(“Prayer” opening. The camera shows the Cricket Arena filling up. Tara Fisher is at ringside.)
Tara: Welcome Ladies and Gentlemen to this special edition of Foundation. We are here at the Cricket Arena in Charlotte North Carolina getting ready for one of the biggest nights to date in the history of Renegade Championship Wrestling. I am Tara Fisher, and it will be my honor and pleasure to call Darkest Night live on pay per view. If you haven’t ordered it yet, you’ve got less than an hour to decide. If it will help, and I know it will, lets take a look at what Darkest Night will offer.
(“Show Me How to Live” plays while the matches are reviewed. Zac Hensley is shown at the RCW news desk.)
Zac: Tonight, one half of The Eccentrics stands up for apparently lost partner. Huh takes on Jay Crowe. The Pyro Twins and The Eccentrics have been at odds since their first days in a wrestling ring, how much longer can the battle go on when one team has already been cut in half? Also on the card for tonight, a battle between one of the hottest rising stars in RCW and one of the greatest independent wrestlers in the world today. Austin Lee battles The Fallen Angel Christopher Daniels. Three titles will be up for grabs tonight. The mysterious Shadow will put the Ladies RCW Championship on the line against her former friend and Mentor Naomi Leach. These two women have been in the ring together many times in the past couple years, and tonight marks the one year anniversary of the Ladies Championship itself. Last year Naomi Leach walked away with the belt, but can she be victorious against the darkness on the Darkest Night? Cynric continues his quest for gold, but this time he steps outside the tag team ranks to challenge his own brother. Can he take the RCW Television Title from the Ronin Fox? Compelling questions, but none as debated as what will happen when RCW’s owner and former head trainer steps into the ring to take on one of his top students. Jon Z tries to gain the RCW Championship and restore what he sees as the honor of RCW by defeating the current titleholder and Heel Stable leader Nykk.
(A video package plays, showing Nykk winning the title, and the past few weeks of him gloating, leading up to Jon Z challenging him.)
(Commercial break.)
(Backstage, Apollo Khan is standing by with Tara Fisher.)
Tara: Apollo Khan, it seems RCW is intent to create a tradition of debuting new wrestlers at Darkest Night and Sunstroke. Tonight that continues in the opening match as you make your RCW debut. What do you see in your future here in RCW?
Apollo: I’m ready to make a statement, and that statement is, you ain’t getting rid of me. Look at the big “debuts” we’ve seen at last year’s Darkest Night, and back at Sunstoke. CM Punk? He didn’t stick around long, did he? J.R. Ryder? Who even knows what happened to him? Hydro? He really caught on, didn’t he? That pattern ends right here tonight. Tonight you’ll see the debut of a man who is going to make an impact to be felt for years to come. Not in some other promotions, not on the injured list, not in the unemployment line. I’m making an impact in that ring, and it’s going to shake RCW to the core. This time next year, you’re going to remember the name Apollo Khan.
(He smirks walks off camera.)
(Commercial break.)
(A video plays, running down the card again to the tune of “Show Me How to Live.”)
(Tara is backstage still. She’s standing by with Ronin Fox.)
Tara: Ronin Fox, you have an interesting match planned for the night. For the first time you’ll be defending the RCW Television Title against a family member. What do you have to say to Cynric?
Fox: What is there to say? I’m going into the ring against my own brother, a brother who is the reason I started watching wrestling in the first place. He started trying out a few holds on me, so I had to watch to learn how to get out of them. One day it was just a boston crab, then it was a figure four or a sharpshooter…
(Cynric walks up)
Cynric: I never used a sharpshooter on you!
Fox: You didn’t?
Cynric: No, never. I didn’t want to actually hurt you, I could hold off on the other holds.
Fox: Hmm, maybe you’re right, don’t remember for sure.
Cynric: I know what I’m talking about.
(Cynric walks away.)
Fox: I think the main thing to keep in mind...this is going to be a good match...not a fight, not an attack. How many men in this business do you know who would walk up like that, make a point, then leave? This could be the most fun I’m ever going to have defending this title, because finally I have a match where I know, whatever happens, its going to be fair.
(Fox smiles and walks in the other direction.)
(Commercial break.)
(“Simon Says” hits and Swinger makes his way to the ring. Mark Vincent is already in the ring.)
Tara: This is Tara Fisher at ringside, you’re looking at a warm up match for the crowd still filing in. We don’t have a confirmed number yet but attendance seems to be nearing 6,000, making this the largest crowd in RCW history. If you haven’t made the call yet, you’ve got just a few minutes. Pick up the phone, hit the button on your remote, whatever you have to do to join us for Darkest Night. We’re starting things off on Pay Per View with Apollo Khan taking on Jason Lee. We heard from Apollo earlier tonight. This is what we heard from Jason Lee during our last break.
