Hello
wrestling fans and welcome back to another installment of the HCW Wrestling
Newsletter!
[The
camera sweeps across the packed arena. Gold pyro erupts from the stage as the
HCW Supershow logo fills the massive Omegatron. Fans are on their feet as the
camera settles on the commentary desk.]
Ryan
Mercer:
"Good evening, everyone, and welcome to a very special presentation of HCW
Supershow live from the Palmetto Championship Arena in Greenville, SC! I'm Ryan
Mercer, and for the first time ever, I'm joined at commentary by a man who
somehow convinced management this was a good idea... Truth Wayne."
Truth
Wayne:
"First of all, Ryan, management didn't convince me. I demanded this
assignment. Champions. Main events. Personal grudges. Dirty Dick Albano
carrying around a guaranteed title contract. Why would I miss this? And what is
that smell?"
Ryan
Mercer:
"Oh no."
Truth
Wayne:
"We're not even a minute into the show."
Ryan
Mercer:
"Please don't insult the city."
Truth
Wayne:
"I'm not insulting Greenville."
Ryan
Mercer:
"Good."
Truth
Wayne:
"I'm insulting the people in it."
Ryan
Mercer (shakes her head):
"We've got a huge night ahead of us. Dirty Dick Albano opens the show
against Freedom Fighter Justice."
Truth
Wayne:
"A visionary. He told me personally
that the contract he won is for the TV Championship."
Ryan
Mercer:
"The Rich Athlete better be watching over his shoulder. They don’t’ Dick “Dirty” for nothing."
Truth
Wayne:
"Dick may learn a thing or two from the true dirtiest player in the game…and
I’m not referring to anyone with ‘flair’."
Ryan
Mercer:
"We'll also see Convergent Champion Jack Lumber take on Evan
Stockwell."
Truth
Wayne:
"Evan's one win away from changing his career."
Ryan
Mercer:
"And Jack Lumber is looking to make sure that doesn't happen."
Ryan
Mercer:
"Korbi Kong faces Valeria Vex in a non-title match."
Truth
Wayne:
"And Valeria is trying to force her way into the championship
conversation."
Ryan
Mercer:
"Then it's World Champion Zack Brown taking on Dominic Marconi."
Truth
Wayne:
"Which means the crowd will probably cheer Dominic louder than the World
Champion again."
Ryan
Mercer:
"The fans love Dominic Marconi."
Truth
Wayne:
"Fine. But Zack's still the champion."
Ryan
Mercer:
"We'll also see Harrison Marks and Caesar King settle their rivalry in a
Hair versus Hair match."
Truth
Wayne:
"Now that's entertainment."
Ryan
Mercer:
"And in our main event, Rich Athlete defends the Television Championship
against Freedom Fighter Flash."
Truth
Wayne:
"Flash will have the crowd behind him."
Ryan
Mercer:
"And Rich Athlete will do absolutely anything to keep that
championship."
Truth
Wayne:
"Which is why he's still champion."
Ryan
Mercer:
"We're ready."
Truth
Wayne:
"You're ready."
Ryan
Mercer:
"I'm Ryan Mercer."
Truth
Wayne:
"And I'm the only man in this company willing to tell the truth."
Ryan
Mercer:
"We'll see about that."
Truth
Wayne:
"Let's start the show."
[The
camera cuts to the ring as the crowd erupts.]
Ryan
Mercer:
"And now we're ready for our opening contest here at HCW Supershow!"
Patriotic
music fills the arena as Freedom Fighter Justice emerges onto the stage.
The
Greenville crowd rises to its feet and cheers loudly.
Ryan
Mercer:
"Freedom Fighter Justice looking to start Supershow with a big
victory."
Truth
Wayne:
"The fans love him. That's already one strike against him."
Justice
slaps hands with fans along the aisle before entering the ring and raising a
fist.
Ryan
Mercer:
"Justice has tremendous support here tonight."
Truth
Wayne:
"They're cheering before the match even starts. What exactly has he done
tonight?"
Justice
settles into his corner as his music fades.
Suddenly,
the crowd erupts into boos.
Dirty Dick
Albano steps onto the stage carrying his contract case. Pierre Boulay stands beside him.
He holds
it high above his head with a huge grin.
