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We come back from commercial, and we’re finding EXODUS’ Assistant Director and the GM of (R)Evolution Wrestling, Darrin Stearns walking down the hallway. Finding the room he was looking for, Darrin knocks on the door and waits patiently, figuring this wasn’t going to take too long.

Darrin Stearns: Christian? Hey Christian, it’s Darrin.

The door swings open to reveal Christian Kane standing in the doorway, still in his ring gear from his match earlier in the night. Smiling as he sees his friend Kane waves his hand and invites him inside.

Christian Kane: Good to see you, bro. Come in.

Darrin Stearns: Great win tonight, man. I know Chase isn’t a slouch, but you really had that one. I managed to sneak a peek in between trying to reel in Minoru to go over stuff for next week’s show and I’m thinking of hiring an assistant to help with stuff since I’m doing commentary for (R)Evolution while being in charge.

Darrin says this all as he steps in and looks around for a bit, feeling a little nervous.

Darrin Stearns: You should come down and see the show sometime.

Kane nods before collapsing backwards onto a sofa.

Christian Kane: I will, and thanks. Got the ring rust out I think. But you’re right, I’ve been meaning to come to one of your shows for a while now. I have my eye on someone.

Darrin Stearns: That sounds rather ominous. It’s going to be a big deal. Jon’s coming down next week, and apparently so is Daisuke. I just...I need answers as to why he had this Eve girl give me Tiffani’s wedding ring. I’m supposed to talk to Jon later, and I just feel like something isn’t right here.

Shrugging, Kane begins to unwrap his wrist tape as he speaks.

Christian Kane: I’d trust your gut if I was you, something isn’t right here. But hopefully sooner rather than later you’ll find out what’s wrong. Daisuke’s a bad dude for sure, a smart one too. Whatever he’s doing, he’s doing for a reason. We just need to find out what that reason is.

Darrin Stearns: Listen, if you’re coming next week, just...be ready. I don’t know what’s going on there, but I also need to focus on putting on a good show. I just got hired and I don’t want Nicholas to fire me after the first day.

Darrin stops and thinks for a moment, sighing.

Darrin Stearns: So I’ll see you next week?

Christian Kane: Absolutely - and Darrin, I’m always ready. Don’t worry about me.

Darrin smiles and pats his friend on the shoulder.

Darrin Stearns: Man...my first show is going to be a big one. I think I finally have a hand on being a boss.

Darrin attempts to shimmy, but in the end, it just looks like a pathetic white boy dance.

Darrin Stearns: I really have to get better with that.

Christian smacks his forehead in disbelief.

Christian Kane: Man, if you were anyone else I’d kick you outta here for that. But - yes, your first show is going to be awesome. I’ll see to that if nothing else.

Darrin Stearns: I’ll just keep practicing. I can at least strut. I’m getting really good to doing that to the sounds of the Bee Gees.

Christian Kane: You cover the working hard aspect, I’ll cover the playing hard side of it. Deal?

Darrin Stearns: I can handle that. Thanks again, Christian. I’ll catch you soon, Minoru gets cranky when he’s sober.

Again, he pats his friend on the shoulder, shaking his head as he walks off, leaving us to cut back to Dick and Seth.

Dick Morosi: Darrin Stearns keeps adding more names to the first show of his tenure as General Manager of (R)Evolution Wrestling.

Seth Ericson: Daisuke Iwakuma, Jonathan Collins, and Christian Kane all added as guests to a show featuring a Beat the Clock challenge and Black Jones against Brando Martial in the main event! It'll be streaming live on EXODUSPro.com next Monday night!

Dick Morosi: Which means our next match is up right now! Justin Brooks and his new attitude is facing Dan Stein, and it's next!

NORMAL MATCH
JUSTIN BROOKS vs. DAN STEIN

You were my conscience, so solid, now you're like water
And we started drowning, not like we'd sink any further
But I let my heart go, it's somewhere down at the bottom
But I'll get a new one and come back for the hope that you've stolen

I'll stop the whole world, I'll stop the whole world
From turning into a monster eating us alive
Don't you ever wonder how we survive?
Well now that you're gone, the world is ours

David Zinkus: Now coming to the ring...hailing from Atlanta, Georgia...standing at 6'4" and 267 pounds, he is Justin Brooks!

I'm only human, I've got a skeleton in me
But I'm not the villain, despite what you're always preaching.
Call me a traitor, I'm just collecting your victims
And they're getting stronger
I hear them calling.

(Calling, Calling)

I'll stop the whole world, I'll stop the whole world
From turning into a monster eating us alive
Don't you ever wonder how we survive?
Well now that you're gone, the world is ours

A large chorus of cheers erupt from the E-Pro faithful as Justin Brooks appears from the curtain and stands there with a smile on his face as he places his hands on his waist. “Monster” by Paramore continues to blast through the PA system as he keeps his eyes on the middle of the squared circle as he slowly makes his way towards the ring, sliding underneath the bottom rope and quickly standing to his feet and looks amongst the crowd with a large smile on his face. Justin just leaps to the second turnbuckle and throws his hands in the air before leaping down from the turnbuckle.





“The Touch” by Stan Bush plays in the RIMAC Arena, causing the fans to jump to their feet! Dan Stein walks out from the back with Molly, his assistant, next to him. Many of the fans cheer for the blonde haired, blue eyed hunk. Stein wears a white, baby blue and hot pink hoodie vest as well as his traditional white wrestling tights, with hot pink “DAN STEIN” down the left leg and baby blue “THE GOLDEN BOY” lettering, both outlined in gold, and baby blue wrestling boots. As Stein walks down the ramp, he slaps hands with a few of the EXODUS Pro fans. As he quickly makes his way up the stairs, Stein stops at the very top step, looking out at the fans with one of his trademark smirks.

Dan walks to the middle of the ring apron and turns himself around so his back is to the ring before kicking his left leg up and between the top and middle rope, sliding into the ring bending backwards. Stein spins himself through the ring, whipping the hood back. As Stein slows his spin and the music begins to fade, Stein whips off of his vest and throws it out of the ring at Molly. Stein turns around, preparing for his match!

Justin Brooks is super heated, and seemingly sized his opponent well before the match has begun, hunkered down in his corner throned on the second turnbuckle as he stares intently at Dan Stein, who stares readily back but wouldn't dare hold his gaze to the statuesque Brooks who simply mouths "Dead Meat" as the bell rings.

Dick Morosi: Brooks is looking hungrily at Dan Stein. Unflinching, uncompromising!

Seth Ericson: Stein seems ready for the challenge. But you can't blame him for being shaken by standing up to something that has a look like that going in the ring. No sir, Brooks looks like he's been set to kill.

Stein moves around the ring, Brooks surges up from the corner and immediately prowls after him, chasing him backwards into a circling motion before the two clash. Dan let's him come in for his waist, but the skilled technician weaves around into a rear waistlock. Brooks elbows him in the head, using his weight to throw himself around, bring them both to their knees. Twice more he strikes in the head, loosening the grip around his abdomen. He pulls himself around, pulling Stein into a front facelock and delivering several kidney punches before Brooks had fully broken the grip trapping him.

Dick Morosi:Stein may be a capable grappler, but so is Brooks. It's a real task he's putting himself in to simply bring the bruiser to his knees.

Seth Ericson: But those fists! Brooks doesn't even need to be a good grappler to pummel you like that. I can't imagine why the golden kid would want any business trying to take Big Bad Brooks on like that.

On their knees, Brooks hooks over Stein's arm and quickly throws him overhead onto the ground with a pint sized snap suplex, following throw and rolling back on top of him he took over Stein and begins throwing fists and dropping hammering forearms over him. Stein quickly blocks his face with his arms, being hammered upon helplessly.

Seth Ericson: Brooks has him trapped! If he could smash those arms long enough they'd be dust! And then Danny's hard times are really coming!

Dick Morosi: They're close to the outside, Seth! if Stein can get the wherewithal to reach out and pull himself into the ropes he has a chance!

Brooks keeps pounding away, venting his frustrations with each bitter hit. Each hard enough to dust bricks. He eventually hits around Stein's arm, knocking his head to the left where he catches the sight of the bottom rope. Dan quickkly acts, snatching at them and pulling himself to the ropes as Brooks pursues. The ref calls for a count as Dan blocks each blow with his two arms and the rope for security.

Seth Ericson: He just saved himself right there! Thank God he could hear you!

1!

2!

3!

4!

The ref pulls Brooks off, ordering to get off. Justin Brooks raises his arms, backing off as the referee pulls him away from Stein to the opposite end of the ring. Dan Stein collects his breaths, nursing his sore elbows and arms as he gingerly gets back to his feet. He heaves a heavy breath, looking back at Brooks who is hopping in place and urging for him to get up.

Justin Brooks: Give me what you got! Stop huggin' me! FIGHT ME!

Dick Morosi: Brooks looks unimpressed. And sounds frustrated...

Seth Ericson: And Dan Stein is starting to look a bit more wizened up to the task, thankfully. He can't afford to try toppling the mountain, he's got to chip away at it.

Stein surveys his opponent again as Brooks is let free by the ref. Justin claps his hands together as he comes in for a hard punch, only for it to get caught. Dan takes his wrist, twisting it up and yanking Brooks hard into a forearm smash that knocks his taste out! The crowd simmers in a flash.

OOHHHH!

Dick Morosi: That was a deft blow, surgically implanted!

Seth Ericson RIGHT on the button! A lesser man would've been stone cold on the floor!

Justin Brooks collapses in a daze, as the prodigious athlete stomps his head. Brooks rolls his head, turning to his side as Stein sizes him up, dropping in elbow onto his back and pushing away as Brooks swings for him, immediately stalking up behind him and ascending to the top rope. Brooks sees him going up, and lumbers after him. Dan looks ready to leap, but as Brooks closes in he makes a last minute correction and sails over him, tumbling across the mat and rebounding against the ropes and flying at Brooks, giving him a mean dropkick into the corner.

Seth Ericson: Too quick for one of the swiftest big guys in our promotion!

He sizes Justin up in the corner, and comes rushing in. Looking for a body splash he leaps at Brooks who heaves a breath and sidesteps the oncoming Stein. Dan lands clean on the second rope, but Brooks is right behind him and bulldozes his massive frame right onto the opponent. Toppling him to a seat, the double over Stein is helpless as Brooks hoists him up, using the space on the ropes to powerbomb him straight into the center of the ring. Brooks kneels over him, going for the pin.

1!



2!



Dan Stein throws his shoulder up!

Dick Morosi: The kid still holds on! But Brooks is done fooling around.

Seth Ericson: The look in his eyes says "No Quarter Given." As he seems poised to take our boy Danny out right here.

Brooks shakes his head, hooking Stein by the neck he hoists his limp body off the mat. He gives him a stiff European uppercut, that sends him stumbling back into the ropes. Brooks cracks a smile, wiping the sweat off his brow.

Justin Brooks: No Fly Zone, Booster!

He spits as he grabs Stein who chops at him, swatting Brooks in the chest a good couple times before Brooks stumbles back before returning with a gut busting knee. Stein heaves, slinking over the ropes but holding on. Big Bad Brooks rolls his eyes, pulling him off the ropes. He slings Stein back, throwing a clotheslines that he ducks. Brooks shakes his head furiously as Stein comes back at him, throwing his all into a running knee that Brooks jukes by. He splashes on the mat in a whiff but quickly rebounds desperate to pick up steam but as he turns around he is met head on as Brooks spears him dip into the corner so hard it sends the bruiser from Georgia tumbling out of the ring.

Dick Morosi: Stein just got SMEARED across his own corner!

Seth Ericson: Wrap that one up! It's over.

Brooks dusts his hands off as he gets to his feet, looking back at the splayed out Dan Stein as he pulls himself back into the ring. And pulls Dan's arms out of the corner, making the cover.

1...





2....





And somehow Stein throws his leg back onto the rope!

Seth Ericson: Why does this kid still want to be here?!

Justin Brooks shakes his head, mouthing "Big Mistake" under his breath as he dragged Dan Stein to the middle of the ring and threw him to his knees. He stands behind Stein, now stalking him. He watches over him, waiting for him to pull himself to his feet before clubbing him from behind and bringing him back to his knees. Coming around to the front, he pulls him up by his head, hoisting Stein onto his shoulders and delivering him hard with a Hook ‘N Ladder into the mat. Dan folds up nicely, and Brooks irons him out flat in the middle of the ring and covers him for the pin.

1.



2.



3.

The bell rings and the winner's music plays as Brooks sits upright. He wipes the sweat away and stands up with his hand raised.

Dick Morosi: Quite the decisive end there. Dan Stein fought hard on many fronts. But Brooks was a juggernaut tonight.

Seth Ericson: He got a good few hits in. But Brooks was just ready to end him at every turn. It's hard to blame the guy for being lined up against such a beastly encounter this week.

Dick Morosi: Indeed. You can't get more clear in raw power and explosiveness than Justin Brooks.

The Big Bad Brooks walks over the recovering Dan Stein carelessly, climbing out of the ring and raising his arm spitefully to the crowd as he stands on the apron before hopping down and making his way to the back while we cut away.

WINNER: Justin Brooks

Dick Morosi: Justin Brooks just once again proved he's well on a roll with this victory.

Seth Ericson: Dan was game, but Justin's on a mission right now, and this is a damn shame.

Dick Morosi: Justin Brooks is your big winner, let's head backstage.

The camera cuts to a dark locker room, the camera panning across the various Japanese themed artifacts lining the room itself. Despite the objects looking happy in nature, in this light they looked almost demented, dim glows here and there before it zoomed in on the man who sat at the center. A burlap sack over his head, the creature tilted his neck slightly, looking into the souls of many even if nobody else had been able to see those eyes of his.

??: Japan...

Numerous boos flooded the airwaves, a look of contentment presumably over his face upon hearing that sound.

??: Lifer will fall.

More jeers and boos sounded across the arena, his head straightening out again. His voice sounded altered, deeper and changed with a device at his neck over the sack itself.

Dick Morosi: Is that... Christum Furor?

??: Such as Godzilla, he will no longer be with us once this night is over. Such as the book is written, we of the Gods & Monsters foresee it clearly, see it as surely as we see tomorrow. This New Age calls for it, this new day arriving when that pitiful 'hero' realizes the error of his ways and when you all witness the tragedy, the never ending great fall of the man who once stood by our side, you'll all realize that hope is merely a word with no meaning appointed to it.

The man stood up, the crowd beginning to grow silent as they let the man speak. The masked creature as it were, walked back and forth briefly, pacing the locker room with a disgusted walk to him, an annoyed attitude in every movement he made that caught the attention of everyone watching, a Nirvana T-shirt underneath his leather jacket.

Seth Ericson: Something seems fishy about this, Dick.

Dick Morosi: That voice modifier... I think you might be right.

??: The World Champion will reign for months upon years, will take over this company with no one to oppose! A new dawn has arrived and let me tell you, I see it in my visage that this won't just be some run of the mill event either, nor will it be remembered for simply a brief moment in time. This reign will be historic, changing THE FACE OF WRESTLING FOREVER and there's nothing you, nor anyone else can ever do about it!

A soft chuckle left his lips, his demonic voice chilling plenty to the bone.

??: Have you given up yet? Have you called it in and packed your bags, EXODUS? What are you waiting for? Me to conquer the wrestling world as a whole or are you just too deluded to see the truth standing right before you? Idiotic, that hope you all have. It's pitiful. When this is all over, you'll see that my word is true - Jon Collins will finally understand where I'm coming from, and Zack Lifer? Well...

He scoffed once more, standing for the camera, his eyes glaring at everyone watching with an intense glow about him, his fists tightened.

??: Zack Lifer will be nothing. He'll realize his mistake in helping Jimmy Riley was a foolish one. He'll never reach the position of unlimited power I hold within my grasps, he'll never hold another championship in his possession!

With that, a gloved hand gripped at his imaginary idea, holding it tight and strangling the life out of it.

??: You'll thank me one day, you'll bow at my feet for the change I will implement. Wrestling will evolve, just as we have. Wrestling will become the SPORT OF GODS and it will all be because of me and my army, all because of my hapless lackeys who blindly follow me like sheep!

Seth Ericson: 'Lackeys?'

Dick Morosi: That's not him, Seth. Someone's trying to pull a prank on us. And let me tell you, it's not very funny.

Seth Ericson: Speak for yourself. I actually find it mesmerizing. Whoever this guy is, he's doing a hell of a job at convincing me he's right.

His face leaned closer to the screen, all that could be seen were the burlap sack where the eyes would be, a chilling feeling going down several spines.

??: In Christum Furor we trust and in Zack Lifer—

With that, the man suddenly tore his mask away, ripping off the voice modifier with a intense, bloodshot look in his eye, spiking the technology to the floor with a dynamic thud.

