March of War

Backstage, Tom Matheny stands in front of the EXODUS logo; the camera close focuses on Tom.

Tom Matheny: Ladies and gentlemen tonight is the night where EXODUS history is going to be made. With me now is one of the five remaining Winter Road participants and one of the members on the roster looking to make history tonight.

The camera pulls back to reveal Abby Park standing next to Tom. A plain white t-shirt is tossed over her in-ring attire. Both Tom and Abby pause, hearing applause.

Tom Matheny: Abby, first of all congratulations on making it this far in Winter Road. That said, for you and your first opponent, Johnny Cannon, the road to the top is, in no small terms, an uphill battle.

Abby Park: Is it, Tom? Maybe it is for Cannon, but I don’t think it’s much of an uphill battle at all.

Tom Matheny: Having to go three matches, one of which would include Omar Wise, isn’t an uphill battle for you?

Abby Park: Not at all. I got into the tournament by participating in two matches in a single night. Having to go for three just means a new personal best. If I had to go against the entire roster, well then it might be worrying.

Tom Matheny: You’re certainly not lacking in confidence. You’re about to face Johnny Cannon again after your draw at the last show. Are you trying anything different? Perhaps going for a quick finish?

Abby Park: No, a quick finish would put me at a disadvantage. If I go out there looking to end it before it gets going, I’ve already lost. If I go into the second match without the bruises and throbbing head pain, I should just lie down on the mat and give it to Omar.

Tom Matheny: That’s…a unique perspective.

Abby Park: Here’s the thing, Tom, Omar probably expects a fairly-winded opponent in his match. He’s going in fresh after all. He’s like a lion looking for a wounded gazelle. And that mindset would work if he was going to be up against Cannon. Both Cannon and Fiona can attest to this, it takes more than a few scrapes and injured limbs to keep me down. In some weird way having the injuries and feeling the pain fuels me to do better. I want Cannon to follow up on his promises to break me. It’ll have the opposite of his intentions.

Tom Matheny: But what happens when the injuries catch up with you?

Abby pauses and looks towards Tom as if he asked a mathematician what two plus two equaled.

Abby Park: By that point I’ll be back home with the championship around my waist. By that point it won’t matter. Even if I have to hop on one leg and punch with my only non-broken arm, I’m not stopping. Cannon can hurt me. Omar can break me. Fiona can run circles around me. They can do whatever they want, but the only way I’m leaving without that title is if I am carried out. I owe it to them and to the fans to give it more than I’ve ever given.

Tom Matheny: What about Kliff Ulysses?

Abby Park: Right, Tom, what about him? He’s a non-issue.

Tom Matheny: You do know he could very well be your final opponent.

Abby struggles to maintain her composure. Her cheeks puff up and her lips quiver as a laugh desperately tries to escape.

Abby Park: And I could lose to Cannon.

Abby emphasized and stressed the word ‘could’, shrugging her shoulders as she said it.

Abby Park: Anything could happen, Tom. But I don’t concern myself with what could happen, only with what does happen. If I stressed over whom I would be facing in round three I’d be a physical wreck right now. I’m going to let you in on a secret, Tom. When I’m squaring off against an opponent, I’m not mentally running analysis and looking for signs that a Shock and Awe is coming. I don’t go back and watch old matches to see what I could change. I just do what I do best.

Abby balls both hands into fists and raises them as if she were stepping into a boxing match. She jabs the air in front of Tom three times; Tom takes a cautious step back, one of the punches dangerously close to his nose. With a final jab, Abby drops her arms back to her sides.

Abby Park: I just fight, Tom. And so far? That’s worked out pretty well. Speaking of, I’d like to get in a couple minutes of training before I face Cannon. But…do me a favor.

Abby takes off her t-shirt and tosses it around Tom’s shoulder.

Abby Park: Hold on to this and come find me after the show. You can have the first autograph by Exodus Pro’s first heavyweight champion.

Abby gives Tom a smile, a tap on the shoulder, and leaves the interview area.

Tom Matheny: Well, tonight guarantees to be interesting. Not just for those in the Winter Road but for everyone on the roster and the thousands in attendance and watching from home. And now I’ll throw it over to ringside with Dick Morosi and Seth Ericson.

The cheers of the crowd for the victor pump through the rafters of the RIMAC. After such a hard-fought battle, Abby kneels in the middle of the ring, fists clenched as she knelt on the mat. Cannon, agonized after the impact, the pinfall, and realizing his loss, just begins to slowly roll toward the edge of the ring.

As Cannon gets to the ringropes, the house lights all, as one, go out. But just as quickly as the lights go out, one turns back on. A spotlight, shining on the orchestral pit all organized and wired up courtesy of Stewart Gadlin. The La Jolla Symphony, made up of the best, brightest, and most skilled musicians in the greater San Diego area. Musicians file out from the back, instruments in hand.

Seth Ericson: Oh my stars and garters, so that's who the musicians are for!

Dick Morosi: I... would say that this feels appropriate. 1812 Overture? Mars, the Bringer of War?

The musicians find their seats as the conductor readies himself at his podium. In the ring, Johnny Cannon rolls fully out of the ring, and Abby Park stands tall. The musicians situate themselves, and then get everything squared away. Everything in the arena goes quiet. This... has to be something unique. Different. Maybe a big debut, or something horrible by LEGION?

The fans sit on their hands, inching forward to the edge of their seat. And... The conductor waves his baton. The strings pick up with a frantic, desperate-sounding introduction, very low and faint. They almost tug at the lower edge of the hearing, nibbling away at the fringes. And as the strings pick up, a pair of women come swirling and swaying out from the back, both of them holding a length of cord with a flaming ball on the end.

As the fires dance, the ethereal tones of the intro continue to swirl and whirl and danse macabre, building up the crescendoes of the phrases.

Seth Ericson: HE'S THE DEVIL!

Dick Morosi: Oh good GOD, a Night on Bald Mountain?

Green beams of brilliant light shoot out from the entryway, as the familiar classical song comes to the most familiar, opening part. The big part, where in the animation you're familiar with, the Devil unfurls one wing and sticks it skyward, then the other.

A single spotlight on the left side of the stage shoots on, red light hitting the robed figure from the right at one big, loud, brassy hornblow. At the other, another spotlight hits the figure. With steam gouting from beneath him, shrouding him in a daemonic fog, the orchestra continuing to blare, the figure lifts one arm. Then the other.

Green frikkin' lasers spiral and dance from the stage. And as the man in the black-with-red-trim fight robe walks out and onto the stage fully, people come on out behind him. One man is obvious from his painfully red jacket and ballcap. Donovan Torment.

Dick Morosi: I, er, am no-

Seth Ericson: Listen, just let the man get his dramatic entrance to the classical song about Satan having a party.

The man in the hooded robe continues to walk down the ramp, fists clenched and sticking outta the end of the sleeves. And people continue to come from the back, all wearing identical black polo shirts. Even Torment had one on, under his jacket! A tall, bald, muscular Black man with a pushbroom moustache. A sleek, long-legged Japanese woman with her hair tied up into a tight bun. A skinny pencil-necked guy with glasses and an overall bearing of “geek”. A tall, tall, TALL Black man with cornrows, beaming and dancin' to the beat of the song. Two chunky white guys, who look like extras from Goodfellas. A group of three Latino youths, poppin' and lockin' their way down the ramp.

All with the words “Team OMAR” stitched onto their breast.

On the back of the ringrobe, as the camera pans behind to show off the main attraction's massively broad frame... 

OMAR WISE

THE ASSAULT BREACHER VEHICLE

As he got to ringside, the ring announcer glances to Abby Park. The girl leans forward, her hands resting on her knees, trying to catch her breath. A silent apology is given to the girl, before the ring announcer gestures to the new opponent.

David Zinkus: NOW COMING TO THE RING... FROM BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, HE IS THE ASSAULT BREACHER VEHICLE...

The big man just grabs his hood. Followers, advisors, and hangers-on all jockey for the ABV's attention, giving last minute tips, shouting encouragement, praise, and more than a few “KILL THIS SUCKA!” cries from the guy who was Shaq-height. Shaqtastic.

David Zinkus: OOOOOOOOOOOOOMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAR WIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIISE!

Omar throws his hood back, throws his head back, and just roars. He bellows a MIGHTY battlecry, fists clenching at his sides. The big man charges forward, diving under the bottom rope, before popping to his feet. The robe, loosened by the dive, hangs loosely off of the big man. And he levels one sausagelike finger at Abby, eyes widen.

Omar Wise: YOUR RENT ON YO' TIME IN MY RING COME DUE, GIRL!

At ringside, Torment bellows into his bullhorn.

Donovan Torment: THE TIME IS NOW! THE REIGN OF KING OMAR BEGINS NOW! CRUSH THIS GIRL, AND LET'S GO ON TO THE FINALS!

