12.17.2123 from Centra Palladium Centrapolis, Centra Prime 45,640
- The Ship at the Edge of the Galaxy -
"Regulators battle it out with rioters and looters in the Northside of Centrapolis, Blue Steel Members get involved..."
"...Peacemaker remains in stasis after being poisoned during a bout at..."
"...Primus natives once again flee the Red Planet as Syndicate's Army secure..."
Holovision after holovision after holovision play different news stories on the chaos and unrest in Dimension Y.
A chair swivels around the room taking the anarchy in.
"It's almost time."
Satisfied with the events unfolding, The Ancient leans back in his chair as fog fills his helmet.
- What We See -
A ROC presence unseen since the start of the Holy War. Fans are hot but stay vigilant and aware of any ticket holder getting out of control and close to "rage".
aCe Championship
Pendragon vs. Avarice
Avarice defeated Pendragon with Crown of Thornes at 12:55
Match Rating: 4.50
Avarice doesn't wait for the official announcements, starting the match with a Shining Wizard. He flings Pendragon into the ropes but the champ comes off with a powerful flying shoulder tackle that leads to an incredible springboard forearm.
The match continues in incredible fashion with Avarice kicking out of several pin attempts by the champion while Pendragon kicks out of 7th Sin at 1! The turning point comes outside the ring when a desperate Blackheart uses the ringside steps bashing Pendragon in the head busting him open. The match continues with the challenger smelling blood in the water. He locks in Crown of Thorns tightly as the ref asks the champion what he wants to do. Pendragon is resilient at first but fades quickly, eventually passing out.
Avarice is champion again.
- The Note -
Timeline - Immediately following Showtime from the R.O.C Barracks.
At-Las walks back to his office/locker room, ice pack held to his neck. Annoyed at the loss, he tosses the pack against the wall sending its contents everywhere. He sits at his desk, puts his hands on his forehead and elbows on the steel when he notices the paper.
"All the nightmares came today
And it looks as though they're here to stay"
- Shepard
- Tirion Triple Threat -
Primeval Destruction vs. The Others vs. The Brothers Oaken
Odyssey defeated Donk Oaken with CHRONOCHASM at 14:02
Match Rating: 2.50
The Others look crisper and more together than they have since 2121. Omni and Odyssey combine several times on their classic tag offense coming out with a huge win over two of the top teams in the aCe.
- Heroes ReUnited -
Timeline -Six Days Ago
Trisis opens the door of her home to see the familiar face of Lance At-Las. By his stern look, however, she knows this is a business visit.
"Uh-oh." she starts, "Does he know you're coming?"
"Hey, Tris. I let him know I was on my way. Sorry to barge in, but this couldn't wait."
At-Las wait for Aegis in the living room. When the former tag partners see each other, they hug and exchange pleasantries before At-Las hands Aegis the note he found from Shepard.
"This couldn't come at a worse time, Lance. The people are scared. We're already down Peacemaker and now Shepard? Do you have a plan?"
"It's a longshot but I plan on asking Pendragon to join The Six again. Hopefully a year into this thing he's ready to take that step...it doesn't hurt it's Shepard's spot he'll take."
"Sounds good. I'm going to call a meeting in the next couple of days to discuss a few things, especially our new "Board Dynamic"...Well you made the trip here, I have to assume you're going to stay for dinner."
At-Las nods as Aegis grabs them drinks as the two men head outback of Casa de Aegis.
"So this match with Hustler..."
- Tables -
Aspin Northstar and Lance At-Las vs. Hustler and Mack Calibur
Lance At-Las defeated Mack Calibur - Tables go boom at 2:01
The match starts with all four men trash talking in the middle of the ring. As the bell rings Aspin strikes with a Crescent Kick to Hustler that instantly folds him. Being the veteran he is, Lance grabs a wrist lock on Mack and follows it up with a snapmare while yelling to Northstar "Do it!"
Aspin drags a limp Hustler on top of two tables set up outside the ring, climbs the turnbuckle and hits FLASH OF BRILLIANCE through Hustler and both tables! The fans go crazy! At-Las takes advantage of Calibur's shock and inexperience and launches the street fighter head first through a table propped up in the corner for a shockingly fast win!
- A Ravager Reunion -
Timeline - 5 Days Ago
Omni and Odyssey stand at a high-top table in the Thirsty Neighbor. They make small talk yet remain a little awkward after a year of fighting, teaming, and scheming with each other. Fortunately, Ventross doesn't keep them waiting.
