Post by Press1269 on Feb 20, 2020 16:41:25 GMT
PERCY: This next match has got a lot of heat, Cat, and I for one can't wait to see what happens.
CAT: That's right, Percy! Cross Recoba makes his in ring return against a man that he knows every well, Flaming Youth. This will be the first time these two ever face off with each other despite both of them being apart of PAW since day one.
PERCY: You have to wonder if there isn't going to be any ring rust with Recoba, seeing as how he's been out of action for seven long months.
CAT: I guess only time will tell, but I don't think The Fox is going to have any troubles here.
RHONDA ARMSTRONG: The following contest is a singles match, and is set for one fall or submission...
The lights go dim as "Strangle Hold" by Ted Nugent begins to blare across the arena. Red strobelights flicker all around the building, and finally settle on the entry way where the silhouette of Flaming Youth can be seen standing in the curtain. These words can be seen clearly up on the big screen over the stage.
YOUTH IS A MINDSET
MY FLAME IS ETERNAL
At the chorus of the song he bursts through the curtain, and spins around on the rampway, reaching out to the crowd who scream in adulation. He comes to a teetering stop facing the ring, a coy grin on his face, as he looks out over the crowd with approval.
RHONDA ARMSTRONG: Introducing first, weighting in at 195 pounds, and hailing from New Orleans, Louisiana. He is one half of The BombTrax, 'The High Flyer', 'The Innovative Aviator', FLAMING YOUTH!
With the announcement of his name he takes off into a sprint towards the ring, sliding in under the bottom rope, and popping up with his hands over his head. Dashing over to the corner he bounds up to the second rope, and scans the crowd, talking jive as the fans soak it all up. With a short hop, he spins so that he’s now facing the ring, and takes a seat on the top rope to await his opponent.
PERCY: Youth is out here representing The BombTrax, and as I'm sure everyone knows, his partner will be defending the PAW Heavyweight Championship later tonight in the Main Event.
CAT: Resounding 'DUH', Percy.
The lights dim in the arena as Joe Walsh's 'Turn to Stone' sounds across the arena. The fans jeer and boo in disgust as they know what to expect when they hear the distinctive distorted power-chords that start the song. The lights focus on the entrance to the ramp as Cross Recoba comes through the curtain. He brushes his shag haircut off his eyes and looks at the crowd. He instinctively clutches the crucifix necklace that hangs from his neck. He walks to the ring with purpose, only looking away from the ring to answer hecklers in the crowd.
RHONDA ARMSTRONG: And introducing his opponent, weighting in at 230 pounds, and hailing from Las Vegas, Nevada. Representing The Power Trio, he is 'The Fox' CROSS RECOBA!!
He leaps onto the apron and smiles as he sees his disapproving audience jeering and booing, but simply pays them no mind before stepping through the ropes to stare across the ring at his opponent. A-Ref comes by and starts the process of checking Cross for foreign objects, much as he did Youth during Recoba's entrance. Seeming satisfied there won't be any unfair play, he steps out of the way and calls for the bell.
PERCY: Here we go, folks. Seven long months of built up animosity between these two has culminated in this match, and finally the score is going to be settled here and now.
CAT: You can't really believe that, Percy. Sure, if Cross puts the pip-squeak away it furthers his claims to greatness, but after that he's got Press on his mind.
PERCY: Maybe so, but how do you think that will play out if Calvin Harris wins the championship tonight? Is Cross after the man who put him out of action, or after the belt Press earned by doing just that?
CAT: Right now it looks like he's out to put down Flaming Youth, so quit worrying about all that crap!
