Ultimate Online Wrestling Season 2 Ch-2: Friday Night Clash 9!

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2 Months Ago Over the South China Sea

Private Flight - Freedom 300 from China to Washington D.C.

The Ultimate Wrestling surviving roster and staff were finally in the air and headed home to America after undergoing the most horrific experience of their collective lives. The group had spent over a week in a state-run Chinese hospital healing from their injuries sustained in their escape from North Korea and during the “Death Sport” tournament. Most of the roster had huddled around the left front aisle way near where the flight attendants prepare food and drinks for passengers. Suddenly Valora stepped out from the curtain used to separate first class from the rest of the plane. She was helping guide the blind cyborg Jeremiah Vastrix toward the rest of the roster. It was clear by the look on both their faces that they had something important to address with the others.

Valora: Alright everyone! Listen up! Jeremiah has something important he wants to ask all of you. I’ve told him I’d agree to it if everyone here is on board, but we have to make up our minds before this airplane lands. We have to all be on the same page with our story when we debrief to the U.S. government agents that I can assure are currently waiting for us to land.

Jeremiah: Thanks V, so… as many you now know my insane father, Michael Vastrix was the founder and majority shareholder of War Hammer Industries. His and the corporation's involvement in the North Korean stealth nuclear missile program is something only known by us here on this airplane. Now that he’s finally dead thanks to Valora, his shares have shockingly been willed to me and I have inherited ownership of the company.

Kronin: I thought you told us your father wanted you dead? Why on earth would he will his shares of War Hammer to you?

Jeremiah: I… I don’t know… I can’t make sense of it. I would have thought Allen Anderson would be his pick for a successor. From what my lawyers have told me over the phone, it would seem he couldn’t bear his company being inherited by someone outside of his bloodline.

Sato: Pisshh… typical aristocratic blue blood thinking. I’m not surprised…

Huckleberry: What’s this all have to do with us Mr. Vastrix?

Chris Rodgers: Isn’t it obvious you idiot? He wants to buy our silence and cover-up any involvement War Hammer had in the nuclear strike on Los Angeles and Seattle!

Jeremiah nodded nervously unable to read his fellow peers, the world was completely dark to him now and he was fully aware of how silly he looked with two eye patches strapped to his head covering his gaping eye sockets. The cyborg was in a vulnerable place and the destiny of his future depended on his ability to convince his peers of the good he could do now that he was in charge of War Hammer.

Sato: Money won’t buy my silence! The world needs to know the truth about what happened! Those responsible need to be punished!

Chris Rodgers: Speak for yourself, you socialist dolt! Jeremiah, you can make that check out to Chris Truman Rodgers!

The entire group let out a combined sigh and shook their heads in disbelief at the abhorrent greed of Ultimate Wrestling announcer Chris Rodgers. Rodgers seemed offended by their altruistic negative reaction toward his statement.

Chris Rodgers: What? Don’t act like you all don’t have bills to pay! Plus, we all just risked our lives for McStrump and Mudcock! We might as well get something for it!

Jeremiah: I know that money won’t be enough to buy the silence of every individual here, but I beg you to think of the good I can do with the massive funds, science, and technology War Hammer has at its disposal. I already have my lawyers setting up an account with five million dollars to help the surviving victims that have been displaced from the missile strikes.

Kronin: That’s very generous of you Jeremiah, but it doesn’t change the fact that your company wiped out about 25 million people from the God damn planet. Every man and woman who worked on that missile project is guilty of mass murder as far as I’m concerned.

Jeremiah: I know, I know… I have a lot of house cleaning to do, and I’m starting with Allen Anderson first. Just give me a chance everyone! I plan to rebrand the company as Hammer Industries and I’m going to use the research and development sector to usher in a new age for humanity. I want to use this opportunity to make the world a better place than my father left it, but I can’t do that if the world finds out War Hammer helped the North Koreans launch those attacks!

Vendredi: I for one think we should give Jeremiah a chance. He’s the only one here that has any chance to make a huge impact on the direction our world’s heading in. I tried for months to warn all of you something bad was coming and none of you listened to me. Listen to me now, Jeremiah wants to make the world a better place and he can do it with the wealth and power he's inherited.

Sato: Maybe Vendredi is right… maybe with our help and some guidance Jeremiah could even the scales a bit against the evil in this world. What do you think Valora?

It was clear the group was looking to Valora for leadership once again. Something Valora never wanted or asked for. The old grizzled lone wolf had to lead them out of a doomsday scenario and because of that, she’d won their trust three times over. Valora knew that most likely the group of survivors would go along with whatever she felt was the right course of action which made her even more uncomfortable with the whole scenario.

Valora: Michael Vastrix is dead and gone, but the suffering of the innocent people affected by his and the Emperors attacks is going to be felt for decades. If Jeremiah can use War Hammer’s wealth, power, and tech to ease that suffering then I think we owe it to them to at least let him try.

Jeremiah: Thank you Valora…

Valora: However, if we are going to do this I want some transparency on your part Jeremiah. I want access to all of War Hammer’s databases for Kronin and myself. Someone has to keep an eye on what’s taking place at War Hammer and it’s too much for just one person to keep track of.

Kronin: Yeah… I will agree to this plan… but only if you agree to Valora’s terms of the agreement and grant us full access. If something happens to you and War Hammer falls into the hands of someone who wants to cause more harm to the world then we have to be able to prove all of the atrocities War Hammer has committed over the decades.

Jeremiah: Sure. I don’t have a problem with that at all.

Sato: Okay I’m on board…

Chris Rodgers: Again… you can make out the check for 2 Million dollars to Chris Truman Rodgers.

Huckleberry: Does this mean I get a new muscle car with cool flame decals on the sides?

Dresden: I’m okay with it if V’s okay with it.

Scott Slade: I can keep my mouth shut.

