9th October 2023 - 22nd October 2023 One Day Auto-Hit or Auto-Recover
The following contest is scheduled for one fall!
If the dice roll is an odd number, it is a Handicap Match!
If the dice is an even number, it is a Handicap Match!
Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2023 7:41 am
JR: "This is ridiculous! The fix is in!"
King: "Salem just got unlucky and drew the same stipulation option at random!"
The crowd loudly boos as Cartwright Strong Style enter the arena.
Cartwright, The Butler, Omen and Staff Member Russo all look super confident about something.
Cartwright shouts at a member of the crew to give him a microphone.
Cartwright: "Oh how unfortunate this is for Salem Croft! While his tag team partner is outside the country with work visa issues, he still has to defend his WWFG World Tag Team Championships against my hand selected mystery tag team!"
Crowd: "YOU SUCK! YOU SUCK! YOU SUCK!"
Cartwright: "No I don't! But just to be on the safe side, I have some announcements to make about the following match! First of all, Salem's friends are BANNED from ringside! If they interfere in this match, The Savage Sons will lose the WWFG World Tag Team Championships and they will be suspended without pay!"
The crowd boos as Cartwright is a smart man, who has learned his lessons from No Mercy.
Cartwright: "Second of all, your special guest referee for this match will be me!"
The boos grow louder as the deck continues to be stacked against Salem Croft, even higher than they already were.
Cartwright: "Thirdly, the special guest ringside enforcers will be The Butler and Omen!"
The Butler looks smug at how great their new plan is.
Cartwright: "Last of all, a match this huge needs a special guest timekeeper and that man will be Staff Member Russo!"
Cartwright Strong Style make their way to the ring as trash is thrown towards them, the fans not happy one bit about this.
JR: "Did I say that the fix is in?!"
King: "Our boss just knows how important this match is!"
The camera panned, suddenly stopping on the audience. For a second time this evening, the camera settled on independent wrestler Tiger Hat. He looked on at the dastardly display of cowardice happening before him, shaking his head with a deadpan stare.
Again, it was not lost on the audience that attention was being drawn to a non-roster wrestler in the crowd. Foreshadowing, perhaps? Or an odd lapse from the production truck? Only time would tell.
Posted: Tue Oct 10, 2023 10:18 am
There was a silence that breached over the audience as a good 30 seconds went by. Boo's filled the air as Cart and company lurched about the ring. This was obviously a set up and the crowd was convinced who ever the challengers wound up being would be an absolute obstacle for the Solo Tag Team Champion. Honestly they expected the Tag Team Champion to come out first to really build the tension and story that was being played out in front of them. You know saving the surprise people for last usually got the best pop, but the Tag Team Champion obviously didn't care about butts in seats. It was more about getting ones self off. And man, that just didn't sell.
Then...The lights flickered off then back on as a bright orange and red mixture over took the arena. It was less "sunshine happy-go-lucky" and more nauseating and aggressive. To match the sickening color palette was An Iteration by The Armed squealing with distortion. The crowd already knew what to expect as the words FIRST CLASS overtook the Titantron. Boo's and wonder mixed together. Rosario was definitley involved in the shenanigans, they knew that, and he was scum. But who were the competitors? Portia? The Rugrats? Dean Johnson was out of the picture after being brutalized by BlackJack...Right?
WRONG
Dean Johnson emerged from the back as the darkness around his figure turned to light. The boo's subsided slightly as the camera focused in on him, Rosario no where in site. What was in front of the them was a different Dean Johnson that they were used to. His hair was still long and blonde, and He still had on tight white jeans. He was still ina healthy fit condition, his arms seemed bigger then ever.
BUT
His exterior was coated in small cuts, as shredded skin overlapped around his body. Small wounds sprinkled ever direction, all in different stages of healing and severity. Light and dark wounds making his body a distinct jackson pollock painting. And in the center of the painting was a large bandage wrapped around his upper stomach. It hid any scars or marks, but everyone knew what had happened. Everyone knew that two months frankly was only just a fraction of time. And all of this was capitalized with the rookie's face.
A deep scar stretching across his cheek. Dean, the pristine rookie was now scarred. Dead skin bulging and conversing to create a marking that could only indicate trauma and pain. It wasn't a shallow wound, it was deep. A wound pnctured by a blade, and healed with sweat, blood and salt fusing to burn in the memory.
