Last Alliance of Wrestling

QualitySoft

LAW: Midnight Wrestling

Backstage, Lord Jeremiah V is STILL whining

Jeremiah: “Young Mr Ryan Wing, I am most bitterly upset that I haven’t had a chance to right the injustice you purported against my royal self. It is a stain of my family’s long and illustrious history to lose to a mere peasant such as yourself – I demand a chance for revenge. By the royal traditions of Canoon, I call upon whatever meagre honour a lowly creature such as yourself possesses – meet me at Glory Days for a rematch!�

O: 63%
Lord Jeremiah V gained overness from this segment.

‘Smoothsteps’ Shawn Wright vs Mitch Paradise

Frankie once again proves to be a superb commentator, producing a few different synonyms to get Paradise over without using the word ‘angry’. The heated Paradise irately tears into Wright, who cools the pace down by dancing for the crowd a bit as he regains control. Paradise gets overly steamed and charges full speed into the corner, as Wright dodges. He hits a blockbuster, then the Moonwalk Moonsault, then waits on Paradise to get up before planting him with a Last Dance for the 3.

O: 59% (45, 73)

He'll-a mash your face!

In a pre-taped promo, Vito Thomaselli is in a gym, jabbing a boxing bag. He turns to the camera.

Vito: “Hey! Doug Delicious! You want to cross Vito Thomaselli? You think-a you just get in my business and get away with it? I’m-a not happy with you, and when I’m-a not happy, bad things happen. You want to fight, we’ll fight – one on one, my way, capice? We have a match at the big show, geddit? You think you such a pretty boy? You think your face deserves-a to be all over TV? We see how pretty you look when I punch-a your face in, yes?�

O: 60%
Vito Thomaselli gained overness from this segment.

Tommy Suede vs Ryan Wing

High-quality wrestling – I’m sure the Learning Channel will find something to have a fit about here. Suede gets the better of Wing and draws the crowd into it, taunting them. Not with nasty language, though – we can’t have any of that. Wing makes the classic babyface comeback, and calls for the Northern Lights Suplex. Lord Jeremiah V heads out to ringside, distracting Wing… just long enough for Suede to hit a piledriver. He comes off the top with a Phoenix Splash to win it.

O: 66% (53, 80)

The Hard Sell

Frankie takes a mic and rolls into the ring

Frankie: “Ladies and Gentlemen, fans of the Last Alliance of Wrestling! In just 4 days, we are proud to bring you Glory Days, a special live event! In two matches made this very night, Vito Thomaselli will take on Doug Delicious, and Ryan Wing will square off with Lord Jeremiah V! But that’s not all – ‘Psycho’ Mike Legion will be in action against Big Time Barry Hammond, and this time there’s no stopping them – a Hardcore, anything goes, no-rules matchup! And in the main event, Ladies and Gentlemen… Garrett Jaxx will defend his World Title against Kurt Stryker! A match of these high-stakes can only be settled one way – with blood! Garrett Jaxx vs Kurt Stryker in a First Blood match!

And I hear… not that I would know for sure, of course… but I hear that the Flying Armadillo will be in attendance as well! Ladies and Gentlemen, we hope to see you, live, at Glory Days!�

Thanks to the miracles of TV, all the necessary time, location, and price info scrolls across the bottom of the screen as Frankie talks. Everyone loves a hard sell. There is a actually a purpose to using our TV time to hype untelevised stuff – far more people show up to the live shows than watch us on TV. Still, Goldstien is going to have a FIT when he finds out we said “blood� on the air.

O: 71%
The Flying Armadillo gained overness from this segment.

Overall Show: 65%

---------------------------------------------------------------

The next morning, I counted down the hours. 9.00, Goldstien arrives in his office. 9.05, he gets told about the previous night’s programming. 9.07, my phone rings. I grabbed it on the first go.

“Hello, Mr Goldstien.�

Goldstien: “Blood! Blood! You put blood matches on the Learning Channel? And… and hardcore matches? This is totally unacceptable!�

“Mr Goldstien, we didn’t put any of those matches on. We simply hyped them up, for our end of the month show… which has NOTHING to do with the Learning Channel at all. We’re simply-�

Goldstien: “That doesn’t matter at all! All you’ve done is put on risky productions since day one – well, no more, mister! And the highest rating you’ve drawn is nothing more than an 0.00! In one more show, your contract is up – and I just so god-darn-diddly-arn-mad I’m not going to renew it! Take your risky-bisky-ness elsewhere, mister!�

Goldstien hung up. Crap, there goes our TV deal. I didn’t need the NWA to put me out of business – I was headed that way quite nicely on my own.

Enhancer's Current Status:

ALPHA 0.01 finished

QualitySoft

LAW: Glory Days I

Welcome to LAW’s one year anniversary show, and what I hope may eventually become ‘our Wrestlemania’.

The Introduction

Frankie stands up to start the show, but gets cut off as Tommy Suede enters. He dismisses Frankie with a wave of his hand and turns his back on him. Frankie raises a fist, looking to hit Suede, but leaves… rolling under the ring.

Suede: “Yes, yes. Buzz off, Frankie – nobody wants to listen to you when they can listen to me instead. After all, I am what most of you people can only dream of being. I have a level of education most of you couldn’t possibly understand! Not that that in itself would be difficult… I’m guessing several people here have yet to master the complexities of their ABCs. But my gifts aren’t just my brains – I also got this body! Just look at me – I’m handsome, educated, and incredibly talented-�

Suede stops as the crowd cuts off his self-indulgent tripe with an “Asshole� chant.

