Classic Wrestling Alliance

[TTX]

Neat to see the Dream Team hold on for a draw.

[Deleted]

Feb 26, 2020 18:06:36 GMT -5 TTX said:

Neat to see the Dream Team hold on for a draw.

That was such a dramatic outcome. The Round Robin Matches have a twenty-minute time limit, or ten minutes of real time. The Road Warriors hit their DOOMSDAY DEVICE, and I rolled the PIN, which would have ended the match, but the timer read 10:05. Just missed it.

If I had gone with a thirty-minute time limit, Hawk and Animal would be in much better shape. Now, only Roberts & DiBiase are mathematically eliminated. As for everyone else, it’s anyone’s ball game.

Thanks for reading and for taking the time to comment.

[Deleted]

First Interlude...

Melanie Blood sat reclining in her ergonomically-designed desk chair, staring at the dual monitors of her work station. Lines of code rushed by on the left at an amazing rate of speed, yet she was able to keep up even while checking on the social media postings on the right-hand monitor. What she saw on one of them caused her lips to set in a firm line. A chirp from her Personal Communication Device alerted her to someone's presence at her front door, and she tapped the earpiece of her headset to activate voice communication. "Yeah?"

"Mel, it's me." Benjamin Hutton's voice, Melanie's casual boyfriend. "Let me in--it's pouring out here. I bring Chinese food and greetings from our coworkers."

Melanie's fingers flashed across her PCD, entering the code that would unlock the front door. She removed her headset and shut down the coding stream, but remained riveted to the social media crawl. Benjamin made his way in and, correctly expecting to find her engrossed in her new hobby-turned-obsession, he set out the food containers on her dining room table--spicy peanut chicken for her (Melanie loved spicy foods) and beef and snow peas for him, plus an order of steamed dumplings for them to share. Chopsticks, napkins, and sodas followed, then he shuffled over to stand behind her. "How goes the science project?"

She sniffed a little, indignant at his dismissive tone. "Frustrating. People are loving the content--they are engrossed by the championship tournaments, the AI's are killing it with the growing feuds, our Q Score is super high--"

"What's a Q Score?"

"You know, I don't actually have any idea. It's got something to do with how many people love us versus how many like us. I think marketing people made it up so they had something to scare actual workers with."

"Aha. Well, that all sounds like good news. What's frustrating?"

"The content is great, but everyone hates the execution. We scored points--"

"Q points?"

Melanie shot him a withering look. "We scored points for implementing ring entrances and theme music, but got hit hard on fans' hands going right through the wrestlers. We're going to push all the seating further away from the runway and the ringside area, so there won't be any potential contact."

"Okay, problem solved. What else?"

"Everyone hates the mat counting people down."

"Of course they do. Melanie, I hate the mat counting people down."

"You do? Why didn't you say anything?"

"I did. Like ten times, but you weren't listening."

"Oh. Sorry. So, how do we fix it?"

"Ditch the intelligent mat, add a couple more mobile emitters, and put referees in the ring. And maybe a ring announcer if you are feeling inspired. Oh, and quit it with making everything a person says automatically transmitted to the sound system. Conjure up a microphone and have people talk into it."

"Why would that matter?"

"It's like going to a holoproduction, Mel. You *know* the good guy isn't really getting shot by the bad guy, but you don't want the bad guy to just stand there and yell 'Bang! Bang!' at him. You have to lure the audience in, create a willing suspension of disbelief. Stuff like super voices and light-up mats take away from that. Besides you've got..." Benjamin gestured at her old server, her relatively new server, and her brand new server. "What? One-and-a-quarter petabytes now? And God knows what your partners have You can code up some referees."

"Yeah, but we wanted to use the new servers to expand our roster. Everyone's really excited to code--"

"No, that would be a huge mistake! I mean, sure, you could use a couple more tag teams to spice up that division, but you said fans are digging the tournaments and the handful of feuds you've got going. Let things develop organically, and don't increase the roster until you have holes you need to fill. Like I said, a few tag teams, especially babyfaces. The Rock 'n' Roll Express, the Hart Foundation, the Young Bucks, The New Era--anyone you want. But let the tournaments play out, and see where things go from there."

"You are very wise, sensei."

Benjamin smirked. "About some things, yes. Now, let's eat before the food gets cold, and you can tell me when you're coming back to work."

Melanie answered with a shake of her head. "I'm still on sabbatical."

"I know, Mel, and everyone respects that. Hell, you haven't had a vacation in like ten years. But we have work piling up, because there are things you could do alone in a few days that are taking a team of developers weeks to do. We need you, and everyone misses you. Especially me."

She swatted his arm as she sat at the table, then opened the carton to breathe in the spices in her food. "You see me all the time."

"Yes, and that's great. I love that." His face twisted into a grimace. "But I'm on one of the development teams." 

[Deleted]

January 7, 2089

Sparks. Lasers. Smoke. Explosions. Pulsing lyrics...

We don’t have to take this, back against the wall...
We don’t have to take this, we can end it all...
All you’ll ever be is a fading memory of a bully...

The growing crowd in the Sheriff Center was positively rabid as the music and pyrotechnics hit a crescendo. If they noticed that the seats had been moved back several yards from both the ringside area and the entryway, they didn't seem to care. And while they were already in a frenzy, even at only about twenty-one hundred strong, they threatened to blow the roof off the arena when Gary Michael Cappetta emerged from behind the curtain and took a slow walk down the aisle, climbing onto the ring apron and stepping between the ropes.

"Ladies and gentlemen, your opening contest is scheduled for one fall, with a twenty-minute time limit. Your referee for this bout: Tommy Young!" The erstwhile NWA official trotted down the aisle to a raucous ovation as the fans settled in for the first match...


"Hacksaw" Jim Duggan vs. "Macho Man" Randy Savage
Referee: Tommy Young

Duggan came out of the gates strong, ducking a clothesline by the Macho Man and countering with shoulder tackle. A hanging vertical suplex by Duggan earned him a mere one-count, but he followed up immediately with a FLYING SPEAR that earned him a very near three-count. Savage came rallying back, flipping out of an atomic drop attempt and driving Duggan's neck into the top rope with a vaulting neck snap.

A fierce clothesline by Savage put Duggan down for two, but Savage made a tactical error in going to the top rope before Duggan was sufficiently injured. He went for a flying double ax handle, but Duggan lifted a foot and caught him in the chin. Hacksaw held the advantage for the next ninety seconds or so, until another vaulting neck snap put him down on the mat. Macho Man went up for his FLYING ELBOW DROP, but Duggan was still too fresh. He rolled out of the way, and Savage crashed onto the canvas. Hacksaw crawled over and draped an arm across his chest, and Tommy Young counted the 1-2-3.

WINNER: "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan via pinfall (8:26) ***


Lou Thesz vs. "Mr. Perfect" Curt Hennig
Referee: Joey Marella

Thesz looked strong in the early going, tossing Hennig around with an airplane spin and countering a hip toss into a stiff double-leg takedown, but in the end, Mr. Perfect was just too fast, too young, and too athletic. Hennig managed to trap Thesz in a sleeper hold that he never really recovered from. Down on the mat, Thesz was easy prey for a rolling neck snap, which softened him up just enough for a CRADLE SUPLEX for the 1-2-no! Somehow, Thesz kicked out at two and nine-tenths! Furious, Hennig hit another rolling neck snap then clamped on the sleeper until Thesz was all but unconscious. Another CRADLE SUPLEX was elementary as the elder statesman of the CWA went down in defeat.

WINNER: "Mr. Perfect" Curt Hennig via pinfall (6:35) ½


Rob Van Dam vs. "Superfly" Jimmy Snuka
Referee: Earl Hebner

Snuka took an early advantage in the match, wearing RVD down with dropkicks and head butts. Van Dam turned things around when he was whipped into the corner; when Superfly charged in after him, RVD ducked down and sent him flying out of the ring with a huge back body drop. Van Dam maintained his advantage on the floor, rocking Snuka with a huge roundhouse kick that left him flat on his back. He followed up with a Rolling Thunder on the arena floor. By this time, Hebner's count had reached seven, and RVD slid back into the ring; Snuka was too wounded to follow suit, and that was all for the wild man from Fiji.

WINNER: Rob Van Dam via count out (4:59) *


World Tag Team Championship Round-Robin Tournament Match: The Dream Team vs. Nikolai Volkoff & the Iron Sheik
Referee: Tommy Young

The Shiek and Brutus "the Barber" Beefcake started off for their respective teams, and the Sheik quickly broke Beefcake down with his superior amateur wrestling skills and a vicious abdominal stretch that might have spelled the end, had Greg Valentine not rushed into the ring to break things up. Volkoff tagged in and went after a fallen Beefcake while his partner ran Valentine out of the ring. The big Russian clamped on a bear hug, then transitioned into a backbreaker, followed by a BACKBREAKER DROP. Valentine broke away from the Sheik to break up the pinfall, and all four men began exchanging punches while referee Tommy Young threatened to throw the match out.

