Refueled XCIV

We’re live on the High Octane Television Network, as the logo for High Octane Wrestling flashes across the screen. The State Farm Arena in Atlanta, GA is jam packed for this week’s episode of Refueled, and the camera pans across the rabid fans as the show officially begins. As always, members of the crowd are carrying their handmade signs, some very intricate and others hastily drawn with sharpies on cardboard:

RISE AND MPLOW ME

THE BOYS > HIGHWAYMEN

MIKE BEST IS AN ANIME VILLAIN

I’M HERE FOR SHARK WEEK #97REDWINGS

NOBLE AND FUSE MUST FIGHT

BORN INTO DEBT…IN AMERICA!

As the camera finishes panning over the crowd, we fall to the announcer’s desk, where Joe Hoffman is ready to open tonight’s broadcast. With Benny Newell still unconfirmed healthy, he’s again at the desk alone tonight.

Joe Hoffman: Good evening everyone and WELCOME to Refueled 94 live here in a sold out State Farm Arena here in Atlanta Georgia. I’m Joe Hoffman, and tonight is a night of big wins and big losses. Not only are the War Games qualifiers in full effect beginning tonight, but we have TWO championship matches for you as Genosyde defends the HOTv Championship versus newcomer Stronk Godson, and David Noble challenges his own partner Conor Fuse for the HOW World Championship.

The commentator takes a sip of his water.

Joe Hoffman: All this and more, as we’re live from Atlanta, Georgia with an exciting night of–

Before Joe can finish, the lights dim in the arena and the HOV comes to life with a word that sends the crowd into an absolute frenzy. The music begins, matching the word that’s on the screen… the first words are unmistakable.

UNDEAD

The show has hardly begun, and already every ass is out of every seat in the State Farm Arena as “Undead” by the Hollywood Undead blasts over the speakers. The curtain opens, and a 97Red suit jacket greets us for the first time since Bottomline 2021.

Joe Hoffman: Holy shit he’s back!

The crowd is nearing a fever pitch, but the air practically leaves the area as everyone in attendance, and those watching at home, realize that the bald man on the stage wearing the 97 Red jacket isn’t Lee Motherfucker Best.

It’s the Son of God.

The cheers immediately turn to boos as the CEO of HOW, Michael Lee Best, stands at the top of the ramp with a microphone in hand. He is a spitting image of his father tonight, only missing the goatee and eyepatch to complete the set. Behind him, a clipboard in his hands, is the Personal Assistant to the CEO, Tyler Adrian Streets.

Michael seems annoyed by the booing, but also kind of reveling in it. Because he’s a shit stirrer, and shit has now sufficiently been stirred. He makes a note to Tyler, who writes something down on the clipboard, and then the CEO raises the microphone to speak.

Mike Best: I’d like for you to show some respect for history.

The boos are even louder now, as Michael stands stern-faced at the entranceway.

Mike Best: There’s a reason you just got so excited about thirty seconds of music, and that enthusiasm is well deserved. Lee Best is an icon. The most notorious figure and owner in the history of this sport. And with the notoriety of his name, so comes the notoriety of that one word. The word that has always brought fear, or joy, or anger, or respect to those who hear it.

He pauses, his voice lowering just slightly.

Mike Best: Undead.

The Son of God and CEO begins to pace on the stage, leaving a pause after the word leaves his mouth. The fans have quieted, at least for the moment.

Mike Best: One word that, for twenty years, has been synonymous with the idea that something big was about to happen. Something important. Something that fucking mattered. And as the Chief Executive Officer of High Octane Wrestling, it is now my job to keep that legacy alive. They’re big shoes, but they are mine to fill. I spent a lot of my twelve years with HOW running from my last name, and distancing myself from being “Lee’s kid”, but at the end of the day, I am Michael Lee Best, and it’s time for me to live up to my last name. It’s time to run this company in my father’s image. In a way that would make him proud.

He looks like he’s getting a little misty as he stands on the stage, and the crowd is mostly silent as he speaks. It’s clear that even in Atlanta, the fans have a lot of respect for Lee… even if they fucking hate his only son.

Mike Best: Lee Best will be back. I have no doubt in my mind. But until that day comes, I will do everything in my power, to my dying fucking breath, to keep the Octane in High Octane Wrestling. To keep things just the way he left them, for the day that he comes back. That’s why from now on, when I step through that curtain, you’re going to hear the word that has become synonymous with importance. With fear. With notoriety, and respect. When I come out to the ring, you will hear Undead.

Michael looks around the arena, at the live crowd. The people who have kept HOW alive for twenty years. His eyes well up, but he keeps it back. He’s a Best.

Mike Best: When I was twenty three years old, I stood in the very ring that’s sitting in this arena tonight, and I found out that Lee Best was my father. That I was the bastard Son. It took us a lot of years to figure out how important that bond was, and to get it all right, and sometimes I wish that we could go back and do a lot of things differently. I’m glad Lee told me who I was. I’m glad I get to be a part of all of this. And if I ever get to be a father… well, it’s important… the bond of a father and his son. I just wanted to say that. Thanks, and have a great show.

Michael lowers the microphone, as a somewhat confused crowd sees the CEO so emotional and seemingly disjointed at the end of his promo. The Son of God looks over at his personal assistant, and then back at the crowd, and makes his way back behind the curtain.

Refueled has begun.

We immediately cut back to ringside where Hall of Fame ring announcer Bryan McVay is standing by as it is time to kick off the in-ring action for tonight’s show.

Bryan McVay: The following contest is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first…

“Stronger on your Own” by Disturbed blares over the PA. Hollywood slowly walks from the back and takes center stage as he stands there for a few brief moments, closing his eyes. He reigns in the boos from the crowd as he gets in final mental preparation for his upcoming match. As Hollywood opens up his eyes, pyro shoots off in opposite corners of the stage as it makes its way to center stage.

Bryan McVay: Coming to the ring from Los Angeles, California, weighing in at 225 pounds…BRIAN HOLLYWOOOOOD!

As the pyro hits the center, the camera zooms in to see the reflection in Hollywood’s eyes as he finally makes his way down the ramp, quickly taking off his vest and throwing it down with intensity. Hollywood makes his final push as he charges the ring, rolling under the ropes. He gets back to his feet and looks about the entire arena glaring at the fans before he takes his place in the corner turnbuckle before turning his gaze intently in the ring as he awaits for the bell and his opponent.

Joe Hoffman: Brian Hollywood with a look of focus in his eyes, hoping to make a statement here tonight at the expense of one Jeffrey James Roberts!

Bryan McVay: And his opponent…

“Goldberg Variations” by Johann Sebastian Bach plays over the speakers as four security guards step out onto the stage. They form a square as Jeffrey James Roberts steps out and stands in the middle, noticeably wearing a different attire than usual tonight: in lieu of the orange prison attire, Roberts is sporting black trunks with a curious orange logo. His hands are out front as usual, however, tied with plastic ziptie cuffs, and he walks toward the ring, keeping his eyes focused on it.

Bryan McVay: Coming to the ring from Gainesville, Florida, weighing in at 230 pounds…JEFFREY! JAMES! ROOOOBERRRTS!

The guards keep a perimeter to make sure he can’t reach any fans and they walk with him all the way to ringside. The guard in front unlocks the cuffs, then steps back to allow Roberts to climb into the ring. He does so, then leans back against one corner, his eyes closed, head back, swaying slightly to the music.

Joe Hoffman: JJR looking just a little different in this match tonight, possibly a benefit of his recent conversations with CEO Mike Best as he looks to take on Brian Hollywood in our opening contest!

DING! DING!

With the bell ringing to kick things off, Hollywood immediately rushes Roberts hoping to get an early advantage with a forearm to the head, but the inmate responds with some heavy strikes of his own to wear Hollywood down. Satisfied with the damage done, JJR brings Hollywood down with a head and arm suplex, immediately looking to work on the former World Champion’s neck while still on the canvas until Hollywood manages to finally slip out!

Joe Hoffman: Roberts with some impressive work at the start here, but Hollywood is looking to really take it to the former HOTv Champion!

Hollywood gets back to his feet, favoring his neck but trying to shrug it off as he hits the ropes…but JJR catches him on the rebound, driving him right back to the canvas with a clothesline! Roberts changes gears slightly, bringing Hollywood right back up but also wrenching the arm, really putting the hurt on Hollywood until he reverses the pressure to slip out of the hold. Hollywood with a kick to the back of JJR’s leg gives him an opening to attack further, and makes the most of it with a flurry of offense that sends Roberts to the corner.

Hollywood charges at full speed, connecting with a corner splash that sends JJR down to the canvas! Brian climbs the turnbuckle, only to drop down with a double foot stomp to the chest on Roberts, before rolling back to gain a little distance. He grabs Roberts by his legs, bringing him away from the corner before going for the cover as Boettcher makes the count!

ONE!

T–NO!

Joe Hoffman: Roberts kicks out! Looks like Hollywood is gonna have to do more to keep Roberts down here tonight!

JJR gets back to his feet, but Hollywood stays on the attack looking to keep Roberts at bay before sending him right back to the corner…but this time, JJR catches Hollywood charging at him, and uses his momentum to send Hollywood facefirst into the turnbuckle with a thud! Roberts quickly brings Hollywood back up, before connecting with a big German suplex. Hollywood looks a little worse for wear as he slowly gets back to his feet…only for Roberts to land a dropkick sending him through the ropes to the outside!

Joe Hoffman: Wow, look at the impact from that dropkick! Hollywood’s sent flying to the outside, which could be bad news for him!

The guards on the outside are keeping a close eye on Roberts as he steps out, focused squarely on putting more hurt on Hollywood as he once again targets the neck with some elbow strikes. JJR stands Hollywood up, grabbing him by the arm as he looks to send him into the steel steps…but Hollywood turns the tables on the former HOTv Champion, sending Roberts with an Irish whip to the steps instead! A loud clang accentuates the damage done to JJR’s shoulder here, something that Hollywood latches onto like a leech as he goes to work on it with some kicks while Roberts is down, hoping to keep him at bay.

Hollywood can’t quite help himself, however, and he starts to taunt the prison guards with glee in the process…which ends up spelling disaster for the former World Champion, as Roberts composes himself enough to get back to his feet with a glare toward his opponent. JJR stares Hollywood down from behind, barely giving him a chance to respond before answering Hollywood’s earlier attack by sending HIM into the steps with a clang this time around!

Joe Hoffman: Hollywood had the upper hand on Roberts for a little bit there, but it looks like he had his focus away from him a little too long!

In the midst of this chaos, Boettcher has already reached a count of four, which grabs the attention of Roberts as he rolls into the ring…only to roll right back out, resetting the count to inflict more pain. A couple stomps to the ribs of Hollywood leads to JJR taking a few steps back and running, looking for a dropkick…but Hollywood dodges it at the last second, forcing Roberts to collide once more with the steps instead!

Hollywood looks to be fully in control of the situation now, as he brings JJR back to his feet, sending him into the ring before following close behind with a smirk on his face. Hollywood is once again on the attack here with some kicks to Roberts focused on that shoulder before taking to the ropes for momentum. Roberts is back to his feet, but it’s all for naught as Brian catches him with a spinning wheel kick!

With Roberts down once again, Hollywood climbs the nearest turnbuckle, scouting the former HOTv Champion as he launches himself for an elbow drop…but JJR seems to have scouted this instead, rolling out of the way in the nick of time! Roberts looks a bit frustrated now as he gets to his feet, something that Hollywood does as well…only to be taken right back down with a belly to belly suplex by JJR! Roberts with an immediate cover there as Boettcher makes the count!

