Post by MadStepDad on Nov 26, 2012 12:56:26 GMT -5
Editors Note: The “REDEMPTION” iPPV was scheduled for Wed Nov 28th (check the photoshopped date on the flyer), but was moved to an earlier date (Sun the 25th) instead because of a wonderful opportunity to get back on REAL PPV (albeit only for a 10 minute spot). So the iPPV actually aired *LIVE* on Sunday - with a replay date of today as well, for those who missed. In it’s place, our weekly XPW TV edition will feature a special look-back at other “Title Unification” bouts from the XPW Remixed video library… enjoy. And give me 7 points.
Cut to in-studio announce team for the evening:
Matt Striker & TNA Taz
A warm welcome to the show - brief coverage of “REDEMPTION” without too many spoilers (they want you to order the re-telecast tonight) - and hype the premise of this show. @ “REDEMPTION” Strangler Lewis let off a bombshell of an announcement: a real life title unification bout between two rival organizations. A first of it’s kind in Mash-Up Wrestling history. But XPW Remixed is a longtime trailblazer of such independent works (as it seeks to consolidate ALL the championships in the fantasy wrestling universe into one ultimate Mash-Up Wrestling Championship), and tonight we celebrate that long and storied history with a look back at some of the best (and most important) unification bouts in company history. But first - we go to “REDEMPTION” and the announcement that set it all off…
** CUT TO VIDEO **
________________________________________________________________
** From “REDEMPTION” **
** CUT TO PRE-RECORDED ACTION **
”A Mash-Up Wrestling Title Unification”
Lights! Camera! Action! We are LIVE on PPV for an unprecedented Mash-Up Wrestling SIMULCAST. XPW Remixed President Strangler Lewis is in the ring (ruffled suit coat the only sign of a previous struggle) and a gleaming championship belt on his shoulder (does that belt say “AWA”??) It is now time for the grand announcement that will ROCK the fantasy wrestling universe and change Mash-Up Wrestling forever. A true title unification bout of epic proportions…
On the last weekend of the year, XPW Remixed will be co-hosting a fantasy wrestling bonanza. It starts Saturday night with “GRAND CONJUNCTION” (live on iPPV) - and climaxes on Sunday night when the XPW Remixed WORLD champion does battle - LIVE ON PPV - against the NWA CHAMPION IN A HUGE TITLE UNIFICATION BOUT! The first of it’s kind in Mash-Up Wrestling history!!
** Title Unification bout **
XPW Remixed versus NWA!!
There can be only one!!
Coming the last weekend of the year!!
STAY TUNED!!
** FADE OUT **
________________________________________________________________
** XPW TV EPISODE #19 **
It takes a superstar to make a statement - and nobody is brasher than the MIZ. His Season One run through XPW Remixed was one of rapid ascension, and he soon captured the XPW Television title. It was a championship he was “born for” (being the “Most See champion in history” you see). He began a viral show that became a Network staple and called it his “Rockstar Reality TV World Tour”. His goal: infuse the XPW TV title (*his* title) with more power by gobbling up the various regional championships of the Territory era. The first man to accept Miz very public call-to-arms across fantasy wrestling was Eric Embry and his Texas Heavyweight championship! This was the first “title unification“ bout in company history.
** CUT TO PRE-RECORDED ACTION **
** XPW Television Title **
THE MIZ versus ERIC EMBRY
(Title Unification Bout)
versus
The Miz actually gets a surprising pop from the Texas crowd, even as his opponent (the Texas Heavyweight Champion) awaits him in the ring. The Miz comes dressed for combat on the solo tip, with nothing but his XPW Television Title - a championship The Miz has said he was BORN for. His “Rockstar Reality Show” world tour continues tonight in Texas. The first of many regional championships The Miz hopes to absorb as he rolls across the country, and the referee holds both the XPW TV Title and Eric Embry's Texas Championship aloft to start the match. Slower, mat-based wrestling to start with both Embry and Miz sharing heelish stall tactics (but you still hear chants of “Miz is Awesome!” spontaneously ring out). Eric Embry reverses the Miz's knee-back breaker into his own swinging neck breaker, and Miz counters an Eric Embry pile driver attempt into an Emerald Fusion (Finlay's old finisher). In the end, the Miz wins clean with a Skull-Crushing Finale and celebrates like he just won the World Series.
Winner (and STILL XPW Television champion): THE MIZ
Post match, the reigning XPW Television champion gets all his coveted mic time. The Miz takes the stick and regales the crowd with more boorish tales of his greatness, completely turning whatever fan support he may have had prior against him now. Diamond Dynasty is the best and the MIZ is AWWWWEESOOOME...
_____________________________________________________________
** XPW TV EPISODE #20 **
** CUT TO PRE-RECORDED ACTION **
MAIN EVENT
** XPW Television Title **
THE MIZ (2011) versus "SUPERSTAR" BILL DUNDEE (1978)
(Title Unification Match)
versus
The Australian born Bill Dundee made quite a name for himself in pro wrestling circles, most notably – right HERE – in Memphis TN!!! Tonight, wearing a stylish Ascot hat, letterman jacket and brandishing his title belt proudly, the smiling local fan favorite glad-hands with the audience on the way to ringside. The MIZ gets the big-time main event entrance (with pre-taped footage of a helicopter landing). His “Rockstar Reality TV World Tour” continues tonight in Memphis as MIZ puts up his cherished XPW Television Championship on the line against Bill Dundee’s Southern Heavyweight Championship! With practiced Hollywood flair, Miz does the slow triumphant stroll to the ring like he’s fresh off the red carpet. The gleaming XPW Remixed TV championship glistens in his possession. MIZ actually interrupts the ring announcer by ripping the mic out of his hands, and cutting a brief promo on his opponent for the evening Bill Dundee. Miz disses Dundee’s fashion sense, size and Australian accent. But by the time he mentions Memphis in a derogatory fashion, the crowd heat is off the charts, and Bill Dundee reacts with a quick sucker-punch to Miz’s jaw – shutting him up once and for all! Big pop from the crowd for that, and Dundee begins ripping off his jacket and preparing for action – while referees hold him back and Miz scampers back to his feet, more embarrassed than anything. He fixes the crazy eye on Dundee from across the ring, while the ring announcer finally makes the Big-Time main event intro. By the time the bell rings and the two men begin to circle, all eyes are riveted upon them. Steady start, with each man exchanging takedowns, counters and reversals. Dundee finally gets the better of an exchange on the mat, and slaps the Miz on the back of his head like one might a slap a petulant child! Miz is outraged! Crowd responds enthusiastically! Good, old school match with Miz outsizing Dundee, but falling prey to the Southern Heavyweight champion’s veteran cunning. He embarrasses Miz in a few exchanges, until the infuriated XPW TV champion instigates a wild brawl that overwhelms Dundee. Miz in control and his cocky, arrogant mannerisms (and a strut straight out of the original “Nature Boy’s” playbook) draw massive crowd heat. In the end, Miz manipulates his body between the ref and Dundee – allowing Miz to STRIKE with an unseen mule kick to the Southern Heavyweight champion! Ooooo low blow! That was the advantage Miz needed, and after a brief flurry of maneuvers, reverses a spinning abdominal stretch attempt by Dundee into the Skull-Crushing finale! 1-2-3, Miz wins clean!
