CyberDuoSlamo
Hardcore Tavern – Johnstown, PA
July 4th, 2020
Heart & Soul had been tossed from the highest of highs to the lowest of lows by the press. The promises of a grand new land of wrestling were shattered by outside events that only soured the once optimistic crowd. Whether it be of the pandemic griping the reality that promotion tried to call home, or the clear cut social divisions that turned fans against each other, Heart & Soul had been pinned in a corner.
That corner was the one piece of property they owned in the real world, their headquarters known as the Hardcore Tavern. The three story brick establishment sat in the rust belt city of Johnstown, PA. Its street front was cemented over and had faded to a very sandy cinnabar, its top floor windows had been uncleaned for decades. Its second floor was the Fiction Wrestling Multiverse residence of select members of Heart & Soul's staff, most notably Nausicaa. It's the ground floor that brings us to this odd location. The Heart & Soul staff always had some sort of bar to hang out going back to their NCW days, even though few actually drank the cheap alcohol served. They had acquired this building for their headquarters due to the cheap price tag. A look inside quickly told you way. The bar was a hodge-podge of antique wood that clashed with the 1890s and the 1970s. The mirrors behind the dark mahogany counter was kept free of smudges, but that just exasperated the areas of dust in all the corners. The dim bulbs above in their facile cup shades gave little light, that's where the large shop window looking out to the traffic coasting by came in handy.
But to save on power, the Heart & Soul crew only light about a third of the entire 1st floor. Beyond the aging bar is a empty space of finely aged plank flooring. Once used for dining during the building's prior history, Heart & Soul had no use for it until tonight. This 'dance floor' held up the ring. Some modifications had been undertaken, the creative eye is still tinkering with the color scheme. Now a grey canvas that has a purple border etched in along the perimeter. The buckles are now silver, the aprons were black with HSW outlined in purple, while the ropes have been wrapped in mauve tape. It's far side was pinned up to a short stage that once was the platform of local music acts some 30 years prior. The tight wooden performing stage was bordered with purple lights, all titantron images are being projected on the brick wall behind the stage (presently red). To the far right is a lone entry portal that tunnels into the background with bar lights fluctuating from red to purple. It was the furthest removed from the big Palestra in February. Its far from what anyone had planned when they took that trip over the threshold from their respective worlds to this multiverse. It was raw, intimate, cozy. With just a little under a 100 allowed in on a invitation only status, it wasn't a wild crowd like the previous to shows. Yet that may make tonight all the more healthier.
Gautier CyberMeds Pre-Show: Cass vs. Catra
The first half hour of the internet feed was one of fine tuning. Several audio corrections needed to be made before the show could go into the main card. In between promo packages explaining the paths all the tag teams had taken toward the upcoming tournament was a exhibition bout. Heart & Soul's biggest sponsor since June had been the newly formed Gautier CyberMeds. The company itself…is a bit difficult to explain. The most anyone has heard is they intend on making robotics in the medical field. That included full working androids to operate in rescue situations…if you happen to follow Hardcore Tavern over in the Fiction Wrestling Multiverse, you've seen this brought up. If your following us completely blind, don't fret, this is mainly a aesthetic detail to Heart & Soul. Anyways, through this partnership that's helping keep Heart & Soul afloat through these trying times, every pre-show will be branded and featured one match meant to show the technical capabilities of these androids the tech company label CyberAides.
The very first CyberAide to come online in Heart & Soul is Cass. She's clearly a work in progress with a very stilted, stoic persona. There's also the literal fact you can see Gautier have yet to full cover her mechanically inner workings around the neck line, and have just painted over with whatever matches the skin over her face. She was facing off against newcomer Catra, who was in her second outing in the ring. The match was more of a sparring contest than anything else. Cass is stiff and clunky, but able to knock Catra away every time she lunges forward. There was a charm to the match in the form of the advertising bumpers put up on the edge of the apron, with the website link for Gautier. Every bump caused the bumper to spill over the lip and to the floor, a ring crew member was forced to quickly put it back in place without obscuring the in-ring action. To be honest, that's the most a casual viewer will seemingly remember. Cass does pull an upset and eeks out the win, though Catra is none to pleased.
Armed Vanguards vs. NexGen- Tag Team Championship Quarter Finals
Kickoff officially! The centerpiece of CyberDuoSlamo were the quarter finals of a single elimination tournament to crown the very first Heart Of Wrestling World Tag Team Champions. The Armed Vanguards had debut for the company at Headlong, and were looking to blitzkrieg through the competition to wipe their loss away from memory. The two guns blazing war veterans were of equal towering height. The Khan Brothers weapon was not fists & firearms, it was the extra man. They had spent the past few weeks weighing the pros and cons of which combination could withstand the barrages of Mason & Woods. The cruiserweight that was Iggy was not the person one would consider putting up against two powerhouses. The hope was that he will run circle around the bulkier soldiers. If all else failed, Fazal would be a tag away from taking over.
