The screen goes black, revealing once again the SHOOT Project Helmet, looming ominously over the skyline of Las Vegas, Nevada.  "Miracle" by Nonpoint begins to play as the camera flies down onto the SHOOT Project Epicenter.   WHOOOOOOOOOA You better blow the whistle, ring the bell   The sound of a bell is heard, revealing the empty ring in the center of the SHOOT Project Epicenter Arena.   Train a little harder than you can or ever will   The opening shot is of the SHOOT Project World Heavyweight Championship belt.  A second shot of Sinnocence’s sexy waist can be seen, a droplet of sweat sliding into her belly button before the camera pans up to her face, where she is smirking.  The next shot is Corazon glaring hard onto the camera, his black trenchcoat, with a split second shot of him standing over ‘Diamond’ Del Carver from years past.  You need to think fast  A shot of Dan Stein flying off the second turnbuckle is shown, nailing Trey Willett with a flying clothesline is shown, followed quickly by Killian Reilly grinning at the camera, saluting with a beer. This is our first but I guarantee it’ll be your last!   Donovan King gritting his teeth, in full wrestling gear, is shown next.  He stands of the center of the same ring, smoke emanating around him, with a split second shot of him standing over Jonny Johnson from years past.  Got news if you think you bad   The next image is Crash Carver smirking an extremely confident smirk, pointing to the camera.  It takes the viewer a moment to realize the dark shadow of Del Carver is standing behind Crash, looking over his shoulder somewhat, only looking back with the side of his face with the eyepatch is seen, his brow furrowed.   All your other battles make me laugh   Lennox Ferguson is up next, his face a bloody crimson mask.  He is screaming a primal scream at the camera as CJ Nelson is shown immediately following hitting him again and again and again with a steel chair.  You need to start runnin’…  Dan Stein is shown next, alone in the ring, puckering slightly to the camera and pulling his shirt up to reveal his washboard abs.   You’re standin’ on the tracks and the train is comin’!   Cade Sydal is shown immediately afterward, hitting the infamous Ninjaguiri to Eli Storm, only for the scene to shift to Jaime Alejandro, his head slowly lifting to face the camera as the shadows cascade around his shoulders.  NOWHERE TO GO   Dave Marz connects with Marz Attacks on Dina Bryce, followed immediately by footage of Buck Dresden’s arrival on the scene.  You need a miracle!   PERDITION are shown completely destroying the Flying Avengers, Diego Reyes and Jonas Coleman rallying the fans from the turnbuckles after the onslaught.  Nothing’s gonna save you   Osbourne Kilminster is shown staring at all the SHOOT Project faithful in the stands before the camera shifts to him locking in the beginning of the Wake Up Call on Azraith DeMitri.  And I’ll scream it from the top of the world!   The individual faces of the SHOOT Project roster, each and every one of them, are flashed at the screen one after another.   Whatcha gonna do when it’s just me and you!   Crash Carver hitting the Crash Landing on Lennox Ferguson.  Whatcha gonna do, whatcha gonna do!   Sinnocence forcing Cade Sydal to submit to the Iron Maiden.  Whatcha gonna do when it’s just me and you!   Azraith DeMitri hitting the Extinction on Osbourne Kilminster.  Whatcha gonna do, whatcha gonna do!   Trey Willett performing The Dawn of a New Era on Dan Stein.  Whatcha gonna do when it’s just me and you!   Jester Smiles hitting the Punchline on Ainsley Lake.  Whatcha gonna do, whatcha gonna do!   The arena is shown fully, the fans screaming as loudly as possible as the SHOOT Project Helmet is shown one final time.  Whatcha gonna do when it’s just me and you!   REVOLUTION.  Whatcha gonna do, whatcha gonna do!

The fans are ripping into cheers as the pyro EXPLODES throughout the Epicenter.  “Miracle” by nonpoint continues to blare throughout the arena as the camera settles in on Eryk Masters and The Other Guy, your Revolution announce team. 

Eryk Masters:  Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Revolution! 

Other Guy:  Jesus, listen to these fans! 

Eryk Masters:  I’m Eryk and this here’s The Other Guy.  We’re here to call the action for one BIG night of action like only the SHOOT Project can bring! 

Other Guy:  We’ve got the Final Four tonight as Sinnocence goes one on one with Trey Willett and I gotta tell you, the main event is chock full of history and violence when Azraith DeMitri goes one on one with Jester Smiles. 

Eryk Masters:  Last time, Jason Johnson moved forward with the infamous Iron Fist Championship belt being up for grabs for anybody anywhere and I gotta tell you, the competition for admission into that division has been FIERCE.  We’ve got two Gauntlet warm up matches here tonight, and one of those is kicking off right now!  Take it away, Samantha Coil! 

Samantha Coil:  Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is scheduled for ONE FALL and is a TRIPLE THREAT IRON FIST CHAMPIONSHIP GAUNTLET QUALIFIER! 

“Kiri” by MONORAL kicks in and the fans are quiet in anticipation for the arrival of the newest SHOOT Project Soldier.  The lights dim into a blue hue throughout the arena as JAIME ALEJANDRO steps out from the back.  The camera pans out to see a sign for the NAFW Legend as he slaps a few hands as he walks past them, never taking his eyes off of the ring. 

Samantha Coil:  Introducing first…weighing 235 pounds…hailing from San Antonio, Texas…HE IS JAIME…ALEJAAAAAAAANDRO! 

Alejandro jumps up to the ring apron and gets into the ring, very focused as the fans applaud him. 

Other Guy:  No idea about this guy, E.  He’s a legend from the North Atlantic…FW, right? 

Eryk Masters:  Jaime Alejandro’s been a bit inactive in recent years.  After proving everything he could prove to show his dominance in professional wrestling with the NAFW prior to their shutdown, he was one of, maybe even THE biggest star they ever had. 

Other Guy:  Accolades notwithstanding, what’s with the methodical attitude?  I’d be going nucking futs for the chance to be in the SHOOT Project’s ring, with all the eyes of the SHOOT faithful staring at me. 

“The Red” kicks in by Chevelle as out from the back emerges CJ Nelson.  The massive martial artist stalks down to the ring, popping his neck as he stares a few fans down here and there, but nothing serious.  He enters the ring over the top rope, smirking as Alejandro dives from the ring in respect to his foe. 

Samantha Coil:  His opponent…from Westhampton Beach, New York…weighing in tonight at 322 pounds…HE IS C…J….NELSOOOOOON!!! 

Nelson pumps one fist into the air, shouting to the fans as they boo.  He turns slowly, however, as “The Red” dies down. 

Who the hell said any of you get a taste, stupid?  

Do you ever wanna get up all in your face?  

You better take it.  

And nothin’ you can do could make me ever go away.  

Fake it.  

Poor baby I’m gonna make it all okay.

 

Lennox Ferguson barrels down the ramp as “Lights Out” by Mindless Self Indulgence plays loudly over the PA system.  He nods his head up and down as the fans cheer him on.  Sarah King emerges from the back as well, saying nothing but shaking her head as the man known as The Ox slaps the hands of a few people at ringside as the official, Willie Dean, holds CJ Nelson back, as he trashtalks Ox.  Ox looks at Sarah, who holds her hands up as if to say she will do nothing out of sorts tonight. 

Samantha Coil:  Their opponent…from New York City, New York…weighing in tonight at 230 pounds…he is THE OX…LENNOX…FERRRRRRGUSOOOOOON!! 

Ox nods to the fans and points to a sign in the audience which says “ALL THIS VIOLENCE MAKES A STATEMENT” with a cut out promo image of The Ox beneath it glued on.  Dean calls for the bell and it’s on! 

Eryk Masters:  These three individual have lit it up for this match, OG. 

Lennox looks at Nelson and points to him defiantly.  He gives him a thumbs up to let him know it’s on tonight! 

Other Guy:  Without question, E.  You have the somewhat lovable loser in Lennox Ferguson, the somewhat sociopathic veteran in CJ Nelson, and the somewhat venerable legendary Jaime Alejandro. 

Eryk Masters:  Being announced by the somewhat boring Other Guy and the somewhat awesome Eryk Masters! 

Other Guy:  I oughtta somewhat turkey slap you. 

While our two heroes bicker back and forth, in the ring JA has found himself locking horns with the man called Ox.  Nelson glares the two of them down as they shove one another back and forth in their lock up.  Neither man seem willing to give an inch until Nelson makes the decision for them, knocking both of them down with a double shoulder block.  Ox and Alejandro both look up, incensed as Nelson bounces off the ropes to hit them with a move again.  However, Alejandro and Ox are both up and hit Nelson with a quick double drop toe hold.  Alejandro pops up, ready for his next move while Ox?  Well, Ox is more than a little excited he just executed a drop toe hold.  He pumps his fist in celebration and shouts down to Sarah if she saw it. 