Ventross - Brothers, I thank you for meeting me here. I know -
Omni - Why did you accept that man's challenge? What did he say to you?
Ventross - He calls himself Neuromancer. He is the newest "star" of The Syndicate. He was the reason for the blackouts at the last Syndicate Arena show and I believe the reason for the vision everyone saw during the Nightmare Matrix match between you two. Why did I accept his challenge? Because he needs to be put down and put down quick.
Odyssey - What did he whisper to you, Ventross?
Ventross takes a second gathering his thoughts before answering - Something...only the highest level of Ravager would have the knowledge of. Trust me, he is dangerous. I'm here to ask you to put aside your differences for now, really commit to teaming again, and help me with this threat.
Omni and Odyessy stare at the table deep in thought before making eye contact with each other and agreeing. They both turn to Ventross and ask at the same time...
The Others - What about The Six?
aCe Holovision Championship
Ventross vs. Neuromancer
Ventross defeated Neuromancer with MERCY KILLING at 8:04
Match Rating: 2.50
The bell rings and Ventross comes at Neuromancer with kidney jabs but Neuromancer does a good job shielding himself. He catches the Holovision champion with a finger jab in the throat and Ventross goes down! Neuromancer quickly goes for the pin but only gets a two. Neuromancer stays on the attack locking in a figure-four cradle but Ventross gets to the ropes. Neuromancer tries to throw Ventross into the turnbuckle but it's reversed and the rookie eats a big boot. Ventross takes no chances hitting the Gut Buster, Vivisection, and Severed Ties after a flying lariat outside the ring. Ventross ends it with MERCY KILLING but looks more worried than celebratory after the bout.
- The NeWmean SChoOwL YARD -
The Nemean Show set is built in the ring but it's Nes Kincade's music that plays in the arena. The former champion makes his way to the ring with his mic trash talking fans the whole way.
Nes Kincade - As I said before, with Nemean dead and buried or whatever, someone has to ask the tough questions around here, someone has to get to heart of the matters in the aCe, and quite frankly, someone has to piss off the talent! Who better than the Mouth of the aCe - Nes Kincade! I'll tell you what there is no need for - such a gaudy ass set!
Kincade proceeds to knock out the lights in the NEMEAN sign then kicks them over.
Nes Kincade - The Nemean Show is as dead as he is, long live The New School Yard!
Nemean's music cuts off Kincade who turns to the entrance waiting for the blonde Ravager. Nemean slips in the opposite side of the ring after coming through the crowd and waits for Kincade to realize. When Nes finally turns he's greeted with a Hunger Strike leaping spin kick then sends him tumbling over the SHOW letters he knocked over! Nemean grabs him to drop him with SEASON FINALE but Kincade worms away and runs up the ramp.
- No Holds Barred -
Godsend and Hellraisers vs. Paganax and Scud
Paganax defeated Nightmare with PAGAN VOID at 15:37
Match Rating: 4.00
The five men stand across from each other in the ring, four of them ready for war, one stands with his signature grin.
When the bell rings Godsend crouches down in the corner as The Hellraisers go in for the attack.
Nightmare squares off with Paganax while Darkseed goes for his former partner. The hesitance that Scud once had seems to have disappeared because he fires off with thigh kicks that leads to an all-out assault in the corner. Darkseed doesn't know what hit him as he takes a Scud Missile, Kamikaze Dive, and a flying leg drop before CRASH AND BURN. Godsend finally gets involved breaking up the pin and going to work on Scud. He puts down the Human Missile outside the ring with a Super Backdrop on the hard floor.
Meanwhile, Nightmare held his own against the Heathen Chief long enough to get the three on one advantage. They tear into Paganax until Godsend hits a Demon Bomb and goes for the pin. Somehow, Scud manages to make the save! The Dominion circle their prey when everything goes red in the Palladium.
Two men enter the ring ready to attack. When the lights return to normal we see it's not men it's DARKNESS FALLS! Jakyll and Krypt go at it with Godsend and Darkseed brawling outside the ring and into the crowd. By this time Paganax recovers hitting a Primal Scream on Nightmare and ending it with PAGAN VOID.
AFTERMATH
Almost as soon as Paganax's music starts, Jakyll and Krypt end their fight and return to the ring to stand by their Heathen Chief. They look at Scud ready to attack but Paganax puts up a hand stopping them. Scud doesn't push it and slides under the ropes heading to the back.
- "The Board is No More" -
Timeline - Four Days Ago
They arrived to ROC Headquarters at different intervals -
Lance At-Las first, followed minutes later by The Archangels. Ventross was next, followed by Aspin Northstar and The Others. All but Lance seem to be confused.