Kronin: Then it’s settled. Don’t let us down, Jeremiah…

The electric guitar riff of “Stranglehold” by Ted Nugent begins to play on your home audio surround sound system as the first live shots from inside Madison Square Garden appear on your flat screen 4K high definition television. As the camera pans around signs for Valora, Sato, Jeremiah, and Huckleberry litter the sold-out arena. An explosion of red, white, and blue pyrotechnics ignite from the main stage and fire up the massive crowd of fans into an absolute fervor.

Chris Rodgers: Ladies and gentlemen welcome to FRIDAY NIGHT CLASH 9! This is our second relief fundraiser show live from the Garden in my native stomping ground of New York City!

Scott Slade: That’s right Chris, half the proceeds are going to help all the displaced Americans from out west and those sick from radiation poisoning, but just listen to this multitude of fans Chris! They are going wild!

Chris Rodgers: They’re excited and why not? We’ve only been the highest-rated program on prime time television for the second straight week in a row! We even brought down the MeTube server!

Scott Slade: We’ve got a fantastic show booked here tonight for everyone! Valora Salinas takes on Jeremiah Vastrix in a no holds barred, no count-out, I quit match for the submission specialist Championship title!

Chris Rodgers: Even better, for our main event Takuma Sato and Abbigail Dresden take on Kronin Reinhardt and the new Franchise Champion Huckleberry!

Suddenly “Hillbilly Deluxe” by Brooks & Dunn hits the sound system and the new Franchise Champ walks out onto the stage doing a little southern Appalachian jig on his way out much to the dismay of the east coast New York fans who boo him relentlessly.

Chris Rodgers: Speaking of the Huckster! There he is now!

Scott Slade: This little hillbilly pulled out every last dirty trick in the book to win that title around his waist last week! Just listen to these fans! They can’t stand this cheating ignorant little man!

Chris Rodgers: Love him or hate him! He’s and the Franchise Champ and I couldn’t be prouder to have this red-blooded American represent our fine wrestling federation!

Huckleberry makes his way into the ring and is handed a microphone from Rose Johnston. Huckleberry is sporting a cutoff sleeve white T-Shirt and his hair has been recently bleached with peroxide to give it that dirty yellow-orange look he’s so fond of. The hillbilly looks to have purchased himself a new set of vintage acid-washed jeans and a pair of expensive crocodile leather shoes.

Huckleberry: All you liberals can boo me all y’all like it ain’t gonna change dah fact that I’m dah God damn Franchise Champion now!

The fans boo him harshly and then start up a “cheater” chant that echo’s throughout Madison Square Garden. It’s clear that the Appalachian feels irritated with how quickly the liberal New York fans have turned on him after being cheered as a national hero the week before.

Huckleberry: Oh please! Like Valora Salinas ain’t never cheated in her illustrious career! I don’t think I even got enough digits on my hands and feet to count how many crotch shots she’s dealt out just here in Ultimate Wrestling! I hope Jeremiah took my advice and wore a cup tonight! Jee’ golly that woman’s out castrate all men on this roster the way she’s go’in!

Chris Rodgers: He’s got a point there…

Scott Slade: …yeah… I’m not going to dispute that...

Huckleberry: This is my time people! I’ve worked hard! I’ve fought gators, fought to the death, hell I ain’t even lost a damn match yet in this here wrestlin federation! I think I deserve better from y’all liberal city folk! I’m a damn American hero for God damn sakes!

Scott Slade: Boy these fans really don’t like to be told how to think.

Chris Rodgers: Their New Yorkers. You ever try to tell off a New York? Trust me it won’t go well.

The fans continue to boo and curse at Huckleberry before launching into a rematch chant followed by just chanting Valora’s name and stomping on the ground.

Huckleberry: Rematch? Rematch? Nah uh! Ain’t happening y’all! Ain’t no one given Huckleberry no second chances in life! There ain’t nothing in the bible about getting second chances! As far as I’m concerned, Valora Salinas can go to the back of the line!

The crowd erupts again into a flurry of boo’s, but are drowned out by the owner of Ultimate Wrestling, Rupert Mudcocks’ personal theme song. The elderly obese media mogul drives out onto the main stage on his red mobility scooter with a microphone in his hand and a foul look on his face. The fans give a mixed reaction to Rupert as he comes to a stop at the edge of the stage. Rupert's music is cut as begins to get ready to address the fans and Huckleberry.

Huckleberry: What do you want old man?

Mr. Mudcock: Mr. Huckleberry you don’t make the rules here! This is my wrestling federation and I am the one who decides who gets the title shots, who gets the rematches, and who gets a Blob damn paycheck for that matter!

Chris Rodgers: Did he say Blob?

Scott Slade: I think he did…

Huckleberry: Is that right sir?

Huckleberry made a masturbatory motion with his right hand while holding the microphone like a penis which got a little bit of a giggle from the more immature fans in attendance.

Mr. Mudock: That is right Mr. Huckleberry! So listen carefully. As much as it pains me to say this! Valora Salinas has a rematch written in her contract!

The New York fans erupt at Rupert’s last statement and instantly go into a Valora chant once again. The crowd is so loud that Rupert is forced to stop speaking as the fans drown him completely out. Huckleberry is clearly unhappy about the announcement as he kicks the ring ropes and throws a slight tantrum in the ring.

Mr. Mudcock: So with that said Mr. Huckleberry, you and Ms. Salinas will be meeting at Brawl at the Wall 2! So If I were you, I would start training now because that woman is going to dismantle you limb from limb for what you did to her last week!

Rupert literally drops on the microphone on the steel stage and backs his red scooter in reverse before turning around. The media mogul then heads back behind the curtain. The fans roar as Huckleberry stares at the stage furious with the announcement made by his employer.

