TigerSamurai's KRONOS: Battle Lines

[Sam Fain]

"Battle lines have been drawn…"

KRONOS: Battle Lines!

The Crossroads of the Galaxy Coliseum has been home to dream matches gathered from the biggest stars of all time and space… but now, things have changed - Battle Lines have been drawn. Solaris has announced a slew of tournaments to crown champions in this dawning of a new age. The Crown of Kronos will be decided in a Rigel Round Robin style tournament - with a twist. The final four competitors will meet in a single-elimination style rather than continue the round-robin format. The Tag Team Shields will be decided in an 8-team Cetus Classic single-elimination style tournament, the Trios Shields will be decided in a King of Trios style tournament at a later date, and a Scorpi Spotlight Battle Royal will be held to determine the Open the Crossroads Champion!

Each chapter of Battle Lines will unfold at the Crossroads of the Galaxy Coliseum and be available on-demand after it’s initial airing. As usual, your on-demand experience will put you ringside for the event as though you were there when it took place.

Between every chapter, get your fill of all the news, notes, and interviews you’ll be craving from the one and only Johnny Rocket and his Launching Pad!

Speaking of…

[Sam Fain]

Johnny Rocket’s Launching Pad

Hello, fight fans! Look, I know what you’re thinking - how can the Launching Pad, the finest source of KRONOS news, remain impartial in this new age? Well, I can’t make any promises. I was never exactly fair and balance to being with. But what I can provide the ole Rocket Guarantee on is this: I will endeavor to bring you the truth. And as anyone with half a brain knows, the truth is rarely “fair and balanced”...

Right now, the truth is this: Infinity and Infinity-Plex have, with the aid of Solaris, turned Kronos into a cosmic battlefield. What was once a home for athletic competition among the greatest wrestlers of all time and space, is now the theater for an epic contest between the heroes and villains of the cosmos.

Chapter 1 of our epic story begins tomorrow night at the Crossroads of the Galaxy! You will not want to miss the action as the table gets set for all that is to come next. To maintain some sense of impartiality in our future chapters, I have decided to step down as host but Solaris has one last trick up his sleeve… Vanity and Dragonmaster will be your play-by-play and color announcers for every single show! Don’t worry, though, you’ll still see me at ringside and here at the Launching Pad with plenty of special guests to come.

In the meantime, get ready… KRONOS: Battle Lines is coming your way!

Battle Lines: Chapter 1
From the Crossroads of the Galaxy Coliseum

- Tournament of Immortals - Crown of Kronos - A-Block -
Tauran vs. Jupiter

- Tournament of Immortals - Crown of Kronos - B-Block -
Swarm vs. Solitude

- Tournament of Immortals - Crown of Kronos - C-Block -
Olympia vs. Mensar

- Tournament of Immortals - Crown of Kronos - D-Block -
Vyper vs. Raven

- Tournament of Immortals - Crown of Kronos - C-Block -
Cosmos vs. Nikolai

- Tournament of Immortals - Crown of Kronos - B-Block -
Pegasus the Powerful vs. Spike

- Tournament of Immortals - Crown of Kronos - D-Block -
Infinity-Plex vs. Psyclone

- Tag Team Shield Tournament - Round 1 -
Sixth Law vs. Desolation Factor

- Tag Team Shield Tournament - Round 1 -
Twin Telepathy vs. Gladiators

- Tournament of Immortals - Crown of Kronos - A-Block -
Infinity vs. Avenging Force

[Sam Fain]

TOURNAMENT OF IMMORTALS - Crown of KRONOS Round Robin Blocks

Tournament of Immortals - Crown of KRONOS A-Block

Tauran
Jupiter
Infinity
Avenging Force

Tournament of Immortals - Crown of KRONOS B-Block

Swarm
Solitude
Pegasus
Spike

Tournament of Immortals - Crown of KRONOS C-Block

Cosmos
Nikolai
Olympia
Mensar

Tournament of Immortals - Crown of KRONOS D-Block

Infinity-Plex
Psyclone
Vyper
Raven

[Sam Fain]

Battle Lines: Chapter 1
From the Crossroads of the Galaxy Coliseum

- Tournament of Immortals - Crown of Kronos - A-Block -
Tauran vs. Jupiter
Tauran defeated Jupiter with a VAMPIRE BLOOD DROP at 9:40
Match Rating: 2.75
Match Notes: Tauran was spectacular in this bout. That said, Jupiter made him work for it. The big man would not stay down and took everything Tauran had.