ONE!

TWO!

TH–NO! HOLLYWOOD KICKS OUT!

Joe Hoffman: Brian Hollywood showing he has plenty of fight left in him against Roberts!

Hollywood rolls out of the ring, looking to take something of a breather after that beating from Roberts, who refuses to let up as he heads back out in pursuit of the former World Champion…only for Hollywood to spring a trap, sending Roberts into the barricade with a nasty drop toe hold! Boettcher starts the count once more as Hollywood gets to his feet before stepping onto the ring apron.

Roberts is slow to his feet as well, and Hollywood pivots from attempting to enter the ring to instead leap off the ropes as a springboard, landing a moonsault onto the former HOTv Champion! The crowd is really getting into it now as Boettcher reaches the count of five, and we see both men stirring. Upon the count of six, Hollywood manages to finally get back in the ring…and Roberts follows suit right around the count of eight!

Joe Hoffman: Close call there from both men, as it looks like the battle is really starting to show its effect on Hollywood and Roberts!

Roberts gets to his feet slowly but surely, but is soon cut off by a low dropkick from Hollywood that keeps him grounded to the canvas. The extra time needed for JJR to get back on his feet is exactly the opening that Hollywood needs here, and as SOON as Roberts is back up to a vertical position he gets taken down facefirst with a jumping cutter from Hollywood to the canvas! PAPER CUT!

Brian is beside himself in joy here, looking to bring this bout to a close as he taunts JJR, telling the inmate to get back up. Roberts finally does, and Hollywood charges at him looking for the claymore kick! EXECUTIVE–NO! ROBERTS CATCHES HOLLYWOOD WITH A SPINEBUSTER INSTEAD! From seemingly out of nowhere, JJR sends Hollywood spinefirst into the canvas, saving himself from an Executive Decree!

Joe Hoffman: Oh my! Roberts manages to catch Hollywood with that spinebuster, which may have just turned the tide here!

Hollywood is down as Roberts gets to his feet, before picking Hollywood back up…and lifting him up high for a brainbuster, driving him down near the corner! MASK OF SANITY! JJR may finally have this match in the bag as he climbs the turnbuckle, noticing that Hollywood hasn’t moved yet as Roberts gets to the top rope…and launches himself onto Hollywood, connecting with a scary-looking leg drop guillotine across his throat! That could very well be it as Roberts makes the cover, and Boettcher makes the count!

ONE!

TWO!

THREE!

DING! DING! DING!

Bryan McVay: Ladies and gentlemen, your winner via pinfall…JEFFREY! JAMES! ROOOOBERRRTS!

Boettcher raises the arm of Roberts in victory until the guards quickly rush in, making sure to bring JJR out of the ring to re-cuff him as we cut to Hoffman at commentary.

Joe Hoffman: What a win here for Jeffrey James Roberts, no doubt making an impression as he looks ahead to the future as he is our first qualifier for this years War Games!!

All attention turns towards the High Octane Vision screen as it suddenly goes black…

“Earlier today” flashes across the HOV screen. We see The Hall of Fame duo best friends, The Hardcore Artist Scottywood and The Queen of Epicness, Bobbinette Carey. They are in the Scotty’s locker room and Carey is pacing back and forth as she hits send on a call turning it on speaker phone it rings once then goes to voicemail. Her jaw drops as her nostrils flair.

Bobbinette: Okay, first that’s rude. I know you sent me to voicemail, you could have at least let it ring so I wouldn’t know you’re avoiding me Darkwing!

She snaps at the voicemail.

Bobbinette: I need you here next week it’s me versus ja.. Simon Sparrow, your old Nemesis of…

She pauses and cringes making a disgusted face as she says the next words.

Bobbinette: Jattlantas. He’s got a new name… and I’m not using his dead name; So the guy who has a title about being undefeated against you? Yeah he’s in my way for war games. I need you here with Scooter and I next week. If I don’t hear back I’ll assume you’ll be here next week. Bye love you!

She hangs up the phone and looks over at Scottywood who has an annoyed look on his face.

Scottywood: “love you”? Fucking eh Carey.

He scoffs.

Bobbinette: He’s my brother, we’ve been friends for almost 20 years. Plus facing Simon…. I need you both there.

She says, sounding anxious. She puts her phone in her pocket as her thumb nail goes to her mouth and she stares off in the distance.

Scottywood: For fuck sake you beat him already, why are you acting like this?

He says as he pulls up his knee pads. She starts pacing back and forth.

Bobbinette: Exactly! I beat him when it didn’t mean anything. I beat him when nothing important was on the line. This is my ticket into War Games.

Scottywood looks at her confused as he puts his hands in his face, rubbing his eyes.

Bobbinette: Scooter… War Games is the end game. You got… you know who and next week for me if it means you and Duck tip the balance.

She shrugs her shoulders as a small smirk spreads across her face.

Scottywood: What about winning honestly?

He raises an eyebrow sighing at her statement.

Bobbinette: He is a white man and he has privilege.

Scottywood: Hey, watch it now Carey…

He warns.

Bobbinette: Privilege means things weren’t put in place preventing him from getting where he is. If I have my two best friends then that means I have people to help remove those barriers.

She says with a devious look on her face.

Scottywood: Carey you are going about this-

Bobbinette: By any means necessary! It’s why I’m going out there with you tonight.

Scottywood: Are you sure you want to do that?

He cautions her, Bobbinette nods her head with an annoyed look on her face.

Bobbinette: He used me to try and get into your head. I don’t take kindly to that. I’m no one’s pawn, I’m a queen. And the queen moves in every direction on this board.

Scottywood: including diagonal.

Bobbinette looks at him in shock.

Scottywood: I’ve played chess before Carey…

Bobbinette: But the point is you don’t manipulate someone to mess with others.

Scottywood: So you’re doing this?

He asks again, looking over his friend.

Bobbinette: You never know what he’s got planned or who is going to help him. I would like it better if Duck was here but we will work with what we got.

Scottywood: Fuck duck. He doesn’t want to be here, he doesn’t have to be here. I don’t care about him. We …

He points back and forth between the.

Scottywood: We made plans to win War Games. He wasn’t part of that. He still isn’t.

Bobbinette sighs with a nod.

Bobbinette: Yeah but Scooter we pissed a lot of people off we need extra eyes…

Scottywood shrugs.

Scottywood: you got my back I got yours And we will sort the rest of the shit out at war games on?

Bobbinette nods her head.

Bobbinette: that’s true.

She walks towards the door.

Scottywood raises an eyebrow confused.

Scottywood: It’s two hours till bell time.

Bobbinette: I know. I’ll be back before we go out the curtain.

Scottywood nods as Carey heads out of the locker room and down the halls as we cut away to our first commercial break.

Back live and now we see the Queen of Epicness Bobbinette Carey live in the arena. She’s wearing a magenta blazer with a black button up blouse tucked into a pair of black slacks with matching ballet flats. Her hair is pulled back into a tight bun with loose curls on the side of her face. She walks down the hall with determination as she reads each name on the locker room doors. Finally she reaches the door she’s looking for. “Conor Fuses” the crowd pops loudly seeing the name on the door as she knocks three times then stands to the side waiting for the door to open.

The door doesn’t open.

So Carey knocks again.

Finally, after what seems like forever…

The door opens up a crack.

Half of Conor’s nose and left eye are visible.

Bobbinette: Hey, I was wanting to catch up with you. It’s been a minute…

And then the door opens fully. Except Conor’s demeanor is different. He seems on edge, stressed out and nowhere near his normal, joyous self. Doesn’t even seem like he plans on joking around much with his “BFF”.

…Or if they even are BFF.

Conor Fuse: Hey Bobbie, what’s… up?

Bobbinette walks into his locker room, her face looking him over. She wrinkles her nose squinting at him, attempting to suppress her maternal instincts.

Bobbinette: Well, I wanted to see how you’re doing. You’ve had a lot happen and.. you-

Fuse is dismissive.

Conor Fuse: I’m fine, I’m fine. What the heck could be wrong? LOL. Only my so-called “friend” who’s not my friend anymore but, yeah, hey, all good in gamesville.

Conor takes a moment to calm himself down.

Conor Fuse: I am fine.

Bobbinette shakes her head with a raised eyebrow.

Bobbinette: So you’re not fine. It’s okay to not be okay you know? I just wanted to let you know that even though I’m not on your team, you’re on a team with my best friend Scooter and you…you’re going to be epic. Friendships in wrestling can be… fickle… strange bedfellows get made at War Games.

She makes a cringe motion as her face distorts in disgust.

Bobbinette: You can’t let that change you. And after War Games true friends will show who they are and support their winning friends.

Conor goes to respond but he is interrupted by the sound of clapping. Both Conor and Bobbinette turn to see Jace Parker Davidson leaned up against the door frame of Fuse’s locker room.

JPD: Such a motivating speech, almost brings a tear to your eye. However, speaking of War Games and strange bedfellows I have to ask. Just what are you doing here Carey in the locker room of one of the Captains of the opposing team?

Bobbinette quickly crosses her arms tightly in front of herself. Her body language and demeanor changes entirely as she looks over at JPD standing in the doorway. Her face changes to one of annoyance as a scowl spreads across her lips.

Bobbinette: The absent partner returns. Just to be clear no one is calling you Jacesus…you’re the reason he’s going through this. So you should go… you sold your soul for your HOF ring and The Board so bye now. Your business, you should mind it.

She snaps quickly using her hands to motion him to ‘shoo.’

Conor Fuse: Well-

Davidson cuts Conor off.

JPD: The fact that you felt the need to bring up the Jacesus thing amuses me. Have you been thinking about me? Did you miss seeing me during those long three months away? ‘No one is calling me Jacesus.’

Jace pauses for a moment then raises his hand and makes a Chef’s kiss motion.

JPD: So original, so fresh, I got to know… how many brain cells did you have to bounce together to come up with it?! I mean, creativity points through the roof, honestly. That was sarcasm, I know you’re unfamiliar with it. But moving on… I don’t like these accusations of me being the cause of Conor’s problems. Did I make him not draft David Noble? Did I hand David Noble a microphone so he could march down to the ring and whine like a petulant child? No, I didn’t but I’ll excuse your ignorance. We all know you’re been hangin around with ‘Scooter’ way too long, it was bound to rub off on you.

Conor Fuse: So Imma just stand here, okay? Not say a thing. Because honestly, everyone right now… is not my cup of tea. Not that I drink tea. I drink Kool-Aid. Why the fuck am I talking right now?

Fuse crosses his arms and sulks in the corner, while Carey squints at Davidson and takes a deep breath rolling her eyes turning back to the World Champion.

Bobbinette: It is Easter Sunday and werewolf Jesus is a thing this year… unless your Jewish than Shabot Shalom be gone.

She again attempts to wave him off.

Bobbinette: I’m sorry Conor. You’re a good guy, you know what’s right.

Fuse lets out a heavy sigh.

Conor Fuse: Apparently I don’t.

And then intensity crosses his face.

Conor Fuse: But I really DO know what’s right. And I’m right, dammit. David isn’t right. The Board isn’t right.

Conor looks JPD over, head to toe.

Conor Fuse: Jury’s still out on ya, bro.

The champ brings his attention back to Bobbie.

Conor Fuse: You’re okay.

Bobbinette smiles as Jace shakes his head and just smirks a bit. Jace walks over and places his hand on Conor’s shoulder.