Zack Lifer: WE TAKE DOWN GODS AND MONSTERS AND PUT AN END TO THIS WAR ONCE AND FOR ALL!

Seth Ericson: LIFER?! What the hell is going on?!?

Dick Morosi: He's lost it. He's officially lost it.

The madman stripped off his leather jacket, tossing it to the floor of his locker room, leaning forward again so only his eyes showed, a less than apathetic expression across his face.

Zack Lifer: They'll all burn in the flames of their misdeeds if its the last thing I'll ever do, and if you don't believe me, have at it. Just sit back and enjoy the ride. I'll make you proud to be an EXODUS fan and I'll do what its taken so long for anyone else to possibly do in this company - I'll shut Magnus Gunner up and leave him SPEECHLESS whether it KILLS ME OR NOT!

With that, the camera flickers off and joins Seth and Dick once again, Seth shaking his head and Dick trying to make sense out of what just happened, and we go to commercial.

We come back from commercial, and inside the office of Jonathan Collins happens to be the newest signing of EXODUS Pro, Kerry Windsor. It’s no secret Windsor and Collins go back a few years, so the arrival of Windsor in EXODUS should be of no surprise to anyone. As the two of them seem to be sitting at the desk, Jonathan Collins reaches into his suit pocket to produce a pen.

Jonathan Collins: Alright, this will just finalize everything, Kerry. Sign on the dotted line and we’ll have you officially set for EXODUS Pro.

Kerry glances down at the paperwork, a smile creeping onto his face.

Kerry Windsor: Kerry Windsor in EXODUS Pro. I think the fanboys are going to shoot their loads off of this one Jon.

He reaches out and takes the pen, as he glances over the fine print of the contract once more. Seeing that everything is to his approval, he makes it official with his signature. Sliding the signed contract back over towards Jon, Kerry glanced up at the boss and smirked.

Kerry Windsor: So I guess this is officially the beginning of a new journey.

Jonathan Collins: It’s one more run. Believe me, you’re about to get tested by some of the best wrestlers I’ve ever seen, and I have a feeling you’re going to fit right in. In fact, I know you will. I know you, Kerry. I’ve known you for years. And unlike some of the people that we’ve known mutually like Corey Ashton, I have a feeling you’ll last longer than a cup of coffee. And hey, you may even find a rival better than Stevie here.

Jonathan chuckles a bit before standing up and offering his hand to Kerry.

Jonathan Collins: To the next adventure.

Kerry can’t help but to chuckle at Jon’s comments.

Kerry Windsor: EXODUS is loaded with talent, and honestly that’s why I’m here. I look around this place and I see a locker room full of names that would without a doubt be top tier anywhere else. I love a challenge. I welcome them actually. Nothing has come easy for me my whole life Jon, and I don’t expect that to change now. To the next adventure, may it be the greatest one of them all.

Kerry extends his hand to meet Jon’s and gives it a firm shake. Without hesitation, Collins nods and pats his friend on the shoulder.

Jonathan Collins: I know The Crucible wasn’t your night...but I expect you to be where I know you can be sooner than later. Go get ‘em, man.

Kerry Windsor: Much sooner than later, Jon. Much.

The seriousness can be detected in his tone as he says this. Kerry gives one final nod, before turning away and heading towards the door and out of the scene.

Dick Morosi: Looks like it's all official now! Kerry Windsor is a part of EXODUS Pro!

Seth Ericson: I should hope so, considering he's facing Chuck Matthews tonight. I'd hate for us to have a match booked with someone that doesn't even work here.

Dick Morosi: Two people that DO work here are Kameron Chase and Christian Kane, and they're going one on one...next!

NORMAL MATCH
KAMERON CHASE (EXODUS Pro TAG TEAM Champion) vs. CHRISTIAN KANE

David Zinkus: The following contest is scheduled for one fall!

The Union Underground's "Natural High" plays over the sound system and Kameron Chase makes his way out onto the staging area; a smug grin on his face as he glances around the arena through his Aviators while a blue spotlight shines down on him.

David Zinkus: Introducing first! From Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania weighing in tonight at two hundred and ten pounds, he is one half of the EXODUS Tag Team Champions… Kameron! CHASE!

Raising his shades up onto his head, Kameron starts down the ramp towards the ring at a relatively slow pace, completely ignoring the fans on either side of him. As the instrumental takes over, he hops up onto the apron on one knee. Holding onto the middle rope, he takes one last glance around the arena before getting to his feet and climbing into the ring through the ropes.

Seth Ericson: Kameron Chase is living on cloud nine right now. The Ninth Gate returned at Absent Are the Saints, and recaptured the Tag Team Championships. For a guy that was concerned about his legacy being dragged through the mud by Nate Soto, it’s safe to say his legend has only grown.

Dick Morosi: Yeah, but he needed distractions from the other members of HATE to do it. If you ask me, his accomplishment has an asterisk beside it.

Seth Ericson: It doesn’t matter how you get it done, as long as you get it done, Dick. Quit playa hating, alright? Kamo-Mac is a bonafied stud.

Dick Morosi: Speaking of studs...



The guitars and drums of the timeless Bon Jovi classic kick in throughout the arena as Christian Kane makes his way through the curtain and onto the stage. Pink and gold lights focus on the Canadian Sensation and flash rapidly, drawing attention to him as the lights quickly begin to illuminate his silhouette.

David Zinkus: And his opponent! From Toronto, Ontario, Canada, weighing in tonight at two hundred and twenty-six pounds… ladies and gentleman this is Christian! KANE!

With a smirk Kane instantly proceeds to strut down the ramp as he slicks back his hair. He stops at ringside, attracting attention his 'FUCK YOUR DOLPHIN' t-shirt with a grin before smirking and pushing the camera to the side. The grin turns into a disgusted scowl as the fans in the HBS Hall cheer for the new face as the music continues to play throughout the arena. Kane meanwhile waves his hand and makes his way around to the left side of the ring, walks up the steel steps then climbs the turnbuckle.

With one foot on the top turnbuckle and one on the second rope, Kane holds his arms out to his side and tenses his muscles, inciting an extremely loud reaction from the audience in attendance once more (mainly from the female demographic to be specific). His signature smirk now replaced by a frown, Kane now hops off the turnbuckle and into the ring.

Walking across the ring the Martyred Mercenary jumps on the second rope, blowing a kiss into the crowd as cheers rain out from the die-hard EXODUS Pro faithful. As the music slowly fades, Kane hops off the rope and walks to his corner, preparing for the match ahead.

Dick Morosi: Christian Kane returned to EXODUS Pro as a mystery entrant in The Crucible, and he sure didn’t waste much time in making an impact.

Seth Ericson: That’s an understatement. He went right at Brett Sands like a dog chasing a car, and both guys ended up getting eliminated. That grudge cost him an opportunity at the World Championship. I don’t know how smart that was on Kane’s part, Dick.

Dick Morosi: Kane and Sands are building up to an eventual showdown, Seth. That much is obvious. They’ll eventually settle their differences one on one. As for right now, well Kane has a golden opportunity to reestablish himself in the eyes of the EXODUS brass if he can get a win against one half of the Tag Team champions.

Seth Ericson: Easier said than done. I’ll tell you one thing though, I’ve been looking forward to this for two weeks. We’ve got two competitive prima donnas matching horns. It’s the battle of the egos!

*DING! DING! DING!*

The two competitors meet in the center of the ring, their arms twisting together in a classic collar and elbow tie, whereupon Chase immediately ducks down, exploiting his quickness to try and slip behind Kane. Kamo-Mac pushes an arm away from his left side, allowing his movement to free up, allowing him to strafe behind his adversary in response. The Pittsburgian then reaches down, and attempts to wrap his arms around the Canadian’s leg. His hands slowly come together, but they don’t clasp quickly enough. Christian drops down so that his free knee is bent, whilst his hands descend at the same time, their momentum combined with the kneel allows him to encircle his hands around the Tag Champ’s wrists before they have a chance to lock in.

Kane attempts to push the two hands apart, but Chase initially resists him, though he is ultimately unable to stop the veteran from getting total arm control. Kane begins to stand, dragging Kamo-Mac to a vertical base as well. With Kameron’s arms spread far enough apart, Christian makes his move. His right hand relinquishes the wrist it had captured, and shoots over to The Natural Disaster’s left wrist, now holding it with both hands. Kane crouches down, sliding beneath the arm, and ducking around to get his adversary in an arm wrench. Having immobilized his opponent, CK is able to apply tremendous pressure to the aforementioned limb as he cranks the hold. He increases the angle at which it’s brought up, the added leverage coercing the rest of Kameron’s body down, nearly reducing him to his knees.

Dick Morosi: Chase tried to use his speed to get an early advantage, but Christian neutralized him. It appears as if Kane’s plan is to outwrestle him on the mat, Seth.

Seth Ericson: Not sure if that’s wise. Don’t get me wrong, Christian is one of the best technical wrestlers in the world. But so is Kamo-Mac. Trying to go mat wrestling-on-mat wrestling is like the unstoppable force and the immovable object.

Chase wasn’t panicking, nor was he trapped. The Tag Champ brings his right hand up, tapping his left shoulder a couple more times as if in an attempt to limber it up, whilst being twisted all the while. The hand suddenly drops to the mat, and the impact spurs the Pittsburgian into motion as he goes for his daring escape. His body rolls forward in a grounded somersault, his arm un-twisting in the process as he pulls Kane with him. He then rolls back just as quickly as he came forward, using the sudden motion to try and throw his adversary off-balance. It’s a standard counter in this predicament - which means Christian Kane knows how to block it. As Kamo-Mac was moving back, his momentum was brought to an abrupt halt mid-roll as the Canadian forcefully yanked his limb to the canvas, twisting the captured appendage at a more extreme degree than before.

To counter the escape, CK went for a rather unorthodox counter. While Chase rolled in reverse, the Canadian maneuvered his frame in the opposite direction, spinning clockwise to treat his foe’s arm as though it were a leg held for a Dragon Screw Legwhip. However, it’s important to note that the arm is much easier to manipulate than a leg, and Chase’s shoulder nearly tears right out of it’s socket as a result. He grimaces and yelps in obvious pain, instinctively grabbing his injured shoulder and retreating in response to the agony. Even the crowd groans, looking on as Kane releases the hold. Looking to keep his edge, the Canadian Sensation charges forward with a forearm reared back and ready to land. Fortunately for Chase, his veteran instincts give him enough time to circumvent the attack as Kane’s elbow comes crashing down into the turnbuckle. The Pittsburgian moves off to his right, marching along the side of the ring, keeping his back on the ropes so he won’t let Kane out of his sight. One little slip could mean another charge. A good thing too, as Kane turns right around toward him with another elbow measured at his head. Chase keeps treading backward, trying to keep his distance. CK, however, is not about to let him get away as he quickly closes the gap. The elbow cuts through the air, and Chase unable to run away, opts to drop down and duck. The elbow hits nothing but air, but Kamo-Mac’s position allows Kane to come back with a Dropkick, as the Pennsylvanian’s head snaps back whilst his entire body falls to the mat.

Dick Morosi: Kane is coming out like a house of fire, Seth. He’s not giving Chase a second to breathe at the beginning of this contest.

Seth Ericson: Nor should he. He knows how deadly an opponent Kamo-Mac is. He’s got the game right keeping the pressure up. He’s in there with a two time EXPRO Tag Team Champion, so you’ve gotta use every edge you’ve got.

Dick Morosi: If this pace keeps up, we may not be able to keep up with the action.

Seth Ericson: Which is odd, because I never imaged CK to be a minute-man. That'll cost him points with the chicks for sure.

With Chase on the canvas, Kane immediately vies for the pinfall, putting his forearm across his foe’s unhurt shoulder, figuring that there’s no way he’ll be able to use the other one after the beating he gave it.

”ONE!”

“TWO!”

The count is brought to an abrupt halt as Chase manages to shoot his wounded shoulder up. Kane somewhat hisses in frustration, as he thought he did enough to get the early victory. Immediately shaking it off, CK grabs the hurt arm with both hands and pulls at it, Kamo-Mac standing back up as quickly as his body would allow due to the pain shot through his impaired limb, not wanting to let his shoulder sustain anymore damage. Once he’s on his feet, the Canadian slowly twists the arm again, moving out from beneath it, applying a textbook Armbar. But he doesn’t stay on it for too long, as he presses forward whilst keeping his hands on the wrist to push his adversary into the ropes. As soon as Kamo-Mac hits the ring ropes, Kane pulls him back for an Irish Whip. Chase is sent across the ring, meanwhile Christian leans into the ropes. With Kam on the rebound, the Canadian charges right at him, cocking his arm back for a Clothesline. However, Chase thinks fast on his feet, and manages to duck in time to avoid having his head taken off.

Chase keeps running forward, hitting the opposite side ropes while Kane drops down onto his chest expecting Kamo-Mac to simply leap over him upon his rebound. However, pre-empting the tactic, the Tag Champ checks his momentum in time to drop down with a basement Dropkick to the side of the head. The impact of the maneuver sends Kane rolling onto his back as his brainpan assimilates the damage that it just sustained. With the upper hand now, Kamo-Mac stalks the Canadian Sensation as he stumbles to his feet, then quickly slips behind him to apply a Half Nelson before pulling him back to drive him into the canvas, holding on for the pinfall.

Dick Morosi: A big Half Nelson Suplex. Chase took advantage of Kane’s mistake, and now he’s in firm control of things.

”ONE!”

“TWO!”

Seth Ericson: Christian with the kickout. I guess he’s full of stamina after all. False alarm girls.

Chase looks up at Chris Dawson, questioning the speed of the count, but is quick to stop his complaining as he opts to get back on task. He strides over to the now kneeling Kane and grabs him around the head. He drives a series of forearms right into the Canadian’s visage, then slaps on a Front Facelock. Before The Natural Disaster can follow up, Christian demonstrates his ring acumen, and more importantly his awareness as he places his arms around Chase’s sternum and lifts him into the air before charging at the corner to ram him into the turnbuckles. The impact of the maneuver slams all the wind out of Kamo-Mac’s lungs - both sending the veteran falling to the canvas and giving CK some essential recovery time as he backpedals into the middle of the ring. Having recuperated enough, Christian charges at the Pittsburgian. Kameron ducks in a nice show of agility, and is able to trip him down with a Drop Toe Hold. Kameron quickly grasps the trapped leg, attempting to keep Kane grounded whilst pondering as to what he’ll do next. While he deliberates, the Canadian reaches for the ropes with his stocky frame, stretching out his hand feverishly. As he concentrates on his potential escape route, the equally as seasoned veteran heaves his foe from the ropes as soon as he reaches the cables.

With his escape thwarted, Kane realizes that time is certainly of the essence, understanding that he can’t allow Chase to get his other leg and possibly turn him over into a Figure Four. With a sense of urgency, the Handsome Drifter places his palms on the mat and then places his free foot on the canvas to push himself to a stand, despite Kamo-Mac still clinging to the rest of his foundation. Knowing he doesn’t have the positioning to attempt an Enzuigiri, Christian wisely flops to the mat - his weight then shifts like an artful pendulum, enough for him to retract his leg with Chase still holding it. As the Pittsburgh native is reeled in, Kane wraps his hands around the crown of his foe’s head and slips his free leg around the back of Kamo-Mac’s skull. Now with control, CK seizes the remaining arm holding his leg, and pulls it into his own torso to effectively subdue and secure the Tag Champ in a Triangle Choke reversal, his resiliency and well documented amatuer wrestling background paying dividends.

Seth Ericson: Kane has got so many wrinkles to his game, Dick. Kameron seemed to have him right where he wanted him, but CK had other ideas.

Dick Morosi: Indeed he did, he’s got that Triangle Choke locked in. That countering ability is just another one of Kane’s skills, and now Chase finds himself in a perilous position.

Chase’s air intake is immediately restricted by the Canadian’s pale legs, his gears grinding as he tries to contemplate a way to escape, yet doesn’t think fast enough as the oxygen deprivation begins to disorient him. With another man hanging off of him, Kameron reaches out for the ropes, raising up off his knees with a loud groan and a grunt through his nose, and climbs up to his feet with two hundred and twenty-six pounds of dead weight underneath him. As the Canadian is raised, his shoulders flatten on the canvas, Chris Dawson dropping down to count the pinfall.

”ONE!”

“TWO!”

Kane contorts his body, raising a shoulder from the surface as he continues to bind his adversary's neck. Another grunt escapes from Chase’s nose as his body trembles and stumbles in his progress to stand, attempting once more to influence his foe to relinquish the hold with another pin attempt.

”ONE!”

“TWO!”

Kane comes through once more with the shoulder; Chase’s frustration growing stronger the longer he’s trapped in the submission. With one final attempt left in him, Kameron yells, and is able to channel a sudden burst of adrenaline which allows him to power himself up and lift the Canadian Sensation’s dead weight off of the mat. As his midsection strains from the impressive feat, the Tag Champion hoists his foe roughly chest level, then thrusts him back down again, driving his opponent onto the back of his head - enough to cause a break of the cruel chokehold that had hindered him so much.