Other Guy:  Taking your eye off the ball, Ox…not smart, dude. 

Alejandro is clapping behind Ox, only to grab him from behind and hurl him from the ring to the outside!  Alejandro turns around and is greeted by a HARD elbow strike from CJ Nelson.  Jaime staggers back as Nelson hooks him up for a vertical suplex, but Alejandro slides down his back!  Alejandro drops down, LEG SWEEP!  Nelson is BACK on his back as Alejandro quickly hits a legdrop to Nelson’s throat and jumps back to his feet, bounces off the ropes, and NAILS a double foot stomp TO THE FACE!  Alejandro with the pin and Willie Dean is there! 

ONE!! 

TWO!! 

KICK OUT!! 

Eryk Masters:  Alejandro showing everyone the things he’s learned over the years dealing with giants like CJ Nelson here. 

Other Guy:  He doesn’t hesitate, even with Nelson outweighing him by nearly one hundred pounds! 

Ox is back in the ring, ready to attack Alejandro, but Alejandro stops him, holding his hand up.  He picks Nelson up and gives Ox a thumbs up, pointing to the sky.  Ox looks at Sarah outside, who maintains a quizzical look on her face. 

Eryk Masters:  It looks like Jaime Alejandro is looking to teach a move or two to Lennox Ferguson tonight and CJ Nelson is the unwilling test subject!! 

Alejandro hooks the massive Nelson up for a vertical suplex, and he motions for Ox to join him on the other side!  Nelson is slowly coming to as Ox immediately hooks Nelson’s other arm!  The fans ERUPT as Alejandro and Ox HOIST Nelson HIGH into the air!  The big man is up!  They’re KEEPING him up there!  A DOUBLE STALLING VERTICAL SUPLEX!!  Ox gets back up, reveling in the moment when suddenly…Alejandro NAILS Ox in the back of the head with a HARSH kick!  Ox crumples to the mat as Alejandro rolls him over for the pin and the win! 

ONE! 

TWO! 

KICK OUT!! 

Alejandro gets back up and sees Nelson slowly recovering on the other side of the ring.  He smirks to himself slightly as he stalks his prey.  Nelson gets to his hands and knees and Alejandro hooks his midsection! 

Other Guy:  What’s the point of this one here? 

Eryk Masters:  It’s technical wrestling.  Don’t tell me your year off from working made you stupid…er. 

Alejandro, however, proves even Eryk wrong.  He DEADLIFTS CJ NELSON WITH A RELEASE GERMAN SUPLEX.  The fans ERUPT as Alejandro pops RIGHT back up, glaring out at the audience. 

Eryk Masters:  Jaime Alejandro is in COMPLETE control of this match!  From the pacing, to the intellect, to the moves, this has been Alejandro’s show tonight so far! 

Nelson lays on the mat clutching his head as Alejandro rolls him over and goes for the pinfall one more time! 

ONE! 

TWO!! 

FERGUSON IS THERE!  Alejandro gets tossed off of Nelson by Ox, who calls for him to come and face him like a man!  Alejandro nods his head and locks up with Ox, quickly outsmarting the rookie and whipping him to the ropes and tossing him down HARD with an arm drag which lands Ox on his ass and opens him for a HARD Alejandro kick to the head and back!  The SMACK echoes in the arena as Ox cries out in pain.  As soon as Ox’s head arches up to look at the lights Alejandro connects HARD with a modified scissors kick, dropping Ox FAST to the mat!  Alejandro does not waste time with a pin attempt and he gets the rookie up and guides him to the turnbuckle.  He sizes Lennox up and DESTROY’S Lennox’s face with a DEVASTATING Muay Thai knee strike! 

Other Guy:  And now Alejandro’s got Lennox all bloodied up all over again. 

Eryk Masters:  The man who is the epitome of this sport has been putting on a BRUTAL clinic at poor Ferguson’s expense here tonight, OG. 

Other Guy:  I can’t believe it, honestly.  Well, maybe I can.  Jaime Alejandro is one of the best as what he does…and what he does is fucking DOMINATE. 

Alejandro looks back to CJ Nelson, who is still out of it on the mat.  He turns to see Lennox Ferguson…CALLING HIM OUT.  The fans are popping BIG as the bloody Ox screams for Alejandro to come back over to him and FIGHT.  He wipes the blood from his busted eyebrow and smacks his chest in defiance to Alejandro, who seems almost…proud!  Alejandro marches over to Ox and suddenly Nelson hooks him up into a school boy pin! 

ONE! 

KICK OUT! 

Alejandro looks stunned at Nelson’s attempt to get offense in when The Ox clubs him from behind!  He punches him in the back of the head twice and HURLS HIM from the ring!  Alejandro lands on the outside, his head smacking HARD on the mat outside the ring!  CJ Nelson is up in the ring, shaking his head as Ferguson glares at him.  He claps his hands together and summons the strength of the fans who are…more confused than anything at the hammy Ferguson.  Nelson gathers his senses and charges Lennox…WHO LEVELS CJ NELSON WITH THE CLOTHESLINE FROM HELL. 

Eryk Masters:  Holy…that’s his finishing move! 

Lennox picks Nelson back up and whips him to the ropes…AND NAILS A SECOND CLOTHESLINE FROM HELL FOR GOOD MEASURE!  Nelson is DOWN…Lennox crawls over onto him…Willie Dean is there! 

ONE!! 

TWO!!! 

THREE!!!! 

Other Guy:  NO WAY!!! 

Samantha Coil:  Ladies and gentlemen…YOUR WINNER…LENNOX…FERGUSON!! 

“Lights Out” plays again as Sarah King slides into the ring, absolutely stunned.  Lennox starts to come to and stares at the unconscious CJ Nelson in front of him.  Dean goes to raise his hand, and Lennox staggers into the ropes, holding his arms up in victory.  He rolls from the ring and clutches his bloody face and chest as EMTs rush to his aid.  On the other side of the ring, Jaime Alejandro stares at Lennox and up to CJ Nelson, saying nothing. 

Eryk Masters:  Taking victory from the jaws of defeat, Lennox Ferguson just shocked the world tonight! 

Other Guy:  Wow.  Not only did Sarah King not get into the match and cause any problems, but he took a SEVERE beating from Jaime Alejandro and withstood the massive CJ Nelson to secure…what I think I’m gonna be calling the biggest upset since SHOOT came back! 

The EMTs continue to check on Ferguson, who is still in complete and utter shock at what just happened.  Sarah King claps for him, and Ox holds his arms up in a sort of drunken victory pose, his eyes as wide as saucers.

The Epicenter is as empty as it could be the morning of Revolution. The ring has already been set up. There are men walking the rows of seats running a mop over the concrete floors. The vendors are starting to set up concession and merch stands in the hallways of the arena. There is a small team of people working to make sure all of the sound and recording equipment is working properly at the announcer’s desk. There is a test shot on the large screen at the entrance ramp simply showing the SHOOT Helmet. The camera moves down the ramp and towards the ring. Trey Willett sits on the apron, facing the ramp. His feet are dangling under the bottom ropes, and he leans his arms and head over the middle rope. He looks up at the screen and smiles.

Trey:It hasn’t felt like this in years. It’s not like I haven’t been in the Epicenter before. Shit, I was one of the first roster members to step foot in this building. This time seems different somehow. I got off that flight this morning, drove to the center, and unpacked my bags in the locker room. I decided to take a look at the stage, and sure enough it had already been set for another great night of competition. This is the way it is supposed to be. No fans, no announcers, no referee. This is how I have to see things tonight if I want to move forward in the master of the Mat Tournament. Just two people fighting for the thing we want most.

I look around at this arena, and it reminds me of the first time I ever stepped foot in the ring. It was a long time ago. I was a tech hand before shows in a small fed in New Jersey. I knew I wanted to be in the ring, so I paid my dues and I traveled around the Tri-county area setting up the ring. Those were good days. It’s hard thinking about those times and compare them to now. Flash forward, and that boy, sweating and groaning while he pulls tight the ring ropes for the warriors he only wished he could be is finally taking center stage for a chance at the greatest prize of all. The best part of it? This isn’t some end of the line independent fed. This is SHOOT. This is where the best of the best come out every week to play. This is the grandest stage of all.

Trey lays back on the mat and kicks his feet up on the middle rope. He looks up at the ceiling of the epicenter.

