The following is a two on one handicap match, scheduled for one fall!
On his way to the ring from Chicago, Illinois, he weighs in at 200lbs, he is the Second City Daredevil, Ricky Runn!!
Ricky bounds down to the ring with infectious energy. He sprints around the ring and rolls under the ropes.
“Well to say this guy is enthusiastic just doesn’t do him justice.”
“But this enthusiasm got him into trouble and a date with the tag champions!”
“And his opponents, at a combined weight of 473 lbs, they are the WZCW Tag Team Champions, Showtime David Cougar and The Strongman Stan Rogers, the team of Stantime!”
Showtime strolls out in front with the two titles while Rogers follows. Neither man pays any attention to the fans, but appear quite content to bicker with each other on the way down. Rogers continues to make the point about Showtime hogging the titles.
““All is not well in the world of Stantime.”
“Cougar is perfectly happy. That’s all that matters!”
Runn holds his position in the ring with no apprehension whatsoever. As the Strongman and Showtime emerge from their corner, Ricky poses on the turnbuckle. Showtime seems to decide for his team that he will start. Ricky gets down and looks Showtime dead in the eye. Showtime seems to demonstrate that Ricky is doomed but the Daredevil brushes it off. They tie up but Showtime is able to power Runn down and control him with an arm wrench. Ricky grabs the ropes and before the ref can break the hold, Ricky flips out of it! He runs the ropes, Showtime swings and misses with a clothesline, Ricky then jumps on the ropes and hits a spectacular moonsault press off the second rope!
“If these two don’t take Ricky Runn seriously then they will be embarrassed here.”
Showtime bails from the ring and demands that Rogers enters. The Strongman objects as he stands on the apron and as the champions argue, Ricky hits an incredible dive that clears the top rope with ease. He crashes into Showtime and they collide hard and fast into the announcers table!
“Young Ricky is a helluva talent. He is taking it hard and fast to Cougar!”
Stan Rogers climbs down from the apron and goes to help his tag partner but Showtime dismisses him and tells him to go back to his corner. Ricky crawls away to gather himself. Showtime slowly goes after him but is favouring his back and shoulder. Runn climbs onto the ring steps and takes Showtime down with a flying elbow. He crawls up onto the apron and rolls into the ring. Showtime follows and is pounced on as Ricky goes for a cover! 1...2...Showtime kicks out. He reaches for his partner but Runn is able to pull him away. Ricky picks him up and drops him with a body slam, he goes for the Rolling Ricky senton but Showtime is able to lash out and kick him in the head as he turns mid-air. The stiff blow gives Showtime enough time to bail from the ring but not before he tags in Rogers.
“I reckon the Strongman is going to want to tear Ricky apart! Just to prove himself to Cougar.”
“Definitely, Rogers is a professional. He will want to get his hands on that belt more than anything.”
The Strongman is a little surprised by the exaggerated way that Showtime tagged out but nevertheless as a consummate professional, he immediately goes after Ricky once he steps through the ropes. Runn tries to sprint at Rogers but he gets his head taken off with a stiff clothesline. He then hits a body slam and then grabs his arms and hits a hammerlock. With the arm trapped, Rogers hits another body slam. Ricky screams in agony.
“So what does Rogers have to do to earn his title belt? I mean, he is already carrying this team. The Strongman is doing a fine job, using all of his “experience” to hurt his young opponent.”
Rogers picks him up again and goes for a vertical suplex. In the far corner, Showtime climbs the ropes and flies off. He crashes into Runn with a hard cross body as Rogers brings him down with the suplex! Showtime gets up and demands Rogers makes a cover. Rogers look bemused but does cover Runn and hooks the leg, 1....2....Runn somehow kicks out. Showtime is angry and demands more of his partner as he exits the ring.
“I kinda feel sorry for Ricky. You know, facing two on one is tough but these are the best tandem in the company. What an uphill battle.”
“I’m sure the boy will find an upside to it.”
Stan appears distracted by the manner in which Cougar is treating him and audibly tells him to shut up. Rogers whips Ricky into the corner and he rebounds straight back out and falls to the floor. Rogers picks him up again and whips him into the opposite corner. He lifts Runn into the air and presses him high above his head. He tries to drop Ricky but Runn catches him in the Rickyrana! Rogers goes flying across the ring. He gets back up quickly but Runn hits an arm drag that takes Rogers down again. He goes to hit his running face buster and as he waits for Rogers to get up, Showtime goes to enter the ring. But Ricky sees this, grabs Rogers by the head and charges at Showtime with Rogers in tow. He jumps at Cougar, kicks him in the face and then drops Rogers onto his face! Cougar falls out of the ring and Ricky hooks the legs, 1....2....Rogers kicks out!