Dick Morosi: That was an incredible sequence right there. Chase looked to be fading away, but somehow he managed to power out of that chokehold.

Seth Ericson: I don’t know why you’re so shocked. He’s a two time Tag Champion here in EXPRO and a world renowned athlete.

Dick Morosi: You’re perfectly right. It’s just hard to pay attention to that when he’s cheating and acting like a total scumbag nine out of ten times.

Seth Ericson: You better hope he didn’t hear that. You might get banned from his strip joint, and you don't want that. I hear the ladies there are top of the line.

After landing the impromptu Powerbomb Kameron stumbles back onto his tailbone, before letting himself collapse onto the canvas. Christian looks momentarily stunned and out of it, but it doesn’t look like The Natural Disaster will be able to capitalize off of his disorientation due to the Triangle Choke taking a great deal out of him, both physically and mentally. Both men remain motionless on the canvas forcing Chris Dawson to move into the center of the ring to check up on their conditions. Upon conducting his brief examination, the striped shirt official realizes he has no choice but to start his ten-count.

”ONE…”

“TWO…”

“THREE…”

“FOUR…”

Kameon slowly recuperates as he finally opens his weary eyes up and looks around the ring, his pupils falling on Christian who lies in the same lifeless position.

”FIVE….”

“SIX….”

Kane rolls onto his knees and keeps his palms dug into the canvas in an effort to lift himself up, slowly crawling towards the ropes to use them as a crutch to elevate himself. The Natural Disaster does the same, which forces Dawson to stop his count. Both competitors struggle to get up, venturing towards opposite sides of the squared circle to lunge forward and latch onto the ring cables. The two Middleweights pull themselves back up to their full respective states of verticality and lean on the ropes in an effort to recover before continuing the match. Chase makes the first move, advancing towards his still-recovering foe to lunge forward with his boot. The Canadian Sensation turns around and takes a step forward, quickly leaning to the side and catching Chase’s ankle once again - this causes the Pittsburgian to trip and land on the second rope. With Kamo-Mac caught in the cables like a fly in an arachnid's web, Christian Kane makes a rush towards the opposite side, leaps onto the second rope, then springboards back to raise his left leg up and drive his boot into the side of the Tag Champion’s head. The strike brings yet another gasp of horror and excitement from the crowd, as the effects of the vile kick reverberates throughout the HBS Hall.

Seth Ericson: #STUDLIFE! Kane might have this match in the bag now, along with Kamo-Mac’s head.

Dick Morosi: Yet another stunning move on the part of Christian Kane. That Springboard Roundhouse Kick may indeed be the beginning of the end for Kameron Chase.

Kane motions to the crowd, clapping his hand and throwing them into the air to get the audience going. He begins stomping his boot into the canvas in an almost rhythmical motion. As Chase begins to stir, the stomps get louder and louder, with the teaming masses of humanity slapping the guardrails to add to the growing commotion. Like a viper, coiled and ready to strike, CK waits for his adversary to rise. Chase does just that, as the disturbed peace not only confuses him, but aids him as he climbs to his feet. Chase, looking to investigate what all the fuss is about, spins around to get to the bottom of it all only to see a Superkick-sent boot come speeding to his countenance. With a loud, snapping sound, the palms of Chase slap the appendage to catch it inches away from his own mug. Both men stand wide-eyed, Christian hobbling on one foot as his other leg rests in the clutches of the man he just tried to render unconscious with his patented knockout blow. Showing a significant amount of wrestling thought and wits, the Canadian kips up off his lower leg to swing it up for an Enziguri attempt. However, Kameron was waiting for it, and immediately ducks, causing Kane to miss and belly flop to the canvas as a result.

Wasting no time, Chase bends down to capture Kane’s other leg, quickly wrapping it around his waist in a wheelbarrow hold. From there he flourishes his deceptive strength once more, sliding his hands up to apply a Gutwrench before pulling CK off the canvas to lift him up into the air -- in one swift and fluid motion he throws him back, depositing his head and neck on the surface of the ring. Chase bridges his hips and keeps the waistlock applied, pinning the Canadian’s shoulders down to the mat.

Dick Morosi: There’s a Wheelbarrow Suplex from the Tag Team Champion. Business has picked up and this is really becoming a great match.

”ONE!”

Seth Ericson: Dropped him right on his head like the Maple Leafs drop the ball every single season.

”TWO!”

Kane bucks his body to the side to escape the pin, then lies on his stomach for a moment due to pure exhaustion. Chase sits up and thinks for a few moments, whilst catching his breath. Seeing Kane lying face down tells Kameron that he’s in the driver’s seat, and is a few big moves away from sealing the victory. The Pittsburgian quickly takes action once again, grabbing Christian by the hair and pulling him back up. The Canadian is brought into the middle of the ring where Chase applies an arm wrench before guiding him toward the corner. The Tag Champion props himself up onto the top turnbuckle, then takes a moment to gather his balance and equilibrium before walking the literal tightrope along the top ring cable. Realizing what his opponent has in store, the quick thinking Canadian immediately charges at the ropes, bypassing the pain shooting through his bent arm to tug on the ropes. Due to this, Kamo-Mac loses his footing, dropping down to crotch the rope before flipping over to fall back inside the ring.

Seth Ericson: He's going to feel that in the morning.

Dick Morosi: I'm feeling it right now, as is Christian Kane who has regained the advantage.

With Chase suffering from the blow to his reproductive organ, CK realizes that this is the perfect opportunity to try his signature aerial maneuver, so he grabs the ankles of the irritable Tag Champ and drags him away from the ropes. With Kamo-Mac positioned diagonal to the sides to the ring, the Handsome Drifter slowly marches into the corner. He takes his time ascending the turnbuckles, as his climb comes off as a much tougher task than he had anticipated thanks in part to the fatigue factor. Eventually, he’s able to overcome his exhaustion, and stands at the very top of the ring as those in the HBS Hall stand on their feet in anticipation of his daring leap. Blowing a kiss to the masses, the showman jumps off the top rope with a Moonsault attempt - only for Chase to roll out of dodge. However, instead of crashing and burning on the canvas the Canadian lands on his feet with catlike reflexes, though he stumbles back a few feet due to his uncontrollable momentum.

Meanwhile, Chase wheels back up to a vertical base, pulling himself up in the corner whilst counting his lucky stars, knowing if Kane would have landed on him with the splash that his night would’ve been over. He’s not out of harm’s way yet though, as Christian suddenly comes charging in with reckless abandon. Demonstrating his wherewithal, the Tag Team Champion circumvents his foe, causing Kane to crash into the turnbuckles, allowing him to make a run for the ropes.

Dick Morosi: Here it comes!

Seth Ericson: THREE MILE ISLAND BABY!

Chase scores with a vile kick to his foe’s lower back, causing Kane to fall out of the corner and drop to the canvas like a sack of potatoes. Wasting no time in going for the cover, Kameron immediately drops down to hook one of Christian’s legs, watching as Chris Dawson slides into position to begin the count.

”ONE!”

“TWO!”

The Canadian Sensation raises his shoulder and breaks the pin. Dawson jumps back up to his feet and raises two fingers into the air to show the failed three count. Kamo-mac rolls off of his inanimate opponent and remains sprawled next to him, his chest heaving heavily as he remains shocked and in utter belief that he didn’t get the win. Chase crawls away from his foe, desperately racking his brain for one more idea, one more quick fix. His eyes light up after a few tense seconds of contemplation, and almost as if he is experiencing a second wind, The Natural Disaster pushes himself to his once unsteady feet. Looking down at his stirring foe, Kameron's hand makes a quick slashing motion across his throat.

Seth Ericson: Looks like Kamo-Mac's ready to end things.

The groggy Canadian slowly gets to his feet while Chsse patiently waits. Once CK is standing, Kam turns him around, quickly kicking him in the solarplexus to double him over. The Tag Champ then crouches in front of his opponent, grabbing hold of the Canadian's legs before standing up to lift him upside down and to his shoulders. Thinking fast to counter his foe's finishing maneuver, Kane squirms himself free before coercing Chase to the mat in a Sunset Pin. However, before Dawson can even make the count Kamo-Mac uses the momentum to roll trough, quickly scrambling to his knees to lift Kane's legs up and pin his shoulders to the canvas.

"ONE!"

"TWO!"

Christian convulses his whole body once to halt the pin, rolling back to a knee with Chase following suit. Both men look to get to their feet, which Kane doing do first, allowing him to charge forward with a Clothesline. Chase sidesteps him, then slips behind the Canadian to pull him down into a School Boy Pin.

"ONE!"

"TWO!"

Christian throws his body back to break the count, flipping over and landing on his stomach in the process. Reeling and in desperate need of creating some breathing room, Kane slides back into the corner. As he tries to get to his feet, Chase scrambles to his and immediately sprints for the corner. As The Natural Disaster comes charging in, Kane sidesteps out of the corner and the two meet in the middle of the ring- with CK's boot firmly planted in the face of the EXODUS Tag Team Champion.

Dick Morosi: RIGHT IN THE TEETH! SSK OUT OF NOWHERE!

Seth Ericson: That was a bit of chin music that Brett Sands heard all the way in the lockeroom!

The battered and enervated Kane simply collapses down onto his unconscious foe, leaning back as he hooks both legs for the pinfall.

"ONE!"

"TWO!"

"THREE!"

WINNER: Christian Kane

"You Give Love a Bad Name" starts, and the crowd erupts as the referee holds up Kane's hand in victory.

Dick Morosi: And his return kicks off with a bang! Kane is the victor, but Kameron Chase was super game!

Seth Ericson: I can't even lie at this point. Chase was awesome tonight, but Christian Kane is a legend for a reason, and he came proper at The Handsome Drifter!

Dick Morosi: Kane shakes off that ring rust and gets himself closer to a collision course with Brett Sands at Ascendency. For now, let's take a commercial break!

We come back from a brief commercial break to have David Cross, Ambrosia, and Devilkiller all standing in the ring and awaiting their other opponent, Cthulu Jones, but before anything can happen, Justin Brooks comes out from the back in a black suit, charging into the ring and crushing the people inside the ring! He lifts up Ambrosia...HOOK & LADDER! REMINDER TO CROSS! REMINDER TO DEVILKILLER! This crowd is stunned as Brooks continues his rampage, shocked at who they see now as a person instead of the man that once came to Japan!

Dick Morosi: Justin Brooks has been on a rampage!

Seth Ericson: You're telling me! Brooks just dropped three people all on his own, and that vicious lariat of his is a firm reminder that he might just be one of the most vicious and cruel men in EXODUS Pro.

Dick Morosi: I think what's more concerning is that Brooks happens to be in a black suit like the rest of Cleon Gray's goons. I don't know what's going on here, but I'd be real concerned.

Seth Ericson: This just doesn't seem good to me.

Dick Morosi: I couldn't even agree more. Let's head backstage.

We now go backstage where Tom Matheny is with Christian Kane.

Tom Matheny: Ladies and gentlemen, I am thrilled right now to be joined by the returning Christian Kane!

Still dressed in street clothes Kane nods at Matheny who then continues.

Tom Matheny: Now I’d like to start this interview off by asking the question that has been on everybody's lips - why have you returned?

Christian Kane: You know, I thought I made myself clear in The Crucible. Unfortunately for me I wasn’t able to embarrass and humiliate Brett Sands when I was sitting on my sofa up in Toronto, so I figured if I wanted to make it a habit, which I do - then this is the best place to do it. I’ve always known that I still had it, it was just about finding the right time.

Tom Matheny: So, the only reason you’ve returned is for Sands?

Christian scratches his face as he takes a moment to answer the question.

Christian Kane: We’ll see what happens. After I kick that goof’s teeth down his throat the sky's the limit. The way I see it, this is a one time deal for him. He doesn’t get another shot at me after this. All he’s ever talked about since I suspended his ass is how he can’t wait to get his hands on me, how he’s going to crush me. Typical big guy bullshit. If he wants to back up his words for the first time in his life, then he’s welcome to, the only good it’ll serve is my boot flying into his jaw. I came back here to achieve the things that I should have achieved the past two times I’ve been here, Tom. When my career is over I don’t want people to look back and say that I was a bit part player in this place. This is my home now, gold looks good on me - so after I’m done with Sands I’m taking a title.

Tom Matheny: I understand that it’s not just about titles though, am I right?

Christian Kane: To a degree. I want to prove to people that I’m the best. Defeating a champion is a logical step towards doing so. But I don’t want to get ahead of myself, tonight it’s Kameron Chase, then it’s Brett Sands.

The resident EXODUS Pro interviewer/report nods before asking his next question with a wry smile.

Tom Matheny: Speaking of Kameron Chase, first time back in the ring since late last year, any nerves?

The Handsome Drifter laughs before shaking his head.

Christian Kane: Absolutely not. I’ve reached a point in my career where I don’t get nervous anymore. There will be ring rust, of that I’m sure, but Kameron Chase isn’t exactly fresh in the ring either. I’m confident in my abilities, I’m damn sure confident that I can beat him, but we’ll just have to wait and see.

Tom Matheny: And a last question, do you forsee anything happening between you and Sands tonight?

Christian shrugs as he answers.

Christian Kane: I don’t know. No...? The main plan for me tonight is to win my match - that’s what it’s about, winning. I don’t plan to get involved in Brett’s business tonight, but if the opportunity presents itself I won’t miss the chance to f*** around with him.

Tom Matheny: Christian Kane ladies and gentlemen, thank you for your time Kane.

Kane pats Matheny on the back lightly before we fade out to a commercial.

"Rescue Me" by Slaughterhouse starts, and the crowd gives a mixed reaction as Brandon Banks makes his entrance! Banks comes in, and he starts to work with Windsor as the two fight Stein and Park, Fiona still trying to do her best to lock a submission on Matthews, all while Martial and Phoenix continue their battle before Martial starts trying to hoist Phoenix up for Atlas Shrugged, only to be kicked by Gordon! Gordon tries to go blow for blow with the RW Champion, but as he tries, Brando picks him up...ATLAS SHRUGGED! Gordon is out on his feet and he tosses over Gordon!

Pat Gordon Jr. has been eliminated!

Brandon Banks tries to blindside Martial, but he's prepared and he tosses HIM over!

Brandon Banks has been eliminated!

Brando Martial lets out a scream, and he finds himself standing tall all by himself!

Dick Morosi: I've got to be honest, Martial looks fantastic right now.

Seth Ericson: That's the type of talent we're growing in (R)Evolution Wrestling!

Brando starts going after Fiona Collins herself, knowing the cap it would be to eliminate the former World Champion, but of course...

5...4...3...2...1...

"Apex Predator" by Otep starts, and Ambrosia starts to make her way out to the ring, grinning madly! Of course, she's taking her time, and by the time she gets into the ring, she's immediately greeted by a huge dropkick from the legendary White Phoenix, sending her back over!

Ambrosia has been eliminated!

It's clear that the weeds are starting to be thinned out, that much is obvious by the fatigued bodies in the ring. It's a surprise to see entrants one and two still in, and Chuck seems to be sizing up Windsor, who seems to be barely holding himself up...HOLLYWO--DROPKICK FROM DAN STEIN STOPS IT! Stein comes out of nowhere, as he's been down most of it, and he saves Windsor! Dan starts to beat on his chest, knowing he's got a lot coming, and as he turns around to set up Matthews for another #Twitterbation, he gets blindsided by a Gourdhead from Abby Park! Dan is out on his feet and Matthews gets back to his feet...HOLLYWOOD IMPACT SENDS STEIN OVER!

Dan Stein has been eliminated!

Dick Morosi: I can't believe what we're seeing! Dan Stein has been in there for almost twenty minutes and he came up short!

Seth Ericson: But we both forget that Abby Park and Chuck Matthews have still been in there from the start!

Matthews is still recovering, and it seems like there's still a few people trying to stand up, and time is of the essence, knowing only one entrant is left!

5...4...3...2...1...

Samantha Raine starts to jog down, the crowd knowing she completes the twenty athletes in The Crucible! She gets into the ring, and she picks her target...ABBY PARK! Abby and her start brawling, and Fiona finds herself getting up and going after Matthews. With retribution for his treatment of her family's friend in mine, she starts going after him, all while Martial starts to attack Windsor, Phoenix hangs in the corner weakened. Without hesitation, he bursts out and nails Windsor and Martial with clotheslines, all while Fiona knocks down Matthews with a huge superkick! She gets up and she notices Samantha Raine attacking Abby...AND SHE RUNS TOWARDS HER, BRINGING RAINE DOWN WITH A BACKCRACKER! Quickly, she grabs the arm...ECHO-16! THE ORIGINAL SUBMISSION HOLD OF JONATHAN COLLINS, AND SAMANTHA RAINE IS IN THE ECHO-16! AND SHE TAPS! SAMANTHA RAINE TAPS OUT!

