ICONIC 2021

The HOTv logo gives way for the final time in 2021 as we cut live inside a sold out O2 arena here in London as High Octane Wrestling along with High Octane Television present ICONIC

We cut live inside the arena as London is Calling begins blasting over the PA system and we see an overhead shot of the arena at full capacity.  The fans are singing along with The Clash’s iconic hit as fireworks begin going off throughout the arena.

The feed cuts to our Hall of Fame commentator for the evening, Joe Hoffman, as the show is set to begin.

Joe Hoffman: Ladies and gentlemen welcome to ICONIC!!!! This is a two night event and we will hour four matches here tonight on night one with the LSD Championship main eventing this evening. But before we get there we will see Mario Maurako returning to a HOW ring as he takes on fellow Hall of Famer Bobbinette Carey and of course we will see match seven of the Gentlemen’s Agreement between Steve Solex and Bobby Dean.

The crowd begins to calm itself down as the music fades out and the smoke from the fireworks begins to fade away.

Joe Hoffman: We’re not wasting any more time however….it is time for our opening match and it is the ladder match!!!

The camera quickly pans around the ringside area, below the screaming and bellowing fans at ringside, resting against the security barrier are around ten to fifteen ladders, laid end to end around the ringside perimeter. A ladder has been set upright at each side of the ring too. It’s clear that tonight’s competitors are not going to have any shortages of the match object.

Joe Hoffman: Sitting fifteen feet in the sky is a briefcase of which the contents are unknown. Michael Oliver Best has kept his cards close to his chest, only indicating that the briefcase contains an “opportunity”. The internet has been rampant with speculation about the contents, ranging from the ICON Championship itself, to a future World Championship opportunity to a fifty dollar gift voucher for the Chicago Applebees of your choice. David Noble, Xander Azula, Darin Zion and Brian Hollywood have NO idea what they are going to war for but they’re hungry for victory nonetheless.

Hoffman is interrupted by the whistling beginnings of Rammstein’s “Engel”, marking the arrival of the first competitor for the evening, Xander Azula.

Bryan McVay: Tonight’s opening contest is a LADDER MATCH!

The crowd cheers with joy because ladder matches are cool.

Bryan McVay: The ONLY way to win the match is to climb a ladder and retrieve the briefcase hanging above the ring. Introducing first, hailing from Long Beach, California, tonight he weighed in at two hundred and thirty two pounds… XANDER… AZUUUUUUUUUULA!

Azula surveys the situation at ringside, already trying to plot out devious ladder based schemes with the tools sitting in front of him.

Joe Hoffman: Azula has no circle tonight, no mysterious friends. Michael Oliver Best has strictly forbidden any outsiders from ringside for this cage match, whether they be Darin Zion’s cuddle bunny, Brian Hollywood’s Chief Operating Officer or… whoever David Noble deals with daily. This match is strictly between the four of them.

As Azula reaches the ring, he starts jogging back and forth under one of the set up ladders, clearly trying to stress to the London crowd how he has the protection of Eris and does not require luck. The crowd tosses a solid bunch of boos in his direction as he rolls into the ring. “Engel” fades away, replaced by “Stronger On Your Own” by Disturbed.

Bryan McVay: Next, hailing from Los Angeles, California, tonight he weighs two hundred and thirty four pounds… BRYAN HOLLYWOOOOOOOOD!

Joe Hoffman: Not the most welcoming reaction from London local’s for Hall of Fame nominee Brian Hollywood here tonight.

Hollywood stands at the top of the entrance ramp, pacing back and forth for a few seconds, slapping himself in the face to try and get himself in the game. He tosses his vest down on the top of the ramp and begins to rush towards the ring, sliding in and demanding that Azula clears some space from him. Xander looks like he wants to start the action early but Joel Hortega makes sure to step in and avoid an unceremonious start to the match. The potential brawl is cut off by the dulcet tones of Kanye West and his sweet bop “Heaven and Hell”.

Joe Hoffman: It’s not surprising these men are all ready to rip each other’s heads off. In the lead up to today’s match, they all dedicated HOW TV time to greatly detailing their opponents flaws and anemic careers. They’ll be looking to send messages to each other for sure.

Bryan McVay: Currently standing at the entrance ramp, he hails from Buffalo, New York, weighing in tonight at two hundred and sixty nine pounds… DAVID NOBLE!

You can hear one person in the crowd mutter “NICE!” as David Noble starts to make his way to the ring.

Joe Hoffman: David Noble made it clear he looks down on the other three men in this match and is seeking to use a victory tonight to launch him forward towards a higher paying contract in a few months time. Will his decision prove to be risky or yield reward, we’re about to find out!

Noble begins to walk down to the ring at a deliberate pace, gesturing towards both Azula and Hollywood as he does so. Xander and Brian for their part seem torn between wanting to rip each other to shreds or choosing to work together to murder Noble. They are unable to reach a conclusion before the final theme song for this match hits the sound system, “Happy Song” by Bring Me The Horizon. Out from the back steps Darin Zion, draped in a black coat. Noble hops into the ring as Zion marches forward, absentmindedly slapping hands with fans on his way down.

Joe Hoffman: Darin Zion had different aspirations for his match here in London, he wanted to be walking into ICONIC with a shot at the HOTV Championship but it was not to be and now he must risk his body for an opportunity of which he does not know the contents.

Bryan McVay: And finally, on his way to the ring at this time, he hails from Crowd Point, Indiana. He weighs in tonight at two hundred and seventeen pounds… DARINNNN ZIONNNNN!

The crowd gives Zion a warm reaction, not overwhelming but enough to make him feel welcome in London. Zion rushes towards the ring with a sudden sense of urgency, making a beeline right for Hollywood, taking him down with a double leg.

Joe Hoffman: Zion did say he was looking to separate himself from being grouped with Hollywood in this match and it would seem like he wants to prove his point immediately.

Hollywood tries to block the flurry of blows reigning down him from Zion by wriggling from side to side but the attack ends not by his hands but by protection from Xander Azula, who boots Zion in the back of the skull. Joel Hortega looks at the chaos that has already started to unfold in front of him, shrugs his shoulders and signals for the bell.

DING DING DING

Joe Hoffman: And with a very heated start, this match for an unknown opportunity is underway.

The largest man in the match, David Noble studies the situation in front of him and decides that his best course of action is to drill Azula in the side of the head with the sharp point of his elbow, sending Azula staggering towards the ropes. Hollywood takes advantage from the opening to shove Zion off him and quickly scampers out of the ring. Zion tries to shake off the cobwebs as he glares at Hollywood on the outside.

Joe Hoffman: So much intermingled hatred between these competitors, whether it be the history of Sex and Money or the recent Rumble and the Rock affair between Azula and Zion, there’s not going to be a friend in this match.

Noble continues his elbow assault against Azula up against the ropes until it is very rudely interrupted by Brian Hollywood hurling a ladder at his skull. Noble sees it flying in his direction quickly enough to avoid full facial contact but is still drilled in the shoulder. As he quickly tries to nurse his wound, Zion slips behind him and drills him with a snap german suplex straight into the canvas. Zion turns to position himself to continue his fight with Noble, forgetting Azula for the briefest of moments. This is a tactical error on Zion’s part as he quickly becomes the victim of a chop block from Xander.

Joe Hoffman: The heated words for earlier this week have turned into heated action. Everyone wants their hands on everyone else and it has got very messy, very quickly.

Azula rushes towards the downed Zion and grabs him back up by the hair. He looks at the ladder that is sitting almost centre in the ring, thanks for Brian Hollywood’s throw earlier. He quickly considers his options and decides to hoist Zion up and smashes Darin’s back straight into the ladder with a snap suplex.

Joe Hoffman: And the ladder is immediately taking a starring role in the match.

Hollywood continues to watch the action from outside the ring, very happy to play the waiting game and pick his spot to strike. His scheming is short lived as while getting caught up with the joy of seeing Zion slammed into the ladder, he lost David Noble. David Noble finds him, smashing his neck with a brutal rushing lariat. Hollywood crumbles down and begins to gasp for air as Noble stomps him repeatedly in the chest. Looking at the situation at ringside, Noble pulls Hollywood back towards him and slams him into a set of ringside ladders with a northern lights suplex, for which is rewarded with a large pained groan from the London crowd.

Joe Hoffman: It seems like the London Loyal are letting David Noble know that looks VERY painful. He may be getting along in his career but he can certainly still move quickly when he needs to.

Back inside the ring, Xander Azula has set up a ladder on top of Darin Zion’s throat, right in the middle of the ring, which he has decided to start climbing. With every further step up the ladder, Zion turns a deeper shade of purple as he writhes around on the mat below. Noble spots Azula climbing a ladder from his peripheral vision and slides back into the ring. Azula is still preoccupied putting pressure on Zion and admiring his attempted murder that he doesn’t notice David Noble pushing the ladder over, possibly saving Zion’s life in the process. Xander sails off the ladder and crashes into the ropes, bouncing off the top and middle ones and landing in the ring directly on his shoulder.

Joe Hoffman: I don’t know if Xander Azula was looking so excited because he thought he was about to win the match or the fact he almost murdered Darin Zion but he looked delighted either way, it’s a good thing David Noble stepped in when he did, I’m not sure how much more pressure Zion’s throat could have taken without some serious long term damage.

Zion gasps for air as he remains flat on the mat, trying to suck in any oxygen that seems to be floating anywhere near his direction. He’s lucky for his part that Noble seems to have turned his attention towards Azula, choosing to mount him and bring forth a rain of elbows aimed squarely at the area between his neck and shoulder. Joel Hortega tries to persuade Noble to calm down with the force of the elbows but knows in terms of the match rules, there is very little he can do. With Azula and Noble tied up in one corner and Zion recuperating in another, Hollywood spots his opening, he quietly slides a ladder into the ring as Hortega continues yelling in Spanish hysteria towards Noble’s very painful looking mounted elbows.

Joe Hoffman: It looks like Hollywood is trying to sneak in a win here but I don’t know how quickly he’ll be able to climb after falling into a pile of ladders back first.

Hollywood manages to place his ladder square above the ring, taking advantage of the distracting noise around the ring between the yelling and Zion’s death gurgles. He starts to slowly climb to the top of the ladder, slowly and steadily, clutching his back with each step he climbs. Zion leaps up, still gasping like a guppy fish and sees Hollywood trying to sneak in the win. He tries to yell towards Noble and Azula but realises that he doesn’t quite have control of his vocal chords.

Joe Hoffman: Zion looking concerned here. He knows what Hollywood is up to but the other competitors are occupied in their own world right now. If he wants to stop Hollywood, he may need to push beyond the pain he is currently experiencing and do the job himself.

Zion manages to use the ropes to pull himself up, positioning himself to the back of the climbing Hollywood. Hollywood continues his journey towards the top as Zion tries to centre and steady himself. Zion looks up and takes careful measure, leaping high in the sky, drilling a flying kick right into the back of Hollywood. Hollywood screeches in pain, clearly feeling the effects from the prior Northern Lights. The pain supersedes his balance on the ladder and he crashes down to the mat, as Zion leans himself up against the ropes.

Joe Hoffman: While Zion keeps recuperating against the ropes, it looks like Xander Azula has turned the tides in the corner.

A carefully placed uppercut directly to the jaw of Noble has caused him to loosen his grip in the mount. Azula slips under Noble’s legs and hooks his waist, hoisting him up in a deadlift display of strength from a kneed position. Noble for his part flails around in the sky in his attempts to break free from the hold but Azula has him locked in tight, the only thing left for Noble is the fall, where the back of his skull makes contact with the pushed over ladder from earlier. The crowd hears the skull crunch with a metallic clang, providing another massive groan.

Joe Hoffman: It’s as if you can hear the SOLD OUT O2’s Arena’s stomachs all churning in unison as these men kill each other to get their fingers upon a mysterious briefcase. These men went straight to action and may have shortened their own careers as a result.

Azula gasps for air, clearly winded from keeping hold of the larger noble. He looks towards the ladder in the middle of the ring and surveys his surroundings, which included a recovering Zion. Azula leaps towards Zion and trips him down with a drop toe hold, his already tender neck making contact with the ropes. Happy that the coast is clear, Azula starts to climb the ladder up towards the briefcase.

Joe Hoffman: Careful and deliberative action on the part of Xander Azula there. He knew leaving Zion out in the open could present a massive risk as he ascended to the heavens to grab the mysterious briefcase that Michael Oliver Best has stuffed full of intrigue.

Azula gets to the tippity top of the ladder when a rather unexpected event occurs – a flying Brian, to be more exact, a flying Brian Hollywood. Hollywood manages to muster his remaining energy to leap up the ladder on the opposite side, much to Azula’s shock. Azula, being dumbfounded at the surprising athletic prowess of Hollywood, proves to be very costly as he finds himself falling to the ground. Hollywood falls with him, drilling Azula with a Paper Cut straight from the top of the ladder.

Joe Hoffman: HOW DID HE DO IT? I have never seen Hollywood move quicker. Clearly this packed London crowd and the fact that it’s ICONIC have fueled the self-proclaimed Hollywood ICON in this moment.

Hollywood is not allowed much quarter to revel in his athletic talent, in his attempts to scramble quickly back to his feet to climb the ladder, he is drilled with a boot right in the face from Darin Zion. Zion slips behind Hollywood, locking him in a headlock and smacking him right into the mat.

Joe Hoffman: He calls that The Ratings Spike! … Even though this is Pay Per View! BUYRATE SPIKE? Let’s go with that!

Zion can’t believe the opening that he has created for himself. He starts to make his way towards the ring but his journey is interrupted by the dangerous peril known as a recovered David Noble. Noble stands in the way between Zion and the ladder and stares him down. Zion does not seem intimidated in the slightest. Noble attempts to chop Zion right in his tender neck but Zion manages to catch his arm. Not entirely sure where to go from here, Zion looks forward to the ladder as Noble tries to get out of his steely grasp. Zion drops like deadweight, sending Noble arm first into the ladder. As Noble tries to shake off the pain, Zion drills a shotgun dropkick straight into Noble’s chest, sending him flying out between the ropes.

Joe Hoffman: Now that he’s in control of the match, Zion seems like a man possessed. He doesn’t want anyone to stand in the way between him and whatever the content of that briefcase is.

With everyone licking their wounds in one way or another, Zion returns to the ladder and steadies it right in the centre of the ring. He begins to climb.

And climb.

And climb.

He carefully looks around and he sees no one coming.

He climbs another step and reaches the top. Trying to steady his nerves, he reaches up to grab the briefcase. Hollywood begins to stir and moves towards the ladder as quick as he can manage in his current condition. Zion struggles with the hook as Hollywood nears and Hollywood starts to shake the ladder.

Joe Hoffman: Zion is trying to fight the earthquake that Brian Hollywood is creating underneath.

Zion hugs his arms around the briefcase and pulls as hard as he can.

CRASH

DING DING DING

Zion falls to the mat, the briefcase locked tight around his arms. All Hollywood can do is look on at the situation, completely dumbfounded as the bell rings.

Bryan McVay: The winner of this ladder match… DARIN ZIONNNNNNN!

Joe Hoffman: Everyone in this match was looking to set the tone for a successful 2022 but only one of them could come out on top. Through sheer grit, Darin Zion has done it. Noble, Azula and Hollywood all had openings in this match but Darin Zion managed to survive to the end.

Joel Hortega rushes over to raise Zion’s hand, but he’s already preoccupied with trying to open the contents of the case.