From that point on, the match was a blistering series of fast tags, big moves, and near-falls. Neither team seemed able to keep an advantage for very long, and whenever one duo started to roll, the opponent's partner was there to break things up. The Iron Sheik made the save when Volkoff was trapped in Valentine's FIGURE FOUR LEG LOCK. Beefcake kicked Sheik in the head to break up a CAMEL CLUTCH on Valentine. The match wore inexorably onward until the vicious foreigners managed to isolate Beefcake in their part of the ring. The Sheik had the colorful grappler down, and Volkoff entered the ring illegally to charge into the opposite corner and knock Valentine off the ring apron. The CAMEL CLUTCH was applied one more time, and Beefcake struggled to hold on. He shook his head, screaming in pain but refusing to submit until the bell finally sounded. The Sheik released the hold and raised his hand in victory, but Tommy Young grabbed his wrist and yanked his arm down. He waved off the victory: the time limit had expired before Beefcake had submitted, and the match was a draw.

NO WINNERS: Time Limit Draw (20:00) **½


CWA Holovision Championship Tournament Match: Bruiser Brody vs. The Great Muta
Referee: Dave Hebner

Muta scored early with a jumping clothesline that took his opponent down, and the Pearl of the Orient clamped on a Sickle Hold, though Brody quickly reached the ropes to force a break. Back on his feet, Brody no-sold a series of chops and Muta unwisely attempted to lift him for a body slam: Muta could not get the big man off his feet, but Brody hoist him up easily and planted him with a running power slam for two. Brody followed up with a running leg drop, a big boot, and a second leg drop to earn another near fall.

This pattern would repeat for several minutes: Muta would manage a slight edge, but Brody would counter with power offense and lay into Muta, leaving him severely weakened. Before long, Gary Michael Cappetta announced to the fans in attendance that there was just one minute left in the match, and both men renewed their efforts, laying into one another with kicks (Muta) or fists (Brody). Eventually both men stood pressed against the ropes and tumbled over them to the floor, where they continued trading stiff body shots. Dave Hebner started the count, but he had only reached four before the bell sounded: the match had gone the fifteen-minute time limit, and both men were eliminated from the Tournament.

NO WINNER: Time Limit Draw (15:00) *½


CWA World Championship Tournament Match: The Ultimate Warrior vs. “Handsome” Harley Race (with Bobby “the Brain” Heenan)
Referee: Joey Marella

The match was touch-and-go for the first five minutes, with Race feeling out his crazed opponent, and Warrior taking a brief advantage using his power game, only to have the crafty Race slip out of trouble with his technical ability. Race's first big break came when Warrior whipped him into the turnbuckle and Race was able to get a boot up, kicking his opponent square in the face. He immediately followed up with a falling knee drop, but was unable to secure even a one-count. Race immediately hit a PILEDRIVER, and that finally dimmed Warrior's lights; he made the cover, but the war painted wild man kicked out at two.

Race held onto his advantage long enough to score another near fall with a DIVING HEAD BUTT, but then he made the mistake of allowing Warrior to regain his feet. Race continued to hammer on him with punches and head butts, but Warrior shook them all off, jogging in place and snarling in response. Race went for another punch, but Warrio grabbed him by the wrist and whipped him into the ropes, following up with a huge clothesline, then a gorilla press slam. Warrior unloaded on his opponent with a barrage of offense Race managed to block a vertical suplex and counter with one of his own, but Warrior pupped up immediately, roared, and hoisted Race over his head for another gorilla press slam.

Warrior scored with a piledriver of his own that busted Race open, then propelled himself off the ropes to go for his BIG SPLASH, but Heenan grabbed his leg, providing a distraction that allowed a bloody Race to attack from behind. He drilled Warrior with a backbreaker and climbed to the top rope to attempt another DIVING HEAD BUTT, but Warrior rolled aside, leaving Race in agony! Warrior crawled over to make the cover, but Heenan climbed up onto the apron to jaw at referee Joey Marella, who didn't see the cover. A frustrated Warrior shoved Marella aside and grabbed hold of Heenan by the lapels of his jacket, allowing a groggy Race to hit him from behind with a double ax handle to the back of the head. Warrior slumped over--easy prey for a Race PILEDRIVER and another near fall. While Warrior grabbed his head, Heenan shouted out instructions and Race changed things up, going after Warrior's powerful back. He rained clubbing forearms down upon Warrior's back, then dropped a knee across his spine. One backbreaker later, Race made the cover and scored a shocking victory!

WINNER: "Handsome" Harley Race via pinfall (20:44) ***** 


Sheriff Center Arena Capacity: 10,300
Paid Attendance: 2,088
Cyberlink Views: 49,663

[Deleted]

(NOTE: I had a great card all written up, and the Interwebs ate it. I don't have detailed results written down, so I am just going to provide the results as I record them in my li'l notebook. I will be back to my usual wordy self for the next card.)

January 9, 2089

After a fantastic match, the Great Muta pinned Rob Van Dam after his MOONSAULT (17:19) ***½

After a slow-paced match, "Macho Man" Randy Savage pinned Lou Thesz after his FLYING ELBOW DROP (7:24) *

After a brutal match, Hulk Hogan was disqualified for hitting Bruiser Brody (accompanied by "Superfly" Jimmy Snuka) with a steel chair (8:49) *½

In a close match, Gorgeous George (accompanied by Cherie Dupré) defeated Ricky "the Dragon" Steamboat via submission with his SPINNING TOE HOLD to win the CWA Holovision Championship (10:48) ***½

In a surprisingly competitive match, the Road Warriors defeated "The Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase & Jake "the Snake" Roberts when Animal pinned Roberts after a DOOMSDAY DEVICE. By virtue of this victory, the Road Warriors won the Round Robin tournament and were awarded the CWA World Tag Team Titles. (6:57) *½

In a hard fought, back-and-forth match, "Nature Boy" Ric Flair defeated "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers via count out. By virtue of this victory, Ric Flair advanced to the finals of the World Heavyweight Championship Tournament, and will face "Handsome" Harley Race for the title on January 24th. (14:51) ****½


Sheriff Center Arena Capacity: 10,300
Paid Attendance: 2,067
Cyberlink Views: 96,843

[Deleted]

January 24, 2089

Melanie?

Yeah?
Have you seen these numbers?
Good or bad?
Good! Really good! Our Cyberlink connections are up...geez. Forty-one percent... Forty-four percent... Forty-nine percent...
Ha! The news we leaked worked!
Can we handle the increased bandwidth?
Reroute auxiliary power to protocol servers, just to be safe.
Roger.
Systems check?
All systems are go for live event and Cyberlink broadcast. I've got nineteen thirty-one.
Initiate Protocols Delta-Papa One and Mike-Tango Three. Time to start the show...


We don’t have to take this, back against the wall...
We don’t have to take this, we can end it all...
All you’ll ever be is a fading memory of a bully...

The crowd in the Sheriff Center had increased show after show, and not only was tonight no exception, it was a sterling example. Attendance had nearly doubled since the January 9th show, and the crowd was cheering wildly as the house lights dimmed and a spotlight shone on the entryway. Gary Michael Cappetta was the first man out, earning a loud ovation, followed by referee Dave Hebner, who was likewise greeted with the cheers of the fans. However, there remained a strong sense of potential energy in the air, as if the crowd ws expecting something more, and they exploded when the holographic curtain opened one more time and Dave Prazak and Mike Tenay emerged from the back. They waved at the fans as they made their way down the runway and took their seats at a table set up next to the ring, where they would be providing commentary for those watching via the Colonial Cybernet.


Non-Title Match: CWA World Tag Team Champions The Road Warriors (with "Precious" Paul Ellering) vs. "The Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase & Jake "the Snake" Roberts
Referee: Dave Hebner

Road Warrior Animal and Jake Roberts started the match for their respective teams, and to the surprise of the crowd, the thus-far winless Roberts showed incredible nerve in taking the fight to his larger opponent. He softened Animal up with a rake of the eyes, then wound him up with an arm wringer and followed up with a short-arm clothesline. Incredibly, Roberts powered big man up for a stomach breaker, though the effort took almost as much out of him as it did Animal. Both men collapsed to the met, crawling towards the corners to make a much-needed tag, but the fresher Roberts had a clear advantage. He rose up to his knees and reached out to tag DiBiase...

...who dropped off the apron before the tag could be made.

