Post by Steven Brody, CEO on Oct 3, 2018 4:12:52 GMT -8
The show opens in silence as an image of Vlad Blackheart during his Vlad The Impaler persona appears on the screen. Beneath it, the text reads:
~In Loving Memory Of Vlad Blackheart~
~Jan. 14, 1975 - May 5, 2016~
After the image fades away, the sound of Saliva's "Ladies And Gentlemen" is heard as the tournament logo explodes onto the screen and we hear the announcer's thunderous voice list the B Block competitors.
As the camera cuts to the ringside area, showing the amped up crowd, Nick Hanson and James Reynolds welcome those in attendance, in addition to those watching via NFW's streaming network.
Hanson: "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome back. We thank you for joining us, here during the inaugural Vlad Blackheart Memorial Tournament. We're here on our third day at the Carnesecca Arena in Queens, New York. You gonna behave yourself, today, Jim?"
Reynolds: "Like an altar boy in the priest's chambers, Nicky."
Hanson: "...."
Reynolds: "What? That's a yes!"
Hanson: "I apologize, ladies and gentlemen. Let's go ahead and--"
Reynolds: "What? Is it something I said?"
Hanson: "Oh, no. You're fine, Jim. Perfectly fine." *We can hear the sarcasm in his voice before he clears his throat* "Let's get right down to the action, everybody. It's time for some prelim, tag team action!"
Hollywood Undead's "Renegade" begins to play throughout the arena, signaling the start of the opening contest.
~YOU'RE A RENEGADE!~
Reynolds: "I wanna know what's wrong with what I said, Nicky."
Hanson: "Well, go over it in your head and think about it! Or do you even process what pops up in your brain before it comes out of your mouth?"
Reynolds: "Erm...."
Hanson: "I didn't think so. Anyway, here we are folks. We've got Julian Morrison and The Fallen - Ryan Steele and Sabastian Young - making their way to the ring. They're three out of seven members of the group known as the Renegades. They've been causing trouble for the entire roster since they set foot into this company, but tonight, they're squaring up against a members of a group that many call the original 'trouble makers' of the modern day wrestling scene."
Reynolds: "I like the way this match was set up, too, Nicky. Both group's tag team units, adding in one of their singles competitors as the sort of anchor for tonight."
Hanson: "I have to agree. Now there is some dissension, going on. There's been a split, uneven as it may seem. Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa - collectively known as the Guerilla's of Destiny - broke away from the rest of Bullet Club, along with Bad Luck Fale. They consider themselves the true Bullet Club. The O.Gs of Bullet Club, if you will. But, that's strictly New Japan business and I can only hope that their civil war doesn't flow over to our side because trust me, I've been keeping tabs, Jim...and it is an UGLY conflict."
Reynolds: "I hear ya. It's like a volcano ready to just erupt. At least I can say that none of the stables signed under NFW are banging heads internally."
Hanson: "Well, no, instead, you have each group gunning for the other in an act of supremacy. They wanna prove to everyone that their group is better. We already saw the Dominion of Pain disband one faction and all it took was convincing one member to go turn coat before that same member, yes I'm talking about Belphegor, took part in physically dismantling the leader of his old group, the Circle of Snakes."
Reynolds: "Do we have a status on Ke--excuse me, Abaddon?"
Hanson: "Well, if for those who haven't been keeping tabs on social media, Abaddon -- I'm gonna call him Keith. Keith Jameson. An incredible in-ring performer, whether you liked him as a person or not, is...he's done, Jim. News has been made public from the medical experts that saw to tending to him. His days a a professional wrestler are effectively over. I'll say no more, than that."
~BULLET CLUB. F-F-F-F-FOR...LIFE!!~
Hanson: "Aaaaand, here we go, Jim!!"
Reynolds: "This is gonna be sick, Nicky. Fucking--SICK!!!"
Announcer: "Their opponents...representing the Bullet Club: ELITE! Nick and Matt Jackson; the Young Bucks...and "Hangman"...Adam...PAAAAAGE!!!"
Reynolds: "That is one MEAN looking son of a bitch, Nicky -- is Adam Page."
Hanson: "I wouldn't wanna bump into him at a bar, I'll say that much."
Reynolds: "Do you even go to bars, Nicky?"
Hanson: "Nope."
Reynolds: "Why not?"
Hanson: "Because of guys like Adam Page. They scare me."
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In the opening preliminary match, The Renegades defeated The BC Elite, by pinfall in 15:06, when Julian Morrison delivered a reverse tombstone to Adam Page.
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In the preliminary mixed tag team match, The Dominion of Pain defeated The Renegades, by pinfall in 12:19, after Lara Blackheart pinned Serena Frost with the Coma White.
Hanson: "SHADES OF HER FATHER, AND SHE PICKS UP THE WIN FOR HER TEAM!!"
Reynolds: "YOU JUST MADE YOUR DADDY EVEN PROUDER, KID!!"
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[10/2/2018 - DAY 6 - B BLOCK]
~HAIL SATAN! ARCHANGELOOOOOOOOO! HAIL SATAN! WELCOME YEAR ZEEEEEEROOOOOOOO!!~
As Ghost's "Year Zero" plays from the arena, Doomsday and Crimson Sabre emerge through the curtain, following their victory over Rick Dickulous and El Piso Mojado of the Great White North. With them, comes a small mob of security, pointing towards the locker room area.
"That way! Go!" One security staff member says firmly, mostly directing Doomsday in the opposite direction that Rick and Piso have gone. Doomsday, moreorless, ignores them as he walks along his stable mate.
"Wait! One moment please! Can we get a word with them?" One of the interviewers begs the security staff. While the staff relent, Doomsday and Sabre have a quiet discussion, as Sabre looks disinterested in talking to the reporters. Doomsday fist bumps the smaller man before he takes off down the hallway, leaving the veteran giant of the Dominion along with the reporters, huffing angrily from under his mask.
"What?"
"Well, it's just...it seems things between the Dominion of Pain and the Great White North. More specifically, between yourself and Rick Dickulous. Can we get a comment on that?"
Doomsday runs his fingers through his long, wet, black hair, pushing it out of his masked face. "...You want me to comment on the boy?" He rests his hands on his hips, slowly shaking his head. "I don't have a damn thing to say about him, nor to him. Except one thing." He raises his finger and looks directly into the camera. "Rick. Listen to me, very carefully, kid. I told you what I was doing before Highway to Hell was nothing personal. I have my methods, and you were just in the wrong place at the wrong time. You could have accepted that and let it go. Simple."
He motions, wiping one hand across the palm of the other as a gesture. "Done. But you just had to go on and play the big, charismatic hero. Maybe you felt your honor was at stake...I don't know what goes on through that thick skull of yours. But I was willing to listen to Judas and let it go. No big deal. But, you, on the other hand. You don't know how to heed the warnings of your own elders. Your own FLESH and BLOOD told you to DROP IT!!" He shouts, menacingly, pointing at the camera. "...But you're either too proud or too goddamn stupid to know what's good for you." He points out towards the arena. "That out there? You just can't help but keep on rattling the cage...prodding the beast. Let me explain something, Rick. Judas? We're friends. We're practically like brothers. Like this." He places his two gloved fists together. "He picked me up when I was at the lowest point in my life. But, unlike what you and your old man seem to think?" Doomsday slowly shakes his head. "He's not my handler. He doesn't hold my leash. I HAVE NO LEASH!! Unfortunately, for you...you're about to find that out...and you're gonna find out sooner than you think...and believe me, you just might regret it...." From there, Doomsday stepped back from the camera and continued on down the hallway.
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In the third, preliminary tag team match, Ultra-Violence defeated the Army of Darkness, by pinfall in 10:44, when Belphegor nailed the 9th Circle on Pitt and hooked his leg for the cover.
As "Ultra-Violent" by Calavera Conspiracy played from the arena sound system, Belphegor gave room for William Mannheim to enter the ring and retrieve Pitt.
Hanson: "Well, a hell of a tag match we just saw. Let's see if Mannheim can bring his partner back to his sense--"
Reynolds: "NICKY, WAIT!!! WHAT THE HELL?!?!"
The announcers stopped short as the crowd reacted loudly when William Mannheim started sliding into the ring, only for Doomsday to grab him by the legs and yank him back out. As soon as he was on his feet, Doomsday caught him with a nasty elbow to the jaw. This was the first or several cheap shots that the older of the two Dominion giants began laying into the veteran of GWN before shoving him head first into the ring post.
Hanson: "WHAT THE HELL IS DOOMSDAY DOING?!?! REFEREE PAUL KIMBALL'S GONNA TRY AND STOP---"
Doomsday responded to the referee's attempt at getting him back with a stiff right fist across the jaw, dropping the smaller man like a ton of bricks. As the ref fell, Doomsday dug under the ring until he found a steel chair and advanced towards Mannheim as he was getting to his feet again.
Reynolds: "THIS GUY'S LOST HIS MIND, NICKY!!!!"
