach the 25 second mark, the camera reaches a door, marked with the legend “
KAIDEN HAWKE”, and pushes it through, looking down as it does. It quickly comes to the image of Kaiden lain out on the floor, bleeding from a head wound, seemingly unconscious. The camera slowly pans up, encompassing a pair of shapely legs, continuing to climb, until it focuses on the face of Genevieve Tate! The wily succubus merely smiles, and coyly puts her finger to her lips to signal “hush”. Her image is replace with one of the man in the white Hawk hoodie, turning to face the screen, his familiar face draining the colour from Brendan’s face as a brief drum beat kicks in at the 35 second mark, accompanied by a lone power chord.
Revenge is what drives him on…
He’ll take you to that evil place!”
With this, the camera quickly cuts, as the lights come back up in the arena, REVEALING CIARAN SAMUELS STOOD ON TOP OF ONE OF THE OPPOSITE TURNBUCKLES! He’s wearing a long leather great coat, the collar popped up, revealing a black shirt beneath, unbuttoned in a deep V. As Evil Place/Revenge Of Sweeney Todd echoes around the arena, he stands, spreading his arms, as his brother turns to face him. The look of surprise on Brendan’s face is apparent, as he looks dumbfounded at his brother before him. From within his coat, Ciaran pulls out a microphone, bringing it to his lips, the crowd’s stunned silence giving him an in as the music fades.
Ciaran Samuels: Wha’s wrong, Bren? Nae fond tae see your brother?
Katie Hanneman physically holds Brendan back, as he tries to step up to his brother.
Ciaran Samuels: Oh, aye. I ken ye’re me kin. I remember. Not just now, ye ken, but for an age. An’ wasn’t ye dropping me on me head that did it. Sure, ye may have… knocked a few barnacles free, but the work was done way before that.
He nods up, towards the entranceway, and Brendan suddenly turns to look, as Genevieve Tate, the mysterious former agent of the Network, saunters into the entrance way. She looks down on Brendan, and blows him a kiss.
Ciaran Samuels: They say the love of a good woman can dae miracles. Well, ye cannae imagine how much the love of a bad one can dae. I remember. I remember it all.
With this, Ciaran drops off the turnbuckle, into the ring, landing lightly on his feet.
Ciaran Samuels: So why are ye sore at me, boyo? Because I was stronger than ye? ‘Cause I was smarter? Because I didnae lay all me faith in a pious, selfish prick? Aye, I left ye. But do ye nae ken I could nae do anythin’ ‘bout that, ye selfish arse? I barely had it in me tae save meself… an’ even then I had tae pay a Hell of a cost…
An’ I remember our Da… Noble. Strong. Stoic. Silent. Self-absorbed. An’ ye ken what, boyo? Ye’re truly our father’s son. But ye ken what else? Our Ma? She was one Hell of a woman. An’ lookin’ on me now, ye cannae doubt I’m hers. An’ ye remember what ye said, Bren? That Ma would be disappointed in me?
He pauses a moment, and smiles.
Ciaran Samuels: Ye were ne’er more wrong.
Brendan strains against Katie Hanneman’s grip, chomping at the bit to get at his brother. Giving her credit, Katie is successfully keeping Brendan pressed against the ropes, trying to calm him down. Even through this, without amplification, Brendan’s tortured shouting can be heard throughout the arena.
Brendan Samuels: LIAR!
Ciaran shakes his head.
Ciaran Samuels: Me? Oh, Bren. I’m nae normal liar, like ye. Like all o’ these folks. I’m Lily Samuels’ baby boy, the son of a woman who could convince a fish tae take a walk. I’m the Prince Of Lies, boyo, an’ ye best not forget it.
Brendan Samuels: I’LL KILL YE!
Ciaran Samuels: Bren, Bren, Bren. Me Time ran out, ye remember? When ye scrubbed me off your wee manifest. Yet here I stand. Another lie, perhaps? Or am I jest a man, out of Time?
He smirks, the look on his face challenging even the finest given by Damon Alexander.Ciaran Samuels: Either way, I’m back… and there’s going to be Hell to pay.
With this, Ciaran drops the mic, and starts removing his trenchcoat. Katie looks to Zinkus, who just kind of shrugs, Bren begging for her to “let me at him!” Ciaran tosses his coat out of the ring, into the waiting arms of Genie, and merely nods towards Hanneman. She looks at Zinkus, who again shrugs, as he pulls the microphone to his mouth.
