PWA: The Rebirth

EPISODE 1.6 - TUESDAY, JUNE 15, 2010
TOYOTA CENTER
HOUSTON, TX

A video package airs, highlighting events that took place last week, focusing on the reveal that Chris and Alexis Duval are not only the illegitimate children of Vulture, but are also affiliated with Jackie Baccaro, who returned a week ago in St. Louis to assist the Duvals in beating the PWA Hall of Famer down. The video reproduces Morgan Day rushing to the ring, trying to help, only to be overcome and forced to watch the decimation of her husband. At the end of the video, we see a teaser for tonight's high-stakes battle royal, which is immediately followed by "Live Again" by Ours blaring over the speakers, and the opening credits rolling.

We are then taken to a brilliant pyrotechnics display ensuing inside the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas, which is jam-packed! The cameras shift to the commentary table at ringside, where Victor Troy and Jason Calysto are standing.

Troy: Hello everyone, and welcome to PWA: The Rebirth! I'm Victor Troy, along here with the one and only Iceman, Jason Calysto, and the path to Everlasting Epic VI truly begins tonight!

Calysto: It does, Vic. We are going to send every male superstar under contract to the PWA out to the ring for this battle royal, and the last two men in there will compete in a one-on-one bout next week.

Troy: And the winner of that bout will meet Anthony Failla for the PWA Championship three weeks from tonight in Denver, which also happens to be the night that the Seven Deadly Sins match returns!

Calysto: But, it's not too shabby for the loser of next week's bout either, because he will get an immediate bye into the Seven Deadly Sins match. Also, of the final 16 men in tonight's battle royal, the 14 who do NOT make it to the final two will compete in randomly-drawn singles matches over the next two weeks to determine the other seven competitors in the Seven Deadly Sins.

Troy: And the winner of Seven Deadly Sins will of course go on to meet the PWA World Heavyweight Champion, whomever that may be, for the title, in Jacksonville, on August 14 at Everlasting Epic VI.

Calysto: So the key tonight is just don't get eliminated early. It removes the need to take crazy risks. Right now, there are 27 men scheduled for tonight's battle royal, which means that each wrestler needs to just survive 11 eliminations and they move on. Because if you don't survive the first 11 eliminations, your chances at main eventing Everlasting Epic are gone.

Troy: Also, Iceman, it was good that you added the words "right now" when identifying the number of participants, because, from what we understand, Vulture is not in the building tonight, and it is unclear if he should be expected. After the savage assault laid upon him last week by his former protege Jackie Baccaro and the twin children he never knew he had, Chris and Alexis Duval, there have been rumors swirling all week that Vulture would not make it to tonight's battle royal.

Calysto: Yeah. What a disgusting attack that was. And really, Vic, to be perfectly honest, it's been irking me all week that I didn't go in there and put a stop to it. But that's beside the point. The bottom line is that I would not be shocked if Vulture didn't make the battle royal, given what we saw last week, which would cut the field to 26. And that's without mentioning the fact that our creative director Justin Schenck has banned Greg Tantalus from the building tonight after the events that took place last week, meaning Tantalus is ineligible for tonight's battle royal, which is just a shame.

Troy: It is. But, I honestly can't say I'm surprised. You know it was just a matter of time before Schenck started punishing Tantalus for standing up to him. That's just the way guys like Schenck work.

Calysto: Yeah. Well, I do think Tantalus should have been allowed to compete tonight in this battle royal. Schenck was adamant last week that he helped destroy Greg Tantalus' marriage to get him to return to the PWA for the FANS. Well, then why are you depriving the fans of seeing him compete for a world title shot? But, with that said, I think that, as much as I think Tantalus SHOULD be in, there's another guy in this battle royal that I feel just as strongly SHOULDN'T.

Troy: Who's that?

Calysto: C'mon, Vic! FARLEY is in the battle royal!

Troy: Ah yes, Farley.

Calysto: This battle royal is supposed to be for contracted PWA superstars; Farley is not under contract to the PWA. Farley is under contract to Matthew Magellan.

Troy: Yes, but Justin Schenck, in his infinite wisdom, has decided to oblige Matthew Magellan and allow Farley to compete tonight. And if that isn't enough, should Farley emerge a co-winner tonight, not only will he advance to next week's singles match with the other co-winner, but he would earn a PWA contract.

Calysto: Excuse me if I'm not terribly enthralled by the plight of Farley, but the show should be amazing nonetheless!

Troy: Indeed, and we're going to kick it off in an action-packed way, right now! The Tag Team Championship is up for grabs! Let's go down to ringside!

The Houston crowd gets to work out their vocal chords right off the bat, as "Judas Rising" by Judas Priest hits the speakers, and Dan Crowley begins making his way to the ring to a tremendous ovation from the Houston crowd!

Moments later, "Footprints" by G-Unit hits, and the fans continue their substantial cheering for Showtime Damon Savage, who prompts the fans to continue their strong cheering as he walks to the ring. Showtime meets Crowley in the squared circle, and there is a brief staredown before Crowley offers his hand and Showtime shakes it.

Then, "More Human Than Human" by White Zombie hits, and the three-man unit of Synergy makes its way to the ring to a chorus of boos. The Omega Steve Beovich and Don "The MVP" Capriglione are holding the belts as they head to the ring, with The Human Highlight Jon Dulberg lagging behind. The trio then heads into the ring, and the belts are handed to the referee. Ring announcer Lee Palmer then takes over.

Palmer: Ladies and gentlemen, tonight's opening contest is scheduled for one fall, and it is for the PWA Tag Team Championship!

Introducing first, the challengers, at a total combined weight of 467 pounds, the team of SHHHHHOOOOOWWWTIIIIIIIIIIIIIME DAAAAMONNNNNNN SAAAAAAAAVAAAAAAGE and DANNNNNNNNNN CROWWWWWWWLEEEEEEEY!

And their opponents, at a total combined weight of 438 pounds, represented tonight by THE OOOOOMEEEEEGA STEEEEEEEEVE BEEEEEEEEEOVICH and THE M-V-P DONNNNNN CAPRIGLIOOOOOOONE, they are the PWA Tag Team Champions, SYNNNNNNNNERGYYYYYYYYY!

Troy: Alright, here we go! Let's get this title contest underway!

PWA TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP:
SYNERGY [THE OMEGA STEVE BEOVICH & DON "THE MVP" CAPRIGLIONE] (champions) VS. DAN CROWLEY & SHOWTIME DAMON SAVAGE (challengers)
Referee: Matt Hansen
The bell sounds, and The Omega opts to start the match for his team, along with Showtime for his.

Calysto: Looks like we've got a couple of former International Champions starting things off here.

Troy: Indeed we do. But Iceman, what about the stipulation attached to this bout here? We know that if Showtime and Crowley are crowned Tag Team Champions here tonight, the man scoring the winning pinfall will be guaranteed a shot at the PWA Championship at some point this season. How will that impact this match?

Calysto: Well, it's going to have an impact, no doubt. Showtime and Crowley worked well together as a team in their two previous bouts, but it was because they shared a common goal. Now, both of these guys care much more about earning a world title opportunity than they do about being Tag Team Champions. So I think this is going to be a difficult match for them to win. But let's not forget this: both of them will have ANOTHER opportunity to earn a guaranteed title shot beginning later tonight in the company-wide battle royal. So if they fail here, they will get another chance later.

Troy: Of course, they couldn't clinch anything tonight in the battle royal. The final two men standing will battle in singles competition next week, with that title shot on the line. But, they would have to go through as many as 25 other men later tonight to earn that match; right now, all they have to do is beat two guys.

Calysto: More like three, since you KNOW Dulberg is going to make his presence felt. But three is still better than 25.

While the announcers are talking, Beovich nails Showtime with a stiff European uppercut to start things off, immediately putting Savage on the ropes. The Omega then makes that literal, backing Showtime up into the corner and stinging him with an array of hard knife-edge chops. With Showtime dazed, Beovich whips him against the ropes and downs him with a hard back body drop as he returns. The Omega goes for the immediate cover... one, two, and Showtime gets a shoulder up.

After the nearfall, Crowley begins shouting for Showtime to tag him from the corner, wanting his shot in the match. However, Beovich lifts Showtime up and hurls him into the Synergy corner, tagging in Capriglione. The MVP then enters the ring and joins The Omega in furiously stomping away at the midsection of the former three-time International Champion. Annoyed by the blatant double-team, Crowley enters the ring, trying to get at Synergy, but referee Matt Hansen cuts him off, which allows Capriglione to begin illegally choking Showtime with the tag rope while Beovich unloads on Savage with repeated shoulder thrusts to the midsection!

Beovich then exits the ring, leaving Capriglione in firm control. The MVP mockingly shoves Savage's head with his foot, before turning to Crowley and taunting him. Crowley is furious, but composes himself, knowing that if he charges into the ring, it will only open another window for Synergy to double-team Showtime. As Showtime slowly works his way to a vertical base, Capriglione nails him with a spinning roundhouse kick that connects with authority! Capriglione covers... one, two, and Showtime gets a shoulder up!

Capriglione now lifts Savage and whips him into the corner hard, following him in with a thunderous clothesline. Then, as Showtime staggers forward, Capriglione climbs to the top rope and propels himself forward with a missile dropkick, only for Showtime to roll out of the way at the last moment!

Troy: Capriglione is down! Showtime needs to make a tag!

Calysto: Yeah, he does, Vic! This is probably his best chance to get the fresh Crowley into the match, so he's going to have to take advantage!

The MVP makes it to his corner and tags The Omega into the fray, who enters the ring and begins charging at Showtime. Savage is nearly to his corner, but just before he can reach out and tag Crowley, Beovich grabs his foot and begins pulling him back to the center of the ring. However, as he does so, Showtime pulls himself back to a vertical base, turns around, and nearly takes Beovich's head off with an incredible enziguri! The fans are now on their feet as they attempt to rally Showtime to his corner!

