October 25, 2009

"Thriller" by Michael Jackson plays as we see dancers dressed as zombies dancing back and forth on the screen. They've been made up to resemble members of the CWA and they're dancing in a ring which has been filled with dirt and headstones. We then fade from that to the standard opening montage, though still using Michael Jackson's music. We see images of Moose, Gary Barber, The Mask, Jack Spade, Kira Yakamoto, Scavenger, Greyson Blaze, Malk and Tommy Purr before we head to ringside where Henry Lesher and Ricky Simms are ready to call tonight's Halloween week action. The scene then turns to snow, then a test pattern and then we see a black and white, grainy image. We hear "All Hallows Eve" by Type O Negative as Kindred comes out onto the stage, dressed as a referee.

Halloween Challenge Match

Ricky Simms - Kindred referee in match... has big, delicious brain.

Henry Lesher - It is a wonderful night for murder most foul, Richard. Most nights, that would be my quest on the streets of London. Tonight, I am here.

Ricky Simms - Brains....

Henry Lesher - Hands off my head.

Kindred steps through the ropes into the ring and then we hear "Mr. Scary" by Dokken and Jack Skellington is lowered from the rafters, swinging back and forth and appearing almost giddy with his opportunity to make his appearance inside a CWA ring. Once he has been lowered to the canvas, Kindred then snaps the cord which he was swinging from and appears set to choke him out with it, but he backs off instead. Jack then fights to get the cord and the harness off of him while his music fades and then we hear "Shadows of the Night" by White Wolf and The Rock is led out onto the stage by Lilith. She smirks as she leads him down the ramp towards the ring and points at Jack. Rock climbs onto the ring apron and then steps through the ropes into the ring without the usual fanfare and playing up to the fans. The fans themselves are cheering loudly despite the fact there appears to be zombie conversions taking place at the back of the building.

Ricky Simms - Rock special. Rock has Lilith. Giant brain and demon now.

Henry Lesher - It is delightful to see the real art of horror is taking place inside this ring tonight. Possessed by a demon, Rock might finally have some real talent within.

Referee Kindred calls for the bell and Jack jumps at The Rock. He tackles Rock to the mat and tries choking him with his rather bony hands. Rock tosses Jack away and then quickly gets to his feet. Rock then kicks Jack in the skull and sends him through the ropes and out to the floor. Jack quickly gets to his feet and has words with Lilith about the power she has granted to Rock tonight. He then clotheslines her to the mat and this causes The Rock to fall to the mat as well. Jack looks down at Lilith and then looks in at Rock. Jack then leg drops the downed Lilith which causes both she and Rock to flinch. Jack wags a bony finger in the air and tells the crowd he has this figured out already. He stands Lilith up and takes a jawbreaker from her. Rock is on his feet as well, mimicking the movements of his demonic manager. Rock then rolls himself out of the ring to the floor after Jack.

Ricky Simms - Jack had upper hand and smarter brain. Now, Rock and Lilith have upper hand.

Henry Lesher - Richard, might I say you have never been this delightful to work with?

Rock stands Jack up and rams his head into the ring apron as instructed by Lilith. She smiles as he then picks Jack up and slams him to the floor. Rock then rolls Jack back into the ring. Rock rolls himself back in and Lilith applauds as he goes for the pin. 1...2... kick out by Jack. Rock stands Jack up, whips him off the ropes and misses with a clothesline as Jack does a somersault over his arm, onto the top rope and then he lands a bulldog on Rock which brings him down to the mat. Jack then rolls himself out of the ring and he then motions to someone in the crowd. Residents of Halloween Town then scramble over the railing and tackle Lilith to the floor which causes Rock to writhe on the mat inside the ring, Jack then faces the camera.

Jack Skellington - I am the Pumpkin King!

Jack rolls himself into the ring and goes for the pin on Rock. 1...2...3! Jack Skellington gets the win in the first ever Halloween Match.

