DISCLAIMER: I only own Jesse Alvarez, Joshua Garza, Carter Young, Stan Terra, Hannibal Ambrose, Erik Rollins, Damian Reigns, Luke Smith, Kurt Hudson, Kenji Matsuo, Zack Carver, Mike "The Mic" Martin, Clarissa Rivera, Alyssa Parker, and Maria Lopez. Anything else here (music and lyrics, fiction and non-fiction characters, other OCs, etc.), I own NONE of them.

Enjoy.


Kickstart to Summer Wars

[TV-14]

A clip shows the first ACW main event match between Naruto Uzumaki and Isaac Clarke as the bell is heard ringing…which causes rapid highlights of many awesome moments and calls being heard by the commentary team as instrumental music is playing.

"Hello, ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the very first episode of ACW…" Kenji Matsuo's voice is overheard.

Clips rapidly show Jesse Alvarez greeting his hometown crowd (Jesse: Good evening, ACW Universe!), Yugi being attacked by The Gods of Darkness (Yami Bakura and Marik Ishtar), The Erupting Eds nail Damian Reigns with Ed-quake before showing The Wolves slamming Ed on the mat via Justice Served, and the immense brawl between heels and faces.

"All hell has broken loose here…!" overheard Zack Carver's voice.

Another few clips show the history-making inaugural champions; then the HotD girls flying over the top rope onto the Hardcore Foundation girls; Rogen Townsend sends Isaac Clarke through the MiniTron with a Powerbomb; The Wolves introduce Luke Smith as a new member (The Wolves: FEAR…THE WOLVES!); Mason Stone coming down on Sasuke Uchiha with a Frog Splash; Beowulf Spears Naruto before roaring at the fans (Beowulf: I am Beowulf!) ; the Playground of Blood shown being lowered; Naruto carries Townsend on his shoulders to hit the Ninja's Way; the stages of Friday Night Ignition and Saturday Night RAMPAGE have fireworks shoot all over.

"LIVE ON THE AIR!" Markiplier and Ned's voices exclaimed.

The last of the clips show mostly rivals glaring at each other and performing their respective finishers on each other from The Eds and The Wolves to Altered Egos, The Symbiotes and Alpha & Omega to Téa Gardner and Kendra Daniels to Dante and Vergil to Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha, the former shown later raising his ACW Undisputed Championship.

"THE ENTIRE MULTIVERSE IS WATCHING!" exclaimed Markiplier's voice as an elated crowd is seen before a light consume the screen to show the following words…

AWESOME CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLING

Where Greatness Awaits…


"And now, Awesome Championship Wrestling presents…

"The Kickstart to Summer Wars!"

The cameras reveal the inside sight of the Staples Center slowly filling with ACW fans from not only in the City of Angels, but as well from across the whole Multiverse making the arena appear a quarter full. "Bright Lights Bigger City" by CeeLo Green has been heard playing throughout the arena during then and a few fans were found to be waving at the camera.

"The doors have opened not too long ago and look at this, the Staples Center is already getting jam-packed with so many excited enthusiasts of Fiction Wrestling and especially Awesome Championship Wrestling itself! This is going to be a grand spectacle for those lucky attendees who've made it to the City of Angels to see their favorite wrestlers live and in action! And with that, it is my honor to welcome you guys to the Utmost Warfare of Solstice right here in Downtown Los Angeles LIVE from the Staples Center!" says the smiling Game/Film Theorist Matthew "MatPat" Patrick at the announce table by his lonesome, the cameras shifting over to him.

"HELLO, MULTIVERSE! Welcome to the Kickstart to Summer Wars! As you can see, I do appear alone as my now former partner, Adam Blampied, is not with me due to personal and controversial issues he's dealing with now, but do not fret for me. I will not be calling the action alone because here with me to play the role of color commentator—"

"Would be ME, Ross Tweddell," interjects the Cultaholic, who's now seen sitting next to MatPat. "The former KIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIING ROSS (IS BOSS) here to fill in the spot of the dastardly sexual wank Posh pheasant as the better man and better color commentator, take evidence of my 2016 WCPW Commentator of the Year award," Ross brags. "Alvarez and Garza obviously needed to snatch someone from another company like the greedy dirty marks they are, so they snatched me from YouTube Wrestling. …Dare I say it, it's a smart move on their part with my list of accomplishments and my previous work in WhatCulture Pro Wrestling and YouTube Viral Wrestling as of recent."

"You know you're still working with YVW, Ross; it's clear with the small amount of YouTubers we have such as Smosh, PewDiePie, Mark, etc., there seems to be a spark of a partnership between both promotions. Although, just when I thought I got away from you, Mr. Blampied's issues occurred," Matt sighs.

"You have his ego and sexual addiction to blame, Pat," Ross states.

"I will say nothing more and wish Adam Blampied the best recovery," MatPat affirms. "Now, that aside, this is MatPat with Ross Tweddell at ringside calling the action at the pre-show and soon to officially continue at developmental territory Adrenaline Impact Wrestling once Uprising airs live on the FWM Network in just three weeks!"

"Even though AIW is already three weeks ahead of ACW," Ross chimes.

"Thanks for pointing out the obvious, Ross," MatPat deadpans. "Moving on, this may be just a pre-show, but we have the best action to come very soon, ladies and gents. On one hand, we have a second round between Kenshin Himura and Zeke Aries as Kenshin looks to teach the meaning of respect into the talented, yet cocky young athlete in Aries. And on the other, we have Carter Young and Stan Terra of Alpha & Omega defending their ACW World Tag Team Championship against Crash Bandicoot and Nathan Drake of The Naughty Dogs, our latest winners in" the #1 Contender's Tag Title Tournament. The former is personal business, dealing with a classic veteran versus rookie story, and the other deciding who deserves to hold tag title gold."

"Oh-ho, and that's only the pre-show, Maggle. The main show is where it all really gets started—titles on the line and scores being settled, some of them at the same bloody time," Ross says.

"No doubt about it, Ross. Let's not keep the fans waiting and kickstart their hearts at Summer Wars with our first pre-show match of the evening!" MatPat exclaims.

"And you ruined it, you cheesy mark."

"Take it from here, Mikey!" MatPat grins, ignoring Ross' comment.

The camera switches over to the squared circle where Mike "The Mic" Martin, currently known for his backstage interviews, resides at the center, appearing with a clean haircut, a fancy gray suit and tie and a microphone in hand. The bell rings three times as Mike makes the announcement.

"Ladies and gentlemen, it's my honor to make my debut by declaring that the following contest is a singles bout scheduled for ONE FALL!" Mike declares.

"ONE FALL!" a partial round of fans parroted, surprising Mike.

["AAAAAWWEEESSSSSOMMMMMEEEE!"

I CAME TO PLAY!

I came to play; there's a price to pay!

Time for you to get down on your knees and pray…

(I came to play!)]

("I Came to Play" by Downstait plays)

For an arena being filled up with now at least two-thirds, it didn't stop the adverse reception of the audience from making more noise than they should have once Zeke Aries, decked out in his in-ring attire with a black trench coat and sunglasses to boost, walks through the curtain and spins at the center of the stage Miz-style to point from both sides. Aries kept his smug grin on his face to endure the "cheers" he's receiving before bending forward with arms back…and swings both index and middle fingers up in the air to shout: "ZEKE ARIES BAY-BAY!" THAT boosts up the jeers coming from the attendance members as Zeke struts his way down to the ring.

[Say goodbye to the good old days

They're never coming back

Watch your future fade (I came to play!)

I came to play to get my dues paid

I guess you had a dream

But it can't be saved (I came to play!)

I'm here to stay!

Best get out of my way! (I came to play!)]

"Introducing first: from Chicago, Illinois, weighing in at 202 pounds, he is 'The (self-proclaimed) A-List Superstar'…ZEEEKE ARIIIES!" Mike introduces.

"If you look up in the dictionary for 'Heat Magnet', you'll find Zeke Aries' bastardly handsome face framed right next to it," Ross quips.

"Can say the same for 'Arrogant', 'Egotistical' and many other related synonyms," MatPat adds. "Zeke has had this attitude since late June when he attacked Kenshin Himura after their match ended in a fair finish. He's set out to show nice guys finish last, starting with the same man he has assaulted physically and verbally for over two months."

"And I know he can do just that. Himura only got lucky the first time because Aries in his first form was a DIRTY JOBBER MARK. Now, look at him! He's flourished! He's glowing with charisma like you've never seen before—charisma Kenshin can only dream of," Ross states. "He cut ties with the Cage Family he felt would only drag him down to the obscurity he was stuck in, he's actually getting his name known out there, and boy, can he wrestle."

"Okay, while he is an admittedly entertaining athlete, that doesn't hide the egotism oozing out of him nor his actions. He's been doing a lot of talking, but we can only see how much action he can put up or shut up," Matt asserts.

Now entering the ring Miz-style, Zeke climbs up the nearest corner and stands on the second row to make another pose for a few good long seconds before stepping down. He hangs off the ropes (left foot on the middle, right on the bottom) with both hands splayed out at both sides and a conceited smirk still plastered on a face one knows they just want to punch.

He steps down to remove both his glasses and trench coat, putting the former aside and tossing the latter at Mike in his face. Douche. Zeke's music soon volumes down as the fans await the arrival of an ECW alumni…

…and they sound off with a pop, which Zeke rolls his eyes to, once "Heart of Sword" by T.M. Revolution hits the loudspeakers, pure white lights flickering and flashing to purple, going back and forth throughout the Staples Center.

[Hitori dewa tooi ashita wo!

Yoake no mama de koe sou de!

Bukkatte ikya kokeru omoi yo!

Konya mo mata sure chigaiiiii…]

The Samurai Formerly Known as Hitokiri Battōsai walks out to the stage with his sleeves connected, proceeding to greet his cheering fans with a bow at his right side and another to his left, all while with a light smile on his face. After nodding to them…he turns his attention straight to Aries, who was resting on the turnbuckles à la Eddie Guerrero, with an immense glare that was a sudden far cry from his gentle approach. For a mere moment, the camera captured Kenshin's eyes changing from deep violet to gold before he made a beeline straight down the ramps onward to the ring.

[Sanzan sugite doryoku no ato mo

Naku naru kekka, only no tsuna watari

Yaru dake son suru yona, mainichi wa

Sha ni kamaeteta hou koso, raku ni naru

(Atsukute) Tsurai

(Jibun wo) Kakushite

(Mijikai) Toki wo ikiteru!]

"And his opponent: from Tokyo, Japan, weighing in at 177 pounds…'The Wanderer' KENSHIN HIMURAAA!" Mike introduces.

"Kenshin has been through quite a ride these past two months dealing with Zeke's attitude and you can see how much he's been looking forward to beat respect into him since Zeke challenged him to a match here at Summer Wars," MatPat expounds.

"Respect, respect—it's as if people love throwing that word around like Opera Winfrey giving out free cars! I swear, it's becoming overrated. Why does someone like Zeke need to be input respect by Himura when it should be the other way around?" Ross asks. "From day one, Zeke began as a NOBODY. And right now, he's getting recognized as ACW's rising stars with only Himura planning to push him back down into obscurity. Where's the respect in that?! Nowhere. Because, ya know, 'new' era, same old sh*t."

"Don't twist things around, Ross. Obviously, Kenshin has been putting up with Zeke for as long as he can and this is his chance to show why he shouldn't EVER be taken too lightly and why people like Zeke should understand how respect is very important in this industry," MatPat says. "In the end, this second round between them will prove who the better man is."

When Kenshin made it to the apron up the stairs and entered through the ropes, Zeke immediately drops to his feet from his position to meet him at the center of the ring. "Heart of Sword" fades out as Kenshin and Zeke stare each other down in the ring with the rookie mostly talking trash and the Wanderer simply remaining quiet and composed. After separating the two, referee Nikolas Alba checks if both are ready and gets their confirmation by their nods. He calls for Noah McQueen to ring the bell, signaling the first of two pre-show matches to begin.

"The bell rings, and now Kenshin Himura versus Zeke Aries II is underway! Time to see whether Kenshin succeeds his duty as a veteran or Zeke avenges his loss and proves himself right," Matt calls.

Kenshin and Zeke return to the center, staring each other down again just seconds before Kenshin surprised most folk…

…by holding a hand out to Aries, who raised an eyebrow, for a handshake.

"Huh… Even after all what Zeke did, Kenshin is giving him this one chance to redeem himself or suffer his consequences," MatPat comments.