Abby Park stares at Omar. Omar Wise stares at Abby Park. Suprisingly, Omar Wise waits for the bell to ring before charging at Park. Park, despite her tiredness and sore right knee, manages to side step Wise and take him down with a drop toe hold, due to the proximity to the rope. Wise caught up on the ropes. Abby Park runs to the far ropes and bounces off… Tiger Feint Kick right to the jaw of Omar Wise who is catapaulted back into the ring. Abby Park jumps into the air and drives an elbow down into her much bigger opponent. Instantly she springs to her feet and goes to drop an eblow on Omar again, but the Assault Breacher Vehcile gets his arms up and catches Abby mid drop. He presses her off and away, and rolls to his stomach to push to his feet, but Abby had landed like a cat and was bouncing into action, a running kick to the face of Omar as he is on his hands and knees. Donovan Torment jumps on the apron and Abby Park dropkicks him back to the ground. Abby Park turns around, and it is apparent that Torment’s distraction has done its trick, as Abby is staring right into the hulking and heaving chest of Omar Wise.

Seth Ericson: This girl is in trouble now.

Abby kicks Omar in the right shin, which seems to only to make him madder. She kicks him in the other shin, which serves to make him madder still. Omar clamps down on Abby’s head and ragdolls her back into the centre of the ring. Omar picks her by the shoulders and drives her shoulder into his knee with a shoulder breaker that looks like it would have destroyed her. Omar, being the brutal machine of destruction that he is, doesn’t realise Abby. Instead he lifts her up, so that her face is equal to his.

Omar Wise: Ya like that, girl?

Dick Morosi: Omar is talkin’ trash.

Omar drives Abby down with another of those devastating shoulderbreakers and he lifts her up again.

Omar Wise: How ‘about that.

That might have been a mistake on Omar’s part, as Abby wiggles and is able slip from his grip and use the shift her body weight to take the much bigger man down with a seated clothesline. Omar gets mad and slaps the mat hard and Abby rolls out of the way. Donovan Torment is on the outside arguing with someone about something. Omar looks Abby and motions for Abby to come at him. Abby, never being afraid of a fight runs straight at Omar. Wise ducks and Abby leapfrogs him, Abby comes back off the ropes and dropkicks Omar. Omar staggers back and Abby follows with another dropkick that sends Omar against the ropes. The beast will not go down. Omar rebounds off the ropes and absolutely flattens Abby with a layout clothesline.

Seth Ericson: Who ordered Abby pancakes?

Dick Morosi: Looks like Omar Wise did.

Omar grabs Abby off the mat and hits her with a backbreaker.

Seth Ericson: Omar has clearly decided that the power game is the way to go in destroying Abby.

Omar lifts Abby into the air and launches her into the turnbuckle pads. She crashes in with an audible thud. Omar follows up with a clothesline that could level Chernobyl. Omar follows up and launches Abby Park out of the corner with a throw that looks like it belongs in a wild corner fight, completely lacking in style and elegance, but absolutely brutal. Omar Wise grabs the almost flattened Abby Park and hoists her into the air. Omar has her up for a vertical suplex.

Donovan Torment: ONE-ONE THOUSAND! TWO-ONE THOUSAND! THREE-ONE THOUSAND!

And into the mat crashes Abby Park.

Omar Wise: Come on girl. Where’s my fight, girl!

Omar kicks at Abby up she is on the mat. He picks her up into the air and lifts her up for a gorilla press, and he just steps out from underneath, letting her drop into the mat with gravity. He goes for the cover.

ONE!!

TWO!!

SHOULDER UP!!

Seth Ericson: Abby isn’t going to give up that easily.

Omar almost looks shocked that Abby survived that move. He drags her to her feet and sits her down in the corner. He runs in and strikes with a deadly knee to the face of Park. Omar smiles a little bit sickeningly. Torment is on the outside spurring his charge on. The crowd is chanting for Abby. Omar puts his fingers to his lips motioning to the crowd to be quiet. The Assault Breacher Vehicle lifts her up into the air with a chokelift and holds her above his head, shaking her the way a junkie shakes a noisy child. EXODUS Pro referee, Chris Dawson starts counting.

ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR!

Donovan Torment gets up on the apron, distracting Dawson and allowing Wise to maintain the hold. Omar throws Abby down on the mat, at the exact moment Dawson turns back around. Omar starts stomping around the ring, the same way a guard dog patrols a junkyard. Like an alpha predator, he stalks his prey – as Abby Park gets to her feet Omar tackles her and drives her into the corner. He backs off and charges back in, but the fighter in Abby Park knows enough to jumps out the way. As Omar staggers out of the corner, shocked that Park was able to move. Park quickly gets back to the turnbuckle, she jumps off the second rope and quickly takes Omar Wise down with a bulldog before he can regain his senses. Abby quickly rolls Wise onto his back for the cover.

ONE!

TWO!

NO!

Seth Ericson: Your going to need more than that to put Omar Wise away Abby.

Dick Morosi: Abby was gone for all money just a few minutes to go, but now she’s back in this.

Abby bounces up after the failed cover attempt straight to the second turnbuckle to drop an elbow on Omar Wise as he is recovering. Abby is back to her feet and Omar rolls to his feet, with anger in his eyes he charges at Abby Park. Abby gets low and under the Assault Breacher Vehicle’s centre of gravity. As he gets close she wraps a waistlock on and hoists him over her head with a belly to belly suplex, using all of Omar Wise’s momentum against. Abby turns around and grabs him while he half standing whips him into the ropes. Omar comes back and Abby runs and jumps…

Dick Morosi: That’s the Seoul Train, Seth!

Seth Ericson: Omar is down and rattled!

ONE!!

TWO!!

Donovan Torment grabs the referees leg.

Seth Ericson: Smart thinking by Torment there.

Dick Morosi:  It was downright cheating, Seth.

Seth Ericson: By any means necessary, Dick.

Abby Park yells loudly at Donovan Torment. Abby grabs Wise and hauls him to his feet with her ant-like strength. Abby whips Omar into corner and follows with a quick running body block. She mounts him.

Dick Morosi: He comes a pounding.

ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR! FIVE! SIX!

Seth Ericson: OH SH--!

Omar Wise grabs Abby Park while she is punching. He walks to the middle of the ring, while she is punching away on his lump of a head. FRANKSTEINER! Abby Park countered Omar’s counter. Abby covers again.

ONE!

TWO!

KICKOUT!!

Abby slaps the mat with some frustration. Abby Park grabs Omar’s ear and drags him to the corner. She drives a shoulder into his midsection. She uses the corner as a fulcrum to help her get the much larger Assault Breacher Vehicle on her shoulders.

Seth Ericson: Oh hell no. Abby Park has got Omar on her shoulders, ready for the Cropduster.

Dick Morosi: Donovan Torment has thrown his bullhorn into the ring. What’s Dawson doing he’s going after the bullhorn.

Seth Ericson: What did Donovan Torment just throw in Abby’s face.

Dick Morosi: Whatever it was, it’s caused Abby to drop Omar. She’s holding her hands to her face, and Dawson is questioning Torment. He’s in the classic it wasn’t me pose. HE KNOWS DAMN WELL IT WAS HIM!!

Seth Ericson: SHOCK AND AWE!! OMAR JUST HIT THE SHOCK AND AWE!

Dick Morosi: He covers.

ONE!!

TWO!!

THREE!!

Dick Morosi: That downright cheating bastard!

David Zinkus: Your winner, and advancing to the finals of the Winter Road – OMAR WISE!!

“Sweet Dirty” by Twenty Two Hundred plays as Katherine Reynolds comes bouncing out from behind the curtain, displaying some high energy before dashing down the ramp. She's all smiles but ignores the fans, the referee, though she deliberately drops her ring jacket in the middle of the ring just so she can bend over to slowly pick it up.

Ericson: This should be an interesting intergender contest. Rizzo showed some real heart last show against the Space Pharoah Zortalk, but Katherine Reynolds seems like a really sharp operator.

Morosi: I have to say, I'm not a fan of Reynolds' attitude.

As "If You Want Trouble" by Nick Waterhouse starts to play, red and blue lights come on, strobing with the guitar riff. Once the rest of the instruments hit, the lights stay static and Rizzo emerges from the back. He makes his way down to the ring with his wife in tow. He waves and points at various people in the crowd who are cheering him. Rizzo makes his way to the ring and climbs in. He runs and bounces off of the ropes. He stands in the corner, stretching out his old bones and joints as he keeps a close eye on Katherine.

The referee calls both people on up to the middle of the ring. Rizzo steps up, trying to do the whole “hard veteran with lots of road-experience” expression. It's a sharp contrast to Reynolds, who is all smiles and sunshine. The referee quickly goes over the rules of the match, and then signals for the bell.

Ericson: Bang the gong, we are on!

Kitty is fast to jump in, blowing past Rizzo's unready guard to cinch a big side headlock onto the experienced man. Rizzo goes low, trying to get a spot for the shove... But Kitty arches her back, hips way forward, using Rizzo as a tripod, allowing her to really crank on that headlock!

Morosi: Even a simple side headlock can be lethal in the right hands!

