Scene cuts to a Japanese shrine. Kagura Daikonran reads from the pages of her book. She pays the camera no mind as she recites the scripture.
Kagura: Monsutā no koe.
(Monster voices.)
She looks longingly at the words written in the sacred text. Her eyes pass over passage after passage.
Kagura: ...Zeusu...Jon dō...
(...Zeus...John Doe...)
The pages turned as if guided by a ghostly hand. She shakes her head, not content with what she sees. The book glows against the light of lanterns.
Kagura: Īe.
(No.)
Kagura: Inu. Raudo inu.
(Dog. Loud dog.)
She begins to laugh. The lanterns dim. A corrupt smile crosses her lips.
The tome rests on three characters:
犬の声
(Voice Of The Dog)
She mutters, to herself or the camera it is not quite clear.
Kagura:
Yosutebito no koe.
世捨て人の声
(Voice Of The Recluse)
----------------------------------
We return to Boise with the arena generally buzzing, waiting for more action yet relishing the few moments they have to catch their breath. Then, static lights burn erratically all around and columns of fire erupt from the stage! The crowd roars to accompany this most fantastic of entrances. They know what is coming.
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Anderson: Ladies and gentlemen, this next bout is a six man tag team match, set for one fall.
Selena pauses as she allows the duo to enter the arena.
Anderson: Introducing first, weight in at a combined weight of 410 pounds, they are the NEW WZCW Tag Team Champions, Ty Burna and El Caidos Dragon – THE PHANTIMS OF CHAOS!
With intricate robes and newly polished championship gold on display, they enter in unison. Taking it all in both Burna and Dragon accept the crowd’s adulation for their latest achievement. Ty smirks and Caidos reciprocates before both men sprint into the ring, preparing for action.
Connor: The newly crowned tag team champions looking to continue rolling with the momentum that has so far seen them take the titles in only a few months of being in WZCW.
Cohen: Bah! They beat one man CC. One man! I don’t care what they’ve done before, they’re paper champions if ever there were ones.
Connor: Dare you to say that to their faces Jack.
Silence is Jack Cohen’s response as Ty and Caidos show off their newly won prize to all corners. Then, as the arena lights reset, they make their way back into the centre of the ring to await their partner.
[YOUTUBE]VsuFVUjXYsI[/YOUTUBE]
Anderson: And their partner, from Stephenville, Texas, weighing in at 190 pounds, “The Warblade of Mystra” – THERON DAGGERSHIELD!
The response is thunderous as the lyrics to ‘Just Close Your Eyes’ blare out. With a warm smile, Theron enters albeit somewhat gingerly. He cuts his sword display atop the ramp short and begins to progress down the ramp with the slightest of limps.
Connor: Looks like Theron is still showing the signs of the war he went through with Dr. Zeus at Apocalypse.
Cohen: Well they don’t call it Hell in a Cell for nothing, my dear. I’m surprised he’s even been cleared to wrestle given the punishment he took in that match.
Before Theron reaches the ring to complete his entrance ceremonies, the music abruptly changes as does the atmosphere inside the arena.
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Mass booing ensues as WZCW’s newest team enters.
Anderson: Introducing their opponents, first, at a combined weight of 435 pounds – COOPER & KEATON!
Mark Keaton bounces from out from behind the curtain, playing air guitar with great gusto. Justin Cooper merely strolls out, smirking, pleased with his interruption of Theron Daggershield’s pre match preparation.
Cohen: I heard Cooper and Keaton elected on behalf of their team to come out second and it makes sense. Excellent tactic here, getting under the skin of Theron and no doubt courtesy of the veteran mindset of Justin Cooper.
As Theron displays some frustration with these actions, this latest tandem make it half way to the ring before pausing and waiting for their partner to make his entrance.
[YOUTUBE]JyX7dHmaRlA[/YOUTUBE]
Anderson: And finally, their partner, from the Last Chance Saloon, weighing 15 stone – GARTH BLACK!
As the crowd reacts in a mixed manner, Black quickens the pace, storming past his partners, practically ignoring them or the typical entrance bravado. He enters the ring with haste, determined to start this match for his team. He signals for his opponents to bring it and it is Theron who steps up at first. However, Ty Burna has a quick word with him. From one former Heavyweight Champion to another, a look is exchanged that cannot be described as friendly. After a moment, Theron accepts whatever Burna has whispered to him and takes his leave for the apron and Ty instead steps in.
Connor: What was that about?
Cohen: Ego, no doubt. Can’t say I disagree with Burna’s choice though, Theron is clearly still hurting from that Cell match.