Before either team does battle, Yaseen takes a few verbal jabs. Mason no-sells, Woods takes them with a good laugh. But a final parting word that may/may not have thrown some shade toward the Vietnam War managed to touch that nerve Yaseen was seeking. Woods was biting at the bit to begin, and charged headlong toward Iggy who ducks down in fear of the inevitable train about to run him over. Psyche! Woods just gives the crouching Iggy two pats on the shoulders before laughing his way back to the corner. The Armed Vanguards didn't initially take Iggy as much of a threat, and took turns in the opening moments seeing who could batter him the quickest. The catch being was you had to actually keep him grounded in one spot long enough to bridge him over into whatever suplex they had in mind. All that early chasing was smokes in mirrors, letting the veterans get a bit disjointed when Fazal was tagged in. The Khans plan was in full motion, as Fazal picked Woods out of his haze and crushed him into the mat with a Thrust Spinebuster.
Fazal manages to thrash Woods about the ring, and later Mason upon re-entry. The Vanguards soon catch on to the one thing Fazal lacks. Fazal sloths about, better at throwing rather than running. The legs are soon shot out from under him, but is spared complete annihilation from a Op 40 (Big Boot into Releasing German) by Yaseen jumping in to take the big boot for Fazal! Mason is none to pleased, snapping Yaseen soon after to complete the Op 40. But Fazal had gotten the tag he needed, the distraction was a success. A Black Hole Splash (Shooting Star Press) seemed to have put Woods down for the count. But it was Mason who was still legal, trying to tie up the fastest Khan into a crossface chickenwing. Iggy rebounded, propelling his feet from the ropes to off set the One Man Army's balance. Mason managed to kick out of the roll up pin, but it was a close call that appealed for a new battle plan.
Iggy was allowed to seemingly have all the shots on Mason for a little while, giving the Khans a sense their advancement was secured. Mason soon managed to get Woods tagged in, with Iggy once again running circles. Mason was watching like a hawk, while Woods was keeping lwo to the mat as Iggy bombarded him with flying kicks. Mason was counting the shots, where Iggy was strongest and weakest. The first sing of weakness, Woods ensured to grip his foe as tight as possible. Iggy could not break free from Wood's bear hug, Mason tagged in and dismantled the Khan's fastest brother into the Vorkuta Lock. Iggy squirmed, trying to reach for Fazal. Yaseen managed to take advantage of the ref not looking, yanking Woods away. Mason had no back-up, but Iggy's stamina had run thin. He taps just as he had crawled into the corner. The Nostalgia Critic called bull, pleading hysterically that Iggy was just reaching for the ropes. Bennett and the small crowd drowned out Critic's argument. The Armed Vanguards would head to fight in the semi-finals at Breakthru.
Seductive Dream & Millicent Breathnach vs. Sophisticated Beauty
The Auburn Beauty was riding high on the biggest achievement any woman had achieved in the company's miniscule history. Controversy be damned, the record books showed Selena Richardson had won the Suits & Wildcat Battle Royale, defeating 20 other woman to be the first to secure a spot in the prestigious Fatal Four Way at Innuendo. She'd spent the turmoil of I Want It All safe and sound at home, watching the competition in solitude. But things weren't as chipper for her partners in the Sophisticated Beauty. Sakura & Elena were still living with the bad after taste from loosing in the six woman tag that pitted them against their biggest rivals; Heart & Soul's flag bearers San & Nausicaa. Tonight all six would have a chance to get their trios record back on a even playing field.
Sophisticated Beauty was seeking personal redemption, while one of their opponents tonight was seeking redemption in the public eye. Millicent Breathnach had shown flares of infinitive strength in her first two Heart & Soul appearances. She was one of the final 2 in the battle royale, she had almost powered through a Three Way Dance. But both outings ended in defeat, 0-2 is what was tagged to the Emerald Amazon. She'd found some allies looking to break into Heart & Soul. Seductive Dream were no strangers to Johnstown as they had wrestled in the final years of Northern Carnage Wrestling. Ivory Gerdelman wasn't too enthused that name had carried over. Shayne Daniels wouldn't have it any other way. Both welcomed Millicent with open arms as they were going to need all the fire power they needed in order to face off against the Sophisticated Beauty.
The powerhouses start off the contest. Millicent and…Sakura? The pop idol would be the last person to look at to try and grapple with the towering Irish Lasse. Any amount of strength Sakura may have was always the last thing on her resume to gloat about. Nevertheless, she made Millicent's life difficult in the early going. Millicent was battered, but not lifted from her feet. The match would continually de-evolve into anarchy whenever non-legal combatants of Sophisticated Beauty tried tilting the scale in their favor. Ivory nearly flattens part of the audience with Elena & Selena one suicide dive followed by Shayne's variant of the Arabian Press!