Beovich staggers to his feet, not quite sure exactly where he is, and not able to get to his corner to make a tag. However, Showtime makes it to his corner and tags in Crowley! The Houston crow explodes as Crowley enters the ring and immediately floors The Omega with a muay thai roundhouse kick! Crowley covers... one, two, and Capriglione enters the ring to break up the pinfall!

Capriglione stomps away at Crowley, and continues to do so as Beovich gets back to his feet. The referee tries to remove the illegal man, but Synergy refuses to listen. Beovich and Capriglione whip Crowley against the ropes, but Crowley levels them both with a double-clothesline on the rebound! With that, Jon Dulberg jumps onto the ring apron, but Crowley grabs the ropes and flips the Human Highlight into the ring! Crowley begins stomping away furiously on Dulberg, until Beovich clobbers him down from behind. Capriglione rolls back onto the apron, while Dulberg rolls down to the outside.

Beovich continues to pour on the intensity in his attack on Crowley, successfully negating Crowley's incredible momentum upon entering the ring. However, when The Omega grabs him, looking for a t-bone suplex, Crowley powers his way out of it with repeated vicious elbows to the face, before nailing Beovich with a t-bone of his own! Crowley covers... one, two, and Beovich just barely gets the shoulder up!

Troy: Mighty close to crowning new champions right there!

Calysto: We sure were. If Crowley can keep this pressure mounted, I think the challengers are going to have a great shot. That is, of course, assuming they can work together and not try to usurp each other for the world title shot.

The Omega is slow to his feet, but when he rises, Crowley charges at him and crushes him with a shining wizard! Then, with Beovich down, Crowley signals for the Brutal Legend, which prompts a wave of cheers! However, as he does so, Showtime reaches out and slaps Crowley in the back, constituting a tag!

Showtime enters the ring as a furious Crowley shoves him. Savage shouts at Crowley that he's just doing what he has to do, and Crowley shouts back that he's trying to do the same. However, amidst the confusion, Beovich makes the tag to Capriglione, who enters the ring and shoves the distracted Showtime hard from behind, sending him smashing into Crowley! The partners crack heads, causing Crowley to spill through the ropes and fall to the outside. Meanwhile, Showtime staggers backwards, dazed, giving the MVP an opening to roll him up with a schoolboy! One, two, three!

Troy: I don't believe it! Synergy has just retained the damn titles!

Calysto: I believe Crowley and Showtime were done in by the stipulation, Vic. Their individual desires to be PWA Champion obviously exceed their mutual desire to be Tag Team Champions, and this is the result. Had this been a normal title match, under normal circumstances, I think this team was on the verge of capturing the championship. And believe me, these guys are great together when they're on the same page. But this was a lot to ask for them. And the end result is that the belts still belong to Synergy.

The fans boo loudly as "More Human Than Human" floods the Toyota Center, and Synergy exits like thieves in the night, knowing they were fortunate on this night to escape with the gold. Meanwhile, in the ring, Showtime is on his knees, his hands on his hips in frustration. Crowley now re-enters the ring and immediately pulls Showtime to his feet. The crowd doesn't know who to cheer for as Crowley and Showtime inaudibly shout at each other and we head to commercial.
WINNERS VIA PINFALL AT 11:05 AND STILL PWA TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS - SYNERGY

-- COMMERCIAL BREAK --

As we return from commercial, "The Stone Monkey" by Kazu Matsui hits and Keiko Ishida begins making her way to the ring.

Troy: This is unexpected; I don't have Keiko on my card.

Calysto: And she's really not the type to just come out here unannounced. She must have something important to say. Let's find out.

Keiko grabs a microphone from the timekeeper and steps into the ring.

Keiko: Two weeks ago, I came out to this ring to battle Zina, a woman who many experts are comparing to me when I first arrived in the PWA back in 2004. They said it was a battle of an irresistible force meeting an immovable object. Except I came out here, and got my head nearly kicked off my shoulders. Two weeks before that, I was pinned by Lauren Tantalus, clean, right in the middle of the ring. After my battle with Zina, I suffered a mild concussion, and doctors advised me to take up to a month off to recuperate. I didn't listen, and competed on two live events during that week, before I finally decided to go home and rest. I spent last week there, openly pondering my future. I began to doubt my skills, and I even began to doubt whether or not I should have come back to the PWA for The Rebirth. A lot of time has passed since Morgan Day and I dominated this entire division. The competition is stiffer, and now, there is a new top dog who has beaten both of us, quite convincingly. As for Keiko Ishida, I find myself staring in the face of a 0-2 record here on this program, and sincerely questioning whether or not I should continue on. I must say, I gave tremendous consideration to coming out here tonight and saying goodbye to all of you. But that's not why I am here. I came here tonight to challenge Zina for the Women's Championship, right here tonight!

The Houston crowd begins cheering loudly at this statement.

Troy: Whoa!

Calysto: Bold move by Keiko, but I don't really know how wise this is. She is a prideful woman, but she is not a hundred percent right now. Not only that, but two weeks ago, when she WAS at full strength, Zina beat her pretty convincingly.

Keiko: Zina, I'll be in here, waiting for you, until you come out. Be a fighting champion. Give a three-time former champion the first shot, a shot at redemption.

Moments later, "Free" by VAST thumps onto the speakers, and the fans begin cheering loudly for Lauren Tantalus as she makes her entrance! Lauren has a microphone in hand and walks down to the ring, where she stands face-to-face with Keiko.

Lauren: Soooo... let me get this straight. You come out here and admit to the world that, not only were you beaten soundly by Zina two weeks ago, but two weeks before that, you were pinned clean, right in the center of the ring, by yours truly. Now, you sit at home for one week, and when you return, Zina is the Women's Champion. So explain to me again how that entitles you to a championship match.

Keiko prepares to speak, but Lauren cuts her off before she can.

Lauren: On second thought, save it, because there is no explanation that could possibly make any sense to me. You know what I know about Zina? I know that, since she's been here in the PWA, she's disposed of Liz Rush, Jade, Keiko Ishida, and Morgan Day. Now, since Dee Licious apparently isn't interested in being anything other than Michael Grieco's arm candy these days, that means that the only former champion around here who HASN'T been steamrolled by Zina is ME. Which means that it should be ME that gets the first title shot, NOT you.

Before Keiko has a chance to respond, "Demons" by Aria hits, and the fans begin booing as the new Women's Champion Zina emerges at the top of the ramp. She does not have a microphone with her, and simply smiles devilishly at her potential competition, before stopping in place. Then, "Reason to Hate Me" by Krayzie Bone hits, and the PWA creative director Justin Schenck appears at Zina's side to a chorus of boos. Schenck has a mic, and begins speaking.

Schenck: Quite the predicament we have here, wouldn't you say, Zina?

Schenck holds his mic out for her to speak into.

Zina: Yes.

Schenck: Do you have any thoughts on this matter?

Zina: I will destroy ANY woman. I am champion of PWA. I will not lose title. Ever. Challenger means nothing. Whoever I wrestle, I will defeat.

Schenck: Spoken like a true champion! So Lauren, Keiko, listen up. Obviously, you're both aware of the fact that Morgan Day has a mandatory rematch coming to her. But I can tell you right now that Morgan's rematch will NOT be Zina's first defense. And in fact, Zina will NOT be defending her title tonight, nor we will she be defending it a week from tonight. But she WILL be making her inaugural title defense TWO weeks from tonight, and I can tell you now, her opponent will be one of you.

Now Lauren, you make some valid points. But the simple fact of the matter is that you HAD a shot at the title a mere three weeks ago, and you lost. And I am a believer in second chances, and Keiko, as dominant as you have been in the past, I think you deserve one. So here's what we're gonna do. Later tonight, we're gonna have ourselves a little match. It's going to be Lauren Tantalus one-on-one with Keiko Ishida, and the winner will challenge Zina for the Women's Championship, two weeks from tonight! Now, if you'll excuse me, I have business to attend to. And fans, get psyched, the battle royal is still to come tonight!

With that, "Reason to Hate Me" replays and Schenck exits back behind the curtain, leaving Zina, Lauren, and Keiko at ringside. All of them look content enough with the announcement as they size each other up.

***

The camera then takes us backstage, where we follow Justin Schenck on his walk. When he reaches his office, we can see four burly security guards standing guard outside the door. Before he can enter, the door swings open and Chase Stone walks out.

Schenck: Chase! What are you up to?

Stone: Just going to get something to drink.

Schenck: You excited about tonight?

Stone: Oh man, you don't even know. What a way to make my official debut! I'll tell ya, Mr. Schenck, I can feel it. I'm gonna be one of the co-winners of this battle royal tonight.

Schenck: I know you can do it, kid. I have faith in you.

Stone: Thanks.

Schenck: Hey, by the way, no sign of Tantalus while I was gone, right?

Stone: Nope.

Schenck: Good.

Stone: Alright, I'll be back in a minute.

Schenck: Ok. Hey, can you do me a favor and grab me a Mountain Dew while you're over there?

Stone: Sure thing, boss.

Stone leaves, and Schenck turns back to his door, a wide smile on his face as he greets the security team.

Schenck: A bang-up job tonight, gentlemen!

They nod at him, and open the door, allowing Schenck to enter. The creative director takes a seat at his desk and begins looking through papers, until he falls backwards over his chair, onto the floor! The audience is confused as to exactly what happened, until they see Greg Tantalus come crawling out from underneath the desk! Schenck goes to scream, but Tantalus quickly shoves his hand over Schenck's mouth, grabs him by the throat, lifts him up, and pins him against the wall!

Tantalus: (quietly and forcefully) You shut your mouth, Schenck, you hear me? You scream and you'll get the Big O right through your desk before your goons outside can get to you. Do you want that? Of course you don't. So you're gonna give me what I want, and then I'm going to be on my way. I'm gonna take my hand away now, so you decide if you want to be put through that table or not. It's your choice.

Tantalus uncovers Schenck's mouth, and the creative director does not shout.