Zion rips open the briefcase and he pulls out a leather bound folder with a piece of paper taped to the outside of it.  He quickly calls for a microphone before reading….

Darin Zion: Congratulations to you…. the winner of tonight’s match…..inside this folder is a contract, among other stipulations, that entitles you to a High Octane Television match at Refueled 84……Congratulations and have a Happy New Year!

Zion drops the microphone as he is overcome with emotion as he will finally get a shot at the HOTv Championship on the very first show of 2022.

We cut away as we see a smiling Zion quickly flipping thru the first 10 pages of the contract to sign on the dotted line.

We cut back live from the quick ICONIC advert back to ringside where we are set for our next match of the evening.

Brian McVay: The next match is number seven and the final match in the Gentleman’s Agreement Best of 7 and is a LAST MAN STANDING MATCH!

The crowd cheers.

Joe Hoffman: These two men have faced each other six times! Each man has three wins over the other. The winner of this match will be the winner of the Gentleman’s Agreement and there’s no better way – in my opinion – than the way it will end tonight, in a Last Man Standing Match!

The lights in the arena dim and “This Means War” by Avenged Sevenfold comes over the PA system. The crowd explodes into a fury of boos as the montage of Steven Solex airs on the HOV. Each picture pulses in rhythm to the music. Silence fills the arena as the HOV dims.

Joe Hoffman: Here comes the Hall of Famer…

Suddenly, a mushroom cloud bursts on the HOV, sending plumes of smoke throughout the M&S Bank Arena. As the smoke clears, Steve Solex is shown standing with his back to the ring. The crowd boos wildly as Solex stands still at the top of the ramp. Solex marches down the ring as the gracious fans chuck beer and debris at Solex.

Bryan McVay: Introducing first, from Huntington Beach, California… weighing in at 252 pounds. He is Haalllllll of Faaaaaaammmmmer STEEEEEEEEEEEVEEEE SOOOOOOLLLLLEXXXX!!!

Solex slides under the bottom rope as the fans continue to boo, but then suddenly…

Bryan McVay: And his opponent…

The glorious beats of the eighties motivational song “You’re the Best Around” by Daniel Esposito begin to play and the crowd jumps to their feet in anticipation. Bobby darts out from behind the curtain onto the entrance ramp and the crowd goes ballistic.

Brian McVay: Weighing in at a stunning Three-Hundred…

McVay struggles to compete with the deafening crowd as they sing along to the best damn entrance theme in the business.

“YOU’RE THE BEST!”

Brian McVay: Sixty-nine pounds!

“AROUND!”

Brian McVay: Hailing from Houston…

“NOTHING’S EVER GONNA KEEP YA’ DOWN!”

Brian McVay: Texas!

“YOU’RE THE BEST!”

Brian McVay: Beeeeeeautiful! BOBBY! DEEEEEEAAAANNNNNNNN!

Bobby Dean climbs the steps and enters the ring. He walks past Solex waving goodbye as the crowd cheers wildly.

Joe Hoffman: Here comes the Hall of Famer and former HOTv Champion, Steve Solex.

The two men belly up against each other in the center of the ring. Bobby Dean and Steve Solex do some jaw jacking in the middle of the ring. Bobby motions toward his crotch and immediately Solex blasts him backward with a stiff right hand to the jaw.

Joe Hoffman: Solex gets things started with a blistering shot that sends Bobby Dean backward into the corner.

The referee calls for the bell.

DING! DING! DING!

Bobby regains his balance in the corner and looks to Solex. Solex points at Dean, and then at his crotch. The crowd boos wildly

Joe Hoffman: Vile behavior from Solex, pointing right at his crotch…but it’s not like Bobby didn’t instigate it first.

The crowd continues to boo as Bobby walks back out to the middle of the ring. Referee Matt Boetcher encourages some action between the two men, but once more they get belly to belly. After some more choice words, Solex rears back and throws a haymaker right hand, but Bobby Dean ducks out of the way and hits the ropes.

Joe Hoffman: What a clothesline from Bobby Dean! He’s flattened Solex in the middle of the ring!

ONE!

Joe Hoffman: The Hall of Fame referee starts his first ten count of the match on the Hall of Famer Steve Solex!

TWO!

Solex begins to stir and gets to a knee, forcing Boetcher to stop the count at two.

Joe Hoffman: Bobby Dean with a couple of clubbing forearms to Solex’s back!

The crowd cheers as Bobby takes the offensive and backs Solex into the corner. Bobby lands a couple of good right hands, and then blasts Solex across the jaw with a violent left hook that crumbles Solex down to a seated position in the corner.

Joe Hoffman: Bobby Dean swinging like Rocky Balboa!

Solex is down again, but Bobby Dean continues his attack by planting some stiff boots right into Solex’s chest. Dean reaches down and lifts Solex to his feet and Irish whips him across the ring into the opposite turnbuckle.

Joe Hoffman: Solex goes chest first into the turnbuckle and he’s down again in the center of the ring….BIG SPLASH BY BOBBY DEAN!

A thunderous big splash by Bobby Dean absolutely flattens the former HOTv Champion. Dean feigns a cover, and instead grabs a handful of mustache and lures Steve Solex to his feet. The crowd continues to cheer for Bobby Dean as Dean holds Solex up on his feet by his mustache.

Joe Hoffman: Bobby Dean putting on a show here! Spinning the right hand around and shuffling his feet like he’s Muhammed Ali!

Dean swings for the fences with a wild right hand.

Joe Hoffman: Solex ducks! Solexecution! Dean is down in the center of the ring! But so is Solex!

Matt Boetches begins a count on both men, one hand in Dean’s direction and the other in Solex’s.

ONE!

…

TWO!

…

THREE!

…

Joe Hoffman: Matt Boetcher to three. Both men are beginning to move around a bit here!

…

FOUR!

…

FIVE!

…

Joe Hoffman: This capacity crowd chanting for Bobby Dean!

“LET’S GO BOBBY!” – CLAP, CLAP, CLAP-CLAP-CLAP.

SIX!

…

“LET’S GO BOBBY!” – CLAP, CLAP, CLAP-CLAP-CLAP.

…

SEVEN!

…

Joe Hoffman: Solex is on his feet!

Solex leans over the rope and flips a big middle finger to the fans in the front row which causes the crowd to erupt in boos.

…

“LET’S GO BOBBY!” – CLAP, CLAP, CLAP-CLAP-CLAP.

…

EIGHT!

…

“LET’S GO BOBBY!” – CLAP, CLAP, CLAP-CLAP-CLAP

…

Joe Hoffman: The referee’s count solely on Bobby Dean now!

…

Joe Hoffman: Clothesline from Bobby Dean sends Solex over the top rope! Solex was distracted with the fans in the front row and Dean was able to capitalize!

Solex lands on his feet on the outside and stumbles into the barricade. The fans repay the middle finger by pouring beer all over the Hall of Famer. Solex pays no attention, and simply wipes the beer out of his eyes.

Joe Hoffman: Bobby Dean is standing on the apron, what’s he gonna….DOUBLE AXE HANDLE!

Bobby creams Solex with a double axe handle smash off the apron. Solex goes down in a heap, but so does Bobby as his knees buckle on the tremendous weight put on them. Dean is able to recover quickly and goes right back on the offensive, toe punting Solex right in the ribs.

Joe Hoffman: Solex covering up as Bobby puts the boots to his ribs. Another one!

Solex gets to his hands and knees, but Bobby is quick to flatten him backout with an elbow drop right onto Solex’s spine.

Joe Hoffman: Bobby Dean celebrating with the fans in the front row!

Bobby leans over the barricade, throws his arms out to his sides and the fans go crazy. Bobby then grabs a hotdog from a kid in the front row and promptly shoves it down his gullet as the fans pop even harder.

Joe Hoffman: Bobby Dean really putting on a show here! OH NO! LOW BLOW BY SOLEX!

Solex ceases the opportunity and plants his arm right between Bobby’s legs. Bobby crumbles to the floor with half of the hot dog still hanging out of his mouth. Solex rushes in and takes Bobby’s back for a rear-naked choke.

Joe Hoffman: Solex is trying to put Bobby to sleep, but it looks Bobby might choke on that hotdog first.

Bobby reaches back and pokes Solex in the eye, forcing him to break the hold. Bobby jumps to his feet, but his face has turned blue.

Joe Hoffman: Bobby giving the universal choking signal to the fans! He’s turned totally blue!

Bobby begins to look woozy, then suddenly falls flat on his back.

Joe Hoffman: Bobby is unconscious! He’s literally choking to death!

ONE!

…

Matt Boetcher begins the count on Bobby. Solex has climbed onto the apron.

…

TWO!

…

Joe Hoffman: I don’t know that Solex knows what’s happened to Bobby! Elbow drop from the arpon, right across Bobby’s ginormous stomach! And the hotdog has been dislodged from Bobby’s throat!

The referee stops the count due to Solex’s offense, but Bobby is now turtled up and throwing a coughing fit.

Joe Hoffman: Looks like Bobby’s color is coming back and he’s breathing once again!

Bobby struggles to his feet and is immediately sent over the railing and into the crowd from a Solex clothesline. The crowd goes wild as Solex hops over the barricade after Dean. Security keeps the crowd at a safe distance, as Solex goes on the attack.

Joe Hoffman: Solex with a couple of nice right hands, and a stiff boot to the breadbasket!

Dean doubles over and Solex yanks Bobby in and jams the eGG Bandits head into his pants.

Joe Hoffman: Solex is going for the Deaner Weiner!

Solex goes to lift Bobby, but he’s either too heavy or he’s blocking the attempt.

Joe Hoffman: Back body drop by Bobby! Solex lands flat on the concrete! And because Bobby’s head was in Solex’s pants, Bobby landed right on top of Solex! All 369 pounds of him!

Dean struggles to get free, and only does so by pulling Solex’s belt out. Dean jumps to his feet…

Joe Hoffman: Bobby Dean looks at the whip in his hand and puts leather to flesh!

WHIP!

The crowd explodes in cheers as Bobby whips away at the back of Steve Solex, immediately leaving welts across the Hall of Famer’s back.

WHIP!

WHIP!

WHIP!

Joe Hoffman: Solex is trying to crawl away, in between rows! I think Bobby’s lost him!

CRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAACCKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK!

The crowd goes absolutely silent as Steve Solex emerges from between a few fans and destroys a chair over the top of Bobby Dean’s head.

Joe Hoffman: Oh my! Solex used the fans as cover and concealment and just obliterated Bobby’s forehead!

Bobby goes down to a knee as a river of blood flows from his hairline down to the floor. Bobby covers up, but Solex doesn’t relent…

CRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAACCKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK!

Joe Hoffman: Oh my! Solex pretending he’s Ken Griffey Jr. and just baseball swung that chair and hit Bobby Dean in the exact same spot!

Blood flies from Bobby’s head into the silent crowd. Bobby falls backward and lays flat on the concrete.

Joe Hoffman: What a shot that was! Bobby might be out cold!

Solex spits on the floor and then tosses the chair aside.

ONE!

…

TWO!

 

…

THREE!

…

Joe Hoffman: Bobby Dean is not moving, and Solex is headed back to the ring! I think Solex thinks he’s got this one in the bag!

…

FOUR!

…

FIVE!

…

SIX!

…

Joe Hoffman: Bobby still hasn’t moved, and a pool of blood has formed underneath his head.

…

SEVEN!

…

EIGHT!

…

NINE!

…

Solex hoists his arms up in the center of the ring to a chorus of boos, but then suddenly the crowd erupts in cheers.

Joe Hoffman: Bobby’s up! He’s on his feet, and he’s on his way to the ring!

With a crimson mask and a bad limp, Bobby Dean marches through the raucous crowd toward the ring.

Joe Hoffman: Solex looks panicked! Here comes Bobby Dean!

Bobby hops the barricade and slides under the bottom rope. Solex charges in but is sent down to the mat with a vicious right cross. Solex springs backup and is knocked right back down again with another right hand. And again, again and one more time. Solex then backs himself into the corner.

Joe Hoffman: Bobby is incensed! We’ve never seen Bobby Dean like this before!

Bobby charges in and crushes Solex with a flying splash in the corner.

Joe Hoffman: Solex is on wobbly legs!

Bobby lets Solex stumble out of the corner and then banana drops flat on his face.

Joe Hoffman: Matt Boettcher in with the count.

ONE!

…

TWO!

…

THREE!

Bobby takes position in the corner. He attempts to wipe the blood clean from his eyes as Solex stirs around on the mat.

…

FOUR!

…

Joe Hoffman: Solex is having a hard time here!

…

FIVE!

…

SIX!

…

Joe Hoffman: Solex is up! CHOCOLATE MIST FROM BOBBY DEAN! SOLEX IS BLINDED!

Solex stumbles around the ring in circles as the crowd cheers Bobby on. Bobby stalks Solex and leads him right into a well-placed kick in the gut.

Joe Hoffman: DEINER WEINER INCOMING!

Solex fights himself out of Bobby’s trunks before his head really ever goes in.

Joe Hoffman: Solex gets out of the hold and a drop kick from Solex sends Bobby into the ropes. BY GOSH!

A seldom seen flying shoulder block from Solex puts Bobby down, but he springs back up.

Joe Hoffman: BY GOLLY! Bobby Dean better look out!

Another flying shoulder block puts Bobby down, but again he springs back up. Solex hits the ropes again…

Joe Hoffman: THE CLOTHESLINE FROM HECK! BOBBY IS DOWN IN THE CENTER OF THE RING!

A crushing clothesline absolutely flattens Bobby in the center of the ring. The crowd goes berzerk with boos. They begin to hurl trash in the ring as the referee starts his count.

ONE!

…

TWO!

…

THREE!

…

Joe Hoffman: Bobby looks like he’s out cold. Where is Solex going?

Solex slides under the bottom rope and out of the ring. He reaches under the apron and begins to dig around.

…

FOUR!

…

Joe Hoffman: Solex has handcuffs! Two pairs!

…

FIVE!

…

Solex walks around the ring and from the outside he hooks up Bobby’s right wrist and cuffs him to the bottom rope.

…

SIX!

…

Bobby Dean starts to struggle with the handcuff, but Solex hooks up his right ankle with the other set and handcuff his right ankle to the bottom rope as well.

…

SEVEN!

…

Joe Hoffman: Bobby Dean has no hope here, he’s handcuffed by two appendages to the bottom rope!

The crowd boos wildly as Solex slides back into the ring and perches himself on the top rope in the corner.

…

EIGHT!

…

Bobby thrashes around crazily as he attempts to break free.

…

NINE!

…

Bobby is pulling as hard as he can to get free.

…

TEN!

…

…

…

…

DING! DING! DING!

Solex celebrates in the center of the ring as Brian McVay makes the announcement.

Brian McVay: Bobby Dean was unable to answer the count of ten. Your winner of the match and of the Gentleman’s Agreement…..STEEEEEEVVVVEEEEEEEEEE SOOLLLLLLLLLLLLLEXXXXXXXXXX!!!!!

“This Means War” by Avenged Sevenfold begins to play throughout the arena as Solex celebrates in the ring as the crowd reins down boos and trash on the Hall of Famer.

Joe Hoffman: Unbelievable! Steve Solex using every tool in the shed to beat Bobby Dean here tonight. Bobby put up a hell of an effort against Steve Solex tonight and pushed him to the limit. This has been a rivalry of epic proportions.

