HGC: The Rise and Fall of Hollyweird (Cverse '97)

smwilliams · March 4, 2014

Tyson Baine vs. Cheatin' Mike Barstow

Brent Hill & Duane Stone vs. Backbreakers Inc

Dark Angel vs. Romeo Heartthrob

Chris Storm vs. Richie Pangrazzio

Braun & Ota vs. The Nation of Filth

Tommy Cornell vs. Ethan Kane

Beeker · March 6, 2014

One of the 3 dynasties I ready, so I feel I should make predictions on this one too.

This dynasty really needs a refresher page where I can glance back at storylines and feuds as I forget them due the lag time between shows... which are always worth the wait by the way.

Tyson Baine vs. Cheatin' Mike Barstow - I love me some Barstow, but Baine brings a lot more to the show at this point. Likely a DQ win when Barstow's Investments get involved.

Brent Hill & Duane Stone vs. Backbreakers Inc - There is still mileage with the Backbreakers, experience wins out.

Dark Angel vs. Romeo Heartthrob - Simply because I'm a mark for Romeo.

Chris Storm vs. Richie Pangrazzio - Double DQ or something. Mostly I don't care about either of these two so I don't care who wins or loses. I'll be buying popcorn and some merchandise.

Braun & Ota vs. The Nation of Filth - Talent over the team. NoF may eventually get there, but they currently still as green as Grunt or Stink's mohawk.

Tommy Cornell vs. Ethan Kane - The minions of the Dark Father permit him to steal a victory.

arwink · March 9, 2014

<div style="text-align:center;">http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/HTV_Logo.jpg

Tuesday, Week 1, April 1998

Plum Park (Tri-State) - 15,000 people

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"You never trap an animal in the corner," Mike Barstow says, pacing back and forth in front of his clients, Coleman and Ferdinand. "The moment you give them no other choice is the moment they start fighting. Give 'em an escape route, and they're going to take it.

"Way I hear it, Baine trapped Frankie Future, and I was the escape route. All Future had to do was threaten my contract. Personally, I thought about letting him fire me. Wrongful dismissal suites can be quiet profitable, and my lawyers were more than ready to start putting together the paperwork.

"But the truth is, I want to get into the ring tonight. I want to show Tyson Baine all the tricks you learn as a veteran. I want him to know that no animal is truly helpless. I may not have his size. I may not have his power.

"But I will fight so dirty the ring may never be clean again. I will gouge his eyes, I will kick his balls, I will hook his mouth and rip it with everything I've got. Tyson Baine thinks he's put me in a corner.

"He doesn't realise that's when I'm at my most dangerous."

<div style="text-align:center;"> Rating: B

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http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/TommyCornell.jpg vs. http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/EthanKane.jpg

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<div style="text-align:center;">Tommy Cornell vs. Ethan Kane

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Solid work from both men, hampered only by Cornell's relative lack of traction with the crowd. The British grappler tries to get things on the mat, neutralizing his opponent's power advantage. The rage-fueled Kane isn't willing to stay down, powering out of many of Cornell's holds.

Kane eventually finishes things with the Mark of Kane (Sitout Scoop Slam Piledriver)

<div style="text-align:center;">Ethan Kane defeated Tommy Cornell in 10:17 by pinfall.

Rating: C

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Kane grabs Cornell by the throat and hauls him to his feet. The Dark Father glares at his vanquished opponent, openly sneering as Cornell struggles, still groggy from the impact that ended the match.

"Weak," Kane says. "Foolish. You should have stayed out of things you didn't understand."

A second Mark of Kane plants Cornell in the canvas for good, leaving him splayed out and unconscious.

<div style="text-align:center;"> Rating: C-

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Victoria Stone is in the interview area, her eyes red and raw. Action Jackson stands by, his trademark smile somewhat subdued.

"Victoria Stone," he says, "I'm just going to get right to it here: Sunday night, you got a face full of pepper spray courtesy of Grace Harper, bringing the match between Brent Hill and Eric Tyler to a premature conclusion. That's pretty extreme, even by the standards of the global Elite; is there some kind of history between you and Grace Harper we don't know about?"

Stone glares at the camera, taciturn as ever. "No," she says, "no history."

"You're sure?"

"I'm sure."

"Then why--"

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"Why did I try to blind Victoria, while she was referee?" Grace Harper saunters onto the interview stage, hanging a friendly arm around Action Jackson's shoulders. She grins at him, and his interview subject. "I have my reasons. Eventually, I may even share them.

"Right now, all you need to know is this: Sunday night was the beginning."

With that, Harper produces a stun gun and jams it against Stone's ribs. The loud crack of the electric charge is heard on camera, and Stone's face contorts. One Harper pulls the weapon away, Stone doubles over, silently enduring the pain.

Jackson crouches, helping Stone, calling for a medic. Harper holds up the stun gun, lets everyone see the blue line of electricity running along its surface. "See you next week, Vicky," Harper says. She turns and blows a kiss to Action Jackson. "You too, AJ."

With that, she walks off-screen.

<div style="text-align:center;">Rating: C-

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http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/FumihiroOta.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/AlexBraun.jpg vs. http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/Grunt.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/Stink.jpg w/http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/DickTheDevastator_zps3a209830.jpg

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<div style="text-align:center;"> Ota & Braun vs. The Nation of Filth w/Dick the Devastator

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More showcase for the Nation of Filth than anything else. Ota and Braun try to outpace their opponents, but with the Devastator at ringside serving as an equalizer, they frequently find themselves tripped and distracted. Braun falls prey to the Dust Buster from Grunt halfway through the seventh minute.

<div style="text-align:center;">The Nation Of Filth defeated Ota & Braun in 6:24 by pinfall.

Rating: D

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Seasons in the Abyss plays over the top of a dimly-lit video, featuring footage of the Demons of Rage crouched in a graveyard, their eyes reflective as a cats when they stare at the camera. Karen Killer slinks back and forth between the gravestones, clad in a tight corset and dark gothic finery.

"We are the dark reflection of everything you fear, and for too long we have been subjected to the desires of others. There is no dark father holding us back now. No-one to scold us for doing wrong.

"These Demons are free to do as their nature demands...and I will walk beside them, watching chaos reign."

<div style="text-align:center;"> Rating: B-

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Voodoo Child hits and Sam Strong makes his way down to the ring, Team Strength Rush following along behind him. The Living Legend poses for a moment, soaking up the hiss of the crowd, before collecting a microphone from ringside.

"So this," Strong says, pointing at the area around him. "This is the house that Strong built. Without me, there is no pro wrestling. If you look at the history of this sport, it's Strong who puts asses in the seats. It's Strong who makes the money. It's Strong--" he pauses, smile growing wide "--who wins the big matches when they need to be won.

"Which is why I'm still here and Dusty Streets is sitting at home, licking his wounds and wondering where it all went wrong. He forgot who he's dealing with when he messed with the Living Legend, and he paid the price for that lapse of judgement.

"None of you like to admit it, but this is my house. I am the man who led the Million Strong Army and made pro-wrestling a household name. I am the man who has done everything worth doing in this business. I am the big dog, and I've got the most vicious men in pro-wrestling at my back. I've got Lee Wright, the Tri-State Crippler. A man whose broken more arms than you've had hot dinners.

"I've got Big Ray Diaz, the man with the monster roundhouse, whose kicks can shatter concrete blocks.

"I've got Suzue Katayama, the Queen of the Powerbomb, more dangerous than any two men you can name on this roster.

"I am--"

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Strong's rant is cut off by the opening chords of Killing in the Name and the crowd erupts as Masked Rebel II makes his way onto the stage.

"Seems to me, you're the man who likes to hear the sound of his own voice," Rebel says. "Then again, if I were you, I'd enjoy talking about the glory days too, 'cause it' sure as hell distracts me from the fact that they're long gone.

"I hate to be the bearer of bad news, Strong, but you ain't the man anymore. Rip Chord's the one with the World Title. Dread's the man everyone fears. Liberty's the one that everyone loves...and you're just the guy who used to be somebody, ducking every challenge that comes your way 'cause you can't stand the idea of being no-one."

Strong fumes at the implications. He makes a show of pulling off his jacket, but Lee Wright stops him and whispers to the Living Legend, calming him down. Finally, Strong grabs the microphone again. "Ducking challenges, brother? Why don't you go ask Dusty Streets what it felt like to have me duck his challenge? Ask him what it felt like to have his skin shredded against the side of a steel cage at the hands of the Living Legend. Ask him--"

"Ask him how it felt to know that bitter, jealous asshole was going to put him through hell before that match, just to make sure he'd lose?" Rebel pauses a moment, playing to crowd. "We all saw you win that match, Strong, but we also saw you stack the odds in your favour. We saw you do everything you could to make sure he go into that cage injured and worn out.

"Nah, Sam, I ain't going to do that. I respect what Dusty tried to do, but lets be honest, the decks were stacked against him and he risked playing anyway.

"I ain't Dusty, Strong. I don't need to ask him what it felt like to make a bad call; lord knows, I've made plenty in my life already.

"What I am is a man who calls it like I see 'em, and right now, man, you're just the asshole who ain't willing to deal with reality, and I figure it's time someone came out and called you on it."

Rebel tosses the mic to the ring crew, then flips Strong the bird as he exits. Strong is apoplectic with rage, unable to form worms, and his crew hustles him out of the ring as the fans start booing.

<div style="text-align:center;"> Rating: B+

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We go backstage, where Action Jackson is standing by with the returning Coach Dick Pangrazzio ahead of Chris Storm's upcoming match. The coach is wearing a neck brace, but his expression is stern.

"Coach, welcome back," Jackson says, "it's good to see you up and about, after the assault at the hands of...well..."

"My son?" Pangrazzio says.

"Well...yeah," Jackson says.

"It's alright," Coach says, "you can say it, Jackson. My son assaulted me in the middle of the ring, dislocated my neck with the All-Star Slam. I struggled with it. Even though I knew he hated me, I lay in the hospital trying to figure out how he hated me this much. Now my son and his cronies--"

"Cronies?"

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The Coach's promo is interrupted by the Untouchables stepping into shot, Paul Steadyfast at their lead. Chris Storm steps in front of the Coach, locking eyes with Steadyfast.

Steadyfast doesn't break eye-contact as he speaks. "Were there any Untouchables in the ring, when you son tried to break your neck, Coach? Did you see out there, causing a distraction? Were we helping him spike you into the canvas?

"No, we were backstage, watching it happen on the monitors, and honestly, we were kind of surprised you made such a rookie mistake. Richie wasn't subtle, Coach. That's why we stopped working with him. He's drive by hate...we're driven by business. We'd rather beat your boys than put them on the shelf."

"Larry would beg to differ," Storm says.

"He was a sacrifice, a means to an end. We wanted your attention. I'm pretty sure we've got it." Steadyfast shrugs. "Have a good match tonight, Chris. We wish you the best against Pangrazzio the younger. Try to get out of this in one piece...'cause when you're done, we'll be there, waiting. Ready to beat you, one, two three, and show the world exactly what being Untouchable means."

<div style="text-align:center;"> Rating: C

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<div style="text-align:center;"> Chris Storm w/Coach Pangrazzio vs. Richie Pangrazzio Jr. w/Wanda Fish

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Chris Storm isn't yet a man with a reputation for being able to hang with top-tier talents, but he does more to convince the audience here than he has in previous outings. He spends the match setting up for his ankle lock finisher, locking it in several times only for Pangrazzio to make the escape.

They go and forth, trading the advantage, and Pangrazzio's demeanor moves from cocky to calculating, realising that he's locked in a fight. He bides his time, pushing Storm over the edge, then catches him with the All-Star Slam to claim the pinfall.

<div style="text-align:center;">Richie Pangrazzio Jr. defeated Chris Storm in 14:41 by pinfall.

Rating: C+

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Pangrazzio Jr. climbs to his feet, ready to inflict more damage, but Sam Sparrow is well-briefed about the issues between the All-Stars and the Coach's son, and he makes an effort to push Pangrazzio away from his fallen opponent.

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Which means it's Storm who gets to his feet unhindered and ready to fight, and Storm who pulls Sparrow away and catches Pangrazzio with a belly-to-belly suplex, planting him on the canvas. He immediately goes to apply the ankle lock, and Richie Pangrazzio kicks free and scurries out of the ring, wanting no part of Storm while the young man is upright and ready for fight.

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The Coach climbs into the ring, and holds Storm's hand high, while his son retreats up the ramp with a sour expression on his face.

<div style="text-align:center;"> Rating: C+

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"This is Action Jackson backstage, getting you the scoops, and right now I've got a big one. Mr Lucha, you had an announcement you wanted to make; would you care to repeat what you told me earlier?"

"I am a man of few words, Action Jackson, so I will say this as simply as I can. The International Championship deserves to be fought over by the best in the world, and I believe I have done my beset to ensure that happens.

"Last Sunday, a worthy challenger was robbed of his opportunity to wrestle in a singles match by the machinations of Pablo Rodriguez. I would like to rectify this, and so I am offering Dark Angel a rematch at Where Angels Fear to Tread. He and I, two out of three falls, no interference and no distractions.

"If he wants this match, all he needs to do is see Frankie Future and put his name on the contract."

<div style="text-align:center;"> Rating: C+

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<div style="text-align:center;"> Dark Angel w/Kit Hatoyama vs. Romeo Heartthrob

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These two have never been the best match in the ring, but Romeo's slowing pace means it's nearly impossible for even a casual fan to miss their poor chemistry. Heartthrob uses his size to control the match, keeping things grounded, but he's go no answer when Angel finally breaks free and builds up some momentum. A Descent into Hell ends things.

<div style="text-align:center;"> Dark Angel defeated Romeo Heartthrob in 9:57 by pinfall.

Rating: C-

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Eddie Chandler is down in the catering area, collecting a cup of coffee from Craft Services. The Fabulous One wears a sequined Adidas jumpsuit and his trademark smirk; he collects his coffee and turns, running straight into...

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"We hear you've got plans to take our titles," Morgan says.

"You heard?" Chandler shakes his head. "I swear, Charlie Thatcher is a gossipy bitch. He looks like a man who'd take a secret to the grave, but--"

"It doesn't matter," Morgan says. "You want a match, pick your partner and bring it. We've studied your Elite, Chandler. We know where you come from. We've beaten a team with both members of the Backbreakers, and they're the most dangerous tandem you've got.

"I don't know what makes you think you're ready to do what they can't, but we're more than willing to find out."

Chandler takes a long sip of his coffee, utterly unconcerned by Thomas Morgan's bluster. "What makes me different? Dear boy, I'll tell you simply: Greatness.