Rizzo kicks his legs out behind, throwing Kitty offbalance and bringing the two to the ground! Rizzo grabs onto that headlockin' arm, twisting it up and behind the woman for a seated hammerlock! Kitty's wails echo WAY into the cheapseats, making it sound like the Kitty was being skinned alive!

Ericson: Reynolds sounds like her arm is broken!

In surprise from the screams, Rizzo lets go of the hammerlock, much to the dismay of Heidi at ringside. Katherine was quick to roll to the side of the ring, dropping off the apron and landing at ringside, clutching that arm. Rizzo stands, looking out to the crowd and extending both arms out to his sides.

Ericson: Lookin' awfully Canadian there, Rizzo!

Morosi: I'd hate for a misaligned hammerlock to have hurt Katherine Reynolds this early in the match...

Rizzo saunters on over to the side of the ring, leaning through the ropes to look down at Kat-

Morosi: HOT SHOT!

Kitty leapt up at the perfect moment, grabbing Rizzo by the ears and just HANGING off the man's head! Rizzo's neck is yanked against the middle rope, and the power of the rebound sends the back of his head crashing into the top rope! Kitty reaches under the top rope, grabbing Rizzo by the ankles, and she YANKS!

Ericson: Ha! She was playing possum!

Rizzo crashes to the mats at ringside, and Katherine grabs him by the hair, yanking him to his feet. The femme fatale goes running along the side of the ring, before bringing Rizzo smashing facefirst into the steel ringpost! Rizzo goes flying, hands clapped to his face, and Katherine dives back into the ring, both hands coming up over her head as she rises to her feet.

BBBBBBBBBBBOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

The referee begins the countout.

”ONE!
TWO!
THREE!”

Morosi: That post-shot may have knocked Rizzo cold!

Ericson: Nah, I see him stirring. C'mon, Rizzo! Get your Muppet ass back in there! Gonzo takes worse bumps all the time!

”FOUR! FIVE!”

Rizzo, on hands and knees, grabs ahold of the ring apron and begins pulling himself up. Katherine Reynolds saunters on over to the side of the ring, crowing and shouting abuse at him. Rizzo, with clenched teeth, pulls himself on up to his feet...

”SIX!”

Katherine grabs ahold of the top rope and LEAPS, pulling back on the top rope, before slingshotting herself back down, a baseball slide dropkick going right under the bottom rope, cracking Rizzo square in the face!

Morosi: WOTTA DROPKICK! RIZZO HITS THE GUARDRAIL AND GOES DOWN!

Katherine lands nimbly on her feet, extending her arms out to either side, a brilliant grin on her lips. She turns right, bowing, then left. Much like an Olympic gymnast after stickng the landing...

Ms. Heidi Rizzowife(nee Myers) storms over to the scene of the dropkick, but the ref(Miz Katie Hanneman), clambers from the ring real quick, interspersing herself between the two women. And as Katie cautions Heidi, Katherine just smiles broadly, stepping on Rizzo's throat. All of her weight ends up on the man's neck, and Rizzo's legs kick frantically!

BBBBBBBBOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Heidi is FURIOUS, pointing out the cheating, but Hanneman insists on backing Heidi up before she finally turns to the fightin' wrestlers. As Katie does, Katherine happily steps off of Rizzo's throat and gently slips right back into the ring. Hanneman crouches, quietly talking to Rizzo.

Ericson: What perfect timing by Reynolds! She knows EXACTLY what she's doing!

Rizzo, one hand clutched to his throat, comes to his knees once more. Hanneman, realizing something shady happened, rolls back into the ring and backs Reynolds up. Kitty backs up obligingly, an innocent look on her face, and Rizzo finally manages to get himself back into the ring.

Morosi: Maybe we can finally get this match underway properly...

But Reynolds comes flying across the ring, leading with a kneestrike to Rizzo's side! Stomps galore hammer away on Rizzo's ribs and back, and Kitty just mercilessly kicks Rizzo while he's down! WHAM WHAM WHAM go the boots-...

Morosi: DOUBLE LEG TAKEDOWN!

Rizzo bulled up, catching the legs and throwing the shoulder against Kitty's midsection! The woman falls, and Rizzo is quick to go for her arm, wrapping his hands around her wrist, his legs around her shoulder...

Ericson: Rizzo's gonna slap on a cross armbar!

Rizzo pulls back, shouting that he was gonna break this slagathor's arm, but Kitty has cravate'd those hands tightly! Rizzo can't break the hol-

Morosi: SHE'S BITING HIM! REYNOLDS IS BITING RIZZO!

Right on the calf! Rizzo lets go, crawling desperately away from Katherine Reynolds and those sharp fangs of hers! The woman quickly rolls to her knees, arm protectively held against her chest. Rizzo comes up with some rope-y assistance, and Katherine stands in the center of the ring...

Ericson: I think they've finally taken their measures of one another...

Reynolds hisses in anger at Rizzo, and he just smirks, beckoning the woman on. She shakes her arm out, eyes narrowed as they begin to circle one another in a MOST predatory fashion. But before long... They both go in, collar n' elbow lockup!

Rizzo easily outmuscles Katherine, and she gets quickly twisted into a brutal armwring! The pain on her face is evident, but the screams she lets out are even moreso. The cheap seats get to hear every syllabub of her cries and begs for mercy, but Rizzo isn't gonna be guilted this time. Instead, Rizzo just yanks Katherine in by her arm...

Morosi: WHAT AN ELBOW SHOT!

The BRUTAL elbow-hammer to Kitty's cheek sends the woman snapping down like she was shot! Rizzo quickly pounces on Kitty, grabbing her by the arm and rolling her onto her stomach. Hooking one arm for the chickenwing, he reaches for the other...

Morosi: THE SHOCKER! RIZZO IS GOING FOR... THE... SHOCKER!

Ericson: You're embarrassed to say that.

Morosi: Yup.

Kitty squirms free, snatching up Rizzo's ankle! As Rizzo's leg is lifted, his arms pinwheel in desperation... And Kitty twists, real fast! Rizzo snaps over Kitty, smashing into the mat, his left knee torqued with all the force that Reynolds could muster!

Morosi: Rizzo's left knee has taken a lot of battle damage... Did it survive?!

As Rizzo tries to push himself up and off the mat... It's obvious that it did not. As soon as Rizzo tries to put some weight on the left wheel, his leg gives out!

Ericson: Nope. That's bad for the Rizz-man.

Kitty comes up, grinning. Beckoning Rizzo up, Katherine looks out to the crowd, before sticking one hand up, index finger jabbing to the sky. Gamely, Rizzo tries his best to battle back to his feet...

Ericson: REYNOLDS WITH THE RUNNING START!

She rebounds off the ropes behind Rizzo, comes running back..

Matheny: BOING!

Running bulldog! Rizzo crashes facefirst to the mat, and Reynolds is quick to hook the leg! Hanneman dives in to count the pin, and as she watches the shoulders, she misses Reynolds grabbin' a big handful of Rizzo's tights, pulling his entire body's weight against him!

”ONE! TWO! THREE!”

Reynolds rolls off of Rizzo, cackling madly as the bell rings. Kitty was quick to scamper from the ring, getting away from Rizzo's belabored grab at her hair. Heidi Myers dives into the ring, crawling over to her fallen, possibly-injured hubby.

And Katherine Reynolds just backs up the ramp, “Sweet Dirty” by Twenty Two Hundred blaring as she does.

Ring Announcer: YOUR WINNER..... KATHERINE... REEEEEEEEEEEEEEEYNOLDS!

March Of War had arrived. Everyone who was anyone in wrestling was in San Diego that night... However, the camera found itself focused on Heather Halliwell, who was lost in her own little world, stretching before the Twitter Invitational. She slides down to the floor in a perfect split and stretches her arms out, touching her toes. She closes her eyes and doesn't notice when Dom Harter walks up behind her.

Dom Harter: Well that’s not something you expect to see when you walk into a room.

He says with a smirk on his face as he leans back against the wall, his gaze fixed on Heather with a wistful glint in his eyes. Heather opens her eyes slowly and smiles. She leans back slightly so she can look at Dom.

Heather Halliwell Sorry to disappoint you.

She winks up at him playfully and swings her legs back to the front and rises to her feet.

Dom Harter: I don’t think you ever could...

He attempts to say suavely, failing slightly in his endeavors. Harter blushes and laughs to himself to try and save face before speaking again.

Dom Harter Getting ready for the match then?

Heather Halliwell Yeah. I'm so pumped! Its been a while since I've competed at this level.

She smiles at Dom and takes a step closer to him.

Heather Halliwell And between you and me, I'm looking forward to making a few people tap out tonight.

Dom Harter: Axel’s mine … if you don’t mind.

He says as a bitter look crosses his face; Harter picks up his spirits quickly as Heather stands in front of him, a smile on her face as she says.

Heather Halliwell: Have at him. I'll take care of the rest.

Heather is only vaguely aware that she is leaning closer and closer to Dom as they continue to talk.

