PWA

OVERDRIVE

Tokyo Dome

Tokyo, Japan

Saturday, March 13, 2004

 

Segment 1 –Opening

 

The PWA logo flashes onto the screen, but instead of the usual montage-filled opening of Overdrive, we head right to ringside, where Nick Cade and Rick Madsen are sitting at the announce table.

 

Cade: Welcome to Overdrive fans! I’m Nick Cade, alongside Rick Madsen, and this is definitely an unusual broadcast for us Rick.

 

Madsen: to say the least. It’s our first-ever PWA broadcast on the continent of Asia, and this Tokyo crowd is amped for Salvation in one hour. But how is this show gonna even get off the ground Nick?

 

Cade: I’m not sure, but I heard that there is a special guest here to open the show. As of this moment, I have no idea who it could be. Who do you think–

 

Cade is cut off as the reanimated version of Linkin Park’s “With You” hits the PA system. Through a blaze of fire, out steps Scythe to a thunderous ovation!

 

Cade: It’s Scythe!

 

Madsen: What in the world is he doing here? He can’t wrestle anytime soon. His arm is still in a sling!

 

Cade: Maybe he’ll address that, but listen to this Japanese crowd go ape for our resident Asian sensation!

 

Scythe steps into the ring and holds his good arm high, allowing the crowd to cheer him as he grabs a microphone.

 

Scythe: What’s up Tokyoooooo?! (Crowd cheers) Now I bet you’re wondering what I’m doing here. I’ve been in Japan all week long doing promotional work for our current tour, and I can’t be more excited to be here at Salvation. I’ve got several more weeks of rehab left for my broken arm, but I’m out here to show you one of the reasons I’m glad to NOT be back in the ring. (Points up) Just take a look at that structure above me; the Elimination Chamber. 36 feet in diameter, 16 feet high, and 10 tons of solid steel, complete with 2 miles of chain and 4 bulletproof glass chambers. Somebody is gonna get hurt tonight, but I’ll promise you this. Whoever walks away from that cage with the PWA Title, I’ll be looking for you real soon. Fans of Tokyo and around the world on TV, enjoy the show!

 

“Wth> You” replays and Scythe exits to another deafening reaction that leaves the crowd in a frenzy.

 

Segment 2 – Backstage

 

The camera cuts backstage to a locker room, where Paul Dawkins and Jackie Baccaro are warming up for their match tonight.

 

Baccaro: I feel it Paul; tonight is the night man.

 

Dawkins: Jackie, I’ve been here since day one and I feel it too. Tonight is the night that both of us will claim PWA gold. All we need to do is beat Brett and Infernus.

 

Baccaro: Jonathan Brett might have gotten the drop on me last Tuesday on Frequency, but I’m guaranteeing it right now Paul. You and I will become the new PWA World Tag Team Champions.

 

Baccaro and Dawkins pound fists and continue to pump themselves up as the shot cuts away.

 

Segment 3 – Backstage

 

We head back to the parking lot, where a shiny, black H2 Hummer pulls in. While blaring “Ridin’ Spinners” by Lil’ Flip and the Three 6 Mafia, the truck stops, but the wheels’ rims continue to spin as former PWA Champion Jaguar hops down from the ride. Jaguar admires the spinners until his cell phone rings and he picks up.

 

Jaguar: Hello? Hey, I’m good, how are you? Yeah, I just got to the Dome here. I wish you could see this truck I got. What do you mean serious? (Long pause) Danielle, I thought we went through this already. I know you’re worried about me and I appreciate it, but you know how I make my living girl. (Pause) Yeah, I know I had the concussion two weeks ago, but I’ve gotta do this. I’m in this business to be the PWA Champion, the best in the world, and if I’ve got to step inside that Elimination Chamber to get that belt from Mike Troha and TFU, so be it. (Long Pause) Okay, okay listen. It’s late over there anyway, you don’t need to watch the event this late at night. You get some sleep and I’ll bring the title and that 20 grand home in a few weeks when I come back. I promise, alright? (Pause) Well yeah I know the prize is a hundred grand, but just for stepping inside that damn thing, I deserve a good 80 of it. (Laughs) Okay I’m sorry. Of course I’m serious about this. You just go to bed and rest your nerves. (Pause) Yes, I’ll be fine. I’ve seen worse before. (Pause) Okay, you too. Bye.

 

Jaguar closes the phone and reaches into the trunk to grab his bags, but he stands up when he realizes that Mike Troha is standing behind him, with the PWA Title belt over his shoulder.