Black Jack had brutalized the man. Got him to the point of dying, where his only choice was to honor his son and break the mans arms. A feat most men would probably celebrate, but to him it was a reminder of how the business took so much of him so quickly. His managers action unbeknownst to him went from him being able to prolong his kids life, to almost being taken away from his kids life forever. And despite all of this he was still out there. First Class typed behind him and the crowd almost standing in support. Dean walked forward, focused on the Cartwright family in the ring, whatever shenanigans they were up to didn't matter to him. His hospital bills now tripled, a paycheck was a paycheck.
And then from behind came out Rosario. The two men had distance, and contrast. Rosario was bubbly, smiling, and greeted with a horde of boo's. Despicable man. A man who hid and turned his back on his young protege. A man whos schemes created some of the most violent moments the fans themselves had to witness. A spurring of events that included kidnappings, murders, prison breaks and mutilation. And Rosario had no remorse.
The older vet, clean shaven and in just a pair of white and blue trunks and a pair of white boots looked ready for action. Was he going to wrestle? Break his retirement? The staples of FG Tag team wrestling was back? Rosario smirked as his hands made a make it rain motion.
It was all about the money.
The lights settled on a white light as the older man made it to the ring. Fans patting Dean on the back as other fans spat and cursed at the aging airplane. Almost commissioned it seemed from the amount of vitrol shoved at him. Dean had no love for the man behind them as they both rolled into the squared circle. Dean quickly going to his corner, stretching his shoulders and looking onword for the champion. Rosario went up to The bossmen themselves, smiling and jeering as he stretched. He gave Russo a hand shake and wished him a good job that would go well as he patted Dean on the shoulder right after.
"You go first buddy, I see your name all over this one" Rosario snipped, the camera mics picking up the line just barely.
JR: I sense tension between these two men!
King: Tension! I sense hatred between these two men JR!
JR: Well can these two men get along enough to be able to take the Tag Titles from Salem is the question!
King: It's two against one JR! How can they not! That Cartwright is a true snake JR!"
Cartwright looks pleased to see First Class enter the arena.
Salem's insistence on grand-standing and hot-dogging means that the WWFGs ratings get hurt, but the champion doesn't care about anything except for being a champion, which is what motivates Cartwright so much to take the titles away from him.
Cartwright and Rosa exchange pleasantries, it was a pleasure doing business with him.
Dean is focused on the task at hand and Cartwright appreciates this, allowing him the space to concentrate.
Cartwright Strong Style look towards Tiger Hat with deep suspicion, he's a man with nothing to lose as an independent wrestler, who is unsigned to the World Wrestling Federation Guild.
JR: "What do you think about Tiger....oh no!"
King: "Oh yes! Look who is joining us!"
SMR: "Bros, I am here to enjoy the downfall of Salem Croft and I want to talk all about it for as shortly as it lasts bros!"
JR: "Put that headset off of your head! You are supposed to be the timekeeper and nothing more!"
King: "Would you quit being so rude to our special guest JR!"
SMR: "Thank you King, bro! Don't worry your fat, barbecue loving a** about it JR bro! I am the greatest writer, the greatest timekeeper and the greatest commentator bro! I can multitask bro!"
Posted: Tue Oct 10, 2023 6:35 pm
The arena was livid at the situation unfolding before them, Cartwright's crooked origami plot revealed at last! Russo, Carty Strong Style, the boss himself, and now the menacing pair of Dean Johnson and Rosario - "First Class" - revealing themselves as Salem's opponents! The boos couldn't get louder in the arena, some already having thrown trash at the parties involved during their entrances! But the audience grew quiet and anxious as the lights darkened, the stage lit by a blue spotlight as smoke started to waft around the platform! A voice started to speak across the PA system as though from a distance away...
"Everybody get up, it's time to slam now..."
"We got a real jam going down..."
"Welcome to the Apex..."
"It's your chance, do your dance at the Apeeeex, alrite..."