Dom Harter: Sounds good to me. And one by one, we’ll pin them, make them tap. Eliminate each and every one of them until...

He pauses momentarily, leaning closer to Heather as he starts to speak again.

Dom Harter: Until it’s just the two of us...

Heather Halliwell Just the two of us...

Suddenly, she lunges towards him and jumps on him, putting him in a playful bear hug.

Heather Halliwell And then I come for you!

Dom Harter: Well, then we’ll just have to see who can last the longest, you or me...

Heather quirks an eyebrow at him. She releases him from the hold and grins slyly.

Heather Halliwell I'm intrigued... To see how long you can last against me.

Out of nowhere, Heather suddenly blushes and chuckles nervously. She twirls a strand of hair around her finger, a nervous gesture. Dom laughs a nervous chortle as he leans forward so their foreheads are touching. He turns his head slightly before whispering into Heather’s ear.

Dom Harter: There’s only one way to find out...

Heather's entire body was alive by his nearness. Electricity didn't stand a chance compared to what she was feeling right now. She turns her head slightly and and shifts her eyes up to him.

Heather Halliwell Yes there is... I just hope that after...

She stops, unsure of how to say what she's thinking. She smiles at him and gives him a soft peck on his cheek. A smile the size of a Cheshire cat’s crosses Dom’s face after the kiss.

Dom Harter: Save that thought … For after the match

On that note the camera fades to black, leaving Dom and Heather to prepare for their upcoming match.

Four Way Dance
Gouken Haroshi (w/Kanna) vs. Kevin Brody vs. Steve Lenton vs. Zortalk (w/Donovan Torment)

The arena goes dark as smoke billows out from atop of the ramp. Lights flicker between total darkness and a dark red. From the back emerges Gouken clad in a robe and hood, at his side stands his sister Kanna, barbwire baseball bat in her hands. Kanna says something and points to the ring, and Gouken obeys.

David Zinkus: Entering the ring first, weighing in at 279 pounds, from Tokyo, Japan…Gouken Haroooshi!!!!

The big man walks down, slowly, methodically before climbing into the ring followed by Kanna. Gouken stands in the middle of the ring as Kann approaches and pulls off the hood, revealing his masked face. She then pulls off the robe and whispers something into Gouken’s ear, causing the big man to let out an audible roar...ready for combat.

The sounds of cheers are heard around the arena. The fans wait in anticipation, almost eager for him to come out. The lights flash a royal blue and suddenly "Napalm" by Xzibit blares. Lenton busts through the curtains. The fans bust into a defying scream of cheers. Lenton is talking to the crowd jumping up and down on the stage, walking from one end to the next. The camera zooms in on his face, "Listen to that!" Lenton exclaims with a smirk. He walks up the ramp with a slight strut, looking out at the crowd.

David Zinkus: Entering the ring, weighing in at 255 pounds, from Hampton Virginia by way of Washington D.C. … Steeeeve Lentooooon!

He stops short and looks around for a moment. He takes it all in, listening to the fans cheer for him. Some of the fans hand touches him. Stephen slaps the hands and continues to make his way up the ramp with his eyes glued on the arena again. Once he makes it to the apron, he looks at the ring and then climbs up on it quickly and stands up on the turnbuckle. The lights around the arena then turn into a spotlight.

The fans continue to cheer as the song begins to break down. Lenton forms a smirk on his face and lifts his arm in the air with enthusiasm. He wipes his mouth and leaps down from the turnbuckle and stands in the ring, circling it. He decides to hit the turnbuckle again standing on it lifting his right arm in the air the same way he did. He takes in the cheers, looking around slowly. Stephen leaps down and stands in his corner, getting ready to fight.

In the morning, it takes me quite a while to clear my head
And as the day moves on, I find it hard to smile at something said
So I took control, priority number one, and that's me
Then I cut the dragon's head off, and put away my gun, so let it be
So let it be

I'm dying prematurely, I'm wasting my life for sure
I'm trying to kill what's happening to me
A ghost along the Mississippi

David Zinkus: Entering the ring, weighing in a 263 pounds, from Jonestown, MS….Keviiin Brooody!

The lights flicker as "Ghosts Along the Mississippi" plays, and Brody stalks to the ring, ignoring any amount of catcalls from the crowd. He slides into the ring, pushing himself up to sit on his knees, staring out at the fans with a look of disgust before sliding back to slump against the turnbuckles, awaiting the start of the match...and someone to hurt.

OHHHHHHHHHHH YEAAAAAAAAAH

"Oh Yeah" by Yello beings to surge, pump and throttle the arena. The pulsing beat pulses smoothly, slowly and seductively as the one, the only, the master of both space and time arrives in the area.

THE MOOOON
BEAAAAUTIFUL

"The Space Pharaoh" Zortalk smiles upon the audience, waving to the fans, staff in one hand, a taxidermy cobra in the other. With slave girls on either side of him, he falls to his knees and prays to the heavens.

OHHHHHHHHH YEAAAAAH
OH YEAH

David Zinkus: Entering last, weighing in at 231 pounds, from Space Egypt…”The Space Pharoah”…Zoooooortaaalk!!!

He quickly sheds his Egyptian head dress and robe, allowing the his slave girls to collect them as he springs up onto the apron and bouncing above the third rope for a grand entrance.

The bell rings and everyone starts ganging up on Gouken Haroshi. Brody, Lenton, and Zortalk all attack Gouken with vicious kicks and punches to the body. Gouken tries to recover, pushing Lenton and Zortalk away from him. Brody tries to punch him, but Gouken grabs both of his arms and starts headbutting him. Gouken releases the hold and drops Brody with a nasty Haymaker Punch square on the chin.

Dick Morosi: He went for the homerun with that punch.

Seth Ericson: I don’t doubt he dislocated his jaw with that haymaker.

Gouken grabs Brody and throws him over the third rope making Brody crash and burn outside. Lenton runs at Gouken and surprises him with a clothesline that throws Gouken over the third rope to the outside. Zortalk runs at Lenton and they both start punching at each other. Zortalk gains the advantage. Zortalk throws Lenton against the ropes, but Lenton reverses. Zortalk rebounds against the ropes and is met with a Belly to Belly Suplex from Lenton.

Dick Morosi: Lenton goes for the early cover. One, two…but Gouken returns to the ring and kicks Lenton to break the count.

Seth Ericson: Remember, first to get the pin is the winner of the match.

Gouken grabs Lenton by the neck and throws him headfirst against the corner. Gouken now grabs Zortalk and throws him against the corner headfirst. Gouken looks at the opposite corner where Lenton is trying to recover, runs at him and splashes him against the corner. Gouken looks at Zortalk and runs over the other corner to splash him, but Zortalk gets out of the way. Gouken hurts his ribcage while Zortalk grabs his neck and drops him with an Inverted DDT.

Dick Morosi: Looking good Zortalk at the beginning of the match.

Seth Ericson: There’s certainly a lot of action in this match. I’m getting a headache already trying to catch up!

Brody gets up to the ring and runs at Zortalk to attack him, but Zortalk ducks Brody’s clothesline. Lenton recovers on the other side and levels an unsuspecting Brody with a beautiful Dropkick. Zortalk argues with Lenton about something and pushes him hard.

Dick Morosi: What is his problem?

Seth Ericson: Zortalk wanted to attack Brody but Lenton took advantage of Zortalk’s beautiful technical prowess to end up with all the glory.

Dick Morosi: What are you talking about? The only thing he did was duck a move.

Seth Ericson: You’re so jealous of Zortalk’s technical prowess…

Dick Morosi: Give me a break…

Lenton looks at the crowd after receiving the push from Zortalk. Zortalk continues with the arguing and slaps Lenton in the face. Zortalk tries to slap him once more but Lenton drops Zortalk with a clothesline. Zortalk gets back up and Lenton kicks him in the gut, and makes him fall victim to a well-executed Vertical Suplex. Brody gets up and clubs Lenton with a forearm strike to his back. Lenton tumbles forward but doesn’t fall. Kevin Brody turns Lenton around and kicks him in the gut. He tries to apply a DDT,but Lenton back body drops him. Brody gets back up and runs to Lenton, but Lenton catches him and throws him across the ring with an Exploder Suplex into the turnbuckle.

Dick Morosi: That has to hurt! Steve Lenton is all riled up!

Seth Ericson: Better watch out for Gouken…

Gouken slowly stands up and runs at Lenton, but Lenton thinks faster and applies a beautiful Bicycle Kick. Everybody is in the floor and Lenton goes for the count.

One

Two

Zortalk breaks the count. Zortalk grabs Lenton and helps him up. He takes one of his arms and hooks it up, throwing Lenton over the third rope with an Arm Drag. Zortalk looks around and sees Gouken and Brody on the floor. He grabs Brody by the arm and drags him to the center of the ring where he applies a Crossface.

Dick Morosi: Zortalk with the submission move. Lenton is on the outside and Gouken is still on the mat trying to recover.