(Jason Lee’s backstage interview is shown in the corner of the screen.)
Jason: What can I say? Darkest Night, the biggest RCW Pay Per View to date. Me, in that ring. Whatever happens tonight, I can go home with my head held high. I’ll have reached a level in wrestling that few will see…and for those of you at home, ha…no I’m not the actor Jason Lee, and yes I’ve heard it many times before. Now tonight…
(The interview gets cut short as Swinger hits the Swing Thing on Mark Vincent and covers for the pin.)
Tara: Mark Vincent just ran out of time, and we are out of time too. You might be out of time if you haven’t ordered Darkest Night yet. We’re about to switch over to Pay Per View, we hope to see you there.
(Copyright warning. A video plays, showing Darkest Night 2003 footage alternated with shots of the empty Cricket Arena, zooming in on the empty ring in the center. “Show Me How to Live” plays as graphics for the night’s matches show. Tara Fisher stands in the ring.)
Tara: Welcome everyone to Charlotte North Carolina! We just saw the shortest day of the year, and RCW is ready to begin Darkest Night. I’m Tara Fisher, and we are going to present to you…
Joel: Well, well, well!…
(Joel interrupts, walking to the ring.)
Joel: The night may be long, but not nearly as long as me. While a certain network may try to hide me away, as you can see the big Gertinsky is just too big to cover. It is I, the Quintessential Studmuffin, the only other man in Flair country that can make all the ladies go Woo! Not to mention a good god damn handsome man. Joel “On Pay Per View, the censors can kiss my ass, while I show my own brand of class. And while the Fox sponsors may be making angry calls, anyone offended can just lick my balls!” Gertner!
(The crowd pops.)
Joel: It’s true, once you hold it in that long, you just can’t wait to let it all blow out. Tell me, was it worth the wait, baby?
Tara: With that out of the way, lets get the show started. Ladies and Gentlemen, Darkest Night is underway!
(A pyro display goes off and “Show Me How to Live” hits again. Apollo Khan makes his way to the ring.)
Tara: What a way to kick things off. This talented young man is ready to make a big impact here in RCW.
Joel: He’s cocky that’s for sure. I like it.
(“Disarm” by Smashing Pumpkins hits. Jason Lee makes his way to the ring.)
Tara: What’s your take on this guy?
Joel: He’s a great guy. Real nice, friendly, sociable. I think he’s about to get killed.
Apollo Khan vs. Jason Lee
(Jason Lee smiles and waves to the crowd as Apollo stares him down, shouting insults. The bell rings and Jason’s face turns completely calm. They lock up, Jason quickly but casually knees Apollo in the midsection and hiptosses him toward the corner. He charges in for a dropkick to the head as Apollo tries to stand. Apollo tumbles to the outside. Jason doesn’t waste a second, running the ropes and hitting a somersault plancha. He lands on one knee and stands up slowly, no emotion showing on his face. He picks up Apollo and shoves him into the ring. Jason stands up on the apron and Apollo heads him off with a shoulderblock to the stomach and a suplex into the ring. Jason’s face twists in pain. Apollo pulls him up and whips him hard into the corner. Jason grimaces evilly. Apollo sets Jason on the top rope and climbs up after him. Apollo attempts a superplex, Jason blocks it with a yell. Apollo tries again and Jason blocks and fires a right hand to the midsection. Jason lifts him up for a spinebuster off the top rope. Jason rolls back to a seated position, his face once again calm and emotionless. Jason covers for two.)
(Jason instantly pulls Apollo to his feet and hits a release German suplex. Jason stands and waits for Apollo. He stares Apollo down fearlessly, ducks a right hand and picks Apollo up in a fireman’s carry. He hits a shoulderbreaker on his knee and lifts Apollo up again for a vicious looking spinebuster. He covers for a three count.)
Winner: Jason Lee by pin.
Joel: Well…I’ve been wrong before. Where the hell did that come from?
Tara: Take a look at him now.
(“Disarm" plays as Jason Lee sits with his eyes closed next to the almost motionless body of Apollo Khan.)
Joel: I don’t think Apollo Khan saw any of that coming. I don’t think anyone did. The crowd has no idea what to think.
(Jason Lee rolls to the outside, a calm smile growing on his face, eventually he starts waving to the crowd like he did at the beginning.)
Tara: This man is just out there, and I don’t see any sign of him returning.
(Apollo Khan is helped out of the ring, and to the back.)
Tara: An interesting start to the night, and it’s a night that’s far from over. Coming up we’ve got one half of former tag team champions, taking on one half of the current tag team champions, over a matter of a missing teammate.