Ryan
Mercer:
"And here comes the man everyone has been talking about."
Truth
Wayne:
"A visionary."
Ryan
Mercer:
"Earlier today, Dirty Dick revealed that contract guarantees him a future
Television Championship match."
Truth
Wayne:
"Which means Rich Athlete and Freedom Fighter Flash should both be paying
very close attention tonight."
Dick pats
the contract case proudly before continuing to the ring. Pierre follows behind
him.
Ryan
Mercer:
"That contract isn't on the line tonight."
Truth
Wayne:
"Of course it isn't. Dirty Dick isn't stupid."
Dick
climbs into the ring and raises the case high as the crowd boos even louder. He hands the case to Pierre who steps out of
the ring.
Truth
Wayne:
"Listen to these people. If I had a guaranteed title match, I'd carry it
everywhere too."
The
opening contest of HCW Supershow quickly turned into exactly the kind of match
Freedom Fighter Justice expected—and exactly the kind of match
"Dirty" Dick Albano wanted.
Justice
came out aggressively, looking to overwhelm Albano early with his speed and
athleticism. The fan favorite connected with a flying attack in the opening
moments, but Dick was ready for it, sidestepping the offense and immediately
slowing the pace.
Ryan
Mercer:
"Justice wanted to get off to a fast start."
Truth
Wayne:
"And Dirty Dick reminded him that experience beats enthusiasm."
With
Pierre Boulay lurking at ringside, Albano repeatedly took shortcuts whenever
the opportunity presented itself. An eye gouge halted one Justice rally, and a
thumb to the eye from a side headlock drew loud boos from the Greenville crowd.
Ryan
Mercer:
"Come on! Honest Abe is missing all of this!"
Truth
Wayne:
"If he didn't see it, it didn't happen."
Ryan
Mercer:
"That's not how that works!"
Truth
Wayne:
"It's worked pretty well for Dirty Dick so far."
Justice
found himself frustrated as Albano dictated the pace through underhanded
tactics and constant distractions from Pierre Boulay. Every time Justice seemed
ready to build momentum, either Dick or Pierre found a way to disrupt it.
By the
fifth minute, however, Justice finally broke through. As Albano moved in to
continue his attack, Pierre became a little too involved. The manager blatantly
interfered, drawing the attention of referee Honest Abe and immediately forcing
the official's hand.
At nearly
the same moment, Justice blasted Albano with a thunderous elbow smash that sent
him staggering backward.
The crowd
erupted as Honest Abe called for the bell.
Ryan
Mercer:
"That's it! Pierre Boulay just cost Dirty Dick Albano this match!"
Truth
Wayne:
"Oh, come on! That's a technicality!"
Ryan
Mercer:
"A technicality? He practically entered the match!"
Truth
Wayne:
"He was offering moral support!"
The
official awarded the victory to Freedom Fighter Justice via disqualification.
Justice
celebrated with the fans while a furious Dirty Dick argued with the referee.
Pierre attempted to calm his client, but Albano's attention quickly shifted
back to the contract case he had brought to ringside.
Despite
suffering the loss, Dirty Dick carefully retrieved the briefcase and clutched
it tightly against his chest.
Ryan
Mercer:
"Dirty Dick may have lost tonight, but he still possesses that guaranteed
Television Championship opportunity."
Truth
Wayne:
"And that's the only thing he cares about."
Freedom
Fighter Justice raised his fist to the crowd as Albano and Pierre retreated up
the aisle, still arguing with Honest Abe and anyone else willing to listen.
Ryan
Mercer:
"What a way to start HCW Supershow. Freedom Fighter Justice gets the
victory, but Dirty Dick Albano still walks out of here with that guaranteed
Television Championship contract."
Truth
Wayne:
"And that's all that matters."
The camera
shifts to the ring where Tony "Echo" Calibur stands ready.
Tony
Calibur:
"Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is scheduled for one
fall!"
Boos fill
the Palmetto Championship Arena as Evan Stockwell emerges onto the stage with
Ruth Heartless at his side.
Stockwell
smirks at the crowd while Ruth applauds him enthusiastically.
Tony
Calibur:
"Introducing first, accompanied by Ruth Heartless... from Charlotte, North
Carolina... weighing in at 228 pounds... EVAN STOCKWELL!"
