OMEGA 2119 (POW/MMA fed)

[antimony]

Saboteur is a few years away from appearing in OMEGA; presumably he's running around in Rhiannon's head at the moment. (That was such an awesome storyline, I wish I was using Rhiannon so I could exploit it fully.)

He's about to have his hands full with Puma, though, so he won't be *too* bored.

[Avarice]

Cool to see Shylock win the belt...I was pulling for him. Too bad Paralyze is too big, he'd crush the hwts and be champ. Keep it coming buddy 'ro.

[antimony]

Weigh-In and Press Conference
03.19.2119 from Titan MAC Pavillion


- Opening Notes -
The knockout that you see
Is ultimate reality
Because one man is left standing
One succumbs to gravity

And it goes boom!
You're gonna get hit
Boom!
You're gonna get knocked out...

The MAC Pavilion was set for another afternoon of weigh-ins and press conferences. The heaters were set up, but unneeded on the unusually warm March afternoon, and refreshments had been provided for the gathered members of the Colonial sports media. If the decorations were a bit more green than purple this month, no one thought it worth mentioning, given the St. Patrick's Day holiday two days earlier.

As was his custom, Niles Kavanagh came out to greet the press, say a few words, and take his leave so that the stars of OMEGA could take center stage. This time, however, his departure was aborted by one of the more bold reporters in attendance.

Reporter: "Hey, Mr. Kavanagh! Niles! It says in our press kits that you chose "Rockstar" as the theme for tomorrow's card. Why switch from the hard rock music you've been choosing to something so introspective--maybe even mellow?"

Niles was several steps away from the podium, and prepared to deflect the question with his typical half-smile and modest shrug, but something lit up in his eyes. Whatever it was led him back to the microphone.

Kavanagh: "For thousands of years, we've expressed ourselves through art. Painting, music, sculpture--even sports became a manner of expression, especially personal sports like what we do here.

"Today, everything's changed. No one plays instruments anymore--the music you hear is computer-generated noise. In some cases, the music is even written by a computer, programmed to find combinations of notes that sound good, but have no feeling. Same thing with art--when's the last time you saw someone sitting out, watching a sunset, with oil-based paints and an empty canvas? Art is dying.

"Sports are dying, too. The Speedball league never got over the disaster on Earth--no one wants to say it, but there it is. Hell, the attendance at Cyberball games--played by robots--is higher than anything Speedball's done in years.

"Why did I pick that song? Because there are no rock stars anymore--no one worth looking up to. No one pushes himself to excel at anything, because everyone's afraid of losing it again, just like they did when they lost Earth. We need to believe in someone--someone who still works and lives and wins and fails by his own sweat and hard work.

"You want to see today's rock stars? You're about to interview a dozen of them. Thank you."

Niles turned and walked away, moving quickly and ignoring the dozens of follow-up questions that were shouted towards his back.


- Weigh-In: Paralyze -
Get up, get up, get up
Drop the bombshell
Get up, get up
This is out of control...

Paralyze's driving music heralded his arrival at the podium, flanked by four men in SECURITY shirts, including the man formerly known as Massacre. Paralyze did not disguise his contempt for the Aethran refugee, and for his part, Massacre--or rather, Vito Torre--seemed amused by the big man's ire. After weighing in at a trim 349½ pounds, Paralyze stepped up to the podium.

Reporter: "How's it feel to be fighting another Super Heavyweight this month?"

Paralyze: "That fat lump Smooth? He's not worth my time! Why is my time being wasted with that walking pork rind when I have real battles to fight?"

Reporter: "You want Puma again."

Paralyze: "Brilliant deduction! You must be an Aethran. A really, really small Aethran.

Reporter: "Ha ha. Have you requested another fight with him?"

Paralyze: "Of course! But Kavanagh says he's got something special in mind. I don't care! I want him now! And if I have to tear down the mobile mountain Smooth to get it, then I will!"

Reporter: "Do you think you can beat Puma, since the last time you fought him..."

A savage glare from Paralyze encouraged the reporter to let his question go unfinished. Satisfied, Paralyze gave one last, contemptuous look at Massacre and left the Pavilion, flanked by OMEGA security.


- Weigh-In: J.J. Smooth -
You're going down, down, down...call me Smooth...

J.J. Smooth (with his mother, of course) emerged from the arena before Paralyze had made his way back. The two men came face to face, and Smooth's eyes went wide with awe bordering on hero worship. Paralyze responded by planting his hand over J.J.'s face and shoving him backwards. The big man tumbled onto his back, almost dragging his mother down with him, and Paralyze laughed as he sauntered past.

Once the Aethran was back in the arena, J.J. pulled himself up to his feet and made his way to the scale. It had been modified since the last weigh in, so OMEGA's chief medic Dr. Curja Sememe could pronounce Smooth's weight as a certain 406 pounds. Once his mother had signed the necessary papers, she and her son made their way to the podium.

Reporter: "Are you alright?"

Olivia: "No, he's not alright! Did you see the way that big brute manhandled him?"

Mrs. Swinden dusted off her son's shirt, then licked her thumb and reached up to wipe at a smudge on his mouth.

Smooth: "Aw, mom!"

Reporter: "Do you think you'll be able to handle Paralyze tomorrow?"

Smooth: "Gosh, I don't know. He's awfully big and awfully tough. But he's so cool, yanno?"

Reporter: "Cool?"

Smooth: "Yeah! I bet I would fit in on Aethra."

Reporter: "J.J., you'd have a hard time 'fitting in' an--"

Olyvia: "None of that, now!"

Reporter: "Sorry, ma'am."

Smooth: "I mean it, though. I could get my hair cut short, or maybe in a mohawk--"

Olyvia: "J.J.!"

Smooth: "And I could get some tattoos, like--"

Olyvia: "DON'T YOU DARE, YOUNG MAN!"

Reporter: "Well, what would your Aethran name be?"

Smooth: "Hmm. I don't...uhhh. Hm, I guess. They could call me, like, 'Driz'zt' or something."

Reporter: "Driz'zt?"

Smooth: "Yeah! Driz'zt's the shi--"

Olyvia: "JONAH JULIUS SWINDEN!"

Once again, the little woman grabbed her son by the ear and hauled him back to the arena, to the general amusement of the press corps.


- Weigh-In: Thad Killian -
Thad "T.K." Killian was the next man out, accompanied (as always) by chiming bells, eerie music, and a call to "Free your mind." He weighed in at 224 pounds, hugged Dr. Sememe and kissed him on both cheeks, then made some sort of mark on the requisite form before approaching the podium.