Hanson: "NOW HE'S GOT A STEEL CHAIR, JIM--"
*SMACK!!*
Doomsday struck Mannheim over the back with a deafening chair shot. He followed up with a second. A third. A fourth. A FIFTH! Finally, the chair sported a heavy dent in it and Doomsday discarded it as he stood over Mannheim. However, rather than continue the attack just then, the man slowly turned towards the announce section before angrily tugging at the steel barricade until he separated two of the detachable sections.
Hanson: "What's he doing?"
Reynolds: "I don't know, Nicky, but I think---"
Doomsday immediately began clearing things off of the NJPW guest announce table.
Hanson: "WHAT THE HELL IS HE DOING?!"
Finally, Doomsday pulled the dazed, reeling William Mannheim up to his feet and hoisted the man up over his shoulders. New Japan announcers Kevin Kelly and Don Callis immediately got up out of their seats, voicing their own disdain for what was unfolding. To the shock of all watching, Doomsday tossed Mannheim's legs up over his head, delivering an Atom Bomb to him right through the announce table.
Reynolds: "My--GOD, NICKY!!!"
As "Ultra-Violent" started up again, Doomsday flung his hair back and roared at the crowd before nonchalantly moving to regroup with Belphegor near the ramp, shoving the nearby camera man out of his way and to the floor. The camera angle quickly cut to another camera as Doomsday and Belphegor calmly made their way up the ramp. Ironically, back at ringside, it was Pitt who moved to check on Mannheim.
Reynolds: "What in the HELL was THAT all about?!"
Hanson: "Jim, now that I think about it? I think I might have an idea.... You think about what we heard Doomsday say from yesterday's interview, earlier."
Reynolds: "....Jesus Christ. Folks, batten down the hatches. I've got a bad feeling about this...."
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Moments after the hellacious post-match attack witnessed by all, Nick Hanson adjusts his tie uncomfortably while James Reynolds sips nervously from his water.
Hanson: "I'll be honest, my nerves are still shot from what we witnessed moments ago."
Reynolds: "Man, my nerves are shot from what's likely to unfold from all of that."
Hanson: "Well, there's not much we can do. Hopefully, Commissioner Steven Brody'll be able to handle it. I have faith in the man."
Reynolds: "You and me, both. So! A Block's up, yeah?"
Hanson: "You bet, partner! Let's see. Buzzsaw leads the block with five points. He's had two wins, as well as a draw, hence the odd number. Right behind him are Chris Wolfe, Rick Dickulous, Zack Sabre Jr and Nico Salvatore with four points. Then we have Shelton Benjamin, Kane and Kota Ibushi with two points. Lastly, we have Matt Klazzic who's still yet to score at all."
Reynolds: "You know, Nicky...I'm gonna say it. It kinda eats me up inside, to see Matt Klazzic going through this."
Hanson: "...Jim?"
Reynolds: "No, really. I admit, I was among the crowd who thought he was a joke when he first came in. But he went on an extended absence. A couple of months. He came back and just...something's different about him. There's a fire that's been lit inside of him. He came back and he's shown a massive improvement in the ring, yet he's still been unable to get any wins under his belt."
Hanson: "Wow, Jim...that surprises me, hearing that from you."
Reynolds: "Hey, I have my tender moments. I know how to care and as a fan of this sport...well...I can tell that Matt's gone and found something. I wouldn't mind seeing him make some kind of impact."
Hanson: "Well, we'll see what he can pull off here in a few moments. He kicks off A Block tonight, against this man about to make his way to the ring, as we speak."
As Nick Hanson said this, the intro to Nothingface's "Make Your Own Bones" started up.
Reynolds: "You know what? I'm pulling for Matt Klazzic on this one. If there was ever a time to shock the world, do it here! Come on, Matt!"
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Matt Klazzic certainly proved that he was no pushover, even against Buzzsaw as his new arsenal of King's Road offense kept the young, veteran striker on his toes -- even had him rocked at several points in the match.
Several minutes in, once Buzzsaw began to mount a counter offense and wear Matt down to his level, he finally caught the the returning underdog in the DNR, wrenching back on his neck.
Hanson: "DNR!!! DNR IS LOCKED IN!!!!"
Reynolds: "NO!!! NO, DAMN IT!!!! C'MON, MATT!!!"
As Matt Klazzic struggled against the DNR, Buzzsaw threw himself back, locking his legs around Matt's waist and wrenching back as hard as it seemed he possibly could. Matt continued to pry at Buzzsaw's arms until he began to physically fade and, after the referee performed a check of his arm the standard three times, the bell was called for at 15:28.
Hanson: "It's over! Buzzsaw wins again!"
Reynolds: "But Matt never tapped! Buzzsaw had to choke him out! That's what I'm talking about!! See, Nicky?! I told you there was something special about him since he came back!!"
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[10/2/2018 - DAY 6 - B BLOCK]
"The Punisher" Andrew Payne makes his way through the curtain, after leaving ringside. The sound of Saliva's "Go Big Or Go Home" is heard with the victory of William Mannheim. Payne comes to stand in front of the camera and reporters, double checking to make sure his nose is still properly aligned after the match.
"So, how did that match go, in your eyes?" One reporter asks.
Andrew looks up, cracking a very faint smirk. "Not the way I wanted it to, obviously. But if I'm gonna lose, I'd rather lose to a tough son of a bitch. You hear that, out there?" He points towards the curtain, calling them to listen to Mannheim's music.
~Go big! Or go home! Cuz I'm King and this is my throne!~
"If you're gonna step into the ring with The Mangler, you better bring everything you've got and be ready for a fight. Willy's tough as nails. He's a brawler and he's not afraid to get nasty." Payne lowers his arm. "My run through this tournament, so far; it's been back and forth. I lost to Suzuki, I beat Tama Tonga's sorry ass the way he needed it, then Willy just proved he was a little tougher than me, tonight. I'm not gonna make any excuse for why I lost. My face hurts like shit. Suzuki broke my damn nose on the first night of this tournament. Obviously it's not healed yet. That's no excuse to not give it my all. And I'm gonna keep giving it my all for as long as I physically can."
"How about your next match with EVIL? Do you have any strategy going in that you think might help you come out on top of that one?"
Andrew wipes some blood dripping from his nose. "If you're asking about a game plan, you're talking to the wrong guy. I don't go with game plans. That's why Danny rang me up thirteen years ago and asked me to come help him out when he needed some muscle. I step into that ring and I just fucking hit people. It's gotten me this far. Farther than I thought it would, really. I've got tag team titles and a hardcore championship on my record. I'm one half of the inaugural tag team champions for the renewed NFW. I'd say my strategy gets me where I need to be when it needs to. What's my gameplan going against EVIL on the 4th?" He turned towards the camera. "You listening EVIL? I don't know how good your English is. You're a big, mean son of a bitch. You wanna win. I wanna win. So let's meet up on Day 8 and see which one of us is nastier than the other. We'll see who can hit the other the hardest. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm gonna go wash up and crack open a cold one with LeeAnn and the girls while we watch Danny tear the house down with Chris Daniels."
"You mean Curry Man?" One reporter asks to which Andrew Payne rolls his eyes.
"Sure." Throwing the horns to the camera, Andrew Payne walks off camera and continues down the hallway, beginning to unfasten his gloves and lower his straps.
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Nico Salvatore defeated Zack Sabre Jr in their block match, by pinfall in 19:01, after he caught Sabre over his shoulders during an attempt at a Crucifix Armbar and hit him with the GFY.
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Hanson: "Hell of a match we just watched, Jim. No doubt about it."
Reynolds: "Absolutely, Nicky!"
Hanson: "Now, Jim, this next match...."
Reynolds: "Hoo, boy."
Hanson: "It isn't just a tournament match."
Reynolds: "Nope."
Hanson: "This match has "personal" written all over it. It's a match that both competitors have been waiting for, in the back of their minds, for thirteen years now. We have a little footage to roll for the fans here. Let's take a look."
Nick Hanson points to the camera as the shot fades to black.
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Footage rolls, showing highlights from NFW back in the year 2005. The crowd is amped up, ready for the show to start. Imagine Dragon's "Demons" plays over the footage as the background music.
A shot of the old NFW stable, Team Canada, standing in the ring is shown. We see Scott Leroux, Voodoo, a young Candi Broduer in her old punk rock gimmick and the late Chris Benoit.
"Get up off your asses!" Scott Leroux demands, good naturedly to the crowd. "And give it up...for the new member of Team Canada -- MAX...LEBRUN!!!"
~I want to hide the truth, I want to shelter you. But with the beast inside, there's nowhere we can hide.~
The shot cuts to the entrance ramp, recapturing the moment a 17 year old Max LeBrun made his first entrance through the curtain to the pop of a welcoming crowd. Much younger and with his hair much shorter, the camera hones in on the more innocent, baby faced rookie as he took that first look around at the crowd.
A brief clip of the crowd shows signs like --
"WELCOME, MAX!!"
"THE DEVIL CAME UP TO NFW!!"
The next clip shows Max LeBrun when he stepped into the ring to be welcomed by Team Canada. SHe and Scott give each other dabs, Voodoo gives him a warm hug and a kiss on the forehead. Max, starstruck, shakes the hand of Chris Benoit who gives him a hearty slap on the shoulder. We see that first moment where he noticed Candi, who would soon after, become his crush and more.