Tantalus: Good.

Schenck: I know what you want. And fine, you can have it. You're in the battle royal. Now just let me go, and you'd better hope that'

Tantalus: I don't think so. That's not why I'm here.

Schenck: Then what the hell do you want?

Tantalus: I want you in a match tonight.

Schenck: I can't give you that, Greg. Please. I'm not a wrestler...

Tantalus tightens his grip around Schenck's throat.

Schenck: Wait, wait, wait. What if I gave you Chase Stone? You hate Chase Stone.

Tantalus smiles, and loosens his grip.

Tantalus: I'll accept Chase Stone as your substitute tonight if you take him out of the battle royal to fight me.

Schenck: Done. It's done.

Tantalus: Sign off on it right now. I'm gonna let you go. But keep in mind that I'm faster than you, so if you make a run for it, I will catch you and hurt you before anyone gets to you.

Tantalus lets go of Schenck who writes something on a piece of paper and signs it.

Schenck: There, you happy?

Tantalus: For now. But realize that no matter what happens tonight, this isn't over between us.

Tantalus then turns and walks out of the dressing room, shocking the security guards as he pats then on the back and walks past them. They all grab him, and Schenck, from his office, waves them off.

Schenck: Let him go. He's got a match tonight.

Tantalus walks off, and Schenck begins screaming at his security team for allowing Tantalus to get inside his office somehow.

Just then, Chase Stone walks back to the office, two Mountain Dews in hand. He is shocked to see a grinning Greg Tantalus walk past him.

Tantalus: See you in the ring, Chase.

He then walks off smiling as concern grows on Stone's face.

Stone: Mr. Schenck!

Stone walks gingerly into the office.

Stone: You put Tantalus in the battle royal?!

Schenck: Worse. Come here. And shut the damn door.

Stone does as Schenck says and we head to commercial.

-- COMMERCIAL BREAK --

Back from break, we have managed to restore a video feed in Justin Schenck's office.

Stone: I can't believe this. This was my shot, boss! I was going to have the greatest debut in PWA history, and you let Tantalus take it away!

Schenck: What was I supposed to do, huh?! I wasn't really left with any other option. I couldn't face him myself! But listen to me, okay? I have a plan. I have a plan that will make this debut even more glorious than the one we had planned for the battle royal. Tonight, Chase Stone will make his official in-ring debut in the PWA, and he will do it by ending the career of Greg Tantalus!

Stone's lips curl into a smile.

Stone: Now we're talking. So what did you have in mind?

Schenck prepares to speak, but notices the camera in the room.

Schenck: Come, let's take a walk. We're being watched in here. I'll tell you everything. Off camera.

The two exit the room, flanked by the security, and Schenck gets in the camera man's face.

Schenck: I swear, if you or any of your buddies follow us, you will be out of a job so fast, it'll make your head spin!

***

As they walk off, we are sent back to ringside, and to ring announcer Lee Palmer.

Palmer: Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the Duval Twins, and Jackie Baccaro!

The fans begin booing loudly at the announcement, but are momentarily confused as "Hallelujah" by Bishop Lamont featuring Xzibit hits the speakers. However, they have no problem resuming their empathic jeering once Jackie Baccaro leads Chris and Alexis Duval out from behind the curtain. They are all sporting designer clothing and aviator sunglasses as they head to the ring.

Troy: Well, we go from one controversy to the next around here lately.

Calysto: Yeah, it sure seems that way. We've now got Greg Tantalus facing off with Chase Stone in Stone's debut match here tonight, and because of that, Stone is out of the battle royal. So, we're down to 26 competitors tonight, and that's if Vulture is actually here tonight, which is still a big if.

Troy: Indeed, and now, we see the arrival of perhaps the most controversial trio in the PWA today. Last week, we were hit with the startling revelation that Chris and Alexis Duval are in fact the illegitimate children of Vulture from a one-night-stand 22 years ago. Vulture never knew of their existence, but they came here to test him, to see if he would accept them without the knowledge of who they were, and when their relationship broke down after four weeks, his children viciously attacked him. But the other piece of the puzzle is that, several years ago, the Duvals sought out Jackie Baccaro, their father's former protege and the man with whom his problems became so personal that he ended a two-year retirement to defeat him at Everlasting Epic V. Baccaro led the Duvals in their heinous assault last week, and I'd imagine they're out here to address this situation. Let's see what they have to say for themselves.

The fans continue booing as Baccaro, microphone in hand, begins to speak. Both Duvals are also holding mics.

Baccaro: So, did you miss me?

The Houston crowd boos thunderously.

Baccaro: Well, don't worry, the feeling is mutual. Now, for those of you who may not remember me, the two or three of you in the audience, my name is Jackie Baccaro, and I am the greatest superstar the PWA has ever seen. I am also the prized protege of another of PWA's all-time greats, Vulture. But, like any good protege, I grew to surpass my mentor, to be better than him in each and every way. And, in keeping with that, when this company went out of business four years ago, I went out to ply my trade all around the world, to prove that I am the best. That's when I came across two hungry young predators, eager to learn all the wisdom that I had accumulated. There's Chris Duval, a true natural in the ring. A man who possesses the killer instinct that it took even me several years to develop. Chris has the hunger and the desire to truly be the greatest in the world someday, and the ruthless determination of a man who will stop at nothing to get it done.

Chris cracks a smile and rubs his hands together menacingly.

Baccaro: And then there's his twin sister, Alexis. A woman as destructive and dangerous as she is beautiful. And God, is she not beautiful?

Alexis blushes as she looks up at Baccaro adoringly.

Baccaro: What Alexis possesses in the ring is a skill set that would make even the soundest female competitor in this company tremble. She has future Women's Champion written all over her, and I'm talking sooner rather than later. So I knew from the start that what I had found here were two individuals worthy of my attention and worthy of my expertise. But this only got sweeter when I learned that these two amazing athletes are the forgotten and ignored children of my "beloved" mentor. The irony is just too great. And it of course was no coincidence. They sought me out and asked for my guidance, the same way they have the past few weeks with their father. The one difference is that I actually listened to them. I gave them a chance. And now, Vulture, the end result of all of this is that we are all here to bring about your destruction.

Chris: Vulture, last week, we did what we have wanted to do to you our entire lives. You went out of your way over the past month to make us feel unwelcome and unwanted. You proved to us, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that you are not worthy of the title of our father. You are our father biologically only. Do you have any idea what it was like growing up, watching your father on television, rooting for him, only to know in the back of your head that he doesn't care about you, that you're no different than any other fan to him? We wanted so badly to actually be your children, but we never wanted to seem like we were asking for handouts. We had a good life. We didn't need your money. We just wanted your love and acceptance. So when we came here, we thought we'd settle for your friendship. And you failed miserably at that.

Alexis: And Jackie warned us. He told us that we shouldn't give you a chance, that he knows you better than almost anyone does, and it was a waste of time. He told us that you're not someone worthy of the adulation of this crowd, that deep down, you are a bad person. He told us that you'd deny my brother and me, that you wouldn't accept our friendship, and you'd push us away. And you know what? He was right about every single point. Vulture, you are NOT deserving of our love, or even our friendship! So what you got last week, you had that coming, for a LONG time.

Baccaro: Couldn't have said it any better myself, Alexis. So Vulture, I don't know if you're back there or not, but if you're smart, you're not here tonight. And if you ARE here, well then, you might as well get out here now, so that you can save yourself the embarrassment of being eliminated in the battle royal. We'd be more than happy to finish what we started right here, right now.

The fans then cheer, anticipating Vulture's arrival, but are surprised when "Dead Promises" by The Rasmus hits instead!

Troy: It's Morgan Day!

Calysto: I don't know if I like this, Vic! If Vulture were here, he'd be out now, and if he's not here, this is a dangerous place for Morgan to be!

Morgan Day emerges at the base of the stage, with a microphone in hand, as the fans cheer loudly.

Morgan: Oh, there is just SO much I have to say to the three of you, but this is only a three-hour show, and we still have a battle royal to get to.

Baccaro: Hey, how's your husband, Morgan? We're thinking about him.

Morgan: Jackie Baccaro. God, I hoped I would never have to see your wretched face again for as long as I lived. First of all, to address some of your points. You made mention of surpassing your mentor and becoming greater than he ever was. Well then, Jackie, tell me, why is it that you LOST to my husband, clean, right in the middle of the ring, at Everlasting Epic V?

The fans cheer, and Baccaro becomes noticeably rattled.

Baccaro: That was a fluke! I know it, he knows it, and I bet even you know it!

Morgan: Sure, whatever. And you two scoundrels, Chris, Alexis. Did you really think this was the best way to present yourself to your father? Believe me, it's been an extremely trying week for me and my family, obtaining the knowledge that my husband, the father of MY child, has two adult children of his own. But tougher is the knowledge that those children conspired with another man who was once like a son to him in an attempt to destroy him. This has been a confusing week, but one thing I know for sure is that my husband has done NOTHING wrong. You three are all the same. You're the type of people who complain and try to take shortcuts all the way to the top, never holding yourselves accountable for anything. Well, let me tell you something. Vulture is not here tonight. But when he is one hundred percent, he will hold you, Jackie, and you, Chris, accountable for what you have done. But tonight, Alexis, I'M holding YOU accountable. The curious timing of your little charade last week left me impossibly emotionally unstable for my title defense against Zina moments later, which I believe contributed massively to why I was so soundly defeated. I'm not going to make excuses and say I would have otherwise beaten Zina, because it's impossible to say, but it is the truth. So, for my husband, and for myself, Alexis, if you want to prove Jackie right and show off your future Women's Champion potential, why don't you step into the ring with a three-time champion, RIGHT NOW!

Troy: Wow!

Calysto: This would be big! Are we going to have Morgan versus Alexis right now?!

Alexis: You're on!

The fans cheer loudly, and referee Jose Soares begins jogging down the aisle.

Troy: A referee has been sent out here, so it looks like this match is going to happen!

