The show starts with highlights from Brave New World, with emphasis on Ax attacking Reaper, allowing Vayne to win the TWF Championship. Within moments of this clip showing, Down With The Sickness hits, and Vayne makes his way to the ring, striding forward confidently, eager to show off his newly won TWF Title. He grabs a mike, and waits for the crowd’s chants to die down before speaking. The cameras pick up on his swollen nose.
“As you all know, I won the TWF title at Brave New World. I know you’re not shocked. You knew that I would win, didn’t you? Well, get used to it, ‘cos I have every intention of winning every match from now on. I’m not gonna lose this baby (He kisses the title belt). There is nothing any of you can do about it, because… hit it!”
Simply The Best plays on the PA system as he drops to his knees, and sings to the music. He stands, and prances around the ring, Ric Flair style. The music cuts off, and he looks to the ramp with annoyance, as Symphony of Destruction begins to reverberate around the arena. The Real Deal makes his way to the ring, never taking his sight away from Vayne, who stands in the corner, out of the way. Deal grabs another mike.
“Vayne, congratulations for your victory last week at Brave New World. You did prove that, for one night at least, you were the best, taking part in 5 grueling matches and losing just the one. However, just because you won at Brave New World doesn’t mean you’re the best. No no… you were lucky at Brave New World. On any other night… ANY other night, I would have beaten you and gone on to win the TWF Championship. I just happened to be unlucky enough to have to take you on straight after Flake got a fluke victory over me. Now understand this – the next time you and I have a match, and we will have a match, you won’t be so lucky. And who knows, your TWF Title might be on the line as well? After all, I am in charge of this company, and what I say, goes.”
Deal is cut off suddenly as Cyclops plays through the arena. We see none other than Ax, who stands on the stage area, carrying both a mike and his kendo stick.
“Hey, Deal. Shut up for a moment and show some respect! At Brave New World I had every intention of being a part of that title tournament of yours. But you thought otherwise. And then at the end of the evening, that “pretty boy” there won the title thanks to MY intervention. Now, I have one thing to say, and that’s I deserve to be TWF Champion! Back in the old era, I was never pushed for a title run. Oh sure, you gave me a title shot here or there, but they were never serious ideas, were they? No, instead I was kept out of the title picture, despite having the best record in TWF history! So I’ve got a suggestion – how about I come down to that ring and beat both your asses, then take away that precious gold of yours?
Ax starts to walk to the ring. Deal stops him.
“Wait a second, I’ve got a better idea. You want a title shot? Fine. Tonight’s main event will be you, Ax, taking on TWF Champion Vayne in a hardcore rules match for the TWF Championship.”
“Hold on now. I’m the best athlete in the TWF, and you want me to fight in a hardcore match?”
“You’re going to fight in that match, whether you like it or not. Now play my music.”
War hits, as Ax nods in agreement. Deal exits the ring as Vayne looks on, refusing to accept that he must fight in a hardcore match. We cut to backstage, and see Greenburger talking to Mr Saddo, sobbing occasionally and wincing following the beatings he received last week at BNW. Interviewer Craig Brooks approaches him.
“How do you feel after losing all four matches last week at Brave New World?”
“Upset – they forced me to get inna ring! An I, an I don’t know what a chokeslam is. All I wanna do is speak with Vince.”
Brooks shakes his head in exasperation, but gives Greenburger a sympathetic hug. He puts a hand to his ear.
“This has just come through – Real Deal wants to see you in his office. Something about your contract.”
“Okay, thankoo.”
Greenburger cheers up slightly, and scurries off, as Brooks shakes his head, smiling.
We cut to the backstage canteen, where Deal is grabbing a fresh pot of coffee. Interviewer Adam Creswell approaches him.
“What’s happening tonight?”
“Are you completely ignorant, Creswell? What’s happening is this: Vayne will take on Ax in a hardcore match for the TWF Championship, as I said just a few minutes ago. We have a new TWF superstar making his debut in a match against Flake…”
Greenburger walks in.
“…and a special surprise. Greenburger, over here. Get lost, Creswell. Now, Greenburger, you impressed me last week at Brave New World, and as a result I am prepared to offer you a contract here in the TWF. But first, I need you to do something for me.”
Greenburger looks stricken.
“Get in the limousine out the back, and visit the local hospital.”
“Li… limousine?”
“Yeah, Greenburger, my limousine. Go to the local hospital and do an interview with Reaper – he’s got a concussion, but don’t get too close… he might bite.”
Greenburger looks slightly worried, before running off. Deal laughs. Camera cuts to the interview area, where Craig Brooks and Ax are stood.
“Not withstanding your current personal problems with Reaper Ax, I’d just like to know why you helped Vayne to win the TWF Championship?”
“I didn’t help him, you moron. Show some respect and shut up! If Reaper was here now I wouldn’t be talking to you – I’d be kickin’ his ass all over the arena.”
Brooks tries to ask Ax a second question, but is knocked down by a savage punch to the face. Ax grabs the mike.
“NEXT WEEK REAPER, you’d better be here, ‘cos I got a couple of friends who are gonna be here next week, and we’ll show you what respect is all about!”
He storms off as we cut to the ring. Symphony of Destruction hits, and Deal enters with a medium-sized, muscular athlete. Deal grabs a mike and introduces the new superstar.
“I’d like to introduce you all to the latest TWF superstar, who is no doubt bound to make waves in the future – Xander Rivers!”