As the Snake struggled to his feet, DiBiase backed his way up the aisle, shouting that Roberts was not only useless, he was also fired! Meanwhile, Animal had made the tag, and when Roberts finally turned around, he ate a massive clothesline from Road Warrior Hawk. The Snake showed some real heart in holding on for the next few minutes, kicking out after a hangman's neckbreaker by Hawk and a POWER SLAM by Animal, but a DOOMSDAY DEVICE was simply too much for him and he finally went down in defeat.

WINNERS: The Road Warriors via pinfall (7:41) *


Post-Match Interview: The Road Warriors (with "Precious" Paul Ellering)

Gary Michael Cappetta made his way into the ring to interview the champs, though Paul Ellering did the talking for them. He lamented that Jake Roberts had been hung out to dry by his tag team partner, but explained that "even the innocent and the oppressed are nothing but fodder for my destroyers, the Legion of Doom." He was about to say more, but he was unexpectedly interrupted by the arrival of "Superfly" Jimmy Snuka and Bruiser Brody. Snuka congratulated the "paper champions" on their success, but claimed that the only reason they won the tag team titles was because they had never faced the Blood Tribe, motioning to himself and Brody. Ellering seemed amused, and boasted that if he and Brody wished to "sharpen your iron against the carbide steel of my destroyers, we have no problem with that." Further, he agreed to put the titles on the line at the very next show, on February 10th.


Ricky "the Dragon" Steamboat vs. The Great Muta
Referee: Joey Marella

Steamboat locked up quickly with a waistlock, but Muta pulled off a standing switch and drove Steamboat forward into the turnbuckle, driving his shoulder into the Dragon's kidney. The Pearl of the Orient followed up with a handspring elbow that left Steamboat crumpled to the mat, and Muta quickly climbed to the top rope to press his advantage. The cagey Steamboat was only playing possum, however; he mounted the second turnbuckle and sent Muta crashing to the canvas with a picture-perfect superplex. Muta was clearly in big trouble, and started hauling himself wearily to his feet, so Steamboat vaulted to the top rope and flew, hitting his opponent with a DIVING CROSS BODY for the 1-2-3.

WINNER: Ricky "the Dragon" Steamboat via pinfall (2:07) --


"Hacksaw" Jim Duggan vs. "Mr. Perfect" Curt Hennig
Referee: Earl Hebner

Although Hennig took early control in this match, Hacksaw quickly turned things around when the contest spilled out to the floor. He rammed Mr. Perfect's head into the announcer's table, then took him down with a clothesline before rolling him back into the ring. Hennig was briefly able to turn things around by breaking a choke hold and hitting a stiff lariat, but Duggan quickly shrugged off the effects of that and went back at his opponent with a vengeance. At one point, he whipped Hennig into the corner; the throw was reversed and Hacksaw crashed into the turnbuckles. Mr. Perfect charged in after him, only to get back body dropped over the top turnbuckle and to the floor, landing hard. 

Duggan came out to continue the fight, ramming Hennig's head into the ringpost and slamming him onto the arena floor. Before he could follow up even more, Bobby "the Brain" Heenan and "Handsome" Harley Race came walking down the aisle. Duggan got in Heenan's face, though the Brain spread his hands and insisted he wanted no trouble. Meanwhile, Race crept around behind Duggan, picked Hennig up off the floor, and rolled him into the ring. Hebner's count continued as the Brain backed his way up the aisle, then the referee signaled for the bell! Duggan was incensed, but Race rapidly went to his manager's side and backed Hacksaw off.

WINNER: "Mr. Perfect" Curt Hennig via count out (5:50) ½


Hulk Hogan vs. "Superfly" Jimmy Snuka (with Bruiser Brody)
Referee: Morgan Dollar

Prior to the match, referee Morgan Dollar insisted that Bruiser Brody produce his manager's license for the evening. Of course, Brody had no such document, so Dollar ejected him from ringside. Both Brody and Snuka were livid and began threatening Dollar, but Hogan solved the problem by coming up from behind and ramming the two rulebreakers' heads together. Snuka, of course, was barely fazed, but Brody was knocked for a loop, fell to the mat, and rolled out to the floor, where he gradually wandered to the back.

With that out of the way, Dollar called for the bell. Snuka scored early with a pair of head butts that seemed to rock Hogan, and he followed up with a huge backbreaker. Mistake. Rather than writhing on the mat, Hogan popped up immediately, stuck his finger in Snuka's face, and began unloading on him with punches. Snuka tried to run away, which proved to be another mistake. Hogan grabbed the back of his trunks to haul him back for a huge atomic drop, then rolled Superfly up for a two-count while he was still staggered.

With his opponent on the mat and in big trouble, Hogan made the tactical error of climbing the ropes, probably going for a double sledge off the top. Snuka staggered to his feet and stumbled into the ropes, causing Hogan to drop down onto the top turnbuckle and tumble into the ring. Snuka delivered a variety of high-impact moves, but he couldn't keep Hogan on the mat, let alone down for a pinfall. He finally resorted to flinging Hogan into the corner and mounting the second turnbuckle, driving his fist into Hogan's head. He only to three of the intended ten punches before Hogan grabbed him in a waistlock, powered out of the corner, and dropped him with an inverted atomic drop. Snuka was in big trouble, and barely made it to the ropes; Hogan charged and clotheslined him over the top. Snuka hit the floor hard and never recovered, even as Morgan Dollar made the count and called for the bell.

WINNER: Hulk Hogan via count out (7:36) *½


The Dream Team vs. Nikolai Volkoff & The Iron Sheik
Referee: Joey Marella

Greg Valentine and Nikolai Volkoff locked up to start the match, and the big Russian exerted his power advantage right from the start, against both Valentine and Brutus Beefcake, when he tagged in. The Barber endured a long, excruciating period of punishment from the evil foreigners, falling victim to a smash across the back from Volkoff's Russian flag, as well as a blast to the jaw from the Sheik's loaded boat. Beefcake's partner was always there to bail him out of trouble, however, and he managed to hang on until he could make a desperation tag to the Hammer.

Well rested from his time on the apron, Valentine took the fight right to both Volkoff and the Sheik. A shoulder breaker put Volkoff on the mat for a long two, but when the Hammer whipped Volkoff into the turnbuckles, the Russian exploded out of the corner with a clothesline that dimmed Valentine's lights. For the next ten minuted, the match was defined by a series of rapid tags and blistering offense, especially from the Dream Team. Bit by bit, they began to wear the Sheik and Volkoff down, but they seemed unable to put them away, and all too soon, Gary Michael Cappetta announced there were only five minutes remaining in the time limit.

Valentine tried to whip Volkoff into the corner once more, but this time, the Russian came charging out with a shoulder tackle that knocked the Hammer across the ring. Volkoff immediately hoisted Valentine up for his BACKBREAKER DROP; Beefcake charged in, only to get cut off by the Sheik, but it was moot anyway, as Valentine kicked out at two and a half. With all four men in the ring, things quickly degenerated into a four-way brawl, and try as he might, Joey Marella could not restore order. He wound up calling for the bell, throwing the match out.

NO WINNERS: Double disqualification (28:47) ***½


Post-Match Drama

After the referee called off the match, the four men continued fighting. The entire squad of CWA officials came out to try to break things up, but all of them lacked the strength needed to pull apart any of the men involved. As the battle waged on, Gary Michael Cappetta appealed to the back for some assistance. Before too long, Jake Roberts, Paul Ellering, the Road Warriors, Ricky Steamboat, and Jim Duggan had all come out. Between the five referees and the five wrestlers (and one manager), the Sheik, Volkoff, Beefcake, and Valentine were eventually restrained, though they continued to shout threats at one another, and things threatened to break down further when the Iron Sheik spat at Greg Valentine, though the line of defenders held and the participants were eventually ushered to the back, one team at a time.


CWA World Championship Match: "Nature Boy" Ric Flair vs. "Handsome" Harley Race (with Bobby "the Brain" Heenan)
Referee: Tommy Young

The crowd was beyond fired up for this, the match to determine the inaugural CWA World Champion. The two grapplers locked up as soon as the referee called for opening bell, and Race took an immediate advantage with a boot to the midsection and a swinging neckbreaker that caught Flair by surprise and led to a quick pinfall that only garnered a one-count. With Heenan cheering him on and shouting instructions, Race dropped a knee across Flair's forehead, then scooped him off the mat and hit a PILEDRIVER. Tommy Young dove into the position to make the cover...but no! Race didn't make the attempt. While Heenan screamed at him, Race picked Flair up off the mat, set him up for another PILEDRIVER, and drilled him into the canvas. One...two...and a half! Race hadn't hooked a leg and Flair was able to roll a shoulder off the mat.