Millicent & Seductive Dream are a colorful ad-hoc unit but lack the experience that the Sophisticated Beauty have in trios situations. Shayne grows increasingly vexed by the antics of Sakura & Elena continually finding ways to get cheap shots. Every hit-and-run kick and double suplex rolls out the red carpet to give the Auburn Beauty a nearly perfect run whenever she's up to bat. Selena won't even dare touch Shayne, awaiting for Sweet Diva to do the heavy lifting so she may roll her over for a pin by just the toe of her boot. Selena has no reverence for the crowd backed Seductive Dream & Emerald Amazon. Shayne has no tolerance for the Auburn Beauty's blatant disrespect, going as far to whip her around and slap her in the face when Selena about faced to try and tag one of her partners in.
Another 6 woman brawl breaks out in the midst of the contest. Referee Unno can do little to get things under control. The small by vocal crowd gathered at ringside cheer on Millicent & Seductive Dream as they manage to each individual mow down one of the Sophisticated Beauty with running big boots. But when it comes to trying a triple suplex, it's the more experienced trio that reverse and at last succeed in bringing the Emerald Amazon to the canvas. The oxygen fueling the fiery hearts of the ad-hoc trio had been spent. Millicent is booted to the floor by Sakura in insulting manner, as Selena made certain it was Shayne who was the legal person to be taken out by being Auburned. The Sophisticated Beauty had made it 1-1 with their Heart & Soul record, and a few more pumps to the ballooning confidence of Selena as Innuendo approaches on the horizon.
Selena's grin was zapped away, however, when Pyrrha Nikos walks out abruptly upon the stage. There was no pop & circumstance, only the cheers from the small crowd undermining the stuck-up trios celebration shifted Selena's focus. Pyrrha hopped over the ropes, moving with purpose in the ring. The pop idols don't wish to find out the intentions of the Invincible Girl and abandon ship. Selena is bewildered as to what Pyrrha would want with her, she looks ready to in fact confront the rolling tide. Sweet Diva don't care to find out what's going on, and are forced to yank their leader by the arms to get her out of harms way. The crowd sours, unapproving what seems to be a cowardly act.
Pyrrha had thus far been twice laid out by a hit & run in Heart & Soul's brief history. Twice was too many times for her, she needed answers. The only thing Pyrrha and the rest of the audience knew for certain was Selena had taken the coveted #21 slot in the battle royale in Pyrrha's absence. As Pyrrha put it to the Auburn Beauty, "If you're innocent, then why won't you prove it?". Sweet Diva continued to restrain Selena, the trio were now back up on the stage. Elena & Sakura were pulling with all their might to try and get Selena to head to the back. To the pop idols, Selena had no reason to break a sweat over someone out of contention for the championship fatal four way. The Auburn Beauty thought a bit differently, and could be heard repeatedly inquiring, "YOU REALLY WANT THIS!?"
"We All Need This!" Pyrrha declared, the crowd make a near complete echo. "We All Want Answers."
"I'll Give You A Answer, But You'll Regret It!" Selena shouted back. "I'm Going To Auburn Your Skull Just For The Pleasure Of It!"
"Then Try It!"
"Clearly It Doesn't Take Much! A Deranged Masked Peron Can Blindside Almost As Quickly As I Will!"
Pyrrha had next to no patience with Selena's slights. She wanted to get to the bottom of whoever was out to get her. If that meant cutting through someone who was already conniving on how to get her hands on the most prized thing in the company, then she had no qualms of acting. The Invincible Girl was ready to fight Selena right now. The Auburn Beauty, however, was to big of a star to bend her knee to what she saw as a peon. Selena just smirked before fluffing her hair Pyrrha's way, calmly heading to the back with Sakura & Elena in toe. Pyrrha wasn't going to get her answers tonight. But one graphic card later, and the audience was informed action would be taken in form of a match at Breakthru in August.
Sword & Shield (Raphtalia & Naofumi) vs. 27 Club- Tag Team Championship Quarter Finals
To explain how we got here is a bit confusing. Heart & Soul wouldn't want to admit it but they had yet to establish a male tag division large enough to fill even a 8-team tournament. While some ad-hoc teams could have been thrown together for the sake of the tournament, Heart & Soul wished to put only established teams forward. It should be noted as well that in promotional material of both the Heart & Heart Tag belts, no mention was made of gender specification. This led to management deciding to allow a mixed tag team to go for the championships.
Now this is where the confusion comes in. One would recall that Renton Thurson & Eureka had successfully won their very first Heart & Soul match back at Headlong. Therefore they were offered the final slot in the tournament. Renton….did not accept! Why? Something about it being a downgrade…how is a tag team title shot a downgrade? Anyone's guess as to what's going on in his mind. Eureka First is how is mind works, and it always seems to lead to Renton First. The only other mixed tag team with any experience was Naofumi & Raphtalia, who eagerly accepted the slot. They were given a chance to redeem themselves after their loss at Headlong.