Ricky Simms - Good brain, outsmart demon.

Henry Lesher - It's not as enjoyable as watching life drain from street walkers, but it will do for tonight.

Jack exits the ring and heads into the crowd with the residents of Halloween Town. We then see a test pattern, static and then we see a backstage image in color.

Wyatt Gibson - So that's why The Rock turned down a CWA appearance.

Shannon Skanes - We can have a good show without him.

Wyatt Gibson - Anything new with Scorched Earth?

Shannon Skanes - Next week's Superior match will decide a lot, Wyatt. There are some definite possibilities.

There is a knock at the door and then Sabrina Davidson peeks her head inside.

Sabrina Davidson - I hate to interrupt...

Shannon Skanes - What's up?

Sabrina Davidson - Did you hear about ESW?

Shannon Skanes - No.

Sabrina Davidson - They're apparently out of business.

Wyatt Gibson - They were around for seven years. That's a lot of people to put out of work.

Shannon Skanes - So much for the rebounding economy.

Sabrina Davidson - I thought you would want to know.

Shannon Skanes - I am going to call Sinclair about this.

Wyatt Gibson - Hawkins was champ there, wasn't he?

Shannon Skanes - Yes, but their other champions were impressive.

Kira Yakamoto vs. Scavenger

"My Girlfriend's Girlfriend" by Type O Negative plays as Scavenger comes out onto the stage, his trusty chair under his arm, which draws cheers from the crowd, though like last week not in the way he is used to. He is followed down the ramp by his wife Lauren and she gets loud cheers. Scavenger smiles, mistakenly thinking that the fans are warming up to him. Lauren rolls herself into the ring while Scavenger talks to the chair at ringside. Scavenger then steps up onto the ring apron before stepping through the ropes into the ring. His music then fades while he begins to argue with his wife. "Baby Baby Baby" by Endeverafter plays as Kira Yakamoto makes her way onto the stage and she receives a loud ovation from the fans. She then runs down the ramp into the ring and the referee calls for the bell as she attacks Scavenger with a series of forearm smashes to the jaw.

Ricky Simms - This is an odd match to start the night.

Henry Lesher - This is the start of the night?

Ricky Simms - Of course it is.

Kira whips Scavenger off the ropes and lands a dropkick that brings him down to the mat. Kira then goes for a springboard moonsault onto the fallen Scavenger only to take knees to the ribs from Scavenger instead. Scavenger then quickly gets to his feet and then kicks Kira in the gut before giving her a gutwrench suplex to the mat where he then goes for an STF on Kira. She quickly grabs the bottom rope and then pulls herself out to the floor while a frustrated Scavenger slaps the mat and argues again with his wife. Kira pulls herself onto the ring apron and then steps through the ropes into the ring where Scavenger then places her in a hammerlock. Scavenger screams at her to give up while the fans cheer her on.

Ricky Simms - I can't remember the last time Scavenger wasn't viewed as the fan favorite in a match.

Henry Lesher - Yeah, I can't remember the last time these fans has taste either, although they are cheering for a Yakamoto so we take that with a grain of salt at best.

Kira reaches out for the ropes. Scavenger pulls her away from the ropes, releases the hold and then applies a sleeper hold instead. Lauren checks for a submission while the fans chant for Kira and against Scavenger. Scavenger shakes his head and tells the crowd he is not losing this challenge. Kira refuses to submit to the hold and reaches out for the ropes. Kira then elbows Scavenger in the ribs and then reaches back and thumbs him in the eye. Scavenger's hold loosens and she manages to snag the middle rope to force the break. Scavenger reluctantly lets go and then takes a series of forearm smashes to the jaw from Kira. Kira then whips Scavenger into the corner buckle and then bulldogs him to the mat before rolling him over for the pin. 1...2... kick out by Scavenger.

Ricky Simms - Kira can win this straight up, but Scavenger has to make Kira submit or his wife will be stripping inside that ring.