Race made the mistake of turning his back on his opponent to argue with Tommy Young, and that's when Flair struck. He dove forward with a chop block, taking out Race's left knee. The handsome one managed to climb to his feet, only to absorb a barrage of knife edge chops and belly-to-back suplex, then a knee breaker that left him writhing in pain. Flair took a moment to strut and let out a "Woooo!" But he only took a moment, and went right back to work on Race. Another series of chops left Race staggered, then Flair ran the ropes and dove into the back of Race's knee with another chop block. At this point, Race was howling in pain, and Flair made a quick cover, hooking his opponent's right leg. This left Race with only his injured left leg to gather the necessary momentum to kick out...and he couldn't do it.

WINNER and FIRST-EVER CWA World Champion: "Nature Boy" Ric Flair via pinfall (6:51) ***½


Sheriff Center Arena Capacity: 10,300
Paid Attendance: 4,113
Cyberlink Views: 193,686

[Deleted]

February 10, 2089

Sparks. Lasers. Smoke. Explosions. Pulsing lyrics...

We don’t have to take this, back against the wall...
We don’t have to take this, we can end it all...
All you’ll ever be is a fading memory of a bully...


In-Ring Interview: CWA World Champion "Nature Boy" Ric Flair

Gary Michael Cappetta opened the show by welcoming the newly-crowned World Champion to the ring and congratulating him for his tremendous victory over "Handsome" Harley Race. Flair was uncharacteristically modest, thanking Cappetta and the fans for coming out to support the CWA, and he even put over Race as a "tremendous competitor" and "one of the toughest SOB's I've ever fought." Cappetta asked what was next for the champ, but before Flair could answer, the interview was interrupted by The Great Gate of Kiev, and Harley Race and his manager, Bobby "the Brain" Heenan, marched out to the ring. Race was livid, calling Flair's victory a fluke and saying, "You may have squeaked by me once, but you don't have enough hair on your ass to do it a second time!" Heenan went on to challenge Flair (on his client's behalf) to a title match at the next show, on March 1st. The crowd cheered wildly, and Flair responded with a simple "You're on!"


"Macho Man" Randy Savage vs. The Great Mute
Referee: Joey Marella

Savage took an early advantage over his opponent when Muta went for a body slam but Macho Man blocked it and countered with a sudden piledriver. He laid into Muta with stomps, double ax handles, and a fierce knee drop, but his momentum was broken when Gorgeous George and Cherie Dupré made a spectacle of themselves, walking down the aisle and taking seats beside Dave Prazak, with George joining the Cyberlink commentary team. Savage demanded to know what George was doing there, and George responded by saying, "Pay attention to the ring, you disgusting neanderthal." While this exchange was going on, Muta shook off the cobwebs and waited for Savage to turn around, crushing him with a jumping savate kick.

With Savage down and in big trouble, Muta moved in for the kill. He clamped on his Muta Lock and cranked back on the hold, leaving Savage screaming in agony before he was able to twist his way to the ropes to force a break. Muta went on a brief tear, damaging Savage with power drive elbows and a German suplex, but when he finally went for the MOONSAULT, Savage managed to get his knees up and the Pearl of the Orient crashed and burned. Savage tossed Muta out of the ring and followed him to the floor, only to get tangled up with Gorgeous George, exchanging hostile words. The referee was busy checking on Muta as he managed to roll into the ring, but lay crumpled on the mat. Savage turned to follow him in when George hit Macho Man with a low blow! Savage went down hard, and the referee finished his count to ten, awarding the match to Muta.

WINNER: The Great Muta via count out (7:00) **


Ricky "the Dragon" Steamboat vs. "The Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase
Referee: Dave Hebner

This was nothing but sheer domination by the Dragon. He beat the Million Dollar Man from pillar to post, wearing him out with chops, kicks, and arm drags. DiBiase showed occasional flurries of offense, but each was quickly shut down and countered by Steamboat. The Dragon scored near falls with a small package and a victory roll, but a wicked crescent kick left DiBiase in the most trouble, staggering in the center of the ring as Steamboat climbed to the top rope for his DIVING CROSS BODY.

Before he could fly, however, "Superfly" Jimmy Snuka crawled out from under the ring, jumped onto the apron, and pushed Steamboat from the top rope all the way to the arena floor in plain view of referee Dave Hebner. The official immediately called for the bell, and DiBiase and Snuka left the ring to lay into Steamboat on the floor with kicks and stomps. The beatng might have turned into something more serious, but the Road Warriors came tearing down the aisle and sent the villains into a hasty retreat.

WINNER: Ricky "the Dragon" Steamboat via disqualification (10:09) *½


Bobo Brazil vs. "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers
Referee: Earl Hebner

What started out as a fairly even contest for the first few minutes soon devolved into a Bobo Brazil highlight reel, as Rogers went for a jumping knee drop and Brazil rolled out of the way. With the Nature Boy momentarily injured, Brazil began to COCO BUTT him to perdition, hitting the move over and over again (punctuated with an occasional backbreaker), including one that opened a nasty cut on the Roger's head. Brazil attempted three covers during his offensive run, but Rogers managed to get a shoulder up each time. 

Brazil's luck finally ran out when he attempted a power bomb, but Rogers back body dropped him to the mat instead. Brazil was only stunned for a moment, but it was just enough time for Rogers to jump up and hit a jumping knee drop across his opponent's forehead. Brazi's lights were dimmed, and Rogers made the cover, putting his feet all the way up on the second rope for leverage. Earl Hebner was none the wiser and made the three-count.

WINNER: "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers via cheap pinfall (11:45) ***


Hulk Hogan & "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan vs. "Handsome" Harley Race & "Mr. Perfect" Curt Hennig (with Bobby "the Brain" Heenan)
Referee: Joey Marella

With Hogan and Race exchanging unpleasant words from the ring apron, Duggan and Hennig locked up to start the match, and Mr. Perfect took an immediate advantage with an eye rake and a belly-to-back suplex. Duggan barely struggled to his feet before Mr. Perfect took him down with a lariat. A series of tags between Hennig and Race kept Duggan in big trouble: Race scored near falls after a swinging neckbreaker and a backbreaker, but when he went to the top rope for a DIVING HEAD BUTT, Hacksaw rolled out of the way and the handsome one crashed into the mat. Duggan crawled wearily across the ring and made a much needed tag to his partner, who came in like a house afire.

Hogan laid out both Race and Hennig with a series of punches and even went for a pinfall on Race after a piledriver, though Heenan's man was able to kick out. The Hulkster laid on the offense for a solid minute and a half before he made the mistake of tossing Race out to the floor. Hogan attempted to ram his opponent's head into the announcers' table, but Race countered with a rake of the eyes and Hogan was the one whose head met the unforgiving wood.

After rolling Hogan back into the ring, Race hoisted him up for a shoulder breaker...but after hitting the move, Hogan began shaking and climbed to his feet. He absorbed a few punches from Race, shaking his fists, and was about to thrust a finger into the handsome one's face when Hennig struck from behind with a chop block, ending Hogan's momentum. A double clothesline put Hogan on the mat, and Hennig tagged in, climbed to the top rope...and got intercepted by Hogan, who superplexed him back into the ring. Mr. Perfect rolled out of the ring and Hogan followed him while Race charged across the ring to attack Duggan, drawing Joey Marella's attention. While the referee was distracted, Hennig grabbed Dave Prazak's chair and nailed Hogan between the eyes, once again nullifying the Hulkster's brief advantage.

Hogan groggily made his way back into the ring, where Hennig was already waiting for him. He swept Hogan to the mat and went right after the leg he had chop blocked earlier, clamping on a figure four leg lock that left the Hulkster writhing in pain. Hogan struggled to reach the ropes, and abruptly collapsed onto the mat, his shoulders down for one...two...and that was all, as he popped up, anger etched on his face. Hogan sat up and raked Hennig's eyes, then climbed to his feet, but he was still hobbled, so he limped over to tag in his partner. Duggan charged in to attack Hennig while he was blinded from Hogan's eye rake, and took Mr. Perfect down to the mat with a clothesline.

Duggan let his dislike for Hennig take center stage, as he began choking Mr. Perfect for a good thirty seconds, breaking only when Joey Marella reached a four-count, then going right back to the choke. Duggan hauled his winded opponent up to his feet and the two began exchanging punches: slowly at first, but increasing in speed and ferocity. Before too long, Hogan and Race charged into the ring, and they began exchanging punches, as well. Marella was trying to restore order when the bell abruptly rang; the referee leaned through the ropes to consult with Dave Prazak (the unofficial timekeeper) and Gary Michael Cappetta announced that the time limit had expired.