Scott Slade: My goodness! What an announcement Chris! Brawl at the Wall 2! Huckleberry vs Valora Salinas one on one for the Ultimate Wrestling Franchise Championship!

Chris Rodgers: I’m just so excited to celebrate the first anniversary of President McStrump’s beautiful border wall!

Scott Slade: …Really… that’s what you're most excited about?

Chris Rodgers: What can I say, Scott… I’m a patriotic American with a soft spot for fantastic modern industrial engineering!

Scott Slade: yeah sure… I’m sure that’s it…

Chris Rodgers: Fan’s we’ve got a take a short commercial break but when we come back! Valora Salinas and Jeremiah Vastrix are going to go at it one on one!

Jeremiah was busy preparing in the locker room for his quickly approaching title defense against Valora to open Friday Night Clash. The fighter was already in his wrestling spandex and was hectically putting on his kneepads and elbow pads. Suddenly a familiar voice halted his anxious preparation and caused Jeremiah to turn around with a shocked look on his cybernetic face as Allen Anderson stood in the doorway of the room. As always the dapper Anderson was dressed in a fine Italian suit and his bald head had been cleanly shaven for his first official night as new Vice President of Operations for Ultimate Wrestling.

Allen: I would be nervous too if I was stepping into the ring with that bat shit crazy Latina… she’s like the Rembrandt of violence and the entire arena will be her canvas tonight thanks to me.

Jeremiah: What the hell do you want Allen? Come to gloat about the new career path you’ve chosen?

Allen: Well I would be lying if I told you part of taking this job wasn’t to make your pathetic existence that much more miserable. Perhaps if Valora accidentally kills you tonight the board will reinstate in me as the new RIGHTFUL President of War Hammer.

Jeremiah: Good luck with that… Valora might be a dangerous opponent, but she’d never give you the satisfaction! She hates you more than even I hate you!

Allen: Hahaha… that is true, but I’m not in a hurry anyway… I’m having too much fun watching you make a complete fool of yourself in front of shareholders and your father’s closest associates. Honestly Jeremiah toys’ and action figures? I wish I could have been there to see the look on Mariano’s face!

Jeremiah: How do you even know about that?

Allen: He called me shortly after. I’m still in regular communication with most of the old guard your father put in place around him. If I were you Mr. Vastrix I would be less worried about me and more worried about the old guard removing you from existence and…

Suddenly from behind Allen, Valora appears and grabs the new Vice President by the back of his skinny neck and forces him face-first up against the lockers in the room. Jeremiah’s cybernetic eye’s glow bright blue with excitement as he watches Valora grind Anderson’s face into the cold metal.

Valora: I ought to do the world a favor and snap your neck right now for what you did to those poor people in Los Angeles and Seattle! I just don’t feel like spending the rest of my life rotting in an American prison for murder.

Allen: That’s right! I almost forgot. Thanks for covering up the fact that we had anything to do with that missile launch! The old guard of War hammers leadership sends their appreciation.

Valora pulls back Allen’s head and then slams it back into the metal locker door putting a massive dent into it. Allen attempts to hold his composure, but it’s clear the blow has rattled his brain and his bravery.

Valora: First chance I get off American soil… I’m putting two in your chest and one between your eyes. You’re going to pay for what you did to my home town and all my friends…

Valora released Allen and he collapsed to the floor clearly concussed by Valora’s brutal surprise attack. She then turned around to face Jeremiah and walked over to him before grabbing him by his chin.

Valora: Get your shit together and get to the stage. I’m in a real foul mood and the only thing that might cheer me up is that strap around your waist.

Jeremiah stared at Valora as she stormed out of the locker room and headed toward the stage. The data analytic gathering sensors and biometric scanners in his Hammer Industries cybernetic eyes alerting him to the present danger posed by Salinas.

Jeremiah: Well… here we go.

Rose Johnston stood in the middle of the ring holding a bedazzled microphone with a serious look on her face. The former Miss America winner had somehow squeezed herself into a sexy size 1 leather one-piece outfit which had caught the attention of every Tom, Dick, and Harry in the Garden.

Rose: The following match is a no holds barred, no count-outs, anything goes, "I Quit Match" and it is for the Ultimate Wrestling Submission Championship!

The fans let out a roar at the announcement before being drowned out by “Bring It” by Trapt. Valora Salinas walked out to a deafening ovation from the liberal east coast fan base. Valora acknowledged her supporters before adjusting her elbow pads. She then made her way down the ramp as Rose needlessly introduced her to the audience.

Rose: The challenger! She hails from the fallen city of Los Angeles! She is the former Ultimate Wrestling Franchise champion and is known the world over as “THE HARDCORE ICON” VALORA SALINAS!!!

The disgruntled Latina slid into the wrestling ring and shortly after getting to her feet was met by referee Bob Sigro who wanted a few words. Valora’s music cut off suddenly and “Down Low” by R. Kelly began to play on the Gardens speaker system. The New Yorkers in attendance reacted poorly to the music almost instantly due to the singer’s recent legal troubles. When Jeremiah walked out onto the stage it was very clear the fans were mostly behind his opponent.

Rose: Her opponent! The reigning Submission Specialist Champion of Ultimate Wrestling! Hailing from Hong Kong! Half man! Half machine! God’s gift to women around the world! JEREMIAH VASTRIX!!!

Jeremiah’s cybernetic eyes glowed bright blue as he scanned Valora’s vital signs and body language looking for weaknesses he could exploit as he made his way down the ramp. Vastrix made his way up the steel steps and then entered the ring slowly knowing full well that his opponent was in a real crap mood. Valora was leaned back up against the far-right turnbuckle and was staring sinisterly at her cyborg opponent fully aware that Kronin was unable to force him to submit one week ago. Referee Bob Sigro signaled to the bell keeper to start the match and the bell sounded officially getting the bout underway. The fans let out a roar as Valora sprinted out of her corner toward Jeremiah like a bat out of hell looking to take his head clean off.