Suede: “You people want to call me an asshole? Don’t hate me – It’s not MY fault I got all the opportunities you didn’t. Blame your parents for that – after all, Cousin Mom marrying Cousin Dad was bound to produce lousy children. But I am offering you people an opportunity! You can live vicariously through me! I have all the talent, all the skill, to make it to the top. You can dream of one day becoming just like me! Not that that’s possible, of course – many of you appear to be at the shallow end of the gene pool. Furthermore, I need to mention that-�

Suede stops himself as he sees the Flying Armadillo rolling out from under the ring, and into it, ready for a fight.

O: 60%

Tommy Suede vs The Flying Armadillo

Suede immediately out-wrestles the Armadillo, using his superior training and technique to wear down the guy that definitely isn’t Frankie, no sir. Suede beats the Armadillo down some more, then takes a little time out to respond with gestures to the “asshole� chants going up from the fans. Armadillo hits a vertical suplex on Suede, then a double foot stomp off the top rope! He takes his eye off Suede for a second, yelling “Armadillo – AWAY!� to his fans, who respond with calls of “We Want Frankie!� Suede regains control over the Armadillo, totally shutting him down. Suede goes up top, and takes time to contemptuously look down at the crowd. He flies off with the Phoenix Splash – and the Flying Armadillo rolls out of the way, pulls Suede up, and hits the Armadillonator for the upset win!

A furious Suede chases the Flying Armadillo under the ring after the match, but loses him under there somewhere. Frankie returns to the announce table, as Suede gives up and goes backstage.

O: 64% (55, 74)

Huff N Puff vs Alexis Machine and The Law

Drake and Tobin stumble out, tripping (both literally and figuratively) down the aisle. They try several times to high-five each other, missing completely. Machine throws Tobin into the ring and drops him with a T-Bone Suplex. As Frankie puts it on commentary, Tobin’s eyes are already glazed over, but it’s probably not from the suplex. The Law tags in to take over, but Drake actually concentrates long enough to hit a cheapshot from behind, and Huff N Puff take over. They double-team on the Law for a while, hitting a unique tandem flying splash, where they both stand on the top rope and sway like they’re going to fall off for a while.

Not being a patient man, Machine doesn’t wait for the tag, entering the ring on his own and cleaning house. He applies the Breakdown to Drake, who taps out, but it doesn’t count since Machine isn’t legal. The ref continues to argue with Machine, forcing him back towards the apron with the threat of a DQ. Behind the ref’s back, Tobin illegally enters and cheapshots the Law! Tobin and Drake hit a double team Spike Piledriver on the Law. Drake covers, as Tobin keeps Machine out, and gets the 3.

O: 59% (44, 75)

Kamikaze Kid vs Mitch Paradise vs Smoothsteps Shawn Wright

It’s Triple Threat time, as Wright hands his sunglasses off to a female fan before taking the fight to Paradise in the ring. Kamikaze stays on the outside, too scared to fight either man. Paradise drops Wright, then leaps outside with a plancha on Kamikaze! Paradise drags the protesting Kamikaze around the outside of the ring, banging his head into the ring steps a few times. Wright also goes aerial, with a somersault senton over the top, taking out both men! The ref vainly protests as Wright and Paradise fight on the outside, leaving Kamikaze to sneak into the safety of the ring. Kamikaze gets back into the fight, springing out over the top with a Shooting Star Plancha! Both Wright and Paradise move, and Kamikaze gets maimed into the mats. Wright knocks down Paradise, then throws Kamikaze back into the ring. He hits the Moonwalk Moonsault for two, as Paradise breaks it up. Paradise dropkicks Wright down in the corner, then hits the Trip To Paradise on Kamikaze for the uninterrupted 3.

O: 60% (44, 76)

Lord Jeremiah V vs Ryan Wing

The Canadian Sensation moves quickly into the match, hitting a volley of sharp offence on Jeremiah. Jeremiah begs off and hides behind the ref, citing his alleged diplomatic immunity. It doesn’t matter to Wing, who drags him out to the middle of the ring and starts up with a springboard moonsault off the second rope. He changes sides, bouncing off the other side of the ring with a springboard elbow drop. Wing goes to the well a third time, going for another moonsault, but Jeremiah moves. He goes up top and hits a moonsault of his own. He tries to whip Wing into the corner, but Wing reverses. He charges, but Jeremiah raises his boots into Wing’s face, knocking him down and pinning him! Jeremiah puts both feet on the ropes! 1,2, and the ref sees the feet and stops counting! Jeremiah protests to the ref, giving Wing a chance to make a comeback. Jeremiah rolls him up again, this time with an inside cradle, grabbing the tights. The ref doesn’t spot this one, and counts the 3.

O: 66% (54, 78)

Barry Hammond comes out to the ring, already armed with a mic

Hammond:
“Yo yo yo, dig diggity, dawg!
Legion, you be chopped, yo dig it, fly!
I mash you down like…uh… apple pie!
You think you hardcore, well I’m …um… hardcorer!
So time for a beating, yo, I’ll leave you as a …. Uh… snorer!
Coz you’ll be knocked out, geddit?
Word, life, dawg!�

O: 67%
Big Time Barry Hammond gained overness from this segment.

Big Time Barry Hammond vs ‘Psycho’ Mike Legion, Hardcore Match

After that atrociously bad rap effort (even by Big Time’s standards), Legion is all fired up, ripping into Hammond right off the bat. They brawl for a while, exchanging headbutts and fists, as the ref wisely stands back and just watches them go at it. The weapons come into play, as Hammond produces the cookie sheets of death. Legion pulls out a trash can lid, and they take turns clubbing each other with their implements. Legion goes slightly more hardcore, bring a chair into it. He never gets a shot at Hammond, though, as Big Time cuts him off with what everyone loves to see in a hardcore match – a chinlock. Legion grabs the chair and swings it backwards, hitting himself in the face and Hammond in the arm to break the hold. This… ‘interesting’ strategy gives Hammond the chance to wrap one of his chains around his fist. He (poorly) breakdances, as he waits on Legion to pull himself up. Legion does so, and Hammond swings – and Legion ducks it! Legion picks Hammond up, with a Legion Spike! The ring shakes as Hammond slams into it, and Legion rolls over on top – 1,2,3!