Announcer: "I've been hearing about this kid training under the Tapout King. I can't wait to see what he's made of!"
~No matter what we breed, we still are made of greed.~
A series of several clips roll, showing Max's numerous matches in NFW -- the young high flyer, still wearing his old blue and white gear themed after his favorite hockey team, the Toronto Maple Leafs.
~This is my kingdom come. This is my kingdom come.~
Announcer: "HOOOOLY CRAP!!! LEROUX WASN'T LYING ABOUT THIS KID!!"
"DARE--"
~WHEN YOU FEEL MY HEAT, LOOK INTO MY EYES!~
Max performs a Tope Suicida onto the old tag team, La Lucha.
"DEVIL--"
~IT'S WHERE MY DEMONS HIDE!~
He moonsaults off of the turnbuckle, crashing down onto the entire Dominion of Pain while they were under the leadership of Julian Morrison (then known as Lasher).
"INDEED!!"
~IT'S WHERE MY DEMONS HIDE!~
Max runs up onto the top rope and hits a springboard shooting star press onto the Army of Darkness.
The video package cuts to Max standing in the ring with the microphone, after a match. Smiling humbly, he calls to the crowd.
"You guys thought that was crazy? You ain't seen nothin' yet!"
He walks up the ramp, waving to the crowd.
~DON'T GET TOO CLOSE! IT'S DARK INSIDE!~
The video cuts to the humorous moment where he swiped a package of Valentine's Day chocolates from a hoard that Voodoo had while pregnant, just to be able to give Candi something when he first asked her out.
~IT'S WHERE MY DEMONS HIDE!~
"You stole chocolate from Voodoo...for me?" Young Candi asks, blushing adorably.
"Well...umm...." Max rubs the back of his neck nervously. "Yeah...?" Unsure of if it was even the right move.
~IT'S WHERE MY DEMONS HIDE!~
"Dude! That is like, the most romantic thing EVER!" Candi squeals, jumping forward to hug his neck.
We get more clips of Max making entrances to the ring, this time with Candi right there with him.
The clip cuts to another shot of young Max, sitting in an interview room.
"I came here to wrestle. To live out my dream. There's not a soul in this business that I won't fight. I don't care who they are or how big they are. If they wanna go, I'm ready to go."
"Demons" by Imagine Dragons fades out and is replaced by a generic music piece to signify the change in the mood of the video from emotional and cheerful to dark and brooding.
The shot fades in, from black, to show Kane (circa 2005) coming down the ramp.
Announcer: "The Big Red Machine. Probably the most destructive force in wrestling, today!"
A series of clips show Kane as he ran amok in NFW, brutally beating his opponents. Chokeslams. Powerbombs. Tombstones. Chair shots. Post match attacks. Match interferences.
Announcer: "The man's a damn animal! Hell, he's a demon straight from hell! He's sick!"
Standing backstage in a darkened room, Kane sneers into the camera. "I...am...a MONSTER!! And there isn't a damn thing...that ANYONE...can do about it!!" His face, not hidden by his mask during this time, twists into a wicked grin as he laughs maniacally. The shot cuts to Kane in the ring, slugging it out with Chris Benoit. Frustrated by Benoit's obvious upper hand at in-ring technique, he grabs a chair and surprises him with a cheap shot, cracking him over the head.
Announcer 1: "OH MAN!!!! That's gonna be a disqualification!"
Announcer 2: "Wait a minute, Kane's not done!"
Announcer 1: "What the hell is he doing?!"
We see Kane forcing Chris Benoit's head into the fold of the chair as he lays on the mat.
Announcer 1: "Aw, no! No way!! He's gonna break his damn neck!"
Announcer 2: "We need someone out here, NOW!"
~1! 2! 3! GO!~
Drowning Pool's "Step Up" suddenly takes over as the background music. Right as the guitar first hits, young Max LeBrun comes high tailing it down the ramp, sliding into the ring and comes at Kane like a man possessed, throwing shots at him to back him off of Benoit. Through a quick series of clips, LeBrun's high speed and insane high flying did the job to get Kane out of the ring and make him retreat up the ramp. The clip cuts to Max in the ring, grabbing the microphone.
"YOU WANNA FIGHT SOMEONE, MOTHERFUCKER?! COME AND GET SOME OF THIS!!" Max yells and throws the MICROPHONE out of the ring AT Kane! The mic lands at the feet of Kane who simply looks back up at Max in the ring with dark, insane amusement on his face, nodding and pointing to him.
Announcer 1: "It may be just me, but I think Max might be a little crazy."
Announcer 2: "That's why the fans love him!"
Drowning Pool continues as the music as a series of shots show the moments where Max LeBrun thwarted Kane's attempts at wreaking havoc on other members of the roster. Mainly the smaller, weaker ones and the women.
~BROKEN! YEAH, YOU'VE BEEN LIVING ON THE EDGE OF A BROKEN DREAM!~
As Kane has LeeAnn Viskan cornered, Max pops out and sprays him with a fire extinguisher before SMACKING him over the head with it.
~NOTHIN'! YEAH, THAT'S THE ONLY THING YOU'LL EVER TAKE AWAY FROM ME!~
As Kane advances on a rookie Vincent Stone, during a beatdown backstage, a pile of wet garbage rains down on him before the trash can itself flies down and hits him in the head. The shot cuts to a few seconds later. Max LeBrun is seen beating the HELL out of Kane with the same metal trash can.
Cut to an old moment of Max with the rest of Team Canada in the locker room.
"Kid, are you out of your fucking mind?!" Scott Leroux asks, albeit laughing in amusement.
Max nonchalantly takes a bite out of a protein bar and shrugs his shoulders. "Maybe?"
"So long as you know what you're doing. Kane isn't gonna let any of this slide."
Max makes a 'pfft' sound. "Fuck Kane. He ain't nothin' but a big, whiny bitch."
The shot cuts to Kane, holding a backstage attendant by the throat. Off camera we hear:
"Cream and sugar, sir?"
~IF YOU WANNA STEP UP, STEP UP! YOU'RE GONNA GET KNOCKED DOWN!~
Kane turns and is splashed in the face with a scalding hot pot of coffee before Max LeBrun shatters the pot over his head, giving the attendant time to run off. Max, too, puts a distance between himself and Kane, throwing a familiar double middle finger pose (the one he did under the mask at Mannheim and Pitt during his modern day return, under the mask, after driving at them in a car).
"MAAAAXXXX!!!!" Kane roars in absolute rage.
~And now you've crossed the line....~
Laughing with his tongue out, and his fingers up, Max taunts Kane further.
~You must be out of your mind....~
The shot cuts to the NFW ppv event where Max and Kane had their first booked encounter. While the two tear down the house inside the ring, with Max throwing everything he has, Kane still defeats him with a chokeslam and a tombstone.
Shortly after that night, Max LeBrun is seen in the ring with the microphone.
"You may have pinned me, Kane, but you haven't BEATEN me!!!" He shouts. "I'M STILL STANDING, ASSHOLE!! AND I'M GONNA KEEP BEING A THORN IN YOUR SIDE, AS LONG AS YOU KEEP UP YOUR SHIT!!"
The video cuts to the promotional image for their second pay-per-view match.
~MAX LEBRUN VS KANE: LAST MAN STANDING~
Another series of hellacious clips shows the high spots of that match as Max continued to fight against Kane's overwhelming power, before being chokeslammed off of the stage through a stack of tables and equipment, earning Kane the 10 count victory.
Cut to Kane standing backstage, sneering at the camera. "You can't beat me Max! You...are just...a WORM!!! When you play with fire...you get burned...."
The video cuts to Max, standing in the ring with the microphone.
"You wanna talk about playing with fire, bitch? That sounds right up my alley! I'm the fucking Toronto Daredevil, after all!"
The video cuts to the promotional image for their last match they were booked in, against each other.
~MAX LEBRUN VS KANE: INFERNO MATCH~
Another highlight reel shows the two going to war inside the ring surrounded by fire. Several close calls are seen on both ends. It looks like Max is about to finally score a win against his enormous rival.
The footage jumps forward to when they ended up outside of the ring, brawling at ringside. Max LeBrun goes for a moonsault off of the barricade but Kane catches him and drops him face first, into the ring of fire. The footage cuts to a dramatic slow motion shot and the music abruptly stops and turns back to a brooding, dramatic tune as Max hits the floor, clutching his face. Fire is also seen lighting up his left shoulder from how he landed.
The next shot returns to normal speed as we see Kane standing at ringside as the bell rings, ending the match. Kane laughs maniacally. The camera shows Max on the floor, clutching the right side of his face, SCREAMING in agony as referees, medics and Team Canada rush to his side.
Announcer: "Oh my god, folks. This is bad. This is really bad. We're gonna need an ambulance!"
A clip is shown of Max LeBrun being rushed, on a stretcher, backstage towards an ambulance.
"Get the fuck out of my way!" Scott Leroux shoves bystanders aside and climbs into the ambulance with Candi Broduer before the doors are closed and the ambulance peels out of the arena parking lot. Watching it drive off, Voodoo gives muffled sobs into her hands as Chris Benoit watches with worry on his face.