"Thanks for the offer of a title shot, but I don't need your generosity. Next week, the world will see what Greatness looks like. They will see exactly why the Ontario Kings are the second-best tag-team to come out of Canada.

"And then, at a time and place of my own choosing, I will relieve you of the shiny accessories you wear around your waists, and bring them into the Elite where they belong.

"Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go watch the Backbreakers destroy your mentor and his little friend Brent Hill."

Chandler takes his coffee and heads to the ring.

<div style="text-align:center;"> Rating: C-

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<div style="text-align:center;"> Brent Hill & Duane Stone w/Victoria Stone vs. Backbreakers Inc w/Eddie Chandler & Grace Harper

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The match of the night, as you'd expect given the calibre of talent in the ring. It's fifteen solid minutes of hold-for-hold grappling, broken only by the occasional tag and double-team. The commentary team focuses heavily on Duane Stone's presence - at only twenty-three he's hanging with veterans like Tyler and Hill, showing that he's got what it takes to work at the top tier.

Tensions also run high at ringside, with Stone and Harper exchanging a war of words that quickly escalates to a physical confrontation. The two women brawl, which causes Jack Dundee to lose focus for a moment. In a match like these, that proves to be decisive. Stone drops Dundee with a neckbreaker, leaving him open for the King of the Hill from Brent Hill.

<div style="text-align:center;"> Brent Hill & Duane Stone defeated Backbreakers Inc in 15:08 by pinfall.

Rating: B

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The camera immediately cuts to the ringside brawl between Harper and Victoria Stone. Make no mistake - this is no cat-fight. The two women lay into one-another with vicious chops and strikes, Victoria Stone's impassive resolve melting away as she unleashes hell on the woman whose both doused her with pepper spray and tasered her within the last week.

The men from both sides are forced to get involve, separating the two women, but it's an uphill battle. Victoria Stone escapes at least twice, charging in to resume the brawl, and a swarm of security guards hit ringside in order to break things up.

<div style="text-align:center;">Rating: C

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Vengeance waits beside a door backstage, staring into the distance. The door opens, and Cowboy Ricky Dale steps out. "Well," he says, "he'll live."

Vengeance nods once. "Good."

There's an uncomfortable pause, although it's possible only Ricky Dale feels it. "Shoot," he says, "I don't really get you, partner, I really don't. There are times you seem like just another Kane, too wrapped up in your freaky shit to really pay attention to the world, and then you show up here, checking on Cornell, and I can't really say for sure whether it's 'cause you're curious or you actually care."

Vengeance turns his head, staring at Ricky Dale.

"Don't get me wrong," Ricky Dale says, "you're a hell of a man to have beside you in the ring. You can give a beating, you can take a beating, and you and me, well, we hold our own as a team. But the last time that happened, I understood the man in the ring beside me. Me and Eagle, we were on the same page. We were friends as well as partners, if you know what I'm saying.

"Me and you, I'm not even sure we're on the same planet. Hell, I ain't even sure your human, from time to time. I don't get it, Vengeance. What keeps you coming back'?"

Vengeance stares for a long time. Finally, he says a single word: "Demons."

Then he turns and walks away.

<div style="text-align:center;"> Rating: C+

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Monty Walker heads down the ramp, expression determined. He collects a microphone, climbs into the ring, and waits for the crowd to die down a little.

"So I fought Rip Chord," he says. "I went into that match not knowing if I could cut it. In the last year, I've been pushed harder and further than I ever thought I'd be pushed. I've been given opportunities I couldn't even dream of getting. I got to walk out there in the main event of the biggest show of the year...and I learned something important.

"I learned that I can beat Rip Chord.

"If you watched Sunday's show, you saw me take the champion to the limit. You saw him sneak out the win courtesy of the overgrown gorilla he calls a bodyguard, and you saw Monty Walker take his game to another level.

"I can beat Rip Chord, and --"

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Cannonball hits and the American Outlaw, Liberty, bursts through the curtain. He's more serious than he usually, too focused to slap hands with the crowd, and all business by the time he squares off with Walker.

"So I know where you're headed," Liberty says, "and I'll agree, man, you had one hell of a match on Sunday. But there's a rule in Hollyweird, and I've fallen afoul of it more than once - you get your shot, then you either stand aside or you earn yourself another one.

"Well, man, I'm not saying you don't deserve another shot, and I'm sure as hell not going to come out here and ask any man to step aside, but if you want another match with Rip Chord for that World Heavyweight Title, I'm sure as hell going to make you earn it."

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Iron Man hits, and this time it's the Human Juggernaut that makes his way down to the ring, Emma Chase at his side. He climbs into the ring, looming over both the men already standing there.

Emma Chase claims a microphone, turns to Walker. "You and Dread fought five times," she says. "You hold a single victory. Impressive, I'll grant you; there are few who can say they've pinned me to the canvas, but the more you boast about beating me, the more I feel inclined to remind you of your place.

"And you..." Chase turns to Liberty. "For all your boasting, you still haven't pinned Dread's shoulders to the mat and you still haven't made him quit. It hasn't happened because you can't make it happen. Because, good as you are, you're not ready for the kind of dominance the Human Juggernaut brings to the ring.

"You've been scouted, Liberty, and you've been assessed, and you've been found wanting.

"As for the World Heavyweight Champion--"

<div style="text-align:center;">http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/RipChord.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/CharlieThatcher.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/RickSanders.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/TheIdahoPunisher.jpg</div>

"As for the World Heavyweight Champion, he's bored with the lot of you." Rip Chord is out on the stage, Entourage at his heels. He surveys the men in the ring with a look of scorn on his face. "Those who aspire to be great would do well to survey their enemies," he says, "and when I look at the three of you in the ring, clamouring to be the next man to face The Great One, it saddens me that this is how my legacy with be remembered.

"The gold I wear around my waist is the most coveted title belt on the planet. It deserves contenders who will force me to my limits. Some of you may be qualified for that --" Chord's gaze falls upon Dread, quite pointedly "-- if you were at the top of your game, but even when you've proven to be at your best, you're not good enough to hold this belt for long.

"As for you two--" Chord looks towards Liberty and Walker "-- The American Outlaw is right. You've had your shots. You've fallen short. Show me something extraordinary or stand aside. I don't care which, but I tell you this - I will not accept any challenger that isn't among the best of the best.

"I don't deserve it. This belt doesn't deserve it. And none of you have proven that you're up to the task."

<div style="text-align:center;"> Rating: B+

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/HGCB.jpg

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/CheatinMikeBarstow.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/NathanColeman.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/StuartFerdinand.jpg

</div>

We cut backstage to the Barstow Enterprises' locker room, greeted by the unfamiliar sight of Cheatin' Mike Barstow preparing for a match. The veteran is flanked by Coleman and Ferdinand.

"You boys know what to do?"

Ferdinand nods. Nathan Coleman grins, producing a length of rope with a cowbell attached.

Pour Some Sugar On Me starts playing, and Barstow stands and prepares to leave.

<div style="text-align:center;"> Rating: D-

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/HGCB.jpg

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/TysonBaine.jpg vs. http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/CheatinMikeBarstow.jpg w/http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/TroyTornado.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/NathanColeman.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/StuartFerdinand.jpg

Tyson Baine vs. Cheatin' Mike Barstow w/Barstow Enterprises

</div>

Mike Barstow, to the surprise of no-one, cheats like hell. In fact, much of the match revolves around the veteran pulling out every trick he can, from having his clients sneak brass knuckles past the referee to providing distraction at every opportunity.

None of it works.

He grows increasingly desperate, taking a powder to the outside and taunting Baine into following him, setting up situations where Tornado, Coleman, and Ferdinand can get physically involved. Baine, grin on his face, blasts his way through all opposition, even after Coleman bloodies him with a cowbell shot to the forehead.

Finally, Mike Barstow takes the only option left to him. He leaves the ring and walks away, giving Baine the count-out victory. The bell rings...

<div style="text-align:center;">http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/FrankieFuture.jpg

</div>

...and Barstow finds his escape blocked by Frankie Future, whose standing at the top of the ramp.

"Hell no," Future shouts. "I want this ended, Barstow, and so does Baine. As of right now, I'm restarting this match, and you've got one of two choices - first, you get back into the ring and fight like you're supposed to..."

Barstow waits, hoping the second option is better.

"Second," Future says, "you keep running and I make this falls count anywhere, giving the Demon Seed free reign to chase you anywhere he wants and beat you with whatever comes to hand."

The crowd roars, obviously pleased by that possibility.

Barstow, thinking it through, chooses to get back into the ring.

It doesn't last long after that. The Hades Bomb ends things in Baine's favour just shy of the fifteen minute mark.

<div style="text-align:center;"> Tyson Baine defeated Cheatin' Mike Barstow in 14:39 by pinfall.

Rating: B-

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/HGCB.jpg

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/TysonBaine.jpg

</div>

Baine gets up on the turnbuckles, his face a crimson mask. He roars to the crowd, celebrating his victory, as the show goes off the ear.

<div style="text-align:center;"> Rating: B+

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/HGCB.jpg

Overall: B</div>

arwink · March 9, 2014

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Beeker" data-cite="Beeker" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="35712" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>One of the 3 dynasties I ready, so I feel I should make predictions on this one too. This dynasty really needs a refresher page where I can glance back at storylines and feuds as I forget them due the lag time between shows... which are always worth the wait by the way.</div></blockquote> Cheers, Beeker. I've got a whole-of-roster recap planned for the end of May, since it looks like a second TV show will be possible in June and I figured it'd be helpful to have a reference for some of the lesser lights on the roster. Truth is, though, even with that, I forget a whole bunch of stuff from show to show and a bunch of feuds do just kind of get cut short. At some point I probably need to go back ad read things from the beginning, just so I can remember what's been left behind.

arwink · March 10, 2014

<div style="text-align:center;">http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/MarcusMcKing_zps5e6043a2.jpg</div>

Marcus McKing sits on the big red couch, bottle of water resting beside him. The veteran road-agent grins through his trademark moustache, obviously pleased to be interviewed. "If you were booking an East Coast federation, you got used to doing more with less," he says. "You look at the talent who exited Philly Pro around the end of '97, and you're looking at the best of the younger generation: Stuart Ferdinand; Rick Sanders; Chris Morisette; Bryan Holmes.

"I'm still surprised they left us John Anderson after we hired him. And they kept sending Jack Dundee down to watch our shows, sniffing around Joel Kovach like they were ready to snap him up.

"For a while it looked like the East Coast War was going to be won by the Big Guys. It's hard to fight the other feds when we're all struggling to make the best of the talent we've got.

"Then Nero started going through the HGC Roster, looking for names they could let go that were hired by his predecessors. Talent who left the company a lot better than they'd come in, even if they never really made it onto screen..."

<div style="text-align:center;">http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/THE_zps3a12ecd2.jpg

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/WhiskyJack.jpg</div>

Jack McCallister kicks back in a Tennessee bar, bottle of beer in hand. He raises one familiar eyebrow as he ponders the question he's just been asked. "So yeah," he says, "I was part of the Easter Purge. There were, what, fifteen of us? Maybe more? Nothing personal in it - it was obvious the company had too much talent. Three bookers in eighteen months, you know? Everyone wants to bring in their guy. Chord and Strong largely kept to the pay-per-appearance.

"Nero...he just had us in for a six-month run, gave us plenty of time to go under on the house shows, do what we can to impress him. At the end of that time, he had his underneath guys, and he had the list of guys who were on their way out the door.

"I didn't mind leaving all that much. I knew they liked my work. They'd talked about kicking me down to California Pro for a stretch, but it didn't really take. Great opportunity and all, but I knew how to be Whisky Jack pretty much from the start, and I ain't never been the kind of guy whose going to work up North of the Border.

"Thing is, the way the industry was, getting kicked from the roster was kind of a blessing. I hooked up with Blackjack up at Philly, turned the Outlaws into one of the premier teams going. Found my way back onto television a few years later, when they had their shit a little more together and the space for an up-and-coming team that had a little buzz about 'em."

<div style="text-align:center;">http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/THE_zps3a12ecd2.jpg

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/Guide_zps001eb093.jpg</div>

"If you wanted to watch tag-team wrestling in America, you tuned into HGC," Guide says. The veteran competitor is wearing a camouflage shirt and dark jeans, but his face-paint is in place and the bustle in the background suggests he's waiting for a show to start. "There were plenty of good teams starting up in the indies, back in '97. Black Murder and the Warriorsin DAVE. The Wrecking Crew in Philly Pro, even if they weren't being used. Double Dragon in RPW. The Peaks and The Filth out in XPW, until they went to Hollyweird full time.

"By '98 the best of them were working full-time in Hollyweird, or they'd gone up the Canada for the Stones or the DeColts. Or they'd just been broken up by the vagaries of the war, 'cause that's how things get when boys are jumping from company to company.

"All of a sudden the bar for being a 'the best tag-team on the indies' got drastically lowered, which is how me and Scout started getting attention out in California. It wasn't that we were good - we were still green as hell - but we had the Wave down and we had a look and we got hired and fired together, and that was enough to get us attention while we figured out the other stuff.

"And in the mean time, in America, your options were pretty limited if you wanted to see a tag-team classic. You could tune into Supreme hoping to see the Lords of War or the Storm Brothers. Or you tunned into Hollyweird where....well, look at the names. The Vesseys. The Kings. The Demons. The Filth. The Specialists. Strength Rush. The Wrecking Crew. All of them teams who knew their shit and operated at a level greater than the sum of their parts.

"Me and Scout, we wanted in on that. That's where we set our sights."

arwink · March 10, 2014

<div style="text-align:center;">The TCW Wrestling Archive Presents

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/HTV.jpg

- Episode 66 Preview -</div>

Two newly-minted tag-teams clash in our opening match: Fumihiro Ota and Alex Braun have confirmed their intent to join the tag-team ranks after several months of being thrown together as make-shift duo, but they're up against Eddie Chandler and his yet-to-be-announced partner.

The high-flying Dark Angel will be in action next, showcasing just why he's been selected as the number-one contender to the International Championship when he squares off against Elijah Black.

An impromptu six-man match follows when The Masked Rebel and The Blazing Flames join forces to take on Sam Strong and Team Strength Rush. Rebel has earned the respect of the locker room for engaging Strong in a verbal battle, but can he hold his own now that things are turning physical?

The Rookie of the All-Star Team, Chris Storm, is scheduled to step into the ring against the masked ninja Awesome Thunder. Can Storm hold his own against the seasoned, veteran competitor?