Calysto: Morgan seems to be at a big disadvantage with Baccaro and her brother at ringside, Vic, but it does seem like this is happening!

Troy: Folks, we're gonna take a quick break, but we'll be right back with this matchup! Stay with us!

-- COMMERCIAL BREAK --

MORGAN DAY VS. ALEXIS DUVAL
Referee: Jose Soares
As we return from break, we join this match in progress, with Morgan working over Alexis in the corner, stinging her with violent knife-edge chops to the delight of the Houston crowd. Meanwhile, Baccaro and Chris lurk menacingly at ringside.

Alexis staggers out of the corner, and Morgan whips her against the ropes, drilling her down thunderously with a powerslam off the rebound! One, two, and Alexis gets a shoulder up.

Morgan then pulls Alexis off the mat, but Alexis is ready with a thumb to the eye when she does so. She then lifts Morgan up and drops her, throat-first, onto the top rope. Morgan then slips down to the second rope, draping her chest over it so that her head is sticking through the ropes. Alexis uses this opening to bounce herself off the opposite ropes, charge forward and crash all her body weight down on Morgan's back, pressing her throat into the rope again!

Morgan falls back and hits the mat, and Alexis uses this opening to taunt the crowd, which boos her loudly. Alexis hits Morgan with a few stomps before trying to lift her off the mat. However, when she does, Morgan shoves her off and drills her in the skull with a vicious muay thai roundhouse kick, sending Alexis crashing to the mat with a thud! The fans cheer wildly, but before anything can happen, Chris reaches into the ring and pulls his sister out to safety. The crowd boos, and then both Chris and Baccaro enter the ring.

The two men close in on Morgan, trying to intimidate her. When referee Jose Soares tries to interject, Baccaro shoves him to the mat violently, prompting an immediate disqualification. However, more importantly, Morgan is now being backed into a corner, with nowhere to turn and Jackie Baccaro and Chris Duval descending on her.

Calysto: We're gonna need some help out here and fast, Vic!

Troy: I don't like the looks of this, Iceman! I really, really don't!

However, before anything can happen, Vulture comes storming down the aisle, steel chair in hand! The roof comes off the Toyota Center as Vulture slides into the ring and immediately cracks Baccaro with the chair, sending him hurdling over the top rope and to the floor! Morgan takes this opportunity to move out of the corner, as Vulture and Chris Duval face off.

Calysto: What is Vulture gonna do?!

Vulture hesitates, unable to swing the chair at his son. Once he realizes this, Chris smiles at Vulture and eggs him on, daring him to hit him. Vulture continues to do nothing, all the while Morgan gets herself into position behind Chris. Then, suddenly, as Duval continues to shout at his father, Morgan boots him in the nether-region from behind with a swift kick!

Troy: Oh man! That has GOT to sting!

Calysto: Chris Duval will be singing soprano tonight, Vic!

The fans are cheering wildly as Alexis finally rolls back into the ring, trying to get at Morgan, until she realizes the situation. She instead takes the opportunity to cover up her brother, preventing further damage to him. Vulture then embraces his wife, and the two exit the ring, grabbing a microphone on the outside. Baccaro, meanwhile, collects himself and joins the Duvals inside the ring as Vulture and Morgan start up the aisle.

Vulture: In case you couldn't figure it out, Jackie, Chris, Alexis - I'm still standing, and I'm not going anywhere! You want to set a trap for me last week? Fine. Tonight, we set one for you. Jackie - your ass is mine, you can count on it. And Duvals - something inside me may not allow me to hit you, but that won't stop my wife. So, in closing, let me say this: I'll see you in the battle royal tonight!

Troy: He IS going to compete in the battle royal!

Calysto: Fantastic news! It looks like we WILL have 26 tonight!

The Houston crowd continues its thunderous cheering as "Falling From the Sky" by VAST blares onto the speakers. Vulture and Morgan stare confidently at Baccaro and the Duvals, who glare back at them hatefully, as we take a commercial break.
WINNER VIA DISQUALIFICATION AT 3:08 - MORGAN DAY

-- COMMERCIAL BREAK --

Back from break, we see Jade talking with the makeup lady, when Matthew Magellan and Farley walk over. Jade groans out loud when she sees them, and excuses herself.

Magellan: Finally, my Tuesday night is complete! How you doing tonight, sweetheart? You sure do LOOK fantastic.

Jade: Do you really just not get it?

Magellan: I'm persistent.

Jade: Look, Magellan, I'm really not in the mood for you. I get it. This is your gimmick. You're gonna go around trying to get a bunch of the girls here to fall for you. I GUESS it worked with Traci Reed?

Magellan: Oh, it worked with Traci Reed. Believe me.

Jade: Fantastic. Go bother her then. Because I have zero interest in you. Zilch. None whatsoever. People like you, I detest them. You and me will NEVER work. I will not go out with you, I will not give you my phone number, and honestly, I don't even really have interest in TALKING to you. So I think it's time you move on to your next target.

Magellan: Well, this is certainly out of the blue.

Jade: UGH! Goodbye, Magellan! And take that disgusting cesspool of lard with you!

Jade storms away, before stopping short, and walking back to Magellan. He taps Farley on the shoulder and smiles as she returns.

Magellan: Couldn't tear yourself away, huh?

Jade: Oh no, believe me, I am done with you. But one last thing that's been bothering me about you. One of the many. You call yourself the Conquistador Matthew Magellan?

Magellan: You know it.

Jade: Have you ever even read a history book? Magellan wasn't a conquistador. In fact, he sucked at conquest and died trying to fend off attacking natives in the Philippines. Though I guess that sums you up perfectly, doesn't it, Magellan? A conquistador who sucks at conquest. So go bother someone else and leave me the hell alone.

Jade then storms off again and this time does not look back. Magellan, for once, is speechless.

Farley: So much for your three week prediction.

Magellan glares angrily at Farley.

Magellan: Shut your mouth, Farley. Why don't you go on a diet or something? Or at least take a shower.

***

The camera shifts to another portion of the backstage area, where Dan Crowley is sitting alone at his locker. He appears pensive and focused. Suddenly, Showtime Damon Savage walks over. Crowley immediately stands up when he sees him.

Showtime: Come on now, Crowley, you don't need to stand up just because Showtime's in the house.

Crowley: What do you want, Damon? Our business is done. I'm preparing myself for the battle royal, and I suggest you do the same.

Showtime: That's precisely why I'm here, Crowley. Because in my opinion, our business is NOT done.

Crowley: What are you talking about? We were only teaming together so that one of us could get a shot at the title. We failed to get the job done, and now we have a battle royal tonight, where we each individually have the same chance. I don't see why we have any need for further association.

Showtime: Alright Dan, let me break it down for you. You and I, we have a common goal, and that's to get an opportunity to win the PWA Championship, and then take advantage of it, right?

Crowley: Of course.

Showtime: And tonight, the last two men remaining in the battle royal advance to a singles match against each other next week, with that very shot on the line. And the loser of that advances to Seven Deadly Sins, so they still would have one last shot to get a title match anyway.

Crowley: I don't need a refresher on the rules of tonight's match.

Showtime: But you DO need a refresher on odds. Earlier tonight, we failed to win the tag team belts mostly because we were pitted against each other, along with being pitted against Synergy. Only one of us was going to truly win there. But tonight, Crowley, if you and I work as a cohesive unit, we can be the last two men standing.

Suddenly, it all starts to make sense to Crowley.

Crowley: You know what, Savage? You just may be on to something. If we're two men working together against 24 individuals, we probably do have a good shot to be the last two standing at the end.

Showtime: And if we are, we go into next week, may the best man win, and one of us is guaranteed our shot.

Crowley: And the loser still has an opportunity in Seven Deadly Sins.

Showtime: Exactly. So do we have ourselves a deal?

Showtime extends his hand.

Crowley: You know what? Yes. Yes we do.

Crowley then shakes Showtime's hand.

Troy: Wow! It looks like Crowley and Showtime are going to be working together in tonight's battle royal!

Calysto: And Vic, if they are, that could be bad news for the other 24 participants! I'm just not sure this partnership could last the whole time in the heat of battle, seeing how badly they BOTH want to get that title shot!

Troy: I guess we'll find out a little later tonight! But stay tuned, because up next, it's Greg Tantalus against Chase Stone, in Stone's inaugural PWA match!

-- COMMERCIAL BREAK --

As we return from break, "Fight On, State" by the Penn State Blue Band hits, and the fans begin booing as Chase Stone makes his way to the ring, ready for his in-ring PWA debut. Stone enters and stretches out on the ropes, awaiting his competition.

Moments later, the fans erupt into massive cheers as "Live to Win" by Paul Stanley explodes onto the speakers and Greg Tantalus appears from behind the curtain! However, Tantalus is not interested in making a long entrance, as he sprints down the aisle and into the ring, immediately spearing Stone to the mat! The Houston crowd goes ballistic as Tantalus wails away on Stone and referee Tom Stevens frantically calls for the bell to start the match!

Troy: Tantalus is certainly not wasting any time!

Calysto: Neither would I if I were him!

GREG TANTALUS VS. CHASE STONE
Referee: Tom Stevens
After nailing him in the face with a series of right hands, Tantalus grabs Stone's head and pounds it into the mat repeatedly! Stone struggles to break free, and eventually does, but once he is loose, Tantalus charges at him with another spear! However, this time, Stone has it scouted, and counters him with a sprawl, locking him in a front facelock, before performing a switch into a rear waistlock, and taking Tantalus down with a hard release German suplex. Stone poses for the crowd, which boos loudly.

Stone moves in on his opposition, taunting Tantalus as he lifts him up. However, Tantalus isn't nearly as dazed by the suplex as Stone assumes, and Tantalus violently tackles Stone to the mat and begins pounding away on him again viciously! Referee Tom Stevens attempts to separate the two, but Tantalus only seems interested in repeatedly slugging Justin Schenck's prized protege in the jaw!