Ryan
Mercer:
"Evan Stockwell has a tremendous opportunity in front of him
tonight."
Truth
Wayne:
"Opportunity? This is pressure. Jack Lumber gets to walk in here with all
the glory while Evan gets stuck trying to prove himself."
Ryan
Mercer:
"Evan could change his entire trajectory with a win tonight."
Stockwell
enters the ring and poses on the turnbuckle before dropping down and exchanging
a few final words with Ruth.
The crowd
erupts as Jack Lumber's music hits.
Tony
Calibur:
"And his opponent... from Pine Ridge, Oregon... weighing in at 275
pounds... the Convergent Champion... JACK LUMMMMMMMBER!"
Jack steps
onto the stage carrying the Convergent Championship over his shoulder.
Ryan
Mercer:
"And here comes one of the most respected competitors in professional
wrestling today."
Truth
Wayne:
"Respected. There's that word again."
Jack
acknowledges the crowd before making his way toward the ring. He stops briefly at the Lumber Lounge and
acknowledges those fans.
Ryan
Mercer:
"Of course, Jack also competed recently in NPCW against Abaddon."
Truth
Wayne:
"Assuming he actually showed up."
Ryan
Mercer:
"He showed up."
Truth
Wayne:
"We'll see if he won."
Ryan
Mercer:
"We don't have official word yet, but Larry Morton will be speaking with
Jack immediately following this match."
Truth
Wayne:
"Provided Jack survives this match first."
Jack
enters the ring and raises the Convergent Championship high above his head.
Ryan
Mercer:
"A reminder that while Jack is carrying championship gold, this is a
non-title match."
Truth
Wayne:
"Which is very convenient for Jack."
Ryan
Mercer:
"Oh, stop."
Truth
Wayne:
"I'm just saying Evan Stockwell can beat the champion tonight and leave
with absolutely nothing."
The
referee checks both competitors as the crowd buzzes with anticipation.
Ryan
Mercer:
"Jack Lumber. Evan Stockwell. Supershow rolls on."
The second
match of HCW Supershow delivered exactly what many expected: a hard-fought
battle between the established Convergent Champion and an ambitious challenger
looking for the biggest win of the year.
Evan
Stockwell came out aggressively from the opening bell, matching Jack Lumber
strike for strike and proving he wasn't intimidated by the champion's
reputation. Stockwell repeatedly caught Jack off guard with his calculated
offense, using moves like the Dividend Dropkick and Hostile Takeover to keep
the larger man from establishing complete control.
Ryan
Mercer:
"Evan Stockwell came prepared tonight."
Truth
Wayne:
"He had to. Nobody's handing out opportunities around here."
Jack
answered every challenge with raw power. A spear shook the ring in the opening
moments, and a series of stiff uppercuts, atomic drops, and heavy-bodied
attacks gradually began wearing Stockwell down.
Even so,
Evan refused to go away.
Several
times the challenger stunned the crowd by reversing Jack's offense and turning
momentum in his favor. Ruth Heartless cheered from ringside as Stockwell
repeatedly found openings, forcing the Convergent Champion to work far harder
than he may have anticipated.
Ryan
Mercer:
"Stockwell is pushing Jack Lumber to the limit."
Truth
Wayne:
"Good. Maybe now everyone will stop acting like Jack walks on water."
As the
match wore on, Jack's experience began to show. Stockwell continued finding
success, but every rally seemed to take a little more effort than the last.
Lumber absorbed the punishment, weathered the storm, and kept coming forward.
A
near-fall reversal midway through the contest nearly stole the match for Evan
and brought the Greenville crowd to its feet.
Ryan
Mercer:
"I thought he had him!"
Truth
Wayne:
"So did Evan."
The final
minutes became a test of endurance.
Stockwell
landed another Dividend Dropkick and followed with a flurry of offense that
looked capable of producing the upset. But Jack Lumber weathered the attack and
fired back with a series of crushing uppercuts that rocked his opponent.
Finally,
after nearly twenty minutes of back-and-forth action, Jack connected with one
last stiff uppercut that sent Stockwell crashing to the canvas and loosening a
few teeth in the process.
One.
Two.
Three.
The crowd
erupted as Honest Abe counted the fall.