Scott Slade: Here we go!

Valora came at Vastrix like a runaway train, but the cyborg read her movements perfectly and ducked her clothesline attack. He then turned around on a dime just in time to catch her coming off the ropes with a dropkick straight to her face. The blow sent Valora stumbling back up and over the ropes and onto the floor much to the dismay of the New York crowd. Salinas got back to her feet just as Jeremiah ran and dove over the top ropes nailing Valora with a suicide dive that brought her back down to the concrete with incredible force.

Scott Slade: Wow!

Chris Rodgers: Jeremiah has come out of the gates firing on all cylinders and it really looks like this rematch from Brawl at the Wall is going to be something special!

Scott Slade: You’re right Chris. I don’t think Jeremiah has forgotten what happened the last time these two athletes met and I’m betting he’d love a win against Salinas.

Jeremiah got to his feet first and pulled Valora up by her long black hair and then whipped her into the steel guard railing. Valora’s back hit the metal hard, but some of the force was absorbed by her fans attempting to catch her and keep her from falling back into their seats. Valora once again went on the attack and tried to move in close on Jeremiah, but the cyborg countered her attack again with a big boot to the face that sent Salinas again back toward the guard railing. Jeremiah then sprinted toward Valora and attempted a cyborg splash, but Valora dove out of the way, and Jeremiah crashed chest-first onto the steel railing injuring his ribcage. The fans let out an “Ooh!” as Jeremiah let out a massive groan from the wind being knocked out of his lungs.

Scott Slade: Big mistake from Jeremiah! He had everything going his way, but he got too confident in that moment and Valora made him pay for it.

Chris Rodgers: He’s got the Latina on the run though! She’s been playing defense since the bell sounded.

Valora quickly got back to her feet and grabbed Jeremiah pulling him up by the back of his spandex leotard. She then viciously slammed his half metal skull off the metal railing. The sound of metal on metal echoed through Madison square garden as Valora repeated her attack four times busting Jeremiah's forehead open. She then turned Vastrix around and locked his head underneath her right arm. With all her strength, Valora picked up her heavy cyborg opponent and suplexed him hard onto the concrete floor in the aisle causing the fans to erupt into a frenzy. Valora then quickly mounted Jeremiah and unleashed a flurry of rapid punches pinpointed at the organic portions of his face.

Scott Slade: Woah, oh boy! I think someone woke up the demon!

Chris Rodgers: Get up Jeremiah! Get up!

Valora got to her feet and flipped back her sweat-drenched hair that had been stuck to her forehead. She then proceeded to shove a cameraman over onto his back causing him to fall on his ass and drop his camera on the floor. The fans looked on with mixed feelings as Valora grabbed the cable running to the worker's camera and yanked it out of the back of it. She then quickly wrapped the cord around Jeremiah’s neck and throat and began to violently choke him out with it.

Chris Rodgers: Good Lord! She’s trying to choke him to death with that damn camera cable!

Scott Slade: It’s genius! Jeremiah may be able to turn off his pain receptors at will, but he still needs oxygen to function. Valora may have figured out a way to beat Jeremiah in a match type where he undoubtedly had an edge due to his cybernetics.

As Valora strangled Vastrix the crowd began to cheer the Latina’s name admiring who ruthlessness to get the job done. Referee Bob Sigro moved in close to see if Jeremiah wanted to quit, but the robot man used all of his strength to flip Valora up over his back and onto the floor. He then began pummeling her straight to in the face with devastating right hands. Vastrix then pulled Valora back up and locked her head under his right arm before administering a devastating cyborg death drop which ignited a massive negative response from the fans.

Scott Slade: A nice recovery from Jeremiah after things looked like they were going south there for a second.

Chris Rodgers: A brilliant cyborg death drop! Now is his chance to lock something in and finish Valora off!

Jeremiah grabbed Valora’s legs and locked her into a Texas Cloverleaf hold and began applying the pressure on the midsection of her lower back. Valora however didn’t react much to it and seemed to be in a concussed daze following the blow to the head she’d just absorbed. Referee Bob Sigro came over and grabbed her arm and it dropped the floor immediately.

Bob Sigro: That’s one!

A few seconds later Sigro checked Valora’s arm again and it fell to the floor.

Big Sgiro: That’s two!

Sigro attempted to check Valora one last time but the Latina pushed Sigro’s hand away and began to attempt to press out of the hold Jeremiah had on her. Valora dug down deep and forced Jeremiah to lose his balance. Jeremiah released the lock he had on her and the fans roared with excitement as Valora got her feet. The two fighters then started slugging it out as the battle raged on up the steel ramp leading to the stage.

Scott Slade: Man! Look at these two go at it!

Chris Rodgers: Jeremiah doesn’t want to give up that title and Valora… well, I think she’s just straight pissed.

Scott Slade: So it’s a regular Friday night for her then?

Chris Rodgers: Ha! Good one Scotty!

Every punch thrown seemed to connect for both fighters, but Valora’s legendary tenacity shined through on every punch and she backed her cyborg opponent all the way up to the main stage before kicking him in the gut and laying him out with a massive uppercut to his jaw. The punch knocked Jeremiah on his back and it was clear his world was spinning from the shot he’d just absorbed. Once again the east coast fans began to chant Valora’s name as she took control of the fight.*

Chris Rodgers: Jeremiah is a bloody mess right now and Valora isn’t going to let up. I swear she gets even more insane when she sees her opponent's blood. It’s like she’s a shark on the hunt!

Valora picked up Jeremiah and placed his head in between her legs and attempted to pick him up for a traditional sit-down pile driver, but the champ quickly powered out of it and turned the tables on Valora with a back body drop onto the steel stage. Valora arched her back grimacing from the pain radiating up her spine. The fans once again grew angry with Jeremiah unhappy with his successful reversal and it was clear that it was starting to get to him.