As Tantalus continues his assault, however, the fans gasp as the trio that controls the PWA Tag Team Championship, Synergy, scurries to the ring! The Omega Steve Beovich, Don "The MVP" Capriglione, and The Human Highlight Jon Dulberg all hit the ring, and Beovich and Capriglione immediately pounce on Tantalus, nailing him with furious punches and stomps. The referee has no choice but to call for the bell

Troy: Oh, come on! This is ridiculous!

Calysto: This must be the plan Schenck was talking about earlier.
WINNER VIA DISQUALIFICATION AT 2:39 - GREG TANTALUS

Beovich and Capriglione do a vicious number on Tantalus, with Dulberg getting a shot in here and there. They then hold Tantalus up for Stone, who grabs him and stings him with a furious European uppercut. This jolts him backward, right into a belly-to-belly suplex by The Omega! Capriglione nails the downed Tantalus with repeated stomps, while Dulberg stands there, hands on his hips, not really doing much of anything.

Beovich then notices Dulberg's lack of participation and holds his arms out at him. When Dulberg doesn't reply, Beovich tells him to hold Tantalus. Dulberg lifts him and grabs Tantalus' arms, holding him prone as The Omega directs traffic. Capriglione and Stone exit the ring, with the MVP grabbing a table from underneath the ring and Stone grabbing a chair from ringside.

At this, Paul Dawkins and Renegade begin storming down the aisle to a huge ovation! However, before they can get even anywhere near the ring, security descends upon them and escorts them to the back.

Calysto: Oh come on! This is ridiculous!

Troy: It looks like Justin Schenck wanted to make sure that NOTHING interfered with the decimation of Greg Tantalus right here!

After the slight distraction, Beovich helps Capriglione guide the table into the ring, and Stone enters with the chair, but just as they close in on Tantalus, he nails Dulberg with a swift mule kick low blow, slides underneath the bottom rope, and escapes through the crowd! The fans cheer wildly as Tantalus disappears into the sea of humanity, and all four men in the ring go absolutely berserk!

Troy: Run, Greg! Run for your life!

Calysto: This definitely did NOT go as planned for Synergy and Chase Stone! And I'd imagine Justin Schenck can't be too thrilled either!

Troy: No, I'd imagine not! Folks, stick with us, we'll be right back!

-- COMMERCIAL BREAK --

Back from commercial, we see a frantic Justin Schenck, surrounded by his security team, chewing out Chase Stone and Synergy.

Schenck: Was this really such a difficult concept to comprehend?! Put Greg Tantalus in an ambulance and make sure he is taken out of the building that way! That's what you had to do! And did that happen? Did it?! No! Now I have a crazed maniac on the loose who wants my blood, and it's your fault, all of you!

They all hang their heads.

Schenck: Omega! What happened?! You know, you were always my favorite member of The Legacy, and I was really impressed when you so willingly offered your services in this endeavor. But failure will NOT be tolerated!

Stone: Boss, I just want to say that it's not Omega's fault. It's not MVP's fault. It's certainly not my fault. We all did our jobs. But YOU, Dulberg. YOU were supposed to hold him! The simplest of jobs!

Beovich: Yeah, and what gives, Jon? You didn't even seem like you wanted to be there. You screwed this one up, man. Big time.

Dulberg: I'm sorry, alright? It won't happen again.

Schenck: Oh it had better not.

Capriglione: Look, Jon, tonight, we have this battle royal, and Tantalus is still unaccounted for. Do you think you can handle being a lookout in the match, to make sure Omega and myself aren't blindsided?

Dulberg glares at him.

Dulberg: So what am I supposed to do, just watch your backs and not worry about my own chance?

No one answers him. Dulberg looks extremely irritated, and looks like he has something to say, but when he looks around at his surroundings, he opts not to.

Dulberg: Fine.

He then walks off, alone.

Schenck: What's with him?

Beovich: I don't know, he's been weird all day. Don't worry about him. He'll fall in line.

Schenck: He'd better.

***

The camera then shifts to the interview area, where backstage reporter Traci Reed is standing by with GI Jew.

Traci: Alright, I'm here with GI Jew, a man who has to be considered one of the odds-on favorites in tonight's battle royal. GI Jew, what are your thoughts going into this unpredictable bout?

Jew: My thoughts are that you need to hand me the microphone and walk yourself away, little girl. I have something to say, and you have no place here.

Traci quickly exits.

Jew: Before I get to the battle royal, I have something to say to the man formerly known as the Iceman Jason Calysto. Or, should I say, the Iceman Jason Calysto, formerly known as a man. You want to talk tough behind a microphone, tell me that I shouldn't push you? Well, consider this a push. If you know anything about me, you should know that I love nothing more than a good fight. So any time you're feeling froggy, just jump, and I'll be right there to Gore your has-been ass out of the damn sky. Now, as for the battle royal, I'm gonna be one of the two survivors, and along the way, Evan Black, Dex Wellington, I'm going to annihilate and then eliminate both of you. You can count on it. And if by some fluke I get eliminated before the final two, I can guarantee that it will be after the Seven Deadly Sins cutoff, and I guarantee that if I'm in that match, there's no way I lose it. Count on it.

With that, GI Jew storms off.

***

We are now sent to another portion of the backstage area, where Jaguar can be seen taping his wrists, when the Modern-Day Samurai Scythe walks over.

Scythe: Hey Jag.

Jaguar: Scythe! What's going on, my man?

Scythe: Nothing much. Just wanted to wish you luck in the battle royal tonight.

Jaguar: Right back at ya. But I will say this. I am getting my title back sooner rather than later. And tonight, I am going to be one of the two survivors. If you are the man standing in that ring with me when the smoke clears, I look forward to tearing the house down with you next week. But believe me brother, no one is throwing me over the top tonight. That is a promise.

Scythe: I would expect nothing less out of you, Jag. And I can also tell you to expect to see me next week. And I couldn't imagine a more worthy opponent to tear the house down with.

Jaguar and Scythe slap hands just as Solomon walks over, a patronizing look on his face.

Solomon: Can't imagine a more worthy opponent, huh Scythe? How about the man that pinned you just two weeks ago? But this was a cute little display. Really, it was. Listen, I hate to disappoint both of you, but I am surviving in this battle royal tonight, then I'm winning next week, and three weeks from tonight, I'm taking back the PWA Championship. So the both of you had better set your sights on the Seven Deadly Sins match. Because if either of you are in there with me next week, it's going to be a mighty disappointing evening.

Jaguar: Listen big man, I respect the hell outta you, but you need to show some respect too. Don't forget who ended your undefeated streak and took the world title from you in the same city that just so happens to be hosting Everlasting Epic this year, my hometown, Jacksonville. And believe me, I'll stop at nothing to main event that show.

Solomon: Believe me, Jaguar. I remember. Not a day goes by that I don't remember. And I'm through talking. I'll do the rest of my talking in the ring. And I won't hesitate to destroy either of you if you get in my way.

Scythe: The feeling is mutual, big man. The feeling is mutual.

Solomon stares down Jaguar and Scythe as he exits, with them staring back at him. With that, we head to commercial.

-- COMMERCIAL BREAK --

Back from break, "Free" by VAST hits, and the fans begin cheering loudly for Lauren Tantalus as she makes her way to the ring!

Troy: Alright folks, this should be a tremendous battle right here between Lauren Tantalus and Keiko Ishida!

Calysto: These two had quite the battle a few weeks back, when Lauren got the best of Keiko, but this could be a different story tonight. Keiko has a lot to prove, in her mind, and that extra determination, to me, is what's going to make the difference.

Troy: Honestly, Iceman, I think it could go either way. Keiko does want this badly, but so does Lauren. And to be honest, I think Lauren has looked more impressive than Keiko this season. I really do. I give Lauren the edge, and I think, in two weeks, we're going to be seeing Lauren challenging Zina.

Calysto: I guess we're about to find out!

As Lauren takes her place in the ring, "The Stone Monkey" by Kazu Matsui blares onto the speakers, and the fans continue their cheering for the arrival of Keiko Ishida! Keiko's face is expressionless as she charges down to the ring, immediately rolling into the ring and getting into position. The referee then rings the bell, getting the match underway.

KEIKO ISHIDA VS. LAUREN TANTALUS
Referee: Dan Martin
Lauren and Keiko lock up to start things off, and it is Keiko that establishes the inaugural advantage, shoving Lauren to the mat with authority. Lauren collects herself on the mat before pulling herself back to a vertical base. When she rises, she surprisingly asks Keiko for another lockup. Keiko obliges, and quickly shoves Lauren down to the mat again. Lauren smiles this time, before rising again. She asks Keiko for one more, but this time, when they lock up, Keiko nails Lauren with a stiff knee to the gut, before whipping her hard into the corner. Keiko then charges at her, nailing her with stiff shoulderblocks to the midsection while Lauren is cornered. With Lauren dazed, Keiko perches her on the top rope and climbs up after her.

Troy: Lauren is in a precarious position right here!

Calysto: Vic, Keiko has been in firm control thus far, and landing a high-impact move off the top rope could seriously spell an early end for Lauren. She is going to HAVE to find a way to counter this offense.

Keiko grabs hold of Lauren, looking to superplex her off the top rope, but Lauren is able to block it! Keiko attempts it again, but Lauren blocks it again, and then nails Keiko with repeated right hands to the midsection, staggering her! Lauren then jolts her legs upward, wrapping them around Keiko's neck, before swinging herself outward, towards the ring, and delivering a thunderous hurricanrana to Ishida off the top rope, sending her flying down into the ring with authority! Lauren, discombobulated, gathers herself in time to make a cover... one, two, and Keiko gets a shoulder up!

Troy: VERY close to a three count there!

Calysto: If Lauren can capitalize on this, she can seriously swing the momentum of this match!

Lauren and Keiko are both slow to their feet, but Lauren is the first one up. She nails Keiko with repeated forearm shivers, staggering the Japanese superstar. Creating separation, Lauren bounces herself off the ropes, downing Keiko with a flying shoulder tackle as she returns, sending Keiko spilling all the way out of the ring and to the arena floor!