NO WINNERS: Time Limit Draw (30:00) ***


Brutus "the Barber" Beefcake vs. The Iron Sheik
Referee: Tommy Young

The match got started during ring introductions, when both men shouldered poor Gary Michael Cappetta aside and began shoving each other. Beefcake quickly got the better of this contest, and went right for a knee lift. The Sheik absorbed the move, and when Beefcake tried to ram his opponent's head into the turnbuckle, the Iranian grappler blocked and then reversed the attempt. A sidewinder suplex put Beefcake on the mat, and a CAMEL CLUTCH was all it took tp put him away.

WINNER: The Iron Sheik via submission (1:52) *½


CWA World Tag Team Championship Match: The Road Warriors (with "Precious" Paul Ellering) (c) vs. The Blood Tribe
Referee: Morgan Dollar

As the champions and their manager were making their way down the aisle, the Blood Tribe raced down behind them and attacked! The two teams fought all the way to the ringside area, where Hawk drove Bruiser Brody's head into the ringpost and Animal slammed "Superfly" Jimmy Snuka through the ringside announcers' table. Animal rolled Snuka into the ring, and the match was underway.

The Road Warriors pressed their advantage over Snuka, tossing him around the ring and going for a DOOMSDAY DEVICE early, but Brody kept Animal in the ring with a head fake. While Morgan Dollar was arguing with Animal, Brody slipped into the ring and rolled Snuka on top of Hawk; Morgan turned around and counted two before the Road Warrior kicked out. Snuka attacked with a flying head butt, then a reverse knife edge, which Hawk no-sold. He body slammed Snuka to the ring and tagged in Animal, who hit a massive dropkick and a gorilla press slam. Another quick tag and a DOOMSDAY DEVICE left Snuka hurting, but this time Brody snuck in and hit his JUMPING KNEE DROP, knocking Animal for a loop; Snuka crawled on top of Animal and Morgan Dollar counted one, two...and that's all, as Animal kicked out.

Snuka finally made a tag and Brody came in relatively fresh, manhandling Animal and hitting another JUMPING KNEE DROP, this time going for the cover, but only securing a one-count. Animal climbed to his feet as Brody tagged in his partner, who charged Animal, only to run into a big POWER SLAM for a two-count. Animal tagged in Hawk and the duo hit another DOOMSDAY DEVICE. Hawk made the cover and Animal charged across the ring to take out Brody. Hawk made the cover on Snuka, and the referee counted one...two...three!

WINNERS and STILL CWA World Tag Team Champions: The Road Warriors via pinfall (13:47) ****½


Sheriff Center Arena Capacity: 10,300
Paid Attendance: 3,332
Cyberlink Views: 240,171

[Deleted]

March 1, 2089

Sparks. Lasers. Smoke. Explosions. Pulsing lyrics...

We don’t have to take this, back against the wall...
We don’t have to take this, we can end it all...
All you’ll ever be is a fading memory of a bully...

The move to San Francisco, California was a risky one, and the evening's attendance showed it. Nevertheless, the Cyberlink views continued to explode, and with this show's numbers and the lower rental fees for the smaller arena, the CWA was fully profitable for the evening.


The Ultimate Warrior vs. "The Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase
Referee: Dave Hebner

As soon as the referee called for the opening bell, the Million Dollar Man held up his hands in an offering of peace to the Ultimate Warrior. Though no oe could hear what was said, DiBiase pulled a thick wad of hundred-dollar bills from his trunks, fanning them out as he spoke to the man from Parts Unknown. He pointed at Warrior's chest, then down at the mat with a superficial grin, asking "What do you say?" His opponent responded with a punch to DiBiase's jaw. The money went flying everywhere (Hebner pocketed a couple bills), and the match was officially on.

DiBiase was rocked by that first punch as well as the two that followed, but a rake of his opponent's eyes allowed the Million Dollar Man to gain a momentary advantage. He whipped Warrior into the corner, but when DiBiase charged after him, Warrior ducked down and back body dropped the Million Dollar Man over the top rope and to the arena floor. DiBiase hit hard, and took an eight-count before he climbed onto the apron and made his way between the ropes...only to eat another clothesline that sent him tumbling back over the ropes again. Another eight-count and DiBiase seemed fairly well rested; he rolled into the ring this time and climbed to his feet, only to get shoved down by the Ultimate Warrior. DiBiase struggled to his feet as Warrior charged...but the Million Dollar Man was playing possum! He caught Warrior in an amazing power slam and popped up to his feet, pointing at his head. Unfortunately, the Ultimate Warrior also popped right up to his feet; when DiBiase turned around, Warrior kicked him in the midsection and drove him into the mat with a piledriver that earned a long two-count before Warrior picked DiBiase up off the mat.

Warrior followed up with a huge clothesline and an atomic drop that flattened DiBiase; he made the cover, but once again, he pulled the Million Dollar Man up off the mat at two. Warrior charged and clotheslined DiBiase over the top rope one more time; on this occasion, however, the Million Dollar Man landed mostly on his feet. He stumbled over to the announce table and grabbed Dave Prazak's chair (Prazak did not put up much of a fight), then turned around to find himself face to face with his opponent. DiBiase shook his head, muttering excuses and apologies, and politely hand the chair to the Ultimate Warrior...who wasted no time in hauling back and hitting the Million Dollar Man over the head with it! Referee Dave Hebner had no choice other than throwing the match out.

WINNER: "The Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase via disqualification (13:58) *½


Lou Thesz vs. The Great Muta
Referee: Tommy Young

Thesz offered a handshake to start the match, but Muta kicked his hand away and scored with a belly-to-back suplex. Thesz climbed slowly to his feet and Muta sent him into the ropes, but telegraphed a back body drop and Thesz kicked him squarely in the face. Thesz clamped on a short-arm scissors and transitioned into an airplane spin when Muta powered out of the hold. He tied Muta up for a German suplex, but the Pearl of the Orient flipped out of it; when Thesz turned around, Muta sprayed green mist into his eyes and rolled him up for a two-count.

With Thesz on the ground and blinded, Muta climbed to the top rope and flipped off for a MOONSAULT. He crashed down onto his opponent, making the cover for one...two...and nine-tenths before Thesz kicked out! Muta poured on the offense for a while longer, but could not keep Thesz down. In frustration, he whipped Thesz into the corner and went for a handspring elbow, but the elder statesman of the CWA moved at the last second and Muta crashed into the top turnbuckle. Thesz rolled him up in a pinfall and got a two-count before a groggy Muta was able to kick out.

Both men were about evenly winded at this point, and they put on a clinical display of counter wrestling that had the fans in the Kezar Pavillion on their feet. Snap mares were countered into side headlocks, which were countered into knee lifts. Neither man could gain an advantage until Muta attempted to whip Thesz into the corner; Thesz reversed the Irish whip and mounted the second turnbuckle, driving his fist into Muta's head ten times while the crowd counted along. Muta stumbled forward and into a GRECO-ROMAN BACK DROP, but he managed to kick out at two. Muta backpedaled to create some separation, but that turned out to be a mistake; his opponent charged across the ring with a THESZ PRESS for one...two...three!

WINNER: Lou Thesz via pinfall (15:40) **½


In-Ring Interview: CWA Holovision Champion Gorgeous George

Gary Michael Cappetta welcomed the Holovision Champion to the ring (though both men referred to the belt as the Television Title), and Gorgeous George claimed that the number one contender to his belt, Ricky Steamboat, was no match for him: after all, he had beaten Steamboat once, already. Cappetta changed things up by asking why George had gotten involved in Randy Savage's match at the last card, and George claimed that Savage was a "base pretender to the throne" who had stolen George's look, George's flair...even George's music! This brought an irate Randy Savage out to the ring, and he demanded an immediate match against George. George hemmed and hawed, going back on his previous boasting and claiming that Ricky Steamboat was "a worthy challenger" and should not be passed over for a title match. This brought Steamboat himself out, and he said that the champ represented everything Steamboat fought against: vanity, rulebreaking, and material wealth. He said he'd be honored to temporarily relinquish his status as number one contender to the Macho Man, and Cappetta took a moment to listen to his earpiece before announcing that the match would happen...and it would happen right now!


CWA Holovision Championship Match: Gorgeous George (with Cherie Dupré) (c) vs. "Macho Man" Randy Savage
Referee: Joey Marella

George started the match by slapping Savage across the face, trying to throw him off his game, but the Macho Man refused to fall for the ploy. He countered immediately with a side headlock (which he turned into a choke when Joey Marella wasn't looking too closely). Savage continued to manhandle his opponent, nearly taking his head off with a clothesline, then planting him with a piledriver that almost earned a three-count. With George down and in big trouble, the Macho Man went to the top rope and flew off, driving his FLYING ELBOW DROP into the champion's chest and making the cover for one...two...but George was too close to the ropes and draped his ankle across the bottom strand, breaking the count.