O: 55% (48, 63)

Vito Thomaselli vs Doug Delicious

Vito shows off his boxing background, shuffling around Delicious and jabbing out at him. Double D covers up his “beautiful� *cough* face as best he can, then grabs both of Vito’s arms and hits a double underhook suplex, in a nice spot. He grounds down Vito, making sure everyone gets a good look at his facials, as he mouths on about how delicious he is. Vito fires back up, throwing Delicious off, and goes for a Super Kick. Double D grabs the foot, spins him around, and hits the Double Arm DDT. Instead of covering, Delicious shows off his abs and dances around jabbing, mocking Vito. He puts Vito up top and calls for a top rope Double Arm DDT – and Vito uppercuts him in the face! Vito shoves him down to the mat, and follows up with the Air Italy to win it!

O: 60% (47, 73)

Garrett Jaxx © vs Kurt Stryker, First Blood Match, LAW World Title

Stryker proves his leg is healed up and ready to go, blasting into Jaxx with a trio of leg lariats. He continues to dominate Jaxx, who begs off, but comes back with a blatant low-blow. Jaxx dares the ref to do something about it, and he simply shrugs – First Blood, so pretty much anything goes. Jaxx works over Stryker, blatantly cheating – choking, gouging, and spitting at Stryker at every chance he gets. Jaxx is convinced he’s beaten Stryker down enough, and he drags him to the center of the ring. Jaxx poses on all four turnbuckles, then yells “Now it’s time to make him bleed!� He heads back over to Stryker, and leans over him – and Stryker spits a FIREBALL INTO JAXX’s FACE!

Jaxx stops, drops, and rolls, then collapses, arms over his face. Stryker picks up his limp body – and hits a German Suplex! And another! A second German Suplex! Stryker hoists Jaxx up, propping him in the corner, and just PUMMELS away at him for a good 3 or 4 minutes, trying to draw blood. He fails, and goes outside for a chair. Jaxx groggily staggers over to the ref for a reprieve – and hits a Death Valley Driver on the referee! The ref goes down, as Stryker rolls back in… and BAM! Chair shot, right to Jaxx’s head!

Jaxx goes down like falling lumber. Stryker draws a pop out of the crowd, then pulls Jaxx up by the head, revealing that Jaxx is bleeding from a cut in the forehead. Stryker pulls on the unconscious ref, who’s just deadweight, as Jaxx hauls himself back up. Stryker turns at just the wrong moment – and BAM! Chair shot to the head of Stryker! Stryker clearly ISN’T bleeding, but Jaxx still is. Jaxx steps over to the fallen ref – and pulls the ref’s shirt off! Jaxx ties the shirt around his head, covering up the cut. He mops the blood off his face, then picks Stryker up and hits a Death Valley Driver on him. Jaxx grabs the ringbell from the outside, and grinds away on Stryker’s face with the sharp edge of it.

The ref recovers, just as Stryker springs a leak and begins to bleed from the forehead. The ref sees it, and calls for the bell. It doesn’t ring, because Jaxx is still cutting Stryker’s forehead open with it, but the ref raises Jaxx’s arm in victory. He looks at the shirt on Jaxx’s head, then at his own bare chest questioningly, but Jaxx grabs his World Title and leaves, to the disgust of the crowd.

O: 68% (58, 79)
The LAW World title has gained in image.

Overall Show: 63%
Match of the Night: Jaxx vs Stryker
Worst Match of the Night: Barry Hammond vs Mike Legion

Enhancer's Current Status:

ALPHA 0.01 finished

QualitySoft

Sophie leaned into my office, which in itself was enough to make for a good day. The news she had was even better, though.

Sophie: “There’s a man on the phone for you. He sounds… happy, and pretty keen to talk to you.�

Somebody happy about wanting to talk to me? Can’t be anyone I know. I picked up the phone.

“Hello, Last Alliance of Wrestling, Chase Sumner speaking.�

“Chase! Chase, my man, good to hear your voice, old buddy. Man, I just wanted to say, it’s great doing business with you! An honour, really. I enjoyed working for you for the past year, and-�

“Hang on, hang on – who is this?�

“It’s your accountant. I’ve finished the financial sheets.�

“My accountant? Old buddy? Would this be the same accountant who sent me a letter last month stating that… *I rummaged through the drawer and found the letter* … and I quote “LAW is a financial disaster. Neither it, nor any of it’s workers, could draw money if you dipped them in glue and dragged them through a bank�? The same accountant who sent that letter?�

“Well, uh, I guess…. Listen, old buddy, that’s living in the past. The present’s where it’s at, buddy – you made a hundred and ninety-five this month!�

“$195? Well, that’s better than losing money, but I don’t see…�

“Not $195. One hundred and ninety-five THOUSAND. $195,000, pure profit.�

The phone slipped through my fingers as I ended the conversation with delight. $195,000. The Learning Channel may have been one of the worst stations in existence, but they had made us a bundle. That was all over after the next show, of course… but still. The news of the money made Sophie grin from ear to ear. I was taking her someplace fancy tonight – one of those swanky French shindigs. Sky’s the limit with this kind of profit.

ONE YEAR IN

Well, this was it – LAW had survived an entire year, through both ups and downs. I checked back over what seemed like the key facts to me.