Lauren follows Keiko to the outside, but when she goes to lift her, Keiko grabs Lauren and whips her into the steel barricade in front of the crowd! Keiko then lifts Lauren up and rolls her back into the ring. With Lauren down, Keiko climbs to the second rope and drops a hard elbow on her sternum, before covering. One, two, and Lauren gets the shoulder up!

Lauren slowly gets to her feet, and Keiko whips her against the ropes, putting her head down, looking for a back body drop. However, Lauren stops short and underhooks Keiko's arms, looking for her Tiger Driver finisher!

Troy: Tiger Driver! Tiger Driver!

Calysto: Keiko needs to counter this, and fast!

Frantically, Keiko churns her legs forward as hard and fast as she can, backing Lauren all the way into the corner, smashing into the buckles, breaking the hold. Keiko is dazed, however, and Lauren senses this, darting towards her, looking for a Thesz press. However, Keiko catches her in mid-air, and drills her down furiously with a spinebuster! Then, the fans begin cheering loudly, as Keiko signals for her Running STO finisher!

Keiko gets into position as Lauren slowly rises, and as soon as Lauren turns around, Keiko darts forward. However, just before impact, Lauren is able to leapfrog over Keiko to safety! Then, when Keiko turns around, Lauren ties her in a small package! One, two, and Keiko reverses the small package into a small package of her own! One, two, three!

Troy: And that does it! Keiko Ishida has pinned Lauren Tantalus!

Calysto: She reversed the momentum of that small package, and it will now be Keiko Ishida challenging Zina for the Women's Championship two weeks from tonight! But tremendous effort by both ladies here tonight!

The Houston crowd cheers loudly as "The Stone Monkey" replays and Keiko Ishida has her hand raised in victory. Lauren Tantalus, however, just sits on the mat, a look of frustration on her face. However, when Keiko extends her hand, Lauren willingly shakes it, eliciting an even bigger positive reaction from the crowd as we head to commercial.
WINNER VIA PINFALL AT 7:14 - KEIKO ISHIDA

-- COMMERCIAL BREAK --

Back from break, backstage reporter Scott Cornelius is standing with Anthony Failla.

Cornelius: Folks, I'm here with the reigning PWA World Heavyweight Champion Anthony Failla, just moments before our electric battle royal main event tonight. Mr. Failla, do you have any feeling on who might ultimately emerge as your next challenger, and are you concerned?

Failla: Am I concerned? Scott, can you tell me one reason why I should be concerned? I have been unstoppable since this season began. I have beaten every single person put in front of me, and three weeks from tonight, when this next challenger emerges, I will destroy them. I will send them back to the locker room in defeat, just like I have done this season to Greg Tantalus, to Vulture, to Scythe, to Solomon, and of course, to Jaguar. It's the same story each and every week, and whoever wins this battle royal, they should know right now that they will NOT be an exception.

Cornelius: Thank you. Alright, the time has come. Lee Palmer, take it away!

***

Back at ringside, Lee Palmer is standing front and center in the squared circle, microphone in hand.

Palmer: Ladies and gentlemen, this next contest is a 26-man battle royal! The match will continue until just two competitors are remaining, at which time they will be declared the winners, and compete in a singles match next week to determine the number one contender to the PWA Championship! Additionally, the final 16 men standing in this match will move on to Seven Deadly Sins qualifying matches! The loser of next week's contest between the battle royal's co-winners will advance directly to the Seven Deadly Sins match on July 6. The final 14 men eliminated in tonight's battle royal will compete in qualifying matches over the next two weeks to name the other seven competitors for the Seven Deadly Sins match, the winner of which will challenge for the PWA World Heavyweight Championship on August 14 at Everlasting Epic VI!

Moments later, "With You" by Linkin Park explodes onto the speakers, and the fans begin cheering wildly for the Modern-Day Samurai Scythe, who makes his entrance to a massive ovation! As Scythe settles himself in the ring, preparing himself for battle, the lights dim and a fiery blue blast of pyro erupts from the stage, signaling the arrival of Solomon!

The Alaskan Monster is greeted with an array of cheers as he slowly makes his way to the ring, never taking his eyes off Scythe.

Troy: We've got two of the favorites for this thing right here!

Calysto: Absolutely, Vic. It's very possible that we're gonna end this tonight with Scythe and Solomon, just like we're starting it.

Troy: Folks, the battle royal is just moments away! We'll be right back!

-- COMMERCIAL BREAK --

We return with the sounds of the Bishop Lamont and Xzibit's "Hallelujah" blaring over the speakers, and we see Jackie Baccaro making his way down the aisle to a wave of jeers for his first televised match back in the PWA. Chris Duval is at his side, also a participant in tonight's battle royal.

When the camera returns to the ring, we see that a number of competitors made their entrance while we were away; a quick scan of the ring shows that GI Jew, the International Champion Michael Grieco, Dan Crowley, Showtime Damon Savage, Dexter P. Wellington, Evan Black, Kerry Cox, Paul Dawkins, Renegade, PWA Tag Team Champions and Synergy members The Omega Steve Beovich, The Human Highlight Jon Dulberg, and Don "The MVP" Capriglione, Paul Epton, John Wolfe, Matthew Magellan, Farley, Dynamite Dean Nash, Damien Fields, Kris Anthony, and Darrin Giles have joined Scythe and Solomon since we went to commercial.

As Baccaro and Duval join them in the ring, "My Avenue" by Lil Boosie hits, and the Houston crowd goes nuts for the five-time former PWA Champion Jaguar! The Jacksonville native looks pumped up, but focused, as he makes his way down the aisle, exciting the Houston crowd.

Troy: Listen to the eruption for Jaguar!

Calysto: A fantastic greeting from the PWA faithful, as always!

Troy: Iceman, we've got one competitor left to enter, and we know who that is.

Calysto: Yeah, and really Vic, I'm surprised that Vulture is even here tonight. I was pretty stunned to see him earlier, and I was shocked to find out he'd be competing in this battle royal. But, any time he's in the ring, I have a hard time picking against him. I think if he can keep his emotions in check regarding Baccaro and Duval, he can go far tonight. Same goes for Jaguar with Michael Grieco. There's so much at stake tonight, and you really need to be careful not to get tossed early. It's a weird dynamic. Yes, only two men can win this battle royal, but really, only 10 men lose it. The first 10 to be eliminated get nothing; the 14 subsequent losers advance to Seven Deadly Sins qualifiers. So the most important thing is just not to get caught early.

Troy: Great point.

Jaguar then takes his place in the ring, before "Falling From The Sky" by VAST hits, and Vulture makes his entrance to a roaring ovation! Vulture, however, has his sights set on Jackie Baccaro, and immediately charges down the aisle, dives into the ring, and tackles Baccaro to the mat, pounding away on him! Duval then violently pulls him up by his surgically-repaired neck, and all hell breaks loose in the ring, prompting the bell to sound!

Troy: And we're underway!

26-MAN BATTLE ROYAL
Featuring: Scythe, Solomon, GI Jew, PWA International Champion Michael Grieco, Dan Crowley, Showtime Damon Savage, Dexter P. Wellington, Evan Black, Kerry Cox, Paul Dawkins, Renegade, PWA Tag Team Champions and Synergy members The Omega Steve Beovich, The Human Highlight Jon Dulberg, and Don "The MVP" Capriglione, Paul Epton, John Wolfe, Matthew Magellan, Farley, Dynamite Dean Nash, Damien Fields, Kris Anthony, Darrin Giles, Chris Duval, Jackie Baccaro, Jaguar, and Vulture
Outside Referees: Jose Soares, Tom Stevens, and Matt Hansen
With 26 men battling it out in the ring, it is difficult to make heads or tails of what is happening. What we can see is that the wrestlers are gravitating towards their natural rivals, wherever possible. Baccaro and Duval are viciously double-teaming Vulture for the second time in two weeks. Jaguar is slugging it out with Grieco. Dawkins and Renegade are after Synergy. There are also other interesting variations, like Jew getting assistance from Magellan in battling Wellington and Black, Scythe and Solomon working in tandem against Crowley and Showtime, and Epton and Wolfe, on a roll, having their way with Nash, Fields, Anthony, and Giles. And then there is Farley, standing by himself, somehow carving out a solitary space amidst 25 other bodies.

The brawling rages on, with each man trying to establish some sort of presence in the ring, hoping to stand his ground and survive until at least 10 eliminations are recorded. However, they can't all avoid elimination. And about two minutes into the match, someone has to find that out the hard way. Having thoroughly vanquished Anthony and Giles, who are lying on the mat in a heap now, Epton and Wolfe turn their full attention to Nash and Fields. And while Epton pounds away on Nash in a corner, Wolfe grabs Fields by the throat, lifts him in chokeslam position, and heaves him over the top rope and down to the arena floor!

Palmer: Damien Fields has been eliminated! NINE eliminations remain until the Seven Deadly Sins qualifier cutoff!

Meanwhile, Nash counters an Epton charge with a boot to the face, backing him off. However, Nash stumbles right into a charging Matthew Magellan, who clotheslines him over the top and out of the ring!

Palmer: Dynamite Dean Nash has been eliminated! EIGHT eliminations remain!

Right after the elimination, a satisfied Magellan backpedals a few steps, backing right into Farley, who still has managed to avoid physical contact with people! Annoyed, Magellan begins screaming at Farley to watch what he's doing. This momentary distraction allows Kerry Cox to charge over and clothesline both of them over the top rope! Farley easily tumbles over the top rope and to the outside, eliminated, but Magellan manages to hang on.

Palmer: Farley has been eliminated! SEVEN eliminations remain!

As soon as many of the people in the ring see Magellan barely clinging to life in the battle royal, they descend on him like scavengers, knowing that each elimination brings them all closer to at least a guaranteed Seven Deadly Sins qualifying match. However, despite the effort from multiple combatants, Magellan will not relinquish his grip on the ropes, and is able to pull himself back into the ring.