Clips and images are shown of Max LeBrun lying in a hospital bed, his face bandaged up as the announcer's voice over, gives the grim news.
Announcer: "Folks, it is with great regret that we must inform the NFW fans: Due to the injuries he sustained, Max LeBrun's contract with NFW must be terminated. He may, very well, never be able to wrestle again...."
The final shot of the video shows Kane, grinning maniacally into the camera from backstage.
"I told you, Max...." He says. "When you play with fire...you...get...BURNED!!!!" The shot fades to black as Kane laughs....
After the video package finishes, we cut back to Nick Hanson and James Reynolds, looking somber in their seats at the table.
Reynolds: "Wow, Nicky. You know, I remember all of that from watching at home. It was thrilling but the end was absolutely heart wrenching.
Hanson: "Definitely, partner. However, as luck would have it, Max LeBrun did make a full recovery, as we know and he's been making headlines ever since. And that brings us to our next A Block match. Let's take it to the ring!"
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As "Top Of The World" by Five Finger Death Punch ripped through the speakers, the crowd seemed split more evenly between boos and cheers, than normal. The volume soared as Max LeBrun appeared through the curtain, making his entrance towards the ring.
Reynolds: "Here comes the champion, Nicky!"
Hanson: "Definitely a different look in his eyes than what we saw from the young man in that video reel."
Reynolds: "Different look, different demeanor, different attitude overall. He's a different man."
Going through his usual entrance routine, Max still paid the crowd no respect or appreciation - even the die hard fans that still cheered him. As he removed the NFW Heavyweight Championship from around his waist and handed it to the referee, his music was abruptly cut off as fire EXPLODED from the stage and Finger Eleven's "Slow Chemical" picked up throughout the arena. Max's head snapped towards the stage, almost startled, it would have seemed.
Reynolds: "WHOA!!!! JESUS!!!"
Hanson: "The Big Red Machine's wasting no time, tonight, folks!"
Reynolds: "Ohhhhh, Nicky. I've got goosebumps again!"
Hanson: "You and me both."
Reynolds: "Man, what do you think's going through Max LeBrun's head right now? It's been thirteen years since he's even laid eyes on the man that almost ended his career, and here he is -- first meeting since -- we're about to have 'Kane versus LeBrun IV'!!"
Hanson: "I, honestly, have no idea, Jim. But if you look at the man's eyes, it may be obvious."
As "Slow Chemical" continued, the camera caught a shot of Max LeBrun, already having removed his hooded vest as he watched Kane approach from the center of the ring, hunched down and poised like a waiting wolf. A wolf that suddenly sprung into action as Kane reached ringside.
Hanson: "Hey, wait a minute! Max LeBrun's got something on his mind, Jim!"
As Hanson said this, Max LeBrun ran off the ropes and sprinted across the ring, SOARING over the ropes in a breathtaking Tope Sucida, that sent him crashing down on top of Kane.
Reynolds: "HOOOOOLY SHIT, HERE WE GO, NICKY!!!"
Kane's music abruptly cut off and the lights returned to normal as Max hopped to his feet, yelling to the crowd with anger burning in his eyes.
Hanson: "MAX LEBRUN ISN'T EVEN GONNA WAIT FOR THE BELL!!"
Reynolds: "YOU TALK ABOUT KANE NOT WASTING ANY TIME, NICKY!! MAX LEBRUN ISN'T WASTING ANY, EITHER!! HE WANTS TO GET DOWN TO BUSINESS!!!"
Hanson: "AND THIS NEW YORK CROWD IS LOVING IT!!! THEY'RE ALREADY ON THEIR FEET!!"
Crowd: "THAT WAS AWESOME!" *Clap-clap-clapclapclap* "THAT WAS AWESOME!!"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Max LeBrun and Kane engaged in an absolute, hardcore brawl that carried on outside of the ring and even moved into the crowd, briefly. Blatant closed fists, chair shots, cables used to strangle one another. It was an all out, straight up fight that lasted around five minutes before security and Steven Brody, himself were finally able to coax the two to get into the ring -- both men bloodied from chair shots. While the referee seemed like he wanted to end the match due to Max LeBrun appearing unsteady on his feet, the Toronto Daredevil grabbed at the ref's shirt, shouting at him to start the bell instead. After conversing briefly with Steven Brody, where Max LeBrun shouted through the bloody mask on his face that this moment not be taken from him, Steven Brody reluctantly motioned for the match to officially start. The bell rung, and Kane, back on his feet, charged Max, flattening him in the corner, beginning to lay into him with vicious shots.
After a thrilling, hellacious battle that certainly lived up to their previous three encounters, Kane lifted a dazed Max up onto his shoulder, starting to position him for the Tombstone.
Reynolds: "Awwww, here it is Nicky!"
Hanson: "This may be it, Jim! Kane's gonna end this match and go 4 - 0 over, possibly, his greatest rival!"
Reynolds: "He's gonna bury Max's dream of payback, and he's about to top it off with a Tombstone!"
Shockingly, however, Max slipped out of Kane's grip, landing on his feet behind him.
Reynolds: "No! Max escapes! He escaped the Tombstone!"
Max immediately went to striking Kane's legs with savage kicks that sounded throughout the arena.
Hanson: "Listen to those kicks, Jim! And Kane's reeling!"
Reynolds: "The Big Red Machine is in trouble, Nicky!"
Finally, Max LeBrun ran off the ropes, coming back with a basement dropkick to Kane's leg, dropping him down onto one knee. Max immediately kipped up, landing right in front of Kane and positioned himself.
Reynolds: "Max is up!"
*SMACK!*
Hanson & Reynolds: "SLAPSHOOOOOOOT!!!!!!"
Hanson: "A SLAPSHOT TO THE FACE OF KANE!!! BUT HE'S STILL UP!!"
Max sneered angrily at Kane as he tried to steady himself on the one knee. He set up again.
*SMACK!*
Reynolds: "ANOTHER SLAPSHOT!!!!"
Hanson: "DID YOU HEAR THAT, JIM?!"
Kane buckled forward, catching himself on his hands before slowly pushing himself up, chuckling weakly, yet maniacally at Max who glared back at him.
Reynolds: "WHAT'S IT GONNA TAKE?!"
Stepping back, Max took on a familiar position, standing wide legged as he threw up two middle fingers in a familiar taunt to his old rival. The crowd went WILD!!! Max set up again and threw one final kick.
*SMACK!*
Crowd: "OHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!"
Kane's head snapped back as he crumpled backwards to the floor.
Hanson: "THERE'S YOUR ANSWER, JIM!!!!"
Reynolds: "A THIRD SLAPSHOT!!!!"
Hanson: "THERE'S THE COVER!!"
1!!
2!!
3!!
Reynolds: "IT'S OVER!! HE DID IT!!"
Hanson: "MAX LEBRUN HAS DONE IT!! A THIRTEEN YEAR GRUDGE HAS COME FULL CIRCLE!!"
Max pulls himself to his feet as Julian Morrison and Candi Broduer hit the ring to help him up. Snatching the Heavyweight title from the ref, Julian hands it to Max as Candi lets him lean on her with one arm. In his other hand, he sets the title on his shoulder and 'pulls the pin' at the camera before turning his attention towards Kane being helped to the back by ringside staff.
Hanson: "Well, Jim. I think it's safe to say; the daredevil has slain the demon."
Reynolds: "My god, what a match, Nicky! Why was that not the main event?!"
Hanson: "I agree! The next two matches have a lot to live up to! But, if anyone can do it, the remaining competitors we have left certainly can."
Reynolds: "Who's up next, Nicky?"
James Reynolds gets his answer with the sound of a chainsaw being cranked up over the speakers. The crowd pops.
Reynolds: "Aww, Christ."
Hanson: "HA-HA!!!" *Nicky says in his best Jesse James Dupree impersonation*
Reynolds: "I'm gonna kill you...."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chris Wolfe defeated Rick Dickulous in their block match, by pinfall in 14:09, after hitting a Blockbuster on the bigger man.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Mannheim paces back and forth in front of the tournament backdrop backstage, breathing heavily. Sweat drips from his face as he wipes it with a towel*
"Helluva fucking match, Andy! I can't believe you took three of those in a row, you fucking beast! Jesus Christ, that brought back memories..."
"This whole tournament's bringing back memories. Good, bad, ugly...everyone's got memories. Andy and I just made one."
"Now, Thursday is gonna be another story. Scott and I might be on the same team, but we're both competitors. So, same team or not? You best believe we're both gonna go at it like we hate each other's guts. But when the bell rings, just like it did tonight, we'll go right back to how it was before."
"I might be one of the toughest sons of bitches in this fucking place, but at the end of the day I still give respect where it's due. So Thursday, Scott? Time for GWN to shine!"
*Mannheim raises a hand and walks off camera*
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the main event, Kota Ibushi defeated Shelton Benjamin in their block match, by pinfall in 18:20, after hitting the Kamigoye.
Hanson: "And that's our show for tonight, folks!"
Reynolds: "Hell of a night for A Block!"