Solex walks over to Bobby Dean and stares down at him. Bobby Dean looks up at Solex and the two lock eyes. Solex places his hands on his hips and shakes his head in disbelief before dropping down and rolling out of the ring. The music fades out.

Joe Hoffman: Solex doesn’t show respect to just anyone, and if you didn’t know Steve Solex you might not have caught it. But that…that was a sign of respect.

Solex reaches into his pocket and pulls out the handcuff keys. He unlocks Bobby Dean’s wrist and ankle. The crowd cheers to Solex’s good sportsmanship as “This Means War” by Avenged Sevenfold picks back up over the PA system as we cut away.

Back after the Mario Maurako Tag Team advert we cut back to Joe inside the arena.

Joe Hoffman: Well folks, you see that the steel cage which soon will be electrified is being lowered to the ring, so that means it is time for Bobbinette Carey vs Mario Maurako. This is a feud that has spanned across an entire decade, and tonight it will come to a literal, shocking end.

“Ladies and Gentlemen” by Saliva as we see a rather indifferent reaction from the London fans as Mario Maurako makes his way out onto the stage.

Bryan McVay: The following is an electrified steel cage match. There will be no disqualifications and the winner will be decided by only pinfall or submission. First, making his way to the ring from Minneapolis, Minnesota… and weighing in at 260 pounds… HOW Hall of Famer… MARIO MAAAAAAAAAURAAAAKOOOO!!!!!!

Joe Hoffman: Seems outside of Chicago, the London fans are not too fond of the former Whacko-o-Meter master, Mario Maurako. But I have a feeling Mario doesn’t really care. He’s focused on taking out Bobbinette Carey, especially after her actions at their contract signing months ago.

Mario walks up the stairs and into the steel cage as he looks down at the HOW crew members hooking up the clamps to the cage that will juice up the infamous structure.

Joe Hoffman: I’m being told 110 volts will be juicing through the cage tonight once the switch is flipped on.

Joel Hortega is inside the ring now too as he directs Mario to his corner… even if he has no real authority here tonight other than counting to tres or acknowledging a submission.

Arena lights go black.

“Tell you you’re the greatest”

“but once you turn they hate us!”

A magenta spotlight shines on the stage as the Queen of Epicness herself is already standing there waiting for the light. Bobbinette Carey makes her way down the ramp. Wearing a Miss America style crown with a matching cape. She stands at the top of the ramp with her pink and black leopard gear.

Bryan McVay: And his opponent, from Parma, Ohio…. And weighing in at 235 pounds…. HOW Hall of Famer….. THE QUEEN B, BOBBINEEEEEETTE CAAAAREEEYYY!!!

“Oh the misery everybody wants to be my enemy!”

The HOV plays a black and white video package. We see the clip of her smashing a photo over Mario Maurako; another clip of her hitting Mario with the defib pads, then the most striking image of Bobbinette burying Mario alive.

Joe Hoffman: Carey smiling as the clips roll of her attacking Mario… not sure how smart it is to add more fuel to the fire, but The Queen is ready to make Mario kneel before her tonight.

She slowly makes her way down the ramp, her eyes fixated on the man in the ring. She puts her hands on her hips as her fireworks go off behind her near the HOV. The London fans boo the fireworks as the chant “Suck A Tampon” can started to be heard over her music.

“Spare the sympathy, everybody wants to be my enemy, but I’m ready”

Crowd: SUCK A TAMPON!

Joe Hoffman: The London fans being colorful early on here… and one also has to wonder if Mario can take even one shot into that cage tonight. So soon after recovering from Carey’s literal shocking attack weeks ago. This match could be over very quickly.

She doesn’t get in the ring, instead she forgoes her curtsy and takes her crown and cape off handing it to the time keeper. With her entrance gear up, Carey slowly walks up the steel steps and into the cage as she slams the door shut behind her. With that Hortega calls for the bell as the timekeeper flips the switch for the cage.

Sparks suddenly shoot from the cage as the voltage surges through it as the crowd ooooos at the sight for a second before they start a new chant.

Crowd: YOU’RE BOTH BITCHES!

Joe Hoffman: Geez, these fans seem to certainly be fans or neither in this match tonight.

Carey screams at the fans as Mario charges at his ex-wife, but Carey spots him and kicks him square in the balls as he quickly drops to knee in front of Carey.

Joe Hoffman: The Queen B quickly holding Mario in her own court.

Carey grabs Mario by his hair and yanks him up to his feet, tearing a small bit out as she throws it in his face. Mario, furious, quickly goes to slap Carey across the face, but Carey catches his hand and shakes her head as she goes to irish whip Mario into the cage, but Mario gets his foot up on the bottom rope and pushes back into Carey, elbowing her straight in the face.

Joe Hoffman: Mario, inches from another certain heart failure.

Carey shakes off the back elbow and grabs Mario around the waist and german suplexs him.

Joe Hoffman: Germany! …I’m for some reason randomly cheering for. Pin attempt by Carey!

UNO…..

DOS……..

Mario kicks out at two as Carey drills him with a hard right before she pulls him to his feet and irish whips into the corner. Mario hits the turnbuckle hard as Carey charges in and drives her shoulder hard into the gut that drops Mario’s ass down to the second turnbuckle. Carey looks down and again aims at Mario’s groin and stomps his privates into the turnbuckle… once… twice… three times!

Joe Hoffman: Carey is stomping Mario’s privates dry!

Carey pulls him out of the corner and throws him down onto the mat where she drills him in the skull with her boots and hits the ropes as he goes for the somersault senton.

Joe Hoffman: Epic Endi… Mario moves!

Mario does indeed roll out of the way as Carey crashes back first onto the mat. Mario ropes to the ropes and pulls himself up with one arm as he uses his other to make sure his Maurako jewels are still intact. Carey slowly pulls herself back up to her feet as Mario approaches Carey from behind. He spins her around and slaps her hard across the face before driving his knee into her gut. Mario then picks Carey up for a spinebuster, but instead he goes to drive her into the steel cage.

Joe Hoffman: A spinebuster into the cage?

Mario throws Carey into the cage wall as sparks fly and her body shakes for a moment before she falls back face first to the mat. The crowd roars, more so for the fact it was Carey getting electrocuted as Mario quickly goes to shoot the half and cover his ex.

UNO……….

DOS……………..

TRES………….

Carey just throws the shoulder up as Mario thinks he has won until he hears Hortega yell out “NO, DOS!”. Mario slams his fists on the mat as he grabs Carey by her now frizzled hair and pulls her to her feet. He points towards the turnbuckle as he places Carey head between his legs with a slight smile before picking her up onto his shoulders.

Joe Hoffman: How I’m glad Benny isn’t here to make fun of this right now. Mario going for a Minneapolis Mayhem into the steel cage!

Mario goes to launch Carey, but The Queen B drills Mario in the head with a hard right before half hurracaranning Mario face first between the ropes and into the steel cage. The crowd roars as more sparks fly and Mario’s body shakes as he is held up by the ropes for a few moments before falling back into the ring.

Joe Hoffman: Carey may have just killed Mario Maurako! Someone get a medic in there!

Hortega goes to check on Mario, but Carey pushes him out of the way and drags Mario into the ring for a cover. Set on ending this feud once and for all as the fans quickly reference the fact that Mario may be dead again.

Crowd: JERK HIM OFF, JERK HIM OFF

Carey ignores the objectionable chants and rolls Mario over as she hooks the leg.

UNO……..

DOS…………………..

TRES…………………………………

Joe Hoffman: And this is…. NO! Mario kicked out! Mario is alive!

The whole arena, especially Carey, are themselves shocked as Carey just stares back at Mario who has a small smile on his face. Carey snaps as she starts smacking, not punching Mario over and over as you can hear the fans in London count along.

Crowd: ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR, FIVE, SEX, SEVEN, EIGHT, NINE, TEN….

Joe Hoffman: Headbutt by Mario!

The shot staggers Carey, but not enough as she elbows Mario across the face. She then reaches for the stars on her ring gear and pulls them off, placing them on her hands like a set of brass knucks, which she nails Mario across the face with.

Joe Hoffman: Star-nucks from Carey and that alone may have knocked Mario up

Carey finally gets back up to her feet as she takes a moment and starts to plan out her next attack.

Joe Hoffman: The Carey-o-Meter hits ten before a headbutt by Mario ends it. But now The Queen B is looking for some way to finish off Mario.

Carey calls for another Epic Ending as the crowd suddenly roars. She’s a bit confused, but assumes she must be winning over the London faithful.

Joe Hoffman: Who is that coming in through the crowd?

Whoever it is, is coming in from behind Carey and she can’t see them as she pulls Mario off the ropes some more and drops a knee straight into his heart.

Joe Hoffman: It’s… it’s… it’s Scottywood!

Reaching the barricade, we see the Hall of Fame Hardcore Artist with barbed wire hockey stick in hand… and the look of pure HATE on his face. He hops the barricade and looks at the door to the steel cage with a sick smile.

Joe Hoffman: The Hardcore Artist is here… but how will he get in? That door is electrified with 110 volts!

Taking his wooden hockey stick, he flips the latch to the door up with the blade and hooks the door open. He quickly climbs the steps and enters the ring as Carey gets set to launch into the ropes for the Epic Ending.

CRACK!!!

The crowd roars again as Carey stumbles forward in shock before turning around and seeing Scotty in the ring. Her face goes white as he starts stepping toward her.

Bobbinette: Stop him Hortega!!

But Hortega just shrugs as there are no disqualifications… and Carey just shoved him earlier. So Carey continues to back up, but hits the ropes as she starts pleading with Scotty.

Bobbinette: Please, let me finish him! Then if you feel you have to do this Scooter, then we can settle this… or we can go grab a beer… on my card of cour…

CRACK!!!

Scotty again drills Carey, this time across the head, busting her immediately open and sending her back into the steel cage.

ZAAAAAPPPPP!!!

More sparks fly as Carey stumbles back to Scotty who has dropped the hockey stick and picks Carey up onto his shoulder to the roar of the London crowd.

Joe Hoffman: Game Misconduct! Right onto the hockey stick!

Carey rolls off the stick, onto her back as Scotty flips her off before picking up the hockey stick, leaving Carey covered in blood, her eyes dazed to fuck.

Joe Hoffman: And just like Scottywood has destroyed Carey! But both are down and Hortega is unsure what to do…

Scottywood: He lets the match continue Joe! That’s what he fucking does. I mean it’s been boring as fuck so far… this isn’t much worse Joe.

Hortega checks on Carey who isn’t moving, then checks on Mario….

Joe Hoffman: Mario grabs Hortega!

Mario starts to pull himself up to his feet with the help of Hortega’s shirt, partially ripping it in the process, but he’s back to his feet and spots Carey laying bloody in the ring and smiles.

Scottywood: Bet that dumbass thinks his shitty fucking headbutt did that.

Quickly Mario grabs Carey and pulls her up to her feet and slams her lifeless body back down to the mat with a Simply Marvelous as he just collapses on top of her for the cover.

UNO……..

DOS……………….

TRES…………………….

DING DING DING

The timekeeper rings the bell and shuts the electricity off as the crowd half heartedly cheers, maybe more so just for the match being over if anything. Scotty gets up from the announce table with a chuckle as he makes his way around the ring and starts backing up the ramp with a microphone in hand. Mario slowly pulls himself back to his feet as Hortega goes to raise his hand.

Bryan McVay: And…

Scottywood: I got this Bryan!

McVay stops and raises his hands as Mario snaps around to the entrance way, seeing Scotty for the first time.

Scottywood: Your winner… with a HUGE assist from Scottywood… Mario Moronako!!!!!

Mario starts yelling at Hortega in the ring as Scotty is chuckling on the ramp.

Scottywood: Don’t believe me Mario? Well I got a few connections left backstage… so roll the footage in the truck!

Suddenly we see the HOV light up with a replay of Scottywood hitting Carey with the hockey stick and nailing the Game Misconduct. We cut back to ringside as Mario has now shoved Joel Hortega and kicked the now uncharged steel cage in anger.

Scottywood: You really thought your little headbutt did THAT to Bobbinette? Just like you thought I’d ever want to shake your dirty ass fucking hand? Pretty sure I got charged with domestic abuse just for touching it. Fucking eh! You really are a fucking Moronako. Tally one in the win column Mario… but know this… you won SHIT tonight.

Crowd: You won shit! You won shit! You won shit!

Scottywood: Oh and Bobbinette, whenever your Sleeping Ugly ass wakes up, know that… this… this between us… is far, far, FAR from fucking over! I am going to make your life a living fucking hell. You wanna bitch about toxic men… You thought Mario was bad? He’s nothing… literally fucking nothing! Me though… Me, I’m gonna poison the fuck out of your life Bobbinette… poison it until there is no life left in it….

CRACK!!!!

Scottywood tumbles forward and down onto the stage as a man in a hood stands over Scotty with a steel chair in hand.

CRACK!

CRACK!

Two more shots connect with the back before the man tosses the steel chair as the crowd goes absolutely nuts as the man removes his hoodie as we cut away after Joe shouts…

Joe Hoffman: DARKWING! DARKWING HAS RETURNED!!!!

The action cuts away as we see a final image of the returning Hall of Famer standing over Scottywood.

As we come back from commercial, we head to ringside where the Hall of Famer and best announcer in the business is ready to call this highly anticipated championship match.

Joe Hoffman: Welcome back ladies and gentlemen where ICONIC Night One concludes with this highly anticipated main Event.

Joe looks toward the camera.

Joe Hoffman: The LSD championship is up for grabs as the Gold Standard, John Sektor, puts it on the line against a man making his debut tonight. Twenty year veteran, and MVW mainstay, Bill Dickinson steps into the ring and looks to shock the world here tonight!

Joe’s excitement may be getting the best of him……or he could be right.

Joe Hoffman: Can Dickinson pull off the upset? Stranger things have happened in HOW, but Sektor has been prepping for the last two weeks for this match…..

However, a but comes.

Joe Hoffman: But…….has Sektor’s focus been on retaining the championship or hurting Dickinson?

As the image cuts to inside the O2 Arena we see a sea of rabidness fans are ready for this match to begin.

Bryan McVay comes to center ring.

Bryan McVay: Ladies and gentlemen, tonight’s Main Event for ICONIC NIGHT ONE! IS SCHEDULED FOR ONE FALL!

Crowd: ONE FALL!

Bryan McVay: With a Sixty minute time limit.

McVay looks towards the audience.

Bryan McVay: AND IT IS FOR THE HIGH OCTANE WRESTLING LSD CHAMPIONSHIP OF THE WORLD!

The fans in London go berserk as they await the wrestler’s entrances.

“My truck’s where my money goes,
Got buck blood on my Sunday clothes
And directions to a honey hole that I’ll never tell
And I know it’s redneck of me
Letting moonshine get the best of me
But I’m unapologetically
Country as hell”

A bright flash of red, white, and blue light envelops the stage following the acapella beginning of Hardy’s “Unapologetically Country as Hell.” Fog sifts out from both sides of the stage as the song begins in earnest.

Joe Hoffman: Dickinson is no stranger to big matches, but he hasn’t been on this stage in his twenty year career and you have see how competing in front of twenty thousand compared to a few thousand.

“People say I’m podunk but I don’t really care
My grandpa’s mamaw lived right over there…”

‘Texas Cowgirl’ Haley Dallas walks out slowly from the back. She’s dressed in all black from her cowboy hat, overcoat, sunglasses and boots and gazes expressionless out at the crowd crammed inside the O2 arena.