Samantha Raine has been eliminated!

Dick Morosi: The numbers are thinning, we're down to the final six!

Seth Ericson: And Abby Park and Chuck Matthews continue to go the distance!

Abby nods and she looks at Fiona, and they know what they have to do, the two of them starting to trade blows themselves! It's been a long time and a lot of history for Fiona and Abby, and the two continue to fight as Phoenix goes over to make his move to attack Chuck. Matthews and Phoenix continue to fight, and as they do, Chuck looks to go for another Hollywood Impact, but Phoenix sidesteps and after a dropkick takes down Fiona from Abby, CHUCK SPEARS ABBY RIGHT OUT OF THE RING!

Abby Park has been eliminated!

Chuck nods at what he just saw, but he turns around...RIGHT INTO A BACK TO SQUARE ONE FROM KERRY WINDSOR THAT SENDS HIM OVER!

Chuck Matthews has been eliminated!

Dick Morosi: THIS IS IT! THERE'S FOUR LEFT!

Seth Ericson: And look at who we got! Two legends of yesterday, a star from today, and the hope for tomorrow! IT'S A CONTEST!

The quartet start sizing one another up, and they continue to go, Phoenix and Collins teaming up to look to battle Martial and Windsor. It's Phoenix and Windsor fighting as Collins goes against Martial. The four of them trade blows, and Martial tries to hoist Fiona for Atlas Shrugged, but she pushes him off and over toward White Phoenix...WHO BODYDROPS HIM OVER! THE DREAM IS DONE FOR THE (R)EVOLUTION WRESTLING CHAMPION!

Brando Martial has been eliminated!

Fiona looks so exhausted as she drops to a knee, and she looks on as Windsor comes charging at her, but she ducks and he hits the corner as she rolls towards Phoenix, reaching to catch him and grab him to try a strange variation of the OMEGA-16, but he just catches her and places her on the top turnbuckle, leaping up to slap her across the face to daze her! He starts to position her for a superplex, but Windsor runs over and hooks it so Phoenix sits on his shoulders, and Fiona slowly starts to come to her senses...SHE LEAPS OFF WITH A HURRICANRANA THAT SENDS PHOENIX FLYING TO THE OUTSIDE!

White Phoenix has been eliminated!

Dick Morosi: WE HAVE REACHED THE LAST TWO STANDING!

Seth Ericson: We've seen this before, Dick! She's been one of the last standing two times before this in 2014, and she's come up short each and every time...is this her night?

Windsor nods and gives her a smile, almost as if he expected it would end this way, and Fiona pats her chest, specifically near her heart. Fiona gets up and looks at Windsor, and the two juggernauts dash toward one another to do battle! Neither one of them wants to give up, and the two take their brawl across the ring! They fight in the corners! They fight near the ropes! Windsor whips her to the ropes, and she runs but she does a handspring, looking for the Shinigami, but Windsor has it scouted, and he ducks it before he stops her and goes for a Back to Square One, but she ducks it, and she clotheslines him over the ropes...AND THEY'RE BOTH GOING OUT! WINDSOR IS HANGING ON! FIONA IS HANGING ON! THE TWO ARE CLINGING FOR DEAR LIFE! EACH OF THEM IS BRINGING UP A FOOT TO KICK AT ONE ANOTHER!



























AND A WELL PLACE KICK FROM COLLINS SENDS HIM TO THE FLOOR WITH HER COLLAPSING ON TOP OF HIM, BUT HER FEET HAVE NOT TOUCHED THE GROUND! SHE IS ON TOP OF HIM, FEET NOT ON THE GROUND! "The Ocean" begins to play, and FIONA COLLINS HAS WON THE CRUCIBLE!

Dick Morosi: THE MONKEY IS OFF HER BACK! FIONA COLLINS HAS SURVIVED THE CRUCIBLE, AND SHE'S GOING TO KORAKUEN HALL!

Seth Morosi: And she's got an old friend waiting for her in the main event! It's Fiona Collins and Christum Furor one more time!

Her theme begins to play as she slowly rolls off of Windsor, who she starts helping up. With a slow nod, she pats her heart again and gives him a hug, thanking him for a hard fought battle. Without a second thought, she climbs back into the ring to take a curtain call, streamers being thrown from the stands for her! The music continues to play as out walk Jimmy Riley and Jonathan Collins, who she meets for a group hug at the end! It was a long and hard battle for The Stardust Seraph, but she's going to Japan in 8 weeks! We fade to copyright, goodnight everyone!

WINNER: Fiona Collins

The camera fades up outside the door to Nicholas Gray’s office. The name is stuck to the door with scotch tape, and already peeling away in one corner. The cameraman pushes the door open , and finds Nicholas sat at his desk, enacting a wrestling match between a Gundam action figure and an old THW Nicholas Gray figure.

Nicholas Gray: Oh, this looks like it could be it. Gray has Gundam Deathscythe set up for the Savant Effect!

Gray re-enacts his finishing move with the toys, having the Voltron toy land square in the bin, atop a pile that already consists of Transformers, a Godzilla toy, and others. With an audible sigh, he leans back in his chair.

Nicholas Gray: Right, who’s next?

Nicholas looks to the right of his desk. There stands a solitary Deathstroke action figure.

Nicholas Gray: Wooo. No way.

Suddenly, without any warning, the desk launches backwards, to be replaced by the image of a dirty, disheveled Cthulhu Jones climbing out of a panel in the floor. He has a broomstick in his hand, and is thrusting it wildly at something in the darkness.

Cthulhu Jones: WHY WON’T YOU JUST DIE AGAIN!

A distant scream echoes from within the hole. Cthulhu grabs the panel, and starts to slam it shut, but stops suddenly at the end, reaches in to the gap, and victoriously pulls free his hat. He slams the panel down with gusto, and begins to stand up, dusting himself off as he does so. After a little moment, he looks at the disrupted desk, and with some effort drags it over to on top of the panel. He looks at it with a look of concern on his face, before grabbing a filing cabinet, dragging it to the destroyed desk, before tumbling it over on top of the desk. He looks up, and seems to notice Nicholas Gray for the first time, sat back in his swivel chair, knees and Gray figure drawn to his chest, stunned look on his face. Cthulhu reaches into his coat pocket, and takes out a silver cigarette case. He pulls a battered roll up out, and offers it to the near catatonic Gray. Gray fails to respond, so with a shrug, Cthulhu takes the cigarette between his own lips, puts the case back in his coat pocket, and lights it with a Zippo lighter pulled seemingly from nowhere.

Cthulhu Jones: I’m sorry about that Mister Gray.

Nicholas slowly turns his head to stare at Cthulhu. Suddenly, he seems to come back to life.

Nicholas Gray: CTHULHU? WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?

Cthulhu Jones: What? Oh that. Don’t worry about that.

Nicholas Gray: THIS IS NOT REASSURING ME.

Cthulhu Jones: Well, you know those rumours about crocodiles living in the sewers below New York?

Gray slowly nods his head.

Cthulhu Jones: There are no crocodiles in the sewers. Trust me.

Gray slowly nods, seemingly placated. Jones turns, and heads out the office through the still open door. As he does so, what Jones has actually said seems to sink in, and a look of concern replaces the puzzlement on his face. Slowly, eyes fixed on the destroyed desk the whole time, he stands, mini Gray in hand. He grabs the trash can full of action figures, and slowly starts to circle the desk, before backing out slowly towards the door. After a few backward steps he stops, creeps forward, and gingerly reaches forward to the remains of the desk, grabbing the Deathstroke figure from the remains, before quickly pulling his hand back. He backs up to the office door, removes the piece of paper with his name on from the door, and quickly escapes down the corridor. The camera comes to rest on the pile where the desk once was, before the cameraman seems to realise what’s just happened, and quickly escapes the room, slamming the door shut behind him, before the camera cuts to static...and then suddenly...

Molly, Stein’s Assistant: I still can’t believe you named the Ch-

Dan Stein: Jon!

The camera picks up in the backstage area as Dan Stein walks down the hallway toward the ring, holding hands with Molly, the chimpanzee from his PSA earlier in the week. Also with Stein is Molly, his assistant. Stein has just seen Jonathan Collins walking backstage, and calls out to him to stop him.

Dan Stein: Collins, my man, hold on.

Dan picks up Molly, the Chimp, and carries her to Jonathan, who has stopped in his tracks, awaiting Dan. Molly, Stein’s assistant, isn’t far behind.

Jonathan Collins: Oh, Dan. How are you doing tonight?

Stein smirks, swatting his hamstring once.

Dan Stein: Feeling good, super loose, Dude. Feeling real good.

Collins nods, tapping Stein on the opposite shoulder with a sheet of paper.

Jonathan Collins: Good, good to hear. Glad we could get you back in EXODUS.

Dan Stein: Hey, main event. About time someone recognized my abilities. Am I right? Heh.

Stein swats Jon on the shoulder probably a bit too rough for a friendly conversation. Jonathan bites the inside of his cheek for a moment, taking a peek at the floor.

Jonathan Collins: Absolutely, Dan. I’m just a bit worried by your personality recently. Seemed like you were getting a little upset earlier in the week… everything okay?

Dan adjusts the chimp on his arm, nodding.

Dan Stein: Me? Oh yeah, life is good. Going to get back to my winning ways, take care of business – make sure the fans know what they’re getting, that’s all. We’re good.

Techie: Mr. Collins?

Jonathan looks over his shoulder at the Techie, and waves with the sheet of paper.

Jonathan Collins: Be right there.

Collins turns back to Stein.

Jonathan Collins: Listen, Dan. You keep your head about you and I see good things in your future, great things even.

Dan Stein: You know it, Bossman.

Jon smiles.

Jonathan Collins: Good, good. I do have some bad news for you, though. We couldn’t get your chimpanzee license processed in time, so I’m going to have to ask you to leave Molly – the chimpanzee, not the beautiful redhead behind you…

The married Collins gives a polite nod to the single woman. Using the sheet of paper, Jon points to the ground.

Jonathan Collins: …back here for the night. Everything should be good to go for the future.

The news hits Stein like a ton of bricks. The sadness creeps over his face quickly, his eyes locking on Molly, the Chimps, before turning back to Collins.

Jonathan Collins: I have someone here that can keep track of her for you while you’re out there. I hope you understand. Good luck tonight, Dan.

Jonathan pats Stein on the shoulder just a little bit too rough for polite conversation, causing Stein to wince. Collins spins on his heel and follows the Techie to whatever business he has. Stein, Molly, and Molly all remain in the middle of the hallway.

Dan looks at his chimp as the handler comes by to take her off of his arm.

Dan Stein: B-but… but… my chimpanzee.

Molly, Stein’s assistant, approaches Dan from behind as the handler pulls Molly, the chimp, away. While rubbing his back, Molly speaks.

Molly, Stein’s Assistant: It’s okay, Dan. Just go win it for her.

A single tear falls from his eye. Stein wipes it away quickly, nodding at the chimp as she disappears behind a corner. Stein exhales deeply, looks at Molly, and nods.

Dan Stein: You’re right. Let’s go kick some inter-gender ass.

Dan pauses for a moment, collecting himself. He and Molly, his assistant, walk past the camera toward the ring...but first? As the moment draws near for the main event of the night. The whole Hammerstein Ballroom is a buzz with anticipation for the match. Just the fact that winner of the match is enough to have the fans hyped up for the match, but then add in the level of talent that is going to be actually taking part in the match just ramps it up off the chart. The scene cuts to the backstage area where the cameras have found, Samantha Raine, who is making her debut tonight of all nights. She is clad in very famous “Supergirl” outfit with a giant smile on her face.

Samantha Raine: NEW YORK!

The mere mention of their city’s name is enough to get the fans on their feet cheering for Samantha as she just stands there smiling away.

Samantha Raine: It’s been a while since I have been able to say that.

Seth Ericson: I can’t believe it… she hasn’t been here five minutes and she is already sucking up to the crowd!

Dick Morosi: She’s just introducing herself.

The crowd is still going on quite wildly after Samantha mentioned their cities’ name, but it doesn’t seem to be bothering Sam in the least as she is just soaking it all up at the moment.

Samantha Raine: It’s been roughly about six months since I have been in the ring at my fullest capabilities. Tonight, will be the most nerve-wracking, stomach turning, but most of all the most important match of my career tonight. Not only could I walk away with a title at Ascendancy if I win tonight, but it will prove whether or not I can still compete in that ring.

Dick Morosi: Miss Raine is referring to the fact that her career was nearly ended by Angela Jameson with a pair of bolt cutters during a Hell in a Cell match in GDW. In which Jameson, nearly shattered Samantha’s left hand to the point that it should have been amputated.

Seth Ericson: Something I’m sure that Angela won’t waste anytime correcting when their paths meet up again.

Samantha Raine: Tonight I step in to the ring with nineteen other wrestlers… two of whom, I don’t even know their names. It’s easy to think that they would have the advantage going in to this match, but one thing history has taught me… it’s never that simple.

A small group of fans that most have also been GDW fans start a small Civil War chant. Which of course only causes Samantha’s smile widen a little bit, because that’s exactly what she was getting at.

Samantha Raine: Either some of you have been doing your homework or you can read my mind. That’s exactly what I was going to bring up, because out of all my World title reigns, tag title reigns… all of it that’s probably my crowning achievement. For those of you that don’t know… In two thousand ten at GDW’s Civil War event I made my return after a few months out of action due to the death of my mother.

The crowd showed Samantha a little sympathy for her lost even though it’s been more than a few years ago now.

Samantha Raine: I would wrestle in two matches, but technically it was more like four matches. My first match was against Mistress Cyanide who I beat so soundly that she would leave after the loss to me.

Seth Ericson: Do we really have to listen to all of this? Can’t she just have them list it on her bio page on the website?

Dick Morosi: I think it’s already there, but I like hearing it from the source.

Samantha Raine: Twenty minutes I was in that match, but that was just the start of my night. In the actually Civil War match which has three phases to it I would wrestle in phase one for ninety minutes, phase two for ten minutes, and the final phase for thirty minutes before winning the match. All in all I wrestled for two and half hours. I think I have more than enough stamina to go the distance in The Crucible no matter where I enter at. So I just want to say… Sorry for raining on your parades!

The scene finally cuts back to the ring as they are just about ready for the first entrant to make their way down to the ring.

Seth Ericson: You mean she’s finally done?

Dick Morosi: I guess so, but she will be out here sooner or later.

Dick Morosi: We've got a huge match coming up next for you, and believe me when I say it might be one of the most emotional matches in EXODUS Pro history. Lexy Chapel is making her V1 Defense of the International Title against Jonathan Collins.

Seth Ericson: She's made no mistake about her hero worship of Jonathan Collins, calling the man her idol on several occasions. Now on one of EXODUS Pro's biggest stages, she's got to put herself up against the Saint of Violence!

Dick Morosi: Let's go to the ring for this huge match! Take it away, Zinkus!

We cut to ringside and David Zinkus standing there, ready to announce.

David Zinkus: The following match is scheduled for one fall, and it is for the EXODUS Pro International Title!

As the spotlights flash across the stage and the video screens come to life, “Cynics and Critics” by Icon For Hire hits the PA system.



As the music continues blaring, Lexy Chapel walks out on to the stage carrying with her a camera-phone, along with both NEW International Title and EXODUS Pro International Title. She walks to the left of the stage, filming the fans cheering, and then to the right of the stage, filming more fans cheering wildly before turning the camera around on herself and can be seen mouthing the word 'wow' in to the camera. After listening to the crowd reaction a moment longer she spins around and poses on the stage.



As the music continues to play she begins to make her way down to the ring, filming the fans as she walks past them and posing with a few of them, holding the camera out in front of herself as she leans back in to a group of the fans. As the chorus of the song begins she slides in to the ring and climbs up on to the turnbuckles, filming the fans again with her phone.

“Oh this is all we know
Oh tragic and miserable
We’re not cynics; we just don’t believe a word you say
We’re not critics, we just hate it all anyway
Oh this is all we’ve got
Oh we do what we’ve been taught
We’re not cynics; we just don’t believe a word you say
We’re not critics, we just hate it all anyway”

She leaps down from the turnbuckles and walks to the middle of the ring before spinning around and turning the phone back on herself again, kissing the lens of the camera and then putting it in to her pocket. She removes her ring jacket and slips it over to the ring attendant before jumping back on to the turnbuckles again and posing, then flipping off backwards and standing in her corner, readying herself for the match.

Dick Morosi: Interesting, the International Champion opting to come out first instead of the challenger.

Seth Ericson: That's a respect thing to Jonathan Collins, or it's a mandate from the Director himself to have one more mind game against her.

