Renaissance Championship Wrestling

[rockyoursox]

RCW CATEGORY 5

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2006

EARL POLERO BINGO HALL, BROOKYLN, NY

====================

As The Show Opens....

As the show opens, the crowd of 270 begins to boo heavily as Kurt Lauderdale’s music hits up. The brawler makes his way down to the ring, with an uncharacteristic grin stretching from ear to ear replacing his trademark malicious scowl. He slides into the ring and grabs a microphone, ready to enlighten the RCW crowd to his happiness.

Kurt: Normally, I wouldn’t come skipping out here like a drugged out Mary Poppins, but I just couldn’t wait any longer. Last month was a great moment for me, because at Victory Strikes Again, I was validated. Kid Fantastic thinks he’s able to just walk on in here and become a grappler. Well, Kid Sucktastic didn’t know what was in store for him. That’s why I gave him his little backstage initiation, and why I took him down with that chair. Sucktastic needs to learn that wrestling ain’t for college kids looking for some kicks. Leave the asskicking to a guy like me, and I’ll leave the fancy-schmancy Shakespeare stuff to him.

The crowd boos Lauderdale, but Kurt still has the smile (albeit a more intense smile) plastered on his face

Kurt: Of course you people boo – you can’t wrestle, and you can’t go to college either. That’s why you’re stuck behind that barrier in a shithole in Brooklyn!

Earl’s coalition in the corner goes nuts, but it only broadens the smile on Lauderdale’s face

Kurt: But the Sucktastic One didn’t get the message. He came back, and then he thought that having his nutso tag partner get a win over my tag partner made him a real wrestler. Being next to a winner don’t make you a winner, Kid! And last month, when Sucktastic lost to the TALK SHOW HOST in the middle of that ring – it proves my damn point! Kid don’t know what he’s getting into. He wants to be Dr. Brainiac with his college junk, and he wants to be Rambo too. Guess what, assmunch? Ya can’t do both, and last month was your stupid wake-up call!

The crowd’s boos are reaching a new peak, but Lauderdale ignores the boos, not quite done.

Kurt: So Suckboy, I hope you’re here tonight, and that you’re watchin’ right now. Cuz right now, I’m gonna take on that newsboy you couldn’t beat last month, and I’ll show you what a real fighter does. Take your notes, Suckboy – I’m sure you know how to do that, though.

RATING: 56

NOTES: Kurt Lauderdale gained overness from this segment.

====================

Kurt Lauderdale vs. Dave Tripps

Dave Tripps’ faux news music kicks in, signaling his entry. He can barely slide into the ring before Lauderdale pounces on him, giving new referee Frank Stool a handful in his very first RCW match. The bell rings, and Lauderdale dominates the early parts of the match, just hammering away at the helpless Tripps. Every time Tripps tries to use his speed to escape, Lauderdale seems to even the score with stiff clotheslines and kicks. Finally, Tripps manages to gain the upper hand after sending Lauderdale careening into the steel ringpost on a missed shoulder tackle. Tripps takes it to Lauderdale, who eats a double-armed DDT from Tripps, who covers: 1…………………2…………………and Lauderdale kicks out at the last second! Tripps walks over to Lauderdale, trying to pull him off the mat, but Lauderdale grabs Tripps by the leg and sends him careening into Frank Stool. As Stool stumbles back, Lauderdale swings upwards and connects with a low blow to Tripps, who doubles over in obvious pain. Lauderdale doesn’t waste any time, hooking Tripps into a small package as Stool runs over, quickly takes in the situation, and makes the count: 1………………….2……………………3! Kurt Lauderdale picks up the victory, but not without resorting to a low blow and quick rollup to get the win!

Lauderdale is still clearly annoyed at the end of the match, and he slides to the outside to grab a steel chair. He slides back into the ring and shoves a protesting Frank Stool out of the way. Lauderdale rears back to swing the chair, then connects with a brutally stiff chairshot to the downed Tripps. As the chair connects with Tripps’ exposed side, the crowd bursts into cheers. Lauderdale rears back for a second one, then recognizes the cheers and twirls around – straight into a dropkick off the top rope from Kid Fantastic! The force of the dropkick sends Kurt Lauderdale rolling out the other side of the ring, and he stays out there, content with the shot he got in. He starts to head to the back, still heeling it up to the crowd as the Kid checks in on Dave Tripps.

WINNER: Kurt Lauderdale

RATING: 57

CROWD: 46

MATCH: 69

====================

Nick Collyer vs. John Wellington

With the carnage in the ring cleared up, Nick Collyer and John Wellington make their way down to the ring for the second match of the evening. Collyer, still feeling the good vibes from his first career victory at Victory Strikes Again, starts off on fire, taking down Wellington and immediately heading to the top rope. He comes off with the Shooting Star Press, and connects……….with nothing but the canvas, as Wellington easily rolls out of the way in time. The botched move takes the wind out of Collyer’s sails, and Wellington rolls from there. He batters the young Collyer for a few minutes, then ends the match emphatically with an E. Coli Driver in the middle of the ring: 1……………..2……………..3! John Wellington has won, again in dominating fashion! As he gets up, he demands a microphone from Sound Guy at ringside, who obliges, giving Wellington another chance to hit the microphone.

WINNER: John Wellington

RATING: 63

CROWD: 47

MATCH: 79

====================

Wellington On The Stick!

Wellington: OK people, let’s look at this objectively. Chance Beckett, who is still the RCW World Champion, said that anyone who asked for a title shot and proved themselves worthy would be given a World Title shot would get it. Well, the facts speak for themselves. I’ve been in six singles matches in RCW, and my record is 6-0! No one in this craptastic federation can beat me, and that’s damn clear!

The crowd reacts harshly, booing the hell out of Wellington, who acknowledges it with a surprisingly serious nod.

Wellington: Yeah, I get it. I call this place shit, so I get booed. Fair enough. But seriously, look at the people I beat in those six matches, people who the RCW bookers thought would be competition for a highly-trained wrestler like myself. One by one, let’s look at them: Simon Sanders – hasn’t won a match, and he’s HAPPY about it! Dave Tripps – a wrestling reporter. George Sand – loverboy with a wet blanket girlfriend.

Sam Artino – a guy doing a lousy Bruno Sammartino impression. Twiggy – this guy couldn’t be a bigger loser if he tried!

The crowd is livid, but Wellington doesn't care.

Wellington: Now tell me, people – try and tell me that these are worthy competitors for John Wellington! I’ve beaten ‘the best’ RCW has to offer: a reporter, a retard, a bleeding heart, a loser, and an impersonator. And while it will absolutely pain me to be the champion of this bunch, it’s my ticket to the big leagues. When I become the RCW Champion, the people in Stamford, Connecticut, or the guys down in Orlando – they’ll take notice. They can’t ignore me much longer. I will do whatever, WHATEVER, it takes to stamp my ticket out of here. So Chance Beckett, now that your challengers have managed to eliminate themselves – a move so stupid only RCW wrestlers could pull it off, by the way – I want MY shot at your belt. Just bring it, Beckett!

RATING: 62

NOTES: John Wellington gained overness from this segment.

====================

Simon Sanders vs. Travis Finity

With Simon Sanders already down in the ring, new music kicks up, and Travis Finity makes his RCW debut, sprinting down to the ring. He wastes no time, immediately laying into Simon Sanders with everything he has. Sanders has no chance to match Finity’s blinding speed and athleticism, with Travis absolutely running circles around Simon. A moonsault dropkick into a standing shooting star press only gets two from RCW senior referee Mike Hunter (a new hire = a promotion for Mike), and Finity wastes no time. He frantically grabs Sanders to his feet, drags him into the corner, then climbs to the top turnbuckle. He grabs Sanders by the head, then jumps off and plants Sanders face-first into the canvas with a bulldog off the top rope! He covers, and Mike Hunter counts: 1……………..2…………….3! Travis Finity absolutely destroys Simon Sanders in his RCW debut! As Finity celebrates by running laps around the ring, his arms in the air, Joe Wheeler puts him over on commentary, wondering if anyone in RCW can stand up against the insane speed of Travis Finity.

WINNER: Travis Finity

RATING: 49

CROWD: 23

MATCH: 75

NOTES: Travis Finity debuted his new gimmick, it got a positive response.

====================

Adam Flash vs. Ian Gomes

Ian Gomes is out first, getting almost no reaction from the crowd upon his RCW debut. However, his opponent certainly gets a rousing ovation. The boos echo off the walls as Adam Flash makes his way down to ringside, looking for all the world like he’s getting cheered. He and Gomes go at it, with the match being surprisingly even early on. Gomes shows off some impressive skills, reversing a Flash powerbomb attempt into a hurrancanrana rollup, which only gets a two count from referee Mike Hunter. Gomes locks down a rear clutch on the downed Flash, but Flash manages to break the hold by reaching the ropes. However, Flash manages to take control when he reverses a Gomes suplex attempt into one of his own, then comes off the top with the Last Call legdrop. Mike Hunter makes the count: 1……………..2………………3! Ian Gomes doesn’t have quite the same luck that Travis Finity has, losing his debut match to Adam Flash. As Gomes rolls out of the ring, he looks devastated and heads quickly to the back as Flash takes a moment to celebrate in the middle of the ring.

WINNER: Adam Flash

RATING: 55

CROWD: 41

MATCH: 70.

====================

And Cut To Backstage...

We cut to the backstage area (yeah, we can do that now that we’re regional – that new video screen is looking SWEET), where we see George Sand and Francoise walking towards the ring entrance area. As they make their way out, they pass Ian Gomes, sitting on a steel chest looking distraught over his loss to Adam Flash just a moment ago. Francoise stops, and George stops a step later, looking a little confused. Francoise looks over at Gomes, who seems oblivious to the world right now, and whispers something into George’s ear. George listens intently, then nods his head once in agreement and walks over to Ian, who hasn’t noticed the couple’s presence.

George: Hey man…how you doing?

Ian looks up, a little surprised to see anyone, but relaxes when he sees George and Francoise’s concerned faces before replying in his very proper British voice.

Ian: Oh…I’m doing OK, I suppose. It was just a really hard loss, you know?

George: It’s OK, man. You can’t win ‘em all – besides, Adam Flash is one of the better guys here. You’re just getting started – there’s plenty of time to get better.

Ian: I suppose…I just didn’t think I would lose my first match, you know mate?

George: I know. But hang in there, OK? Not worth getting upset about one loss – besides, there are other things besides wrestling.

George looks over at Francoise, who gives him a big smile, and Ian’s face lightens a little bit, looking much more in control than a minute ago.

Ian: Yes, I suppose…thank you very much, George. I appreciate it.

George: No problem. I gotta go – due out in the ring now. But yeah, good luck man.

George and Francoise head off, smiling as they walk towards the ring. They leave behind Ian Gomes, who has a hopeful smile on his face as he watches the two walk away.

RATING: 47

NOTES: Ian Gomes gained overness from this segment.

====================

Trippin' With: George Sand and Francoise

Tripps: ….and AGAIN, as I was saying, MY GUESTS TONIGHT ARE THE REUNITED GEORGE SAND AND FRANCOISE! COME OUT, GODDAMMIT!

As Tripps continues to flip out as his guests have missed their cue three times, Sand’s music finally kicks in, and the happy couple comes walking down to the ring. Tripps, whose face has turned a particularly interesting shade of purple from the screaming, finally slumps back into his chair bathed in sweat. Sand hops up onto the apron and holds down the ropes for Francoise, who steps into the ring and takes a seat across from the drenched Dave Tripps. As George sits down next to Francoise, both of them notice his stressed appearance.

Francoise: Sorry we were late…are you OK, Mr. Tripps? You don’t look so good.

Tripps: I’m fine!

Seeing the look on Francoise’s face, Tripps backs down a little

Tripps: I’m sorry – yes, I’m doing just fine. Live TV, very stressful. Anyways, I'm glad to have Trippin’, the hottest show in the wrestling business today, underway with two of Trippin’s favorite guests, George Sand and Francoise! How about a round of applause from our studio audience for these two Trippin’ favorites!

The crowd obliges with a nice cheer for the two, which Francoise responds to with a big smile and wave to the crowd.

Tripps: Now George, Francoise, I’d like to get right to the big questions. George, last month at RCW Victory Strikes Again, you said that Francoise had given you an ultimatum – her or wrestling. And yet later that night, during the main event, Francoise made an appearance to lend you her support! What happened there?

George: Well…

Francoise: Honey, let me answer this one.

George: OK, hon, go ahead.

Francoise: Well Dave, despite what I told George, I couldn’t bear to just ignore his wrestling. On the days RCW had shows, I snuck down here to the bingo hall and watched from the crowd. It killed me to watch from so far away, but I didn’t want George to know I was here.

Francoise smiles at George and clasps his hand, getting a smile in return from George.

Francoise: But then George made his speech last month, and I realized I had put him in an unfair position. Asking him to give up something he loved so much for me – it wasn’t fair. And more importantly, it meant making George into somebody else, which is something I didn’t want. I fell in love with this George Sand, not the one who does whatever I tell him to do. And when I saw him in so much trouble last month, instead of telling him to quit, I told him to go and get it.

George: And even though I didn’t get the win, I still think I won last month at Victory Strikes Again. Chance Beckett may have walked out with the belt, but I walked out with the girl.

Tripps: A touching tale – I’m sure the people backstage were delighted to see this reconciled. So George, what does your future hold now that Francoise is back, but your title aspirations are gone?

George: Well, I’m not giving up on becoming RCW Champion. I can’t get a match for the RCW Title for another five months – which means that come May 2007, George Sand is going to be first in line for another shot at Chance Beckett, or whoever might hold the belt by then. Until then – well, I’m going to go out there, wrestle my match every show, and show the entire world why I’m the best thing in RCW right now.

Tripps:Well, I’m sure that….

RATING: 62

NOTES: Francoise gained overness from this segment. Dave Tripps gained overness from this segment.

====================

Adam Flash Interrupts!

As Dave Tripps tries to wrap up his show, an unmistakable voice comes booming over the speakers, drowning out Dave Tripps:

Flash: Hey, Sand, over here!

The head of the three RCW stars in the ring, as well as the 270 fans in attendance, all swivel to the entranceway, where Adam Flash is standing with a microphone.

Flash: Sand, you’re a disgrace, you know that? ‘I’m the real winner, I got my girl back, let’s go to the malt shop, blah blah blah!’ You’ve got to be kidding me with that crap! There’s only one thing you can be described as: A LOSER!

Sand glares indignantly down at Flash, but doesn’t say anything as Flash walks down towards the ring, still talking.

Flash: You got pinned in that match, Sand! You cost me my shot at the RCW World Title, and I never got my one on one shot with Beckett! It’s all YOUR goddamn fault! How many finishers did you eat in that match anyways, three? Four? You’re a goddamn joke, and I’m going to make you pay for costing me my shot at gold!

George: Hey Adam, I didn’t see you pinning either of us in that match! You cost yourself! Don’t try and blame anyone else!

Flash, by now only a step outside the ring, smiles at this comment, and shoots back:

Flash: Hey Sand, why don’t you shut up and let that little slut do your talking for you! Of course, that’s only the second-best thing she does with her mouth, if you know what I mean…

With that, George Sand has heard enough. He comes bolting out of his seat, ready to charge to the outside and brawl with Flash. Flash drops the microphone and puts up his fists, ready for a brawl. As Francoise and Dave Tripps look on, George takes a step forward before being PLOWED into from behind by a man dressed in all black! The crowd begins to boo as the man, clearly dressed in a ninja costume, starts kicking away at the downed Sand. Flash just laughs on the outside as Francoise, trying to drag the mysterious ninja off George, eats a backhand that sends her to the canvas. Dave Tripps, unsure of what to do to that point, tries to interfere, but a brutal Yakuza kick sends him lifeless to the mat. The ninja, having kicked Sand silly, grabs a sheathed sword off his back and starts swinging it into Sand’s bare back, leaving long red marks along the length of Sand’s back!

Flash hops up into the ring, with the microphone back in his hand, and whispers something to the ninja. The ninja responds by lifting Sand off the canvas and putting him in a front facelock, then lifting him off the mat before planting him with a brainbuster! The crowd boos as the ninja throws off his hood, revealing Katsushi Takemura underneath it! The crowd boos as Adam Flash and Takemura grab hands and raise them in the air in victory as George Sand and Francoise lie on the mat, both taken out by the new team as RCW Category 5 comes to an end!

RATING: 43

NOTES: Katsushi Takemura debuted his new gimmick (Ninja). Katsushi Takemura's turn was completed, and he is now a heel. Katsushi Takemura gained overness from this turn.

OVERALL: 53

[rockyoursox]

DECEMBER 11, 2006

HANK’S BAR AND GRILL

Hank was offering a special that night – anyone who didn’t puke got 10% off their tab for the night. With that kind of deal, who wouldn’t stick around? I had brought Sophie with me, hoping to talk some quick business about the company and where it was going while having a couple of beers. I was hoping for a night of relaxing, some light drinking, and a decent bedtime. Of course, it wouldn’t surprise me if it turned into a night that could be perfectly characterized by a bar tab paid in full, sans discount.

We had grabbed ourselves a back corner table, far away from the pathetic cast of regulars that set up shop at Hank’s bar. Sophie still looked around suspiciously, keeping her eye out for a new stalking target. Sophie had a bad habit of assuming that people paid more attention to her than they actually did, and the three repealed restraining orders spoke to it. The last guy had just been a door-to-door salesman who was canvassing the neighborhood. I can only imagine what Sophie thought when the guy kept offering to show her his extra-thick hose.

Sophie: That guy over there, he won’t stop leering at me. It’s disgusting.

I looked over at the guy she motioned towards. ‘Leering’ isn’t exactly the word I would use to describe it. I don’t think ‘coherent’ would be the word either – the guy looked like he was one stiff breeze away from falling out of his chair. I stole one last glance at his glazed-over eyes and the three empty glasses in front of him, then turned back to Sophie.

Me: That guy might as well be a coma victim, Sophie. I don’t think you got anything to worry about.

Sophie: You’ll walk me to my car, right?

Me: Yes, Sophie, like I said before, I’ll walk you to your car. That guy won’t crawl his way after you.

Sophie: He better not. I have to think about my Lucille at home, after all!

Warning bells went off in my head – cat mentions usually led to dissertations on Lucille’s favorite type of Fancy Feast, or Charlotte’s problem with the television below them being too loud. No chance I was going down that road.

Me: Of course….so Sophie, how’re we looking business-wise?

Sophie: Basically like we thought we would. All the changes we had to make to the company in order to make it look more professional….quite the oxymoron, I might add…added a lot of costs, and we can’t sign any new sponsors that take advantage of our increased reputation until January 1st. When we upgrade one of our sponsors then, we should be able to pull a profit each month, and we’ll add another new sponsor on February 1st. Until then, the budget’s going to be ugly.

Me: Yeah, I figured. Do I even want to know how much money we lost this month?

Sophie: Since you’re paying for my tab – no.

Me: Yeah.

Sophie: So…what are you doing for Christmas? You can have dinner with me and the girls if you don’t have anything else to do…

Me: That’s OK, Sophie, but thanks for the offer. I’m actually going to see Jack and Ellen for Christmas. We decided that neither of us deserved to miss Christmas with him, and I think we can behave ourselves for one day, for Jack’s sake.

Sophie: That’s good – Jack has really been a big help backstage, hasn’t he?

Me: Oh yeah, Jack’s been a godsend. It’s so much nicer to have someone backstage to talk to. The wrestlers and crew seem to like having him around, and he loves the job. Great way for him to make some money.

Sophie: Has he gotten all of his college applications written up yet, and his essays done, and all of those things?

Me: I’m not really sure. I want to ask him about that at Christmas – I know he was applying to Northwestern, though. I’d love it if he ended up there. It really treated me well.

Sophie: I’m sure it is – I don’t think all of those high-priced schools are worth it, though. It’s just more money for the same education. Nothing you learn there is all that special.

I gave a small grin at that. Sophie had done four years at a tiny Catholic school in New York City, and seemed to have a chip on her shoulder about the big priviledged institutions. Every time a broker at the office would mention their college days at Harvard, or Stanford, or Yale, Sophie went silent. A rarity for her, and probably the only time I’d ever want to have her in that passive-aggressive state. Whenever she got like that about education, all I could think of was Judge Smails’ great line from Caddyshack: “Well, the world needs ditchdiggers too.” Or, in this case, secretaries.

I snapped back into things, looking around the room. Silence settled over the table for a moment, letting Sophie’s anti-elitist message hover around. Of course, in perfect form, Sophie sprang into action.

Sophie: Why do you come here anyways? This is a total pigsty – look at that man over there!

I looked over at a guy who probably could have passed himself off as an escaped Neanderthal mannequin from the Natural History museum, then slowly looked back at Sophie, who had her makeup-drenched eyes slanted into an accusing, told-you-so expression.

Me: OK, fine. Let’s get out of here while I can still get that 10% discount.

Sophie: THANK YOU! I’m telling you, this bar is the only place with an uglier crowd than your wrestling shows.

Me: Of course, Sophie.

As Sophie got her things together, I headed up to the bar to pay the tab. Hank took the bills sullenly to go make change, giving me one last chance to soak in the atmosphere. I looked down the bar and began to turn back to Hank – but something caught my eye, and I twirled back to get a better look. Sure enough, down at the end of the bar was Kurt Lauderdale, doing his best ragdoll impression as he slouched over the bar. I stared at him, not really sure what to think as Kurt breathed heavily, looking completely worn out. I took a step towards him, but felt Sophie’s hand on my arm.

Sophie: Come on, let’s go. That creepy guy who stared at me all night went into the bathroom when I came out. He gave me the absolute worst look. We should go before he gets back.

I stared over at Kurt for just a moment, who hadn’t taken notice of me (or anything) in the thirty seconds or go I had been looking at him. With that, I turned back to Sophie and headed for the door.

============================

OFFICIAL~! PREVIEW FOR RCW WRECK THE HALLS

ADAM FLASH SPEAKS!

Last month, a still irate Adam Flash mixed words with George Sand. Flash, feeling that he was screwed out of his title shot by Sand’s incompetence, ran down the superstar before having Katsushi Takemura return through the crowd and take out Sand! Flash and Takemura will both be at Wreck The Halls – what will Flash have to say regarding his actions last month? And how might George Sand react?

CHANCE BECKETT RESPONDS!

Chance Beckett was challenged last month by John Wellington for a title match. Wellington, noting his undefeated record in singles competition, claimed he was ready for a title shot, and belittled the RCW Champion. Will Beckett name a new challenger to his belt?

THE KOHL BROTHERS DEBUT!

Renaissance Championship Wrestling is the home of some of the most talented singles wrestlers in the world today, but the Kohl Brothers look to make their mark in a different area. The Kohls are RCW’s first legitimate tag team, and they’ll be looking to make an impact in their first match!

AND MORE!

Travis Finity made an impressive debut last month – he’ll be in action again against RCW veteran Sam Artino! Kurt Lauderdale, Twiggy, and Ian Gomes are all scheduled to be in competition as well. Who will end 2006 on a high note? The only way to know is to come down on December 24th! While Santa is busy stuffing the stockings, prepare to watch the best wrestlers in the world wreck the halls!

EARL POLERO BINGO HALL, BROOKLYN, NY

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2006

RCW WRECK THE HALLS!

[rockyoursox]

RCW WRECK THE HALLS

DECEMBER 24, 2006

EARL POLERO BINGO HALL, BROOKLYN, NY

=====================

A New Face In RCW

As the crowd of 286 people, a new RCW record, get settled in their seats, Adam Flash’s music hits over the speakers. A few crowd members, knowing his music, begin to boo immediately, and the rest of the crowd joins in soon after. However, the booing turns to mumbled confusion when, instead of Adam Flash, a young woman dressed in a tank top and miniskirt comes walking through the entrance. The woman slinks her way down the aisle, emphasizing every step she takes, before walking up the ring steps and entering the ring, microphone in hand.