JPD: I’m the same guy I’ve always been but don’t you worry about that. All you need to worry about is that you close out this Easter Sunday with a win against David Noble. That way you’re still HOW World Champion and then I can see you in the Ukraine inside of that cage.

Jace reaches up and rustles Conor’s hair before turning towards the exit. Jace stops nearby Bobbinette and grins.

JPD: Let’s leave the Champ alone. Besides, you gotta put your dog on a leash and lead him down to the ring so I can make sure the last thing that runs through his half of a brain is my boot.

Bobbinette: We may be on the same side for this… but I hope that Scooter kicks your ass and eliminates you tonight. We will talk later Conor, you got this champ.

She says giving Conor the thumbs up before shoulder checking past Jace. Carey disappears down the hallway as Jace just laughs over the fact he’s gotten under her skin. Jace leaves the locker room and Conor slams the door shut as we cut away.

We cut over to another part of the backstage area.  A production member is walking down the hallway with a boom mic.  He is in rush by the looks of it but suddenly gets cut off when Steve Harrison walks into the picture with the LSD Title draped over his right shoulder.  His head is still wrapped from the injuries sustained in the title match last week.  He puts his hands up and stops the employee from trying to go around him.  He points to the mic.

Steve Harrison: Only the greatest of the mics can pick up all the stylings of the Miracle Man.

The boom operator freezes and looks around confused at what is going on.

Boom Operator: Sorry…I am in a hurry.

Harrison laughs for a few seconds and then puts his left hand on the employee’s shoulder and his smile fades as his crushes down with his mighty strength on the shoulder.

Steve Harrison: No… you will stand right there and let me talk.

Boom Operator: Ow, you are hurting my shoulder.

Steve stops squeezing his shoulder and then pats him on the head.

Steve Harrison: Apologies my good man.  The world has been anticipating a word from their new LSD Champion since last week though and we cannot keep the Miracle Marks waiting.

Boom Operator: I can get in trouble for not getting this to where it needs to be.

Steve Harrison: Pssh…by who?

Boom Operator: Michael Oliver Best.

Harrison rolls his eyes.

Steve Harrison: Don’t you worry about him.  He knows who gets the ratings and that is any member of The Highwaymen especially the one holding some GOLD!  I would like to thank all my fans for the well wishes but as you can see…

The Suplex Saint does a little jig his face clearly showing some pain.

Steve Harrison: The knee is fine, and this bandage is nothing.  I said I would do whatever it took to finally win some singles gold in HOW and I pulled it off.  I would like to thank the Blood Pervert Arthur Pleasant in taking me to the limit but…

Harrison points to his head.

Steve Harrison: The mind always defeats someone too excited for his own good. He saw blood and went to work like a piranha, but he forgot he was going up against a far larger predator and in the end, I climbed the ladder to success.

Boom Operator: Um…

Steve shakes his head now leaning on his good leg.

Steve Harrison: Just hold the boom.  I am here to support my country jamboree buddy in Clay Byrd.  Tonight, he might break Scott Stevens back and leave him in a hospital bed next to Benny.  We cannot be held accountable with what we do because MOB and Mike Best have decided to try to stack the deck against The Highwaymen and that phony conman Conor Fuse.  I have no reason to hesitate if I see one of those status quo cocksuckers.  They want to fight for the fascists that is on them, but The Highwaymen believe in fighting against those that want to hold others down…especially if you try to hold us down.  This will not be over until one of us is grasping for air and by the looks of it you don’t have the commitment or championships to go one on one with us.

The man who created Miracles winks at the camera with a smirk.

Steve Harrison: That lead to this…

Steve rubs the LSD title with his left hand.

Steve Harrison: You want it?  Come and get it.  First come, first serve I am not going to duck any challenges. I will prove this isn’t a fluke and that Steve Harrison is one to fear.  Next week though I need to qualify for War Games and defeat the new flavor of the month: STRONK Godson.  Look STRONK, I have a two-hundred-dollar gift certificate to Golden Corral, you beat GenoSyde tonight it is all yours but next week I will get it back with interest.

Harrison turns and walks away with a small limp as we cut to the ring.

We cut back to the ringside area where the fans are ready for more action here on tonight’s card. The camera moves to the announcer’s table where HOW Hall of Famer Joe Hoffman is preparing to call the next match.

Joe Hoffman: It’s time for our second match of the evening here in Atlanta and if you asked my opinion this is going to be more of a grudge match than it will be a wrestling match. These two men just simply don’t like each other but only one of them can advance to the War Games match here tonight. Let’s go to Bryan McVay who is ready to make the introductions.

The camera shifts to the ring where Hall of Fame announcer Bryan McVay stands squarely in the center with his microphone in hand.

Bryan McVay: The following match is scheduled for one fall and is a War Games qualifying match!

Bryan pauses for a moment waiting for the loud pop from the fans to die down before theme music begins to blare throughout the arena.

OOOOOOOHHHHHHHH, BEG MOTHERFUCKER, BEG!

“Beg” by Seether blasts across the arena as we see Scotty make his way out onto the stage dressed in his Rangers jersey and holding his barbed wire hockey stick up over his head. Standing next to him in her ring gear is the QOE and his partner Bobbinette Carey. She strikes her royal pose as he holds his hockey stick over his head.

Bryan McVay: Introducing first from New York City, New York. Weighing in at 265 pounds and being accompanied to the ring by The Queen of Epicness Bobbinette Carey. He is an HOW Hall of Famer and The Hardcore Artist, here is SCOTTYWOOD!!!

The arena fills with boo’s as the two walk down to ringside laughing and jaw jacking to the crowd. Scottywood bounds up the steel ring steps and enters through the ropes. Bobbinette Carey continues to berate tonight’s crowd at ringside as Scottywood once again raises his hockey stick into the air. The music dies down as Scottywood hands the hockey stick over to Carey on the outside. Scottywood waits in the far corner with a look of hate and determination on his face.

Joe Hoffman: Last week Scottywood came out here alone but this week he has Bobbinette Carey by his side. We saw earlier that Carey has been very busy tonight before this match. We’ll see how her presence at ringside will affect this matchup.

The lights in the arena as the HOV begins to light up. The crowd stands on their feet as smoke begins to build on stage. A snarl begins to form on Scottywood’s face as he stares towards the entrance.

THE KING HAS RETURNED!

The sound of “Kingdom” by Jaxson Gamble begins to blast throughout the arena. A single spotlight shines down on stage. Madison is the first one to emerge from the back onto the stage followed by The King of Everything Jace Parker Davidson. Jace is dressed head to toe in a three piece suit as the crowd gives a mixed reaction.

Bryan McVay: And his opponent from Miami, Florida. Weighing in at 253 pounds and being accompanied to the ring by Madison. He is the newest HOW Hall of Famer, representing The Board. Here is JACE PARKER DAVIDSON!!!

Jace pulls off the jacket to the suit and hands it to Madison. He reaches up and loosens the tie around his neck before ripping the tear away shirt off of his body. He tosses the shirt in Madison’s direction before reaching down to his pants. Jace shreds the tear away pants from his body revealing his wrestling gear. Jace hops in place to psych himself up for the match before raising the finger with his Hall of Fame ring on into the air. He slowly marches down towards the ring as Madison follows behind him carrying the pile of clothing.

Joe Hoffman: Jace hasn’t wrestled a match here in HOW since January. One has to wonder how much ring rust is going to play a factor in this match, especially with so much on the line. Scottywood is no pushover and it seems like him and Bobbinette can smell blood in the water. Joel Hortega is going to have his hands full keeping this one in order.

Jace leaps up to the ring apron then steps through the ropes. Jace heads to the nearest corner and climbs the turnbuckle. Scottywood tries to charge Jace and blindside him but Hortega stops Scottywood from attacking his opponent before the bell. Jace raises the Hall of Fame ring into the air again before giving it a kiss. Jace hopes down off the turnbuckle and slides off the ring before handing it to Madison on the outside. Hortega sees that both men are ready and calls for the bell.

DING DING DING!

Both men stalk to the center of the ring as Carey shouts encouragement to Scottywood from ringside. Both Hall of Famer’s begin slugging it out in the center of the ring. Scottywood gets the better of the exchange and begins to back JPD into the ropes. Scottywood buries a knee to the midsection then whips JPD into the far side ropes. JPD rebounds off but Scottywood hits him with a shoulder tackle that flattens him down to the canvas. JPD gets back to his feet quickly but eats a boot to the midsection from Scottywood. Once again JPD is whipped into the ropes. JPD rebounds off the ropes and goes for a V-trigger Knee but Scottywood catches him and plants him hard with a spinebuster. Scottywood hooks the leg and makes the cover as Hortega slides in.

UNO!

DOS!

KICKOUT!

Joe Hoffman: Seems like Scottywood has done his homework here and has Jace’s moves scouted. It was a high impact spinebuster but Jace managed to kick out before the three. If the match continues like this then Scottywood will definitely punch his ticket to the War Games match.

Carey screams at the referee from the outside as Scottywood gets back up to his feet. Scottywood grabs Jace and shoves his head between his legs. Scottywood grips Jace by the waist and hoists him into the air. Scottywood walks over to the ropes and looks to powerbomb Jace to the concrete floor outside. Jace senses the impending doom and begins firing off right hands to the head of Scottywood. With a last ditch effort Jace hits a hurricanrana on Scottywood that sends The Hardcore Artist over the top rope and down to the arena floor.

Joe Hoffman: Jace’s first offense of the match and it came at a crucial time as Scottywood was trying to powerbomb him out of the ring to the arena floor. It’s given Jace the precious time he needs to recover and let’s see if he can capitalize now that he’s taken Scottywood off of his feet.

Jace staggers up to his feet as he sees Scottywood begin to stir on the outside. Jace gets a running start then bounces off the ropes. As Scottywood regains a vertical base Jace leaps through the ropes and hits Scottywood with a suicide dive that knocks him back into the steel barricade. The crowd begins getting rowdy as Jace pulls himself to his feet on the outside. However Bobbinette Carey places herself in front of Jace and begins arguing with him while preventing him from doing more damage to Scottywood. Jace tries to push past Carey but Bobbinette spins Jace around and slaps him hard across the face.

OOOOOOHHHH!

The crowd reacts as the slap echoes throughout the arena. Jace begins to stalk Carey who begins to backpedal away from him. Before Jace can act Scottywood comes up from behind him and tosses him shoulder first into the steel ring steps. Jace hits with a sickening thud as Bobbinette claps her hands in approval over Scottywood regaining the advantage.

Joe Hoffman: Already Carey is interjecting herself into this match and it’s paid dividends for Scottywood after that small flurry from Jace. Hortega really needs to keep an eye on her even though he’s letting these two fight it out without trying to make this match end in a countout.

Scottywood pulls Jace to his feet and rolls him back into the ring. Scottywood climbs up to the ring apron then steps through the ropes. Scottywood waits for Jace to get back to his feet then reaches out and grabs him by the throat. Jace gasps for air and tries to break Scotty’s grip but Scottywood lifts Jace into the air. It isn’t long before Scottywood sends Jace back down to the canvas with authority after a Scottyslam. Jace arches his back in pain as Scottywood decides to keep the pressure on. He grabs Jace by the hair and pulls him back up to his feet. Scottywood wraps his arm around Jace’s neck then connects with the SDT down to the mat. Scottywood once again hooks the leg and goes for the cover as Hortega slides in.

UNO!

DOS!

TRE— NO!