It seemed that Tauran knew he would have to take it to Jupiter as he hit a sick suicide dive early on that nearly took as much out of himself as it did his opponent.

Jupiter shocked the crowd by kicking out of multiple finishers! Eventually, Tauran hit another VAMPIRE BLOOD DROP for the 1, 2, 3 to pick up 2 points in the A-Block!

- Tournament of Immortals - Crown of Kronos - B-Block -
Swarm vs. Solitude
Swarm defeated Solitude with a VENOMOUS STINGER at 5:58
Match Rating: 2.25
Match Notes: Solitude makes his debut at the Crossroads against a perennial favorite, Swarm.

They jockeyed for position early before Solitude exploded with a high-impact offense. Either frustrated that he couldn't keep Swarm down or seeking to brutalize him on the outside, Solitude tossed Swarm from the ring.

Swarm used the opportunity to post Solitude and then takeover back inside. Wasp Trap, and two VENOMOUS STINGERs later, Swarm got the 1, 2, 3! 2 points for Swarm in the B-Block.

- Tournament of Immortals - Crown of Kronos - C-Block -
Olympia vs. Mensar
Olympia defeated Mensar with a GORDIAN KNOT at 9:28
Match Rating: 3.00
Match Notes: These two put on an impressive display early on with some excellent back and forth work. Mensar took the advantage, though, and brutalized Olympia - even scoring a near fall after a series of brutal elbows.

Olympia didn't stay down, though, and took advantage of a raised knee in a corner charge. He brought the fight back, and his relentless pursuit of the GORDIAN KNOT was enough to wear down the big man until he had no choice but to submit.

- Tournament of Immortals - Crown of Kronos - D-Block -
Vyper vs. Raven
Vyper defeated Raven with an ANACONDA VICE at 7:48
Match Rating: 2.00
Match Notes: Vyper was simply on point tonight. He picked Raven apart and sustained the minimal offense thrown his way. Utilizing strikes, big moves, and submission holds like the cobra clutch, Vyper wore down the bigger opponent.

Raven was resilient, surviving multiple near falls, but the attacks were so relentless that eventually, the ANACONDA VICE put him away.

- Tournament of Immortals - Crown of Kronos - C-Block -
Cosmos vs. Nikolai
Nikolai defeated Cosmos with a CURB STOMP at 5:31
Match Rating: 3.00
Match Notes: This match had a furious pace with lots of strikes and reversals in a short amount of time. Cosmos had the edge early, but Nikolai returned and did everything he could to pound Cosmos to the mat.

It wasn't enough, and Cosmos came back. He whipped Nikolai into the corner and went charging in, Nikolai moved, and Cosmos ate the post! Cover for a two-count! CURB STOMP! 1, 2, 3! Wow! This has got to be considered an upset!

- Tournament of Immortals - Crown of Kronos - B-Block -
Pegasus the Powerful vs. Spike
Spike defeated Pegasus the Powerful with a MEGA DESTROYER at 3:51
Match Rating: 0.10
Match Notes: Whoa... Pegasus never had a chance. Spike hit him with a Decapitator right at the bell, then pummeled him on the outside, followed it with the Atomic Spike, and kept up the onslaught. Mere minutes later, he hit the MEGA DESTROYER for a convincing 1, 2, 3. Who knows if he can repeat the performance? But if he does, no one will stand a chance in the tournament.

- Tournament of Immortals - Crown of Kronos - D-Block -
Infinity-Plex vs. Psyclone
Infinity-Plex defeated Psyclone with an INFINITY SUPERPLEX at 22:46
Match Rating: 4.50
Match Notes: Match of the night so far! These two went all out and had a stiff, hard-hitting, classic. Psyclone refused to be intimidated and gave Infinity-Plex as good as he got.