Woman: OK people, let’s get one thing straight: I’m not some goddamn piece of meat from Times Square for you to ogle over! I’m not that kind of girl, and if I catch anyone leering at me, I’ll feed you your own balls on a platter, you got it?

The crowd, fearing female empowerment, immediately starts booing heavily. God, I love wrestling sometimes.

Woman: My name is Tizziana, and I’m here in Renaissance Championship Wrestling for one reason only: to manage the greatest, most charismatic wrestler I’ve ever laid eyes upon. The one, the only, ADAM FLASH!

Flash’s music kicks up again, and this time Adam actually appears from underneath the entranceway, with the boos hitting their earlier level. Flash just smiles, looking down in the ring at Tizziana, who gives Flash a big smile back. Flash slides into the ring, wraps his arm around Tizziana’s waist as he takes the microphone from her hand, whispering something to her as he does so. She giggles a little as he raises the microphone, ready to speak.

Flash: She’s something else, isn’t she?

The crowd immediately boos, and the remnants of Tizziana’s smile are washed away by a tsunami-esque scowl. She grabs the microphone out of Flash’s hands, screaming into it (which has Sound Guy throwing his headphones to the ground in agony).

Tizziana: You shut your damn mouths and show me and Adam some respect!

The booing continues, but Flash manages to calm Tizziana down enough to shut her mouth and resume his speech.

Flash: Last month, George Sand thought I would take my defeat lying down. He was stupid enough to think that after losing out on my title shot in the most unjust fashion, I wouldn’t do everything within my power to make sure he would understand exactly what I had taken away from me. He might feel warm and fuzzy with his goddamn whore, and he might call himself a winner, but I call him a loser and a thief!

Tizziana: Damn right!

Flash: And god knows I could take down Sand by myself. Who HASN’T beaten Flash these days? However, I decided to make sure that George Sand got the message loud and clear. So I decided that maybe it’d be a good idea to have a little backup, just to help send the message. So I went to the man who destroyed everything in his path during his time in RCW, who had spent months rededicating himself to his training, to becoming the most feared warrior ever to step into the ring. Allow me to introduce you once again to the shadow in the night, the silent assassin: KATSUSHI TAKEMURA!

An Oriental tune begins to play, and the crowd gives Takemura a small round of heel heat as he comes walking out clad in his black ninja outfit. He pulls the sword, still in its sheath (the New York Sporting Commission had made us superglue it inside the case in order to get it approved), and waves it around in motions resembling swordplay. His eyes dart around, the only part of his face visible underneath the costume, as he quickly runs down the aisle and slides into the ring. He shows off his swordsmanship a little longer, then assumes a subdued position behind Flash, where he rolled his left fist into a ball, placed it into his right palm, and struck a meditating pose. As he meditated, Flash went into the material I had prepared for Takemura’s debut.

Flash: Katsushi is the most focused warrior to come out of Japan since Bruce Lee and Ghengis Khan! He has the fierceness of Hirohito, the patience of Buddha, and the precision of a Terminator! And now, combined with my glory and the managerial skill of the lovely Tizziana, Takemura will dominate the RCW ranks like never before.

Takemura looks at Flash and gives him a bow, which Flash and Tizziana return in exaggerated motions before turning back to the crowd.

Tizziana: This is the greatest collection of talent that Renaissance Championship Wrestlinhg has ever seen! So everyone else in the back who might want to try and mess with the new girl better know that I’ve got the best watching my back! And they’re the ONLY ones who get to watch my ‘back’, if you know what I mean!

Flash gives her a smile and goes to wrap his arm around her, but….

RATING: 59

Tizziana debuted her new gimmick (Bitch), it got a positive response. Tizziana gained overness from this segment.

=====================

A Challenge For Tonight

…George Sand’s music kicks in, much to the delight of the RCW fans tired of listening to Flash and Tizziana ramble. Sand, with Francoise at his side, comes marching out of the entrance tunnel and glares at the three people in the ring before talking.

Sand: Well Adam, I’ve got to hand it to you. I didn’t think you could find the ugliest girl in all of Jersey, but you somehow managed to pull it off.

Tizziana nearly throws a tantrum in the ring, screaming at the two men in the ring to go defend her honor RIGHT NOW. However, Flash manages to calm her down once again before angrily responding.

Flash: Real cute, hotshot – Don Rickles write that one for you? How about you come down to the ring and say it to her face! Or more importantly, to MY face!

Sand: Sorry – I can’t handle your breath again. But Adam, for once, I’m not out here for you. I’m here for Takemura.

Takemura rises to attention from his seated ‘meditating’ and stares out at Sand, who returns the stare.

Sand: Katsushi, I have no idea why you decided to join up with Adam Flash and Tanzania there…

Tizziana: IT’S TIZZIANA!

Sand: Whatever. But you did, and you kicked my ass last month. That’s the sort of thing I might be able to look past someday, that I could deal with if you tried to come clean. But you did more than that. You had to go and lay your hands on Francoise, you…you….scumbag! You do NOT touch Francoise! DO YOU UNDERSTAND?

Takemura remains completely silent and motionless in the ring, his body language not betraying any emotion as the charged-up Sand gets angrier.

Sand: And because you did that, you’ve left me no other choice. Takemura, tonight it’s going to be me versus you, one on one, in that ring. And I’m not going to stop fighting until you stop moving. Do you understand me, Katsushi?

Takemura gives the slightest of nods from the ring, prompting Tizziana to open that oh-so-heinous mouth once again.

Tizziana: Then it’s ON! The silent assassin Katsushi Takemura against George Sand, one on one, tonight!

Sand: And I’m sure I’ll see the two of you there too. That’s fine – I’ll get my revenge all at once. Enjoy these last few minutes, these last few sands in the hourglass, because after tonight, Flash, Takemura….your time is up.

RATING: 45

=====================

Kohl Brothers vs. Twiggy & Nick Collyer

The Kohl Brothers, Keith and Kent, make their way down to the ring wearing matching black and gold underwear-style tights with KOHL written on the back in gold lettering. They actually match Twiggy’s color style – he’s wearing an exact replica of Charlie Brown’s shirt from the Peanuts cartoon, which had already gotten odd looks from his tag partner, Nick Collyer. The Kohl Brothers clearly knew their tag-team wrestling, as they dominated the early part of the match against the inexperienced Twiggy and Collyer. Twiggy and Collyer have miscommunication early in the match, with Twiggy trying to hold Keith up for Nick, but Keith manages to dodge out of the way, leaving Twiggy to eat the running clothesline from Nick Collyer. Kent quickly disposes of Collyer to the outside, and the next couple of minutes are spent with the brothers working over Twiggy with double-team moves. They punctuate it with Kent grabbing Twiggy, putting him in the Canadian backbreaker, then having Keith come off the top with an elbow to Twiggy’s upper body, bending his body into an uncomfortable situation. Nick Collyer breaks up the pin attempt, but the Kohls quickly pick him apart as well. Keith and Kent finally put the final nail in the coffin when Kent, the bigger of the two brothers, lifts Collyer up for a powerbomb in the corner, facing away from the turnbuckle. Keith, the flyer in the family, dumps Twiggy off the apron with a clothesline, then scrambles to the top rope. He comes flying off, hitting the elevated Collyer with a top rope seated senton as Kent slams Collyer to the ground with a stiff powerbomb! Keith lands the move, which they call the Kohlio, in a sitting position perched atop Collyer’s chest, and referee Frank Stool makes the academic count: 1……………..2……………….3! The Kohl Brothers win their debut match in RCW as a tag team, and make an emphatic statement to the rest of the locker room in their first match.

WINNERS: The Kohl Brothers

RATING: 58

MATCH: 39

CROWD: 78

NOTES: Keith Kohl debuted his new gimmick, it got a positive response. Kent Kohl debuted his new gimmick, it got a positive response.

=====================

The Champ's Next Challengers

We cut backstage, where Chance Beckett is waiting with a microphone, a clipboard, and his omnipresent RCW World Title belt. The crowd gives Beckett a mixed reaction, with his cheers seemingly equaling his boos now. Beckett slides on a pair of reading glasses, formerly perched on top of the clipboard, then begins to speak:

Beckett: Hey, people, quiet down. It’s time for the adults to talk!

The cheers disappear, turning into a cascade of boos, but Beckett waits them out before starting up again while patting the RCW belt slung over his shoulder.

Beckett: OK, it’s time to talk about this bad boy here, the RCW World Title. John Wellington’s had a lot to say about me and my title, and he’s demanded a shot at it. But I’m not going to give it to him – at least not that easily.

The crowd begins to cheer Beckett again, sending a scowl across his face.

Beckett: I said shut up, you goddamn maggots!

The crowd reverses face once again and begins to boo, allowing Beckett to step back into his spiel.

Beckett: John Wellington has put up an impressive record in singles competition, yes. But John Wellington has been racking up his wins in the undercard. Meanwhile, I’ve been winning in the main event month in and month out. John, you might be a big fish in a small pond – I’m the great white shark up here, and you’re still down in the kiddie pool. And I’m the only one that can cut it up here – Adam Flash and George Sand managed to lose their chance at competing for my title. Not just everyone can compete with me, John.

Beckett paces slightly, bobbing the microphone as he begins to get into his rhythm.

Beckett: So John, if you’re worthy of a shot, who else is? Well, I decided to figure out who’s worthy of being in the main event – so I looked at everyone who’s main evented an RCW show before. There are six people there John, and you make seven. Seven’s a good number and all, but eight’s a nice even number for my purposes. So I thought about it for a while, then it came to me – I’M a main eventer, and I didn’t manage to get myself kicked out of title contention. So I’m number eight.

Beckett: Now, you might be wondering: We’ve got these eight men right here: John Wellington, Katsushi Takemura, Fred Laney, Twiggy, Sweatsuit Steve, Kurt Lauderdale, Kid Fantastic, and yours truly. Is it going to be an eight-man match for my title? No, no, I have a different plan. This is how it’ll work. Next month, at RCW Lights Out, we’ll have a pair of four corners matches. The winners will be in a title match with me later that night in the main event. And maybe then we’ll find out if any of you people, unlike Adam Flash and George Sand, are actually worthy of stepping into the ring with me. And if I win my match – well, I guess that just makes it easier for me and somebody else in the championship match.

The crowd gives another mixture of boos and cheers, with the cheers for the title announcement combating the boos for Beckett’s arrogance. Chance rips a piece of paper off the clipboard he’s been reading off of and slams it up against the camera as he walks off. The cameraman pulls it back and holds it up in front of the camera, zooming in on the text:

John Wellington

Katsushi Takemura

Sweatsuit Steve

Fred Laney

Kid Fantastic

Twiggy

Kurt Lauderdale

Chance Beckett

Match 1: John Wellington vs. Katsushi Takemura vs. Fred Laney vs. Twiggy

Match 2: Chance Beckett vs. Sweatsuit Steve vs. Kurt Lauderdale vs Kid Fantastic

RATING: 55

=====================

Ian Gomes vs. Kurt Lauderdale

Ian Gomes’ enthusiasm seems a little more tempered this week, with a bit of an edge to his smile as he slaps hands with the fans on the way to the ring. Despite his seeming newfound intensity, Kurt Lauderdale comes charging out of the gate, taking down the rookie with a series of hard strikes and simple moves. Gomes finally manages to escape, reversing a neckbreaker attempt by rolling through into a hammerlock, but Lauderdale quickly powers out. The next few minutes have Gomes escaping everything that Lauderdale manages to throw at him, with Lauderdale clearly getting angrier and angrier as the match progresses. Lauderdale throws himself at Gomes, but Gomes manages to dodge underneath it and rolls up Lauderdale from behind for the pin: 1…………….2…………..no, Lauderdale kicks out at JUST the last second! Gomes is frustrated, but gets back to work, trying to wear down Lauderdale with a side headlock. After sapping the big man’s strength, Gomes heads to the top rope – which turns out to be a fatal mistake. Gomes comes off the top with a flying cross body, but Lauderdale catches him against his chest. He pauses for a second, then lifts him up into a gorilla press before delivering the Career Killer, which has Ian Gomes completely laid out on the canvas. Lauderdale makes the cover, and Mike Hunter begins the count: 1…………….2……………..3! Kurt Lauderdale picks up the decisive win against Ian Gomes.

WINNER: Kurt Lauderdale

RATING: 61

MATCH: 81

CROWD: 41

=====================

Sam Artino vs. Travis Finity

Finity comes out on fire once again, eschewing any sort of dalliance in the ring to attack Sam Artino. Artino tries vainly to floor Finity, but all his punches and kicks meet with nothing but air, Travis always a step ahead. Finity keeps running circles around Artino, who quickly begins to show signs of fatigue after chasing Travis around the ring. Travis eventually takes the offensive, taking Artino down with a picture-perfect dropkick to the chest. Finity keeps chipping away at Artino, keeping him on the canvas with a series of dropkicks and clotheslines. With a winded Artino struggling to get up, Finity goes for the kill. He hits another dropkick, this time a moonsault variation, and follows it up with a standing shooting star press, sending Mike Hunter into position to count the fall: 1……......and Artino kicks out at 1! Finity looks annoyed, then grabs Artino and drags him into the corner before leaping off with his top rope bulldog, being called by Joe Wheeler as the Finiter (Finiter, finisher….get it? Meh, I didn’t like it either), sending Hunter back for the cover. 1…………….2………………3! Travis Finity picks up another impressive victory, leading to a quick celebration before he leaves the ring. However, Artino beats him out of the ring, walking to the back like nothing had happened to him. Party foul, Sam.

WINNER: Travis Finity

RATING: 47

MATCH: 31

CROWD: 64

NOTES: Sam Artino lost overness from this match. Travis Finity gained overness from this match. Sam Artino didn't really sell very much, which hurt the match rating.

=====================

Wellington Responds To Beckett

John Wellington makes his way down to the ring after the match, and the crowd response to him is not nearly as ambiguous as Chance Beckett’s response – the arena is draped in a chorus of boos as Wellington slides into the ring and grabs a microphone.

Wellington: Chance, I’m gonna make this real quick. I asked you for my title shot, and I didn’t get it. Instead, I need to jump through a bunch of hoops just to get a triple threat match against you. You didn’t listen to me Chance, and you’re going to pay when I get into that ring with you.

The crowd continues their booing, but Wellington ignores it as usual, instead speaking right through it.

Wellington: Beckett, you’re a coward. You’re afraid of me. You claim to give everyone title shots, but you use it as a smoke screen to avoid taking on the one man you know can beat you. You know I’m better than you, that belt, or anyone else here in RCW. I don’t want to add to my reputation as an ‘indy guy’ – I want to earn my reputation as a major leaguer. And winning that belt from you is my ticket out of here. So hide behind your ‘shots for everyone’ and ‘find the real main eventers’ schtick. I see through it, you chicken. And I’ll take that belt away from you regardless. I’m coming, Chance. Bring on Takemura, Laney, and Twiggy. They’re mine now.

RATING: 68

=====================

George Sand vs. Katsushi Takemura

Katsushi Takemura is out first, with Adam Flash and Tizziana flanking him on the way down to the ring. Takemura hops onto the turnbuckle and swings his sheathed sword around some more, getting booed by the crowd as he does it. George Sand’s music interrupts Katsushi’s swordplay, and the crowd gives Sand a massive round of applause as George, with Francoise standing at his side, poses by the entranceway. He comes walking down to the ring, and the Flash gang slides out of the ring as George slides in. After playing to the crowd a little longer, referee Frank Stool gives the wrestlers his instructions and rings the bell to get the match underway.

Sand and Takemura pace around each other, scouting each other for changes since their first matchup at the second-ever RCW show, No-Sell The Sabbath. Sand makes the first move, and lunges at Takemura, but Takemura reverses the move. The two men trade holds for a minute before coming to a stop and getting a round of applause from the crowd. A stiff kick to Sand’s side silences the crowd, and Takemura follows up with kick after kick, working over Sand. Takemura changes over to chops, and lays into George, but Sand manages to power back, exchanging chops with the black pajama-clad wrestler. SLAP! SLAP! SLAP! The crowd chimes in with a “WHOOOOOOO!” after every chop, proving that Pavlov has nothing on Ric Flair. Finally, Takemura regains his advantage with an eye gouge, followed by a facebuster onto his knee, which has George down and out on the mat.

Takemura goes to the mat and works on Sand’s head with a Buffalo sleeper, looking to weaken Sands head and neck for the eventual brainbuster. Sand struggles against it and manages to throw his bottom foot over the bottom rope, and Takemura is forced to break the hold by Frank Stool. As Takemura is admonished by Stool, Adam Flash runs over and begins to choke Sand from the outside. Francoise sees this and starts to scream as loudly as she can, getting Frank Stool’s attention. When he whirls over to check on Sand, Adam Flash has moved a few feet away and seems involved in a VERY heated discussion with Tizziana, most likely on US monetary policy. Takemura takes the advantage again, going for the brainbuster to end the match. But Sand blocks the move, wrapping his leg around Takemura’s to stay on the ground. As Takemura released the facelock, Sand swings out his elbow and connects with a loud ‘THWACK!’ to the jaw of the resident RCW ninja!

Sand moves on the offensive now, hitting Takemura with a scoop slam before dropping a series of elbows onto Takemura’s chest. Takemura isn’t moving on the mat as George, being cheered on by Francoise, climbs to the top rope and drops a top-rope elbow on him to add the point of emphasis on the elbows. Sand squats down behind the downed Takemura, waiting for him to get up and walk into the Sands of Time. However, as Takemura makes his way up, Adam Flash pops up behind George Sand with a chair! Francoise screams, but the warning is too late for George, who eats a steel chair across his exposed back! Frank Stool immediately throws out the bout, declaring it a no contest, as Flash drills Sand with a second shot! Tizziana runs into the ring and starts screaming at Francoise on the outside, who looks around frantically for someone to help. Flash and the revived Takemura are laying boots into the side of Sand when a mild cheer comes up from the entranceway. Flash and Takemura don’t notice it, and continue their attack until Ian Gomes comes flying into the ring and takes down Adam Flash with a flying forearm! The crowd is cheering heavily now, and Gomes takes the fight to Takemura, laying him out with a series of clothesline before spiking him into the mat with a stiff DDT! Ian turns back to Flash, but he and Tizziana are already on the outside, where they collect the tired Takemura and head back up the entranceway. Francoise slides into the ring and checks on George, Ian Gomes glares down the aisle at the three retreating figures, and RCW Wreck The Halls comes to an eventful end!

WINNER: No Contest (via Adam Flash interference)

RATING: 71

MATCH: 50

CROWD: 93

OVERALL: 59

=========================

OOC NOTE: Just a comment - a few people have rated this diary, and haven't given feedback as to why they rate it what they did. Any reasons for why you might rate the diary for what it is would be appreciated. Thanks.

Edited May 28, 2006 by rockyoursox

[Gareth7]

Well I saw it at 2 stars and thought it deserved to be bumped up. In my opinion this is one of the most underatted diaries in the dome right now. Not only is there good storylines good writeups etc there is also a strong backstory which has been upheld throughout the diary and adds to my intrest in the diary. (Y)

[rockyoursox]

JANUARY 4, 2007

RCW “HEADQUARTERS”

…and just like that, 2006 was in the books. Hard to believe it was already over, to be honest. We put on our first show in April, but it felt like just yesterday that Kick Start went live. Over the first nine months of RCW’s tenure, we had done some really good things, in my opinion, and we had also done some pretty weak things. I thought that our biggest problem was developing secondary feuds. The primary angles had, in my opinion, been well-developed, but getting midcard angles over would be our goal for 2007. It was hard to do, with only one show a month, and hopefully we’d be able to change that too. If I had my way, we’d be moving around a bit and getting RCW on television over the next year.

Meanwhile, I had taken some time off from all the Renaissance Championship Wrestling business that had consumed me over the past few months. I had spent a couple of days at my old place with Ellen and Jack for Christmas, and it had gone better than I had expected. Sure, tempers flared on occasion, but Ellen and I were able to keep things under control when it mattered, which was the key. Jack seemed glad to have both of us in the same place acting more or less civilly, so I considered it a good Christmas. The only real flareup came as I was clearing out the torn wrapping paper from the living room after the gift-giving…

Ellen: So, Bruce, how’s the new business going?

Her voice was layered with sarcasm, particularly on the word ‘business.’ Still, I missed it somehow and just started answering.

Me: Pretty well, actually. Our reputation is starting to spread, and we’re trying to make plans to expand into a full-on regional business. We’ve really got some great personnel, too. Some of our employees hav….

Ellen: Oh, come on, Bruce. You’re talking about this like it’s an actual business! Expanding, reputation, personnel – you run a WRESTLING TROUPE!

Me: It’s called a federation.

Ellen: Whatever, Bruce. This is just childish! You work for so long at Fidelity, doing everything you can to move up the ladder, and what do you do? You piss it all away to try and impress our son with this juvenile entertainment crap!

Me: Hey, I’m doing what I WANT to do! This last year, even with the divorce, has been more fun for me than the entire time I worked at Fidelity combined! That’s because of this ‘juvenile crap’, as you call it!

Ellen: And you think this has a future? You’re making money off of this?

Me: Well…no, not yet. But January’s shaping up to be a much better month financially, and we’ll definitely be turning a healthy profit by Febr…

Ellen: Great, now you’re pissing through all your money to run this stupid dream of yours. This is why I made sure to get as much money in the divorce as possible. Someone needs to take care of Jack, and you sure as hell won’t be able to do it from the poorhouse!

Me: YOU take care of Jack? Let me check something here in my book…..oh, oh, yes, that’s right, I’M the one who gave Jack a job working at my BUSINESS! NOT YOU!

Ellen: You know how I feel about that job, Bruce! You’re taking him away from his schoolwork on the weekends, and you’re going to get him killed in that horrible neighborhood!

Me: How the hell do you even know about my neighborhood? You refuse to come anywhere near that damn city, even to pick up Jack! That’s why I get stuck driving to drop him back here!

Ellen: Unlike you, Bruce, I have actual work to do! I don’t just tell a couple of Neanderthal thugs to fake-hit each other harder!

Me: You know what Ellen, I don’t give a fuck what you think about this. I didn’t start this promotion to get your approval. And while this might come as a shock to you, I didn’t start RCW to get Jack’s approval either. I respect Jack too much to think that I could turn him against you, or get him to take sides, especially based on something like me starting a business. I started this because I wanted to be happy. I hadn’t been happy in a long time, Ellen, and you knew that. And you should understand that – clearnly you weren’t happy either. And now I am happy, Ellen. I’m happier than I’ve been in a long, long time. So you can insult me all you want, but I’m not going to stop working at this. As long as RCW is fun for me, I’ll be there booking those shows and giving the crowd entertainment that they’ll never forget.

Ellen: But Bruce, you…

Me: No, Ellen, this conversation is OVER. We’re here to give Jack a nice, traditional Christmas, and that’s what I’m going to do. No more fighting. We will co-exist, even if it means we don’t speak to each other.

Ellen looked at me for just a moment, then her face softened ever so slightly.

Ellen: OK, Bruce…we’ll let it go. Let’s go find Jack.

The rest of the weekend passed without incident, and I came back to New York to relax for a few days. I celebrated New Year’s Eve down at Hank’s, and I certainly didn’t qualify for his 10% off offer that night. I did keep my eye out for Kurt Lauderdale, wondering if he was a regular here, but there was no sign of him that night. I suppose he actually had somebody to spend New Year’s Eve with. After getting hit with a horrible hangover that seemed to drag on for the next three days, I woke up on January 4th ready to do some RCW business.

