Anderson: The following contest is scheduled for one fall. Making their way to the ring, at a combined weight of four-hundred and sixty-two pounds, the team of Justin Cooper and Joseph Greaves; Team Australia.
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Joseph Greaves arrogantly saunters down to the ring, his arms outstretched as he does his best to ignore the jeering fans in the front rows. At the same time Justin Cooper runs down to the ring. As Greaves ascends the corner, crossing his arms and pointing with his middle and index finger, Cooper does the same on the opposite side. Both men show an arrogant grin before stepping down and meeting in the middle of the ring.
Anderson: And introducing their opponents. First, from Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, weighing in at two-hundred and thirty-five pounds, Mick Overlast.
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The music continues to play for almost a complete cycle before Overlast emerges from the back. He pays no heed to the jeering crowd and drags his feet sulkily as he approached the ring. Instead of entering through the ropes, Overlast simply sits himself on the ring steps and awaits the arrival of his opponent.
Anderson: And his partner, weighing two-hundred and thirty-three pounds, from the Great Beyond, Phoenix.
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The arena goes dark as soon as the music hits. With each time the bass hits, flames shoot into the air and the lights flash like lightning. Phoenix appears on stage and slowly scans the arena, with the lights and pyro still firing. He begins slowly walking toward the ring. He exchanges a glace with Overlast who appears thoroughly unimpressed with his new partner.
Serra: Overlast doesn’t look thrilled with the prospect of teaming with Phoenix. Obviously Blade was originally scheduled to compete here, but his announcement earlier in the evening has sent plans into turmoil. You have to question how much idea Overlast had that this was coming, and how much notice he’s had of the identity of his new partner
Klamor: Overlast is a consummate professional. He may not be thrilled about his new partner, but I guarantee he’ll make the best of a bad situation and come out swinging.
Three of the four men begin getting into position for the match. In one corner Cooper and Greaves are whispering rapidly to one another, clearly engaging in a little last minute strategising. In contrast, Mick Overlast is still sat on the ring steps, his attention apparently elsewhere. Phoenix drops a hand on his shoulder, trying to get his attention, but Overlast simply brushes it away. Frowning to himself Phoenix shrugs his shoulders and rolls into the ring. On the other side, Team Australia appears to have reached a consensus and it is Cooper who takes up position in the centre of the ring.
Serra: It looks like Cooper and Phoenix are going to start this match off. Twelve months ago both men were wrestling for championship gold at Kingdom Come III, these two must be highly disappointed not to have made it onto the big show this year. Do you think that might be weighing heavily on their minds Johnny?
Klamor: I think they’ll both be looking at this match as an opportunity to make a statement Becky. Neither man has had a good year, but this is their opportunity to show the world that they still deserve to be at Kingdom Come, even if the powers that be think otherwise.
Cooper and Phoenix circle tentatively, neither man keen to make the first move. Phoenix feints a leg kick but Cooper doesn’t take the bait and takes a step backward. Cooper outstretched his arms, apparently wanting a test of strength. Phoenix reaches out to accept the challenge, only to pull away at the last second. Cooper elects not to pursue, and the men go back to circling.
Serra: A lengthy feeling out process beginning this match. Neither man wants to be the one to make the first mistake.
Klamor: Or to strike the first blow. I’ve said it a hundred times Becky, you can’t win a match playing defence.
Serra: How many of those hundred times have you been proven right Johnny?
Klamor: Almost half. The theory is definitely sound.
Cooper reaches out and offers a test of strength for a second time. This time Phoenix appears to take the bait. Before the two can lock up properly however; both men attempt to deliver knees to their opponent’s gut. Neither strike lands properly and both men hurriedly back off.
Cooper retreats to his corner and tags in Greaves who vaults over the top rope and into the ring. Greaves points across the ring, signalling that he wants Overlast in the match. Phoenix turns to survey his partner, who has still yet to make it onto the apron, and is immediately caught from behind by a double sledge from Greaves.
Klamor: Sucker. Phoenix literally just fell for the old “look over there” gambit. Next Greaves should try informing him that his shoes are untied.