Winner (and STILL XPW Television Champion): THE MIZ
____________________________________________________________
** From “LIBERTY or DEATH” (Season One) **
A mash-up of history and fantasy as Sammartino and Rogers clash once more - this time with the weight of wrestling eons behind them. It all started with the XPW World championship becoming Holy Grail property after Bruno Sammartino became the inaugural champion. He was hounded by eternal arch-nemesis “Nature Boy” Buddy Rogers who rolled the dice on his Diamond Dynasty and came up with his own XPW championship reign. Here is the epic level match from “Liberty or Death” where Sammartino came to regain his title in an “Iron Man” match! This bout was the beginning of the XPW (East Coast) title / XPW (West Coast) title split…
** CUT TO PRE-RECORDED ACTION **
XPW REMIXED CHAMPIONSHIP
“NATURE BOY” BUDDY ROGERS versus BRUNO SAMMARTINO
(Iron Man Match)
versus
Scott: Now this is the kind of match that I like, with two tough, miserable two-dollar steaks just stiffing the shit out of each other. They open the match with a minute-long collar and elbow tie up. Oh yeah, you know these two are going to go all out to entertain the crowd as they follow up with a long stare down. There are two schools of thought in this match. They’ll stiff each other with punches and chops, and they will also grind each other into the mat with long submission moves where they’ll use tight headlocks and Stu Hart-like submission moves where limbs will be bent in unrealistic positions. Buddy Rogers at one point slaps Sammartino hard in the face and then drive the knees hard into his chest and face. This is awesome. You know these two talked backstage and said, “Let’s make it look good.” Buddy Rogers goes for pins by driving his knee into Sammartino’s face. After some back and forth action, Sammartino hits three Germans then misses his flying stomp. One great move sees Buddy Rogers holding a chair, but Sammartino baseball-slides the chair right into Rogers wrist. Then Sammartino hits the flying stomp. Buddy Rogers recovers and hits this crazy submission/pin move by choking Sammartino with his own arm. Buddy Rogers really starts working Sammartino’s neck, as Solie consistently references Sammartino surgery on his neck [the result of a Stan Hanson lariat gone awry]. Buddy Rogers goes for the belt but Sammartino grabs him and German’s him on the floor. My body’s getting sore just watching this match. They get in the ring and Sammartino honors his friend Dusty Rhodes with the “Bionic elbow drop”. This was the longest match of the night as both men continue to just hit one stiff move after another, but the move Sammartino was waiting to use finally becomes available as Sammartino reverses a headlock into the Cattle Mutilation and with the clock ticking down, Buddy Rogers taps out immediately. But it was AFTER the buzzer sounded and the match tied 3-3!!! Wow, what a match and a great end to this show with back-to-back gems. Grade: 4
Justin: When Buddy Rogers returned as an active wrestler, there were a handful of opponents everyone wanted to see him throw down and get nasty with, and Bruno Sammartino was on top of that list. We had seen their stiff brawls back in BCCW, and here they are gifted twenty minutes to go out and beat the crap out of each other. Sammartino has really settled into a nice role of respected, over veteran that carries the upper mid card and can step up with the big boys where needed. Early on, this was an even matchup that saw some smart counter mat wrestling and stiff, crisp offensive strikes. As expected, these two delivered a well-worked old school hate-fueled brawl. They traded blows as Buddy Rogers dished out his vicious offense, but Sammartino retaliated with a nasty German suplex on the floor. Despite the length of the match, the crowd was pretty locked in the whole time and it was hard not to be, as this became a pretty riveting war. Buddy Rogers was tremendous to watch, as would cut off Sammartino’s comebacks with perfection, really riling up the fans. After one great battle, Sammartino would lock it in for good and Rogers was forced to tap out. But it was after the buzzer sounded to end the match. This was an awesome classic war between two grizzled veterans. Sammartino soaks in the cheers after the bout, earning the praise but Sammartino takes it as a loss, but his night is not yet finished. Grade: 4
** The crowd chants “LET THEM FIGHT!”; and “10 MORE MINS!!!”, all while Bruno Sammartino stands in the middle of the ring demanding Buddy Rogers return to finish this! Instead, “Nature Boy” Buddy Rogers regroups on the arena floor - his Diamond Dynasty cohorts now behind him. Alex Riley retrieves the XPW Remixed championship from the timekeepers table and gives it to Rogers. The ref has restarted the match - along with crowd pleasing ring announcement to confirm this - and is now administering the 10 count. With the championship belt in his physical possession, Buddy Rogers just blows the rest off! This isn't what he signed up for! Regulation time is over! Tie goes to the champion! “Nature Boy” Buddy Rogers and the Dynasty retreat backstage! The ref finishes his count! The match is over! Bruno Sammartino is declared the winner! But oh my, the controversy has only heightened!!! Sammartino gets his arm raised but is NOT happy or satisfied with the victory! Crowd chant “BRUUUNO BRUUUUNO!!” to end the telecast! Bruno is the champion but Buddy has the belt! What's going to happen next??? **
Winner (and NEW XPW Remixed champion???): BRUNO SAMMARTINO
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** From “RETRIBUTION” (Season One) **
Footage from "Retribution" (XPW Remixed Season One) and the West Coast championship match. It involved the unification of a Mash-Up Wrestling championship, and has similar ramifications with Strangler Lewis landmark AWA announcement @ "REDEMPTION". It's also eerie to consider the cast of characters from then to now is almost parallel... a true "history doomed to repeat itself" moment...
** CUT TO PRE-RECORDED ACTION **
** XPW Remixed championship ("West Coast")
After the introductions... but before the match begins... "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes makes a surprise run-in!! He comes through the crowd with a mic and a championship belt. He claims he was robbed of the title shot and conspired against by The commission, but he knows Lewis & Mondt are fair men. So he appealed to them - put up this championship belt (the ROH title - something he had taken back behind the scenes) as collateral - and got this match turned into a 3-Way Dance!!!
"NATURE BOY" BUDDY ROGERS (1963) © versus DUSTY RHODES (1988)
versus TERRY FUNK (1997)
versus versus
Nature Boy Buddy Rogers won that night to absorb the ROH title, but what the video conveys is the severity and magnitude of these unification bouts and how Strangler Lewis has vowed to alter the Territory Wars universe forever with the first Unified champion. XPW swallows another contender and absorbs their storied lineage.
Winner (and STILL XPW Remixed West Coast Champion): “Nature Boy” BUDDY ROGERS
Buddy Rogers has merged the ROH championship with his own!!!
** CUT **
__________________________________________________________________
** From “(Another) NEW YEARS REVOLUTION” **
This was THE biggest unification bout in Mash-Up Wrestling thus far. The epic rivalries of Sammartino/Thesz/Rogers intertwined and mixed with a little fantasy wrestling championship gold. Each man represented himself and his title to the utmost, so their collision was unavoidable. It helped break gate records for the company and was one of the most critically acclaimed shows of the year. Lou Thesz won that night and set off on a near 365-day tear through the XPW World Heavyweight division. Witness that magic once more here tonight, as we go back to January 28th and “(Another) New Years Revolution”!!
** CUT TO PRE-RECORDED ACTION **
* MAIN EVENT *
* Title Unification Bout *
BRUNO SAMMARTINO © vs LOU THESZ ©
vs “NATURE BOY” BUDDY ROGERS ©
vs. vs.
Thesz goes after Rogers, Bruno goes after Rogers then Thesz rolls up Sammartino! Bruno slams Thesz and he rolls out the ring. Sammartino and Rogers battle for a while then Sammartino sends the “Nature Boy” to the floor with a wicked clothesline over the top rope. Crowd is split equally, but cheers Sammartino unequivocally for that move. Bruno & Thesz then get the big dramatic center-ring staredown that draws goosebumps from the viewing audience. But Buddy Rogers sneaks in and attacks them from behind, driving Bruno from the ring and focusing on the legs of Thesz. He hangs him on the ropes but Thesz avoids the attack. Sammartino trips up Rogers and Thesz gives him an elbow drop. Sammartino & Thesz double team Rogers to huge cheers, but Bruno grabs Thesz and literally hurls him over the top rope like a sack of potatoes! Bruno tries for a pinfall on Rogers but can’t get it. Outside the ring Bruno shoves Thesz into the barricade. He goes after Rogers and slams his head on the other side barricade. Bruno rolls him back into the ring and catches Thesz on the ring apron. Both men try to suplex each other over the rope to either side, but Rogers trips up Bruno which in turn hangs Sammartino off the ropes in a wicked drop.
Bruno tries to force a submission from Buddy with his backbreaker, the same move that ended their very first fight for the WWWF championship.