 

Troha: Things alright at home Jag? (Jaguar turns around) You know, if I were you, I wouldn’t be promising my little girlfriend anything. Because I’m gonna be the one walking in the Chamber with this, and I’ll leave it with this and a hundred thousand bucks. I just wanted to make sure you got that message. And by the way, (smirking) how’s your head feel?

 

Jaguar breaks into a grin before dropping his bags and tackling Troha to the ground!

 

Cade: They’re going at it in the parking lot!

 

Madsen: Not even waiting for the chamber!

 

Jaguar pounds away on Troha’s head and the champion has zero defense for it. Moments later, a blue pickup truck pulls to a screeching halt behind the two enemies, producing Greg Tantalus from the passenger side and Mike Griffin from the driver’s!

 

Madsen: Griffin and Tantalus are here too!

 

Cade: What the hell is going on out there?!

 

The former tag team champions club Jaguar from behind, prying him away from the PWA Champion. Jaguar fights them both off, but hits the ground hard as he’s nailed from behind with The Miracle’s belt!

 

Troha: Get his ass up! Pick him up guys.

 

Troha heads over to the truck and yanks down the door of its bed. Tantalus dumps Jaguar onto the bed of the pickup as Griffin goes to the front and climbs up on the hood. Tantalus scoops Jaguar up by the legs and holds him up as Griffin soars off the truck’s roof and delivers a Hart Attack clothesline that sends Jaguar’s head right into the steel flat bed of the truck!

 

Cade: Oh my God! TFU just gave Jaguar the Hart Attack inside that damn pickup truck! We need some help out there right now!

 

Madsen: Jaguar is out cold Nick! I think this was a setup!

 

Cade: Damn right it was a setup, and I think Jaguar is hurt badly!

 

Jaguar is laid out, flat on his back as TFU leaves the scene of the crime and heads inside the Tokyo Dome’s Arena.

 

 

-COMMERCIAL BREAK-

 

Segment 4 – Backstage

 

We return from the break in the parking lot, where PWA trainers, referees and EMTs are with Jaguar. Jaguar is coming to as PWA Owner Bryan Conroy rushes out to the truck.

 

Conroy: What happened here?!

 

Matt Hansen: TFU set him up. Griffin and Greg planted him with a Hart Attack on this truck, smacked his head pretty bad.

 

Conroy: Well is he gonna be alright for his match tonight? He’s got a chance to win the World Title!

 

Hansen: I’m gonna shoot straight with you Bryan. The doctors are saying he might have another concussion. If he went into that Chamber tonight in this state, it might not just end his night. It could end his career.

 

Segment 5 – Backstage

 

We head to the interview area, where Traci Reed is standing by with Loki.

 

Reed: Loki, Salvation is still minutes away and as we saw with Jaguar, action is already getting underway here. How are you feeling about your match with Scott Hosemann tonight at this time?

 

Loki: First off, I’m just wishing the best for Jaguar right now. What we just witnessed was sick. But let me tell you what will be even sicker Traci; that’s when I go out there and beat Scott Hosemann tonight. That little piece of crap Justin Schenck had the nerve to mention what happened to Jenny two weeks ago, so now I’m gonna take all that frustration and anger out on his boy. Justin won’t be around to save you Scott. You better get yourself ready to fight, because tonight here in Tokyo, Japan, it’s rodeo time!

 

Reed wears a confused look on her face as the shot cuts to another area backstage.

 

Segment 6 – Backstage

 

We are now backstage in a hallway, where Bryan Conroy is walking feverishly, still fuming about what happened with Jaguar when he runs into Solomon, Camieko and Walter Gindin.

 

Conroy: Wait a second, what the hell is going on here?

 

Gindin: What do you mean Conroy?

 

Conroy: I distinctly said that for this event of Salvation, all matches will be clear of outside interference. That means no managers involved, so why are you here Walter?

 

Gindin: I’ll have you know Bryan that my contract is not one of a manager. I am an agent to both Solomon and Camieko. Whether I’m out there tonight or not, Solomon will be the last man standing and we will crown a brand new Women’s Champion right here in Tokyo.

 

Conroy: I’m glad you see it your way, but I’m telling you right now, don’t even think about going out there. Got it? Good.

 

Gindin sneers at Conroy, who walks off past them and turns a corner to find Co-Commissioner Kerry Cox talking to Dean Nash.

 

Conroy: Kerry, we gotta talk.