Ryan
Mercer:
"What a fight from Evan Stockwell, but Jack Lumber survives!"
Truth
Wayne:
"Survives is the right word."
Ryan
Mercer:
"Jack Lumber remains one of the toughest competitors in professional
wrestling."
Truth
Wayne:
"Evan and Ruth won’t settle for this.
Stockwell will get revenge."
Jack glanced
toward his fallen opponent before raising the Convergent Championship high
above his head.
Ryan
Mercer:
"And don't forget, Larry Morton will be speaking with Jack Lumber
immediately following this match. Perhaps we'll finally learn what happened in
that encounter with Abaddon up in NPCW."
As Jack
celebrated in the ring, the camera cut toward the backstage area where Larry
Morton was already preparing for the promised interview.
[Commercial
Break]
Narrator:
"HCW Supershow is brought to you in part by Scrooge Toys. Collect all your
favorite HCW superstars and championship belts available now. Get your Dark Dominion and NPCW exclusive collectibles
before they are gone!"
[Commercials
End]
The
broadcast returns backstage where Larry Morton stands in front of an HCW
Supershow backdrop.
The crowd
cheers as Jack Lumber steps into frame with the Convergent Championship resting
over his shoulder.
Larry
Morton:
"Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome my guest at this time, the
Convergent Champion, Jack Lumber."
Another
cheer can be heard from the arena.
Larry
Morton:
"Jack, moments ago you defeated Evan Stockwell. But everyone wants to know
about your recent trip to NPCW where you faced Abaddon."
The crowd
buzzes.
Jack
Lumber:
"I faced him, Larry."
Larry
Morton:
"And?"
Jack
Lumber:
"And I beat him."
The crowd
erupts.
Ryan
Mercer:
"Jack Lumber was successful!"
Truth
Wayne:
"Well, there goes my theory."
Larry
Morton:
"Many people expected Count Vlad to play a major role in that match."
Jack
shakes his head.
Jack
Lumber:
"Vlad was there. Vlad tried to make his presence felt. But when the dust
settled, Count Vlad wasn't the story."
Larry
Morton:
"Abaddon was."
Jack
Lumber:
"Exactly."
Jack
adjusts the championship on his shoulder.
Jack
Lumber:
"But here's the thing, Larry."
The crowd
quiets.
Jack
Lumber:
"It's not over."
Larry
Morton:
"What do you mean?"
Jack
Lumber:
"I mean on July 4th, in Columbia, South Carolina, I'll be defending the
Convergent Championship."
The crowd
cheers loudly.
Ryan
Mercer:
"Whoa!"
Truth
Wayne:
"Now we're talking."
Larry
Morton:
"Against Abaddon?"
Jack
Lumber:
"Yes."
Another
reaction from the crowd.
Jack
Lumber:
"And I also expect something else."
Larry
Morton:
"What's that?"
Jack
Lumber:
"Count Vlad is banned from HCW."
Huge
cheer.
Jack
Lumber:
"So if somebody is standing in Abaddon's corner, it'll probably be the
Queen of the North Champion, Lilith."
The crowd
reacts again.
Jack
Lumber:
"That's fine."
Jack looks
directly into the camera.
Jack
Lumber:
"I stopped Vlad."
Jack
Lumber:
"I'll stop her."
The crowd
erupts.
Jack
Lumber:
"Abaddon got one shot at me without the title on the line."
Jack
raises the Convergent Title.
Jack
Lumber:
"On July 4th, he'll get one more chance to prove himself."
Jack turns
and walks off as Larry looks toward the camera.
Larry
Morton:
"A major announcement from the Convergent Champion. Jack Lumber will
defend the Convergent Championship on July 4th in Columbia."
The camera
cuts back to ringside.
Ryan
Mercer:
"That just made July 4th even bigger."
Truth
Wayne:
"And for once, Jack Lumber said something I agree with."
Ryan
Mercer:
"I'm almost afraid to ask."
Truth
Wayne:
"It's definitely not over."
Back at
ringside, the crowd is still buzzing from Jack Lumber's announcement regarding
the Convergent Championship.
Ryan
Mercer:
"Another reason why the Meltdown PPV on July 4th became must-see
television."
Truth
Wayne:
"And Jack volunteered for it. That's the part I still don't understand. I
don’t know if he’s really smart or really stupid."