The Demons of Rage have parted ways with the Ethan Kane and they're looking to re-establish their reputation as one of the most dangerous tag-teams on the planet. The unfortunate duo scheduled to meet them in the ring? Canadian veterans Ed Monton and Steve Flash. The Cannucks aren't going to go do down easily in this one, no matter how hard the Demons fight.

And lastly, in our main event, it's a four-way fray to determine who will meet Rip Chord for the World Heavyweight Championship at Where Angels Fear to Tread. The possible contenders: Liberty, Monty Walker, the Human Juggernaut Dread, and the Demon Seed Tyson Baine.

<div style="text-align:center;">Matches Featured on this Streaming Video include:

Liberty vs. Monty Walker vs. Tyson Baine vs. Dread

Flash & Monton vs. The Demons of Rage

Chris Storm vs. Awesome Thunder

Masked Rebel & The Blazing Flames vs. Sam Strong & Team Strength Rush

Dark Angel vs. Elijah Black

Ota & Bruan vs. The Greatness

</div>

Midnightnick · March 10, 2014

Liberty vs. Monty Walker vs. Tyson Baine vs. Dread

Flash & Monton vs. The Demons of Rage

Chris Storm vs. Awesome Thunder

Masked Rebel & The Blazing Flames vs. Sam Strong & Team Strength Rush

Dark Angel vs. Elijah Black

Ota & Bruan vs. The Greatness

Phantom Stranger · March 10, 2014

Liberty vs. Monty Walker vs. Tyson Baine vs. Dread

Flash & Monton vs. The Demons of Rage

Chris Storm vs. Awesome Thunder

Masked Rebel & The Blazing Flames vs. Sam Strong & Team Strength Rush

Dark Angel vs. Elijah Black

Ota & Bruan vs. The Greatness

arwink · March 19, 2014

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/HTV_Logo.jpg

Tuesday, Week 2, April 1998

Illinois State Fayre (Great Lakes) - 15,000 people

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/HGCB.jpg

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/Liberty_alt8jt_zpsb5b72773.jpg

The American Outlaw is out in the ring, soaking up the roar of the crowd. He grins widely, spreads his arms wide, but it isn't long before he's ready to get down to business.

"So I'm going to keep this short," he says, "'cause I know y'all came to see people fight, not talk. Back at Psycho Circus, I lost the World Heavyweight Title to Rip Chord. Since then, everything I've done has been about getting another shot. I've come out here and put on great matches. I've gone up against the Human Juggernaut and come out the winner. I've worked on my skills inside the ring, and I've listened to Rip Chord run his mouth about how I'm not worthy of being his opponent.

"So what I want, right now, is for Frankie Future to come out here and tell me what I need to do to get back in the ring and fight for the championship. "

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/Dread.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/EmmaChase.jpg

It isn't the Commissioner who comes down to the ring, but the fans greet Dread's appearance with considerably more enthusiasm. He climbs into the ring, Emma Chase at his side, and does a slow circle around Liberty.

"Let me get this clear," Dread says. "You beat me?"

The Human Juggernaut looks towards Emma, who confirms it's what was said. Dread takes a step forward, towering over Liberty. "What you have, Outlaw, is a victory earned my count-out. What that means, near as I can tell, is that you ran away from me rather than finish the fight.

"You can call it a victory, if it makes you feel better. You can even convince Future it means enough to give you a title shot. But it won't earn you anything, because I'm still right here. And saying you beat me, well, that's not a good idea, 'cause up until now it's just been business.

"Eventually, Liberty, you'll piss me off, and that's not something you want."

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/MontyWalker_alt.jpg

Month Walker steps through the curtain, and the crowd goes wild as he makes his way down to the ring. He looks from Dread to Liberty to Emma Chase, a confident grin on his face.

Dread scowls. "What are you smiling about?"

"Me? " Walker says. "I'm smiling 'cause you two are out here, making so much noise that it can't be ignored. I'm smiling 'cause, no matter what Chord says, when two big guns of HGC start throwing their weight around, people are going to listen.

"And you know what I've figured out? I'm a big gun now. I'm a mother-****ing cannon. I've fought you both and I've pinned your shoulders to the mat, so when I come out here and say, well, I want a rematch, plenty of people will take me seriously, including--"

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/FrankieFuture.jpg

Frankie Future's music hits, and the Commissioner makes his way out onto the stage.

"Boys, we did this pissing contest last week," he says, "and none of you put together a case that was going to convince me you should main event Where Angels Fear to Tread next month. This is HGC, man - a place for deeds instead of words - and there's only one way to get a title shot: winning matches.

"Fortunately, when you're in my position, sometimes the matches are easy to make. Liberty asked earlier what it will take to get a title shot? The answer might different next week, but right now it's pretty simple - you win tonight's main event. 'Cause, as of right now, I'm making a match. Liberty versus Dread versus Monty Walker in a four-way fray, with the final spot taken up by a man who had the common sense to see me in my office rather than air his grievances publicly."

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/TysonBaine.jpg

Pantera's Walk hits and a grinning Tyson Baine steps out onto the stage, taking up a position next to Future.

"Between the four of you, you represent some of the best this company's got," Future says. "Don't disappoint me, gentlemen. Give us a good fight."

Rating: A

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/HGCB.jpg

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/FumihiroOta.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/AlexBraun.jpg vs. http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/EddieChandler.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/CraigPrince_zpsb179a511.jpg

Ota & Braun vs. The Greatness

Most people don't bat an eyelid when Craig Prince is announced as Eddie Chandler's partner, but he makes an immediate statement when he grounds Fumihiro Ota and locks in the first submission within the space of a minute.

Braun comes in to make the save, joining Ota in a series of rapid-fire double-teams, but the Global Elite have scouted their opponents and unleash counter after counter. The match ends when Prince avoids a Braun Damage, catches Alex Braun with a trio of rolling Suplexes, then locks in the Katahajime to secure the submission.

The Greatness defeated Ota & Braun in 9:58 by submission.

Rating: C-

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/HGCB.jpg

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/EddieChandler.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/CraigPrince_zpsb179a511.jpg

Eddie Chandler calls for the microphone.

"You may not recognise him," he says, pointing to his partner, "but that isn't surprising. It's rare that people recognise greatness the first time it walks into in their midst. All you need to know is this: back in Canada, Craig Prince is the man you call when you need a Stone beaten in the middle of the ring.

"You don't know him, but the tag-team champions? They're running scared right now. They know it's just a matter of time until Prince and I relieve of their precious gold belts. You already know I'm fabulous, but he is the mark of technical excellence, and together we prove one thing.

"Greatness has come to Hollyweird Grappling, and nothing will stop the Global Elite."

Rating: D

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/HGCB.jpg

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/ThomasMorgan.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/BryanHolmes.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/DuaneStone_zpsf0156b44.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/VictoriaStone_zpsa00b04eb.jpg

The Ontario Kings are backstage, next to one of the monitors the talent use to watch the show along with Duane Stone and Victoria. The concern on their faces sells Prince as a threat almost as well as his in-ring performance, and it's only enhanced when someone clears their throat to get the quartet's attention.

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/GraceHarper.jpg

"Nervous?" Grace Harper saunters into shot, a smug grin on her face. "You should be. The Global Elite know the best in the world, and we're not afraid to bring in members to take care of specific problems.

"We're coming for you." She glances at Victoria, an evil grin in place. " And I mean all of you.

"And there's nothing you can do to stop us."

Rating: D+

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/HGCB.jpg

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/DarkAngel.jpg w/http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/KitHatoyama.jpg vs. http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/ElijahBlack.jpg w/http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/MurderousMikey.jpg

Dark Angel w/Kit Hatoyama vs. Elijah Black w/Big Mike Murder

Speed versus power and a willingness to fight dirty. Black is impressive through this, making good use of Big Mike at ringside to keep himself viable even as Angel out-wrestles him, but he can't quite match the smaller man's speed and high-impact style. The Descent Into Hell finishes things at six and a half minutes.

Dark Angel defeated Elijah Black in 6:28 by pinfall.

Rating: C+

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/HGCB.jpg

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/CheatinMikeBarstow.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/NathanColeman.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/StuartFerdinand.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/TroyTornado.jpg

The Barstow Enterprises locker room, where Cheatin' Mike Barstow is brooding in the corner while Coleman and Ferdinand talk strategy and Troy Tornado reads an X-Men comic.

"I had my retirement match," Barstow says. "I left the business on my terms, set out to make money by advising the next generation. That's why I started Barstow Enterprises. Why I came here, where I had no history as a wrestler, to build up a stable of new and emerging talent.

"But then an old friend asked me to wrestle one more match, 'cause he needed a man who could challenge one of the rising stars here. Someone whose skills he respected. Someone the kid wouldn't expect.

"Doing that favour adjusted my status here in HGC. I still have my manager's license, but it also freed the Commissioner to put me in situations I didn't ever want to be in. Last week, he put me in the ring with Tyson Baine. Six months after I retired from the ring, I was up against one of the most dangerous men in wrestling.

"And now I find myself thinking about that match, worrying at the loss like a dog gnawing at a bone. Is that the way I want people to remember Mike Barstow, the Wrestler? Am I really content to leave things as they ended."

Barstow closes his eyes, takes a deep breathe. "Macarthur said old soldiers don't really die, but I think he was wrong about them fading away. 'Cause I am an old soldier, no mistake about it, but right now, fading away is the last thing I want."

Rating: B-

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/HGCB.jpg

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/JoeyFlame.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/TeddyFlame.jpg

The Blazing Flames are out in the ring, prepared to Wrestle, when the Strong Style Army's music hits and Sam Strong leads his group out into the ring. They beat the two men down and throw them out of the ring, Strong claiming a microphone as he goes.

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/SamStrong.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/SuzueKatayama.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/LeeWright.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/RaymondDiaz.jpg

"You're meant to be watching a match right now," Strong says, "but since they refused to give the Living Legend time to come out and talk this week, I'm out here to take what should have been freely given to a legend of my stature.

"Last week, a man came out here and showed me a great deal of disrespect, brother. He came out here and crossed the line that no man should cross. He accused me of ducking matches, just a few days after I sent Dusty Streets out of this company. He accused me of being a has-been coasting on the glory days.

"He accused me--"

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/MaskedRebel.jpg

"--of being an asshole who enjoys the sound of his own damn voice." The Masked Rebel emerges through the backstage curtain, dressed to compete and heading for the ring. "And the only reason you're pissed, brother, is 'cause you know every word I said is true."

Strong glares at the masked man, furious at the interruption. "I don't know who you are, brother, underneath that mask, but you just made the biggest mistake of your life. I am a living legend. I'm backed up by two of the world's most dangerous men. What the hell--"

"Strong, brother, shut the hell up," Rebel says, and its meet with considerable approval from the crowd. "These people didn't pay money to watch you come out here and talk. They don't even want to see me blather on, and they for damn sure like me a whole lot more than they like you.

"What these people paid to see, brother, is a knock-down, drag-out fight. Now the way I see it, you can either walk out of this ring and let someone else give 'em what they paid for...or you and your buddies can stay in that ring and I'll come in there and beat your ass."

Strong looks smug. "I don't know how good you are at math, brother, but there are three of us here in this ring, and there's only one of you."

"Well, that may be, but it seems to me there's a couple of other boys who were ready for a fight tonight." Masked Rebel grins, looking towards the ringside area where The Blazing Flames are recovering from the attack. "I'm willing to bet, if we get things started, they're willing to join in."

Strong's glare is full of hate, but he takes of his jacket and nods to the ring crew. The bell is rung and the impromptu match is on.

Rating: C

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/HGCB.jpg

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/MaskedRebel.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/JoeyFlame.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/TeddyFlame.jpg

vs.

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/SamStrong.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/LeeWright.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/RaymondDiaz.jpg w/http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/SuzueKatayama.jpg

Masked Rebel & The Blazing Flames vs. Sam Strong & Team Strength Rush w/Suzue Katayama

Strong avoids getting into the ring whenever possible, picking his spots for the moments where he can wade into the action and destroy one of the two cruiserweights on the opposing team. It leads to a long sequence where he tries to put away Teddy Flame - the veteran ducks and weaves, unleashes two chops against Strong's chest to no effect, then thumbs the eye when an overconfident Strong taunts him into a third attempt.

If Strong is avoiding the action, Rebel insists on being in the thick of it. He's there very every tag, making every save, trading punches and chops with both members of the Strength Rush. At one point he matches up with Raymond Diaz, testing his strength against the raw power of the big man. Their knuckle lock is a long stale-mate that only ends when Rebel boots Diaz in the guts, then drops him with a neckbreaker.

Things progress from there, with the faces putting up a hell of a fight, holding their own despite the fact that they're giving up several hundred pounds to their opponents. Despite a valiant effort, it's not quite enough to pick up the victory. Diaz picks up Teddy Flame up, powers him into the corner, and unleashes a series of hard knee strikes. Flame staggers out of the corner, stunned by the assault, and Diaz finishes things with the Ray Gun.

Team Strong Style (Sam Strong, Lee Wright and Raymond Diaz) defeated Masked Rebel II and The Blazing Flames in 14:45 by pinfall.

Rating: B

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/HGCB.jpg

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/SamStrong.jpg

Strong stands on the ring apron, smug in his team's victory. He nods once, drops down to the ringside...

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/MaskedRebel.jpg

...and turns right into a chair shot from Masked Rebel II.

Strong drops hard, prompting a roar of approval from the crowd, and Rebel mouths off as he drops the chair across Strong's chest.

With one hand raised, the masked man backs away from the ring, even as the Strength Rush and Suzue Katayama go to help their fallen leader.

Rating: B

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/HGCB.jpg

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/RichiePangrazzioJr_zps4c054f98.jpg

Richie Pangrazzio Jr sits in the bleachers of Wrigley Field, staring down at the empty rows of seats.

"For years, this is all I dreamed of," he says. "Being down there, playing the game I loved. The game I was built to play.

"Only my father didn't want that. Baseball, it wasn't the best career for his little boy. Wrestling is the world he knew. Wrestling is the place where he saw money in my future. And so I set aside my dreams of playing professional ball, and became a professional wrestler instead.

"And it wasn't that I was bad at wrestling. I had the size. I had the strength. I had the natural ability. With my father's help, I became one of the best. The Franchise Player of the All-Star Team.

"Chris Storm thinks he's ready for me. He thinks my father's trained him to deal with a man of my abilities." Pangrazzio's smile is full of malice. "Storm is young. He's got a lot to learn.

"Personally, I look forward to teaching him."