First order of business was the new sponsor we were looking to sign. Our contract with RF Video had expired on January 1st, and we were prepared to take advantage of our new regional status. After a quick calling spree, I hit paydirt. Metabolife, a nutritional supplement company, was willing to pay us $300,000 a month! That was a gigantic step up from our previous agreement with RF Video, which had paid us about $125,000 a month. That extra money would eliminate any deficit we were running for the month, and might even turn us a profit. And next month, our sponsorship agreement with Rolling Rock came up. When we signed a new sponsor to replace them, we’d be swimming in cash – heck, we’d be able to erase most of the debts we had racked up in a just a few months with that kind of money.

Then it was time to go back to the wrestling side of the equation. My inbox had a file, forwarded over by Sophie, of the Top 100 workers in North America from 2006. I looked over the list quickly, not having much hope of finding an RCW worker on the list. Sure enough, no one from our little promotion had qualified yet. Still, there was plenty of time. Next year, if my plans for RCW went off properly, we’d have plenty of guys on that list. Look out, Kurt Angle - #1 isn’t safe.

At that point, I was really struck with how well RCW had gone over the past nine months, and how much potential we had for the future. Time to look over the Year in Review, and see exactly how things had moved over the past nine months. I’d save an awards ceremony for our 12th show, which would hopefully become our showcase event, but I was interested to see how we had trended over the course of 2006. Here was the data:

SHOWS:

April: Kick Start

- RATING: 48

- ATTENDANCE: 204

May: No-Sell The Sabbath

- RATING: 50

- ATTENDANCE: 207

June: Code Red

- RATING: 52

- ATTENDANCE: 204

July: Bastards On Parade

- RATING: 50

- ATTENDANCE: 227

August: Indoor Fireworks

- RATING: 49

- ATTENDANCE: 233

September: Carnaval

- RATING: 56

- ATTENDANCE: 180

October: Victory Strikes Again

- RATING: 53

- ATTENDANCE: 184

November: Category 5

- RATING: 53

- ATTENDANCE: 270

December: Wreck The Halls

- RATING: 59

- ATTENDANCE: 286

OVERNESS:

Wrestler (Overness, Last Overness, +/-)

Adam Flash: 52 (43, +9)

Chance Beckett: 49 (43, +6)

Dave Tripps: 42 (27, +15)

Francoise: 26 (19, +7)

Fred Laney: 45 (40, +5)

George Sand: 60 (52, +8)

Ian Gomes: 32 (20, +12)

John Wellington: 52 (42, +10)

Katsushi Takemura: 65 (39, +26)

Keith Kohl: 31 (20, +11)

Kent Kohl: 32 (20, +12)

Kid Fantastic: 45 (40, +5)

Kurt Lauderdale: 49 (40, +9)

Nick Collyer: 40 (25, +15)

Sam Artino: 43 (35, +8)

Simon Sanders: 31 (22, +9)

Sweatsuit Steve: 34 (24, +10)

Tizziana: 29 (21, +8)

Travis Finity: 35 (16, +19)

Twiggy: 43 (26, +17)

Clearly we had made a lot of progress over the course of 2006. Still, if I had my way, 2007 would make 2006 seem like a blip on the radar. Time to head forwards towards our future.

======================

OFFICIAL~! PREVIEW FOR RCW LIGHTS OUT!

QUALIFYING MATCH #1!

JOHN WELLINGTON vs. KATSUSHI TAKEMURA vs. FRED LANEY vs. TWIGGY

At Wreck The Halls, Chance Beckett made an announcement that every RCW superstar that had competed in an RCW main event in 2006 would be given a chance to win a match with him. John Wellington was also added to these qualifying matches, but he wasn’t happy – he had asked for a singles match with the champion, and was denied. Now, his path to the RCW World Title must go through the recently-returned Katsushi Takemura, the unpredictable Twiggy, and the newly returning Fred Laney! Who will move on to the finals of this mini-tournament?

QUALIFYING MATCH #2!

CHANCE BECKETT vs. KID FANTASTIC vs. SWEATSUIT STEVE vs. KURT LAUDERDALE

This is the second of the two qualifying matches, but with an odd wrinkle: The champion himself, Chance Beckett, will be competing in the match! If Beckett wins, he’ll take on the winner of the other match in a singles competition – so John Wellington will most likely be rooting for the champion, his adversary, to come out with a win! However, Kurt Lauderdale and Kid Fantastic, as well as the least-likely main eventer in RCW’s history, Sweatsuit Steve, will have something to say about that! Who will snatch the other spot in the Lights Out main event?

IAN GOMES vs. NICK COLLYER

Last month, at Wreck The Halls, George Sand was suffering a 2 on 1 beatdown at the hand of Adam Flash and Katsushi Takemura when Ian Gomes, the new RCW superstar, came to the rescue of George Sand, who had given him kind words after he lost his first-ever match. Tonight, Ian Gomes will take on Nick Collyer in an attempt to win his first-ever RCW match against the also-young Nick Collyer. Will Adam Flash look for retribution against Gomes for ruining his attack on Sand? You’ll have to watch to find out!

AND MORE!

And there’s so much more in store for RCW Lights Out! George Sand and Adam Flash will both be in attendance, and there’s sure to be more fireworks between these two men in their ongoing war. Travis Finity, the breathtaking new RCW superstar, will also be in action against one-half of the newest RCW tag team, Keith Kohl! And there’s sure to be a surprise or two in store! Buy your tickets now at the Polero Hall box office – tickets are just $20! Hurry, as supplies are limited!

EARL POLERO BINGO HALL, BROOKLYN, NY

SUNDAY, JANUARY 28, 2007

RCW LIGHTS OUT!

[rockyoursox]

RCW LIGHTS OUT

SUNDAY, JANUARY 28, 2007

EARL POLERO BINGO HALL, BROOKLYN, NY

===========

We Open Backstage With Ian Gomes

As Lights Out gets underway, we start backstage, where Ian Gomes is taping up his fists in preparation for his upcoming bout with Nick Collyer. The crowd of 292, another new RCW record, is largely indifferent to Gomes' appearance, with a few scattered cheers. As he works on his left hand, the roll of tape runs out. Gomes gives a frustrated look and glances around for another role, but then a hand holding a roll of tape enters the picture. Ian takes the roll of tape as the camera pans back to reveal George Sand standing there, with a smile on his face.

Sand: So now we’re even, right?

Ian gives a smile back as he continues to tape up his hand.

Gomes: Thanks a lot, mate. And no problem about last month and all. Never a problem to help out a fine fellow like yourself, y’know?

Sand: Yeah…it was definitely a sticky situation. But I wanted to talk to you about that, Ian.

Gomes: Oh? And what’s that, mate?

Sand: I appreciate the help, I really do. But what happened out there was between me and Flash’s little gang. You have your own things to worry about – you’ve gotta go out there and get that first win tonight, right?

Ian’s smile disappears after that comment, but it returns in a more forced form a moment later as Gomes’ British accent fails to hide his stilted voice.

Gomes: Well…yes, that’s the order of business tonight and all.

Sand: We both have our own business to attend to, Ian. So while I appreciate the help from last week, I’ll take care of my own business, and you can take care of yours. Do you understand what I’m saying?

Gomes: Well…yes, yes I do. Sometimes you just have to…well, do your own thing, right mate?

Sand: Exactly, exactly. But seriously, thanks for your help last month.

Gomes: Not a problem.

Sand: And good luck tonight, OK?

Gomes: Yes…thank you, George.

Sand walks off in another direction, and Gomes starts to walk towards the entranceway, still fiddling with the tape job on his hands and looking a bit put off by the situation.

RATING: 53

NOTES: Ian Gomes gained overness from this segment.

===================

Ian Gomes vs. Nick Collyer

Gomes’ mood carries over to the match, as Nick Collyer takes advantage of Gomes’ indifference early on. Collyer keeps Gomes grounded with a simple rear chinlock, which he applies for a solid minute and a half, much to the disgust of the live crowd. Although Gomes manages to fight out of it, Collyer continues to take the advantage with a series of lariats, each one knocking Gomes flat on his back. Gomes gets in some token offense after a while, nailing a series of chops in the corner, followed by a running Stinger splash into the corner. However, Gomes tries to repeat the splash, and Collyer ducks out of the way, leaving him to eat the steel ringpost. Collyer grabs Gomes from behind and plants him into the canvas with an inverted DDT, then heads to the top rope and nails the shooting star press! Frank Stool makes the count: 1……………..2………………3! Ian Gomes’ losing streak continues as he goes down to the inexperienced but talented Nick Collyer.

WINNER: Nick Collyer

RATING: 54

CROWD: 39

MATCH: 70

===================

Backstage, George Sand Is Watching The End Of The Match

George Sand, standing at the entranceway to watch the Gomes/Collyer match, sighs and shakes his head before moving away and heading back towards the locker room. However, he doesn’t make it more than two steps before Katsushi Takemura comes running up, attacking George Sand with his sheathed sword brandished. Takemura swings wildly, but Sand ducks it and fires a right hand straight at Takemura’s jaw. The sword goes clattering to the ground as Takemura and Sand engage in an all-out brawl, with fists flying faster than an Indycar. George Sand finally starts to get the upper hand on Takemura, who goes reeling backwards with every punch, but Adam Flash comes roaring in from behind and absolutely levels Sand with a running shoulder tackle! Sand hits the ground hard, breaking the fall with his face. As blood begins to trickle out of his nose, Takemura and Flash begin to lay the boots to the downed Sand, who lies there, completely prone.

As they continue to lay into him, with Tizziana screaming on encouragement in the background, Francoise comes into view and sees her boyfriend being beaten mercilessly by Flash and Takemura. She understandably freaks out, which gets the attention of Tizziana and her two charges. Just at that moment, Ian Gomes comes walking through the curtains, looking bothered by the loss he just suffered. Francoise recognizes him as he goes walking by, undoing the tape on his hand, and starts screaming at him.

Francoise: YOU! You! Please, help him! Help George! HELP HIM!

Gomes: He said tha…

Francoise: HELP HIM! HURRY! PLEASE!

Ian looks over at Francoise, and then down at the battered carcass of George Sand, which is currently being lacerated by shots from Katsushi’s sword. Ian sighs, then goes springing into action, heading right for the two men. Flash sees him coming and barks out an order to Takemura, which sends the triumvirate backing away from George Sand and heading for the entrance, as Takemura has his qualifying match coming up next. Meanwhile, Francoise runs in and checks in on George, who looks around until he locks eyes with Ian. Ian makes a ‘what else was I supposed to do?’ face, but George just slumps back down to the ground as Francoise presses a towel up to George’s nose, trying to stop the bleeding. As she tends to Sand, Ian walks away slowly, back to unrolling the tape on his hands.

RATING: 51

====================

Fred Laney vs. John Wellington vs. Katsushi Takemura vs. Twiggy

The match begins rather slowly for a four-way affair. John Wellington hangs back in the opposite corner, content to watch Fred Laney absolutely waffle Twiggy in the corner. Takemura joins in, and the two men annihilate Twiggy in the corner for a minute before turning on each other. As they go at it, Wellington tries to grab a quick pin on Twiggy, but Takemura notices and delivers a stiff toe kick to Wellington’s chest before senior referee Mike Hunter can even make a count. It devolves into a four-way brawl, with little more than punching going on. However, the men finally begin to trade off moves, with Fred Laney looking the best. He nails Wellington, Takemura, and Twiggy with Wonderpunches one after the other, then gets Twiggy up in a stalling suplex. He holds it for a long, long time as Takemura and Wellington begin to brawl with each other. As Wellington nails a DDT on Takemura, Laney finally follows through on the suplex, dropping him straight across Takemura’s downed body. Both Laney and Wellington dive and make the cover on top of both men, and Mike Hunter looks confused before yelling that Takemura and Twiggy aren’t in pinning positions.

Takemura, still on the ground, cinches an armbar on Twiggy as Wellington throws Laney out of the ring, leading to some shenanigans on the outside. Referee Mike Hunter heads to the outside, trying to break up their action, which leaves Twiggy and Takemura on the inside. Takemura works away with his armbar, but Twiggy reverses it and rolls up Takemura, fighting to keep him clamped in. But with Mike Hunter outside the ring, Twiggy’s pinning attempt goes in vain. Takemura struggles out as Laney and Wellington slide back into the ring. The men trade off moves, with Laney’s German suplex on Twiggy being countered by a Takemura sidekick straight to the jaw. As Laney drops to the ground, Wellington comes up and plants Katsushi Takemura with an E. Coli Driver, then grabs the woozy Twiggy, who has wandered back to his feet, and gives him a dose of the same medicine. With all three men down, Wellington grabs Twiggy and makes the cover. 1………………..2………………….3! John Wellington wins the match, and will have his shot at Chance Beckett later that night!

WINNER and CO-#1 CONTENDER TO THE RCW WORLD TITLE: John Wellington

RATING: 62

CROWD: 50

MATCH: 75

=====================

After The Match Is Over...

The RCW superstars slowly stagger to their feet, Wellington gloats for a moment longer before disappearing, Takemura quickly disappears, like the ninja he is, and Twiggy exits the ring and starts blowing kisses to the fans in the crowd. Suddenly, Fred Laney’s booming voice comes over the PA system, getting the attention of everybody in the building.

Laney: Twiggy, I’m not done with you! You do NOT disrespect me like you did!

Twiggy does a prompt about-face and puts his open hand up to his mouth, feigning mock surprise and chagrin…although knowing Twiggy, it could be the real deal. However, the overacting only makes Fred Laney’s face redder and redder as he lays into Twiggy on the microphone.

Laney: Twiggy, I’ve spent two damn months on the shelf thinking about that tag team match! I’ve had to deal with you getting praised by Dave Tripps, with you running around acting like you’re the greatest thing to happen to RCW. Well buddy, I got something you need: a goddamn reality check! The only, and I mean the ONLY, reason that you pinned me was because I hurt my shoulder! That’s where I’ve been the past two months – healing up while I stewed, watching you act like the greatest thing to hit RCW since me!

The crowd starts to boo Laney, and Twiggy eggs the crowd on, doing Hulk Hogan’s trademark “I can’t hear you” pose, which increases the boos to a new level.

Laney: Play them up all you want, Twiggy, but that injury was the best thing that ever happened to me. In the last two months, I’ve been working out nonstop, getting ready to come back here and take you on. I’m an incredible natural athlete – I played football, lacrosse, baseball, and lifted more weights than those strongman guys named Magnus! I’m the perfect physical specimen, and that layoff of a few years didn’t hold me back! But now, after these workouts for the past two months, I’m in the best shape of my life. And Twiggy, I’m gonna finish your whacko orange-loving ass off for good.

Twiggy: Orange is boring! Strawberry is the new orange!

Laney: Shut the hell up! I’m not going to have some sideshow be the main event over me, Fred Laney. I’ve been the main event my entire life, and I’ll be damned if Strawberry Shortcake is gonna change things. I didn’t get whacked around by drama club idiots in high school, and I’m not gonna get whacked around by you either. You watch your back, you hear me?

Twiggy: See you later, crocodile!

Twiggy, seemingly oblivious to the hostility in Laney’s voice, goes running up the aisle, holding his arms out like an airplane. Laney slams the microphone down in the ring in disgust and marches back up the aisle. His newly-defined muscles are obvious, and Laney plays with them a little, flexing slightly as he walks to the back and disappears behind the curtain.

RATING: 63

NOTES: Fred Laney gained overness from this segment.

========================

Chance Beckett vs. Kid Fantastic vs. Kurt Lauderdale vs. Sweatsuit Steve

The match gets underway, with no one man able to gain control of the match. Sweatsuit Steve, looking simply happy to be in the ring, ends up on the receiving end of a lot of moves, particularly from Kurt Lauderdale. Lauderdale, looking to get the quick pinfall, goes for cover after cover on Steve, but Chance Beckett and Kid Fantastic are able to keep breaking them up before returning to their own battles. Finally, Kurt Lauderdale gets cocky and starts playing to the crowd, turning his back on Steve. When he turns around, the sweats-clad jobber, wearing a yellow and white sweatsuit tonight, eats a huge clothesline from Steve that sends him up against the ropes. Beckett and Fantastic look at each other for a moment, then charge forward and deliver a double lariat, sending Kurt Lauderdale tumbling out of the ring and to the floor below. Steve takes advantage of the dowm moment by grabbing Chance Beckett from behind, stretching him out, then delivering a pump handle slam to the champion! The crowd is stunned by this development, and Steve starts to celebrate slightly…but immediately falls flat on his face as Kurt Lauderdale, from the outside, trips him up. Lauderdale pulls Steve out of the ring and throws him into the crowd barrier, starting to beat on him some more. This leaves Kid Fantastic alone in the ring with the downed champion. Fantastic looks around, then quickly scrambles to the corner and comes flying off…before NAILING the Putdown on Chance Beckett! Referee Frank Stool slides into position and makes the cover as Kurt Lauderdale takes notes and charges back towards the ring: 1……………….2…………………..3! Kid Fantastic has pinned the RCW World Champion, Chance Beckett, and will advance to a triple threat match against the man he pinned and the other challenger, John Wellington, later tonight!

WINNER and CO-#1 CONTENDER TO THE RCW WORLD TITLE: Kid Fantastic

RATING: 58

CROWD: 44

MATCH: 72

===================

Travis Finity vs. Keith Kohl

Kent Kohl accompanies his brother down to ringside, and neither of them look particularly happy at being thrust into a singles match. That happiness doesn’t subside as Travis Finity takes an early advantage, using that blazing speed he’s showcased early in matches to run circles around the quick Keith Kohl. As Kohl stands there, looking rather tired, a barely-fazed Finity comes flying at him from all angles, nailing move after move on the helpless Kohl. Kent shouts on encouragement from ringside, but doesn’t get involved as his brother takes a beating at the hands of RCW’s resident speed demon. Keith makes a brief rally, but Finity shuts it down with a harsh elbow to the jaw, then drags Keith into the corner and deliever the Finiter, his top rope bulldog. Frank Stool drops into position: 1……………………..2……………………3! Travis Finity picks up his third win in as many tries, and only takes 2:35 to do it! Kent Kohl rolls into the ring and checks on his brother as Travis Finity slides out of the ring and runs to the back, still showing the manic energy he’s quickly becoming known for.

WINNER: Travis Finity

RATING: 50

CROWD: 27

MATCH: 73

====================

And Cut To A Disturbance Backstage...

We cut backstage, where people are gathering over in a corner around an object. The camera goes running along and pushes its way to the front of the crowd, knocking Sound Guy out of the way in the process. As it reaches the front of the group, the camera focuses on Kid Fantastic lying on the ground in a pool of his own blood, completely unconscious. Jeff, the RCW medic, works at reviving Kid Fantastic as the rest of the people murmur to each other, looking around for the assailant. Suddenly, Chance Beckett comes into the picture with a look of concern on his face.

Beckett: What the heck happened here?

Nobody had an answer at first, but finally Jeff speaks up, looking up at the champion.

Jeff: Mr. Beckett, someone viciously assaulted Kid Fantastic. I’d have to assume it was Kurt Lauderdale again, but he’s nowhere to be found. Whatever it is, he’s hurt quite badly

Beckett: Is he going to be able to wrestle in the main event?

Jeff just gives Beckett a stunned look before shaking his head no. Beckett looks down at the still-unconscious Kid Fantastic, then shakes his head and walks off towards the ring for the main event.

RATING: 55

NOTES: Kid Fantastic gained overness from this segment. (Um….OK)

====================

RCW WORLD TITLE MATCH

Chance Beckett© vs. John Wellington vs. Kid Fantastic

As we cut back to the ring, John Wellington has already made his way down to the ring, and looks rather impatient as his music loops over for the second time. After a moment, Wellington grabs the microphone from the waiting Joe Wheeler.

Wellington: Beckett, Fantastic, let’s get going already! My victory party starts in a half hour!

Wellington stands there, pacing the ring, until his music gets cut off by Chance Beckett’s entrance theme. The crowd gives his another mixed reaction, with the cheers seemingly outnumbering the boos once again. Beckett, for once, slides into the ring and grabs the microphone away from John Wellington, which gets a big pop from the crowd. Of course, Beckett won’t have any of that.

Beckett: Hey, shut up! Do I have to remind you people again that grownups are talking here?

The cheers disappear, but the crowd doesn’t boo him heavily, which seems to get Beckett even more fired up. However, he turns his attention from the crowd back to John Wellington, who appears extremely annoyed with Beckett snagging the microphone from him. He grabs it right back from Chance, getting booed in the process, and demands answers from Beckett.

Wellington: What gives, Beckett? What took you so damn long, where the hell is Fantastic, and why am I not in the process of winning that strap yet?

Beckett snatches the microphone back from Wellington once again, ignoring the microphone that Joe Wheeler has grabbed from ringside and offered him. His eyes don’t leave John Wellington’s as he raises the microphone to talk.

Beckett: Kid Fantastic got laid out backstage by Kurt Lauderdale. He got hurt pretty badly – he’s still unconscious. In a pool of his own blood and everything. He’s done for the night.

Wellington, instead of taking the microphone, grabs Beckett by the wrist and pulls the microphone closer to him. Beckett staggers forward a step, and his face is just inches away from Wellington’s at this point as Wellington responds.

Wellington: So what’s your damn point?

Beckett: My point, John, is that this title match won’t be happening tonight. Kid Fantastic can’t compete. It’s getting pushed back to next month.

This gets a jeer from the crowd, annoyed that they won’t get to see the scheduled main event. Beckett’s face hardens even more as Wellington, nostrils flaring, leans just a millimeter closer to the microphone.

Wellington: So let me get this straight…because that idiot can’t answer the bell, he gets a reprieve instead of losing his shot?

Beckett: He got taken out. He earned his title shot, Wellington – he beat me cleanly in that ring. He gets his shot, you understand me?

Wellington: No, Chance, I don’t understand. Kid Fantastic can get his title shot against me. Until then, he’s counted out of this match, and me and you fight for that belt. I earned my shot too, Beckett. You saying that I can get screwed, but he can’t?

Beckett: John, you get your shot – just next month!

Wellington: FUCK THAT!

The sudden rise in volume sends Beckett staggering back. He releases his grip on the microphone, leaving it in Wellington’s hand. As he shakes his head and adjusts the RCW World Title lying across his shoulder, Wellington steps forward, microphone raised.

Wellington: You’re a goddamn chicken, Beckett! You won’t fight me one on one! You want someone else in this ring with you so you can blame the loss on somebody else! If you win, then you look like a hero for beating two men and keeping your title! If you lose, oh well, it was a triple threat! How were you supposed to win? Right? Well Beckett, I’m on to you!

Beckett’s clearly stirred up at this point, and he steps forward again, going nose to nose with Wellington.

Beckett: That’s not it at all, you moron! You earned a shot, and Kid Fantastic earned his shot! Both of you get it at the same time, as it said in the rules! If Kid Fantastic can’t do it today, we do it next month at our next show. YOU’RE the goddamn chicken, Wellington! You know that you can’t handle two men at the same time! Remember, I beat Adam Flash and George Sand at the same time three months ago! I can handle it John, but you can’t! YOU’RE the chicken, not me!

Wellington stares forward at Beckett for a moment, with both men quivering with rage. Wellington reaches back for the microphone, grabbing Beckett’s wrist and pulling him closer. He starts to open his mouth…..then SLAMS his forehead into Beckett’s skull, connecting with an absolutely vicious headbutt! Beckett drops to the canvas, and Wellington quickly shakes out his head before grabbing Beckett off the canvas. Beckett gets whipped into the ropes and eats a huge stand-up spinebuster from Wellington, which puts him back on the canvas. The crowd is tearing Wellington a new one as Chance Beckett staggers to his feet, looking completely discombobulated as he tries to balance. He turns around and walks straight into Wellington’s waiting arms. A knee to the gut doubles him over, and Wellington scoops him up before planting him in the middle of the ring with a vicious E. Coli Driver! The piledriver has Beckett completely down and out, as he lies motionless in the middle of the ring. Wellington spits on Beckett and starts to walk away before seeing the RCW World Title belt lying in the corner of the ring. Instead, Wellington walks over to it and scoops it off the canvas, running his hands over it as he gives it a good once-over. The crowd’s boos reach nuclear level as John Wellington grabs the belt with both hands and raises it over his hand, playing to the apoplectic crowd. Chance Beckett stays on the mat, unmoving, as John Wellington closes RCW Lights Out with the image of him holding the title belt over his head.