- Although we were currently making money, that could probably change in the blink of an eye.

- NWA Los Angeles, Hardcore City, and Detroit Michigan had all folded due to sudden, inexplicable bankruptcies. I smelt a rat – companies didn’t just vanish out of nowhere… not three of them in a row, anyway. I still didn’t know what the scam here was, but I was sure there was one operating.

- Our short-lived experience on the Learning Channel was the best thing to ever happen to LAW – our Public Image had moved on up to 66%.

- Our match of the year had been a phenomenal tag team ladder match between Tommy Suede and Garrett Jaxx vs Kurt Stryker and Shawn Wright. I’d made sure to give all four guys my heartfelt thanks.

- New National Fed City Limits Fighting had opened up, no doubt causing some serious headaches for the NWA. I fully supported these guys, even though I still didn’t know who the owner was. Apparently he had a thing for secrecy.

- I’d found out a few things about Sophie – she knows something about Jacob Caulder’s connection to the NWA, and she’s damn sure got an axe to grind with him. Wish I knew what it was.

- Sophie and I were progressing in our relationship, abiet in super-slow motion. Our secrets held us apart – hell, we weren’t even going by our real names, so it was amazing we’d gotten as far as we had.

- I stand by my oath – however long it takes. Months, years, decades – whatever it takes, I’m still coming for Caulder. I haven’t forgotten you, Stevie. I WILL avenge you. The NWA is going down.

Enhancer's Current Status:

ALPHA 0.01 finished

QualitySoft

I toyed with the idea of making this show with just about everything profane possible – nudity, Satanism, and calling people racist names (*Gasp* Italian! *Gasp*) but decided to ultimately shelve it in favour of using what may be LAW’s last TV in a while to further the storylines. Also, Sophie informed me our sponsors might not be too happy with that sort of behaviour, so this is a nice, normal show… in a LAW kind of way.

Well, mostly…. Of course, Goldstien still isn’t going to be happy.

LAW Midnight Wrestling

A pre-taped promo from Kurt Stryker airs

He’s in a darkened room. The only light provided comes from the flame of the cigarette lighter he is holding.

Stryker: “That’s twice, Jaxx. Twice you’ve screwed me over, twice you’ve kept that title from me by cheating your lying ass off. I don’t want you to think you’ve gotten off easy – because sooner or later, that belt’s going around my waist again. However long it takes – I’m not giving up. My path is clear – I’m taking back my World Title. And if anyone, or anything gets in my way, I’ll burn right through them. It’ll probably be a while before my next title shot, Jaxx. You’re probably safe from me taking it… for now. But not forever. Because just when you relax… just when you think you’re safe… that’s when you’ll get smoked. Remember, Jaxx… When you play with fire, you get burned!�

O: 73%
Kurt Stryker debuted his new gimmick (Man on a Mission), it got a positive response. Kurt Stryker gained overness from this segment.

In the ring, Alexis Machine and The Law are waiting with mics

Machine: “I don’t care about nothing but kicking some butt and taking names! I’m big, I’m mean, and I’m an ass-kicking machine – but not on my own any more. See I’ve been teaming up with The Law for a while now… and I like his style. No fuss, no muss, and of course, he knows how to kneecap people with a nightstick… and that’s always a good bonus. What I am saying is this – I have found myself a permanent tag team partner. And what we are, is the most dominant tag team in this company!�

Law: “Listen up, maggots! Like the machine said, we’re here to fight! We’re hear to prove our dominance. And if any other team out there doesn’t like it… then you’ll just have to learn to respect our authority!�

In back, Danny Drake and Mike Tobin are shown. Both are having trouble keeping their footing, and are clearly off their faces. We can’t legally show them smoking real dope on the air… but I’m sure most of the fans are bright enough to work out it’s probably not tobacco in the cigarettes they are puffing on. Huff N Puff are watching this promo on the monitor. Uh… well, Drake is, anyway. Tobin is staring at the backs of his hands and smiling inanely, grinning like an idiot.

O: 58%
Alexis Machine gained overness from this segment. The Law gained overness from this segment.

Vito Thomaselli vs Lord Jeremiah V

Jeremiah has gone full into royalty mode now, coming out with a cheap looking crown on and a sceptre in his hand. The ref wisely picks up that the sceptre’s main purpose might be to bash Vito instead of just decoration, and he makes Jeremiah leave it outside the ring. The two get into the match for a few minutes, and Doug Delicious makes his presence felt, coming down the aisle and throwing the sceptre into the ring. The ref leans out of the ring to argue with Double D, as Jeremiah picks up the sceptre. He turns, smiling – and Vito pulls it out of his hands and nails him across the head with it! He throws the weapon out, as Delicious realises he’s just cost Jeremiah the match. The ref turns, and Vito covers for the 3. Double D rolls into the ring, as Vito raises his fists, prepared for a 2 on 1 – and Ryan Wing comes running down the aisle! Wing cleans house, clotheslining out Jeremiah as Vito disposes of Double D.

O: 63% (49, 77)

One badass rap

Big Time Barry Hammond comes out to the ring. He cues a beat, then grabs the mic...

Hammond:
“Yo yo yo, I’m sorry to say
This be our last night on the air…um… that ain’t OK!
LAW be the baddest, the best, we be cool
Now we be kicked off the air by some damn fool.
Learning Channel see something good, they don’t know what to do…
So I got two words – yo, LC’s – FUCK YOU!�

Hammond salutes the camera with the double fingers as this completely uncensored piece runs on air. Not only that, Hammond rallies up the crowd, leading them in a loud “Fuck You!� chant. I can hear Goldstien’s head imploding from here. Hey, when we go off the channel, we go off with a bang.

O: 59%
Big Time Barry Hammond gained overness from this segment.