They were facing off against a import from Rhapsody Wrestling. A tiny outfit running out of Southampton who were in a loose working relationship with Heart & Soul. Kaylie Kassiss was in fact the first of theirs to appear in Heart & Soul, but the tag team of Aidan Nicks & Eddie Cafferty were two thirds of their biggest draw. The 27 Club was helmed by a man known as Reggie Jaxx, whose brain was filled with so much hot air that its all that keeps him upright. Reggie was that hole in a wall's champion and journeyed over the Atlantic with the foundation of his trifecta in a bid to sway the tournament in their favor. Nicks & Cafferty's dark denim get up clashed visually with the white & brown of Raphtalia's attire and Naofumi's green and silver.
The 27 Club tried playing ever dirty trick in the book. There strength lay in distraction of illegal partners or the referee. Cafferty & Nicks weren't heavyweights, they did their best work with taking little bites out of their opponents stamina here and there. Raphtalia was the offensive powerhouse of her team, and took the most damage from the 27 Club's constant antics. Naofumi could make the save easily, but now found himself fighting a uphill battle. The Shield Hero could throw off everything tossed his way, but wasn't going to gain a inch of momentum in this contest without Raphtalia. The hopes for a hot tag are dashed when Nicks & Cafferty stop tugging on the Shield Hero's arms and instead cut down his knees. But Naofumi managed to lead Cafferty in flubbing up a big boot, hitting Nicks instead of Naofumi. Raphtalia managed to be tagged in and regain the momentum for her team. A quick tag back in for Naofumi, who managed to zap Nicks & Cafferty who were still reeling from the hiccup. The 27 Club go out swinging but fall to the Sword & Shield, who advance to the next round of matches at Breakthru.
On The Matter Of The Heart Championship
"A lot has been said about Heart & Soul. A lot has been said about I Want It All. A lot has been said about me." Nausicaa, the passive but passionate COO of the company, said to not just the small crowd in person but the wider audience watching from home. "Instead of allowing words to be minced, we're going to settler this particular matter right out here. I want this to be a place of honesty. So I'll be the first to say it. We got many problems going on in Heart & Soul. And one of our biggest issues seems to be fixed upon Adam Price. Lets not waste any more time than we have to, here's the Heart Of Wrestling Champion himself."
Clad in a sapphire suit outfit, The Top Bill made a calculated saunter out of the entry portal. The gold and jewel encrusted center plate of the Heart of Wrestling Championship popped even in the dingy light of the Tavern. The dark ruby strap that bound the gold together was tied snug around the waist of its inaugural holder. A pair of pitch black sunglasses obscures the eyes of Adam Price, which only clarifies how disconnected he's with his surroundings. Just as unattached he seemed for much of I Want It All. Nausicaa wanted to speak to the company's inaugural champion with equal footing. But very quickly the COO's straight-line view was only glimpsing the base of the pedestal Adam's ego had quickly built for himself.
"What Do You See When You See This Belt?" Adam inquired, unstrapping the article in question from his waist. He darts the center plate within a few inches of Nausicaa's eyes.
"I see the ultimate prize of Heart & Soul." Nausicaa replied, calmed yet confused where Adam was going.
"The ultimate prize? And you know why it's the ultimate prize?" Adam asked. "Its not because of the fools gold held by artificial gems some kid fished out of a farby sluice for you."
"The metals alone don't make that championship. Your wise enough to know that, Adam. It's the competition that one endures that legitimizes that championship." Nausicaa stated.
"Competition?...lets talk competition. It was a eight man tournament I was in, correct? A eight man tournament that became seven men, then back to eight. Real fair to me, by the way." Adam muttered with a sting. "I got ambushed by my old pal who must been in real need of a quick paycheck. I stomped him back in the mud he belongs in. Then, I bent every ligament of rookie nice guy Bow so quickly I made both he look like a fluke & made Renton look even more unskilled. Then we get to the finals, the only match that matters, and I defeated your ONE top name as clean as my teeth. That's Heart & Soul Competition?...not to mention I had to be ushered out of the ring because YOU somehow got this company entangled in every last beef of this year. Why? Marketing? Bad Press Sales? The ONLY Thing That Sales Is The Top Bill..ME!...Heart & Soul Doesn't Sell. This Championship? It Doesn't Sale. The Top Bill Sales! This Championship Is Only The Ultimate Prize Because I Wear It!" Adam stresses, lifting the belt up high above his head. His pose didn't rally, it revolted the select audience in the Tavern.
Nausicaa bit her lip tight from remarking, though her dilated pupils made it apparent Adam's remarks had stung. At last she found the words to pursue.
"Your issue is about competition, if i'm correct in saying?"
"My issue is a LACK of competition. There is not a single name on your roster that can be put on the marquee, let alone next to me!"
"You're partially right." Nausicaa replied, her answer perplexed not only the crowd but the champion as well. "Adam Price, you are The Top Bill. Which means you only face championship tier wrestlers such as yourself. Well, look no further than...him."
"Who?" Adam asked in honest confusion. An honesty that had only been extracted because of the grimace of regret that grew on the Princess of The Valley Of The Wind's face.