David Zinkus: Ladies and gentlemen… oh screw it. Why not? In a change to our advertised program, his opponent, also fighting out of Cobh, County Cork, Ireland, and weighing a weight I don’t remember as I wasn’t prepeared for this… CIARAN SAMUELS!
Pond: Well…
The Big L: The Big L going to admit, The Big L did not foresee this eventuality.
BRENDAN SAMUELS vs. KAIDEN HAWKECIARAN SAMUELS
The bell rings, as Katie quickly pulls out of the way, Brendan charging full pelt at his brother. Rage taking him fully, Brendan dives for a Rugby Tackle, but Ciaran deftly sidesteps, catching his larger brother with a Drop Toe Hold and slamming his face into the mat. His brother quickly starts to hook up Bren’s legs, looking for maybe an Inverted Indian Deathlock, but Bren kicks him off, quickly pulling himself upright using the ropes for support, whilst Ciaran rolls away. Brendan quickly charges his brother again, going for a Running Clothesline, but Ciaran ducks it! Brendan, however, seems to have pre-meditated that, quickly slamming on the anchors, and swinging back round with a Clothesline for the back of Ciar’s head! To everyone’s surprise, Ciaran ducks that too, and as the force of the swing makes Bren stagger past him, Ciaran darts forward, hitting a big Running Kick to Brendan’s calf, lifting the leg up, and sending Bren off balance, tripping him, sending him back first to the mat! Ciaran quickly stomps at Bren’s knee, connecting hard, but his brother rolls out of danger before he can start locking up the legs.
Minoru Asano: WHAT IS YOUNGER SAMUELS DOING?
Pond: Ciaran’s a submission specialist. A lot of Bren’s power is routed in his vertical base. Ciaran’s trying to kill two birds with one stone, weakening his brother’s vertical base, whilst also tendering those legs for one of his trademark submissions.
The Big L: It’s a sound strategy, but it’s far too early in the match for that. The Big L’s money is still on Brendan.
Brendan rolls away, onto a knee, and shakes his head, trying to get his normally untouchable emotions back in check. Ciaran doesn’t let up, however, charging forward, and connecting with a Step-Up Enzuigiri, sending Brendan crashing down to the mat.
Pond: These brothers know everything about each other, or at least they think they do. Ciaran knows that if he doesn’t allow Brendan the time he needs to regain his composure, and clear his head, he’s going to have an easier time of it.
The Big L: Brendan has had trouble in the past dealing with a fast assault based offense, and we’re seeing that again right now.
Brendan is quickly to all fours, shaking his head, trying to get a grip on things… only for Ciaran to lay into him with a huge Soccer Kick to the ribs, quickly followed by another. Quickly, Ciar pulls him, hooks his head under his arm, locking in a Hammerlock with the other whilst hooking the leg with his.
Minoru Asano: I KNOW THIS ONE! TRITON!
Ciaran goes for his signature Hammerlock Legsweep DDT… BUT SOMEHOW BREN PUSHES OUT OF IT! Using his free arm, he lets loose with a huge shove to Ciaran’s chest, just as Ciaran dedicated himself to the manoeuvre, sending him skidding across the mat!
Pond: This could be bad for Ciaran, it looks like Brendan is back in the wheel house.
The Big L: Oh no you don’t! The Big L don’t have no truck in nautical puns, you just quit that now.
Ciaran quickly rolls through with an Ukemi, straight back to his feet. He’s not quick enough to avoid a Crooked Arm Lariat from Brendan though, the force of the blow sending him straight back down to the mat. Brendan turns, and starts delivering hard stomps into his brother’s torso, completing the assault with a Jumping Guillotine Leg Drop, his calf dropping right across Ciaran’s exposed neck, causing his brother to convulse underneath him. Brendan doesn’t stop, moving into his trademark slow, relentless assault, lifting his brother to his feet, and hooking him up for a suplex. With his free arm, he indicates to the rope.
The Big L: Now this is a great move. Brendan’s signature Slingshot Brainbuster, the Immram Buster, is devastating, not least because of the added momentum he gets from the recoil off the ropes.
Brendan hoists Ciaran up, and drops him onto the ropes! As he recoils, he hoists him further up, but as he adjusts his grip to deliver the Brainbuster, Ciaran quickly folds his body, swinging his legs down and under, keeping his brother’s head hooked as he delivers the Pegasus!
Minoru Asano: AM I DRUNK? BECAUSE I JUST SAW A FLYING HORSE!
Pond: Ciaran hitting his signature Swinging DDT there, deftly reversing the devastating Immram Buster into an equally devastating manoeuvre of his own! The height he was at, the momentum he got on the way down, Brendan’s face just got spiked into the canvas!