Trey: Jada Kaine. Sinnocence. I know you want this. I know you can feel the heft of that strap already on your waist. Trying to think of inventive poses for the new t-shirts that will inevitable follow your sure victory. That’s fine. You’ve earned your confidence over the past few weeks. Don’t get too confident, though. Tonight is my night. This is just one more step on the way to me achieving what that little boy in Jersey dreamed about every night he went to bed. You have a hell of a fight coming your way tonight. This is my title. This is my night. You said get ready? Well I got out of bed plenty damned early. This is SHOOT Project. This is Willenium’s SHOOT Project.

He comes to his feet and begins pacing the ring. He finally comes to rest at the center of the ring. He stares around to all of the empty seats in the crowd. The scene fades to black with Trey raising his right hand in victory.

The scene opens up to the SHOOT Logo on a flag ala Diamond Del Carver. As the camera pulls back, you see the large figure from the last show. He is wearing Black boots and Black baggy jeans. His fists are taped up and he is wearing a Black hoodie that says “Queen City Kings” in white letters. You still can’t make out his face due to the fact that his hoodie is covering most of his face. What isn’t covered by the hoodie is covered by shadow. The camera man goes to shine more light onto the figures face, but stops as he hears the snarling of a dog. 

Figure: I know what you are thinking…and no, if you would shine a little more light, you wouldn’t see an eye patch and grey hair. Now, with that out of the way, let us talk about this new of rising of this great company. A company like any true predator, wouldn’t stay dead and down. But the question is, what made this company great. Of course you have the great staff and front office. That working together with the Booking crew have put on amazing shows. But then…you have the talent. The talent which have come to be known as some of the best in the business. Where else can you see a clown wrestle. Or see a demented man-child. A fake cripple or a teen idol. Where else can you go watch old stars’ careers die. Rather it’s with a screwdriver to the eye or being forced out of your career by your own friend. 

The figure stands up and his hulking frame bares over the camera crew. His hoodie now drooping over his head and face like hair. 

Figure: This is the place where you see a man who thinks he is a weapon. Where you get to see a Viking and a Valkrye. A man who has gone mad and a man who’s “Lights” are growing dim. And then you have me. A man that has the tools to change the face of SHOOT. For better of worse. Heh, but not in that Jonny Johnson way. And not in the SOL way. I’m not going to change the face of SHOOT because I want to right the wrongs of the past. I don’t want to change SHOOT into the image as I see it. No…I just want to twist the way people see this company. I want to take its prized talent and rip away at everything and leave nothing left. When you turn to watch SHOOT, I don’t want you to just watch the car crash. I want you to become a part of it. I want your heart to sink into your chest when you realize that I’ll be in the ring with some of your favs. I want you to get nervous, when you see them step into the ring with me. 

The figure pauses before continuing. 

Figure: You see I plan on ruling with a…Iron Fist. Heh…sincerely yours, K.T.F.O. 

The scene quickly fades as the Figure unleashes the dog. A loud bark is heard as the scene goes completely black.

The screen is completely black.  A single spotlight sparks to life, shining down on the bare shoulders of one man.  His shoulders shimmer against the blue light shining on him.  A voice echoes as it narrates the scene. 

I’ve been to each of the seven continents. 

The camera shifts to his jawline, bearded with dark brown hair.  Suddenly, “I Want It All” by Queen kicks in. 

I WANT IT ALL.

I WANT IT ALL.

I WANT IT ALL.

AND I WANT IT NOW. 

His fists clench. 

I stood on the top of Mount Everest when I was fifteen years old. 

Adventure seeker on an empty street,

Just an alley creeper, light on his feet 

His feet are kept safe by his boots, laced tightly.  Above them are kneepads. 

I’ve hunted every single dangerous creature that has stalked this planet. 

A young fighter screaming, with no time for doubt

With the pain and anger can’t see a way out 

The camera slowly pans up to see his tights, the SHOOT Project Helmet on the crotch.  The camera pans around to see the same emblem on his rear.  The tights are purple, as well as the previously seen boots and kneepads. 

I’ve trained under the best tutors of the best fighting styles known to man. 

It ain’t much I’m asking, I heard him say,

Gotta find me a future move out of my way 

The camera continues to pan up, his washboard abs glisten in the soft light. 

I want it all, I want it all, I want it all, and I want it now,

I want it all, I want it all, I want it all, and I want it now! 

I’m sure you’re sitting there…right now…and thinking to yourself, ‘who is this braggart?’. 

I’m a man with a one track mind,

So much to do in one life time 

The camera pans up to reveal his hauntingly penetrating eyes. 

Not a man for compromise and where’s and why’s and living lies

So I’m living it all, yes I’m living it all

And I’m giving it all, and I’m giving it all 

Finally, he speaks directly to the camera. 

I am Charles.  Brandon.  Magnus. 

He slowly smirks. 

It ain’t much I’m asking, if you want the truth,

Here’s to the future, hear the cry of youth 

And when people will ask me why…why do this?  Why, after all you’ve done in your life…why subject yourself to combat?  To pain? 

I want it all, I want it all, I want it all, and I want it now,

I want it all, I want it all, I want it all, and I want it now 

The camera pans back to reveal Charles Brandon Magnus in his entirety. 

People will ask me years from now why would Charles Brandon Magnus come to SHOOT Project.  Why did Charles Brandon Magnus conquer the SHOOT Project? 

And I will answer honestly…as George Mallory said before he went to conquer his Everest… 

He grins a knowing and confident grin.  The music stops abruptly, the light shuts off quickly.  The screen is back to black swiftly.  Slowly, surely, a graphic fades in.  Magnus’ voice is still heard. 

Because it was there. 

Samantha Coil:  The following contest is set for one fall, and it is a Triple Threat match to qualify for the IRON FIST GAUNTLET at Master of the Mat 2010! 

“Back to Shalla Bal” by Joe Satriani cranks out over the arena as Crash Carver charges out of the back to the entrance.  Mr. Xan is slowly and methodically walking behind him.  Crash then starts slapping the hands as he starts to move towards the ring at a quick pace.  Mr. Xan keeps moving at his methodical pace. 

Samantha Coil: Introducing first.  From Jackson, Mississippi.  Weighing in at two hundred pounds, he is CRASH CARVER! 

Eryk Masters:  The progeny of the legendary Diamond Del Carver making his way to the ring for what he hopes is a chance to participate in the Iron Fist Gauntlet Match at Master of the Mat. 

The Other Guy:  Crash knows if he gets a shot at this title, he’s going to start on the path of being golden like his uncle.  That’s quite a large set of boots to try to fill too, man. 

“My Apocalypse” by Metallica begins playing in the arena as Dave Marz walks out slowly to the ramp.   He looks at the ring to see Crash and moves to slap the hands, as he keeps an eye on Crash.  Crash isn’t taking his eyes off his “uncle”, either.  Marz starts moving to to the ring steps and climbs in, keeping his eyes focused at all times. 

Samantha Coil:  His opponent.  From Ozone Park, New York.  Weighing in at two hundred and seventy pounds.  He is “DIE HARD” DAVE MARZ! 

Eryk Masters:  Dave Marz isn’t taking his eyes off the kid one bit.  Considering the history outside of the ring Marz has with the Carver clan… 

The Other Guy:  I think he knows the kid might be able to take a beating, but still.  This is the man we know as Die Hard.  I don’t think the kid has enough in him to take out the old man. 

“One Second of Insanity” by The Butterfly Effect starts up, as the young Dina Bryce moves down and starts slapping the hands on her way to the ring.  She’s keeping an eye on Marz as he moves to the middle to keep an eye on his younger opponents. 

Samantha Coil:  Their opponent.  From St. Cloud, Minnesota.  Weighing in at one hundred and sixty eight pounds.  She is “DAREDEVIL”  DINA BRYCE! 

All three are gathered in that typical triangle formation staring at each other and waiting for the bell to ring, as Austin Linam keeps the ring in order.  All three are just waiting, and ready for the first person to make a move. 

Eryk Masters:  It seems all three are just watching and just looking for a chance to jump.  And this is just for a shot at the Iron Fist Championship. 

The Other Guy:  You gotta be feeling this, people!  They know what’s at stake.  You at home know what’s at stake.  The Iron Fist Championship is a title you got to throw everything you’ve got to even touch it.  To be blunt, it’s a title that gets you loads of fame while being blacklisted from most major medical policies.

Linam throws that signal to the timekeeper, and the bell goes off like a shot as all three start moving around in a circle waiting for the first person to move forward. 

Eryk Masters:  This is what people should expect in a three way dance.  Nobody wants to make the first move and get beaten to the punch by the other two opponents. 