 

Cox: Sure Bryan. (To Nash) Good luck in that gauntlet tonight kid. Give em hell. (To Conroy) What’s up Bryan?

 

Conroy: Kerry, this night isn’t going according to plan. We got Jaguar laid out in the parking lot after getting jumped by TFU.

 

Cox: Is he alright for tonight?

 

Conroy: Not sure, they say he could have another concussion.

 

Cox: Those scumbags TFU!

 

Conroy: Well for doing this, they can consider those pay cuts and fines I mentioned to be doubled if there is any collusion at all tonight, but that’s not why I’m talking to you. We need to get things back on track here. That means I need you to stop being a Co-Commissioner right now and become “The Hardcore Icon” again. We need you to kick Jerry’s ass and get him the hell outta here. Can you do that for me?

 

Cox: Oh I sure can, but let me get one thing across to you right now.

 

Conroy: What’s that?

 

Cox: I’m ALWAYS “The Hardcore Icon”. Don’t forget it.

 

Conroy: (Grinning) Finally, something I actually wanted to hear tonight.

 

Segment 7 – Backstage

 

We head back to the interview position, where Traci Reed is now with Mike Grieco and Dee Licious.

 

Reed: Mike, even though you have possessed the International Championship belt for a few weeks now, tonight you have the title shot you have been waiting for when you meet Romeo. With Dee banned from ringside, will you be leaving Japan still with that title belt?

 

Grieco: Are you kidding Traci? Of course I’ll leave here with the belt. I’ve been waiting for this night ever since I returned to the PWA in the winter. Now I know I got a little jump-start by taking the belt, but tonight that will all be forgotten. Tonight, I’m gonna beat Romeo 1-2-3, and officially become the PWA International Champion. Let’s go Dee.

 

Dee scoffs at Traci as we head to another commercial break.

 

-COMMERCIAL BREAK-

 

Segment 8 – Backstage

 

We return from the break to find Scott Cornelius roaming through the halls with a microphone in hand, searching for someone. He reaches a door labeled “The Machine” and knocks on it. When he gets no response, Cornelius quietly opens the door and steps inside to find The Machine watching videotape of this past week’s edition of Frequency in which Rudy Montenora rolled him into a small package and pinned him in a six-man tag.

 

Cornelius: (Whispering) Machine….uh….Machine. I was wondering what your—

 

The Machine holds his hand up to Cornelius, quieting the reporter as he slows the tape up to watch Montenora reverse his Jackhammer attempt into an inside cradle. The Machine pauses the tape with his image on his back and pulls Cornelius in close by the shirt.

 

Machine: Tonight, Rudy Montenora’s massacre begins.

 

The Machine pushes Cornelius away and goes back to his tape as the announcer flees while he still can.

 

Segment 9 – Backstage

 

We head up to the interview area, where Traci Reed is with Showtime Damon Savage and “Not That” Rodney King.

 

Reed: Showtime, you are just moments away from your first PWA Progressive Championship shot in the second annual Progressive Title Gauntlet match against 7 other men. Rodney King is banned from ringside, how does that affect your chances of winning the gold?

 

Savage: It won’t affect them at all. Showtime earned his way into this match by beating Romeo and then beating Justice himself. If the champion couldn’t beat Showtime on Tuesday, he don’t stand a chance tonight. You’re looking at the next Progressive Champion Traci, and there’s nothing Justice can do about it.

 

Segment 10 – Backstage

 

The shot cuts backstage to a dressing room, where Mike Tortorici is unpacking his bags when his door opens. The crowd cheers once they see Vulture enter the room and stand across from Tortorici.

 

Tortorici: Can I help you with something?

 

Vulture: Cut the crap Tortorici. On Frequency on Tuesday, you showed up to attack TFU. That’s all fine and dandy, but when they were out there trying to rip my head off, where the hell were you?!

 

Tortorici: Listen, don’t take that personally Vulture. Tonight, we have to step inside of a structure that no one has entered before. 10 tons of steel lie between me and reclaiming my PWA Championship inside that Elimination Chamber, and to be honest with you, you’re just another obstacle that I have to mow down, just like Jaguar and TFU. So inside that chamber tonight, there will be no friends. Only enemies.

 

Vulture: Alright. Okay that’s cool Mike. You just remember inside that chamber that if you get in my way, I guarantee you that I’ll have a Crimson Sunset with your name written all over it. You think about that.

 

The tension is extremely high as Vulture backs away and exits Tortorici’s room.