Seth Ericson: Well, I don’t know if they can stand up, but if they don’t, this one will be over soon.

Zortalk applies more pressure to the Crossface and Brody is trying to withstand the pain. Gouken is helping himself with the ropes trying to get up. When he’s able to stand up, he immediately kicks Zortalk with a sharp kick to the back. Zortalk breaks the hold and is on his knees with pain visible on his face. Gouken prepares himself and starts kicking him hard on the chest. Gouken kicks him faster everytime until Zortalk falls down. Gouken tries the pin.

One

Two

Dick Morosi: Lenton runs and breaks the pin!

Seth Ericson: Party pooper.

Lenton grabs Zortalk by the hair and throws him over the top rope. Brody starts getting up and Lenton goes to one corner waiting for Brody to get up completely. Brody gets up and turns around just to be received by a Blitz!!! Steve Lenton goes for the cover but Gouken’s manager, Kanna, steps up to the ring shouting at Lenton.

Dick Morosi: This is why I don’t like managers on ringside.

Seth Ericson: You don’t like girls… out with it already.

Lenton breaks the pin and starts to walk towards Kanna. Kanna is still shouting at Lenton, but Lenton tells her to get down. Gouken slowly stands up and walks towards Lenton, grabs him and throws him violently with a German Suplex! He keeps the bridge for the pin.

One

Two

But Lenton kicks out. Gouken looks at Brody who is still grabbing his ribcage. Gouken helps him up and at the same time applies a nasty Bear Hug!

Dick Morosi: After the Blitz from Lenton, those ribs must be hurting. The pressure of Gouken’s physique is giving him the advantage on this move.

Seth Ericson: Break his ribs, puncture his lungs…I want to see blood c’mon.

While Gouken is applying the move, Zortalk comes from the other side, enters the ring and punts Gouken in his manhood from behind.

Dick Morosi: OUCH!

Seth Ericson: Ouch indeed!

Gouken frees Brody who rolls to the outside of the ring. Gouken is bent over from pain and Zortalk seizes the opportunity to apply a Snap DDT! Zortalk starts screaming “OH YEAH” all over the ring and points to the top turnbuckle. He helps Gouken up and walks with him to the turnbuckle. Lenton is slowly getting up. Zortalk jumps to the third turnbuckle and sits there. He grabs Gouken by the neck and gets off to apply his Don’t Be A Monolith! But Gouken reverses him at mid-move and pushes him off. Zortalk falls standing in the middle of the ring and laughs at Gouken. Lenton recovers completely and turns Zortalk. Zortalk tries to clothesline him but Lenton ducks, Zortalk runs back at Lenton and Lenton applies a beautiful B.A.N. Buster!

Dick Morosi: I think this can be all for Zortalk!

Seth Ericson: He transcended time Morosi, what are you talking about?

Lenton looks at Gouken and Gouken looks at Lenton. Zortalk rolls out of the ring while Donovan Torment starts talking to the Space Pharoah outside. Gouken and Lenton look at each other in the center of the ring. In a matter of seconds, they start hitting each other with thunderous blows. Neither one of them quits but Lenton is having the upper hand. Lenton throws him to the ropes and drops him at his return with a Rolling Lariat! Gouken gets up quickly and drops Lenton with a Lariat of his own.

Dick Morosi: The two powerhouses of the match destroying each other in a competitive fashion.

Seth Ericson: Yeah…destroy each other. Let’s go!

Dick Morosi: …

They get up and still hit each other in the middle of the ring. Zortalk is getting up to the ring while Donovan Torment starts to scream at Gouken and Lenton.

Dick Morosi: What is he doing? Gouken and Lenton stop punching each other to pay attention to Torment.

Seth Ericson: Look at Torment, he’s entering Brody to the ring now and instructing them to attack Brody.

Dick Morosi: Look! At the other side is Zortalk waiting patiently. Zortalk screams “Oh Yeah” which gets the attention of both Gouken and Lenton. Zortalk springboards from the outside of the ring and hits both with a Crossbody!

Seth Ericson: See! I told you! The technical prowess of Zortalk is too awesome!

Zortalk pins Lenton…

One

Two

But Lenton kicks out. Zortalk pins Gouken…

One

Two

But Gouken kicks out. Zortalk pins Brody…

One

Two

Brody kicks out too. Zortalk can’t believe it and grabs Lenton by the head and helps him. Zortalk is signaling to the finish of this match.

Dick Morosi: I think Zortalk will try to apply the All Systems a Go-Go to Lenton…but can he carry Lenton up?

Seth Ericson: Who are you to doubt The Space Pharoah?

Zortalk tries to lift Lenton, but Lenton doesn’t go. Zortalk tries once more, but Lenton does not budge. Lenton now lifts Zortalk, reversing Zortalk’s move. Lenton has him high up the air, he walks with Zortalk and throws him to the outside on top of Donovan Torment!

Dick Morosi: Zortalk crashed and burned on top of Donovan Torment! They are completely knocked out on the outside!

Seth Ericson: This is wrong! Completely wrong!

Brody gets up and runs at Lenton just to be annihilated with a 3:00!

Dick Morosi: Lenton has hit his finishing move out of nowhere on Brody. This is over folks. He goes for the pin but Kanna grabs his leg outside. Lenton turns to look at Kanna, moment that Gouken seizes to apply a Yakuza Kick to the back of the head of Lenton, making him fall outside of the ring. Gouken grabs an unconscious Brody and locks his Jaws of Death!

Seth Ericson: And that’s all folks.

Gouken applies more and more pressure until the referee does not see any response from Brody. This is over.

WINNER: Gouken Haroshi

This match is scheduled for one fall. There are NO COUNT OUTS! It has a twenty minute time limit. Coming to the ring first, from Boston, MA... weighing in at one hundred and eighty five pounds.... DANIEL PROPHET!!

Dick Morosi: And next we have a grudge match between MMA star Jafreese Frazier and detective Daniel Prophet.

Seth Ericson: More like Frazier finishing what he started. Countout saved Prophet last time. The bell won’t be his friend tonight!

Dick Morosi: Nor it will be for Jafreese. This is a No Count Out Match. They could end up fighting all across San Diego!

David Zinkus: Introducing first... from Compton, California... weighing in tonight at two hundred and five pounds… this is Jafreese... DEATHGRIP... FRAZIER!!

Lights start to flash when "On to the Next One" start to play. Out of the curtain walks Jafreese Frazier with a hoodie and his traditional wrestling clothes. Lights return to normal as the cameraman zooms on the face of Jafreese. He does his "mean mugging" and shows his mouthpiece with the word "Deathgrip" written in them. The camera zooms out and he starts walking towards the ring while not looking at anyone directly to their eyes.

Once he gets ringside he jumps over the third rope and walks towards the center of the ring. He takes his hoodie off and sits indian style in the center of the ring as his music fades.

Seth Erickson: Look at Deathgrip. He’s just raring to go. We might see a fallen Prophet tonight!

Dick Morosi: I see what you did there.

David Zinkus: And his opponent, hailing from Boston Massachusetts, he weighed in tonight at one hundred and eight five pounds…. This is Daniel Prophet!

The lights dim, almost to total darkness. A loud static plays over the loudspeaker. It's dense and hypnotic, but somehow off. The static gets louder. A cacophony of images, all black and white, flashes on the big screen. A dark street. A puff of smoke. A man in shadows getting closer and closer and closer.

WELCOME TO MY WORLD

"War" hits as Daniel Prophet enters, with trenchcoat, fedora and a look in his eyes that is hungry for blood. He stands int he center of the ring, looks down and raises one fist on the air. This is is is ground; this is his territory. He takes off his coat, leans against the turnbuckle and lights a cigarette.

Seth Ericson: He’s lighting a cig before his match? He just better have impressive cardio.

Dick Morosi: He lasted an entire match with Frazier before, his conditioning leaves nothing to be desired Seth.

Seth Erickson: I’m just saying the guys nobody you’d want your kids emulating!

Dick Morosi: Speaking of emulating, Prophets taking a page out of Frazier’s book!

Daniel bypasses the traditional collar and elbow tie, showing himself to be the early aggressor, a sharp contrast to their first match. Fueled by his bellicose nature he charges straight at Frazier and lunges at his face. Yet, E-Pro’s resident cagefighter thinks fast on his feet, deftly dropping to his side and toe-holding the detective, coercing him to crash and acquaint his face with the turnbuckle pad. Prophet’s cranium bounces off the second turnbuckle while Jafreese climbs to his feet, immediately grappling him around the head and pulling him to the ropes. Gripping him by the wrist, he whips him across the ring, only for the suspender clad Bostonian to spin and counter, effectively launching Death Grip into the ropes. Frazier bounces off the cables and is greeted by Daniel’s protruding arm, yet he manages to duck underneath it. He twists the arm with ferocity until the smaller Daniel is forced to pivot toward him. Seizing the window of opportunity, Frazier traps Prophet’s head in his armpit and falls back, dropping him with a crippling DDT.