Kurt Stryker and ‘Psycho’ Mike Legion vs Garrett Jaxx and Tommy Suede

Legion comes down with a huge grin on his face, holding a chair in each hand. Jaxx protests to the ref, who tells Legion to get the chairs out of here, until Frankie stands up with a mic…

Frankie: “Ladies and Gentlemen, I've just been informed... according to the Last Alliance of Wrestling’s Board of Directors, in honour of our last night on the Learning Channel… the following contest has been declared a hardcore match!�

Jaxx and Suede freak out as Legion comes in with the chairs. Jaxx and Suede back off, so Legion throws them one of the chairs and invites Jaxx to hit him. Jaxx tries, and they do a little fencing with the chairs while Stryker and Suede actually wrestle. Jaxx tries technique, dropkicking the chair into Legion’s knee and working over the leg. Stryker begins to get the better of Suede, and whips him into the steps, taking him out. In the mean while, Jaxx applies a Figure 4 leglock to Legion. Stryker slides a chair in to Legion, who breaks the hold up by sitting up and BRAINING Jaxx with it. Jaxx goes down like a sack of potatoes, as Suede slides back in for the save. Suede tries to fight, but Stryker takes him out with a German Suplex and drags him outside. Legion picks Jaxx up, and hits the Psycho Driver! 1,2,3!

Suede pulls Jaxx out of the ring, as Jaxx begins to bleed profusely again from the re-opened cut on his forehead. Legion and Stryker stand tall, and we go out on the charming edutainment shot of Jaxx bleeding in the aisle, screaming totally uncensored curses at Legion. See, everyone’s learned something!

O: 69% (56, 82)

Overall Show: 65%
Total Number of things that would offend the Learning Channel: Blood, rapping, drug use, excessive profanity (in multiple counts), violence, chair shots, threats to burn something… all in all, it’s been a good day.

-------------------------------------------------------

Sophie came into my office with a malicious grin on her face. I smiled back.

“I’m guessing you got what I was after…�

Sophie: “You got it, Chase… and it’s even better than we’d hoped. As of 4 hours ago, the Learning Channel has received 763 complaints. Over SEVEN hundred people rang, faxed, and emailed in comments on our show. It also drew an 0.01 rating… making it the highest watched segment EVER in that time period for the Learning Channel. What a way to go out, Chase, what a way to go out.�

“Speaking of going out, Sophie…�

She smiled sweetly, but left without a reply. Figures.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sophie came back later that night with a series of bad news, just in case it was looking like a good month. At this stage, I was celebrating/mourning the mixed blessing and curse of losing our TV show. Namely, I was 9/8ths… I mean 3 halves… uh, 5 quarters… whatever. I was DEEP into a bottle of Jack Daniels.

“Soophie… heh. You’re so pretty…�

Sophie: “Are you drunk? Geez, Chase… sober up for a minute and listen, will you? We’ve got problems. First off, wrestling’s hit it’s peak – and it’s on the way back down. The market’s going to slump, and it won’t stop till it hits rock bottom. Second, despite that, NWA: Texas have just gone global. To top it off, Old School Dojo, Coastal Zone Combat, and Total Championship Wrestling have ALL gone up to small feds, putting them in competition with us. We’re well ahead in PI at this stage, but it could get bad.�

Sophie took the bottle from me and took a monster shot from it. While I was staggering to keep my eyes open, it didn’t even phase her.

Sophie: “Even worse, there’s NO WAY in hell that we can get any writers to work for us - everyone out there thinks this promotion is too small. We’ll have to wait until we hit Regional level before we can have any angles. People think we’re looking like a cheap company – we need to increase production values to 26%, and that’s going to cost money. Chase, are you even listening to me?�

“Stevie… uh, Sophie… Stevie! I miss Stevie… I’m sorry, Stevie, I’m sorry I couldn’t… Sophie? Hands me that …suf.. bottle of… uh.�

I polished off the bottle, and the next thing I remember is waking with a headache that could probably be measured on the Ricter scale. I’d passed out before I’d said anything stupid, or worse, secret, to Sophie… at least, I think so. I can’t remember what I said, which is a sure sign I shouldn’t have had that bottle.

Enhancer's Current Status:

ALPHA 0.01 finished

QualitySoft

LAW Downward Spiral

The Introduction

Frankie stands up to open the show, but to the surprise of nobody, he’s cut off… this time by Mitch Paradise.

Paradise: “Siddown, Frankie, right now, or I’ll bust your head down so hard it’ll come out the other side of your neck!�

Frankie thinks for a moment, then leaves the ring… and rolls under it.

Paradise: “I came into the company for one reason – to find my paradise. I came here because of the Lost Boyz. Azrael and Gabriel… they assured me I could find paradise with their help. They lied to me! Just like everyone else who’s always lied to me! People might have noticed that I have a little problem with my anger – well, is it any wonder I’m pissed off? All I’m looking for is peace. All I’m looking for is my paradise. And I’ll find it, sooner or later – even if I have to beat the living hell out of everyone in the company to do it!�

Paradise storms off with a scowl on his face. A good couple of minutes after he’s left, The Flying Armadillo rolls out from under the ring. Finding no opponents, he simply waits for one to enter…

Overall: 54%
Mitch Paradise gained overness from this segment.

The Flying Armadillo vs Kamikaze Kid

Kamikaze reluctantly makes his way out to the ring, shying away in fear every time the fans stick their hands out to greet him. The Flying Armadillo greets him in his own way, with a flying plancha out to the floor, cape streaming out behind him. Kamikaze sucks it up long enough to prove he’s a better flyer than the Armadillo, hitting a series of increasingly ludicrous twisting dives and presses. He’s stopped dead in his tracks when the Flying Armadillo poses and shouts “Armadillo – AWAY!� at him, though. Frankie… uh, I mean, “Not Frankie� clubs down on Kamikaze. He hits a double foot stomp from the top rope, then follows up with the Armadillonator to win it.