Joe Hoffman: Scottywood just spiked JPD with the SDT but somehow Jace managed to get a shoulder up before the three count. Clearly Scottywood is rolling here having wrestled on a regular basis this year. Asking JPD to compete and win here tonight in his first match back from injury seems to be slipping further and further away from him.

Scottywood gets to his feet and argues with the referee over a slow count. Hortega argues back with Scottywood saying it was only a two count as Jace begins to stir. Scottywood turns around and sees Jace pulling himself back up to his feet using the ropes. Scottywood scoops Jace off of his feet then sits him on the top turnbuckle. Scottywood begins to climb up and go for a high risk move but Jace retaliates with right hands to the face. They seem to be having little to no effect on The Hardcore Artist. Jace grabs Scottywood by his bald head then begins biting him right above the eyebrow. A small gash opens up on Scotty’s head as Jace pulls him to the top rope. The two men fight for position on the top rope but Jace grabs Scottywood and hits him with a big time Spanish Fly off the top rope and down to the canvas. Both men lay motionless on the mat as Hortega begins a ten count.

Carey: Get Up Scooter!!!

Carey shouts from the outside but it’s Jace that’s the first one back up to a vertical base. Blood begins to pour down into Scottywood’s eyes as he can only manage to get back up to his knees. Jace rebounds off the ropes and goes for another V-trigger knee but at the last minute Scottywood yanks Hortega in front of him. Jace’s knee collides with the referee, completely knocking him out. Jace leans over and tries to revive Hortega but Scottywood comes up from behind him and gives Jace a low blow.

Joe Hoffman: Completely despicable by Scottywood! He was playing possum the whole time then pulled the referee in the way of that knee meant for him. Jace tried to check on Hortega but of course with the referee incompassicated Scottywood lands a low blow. This match just took an ugly turn and now Scottywood can do any dirty tactic that he wants.

Jace is doubled over in pain as Scottywood regains his vertical base. Scottywood grabs a hold of Jace and hits him with a Scottybomb in the center of the ring. Scottywood lays back against the lifeless JPD making the cover but there is no referee to make the count.

BOOOOOOOOOO!

The crowd shouts its displeasure as Scottywood gets back up to his feet and begins to kick at the fallen Hortega. Madison has seen enough and hops up onto the ring apron as Scottywood grabs a hold of Jace. Scottywood sees Madison and drops Jace to the canvas. Madison begins pointing and shouting at Scottywood who slowly stalks over to her. Scottywood reaches up to his head before smearing his own blood across Madison’s face. Madison screams in horror but Bobbinette reaches up and yanks Madison off of the apron and whips her into the announcers table hard.

Joe Hoffman: That is just sick! What would possess a normal man to wipe his own blood onto the face of a young lady like Madison. And to make matters worse Carey decided to add insult to injury by sending Madison crashing into the announce table.

Scottywood laughs sadistically as the crowd continues to boo. Bobbinette reaches under the ring and pulls out a length of barbed wire and slides it into the ring to Scottywood. With a twisted smirk Scottywood grabs the barbed wire and begins to wrap it around his right arm. Scottywood waits for Jace to stagger to his feet then levels him with a clothesline with the arm wrapped in barbed wire. With Jace on the canvas Scottywood measures him up and drops a barbed wire wrapped elbow down onto JPD. Scottywood mounts the helpless JPD and begins to rake his barbed wrapped arm across the head of his opponent.

Joe Hoffman: Folks, I apologize for the graphic nature that this match has seemed to devolve into here. I hope you’ve put your children to bed before this one. We need the damn EPU out here to stop these two!

Scottywood gets up to his feet then grabs the bloody Jace off of the canvas. Scottywood lifts Jace up to his shoulders and looks to finish him with the Game Misconduct but with his last bit of energy Jace escapes and lands on his feet behind Scottywood. Jace grabs a hold of Scottywood and unleashes a ripcord clothesline that floors his opponent. Jace collapses down to the mat face first as Carey begins to pull at her own hair. Once again Carey reaches into the ring and slides something over to Scottywood. The air goes out of the arena as that appears to be…

AN ICE SKATE!

Joe Hoffman: OH MY GOD! Are you kidding me? Just what are these two psychopaths trying to accomplish here?! Jace already needs medical attention but now they are trying to end this man’s life!

Scottywood begins to stir and sees the Ice Skate on the canvas. Carey shouts at Scottywood as The Hardcore Artist gets a disturbing look in his eyes. Scottywood takes off one of his boots and begins to place the Ice Skate on his foot. Returning to his feet Scottywood grabs a hold of Jace and pulls him up to his knees. Scottywood backs up and begins to measure up his bloody opponent. Half of the crowd begins to cringe as the other half shouts full of bloodlust. Tons of murder boners here in Atlanta. Scottywood charges and goes to hit an Ice Kick with the skate but somehow Jace bounds into the air and hits Scottywood with a double foot stomp to the chest that sends him crashing down to the canvas. Both men are down again as Bobbinette climbs up to the ring apron to help assist her partner.

Joe Hoffman: Jace avoided certain demise there but now Bobbinette is looking to enter the ring and make this a two on one fight.

Before Carey can step through the ropes Madison grabs her by the legs and yanks her off of the ring apron. Bobbinette’s head slams against the apron on the way down. With Carey down and out Madison slides into the ring. She reaches into her pocket and places Jace’s Hall of Fame ring on his finger. Madison crawls over and begins to violently shake referee Joel Hortega. Scottywood gets back up to his feet and stares holes through Madison who quickly ducks under the bottom rope to the floor. Scottywood turns his attention back to his opponent and pulls him up to a vertical base. Scottywood fires a barbed wire wrapped fist but Jace blocks it and nails Scottywood in the head with the Hall of Fame ring. Scottywood hits the canvas like a ton of bricks as Jace stumbles back into the turnbuckle. Jace wipes the blood out of his eyes as Scottywood struggles to try and get up. Jace charges out of the corner and hits Scottywood with a V-trigger knee to the back of the head. Scottywood manages to use his arms to keep from hitting the canvas again. Jace hits the ropes then leaps into the air and…

BEND THE KNEE!

Jace collapses on top of Scottywood as Hortega slowly crawls over to make the count.

UNO!

DOS!

TRES!!!

DING DING DING!!!

Bryan McVay: The winner of the match in 15:34 and advancing to the War Games match….       JACE PARKER DAVIDSON!!!!

Joe Hoffman: Unbelievable! JPD managed to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat with the help of Madison and his Hall of Fame ring. Sometimes you just have to fight fire with fire and tonight we have another confirmed participant for night two in the Ukraine as Jace has joined Jeffrey James Roberts in the War Games match.

Madison slides into the ring and helps Jace up to his feet and out of the ring as he kisses his Hall of Fame ring before disappearing behind the curtain as we head to a commercial break.

The show comes back from commercial to the backstage area. Simon Sparrow is standing in front of a backdrop with the HOW logo holding a can of “Lemmon’s Chicken and Stars” soup, Lemmy, the chicken soup chicken, smiling on the can.

Simon Sparrow: …so when life gives you lemons, have chicken soup. Lemmon’s Chicken Soup. Proudly endorsed by the Professor of Sparrowdynamics, Simon Sparrow.

Simon Sparrow holds the can up putting on the phoniest of smiles.

Director (Off Camera): Cut! Print! Good job, Mister Sparrow.

Simon Sparrow places the can down on the table next to him and walks away from the backdrop to a waiting Darin Zion. The two Ghost Writers accompanying the Rembrandt of Wrestling stand at a respective distance furiously writing in their notebooks.

Simon Sparrow: Marketing, Zigs! That’s where the big money is at. But you have to be smart about it. You can’t just put your face on anything. Adult Diapers? Not me. Save that for Kostoff and Bobbinette Carey. Both for different reasons. Kostoff causes people to poop themselves. Pooping herself is a daily occurrence for Bobbinette Carey. Beer? Whiskey? Against my moral code. A recovering alcoholic doesn’t shill for big alcohol. What about you? What products scream for Ziggy “Zig Zag” Zion’s endorsement? The Hell’s Piss Hot Sauce people have been after me for their Ghost Pepper Habanero Hummus line. Couldn’t do it. Tried it. Gave me explosive diarrhea for a week. Didn’t need Adult Diapers thank goodness but my sphincter was burning so much I needed a donut to sit down. Maybe I could give them your name? You might have better luck with it.

Pondering for a moment, Darin scratches his chin. A rare idea forms in his head. While his smile curves around face before he turns towards the camera.

Darin Zion: Are you tired of your chicken being basted in more alcohol than Scottywood? Did Bobbinette Carey not pull your pork enough? Are you looking for more beef than Stonk can provide! You try Rib Crib’s all you can eat Rib Tuesdays!

Zion’s eyes light up as he looks over towards Simon, hoping for an approval. Instead, the Rembrandt of Wrestling whacks Darin Zion in the back of the head as if he were one of the Three Stooges.

Simon Sparrow: What are you doing? The art of proper smack talking is next week! Besides, ribs? Beef? Old news. People are into new and trendy products, like plant based meats, not outdated garbage that’s bad for your health! You might as well be promoting the cool, refreshing taste of Applebaum’s Cigarettes!

Zion raises his eyebrow before barks out his question to his mentor.

Darin Zion: Planted based meats?! You mean the Impossible Whopper?! Isn’t that what Darkwing gave to Bobbinette to convince her to team in the Maurako Cup? Better not tell Scottywood! He’ll get jealous! Tune in later tonight to your HOTV apps to see Jace Parker Davidson use Scottywood branded mops. Mops so shitty they bleed all over your hardwood floors like Bobbinette on her period, which is how Scotty likes her.

Simon Sparrow: I thought the Impossible Whopper was the new dildo molded from Black Mamba’s anaconda. Doesn’t matter. You don’t seem to be grasping the concept of proper marketing. You want people to buy the product. The more money the company makes, the more money you make. The more money you make, the more successful you are. It’s simple Starrithmatic….if I could use a little old school Starr-ism. Tossing in names like Scottywood and Jace Parker Davidson? You’ll end up owing them money! That’s just poor business sense. I have that number to Hell’s Piss if you want it…..it’s good money, 4Z.

Simon snaps his fingers and the writers come to collect Darin Zion. They scoop him up in a dolly. Zion’s stuck in shill mode like a bot. He screams out another product placement.

Darin Zion: On the go, travelling around the US? Using unsecured wireless connections! Well, your data could be leaking all over the internet. You need to use a product more secure than Bobbinette’s vagina for protecting your PII. That’s why I use Pentagon VPN….

Zion’s voice fades out before he can finish the plug. Simon Sparrow lightly slaps Darin Zion in the face.

Simon Sparrow: Is this real? You landed the Pentagon gig? That’s a mid-five figure job! I’ve been trying to get into those pockets for a year! Who got you that job? Jeff? Was it Jeff?

Darin Zion stays silent, almost catatonic. The Male Writer waves a hand in front of his face.

Male Writer: I think he’s had a psychotic break.

Female Writer: I think it’s a stress-induced panic attack.

Male Writer: During finals, my college roommate started randomly naming country capitals in alphabet—

Simon Sparrow (to his Writers): I don’t pay you for your opinions! I just pay you to write! Toss water on his face, put ice down his pants, do some fucking thing.

Male Writer: You just said that you pay us to write.

Simon Sparrow: No one likes a wiseass! WABBIT!!! GET OUT OF WHATEVER HOLE YOU’RE IN AND FIND OUT IF ZIGS LANDED THE PENTAGON GIG!!!!