Once they're situated, Aegis walks in and sits at the head of the table.
Aegis - Gentlemen, I thank you for being here. Majority of the people I trust in Centra are in this room - If you have to wonder if you are one of the "Majority", well I'm sorry to inform you, you are a guest of the "Majority". But that's ok. You are more than welcome here.
The table look at each other confused except Lance who gives a nod of approval to continue.
Aegis - Gentlemen, this stays in this room... I'm sorry to inform you, Board of Directors are no more!"
aCe Battlefield Title
The Amazing Mann vs. Totalis
The Amazing Mann defeated Totalis with UNBREAKABLE at 10:31
Match Rating: 3.75
An excellent back and forth battle between The Amazing Mann and Totalis. Both men traded moves in seamless fashion, almost resembling a dance. Once The Amazing Mann was in control with a guillotine choke he transitioned to UNBREAKABLE but couldn't quite lock it in. When he does, fans root on Totalis to escape but to no avail - he taps and The UNBREAKABLE Tour rolls on.
- The aCe is the aCe. -
Timeline - 4 Days Ago
They sit in silence. Exodus finally asks the easy question.
Exodus - What do you mean "The Board of Directors is no more?"
Aegis - Let me rephrase that - "The Board" that you knew this last year is no more. The Board of Directors felt that the hassle of keeping the aCe open was not worth the revenue coming in. I had to beg them to let me keep it running, let me be in charge. They wanted nothing to do with it - the ones that wanted out sold to Lance and I. The Syndicate also bought in. One Board member remained from the original group but we don't know who they are, they always would vote with a proxy and apparently will continue to do so. It has been agreed that I will remain the face of The Board. The Syndicate will not push their weight around, they just asked for a special show from Primus later this year and we agreed.
I will run things exactly like I have - You will NOT get special treatment from me but I need you to understand this...The name may still be all-Centra entertainment but make no mistake, you are once again fighting to achieve Centra's essence...
aCe Tag Team Championship
Esperanto and Scorch vs. Shock Syndicate
Esperanto defeated Holocaust with DEAD MAN'S HAND at 15:17
Match Rating: 3.50
The Regulators use the power of the essence to their full advantage in their win over Shock Syndicate. Scorch being able to out-power Holocaust while Esperanto matched him went a long way in securing the win.
- The Shape of Things to Come -
Timeline -4 days ago (cont.)
Voices were raised and tensions flared. They went deep into the night with questions, arguments and concerns.
Aegis - The essence is the only thing that matters, I suggest everyone put their energy towards that.
Ventross - Are you telling me to take a dive and lose my Holovision title on purpose?
Aegis - I'm telling you to do what you feel is right, Ventross. If you feel Neuromancer isn't a threat for the aCe title, no mop the floor with him, don't get distracted though - eyes on the big prize.
Aspin Northstar - This don't feel right, I mean why aren't The Regulators here? Aren't they still on our side?
Gabriel - Civil War, sunshine. Can't bring in angry lovers when they're in a quarrel, hopefully they work it out soon.
Exodus - So what about The Six? Without Shepard we are down a man.
At-Las - The six has failed. I asked Pendragon to join again and again he turned me down. We...we failed. Our job was to keep the aCe safe, a FDF for Centra if you will. But we couldn't get it together to even...
Aegis - Where The Six failed opportunity exist. The Ravagers are together again! Lance? You and The Angels look solid! Aspin, you're coming into your own, a proud member of the ROC!
I'll talk to Pendragon after the show, let him know what's at stake...hopefully he's still champion...the tide seems to be turning against us.
We need all hands on deck.
aCe Championship
Avarice vs. Paganax
Avarice defeated Paganax with Power of Greed at 12:57
Match Rating: 4.00
If it isn't broke, don't fix it.
Avarice is juiced up from the moment the bell rings and again comes out of the gate with a Shining Wizard and this time a pin attempt. He stays on Paganax with Crown of Thorns bloodying the big man early. Paganax is able to get some offense in but can never sustain it long enough to do any real damage. Krypt and Jakyll could read the tea leaves and tried to make their way to ringside, but the ref called for security to keep them at bay. A third Crown of Thornes drew more blood further weakening the Heathen Chief leading to a Shining Wizard/Power of Greed combo that gets the win!
Avarice wins and successfully defends the aCe title in the same night! He drops a Black Rose on Paganax, climbs the turnbuckle as black confetti drops from the ceiling.