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Light circle the arena as Rock this Town kicks on the speakers. Aaron enters during the opening music , almost dancing, waving to the fans. He starts walking down the ramp as the vocals begin.
Sammy Eubanks: The following contest is a triple-threat match scheduled for one fall. Introducing first...from Tucson, Arizona...weighing in at 210 lbs...AARON KEEEEEENING!!!
<i>Well my baby and me went out late Saturday night
I had my hair piled high and my baby just looks so right
Well, pick you up at ten got to have you home by two,
Mama don't know what I've got in store for you
Well that's alright 'cause we're looking as cool as can be </i>
Aaron slides into the ring.
Tex: Well this is a big match for this young star. Will he have what it takes?
Cain: I guess we're about to find out.
<i>Well we found a little place that really didn't look half bad
I'll have a whiskey on the rocks and change of a dollar for the jukebox
Well, I put a quarter right into that can, but all it played was disco man
C'mon pretty baby, let's get outta here right away. </i>
He stands up on the ring posts, arms held high smile on his face and pointing to various fans in the arena.
<i>We're gonna rock this town, rock it inside out
We're gonna rock this town, make 'm scream and shout
Let's rock, rock, rock man rock, rock
We're gonna rock till we pop, We're gonna roll till we drop
We're gonna rock this town, rock it inside out </i>
He mounts the opposite turnbuckle and repeats the previous action before jumping down and getting set for the match.
Subway Jack is next to enter. Generic music plays and he walks out to no fanfare whatsoever. The fans give him a fairly muted, mixed reaction.
Sammy: And his opponents...first, weighing in at 180 lbs...SUUUUBWAAAAY JAAAACK!!!
An absolutely demonic sounding organ begins to play, as all lights in the arena are dimmed. Only one, dark, absolutely crimson spotlight remains on the stage. Inferno's form rises from beneath the stage, and then he lifts his arms in the air, causing four pillars of fire to rise around him, and the music breaks into it's main riff, as Inferno heads to the ring. No matter how much the crowd boos him, he remains in a trance with his mind seemingly elsewhere, seemingly...disconnected from it all.......
Sammy: And...weighing in at 290 lbs...he is the TCW TRANSCONTINENTAL CHAMPION....IIIIIINFEEEEEEEEEEERNOOOOOOOOOO!!!
Tex: Inferno is no stranger to triple-threat matches after his performance at the Majestic Cup.
Banter: Yeah, except that there's no second prizes this time.
Inferno enters the ring, and immediately charges Subway Jack. He hammers at him with rights and lefts, driving him to the ropes before clotheslining him right over. Jack lands unsteadily and staggers back against the announce table as the bell rings.
Cain: Inferno and Subway Jack have a little bit of history. You can see where Inferno's mask has been repaired - that's from an unsanctioned match with Jack a few weeks ago.
Inferno presses his attack on Jack, laying in brutal forearms as the much smaller man reels against the table. He tries to fight back, but his attacks have almost no effect on the masked monster. In the ring, Aaron Keening looks on, an expression of confusion on his face. The referee has started to count the other two men out.
Banter: Hey, Keening might win this just by staying put!
Tex: If I know that young man like I think I do, he won't be interested in doing that.
Tex is apparently right, as Keening climbs through the ropes and onto the apron. He jumps off, hitting Inferno with a double-axehandle. The giant is staggered, and Keening kicks him in the back of the knee, before turning him around and attempting to whip him into the apron. He doesn't get far, however, as Inferno reverses and sends him into the apron instead. In the ring, the referee has already reached the count of seven.
Cain: This match is going to be over pretty swiftly...
Inferno advances on Keening, but Jack is now up and jumps on his back, wrapping his arms around Inferno's neck. Keening takes advantage of the situation and rolls into the ring and out again, breaking the count. Inferno is spinning around, clawing at his neck to try and shift Jack and eventually he backs into the ring post at full speed, sandwiching his unfortunate opponent between the unforgiving steel and his massive body.
Tex: Ouch!
Banter: I think Inferno knocked him out!