Hanson: "You said it, Jim! We thank you for joining us tonight, folks! We'll see you back here tomorrow for our final day in Queens as B Block continues!"
Reynolds: "Good night, everyone!"
~In Loving Memory Of Vlad Blackheart~
~Jan. 14, 1975 - May 5, 2016~
After the image fades away, the sound of Saliva's "Ladies And Gentlemen" is heard as the tournament logo explodes onto the screen and we hear the announcer's thunderous voice list the B Block competitors.
As the camera cuts to the ringside area, showing the amped up crowd, Nick Hanson and James Reynolds welcome those in attendance, in addition to those watching via NFW's streaming network.
Hanson: "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome back. We thank you for joining us, here during the inaugural Vlad Blackheart Memorial Tournament. We're here on our third day at the Carnesecca Arena in Queens, New York. You gonna behave yourself, today, Jim?"
Reynolds: "Like an altar boy in the priest's chambers, Nicky."
Hanson: "...."
Reynolds: "What? That's a yes!"
Hanson: "I apologize, ladies and gentlemen. Let's go ahead and--"
Reynolds: "What? Is it something I said?"
Hanson: "Oh, no. You're fine, Jim. Perfectly fine." *We can hear the sarcasm in his voice before he clears his throat* "Let's get right down to the action, everybody. It's time for some prelim, tag team action!"
Hollywood Undead's "Renegade" begins to play throughout the arena, signaling the start of the opening contest.
~YOU'RE A RENEGADE!~
Reynolds: "I wanna know what's wrong with what I said, Nicky."
Hanson: "Well, go over it in your head and think about it! Or do you even process what pops up in your brain before it comes out of your mouth?"
Reynolds: "Erm...."
Hanson: "I didn't think so. Anyway, here we are folks. We've got Julian Morrison and The Fallen - Ryan Steele and Sabastian Young - making their way to the ring. They're three out of seven members of the group known as the Renegades. They've been causing trouble for the entire roster since they set foot into this company, but tonight, they're squaring up against a members of a group that many call the original 'trouble makers' of the modern day wrestling scene."
Reynolds: "I like the way this match was set up, too, Nicky. Both group's tag team units, adding in one of their singles competitors as the sort of anchor for tonight."
Hanson: "I have to agree. Now there is some dissension, going on. There's been a split, uneven as it may seem. Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa - collectively known as the Guerilla's of Destiny - broke away from the rest of Bullet Club, along with Bad Luck Fale. They consider themselves the true Bullet Club. The O.Gs of Bullet Club, if you will. But, that's strictly New Japan business and I can only hope that their civil war doesn't flow over to our side because trust me, I've been keeping tabs, Jim...and it is an UGLY conflict."
Reynolds: "I hear ya. It's like a volcano ready to just erupt. At least I can say that none of the stables signed under NFW are banging heads internally."
Hanson: "Well, no, instead, you have each group gunning for the other in an act of supremacy. They wanna prove to everyone that their group is better. We already saw the Dominion of Pain disband one faction and all it took was convincing one member to go turn coat before that same member, yes I'm talking about Belphegor, took part in physically dismantling the leader of his old group, the Circle of Snakes."
Reynolds: "Do we have a status on Ke--excuse me, Abaddon?"
Hanson: "Well, if for those who haven't been keeping tabs on social media, Abaddon -- I'm gonna call him Keith. Keith Jameson. An incredible in-ring performer, whether you liked him as a person or not, is...he's done, Jim. News has been made public from the medical experts that saw to tending to him. His days a a professional wrestler are effectively over. I'll say no more, than that."
~BULLET CLUB. F-F-F-F-FOR...LIFE!!~
Hanson: "Aaaaand, here we go, Jim!!"
Reynolds: "This is gonna be sick, Nicky. Fucking--SICK!!!"
Announcer: "Their opponents...representing the Bullet Club: ELITE! Nick and Matt Jackson; the Young Bucks...and "Hangman"...Adam...PAAAAAGE!!!"
Reynolds: "That is one MEAN looking son of a bitch, Nicky -- is Adam Page."
Hanson: "I wouldn't wanna bump into him at a bar, I'll say that much."
Reynolds: "Do you even go to bars, Nicky?"
Hanson: "Nope."
Reynolds: "Why not?"
Hanson: "Because of guys like Adam Page. They scare me."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the opening preliminary match, The Renegades defeated The BC Elite, by pinfall in 15:06, when Julian Morrison delivered a reverse tombstone to Adam Page.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the preliminary mixed tag team match, The Dominion of Pain defeated The Renegades, by pinfall in 12:19, after Lara Blackheart pinned Serena Frost with the Coma White.
Hanson: "SHADES OF HER FATHER, AND SHE PICKS UP THE WIN FOR HER TEAM!!"
Reynolds: "YOU JUST MADE YOUR DADDY EVEN PROUDER, KID!!"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[10/2/2018 - DAY 6 - B BLOCK]
~HAIL SATAN! ARCHANGELOOOOOOOOO! HAIL SATAN! WELCOME YEAR ZEEEEEEROOOOOOOO!!~
As Ghost's "Year Zero" plays from the arena, Doomsday and Crimson Sabre emerge through the curtain, following their victory over Rick Dickulous and El Piso Mojado of the Great White North. With them, comes a small mob of security, pointing towards the locker room area.
"That way! Go!" One security staff member says firmly, mostly directing Doomsday in the opposite direction that Rick and Piso have gone. Doomsday, moreorless, ignores them as he walks along his stable mate.
"Wait! One moment please! Can we get a word with them?" One of the interviewers begs the security staff. While the staff relent, Doomsday and Sabre have a quiet discussion, as Sabre looks disinterested in talking to the reporters. Doomsday fist bumps the smaller man before he takes off down the hallway, leaving the veteran giant of the Dominion along with the reporters, huffing angrily from under his mask.
"What?"
"Well, it's just...it seems things between the Dominion of Pain and the Great White North. More specifically, between yourself and Rick Dickulous. Can we get a comment on that?"
Doomsday runs his fingers through his long, wet, black hair, pushing it out of his masked face. "...You want me to comment on the boy?" He rests his hands on his hips, slowly shaking his head. "I don't have a damn thing to say about him, nor to him. Except one thing." He raises his finger and looks directly into the camera. "Rick. Listen to me, very carefully, kid. I told you what I was doing before Highway to Hell was nothing personal. I have my methods, and you were just in the wrong place at the wrong time. You could have accepted that and let it go. Simple."
He motions, wiping one hand across the palm of the other as a gesture. "Done. But you just had to go on and play the big, charismatic hero. Maybe you felt your honor was at stake...I don't know what goes on through that thick skull of yours. But I was willing to listen to Judas and let it go. No big deal. But, you, on the other hand. You don't know how to heed the warnings of your own elders. Your own FLESH and BLOOD told you to DROP IT!!" He shouts, menacingly, pointing at the camera. "...But you're either too proud or too goddamn stupid to know what's good for you." He points out towards the arena. "That out there? You just can't help but keep on rattling the cage...prodding the beast. Let me explain something, Rick. Judas? We're friends. We're practically like brothers. Like this." He places his two gloved fists together. "He picked me up when I was at the lowest point in my life. But, unlike what you and your old man seem to think?" Doomsday slowly shakes his head. "He's not my handler. He doesn't hold my leash. I HAVE NO LEASH!! Unfortunately, for you...you're about to find that out...and you're gonna find out sooner than you think...and believe me, you just might regret it...." From there, Doomsday stepped back from the camera and continued on down the hallway.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the third, preliminary tag team match, Ultra-Violence defeated the Army of Darkness, by pinfall in 10:44, when Belphegor nailed the 9th Circle on Pitt and hooked his leg for the cover.
As "Ultra-Violent" by Calavera Conspiracy played from the arena sound system, Belphegor gave room for William Mannheim to enter the ring and retrieve Pitt.
Hanson: "Well, a hell of a tag match we just saw. Let's see if Mannheim can bring his partner back to his sense--"
Reynolds: "NICKY, WAIT!!! WHAT THE HELL?!?!"
The announcers stopped short as the crowd reacted loudly when William Mannheim started sliding into the ring, only for Doomsday to grab him by the legs and yank him back out. As soon as he was on his feet, Doomsday caught him with a nasty elbow to the jaw. This was the first or several cheap shots that the older of the two Dominion giants began laying into the veteran of GWN before shoving him head first into the ring post.
Hanson: "WHAT THE HELL IS DOOMSDAY DOING?!?! REFEREE PAUL KIMBALL'S GONNA TRY AND STOP---"
Doomsday responded to the referee's attempt at getting him back with a stiff right fist across the jaw, dropping the smaller man like a ton of bricks. As the ref fell, Doomsday dug under the ring until he found a steel chair and advanced towards Mannheim as he was getting to his feet again.
Reynolds: "THIS GUY'S LOST HIS MIND, NICKY!!!!"
Hanson: "NOW HE'S GOT A STEEL CHAIR, JIM--"
*SMACK!!*
Doomsday struck Mannheim over the back with a deafening chair shot. He followed up with a second. A third. A fourth. A FIFTH! Finally, the chair sported a heavy dent in it and Doomsday discarded it as he stood over Mannheim. However, rather than continue the attack just then, the man slowly turned towards the announce section before angrily tugging at the steel barricade until he separated two of the detachable sections.