"This could either go one way that will surprise us all…or the other that will not be so surprising," says Ross.

The camera catches Kenshin's lips read, "What I offer is a helping hand to guide you to a better path…this opportunity can only happen once…so make the right choice." The A-List Superstar looks down at the hand, seemingly contemplating the proposal. Then, Zeke's right hand moved…slowly towards Kenshin's…

…and just gives the middle finger straight to Kenshin's face as the not-so-surprised fans hiss and boo.

"Here's my respect to you, old man," Zeke says.

"…Well, that path Zeke chose was not so surprising," Matt shakes his head.

Kenshin responds to this gesture by sighing disappointingly…

…and slapping his hand aside to deliver a SOLID discus back elbow to the jaw, sending the arrogant rookie down HARD as the audience pops! Zeke is left outside the ring holding his jaw and scowling heavily up at Kenshin as the former assassin holds his composed stature.

"Down goes Aries! Down goes Aries! He paid BIG TIME for that as Kenshin fires the first shot!" MatPat comments.

"A cheap shot is what it is, I tell you, Matthew!" Ross shouts.

Zeke stays out for a while to tend to his jaw, hoping it didn't get broken by Kenshin's elbow and his look tells his evil intentions to get even with him. He slides in the ring and engages a belligerent collar-and-elbow, both men trying very hard to push each other back. Zeke forces a side headlock, roughing up his opponent's head, but Kenshin runs backwards to bounce of the ropes…only for Zeke to slide on his knee and keep the hold in. However, Kenshin does reverse the headlock into an arm wrench, bending the arm back while pushing his hand against the shoulder. Zeke soon manages to roll forward and counteract into his own arm wrench…blasts him down hard with a shoulder block…runs to the ropes, hopping over a prone Kenshin…and then Kenshin avoids a Low-angle Dropkick to cover Zeke, who kicks out before Nikolas could even go down on his stomach to count. Zeke kneels up…and Kenshin sends him back down with a Sliding Forearm Smash in the blink of an eye! Another pin attempt…and Zeke kicks out once more, this time at a one-count. Kenshin brings him to his feet for an Irish Whip and when he aimed for a Front Dropkick, he lands hard on his back as Zeke hangs onto the ropes…

…and kicks his face in with a hell of a Big Boot! Then he puts the finishing touches by rebounding from the ropes…and landing right on top of the ECW alumni with a Running Senton, bouncing off his body in the process! Zeke with the cover and the leg hooked…kick-out by Himura at 1.82!

"Fast and agile Kenshin is, and Zeke matches it with his ability to think ahead of his opponent with that Senton! Both men only able to get a near two-count on each other," MatPat utters.

"Points to Aries for hanging onto the ropes to make that two-hit combo happen," Ross comments. "Fine way for Zeke to start getting payback for earlier."

Zeke slaps on a Reverse Chinlock, wanting to keep the momentum to himself and far away from Kenshin as much as possible knowing how fast he can be. Even so, Kenshin doesn't stay down for long as he rises to his feet and elbows his gut frequently. Zeke stops any momentum from further rising by nailing a European Uppercut…then grabbing his hair and SMASHING Kenshin's skull into the canvas! As Kenshin holds his head, Zeke stands behind him with his hands running through his hair and throw them out in a Dolph Ziggler manner before bouncing off the ropes to hit a Running Neck Snap, which help him earn only a two. Now he slaps on another Reverse Chinlock, residing flat on their sides to hold Kenshin down. For a mere while, Kenshin would've gave in to the hold if it wasn't for the audience rhythmically clapping (which Zeke told them all to shut up) that helped him slowly rise to his feet and perform a Back Suplex. Zeke lands on his feet, however, and pushes Himura to the ropes…misses a back elbow as Kenshin grabs his head and hurls him to the ropes. Zeke bounces off, hops over a prone Kenshin, bounces off again and stops right in front of a leapfrogging rurouni…to slap him right across the face!

"Well, that's not nice," MatPat says.

"Not about being nice, Matty—Zeke is making a statement how someone like him with survive in this business while someone like Kenshin will perish into obscurity…and FADE AWAY AND CLASSIFY HIMSELF AS OBSOLETE!" Ross states. "Also, late reaction to the slap, but OWWW!"

"That didn't catch on then and it's not going to catch on now, Ross," MatPat points out.

Zeke talks trash at Kenshin, who retaliates with a Discus Elbow…and Zeke ducks the elbow in time to plant him with a Jumping Neckbreaker! He gets a scolding from the referee for pulling Kenshin's hair during the move, but blatantly ignores him when he covered Kenshin with the leg hooked: 1…2…

…2.21 Kenshin kicks out and in that result, Zeke mocks Nikolas if he knew how to count. The Russian official warns the rookie NOT to tell him how to do his job right and Zeke simply waves him off before standing over Kenshin to slap him across the head while proclaiming, "I'm BETTER than you! I'm BETTER than you, old man! You're PATHETIC!"

"Aries now MOCKING the legendary samurai, way too focused on running his mouth than wearing down his opponent. He cannot afford to be distracted by stroking his own ego," MatPat remarks.

"Ah, what's the harm if the kid can't have a little bit of fun with his prey, Matty-boy?" Ross asks.

The four-time ECW Animation TV Champion stirs to his hands and knees, then Zeke starts stomping on his head at a slow, methodical pace. It's obvious how much Aries is enjoying every single kick he sends straight into Kenshin's temple, bouncing off the ropes to stomp him twice. He takes this occasion to exult over his supremacy by resting his right foot on Kenshin's and poses Adam Cole style while shouting, "AWWWEEESSSOOOME!" to enormous boos. The A-List Superstar soaks in the hate like it isn't a big deal, hands gesturing for them to continue raining their boos at him. He looks down at Kenshin and removes his foot from his head, deciding to let him rise to his knees…then rebounds off the ropes for a Knee Lift…

"Incoming Knee Trembler…" Matt comments.

…when Kenshin was able to dodge the attack by shoving it away…and he springs high off the mat to nail a Dropkick!

"Oh, the hang time off the mat to hit that beautiful Dropkick! Kenshin surprised Zeke for sure!" MatPat shouts.

Zeke bounces off the ring ropes and Kenshin grabs him for a vintage Vertical Suplex…but Zeke slides over to shove him into the ropes…

…Kenshin hangs on…

…and back body drops him over the top rope to the outside! As Zeke rolls to his feet, Kenshin ends up being the quickest one…and the smartest by landing on the apron, feigning a Slingshot Plancha. Apparently, Zeke thought he outsmarted him with the gesture of pointing to his head, but he had no idea about Kenshin sliding inside under the bottom rope…

…and coming right back to hit a baseball slide, sending Zeke flying into the announce table!

"Whoa, JEEZ!" MatPat yelps.

"Hey, watch it—we're working over here, you lunatic!" Ross shakes his fist. "We don't want to end up in the crossfire!"

"Zeke thought he outwitted the veteran, but he had another trick up his sleeve with that baseball slide that shoved him against our table!" MatPat calls. "This is exactly what I mean when Zeke kept concentrating on his ego than the opponent he's supposed to wear down."

"This is only a minor backfire on Aries! He's sure to come back SOMEHOW," Ross states.

Kenshin follows Zeke outside and starts striking at him with a methodical series of knife edge chops to the chest. Then, after smashing his head onto the hood of the announce table, he throws Zeke into the ring, leaving his head hanging out across the ring apron. He chops his neck and climbs up the apron…and drops a big elbow straight down onto Zeke. As he rolls fully back in the ring to recuperate, Kenshin already ascended the apron and all the way up to the top turnbuckle. Kenshin, like a hawk, keeps his eye on Zeke staggering up to his feet as he waits crouched on the turnbuckle…then he hops off for a Diving Crossbody…

…and lands on top of Zeke…

…who rolls through and counters into a pinfall attempt, which Kenshin powers out at two! Both roll to their feet and Zeke kicks straight to Kenshin's right leg, bringing him down on his knees for a Snap DDT!

"Oh, man! Just when Kenshin had it, Zeke cuts him off with the kick to the knee and the sudden DDT!" MatPat shouts.

"Attaboy, Zeke!" Ross applauds. "Way to turn things around for yourself! See, I told you what happened was a minor mishap."

Zeke, stroking his ego, presses his right foot on Kenshin's chest for his fourth pin attempt and flexes Jericho-style and Niko counts 1…

2…

…2.34 Kenshin kicks out. Upon kick-out, Zeke grabs his head and pushes him over to a nearby corner for a backhand chop across the chest. (Ross: OWWW!) Then he holds onto the ropes for a slow consecutive series of shoulder thrusts, driving Kenshin through the turnbuckles at each move. He tells Kenshin in his face that he's "done" and sends a right hook across the jaw before heading the opposite direction. Stopping at the corner, Zeke steps off the bottom turnbuckle à la Dean Ambrose…makes a run for the cornered Kenshin…and there's nobody home for his Awesome Clothesline to connect as Kenshin avoided it! With Zeke hanging off the second rope, Kenshin grabs him by his head…and drives his knees straight up into the spine via Backstabber!

"Kenshin on the offense with a Lungblower to Zeke Aries! Man, I bet Carlito would've found that variation to be cool," says MatPat.

"Bah, more like he'd spit in the face of anybody who tarnishes a Backstabber like Kenshin, who hasn't been cool since 1999, or at least when ECW shut down," Ross remarks.

"Right now, Kenshin has the tables turned as he heads to the high rent district. But, for now long? Can he keep the offense on while Zeke's forced to play defense?" MatPat queries.

The Wanderer slowly stands tall on the turnbuckle…but sees Zeke wisely rolling away to the opposite corner. So Kenshin descends and watches his opponent pick himself up…then makes pursuit over to Zeke…who tosses him over the ropes! But Kenshin lands fine on his feet on the apron. With his back turned, Kenshin waits for him to turn around…and so he does…

…for Kenshin's Springboard Forearm—to be caught in a Fireman's Carry!

"WHOA! Zeke's showing some strength here, catching the former assassin with no give!" The Game/Film Theorist gasps. "Kenshin's in big trouble now!"

"Oh, yes, he is—OFF with his head, Aries!" Ross barks.

The former Cage family member adjusts a fidgeting Kenshin onto his shoulders, bounces him off the top rope…and spins into the Slingshot Powerbomb—NO! Kenshin reverses that into a Hurricanrana, pin attempt pursued afterwards! 1…2…

…2.439 Zeke powers out and turns around to avoid a Shining Wizard…

…yet not the Reverse Roundhouse Kick to the back of his head! Kenshin executes Low Ki's signature Black Magic to perfection! As Zeke nurses his head, he unintentionally rolls into a nearby corner…giving Kenshin the chance to try the high rent district again. Once there, he aims for a Diving Double Foot Stomp…but rolls through after Zeke moved away…and Zeke makes him take a Dropkick straight to the knees and eat the turnbuckles! As Kenshin picks himself up, Zeke wastes little time rebounding from the opposite corner all the way back…and hits the Awesome Clothesline! He throws him aside and swings his legs back into the ring, trailing him from behind for the possible finish.

"Get that stopwatch ready, timekeeper! The end is just near for Himura while a bright future dawns over the Prodigal Son of Professional Wrestling!" Ross calls.

Zeke wraps his arms under Kenshin's and clenches his hands around his nape, locking on a Full Nelson…and Kenshin manages to slip one arm out, but Zeke adjusts into a tight Cravate instead. He tweaks the hold for a while longer before wanting to drive his head down via Snapmare Driver…

"Zeke adapts quickly, going for the kill…" MatPat says.

…but Kenshin somersaults over off the hold…

…then he rolls back and slides under Zeke's right arm after bouncing off the ropes…

…and succeeds at locking him in an Abdominal Stretch, almost all Chikara style!

"Whoa, nice! VERY nice! Kenshin Himura able to turn the tables in an instant with that incredible counter! Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks?" MatPat quips.

"I'm sure people with BRAINS have that figured out, MatPat!" Ross argues. "That's not even possible for someone like him—it's FLIPPY SH*T, I tell you!"