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
Adam's back was turned to the entry way. He was far more attentive to trying in vain to get the answer out of Nausicaa that he didn't see a blue jeaned fellow with a slightly grown in buzz cut pop out on stage. The yellow and black t-shirt with a weedwhacker imprint told all to the few in the dark on his identity. The man gave a tap to the champions shoulder to get hei attention….
…
...
…
…
…
Adam Turned To Unintentionally Lock The Malice Injected Blue Eyes Of Christopher House! The Psychotic Bastard Was The Last Person Adam Wanted Near Himself And His Championship. Like A Scaredy Cat, Adam Darted From The Ropes. He Quickly Found The One Bit Of Cover In Flat Squared Circle...that being Nausicaa, who he used as a barrier between himself and the laughing Chris.
"You Crazy! You're Letting That Demented Sicko Get Me! You Really Are The Worst Boss!" Adam shouted, from behind Nausicaa's Shoulder.
"Im Dealing With It, If You May Let Me Explain." She declared.
"Then Deal With It!" Adam shouted, sort of nudging Nausicaa toward Chris before beelining to the safety of the turnbuckles where he thinks hes going to observe a slaughter. Chris could sense the fear, trying to make a motion toward the Heart Champion. But he quickly found his boundaries, ebbing his quest for revenge the moment Nausicaa held her arms out to stop him.
"You Shall Never Get A Chance At The Championship If You Keep Disrespecting Our Boundaries." Nausicaa stated, trying to think of something to hammer in the fine line Chris is treading. "We All See It, We All See What You Want, More Thank Anything."
"I Want Adam's Heart!" Chris could be heard shouting. Merely pointing his finger the way of the Top Bill made Adam queasy on his turnbuckle perch.
"And You Only Get That Chance If You Are Signed With Us." Nausicaa declared.
"Gimme The Damn Paper!" Chris could be heard yelling, making a gesture of a signature with his fingers. He wanted to get whatever legalities he needed done as quickly as they could be authorized. He'd been biting at the bite since last November, waiting to lay waste to Adam in the ring. The strokes of violence hed sidebrushed him with the past few months were not satisfactory. Chris saw only red in his tunnel vision eyes set upon avenging the display of disrespect the farewell to his favorite promotion had to go out on.
"Its not going to be that easy, Chris." Nausicaa said. "You could have walked in here on a calm sunday afternoon and asked for a contract. But instead, you've caused how much pointless destruction? How many security guards have you whacked? How many windows did you kickin as they pulled you away? You nearly incited a riot at I Want It All! You should have known better! Not to mention you dropped one of our wrestlers head first on a car!"
Adam, rather hilariously, could be seen over the shoulder of the Princess pointing back at Chris, Each listing of a wrongdoing made Adam grin more and more. Quite the turnaround from degrading the COO to championing her remarks, ain't it now? If Nausicaa was trying to make Chris become sober from his quest for blood, it was failing miserably.
"Oh, i don't expect you to feel bad. I'm not expecting an epiphany from you, Chris. You're going to keep on your psychotic ways, i understand that. So what i'm going to do is work with it. You want Adam Price? You'll get a chance to earn that right. You need a contract with Heart & Soul before hand, and you'll get a chance to earn that as well. But you are also going to have to pay the penalties of all the destruction you've caused us."
The Psychotic Bastard balked at the notion of 'paying the penalties'. What could possibly rival the destruction had caused going after Adam Price? Nausicaa was the last person you'd evision plotting up some vindictive trap for Chris to be placed in. Nobody could rival Chris and nobody would be crazy enough to stand in his way…
…
…
…
…
…
But a simplistic riff of an electric guitar changed all of that. Everyone recognized the tune, "Spoilin For A Fight" by AC/DC. The Spoiled Fighter himself cut out upon the stage to a warm welcome from the small, invited crowd packed within the Tavern. Chris slowly turned to overlook his shoulder. Johnny Alvarez stood like a stonewall on the stage. Anywhere else, this would have been a thousand yard stare down. But the limitations of the Tavern meant even being in the stage, Johnny was just finger tips away from the face of the man who robbed him of a chance to win the Heart Of Wrestling Championship. At the be heast of Nausicaa, Chris backed off into his own corner to provide just enough room for Johnny to stake his own claim within the ring. The music faded, Johnny continued to lock eyes with Chris. Adam watched from afar on the turnbuckle, the quietest and most still he'd been all night.
"Johnny never was given his fair shot at Adam Price, nor the championship. You robbed him of that opportunity, now the two of you are interconnected. At Breakthru, there will be a 2 Out Of 3 Falls Match. Chris, your legal status in Heart & Soul depends on you achieving at least one fall. Johnny, you can make Chris's pursuit your own by getting 2 Falls."
Both heard what was at stake clear as day. Chris grew a maniacal grin, while Johnny was all business. This wasn't the first time he locked eyes with Chris. The last time he did, he was beaten to a bloody pulp. He remembered that first match very well. Now his own oath to revenge was being laid out.