Subway Jack sinks to the floor, and does indeed look to be unconscious. Keening tries to attack Inferno again, coming at him with a forearm, but Inferno simply round on him and floors him with a big boot. The monster lifts Keening and roughly heaves him into the ring, before climbing in after him and immediately going for a cover...
One...
Two...
No! Keening kicks out!
The referee seems to be ignoring the unconscious man at ringside as Inferno continues his assault on Keening. He lifts him into a high angle backbreaker and then whips him into the corner. Inferno charges, but Keening manages to get his foot up and sends the TC Champion staggering back, holding his mask.
Tex: Keening may have bought himself a little breathing room there.
Cain: And he's going to need it - Inferno is one hell of a formidable competitor, as we've seen already.
Keening lifts himself onto the second rope and, as Inferno turns around, comes off with a diving clothesline. Inferno is knocked off his feet, and Keening goes right for his legs, tying his massive limbs up in a Texas cloverleaf.
Tex: It looks like Keening is trying to bring Inferno off his vertical base.
Banter: Yeah, but the best laid plans of mice and men and all that...
Cain: I think it's a sound strategy, but we know how tough Inferno is.
Keening cinches in the hold, but Inferno reaches out for the ropes and his massive reach allows him to secure a grip on the bottom one. The referee calls for the break and Keening lets him out, but executes a low drop kick on Inferno's ankle for good measure.
The big man pulls himself upright, but Keening strikes again, laying in another low dropkick to the leg, causing Inferno to stumble. Keening whips Inferno across the ring and then floors his opponent with a drop toehold. Inferno lands face-first on the canvas, and Keening grabs his ankle.
Cain: This could be over already! Keening is going for his signature hold, The Fermata!
Banter: The what?
Keening yanks Inferno's ankle up and tries to wrap his leg around his calf, but Inferno turns over and manages to flip Keening away across the ring. The big man stands up, a little shakily, and makes his way over to Keening. He grabs a handful of hair and tries to pull Keening up, but the young star yanks him down into a small package...
One...
Two...
Th...kickout!
Tex: I thought he had him there. What an upset that would be!
Cain: It'd be a huge coup for Keening to get a victory over the Transcontinental Champion at this stage in his career.
Keening is up and seems to be looking for The Fermata again, but Inferno nails him with a throat thrust, and he staggers back against the ropes. Inferno climbs to his feet and, as Keening charges, hammers him with a huge right hand. Keening lands hard on the mat, but Inferno drags him right back up and spins him around into a waistlock before hitting a release German suplex that shakes the ring.
Keening is reeling now, and seems unable to stand. Inferno stomps him down and the hurls him bodily into the corner. He chokes him, and the referee gets involved, but Inferno shoves him away.
Banter: Yeah, you show him, Inferno!
Tex: The TC Champion wants to watch out he doesn't get disqualified...
Keening kicks Inferno in the gut a couple of times, finally managing to free himself, and tries a dropkick, only for Inferno to slap him down. Inferno lifts Keening up and grabs him by the throat. He lifts him up and drives him down into the mat with a chokeslam.
Cain: I think we're seeing the closing stages of this match now...
Inferno lifts Keening again, but the smaller man counters, lashing out with a foot and sending Inferno stumbling away. He hits a third low dropkick, and Inferno bounces against the ropes. As he comes back, Keening brings him down with a drop toehold and goes right for the ankle lock.
Tex: Look at this! Keening has turned the tables in the blink of an eye!
Keening snaps on the ankle lock and then wraps his leg around Inferno's before falling to the mat. Inferno's back arches in agony as he struggles for the ropes, but he's too far away. Keening's face is contorted in monumental effort as he pulls deeper on The Fermata, but suddenly he releases, as a brow shape descends on him with an elbow drop.
Tex: What the hell?
Cain: It's Subway Jack! What's he doing?!
Jack has broken up The Fermata and now he pounds on Keening. The rookie is too stunned to defend himself as the wild assault continues, and Subway Jack fights him into the corner. Inferno is on him from nowhere though, and hauls Jack into the middle of the ring by the back of his pants and then spins him around into a butterfly hold.
Tex: Oh no! The Divine Comedy!