Scott Slade: You’ve got to feel for Jeremiah. The fans seemed behind him last week and now here he is against a huge rival of his and they are supporting Valora 100%.

Chris Rodgers: It’s tough. Valora Salinas however is probably the most popular she’s ever been in her entire career right now.

Scott Slade:Other than a poor choice entrance music, I really don’t understand the one-sided response from this crowd. Jeremiah is doing great things in the world currently since inheriting his father’s company.

Chris Rodgers: These idiot liberals just love Valora. There’s nothing Jeremiah can do to win them over. He just needs to block them out and concentrate on retaining the title belt.

Valora tried to get back to her feet, but Vastrix was on her immediately with a kick straight to the back of her head. With Valora on her back breathing hard to try and gain a second wind, Jeremiah went in for the kill with a Brain Claw on her. Referee Bob Sigro quickly got to the floor of the stage checking to see if Valora would tap out as Jeremiah continued to apply the pressure. Valora screamed and kicked her legs like crazy trying to fight through the pain and break free of the painful hold. Jeremiah also began to scream loudly using every bit of strength in his right hand to force Valora to tap out.

Chris Rodgers: A masterful brain claw and this could be all she wrote here Scotty! For all the kicking and squirming she’s doing, Valora doesn’t seem to be getting anywhere!

Scott Slade: Wait! Valora just shoved her fingers in Jeremiah's mouth!

Chris Rodgers: What in the hell?

Scott Slade: MANDIBLE CLAW!!! MANDIBLE CLAW!!!

Chris Rodgers: My God! Jeremiah released hold! She forced him to break the hold! I can’t freaking believe it!

With the mandible claw applied, Valora broke free of the brain claw and turned Jeremiah over on his back trying to force him to submit, but the cyborg was able to forcefully remove her fingers from his throat and break free. Both wrestlers scrambled to their feet and Valora attempted to kick Vastrix in the gut again, but the cyborg saw it coming and caught her foot. Valora however countered the counter with enziguri kick that popped the cyborg in the back of his skull. Jeremiah flopped face-first onto the steel mesh floor of the stage and Valora jumped on him wrapping her cyborg opponent in her Aztech Clutch submission hold.

Scott Slade: Valora’s got Jeremiah in the Aztech Clutch! She’s cutting off the blood circulation his brain!

Chris Rodgers: Is it a brain or is it a hard drive?

Scott Slade: … that’s a good question… I think it’s both?

Chris Rodgers: Guessing by the shades of red the human parts of the face are turning that it’s more human than machine…

Jeremiah was using all of his strength to attempt to pry himself out of the hold Valora had the cyborg locked into. Unlike most normal opponents, Valora was trying to beat an enemy who could shut off his pain receptors. Her only chance to beat Jeremiah was to make him pass out and that was her strategy from the moment the bell rang. Referee Bob Sigro watched intensely as Jeremiah’s eyelids began to droop and his struggles began to wane.

Scott Slade: It’s over! It’s over! Referee Bob Sigro is calling for the bell! Valora Salinas wins! Jeremiah is passed out cold!

Rose Johnston: THE WINNER OF THIS MATCH AND NEW SUBMISSION CHAMPION! VALORA! SALLLLINNNAASSSSS!

Chris Rodgers: Damn it! That Aztec Clutch is a brutal submission hold.

Chris Rodgers: Wow what a match! That was one of the most competitive matches we’ve ever had on Friday Night Clash.

Scott Slade: No doubt about it Chris! Insane! I have word though from Holly Hudson that she’s backstage with an interview with the Tag Team Champions Takuma Sato and Abbigail Dresden.

The cameras cut to the backstage area where Takuma Sato, Ares Metaxas, and Abbigail Dresden are standing next to the red-headed Holly Hudson holding a microphone in her right hand ready to interview the reigning champions. Abbigail and Sato are at the forefront of the camera shot with title belts draped over their shoulders. Ares is in the background smoking a cigarette and is wearing a cheap pair of stolen gas station sunglasses indoors like a weirdo.

Holly Hudson: Thank you, Scott! Hi everyone, I’m Holly and I’m here with Takuma Sato and Abbigail Dresden who are about to defend their tag team titles against Huckleberry and Kronin Reinhardt. As the first mix of gendered Tag Team Champions in Ultimate Wrestling do you feel any added pressure to prove to the world that beating Jeremiah and Abishag for the titles wasn’t a fluke by winning here tonight?

Holly smirked and pressed the microphone straight into the face of Abbigail Dresden. Abbigail was caught off guard by the question and was surprised that Holly was going directly to her first to answer it. Ares let out a small laugh to himself as he smacked his gum loudly and watched Abbigail attempt to answer the question.

Abbigail: I don’t feel any pressure because of my gender and I doubt Takuma does ether. I think my mentor Valora has proved many times over that a woman can be just as tough and as good in the ring as any man in this sport.

Holly moved the microphone over to Takuma.

Sato: Identity and Gender politics are the last things on my mind right now Holly. I’m more interested in coming out of this match with a win and proving to the world that Huckleberry beating me last week was the real fluke! When I get in the ring with Huckleberry in just a few moments I’m going to make him pay dearly!

Holly Hudson: And you sir? Who are you and what is your affiliation with the tag team?

Holly pressed in between Takuma and Abbigail and pushed her microphone toward Ares Metaxas who smiled callously as he took a hard drag from his cigarette and then flicked it across the room casually. He then moved his sunglasses up onto his forehead and began to speak to Holly.

Metaxas: heh… oh… who? me? I’m just the guy that’s here to make sure these two get a fair shake in this corrupt cesspool of a business…

Ares ceased speaking and as soon as he did he flipped his sunglasses down over his eyes and began chewing his gum loudly again.

