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Post by MadStepDad on Feb 21, 2012 20:54:56 GMT -5
XPW Remixed presents** Cut to ringside announce team **Gordon Solie & Matt Striker Lights! Cameras! Rock concerts! Pyrotechnics! We are LIVE from “My Bloody Valentine II”!!! Nobody thought XPW Remixed could get it together for more than a few shows… much like a billion other fly-by-night Independent fantasy wrestling orgs… but here we stand over a year from that point, and XPW Remixed has grown only bigger and stronger! Now, previously-unheard of fantasy wrestling names like WENDI RICHTER (w/ Cyndi Lauper) and JOHN CENA are showing up on the card! It’s more than money, it’s more than a responsibility, XPW Remixed is a way of life. It’s not about a salary it’s all about reality, and XPW Remixed is the realest izh in fantasy wrestling today. Tonight, the legendary fantasy wrestling feud between Lou Thesz and Buddy Rogers that has spanned 60 years comes to a definitive END. And with it, potentially the end of Jack Pfefer’s job in XPW Remixed… hand-in-hand with that dire ultimatum; OG Sheik defends his KotDM title and if he loses, his manager The Grand Wizard may be out of the job as well! Plus Cena defends the Boston championship against his role-model William Muldoon, a “Razor’s Edge” Switchblade ladder match, "Match Made in Heaven" and much much more!!! Let’s get right to the action!!!** CUT TO VIDEO PACKAGE ** _________________________________________________________________________THE MESSIAH (2004) versus SAMI CALLIHAN (2012)("Razor's Edge" switchblade ladder match) versus Opening match of the card, and it gets the glorious, extended-cut video introduction… weird, creepy and disturbing, the picture takes a look at the Sami Callihan/Messiah conflict through the lens of spiritualism and atheism… “Sick” Nick Mondo is portrayed as a man repentant of his sins, while the maniac Sami Callihan (continuing to revel in the Sodom & Gommorah of Ultra Violent wrestling) tries spreading his plague. Messiah is portrayed as a savior of Xtreme willing to sacrifice himself for the sins of others. Huge rockstar ring intro, with pyro and everything. This is "MBVII"!!!! Big-time PPV entrances for both men and the crowd is rapid out the jump. Ill visual of Callihan and Messiah eyeing each other, making the slow staredown, before looking up at the weapon suspended above. Serious intentions.
They lock up and go into a criss-cross with some feeling out moves to start, before Callihan simply throws a ladder at Messiah full force. But with great skill, Messiah CATCHES the ladder - only to eat a dropkick from Callihan in return. They move to the outside where Messiah sends Callihan into the guardrail wih a ladder leaning against it. Messiah charges but Callihan spinebusters Messiah through the ladder! They battle more and Messiah gets the advantage on Callihan. Messiah sets up a ladder between two chairs on the outside. He goes up top and hits a flying splash off the top onto Callihan! That draws our first "XPW! XPW!" chants of the evening. They go back in, bringing a ladder with them. Messiah gets off a DDT inside for two. Callihan comes back with a headscissors and a knee charge. He goes outside and gets a gigantic ladder - slamming it over Messiah’s head. “The New Horror” Sami Callihan props the extra-big ladder against a chair in the ring, and lays the Messiah on it. Sami Callihan is scaling the turnbuckles now with some very bad intentions in mind... But Messiah gets up and throws the ladder at Callihan, who’s head actually gets CAUGHT in it! So Messiah violently pushes the ladder over, pulling Callihan off the rope and headfirst into the mat. Messiah pulls the ladder from Sami's head, and props it in the corner, then sticks a smaller ladder in between its rungs - creating an X-like shape. Messiah climbs the contraption, but the time spent creating it allows Sami to recover - and Callihan joins him at the top of the ladder contraption. They struggle briefly before Sami gives Messiah a HELLACIOUS standing uranage through the ladders! SICK spot. But that only gets TWO.
Callihan goes out and props a ladder between two chairs on the floor. Messiah sets up the huge ladder in the ring and climbs it, still trying to get the switchblade knife. So Callihan grabs another ladder - reenters the ring - and launches it like a javelin into Messiah's head! The ladder spear shot sends Messiah flying BACKWARDS off the ladder, OVER the top and THROUGH the ladder set up on the outside!!! HUGE "HOLY S***T" and "XPW XPW! chants for that. A small contingent of fans even start a small (but vocal) "CA$H! CA$H!" chant in homage of this match. The big bump barely breaks Messiah's fall and he smacks the concrete in an absolute sickening spot. With no ladders left, and the weapon still dangling - Callihan goes backstage to get another big ladder. Back in the ring, and now we get to break out the switchblade spots...
After Sami retreives the weapon, he and Messiah perform multiple tease spots. Short of a full-fledged shanking, they do some memorable slicing and stabbing - leaving a trail of crimson in their path. With Messiah a tortured, bloody mess (but Sami STILL unable to get the 3 count) - Callihan puts Messiah up top and stands on the ladder, but Messiah knocks him down into the ladder... then Messiah picks him up, and SUPLEXES him up and ONTO THE SUSPENDED LADDER in a crazy spot that has to be seen to be believed!!! That gets TWO!! Messiah gets another close-fall with a Godsmack to Callihan on the ladder, and brings a table in the ring. Messiah sets Callihan up on the table and climbs the huge ladder. But recovery time allows Callihan to meet Messiah at the pinnacle of his climb, and the two engage in high-wire fisticuffs. Messiah looks to be setting up a Cross Factor (hoping to smash Callihan's face through the table) but instead - there is a white-masked intruder at ringside who spits a blinding fluid in Messiah's eyes!!! The man rips off the mask to reveal THUMBTACK JACK! He cackles madly at his actions! Sami reverses Messiah at the last minute and hits a muthaphuckkin CASH-FLO OFF THE LADDER AND THROUGH THE TABLE!!!! OMG the insanity! The crowd goes hysterical with chants of "XPW! XPW!" and "CA$H CA$H!" (now everybody is catching on, and even Callihan answered by using Chris Ca$h's old finishing move to end this match). Messiah has GOT to be dead, as he lands on his neck and Callihan wins it. He and Thumbtack Jack actually pose together in unison after the match, in a truly horrific pairing. Winner: SAMI CALLIHANAn actual version of the "Cash Flo" - as performed by it's creator, and late XPW Remixed superstar Chris Ca$h - off a ladder and through a table. Enjoy the homage.** CUT ** ____________________________________________________________________SHEAMUS & BAM BAM BIGELOW Versus BIG SHAD G & CHRIS CANDIDO (w/ Sunny)(Tag Team Tables Match) versus with Sunny and team open the segment with a quick backstage promo. She references “Big Shad G” with enthusiasm and excitement multiple times, while just casually mentioning the inclusion of “friend” “Lil Chrissy” who looks desperate to appeal to Sunny in any way he can. He explains that he and Sunny will always remain friends, and despite their earlier miscommunications – he and Big Shad G are a well-oiled machine! Sunny wraps up the speech: Sheamus & Bam Bam might look intimidating, but Sunny knows tag teams! And YOU gentlemen, are NO tag team! Ringside, Sunny & Shad get their big PPV entrance (with “Lil Chrissy” Chris Candido tagging alongside them).