Simon Sparrow exits from the frame as the writers each take one of Zion’s arms and leads him out of frame as the camera zooms in on the HOW logo and the scene cuts to ringside.

Joe Hoffman: Welcome back folks, we’re about to kick off our next match and it’s going to be a good one! Scott Stevens is about to take on Clay Byrd where the winner will be joining JJR and JPD and head to War Games!

Scott Stevens is so excited, he came running out to the ring with no music. He wants to win this match and qualify for War Games and who could blame him?

Guitar and harmonica begin to blare through the arena, the start of “Gunning For You” by Nick Nolan sends a silence across the crowd as Nick Nolan’s lyrics echo through the arena. Red letters slash across the screen as “BYRD” is spelled out. Clay appears through fog on the entrance ramp, cowboy hat low over his eyes, a long black duster on and a rope in his hand. My Gun is loaded it’s getting time Two shots of whiskey i’m takin’ what’s mine Ain’t what you’re sayin it’s what you do Your time has come boy i’m Gunnin for You When hell is rainin down you’ll see my face won’t heara sound You’ll feel that bullet burnin through Take your last breath boy I’m Gunnin for You Clay begins his slow walk down the ramp.

Bryan McVay: The following contest is scheduled for one fall….and the winner goes on to qualify for War Games! On his way down to the ring, from Plainview, Texas, he weighs in at 295 pounds….he is CLAY BYYYRD!

His eyes are fixed on the ring, and he trudges on. Not paying any notice to any of the fans in attendance. There’s desperation deep in your eyes No turnin back now no compromise Cause only one of us walks out that door The other bleedin out on the floor Clay walks up the steps, and climbs into the ring.

Bryan McVay: And his opponent, from Houston, Texas, he weighs in at 256 pounds….SCOOOOOTT STEEEEEEEEEEEEEVENS!

Joe Hoffman: It looks like we’ve got a battle of Texas on our hands folks! This should be a good one!

DING DING DING

Boettcher calls for the bell as Stevens and Byrd meet in the middle of the ring and just stare at the other. A lot on the line for all these matches over the next several weeks and everyone knows it. Scott and Clay lock up evenly as a test of strength ensues. Neither one really gets the advantage at first as this continues for a good minute.

Joe Hoffman: Wow, not many moves have been made, but you can definitely tell that neither Stevens or Byrd wants to relinquish control to the other. They both realize what’s at stake here.

Stevens decides to pull a fast one and delivers some snake eyes to Byrd as Boettcher wasn’t in the right position to see anything. Stevens then plants Byrd with a belly to belly suplex. He heads to the top rope and drops Byrd with a diving elbow drop. Stevens goes for the cover.

ONE

TWO

Joe Hoffman: Byrd kicks out! Stevens pulled a fast one there and I can only imagine what Clay’s thought process would have been if that was it for him!

Stevens begins to strike a few kicks into the solar plex of Byrd before Stevens picks him up and ricochets him towards the ring ropes. Byrd comes back at Stevens and nails a big boot in defense as Stevens is rocked to the mat. Byrd picks Stevens off the ground and has a ricochet of his own before delivering a thunderous spinebuster planting Stevens hard into the mat. Byrd drops down and covers Stevens.

ONE

TWO

Joe Hoffman: Stevens kicks out this time and Byrd almost could feel the victory. This match is just as important to Stevens and making War Games would certainly give him a boost that is not arguably desperate at this point in his career.

Byrd grabs Stevens who is still nurturing his back and thrusts him into the corner turnbuckle. Byrd rushes him and nails a stiff clothesline that drops Stevens back down to the mat again. He’s able to get back to his feet, however, but not for long as Byrd grabs Stevens lifting him up and sending him back down hard again into the canvas with a body slam. Byrd once again goes for the cover.

ONE

TWO

THR-NO!

Joe Hoffman: Scott Stevens definitely is in pain, folks. However, you can’t deny that the man can receive tons of punishment and feel the need to continue!

Stevens defiantly throws shade at Byrd and Clay is not impressed. Clay grapples with Stevens for a brief moment before once again thrusting him into the corner turnbuckle. Byrd charges at him again but Stevens hits him out of nowhere with a super kick. Byrd falls backwards after being rocked with that kick as Stevens drops a few knee drops into the face of Byrd. Stevens goes for the cover.

ONE

TWO

THR-NO!!

Joe Hoffman: Now it’s Stevens who can’t believe it! Both these men want a spot on the War Games team and they both aren’t giving an inch!

Stevens has had enough as he looks to end this match with momentum in his favor. Stevens attempts the Toxic Sting, but Clay wrestles out and pushes Stevens forward. Stevens ricochets off the ropes as Clay comes back from the other ropes and both collide mid body as both are laid out in the center of the ring.

Joe Hoffman: Stevens and Clay are both down!! Who’s going to get to their feet first?!

As it turns out, both men get to their feet at the same time and now are both exchanging lefts and rights. As their punches land against each other, they both pick up the intensity and are now striking each other repeatedly. Stevens goes for another strike before attempting another Toxic Sting but Clay brings his knee straight up into the roughed up back of Stevens. Stevens can’t help but to drop to one knee in pain as Byrd uses this opportunity to bounce off the ropes and blasters Stevens with a hard Texas Lariat flooring Stevens. Byrd drops down and hooks the leg.

ONE

TWO

THREE!

Ding Ding Ding

Bryan McVay: Here is your winner and moving onto War Games…..CLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY BYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYRD!!

Joe Hoffman: And there you have it folks! Clay picks up a nice win but it doesn’t come easy as Stevens made him work for that win!

Clay celebrates as Stevens shakes his head clearly looking disappointed as Refueled cuts away to a commercial break.

Back live and we cut backstage we see Scott Stevens dripping in sweat as he begins to take his wrist tape off and Jack Dawson is there to greet him.

Jack Dawson: Scott, hard fought victory here tonight…….

Stevens stops in front of Jack and holds his head pain.

Scott Stevens: Yes it was. Clay proved to be the wrestler tonight.

Jack Dawson: With this loss your hope of making the War Games cut is over

Stevens nods in disappointment.

Jack Dawson: Where do you go from here?

Scott Stevens: I honestly don’t know Jack. My whole goal is to win one more world championship before I can happily ride off into the sunset for good and with this loss it sets everything back to square one. I mean I can still compete in the under card, but that just doesn’t appeal to me after I’ve been absent from the main War Games match since the Refueled era started.

Jack Dawson: That’s been three of them.

Scott Stevens: Correct, and this makes number four. So competing on an undercard where I can’t compete for the big prize just doesn’t have that same appeal to me anymore. Maybe…….maybe I’ll give Ten-X a shot and see if they can help this old dog learn a few new tricks to get me over the hump. Hell, maybe I’ll give Hollywood a call since they have been blowing up my phone about some stupid monster movie. The one thing I know for sure is though is that nothing is for sure.

Stevens tells Jack before lowering his head and leaving the area as we cut away.

The action cuts back to ringside and to the announcers table.

Joe Hoffman: Well I for one hope Stevens keeps his head up. He has put his heart and soul into High Octane Wrestling and I hope his story does not end here. With that said….it’s time for the HOTv Championship match, folks… a match featuring over six hundred pounds of muscle in one ring, and it’s only a singles match. GenoSyde captured the HOTv Championship at March to Glory, and has since racked up a series of hard-fought defenses. Tonight, he faces what might be his biggest challenge since winning the championship…

“Juicy” by Notorious B.I.G. begins to play over the sound system, and the crowd goes fucking wild as Stronk Godson steps out from behind the curtain. He is rippling. Shiny. His muscles have muscles, as he makes his way down the ramp with traps that look like they were created in a laboratory by an evil but talented scientist.

Joe Hoffman: …Stronk Godson.

The SO FUCKING CLOSE to 300 pound sensation makes his way down the ramp, quietly wishing he’d done a few more rip curls before coming down for this championship match. He climbs up the ring steps, then carefully ducks into the ring.

Joe Hoffman: Stronk is 2 – 1 in HOW competition since arriving, falling short only against former HOTv Champion Jeffrey James Roberts. Tonight, he takes on the man who finally ended the reign of JJR, but this looks like a new Stronk. A determined Stronk.

As Stronk does something that could generously be described as “stretching” in the ring, his music slowly fades away. As it does, the lights dim in the arena, and “Loser” by Beck begins to blast it’s opening notes over the speakers.

With James Cornfield at his flank, the HOTv Champion makes his way out onto the stage, wearing the belt over one shoulder and the PWA World Championship over the other. He stares down at Stronk in the ring, maintaining eye contact all the way down the ramp.

Joe Hoffman: And here he is, folks. GenoSyde has arrived!

The monster hops directly from the floor to the apron, leaving his manager to wander at ringside. GenoSyde steps directly over the top rope, taking his corner and handing the belts off unceremoniously to the referee.

Joe Hoffman: Truly one of the biggest matches in HOW history, at least when it comes to the weigh-ins. This one isn’t going to be a technical classic, folks, but it’s going to be a hard hitting masterpiece for the ages.

Joe Hortega rings the bell, and this one is ready to begin.

DING DING DING

Stronk and GenoSyde stare eachother down, each looking ready for war here tonight. It looks like it’s psychological war to start, though, as Stronk begins posing down across from his opponent, bringing in cheers from the crowd as he shows off his ungodly physique. GenoSyde, who is a big boy but not necessarily a muscle boy, tries to do the same.

The crowd boos.

Stronk flexes on him a second time, and the crowd goes wild. GenoSyde tries to match him.

The crowd boos.

Stronk flexes on him a THIRD TIME, the crowd now at a fever pitch for him, but this time GenoSyde charges in with a right hand and begins punching the absolute fuck out of Stronk Godson, enraged by his superior body and showmanship.

Joe Hoffman: HERE WE GO!

Stronk is backed into his own corner, eating fists like lean protein, but he battles back. He pushes GenoSyde back out to the middle of the ring, and now it’s just two beefy boys slapping meat as they exchange blows to the enjoyment of the fans. GenoSyde throws a kick to the gut, but Stronk catches it and spins him around– he lifts GenoSyde off his feet and with relative ease, dropping him on the back of his head with a very unsafe looking backdrop driver!

GenoSyde lands awkwardly on his head, as you do, but he pops right back up to his feet! Stronk’s eyes go wide in shock, but he immediately charges in with a spear to try to maintain the advantage. But this is a terrible mistake… GenoSyde stays on his feet, instead tucking Godson’s head between his massive thighs and launching into a Canadian Destroyer in the middle of the ring! Stronk is down!

GenoSyde scrambles to try to make a cover, but Stronk isn’t there– Godson hops right back up to his feet now, with both men looking both hyped and shocked by the insane series of events that have just unfolded.

Joe Hoffman: WHAT IS HAPPENING?

Stronk runs back into the ropes and charges for GenoSyde, hitting him with a running shoulder block, but GenoSyde doesn’t go down! The HOTv Champion instead runs backward into the ropes, and follows up with a big boot… but Stronk doesn’t go down either! Both men are seemingly back to square one, looking at each other with a mixture of fury, respect, and fear.

Joe Hoffman: The unstoppable bodybuilder meets the immovable indy wrestler… this is about the damndest thing I’ve seen in a long time!

Stronk spins GenoSyde around again, and drops him with a SECOND backdrop driver! The crowd is on their feet now, but AGAIN GenoSyde gets right back up to his feet… albeit a little slower this time. Now, Stronk is hype, and actually INVITING what is coming next.

STRONK: DO IT. STRONK CAN SMELL YOUR FEAR.