The camera
shifts to the ring where Tony "Echo" Calibur stands ready.
Tony
Calibur:
"Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is scheduled for one
fall!"
Boos
immediately rain down from the Greenville crowd.
Valeria
Vex steps onto the stage and confidently makes her way toward the ring.
Tony
Calibur:
"Introducing first... from Las Vegas, Nevada... VALERIA VEX!"
Ryan
Mercer:
"Valeria Vex has been demanding opportunities since arriving in HCW."
Truth
Wayne:
"Good. That's how ambitious people act."
Valeria
smirks at the crowd and ignores the fans as she enters the ring.
Ryan
Mercer:
"This could be the biggest match of her HCW career."
Truth
Wayne:
"And unlike some people, she didn't wait around for an invitation."
Her music
fades.
The crowd
suddenly erupts.
The
Heritage Women's Championship appears on the Omegatron as Korbi Kong steps onto
the stage with the title around her waist.
Tony
Calibur:
"And her opponent...she is the HCW Heritage Women's Champion... KORBI
KONG!"
Korbi
raises the championship high above her head as the crowd cheers loudly.
Ryan
Mercer:
"The Heritage Women's Champion has been nearly unstoppable."
Truth
Wayne:
"Which is why this isn't a title match."
Ryan
Mercer:
"That doesn't stop Valeria from proving she belongs in the championship
picture."
Korbi
marches to the ring without taking her eyes off Valeria.
Once
inside, she climbs the turnbuckles and holds the championship aloft.
Ryan
Mercer:
"A reminder that this is a non-title contest."
Truth
Wayne:
"Meaning Valeria has everything to gain and Korbi has everything to
lose."
Korbi
hands the championship to the referee and steps into her corner.
Across the
ring, Valeria simply smiles.
Ryan
Mercer:
"Champion versus challenger. Let's see what happens."
Truth
Wayne:
"Now this is interesting."
The bell
sounded and Valeria Vex wasted absolutely no time proving she belonged in the
ring with the Heritage Women's Champion.
Korbi Kong
immediately looked to use her power advantage, catching Valeria early and
locking in a tight Arm Triangle Lock less than a minute into the contest.
Ryan
Mercer:
"Korbi may be looking to end this one early!"
Truth
Wayne:
"That would be smart."
Valeria
struggled but refused to submit, fighting her way free after a tense few
moments.
Back on
their feet, the two exchanged offense at a frantic pace. Valeria connected with
a sharp superkick while Korbi continued relying on her strength and size to
keep control.
The
champion appeared to have weathered the early challenge until Valeria suddenly
shifted momentum.
A hard
Saito Suplex stunned Korbi.
Then, as
the champion attempted to regroup, Valeria struck again.
Ryan
Mercer:
"Valeria is putting together her best sequence of the match!"
Truth
Wayne:
"Forget the match. This might be the biggest sequence of her HCW
career."
Korbi
fired back with a whip into the turnbuckle, but Valeria was ready.
In one
fluid motion, she caught the champion and cinched in the Hussy Clutch.
The crowd
immediately erupted.
Ryan
Mercer:
"She's got it locked in!"
Truth
Wayne:
"No way!"
Korbi
fought.
Korbi
struggled.
But the
hold was locked in perfectly.
Moments
later, the unthinkable happened.
Ryan
Mercer:
"KORBI TAPPED!"
Truth
Wayne:
"I don't believe it!"
Honest Abe
immediately called for the bell.
Ryan
Mercer:
"Valeria Vex has just submitted the Heritage Women's Champion!"
The
Greenville crowd reacted with a mixture of shock and disbelief as Valeria
released the hold and quickly rolled away from the champion.
Korbi sat
on the canvas, stunned.
Valeria,
meanwhile, rose to her feet with a huge smile.
Truth
Wayne:
"Well, I think we just found our next contender."
Ryan
Mercer:
"How can you argue with that? Valeria Vex just forced the Heritage Women's
Champion to submit in the middle of the ring!"
Valeria
backed up the entrance ramp, proudly pointing at Korbi and then motioning
around her own waist.
In the
ring, Korbi slowly stood and stared after her.
No words
were exchanged.
No
challenge was issued.