But by the time Sheamus’ music hits, the Celtic Warrior and Bam Bam waste no time. They race up the ramp to start the fight immediately! Sheamus & Candido battle up by the entrance while Bam Bam & Shad Gaspard slug it out and take the fight to ringside. The bell finally rings and we’re off with a wild, unchained brawl. The ruckus continues unabated as Sheamus & Bam Bam gradually overwhelm their foes and pound them out. The tables come into play pretty early and everyone take turns saving their partner from a wooden fate. But Team Gaspard actually score the first elimination, when (after laying Gaspard out on a table and preparing for a “Greetings from Asbury Park” top rope headbutt) Bam Bam takes a hairspray shot to the eye from Sunny and Big Shad G power press-slams Bam Bam off the top rope through a table! It’s funny to see Sunny celebrating with Shad over the save. Especially after she conveniently left Candido to his fate in a Crucifix Powerbomb at the hands of Sheamus – moments after Candido actually tossed Sunny the hairspray and asked her to help him with the Celtic Warrior. Instead, she saved Shad and Candido is left a twitching wreck on the mat.
This gives Sunny time to play the erotic cheerleader role for her man Big Shad G as he methodically works over Sheamus in the ring. But before he can powerslam Sheamus through a table, the Celtic Warrior hulks up and fights back. He’s rocking Gaspard hard, and now Candido has come to his senses. But instead of helping his tag team partner, he sees the Irish rage in Sheamus’ eyes and decides it would be safest if they fled right now! So Candido tries grabbing Sunny’s hand and running away with her!!! But Sunny resists and with a look of degrading disgust SLAPS Candido! This allows Sheamus to follow him outside the ring and hit another Celtic Cross powerbomb to Candido – this one through a table, eliminating Candido from the match for good. Now Sheamus & Gaspard are evened up and they have a quick back-n-forth slugfest, before Sunny mistimed the interference – Shad Gaspard accidentally runs her off the apron – and Sheamus uses a thunderous Brogue Kick to spear Gaspard through the last remaining table, propped up in the corner!!! Sheamus has done it, and he pounds his chest with animalistic fervor post match! “XPW! XPW!!!” Winners: SHEAMUS & BAM BAM BIGELOWSheamus continues to cut a swarth through XPW Remixed.** CUT ** ****************** "HAPPY VALENTINES DAY FROM XPW REMIXED"(Curly Moe's suggestion for a romantic eventing: valentines day cards)** CUT TO RING ** __________________________________________________________________** King of the Death Match Championship **NICK FN GAGE © versus THE SHEIK © (w/ TGW) versus JON MOXLEY versus w/ versus I can’t even describe, or rate this match. It’s some of that old “violent crap” (to use an old Larry Rivera catchphrase) that XPW Remixed is known for in the Territory Wars. If you’re a fan of CZW, Original XPW, Japanese Garbage Wrestling, etc… no explanation is necessary. For those who are NOT familiar with this style of wrestling, no explanation could suffice. We’re talking far far far FAAAAAR removed from WWF/WCW “hardcore” type matches, and several notches above even the most Extreme of old school ECW. We get the usual staples (glass, light tubes, barbed wire etc), but with the added enjoyment of things like fish hooks, burning cinder blocks, razor-boards and fire. Lots of fire. Especially with the OG Sheik holding it down in the middle. Nick Gage shows why he’s the Future of Hardcore, but the underrated and undervalued Jon Moxley continues to earn stripes (and scars) with an extraordinary showing. As is typical in most XPW Remixed shows, “King of the Death Match” shows are an opportunity to get camera time for any unscheduled Death Match wrestlers… in this case it is the Godfather of Japanese Death matches ATSUSHI ONITA interfering on Sheik’s behalf, only to be answered and countered by SABU!!! The homicidal, genocidal and suicidal madman (and nephew to the Sheik) scares the holy bejeezus out of The Grand Wizard (nearly causing him to have a heart attack), before using an Arabian face buster (steel chair assisted double ledgrop) from the top rope to the arena floor to drive his dastardly uncle through a barbed wire table! With Sabu and Onita brawling out of the equation, OG Sheik is the first one to be eliminated after a double-suplex from Moxley & Gage through a burning pane of glass! Oh my, the Sheik has lost his claim to the KotDM title and with it, perhaps The Grand Wizard’s JOB!!! Oh my! And TGW was so adamant about demanding a meeting with the champion at the end of the show, for "recruitment purposes". Now it looks like he may have recruited himself right out of XPW Remixed with his bold bet! OH NO! The Grand Wizard loses his last bargaining chip!Moxley and Gage have done it before - waged epic war for a bloodstained piece of wrestling immortality. But here it’s different. A bigger stage, a higher purpose. Here, Gage & Moxley (rivals, allies, bitter enemies all) kill each other for blood sport in front of a rapid, thrill-seeking crowd for the most dangerous, underground wrestling championship in all the Territory Wars. XPW Remixed’s “King of the Death Match” championship. We’re all guaranteed a “new” title holder, as OG Sheik is outta here already (along with TGW perhaps for good, as Striker & Solie continue to wonder about on commentary). Even in a death match, Moxley oozes just as much charisma as blood and continues to draw comparison to a young Terry Funk. If the crowd was split while Sheik competed, they are now unanimously OPPOSED to Jon Moxley and his obnoxious, Roddy Piper 1985-themed antics - booing him voraciously. In turn, their cheers propel the escaped fugitive-on-the-run Nick FN Gage to new, gory heights. But just as he drops Moxley through a table with an XXXTREEEME frogsplash from the top of the giant “XPW” entrance letters… perpetual thorn-in-the-side, and current on-screen Commissioner “Real Deal” Damien Steele makes his PPV entrance by staging an interruption! The suit and tie-wearing Commissioner is escorted by his secretary Jasmine St Claire and THE GRAND WIZARD! Screw formalities, codes of silence and so-called “XPW Honor“ pacts - TGW wants Nick Gage OUT of XPW Remixed TONIGHT! And if that means calling the cops and having this whole godforsaken party shut down - then SO BE IT! “Real Deal” Damien Steele is right alongside him to back it up, and challenge Gage on the mic - if you pin Moxley for that belt we are calling the police. HUGE boos and Nick Gage remains ever defiant and pissed off. They want Gage to leave the building on his own accord, while they change this bout to a “4-Way War”… basically re-allowing the Sheik’s re-entry into the match for a 2nd time… where he will presumably pick up the scraps of the destroyed Jon Moxley. Steele & TGW begin to usher OG Sheik BACK into the ring, when suddenly… “Natural Born Killaz” by Dr Dre & Ice Cube starts blaring through the speakers!!! Enter NEW JACK!!!In the might makes right world of XPW Death Match wrestling, New Jack takes ownership of the newly-anointed 4th championship spot by grabbing it (and Commissioner Steele) by the throat. Entering the fray with a trash can full of weaponry, New Jack cuts his way through Damien Steele & OG Sheik before making his way to the ring and challenging Gage to be a man and finish this fight! Gage gladly obliges and the two men exchange hellacious, stiff, hockey-styled punches as the crowd is chanting “XPW!” and the rap music is still blasting. New Jack & Gage battle, until Moxley rejoins the fray - and winds up siding with Steele & OG Sheik (now recovered enough to re-enter the fray) as they attack Gage & New Jack. But the none other than the “Crazy Monkey” JUN KASAI makes a surprise PPV entrance to offset the bad guys illegal interference - perform synchronized twin balcony kamikaze dives with New Jack (upon Damien Steele & OG Sheik respectively) - allowing Nick Gage to piledrive Jon Moxley off the second turnbuckle, through a glass pane and onto a set of cinder blocks for the climatic pinfall!!! Nick Gage has made it official! He is now the King of the Death Match! But will Steele and the Grand Wizard stay true to their word and rat him out to the police? Or will The Grand Wizard be stripped of his power once and for all by the end of the night? Winner (and OFFICIAL KotDM Champion): NICK GAGE ___________________________________________________________________MILDRED BURKE versus LIZZY BORDEN(Steel Cage Match) versus Lizzy Borden gets her vain, self-absorbed entrance, but starts the match outside the cage with a mic. She gives a litany of reasons why she shouldn't be competing in this match tonight. But before she can flee the building entirely, Mildred Burke gets her big entrance and we're off. She has to pursue Borden around the ring a few times, before FINALLY capturing Lizzy and pummeling her to huge crowd appreciation. But Lizzy Borden keeps trying to run away. So Burke goes after Borden a few times and the two fight at ringside. Lizzy tries to escape by climbing the outside of the cage but Burke follows her up the side of the cage wall. Getting higher and higher, and kinda iffy... and then Burke bounces Borden's face off the side of the cage, and Lizzy Borden's body pitches backward off the cage through the announce table!!! HUGE bump, "HOLY S***!" chants from the crowd, and just like that - the match is "over" before it even began. The medics come down to attend to the broken Lizzy Borden, and begin to cart her away. But the crowd senses this is another one of Borden's cop-out excuses, and start chanting "BULLS***!!!". So Mildred Burke grabs the stretcher, runs it all the way back DOWN the entrance ramp, and hurls Lizzy Borden into the cage wall to continue the beat down!!! Huge crowd cheers for that one. Burke literally drags Lizzy Borden into the cage by her hair, and the match officially begins.