Phoenix is doubled over from the blow and Greaves is quick to seize the advantage. He grasps Phoenix by the hair and drags him towards the Team Australia corner. Greaves rams Phoenix’s head into the turnbuckle: once, twice, thrice, four times. Phoenix raises his hands to block the next blow, only for Cooper to reach in from the outside a deliver a swift poke to the eye. Phoenix flinches from the assault, and Greaves is able to follow up with six more blows before the referee demands a break. Greaves takes the opportunity to tag his partner, and the two men trade places for a second time.
Cooper is right back on the offence, dragging Phoenix upright and delivering a sequence of stiff European uppercuts in the corner. He then guides Phoenix into the centre of the ring and delivers a scoop slam. Cooper grabs one of Phoenix’s lags and drives and elbow into his opponent’s exposed knee. With Phoenix grounded and showing few signs of fighting back, Cooper regains his feet and tags Greaves back in.
Klamor: Team Australia making good use of those quick tags. The match has only been going for a couple of minutes and they’ve already got Phoenix worn down, whilst the men from down under remain completely fresh.
Serra: Phoenix is wrestling at a pretty major disadvantage though. He’s basically fighting a handicap match here.
Klamor: What are you talking about Becky? Overlast is right there…
Serra: …Not on the ring apron, not ready for a tag. Phoenix is having the fly solo for the moment.
Greaves mounts Phoenix’s torso and begins raining down closed fist punches upon the high flyer’s dome. The referee demands a cessation, but Greaves only lets up for long enough to position himself for a leg drop. Greaves drops a second leg across his opponent’s throat before climbing to the middle rope and springing back into the ring with a diving leg drop. Phoenix moves out of the way at the last second and roles towards his corner, where Overlast isn’t waiting. Phoenix shouts at Overlast who looks up, as if seeing his partner for the first time.
Greaves has crawled back to his corner and tags Cooper back into the match. Cooper charges at Phoenix from behind, but the luchadore smartly side steps and Cooper crashed into the corner. Phoenix cradles him from behind with a school boy, but Cooper kicks out before the referee can register a count. Both men scramble back to their feet, but Phoenix is the quicker man and he manages to deliver a stiff kick to Cooper’s shoulder. Phoenix grabs Cooper’s arm and tries to whip him off into the ropes. Cooper reverses, and then tries to catch Phoenix coming back with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker, only for Phoenix to counter the move into an arm drag. Cooper is right back on his feet, but Phoenix is equally quick to follow up and whips the Aussie into one of the vacant corners of the ring. Phoenix charges towards his opponent for a Stinger splash, but Cooper takes a smart step forward and then hits Phoenix with an arm drag into the corner. Cooper staggers into his home corner, and Greaves tags himself in.
Meanwhile, Mick Overlast has finally made his way onto the apron and is watching the in ring action with an expression of contempt.
Serra: Overlast appears to have finally remembered that he’s supposed to be wrestling a match tonight.
Klamor: Like I told you, he was just biding his time.
Serra: Did you actually tell me that Johnny?
Klamor: Well I certainly meant to.
Phoenix is sprawled upside-down in the corner and Greaves grabs his legs, elevating him up for a wheelbarrow facebuster. Phoenix grabs the turnbuckle to block the move, only for Greaves to elevate him up and over the ropes. Pheonix lands on his feet on the apron, blocks a right hand from Greaves, then answers back with a jumping enziguiri kick which sends his opponent crashing backwards onto the mat.
Sensing a shift in the momentum Phoenix springs to the top rope and motions for the Final Flight. Cooper comes charging along the ring apron to cut him off, but Phoenix springs towards him, flies over his head and catches him with a devastating sunset-flip powerbomb off the ring apron. Cooper lands hard on the crash mats, whilst Phoenix remains on the ring apron. He pulls himself upright, sees Greaves still lying prone in the ring and attempts a springboard 450 splash. Greaves rolls out of the way but Phoenix lands on his feet and launches himself into the ropes, only to get totally wiped out by a Greaves clothesline on the way back.