O: 59% (44, 74)

Huff N Puff vs Alexis Machine and The Law

Tobin and Drake cheapshot Machine to start the match off, and work him over while the ref escorts The Law back to his corner. They go through the standard tag formula, with Tobin and Drake beating down Machine in their corner. Machine makes a few vain efforts to make a comeback, but Huff N Puff continue to dominate, abiet in their own rather out of it way. They finally set up for a Spike Piledriver – and Machine backdrops out of it, throwing Tobin into Drake! He hits the Lexis-Plex on Tobin! He tags The Law in! The Law takes down both heels, as Machine slowly recovers, and the faces take control. Danny Drake concentrates long enough to dropkick Machine off the apron – and as he turns around, Law blasts Drake with the Long Arm of the Law!

Law goes for Tobin, pulling him in off the apron – and a gorgeous woman struts her way down the aisle! The crowd gets into it, hooting and hollering as Law looks on, his eyes, widening, as she hops up on the apron, smiles at him, and suggestively strokes a finger down her leg. Law suddenly realises what’s happening, but a second too late – Tobin blindsides him, and he and Drake hit the Spike Piledriver to win the match.

O: 63% (53, 73)
XTC debuted her new gimmick (Seductress), it got a positive response.

And the lady is...

The woman bats her eyes at the crowd, and rather suggestively licks her lips and curls her tongue towards the mic.

Woman: “I am exactly what I appear to be – my name is XTC. Ecstasy – do you know what that means?�

Tobin and Drake snigger in the background and make drugged out faces.

XTC: “Not THAT ecstasy, you idiots – XTC. It is pure bliss. Rapture. Enjoyment beyond your wildest dreams – that’s exactly what I am. Most of you here can only DREAM of being in XTC. I’m sure what you want to know now is: why am I with Danny Drake and Mike Tobin? These two worthless stoners? Let me tell you why – they are easily manipulated, easily controlled – and like so many other man, they will do ANYTHING I desire. Now, I assume-�

Tobin: “Dude! She said ass!�

Drake: “DUDE!�

Tobin: “DUDE!�

They vainly attempt to high-five each other, until XTC glares at them. They instantly fall in line behind her and follow her backstage.

O: 62%
XTC gained overness from this segment. Danny Drake gained overness from this segment. Mike Tobin gained overness from this segment.

Ryan Wing and Vito Thomaselli vs Doug Delicious and Lord Jeremiah V

Wing starts off with Double D, as they trade some decent mat wrestling and counter holds. It doesn’t last long, though – as Wing backs near his corner, Vito tags himself in and fires up with a series of nice uppercuts on Double D. Delicious bails to his corner, tagging in Jeremiah – who walks straight into a series of circling jabs from Vito! Wing tags himself back in to fight Jeremiah, and the two take it to the sky in a high-flying match. Wing looks to be getting the better of Jeremiah, but Vito gets sick of waiting on the apron. He tries to come in, accidentally distracting the ref – and Delicious rolls in with the Royal Scepter, whacking Ryan Wing in the back with it!

The heels take over, with Double D grounding Wing in the corner. They go through all the tricks, with Delicious sticking his chin out at Vito and taunting him, while Jeremiah chokes down Wing in the corner as the ref holds back Vito. Jeremiah continues to work over Wing – but as he goes for a clothesline, Wing grabs his arm, spins him, and hits a Flatliner! Wing tags in Vito! Vito cleans house, laying into Delicious in the corner with a series of lightning quick rights and lefts. Jeremiah tries to pull him off, but gets laid out with a Super Kick! Vito continues to lay in the fists to Double D, who whimpers and tries to cover his face as the ref unsuccessfully attempts to pull Vito off. Wing hits the Northern Lights Suplex on Jeremiah! The ref is still in the corner with Vito, so no count is made. Wing breaks the bridge to get the ref’s attention. As he does so, Delicious hurls Vito out to the floor – and Wing turns around, right into a Royal Guillotine from Jeremiah! Jeremiah picks Wing up and feeds him to Double D, who nails him with a Double Arm DDT for the 1,2,3.

Jeremiah and Delicious, the successful team, leave all smiles, while Vito and Wing glare at each other.

O: 64% (54, 75)
Vito Thomaselli gained overness from this feud ending. Ryan Wing gained overness from this feud ending. Doug Delicious gained overness from this feud ending. Lord Jeremiah V gained overness from this feud ending.

Kurt Stryker vs Tommy Suede

Stryker pumps up in the ring, looking good and ready, as Suede stalls for time. He climbs up onto the apron, but backs down again as Stryker approaches. Suede won’t enter the ring, demanding the ref hold Stryker back first. After about three lots of this, the crowd gets seriously on Suede’s back. Stryker holds his arms up and backs well off, as Suede climbs on the apron and stalls some more – and Stryker spits the Fireball at him!

The edge of it catches Suede, sending him sailing off the apron to the floor! Stryker follows him out, hitting an elbow drop off the apron. Suede tries to get the hell out of dodge, running away from Stryker – who simply follows him and continues to beat him into the crowd! They brawl all the way around the crowd, then backstage out of view. The ref, with no idea what the hell’s happening, throws the match out on a Double Count Out as the crowd booes the cheap finish.