RATING: 65

NOTES: Chance Beckett gained overness from this segment. John Wellington gained overness from this segment.

OVERALL: 58

[rockyoursox]

FEBRUARY 13, 2007

RCW “HEADQUARTERS”

Good news: RCW has officially turned a profit for the first time since our first month in business. Our sponsorship with Metabolife gave us the funds to make us a whooping $2500 last month. Not quite enough to offset the six-figure losses we took over the last few months of 2006, but it was a transition point for us. And that transition really kicked into gear this month, as February 1st marked the end of our second sponsor contract, this time with Rolling Rock. Nice company and all, although they couldn’t hold a candle to Miller. Still, they weren’t budging from their previous offer, and we had bills to pay. So out went Rolling Rock, and on board came LucasArts Games, who more than doubled the amount of money that Rolling Rock had been paying us. We were finally going to make our move back to the black.

However, making more money wasn’t the most interesting part of that month. I had been spending a lot of time over the course of the month checking out the state of the wrestling industry in general. According to the research done by both Sophie and myself, things were going swimmingly. Wrestling was in a boom period, although Sophie estimated that it was only at 80% of the true market peak. We had a lot of hope that the boom period would continue – RCW was growing like a magic beanstalk at that point. However, a rising tide lifts all ships. In the past month, we had seen dramatic expansions across the board. TNA was truly beginning to rival the WWE. I didn’t think it’d lead to anything. Vince McMahon had been challenged before, and he always found a way to win the war. WCW, ECW, AWA, and a host of other challengers were buried by him, and I’m sure TNA will be heading that way. I mean, look at who’s on top for them. Hulk Hogan, Randy Savage, Sting – they’ve got nothing new to offer.

However, a number of other federations were moving up the ladder. Three different federations had recently begun with plans to expand nationwide with their promotions: IWA Puerto Rico, CMLL, and the International Wrestling Cartel. All three promotions worried me – they were all well-run organizations that would value the same sort of talented workers that I employed. With my employees under open contracts, I was afraid that open season on Renaissance Championship Wrestling could break out any day. I had already put Sophie to work on checking into the feasibility of signing a number of our workers to written contracts, just in case the market started to shift in the wrong direction. There were new additions to the cult federations of the country as well – Border City Wrestling and Pro Wrestling Guerilla had moved up the ladder to cult status, and they were a more short-term threat. Hopefully I’d be competing with them by the end of the year, but until then, I had to keep my eye on them.

BCW and PWG joined Ring of Honor and Heartland Wrestling Association as the other cult federations in America. I hadn’t really seen any of their shows before, so I knew very little about any of the four promotions above us. However, I knew the basics about their business, and who was in charge. So when my phone rang earlier that day, and the voice on the other end introduced himself, I knew exactly who it was.

Me: Wait….THE Les Thatcher? From Heartland Wrestling Association, THAT Les Thatcher?

Les: Yes, Mr. Hawkins, that’s me.

Me: Wow…it’s quite the honor to speak to you, sir. HWA seems to be doing quite well recently – congratulations.

Les: Yeah, the business is going pretty well overall. In fact, we might try and move up to national level ourselves in a month or so. It’s a crowded market – we’re neck and neck competing with Ring of Honor, and the three guys ahead of us aren’t too far ahead. IWC, Puerto Rico, CMLL – they’re all on our level, basically. They just started their expansion plans a little earlier.

Me: A little bit of an uphill fight for you then, but I’m sure you can handle it. It’s a nice time in the business to try and make that kind of move, right?

Les: You’re telling me. But you see, Mr. Hawkins, there’s one problem. Right now, we got a couple of guys who make most of our decisions for us. Good guys, done a pretty solid job booking for us. They’ve made us some great new stars – Michael Modest, El Hijo De Santo. But when it comes to expanding this business, and competing with the big boys…I just don’t know if they can handle it, you know?

Me: Well yeah, that’s a tough situation. But Mr. Thatcher, why exactly are you talking to me about this? I might be a few levels and a few years behind you, but I am still the competition and all.

Les: Well that’s exactly it, Mr. Hawkins. You’re the competition right now. But I don’t want you to be.

Me: If you’re trying to buy out RCW, the answer is no. I don’t need the money, and I can't imagine we'd be worth much either.

Les: No, no, that’s not it, Bruce. You see, I had my eye on RCW when you folks started expanding your sphere of influence, and I thought you did a heckuva job with it. I want our transition to go that well. Mr. Hawkins, I’m calling to offer you the job as head booker of HWA.

I stood there for a moment, holding the phone against my ear as the wheels in my head started turning. Heartland Wrestling Association…about to go national….a real competitor. No more bingo halls or Takemuras or Hank’s Bar and Grill or Sophie. It’d be so damn great to slam that into Ellen’s face. A year in, and I’m one of the most powerful men in my business. I could show that off to the guys from Fidelity, show that I was a real success.

Les: Mr. Hawkins, you still there? Hello?

Me: No! No, I’m here. Sorry, just a bit of a bomb to get dropped on you, you know?

Les: Oh, I know. Didn’t want to startle or pressure you or anything. Still, what do ya think about the offer?

I thought about it for a second. I thumbed through the stacks of RCW research I had lying around, our newly inked contract with LucasArts, a first draft of February’s card. I ran my eyes over the card for a moment, then clicked back into reality and answered the question.

Me: Les, I think HWA is a great organization, and it’s clear that something really good is happening there. I mean, you guys are about ready to break onto the national scene. Still, I’m gonna have to turn you down. Renaissance Championship Wrestling isn’t a business to me. When my life went south and I needed to do something, I started RCW. RCW isn’t a business – it’s me.

Les: Say no more, Mr. Hawkins. I know exactly how you feel. HWA hasn’t always been a million-dollar business. There’s more of my blood, sweat, and tears in this business than dollars in our bank account. I’m gonna leave it open for you to reconsider, though. Maybe things go bad with RCW, or you need a change someday. If you do, just call. You got the number now.

Me: Well, Mr. Thatcher, I hope you know that I’m truly honored by the offer. Good luck with the transition.

Les: No problem, Mr. Hawkins.

Me: Oh, and Les, try not to rob my roster anytime soon, OK?

Les laughed at that one before replying.

Les: Don’t you worry about that one, Mr. Hawkins. I think we’re doing just fine personnel-wise. Have a good one

[rockyoursox]

RCW SAVE THE DRAMA (FO YO MAMA)

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2007

EARL POLERO BINGO HALL, BROOKLYN, NY

==================

As The Show Opens...

The show begins with a camera trained on the door that opens into the RCW parking lot, confusing the record 316 fans attending tonight's show. The door swings open, revealing Fred Laney walking in with his bag – but not for long. As the door falls open, a bucket drops off the ledge above it, dumping liquid all over Laney. Laney sputters and drops his bag as he looks around, trying to figure out what just happened. He looks at the puddle forming around his feet, takes a quick sniff of his arm, then runs his finger through the liquid spread over his arm. He wipes it over his tongue, then immediately scowls, knowing exactly what just happened.

Laney: Orange juice….that punk…

Laney goes storming through the backstage area, looking absolutely furious. He sees a row of trash cans standing there against the wall and throws a couple of them down the hallway, screaming as he does so. Finally, he makes his way to the locker room and pulls hard on the doorknob, swinging it open while leaning back to avoid any falling objects. Unfortunately for Fred, as the door falls open, a trash can (much like the one he just threw down the hall) filled with orange juice falls forwards, sending a wave of OJ right at Fred Laney. Laney just curses as his shins and feet get drenched in orange juice, leaving him standing there in a wet, sticky puddle.

Laney: I’m gonna get that little punk…

With that, Laney marches into the locker room in the direction of the showers, letting the door swing shut behind him.

RATING: 63

NOTES: Fred Laney gained overness from this segment. Twiggy gained overness from this segment.

==================

Different Verse, Same As The First

With Laney disappeared, the camera moves to head back to wherever cameras go when they’re not being used. However, as the camera turns, it catches sight of Chance Beckett walking down the hallway. The camera starts to follow Beckett, who walks straight in the direction of Kurt Lauderdale, who stands over in the corner munching on a Powerbar. He sees Beckett, holding his RCW World Title belt over his shoulder, coming over to him, and cracks a small smile.

Lauderdale: Well, looks like you got your belt back from Wellington. Congrats.

Beckett: Shove it, Lauderdale. Why’d you mess with my main event last month?

Lauderdale: Excuse me?

Beckett: You heard me. Kid Fantastic got assaulted before the title match. Because of that, there was no main event, and that’s why I took a beating last month. Now I’m going to ask you again – why couldn’t you and your cretin brain wait 20 damn minutes so we could have our title match? Too jealous over your loss?

Lauderdale: Hey, I might have taken down Kid Sucktastic before, but that one wasn’t me. I was outta here before the main event last week.

Beckett: Damn right you were. No one could find you – pretty convenient. A little hit and run.

Lauderdale: I already told you Beckett, I didn’t touch the little twerp.

Beckett: And why the hell should I believe a word that comes out of your mouth?

Lauderdale: You want to sentence me without a trial, go ahead. But when I lost that match, I was pissed. I got out of here as fast as my heap of a car would go.

Beckett: So you expect me to believe that the guy who’s had a problem with Kid Fantastic for months, who randomly assaults him without provocation, and who just lost a contendership match to him, didn’t attack him?

Lauderdale: I don’t give a crap whether you believe me. I don’t answer to you just because you got that gold around your shoulder, Beckett. But I didn’t do it. I haven’t had a problem admitting I took down Sucktastic before. Why would I have a problem with it now?

Beckett thinks about this for a moment as Lauderdale chews on the last bite of his Powerbar, looking annoyed with the whole situation.

Beckett: All right, Kurt. If I find out you aren’t telling me the truth, though, so help me God, you’re gonna pay for it.

With that, Beckett walks away, still looking peeved over the whole situation. The expression on Kurt’s face hasn’t changed one iota, however, as he simply unwraps another Powerbar and chows down, looking bored over the entire ordeal.

RATING: 61

NOTES: Kurt Lauderdale gained overness from this segment. Chance Beckett gained overness from this segment.

==================

Ian Gomes vs. Katsushi Takemura

In the first match of the night, Ian Gomes tries to break the losing streak that’s plagued the early part of his RCW career. However, this is far from the easiest try he’s had at it, as he goes up against the Silent Assassin, Katsushi Takemura. In addition to competing against a man of Takemura’s talent, Gomes also has to compete against his two friends at ringside: Adam Flash and Tizziana. Both of them make Gomes’ life very difficult, sneaking in shots every time the referee turns his back on them. Takemura plays his role like a champion, showing off acting far better than anything he tried on the microphone. Takemura relies heavily on his excellent kicking abilities as well, including a running Yakuza kick that nearly knocks out the young Gomes. Gomes doesn’t get in a ton of offense, as every rally gets cut short by a Flash trip, or by Tizziana jawing at him. Finally, Takemura gets the upper hand for good before finishing Ian Gomes with a sheer-edge brainbuster. Gomes doesn’t budge an inch on the canvas as referee Frank Stool drops into position and makes the count: 1….…………2……………….3! Katsushi Takemura proves to be too much for Ian Gomes to handle!

However, Gomes isn’t quite out of his misery yet. With the match over, Adam Flash and Tizziana slide into the ring. Flash says something to Takemura, who immediately scoops up the downed Gomes before lifting him up and delivering a SECOND brainbuster! Ian Gomes remains motionless as Adam Flash climbs up to the top rope, then comes flying off with the Last Call legdrop, crushing Ian’s windpipe with his leg. The crowd boos their actions as they lay a few cheap kicks in. Tizziana alternates between cursing out Ian Gomes and looking to the entrance, in case someone appears to lend a hand, but no knight in shining armor rides to Gomes’ defense. Finally, Takemura and Flash lift Gomes off the campus and dump him over the top rope, where he tumbles to the mats outside the ring like a rag doll. As the crowd’s boos slow down, Tizziana takes a microphone from ringside, looking to add her two cents.

WINNER: Katsushi Takemura

RATING: 64

CROWD: 49

MATCH: 80

==================

Tizziana Proposes A Challenge

Tizziana: Where’s your friend now, huh Gomes? Guess he doesn’t give a crap about you. Must make you feel great, huh? Huh?

Of course, Ian Gomes has no response, as he’s struggling to breathe on the outside of the ring as Jeff, the RCW medic, checks in on him. Tizziana takes this as a victory of sorts and marches back into the center of the ring triumphantly, sharing a smile with Flash and a miniature bow with Takemura before continuing.

Tizziana: And Ian, although you don’t make for a very good friend apparently, or a challenging opponent, you do make a hell of a message. George Sand, I know you’re back there! Do you see this? Do you see this, George? This is what Adam Flash and Katsushi Takemura are capable of! And now that they’ve gone through Gomes, they want to go through YOU! So George, next month, my two boys want you in the ring! But they’re willing to make it fair, so you won’t be able to whine to people when you lose! So find yourself a partner for next month. It can be this loser down here on the ground, the one that’s spitting up blood and waiting for the morphine to kick in, or it can be anyone else in that background. And when you have someone to watch your back, a lieutenant in your crappy army, then come and fight us.

Flash grabs the microphone, still in her hand, and adds his own two cents.

Flash: George, next month is the 12th show in RCW history – a full year of RCW! And what better place to kick your ass and publicly humiliate you than at RCW Remembrance! Because George, you’re going to remember exactly how much better I am than you!

Tizziana: So get your partner, Sand. But no matter who it is, you know the truth – Adam Flash and Katsushi Takemura are going to cut through you. Enjoy your health while you can, George.

RATING: 55

NOTES: Tizziana gained overness from this segment.

==================

Trippin' With: John Wellington

Flash, Tizziana, and Takemura celebrate in the ring a little while longer as the set for Trippin’ is reconstructed. The set looks improved, with a legitimate desk replacing the coffee table that used to be at the center of the set. Finally, Dave Tripps comes walking down and shoos them out of the ring as he gets ready to begin the show.

Tripps: Hello, loyal RCW fans, and welcome back to Season 2 of Trippin’ With Dave Tripps! I’ve gotten many letters from my loyal fans wondering if Trippin’ had been cancelled, and I’m glad to say that those fears were completely unfounded. No, I was on hiatus for the past two months to plan for the second season of Trippin’, which debuts right here tonight!

This actually gets a small round of applause, which absolutely stuns me. However, Dave seemed quite prepared for it and revels in the short burst of approval from the crowd.

Tripps: As you can see, there have been some changes made to Trippin’ – the new, classy set redesign is just one of many changes you’ll be seeing here at Trippin’ throughout the new season. However, there’s one thing that won’t change here at Trippin’ With Dave Tripps, and that’s our devotion to finding out the truth behind the hottest news stories breaking in RCW today! We’ll continue to ask the hardest questions, and get you the truth, no matter what it might be! And today in RCW, there’s one story that towers far above the rest: The triple threat for the RCW World Title set to take place here tonight! This match was delayed by one month, and that fact certainly annoyed one competitor in that match! Here to discuss his title shot and much, much more, please give a warm Trippin’ welcome to Mr. John Wellington!

Wellington comes out the entranceway at the same time that Adam Flash, Tizziana, and Katsushi Takemura, who have taken their sweet time making their way to the back, are about to head through the curtain. As Takemura and Tizziana pass through, Adam Flash grabs Wellington by the shoulder and says something to him in a whisper. Wellington smiles as Flash finishes up, slaps him on the back, and walks away. Wellington makes his way down to the ring, slides his way in, and shakes hands with Dave Tripps as he takes a seat at the new, classy Trippin’ desk.

Tripps: Well, Mr. Wellington, I have a new question for you. As you passed Adam Flash there, what did he have to say to you?

Wellington: Adam told me that he went through the same thing with Beckett. That he demanded a one-on-one title shot, and he never got it either. Instead, he ended up in a title shot with Sand and Beckett and ended up getting banned from the main event without even eating a pinfall. So Adam Flash agrees with what I said last month, and I stand by those comments – Chance Beckett is a chicken!

Tripps: So you still don’t believe Mr. Beckett’s claims that he wanted to be fair to Kid Fantastic by waiting?

Wellington: Not for a second, Dave. If he wanted to be fair, he’d see that Kid Fantastic was too stupid to watch his back. And he’d see that by not having that match last month, he cost ME. Screwing one guy to be fair to the other one – this isn’t a zero sum equation, Chance.

Tripps: However, Chance Beckett won his World Title in a four-way match, and has defended it in a triple threat as well! Doesn’t adding more challengers to the match just make it harder for Beckett to defend his title?

Wellington: You said it yourself, Dave – he’s won a number of multi-man matches. And that’s because he’s a vulture. He lets other men do the work, then steals their pinfalls. That’s why he’s only defending the World Title in singles matches against guys like you, and why I have to jump through hoops to get a clusterfuck of a title shot.

Tripps: Are you nervous about being in your first main event?

Wellington: I’m not nervous at all. I know I’m better than Chance Beckett, Kid Fantastic, and all the other schmoes in the locker room. And I know that if someone screws me out of my win, and I don’t get the win, that it’s gonna happen in front of a bunch of retarded losers who are just gonna forget it when they go home, drink a bottle of strawberry wine, and make love to their cousins.

The boos are absolutely deafening after that comment, with Tripps having to raise his voice for the next question.

Tripps: What will it take for someone to beat you tonight?

Wellington: I’m not losing tonight, Dave. This belt is my ticket out of here. Without that belt, I’ll just get passed over by the idiots at Ring of Honor and TNA and WWE all over again who get fooled by Chance Beckett’s shiny gold belt. Winning that belt is more like winning a plane ticket. I’ve done everything humanly possible to help myself out in this match, and I will NOT lose this match. So Chance, and Kid Fantastic, you better listen up real good. I’m coming for that belt, and I’m not coming away without it. Do you understand me?

Tripps: Well Mr. Wellington, I wish you luck in your match tonight – you’ll certainly need it against those two fine opponents.

That remark, clearly a toss-off comment, sends a legitimate scowl across Wellington’s face, but he shakes Tripps’ hand anyways.

Wellington: Thank you, Dave – I hope you can have the success that I do so you can replace this crappy set.

Tripps: What, you don’t like the desk?

John Wellington just leaves Dave Tripps hanging as he steps down and walks away from the show, heading to the back to prepare for his title match.

Tripps: Well folks, we’re all out of time. Thank you to John Wellington and all those who help to make Trippin’ With Dave Tripps the true success that it is. What a long, strange trip it’s been, ladies and gentlemen. Goodnight.

RATING: 58

NOTES: Dave Tripps gained overness from this segment.

==================

Travis Finity vs. Twiggy

With the Trippin’ set out of the way, the second match of the evening gets underway as Travis Finity and Twiggy start out. Travis Finity, in keeping with his first three matches, gets out to an incredibly quick start, laying out Twiggy with his quick moves and high-flying acrobatics, including a dropkick off the top rope that hung up in the air for a solid three seconds. Finity plays to the crowd, who cheer on his hangtime, but Twiggy manages to grab ahold of Finity and lock him into a bearhug. Finity struggles to get free, clawing like a coyote caught in a trap, but Twiggy holds on for nearly one minute before releasing it. Twiggy busts out every rest hold he knows, locking Finity in chinlock after headlock after hammerlock in an attempt to slow him down. Finity’s energy begins to subside after a few minutes, and Twiggy looks ready to go on the offensive. However, before that can happen, Twiggy eats a MASSIVE chair shot across the back of the head from Fred Laney, who has run in through the crowd! Referee Frank Stool calls for the bell, throwing the match out as a no contest, as Twiggy crumples to the mat, his bell rung by the chair shot. Travis Finity, unhappy with the interruption in his match, starts marching towards Fred Laney, but he takes a chair shot to the skull for his troubles! With Finity down, Laney crouches down in the corner and waits for Twiggy to pick his carcass off the canvas. Twiggy finally gets up and wobbles up against Frank Stool, who checks to see if Twiggy’s OK. However, Stool looks up, sees Laney charging ahead, and ducks out of the way as Twiggy gets cut in half by Fred Laney’s spear! Laney raises his arms in triumph, earning the scorn of the crowd, as he heads back up the entranceway, leaving a trail of carnage in his wake.

WINNER: Draw (No contest via Fred Laney interference)

RATING: 53

CROWD: 36

MATCH: 70

==================

George Sand vs. Kent Kohl

The action keeps right on coming at Save The Drama (Fo Yo Mama) – the name was Jack’s idea, by the way – as George Sand, accompanied by Francoise, makes his way down to the ring to take on Kent Kohl, the other of the Kohl brothers. His brother Keith accompanies him down to the ring, lending his support from ringside. Once again, as they make their way down, the Kohls seem unhappy about being forced into singles competition. Kent doesn’t look particularly comfortable in singles competition, as George Sand fights off an early flurry to take control of the match. On occasion, Kent slips out of George’s control, but can only look at his brother standing on the outside before trying to rally on his own. However, George Sand fights off the moves, showing off some impressive reversals. The finish comes when Kent goes for a vertical suplex, but George manages to slip off behind him and slap on an inverted facelock. George lifts Kent out of the inverted facelock up onto his shoulder, then spikes him downwards with a modified Sands of Time! Senior referee Mike Hunter drops into position and counts the pinfall: 1…………………2………………….3!

WINNER: George Sand

RATING: 57

CROWD: 44

MATCH: 71

==================

Francoise Responds To Tizziana's Challenge

With the match over, Francoise slides into the ring with a mic in her hand. She walks over to George, gives him a peck on the cheek, then turns to face the audience.

Francoise: Earlier tonight, Adam Flash’s ‘woman’ made a challenge to my boyfriend, George Sand, for the next show. She challenged George, as well as any partner he chose, to team up against Adam Flash and Katsushi Takemura. Well, George isn’t afraid of them. He’s beaten Adam Flash before, cleanly! He’s beaten Katsushi Takemura before, and also beat him cleanly! Putting two dog turds together doesn’t make them anything more than a pair of dog turds! George can handle both of them just fine!

Francoise paces around the ring, allowing a small cheer from the crowd to subside. Sand just stands there, watching her talk as he breathes heavily, recovering from the matchup.

Francoise: So Tizziana…which, by the way, is the kind of name you find on girls hanging around outside the Port Authority at night…George accepts your challenge! He’ll have a partner, and he’ll see you at Remembrance next month!

RATING: 60

NOTES: Francoise gained overness from this segment.

==================

RCW WORLD TITLE MATCH

Chance Beckett© vs. John Wellington vs. Kid Fantastic

All three men make their way down to the ring, looking anxious and ready to go. Kid Fantastic has a small bandage on the side of his face, the only reminder from the attack he suffered last month. However, that bandage is immediately ripped off by John Wellington, which sends Kid Fantastic flying forward to knock Wellington on his ass. The two begin to go at it, leaving Beckett on the outside. Beckett watches for a moment, then runs in and grabs Kid Fantastic from behind, hitting a German suplex! He pops up and slams into Wellington with a lariat, taking him down as well.

With the match underway, chaos reigns early. Beckett can’t keep the advantage for long, as Kid Fantastic takes him down with a forearm to the back while Beckett had his attention on Wellington. Kid Fantastic grabs Wellington off the mat and throws him overhead with a Northern Lights suplex in an impressive display of strength, but Beckett knocks him down and locks in a single-leg Boston Crab. Fantastic tries to wriggle to the ropes, but John Wellington does the work for him, running forwards and booting Beckett in the face, forcing the champion to break the hold. Wellington takes Becektt down with a sheer-edge backdrop, then lifts up Kid Fantastic and does the same, dumping him squarely on his head. As Fantastic cradles his neck, Wellington goes for the cover: 1………………2………..and Kid Fantastic kicks out at two, says Mike Hunter!