"Oh and Adam.." Nausicca spoke with a small smirk of her own. She turned to face the Top Bill who was still perched upon the buckle. "Seeing how your attack started everything, this match will be decided in a manner both of these men know very well. A manner you seemingly spat on at The Show Must Go On. All Three Falls Will Be Decided By No DQ."
Adam had a brief moment of fear injected in his eyes. Nausicaa couldn't see it but both Johnny and Chris celebrated a little in their respective corners. The crowd were delighted as well, albeit a bit of sadistic glee.
"One of these two men WILL be your first challenger in the main event of Innuendo." Nausicaa declares, piping up the crowd in anticipation of the brawl that this 2 Out Of Three Falls match is sure to be. But Adam, at least aesthetically, was unphased. His eyes were stoll obscured by the sunglasses that tint his true emotions from prying eyes. After a few seconds of the two potential challengers revving up, the champion at last hopped down from the turnbuckle. He first turned to look at Chris head on. The golden center plate of the championship was raised into view. Chris got his first detailed examination of the title. But it wasn't the title he desired. It was the champion's heart, most likely served to him in a silver plate...or maybe just a dixie paper plate. You never know with Chris. But Adam was hopeful it would be his only look at the gold, as he began to shake his head in denial.
Draping the belt over his shoulder, Adam about faced for the ropes. He COLD SHOULDERED Johnny, his right cutting through Johnny's right. The Spoiled Fighter seemingly did not exist in the plain of existence the Top Bill saw. Between the ropes he went, before disappearing through the entry portal. Menacingly grinning Chris and a disrespected Johnny are left in the wake of the champion. The crowd murmured with energy amongst themselves over the ramifications, while the commentators capped things off the best they could.
"Im being wired now the facts." Bennett stated. "Get ready to order the pay-per-view for on (date), Christopher House and Johnny Alvarez are going to maim each other in a No Disqualifications 2 Out Of 3 Falls Contest. The Winner Gets To Face Adam Price For the Heart Of Wrestling Championship at Innuendo."
"Chris Is Winning! Why Pay? Unless You Are A Sadist….Like Me!" Critic quips. "Johnny's skull was crushed in July, now his head will be severed."
"This will be do or die not just for Johnny, but Chris as well. He's got to pick up at least one fall in order to even be signed to Heart & Soul. You heard Nausicaa. He's got to make a run at the title fairly, not with hit and run tactics." Bennett stated.
"That's a given. OF COURSE Chris will get a fall. He's getting BOTH falls." Critic confidently declared. "...oh don't tell me your actually falling for Johnny's tough guy act."
"It isn't an act, that's the real Johnny. The same one I saw fighting in Texas in 2003." Bennett replied.
"Oh great Mako, here we go…" Critic Groused.
Team FCKU vs. Angus & Greggory- Tag Team Championship Quarter Finals
Team FCKU had been represented handsomely by Ulema Brown & Karen Cashew at I Want It All. Now it was the turn of the men to take the momentum and shoot up the ladder of this tournament with championship implications. Christopher Auburn & Fabio Auero entered the ring with no particular fanfare. Chris immediately begins pulling Fabio into talk on their strategy, ensuring to keep his hand over his mouth in a bid to keep anyone from lip reading. They were going up against relative newcomers to the Multiverse, Angus Delaney & Greggory Lee. The Bear & Fox duo may be slightly inexperienced in the ring, but were walking into a rundown city not too different from the small town of Possum Springs their hail from. The selected crowd of Johnstown met these rust belt anthros with as warm a welcome they would give for family.
Greggory took point, being super charged by the support of the crowd. He was storming headlong toward the "The Gold Experience", Fabio. Greggory's energetic flurry of offense almost flipped the table entirely on Team FCKU in the early going. Fabio being forcefully pushed from the canvas repeatedly was making Chris make some radical changes to whatever plan they walked into the Tavern with. Greggory would need to be reigned in by Angus, who took to the ring with the aim of putting whoever was in front of him down safely for a win. Chris had to barge in to break up a near fall, sensing Greggory & Angus were both pulling a upset with the power of the crowd behind them.
Greggory would soon get his hands on Chris when both became the legal combatants. Much like Fabio had endured, Chris takes a barrage of knee strikes and snapping neckbreakers. But a ring-length running high knee only find the turnbuckle, Chris drops to the canvas. Was it from exhaustion or part of his plan?...its…its part of his play. Why did I write that question? No time to bothering about rhetorical questions, Greggory's Face Is Smothered Into The Canvas With The Digital Breakdown (Full Nelson Facebuster). The Codebreaker kept Greggory's face in the muck with a stomp soon after. He would soon be found dragging Greggory by his fox ears to his own corner to tag Fabio back in. The two quickly went about laying Greggory out with a double team maneuver. Angus tried to interfere but was pounced on by Fabio. The match soon deteriorated for Angus & Greggory, with Fabio at last hitting the Gold Experience (Sitout Last Ride Powerbomb) to snuff the energy from Greggory to pocket the win for Team FCKU.