The two men circle one another for a few seconds before locking up in the center of the ring. They jockey for position, but as quick as a hiccup, Youth ends up behind Recoba in a waist lock which he quickly turns into a side headlock. Recoba buckles a bit, but doesn't loose his cool as he wedges his fingers between his own head and the grip Youth is trying to maintain. Once there, he locks his arms, using his 40 pound advantage to muscle Youth's arms upwards into a top wrist lock. The two struggle against one another with their arms locked above their heads, but Recoba proves that he is the stronger of the two as Youth is slowly forced down towards the canvas. The High Flyer never lets his feet go out from under him, but rather bends all the way backwards, bridging with his head and neck to keep his shoulders off the mat. Cross continues to try and press the advantage, but with a sudden burst of will, Youth slowly begins to rise off the mat, until both men are back on solid footing, pushing against one another once more. In a flash, Youth slips out of the wrist lock, snapping down to the mat and hooking Cross to take him over for a snap arm drag. Cross hit's the mat, but bounces right back up, rushing in on youth once more, only to be taken over with another of the lightening like arm drags. Back on his feet for a third time, Cross rushes in, but this time, when Youth goes for the obvious, he puts on the breaks and hooks the man up in a full nelson, jerking the High Flyer right up off the canvas. Youth flails with his legs looking for somewhere to go, or to maybe touch the ropes for a break, but Cross keeps him centered in the ring, cinching up on the hold painfully.
PERCY: Some fine chain wrestling right there at the start of this contest from both men, but it looks like Cross has taken the advantage. Let's see what he can do out of that full nelson.
Realizing that he's only making the hold worse, Youth stops struggling and becomes dead weight in Recoba's grip. Cross brings his foot around in front of Youth's feet, looking to trip him into an STO, but Youth uses that sudden change in their bodies stance to slip his head out from the nelson, and hop up with a short Knee to The Fox's face. Recoba falls back a bit as Youth charges the ropes for momentum. He comes back with a full head of steam, and Recoba goes for a lariat, but misses. On the second pass he swings with a back elbow, but again finds nothing but air. On the third pass Youth leaps at Cross with a cross body, but the cunning superstar ducks out of the way allowing Youth to harmlessly pass over him to eat canvas. Youth bounces, and tries to use it to get back to his feet, but before he can get his barrings Cross is on him with a high knee lift that sends him crashing to the canvas. Youth is already on his way back to his feet when Cross pushes him into the corner, and then lights him up with a vicious chop.
CROWD: Wooooooooooo!
Recoba, obviously feeling he can do better, tilts Youth back and fires in another chop, this one leaving red blisters across the other man's chest. He doesn't bother to acknowledge the crowd as he takes Youth by the wrist, and whips him hard to the far side. He follows him into the corner, but much to his surprise, Youth runs right up the turnbuckles and cuts a back flip over the man landing safely behind him. Cross puts on the brakes himself, and turns just in time to eat a drop kick that sends him crashing back first into the corner. He tries to step out again, but Youth is already back on his feet, sending another drop kick right into the mans chest. He flies backwards, striking the turnbuckle, and then slumping down to a seated position. Youth rushes over, hops up to the second rope above Cross, and then throws both feet out, before swinging them back in to strike the man in the face with a face buster drop kick in the corner. Youth rolls backwards up to his feet, while Cross slips to the outside holding his face, and cursing.
PERCY: Every time Cross Recoba seems to have Youth on the ropes he switches it up with speed and tactics.
CAT: Yeah, the little bastards like a rubber band.
Cross steps over to the ramp, and shakes his head as the fans jeer and boo him. Meanwhile, Youth steps up to the edge of the ring and grabs the top rope with both hands. When Cross finally decides to turn back around, The High Flyer launches himself up and over the ropes for a splancha. Cross, however, has the move scouted, and he manages to sidestep out of the way. Youth eats concrete and the fans wince as Recoba smirks, finally letting loose his jaw, and placing some targeted boots to the man's ribs. He lifts him up from the floor, and takes him by the wrist, and whips him towards the guard rail. Youth crashes into the steel rib first, and he crumples to the floor with a grimace of pain. Recoba, seeming pleased with himself, steps over and yanks the man up by the nape of the neck, and tosses him under the bottom rope back into the ring.
PERCY: Well, that's one way of slowing down the pace.
CAT: Actually, it's the best way, Percy.
Youth struggles to his feet, and Cross measures him from the edge of the ring before moving in and catching him around the head for a swinging neck breaker in the center of the ring. Recoba immediately spins around and makes the cover.
1...
2...
PERCY: Youth gets the shoulder up at two, and Cross doesn't seem to concerned about it as he pulls the man up along with him.