Henry Lesher - For once I am cheering for the moron with the chair.

Kira stands Scavenger up, whips him off the ropes and backdrops him to the mat. Kira then goes to the ropes and makes her way to the top. Scavenger stands and takes a flying body press to the mat from Kira who then hooks the leg for the pin. 1...2... kick out by Scavenger. Kira then stands Scavenger up, whips him off the ropes and misses with a clothesline as he ducks it and then he clotheslines Kira to the mat. We then see Vesuvius and Athena sliding into the ring and Vesuvius tackles Scavenger while Athena takes down Kira and the referee is forced to call for the bell, declaring this battle no contest.

Ricky Simms - Vesuvius and Daniel McCoy took the fall earlier tonight against Tommy Purr and Noah Skanes when Scavenger prevented Samson from interfering. It looks like Vesuvius is not happy about it either.

Henry Lesher - I am all for beating up Scavenger and Kira at the same time.

The brawl continues to the outside of the ring while Lauren tells the cameraman she will not perform under these circumstances. The fans boo as she leaves the ring and heads up the ramp, avoiding the brawl taking place which security forces now have to split up.

Shannon is seen leaving his office when a middle aged man in a suit and carrying a briefcase approaches him.

Shannon Skanes - Marc Bell sent you?

Man - Yes, sir, I want to talk to you about the upcoming event on our network.

Shannon Skanes - Yeah, we can talk the legal stuff in a bit. I just need to take care of something here.

Shannon pats the man on the shoulder and moves on to where Bruce Miller is standing, also wearing suit.

Bruce Miller - What's the plan here?

Shannon Skanes - Bruce, the tag division is in shambles. You know what we need to do here, that thing we talked about. You have the suit on, you might as well act official.

Bruce Miller - This should be fun then.

Shannon Skanes - Fun as hell, my friend.

Shannon pats Bruce on the back and heads back towards his office with the Penthouse representative in tow. Bruce smirks as he makes his way in the opposite direction and we see Wyatt Gibson skulking along behind him.

Malk vs. Greyson Blaze
Guest Referee: 6Pac Dudley

"Voices" by Rev Theory plays as Malk makes his way onto the stage where the crowd gives him a warm ovation. He has an ESW T-shirt on and shows that off to the camera before he starts making his way down the ramp. He is then attacked from behind by Greyson Blaze who chop blocks him down to the ramp. The referee calls for the bell as Greyson whips Malk with the title belt. Greyson then stands Malk up and snap mares him down the ramp while the fans cheer the violence. Greyson then pulls Malk down to ringside and picks up the in steps. He moves towards Malk only to take a kick to the knee caps from Malk who then rolls away from Blaze while getting to his feet.

Ricky Simms - Malk is working to recover here.

Henry Lesher - I will say that, while they both suck, they at least both try.

Malk reaches under the ring apron and pulls out a trash can lid. He smacks Greyson in the face with it four times before giving him a clothesline to the floor. Malk then goes for the quick pin. 1...2... kick out by Greyson Blaze. Malk then stands Greyson up, then whips him should first into the steel guard railing. Malk then picks Greyson up and drops him on the guard railing, the steel catching the throat of the Hardcore Champion. Malk then rolls Greyson into a school boy for the pin attempt. 1...2... kick out by Greyson. Malk slaps the floor and has words with 6Pac about the speed of the count. Malk then stands Greyson up, rolls him into the ring and then does the same himself. Malk places Greyson's throat over the top rope, then starts choking him with it.

Ricky Simms - Malk is determined to beat Greyson here tonight.

Henry Lesher - I could really care less.