Kenshin may not be a submission specialist, but he knows how to put pressure into his opponent's body when he has been stretching out Zeke as much as possible and forcing him to scream in agony. It doesn't help the kid when Kenshin drives his knuckles into his ribs, inputting more pain into the hold. Eventually, Zeke manages to slip out of the submission completely…then suddenly grabs his right arm to twist and yank it on the way down flat onto the canvas! Kenshin reacts with a brief shout of pain, already nursing the arm as referee Nikolas Alba checks on him and Zeke, regaining his smug grin, nods his head around. (MatPat: Oh, he's just oozing with confidence… ; Ross: I don't see why he shouldn't. The lad went through enough as it is to take back control. He's an adapter. ; MatPat: Can't argue with that. It's thanks to that fact the momentum's back on his side. What makes it worse for Himura is he won't be able to use that arm to its full effectiveness for his finishing move, the Sakabatō Forearm.) Zeke gets up off the mat and takes Kenshin's recently hurt arm for a wrist-lock. He holds onto the arm, tweaking the limb and leaving his feet to wrench the limb. Zeke applies a Hammerlock as Kenshin is kneeling, pinioning his arm behind his back while adding a Reverse Chinlock to follow with a face-down Crossface Chickenwing.

"Young Aries using a Crossface Chickenwing, keeping his opponent grounded while zeroing in on the arm," Matthew says.

Later, Zeke slowly slides the arm around Kenshin's neck out while keeping his arm pinned…elevates his legs high up…and starts RAMMING them into the bad arm! Fast and furious, Aries holds nothing back in his aggressive knee shots to the arm as Kenshin screams from each shot. After six consecutive knee strikes, Zeke flips Kenshin over onto his back with his arm still in his clutches…

…puts one leg over the arm…

…and TWISTS it back in-between his legs, driving Himura to let out a cry of agony!

"Oh, God, the way the arm got MANIPULATED in Zeke's clutches…" MatPat shudders, holding his arm in phantom pain. "One can only hope how Kenshin will turn this around again."

"Ah, these screams are music to my ears," Ross sighs in bliss.

"What is wrong with you?"

Kenshin tries to get away, but Zeke grabs his arm and forces him up on his knees. He takes advantage of his vulnerability by talking down on him, shoving and kicking his face in while still holding the injured arm. "I'm BETTER than you, Himura! You hear me?! I'm at the top of my game and you're on your knees, BEGGING for MERCY!" Zeke scorns before SLAPPING the taste out of Kenshin's mouth…and that clearly upset him, glaring a hole through the rookie. As Kenshin started to slowly stand, Zeke has been attacking the arm and twisting it…

…but the last twist would help Kenshin roll forward, out of his grip…

…and WHACKS Zeke's jaw out with a Sakabatō Forearm from the LEFT ARM!

"OWWW, the Reverse Blade Forearm connects, but from the uninjured arm and Kenshin made sure Zeke paid for that DEARLY!" MatPat exclaims.

"But Zeke's still standing! He's stumbling, but he's still standing while Kenshin's got himself literally cornered!" Ross shouts. "…AND THAT'S MY LINE, YOU NERDY LITTLE BASTARD!"

It's true with Kenshin remaining in the corner to nurse his bad arm, Zeke is left staggering from the effects of the sudden Sakabatō Forearm before he shakes the cobwebs off and goes after Kenshin. Then Kenshin lifts his right leg up for a boot to the face, sending Zeke back into dizziness…and Kenshin hoists him up over his shoulder…and marches forward to drive Zeke's head on top of his knee with a Reverse Neckbreaker (Kazuchika Okada's move of the same name)! (MatPat: And the Neckbreaker—shades of the four-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion! Now, the pin!) Kenshin lies back on Zeke with the leg hooked: 1…

2…

…Zeke kicks out at 2.75! Just a close quarter away from victory! Kenshin holds onto his right arm, gritting his teeth as he feels the pain down the limb from Zeke's assault. Shaking off the pain, Kenshin decides to take a risk in the high rent district once more. The hurt arm tends to distract him, but Kenshin was able to make it up to his destination. Once he made it, Kenshin begins rising to a vertical base with him facing away from Zeke, who was also on his way to a vertical base. Ezekiel soon reaches his feet and turns around…

"Oh, Zeke's not gonna like what he'll see…" MatPat holds his breath.

…to PUSH THE REFEREE INTO THE ROPES, CROTCHING KENSHIN ON THE TURNBUCKLE!

"You were right, Matt, Zeke didn't like what he saw and took advantage!" Ross exclaims.

"He blatantly shoved the official into the ring ropes just to avoid getting caught in the Moonsault!" MatPat argues. "Even the referee knows this!"

"Cut the lad some slack, Zeke still felt dazed from the forearm and the Reverse Neckbreaker he received from Kenshin," Ross justifies. "He's innocent!"

"Yeah, like anyone will believe that…" MatPat rolls his eyes. "Regardless, it's thanks to this that Kenshin is now left hanging upside-down in the tree of woe aka no-man's land."

After enough reproaching from Nikolas, Zeke returns to Kenshin, who he sneers down at and steps on his throat, elevating himself while illegally choking him! The official counts 1…2…3…4…4.5 Zeke steps off the foot choke…

…only to reapply it just two seconds afterwards, using the ropes as leverage as well! (MatPat: Hey, hey! ; Ross: Don't argue, Matt—he let go before five! ; MatPat: Only to apply the hold again! ; Ross: It's called diligence and intelligence. Thought you knew that, nerd.) Referee Nikolas Alba counts again: 1…2…3…4…4.9 Zeke lets go of the foot choke, just a 0.1 second away from getting self-disqualified. As Nikolas barks at Zeke to "knock off the crap", said young man ignores him as he rolls out of the ring, grabs both Kenshin's arms…and wraps them around the throat in a Straitjacket form while placing his foot against the steel ring post! (Ross: Wow, this guy's gonna go places with his ring awareness and creativity. ; MatPat: It's clear how in control and dangerous Zeke can be when he's not too busy stroking his ego.) Kenshin can barely make a sound of misery suffocation with Zeke holding nothing back other than his arms around his throat as the referee counts 1…2…3…4…

…4.44 Zeke lets go…before replying it yet again five seconds thereafter! (MatPat: Oh, come on! ; Ross: Yes! Choke him out, mate! Make him pass out from his own arms!) Having quite enough, Nikolas exits the ring and counts 1…2…3…4…and stops at 4.99 as he interjects with the illegal hold, managing to pry Zeke's clutches off of Kenshin to give him a chance to breathe.

"Ugh, referee, learn your place and stay out of this! This is business between Zeke and Himura alone!" Ross shouts.

"He's the OFFICIAL, Ross—it's his job to prevent anything illegal from prolonging, even if he has to get personal with the competitors," MatPat points out.

"Referees are only good for drawing out drama when knocked out due to being made of glass and other pathetic referee stuff," Ross remarks. "And from the looks of the ref and Zeke arguing, the former may very well pay for it."

Nikolas reprimanded the rookie for his actions, ranting on and on about the illegal chokes and just being a complete little shit, and just telling him to quit it or there will be consequences such as his disqualification. Zeke brushes this off with waving fingers, appearing "scared" before Nikolas scolded him to get back inside the ring. "Yeah, yeah…" says Zeke as he rolls inside and Kenshin is now seen sitting and resting against the corner. Noticing this, Zeke takes seven steps backwards, measures…

…and hits a vicious Running Knee Strike right across his face, ringing his head wildly! Zeke stays in this position to stare at the hard camera in front of him and cracks a wide complacent grin across his face, his tongue gently licking across his bottom lip.

"He's enjoying this," bluntly states MatPat.

"Why wouldn't he? The lad's having the time of his life kicking Himura's ass all over this ring and making him his little bitch," Ross chuckles.

Zeke drags Kenshin out of the corner, hammerlocks his arm and carries him off his feet to drop him back down with a Back Suplex, forcing him to land on his arm in the process. Adding insult to injury, Zeke presses his right foot against his chest for another Jericho-esque pinning pose: 1…2…kick-out at 2.4183 by the former Hitokiri Battōsai. As Kenshin sits up to nurse his bad arm, Zeke stands behind him and slaps his head around in such a disrespectful method, earning heat further on as he claims, "Nice guys finish last, Himura! You're a prime example of that and why I'm better than you! Understand me, old man?!" After kicking his head down, Zeke lines Kenshin up to his feet…then rebounds off the ropes…and plants his face with a One-handed Bulldog. One more pin attempt…and Kenshin powers out at two. But that's when Zeke surprised most folk by grabbing Kenshin's bad arm and locking in a Seated Fujiwara Armbar!

"Well, this is unprecedented! Zeke applying the Fujiwara Armbar off the kick-out by Himura, who I'm sure didn't see that coming," MatPat implies.

"Break it, Zeke! Snap that twig Kenshin calls an 'arm' out of his socket!" Ross urges.

Moving the arm left and right, Zeke wrenches it as ugly as possible for Kenshin to suffer. "Just quit already, old man! You know you're done here!" Zeke shouts, leaning back with the arm in tow as he also bends the fingers as well. Kenshin remains stubborn and resilient, having the gall to drag himself with heavy weight in the form of Aries along the way. It took a while to reach the ropes, but he does get close enough for his hand to be fingertips away from a rope break. Zeke wrenches the arm and bends the fingers farther back as much as he can…and despite Kenshin's obvious screams of agony, one last cry of determination helps him hop a good inch over and earn his rope break! Referee Nikolas Alba starts counting 1…2…3…4…4.99 Zeke is forced to let go and stomps away at Kenshin in frustration before the Russian official had to push him away so Kenshin can have some room to recover…but Zeke pushes back and gets into a heated argument with him.

"Kenshin came THAT CLOSE to possible surrender, but his determination to prove Zeke wrong has verified his rope break! And now Zeke is distracted by his own petty argument with the referee!" observes the theorist. "He's dangerously close from being disqualified…"

"'Petty'?! 'Disqualified'?! I should slap you with my scepter for your insolence if I didn't burn it to a crisp!" Ross disputes.

This verbal dispute has gone for a good while, Zeke insulting Alba for "not doing his job right" as he roughly pokes him…and everyone knows that like the animal symbol of Russia, you don't EVER poke the bear…and Nikolas characterizes that well as he glares down HEAVILY on the rookie, telling him off and warning him to NOT push him to his limit. Zeke does appear to comply, seemingly backing away…

…before SPITTING right in Alba's face, igniting heavy boos from the audience. (MatPat: …Did he just…? Don't tell me he did that. Tell me that didn't happen. ; Ross: Okay, I won't tell you. You saw it yourself. ; MatPat: That was just DISTASTEFUL—DISGUSTING…) As Nikolas is FORCED to keep his hands to himself and his composure while wiping the spit off his visibly furious face, the smirking Zeke overhears the loud boos showering him and decides to lean over the ropes, assuring them to calm down…before simply flipping them all off with a double middle finger. (MatPat: Yeah. Oh, yeah, that's real classy, Aries. ; Ross: Ah, I love me some Stone Cold homage.) And so, Zeke waves everybody off to return to Kenshin…

…WHO JUST HAPPENS TO POP UP WITH A RYŪTSUISEN, HITTING THE JUMPING LEG LARIAT ACROSS HIS NECK!

"OH! OH! RYŪTSUISEN! JUMPING LEG LARIAT! ZEKE'S EGO FINALLY GOT THE BETTER OF HIM AND KENSHIN HELPED MAKE HIM PAY THE PRICE!" MatPat exclaims.

"NO, NO! I PUSH MY FINGERS INTO MY EYES—I CAN'T BEAR TO WATCH THIS TRAGEDY OF A ROOKIE WHO CAME UP SHORT!" Ross cries.

Kenshin would typically capitalize here if it wasn't for how much damaged he's sustained and the amount of strength he's used to put into that jump and hit the Ryūtsuisen. It took a full fifteen seconds for Kenshin to roll over and lie on Zeke in a lateral press: 1…

"And this is where I say on my pay-per-view debut that this is just a victory…"

2…

…2.8475 Zeke Aries thrusts his right arm and shoulder up to beat the referee's count!

"…a PINFALL—NO! So close, but so FAR for Kenshin Himura! He took a bit too much time to recover and bring himself over on Zeke, who was able to recover as well for the near-impossible kick-out!" MatPat shouts.

"No, say what you really meant to say—say how fast was that damn referee counting because Zeke rightfully spat him in the face! He could've embarrassed Aries here and the lad would never hear the end of it!" Ross yells.