In the ring Burke has total control and exorcises months of torment upon Borden. Finally Burke and her fans feel sated, and Mildred Burke signals for the cage door to be opened. But before she can walk out, she casts another look over her shoulder at Lizzy Borden... and Lizzy gives Burke the middle finger!!! Mildred Burke just shakes her head and grimly re-enters the cage to finish the job. More hellacious beatdowns upon Lizzy Borden, as Burke just stretches and slams her about. Burke goes to leave the cage again but Lizzy (barely conscious as this point) gives the DOUBLE bird to Burke, in an extra defiant moment! So Burke shrugs her shoulders and re-enters the cage to continue the punishment, much to the crowds jubilation. Burke finishes the beating with a version of the Ace Crusher ("Stone Cold Stunner"), the same move Borden has used in her matches. But just as Mildred Burke is about to exit the cage for the last time... the ring mat in the corner of the ring starts splitting upward... someone is emerging from under the ring... it is a leather-clad, dominatrix, amazon....Introducing to XPW Remixed... CHYNA!!!The sultry, raven-haired Glamazon stretches to her full height, flaunting her muscular frame, skimpy leather lingerie and shoulder tattoo… there is a look of perverted malice in her eyes, as she surveys the battered, bruised remains of Lizzy Borden – seemingly draws some kind of sick enjoyment from her torture – and turns her attention to a departing Mildred Burke! The world stands shocked at this unfolding development! Lizzy Borden (despite her suffering) urges Chyna forward! Her and Burke do the slow walk and stare down (both vastly muscular, but Chyna the taller of the two) before Chyna launches an attack! Chokeslam! Now Borden has dragged herself to her feet (somewhat) and is demanding Chyna throw Burke into the steel cage – which she does. Like a javelin, Chyna hoists Mildred Burke over her shoulder and LAUNCHES her face first into the cage wall with SUCH FORCE, the chain locks snap and the cage wall swings wide open!!! Burke clings to the cage before it drops her to the arena floor, where both feet touch! The bell rings signifying the end of the match, but by the look of shock in Burke’s eyes as she recovers on the floor (and the lusty penetrating dark eyes of Chyna as she leers at her from in the cage) you know the beef is just starting to sizzle!!!Winner (via escape): MILDRED BURKE _________________________________________________________________________EZEKIEL JACKSON versus MATT MORGAN III(“Wall of Stone” Match) versus Part III of the Trilogy. This is the rubber match, and last contest between Ezekiel Jackson & Matt Morgan. Each man holds one victory over his opponent… this one is for all the marbles. A huge stone wall has been erected on the stage area. As an interesting caveat, the stone wall had been erected earlier in the week during the XPW Remixed fan fests, and fans got a chance to sign, tag and write their names on the wall, so it offers an ill visual. A lot of Valentines Day-themed hearts and arrows (and gang signs). This might be the most physically intense of their challenges so far, and that’s saying something. Morgan sidesteps a spear and nails a big boot. Morgan begins targeting the ribs of Jackson, previously hurt in the backstage assault (see XPW Online #11). Jackson fights back with head shots. Jackson barely saves himself from a triangle choke. Morgan misses a running knee to the back, giving Jackson an opportunity for control. The action goes back and forth, with both men trading offense. Morgan continually targets Big Zeke’s left arm and ribs. Jackson counters a “carbon footprint” with a spinebuster! Morgan responds with the triangle choke! Both men fight to their feet. Chokeslam by Morgan! A huge clothesline takes both men over the top rope, where they battle ringside and in the aisle. Up on the stage, Big Zeke blocks a “Hellevator” attempt by Morgan and hits a spear into the “Blueprint” Matt Morgan that drives both men crashing back into the wall. A thunderous blow, but the solid stone wall merely cracks and crumbles minutely. Morgan counters the “Book of Ezekiel” and tries hurling Jackson into the wall. His body crashes and bounces off the wall with a sickening thud, and Morgan rams his shoulder into Jackson’s gut – driving him back first into the wall 3 more times! But the wall doesn’t break, only crack and crumble from the stress. But Jackson is HURT and Morgan taunts the crowd. Morgan makes the miscalculation of trying to grab a chair, but Jackson fights back and hits a “Book of Ezekiel” onto the steel chair! Now Jackson is enraged, and with one might swing hurls Matt Morgan THROUGH the stone wall, where it explodes with crumbling rocks and debris!!! Big match feel and bell to bell action, with a decisive victory for Big Zeke. He pounds his chest and flexes his muscles as the crowd chants “XPW! XPW!” Winner: EZEKIEL JACKSON ** Cut ** ****************** "HAPPY VALENTINES DAY FROM XPW REMIXED"(Weedman's suggestion for a romantic eventing: heart-shaped boxes) ** CUT TO RING ** ____________________________________________________________________** XPW Television Title **THE MIZ © & WENDI RICHTER (w/ Cyndi Lauper) Versus ALEX RILEY (2010) & MISSY HYATT (1990)(Intergender “Valentine” Tag Team Match) versus Keeping tradition alive in XPW Remixed, comes another special “Valentines” Intergender tag match – a throwback to last year’s historic main event. This year, former Diamond Dynasty & WWE cohorts Alex Riley (2010) and Miz (2011) clash alongside their female companions Missy Hyatt (Riley’s girlfriend) and Wendi Richter (1985), Miz’s secret weapon from TV land. Miz’s TV title is up for grabs, and either team can win it for their male captain by either pinfall or submission (so if Miz pins Missy he retains – or if Hyatt submits Richter, then Riley would be new champion).