The referee signals for the contest to begin and immediately, Garth moves to Ty and drops to one knee, grabbing at Burna’s left leg. He tries to go to work, but Ty is just as quick, turning to face his fellow veteran. As Garth tries to force Ty to the mat, Burna throws out a swift kick. Black ducks this in turn and rolls out of the way, unhurt, but without gaining any ground. The two circle, both sizing the other up. Garth now extends a hand up for a test of strength.
Ty shrugs as if to say ‘why not’ and matches Garth’s actions, the two entering a different type of battle. Black now extends the second hand and again Ty matches him. The Brit forces Burna’s hands down and sharply drops under to flip him over with one foot. He is quickly atop the Hall of Famer and plants his boots on Ty’s shoulders.
1…KICK-OUT! Garth still holds onto the hands of Burna in spite of the kick-out. He now brings Ty up and pulls him in for a quick judo throw. Again he goes for a cover.
1…KICK-OUT! Relentless, Garth again forces Ty’s shoulders to the mat. They are not down long enough even for a one count, but the purpose is clear.
Cohen: Garth Black is putting on a clinic here. This is how you wear a man out. You have to applaud that.
Now Garth backs off and allows separation. Ty rises, clicking his neck left and right and it is now his turn to offer the test of strength. Garth is unsure, but cautiously accepts, moving to meet Ty’s hand. Burna though pulls Garth in and quickly goes for a pumphandle position. Garth struggles and frees himself. Swiftly he rolls to his corner to tag in Mark Keaton. Recognising the opportunity at hand, Keaton licks his chops. Justin Cooper however isn’t relishing the chance so much and is determined to whisper precise instructions into his charge’s ear. Eager to get on with it, Keaton breaks away from Cooper, heading straight at Ty Burna, throwing a few wild jabs. With ease Ty avoids these swings before retorting with a kick to the rookies exposed ribs. Cooper face-palms at the obvious weakness that Burna has attacked.
Hoisting him up, Ty very deliberately drops to one knee, executing a perfect shoulder-breaker to the newcomer. He grabs the arm of Keaton and drags him to the fan favourite corner, tagging in El Caidos Dragon. Entering via a springboard off the top rope, the Dragon drops his knee onto Keaton’s arm. He follows it up with a float over into the La Magistral Cradle!
1…2…KICK-OUT! Keaton scoots backward hoping to distance himself, but the Dragon is relentless, throwing kicks at the arm he and his partner have singled out. Seeking some sort of refuge, Keaton gets up and continues backing away until he finds himself in the corner.
Unsure of where to go, Keaton frantically looks around as if expecting Cooper and Black to be there. All he finds though is a chuckle from the crowd and more stiff kicks from Dragon. The Tag Team Champion follows this up with a flurry of mixed fists and chops. He hits this Violent Flurry over and over before flipping backward, creating enough distance for the Dragon to hit his Liger Kick; Rolling Fire! Caidos now drags Keaton’s body from the corner and goes for a pin
1…2…COOPER IN TO BREAK IT UP! As he stomps squarely on the back of Dragon’s neck, the Aussie, in trademark fashion, loudly protests at the champion’s treatment of Keaton. The referee steps in to lead Cooper away, which distracts Dragon for just long enough to have Keaton drag himself away, leading with his good arm.
He just about reaches the bottom rope too before Dragon notices he’s gone. Like a pinball, Dragon launches himself at the “Remarkable” one. However, anticipating this, Keaton instinctively backdrops Dragon to the apron, largely unharmed. Keaton though is too pleased with himself to notice. In fact, he’s so pleased that he offers a thumbs-up to his partners. Black simply shakes his head while Cooper frantically signals that Dragon is still alive and well. Unfortunately all this does is cause Keaton to turn into the leaping El Caidos Dragon who leaps into a massive tornado DDT! The move hits picture perfect, but its momentum is so great that it launches Keaton’s corpse far enough in Cooper & Black general direction that a tag is easily achieved. And indeed, Justin Cooper reaches out for a successful back tag.
Now it is Dragon who is oblivious as he pulls Keaton in for the cover. The referee, of course, refuses to count much to Caidos’ bemusement. Things don’t get much better for the Dragon as Cooper’s boot smashes across his masked craw. Looking for support from his corner, Caidos Dragon reaches out himself but gets clobbered down by forearms from Cooper. The Australian native drags Dragon back toward Black and exchanges a tag with Garth who leaps over the top rope and comes crashing down with a bulldog. Quickly he moves into a cover.
1…2…KICK-OUT! A swift tag system is now in place as Garth passes the baton back to Cooper who throws the Dragon into the corner and drills him with kicks to the midsection. As Dragon slips down further into the corner, Cooper follows this up by illegally planting his boot across his opponent’s throat, using the ropes for leverage.