“The champions aren’t quite on the same page.”
“Well if Rogers could get up to speed then Cougar wouldn’t have to carry his ass.”
Ricky gets back up quickly and sees his potential advantage. He stands behind Rogers and hits the Ricky Runndown!!! Rogers collapses but Ricky doesn’t go for the cover, he motions to the ropes and slaps the turnbuckle. The crowd react loudly and Ricky makes his way to the top rope. He doesn’t see Showtime reach in and he slyly tags himself in. Ricky flips himself off the turnbuckle with the R&R but Showtime drags Stan Rogers out of the ring! Ricky gets nothing but mat and the impacts send shockwaves of pain through his leg and spine!
“Big miss for Ricky Runn who got nothing but mat”
“Burn!”
Showtime looks at Rogers who is in pain and stunned by his partners actions but quickly he looks back at the ring and sees Ricky incapacitated. A devious grin sneaks across his face. He gets in the ring and puts Runn in the Commercial Break! Ricky desperately tries to reach the ropes but Showtime pulls him away towards the centre of the ring. He has no choice but to tap out!!
“What a gutsy fight Ricky has put up but it ends in painful defeat.”
“Your winner by submission, the WZCW Tag Team Champions, Showtime David Cougar and Stan Rogers, STANTIME!!!”
“In the end it was the experience of David Cougar that ultimately put paid to Ricky in this one.”
Cougar refuses to relinquish the hold despite Ricky’s tremendous screaming. The ref tries and fails to break the hold. Stan comes in and tries to stop it but only after everyone gets involved does Showtime break his hold. Ricky curls into a tight ball in order to protect himself further as he is protected by a crowd of referees.
“This is why I love David Cougar. He does what he wants, when he wants.”
Showtime demands a microphone from ringside as well as both the tag titles.
“Stanley, Stanley, Stanley...there is nothing I would like more than to give you one of these prestigious titles. But I want you to earn them. I am holding these back from you because I want you to seize them and truly become the star that you have always wanted to be.”
Rogers looks intrigued by Cougar’s words. It’s unclear by looking at him whether he buys into what Cougar is saying or not.
“Powerbomb this....this child. End him and I will give you one half of these titles. Because then you will have earnt it my friend.”
Rogers smiles and nods. He points at the titles and slowly he steps towards Runn who is barely showing signs of life. Rogers grabs Ricky by the hair and puts him in position for the powerbomb.
“This isn’t fair! Don’t do it Stan! Don’t wreck this kids career!”
At that moment,
“The Ratings Winner is here!”
Austin Reynolds sprints down the entrance ramp and slides into the ring. With all of his momentum, he tackles Showtime so hard that ends up out of the ring. In the fuss, Rogers has abandoned his finisher and rolled away from the ring. Reynolds yells fiercely in Showtime’s direction as the champ scarpers up the ramp with both belts.
“Stantime have scarpered!”
“Austin Reynolds has no need to be here tonight!”
“But I am sure glad he is and I bet Ricky Runn is too.”
Reynolds looks back at Run who is barely able to move and goes to console his courageous young friend. Reynolds is very cautious and keeps on looking around as he expects Cougar to come back at any second. Cougar seethes at the top of the ramp and Austin spies him and points in his direction.
“The Ratings Winner and Showtime have a storied history.”
“Reynolds keeps on poking his nose in his business.”
“But maybe, just maybe, we are going to see another chapter in this incredible rivalry.”
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We go backstage where James King is walking through the backstage area, almost in a daze as he keeps looking down at his phone repeatedly, waiting for a message or phone call. He sighs before entering the locker room and sitting down and just staring at his phone. Becky walks in with a microphone and sits down next to King.
Becky: James, has there been any update on the status of Dr. Alhazerd?
King: I haven't heard a thing Becky, last update I got was last night with the word he was in the car accident. There has been nothing since.
Becky: The Forgotten Powers were due for a Tag Team Title rematch against Stantime next week, what plans do you have now that it looks like you're going solo for the time being?
King looks up at Becky and stares at her, shaking his head and returning to his phone.
King: Do you think that matters now? The only person I could trust is gone and I haven't heard a single thing yet. Just get out of my face Becky, leave me alone.
Becky looks a bit hurt at the reaction but hesitantly stands and makes her way out of the locker room. Suddenly King's phone goes off with a text message. He quickly opens it but instead of a concerned or happy look on his face, a look of confusion spreads and he looks up deep in thought as we go to commercial.