Killian: "We are doubly blessed by this glorious day that ushers us into one another's presence, like humble waves lapping upon a curious shore."

Reporter: "Here we go..."

Killian: "I am grateful for the day. I am grateful for shore. I am grateful for the gift of me."

Reporter: "Are you grateful for your fight with Gunnar tomorrow?"

Killian: "I am grateful for the young man, Gunnar, and I am as one with the me who is on this adventure."

Reporter: "You're one with yourself?"

Killian: "Yes."

Reporter: "How could you be--"

Another Reporter: "Dude, don't encourage him!"

Killian: "I am as one with the me that is in the now. I am as one with the me that will be here tomorrow. I am as one with the me that has gone before."

Reporter: "How many of you are there in there?"

Killian: "I am as one with the me who shall gird up his loins to do battle when next the sun has set and risen."

Reporter: "Gird up your...?"

Killian: "The circle of life has no beginning and no end."

Reporter: "Oooooookay..."

Killian: "May all the blessings of the you who will be tomorrow come upon you today."

T.K. bowed deeply to the press corps and took his leave of the Pavilion while the press corps, en masse, tore the latest pages out of their notebooks and crumpled them up.


- Weigh-In: Gunnar -
While his music blared from the speakers, Gunnar came trotting out from the arena in a stylish ring jacket, engaged in some shadow boxing, then stepped onto the scale for his weigh-in. Dr. Sememe announced his weight as 234 pounds, prompting Gunnar to let out a victorious whoop and throw his hands in the air, jumping up and down. The scale rattled alarmingly, and the OMEGA medic all but dragged Gunnar off the fragile thing so he could sign his verification form before addressing the media.

Reporter: "You're in a good mood today."

Gunnar: "Man, I am just so FIRED UP to be here, and to be competing in the greatest martial arts organization in the system!"

Reporter: "You've got T.K. tomorrow."

Gunnar: "I know! Poor kid, I almost feel bad about what I'm going to do to him."

Reporter: "What are you going to do to him?"

Gunnar: "Come on, man! Just like Pendekar! One punch--WHAM! Out go the lights!"

Reporter: "You never beat Pende--"

Gunnar: "In fact, I might make that my new ring name. 'One-Punch Gunnar.' Ain't that cool?"

Reporter: "And you certainly never beat him with one--"

Gunnar: "Did you see that fight, man? I had that cat Pendekar on the ropes, and old 'One-Punch' moved in and WHAM! I cut him like a roast turkey at the Swinden's!"

Reporter: "Yeah, but you lost--"

Gunnar: "What was it? Ninety, ninety-five stitches?"

Reporter: "It was eight--"

Gunnar: "You know, that cat still ain't right since I laid that hellacious beating on him."

Reporter: "So...I take it you've been working on your stand-up game to take on Killian."

Gunnar: "Oh, man...it's almost a crime, working my striking to make it even better, but yeah. When I get in that hectagon--"

Reporter: "Hexagon."

Gunnar: "And when I unleash Rockbone and Granite on him."

Reporter: "Unleash who?"

Gunnar: "Rockbone and Granite. See, Rockbone's the right, and--"

Reporter: "You named your fists?"

Gunnar: "Marketing, baby! It's all about marketing. And speaking of that, I gotta leave 'em begging for more, so I'll catch you cats and kittens tomorrow!"

Gunnar snapped his fingers and struck a pose, then waved as if he were running for office and made his grinning way back inside.


- Weigh-In: The Punks -
Turn it up...

The familiar hip-hop beat brought Romulus trotting out of the arena--in his PUNKZ ring gear, as always. Taurine followed behind him, walking at a more leisurely pace and dressed in dark pants and a matching sport coat over a pale blue shirt. His change in wardrobe wasn't the only surprise--Brainstorm walked alongside him!

Romulus hit the scales first, weighing in at 185 pounds. Taurine weighed in at a trim 207 pounds, then Brainstorm signed the verification form for him, and all three men approached the podium.

Romulus: "I--"

Taurine: "I got this one, covered, Rom. I see the question you're all dying to ask, and the answer is yes. I've officially joined Brainstorm's training camp.

Reporter: "Wow! That's huge news, coming the day before the fight! How long have you been training with him?"

Brainstorm: "Now hold on right there. The word for the day is 'garrulous.' It means overly talkative, or wordy. Unlike the average reporter, we do not intend to be 'garrulous' and let the secrets of our training slip. Suffice it to say that Taurine is ready for his fight."

Reporter: "Are you giving him fashion advice, too?"

Taurine: "Please. After tomorrow night, I'm going to be a champion, and I'm going to have to look the part. Being a Punk got me past Raze--pretty easily, I might add--but it's not going to get me on the cover of any magazines the way that belt will.

Reporter: "Romulus, are you training with Brainstorm, too?"

Romulus: "He--"

Brainstorm: "I don't believe in spending my time frivolously. I only train people, like Taurine here, who I think have a chance to get better."

Romulus: "Now--"

Taurine: "Easy, Rom, easy. He's just saying that there's nothing he could teach you. You're already at the top of your game!"

Reporter: "He's going to have to be at the top of his game to stand a chance against Raze."

Romulus: "I--"

Taurine: "Please! Rom here isn't afraid of Raze! He's already taken the best shots TWO men have to offer last month, and even though he single-handedly lost that match for us--"

Romulus: "Hey!"

Reporter: "He was the only one who fought in that match!"

Taurine: "Duh! I had a dislocated cruciatus, remember?"

Reporter: "A dislocated what?"

Taurine: "Cruciatus. It's--"

Reporter: "That's from Harry Potter!"

Brainstorm: "What Taurine is trying to say--and this is the central point--is that we signed Romulus up to face Raze to show everyone that he's cast aside his winless record--"

Romulus: "Now--"

Brainstorm: "--and he's still committed to taking on the best OMEGA has to offer. Why, just this morning, he was telling us how Raze had no chance against him."

Romulus: "I--"

Taurine: "That's right, and he said he plans to knock Raze out with one punch! Not as prettily or as fast as I did, of course."

Romulus: "But--"

Brainstorm: "And then he said Raze is--"

Without warning, the door to the arena flew open and Raze rushed out. He ran halfway to the Pavilion, then stopped, studying the three men standing at the podium. His gaze swept over Brainstorm and Taurine in their street clothes, then settled on Romulus and his PUNKZ gear. Raze's eyes narrowed, and he charged, covering the remaining distance in a few long strides and barreling into Romulus. The smaller man crashed to the ground with Raze in a full mount, raining down punches on him while Brainstorm and Taurine simply watched. Fortunately for Romulus, GWF security had been in close pursuit of the unstable Raze, and they were able to pull him away after landing only a few punches. Dr. Sememe helped Romulus up, and began checking him over to see if he was injured.