Chapel continues to get ready, her music dying down and having handed both belts to the referee as the Hammerstein starts to rock and buzz as suddenly...THE LIGHTS GO OUT!



And instead of the usual song to kick in next of "Last Man Standing" by People In Planes...it goes right into the opening riff of "Icarus Lives" by Periphery!



There stands Collins at the top of the stage, trading in his usual baggy gear for black tights tonight. Wearing a chest piece that looks like a bulletproof vest, along with a compression sleeve that's metallic silver, Collins also wears a sleeveless hoodie over his upper body, his jaw area covered by his traditional mask. Stepping down the steps of the stage slowly, he remains accompanied by Jimmy Riley as he keeps his eyes focused on the ring.



Collins remains focused as instead of a walk with purpose, Collins takes a slow and deliberate walk to the ring, stopping to get some advice from Riley before nodding. With that, he quickly leaps onto the apron and springboards himself into the ring to drop to his now legendary pose on one knee, ripping off the jaw mask to lift his head to the air and spew out blue mist as the streamers start to fly in, the paint on his face revealed to have it look like rotting flesh and revealed muscle. Glancing at Chapel, Collins quickly steps back to his corner, letting official Katie Hanneman check him for foreign objects before she starts to clear the ring of streamers as the introductions begin.

David Zinkus: Once again, this match is scheduled for one fall with a sixty minute time limit! Your referee, EXODUS Pro official, Katie Hanneman! Introducing first to my left, the challenger. HE IS FROM ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA! HE WEIGHS IN TONIGHT AT 212 POUNDS, AND HE IS ONE HALF OF THE GFC TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS! REPRESENTING THE GODFATHERS OF WRESTLING, THE SAINT OF VIOLENCE....JONATHAN COLLINS!

Collins instantly climbs his corner and raises his sleeve covered left arm, showing it off as his "killshot" for the ZERO Hour backfist. Instantly stepping back down, he starts to slowly remove the hoodie and hand it to Jimmy Riley as we settle back down.

David Zinkus: And his opponent is to my right. Tonight, she makes her V1 Defense of the EXODUS Pro International Championship! She is from North London, England! She is...LEXYYYYYYYYY CHAPELLLLL!

After her warm reception, the crowd also cheers hard for her, a few streamers tossed in for her, though not as many as the legendary opponent she now faces. With both opponents ready, Katie Hanneman meets them at the center of the ring, holding both titles and signifying that the belts are on the line. Collins looks down at his opponent while she looks up at him, both of them understanding what's at stake. Hanneman hands the belts off and calls for the bell as the two start to circle around the ring. After a moment, Lexy stops and looks up at Collins, sighing before she shakes her head. Telling Jon she simply can't do this, she looks up at him, almost pleading to call it off as his point was proven. With a simple shake of his head, Jon lets her know this match is on, and he offers his hand to her. Without hesitation, she takes the hand of her hero and shakes it, all before he quickly goes for a collar and elbow tie up. Gaining an easy advantage, Collins turns it into a side headlock. He whips Chapel to the ropes, and as she comes back, he ducks down and rolls under her attempt to dive at him. She comes back toward him and he brings her down with a deep arm drag. She gets back to her feet as Jon does, with Collins coming forward this time, but she trips him up and brings him down to his feet before he kips up and Chapel misses a legsweep kick with Collins leaping over the attempt, backflipping to land on his feet, rearing back and attempting the ZERO Hour this early in the match, with Chapel ducking under and grabbing his arm to hook him, bringing him into a backslide before she drops to her knees, leaving Jon to roll over and land on his feet, having the two of them back on their feet as they stop and look at one another, the crowd absolutely on their feet for the display they just witnessed.

Dick Morosi: Folks, if you don't think Jonathan Collins can still compete with anyone, THAT just proved it!

Seth Ericson: It's like we're still in 2004 and excited over Morgana's boobs, Dick!

Jon nods at his opponent and Lexy grins with a small bit of a squeal, realizing that she's in the ring with the man she remembers. The two go back to meet in the center of the ring, the two locking up again and once more Collins gets the upper hand. He starts backing her into one of the corners, slowly backing away as the referee starts the count. Suddenly, out of nowhere, Collins nails Chapel with a huge chop across her chest, leaving her reeling in the corner. It doesn't stop, because he lifts her back in place and nails her with a second chop before coming in with an elbow and then whipping her to the opposite corner. Charging in with a huge Kenka Kick, she hits the mat with a thud, seated in the corner before he bounces back off the rope and comes in with a massive low dropkick. Pulling her back out of the corner, he looks to try lock up her legs before starting to grab her arms for a surfboard. Pulling her up, he begins to lock it in, leaving her to scream as he pulls. Without hesitation, he shifts his body weight, starting to roll the two of them around the ring, Collins never once losing hold of the surfboard submission before he pulls back to grab the flexible Chapel by the chin before letting go and using his legs to push her off and catapault her toward the corner, where she lands with a thud face first. Without hesitation, Collins quickly gets up and charges toward her to hit a set of double knees to the back, holding on and transitioning it to a back cracker as she rolls out of the ring before he can get a pin.

Dick Morosi: This is an incredibly aggressive Jonathan Collins we're seeing tonight.

Seth Ericson: You heard her promo. She thinks this is him making up for sacrificing the NEW International Title years ago when he became World Champion at Art of War 2004. Maybe she hit a raw nerve?

Dick Morosi: That's....incredibly insightful and educational. You wanna add anything else?

Seth Ericson: Di--

Dick Morosi: Nevermind, here comes Jon!

Collins waits for her to get to her feet before he runs off the opposite side ropes and looks to come charging, but as he starts flying through the ropes, Chapel leaps up and almost KO's the Saint of Violence mid-flight with a MASSIVE Pele Kick! Without hesitation, she quickly hops to the apron and onto the ropes to leap off with a massive Arabian moonsault onto Collins! Chapel gets up and pumps her fist, knowing that she can hold her own and survive against her idol! She looks to be picking him up, looking to lock in a full nelson! She hoists him, hoping she can go for a variation of his old Static Lullaby move, but Collins has it scouted and he pushes her off before she gets a hold of his head before she leaps back, holding onto him for a massive Asai DDT, his old Bullet Time signature! Collins hits the arena floor, and Chapel is up already as she tries to get Jon up and into the ring! She does so and gets to the apron to leap up and hit a huge corkscrew splash into the ring before she goes for the first cover of the match!

ONE!






TWO!






KICKOUT!

Collins remains on the mat as Lexy shakes her head, a little winded and frustrated. She goes to reach for him and instantly, he grabs the arm as he starts to sinch in a Kimura Lock!

Dick Morosi: ALPHA-16! He gifted that submission hold to his student Sydney Christensen down in (R)Evolution Wrestling, and she has to be smiling to see her mentor use it tonight to possibly regain the International Title!

Seth Ericson: Lexy Chapel's not going down without a fight at least!

Lexy continues to struggle as Jon has the Kimura locked on, finally being forced to break it as Lexy gets her ankles wrapped around the bottom rope. With Jon releasing the hold at 3, he rolls away from the Social Media Starlet as he starts to lay on the mat, trying to plot his own strategy. She comes charging at him for a running shooting star press, but Collins rolls out of the way and she eats canvas before they both end up on the mat. The two slowly start to get up, and as they do, Chapel charges at Collins, who catches her and lifts her up for some massive vertical as he brings her down with his End of Silence Rydeen Bomb! He doesn't rest on his laurels as he gets up and quickly sandwiches her in between two turnbuckles horizontally as he backs up and comes charging in with double knees, hitting the Extinction Agenda before pulling her out and looking at everyone before he looks like he's helping her get to a vertical base, but he starts to hoist her up onto the top turnbuckle. She manages a brief moment to get him away from her before she looks to leap off with a missile dropkick...BUT COLLINS JUST WALKS AWAY, SHAKING HIS HEAD WITH A GRIN!

Dick Morosi: SHE JUST ATE CANVAS!

Seth Ericson: Who told Jon Collins he could have that kind of swag?

He waits for a moment for her to get back to her feet before he starts to leap up to open the sequence that starts the OMEGA-16, but Chapel stops him and hooks him into a small package!

ONE!








TWO!





















KICKOUT!

She gets up and as soon as she does, Collins hits her with a massive kick to bring her to her knees, but as soon as he steps back and charges forward, looking for the Parallax Shock, she stops and grabs him...UNION JACK ATTACK! Quickly she looks to get up and goes for the springboard...CRASH LAND--NOBODY HOME! Collins gets to his feet and charges her...PARALLAX SHOCK! She seems out cold, and Collins hits the mat himself, seemingly tired already! Getting back to his corner, Jimmy Riley starts to slam the mat and shout encouraging words to his best friend and fellow Marauder.

Dick Morosi: What do you think Jimmy's telling Jon?

Seth Ericson: He's telling Jon that he's had an advantage for a while, and now it's time for him to go for the kill. He needs to start working the head and neck area if he's going for the OMEGA-16, or he needs to quickly get out that kill shot in the ZERO Hour.

Jonathan Collins slowly starts to get to his feet, all while Jon starts to slowly go over to Lexy, Collins looking exhausted as the black makeup that added the effect of the Winter Soldier outfit he wore to the ring (and still wears in this attire variation) starting to run as he gets Chapel to her knees before he slaps her to help her come to her senses. Collins starts to help her get fully vertical before he rams his shoulder into her stomach before charging her into the corner, before swinging her out with a Northern Lights Suplex. Slowly crawling over, fatigue setting in, Collins starts to kneel and step over her, applying a unique submission that can be described as a kneeling step-over head hold wristlock, following it by hooking Chapel's far leg!

Seth Ericson: WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?!

Dick Morosi: He told me about that this morning! He's referring to it as the OMICRON-16!

Indeed, Chapel is locked in the hold, and she's screaming and crying, Collins only wrenching harder to make her scream. At that point, Collins quickly lets go of the submission, starting to pace as he looks down at Chapel, looking half furious at himself, half ready to end the match at that moment. Taking a deep breath and slamming his fist down on the mat as he looks up at Chapel who is now on her feet, he gets up and charges, starting to turn for the backfist, but Chapel ducks it and runs to the ropes, springboarding off and nailing the Dental Check! Jon seems out on his feet, leaving Riley to start slamming the mat as Lexy starts crawling over to a corner to climb up one more time and leap off for the Social Distortion! At that point, she looks down and sees her long-time idol in pain and stops, considering her action for a moment. Hopping off the turnbuckle, she goes to help him up, looking at him.

Seth Ericson: ...I don't understand what's going on.

Dick Morosi: I don't know what's going on in her head, but I hope she feels she's proven her point. She doesn't WANT to defeat him. She doesn't want to do anything other than prove herself to Jonathan Collins, and she's hoping he proved her point.

Seth Ericson: But blood!

Dick Morosi: Probably not gonna happen.

Collins slowly gets back to his feet and looks at her, shaking his head. This isn't how he intends on finishing things, and as he looks at her, he nods again as he looks at her, the two of them immediately starting to trade forearm shots against one another, both of them fighting and practically brawling as he starts to back up toward the ropes, and as she starts to whip him to the ropes, he reverses and as she comes back, he starts charging her, going for the backfist again, and this time Chapel catches him with a Pele again, stunning him as she starts to look for the Critical Review--BUT COLLINS PUSHES OFF AND GOES FOR THE ZERO HOUR! HE MISSES! CHAPEL LEAPS UP AND GETS HIM IN A CRUCIFIX BOMB! SHE TRIES TO PIN!

ONE!

















TWO!



















THREE!

For a moment, the entire arena is dead silent before Chapel gets up and so does Collins, both of them stunned as the arena sort of collectively exhales. "Cynics & Critics" starts to play and Chapel slides back to her corner as the two just look at one another. The Director of EXODUS Pro sits up in the middle of the ring and shakes his head, slamming his hand on the mat in absolute frustration. Standing up and going over to his corner to kick the turnbuckle, he's quickly joined by Jimmy Riley, trying to calm down his friend. Before he can really do that, Collins has left the ring and gone over to the time keeper's table, ripping the two International Titles from the man before he goes back into the ring and looks at Lexy, almost irritated at her. Her heart seems to be sinking as she realizes just how angry Collins has become before he looks at her.

WINNER (and STILL International Champion): Lexy Chapel

Dick Morosi: I don't like where this is going, Seth.

Seth Ericson: You know, we've known Jonathan Collins for a decade now, and I don't think I've ever seen him this furious.

He calls for a microphone, taking it as he flings the NEW International Title over his shoulder, still holding the EXODUS variation in his hand as he holds the microphone in the other.

Jonathan Collins: Alexandra Chapel, your story has been one we've heard a lot of from you since day one. How it killed you to know you were going to be in a dark match the first time we went to Japan with you in tow, and how you can't believe that from that moment on, you've become the EXODUS Pro International Champion. You've stepped into the ring with bigger beasts and come out victorious! You've stepped into the ring alongside your hero and you held your own against the Tag Team Champions. Hell, you proved you could hold your own against the World Champion himself! Tonight...you did something that I thought you did at the last iPPV. Tonight, in front of the world...

He looks at her, a defeated look on his face and drops to one knee and takes the belt to hand it to her, looking at her as he brings the mic up again.

Jonathan Collins: ...you became a star. Take your titles, you deserve them.

Chapel seems genuinely stunned and taken aback by his gesture, reaching for her title, with Jon slowly reaching with hesitation, finally giving her the NEW iteration of the title as he gets back to his feet. With a small bit of trepidation herself, she takes the belt and then offers a hand to her hero, Jonathan not wasting a second in shaking her hand, pulling her in for a huge hug. Without hesitation, Collins holds her hand and raises her arm in victory, once again getting a hug from the successful International Champion, who leaves him in the ring alone. For a moment, Collins looks out at the crowd, overwhelmed by the genuine love received by the audience.

Dick Morosi: That looks like a man who feels like he's at peace with what just happened.

Seth Ericson: We've been waiting for the day Jon closes the curtain, and I know that he still holds the GFC Tag Team Title with Chandler Scott, but you have to wonder if this is it.

Jonathan remains in the ring and sighs, raising his hand to salute the crowd as he nods, giving them a great deal of respect...

As the lights return to their normal fixture, Christum Furor is revealed to be standing inside the ring with the EXPRO Director. Jeers are mixed with the buzzing of apprehensive whispers, and slight cheers from those advanced fans of the demographic. Jonathan Collins takes a defensive position, which brings a smile to the madman’s face, knowing his enemy’s bravado is merely a facade considering his physical condition following a grueling, and highly competitive contest with Lexy Chapel. With a microphone in hand, the challenger to the EXODUS World Championship stands in-front of Collins, lacking the cold serious look in his eyes that has become synonymous with everything about him.

Christum Furor: Your pain is the breaking of the shell that encloses your understanding. It is the bitter potion by which the physician within you heals your sick self. However, as inevitable, emotional and physical as pain is, it doesn’t always influence us into bettering ourselves. It doesn’t always serve to make us stronger -- sometimes it just wears you right down, or in extreme cases you go out of your way to leave it unacknowledged. But validating your pain is the only path to sanity, strength and healing, for pain is the touchstone of growth. But you are not growing Jonathan, professional wrestling is not growing. It’s rapidly regressing.

Furor chuckles with a wide, sinister grin, and lets out a maniacal chuckle as the tired, and battle worn Collins looks on unamused.

Christum Furor: Professional wrestling is trapped in an endless cycle of hatred, and those who inhabit this cruel industry exist in a realm of constant self-destruction. There are moments that feel free of pain, but then something happens to us, or someone touches our unhealed wounds plunging us back into pits of despair, angst, and melancholy. I look at all of you Collins, and I feel nothing but pity. So many of you are lying on the floor broken, thinking you have improved as human beings yet in reality you have never actually learned from your mistakes. You lay there, wondering will you ever put an end to your self-destructive patterns, thus allowing sound truths to replace your feelings of inadequacy, self doubt, and all of your fears. But you can’t, because you refuse to acknowledge pain. You don’t know pain. In your case, Jonathan you don’t even remember pain.

Furor scoffs to himself, rubbing his chin, laughing for a moment before his demeanor becomes much more grave, and serious. The animosity he has for the man in front of him becomes clear at this moment, as he can no longer hold back his emotions. They surface as a glimmer of malevolence that twinkles in his cold-blooded eyes.