Wellington is back on his feet and sets Kid Fantastic up in the corner. He starts to go to work on him, but Fantastic slips out, slams Wellington into the corner, and NAILS him with a spinning wheel kick! Wellington slumps against the bottom turnbuckle, sending Kid Fantastic backing up. He pauses for a second, then charges forward and delivers a baseball slide dropkick straight to Wellington’s vulnerable face! Fantastic lines up for a second one, but Chance Beckett reaches up from behind and rolls the surprised Fantastic up! 1…………………..2……………….and Fantastic kicks out again! Beckett doesn’t allow Fantastic to get up, locking on a rear sleeper. Wellington starts up in the corner, sees Beckett working away at the downed Fantastic, and looks to kick his head in again. However, Chance anticipates it and pushes off the canvas from his sitting position, planting both feet squarely into Wellington’s chest and pushing him away!

Beckett, having bought himself time, releases his hold on Fantastic and moves onto John Wellington. A pair of well-placed European uppercuts have Wellington reeling, giving Beckett enough time for a running start to nail a neckbreaker. He covers Wellington: 1……………..2………….and Wellington kicks out! Wellington slides outside the ring, looking to catch a breather, but Beckett stays right on his tail, following him to the outside. The two men brawl, and Wellington manages to take the advantage by slamming Beckett’s head into the ringpost. As they brawl near the entranceway, the crowd starts to buzz. Neither man pays any attention, and they both pay the price when Kid Fantastic comes flying off the top rope with a big splash, landing on both men and sending all three clattering to the floor. The crowd is louder than it’s been all night, cheering on the competitors. Kid Fantastic is up first and grabs Chance Beckett, rolling him back into the ring. He slides in and makes the cover: 1…………………..2………………….and John Wellington comes diving into the ring, knocking Kid Fantastic off of the champion!

Wellington drags Kid Fantastic up before immediately depositing him on the canvas with a belly to belly suplex! He picks Fantastic up again and drops him with a Russian leg sweet, then hits a running knee drop onto Fantastic’s bruised and battered head! Wellington doesn’t get a chance to cover, however, as a sidekick from Chance Beckett knocks him absolutely silly. Chance grabs him and goes for the Chance Encounter, but John Wellington manages to counter it, driving his thumb straight into Beckett’s eye socket. Beckett yelps and steps backwards, and Wellington follows up with a fireman’s carry on Beckett. He goes for the cover: 1………………..2…………….NO! Kid Fantastic breaks it up at the absolute last second!

Wellington is up to his feet first, and Beckett and Fantastic soon follow, putting all three men in control of their actions for the first time in minutes. They stare each other down as the audience cheers them on, and Kid Fantastic acts first, leveling both of them with a double clothesline! He charges them again, but Wellington and Beckett team up, dumping him over their heads with a double-team backdrop to the outside! A small “HOLY SHIT!” chant starts up as Fantastic lies there on the outside, motionless. Beckett makes the first move, looking for another European uppercut, but Wellington blocks it, boots Beckett in the stomach, and scoops him up for the E. Coli Driver! He holds it for just a second, smirks, then drives Beckett straight into the canvas! Referee Mike Hunter drops into place as John Wellington hooks the leg and makes the cover: 1…………………2……………………….3!

NO! Wellington can’t believe it, but Mike Hunter is indeed holding two fingers in the air, and Chance Beckett’s arm is sticking straight up. Wellington can’t help but argue with Mike Hunter, but amazingly, Hunter doesn’t reverse the decision. Wellington picks up Beckett, but Beckett connects with the European uppercut this time, stunning Wellington. Wellington doubles over for a moment, then straightens up to find Chance Beckett nailing him in the face with a Yakuza kick! The momentum sends Wellington stumbling back and falling over the ropes to the outside. Beckett goes charging to the ropes, looking to take the fight to the outside, but Kid Fantastic, who just re-entered the ring, grabs him from behind and knees him squarely in the stomach! Beckett gasps as the air leaves his lungs, and Kid Fantastic pulls Beckett into him before lifting him up and planting him with a double underhook powerbomb! The crowd is screaming as Fantastic climbs the top rope, looking to hit the Putdown and end this match. Fantastic balances himself for just a moment, then leaps off the top rope……and HITS THE 450 SPLASH! He partially hooks Chance Beckett’s leg, putting all the weight he can on Beckett’s shoulders, as Mike Hunter makes the call: 1………………………….2…………………………..3!

It’s over! The bell rings, and the fans go nuts as Kid Fantastic rolls off Chance Beckett looking completely stunned upon realizing that he is the new RCW Champion. John Wellington, still on the outside, has managed to stumble to his feet, and he slams his open palm against the ring apron and screams in frustration as Mike Hunter brings the RCW World Title into the ring with him. Fantastic stands up, never once taking his eyes off the title belt, and accepts it from referee Mike Hunter as the crowd’s cheers return to their peak levels. Fantastic holds the belt aloft as Chance Beckett stumbles to his feet, still feeling the effects of the match. He looks around and sees Kid Fantastic holding HIS title belt, and his eyes open widely as the magnitude of the event hits him. He stares for a moment, then just shakes his head and slides out of the ring before Kid Fantastic can make eye contact with him. However, Fantastic is on top of the world as he holds the title belt aloft for the RCW faithful to see. The first ever title change in RCW history has occurred.

WINNER and NEW RCW WORLD CHAMPION: Kid Fantastic

RATING: 66

CROWD: 52

MATCH: 80

NOTES: The RCW World title has gained in image.

OVERALL RATING: 60

[rockyoursox]

MARCH 12, 2007

RCW “HEADQUARTERS”

They always say that March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb. That better be the case, because RCW and the wrestling business in general went through a very interesting period to begin the month of March. When something like that happens, there’s only one way to tell the story: Bullet points.

• I had been following HWA after their job offer to me. Despite turning them down, I was a fan of Les Thatcher and the group of guys they had put together in HWA, and I was hoping that Les was just selling the guys he had there a little short. Well, they moved up to the national rankings three days ago, hiring a bunch of new personnel and getting HWA ready to compete with the big boys in the wrestling business. It made me happy to see them doing so well in the business, and I made a note to call Les and give him congratulations on a job well done.

Turns out that it was a good thing I made the note in pencil. Two days after they made their move to national ranking, I booted up the laptop and went to my e-mail, where my daily updates were waiting as usual. However, one e-mail from the Observer’s mailing list was the surprising one: HWA DROPS BACK DOWN. I opened it up and took a look – just two days after HWA had moved up to National level, they dropped back down to Cult level. The Observer was blaming cash flow problems, but all I could think of was Les telling me that he didn’t trust his boys to make the move on their own. Looks like he was right. Al the staffers they had hired were unceremoniously dumped before they had even collected a paycheck. The whole situation made me feel a little guilty about turning down HWA’s offer – Les Thatcher deserved better than that. Still, RCW wasn’t going to suffer from the same mistakes if we ever made it up the ladder that far.

• On the same day that HWA moved up the ladder to National status, their closest competitor made the same move: Ring of Honor. And unlike HWA, Ring of Honor lasted for more than two days at the national level. In fact, they were clearly doing well for themselves now that they were playing with the big boys. Unlike HWA, they had waited a few days after moving up before making any personnel moves. I had been dreading the inevitable hirings, and simply hoping that HWA and RoH didn’t pillage my roster and sign everyone up to written deals. And for the most part, Renaissance Championship Wrestling came out of the process unscathed. However, for every silver lining, there’s a cloud, and RCW was sad to say goodbye to one of its own: Mr. Kurt Lauderdale.

I was annoyed originally. Kurt Lauderdale was meant to be Kid Fantastic’s first challenger for the RCW World Title, and to really cement Fantastic as the new champion. But he had moved onto bigger and better things. Fortunately, after a quick feud with Kid Fantastic, I had no long-term plans for Kurt Lauderdale, so it wasn’t a devastating loss to my booking plans. Plus, I had worries about him ever since I saw him that night at Hank’s. He looked like death that night, and I was afraid I had hired an alcoholic to work for me. Hopefully Ring of Honor would get a sober Kurt, not a drunken one. If not, I don’t see that written contract working out too well. The one truly important thing that I had learned from this was that locking up the key guys to RCW to some long-term contracts would probably be a good idea.

• However, even with losing Lauderdale, RCW’s future was looking rosy. With the new sponsorship with Metabolife covering most of the bills, the money coming in from LucasArts would be almost pure profit for us. And the $150,000 we brought in during February was proof that we just needed to hold out for those new sponsorships. I was counting the days until April 1, when the last two contracts we signed with our sponsors expired. Screw April Fools Day – I was gonna buy myself a Mercedes or something that day. And the increased funds in February gave me the right to claim I was running a million-dollar business. RCW grossed $1,049,490 in February. And while the net income was clearly a lot lower, it’s still a million-dollar business. Ellen would have fun chewing that one over.

• We had one more trick up our sleeve – a new worker for RCW. He wouldn’t be debuting until April, due to some prior commitments, but after that he was all ours. I won’t ruin the surprise on this one either. In April, at Kick Start, the biggest name (and person) RCW has ever employed would make his debut.

=====================

OFFICIAL~! PREVIEW FOR RCW REMEMBRANCE

THE NEW CHAMP SPEAKS!

For the first time in RCW history, the World Title has changed hands! In a triple threat match at Save The Drama (Fo Yo Mama), Kid Fantastic pinned Chance Beckett with the Putdown to capture the World Title, much to the shock of Chance Beckett and John Wellington! While both men will surely want their chance at the title, tonight is Kid Fantastic’s night to celebrate! RCW’s own Dave Tripps will welcome the new champion to the Trippin’ set – what will Kid Fantastic have to say? Tune in and find out!

CHANCE BECKETT vs. KEITH KOHL

For every winner, there must be a loser. Chance Beckett was clearly devastated by his loss to Kid Fantastic last month, but the former champion has vowed not to dwell in the past. Beckett asked for a matchup against any RCW superstar, and was granted a singles match against Keith Kohl. Will Beckett rebound from the loss, and what might he have to say about the loss of his title?

GEORGE SAND & ??? vs. ADAM FLASH & “THE SILENT ASSASSIN” KATSUSHI TAKEMURA

While the big story from last month was the World Title change, the big story this month revolves around Adam Flash and George Sand once again. Adam Flash sent a message to George Sand when he beat down Ian Gomes last week, then challenged Sand to pick a partner and meet him in the ring at Remembrance. Who will Sand pick to team with? And will it make a difference against the duo of Adam Flash and the Silent Assassin?

AND MORE!

John Wellington will be in the house – what will he have to say about the title match, where he was not involved in the decision? Travis Finity, irate after being destroyed by Fred Laney last month, has asked for a match against the returning former athlete – can he continue his RCW winning streak? And will Twiggy have more pranks in store? And what else might happen? Make sure to get your tickets fast – supplies are limited, and the best seats are going quickly for the show destined to become RCW’s version of Wrestlemania!

EARL POLERO BINGO HALL, BROOKLYN, NY

SUNDAY, MARCH 25, 2007

RCW REMEMBRANCE!

[rockyoursox]

RCW REMEMBRANCE

SUNDAY, MARCH 25, 2007

EARL POLERO BINGO HALL, BROOKLYN, NY

=================

Trippin’ With: Kid Fantastic

The show kicks off with Dave Tripps standing in the ring, flanked by the new and improved Trippin’ set (featuring a new coat of paint on the desk – guess he took Wellington’s insult to heart). As his faux-news music fades out and the crowd of 334 (yet another new RCW attendance record), Tripps excitedly begins his spiel.

Tripps: Hello, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to the hottest show in wrestling today: the one, the only, Trippin’ With Dave Tripps! I’m your host, Dave Tripps, and tonight’s episode is perhaps the most anticipated episode of Trippin’ yet! I’ve got to say, I’ve been hearing the buzz about tonight’s episode all over the place for the last month! People in line at the supermarket are talking, people on the street are talking – I believe that RCW was the most-searched term on Google this month!

The crowd chuckles at Tripps, who doesn’t particularly seem to be joking as he continues on.

Tripps: Tonight’s episode is one of the great thrills in broadcast journalism. Last month, RCW saw a new champion crowned, as Kid Fantastic pulled off a surprising upset of former champion, and friend of Trippin’, Chance Beckett, and his fellow challenger John Wellington! A new era begins here tonight in RCW, but before it begins, Trippin’ has a live, exclusive interview with the man who instigated the first title change in RCW history! Ladies and gentlemen, I give you: KID FANTASSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSTIC!

The crowd roars as Kid Fantastic’s music kicks up and the new champion makes his entrance into Earl Polero Bingo Hall. Earl and his cadre seem to be particularly pleased, getting a small “KID FAN-TAST-TIC! *clap clap clapclapclap*” chant going as the champion, with the RCW title belt clasped tightly around his waist, makes his way down to the ring. He slides into the ring, shakes Dave’s hand, then holds up the title, giving the fans a chance to cheer him on before taking a seat.

Tripps: Welcome to the Trip, Kid – I’m glad your first visit could be as pleasurable as it is.

Fantastic: Me too, Dave. It’s a real honor to be here, and to be here as the RCW champion.

Tripps: What was the first thought that went through your mind when you won the belt?

Fantastic: The first thought, to be perfectly honest, was ‘Thank god my parents didn’t disown me when I told them about this job.’ If they hadn’t approved, I probably wouldn’t have gone any further with it. But they gave me their blessing in the end, and the rest is history.

Tripps: Did you think you had a chance going into the match?

Fantastic: I knew I had a chance, but not a great one. Chance Beckett dominated this place for ten months, and John Wellington is a heck of a competitor too. Still, I just stuck to my guns. Beating Chance Beckett to work my way into this match was a huge confidence builder.

Tripps: How do you react to the controversy over the delay of the match by a month due to the assault on you?

Fantastic: I was a bit bothered by it. Chance was right in doing what he did. I earned my way into the match fair and square, and to have it taken away from me because of some stupid assault by a peabrain like Kurt Lauderdale would have been a huge blow.

Tripps: We’ve learned that Kurt Lauderdale has been let go by RCW due to his actions – do you feel vindicated by this?

Fantastic: To be fair, I feel stupid more than anything. It happened exactly the same way as before. I’m coming out of my locker room, and then all of a sudden I get jumped from behind. I literally never saw him coming – just a blow with something to the back of the head, and the next thing I know the medic’s there to take care of me.

Tripps: So when, where, and against who do you plan to defend the RCW title next?

Fantastic: Chance deserves his rematch. I think next month would work for me there.

Tripps: Well, folks, you heard it – Chance Beckett vs. Kid Fantastic, one on one, for the title at next month’s show. Kid, thank you for being on the Trip.

Fantastic: My pleasure.

Tripps: And ladies and gentlemen, that’s all the time we have for you today! This is just the start of some amazing action here in RCW tonight, highlighted by the tag team main event where George Sand and a partner will take on Adam Flash and Katsushi Takemura! What a long, strange trip it’s been, folks – goodnight.

RATING: 58

NOTES: Kid Fantastic gained overness from this segment. Dave Tripps gained overness from this segment.

==============

Travis Finity vs. Fred Laney

Finity, still clearly annoyed over his disrupted match with Twiggy from the month before, comes sprinting out and goes at Fred Laney with his normal ultra-fast flurry of offense. However, Fred Laney clearly scouted out the match Finity had with Twiggy the month before, and goes straight for the strategy that Twiggy employed the previous month. Laney, usually a total brawler, uses every ounce of technical knowledge at his disposal (which admittedly isn’t very much) to slow down Travis Finity with a variety of restholds. Finity struggles against them, but the larger Fred Laney uses his weight to keep Laney on the mat. The crowd gets progressively angrier at the constant slowdown tactics, then starts to grow apathetic as Laney continues to sap Finity’s strength. After working over Finity for close to ten minutes, Laney finally goes in for the attack. Travis clearly doesn’t have his legs under him, and looks like a completely different person as he EATS a Wonderpunch from Laney. Laney sets up in the corner, waiting for Finity to get up and take a spear. Finity stumbles to his feet, but doesn’t stay up for long as he gets crushed by a Fred Laney spear! Fred drops to the canvas and covers the blown-up Finity, and referee Mike Hunter makes the cover: 1………………..2…………………..3! Fred Laney has handed Travis Finity his first loss in his RCW career!

WINNER: Fred Laney

RATING: 61

CROWD: 45

MATCH: 77

===================

We Cut Backstage To Nick Collyer...

Backstage, we see Nick Collyer lacing up his boots and going through the early portion of his stretching routine. As he blankly looks ahead, loosening his shoulder muscles, a hand comes down on his back from behind. Collyer tenses and turns, but relaxes as he sees George Sand standing there with Francoise.

Collyer: Oh – hi George. What’s up?

Sand: Nick, good to see you. Got a match tonight?

Collyer: No, no match yet. But they told me to be ready in case they needed to fill time, so I’m getting loose anyways.

Sand: Nice, nice…that’s a good work ethic.

Francoise: Yeah, that’s pretty dedicated of you, Nick.

Collyer: Well, I’m still the rookie here. Gotta make sure to do everything right, just to get the right habits in place and everything. And you’ve gotta go the extra mile to impress people when your gear bag has a wrestling school’s logo on it.

Sand: That’s true – I remember how it was for me breaking in a little while back. You’ve done pretty well here. You looked really good against Ian Gomes at Lights Out. I was watching that match from back here. You do a mean shooting star press.

Collyer: Thanks – it was the key to my final exam at school. Um….so, what exactly is it you guys want?

George looks at Francoise briefly, receiving a nod in return, before replying.

Sand: Nick, I assume you heard the offer I accepted from Adam Flash. I need a tag partner for tonight against Adam Flash and Katsushi Takemura. I want that tag team partner to be you.

Francoise: WE want that partner to be you.

Nick is stunned by the offer, and just looks back and forth between the two for a moment. Finally his words return to him.

Collyer: Me? Are you sure you want me? I mean, being so green and…

Sand: Nick, like I said, I was watching you two months ago at Lights Out. I always thought you had potential, and that match proved it. You’d be a great complement to my style. And it’d be a big break for you.

Collyer: Yeah…but what about Ian? I thought you and him were kinda tight and everything.

George looks a little bothered by this one, but Francoise jumps in.

Francoise: As George put it, he really likes Ian. But Ian was a little too gung-ho.

Sand:: Yeah, that’s basically it. Ian didn’t need to get involved in my business. He did help me, but I don’t know if I can trust him to rein it in when it mattered. And besides that, there’s the fact that he hasn’t won a match yet.

Francoise: I don’t want George going out there with some jobber as his ‘lieutenant’, as Tizziana put it.

Collyer: Lieutenant Collyer – I kinda like the sound of that.

Sand: Don’t get too used to the title. That’s not quite how we do things. Still, are you game for helping me out tonight?

Collyer: Yeah, I’m game. How could I turn down an opportunity like this?

Sand: Glad to hear it, man. Now be warned – getting involved in this means you might be a target. You saw what happened to Ian last month. So sticking with the whole military thing – if you sign up, you’re enlisting with me for a while. This is a war, and your tour of duty might get extended a little bit depending on what happens. Are you cool with that?

Collyer: I’m cool with that.

Francoise: Great! Now let’s start going over stuff for the match. I’ve been scouting them for a while, and they have three main plans of att…

RATING: 61

NOTES: Nick Collyer gained overness from this segment.

===============

The Camera Pans Back...

….to reveal Ian Gomes staring around a corner, watching the conversation. With that, Gomes ducks back around the corner and looks down at his feet, defeated.

Gomes: What more could I have done? I did everything for George – I saved him twice! I served him, and he repays me by choosing this rookie, this inexperienced twat, to be by his side when he battles tonight. Ridiculous. I should be the one out there fighting in the main event tonight. And then he talks about me behind my bloody back, saying that I’m rash, out of control. That’s the mistake that George Sand made. I’m bloody well in control, and George Sand is going to find out the hard way!

Gomes is pacing through the hallway now, and pokes his head around the corner to look at the trio before spitting in disgust.

Gomes: Look at them. The three of them are already acting like they’ve been together forever, best mates forever. When I’m done with them, none of them will be able to look each other in the eye.

Gomes is interrupted as a large, extremely sculpted man has walked up a few feet away from him and just stopped.

Gomes: This isn’t a bloody show, so bugger off!

However, the man hasn’t been looking at Ian. His gaze is firmly planted on the trio down the hallway, and his look seems particularly stunned.

Man: What the hell is she doing here?

Gomes: Can I help you, mate?

The man finally jolts out of his near-trance, and he twirls around to face Ian Gomes, looking a bit sheepish.

Man: Oh, well, um…do you know who that girl is down there?

Gomes: Indeed. That’s Francoise – she manages one of the blokes down there, George Sand.

Man: I can’t friggin’ believe it. So that’s the other guy…

Gomes: Mind letting me in on the whole game? First off, what’s your name?

Man: Sorry – I’m Sean. Sean Weldon.

Gomes: The name’s Ian, Ian Gomes. Pleasure to meet you, Sean

Weldon Wish I could say the same. But that girl down there, Francoise – I can’t believe it’s her.

Gomes: Well, how do you know her?

Weldon A year or so ago, we worked in the same office that my dad owned. I had a real thing for her. Kept trying to win her over. God knows I didn’t spare any expense – I was pretty well off then, and I spent everything trying to sweep her off her feet. Even went to her father trying to win her over. But she was head over heels for some jackass that her father hated. She won, and I never got her. Of course, I had empty pockets after all the expense, so I decide to do some wrestling on the side. And then, just to rub it in, I get hired to a place where she and her boyfriend are gonna be prancing around. Just friggin’ great.

Gomes: Hmmm – most interesting.

Weldon At least I can try and get in the ring with that jackass she’s with and rough him up a little bit.

Gomes: Actually, mate, I might have a better idea.

Weldon Oh? What, you have a thing for her too?

Ian laughs a little at that one, leaving a confused Sean waiting for Ian’s response.

Gomes: No, no, not that at all. But that man she’s with – who is named George Sand, for the record – has managed to find his way onto my bad side.

Weldon I see – well, Mr. Gomes, I think running into you might have made today worth it.

Gomes: That remains to be seen. Still, I think we should continue this conversation somewhere a little bit….quieter…if you will.

With that, the two go strolling down the hall, mumbling to each other all the way.

RATING: 61

NOTES: Sean Weldon debuted his new gimmick (Menacing), it got a positive response. Sean Weldon gained overness from this segment. Ian Gomes gained overness from this segment.

==================

Chance Beckett vs. Keith Kohl

As Chance Beckett makes his way down to the ring, he looks quite different without his omnipresent RCW title belt wrapped around his shoulder. He doesn’t show any signs of annoyance in the ring though, taking it straight at Keith Kohl with his standard patient offense. Keith tries repeatedly to break away from Beckett and catch a breather, but Beckett stays right on top of him, mixing up his submissions and strikes to keep Kohl guessing. His brother, Kent, yells advice from ringside, trying to help Keith get back on the offensive. All the advice does is distract Keith, however, giving Beckett the opening to nail a running Yakuza kick, which he follows with a swinging neckbreaker to Kohl. With the match firmly in control, Beckett looks to finish it. He picks Keith Kohl off the canvas, then delivers the Chance Encounter! Kohl is down and out as Chance Beckett drops to the ground and makes the cover so Frank Stool can make the academic count: 1……………………2…………………3! Chance Beckett has won, but there seems to be no change at all in his demeanor as he picks himself and pauses, focusing on the entranceway…

WINNER: Chance Beckett

RATING: 58

CROWD: 45

MATCH: 71

=================

John Wellington vs. Kent Kohl

…where John Wellington comes walking down, holding a microphone in his hand.