Joel: This is truly ridiculous. It’s true that The Eccentrics and The Pyro Twins haven’t gotten along at all in RCW, but there’s no proof that Jay Crowe and Dusty Schneble have anything to do with the recent disappearance of Cheesecake.
Tara: The Pyro Twins have done nothing to confirm or deny their part in Cheesecake’s sudden departure. Huh seems convinced that the two have something to do with it.
(“Pajamarama” hits and Huh makes his way to the ring.)
Tara: Here he comes now.
Joel: Huh pulled a victory right out of his ass last week on Foundation when he faced Dusty Schneble. Some attempted interference from Jay Crowe backfired, leaving Huh stumbling right into a win. That kind of thing isn’t as likely today, as Dusty Schneble has been banned from ringside, leaving this a one on one encounter.
(“Fuel” hits and Jay Crowe makes his way to the ring.)
Huh vs. Jay Crowe
(Huh stands in the center of the ring. He yells for Jay to step up, offering a test of strength. Jay shakes his head and locks hands with Huh, overpowering him almost instantly. He pushes Huh to the corner, ignoring the referee as he starts to shoulderblock Huh’s midsection. The ref forces his way between them, threatening to disqualify Jay. Jay backs off until the referee steps back. Jay then steps forward to whip Huh across the ring. Jay charges with a clothesline followed by a bulldog. He covers for a two count. Huh kicks out and some right hands at Jay from the mat, climbing up to his feet and whipping Jay to the ropes. Huh catches Jay in a vertical suplex and runs to the corner. Huh climbs to the top rope and attempts the Huhsault, but Jay quickly rolls out of the way. Huh almost bounces to his feet. Jay stands up and knocks Huh to his knees with a low dropkick, then pulls Huh into a DDT. Jay signals for the Overhaul, pulling Huh up into a reverse fireman’s carry. Huh struggles and lands behind Jay, picking him up for a back suplex. Jay blocks and turns it into a bulldog. Both get to their feet quickly. Jay takes Huh down with a judo arm throw. He locks on a triangle hold as Huh struggles on the mat.)
(Jay lets him go and runs the ropes, as Huh stands up. Jay knocks Huh through the ropes with a spinning heel kick. Jay stomps Huh and climbs the ropes. He jumps off for a knee drop. He pulls Huh to his feet and slaps him across the face. He shoves Huh into the corner, and Huh bounces out, hitting a forearm shot. Jay and Huh trade punches. Jay ducks a right hand and Huh spins around, falling backward and sitting on Jay’s foot. Jay jumps back holding it as Huh stands and runs the ropes, hitting a spinning heel kick of his own. Huh stands and spins around, looking dizzy. Jay takes him down with a drop toe hold from the mat, applying a side headlock. Huh forces his way up to his feet, and shoots Jay to the ropes. Jay tries to shoulderblock Huh, but Huh stays standing. Jay hits another one, but Huh just bounces back against the ropes and shoves Jay back. Jay runs the ropes and hits a hard forearm. Huh stumbles back into the corner. Jay sets Huh up on the top rope and goes up after him to try for a belly to belly suplex. He tries to lift Huh up, but Huh gets his leg hooked on the top rope. Jay falls to the mat as Huh struggles to stay up. Huh tries to climb down head first, but his hand slips on the second turnbuckle and he falls forward, accidentally hitting a senton bomb on Jay. Huh bounces into a sitting position then falls back on top of Jay for a three count.)
Winner: Huh by pin.
(Huh stumbles to the outside.)
Tara: Well…he did it again. Huh apparently won due to no action of his own.
Joel: If I hadn’t actually talked to this man to be sure that he’s an idiot, I’d swear he was fooling us.
(Huh gets a microphone.)
Joel: Oh no.
Huh: You see what happens. Anyone can see, it was fate that I won here tonight.
Joel: Sure as hell wasn’t skill…
Huh: Fate is watching over me, because I’m doing what I have to do, to find Cheesecake! Wherever you are, I’ll bring you back. I promise you. If Jay isn’t ready to tell me now, I’ll just have to beat him again and again until he confesses.
(Jay rolls out and snatches the ring announcers microphone.)
Jay: Look, I didn’t have anything to do with Cheesecake’s disappearance. I didn’t kidnap him. Dusty didn’t kidnap him. What would we want to do with him? You want a fight, we’re always here to fight, but for the love of God stop dragging us into your detective story!
BJ: The love of God indeed!
(Brother Jim comes out of the curtain.)
BJ: The love of God that has been visited upon me, has NOT been visited upon the vile man known to you as Cheesecake! Cursed be he who does the Lords work remissly, cursed he who holds back his sword from blood. Jeremiah 48:10. I have not been remiss, and today I come to share my deeds with you. Behold, for it is I who have taken the young brother Cheesecake. I fear he has taken quite an injury on the road to his saving, but never fret, he will return a changed man! A man of purity! A man of light! A man of righteousness!