Thesz works on the shoulder of Buddy Rogers with an armbar as the crowd chants for him. He continues the pressure but Rogers fights back; Thesz ducks two clotheslines from Buddy but Sammartino catches him for a backbreaker. Thesz gets knocked back down to the floor when he tries to get back in. Sammartino splashes Rogers near a corner for a two-count. He beats Buddy down until he rolls out the ring. Thesz attacks Rogers as he rolls out the ring by slamming his face off the announce table. Matt Striker points out that there are no disqualifications or count-outs in a triple threat match. Sammartino gives Rogers a back suplex inside the ring for a two-count, then applies the over-the-shoulder backbreaker yelling GIVE UP!!!! Thesz breaks up the hold and avoids Bruno charging at him. Rogers comes in to slam Thesz but Lou gets out and shoves him into Bruno's ribs. Thesz is on offense against both men and boots them in the face.
Another spectacular counter by the wrestling machine and Shooters Club captain Lou Thesz
Thesz knocks Rogers off the apron and he falls onto the announce table, Sammartino rolls him up for two, then he misses the elbowdrop and Thesz drops him backwards for 2. Bruno gets shoved into the corner and Thesz chops the shit out of him, but Bruno fires back with a series of rocking forearms and European uppercuts that have the Italian population in Boston going CRAZY!!!! Thesz and Sammartino finally have their long-awaited segment, as Rogers rests outside the ring. The crowd is split 50/50 (maybe 45/55 in favor of da Brune) and start a series of dueling chants. Thesz sets up the Thesz Press, but Sammartino CATCHES him and twists him into a power slam! On the mat Bruno starts sinking in a rear naked chock! But Thesz rolls through, rolls through, and scrambles until he can get to the ropes for a break. But Bruno muscles him BACK into the center of the ring!!! Thesz is in danger of passing out but Buddy Rogers is back in to break things up! He has the jump on Bruno and now Rogers gets a chance to work both his opponents over. Rogers is a heat machine, and everything from his cocky strut to antagonizing mannerisms are on full display tonight.
"To a nicer guy it couldn't happen!!!"
Thesz later counters a Buddy Rogers Figure-4 attempt into Lou’s own STF!!! But Sammartino runs in, and suddenly HE suffers the STF! Rogers grabs Thesz and plants him with the Impaler DDT. Sammartino kicks Rogers in the gut as both men struggle to their feet, and looks to launch Rogers over the top rope with an Awesome Bomb!!! But Rogers counters the powerbomb with a DDT. Rogers backs into a corner and sets up a running punt to Bruno’s head (ala Randy Orton circa 2010), but Thesz cuts him off! Thesz catches Rogers with a fisherman's suplex for 2 but Bruno connects with a Dominator!!! Rogers rolls out the ring and Bruno stalks Thesz for the over-the-shoulder backbreaker attempt… but Thesz reverses OUT of the backbreaker and hit’s a backstabber! Rogers is so desperate at this point that he’s grabbed a steel chair! He swings at Bruno, clanging the chair off his head with concussive force!!! Another one for Thesz! Bruno has been PINNED and eliminated by Buddy Rogers!!! Crowd boos that decision heavily, but Rogers is a tactical genius and applauds his own acumen.
Thesz & Rogers battle down to the wire.
Now Thesz is on the defense as Rogers just gets mean with the steel chair-assisted brutality. He focuses on the surgically rebuilt knee of Thesz and draws BANANAS crowd heat. But with Rogers signaling for the Figure-4, Thesz uses a desperate rapid-fire drop toe-hold on Rogers that sends him to the mat face-first into his own steel chair! Thesz cinches in the STF extra tight!!! The crowd is going crazy!!! Rogers teases the tap before finally relenting and pounding the mat!!! Lou Thesz has done it!!! He keeps the STF locked in extra tights for a few moments longer, until refs literally PRY him off Rogers body. The crowd cheers as now balloons and confetti begin falling from the ceiling! Lou Thesz has done it!!! He’s become the first man to unify the fractured denizens of the XPW Remixed universe! Lou Thesz is the true Undisputed champion in all of fantasy wrestling!!!!
Winner (and UNDISPUTED CHAMPION): Lou Thesz!!!
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** From XPW ONLINE #13 **
Nick Gage was always a rebel to the system, and after escaping jail he emerged into XPW Remixed as a persistent thorn-in-the-side to then Commissioner “Real Deal” Damien Steele. Part of their bloody feud (that climaxed in a “Loser Leaves XPW / KotDM” bout) included this Commissioner-mandated title bout. A “merger” of sorts between the West Coast Hardcore scene (“KotDM”) and the East Coast Hardcore scene (“Ultraviolent Underground”).
** CUT TO PRE-RECORDED ACTION **
** MAIN EVENT **
NICK GAGE © versus DRAKE YOUNGER
(KotDM aka "Ultraviolent Underground" championship match)
versus
Winner (and STILL KOTDM): NICK GAGE
_________________________________________________________________
** From “MY BLOODY VALENTINE II” **
All 3 men came into this match with some kind of “claim” to the KotDM crown. Only one would survive to hold it by the end. Along with that, a series of high-stakes backstage bets between then-power monger TGW left him in dire straights by match end. Bear witness to this underground classic from “MBVII”
** CUT TO PRE-RECORDED ACTION **
** 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 Mash-Up Wrestling. 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
_________________________________________________________________
** From “BAPTIZED in BLOOD II” **
John Cena is the only 3x Boston champion in company history, and he survived many wars to reach that plateau. One of the biggest threats he found once upon that summit was the “Franchise” and literal face of the Extreme Revolution SHANE DOUGLAS. Along with Lizzy Borden they waged manipulative battles and smear campaigns on Cena, in route to this classic title affair. Shane Douglas’ self-declared “REAL” XPW (aka “XPW Original”) championship… versus Cena’s XPW Boston title. The two storied lineages would merge on the biggest show of the year…
** CUT TO PRE-RECORDED ACTION **
** XPW Title Unification Bout **
JOHN CENA (2012) versus
SHANE DOUGLAS w/ Lizzy Borden (2002)
versus w/
Big time Hollywood video recap of the Douglas/Cena feud – transforming it into a literal “battle of the franchises” and “underground versus mainstream” confrontation… Cena has his detractors, but Shane Douglas is universally despised for his sleazy antics and obscene outbursts… partnering with former porn starlet/director Lizzy Borden (and her pet project Chyna) is just icing on the heel cake… after taking the ring, Douglas lets loose another “shoot” promo – disparaging LA for not respecting him and bigging up his hometown Pittsburgh PA at their West Coast expense… by the time John Cena’s theme song begins, the crowd has been suitably lathered… they welcome Cena with resounding cheers…
The bell rings and we get the slow walk-up and stare down segment, with each man displaying an intensity unforeseen… Cena pushes Douglas away, so Shane Douglas comes back with a kick and some stiff forearms and the brawl is on! Crowd is hot as the two men slug it out! Cena with a dropkick to the knees that collapses Douglas, and allows Cena to clamp on a headlock… Douglas counters out, but Cena with a drop toe hold on Douglas… he tries for the STF but Douglas scrambles out… Cena with some stiff right hands to Douglas followed by a dropkick into the corner… Cena stomps Douglas into wine in the corner… Cena with a shoulder block on Douglas but only gets two… Shane bails outside for a break, but Cena follows after him… so Lizzy Borden gets right in between the two men – shouts Cena down – and SPITS in his eye! Cena is PISSED! But he just wipes the spit away and takes his anger out on Shane Douglas instead!