Dick Morosi: I got brain damage just looking at that Seth. You could hear the impact of head meeting canvas all the way over here!

Seth Erickson: Now imagine how Daniel is feeling. If he wasn't already bonkers, that DDT will definitely scramble his brain.

Dick Morosi: What makes you think he’s crazy?

Seth Erickson: I dunno Dick, maybe it’s the fact that he dresses as if it’s the 50’s.

Prophets cranium connects with a resounding thud, Jafreese instantly pulling himself to his feet and looking to maintain his advantage. The vindictive MMA fighter stabs his knees into Daniel’s back, while simultaneously grabbing a hold of his head with one hand, and his legs with the other.

Seth Erickson: Dick, are you familiar with archery?

Dick Morosi: Yes, but I’m not sure if I follow.

Deathgrip suddenly falls onto his back, dragging Prophet’s bag of bones off the mat and suspending him in the air. Frazier violently bends Daniel’s frame like a pretzel, his knees planted in the center of the Bostonian’s spinal region, causing him tremendous agony of which is accentuated by the wheezing aches hissing from his grit teeth.

Seth Erickson: Look! Frazier is using Daniel Prophet as a human bow and arrow!

Frazier winces with satisfaction as his knees continue to wreak havoc –the target being the trunk of the private investigator turned wrestler, seeing a win-win situation beginning to unfold (either Prophet submits, or he breaks him in half). Unfortunately, the force pushing into the sleuths back causes his body to wobble, aiding him in grasping the nearby ropes –the moment of escape enabling him to force the referee D'Artis Johnson’s hand as he demands Frazier to relinquish his hold. Jafreese reluctantly obliges upon maintaining the submission for another four seconds. He rises to his feet, sneering down at his adversary who convulses on the canvas.

Dick Morosi: Daniel’s resiliency pays dividends. How he managed to endure all of that pain is incredible.

Seth Erickson: It’s stupidity. He couldn't handle Frazier beforehand, now with a bad back his chances have all but gone up in flames!

Daniel eventually rolls onto his front and lifts up on all fours, Jafreese maintaining control with a series of patronizing facewashes with the edge of his boot. Satisfied with adding insult to injury, he grabs Prophet by the torso, and lifts him up to a vertical base before tossing him into the corner. Deathgrip follows with a slap across the private eye’s face, igniting the crowd. More importantly, it riles up Prophet who furiously grabs Jafreese by the shoulders and steps out, before tossing him into the corner and exacting retribution with a flesh wrenching chop across the striker’s chest, pulling back for another, and connecting with a third for the hattrick.

Seth Erickson: Johnson needs to get in there and do something. You’d think he'd be more inclined to support and protect Frazier!

Dick Morosi: Why, because they’re both African American?

Seth Erickson: Precisely. Otherwise, you get black on black crime, which his turning of a blind eye is essentially.

Dick Morosi: Folks my colleague's ignorance in no way reflects EXODUS Wrestling!

In a fit of rage, Prophet encircles his hands around Frazier’s throat, commencing to blatantly choke him. Out of desperation, Deathgrip retaliates by driving his knee into Daniel’s abdominal region, forcing him to retract his grasp, and is returned by being switched into the corner. Upon striking with a stiff forearm to the jaw to keep him at bay, the Compton native takes a step back before charging in. His leg quickly ascends level to his head, his boot being driven across the side of Prophet’s cranium, the clashing of contact audible to the patrons filling the first few rows.

Seth Erickson: WOO WEE! What a Big Boot!

Dick Morosi: Teeth were just sent flying through the RIMAC!

As Frazier lowers his leg Daniel deliriously stumbles out of the corner, his punch-drunk amble carrying him into the ropes. Continuing to mount his offense, Frazier seizes him by the arm and quickly Irish whips him across the ring. Prophet springs across said ring, and rebounds off the ropes. Despite having eaten a benumbing boot moment ago, he has enough wherewithals to duck under Jafreese’s attempt at a Clothesline. Fleet of foot, he halts his momentum and pivots, before attempting a Clothesline at his own aimed at the head of the turning Frazier. The mixed martial artist displays his own countering ability, ducking under Prophet’s arm before strafing to the back of him, and quickly applying a waistlock. He shifts his weight to his rear in an attempt at a German Suplex, yet his efforts are thwarted due to a well timed locking of the ankles by Daniel –whom is no slouch when it comes to technical wrestling by any means. The aforementioned detective uses his hands like a crowbar to break Deathgrip’s grasp, freeing his body.

He quickly turns and lays into Frazier with a thunderous forearm to the jaw, and then another, and a third, before crouching down slightly and lifting him up onto his shoulders in a Fireman’s Carry. Aware of his ring position, Jafreese stretches out and grabs onto the top rope, preventing Daniel from executing whatever move he had planned. Frustrated, Prophet settles for an attempt to toss him out of the ring, throwing him off his shoulder, yet somehow the Californian manages to swing himself onto the apron, landing on his knees. As Frazier slowly begins to climb to his feet, Prophet runs across the ring and ricochets off the ropes. He suddenly lowers his shoulders and dives forward like he’d been shot out of a cannon; he drives his shoulder blade into his opponent’s solar plexus, dragging him off the apron and tackling him to the floor below. Supine and inanimate, Daniel stares up at the ceiling lights while Deathgrip writhes in pain, meanwhile the tumultuous crowd cheers in response.

Dick Morosi: Spear from Prophet… right out of the ring… HOLY HELL DID YOU JUST SEE THAT SETH?

Seth Erickson: I saw. I don’t believe it, but I saw it. I told you! Daniel Prophet is INSANE Dick!

Dick Morosi: INSANE IN THE MEMBRANE... MAYBE... INSANELY TALENTED... DEFINITELY!

Despite receiving said spear, Frazier is the first to move, slowly crawling toward the guardrail. Clutching his abdomen, he gradually comes to a stand, now on the hard camera-side of the RIMAC arena. Shuffling back to his twos is Daniel Prophet, in hot pursuit of his bitter rival. He quickly wraps his hands around the Californian’s head and pulls it backward –only to send it forward, bouncing his skull off the top of the railing. He repeats the attack again, and follows up with a third for good measure, his fingers trembling as Frazier's brain shifts in his hands. Freese faintly turns around and leans his back up against the railing, his eyes glazed and rolling to the back of his head as he shows signs of a possible concussion.

After wiping sweat from his brow, Prophet drags Frazier’s frame off the railing, taking a small step toward the ring. He slowly doubles him over, before trapping his head between his legs in a standing headscissors. He immediately slides his arms underneath Freese’s, and attempts to grab his legs.

Dick Morosi: The Long Goodbye on the floor? That’ll finish Frazier off for sure…. Here it comes-

Seth Erickson: Not if Deathgrip has a say in the matter!

Jafreese liberates his arms and quickly counters with a back body drop, sending Daniel Prophet flying into the guardrail. His spine cracks off the railing –grinding it back a feet as he grimaces on the floor, meanwhile the executor of the counter creaks up onto his knees and begins to regain his bearings.

Seth Erickson: Back first into the railing! Dick have I ever told you how awesome Frazier is?

Dick Morosi: Yes Seth, you’re a biased commentator, if that’s what you’re asking.

Jafreese staggers to his feet, stumbling toward Seth and Dick as he places his hands across the commentary table and continues to shake the cobwebs. Prophet creaks onto his chest and pushes himself up with three-quarters of all fours, before taking a hand and gingerly tending to his ailing back. Meanwhile Frazier continues to convalesce, taking his precious time to recuperate. He gingerly turns around, only to find the mass of Daniel crashing into him with an extended arm, the Clothesline sending both brawlers over the table and essentially landing in the laps of the two commentators.

Dick Morosi: Well… since you love Frazier so much…

Exhausted, Daniel climbs off the table, carrying Frazier with him as well as he drags him back toward the ring. Prophet quickly rolls him into the squared hell before climbing onto the apron. As he begins to step through the ropes, Jafreese suddenly springs to his feet, quickly driving a knee to the side of Daniel’s head, shifting his brain to the other side, and immediately immobilizing him. With haste he grapples him by the head, wrapping an arm around his trachea whilst clasping his hands together upon them encircling his neck. D’Artis Johnson wastes no time in stepping in to admonish Frazier, warning him to release the chokehold and threatening to disqualify him. Jafreese merely gives him a cold shoulder, continuing to apply upward pressure to restrict the blood flow to Prophet’s head.

“ONE…”

“TWO…”

“THREE…”

“FOUR…”

Prophet's head regains freedom as Frazier involuntarily relinquishes his guillotine choke and withdraws from his pursuit of destruction, staggering back from the ropes -thus freeing up enough space for Daniel to collapse into the ring, gasping for air like a dying fish.

Seth Erickson: He wasn't looking to win with The Dreamgrip, Jafreese just wanted to weaken Prophet.

Dick Morosi: He certainly succeeded. The end could very well be near.