Malk releases the choke on Greyson and then stands him up, whips him off the ropes and then backdrops him to the mat. Malk then goes for a leg drop, but Greyson rolls out of the way and then uses the ropes to get to his feet. He then knees Malk in the gut and then gives him a snap suplex to the mat. Greyson then stands Malk up, whips him off the ropes and then gives him a dropkick to the mat. Greyson then goes to the ropes and makes his way to the top. He then leaps off and gives Malk a flying elbow smash to the chest and then goes for the pin. 1...2... kick out by Malk. Greyson shakes his head and has a few unkind words for referee 6Pac Dudley.

Ricky Simms - These guys have fought before. 6Pac is no stranger to hardcore matches either.

Henry Lesher - He's no stranger to being second best, so he must love calling a match between these two.

Greyson stands Malk up, whips him off the ropes and then dropkicks him to the mat. Greyson then goes to the ropes and makes his way to the top. He then leaps off for a flying knee drop, but misses as Malk rolls out of the way. Malk rolls himself out to the floor and then takes a clothesline to the floor from a man dressed as Pikachu. The fans boo as he then grabs a steel chair ad clocks Malk with it, then escapes through the crowd while Greyson limps out to the floor and goes for the pin. 1...2...3! Greyson retains the title!

Ricky Simms - This is hardly right.

Henry Lesher - Nothing is right about  these two fighting for the hardcore title.

6Pac raises Greyson's arm nd then has a few words with him about the Pikachu attack. Greyson responds by giving 6Pac a clothesline to the floor and then puts the boots to him before he tells the camera that no one questions his character. He then grabs his title belt from the timekeeper and places it over his shoulder before he starts to make his way up the ramp towards the stage.

Tommy Purr is seen backstage storming his way over to Wyatt Gibson, who is with Bruce Miller as they prepare to make whatever announcement was hinted at earlier.

Tommy Purr - Wyatt, what the hell is going on?

Wyatt Gibson - Bruce here is going to make an announcement.

Tommy Purr - No, why was Malk attacked again by some idiot in a suit? As the leader of the Brat Pack, I need to look out for my partners and I need to know what's being done. He just escaped through the crowd with ease. What the hell is wrong with security around here?

Wyatt Gibson - Look, I can watch the footage and we'll work on this next week, but it looks like a Halloween prank. I mean, come on, dressed like Pikachu?

Tommy Purr - That prank just spoiled the finish of the Hardcore Title match.

Wyatt Gibson - Malk can have a rematch then. *shrugs* I really don't have time for this.

Tommy Purr - Wyatt, I will find out who is behind these attacks. If I find out before you do, I'll see to it that your employment here is more brief than usual.

Wyatt Gibson - You're not having me fired Tommy.

Tommy Purr - I don't need to have you fired when I can make you quit.

Wyatt Gibson - Just relax and have a beer. You'll feel better.

Tommy Purr - Find out who it is, Gibson. You had better have an answer for me next Sunday.

Tommy storms off.

"The Memory Remains" by Metallica plays as Bruce Miller comes out with a microphone in hand and he receives a loud ovation from the fans.

Bruce Miller - Okay, so we have Scorched Earth coming, and then we have the King of Philadelphia after that. Now, we heard today that Empire State Wrestling is apparently in the process of folding. The CWA knows damned well that if not for the work of a solid few, we could easily be in that position. In honor of ESW and as a fundraiser for the crews that worked for that company, we will be putting on two Originals tournaments the day before Scorched Earth. The revenues made for that event will go to the ring workers, the cameramen, the producers, the water boys for that company and anyone else who might need some cash in the meantime. Our tournaments will allow us to help them and also to promote the tournament coming at King of Philadelphia. This year's winner will get the standard one million dollar reward and a shot at the World Title for Battle of the Warriors 2010. To make things interesting, we are inviting anyone on the ESW roster to that tournament as a chance to prove themselves against the best that this company has to offer. Call us. We'll work something out here.

Bruce winks and then heads backstage while he receives a loud ovation. Wyatt stays out on the stage for a few moments and bows as if the cheers are for him. He then heads off and the bell sounds to signal the start of tonight's main event.