CAT: The Fox is completely in control now, Percy. Once you ground a guy like Youth, all you have to do is stay on him to ensure he won't be doing anymore flying.
Cross pushes Youth into the ropes, and sends him for the ride to the other side. As Youth returns, he manages to duck under Recoba's standing front kick, but on his way back is taken out by an impressive spinning heel kick. Recoba, seeing his man stunned, makes his way to the closest corner, and slips out on the apron only to start climbing to the top. Once perched on top, he smirks out at the crowd, before leaping off with high elbow drop that crashes down across Youth's throat and head. The Innovative Aviator writhes around on the canvas holding his noggin, before Cross snaps his shoulders back to the mat for a cover.
1...
2...
PERCY: THRE-KICK OUT! Man, Youth just barely able to get his shoulder up that time, and Cross having a few words with A-Ref about the count. I don't think that's necessary.
CAT: It is if that masked idiot has a slow count Percy, which is obvious to anyone paying attention.
Cross jerks Youth off the canvas, and hooks him around the waist, looking right at A-Ref as he lifts him up, and drives him back down across his knee for a back breaker. Youth cries out a bit, clutching at his lower back, as Cross places his knee into the center of the man's back, and then hooks his arm and his leg, and yanks back for a painful submission hold.
PERCY: Cross Recoba knows all about injured backs, and his finisher centers around that very region. I think he's setting Youth up for the end here.
CAT: Damn right, although this might do it right here. I've always suspected he was the wink link in The BombTrax.
Youth continues to cry out, reaching out at nothing but air with the the hand that isn't trapped by Cross. Recoba continues to yank back, tightening up on the hold every few seconds to ensure that he is inflicting maximum damage. After a few more seconds of this, Youth begins to use his other leg to push him and Recoba both towards the closest bottom rope. He continuously refuses A-Ref's checks, but just when he's almost able to grasp his salvation, Recoba releases the hold and savagely reigns stomps down onto the man's lower back.
PERCY: The usually composed Recoba is showing a vicious streak here, which I think indicates how personal this contest really is. If he can't beat the hell out of Press tonight, then the champion's partner has turned into a good substitute.
CAT: Yeah, and I think that fool is done here.
Recoba jerks Youth up by a fistful of hair, and bounces his head off the nearest turnbuckle before spinning him around to rest against it. He rares back and fires off a chop, that is immediately followed by another, and then another. Youth clutches at his chest, mouth hung open in shock and pain, while the fans boo The Fox for all he's worth. Recoba takes Youth by the wrist and sends him hard towards the far corner, and when he strikes the turnbuckles his head snaps back with the whip lash. Recoba nods in satisfaction, and rushes in to follow up with a crushing maneuver. Youth, however, manages to peel out of the corner at the last second, and Cross strikes the turnbuckles sternum first. He stumbles back in surprise, and Youth flashes in front of him, hops up to the second rope, and then spins around with his leg extended, catching Cross right in the face with a side swiping action with the sole of his boot. Cross clutches at his face, momentarily stunned, and Youth is already moving again, hopping to the ring apron and then climbing up to the top rope. He grimaces as he does so, holding onto his back from the damage done earlier, but he manages to make it to his perch. As soon as Recoba is recovered enough to find his prey, all he gets a glimpse of is Youth leaping from the top with a high angled missile drop kick that nails him right in the face once more. Recoba snaps down to the canvas off the impact, and rolls for the bottom rope and to the outside to create separation.
PERCY: Youth creating opportunities where he can, and this looks very familiar. Recoba wisely to the outside to put distance between him and the kid's dangerous feet.
CAT: Kid? Are you kidding me? That idiot is older than Cross!
Youth sucks in wind as he watches Cross move around on the outside, checking his nose for bleeding, and firing back insults at the fans at ringside. As Cross turns back towards the ring, Youth comes rushing towards the ropes. Recoba, thinking that more than likely Youth would try to fly, ducks his head. Youth is the one that has him scouted, however, and instead drops into a baseball slide that connects with the top of Cross' head, sending him crashing backwards into the steel guard rail. He scoots his upper body underneath the bottom rope as well, rising up with his back towards Recoba. Throwing all caution to the wind, he hops up to the second rope, and springboards into a vaulting moonsault all the way down onto Cross Recoba, wiping both men out of the match entirely.
