A
video package airs on the Jumbotron, highlighting events that took place last
week on Frequency, with Jaguar and Greg Tantalus first co-winning a battle
royal to earn an opportunity to challenge PWA Champion Jackie Baccaro for the
gold later in the show, and then simultaneously pinning Baccaro in the triple
threat title match, with the show ending with no conclusive decision made as to
the status of the championship. From there, “By_Myslf” by Linkin Park hits and
the opening credits roll, before a brilliant pyrotechnics display ensues and we
are taken inside The Covered Hall at Cairo Stadium in Cairo, Egypt, where we
are taken to our commentators, Victor Troy and Superstar Scott Hosemann!
Hosemann: They sure are,
Suddenly,
Troy is cut off as “Things Done Changed” by Notorious BIG blares onto the
speakers and the fans begin booing loudly as Jackie Baccaro makes his way to
the ring, accompanied by Vulture, with the PWA Championship belt over his
shoulder. Baccaro grabs a microphone and the two enter the ring.
Baccaro: The only thing worse than having
to come to this God-forsaken country is having to come to this God-forsaken
country and not being given any answers regarding my championship. But I really
don’t see what answers there are to give. We all saw what happened last week. It
was a triple threat match for the PWA Championship, where the rules clearly
state that the first person to score a pinfall in the match becomes champion.
Well, two of the participants in the match scored a pin at the exact same time,
therefore the entire match should be thrown out and declared a no contest.
Therefore, I should still be the PWA Champion. So Kerry Cox, I hope that’s the
decision you’ve come to, because that’s the only decision that makes sense to
me. You know, I…
Baccaro is then cut off as “I’m On It” by the Purple Ribbon All-Stars
thumps onto the speakers and the Egyptian crowd comes alive for Jaguar as he
comes down the aisle, grabbing a microphone and entering the ring!
Jaguar: What are you not getting about
this, Baccaro? There definitely seems to be something that you just don’t quite
understand. Accept the fact that you LOST, Baccaro. You were pinned. Not just
by Jaguar, but by Greg Tantalus as well. So, of the three of us, you’re the one
with the smallest claim to that title you’ve got draped over your shoulder.
With that, “Hey You” by Simon Says hits the speakers and the fans cheer
loudly as Greg Tantalus appears at the top of the ramp! Microphone in hand,
Tantalus walks down the aisle and enters the ring.
Tantalus: Jaguar, you’re on the right
track, but you forget something. Yes, you and I both pinned Baccaro at the same
time, but it was off an offensive maneuver by ME! You FELL onto Baccaro after I
did the work! Therefore, in my mind, the only person who should be wearing this
belt right now is me.
An argument ensues in the ring, but it stops when “War Machine” by KISS
blasts onto the speakers and the PWA CEO Kerry Cox appears at the top of the
ramp with a microphone to a raucous ovation!
Hosemann: I think we’re about to have our questions answered!
Cox: You know, seeing all the arguing that was going on out there, I felt it
was my duty to make the announcement I was going to make right now. You all
raise valid points, which make it nearly impossible to pinpoint exactly what
should be done in a situation like this. So, I am doing the only thing I feel I
can do, and I am hereby declaring the PWA Championship vacant!
Baccaro
nearly has a heart attack in the ring, in fury!
Cox: And folks, we’re going to decide a
new champion in a one-night, single-elimination, eight-man tournament for the
gold, March 11 at Salvation! You three will all receive byes into the
tournament, but the other five spots must be qualified for. Then, all eight
names will go into a pool and brackets will be drawn the morning of Salvation.
First round matches will have 15 minute time limits, followed by 30 minute
limits in the semifinals, and no time limit in the finals. Whomever can win
three matches in one night and be the last man standing will exit the Superdome
in
With that,
Slipknot’s “Opium of the People” explodes onto the speakers, and the
Hosemann: This night is going to be incredible, Troy! I can’t believe what we’ve
just heard! We’re going to have a tournament to crown a new PWA Champion at
Salvation! This is unbelievable!
-- COMMERCIAL BREAK --
Returning
from break, “Opium of the People” is still playing as GI Jew is warming up in
the ring, the rest of the ring cleared, ready for this opening contest. Then, “Be
Just or Be Dead” by Daisuke Ishiwatari hits and the fans begin booing as the
Modern-Day Samurai Scythe makes his way to the ring.