Huh: Not if I have anything to say about it!
(Huh charges up the aisle, Brother Jim throws his bible at him. As Huh dodges, Brother Jim slips back through the curtain to the back.)
Tara: Brother Jim kidnapped Cheesecake?
Joel: You know what this means?
Tara: Who knows what that idiot is trying to do to “save” Cheesecake.
Joel: Not only that, but…Huh solved the case! Once again, its nothing he actually DID, but he now knows the truth.
(Footage is shown from Darkest Night 2003, with Naomi Leach defeating Kai Kitta. Zac Hensley is heard in voice over.)
Zac: December 21, 2003, Naomi Leach established the Ladies FPPVW Championship, that would become the Ladies RCW Championship. Her opponent that night, Kai Kitta, would have an interesting series of changes in that next year.
(Videos are shown highlighting the transition from Kai Kitta to Shadow, and her connection to Naomi Leach, including taking the title from her.)
(“Fall Behind Me” hits and Naomi Leach makes her way to the ring.)
Tara: Naomi Leach has been acting strange lately. She’s been seen admiring the Ladies Champion, though she makes no attack, she doesn’t even speak out against Shadow. I have a hard time believing it’s because of any sportsmanship out of her.
Joel: You never know. Perhaps losing the Ladies RCW Championship to Shadow jogged her sense of fair play and, okay you’re right, it’s suspicious.
(“Stay In Shadow” hits and Shadow makes her way to the ring.)
Shadow vs. Naomi Leach
Ladies RCW Championship Match
(Shadow slides into the ring and walks immediately to the center. Naomi circles around her as Shadow stays still. Naomi charges forward from the side and Shadow falls backward and rolls to her feet. Shadow charges forward after Naomi and misses a spinning heel kick. Naomi runs the ropes and misses a dropkick. Both stand and Shadow attempts a hiptoss. Naomi lands on her feet and hits an overhead belly to belly suplex. Shadow stands quickly and runs the ropes. Naomi ducks down to back body drop Shadow, but Shadow pulls her into a ddt. Shadow covers for a one count, Naomi slipping away and standing to hit an elbow drop to the back. She puts on a camel clutch. Shadow quickly breaks the hold and slips behind Naomi shoving her into the corner. Naomi turns and gets caught with a flying headscissors. Shadow climbs to the top rope and goes for a moonsault, but Naomi rolls out of the way.)
(Shadow tries to sit up, but Naomi knocks her back with a dropkick. Naomi covers for two. Shadow kicks out and Naomi rolls away. She stands, smiling strangely, beckoning Shadow closer. Shadow stands and stares her down. Shadow goes to lock up with Naomi, but gets caught with a thumb to the eye. Naomi pulls Shadow into another ddt and locks on the Leach Hold.)
(Shadow fights the hold, unable to break away. She weakens slowly, the ref coming in to check her arm, dropping it twice. Shadow holds up her arm on the third drop, but can’t break away. Naomi cranks down harder on the hold. Shadow fights harder, pressing against Naomi’s shoulders. Her head slips out of the hold, taking the mask off with it. Shadow’s face under the mask is painted black. With her head free, Shadow rears back and hits Naomi with a series of rights and lefts until she lets go. Shadow stands and backs up, standing weakly. Naomi backs into the ropes and charges with a clothesline. Shadow stands again as Naomi charges from the other direction. Shadow jumps to try a flying headscissor takedown, but Naomi stays standing, shoving Shadow down with a spinebuster. Naomi stands back and waits for Shadow to stand. Shadow gets to her feet using the ropes and Naomi grabs her in a waistlock. Shadow breaks loose after an back elbow to the head. Naomi shoves Shadow hard into the ropes, but Shadow jumps up on the second rope, backfliping over Naomi and catching her in a Dragon Sleeper. Shadow pulls Naomi back to the center of the ring and sits out, locking on a bodyscissor. Naomi fights, but eventually taps out weakly.)
Winner: Shadow by submission.
Tara: I can’t believe it. Shadow just made Naomi tap out. One year after meeting to decide the Ladies Championship, Shadow shows her dominance.
Joel: Impressive victory, perhaps the most decisive win in her career to date.
(Naomi leans against the ropes after being released from the hold. She slowly catches her breath and looks to the side, seeing and picking up Shadow’s mask. Naomi stands with a smile.)
Tara: Is she out of it? Why is she smiling like that?
Joel: That Dragon Sleeper cuts off blood flow to the brain. Maybe she lost a few too many cells in the exchange.