Brainstorm: "Boy, I'd sure hate to be him tomorrow..."


- Weigh-In: Pendekar and Quetzal -
As usual, Pendekar and Quetzal emerged from the arena without music, stepping up to the scale and weighing in at 239 pounds and 215 pounds, respectively. They signed the necessary forms and approached the podium.

Reporter: "Will you be answering any questions today?"

Quetzal stood silent, unmoving, and after a moment, Pendekar responded.

Pendekar: "Quetzal says he will answer your questions."

Reporter: "He didn't say anything!"

Pendekar: "We communicate on a deeper, spiritual level."

Reporter: "Uh...okay... What does he think his chances are against Taurine?"

Quetzal: ...

Pendekar: "Quetzal is displeased that you are not addressing your questions to him. He has elected to terminate this interview."

The two men turned in unison and walked calmly away from the Pavilion, turning deaf ears to the apologetic protests of the press corps.


- Weigh-In: Raze -
As punishment for his attack on Romulus, Raze was not permitted to participate in the public weigh-in or make a press statement, but it was announced that he had bulked up to 222 pounds, taking him out of the Cruiserweight weight class for the Rockstar card.


- Weigh-In: Puma -
Puma emerged to his usual music, and like Paralyze, he was flanked by four members of OMEGA security (Massacre was not among them). They escorted him to Dr. Sememe, who announced his weight as 280½ pounds, then led him to the podium.

Reporter: "You're supposed to be fighting Indigo to determine the next contender to the Heavyweight Title, but you weighed in as a Super Heavyweight!"

Puma: "So?"

Reporter: "So, now Indigo will automatically be given the title match, even if you beat him!"

Puma: "You think I care? You think I care about belts or weights or anything else when that Aethran SCUM is still here, strutting, acting like he owns OMEGA?"

Reporter: "Paralyze wants to fight you just as badly."

Puma: "Of course he does. I'm Kilrathi, he's Aethran. We're blood enemies. Neither of us will rest until the other is gone."

Reporter: "Here in the Colonies, we never really understood why your planets hate each other so much."

Puma: "There's a long history there, human. A long history, and a violent, disgusting one."

Reporter: "What's the history, then?"

Puma: "I'm a fighter, not a storyteller. Your government knows--ask them."

Reporter: "Alright, fair enough. What can you tell us about the fight tomorrow?"

Puma: "Just that it's going to be a hell of a fight."

Reporter: "Neither of you are particularly popular with the crowds here in OMEGA."

Puma: "I get that they don't like me--I was GWF through and through, and that's like a capital crime here. But Indigo, he was only with them for a couple years."

Reporter: "It's not just that. He's part of the whole 'superhuman' movement that controlled the GWF for the last few years of its life."

Puma: "Stupid. It's not his fault he was born with that chameleon power."

Reporter: "Maybe not, but that's the way it is. They can't see the fighter through the power. Or the history, in your case."

Puma: "Well, we'll have to try to change their minds tomorrow. Indigo's a good guy--it'll be an honor to fight him. That's all I've got to say."


- Weigh-In: Indigo -
Indigo made a point of exiting the arena early so that he could meet Puma (and his escort) coming back. The two men exchanged a handshake, then Indigo made his way to the Pavilion. After weighing in at 272 pounds and signing his paperwork, he stepped up to address the media.

Reporter: "Well, it looks like you'll be the first man to challenge Shylock for the Heavyweight Title."

Indigo: "Wait a second--I have something to say. Puma is a great man...person...err... I don't know what to call a Kilrathi."

Reporter: "Gunnar would call him a cat."

Indigo: "Gunnar calls everyone a cat. Point is, he's a fine athlete, and I'm honored to be fighting him tomorrow."

Reporter: "He seems to feel pretty strongly about the way you've been treated in OMEGA."

Indigo: "That's not true--Mr. Kavanagh has been nothing but supportive."

Reporter: "Well, that's good. But I was talking about the fans."

Indigo: "Oh, the fans. Well, that's...just the way it is. The average person hates Deltas--what they call 'mutants'--just because they're different. Heh, in some ways, we're the reason the race wars ended. Doesn't really matter if your neighbor is white or black when your other neighbor is rainbow-colored or talks to ants, does it?"

Reporter: "Doesn't it make you mad?"

Indigo: "Yeah, sometimes. But remember, I used to hang out with Max Shield and his Delta Force team. I learned a lot from Max and Wraith and those guys, but mostly, I learned that we can sink to the level of name-calling and hatred, or we can rise above it. In the end, it's just words. And if anyone wanted to go past words to violence, they'd be pretty foolish. I'm a trained fighter AND I have powers they don't."

Reporter: "You have a good attitude."

Indigo: "You have to. What's the alternative?"

Reporter: "Do you still talk to the other Deltas from the GWF?"

Indigo: "Not really. I got a message from Max congratulating me on my first fight, and every now and again I get a card from Swarm or Wraith at the holidays. For the most part, we keep to ourselves. Heh--I think people get nervous when 'mutants' start assembling in groups."

Reporter: "Do you ever think about working to change things?"

Indigo: "No, not me. I'm just a fighter--I'm nothing special. Thanks for listening, but my time is up. See you at the show tomorrow."


- Weigh-In: Nero -
Dr. Barnabas led his man, Nero, out to the Pavilion and signed his paperwork for him once Nero had been weighed (277 pounds). He cackled to himself, as if the weight pleased him, then laid a hand on Nero's elbow and led him to the podium.

Barnabas: "Two hundred seventy-seven pounds. He's coming along magnificently, don't you think so?"

Reporter: "Coming along? I don't understand."

Barnabas: "His fur is softening, his frame is settling into place, but he just keeps growing, don't you my beautiful, big boy?"

Reporter: "Okay, that's...a little creepy."

Barnabas: "Bah! You wouldn't understand. You throw words on paper or on a screen. You've never created anything."

Reporter: "Created? We all thought you found Nero somewhere!"

Barnabas: "Ha ha! That's because you are all small-minded pests. Bugs. Insects, really--I wonder how you would look with two more pairs of legs..."

Reporter: "Uhh... I'm good, really."

Barnabas: "Are you sure? They'd help you move faster, meet your deadlines quicker..."

Reporter: "No, really. Two legs are fine for me."

Barnabas: "Your loss."

Reporter: "Anyway, back to this 'creating' business."

Barnabas: "Oh, you poor boy. You poor, poor boy. You don't understand at all, do you? What if I told you that 'Barnabas' was my first name, not my last name?"