“I spoon scale my perch
Dirt stays on my shirt
And if you can’t dip in church, you can’t dip anywhere
No you can’t…”

A second round of red, white, and blue lights illuminate the stage as the song hits the chorus and the 330 Pound Southern Brawler, ‘Redneck’ Bill Dickinson emerges from the fog and ambles out onto the stage. Dickinson’s wearing standard black wrestling tights, a black and red vest with “Bill Dickinson” embroidered in block letters on the back.

“And my truck’s where my money goes
Got buck blood on my Sunday clothes
And directions to a honey hole that I’ll never tell…”

Dickinson looks out at the packed house and for a split second seems a little taken aback at the sight of nearly 20,000 people inside the O2 Arena.

Joe Hoffman: Looks like Dickinson is a deer in the headlights.

“And I know it’s redneck of me
Letting moonshine get the best of me
But I’m unapologetically.
Country as hell”

He nods his head to the melody of the song and takes a deep breath.

“I got a fridge full of beer
Freezer full of good aim
If there’s tire marks at the Wal-Mart
My Chevrolet’s to blame..”

Joining hands with Dallas, both exchange wry smiles and bathe in the atmosphere of the moment…

“My chicken’s more fried
My dogs live outside
Ever since George Jones died country ain’t been the same…”

… and when the chorus hits again, begin to make their way down towards the ring.

“And my truck’s where my money goes
Got buck blood on my Sunday clothes
And directions to a honey hole that I’ll never tell…”

Now down at ringside, Dickinson stops at the apron and takes one last curious look around the arena.

“And I know it’s redneck of me
Letting moonshine get the best of me
But I’m unapologetically.
Country as hell”

Dickinson helps Dallas into the ring and then climbs right behind her.

“You can blame it on my pedigree
But I can’t help my heredity
I’m unapologetically… country”

He hands his vest to Dallas and runs the ropes a few times to get limbered up while the song winds down.

“…Country as hell”

Cold ending to the song and then…

“Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap” by AC/DC

Joe Hoffman: The familiar tune of The LSD Champion

The Master of The “Stache” steps out from behind the curtain and the crowd gives him a thundering applause.

Joe Hoffman: Sektor looking very focused and not fazed by this moment because this is just another Sunday for him.

Sektor hams it up, deviously stroking his ‘stache as he cockily marches down to the ring. No sooner has Sektor stepped into the ring he hands his championship to Joel Hortega as his music begins to fade out as McVay turns to his left.

Bryan McVay: Ladies and gentlemen, the challenger and making his HOW debut…..From Troy, Alabama and weighing in at 330 lbs……he is “REDNECK!” BILL! DIIIIIIIIIIIIIIICCCCCCCCCCKKKKKKKKKKIIIIIIINNNNSOOOOOOOON!

Bill cracks his knuckles as he stares daggers at Sektor across the ring.

McVay turns to his right.

Bryan McVay: And his opponent, From Miami, Florida… he stands at 6’1” and weighs in at a formidable 245 pounds… He is the REIGNING! DEFENDING! UNDISPUTED! HIGH OCTANE WRESTLING LSD CHAMPION! He is… THE GOLD STANDARD! AND HALL OF FAMER! JOHN!…SEEEEEEKTOOOOOOOR!

Sektor remains poised and stares right back at Dickinson as Hortega holds the LSD title high up in the air before handing it to McVay as he exits.

Hortega signals for the bell.

Ding. Ding.

Joe Hoffman: And here we go.

Bill and Sektor come out of their respective corners and stand face to face and neither flinches.

Joe Hoffman: Who is going to make the first move?

The Alabama Redneck makes the first move as he shoves the Gold Standard back causing the champion to smirk and mouthed “ok.”

Joe Hoffman: Looks like Bill is showing Sektor he’s not intimidated, but that’s easier said than done.

The two men begin to circle one another before locking up and Sektor tries for a side headlock, but Dickinson whips him towards the ropes and sends him to the canvas with a shoulder block. Sektor looks up at Dickinson who slaps his shoulder demonstrating his power.

Joe Hoffman: The limit of Dickinson power is unknown, but as he has shown in Missouri Valley Wrestling he is a force to be reckoned with and Sektor has to avoid that Southern Fried Powerbomb of his or its light’s out.

Sektor gets to his feet and they go to lock up once more and this time the champion goes for a top wrist lock, but the challenger slings him back down to the mat and delivers a kick to the spine.

Joe Hoffman: Sektor is going to have to come up with another strategy because it seems that Dickinson is one step ahead of him.

Sektor cautiously gets to his feet as he looks as if he has a million things going through his mind before he goes to lock up once again with Dickinson but ducks under the Redneck’s attempt. Sektor goes for a European uppercut, but the challenger saw it coming and grabs Sektor from behind and uses his strength to lift Sektor off of his feet and toss his to the mat. Sektor looks a bit bewildered.

Joe Hoffman: Oh wow. I don’t think I’ve seen this since Rhys Townsend was competing in a HOW ring.

Sektor stays seated on the mat thinking of a new strategy, and he begins to slide towards Dickinson.

Joe Hoffman: What is Sektor up to?

As Sektor gets closer, Dickinson begins to back up not knowing what the champion is trying to do as Sektor begins to circle him in a sliding position.

Bill Dickinson: Get up you coward!

Bill yells and goes to stomp Sektor, but the champion sees the opening and sweeps the leg of Dickinson and when the big tree falls, Sektor pounces.

Joe Hoffman: Sektor takes Dickinson down with a sweep and the big man is finally off of his feet and into the domain of John Sektor.

Sektor rolls onto the stomach of Dickinson and drives elbows into his face and gut before rolling over and locking in an arm scissors while bringing hammer fists down onto the face of Dickinson.

Joe Hoffman: Sektor is always adapting and elevating his style and that’s why he’s so hard to predict.

Sektor drives one finally hammer fist into the face of Dickinson before rotating his hips and tries to pull back on the arm.

Joe Hoffman: Cross armbreaker attempt, but Dickinson is doing everything he can to avoid it.

Sektor continues to pull back, but Dickinson has his grip firmly locked and he begins to stand up.

Joe Hoffman: That’s a sight to see.

As Bill pulls Sektor into the air, the Hall of Famer his fighting with everything he has to loosen Dickinson’s grasp.

Joe Hoffman: Bill’s stunned!

Sektor rolls over and brings his opponent back down to the canvas with a armbar.

Joe Hoffman: Fujiwara Armbar!

Sektor is looking to tear that rotator cuff into smithereens, but Sektor rolled too close to the ropes and Dickinson is able to escape by wrapping his legs around the bottom rope.

Joe Hoffman: A HUGE break there for the challenger because Sektor wasn’t going to let go of that armbar.

Dickinson rolls out of the ring holding his arm looking for a breather.

Uno.

Dos.

Tres.

Joe Hoffman: Dickinson just experienced right there in a short span that Sektor can end you in so many ways and those aren’t even his finishing moves.

Cuatro.

Cinco.

Joe Hoffman: Sektor following Dickinson so he can jump him when he gets back in.

Seis.

Dickinson rolls in and quickly rolls out to restart the count.

Joe Hoffman: Smart move by Dickinson.

Uno.

Dos.

Tres.

Cuatro.

Cinco.

Seis.

Seite.

Ocho.

Nueve.

Die…..

Dickinson rolls in and quickly rolls out again drawing the ire of the crowd and Sektor.

Joe Hoffman: Like it or not, Dickinson is getting time to recuperate and it’s all within the rules.

Uno.

Dos.

Tres.

John Sektor: Get in here!

Sektor yells and Dickinson simply waves at him while he leans on the apron.

Joe Hoffman: Sektor is not going to tolerate the stalling of Dickinson for much longer.

Cuatro.

Cinco.

Seis.

Seite.

Ocho.

Sektor sprints at Dickinson looking for a baseball slide dropkick, but the Alabama Redneck was anticipating it and moves out of the way and drills Sektor with a massive clothesline before picking up the champion and throwing him into the nearest set of ring steps. Dickinson doesn’t waste his opportunity as he picks up Sektor and tosses him back into the ring.

Cover.

Uno.

Dos.

No.

Sektor kicks out.

Bill mounts the champion and begins to deliver rights to Sektor’s face and the champion does his best to cover up.

Joe Hoffman: Dickinson has Sektor stunned.

Dickinson takes a moment to kiss his fist and that is the opening Sektor needed to catch it and quickly wrap his legs around the neck of Dickinson.

Joe Hoffman: Triangle choke?

Not exactly as Bill takes the low road and drives his fingers into the face of Sektor before raking it to hell and back.

Joe Hoffman: That’s one way to get out of it.

Hortega begins to yell at Dickinson, but he could care less as he begins to stomp a mudhole in Sektor. Dickinson pulls Sektor to his feet and whips him…..

Joe Hoffman: REVERSE!

As Dickinson rebounds off of the ropes, Sektor looks to introduce him into the Hall of Fame.

Joe Hoffman: Hall of Fame elbow……NO!

Bill ducks under the spinning forearm and as Sektor turns around Dickinson grabs him and tosses him up and drives him down.

Joe Hoffman: SOUTHERN FRIED POWERBOMB!

Uno.

Dos.

Joe Hoffman: We have a new champion!

Tres.

NO!

Sektor was able to get his foot on the bottom rope at the last second.

Joe Hoffman: OH MY! WE COULD’VE HAD A NEW CHAMPION THERE IF DICKINSON PULLED HIM FROM THE ROPES!

Dickinson realizing his mistake pulls Sektor from the ropes and quickly goes for another cover.

Uno.

Dos.

Tre…..

No.

Sektor pops his shoulder up.

Joe Hoffman: Dickinson almost caught the champion sleeping again.

Dickinson extends his leg and drops it across the throat of Sektor before getting up and dropping a series of elbows to the chest area of the Gold Standard.

Joe Hoffman: Dickinson is looking to put Sektor down for good.

Dickinson pulls Sektor to a seated position and takes a few steps back before drilling him with a seated clothesline. Dickinson pulls up Sektor once more and hoists him up into the air.

A few seconds pass…….

A few seconds more……

Joe Hoffman: A very delayed vertical suplex.

Dickinson brings him back down to Earth before going to another cover.

Uno.

Dos.

Tr…..

No.

Sektor rolls the shoulder and Dickinson shoots Hortega a look.

Joe Hoffman: Dickinson has to understand that Sektor has the endurance and durability on a level he has never seen.

Dickinson grabs the legs of Sektor before sending the air out of his lungs with a vicious stomp and making a wish by throwing them to the side. Dickinson begins to target the leg and knee of Sektor. Dickinson grabs the leg of Sektor and places it behind his neck and he lifts Sektor up for a stretch muffler and begins to punch the knee as well.

Joe Hoffman: Boned In Submission is locked in and Dickinson his looking to rip those ligaments in Sektor’s knee.

Sektor yells out in pain, but the champion keeps calm in the face of adversity because he waits for Dickinson to bring him down after he bounces and uses the moment to pick the ankle and lock in an ankle lock.

Joe Hoffman: DI-SEKTION!

However, Sektor doesn’t have the ankle lock locked in for log as he quickly transitions to another submission.

Joe Hoffman: STF……

Just as Joe finishes his sentence, Sektor locks IT in.

Joe Hoffman: SEKTOR STRETCH!

Sektor uses his weight to shift Dickinson to his side and pulls back and Hortega asks if the former MVW champion wants to submit, but Bill shakes his free hand no. Bill tries to get free, but Sektor pulls back further on the submission. Dickinson begins to try and get to the ropes.

Joe Hoffman: Can Dickinson make it to the ropes.

The Redneck grunts and yells as he tries to position himself closer to the ropes and Sektor isn’t making it easier as he starts wrenching back on the Sektor Stretch.

Joe Hoffman: Sektor is really grinding it in now and you have to wonder want does Dickinson have left.

Dickinson inches closer and closer to the ropes.

Joe Hoffman: Is Dickinson going to make it??? Will he make it to the ropes or will he tap?

Sektor’s senses begin tingling and he pulls back with everything he has and Dickinson starts tapping on Sektor’s hand.

Joe Hoffman: DICKINSON TAPPED!

DING. DING. DING.

Sektor let’s go of the submission and immediately sits up with his arms held high.

Bryan McVay: Here is your winner by submission….AND STILL! THE REIGNING! DEFENDING! UNDISPUTED! HIGH OCTANE WRESTLING LSD CHAMPION! He is… THE GOLD STANDARD! AND HALL OF FAMER! JOHN!…SEEEEEEKTOOOOOOOR!

Hortega steps through the ropes and begins saying something to Hortega.

Sektor gets up and demands he be given his belt, but Hortega doesn’t budge and he and the official begin to converse in Spanish and Sektor immediately shoots a look back towards Dickinson whose foot was on the bottom rope before he tapped.

Bryan McVay: Ladies and gentlemen, the official has informed me the match will continue as Bill Dickinson had his foot on the bottom rope before he tapped.

Joe Hoffman: What a break for Dickinson!

Sektor immediately pounces on Dickinson as he begins to rain down rights and lefts to his challenger.

Joe Hoffman: Sektor looking to end it here once and for all.

Sektor pulls Dickinson to his feet and doubles him over with a boot to the gut and hooks him.

Joe Hoffman: Neckbreaker….no!

Dickinson counters the neckbreaker attempt with a Russian Legsweep.

Both men are down and Hortega begins his mandatory diez count.

Uno.

Dos.

Tres.

Both men begin to stir.

Cuatro.

Cinco.

Both men on all fours.

Seis.

Seite.

Both men to one knee.

Ocho.

Sektor with a right.

Dickinson with a right of his own.

Sektor with another right.

Dickinson with another right, but Sektor ducks under and when Dickinson turns he gets drilled with the Hall of Fame elbow that causes him to stagger against the ropes. Dickinson uses the momentum to bounce off and drop the champion with a massive lariat.

Joe Hoffman: Looks like that lariat took a lot out of Dickinson as he his breathing heavily on one knee.

Dickinson makes his way over to Sektor.

Cover.

Uno.

Dos.

Tre……

NO!

Sektor kicks out.

Dickinson looks at Hortega and holds up three fingers but the official says it was a count of dos.

Joe Hoffman: Dickinson is in the deep waters and his decisions here will show if he’s worthy of the LSD championship.

Dickinson immediately jumps up and drives his feet into the chest and stomach area of Sektor. He hits the ropes and delivers a big splash before hitting them again and delivering a senton.

Cover.

Uno.

Dos.

Tres…..

NO!

Sektor barely gets the shoulder up in time.

Dickinson doesn’t let his opponent gain his composure as he yanks Sektor up to his feet and whips him to the nearest corner. Dickinson runs full force looking for a shoulder tackle, but the Gold Standard lifts his body up and the Alabama Redneck collides with ring post instead. Sektor rolls over onto the back of Dickinson and pulls him over with a school boy.

Joe Hoffman: Shades of Sektor vs Jatt at Rumble at the Rock.

Uno.

Dos.

Tres.

NO!

Dickinson rolls out of it and doubles over Sektor with a boot to the gut and he places the champion between his legs.

Joe Hoffman: How do you like your chicken Sektor because Bill Dickinson likes it SOUTHERN FRIED!

Dickinson lifts Sektor into the air, but the Gold Standard uses the momentum to throw his leg around the head of Dickinson and drive him face first into the canvas.