Richter wants to start with Hyatt, but the pampered Diamond Dynasty princess begs off and tags out. Big time trash talking from Riley & Miz as they go to head to head, and finally lockup. Shoulder block by Miz but he gets tripped up by Hyatt and takes a dropkick and a belly to belly suplex. Reverse elbow followed by a knee drop by Riley gets a 2 count. Backbreaker by Alex Riley. Wendi Richter argues semantics with the referee, allowing an illegal Riley/Hyatt double-team that Cyndi Lauper breaks up to huge cheers!!! Lauper and Hyatt get in a shouting match outside the ring! The distraction allows Miz to hit Riley with a clothesline, followed by a double team flapjack with Richter! That gets a close 2 count, but Riley still kicks out. Riley reverses an Irish whip, propelling Miz into a turnbuckle pad that has been removed by Missy Hyatt, revealing bare bolt. The crunching blow hinders Miz considerably, and he is getting very little offense against Riley. Missy Hyatt tags in and takes a few cheap shots on Miz, but a miscalculation (brought about by arrogance and ego on behalf of Riley & Hyatt), leads to the Miz hot-tag to Wendi Richter who goes on a ring-clearing tear. Now Cyndi Lauper gets into the action by slapping Missy in the face, serving her comeuppance. But back in the ring, Riley cheap shots Miz and hits a belly to back suplex. Riley hits his TKO finisher for a VERY close near fall. Outside the ring, Wendi Richter crushes Missy with a huge diving cross body block off the ring apron! Cyndi Lauper helps lead fans in chants of “XPW! XPW!”
Richter is in now and hits a back body drop on Riley! Miz hits a running turnbuckle clothesline on Riley for another 2 count. Now Cyndi Lauper literally pitches Missy Hyatt into the ring, where Richter hits an absolutely thunderous powerbomb! But before she can get the pin, Alex Riley boots Wendi right in the face!!! Bigtime boos for that, and now Riley & Miz hit each other with flying clotheslines. Missy Hyatt is still recovering from the powerbomb, but slowly crawls over for the pin on Richter. Is Miz’s TV Title in danger?!? Wendi Richter kicks out! Now Miz plays the raging babyface on a comeback trail, and after a series of exchanges with Riley, plants his former apprentice with a Skull-Crushing Finale for the pin!!! Miz retains in about 7 minutes.Winner (and STILL XPW Television Champion): THE MIZThe MIZ remains King of TV-Land*****************[ "HAPPY VALENTINES DAY FROM XPW REMIXED"("The Match Made in Heaven / Match Made in Hell") Fun little “Valentine’s Day”-themed sketch with the dark and brooding French Angel alongside peppy and lively Sammi Lane. Shades of Frankenstein’s Monster/Phantom of the Opera the way Sammi continues to display her platonic love and affection for Angel, drawing him further from his antisocial shell. Thus far we’ve learned French Angel speaks multiple languages and has a fluent tongue for poetry. But when the ever-present-thorn-in-the-side “Boston Bad Boy” Tony Rumble once again makes his entrance to disrupt their civility, we learn French Angel has a monstrous temper as well. After Rumble’s contemptuous golf clap and condescending, Back Bay insults (technically his “Whack Pack” still owns Angel & Lane’s contracts) the skit unfolds like a mock-wedding.
XPW Commissioner “Real Deal” Damien Steele enters in the role of match-making “reverend” (with secretary Jasmin St Claire as sexy “flower girl”) to consummate their affair. Steele proceeds to read aloud their contractual arrangements with the Whack Pack (basically, “servitude”) while Rumble gloats and Lane frets (Angel remains monstrously stoic). Rumble owns their careers and is about to make some big announcements, when they are ALL interrupted by GDT Inc VP Joseph “Toots” Mondt and legal counsel David Otunga!
The renowned old school hooker turned wrestling revolutionary and GDT Inc VP has news for Rumble, Steele and anybody else with a pre-arranged “Commission”-bargained contract: it’s renegotiation time. Part of a new initiative spear-headed by Mondt himself to trim the XPW Remixed budget. It’s “spring cleaning” time. So David Otunga (on behalf of Mister Mondt) issues a definitive ultimatum – on the next Episode of TV we resolve these contractual issues. Angel to meet his tormentor Rumble one-on-one on the next Episode of XPW TV - if French Angel wins, he and Sammi Lane are free to perform independently. But if he LOSES… French Angel LEAVES XPW Remixed and Sammi Lane is BOUND to the Whack Pack under the remaining provisions!!! She looks on to Angel in horror at the thought! Rumble chuckles and makes the mistake of stepping towards Sammi Lane… and that’s it! Golf Clap from French Angel upside Rumble’s head sends the Boston Bad Boy spinning! He and Mondo Kleen stop short of a full-fledged brawl with Angel (as Steele tussles loudly, but doesn’t do much – and Mister Mondt sternly restrains them all). But they do exchange vicious ice glares as the scene comes to a close. “Boston Bad Boy” Tony Rumble versus French Angel! With dire circumstances predicating each outcome! Only on the next episode of XPW TV!!!** CUT TO RING ** ____________________________________________________________________SAMOA JOE (2007) versus BRUNO SAMMARTINO (1975) versus Epic-level video recap that summarizes Sammartino & Joes respective rise up the XPW Remixed ranks, and focusing on Samoa Joe's undefeated streak going into this match. Huge production deal, and the gravity of the crowd adds to the tension of this encounter. Joe enters first (to huge boos), and Sammartino enters last to a raucous ovation and chants of "BRUUUUNOOOO! BRUUUUUNOOO!" Both men are aggressive in the early going, and Bruno strikes with the first suplex and then clotheslines Joe to the floor. So Joe rudely grabs Sammartino by the ankles and swings him into the guardrail. Back in the ring Joe mostly stays in control, but Sammartino isn’t really selling much - lending a "real fight" feel to the proceedings. Joe knocks Sammartino to the floor and follows him with an elbow suicida. He hurls Sammartino into the ring steps, opening old wounds in his head from Joe's attack on XPW TV Episode #36. Joe then violently argues with the referee, and even has to be restrained at one point. Bruno’s head is busted wide open as he makes his way back in the ring. Joe looks absolutely ravenous as a small (but vocal) "JOE'S GONNA KILLLL UUUU!" chant breaks out.