PERCY: GOOD GOD! WHAT A MOVE!
CAT: That fool didn't even look back to mark his target, he just leaped. That's insane!
The fans are on their feet with cheers, while A-Ref stares down at the two men who are barely stirring. He shrugs his shoulders, and starts to make his count.
1...
2...
3...
PERCY: Man, it would be a shame for it to end like this.
4...
5...
CAT: I still can't believe this. Cross had Youth right where he wanted him. How can this be happening?
6...
7...
PERCY: Wait...it looks like Cross is crawling for the ring.
8...
CAT: There you go, get up.....and He's in!
PERCY: Just barely. He's laying on the apron sucking in wind....and wait....Youth just pulled himself up.
9....
TE-Just as A-Ref is about to call it, Youth launches himself into the ring under the bottom rope, ending the count. Cross, already halfway up to his feet on the opposite side of the ring, turns to see Youth doing the same on his side. The two men lock eyes, the anger and bitterness clear between them. With a roar they charge across the ring at one another, both leaving their feet, both going for spinning wheel kicks. Their boots clap in the center of the ring, and both men go down to the canvas, but immediately snap back up, and somehow both go for standing drop kicks. They both go down to the mat again, finding nothing but air for their troubles, but both are back to their feet in an instant. One goes one way to bounce into the ropes, while the other goes the opposite way, and when they meet in the middle, both crash against one another with dual cross bodies. The men lay on the canvas exhausted from the furious volley of maneuvers that they both tried, and failed, while A-Ref starts another count in the center of the ring.
PERCY: These two guys have put it all on the line here tonight in an impressive showing of one another's abilities!
CAT: Yeah, and we're in danger of having this thing end in a draw if someone doesn't make the big play soon.
A-Ref reaches all the way to eight when the two men roll over and scramble up to their feet. Facing each other now, Cross drives home a hard right hand which rocks Youth back on his heels. Youth staggers forwards, and drives a right of his own into Recoba's jaw. The two men continue trading punches in the center of the ring as the fans scream 'Nay' for Recoba's strikes, and 'Yay' for Youth's. Recoba, however, get's the better of the exchange, and without warning, he reaches down to grab Youth behind his knee's, yanking the man's feet out from under him. With Youth's legs in the air, Recoba starts fighting to cinch up on them and turn him, but the wormy veteran squirms trying to prevent the hold from being applied.
PERCY: Cross is going for Garibaldi's Guillotine, a version of a high arching Boston Crab. If he gets that locked on, it's over. No one has ever broken out of it before!
CAT: That little bastard isn't making things easy, though. He's all over the ring trying to get free.
Youth manages to pull one of his legs to chest, and he thrusts his foot forward right into Cross' chest, forcing him to release the other leg and fall back into the ropes. Cross bounces, but come right back, and that's when Youth kips up to his feet, and takes the man's head off with a super kick from out of nowhere.
PERCY: SLOW BURN! MY GOD, HE HIT THAT SHIT LIKE A MAGICIAN!
CAT: That guy really is like a flash.
Cross crumples down to the mat, and Youth falls across him, hooking the leg and pulling it deep. He nods his head with the count.
1...
2...
3!!!
RHONDA ARMSTRONG: Your winner of the match, by pinfall, FLAMING YOUTH!!
Youth pops up off of Cross, drops down to one knee, and then comes up again clutching at his back. He falls back into a turnbuckle where A-Ref takes him by the wrist, and thrusts his arm into the air with victory. Youth punches at the air, excited, and hops up onto the turnbuckle as Cross rolls to the outside still clutching his jaw.
PERCY: Well, this one puts The Power Trio at zero, and The BombTrax at one here tonight. I wonder if this is an omen of things to come.
CAT: I don't think so, Percy. As good as Cross Recoba is, he's no Calvin Harris, and we're due for a changing of the guard in our Main Event.