George rolled out of the ring and managed a brief rally by ramming Savage's head into the announce table, but the act only seemed to enrage the Macho Man. He rammed the champion's head into the ring post before throwing him back into the ring and taking him down with a pair of clotheslines. Savage threw George into the corner and set up for another fierce clothesline, but the champion covered up and turned his back. Savage adjusted in mid charge, dropped his arm and leapt up to drive his knee into George's spine. The chap crumpled to the mat and Savage made the cover for one...two...three!

WINNER and NEW CWA Holovision Champion: "Macho Man" Randy Savage via pinfall (8:46) ***


Hulk Hogan vs. "Mr. Perfect" Curt Hennig (with Bobby "the Brain" Heenan)
Referee: Dave Hebner

Hennig took an early advantage, but it only lasted long enough for a couple knife-edge chops and a whip into the corner. Hogan hit the turnbuckles, but when Hennig charged, he ran right into a big boot from the Hulkster. Hogan ran the ropes, setting up for a big LEG DROP, but Heenan grabbed his ankle and tripped him up. While the Hulkster was arguing with the Brain, Mr. Perfect snuck up and hit him from behind. Hennig peppered the big man with punches and chops, but their effect lessened over time and Hogan wound up countering with punches of his own. One particularly nasty right hand sent Hennig tumbling over the top rope and out to the floor.

Back in the ring, Hogan manhandled Hennig for a while but made a tactical error in whipping him into the ropes. Mr. Perect ducked under a clothesline, rebounded off the ropes, and delivered a stiff lariat that almost (but not quite) knocked the Hulkster off his feet. Nonplussed, Hennig pulled him into a front facelock, hooked a leg, and hit a picture perfect CRADLE SUPLEX for one...and that's all, as Hogan powered out. Hennig followed up with a second lariat that send Hogan tumbling back into the corner, then a third...which only fired the Hulkster up. His eyes bulged, his fists shook, and suddenly, he was taking the fight to Mr. Perfect!

A pair of overhand rights left Hennig reeling, and a piledriver set him up for a pinfall, though he managed to get a shoulder up and two and a half. Hogan waited for Mr. Perfect to climb to his feet, then charged across the ring and took him down with a clothesline. He pulled Hennig up by the hair, whipped him into the ropes, and nailed him with a boot to the face before charging across the ring and hitting the ropes, clearly thinking LEG DROP.

WHAM! That's exactly when "Ravishing" Rick Rude popped up and drove a chair into his back, sending him crashing to the mat. The referee called for the bell immediately, but the damage was already done. With Heenan shouting instructions, Rude climbed into the ring and began working Hogan over with chair shots, then picked him up off the mat to set him up for a RUDE AWAKENING. Before he could hit the move, however, Randy Savage and Ricky Steamboat rushed out to make the save. Rude fled the ring, pulled Hennig out to the floor, and retreated to the back alongside the Brain.

WINNER: Hulk Hogan via disqualification (14:50) *½


Greg "the Hammer" Valentine vs. Nikolai Volkoff
Referee: Morgan Dollar

The Hammer started off inauspiciously, charging across the ring for a shoulder tackle and getting sent crashing to the mat by his larger, stronger opponent. Volkoff faired little better, attempting a belly-to-back suplex, only for the lighter Valentine to slip loose and come up behind the Russian, delivering a nasty kick to his knee. Volkoff went down hard and Valentine immediately went for the FIGURE FOUR LEG LOCK, securing an immediate submission.

WINNER: Greg "the Hammer" Valentine via submission (2:07) *½


Ricky "the Dragon" Steamboat vs. "Superfly" Jimmy Snuka (with Bruiser Brody)
Referee: Earl Hebner

Snuka attacked before Gary Michael Cappetta had even finished his introductions, charging across the ring and head butting Steamboat into the corner. Snuka mounted the second rope and began raining punches down on the Dragon's head, but Steamboat grabbed his opponent in a waistlock and hit an inverted atomic drop, sending Superfly crashing to the canvas. Steamboat leapt to the top rope, perhaps to attempt his DIVING CROSS BODY; we'll never know because Brody climbed onto the apron and pushed the Dragon into the ring, where he hit hard. SNuka shook off the cobwebs and mounted the top rope himself, diving off with a head butt onto his prone opponent. Snuka hooked the leg for one...two...three!

WINNER: "Superfly" Jimmy Snuka via pinfall (3:13) *


Post-Match Drama

After the match was over, Bruiser Brody climbed into the ring, steel chair in hand, to inflict some serious damage on Steamboat. Before he could take his first swing, the crowd burst into cheers as Jake "the Snake" Roberts came tearing down the aisle, slid into the ring, and took Snuka down with a DDT that left him sprawled on the mat. Bruiser Brody swung the chair wildly, but Roberts ducked the move and countered with a low blow! The chair (and Brody himself) dropped to the canvas, and Roberts quickly snatched it up (the chair, not Bruiser Brody). He lifted it overhead and drove it into Brody's shoulder once, twice, three times. Earl Hebner was joined in the ring by his brother Dave and by Joey Marella, and they attempted to talk sense into Roberts, who simply slammed the chair down, ran his hands through his hair, and helped the Dragon to his feet, assisting him in walking to the back.


CWA World Championship Match: "Nature Boy" Ric Flair (c) vs. "Handsome" Harley Race (with Bobby "the Brain" Heenan)
Referee: Morgan Dollar

This was just a fantastic match. The first five minutes were a flurry of moves, countermoves, and reversals, with neither man able to sustain an advantage for very long. It was not until Flair began working over his opponent's knee that the tide began to turn one way or the other; Race absorbed two knee breakers and a chop block, the latter leading to a near pinfall, and came up hobbling. Race proved to be no pushover, however, and he began to rally back after reversing a whip into the turnbuckle and following up with a running clothesline.

A DIVING HEAD BUTT scored a mere one-count, and a PILEDRIVER appeared to finish Flair off...but inexplicably, "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers came down to ringside, heckling Flair and claiming he was the real "Nature Boy." The only thing this really accomplished, however, was to distract Race, who failed to make the cover. Bobby Heenan appealed to the "other" Nature Boy to leave the area, but Rogers would hear none of it. Race finally turned his attention back to Flair and hit a falling knee drop, but the moment had passed and when he went for a cover, the champ kicked out at one.

Flair began fighting his way back, inflicting further damage on Race's knee with another chop block, a knee breaker, and a vertical splash across the challenger's knee while his ankle was draped over the bottom rope. An inverted atomic drop left Race wobbling on his feet and Flair rolled him up with a small package and might have gotten a three-count, but the Brain climbed up onto the apron and occupied Morgan Dollar's attention. When Flair spun Dollar around to argue with him, and then with Heenan, Rogers reached into the ring and slipped something into Race's hand.

With Heenan back on the floor and Race on his feet once more, Flair closed in for the kill. Race's eyes were glassy, but he had his right hand balled up in a tight fist around whatever Rogers had given him. He swung wildly...but Flair ducked and shot in close, grabbing one of the challenger's legs and sweeping him to the mat. A roll of quarters bounced harmlessly from Race's hand as Flair clamped on his FIGURE FOUR LEG LOCK. Heenan screamed for Race to hang on, and even called Curt Hennig and Rick Rude down to interfere, but it was too little, too late. Race was forced to give up, and Flair retained his title, glaring daggers at Rogers as the referee raised his hand.

WINNER and STILL CWA World Champion: "Nature Boy" Ric Flair via submission (14:41) *****


Kezar Pavillion Capacity: 4,000
Paid Attendance: 1,233
Cyberlink Views: 393,880

[Deleted]

March 8th, 2089

Sparks. Lasers. Smoke. Explosions. Pulsing lyrics...

We don’t have to take this, back against the wall...
We don’t have to take this, we can end it all...
All you’ll ever be is a fading memory of a bully...


Ricky "the Dragon" Steamboat vs. The Great Muta
Referee: Joey Marella

The first three minutes of the match were nothing but a series of chain wrestling moves and countermoves. Muta powered out of Steamboat's arm bar, only to get caught in a side headlock. The Pearl of the Orient shot the Dragon into the ropes and went for a knife edge chop, but Steamboat blocked it. Steamboat went for a German suplex, but Muta pulled off a standing switch and went for a belly-to-back suplex instead. Steamboat flipped out of it and hit a belly-to-back of his own, but Muta rolled to his feet. Karate kick by Muta, blocked by Steamboat. Reverse knife edge by the Dragon, ducked by Muta. The two exchanged kicks, then Steamboat blocked a Muta body slam and went for a chop, but the Pearl of the Orient blocked it and nailed Steamboat in the jaw with a jumping savate kick. Steamboat fell backwards and through the ropes, where he hit hard on the floor, but he was able to make it back into the ring by the referee's count of eight.