O: 68% (58, 79)

Big Time Barry Hammond vs ‘Smoothsteps’ Shawn Wright, No1 Contenders Match

By the power of the altogether fictional LAW Board of Directors, the winner of this gets a title shot next month. Both men strut their stuff for the crowd with a brief pre-match dance off. Wright actually has the moves, and gets a big pop, while Hammond gets a suitable reward of booes for his hideous efforts to bust a move. He invites Wright to strut his stuff one more time, then takes the chance to attack him from behind.

Hammond controls the match for a while, using such deadly big man offence as the chokehold and the chinlock. He out-powers Wright, hurling him into the corner and crushing him with an avalanche, then press slamming him high into the air. Wright fights back, ducking a clothesline and hitting a 619 style kick off the ropes into Hammond’s gut. Now that’s a big target. Hammond goes for a running powerslam, as Wright slides down his back and sends him into the turnbuckle. He hits a bulldog from behind – then the Moonwalk Moonsault! 1,2, No!

Big Time shoves Wright back into the corner, and CRUSHES him with a running splash. He hits two more, then hauls the limp Shawn Wright out, hitting him with a powerslam, then splashes him again as Wright lies on the mat. Hammond foolishly takes the opportunity to bust a move, wasting absurd amounts of time as the fans boo. He picks Wright up again – and Wright kicks him in the gut and drops him with the Last Dance! 1,2,3! Wright moonwalks his way back up the aisle to the delight of the fans.

O: 62% (52, 73)

Mike Legion makes his entrance, mic in hand

Legion: “It’s time, it’s time… not only is it time to get psycho, it’s time for a new champion! Jaxx, you’ve never had a challenger like me. I’m unpredictable. I’m uncontrollable. And I’ll do whatever it takes to get that belt off you – legal or not. I’m not a man that’s hampered by the rules, Jaxx. Not the rules of the ring, not even the rules of society. I don’t care if I have to turn you into a battered pulp to take that title… in fact, I’d prefer it that way.

No doubt you’re a worthy champion. You’re good, Jaxx. A better wrestler than me? Probably. But that doesn’t matter a damn to me. You could probably beat me in a straight up technical match, but that’s not the way I fight. I’ll give my blood, sweat, and tears for that title – because like they say – if you’re not bleeding, you’re not trying!�

O: 68%
Psycho Mike Legion gained overness from this segment.

‘Psycho’ Mike Legion vs Garrett Jaxx ©, LAW World Title

Legion BLITZES Jaxx to open the match, literally beating him from one side of the ring to the other. Legion stays on offence, smacking Jaxx around the ring with huge haymakers. Jaxx rolls out to the floor for a breather, but Legion isn’t dissuaded – he simply follows Jaxx outside and starts smacking Jaxx’s head into the ring apron! The ref vainly attempts to regain control, as Legion occasionally rolls in to prevent a count-out. Legion whips Jaxx towards the steps – and Jaxx reverses, sending Legion head-first into the steel!

Jaxx takes over on Legion, mashing his head into the ringpost. He rolls back in to break the count, but rolls right back out again and drives Legion head first into the post again. Jaxx rolls Legion back into the ring, as Legion begin to bleed from the forehead. Jaxx tries a few pin attempts, but Legion easily escapes. Jaxx tries for a submission, putting on a Sharpshooter, as Legion just JUICES, spraying blood out all over the mat as he attempts to avoid submitting. Legion crawls to the ropes – and crawls his way up them, breaking the hold! Legion grabs Jaxx and hooks his arms – and hits a series of Al Snow-esqe underhook headbutts, leaving both men with Legion’s blood across their faces!

Jaxx continues to try and work over the leg, but Legion fights on through it, grabbing Jaxx by the hand and biting his fingers! Jaxx pulls the ref into the corner to complain about the illegal biting – and Legion charges in with a clothesline, hitting the ref in the back of the head and slamming him into Jaxx! Everyone but Legion goes down, as he grins like a maniac, rolls outside, and grabs a chair to a nice pop from the crowd. Legion bodyslams Jaxx in the middle of the ring, then places the chair over Jaxx’s chest. Legion runs a finger across his throat, calling for the end, then heads up to the top rope. He waits for the crowd noise to rise – then flies, with a Flying Headbutt onto the chair!

A wild eyed Legion rises, now bleeding again from the reopened cut. He shakes the ref awake, then rolls onto the cover. The ref counts slowly… 1,2, and Jaxx kicks out! Jaxx staggers up, and dropkicks Legion. Legion, still heavily bleeding, pulls himself up as Jaxx charges – right into a Legion Spike! Both men go down! The ref starts a ten count. Legion rises first, as Jaxx pulls himself up in the corner. Legion grabs the chair and raises to swing – and the ref grabs it off him! The ref threatens Legion with a DQ, then turns to through the chair out of the ring – and behind his back, Jaxx drops down and hits a low-blow on Legion! Legion bends over in pain – and Jaxx hits him with a Death Valley Driver, into the cover, 1,2,3!

Jaxx retreats, holding his World Title high in victory. Legion, his face a crimson mask, pulls himself up – and hits the Psycho Driver on the referee! He grins maniacally at the fans as the show draws to a close.

O: 69% (54, 84)
The LAW World title has gained in image.