The Other Guy:  This is what you would call a Mexican Standoff, people.  Everybody has a gun but nobody wants to even pull a trigger… 

Dina Bryce makes that first move as she charges in for a right hand against Crash Carver.  The larger Marz takes her and pushes her back to the ropes hard.  As she comes back from the momentum, Crash delivers a picture perfect drop kick to Dina’s face.  The Daredevil goes back first into the mat hard.  Crash tries for a quick cover, but he’s stopped very quickly by Marz.  The larger man picks up his “nephew” and drops him to the mat front side first! 

Eryk Masters:  Marz with a brutal yet effective front slam to someone he considers his own family. 

The Other Guy:  If I were Dina, I’d worry about what he does to someone that he doesn’t consider his family. 

Crash tries to pull himself to his feet as Marz tells him to stay down.  Crash doesn’t listen very well as he gets to a knee and punches Dave right in the gut.  Marz goes back in a heap as Dina gets on all fours  for the old Three Stooges trip over the back.  Needless to say, Dave Marz is not amused as he goes hard to the mat on his back.  As Marz is struggling on the mat, Carver runs over to get to his prone friend, only to meet a well timed Dropsault from the Daredevil.  Dina lands on Marz for a pin. 

ONE! 

Marz bench presses the young lady and unceremoniously throws her up in the air for a hard landing on her front side.  The audience cringes on one large yelling of “OWW!” 

Eryk Masters:  I don’t think you’re supposed to land like that… 

The Other Guy:  I think he just broke her damn face! 

Eryk Masters:  And probably a shoulder… 

The Other Guy:  When SHOOT fans cringe, it’s bad, folks. 

Bryce is prone to the mat as Crash goes for a running elbow drop attempt on Marz.  Dave rolls over to his side as the kid takes the miss.  Marz picks up the younger Carver and throws him for a scoop slam on top of Dina.  Mr. Xan is seen on the outside, looking at Marz with a very terse look. 

He takes a step back and looks at the carnage, as his younger opponents writhe around in a bit of pain.  Carver looks as if he took a sledgehammer to his ribs, and Bryce looks a bit worse for wear.  All Marz does is wait in a corner as he lets the other two waste their remaining energy on mounting their offense. 

The Other Guy:  The old man of the yard is taking the kiddies to school, and I don’t think they can even pass this class. 

Eryk Masters:  If the lesson is Hardcore 101, no.  I might not always be a proponent for brawlers, but this man can also deliver the hits as well as he takes him. 

The Other Guy:  This isn’t a good sign, Marz is waiting and planning.  I’d hate to see what he’s got planned for those two… 

Bryce and Carver get up at the same time and look over at Marz, who is waiting on them.  Both rush after him and attack with rights and lefts.  A combined effort throws him to the opposite corner as Bryce rushes in first with a Stinger splash.  Marz bounces forward as Crash nails him with a jumping knee lift.  Marz refuses to go down and taunts his younger opponents to hit him harder.  Dina goes for the corner and nails him with a missile dropkick.  Carver takes him out with a flying roundhouse, which sends Marz outside. 

Linam starts his count… 

ONE! 

Marz gets to a knee and look around for a second.  He realizes that he was just forced out of the ring…  At this thought, Marz gets very angry. 

TWO! 

He stands up and looks to the ring and sees Bryce flying towards with a slingshot cross body!  Marz catches her, thanks to his size advantage.  He gets ready to drop her for a fall away slam on the floor… 

THREE! 

All of sudden, here come Crash with a tope suicida from nowhere nailing his opponents.  All three go down in a huge heap.  Mr. Xan is on the other side, in disbelief. 

The Other Guy:  Xan ain’t looking too damn happy with Crash right now… 

Eryk Masters:  The kid’s probably thrown away every plan that they discussed before the match. 

FOUR! 

Linam paces around the ring waiting for his competitors to come back in, knowing that his match possibly cannot end in a no contest. 

FIVE! 

Crash picks himself up slowly and wills himself into the ring.  Marz still has Dina on top of him, looking the worse for wear.  Dina is barely awake due to being pressed into Marz.  She slowly stirs around as she faintly hears the count. 

SIX! 

Eryk Masters:  Crash back in, but Marz and Bryce are still too stunned to even realize where they are. 

The Other Guy:  They literally got cannonballed by Carver, man.  Ain’t no way they making it back into the ring. 

She moves herself to the ring, as Marz stirs around to see Linam’s count.  He pulls himself together and drags himself up to the apron to roll into the ring, where Crash is waiting.  Carver takes a few stomps before Linam pushes him backwards and admonishes him.  Mr. Xan is looking inside the ring, almost nervous…  If you can actually see his emotions.

SEVEN! 

Marz and Bryce barely make it into the ring, as both are starting to stand up and meet each other.  Dina goes for a right, but Marz nails her with a hard right.  Bryce goes down, as she’s taken a huge amount of abuse.  Marz then looks at Crash, who looks back at Marz.  He looks back and runs into the ropes for that extra momentum into a flying shoulder tackle, which is promptly stopped by a Marz sidestep. 

Eryk Masters:  A very veteran move by Dave Marz, who has seen just about every style in wrestling. 

The Other Guy:  You don’t get to be here this long if you don’t know how to avoid something like that tackle. 

Crash hits the ground, as Marz picks up Bryce and throws her shoulder first into the ring post.  Bryce peels herself off of the post, as Carver slowly gets up.  Marz tries to stop him, but Crash is way too fast.  Seeing his window.  He leaps to the top rope and vaults himself off! 

CRASH LANDING! 

Eryk Masters:  A picture perfect Shooting Star Press by Carver! 

The Other Guy:  But he forgot something, Eryk! 

Eryk Masters:  And that is…  Oh hell! 

Carver doesn’t even get to one as Marz picks him up  and grips that waist! 

MARZ ATTACKS!!!  Marz with the pin! 

The Other Guy:  Shades of Dr. Death, Crash took that one on the head! 

ONE! 

TWO! 

THREE!!! 

Samantha Coil:  Your winner, advancing to the Iron Fist Gauntlet.  “DIE HARD” DAVE MARZ! 

Marz gets his arm raised in the air, as both of his opponents are on the ground not moving.  He raises his arm and starts to exit the ring. 

Eryk Masters:  Marz with the win, as he proves that experience is a pretty good balance against high risk. 

The Other Guy:  School was in session with these two, and they had a pretty rough teacher, sadly…

The screen opens to a shot of the SHOOT Project Helmet. Underneath the logo, “2010 Master of the Mat” appears. The screen lingers for a few moments, then there is a shot of Trey Willett, Sinnocence, Azriath DeMitri, and Jester Smiles standing in all four corners of the ring. A bell rings, and all four competitors rush the center of the Ring. The shot changes to Trey Willett with the SHOOT Project title slung over his right shoulder. He pats the belt twice.

The greatest Prize in the SHOOT Project is on the line. Three competitors seek to achieve their lifelong dream of being the top of their profession.

The screen switches to Azriath. He holds the title at waist level, letting the strap hit the ground. He scowls at the camera.

Two men with nothing left to lose will attempt to finally write their names in the pantheon of the SHOOT Project.

Sinnocence stands in front of the camera with the title strapped against her waist. She looks at the camera and gives a half-grin.

One woman seeks to write herself into history for another reason. She seeks to become the first Female World Heavyweight champion in SHOOT Project History.

Jester Smiles holds the title in both hands, his head bowed looking down at it.

One man has been atop the mountain before, and simply wants another look at the view from the top.

The shot switches to a view of Cade Sydal tapping out to Sinn’s Iron Maiden, blood streaming down her face. Change again to Dan Stein in the double underhook position, being driven to the mat with Trey’s Dawn of a New Era. Ainsley Lake is drilled in the face with Jester’s Punchline. Quick change once more. Ozzy Kilminster is hoisted into the air and driven to the mat with an Execution. The shot changes to Trey Willett’s face.

Trey Willett: This is the SHOOT Project.

Change to Sinnocence.

Sinnocence: 2010 Master of the Mat.

Change to Azriath.

Azriath DeMitri: Who will survive?

Change to Jester.

Jester Smiles: Who will be the New World Heavyweight Champion?

The screen cuts to the SHOOT Project Helmet once more. Right below can be seen, “SHOOT Project Master of the Mat 2010. Coming 7/25/10. Check your local cable company and order now.” The screen fades to black.

The shot goes to the back where Dutch Harris stands with a microphone in hand. He looks to the camera and smiles.

Dutch Harris: Ladies and gentlemen, please allow me to introduce my guest, my former tag team partner, Cade Sydal!

A healthy pop sounds throughout the arena as the shot pans back a little wider to show Cade Sydal standing next to Dutch, his forefinger and thumb playing idly with his labret piercing. A green baseball cap covers his mohawk, an orange dragon highlighted in gray wraps around the hat.