Klamor: I think Greaves was playing a little possum there. Smart move.
Serra: Even so; Phoenix has managed to level the playing field here. That was an unbelievable move to keep Cooper out of the match for a while. If Phoenix can make it to his corner this his team might actually find themselves at an advantage.
Klamor: Well he doesn’t look to be making much progress in that direction right now. Greaves just took his head clean off.
Greaves looks to his corner but sees no partner there. He then looks down to see Phoenix slowly, desperately trying to crawl towards Mick Overlast. Phoenix’s fingers scrabble for purchase on the canvas until Greaves stamps on them. Phoenix yelps in pain, but keeps trying to propel himself across the ring. S******ing to himself, Greaves grabs Phoenix’s prone form from behind and elevates him up for a wheelbarrow facebuster, only for Phoenix to counter into a high velocity victory roll, spiking Greaves down on his head. The referee drops down to count; 1… 2… Greaves kicks out, but the momentum of his escape propels Phoenix back to his feat. Phoenix staggers towards his corner, but Greaves grabs hold of his leg, holding him back.
Phoenix snaps off an enziguiri kick to Greaves’ temple, but in desperation the Australian refuses to relinquish hold of his opponent’s leg. Phoenix uses his free leg to start dragging the pair of them towards his corner, reaching out desperately for the tag from Overlast. Overlast surveys his partner with a cool expression, and doesn’t bother to reach out an arm.
Serra: Phoenix is inches away from safety. All Overlast has to do is reach out an arm and he’d be in this match.
Klamor: Overlast is making a statement to Phoenix. He’s saying “you come to me; I don’t go to you.”
Serra: He’s saying “oh gods; don’t make me have to wrestle in this match.”
Phoenix is getting closer; one final push will take him into the safety of the corner where his partner waits. He uses his free leg to kick back at Greaves and catches the Sothern Star in the face, breaking the grip on his leg. Phoenix braces himself for one final effort towards the corner, only for Cooper to appear behind him and deliver a sequence of big elbow drops to Phoenix’s back. Overlast smirks, and theatrically shrugs his shoulders.
Serra: Phoenix was so close; still, an impressive display from Cooper to get back on his feet so quickly after that powerbomb.
Klamor: A little known fact Becky, the crash mats outside the ring actually have rather more give in them than the ring itself. Phoenix’s big move certainly looked impressive, but I doubt it did all that much damage.
The referee pulls Cooper off of his opponent and orders him back to his corner. Cooper relents, but grabs Greaves’ by the arm and drags his partner back into the corner with him. Cooper then simply reaches down and tags himself in, re-entering the ring before Phoenix can begin to think about recuperating.
Klamor: More smart tag team wrestling from the Australians; you have to admire how quickly these men have mastered the art of cooperation.
Serra: I’m not sure dragging your prone partner across the ring really counts as cooperation Johnny.
Cooper is swiftly back on the offence against Phoenix, stomping on his legs, looking to neutralise the high flyer’s aerial moves. He takes hold of both legs and uses them to hook in a Boston crab. Phoenix is still close to the ropes, and Cooper shows no sign of caring about improving his ring position, instead simply trying to inflict as much pain as quickly as possible. Phoenix manages to brush his fingers against the bottom rope, and the referee demands that the hold be broken. Cooper releases the pressure, but maintains the grip for long enough to drag Phoenix back to the Team Australia corner.
Klamor: And Phoenix is back at square one.
Cooper elevates Phoenix, whose resistance has almost completely ceased, back to his feet; only to drop him straight back down with a Devil Lock DDT. Cooper covers; 1… 2… Phoenix forces a shoulder up at the last second.
Serra: He’s still fighting; you’ve got to give him credit for that.
Klamor: You’re easier to impress than I am. I’m not handing out praise to someone just for taking a long time to lose a match.