But the
message was crystal clear.
Valeria
Vex had just earned the biggest victory of her HCW career and she knows what
she wants next.
Valeria
continued backing up the entrance ramp, smiling and motioning around her waist.
The
meaning was obvious.
She wanted
the Heritage Women's Championship.
Inside the
ring, Korbi Kong slowly climbed to her feet.
The
champion's expression wasn't anger.
It was
frustration.
Korbi
looked toward ringside and motioned for a microphone.
The crowd
cheered.
Ryan
Mercer:
"I think Korbi has something to say."
A
microphone was handed into the ring.
Valeria
stopped halfway up the ramp and turned around.
Korbi
Kong:
"You got me."
The crowd
reacted.
Korbi
Kong:
"Tonight, you were the better woman."
Another
reaction from the crowd.
Valeria
nodded confidently.
Korbi
Kong:
"You walked into this ring, you took your shot, and you made me tap out
right in the middle of this ring."
The crowd
buzzed.
Korbi
Kong:
"So if you're asking whether you've earned a championship
opportunity..."
Huge
cheer.
Korbi
Kong:
"The answer is yes."
The crowd
erupted.
Ryan
Mercer:
"There it is!"
Valeria
smiled.
Korbi
Kong:
"June 28th. Voltage. Columbia."
Another
loud reaction.
Korbi
raised the Heritage Women's Championship high into the air.
Korbi
Kong:
"You and me one more time."
The crowd
cheered again.
Korbi
Kong:
"But this time..."
Korbi
pointed at the championship.
Korbi
Kong:
"...the Heritage Women's Championship is on the line."
The
Greenville crowd exploded.
Valeria
simply smiled and pointed at the title.
Truth
Wayne:
"Well, she wanted the match."
Ryan
Mercer:
"She earned the match."
Korbi and
Valeria stared at one another from opposite ends of the arena as the crowd
continued cheering.
The match
was official.
The camera
heads backstage where Candace Hart is standing by.
Candace
Hart:
"Fans, later tonight Harrison Marks and Caesar King will settle one of the
most personal rivalries in HCW when they meet in a Facial Hair versus Facial
Hair Match. My first guest at this time is Harrison Marks."
Harrison
steps into frame, already looking annoyed.
Candace
Hart:
"Harrison, tonight one of you is leaving without your trademark facial
hair. Your thoughts?"
Harrison
Marks:
"My thoughts? My thoughts are that Caesar King has spent months acting
like a joke and somehow convinced people he's clever."
Harrison
shakes his head.
Harrison
Marks:
"This isn't funny anymore. This isn't a prank. This isn't some game.
Tonight, Caesar King finds out there are consequences for running his
mouth."
Candace
Hart:
"And if you lose?"
Harrison
smirks.
Harrison
Marks:
"I'm not losing."
He leans
toward the camera.
Harrison
Marks:
"Caesar King is walking into this match looking for attention. He's
walking out looking ridiculous."
Harrison
storms off.
The camera
immediately shifts a few feet down the hallway where Caesar King is already
waiting.
Candace
Hart:
"And now, Caesar King."
Caesar
grins before Candace can even ask the question.
Caesar
King:
"You know what my favorite part of all this is?"
Candace
Hart:
"What?"
Caesar
King:
"Harrison is taking this way more seriously than I am."
Caesar
laughs.
Caesar
King:
"Look at him. He's angry. He's stressed. He's probably checked his beard
in the mirror twenty times today."
Candace
Hart:
"The stipulation doesn't concern you?"
Caesar
King:
"Of course it concerns me."
Caesar
shrugs.
Caesar
King:
"But not as much as it concerns him."
The grin
returns.
Caesar
King:
"Harrison keeps talking about consequences. Well tonight he's going to
learn one."
Candace
Hart:
"And what's that?"
Caesar
King:
"Never make a match against a man who has absolutely nothing to
lose."
Caesar
winks at the camera.
Caesar
King:
"See you after the haircut."
Caesar
walks away laughing.
The
broadcast returns to ringside.
Ryan
Mercer:
"I don't think either one of those men likes the other very much."
Truth
Wayne:
"Normally I'd have a favorite. Tonight I'm conflicted."
Ryan
Mercer:
"Because they're both villains?"