Cena drives Douglas’ head into the ring apron repeatedly and yells out, “Nobody takes my spot!” Cena with chops and elbows to Douglas on the outside, battering him all around ringside and INTO the first row of fans! Wild! “XPW! XPW!” chants break out… Douglas comes back sending Cena into the steel ring steps, and John comes up favoring his shoulder/arm… Douglas immediately goes to work on that, and the commentators say it’s smart to limit Cena’s strength advantage (and FUAA finisher)… back in the ring, Shane applies submission to Cena’s bad arm – but he fights out… But Douglas wrenches back on Cena’ arm, and keeps him grounded… Shane works on the arm… Cena gets his foot on the bottom rope to break up another submission attempt… Douglas gets a suplex into a bridge for a two count (which he vehemently argues with the referee over)… Douglas then kicks Cena in the face, rolling him out of the ring, and giving Lizzy Borden a chance to tear into Cena while Shane argues with the ref… back in the ring, Douglas is on offense but can’t keep Cena down… he's getting angsty, argumentative, annoying and desperate... in the matches cloing finale, illegal shenanigans transpire - Douglas & Borden manipulate the ref - and Cena's reign seems surely over... instead, he makes the Superman comeback - and even when Lizzy Borden tries one last ditch interference attempt - Cena hoist her up on his shoulders in FU position! Big pop from the crowd, but Shane Douglas is right on the scene to break it up... instead John Cena hoists HIM on his shoulders too! John Cena has Lizzy Borden AND Shane Douglas packed on his shoulders! Crowd pops! Cena FU's both of them in the center of the ring!
Brushes his shoulders off! 5-knuckle shuffle to Shane! 1!.. 2!.. 3! Cena has done it! He's stripped Shane Douglas of his Illegitimate title claim! Post match - when Cena is handed both belts from the ref - he surveys them both - looks to the crowd for approval - and SMASHES THE COUNTERFEIT XPW BELT! Into the ringpost! With a steel chair! Cena gleefully smashes the belt into a million tiny fragments, before sprinkling them over Shane's body and giving him the "U can't see me" gesture! FUCK SHANE DOUGLAS!
Winner (and STILL XPW Boston Champion): JOHN CENA
** CUT **
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** XPW TV EPISODE #53 (Thesz vs Taz) **
And finally we come to this. XPW world champion Lou Thesz has long held tight to his claim of “BEST IN THE WORLD“ with a series of long standing title unification challenges. Truth be told, nobody was brave (or foolish) enough to accept a match of this magnitude with a trained shooter like Thesz. You never know if things may “deviate from the script”. But now - somebody has. The NWA sanctioning body has authorized a rare Mash-Up Wrestling TITLE MERGER with the XPW Remixed champion! Lou Thesz is the throwback champion - but here on XPW TV Episode #53 (Thesz vs. Taz) he was thrown into the Extreme fire of the gangsta rap generation. This is Thesz vs. Taz… XPW versus FTW.
** CUT TO PRE-RECORDED ACTION **
** XPW Remixed WORLD Championship **
LOU THESZ (1950) © versus TAZ (2000)
versus
** special referee ROCKY MARCIANO **
MSD assumes ring announcer duties (ala Jeremy Borash) and performs the main event World title match intro. Enter Muldoon‘s hand-picked choice for Special Referee duties tonight… ROCKY MARCIANO!! Crowd goes ballistic for his walk out - but quickly darkens when Taz is the next entrant. He has some chilling words for Thesz & Marciano as he squares up in the ring -“Win if you can! Survive if I let you!“ Finally Thesz enters last and gets rolls of streamers criss crossed across the ring from the dedicated fan base of MMA connoisseurs. Just the visual of these two great champions (one respectable and “mainstream” - the other thuggish and “underground”) standing across from each other in the ring - complete with Taz classic arms fold pose - is chill inducing. Big time MMA announcer intros and referee directions, with Thesz & Taz refusing to shake hands… anticipation hangs heavy in the air for this fantasy wrestling classic… The bell rings and both men circle each other warily - hesitant to commit… finally they lock up and the height disparity is obvious (with Taz being the shorter of the two). Yet Taz weighed in tonight 15 pounds heavier than Thesz for this heavyweight bout. They lock up again, but this time the taller and leaner Thesz pushes Taz to the corner. Taz dodges and gets in a few rights on Thesz, but Thesz covers up and counters with a takedown attempt that succeeds. Taz pulls guard and immediately goes for a kimura, but Thesz maneuvers out. The champ going for some wear down/submission holds but can’t keep Taz down (referred to as a “barrel with arms” on commentary)… in XPW Remixed there are parallels drawn between Tazz’ stocky, low center of gravity style that can be traced to Greg Valentine all the way back to the Strangler Lewis textbook of defensive wrestling. Taz with a drop toe hold on Thesz and ratchets up the violence level with a series of (“illegal” by MMA standard) knees to the back of the head. Rocky Marciano warns Taz a few times (and gets ice cold glares in return) but doesn’t interject himself too much. He lets the rasslers handle their business. Taz earns a few 2 counts but nothing permanent - so he settles on targeting the already-weakened arm of Lou Thesz. Commentators cover the “dream turned nightmare” alliance of Taz & Samoa Joe and how they performed a series of wrestling “hits” to position themselves as dual #1 contenders… Thesz finally fights back with some jabs and chops, but eats a big kick to the head in response. Taz taunts Thesz and *SLAPS* his face!
They wind up outside the ring where Taz sends Lou shoulder first into the steel steps. Taz is anxious to secure arm submissions, but Thesz keeps finding a way to counter out. Finally Lou catches him with a Thesz press that gets a close fall. Taz immediately clobbers Thesz and goes into confrontation mode with Rocky - claiming it a fast count. Rocky doesn’t back down - but won’t press his authority further either. Striker discusses the legend of Taz choking out UFC fighter Paul “the Polar Bear” Varelans in ECW. The crowd has been chanting “this is wrestling!” but now rallies behind the champ with cries of “LOU! LOU!” - and Thesz uses the momentum to fight back. Leg and thigh kicks keep Taz at bay and set up the shoot - double leg takedown from Thesz and he’s looking for the STF! Taz scrambles to his feet in another exchange that leads to a thunderous counter POWERBOMB from Thesz! Story of the match has been the gradual wearing-down of the racehorse Thesz by his frenetic championship schedule - and host of sneak attacks and *hits* he’s suffered in recent weeks. We enter the end game with a few double-KO spots and storyline referee interactions with Rocky Marciano (he’s coming back to Brockton September 2012!) With tensions in the match as high as they’ll get - we finally get the emergence of Samoa Joe right before commercial break. What are his intentions?? Clearly they are to pull up a chair and watch from ringside - “scouting” his future opponent at “The 18th Letter”. Instead it sets off a firestorm of activity that results in Commissioner Muldoon himself coming out to ringside as well (to make sure Samoa Joe adheres to his stipulation or strip him of his #1 contender ship). The action is fast and furious in the ring with a series of mat holds, counters and reversals that culminates with Taz locking in a rear naked choke on Thesz! It looks dangerously close to the end for Thesz, until he manages to *barely* get a foot under the rope to force a break. A “force a break” special referee Rocky Marciano does - literally PRYING Taz off Lou’s body! Of course this infuriates both Taz AND Samoa Joe (who rises from his chair at ringside) and they yell profanities at Rocky. Taz PUSHES Rocky! Then he PUSHES him again! Finally Rocky dusts off his referee stripes and SHOVES Taz back! Crowd loves it - but Taz stumbles right back into Thesz’ grip! But the XPW champion *still* can’t lock in his STF finisher - and after a series of quick and exciting counters/reversals - Taz rolls through into the TAZMISSION! He has Thesz in one of the most dangerous choke holds in fantasy wrestling history! Thesz has to move quickly or die a fast death and runs up the turnbuckle pads defensively - flopping over on top of Taz, while still locked in the Tazmission (ala Roddy Piper/Bret Hart WM9)… 1!.. 2!.. 3!! Rocky Marciano counts a pinfall! The bell rings! Taz finally releases the hold and Thesz dead body flops lifelessly from his grip! There is chaos, confusion, lots of yelling and XPW remixed officials scurrying about at ringside. Commissioner Muldoon gets the official word from referee Rocky Marciano. Thesz’ corner men are tending to the champion, and slowly bringing him back to consciousness. Finally the announcement is made…
Winner via pinfall (and STILL XPW World champion): LOU THESZ!!