 

-COMMERCIAL BREAK-

 

Segment 11, Match 1 – PWA Progressive Championship – Justice © vs. “Dynamite” Dean Nash vs. The Omega Steve Beovich vs. “Showtime” Damon Savage vs. James Biamonte vs. Jon Dulberg vs. Don “The MVP” Capriglione vs. Tony Annetta

Referee: Billy Vargas

 

The crowd is ready for action and finally gets some as “More Human Than Human” by White Zombie hits the speakers. The Omega Steve Beovich makes his way down the extended ramp to a huge ovation from the sea of humanity inside the Tokyo Dome, and things get interesting as he nears the ring and “Come With Me” by P. Diddy and Jimmy Page begins. To a similar reaction, Jon Dulberg steps out and makes his way down to the ring.

 

Cade: Whoa, this is very interesting here. Two tag team partners are going to start this match!

 

Madsen: One of them will be eliminated, and the other will move on. All we know about this match is that the champion, Justice, will enter last. Other than that, anything can happen.

 

The bell sounds and both men circle the ring and shake hands in the center, delighting the Japanese crowd before locking up hard. Beovich grabs a side headlock and Dulberg backs up to the ropes before shoving him off. Beovich downs Dulberg with a shoulder block and hits the ropes again, but the Human Highlight floors him with a hiptoss.

 

Dulberg sends Beovich down with a dropkick and heads out of the ring to get to the top rope. Beovich gets up slowly, but catches Dulberg from the corner of his eye before lunging towards the ropes and leaning across the top cable. The impact knocks Dulberg from his perch and he’s straddled across the top turnbuckle! Beovich heads up and goes for a superplex, but Dulberg fights him off and pushes him down. Beovich lands on his back, but Dulberg regains his balance before soaring off and connecting with Sudden Death! Dulberg covers for one…two…three!

 

Cade: And Dulberg takes the first fall!

 

Madsen: And here comes the next guy!

 

Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer” begins and boos pour in as Don Capriglione makes his way down the ramp. The former Synergy-mates all share glares at one another and Capriglione jaws to the beaten Beovich, who responds with a right hand to the face! Capriglione comes back and there begins a brawl outside the ring!

 

Vargas exits the ring to break it up and succeeds, but as he sends The Omega to the back, Capriglione grabs a chair from ringside and cracks Dulberg in the back with it!

 

Cade: He just blasted Dulberg with that chair!

 

Madsen: Ref didn’t see it though!

 

Capriglione rolls under the bottom rope to hide the chair as Dulberg reaches one knee. He gets to a vertical base, but Capriglione jumps from the apron to the top rope to deliver an amazing springboard hurricanrana! He hooks it into a pin for 1---2---3!

 

Dulberg is still in the ring as Papa Roach’s “Time And Time Again” hits and dean Nash blazes his way down to the ring. As The MVP boots Dulberg from the ring, Nash creeps up from behind and rolls him into a schoolboy for a three count!

 

Cade: Nash just pinned The MVP!

 

Madsen: That quick?!

 

Capriglione kicks the ropes in anguish and exits right behind a shaken Dulberg as “2 of Amerika’s Most Wanted” by Snoop Dogg and 2Pac begins. James Biamonte takes his time getting to the ring, hearing a negative reaction the entire way. Biamonte climbs into the ring and delivers a stiff kick to Nash, who doubles over from the blow. Biamonte hooks Nash up for a vertical suplex and delivers a long, high suplex that plants Nash flat on his back. Biamonte goes for a pin, and gets one…two…and Nash kicks out.

 

Biamonte signals that the match is over and hooks Nash up for the Buzzkill, but the rookie drops down on the mat and yanks Biamonte by the trunks, right into the turnbuckles. Biamonte reels backwards, allowing Nash to plant him with a belly-to-back suplex. Biamonte is down and Nash calls for the Diving Dragon Attack before heading to the top rope and landing with it! He hooks the far leg and Vargas counts one…two…three!

 

Cade: Nash has taken out Biamonte too!

 

Madsen: This kid is on a roll! He just pinned two former Progressive Champions! Who’s next?

 

Madsen’s question is answered once “Footprints” by G-Unit begins and Showtime Damon Savage makes his march to the ring. The crowd reaction is mixed, but very loud as the extravagant competitor climbs into the ring. Nash comes at him with an overhand right, but Savage easily blocks it before peppering him with two right jabs and flooring him with a big left cross!