Holly Hudson: What the hell does that mean?

Metaxas: I don’t know… what do you think means? You seem like a clever girl. I’m sure you know all about the corruption plaguing this nation and the man you work for.

Holly Hudson: Ahhh… right. Well, fans there simply just isn’t enough time to unpack those statements here tonight and still fit the match into the show! Scott! Chris! Take it away!

Once again Rose Johnston stood in the center of the ring with the spotlight beamed on her tone, tanned, slender body. Her platinum blond hair shimmered almost as much as her bedazzled microphone as she held it close to her pink freshly glossed plump lips.

Rose: Tonight’s main event of the evening is set for one fall and is for the Ultimate Wrestling Tag Team World Championship!

“Are you ready?” by Disturbed hit the sound system and Sato and Dresden walked out onto the stage with the tag team belts draped over their right shoulders. In tow behind them was Takuma’s new friend Ares Metaxas dressed in a red leather jacket and a white t-shirt. The east coast crowd gave them a standing ovation as they made their way down the aisle and toward the wrestling ring. Abbigail’s hair had been freshly dyed a fiery pink and Takuma was shirtless once again sporting a pair of black martial arts athletic pants and looking very intimidating with his 8 pack exposed.

Rose: Making their way down to the ring from the Midwest of this great nation! Accompanied by Ares Metaxas! They are the current reigning Tag Team Champions of the world! Takuma Sato and Abbigail Dresden!

The two fighters slid into the ring as Ares walked over to the guard railing and leaned up against it before pulling out a pack of cigarettes and lighting one up. Referee Bob Sigro took the championship belts from the champs and handed them to the timekeeper as Sato and Abbigail headed to opposite turnbuckles before climbing up them and putting their fists up in the air to acknowledge all of their fans. The east coast fans gave them another strong pop before their music was cut off by Brooks & Dunn’s “Hillbilly Deluxe. The Franchise Champ and his partner Kronin Reinhardt walked onto the stage and were immediately met with an onslaught of slurs and boo’s.

Rose: Their opponents! Hailing from Dublin Georgia and Berlin Germany! Our Franchise Champion Huckleberry and the German Suplex Machine Kronin Reinhardt!

As the two wrestlers neared the ring, Kronin grabbed Huckleberry by his cutoff sleeved shirt collar and pulled him toward him. The big German screamed in his tag team partner's face while pointing at their opponents obviously trying to get the goofy hillbilly’s mind focused on the task at hand. Huckleberry nodded and the two made their way into the ring.

Scott Slade: It looks like Kronin is taking this match very seriously Chris.

Chris Rodgers: The man has had a string of bad matches and win here tonight could really turn things around. I think he just wants Hucklberry’s head in the game. This is for the tag team titles. It’s a big deal!

Once they were inside the ring, Huckleberry chose to start the match first for his team and Abbigail Dresden was in first in for her team. The two fighters began to circle one another and as soon as the bell sounded both fighters locked up in the center of the ring much to the excitement of the fans. Huckleberry quickly took advantage by locking in a standing headlock on Dresden. The Chicago native powered out of it and sent Huckleberry into the ring ropes. As the Huckster sprung off of the ropes, Abbigail set up for a back body drop, but the tricky Huckleberry saw her telegraph maneuver and kicked Dresden straight into the face. The blow knocked Abbigail stumbling back into the ropes on the other side of the ring and the little Appalachian capitalized on the situation by clotheslining Dresden up over the top rope and onto the floor.

Scott Slade: Oh no! Poor start for Abbigail. I don’t think that’s how she wanted to start this match off.

Chris Rodgers: She’s fallen quite a ways since her drug-fueled victory over Abishag. Let this be a lesson to kids. Cheat to win… always.

Scott Slade: Wow… that’s a great message.

Chris Rodgers: Sooner they learn the better Scott.

The New York fans started an “Asshole” chant for Huckleberry as he danced around the ring like a crazy hillbilly high on methamphetamine. Ares helped Dresden up off the floor and after giving her a few choice words sent her back into the ring after the showboating southerner. Dresden got to her feet and moved in fast up from behind on Huckleberry and rolled him up quickly. Referee Bob Sigro dove to the mat for the count as soon as the Huckster’s shoulders touched the mat.

Scott Slade: Dresden with a surprise roll up! ONE! TWO! Kick out!

Chris Rodgers: No wonder Kronin was yelling at this guy earlier. I think winning the Franchise championship has gone to straight to the Huckster’s head!

As soon Huckleberry was free, he dove into his corner and tagged in Kronin who didn’t look happy with the Huckster one bit. The German swiftly got in the ring and nailed Abbigail with a massive spear that took her clean off her feet. The fans again erupted in a chorus of boos as Kronin ignored their reaction and picked up Dresden before German Suplexeing the girl in the center of the ring. Kronin dove on Dresden seconds later and covered her for a pin.

Scott Slade: Reinhardt comes out strong!

Chris Rodgers: One! Two! No! So close. Dresden kicked out right at the last millisecond.

Scott Slade: She’s got to find a way to her corner to tag Sato in or otherwise their going to be turning over those title belts.

Chirs Rogers: Look at Reinhardt go to town on Dresden. These two are closer than most people at home know. You wouldn’t think it though watching this!

The much larger Kronin beat on Dresden as she stumbled around the ring trying to stay on her feet and regain her composure. Her feet left the canvas however when Kronin picked her up and delivered a stunning sidewalk slam. Kronin was in control of the match completely as he covered Dresden again for a pin.

Scott Slade: Another cover. One! Two! No, Dresden fights out of it again just barely.

Chris Rodgers: The German is looking to tag in Huckleberry and there it is!