Christum Furor: You’ve forgotten pain, Jonathan. You’ve forgotten the pain you’ve caused so many souls. You can’t acknowledge it, because doing so would imply that something is wrong with you. Only in a state of suffering can you become more intelligent, and through that increase in mental acuity, you can change the fabric of humanity and make the necessary choices to improve our way of living. But you’re ignorant, Jonathan. You’ve been ignorant your entire life - ignorant to the cries of help, and the screams of agony from the people you’ve exploited to carve out a name for yourself in this cutthroat business. You’ve been ignorant to the afflictions of those you’ve used as expendable assets to increase the size of your bank account, pursuing an increased social status at the expense of the lives of those you’ve employed. You’ve been ignorant to men like MAGNUS GUNNER, men you’ve dehumanized and ostracized because they stood in the way of your pursuit of superficial notoriety and universal recognition - you ignored his pain, and ignored the hand you played in the deterioration of his sanity because you needed to --you needed to ignore all of their pain to make it easier for you to profit from it.

Furor’s visage curls into a scowl now, while the expression on Collins’ face is one of confusion, and disbelief in what he’s hearing.

Christum Furor: That’s why you work so hard to portray yourself as a saint, and a beacon of hope to the masses. It’s all a defense mechanism, a facade of which I see right through with my all seeing eyes. I see you for what you really are, Jonathan. You’re a man who’s afraid of owning up to the atrocities you’ve committed. You’re afraid of admitting to your crimes, and taking responsibility for all the lives you’ve destroyed and the monsters you’ve created because that would mean that Hal and Daisuke were right, and that the monster isn't under Madison’s bed or living in her closet, he’s RAISING her and hiding in PLAIN sight! And that fear has created a false sense of security for you and the Seikigun and it’s the reason why you think you’re the only ones who matter.

The Michigander cackles, running a hand through his hair as he continues to stare coldly at his nemesis.

Christum Furor: You’re continuously trying to distract yourselves from facing yourselves because you know doing otherwise means you will be faced with a great amount of negativity; fears, worries, anxiety, everything that makes you suffer. No, nobody wants to suffer, Jonathan. It’s easier to lie to these people than to admit your faults because doing so would be unbearable considering the fact that you have a LAUNDRY LIST OF THEM! So you wholeheartedly choose to do everything in your power to resist pain. You and the Seikigun lack the courage to face your innermost fears. You reject sound, and rational logic, and dedicate your lives to destroying mine because I’m the physical manifestation of everything you dread. I’ve evolved due to pain. The pain you caused me, the pain this business carved into my soul forced me to seek the answers to the questions that have circumvented mankind. THAT pain pushed me to see life from a different perspective.

Furor smiles now, looking out to the crowd as he raises the microphone back toward his face, the tension building as the audience listens intently to his spiel.

Christum Furor: It showed me that to break the cycle of hatred that binds us, we must first understand each other, for that is the only way to move to a state of peace. That is the thing I pursue. I’m building the New Age so that my predecessors never have to experience the corruption and enmity created by people like you - people who can’t accept themselves for who they are, people who can’t acknowledge their pain. You, Nick Kramer, the Seikigun, you claim to want to save professional wrestling, you claim to be agents for peace and harmony, but you can’t know true peace without knowing true pain -- for there is no peace WITHOUT pain. Unless you accept pain you are never going to overcome it, and unless you overcome that agony, you are never going to evolve and grow into something that transcends this world. To become a GOD you must FEEL pain, you must THINK about pain, you must KNOW pain!

Furor’s eyes gaze through the crowd once more before they focus on the Saint of Violence. The twisted smirk on the madman's countenance widens, as he salivates over what he’s about to say.

Christum Furor: And tonight, you WILL FINALLY acknowledge that pain, Jonathan. But I will not be the one to force you to accept it. No - she is! For months I’ve warned you of her impending arrival. For months I’ve guaranteed that this day was coming, and that her emergence would signal the end of the world you know and everything you believe in and that SHE would be the one to help me cement the NEW AGE! And you know her so well, Jonathan. She is the one you have forsakened. You sacrificed her to maintain your illusion of happiness and control, but she has returned to join the lost children, the orphans of EXODUS as the prodigal daughter who will destroy the SAINT OF LOST CAUSES! By sharing her pain with YOU, you will finally acknowledge YOURS, and THAT enlightenment will show you that EVERYTHING I’ve said is the truth, and that EVERYTHING I’ve done is necessary because it is the ONLY way to fix this broken system and change the world! So without further adieu, Jonathan Collins I humbly, and happily introduce to you, the FINAL member of Gods & Monsters and the means to YOUR end!

Christum lowers the microphone, as the teaming masses filling the Hammerstein Ballroom focus their attention to the entryway. "Pulse of the Maggots starts once more, and the crowd seems genuinely stunned as coming out to join Furor with his posing...

...is Sally Talfourd. We cut to the back.

The match didn't disappoint from the start, all four competitors willing to brawl and get messy. Of course, Black Jones was going to show his East Coast crowd just what he was made of, willing to take flight and wow the crowd. Unafraid, Jones hit a major suicide dive on Yoshida, catching her and turning it into a DDT as he continued to show off. Of course, the two beasts from Japan were not without offense of their own, Watanabe hit a destructive Crash Landing onto the arena floor on Jones almost immediately after. It wasn't going to be pretty, and as soon as the match got back into the ring, Damage Inc. firmly had control. They began to dominate the champions, but the tide quickly turned when they failed to hit the Death From Above, Jones making the tag into Togo, who quickly came in as a house of fire! Togo was smashing anyone that moved to protect his partner and friend, and eventually managed to hit one of his trainer's signatures, the Extinction Agenda! Rush Hour began looking to put this away and seal the deal in their V1 Defense, but as Togo set up Yoshida for the Papa Bomb, Watanabe attacked him with a chair, causing a DQ. The duo started digging around for weapons, but Rush Hour was able to hold their own! As Damage Inc. stood on the outside with their manager, Tristan James, Togo and Jones dared them to come back and attack them again with the odds even. Point made, and everyone knew these two teams would meet again.

Winner: Rush Hour (via DQ, still Tag Team Champions)



After an incredible video package set to "Absent Are the Saints" by 36 Crazyfists, the cameras show off a super no vacancy crowd at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City, the site of this huge EXODUS event! With the shots covered, we cut back to the announce table where we find our usual suspects, Dick Morosi & Seth Ericson!

Dick Morosi: Welcome to New York City! This is Absent Are the Saints, and EXODUS Pro is ready to give the Big Apple the show of a lifetime tonight! We have four huge matches, and we follow that up with The Crucible!

Seth Ericson: Can you believe what we're seeing here? Nothing but main event matches tonight on this show, and the main event is twenty of the best in the world competing in The Crucible!

Dick Morosi: You don't wanna waste time, I don't wanna waste time, let's get this started! The Tag Team Titles are up for grabs, when Trouble goes for their V2 Defense of the belts against former Tag Team Champions, The Ninth Gate!



David Zinkus: The following contest is your Absent Are The Saints opening contest. It is a Tag Team Match, scheduled for one fall and is for the EXODUS Tag Team Championships.

The lights in the arena start to dim as a lone light towards the back wall of the entrance way begins to pulse in time with the the sound of "God Save Us" by Ill Nino. Audrey Lloris leads the way for Kameron Chase and Daisuke Iwakuma, the collective known as The Ninth Gate!

David Zinkus: Introducing first the challengers. Accompanied to the ring by Audrey Lloris, they stand at a combined weight of four hundred and forty-four pounds... they are the team of Kameron Chase and "The Perfect Evil" Daisuke Iwakuma; THE NINTH GATE!



Seth Ericson: They are the incumbent champions, and they have returned to EXODUS to recapture what they feel like they've never lost, Dick.

Dick Morosi: Thats on the surface. Daisuke Iwakuma is a bad omen in this company. He tried to destroy EXODUS once, and I have no doubt in my kind that he'll try to do it again.

Seth Ericson: Well if you at first you don't succeed, try-try-and try again, which is the mantra of the champions. It took them a while to get the belts, but since then they've had a vice grip on them.

Dick Morosi: A grip The Ninth Gate thinks they can break to become the first two time champs in EXODUS history.

As the song continues, the two march down the aisle, paying no mind to the audience before Audrey steps up the ring ropes to hold them open for Daisuke and Kameron. Stepping into the ring, the duo move to the center of the ring, pausing to pose - Kameron Chase raising a fist in the air while Daisuke outstretches his arms and titls his head to the sky. Once down, the lights begin to come back on as they remove their jackets and talk strategy.

As they do so the lights fade back to black. For a few moments, there’s nothing but the noise of the crowd and the occasional flash of a camera. Suddenly, at full volume, Oh No You Didn't kicks in.

Oh no,

Oh no,

Oh no...

Oh no you didn't!

With that, the entrance lights fade up in Royal Blue, Red and White as Steve Lenton, Wulf Erikssen and Stacey-X enter the The Hammerstein Ballroom. Steve moves to the right of the entrance way, his title belt hung over his shoulder, Wulf to the left, his fan autographed belt strapped across his chest like a bandolier, with Stacey remaining in the middle. Each man raises a solitary arm in salute to the crowd, as Stacey raises both arms to indicate both performers.

David Zinkus: And their opponents, weighing in at a combined weight of 481lbs, your EXODUS Pro Tag Team Champions... “The Big L” Steve Lenton... “Barroom Hero” Wulf Erikssen... they are TROUBLE!

Both men head down the ramp, Steve with his trademark strut, Wulf giving high fives to the crowd as he passes. As they reach the ring, Steve stops for a moment, reaching out to the sides to allow the fans to reach in and touch him, whilst Wulf slides into the ring under the bottom rope. Steve quickly climbs onto the apron, and straight up the turnbuckle, whilst Wulf runs up to the diagonally opposite corner. Both men unstrap their belts whilst atop the turnbuckles, and hold them high above their head. Meanwhile, Stacey walks around the ring to the teams corner. The pair then drop down into the ring, meeting in the centre where they greet each other with a chest bump, handing their belts to the referee, before peeling off back to their corner to strategise. As Daisuke steps onto the apron, The Natural Disaster, Kameron Chase steps forward. The referee checks him for weapons, as the two teams prepare to get things underway.

Dick Morosi: TROUBLE has been just that for everyone that's stepped in their path, Seth. They're having a historic reign, one they hope to continue tonight.

Seth Ericson: They've been a well oiled machine, I'll say that much. Still, I'm sure the fact that Lenton's never beaten The Ninth Gate is sitting in the back of his mind.

Dick Morosi: He didn't have Wulf Erikssen watching his back, back then. Keep that in mind, Seth.

Seth Ericson: I don't have time to worry about that, Dick. The bell just sounded. Pay attention.

*DING! DING! DING!*

Lenton slowly steps through the ropes and creeps toward the other legal man in the match, Kameron Chase who has his hands ready to lock down in a collar and elbow tie. Kamo-Mac begins moving in, and immediately lashes his arms out to initiate the tie-up, but The Big L slaps the Pittsburgian's hands away before throwing a stiff forearm right into his jawline. Lenton follows that up with a second, and then a third forearm strike, bypassing a slow, technical start and pace for one more oriented to his skill set - smash mouth. The attacks send the technician stumbling back slightly as Steve steps forward and throws up a toe-kick, only to have it caught. Chase immediately throws the Tag Champ's leg away from his body, coercing The Big L to spin all the way around. As soon as Lenton faces him, Kamo-Mac throws a kick of his own, only for the Virginian to prove that turnabout is indeed fairplay as he counters. Thinking quickly, Chase plants his free foot into the mat before swinging it up to smash it against the side of Lenton's head, ringing his bell with an Enzuigiri that connects against the grappler's temple.

The veteran grabs Lenton around the head, before pulling him up to a vertical base. Following a knee to the gut he whips the one time International Champion into his corner, where The Perfect Evil is ready and eager to get involved. Kamo-Mac gets a running start, then dives forward to jut his feet out and drive them right into his foe's solar plexus. The Dropkick leaves Steve wincing and gasping for air due to the force and velocity behind the attack. In full control, Chase lifts up one of Lenton's arms before tagging in his partner. Audrey cheers and applauds on the outside as Daisuke enters the squared circle to a chorus of boos and immediately asserts himself with a boot to Lenton's midsection, sending the champion to the canvas.

Seth Ericson: The Ninth Gate clearly haven't lost a step. They look better than ever, and have isolated The Suntan Superman.

Dick Morosi: Indeed, I don't see any ring rust on either man. And here is The Perfect Evil, Daisuke Iwakuma wrestling his first match since his defeat at the hands of the EXODUS Seikigun at ENDGAME. And as expected, the crowd welcomes him back with a tune he's accustomed to hearing from the EXPRO lifeblood.

Seth Ericson: You'd think they would have more appreciation for a guy who carried the EXODUS banner with pride up in Japan.

Seth Ericson: Daisuke Iwakuma is an infamous figure here in EXODUS due to the simple fact that he's a terrible human being. He could solve the issue of world hunger and people would still egg his home on Halloween.

Iwakuma sneers down at Lenton and laughs to himself, as he thoroughly enjoys the sight of The Big L struggling to handle the combined might of The Ninth Gate. Pretentiously, maliciously and forcefully, Daisuke punts the fan favorite in the ribs, causing the Tag Champ to roll onto his side in agony. As soon as Steve transitions to a seated position, Daisuke stalks him before driving a boot right into the small of the beloved EXPRO figure's back - the impact of which reverberates from the Hammerstein Ballroom as The Big L groans in pain. Audrey Lloris sings his praises from the ring apron, while Kamo-Mac looks on from the corner, applauding as Iwakuma exerts his will on his adversary. Slowly, and rather methodically, Daisuke lifts Steve to his feet and backs him up into the corner. He presses the issue with a series of knee strikes to The Suntan Superman's weakened breadbasket, before unleashing a vile knife-edge chop; wrenching Steve's flesh almost instantly. Iwakuma lets loose with another stiff chop, eliciting "WOOOOO!" chants from the spectators, who can't help but respond with that sentiment due to being conditioned to do so. Another chop further tenderizes the hero's cheat, as Daisuke retreats, allowing Lenton to stumble out of the corner, only to drop him with a stiff short-arm Lariat..

Daisuke Iwakuma: It appears that I really am your kryptonite after all, Superman.

Iwakuma taunts him, nudging The Big L in the head with his boot, loving the fact that he's in control, and that one of the company's biggeat heroes lays at his very feet. He recieves immense heat for his taunts, his ego swelling to an even higher level as he reaches down to pull the weakened Virginian up. Lenton looks out on his legs, prompting Daisuke to lean into the ropes. The Perfect Evil bounces off of them and charges forward on his return trip, only to have his momentum used against him as The Big L' scoops him up before planting him into the canvas with a thunderous Double A' Spinebuster. Iwakuma lies motionless, the wind tentatively knocked out of him while one of his legs remains captured in Lenton's clutches. Realizing this, Steve immediately turns him over onto his front, and sits on his back to lock in the Single Leg Crab. The crowd cheers, and chants "Make Him Tap" as Iwakuma lets out a tortured scream, Kamo-Mac in response tries to step in to help, immediately capturing referee Chris Dawson's attention.

Seth Ericson: Lenton finally turns the tables. He might break Daisuke's leg, he hates him that much.

Dick Morosi: I fear he won't get the chance. Daisuke's conglomerate is making it's presence felt.

Audrey Lloris sneaks around the ring while Chase continues to serve as a distraction, then the beautiful but evil diva slides under the bottom rope. Lenton has an instant to look over at who is approaching before his face eats a huge slap, one with such intensity that the submission is broken and the referee's focus turns back to the two legal men in the contest. Lloris rolls out of the ring as the irritated Lenton tries to shake off the effects of the gesture.

Dick Morosi: Audrey's assistance to her master sure helped that hold get released, but they're not helping themselves in the long run. Nothing is scarier than The Big L' when he's angry, and right now the champ's fuming.

Seth Ericson: You seem to have your superheroes mixed up, Dick. He's not 'The Suntan Hulk', he's 'The Suntan SUPERMAN'. BIG difference!

Dick Morosi: Maybe, but I doubt you'd want to get either character angry, Seth. Thats all beside the point though, as Lenton is on his feet and looking to keep the advantage.

Seth Ericson: Yeah, yeah go ahead and change the subject all you want, Dick.

Wulf Erikssen is tagged in and quickly steps through the ropes, giving his partner a much-needed and deserved break. The crowd explodes into applause as The Barroom Hero hastily stomps toward the legal challenger, then grabs his hair and pulls him to his feet. Wulf quickly applies a front facelock, throwing Iwakuma's arm over his shoulder as he prepares for a Suplex. However, his plans are stalled by a punch to the ribs. Wulf grunts in pain as another fist collides with his ribcage, then Iwakuma escapes from his foe's clutches before stunning him with a Jawbreaker. As Erikssen stumbles in place like the many times he's done while inebriated, The Perfect Evil charges for the ropes, bounces off then, then connects with a Yakuza Kick that drops the Englishman like a bad habit. Daisuke wastes no time in vying for the pin.

"ONE!"

"TWO!"