Rivers raises his arms, and gestures with elegant confidence, as Flakes music hits the speakers. Deal leaves, and Flake makes his way to the ring, with the usual extravagant pyro.
MATCH: Flake VS Xander Rivers
Rivers makes an immediate start, attacking Flake as he steps between the ropes. Flake is still suffering the effects of four matches at Brave New World, and struggles to make an impact against the fresh Rivers. Rivers hits a running powerbomb on Flake, and gets a close two count. He picks Flake up, and slams him down to the mat with force, followed by a succession of elbows to the chest. Rivers bounces off the ropes, but misses with the leg drop, giving Flake time to make a comeback. He hits Rivers with elbows to the side of the head, and takes him down with a swinging DDT. Flake waves at the crowd, who go wild. Flake gestures that he is about to perform the Stein-lock on Rivers. However, as he looks at the crowd, Rivers attacks him from behind, picks him up, and places him over his back, head to the floor and legs in the air. Rivers drops to his knees, executing the reverse Tombstone, and gets the pin. Flake lies groggily as Rivers celebrates his victory.
We cut to an inside shot of the limo, and see Greenburger dancing wildly to the Mr Blobby song, which is playing full blast. The limo stops, as does the music, and Greenburger steps out. The camera follows Greenburger as he goes through the main entrance and heads towards reception. Nobody is there, so he walks off into the hospital. He enters out onto a ward, and immediately notices a longhaired man in a nearby bed. He approaches him cautiously, and shakes him slightly.
“Reaper, wake up, it’s Huge Greenburger!”
There is no response. Greenburger prods him repeatedly, and the man wakes up suddenly.
“WHAT THE HELL DO YOU WANT?!?”
Greenburger runs off, crying – it’s not Reaper. He doesn’t look where he’s going, and bumps into a nurse.
“S… Sorry. That man was angry. Have you seen Mr Reaper?”
“Yes, I’m afraid he had to be taken to an intensive care ward though – he fell into a temporary coma about an hour ago…. Wait a minute, you’re Huge Greenburger! I’m a big fan of the TWF! Er, anyway… we had some photographs taken to keep for our records – Reaper had injuries that we’ve never encountered before. Shards of wood embedded in his skull, and varying compound fractures. Would you like to see them?”
“Okay….”
She pulls out the photos and shows them to Greenburger, who looks ill. The camera sees the picture also, revealing the graphic details of Reaper’s injuries.
“So what do you think? Mr Greenburger?”
She looks down, and sees that Greenburger has passed out. Cut back to the arena as Cyclops hits the speakers. Ax makes his way to the ring, carrying an assortment of weapons. He places them at ringside, keeping only his kendo stick, as Vayne makes his way to the ring, proudly showing off his TWF title and looking slightly hesitant as to the upcoming match.
MATCH: Vayne VS Ax (TWF Title, Hardcore Rules)
Both men circle the ring, Vayne hesitant to start, and Ax playing mind games. Suddenly, Ax rushes forward and attempts to strike Vayne with the kendo stick. Vayne ducks out of the way, narrowly avoiding it. He makes an attack of his own, going for Ax’s legs, and takes him down. Both get in a slugfest for a few moments, before Vayne gets away and slides out of the ring, clutching his injured nose. He slides back in, but Ax is ready with the kendo stick, and lays into the champion, causing several welts on Vayne’s chest and back. Ax goes to grab a few more of his toys, giving Vayne time to recover somewhat. He grabs a steel trash can lid, and hides it from Ax’s view, who returns with a steel chair and a hockey stick. Vayne leaps up, and smashes Ax over the head with the trashcan, then leaps to the top turnbuckle and executes a splash on the fallen Ax. He attempts a fall, but only gets a two count. He picks Ax up, bounces off the rope, and hits Ax with a diving DDT, getting another 2 count. Ax fights back with several punches, and attempts a piledriver. Vayne reverses this, with an elegant flip over Ax’s head, followed by a backwards kick to Ax’s legs. Vayne slaps on an armbar, but Ax manages to reach the ropes, and more importantly, his kendo stick. He swings at Vayne, but smacks the referee instead, causing the unlucky official to fly out of the ring and to the floor. Both superstars continue to fight as EMT’s remove the official from ringside. Deal emerges from the back, wearing referee’s stripes, and hurries to the ring to continue officiating. Ax gains the upper hand, and signals for the Ax Cutter. He steadies himself on the top turnbuckle as Vayne stands groggily. However, before he can jump and execute the move, Deal “accidentally” leans on the ropes causing Ax to lose balance, landing crotch first on the turnbuckle and collapsing to the floor. Vayne realises that he has the upper hand, and makes his way quickly to the top turnbuckle, where he executes the DeepVayne on the injured Ax. Deal counts the 123 slowly and fairly. Vayne stands and, clutching his title belt, leaves without a word. Ax rolls out of the ring as Deal stands in the ring, smiling. Vayne’s music suddenly cuts off, and the figure of a man appears on the dark video screen, laughing. Deal looks shocked, and the man on the screen speaks.
“I’ve gotta say Deal, I’m impressed. I’ve been tuning in each week, and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. However, I’m afraid I’ve got to tell you something. You see, the organisation of the TWF… well, it’s not quite flourishing like it used to. Which means somebody needs to sort out business. So, as it’s getting chilly here in Wales, I think I’m gonna need to take a little trip to the mainland and sort……………………………. (A light highlights his face) MY BUSINESS! Because I am Adam Phillips, dammit!”
Deal mouths “WHAT?” as Fuel goes off the air.