Hanson: "What's he doing?"
Reynolds: "I don't know, Nicky, but I think---"
Doomsday immediately began clearing things off of the NJPW guest announce table.
Hanson: "WHAT THE HELL IS HE DOING?!"
Finally, Doomsday pulled the dazed, reeling William Mannheim up to his feet and hoisted the man up over his shoulders. New Japan announcers Kevin Kelly and Don Callis immediately got up out of their seats, voicing their own disdain for what was unfolding. To the shock of all watching, Doomsday tossed Mannheim's legs up over his head, delivering an Atom Bomb to him right through the announce table.
Reynolds: "My--GOD, NICKY!!!"
As "Ultra-Violent" started up again, Doomsday flung his hair back and roared at the crowd before nonchalantly moving to regroup with Belphegor near the ramp, shoving the nearby camera man out of his way and to the floor. The camera angle quickly cut to another camera as Doomsday and Belphegor calmly made their way up the ramp. Ironically, back at ringside, it was Pitt who moved to check on Mannheim.
Reynolds: "What in the HELL was THAT all about?!"
Hanson: "Jim, now that I think about it? I think I might have an idea.... You think about what we heard Doomsday say from yesterday's interview, earlier."
Reynolds: "....Jesus Christ. Folks, batten down the hatches. I've got a bad feeling about this...."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Moments after the hellacious post-match attack witnessed by all, Nick Hanson adjusts his tie uncomfortably while James Reynolds sips nervously from his water.
Hanson: "I'll be honest, my nerves are still shot from what we witnessed moments ago."
Reynolds: "Man, my nerves are shot from what's likely to unfold from all of that."
Hanson: "Well, there's not much we can do. Hopefully, Commissioner Steven Brody'll be able to handle it. I have faith in the man."
Reynolds: "You and me, both. So! A Block's up, yeah?"
Hanson: "You bet, partner! Let's see. Buzzsaw leads the block with five points. He's had two wins, as well as a draw, hence the odd number. Right behind him are Chris Wolfe, Rick Dickulous, Zack Sabre Jr and Nico Salvatore with four points. Then we have Shelton Benjamin, Kane and Kota Ibushi with two points. Lastly, we have Matt Klazzic who's still yet to score at all."
Reynolds: "You know, Nicky...I'm gonna say it. It kinda eats me up inside, to see Matt Klazzic going through this."
Hanson: "...Jim?"
Reynolds: "No, really. I admit, I was among the crowd who thought he was a joke when he first came in. But he went on an extended absence. A couple of months. He came back and just...something's different about him. There's a fire that's been lit inside of him. He came back and he's shown a massive improvement in the ring, yet he's still been unable to get any wins under his belt."
Hanson: "Wow, Jim...that surprises me, hearing that from you."
Reynolds: "Hey, I have my tender moments. I know how to care and as a fan of this sport...well...I can tell that Matt's gone and found something. I wouldn't mind seeing him make some kind of impact."
Hanson: "Well, we'll see what he can pull off here in a few moments. He kicks off A Block tonight, against this man about to make his way to the ring, as we speak."
As Nick Hanson said this, the intro to Nothingface's "Make Your Own Bones" started up.
Reynolds: "You know what? I'm pulling for Matt Klazzic on this one. If there was ever a time to shock the world, do it here! Come on, Matt!"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Matt Klazzic certainly proved that he was no pushover, even against Buzzsaw as his new arsenal of King's Road offense kept the young, veteran striker on his toes -- even had him rocked at several points in the match.
Several minutes in, once Buzzsaw began to mount a counter offense and wear Matt down to his level, he finally caught the the returning underdog in the DNR, wrenching back on his neck.
Hanson: "DNR!!! DNR IS LOCKED IN!!!!"
Reynolds: "NO!!! NO, DAMN IT!!!! C'MON, MATT!!!"
As Matt Klazzic struggled against the DNR, Buzzsaw threw himself back, locking his legs around Matt's waist and wrenching back as hard as it seemed he possibly could. Matt continued to pry at Buzzsaw's arms until he began to physically fade and, after the referee performed a check of his arm the standard three times, the bell was called for at 15:28.
Hanson: "It's over! Buzzsaw wins again!"
Reynolds: "But Matt never tapped! Buzzsaw had to choke him out! That's what I'm talking about!! See, Nicky?! I told you there was something special about him since he came back!!"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[10/2/2018 - DAY 6 - B BLOCK]
"The Punisher" Andrew Payne makes his way through the curtain, after leaving ringside. The sound of Saliva's "Go Big Or Go Home" is heard with the victory of William Mannheim. Payne comes to stand in front of the camera and reporters, double checking to make sure his nose is still properly aligned after the match.
"So, how did that match go, in your eyes?" One reporter asks.
Andrew looks up, cracking a very faint smirk. "Not the way I wanted it to, obviously. But if I'm gonna lose, I'd rather lose to a tough son of a bitch. You hear that, out there?" He points towards the curtain, calling them to listen to Mannheim's music.
~Go big! Or go home! Cuz I'm King and this is my throne!~
"If you're gonna step into the ring with The Mangler, you better bring everything you've got and be ready for a fight. Willy's tough as nails. He's a brawler and he's not afraid to get nasty." Payne lowers his arm. "My run through this tournament, so far; it's been back and forth. I lost to Suzuki, I beat Tama Tonga's sorry ass the way he needed it, then Willy just proved he was a little tougher than me, tonight. I'm not gonna make any excuse for why I lost. My face hurts like shit. Suzuki broke my damn nose on the first night of this tournament. Obviously it's not healed yet. That's no excuse to not give it my all. And I'm gonna keep giving it my all for as long as I physically can."
"How about your next match with EVIL? Do you have any strategy going in that you think might help you come out on top of that one?"
Andrew wipes some blood dripping from his nose. "If you're asking about a game plan, you're talking to the wrong guy. I don't go with game plans. That's why Danny rang me up thirteen years ago and asked me to come help him out when he needed some muscle. I step into that ring and I just fucking hit people. It's gotten me this far. Farther than I thought it would, really. I've got tag team titles and a hardcore championship on my record. I'm one half of the inaugural tag team champions for the renewed NFW. I'd say my strategy gets me where I need to be when it needs to. What's my gameplan going against EVIL on the 4th?" He turned towards the camera. "You listening EVIL? I don't know how good your English is. You're a big, mean son of a bitch. You wanna win. I wanna win. So let's meet up on Day 8 and see which one of us is nastier than the other. We'll see who can hit the other the hardest. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm gonna go wash up and crack open a cold one with LeeAnn and the girls while we watch Danny tear the house down with Chris Daniels."
"You mean Curry Man?" One reporter asks to which Andrew Payne rolls his eyes.
"Sure." Throwing the horns to the camera, Andrew Payne walks off camera and continues down the hallway, beginning to unfasten his gloves and lower his straps.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nico Salvatore defeated Zack Sabre Jr in their block match, by pinfall in 19:01, after he caught Sabre over his shoulders during an attempt at a Crucifix Armbar and hit him with the GFY.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hanson: "Hell of a match we just watched, Jim. No doubt about it."
Reynolds: "Absolutely, Nicky!"
Hanson: "Now, Jim, this next match...."
Reynolds: "Hoo, boy."
Hanson: "It isn't just a tournament match."
Reynolds: "Nope."
Hanson: "This match has "personal" written all over it. It's a match that both competitors have been waiting for, in the back of their minds, for thirteen years now. We have a little footage to roll for the fans here. Let's take a look."
Nick Hanson points to the camera as the shot fades to black.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Footage rolls, showing highlights from NFW back in the year 2005. The crowd is amped up, ready for the show to start. Imagine Dragon's "Demons" plays over the footage as the background music.
A shot of the old NFW stable, Team Canada, standing in the ring is shown. We see Scott Leroux, Voodoo, a young Candi Broduer in her old punk rock gimmick and the late Chris Benoit.
"Get up off your asses!" Scott Leroux demands, good naturedly to the crowd. "And give it up...for the new member of Team Canada -- MAX...LEBRUN!!!"
~I want to hide the truth, I want to shelter you. But with the beast inside, there's nowhere we can hide.~
The shot cuts to the entrance ramp, recapturing the moment a 17 year old Max LeBrun made his first entrance through the curtain to the pop of a welcoming crowd. Much younger and with his hair much shorter, the camera hones in on the more innocent, baby faced rookie as he took that first look around at the crowd.
A brief clip of the crowd shows signs like --
"WELCOME, MAX!!"
"THE DEVIL CAME UP TO NFW!!"
The next clip shows Max LeBrun when he stepped into the ring to be welcomed by Team Canada. SHe and Scott give each other dabs, Voodoo gives him a warm hug and a kiss on the forehead. Max, starstruck, shakes the hand of Chris Benoit who gives him a hearty slap on the shoulder. We see that first moment where he noticed Candi, who would soon after, become his crush and more.
Announcer: "I've been hearing about this kid training under the Tapout King. I can't wait to see what he's made of!"