The Mask vs. Gary Barber

"Coffin Fodder" by Cradle of Filth plays as The Mask comes out onto the stage. He makes his way onto the ramp and then starts to make his way down towards the ring. Gary Barber comes running out to attack The Mask, but Mask turns and ducks a clothesline and punches Barber in the gut before he dumps him of the ramp and down to the floor below. The Mask then leaps off the ramp and lands a double axe handle smash to the back on Barber while the referee calls for the bell. The Mask whips Barber right over a guard railing and then jumps it before he starts brawling with the World champion in the midst of the cheering fans.

Ricky Simms - These two are developing quite the rivalry here.

Henry Lesher - This is a feud I approve of. Both men can fight. Both men are actual men.

Mask pulls Barber towards the back of the arena and knees him in the gut before going for a DDT to the aisle. Barber blocks that and then gives Mask a tilt a whirl backbreaker. Barber then goes for the pin in the aisle. 1...2... kick out by The Mask. Barber then stands The Mask up and drags him over to the concessions area. Barber grabs a discounted Craig Williams T-shirt and starts strangling The Mask with it. The referee checks for a submission, but Mask refuses to submit to Barber's hold. Mask grabs a discounted Eli Ryder ruler and then smacks Barber in the forehead with it. He then jabs him in the ribs with it before giving him a snap mare onto the table of the stand.

Ricky Simms - Creative move there by Mask.

Henry Lesher - No argument there.

The Mask steps up onto the table. He sets Barber up for what appears to be a piledriver attempt. Barber instead low blows The Mask and then gives him a clothesline off the table and down to the floor here he lands in a heap. Barber then jumps off the table and gives The Mask a diving headbutt to the chest. Barber then stands The Mask up and pulls him to another concessions stand. Gary Barber grabs a can of Halloween spray webbing and sprays Mask in the eyes with it. Mask answers with a spear to the floor and then goes for the pin. 1...2... kick out by Barber. Mask then stands Barber up and runs him head first into the counter of the stand.

Ricky Simms - Mask is fighting blind here.

Henry Lesher - Real men can do that.

Mask gives Barber a side Russian leg sweep to the floor and then goes for the pin. 1...2... kick out by Gary Barber. Mask then stands Barber up only to take a thumb to the eye from Barber. Barber then grabs a jack-o-lantern from the table and smashes it over the head of The Mask before giving him a flapjack to the floor and then he goes for the pin. 1...2... Mask rolls a shoulder out. Barber then shakes his head as he pulls Mask up to his feet and then picks him up and slams him onto the stand's counter. Barber then picks up a Halloween themed beer pitcher and smashes it over the head of The Mask. Barber then pulls The Mask off of the counter and then goes for the pin. 1...2... kick out by The Mask. Barber sighs and looks visibly upset with Mask's resilience in this match.

Ricky Simms - Barber is wondering what he has to do here.

Henry Lesher - He has to finish Mask off. It's not rocket science.

Barber stands The Mask up and takes a jawbreaker from The Mask. Mask then grabs a string of Halloween lights and wraps the string around the throat of Gary Barber, wrapping it around three times before tying it off and then applying a sleeper hold for added effect. The referee checks for a submission, but Barber refuses to give up and reaches to the table. He grabs another can of spray webbing, but Mask knocks it out of his hand and then pulls Barber away from the table. Barber's eyes start to roll back in his head and he appears to be fading, his face bright red as the referee wisely calls for the bell and then pulls The Mask off of Gary Barber.

Ricky Simms - The Mask got creative and got himself the win tonight.

Henry Lesher - Hey, I am all for improvising and he found a way. He has to be first in line for a title shot now.

The Mask has his hands raised by Chicago Jones while he nods and tells the camera this is just one more step to him getting his title back. We then fade to black on a choking Gary Barber, who is only partially aware of where he is or what's going on. Clearly, this war is not over by a longshot.