Frazier stalks his opponent, and as Prophet rises, he immediately scoops him up, into a fireman's carry. Before Daniel can react, Frazier pushes him off into the air, bringing the noir detective right down into his jumping knee!

Dick Morosi: And ON TO THE NEXT ONE! COVER! ONE... TWO... THREE!

Frazier comes right back up to his feet, refusing to let the referee raise his hand and instead doing it on his own.

David Zinkus: Here is your winner... JAFREESE... DEATHGRIP!... FRAZIERRRRRR!

David Zinkus: Our next match is the Twitter
Invitational! It is a six person elimination match with no time limit. The
winner of this match will be deemed the Top Contender to the EXODUS Pro
International Title.

The crowd roars!

David Zinkus: Coming to the ring, first from
New Orleans, Louisiana… weighing in at one hundred and twenty pounds... TARYN
GRAVES

The sounds of Elise Testone’s cover of the Led Zeppelin hit “Whole Lotta Love” Come over the Public Announce system and blares through the arena as the fans start to cheer because they know who is about to come out. The camera moves over to the stage which is a lot bigger than the stages are for any XWA event. The camera moves onto the ramp where from behind the curtain comes the first competitor. The flawless diva Taryn comes out with a big smile on her face. The fans continue to cheer the stunning blonde as she sticks her hand in the air with a smile. Taryn is wearing a black XtremeMania IV T-shirt. That comes down to her knees just enough to cover whatever she is
wearing underneath. What can be seen of her attire is her black knee pads and matching black leather wresting boots. Taryn walks closer towards the descending ramp at to go to the ring when she places her hands in her hair and before she bends over towards her toes and flips her hair back up with a smile.

At the sound of her name Taryn starts to walk down the declining part of the ramp with a huge smile on her face, as the fans continue to cheer for her she throws her right hand into the air showing the fans some love, while Taryn is making her way to ringside.

As Taryn makes her way down to ringside she walks around the ring instead of heading up the stairs as she does she passes closely to the guardrail as she starts to give Hi-fives to the fans in the first row, as she passes around the ring the fans continue to cheer the Flawless diva. As Taryn makes her way across the entire ringside area, when she makes it to the stairs she starts to ascend them. As Taryn climbs the stairs one by one the cheers from the fans get a bit louder. As the “last descendant of flawless” makes her way up to the ring apron she stops in the dead center of the apron. As she does that she grabs onto her long, black Xtreme-mania 4 shirt and pulls it up to reveal her ring attire for the night. A stunning black bra top with matching black booty shorts. As the fans continue to cheer the blonde enters the ring
under the middle rope just enough so it is revealed that her gear has the words “Army of One” written on the back of her shorts. The sounds of “Whole Lotta Love” then start to fade out the sounds of a new theme ring throughout the arena.

David Zinkus: Coming to the ring next, hailing from the City of Brotherly Love, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. IT IS BRYAN AXEL!

“Redemption” by Johnny Cash begins to play as the crowd erupt into a chorus of cheers. Bryan Axel walks out as he stops and holds his arms out in a Jesus style pose as he smiles at the positive reaction
from the crowd. On the way down to the ring Bryan slaps hand with most of the crowd before sliding into the ring. Once in the ring Bryan walks to the nearest turnbuckle jumping to the top and once again holding his arms out in a Jesus pose. He jumps down from the turnbuckle as his music now begins to fade away.

David Zinkus: Now, our third competitor in the Twitter Invitational hails from Dallas, Texas and weighs in at one hundred and twenty six pounds she is HEATHER HALLIWELL!

“Angel Eyes” by Love and Theft begins to play at the chorus as Heather Halliwell skips way out from the curtain. She twirls arms out and smiling as the crowd cheers. She removes her cowboy hat and salutes the crowd with it before putting it back on and skipping her way down to the ring, slapping hands with the fans as she goes. She slides into the ring and climbs each corner rope, blowing kisses and posing.

David Zinkus: Coming to the ring hailing from Cambridge, Ontario, Canada and weighing in at two hundred and thirty five pounds it is the “Tenacious Little Bastard” DOM HARTER!

The opening chords of “Superunknown” begin to play throughout the arena as Dom Harter steps out from behind the black curtain. He stands there, stroking his stubble with a devilish grin on his face, not once taking his eyes off [the ring/his opponent] as he begins his slow, deliberate walk down the aisle. Harter ignores most of the fans in attendance, their nonchalance not affecting him as he climbs up the steel steps and enters the ring through the ropes. Once inside, Dom makes his way to the corner as he rests his arms on the top rope and his forehead against the turnbuckle pad as he waits for the match to begin.

David Zinkus: Next, weighing in at one hundred and thirty seven pounds and hailing from Phoenix, Arizona. It is SUMMER!

A girlish giggle shatters the silence, bringing the crowd to their feet. "Bring 'Em Down" by Lostprophets kicks into high gear over the speakers while red and white spotlights swirl around the crowd. A video package bracketed in sunny yellows and oranges appears on the torn, showing a dark haired woman launching herself from every height imaginable, crashing down on both men and women.

ONE!
One chance with life is all you get
TWO!
So pick your side and place your bet
THREE!
Cause you know we've been here before
FOUR!
Won everytime but who's keeping score?
FIVE!
Still kicking, still alive
SIX!
We built this to survive
SEVEN!
Everyday is a blessing
EIGHT, NINE, TEN!
Here we go again!

Summer appears at the top of the ramp, pumping her arm in the air. She jumps up and down with huge energy and enthusiasm before she sprints to the ring, springing from the floor to the apron in one bounce. She scales the ropes and thrusts both arms in the air, flashing a peace sign with her right and a
'devil horns' rock fist with her left at the crowd. She poses like this for a second before doing a backflip off the top rope, landing in the middle of the ring as the crowd pops loudly.

David Zinkus: And finally, their opponent and final competitor in the Twitter Invitational, weighing in at one hundred and ninety pounds and coming tothe ring from Sydney Australia… MICHAEL ALEXANDER!!!

"We Are" by Hollywood Undead begins to play throughout the arena as the lights begin to flash blue. "We Are, We Are" echoes as Michael Alexander makes his way out to the stage. The tron has the word "Kuakuwatsu" on the screen and Michael points up at it, smiling. Wasting no time, he makes a beeline straight for the ring, sliding into it and getting to his feet. Looking around the arena for a moment, Michael holds his fist in the air as his music dies down.

Seth Ericson: They look ready to tear each other apart, Dick.

Dick Morosi: There is certainly a lot on the line in this match. And considering the rules of this match, and what’s on the line. It will be every man for themselves and with everyone in the ring at once.

Seth Ericson: Look at Dawson struggling to hold everyone back.

Dick Morosi: And he calls for the bell!

*DING*

Seth Ericson: It’s on!

Dick Morosi: Referee Chris Dawson is swamped as all six twitter invitees surge to the middle of the ring.

Seth Ericson: I think he’d rather be making waffles right now.

Summer punches Michael Alexander. Michael Alexander punches Dom Harter. Dom Harter punches Taryn Graves. Taryn Graves punches Heather Halliwell. Heather Halliwell punches Bryan Axel. Bryan Axel punches Summer. This is crazy; everyone is swinging wildly trying to get an advantage in the match. Axel pairs off with Halliwell and they exchange blows in one corner of the ring. Graves and Michael Alexander are in another corner. In fact Graves has Alexander backed against the turnbuckles and has mounted him and is going to town on him. Summer and Harter are standing toe to toe in the middle of the ring. In opposite corners Graves and Halliwell have their respective opponents ready for Irish whips. The send them to the centre of the ring, Harter and Summer see it coming and hit the mat. Alexander and Axel take each other with a double clothesline landing on top of Dom Harter and Summer who were lying flat on the canvas. Taryn and Heather charge the centre of the ring, just as Dom Hart and Summer force Alexander up of them. This allows Graves and Halliwell to level them again with clotheslines of their own as Dom and Summer roll out of the way.

Seth Ericson: Well this is confusing.

Harter and Summer look at each other and then at Halliwell and Graves. They charge. Halliwell and Graves look at Harter and Summer. They charge. And it’s on again. Fists and arms flying everywhere. Summer gets control on Taryn Graves, while Dom Harter asserts himself over Heather Halliwell. During all of this Michael Alexander and Bryan Axel stand up and watch the action unfold in front of them.

Dick Morosi: This is why I don’t use Twitter. You can’t work out what the hell is going on.

Summer grabs Taryn Graves and whips him into the corner where Bryan Axel is watching everything unfold. She catches herself, just before he catches her and monkey flips him out of the corner. Graves quickly scales the top rope and drops an elbow on Axel. Michael Alexander seizes the moment and levels her with his own clothesline. Graves is down. The moment that Alexander turns around he is levelled by Bryan Axel, who drives his shoulder right into his abdomen as he gets to his feet. Summer is bouncing on her feet and Dom Harter slams Heather Halliwell into the mat with a side slam. Dom Harter lock eyes with Summer and then both look at Bryan Axel. He runs across the ring and tries a cross body block to take both of them out, but they catch him and dump him over the top rope to the ground. Graves and Alexander are both back on the their feet and they walk straight into stereo dropkicks from Harter and Summer and that sends them both stumbling back over the ropes and they fall to the outside. Halliwell tries to sneak up on Harter and Summer, but they are not surprised and they hit her with a stereo inverted atomic drop and then run her over the top rope from behind.