Joe Hoffman: OH MY! WHAT A COUNTER BY SEKTOR! A MODIFIED C-SEKTION OUT OF DICKINSON’S POWERBOMB!

Sektor doesn’t waste any time and quickly pins Dickinson.

Uno.

Dos.

Joe Hoffman: Does Dickinson have anything left?!?!?!?!?

Tres.

Ding. Ding. Ding.

Bryan McVay: Here is your winner, for real this time, by pinfall….AND STILL! THE REIGNING! DEFENDING! UNDISPUTED! HIGH OCTANE WRESTLING LSD CHAMPION! He is… THE GOLD STANDARD! AND HALL OF FAMER! JOHN!…SEEEEEEKTOOOOOOOR!

Sektor rolls off of Dickinson looking at the rafters knowing he was in a war as Hortega placing the LSD championship on top of him.

Joe Hoffman: What a match! What a war! This match did not disappoint! What’s this???

Sektor who is now standing hands the LSD championship to Hortega before making his way to Dickinson.

Joe Hoffman: Come on now Sektor, the match is over……

Sektor reaches down and pulls his opponent to his feet. Sektor extends his hand to Dickinson and Bill looks at it long and hard before accepting it. Sektor raises Dickinson’s arm high into the air and slaps him on the chest as a sign of respect before exiting the ring as the London fans give Bill Dickinson a very much deserved round of applause.

Joe Hoffman: Dickinson may have fallen short tonight in his Redneck Path of Rage to acquire the LSD championship, but he earned the respect of John Sektor tonight and some say that’s more difficult to do.

The night comes to a close with Bill Dickinson in the middle of the ring blowing kisses towards the audience thanking them.

London is Falling by the Clash hits the PA system here in the O2 arena and the London faithful stand as one as the official theme song for ICONIC begins to play. Everyone turns their attention to the entrance ramp as the current Best man in charge, Michael Oliver Best, makes his way out from the back.

Oliver, as the folks in the back have taken to calling him, does not waste anytime as he raises the HOW branded microphone and begins to speak.

MOB: Dear esteemed guests of tonight’s gala……WELCOME TO NIGHT TWO OF ICONIC!!!!

Oliver holds his arms up high as he takes in the cheers.

MOB: Yes it is me, Michael Oliver Best, in the flesh and blood standing in front of you all. Contrary to what you have heard my nephew and others say………I am here….I am healthy…and I am right of mind. For some reason I felt I had to say this. Ok moving on, tonight you will see the World Championship defended by my nephew Michael Lee Best against six other competitors…..and let me just get this out of the way really quickly…..

Oliver reaches into his jacket and pulls out a gun and promptly points it at his head.

MOB: Cecilworth Farthington….I for one…am HAPPY that you are doing soooo well after all this time. I mean it wasn’t THAT long ago that you took a bullet to your BRAIN and still won the ICON Championship. I mean….wow. My mind is BLOWN at how well you recovered. Kudos to you sir. I know you might have repressed that memory…..but kudos to you nonetheless.

Oliver, smiling from ear to ear, slowly puts the gun back into his jacket before continuing.

MOB: Now, I didn’t come out here not to do some long-winded speech that undoubtedly my brother would do, but instead I am merely here to welcome you to the final night of ICONIC.

Oliver turns and looks up at the High Octane Vision screen as a video begins to play.

The video is a replay of the ending of the Refueled 83^rd from Liverpool where we saw Clay Byrd return to take out both Cecilworth Farthington and Michael Lee Best.  We see an edited version of Oliver’s announcement of the main event change for ICONIC and as the video ends the crowd begins cheering.

Oliver turns back around and faces the ring before continuing.

MOB: We are only here tonight because of one person and one person only……my nephew…Michael Lee Best. You see Michael is GREAT when he is chasing something….but once he catches it……he becomes quickly bored. He is like that with EVERYTHING in his life….and I mean literally everything. You see once my nephew has WON something he would rather play with his friends and have a nice safe easy…and I will say it…..BORING…..time. That is just who Michael was, is and ever will be.

Oliver pauses as he makes a half turn towards the entrance ramp…avoiding having his back fully uncovered.

MOB: So it should be to NO ONE’S surprise that once Michael defeated Conor Fuse at Rumble at the Rock that he would find a way to make sure he tied up the next several months playing with his BEST friends. Max isn’t around….Thank GOD……as we all seen how that played out for the course of a year. I love my nephew with all my heart…..but after hearing the constant WHINING he has forced my hand. He should know what’s coming……

Oliver slowly takes his top hat off and now fully turns towards the entrance.

MOB:  Now I had to shake up my original idea due to my Pettyness being activated so let’s just view this as a learning opportunity for all those involved……..hit the music!!

The London faithful explode as Mr. Finish Line hits the PA system and United Kingdom’s own Cecilworth Farthington makes his way from the back.

He slowly walks up to Oliver and cameras capture Farthington asking repeatedly what the match stipulations are but Oliver just smiles and motions for Farthington to make his way down to the ring.

The 2020 Hall of Fame Inductee does just that as he slowly makes his way down towards the ring as we cut to Joe Hoffman who obviously will be the commentator for tonight’s match.

Joe Hoffman: Folks, welcome to night two of ICONIC where tonight we will see the World Championship decided. I have no idea what is in store and much like Farthington we all are eager to see what the rules will be for this match.

Farthington stands tall in the ring and takes in all the praise from his fellow UKers.

Joe Hoffman: Farthington looks to be in amazing shape for tonight’s match.

Before Joe can continue the music stops and EVERYONE turns back towards the entrance ramp as THAT music hits…..

HALLLLLLELUJAH!

HALLLLLLELUJAH!

HALLELUJAH!

HALLELUJAH!

HALLEEEEEEEELUJAH!

The crowd is absolutely buzzing and singing along as the World Champion and High Octane Hall of Famer, Michael Lee Best, makes his way out from the back.

Much like Farthington, Mike slowly walks up to his Uncle and begins questioning him.

Joe Hoffman: Michael Oliver Best no selling Michael Lee Best here folks. Whatever this match is…..the two best friends are literally the first two to enter the fray.

Back finally, and slowly, begins making his way down to the ring. He continues to yell at his Uncle as he back peddles his way down the ramp.

Joe Hoffman: It was literally only a couple weeks ago that we saw the Uncle screaming for help for his Nephew after the heinous attack by Clay Byrd. It only took a couple days for all that LOVE to turn to HATE as Michael and Farthington have been VERY VOCAL about their disdain for Oliver’s booking.

The camera follows Mike climbing up the ring steps and the crowd cheers madly as Farthington sits on the middle rope and graciously holds the top rope up to allow Mike an easy access into the ring.

Mike climbs into the ring and turns around and gives Farthington a quick embrace as the two men then turn their attention back to Oliver who is seen clapping at the top of the entrance ramp.

Oliver then signals for the music to stop and he slowly raises his microphone up to his mouth.

MOB: Ladies and Gentlemen……Let me introduce to you the FIRST two competitors in tonight’s TOURNAMENT FOR THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP!!!!!!!!

The crowd cheers even louder than before as a shocked pair of Best Friends look on from the middle of the ring.

MOB: Now……Michael….my loving Nephew…..I initially had pegged you to get a first round BYE as the WORLD CHAMPION should get……..but after hearing the NON STOP whining from the BOTH of YOU….I decided to give you EXACTLY what you both wanted…….CECILWORTH FARTHINGTON VERSUS MICHAEL LEE BEST…..AND IT STARTS RIGHT NOW!!!!!!

Oliver turns back towards the entrance ramp and Matt Boettcher races out from the back and down the entrance ramp and slides into the ring. He quickly turns and motions for a crewmen to ring the bell.

DING

DING

DING

Joe Hoffman: I cannot believe what I just heard……..the seven men named for this match are now competing in a one night tournament to crown the World Champion to end 2021……and we are starting off with the WORLD CHAMPION taking on his BEST Friend. WOW!!!

Back in the ring Michael and Farthington have stopped yelling at Oliver and now have turned toward each other.

Michael slowly takes a few steps backwards as he takes the belt off from around his waist.

Farthington watches, even though the bell has rung for the match to start, as Michael slowly reaches out and hands the World Championship to a crewmen and he leans back into the corner and lets out a long sigh.

Joe Hoffman: Michael is clearly trying to switch gears mentally. Whatever thoughts him and Farthington had of possibly working together in what they thought would be a multi wrestler match is obviously out the window. Only one of these two men will advance in the tournament. It is crazy that I even said that out loud but as Oliver mentioned…..this is what Michael and Farthington wanted……let’s see how it will play out.

Back in the ring Mike is now walking back towards Farthington, who has not moved in the center of the ring.

MOB: Hey gents…..just a reminder that the bell rang a few minutes ago and this reminds me…..there will be a time limit on ALL tournament matches…..if we do not have a decision by the end of 20 minutes….both men are eliminated. So ya…..might want to get to it gents.

The cameras catch Oliver tapping his wrist, which is adorned with a very familiar watch for those that been keeping score at home for the past decade.

He then smiles and points up at the High Octane Vision screen which comes to life on cue and a countdown timer is shown and it is under 17 minutes already.

Joe Hoffman: Well Mike and Cecilworth were adamant that if they got to face each other they would tear down the house and now they only have 17 minutes to do so.

Back in the ring both Farthington and Best can be shaking their heads in disbelief at the announcement by Oliver.

We can see Boettcher lean and tell the men that the clock is ticking and to drive the point home he points up at the HOV and we see we are under 16 minutes now.

Mike begins talking and Farthington begins talking back and it appears they are hyping each other up. With a final nod to each other Mike reaches out and Farthington shakes his hand………..and immediately pulls Mike close and rolls him up with a perfect inside cradle….

 

ONE

 

TWO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

KICKOUT!!!!!!

 

Mike barely is able to kickout and jumps up to his feet and is in complete shock. The shock only lasts for a momentary second as he rushes Farthington, who is just getting back up to his feet, and jumps in the air…..

Joe Hoffman: I KNEED A HERO!!!!!!!!!

But Farthington ducks just in time and Mike sails over the head of his Best Friend.

Farthington scrambles towards Mike and yanks on the Champion’s exposed right arm and locks in his Article 50 cross arm breaker. Cecilworth quickly scoots himself and Mike closer to the center of the ring and as Mike rolls towards Farthington to relieve some of the pressure, Farthington leans back with all his might and Mike is forced back to his back as he screams out in pain.

Joe Hoffman: A handshake into a near pinfall and two finishing attempts later and we have Farthington in the center of the ring with the Champion in SERIOUS TROUBLE!!!!

Mike again attempts to roll towards Farthington but as he does Cecilworth uses his left leg to deliver a devasting boot to the temple of the World Champion. Knowing that wont be enough Farthington delivers another boot to the face of his fellow Hall of Famer.

And another

And another

And another

With each kick the speed and force increases and Farthington is now screaming in a primal rage as we see that Mike’s body has gone limp. There is blood gushing from the nose of the champion but there is no stopping Farthington.

Joe Hoffman: Oh my god….this is uncomfortable to watch……Boettcher has…..yep….there it is…..

Boettcher, knowing Mike is out and the hold still securely held in by Farthington, begins a three count.

ONE

TWO

THREE

With each slap down to the canvas we hear Farthington’s boot hitting Mike’s head.

The crowd is stunned as Boettcher signals for the bell and then quickly jumps on top of Farthington to get him to not only stop kicking Mike’s brains in, but also to release the hold.

Farthington’s eyes are almost glazed over and the camera captures the moment when he snaps back into the moment and he joins the crowd at being stunned at what just happened.

Bryan McVay: Winner of the match via pinfall and moving on to the second round of the World Title Tournament…..CECILWORTH FAAAAARRRRRTHINNNNNNNNTOOOOOONNNNNN!!!!

Farthington slowly lets go of the hold and then sits up and looks down at the bloody mess that is Mike Best.

HOW Medics rush into the ring and Farthington reaches out for his friend but the medics push him back as they begin caring for Best.

Boettcher can be seen helping Farthington out of the ring and as the victorious Hall of Famer turns and watches Mike being tended to you can see the internal struggle occurring within Farthington.

As he makes it up to the top of the entrance ramp he turns and is face to face with Michael Oliver Best.

Oliver, like his nephew before him, extends his hand to congratulate Farthington.

This time there is no reciprocation.

Farthington walks past Oliver and bumps the man for good measure with his shoulder as he heads to the back.

Oliver can be seen smiling as the action cuts away as the production team begins to stall as Mike gets attended to.

 

Back from the quick commercial break and we cut back to Joe Hoffman.

Joe Hoffman: Folk’s we are guaranteed to have a new World Champion by the end of the night after what we just saw. Cecilworth Farthington defeated Michael Lee Best in 7 minutes and 50 seconds. I am almost at a loss for words at what we just saw. Best friends and better enemies for that short period of time as neither man went with NO filler and ALL killer. What an amazing way to start night two of ICONIC……and folks we are just getting started.

On cue the HOV comes to life and we see a bracket with the names MICHAEL LEE BEST and CECILWORTH FARTHINGTON on the lines and the line next to their names slowly is filled in with CECILWORTH FARTHINGTON signifying his advancement.

The bracket updating quickly fades out and Michael Oliver Best is now on the screen and the crowd begins booing the man.

MOB: Look I am gravely concerned about the health of my Nephew. It might be a good 24-48 hours before we know if he is out of the woods. With that in mind I am going to excuse myself for the rest of the evening and make sure Michael has FAMILY next to him when he does wake the fuck up.

Oliver wipes a solitary tear from his eye before continuing.

MOB: A final reminder that one man will get a bye tonight and that man initially was to be Michael but again I pivoted and instead the #1 Ranked Wrestler instead has EARNED that right……IF it wasn’t going to be the World Champion obviously. Folks……enjoy the rest of the show and please send ALL the positive vibes towards Michael. Thank you and good night.

The crowd is buzzing as the HOV goes dark and we cut back to Joe Hoffman.

Joe Hoffman: Well folks as soon as we have a medical update on Michael Lee Best we will get it to you. As of right now I am not even sure if we will hear anything tonight but as always…the Show must go on.

Goldberg Variations hits the PA system and on cue we are set to begin our next match in the tournament.

We see several EPU agents step out from the back and the High Octane Television and Number 2 ranked wrestler in High Octane Wrestling, Jeffrey James Roberts, makes his way out from the back. As per standard operating procedures his handers are out front and tied with plastic zip ties. The EPU agents lead him down towards the ring as the crowd begins speculating on who he will be facing.

Joe Hoffman: Jeffrey James Roberts, the HOTv Champ since October 9^th when he defeated Brian Hollywood at Refueled 76, is a man I would NOT want to be facing tonight. We all saw how he retained at Rumble at the Rock against seven other men, so conditioning and stamina should NOT be an issue for him tonight.

The EPU agents have made it to the middle of the ring with JJR and are surrounding him as they turn, along with the crowd, towards the entrance ramp to await the opponent for JJR.

Joe Hoffman: Folk’s I have no idea who is about to walk thru that curtain but one has to be hoping that it is….

Joe’s sentence is cut off and the arena cheers madly as Everybody Wants You by Billy Squier hits the PA system and the crowd begins singing along almost instantly as original Hall of Fame inductee Jatt Starr makes his way out from the back and onto the entrance ramp.

Joe Hoffman: Jatt is not his usual jovial self here recently after that tragic incident involving his daughter. Word has came out that Jatt specifically has been looking forward to getting his hands on Roberts due to just how close his resemblance is to Jatt’s daughters attacker…..not to mention just what Roberts has done in the past. There is going to be some tension here folks and this could get UGLY quickly.