Kronin makes the tag and Huckleberry immediately heads to the top rope of the turnbuckle which gets a rise out of the hostile crowd. Instead of going straight for the high-risk attack the Appalachian reached into his pants and pulled out a small flask of moonshine.

Scott Slade: Is he drinking during a professional wrestling match?

Huckleberry to a big swig of the moonshine and then tossed the flask into the crowd before wiping the dribble from his chin. He then leaped off the top rope and attempted a frog splash on Dresden who was still flat on the mat. The move however backfired as Dresden was playing possum and got her knees up to block it. The little hillbilly rolled over onto his side holding his ribs and screamed in pain as Dresden fought back to her feet and dove into her corner to tag in Sato.

Scott Slade: Things are going all wrong for Huckleberry. He seems especially unfocused tonight.

Chris Rodgers: He’s probably drunk off his butt! Now Sato’s in the fight and I’m sure he’s not happy with what happened last week. If I were the Huckster I’d be tagging in Kronin right about now.

The New York crowd roared as Sato entered the ring and immediately went on the attack stomping on Huckleberry with uncharacteristic intensity. He then locked in a camel clutch and began pulling back on the Huckster's chin as he inflicted immense pain on the little hillbilly. Huckleberry screamed and kicked legs up and down on the mat trying not to tap out. Just when it seemed as if he might tap Kronin dove in and clotheslined Sato off of his tag team partner. The fans booed as Bob Sigro grabbed Kronin and dragged him back into his corner warning him that his team would be disqualified if tried to interfere in the match again.

Chris Rodgers: Wow Kronin just bailed Huckleberry out right there. Huckleberry has to try to get control of this match again.

Scott Slade: Sato is usually more of a guy who likes to hang back and let his opponents come to him, but it looks like he really wants to put a real beat down on Huckleberry.

Chris Rodgers: I’m sure he thinks that Franchise belt should be his, but all the best fighters feel that way. That’s what makes them great.

Huckleberry got back to his feet but was immediately cut off from his partner by Sato who attacked with multiple lightning-quick side roundhouse kicks that cracked Huckleberry on the right side of his head rocking his brain. The Huckster wobbled around in the center of the ring and was almost decapitated by a brilliant 540 reverse kick that cracked the Franchise champion right in the jaw and dropped him to the mat.

Chirs Rodgers: God damn!

Scott Slade: Sato just cleaned Huckleberry’s clock!

Sato sprinted to his tag team partner Dresden and tagged her in. Dresden was ready for the tag and went straight to the top of her turnbuckle. She jumped off the top rope and hit Huckleberry with as flying elbow drop. The fans erupted as Dresden hooked Huckleberry’s leg as Sigro dove to the mat for the count.

Chris Rodgers: This could be it! ONE! TWO! NO! NO! Huckleberry kicked out!

Scott Slade: Talk about resilience! Fantastic stuff from Huckleberry. He’s shown that you can never really count him out!

Dresden pounded her fist on the mat clearly frustrated with her inability to keep Huckleberry down. She got back to her feet and dragged the Appalachian up by his long dirty blond hair and let him have it with a massive haymaker that sent the champion stumbling into the ropes. Dresden went on the attack and attempted to clothesline Huckleberry, but the Huckster ducked down and back body dropped Dresden up over the top rope and onto the floor. Huckleberry fell on the mat absolutely gassed and crawled to Kronin making the tag. Kronin entered the ring fired up trying to bait Sato into the ring, but Takuma stood there watching him with hardly any emotion on his face.

Scott Slade: Look at the discipline from Sato. He has no interest in getting the ring illegally.

Chris Rodgers: You only get one warning from Bob Sigro. It's asinine to waste it just because the Germans mouthing off to him. Smart thinking from the German as always.

Kronin stepped over the top rope and dropped down to the concrete floor. Abbigail was crouched over on her hands and knees trying to catch a breath. Ares stared at Kronin with dead eyes while smoking as Kronin moved in on his female opponent. As Reinhardt picked Dresden up off the floor Ares came alive and began insulting Kronin as he finished his cancer stick. Reinhardt tossed Abbigail back into the ring and she rolled toward the center of it still breathing hard after the fall on the cement floor. The two men then got in each other’s faces and began shouting so loudly that spit was flying into one another’s face. The crowd began to grow more excited as the machismo oozing out both individuals fed there repressed barbaric nature.

Chris Rodgers: Kronin is making a big mistake! He’s allowing himself to be distracted which is unlike him.

Referee Bob Sigro had started his count and was yelling at Kronin to get in the ring. Suddenly out of nowhere, Kronin slapped Ares in the face so hard it knocked him on the floor. Kronin stood over Ares breathing heavily pleased with the result of his attack when from off the ring mat Sato dove and annihilated Kronin with a flying dragon kick to the back of his head. The blow knocked Kronin down and the big German clunked his skull on the metal guard railing. Sato landed on his feet like something out of a martial arts film and began screaming and pounding his chest. A “Sato” chant started up as Huckleberry jumped down from his corner and rushed over to try and help is unconscious tag team partner.

Scott Slade: What chaos! What action! This is insane!

Chris Rodgers: Bob Sigro is getting pretty high in the count here and Kronin is out like a light!

The Appalachian hillbilly rushed toward Sato like a mad man and attempted some sort of attack, but Sato intercepted him quickly and nailed Huckleberry with a punch to the heart that dropped him to the floor. The Franchise champion instantly started to convulse on the ground like a fish out of water. It was clear the devastating finishing maneuver had sent the man into a seizure. Meanwhile, Ares picked up Kronin and dumped him back into the ring before the count of ten which allowed Dresden to make the cover.

Chris Rodgers: Huckleberry just got nailed by Sato’s devastating heart punch!

Scott Slade: That Metaxas guy just tossed Reinhardt in the ring!