Rating: B-

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/HGCB.jpg

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/ChrisStorm.jpg w/http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/CoachDickPangrazzio.jpg vs. http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/YosukeNarita_alt.jpg

Chris Storm w/Coach Pangrazzio vs. Awesome Thunder

Both men are looking to win fans with this contest; Storm kicks off the match with a series of big suplexes, using his size to dominate his opponent, then switches to a more high-paced style when Thunder responds with a series of springboard kicks and splashes after getting thrown into the ropes.

Thunder gets the first two-count of the match, courtesy of a lightning fast roll-up. Storm powers out of the pinfall, goes on a streak of offense, but Thunder meets his come-back with calm aplomb, picking away at Storm leg as the bigger man lets adrenaline conquer common sense.

It's not enough. Storm hits a belly-to-belly, then quickly transitions into the ankle lock to pick up the submission.

Chris Storm defeated Awesome Thunder in 10:26 by submission.

Rating: C

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/HGCB.jpg

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/CoachDickPangrazzio.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/ChrisStorm.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/BryanVessey.jpg

Coach and Storm hold the ring after the match, waiting as Bryan Vessey makes his way down the ramp. Vessey has the baseball bat slung over one shoulder, nodding to the crowd as he makes his way down, a picture of focus and intensity.

"I'm not a man who likes to come out here and talk all fancy," Vessey says, "so I'm going to get straight down to business. Paul Steadyfast? I know you're back there. Go gather together your Untouchables and get your ass out here. I've got something to say to you, I plan on saying it face-to-face."

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/PaulSteadyfast.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/WandaFish.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/JoelBryant.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/RobertOxford.jpg

The Untouchables emerge as a single unit. The quartet have taken to dressing alike on recent shows - expensive jeans, black shirts, black leather jackets, but Paul Steadyfast remains the focal point as they make their way down to the ring.

He squares off against Vessey, eyebrow raised. "Well?"

Vessey cracks a smile, amused by Steadyfast's confidence. "So I was talking to my brother," he says, "and it was pointed out that I may have a small problem with anger. Ever since he got taken out, I've been walking around looking for something to hit, and it didn't really matter what that was.

"And mostly that seemed to work okay, 'cause Coach here truly believes you and yours are still tied up with his son. I went out there, I kicked Pangrazzio Junior's ass, and I got a chance to walk away feeling better about myself.

"That lasted until my brother asked me one very important question: what if Coach is wrong?"

Paul Steadyfast's smile threatens to engulf his face. "He is. Believe me, Vessey, I'm far more dangerous than Richie is."

"And I don't give a damn," Vessey says. "Dangerous as you are, I'm up to the task of beating you. I've spent the last week thinking about ways I could break you open.

"But the thing is, all that anger, it's not why my brother trained me. He doesn't want me out here, swinging a bat, trying to destroy all three of you.

"He wants me to deal with this like a wrestler. Like a man who will one day hold a World Championship. And that means meeting you in the ring and beating you, one-two-three, for the things you've orchestrated against me and mine.

"He swears to god it'll be just as satisfying, that there's plenty of ways to hurt a man within the bounds of the rules. Personally, I've got my doubts, but I'm willing to give it a try. I want a match. I want a whole bunch of matches. I'm going to take you, and then I'm going to take your flunkies, and then I'm going to leave you behind me."

Wanda Fish frowns at the series of threats. "How stupid do you think we--"

She's cut off by Paul Steadyfast, who puts a hand on her shoulder and draws her back. He looks to the Specialists, who nod their approval, and the younger wrestler opens his hands.

"Done," he says. "Pick your first opponent. We're not running from you, Vessey. There isn't any need. We're Untouchable. We're the future of this business. Your brother was taken out because he's a big fish...just like you.

"We're happy to fight you, Vessey, but it happens on pay-per-view. Name your opponent, get Future to sign off on it, and we're all yours."

Rating: C-

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/HGCB.jpg

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/ActionJackson.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/TommyCornell.jpg

"This is Action Jackson backstage, getting you the scoops, and I'm here with one of the hottest young rookies in HGC, Tommy Cornell. Tommy, last week you paid a hell of a price for getting involved in Ethan Kane's business. How are you feeling after what went down?"

"Well, my heads been hurting for nearly a week now," Cornell says, "and the doctors say it'll be another couple of weeks before I'm cleared to wrestle again. They're afraid Kane gave me a concussion, and maybe he did, 'cause I don't remember anything after we finished our match.

"But that doesn't mean much, not where I come from. Y'see, Kane thinks he's delivered a warning. He thinks he's done something to punish me. I came to Hollyweird 'cause I wanted to fight, like, and the way I see it, he's just declared his intent to go a few rounds with me.

"See, I'm not scared of Ethan Kane. I grew up fighting bigger men, learned the hard way how to hold me own. If he thinks he's seen the last of Tommy Cornell, he's going to learn he's right mistaken."

Rating: C

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/HGCB.jpg

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/SteveFlash_alt.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/EdMonton.jpg vs. http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/DemonSpite.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/DemonAnger.jpg w/http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/KarenKiller_alt.jpg

Flash & Monton vs. The Demons of Rage w/Karen Killer

The Demons come into this one showing new fire, shucking off the Gothic trappings of their alliance with Kane and returning to what made them one of the premier teams in the world: kicking ass like a pair of hard-hitting, terrifying monsters.

Karen Killer observes the match from ringside, slinking back and forth in her corset. She watches the match carefully, takes note of the ways that Steve Flash and Ed Monton hold their own against the Demons, and positions herself for a quick trip on Monton that sends him stumbling into the Double Demon Down that ends things.

The Demons Of Rage defeated High Impact in 15:06 by pinfall.

Rating: C+

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/HGCB.jpg

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/DemonSpite.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/KarenKiller_alt.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/DemonAnger.jpg

Karen Killer climbs into the ring, striking a pose in the midst of the Demons as the celebrate their victory.

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/RickyDaleJohnson.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/Vengeance.jpg

The crowd's hiss turns to a cheer as Cowboy Ricky Dale and Vengeance walk out onto the stage. Ricky Dale has the microphone, and a grim smile on his face.

"So the monsters are back," he says, "looking for wins. I hear rumours you're already in Future's office, petitioning for title shots. Looking for a way to become Tag-Team Champions.

"Whatever path you intend to follow, you're going to find the two of us standing in your way. Me and EAGLE, we were a hell of a team before you injured him, but now I'm riding with the Angel of Vengeance in the posse beside me.

"That means HGC just became a bad place, if you're the kind of hombre that likes to be a bad guy.

"Let me make something very clear: I don't care that you've parted ways with Kane. Neither does the big masked monster beside me. Far as we're concerned, you two are the first on our shit-list."

Rating: C+

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http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/MrLucha1977.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/CharlieThatcher.jpg

Mr Lucha is walking backstage, International Championship over his shoulder. He finds his way blocked by Charlie Thatcher. Lucha takes a step go around, and Thatcher takes a step sideways to cut him off.

Lucha looks up. "We got a problem, esse?"

"No problem," Thatcher says, "I'm just making up my mind about something. Part of me's thinking about taking that belt off you. Part of me's wondering if it's just cruel to pick on a guy so little."

Lucha waits, patiently. "Well?"

"It's no fun when you're not afraid," Thatcher says. He steps aside, shaking his head. "Beat Dark Angel at Where Angel's Fear to Tread, and I am going to come after that belt, though. Ain't nothing cruel about beating a guy in the ring."

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/EricTyler.jpg

"Please tell me you're joking." Eric Tyler comes down the corridor from the other direction, glaring at Charlie Thatcher. "No offense to your mentor, Thatcher, but he should know better than to let you go around with delusions of grandeur. Title shots are earned by victories in the ring, and in case you haven't noticed, you're in-ring record is heavily biased on your employer doing the heavy lifting.

"I can't say much for the way Lucha's been selecting challengers, but at least he's selected men whose claim to the title has some merit."

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/BrentHill.jpg

"Like you, Eric?" Brent Hill comes into shot from the other direction, staring at the leader of the Global Elite. "That's what you mean when you talk about merit, isn't it? Thing is, when you look at your track record of late, the merit just isn't there. Duane Stone beat you last month, and your friend Harper got you disqualified before you could tap to my heel hook two weeks back."

"If you truly think you had me beaten, I'm afraid your delusional," Tyler says. "You're good, Hill, I'll give you that, but I operate at a superior level."

Hill steps forward, getting into Tyler's face. "Is that so?"

"It is."

"Uh, guys?" Both men turn to look at Charlie Thatcher. He smiles an evil smile. "I will chew you both up and spit you like a chicken bone," he says. "You want to prove me wrong, I'll meet you in the ring next week. Three way dance?"

"Three way fray," Hill says. "Works for me."

Eric Tyler just nods, and the three men head off in different directions, leaving Mr Lucha alone in the corridor with the title belt. The masked man looks vaguely amused by what just happened.

Rating: B-

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/HGCB.jpg

Four Way Fray

Number One Contender's Match

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/TysonBaine.jpg vs. http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/Liberty_alt8jt_zpsb5b72773.jpg vs. http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/MontyWalker_alt.jpg vs. http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/Dread.jpg w/http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/EmmaChase.jpg

Tyson Baine vs. Liberty vs. Monty Walker vs. Dread w/Emily Chase

No-one's slacking off in this one. No-one's game. Baine and Dread are terrifying, Liberty is constantly moving, and Monty Walker gets by on guts and a steadfast refusal to lie down and die.

Dread looks strong in the early stages, but Liberty keeps getting in the big man's face, and eventually the two of them end up brawling. Much of the match revolves around their personal war, particular when they spill out of the ring towards the final moments.

Tyson Baine looks strong in the latter stages, annihilating people with his hard-hitting offense. He hits the Hades Bomb on Monty Walker, but Liberty delays the big man from making the cover, which means Walker raises his shoulder before the three-count is done.

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/TroyTornado.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/NathanColeman.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/StuartFerdinand.jpg

And then Barstow Enterprises swarms the ring. Troy Tornado climbs to the turnbuckles, teasing the Star Maker, and Sam Sparrow moves to prevent the interference. Coleman and Ferdinand come at the ring from the other direction, jumping Baine.

Coleman uses the cowboy, swinging it into Baine's stomach. Ferdinand grabs the big man and dumps him on the mat with a Fisherman's Suplex. A cowbell to the skull splits Baine open, then Barstow's clients are gone.

Month Walker finds his way to the top turnbuckle amid the chaos that reigns in the ring, launching the picture perfect elbow drop onto the Demon Seed. He makes the cover, gets the three-count.

Monty Walker defeated Tyson Baine, Dread and Liberty in 14:55 when Monty Walker defeated Tyson Baine by pinfall.

Rating: A

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/HGCB.jpg

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/Liberty_alt8jt_zpsb5b72773.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/Dread.jpg

The camera immediately swings to ringside, where the brawl between Dread and Liberty has progressed. Dread has the American Outlaw up against the railing, hammering him with forearm blows, busting him open.

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/RipChord.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/TheIdahoPunisher.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/RickSanders.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/MontyWalker_alt.jpg

A roar ripples through the crowd as Rip Chord and the Dallas Wrecking Crew come charging down the ramp, crashing into the new number one contender. Walker struggles against all three men, trying to fend them off, but he gets planted with a spinebuster from The Punisher as the show goes off the air.

Rating: B-

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/HGCB.jpg

Overall: B+

arwink · March 19, 2014

So, as of yesterday, it's been three years since I kicked off the first installment of this dynasty. It kinda blows my mind that I'm still posting at this point, even if it's not as quick as I'd like.

On the other hand, I figure a three-year anniversary is also a good time to take a moment and thank everyone whose stuck with HGC this long (particularly

Midnightnick, whose been predicting steadily since the first show). Whether you're a regular predictor or a quiet lurker, you folks rock.

Phantom Stranger · March 19, 2014

You Can Do It, Monty!

arwink · March 24, 2014

<div style="text-align:center;">http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/DanStone_zps0c89e738.jpg</div>

Dan Stone Senior sits in the offices of North of the Border, paperwork spread across his desk. "We were always moderately safe from raids by Supreme," he says. "Not that they didn't recognise talent, but we presented a different product. They always paid more attention to who George pushed into his main event, 'cause that was closer to their product.

"HGC became more of a problem for us. Stallings knew the name Stone and he knew what it meant, Nero and Chord were determined to introduce America to great in-ring action. They retrained their audience, in that first year; taught them to expect quality outside of a main event where McFly and Keith put on a five-star classic.

"And then they started looking real close at our roster, 'cause if you're going to find quality wrestlers, you come to the House of Stone."

<div style="text-align:center;">http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/THE_zps3a12ecd2.jpg

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/PhilVibert.jpg</div>

"People play all sorts of semantic games about that period." Phil Vibert grins for the camera, easing away from the bitterness that used to plague his discussions about DAVE. "Dan Stone occasionally throws around words like 'raid' to describe what was done to his upper-card, but he calls what happened after that good business.

"Me, though? I was the guy who was left trying to fill the gaps. I'd started '97 with Hollyweird taking my upper card. I started '98 with the Stones doing the same. Look at the North of the Border midcard by the time April rolled around: Dog Fyte was there full-time, working the character we'd helped him perfect; Johnny Martin was there, teaming with Whistler. Shawn Gonzalez had signed with them for a three-year stretch.

"You can fill those kinds of gaps, but it takes a couple of shows to do it. And so there I was, running the promotion that claimed to exemplify the counter culture, and we've got a main event full of guys in their forties."

<div style="text-align:center;">http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/THE_zps3a12ecd2.jpg

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/CraigPrince_zpsb179a511.jpg</div>

"I never really wanted to leave North of the Border." Craig Prince leans back in the couch, arms folded. "I got to wrestle great matches there. I got to tour Japan. I never had much interest in being a character; I just wanted to go out there and fight.

"Supreme offered a few times, but...look, they were running a schedule that didn't suit me. You did TV. You did a handful of house shows. I was used to wrestling five or six nights a week. I didn't want them to pay me to do TV. I wanted to get paid to wrestle. I wanted to be great, and you don't get great unless your out there, wrestling the best of the best.

"Hollyweird convinced me to come aboard 'cause they had Duane and they had Cliff. They had Thom and Bryan, who were shaping up to be one hell of a tag-team. They had Eric Tyler and Eddie and a couple of others like them. It was enough to make them interesting, 'cause I knew our matches would get people talking.

"Then they hired my girlfriend. Not the best reason to sign, maybe, but April and I were serious enough that it tipped the scales their way...'

arwink · April 2, 2014

<div style="text-align:center;">The TCW Wrestling Archive Presents

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/HTV.jpg

- Episode 67 Preview -</div>

We know that one of the Untouchables will be facing Bryan Vessey at Where Angels Fear to Tread, although word hasn't yet filtered down about which Vessey has elected to wrestle. It could well be Joel Bryant, who features in our opening match this week, taking on Mexico's El Bandido.