Aries is the first to sit up and starts bringing Kenshin to his feet by his hair. He snarls, "Think you're CUTE pulling that crap over me?! Huh?! You think you got the better of me?! I'm still standing, old man!" before smacking him across the face. Then he carries him in a Front Facelock and Irish whips him over to the corner…where Himura springs from out of there and hits a Crossbody Block on top of Zeke! He mounts him with a series of hard left forearms, not letting up one bit! However, Zeke finds an opening and blocks the next shot with an eye rake to escape. Both roll to their feet and Kenshin is the first to strike with a Back Thrust Kick to the midsection…and then a left-sided Forearm Smash! Zeke reels back…but he returns with a Discus Punch to the jaw! Kenshin nurses that struck area…then speeds at Zeke, who sidesteps and pushes him away…hangs on…and catches Zeke with an Inverted Atomic Drop! Zeke staggers nursing his groin area before getting blasted with a Clothesline…and Kenshin bounces off to aim for a Crucifix…but he changes it around into a roll-up: 1…

2…

…2.756 as Zeke reverses it into his own roll-up! The referee counts 1…

2…

…2.777 Kenshin kicks out and reverses the pin! Another count: 1…2…

…2.832 Zeke beats and rolls up Kenshin once more for 1…2…

…2.898 Kenshin kicks out and pushes away Zeke…who rolls through to a vertical base…and DRIVES his boot into his face! And now Zeke bounces off the ropes and rolls up Kenshin in a Jackknife cover! Nikolas drops and counts 1…

2…

…2.999 Kenshin kicks out yet again! But Zeke hangs on, lying on top of Kenshin…who instantly lifts himself up along with Zeke, the crowd wowed by his strength…twists his body all around with arms hooked…and overpowers and adjusts Zeke in a Gory Special! Kenshin marches at the center, holding and stretching Aries' limbs as far as possible as Zeke cries out loud…before grabbing around his throat and jaw…

…and flips him right over—ONTO HIS FEET…AND ZEKE GRABS, LIFTS AND DROPS KENSHIN'S HEAD RIGHT ONTO HIS KNEE WITH A BREATHTAKING OVERDOSE (Adam Cole's Last Shot)!

"Samurai X—WHOA! ZEKE LANDS FINE! AND—OH, MAN! THE BRAINBUSTER ONTO THE KNEE! HE NAILS THE LAST SHOT, SHADES OF ADAM COLE BAY-BAY!" MatPat calls.

"YOU BRING SHAME TO THE SIGNATURE CRY OF THE THREE-TIME RING OF HONOR WORLD CHAMPION, DIRTY MARK!" Ross barks. "BUT YES, ZEKE HAS IT HERE!"

Zeke's got the pin with both legs hooked: 1…

"KENSHIN, I'M SORRY TO SAY BUT THIS IS JUST A CONQUEST…"

2…

…2.99999 KENSHIN GETS A HAND ON THE BOTTOM ROPE!

"…A PINFALL CONQ—NO! NOT HAPPENING AT ALL! ZEKE HAD IT, BUT HE GOT SO EXCITED, HE DIDN'T KNOW HOW CLOSE KENSHIN WAS TO THE ROPES!" Matthew proclaims as Zeke himself realizes what just happened and pulls Kenshin away to cover again: 1…2…

…kick-out at a near-fall! He covers once more: 1…2…

…KICK-OUT once again and Zeke starts slapping the mat repeatedly, screaming out loud while clutching his head. "And it all finally gets to him, exposing that frustration in front of us all!"

"Can you blame him, Matt?! The poor lad put everything into that Last Shot and he got NOTHING out of it!" says Ross.

Zeke grabs the referee's shirt, pleading to him that it was a three-count, but Nikolas, while trying to remove his hands, breaks it to him that Kenshin stopped it at a near-fall. Knowing he was right, Zeke lets out a loud groan before turning to a stirring Kenshin…and his look instantly changes into an exasperated expression as he speeds at the former assassin with a fury of mounted fists into the temple! The referee counts 1…2…3…4…4.56 Zeke steps off to glare at the rebuking referee. Even though he was frustrated and angry, Zeke wasn't going to risk getting disqualified after many getaways. He turns back to Kenshin and gradually carries him to his feet, setting up for another Breathtaking Overdose, this time at the center of the ring…

…but Kenshin slips out and stumbles backwards into the ropes. So Zeke advances after him…and Kenshin uses the rebound momentum for a Ryūtsuisen!

No, Zeke dodges the Jumping Leg Lariat…and grabs him in a Full Nelson—Kenshin's arm escapes and ELBOWS his face in, literally sending spit flying out of his mouth! And while Zeke is stunned, Kenshin appears hurt as he used the bad arm instinctively and accidentally to avoid fate. Nonetheless, Kenshin grabs his arm and fake outs an Irish Whip to Drop Toe Hold him across the middle row rope. With this, he runs across the ring, bounces off the ropes…and returns for a Wanderer's Code (619)! Zeke is sent FLYING off the rope and hits the center as Kenshin lines him up from the apron, feeling confident this match is all his now once he gets part two of this finisher.

"The end is now officially near this time for Aries! If Kenshin can get this, he gets a second consecutive win over the young lion!" Matthew states.

"Come on, Zeke, shake the cobwebs off faster! Look where you're at now, kid!" Ross pleads.

As The A-List Superstar rises to a wobbling vertical base, Kenshin slightly appeared unsure after sustaining a lot of damage earlier and regaining a bit more from the Back Elbow…but he takes this risk as he performs a springboard from the top rope…

…and ZEKE SCORES WITH A DISCUS FOREARM STRAIGHT IN THE FACE OF KENSHIN HIMURA, THE IMPACT RESONATING AROUND THE ARENA!

"Soaring Sakabatō—OH, CRAP! THE FOREARM! THE SAKABATŌ FOREARM BY ZEKE ARIES AGAINST ITS OWN USER! ALL OF THE STAPLES CENTER HEARD THAT ONE LOUD AND CLEAR!" MatPat shouts.

"HAHAHAHAHA—DO YOU SENSE SWEET IRONY, MATPAT?! I SURE AS HELL DO!" Ross laughs. "I MEAN, YOU SEE THE AWAY SUDDENLY WENT LIMP AFTER EATING HIS OWN FOREARM SMASH?! THAT WAS UGLY! AND I LOVE IT, MAGGLE!"

Seeing Kenshin at a near state of catalepsy, Zeke rushes over to pick him back up…hooks under the arms…

…and delivers the Reality Check (Skull-Crushing Finale)!

"Reality Check for Kenshin! It's come to fruition!" Ross implies.

"Now the leg is hooked!" MatPat notes as the referee counts 1…

2…

"And I hate to say it, but this is JUST A VICTORY…"

…3!

"…A PINFALL VICTORY! Aries wins it! Zeke Aries takes home a CLEAN win, as much as nobody would like it!" MatPat says as the bell rings and "I Came to Play" by Downstait plays. The crowd boos at the result, though not as loudly due to the way Zeke won…as much as they hate it.

"Here is your winner…Zeke Aries!" says Mike "The Mic" Martin.

"YOU'RE DAMN RIGHT, MAGGLE! Your righteous winner stands tall over the battered old dog in the form of Kenshin Himura!" Ross says.

"Well, I will admit that Zeke took us all by surprise over that clean pinfall. As conceited and hotheaded as he can be, Zeke knew to keep his focus on his opponent and when to capitalize," MatPat states. "When Kenshin nursed his arm, it's when Zeke realized where he was at, got the Dropkick right in Kenshin's face and finished him off with a Reality Check."

"And let's not forget to add how big of a victory this is for the boy, Matt. With how he performed, this kid is CERTAINLY gonna go places," Ross smirks. "And look at that face—the kid is just as SHOCKED as us! Nourish your win, Zeke! You deserve it!"

Zeke, mouth agape and all from his stunned expression, raises his fists up high and grows an ecstatic grin on his face, ensuing with his post-match celebration. His hands are still raised with referee Nikolas Alba's aid as he signals him as the pure winner of this contest. Zeke climbs to the middle rope in a corner, pointing at every single attendance member and stating, "I TOLD YOU! I freaking TOLD YOU—NICE GUYS FINISH LAST!" As he raises fists to a bigger amount of boos, Kenshin is seen in the middle of the ring with Alba checking up on him as his eyes are clearly vacant from the Sakabatō Forearm and the Reality Check that ended him.

"While we're still giving credit where it is due, we can't forget about Kenshin for putting up a fight and giving Zeke what for to input respect into him," MatPat acknowledges.

"As much as that's true, the fact remains that history is always written by the winners…and that winner who writes history tonight is the A-List Superstar himself, Zeke Aries," Ross says.

Eventually, Zeke draws closer over to the referee and Kenshin, the former quick to tell him to stay back and Zeke simply holds his hands up in defense…before raising them up high to shout, "You're looking at the one, the only…AAAAAWWEEESSSSSOMMMMMEEEE PRO WRESTLER IN THIS COMPANY, BAY-BAY!" Then he takes one last look at Kenshin…and sneers before apparently scraping the ground, a gesture of "eat my dust" from Zeke as he begins leaving the ring to continue his celebration up the ramps and into the curtains. (MatPat: Just when he can't get any worse… ; Ross: Don't judge. He deserves that right after this long, hard fought victory.) Once Zeke was gone completely, the referee tries to help Kenshin stand on his feet, but he soon tells him he'll take care of it from here now that he's regained his senses. As he begins leaving the ring, a few audience members started clapping for him out of respect for his efforts tonight.

"Well, with that out of the way, there's one more piece of action to come on the Kickstart Show as Alpha & Omega and The Naughty Dogs face each other with the ACW World Tag Team Championship on the line," MatPat proclaims as a match graphic features stills of Alpha & Omega with their belts on the left side and The Naughty Dogs grinning on the other and "ACW WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP" is read below them in Summer Wars font. "But first, let's go backstage where Robin Scherbatsky is standing by with a special guest for her interview. Take it away, Ms. Scherbatsky."


Backstage, Robin Scherbatsky is found standing near an HDTV setup, the ACW logo hanging behind her and in front of a dark blue curtain with a microphone in her hand and a smile on her face as she's donned a fancy white dress with red lipstick to blend with one of the Big Five pay-per-views.

She utters, "Thanks, MatPat, and may I first say to you and Ross, welcome to the team! Look forward to working with you guys more in the future. Secondly, after the action we've just witnessed between Kenshin and Zeke, we can all definitely look forward to the World Tag Title scene. And speaking of championship matches, please welcome my guest at this time…Beowulf."

Robin and the camera turn their direction to The Beast of Geats himself, who walked in onscreen to an acclaimed reception from the fans.

"Beowulf, tonight in the main event of Summer Wars itself, you will clash with Naruto Uzumaki for the ACW World Championship due to the fact you used your rights as King of Blood to challenge him for the belt. Now, about two weeks ago, you two had separate Pick Your Poison Matches and in the post-match of Ignition VII's main event, you tackled Naruto with a Spear after he goaded you to show he wasn't afraid…and at the end, he actually got up. What are your thoughts on that event and what are you doing to prepare for what could be the most grueling contest of your career?" Robin inquires, soon raising the mic up to Beowulf.

"Well, if I must say, Robin…Naruto appears to be tougher than I anticipated," Beowulf replies. "The fact he actually wanted me to Spear him right where he stood just to prove himself right perplexed me…and amused me. I don't think that's ever happened before nor did I expect that sort of thing to happen so soon. Ah, it's come and gone, as they say. As for my preparations…I've been prepared the moment I won King of Blood. I knew there'd be a day Naruto and I would clash once more in close quarters within that is the ring. I believe—no…I know this match will be much greater than our inaugural encounter on the first Friday of May. Because throughout that time since, we've trained for this day…and now that we're here…Naruto will give every amount of blood, sweat and tears into our battle tonight as I do the same. By the end of it all, you will witness the King of Blood, the Beast of Geats stand tall…with another victory that brings me at 11-0…and the ACW World Championship to boot as I will reign KING in the modern era."

Beowulf, smirk plastered on his face, turns and walks away from the interview zone, apparently ending it here before the fade to black.

[Commercial Break]


Opening from pitch blackness, a drum machine rhythm followed by a processed guitar riff is heard, and the only colors are seen are grim black and white as we gradually zoom in through a dark hall…then we black out and fade in over a wooden table…and on that table were the following instruments introduced to a piano synthesizer: a cattle prod…a blood-coated barbwire…a leather whip…a bamboo stick with a blood-stained nail plate right next to it…a wet towel from waterboarding…jumper cables…a thumbscrew…and next to the table, a Spanish Donkey…

…and "In the Air Tonight" by Phil Collins is recognized to be playing throughout all of this once the lyrics arrive.

[I can feel it coming in the air tonight…

Oh, Lord…]

As we draw away from the torture instruments…we hear screams.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUUUUUUUUUUUUGGGHHHH!"