At this point, the audience would see through the smoke and fog a lone figure lifted on the stage, obscured by the dim lighting and shadows but standing slowly as the beat picked up, lights raising around him to reveal the silhouette as Salem Croft literally rising to the occasion! The champ was clad in black and copper snakeskin pants, his fists taped for action! His chest was bare, showing off his athletic physique, but he sported a black leather kutte that had two patches stitched across it - "APEX ORIGINAL" on the left-hand side with a "PRESIDENT" one stitched to the right! Draped over his shoulders, both the WWFG Tag Team Championships were snapped together, wearing it like a sash of honor! Looking forward towards the ring, the beat finally dropped in full, Salem bouncing on his toes as the set lights came up in full with an explosive array of pyro, popping the crowd hard!
. "And here he is! Fix this match all you want, you can't keep a good man down!"
"Only gotta keep him down for three seconds, J.R.!"
"Bro, you're right King! Besides, biker jackets? Bro, this ain't the eighties, bro!"
"C'mon and SLAM! And welcome to the JAM! C'mon and SLAM! If ya wanna JAM!
Salem sprinted from one side of the stage to the other, hyping the crowd and calling for them to get engaged, his energy reinvigorating the depressed audience! Starting down the ramp, he'd stop halfway down, pointing two finger guns down towards the ring at the assembled antagonists, before turning around, revealing a reaper logo and the "APEX ORIGINAL" stitched across the back of his kutte! Firing his finger guns, fireworks exploded from the stage with each 'trigger', a dozen bursts going off from one side of the platform to the other! Looking over his shoulder back towards the ring, the cameraman got a good shot of Salem smirking with his back still turned, holding one of his finger guns up to blow imaginary smoke off the barrel!
"Ladies and gentlemen, if you thought the champ was scared, you better think twice! Salem is showing no fear walking into this lion's den! It's SHOWTIME!"
"Lion's den?! I thought he was a SNAKE, J.R.?!"
"Wait, there's SNAKES out here, bro!? Because I don't do snakes, bro!"
Starting down the ramp, Salem clapped hands and bumped knuckles with the fans, making his way to the ringside area as the ring announcer made his introduction!
"...and their opponent...one half of the WWFG Tag Team Champions "The Savage Sons", and representing "THE APEX"...fighting out of Indianapolis, Indiana! IIIIIIIIT'S SHOOOOOOWTIIIIIIME SALEM CROFT!"
The man in question strutted right past Carty Strong Style, paying them no mind as he circled the barricades around the ring to acknowledge their fans! Giving a nod to J.R., Salem slipped the titles off and laid them on the announce desk in front of the legendary cowboy before continuing his lap! Salem paused though as he encountered a face he wasn't expecting at ringside - Tiger Hat, an old friend of his he hadn't seen in nearly a decade!
Genuine surprise washed over Salem's face, "Showtime" tipping a hat he wasn't wearing at the gentleman before turning to ascend the ringside steps!:standing atop his corner, Salem threw a finger gun up high, a gesture emulated by some in the audience as the crowd grew louder! Lowering his arm straight, he'd aim the gun at Cartwtight who waited in the ring alongside his challengers, showing a shark-like grin before firing and hopping into the ring off the corner! Running the ropes in line with the hard camera, Salem hyped the fans even more, the music starting to fade out, putting his hands together in a triangle to form an "A" as he leaned over the ropes!
"Look at this, bro! Doing illuminati signs?! There's only ONE illuminati in wrestling, bro, and this loser isn't part of it!"
"You said it, Russo! I wouldn't let him in one of MY clubs, for sure!"
"Say that louder, King, and "Showtime" might have a club for both of you!"
Squaring up in the middle of the ring, Salem came face to face with Cartwright, his face showing that he wasn't happy about the screwjob he was walking into, but the grit and resolve in his eyes saying he wasn't about to back down! Glancing over at his opponents, "Showtime" eyed Rosario and Dean, gesturing towards them as the bell finally rang!
The bell sounded as Dean stared across the ring. The man standing in front of him was a champion, and a brave champion at that. He had the crowd behind him, He had been in the company long enough that this man wasn't someone to underestimate. But at the end of the day none of that would have to matter to Dean. His kid had cancer, he was sick, and the money came first. Those two oversized belts grouped onto one man meant more money for him, regardless who he had to share the check with...
Dean approached cautiously but firmly as he lifted his chin up, signaling respect to Salem. The crowd had spent so much of the last 10 minutes booing that they enjoyed the change up of cheering for their champion, so no matter how much sympathy there was for the scarred up rookie, the champion was their babyface.