The Greatness made an impressive debut on our last show, but this week they'll be facing off against another newly-signed tag-team that's looking to make its mark - Jack Geidroyc and Joey Poison, Team Omega.

For the last few weeks we've been watching The Masked Rebel antagonise the Living Legend, Sam Strong, and its resulted in tonight's match against the lethal submission specialists of Team Strength Rush, Lee Wright. With the rest of The Strong Style Army at ringside, Rebel could well get the fight he's been looking for in recent weeks.

Neither Ed Monton or Elijah Black have great win-loss records here in HGC, but one of these men is about to break their losing streak tonight. Will it be the Canadian Commando, or will the master of the two-man Drive-By come out on top?

The Hard Justice duo of Cowboy Rick Dale and Vengeance have impressive in their tag-team matches thus far, wrestling like they've been paired for years instead of a handful of weeks. Meanwhile, The Demons of Rage have re-emerged as a major threat in the tag-team division, setting their sites on Gold. We find out which team will be challenging for the titles at Where Angels Fear to Tread when they clash in a number one contender's match.

A former associate of the Demons, Ethan Kane, sets out to prove that he's better off going solo when he seeks to make a statement against the American Outlaw, Liberty, in our main event.

<div style="text-align:center;">Matches Featured on this Streaming Video include:

Liberty vs. Ethan Kane

Hard Justice vs. The Demons of Rage

Ed Monton vs. Elijah Black

Masked Rebel II vs. Lee Wright

Team Omega vs. The Greatness

El Bandido vs. Joel Bryant

</div>

Midnightnick · April 2, 2014

Liberty vs. Ethan Kane

Hard Justice vs. The Demons of Rage

Ed Monton vs. Elijah Black

Masked Rebel II vs. Lee Wright

Team Omega vs. The Greatness

El Bandido vs. Joel Bryant

arwink · April 13, 2014

<div style="text-align:center;">http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/HTV_Logo.jpg

Tuesday, Week 3, April 1998

Isaak Road Arena (Mid-Atlantic) - 15,000 people (Sold Out!)

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/HGCB.jpg

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/EddieChandler.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/CraigPrince_zpsb179a511.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/GraceHarper.jpg

</div>

The show opens with Eddie Chandler and Craig Prince in the middle of the ring. Grace Harper is busy mugging one of the ring crew, claiming a microphone that she hands to The Fabulous One.

"Last week, you saw the birth of Greatness," Chandler says. "You were introduced to the Stone Breaker, Craig Prince, whose mastery of the katahajime has made him one of the most dangerous men on the planet. We all know that I'm the Fabulous One, destined to be the future of the sport. Ordinarily you'd expect a new tag-team to put in its time and rack up the wins, but that's never been the way of the Elite.

"We are Greatness. We are the hottest thing going. And we want a shot at the Tag-Team Titles."

<div style="text-align:center;">http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/DemonSpite.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/KarenKiller_alt.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/DemonAnger.jpg

</div>

Seasons in the Abyss hits and the Demons of Rage stride down to the ring, lead by their corseted manager. The two big men step into the ring, glaring at the Greatness. Craig Prince meets their stare, but Eddie Chandler retreats a few steps.

"It's good to have ambition," Killer says. "For too long, the Demons were beholden to the desires of another, allowing themselves to be distracted from what they truly are. But those days are over, and the Monsters have returned...hungry...dangerous...and ready to wear the gold they deserve.

"You want a title match? You're going to find the path goes through them...and I really don't think you're ready for that, Mister Chandler."

<div style="text-align:center;">http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/RickyDaleJohnson.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/Vengeance.jpg

</div>

Ricky Dale and Vengeance come down the ramp, both of them wearing long leather dusters over their ring gear.

"I thought I made it clear last week, partners," Ricky Dale says. "Wherever you two think you're going, you're going to find me and the Angel of Vengeance in your path. We owe you a beatin', maybe even more than one, and if that means we have to go win ourselves the tag-team titles, well, we could maybe live with that--"

<div style="text-align:center;">http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/FrankieFuture.jpg

</div>

Get On Up hits, and Commissioner Future makes his way out onto the stage. "Well, well, well," he says. "Looks like people are out here, making some noise about title shots, and I've gotta admit, that does my heart good. There's nothing a commissioner likes more than hearing his wrestlers are vocal and hungry.

"That said...Eddie, I appreciate the hustle, man, and I do know how good your new tag-team partner is. I don't expect it'll take too long before The Greatness has a shot at gold...but it's not happening tonight and it's not happening at Where Angels Fear to Tread. You want a shot? You prove your team is worth it. I'm willing to help you with that. In fact, I've got another young tag-team backstage that are looking for a shot at the big-time, and I've been looking for opponents that'd take their measure.

"As for you four--" Future turns to the Demons and Hard Justice. 'Yeah, you boys have proven you've got what it takes to work as a team, so here's what we're going to do: Hard Justice versus the Demons of Rage, Winner goes on to Where Angels Fear to Tread to take on the Champions."

<div style="text-align:center;"> Rating: C

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/HGCB.jpg

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/ElBandido.jpg vs. http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/JoelBryant.jpg w/http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/WandaFish.jpg

</div>

<div style="text-align:center;"> El Bandido vs. Joel Bryant w/Wanda Fish

</div>

Bryant's in this match with something to prove, but Bandido excels as an underdog who refuses to lie down and die. He meets the Untouchable technician and matches him, going hold-for-hold, utilizing flips and somersaults to break Bryant's grip.

Bryant responds with some unexpected tactics from the technician: a forearm shiv; a knee to the stomach; clubbing blows to the back. Bandido fights back, tries for an Irish Whip. Bryant reverses, but Bandido comes charging off the rebound with a head of steam and--

ONE SHOT DROP!

Bryant makes the cover, grinding his forearm into Bandido's cheek for a little extra insurance as the three-count is made.

<div style="text-align:center;"> Joel Bryant defeated El Bandido in 10:12 by pinfall.

Rating: C+

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/HGCB.jpg

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/PaulSteadyfast.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/JoelBryant.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/RobertOxford.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/WandaFish.jpg

</div>

Paul Steadyfast and Robert Oxford join Bryant and Fish in the ring, all four members of the Untouchables facing towards the camera as a unit. "Get used to this sight," Steadyfast says, "'cause you're going to see it again at Where Angels Fear to Tread. It doesn't matter who Bryan Vessey chooses to face, whether it's me, Robert Oxford, or Joel Bryant, because we represent the best in-ring talent in this company. .

You don't have to like us, but you will respect our ability."

<div style="text-align:center;"> Rating: C+

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/HGCB.jpg

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/TysonBaine.jpg

</div>

Tyson Baine lopes through the backstage corridor, six-pack of beer hanging from his meaty fist. He heads for a stack of crates - a familiar perch for the Demon Seed - and discovers Cheatin' Mike Barstow is waiting for him.

Baine comes to a halt, glaring at the veteran.

<div style="text-align:center;">http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/CheatinMikeBarstow.jpg

</div>

"Yeah, I know," Barstow says. "You thought you and me were done." Mike Barstow shoots his cuffs, smooths back his hair. "Sadly for you, I've elected to take a more active role in the education of my clients."

<div style="text-align:center;">http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/NathanColeman.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/StuartFerdinand.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/TroyTornado.jpg

</div>

Nathan Coleman crashes in to Baine, swinging a familiar cowbell. Stuart Ferdinand and Troy Tornado quickly join in, stomping a mud hole into Baine until Barstow signal's enough.

<div style="text-align:center;"> Rating: D+

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/HGCB.jpg

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/JackGiedroyc_zps06015692.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/JoeyPoison_zps93f63140.jpg w/http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/GoldenDelicious_zpsea99fa5c.jpg vs. http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/EddieChandler.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/CraigPrince_zpsb179a511.jpg w/http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/GraceHarper.jpg

</div>

<div style="text-align:center;">Team Omega w/Tennille Dumas vs. The Greatness w/Grace Harper

</div>

Team Omega are young and full of future promise, but despite Jason Azaria selling the cousin's respective experiences in Britain and Canada on commentary, their primary advantage here lies in speed and some well-executed tandem dropkicks.

Then Eddie Chandler hits the ring, puts a halt to Poison's charge with a thumb to the eye, and then the double-teams start. The rainbow-haired Omega member gets stretched by both members of the Greatness, makes a diving tag to Giedroyc, and the house-of-fire come-back is quickly halted when Jack runs into Prince.

Palm strike! German Suplex! KATAHAJIME! With the submission locked in, Geidroyc's got no choice but to tap.

<div style="text-align:center;"> The Greatness defeated Team Omega in 5:44 by submission.

Rating: D+

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/HGCB.jpg

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/KitHatoyama.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/DarkAngel.jpg

</div>

Kit Hatoyama leads Dark Angel down to the ring, collecting a microphone along the way.

"We wish to speak to Lucha-san," Hatoyama says, "on matters regarding the title match at Where Angel's Fear to Tread. We would ask him to come down here, so we can discuss it."

<div style="text-align:center;">http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/MrLucha1977.jpg

</div>

There's a short delay as Mr Lucha walks down to the ring, International Title belt around his waist. He rolls under the bottom rope, regards Dark Angel with a measure of respect.

"Angel-San wishes you to know that he comes here tonight from a place of respect," Hatoyama says. "He sees in you a kindred spirit, a noble warrior who dedicates himself to the craft of wrestling.

"When you meet at Where Angels Fear to Tread, he proposes a match that suits the first meeting between such warriors. A traditional lucha-libre match, fought to the best two out of three falls, so as to eliminate all doubt as to who is the greater warrior."

She hands the masked legend the microphone, and Lucha contemplates things for a few moments. "Esse," he says finally, "you have achieved many great things. You are the king of the cruiserweights. You are an honorable opponent. You are a great talent.

"It would be my pleasure to face you in the traditional manner."

<div style="text-align:center;"> Rating: D+

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/HGCB.jpg

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/Grunt.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/DickTheDevastator_zps3a209830.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/Stink.jpg

</div>

Dick the Devastator is backstage, alongside a very serious Grunt and Stink.

"Victory." Dick the Devastator's rasp turns the word into something cold and sharp, like a knife that's about to get plunged into your kidneys. "An outdated concept, really. So reliant on rules. So reliant on everyone's desire to obey.

"And yet, it has its uses. When the Flames and the Filth met, it's the Filth who left the arena on their own two feet. It's the Filth who stood tall, sneering at the sheep in the arena around them. It's the Filth who are acknowledged as dangerous, volatile men that few would like to meet in the ring.

"But they are not victors, in the eyes of this company, and so they are held down.

The Devastator shakes his head, feigning disappointment. "So very short-sighted," he says. "So very foolish." He pauses and looks at the camera with a shark-like grin. "So very motivating."

His slow, evil laughter ends the promo as the Filth glare at the camera.

<div style="text-align:center;"> Rating: D

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/HGCB.jpg

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/MaskedRebel.jpg vs. http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/LeeWright.jpgw/http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/SuzueKatayama.jpg

</div>

<div style="text-align:center;">Masked Rebel vs. Lee Wright w/Suzue Katayama

</div>

Lee Wright's been sent into this match to teach Rebel a lesson in respect, but it seems the masked man has his own ideas about what needs to happen. He locks up with Wright, quickly proving to be the stronger man, and he's quick to use the knuckle-lock as a set-up for a knee to the stomach.

Wright doesn't appreciate the masked man going for the first cheap shot and retaliates with a series of stiff chops to the chest. Rebel responds with punches to the face, an Irish Whip to the ropes, and a high elevation backdrop. Wright lands hard, back arching in pain, and Rebel makes the cover.

One...two...Wright locks his legs around Rebel's waist and uses the leverage to twist free, trapping an arm as he goes. The next few minutes revolve around him using a series of joint locks, wearing down his opponent, and several times Rebel is forced to endure unimaginable pain as he reaches for the ropes.

Rebel rolls through on a hold, launches a desperate kick to Wright's head that glances off the chin. It buys him time to get back to a vertical base. He goes to the ropes, comes charging in with series of shoulder blocks. Wright goes down. Rebel hits the ropes again...Jumping Knee Drop! He locks in the Figure Four...

<div style="text-align:center;">http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/RaymondDiaz.jpg

</div>

Raymond Diaz hits ringside, reaches through the ropes and hauls Rebel off Wright to break the submission. The big man climbs into the ring, smashes home three big roundhouse kicks, and Eugene Williams has no choice but to call for the DQ.

<div style="text-align:center;"> Masked Rebel II defeated Lee Wright in 15:29 when Lee Wright was disqualified.

Rating: C

</div>

<div style="text-align:center;">http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/HGCB.jpg

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/RaymondDiaz.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/LeeWright.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/MaskedRebel.jpg

</div>

Raymond Diaz fires off a forth kick, knocking Rebel to the ground, and Lee Wright quickly applies a key-lock that savages Rebel's right arm and shoulder.

<div style="text-align:center;">http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/SamStrong.jpg

</div>

Sam Strong strolls down to the ring, taking his time getting there, and claims a microphone before rolling under the bottom rope.

"You know what your mistake was, brother?" Strong lounges against the ropes, grinning as Raymond Diaz smashes a kick into Rebel's shoulder. "It wasn't sticking your nose in my business. That happens when you're the Living Legend. Everyone wants a piece of you.

"It wasn't calling me out in the centre of the ring, sticking your nose in where it wasn't wanted, firing up guys like the Blazing Flames and making 'em think they stood a chance against the combined power of the Strong Style Army. Don't get me wrong, brother, that pissed me off, but it wasn't enough to make me target you.

"No, brother, your mistake was hitting me with a ****ING CHAIR. You don't do that to the living legend. You don't even dare think it.

"That's t he kind of thing that has repercussions, brother, and those repercussions are going to get you hurt."

<div style="text-align:center;"> Rating: B-

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/HGCB.jpg

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/ActionJackson.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/Dread.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/EmmaChase.jpg

</div>

"This is Action Jackson backstage, getting you the scoops, and with me at this time is the Human Juggernaut, Dread.

"Dread--"

The Juggernaut cuts Jackson off with a glare.

"No," he says. "No questions. Give me the microphone."

Action Jackson complies, obviously scared out of his wits.

"Liberty, you keep getting in my way," Dread says, "and I'm about done being nice about that. I want a World Title Shot, and it seems beating you is the price I've got to pay to get it. I've talked to Frankie Future, he's made his position clear. I pin your shoulders to the mat, I get the next shot at the World Heavyweight championship.