Truth
Wayne:
"Because they're both entertaining."
Ryan
Mercer:
"That match is coming up later tonight."
Truth
Wayne:
"And somebody's barber is about to get a very good payday."
Ryan
Mercer:
"Still to come tonight, the Hair versus Hair Match between Harrison Marks
and Caesar King, plus our Television Championship main event."
Truth
Wayne:
"And now we get to see whether the World Champion is paying
attention."
The camera
cuts to Tony "Echo" Calibur in the ring.
Tony
Calibur:
"Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is scheduled for one
fall!"
The crowd
erupts as Dominic Marconi emerges from behind the curtain.
Tony
Calibur:
"Introducing first... weighing in
at 238 pounds... DOMINIC MARCONI!"
Dominic
smiles and acknowledges the fans as he makes his way toward the ring.
The
reaction is loud.
Very loud.
Ryan
Mercer:
"Listen to this ovation for Dominic Marconi."
Truth
Wayne:
"The people love Dominic. Big whoop de do"
Ryan
Mercer:
"And for good reason. He's one of the most popular competitors in
HCW."
Dominic
slaps hands with fans before entering the ring.
Truth
Wayne:
"I'll say this much. Dominic's earned every bit of that reaction."
Dominic
climbs the turnbuckles and points toward the crowd.
The cheers
grow even louder.
Ryan
Mercer:
"Tonight may be a non-title match, but a victory over the World Champion
would be enormous."
Dominic
drops to the mat and prepares for battle.
His music
fades.
Moments
later, the arena erupts again.
The HCW
World Championship appears on the Omegatron.
Tony
Calibur:
"And his opponent... weighing in at 235 pounds... he is the HCW World
Champion... ZACK BROWN!"
The
champion steps onto the stage with the World Championship over his shoulder.
The crowd
cheers.
It's a
strong reaction.
But not
quite as strong as the one Dominic received.
Ryan
Mercer:
"And here comes the World Champion."
Truth
Wayne:
"Now that's a man who should be getting the loudest reaction in the
building."
Zack
begins his walk to the ring.
For a
brief moment, his eyes drift toward the crowd.
Then
toward Dominic.
Then back
to the crowd.
Ryan
Mercer:
"These two men have a great deal of respect for one another."
Truth
Wayne:
"Respect is fine. Winning is better."
Zack
enters the ring and raises the championship high above his head.
The crowd
cheers again.
Ryan
Mercer:
"A reminder that while Zack Brown is carrying the richest prize in HCW,
this is a non-title contest."
Truth
Wayne:
"Which means Dominic has a chance to make a statement without having to
win a championship."
Zack hands
the title to the referee and turns toward his opponent.
Dominic
offers a nod.
Zack
returns it.
The
champion's expression remains focused.
But
perhaps just a little more intense than usual.
Ryan
Mercer:
"World Champion versus one of HCW's most beloved stars."
Truth
Wayne:
"And if Dominic pushes Zack to the limit, things could get very
interesting."
The
referee checks both men before calling for the bell.
What began
as a respectful non-title contest gradually evolved into one of the toughest
matches of Zack Brown's World Championship reign.
From the
opening bell, Dominic Marconi had the Greenville crowd firmly behind him.
A series
of powerful forearm shots rocked the champion in the opening minute and
immediately brought the crowd to life.
Ryan
Mercer:
"Dominic came ready to fight tonight!"
Truth
Wayne:
"And listen to this place. They love this guy."
Every time
Dominic mounted offense, the reaction seemed to grow louder.
The World
Champion responded with his trademark power game, using football tackles,
Bossman Slams, and Paratrooper Plunges to keep Dominic grounded.
But
Dominic simply refused to stay down.
A
head-first body slam.
A
figure-four armbar.
A bearhug.
Every time
Zack appeared ready to pull away, Dominic found another answer.
Ryan
Mercer:
"Dominic Marconi is matching the World Champion move for move!"
Truth
Wayne:
"And I don't think Zack expected this."
As the
match progressed, Zack's demeanor began to change.
The
champion became more aggressive.
His
attacks became heavier.
His pins
became more urgent.
After
Dominic kicked out of a two-count midway through the match, Zack slapped the
mat in frustration before pulling Dominic back to his feet.