Back in the ring and we see referee Joel Hortega asking the EPU agents to release Roberts from his binds.

Joe Hoffman: Roberts and Starr have NOT taken their eyes off each other and as Jatt just climbed into the ring he appears to be more serious than I have seen him in a very long time.

Having done their job, the EPU agents exit the ring and take up their usual spots surrounding the ring to keep Roberts away from the fans in attendance.

Hortega asks Roberts to back up and the man slowly backs up to his corner. The Hall of Fame referee then turns to Jatt and asks him if he is ready. Starr quickly nods. As does Roberts. Without any further hesitation Hortega signals for the bell and our second first round match is under way.

DING

DING

DING

Joe Hoffman: Just a quick reminder folks that this match will be contested under a 20 minute time limit and if we hit that mark and there has been no winner….BOTH men will be eliminated from the tournament……OH MY GOD!!!!

Joe is interrupted as inside the ring Jatt Starr just raced across the ring and nailed Roberts with his Starrlite Express spear.

Jatt quickly covers….

 

UNO…………………..

 

DOS………………..

 

 

KICKOUT!!!!!

Joe Hoffman: Wow…we almost had ……wait….another cover by Jatt here….

UNO…….

 

KICKOUT by Roberts

Joe Hoffman: This time Roberts kicks out before the two count.

Jatt, sitting on his knees, looks down at Roberts and smacks the man hard across the face.

Joe Hoffman: I believe Jatt calls that the SMACK SPARROW and one has to question if that was the right move there. Jesus.

Before Roberts can even react Jatt slaps him again……..and then again…….but the fourth slap is stopped as the HOTv Champion reaches up and grabs the wrist of Jatt and thus blocking the blow.

Roberts hits Starr in the throat with his other hand with a quick rabbit punch and Starr falls backwards as he struggles to catch his breath.

Roberts uses this time to slowly get back up to his feet and he grabs at his ribs but shows no pain on his face as it is now his turn to go on the offensive.

Joe Hoffman: Kudos to Jatt for trying to end this match quickly but once he didn’t get that initial pinfall you have to question if it was the right thing to do to provoke the man. He should have….

Again Joe is cut off as inside the ring we see Roberts nail Starr with a running drop kick that sends the already reeling Hall of Famer across the last part of the ring, under the bottom rope, and to the arena floor.

Roberts does not waste any time as he slides out of the ring and stomps on the back of the head of Jatt who was slowly trying to crawl away from the ring.

An EPU agent rushes to get between Roberts and the fans at ringside and he can only smile as he reaches down and pulls Jatt up to his feet and then promptly drops him back down with a perfect DDT.

Fans in the front row flip off Roberts as he sits up and begins smiling at the fans.

Joe Hoffman: All Roberts here now folks. You can almost feel that Roberts enjoys his time out of his restraints so much that he has no issue with stringing out his matches….even if this one is now under 15 minutes to go.

Back outside the ring Roberts has once again pulled Jatt up to his feet and quickly and violently sends Starr flying towards the steel ring post with an Irish Whip. Jatt’s left shoulder hits the cold steel first and he drops down to the arena floor once again and this time he is in serious pain as he grabs at his shoulder.

As JJR slowly walks towards Jatt he looks up at the HOV and smiles as he knows he has plenty of time. He rolls into the ring to break up the ten count that Hortega was administering and then quickly rolls back out and starts walking back towards Jatt.

As the HOTv Champion closes in on Jatt we see the Hall of Famer disappear under the ring.  No longer with a smile on his face, JJR rushes the last few feet and looks under the ring and as he does the sound of a fire extinguisher going off can be hear and the white smoke escaping from under the ring confirms it.

Joe Hoffman: Desperate times call for desperate measures there folks……

JJR falls backwards and stumbles around and ultimately falls on the entrance ramp as we see Jatt emerge from under the ring and he drops the fire extinguisher down to the ground.

Hortega begins screaming at Jatt that he is close to being disqualified and the Hall of Famer rolls into the ring to plead his case…..and thus stopping a ten count that Hortega had restarted.

Joe Hoffman: By all accounts here Jatt should be disqualified. You gotta give credit to Hortega for being more lenient here in a World Title match but we have rules and ……yep….there we go……folks I have just been told that EVERY MATCH in the tournament is NOW being contested under No DQ rules. Wow.

Back in the ring Hortega motions for Jatt to go silent as he gets the exact same news that Hoffman just got. Hortega relays the information to Jatt and the Hall of Famer begins smiling.

Joe Hoffman: Well there ya go folks. One last Christmas present from the Best Family to Jatt Starr….

We cut back to the action just as we see Jatt slide out of the ring and head towards JJR, who has not fully regained his sight, and deliver a quick poke to the eye of Roberts followed up by his own DDT onto the arena floor.

Joe Hoffman: Jatt is back on the offensive and he is pulling out all his old bag of tricks here folks. A JATTARACT followed by a DD JATT.

Jatt makes the cover but there is no counting to be done.

Hortega screams at Jatt that he must make the cover inside the ring.

Joe Hoffman: As always Hortega’s English is impeccable until he has to count. I am hopeful one day the Best family will get the poor man Rosetta Stone for Christmas.

Back outside the ring, Jatt hits the arena floor in frustration, hops to his feet and pulls JJR up and rolls the man back into the ring.

Jatt quickly rolls in and grabs JJR’s legs and quickly falls backwards hitting his JATTAPULT catapult causing the throat of Roberts to collide with the bottom rope violently.

Joe Hoffman: Roberts is once again hurting for air here.

Jatt is relentless as he continues on the attack. He pulls the man by the legs to the center of the ring and quick delivers a boot to the ribs of Roberts forcing the man to roll over on his side in pain. Another swift kick and Roberts rolls all the way over and Starr then stomps on the mans back before pulling his arms up and locking in a camel clutch.

Joe Hoffman: THE STARRDVARK CLUTCH IN THE CENTER OF THE RING………and with less than five minutes left in the match!!!

Starr leans back as far and as hard as he can as Roberts is gasping for air. Jatt is staring directly at the HOV and can see the clock just hitting the four minute mark and he leans back even further.

Joe Hoffman: Roberts is hanging on here folks……Jatt is running out of time and he is on the verge of being eliminated as well if he cannot secure a submission here!!!

Jatt looks back up at the clock and see its nearing the three minute mark and he is clearly growing tired. He finally releases the hold and stomps on the back of the head of Roberts before dropping down to roll the man over to cover.

Joe Hoffman: SMALL PACKAGE!!!!

Just as Jatt rolled Roberts over JJR reached up and was able to grab Jatt by the head and roll him up.

 

UNO

 

DOS

 

 

 

KICKOUT!!!!

Jatt barely kicks out in time and quickly hops to his feet and stumbles to the far corner, completely in shock about how close he was to losing.

Joe Hoffman: THAT was close…..and the clock is still ticking. We are under three minutes to go folks.

Jatt is well aware of this fact as he looks over at the HOV and see the clock strike the three minute mark exactly. He looks back at Roberts who has staggered to his feet as well and Jatt rushes the man.

Jatt goes for a big right hand but Roberts blocks it and delivers his own right hand.

Starr staggers backwards but then throws and lands his own right hand which connects soundly to the jaw of Roberts.

Now it is the HOTv Champion who staggers backwards a few steps before righting himself and goes for another right hand.

But he never gets the chance.

Jatt nails him with a quick kick to the gut and grabs Roberts hands and turns him into position for his Falling Starr finisher.

Joe Hoffman: FALLING STARR!!!!! FALLING STARR!!!!

Jatt falls to the canvas and Hortega drops to make the count………but then he stops and looks up and we see that Roberts is still standing having slipped his arms out at the last second before Starr executed the move.

Now it is Roberts who snaps into action and grabs Starr by the legs, locks in the legs and rolls Starr over….

Joe Hoffman: Oh my goodness………is he going to be able to lock it in………yes…….yes he is……SOLITARY CONFINEMENT….ROBERTS HAS IT LOCKED IN!!!

The hard camera zooms in on Jatt’s face as he screams out in pain as he literally has no way to escape the move made famous by that woman from Kawaguchi.

Roberts turns his head towards the HOV and he sees that its under a minute left.

The crowd is cheering madly and begin counting down with the timer on the HOV as Jatt struggles to hold on.

15

14

13

12

JJR yanks on Jatt’s arms with all his might

11

10

9

Jatt’s head falls forward

8

Hortega checks on Jatt…..

7

6

Hortega signals for the bell…….

DING DING DING

Joe Hoffman: Jatt is completely out…..Literally seconds before the clock hit zero and eliminated both men……wow…….what a match and one has to wonder just how much this took out of Roberts….even after all that praise I gave him to start the match……wow.

Bryan McVay: Winner of the Match via submission……JEFFREY JAAAAAAAAAAMMMMESSS ROBERTTSSSSSS!!!!!

Back in the center of the ring both men are lying prone.

Jatt face first and Roberts on his back.

The EPU can be seen sliding into the ring to bind and restrain Roberts now that the match is over and as they do the crowd turns their attention towards the HOV screen as it has come to life.

We see JEFFREY JAMES ROBERTS and JATT STARR part of the bracket and the line next to their name is quickly updated to JEFFREY JAMES ROBERTS and as it does the crowd notices that the this part of the bracket is NOT tied to our opening match.

Joe Hoffman: Folks Jeffrey James Roberts advances to the second round of the tournament and now we know that he will NOT be facing Cecilworth Farthington.  We have four more matches tonight folks……I don’t even know if I AM going to be able to make it…let alone the man who ultimately wins this.

The crowd is seen giving Jatt Starr a standing ovation as the London crowd show the original HOW Hall of Famer the respect that he has earned over the last two decades of competition.

We cut away as we see the EPU leading Roberts to the back and a now sitting up Jatt Starr just coming to his senses and realizing what just happened.

 

 

We are back from the quick commercial break and we cut once again to our Hall of Fame commentator.

Joe Hoffman: Welcome back everyone as it is now time to find out our final first round match up for the World Title Tournament. There are only three names left…..and here they are in alphabetical order: Clay Byrd, Conor Fuse, and Jace Parker Davidson. Two of these men will be meeting here in short order and the other man will be revealed as the man that gained a first round bye courtesy of Michael Oliver Best.

Before Joe can continue Gunning for you by Nick Nolan hits the PA system and the crowd stands and looks at the entrance as the 6’7” 295lb Monster from Plainview, Clay Byrd, makes his way out from the back.

Byrd pays no attention to the fans as he heads down to the ring where HOW Hall of Fame referee Matt Boettcher is waiting to referee this next match.

Joe Hoffman: Some would say that Clay Byrd is the sole reason that this years ICONIC Main Event was turned into what it is here tonight. His attack on Farthington and Michael Lee Best on the go home show led to Michael Oliver Best to pivot and change the whole landscape of this event. To be fair…..some are saying the change was for the Best. Time will tell…..but what I can tell you is that Byrd is either going to be facing off with Conor Fuse or Jace Parker Davidson and neither man will be an easy out. Both are former World Champions and Clay is certainly more motivated than we have seen him in the past.

Inside the ring Byrd is seen taking off his duster and as he does the crowd and cameras capture the brand new cast he is wearing on his right arm. Byrd begins stretching as he turns and focuses in on the entrance ramp and who his opponent will be.

That answer comes as Byrd’s music suddenly stops and now EVERYONE is looking at the entrance ramp along with Byrd.

Joe Hoffman: Here we go folks……

There is a short pause that feels like hours, but suddenly Bloody Tears hits the O2 PA system and the crowd erupts as purple mist begins to fill the entrance ramp.

Joe Hoffman: CONOR FUSE!!!! THIS MEANS JACE, THE NUMBER ONE WRESTLER IN HOW, GOT THE BYE!!!!

Fuse makes his way out from the back and the crowd’s cheering hits another level as the finally catch a glimpse of the former World Champion.  Fuse slowly makes his way down the entrance ramp as the UK fans begin a !RANK chant for Fuse.

Joe Hoffman: Conor Fuse versus Clay Byrd and remember this will be contested under a 20 minute time limit rule. If there is no decision within those 20 minutes both men will be eliminated and ALSO each match here in the tournament is being contested under No DQ rules.

Fuse reaches the ring apron and jumps over the top rope and somersaults into the ring and just as he comes up to his feet……

 

WHACK

 

Byrd destroys Fuse with a Texas Lariat just as the man popped up from his ring entrance.

Joe Hoffman: Byrd just nailed Fuse with his clothesline finisher and used his cast to deliver the blow!!!!

Byrd does not wait as he jumps on the chest of Fuse and begins raining down with closed fists on the man.

Boettcher begins screaming at Byrd that the match has NOT started and NOR will it if he does not back off.

Byrd gives Boettcher a smirk before delivering one final right hand to the head of Fuse before standing up and slowly walking over to the far corner where the London crowd lays into Byrd for what he just did.

Joe Hoffman: It is very clear that Byrd had a gameplan and it did not matter WHO was going to talk out from the back….he was going to lay them out before the bell even rang.

Cameras focus in on Boettcher who is tending to Fuse who is conscious but clearly dazed. After a few moments he slowly sits up and sees Boettcher extending his hand to help him up.

Fuse refuses the help and slowly staggers to his feet. As he stands upright he falls backwards into the far turnbuckle and tries to regain his wits as Boettcher looks on concerned.

Joe Hoffman: It’s clear that Byrd just wanted to inflict damage before the match in hopes of ending it quickly and there is no doubt that if he hits that Texas Lariat again that a pinfall victory over Fuse would be the outcome.

Back in the corner Byrd is staring across the ring at Fuse and is yelling at Boettcher to start the match. Boettcher continues to shake his head no until finally Fuse tells the ref that he is ready. He can be seen shaking the cobwebs one final time before nodding to Boettcher he is ready.

The HOW senior ref turns to Byrd and motions that he is ready as well and with that he signals for the bell.

 

DING

 

DING

 

DING

 

Joe Hoffman: Ok folks here we go. If this were a video game Conor Fuse would be starting with damage already inflicted and he is going to have to overcome. I have seen this story before in HOW however and I for one refuse to count out Fuse.

The HOV comes to life and once again we see the 20 minute countdown timer begin and inside the ring we see the two men lock up and although its even for a few seconds the height and weight advantage Byrd has over the 6’1” 210 former World Champion finally takes hold and Byrd pushes Fuse back into the corner.

Byrd disengages only to quickly throw a right hand but Fuse is able to duck under the blow and literally crawls between the legs of the big man and scrambles to the middle of the ring.

Clay turns and starts back at Fuse but as he does Fuse nails him with a dropkick to the right knee dropping the big man down to one knee. Fuse quickly pops up and executes a quick implant DDT and covers.

 

1……

 

KICKOUT

 

Joe Hoffman: Not even a two count there but you have to love the strategy here by Fuse.

The powerful kickout by Byrd put Fuse on his feet and the man quickly turns and bounces off the ropes and nails Byrd with a rolling thunder splash and then quickly covers once again.

 

1…….

 

KICKOUT

 

Joe Hoffman: ANOTHER quick kickout by Byrd…although this time not as powerful as the last……..and Fuse is back to his feet again……..SPRINGBOARD MOONSAULT…….ANOTHER COVER!!

 

1…….

 

2…….

 

KICKOUT

 

This time Fuse does not hop back up to his feet and instead looks down at the big man in frustration.