Dutch Harris: First, Cade, I’ve got to ask you…how do you feel after losing last week in the main event to Sinnocence, crushing your World Title dreams in the process?

Cade cocks his head to the side, his eyes staring into Dutch’s for a long and serious moment before he turns his lips up into a smirk. His thumb and forefinger still rolling the hoop in the middle of his lip around.

Cade Sydal: Always nice to see you too, Dutch. As for the first part of the question…well, I feel alright. I mean, I told everyone what I intended to do, and I went out and I damn sure tried. It seems to me that Sinn has taken the fourteen months away from SHOOT to improve her technique and has gotten drastically better.

Cade shrugs his shoulders.

Cade Sydal: I underestimated her, just slightly, and she got the better of me. She outwrestled me, and she would be an excellent SHOOT Project World Heavyweight Champion. As would Trey, Az, or Eric. They‘re all four very good at what their job.

Dutch nods his head slowly, and opens his mouth to speak, but Cade holds his free hand up.

Cade Sydal: That being said, Dutch. The second part of your question is a little bit presumptuous, don’t you think? It isn’t crushing my SHOOT Project World Heavyweight Championship dreams at all.

Cade releases is fingers from the ring in his lip and shakes his head slowly.

Cade Sydal: No, you see, it’s quite the opposite. Because I’ve won every single title I’ve set my eyes on. Everything I’ve said I was going to accomplish, I worked my ass off until I did just that. Now, I may not have won a Redemption Rumble…yet. And I may not have won a Master of the Mat…yet. But I have won the SHOOT Project World Heavyweight Championship once before. And Dutch? I promise you, and everyone else, I will again. Some things you just have to work a little harder for…luckily those things are always well worth it.

Cade smiles broadly and Dutch nods his head again.

Dutch Harris: Fair enough. The only other question I have for you is, why did you do it?

Dutch’s eyes glance down, below the visual level of the camera shot, and Cade stares directly into his eyes for a long, and uncomfortable moment.

Dutch Harris: C’mon, Cade. Don’t tell me the cat has your tongue now, of all times.

Cade keeps his eyes glued to Dutch’s, before he turns his head to the side. He shrugs his shoulders.

Cade Sydal: Fuck it. I di–hold on. Hey yo, Dan!

Cade shouts out, after his friend. The camera pans to the left, behind Dutch, to see Dan Stein standing in the doorway along the hall. He turns the other way and starts walking off.

Cade Sydal: Look, I gotta go.

Cade walks quickly past Dutch, and Dutch turns around, an incredulous look on his face, as Cade starts chasing after Dan Stein down the hallway.

Dutch Harris: You didn’t answer the question, though!

Cade keeps trotting down the hall, but looks over his shoulder back at Dutch and the camera and shouts.

Cade Sydal: SORRY! INTERVIEW’S OVER!

Dutch turns back to the camera and shakes his head.

Dutch Harris: Well, guys. I guess it’s back to you.

Jaime Alejandro walks slowly down the hallway in the SHOOT Epicenter’s backstage area. It’s obvious, through his labored walking, that the man is hurting from the war otherwise known as his first SHOOT match.  

 

As Alejandro makes his way back to the locker room area, out of the corner of his eye he catches sight of an equally beat up Lennox Ferguson, stepping out of the SHOOT medical offices with a stern-looking Sarah King right behind him.  

 

The two are in the middle of talking, or arguing, about the match when Jaime takes a small detour and walks up to the two of them. 

 

Jaime Alejandro: I’m not interrupting anything, am I? 

 

Sarah is startled at the sound of Alejandro’s voice but quickly sizes the man up before turning her gaze toward The Ox whose swollen and bruised face doesn’t give away his feelings toward The Saint, the match, or the state of the Iron Fist tournament.  

 

Jaime Alejandro: Look. In the ring, that was nothing personal, kid. In fact, you could have been my own family out there and I still would have gone one hundred percent on you. 

 

Lennox blinks slowly, then nods… equally slowly. 

 

The Ox: I would be upset if you gave anything less. 

 

The two stand there, silent, as Jaime stands for a second and thinks about what he wants to say next. 

 

Jaime Alejandro: I’m not much for being friendly, Ox. But I will say this… In the future, if you need my help for anything… within reason that is… 

 

The Saint holds out his hand toward Lennox. 

 

Jaime Alejandro: You’ve got this old man’s respect. 

 

The Ox lowers his gaze toward the outstretched hand and then locks eyes once again with Jaime Alejandro. 

 

The Ox: If I need something done Jaime, I’ll do it myself… I won’t need your help. 

 

Jaime’s expression drops, and he begins to pull his hand back but is stopped as Lennox’s heavily banaged hand grasps his own. Both Jaime and Sarah look at Ox in confusion as the rookie simply nods and then lets go of his former opponent’s hand. 

 

The Ox: But thanks. I hope that, in time, I can respect you too. 

 

Jaime stands there flabergasted as The Ox turns and begins to walk away from both him and Sarah King. The Ox’s manager sighs and turns to Jaime, who looks confused and irritated.  

 

Sarah King: Thank you Mr. Alejandro… it may not seem like it but that’s actually a big step for him. I think this is all just a bit much for him to be taking in right now… 

 

She puts her hand on his shoulder, looking him the eye. 

 

Sarah King: In the event that you do want to help Lennox… you’ll probably want to run any ideas by me first. 

 

She closes her eyes and sighs again. 

 

Sarah King: For your own good.

Eryk Masters: Now it’s time to crank up the action another notch, with the semi-finals of the tournament to decide our next World Champion!

Samantha Coil: This match is scheduled for one fall, and will determine one of the finalists for the World Title Tournament! Introducing first, from right here in Las Vegas, Nevada, weighing in tonight at 170 pounds… she is The Killer Queen, SINNOCENCE!!!!!

"Living Dead Girl [Subliminal Seduction Mix]" by Rob Zombie starts to play over the speakers and the arena erupts into a chorus of cheers and catcalls as the crazy bitch, Sinnocence, appears from behind the curtain and walk down the ramp. Dressed in her normal black leather ensemble, complete with skin-tight leather pants that have "Victory or Valhalla" stitched above her ass. Her ebony hair flows freely behind her, as she climbs up onto the apron and enters the ring. Scott Kamura checks her for foreign objects, and Sinn rolls her eyes.

Other Guy: Sinnocence has been on a tear lately! First she won the Re-launch Rumble, by eliminating Azraith, then last week she took one hell of a beating and still came out the winner against Cade Sydal!

Eryk Masters: Cade busted her open and damn near knocked her out, OG. Surely she can’t be at a hundred percent for this one!

Samantha Coil: Her opponent, fighting out of Staten Island, New York, at a weight of 215 pounds… he is THE WILLENIUM!!!!!

Eryk Masters: Willenium also had a tough fight to get here, he had to go through Dan Stein!

Dressed in plain white pants, Trey comes out to the opening chords of "Carry On Wayward Son", which is just about drowned out by a mix of cheers and boos as he meanders down the entranceway. He hauls himself up to the apron by the ropes and locks eyes with Sinnocence as Scott Kamura runs down the rules. Kamura calls for the bell, Sinn and Willett slap hands and the match is underway!

Straight to a textbook collar-and-elbow lockup, both fighters jockey for dominance, and Willenium gets an early advantage by forcing Sinnocence all the way back into the corner! Sinn yells as her back hits the turnbuckles, then gets both hands on Willett’s chest and shoves him back! Willett in for the tie-up again but Sinn catches his wrist and turns it around to a standing wristlock, brings it in behind for a hammerlock – Willenium gets a hold of HER wrist and reverses into a hammerlock of his own, then drops it, grabs a waistlock and sets up for a back suplex… but Sinn flips out of it and lands on her feet! Both wrestlers back to a staredown, as the crowd erupts for the early display of skill!

Other Guy: The crowd is loving this! Both Sinn and Willett are in top form for this bout, and it shows how badly they both want that big belt!

Eryk Masters: Yeah, Willett is bringing the power and strength, but Sinnocence is making the most of her agility here. Still, she’s giving up over forty pounds to Willett, and that’s a big hurdle to overcome.

Sinn runs to the ropes and bounces off, but Willett catches her on the way back with a shoulderblock that knocks her to the mat. Straight away she goes back to her feet, but Willett catches her arm and whips her into the ropes, charging after her with a lariat – But Sinn just barely ducks under it, catching him around the shoulder and swinging her body up, scissoring Willett’s other arm and dragging his shoulders down to the mat with a classic crucifix takedown!

ONE!

BIG-TIME KICKOUT FROM WILLETT!

Eryk Masters: That’s some great thinking from Sinnocence, going back to an old-school counter to catch Willett by surprise!