Sammartino is an absolute bloody mess but is still able to comeback with a spinebuster from out of nowhere to score a two-count. They rise to their feet and trade punches, until Sammartino starts hulking up while Joe fades out. He looks like he's starting to gas out. Sammartino overwhelms Joe on his feet, and then strikes with a chain of rolling German Suplexes for a close two count! He's the Italian Suplex machine!!! Joe fights back and all the sudden, hits the Muscle Buster for what is sure to be the final fall... but Sammartino amazingly kicks out! Huge pop for that one. Bruno responds with an impressive Dominator, but it only gets two. Bruno hulks up, and in an impressive display hoists Joe up for an over-the-shoulder back breaker! Joe is able to reverse it into a rear-naked choke, but Sammartino counters THAT into a judo roll. Joe rolls through that, but Sammartino catches him with a powerslam. Joe hits another running knee, and is clearly winning the striking war tonight. But Sammartino counters into a high-back body drop that puts Joe square on the back of his head, folding his body in half. Sammartino covers and Joe can't kick out until 3.1!!! Sammartino has done it!!! But both men look exhausted. They certainly packed a ton of action into that last sequence, and the super hot crowd really appreciated it. Sammartino & Joe really lived up to the hype. Joe immediately asks for a rematch and the crowd very much wants to see it. But instead, Sammartino DECLINES the handshake and walks away! Joe’s undefeated streak that started at "RAPTURE", is now over. Winner: BRUNO SAMMARTINO____________________________________________________________________
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Post by MadStepDad on Feb 21, 2012 21:01:56 GMT -5
"THE COMMISSION CRUMBLES** BACKSTAGE SKIT **
Voices shouting draw cameras to the locker room of The Grand Wizard, where he is ranting angrily and tearing up stuff. He’s absolutely IRATE over the loss of his gentleman’s bet earlier this evening, and vows to go the UN-gentlemanly rout if it means keeping the one managerial license left… but this draws forth into the scene (like a fly to stinking garbage) JACK PFEFER and his small entourage! The cocky Jewish promoter arrogantly antagonizes TGW about his loss, confident that if a fight breaks out Pfefer’s bodyguard Dick Shikat will handle business… Pfefer says he and his man Buddy Rogers have a full-proof strategy for their main event fight tonight – and after “Nature Boy” reclaims the XPW Remixed title – Jack Pfefer officially claims the last managerial license! He and TGW face off (with TGW shaking with rage and Pfefer smirking like a bastard) until TGW and The Sheik storm off! Jack Pfefer shuts the locker room door, buut it is slightly ajar – allowing the camera to still catch Pfefer & Shikat in conversation. This leaves Jack Pfefer alone to condescendingly address his underling Dick Shikat in most unflattering fashion. The Jewish Pfefer addresses the German former Boston champion; ordering him to “shoot” on Thesz backstage in the locker room before the fight and cripple him. Just like Shikat shot on Danno O’Mahoney to win the Boston title for the Commission… but this time, Dick Shikat actually DECLINES his bosses orders! Instead (in a lighter shade of Virgil) Dick Shikat stands up to Pfefer – tells him what he REALLY thinks about the Jewish promoter – and quits his stable! Shikat storms out, slamming the door behind him as Jack Pfefer is now the one in rage…. ** CUT TO RING ** **************** ** XPW Boston Championship **WILLIAM MULDOON (1887) versus JOHN CENA (2012) © versus The build for this match was surprisingly intense, despite its charming outside façade. Both William Muldoon and John Cena – separated by a century of history – born of the same cloth (“Hustle, Loyalty, Respect”) representing the XPW Boston championship. When Cena arrived on the scene in XPW Remixed, he did so like a conquering knight riding a white steed. Striding in from the night to vanquish the Evil Empire and rescue the Boston Championship from their clutches. A championship they had overtaken from William Muldoon himself. The rise of the Evil Empire happened suddenly; striking Muldoon’s Olympia training camp from a blind spot. He lost the title to Jinder Mahal - under speculative circumstances nonetheless - but it took the proverbial “knight in shining armor” John Cena to liberate it. When Cena called the #1 Contendership for Muldoon, he did it because it was the right thing to do. But also because he came to XPW Remixed to truly test his mettle within the arena of Fantasy Wrestling combat. And when it comes to timeless, epic clashes – XPW Remixed is hallowed ground. So John Cena and William Muldoon shook hands and set to prepare for combat. In the stretch leading up to their match we were treated to hilarious stand-up sketches from John Cena featuring priceless William Muldoon trading cards and funny stories about sticking these cards in the spokes of his bike as a kid and listening to the sound “tw-tw-tw-tw-twenny-thousand-dollars!...tw-tw-tw…” We also learned that William Muldoon has NO affinity for rap or Hip Hop music of ANY kind (and especially of white people who partake in it – a silent notion shared by most of the audience today who continues to boo John Cena for the same reason). And that’s just saying it kindly. Now, the man who portrayed a Marine and the man who played Spartacus prepare to clash for the right to call themself the XPW BOSTON CHAMPION! It's time for war!!
Mat wrestling sequence to start that the crowd actually digs (especially in contrast to the rest of the proceedings so far tonight). Muldoon shoots for a takedown, and we get another intense mat sequence. The educated crowd views the proceedings almost from an MMA fan's viewpoint. They trade reversals as Solie & Striker put over the combatants early battle for leverage. It's a stalemate on the ground, as Cena's strength is able to nullify a lot of Muldoon's submission attempts. The crowd stays hot with a massive “Cena Sucks” chant, the first of its kind so far in XPW Remixed. Muldoon goes for the Anaconda Vice, but Cena powers out. Muldoon nearly gets the Vice on a second attempt, but Cena rolls out and bails to the floor. Cena is getting mighty pissed as Muldoon is winning the mat wars (and the crowd is turning on him), so he turns the dial up to 2012 and blasts Muldoon with a right hand! The brawl is on!
They start to brawl on the floor and Muldoon gets sent into the announce table and then into the ring steps. Nasty bump there from Muldoon as he is propelled backfirst, and unprotected onto the steel. Back in the ring a suplex gets a two count for Cena. Good psychology from Cena; focusing on the back. Another suplex, this time a belly to back, and that gets another count of two. Muldoon starts firing back with some chops and European Uppercuts, but Cena catches him with a sweet fishermans suplex. That worked so well the first time that Cena decides to snap off another one. He looks for a third one it seems, but Muldoon cuts him off with a clothesline. They start trading blows in the corner, and Muldoon takes control after burying a knee into Cena’s midsection. A reverse able gets a two count for Muldoon. He snaps off a suplex, and that gets another near fall. They head up top where Cena brings Muldoon down with a HUGE superplex, which gets a very close two count.