Overall Show: 64%
Match of the Night: Jaxx vs Legion
Worst Match of the Night: The Flying Armadillo vs Kamikaze Kid

Enhancer's Current Status:

ALPHA 0.01 finished

QualitySoft

Later that month, in the office

Sophie: “Chase, I’ve got good news, and bad. The bad is that the market’s now at 66%, and falling. It dropped massively overnight – I don’t think anyone saw it coming. They’re calling it the “4.0 effect�. The good… and bad too, I suppose – is that the wrestler’s unions are mobilising. Wrestlers all over the country are now working by a pay per appearance contract. It’s going to cause all sorts of hell for the NWA, but it won’t bother us until we get some TV. Basically, if you don’t use a worker, you don’t have to pay them.�

“Huh – at least it’s going to ramp the costs up for our televised competition. Anyway… Sophie, listen. About last month… I was pretty drunk. Did I say anything… um… ‘odd’ to you?�

Sophie: “As a matter of fact… hmm. I suppose we have to have this conversation sooner or later, Chase. I have to tell you-�

I never found out what she would have said next – Frankie burst through the door without knocking. I was about to swear at him and throw him out, until I took a second look. He had a black eye, was out of breath, and deathly pale. He looked scared… but I saw something else, too. Behind the fear in his eyes, a spark of anger burned, and I knew then I was looking at a driven man. I didn’t know what had happened, but when he threw down a piece of paper on my desk, my heart sank. I had a fair idea of what it was.

“Let me guess, Frankie. One of the NWA feds has just offered you an extraordinary opportunity. What did they offer you, Frankie? Are you selling me out for your thirty pieces of silver?�

Frankie glared up at me, and I took a step back. The guy had pure venom in his eyes, and I didn’t want to cross that. The look faded as fast as it had appeared, and I realised it was directed at something other than me.

Frankie: “No, Chase – it’s not like that. Money isn’t what matters to me…�

I closed my eyes and thought back to AHW. I remembered one of the wrestlers citing ‘family issues’, and leaving. I remembered the fire. No, there was more the NWA could do than just money… still, I’m surprised they escalated this far, this fast. Did Frankie even have a family? I didn’t know – but I suppose he had himself to look after, and he certainly didn’t get a black eye and turn sheet-white from walking into a door. Now I understood Frankie’s reasons.

“I understand, Frankie – you’re got to do what you’ve got to do. I’m sorry to see you go, but-�

Frankie gave me one look, and my sentence got left hung out to dry as I practically bit my tongue. The normally cheerful Flying Armadillo wasn’t anywhere to be seen – the man standing in my office, the man who had worked for me for a year – I didn’t know him at all. I’d never seen anything like it. His face flickered through a dozen emotions in a second – fear, to worry, to anger, then to a look of pure determination.

Frankie: “I’M. NOT. LEAVING. Read it, Chase – and sign it quick before I change my mind.�

I glanced down at the piece of paper, then did an immediate double-take. It wasn’t a letter of resignation, it was…

“Frankie, do you know what you’re asking? An UNSACKABLE contract? This would… this could tie to LAW for years! With NO option to leave for a bigger fed, EVER – are you sure about this? Why would you want to do this?�

Frankie’s face softened, and he opened his mouth to speak. He then saw Sophie, standing quietly in the room, and his face hardened again.

Frankie: “My reasons are my own – but this is nothing but good for you.�

“But I’ve got to know why…�

Frankie: “Because I won’t be pushed around, and I damn sure won’t be intimidated! I have no intentions of leaving this company any more – not now, not ever. Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth, Sumner – just sign it!�

I signed the contract, and Frankie picked it up. He read through it again, then slowly smiled, that look of pure determination again in his eyes. He smiled at me, looked suspiciously at Sophie again, and left.

3 days later, I called to check up on him. He was back to his old happy self, but got cold fast when I asked him again what it was all about. He curtly told me it wasn’t my business, then lit up again and we discussed ideas for the next show. I hung up, confused, but happy. Whatever the NWA had done to that guy… they’d lit a fire under his ass, alright. Whatever they wanted Frankie for, they’d just given me a gift instead.

------------------------------------------------

I came into the office to find Sophie had been working hard again – there was a list on my desk updating LAW’s information.

Alexis Machine, F, 46 Over, Bad Ass
Kurt Stryker, F, 56 Over, Man on a Mission
Mitch Paradise, F, 42 Over, Angry Young Man
Ryan Wing, F, 47 Over, Blue Chipper
Smoothsteps Shawn Wright, F, 56 Over, Fun Babyface
The Flying Armadillo (Frankie), F, 48 Over, Comedy Character
The Law, F, 45 Over, Law Enforcer
Vito Thomaselli, F, 44 Over, Fiery Italian

Danny Drake, T, 43 Over, Stoner
Mike Tobin, T, 41 Over, Stoner
Paper Bag Man, T, 13 Over, Putz
‘Psycho’ Mike Legion, T, 47 Over, Psycho
XTC (Manager), T, 21 Over, Seductress

Big Time Barry Hammond, H, 46 Over, Rapper
Doug Delicious, H, 50 Over, Prima Donna
Garrett Jaxx, H, 57 Over, Degenerate
Kamikaze Kid, H, 40 Over, Cowardly
Lord Jeremiah V, H, 51 Over, Royalty
Tommy Suede, H, 53 Over, Whole Damn Show

LAW:
Size: Small
Public Image: 66%
Finances: $472,565
Risk: 70%
Production: 15%
Advertising: 15%
Merchandising: 0%

Those numbers couldn’t be right. I got on the phone with my financial advisor, who told me it was – 15% advertising was essential if we wanted to keep our name out there, especially with the sudden downturn in wrestling. I sighed, and prepared to pull a few workers off the show in order to cut costs for this month. Good thing we hadn’t advertised any matches with Stryker, Suede, Vito, Legion, Kamikaze Kid or Ryan Wing yet. I’d have to cancel Vito vs Wing, and Suede vs Stryker. I just hoped our scheduled big main event would be enough for people. It WAS the top face vs the top heel of the fed, after all.

Still, there was another useful piece of information Sophie had – she’d turned up a writer who was willing to work with us for a mere $5,000 a month. I phoned our new one woman writing team, Elanor Blackhawk, to discuss some ideas.

Enhancer's Current Status:

ALPHA 0.01 finished