Atticus Brown & Isla Woods vs. Bow & Glimmer
Bow had been one of the few bright spots in the chaos surrounding I Want It All. Coming into Heart & Soul with little hype, he'd advanced over Renton Thurston to the second round. Though he would fall to soon to be champion Adam Price, he did not go down with a impressive showing. His optimism for a bright future in Heart & Soul had not been dinged by the divisive reaction his friends had got in their exhibition bout that night. Now joined by Glimmer in the ring, Bow was ready to engage in another friendly bout.
The hipster flower power couple of Atticus Brown & Isla Woods were making their debut. Atticus had been on a burning rise through the lower and middle card of NCW prior to its closure. He was not going to let a change of initials on the mat stunt his progress. Isla, however, had been almost an after thought in the land of carnage. She's played manager roles for the King of Vinyl, and although loyal to Atticus, grew worried of being type casted as a valet for life. This was not only going to be a golden opportunity to make both of their presences felt. But to knock off two opponents who they saw as 'toxic' and needing to be cut from the spotlight in order to save Heart & Soul's environment, that only added to their pleasure of winning tonight.
For the most part, the match was a see-saw affair. Atticus & Isla showed off their prowess, almost disgustingly so. But Bow & Glimmer both could almost rival the technical abilities of their opponents with sheer will. Both Bow and Atticus go through a chain of Mexican surfboards, one trying keep the other down. Bow seemingly manages to come out on top, but a rope break makes it all mute. Atticus took any opportunity to bad mouth Bow, as well as the crowd.
"THERE'S NOTHING STOPPING ME!" Atticus shouted, before hitting Bow with a knee strike to the jaw. "NOTHING STOPS MY CLEAN PROGRESSION!"
Atticus haphazardly casted the Technical Archer with a violent Irish Whip, more focused on facing the booing audience head long. As the small but passionate audience vents back with chants profanity laced, Atticus zones out by mimicking covering one ear with headphones and rubbing a imaginary vinyl on the other. Its his way of blocking out all the 'bad vibes' being thrusted his way.
He's pulled out of his ego trip by Glimmer, who turns him by the shoulder. Atticus was so caught up in lecturing the crowd, he'd thrown Bow right into his own corner. Glimmer had made the tag, and even though rules were to swap the partners based upon genders, there was still this little gem.
"WHOA! WHOA….I Won't Hit A Woman!" Atticus shouted, very quickly reaching a stopping point he claimed didn't exist. Crowd laughs at the quick irony, Glimmer visibly is rolling her eyes before giving one really solid open palm strike. Just something to pay him back for all of his mouth running in what was meant to be a competitive wrestling match. As the referee made known, Atticus backed up and tagged Isla in to let the match continue.
Isla and Glimmer put on a similar show. Glimmer was soldiering on against Isla's assaults that were both physical and verbal. The match shifted back and forth rather frequently between men to women, before it seemed Glimmer was going to put Isla away, having her tied up in the ropes…
…
…
…
…
…
But The Attention Of EVERYONE Save Referee Tarr's Was Pulled From The Ring To The Outside, Just Like Renton Thurston Yanking Bow Off The Ring Apron! Here's Why He Didn't Accept The Slot In The Tag Tournament, He Was Laying In Wait To Ambush Bow! He Could Not Get Over What He Saw As A 'Fluke' Loss! He Clanged Bow's Head Off The Ring Post, Before Dropping Him With A Tilt-A-World Backbreaker…That Lands Not On His Knee But The Edge Of The Stage That's So Near The Ring! Just When Everyone Realized What Had Happened, Renton Darted Up Past The Bar At The Far End Of The Tavern And Out The Front Door!
Glimmer had jumped to the top of the turnbuckle, catching a brief view of the tilt-a-whirl, and was absolutely beside herself. Her and the crowd wanted answers, and a little bit of revenge…
…
…
…
…
…
But ISLA Took The Advantage To Tag Atticus Back In! Rather face Glimmer head on, Isla snuck her way out of the ring…and into a sure-fire win for her and the King Of Vinyl. By default, Glimmer was no longer the legal combatant. Atticus was legal, charging in the ring. Bow was legal, struggling to stand after being turned inside out. The crowd cried bull, but Referee Tarr's hands were tied. Atticus hopped to the outside to retrieve Bow, ramming him into the ring apron for good measure. The Technical Archer was in a fog brought on by the ambush and could do nothing to protect himself from the Record Flip (450 Splash) that he fell victim to. It wasn't a clean win, but it put the Flower Power Hipsters on the winning boards.
Gospel Of Wealth vs. X-Dynamics- Tag Team Championship Quarter Finals
The main event came down to the last quarter finals in the tag team tournament. The X-Dynamics burst on the scene with much enthusiasm. Back in Johnstown since the fall of NCW, where they'd been former tag champions, they were gunning to be the first Heart Of Wrestling Tag Champs. Corey Dominic & Van Culmer were a duo that were hard to hate. They were full of enthusiasm that would be injected into some of the craziest moves one would see in the ring. They were hopping in their corner, eager to begin.