"You've had a good year, Liberty. You've proven yourself, time and again. You've reached heights no-one really expected you to reach.

"At Where Angels Fear to Tread....I bring you back down to earth."

<div style="text-align:center;"> Rating: B-

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/HGCB.jpg

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/EdMonton.jpg w/http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/SteveFlash_alt.jpg vs. http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/ElijahBlack.jpg w/http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/MurderousMikey.jpg

</div>

<div style="text-align:center;">Ed Monton w/Steve Flash vs. Elijah Black w/Big Mike Murder

</div>

This is all about two big light heavyweight brawlers engaged in a smash-mouth fight to break their respective losing streaks. There's little doubt that Monton's the better man here: slightly bigger, slightly stronger, his style benefiting from years of military discipline and boxing trining. He spends the opening minutes battering Black with strikes and forearm shivs, eventually moving on to suplexes and slams.

Black responds by fighting dirty. He low-blow's Monton, distracts the referee so Big Mike Murder can choke the Canadian brawler against the top rope, and slaps Monton hard across the face to add insult to injury. Monton fires back with a fury, showing off his skills as a striker.

Big Mike gets up on the ring apron, looking to make the save, then finds his feet swept out from under him by Steve Flash. It's all Monton after that: forearm to the lower back! Atomic Drop! Crouching low, arms spread wide, waiting to strike as Elijah Black dances about in pain.

Black gathers his wits, turns--

FALLAWAY SLAM!

That's all she wrote.

<div style="text-align:center;"> Ed Monton defeated Elijah Black in 10:17 by pinfall.

Rating: D-

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/HGCB.jpg

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/FrankieFuture.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/BryanVessey.jpg

</div>

Frankie Future is in his office, hands resting on his desk as he matches stares with the grim, intense Bryan Vessey.

"Well," Future says, "I've got three contracts in front of me. One for each members of the Untouchables. They all claim their ready to face you at Where Angels Fear to Tread, regardless of who you pick, and given your little epiphany last week, I'm almost inclined to keep the other two away from ringside. All you've got to do is agree to leave that baseball bat backstage, when you walk out there to wrestle."

Vessey stares at Future for several long seconds. Finally, he reaches down and grabs his weapon, leaving it on the Commissioner's desk.

"Give me Oxford," he says. "He'll do for a start."

Vessey stands, eyes still fixed on the commissioner.

"Take care of that bat. I'll be coming back for it, the moment the match is done."

<div style="text-align:center;"> Rating: B-

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/HGCB.jpg

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/MontyWalker_alt.jpg

</div>

Monty Walker heads down to the centre of the ring, soaking in the roar of the crowd. The confident youngster grins, calling for a microphone.

"Liberty," he says. "Tyson Baine. The Human Juggernaut, Dread. Three men I had to go through in order to get my title shot last week, and I doubt you'll find three men who are harder to beat in the business today.

"Unless we're talking about the Champion, Rip Goddamn Chord.

"Now Chord, he doesn't hit hard like Tyson Baine does. He doesn't wrestle on guts and speed, like the American Outlaw, Liberty. He doesn't go out there and wear you down like Dread, trying to break you piece by piece.

"Chord wrestles like the man he is - experienced. Vicious. Dangerous.

"And he's backed up by three men who'll save his ass when he runs into someone just as dangerous."

<div style="text-align:center;">http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/RipChord.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/CharlieThatcher.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/RickSanders.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/TheIdahoPunisher.jpg

</div>

The accusation draws a response - Rip Chord emerges at the top of the ramp, the Entourage at his back, and the World Heavyweight Championship on display around his waist.

"It seems to me," Chord says, "that you're trying to imply something about the way I run my business."

"Really?" Walker adopts a faux-shocked expression. "It seems to me, Champ, that you wouldn't be wearing that belt around your waist if it wasn't for the men who stand behind you. I took you to the limits at Hollyweird last month. I would have had you beat, if it wasn't for Charlie Thatcher pulling you out of the way.

"But lets not talk about ancient history. Lets talk about last week. I beat three other men to earn my rematch at Where Angels Fear to Tread. I stand tall in the centre of the ring. Whose there? Charlie Thatcher. Rick Sanders. The big, bad Punisher.

"Now I'm not afraid of getting my ass kicked. It's happened a time or two since I started working here. Figure it'll keep happening the longer I stay.

"But if your boys are going to poke their nose in our business, Rip, I'm going to start poking back."

Chord smirks. "You think my entourage is afraid of you, brother? I hand-picked these men. Brought them into this company as a gift to the future. They are the men I leave behind to cement my legacy - the next generation who will stand up here and call themselves the Great One."

Walker grins, pacing back and forth across the ring. "If that's true, Champ, I've got a little proposal for you. Next week, you send your Entourage out into the ring. I'll go find myself some partners who are willing to watch my back. You can get them to kick my ass all legal-like, just four days ahead of our title match.

"But if I win that match, Rip. Me and whatever partners I find, I want Thatcher, Punisher, and Sanders banned from ringside in our title match. I want to see if you've got what it takes to beat me when you stand out here and fight on your own."

Chord's smirk gets a little wider. "Walker...you've got yourself a match."

<div style="text-align:center;"> Rating: B

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http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/AlexBraun.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/FumihiroOta.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/EdMonton.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/SteveFlash_alt.jpg

</div>

<div style="text-align:left;"> We cut to a table set-up in the backstage area, where four men sit playing poker and drinking beers. Ed Monton pushes a large pile of chips into the centre of the table, his expression bland, and Alex Braun immediately nudges Fumihiro Ota sitting next to him. "Look at him," Braun says. "The man get's his first win on TV, and all of a sudden he's willing to throw a little money around."

</div>

Steve Flash snorts. "You're just bitter he won your spot in the match against Black."

"I had all the aces. It seemed a safe bet" Braun shakes his head in disbelief.

<div style="text-align:center;">http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/RomeoHeartthrob.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/ElmerKelly_zpsd5de55c7.jpg

</div>

The game grinds to a halt when Romeo Heartthrob walks into shot, guiding a giant youngster who easily tops five hundred pounds. "So this is...well, this is where the losers gather," Heartthrob says. "I show you simply so you know which places to avoid."

He pauses and looks at the four men around the table. "Well, the places, and the people. Now, if you'll follow me through to this corridor, we'll head on down to the ladies locker room...."

<div style="text-align:center;"> Rating: D-

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/HGCB.jpg

Number One Contenders Match

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/RickyDaleJohnson.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/Vengeance.jpg vs. http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/DemonSpite.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/DemonAnger.jpg w/http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/KarenKiller_alt.jpg

</div>

<div style="text-align:center;">Hard Justice vs. The Demons of Rage w/Karen Killer

</div>

Four big men. Two competent tag-teams. One big grudge between them, along with a title shot for the victors. It results in a long, hard-hitting brawl that sees the Demons isolate and beat the hell out of Cowboy Ricky Dale, until he finally breaks free and gets the hot tag. Vengeance tears through the Demons like...well, an Avenging Angel.

Spite gets lucky when he makes a desperate grab for the masked man, then drops him face-first into the turnbuckle. Anger comes in to help beat Vengeance down. Ricky Dale comes in to make the save. Sam Sparrow loses control as the two sides start trading punches. Spite is the first guy to hit a lariat. Everyone else seems to like that idea, but it's Ricky Dale's that gets the big pop, taking Spite over the top rope.

Vengeance and Anger stare each other down, then go to war. Ricky Dale and Spite brawl, throwing each other into barricades. It lasts right up until Karen Killer jumps on Ricky Dale's back, distracting him, clawing at his eyes.

Spite's back in the ring. Two Demos quickly prove more adept than one. Vengeance grabs them both by the throat, but they break the hold. The Double Demon Down follows, and the Avenging Angel is out.

<div style="text-align:center;"> The Demons Of Rage defeated Hard Justice in 15:02 by pinfall.

Rating: B

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/HGCB.jpg

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/ThomasMorgan.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/BryanHolmes.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/DuaneStone_zpsf0156b44.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/VictoriaStone_zpsa00b04eb.jpg

</div>

The Ontario Kings and the Stone Siblings are watching the replay of final moments of the tag-team bout, Thomas Morgan wincing a little as the Demons plant Vengeance into the mat.

"They're good," Duane Stone says. "Nothing pretty, but they know their business, and they're going to hit like a truck."

"We've taken big hits before," Morgan says.

"Not like that," Victoria says. "It's going to be a fight."

<div style="text-align:center;">http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/GraceHarper.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/EricTyler.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/BooSmithson.jpg

</div>

"More than a fight" Grace Harper slinks into shot, Eric Tyler and Jack Dundee at her side. "I think it's going to be a massacre. Pity, really. Craig and Eddie were truly hoping you'd be the ones they beat in order to claim the titles."

The Stone-trained group and the Elite square off for a moment, each side glaring at the other.

"Shouldn't you be preparing for a match tonight, Eric?" Duane asks. "I could have sworn I heard something about a three-way fray tonight."

Eric Tyler's expression is thoroughly smug. "Frankie Future thought it best to delay the match," he said. "It seems one of the participants was somewhat...indisposed."

<div style="text-align:center;">http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/BrentHill.jpg

</div>

Tyler starts to laugh, and the camera pans to the corridor where the Global Elite have come, revealing Brent Hill laying in a bloody heap.

<div style="text-align:center;"> Rating: D

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/HGCB.jpg

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/CoachDickPangrazzio.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/ChrisStorm.jpg

</div>

Chris Storm is racing up the stairs in the bleachers of an empty baseball stadium, urged on by the shouts of Coach Pangrazzio whose bellowing voice never lets up. The camera gradually pulls back from the scene, right back to the executive box on the far side of the stadium where Richie Pangrazzio Jr is watching the All-Star's workout.

<div style="text-align:center;">http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/RichiePangrazzioJr_zps4c054f98.jpg

</div>

"I knew they'd be here," Richie says. "When my father finds a drill that works, he sticks with it until he finds something better.

"That's what the old man forgets. I know his techniques. I've done these drills. Everything he's teaching that kid down there, he taught me. I've run these steps a thousand times. Ran them for my father. Ran them for any number of baseball coaches when I tried to go pro once my wrestling career was done.

"I look at Storm, and he's everything I used to be. Young. Fast. Eager to learn. Willing to follow orders when the Coach gives him.

"And just like me, he's going to learn that following the Coach's orders will only get you pain and misery."

<div style="text-align:center;"> Rating: C+

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/HGCB.jpg

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/Liberty_alt8jt_zpsb5b72773.jpg vs. http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/EthanKane.jpg

Liberty vs. Ethan Kane

</div>

Liberty kicks things into high gear, using the ropes to build momentum as he strikes and evades, strikes and evades. Kane takes a battering, but eventually he catches the American Outlaw off-guard and plants him with a brutal big boot. Kane wastes no time in unleashing right hands against his opponent on the mat, eventually getting hauled off by the referee when he applies a blatant choke.

It's a slower, more cautious Liberty who gets back to his feet and that gives Kane the advantage. He strikes. He headbutts. He herds his opponent into the corner and mauls Liberty with a throat thrust followed by a charging dropkick. It isn't until his rage gets the better of him and he applies another choke that the momentum shifts, the ref break giving Liberty the space he needs to rally.

The American Outlaw's come-back is a familiar sight to HGC's audience: Running Dropkick! Running Dropkick! Scoop Slam! He points to the crowd, flashing them a V for Victory sign. Lines things up...Wait for it...Liberation--

NO! Kane grabs Liberty's throat in a vice-like grip, smashes the American Outlaw above the eye with the knuckles of his free hand. Eugene Williams breaks things up for the third time, warns Kane off, then goes to check on Liberty.

<div style="text-align:center;">http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/TommyCornell.jpg

</div>

And that's when Tommy Cornell hits the ring. He spins Kane around, unleashes a series of double-bladed chops, follows it with a face crusher before rolling out of the ring. Kane is staggering around, half-dazed, as the referee agrees Liberty is good to go.

LIBERATION SLAM!

<div style="text-align:center;"> Liberty defeated Ethan Kane in 15:05 by pinfall.

Rating: B

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/HGCB.jpg

Overall: B</div>

arwink · April 16, 2014

<div style="text-align:center;">http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/TommyCornell.jpg</div>

"Nero used to tell us we had two choices," Cornell says. "You're either carrying the ball, or your getting left behind. There was no third alternative.

"I'd been left behind in Hollyweird. I didn't like it much. I was young. I was hungry. I wanted to be the best in the world. The thing with me and the six-man wasn't meant to be an angle, but I went and I goddamn lobbied.

"I made sure they knew I wanted to be working.

"Nero went for it 'cause I convinced him I could get Kane over. Hubris, on my part, but I knew I needed something that'd get Nero's attention and hubris is what I had. There I was, nineteen years old, telling one of the legends in our business that I could get over a guy with fifteen years experience at the time.

"Another time, another place, I would have paid the price for that. There's a lot of veterans in this industry, lots of guys who argue you gotta put in your time. All that stuff Eric Tyler talks about when he launches into the School of Tradition.

"Instead, Nero sat me down and let me pitch ideas. Kept listening until it wasn't so much me pitching as the two of us going back-and-forth about some detail or other.

"Maybe if I'd thrown out another name, none of it would have happened, but they'd had Randall treading water for a year after bringing him in to feud with two of the company's rising stars in Baine and Vengeance.

"And if there's one thing Nero hates, its a guy whose treading water. The Mad Professor likes to see all his wrestlers working."

<div style="text-align:center;">http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/THE_zps3a12ecd2.jpg

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/RandallHopkirk.jpg</div>

"Me? I had my doubts." Randal Hopkirk reaches for a beer, popping it open with a satisfied grin. "Not that Tommy wasn't talented - any idiot could see that. I had fifteen years in the business in '98. Got my start when Tommy Cornell was just four freakin' years old, and he was still better than me by the time he got hired. Kid was so talented he was basically a freak of nature.

"Nah, I was just worried about the character. I mean, me and Ethan Kane? We weren't much alike. Lot of people seem to think I did okay with the gimmick and all, but really, I'm more about the beer and babes than chaos theory.

"Part of the way I got through it was cribbing little bits and pieces from people who knew how to play those kinds of characters better than I did.

"And one of those guys I was cribbing from...well, he worked for DAVE, and he was kinda responsible for the Eisen's letting Cornell go in the first place.