Muldoon reverses and Cena sent hard, chest-first into the buckle. Cena stumbles back into a Chaos Theory Rolling German Suplex (like Orville Brown used to do in XPW Remixed), but Cena counters to the Attitude Adjustment (aka "FU") before the series can be completed! Muldoon elbows out and slips behind Cena for a roll-up, but surprisingly Cena rolls through and gets his own version of the Anaconda Vice! A lil sloppy though, and Muldoon is able to escape. But the crowd popped huge on that one. Wear-down holds from "The Solid Man" William Muldoon. Muldoon snaps right back into a crossface attempt, but Cena is able to reverse to one of his own. Muldoon rolls through AGAIN in another scintillating exchange, but this time Cena outmuscles Muldoon into FU position again and hits it emphatically! The ref does the dramatic match-ending count, but Muldon is able to kick out at 2.99!!! Another chain of counters leaves Cena planted face first in the center of the ring with a spike DDT. A weary William Muldoon heads up top for a moonsault (??). On commentary Striker surmises Muldoon learned this technique from Mil Mascaras during Olympia training sessions. But Cena brings up the knees for a huge crash-and-burn from Muldoon. Now Cena heads up top to deliver the flying legdrop, but misses and Muldoon locks in an anklock! But Cena is able to kick him off. Muldoon goes back to the waist lock, secures the takedown (Cena is seeming winded at this point; Muldoon just getting started) and ultra-dramatically locks in his Anaconda Vice on Cena! But Cena struggles, struggles... won't quit... hulks up... hulks up... then POWERS Muldoon into lightning-fast FU position... and before "The Solid Man" can execute a counter, Cena SLAMS him in the middle of the mat with his Attitude Adjustment finisher! 1!... 2!... 3!! Cena retains the title!!! Post match, the two men dramatically embrace to huge cheers and William Muldoon helps hold Cena's arm aloft in victory. A true, symbolic "passing of the torch" moment for Cena in fantasy wrestling. Winner (and STILL Boston Champion): JOHN CENA** CUT ** **************** "HAPPY VALENTINES DAY FROM XPW REMIXED"(Human Tornado brings along his uncle "Short Dawg" to give advice on being a Valentines Day playa)** CUT TO RING ** ____________________________________________________________________** XPW Remixed Tag Team Championships ** (REAL) KINGS of WRESTLING © (w/ Jessica Darlin) Versus JUGGALO NINJAS (w/ Insane Clown Posse)(Xtreme Rulez Match) w/ versus w/ Fun Fact: Since we last saw them on PPV, the Juggalo Ninjas were given a full character makeover in order to update their image and shed their bingo hall independent federation looking regalia. The (Real) Kings of Wrestling also underwent some image changes. They kept the valet Jessica Darlin but completely ditched any semblance of class or respect they may have had. Instead, they gave them a harder image and more hardcore look. Also, XPW Remixed decided to escalate the character development that had taken years to do. Instead of just calling women "whores" and starting riots, they would start putting everyone and anyone through tables, much to the orgasmic delight of Jessica Darlin. Scott: What we are about to witness is one of the most competitive tag team years in over a decade. The XPW Remixed Tag Team Titles will be the prize, and these two teams will be two of many that will battle for the gold throughout the year. The creativity they show in beating the shit out of each other is off the charts. The Juggalo Ninjas have gone through their growing pains since their debut, but tonight they cash it in. The (Real) Kings of Wrestling have been around a little longer, but they also will make a major impact. As for this match, the spot of the match is the end. With Austin Idol lying on a table, Jessica Darlin saves him before Phil “Gunner” Shatter” hits his finisher, the F5 on MadMan Pondo, off the entranceway, through the burning pane of glass for the win. A fantastic match between four risk-takers and it just gets better from here. Grade: 4 Justin: The match features an intense and insane brawl between two of the hottest tag teams in the Federation. Since receiving their makeover, the Juggalo Ninjas were on a roll, and were out to prove a point smack dab in their own backyard. And, what better opponents to have than one team that was willing to do anything to get over? These four guys light up ”MBVII” with a full ten minutes of non-stop action as they beat each other from pillar to post and everywhere in between. As passé as they are today, at this time the Xtreme Rulez gimmick was red hot. It had been done to death in ECW, but as far as XPW Remixed fans were concerned, they had seen some table action, but they knew they were missing out. XPW Remixed would cure that craving, as it was hardcore galore, mainly due to the soaring popularity of the Ninjas. The (Real) Kings of Wrestling grab the big win here, and would fire the next major shot in the Tag Division, and it is one that would really put them over the top. Grade: 4
Winners (and STILL XPW Tag champs): (REAL) KINGS of WRESTLING
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** XPW Championship **
LOU THESZ © versus “NATURE BOY” BUDDY ROGERS (“Best 2 out of 3 Falls Match”)
versus
Featuring an excerpt from:
This match contains a very special excerpt from "The Untold Story of the Monopoly that Strangled Pro Wrestling" by Tim Hornbaker, and is another exclusive MSD throwback. This could also double as a cheap plug for the wrestlingclassics.com messageboard, quite possibly (one) of the greatest wrestling messageboards ever (next to this one of course), and one of which the author Tim Hornbaker is a frequent contributor. In this next piece, the author is describing the legendary and historic Title Unification bout between Lou Thesz and Baron Michele Leone, but with a simple MSD-twist could just as easily be describing "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers. It's not hard to imagine similiar circumstances surrounding the myriad Lou Thesz/Buddy Rogers encounters - some of which are touched on in the story. But this is one of my favorite passages from this book, and I wanted to share it with you here tonight. This is a story about the first $100,000 gate in pro wrestling history, and why there would never be a $200,000 rematch - it also doubles as a metaphor for the entire rise and fall of TGW & Jack Pfefer's "Commission". Enjoy.
The Commission Runs L.A.
In the ring, the Buddy Rogers displayed his superior showmanship and intrigued audiences with his well-versed wrestling skills. He was exceptionally strong for his size, and during the day, the strutting aristocrat could be seen training on Muscle Beach. At night, Rogers grappled on a circuit that sent him to the Pasadena Arena or Legion Stadium on Monday, the Valley Garden Arena or San Diego Coliseum on Tuesday, the Olympic on Wednesday, Long Beach on Thursday, the Ocean Park Arena in Santa Monica on Friday, and the San Bernardino Arena on Saturday. He was a sight to behold, and once the word got out and people caught him on tv, arenas were crammed with new fans. Buddy Rogers balanced combination of heel heat and broad appeal carried the Olympic to new financial heights. The "Nature Boy" raised his profile, and few other wrestlers, even on a national scale, were getting the exposure he was. Wrestling was booming in the Los Angeles area, and there wasn’t a bigger icon than "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers. He sold out the Olympic Auditorium. Thousands of fans were turned away.
A Shooter in the Midst
Thesz came into the territory in early July, and found himself standing in the shadow of the local champion, something that bothered him immensely. His concerns would be addressed at the annual NWA convention in Tulsa, where the matter of eliminating the California “world” title was at the top of the agenda. The press frequently compared Thesz to Rogers, and harped on their differences when Lou returned in September. GDT Inc knew Buddy Rogers’s staggering popularity was too much to ignore and that something eventually had to be done to remain in the good graces of Thesz and the NWA. As a member of the championship committee, The Grand Wizard understood the goals of the organization to limit regional “world” heavyweight champions, and promised not to book Rogers as a titleholder outside California (he lied). The tension was growing, nonetheless, and climaxed with a threat of suspension. When failed to act quickly enough, the NWA actually banned him, and while Johnny considered his newfound independence, two area matchmakers tried to grab his Alliance spot. GDT Inc wanted to negotiate, and TGW finally caved. A unification match was the only solution. With a preliminary agreement from all parties, GDT Inc brokered a deal that would sort out the mess. According to the storyline, Thesz was eager to wrestle Buddy Rogers, showing his intent by signing an open contract to grapple any time, any place. The "Nature Boy", on the other hand, declined the match, concerned that it would interfere with a $20,000 opportunity to wrestle in Europe. As Buddy Rogers’s decision played out in the press, a real dispute over payoffs loomed behind the scenes. Because he was XPW Remixed champion, Thesz was getting a set ten percent of the gross after taxes, but Buddy Rogers wasn’t protected by any such statute. Still, Buddy Rogers would be forced into a contest whether he liked it or not. That was the way things were done in southern California. The foremost grapplers were booked by Gold Dust Trio Inc, an outfit owned by Strangler Lewis, and Toots Mondt with the help of a booker named Doyle. Buddy Rogers had climbed to the apex of wrestling because of their push. His years of scuffling for a piece of the pie paid off in a true explosion in Los Angeles, and the question was whether he could afford to confront his “managers” about their unusually large cut of his paycheck? No, he had little recourse in that matter. But he could get a message across to them in another way.