Reporter: "Is that the sort of thing you're likely to tell us?"

Barnabas: "Ha! It is, you clever, clever boy! And since you're so very clever, I'll tell you the truth. A 'scoop,' I believe they call it. My name? My name is Barnabas... Moreau!"

He paused for a moment to let this announcement sink in. Once the implications of the name penetrated the reporters' collective minds, they exploded with questions and demands for explanation. "Dr. Moreau" simply laughed the laugh of mad scientists everywhere, and led Nero back to the arena.


- FINAL CARD -
Pendekar vs. Nero (4:1 underdog)

Paralyze vs. J.J. Smooth (5:1 underdog)

Gunnar vs. Thad "T.K." Killian (2:1 underdog)

Raze vs. Romulus (7:2 underdog)

Puma "the Alpha Male" vs. Indigo (3:1 underdog)

* OMEGA Cruiserweight Championship Match *
Quetzal vs. Taurine (even money)

[KethVale]

another fun press conference. Loved the explanation Kavanaugh gave for using Rockstar, show looks good.

Pendekar
Paralyze
Gunnar
Raze
Puma
Taurine

[antimony]

Thanks! The results of the card will be posted tomorrow. This was a fun one to play out.

[antimony]

Card #3: Rockstar
03.20.2119 from Titan Memorial Athletic Complex


- Opening Ceremony -
I'm gonna dress my ass with the latest fashions
Get a front door key to the Playboy Mansion
Gonna date a centerfold that loves to blow my money for me

(So how you gonna do it?)

I'm gonna trade this life for fortune and fame
I'd even cut my hair and change my name

'Cause we all just want to be big rock stars
And live in hilltop houses, driving fifteen cars

Nickelback's "Rockstar" welcomed the fans--nearly 9,000 strong, up from just over 8,000 at the first card--to OMEGA's third spectacular. The crowd was positively rabid--owing partially to Niles Kavanagh's passionate depiction of his fighters as the "rock stars" of their era, and partially to the promise of five action-packed matches (at least three of which were potential classics). Mobile spotlights illuminated the floor seats and the front rows of the MAC as the cameras panned the crowd. Predictably, many of the fans went out of their way to attract the cameras' attention, and the arena announcer was hard-pressed to get them settled down for the MAC's traditional moment of silence.

When the moment had passed, however, the fans exploded in cheers once more, leading directly into the first match of the night...


Pendekar vs. Nero
Pendekar defeated Nero with a TKO at 3:53
Match Rating: 0.50
Match Notes: Nero tried to bully his smaller opponent, and backed him against the ropes with a flurry of kicks and punches. Pendekar was able to block an overly aggressive kick, however, turning it into a single-leg takedown. As they were already in the ropes, Nero had no problem reaching them, and the referee ordered the break.

Back on their feet, Nero rocked Pendekar with an uppercut, but did not move in for the kill (perhaps lacking the intelligence to realize he had his opponent hurt). He took his time in landing a few more punches before a reviving Pendekar scored with an inside thigh kick. Nero unexpectedly let out a yelp of pain and started backing away, limping badly. The referee stepped in to check on him while Pendekar caught his breath, leaning against the ropes. Dr. Barnabas (who had accompanied Nero) was called into the ring to tend to his charge, and the referee called off the match, giving Pendekar the win.

Paralyze vs. J.J. Smooth
Paralyze defeated J.J. Smooth with an arm lock submission at 8:24
Match Rating: 1.50
Match Notes: J.J. Smooth was accompanied to the ring by his mother, Olyvia Swinden. He was clearly in awe of his Aethran opponent. Staring up at him with wide eyes as the referee delivered pre-match instructions.

When the bell rang, Paralyze moved in and simply brutalized Smooth with punches and kicks. Once the perennial underdog was wobbled, Paralyze cinched in a waistlock and took him down with a HUGE belly-to-belly that shook the mat. The Aethran gained the mount and tried twisting Smooth's neck to the breaking point. J.J. flopped around for a bit and wound up in the ropes more or less accidentally. The official called for the break and Paralyze slapped the back of his opponent's head before rising to his feet, drawing a warning from the referee.

Once J.J. hauled himself to the feet (with the help of the ropes), Paralyze immediately tripped him up with a kick to the legs. He leapt atop Smooth and dropped a series of punches that bloodied his nose. Tasting his own blood, Smooth's eyes widened in panic and he instinctively powered out of the position, rolling on top of Paralyze and smothering him beneath his belly.

Paralyze pounded the mat in frustration as he was denied air for a moment, then braced himself for leverage and rolled J.J. onto his back again. Paralyze punished J.J. with a few more punches before going back to work on his neck. Desperate to escape the neck crank, J.J. turned in the direction Paralyze was twisting, winding up on his side and practically feeding his arm to the savage Aethran. Paralyze clamped on a bent arm lock and J.J. was forced to tap out.

Gunnar vs. Thad “T.K.” Killian
Gunnar defeated Thad “T.K.” Killian with a TKO at 3:17
Match Rating: 0.00
Match Notes: Gunnar opened the match with a back fist and a right, prompting Killian to go for a clinch to try and avoid Gunnar's powerful striking offense. This proved to be a disaster, as Gunnar delivered a fist to Killian's midsection that lifted the smaller man up off the canvas and sent him crashing onto his stomach. He immediately rolled to the ropes, and the referee prevented Gunnar from pressing the advantage.

Gunnar waded in and outpunched Killian again, forcing another desperation clinch. Gunnar dropped three fists to the back of Killian's head, but on the fourth, T.K. grabbed his arm. He tried a shoulder throw, but Gunnar was able to block it and secure a waistlock, powering his opponent down with a nice amateur takedown. Killian rolled into a ball to protect himself, and Gunnar began driving knees into his ribs. Within moments, it was clear that Killian was unable to protect himself and the referee pulled Gunnar to his feet, awarding him the win.

Raze vs. Romulus
Raze defeated Romulus with a submission (rear naked choke) at 3:20
Match Rating: 0.00
Match Notes: Raze was the first man out, and as usual, his eyes ducked from face to face in the crowd while he waited for his opponent. Romulus came out to the techno music he shared with his partner, Taurine. Raze heard the music, and got a good look at Romulus' PUNKZ ring jacket, and his face twisted into an angry scowl as he remembered Taurine (same music, same jacket) knocking him out two months ago.

As soon as the referee called for the bell, Raze attacked. Romulus was forced to backpedal to avoid Raze's heavy punches, but eventually got caught in the corner. Raze tied him up and began throwing elbows into his head, but Romulus was able to step through the ropes to force the break.