 

Showtime peels Nash from the canvas before yanking his arm across his chest to hook him up and drill him with It’s Showtime! Savage makes a nonchalant cover for one…two…three!

 

Madsen: And Nash is gone!

 

Cade: Still a great effort from this kid, but we know who the final two entrants are now.

 

Dream Theater’s “The Mirror” begins, bringing Tony Annetta out to a chorus of boos. Annetta sprints down to the ring and immediately trades punches with Showtime. Showtime’s blows have more impact and he is winning the battle until Annetta scores with a knee to the gut. Annetta hits the ropes and decks Savage with a swinging neck breaker before popping up and calling for his spinebuster.

 

Annetta lifts Showtime up, looking for the kill as he Irish whips him. Savage manages to reverse the whip and catches Annetta’s arm on his return before crossing it over his chest and connecting with It’s Showtime! Savage covers again and Vargas counts one…two…three!

 

Cade: Showtime is on fire now!

 

Madsen: And only Justice remains. He just beat Justice on Tuesday, we might have a new champion Nick!

 

Savage awaits Justice’s arrival, which comes once DMX’s “Where Da Hood At?” hits. The Progressive Champion arrives to a wave of cheers, but drops his belt on the ramp before sprinting into the ring to get it on with Showtime. Justice slides in and both men begin to trade hard right hands. Justice uses his power to win that battle before whipping Savage to the ropes and decking him with a big boot. Justice covers for 1----2---and Savage kicks out.

 

Justice picks Showtime up and kicks him in the gut. The champion begins to set up for the Blind Justice powerbomb, but Savage drops to a knee before wrapping him in a tight inside cradle! Vargas counts one…two…and Justice barely escapes! Justice gets up and charges, but Showtime catches his arm and grabs him for It’s Showtime, but Justice runs forward and drops down, sending Showtime through the ropes to the arena floor!

 

Madsen: Great move by Justice right there.

 

Justice goes out to follow Savage, but Showtime nails him with a shot to the midsection before scoring with a DDT on the floor! Showtime has Justice nearly out and he tries to get him up, but the champion reaches up and hits Showtime below the belt!

 

Cade: Justice just hit him low! I wonder what that was for.

 

Madsen: To give himself an edge in this match Nick. Look at Showtime, it’s academic from here on out.

 

Justice rolls Showtime back into the ring before climbing in himself. He sets Showtime up for the Blind Justice bomb and connects on it with big impact! Justice covers the challenger and gets 1---2---3!

 

Cade: And Justice retains the title!

 

Madsen: But not without a great showing by Showtime. It took a low blow and a huge powerbomb to beat the guy!

 

Winner at 12:49 and still PWA Progressive Champion – Justice

 

Segment 12 – Backstage

 

We head back to the interview area, where Traci Reed is with Mike Griffin and Greg Tantalus of TFU.

 

Reed: Greg Tantalus, Mike Griffin, what were you two thinking when you attacked Jaguar earlier tonight? The man just suffered a concussion two weeks ago, and you might have delivered another one tonight? Are you two crazy?!

 

Griffin: Not crazy at all Traci, just smart. I know Bryan Conroy sanctioned a bunch of fines and pay cuts for TFU if we colluded within the Elimination Chamber, but do you see a cage around us yet Greg?

 

Tantalus: Nope. Those stupid pay cuts were official inside the Elimination Chamber tonight, not outside of it. We are still TFU and we have executed a master plan here tonight. Whether Troha, Griffin or myself leaves with the title, there are still 2 PWA guys and 3 members of TFU. And did you see what happened with Tortorici and Vulture earlier? Traci, this could be Greg Tantalus’ night, Mike Griffin’s night, or Mike Troha’s night, but rest assured that no matter what, this will be TFU’s night.

 

Reed: (Disgusted) Let’s send it back to you guys.

 

Segment 13- Ringside

 

Madsen: What can you say to that Nick?

 

Cade: What can’t I say?! These scumbags from TFU tried to end Jaguar’s career out in that parking lot! At this point, there is no way that Jaguar can step inside that demonic structure above us. They took him out of the chamber, cost him a shot at the World Title again, and all I can say is that I hope each of them get theirs inside that Chamber tonight! Whether Vulture or Mike Tortorici, someone has to defeat TFU and I think the time is now! (Calmer) I apologize for my outburst, but what we witnessed wasn’t right. For Rick Madsen, I’m Nick Cade, saying enjoy PWA Salvation. Vic, Paul, take it away guys.