Inferno hits the underhook piledriver, folding Jack up like an accordion. He pins...
One...
Two...
Keening comes to his senses and tries to dive across the ring to break it up...
Three!!!
But he's too late, and slumps to the mat.
Cain: Inferno wins! But Keening was so close.
Tex: What was Subway Jack up to? Are he and Inferno in cahoots or something?
Banter: It doesn't look like it...
Inferno lifts Subway Jack up into a body press and throws him over the top rope to land in a heap on the floor. The referee hands the monster his belt, and Inferno snatches it from him before swinging himself from the ring and walking back up the ramp as his music plays.
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Dante walks out through the flames that engulf the stage, but he's alone, and doesn't look himself.
Cain: Is Dante okay?
Banter: I dunno, he looks a little bit pale. Oh wait...he's always that way...
Tex: Very funny, Banter.
Banter: Thanks! I've been waiting to do that line for months now.
Sammy Eubanks: The following contest is scheduled for one fall...introducing first, from the City of Dis in the Sixth Circle of Hell...weighing in at 242 lbs...JAAAAASOOOOON DAAAAAAAAAANTEEEEEEE!!!!
Dante walks down the ramp and removed his shades and jacket, but he ignored the reactions of his thousands of fans and rolls into the ring, looking all the time as if he might be about to throw up any second. With a grimace, he hands over his possessions to the referee and slumps in the corner, awaiting the arrival of his opponent.
Junior Kickstart begins to play, pumping up the crowd, as Duo appear on the ramp. Elsie is jumping and ready for action. She keeps up the crowd's energy while heading quickly towards the ring. Cage follows close behind her, remaining focused. He makes no indication that he even notices the crowd. Elsie heads to the corner, climbing the turnbuckle, keeping the crowd going, while Cage climbs into the ring, his massive form taking center-stage.
Sammy: And his opponent...representing Duo....weighing in at 400 lbs...CAAAAAAAAAAGE!!!!!!!!
Tex: Well, whatever his condition, this is one hell of a challenge, even for a man like Dante.
Cain: I don't doubt that Dante is up to it.
The bell rings as Cage charges straight towards the corner, but the albino ducks out of the way and Cage slams into the turnbuckle. The giant ignores the impact and turns around, walking right into a right hand from Dante. The blow barely affects Cage, but Dante throws a left hook and grits his teeth, throwing all his strength into the attack. Cage is at least staggered by the blow and Dante dives at him, barrelling him into the corner with his body.
Banter: Seriously, what's he gonna do? Cage is twice his size!
Tex: I don't think that'll stop a man like Jason Dante. He has the experience and the skill to bring down anyone in this federation.
Dante pounds on Cage in the corner, laying in rights and lefts. He is physically standing on the giant's chest, until Cage finally manages to get a grip on him and hurl him across the ring. Dante lands high on his back, but rolls through with his momentum and back onto his feet. He charges, but Cage is ready and slams a fist into his face, leaving him flat out in the ring.
Cain: Oh my God!
Tex: It's like walking into an anvil!
Cage kneels on Dante's chest and the referee counts the pin...
One...
Two...
No! Dante rolls his shoulder off the mat, and Cage is forced to let him up. The giant grabs Dante by his pale hair and yanks him to his feet. He whips him across the ring and goes for a clothesline, but Dante ducks and, as he bounces off the opposite ropes, hits Cage with a cross body. Cage sways for a second before falling over, and Dante pins...
One...
But Cage kicks out with authority, sending Dante halfway across the ring. The former World Champion lands in the ropes and finds himself close to Elsie. She approaches him with a strange look on her face.
Tex: What's going on here?
Banter: Maybe Elsie has a little crush on ol' red eyes...
Elsie reaches out for Dante, but he comes to his senses and bares his teeth at her, which raises the ire of Cage who grabs Dante from behind and lifts him up into a reverse bear hug.
Cain: It's a variation of The Cage!
Dante thrashes in the hold, but is finally able to reach out and grab the top rope and Cage reluctantly let's the albino free. Dante sinks down near the ropes and then, as Cage comes after him again, pulls them down, sending the monster tumbling out of the ring.