1…2…3…4…
The referee warns Cooper and forcibly removes him, backing him up. As Cooper explains to the referee that he ‘has til five’, a now mobile Mark Keaton takes advantage of the distraction and absolutely nails Dragon with a vicious European uppercut. Keaton chuckles at his actions, though Garth Black looks on with some distaste.
Connor: What a cheap shot from Keaton.
Cohen: And there’s the tutoring from Justin Cooper coming into play! “Remarkable” move from Mark Keaton. Am I right Cat?
Cat Connor groans as Cooper resumes his assault on the Phantom of Chaos, dragging him deeper into the ring before dropping an elbow across his chest and throat region. Cooper repeats not once but twice before arrogantly covering Dragon with only his right forearm. 1…2…KICK-OUT! As Cooper backs off, he allows Caidos to sit up, only to drive his boot across the back of the tag champion’s back. Once more he repeats these deliberate motions before following it up by whipping himself off the ropes and nailing a swift dropkick. Again he goes for the cover, forcing his masked opponent’s face into the mat with the pin attempt. 1…2…KICK-OUT! The kick-outs are getting closer and closer to three each time now with Ty and Theron are practically in the ring to try and save the match on every occasion.
Dragon continues to try and crawl toward his corner, but Cooper is relentless and drags him back by the leg. This time he steps over and flips him into the Half-Crab. Cooper positions himself so he is now face-to-face with Ty and Theron’s corner and proceeds to trash talk them all the while locking the hold in deep. Dragon is thrashing about to try and escape, but there is a heavier man atop him and he struggles. Each time El Caidos moves closer to a rope, Cooper will take an extra step or two to reposition and keep the hold applied nice and tight, all the while letting Dragon, his partners and the crowd know how he feels about them.
Deeply frustrated, Ty paces back and forth while Theron stomps his foot up and down on the ring steps hoping to get the crowd into a rhythm. As they find that rhythm they clap, trying to summon the Dragon’s strength, but Cooper is determined to keep the hold on and just keeps running his mouth and running his mouth. As Dragon’s arm rises up, possibly in position to tap, Ty has to act. Having had enough, he steps in with great gusto and pumps his legs, catching a wide-eyed Justin Cooper squarely across the jaw with Consecrated Banishment!
Connor: CONSECRATED BANISHMENT!
Cohen: HE CAN’T DO THAT! HE ISN’T THE LEGAL MAN!
Connor: It’s not cheating if you don’t get caught?
Cohen: THE HELL ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT? HE DID IT RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE REFEREE! NOT BEHIND HIS BACK, NOT IN HIS PERIPHERAL VISION, NOT UNDER HIS NOSE; RIGHT IN FREAKING FRONT OF HIM! HOW COULD HE NOT GET CAUGHT!
As the referee loudly warns Ty about his conduct, Burna pleads his innocence, all the while a wry grin develops on his face. He steps back through the ropes as Theron resumes stomping up and down, chomping at the bit to get into this match. Garth Black can only offer sheer disgust at Ty Burna’s actions. His partner, Cooper, meanwhile has been drilled with such force that he practically in his own corner again and Mark Keaton, following his mentor’s earlier example, tags himself back in. As Keaton comes in to cut off the Dragon, the masked warrior is able to leap out and connect with Theron Daggershield’s extended palm much to the crowd’s delight.
Theron roars out of the blocks, smashing Keaton down with a clothesline. Mark rises to try again, but Theron repeats. They go for it again, but the result is the same. Now, having learned, Keaton stays down, hoping for a respite, but the wile veteran is atop him quickly. Daggershield peels Keaton from the mat and whips him into the corner. With adrenaline masking his injuries from before, Theron plows into the new recruit like a freight train. In a beautifully fluid motion, Theron slips under the top rope and quickly climbs to the top turnbuckle, all the while signalling for the crowd to give him their energy. As he takes a moment, the anticipation rises and he delivers in spades, hitting a massive top rope elbow drop!
Rather than cover, the former World’s Champion rises and sets for the finish; the Critical Hit. Keaton is rising as again anticipation grows, however Garth Black’s shouting from the apron catches Theron’s attention. Theron looks at Keaton and then Black. He tosses Keaton’s body at Black to happily tags himself in as Mark falls through the ropes to the outside. Ty is frantic on the outside, beside himself with Theron’s action.
Connor: What’s Theron doing? He had this all sewn up.
Cohen: It’s that ego thing again. He always wants to be the hero, got to slay the giant or the grandmaster or whatever. Well be careful what you ask for, because you just might get it.