Hosemann: We don’t, but we have one tonight. These two are about as bitter as
enemies can get, and we know GI Jew will be out for revenge tonight.
* PWA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT QUALIFYING MATCH: SCYTHE VS. GI JEW *
Referee: Jason Church
The bell
sounds, and Jew charges right at Scythe, taking him down and unloading on him
with multiple hard, stiff shots. Scythe is able to get to his feet, and then
runs off the ropes, ducking under a Jew clothesline, hitting the opposite
ropes, and nailing Jew with a flying clothesline of his own on the rebound! When
Jew gets to his feet, Scythe downs him with a hard, deep Steamboat armdrag, and
does it one more time when Jew gets up again. When Jew rises a third time,
Scythe downs him with a hard dropkick, and Jew rolls of the ring to regroup for
a moment.
Hosemann: Maybe so, Troy, but don’t count GI Jew out yet. There’s still a whole
lotta fight in him.
Jew gets
back into the ring and the two lock up. Scythe gets the advantage initially,
shoving Jew down hard to the mat, which prompts the fans to boo. Then, however,
Jew gets up and they lock up again, this time with Jew shoving Scythe down to
the mat to a big reaction! Scythe gets up and locks up a third time, this time
resulting in Jew cinching in a tight headlock. Scythe tries to power his way
out of it, but instead shoves Jew against the ropes, breaking it that way.
Scythe leapfrogs over Jew when he comes back, and then Jew bounces off the
opposite ropes and goes for a Gore, but Scythe has it well scouted, and
sidesteps him, sending Jew tumbling out of the ring. Jew gets to his feet on
the outside, but as he does, Scythe gets a running start and leaps over the top
rope, trying to nail Jew with a tope, but Jew is able to get out of danger at
the last possible second, sending Scythe’s head smacking against the steel
barricade!
Hosemann:
The fans
are stunned at the display, which has left Scythe’s head split wide open, and
Jew grabs him and rolls him back into the ring. Scythe is out on his feet once
back in the ring, not having a clue where he is. With that, Jew lets loose and
nails him with a furious Gore! Jew covers… one, two, thr-and Scythe kicks out!
Hosemann: Do you see what Scythe is like right now?! How is there any way in
the world he was able to kick out of that?!
Jew is
frustrated at the kick out, but doesn’t let it get him down. He simply lines up
again and, at length, when Scythe gets back to his feet, Jew lets loose with a
Gore even more thunderous than the first one! Jew hooks both legs… one, two,
three!
Hosemann: He has
Troy: I know Scott, it was pretty incredible. But nonetheless, GI Jew has
advanced to the championship tournament at Salvation and these fans couldn’t be
happier!
The fans
continue to cheer loudly as “Opium for the People” replays and Jew exits,
heading for the Salvation tournament in
* WINNER VIA PINFALL: GI
JEW *
-- COMMERCIAL
BREAK --
Back
from commercial, the camera shows the now former PWA Champion Jackie Baccaro
going berserk in the backstage area, with Vulture trying to calm him down.
Vulture: It’s alright Giacomo, don’t worry about it. It’ll be alright.
Baccaro: Be alright?! I just lost my freakin championship, man! It’s gone! How
is that gonna be alright?!
Vulture: You’ll get it back! Don’t sweat it! You’re in the tournament for
Salvation, all you have to do is win three matches and…
Baccaro: THREE matches! That’s bullshit, and you know it! I am the champion of
the world, and I’m being screwed! Everyone is conspiring against me, and you
haven’t done a damn thing to help! Screw this! I’m outta here!
With that, Baccaro storms away and exits the building. Vulture starts after
him, but decides it’s best to just leave it be and catch up with him later on.
Vulture begins walking away, but stops as he crosses paths with the PWA Women’s
Champion Morgan Day. The two smile at each other and stop to chat.
Morgan: How are you?
Vulture: Eh, I’m alright.
Morgan: Trouble in paradise?
Vulture: Well, nah, he’s just upset. I can understand it. He had the title
taken away from him like that, and now there’s this tournament, and we don’t
know the matchups or the participants… it’s a lot for a young guy like him to
handle and deal with. I can understand it.
Morgan: You said that already. You’re trying to rationalize.
Vulture: I’m not rationalizing, I’m just…
Morgan: You’re pissed off that he doesn’t handle adversity better.