Raze released the hold, took two steps back, then dashed forward and staggered Romulus with an overhand left. Raze pulled the smaller man's head down and tried to cinch in a guillotine choke, while Romulus tried desperately to twist out of it. All he wound up doing was turning 180 degrees, allowing Raze to fall backwards, pulling him onto the mat and locking in a rear naked choke. Romulus tapped out immediately.

Indigo vs. Puma “the Alpha Male”
Puma “the Alpha Male” defeated Indigo with a submission (sit-out side choke) at 10:50
Match Rating: 1.50
Match Notes: While the alien Puma received very few cheers from the hardcore Colonial crowd, Indigo was booed fiercely, and met with calls of "Mutant Freak" and "Go back to the GWF" (which was, of course, ridiculous, as the GWF had long since gone bankrupt, but that's neither here nor there).

Once the match was underway, Indigo stepped forward and walked into a spinning back kick from Puma. Indigo went down hard and Puma pounced atop him, trying to secure an early choke-out. Indigo grabbed his arm and reversed his way out...and for the next two minutes, the two men put on a virtual clinic of hold and counter-hold, with neither man able to gain an advantage for more than a few seconds. Bit by bit, they drew the hostile crowd into the action, and by the time they rolled into the ropes to force the break, the fans were on their feet and cheering wildly.

Back on their feet, Puma extended a fist to Indigo, who bumped it with his own. Almost immediately, they began laying into one another with heavy punches. Once again, no one was able to score an advantage: both men took heavy shot after heavy shot, never failing to return one of their own. The crowd was absolutely rabid at this point, and when they tumbled into the ropes, the referee was hesitant to call for the break.

Once they were separated, Indigo shot in to grab Puma, but the Kilrathi swept his legs out from under him and took him down. Puma dropped down and went for a sit-out side choke, but Indigo was able to get his free hand between his throat and Puma's arm, reducing the pressure. Puma squeezed as tightly as he could, and started pounding on Indigo's ribcage with his (mostly) unoccupied arm. Indigo tried a desperation reversal, slipping his hand out to block Puma's fist and trying to turn onto his side, but Puma was too fast. He cinched in the side choke, and Indigo was forced to submit.

After the match, Puma helped Indigo to his feet and gave him a manly hug while the crowd roared its appreciation, giving the two fighters a standing ovation.

Quetzal vs. Taurine
for the OMEGA Cruiserweight Championship
Taurine defeated Quetzal with a knockout at 11:00
Match Rating: 2.50
Match Notes: Taurine was accompanied to the ring by Brainstorm, and OMEGA's resident supra-genius seemed to have his student well-prepared for the contest. Taurine came out with some stiff punches right from the opening bell, and actually knocked Quetzal down less than a minute into the contest. He followed the masked man down and tried to maintain his advantage, but Quetzal's superior ground game allowed him to turn the tide, at least until Taurine could scurry to the ropes and force a break.

The match proceeded in the same manner for quite some time: Taurine punched and kicked his way to the advantage, then tried to grapple with Quetzal, who turned the tables. Midway through the contest, the crowd began to boo heavily, as the fight had gotten predictable (and they had been spoiled by the Puma-Indigo match). After the fourth or fifth such exchange, a number of fans began leaving the arena.

Ten minutes in, Taurine had fought his way to his feet for the umpteenth time, and Quetzal (predictably) moved in to go for a clinch. With Brainstorm pounding on the mat and calling out instructions, Taurine throw a left hook that caught Quetzal right between the eyes, momentarily blinding him. The Punk followed with a roundhouse kick that caught Quetzal square in the solar plexus. He dropped to the mat and couldn't get up, giving Taurine the win--and the Cruiserweight Title!

Taurine won the OMEGA Cruiserweight Championship


- Inside the Ring -
As the referee awarded Taurine the title belt, which the champion draped over his shoulder, Roe Jogan made his way into the ring.

Jogan: "Hey! Hey, champ! WHAM! Quetzal took that last elbow flush on the chin! Good night!"

Taurine: "Uhh... Yeah."

Jogan: "This has to be the biggest win of your career. How's it feel, coming off that torn crucial antiriot ligament to become the champ?"

Taurine: "I'd like to say it feels great, Roe, but the truth is, I knew this was going to happen all along. Don't get me wrong--Quetzal is a great fighter, but he's no Punk."

Jogan: "What's your next move, 'T?'"

Taurine: "I'm gonna go find my boy Romulus and he's taking me and my trainer out for a night on the town! Hopefully he's not too sore after getting his ass beaten by Raze, but if he is, we'll just have to party without him!"

Jogan: "Brainstorm, anything to add?"

Brainstorm: "Not really."

Jogan: "Unbelievable! You heard it here, first!"

[Darth Turkish]

Awesome. Taurine is an underappreciated talent!

[antimony]

Roe Jogan and Brainstorm seem to appreciate him. I wonder if Romulus will after Taurine reveals that he sent an open contract to face Romulus to Paralyze...

[Darth Turkish]

ha! hahahahahahahahaha!

Paralyze is awesome!

[antimony]

Weigh-In and Press Conference
04.26.2119 from Titan MAC Pavilion


- Opening Notes -
The knockout that you see
Is ultimate reality
Because one man is left standing
One succumbs to gravity

And it goes boom!
You're gonna get hit
Boom!
You're gonna get knocked out...

There wasn't an empty chair at the Pavilion for this month's weigh-ins--OMEGA was rapidly becoming the hottest ticket in the outer colonies. The organization had been overlooked in its first few months of existence, and now the media had to play catch-up. If Niles Kavanagh had any feelings about this, whether irritated or amused, he made no sign of it in his welcome and opening remarks. Neither was he inclined to wax eloquent as he was last month; he greeted the press, answered a few mundane questions about his plans for OMEGA, then modestly took his leave, turning a deaf ear to the sort of probing questions that drew him out of his shell last month.

He had barely made his way into the arena before eerie, high-pitched music shrieked from the speakers, announcing the imminent arrival of the first fighter...


- Weigh-In: Raze -
Raze's "horror movie" theme music played for a good minute and a half before he finally emerged from the arena. He did not walk boldly to the Pavilion like the other fighters; instead, he stepped out and immediately flattened himself against the wall. He looked this way and that, almost frantic, then inched his way towards the corner of the building. Once he had run out of wall, he took another furtive look around, then bolted for the "safety" of the Pavilion. When he was still several paces away, he ducked his head and threw himself forward, rocketing through the air and landing hard on the ground.