The crowd is fucking into it too, as a “ONE MORE TIME” chant begins in the belly of the arena. Soon, the whole crowd is chanting for it, and Stronk Godson LITERALLY bends over forward, telling GenoSyde to give it his best shot. GenoSyde comes off the ropes, this time throwing his full weight into it, and diving into a Canadian Destroyer that absolutely ROCKS THE FUCKING RING. Both men are down, but GenoSyde makes a cover…

UNO!

KICKOUT!

Joe Hoffman: STRONK KICKS OUT AT ONE! AT UNO! AND BARELY THAT!

GenoSyde sits up, his eyes wide beneath his mask. He can’t believe it. Cornfield can’t believe it. The CROWD can’t believe it, as Stronk Godson effortlessly powers out at one and rolls to his side, climbing up to his feet! Cornfield jumps up onto the apron, trying to distract Stronk, or Hortega, or literally have an impact on the absolute shitshow that is happening in this match, but is basically just ignored. The insanity of this spectacle is bigger than some carny indy promoter, and even he knows it.

GenoSyde climbs back to his feet, and now both men go nose to nose, staring at each other in the center of the ring. This is a war of attrition. A battle that could go on for years, much less all night. Between the two of them, they could liberate Ukraine and be back in time for a light lunch filled with lean protein. Unfortunately, they’re both also fucking huge, and clearly both blown up to the point where neither of them can breathe.

Genosyde throws a punch.

Stronk throws one back.

Genosyde throws a punch.

Stronk throws one back.

GenoSyde throws a punch.

…and Stronk grabs him by the mask!

Joe Hoffman: Whoa whoa whoa what’s he doing?!

The crowd is buzzing, as Stronk Godson grabs hold of GenoSyde’s leather mask, yanking it forward and literally exploding it off of his face at the straps! The crowd gasps as Nelson Jones’ face is revealed to the HOW fans for the first time, and immediately his demeanor changes. The hulking rage machine’s posture recoils, and he quickly steps backward from Godson in fear. GenoSyde is fucking gone, bro.

It’s just Nelson Jones in there now.

With Stronk Fucking Godson.

A forearm bashes across the bridge of GenoSyde’s nose, followed by a terrible, whining howl in pain. The HOTv Champion falls back into the ropes, but the forearms keep coming. Stronk Godson is literally just beating the fuck out of Nelson, bashing the bridge of his nose until his face is a mask of crimson.

Joe Hoffman: Jesus, somebody stop this!

James Cornfield gets onto the apron again, pleading with Stronk to stop beating the hell out of his client, but this is a championship match and James Cornfield is a piece of shit. Stronk ignores him, instead pulling GenoSyde to the middle of the ring and hoisting him up into an Argentine backbreaker position. He drops to the mat in a kneeling position, wrenching Jones with the impact of the drop and watching him fall helplessly to the canvas.

Joe Hoffman: SQUAT RACK BREAKER! THIS COULD BE IT!

Stronk makes a cover, and the world counts along!

UNO!

DOS!

TRES!

DING DING DING

The bell rings, and STRONK GODSON is handed the HOTv Championship as the match comes to an end. The crowd is on their feet, but still in moderate disbelief!

Bryan McVay: Here is your winner, and NEW HOTV CHAMPIONNNN…. STRONK…. GODDDDDDDSONNNNNNN!

James Cornfield grabs Nelson’s broken mask from the ring apron, quickly helping his client shuffle out of the ring. He’s a bleeding mess, and looks absolutely terrified by what has just happened. We’re left with Stronk celebrating in the ring with his new championship as Refueled cuts elsewhere.

We cut to the backstage area where David Noble is leaning against a brick wall inside of the State Farm Arena. His head is dropped, his eyes closed, as he’s focused on his upcoming match against Conor Fuse for the HOW World Championship. As he leans against the wall, dressed for his match, Brian Bare approaches him with microphone in hand.

Brian Bare: Noble, you have a moment to talk about your upcoming match against Conor Fuse?

Noble’s eyes slowly open, and he looks at Brian.

David Noble: What do you want to know?

Brian Bare: This is unarguably the biggest match in your HOW career. How are you feeling at this moment?

David takes a moment before he clears his throat.

David Noble: That’s the million-dollar question people have asked me all week. How am I doing? Am I ready for a match of this magnitude? The reality of the situation, Brian, is I have more butterflies and anxiety than just about any other moment I can remember. This is not just the biggest match in my HOW career; it is the biggest match of my career, period. Never have I competed in a match of this caliber, and there are so many thoughts running through my head at this exact moment. It’s all I can do to calm them in the moments leading up to this match.

Brian Bare: You and Conor have almost had a war of words over the past week, starting with your incendiary promo in the ring at the FedEx Forum last week. What are your thoughts about that?

David Noble: You’re right; there have been quite a bit of words exchanged between us the past week. The only way I can possibly respond is, tell me where I’ve told a lie. The reality is, I didn’t ask for this match. I didn’t politic or campaign for it. Everything that I said about Fuse last week was correct; this match is of his own making. I couldn’t draft myself to a team; he is the only one in the ring tonight that had that power. He chose Arthur Pleasant simply because he had the LSD championship. His plan was to select those with titles first and every one after that. How did that plan work for him? Pleasant has already lost his LSD title. Championships are not forever. I intend to show him that tonight.

Brian Bare: What about—

David grabs the microphone from Brian.

David Noble: Go away. I don’t need you for the rest of what I want to say.

Brian opens his mouth and quickly shuts it when he sees the intensity around Noble’s eyes. He expeditiously exits the scene as Noble turns his attention to the camera.

David Noble: I haven’t spoken an ill word about you, Conor, but that hasn’t stopped you in your interviews this week. Am I pissed that you didn’t pick me? Of course, but that’s your prerogative. Own your decisions, Conor; that’s all I’m asking you to do. Own the fact you didn’t select me and left it at the hands of the Bests to make a match that would make them laugh, tickle them ever so slightly. Because that’s what happened, and anyone with two eyes could see that option would be on the table if they had an opportunity to have preview matches. You picked a person who attacked you before a match we had with him and his partner. You picked a person you can’t trust. I don’t think that’s incorrect to say either. Yet, you’ve decided to be pissed at the facts laid out before you. You valued championships more than chemistry. How has this worked out from time to time for teams like the Los Angeles Lakers or New York Knicks?

That gets a reaction from the Atlanta crowd, remembering their success against the Knicks in the NBA Playoffs the previous season.

David Noble: Yeah, these fans know just because you give a bunch of money to players doesn’t mean you get a win. Just because you select Arthur Pleasant doesn’t mean you’re guaranteed a fucking thing. Just ask the Lakers when they went up against the Pistons just twenty years ago. Do you think pedigree won the Lakers the ring? Nope, it didn’t matter they had four Hall of Famers on their team because the Pistons, who were an actual team, who had chemistry with one another, smoked them. If you’d chosen a team full of people you could trust, people with chemistry, you would have a leg up on every other team.

Noble leans back into the wall.

David Noble: Instead, you went predictable. It didn’t strike you as odd that everyone else ahead of you didn’t pick the #2 champion in HOW? Because now you’re stuck with a guy you can’t trust while the LSD Championship is wrapped around the waist of Harrison. So instead of owning your choice, you decide to rail against me for your short-sightedness. You pin the blame entirely on me for losing our final tag match in the Maurako Cup. That’s funny because when I tried to do that, to your face, you swatted that back. Glad to know how disingenuous you were then. You lie to my face, yet I’m the bad guy for calling out the facts. I’m the bad guy because I didn’t sign my contract even though I specifically told you I would be there to have your back the moment you asked it.

Noble motions for the camera to get closer.

David Noble: I didn’t need a title shot to sign the contract. That contract was exactly what I wanted; I got everything I asked for. I didn’t sign the contract because of a title shot; I signed it because I knew it was time to go to war. The only problem, Conor, is that my war is no longer with the people it should be. Clay Byrd. Mike Best. My war now is with you. You missed basically the entirety of what I said last Sunday. Because I spent the time railing against the Bests against Clay Byrd, but all your egotistical fucking ears heard was me calling you out for your fuck up. Not how Byrd and the Highwaymen fucked you over, how the Board fucked you over, and they would all be getting what was due to them in short order.

Noble shakes his head.

David Noble: It’s really disappointing to see this version of you, Conor. Because at no point can you take ownership for your decisions and the fucked up situation we find each other in now. I have to go out there and fight someone I respect, someone I would go to war with, and have to compete for his World Championship. Because I have no desire to do it under these circumstances. I’m doing it because I don’t have any other choice. A moment like this should be the happiest moment of my life because I get to show off my skills with someone I care about and have the most significant moment of my life, but instead, I can’t enjoy it. Because you’re a selfish fucking asshole.

Noble inches closer to the camera.

David Noble: Here’s a nerdy moment for you. That title that is strapped around your waist, good ol’ 97. You’re just like Frodo in Lord of the Rings. You’ve worn that title for far too long, and it has corrupted you. To the point where you’re going for the easy way instead of the right way. To the point where you can’t own your decisions and mistakes. Maybe I’ll be doing us all a favor by taking it off you tonight. Then I can throw that shit into the middle of the ring during War Games and let those hyenas fight over it. Because of that title? Your obsession with being the top guy in HOW? It’s making you into a person none of us can even recognize.

Noble clears his throat once again.

David Noble: So please, show me my place around here. Cave my fucking skull in. Mangle my jaw! Beat the ever-loving shit out of me and leave me in a bloodied pile in the fucking corner. You delusional piece of shit, saying I obliterated your name! DO IT! I FUCKING DEMAND YOU DO IT!

Fury comes over Noble’s face.

David Noble: Because the alternative, Conor, is I’m going to show you exactly where I belong in HOW. The worst fucking thing you could have done is light a fire under me, unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before. Because you have no choice now. You will have to leave me dead and forgotten if you want to walk out of there with the title. Because anything less, and I will put you down and show the world exactly where my place is; at the top of HOW.

A smile then appears.

David Noble: Once again, you won’t have anyone to blame but yourself. So, thank you. Isn’t that what you wanted all along?

Noble then walks past the camera towards the ring as we cut to our last commercial break of the evening.

Back from commercial, Blaire Moise is standing backstage.

Blaire Moise: Joining us via satellite from Enid, Oklahoma is one half of the HOW Tag Team champions, Adam Ellis.

We go split screen with Blaire on one side and Adam Ellis on the other.  He is in the parking lot at the Chisholm Trail Coliseum tonight.

Adam Ellis: Good evening Blaire.  Thank you for the time.

Blaire Moise: Adam, next week you and John Sektor will be defending the tag title for the first time against the Devil’s Advocates- Jeffrey James Roberts and Arthur Pleasant.  What are your thoughts going into the match?

Adam Ellis: Good question Blaire.  Yes.  Next Sunday night is going to be a huge test we’re going up against a great tag team in the Devil’s Advocates.  We all know JJR was a dominant HOTv champion.  We all saw Arthur Pleasant defeat John at March to Glory to win the LSD title.  We know both of these guys are dangerous… we know they’re good… and we know they’re going to be tough opponents.

Blaire Moise: You said that Roberts and Pleasant are dangerous.  Does that concern you, stepping into the ring with them?

Adam Ellis: No.  I’ve long since learned that you can’t go into a match with that type of mindset.  Roberts doesn’t get rattled in the ring and he’s ruthless and efficient.  Pleasant will do things to try to get into your head and throw you off. We all know that.  I have to step into the ring with the mindset that I am going to win the match… that John and I are going to overcome whatever challenge that Roberts and Pleasant throw at us and win the match.  John has to be able to trust that I will do everything in my power to hold onto this title belt… I have to be able to trust that John will do the same.