Downfall of the Commission/Diamond Dynasty alliance
Although the bout wasn’t yet confirmed, Doyle began around-the-clock promotion in late January 1952, hyping the potential skirmish every chance he got. He spoke with journalists, placed advertisements, and fed the hype, setting a new standard for a single match. Smart promoters in advance of the Londos-Lewis bout in 1934 took comparable measures, and the payoff had been record-shattering. One major difference was that in 1934, they only had access to radio and newspapers, whereas Doyle and his mates had television to promote the affair. TV commentator Dick Lane’s magnificent propaganda whipped fans into a fury, and he could probably be credited for selling as many tickets for the clash as either of the wrestlers. On February 16, 1952, Doyle was joined by Buddy Rogers to discuss the possible contest with Thesz on KNBH, channel 4 in Los Angeles, and Rogerssold their hostilities perfectly. The table was set for a showdown. On April 21, 1952, Buddy Rogers and Thesz formally signed a contract for a May 21 bout at an undetermined outdoor stadium, and Eaton engineered a photo op with the Los Angeles Times as he stood between the two participants. The terms were two of three falls with a two-hour limit. If the time expired, and if the falls were even, the referee and two judges would pick a winner. The bottom line was that Eaton and Doyle expected record attendance, and if they wished to achieve that, they needed more than 35,265 for the national wrestling record, or 23,765 (Londos-Dean from 1934) for the California record. Londos-Lewis’s $96,302 remained tops for a single gate in U.S. grappling history, and the state record was $69,745.50 (Sonnenberg- Marshall, from 1930). Eaton announced on April 28 that Gilmore Field in Hollywood would host the outdoor spectacle. Fundamentally a baseball diamond for minor league team, the Hollywood Stars, Gilmore Field would be primed to accommodate more than 20,000 fans for wrestling’s biggest championship bout in years. The California State Athletic Commission gave the match “unofficial sanctioning,” a blessing from Eaton’s pals, and with the commission receiving five percent of the take, the chairman was likely to let it go ahead without any undue pressure. Tickets went on sale and wrestling fans, in their frenzy, paid as much as $1000 for ringside seats.
The Build
With Thesz, Rogers, the National Wrestling Alliance, XPW Remixed and the California State Athletic Commission under standing orders, Doyle spun his promotional web. Promotion on the area’s weekly telecasts increased, and when Thesz invaded the national wrestling alliance territory in the first week of May, an all-out blitz began. Televised training sessions on Sunday afternoons at 1:00 from the Wilmington Bowl were open to the masses, and on May 11, more than 4,000 people came to see Thesz and Buddy Rogers prepare. The events were broadcast as Wrestling Workouts on KLAC (channel 13) for two hours. During the week, the wrestlers trained at the Olympic Auditorium beginning on Tuesday, May 13, with numerous guest wrestlers including Sandor Szabo, Hombre Montana, Ray Piret, the Christys, Rocky Romero, John Cena, and even Ed “Strangler” Lewis. Lewis triggered an additional level of interest in Thesz-Rogers. Well known in the area, he hyped the approaching match to his many friends and contacts. Sports writers kept an open-door policy with the Strangler. They wanted to hear what he was doing, who he was backing, and what his views were. His assessment of the championship bout was heard by correspondents who respected his every word. As Thesz’s spokesperson, Lewis gave the champion the colorful voice some complained that he lacked. As a quiet, meticulous babyface, Thesz couldn’t flaunt his talents or ballyhoo his accomplishments. Lewis could. He compared Lou to the champions of old, repeatedly criticizing modern-day theatrics. Two columns by Los Angeles Times sportswriters Paul Zimmerman and Al Wolf in the days before the match repeated Lewis’s hype about the XPW Remixed champion exactly as its promoters wanted. The National Wrestling Alliance world champion since November 1949, Thesz had crisscrossed North America dozens and dozens of times. He wrestled all of the era’s greats, but outside “Whipper” Billy Watson in Toronto, had never faced a situation where a regional grappler held such sway. There wasn’t a better matchup in the business, not in Chicago, New York City, or St. Louis. Los Angeles was prepared for Thesz and Rogers, and now the wrestlers themselves had to deliver.
Road to "MBVII"
The training sessions proved very popular and Doyle made the most of their second and final televised Wrestling Workouts from the Wilmington Bowl on Sunday, May 18. Eaton went out of his way to announce that proceeds from the weekday sessions at the Auditorium would be donated to the U.S. Olympic Committee, and that all fans would receive free autographed photos of the wrestlers. The engineered marketing, no matter how basic, furthered the momentum, dramatically boosting ticket sales. People understood that the Gilmore Field extravaganza was something different from the casual weekly wrestling shows. It was a one-of-a-kind happening and the hip Hollywood crowd was not going to miss it. The physical differences between Thesz and Buddy Rogers were distinct. Thesz stood 6´2´´ and weighed 222 pounds, down from his normal wrestling weight of 228–230. Standing five inches shorter, Buddy Rogers carried his 208-pound frame like a bodybuilder. In the early edition of Los Angeles area newspapers on May 21, articles alerted readers to the size differential, their different wrestling philosophies, and details about the wrestlers’ personal lives. After the last advertisements were printed, the last phone calls to radio stations had been dialed, and there was nothing left to say, the program went forward as planned. The date was "My Bloody Valentine II", and the show began promptly at 8:30 p.m. with preliminary matches.
The Big Match
Buddy Rogers entered the ring to mixed applause, wearing a Roman toga. It was obvious that Thesz was the crowd favorite. The XPW Remixed champion wore what the Los Angeles Times dubbed “special shoes” for the bout, created by his father, equipped with “neolite” on the bottom of his right shoe, and the left sole fitted with a rough rubber. The combination would allow him to spin to the mat more quickly, giving him an advantage. Eaton and Doyle had decided that the reliable Mike Mazurki (Michael Mazurkiewicz, 1907–1990), a 6'4" product of the Ukraine, was the man to conduct officiating duties. Mazurki was a former wrestler, and by 1952, a true fixture in Hollywood, having acted in more than 50 films. Outside the ring ropes was Thesz’s manager, Lewis. A contingent of gleeful officials sat in the front row. The main event lasted a little less than 45 minutes, and held the crowd’s undivided attention. They reacted to every facial tick and maneuver. Thesz looked to be the brighter of the two during the first fall, nimbly dodging the "Nature Boy"’s attempts to get a hold of him. Once Lou acquired the upper hand, he utilized an old move popularized by Londos and specifically sharpened in training — the airplane spin. Off balance and looking for relief, Buddy Rogers was pummeled with an array of dropkicks. Finally, at the 31:20 mark, the California champion was pinned. Stanza two saw the gladiator from the Diamond Dynasty battle back to best Thesz, forcing Lou to submit to a neck hold in 6:30. By that point, the heavy lifting was over, and all they had to do was carry it the remaining 4:20 to a crisp finish. There was a difference between the two wrestlers in that Hollywood ring other than their size, and it sincerely bothered Thesz. Buddy Rogers was lackadaisical with his side of the effort, sending a message to his commanders, but Rogers, even at 50 percent, still captivated the emotional crowd. The XPW Remixed champion used a backdrop to polish his opponent off, and scored the winning pinfall. Gilmore Field was sold out, with 25,256 in attendance, and thousands were left outside the stadium, wishing they had tickets. The turnout set a record for wrestling in California, but even more important was the gross paid into the till. That amount was simply astonishing — $103,277.75, a new record for professional wrestling, eclipsing the 1934 bout featuring the Strangler and Londos. The show marked the first ever $100,000 gate, proving that the timing and promotional efforts had been perfect. GDT Inc, Doyle, his many partners, and the wrestlers, split the net of $81,523.45.