PERCY: Well folks, that remains to be seen, but right now let's head to the back to see what's developing.
CAT: That's right, Percy! Cross Recoba makes his in ring return against a man that he knows every well, Flaming Youth. This will be the first time these two ever face off with each other despite both of them being apart of PAW since day one.
PERCY: You have to wonder if there isn't going to be any ring rust with Recoba, seeing as how he's been out of action for seven long months.
CAT: I guess only time will tell, but I don't think The Fox is going to have any troubles here.
RHONDA ARMSTRONG: The following contest is a singles match, and is set for one fall or submission...
The lights go dim as "Strangle Hold" by Ted Nugent begins to blare across the arena. Red strobelights flicker all around the building, and finally settle on the entry way where the silhouette of Flaming Youth can be seen standing in the curtain. These words can be seen clearly up on the big screen over the stage.
YOUTH IS A MINDSET
MY FLAME IS ETERNAL
At the chorus of the song he bursts through the curtain, and spins around on the rampway, reaching out to the crowd who scream in adulation. He comes to a teetering stop facing the ring, a coy grin on his face, as he looks out over the crowd with approval.
RHONDA ARMSTRONG: Introducing first, weighting in at 195 pounds, and hailing from New Orleans, Louisiana. He is one half of The BombTrax, 'The High Flyer', 'The Innovative Aviator', FLAMING YOUTH!
With the announcement of his name he takes off into a sprint towards the ring, sliding in under the bottom rope, and popping up with his hands over his head. Dashing over to the corner he bounds up to the second rope, and scans the crowd, talking jive as the fans soak it all up. With a short hop, he spins so that he’s now facing the ring, and takes a seat on the top rope to await his opponent.
PERCY: Youth is out here representing The BombTrax, and as I'm sure everyone knows, his partner will be defending the PAW Heavyweight Championship later tonight in the Main Event.
CAT: Resounding 'DUH', Percy.
The lights dim in the arena as Joe Walsh's 'Turn to Stone' sounds across the arena. The fans jeer and boo in disgust as they know what to expect when they hear the distinctive distorted power-chords that start the song. The lights focus on the entrance to the ramp as Cross Recoba comes through the curtain. He brushes his shag haircut off his eyes and looks at the crowd. He instinctively clutches the crucifix necklace that hangs from his neck. He walks to the ring with purpose, only looking away from the ring to answer hecklers in the crowd.
RHONDA ARMSTRONG: And introducing his opponent, weighting in at 230 pounds, and hailing from Las Vegas, Nevada. Representing The Power Trio, he is 'The Fox' CROSS RECOBA!!
He leaps onto the apron and smiles as he sees his disapproving audience jeering and booing, but simply pays them no mind before stepping through the ropes to stare across the ring at his opponent. A-Ref comes by and starts the process of checking Cross for foreign objects, much as he did Youth during Recoba's entrance. Seeming satisfied there won't be any unfair play, he steps out of the way and calls for the bell.
PERCY: Here we go, folks. Seven long months of built up animosity between these two has culminated in this match, and finally the score is going to be settled here and now.
CAT: You can't really believe that, Percy. Sure, if Cross puts the pip-squeak away it furthers his claims to greatness, but after that he's got Press on his mind.
PERCY: Maybe so, but how do you think that will play out if Calvin Harris wins the championship tonight? Is Cross after the man who put him out of action, or after the belt Press earned by doing just that?
CAT: Right now it looks like he's out to put down Flaming Youth, so quit worrying about all that crap!