"You're going to have to earn the nickname this time champ, show me why they call you showtime!"
Dean mouthed as he approached, his hands splayed underhanded looking at an opportunity to grab at Salem's arm if the man got close enough.
Posted: Tue Oct 10, 2023 7:32 pm
Salem showed Dean equal courtesy, nodding back to the technician as they approached one another near the middle of the mat! Of everyone in the ring right now, it seemed the fans most appreciated Salem and Dean, the pair not taking the matters personally with one another, it appeared! "Showtime" had heard of Dean's struggles, and being a fellow father he had the utmost understanding of how conflicted Johnson must feel being used in this way by Cartwright and Rosario, but Salem had his own crosses to bear, notably defending his first WWFG championship after eleven long years!
Reaching forward, he felt the burly man's grip seize his hand, but "Showtime" swiftly twisted his palm and sought to apply a wrist lock, looking to keep Dean's arm straight at the elbow with his other hand while inflicting torque to the joint connecting Dean's hand to his arm!
Dean felt tension in his elbow as Salem's strength and speed were both on display with the wrist lock. A small smirk formed as he appreciated distancing themselves from a normal strike and go rhetoric.
Dean would take his other hand and place it on top of Salem's hand which was in grasp mode. Now two handed Dean would look to use his power to push into the champion and to rotate, looking to use their tangled limbs to now put the tension on Salem and hopefully his own twisted limb.
Posted: Tue Oct 10, 2023 7:46 pm
Salem may have had a firm hold on Dean's wrist, but the veteran had underestimated the rookies strength and technical aptitude! With well-seasoned skill, the bulkier man managed to reverse the pressure between them, now twisting Salem's wrist in painful fashion! Wincing from the grapple, "Showtime would try to act quickly - dropping his body weight suddenly to a low position while leveraging at Dean's hand, hoping to take advantage of the situation by arm-dragging Johnson down to the mat!
Johnson felt their weight fall forward, like somehow the canvas turned into a downhill slope, His arm leading his direction. And over Dean went, his shoulders colliding quickly with the mat, his momentum lending him to quickly roll to one knee.
Dean wouldn't give either of them time to sink in as he would spurt forward looking to grasp on to any body part he could and lock it down to the mat. He wasn't picky, leverage was leverage as Mr. Showtime just showed.
Posted: Tue Oct 10, 2023 8:07 pm
Salem managed to pull Dean down to the canvas and break the hold in the process, but his swift-thinking opponent would instead pin Salem's left ankle to the mat! Trying to roll onto his back for more leverage, "Showtime" would throw a couple desperate kicks with his right in hopes of getting Dean away before he applied any new, creative holds!
With the ankle pinned down, Dean wanted to try to flip Salem over onto his stomach but before he could even attempt to make that a reality...
Thud
A boot smacked him on his upper shoulder, nothing but a tinge of an obstacle, but then...
Thud
The second kick to Dean caused him to slightly pause, losing grip on the Champion's foot. Dean decided it was the time to allow space, merely for the fact that he didn't quite love the feets to the face. "Keep a hold Dean, Keep a hold!" Rosario scolded from the sidelines, doing nothing more then stating the obvious.
Posted: Wed Oct 11, 2023 5:18 pm
The special guest referee, The Boss, Cartwright, watches these grappling exchanges like a hawk, waiting for the chance to screw Salem with a 'tap-out' or a fast count!
JR: "Salem has done well to keep the pace up fast enough that Cartwright can't call anything unfairly!"
King: "What are you on about, JR?! Our boss would never do such a thing! He is letting this fair-by-fan-voting Handicap Match play out as it should!"
JR: "Fair-by-fan-voting? The options were a Handicap Match or a Hanicap Match!"
SMR: "Bros, the referee can call whatever he sees! Everything looks proper from here too! But maybe Cartwright's imagination might get the better of him bros!"
JR: "So Cartwright is just enjoying watching Salem suffer for the time being?!"
Salem was throwing boots at Dean, worried about the technical aficionado catching him in a submission, knowing Cartwright was prowling for a reason to cost Salem the match! After a few fervent kicks, Johnson's grip broke to the joy of the crowd, allowing Salem to roll back up to a vertical base nearby! Knowing he'd need to play this smart, Croft eyed his opponent and stayed on his toes, wondering how the rookie would engage him next!