Their opponents were aesthetically the biggest clash of worlds of the entire night. If X-Dynamics were fighting for the small guy at home, being their avatars in their matches, then the Gospel Of Wealth with for the rich. All five members of the new faction were here tonight: Cyrus D Morrell, dressed in a get up that was unintentionally making fans think of ECW's Roadkill. Nora A Mellon who was quiet to match her petite physic. Lauren Pitcairn looked and sounded the most like a snobby brat. But the two that were in fact competing were Scott Carnegie & Wilson Clay Frick. Frick was dressed just last his last appearance, in a singlet and even with headgear on. Scott was equally simplistic, with all black pants and white boots.
Van & Corey had the advantage in seemingly all the departments would could hope for. They were the more experienced, they were the more decorated and the crowd was fully behind them. They ran circles around the Gospel of Wealth, both individually and together. The planchas were broken out at were made all the more extreme by the walls constricting how far the small crowd could move around in the Tavern. The X-Dynamics controlled the air over the ring 100% in the match. But unfortunately for them, the ground they landed on grew increasingly unstable.
Frick & Scott were grapples. Whenever they got a good hold of their opponents, they locked them into vises that could only be pried open by rope breaks. But a rope break meant a ref's eyes were turned away to create space. That's where Lauren, particularly Lauren, came into play with cheap shots. Eye racks, punches, even attempted suffocation at one point on Van. By the time Referee Mike Attitude got eyes back on the action, it was too late. Corey & Van's solution is to quicken the pace as fast as they can. Constant quick tags, constantly trying to take the brute that his Frick down to the mat, quick tag, twin superkicks, quick tag, you get the drift. The dirty jabs kept coming, but for awhile it seemed the X-Dynamics had just dialed the pace too quick for anyone to catch up.
But as said earlier, the ground the two landed on kept growing increasingly unstable. Dominic was put down with a Fallaway Slam which he NARROWLY avoided being pinned on. Dominic glared at Mike Attitude, feeling he was given 2 seconds, not 3, to fairly get out. Van managed to stun Carnegie with a Flying Spinning Heel Kick, but turned around to find the prone Carnegie had been yanked by his business partners to the outside. Eventually, the ground the high flyers were standing on was just too unstable it gave entirely. Dominic was fighting Carnegie hard and fairly, but a shot to the ear really did a number on him. Before Dominic knew what had happened, Frick was back in and cutting off all air circulation. Upside down and to the mat he went via the Strike Breaker (Cobra Clutch Slam). 123, and this match was over.
The Gospel Of Wealth quickly co-mingled on the stage, surveying the damage they'd left in their wake. Van jumped in to make sure Corey was alright. Van was tapping his hand, visibly it appeared he was arguing about the tempo of the count but soon through it off. He didn't want to look like a sore loser arguing over a referee count, but it bothered him and the small crowd on hand. Whatever the case be, the Gospel of Wealth were 2-0 and advancing to the semi-finals of the Heart Of Wrestling Tag Team Tournament at Breakthru.
CyberDuoSlamo Results:
Cass Defeated Catra – Gautier CyberMeds Pre-Show
Armed Vanguards Defeated NexGen – Quarter Finals Of Tag Team Championship Tournament
Sophisticated Beauty Defeated Millicent Breathnach & Seductive Dream
Sword & Shield Defeated 27 Club- Quarter Finals Of Tag Team Championship Tournament
Team FCKU Defeated Greggory & Angus- Quarter Finals Of Tag Team Championship Tournament
Atticus Brown & Isla Woods Defeated Best Friends Squad (Bow & Glimmer) – Mixed Tag Team Match
Gospel Of Wealth Defeated X-Dynamics- Quarter Finals Of Tag Team Championship Tournament
Breakthru Card Thus Far
Gospel Of Wealth vs Sword & Shield – Semi Finals Of Tag Team Championship Tournament
Pyrrha Nikos vs. Selena Richardson- Singles Match
Armed Vanguards vs. Team FCKU – Semi Finals Of Tag Team Championship Tournament
Lucia Siycron vs. Dazzling Rose vs. Kaylie Kassiss – Three Way Dance – Final Slot In Women's Fatal Four Way Match For Championship At Innuendo
Christopher House vs Johnny Alvarez- No Disqualification 2 Out Of 3 Falls- Chris Must Gain 1 Fall To Be Signed To Heart & Soul- One Must Gain 2 Falls To Become #1 Contender For Heart Of Wrestling World Championship
This Short But Important Chapter For Heart & Soul Has Come To Past. Next Event Will Be Breakthru. This Pay-Per-View Will Have Massive Implications For Heart & Soul's marquee show at the end of the year, Innuendo. But For Now, Let Me Know What You Think Of The Direction Things Are Going In Heart & Soul By Leaving A Like Or Comment. See You At Breakthru!