"I figured, once I was feuding with Cornell, it'd mean someone had noticed where I was stealing m bits from."

arwink · April 17, 2014

<div style="text-align:center;">The TCW Wrestling Archive Presents

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/HTV.jpg

- Episode 68 Preview -</div>

This week, Hollyweird TV hits the shores of Puerto Rico and comes at you with a full night of action-packed wrestling. Our opening bout pits two young wrestlers with a great deal to prove against each other, with Canadian submission specialist Duane Stonegearing up for a battle against Troy Tornado of Barstow Enterprises.

Ed Monton broke his losing streak in last-weeks show, but the man he faced isn't taking defeat lightly. Elijah Black will be teaming with his partner, Big Mike Murder, to pit Black Murder against Monton and "Remarkable" Steve Flash in tag-team competition.

It's tag-team legend versus living legend when Joey Flame issues a single challenge to Sam Strong, citing the lack of respect shown by Strong and his cohorts in recent weeks. Strong is the obvious favourite in this one, but the Flame Brothers have a strong following in Puerto Rico and there's no doubt who the crowd will be behind.

The Greatness continue their march through the tag-team ranks, taking on the masked wrestlers of La Revolution X. Can the Katahajime stand up to the often-talked-about, rarely seen Wave Motion Tsunami of LRX?

Mike Barstow returns to active competition to face a new generation of opponents, kicking his run off with a bout against Mexico's El Bandido. Barstow claims to be ready for anything the masked man throws at him - have the months spent sitting on the sidelines taken their toll on the veteran?

Finally, in our main event, a six-man war that should not be missed. Monty Walker has recruited the Hard Justice duo of Ricky Dale and Vengeance to team with him, squaring off against the three wrestlers who make up Rip Chord's entourage - Charlie Thatcher and The Dallas Wrecking Crew. A victory here means Walker gets to wrestle Chord with the entourage banned from Ringside Sunday, but you can bit Chord's protégés will be looking to slow the challenger down every chance they get.

<div style="text-align:center;">Matches Featured on this Streaming Video include:

Monty Walker & Hard Justice vs. Charlie Thatcher & The Dallas Wrecking Crew

El Bandido vs. Cheatin' Mike Barstow

La Revolution X vs. The Greatness

Joey Flame vs. Sam Strong

Monton & Flash vs. Black Murder

Duane Stone vs. Troy Tornado</div>

Hashasheen · April 17, 2014

Monty Walker & Hard Justice vs. Charlie Thatcher & The Dallas Wrecking Crew

El Bandido vs. Cheatin' Mike Barstow

La Revolution X vs. The Greatness

Joey Flame vs. Sam Strong

Monton & Flash vs. Black Murder

Duane Stone vs. Troy Tornado

Midnightnick · April 17, 2014

Monty Walker & Hard Justice vs. Charlie Thatcher & The Dallas Wrecking Crew

El Bandido vs. Cheatin' Mike Barstow

La Revolution X vs. The Greatness

Joey Flame vs. Sam Strong

Monton & Flash vs. Black Murder

Duane Stone vs. Troy Tornado

Phantom Stranger · April 17, 2014

Monty Walker & Hard Justice vs. Charlie Thatcher & The Dallas Wrecking Crew

El Bandido vs. Cheatin' Mike Barstow

La Revolution X vs. The Greatness

Joey Flame vs. Sam Strong

Monton & Flash vs. Black Murder

Duane Stone vs. Troy Tornado

smwilliams · April 17, 2014

Monty Walker & Hard Justice vs. Charlie Thatcher & The Dallas Wrecking Crew

El Bandido vs. Cheatin' Mike Barstow

La Revolution X vs. The Greatness

Joey Flame vs. Sam Strong

Monton & Flash vs. Black Murder

Duane Stone vs. Troy Tornado

Hitman74 · April 17, 2014

Monty Walker & Hard Justice vs. Charlie Thatcher & The Dallas Wrecking Crew

El Bandido vs. Cheatin' Mike Barstow

La Revolution X vs. The Greatness

Joey Flame vs. Sam Strong

Monton & Flash vs. Black Murder

Duane Stone vs. Troy Tornado

Beeker · April 18, 2014

Monty Walker & Hard Justice vs. Charlie Thatcher & The Dallas Wrecking Crew

- I want Monty to overcome the odds, but not have the deck THAT stacked against him. Plus it sets up a mini-feud with Hardly Justice and some of the Entourage.

El Bandido vs. Cheatin' Mike Barstow

- I like Bandido but I Frickin' love Barstow. Old school teaches the new lucha some new tricks.

La Revolution X vs. The Greatness

- I want to see this rarely spotted LRX manuever, but it won't be here.

Joey Flame vs. Sam Strong

- Oh Joey... such an adorable scamp!

Monton & Flash vs. Black Murder

- Bad day for the Canadians.

Duane Stone vs. Troy Tornado

- But not terrible as Stone survives the Tornado.

batsnumbereleven · April 28, 2014

Monty Walker & Hard Justice vs. Charlie Thatcher & The Dallas Wrecking Crew

Whether Walker's in with a shout of beating Chord for the belt is debatable, but with the amount of backup the champ has you need more than "suspension of disbelief" to think he'll beat those odds, so you have to think that it's at least an ostensible 1-on-1 opportunity, and that means Walker and his crew have to go over here. Besides Vengeance took the loss last week, and you don't want him looking like a complete jobber.

El Bandido vs. Cheatin' Mike Barstow

Bandido looks to be here to make Barstow look good and generate a little bit of momentum going into a match that actually matters, so Barstow picks up the W here, even if it's by interference.

La Revolution X vs. The Greatness

Chandler and Prince should take this comfortably - LA Rev are effectively jobbers at the moment.

Joey Flame vs. Sam Strong

One of these men is Sam Strong, and one is a tag specialist.

Monton & Flash vs. Black Murder

Tough to call, but Black Murder need some in-ring victories if they're going to be anything more than running interference for hire.

Duane Stone vs. Troy Tornado

In a world where the best man wins, Stone would be the easy pick here, but I'm betting on some sort of shenanigans and probably a double-DQ or Count Out ending of some sort involving Barstow Enterprises or Eric Tyler.