Greaves has regained his bearings outside the ring, and Cooper takes the opportunity to tag him in. Greaves immediately sets upon Phoenix, throwing him headfirst into the corner and following up with a plethora of right hands. The referee counts; 1… 2… 3… 4… 5... before jumping in and manhandling Greaves away from his opponent. Cooper takes advantage of the distraction to choke Phoenix with the tag rope behind the referee’s back. Phoenix flails, the cord digging into his throat, shutting off his oxygen supply. More by luck that judgement he manages to catch Cooper with an elbow to the face, sending the man from the Suburbs tumbling from the apron. Phoenix takes a moment to gulp down a lungful of air, but a moment is all he gets as he is immediately struck by a running clothesline from Greaves.
Greaves motions to the crowd that he’s going to put Phoenix away. He pulls the high-flyer up by his hair, grabs his neck and twists it, then spins round to deliver a crushing hangman’s facebuster. Phoenix however escapes out the back door and finds himself behind his opponent. Quickly he grabs both of Joseph Greaves’ arms in a full nelson, then hurls himself forward to deliver a thunderous bulldog to his opponent.
Serra: Incinerator! This could be Phoenix’s big chance to get Overlast into the match.
Phoenix finally finds himself unchallenged in the ring. He locks eyes with his tag partner and slowly, wincing with every movement, pulls himself to his feet. Phoenix’s expression is a mixture of fury and mistrust, but he slowly limps over to his corner where Overlast is waiting. With theatrical, exaggerated slowness, Overlast extends his hand for the tag, and Phoenix gratefully slaps it.
Phoenix collapses on the ring apron, barely conscious as casually, still radiating disinterest, Mick Overlast steps through the ropes at last and assesses the situation. Greaves is lying prone in the middle of the ring, whilst Cooper is still on the floor outside, apparently having taken a knock during his fall. Overlast picks Joseph Greaves up, and then Irish whips him into the ropes. As Greaves bounces back across the ring Overlast stands his ground and delivers a standing shoulder block, knocking the Australian down.
Apparently content in a job well done, Overlast strolls back over to his corner, reaches down and tags in the prone form of Phoenix.
Serra: What on earth is he doing?
Klamor: Quick tags are the essence of good teamwork. Overlast is simply doing his bit.
Phoenix’s expression is one of disbelief as he gapes up at his partner. He swipes out, trying to tag Overlast back into the match again, but the man from Pittsburgh drops down to the arena floor and motions for Phoenix to get on with it.
Livid with fury, Phoenix uses the ropes to try and find his footing. Meanwhile Greaves is making his way gradually towards his home corner where a refreshed Cooper is once again waiting for the tag. Cooper enters the ring as Phoenix succeeds in finding his balance, and the two men square off and begin exchanging right hands. The crowd, reluctant for so long to get behind any of the competitors, are now solidly in support of Phoenix and cheer loudly every time he manages to land a blow. The support doesn’t appear to be helping however, and Phoenix is suffering far more from Cooper’s blows than vice versa.
A big right hand rocks Phoenix back into the ropes and Cooper takes the opportunity to Irish whip him. Phoenix doesn’t even make it across the ring, falling to his knees as soon as Cooper lets go of his arm. Cooper grabs him from behind and delivers a vicious swinging inverted DDT. He covers; 1… 2… from somewhere Phoenix finds the strength to kick out.
Cooper is not about to let up on the offence and he grabs Phoenix’s hair whilst signalling for the Final Verse. He hooks Phoenix’s arm and neck, preparing to deliver a high impact reverse STO, but from somewhere Phoenix finds the strength to rattle off a sequence of elbows to the side of Cooper’s head, breaking the hold. Not to be deterred easily, Cooper goes right back, attempting the same move a second time. Once again Phoenix responds with elbows, and this time one lands true, knocking Cooper to his knees.
Greaves leans over the top rope and tags himself in. He then scampers up the turnbuckle and launches himself at Phoenix with a missile dropkick that fails to connect as Phoenix dodges. Cooper is back to his feet and swings and Phoenix with a clothesline but Phoenix ducks under the blow, springboards off the middle rope and catches Justin Cooper with a flying Liger kick.