Psyclone survived a pair of INFINITY GRIPs and came back to hit the HARDCORE TITAN DROP for a near fall. These two brawled outside the ring, and Psyclone came out the worse for wear and bleeding after another HARDCORE TITAN DROP. It allowed Infinity-Plex to take over and hit the INFINITY SUPERPLEX to score the hard-fought win.

- Tag Team Shield Tournament - Round 1 -
Sixth Law vs. Desolation Factor
Ruin defeated Destructon 4300 with a Forearm Ravager at 24:21
Match Rating: 4.75
Match Notes: Another stone-cold classic and the template for great tag matches in the future of this new era on Kronos!

The Tag Team Shields will be decided in single-elimination format with no DQ, no count-out rules to ensure a clear winner.

The Sixth Law started dominantly, and it looked like Rack would fall early to Destruction 4300. It was an awe-inspiring display for an audience not used to seeing Desolation Factor have to fight from underneath.

A well-timed tag would see the action fall into a furious, brawling, see-saw war! The action was a combination of big moves, strikes, and submission holds with a liberal dose of out of the ring brawling action. Under normal circumstances, this match would've ended in disqualification more than once, but the action was allowed to continue due to tournament rules.

By the end of this one, Rack, Ruin, and Desolation Factor were all wearing war wounds- the blood flowed liberally.

Speaking of the end, Rack and Ruin, despite the enormous amounts of punishment absorbed, had the edge in the finishing stretch. Destruction 4300 had the advantage, but a reversal from Rack changed everything. Mirroring that of Sixth Law's earlier in the match, excellent tag work saw Destruction getting rocked with some serious strikes. In the end, a pin save couldn't help as Ruin hit a second Forearm Ravager and made the cover on a barely conscious Destruction 4300 for the win.

We knew we would see one of the odds on favorites eliminated in this match, and what a match it was. Desolation Factor makes their way to the quarter-finals after an extremely hard-fought win.

[Tokens: Rack - 5, Ruin - 6, Destruction 4300 - 5, Ultra Clarion - 1]

- Tag Team Shield Tournament - Round 1 -
Twin Telepathy vs. Gladiators
Torment defeated Cool with a chokeslam at 1:19
Match Rating: 0.10
Match Notes: Statement made. Warden and Category 5 started things off but never got past some trash talking. They tagged their partner's in, and Torment brutally thumbed Cool's eyes. He hit a massive chokeslam and then made the cover. Warden was unable to make the save, and the Gladiators move on.

Warden checks on Cool in the ring. As the Gladiators are leaving, Warden hits his finisher on them! All three men are wiped out! Cool is having some trouble seeing, but not enough to keep him from following up Warden's dive with one of his own! This is insanity! Raven and Blazing Holocaust are out, as well as Spike. Officials are making their way down to clear up this donnybrook. The Glads may be moving on, but it seems they've made poured gasoline on fire right off the bat, and is it any surprise, really?

- Tournament of Immortals - Crown of Kronos - A-Block -
Infinity vs. Avenging Force
Infinity defeated Avenging Force with an INFINITY GRIP at 14:07
Match Rating: 3.75
Match Notes: Avenging Force's hard-hitting, brawling style was almost too much for Infinity... Almost.

Avenging force dominated the early going, but Infinity mounted a short-lived comeback and hit Infinity Challenge. It wasn't enough, though, and he was barely able to escape the ALPHA FORCE!

They continued to battle back and forth with heavy bombs - pulling out their biggest moves. Avenging Force absorbed some punishment but came back and had Infinity in trouble.

Infinity, though, was able to come back out of nowhere and hit an armlock driver, followed by an Infinity Challenge for another near fall.

Infinity then signaled for the end and locked in a full force INFINITY GRIP form, which there was no escape! Great match. Infinity picks up his 2 points.

Overall Card Rating: 2.62

[Sam Fain]

Battle Lines: Chapter 2
From the Crossroads of the Galaxy Coliseum

- Tournament of Immortals - Crown of Kronos - B-Block -
Pegasus the Powerful vs. Solitude
Pegasus the Powerful defeated Solitude with a big body slam at 6:27
Match Rating: 0.10
Match Notes: These two both dropped their first match in the tournament, so a loss here would effectively end their journey for the Crown.