_____________________________________________________________
XPW Remixed presents...
You have been warned.
_____________________________________________________________
CREDITS:
SCOTT & JUSTIN: Judgement Day 2006
Cut to in-studio announce team for the evening:
Matt Striker & TNA Taz
A warm welcome to the show - brief coverage of “REDEMPTION” without too many spoilers (they want you to order the re-telecast tonight) - and hype the premise of this show. @ “REDEMPTION” Strangler Lewis let off a bombshell of an announcement: a real life title unification bout between two rival organizations. A first of it’s kind in Mash-Up Wrestling history. But XPW Remixed is a longtime trailblazer of such independent works (as it seeks to consolidate ALL the championships in the fantasy wrestling universe into one ultimate Mash-Up Wrestling Championship), and tonight we celebrate that long and storied history with a look back at some of the best (and most important) unification bouts in company history. But first - we go to “REDEMPTION” and the announcement that set it all off…
** CUT TO VIDEO **
________________________________________________________________
** From “REDEMPTION” **
** CUT TO PRE-RECORDED ACTION **
”A Mash-Up Wrestling Title Unification”
Lights! Camera! Action! We are LIVE on PPV for an unprecedented Mash-Up Wrestling SIMULCAST. XPW Remixed President Strangler Lewis is in the ring (ruffled suit coat the only sign of a previous struggle) and a gleaming championship belt on his shoulder (does that belt say “AWA”??) It is now time for the grand announcement that will ROCK the fantasy wrestling universe and change Mash-Up Wrestling forever. A true title unification bout of epic proportions…
On the last weekend of the year, XPW Remixed will be co-hosting a fantasy wrestling bonanza. It starts Saturday night with “GRAND CONJUNCTION” (live on iPPV) - and climaxes on Sunday night when the XPW Remixed WORLD champion does battle - LIVE ON PPV - against the NWA CHAMPION IN A HUGE TITLE UNIFICATION BOUT! The first of it’s kind in Mash-Up Wrestling history!!
** Title Unification bout **
XPW Remixed versus NWA!!
There can be only one!!
Coming the last weekend of the year!!
STAY TUNED!!
** FADE OUT **
________________________________________________________________
** XPW TV EPISODE #19 **
It takes a superstar to make a statement - and nobody is brasher than the MIZ. His Season One run through XPW Remixed was one of rapid ascension, and he soon captured the XPW Television title. It was a championship he was “born for” (being the “Most See champion in history” you see). He began a viral show that became a Network staple and called it his “Rockstar Reality TV World Tour”. His goal: infuse the XPW TV title (*his* title) with more power by gobbling up the various regional championships of the Territory era. The first man to accept Miz very public call-to-arms across fantasy wrestling was Eric Embry and his Texas Heavyweight championship! This was the first “title unification“ bout in company history.
** CUT TO PRE-RECORDED ACTION **
** XPW Television Title **
THE MIZ versus ERIC EMBRY
(Title Unification Bout)
versus
The Miz actually gets a surprising pop from the Texas crowd, even as his opponent (the Texas Heavyweight Champion) awaits him in the ring. The Miz comes dressed for combat on the solo tip, with nothing but his XPW Television Title - a championship The Miz has said he was BORN for. His “Rockstar Reality Show” world tour continues tonight in Texas. The first of many regional championships The Miz hopes to absorb as he rolls across the country, and the referee holds both the XPW TV Title and Eric Embry's Texas Championship aloft to start the match. Slower, mat-based wrestling to start with both Embry and Miz sharing heelish stall tactics (but you still hear chants of “Miz is Awesome!” spontaneously ring out). Eric Embry reverses the Miz's knee-back breaker into his own swinging neck breaker, and Miz counters an Eric Embry pile driver attempt into an Emerald Fusion (Finlay's old finisher). In the end, the Miz wins clean with a Skull-Crushing Finale and celebrates like he just won the World Series.
Winner (and STILL XPW Television champion): THE MIZ
Post match, the reigning XPW Television champion gets all his coveted mic time. The Miz takes the stick and regales the crowd with more boorish tales of his greatness, completely turning whatever fan support he may have had prior against him now. Diamond Dynasty is the best and the MIZ is AWWWWEESOOOME...
_____________________________________________________________
** XPW TV EPISODE #20 **
** CUT TO PRE-RECORDED ACTION **
MAIN EVENT
** XPW Television Title **
THE MIZ (2011) versus "SUPERSTAR" BILL DUNDEE (1978)
(Title Unification Match)
versus
The Australian born Bill Dundee made quite a name for himself in pro wrestling circles, most notably – right HERE – in Memphis TN!!! Tonight, wearing a stylish Ascot hat, letterman jacket and brandishing his title belt proudly, the smiling local fan favorite glad-hands with the audience on the way to ringside. The MIZ gets the big-time main event entrance (with pre-taped footage of a helicopter landing). His “Rockstar Reality TV World Tour” continues tonight in Memphis as MIZ puts up his cherished XPW Television Championship on the line against Bill Dundee’s Southern Heavyweight Championship! With practiced Hollywood flair, Miz does the slow triumphant stroll to the ring like he’s fresh off the red carpet. The gleaming XPW Remixed TV championship glistens in his possession. MIZ actually interrupts the ring announcer by ripping the mic out of his hands, and cutting a brief promo on his opponent for the evening Bill Dundee. Miz disses Dundee’s fashion sense, size and Australian accent. But by the time he mentions Memphis in a derogatory fashion, the crowd heat is off the charts, and Bill Dundee reacts with a quick sucker-punch to Miz’s jaw – shutting him up once and for all! Big pop from the crowd for that, and Dundee begins ripping off his jacket and preparing for action – while referees hold him back and Miz scampers back to his feet, more embarrassed than anything. He fixes the crazy eye on Dundee from across the ring, while the ring announcer finally makes the Big-Time main event intro. By the time the bell rings and the two men begin to circle, all eyes are riveted upon them. Steady start, with each man exchanging takedowns, counters and reversals. Dundee finally gets the better of an exchange on the mat, and slaps the Miz on the back of his head like one might a slap a petulant child! Miz is outraged! Crowd responds enthusiastically! Good, old school match with Miz outsizing Dundee, but falling prey to the Southern Heavyweight champion’s veteran cunning. He embarrasses Miz in a few exchanges, until the infuriated XPW TV champion instigates a wild brawl that overwhelms Dundee. Miz in control and his cocky, arrogant mannerisms (and a strut straight out of the original “Nature Boy’s” playbook) draw massive crowd heat. In the end, Miz manipulates his body between the ref and Dundee – allowing Miz to STRIKE with an unseen mule kick to the Southern Heavyweight champion! Ooooo low blow! That was the advantage Miz needed, and after a brief flurry of maneuvers, reverses a spinning abdominal stretch attempt by Dundee into the Skull-Crushing finale! 1-2-3, Miz wins clean!