Serra: Incredible comeback from Phoenix. His partner has refused to help him at all and he’s been forced to wrestle what is essentially a handicap match. Not only is he still going, but now he looks like he might even pull off an upset.
Klamor: Don’t get ahead of yourself Becky. That was an impressive move, but Cooper and Greaves are still going to be the first two men on their feet.
And indeed, Joseph Greaves and Justin Cooper both manage to pull themselves upright before Phoenix. Without so much as exchanging a glace both partners stride over to their opponent and hook his arms for a double suplex. They elevate Phoenix up into the air, but in a spectacular feat of agility Phoenix manages to escape out the back and land on his feat. Phoenix turns, grabs both his opponent’s heads and rams them together. Keeping hold of both heads, sensing this may be his final chance to survive, Phoenix rests one on either shoulder, then jumps backward, back flipping over both of his opponents and dropping them both to the mat with a double shiranui.
Serra: Double Redemption! Double Redemption! Phoenix is going to win.
Klamor: He’s still got to capitalise Becky.
Phoenix does not look to be in a position to capitalise, he’s the first man to start moving following the impact, but he’s not moving fast. The impact of the double Redemption sent him rolling back towards his home corner, and he grabs at the ropes, trying to pull himself upright once more, as Cooper and Greaves begin to get back to their feet. Suddenly Overlast stretched into the ring and tags himself into the match.
Serra: What? No. Surely Overlast isn’t going to steal this match.
Klamor: Steal; what are you talking about Becky? They’re a team. Overlast had Phoenix soften up the opposition, now he’s going to finish the job. World class strategy.
Phoenix collapses to the apron and Overlast saunters into the ring. His movements are still casual and disinterested, but he’s still the fastest man in the ring as he wanders over to the still prone Cooper. He covers him and hooks a leg; 1… 2… Cooper manages to roll a shoulder. Overlast looks annoyed, but he preservers, moving with slightly more urgency over to Joseph Greaves who he covers; 1… 2… only for Cooper to lunge across and break up the pinfall.
Klamor: If you ask me the referee was mightly slow on the second count.
Serra: Should the referee even be making a second count; surely only one member of Team Australia can be the legal man at a time.
Klamor: Becky, don’t complicate things for the audience. You’ll only upset them.
Overlast slaps the mat in frustration. He cradles Cooper, who is still regaining his feat, lifts him up, holds him there for a few seconds and then drops him head first with a sickening brainbuster. Greaves lunges at his from behind, but Overlast spins and catches him with a snap powerslam. He picks Greaves up, then drops him with a piledriver that sends the Aussie into spasms. Apparently not done with his assault, Overlast returns his attention to Cooper. He lifts the exhausted Australian upright, hooks him for a suplex, and then twists in mid air to deliver a shotgun style stunner.
Klamor: Overlasting Impression. And that’s all she wrote.
Mick Overlast draws himself upright and surveys the devastation surrounding him. Greaves, Cooper and Phoenix all appear to be barely conscious. Apparently satisfied with his handiwork Overlast strolls back over to the recumbent form of Phoenix and tags his partner back in.
Overlast: You can take it from here.
Serra: What on earth is he doing now?
Klamor: He’s giving his partner an opportunity to finish the match. Overlast is a kind hearted soul as well as being a tactical genius.
Serra: Do you believe the words that come out of your mouth Johnny?
Klamor: Sometimes I surprise even myself.
Phoenix is too beaten down to even register surprise at this point. He no longer had the strength to stand, but he can see Cooper and Greaves lying prone just a few feet away. He crawls towards Cooper, slowly, inches at a time, until he can finally drape an arm over him. The crowd counts; 1… 2… 3... But the referee, remembering his job at last, drops to his knees to inform Phoenix that Cooper is not the legal man. Desperately Phoenix sets out again, crawling over to Greaves who still hasn’t moved since he was on the receiving end of the pile driver. He makes his way over, hooks a leg and the referee counts; 1… 2… suddenly Cooper hurls himself across the ring to break up the count. Overlast looks utterly disgusted at Phoenix’s inability to finish the job and he drops from the apron and heads towards the back.