Bloodcurdling screams.

[And I've been waiting for this moment for all my life…

Oh, Lord…]

The sounds of agony heard echoing throughout the darkness…and a shot of a man's hands twitching violently while strapped by leather around the forearm.

[Can you feel it coming in the air tonight…?

Oh, Lord…oh, Lord…]

Blackness once more as the song fades out…and then…the man's face is seen, yet a quarter of it from the top left is shadowed as he's cries in misery and blood is seen flowing over his cheek…because his eye was being GOUGED OUT…

…by Yami Bakura with his BARE HANDS. The sinister entity puts the roughly extracted eyeball away, placing it on a silver platter held by Marik Ishtar. The advocate of Bakura sets aside the platter at the table full of the torture devices introduced earlier. And it's revealed that the man has been strapped to a chair this whole time in his torture by The Gods of Darkness. As well, a woman who's been gagged with a cloth wrapped around her head, stripped to her underwear, tied against the wall, and covered in the man's blood, as she watched on in horror.

"P-Please…" the man uttered, tears and blood flowing down his respective cheeks. "Let me go… Let my wife and I go—we've suffered enough…enough to earn your forgiveness…!"

Bakura looked to him with a raised left brow, replying, "'Forgive you'? …But we already have done that."

The man can only look at the spirit of Thief King Bakura and stuttered, "W…W-What…?! T-Then why are we still here…?!"

"Simple…there is still much to do with you…and your wife. You are still here…because you've yet to be cleansed of your sins. So many…unforgivable sins…" Bakura sneers, now holding onto the man's head and leaning it back. "And the only way to help you…is to make you see NOTHING…nothing but the beauty of pitch blackness… And that—THAT…is when you truly know when to guide yourself into paradise. Guide yourself…to FOLLOW…THE SHADOWS."

Now we see from the man's first-person view as Bakura holds up an evisceration spoon and brings it closer to the only eye the man has left, the last visual we'll ever see is The G.o.D.'s psychotic expressions before we transfer into darkness and hear nothing but Bakura's vile cackle and the man's bloodcurdling screams as "In the Air Tonight" resumes playing during then…

[The hurt doesn't show…

But the pain still grows…

It's no stranger to YOU and ME…!]

The iconic drum solo breaks down as we get a rhythmic flash of one word from various angles, soon stopping to read…

UNFORGIVEN

[And I can feel it coming in the air tonight…

Oh, Lord…]

"Ignition presents: ACW Unforgiven! LIVE September 22nd, from the Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah at 8E/5P, only on pay-per-view…"


Returning from the break, the arena is found to be almost completely filled at a near three-quarters…and they were almost dead silent after seeing that promotion to Unforgiven. And so were the gaping commentators we turn to at ringside.

"…Uh…s…s-so…that was the, um…official commercial for ACW's upcoming pay-per-view next month titled 'Unforgiven', the name rights lawfully bought from the WWE brand as they have not used that name since 2008," MatPat says, trying to get his mind off that disturbing advertisement. "ACW Unforgiven is our sixth pay-per-view of this fictional year…an Ignition-exclusive pay-per-view, mind you, as RAMPAGE will have its own pay-per-view event the following month. …Ross, anything to add? …Ross?"

"Just tell me it's over! Just tell me the disturbing torture porn is over!" Ross yells off-screen, hiding under the table.

"…Yes, it's over," Matt sighs, Ross promptly sitting up at his chair.

"That ALONE was a 'WTF Moment' episode right there…" Ross shudders.

"I know, Ross. I know. This is just something we'll have to be strong and get through," MatPat assures. "…oh, god, what did we even sign up for…?"

The camera shifts to the stage…and "Crash" by Decyfer Down this the loud speakers to a startled reaction, but later positive for the upcoming World Tag Team Title match.

[Feel the pressure, let it go…

Feel the pressure, let it GOOOOOOOOO!]

("Crash" by Decyfer Down plays)

"And to help us move on, it's time for the Kickstart's main event—the World Tag Team Championship bout!" MatPat calls.

The stage EXPLODES with orange pyrotechnics like a bomb as Crash Bandicoot spins out from the Gorilla Position before jumping high in the air, still in an Orange Twister…and lands right on his feet at ramp for the lyrics to continue and looks up at the ring with a wide, crazed grin. And it's then Nathan Drake joins his side from the top of the DigiTron after swinging down from a rope like the adventurer he is. Both video game characters look to each other and bump fists à la Gallows and Anderson as they start marching down the ramp, passing a few hand slaps to the fans on their way to the ring.

[You try to buy some time

Can't read the signs or the reasons why…

Every single time, like you're driving blind!

Can't make up my mind!

I know I'm gonna find my way ooooouuuuut!

CRASH!

You're going down, without a sound!

Then I'll pass you up…

Before I EXPLODE!

Breaking in two, I'll see it through!

You won't keep me down…

When I crash through yooooouuuuu!]

"The following contest is an inter-brand tag team match scheduled for one fall (crowd: ONE FALL!) and it is for the ACW World Tag Team Championships!" Mike announces. "Introducing first: representing Ignition, at a combined weight of 433 pounds…the team of Nathan Drake and Crash Bandicoot, THE NAUGHTY DOOOGS!"

"…I PUSH MY FINGERS INTO MY EYES!" Ross sings, literally doing what the lyrics read.

"Oh, stop it, Ross, they won fair and square to get here," says MatPat.

"NO, don't you correct me, dirty mark. What happened at Tag Team Mayhem was nothing short of TRAGEDY. The blackest day for the Blake Bros. 2.0 when they lost to THIS pathetic excuse of a tag team—no, correction, THEY WERE NOT EVEN A TAG TEAM TO BEGIN WITH," Ross retorts. "What happened then and what we are seeing now is INJUSTICE. It's clear the babyface-bias reeks DEEP, yet unseen within this company, especially in the owners…specifically that Alvarez bastard…"

"Yes, ACW was previously known for its controversial bias in its first two months and while the issues tend to linger on, the company has seen phenomenal progress since its debut," MatPat states. "Like it or not, The Naughty Dogs got three straight victories over Gods of Darkness (due to Komuro and Hirano), The Wolves and the Blake Bros. 2.0 in the tourney to get to where they are as the current number one contenders for our ACW World Tag Team Championship. The Dogs could still use some work, but who's to say they might surprise us."

Nathan and Crash stand up on the middle row at their respective corners, the latter shouting "WHOA!" at the top of his lungs and the former scouting the arena Christian-style before they step down and repeat their actions at opposite corners. They soon come together near the ropes, waiting for the champions to come next as "Crash" dies…

…and the lights turn into almost pitch blackness. All the audience can hear is the sounds of water washing over the sand and winds blowing through the leaves…lasting for twenty seconds until an enigmatic sound effect rises up in volume…which brings cue to…

("Alpha & Omega" by Stratovarius plays)

A large spotlight shines down on the stage to reveal the arrival of Carter Young and Stan Terra rising underneath and posing Chris Masters-style. For the remainder of the intro, they kept their poses up to where they soon stood to their feet with their heads lowered and the light flashes on the Alpha in navy color and then on the Omega in crimson color…on cue for the lyrics to follow, navy and crimson lights surrounding the arena and raised right fists to set off navy and crimson pyro to explode from the top of the DigiTron.

[I am the earth and sky!

I am the low and high…!

I am the snowflake in the winter evening…!

I am the birth and death!

I am your final breath…!

I am the one that gave you life and freedom!

Choosing your own waaaaay!]

"And their opponents: representing RAMPAGE, from Orlando, Florida, at a combined weight of 440 pounds, they are the current, reigning and defending ACW World Tag Team Champions…Carter Young and Stan Terra, ALPHA & OMEGA!" Mike announces.

Carter and Stan are revealed to wear their respective colored masks with their own symbol and the World Tag Titles around their waists…and they proclaim in unison, "We are the BEGINNING…and the END of time! The BIRTH and DEATH of LIFE! HAIL ALPHA & OMEGA! ALL HAIL…THE TRUE TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS OF THE WORLD!" before marching down the ramps.

"Hear, hear, lads! Hear, hear!" Ross cheers.

"The second World Tag Team Champions have had quite a month for themselves," the Game Theorist implies. "First RAMPAGE episode after Rebellion since winning the titles, they retained against THE FREAKING SYMBIOTES out of all first challengers. Though, of course, it was Atem who helped them retain after his run-in considering his ongoing feud with Venom and Carnage after their actions against Yugi Mutou. However, Carter and Stan made up for this when they had to defend their titles once again at our first-ever live broadcasted event, Tag Team Mayhem, against a tag team from another promotion…and that team was The Digital Dragons, representing Ultimate Wrestling Entertainment, and they did not disappoint as they put up a FIGHT. For a third time this month, they put their titles on the line against The Naughty Dogs, who seek to dethrone their reign at a young state."

"Ha! They can keep trying if they like. It's not going to matter because the inevitable is this: Alpha & Omega put on a great match while making their opponents look good, then put their opponents down—or in this case, put the Dogs to sleep—and walk away STILL your World Tag Team Champions," Ross indicates.

"That's your point of view, Ross. I can only look forward what will be a GREAT match between The Naughty Dogs and Alpha & Omega, all for the very crown jewel of our critically acclaimed tag team division," MatPat says.

Reaching the ring, Carter stands on the apron and climbs to the turnbuckle as Stan enters via steel steps. Their position bear a resemblance from Ted DiBiase Jr. and Cody Rhodes's team entrance as Carter and Stan remove their masks, then raise their right fists once more as they call out with pride, "All hail…THE REVOLUTION!" Then, they turn their attention on the Naughty Dogs…and Terra completely scoffs at them, unable to take them seriously as competition, yet Carter's expression tells he anticipates their demise.

As Carter hops down, "Alpha & Omega" fades out and both teams meet at the center while Ignition referee John Benoit tries to ensure their distance to prevent anything irrational. John asks for the belts and both Carter and Stan first remove them to raise them high in the air, proclaiming their status as the top guys of this entire organization. Then, they soon hand them over to the British official and he raises both titles high up, reminding the audience what this match is all about: the ACW Tag Team Championships of the World.

"Matches tend to happen out of good sport, personal issues, and so on…but there's nothing more important for matches than when a title belt is on the line and the stakes are high," MatPat speaks.

"Can't argue with that," Ross nods.

While Benoit hands the belts over to the ringside crew, Alpha & Omega and The Naughty Dogs convene in separate corners. Carter elects to kick off the match for his team as Crash does the same for the Dogs, and the bell sounds after the referee takes note that they were ready to go.

"The bell rings and Alpha & Omega's third title defense is official!" MatPat calls.

The mutated bandicoot and Rookie Revolution member circle around the ring and collide with a vintage collar-and-elbow tie-up. Crash shifts that from an arm wrench into a hammerlock, which Carter quickly hooks his free arm around the rope for a break. The referee counts 1…2…3…Crash lets go at 3.8, but Carter capitalizes with a Side Headlock…though, Crash bounces off the ropes with him in to just to push him off. Carter rebounds and BLASTS the N. Sane Bandicoot out of his shoes with a devastating Shoulder Block that causes him to flip back onto his stomach! The Alpha seems to smirk at his work before hitting the ropes again…leaps over a prone Crash…hits the ropes once more…ducks under a leapfrogging Bandicoot…and catches him from behind with a vast German Suplex!

No! Crash lands fine on his feet! So Carter turns around…performs a surprisingly agile leapfrog over Crash, who bounces off the ropes…as Carter rolls onto his back and BOOSTS Crash with his feet HIGH up in the air (Crash: WHOA!) and he lands HARD on his back!

"Ho-ho, HOLY COW! Did you see the way Crash just flew up in the air?! The HANG TIME Crash got was phenomenal!" Matthew exclaims.

"Guess he couldn't get to land on his feet a second time in a row here, now did he?" Ross sneers. "Carter's barely even getting started and he's just showed why he's future megastar athlete in this business alongside Stan Terra above any wank pheasant that stands in their way."

Crash shot to his feet after the impact sent in his spine, nursing that very area before Carter catches him with an O'Connor Roll: 1…2…2.38 Crash kicks out. Now Carter with the Clothesline, but Crash ducks it…hits the ropes, makes the baseball slide through his legs…and spins out into an Orange Twister! Carter staggers to his knees, nearly stunned from the Discus Clothesline as Crash hits the ropes…and drives his head down with a Leg Drop Bulldog! Crash turns him over for the pin: 1…2…

…2.48 Carter pops the shoulder up!