With Steamboat in trouble, Muta really turned on the offense. He locked the Dragon in his patented Muta Lock before dragging him to the corner for a MOONSAULT that barely garnered a one-count before the Dragon powered out. Muta threw Steamboat out to the floor and attempted to slam his head into the ringpost, but the Dragon blocked and then reversed the attempt. Steamboat threw his opponent back into the ring and clamped on his double chicken wing, but Muta refused to submit. Nonplussed, Steamboat dropped Muta to the mat, mounted the top rope, and flew off with a chop to the top of Muta's head, sending him sprawling to the mat.

Double trapezius chops drew a gasp of pain from Muta, though he managed to shrug it off to throw a couple karate kicks to Steamboat's chest. The Dragon rallied back with crescent kick, then rolled Muta up with a small package for two. A victory roll earned the Dragon another two-count, but after that, Muta managed to climb to his feet. Steamboat caught him in a waistlock and finally landed a bridging German suplex for a long two-count before the Pearl of the Orient could kick out, exerting an incredible amount of energy. Steamboat was quick to ascend the top rope again, this time hitting his DIVING CROSS BODY for one...two...three!

WINNER: Ricky "the Dragon" Steamboat via pinfall (12:39) ****


Lou Thesz vs. "Handsome" Harley Race (with Bobby "the Brain" Heenan)
Referee: Tommy Young

While this match started out at a quick pace, it suffered from following the frenetic opening match; the crowd was simply exhausted and had trouble getting into an exchange of holds and counterholds a second time. Nevertheless, each grappler struggled to maintain an advantage until Race was able to maneuver These into a front face lock and turn into a swinging neckbareaker. He followed up with a head butt, then another swinging neckbreaker which put Thesz down for a just one and a half. Quick to press his advantage, Race climbed to the top rope and fell more than flew off, driving his head into Thesz's. Both men lay dazed on the mat, but Race managed to crawl over and drape an arm over Thesz's chest for the three-count.

WINNER: "Handsome" Harley Race via pinfall (4:44) *½


Rob Van Dam vs. "The Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase
Referee: Dave Hebner

The Million Dollar Man started off strong in this match, taking the fight to RVD and grounding him with a backbreaker and a swinging neckbreaker. Van Dam struggled to his feet and DiBiase whipped him into the ropes to go for a clothesline, but RVD ducked under the move and countered with a roundhouse kick that sent DiBiase tumbling over the top rope and to the floor. Once they were in Van Dam's element, he easily wrested control of the match from his opponent. Van Dam maintained the advantage through a variety of kicks, a split-legged moonsault, and even a leg drop across the guard rail when the action spilled outside the ring again. Once they were between the ropes, though, RVD went for another kick, only for DiBiase to catch his foot and counter with a reverse knife edge.

Back in control, DiBiase poured on the offense, hitting one big move after another but none of them could keep Van Dam down. In desperation, he sent his opponent into the ropes with an Irish whip but ducked his head far too early; Van Dam saw the back body drop coming a mile away and leapt over DiBiase, hitting a picture-perfect sunset flip for two. Caught by surprise, DiBiase fled to the arena floor to catch his breath, which of course turned out to be a mistake. Van Dam followed and grabbed Dave Prazak's chair, tossing it at DiBiase, who deftly caught it out of the air. Before he could use it, however, Van Dam spun in mid air and kicked the chair, driving it back into the Million Dollar Man's face and opening up a nasty cut on his forehead. A bloody DiBiase staggered up the steps and back into the ring while Van Dam slid under the bottom rope, chair still in hand. He tossed it to DiBiase one more time and hit another Van Daminator, but this was too much for referee Dave Hebner, who finally called for the bell.

WINNER: "The Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase via disqualification (10:01) ***


"Hacksaw" Jim Duggan vs. "Mr. Perfect" Curt Hennig (with Bobby "the Brain" Heenan)
Referee: Morgan Dollar

Duggan set the pace for this match: that of a fierce brawl, and it played right into his hands. Fists, slams, tackles, and the occasional hanging vertical suplex kept Hennig on the ropes, and he was forced to leave the ring after Duggan planted him with a fierce piledriver. When Hacksaw followed him to the floor, Mr. Perfect grabbed him by the front of his trunks and dragged him face-first into the ring post. Hennig took another few counts from Morgan Dollar to catch his breath, then he tossed Hacksaw into the ring and went to work.

A lariat took Duggan off his feet and left him easy prey for a rolling neck snap. Hennig went for a figure four leg lock, but Duggan reached the ropes before it was fully locked on and hauled himself up to his feet. Hennig moved in for the kill, but Duggan caught him in the midsection with a kick, then planted him with a piledriver for a long two-count. On his second wind, Duggan whipped Mr. Perfect into the corner and charged in after him, but Hennig grabbed Morgan Dollar by the shirt and hauled him into Hacksaw's path. Duggan and Dollar collided; Hacksaw was fine, but the referee dropped like a stone. Hennig stumbled forward, right into a FLYING SPEAR; Duggan made the cover, but there was no one to make the count. Hacksaw hit a clothesline and a knee drop, then another FLYING SPEAR, but still no referee. One more FLYING SEAR for good measure, and when Duggan made the cover, Joey Marella came running down the aisle. Hacksaw had Hennig pinned for a good four seconds before Marella hit the ring, so he only made it to a two-count before Hennig kicked out.

With Dollar out of the picture (he had been very aggressive in enforcing the rules and threatening disqualifications for the entire match), Duggan threw out the rulebook and began choking Mr. Perfect out. Heenan protested from ringside, and Marella gave Duggan a five count to break the illegal hold (which he let go on four). Another choke hold, another four-count, and Duggan drove Hennig into the mat with a huge piledriver. Heenan jumped up onto the apron, only to eat a knuckle sandwich from Duggan, who made the cover for one...two...three!

WINNER: "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan via pinfall (12:55) **½


Jake "the Snake" Roberts vs. "Superfly" Jimmy Snuka
Referee: Earl Hebner

Before the referee could even call for the bell, Snuka started threatening Roberts and calling him out for injuring Bruiser Brody one week ago. Roberts just looked away with a devious smile, then drove a foot into Snuka's midsection. Hebner called for the bell, and the match was on!

The Snake tried to follow up with a boxing jab, but Snuka blocked it and countered with a standing dropkick. Roberts was driven back into the ropes and stumbled forward into a power slam by Superfly, who made the cover but did not even get a one-count. Snuka hit a flying head butt, but Roberts struggled to his feet, only to eat a series of chops and a backbreaker, though the Snake refused to stay down. Snuka threw an illegal chop to Roberts' throat, drawing a warning from Earl Hebner, then whipped Roberts into the rope and planted him with a power slam for one...two...three!

WINNER: "Superfly" Jimmy Snuka via pinfall (2:34) ½


Post-Match Drama

After the match was over, Roberts was still gasping for breath, and Snuka slid out to the floor to grab Dave Prazak's chair. He threw it into the ring, then climbed the stairs and stepped between the ropes to retrieve the foreign object. Earl Hebner tried warning him off, but fled the ring when Snuka threatened him with the chair. Superfly struck the mat a couple times, waiting for Roberts to push himself to his feet. Suddenly, the crowd erupted in cheers as Ricky "the Dragon" Steamboat rushed down and slid into the ring. When Snuka turned to confront him, the Dragon struck with a brutal crescent kick that caught Superfly right in the nose! A gout of blood exploded from Snuka's face and he fell to the mat clutching his nose, which was clearly broken. Steamboat helped Roberts make his way to the back while Snuka seethed in the ring.


CWA World Champion "Nature Boy" Ric Flair & CWA Holovision Champion "Macho Man" Randy Savage vs. "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers & Gorgeous George (with Cherie Dupré)
Referee: Tommy Young

Savage and George locked up to start the match...or would have, if Cherie Dupré hadn't climbed onto the apron to call Savage a brute, a liar, and a thief. Savage turned his attention to her and jabbed a finger in her direction, but it was all a ploy: George charged from behind and drove a knee into the Macho Man's spine, rolling him up with a schoolboy for a two-count. George threw Savage through the ropes and followed him to the floor, but the Macho Man caught him with a stiff right hand and slammed him onto the arena floor. Savage rolled George back into the ring and hit a knee drop, but George was still clutching his face from Savage's punch and could not muster the will to kick out when the Macho Man made the cover.

WINNERS: "Macho Man" Randy Savage & "Nature Boy" Ric Flair via pinfall (1:36) ½


Kezar Pavillion Capacity: 4,000
Paid Attendance: 1,332
Cyberlink Views: 508,105

[Deleted]

March 23, 2089

Everybody set? Alright, then. Systems check. Stationary Emitter Array online…
Drone Emitter Alpha online…
Drone Emitter Beta... Wait.
What's up? The power grid says all emitters are-
No, look at the ring activity monitor.
What? What the hell is going on?
Look out at the ring. Did you begin the show protocols?
No! Did you?
Of course not!
Should I shut them down?
No, that would interrupt the audience experience. Just activate the audio channels so we can hear what's going on.