Theron tells Ty something and as the two former World Heavyweight Champion’s lock eyes, Ty seems to understand something and nods, willingly stepping down and attending to El Caidos Dragon who is still ripped with pain.
Connor: There seems to be a mutual understanding here from one champion to another.
Cohen: Then Ty Burna’s a bigger fool than I thought. He could’ve talked Theron down there, but no they’ve got to have the big schmaltzy heroic moment. Well their going to pay I tell you. Garth’s all healed up and Theron’s the walking wounded.
Much as he did at the beginning, Garth Black circles his opponent. This time though, Theron stands still and does not go toe-to-toe as Ty did. Daggershield closes his eyes and anticipates. After a few circles, Black charges. Theron reaches up for the Critical Hit! Garth blocks it though and slaps Theron’s arm down grabbing at the Texan’s waste and throwing him backwards with a swift release German suplex! Theron is quick to grabs both his neck and his ribs, the Hell in a Cell injuries now coming back into play. Unsatisfied, Garth brings Theron back to his feet and pulls him in for a Belly-to-Belly! Again Daggershield grabs at his war wounds. Garth now returns to that rear waist lock and again it’s a German suplex. The pace is slow and relentless and deliberate from Garth.
Now feeling like the match is his for the taking, Garth looks dead at Ty, uncertain if he will get involved. Burna stares a hole through him, but that’s all. Smirking, Garth moves back in, locking another waist lock. He goes for his trifecta of German’s. Theron sensing the end could be near blocks it. Garth shakes his head. He’s determined to finish it. He tries again. Theron blocks again. Now Garth gets nasty, smashing clubbing blows across Theron’s nose. He tries again and raises Theron up for the third, but Theron is able to wrap his legs around Garth’s waist and reverses it into a roll-up!
1…2…KICK-OUT! Garth pops up and twists, trying to escape the reversed momentum, but Theron drops atop him, quickly moving Garth’s body into position for his STF: The Ultimate Weapon!
Garth is locked tightly in the hold, desperate to escape. He rips and claws at Theron’s hands, but they are locked tightly. He scrambles, trying to reach out, but only spins in the centre of the ring. He looks for his partners, but Cooper thinks he’s back in the Australian summer while Keaton is hurting elsewhere. All the finds are those eyes of Ty Burna again which stare straight at him. Realising he himself may have only one shot left at this, Theron cranks back with all he can and Garth, having gone through his fair share of wars in the past feels old aches begin to hurt anew. Knowing he can fight another day, Black taps. Theron keeps the hold on for a few moments more before he relinquishes, the referee signalling for the bell.
Anderson: Ladies and gentlemen, your winners by way of submission: the WZCW Tag Team Champions the Phantoms of Chaos and Theron Daggershield!
Connor: What a reversal of fortune! The torque on that hold was immense; Garth simply had to tap if he didn’t want to risk injury.
Cohen: But dammit CC, Black had this thing sewn up, if Ty Burna hadn’t stuck his nose where it didn’t belong.
Connor: What, you mean the match he was a part of?
As Jack Cohen again only offers silence, Ty Burna slides in to pick Theron off the mat. He pulls Daggershield in close and whispers something in his ear. Theron seems grateful and acknowledges Burna’s words with a smile and a nod. Ty though waves a finger in Theron’s face as if to say ‘don’t pull that again’. The duo becomes a trio quickly when Dragon returns to the ring himself, tag team championships in tow. Black rolls out of the ring, clutching at his neck and leg while the referee hoists Ty, Dragon and Theron’s arms into the air. Theron graciously bows before he opponents before he heads to the top of the ramp, leaving the champs alone to celebrate.
Connor: It looks like Keaton isn't finished though Jack.
Just as Cat finishes her sentence, Keaton slides into the ring with a chair and nails Ty across the back. The shot does little to phase Ty, who stumbles forward a little but is ultimately unharmed. The dark superstar slowly turns around, giving Cooper enough time to throw Keaton out of the ring. The sacrifice proves noble, as Ty takes his head off with a Consecrated Banishment! This gives El Caidos enough time to ascend to the top rope and connect with the Dragón de Vuelo onto Cooper, all while Keaton looks on helplessly from outside.
Cohen: Wait a minute Cat, it doesn't look like Garth Black is done either.
Black charges up the ramp and tackles Theron from behind, taking him down and raining down punches onto the defenseless Theron. He continues to take out his frustrations over the loss onto The Warblade until Ty and El Caidos exit the ring and begin to run up the ramp, leaving Garth to hightail it out of there. El Caidos kneels to check on Theron as Ty stares daggers back into the ring at Cooper and Keaton.