Other Guy: It looked like Willenium wanted to hit that big lariat that was so effective against Dan Stein, but Sinn had it scouted and tried for an early pin!

Eryk Masters: She’s already back to her feet and heading upstairs!

Sure enough, before Willenium has even gotten back to his feet Sinn has already climbed up onto the top turnbuckle. Willett’s up, and Sinn springs off for a flying rana – but Willett sidesteps and Sinn lands hard on her ass! Willett wastes no time in grabbing her leg, and he gets it grapevined around his own but Sinn breaks that up with a kick to the head! While Willett is still reeling from the hit Sinn wraps both hands around the back of his neck, pulls his head down – and meets it with a vicious knee-strike!

Eryk Masters: Sweet Georgia Brown, Sinnocence has just borrowed a page from her fiancee’s playbook and floored Willenium with her own variation of the Wake-Up Call! She’s really showing us how deep her bag of tricks is here!

Other Guy: When I heard Ozzy and Sinn had been "training" together, I didn’t take it literally. Willett’s also trying something different, he was looking to tie Sinn up with some kind of submission there, I think.

Eryk Masters: Not real bright against a submission expert!

Sinn takes a moment to stretch out her leg, wincing from the impact of the earlier fall. Seeing Willett out cold in the center of the ring, she drops for a cover – but Willett hooks her by the head and pulls her over into an inside cradle!

ONE!

TW-KICKOUT!

Other Guy: The Willenium going back to some old-school tricks of his own there, trying to steal a pinfall by playing possum!

Eryk Masters: He’s still holding his head, though. That hit must’ve hurt like hell!

Willett gets back to his feet, using the ropes for support, and stretches out his neck to clear his head. Sinnocence has murder in her eyes and stalks towards him. Willett swings a big right that Sinn steps inside, pulling Willett off-balance and down to the canvas with an armdrag. Sinn grabs his leg, turns him over – and grabs the arm as she locks in a Tequila Sunrise!

Other Guy: Willett is stuck in the middle of the ring, getting stretched by our resident submission queen!

Eryk Masters: He’s screaming with pain, but The Willenium won’t give up this easily!

Willett is scrambling to get some traction on the mat with his free arm and leg, dragging himself and Sinn slowly towards the ropes while she tries to dig her heel into the mat to slow him down!

Willet’s a foot from the ropes, but his face is showing how excruciating the pain is!

The crowd is cheering Willett on, Sinnocence desperately wrenching back on that leg, trying to get Willett to tap before he gets a rope break!

WILLETT GETS HIS HAND ON THE BOTTOM ROPE! SCOTT KAMURA CALLS FOR THE BREAK!

Sinnocence reluctantly releases the hold and rolls to her feet, still favoring her hip slightly. Willett is in far worse shape as he struggles to his feet in the corner, limping on one leg and holding his shoulder.

Other Guy: Great resilience from Willett there, fighting his way out of a nasty submission hold! You’ve gotta wonder if the damage already done will cost him this match, and a shot at the World Title!

Eryk Masters: He’d better be resilient, if he survives Sinnocence there’s still the next match against either Jester Smiles or Azraith DeMitri!

Willenium starts heading towards Sinn, who steps up to meet him … and stops a few feet away. She swings a kick at the leg she’s already strained, not with all her strength but enough to hurt. Willett yells and swings a punch that Sinn narrowly steps clear of. Another quick kick and Sinn backs up again, a sadistic grin spreading across her face as Willett tries to pursue her on his injured leg.

Eryk Masters: Sinn’s taken away The Willenium’s mobility, and now she’s got a new tactic – float like a butterfly, sting like a bitch!

Other Guy: They seriously pay you to say shit like that?

Sinn darts in and snaps off another kick, but Willett catches it at waist height – Sinn leaps up for an enzuigiri, but Willett ducks and Sinn crashes to the mat with him still holding her ankle! Willenium drops down and scissors her leg, sitting on her butt and cranking in a reverse anklelock!

Other Guy: What were you saying about trying to use a submission move against Sinnocence? This is exactly where she doesn’t want to be – underneath a guy much bigger than her, with more muscle mass and leverage on her ankle.

Eryk Masters: Osbourne Kilminster might have something to say about that…

Sinn screams in agony face-down on the mat as Willenium does his best to break her ankle! Scott Kamura asks Sinn if she wants to give up and she shoves him away!

The fans are screaming out with duelling chants!!! "LET’S GO WILL-ETT!!" "WILL-ETT SUCKS!!" "LET’S GO WILL-ETT!!" "WILL-ETT SUCKS!!"

Sinn starts trying to crawl towards the ropes, barely making progress under Willett’s weight, her thrashing not quite enough to dislodge Willett!

Sinn edges closer, but Willenium releases the leg scissors and with both feet on the canvas he pulls the other way, stopping her dead!

Other Guy: Sinn and Willett are deadlocked! Sinn can’t make the ropes, but Willett is straining just to hold her there!

Eryk Masters: He’s straining because he’s trying to push against the mat with an injured leg… and it just buckled underneath him!

Willett falls sideways to the mat, but doesn’t release the anklelock and he inadvertantly wrenches Sinn’s knee as well with the torque! She howls out again, rolling with Willett to take the strain off her leg and using the opportunity to drag herself towards the ropes… and connects with a lucky kick that nails Willett in the crotch! Scott Kamura yells at Sinn, dressing her down for the low blow, but she ignores him and crawls to the corner clutching her ankle! Willett, meanwhile, is doubled over in the opposite corner!

Other Guy: This has been a hell of a match so far, and with a shot at the World Title on the line, they’re both going to give it everything they’ve got!

Eryk Masters: They’re both hurting, OG – this one is going to come down to who can capitalize on those injuries, fair play be damned!

Willett is walking a little gingerly but he goes in for the kill, seeing Sinn still down on her hands and knees! He kicks her in the ribs – and again! Dragging Sinn to her feet, Willett slings her into the ropes, but Sinn grabs on and doesn’t make the return trip! Willenium yells with frustration and charges in with a forearm smash with Sinn’s name on it –

Sinn ducks under with a waistlock, hauls Willett up with a desperation flapjack –

HOTSHOT ON THE RING ROPES! Sinnocence drops Willenium throat-first onto the top rope!

Willett stumbles back and into the waiting arms of Sinnocence!

Eryk Masters: IRON MAIDEN! SINNOCENCE IS CHOKING THE LIFE OUT OF TREY WILLETT!

Other Guy: Willett is down to one knee, and Sinn has that bodyscissors on tight, not letting him get a full breath in!

Sinnocence is practically growling as she arches back into that rear naked choke…

AND WILLENIUM TAPS OUT!!!!

Scott Kamura calls for the bell!

Samantha Coil: Your winner by submission, at a time of fifteen minutes and twenty seconds, and the next finalist in the World Title Tournament…. SINNOCENCE!!!

Willenium looks crushed, slumping down in the corner with a hand at his throat, as Sinn’s hand is raised high by Scott Kamura!

Eryk Masters: Sinn got herself a hard-earned victory here, with a little help from the ring ropes! Great ring savvy, and it shows that she’s got what it takes to go all the way!

Other Guy: The Iron Maiden claims another victim! Sinn’s winning streak continues here, and she’s got herself a place at Master Of The Mat!

Flickering black and white static gives way to an image of a familiar man stood beneath a single spotlight in the centre of the SHOOT Project ring, only his trademark urban-camouflage coloured TapOut shorts covering him as his bald head hangs low, swaying ever so slightly from side to side.

A brief moment of static fades into an image from the last edition of Revolution…

…DeMitri grabs the back of Kilminster’s head then HAULS HIM into the CORNER with a twisting neck toss!! Osbourne lands against the turnbuckles upside down and hits the mat with all of his head and left shoulder!!

Other Guy: Shabooms! Ozzy either looks like an accordion or a complicated Kama Sutra position!

Eryk Masters: DeMitri utilizing his strength to it’s best advantage!…

The image quickly returning to Kilminster as he stands in the middle of the ring, the camera speed-track behind him where we can see his left trapezius muscle and the rear delt connector twitching and flexing as Osbourne rolls his head to audibly crack his neck.

More static and more from Revolution…

…Azraith turns around, with Osbourne holding onto a tight rear-naked choke, and in desperation runs directly to the corner, spearing his upper body between the top and middle turnbuckles—And IMPACTING Osbourne’s skull RIGHT on the top one!! The hold breaks!!

Eryk Masters: Oh, WOW!

Other Guy: It’s a rare thing, but I’m gonna have to agree with you! That was brilliant!…

Back in the ring, the camera affords us an overhead view of a barely-healed cut across the top of Kilminster’s scalp, surrounded by now-browned bruising.