Wellington: Well Beckett, your little scheme backfired on you. Looks like adding in that third guy did you in. But Chance, I’m out here to prove that I deserve the next title shot, not you. Sure, you get a rematch at some point – I mean, why shouldn’t the person who gets pinned get a shot? Totally makes sense. But I’m getting a shot before you, Chance. Unlike you, I didn’t get pinned by Kid Fantastic. As I see it, I deserve that shot before you. And to prove that I deserve it even more, I’m gonna one-up you. You see, I timed you back there – it took you 4:25 to beat Jobber #1 over there. And now I’m gonna take on Jobber #2, and I’ll take him down faster than you did.

With that, Wellington slams the microphone into Kent Kohl’s head, then rolls him into the ring! Frank Stool looks around, then shakes his head and calls for the bell. Wellington goes for the immediate cover, but Kohl kicks out at 2. Wellington dominates him, with the microphone shot clearly affecting Kent’s stamina. Wellington works over the head, nailing a series of elbows straight into Kent’s skull, then cracking him with a knee straight to the forehead. With Kohl’s head weakened, Wellington scoops him up and plants him into the canvas with the E. Coli Driver at the 3:32 mark. Frank Stool drops into position and makes the count: 1……………..2………………….3! John Wellington has followed through on his promise, taking down the second half of the Kohl Brothers in less time than it took Chance Beckett. Beckett simply shakes his head at Wellington’s tainted victory and walks to the back, with Wellington following a safe distance behind, taunting him as they walk. Back in the ring, Keith helps Kent to his feet, then grabs the microphone that Wellington left behind.

WINNER: John Wellington

RATING: 59

CROWD: 46

MATCH: 72

===================

The Kohls Komplain

Keith: OK, that’s it! I’m not quite sure what the idiots in back are thinking, but I think we made it very, very clear when we signed with RCW: We are a TAG TEAM! We are not two singles wrestlers! We work as a unit!

Kent is standing upright now, and he leans in to say his piece.

Kent: Damn right we are. We got to show off our talents in our debut match – Twiggy and Nick Collyer had no clue what hit them. And after that, what happens? Singles match after singles match! We don’t DO singles!

Keith: We’re the perfect team! We complement each other! We know what our strengths and weaknesses are, and my strengths complement Kent’s weaknesses! We’ve been wrestling together since we were kids 15 years ago, and we’ve gotten to the point where we are ALWAYS on the same wavelength!

Kent: So to the idiots backstage, listen up. We work as a tag team. No more singles bookings. We are a TEAM. You hired us as a team, and we stay a team. The Kohl Brothers will take on any two people, anytime – as long as we see double, they’ll see trouble.

RATING: 43

=================

Adam Flash & 'The Silent Assassin' Katsushi Takemura (w./ Tizziana) vs. George Sand & Nick Collyer (w./ Francoise)

Adam Flash and Katsushi Takemura are out first with Tizziana at their side, and they get their usual vitriol-fueled reception as they make their way down to the ring. As the Silent Assassin shows off his ‘swordplay’ in the ring, George Sand’s music kicks in. The crowd reaction for Sand is a little quieter than usual, as the crowd seems unsure of Nick Collyer’s presence alongside him. However, they get a good pop by sliding into the ring and immediately taking the fight to Flash and Takemura, who were clearly caught off guard. Francoise and Tizziana exchange heated glares from opposite sides of the ring as Collyer and Flash get disentangled by senior referee Mike Hunter and sent to the outside, leaving Takemura and Sand to start the match off.

Sand and Takemura trade offense early on, with a leg lariat from George Sand finally giving him an advantage over the Silent Assassin. Sand works him over for a while, then brings Nick Collyer into the match. Nick leaps over the ropes and immediately starts swinging away, connecting with a series of right hands. He whips Takemura, but Katsushi reverses it. However, Collyer counters that with a flying elbow, taking Takemura down to the mat! Collyer makes the cover: 1…………….2……..and that’s all, as Mike Hunter points out Takemura’s raised shoulder. Collyer quickly tags Sand back in, getting a big pop from the crowd. Sand goes for the big move, dragging Takemura to the top turnbuckle and looking to hit the fallaway moonsault to finish the match. However, Takemura manages to fight his way free, with both men standing precariously on the ropes. Takemura delivers a knee to Sand’s face, weakening his grip on the ropes, giving Takemura the chance to leap off the top and plant Sand to the canvas with a modified Lou Thesz press! He makes the cover on Sand: 1…………………….2……………and Sand kicks out, getting a pop from the crowd.

Takemura takes the lull to rest, tagging in Adam Flash. Flash takes his time into the ring, taunting Francoise on the outside. Sand tries to surprise Flash, jumping off the mat and going for a clothesline, but Flash ducks it before hitting an atomic drop on Sand! With Sand in obvious pain, Flash delivers a chop, then a second, then a third. After the third chop leaves Sand reeling, Adam Flash does a quick dance for the crowd, inciting a chorus of boos, before leveling him with a lariat. Joe Wheeler puts the move over as the Flashdance – that’s why we pay Joe the big bucks. Flash makes the cover: 1…………..2…………..no, George Sand kicks out! Sand tries to make his way to the corner, but Flash drags him into his own corner before tagging in Takemura. Takemura drops to the canvas and immediately locks on an armbar. Sand fights to free himself, struggling towards the ropes. Francoise screams on encouragement from the outside, but Tizziana soon distracts her, engaging in an all-out shoutfight with Francoise. Through it all, Sand keeps struggling towards the ropes and finally wraps his hand around the rope, breaking the hold.

Sand struggles up, dodging a Takemura lariat on the way. He grabs Takemura from behind, then plants him into the canvas with a textbook dragon suplex! Sand starts to crawl towards the corner, with Nick Collyer reaching his arm out. Takemura fights up and goes after Sand, trying to stop him from making the corner, but Sand slaps the hand of Collyer before collapsing into the corner! Collyer flies over the top rope and nails Takemura with a forearm, then runs over to the corner and knocks Adam Flash off the apron! Takemura gets up, but Collyer deposits the charging Takemura on the canvas with a hiptoss. Takemura fights up again, and Collyer sends a kick at him….which Takemura catches! Takemura taunts Collyer for a moment, but Collyer responds with an enziguri to the side of Takemura’s head, dropping the Silent Assassin like a sack of potatoes!

Collyer soaks in the cheering crowd for a moment, then heads for the top turnbuckle, looking to land the Shooting Star Press on the downed Takemura. The rest of the team goes into action, with both Adam Flash and Tizziana making a beeline for the turnbuckle. As Flash goes rampaging towards Collyer, a revived George Sand tackles him to the ground and starts throwing punches, engaging his rival in an all-out brawl that rolls out of the ring. This gets the attention of Mike Hunter, giving Tizziana an opening to sneak up behind Nick Collyer. Tizziana climbs up onto the apron and grabs ahold of Collyer’s foot – then feels a hand wrap around her own leg! She looks down and sees Francoise standing there before getting pulled off the apron all together! With both obstacles out of the way, Nick Collyer braces himself, then leaps off the top…..and CONNECTS with the SSP! He hooks the leg, bringing Mike Hunter back into the ring: 1……………………2…………………….3! The bell rings as the crowd goes nuts! George Sand and Francoise, both disentangled from their adversaries, slide into the ring and pick up Nick Collyer, overjoyed over the ending. As the show comes to a close, Flash, Takemura, and Tizziana stare up at the trio in the ring celebrating Nick Collyer’s improbable main event win.

WINNERS: Nick Collyer & George Sand

RATING: 65

CROWD: 54

MATCH: 77

NOTES: Adam Flash lost overness from this match. Katsushi Takemura lost overness from this match. Nick Collyer gained overness from this match. George Sand gained overness from this match.

OVERALL: 59

[Not Henry Cavill]

A new year, turning a profit, a new RCW Champion... Things couldn't get much better could they?

There needs to be more Twiggy action... I have no doubt that Strawberry is the new Orange. Aside from that the entire shows seem to be incredibly well written and the matches are the perfect length. Keep up the good work.

[rockyoursox]

With Remembrance finished, we had closed the book on the first full year of RCW. And with that being done, it was time for a little party for the boys in the back, complete with awards ceremony. Here was the ballot:

MVP

- Chance Beckett

- Adam Flash

- George Sand

- John Wellington

- Kid Fantastic

MOST IMPROVED

- Katsushi Takemura

- Kid Fantastic

- Nick Collyer

- Twiggy

- Dave Tripps

BEST MATCH

- George Sand d. Katsushi Takemura (RCW No-Sell The Sabbath, May 2006)

- George Sand d. Chance Beckett (via DQ) (RCW Bastards On Parade, July 2006)

- Twiggy & Kid Fantastic d. Kurt Lauderdale and Fred Laney (RCW Carnaval, September 2006)

- Chance Beckett d. George Sand & Adam Flash (RCW Victory Strikes Again, October 2006)

- Kid Fantastic d. John Wellington & Chance Beckett (RCW Save The Drama Fo Yo Mama, February 2007)

BEST INTERVIEW/ANGLE

- Fred Laney as Prince Ali (RCW No-Sell The Sabbath, May 2006)

- Twiggy Promises To ‘Free The Orange’ (RCW Code Red, June 2006)

- Twiggy Attacks Fred Laney Over Chinese Food (RCW Bastards On Parade, July 2006)

- Chance Beckett Chews Out Adam Flash (RCW Indoor Fireworks, August 2006)

- John Wellington and Chance Beckett Confront Each Other (RCW Lights Out, January 2007)

WORST MATCH

- John Wellington d. Simon Sanders (RCW Kick Start, April 2006)

- Twiggy vs. Kid Fantastic (RCW No-Sell The Sabbath, May 2006)

- Nick Collyer d. Sweatsuit Steve (RCW Victory Strikes Again, October 2006)

- Kurt Lauderdale d. Simon Sanders (RCW Victory Strikes Again, October 2006)

- Travis Finity d. Sam Artino (RCW Wreck The Halls, December 2006)

WORST INTERVIEW/ANGLE

- Katsushi Speaks, Part 1! (RCW Code Red, June 2006)

- Kurt Lauderdale Rips Kid Fantastic, The Crowd (RCW Bastards On Parade, July 2006)

- Katsushi Speaks, Part 2! (RCW Bastards On Parade, July 2006)

- George Sand Answers Questions (RCW Victory Strikes Again, October 2006)

- The Kohl Brothers Komplain (RCW Remembrance, March 2007)

LVP

- Sam Artino

- Sweatsuit Steve

- Simon Sanders

- Keith Kohl

- Kent Kohl

TRIPPIN’ PRESENTS: TRIPPIN’ SEGMENT OF THE YEAR

- Chance Beckett On Show Leads To Impromptu Match (RCW No-Sell The Sabbath, May 2006)

- Kid Fantastic Surprised By Kurt Lauderdale (RCW Code Red, June 2005)

- Trippin’ Reveals Sweatsuit Steve As Mystery Partner (RCW Indoor Fireworks, August 2006)

- George Sand and Francoise Reconciled (RCW Category 5, November 2006)

- Kid Fantastic Debuts As Champion (RCW Remembrance, March 2007)

(OOC: Anyone who has any votes, or other nominations I may have missed, feel free to post them here. I’ll post the awards winners, which probably won’t be a huge to-do, and April’s State of RCW tomorrow)

[Not Henry Cavill]

With Remembrance finished, we had closed the book on the first full year of RCW. And with that being done, it was time for a little party for the boys in the back, complete with awards ceremony. Here was the ballot:

MVP

- Chance Beckett

- Adam Flash

- George Sand

- John Wellington

- Kid Fantastic

My Take: With Chance carrying the RCW title throughout the year, and providing decent matches with virtually everyone he took on. It's hard to pick against him, although Kid Fantastic has done a great job with his role, Chance has been the face of the company thus far.

MOST IMPROVED

- Katsushi Takemura

- Kid Fantastic

- Nick Collyer

- Twiggy

- Dave Tripps

My Take: I absolutely love the Twiggy character, and his portrayal has brought some levity to the whole company. His feud with Laney has been the highlight of the shows for me. Although with Kid Fantastic's almost sudden ascension to the RCW title, it's hard to pick against him as well.

BEST MATCH

- George Sand d. Katsushi Takemura (RCW No-Sell The Sabbath, May 2006)

- George Sand d. Chance Beckett (via DQ) (RCW Bastards On Parade, July 2006)

- Twiggy & Kid Fantastic d. Kurt Lauderdale and Fred Laney (RCW Carnaval, September 2006)

- Chance Beckett d. George Sand & Adam Flash (RCW Victory Strikes Again, October 2006)

- Kid Fantastic d. John Wellington & Chance Beckett (RCW Save The Drama Fo Yo Mama, February 2007)

My Take: As much as I enjoyed the Twiggy/Fantastic d. Lauderdale/Laney match, the build for the Fantastic/Wellington/Beckett match was quite well done, really establishing Kid as an underdog that virtually any fan can get behind. Well done.

BEST INTERVIEW/ANGLE

- Fred Laney as Prince Ali (RCW No-Sell The Sabbath, May 2006)

- Twiggy Promises To ‘Free The Orange’ (RCW Code Red, June 2006)

- Twiggy Attacks Fred Laney Over Chinese Food (RCW Bastards On Parade, July 2006)

- Chance Beckett Chews Out Adam Flash (RCW Indoor Fireworks, August 2006)

- John Wellington and Chance Beckett Confront Each Other (RCW Lights Out, January 2007)

My Take: Twiggy's promos and angles have been the highlight of the shows for me. with that said, it was tough to choose between Freeing the Orange and the Chinese Food Assault, in the end I went with Free the Orange as it could be one of those trademark moments (similar to the Austin 3:16 comment at KOTR) that really make Twiggy a star.

WORST MATCH

- John Wellington d. Simon Sanders (RCW Kick Start, April 2006)

- Twiggy vs. Kid Fantastic (RCW No-Sell The Sabbath, May 2006)

- Nick Collyer d. Sweatsuit Steve (RCW Victory Strikes Again, October 2006)

- Kurt Lauderdale d. Simon Sanders (RCW Victory Strikes Again, October 2006)

- Travis Finity d. Sam Artino (RCW Wreck The Halls, December 2006)

My Take: Not a huge fan of Sweatsuit Steve, which obviously made me a little biased I suppose. Most of the other matches had a redeeming quality not found in the Collyer/Steve match.

WORST INTERVIEW/ANGLE

- Katsushi Speaks, Part 1! (RCW Code Red, June 2006)

- Kurt Lauderdale Rips Kid Fantastic, The Crowd (RCW Bastards On Parade, July 2006)

- Katsushi Speaks, Part 2! (RCW Bastards On Parade, July 2006)

- George Sand Answers Questions (RCW Victory Strikes Again, October 2006)

- The Kohl Brothers Komplain (RCW Remembrance, March 2007)

My Take: A tag team complaining about working singles matches. You know, most guys would be grateful just to be working.

LVP

- Sam Artino

- Sweatsuit Steve

- Simon Sanders

- Keith Kohl

- Kent Kohl

My Take: Sweatsuit Steve, when your gimmick is the number of sweatsuits you have... there's not much for anyone to grab onto.

TRIPPIN’ PRESENTS: TRIPPIN’ SEGMENT OF THE YEAR

- Chance Beckett On Show Leads To Impromptu Match (RCW No-Sell The Sabbath, May 2006)

- Kid Fantastic Surprised By Kurt Lauderdale (RCW Code Red, June 2005)

- Trippin’ Reveals Sweatsuit Steve As Mystery Partner (RCW Indoor Fireworks, August 2006)

- George Sand and Francoise Reconciled (RCW Category 5, November 2006)

- Kid Fantastic Debuts As Champion (RCW Remembrance, March 2007)

My Take: This segment really allowed Kid Fantastic a chance to bask in the glow of his title win. Giving the fans more reason to get behind him.

[rockyoursox]

MARCH 25, 2007

HANK’S BAR AND GRILL

I had brought all the guys over to Hank’s for the big celebration, which would include the awards, and hopefully very few people taking advantage of Hank’s “Don’t puke, get 10% off your bill” deal. With the entirety of my roster, staff, Jack, and Sophie sitting around tables, I got up and brought a box full of trophies up in front of the group. They actually got quiet when I was in front of them – they had better manners than the Board of Directors over at Fidelity. Score another point for RCW.

Me: OK guys, thank you so much for joining us, and for making RCW’s first year the unqualified success that it clearly was.

A small round of applause went up from the crowd of people gathered around me, and I joined in before continuing.

Me: OK, I’m not a huge talker, so we’re gonna do these awards right to the point. And for the record, people were wondering, ‘What are these awards called?” You have the Grammys, Emmys, Slammys, etc. I could have gone the normal route and called them something like the Slammys, but here at RENAISSANCE Championship Wrestling, we do things a little differently. So tonight, you all are competing for the prestigious DaVincis!

This got a little bit of a laugh from the guys, and I milked it for all it was worth before moving on.

Me: Now, awards are great, and everyone likes to get ‘em. But to really appreciate the highs, you’ve gotta appreciate the lows too. So we’ve got a few awards to give out for the worst RCW had to offer this year. Anyone who gets one of these awards, just take it with a sense of humor. If I really thought you were that bad, you’d have been fired.

There was a little bit of nervous laughter after that one, but most guys just looked around at each other, clearly hoping to avoid being the recipient of one of the awards. I saw Jack standing there, looking at me with a concerned face, but I looked away and grabbed the first trophy out of the box at my side.

Me: OK, this is the first award we’ve got this year, and it’s for the worst angle or interview this year!

Flash: I am NOT a bastard!

The rest of the group laughed as Flash referenced back to Katsushi Takemura’s second interview, taking place at Bastards On Parade. Takemura just looked down, not betraying his feelings on his face.

Me: Thank you, Adam. And the nominees this year are:

RENAISSANCE CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLING WORST INTERVIEW/ANGLE

- Katsushi Speaks, Part 1! (RCW Code Red, June 2006)

- Kurt Lauderdale Rips Kid Fantastic, The Crowd (RCW Bastards On Parade, July 2006)

- Katsushi Speaks, Part 2! (RCW Bastards On Parade, July 2006)

- George Sand Answers Questions (RCW Victory Strikes Again, October 2006)

- The Kohl Brothers Komplain (RCW Remembrance, March 2007)

I tore open the envelopes that I had sealed earlier that day when I had been figuring out who had won the awards. I had polled a few of the regulars at the RCW shows, including Earl, but in the end, I was the one giving out the awards. I knew the guys better than anyone else, right?

Me: And the winner is……Flash, you got it right! Katsushi Takemura’s “I am not a bastard!” speech!

The rest of the group gave Takemura a lot of hooting as he stood up to take the award and quickly returned to his seat, clearly glad to be done with it.

Me: OK, OK. Our second award goes to the worst match in RCW this year! And the nominees are:

RENAISSANCE CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLING WORST MATCH

- John Wellington d. Simon Sanders (RCW Kick Start, April 2006)

- Twiggy vs. Kid Fantastic (RCW No-Sell The Sabbath, May 2006)

- Nick Collyer d. Sweatsuit Steve (RCW Victory Strikes Again, October 2006)

- Kurt Lauderdale d. Simon Sanders (RCW Victory Strikes Again, October 2006)

- Travis Finity d. Sam Artino (RCW Wreck The Halls, December 2006)

Me: And the winner is…….Nick Collyer versus Sweatsuit Steve!

The two men got up, looking slightly embarrassed, and came up to accept their trophy. They pretended to fight over the trophy before shaking hands and holding the trophy aloft together. Not a surprise that these were the two who won the award – Steve’s total enhancement talent, Nick was fresh out of wrestling school, and to top it off, they wrestled two different styles. Not a combo I planned on re-establishing.

Me: OK, OK, we have one last award on the negative side to give out: RCW’s Least Valuable Player! Not that any of you aren’t valuable in your own special way, but as a wise man once said, ‘The world needs ditchdiggers too.’ And the nominees are:

RENAISSANCE CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLING LVP

- Sam Artino

- Sweatsuit Steve

- Simon Sanders

- Keith Kohl

- Kent Kohl

Me: And the winner of the DaVinci……SWEATSUIT STEVE! Get back up here, buddy!

Steve, who was rocking a black and orange sweatsuit that made him look suspiciously like a Cincinnati Bengal, came up holding his first trophy to get his second of the evening. I gave him a good handshake as he took the trophy and strutted back to his seat, glad to have been noticed for his contributions to RCW. Everyone needs a good sweatsuit, right?

Me: OK, now that all that unpleasantness is done with, it’s time for RCW to honor the best and brightest we’ve had this year. And before I give out my awards, I’d like to give the floor to our own Dave Tripps, who has his own award that he’d like to present tonight.

Dave came walking up, notecards in hand, to present an award he had suggested to me when he had first found out about the awards show – an award for the best Trippin’ segment of the year. I OK’ed it, and even let him pick the award himself. This was the only suspense I got for the night, so I sat back and watched like the rest of the guys.

Dave: My comrades, I’m glad to come before you tonight to present the first annual Trippin’ With Dave Tripps Vision Of Excellence Award! This award goes to the individual who electrified the viewing audience with the most riveting segment of Trippin’ during the year!

As the wrestlers stumble over the long, ostentatious, and not particularly apt name, Dave pulls out his list of nominees and sets it next to the Trippin’ trophy, which is significantly larger and gaudier than the other trophies I invested in. Dave paid for it, so he could have whatever he wanted, I suppose.

Dave: And the nominees are:

TRIPPIN’ WITH DAVE TRIPPS VISION OF EXCELLENCE AWARD

- Chance Beckett On Show Leads To Impromptu Match (RCW No-Sell The Sabbath, May 2006)

- Kid Fantastic Surprised By Kurt Lauderdale (RCW Code Red, June 2005)

- Trippin’ Reveals Sweatsuit Steve As Mystery Partner (RCW Indoor Fireworks, August 2006)

- George Sand and Francoise Reconciled (RCW Category 5, November 2006)

- Kid Fantastic Debuts As Champion (RCW Remembrance, March 2007)

Dave: And ladies and gentlemen, our winner…..CHANCE BECKETT AND HIS IMPROMPTU TITLE DEFENSE!

Chance gets up and walks up to accept the trophy, looking genuinely honored to win a DaVinci. He shakes Dave’s hand and holds the trophy over his air, shaking it around like he won the Indy 500. He celebrates until every last person there, including the drunk guy who wandered into our group, had stopped applauding before heading to his seat, looking rather pleased with himself.

Me: OK Dave, thank you very much for that presentation. And now, since we’ve done the WORST match and promo that RCW had to offer, it’s time for the best! We’ll start with the DaVinci for Best Interview or Angle! And the nominees are:

RENAISSANCE CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLING BEST INTERVIEW/ANGLE

- Fred Laney as Prince Ali (RCW No-Sell The Sabbath, May 2006)

- Twiggy Promises To ‘Free The Orange’ (RCW Code Red, June 2006)

- Twiggy Attacks Fred Laney Over Chinese Food (RCW Bastards On Parade, July 2006)

- Chance Beckett Chews Out Adam Flash (RCW Indoor Fireworks, August 2006)

- John Wellington and Chance Beckett Confront Each Other (RCW Lights Out, January 2007)

Me: And the winner is……the man who freed the orange, TWIGGY!

Twiggy, still wearing his ring gear (today consisting of a speedo, swim cap, goggles, and a frilly pirate shirt, comes up and takes the award, looking slightly more delighted than he normally does. He takes the trophy and holds it up in the air while trying to slip a second trophy out of the box with his free hand. As he turns, I take the second trophy back and slip it back into the box. Twiggy just turns and blows me (or maybe the trophy….or maybe both…..) a kiss and returns to his seat, looking pleased as punch. I had wanted to give the award to Fred Laney and his Prince Ali promo, but the crowd was pretty into Twiggy, so I figured they could have that one.