EPILOGUE
The encounter was a work, and a prearranged finish was used to give the paying customers what they wanted: excitement. However, the match did provide a semblance of reality that may have only been obvious to the three men in the ring, any wrestlers who were watching, and to the eager promoters sitting in the audience. Thesz didn’t hold back or pull his punches. At some points, he brutalized the "Nature Boy", taking advantage of a lesser-skilled athlete. The reasons behind his “stiff ” ring work may have had several layers. It was later alleged that a pair of promoters involved in arranging the match went into Thesz’s dressing room prior to the Gilmore affair and asked Lou to lose the XPW Remixed championship to Buddy Rogers, a ploy that would set up a return bout. Lou, of course, rejected the idea, but went into the match, even with Mazurki officiating, concerned about a potential double-cross. The contest held too much importance for him to ignore the possibility, or the will of the unscrupulous people behind the scenes. Thesz pummeled Rogers, making sure everyone understood his seriousness. While many people weren’t aware of the proposal made to Thesz, or the champion’s general mindset, there was an understanding among wrestlers about why the "Nature Boy" just went through the motions on that memorable night. He didn’t appear to be a focused grappler striving to hook Thesz, nor was even he as animated as he usually was, which was surprising to those expecting his “A” game. Buddy Rogers worked sloppily, gaining his revenge on his bookers in his own way, but Thesz believed that his dreary performance hurt prospective rematches. And he may have been right. Years later, when the night’s genuine figures trickled out of a California athletic commission meeting, the reasoning behind Roger’s actions were a little more clear. Under oath, and testifying against his former allies on February 15, 1957, Doyle claimed that Buddy made $6,650 for his night’s labor. From that, he paid the booking agency an estimated $2,200. In addition to receiving healthy sums from the net, minus payments to the commission, Gilmore’s owners, talent, and other dues, TGW and Jack Pfefer were taking extra cash from the pay of their celebrated wrestler. Enough was obviously not enough.
Financial Aftermath, and the Commission cookie crumbles
When it was all said and done, Rogers was paid 5.46 percent of the net, and according to Doyle’s testimony, he wasn’t the only one shafted that evening. Automatically paid ten percent of the net for being the XPW Remixed champion, it was agreed that Thesz would get 15 for the Rogers match. But Doyle said that instead of receiving $12,228, Thesz settled for $9,000, the rest going to the booking office. Sam Muchnick testified that day as a rebuttal witness and stated: “Doyle phoned me the day after the match. He told me that expenses had been considerable, and that if they took $15,000 off the top it would mean a $10,000 purse for Thesz instead of the customary 15 percent. I told Johnny that if it was okay with Thesz, it was okay with me, and that’s how he was paid off.” A letter written by Thesz was read into the record at a meeting in April 1957, and claimed that he never wrangled over money with Eaton, only Doyle, and that he was “satisfied” with how he was paid. The undercard talent were nickel-and-dimed. Despite the record figures, the preliminary grapplers got the California minimum of $15, according to hearsay. Semifinalists got no more than a few hundred dollars. Jack Geyer, an influential sportswriter for the Los Angeles Times, was less than impressed by the event, and his scathing report on May 22 was riddled with sarcasm and disgust. The press gave the tussle extensive post-bout coverage, and a headline was printed at the top of the Times sports section. Very likely that more people read his mocking article than observed the bout live. Any hope of a $200,000 rematch was lost.
Winner (and STILL XPW Remixed champion): LOU THESZ
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SHOW-ENDING ANGLE
The sounds of violent argument has broken out in the back room between former Commissioner partners The Grand Wizard of wrestling and Jack Pfefer… security and personnel hover about but hesitate to become too involved… just then, GDT Inc pres & VP (and XPW Remixed owners) Ed “Strangler” Lewis and Toots Mondt enter the scene, alongside the their legal counsel David Otunga… Time’s up. Either one of them steps up to claim the last managerial license or it becomes null and void… both men, like seagulls upon a lone crumb of bread, claw and scratch for the golden ticket (much to GDT Inc’s twisted delight, no doubt)… with the hype of a hundred years, Toots Mondt uses the emotion of the moment to harken back to the OLD days of resolving backstage issues like this… a straight up shoot fight!!! In a mad rush they actually start clearing out the rolling chairs in the conference room RIGHT HERE! This is madness, as even some of the new school heads like David Otunga and 2000 Damien Steele (watching on now from the back) couldn’t fathom Vince McMahon Jr challenging Eric Bischoff to settle territorial boundaries in a fight! TGW & Jack Pfefer cluck like unplucked chickens as they're forced into a comical scratch-fight to the amusement of the MUCH larger and in charge Ed Lewis, Toots Mondt & David Otunga.
They push, shove and instigate TGW & Pfefer further like a large, corporate lumberjack party… until Pfefer & TGW tumble right out of the conference room into the hallway, where everybody now sees them rolling around on the floor together like two autistic 4-year olds throwing a tantrum… The Grand Wizard is actually getting the upper hand in the scrap, when cameras spot a defeated “Nature Boy” Buddy Rogers (followed by the equally moody and loss-sensitive Alex Riley & Matt Morgan) walking by… they stop for a moment to survey the crazy scene with stone-faced silence… and Jack Pfefer calls out for Rogers to help him! But instead, Buddy Rogers shakes his head in disgust – waves his hand – and walks off with the Dynasty behind him! They’re ditching Pfefer too! Jack Pfefer is OUTRAGED and hoots and hollers and squawks as TGW rolls him up for a quick 3-count from Otunga… the rest of the XPW Remixed office staff (led by Ed Lewis himself) scoop Pfefer up by the scruff of his collar and body-surf his skinny ass outta there! In the arena fans start singing the “na na na naaaah hey hey hey goodbyyyye” song… Pfefer (still screaming his head off) passes by random XPW Remixed wrestlers like Curly Moe, Weedman & Tony Altomare who all have funny and notable reactions to his banishment… Even Mildred Burke gets in on the act, hoisting Pfefer over her shoulders to aid in his eviction... finally Jack Pfefer is literally tossed out the back door into the alley like trash – his suitcase following soon thereafter, spilling its contents all over the dirty street. Jack Pfefer is still ranting like a maniac as he’s treated like Bobby Heenan getting tossed off RAW in '93… Ed Lewis waves sayonara to Pfefer personally before SLAMMING the door in his face for good!
Even Mildred Burke helps eject the weasel Jack Pfefer from the building!
That just leaves The Grand Wizard… huffing, puffing and beaten himself…. To the eager ownership partners of XPW Remixed, Lewis & Mondt (both rubbing their hands together in anticipation)… they tease TGW with exaggerated acts of kindness as they bestow upon him the last managerial license. But with one caveat: it comes with a one-on-one meeting with the first new XPW champion crowned tonight… you know, for “recruitment” purposes… this leaves a wide-eyed TGW to freeze in horror as his fate quickly becomes apparent… a conference room door opens on the far end of the hall to reveal new KotDM Champion NICK FN GAGE!!! He’s standing alongside his BLKOut crew and muthaphuckkin SNOOP DOGG himself!!! The West Coast Ryda and his East coast homies got a little “bidness” to discuss with XPW Remixed’s newest managerial sensation The Grand Wizard!!! Lewis, Mondt & Otunga laugh as now TGW is left to scream hysterically as Gage & crew drag TGW into the conference room and slam the door!!! Good night from XPW Remixed!!! SHOW SOME LOVE!!!
** FADE OUT **
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CREDITS:
SCOTT & JUSTIN: Royal Rumble 2000 review THESZ/ROGERS match: "The Monopoly That Strangled Pro Wrestling" by Tim Hornbaker
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