Elsewhere in the ring, we see Darrin Giles and Kris Anthony double-dropkick Solomon, teetering him. Solomon swats away Epton and Wolfe as well, and then boots Evan Black in the jaw. Giles and Anthony rush back at him now, but this time, Solomon grabs them and dumps both of them over the top and to the outside!

Palmer: Both Darrin Giles and Kris Anthony have been eliminated! FIVE eliminations remain!

Troy: We're halfway there, Iceman! Five eliminations in the books, and five more until everyone in that ring has at least advanced to a Seven Deadly Sins qualifying match!

Calysto: That's true, but this is precisely the point in the match where guys cannot begin to let up and relax a little bit. There are still five out of the 21 men in the ring right now who are not going to make it, and I would venture to guess that the 16 who want it most will be the ones advancing.

As the battle rages on, the pace of the eliminations slows slightly, with several minutes passing before another one takes place. However, suddenly, Greg Tantalus comes through the crowd with a baseball bat, darts into the ring, and goes right after all three members of Synergy! The fans cheer wildly as Tantalus wields the bat like a man possessed, looking for revenge on the trio that attacked him earlier! Capriglione and Dulberg are able to escape Tantalus' wrath, but backpedal directly into Renegade and Dawkins, who grab them and hurl them over the top to the outside, just as Tantalus cracks Beovich across the back with the bat, sending him crumbling to his knees!

Palmer: Both Don "The MVP" Capriglione and The Human Highlight Jon Dulberg have been eliminated! THREE eliminations remain!

Tantalus looks to get another monster blow in on Beovich, but before he can do that, Chase Stone rushes to the ring and tackles Tantalus down! The two brawl on the mat, rolling underneath the bottom rope and to the outside, the bat coming with them! Numerous officials pour out from the back to escort the two of them from ringside. We can see that referees are taking Stone to the back, while security is removing Tantalus from the building, forcefully.

Meanwhile, in the ring, Steve Beovich has managed to survive Tantalus' assault. Renegade and Dawkins move in on him, but they are instead attacked by Jackie Baccaro and Chris Duval, who have been away from Vulture for some time. Vulture is now occupied with GI Jew.

Beovich manages to crawl to safety, until he is spotted by Epton and Wolfe. The pair moves in on him and begins working him over with combination punches. Wolfe holds Beovich back, and Epton charges at him, but Beovich ducks out of the way, sending Epton hurdling towards Wolfe... but Wolfe is able to catch him! However, Beovich dropkicks Wolfe, causing him to inadvertently drop Epton over the top rope, eliminating him!

Palmer: Paul Epton has been eliminated! TWO eliminations remain!

Beovich then charges at Wolfe, but Wolfe is able to sidestep him and use Beovich's momentum to carry him over the top and out!

Palmer: The Omega Steve Beovich has been eliminated! ONE elimination remains!

Troy: Unbelievable! Beovich escaped his fate when Greg Tantalus interfered earlier, but he can't escape it now! No members of Synergy will advance to Seven Deadly Sins qualifying matches!

Meanwhile, Jason Calysto is removing his headset.

Troy: Iceman, what are you doing?!

Calysto doesn't say a word as he quietly gets up from the commentary table and slides into the ring. GI Jew is stomping a floored Vulture in the corner, and doesn't see Calysto charge him, turning around just in time to walk into a ferocious mafia kick from the Iceman! Jew stumbles right into Kerry Cox, who grabs him and heaves him over the top rope, eliminating him, prompting the fans to roar in approval! Calysto quickly slides out of the ring and heads back to the commentary table!

Troy: I don't believe it! Jason Calysto just casually got up from his seat, walked into the ring, and ruined GI Jew's chances of advancing to a Seven Deadly Sins qualifier!

Palmer: Ladies and gentlemen, GI Jew has been eliminated! All the remaining participants in this battle royal will at LEAST advance to a Seven Deadly Sins qualifying match over the next two weeks! This match will continue until there are only TWO men remaining!

GI Jew is absolutely livid as he gets to his feet on the outside, immediately heading for Calysto, cutting him off before he reaches the commentary table! The two brawl viciously on the outside until officials storm out from the back to separate them!

Troy: Folks, this is chaos out here right now! We're going to take a quick break, and this battle royal will rage on!

-- COMMERCIAL BREAK --

When we return from break, we see chaos continuing to reign over the 16 wrestlers still present in the squared circle. Matthew Magellan is battling it out with Kerry Cox, as are Jaguar and Solomon. Vulture is mixing it up with former Strength In Numbers teammate Dan Crowley, while Scythe exchanges blows with Jackie Baccaro, Paul Dawkins slugs it out with Dex Wellington, Showtime Damon Savage battles Michael Grieco, John Wolfe pounds on Evan Black, and Chris Duval battles Renegade.

Troy: Folks, we're back with this battle royal, and we saw some incredible things happen here right before we went to break! My broadcast partner Jason Calysto climbed into the ring and helped bring about the elimination of GI Jew, RIGHT before the Seven Deadly Sins qualifier cutoff, so Jew is not advancing to the qualifier round. Iceman, why did you do it?

Calysto: Why'd I do it? Vic, I told GI Jew last week not to incite me, to let it go. He chose not to listen to my suggestion, so I decided to take action. You know, all week, I've been kicking myself that I didn't just take him out last week. And then it irked me even further that I just sat here and let Vulture get brutalized by Baccaro and Duval. But this week, once I heard GI Jew open his mouth, I decided I wasn't sitting idly by anymore. I knew that if the opportunity presented itself, I was going to hit him where it hurts, and now I've done that. So Jew, I've been told you stormed out of the building and took off, but if you can hear this, now we're even. You can let it go, which would be the smart thing, or you can try to escalate it, in which case, you know where to find me.

Troy: Iceman, check out what's going on in the ring!

Back inside, Cox clotheslines Magellan over the top rope, but both of them go tumbling to the outside! They battle on the ring apron, teetering, but before they can get back into the ring, Jaguar rushes over and clotheslines them both off the apron, eliminating them both!

Palmer: Matthew Magellan and Kerry Cox have been eliminated!

Moments later, Dawkins charges at Wellington, but Wellington is able to duck and back body drop him over the top rope and down to the arena floor!

Palmer: Paul Dawkins has been eliminated!

Wellington now joins Evan Black in his battle against John Wolfe, while Crowley floors Vulture and begins assisting Showtime with Grieco. With Vulture seemingly prone on the mat, Chris Duval takes the opportunity to rush over and pepper him with hard stomps. Duval locks Vulture in a camel clutch, and Vulture struggles to climb to a vertical base.

Elsewhere in the ring, Jackie Baccaro breaks away from Scythe and charges at Renegade, clotheslining him over the top and eliminating him!

Palmer: Renegade has been eliminated!

Vulture continues to struggle in Duval's camel clutch, until Baccaro comes over and instructs Duval to relinquish the hold. The two then begin stomping Vulture furiously until Jaguar runs over and makes the assist, mixing it up with both Baccaro and Duval, allowing Vulture to clear the cobwebs! Grieco, who has broken free of Crowley and Showtime, then runs over and clobbers Jaguar from behind! Grieco pounds away on Jaguar, but Wellington and Black grab him from behind and hurl him over the top rope and out!

Troy: Wow! Look at that! Dex Wellington and Evan Black just eliminated the International Champion!

Calysto: And Grieco looks pretty livid about it!

Palmer: Michael Grieco has been eliminated!

Grieco pounds the mat on the arena floor in frustration, and then exits to the back. Meanwhile, in the ring, Wellington and Black are nailed by Crowley and Showtime, and a battle breaks out between the four. Vulture is now up, slugging it out with Baccaro, while Jaguar works over Duval. Also, Solomon and Scythe are taking turns delivering furious knife-edge chops to John Wolfe in one of the corners!

The battle rages on, with each wrestler digging deep, looking to last for nine more eliminations and win the battle royal. Shortly thereafter, Wolfe's night comes to an end, as he succumbs to the attack from Solomon and Scythe, getting double-clotheslined over the top and to the floor!

Palmer: John Wolfe has been eliminated!

Moments later, Crowley Irish whips Black towards Vulture, who instinctively ducks down and back body drops him over the top and out!

Palmer: Evan Black has been eliminated!

However, thanks to the momentary distraction, Showtime grabs Wellington and hurls him over the top and out as well!

Palmer: Dexter P. Wellington has been eliminated!

Troy: Only eight men remain in the ring!

Calysto: These guys are getting so close they can taste it! Six more eliminations until we have our co-winners!

Suddenly, Scythe turns to Solomon, who he had been working with, and barrels him into the ropes! This momentary vulnerability for Solomon turns into an immediate opening for the remainder of the ring, as Scythe, Jaguar, Vulture, Baccaro, Crowley, and Showtime all charge over and attempt to shove Solomon out! Chris Duval, perhaps intelligently, opts not to get involved and take a breather on the other side of the ring.

Meanwhile, the charge against Solomon continues, but the Alaskan Monster continues to fight it off, incredibly! He kicks Vulture across the ring, shakes off Showtime and Crowley, headbutts Scythe, and kicks Jaguar in the gut. However, just as Solomon thinks he is safe, Duval and Baccaro charge him in tandem, and double shoulder-block him back into the ropes! The pair charges him again, but Solomon gets two boots up and clobbers them backwards! However, sensing the opening, Scythe charges in and clotheslines Solomon over the top rope and down to the floor!

Troy: My God! My God! I don't believe it! Scythe has just eliminated Solomon!

Calysto: That's incredible! Solomon is in disbelief! It's a Seven Deadly Sins qualifying match for him now!

Palmer: Solomon has been eliminated!