Blaire Moise: Well… speaking of John Sektor.   Have you two pretty much mended fences and put whole Victoria McGill affair in the past the?

Adam Ellis: Yeah, Blaire.  We’re good. We had to work through it and that’s what he did.  John and I… we’re good.

Blaire Moise: And Victoria?  I know you had a conversation with her the day after March to Glory.

Adam Ellis: Absolutely yes.  Tori texted me after the win and we met after March to Glory and talked it out.  We’re fine.  Look, Tori’s focused on her thing… on her career. She has a chance to become the MVW Women’s champion and that’s important to her.  I’m focused on my career and especially holding on to the tag team title because that’s important to me.

Blaire Moise: So you and John are on the same page?

Adam Ellis: John and I would not have been able to defeat Conor Fuse and David Noble at March to Glory if we couldn’t move past that and get back on the same page.  We both know it’s going to be a battle when we take on JJR and Pleasant and we know it’s not going to be easy to defeat them.  But I have to trust John Sektor and he has to trust Adam Ellis that we’ll do everything we can do to make sure we leave the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida next Sunday, the HOW Tag Team Champions.

Blaire Moise: All right Adam.  Thank you for your time and have a good night.

Adam Ellis: You too Blaire.  We’ll see you next week.

End split screen.

Blaire Moise: Back to you Joe.

Joe Hoffman: Thanks Blaire.  Okay, we are back and it is time for tonight’s main event and it’s going to be a good one.  The last time Conor Fuse and David Noble shared a ring was back at March to Glory…

(REPLAY: Conor Fuse and David Noble vs. John Sektor and Adam Ellis-HOW Tag Team Title)
Noble motions for Fuse to go up top and the champion is hesitant but starts to climb up.

Joe Hoffman: Noble and Fuse could be looking to end it here……..what the?!?!?!?!?

Before Noble can tag Conor, David gets rocked unexpectedly by a Superman Punch from Adam Ellis.

Joe Hoffman: THE GOODNIGHT KISS AS DAVID NOBLE STUNNED!

Noble staggers off of the ropes and as a consequence crotches Conor Fuse who falls over and gets his leg wrap inside the top and middle ropes. As Noble stumbles back, Adam grabs him by the arm and wraps it around his neck and takes him down with a neckbreaker. Sektor is clutching his ribs in a seated position against the ropes watching what has transpired.

…

Sektor slowly rises to his feet and executes a move we haven’t seen in over fifteen years.

Joe Hoffman: SEKSATIONAL! HOLY SHIT!

The shooting star press is executed perfected and Sektor hooks a leg as he looks directly at Conor Fuse as Boettcher slides into position.

One.

Two.

Three.

DING. DING. DING.

Joe Hoffman: Noble and Fuse came up just short in their bid to become tag team champions.  Now, these two men will occupy opposing corners when they battle it out tonight for the HOW World Championship.  Let’s go to ring announcer Bryan McVay for the introductions.

McVay stands in the center of the ring and he’s ready to go.

Bryan McVay: Ladies and gentlemen!  Our main event tonight will be ONE fall and it is for the HOW WORLD TITLE!

The lights suddenly go out.

All of a sudden there is a palatable buzz in the air that is replaced by the sounds of large drums, segueing into ‘Fighter’ by Jung Youth and Sam Tinnesz.

Brick and Mortar
Blood and Water
Goin Harder
Firestarter

From the back emerges David Noble, dressed in blue jeans, wrestling boots, and a white t-shirt. He looks out at the fans, their cheers raining down upon him.

Bryan McVay: Introducing first… the challenger.  Weighing in tonight at 265 pounds from Buffalo, New York.   DAAAAAA-VID… NOOOOOO-BLE!

RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!

In his left hand is a black folio that contains the HOW contract he just signed a few days ago.

I been floating like a butterfly
That’s word up to Muhammad
Time for blowing up atomic
That’s how you know I’m a fighter
I push through the pain
Rise from the flames

Noble makes his way down the ramp, his eyes focused as fans around him continue to cheer him on.  He slides under the bottom rope and makes his way to the corner, slapping the black folio on the top turnbuckle.

Joe Hoffman: David Noble said earlier this week the title is everything to him.  He wants to win, he wants to win the title and prove that he’s earned his spot and deserves to be considered in the upper echelon in HOW.

The music dies down as David Noble stands in the center of the ring.

Bryan McVay: And his opponent…

Lights out.

LCD screen on.

LOVABLE

ADORABLE

COMMENDABLE

HONORABLE

LEADER

A brief pause in-between words flying across the screen.

WORLD CHAMPION.

To start, the crowd gives somewhat of a mixed reaction but overall cheers “The Vintage” Conor Fuse as he rises up from underneath the rampway, the theme to “Bloody Tears” the Epic Version from Castlevania playing in the background.

Bryan McVay: Weighing in at 210 pounds from Toronto, Canada… he is the reigning HIGH OCTANE WRESTLING WORLD CHAMPION…

Conor sports a black and 97red style trench coat in the design of Resident Evil, representing The Umbrella Corporation as there are tiny umbrellas all over it. Fuse wears the World Title around his waist, visible because his jacket is open.

Bryan McVay: The VINTAGE… CONNNNNNNN-NOR… FUUUUUUSE!

Conor marches down the path, paying no attention to anyone other than David Noble inside the center of the ring.

Joe Hoffman: Following Conor Fuse’s win over Jeffrey James Roberts at the one-night world title tournament at ICONIC, he’s successfully defended the title twice against Scott Stevens and then two weeks ago against Clay Byrd in circumstances that some would term as… controversial.

Fuse leaps onto the apron, dropping his coat in the process and revealing fire red tights, also with miniature umbrellas around his right leg. Conor slingshots over the top rope and lands perfectly in the center of the ring as red pyro goes off behind him. He hands the belt to the referee and immediately stares down his former teammate.

Conor Fuse: I DIDN’T WANT THIS TO HAPPEN.

David Noble cracks his knuckles.

Joe Hoffman: Tonight, he faces David Noble.  A 15-year ring veteran who’s won gold at Defiance Wrestling and has had HOTv and tag team title opportunities here in HOW. David Noble has certainly earned the respect of HOW fans and he’s certainly earned a title shot tonight.

Referee Matt Boettcher does the usual pre-match check of both contestants.

Joe Hoffman: But Conor Fuse wants to be the FIRST person since 2009 to enter and leave War Games as World Champion and promised to do whatever it took to do that, even if it means breaking the man he tagged with at March to Glory David Noble in half.

Following the check, Boettcher sends both men back to their respective corners and calls for the bell.

*DING-DING*

Joe Hoffman: All right, here we go for the HOW World Title.

The bell rings and the fans fire up.  Fuse and Noble walk out and stare each down. Some fans chant for Conor Fuse.  Other fans for David Noble.

Joe Hoffman: These two men are fan favorites and the fans are making their voices heard tonight.

Then they begin to duel back and forth.

“DAVID NOBLE!” 

“CONOR FUSE!”  

Fuse and Noble go forehead to forehead.

Joe Hoffman: Past alliances are no more.  Tonight, it’s all about the HOW World title.

Noble finally shoves Fuse back.  Fuse responds with a flurry of kicks and a chop.  Noble responds with a chop of his own.  Fuse with a forearm strike.  Noble forearms Fuse right back.  Fuse doubles up on the forearms.  Noble responds by shoving Fuse backward.  Fuse pushes back and unloads a right hand-  Noble dodges the haymaker and grabs a waistlock… GERMAN SUPLEX!  Noble stalks Fuse and pulls him up… NORTHERN LIGHTS SUPLEX!

Joe Hoffman: David Noble hits a couple of big suplexes and he goes right for the win!

Noble hooks the leg…

ONE…

TW- Fuse kicks out.

Joe Hoffman: Probably too soon but Noble is showing he means business tonight.

Noble goes to lock up- Fuse evades and whips his body around with his foot aiming towards Noble’s jaw.

Joe Hoffman: SPINNING HEEL KICK BY FUSE.

Noble’s knocked off balance.  Basement dropkick by Fuse sends the challenger to the ropes… Fuse waits for him to return… DDT!   Noble down.  Fuse rolls him up…

ONE…

TWO- Noble kicks out.

Joe Hoffman: Noble kicks out.  Fuse responds back in kind to Noble’s early offense.

Fuse whips Noble to the ropes- SPINNING SLING BLADE.  Noble pops right up… SLING BLADE!   Noble gets back to his feet again.  SLING BLADE #3.  Fuse rolls him up.

ONE…

TWO- Noble kicks out again.

Fuse right back to his feet and waits.  Noble up.  *BANG*  Roundhouse kick by Fuse sends Noble staggering to the ropes.  Fuse reels Noble in for a fireman’s carry – Noble slips out the back.  Fuse off the ropes… SPRINGBOARD DROPKICK.  Fuse scrambles over for the cover…

ONE…

TWO… NO!  Noble kicks out.

Joe Hoffman: Fuse is stringing together some big time moves but he looks a little frustrated here.

Fuse is more than a little irritated but he turns his head towards the fans as they rally up again with dueling chants.

“CONOR FUSE!” 

“DAVID NOBLE!”  

Noble takes advantage of the distraction and kicks out Fuse’s leg.  He takes Fuse by the arm and whips him to the ropes- Noble dropkicks Fuse and sends him through the ropes.

Joe Hoffman: Smart move by David Noble to slow down the momentum Conor Fuse had been building up.

Fuse grabs the top rope with both hands to keep him from falling out.  A second right hand by Noble nearly sends Fuse to the floor but the Vintage holds on to the top rope.   A third right hand by Noble to the hung-up Fuse tips him back… Conor’s hands lose grip and down to the floor he goes.

Joe Hoffman: Noble kept pounding away at Fuse and finally the champion takes a rough fall onto the apron and then down to the floor.

Noble runs the ropes and takes off across the ring.

Joe Hoffman: What is Noble doing here?

He leaps through the ropes and drives the champion into the steel barricade.

Joe Hoffman: TOPE SUICIDA BY DAVID NOBLE AND CONOR FUSE HITS THE COLD STEEL HARD.

Noble gets up and fetches Fuse from the floor and slams him a second time into the barricade.

Watching from the edge of the ring, Matt Boettcher starts a ten count on both men.

Noble walks Conor back towards the ring and whips him head first into the ring post.

Joe Hoffman: Noble in control now and Fuse has been busted open.

The camera zeroes in on a slight cut under Fuse’s eye that Noble has opened up.  Noble then drags Fuse back up and rolls him back into the ring.  Noble then goes up top.

Joe Hoffman: We have not seen David Noble do a lot of high impact, high risk moves so far in his HOW run but tonight he’s opening up his full repertoire.  He’s going for the title!

Noble flies… SHOOTING STAR PRESS!  Fuse’s legs kick up at impact and Noble rolls up the champion.

ONE…

TWO…

TH-

Joe Hoffman: NO!  FUSE KICKED OUT!

Noble tags Fuse with a spinning elbow and sends him tumbling backwards into the corner.  The challenger lays in the boots… one… two… three… four… five… six… Fuse hooks the middle with his arm… seven… eight… Boettcher steps in and calls for a break.  Noble stops himself from the ninth stomp and takes a couple steps back.

Joe Hoffman: Alert move on Conor Fuse’s part. David Noble stepped back immediately when Matt Boettcher called for the break.