Solitude ran in with an ax-handle at the bell, but Pegasus dodged and then picked Solitude apart. To say he out-classed the Gladiator would be an understatement. Though it has to be noted that Solitude did kick out of WINGS OF PEGASUS. Pegasus immediately followed it up with a big body slam to get the 1, 2, 3 [snake-eyes].

Solitude is out of the tournament, though he could still play spoiler depending on what happens with Spike and Swarm later in the evening.

On the other hand, Pegasus has given himself a shot at the whole thing with a strong win here.

- Tournament of Immortals - Crown of Kronos - D-Block -
Vyper vs. Psyclone
Vyper defeated Psyclone with a back brain kick at 13:20
Match Rating: 3.50
Match Notes: Krakan did not accompany either of his charges to the ring, and you have to wonder if he would be happy with the carnage that followed.

Psyclone gave no quarter to his teammate, and Vyper gave as good as he got.

Psyclone struck first and even hit his finisher early, but he took the brunt of the move by far. Vyper roared back to life and punished Psyclone with a series of big moves, even leveling Psyclone with the DDT.

At one point, Vyper tossed Psyclone to the outside and jumped up top, coming off with a big plancha!

Somehow, Psyclone came back and hit the Psycho Spear... And he came up bleeding! He hit his finisher yet again, and yet again, it cost him dearly!

Vyper used his sideshow to wear the bloody Psyclone down and eventually hit a back brain kick that crumbled Psyclone to the mat for the 1, 2, 3.

Krakan was out immediately and forced the handshake. Psyclone is effectively out of the tournament, while Vyper is 2-0 with a legit shot to win the block.

[Tokens: Psyclone - 6, Vyper - 1]

- Tournament of Immortals - Crown of Kronos - A-Block -
Avenging Force vs. Tauran
Tauran defeated Avenging Force with a VAMPIRE BLOOD DROP at 8:10
Match Rating: 2.75
Match Notes: Tauran was not intimidated by Avenging Force at all. The Vampire Half-Blood tore into him and was relentless in his attack. He hit a spectacular dive early on and followed with his finisher for a near fall.

Tauran continued to beat Avenging Force from pillar to post in and out of the ring. A brainbuster on the ring apron split Avenging Force wide open. The bloodletting drove Tauran, and after a tornado DDT, he hit the VAMPIRE BLOOD DROP again for the fall.

Tauran has looked impressive and has a 2-0 record while Avenging Force is effectively eliminated from the tournament.

- Tournament of Immortals - Crown of Kronos - C-Block -
Cosmos vs. Olympia
Cosmos defeated Olympia with a top rope elbow drop at 1:46
Match Rating: 0.10
Match Notes: Wow! Cosmos has a fire lit under him after his loss earlier in the block. He gave no quarter and simply decimated Olympia. He hit a GAMESMASTER DDT early and then followed it with a big top rope elbow drop for the 1, 2, 3.

And just like that, Cosmos is back in this thing, while Olympia finds himself in need of resuscitation.

- Tag Team Shield Tournament - Round 1 -
Rocket Rebellion vs. Mercenaries
Avalanche defeated Galactic Punisher with a Cosmic Avalanche at 5:19
Match Rating: 2.50
Match Notes: Prodigy started things off with Punisher and hit a string of high impact moves - even scoring a near fall after a Satanic Skull Smasher.

Smart tag work kept the Mercenaries off balance, and even though Tongsoon had a momentary edge against Avalanche, Galactic Punisher stumbled, and the big man took full advantage.

A devastating Cosmic Avalanche spelled doom, and Tongsoon couldn't make the save! Rocket's Rebellion has eliminated a favorite from winning the Tag Shield!

- Tournament of Immortals - Crown of Kronos - C-Block -
Mensar vs. Nikolai
Mensar defeated Nikolai with a STAR DESTROYER at 9:10
Match Rating: 2.50
Match Notes: Man... Does Nikolai owe Mensar money? Mensar was on a tear and brutalized Nikolai from the bell. He threw him around, down, ground and pound - repeat.