Me: And now, it’s time to honor the best match in RCW this year. This was an extremely, extremely competitive category. And the nominees are:

RENAISSANCE CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLING BEST MATCH

- George Sand d. Katsushi Takemura (RCW No-Sell The Sabbath, May 2006)

- George Sand d. Chance Beckett (via DQ) (RCW Bastards On Parade, July 2006)

- Twiggy & Kid Fantastic d. Kurt Lauderdale and Fred Laney (RCW Carnaval, September 2006)

- Chance Beckett d. George Sand & Adam Flash (RCW Victory Strikes Again, October 2006)

- Kid Fantastic d. John Wellington & Chance Beckett (RCW Save The Drama Fo Yo Mama, February 2007)

Me: And the winner…….Katsushi Takemura and George Sand for their incredible match at RCW’s second-ever show, RCW No-Sell The Sabbath! Come on up, guys!

Sand, accompanied by Francoise, looks overjoyed and comes up immediately, knocking over a stool in his haste. Takemura, on the other hand, looked bummed out and took his time sliding up to the front of the room. As he and Sand posed together with the trophy for Sound Guy, who was serving as official photographer, Takemura barely gave a smile for the picture. He looked at the trophy once, then shot me a dagger glare as he made his way back to his seat, allowing Sand to take the trophy with him. I was a little unnerved, and took a big swig out of my Miller Lite before continuing with the ceremony.

Me: OK, moving right along. We have two awards left: The RCW Most Valuable Player, and the award for Most Improved. The Most Improved award means even more to me than the MVP award – this shows that people came in, maybe not expecting to do much, and ended up being a key part of the RCW roster. And the nominees are:

RENAISSANCE CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLING MOST IMPROVED

- Katsushi Takemura

- Kid Fantastic

- Nick Collyer

- Twiggy

- Dave Tripps

This had definitely been the hardest one to pick. All of them had really improved. But there could only be ONE~! winner, and that winner was….

Me: …KID FANTASTIC! Get up here, champ!

Fantastic gave a satisfied nod and came walking up to the front of the room. He had brought the RCW title belt with him, which had gotten him some weird looks as he had walked down the street from the Polero Bingo Hall to Hank’s. Someone had even asked him if the WWE was running in New York then, to which he just amusedly shook his head and mumbled out a no. As Kid Fantastic made his way up, I saw Sophie applauding far more vigorously than she had for anyone else during the ceremony. Good to see some flames still burn. Kid Fantastic accepted the award and held it in the air while holding the title belt in the air, giving him quite the handful. Sophie gave him a wink as he walked back to his seat, which he clearly saw – he was a full shade redder by the time he had sat down. I shot Jack a knowing glance, who gave me a smile – Sophie’s thing for the Kid had been a running joke between us. The look on her face when she heard Fantastic was winning the title was hilarious. I wish I had taken a picture. But back to reality…

Me: OK, guys, one last award, then time to party. It’s all on me, by the way, in honor of RCW finally turning a solid profit!

This got the biggest round of applause of the night – if there had been an award for Greatest Boss In Wrestling History, I would have been competitive for it right then.

Me: All right, all right. The final award is for the MVP of Renaissance Championship Wrestling. The nominees for the DaVinci are:

RENAISSANCE CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLING MVP

- Chance Beckett

- Adam Flash

- George Sand

- John Wellington

- Kid Fantastic

Me: And the winner…..the longest-reigning champion in RCW history, Mr. Chance Beckett! Chance, get your trophy!

Chance was giddy at this one, rushing up and shaking my hand profusely as he latched onto the trophy, nearly ripping it out of my hand. He grabbed it and immediately shouted back to Fred Laney, challenging him to a chugging contest. With that, the debauchery was on. Trophies sat on tables as pint glasses became the new objects in high demand. As I looked around the room at my roster and staff, I realized that I was the luckiest man on Earth – even though I was going to have a hellacious hangover and an even worse bar tab in the morning, this was absolutely worth it.

WINNERS RECAP:

RCW MVP: Chance Beckett

RCW Most Improved: Kid Fantastic

RCW Best Match: George Sand d. Katsushi Takemura (No-Sell The Sabbath, May '06)

RCW Best Angle/Interview: Twiggy "Frees The Orange" (Code Red, June '06)

Trippin' With Dave Tripps Vision Of Excellence Award: Chance Beckett (No-Sell The Sabbath, May '06)

RCW Worst Angle/Interview: Katsushi Takemura Is Not A Bastard! (Bastards On Parade, July '06)

RCW Worst Match: Nick Collyer d. Sweatsuit Steve (Victory Strikes Again, October '06)

RCW LVP: Sweatsuit Steve

[The Future]

I must say this is an amazing diary and the only one in the Dome I keep coming back for, all your characters have captured the imagination and I mark for Kid Fantastic, the matches are well written and to the point you deserve to pat yourself in the back man

[rockyoursox]

APRIL 8, 2007

RCW “HEADQUARTERS”

I don’t think I had ever had a worse hangover in my life than I did after our RCW bash down at Hank’s. I was a pretty solid drinker back in college – I’m pretty sure my blood-alcohol level was ahead of my GPA on several occasions while I was at Northwestern. But I had clearly lost a step or three since then. Joining George Sand, Fred Laney, and Ian Gomes in an Irish Carbomb contest was the last, and biggest, mistake I made. I certainly didn’t earn my 10% discount that night. Thank god Jack had stuck around that night. I have no idea whether he was drinking or not. Hank wasn’t exactly a real stickler when it came to ID, and I had told him to serve anyone who had come with me, including the two underage guys on the roster – Nick Collyer was two weeks shy of hitting his 21st, and Finity was only 19. Still, I thought they looked like they were on their way to being totally tanked by the end of the night. Anyways, what I do know is that Jack was clearly more sober than I was, and he got me into a cab and back to my apartment. It probably should have been the other way around – how many teenage sons have to help their father fight through brutal hangovers? Still, Jack was cool about it.

Jack and I had been doing well recently. He had been spending a lot more time in the city recently, since his college selection process had come down to two schools – NYU and Fordham. Both were great schools, and any disappointment I had about his total disinterest in Northwestern was alleviated by the thought that Jack and I, come September, would be separated by a subway line, not a state line. And even better, Jack would still be able to work for me at the RCW shows. Jack was quickly becoming an indispensable part of the operations backstage. He was a total jack of all trades, or quickly becoming one at the very least. Sound Guy had taken Jack under his wing, teaching him how all the equipment got set up, how it all worked, and how to fix the frayed wiring that seemed to plague everything inside Earl’s pit. Jeff, the medic, had also become a fan of Jack. Jack was now well-trained in first aid and basic injury treatments – he had even helped to stitch up Kid Fantastic after the last beating he had taken the month before his title win. Jack was lending a hand with me and our two writers when we booked the shows, and although he didn’t put his ideas out there too often, the few suggestions he had were generally gold. And although all the things he did for RCW were great, the absolute biggest effect Jack had was on me. Things were completely different than the first few shows. I wasn’t nearly as stressed out during the show. I relaxed, and I hadn’t stressed myself out like I did with the Takemura incident in the middle of 2006. Jack was a huge, huge lift to the company.

However, I had another idea for Jack. I hadn’t broached the subject with him at all, but I thought Jack might be a good fit for an idea I had been rolling around in my head. Jack was in town that Sunday for one last visit to Fordham – he had been accepted at both Fordham and NYU, and was looking for one last visit before he made up his mind for good. But with him around, I figured this was the best chance I’d get to talk to him about this plan.

Me: Hey, Jack, I had a quick question for you.

Jack: Oh? What’s up, dad?

Me: You’ve been enjoying working for me and RCW, right? Doing all the backstage stuff and everything, right?

Jack: What? Oh, yeah, it’s been great. I’ve learned so much from working there.

Me: I’m glad you enjoyed it. I didn’t think I’d ever get you to a show after the first few months.

Jack: Yeah, I felt bad about that. But I’m always there now.

Me: That you are – you’ve got better attendance than most of my staffers do. Which is why I had a little proposition for you.

Jack: Really? What is it?

Me: Jack, I’ve been kicking around an idea for a new character in RCW. I haven’t mentioned it to you, or to Jack and Pete in the writer’s meetings, since I wanted to ask you first. The character is going to be a backstage worker, an RCW staffer. Kind of a weak-type character, might be the butt of some jokes, take a beating or two from the heels, etc.

Jack: Hmmm…yeah, a character like that might have some potential. We don’t have a backstage interviewer or everything, so this guy could take the place of that sort of person.

Me: Yeah, exactly. It’s nice to give the characters someone to represent RCW, a neutral character for them to bounce off. I don’t want an authority figure in RCW, at least not anytime now, so something like this might be a good substitute.

Jack: Yeah, it might work. But why didn’t you bring this up in the meetings? You didn’t think that Jack and Pete would like it?

Me: No, not exactly. The reason I wanted to ask you first was because I wanted you to play the character.

Jack was clearly caught off guard by this one. He slumped back on the couch, his eyes lost deep in thought as he tried to throw his arms around the idea.

Me: Now, there’s no pressure, you don’t have to do it if you don’t want to…

Jack: No, no – it’s just a surprise, that’s all. I mean – why me?

Me: Well, for one thing, you ARE that character. You’re a backstage staffer, you interact with a lot of the wrestlers, they all know you and feel comfortable with you. You deserve it.

Jack: Yeah – but I might have to fight with them?

Me: Well, it wouldn’t be much of a fight. I don’t think you’d get much offense against them. But last I checked, you managed to get yourself suspended from school for fighting. If you can handle that, you can handle this too.

Jack looked down, not happy about the fight reference. It was still a bit of a sore spot for him, and I tried to stay away from it, but I couldn’t resist bringing it out here.

Me: Well Jackie, whaddaya think? You wouldn’t have to do too much, and it’s not the most integral character to RCW. If you don’t like it, we could always cut it and just let it fall by the scrap heap.

Jack: Well…OK, we can try it.

Me: Great, great. I’ll see if we can fit you into the show this month. I think we should be able to squeeze you in somewhere, just point out that you exist.

Jack: Cool. Hey dad – thanks for the opportunity. There are probably, like, a ton of people who would kill or something for this opportunity. So thanks.

Me: Hey, nothing I wouldn’t do for you, Jack. You know that. Now why don’t you get heading home – your mother doesn’t like you getting home after dark on Sunday nights. Only a few more of those before you get out of that sardine factory anyways.

Jack gave me a smile and lifted him off the couch, grabbing his backpack as he stood.

Jack: No problem, boss.

With that, Jack leaned over and gave me a kiss on the cheek – one of the few remnants of his childhood, the sort of thing that inevitably got “He’s so ADORABLE!” comments from Ellen’s sisters. I still liked it, even with that horrific connotation. My daze lasted until the door shut behind him, snapping me back to reality. Even though he was gone, I yelled out to him:

Me: LOVE YOU TOO, JACK!

The apartment was much quieter without him – I did miss the noise of having someone else around. The Zen experience was cool for a little, but I was started to feel isolated in that apartment. I had tried to get out more, but it inevitably turned into another night at Hank’s. I was creeping closer and closer to becoming a regular there – perhaps the scariest thing short of a pair of concrete shoes and the East River. And if I ended up a regular there, maybe those concrete shoes wouldn’t look so bad all of a sudden. Still, at least RCW was doing well. I had RCW to keep my life occupied. That was all I needed - for now.

========================

Speaking of RCW, time for another bullet-point news update:

- I had sent a tape of Save The Drama (Fo Yo Mama) to ESPN2 as the first step in trying to get a television deal for RCW. They probably never even got past the title, but we did a get a very professional rejection letter from their vice president of programming. James Utley, you’ll regret the day that you turned down Renaissance Championship Wrestling. Not having learned my lesson, I had sent a tape of Remembrance to MTV2. Hopefully second time’s the charm.

(Get it? MTV2, ESPN2, second time? Huh? Ah, screw you.)

- And the April Fool’s joke was absolutely on me. Clearly I had read those contracts incorrectly – they expired on May 1st, not April 1st. That certainly made things embarrassing when I had called up PWI and Wendy’s to thank them for a lucrative partnership that we respectfully wished to not renew. I get the feeling that even if we wanted to, we were not welcome back with them. I was also banned from Wendy’s nationwide, apparently. Square hamburgers were probably a Communist plot anyways.

- In an attempt to make us more pleasing to future television candidates, as well as upcoming sponsors, I had spent heavily to upgrade our production costs. Sound Guy had drooled when I had handed him a check for $25,000 to make enough upgrades to our system to make a real difference. He figured that if we were a 4 out of 10 on the scale before, the new money could knock us up to a 5 of 10. 50% sounded like a good deal to me. In addition, our public image had stalled out in March, so it was time for a small uptick in the advertising budget as well. Fortunately, that would be covered by the insane jump in merchandising. By doubling our merchandising spending last month, we quadrupled our profit. Now THAT is good economics, folks.

- Economics like that were allowing for some splurges, like the production upgrade, and for some other things as well. RCW had made a large donation to an orphanage operating a few blocks away from the prestigious Earl Polero Bingo Hall. I had first heard of the place when I stopped by Earl’s place to help Sound Guy install a couple of new speakers and found a bunch of tykes playing basketball on some makeshift hoops. Earl let them run around in there a couple of days a week, which was probably the safest place they could be. That was more an indictment of the neighborhood parks than Earl’s place – I was almost crushed by a light that Earl had been ‘improving’. But the kids could really use the money – the orphanage really ran on a shoestring budget. I figured if I could afford $25,000 for production equipment, I could afford $25,000 for some orphans. So now the Brookyln Heights Orphange was the proud recipient of RCW’s first major charity donation.

- And while charity donations are great, a lot of the profit was going back into the business. Some went to production, some to merchandise, some to advertising, and some to the most important area of all – talent. A lot of the workers had asked for hikes in their salaries recently, and I saw no need to deny it. They had improved greatly since their signing with us, and a raise was a reasonable request. And furthermore, we had our first recognizable name debuting in April. The only person more excited than me was Dave Tripps – I had thrown him a bone and set up the debut for Trippin’. It was the gimmick, after all. But hopefully this new guy would be a major asset to the company. We had been lacking a truly big man, and it had become even more noticeable with the departure of Kurt Lauderdale. While our new guy wasn’t the most accomplished of stars, RCW was sure to be a place where he could break out.

========================

OFFICIAL~! PREVIEW FOR RCW KICK START!

RCW WORLD TITLE MATCH

KID FANTASTIC vs. CHANCE BECKETT

The RCW World Title changed hands for the first time on February 25, 2007, when Kid Fantastic pinned Chance Beckett to the mat cleanly for the second time in as many months to win the RCW World Title! Chance Beckett was eager to exercise his rematch clause, and Kid Fantastic was more than willing to accept Beckett’s challenge. Last year at Kick Start, Chance Beckett won the vacant RCW World Title in a four-way match. Can Beckett make it two straight Kick Starts where he walks out with the title, or will the upstart champion hold onto his belt and proclaim his legitimacy to the rest of RCW?

TRIPPIN’ WITH: ???

Trippin’ has had a number of memorable moments over the last year, but Dave Tripps may have scored his biggest coup yet for Kick Start. RCW has promised a debut of a nationally-known superstar for Kick Start, and he’ll make his debut on the hottest show in wrestling today, Trippin’ With Dave Tripps! Who is this man, and what will his impact be on the Renaissance Championship Wrestling universe? Dave Tripps will certainly ask the hard questions!

FRED LANEY vs. TWIGGY

This has been a rivalry brewing in RCW for a long time – since the first Kick Start, when Fred Laney took umbrage to Twiggy ‘borrowing’ his boot, Laney and Twiggy have had issues. And while Twiggy may have come out on top in the tag match, Laney has finally gotten his chance to get revenge on the Bizarre One. Tonight, these two men go one-on-one for the first time in their RCW careers looking to decide which one is truly better. Will Laney come out victorious, or will he fall to the massive power of Twiggy and his orange?

AND MORE!

The entire RCW roster will be in attendance tonight at RCW Kick Start! Remembrance ended with Nick Collyer scoring a shocking pinfall over Katsushi Takemura in the main event! Collyer goes one on one with Simon Sanders this month – will he make it two in a row? And will Adam Flash and the Silent Assassin have something to say about the surprising loss to Collyer and George Sand? And speaking of Sand, Ian Gomes took umbrage to being passed over by Sand for the spot as tag partner. However, Ian Gomes has found a new friend, the debuting Sean Weldon. The two men will team together to take on the Kohl Brothers, who finally get the tag match they desire so greatly! RCW has set an attendance record for each of the past four months – be a part of the crowd and help to make Kick Start the biggest crowd in its history once again!

EARL POLERO BINGO HALL, BROOKLYN, NY

SUNDAY, APRIL 22, 2007

RCW KICK START!

[Wormmaster]

Just so you know, I'm reading this diary. This is one of the best diaries I've ever read!

[GCCWolverine]

This is a very enjoyable diary - I really enjoy the "real-life" segments, and am looking forward to the next show.

[rockyoursox]

RCW KICK START

SUNDAY, APRIL 22, 2007

EARL POLERO BINGO HALL, BROOKLYN, NY

================

Sweatsuit Steve vs. Dave Tripps

Before the show began, I ran Sweatsuit Steve and Dave Tripps out there to warm up the crowd of 342 people - once again, a new RCW attendance record. The crowd was as happy to see them as they possibly could be, considering the show that was on its way, and gave them nice rounds of applause as they went through their match. As a present to Steve for taking the LVP award with a smile on his face, I had decided to let him get his first-ever RCW pinfall that night. The two of them went at it, exchanging their various moves. This was the first time Steve really had a chance to showcase any offense, and I was curious to see what he could do outside of selling a beating. However, I was really disappointed by the effort. Steve totally sandbagged the match, making Dave look awful out there. The finish came when Steve gave the weakest side elbow I’ve ever seen to ‘power’ out of Dave’s attempted double-arm DDT, then hit a swinging neckbreaker for the cover: 1…………..2…………..3! Steve got a win, and the crowd applauded him and his black and silver sweatsuit for his victory. However, Steve just slides out of the ring, not even allowing referee Frank Stool to raise his hand in victory, and heads to the back, looking sullen. I was confused – you’d think he’d have been happy to get his first win. I’d have to look into that – but later. Now? Now it’s showtime, baby.

WINNER: Sweatsuit Steve

RATING: 49

CROWD: 38

MATCH: 61

NOTES: Sweatsuit Steve was sluggish and didn't put much effort in.

================

Kohl Brothers vs. Ian Gomes & Sean Weldon

The actual show kicked off with Sound Guy’s homemade techno theme song before the opening match – a tag bout between the Kohl Brothers and the seemingly new duo of Ian Gomes and Sean Weldon. The Kohls seemed happy to be back in their environment, looking focused as they scouted the two men they were to be facing. The match started out with Keith against Sean Weldon, and Keith Kohl quickly discovered the impressive power that Weldon possessed. Sean tossed Keith around the ring like a ragdoll, hitting a particularly impressive front powerslam on Kohl. Kent managed to tag himself in, but the story was similar – even though he was stronger than his brother Keith, his strength was no match for Weldon. Keith and Kent tried to work their tag magic, tagging whenever they had a chance, but they hadn’t counted on Ian Gomes’ surprisingly constant interference from the outside. Gomes would grab the referee, get extra blows in when the referee’s back was turned, and just about every dirty trick in the book to get an edge. After tagging in, Gomes continued his impressive streak of cheating, nailing a vicious low blow on Keith Kohl. However, not even cheating of that order could keep the tag team specialists down. The Kohl Brothers rebounded, with Keith hitting a powerslam off an Irish whip to stun Gomes. The Kohls took the opportunity to go for the Kohl Shot, their powerbomb/senton combo off the top rope, but Sean Weldon came sneaking in behind Kent and clipped his legs from behind with a nasty shoulder block! Kent crumpled to the mat, with Ian Gomes still on top of him, as Keith went flying over them and crashed into a ball on the mat! Gomes sat on top of Kent and pressed down as Frank Stool made the count: 1………………….2………………….3! Ian Gomes has picked up his first RCW win in a tag match with Sean Weldon, but not without a lot of help from Weldon and a lot of cheating! As the victorious duo make their way up the entrance ramp, celebrating their win, the Kohls just stand in the ring, watching them and looking on with disgust.

WINNERS: Ian Gomes and Sean Weldon

RATING: 60

CROWD: 45

MATCH: 75

================

We Cut Backstage To Twiggy...

After the mat, the camera feed cuts backstage where Twiggy is standing by. Jack, making his RCW debut, steps in with a microphone and hands it to Twiggy before backing out of the shot while consulting his clipboard. Not exactly Pacino in The Godfather or anything, but Jack did his job just fine. However, for everyone else, the interesting part was coming up now – Twiggy had a live microphone in his hand, a smile on his face, and an orange one-strap singlet on his chest.

Twiggy: Tonight is an important night for me and all those who value the freedom of their favorite enslaved colors! Tonight, Twiggy will have a match. Not a DNA match, or matching slacks, or one made in heaven! Instead, I am having a wresting match – against FRED LANEY!

The crowd pops for this, looking forward to the singles showdown between the two long-time rivals.

Twiggy: It is my first singles match against Fred Laney. I know many people are asking, “Where can I find some Sunkist around here?” It is an excellent question, but not an appropriate one. But I don’t want to be appropriate! You can find Sunkist in the lobby, people! IN THE LOBBY!

Amazingly, this actually gets a couple people out of their seats with their wallets in hand, heading for the concession stand. I made a note to call up the Sunkist people about a sponsorship deal, then turned my attention back to Twiggy, who had apparently returned to his actual topic.

Twiggy: But tonight, Fred Laney will learn Twiggy’s #1 lesson: we’re going to have FUN! Wrestling is kinda boring. But fun is fun! Fred Laney and I had fun a couple months ago with orange juice! But he was a mean man, and he had to ruin my match with Travis Infiniti G30 for no money down! So tonight, Fred Laney can learn about how to have fun with me! And if I win, or if I lose, I’ll have fun. Fred Laney probably won’t, because he’s boring. Fred Laney can beat me, he can enslave all his orange, destroy Chinese food in fits of wanton rage, but he can’t stop having fun! FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!

With that, Twiggy runs, at a full sprint, straight out of the shot and over to a helium balloon tied down to a post backstage (looked like a Polero Hall leftover from the St. Vincent’s $5000 Bingo Spectacular the other day). I guess that’s the end of things then.

RATING: 51

================

Simon Sanders vs. Nick Collyer

Now that Twiggy’s gotten his thoughts off his mind (a real burden, I’m sure), it’s time for Nick Collyer, last month’s shocking main event winner, to take on Simon Sanders in a slightly easier matchup. Sanders, however, seemed to be sluggish in the ring as well tonight – did the catering people serve extra-tryptophan turkey today? Regardless, he and Nick Collyer lock up, with Nick quickly getting the upper hand. Collyer, as usual, keeps his offense fairly simple but crisp. He takes Sanders down with a leg scissors takedown off a whip, then hits a second-rope elbow drop onto Sanders. With Simon ‘reeling’ (one of the worst selling jobs I’ve ever seen), Nick Collyer signals for the shooting star press, looking to end the match quickly. However, as he starts to climb up to the top, the crowd bursts into boos as Katsushi Takemura comes running down the ramp and drags Collyer off the top turnbuckle into the ring! Takemura delivers a hard shot from his sheathed sword, then winds up for a mighty finishing blow. He swings forward, but Nick Collyer rolls out of the way, and Takemura connects with the just-revived Simon Sanders, nailing him squarely in the forehead with the sword! As Sanders does a lousy job selling the sword shot, Collyer crushes Takemura with a running enziguri to the Silent Assassin’ temple, which drops him to the mat. Takemura rolls to the outside, and Collyer climbs the ropes again before connecting with the shooting star press! Referee Mike Hunter drops into position to make the count: 1………………..2………………….3! Nick Collyer picks up the win! As Collyer gets to his feet, George Sand comes sprinting down the aisle and slides into the ring, his eyes never leaving Takemura. Katsushi scopes the ring, then heads back towards the entranceway, deciding that discretion is the better part of valor. The crowd cheers for Collyer as Sand raises his hand in victory, looking delighted with his partner.