Winner (and STILL XPW Television Champion): THE MIZ
____________________________________________________________
** From “LIBERTY or DEATH” (Season One) **
A mash-up of history and fantasy as Sammartino and Rogers clash once more - this time with the weight of wrestling eons behind them. It all started with the XPW World championship becoming Holy Grail property after Bruno Sammartino became the inaugural champion. He was hounded by eternal arch-nemesis “Nature Boy” Buddy Rogers who rolled the dice on his Diamond Dynasty and came up with his own XPW championship reign. Here is the epic level match from “Liberty or Death” where Sammartino came to regain his title in an “Iron Man” match! This bout was the beginning of the XPW (East Coast) title / XPW (West Coast) title split…
** CUT TO PRE-RECORDED ACTION **
XPW REMIXED CHAMPIONSHIP
“NATURE BOY” BUDDY ROGERS versus BRUNO SAMMARTINO
(Iron Man Match)
versus
Scott: Now this is the kind of match that I like, with two tough, miserable two-dollar steaks just stiffing the shit out of each other. They open the match with a minute-long collar and elbow tie up. Oh yeah, you know these two are going to go all out to entertain the crowd as they follow up with a long stare down. There are two schools of thought in this match. They’ll stiff each other with punches and chops, and they will also grind each other into the mat with long submission moves where they’ll use tight headlocks and Stu Hart-like submission moves where limbs will be bent in unrealistic positions. Buddy Rogers at one point slaps Sammartino hard in the face and then drive the knees hard into his chest and face. This is awesome. You know these two talked backstage and said, “Let’s make it look good.” Buddy Rogers goes for pins by driving his knee into Sammartino’s face. After some back and forth action, Sammartino hits three Germans then misses his flying stomp. One great move sees Buddy Rogers holding a chair, but Sammartino baseball-slides the chair right into Rogers wrist. Then Sammartino hits the flying stomp. Buddy Rogers recovers and hits this crazy submission/pin move by choking Sammartino with his own arm. Buddy Rogers really starts working Sammartino’s neck, as Solie consistently references Sammartino surgery on his neck [the result of a Stan Hanson lariat gone awry]. Buddy Rogers goes for the belt but Sammartino grabs him and German’s him on the floor. My body’s getting sore just watching this match. They get in the ring and Sammartino honors his friend Dusty Rhodes with the “Bionic elbow drop”. This was the longest match of the night as both men continue to just hit one stiff move after another, but the move Sammartino was waiting to use finally becomes available as Sammartino reverses a headlock into the Cattle Mutilation and with the clock ticking down, Buddy Rogers taps out immediately. But it was AFTER the buzzer sounded and the match tied 3-3!!! Wow, what a match and a great end to this show with back-to-back gems. Grade: 4
Justin: When Buddy Rogers returned as an active wrestler, there were a handful of opponents everyone wanted to see him throw down and get nasty with, and Bruno Sammartino was on top of that list. We had seen their stiff brawls back in BCCW, and here they are gifted twenty minutes to go out and beat the crap out of each other. Sammartino has really settled into a nice role of respected, over veteran that carries the upper mid card and can step up with the big boys where needed. Early on, this was an even matchup that saw some smart counter mat wrestling and stiff, crisp offensive strikes. As expected, these two delivered a well-worked old school hate-fueled brawl. They traded blows as Buddy Rogers dished out his vicious offense, but Sammartino retaliated with a nasty German suplex on the floor. Despite the length of the match, the crowd was pretty locked in the whole time and it was hard not to be, as this became a pretty riveting war. Buddy Rogers was tremendous to watch, as would cut off Sammartino’s comebacks with perfection, really riling up the fans. After one great battle, Sammartino would lock it in for good and Rogers was forced to tap out. But it was after the buzzer sounded to end the match. This was an awesome classic war between two grizzled veterans. Sammartino soaks in the cheers after the bout, earning the praise but Sammartino takes it as a loss, but his night is not yet finished. Grade: 4
** The crowd chants “LET THEM FIGHT!”; and “10 MORE MINS!!!”, all while Bruno Sammartino stands in the middle of the ring demanding Buddy Rogers return to finish this! Instead, “Nature Boy” Buddy Rogers regroups on the arena floor - his Diamond Dynasty cohorts now behind him. Alex Riley retrieves the XPW Remixed championship from the timekeepers table and gives it to Rogers. The ref has restarted the match - along with crowd pleasing ring announcement to confirm this - and is now administering the 10 count. With the championship belt in his physical possession, Buddy Rogers just blows the rest off! This isn't what he signed up for! Regulation time is over! Tie goes to the champion! “Nature Boy” Buddy Rogers and the Dynasty retreat backstage! The ref finishes his count! The match is over! Bruno Sammartino is declared the winner! But oh my, the controversy has only heightened!!! Sammartino gets his arm raised but is NOT happy or satisfied with the victory! Crowd chant “BRUUUNO BRUUUUNO!!” to end the telecast! Bruno is the champion but Buddy has the belt! What's going to happen next??? **
Winner (and NEW XPW Remixed champion???): BRUNO SAMMARTINO
______________________________________________________________
** From “RETRIBUTION” (Season One) **
Footage from "Retribution" (XPW Remixed Season One) and the West Coast championship match. It involved the unification of a Mash-Up Wrestling championship, and has similar ramifications with Strangler Lewis landmark AWA announcement @ "REDEMPTION". It's also eerie to consider the cast of characters from then to now is almost parallel... a true "history doomed to repeat itself" moment...
** CUT TO PRE-RECORDED ACTION **
** XPW Remixed championship ("West Coast")
After the introductions... but before the match begins... "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes makes a surprise run-in!! He comes through the crowd with a mic and a championship belt. He claims he was robbed of the title shot and conspired against by The commission, but he knows Lewis & Mondt are fair men. So he appealed to them - put up this championship belt (the ROH title - something he had taken back behind the scenes) as collateral - and got this match turned into a 3-Way Dance!!!
"NATURE BOY" BUDDY ROGERS (1963) © versus DUSTY RHODES (1988)
versus TERRY FUNK (1997)
versus versus
Nature Boy Buddy Rogers won that night to absorb the ROH title, but what the video conveys is the severity and magnitude of these unification bouts and how Strangler Lewis has vowed to alter the Territory Wars universe forever with the first Unified champion. XPW swallows another contender and absorbs their storied lineage.
Winner (and STILL XPW Remixed West Coast Champion): “Nature Boy” BUDDY ROGERS
Buddy Rogers has merged the ROH championship with his own!!!
** CUT **
__________________________________________________________________
** From “(Another) NEW YEARS REVOLUTION” **
This was THE biggest unification bout in Mash-Up Wrestling thus far. The epic rivalries of Sammartino/Thesz/Rogers intertwined and mixed with a little fantasy wrestling championship gold. Each man represented himself and his title to the utmost, so their collision was unavoidable. It helped break gate records for the company and was one of the most critically acclaimed shows of the year. Lou Thesz won that night and set off on a near 365-day tear through the XPW World Heavyweight division. Witness that magic once more here tonight, as we go back to January 28th and “(Another) New Years Revolution”!!
** CUT TO PRE-RECORDED ACTION **
* MAIN EVENT *
* Title Unification Bout *
BRUNO SAMMARTINO © vs LOU THESZ ©
vs “NATURE BOY” BUDDY ROGERS ©
vs. vs.
Thesz goes after Rogers, Bruno goes after Rogers then Thesz rolls up Sammartino! Bruno slams Thesz and he rolls out the ring. Sammartino and Rogers battle for a while then Sammartino sends the “Nature Boy” to the floor with a wicked clothesline over the top rope. Crowd is split equally, but cheers Sammartino unequivocally for that move. Bruno & Thesz then get the big dramatic center-ring staredown that draws goosebumps from the viewing audience. But Buddy Rogers sneaks in and attacks them from behind, driving Bruno from the ring and focusing on the legs of Thesz. He hangs him on the ropes but Thesz avoids the attack. Sammartino trips up Rogers and Thesz gives him an elbow drop. Sammartino & Thesz double team Rogers to huge cheers, but Bruno grabs Thesz and literally hurls him over the top rope like a sack of potatoes! Bruno tries for a pinfall on Rogers but can’t get it. Outside the ring Bruno shoves Thesz into the barricade. He goes after Rogers and slams his head on the other side barricade. Bruno rolls him back into the ring and catches Thesz on the ring apron. Both men try to suplex each other over the rope to either side, but Rogers trips up Bruno which in turn hangs Sammartino off the ropes in a wicked drop.
Bruno tries to force a submission from Buddy with his backbreaker, the same move that ended their very first fight for the WWWF championship.