~No matter what we breed, we still are made of greed.~
A series of several clips roll, showing Max's numerous matches in NFW -- the young high flyer, still wearing his old blue and white gear themed after his favorite hockey team, the Toronto Maple Leafs.
~This is my kingdom come. This is my kingdom come.~
Announcer: "HOOOOLY CRAP!!! LEROUX WASN'T LYING ABOUT THIS KID!!"
"DARE--"
~WHEN YOU FEEL MY HEAT, LOOK INTO MY EYES!~
Max performs a Tope Suicida onto the old tag team, La Lucha.
"DEVIL--"
~IT'S WHERE MY DEMONS HIDE!~
He moonsaults off of the turnbuckle, crashing down onto the entire Dominion of Pain while they were under the leadership of Julian Morrison (then known as Lasher).
"INDEED!!"
~IT'S WHERE MY DEMONS HIDE!~
Max runs up onto the top rope and hits a springboard shooting star press onto the Army of Darkness.
The video package cuts to Max standing in the ring with the microphone, after a match. Smiling humbly, he calls to the crowd.
"You guys thought that was crazy? You ain't seen nothin' yet!"
He walks up the ramp, waving to the crowd.
~DON'T GET TOO CLOSE! IT'S DARK INSIDE!~
The video cuts to the humorous moment where he swiped a package of Valentine's Day chocolates from a hoard that Voodoo had while pregnant, just to be able to give Candi something when he first asked her out.
~IT'S WHERE MY DEMONS HIDE!~
"You stole chocolate from Voodoo...for me?" Young Candi asks, blushing adorably.
"Well...umm...." Max rubs the back of his neck nervously. "Yeah...?" Unsure of if it was even the right move.
~IT'S WHERE MY DEMONS HIDE!~
"Dude! That is like, the most romantic thing EVER!" Candi squeals, jumping forward to hug his neck.
We get more clips of Max making entrances to the ring, this time with Candi right there with him.
The clip cuts to another shot of young Max, sitting in an interview room.
"I came here to wrestle. To live out my dream. There's not a soul in this business that I won't fight. I don't care who they are or how big they are. If they wanna go, I'm ready to go."
"Demons" by Imagine Dragons fades out and is replaced by a generic music piece to signify the change in the mood of the video from emotional and cheerful to dark and brooding.
The shot fades in, from black, to show Kane (circa 2005) coming down the ramp.
Announcer: "The Big Red Machine. Probably the most destructive force in wrestling, today!"
A series of clips show Kane as he ran amok in NFW, brutally beating his opponents. Chokeslams. Powerbombs. Tombstones. Chair shots. Post match attacks. Match interferences.
Announcer: "The man's a damn animal! Hell, he's a demon straight from hell! He's sick!"
Standing backstage in a darkened room, Kane sneers into the camera. "I...am...a MONSTER!! And there isn't a damn thing...that ANYONE...can do about it!!" His face, not hidden by his mask during this time, twists into a wicked grin as he laughs maniacally. The shot cuts to Kane in the ring, slugging it out with Chris Benoit. Frustrated by Benoit's obvious upper hand at in-ring technique, he grabs a chair and surprises him with a cheap shot, cracking him over the head.
Announcer 1: "OH MAN!!!! That's gonna be a disqualification!"
Announcer 2: "Wait a minute, Kane's not done!"
Announcer 1: "What the hell is he doing?!"
We see Kane forcing Chris Benoit's head into the fold of the chair as he lays on the mat.
Announcer 1: "Aw, no! No way!! He's gonna break his damn neck!"
Announcer 2: "We need someone out here, NOW!"
~1! 2! 3! GO!~
Drowning Pool's "Step Up" suddenly takes over as the background music. Right as the guitar first hits, young Max LeBrun comes high tailing it down the ramp, sliding into the ring and comes at Kane like a man possessed, throwing shots at him to back him off of Benoit. Through a quick series of clips, LeBrun's high speed and insane high flying did the job to get Kane out of the ring and make him retreat up the ramp. The clip cuts to Max in the ring, grabbing the microphone.
"YOU WANNA FIGHT SOMEONE, MOTHERFUCKER?! COME AND GET SOME OF THIS!!" Max yells and throws the MICROPHONE out of the ring AT Kane! The mic lands at the feet of Kane who simply looks back up at Max in the ring with dark, insane amusement on his face, nodding and pointing to him.
Announcer 1: "It may be just me, but I think Max might be a little crazy."
Announcer 2: "That's why the fans love him!"
Drowning Pool continues as the music as a series of shots show the moments where Max LeBrun thwarted Kane's attempts at wreaking havoc on other members of the roster. Mainly the smaller, weaker ones and the women.
~BROKEN! YEAH, YOU'VE BEEN LIVING ON THE EDGE OF A BROKEN DREAM!~
As Kane has LeeAnn Viskan cornered, Max pops out and sprays him with a fire extinguisher before SMACKING him over the head with it.
~NOTHIN'! YEAH, THAT'S THE ONLY THING YOU'LL EVER TAKE AWAY FROM ME!~
As Kane advances on a rookie Vincent Stone, during a beatdown backstage, a pile of wet garbage rains down on him before the trash can itself flies down and hits him in the head. The shot cuts to a few seconds later. Max LeBrun is seen beating the HELL out of Kane with the same metal trash can.
Cut to an old moment of Max with the rest of Team Canada in the locker room.
"Kid, are you out of your fucking mind?!" Scott Leroux asks, albeit laughing in amusement.
Max nonchalantly takes a bite out of a protein bar and shrugs his shoulders. "Maybe?"
"So long as you know what you're doing. Kane isn't gonna let any of this slide."
Max makes a 'pfft' sound. "Fuck Kane. He ain't nothin' but a big, whiny bitch."
The shot cuts to Kane, holding a backstage attendant by the throat. Off camera we hear:
"Cream and sugar, sir?"
~IF YOU WANNA STEP UP, STEP UP! YOU'RE GONNA GET KNOCKED DOWN!~
Kane turns and is splashed in the face with a scalding hot pot of coffee before Max LeBrun shatters the pot over his head, giving the attendant time to run off. Max, too, puts a distance between himself and Kane, throwing a familiar double middle finger pose (the one he did under the mask at Mannheim and Pitt during his modern day return, under the mask, after driving at them in a car).
"MAAAAXXXX!!!!" Kane roars in absolute rage.
~And now you've crossed the line....~
Laughing with his tongue out, and his fingers up, Max taunts Kane further.
~You must be out of your mind....~
The shot cuts to the NFW ppv event where Max and Kane had their first booked encounter. While the two tear down the house inside the ring, with Max throwing everything he has, Kane still defeats him with a chokeslam and a tombstone.
Shortly after that night, Max LeBrun is seen in the ring with the microphone.
"You may have pinned me, Kane, but you haven't BEATEN me!!!" He shouts. "I'M STILL STANDING, ASSHOLE!! AND I'M GONNA KEEP BEING A THORN IN YOUR SIDE, AS LONG AS YOU KEEP UP YOUR SHIT!!"
The video cuts to the promotional image for their second pay-per-view match.
~MAX LEBRUN VS KANE: LAST MAN STANDING~
Another series of hellacious clips shows the high spots of that match as Max continued to fight against Kane's overwhelming power, before being chokeslammed off of the stage through a stack of tables and equipment, earning Kane the 10 count victory.
Cut to Kane standing backstage, sneering at the camera. "You can't beat me Max! You...are just...a WORM!!! When you play with fire...you get burned...."
The video cuts to Max, standing in the ring with the microphone.
"You wanna talk about playing with fire, bitch? That sounds right up my alley! I'm the fucking Toronto Daredevil, after all!"
The video cuts to the promotional image for their last match they were booked in, against each other.
~MAX LEBRUN VS KANE: INFERNO MATCH~
Another highlight reel shows the two going to war inside the ring surrounded by fire. Several close calls are seen on both ends. It looks like Max is about to finally score a win against his enormous rival.
The footage jumps forward to when they ended up outside of the ring, brawling at ringside. Max LeBrun goes for a moonsault off of the barricade but Kane catches him and drops him face first, into the ring of fire. The footage cuts to a dramatic slow motion shot and the music abruptly stops and turns back to a brooding, dramatic tune as Max hits the floor, clutching his face. Fire is also seen lighting up his left shoulder from how he landed.
The next shot returns to normal speed as we see Kane standing at ringside as the bell rings, ending the match. Kane laughs maniacally. The camera shows Max on the floor, clutching the right side of his face, SCREAMING in agony as referees, medics and Team Canada rush to his side.
Announcer: "Oh my god, folks. This is bad. This is really bad. We're gonna need an ambulance!"
A clip is shown of Max LeBrun being rushed, on a stretcher, backstage towards an ambulance.
"Get the fuck out of my way!" Scott Leroux shoves bystanders aside and climbs into the ambulance with Candi Broduer before the doors are closed and the ambulance peels out of the arena parking lot. Watching it drive off, Voodoo gives muffled sobs into her hands as Chris Benoit watches with worry on his face.
Clips and images are shown of Max LeBrun lying in a hospital bed, his face bandaged up as the announcer's voice over, gives the grim news.