Cage lands heavily on the floor and starts to pick himself up, but Dante is already out on the apron and drops down with an elbow to the back of Cage's neck. The giant falls to his knees and Dante backs up before charging in with a knee to the temple.
Tex: Here's that experience and ingenuity I told you about. Cage may be bigger and stronger, but Dante has the savvy to bring even a monster like him down.
Dante rolls back into the ring and staggers to the centre, where he flops down, catching his breath. Suddenly, something grabs his attention and he looks around to see Elsie on the top rope. He dives up to his feet and rolls out of the way of her clumsy attack as she jumps towards him. She takes a swing at him as he turns to her, but Dante is much faster than the girl and grabs her arm. He gives her a dark look as he twists her arm, causing her to cry out.
Cain: What's going on between these two?
Tex: I don't know, but it looks like there's a bit of the old Dante in the ring tonight - I haven't seen a look on his face like that since he was in the Hellfire Club.
Banter: Which one?
Tex: The first one.
Dante's eyes flash a fiery red as he stares down at Elsie, but Cage soon puts a stop to the proceedings by smashing into Dante from nowhere. The albino is knocked sideways into the ropes and Cage drives his massive fist into the side of his head, sending him crashing down to the mat.
Cage immediately turns to check on Elsie, who is now lying on the mat, but as he cradles her in his arms, Dante staggers back to his feet and gets a grip on Cage's chin from behind. He drags him into an inverted front facelock and then spins around, driving his elbow into Cage's face as they both hit the mat at breakneck speed.
Tex: The Broken Reflection out of nowhere!
Dante climbs atop the grey mountain of a man...
One...
Two...
Three!!!
Cain: Dante did it! Cage was distracted!
Tex: Not a particularly honourable victory for Dante there...
Banter: Hey, she shouldn't have gotten involved. You know how it works.
Dante gets to his feet and has his hand raised, but his face looks wan again, and he gives Cage a hollow look as he stands over him. The giant starts to stir and Dante turns away, but he walks right into Elsie, who slaps her palms to the side of his head.
Tex: What the hell?!
Dante's mouth opens wide as Elsie begins to shake, her eyes wide, as if in some kind of trance. Dante bellows in agony and fury as he is somehow driven to his knees. The referee stands to one side, no idea what to do as Dante's body is covered in a sheen of sweat. Elsie doesn't let go until Dante stops screaming and slumps to the mat, clearly unconscious.
Banter: Uh...
Cain: What just happened?
Elsie seems to recover herself and stares down at Dante. She looks down at her hands, but before she has time to think, Cage grabs her from behind and bundles her up in his arms. He climbs out of the ring and walks up the ramp, not looking back, just keeping Elsie close to his chest.
In the ring, Dante is still flat out and motionless.
Tex: Well, Dante picked up the win, but it looks like the cost may have been a little high... Here comes some help from backstage! A few of our refs are coming out to aid the EMTs, and that looks like...
Cain: Matt Strikmore's coming to lend a hand as well!
As the EMTs, refs, and Strikmore load Dante onto the gurney, a voice booms throughout the arena.
Stern: Security! Security!
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Commissioner Stern powers out through the entrance ramp, eyes burning.
Stern: Hold that man! Hold Matt Strikmore!!
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The security guards, led by Adam Wilson, race down the ramp and surround Matt. Matt, wide-eyed, hold his arms out and mouths questions to the Commissioner.
Stern: No! Do not bring him a mic! Mr. Strikmore is not an employee of this company, and is therefore trespassing! Escort him out! I will not have the general public running rampant in my ring!
Matt tries to protest, but stops short of physically touching the security. The crowd begins to boo.
Stern: Matt, you can walk out now, under security escort, and I won't press charges... Now get out of my ring! Only contracted employees and invited guests are allowed in my ring.
Matt, dumbfounded, tosses his hands up and allows himself to be ejected peacefully. He tries to answer the questions the fans are yelling as he walks up the ramp, but the only words the camera mic picks up from a sullen Matt is...
Matt: I don't know.
A round of boos closes the curtains behind him, as Jason Dante is carried out of the ring.