Without breaking a beat, Ciaran swings around on his back, hooking Brendan’s leg with one leg, quickly hooking the arm on the same side with another, before locking in a Sleeper Hold!
The Big L: What the hell is The Big L even seeing here? Some kind of Arm Trap, Leg Trap Sleeper? WHAT?
Brendan tries to fight the hold, his effectiveness at it restricted by his trapped arm and leg. Trying to push off with his free leg garners little result, neither does reaching other with his free arm to try and pry apart the Sleeper Hold his brother has with both arms around his neck. In response, Ciaran looks to tighten his grip, adding torque by twisting Brendan’s neck, eliciting a cry of pain from his older brother. Reaching frantically for something, anything to grab hold of, Brendan starts to go limp, his flailing calming down. After a few more moments, Ciaran tightens his grips, pulling Brendan’s body tighter to him, pulling his neck further round in his grip. After about another minute, Brendan’s flailing arm goes limp. Ciaran yells for Katie to check him. She lifts the arm… it falls!
The crowd yells ONE!
Pond: This could be it.
Katie lifts again… it falls!
The crowd yells TWO!
The Big L: OK. The Big L knows to admit when he wrong.
Katie lifts again… IT STAYS UP! Before Ciaran can react, Brendan quickly rears up his slumped head, connecting with a hard Rear Headbutt straight into Ciaran’s nose, forcing his brother to instinctively release the hold to protect his face.
Minoru Asano: NEAR SLEEPER KO! DRINK!
Easily freeing his trapped arm from his distracted brother, Brendan starts laying hard Elbows into his chest, forcing his brother to release the grip on his leg too, and also eliciting a coughing fit. Not giving up, Brendan continues repeatedly driving the Elbow into his brothers chest, before spinning out, hooking his brother arm, and locking in an Armbar! As he does so, he starts driving the heel of his boot into the same spot on the brother’s chest, targeting and ruthlessly victimising that spot.
Pond: I don’t think Brendan appreciated the feeling of suffocation there. He’s mentioned that being a thing he hates in his promos before.
Ciaran screams in pain as Brendan pulls back on the arm, planting both feet square on Ciaran’s chest to increase the torque. Ciaran reaches out, trying to get to the ropes… but they’re out of reach, just! His fingers barely graze them, but just can’t gain purchase. Genie, on the outside, is resting on the apron, shouting for Ciaran to stretch, but he just can’t reach. Then, as Katie turns to check that Brendan’s shoulders aren’t on the mat, Genie leans in, pushing the bottom rope into the ring, and into Ciaran’s outstretched hand, before quickly slapping the apron to get Hanneman’s attention. She sees, Ciaran’s hand grasping the rope, and shouts for Brendan to release the hold… BUT HE REFUSES!
Minoru Asano: UNDERHANDED TECHNIQUE THERE!
The Big L: Hate it all you like, it’s what a good manager does. Bren’s either got to release the hold, or get himself disqualified.
Pond: The question is, what’s more important to him? Harming his brother? Or doing so and winning.
Katie starts to count Brendan to release the hold!
ONE
TWO
THREE
FO-
Brendan releases the hold, scuttling back and bringing himself up to standing, as Ciaran brings his arm across his chest, trying to relieve the pain in his shoulder. Brendan doesn’t relent in his attack, however, grabbing his brother by the boot, and pulling him hard. Ciaran doesn’t release the rope, however, and as Bren pulls him, Ciaran’s body lifts off the floor, and allows him to get a hard stomp to his brother’s face with his free boot! Bren is forced to drop the foot, staggering back, as Ciaran drops hard to the mat, quickly retracting his limbs and reducing his footprint as he uses his good arm to climb up, using the ropes for support. Eyeing him up, Bren charges, but as he draws close Ciaran drops the shoulder, before standing up, using his brother’s own momentum to send him out over the top rope with a Back Body Drop, sending Genie running. Brendan, however, grabs a hold of the rope, twisting in the air to land on the apron, before reaching in and catching Ciaran across the back with a clubbing Forearm. He quickly pulls him in, hooking his arm over his shoulder, and his head under his arm.
The Big L: Ciaran about to set sail on the Suplex Seas.
Pond: I thought you hated nautical puns.
The Big L: When The Big L say that? Everybody love nautical puns.
Brendan hauls his brother up, turning slighting, before dropping back first onto the apron, letting his brother go crashing to the floor below. Pulling himself up, Brendan eyes his brother on the floor below, before flying off the apron and connecting with a Diving Poseidon’s Trident!