Announcer: "Folks, it is with great regret that we must inform the NFW fans: Due to the injuries he sustained, Max LeBrun's contract with NFW must be terminated. He may, very well, never be able to wrestle again...."
The final shot of the video shows Kane, grinning maniacally into the camera from backstage.
"I told you, Max...." He says. "When you play with fire...you...get...BURNED!!!!" The shot fades to black as Kane laughs....
After the video package finishes, we cut back to Nick Hanson and James Reynolds, looking somber in their seats at the table.
Reynolds: "Wow, Nicky. You know, I remember all of that from watching at home. It was thrilling but the end was absolutely heart wrenching.
Hanson: "Definitely, partner. However, as luck would have it, Max LeBrun did make a full recovery, as we know and he's been making headlines ever since. And that brings us to our next A Block match. Let's take it to the ring!"
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As "Top Of The World" by Five Finger Death Punch ripped through the speakers, the crowd seemed split more evenly between boos and cheers, than normal. The volume soared as Max LeBrun appeared through the curtain, making his entrance towards the ring.
Reynolds: "Here comes the champion, Nicky!"
Hanson: "Definitely a different look in his eyes than what we saw from the young man in that video reel."
Reynolds: "Different look, different demeanor, different attitude overall. He's a different man."
Going through his usual entrance routine, Max still paid the crowd no respect or appreciation - even the die hard fans that still cheered him. As he removed the NFW Heavyweight Championship from around his waist and handed it to the referee, his music was abruptly cut off as fire EXPLODED from the stage and Finger Eleven's "Slow Chemical" picked up throughout the arena. Max's head snapped towards the stage, almost startled, it would have seemed.
Reynolds: "WHOA!!!! JESUS!!!"
Hanson: "The Big Red Machine's wasting no time, tonight, folks!"
Reynolds: "Ohhhhh, Nicky. I've got goosebumps again!"
Hanson: "You and me both."
Reynolds: "Man, what do you think's going through Max LeBrun's head right now? It's been thirteen years since he's even laid eyes on the man that almost ended his career, and here he is -- first meeting since -- we're about to have 'Kane versus LeBrun IV'!!"
Hanson: "I, honestly, have no idea, Jim. But if you look at the man's eyes, it may be obvious."
As "Slow Chemical" continued, the camera caught a shot of Max LeBrun, already having removed his hooded vest as he watched Kane approach from the center of the ring, hunched down and poised like a waiting wolf. A wolf that suddenly sprung into action as Kane reached ringside.
Hanson: "Hey, wait a minute! Max LeBrun's got something on his mind, Jim!"
As Hanson said this, Max LeBrun ran off the ropes and sprinted across the ring, SOARING over the ropes in a breathtaking Tope Sucida, that sent him crashing down on top of Kane.
Reynolds: "HOOOOOLY SHIT, HERE WE GO, NICKY!!!"
Kane's music abruptly cut off and the lights returned to normal as Max hopped to his feet, yelling to the crowd with anger burning in his eyes.
Hanson: "MAX LEBRUN ISN'T EVEN GONNA WAIT FOR THE BELL!!"
Reynolds: "YOU TALK ABOUT KANE NOT WASTING ANY TIME, NICKY!! MAX LEBRUN ISN'T WASTING ANY, EITHER!! HE WANTS TO GET DOWN TO BUSINESS!!!"
Hanson: "AND THIS NEW YORK CROWD IS LOVING IT!!! THEY'RE ALREADY ON THEIR FEET!!"
Crowd: "THAT WAS AWESOME!" *Clap-clap-clapclapclap* "THAT WAS AWESOME!!"
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Max LeBrun and Kane engaged in an absolute, hardcore brawl that carried on outside of the ring and even moved into the crowd, briefly. Blatant closed fists, chair shots, cables used to strangle one another. It was an all out, straight up fight that lasted around five minutes before security and Steven Brody, himself were finally able to coax the two to get into the ring -- both men bloodied from chair shots. While the referee seemed like he wanted to end the match due to Max LeBrun appearing unsteady on his feet, the Toronto Daredevil grabbed at the ref's shirt, shouting at him to start the bell instead. After conversing briefly with Steven Brody, where Max LeBrun shouted through the bloody mask on his face that this moment not be taken from him, Steven Brody reluctantly motioned for the match to officially start. The bell rung, and Kane, back on his feet, charged Max, flattening him in the corner, beginning to lay into him with vicious shots.
After a thrilling, hellacious battle that certainly lived up to their previous three encounters, Kane lifted a dazed Max up onto his shoulder, starting to position him for the Tombstone.
Reynolds: "Awwww, here it is Nicky!"
Hanson: "This may be it, Jim! Kane's gonna end this match and go 4 - 0 over, possibly, his greatest rival!"
Reynolds: "He's gonna bury Max's dream of payback, and he's about to top it off with a Tombstone!"
Shockingly, however, Max slipped out of Kane's grip, landing on his feet behind him.
Reynolds: "No! Max escapes! He escaped the Tombstone!"
Max immediately went to striking Kane's legs with savage kicks that sounded throughout the arena.
Hanson: "Listen to those kicks, Jim! And Kane's reeling!"
Reynolds: "The Big Red Machine is in trouble, Nicky!"
Finally, Max LeBrun ran off the ropes, coming back with a basement dropkick to Kane's leg, dropping him down onto one knee. Max immediately kipped up, landing right in front of Kane and positioned himself.
Reynolds: "Max is up!"
*SMACK!*
Hanson & Reynolds: "SLAPSHOOOOOOOT!!!!!!"
Hanson: "A SLAPSHOT TO THE FACE OF KANE!!! BUT HE'S STILL UP!!"
Max sneered angrily at Kane as he tried to steady himself on the one knee. He set up again.
*SMACK!*
Reynolds: "ANOTHER SLAPSHOT!!!!"
Hanson: "DID YOU HEAR THAT, JIM?!"
Kane buckled forward, catching himself on his hands before slowly pushing himself up, chuckling weakly, yet maniacally at Max who glared back at him.
Reynolds: "WHAT'S IT GONNA TAKE?!"
Stepping back, Max took on a familiar position, standing wide legged as he threw up two middle fingers in a familiar taunt to his old rival. The crowd went WILD!!! Max set up again and threw one final kick.
*SMACK!*
Crowd: "OHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!"
Kane's head snapped back as he crumpled backwards to the floor.
Hanson: "THERE'S YOUR ANSWER, JIM!!!!"
Reynolds: "A THIRD SLAPSHOT!!!!"
Hanson: "THERE'S THE COVER!!"
1!!
2!!
3!!
Reynolds: "IT'S OVER!! HE DID IT!!"
Hanson: "MAX LEBRUN HAS DONE IT!! A THIRTEEN YEAR GRUDGE HAS COME FULL CIRCLE!!"
Max pulls himself to his feet as Julian Morrison and Candi Broduer hit the ring to help him up. Snatching the Heavyweight title from the ref, Julian hands it to Max as Candi lets him lean on her with one arm. In his other hand, he sets the title on his shoulder and 'pulls the pin' at the camera before turning his attention towards Kane being helped to the back by ringside staff.
Hanson: "Well, Jim. I think it's safe to say; the daredevil has slain the demon."
Reynolds: "My god, what a match, Nicky! Why was that not the main event?!"
Hanson: "I agree! The next two matches have a lot to live up to! But, if anyone can do it, the remaining competitors we have left certainly can."
Reynolds: "Who's up next, Nicky?"
James Reynolds gets his answer with the sound of a chainsaw being cranked up over the speakers. The crowd pops.
Reynolds: "Aww, Christ."
Hanson: "HA-HA!!!" *Nicky says in his best Jesse James Dupree impersonation*
Reynolds: "I'm gonna kill you...."
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Chris Wolfe defeated Rick Dickulous in their block match, by pinfall in 14:09, after hitting a Blockbuster on the bigger man.
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*Mannheim paces back and forth in front of the tournament backdrop backstage, breathing heavily. Sweat drips from his face as he wipes it with a towel*
"Helluva fucking match, Andy! I can't believe you took three of those in a row, you fucking beast! Jesus Christ, that brought back memories..."
"This whole tournament's bringing back memories. Good, bad, ugly...everyone's got memories. Andy and I just made one."
"Now, Thursday is gonna be another story. Scott and I might be on the same team, but we're both competitors. So, same team or not? You best believe we're both gonna go at it like we hate each other's guts. But when the bell rings, just like it did tonight, we'll go right back to how it was before."
"I might be one of the toughest sons of bitches in this fucking place, but at the end of the day I still give respect where it's due. So Thursday, Scott? Time for GWN to shine!"
*Mannheim raises a hand and walks off camera*
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In the main event, Kota Ibushi defeated Shelton Benjamin in their block match, by pinfall in 18:20, after hitting the Kamigoye.
Hanson: "And that's our show for tonight, folks!"
Reynolds: "Hell of a night for A Block!"
Hanson: "You said it, Jim! We thank you for joining us tonight, folks! We'll see you back here tomorrow for our final day in Queens as B Block continues!"
Reynolds: "Good night, everyone!"