He skidded to a stop almost at the feet of a bemused Dr. Sememe, who helped Raze to his feet and determined his weight to be 220 pounds, just over the limit for a Cruiserweight. He held out a clipboard for Raze to sign, but the fighter shook his head vehemently. They argued for a moment or two, and the exasperated doctor finally initialed the form himself and sent Raze towards the podium.

Reporter: "Are you okay?"

Raze: "Why? What did you hear?"

Reporter: "Nothing! Nothing at all! You just...jumped and slid, and--"

Raze: "And you thought I should have kept my head up, is that it? You got someone around here, ready to take a shot at me?"

Reporter: "What? No! I just--"

Another Reporter: "Raze, why don't you talk about your fight tomorrow night?"

Raze: "What about it?"

Reporter: "Well, you're fighting Quetzal, and it was supposed to be for a shot at Taurine, but--"

Raze: "Taurine! Taurine! Where is he? Where is that low life?"

Reporter: "He's not here, Raze. He's--"

Raze: "Where do I find him?"

Reporter: "I don't know! But if you want to fight him--"

Raze: "Are you calling me a coward?"

Reporter: "No! No, no, no! But you and Quetzal were supposed to fight, with the winner getting Taurine in the hexagon."

Raze: "Wait... I beat Quetzal, and Taurine has to fight me?"

Reporter: "No, Raze--you didn't make weight. Now it'll be Quetzal against Taurine no matter what!"

Raze: "WHAT!?! This is bull! Who made that rule! This is crap, man!"

Reporter: "It's not--"

Raze: "You! This is all your fault, isn't it? I'm gonna kill you!"

Raze shoved the podium over and charged towards the reporter, who quickly backpedaled and hid behind several of his colleagues. Meanwhile, Dr. Sememe sprinted forward and grabbed Raze in some sort of restraining hold. The two men struggled while OMEGA security streamed out of the arena and rushed over to take control of Raze. He fought so violently that they wound up having to pick him up; with one man holding each arm and another holding each leg, they hauled the cursing, bucking superstar back to the arena. The day was off to a spectacular start...


- Weigh-In: Shylock (Heavyweight Champion) -
We're leaving together, but still it's farewell
And maybe we'll come back to earth--who can tell?

Europe's classic "Final Countdown" ushered Shylock out of the arena, wearing a shiny, satin ring jacket with CHAMP written on the back in rhinestones, and carrying the OMEGA Heavyweight Championship belt over his shoulder. He paused in front of the scale as the music built to a crescendo, and thrust the belt into the air as Joey Tempest announced, "It's the final countdown!"

Removing his jacket and handing it and his belt--with great reluctance--to Dr. Sememe's assistant, Shylock stepped onto the scale. His weight was announced as 243 pounds, after which he signed the form and snatched his title belt back from the assistant. Tossing it back over his shoulder, he stepped up to the podium and addressed the media.

Shylock: "Alright. I'm not sure why I've been scheduled for so early in the day, but go ahead and ask your questions of the greatest fighter alive today, then run along and meet your deadlines."

Reporter: "You're awfully confident. Are you sure you aren't taking Indigo lightly?"

Shylock: "Indigo? Oh, geez, is that who I'm fighting?"

Reporter: "You didn't even know who you were fighting?"

Shylock: "Look--does it really matter? When you're this much better than everyone else...it could be Indigo, Puma, Gunnar...it's all the same. They set foot in my ring, they get beat."

Reporter: "Indigo really took it to Puma last month."

Shylock: "Yeah, and he still lost, didn't he? Tell me something--what are the odds on him?"

Reporter: "Well, okay, you're an eleven-to-one favorite."

Shylock: "You see?"

Reporter: "But a lot of people are saying those odds are off--that it's going to be a much closer match."

Shylock: "Look. I beat Killian. I beat Pendekar. I'm the only undefeated Heavyweight on the roster."

Reporter: "Hadrian hasn't lost a match yet."

Shylock: "Hadrian? You're kidding right? Monkeys don't count in the real world! That doctor...Barnabas, Moreau, whatever the hell his name is would have to be some sort of idiot to sign his little science project against me. Do you really think I could stand in the ring against Hadrian and not break him in half?"

Reporter: "Are you making a challenge?"

Shylock: "Listen to you, trying to make headlines. Slow news day today, huh? I'll tell you what--if Moreau has a brain so small in that enormous head of his that he thinks I'm challenging Hadrian, he can bring the furry imbecile to the show next month, and I'll not only fight him, I'll bend him into a new shape and put his lights out. You got that? Everyone get their pictures? Then we're done."


- Weigh-In: Romulus -
Turn it up!

The Punks' energetic hip-hop beat brought Romulus out of the arena, looking downcast, even miserable--in short, looking like a man who had to step into the hexagon with the Aethran Wrecking Machine Paralyze tomorrow. He hadn't taken more than four or five steps before the door flew open again, and Taurine and Brainstorm trotted out to join him. They jogged past Romulus and fell into step in front of him, leading his way to the Pavilion and overseeing his weigh-in (at 186 pounds). Before Romulus even had a chance to step off the scale, Taurine and Brainstorm had swept by him and made their way to the podium. Taurine unfastened the button of his sport coat and held it open to reveal his bare chest, and his shiny gold belt, strapped around his waist.

Reporter: "This is supposed to be Romulus' press time."

Taurine: "And there he is! He'll be joining us any minute now."

Brainstorm: "As soon as he remembers how to spell his name."

Reporter: "Then what are you doing out here?"

Taurine: "Moral support, baby."

Romulus signed Dr. Sememe's form (without difficulty, in fact) and pressed in between Taurine and Romulus.

Reporter: "Romulus, you're giving close to two hundred--well, just a LOT of weight and height against Paralyze. Do you think you'll be able to outmaneuver him and pull off the upset?"

Romulus: "I--"

Brainstorm: "You'd better let me handle that question. Ladies and gentlemen, the word for the day is probity--complete and confirmed integrity. And I say to you, with absolute probity, that young Romulus is not only capable of defeating Paralyze, he's expecting to do so!"

Romulus: "What!?!"

Taurine: "It's true! Just this morning, while he was watching me polish my gold belt, he told me that he thought Paralyze was a--what did he call him, Brainstorm?"

Brainstorm: "I think it was 'a useless, talentless hack,' wasn't it?"

Romulus: "I--"

Taurine: "Something like that, yeah. And didn't he say something about not only beating Paralyze, but pulling his pants down and spanking him?"

Romulus: "I--"

Brainstorm: "He did! In fact, didn't he say he'd spank Paralyze just like the Kilrathi resistance spanked the Aethran armada at the Battle of Three Moons in twenty ninety-seven?"