Vulture: I don’t know, I’m a little pissed off that he doesn’t carry himself
the way…
Morgan: The way you did.
Vulture: Yeah maybe.
Morgan: You have to learn that Jackie Baccaro is not Vulture, nor will he ever
be Vulture. He may have the physical tools, but he doesn’t have the heart, and
he certainly doesn’t have the brains. This is the man you’ve chosen to dedicate
your professional self to, and this is what you have to live with.
Vulture: I just thought I could give him that poise, make him a true champion.
Morgan: And you still can. He’s young yet. Obviously, I hate his bloody guts,
but he’s your project, your prodigy. You’ve invested this much into him. I’m
sure you can bring him further.
Vulture: It all starts with Salvation, Morgan. If he doesn’t win back the championship
at Salvation, I’m afraid he might blame me for it, as if this was some way my
fault. It’s just not the way I operate. I mean, I know what he’s doing wrong,
and he doesn’t get it. If I could just show him in the ring. He would really
benefit from a few tag team matches with me as his partner and…
Morgan: Well you can’t do it. Your career is over, remember? You had neck
surgery, it’s done, you’re not even cleared to return to the ring.
Vulture: Well actually…
Morgan: Well actually what?
Vulture: Recovery time for spinal fusion surgery is generally 12 to 15 months.
My surgery was now a full 18 months ago. I saw my surgeon last month, and he
cleared me to return to the ring.
Morgan: Are you serious?
Vulture: Well, not entirely. He didn’t exactly CLEAR me… I asked him if I could
ever get back in the ring, hypothetically. He said, very hypothetically, if I
chose to get in the ring again, I’d maybe have one or two matches left. But
after that, my neck won’t hold up, and I’d put myself at a serious re-injury
risk. Even now, a jarring enough blow to the neck could put me at risk…
Morgan: Risk of what?
Vulture: Paralysis.
Morgan: And all this, and you’re CONSIDERING it?! Are you mad?!
Vulture: Well I don’t know, I feel like he’d get a lot out of it.
Morgan: Listen to me. And I’m only telling you this because I care about you.
Accept the fact that your career is over. You can’t put yourself in that kind
of risk. And for what? So that jackass Jackie can STILL not get what you’re
saying? It’s not worth the risk, Mike. Not worth the risk at all.
Vulture: (long pause) You’re right. I just miss it, I don’t know. I feel like I
could still go.
Morgan: (sympathetically) I know. But just remember why you retired 18 months
ago. You realized then that the risk involved with making a comeback simply was
not worth it. You have to work with what you’re given here, but you have to
realize your limitations. Please, promise me you won’t wrestle again.
Vulture: I promise.
With that,
Morgan and Vulture hug warmly. As they continue to hug, they look at each
other, and their faces start to become drawn together. However, just before
they kiss, they hear someone clearing their throat. They turn around and see
Walter Gindin standing alongside Keiko Ishida.
Gindin: I hate to break this up, I really do, but my client has something to
say.
Keiko: I have a challenge for you, Morgan.
Morgan: Are you dense? I already agreed to defend the championship against you
at Salvation.
Keiko: Cute, but not what I was referring to. I want to challenge you to a
mixed tag team match next week. I will team up with my stablemate Jonathan
Brett, against you and a partner.
Morgan: Who?
Gindin: How about your boyfriend over here?
Morgan: First of all, he’s not my boyfriend. Second…
Vulture: I can do it, Morgan.
Morgan: You JUST promised me you wouldn’t!
Keiko: I don’t care who it is, Morgan. But next week, pick any partner you
want, and meet us in the ring.
Keiko and Gindin exit, leaving Vulture and Morgan to themselves.
Morgan: Listen Mike, no wrestling means no wrestling. I know you’d love to
be my partner, and believe me, I’d love for you to be mine, but this can’t
happen. I won’t let it happen. You could die, Mike. Do you want to die?
Vulture: No, I don’t. You’re right. I’m sorry. Actually, let me go find Jackie.
We have a lot of work to do if we expect to be ready for Salvation. I’ll see
you later.
Morgan: You do know I’m not trying to emasculate you or anything right? I just
don’t want to see you get hurt, or even paralyzed.
Vulture: I know.
Morgan: Because I care about you, Mike. I care about you a lot.
With that, Vulture and Morgan are drawn together, and kiss passionately.