Static…

…DeMitri takes a few steps backwards and runs forward, leaping into the air, ROARING ELBOW and Kilminster is on the ground! Az looks to capitalize with a BIG stomp, But Kilminster rolls out of the way and gets to his feet!

Other Guy: Oh damn look at Ozzy’s face! It’s ten kinds of swollen! THROW IN THE TOWEL!! …

The spotlight above Osbourne in the ring catches a better view of his face as he tilts his head back and to the one side, revealing his nose to be a deep shade of purple and his right eye socket to appear ever so slightly larger than the left with hard swelling, reluctant to recede.

Again, another split second of static before…

…Osbourne grabs Azraith in a Thai clinch, Leaps up, WAKE UP CALL—Azraith breaks his head free before he can impact! DeMitri slams a knee into the now kneeling Kilminster’s face, then hooks him upward—and SPIKES him to the mat, EXECUTION!!…

In the ring, the camera spins slowly around Osbourne, craning upwards and affording us close views of the injuries to his twitching shoulder and neck, his smashed face and the terrible trauma to the top of his head.

Finally, one last time…

…Azraith rolls out of the ring as Ozzy is getting up and starts making his way to the back, wincing in pain the entire time. Kilminster, still hazy, glares at him from the ring, leaning against the ropes for support…

The camera in the ring now affords us a real close-up of the eyes of the Englishman, his right eye still barely open for the swelling, purple and brown hues interrupting his usual white complexion.

All that and I’m still here. Ha. I’m not going anywhere.

The camera slowly pans backward, the image of Kilminster stood alone in the ring growing smaller and smaller…

IS THAT ALL YOU’VE GOT?!

Static.

The camera shifts back to backstage where we see an urgent and annoyed Rasheed Arif. 

Eryk Masters:  It looks like we’re backstage now…and…is that Donovan King’s attorney?! 

Rasheed Arif:  This thing on?  Yes?  Good. 

Arif looks to have the camera man by his shoulder, dragging him around backstage. 

Rasheed Arif:  I warned Jason Johnson that I would be here.  He can’t keep doing this to Donovan King.  Donovan King has made him a whole mess of money, he’s the SHOOT Project World Heavyweight Champion, I don’t even care who’s fighting for the supposedly vacated title at your pay per view event… 

Arif reaches Jason’s door and pounds on it. 

Rasheed Arif:  No more games, Mr. Johnson!  If you’re unwilling to answer for your heinous offenses against my client, Donovan King, then I will have no other choice than to proceed with legal action! 

A security guard comes back, trying to muscle his way between Arif and the door. 

Rasheed Arif:  Get your hands off of me!  Don’t you know who I am?  I serve the greater Las Vegas metropolitan area!  Have you not seen my commercials?! 

Security Guard:  Sir, I have to ask you to leave.  You don’t have any right to be backstage during one of these events. 

Rasheed Arif:  Balderdash!  I certainly do!  I am here representing my client, SHOOT Project World Heavyweight Champion Donovan King and I will not be held back, I will not be manhandled, and I will NOT be intimidated!! 

As Arif defiantly shouts the last words of his outburst, Jason’s door opens to reveal…who else?  ADRIAN CORAZON.  The fans ERUPT as Corazon glares at Arif. 

Rasheed Arif:  …oh, I should have known. 

Security Guard:  Sir, again, I’m going to have to ask you to leave. 

The guard puts his walkie talkie to his lips. 

Security Guard:  This is Jerkins, I have a code nine with a possible twenty-seven by CEO’s door.  Please be advised, will need immediate assistance. 

Rasheed Arif:  You…you can’t intimidate the law, Mister…Mister…Corazon! 

Corazon looks Arif up and down and cocks his head to the side as if to question the logic of Arif’s decision to speak up and out like that. 

“Don’t worry, Mister Arif…” 

A decidedly foreign voice comes from offscreen as KILGORE STOCHANSKY appears, out of NOWHERE, between Arif and Corazon. 

Kilgore Stochansky:  I’ve dealt with your kind before. 

The guards come rushing in between Corazon and Kilgore, neither man looking at anything but one another. 

Kilgore Stochansky:  Come, Mister Arif…let us talk about your client and these grievous…offenses. 

The guards start to usher Kilgore and Arif away as the camera pans over to Corazon who says nothing, merely inhales deeply and slams Jason’s door shut. 

Other Guy:  Okay.  Holy shit.  WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON. 

Eryk Masters:  Is Adrian Corazon REALLY in league with Jason Johnson?!  What business is it of…Kilgore Stochansky?! 

Other Guy:  Big players are moving in the shadows, Eryk.  I don’t know if I like what’s happening here…

Eryk Masters:  I dunno about you, OG, but I’m excited and amped up for our next contest, man.

Other Guy:  I think I might know what you’re feelin’, E.  Azraith and Jester…  these guys are two of the marquee names here, man. 

The crowd noise is rising in the SHOOT Project Epicenter.  Signs for Azraith DeMitri and Jester Smiles are prevalent throughout.  Green and purple.  Blue.  They’re standing in anticipation, waiting with bated breath for the beginning of the main event. 

Eryk Masters:  Noise level’s getting up there, OG!

“The Hounds” by The Protomen’s eerie high tone creeps over the PA, and the guitar takes over.  The fans come to their feet as Azraith DeMitri appears at the top of the ramp.  He’s donned in his usual gear, but wears a black t-shirt with a red exclamation point on it.  His trench coat covers most of his upper body, and he begins a slow walk down the center of the ramp.  He offers his hand to a few of the ring side audience. 

Eryk Masters:  There’s a guy who looks primed and ready. 

Other Guy:  He definitely looks determined.  This is a big moment for him. 

Eryk Masters:  It’s a big moment for ALL of us!  This match decides the last spot in the Master of the Mat finals!

He makes it to the ring, and climbs in very calmly and methodically.  He removes his trenchcoat and t-shirt, as Samantha Coil takes to the center of the ring.

Samantha Coil:  Introducing first…  fighting out of Omaha, Nebraska…  he stands in at six feet, five inches tall…  he weighs in at two hundred sixty pounds…  he is AZRAITH DEMITRI!!

Azraith leans against the far side rope, waiting for Jester Smiles.

Other Guy:  Yep.  Very ready.  Extremely ready.  You can tell this guy knows he’s got nothing to lose. 

Eryk Masters:  The face of Azraith is very solemn, and very focused.  Can you see his eyes, OG?  The outer portion of them are almost bloodshot.  You can tell it’s like he’s been waiting a long, long time for this day.

Before OG can answer, “Victory Theme” from the Final Fantasy soundtrack breaks over the PA.  The fans cheer loudly, as “Chiron” by All That Remains takes over.  Jester Smiles walks onto the ramp, and the crowd in attendance goes supernova!  He’s covered from head to toe in an assortment of green and purple camo. The blue smiley face on his skullcap is very clear, as are his red wrestling boots, and purple and green gloves.  His walk takes on a casual pace, as he makes his way to the ring.  He also slaps hands with a few of his ringside fans, before arriving at the ring itself. 

Eryk Masters:  Dude, Jester Smiles fashion sense makes my heart just…  flutter. 

Other Guy:  Not pee?  It doesn’t make your heart pee? 

Eryk Masters:  Nope.  No heart peeing this time.  Just fluttering. 

Other Guy:  …kinda gay, man.

Samantha Coil takes to the center one more time, as Jester climbs into the ring.

Samantha Coil:  And now…  introducing next…  fighting out of Richmond, Virginia…  he stands six feet, six inches tall…  he weighs in at two hundred forty-five pounds…  he is JESTER SMILES!!

The fans pop for Jester once more, who retreats to his corner.  Tony Lorenzo, the official presiding over the contest, calls them both to the center of the ring, going over last minute instructions.  In an unexpected move, Azraith offers Jester a simple handshake!

Other Guy:  That’s a little surprising. 

Eryk Masters:  Not really, OG.  These two guys, even though they exist on completely different emotional spectrums, definitely respect each other. 

Jester returns the hand shake, and then the two retreat to their corner one more time.  Tony Lorenzo backs away, and calls for the bell! 

Eryk Masters:  And heeeere we go! 

They both reach the middle of the ring at the same time.  Azraith pulls Jester down into a front chancery, and wrenches hard on the neck.  He throws two knees into Jester’s sternum, before Smiles can recover.  He sweeps Azraith, flooring him.  Azraith gets to his feet, and the two engage again.  Jester throws a quick set of left and right jabs, weak jabs, and elects to continue moving.  Azraith takes them with little more than a smirk, and continues trying to get to Smiles. 