WINNER: Nick Collyer

RATING: 50

CROWD: 37

MATCH: 63

NOTES: Simon Sanders didn't really sell very much, which hurt the match rating.

================

Travis Finity Speaks!

We cut backstage again, where Travis Finity is pacing back and forth very rapidly with a microphone in his hand. He looks over at the camera, gets the signal that he’s on, and immediately launches into a verbal barrage:

Finity: Well, last month at Remembrance I lost my first match in RCW to Fred Laney, which was too bad because I liked being undefeated, but you can’t stay undefeated forever, I mean, Goldberg did it forever, and he won like 200 matches and even then he lost, but he still did OK for himself, and Hulk Hogan didn’t lose a match for eight years or something, but he had lost matches before, so that doesn’t really count, but it’s still a really long time to lose a match, eight years is longer than I’ve been a wrestler, and I haven’t been undefeated all that time, but it’s still cool!

Travis stops to take a sharp breath in, giving the audience a chance to try and comprehend what they just heard. However, they don’t get long, as Finity gets right back to his avalanche of words.

Finity: But now that I’ve lost, RCW thinks that they can beat me, and that they can figure me out, but they can’t do that, because you can’t figure out speed, and I have lots of speed, and speedspeedspeed all over the place, and they can’t stop me if they can’t catch me! They’ll try to grab me, and I’ll be all, “Whoops, can’t get me!”, and then they’ll try again, and I’ll be all, “Too slow! My grandma could catch me!”, and then they’ll get mad, and they’ll mess up, and I’ll run over and hit them and run away before they even feel themselves get hit, because of my speedspeedspeed!

The fans seem to understand what he’s saying (at the very least, they heard ‘speed’ a few times, and they seem to approve of speed. The physical attribute, that is, not the drug. Well, knowing this crowd, they probably approved of that too. Travis probably did too – how else could the man get his motor going that fast?)

Finity: So all the fans should look out for me, because good and exciting and awesome things happen where I go, but it can be hard to catch me, because I move really fast, and people miss me because I move so fast, and they’re disappointed because they don’t get to see all the cool stuff I do, and I’m disappointed because I want them to be able to see it too! So look carefully and see all my speedspeedspeed! Woooooo!

Red Bull much, Travis?

RATING: 36

================

To The Ring, Where An Unpleasant Surpise Awaits...

We return to the ring, where instead of the scheduled Twiggy/Fred Laney matchup, the show has been interrupted by Tizziana, who surprisingly doesn’t have Adam Flash and Katsushi Takemura in tow. The crowd doesn’t seem to care, booing Tizziana anyways as she takes the microphone rather forcefully from Sound Guy.

Tizziana: Hey buddy, keep your eyes up here, OK?

Sound Guy, who had been looking at his watch, looks at her with a quizzical look, then turns his back to her to work on a headset, which sets Tizziana off even more.

Tizziana: Don’t you turn your back on me! When Tizziana speaks, I want everyone to pay attention to what I have to say! I don’t want to have to repeat myself!

Her grating voice makes the threat of repetition even more dire, and the fans start a “Please don’t do that!” chant. Tizziana reacts with the grace and calm you would expect – basically, she stomps around the ring like a blonde, thin rhino until she can compose herself enough to talk.

Tizziana: You know what? Screw you people! You’re not why I’m out here! The reason I am out here is this stinky little bitch called FRANCOISE!

This gets a round of boos, but Tizziana doesn’t seem to care much anymore.

Tizziana: I told you idiots, I’m DONE with you! Francoise, you made a big, BIG mistake last week – you dared to put your hands on me! When you pulled me off that ring, you made the absolute biggest mistake you’ve ever made – and it’s going to be your LAST mistake! Next month, at No-Sell The Sabbath, I’m gonna get my hands on you, bitch! But I’m not going to be a sneak about it like you and try to break your neck from behind when you’re just an innocent bystander, oh no no. I’m gonna get you in this ring, one on one, and we’re gonna see just what your skinny little ass is made of! You’ve got one month to get in shape, bitch! I’ll see you in May!

With that, Tizziana drops the microphone and heads to the back looking pissed off as hell, but with a hint of a swagger – basically, the happiest she’s looked since her arrival in RCW.

RATING: 64

================

Twiggy vs. Fred Laney

It’s time for the first of two main event matches tonight as Fred Laney takes on Twiggy in their first singles match in history. I was shocked – I really thought I had booked them in a one-on-one match early in RCW’s history, but I was wrong. Anyways, Twiggy and Fred Laney don’t waste any time as they begin to brawl right off the bat. Probably not a great plan for Twiggy, who gets knocked down in short time by the bigger and stronger Fred Laney. Laney picks up Twiggy and goes for the Wonderpunch early, but Twiggy ducks underneath it and nails Laney with a forearm to the back of the head. Twiggy throws Laney into the corner, then begins slamming his head against the turnbuckle as fiercely as he can. Twiggy leaves the stunned Laney in the corner, then charges to nail Fred with a knee. However, Laney ducks out of the way, and Twiggy crashes into the corner hard, stunning him. Laney takes advantage, dropping Twiggy to the floor with a pair of double axe handles to the back, then drops a knee across Twiggy’s chest. He makes the cover: 1…………….2…………kickout!

Twiggy tries to get to his feet, but Laney takes him back down with a judo throw over his right shoulder. Twiggy stumbles up again, and Laney backs him up against the ropes with a series of clotheslines before whipping him off into an even stiffer clothesline that flattens Twiggy. He covers: 1…………………2………….kickout! Laney scoops Twiggy up and presses him into the corner, nailing a few knee lifts to Twiggy’s sternum. He pulls Twiggy out of the corner and lifts him up, stalling up top with a vertical suplex. As he holds Twiggy up, Twiggy rocks back and forth before twisting out of Laney’s grasp. As he falls, he grabs Laney’s head and plants him into the canvas with a huge bulldog that sends the crowd to their feet! Twiggy makes the cover: 1………………..2……………….no, Laney kicks out in time! Twiggy still congratulates himself with a hearty pat on the back, then gives the referee a firm handshake – sending referee Frank Stool jumping backwards! Twiggy pulls back and shows the crowd the buzzer on his hand, which gets a surprisingly good laugh out of the crowd for such a hackneyed joke.

As Fred Laney gets up, Twiggy immediately cradles him and goes for the cover: 1…………….2………….no, Laney gets the shoulder free! Twiggy pulls Fred Laney up and tries to get him up on his shoulders for a Samoan Drop, but Laney proves to be too much weight for Twiggy. As Laney’s feet touch the canvas, he wastes no time, immediately connecting with a vicious Wonderpunch straight to Twiggy’s jaw! Twiggy drops to the mat like a sack of potatoes, but Fred Laney doesn’t go for the cover. Instead, he steps back and goes into the crouch, waiting for Twiggy to get up. As the crowd fears the spear, Twiggy stumbles to his feet just in time to see Fred Laney barreling full steam ahead! Twiggy dodges out of the way, and Fred Laney throws on the brakes just short of the corner. Laney twirls around and meets a vicious enziguri from Twiggy, who drops Laney to the mat!

But like Laney, Twiggy doesn’t cover, instead heading to the top! Joe Wheeler on commentary puts over that Twiggy has developed a new finishing move in bookings elsewhere, a diving headbutt he calls the Orange Crush, and opines that we might be about to see its RCW debut. Wheeler is dead on as Twiggy prepares himself and launches himself off the top rope with the Orange Crush and connects with….the canvas! Fred Laney has rolled out of the way, and Twiggy missed on the high-risk maneuver! Twiggy manages to get his wits about him quickly and pushes himself up – right into a spear by Fred Laney! Laney rolls Twiggy over and makes the cover: 1………………….2………………………3! The bell rings, and Fred Laney comes out victorious against Twiggy! Laney gets up and celebrates as Frank Stool raises his hand while Twiggy pulls himself up with the assistance of the ropes, still feeling the effects of the match. He looks around, then shows the crowd the buzzer still on his hand, then makes an exaggerated “SSSSH!” noise that gets Fred Laney twirling around, looking suspiciously. All he finds is Twiggy, hand outstretched, looking for a shake. Laney looks at his hand incredulously for a second, then spits at him and turns around, back to his celebration. Twiggy’s facial expression doesn’t change one iota, not even in the face of the massive boos, and he just walks up behind Fred Laney and gives him what appears to be a friendly pat on the back. Laney, however, gets a jolt that sends him jumping straight up in the air as Twiggy, laughing his head off, slides out of the ring and runs to the back, slapping the hands of fans along the way (half of whom get a mild shock to stop their laughter). In the ring, Laney looks annoyed, but returns to celebrating his win over his jovial rival.

WINNER: Fred Laney

RATING: 58

CROWD: 49

MATCH: 68

================

Trippin' Time!

After the ring has been vacated, the Trippin’ set gets put into place, and Dave Tripps makes his way down to the ring. He’s cleaned up from his opening match, and looks extremely excited as he makes his way into the ring, looking to get his show started as quickly as possible.

Tripps: Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the hottest and fastest-growing show in the wrestling business today: Trippin’ With Dave Tripps, starring me, Dave Tripps! I won’t waste much of your time, as tonight’s guest is the biggest RCW debut in the company’s history – and I mean that quite literally! However, after my show, please stay tuned for tonight’s main event, where a friend of Trippin’, Chance Beckett, will try to regain his RCW World Title against the new champion and last month’s smash hit guest Kid Fantastic! That’ll be coming up right after the conclusion of this broadcast.

The announcement of the main event gets a pop, as do the names of both individuals participating. However, Tripps doesn’t dwell long on the subject, instead looking to move on.

Tripps: Now folks, RCW is the home to many great champions, including some who may just be the future stars of organizations like World Wrestling Entertainment and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling! However, RCW is proud to bring to you a man who has been to the big leagues! He has competed against such luminaries as Brock Lesnar, The Big Show, Chris Benoit, and many more! Please give a big Trippin’ welcome to the newest addition to the RCW locker room – MR. MATT MORGAN!

The crowd does give Morgan a pretty sizable pop as a crappy Sound Guy-produced knockoff of his crappy generic WWE entrance music plays, and the man himself, Matt Morgan, walks down to the ring. His size speaks for itself – his stature makes him far and away the largest wrestler in RCW, particularly with the departure of Kurt Lauderdale. Fans marvel at his biceps, as well as the massive tattoo on his left arm, as he slides into the ring and takes a seat at the creaking chair across from Dave Tripps, who shakes his hand warmly.

Tripps: Mr. Morgan, welcome to Renaissance Championship Wrestling, and most importantly, welcome to Trippin’!

Morgan: Thank you, Dave, I’m very excited to be debuting here.

Tripps: Now, for those out there who are somehow unfamiliar with you, explain to them your background in the WWE.

Morgan: Well, I spent a few years in the WWE system, between Tough Enough, Ohio Valley Wrestling, and the main WWE roster. But Dave, I’d like to make one thing very clear right off the bat: The WWE did not treat me well when I was there. They took me, a huge beast who could cut a promo and wrestle a good match, and made me into a silent bodyguard and a stuttering sideshow. That period in my life is over now. I’m here to talk about my future – the future of Matt Morgan in Renaissance Championship Wrestling!

Tripps: I see, I see. Well, I do have to ask you this, Mr. Morgan – is there any truth to that storyline that Smackdown ran? Do you actually have some sort of stuttering problem?

Morgan: No Dave, I don’t. It was a crappy idea by a crappy writer.

Tripps: So you’ve never stuttered at all?

Morgan: Well, I’m sure I have at some point, but no I don’t have a problem with it.

Tripps: There’s no shame if yo…

Morgan: Dave, I said I was here to talk about my future. Not my past.

Tripps: However, Mr. Morgan, I have a promise to these fans to ask the hard questions so they can have every last drop of essential RCW knowledge. Now, Mr. Morgan, did people make fun of your stuttering problem in the locker room.

Morgan: I told you, I don’t have one. Now change the line of questioning. Now.

Tripps: People can be very cruel, particularly in a locker room setting. Once, I was…

Morgan: ENOUGH!

With that, Morgan slams his fist down against the desk, which leads a loud cracking noise. This, rather than anything Morgan has said, finally shuts Dave Tripps up, and he looks at his suddenly very imposing guest meekly, giving him the floor.

Morgan: That’s it! I’ve had it with this business! That gimmick wasn’t my idea! The WWE screwed me over, and now I can’t escape that stigma! I came to RCW for a fresh start, and I got it thrown right back in my face. Well, Dave, since you like to do things the hard way, here’s a ni-ni-ni-nice rough one for ya!

With that, Morgan stops the overly fake stuttering and yanks Dave Tripps out of his seat with one hand, dragging him across the Trippin’ desk! Morgan devours Trips with a massive lariat, then lifts him up for a vertical suplex. He gets him up all the way, then drops him to his side, ending the move in a sideslam! Tripps goes crashing straight through the Trippin’ desk, having been annihilated by the move called the Mount Morgan Drop! The crowd boos the new giant heavily as Morgan looks at the fans, then just shakes his head and slides out of the ring and heads for the back, with Tripps and the Trippin’ carnage left behind. What a long, strange trip that was….

RATING: 54

================

RCW WORLD TITLE MATCH

Kid Fantastic© vs. Chance Beckett

With the remains of the Trippin’ set cleared from the ring, the main event is finally upon us: Kid Fantastic’s first RCW Title defense. Chance Beckett is the first one to head down to the ring, getting a pretty decent reaction from the fans as he makes his way down. Beckett, as usual, looks disgusted at the applause and blows a snot rocket at the crowd, which helps to turn the cheers back towards boos (but not fully). Beckett slumps into the corner, not preening for the crowd, as Kid Fantastic makes his way down to the ring, getting a big round of applause from the crowd. He slides into the ring, poses with the belt briefly, then slowly hands it over to senior referee Mike Hunter, who calls for the bell to begin the match.

Beckett and Fantastic circle each other before locking up, with neither able to gain an advantage. They try again, then a third time before Beckett overpowers Fantastic and shoves him to the canvas. Fantastic is up quickly and walks right into a European uppercut by Beckett, who then bounces off the ropes and nails a running uppercut to knock Fantastic back down. Beckett bounces off the ropes again and drops a knee across Fantastic’s head, then makes the cover: 1………….2…………no, Fantastic kicks out wth time to spare. Beckett pulls Fantastic up and whips him into the ropes, but Fantastic leaps over Beckett on his way back and lands on the middle rope, which he immediately bounces off of and nails a side leg lariat, knocking Beckett to the mat! Beckett rolls into the corner, trying to pull himself up, but Kid Fantastic comes sprinting towards the corner and nails a baseball slide dropkick straight into Beckett’s side! Fantastic makes the cover as the fans count along: 1……………2…………..no, Beckett able to kick out!

Fantastic gets to his feet, but Chance Beckett grabs Fantastic’s legs and takes him down to the mat. In one smooth motion, Beckett torques on one leg, turning him over into a single-leg Boston Crab, which has Fantastic immediately screaming and trying to reach the ropes. However, Beckett masterfully uses his body and weight to prevent Kid Fantastic from making major progress towards the ropes. Fantastic screams in pain, then claws forward another six inches as a crowd starts up a “KID FAN-TAS-TIC! *clap clap clapclapclap*” chant, trying to rally the champion to the ropes. Finally, after a solid 90 seconds of work, Kid Fantastic manages to wrap both hands around the bottom rope. However, Beckett has clearly sucked a lot of the life out of Kid Fantastic, who lies on the canvas, hands still wrapped around the bottom rope.

Beckett takes his time as he gets up, savoring the moment. He picks up Fantastic, then drops him back down to the mat with an armbuster, putting a lot of pressure on Fantastic’s elbow. Beckett makes a cover, making sure to hook the leg: 1………………2…………….no, Kid Fantastic kicks out, but not without using some of his little remaining energy. Beckett drapes Fantastic over the corner turnbuckles, then charges and nails a Yakuza kick! The corner keeps Fantastic standing upright, and Beckett doesn’t waste any time, lifting the Kid into a sitting position on the top rope. He goes up, looking for a superplex, but Kid Fantastic fights back, refusing to let him lock on the move. He finally connects with a knee to Beckett’s chin that dazes the challenger, allowing Fantastic to knock him to the mat. As Beckett pushes himself up, Fantastic launches himself off the top with a corkscrew plancha, sending his back crashing into Beckett. The two men fall to the canvas, neither one moving. Finally, Fantastic manages to drape his arm over the downed Beckett for the cover: 1………………….2………………..no! Beckett kicks out just in time, and the match continues.

Both men get to their feet slowly, neither one looking to have much of an advantage. They trade right hands, both trying to get an edge. Becket goes for a European uppercut, but Fantastic blocks it before twirling around and decking Beckett with his spinning wheel kick! He makes the cover: 1……………..2………………….NO! Beckett kicks out again! Fantastic has seen enough, and signals for a big move, most likely to set up the 450 Splash. Beckett get dragged up and bent over, with Kid Fantastic putting him into the double underhook position. However, Chance Beckett stays planted on the ground, instead dumping Fantastic over his back! Kid Fantastic jumps up as quickly as he can, but a running neckbreaker from Beckett puts him right back on the canvas!

Beckett, totally in control, signals for the Chance Encounter as he waits for Fantastic to get up. The crowd is buzzing, with a title change just a few seconds away! Suddenly, Chance Beckett straightens up and the crowd begins to boo heavily as John Wellington makes his way down to the ring, jawing angrily at Chance Beckett. Beckett steps forward, yelling at Wellington. Wellington leaps up onto the apron, giving him a better vantage point for the argument. They go at it verbally, then Beckett delivers a hard forearm right to the head of Wellington. Wellington responds by grabbing Beckett’s head and dropping him with a guillotine on the ring ropes, which sends Beckett shooting up and backwards – straight into a second spinning wheel kick from Kid Fantastic! The champ quickly climbs the ring ropes and leaps off the top with the Putdown –and he HITS IT! Kid Fantastic makes the cover on Chance Beckett as Mike Hunter makes the count, along with the entirety of the crowd, and John Wellington on the outside: 1………………….2……………………..3! Kid Fantastic has retained his title, but John Wellington’s actions certainly played a role in the decision! Wellington charges over to the ringside table and takes a microphone from Joe Wheeler, looking to make his point short and sweet:

Wellington: Well, Fantastic, there’s your title win. You did the honorable thing and gave Beckett his rematch he didn’t deserve! Now do the REAL honorable thing and give me the one on one title shot that the loser on the canvas wouldn’t give me – or else you’ll end up like him!

Fantastic, clutching his RCW World Title belt, looks furious at the interference of John Wellington, and (without the aid of a microphone) yells at him on the outside:

Fantastic: And why the hell should I give you a title shot after all of this? Kiss my ass, Wellington!

This gets a big pop from the crowd, who back the champion’s decision. However, Wellington has a knowing smile on his face as he starts his reply.

Wellington: Why should you? Quite simple, champ – revenge. You want revenge on me.

Fantastic: For what, this match? Not a chance.

Wellington: No, no, not that. You see, I told you that I was willing to do anything to get my one on one title shot. And when I say anything, I mean anything. That could include, oh, I don’t know…..attacking the third member of a triple threat match for the title right before the match was to start, hoping that it would turn the match into a singles affair?

The crowd lets out an “Ooooo!” as Fantastic drops the title to the mat, caught off-guard by the recognition that it wasn’t the outgoing Kurt Lauderdale who laid him out at Lights Out, just moments before his eventually-delayed World Title shot. Wellington just smiles – but not for long, as Kid Fantastic sprints at the ropes and leaps over them with a huge plancha, taking Wellington to the floor! He starts swinging away, fists on fire, as Wellington struggles to defend himself from the sudden onslaught. Finally, Frank Stool comes to help Mike Hunter break it up, and the RCW staff (including Jack and myself) step in to lend a hand. As RCW Kick Start comes to an end, Kid Fantastic gets separated from John Wellington while Chance Beckett is still lying motionless in the ring, beaten by Kid Fantastic once again.

WINNER and STILL RCW CHAMPION: Kid Fantastic

RATING: 65

CROWD: 53

MATCH: 78

NOTES: Chance Beckett lost overness from this match. Kid Fantastic gained overness from this match. The RCW World title has gained in image.

OVERALL: 55

[rockyoursox]

MAY 2, 2007

RCW “HEADQUARTERS”

After relaxing for a couple of days and sitting on the success of Kick Start, I had decided to follow up on something that had confused me at the show. Sweatsuit Steve and Simon Sanders, who were original members (if not the most important ones) had both gone out and completely slogged their way through their matches at Kick Start. Steve’s lack of effort was really surprising, considering he was getting his first win in RCW history. It had been bothering me, so I had sent both of them an e-mail asking what was up with their matches at Kick Start. As I booted up the computer this morning, I had a response in my inbox from Sweatsuit Steve.

Mr. Hawkins –

In your e-mail, you asked about the performance of myself at Kick Start, as well as the effort of fellow worker Simon Sanders. I spoke with Simon, and he agreed to let me speak for him in this e-mail. So whatever I say here, unless otherwise noted, will be the opinion of both myself and Allen Opwan, aka Simon Sanders.

Let me begin by saying that I do not resent the position that I hold in Renaissance Championship Wrestling. The character was of my own creation, and you yourself stated that I would not be a high-level player in the storylines and hierarchy. This I can deal with. To work, a wrestling roster must be composed of several different types of talent, including lower-card workers and enhancement talent. I hold no such grudge about being portrayed as such, and neither does Simon.

However, we feel that our role has been performed to perfection with the resources and time allocated to us. Simon has portrayed a character happy to be a part of RCW, and he is just that. Simon enjoys working in Renaissance Championship Wrestling due to the locker room, talented workers, and dedicated staff, and he feels that it shines through in his in-ring efforts. I portray a fairly generic jobber whose one point of character is a collection of sweatsuits (many of which are actually my own). I try and go out and put over whoever I happen to be wrestling, and my selling and ease to work with has been complemented by many of my fellow workers.

This satisfaction with our performance in our roles is what has led us to our displeasure. After Remembrance, you staged an awards ceremony – a splendid idea, and one that the locker room looked forward to. You also made the more controversial decision to hand out several ‘negative’ awards, including Worst Match of the Year and Worst Interview of the Year. I know that Katsushi Takemura was upset at his Worst Interview win, and there was some history regarding those interviews. However, myself and the rest of the locker room has tried to stay out of that particular disagreement. I was a co-winner of the Worst Match with Nick Collyer, and I hold no grudge about that. We failed in our attempt to entertain the crowd, either with character (which we had admittedly not had much of a chance to create) or with our in-ring technique.

However, it was my and Simon’s nomination for the Renaissance Championship Wrestling LVP, or “Least Valuable Player”, which has enraged us. Whether I won the award or not at that point was meaningless. The nominations for that award were simply the lowest wrestlers on the totem pole, regardless of how well they had done their job for the fans that year. Simon and I had both more than adequately filled our roles as enhancement talent, and this nomination stung quite deeply. It can be difficult to fill this role at times, and having it spit back into our faces was the last thing we deserved. Your feeble attempt to ‘reward’ me for accepting this humiliation is akin to paying off the victim of a crime in an attempt to silence them.

Mr. Hawkins, for the most part you have proven to be a fair and committed boss, and it is safe to say that RCW has flourished under your ownership. However, I would like to ask for a formal apology to both myself and Allen. Our characters may have been losers, but the men portraying them have done exactly as asked, and asking us to stomach the public humiliation you put us through in front of the entire locker room is downright inexcusable. I eagerly await your reply.

Sincerely,

Steve Upferth (aka Sweatsuit Steve)