Vulture: I know. I care about you a lot too. Alright, let me go find Jackie.
Vulture exits, and Morgan leans back against the wall and closes her eyes,
smiling, as we take another break.
-- COMMERCIAL
BREAK --
As
we return, “Phantom of the Opera Overture” hits and Bishop Cross makes his way
to the ring to a loud chorus of boos. Cross stands in the ring, ready for
combat, as “Arcarsenal” by At The Drive-In takes the speakers, and the fans
cheer loudly for The Miracle Mike Troha as he wastes no time getting into the
ring. Realizing the task at hand, and knowing the kind of wrestler Cross is,
Troha takes the fight right to him, prompting the bell to sound.
* PWA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT QUALIFYING MATCH: BISHOP CROSS VS. THE
MIRACLE MIKE TROHA *
Referee: Billy Vargas
Troha immediately peppers Cross with hard lefts and rights, trying to stun him,
which he succeeds in doing. With Cross backed up, Troha whips him against the
ropes, and downs him with a hard clothesline as he returns! Troha then lifts
Cross up and whips him hard into the corner, charging in and nailing him with
an even harder clothesline that sends Cross vertical, before crashing back down
to the mat! Once down, Troha immediately tries to lock Cross in Blind Faith,
his half crab submission, but Cross wisely gets right to the ropes.
Troy: Mike Troha has certainly come out
here on fire, Scott!
Hosemann: And he should,
Troha
moves in, looking to take another advantage, but Cross is ready for him, and
staggers him with a hard throat thrust. Troha moves away, and Cross gets up,
chopping his leg out from under him. Cross begins meticulously and methodically
working over Troha’s leg, sending him through intense pain. With Troha
sufficiently worn down, Cross locks Troha in the Grand Finale, sending him
through even more intense pain!
Hosemann: Well like we were saying earlier,
Troha
appears to be on the verge of submitting when he makes a final lunge at the
ropes, and is able to grab the bottom one! The crowd cheers loudly as an
unhappy Cross is forced to break the hold. However, Cross remains on the
offensive, and quickly signals for the Crossfire, looking to put Troha away. However,
as he lifts Troha for the move, Troha slips out and seamlessly nails Divine
Intervention to a thunderous roar! Troha is slow moving to Cross, as his legs
had been injured by the Grand Finale, but before he can get there, Reaper and
Loki charge into the ring and attack Troha, prompting a disqualification!
Hosemann: It’s the Army of the Damned ruining another good match!
The fans
continue to boo, until the PWA Tag Team Champions Paul Dawkins and Renegade
storm down to the ring! Renegade and Dawkins run off the three members of the
Army, who all walk to the back with smirks on their faces. The announcers then
announce Troha the winner via DQ, and Dawkins and Renegade check on him as “Arcarsenal”
replays.
Hosemann: Alright, so Mike Troha is going
to the tournament at Salvation!
* WINNER VIA DISQUALIFICATION: MIKE
TROHA *
-- COMMERCIAL BREAK --
As we
return, “Footprints” by G-Unit blasts onto the speakers and the fans erupt in a
roar of approval for the International Champion Showtime Damon Savage as he
makes his way to the ring for this next tournament qualifying match. Showtime
settles himself in the ring, and then “Parabola” by Tool hits the speakers, and
Hollywood Mike Griffin makes his way down, accompanied by Justin Schenck and
the loud boos of the Egyptian crowd.
Troy: This is going to be a very interesting
match, Scott.
Hosemann: I would tend to agree with you there,
* PWA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT
QUALIFYING MATCH: PWA INTERNATIONAL CHAMPION SHOWTIME DAMON SAVAGE VS.
HOLLYWOOD MIKE GRIFFIN *
Referee: Matt Hansen
Griffin stays away from Showtime initially, sidestepping him as he attempts
to lock up, getting in a quick shot to the ribs.
Troy: That was pretty close, Scott.
Hosemann: It was,
Showtime
locks
Hosemann: This is not good for Showtime!
Showtime
struggles mightily in the hold, but appears to be fading. However, out of
desperation, Showtime kicks off the ropes and reverses it into a pin! One, two,
and
Hosemann: Mike Griffin has won this thing with a little assist from Justin
Schenck!
The fans
boo loudly as “Parabola” replays and
* WINNER VIA PINFALL:
-- COMMERCIAL BREAK --