Dick Morosi: Harter and Summer are alone in the ring.

Seth Ericson: Some quality time together.

Harter swings a clothesline, Summer ducks under the attempt and comes up behind Harter, and she locks him around the waist. Harter swings a back elbow, Summer ducks and weaves. Harter tries again, but Summer ducks and weaves in the opposite direction. Summer lets go of the waits lock and quickly takes Harter down with a drop toe hold before he can react. Summer slides over his back and jumps to her feet and Harter pushes himself up. He lunges at Summer who leapfrogs over him and runs at the opposite ropes. She comes back Dom.

Dick Morosi: HANDSPRING BODYBLOCK!

Seth Ericson: Summer scales the ropes.

Dick Morosi: FALLING STARR!

Seth Ericson: Oh My. This could be over early.

ONE!!

TWO!!

Dick Morosi: NOOOO! Michael Alexander is back in the ring and breaks up the pinfall.

Alexander grabs Summer by the hair twisting his finger through her hair for a tighter grip. He slams her face into his knee, not once, not twice but three times. He whips her into the ropes watching her spin as she unfurls from his grip. As Summer rebounds off the ropes. Michael Alexander drills her with his Cerebral Attack spear.

Seth Ericson: This is it!

ONE!

TWO!!

Dick Morosi: Bryan Axel breaks up the pinfall.

Axel gets Alexander into the air drills him with vicious looking spine buster. Axel gets him back up of the mat and sends him crashing into the turn buckles as Alexander stumbles back out from the force of the connection; Axel uses the ropes as a springboard and takes him down with a cutter.

Seth Ericson: That’s the HEAD TRAUMA!

Dick Morosi: Axel is covering. Maybe he can get that three count.

ONE!!

TWO!!

Seth Ericson: NO! NO! NO! Taryn Graves enters the ring and breaks up the count with a dropkick to the face of Axel.

Heather Halliwell is back in the ring and she grabs Taryn Graves from behind and slams the back Graves’ head down into the mat with a sitdown. Halliwell is quickly to her feet and using the bottom rope as a springboard.

Dick Morosi: Cowgirl Ride!

Seth Ericson: That girl can ride me cowgirl any time.

Dick Morosi: Seth! Halliwell with the cover.

ONE!

Dick Morosi: Michael Alexander cuts Dom Harter off.

TWO!

Dick Morosi: Summer and Bryan Axel just watch after they realise who they were swinging at.

THREE!

Seth Ericson: Our first elimination. Let’s leave it to Dave.

David Zinkus: TARYN GRAVES HAS BEEN ELIMINATED FROM THE TWITTER INVITATIONAL!

Seth Ericson: Pier Six… err Five.

Halliwell is jumped by the other four competitors who just laying the boots on her. She is clever enough to trip up Michael Alexander who starts to wear the raining footwear and Heather is able to roll away from the storm of boots on her body. Alexander isn’t having as much luck though and all her can do is cover his head. Bryan Axel, who is at Alexander’s head, picks him off the mat. Halliwell who had got back to her feet grabs Dom from behind and spins him around whips him into the corner and follows with a jumping back elbow. Bryan Axel is holding Alexander for Summer to execute something… ahh, a Superkick. Alexander wriggles free at the last moment and Summer misses Alexander and hits her boyfriend, Axel sending him cartwheeling across the ring. Alexander tries to swing a clothesline but Summer, despite her mistake thinks quickly and BOOM!

Seth Ericson: Summer Solstice!

Dick Morosi: She’s not letting go. She wants to make Alexander tap.

Dom Harter nails Halliwell with a power bomb as she tried to mount him in the corner. He props back onto the second rope and quickly dropped an elbow into her sternum.

Seth Ericson: HE TAPPED! Michael Alexander tapped!

Dick Morosi: Over to you, David.

David Zinkus: MICHAEL ALEXANDER HAS BEEN ELIMINATED FROM THE TWITTER INVITATIONAL!

Seth Ericson: And then there were four.

With Bryan Axel and Heather Halliwell down the mat licking their wounds, Summer and Harter charge each other. Summer is first to react, by jumping and locking her legs around Harter’s face and taking him on a ride with a head scissors takedown. This momentum advantage allows Summer to continue through onto on the ropes and springboard back and smash Harter on the jaw with a dastardly looking back kick.  Harter crumbles on the spot and grabs his jaw. Halliwell is back to her feet now and she grabs Summer and spins her around. A quick kick and a DDT, and Summer is down, but before she even get a cover Bryan Axel comes up behind her and slams her hard into the mat with a waist lock facebuster. Axel goes for the cover but Harter has covered from that kick and grabs Axel from behind and punches him brutally in the kidneys.

Seth Ericson: OH! Axel’s is gonna be pissing blood after that shot.

Harter drags Axel away from the melee and into the centre of the ring. Axel cringes as he is punched underneath the jaw again. Dawson gets in there and warns Harter. Harter short arm clotheslines Axel and then sends him to the mat with a vicious powerslam. Dom Harter, smelling blood picks Bryan Axel up.

Dick Morosi: Here it comes.

Seth Ericson: It’s time for Bryan Axel to say Goodnight to the World!

ONE!!

Summer has Heather by the hair and is slamming her face into the turnbuckle pads.

TWO!!

Halliwell uses a back elbow and reverses the action and she is now slamming Summer’s face into the pads.

THREE!!

Dick Morosi: Another one down and over to you, Dave.

David Zinkus: BRYAN AXEL HAS BEEN ELIMINATED FROM THE TWITTER INVITATIONAL!

Seth Ericson: Three down and three to go.

Dom Harter looks at the two girls fighting in the corner and decides it’s best to leave them to it. Summer regains authority. Summer grabs Halliwell and locks her into a front face lock, and jumps onto the bottom rope and springs off the ropes, taking Halliwell down with a bulldog. Summer maintains the facelock and stands up; she twists Heather around and drops her to the mat, slamming the back of her down in a reverse DDT type manoeuvre. Heather Halliwell looks out of it. Summer senses this. She scales the top ropes.

Seth Ericson: Looks like a Falling Starr is coming.

Dick Morosi: No it doesn’t. Dom Harter has just shoved Summer to prevent her executing her finishing move!

Summer is caught up in the tree of woe position. Harter backs up, and delivers a jumping baseball slide to her face...except that Summer sits up out of the way! Dom slides all the way past her, crotching himself on the ringpost. Summer again takes off, trying for a Falling Starr...but misses! Heather quickly crawls on top of Summer...

ONE!

Seth Ericson: Dom Harter is out of it!

TWO!!

Dick Morosi: Looks like only two left.

THREE!!!

Seth Ericson: I thought Summer had Heather Halliwell dead to rights there, but she missed the Falling Starr!

David Zinkus: SUMMER HAS BEEN ELIMINATED FROM THE TWITTER INVITATIONAL!

Seth Ericson: With only two left. This is going to come down to who wants that shot at Fiona Rourke more.

Dom crawls out of the corner as Heather pulls herself up on the ropes. The two look at each other, Dom on his hands and knees...and Heather rears back and smashes his nose in with her foot!

Dick Morosi: I think Heather Halliwell just broke Dom Harter's face!

Seth Ericson: OH THAT'S DISGUSTING, DICK!

Harter slumps down to the mat, at which point Heather turns her foe into position. The crowd erupts into cheers as she points up into the air, and begins her ascent to the top rope! Pausing to stand up fully and balance herself, Heather launches off!

Seth Ericson: Heather's going for the Yellow Rose!

Dick Morosi: She jumps.

Seth Ericson: She spins. Such elegance.

Dick Morosi: NAILED IT!

Seth Ericson: KNEES! Summer ate the knees. Dom Harter got his knees up and Summer ate them all.

Dom Harter and Summer are both down on the mat. Harter is first to move, he gives his knees a rub. Summer is still on the mat, clutching at her middle. Harter walks over and grabs Summer, he lifts her off the mat with a waist lock and then releases her over his back with a belly to back release suplex. Summer crashes into the mat with a heavy landing, taking it all on her shoulder. Harter follows up and drives a knee down into the shoulder that Summer just landing on. Harter picks Summer up off the mat and sends her back to the canvas with a Samoan Driver.  Harter steps over the top of Summer and she is behind him. Harter looks like he is about to go for the kill, but Summer has enough to roll Harter up from behind.

ONE!

Seth Ericson: Could this be it?

TWO!!


THREE!!!

David Zinkus: DOM HARTER HAS BEEN ELIMINATED FROM THE TWITTER INVITATIONAL! That means the winner of the Twitter Invitational and new top contender to the EXODUS PRO International Title is HEATHER HALLIWELL!!