"Cover here by Crash to gain the titles and a kick-out at two-and-a-half," MatPat comments. "Man, Crash gave payback BIG TIME off that Clothesline and then the Famouser, only just to earn a near-fall."

"It's going to take a lot more than that to end their title reign this early on, Matty-boy," Ross says.

After that kick-out, Crash works on his opponent, starting with Irish Whipping Carter into an empty corner and Clotheslining him promptly afterwards…and follows it with a Running Bulldog. Then he rushes over back to the same corner to ascend the top turnbuckle. However, as Carter began standing up, Stan provides the distraction, getting Crash's attention and even the official's as John tells him to back off. This proved long enough for Carter to recoup as Crash jumps off with a Diving Crossbody…and strikes him midair in the abdomen with a Standing Dropkick! (MatPat: Ohhh, wow, what a counter! The champions have the one-half of the challengers down thanks Stan's distraction! ; Ross: Bless your sexual wank pheasant soul, Mr. Terra. Your former king approves.) The 3-time NCW World Heavyweight Champion has a rough time coughing after taking that Dropkick as Carter applies a Reverse Chinlock at the center. Carter roughens up the hold just to input more difficulty for Crash to breathe.

"Here we have the pace slowing down for Alpha & Omega and that's very important for them, especially Carter, to maintain in this contest. Trying to keep the speed of Crash Bandicoot to a minimum and as far away from Nathan as possible to prevent momentum rising up on their side," MatPat notes.

"Yes, indeedy, Matty-boy. This is wrestling tag team 101 and Carter's learned well to keep all the momentum on the champions' side and their side alone," Ross adds. "If the boys weren't smart to know that, they'd be screwed within seconds. Hell, they probably wouldn't be Tag Team Champions to begin with!"

Carter, with his constant switching of arms to apply the Chinlock and biceps pounding Crash's face from side to side, makes it difficult for the former PlayStation mascot to breathe. When appeared to be unmoving, the referee lifts Crash's right arm to drop it thereafter…and it remains in the air, Crash showing he's still alive by his shaking fist. He begins moving all around, slowly turning 180 with Chris in tow…and now just reaching out his hand in a tag-out attempt to Nathan, who extends his arm as far as possible to help his friend. However, Carter sees how close Crash is at his goal…so he effortlessly grabs him by the fur with just one hand as Crash's arms now desperately try reaching his fellow Naughty Dog character…

…until Carter WHIPS Crash back, SMASHING his head into the canvas! Crash rolls through off the impact in a daze…and so Carter sticks his in-between his legs, rolls him up to his shoulders in an Elevated Prawn Hold…and DRIVES his lower spine onto his knee with a Powerbomb!

"Carter with the quickness—look at that Powerbomb!" MatPat exclaims.

"Owwwww," Ross howls. "Talk about spine on the pine, as my favorite commentator, J.R., would say. That flow was extremely BEAUTIFUL!"

"Carter recognized his in-ring position with how close Crash came to tagging out, but he apparently mocked that effort in simply holding Crash back by HIS OWN FUR with a singular hand," MatPat explains. "It was then that he whipped him straight down to the canvas and Carter rolled his opponent through into a brutal Powerbomb onto the knee."

"Five minutes in and these lovely handsome bastards are in complete control. Guess all we can do is enjoy this slow execution of Alpha & Omega putting old dogs down as they promised," Ross smirks, resting his hands behind his head.

Crash retreats into an empty corner, sitting against the turnbuckles in near agony. Carter towers after him, brings him up to his feet…and Hammer Throws him into the opposite corner, Crash sent FLYING back-first against the turnbuckles and letting out a cry of pain! Young smirks in a seemingly sadistic manner, enjoying the sight of Crash's misery as Nathan urges his partner to keep fighting and roots him on. As Crash notices he's close to Drake and tries for another tag, the Alpha watches on…and lies beside his opponent to imitate him in a mocking manner, which Stan and Ross gets a laugh out of…before Carter sprung to his feet to whack Nate with a forearm! (MatPat: Cheap shot sent and delivered in the form of a forearm by Young. ; Ross: It ain't cheap if they're asking for it. ; MatPat: You are terrible at excuses. ; Ross: I'm a color commentator—WHAT DID YOU EXPECT?) As Nate tries getting in and is being held back by the official, Carter starts stomping away at Crash, using the ropes as leverage to later choke Crash with a right foot against his throat before John Benoit had to count only up to 4. Carter backs off…

…only to use the ropes as leverage again for a Rope-aided Knee Drop into Crash's face. He picks him up again to deliver another Hammer Throw, this one looking more brutal than before with the way Crash almost literally went head over heels. The Alpha walks after him with an echoing knife edge chop across the chest (Ross: OWWWW!) and proceeds carrying him up the top turnbuckle. After nailing a European Uppercut, Carter starts climbing and sets Crash up for the Superplex. It's then at this point, Crash started being resilient, his slow punches to the ribs and kidneys rising up into a fast pace. Carter would begin to lose his grip as Crash now hammers his forearm clubs over his back…just before Carter pushes them off and HEADBUTTS the mutated bandicoot…

…and falls far back from the impact, almost completely knocked the "F" out!

"…WTF?!" Ross exclaims. "Is Crash's head made out of bricks or something?! What just happened?!"

"Exactly what you just saw, Ross. Carter struck a headbutt on Crash. And he just fell off…so yeah, I say Crash's head is possibly made out of bricks," MatPat blinks. "But hey, that's JUST a theory…A WRESTLING—"

"THIS IS NOT THE TIME TO DO YOUR STUPID BLOODY REFERENCES, YOU DAMN WANKER!" Ross snaps.

"Well, I never. HMPH," Matthew huffs.

Crash lies back after "taking" that headbutt, very thankful he's literally this thickskulled to have Carter knock himself out. Flabbergasted, Stan rushes over with a leaping Clothesline…

…and he receives a headbutt from Crash for his troubles, tumbling all the way down to the floor!

"Stan Terra tried avenging his partner, but Crash this time nails a headbutt of his own, knocking him the 'F' out like in Friday!" Matthew calls.

"You suck at pop culture references. Other than that, the bigger trouble is Alpha & Omega losing control! All because of Crash's thick skull! Damn you, Dr. Cortex!" Ross curses.

Seeing Carter rising up on a vertical base, Crash shakes off the cobwebs and crouches on the turnbuckle…and shouts "WHOA!" on the way down to strike the champion with a Diving Front Dropkick! With Carter down and out for the moment, Crash sees his friend begging for a tag-in and he takes a leap to finally help his team earn momentum…

…but Stan Terra, somehow on his feet after the headbutt and nasty tumble, whips Drake off the apron at the last second and his face gets planted onto the padded floor!

"The reach is out for Nathan Drake and it was Stan Terra, headache and all, on the outside who took the tag-out away from Crash!" Matt states. "In a critical moment for the Naughty Dogs, Stan manages to upset them both in taking their chances of gaining momentum."

"They never deserved it to even begin with—the Dogs are nothing more than a mockery of what tag teams are about," Ross sneers. "They should've been kicked out from the very start of the #1 Contender's Tournament. Actually, they shouldn't have entered to BEGIN WITH."

Crash appeared quite heartbroken seeing nobody in his corner after Stan's interference until Carter brought him up on his feet…flips him onto his shoulders…and tosses him into A&O's corner with a Buckle Bomb! But he wasn't through yet, as he catches the stumbling Crash in another Elevated Prawn Hold, turns around…Stan tags in and ascends the turnbuckles…

…and the champions execute a Diving Leg Lariat (Terra) / Spinning Sitout Powerbomb (Young) combination! Stan catches the leg for the pin: 1…

2…

…2.7595 Crash manages a kick-out!

"Tag team combo lands it, Stan with the pin, for the titles here—and a kick-out from the 8-time Toon Hardcore Champion!" MatPat calls. "Alpha & Omega came that close to retaining their titles in just under ten minutes."

"What record time that could've been. Disappointing for the crowd, but retaining the belts against these jokes is what really matters," Ross utters. "So now that they're rightfully back in control, let's sit back and watch them make the Dogs their little bitches in a literal sense."

Stan makes a quick tag-out to his partner for both men to grab Crash's respective legs, the former on the left and Carter on the right…and with a nod, both rookie champions pull the legs with a Wishbone Split! Crash's eyes turn into wide saucers as he holds his groin in agony. After a stomp to the chest, Carter tags out to Stan, who reaches to the top turnbuckle while Carter hits a Pendulum Backbreaker on the mutated bandicoot. From there…Stan dives to hit a Double Stomp in the solar plexus! Stan makes the cover yet again: 1…

2…

…and a kick-out once more at 2.5. Now Stan stalks a crawling Crash around, taking his time tormenting him in keeping him at bay and occasionally stomping his head. Finding Crash at the center, Stan lets him get on all fours just so he can perform a Jumping Double Knee Drop right on his back…and then springs off the ropes with a Moonsault Double Knee Drop to the spine again, a different variation of Alexa Bliss' Insault to Injury! Another cover, hook of the leg…and Crash beats the count at two. Upon kick-out, Stan drags Crash to his feet…and seals in the Octopus Stretch—Fade to Extinction.

"Submission at the center of the ring, Stan Terra effortlessly locking in that Octopus Hold…and the more hotheaded member of the duo appears very cocky, as evidenced by his grin and mocking wave towards an irate Nathan Drake while torturing Crash's body," MatPat observes.

"I got nothing to add as I'm only witnessing great tag team dominance by the champions like every dirty mark and loyal bastard in this arena and all across the Multiverse," Ross says.

Despite Crash's current condition, Nathan keeps his support on as he stands on the bottom rope and claps his hands metrically…and the fans soon followed. Nathan is slapping the turnbuckle pad as hard as possible, wanting Crash to find the energy inside to muster up and fight back. Hearing all of this, Crash apparently remained robust against the Fade to Extinction submission and started turning around, seeing Drake right in front of him. He then proceed to take a few steps forward with Stan still on top of him and cranking the hold. Even though Crash's arm is as far as possible, all he needed to do was get closer for Nate to tag himself in…

…but Stan won't have none of it as he breaks the hold…

…and spikes Crash on top of his head via Inverted Frankensteiner! (MatPat: BIG Reverse Frankensteiner! Crash came close yet again to make the tag, but Stan prevented that from happening! All hopes of the Dogs getting momentum instantly on their side has quickly be removed—and now the pin!) John Benoit counts 1…

2…

…2.789 Crash pops his shoulder up! Nonetheless, Stan seems very content with how his team remain in the driver's seat as he then does a spinning facewash over Crash. As he sits up in reaction to the boot raking his face, Stan grabs Crash and carries him to his vertical stance…sets up a Back Suplex…

"The Omega going for the basic Belly-to-back Suplex…" says Matthew.

…and Crash pops himself up to fall on top of Terra in a Crossbody form!

"As Crash typically says: WHOA! CROSSBODY COUNTER off the Back Suplex lift! He keeps on top for the cover!"

"No, no—kick out of it, Stanley!" Ross urges as the referee counts: 1…

2…

…2.69 Stan powers out…and Irish Whips Crash to the ropes…which proved to be a rookie mistake as Crash springs off the ropes with a Dropkick to the face!

"You've made a GRAVE MISTAKE, Corey—oh, no, I mean Stan, YOU STUPID TWAT!" Ross yells.

"Grave mistake indeed, as Crash capitalized on Stan's mistake in letting him get a running start and made him pay for it with that Springboard Dropkick!" MatPat states. "This is what Alpha & Omega were trying to avoid and Stan really messed it up for them!"

Keeping the speed going, Crash hits two Flying Forearms and a Sitout Jawbreaker…followed by an N. Sane Leg Drop (Extreme Leg Drop)…and then bounces off the ropes to nail a Low-angle Dropkick to the face. Rolling out to the apron, the Orange Twister stands…and flings himself over with a Cyclone Spin (Slingshot Corkscrew Splash)! All this burst of energy has Crash PUMPED UP as he throws his hands up and shouts, "PANCAKES!" (Crowd: PANCAKES!) Meanwhile, Stan has rolled outside to catch a breather…

…but Crash takes advantage of his condition as he bounces off the ropes…

…and lands right on top of the Omega with a Somersault Suicide Plancha!

"Cleared the ropes, Crash did, as Stan Terra goes down from the soared and scored maneuver!" MatPat shouts. "And that's certainly 'WHOA!' worthy."