Shocked muttering and a series of gasps rippled through the press corps. Three Moons was one of Aethra's most public--and most embarrassing--military defeats, and to bring it up to an Aethran under the best of circumstances, let alone when preparing to face one in a shoot fight, was tantamount to a death wish.

Reporter: "Are you going to let Romulus say anything for himself?"

Taurine: "For himself? Geez, don't you think Rom's gotten himself into enough trouble already?"

Brainstorm: "Besides, anything worth saying has already been said. Let's go, 'T.'"

Romulus cast a helpless look at the gathered reporters as each of his "friends" hooked one arm and marched him back to the arena.


- Weigh-In: Pendekar & Quetzal -
Pendekar and Quetzal emerged from the arena, walking in virtual lockstep. Once they had reached the podium, Pendekar weighed in at 238 pounds, while Quetzal tipped the scales at 214 pounds, all but guaranteeing that he'd be Taurine's first challenger. They retrieved their garments from the assistant (the jacket portion of Pendekar's gi, and a feathered cape for Quetzal), signed their verification forms, and stepped up to the podium. Pendekar's eyes swept the crowd, as if he wondered if they'd learned from last month's lesson.

Reporter: "Pendekar, you're facing one of Dr. Moreau's men for the second month in a row. Is there some sort of issue between you?"

Pendekar: "I didn't think there was. Apparently, Nero suffered some sort of minor injury against me, and now Hadrian wants 'revenge.' I think it's nonsense, myself. I have nothing against either of his men."

Reporter: "What about against Moreau, himself."

Pendekar: "Aha. As for him, let's just say that I'm reserving judgment for the time being. But if he's up to the sort of business I think he might be, then there will have to be a reckoning at some point."

Reporter: "What sort of business is that?"

Pendekar: "I'd rather not speculate without all the facts."

Reporter: "All right. Quetzal--you've got a guaranteed title match against Taurine. Does that decrease your motivation to fight Raze tomorrow."

Quetzal: "..."

Pendekar: "Quetzal says that he remains highly motivated, though of course, it's nice to have the automatic title match."

Reporter: "How do you do that?"

Pendekar: "Quetzal and I communicate on a higher level than most people. It's hard to explain."

Reporter: "Huh. Well, does Quetzal-- I mean do you, Quetzal, intend to change your fighting style at all tomorrow? Maybe take a few less chances to avoid an unnecessary injury?"

Quetzal: "..."

Pendekar: "Quetzal always tries to avoid injury, to himself and to his opponent. However, in this case, he may well stick to a more conservative offense--though it is hard to stay too conservative against Raze."

Reporter: "Do you think Raze's anger over missing out on a shot at Taurine will work against you?"

Quetzal: "..."

Pendekar: "Raze is always unpredictable, and that makes him very dangerous. However, his anger can also work against him. He could get sloppy, make a costly mistake."

Reporter: "Look, I really have to ask--what's the nature of your relationship with each other that lets you communicate like that?"

Pendekar simply smiled cryptically, then he and Quetzal turned and walked away without another word, as if the reporter has once again strayed beyond the rules of their game.


- Weigh-In: Indigo -
Indigo emerged from the back clad only in his ring trunks--perhaps the late April chill didn't bother his abnormal physiology. Several reporters stood up and attempted to capture his arrival digitally. He paused in consideration of the barrage of flashes, then smirked playfully and shifted his skin color to gold, perfectly matching the belt he'd be challenging for. The press corps laughed along with him as he stepped up to the scale, weighing in at 274 pounds. Indigo shifted his skin back to its normal flesh tone as he approached the podium.

Reporter: "You don't seem to be too concerned about the oddsmakers' predictions."

Indigo: "Actually, I am. Let's face it--I'm lucky to be standing here as the challenger to Shylock's title. Puma beat me in that match, and if he hadn't missed weight by a couple pounds, he'd be here, not me."

Reporter: "But he'd be a lot less shiny."

Indigo: "Ha ha ha! That's true. Paralyze probably would have run out and attacked him by now, too."

Reporter: "Heh heh heh..."

Indigo: "Seriously, though--everything Shylock said was right. He's undefeated, he's the champion, and he probably is the best fighter we have."

Reporter: "Especially as a striker. So you'll probably try to work the clinch and keep him on the ground, right?"

Indigo: "Well, I don't want to give away any training secrets, but that's a pretty good guess, yeah."

Reporter: "After your last match with Puma, the fans have really gotten into you. How's that feel?"

Indigo: "Well, it feels really good, of course. I felt like I was in one of those Twentieth Century Rocky movies. 'If I can change...and you can change...'"

Reporter: "Ha ha! You should have said that--it would have been hysterical."

Indigo: "Sure--if I had thought of it. Puma beat me up pretty good. I was having trouble remembering my name at that point."

Reporter: "No ill effects going into tomorrow's fight, though?"

Indigo: "No. Dr. Sememe says I'm medically cleared and one hundred percent ready to go. And I think on that note, my time is up."

Reporter: "Thanks, Indigo--and good luck tomorrow!"

Indigo: "Thank you very much!"


- Weigh-In: J.J. Smooth -
You're going down, down, down...call me Smooth...

J.J. Smooth hurried (as much as he can hurry) out of the arena to meet Indigo on his way back (his mother, of course, was on his arm--and looked none too pleased to be hurrying). The two exchanged a few words, then Indigo laughed, clapped J.J. on the shoulder, and made his way back into the arena. J.J. ambled up to the podium and stepped onto the reinforced scale, which clanked and clunked in protest despite its reinforcements. Dr. Sememe adjusted the counterweights, and announced J.J.'s weight as 402 pounds. Olyvia Swinden signed J.J.'s verification form, then joined her son at the podium.

Reporter: "What were you and Indigo talking about?"

Smooth: "Oh, nothing we--"

Olyvia: "They made a BET on J.J.'s fight tomorrow!"

Smooth: "Aw, mom! It's only twenty bucks!"

Olyvia: "Twenty dollars, J.J.! That's a lot of money!"

Reporter: "Aren't there rules against betting on the fights?"

Olyvia: "Now see here, Mister Smartypants! Are you trying to get my son in trouble?"

Reporter: "No, ma'am! I--"

Olyvia: "The fighters aren't allowed to place bets with professional bookkeepers."

Reporter: "Bookmakers."

Olyvia. "Tsk. Whatever. They can have friendly bets between themselves, though I can't say I approve."

Reporter: "So you bet Indigo twenty dollars that you would beat Kulak Romanov?"

Smooth: "Oh, heck no! I bet on him!"