Pond: And that huge Double Arm Pointed Elbow Drop, delivered from the extra height of the apron, straight into Ciaran’s already battered chest.
Again, not pausing even for breath, Brendan pulls his brother up, to standing, before forcing him over, hooking his head between his legs, before pointing emotionlessly to the edge of the apron. With a solemn nod, he grabs hold of Ciaran’s hips, and hoists him up for the Apron Powerbomb… only for Ciaran to start barrelling in with punches, punch after punch after punch from both fists, rattling Bren, causing his grip to slacken. Ciaran waits only a moment to bend over, hooking the head as he swings his legs out off of Brendan’s shoulders, and swinging them under the arm… bringing him down with another Pegasus, this time face first into the apron!
The Big L: Oh.
Minoru Asano: MY!
Pond: God.
The crowd is alive, cheering the tradition “HOLY SH!T” chant. Brendan is busted open, the force of his forehead meeting the corner of the apron splitting the thin skin, there. He’s slumped, struggling to support himself on the apron, reaching blindly for the ropes as his face quickly becomes a crimson mask. On the floor, Ciaran is on his back, trying to regain his senses after that desperation impulse move. Looking up, he sees his brother slumped, and with a new determination rolls over to his feet. Eyeing Brendan up, he drives a hard Soccer Kick into the back of his knee, causing it to buckle, dropping Brendan down face level with the edge of the apron… only for Ciar to wind up and drive the sole of his boot into the back of his brother’s head, Big Boot style, driving his forehead once more into the edge of the apron. He looks up, to Katie Hanneman, who’s been counting them out the whole time.
7!
Shaking his head, Ciaran takes his brother, one hand on his shoulder, the other on the waist of his tights, and spins him, before forcing him sliding into the ring face first under the bottom rope.
8!
Ciaran rolls in behind him, quickly hitting a stomp to the back of his head. Sizing Bren up, he backs into the ropes, using the momentum to come back, and drop a Poseidon’s Trident of his own to the back of his head.
The Big L: Using his brother’s own moves against him now… this is personal.
Grab a fistful of Brendan’s hair, Ciaran starts dragging his brother upright. As he gets him up, however, Brendan suddenly unleashes a huge body blow, followed by another, rocking his brother, the blood practically flying off his face as he unleashes in rage. He grabs one of Ciaran’s arms, and swings behind him, hooking it into a Chickenwing.
Pond: Bren’s had enough, and it looks like he’s preparing for a Mac Lir! It was this move he used, repeatedly, to take Ciaran out of the picture, we all thought for good, before.
Before he can hook in the Crossface, however, Ciaran starts hammering back with Elbows with his free arm, straight into Brendan’s face! After three strikes, he spins, slipping out of the Chickenwing, and behind Brendan! He lifts him straight up, as if for a Belly to Back Suplex, but at the apex of the move releases him, spins around and hooks his head, falling backwards and driving Brendan skull first into the mat with a Spike DDT!
The Big L: What.
Minoru Asano: THE!
Pond: Hell?
Ciaran rolls Brendan over, and goes for the cover.
ONE
TWO
THREE!
David Zinkus: Ladies and Gentlemen, the winner of this match… CIARAN SAMUELS!
Ciaran stands, still a bit groggy, his brother’s blood smeared across his face and chest. Still, he lifts his hand aloft, to a cheer from the crowd, a cheer based more on the spectacle they’ve just seen rather than the actual outcome. Genie quickly joins him in the ring, carrying his jacket, as he looks down on his fallen brother and starts laughing. He takes hold of Genie, and gives her a long, deep kiss. He looks once more on his brother, before putting on his trenchcoat, taking Genie by the hand, and leaving the ring, heading back up the aisle without even looking over his shoulder, as a bloody and battered Brendan fights unconsciousness on the mat.
The Big L: The Big L doesn’t know about you guys, but that was not the bout The Big L expected to see.
Pond: That was… something else. So… yeah.
Minoru Asano: MY ADRENALINE IS STILL HIGH! I NEED A DRINK!
Pond: We all need drinks. And EMTs. And Sven. And the rest of the clean up crew. Well, I don’t even know why we’re bothering with the cleaning crew, as after this commercial break, Jason Anderson Protivnik will be taking on Jolyne Dysart in a truly bloody affair some witty SOB called “The Harbinger Wars”. So yeah. That. Stay tuned.
WINNER: CIARAN SAMUELS