Serra: And now Mick Overlast is abandoning his own partner when they’re on the verge of victory.
Klamor: I don’t blame him; Overlast won the match only to see Phoenix throw it all away by pinning the wrong man. If I was forced to team with somebody who didn’t understand how tag team matches work then I except that I’d walk out as well.
Cooper is the first man to his feat, but the referee has had enough of him being in the ring illegally and orders him out. Cooper argues, and the two men end up nose to nose. Phoenix is still draped over Greaves, but the referee’s attention is now elsewhere. Phoenix crawls on hands and knees towards the corner, trying desperately to attract the ref’s attention. Suddenly Greave’s head jerks and the Sothern Star snaps back into consciousness. He surveys the scene, sees Phoenix in front of him and sees the referee with his back turned. Greaves lurches forward and strikes Phoenix with a low blow that makes the males in the audience groan. As the referee turns back to the action he sees Greaves lifting the now prone Phoenix up by his head, twisting his neck and dropping him with a hangman’s style facebuster.
Klamor: Breaking the trend! Let’s see Phoenix come back from this without Overlast’s constant moral support.
Greaves seems uninterested in going for the pin, and instead motions to the crowd for a second Breaking the Trend.
Serra: Greaves needs to be careful here. He threw his match away last week by not pinning his opponent when he had the chance.
Klamor: Not this time Becky. Greaves has taken complete control with that move. Everything from here on out is just a formality.
Serra: I think the low blow rather helped him take control.
Klamor: What low blow?
Serra: Are you seriously going to try and tell me you missed that blatend cheating by Team Australia?
Klamor: I’m afraid I was momentarily distracted by my headset Becky, but I don’t disbelieve you for a second.
Greaves has succeeded in elevating Phoenix back to his feat, but he doesn’t stay that way for long as Greaves drops him with a second Breaking the Trend. He is about to go for a pin cover when he notices Justin Cooper signalling furiously for the tag. With an evil glint in his eyes Greaves creeps across the ring and tags in his partner.
Serra: Is this really necessary?
Klamor: For sending a message? I’ll say.
Greaves helps lift Phoenix back to his feat once more; only for Cooper to drop him with a Final Verse.
Serra: That’s enough! The match is over. The referee needs to call this thing.
Klamor: I don’t reckon they’re done yet.
Greaves exits the ring, but Cooper tags him straight back in. Greaves climbs the ring post and Cooper drags Phoenix to the centre of the ring. Greaves launches himself off the top and crashes down atop Phoenix with a legdrop. There is a sickening crunch upon impact, and blood begins to seep from Phoenix’s nose. The referee drops to check on him, but Team Australia are still not finished. Cooper holds Phoenix in a squat bear hug position while Greaves jumps off the top rope with another huge leg drop.
Klamor: Wow; what a devastating double team manoeuvre.
Serra: Don’t be impressed Johnny. This is disgusting, reprehensible behaviour.
Finally content that their point has been made, both members of Team Australia place a boot on Phoenix’s chest, pressing his shoulders into the mat. The referee drops and counts; 1… 2… 3…
Anderson: The winners of this match; by pinfall, Justin Cooper and Joseph Greaves… Team Australia!
The match concluded the referee immediately signals to the back to bring out some help for Phoenix. Trainers and EMTs swiftly hit the ring to tend to the fallen. Cooper and Greaves mount the turnbuckles in celebration as the crowd register their distaste.
Klamor: A fantastic victory for the new team on the block. They totally dominated Phoenix for the entire match. I’m predicting big things for these guys.
Serra: What about Phoenix? He battled bravely till the end, but he was badly let down by his partner on the night.
Klamor: Please; Phoenix is a loser. Overlast walked out of this match under his own power. Cooper and Greaves are walking out of this match under their own power. Phoenix is going to have to be wheeled out on a stretcher. That should tell you everything you need to know about this match.
Serra: I’ll never understand how you can come to conclusions like this Johnny.
Klamor: That’s OK Rebecca; when you’ve had fifty years experience then maybe you’ll be able to reach my level of thought.