(Shadow holds up the title belt, but does not seem like she’s celebrating. Her face is passive, almost sad. She turns to Naomi, who has left the ring and returned with a microphone.)
Naomi: Tonight, once and for all, you’ve proven yourself. You are a worthy champion, just as I always wanted you to be. You are truly worthy to be my Shadow.
(Naomi holds up the mask with both hands. Shadow watches it and looks down at the title belt in her hands. After a moment she places the belt on the mat and kneels down before it. Naomi walks up as Shadow looks up at her. Naomi replaces the mask over Shadow’s eyes and turns her back. Shadow picks up the title belt and puts it over her shoulder, standing behind Naomi before they leave the ring and walk back up the aisle together. “Fall Behind Me” plays as they walk.)
Joel: What the hell?
Tara: It’s like Naomi still has a hold over Shadow, even after winning here tonight. Just who is in control here?
(The graphics for the remaining matches show, highlighting Ronin Fox vs. Cynric next.)
Tara: One title match down, two more left to go. Next up is the RCW Television Championship. For the first time in RCW history, we have brother versus brother. Ronin Fox defending his title against this man…
(“Soul Creation” hits and Cynric makes his way to the ring.)
Joel: Cynric had a slow start here in RCW. His first few months as a professional were hampered with injuries. Bad luck followed him here and there, but recently we’ve been seeing a much more focused Cynric lately. His victory against Chad Collyer on Foundation recently was enough to warrant this match.
Tara: We saw Cynric team up with Ronin Fox briefly during the FPPVW Tag Team Championship Tournament, but the team proved short lived when Fox was injured at the hands of Nykk. If I recall correctly, it was Silver King who stepped in to take Fox’s place in the tournament.
(“Wherever I May Roam” hits and Ronin Fox makes his way to the ring.)
Ronin Fox vs. Cynric
RCW Television Championship Match
(Cynric and Fox stand face to face as the ref takes the belt and signals for the bell. Fox holds up his hand for a handshake. Cynric shakes his head and holds out both his arms. Fox laughs and hugs Cynric. Both of them back up and circle each other, reaching toward each other but not quite making contact. Fox catches Cynric with one hand in a Greco-roman knuckle lock. He pulls Cynric closer and uses his other arm to apply a side headlock. Cynric elbows Fox and breaks the headlock, keeping hold of one hand and locking his other hand to start a test of strength. Cynric backs Fox up to the ropes and falls back, monkey flipping Fox to the center of the ring and flipping backward on top of him. He holds Fox down for a two count, Fox forcing one shoulder up. Cynric pushes it back down, but Fox lifts the other one. Cynric puts all his weight forward and Fox rolls back, kicking at Cynric’s midsection to launch him to his feet. Fox uses the momentum of the launch to pop off the mat and turn, breaking the hand holds and catching Cynric in a bodyscissors facing down. Fox pushes off the mat with his hands and flips backward, catching Cynric in a reverse DDT. Fox rolls to his feet and runs sideways in the ring. Cynric kips up to his feet and catches Fox with a jumping leg lariat. Fox rolls backward to his feet and backs into the ropes. Cynric stands and leapfrogs over Fox. Fox runs the ropes as Cynric tries to fall flat to avoid him. Fox stops and misses with an elbow drop. Cynric rolls out of the way and jumps up to miss a leg drop. Fox rolls up and pulls Cynric into a hip toss, but Cynric lands on his feet. Fox charges but gets pulled into an arm drag, Fox quickly rolls forward and stands. Cynric and Fox run for each other and miss simultaneous dropkicks and roll to their feet at the same time. The crowd erupts.)
(Cynric and Fox shrug and give each other a high five. They circle again. They both go to lock up, but Cynric sweeps Fox’s legs and turns him over into a Boston Crab. Fox struggles and reaches the ropes. Cynric releases the hold and backs up. Fox stands up and glares over at Cynric, who shrugs. Fox shrugs too and they go to lock up again. Fox whips Cynric to the ropes and hits a drop toe hold, pulling Cynric’s leg up into a half crab. Cynric tries to move to the side to gain leverage, but Fox turns around into an STF, holding Cynric in place. Cynric fights and eventually plants his hands on the mat, dragging himself to the ropes and grabbing hold. Fox lets go and waits for Cynric to stand up. Fox charges at Cynric, but Cynric grabs the top rope and falls back, lowbridging Fox to the ring apron. Cynric stands and suplexes Fox back into the ring. He grabs Fox’s leg and turns as if to go for the figure four, but Fox blocks with a foot on Cynric’s butt and shoves him into the ropes, pulling him into a rollup on the rebound for a two count.)