Joe Hoffman: Great series of impact moves there by Fuse with each pinfall attempt getting subsequently closer to a three count……..but still not close in my opinion.

Fuse looks up at the clock and sees that it is just now under 16 minutes left in the match.

Joe Hoffman: You can tell each wrestler tonight has sped up their gameplans as no one wants to be part of a double elimination due to the clock hitting all zeros.

Back in the ring Fuse pulls Byrd up to his feet and irish whips the man into the far ropes and as he bounces off Fuse meets him with a spinning sling blade and another cover.

 

1…….

 

2…….

 

 

 

KICKOUT

 

Fuse once again hits the canvas in frustration and jumps back up to his feet and waits for Byrd.

The big man slowly pulls himself up to one knee and as he does Fuse attacks delivers a spinning heel kick.

But the kick never lands as Byrd moves his upper body quickly to his right and swats Fuse’s leg away causing Fuse to spin all the way around.

As Fuse finishes spinning and is face to face with Byrd we see Clay reach up and grab Fuse by the neck and lifts the man and nails him with a powerful chokeslam.

Joe Hoffman: What a counter by Byrd and you could tell that he struggled to lift Fuse a little there with his right arm that is in the cast but he was able to use his left hand to help lift Fuse up and deliver a heck of a chokeslam. Both men are down at the moment and the clock just went under 12 minutes.

We cut to an overhead shot of the ring and we see both men laid out and catching their breath. Slowly Byrd is the first to get to his feet and makes it fully upright just as Fuse gets up to one knee.

Byrd does not give him the chance to stand however and delivers a blow to the back of the head Fuse and once again the cast delivers additional damage as it connects to the base of Fuse’s neck. Conor falls face first to the canvas where Byrd delivers several quick boots to the back of the man’s head.

Now it is Byrd’s turn for a cover as he drops down, rolls Fuse over, and puts all his weight on the upper body of Fuse and hooks the leg as Boettcher counts….

 

1….

 

2…..

 

Fuse is barely able to slide his right shoulder up off the canvas to break up the pinfall attempt.

Byrd sits up on his knees and pulls Fuse’s head off the canvas and instead of delivering a right hand like he did before the match officially started, Byrd delivers a right forearm blow to the face of the man and parts of his cast splinter off from the force of the blow.

Joe Hoffman: Byrd once again using the cast as a weapon as he near the ten minute mark on the countdown.

Clay does not go for another pinfall attempt however as he pulls Fuse up to his feet only to drop him down back to the canvas with a powerful body slam. Byrd drops down to the canvas as well and locks in a headlock on Fuse and leans all his bodyweight on the man as he cinches the hold in.

Joe Hoffman: Byrd smartly using his weight advantage here to help wear down Fuse. The crowd is clearly waiting for the comeback here from Fuse as they are already clapping in unison to will their hero to his feet.

Fuse, feeling the fans cheering him on, is able to get up to one knee. Byrd’s grip on the man begins to loosen as Fuse forces them both up to their feet.

Joe Hoffman: HERE WE GO!!!!!

Fuse pulls his arm forward and looks to drive his elbow backwards into the ribs of Byrd but before he can deliver the blow Byrd lets go of the headlock and drives his cast once again down on the back of the head of Fuse and the man drops back down to the canvas.

The crowd grows quiet as Byrd drops back down and reapplies the headlock on the man.

Joe Hoffman: Fuse was sooo close to making a full comeback there but once again Byrd smartly uses his cast to regain the advantage and took the air out of the arena with that one strike.

As Byrd once again leans all his body weight on Fuse he looks up at the countdown and sees that there is only seven minutes left in the match.

Clay slowly gets up to his knees, pulling Fuse up with him by keeping the headlock hold in place, and then all the way up to his feet.

Byrd then uses his left hand to help lift the body of Fuse up and holds him there in a vertical suplex position.

Joe Hoffman: ALL the blood rushing to the head of Fuse here as Byrd is showcasing his power here.

Byrd lets go of Fuse with his right arm and does a quarter spin before falling backwards.

Some of the crowd begins clapping at the show of power there from Byrd but it quickly turns to boos as Byrd covers Fuse…

 

1…..

 

 

2…….

 

 

 

 

KICKOUT once again by Fuse.

Joe Hoffman: Once again Fuse is able to barely get his shoulder up before the three count. All this focus on the head and neck area of Fuse is paying off for Byrd. The crowd, and myself really, are just waiting for that one moment where Fuse is going to catch Byrd here and pay off for all this damage he has been taking.

With a sense of urgency now, Byrd pulls Fuse up to his feet and whips him hard into the far ropes and as Conor bounces off he is grabbed by Byrd and Clay nails him with a perfect spinebuster…..and quickly covers.

 

1…..

 

2…..

 

 

 

KICKOUT!!!

 

Joe Hoffman: Nothing but pure heart here by Fuse but I am starting to wonder if we are all waiting for something that is not going to happen….as we are now under the five minute mark.

Byrd pulls Fuse up, this time he struggles as Fuse is almost dead weight at this point, and whips him again into the far ropes and as he does he bounces off the ropes nearest to him and charges at Fuse.

Joe Hoffman: TEXAS LARIAT!!!!!!!!!! NOOOOOOOO FUSE DUCKED!!!!!!

Fuse ducks under the huge clothesline attempt and bounces off the ropes and as he comes off them he jumps in the air and nails Byrd with a desperation standing double foot stomp.

Joe Hoffman: HEAD STOMP BY FUSE…HEAD STOMP BY FUSE!!!!!

Fuse crawls over to Byrd and makes the cover….and the crowd counts along with Boettcher…

 

1……….

 

 

 

2………..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

KICKOUT……KICKOUT BY BYRD!!!!!

 

Fuse rolls off Byrd and holds his head in frustration at not being able to finish off Byrd with one of his finishers.

Fuse then looks over at the corner and slowly gets to his feet as the crowd wills him along as he climbs up to the top turnbuckle…

Joe Hoffman: Fuse going for the Super Splash here……

But just as Fuse gets into position on the top rope for his 450 splash, Byrd pops up and rushes to the corner, and grabs Fuse into a powerbomb position.

Joe Hoffman: FUSE WAS SOOOO CLOOOOOSSEEEE!!!!! NOOOOO!!!!!

Byrd Walks to the middle of the ring and lifts Fuse up a little higher and the two men fall down to the mat……..

Boettcher gets into position….

 

1…………..

 

 

 

 

2…………….

 

 

 

3!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

As Boettcher hand hits the canvas for the third time the arena erupts as the HOV comes to life to replay the finish…….

Byrd raised Fuse up off his shoulders and as he did that Fuse rolled thru and down the back of Byrd and the momentum of the move allowed Fuse to counter the move into a pinfall attempt of his own.

Joe Hoffman: A POWERBOMB ATTEMPT INTO A ROLLING YOSHI TONIC BY FUSE FOR THE PINFALL VICTORY….I CANNOT BELIEVE IT!!!!!!!!!

Both men are laid out in the middle of the ring and the crowd is cheering madly for the finish as Boettcher points at Fuse as the winner of the match.

Bryan McVay: Winner of the match in 18 minutes and 23 seconds….CONOR FUUUUUUSSEEEEE!!!!!

As the crowd continues to clap we see the HOV come to life and we see the brackets being updated once again….

 

Joe Hoffman: Well folks we now know that Cecilworth Farthington, Jeffrey James Roberts and Conor Fuse have advanced to the Semi Finals of tonight’s tournament along with the #1 ranked wrestler in HOW…..Jace Parker Davidson. We have to take a short break but when we come back I am being told we are going to go right back to the ring for the first semi final match!!!!

The action cuts away as we still see Fuse and Byrd lying in the ring.

Back live inside the arena and the crowd stands up as one as Goldberg Variations once again hit the arena sound system as Jeffrey James Roberts emerges from the back. He is flanked once again by EPU agents who begin walking the man down to the ring.

As the High Octane Television Champion is led down to the ring the HOV comes to life and we see a replay of the finish between JJR and HOW Hall of Famer Jatt Starr from their first round match up.

Joe Hoffman: Oh my goodness………is he going to be able to lock it in………yes…….yes he is……SOLITARY CONFINEMENT….ROBERTS HAS IT LOCKED IN!!!

The hard camera zooms in on Jatt’s face as he screams out in pain as he literally has no way to escape the move made famous by that woman from Kawaguchi.

Roberts turns his head towards the HOV and he sees that its under a minute left.

The crowd is cheering madly and begin counting down with the timer on the HOV as Jatt struggles to hold on.

15

14

13

12

JJR yanks on Jatt’s arms with all his might

11

10

9

Jatt’s head falls forward

8

Hortega checks on Jatt…..

7

6

Hortega signals for the bell…….

DING DING DING

Joe Hoffman: Jatt is completely out…..Literally seconds before the clock hit zero and eliminated both men……wow…….what a match and one has to wonder just how much this took out of Roberts….even after all that praise I gave him to start the match……wow.

Bryan McVay: Winner of the Match via submission……JEFFREY JAAAAAAAAAAMMMMESSS ROBERTTSSSSSS!!!!!

The replay ends and as it does we see that JJR is standing in the middle of the ring and has had his restraints removed.

Joe Hoffman: Welcome back folks and it is time for our first semi-final match of the evening……a battle between the top two ranked wrestlers in High Octane Wrestling……Jace Parker Davidson and Jeffrey James Roberts. We all just saw the replay of how JJR was taken to the limit by Jatt but was ultimately able to make him submit…..NOW he has to contend with a fresh Jace Parker Davidson who has to be motivated after what has to be viewed as a slight as he was NOT voted into the High Octane Wrestling Hall of Fame by his peers.

The camera cuts to inside the ring where JJR is no longer flanked by the EPU agents and for the first time we clearly see that his ribs are taped up.

Joe Hoffman: Those taped up ribs are going to be a target for Jace there is no doubt. Jatt really focused on those earlier tonight as he literally started the match with his Starrlite Express spear and had a camel clutch locked in late in the match.

The music abruptly stops and there is a few moments of silence as the crowd waits for Jace to enter the match……

Suddenly Kingdom by Jaxson Gamble hits the PA system and there is a clear mixed reaction, albeit loud one, for Jace.

Joe Hoffman: As we heard earlier from Michael Oliver Best, the first round bye was scheduled to be taken by the World Champion but was quickly pivoted to the #1 ranked wrestler in the company once Oliver’s Pettyness was activated. Honestly its hard to say he doesn’t deserve it as he has held down the number one spot down since his HOTv title reign earlier this year.

We cut back to the middle of the ring where Joel Hortega is begging JJR to back up to the far corner before the match can begin. Surprisingly, JJR offers up no resistance, and backs up slowly to the corner and leans against the top rope as he waits for Jace to enter the fray.

But there is no sign of Jace.

Jace’s theme music ends and then suddenly restarts.

Joe Hoffman: No sign of Jace here……what is going on? I am really hoping that…..nah…..I am not even going to say what I am thinking out loud.

The crowd is growing restless as once again Jace’s music comes to an end and there is no sign of the former World Champion.

Hortega turns towards JJR and then can be seen leaning thru the middle ropes and talking to a crewman.

Finally, and Hortega does not look happy about it, he walks over to the center of the ring and signals for the bell.

DING DING DING

Joe Hoffman: Well it looks like Hortega has been told to start this match even though NO ONE knows where Jace is at…..and yep….there we go….Hortega has started the 10 count to count out Jace.

 

UNO

 

DOS

 

TRES

 

CUATRO

CINCO

 

SEIS

 

SIETE

 

OCHO

 

NUEVE

 

DIEZ

 

Hortega signals for the bell and points towards JJR and declares him the winner.

Bryan McVay: Winner of the match via count out……and advancing to the finals of the World Title Tournament…..THE HIGH OCTANE TELEVISION CHAMPION…..JEFFREY….JAMES….ROBERRRRRTTTTSSS!!

The camera zooms in on JJR who is smiling ear to ear as he walks to the center of the ring and drops to his knees and puts his hands behind his head as the EPU agents rush into the ring.

Joe Hoffman: What a horrible way to see JJR go thru but there was nothing to be done due to the lack of showing up by Jace….I sure hope he…..

Joe is stopped as the HOV comes to life and the crowd turns their attention to the large screen.

A man can be seen lying prone on the concrete floor and another man is kneeling next to him.

As the camera pans out we see that the man knocked out is none other than Jace Parker Davidson.

Joe Hoffman: JACE!!! HE IS HERE….RESTART THE DARN MATCH…..CMON!!!

Back on the HOV screen we see the camera continue to pan out and now we see the assailant…

Arthur Pleasant.

Tag Team Partner of one Jeffrey James Roberts

Joe Hoffman: Oh come on. This is ridiculous! The Devil’s Advocates clearly working together to get JJR to advance to the finals.

Back inside the ring we get a final shot of the HOTv Champion laughing as we cut elsewhere.

 

The biggest show of the year cuts backstage to the biggest disappointment of the year for his decision regarding the biggest tournament of next year.

Well, kind of.

You’d think Cancer Jiles with his fancy blonde hair and super “cool” T-Shades would be shown. Alas, he is not. His cardboard likeness however, is. 97red jumper, too.

Cue the off screen voice over.

CBJ: Hello. Yes, I am still alive. Yes, I barely survived Cecil’s sting. Most of all, YES, the greatest Tag Team competitor this federation has ever seen or known, or will ever know or see for that matter will be participating in the Tag Team Tournament at the start of the new year.

A hefty smile against the backdrop of piped in applause. Then again, CBJ was always smiling to begin with so take from that what you will.

CBJ: That said, and with CBD being a box, I need a partner. As for who eggsactly that will be… well, you’ll just have to wait until after the main event to find out. 

A sly wink, not that you could tell from the looks of things.

CBJ: You didn’t really think I would divulge such yolky information during the night two preshow? Just who is it that you think I am? New Hall of Famer Scott Stevens?

A scoff. Presumably.

Before the camera can cut away, a bruised, sour, overwhelmed Robert Dean comes shambling into view. He is a sweaty, beefy mess who has probably just got done plowing through catering after last night’s loss. Surprisingly, or unsurprisingly, Bob doesn’t take too kindly to CBJ getting his night two swag on. In fact, Bob does the unthinkable. He splits CBJ in two, tearing him clean in half from the head all the way down to the toes. Then, he tosses the two severed pieces like they were used towels from a backwater geisha in Zeb’s hometown. 

The Beautiful Man from Honalee faces the camera, his eyes wide with fervor, and his belly growling for competition… 

Bobby Dean: No more games. Fuck a contract. Fuck Oliver Twist, and fuck cardboard. Jiles picks me, and together we are going to devour the competition like they are a doubledecker birthday cake.

Pucker.

Kiss.

Cut.

---

We cut back live inside the O2 arena and the crowd is still buzzing from everything they have seen tonight.

Joe Hoffman: Ok folks it is time for our second semi final match where the winner will go on to face Jeffrey James Roberts for the World Championship.

Mr. Finish Line hits the PA system once again tonight and out walks Cecilworth Farthington to a very LOUD ovation from his UK brethren.

Joe Hoffman: Coming down to the ring right now is the man that eliminated his BEST friend and now FORMER World Champion Michael Lee Best in the opening contest of this tournament. It was a shocking moment and one has to wonder how Michael is doing and feeling and just where Farthington’s head is at leading into this match.