Nikolai came up bleeding above the eye and it only got worse as Mensar continued to batter him.

Eventually, an overhead suplex led to a power clothesline off the ropes, and then the STAR DESTROYER for the 1, 2, 3.

Mensar badly needed the win as Nikolai slips after an upset win over Cosmos in the opening of the block.

- Tournament of Immortals - Crown of Kronos - B-Block -
Spike vs. Swarm
Spike defeated Swarm with a MEGA DESTROYER at 16:15
Match Rating: 4.00
Match Notes: A win here could very well determine the block. Spike and Swarm won their opening bouts, and this dream match will see one of them go 2-0 and render the other with virtually no chance to win the block.

It was an amazing dream match. A hard-hitting war that saw neither give an inch. Swarm seemed to have a slight advantage, utilizing the Wasp Trap to it's fullest to wear Spike down. They had an amazing exchange in the finishing stretch - reversing moves, see-sawing in battle. Swarm looked like he might sew it up, but a well-timed shoulder tackle off the ropes led to a big running shoulder crash for a near fall. He tossed Swarm from the ring, and power bombed him on the apron. Under normal circumstances, a count-out would have ensued.

Instead, Spike rolled him back in and hit the MEGA DESTROYER for the win. Spike secures a huge win that will all but ensure his trip to the final four.

- Tournament of Immortals - Crown of Kronos - A-Block -
Jupiter vs. Infinity
Infinity defeated Jupiter with an INFINITY GRIP at 2:47
Match Rating: 0.10
Match Notes: Jupiter hit a chin checker, whipped Infinity into the corner... and was met with a huge lariat. A 2-count followed, Infinity went up top and dropped an ax-handle on Jupiter's face. He followed with the INFINITY GRIP and got the win!

Infinity sets up the A-Block final with Tauran. What a match that will be!

- Tournament of Immortals - Crown of Kronos - D-Block -
Infinity-Plex vs. Raven
Raven defeated Infinity-Plex with a DETHRONING at 4:21
Match Rating: 0.10
Match Notes: Two moves in, Raven rocked Infinity-Plex with DETHRONING and never let up from there. He hit two BLADE RUNNERS and kept the pressure up.

Eventually, two consecutive DETHRONINGs did the trick. Big win for Raven - no doubt! It puts Vyper in a good position to take the block, though if Psyclone beats Raven and Infinity-Plex beats Vyper, there's still a path for Infinity-Plex to take the block. It'll be an interesting final day of action before we get to the final four.

- Tag Team Shield Tournament - Round 1 -
Greek Gods vs. Takeover
Mensar defeated Actagon with a Wrecking Machine at 29:58
Match Rating: 4.00
Match Notes: Mensar's dominant performance earlier in the evening allows him to come into this bout none the worse for wear.

The Greek Gods reuniting is a big deal, and this match saw them work together like a well-oiled machine. Unfortunately, it wasn't quite enough. After some excellent tag team action that see-sawed all the way, Takeover took the advantage, and Tyranny busted Actagon wide open on the outside. Mensar took over and continued to grind down Actagon.

The time limit was ticking away and dangerously close to expiring, but a last-ditch Wrecking Machine and Tyranny cutting off the save led to the 3-count with seconds to spare.

Incredible action, though, and it could have gone either way. In the end, Takeover gets the win, and the Greek Gods are back to the drawing board. Takeover moves on to the next round of the tournament for the Tag Team Shield.

Overall Card Rating: 1.97

[Swarm]

Rocket’s Rebellion beating the Mercenaries has to be considered an upset? Huge! Love seeing Takeover doing so well too! Mensar must be pretty happy getting his tag partner back this Christmas.

[Crossbones]

Takeover beating the Greek Gods is a big win. Nikolai beating Cosmos has to be an upset as well.

[stu]

Glad to see Pegasus rebound from the bad defeat at Spike's hands! Always liked Pegasus, think he could regroup and go far here...

[Pariah]

Very cool that Raven was able to bounce back from his first loss with a huge win over Infinity-Plex... And of course, I'm stoked to see my newest Vampire brother is killing it so far... 2-0!