(Cynric stands up quickly, rushing at Fox and shoving him into the ropes, looking frustrated. Fox rebounds off the ropes and gets caught with a hangman’s neckbreaker. Cynric backs up and signals for the Lift Off. He charges, but Fox ducks and rolls under the bottom rope. Cynric goes to the apron and jumps off, hitting a front kick that sends Fox back against the barricade. Cynric catches up with him and rolls him into the ring. Cynric climbs to the top rope and hits a flying elbow smash. He covers for a two count.)
(Fox struggles away and gets up to his knee. Cynric locks up with him before he can reach his feet and goes behind for a waistlock. He lifts Fox up, but Fox blocks and performs a standing switch, pushing Cynric forward into the ropes and rolling back into a bridging German suplex for a two count.)
(Cynric kicks out. Fox backs up against the ropes and waits. He hits a spinning heel kick when Cynric stands and goes to pull him to his feet. Cynric stands with Fox and stuns him with a knee to the midsection. He follows up with a gut wrench suplex and picks up Fox’s legs. He stops as if considering what to do next, then turns Fox over for another Boston Crab. Fox is ready, and forces himself out of the hold, launching Cynric head first to the corner. Fox stands and turns Cynric around. He tries to whip Cynric to the opposite corner, but Cynric reverses. Fox jumps to the top rope and moonsaults back to hit Fox Fire. He covers for the three count.)
Winner: Ronin Fox by pin.
Tara: He can pull a victory out of nowhere at a moment’s notice.
Joel: But Cynric was close. He had to feel that belt in his hands near the end.
(Cynric stands as Fox holds up the belt. Fox offers a handshake, Cynric pauses, then smiles and accepts it.)
Joel: What, no hug after the match?
(A video plays, highlighting Nykk’s title reign to the tune of “Fly From the Inside.” The second half of the video incorporates footage from Nykk’s early career and training, showing Jon Z instructing him.)
Tara: Nykk takes on Jon Z later tonight, but before that we have a true wrestling fan’s dream match. Austin Lee, the fastest rising star in RCW, takes on the man described as the best independent wrestler in the world today.
(“Head Like a Hole” hits and Christopher Daniels makes his way to the ring.)
Joel: Here he is, the Fallen Angel. Already, he’s been involved in some of RCW’s top matches for 2004. His matches for the RCW Television Title against Ronin Fox will be studied as classics.
(“The Way I Am” hits and Austin Lee makes his way to the ring.)
Tara: Austin Lee made one of the biggest marks on 2004 when he led the Heel Stable up until the return of Nykk. He’s been working for respect backstage ever since, and I think he’s earned it.
Joel: From some? Perhaps. From the Fallen Angel? I doubt it.
Christopher Daniels vs. Austin Lee
Chris and Austin stare each other down. Chris smirks and slaps Austin. Austin looks away and laughs, spitting in Chris’ face and slapping him back. Chris charges forward, and Austin sidesteps and whips him hard into the corner. He catches Chris with a vertical suplex. He quickly drags Chris to his feet and tries for another. Chris blocks and hits a knee to the side followed by an STO. He locks on a rear chinlock, but Austin slips out and applies a sleeperhold. Chris stands up and drops down to hit a jawjacker, turning quickly and standing up to hit a Blue Thunder Bomb. He covers for a two count.)
(Austin breaks away and rolls under the bottom rope. Chris stands on the second rope and waits for him. Austin stares up at him and rushes in, slipping under the bottom rope and right under Chris, standing up quick and catching Chris as he turns around in an overhead belly to belly suplex. Both kip up to their feet. Chris charges and Austin sidesteps him. Austin runs chest first into the ropes and falls back. He rolls back to his feet and hits a low dropkick, taking out Austin’s legs and forcing him to his knees. Chris stands and runs the ropes and takes Austin all the way down with a jumping bulldog. Chris locks on a front face lock and attacks with knees to the head. Austin struggles and hooks his foot on the rope. The ref orders Chris to break the hold. He breaks at the count of four. He backs away, lifting his arms as the ref admonishes him. As soon as the ref backs away, he stomps at Austin’s back. He pulls Austin into position for the Angel’s Wings, but Austin drops to one knee and blocks. He grabs Chris’s leg and trips him down, applying a spinning toe hold. Chris kicks at Austin. Austin catches his leg and applies the Crimson Cloverleaf.)