Thesz works on the shoulder of Buddy Rogers with an armbar as the crowd chants for him. He continues the pressure but Rogers fights back; Thesz ducks two clotheslines from Buddy but Sammartino catches him for a backbreaker. Thesz gets knocked back down to the floor when he tries to get back in. Sammartino splashes Rogers near a corner for a two-count. He beats Buddy down until he rolls out the ring. Thesz attacks Rogers as he rolls out the ring by slamming his face off the announce table. Matt Striker points out that there are no disqualifications or count-outs in a triple threat match. Sammartino gives Rogers a back suplex inside the ring for a two-count, then applies the over-the-shoulder backbreaker yelling GIVE UP!!!! Thesz breaks up the hold and avoids Bruno charging at him. Rogers comes in to slam Thesz but Lou gets out and shoves him into Bruno's ribs. Thesz is on offense against both men and boots them in the face.
Another spectacular counter by the wrestling machine and Shooters Club captain Lou Thesz
Thesz knocks Rogers off the apron and he falls onto the announce table, Sammartino rolls him up for two, then he misses the elbowdrop and Thesz drops him backwards for 2. Bruno gets shoved into the corner and Thesz chops the shit out of him, but Bruno fires back with a series of rocking forearms and European uppercuts that have the Italian population in Boston going CRAZY!!!! Thesz and Sammartino finally have their long-awaited segment, as Rogers rests outside the ring. The crowd is split 50/50 (maybe 45/55 in favor of da Brune) and start a series of dueling chants. Thesz sets up the Thesz Press, but Sammartino CATCHES him and twists him into a power slam! On the mat Bruno starts sinking in a rear naked chock! But Thesz rolls through, rolls through, and scrambles until he can get to the ropes for a break. But Bruno muscles him BACK into the center of the ring!!! Thesz is in danger of passing out but Buddy Rogers is back in to break things up! He has the jump on Bruno and now Rogers gets a chance to work both his opponents over. Rogers is a heat machine, and everything from his cocky strut to antagonizing mannerisms are on full display tonight.
"To a nicer guy it couldn't happen!!!"
Thesz later counters a Buddy Rogers Figure-4 attempt into Lou’s own STF!!! But Sammartino runs in, and suddenly HE suffers the STF! Rogers grabs Thesz and plants him with the Impaler DDT. Sammartino kicks Rogers in the gut as both men struggle to their feet, and looks to launch Rogers over the top rope with an Awesome Bomb!!! But Rogers counters the powerbomb with a DDT. Rogers backs into a corner and sets up a running punt to Bruno’s head (ala Randy Orton circa 2010), but Thesz cuts him off! Thesz catches Rogers with a fisherman's suplex for 2 but Bruno connects with a Dominator!!! Rogers rolls out the ring and Bruno stalks Thesz for the over-the-shoulder backbreaker attempt… but Thesz reverses OUT of the backbreaker and hit’s a backstabber! Rogers is so desperate at this point that he’s grabbed a steel chair! He swings at Bruno, clanging the chair off his head with concussive force!!! Another one for Thesz! Bruno has been PINNED and eliminated by Buddy Rogers!!! Crowd boos that decision heavily, but Rogers is a tactical genius and applauds his own acumen.
Thesz & Rogers battle down to the wire.
Now Thesz is on the defense as Rogers just gets mean with the steel chair-assisted brutality. He focuses on the surgically rebuilt knee of Thesz and draws BANANAS crowd heat. But with Rogers signaling for the Figure-4, Thesz uses a desperate rapid-fire drop toe-hold on Rogers that sends him to the mat face-first into his own steel chair! Thesz cinches in the STF extra tight!!! The crowd is going crazy!!! Rogers teases the tap before finally relenting and pounding the mat!!! Lou Thesz has done it!!! He keeps the STF locked in extra tights for a few moments longer, until refs literally PRY him off Rogers body. The crowd cheers as now balloons and confetti begin falling from the ceiling! Lou Thesz has done it!!! He’s become the first man to unify the fractured denizens of the XPW Remixed universe! Lou Thesz is the true Undisputed champion in all of fantasy wrestling!!!!
Winner (and UNDISPUTED CHAMPION): Lou Thesz!!!
___________________________________________________________
** From XPW ONLINE #13 **
Nick Gage was always a rebel to the system, and after escaping jail he emerged into XPW Remixed as a persistent thorn-in-the-side to then Commissioner “Real Deal” Damien Steele. Part of their bloody feud (that climaxed in a “Loser Leaves XPW / KotDM” bout) included this Commissioner-mandated title bout. A “merger” of sorts between the West Coast Hardcore scene (“KotDM”) and the East Coast Hardcore scene (“Ultraviolent Underground”).
** CUT TO PRE-RECORDED ACTION **
** MAIN EVENT **
NICK GAGE © versus DRAKE YOUNGER
(KotDM aka "Ultraviolent Underground" championship match)
versus
Winner (and STILL KOTDM): NICK GAGE
_________________________________________________________________
** From “MY BLOODY VALENTINE II” **
All 3 men came into this match with some kind of “claim” to the KotDM crown. Only one would survive to hold it by the end. Along with that, a series of high-stakes backstage bets between then-power monger TGW left him in dire straights by match end. Bear witness to this underground classic from “MBVII”
** CUT TO PRE-RECORDED ACTION **
** 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 Mash-Up Wrestling. 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
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** From “BAPTIZED in BLOOD II” **
John Cena is the only 3x Boston champion in company history, and he survived many wars to reach that plateau. One of the biggest threats he found once upon that summit was the “Franchise” and literal face of the Extreme Revolution SHANE DOUGLAS. Along with Lizzy Borden they waged manipulative battles and smear campaigns on Cena, in route to this classic title affair. Shane Douglas’ self-declared “REAL” XPW (aka “XPW Original”) championship… versus Cena’s XPW Boston title. The two storied lineages would merge on the biggest show of the year…
** CUT TO PRE-RECORDED ACTION **
** XPW Title Unification Bout **
JOHN CENA (2012) versus
SHANE DOUGLAS w/ Lizzy Borden (2002)
versus w/
Big time Hollywood video recap of the Douglas/Cena feud – transforming it into a literal “battle of the franchises” and “underground versus mainstream” confrontation… Cena has his detractors, but Shane Douglas is universally despised for his sleazy antics and obscene outbursts… partnering with former porn starlet/director Lizzy Borden (and her pet project Chyna) is just icing on the heel cake… after taking the ring, Douglas lets loose another “shoot” promo – disparaging LA for not respecting him and bigging up his hometown Pittsburgh PA at their West Coast expense… by the time John Cena’s theme song begins, the crowd has been suitably lathered… they welcome Cena with resounding cheers…
The bell rings and we get the slow walk-up and stare down segment, with each man displaying an intensity unforeseen… Cena pushes Douglas away, so Shane Douglas comes back with a kick and some stiff forearms and the brawl is on! Crowd is hot as the two men slug it out! Cena with a dropkick to the knees that collapses Douglas, and allows Cena to clamp on a headlock… Douglas counters out, but Cena with a drop toe hold on Douglas… he tries for the STF but Douglas scrambles out… Cena with some stiff right hands to Douglas followed by a dropkick into the corner… Cena stomps Douglas into wine in the corner… Cena with a shoulder block on Douglas but only gets two… Shane bails outside for a break, but Cena follows after him… so Lizzy Borden gets right in between the two men – shouts Cena down – and SPITS in his eye! Cena is PISSED! But he just wipes the spit away and takes his anger out on Shane Douglas instead!