Chris Rodgers: Dresden with a cover! ONE! TWO! THREE!!! IT’S OVER! Sato and Dresden retain the titles!

“Are you ready?” by Disturbed started to play on the Gardens speaker system right after the three count and Abbigail, Ares, and Sato celebrated in the ring. Bob Sigro handed both wrestlers their title belts as they raised them high in the air.

Chris Rodgers: Ladies and Gentlemen we are out of time! Tune in next week when we come to you live from Detroit City!

Four hours after Friday Night Clash 9

Inside the office of M.O.X News Headquarters in New York City.

Allen Anderson stood at the guest table in Rupert Mudcock’s office setting up his personal laptop to a projector. His bald head had been heavily bandaged from the injuries he’d suffered at the hands of Valora Salinas earlier in the evening. As he fired up his Lynx operating system, he reached into his inner suit pocket and pulled out a bottle of NSAID'S for the pain and swelling he was enduring. He emptied four pills out of the bottle into the palm of his left hand and popped them into his mouth just as the office door swung open. Rupert rode into his office on his red mobility scooter and stopped a few feet from where Allen was stationed.

Rupert: What happened to your forehead?

Allen: My forehead Mr. Mudcock?

Rupert: Yeah, you have a damn bandage on your fucking head! What in the hell happened?

Anderson not wanting to show weakness to his new boss decided to make up a lie on the spot.

Allen: I uh… I was attacked by some illegal immigrants on my way over to the M.O.X building sir, I believe they were speaking Haitian Creole. They wanted my wallet. One of them hit me in the head with a damn metal bar of some sort.

Rupert: Unbelievable! This is what President McStrump has been working so hard to put a stop to Allen! Did you get a good look at them? I can have ICE agent’s here faster than…

Allen: That won’t be necessary sir! The police have already apprehended them. They’re being deported as we speak and my wallet has been returned.

Rupert: Well fantastic then. I’m sorry you had to go through such an ordeal. Anyway, let’s move forward with your presentation. What do you have for me?

Allen dimmed the lights to the office and then fired up his presentation titled “Ultimate Wrestling the Next Generation”. As the first slide faded away a picture and short bio of a wrestler named Rayvenna “Rayven” Thompson appeared on the screen.

Allen: Rayvenna Thompson, also goes by the name Rayven. Unstable, volatile, violent, and probably as talented as Valora Salinas was when she was 24. She spent much of her youth at Danvers State Lunatic Asylum in Salem, Massachusetts. She was eventually released for good behavior and was trained by northeast territory wrestling legend Grace Brutal. She had a good stint carrying the top strap in her region the last couple years till she had what’s been described a nervous breakdown and was locked up again at Danvers.

Rupert: Intriguing… but is she available?

Allen: I’ve already pulled some strings and got her out. She signed a contract yesterday and is set to make her debut on Friday Night Clash 10.

Rupert: Tremendous news Allen. Really, she looks like a fine acquisition.

Allen clicked the mouse on the desk and switched over to the next slide in his presentation this time revealing a man with boxing gloves and a stern look on his face.

Allen: Next we have Raymond Harding from Tampa Bay, Florida. Former undefeated boxer who had his license taken from him after he killed a man in the ring. I had a nice long meeting with Mr. Harding and he’s a big fan of M.O.X News and a huge supporter of yours Mr. Mudock.

Rupert: I like him already! Anything else I need to know about him?

Allen: The man grew up without a father figure and it will most likely be easy to gain his loyalty and for us to manipulate him in the directions we need. I think he can be groomed to be quite an asset for Ultimate Wrestling.

Rupert: Great job Allen, you’re already making Robert Eltistios look like a complete moron. I can see now why last season was so difficult.

Allen: Thank you, sir. That means the world to me.

Allen clicks to the next slide revealing a giant man with a strange reptilian style mask over his face and a body full of tribal tattoos.

Rupert: Great Blob! What is that?

Allen: This sir, this is the man known only as “Evolution” and he’s been destroying opponents left and right down in Latin America. At 7 feet, 4 inches tall he makes Brock Abishag look like an average-sized individual.

Rupert: I’m guessing not a lot is known about him?

Allen: No I’m afraid not sir. I’ve actually never met him in person. I dealt with his agent in Mexico and he didn’t seem to know much more than I know to be frank. All I can discern is that he’s wanted to come to America to wrestle for over a year now and that he has been unable to get a work visa to enter the United States due to his non-existent documentation. Once again a friend of mine at the border patrol has helped me out and he should be good to go for the next Friday Night Clash.

Rupert: You’re an invaluable asset to this company Allen. I don’t know what I’d do without you. They look like fine additions to the Ultimate Wrestling roster.

Allen: Lastly we have Mr. LuLu Biggs.

Rupert: I’m well aware of Mr. Biggs. I've been a customer of his for years. He does great work in the high-end escort and companion business of this fine State of New York. I’m also aware of his status in Japan in the Sumo ranks. Another fine addition Allen. Keep up the good work old chap.

Allen closed the lid on his laptop and then packed his equipment into an expensive-looking dark brown leather bag. Rupert slowly got up off his mobility scooter and waddled over to his wooden desk made out of illegal and priceless California Redwood. As Rupert sat tiringly at his desk he poured himself a glass of bourbon and looked over at Allen as he ingested his first sip. Allen took it as a gesture for him to have a seat across from his new boss and did so. Rupert poured him a glass of bourbon and slid over it to his new Vice President with a smile on his face.

Rupert: The ratings have very high since the survivors returned for North Korea. Their status as American heroes has done wonders for us even with Salinas losing the title belt last week we didn’t experience too much of change. With new additions to the roster, we have a chance to really grow the sport and the federation.

Allen: I couldn’t agree more sir. I think great things lie ahead for Ultimate Wrestling…

To be continued.