Now the Orange Twister pushes Stan back in the ring and springboards after him with a Super Belly Flop. Into the cover, hook of the leg: 1…

2…

…2.857 Stan powers out. Crash grabs him by the arm for an Irish Whip…but Stan comes back with a Handspring Enzuigiri…which Crash ducks…and misses the Somersault Leg Drop. Stan rolls to his feet, bouncing off the ropes while Carter blind tags himself in…and Stan purposely takes the Hurricanrana as Crash hooks the leg before John Benoit tells him he's not legal…

…and Crash realizes a bit as he EATS a massive Big Boot from the 6-foot-3 Carter Young! As Stan leaves the ring, Carter brings Crash up and lifts him on his shoulders in an Argentine Backbreaker Rack, stomping the floor to put pressure into the Torture Rack. Facing the hard camera, Carter grabs onto the inner thigh of the Daredevil Bandicoot…

…and spins him out—CRASH WITH A REVERSAL IN THE TORNADO DDT!

"AUGH! I push my fingers into my eyes! I push my fingers INTO MY EYES!" Ross screams. "I'm not liking what I'm seeing!"

"Well, the fans sure do, and what we saw was Crash still keeping himself alive with that Tornado DDT off whatever Carter had planned!" MatPat states.

"You didn't have to describe it to me, you bloody wanker!"

"I know. I wanted to."

"I'LL BITE YOUR F*CKING NOSE OFF."

Now having the best chance possible, Crash sees his partner ready for a tag-in…and despite Carter clinging onto the leg, Crash breaks free and TAGS IN HIS FELLOW NAUGHTY DOG! The Uncharted Thief goes for a highspot, soaring through the skies with a Diving Crossbody…

…but Carter rolls through and stands on his feet, showing off his natural strength in carrying Nate like a mere child!

"OH! Carter rolls through from the Crossbody and is just holding Nate like if he weighed NOTHING!" MatPat shouts.

"GOOD! END HIM NOW, CHAMP!" Ross cheers.

Carter pops Nate up on his shoulders as Stan comes inside for a run towards the ropes…

…and when he bounced off, Nathan slides off Carter's grip after a hard elbow to the jaw and shoves him into his own partner! Carter turns around to a kick to the midsection…have his head and arm hooked…and Nate gives him a vintage Vertical Suplex…

…only to roll through and land a second Rolling Suplex, earning a pop from the crowd!

"Viva la Raza—the Three Amigos succeed in homage to Latino Heat!" MatPat calls.

Nathan rolls through for a second time…and executes the final Amigo! Immediately, Drake exits the ring to climb to the top rope, lining up the shot from a good distance…but then Stan Terra runs in at attempts to knock the treasure hunter down. However, Nate is the quicker one to kick him down…and Crash helps him out by getting in front of Stan, grabbing him around the shoulder…

…and plants the Omega with an Aftershock off the apron straight down to the floor! With that distraction gone, Nate seeks a maneuver from the high-rent district…

…only to eat a NASTY Big Boot from the Alpha! Now Carter makes haste to stand at the same level as his opponent, hammering a series of fists into the temple. Getting his feet at the very top, Carter hooks the arm around his head, hangs onto Nathan's head…clutches onto his waist…

"The Alpha looking for something BIG here…" MatPat utters.

"And it's obvious what it is from the way it's being built…!" Ross adds.

…and Crash clubs the champion's lower back! And that cause brings an effect to where Carter's foot slips and he lands his groin RIGHT on the pad! (MatPat: Crash Bandicoot with the save! ; Ross: F*CK THAT BANDICOOT!) With this, Crash grabs his head from behind and drags him away in an Inverted Headlock position. Nate sees the position and Crash eagerly nodding, pleading his friend to go for the kill…and so he proceeds in crouching on the turnbuckle…

…and both Dogs execute Carter Young with a simultaneous N. Sane Wumpa Twist / Golden Abyss combo!

"GOLDEN WUMPA TWIST!" Matthew exclaims. "Heck, N. Sane Abyss works as well! They got all of that!"

"NO! NO! This isn't happening right now!" Ross panics as Nate covers: 1…

"Sorry to disappoint you, Ross," Matt replies, "but this is just a VICTORY…"

2…

…STAN TERRA STOPS THE PIN BY PULLING NATHAN OFF CARTER AND OUT OF THE RING!

"…A CHAMPIONSHIP VIC—TERRA! TERRA STOPS THE COUNT HIMSELF AT THE LAST SECOND AND HE TAKES NATHAN OUT WITH A SINGLE SHOVE FACE-FIRST INTO THE STEEL RING POST!" The Film Theorist yells.

"OH, BLESS YOU, TERRA! YOU ARE A TRUE LOYAL BASTARD!" Ross praises. "I came THAT close to pushing my fingers INTO MY EYES and gouging them out."

"That isn't something I, nor the fans watching this, needed to hear or visualize…" MatPat says.

"Then you should be grateful the Naughty Dogs didn't win it here," the Cultaholic replies.

Crash rolls out to deal with Stan, who ducks an Orange Twister…leaps onto the apron…and nails a Running Shoot Kick to the chest of Crash from his position! Stan grins at the sight of a downed Bandicoot and hops over the ropes into the ring to help Carter up. Seeing the situation of this match, Stan tells him an idea he has in mind…and Carter goes along with it by getting on all fours…

…as Stan hits the ropes…

"The Omega looking for something big after telling the Alpha what he had in mind…"

…steps on his friend's back…

…and CLEARS THE ROPES with a highly elevated Fosbury Flop onto Crash, Stan rolling through and shooting to his feet in the process, much to his surprise!

"…and there's a PHENOMENAL vault over the top rope, Stan Terra hits the Fosbury Flop with the aid of Carter Young to PERFECTION! Even making it at a vertical base—heck, he's more surprised out of all of us!" MatPat exclaims.

"Can we get a reply of that moment?" Ross requests. "I wanna see it in slow motion and get a good look at Stan's graceful agility."

Meanwhile in the ring, as "HOLY SHIT!" chants start rising up like SmackDown once through the arena from Terra's AMAZING Fosbury Flop, Nathan had already returned inside to trade forearms with Carter, ending with a European Uppercut from the former. Carter staggers as Nate hits the ropes…

…and the Alpha pops him high in the sky with a devastating European Uppercut that would do a certain Swiss Superman proud! Now Carter grabs Nathan tight by the head and carries him to his shoulders…just in time for Stan to roll back inside and run past the two for the ropes…

"Oh, this is not good for Nathanial…!" MatPat comments.

…and Alpha & Omega eradicate Nathan Drake with the Origin of Obliteration (Fireman's Carry Flapjack (Young) / Sick Kick to the opponent's head (Terra) combination)!

"BOOM! The Origin of Obliteration connects! Just one pinfall away from victory!" Ross shouts.

As Stan rolls away, Carter makes the cover: 1…

"And here I say that this is JUST a retention…"

2…

…2.9999999 CRASH BREAKS UP THE PIN OFF A SUPER BELLY FLOP ON TOP OF CARTER YOUNG!

"…A CHAMPIONSHIP RETENT—CRASH BANDICOOT! THE ORANGE TWISTER AT THE LAST SECOND MANAGE TO KEEP THIS MATCH ALIVE OFF THE SUPERFLY SPLASH DUBBED SUPER BELLY FLOP!" MatPat exclaims.

"THAT'S GOT MY BASTARD HEART PUMPING…AND I LOVE IT, MAGGLE, AS MY BESTIE, JBL, WOULD SAY!" Ross shouts. "BUT DAMN THE BANDICOOT FOR BUTTING IN!"

"THIS IS AWESOME! (clap, clap, clap-clap-clap) THIS IS AWESOME! (clap, clap, clap-clap-clap)" chants the now sellout crowd in the Staples Center as both Naughty Dogs and Alpha & Omega are all sprawled across the ring, unmoving from pure exhaustion. Crash has been holding up two fingers the whole time to signal the two-count only occurred thanks to his interference. The first two to move are Crash and Stan, both technically the illegal men as the challenger is punching away at the champion into the corner. He's blatantly ignored the referee's orders to leave the ring while nailing body shots and straight-up Toe Kicks to the midsection before jogging over to the opposite corner…

…steps off the bottom pad…

…runs straight after Stan and leaps for a Stinger Splash…

…which Stan avoids in the nick of time as Crash bumps face-first into the ring post! The Omega turns and lifts the N. Sane Bandicoot in a seated position the top turnbuckle and climbs to the same level as him. During then, Carter stands right behind his buddy, prepping for what they have in store for Crash. Stan nods to him and performs a Frankensteiner…

and Crash counters Carter's Powerbomb into a Frankensteiner of his own, bumping him into his own partner!

"GOOD GOLLY, MISS MOLLY, as Markiplier would say, as Crash escapes fate in 'N. SANE' fashion! Terra performed the Frankensteiner well on Crash, but Crash pulled off a grand reversal in performing a Frankensteiner of his own!" MatPat clarifies.

"I PUSH MY FINGERS INTO MY EYES—out of CRINGE from this counter AND your dumb pun!" Ross shouts.

Crash waits for the champions to get to their feet in the corner…and then he Stinger Splashes both of them, squashing them against the 'buckles! Then Nate rushes in with a European Uppercut to Carter, sending the impact back to Stan. Both champs go down, but Stan gets back up and staggers to the ropes…

…and Crash blasts him out of the ring with a Cactus Clothesline! Meanwhile, Nathan holds Carter in an Inverted Headlock, seeking The Adventurer's Welcome as he lifts him off his feet…

…and Carter uses that lifting motion to carry himself over Nate and stands on his feet, now holding him in an Inverted Headlock!

"Good gravy, as Markiplier would say, what power and agility by Carter to get into that position!" MatPat gasps.

"And that's a good thing, as DDP would say!" Ross adds.

Carter drives a knee up into Drake's upper back and turns him over for an Alpha Driver…

…but pushes him away the moment he saw Crash springboarding inside…catches him midair…

…and SPIKES his head via Death Valley Driver! Afterwards, he picked up Crash and threw him out of the ring…

…and turns back to Nate leaping with Drake's Fortune! Carter rolls out of the ring to recover…but Nate won't let him have that moment to breathe as he bounces from the ropes of the opposite side to across the canvas…

…and flies into Carter with a Suicide Dive—Forearm Smash included to the temple! Nate soon pops to his feet and beats his chest with a passionate roar, showing how fired up he is with the crowd rallying behind him!

"Mr. Fortune Hunter putting it all on the line here at Summer Wars!" MatPat exclaims. "The World Tag Team Titles are up for grabs and Nate showed he's willing to do anything to win them off of Alpha & Omega!"

"And this is the part where I say to you folks watching that you should GRAB TWO OF EACH ANIMAL AND HEAD FOR THE BASTARD BORDER, BECAUSE WE'RE F*CKED!" Ross calls. "THE END IS NIGH. THE END IS NIGH. F*CKING RUN AWAY; THE END NIGH, NIGH."

Nathan grabs and pushes Carter back in the ring, rolling after him. He urges the fans to continue rallying him on and gestures Carter to come after him. He does so, getting his Clothesline caught and hooked into an Inverted Headlock by Nate as he goes for The Adventurer's Welcome…

until Stan Terra struck a Superkick to the jaw!

"Oh, a Superkick from the Omega, who tagged himself in when Drake wasn't looking!" MatPat states. "They pulled that off on purpose!"

"Dumb bastard got too caught up in the moment and now the champs are gonna make him pay for that!" Ross proclaims.

Staggering on his feet, Nate lets go of Carter and earns a Big Boot from him! Now he falls on one knee…and eats another Superkick from Stan! Now on both knees…Stan and Carter nod to each other…

…and they knock him down with a stereo Big Boot/Superkick combo! Nate lies flat on his back at the center while Carter stands tall over him and Stan grabs the treasure hunter's legs to throw back for Carter to stick his head in-between…

"What are they…?" MatPat asks.

…and Carter, all on his own, HAULS Nathan Drake high on his shoulders in an Electric Chair position!

"WHOA! Look at THAT!" MatPat gasps. "Someone's been eating their vegetables!"

"PRIME example of pure power at such a young age! Eat your heart out, Cesaro!" Ross shouts. "…Still love you, though!"

Carter stands in front of a near corner as Stan already hopped onto the top turnbuckle…stands tall above both Nate and Carter…

…grabs the former's head…

"We got the Alpha part, now for the Omega part…" MatPat says.

"FINISH HIM!" Ross urges à la Shao Khan.

…and he completes the Alpha & Omega, spiking Drake's head via Diamond Dust as Carter popped him over via Sitout Electric Chair Facebuster!