As Farthington makes his way down to the ring the viewers at home are shown a replay of the finish of the match earlier tonight where after SEVERAL bombs of kicks to the head and an arm breaker later, Farthington eliminated Michael.

As the replay ends and we cut back to the ring we see Cecilworth could not even bear to watch the replay.

Joe Hoffman: It legit appears that Farthington is a little shook from what even he did earlier tonight. We definitely saw something come over the man and not only did he catch his friend off guard…but he did it in shocking fashion.

Farthington is leaning forward on the top rope with his back to the HOV as his music ends and his opponent begins their entrance.

Bloody Tears hits the PA system and this time there is no cute entrance from Conor Fuse as the man walks directly towards the ring.

Joe Hoffman: Conor got caught earlier tonight when he was playing to the crowd during his entrance and it almost cost him his match against Clay Byrd. I do not think you will see that happening here as Fuse has the proverbial blinders it appears and for good reason. He is about to climb into the ring with the man that just took out the World Champion to open Night Two of ICONIC and blew the doors off this whole tournament.

Cameras follow Fuse as he slowly climbs into the ring.

Referee Joel Hortega motions both men to get into their corners as the viewers at home are shown a split screen of the finish of Fuse versus Byrd where Fuse was able to counter a powerbomb attempt into a pinfall victory over the Monster from Plainview.

We go back to full view as Hortega gets a nod from both men that they are ready and he signals for the bell.

DING

DING

DING

Joe Hoffman: CONOR FUSE VERSUS CECILWORTH FARTHINGTON HAS BEGUN!!!!!!!

Joe Hoffman: Quick tale of the tape here……Farthington at 6’ and 187lbs has a slight size disadvantage to the 6’1” 210lb Conor Fuse…..but Farthington is clearly the fresher of the two men as Fuse had a WAR with the much larger Clay Byrd earlier in the night.

Back in the middle of the ring the two men have locked up and go back and forth for a few moments before Farthington quickly knees Fuse in the gut to gain the advantage. He follows that up with a double axe handle to the upper back of Fuse which sends the man down to his knees in the middle of the ring.

Joe Hoffman: Farthington is clearly looking to end this match as quickly as possible. It is clear that the time limit will NOT come into the conversation for this match if Cecilworth has anything to do with it.

As Fuse starts to stand he is met with a quickly elbow drop and the force of the blow sends him down to the canvas face first. Farthington having landed on the mans back, does not waste any time, and puts both of his hands on the back of Fuse’s head and drives his left knee into the side of Conor’s head.

The blow hits the mark and Farthington goes for a second but Fuse is able to put his hand up and blocks a majority of the blow but now Farthington begins to deliver another one but Fuse quickly rolls himself all the way across the ring and to the arena floor.

Joe Hoffman: Fuse saw what happened earlier and he wanted NO PART of repeated blows to the head from Farthington. Smart move from the former Champ there.

Farthington refuses to wait for Fuse to reenter the ring and he quickly makes his way across the ring and steps thru the middle rope and drops down to the arena floor. Fuse staggers to his feet and tries to backpedal away and as he turns to climb back into the ring Farthington grabs him by the back of the head and turns furiously and whips Fuse HARD into the steel ring steps.

The top half of the steps go flying as Fuse crumples to the arena floor holding his right shoulder.

Joe Hoffman: Folks, Farthington is showing NO MERCY here at all tonight. Once that bell rang to start this match all thoughts about what happened earlier clearly has been compartmentalized by Farthington.

Farthington slowly pulls Fuse up to his feet and grabs the man’s right wrist and runs past the steel ring post and as he does he drags Fuse behind him and this time Fuse’s right shoulder collides with the cold steel of the post and he once again goes down.

Joe Hoffman: The right arm is the prey and Farthington is the Predator. All killer No Filler.

Farthington stomps on the back of the head of Fuse and for the first time looks up at the HOV and sees the countdown hit the 15 minute mark.

Joe Hoffman: Five minutes in and it is all Farthington. For the thousands of matches that I have witnessed over the years this just means that at some point Fuse is going to make the comeback and pull out the victory in dramatic fashion…….or just maybe this is Farthington’s to win in dominant fashion?

Back at ringside and we see Farthington walking towards Bryan McVay who is sitting on a chair off to the side of the announce table. McVay quickly jumps up to his feet as Cecilworth snatches the chair and quickly folds it up.

Joe Hoffman: Just a reminder folks that all the matches are being contested under No DQ rules and its clear that Cecilworth is NOT one who forgot.

Farthington walks back towards Fuse who has staggered back up to his feet and the HOW Hall of Famer swings the chair violently and it connects with the right arm of Fuse, which was using the ring post to pull himself up, and the sound of bone hitting the post echoes throughout the arena.

The crowd gasps at the painful yell that Fuse lets out as he once again crumples to the arena floor holding his arm.

Joe Hoffman: 12 minutes left in this match and I am quite certain that Conor Fuse is no longer hurt…..but is indeed injured.

Farthington slides the steel chair into the ring and pulls Fuse up to his feet and rolls the man into the ring as well. He quickly rolls in behind Fuse and drops another knee to the back of the head of Fuse.

As Fuse covers up his head with his left arm, Farthington snatches it and drags Fuse to the middle of the ring. He delivers another kick to the ribs of Fuse forcing the man to roll over on his back and thus exposing his injured right arm.

Farthington quickly stomps on the elbow and then on the shoulder of the arm and Fuse instinctively tries to roll away but as he does Farthington quickly picks up the chair and waits for Fuse to roll over just in the right position and then he drives the chair down.

WHACK

WHACK

WHACK

Farthington drops the chair behind him after delivering three brutal blows to the right shoulder of Fuse and makes the first cover of the match as we hit the ten minute mark of the countdown.

 

UNO

 

DOS

 

Hortega stops the count and points to Fuse’s leg that is draped over the bottom rope.

Joe Hoffman: There was no way that Fuse was going to life that right shoulder up off the mat and credit where credit is due……he had the ring awareness to break the count with his foot. WHEN WILL HE MAKE THE COMEBACK THOUGH????

Farthington almost laughs at seeing the foot on the ropes and quickly stands to his feet…….looks behind him……pulls Fuse up to his feet…..and nails Fuse with a snap suplex right on the steel chair.

The crowd gasps once again at the sound of Fuse’s body hitting cold unforgiving steel. This time Fuse is able to slowly roll all the way out of the ring and as he does the cameras capture Farthington looking up at the countdown and there are only 8 minutes left.

Joe Hoffman: We are under eight minutes folks. If there is not a decision here in the next eight minutes then our HOTv Champion will also be our World Champion. I hate to show any bias here but I am rooting for a finish…..we cannot have that MONSTER has our World Champion…..we just cannot.

Farthington marches across the ring and exits the ring thru the middle rope and as he hops down he sees that Fuse is crawling towards the entrance ramp…..and slowly staggers to his feet……only to be met with a elbow to the back of his head from a running Farthington.

Joe Hoffman: Fuse is down again and folks it is NOT looking good.

Hortega screams at Farthington to bring the action back to the ring but the warning falls on deaf ears and the Hall of Fame referee has no choice but to start a ten count as the countdown hits the six minute mark.

UNO

 

DOS

 

Farthington turns back towards Hortega and cannot believe that he actually started a ten count

 

TRES

 

CUATRO

 

Farthington pulls Fuse up to his feet and tosses him down the entrance ramp and sends the man rolling towards the ring

 

CINCO

 

SEIS

 

Farthington reaches Fuse who has half his body literally under the ring and pulls the man up to his feet

 

SIETE

 

Cecilworth slaps Fuse HARD across the face but holds the man up with his other hand

 

OCHO

 

NUEVA

 

Farthington rolls Fuse into the ring and rolls in right after him

Hortega quickly stops counting and motions that both men made it back in time

Joe Hoffman: We were literally ONE SECOND away from Roberts being a double champion…ONE SECOND!!

Farthington quickly gets to his feet and begins arguing with Hortega. It is clear he is not happy that Hortega would count out both men and have this tournament end on a double count out.

Joe Hoffman: It is HARD not to agree with Farthington here. A double count out…….the clock running out…..I mean we are nearing what could be a very very UNPOPULAR finish here to close out 2021 here in High Octane Wrestling. Four minutes until the world burns folks…..four minutes!!!

Farthington sees the countdown out of the corner of his eye and he finally sees that we are under four minutes and he turns his attention back towards Fuse.

 

WHACK

 

Joe Hoffman: OH MY GOD….A SINGLE RIGHT HAND FROM FUSE JUST DROPPED FARTHINGTON??!!!

Cecilworth crumples in the middle of the ring and we see Fuse literally sitting on his knees and as the camera zooms in we see a pair of brass knuckles around the knuckles on Conor’s left hand.

The HOV comes to life and we quickly see a replay of when Farthington pulled Fuse up to his feet, when Fuse’s body was initially half under the ring,  he had a pair of brass knuckles in his hand.

Joe Hoffman: NOT LIKE THIS CONOR….NOT LIKE THIS!!!!

Fuse looks down at his left hand and shakes the brass knuckles off his hand and almost looks disgusted with himself for using them…………but he covers Farthington nonetheless as the countdown hits the two minute mark.

UNO

 

THE CROWD COUNTS ALONG WITH HORTEGA

 

DOS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TRE———-

 

 

Joe Hoffman: HE KICKED OUT!!!!!!! HOLY SHIT HE KICKED OUT AND I KNOW I JUST CURSED BUT HOLY SHIT HE JUST KICKED OUT!!!!!!!

Fuse falls backwards on his back, clearly frustrated and spent, as the crowd is losing their ever loving minds with the kickout by Farthington.

Joe Hoffman: Folk’s the only thing I can think of here is that clearly Fuse does not have the same amount of power in his left hand as he does with his right…which is clearly injured……but wow…..the match continues…

The HOV comes into clear focus as we hit the one minute mark and both men are barely moving.

The crowd urges them to get to their feet……..

Joe Hoffman: WHAT THE HELL…..NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

The crowd stops cheering and we see Arthur Pleasant and Jeffrey James Roberts racing down the entrance ramp.

Joe Hoffman: WHERE IS THE EPU!!!???? THE DEVIL’S ADVOCATES ARE GOING TO KEEP THESE TWO FROM PINNING EACH OTHER BEFORE THE CLOCK RUNS OUT!!!!!!!!

Pleasant and JJR make it ringside and Pleasant immediately slides into the ring and quickly pulls a still dazed Farthington to his feet and 6’3” 220lb Pleasant deadlifts the man into a firemens carry position and then promptly executes his Calamity Pain finisher.

Joe Hoffman: CALAMITY PAIN!!!!!!!

A couple wrestlers rush from the back as we see JJR has climbed to the top rope and is set to jump off and deliver his Shooter Star Guillotine……

WHACK

The steel chair hits Roberts directly in the middle of the forehead as he was crouched on the top rope. He falls backwards into the ring as the crowd begins to countdown with the timer as we are at 30 seconds.

Joe Hoffman: JACE PARKER DAVIDSON!!

We see a quickly replay of Jace hopping the ring barrier and nailing Roberts with a steel chair he yanked out from under a fan at ringside.

Pleasant turns to see his tag team partner land violently in the ring and he goes to start after Jace but he is grabbed from behind as we none other than Mario Maurako snatch Pleasant from behind and locks him into a Full Nelson.

As the camera pans out we now clearly see that there is another man in the ring with Mario and he motions for Mario to send Pleasant to him…….and Mario obliges as he pushes Pleasant towards the man and the man quickly nails him with his own finisher…..

The Falling Starr…….and directly on the previously used steel chair.

 

10……

 

Joe Hoffman: STARRVIVOR MAURAKO SAVING THE DAY!!!!

 

9………

 

Mario and Jatt kick Pleasant all the way out of the ring

 

8………

 

7………

 

Mario and Starr exit the ring leaving only Farthington, Fuse and JJR.

6……….

 

5………..

 

Joe Hoffman: NO!!!!!!

 

4………….

 

1!!!!!!!

 

3………….

 

2!!!!!!!!!

 

2…………..

 

3!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Joe Hoffman: YES!!!!! YES!!!!! YES!!!!!!

 

Hortega motions towards that the pinfall occurred before the clock hit all zeros.

The HOV comes to life and we see the left arm fall on the man’s chest to secure the pinfall victory.

Bryan McVay: WINNER OF THE MATCH AND ADVANCING TO THE FINALS……CONOR FFFUUUUUSSSSSSEEEE!!!

The crowd is going crazy as we see an overhead shot of the ring with all three men still laid out.

Joe Hoffman: Hey…what are you doing…..HEY!!!!!

We suddenly lose Joe as the camera and feed quickly pivot to the announce table where we see Jatt Starr and Mario Maurako double powerbomb Arthur Pleasant thru the announce table. The table collapses completely as the crowd begins chanting HOLY SHIT as we see HOW medics being rushing from the back as a graphic showing the final match of the tournament is shown.

As we cut back live to ringside and we see Jace has slid into the ring and has pulled JJR up to his feet…..and then promptly drops him onto the steel chair that Jace just hit him with earlier.

The move Jace calls Unscripted Violence causes the forehead of JJR to bust open and now we see Jace yelling at Hortega to start the next match.

Joe Hoffman: Can you hear me? Folks can you hear me…..ok you can……..complete and utter carnage here as Jace is screaming at Hortega to ring the bell…..

Hortega will not budge however and tells Jace he isn’t going to star the match until Jace exits the ring.

Finally Jace relents and hops out of the ring as Hortega waits for the HOW medics to help Farthington out of the ring.

Joe Hoffman: A very CRUEL ending there for a very game Cecilworth Farthington. The man did damage tonight but hopefully we will be seeing him back in action sooner than later. He has unfinished business that is for sure.

We see that Joe is standing next to what used to be the announce table as he remains the consummate professional and is set to call the main event.

The crowd is silent as Hortega flat out refuses to start the final match of the evening until both men are on their feet.

Slowly that begins to happens as both men begin to stir……Fuse is up to his feet first……A bloodied JJR makes his way up to his feet and then promptly staggers backwards to the corner….clearly still dazed.

Hortega asks each man if they are ready and both slowly nod…….and Hortega rings the bell.

 

DING

 

DING

 

DING

 

As soon as the bell stops ringing Jace, Mario and Jatt slide into the ring and immediately attack JJR. The HOTv Champion fights them off as much as possible but the numbers game is too great and they literally batter him to the canvas.

Joe Hoffman: I honestly have no idea what to say. JJR and Pleasant cost Jace his match earlier and now these man are getting payback……

Conor Fuse, holding his right arm in extreme pain, has fallen back down to the canvas in literal pain.

He watches the three men set up JJR in the corner and Jatt and Jace lift Roberts up on Mario’s shoulders and they then execute a perfect triple powerbomb from the second turnbuckle.

Joe Hoffman: NO DQ…..and this is what we get. This is how we are going to end 2021????!!!!

Conor slowly crawls over to JJR and makes the cover as a Hortega does his job and gets into position to make the count.

 

UNO

 

 

DOS

 

 

TRES

 

The crowd moans in disgust as Hortega signals for the bell and Bryan McVay announces the official decision.

Bryan McVay: WINNER OF THE MATCH AND NEEEEEEW WORLD CHAMPION…….CONOR FUUUUSSSEEEE!!!!

Jatt, Mario and Jace help the new champ to his feet as Hortega wraps the belt around his waist.

ICONIC and 2021 come to a close for High Octane Wrestling as we see the four men standing tall.