arwink · May 7, 2014

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="35712" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Sorry for the long delay, folks. I moved house, and kept getting hit with delays when it come to getting the internet hooked up again.</div></blockquote> <div style="text-align:center;">http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/HTV_Logo.jpg Tuesday, Week 4, April 1998 The Cattle Market (Puerto Rico) - 13,108 people http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/HGCB.jpg http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/RipChord.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/CharlieThatcher.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/RickSanders.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/TheIdahoPunisher.jpg</div> The show opens with Rip Chord down in the ring, his Entourage spread out behind him. "You know what I love?" Chord says. "I love a man whose willing to ruin his own chances at being a Champion. In five nights, I'll step into the squared circle and defend my World Heavyweight Championship against a kid named Monty Walker. "It won't be the first time we met, and I doubt it'll be the last. Walker's good. Real good. He's young. He's fast. He's got the instincts of a fighter. He's beaten Dread. He's taken me to the limits. He is..." Chord pauses and smirks. "Well, he's the future of this business, just as much as any wrestler I've picked to be part of my crew. "If he was smart, he'd be a threat. "Instead, he's thrown himself into the mouth of the lion. He looked at the three men who stand with me, men I've hand-picked to be the next generation of greatness, and decided he wanted to fight them all. "Far be it from me to get in the way when my challenger wants to throw away his own opportunity. If he wants to get into the ring with the three most dangerous men The Great One's ever seen, that's Monty Walker's choice. "But come Sunday night, at Where Angels Fear to Tread, he's going to learn the error of his ways. "Come Sunday night, he's facing me...The Great One. The New Golden Age of wrestling. Your World Heavyweight Champion...Rip Chord." <div style="text-align:center;">Rating: B+ http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/HGCB.jpg http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/DuaneStone_zpsf0156b44.jpg w/http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/VictoriaStone_zpsa00b04eb.jpg vs. http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/TroyTornado.jpg Duane Stone w/Victoria Stone vs. Troy Tornado </div> Tornado eschews his usual offence, looking to trade punches and power-moves with Stone. He succeeds in getting Stone into the corner, pounding away with strikes and kicks, but Stone cuts off a charging forearm with a low dropkick. He takes Tornado to the mat, working the arm with a series of holds. Tornado responds with a low blow, carefully hidden from the referee, then locks in a scissored armbar. He cranks the hold, firing off the occasional elbow to keep Stone under control-- Stone reverses! He twists free, blasts Tornado in the fast with a dropkick, then locks in the Alabaster Agony. Tornado struggles, looking for a way to get free, but no-one knows submissions like a Stone and there's nowhere to go. Tornado is forced to tap out. <div style="text-align:center;"> Duane Stone defeated Troy Tornado in 9:36 by submission. Rating: C+ http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/HGCB.jpg http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/DuaneStone_zpsf0156b44.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/VictoriaStone_zpsa00b04eb.jpg </div> Victoria Stone climbs into the ring, raising her brother's arm in victory. The two siblings pose there, enjoying the cheers of the crowd, right up until Eric Tyler, Grace Harper, and Jack Dundee make an appearance. <div style="text-align:center;">http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/EricTyler.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/BooSmithson.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/EddieChandler.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/CraigPrince_zpsb179a511.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/GraceHarper.jpg </div> The Global Elite trio make their way down to the ring, starting a three-on-two brawl with the Stones. The men trade punches and kicks, the women... ....well, Grace Harper has a rail-road spoke and she looks like she's trying to take out Victoria Stone's eye. <div style="text-align:center;">http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/BrentHill.jpg </div> Brent Hill comes tearing down the ramp, pulling Harper away from her victim, and Harper immediately swings wildly with the spike, forcing him back. <div style="text-align:center;">http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/FrankieFuture.jpg </div> Chaos follows, halted only by the steady of rhythm of Get On Up and the appearance of Commissioner Future. "Hold it, hold it, HOLD IT!" Future shouts. "All of you calm down, and that goes double for you, Grace Harper. I know what you're doing out here, honey, and right now, I'm the magic man that's out here to grant your wish. "At Where Angels fear to Tread, I'm making a six-person tag. Harper and the Backbreakers, representing the Global Elite, will be taking on Brent Hill and the two Stone Siblings. You ladies will get your chance to mix it up in the ring...and in return, Grace, you're going to set aside the tasters, spikes, and pepper spray. "Get yourselves ready to rumble, folks, and save it 'til there's a winner's purse at stake." <div style="text-align:center;"> Rating: D+ http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/HGCB.jpg http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/ActionJackson.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/ElijahBlack.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/MurderousMikey.jpg </div> "This is Action Jackson backstage, getting you the scoops, and right now I'm here with Elijah Black and Big Mike Murder. "Elijah, I gather you requested tonight's match, laying down a tag-team challenge against Ed Monton this week. I gotta ask...whose footing the bill for this one?" "Footing the bill?" Elijah looks affronted. "Ain't no-one footing the bill on this one, Action Jackson. Tonight, Black Murder is going to hit the two-man drive-by for reasons that are all kinds of personal. Ain't nobody doing business with a brother who can't handle his own, and tonight Ed Monton's going to learn exactly who he's dealing with: Elijah Black, the Original F--king Gangster. Big Mike Murder, three hundred pounds of muscle. "We ain't the best tag-team in this company, but you better bet yo' ass we're the most dangerous. "If Monton wants to get it on, well, lets get it on." <div style="text-align:center;">Rating: D+ http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/HGCB.jpg http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/SteveFlash_alt.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/EdMonton.jpg vs. http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/ElijahBlack.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/MurderousMikey.jpg </div> <div style="text-align:center;"> Flash & Monton vs. Black Murder </div> Black Murder jump Ed Monton before the bell, hauling him into the corner and stomping a mud hole into the Canadian. Monton is a tough guy. He guts out, comes back swinging, and eventually makes the tag. Steve Flash is on fire: a dropkick for Black! A flying leg-lariat to take down MikeMurder! He sets Black up for the wheelbarrow Suplex, but Big Mike cuts him off with a Yakuza Kick. Ed Monton hits the ring again, saving Flash from the Switchblade Lariat. All four men brawl in the centre of the ring. Flash catches Big Mike with clothesline that takes them both out of the ring. Monton hits three jabs on Black, thunders home a right a cross. Elijah Black is staggered-- FALLOWAY SLAM! Monton gets the pinfall on Black for the second week in a row. <div style="text-align:center;"> Flash & Monton defeated Black Murder in 9:39 by pinfall. Rating: D+ http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/HGCB.jpg http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/EdMonton.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/ElijahBlack.jpg </div> Monton gets his hand raised, but he's not upright for long. Elijah Black crawls to a seated position at the turnbuckles, calling for a microphone. "You...you might have won a match, G, but this here is a war." <div style="text-align:center;">http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/MurderousMikey.jpg </div> With that, Big Mike Murder comes flying tearing across the ring, laying Monton out with a savage Mafia kick. <div style="text-align:center;">http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/SteveFlash_alt.jpg </div> Steve Flash dives into the ring, looking to help his partner. He throws three right hands at Big Mike before the larger man takes control, fires Flash into the ropes, and hits a second Mafia Kick to put him down. "An' dat," Elijah Black says, "is how Black Murder be taking care o' business." He winces a little as he gets to his feet and follows Big Mike up the ramp. <div style="text-align:center;"> Rating: E+ http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/HGCB.jpg http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/Liberty_alt8jt_zpsb5b72773.jpg </div> We cut to footage of Liberty backstage, cutting a pre-recorded interview. "People have been telling me I've gotta be crazy, but the way I see it, this is the only way to be sure this ends. I need to put this behind me, to know that when I beat Dread, it's a victory that'll stick. A victory that belongs to me, not anybody else. "I don't want a count out. I don't want a disqualification. I want to pin Dread's shoulders to the mat and go on to challenge for the World Heavyweight Championship." <div style="text-align:center;">http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/Dread.jpg </div> The footage cuts to the Human Juggernaut, whose grinning like cat that just ate the canary. "No Holds Barred," he said. "My kind of fight. One man walks away the winner, and the loser has no excuses. "I'll give Liberty credit - I didn't think he had the guts for this one. "One of us will be walking out of Where Angels Fear to Tread knowing we're the better man. For once, I can't guarantee that man will be Dread..." <div style="text-align:center;"> Rating: B- http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/HGCB.jpg http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/JoeyFlame.jpgw/http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/TeddyFlame.jpg vs. http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/SamStrong.jpg w/http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/SuzueKatayama.jpg </div> <div style="text-align:center;"> Joey Flame w/Teddy Flame vs. Sam Strong w/Suzue Katayama </div> Both men are veterans. Both men have experience under their belt. Strong wants to brawl, but Joey Flame isn't willing to stay still. He darts around the ring, hits the Living Legend with dropkicks and corkscrew elbows. Finally Strong grabs Flame and throws him into the corner, unleashes a series of stiff Strong-Style chops that raise welts on the smaller man's chest. Joey reverses, goes for an arm drag. Strong blocks, hits the side slam. One...two...kick out! Strong frowns, hits the ropes, and comes in with a leg drop. Again, he makes the cover. One...two...kick out! Strong backs up, irritation writ on his features. He crouches...waits for Joey Flame to stand...STRONG ARM TACTIC! <div style="text-align:center;"> Sam Strong defeated Joey Flame in 15:21 by pinfall. Rating: B http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/HGCB.jpg http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/MaskedRebel.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/SamStrong.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/SuzueKatayama.jpg </div> Killing in the Name hits, interrupting Strong’s victory celebration. The Masked Rebel comes down to the ring, wearing torn jeans and a black shirt that shows off his impressive physique. He bumps fist with Joey Flame, helping the defeated tag-team competitor get back on his feet. <div style="text-align:center;">http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/RaymondDiaz.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/LeeWright.jpg </div> Then he turns to the Strong Style Army, a smile on his face. Sam Strong folds his massive arms over an equally massive chest. Rebel calls for a microphone, then points at Strong. “You, brother, you can relax. I’m not here for you tonight.” He turns his attention to Wright and Diaz, looking between the two men. "We're five days out of Where Angels Fear to Tread," Rebel says, "and I don't have a match. Now maybe that's cause no-one felt confident of me being medically ready, on account of the beating you two put on me last week. I still got bruises on my ribs, and my shoulder...well, it's does this thing where it clicks when I reach for my coffee in the morning. "You two put a hell of a hurting on me...but I'm still standing. I'll keep standing, no matter what you throw my way, 'cause I'd rather have my ribs broke and my army in a sling that back down from a putz like the man you follow or give in to a pair of thugs like the two of you." Strong calls for a microphone of his own, getting into Rebel's face. "Those are mighty big words," he says, "for a man who stands out here, outnumbered and outgunned." "I may be outnumbered, brother, but I'm never outgunned. In order to earn the right to wear this mask, I had to prove myself against hombres far worse than your little running buddies. I've had my ass kicked, and I've had it kicked good, and every time I've cone back and said, please sir, can I have some more, 'cause that's what--" "Shut up," Strong says. "No-one really cares." The response of the crowd suggests that Strong is wrong on that point. "This trip you're on, brother, its only going to lead you down a path of pain. You got in my face, and I made you pay for that. I was willing to let it go, let you walk away and lick your wounds, but you had to come out here and make something of it. You had to come and bark at the big dog, just so people know who you are. "Well, Rebel, if you really think there's nothing that'll make you back down, I'm going to give you an opportunity to prove it, brother. At Where Angels Fear to Tread, how 'bout you face my man, Lee Wright, and we see whether or not he can make you submit." Rebel looks to Lee Wright, who grins in anticipation. "You really think you can make me submit?" Wright nods, no doubt in his mind. "Well then." Masked Rebel II goes nose to nose with Wright. "You think you got what it takes to make me say I Quit?" Wright just stares, not needing to answer. He stares at his opponent, quietly confident. And the Masked Rebel swiftly head butts him. The move comes out of nowhere, stunning Wright as much as it hurts him, and the Rebel takes the opportunity to get out of the ring before the rest of the Strong Style army can respond. "Alright, Strong," Rebel shouts, retreating up the aisle. "I'll see your boy on Sunday, and one of us will say I QUIT. "I promise you...absolutely promise you...that man won't be me." <div style="text-align:center;"> Rating: B http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/HGCB.jpg http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/MrLucha1977.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/DarkAngel.jpg </div> "It's a match based on respect and a desire for the gold," Jason Azaria says, kicking off a black-and-white video that recaps the highlights of Mr Lucha and Dark Angel's matches in HGC. "The International Champion, Mister Lucha, offered up a one-on-one watch for the title to the man who won the King of the Cruiserweight's tournament, Dark Angel. "These two men represent some of the top cruiserweight talent in the world. They have nearly thirty years of wrestling experience between them, legacies that span Japan, Mexico, England, and the United States, and they've both become firm favourites of the Hollyweird fans since capturing our attention with their fast-paced, reckless style. "At Where Angels Fear to Tread, they'll meet in a one-on-one match-up for the very first time, fighting for the International Championship under traditional lucha-libre rules. That means the best two out of three falls wins it, and you can expect there to be plenty of high-flying action as they fight." <div style="text-align:center;">Rating: C+ http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/HGCB.jpg http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/SilverShark.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/HighVoltage_zps6ff49459.jpg vs. http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/EddieChandler.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/CraigPrince_zpsb179a511.jpg w/http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/GraceHarper.jpg </div> <div style="text-align:center;">La Revolution X vs. The Greatness w/Grace Harper </div> La Revolution X are fast, unpredictable, and in possession of a mysterious tag-team finisher known only as the Wave Motion Tsunami. This is enough for Jason Azaria to build them up, despite Professor Nero's doubts, as they duck and weave around The Greatness' offense. Silver Shark superkicks Eddie Chandler to put the masked men in with a chance, but Grace Harper is there to clip the leg when Shark hits the ropes for his next move, and from there the momentum shifts. Chandler tags out, Prince annihilates Shark with a series of big suplexes, and a desperate Shark tags in his partner. High Voltage flies in off the tag, looking for a crossbody. Craig Prince is ready for it, hitting the palm strike on the airborne an. Voltage lands hard, struggles back to his feet. German Suplex! KATAHAJIME! The tap-out is almost academic. <div style="text-align:center;"> The Greatness defeated La Revolution X in 6:12 by submission. Rating: D+ http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/HGCB.jpg http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/EddieChandler.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/CraigPrince_zpsb179a511.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/GraceHarper.jpg </div> Eddie Chandler calls for a microphone. "If you're wondering what Greatness looks like, feast your eyes on the two of us," he says. "Commissioner Future wants out here, proving something...but all we're proving is how blind and short-sighted he is. "We may be new at teaming together, but when you combine this much excellence it doesn't take much to make an effective unit. If you put a team in front of us, they will be choked out. We don't care of its La Revolution X. We don't care of it's the Ontario Kings. And we don't care if its the Demons of Rage, big and scary as they are. "We are The Greatness. We are the future. And we will be Tag-Team Champions of the world...it's only a matter of time." <div style="text-align:center;"> Rating: D http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/HGCB.jpg http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/ActionJackson.jpg </div> "Hey there, folks, this is Action Jackson backstage, getting you the scoops, and I'm here with--" <div style="text-align:center;">http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/DemonAnger.jpg </div> Demon Anger walks in, placing a heavy hand on Jackson's shoulder. The interviewer looks up at the grim, snarling figure and swallows. "Here with--" <div style="text-align:center;">http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/DemonSpite.jpg </div> This time he's cut off by Demon Spite, whose expression matches his partner. <div style="text-align:center;">http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/KarenKiller_alt.jpg </div> "You can say it," Karen Killer purrs, slinking into shot. "You're here with the Number One Contenders to the tag-team titles, the newly invigorated, newly focused, terribly dangerous Demons of Rage." She deftly lifts the microphone out of Jackson's fingers, favouring the camera with a sultry look. "It's time for the world to remember just how dangerous the Demons of Rage can be, to see what Anger and Spite can do when they find themselves unfettered. "This is the beginning of a new--" <div style="text-align:center;">http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/EthanKane.jpg </div> This time it's Killer's turn to be cut off, as Ethan Kane steps into shot from the other direction. The tall men stares at Killer, at Anger, at Spite. His expression never shifts from one of disdain. "Leave," he says. Anger and Spite exchange looks. Karen Killer bristles. "We don't take--" Kane fixes his stare upon her. "You get one chance, because of what we used to be. Leave, or pay the price." Anger grabs Killer by the arm and escorts her off-camera. Spite lingers just long enough to give Kane a nod of respect, then follows his partner. Ethan Kane turns to Action Jackson. "You," he says, "you're the one who gets the scoops?" "Well," Jackson says. "I...ah...well." "That will do," Kane says. "I have a scoop for you, and no wish to listen to your blather. "Last week, Tommy Cornell interfered in my business. This is his second trespass against me. He will not get a third. "In two weeks, we will meet in the ring again in a tag-team bout. Frankie Future has made the match, told me to find a partner. With my former allies shown to be...unsuitable to the task...I will turn my attention further afield. "The count-down to the destruction of Tommy Cornell begins now." <div style="text-align:center;"> Rating: B- http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/HGCB.jpg http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/CheatinMikeBarstow.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/TroyTornado.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/NathanColeman.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/StuartFerdinand.jpg </div> Cheatin' Mike Barstow leads all three members of Barstow Enterprises down to the ring, picking up a microphone along the way. "When I started in this business," he says, "I had myself a mantra: take home the winners purse, by any means necessary. Morality...morality's just a luxury that poor people permit themselves; it's cheaper than a BMW and less fun than a private swimming pool, and if you don't know what you're missing I suppose you can convince yourself it's almost as good. "Me? I got a taste for finer things. I'd rather bend rules and walk home with the money than stay poor and know I did things right. "These three men, they signed on with me 'cause they see the sense of what I'm saying. They want to go further, faster, and they want to get rich doing it. They're willing to make enemies, if that's what it takes, 'cause no-ones in this business to make friends." <div style="text-align:center;"> Rating: B- http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/HGCB.jpg http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/ElBandido.jpg vs. http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/CheatinMikeBarstow.jpg </div> <div style="text-align:center;"> El Bandido vs. Cheatin' Mike Barstow </div> Barstow returns to active competition with this match, looking to prove that he's still able to hold his own against younger competitors. Bandido takes the fight to the veteran; he's faster, stronger, capable of athletic feats and power moves that just aren't in Barstow's arsenal anymore. Barstow responds with a thumb to the eyes, then a repeated assault on the testicular region that's enough to leave most men in the audience wincing in sympathy. The rules aren't so much pushed to the limit as broken and stomped into the canvas, but Barstow is the best cheat in the world and he's an expert at picking his moments. At no point does the referee realise what's happening, not even when a kick to the groin sets up for Barstow's Pretzel Knot submission. <div style="text-align:center;"> Cheatin' Mike Barstow defeated El Bandido in 15:01 by submission. Rating: C- http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/HGCB.jpg http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/TysonBaine.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/NathanColeman.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/StuartFerdinand.jpg </div> Tyson Baine comes tearing down the ramp, crashing into Coleman and Ferdinand as they try to halt his charge. Coleman swings with the cowbell, but Baine catches it and uses the rope to pull Coleman into a stiff clothesline. Ferdinand eats a elbow to the face, putting him down. <div style="text-align:center;">http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/TroyTornado.jpg </div> Tornado does his best. He hits the ring apron, dives off it with a hastily improvised Starmaker, but Baine catches him and slams the young cruiserweight into the mat. <div style="text-align:center;">http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/CheatinMikeBarstow.jpg </div> But it's bought Mike Barstow time to get away. The veteran is out of the ring and halfway up the ramp by the time Baine is done with Tornado, a good enough lead to let him get away even after the Demon Seed sprints up the ramp to follow him. <div style="text-align:center;"> Rating: C- http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/HGCB.jpg http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/JasonAzaria.jpg </div> "At Where Angels Fear to Tread, we'll see Bryan Vessey stepping into the ring with one of the men who took out his brother," Azaria says. "Earlier this week, my broadcast colleague Professor Nero went out to the Untouchable training camp ask their thoughts about the upcoming bout." <div style="text-align:center;">http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/ProfessorNero.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/PaulSteadyfast.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/WandaFish.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/JoelBryant.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/RobertOxford.jpg </div> The Untouchables are working out in a gym in downtown Chicago, Paul Steadyfast and Robert Oxford running takedown drills in the ring, Joel Bryant offering suggestions as he watches them work. Wanda Fish stands by with Mycroft Nero. "Bryan Vessey, everyone knows what the Untouchables have done to you and your brother," she says. "They know everything that we've done to you, as well, in the name of getting this match. You're coming into this match to prove something, to make us pay the dues you think we owe you for injuring your brother. "You're coming to make Robert Oxford pay for the things he's done...and you've been lucky enough to have myself and Paul Steadyfast and Joel Bryant excluded from standing at ringside. "Everyone knows what Bryan Vessey wants from this match...what he intends to do once it starts." Professor Nero offers the camera an evil grin. "And yet it seems you have a different view?" "No," Fish says, "not really. I just know to ask the questions no-one else is asking. "I know to ask myself what Robert Oxford is planning on doing when he walks into that arena. What Robert Oxford is looking for when he stands there opposite Bryan Vessey. "And I know that the Untouchables have already taken one Vessey out, and he'd consider it a mark of honor to finish the job on the family. It's got nothing to do with grudges or paying dues. It's just going out and proving that we are the Untouchable talent in Hollyweird Grappling." <div style="text-align:center;"> Rating: C- http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/HGCB.jpg http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/MontyWalker_alt.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/RickyDaleJohnson.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/Vengeance.jpg vs. http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/CharlieThatcher.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/RickSanders.jpghttp://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/TheIdahoPunisher.jpg Monty Walker & Hard Justice vs. Charlie Thatcher & The Dallas Wrecking Crew </div> Walker is just days away from challenging Rip Chord for the World Heavyweight Title. He comes into this match looking for momentum, but every wrestler on the opposing team is looking for a way to wear Walker down and make things easier on Chord. The Wrecking Crew use their superior teamwork to isolate Walker and double-team him, occasionally tagging Thatcher in for some big, high-powered offense. Walker finally ducks under one of Thatcher's clothesline, makes a dive for his corner, and brings in Ricky Dale off the hot tag. The Cowboy is a house on fire, offering up lariats for everyone. He tags in Vengeance and together they go to town. Everyone gets hit. Everyone gets slammed. The Wrecking Crew meet Hard Justice head-to-head, their brawl eventually spilling out of the ring, leaving Thatcher and Walker in there alone. Walker snaps off the Last Waltz, catches Thatcher flush on the jaw. The big man goes down, and Walker comes off the top rope with a picture perfect elbow drop in order to pick up the three-count. <div style="text-align:center;"> Monty Walker and Hard Justice defeated Camp Chord (Charlie Thatcher, The Punisher and Rick Sanders) in 14:39 by pinfall. Rating: B http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x15/arwink/HGCB.jpg Overall: B-</div>

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HGC: The Rise and Fall of Hollyweird (Cverse '97)

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