The two men circle one another for a few seconds before locking up in the center of the ring. They jockey for position, but as quick as a hiccup, Youth ends up behind Recoba in a waist lock which he quickly turns into a side headlock. Recoba buckles a bit, but doesn't loose his cool as he wedges his fingers between his own head and the grip Youth is trying to maintain. Once there, he locks his arms, using his 40 pound advantage to muscle Youth's arms upwards into a top wrist lock. The two struggle against one another with their arms locked above their heads, but Recoba proves that he is the stronger of the two as Youth is slowly forced down towards the canvas. The High Flyer never lets his feet go out from under him, but rather bends all the way backwards, bridging with his head and neck to keep his shoulders off the mat. Cross continues to try and press the advantage, but with a sudden burst of will, Youth slowly begins to rise off the mat, until both men are back on solid footing, pushing against one another once more. In a flash, Youth slips out of the wrist lock, snapping down to the mat and hooking Cross to take him over for a snap arm drag. Cross hit's the mat, but bounces right back up, rushing in on youth once more, only to be taken over with another of the lightening like arm drags. Back on his feet for a third time, Cross rushes in, but this time, when Youth goes for the obvious, he puts on the breaks and hooks the man up in a full nelson, jerking the High Flyer right up off the canvas. Youth flails with his legs looking for somewhere to go, or to maybe touch the ropes for a break, but Cross keeps him centered in the ring, cinching up on the hold painfully.
PERCY: Some fine chain wrestling right there at the start of this contest from both men, but it looks like Cross has taken the advantage. Let's see what he can do out of that full nelson.
Realizing that he's only making the hold worse, Youth stops struggling and becomes dead weight in Recoba's grip. Cross brings his foot around in front of Youth's feet, looking to trip him into an STO, but Youth uses that sudden change in their bodies stance to slip his head out from the nelson, and hop up with a short Knee to The Fox's face. Recoba falls back a bit as Youth charges the ropes for momentum. He comes back with a full head of steam, and Recoba goes for a lariat, but misses. On the second pass he swings with a back elbow, but again finds nothing but air. On the third pass Youth leaps at Cross with a cross body, but the cunning superstar ducks out of the way allowing Youth to harmlessly pass over him to eat canvas. Youth bounces, and tries to use it to get back to his feet, but before he can get his barrings Cross is on him with a high knee lift that sends him crashing to the canvas. Youth is already on his way back to his feet when Cross pushes him into the corner, and then lights him up with a vicious chop.
CROWD: Wooooooooooo!
Recoba, obviously feeling he can do better, tilts Youth back and fires in another chop, this one leaving red blisters across the other man's chest. He doesn't bother to acknowledge the crowd as he takes Youth by the wrist, and whips him hard to the far side. He follows him into the corner, but much to his surprise, Youth runs right up the turnbuckles and cuts a back flip over the man landing safely behind him. Cross puts on the brakes himself, and turns just in time to eat a drop kick that sends him crashing back first into the corner. He tries to step out again, but Youth is already back on his feet, sending another drop kick right into the mans chest. He flies backwards, striking the turnbuckle, and then slumping down to a seated position. Youth rushes over, hops up to the second rope above Cross, and then throws both feet out, before swinging them back in to strike the man in the face with a face buster drop kick in the corner. Youth rolls backwards up to his feet, while Cross slips to the outside holding his face, and cursing.
PERCY: Every time Cross Recoba seems to have Youth on the ropes he switches it up with speed and tactics.
CAT: Yeah, the little bastards like a rubber band.
Cross steps over to the ramp, and shakes his head as the fans jeer and boo him. Meanwhile, Youth steps up to the edge of the ring and grabs the top rope with both hands. When Cross finally decides to turn back around, The High Flyer launches himself up and over the ropes for a splancha. Cross, however, has the move scouted, and he manages to sidestep out of the way. Youth eats concrete and the fans wince as Recoba smirks, finally letting loose his jaw, and placing some targeted boots to the man's ribs. He lifts him up from the floor, and takes him by the wrist, and whips him towards the guard rail. Youth crashes into the steel rib first, and he crumples to the floor with a grimace of pain. Recoba, seeming pleased with himself, steps over and yanks the man up by the nape of the neck, and tosses him under the bottom rope back into the ring.
PERCY: Well, that's one way of slowing down the pace.
CAT: Actually, it's the best way, Percy.
Youth struggles to his feet, and Cross measures him from the edge of the ring before moving in and catching him around the head for a swinging neck breaker in the center of the ring. Recoba immediately spins around and makes the cover.
1...
2...
PERCY: Youth gets the shoulder up at two, and Cross doesn't seem to concerned about it as he pulls the man up along with him.