"BALLGAME, BOY!" Ross calls.

The audience give a mixed reaction as Stan turns over a motionless Nate and hooks the leg, referee John Benoit counting: 1…

"AND I HATE TO SAY IT AFTER THE EFFORT THE DOGS SHOWED, BUT THIS IS JUST A RETENTION…"

2…

Crash slides in the ring…

…BUT HE'S TOO LATE AS JOHN BENOIT COUNTS 3! The bell rings as "Alpha & Omega" booms from the loudspeakers!

"…A CHAMPIONSHIP RETENTION!" MatPat declares. "What a match!"

"HUZZAH! The champs win! Alpha & Omega preserve and it is as GLORIOUS as Bobby Roode!" Ross cheers.

"Here are your winners and still the ACW World Tag Team Champions: Carter Young and Stan Terra…ALPHA & OMEGA!" Mike announces.

Carter and Stan remain lying beside each other, sprawled out at the center and clasping hands together to raise them in victory. Carter soon rises to a seated position, taking back both titles from John Benoit and lies back down on his elbows to show his best friend the belts, proof that they are still the World Tag Team Champions. Stan smirks victoriously at the sight, takes his belt from Carter and the two fist bump before slowly standing up to continue their celebration.

"Phew…I am nearly all out of breath…" Matthew pants. "For the third time this month, Alpha & Omega are able to retain their titles in their own power against, who I can say, worthy adversaries that brought out the best in them. Looking back at the action, which was all over the freaking ring near the end, Nathan Drake had it cinched in if not for him getting caught up in the moment and Stan tagging himself in during so; Alpha & Omega used their two-on-one advantage to take him out with a Big Boot/Superkick combo and ending the match with their titular double-team finishing move."

"So close, Nate. SO bloody close…as always," Ross scoffs. "Even after winning the FWM Chimera Championship at the 2016 FWAs, you STILL couldn't get the job done here. Once a choker, always a choker."

"Come on, Ross, give credit where credit is due. As close as they came to winning, they showed what they can do as a tag team in the division," MatPat defends.

"Remember when I said that history is written by the winners? This implies here as well because history tonight is written once more by your ACW World Tag Team Champions," Ross replies.

"We can at least agree this was a grand championship match, even on a pre-show," says Matt.

"Oh, aye. Whether a pre-show or the main card, our wrestlers such as these in the ring prove they can put on fantastic bouts," nods Ross.

As Young and Terra are having their hands raised by referee John Benoit, Nathan is found sitting against the ring apron and being comforted by Crash, seemingly disappointed in himself for their loss tonight. The champs clink their belts and raise them high, Carter's expression revealing pride and Stan's revealing arrogance by his grin as they proceed shouting, "Hail Alpha! Hail Omega! ALL HAIL…THE REVOLUTION!"

…And Stan drapes his belt over his shoulder to hold up a Too Sweet sign to Carter, who raised a brow at him. Stan urges his friend to Too Sweet him this one time for fun…and after looking around, Carter decides "what the hell" and Too Sweets his friend, hoping a certain pair consisting of a Trainer and a Coordinator wouldn't mind.

"In any case, folks, you may not here at the Staples Center in Downtown L.A., but there is still time to get onto the FWM Network and sign up for the first time, not only earning a 30-day free trial, but to also witness the entire main card of Summer Wars that will air in just about a few minutes with a start time at 8E/5P!" MatPat notes. "It's also still available on pay-per-view, so I hope you've already ordered this bad boy for some hot action and more wars to come!"

"And if we're through with this shameless plug-in, I've been Ross Tweddell and you have been our loyal fans, dirty marks, sexual wank pheasants and so on," Ross says.

"And I've been Matthew Patrick aka MatPat here to say that this has been just a pre-show…a SUMMER WARS PRE-SHOW! Thanks for watching, and we'll be seeing you in just three weeks at AIW Uprising live on the FWM Network! We say goodbye from the Kickstart…and welcome to Summer Wars!" MatPat infers, giving his farewells. "Enjoy the main show!"

The final shot of the Summer Wars Kickstart features Alpha & Omega going up adjacent corners on the middle rope with their titles held high in both hands for the audience, declaring themselves the BEST tag team in the business, just like at Tag Team Mayhem, before we fade to black…

inside the arena because of it going dark. The only things seen are the flashing lights from various camera phones as everyone inside the Staples Center appear confused from this sudden "power outage"…

"Whoa, whoa, did we just go out?" MatPat queries.

"I doubt that as we can hear each other through these headsets…" Ross answers.

…until we hear the sounds of a flying helicopter and a radio conversation.

"…What in the world…?" MatPat utters.

The sounds go up to the ten-second mark where the proceeding song is heard…

("Controlled Chaos" by CFO$ plays)

…as smoke has been consuming the stage…

…and "HARDCORE FOUNDATION" was read on the DigiTron from the spotlight scanning over, igniting a shocked and worried reaction.

"…Oh, dear," Ross blinks. "We be f*cked now."

At the 26-second mark, the lights found three men on stage veiled up in black street clothing, hoods covering their heads and bandanas covering the lower half of their faces. Clearly, after the DigiTron revealed the name, these three are Mason Stone, Marcus King and Nolan Gates under all that clothing as they start menacingly walking down the ramp through the smoke. Meanwhile, Alpha & Omega were still in the ring holding their belts over their shoulders, Stan specifically clinging onto his. Reaching ringside, the Hardcore Trinity climb onto the apron and turn their backs on the champions, Mason splaying his fists out, Marcus raising a right fist and Nolan with a left fist, for a distorted vile laughter to be heard…

…as they then remove their masks and hoods…

…and when it was over, the Trinity turn back around, revealing a psychotic expression upon their faces with Mason grinning like a madman!

"I repeat: WE BE ROYALLY F*CKED NOW," Ross utters.

"The Trinity standing from the apron right across the Tag Champions in the ring… After seeing what they can do from last night's RAMPAGE, there's no telling what they have in store now that they're here…" MatPat gulps.

One by one, the Trinity entered the ring: Nolan hopping over, Marcus stepping over the top rope and Mason entering through as he stands in front of his group and glares down with the champions. "Controlled Chaos" soon faded after the lights turned back on…and everyone in the audience was left to wonder and worry what these unpredictable maniacs could do after their infamous actions to Shocking Bite. Despite the obvious three-on-two advantage, Alpha & Omega seemingly refuse to back away…

…and they hold their belts away to get ready for a fight as Mason raises two fingers, holding off a signal…

…and points to his thumb from behind as he orders, "Put the dogs to sleep."

"Wait, what?!" MatPat spouts.

Straightaway, King and Gates rush out of the ring to proceed a beat down on the Naughty Dogs who were actually trying to avoid conflict with them, but it seems that won't be the case! King is mercilessly stomping down on Nathan while Gates is beating with a wild fists on Crash, and as Stan attempted to leave, Mason holds up a wagging finger, suggesting that they should simply stay…and watch this preview of what's to come for Alpha & Omega in the near future.

"A demonstration—that's all this is! The Trinity are using the Naughty Dogs as a demonstration for when the clash with Alpha & Omega in the future for the Tag Titles!" MatPat utters.

"Oh, no, it's not when they clash for the titles. It's when they DESTROY Alpha & Omega for the titles!" Ross corrects. "Plus, public execution to the BASTARDS who deserved to be eliminated from the tournament in the FIRST ROUND."

Marcus brings Crash to his feet…only to hurl him seconds later violently into the LED board, causing it to temporarily glitch out! Nate gets put in an Octopus Hold by Gates, stuck at the ramps as Marcus returns with a boot to the midsection. As they continue their method of sending a message to the Tag Champs, said titleholders and Mason can only watch on, the latter explicitly grinning at the sight. Nate had tried fighting back, eventually able to kick Marcus away and elbow Nolan to mount him with fists…

…but the numbers proved too much and both men would drag Nathan over to the ring and force him inside, where he rolls at Mason's feet.

"Ohhh, that's not good—Nate, whatever you do, do not get up…!" MatPat urges.

"Too late, Matt!" Ross says.

Mason simply stood by and waited for Nathan to get to his feet…

…and the moment he did, Mason directly broke Nathan's face in with a sickening Dying Light (Codebreaker) à la Jericho to Omega!

"OH, GEEZ!" Matthew reacts. "Dying Light from a pouncing Dark Saint! And now he's pounding away at Nathan, no sign of remorse whatsoever!"

"Let's not forget how Drake is currently bleeding right now after taking the Dying Light!" Ross points out.

"Hang on, what—OH, GOD," Matt gasps, seeing the sight of blood flowing from Nate's forehead. "He's busted WIDE OPEN in front of this horrified crowd! Someone has to stop this!"

"There's nobody to stop this!" Ross shouts.

Punch after punch, fist after fist, Mason holds nothing back in his strikes while making sure Nathan's blood still leaks from his skull. Throughout all of this, Alpha & Omega left once Mason mounted Nathan with raining fists, but kept watch from the outside. Crash, groggy and all, tries entering the ring…but Marcus yanks him out like a rag doll and WHIPS him into the barricade! And when Crash couldn't do it…referee John Benoit tried pulling Mason away from Nathan…

…and he earns a right hook followed by another Dying Light!

"Another Dying Light, this time to our referee when he was trying to restrain Mason Stone!" MatPat yells.

"He damn well took his head off in the process!" Ross states.

Mason has his attention back on the Uncharted Hero, grabbing his head to bust him open more and more…and when he picked him up, Nathan bursts all out with a barrage of right hands! Blood loss be damned, Nathan isn't going down without a fight!

"But Nate will! He's gonna put a stop to—oh, Big Boot from King, blindsiding the Uncharted protagonist!" MatPat shouts. "The numbers game proving to be too much for Nate as the Trinity continue their hellacious assault!"

The Hardcore Trinity beat and stomp Nathan to a near-lifeless pulp, Marcus later taking Nate's arms and pinning them behind his back. Nolan talks trash to Nate and slaps him around…before nailing a Bicycle High Knee…

…and then Marcus shoves him towards Mason, who gives Drake a second Dying Light. The Uncharted Thief had fallen limp after taking that Facebreaker…and Marcus picks him up once more…just to hold him upside-down in a back-to-back position…

…and flips Nathan over his head via Inverted Alabama Slam, driving him down face-first to a third Dying Light!

"Third Dying Light in a ROW, busting Nate up even further!" Matt shouts.

Now the record-breaking 9-time UWE Galaxy Champion appears unconscious, lying flat on his back with his forehead completely coated with blood…

…which Mason gathers in the palm of his hand…

and smears it over his face with his tongue out, getting a taste of the crimson liquid.

"Oh—oh, God, oh…ugh…bleh…" MatPat gags, trying not to vomit. "Oh, I think I'm gonna be sick…"

"…Okay, that's gross," Ross utters.

The Trinity stand tall over their victim in their signature pose, all visibly satisfied with their work of carnage and having "YOU SICK FUCKS!" chants thrown at them. Not as lethal as last night, but they've got their point across…especially to the retreating World Tag Team Champions who have been slowly backpedaling away on the ramp towards the stage. "Controlled Chaos" plays as Mason hangs off the ropes, Marcus leans against it and Nolan drapes himself across the bottom rope, all three taunting and forewarning Alpha & Omega over their "inevitable doom."

"A statement has been made by the Hardcore Trinity towards the champions, who were left unscathed…for now," Matt states.

"If that's the preview of what they can do to the champions, then I hate to see the full experience Alpha & Omega will endure," Ross emits.

"I agree to that," MatPat nods. "Again, folks, I've been MatPat with Ross Tweddell as we are officially signing off from this Kickstart to Summer Wars. Thanks for watching and we hope you enjoy the rest of the show…despite what we just saw."

The REAL final shot of the Kickstart to Summer Wars has a valiant Stan Terra talking trash while holding his title up in the air and Carter looking on as the Hardcore Trinity themselves remain in their spots, still grinning like madmen before we OFFICIALLY fade to black…


That's a pre-show for ya. XD I hope you've enjoyed this…because there's a whole lot more where that came from. ;P I'm not even CLOSE to being finished as I still got an entire Summer Wars card to go! Thanks for reading, people; now I hope you enjoy the rest of the card once I update it all. }:D

Be sure to leave a review by the time you're done reading, whether it's praise, constructive criticism, advice, and so on—just as long as they're not meaningless trolls or flames. Reviews are much appreciated and make me a happy, happy, happy author. X)

Until then, my awesome readers…LATER! :D