Fuse takes as much time as he can before he finally pulls himself up.

Lock up- Noble takes him down and rolls Fuse up.

ONE…

TWO… NO!

Joe Hoffman: Conor Fuse in trouble here but still able to get a shoulder up.

Noble stomps at the leg and then drags Fuse to his feet.  Noble clubs him with a right hand and drives Fuse back to the corner.  Noble whips him corner to corner- Fuse stumbles halfway there and falls short of the corner.  Noble swoops in and stomps away on him again.  Fuse searches for and crawls to the bottom rope.   He grabs it and Matt Boettcher starts a five count.  But instead of pressing the attack, Noble raises his hands and backs off again.

Joe Hoffman: Again, David Noble attempts to inflict as much damage as he can before breaking off before the referee hits five.

Fuse rests in the corner and tries to gather himself.  Noble hops up and down across the ring and waits.

Joe Hoffman: Conor Fuse is taking as much time as he can to recoup…

!RANK

!RANK

!RANK

Joe Hoffman: …and the crowd is helping him to power up.

Boettcher motions to Fuse to get up.  Fuse shoots him a quick glare and pulls himself up with the assistance of the ropes.

Noble puts Fuse up top now.  Fuse fires off right hands and fights his way off the top.  Fuse turns things around and puts Noble up top.  Leg scissors by Fuse… he straightens and pulls Noble off the top rope.

Joe Hoffman: HURRICANRANA OFF THE TOP ROPE!

Noble lands hard on his back.  Fuse back to the top… he sets… he flies… he twists… and he lands right on Noble’s chest.

Joe Hoffman: PHOENIX SPLASH!

Conor hooks the leg.

ONE…

TWO…

T- NOOOO!

Joe Hoffman: SHOULDER UP!  DAVID NOBLE JUST GOT HIS SHOULDER UP!

Rejuvenated, Fuse pulls Noble up and fireman’s carries.  Noble elbows over and over and over.  Fuse releases him.  Noble turns around and rains down right hands on Fuse. Noble traps an arm, and has the other. Fuse fights back up.  Fireman’s carry takeover.  *BANG* Fuse drops Noble head first into the top turnbuckle.  Noble staggers back… then forward… Fuse up to the top… scissors the body… turns… and drops head first on the other side trapping Noble’s arms and legs.

Joe Hoffman: TARANTULA HOLD!

The crowd rises from their seats.  Noble endures and tries to fight out.

ONE!

Matt Boettcher starts the five count since both men are in the ropes.

TWO!

Fuse does NOT relent and puts as much pressure as he can on Noble.

THREE!

Noble tries to get loose.

FOUR!

Finally Fuse releases the hold and flips over onto the apron.  Noble falls to the mat.  Fuse under the ropes and traps Noble’s arm and pulls back.

Joe Hoffman: Fuse has the Anaconda Vice on Noble!

Noble reaches out with his free hand and reaches out… and GRABS the bottom rope.  Boettcher immediately calls for a break…

Joe Hoffman: Again, Matt Boettcher calls for a break… but Conor Fuse is not letting up on the hold!

…but Fuse again does not release the submission hold.   Boettcher starts another count.

ONE!

Fuse cinches it in tighter.  The crowd is starting to murmur at what Fuse is doing.

TWO!

No sign of Fuse letting up.

THREE!

Noble continues to firmly grasp the bottom rope.

FOUR!

Fuse waits as long as he can before finally letting Noble go and rolling away from him.

Joe Hoffman: Conor Fuse milked it for as long as he could again.  This time, Matt Boettcher is having a few words with him.

Boettcher gets into the Vintage’s face and letting him know he expects him to break when calls for a break.

Joe Hoffman: Fuse has turned this match around and now it’s Noble who could be in trouble now.

Noble gets up in the corner.  Fuse wades in and throws a haymaker.  Noble fires back with a chop.  Fuse returns with a forearm. Noble shakes that off and chops Fuse right back.  Spinning heel kick by Fuse.  Noble ducks under and they brawl into the corner.  Fuse gets the edge.  UPPERCUT BY NOBLE!  Fuse takes two steps back.  Noble reels Fuse in and tucks the arms- Fuse fights it. The champion puts a foot through the ropes and Boettcher calls for a break.  But this time, Noble does NOT immediately give way.

Joe Hoffman: Noble’s turning the tables on Fuse here.

Boettcher starts the five count.

ONE!

TWO!

Fuse complains to Boettcher.

THREE!

FOUR!

Noble releases and steps back with his arms up.  Fuse lurches forward and boots Noble in the gut.

Joe Hoffman: Conor Fuse caught Noble on the break.

Noble gets reeled in.  Waistlock by Fuse… Northern Lights Suplex… no Noble fights it and slips out.  Noble swings and misses.  *SMACK*

Joe Hoffman: And then Fuse catches him flush with a roundhouse kick!

Noble’s stunned and just stands in place.  Fuse springboards… and takes flight.

Joe Hoffman: SPRINGBOARD MOONSAULT BY FUSE.

He hooks the legs.  Boettcher slides in.

ONE…

TWO…

Joe Hoffman: But Noble kicks out.

The fans rally up as Noble falls back into the corner. Fuse runs in… SHINING WIZARD.  Noble steps forward… SHORT ARM LARIAT!  COVER!

ONE…

TWO…

TH- NOOOOO!

Joe Hoffman: NO!  DAVID NOBLE GRABBED THE BOTTOM ROPE!  NOBLE GRABBED THE BOTTOM ROPE!

Fuse gets to a kneeling position on the mat with his hands on his knees. He shakes his head.

Joe Hoffman: AND CONOR FUSE CAN’T BELIEVE IT!

Noble reaches to the middle rope and tries to pull himself up.

Joe Hoffman: *I* CAN’T BELIEVE IT!

Fuse does not press.  He takes a few steps back and waits.

Joe Hoffman: David Noble tries to get back to a vertical position while Conor Fuse waits… poised… plotting his next move.

Noble back on his feet.  He turns.  Fuse moves in and leaps into the air.

Joe Hoffman: STANDING DOUBLE FOOT STOMP…

At the last second, Noble throws himself to the side.

Joe Hoffman: …misses.

Fuse lands awkwardly on his feet.  Noble back up.  He charges in and launches himself head down…

Joe Hoffman: SPEAR BY NOBLE!

The challenger drives Fuse back first into the corner turnbuckle.

Joe Hoffman: Last ditch desperation move by David Noble has Conor Fuse sitting in the corner.  But Noble’s not following up.

It took everything David Noble had left in the tank to pull off that move.  He’s on all fours.  Fuse is seated in the corner and trying to gather himself.

Joe Hoffman: Who can get up first?

Noble wills himself back to his feet.

Joe Hoffman: Who can find the way to victory?

Fuse uses the ropes to lift himself off the mat.

Joe Hoffman: Who will leave this ring as the HOW World Champion?

Noble and Fuse lock up.  Fuse gets a wrist. Noble tries to fight out- Fuse kicks him into a fireman’s carry.  Noble slips out the back.  Spinning elbow by Noble- Fuse ducks under.  Fuse unleashes a roundhouse kick.  Noble ducks.

*SMACK*

Referee Matt Boettcher does not.

Joe Hoffman: Conor Fuse just took out Matt Boettcher with a roundhouse kick!

Noble turns and bends over to check on Boettcher.

Behind Noble, Fuse looks on.

Joe Hoffman: Boettcher down.  He may be out.  Now what’s going to happen?

Then Conor’s facial expression changes.  He runs forward.

Joe Hoffman: Wait a minute.  What’s Fuse doing?

Fuse pulls Noble up and spins him around.

*PUNT*

Joe Hoffman: CONOR FUSE JUST KICKED DAVID NOBLE IN THE BALLS!

Noble bends over and drops to a knee.

Joe Hoffman:  Conor Fuse accidently hit referee Matt Boettcher with a spinning kick.  David Noble turned away from Fuse to check on him.  And Fuse took advantage of the situation and kicked Noble in the groin!

The fans are shocked at first.  Then as they fully realize what’s just happened, they begin to react.

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Fuse blocks out the crowd and…

*SLAP*

Conor Fuse: WEAPON GET!

Joe Hoffman: Now what is he doing?

Conor runs the ropes and comes in hot…

*SMACK*

Joe Hoffman: DAVID NOBLE’S RISE UP FINISHER!

…and connects with the jumping knee strike.  Noble falls to his back on the mat.

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Joe Hoffman: And now the fans are really giving it to Conor Fuse.  They can’t believe what he’s just done.

Conor starts to make a cover… but realizes Boettcher still isn’t with it.

Joe Hoffman: Conor can’t get the pinfall win without Matt Boettcher.

He goes over and slaps Boettcher in the face a few times to wake him up.

Joe Hoffman: Boettcher’s eyes are open and he gets back to his knees.  David Noble starts to stir but he’s still out of it.

Fuse to the apron.  Springboard off the top rope…

Joe Hoffman: 450 SPLASH! FUSE FOR THE WIN.

ONE…

Boettcher’s count is a little slow as he’s still clearing the cobwebs from his head.

TWO…

THREE!

*DING-DING-DING*

Joe Hoffman: OH!  CONOR FUSE RETAINS BUT… WOW!

Bryan McVay makes it all official.

Bryan McVay: Your winner at twenty-three minutes and seven seconds and… STILL THE HIGH OCTANE WRESTLING WORLD CHAMPION!  CONNNNNN-NOR!   FUUUUUUUSE!

Boettcher… still unsteady… manages to raise Conor’s arm in victory and hand him back the HOW World title belt.

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Joe Hoffman: For the second consecutive title defense, Conor Fuse retains the title but in controversial circumstances.

Fuse raises the title belt as the LCD screen comes back on.

LOVABLE

ADORABLE

COMMENDABLE

HONORABLE

LEADER

A brief pause in-between words flying across the screen.

WORLD CHAMPION.

“Bloody Tears” the Epic Version from Castlevania fires up again.  Fuse goes to each turnbuckle and holds up the title belt.

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Joe Hoffman: The crowd gave Conor Fuse a mixed reaction of sorts earlier on but they do not like the way he won this match tonight.  Wait a minute…

As Conor continues to celebrate inside the ring, a spotlight suddenly illuminates the stage and…

Joe Hoffman: …what’s this?

…Conor does a double take when he sees Margo, Walter, Adley, Eva, Richard and the rest of the Elder Scrolls appear on stage.

Joe Hoffman: Hold on.  I’m just getting word that The Elder Scrolls chartered a bus from the Dearness Living Community to come down to the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia and meet up with the Elder Scrolls of Atlanta for this show.

Conor stares at The Elder Scrolls.  A close up shows that it’s clear the group is not pleased at all with this turn of events.

There’s the folded arms and shaking of heads.  The disgusted glares.  A couple thumbs down.  A couple old fists shaking.  And flatulence… which probably is more of a natural function than a reaction to the match.

One by one, they turn away from Conor…

…and they slowly shuffle…

…walk with the aid of a walker…

…or are wheeled out via wheelchair off stage to the back.

Joe Hoffman: All right.  That’s going to do it for tonight.  JJR, JPD and now we know Conor Fuse moves on to War Games as Fuse successfully just retained the HOW World Title.  Next week, John Sektor and Adam Ellis will put their HOW Tag Team title on the line for the first time against the Devil’s Advocates and we will have four more War Games qualifying matches.  We’ll see you next week at the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida.

Cut to black.

**CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO THE ANNUAL DONATION DRIVE**