CAT: The Fox is completely in control now, Percy. Once you ground a guy like Youth, all you have to do is stay on him to ensure he won't be doing anymore flying.
Cross pushes Youth into the ropes, and sends him for the ride to the other side. As Youth returns, he manages to duck under Recoba's standing front kick, but on his way back is taken out by an impressive spinning heel kick. Recoba, seeing his man stunned, makes his way to the closest corner, and slips out on the apron only to start climbing to the top. Once perched on top, he smirks out at the crowd, before leaping off with high elbow drop that crashes down across Youth's throat and head. The Innovative Aviator writhes around on the canvas holding his noggin, before Cross snaps his shoulders back to the mat for a cover.
1...
2...
PERCY: THRE-KICK OUT! Man, Youth just barely able to get his shoulder up that time, and Cross having a few words with A-Ref about the count. I don't think that's necessary.
CAT: It is if that masked idiot has a slow count Percy, which is obvious to anyone paying attention.
Cross jerks Youth off the canvas, and hooks him around the waist, looking right at A-Ref as he lifts him up, and drives him back down across his knee for a back breaker. Youth cries out a bit, clutching at his lower back, as Cross places his knee into the center of the man's back, and then hooks his arm and his leg, and yanks back for a painful submission hold.
PERCY: Cross Recoba knows all about injured backs, and his finisher centers around that very region. I think he's setting Youth up for the end here.
CAT: Damn right, although this might do it right here. I've always suspected he was the wink link in The BombTrax.
Youth continues to cry out, reaching out at nothing but air with the the hand that isn't trapped by Cross. Recoba continues to yank back, tightening up on the hold every few seconds to ensure that he is inflicting maximum damage. After a few more seconds of this, Youth begins to use his other leg to push him and Recoba both towards the closest bottom rope. He continuously refuses A-Ref's checks, but just when he's almost able to grasp his salvation, Recoba releases the hold and savagely reigns stomps down onto the man's lower back.
PERCY: The usually composed Recoba is showing a vicious streak here, which I think indicates how personal this contest really is. If he can't beat the hell out of Press tonight, then the champion's partner has turned into a good substitute.
CAT: Yeah, and I think that fool is done here.
Recoba jerks Youth up by a fistful of hair, and bounces his head off the nearest turnbuckle before spinning him around to rest against it. He rares back and fires off a chop, that is immediately followed by another, and then another. Youth clutches at his chest, mouth hung open in shock and pain, while the fans boo The Fox for all he's worth. Recoba takes Youth by the wrist and sends him hard towards the far corner, and when he strikes the turnbuckles his head snaps back with the whip lash. Recoba nods in satisfaction, and rushes in to follow up with a crushing maneuver. Youth, however, manages to peel out of the corner at the last second, and Cross strikes the turnbuckles sternum first. He stumbles back in surprise, and Youth flashes in front of him, hops up to the second rope, and then spins around with his leg extended, catching Cross right in the face with a side swiping action with the sole of his boot. Cross clutches at his face, momentarily stunned, and Youth is already moving again, hopping to the ring apron and then climbing up to the top rope. He grimaces as he does so, holding onto his back from the damage done earlier, but he manages to make it to his perch. As soon as Recoba is recovered enough to find his prey, all he gets a glimpse of is Youth leaping from the top with a high angled missile drop kick that nails him right in the face once more. Recoba snaps down to the canvas off the impact, and rolls for the bottom rope and to the outside to create separation.
PERCY: Youth creating opportunities where he can, and this looks very familiar. Recoba wisely to the outside to put distance between him and the kid's dangerous feet.
CAT: Kid? Are you kidding me? That idiot is older than Cross!
Youth sucks in wind as he watches Cross move around on the outside, checking his nose for bleeding, and firing back insults at the fans at ringside. As Cross turns back towards the ring, Youth comes rushing towards the ropes. Recoba, thinking that more than likely Youth would try to fly, ducks his head. Youth is the one that has him scouted, however, and instead drops into a baseball slide that connects with the top of Cross' head, sending him crashing backwards into the steel guard rail. He scoots his upper body underneath the bottom rope as well, rising up with his back towards Recoba. Throwing all caution to the wind, he hops up to the second rope, and springboards into a vaulting moonsault all the way down onto Cross Recoba, wiping both men out of the match entirely.