Wulf kicks out. Daisuke gets up, then keeps the pressure on as he proceeds to stomp a mudhole in the former LEGION mole. The crowd begins booing as he scrapes his boot across the brawler's visage, but Iwakuma could care less - that is until his boot is grabbed. The enraged Barroom Hero gets up while holding the right ankle of his antagonist, prompting Daisuke to go for an Enzuigiri to counter, only to have that leg captured too. With Iwakuma supine and pleading for clemency, Wulf smiles a mischievous grin before wishboning the villain's legs. Iwakuma sits up, cringing in pain but only to eat a soccer kick right to his grill. As he stretches out from the aforementioned blow to the head, Erikssen follows up with a Handstand Legdrop, dropping his two hundred and twenty-four pound frame across The Perfect Evil's throat.

Dick Morosi: The Barroom Hero is going to town on Daisuke Iwakuma. What a combination he just ran off right there, and TROUBLE is starting to fire on all cylinders, Seth.

Seth Ericson: No doubt Wulf's starting to - wait, look!

Back on his feet, Wulf looks over at the opposing corner, then charges in the direction of Kameron Chase. When he gets in range, the tag champion turns and sticks an elbow out, slamming it straight into the Pittsburgian's face and knocking him off of the apron. The adrenaline-filled Englishman walks a few steps back toward Daisuke, motioning to the crowd to rile them up so that he can feed off of their energy. The spectators in the Hammerstein Ballroom begin a huge chant of "Barroom Hero" as the man who owns that moniker lifts his foe to a vertical base. Erikssen sticks his arm out, and Steve slaps his had to officially tag himself into the match. The Tag Champions each take one of Daisuke's arms, leaning him into the ropes before launching him across the ring. As Iwakuma rebounds, Lenton steps forward, and exploits the villains's momentum by tossing him into the air with a pop-up. Wulf charges out of the nearby corner, and catches his freefalling foe with a Jumping Cutter, planting him face first into the canvas to successfully complete their double-team move.

Dick Morosi: Old Man TROUBLE! And the champ's are going bannanas now.

Seth Ericson: Oh get real, Dick. One minute you're complaining about Kamo-Mac and Audrey's distraction, the next you're praising this. There's obviously no such thing as objectivity and integrity behind this commentary table.

Dick Morosi: Well, certainly not with you sitting here.

Seth Ericson: I resent that, Dick.

Wulf exits the ring, thus ending Seth's tirade, leaving Steve as the official and legal man in the contest. The Big L' immediately crawls on top of Daisuke, performing a lateral press for the pin amidst the noise of the crowd's loudest pop in the match thus far.

"ONE!"

"TWO!"

Just on sheer willpower alone The Perfect Evil raises his shoulder up before referee Chris Dawson's hand can slap the canvas for a third time, continuing the match at least for now. Lenton, gets a handful of the harbinger of destruction's hair, ignoring Dawson's warning as he pulls him to a stand. Lenton's left hand is cupped behind his antagonist, allowing his right forearm to repeatedly slam into Iwakuma's face. As the third elbow strike is thrown, the crowd begins counting The Suntan Superman's strikes as they meet his challenger's face.

"THREE!"
"FOUR!"
"FIVE!"
"SIX!"
"SEVEN!"
"EIGHT!"
"NINE!"

Majority of the crowd prematurely calls for the tenth strike, but The Big L' opts to make a beeline for the ropes. He quickly rebounds, then leaps forward with a Flying Forearm, giving the audience what they wanted, albeit in a different form. Nevertheless, Iwakuma is knocked down, left staring up at the ceiling light's while the fav-favorite lies on the canvas beside him. After a moment, Steve suddenly springs to life, kipping up to a loud pop from the crowd, pounding his chest like a madman to further send the crowd into a frenzy before marching in Wulf's direction to tag him back in.

Seth Ericson: The Big L's about to tag in his partner. His second stint in the match didn't last long but for the short time he was in there, he sure got a lot done!

Dick Morosi: Quick tags, Seth. Daisuke's been in there a while now. They're isolating him, and the longer he stays in there the more likely they are to finish him off. This kind of teamwork is one of the very reasons why they've been on top of the Tag Division for as long as they have.

Wulf quickly steps through the ropes before advancing toward his weakened foe. As the Englishman grabs Iwakuma's right leg in order to attempt a submission, or at least keep him grounded, the heir to Hal Snyder's throne cocks his other leg back before shooting it out at his foe's face. The tag champ stumbles back as Daisuke gets up, getting a breather before the two competitors stare at one another for a moment. Erikssen lifts his leg up to throw a front kick towards Daisuke's midsection, only to have it caught. Iwakuma tosses the leg away, causing Wulf to spin around completely. Once Erikssen faces his adversary, Iwakuma steps forward with a Lariat attempt, but the Middleweight ducks, forcing The Perfect Evil to stumble in the Brit's general direction. Both combatants turn to each other once more, amd Wulf scores with a soccer kick to the villain's ribs. Iwakuma gasps in response to the pain, and Wulf immediately follows up with a stiff headbutt. The meeting of proverbial, and literal minds causes a dazed Daisuke to stagger backwards into the corner, then Wulf grabs the ropes and positions himself directly in front of his opponent.

Steve Lenton sees Audrey Lloris approaching him through his peripheral vision and hops off of the apron to scare her into heading back to her own corner. Meanwhile, Wulf prepares to thrust his shoulder into Iwakuma's ribs, but the notorious challenger cleverly throws a knee into the brawler's face to stifle his momentum. Daisuke grabs Wulf's head and turns around so that the two wrestlers switch positions, Erikssen now in the corner. Following a forearm to the jaw the former leader of LEGION grabs the TROUBLE member's arm and leans back, whipping him across the ring. Wulf runs to the far corner, Kamo-Mac desperately, yet patiently waiting to be tagged in. Audrey finally stops inciting The Big L's scorn, and heads back to her own side of the ring to climb back onto the apron. Daisuke advances toward Wulf, who's chest hits the turnbuckles with a thud, and catches him on the rebound with a Cobra Clutch. While maintaining the submission, The Perfect Evil lifts the two hundred and twenty-four pounder up before falling back to slam Wulf's head and shoulders into the canvas.

Seth Ericson: Deadly Premonition from Daisuke Iwakuma. The Big L probably could've stopped that, but he wasn't on his side of the ring due to his infatuation with Audrey Lloris!

Dick Morosi: Infatuation? What the hell are you talking about, Seth? All I see is Audrey continuing to cause problems with another well-timed distraction, I should add.

Seth Ericson: I don't know, Dick. The Big L has never met a white girl he didn't like.

Dick Morosi: After what's transpired tonight, I think it's safe to say that Steve has met the first one.

The Perfect Evil lies on the mat, catching his breath for a moment while Kamo-Mac calls out to him. Daisuke plants his hands into the white canvas and pushes himself up after a few seconds of recuperation, then immediately reaches out to tag in Kameron Chase. The incumbent Tag Champion eagerly steps through the ropes, having watched for an extended period of time and immediately drops a knee on Wulf's thigh, making the Barroom Hero cringe in pain. Pittsburgh's Prodigal Son gets up and marches up to Erikssen's head, then drops a knee onto the Englishman's face. Erikssen convulses and rolls away from his assailant under the ropes and to the floor. Wulf stumbles to his feet and backs up to the crowd barrier to regroup amidst the multitude of hands that belong to the those in the front row who pat him on the back. Kamo-Mac looks out at the crowd, then raises his arm into the air, feeling like he's ten feet tall right now as he has the advantage.

The Barroom Hero cocks an eyebrow at the brash, and cocky vet, then takes a deep breath and charges back to the ring. Wulf slides into the squared circle and pops up with Chase advancing toward him. Kamo-Mac leaps forward with a Leg Lariat, but Wulf dodges, causing his leg to fly over the top rope. Thinking quickly, Erikssen sweeps away Chase's foundation, forcing him to fall, but his leg remains hanging over the top cable causing him to be caught in somewhat of a Tree of Woe. From there, Wulf begins firing off soccer kicks at his foe's unprotected upperbody, continuing to do so until Chris Dawson orders him to stop, upon which he backs away to allow Chase to fall to the canvas. Afterward, he goes for the cover.

Dick Morosi: Wulf Erikssen just went all Rocky I in the butchershop on Kamo-Mac with his feet. And here's the cover!

"ONE!"

"TWO!"

Seth Ericson: Chase still has some fight in him. He might not have any air in his lungs anymore, but he's still got plenty of fight left to give.

Chase manages to throw his shoulder off of the mat, keeping the match alive for The Ninth Gate. The Barroom Hero smirks and crawls away on all fours, patiently waiting for Kameron to get up. The vet rolls to the ropes and pulls himself up with their help, then stumbles toward his foe. Erikssen explodes into the air and lunges forward with an explosive right hand - but gets nothing but air as Chase avoids the Falcon Punch. Wulf rolls with what happens, running into the ropes and leaning back into them, then rebounding off in a full charge at Chase. Nate Soto's former mentor is ready for him, and lifts the Englishman into air with a Back Body Drop. Wulf thuds onto the mat, but simply sits up and scrambles to his feet, staring a hole into Kamo-Mac as the pretentious Pittsburgian turns around. Wulf tosses a massive haymaker in Chase's direction, but The Natural Disaster is able to score with a toe kick to the midsection that stops the punch before it can connect. From there he follows up with a thumb to the eye, blinding Erikssen.

With Wulf's vision impaired, Chase leads him over to his corner then slams his face into the top turnbuckle. Wulf's visage is thrust into the turnbuckle once again, but this time he is allowed to stumble back while Kam tags in the The Perfect Evil. Daisuke steps through the ropes and approaches his weakened prey, grabbing the long hair of the Barroom Brawler and then swinging a knee up into his face. The ominous Asian stands tall as Wulf's body swings back and slams onto the mat.

Seth Ericson: The Ninth Gate's turned this match around, Dick. Wulf is the lone wolf right now. See what I did there?

Dick Morosi: It was cheesy, and corny but accurate all the same. Wulf's on the wrong side of town. He must find his way home and more importantly, he's gotta make a tag soon.

The Perfect Evil stalks Wulf as he tries to pull himself up in the corner - The Ninth Gate corner at that. As he comes to a stand and turns, Daisuke charges forward and lowers his shoulder. Having enough wits about him, Erikssen dodges the Spear, avoiding the beginning stages of Iwakuma's "Devil May Cry" combination, sending the devil incarnate shoulder first into the steel post. As Daisuke climbs out of the corner and turns around in pain, Wulf is the one to charge in now. However, Iwakuma is able to dode him. But Kamo-Mac is not so fortunate, as he eats a brutal forearm and is sent flying off the apron to the outside. Daisuke takes an offensive position, and waits patiently for Wulf to turn around -- and when he does he greets him with a STIFF Lariat.

Iwakuma saunters toward the corner, before slowly ascending up it, still glowing with confidence and egotism, holding one arm high and ostentatiously. But his ego would be his downfall, as The Big L suddenly forces himself back into the equation, as he makes a beeline across the apron. Daisuke's sees the incoming threat, and quickly buries his fist into Lenton's face. He follows up with anther stiff shot, the latter of which sends Steve tumbling to the floor below. Perched at the top, Daisuke outstretches his arms to massive boos, before leaping down at Wulf for a Double Axe Handle. Erikksen counters, sidestepping before unleashing a soccer kick to Iwakuma's gut. With his foe stunned, and hurting, Erikssen quickly slips behind him to apply a standing Straightjacket, before floating Daisuke over into a Suplex, releasing him upon contact with the mat.

Dick Morosi: Grendel Suplex! Steve Lenton slowed Daisuke down enough to give Wulf time to recover, and boy did The Barroom Hero make good use of that distraction.

Seth Ericson: Chris Dawson needs to maintain some semblance of order in this contest. He's letting these guy run amuck!

Wulf lies on his back and glares blankly at the lights shining down on him of the Hammerstein Ballroom, basking in the successful execution of his trademark and table-turning maneuver. He twists his body, groaning as he rolls onto his stomach and drags himself over to the equally grounded Daisuke Iwakuma. The Tag Champion extends an arm across his nemesis' torso, vying for victory in the name of his American counterpart and his own. The referee dives at the signal and holds his hand aloft, applying the umpteenth pin attempt during the contest.

"ONE!"

"TWO!"

"THR-"

Dick Morosi: No! I thought that was it, as did Wulf, but Daisuke kicks out. We're nearing the twenty minute mark, and both teams have given it their all. What a classic we're witnessing.

Seth Ericson: Two great teams who completely hate one another; battling in one of the most historic arenas in the world - I couldn't ask for a better opener.

Indeed, The Perfect Evil interjects the pin with a right arm jutting into the air, lifting his shoulder from the canvas. Wulf drives his patella into the mat and presses his body into kneeling, arms resting on his hamstrings. Uncovered, the battered and winded Iwakuma groggily begins to sit up, his eyes closed in an ache sent through his back. Rather than scoping out his opponent’s whereabouts, he pivots on his hip flexor and begins to return to a stand. Unfortunate and unbeknownst to The Perfect Evil, his newly acquired vision is taken over by the scenic qualities of Wulf Erikssen's frame as he stands over him, applying his Monster Killer submissiom and returning him to a seated position - Wulf unable to cinch in the bodyscissors to fully execute his chokehold, opts to apply the Half Nelson with reckless abandon. Daisuke's neck rests on the boundaries of hyper-extension as another groan of pain seeps through his weakened respiratory system from the pressure being exerted.

As moments pass by The Ninth Gate's hopes in the contest are in limbo, Kameron Chase, the illegal man begins to slither into the ring. As he pulls himself along the mat’s surface, flanking Wulf from the back, the recovered Big L closes in; leaning over the apron. The Pennsylvanian rises to his feet only for them to be hoisted out from under him as Steve ducks under the bottom rope and latches onto his ankles, dragging him out like a ghost in a Paranormal Activity Movie to the ringside area. Before he gets his bearings, Kamo-Mac is met with a flurry of quick right hands from the Virginian, ready for another round of fisticuffs. Quickly, Lenton grips Chase by the back of his head and coerces him across the ring and into the guardrail. Fans nearby give a loud cheer as Kameron hits the steel, his underarm catching him from falling to the ground. Another grasp of the challenger's head sends it bouncing off the top of the same security structure, a second uproar of support spewing forth from those faithful to the Tag Team Champions. The Big L shoves Chase against the barrier to widen his target and keep him from a defensive position, reeling back his right hand once more but in the opposite direction, driving a Flair-esque chop over his pectorals. In rebuttal, Chase shoves Steve backward, leading the Suntan Superman spine-first into the ring apron with a grunt. Chase, seeming undaunted by the previous hammerings, steps forth and grips his rival by the forearm and lurches back, sending Lenton into the same guardrails. In excitement, the crowd roars again, every contact between the combatants thoroughly pleasing them. As he leans into the barricade with both arms hung over the top, Lenton groggily and helplessly watches right hands from Chase pummel his brow – his head quivering with each knuckle sandwich fed to him - a steady diet of which he'd desperately like to change.

Seth Ericson: Kameron Chase and Steve Lenton are tearing the Hammerstein Ballroom apart. I freakin' love it, Dick. Its like watching my ex-wives fight over who's going to take my stuff.

Dick Morosi: That sounds like a job for at least one of the legal consultants for hire here in EXODUS. Hell is indeed breaking loose, Seth. These are two teams who loathe one another. There's so much bad blood that it was bound to spill all over the arena, if not throughout New York.

The tables turn once more in the melee as Lenton drives a boot wildly into Chase's knee, stalling the egotist enough that he can recuperate and pick himself up off his hanger. Kam staggers back somewhat, only to become victim to a stiff haymaker, knocking him senseless and leading him to lean on the ring apron in a dazed stupor. Fans rush against the guardrail as The Big L holds himself up, Steve glancing over his shoulder to those in attendance who have come to see a slobber knocker, and have been given that and more. He grabs a bag of popcorn from one of the patrons and indulges himself - turning the bag over and dumping the contents into his mouth, though majority of the buttery snack ends up on the floor instead of in his belly. From there, Steve grabs a cup of beer from another fan’s hand.

Rather than guzzle the brew like his partner might, he grabs Kamo-Mac by the head and slams the frothy beverage right against his skull, sending the spewing of alcohol over the area, including both men's frames. Chase finds himself blind as the stinging sensation fills his pupils from the hap-hazard hops and barley that had splashed into his vision - likely a Bud Light, sending him lurching about ringside much like Velma would without her prescription eyeglasses. With Chase unaware of everything happening around him, Steve drops down into a three-quarter stance waiting for the right moment to strike. And when the moment presents itself he does just that, as he charges forward as soon as Kamo-Mac turns around and then - BOOM! Lenton spears his adversary through one of the barricades, leaving both men slunk to the arena floor, growing weary and groaning miserably, amidst a puddle of sweat and alcoholic refreshments surrounding them. The Hammerstein Ballroom explodes, as a nearly unanimous chant of "Holy Shit" breaks out.