(Chris fights the hold, coming close to tapping out. He pushes himself up and crawls toward the ropes. He just barely touches them when Austin pulls him back toward the center. After a long battle, Chris crawls his way back toward the ropes again. Austin releases the hold before he reaches the ropes and hits an elbow drop. Austin presses his advantage, pulling Chris up and putting him into position for a powerbomb. Chris blocks, dropping to one knee. He rolls backward. Austin chases him and fires with a right hand. Chris blocks and backs into the ropes, launching himself forward with a forearm shot. Austin reels back and gets spun around for the Fall From Grace. Chris covers for two. Chris stands up and kicks at Austin, pulling him up and whipping him hard into the corner. Austin steps back into a back suplex and Chris climbs the ropes. He jumps for the Best Moonsault Ever, but Austin rolls out of the way. Chris stands up quickly and ducks a forearm shot. Chris pulls Austin into position again for the Angel’s Wings, but Austin slips out and shoots up to his feet with an uppercut, picking Chris up to hit the Degenerate Driver. He covers for the three count.)
Winner: Austin Lee by pin.
Joel: Unbelievable! Austin Lee can pull victory out of nowhere. This match could have gone either way at almost any time.
Tara: What a night this has been! We’ve been seeing the very best that the professional wrestling world has to offer, and it’s not about to stop.
Joel: I can’t believe what I am about to see. The RCW Championship up for grabs against the man who made the current champion. Jon Z, the owner and CEO of Renegade Championship Wrestling comes out of his in-ring retirement to challenge for the fastest growing title in the fastest growing wrestling promotion in the world.
(“Prayer” hits and Jon Z makes his way to the ring, wearing black shorts and showing his tattoos for the first time.)
Tara: A proud man is on his way to the ring. This is a man who built a company from the ground up to being a true power in this business, and this is a man who is willing to put his body on the line to keep one man from being the one to represent that company.
Joel: I hope this isn’t a mistake. Let’s not forget it wasn’t Jon Z’s choice to retire. He broke his tail bone in his second professional match, and there’s a good chance he can break it again if he’s not careful.
(“Destroy” hits and Nykk makes his way to the ring. Joey Sprinklers and the Pyro Twins accompany him to ringside.)
Tara: The Heel Stable is out in force. You know it’s only a matter of time before one or all of those men try to get involved in the match.
Joel: That might be Jon’s saving grace as well as Nykk’s easy way out. If they interfere the title stays put and Jon can walk away without being fairly beaten, and hopefully not too badly beaten.
Nykk vs. Jon Z
RCW Championship Match
(Nykk and Jon stare each other down. The ref takes the title belt from Nykk and shows it to Jon, but Jon doesn’t take his eyes off of Nykk. The bell rings and Nykk offers a handshake. Jon rolls his eyes and smacks Nykk. Nykk laughs and tries to throw a right hand, but Jon ducks under it and hiptosses Nykk to the mat. Nykk stands quickly and runs right into a dropkick. Nykk backs up into the ropes and misses with a clothesline. Jon takes him down with a hangman’s neckbreaker. Jon goes for a cover, Nykk kicks out at one and rolls to the outside.)
(Nykk consults with Joey and the Pyro Twins on the outside of the ring. Jon waits inside. Nykk slides under the bottom rope and Jon rushes forward. Nykk rolls back out and grabs Jon’s foot, tripping him to the mat. Quickly, Nykk jumps onto the ring apron and hits a slingshot legdrop on Jon. Nykk stands and stomps on Jon, focusing on his lower back. Jon turns toward the ropes and pulls himself up. Nykk throws a right hand but Jon blocks it and fires back with one of his own. The two trade punches, Jon slowly taking control and forcing Nykk back into the corner. Jon whips Nykk out of the corner, but Nykk stops and reverses the whip, pulling Jon out then back into the same corner. Jon backs out of it right into a rolling back suplex. Nykk rolls up, keeping hold of Jon and trying to lock his hands for a German suplex. Jon blocks and breaks away with a standing switch. He hits a German suplex and rolls up, locking on a full nelson and lifting him up into a full nelson bomb, rebounding up to a Dragon suplex, bridging for a two count.)
(Jon gets to his feet and stretches his arms, reaching down and pulling Nykk into position for a powerbomb, but Nykk sneaks in a low blow while Joey Sprinklers jumps up on the apron, distracting the ref. The ref orders him off the ring and goes to the outside to push him toward the aisle, ordering him to leave. Joey throws a fit, grabbing hold of the ref and pulling him away from the ring. Jay and Dusty slide into the ring from the other side and pull Jon to his feet. They hit Final Darkness and slide out before the ref turns back around. Joey leaves the arena as the ref orders the Pyro Twins out as well. Nykk is just leaning against the ropes laughing. The Pyro Twins back away and leave the arena as Nykk takes a few steps and casually covers Jon with a lateral press. He gets a two count when Jon kicks out with authority, Nykk almost rolled out of the ring. He stands up and stares at Jon, looking frustrated. Jon stands up slowly, only to get knocked down with a clothesline. He stands again, slower, and gets pulled into a fireman’s carry. Nykk hits a rolling Samoan drop and climbs to the second rope quickly, hitting a knee drop and covering for a two count.)