PERCY: GOOD GOD! WHAT A MOVE!
CAT: That fool didn't even look back to mark his target, he just leaped. That's insane!
The fans are on their feet with cheers, while A-Ref stares down at the two men who are barely stirring. He shrugs his shoulders, and starts to make his count.
1...
2...
3...
PERCY: Man, it would be a shame for it to end like this.
4...
5...
CAT: I still can't believe this. Cross had Youth right where he wanted him. How can this be happening?
6...
7...
PERCY: Wait...it looks like Cross is crawling for the ring.
8...
CAT: There you go, get up.....and He's in!
PERCY: Just barely. He's laying on the apron sucking in wind....and wait....Youth just pulled himself up.
9....
TE-Just as A-Ref is about to call it, Youth launches himself into the ring under the bottom rope, ending the count. Cross, already halfway up to his feet on the opposite side of the ring, turns to see Youth doing the same on his side. The two men lock eyes, the anger and bitterness clear between them. With a roar they charge across the ring at one another, both leaving their feet, both going for spinning wheel kicks. Their boots clap in the center of the ring, and both men go down to the canvas, but immediately snap back up, and somehow both go for standing drop kicks. They both go down to the mat again, finding nothing but air for their troubles, but both are back to their feet in an instant. One goes one way to bounce into the ropes, while the other goes the opposite way, and when they meet in the middle, both crash against one another with dual cross bodies. The men lay on the canvas exhausted from the furious volley of maneuvers that they both tried, and failed, while A-Ref starts another count in the center of the ring.
PERCY: These two guys have put it all on the line here tonight in an impressive showing of one another's abilities!
CAT: Yeah, and we're in danger of having this thing end in a draw if someone doesn't make the big play soon.
A-Ref reaches all the way to eight when the two men roll over and scramble up to their feet. Facing each other now, Cross drives home a hard right hand which rocks Youth back on his heels. Youth staggers forwards, and drives a right of his own into Recoba's jaw. The two men continue trading punches in the center of the ring as the fans scream 'Nay' for Recoba's strikes, and 'Yay' for Youth's. Recoba, however, get's the better of the exchange, and without warning, he reaches down to grab Youth behind his knee's, yanking the man's feet out from under him. With Youth's legs in the air, Recoba starts fighting to cinch up on them and turn him, but the wormy veteran squirms trying to prevent the hold from being applied.
PERCY: Cross is going for Garibaldi's Guillotine, a version of a high arching Boston Crab. If he gets that locked on, it's over. No one has ever broken out of it before!
CAT: That little bastard isn't making things easy, though. He's all over the ring trying to get free.
Youth manages to pull one of his legs to chest, and he thrusts his foot forward right into Cross' chest, forcing him to release the other leg and fall back into the ropes. Cross bounces, but come right back, and that's when Youth kips up to his feet, and takes the man's head off with a super kick from out of nowhere.
PERCY: SLOW BURN! MY GOD, HE HIT THAT SHIT LIKE A MAGICIAN!
CAT: That guy really is like a flash.
Cross crumples down to the mat, and Youth falls across him, hooking the leg and pulling it deep. He nods his head with the count.
1...
2...
3!!!
RHONDA ARMSTRONG: Your winner of the match, by pinfall, FLAMING YOUTH!!
Youth pops up off of Cross, drops down to one knee, and then comes up again clutching at his back. He falls back into a turnbuckle where A-Ref takes him by the wrist, and thrusts his arm into the air with victory. Youth punches at the air, excited, and hops up onto the turnbuckle as Cross rolls to the outside still clutching his jaw.
PERCY: Well, this one puts The Power Trio at zero, and The BombTrax at one here tonight. I wonder if this is an omen of things to come.
CAT: I don't think so, Percy. As good as Cross Recoba is, he's no Calvin Harris, and we're due for a changing of the guard in our Main Event.
PERCY: Well folks, that remains to be seen, but right now let's head to the back to see what's developing.