Dick Morosi: GOOD GOD, SETH! I think The Suntan Superman just BROKE Kameron Chase -

Seth Ericson: IN HALF! What a BLITZ! I can't believe what I just witnessed!

Meanwhile, the two legal men – Erikssen and Iwakuma- are still bargaining for control of their current affair. Daisuke slowly grows in height as he makes his way to his knees, still locked in Wulf's Half Nelson. The position leaves the tag champ bent over his opponent, as he desperately holds on in an effort to keep the challenger immobile. However, The Perfect Evil reaches overhead and grabs Wulf by the neck with both hands, pulling forward to drag The Barroom Hero to the canvas with an artful snapmare. Basking in his freedom, the chaotic villain locks in a basic headlock, looking to slow things down, albeit not in time though as Wulf pivots in place to a stand. Erikssen steps backwards with Daisuke holding tight as they bounce lightly off the ropes, the added momentum able to free Wulf from captivity. The Perfect Evil is sent across the ring and into the opposite ropes, and upon his return does the Englishman drop prone to the canvas.

With a small hop over, Daisuke hits the ring cables for a second straight time as the brawler jumps up to his feet, both men quickly scouting out the next best option to put the other out of commission and leave with all the spoils and bragging rights. As Daisuke makes his return trip, both competitors outstretch their arms and come colliding with one another’s tracheas, meeting in the center of the ring with mirroring Clotheslines, hurdling shoulders first to the mat below. It is then, out of loving concern for her benefactor and to disturb the peace ONCE AGAIN, that Audrey Lloris climbs onto the ring apron in the nick of time that the more aware of the two, Wulf Erikssen, stirs and rolls onto his stomach for the cover. Chris Dawson, once again distracted, scoffs at the notion that the devious valet once again chooses to make her presence felt in the championship contest –specifically after he had sought so long to get it under some sort of order. Audrey throws a tantrum in the direction of the official, machine gun firing obscenities and overall ugly remarks that contrast her fairly pretty appearance. Having ignored the nuisance for as long as he possibly could, Dawson's teeth grind once more, until her juvenile tactics are met with the highest form of reprimanding.

Chris Dawson: That's it, you're done! Get the hell out of here!

Seth Ericson: WHAT? He just tossed Audrey out of the match! Lloris has been banned from ringside, Dick!

Dick Morosi: Way to earn your paycheck, Chris.

Dawson does his best baseball umpire impression, gesturing to the back to toss Audrey Lloris from ringside for the remaining duration of the bout. Audrey is having none of it, as she stamps immediately in her heels in a fit of rage while the fans begin to cheer in response to her dismissal. Wulf, clueless of the madness transpiring around him, realizes that his pin attempt has gone unacknowledged, and simply rolls off of Daisuke and awaits the next flurry of battle to commence. Audrey continues with her fussing, fidgeting as she's unsure as to what to do – all she knows is that she does not want to leave the festivities. That much is obvious. Overhearing the commotion at ringside, Lenton comes back to his feet and approaches Lloris from behind, realizing that he may have to enforce the ref's ruling. As he watches the spectacle from Audrey's pedestal on the apron, Dawson once again commands the valet to leave the area immediately, which is once more ignored by the perpetrator.

Deciding to play the role of bouncer, Lenton grabs Audrey by the wrist. She turns around in surprise, unable to react as she’s taken over the Virginian's massive shoulder in a fireman’s carry position like a hostage. Steve grins slyly with an arm cupped in the middle of Audrey's upper legs to prevent her from escaping; upon account of her tantrum of flailing and pounding the back of the tag champ with balled-up fists that do little damage, making him laugh more than anything. The Suntan Superman carries Audrey around half of the ring's perimeter on his way to escortingher off said premises, to the ramp, setting her down softly on her feet. She responds with a slap to The Big L's face, putting him in an awkward position - he doesn't want to choke a bitch, but dammit if she's not asking for it. Luckily, before he can do anything Stacey-X leaps onto her, and begins unloading on Lloris, as the latter's anticts had pushed her to the brink. The Big L watches the catfight unfold, leaving him susceptible to Kameron Chase. Indeed, Kam leaps onto Lenton from the barricade, sending everyone, including the brawling valets who had gotten to their feet crashing to the floor at the base of the ramp.

Seth Ericsoni: A flying Kamo-Mac sends them all to the ground. The only thing this match is missing is a live band performance, because this is basically turning into a crazy variety show.

Dick Morosi: Hey, it's still better than anything on network television. That's for sure.

Seth Ericson: Not quite, Dick. We need a wardrobe malfunction from one of these lovely ladies to reach that territory.

Dick Morosi: And you need Jesus, and a psyche evaluation.

A pair of referees rush down the aisle to the aftermath of Kam's attack to attend to the two non-competitors in distress while, in-ring, Daisuke seems disinterested by what has happened to his eye candy. The Perfect Evil pulls Wulf to his feet, slamming a series of forearms into his cranium upon lifting him onto his shoulders before slamming him to the canvas. With a series of stomps to every part of Wulf's body that sticks out at him, he turns his attention to the turnbuckle in hopes of leaping down with a knee, fist, leg, elbow, body drop or splash to procure a championship victory. The toll on his body and physical exertion of the match has Daisuke struggling as he begins to ascend from the outside of the pads. Unfortunately for The Perfect Evil, the tenacity of the equally fatigued and enervated Wulf Erikssen leads his rival to recover from the slam moments ago in enough time to meet his nemesis at the apex of his climb - right at the very top rope. Both men match the other's cold glare, Iwakuma pleading, and begging, his head shaking in an effort to convice the Brit not to do what he has planned. Wulf ignores his plead as he shakes and quivers the top rope with both hands, causing the challenger to lose his footing, slip and crotch himself on the turnbuckle pad in a straddle.

Seth Ericson: OHHHH! Damn, I sure hope he was wearing a cup.

Dick Morosi: I hope not, at least then we won't have to worry about him bringing Damien into the world.

Wulf pumps a fist into the air with a manly, and outright fiendish warcry before scaling the mountain that Daisuke is painfully perched on. With a swaying of his body, he positions himself on the second rope and jabs a right hand into Iwakuma's cranium as he configures his almost nonexistent top-rope repertoire for what could be the moment of truth in the lengthy contest. Erikssen then tucks the groggy Dausuke's head underneath his arm and does the same with his own at his foe's ribs. With this in place, Wulf begins to obtain the footing nevessary to raise the Demon of EXODUS from his testicularly unpleasant position. However, whilet this is occuring, the illegal member of The Ninth Gate, Chase rolls into the ring with aspirations of ruining Wulf's plan. Kameron takes strides over to flank his title-defending adversary as the Englishman takes a creaking step to the top rope –dragging Iwakuma with him. Chase simply ducks between Wulf's legs and hooks his head under the Barroom Brawler's pelvis. As a result, Chase raises his arms and places them over both of Erikssen's legs, standing directly below him. Aware of his precarious and perilous position and the terrible fate that awaits him, Wulf wobbles at his perch as his lower foundation is removed and replaced with Kamo-Mac as a substitute.

Chase, looking to put a decisive end to the match, joins both Daisuke and Wulf by stepping onto the first and second rope. All this time, the subdued Iwakuma is left to helplessly spectate as his partner attempts to apprehend his current and legal opponent - realizing that if he is indeed successful, it'll be at the expense of his well being. However, since there is only three men to this chaos and four participants in the match, Lenton trails Chase as he himself enters the squared circle. The Big L plods towards the human ladder erected in the corner, watching as the trio of stars sway back and forth, unsure as to which way to go in the attempts of not falling in the first place. Not one to leave the ground, Steve simply hugs Kameron, whom is standing now on the second rope with Wulf seated on his shoulders in an Electric Chair, whom is in a tie-up with Iwakuma about eight feet or so above the mat. Lenton embraces Chase whilst placing a boot across the bottom turnbuckle. The Hammerstein Ballroom erupts with cheers in anticipation of seeing the leaning tower of human flesh come to a beautiful crash landing.

Dick Morosi: This isn't going to end well.

Seth Ericson: Understatement of the year, Dick!

The Big L drives his foot into the bottom rope, using it as leverage to drive his momentum backward. As a consequence, Chase loses his balance – whom he clings on to. With Kamo-Mac now being pulled in reverse from the second rope, the laws of physics act out, as what goes up must indeed come down. Chase is followed by Wulf Erikssen, seated on his shoulders – and last but certainly not least, Daisuke Iwakuma who is trapped in a Suplex as the two are swayed to the middle of the ring. Iwakuma is tossed overhead of Wulf for extra leverage, as all four competitors pancake to the canvas in a magnificient crash landing of gigantic proportions.

*THUD*

Seth Ericson: OH. MY. GOD.

Dick Morosi: My God, Seth!

Seth Ericson: They're dead. They're ALL dead!

Dick Morosi: That was a combination of a German Suplex, Electric Chair Drop and a Superplex, and it just turned The Hammerstein Ballroom on its head.

All four men land back-first onto the mat, spanning the entire width of the ring with the legal superstars in the match absorbing the most damage as they lay motionless following a dramatic sensation of pain and concussion sent throughout their bodies. Chase landed with the brunt of his weight exerted on the back of his neck, contrary to The Big L, who ended up with his head squished by Kamo-Mac's lower half. In hindsight, he was the least in trouble in the whole ordeal, yet he still shows the effects of it and he is in no hurry to move a muscle anytime soon. Out of sheer approval of what they just witnessed, and to will somebody to their feet, the audience can only voice their opinions with a phrase to perfectly capture the moment.

"THIS IS AWESOME!"
*CLAP* CLAP* *CLAP-CLAP-CLAP*
"THIS IS AWESOME!"
*CLAP* CLAP* *CLAP-CLAP-CLAP*

The carnage strewn across the ring becomes evident when the dust settles from the near earthquake like impact. Looking like the aftermath of a plane crash with carcasses all about ringside, three of the four men lie motionless across the battlefield, the fourth, beginning to a stir. Lenton ducks underneath the ropes and rests on the apron, whilst Kamo-Mac does the same thing yet opts to fall on the floor instead. The Barroom Hero is the first of the legal participants to get to his feet, slowly dragging himself to a vertical base by using the ring ropes as a much needed crutch. The Perfect Evil, having received the worst of the near planetary devastation, is still labouring in obvious agony while Wulf Erikssen tries to shake the cobwebs. By the time Daisuke had gotten to a wobbly stand, Wulf was already waiting for him. Wulf charges forward with a Clothesline - but Daisuke somehow ducks, appearing to have spidey senses or eyes in the back of his head. However, Erikssen comes back off the ropes to score with The Superman Punch, leveling the dazed deviant as he turns right into the Brit's massive right cross.

Dick Morosi: Falcon Punch! He may have knocked Daisuke out cold with that one, Seth.

Seth Ericson: The crowd is on it's feet, Dick. They know what's next - this could be the end of The Perfect Evil right here.

Indeed, with the crowd at a fever pitch Wulf goes in for the kill. He slowly lifts Daisuke's deadweight to its full verticality, preparing the Double Pumphandle. There seems to be nothing to stop Wulf, as he begins to lift Iwakuma up for the Sit-Out Powerbomb known as the Barroom Bomb - that is until a a sudden ringside commotion peaks his interest. Wulf leaves Daisuke to his devises, and immediately turns his attention to Norihiro Akashi, who sprints to ringside and slides into the ring. He charges at Erikssen who backpedals in retreat - only to sidestep the assailant and toss him over the ropes.

Dick Morosi: Out goes Akashi, Wulf just took out the trash. Thanks for playing, Norihiro!

Seth Ericson: Yeah, but look-

The brief distraction gives Iwakuma time to regain his bearings, as he climbs to his feet to take advantage of his ally's intrusion. Unaware that Daisuke has recovered, Wulf walks right into a swift kick to the midsection, and is immediately hoisted onto The Perfect Evil's shoulders. Without a moment's hesitation, Daisuke spikes him into the cancas with a resounding thud, connecting with an Omega Driver that renders The Barroom Hero utterly catatonic.

Seth Ericson: DEAD SPACE!

Dick Morosi: Off the distraction by Norihiro Akashi! It can't end this way, Seth. No-No this is a travesty.

With Wulf sprawled and immobile, Daisuke immediately hooks his legs for the cover.

"ONE!"

"TWO!"

The Big L tries to make the save, but is thrawted by Kamo-Mac who hugs his legs to prevent him from sliding in time to stop the count.

"THREE!"

The air is pulled out of the Hammerstein Ballroom, the bell chiming thrice to signal the end of the doubt. A unanimous chorus of boos fills the venue, whilst "God Save Us" by Ill Niño starts to play, and Chris Dawson retrieves the Tag Championships to cement the conteversial title change.

David Zinkus: The winners of this match at the time of twenty eight minutes, and your NEW EXODUS Pro Tag Team Champions... the team of Kameron Chase and Daisuke Iwakuma; THE NINTH GATE!

WINNERS (and NEW Tag Team Champions): The Ninth Gate

Dick Morosi: I can't believe it...The Ninth Gate are two-time Tag Team Champions!

Seth Ericson: Give the huge assist to Norihiro Akashi, but this group seemingly now known as HATE have screwed Trouble out of those belts.

Dick Morosi: You can best believe we haven't seen the last of these two teams fighting though. For now, let's head backstage!

We cut backstage where both Jonathan and Fiona Collins sit silently, each of them seeming to be in their own little world. Despite being the first couple of EXODUS and often seen quite enamored with one another, both seem to sit apart quietly, thinking silently in their wrestling gear. Heavy and major opportunities await each of them over the course of the night, and it's not until the door swings open to their dressing room that the mood seems to lift from serious.

Voice: Jeez, you two look like someone kicked Madison.

The camera turns to face in the direction of the voice, only to find the third member of The Marauders...Jimmy Riley.

Jimmy Riley: Seriously, you two...normally I'd tell you both to get a room, but right now it seems like you two need to find the mood to get that room.

Fiona sat solemnly, her hands clasped together as if she were praying, rotating them to stretch out her wrists. The mood in the room was anything as it usually was between herself and her husband but she couldn't think about that at that moment. There were much more serious things going on that held deeper importance.

At the sound of a familiar voice however, Fiona's head lifted and her eyes widened at who she saw standing there, staring at her and Jon. She jumped up from her seat.

Fiona Collins: Jimmy! What are you doing here?

Jimmy Riley: Well, you know, I'm still employed in other capacities, but...I'm here to see my friends.

Jimmy looks over at both her and Jon and then smiles.

Jimmy Riley: And my family.

Jonathan gets up and walks over to him, nodding before he extends his hand and the two shake hands, Jon hugging his long-time friend.

Jonathan Collins: You know, it seems like EXODUS forgot how much the three of us mean to one another.

Jimmy's words touched Fiona deeply, as the past week alone had been trying time for the Collins family and their close friends. Smiling softly as she watched her husband and best friend hug, she walked over to give him a hug as well before resting her hand on Jon's back to let him know she was there as well.

Fiona Collins: As bad as it sounds, I think we might have forgotten a little bit ourselves of this. Maybe tonight.....we can fix that....

She looks up at Jon and grins before looking at Jimmy, eyebrows raised as if challenging the two men.

Jimmy Riley: Because, I mean, we've always been good at protecting the world from devasta--

Jonathan raises his hand and stops Jimmy.

Jonathan Collins: NOT THIS TIME.

Fiona looks over at Jon, surprised by his outburst.

Jonathan Collins: I need to be at peace, because....

Jonathan looks at him both, before suddenly belting out the voice of Eric Cartman.

Jonathan Collins: I'M SAAAAAAAAAILING AWAAAAAY! SET AN OPEN COURSE FOR THE VIRGIN SEAAAAAAAA....

Fiona stares at Jon in disbelief, as does Jimmy, before she starts laughing hysterically.

Fiona Collins: I don't even know what the hell is going on right now but my husband has gone insane. Come on though! This could be epic.

She grins, rising on her toes to throw her arms around Jon and Jimmy's necks while looking between them both.

Fiona Collins: The Marauders running together again for one night in NEW YORK CITY.

Both men look at her and grin, before Jimmy nods.

Jimmy Riley: You know something? Jon's right. Because he said...

Jimmy clears his throat, before joining in.

Jimmy Riley: COME SAIL AWAY, COME SAIL AWAY...COME SAIL AWAY WITH ME!!

Jonathan Collins: COME SAIL AWAY, COME SAIL AWAY, COME SAIL AWAY WITH ME!

Fiona blinks, staring back and forth between the two men before she steps back and raises her fist to her mouth as if she is holding a microphone.

Fiona Collins: COME SAIL AWAY, COME SAIL AWAY, COME SAIL AWAY WITH MEEEEEEEE!!

With that, the trio continues to sing this timeless classic as we cut back to Dick & Seth.