Other Guy:  Jester’s taking an interesting approach to the beginning of this match.  He’s got the height advantage, but knows that Azraith is bigger.  He’s trying to use that smaller weight to his advantage. 

Eryk Masters:  Well I mean, you and I both know that if Azraith gets ahold of him, it’s gonna hurt.

Smiles weaves in and throws another punch with a bit more force behind it, but Azraith sees it coming and ducks out of the way.  He shoots in for a takedown, but gets Jester against the turnbuckle.  Azraith unleashes three punches to Jester, stunning him just a bit.  Jester semi-stumbles out of the corner, and Azraith follows up, bringing him down into a front chancery once more.  He pulls Jester to the middle of the ring, and swings him around, dropping him with a neckbreaker!  Continuing to drive the pace, Azraith pulls Jester to his feet.  He keeps ahold of one of Jester’s arms, yanks on it, and pulls him into a short arm clothesline! 

Eryk Masters:  Az looking to do some early damage here, working on the neck and head area of Jester Smiles! 

Other Guy:  And this is what Jester wanted to avoid, Eryk.  Getting in close with Azraith is definitely not what his game plan was, coming into this match. 

Jester’s up on one side, shaken up a bit.  Azraith walks towards him , and grabs him by the hair.  He pulls him to his feet, but is caught off guard as Jester drives an elbow into his abdomen.  Jester doesn’t relent on the strikes and peppers Azraith’s face with a series of rights and lefts that stun the larger man.  Jester shoves Azraith against the ropes.  Azraith rebounds, and Jester catches him in the middle.  He pulls him over for a capture suplex, downing Azraith DeMitri!  Jester covers! 

ONE.

TWO.

KICKOUT.

Jester nods to himself, as Azraith kicks out. 

Other Guy:  Yeah, gonna take more than a capture suplex. 

Eryk Masters:  He knows that.  You gotta try, though. 

The fans are loud for Jester, making sure to shower him with appreciation at every move.  As Az gets to his feet, Jester goes to follow up.  He throws kicks to Azraith’s body, working the ribs. 

Other Guy:  Jester’s been working on and focusing on his striking.  He’s putting that work to good use here! 

Eryk Masters:  I think it’s a sound gameplan, especially when dealing with someone who’s basically your own size.  Not much you can do to throw them around. 

Jester tries to throw another kick, but Azraith blocks it.  Jester throws another kick, and IT’S blocked.  The fans are getting behind Azraith a bit, as he starts to battle back.  Jester throws yet ANOTHER kick, and IT’S blocked.  Finally, Jester tries to throw a BIG haymaker, but Azraith blocks it and drops him with a DDT!  Azraith covers! 

ONE.

TWO.

THR—KICKOUT.

Eryk Masters:  CLOSE near fall there for Azraith.  You think that Jester maybe got caught a little bit there?

Other Guy:  He’s on his way to his feet now, he’s clutching his head, that’s for sure. 

Jester is halfway up, and up on one knee.  He is definitely holding his head, as Azraith walks over to follow up.  He pulls Jester by the hair once more.  He whips Smiles into the turnbuckle, and follows him immediately, hitting him with a SICK spear to the back! 

Other Guy:  Azraith calls that the Breakdown!  And you can see why! 

Jester crumples to the mat, as Azraith stands over him.  Az pulls him by his arms to the middle of the ring, and covers him! 

ONE.

TWO.

KICKOUT! 

The fans pop!  Jester is back to a knee, and Az is a bit annoyed.  Jester gets to his feet before Az is able to capitalize.  He throws a straight kick, or a push kick, into Az’s gut, and creates some distance.  He screams out and NAILS Az with a VICIOUS elbow that staggers DeMitri.  Smiles rebounds off the ropes closest to Az and uses his legs to kick Azraith to his knees.  Smiles, who’s still standing, throws a right kick RIGHT into Azraith’s chest.  DeMitri falls back, and Jester covers! 

ONE.

TWO.

KICKOUT.

Jester shakes his head at himself again.  He pulls Azraith to his feet and shoves him into the turnbuckle.  He goes to work on Azraith, like a man possessed, lighting him up with lefts and rights!  Azraith crumples into the corner, and Jester turns to run to the opposing corner.  He charges forward!  

Other Guy:  Jester with BAD intentions, here. 

Eryk Masters:  He’s gonna knee Azraith in the face, OG.  I just know it.

Jester, mid-run, bears witness to Azraith DeMitri rising to his feet.  Az catches Jester with a kick to the midsection as he arrives.  Jester’s doubled over, as Az applies a double underhook!  The crowd goes nuts! 

Eryk Masters:  Az is setting up for THE EXTINCTION! 

Other Guy:  Oh MAN.  This one’s about to be over! 

Not so!  Jester uses every ounce of strength in his legs to run Azraith back to against the corner turnbuckle.  He gets back to a standing position, smiling.  He flies in and nails Azraith with a flying elbow!  He backs up and does it again!  Azraith DeMitri is rocked!  Jester finishes the stunning striking flurry with a NASTY European uppercut!  Azraith is still on his feet, only because he’s hanging onto the top rope! 

Eryk Masters:  What a barrage, dude.  Jester Smiles is in it to win it! 

Other Guy:  In it to win it?  Seriously? 

Eryk Masters:  Yeah man!  He’s ready to take this one to the cleaners! 

Other Guy:  Really? 

Jester moves forward, but Azraith like a man possessed, grabs Jester around the neck and THROWS him face first into the turnbuckle.  Jester’s stunned against the top turnbuckle, and Azraith locks him in and throws him with a Kata Hajime suplex, but he doesn’t let go!  He hangs on!  Azraith picks him up and does it again!  He hangs on one more time!  One more suplex!  Both men are down!

Other Guy:  Azraith calls that the Seraphim Dance! 

Eryk Masters:  That was…  that was nasty.  I…  wow.

Both men are down, as Tony Lorenzo contemplates making the obligatory count.  He goes to start, but both men get to their knees almost immediately.  Azraith is up first, but Jester’s not too far behind.  Azraith stalks over to Jester, who essentially gets overpowered from the position where he has no leverage.  Azraith keeps him doubled over, and locks in a double underhook.  He pulls Jester into the air, and pauses for a moment.  He says “I’m sorry” before sitting out, and dropping Jester on his upper back and neck! 

Other Guy:  EXTINCTION!  THIS IS IT!

Azraith covers! 

ONE.

TWO.

THRE–  NO.  KICKOUT. 

Azraith looks up at Tony Lorenzo, who shows two fingers.  He’s beside himself, and lets out a PRIMAL scream that seems to silence the crowd!  They regain their voices IMMEDIATELY as they figure out that Jester Smiles kicked out, and a small “Smiles” chant breaks out!

Eryk Masters:  Jester Smiles JUST KICKED OUT of the EXTINCTION!  Azraith is BESIDE himself!  Holy FUCK.

Other Guy:  I’m a little beside myself too, Eryk.  That was…  I don’t know that I’ve EVER seen anyone kick out like that.  Plus, did you hear Azraith tell Jester he was sorry!? 

Eryk Masters:  My feeble mind can’t take it, OG.  Jester Smiles has heart, man.  He’s ALWAYS had heart. 

Azraith is sitting up now, as Jester begins to stir.  Azraith shakes his head furiously, and doesn’t allow Jester to get to his feet.  Instead, he pulls him into position, looking to set up another high impact move.  He pulls Jester up, almost like a piledriver.  He steps over Jester’s right arm, and then Jester’s left arm!  He drops Jester on his head, and then rolls him into a pin! 

Eryk Masters:  THE AWAKENING! 

ONE.

TWO.

THREE!!! 

Other Guy:  We have a winner! 

Azraith rolls off of Jester Smiles, but chooses to just sit next to Jester, almost as if he’s waiting. 

Samantha Coil:  Your winner…  at a time of NINETEEN MINUTES and THIRTY FOUR seconds…   and moving on to the MASTER OF THE MAT FINALS…  AZRAITH DEMITRI!!!

Eryk Masters:  We have our World title match, ladies and gentlemen!  At Master of the Mat, Azraith DeMitri will take on Sinnocence for the World Heavyweight Championship!  It’ll be for ALL the marbles.

Other Guy:  Sinnocence and Azraith will pretty much tear each other up, Eryk.  It’s going to be a World Heavyweight Championship match for the ages! 

The fans cheer, as they watch the center of the ring.  Jester begins to get to his feet, and Azraith stands up.  Az and Jester look at each other, as Azraith takes Jester’s hand and raises it to the sky, in a great show of appreciation and respect.  He then embraces as if to thank him for a hard fight.  The show fades out, as the two stand in the center of the ring, arms raised.