Solomon is furious on the outside of the ring, but collects himself and exits. Meanwhile, Vulture grabs Baccaro, whips him into the ropes, and crushes him with a brutal Chill Factor spinebuster! Then, as Baccaro gets to his feet, Vulture clotheslines him over the top rope, but Baccaro is able to land on the apron! Noticing Baccaro prone, Vulture prepares to charge, looking to knock him off the apron and eliminate him, but Duval instead grabs him from behind and sends him sailing towards the ropes. Just before Vulture hits the ropes, Baccaro lowbridges him, yanking the top rope down, which sends Vulture's momentum over the ropes and down to the floor!

Troy: I don't believe it! Jackie Baccaro and Chris Duval just teamed up to eliminate Vulture!

Calysto: Unbelievable!

Vulture is livid, and Baccaro and Duval are proud of themselves; too proud to notice Crowley and Showtime rushing over. Showtime dropkicks Duval off the apron, while Crowley grabs Baccaro and hurls him over the top and to the outside! Baccaro and Duval pound the mat outside in fury, but it is to no avail!

Palmer: Both Jackie Baccaro and Chris Duval have been eliminated!

Troy: How about that now?! Baccaro and Duval are out, and do you know what that means, Iceman?!

Calysto: It means we're down to FOUR! It's Jaguar, Scythe, Dan Crowley, and Showtime Damon Savage! Two of these men will meet next week for a guaranteed world title shot three weeks from tonight!

The fans in the Toyota Center are abuzz as Jaguar, Scythe, Crowley, and Showtime begin circling each other. In short order, we see Crowley and Showtime move closer together, letting Scythe and Jaguar know that they will indeed be working as a unit. At this, Jaguar and Scythe also move closer together! With that, the four go at each other, and the decibel level of the crowd rises even further, as Jaguar and Crowley begin exchanging fists, as do Scythe and Showtime! Jaguar and Scythe gain the initial advantage, staggering Crowley and Showtime back, respectively, and then whip them against the ropes at the same time, nailing them with stereo back body drops as they return!

Jaguar now puts Crowley in one corner, while Scythe puts Showtime in another. They whip their opposition at each other, so that Crowley is to smack into Showtime in the center of the ring. However, Crowley and Showtime are both able to reverse the whips, instead sending Jaguar and Scythe crashing into one another! As Jaguar and Scythe stagger backwards, and change places, Scythe stumbles into Crowley, while Jaguar stumbles into Showtime, and both former world champions are nailed with stiff, tight German suplexes!

Crowley begins stomping away on Scythe as he's down, while Showtime slowly lifts Jaguar off the mat. Once he has Jaguar up, Showtime begins peppering him with jabs. However, when he lets loose with the big left hook, Jaguar ducks under it and downs him with a big spinebuster! Showtime slowly begins making it back to his feet, and Jaguar is waiting for him. Once Showtime rises, Jaguar grabs him in position for the Carrjack! However, seeing this, Crowley rushes over and shoves Jaguar, which sends both Jaguar and Showtime tumbling over the top - except Showtime hangs onto the top rope! Jaguar, unfortunately for him, cannot, and falls to the arena floor!

Palmer: Jaguar is eliminated! Three participants remain! Once one more participant is eliminated, the two men left standing will be declared the winners and will meet next week for a shot at the PWA World Heavyweight Championship in three weeks!

Troy: What a stunning turn of events! Jaguar is gone, and now it's just Scythe in there with Crowley and Showtime!

Calysto: Vic, this guarantees that at least ONE of Showtime and Crowley will compete for a title shot next week. But what just happened there with Crowley? Did he just obtain the desired result, or was he intending to get rid of BOTH Jaguar and Showtime and just simply end the match?

Troy: That's a good point, because it would have rendered next week's match unnecessary. I don't think you can fault anyone for trying to cash in on a title shot whenever they have an opportunity, though.

Crowley and Showtime exchange words as Showtime gets back to his feet, but Scythe takes this opportunity to charge in and clothesline them both to the mat, hard! Scythe lifts up Showtime and whips him into the corner, looking to isolate Crowley. Once Crowley makes it to his feet, Scythe downs him again with a deep armdrag! Then, when he pops to his feet again, Scythe whips him into Showtime in the corner, and they crash into each other! Showtime falls face-first onto the mat, as Crowley stumbles to the ropes.

Sensing his opening, Scythe charges, looking to clothesline Crowley over and out, but Crowley sees him coming, and instead drills Scythe in the jaw with a muay thai kick! Scythe is dazed, but does not go down, so Crowley grabs him and heaves him at the ropes, sending Scythe over! However, Scythe skins the cat, pulling himself back into the ring, and grabbing Crowley's head in a scissor lock! Scythe tries to use his legs to pull Crowley over the top and out, but Crowley, after to failing to shove him off and to the outside, yanks Scythe back inside, flips him over his shoulders, turns him around, and drills him with the Brutal Legend! Scythe's head smacks against the apron, and Crowley drops to his knee in exhaustion as the crowd goes nuts!

Troy: Scythe is down, and I think he might be out!

Calysto: This is the chance for both Crowley, and for Showtime! Scythe is primed for elimination, and if either of them can get it done, they move on to next week!

Showtime is now on his feet, and he walks over and throws a few stomps at Scythe. Crowley then gets up and tells Showtime to lift Scythe up and hold him back for him. Showtime obliges, and Crowley nails the Modern-Day Samurai with a series of stiff punches. Crowley then backs up and charges, looking for a running savate kick to the jaw, but Scythe ducks under, and Crowley nails Showtime, who falls over the top rope, but somehow manages to fall onto the apron! Seeing this, Crowley thinks about it for a moment, before bouncing himself off the ropes, looking to drop Showtime with a baseball slide and eliminate him! However, at the last moment, Showtime moves out of the way, and the slide misses its mark!

Showtime rolls back into the ring and Crowley pulls himself to his feet. Scythe, meanwhile, is also rising. Crowley looks at Scythe, then looks at Showtime, before opting for Savage. He lifts Showtime to his feet, but as soon as he does so, Showtime nails him with a left hook to the jaw! This sends Crowley stumbling right into Scythe, who chokes him with both hands and lifts him up high, in position for the Flying Dragon! Scythe begins walking Crowley to the ropes, but as soon as he turns his back on Showtime, Savage shoves him hard from behind, sending Scythe and Crowley tumbling over the top rope! However, Crowley, who was only grazed by Showtime's hook, has the wherewithal to scissor his legs around Scythe's waist and reach out and grab the rope as he falls, sending Scythe plummeting to the arena floor, while Crowley manages to swing himself onto the apron and crawl back into the ring!

Troy: That's it! That's it! It's over! My God, I don't believe it! Showtime and Crowley! Showtime and Crowley have done it! One of them is guaranteed a shot at the world title in three weeks, and the other is guaranteed a spot in the Seven Deadly Sins match that same night!

Calysto: What an unbelievable victory, Vic! One of these two men, who have been consumed with the desire to break through the glass ceiling, will get the opportunity to do exactly that!

The fans cheer boisterously as "Footprints" by G-Unit hits, and Showtime celebrates the win!

Palmer: Ladies and gentlemen, here are your winners of this battle royal, Dan Crowley and Showtime Damon Savage!

Slowly, Crowley gets to his feet, and the music stops as he and Showtime come face to face.

Calysto: These two have gotten along and worked together fairly frequently over the last few weeks, but they know the deal now. Next week, Crowley and Showtime meet one-on-one, with that guaranteed title shot at stake, the title shot they weren't able to capture earlier tonight when they faced Synergy.

Troy: It's going to be a war, and I can't wait to see it!

As Showtime and Crowley continue to stare each other down, the PWA World Heavyweight Champion Anthony Failla rushes down the aisle, and clubs them both down from behind! The fans boo vehemently as Failla holds his belt high, standing over the fallen top contenders. Failla then drops his belt and attempts to lift each of them by the hair, but Showtime and Crowley are able to simultaneously nail Failla in the gut, stunning him, before teaming up and clotheslining him over the top and to the outside!

The fans cheer thunderously as "Judas Rising" by Judas Priest hits, and Failla pounds the ring apron with a fury! Showtime and Crowley stand together, daring Failla to re-enter the ring as dueling "let's go Showtime," and "let's go Crowley" chants fill the Toyota Center and we fade to black.

Troy: Look at this! Showtime and Crowley have just made a statement to the world champion, and that statement is that they will NOT be pushed around! What will happen next week when Showtime Damon Savage and Dan Crowley go one-on-one?! What will happen when Seven Deadly Sins qualifying matches begin in earnest?! Find out the answers to all that and more next week on PWA: The Rebirth! Goodnight, everybody!
WINNERS AT 39:16 - SHOWTIME DAMON SAVAGE AND DAN CROWLEY

-- END SHOW --

BATTLE ROYAL ORDER OF ELIMINATION:
Damien Fields - by John Wolfe
Dynamite Dean Nash - by Matthew Magellan
Farley - by Kerry Cox
Kris Anthony - by Solomon
Darrin Giles - by Solomon (2)
Don Capriglione - by Renegade
Jon Dulberg - by Paul Dawkins
Paul Epton - by John Wolfe (1.5) and Steve Beovich (0.5)
The Omega Steve Beovich - by John Wolfe (2.5)
GI Jew - by Kerry Cox
Matthew Magellan - by Jaguar
Kerry Cox - by Jaguar (2)
Paul Dawkins - by Dexter P. Wellington
Renegade - by Jackie Baccaro
Michael Grieco - by Dexter P. Wellington (1.5) and Evan Black (0.5)
John Wolfe - by Solomon (2.5) and Scythe
Evan Black - by Vulture
Dexter P. Wellington - by Showtime Damon Savage
Solomon - by Scythe
Vulture - by Jackie Baccaro (1.5) and Chris Duval (0.5)
Chris Duval - by Showtime Damon Savage (2)
Jackie Baccaro - by Dan Crowley
Jaguar - by Dan Crowley (2)
Scythe - by Showtime Damon Savage (2.5) and Dan Crowley (2.5)
WINNERS: Showtime Damon Savage and Dan Crowley