(Nykk gets up and kicks at the ropes. He pulls Jon up again and sets Jon up for a northern lights suplex. He lifts him up and holds him. The ref notices Jon’s positioning and steps up, warning Nykk not perform the Aurora Driver. Nykk drops Jon on his feet and shoves the ref back. The ref bounces against the ropes and stumbles forward and to his knees. Nykk shakes his head and actually bends down to help him up. He stands the ref up and pats his back, turning him and hitting him with an elbow to the back of the head. The ref falls and Nykk turns back to Jon. He lifts Jon into position for the Aurora Driver, but Jon struggles in the air and hits a knee to Nykk’s chest. He drops down to his feet and attacks with quick knee strikes to Nykk’s head before pulling him into position for a Tiger Driver. Jon covers, but the ref is still down. Jon pounds on the mat as Nykk lays there motionless. The ref starts to stir and turns slowly. He sees the pin and counts to two before Nykk kicks out. Jon stands up and argues with the ref. Nykk stands up and falls against the corner. He sees Jon and runs toward him, pulling him into Howling Moon II. He stands up and makes a cut throat gesture, pulling Jon up to hit a reverse atomic drop. He shoves Jon back into the ropes and slips behind him and hits a full nelson bomb. Jon yells out and rolls onto his stomach. Nykk stomps at his lower back. He smirks as Jon uses the ropes to climb to his feet. Jon turns toward Nykk and misses with a right hand. Nykk spins Jon around and picks him up for Howling Moon I. Jon drops behind Nykk and applies a sleeper hold. Nykk struggles, then backs up hard into the corner. Nykk falls forward as Jon stumbles out. Nykk scoots away from Jon, protecting his face. Jon follows him and aims a kick to the head. As he connects, Nykk latches onto Jon’s foot and twists it. He takes Jon to the mat and applies an ankle lock while reaching for Jon’s other foot. When he has a grip on it, he turns around and applies the Bellbrookville Cedarleaf. Jon fights for a long time, but can’t reach the ropes. He almost passes out before tapping.)
Winner: Nykk by submission.
(Nykk releases the hold and slides out of the ring, ripping the title belt away from the timekeeper and holding it up proudly. He rolls back to the ring and celebrates at every corner.)
Tara: Damn it. Jon was so close.
Joel: Nykk played it smart later in the match. You saw the way he targeted Jon’s tailbone. The reverse atomic drop setting up for the full nelson bomb. That was the beginning of the end for sure. One thing is certain, Jon has no reason to be embarrassed by his performance here tonight. He nearly gave the champ a heart attack in the opening of this match, but Nykk showed us here tonight that he may just be untouchable on the top.
(Jon struggles to his feet and looks over at Nykk. Nykk smiles and holds up the belt. Jon looks down and walks to the center of the ring. He extends a hand. The crowd cheers loudly and chants “shake his hand!”)
Tara: Does he really think this is a good idea?
Joel: What do you think Nykk is thinking right now?
(Nykk looks at the hand then looks away at the crowd. After a few moments he locks eyes with Jon and accepts the handshake. The crowd cheers.)
Tara: I can’t believe what I just saw. Nykk with a show of respe…
(Nykk pulls Jon into the Aurora Driver and rolls out of the ring, he holds up his belt laughing.)
Tara: Damn! I should have known better.
Joel: Jon should have too.
(Refs and EMT’s storm into the ring to check on Jon.)
Tara: What was the point of that? You won the damn match, you still have the title, why try and possibly cripple the man again?
Joel: The year 2004 is looking to end on a success story for Nykk. Who’s left who can unseat this champion?
Tara: How is he? How’s Jon?
Joel: Be sure to tune in this Friday for This Week in RCW, check your local listings or watch the free webcast on PPVrenegade.com. Don’t forget Foundation next week! We’ve run out of time. Good night!
Tara: Is Jon alright?
(Copyright info, fade to black.)
Event Report:
Show Quality-77
Attendance-6051
Buyrate-.43
Segment Breakdown: Overall rating (crowd reaction/match quality)
Foundation: Swinger def. Mark Vincent-56(44/68)
Jason Lee def. Apollo Khan-51(19/84)
Huh def. Jay Crowe-67(71/59)
Brother Jim promo-82
Shadow def. Naomi Leach: Ladies RCW Championship Match-81(86/71)
Ronin Fox def. Cynric: RCW Television Championship Match-74(74/75)
Nykk vs. Jon Z video-83
Austin Lee def. Christopher Daniels-85(85/86)
Nykk def. Jon Z-87(83/91)
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2004 Renegade Championship Wrestling