In-Ring Promo: "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers, Gorgeous George, and "The Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase

No pyro, no music to open the show. Just the three rulebreakers walking out to the ring, each man's mouth set in a grim line. Rogers spoke first, saying that he and the others were tired of answering to a "shadow authority who hides in their press box and makes us dance to whatever tune they fancy."

What the... Is he talking about us?
Shh!

Gorgeous George took up the cause next, complaining that he should still be "Television Champion," but he got booked into a title match against "that fraud Randy Savage by the powers that be," and now he had to face a man who should be suspended after injuring Jimmy Snuka at the last show: Ricky "the Dragon" Steamboat. Ted  DiBiase followed suit, asking why no action had been taken against Jake Roberts, who had "put Bruiser Brody out of action for at least two months, maybe more." Rogers closed out the promo by pointing up at the press box where Melanie Blood and her team stored their computers and servers, and from where they ran the shows. "Just know...we're onto you. And now we're the ones watching you!"


Rob Van Dam vs. "The Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase
Referee: Joey Marella

DiBiase remained in the ring as George and Rogers made their way to the back, but he was still dressed in a designer suit and not his wrestling gear. When RVD's music played (Walk by Pamtera, of course) and the man himself made his way down to the ring, the Million Dollar Man simply stood in the corner, leaning casually against the top turnbuckle. Only when Van Dam was in the ring did DiBiase approach Gary Michael Cappetta and snatch away his microphone. DiBiase claimed that he had bigger fish to fry right now than wasting his time wrestling "some jumped up little stoner" like Van Dam. He said that he had spent a large amount of money...no, an obscene amount of money to find someone suitable to take his place. With that, DiBiase thrust the microphone back into Cappetta's chest and made his way to the back. Cappetta, Van Dam, and referee Joey Marella looked at each other in confusion for a moment or two, and then...

It's me...
It's me...
It's DDP...


Rob Van Dam vs. Diamond Dallas Page
Referee: Joey Marella

Page looked confident as he strutted down to the ring, but that confidence did not translate into success in the ring. DDP clearly took this match on short notice and hadn't done enough yoga to prepare for Van Dam, as the master of the Diamond Cutter was kicked all over the ring, and out of it, as well. At one point, on the arena floor, DDP picked up a chair to try to slow down RVD's assault, but he ate a Van Daminator for his trouble. Van Dam draped a stunned Page across the guard rail, hopped onto the apron, and hit a corkscrew leg drop across the back of DDP's neck, all but knocking him senseless. Van Dam rolled Page back into the ring, made the cover, and secured an easy three-count.

WINNER: Rob Van Dam via pinfall (3:27) ½


The Dream Team vs. "Mr. Perfect" Curt Hennig & "Ravishing" Rick Rude (with Bobby "the Brain" Heenan)
Referee: Morgan Dollar

Dollar had clearly learned from some of Heenan's previous shenanigans, as before the match even got underway, he ejected the Brain from ringside over the protests of Hennig, Rude, and of course, Heenan himself. Despite the loss of their manager, or perhaps fired up because of it, the rulebreakers took the fight to the Dream Team right from the opening bell, as Rude took Brutus Beefcake down with a vertical suplex and kept him down with double ax handles and a crushing piledriver for a two-count. As soon as Beefcake began making his way to his feet, Rude grabbed him and set him up for the RUDE AWAKENING. The Barber hit the mat like a ton of bricks, Hennig cut off Greg Valentine from making the save, and Morgan Dollar made the three-count.

WINNERS: "Mr. Perfect" Curt Hennig & "Ravishing" Rick Rude via pinfall (2:31) ½


"Hacksaw" Jim Duggan vs. The Great Muta
Referee: Tommy Young

Muta charged at his opponent right at the opening bell, seeking to end the match early, but he ran right into a FLYING SPEAR that put him down for a two-count. Duggan went on to dominate Muta for several minutes, keeping him off his game with straight brawling, and nearly knocking him silly with a pair of piledrivers. His first mistake came in throwing Muta out of the ring: when Duggan reached over the top rope to pull his opponent back into the ring, he got sprayed with green mist and never recovered. Duggan did manage to kick out after a MOONSAULT, but a power drive elbow and a jumping savate kick put him down for three.

WINNER: The Great Muta via pinfall (9:02) **


Ricky "the Dragon" Steamboat vs. Gorgeous George (with Cherie Dupré)
Referee: Earl Hebner

This looked like it was going to be another mismatch, as Steamboat took the fight to George early and quickly began to dominate through his use of martial arts techniques that were completely foreign to the gorgeous one. However, George was able to pull out just enough rule breaking (choke holds, fingernail rakes, and the like) to keep the Dragon from taking too much of an advantage, and it was only a matter of time before George had Steamboat in trouble, courtesy of a tight sleeper hold. George followed this up by sleeping Steamboat across the face, which was a huge mistake, as it only served to fire up the Dragon. The gorgeous one whipped Steamboat into the corner and charged in after him, but the Dragon sidestepped and rolled him up with a schoolboy for two. A victory roll earned him another two, but a perfect small package finally put George away. By virtue of the win, Steamboat became the number one contender to Randy Savage's CWA Holovision Championship.

WINNER: Ricky "the Dragon" Steamboat via pinfall (8:15) *½


Hulk Hogan vs. "Handsome" Harley Race (with Bobby "the Brain" Heenan)
Referee: Morgan Dollar

Heenan just shook his head as he made his way to the ring with his charge and saw who the assigned official was. Before Dollar could make any moves, and before Hogan made his way down the aisle, Race got right in the referee's face and began threatening him, describing the terrible things he would do to him if the official even thought of working against him in the match. Dollar tried to stand his ground, but it was clear that he was intimidated, and he meekly held up his hands in surrender.

After Hogan made his way out and Dollar called for the bell, Race took an early advantage with a boxing jab and a belly-to-back suplex. A swinging neckbreaker stunned Hogan, and Race followed up with a backbreaker, but Hogan popped right up and thrust his finger in Race's face. The Handsome one swung wildly, but Hogan blocked the punch, returned with one of his own that spun Race 180 degrees, and hit a nasty atomic drop. Race staggered forward and Hogan rolled him up from behind; Dollar dove into position and made a slow, slow one count.

Hogan immediately popped up and complained to the official, slapping his hands together to show him how quickly a three count should be made, and he turned around just in time to clothesline Race, who was sneaking up from behind. Hogan tossed Race out of the ring to have further discussion with the referee, but Race grabbed the Hulkster's ankle. dragged him to the corner, and rammed his leg into the ringpost. With Hogan in agony, Race chose not to follow up on the leg injury, instead hitting a DIVING HEAD BUTT for a one-count and a PILEDRIVER for two. Race whipped Hogan towards the corner, but Hogan reversed it and Race crashed into the top turnbuckle chest-first, falling hard onto his back. The Hulkster ran the ropes, thinking LEG DROP, but Heenan grabbed his ankle, tripping him up and preventing him from hitting the move. Hogan grabbed Heenan by the hair and hauled him up to the apron, looking to the fans for approval before he decked the Brain. Of course, this gave Race time to shake off the cobwebs, climb to his feet, and drive his shoulder into Hogan's injured knee.

With Hogan limping severely, Race kicked him in the knee, sending him crashing to the mat. The handsome one climbed the ropes and went for a DIVING HEAD BUTT, but Hogan rolled out of the way! Stunned, Race struggled to his feet, only to get met with a Hogan piledriver. The Hulkster made the cover and Dollar made the count, slow as can be: one.........two.........three! By virtue of the win, Hogan became the number one contender to Ric Flair's CWA World Championship.

WINNER: Hulk Hogan via pinfall (9:19) ****


Post-Match Drama

Hogan's post-match celebration was cut short when he saw Bobby Heenan in the ring, checking on Race, who was still barely moving after the piledriver. Hogan smiled a wicked little smile, grabbed hold of Heenan but the shirt collar and the back of his pants, and threw him through the ropes and to the arena floor. With the ring cleared, Hogan ran the ropes, leapt up and hit a massive LEG DROP across Race's throat. And another. And another. And one more. Buddy Rogers, Gorgeous George, Ted DiBiase, Rick Rude and Curt Hennig all rushed out to stop the assault, and Hogan wisely left the ring, walking backwards up the ramp and waving "bye bye" to Race.


Kezar Pavillion Capacity: 4,000
Paid Attendance: 1,518
Cyberlink Views: 904,426