Cena drives Douglas’ head into the ring apron repeatedly and yells out, “Nobody takes my spot!” Cena with chops and elbows to Douglas on the outside, battering him all around ringside and INTO the first row of fans! Wild! “XPW! XPW!” chants break out… Douglas comes back sending Cena into the steel ring steps, and John comes up favoring his shoulder/arm… Douglas immediately goes to work on that, and the commentators say it’s smart to limit Cena’s strength advantage (and FUAA finisher)… back in the ring, Shane applies submission to Cena’s bad arm – but he fights out… But Douglas wrenches back on Cena’ arm, and keeps him grounded… Shane works on the arm… Cena gets his foot on the bottom rope to break up another submission attempt… Douglas gets a suplex into a bridge for a two count (which he vehemently argues with the referee over)… Douglas then kicks Cena in the face, rolling him out of the ring, and giving Lizzy Borden a chance to tear into Cena while Shane argues with the ref… back in the ring, Douglas is on offense but can’t keep Cena down… he's getting angsty, argumentative, annoying and desperate... in the matches cloing finale, illegal shenanigans transpire - Douglas & Borden manipulate the ref - and Cena's reign seems surely over... instead, he makes the Superman comeback - and even when Lizzy Borden tries one last ditch interference attempt - Cena hoist her up on his shoulders in FU position! Big pop from the crowd, but Shane Douglas is right on the scene to break it up... instead John Cena hoists HIM on his shoulders too! John Cena has Lizzy Borden AND Shane Douglas packed on his shoulders! Crowd pops! Cena FU's both of them in the center of the ring!
Brushes his shoulders off! 5-knuckle shuffle to Shane! 1!.. 2!.. 3! Cena has done it! He's stripped Shane Douglas of his Illegitimate title claim! Post match - when Cena is handed both belts from the ref - he surveys them both - looks to the crowd for approval - and SMASHES THE COUNTERFEIT XPW BELT! Into the ringpost! With a steel chair! Cena gleefully smashes the belt into a million tiny fragments, before sprinkling them over Shane's body and giving him the "U can't see me" gesture! FUCK SHANE DOUGLAS!
Winner (and STILL XPW Boston Champion): JOHN CENA
** CUT **
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** XPW TV EPISODE #53 (Thesz vs Taz) **
And finally we come to this. XPW world champion Lou Thesz has long held tight to his claim of “BEST IN THE WORLD“ with a series of long standing title unification challenges. Truth be told, nobody was brave (or foolish) enough to accept a match of this magnitude with a trained shooter like Thesz. You never know if things may “deviate from the script”. But now - somebody has. The NWA sanctioning body has authorized a rare Mash-Up Wrestling TITLE MERGER with the XPW Remixed champion! Lou Thesz is the throwback champion - but here on XPW TV Episode #53 (Thesz vs. Taz) he was thrown into the Extreme fire of the gangsta rap generation. This is Thesz vs. Taz… XPW versus FTW.
** CUT TO PRE-RECORDED ACTION **
** XPW Remixed WORLD Championship **
LOU THESZ (1950) © versus TAZ (2000)
versus
** special referee ROCKY MARCIANO **
MSD assumes ring announcer duties (ala Jeremy Borash) and performs the main event World title match intro. Enter Muldoon‘s hand-picked choice for Special Referee duties tonight… ROCKY MARCIANO!! Crowd goes ballistic for his walk out - but quickly darkens when Taz is the next entrant. He has some chilling words for Thesz & Marciano as he squares up in the ring -“Win if you can! Survive if I let you!“ Finally Thesz enters last and gets rolls of streamers criss crossed across the ring from the dedicated fan base of MMA connoisseurs. Just the visual of these two great champions (one respectable and “mainstream” - the other thuggish and “underground”) standing across from each other in the ring - complete with Taz classic arms fold pose - is chill inducing. Big time MMA announcer intros and referee directions, with Thesz & Taz refusing to shake hands… anticipation hangs heavy in the air for this fantasy wrestling classic… The bell rings and both men circle each other warily - hesitant to commit… finally they lock up and the height disparity is obvious (with Taz being the shorter of the two). Yet Taz weighed in tonight 15 pounds heavier than Thesz for this heavyweight bout. They lock up again, but this time the taller and leaner Thesz pushes Taz to the corner. Taz dodges and gets in a few rights on Thesz, but Thesz covers up and counters with a takedown attempt that succeeds. Taz pulls guard and immediately goes for a kimura, but Thesz maneuvers out. The champ going for some wear down/submission holds but can’t keep Taz down (referred to as a “barrel with arms” on commentary)… in XPW Remixed there are parallels drawn between Tazz’ stocky, low center of gravity style that can be traced to Greg Valentine all the way back to the Strangler Lewis textbook of defensive wrestling. Taz with a drop toe hold on Thesz and ratchets up the violence level with a series of (“illegal” by MMA standard) knees to the back of the head. Rocky Marciano warns Taz a few times (and gets ice cold glares in return) but doesn’t interject himself too much. He lets the rasslers handle their business. Taz earns a few 2 counts but nothing permanent - so he settles on targeting the already-weakened arm of Lou Thesz. Commentators cover the “dream turned nightmare” alliance of Taz & Samoa Joe and how they performed a series of wrestling “hits” to position themselves as dual #1 contenders… Thesz finally fights back with some jabs and chops, but eats a big kick to the head in response. Taz taunts Thesz and *SLAPS* his face!
They wind up outside the ring where Taz sends Lou shoulder first into the steel steps. Taz is anxious to secure arm submissions, but Thesz keeps finding a way to counter out. Finally Lou catches him with a Thesz press that gets a close fall. Taz immediately clobbers Thesz and goes into confrontation mode with Rocky - claiming it a fast count. Rocky doesn’t back down - but won’t press his authority further either. Striker discusses the legend of Taz choking out UFC fighter Paul “the Polar Bear” Varelans in ECW. The crowd has been chanting “this is wrestling!” but now rallies behind the champ with cries of “LOU! LOU!” - and Thesz uses the momentum to fight back. Leg and thigh kicks keep Taz at bay and set up the shoot - double leg takedown from Thesz and he’s looking for the STF! Taz scrambles to his feet in another exchange that leads to a thunderous counter POWERBOMB from Thesz! Story of the match has been the gradual wearing-down of the racehorse Thesz by his frenetic championship schedule - and host of sneak attacks and *hits* he’s suffered in recent weeks. We enter the end game with a few double-KO spots and storyline referee interactions with Rocky Marciano (he’s coming back to Brockton September 2012!) With tensions in the match as high as they’ll get - we finally get the emergence of Samoa Joe right before commercial break. What are his intentions?? Clearly they are to pull up a chair and watch from ringside - “scouting” his future opponent at “The 18th Letter”. Instead it sets off a firestorm of activity that results in Commissioner Muldoon himself coming out to ringside as well (to make sure Samoa Joe adheres to his stipulation or strip him of his #1 contender ship). The action is fast and furious in the ring with a series of mat holds, counters and reversals that culminates with Taz locking in a rear naked choke on Thesz! It looks dangerously close to the end for Thesz, until he manages to *barely* get a foot under the rope to force a break. A “force a break” special referee Rocky Marciano does - literally PRYING Taz off Lou’s body! Of course this infuriates both Taz AND Samoa Joe (who rises from his chair at ringside) and they yell profanities at Rocky. Taz PUSHES Rocky! Then he PUSHES him again! Finally Rocky dusts off his referee stripes and SHOVES Taz back! Crowd loves it - but Taz stumbles right back into Thesz’ grip! But the XPW champion *still* can’t lock in his STF finisher - and after a series of quick and exciting counters/reversals - Taz rolls through into the TAZMISSION! He has Thesz in one of the most dangerous choke holds in fantasy wrestling history! Thesz has to move quickly or die a fast death and runs up the turnbuckle pads defensively - flopping over on top of Taz, while still locked in the Tazmission (ala Roddy Piper/Bret Hart WM9)… 1!.. 2!.. 3!! Rocky Marciano counts a pinfall! The bell rings! Taz finally releases the hold and Thesz dead body flops lifelessly from his grip! There is chaos, confusion, lots of yelling and XPW remixed officials scurrying about at ringside. Commissioner Muldoon gets the official word from referee Rocky Marciano. Thesz’ corner men are tending to the champion, and slowly bringing him back to consciousness. Finally the announcement is made…
Winner via pinfall (and STILL XPW World champion): LOU THESZ!!
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XPW Remixed presents...
You have been warned.
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CREDITS:
SCOTT & JUSTIN: Judgement Day 2006