Reporter: "You what?"

Smooth: "Look, just because I get hit in the head a lot doesn't mean I'm stupid. And I still want to go out there and win, and if I do, I'll get the winner's prize money, right?"

Reporter: "Well...yes."

Smooth: "And if I lose, I lose...but now I lose, AND I get twenty bucks. See?"

Reporter: "Your logic is frighteningly sound."

Smooth: "Huh?"

Reporter: "Never mind. How have you been preparing for Romanov, a three-time Sambo champ?"

Smooth: "Well, I've uhh... Done some...cardio. And I practiced my...uhh... Punching and kicking and grabbing, so I can counter his...uhh... Sambo...ing."

Reporter: "You don't know what Sambo is, do you?"

Smooth. Sigh. "No. I wanted to look it up, but my mom has this filter on our cybernet connection, so when I did a search for "striking wrestling submission" all the results were blocked."

Olyvia: "And a good thing, too. Nothing but trouble out there on the cybernet. Naked girls, that's all there is. Naked girls and axe murderers."

Smooth: "But mom..."

Olyvia: "Don't you 'but mom' me, young man! When I was your age, I respected my mother! And another thing..."

Olyvia Swinden grabbed her son by the ear and gave a good yank, pulling him away from the podium and leading him back to the arena, lecturing him the entire way.


- Weigh-In: Kulak Romanov -
Cold, majestic music that may well have been played at the court of the Romanovs erupted from the speakers, and welcomed Kulak "the Czar" Romanov to his first OMEGA weigh-in and press conference. In an organization that didn't have Paralyze on its roster, Romanov would have been an intimidating sight. As it was, standing 6'6" tall and weighing in at a rock-hard 313 pounds, the press corps couldn't help but be impressed as he stepped up to be interviewed.

Reporter: "Welcome to OMEGA."

Romanov: "Thank you."

Reporter: "You're from Umbriel Colony, correct?"

Romanov: "Yes."

Reporter: "Is that where you do most of your training?"

Romanov: "Obviously."

Reporter: "Do you have your own facility there, or..."

Romanov: "Yes."

Reporter: "You have your own training facility?"

Romanov: "Yes."

Reporter: "Okay..."

Another Reporter: "What do you think of your opponent, J.J. Smooth?"

Romanov: "What about him?"

Reporter: "You're the favorite to beat him."

Romanov: "Of course."

Reporter: "Are you familiar with the other Super Heavyweight here? Paralyze?"

Romanov: "Yes."

Reporter: "What is your impression of him?"

Romanov: "Good fighter. But I will break him."

Reporter: "Break him?"

Romanov: "Yes."

Reporter: "What about some of the other fighters here? Puma?"

Romanov: "Good fighter. But I will break him, too."

Reporter: "Shylock?"

Romanov: "Good fighter. I will--"

Reporter: "'Break him, too.' We get it. Is there anyone here you think you won't just walk over?"

"The Czar" looked at the reporter disgustedly for a moment, as if the very idea was ridiculous. He snorted derisively, then walked away without another word.


- Weigh-In: Paralyze -
Kulak Romanov had barely left the Pavilion when Paralyze burst through the arena door, charging at him in a rage. Romanov braced for the impact, and shoved Paralyze away when the larger Aethran went for a tackle, staying on his feet. Incensed, Paralyze began spitting curses and throwing some fierce punches. Romanov absorbed them, and came back with some heavy lumber of his own. They fell into a clinch and jockeyed for position, but before the fight could escalate, OMEGA security rushed out, a dozen men strong.

The first man over tried to restrain Paralyze, and ate a stiff right hand for his trouble. The second man tried to grapple with Romanov--and got hoisted up and slammed to the ground, hard. Suddenly, Paralyze and Romanov were united against a common enemy, and they began laying into the security roster. Vito Torre called his men back--and the eight who could still stand complied. Romanov took a deep, steadying breath, and Paralyze immediately sucker punched him with a fist to the spine that should, by all rights, have dropped him. Instead, "The Czar" spun around again and threw a left that split Paralyze's lip. They quickly fell to blows for a second time, allowing Massacre and his regrouped security guards to make a concerted attack. Four men charged Paralyze and bore him to the ground en masse (though one suffered a broken nose in the process), while Torre and the rest of his staff charged Romanov and dragged him to the ground.

Once the two fighters had been immobilized, Massacre ordered Romanov hauled to his feet (with both arms restrained) and escorted to the arena. Once he was gone, Paralyze was pulled up (and promptly spat at Massacre, who ignored it) and half-dragged to the arena, himself.


- Weigh-In: Hadrian -
Just before Dr. Moreau made his way out with Hadrian in tow, a report came from the arena that there were no serious injuries sustained by either fighter (though the same could not be said for the security team). Paralyze weighed in at 346½ pounds...and Niles Kavanagh had already signed Paralyze-Romanov (as well as Quetzal-Taurine) for OMEGA V: Violence Fetish in May.

With that bit of business out of the way, Barnabas Moreau led his man...thing Hadrian to the Pavilion. He weighed in at 275 pounds, and stared stupidly at the podium while Moreau signed the necessary forms. He captured Hadrian's attention with an abrupt "Hup!" and approached the podium.

Reporter: "Pendekar thinks that you requested this fight as payback for an injury to Nero."

Moreau: "Yes, yes--oh, yes. Pendekar caused my poor Nero a torn quadricep with his horrid, horrid kick. It was clearly an intentional injury--he's jealous you see? Jealous of my beautiful boys."

Reporter: "He seems to think you're up to something shady. Are you sure you aren't simply trying to target him before he speaks out against you?"

Moreau: "Shady? Moi? Oh, tut tut, dear boy. Have you heard Hadrian make one peep of protest? Have you heard Nero? My boys know I would never do anything to hurt them."

Reporter: "That's really, really creepy."

Moreau: "You wouldn't understand the relationship I have with my boys."

Reporter: "Ew."

Moreau: "You see?"

Another Reporter: "Can you tell us if Nero has recovered from his injury?"

Moreau: "Do you see him out here with me? Don't you think if my poor dear could walk, that he'd be here with me? My boys never like to be far from my side."

Reporter: "You are some kind of freaky."

Moreau: "Oh, you haven't seen anything yet."


- Final Card -
Kulak "The Czar" Romanov vs. J.J. Smooth (7:1 underdog)

Pendekar vs. Hadrian (5:1 underdog)

Paralyze vs. Romulus (4:1 underdog)

Raze vs. Quetzal (5:1 underdog)

* OMEGA Heavyweight Championship Match *
Shylock (c) vs. Indigo (11:1 underdog)