Ryan
Mercer:
"That's not something we usually see from Zack Brown."
Truth
Wayne:
"I think he's realizing this isn't going to be easy."
The crowd
erupted whenever Dominic gained momentum.
Each rally
produced a louder reaction than the last.
By the
closing minutes, nearly every Dominic comeback was met with thunderous cheers
from the Greenville faithful.
Ryan
Mercer:
"Listen to this crowd!"
Truth
Wayne:
"They believe Dominic can win!"
Dominic
nearly forced the issue with a punishing bearhug and later a vicious
backbreaker that had the champion struggling to escape.
For the
first time all night, Zack looked genuinely rattled.
Ryan
Mercer:
"Dominic has pushed Zack Brown to the brink!"
Truth
Wayne:
"And Zack knows it!"
The final
minutes became a war of attrition.
Both men
exchanged heavy shots.
Neither
would give an inch.
Then,
after surviving yet another Dominic rally, Zack finally found an opening.
The World
Champion trapped Marconi in the K-9 Clutch.
As Dominic began to fade, Zack released the hold and went for the pin.
One.
Two.
Three.
The bell
sounded.
Ryan
Mercer:
"He got him!"
Truth
Wayne:
"But barely."
The crowd
applauded both men.
Yet as
Zack's hand was raised, it became obvious who had won over Greenville.
The louder
reaction belonged to Dominic Marconi.
The
challenger slowly climbed to his feet as fans showered him with appreciation
for his performance.
Ryan
Mercer:
"Dominic Marconi may have lost the match, but listen to this crowd."
Truth
Wayne:
"They think he belongs at the top."
Dominic
nodded toward the fans and began making his way toward the exit.
Behind
him, Zack stood in the center of the ring.
The
champion looked out at the crowd.
Then at
Dominic.
Then back
at the crowd again.
For a
moment, Zack appeared frustrated.
Conflicted.
Thoughtful.
Finally,
he motioned for a microphone.
The crowd
buzzed.
Ryan
Mercer:
"What's Zack doing?"
Zack
waited for the noise to settle.
Zack
Brown:
"Dominic!"
The crowd
cheered as Marconi stopped at the top of the ramp and turned around.
Zack
Brown:
"I've defended this championship against a lot of people."
The crowd
listened.
Zack
Brown:
"But tonight..."
Zack
paused.
Zack
Brown:
"...you pushed me harder than anybody."
The crowd
erupted.
Dominic
nodded respectfully.
Zack
Brown:
"You earned something tonight."
Another
cheer.
Zack
Brown:
"So I'm making it official."
The crowd
grew louder.
Zack
Brown:
"At Meltdown, the next shot at the HCW World Championship..."
He pointed
directly at Dominic.
Zack
Brown:
"...belongs to you."
The arena
exploded.
The
reaction was enormous.
Louder
than anything heard all night.
Dominic
looked genuinely surprised.
Ryan
Mercer:
"WHAT A MOMENT!"
Truth
Wayne:
"Well, nobody can say Zack Brown isn't a fighting champion."
The crowd
continued roaring as Zack raised the World Championship high above his head.
Across the
arena, Dominic pointed back toward the champion.
The
challenge had been accepted.
The next
World Championship match was officially set.
[Commercial
Break]
Narrator:
"Don't miss HCW Voltage this Sunday night as the road to July 4th
continues."
[Commercials
End]
The
broadcast returns to the Palmetto Championship Arena.
Ryan
Mercer:
"What a moment we witnessed before the break. Dominic Marconi may have
come up short, but he is now the number one contender to the HCW World
Championship."
Truth
Wayne:
"Still doesn't make sense."
Ryan
Mercer:
"Coming up next, things are about to get very personal."
The crowd
begins buzzing.
Truth
Wayne:
"Now this is a stipulation."
Harrison
Marks' music hits.
Boos
immediately fill the arena.
Harrison
storms onto the stage, glaring toward the ring.
Ryan
Mercer:
"Harrison Marks has been waiting for this opportunity."
Truth
Wayne:
"I don't blame him. Caesar King has spent months getting under his
skin."
Harrison
aggressively marches to the ring, never taking his eyes off the entranceway.
Ryan
Mercer:
"One of these men is walking out of Greenville without their trademark
facial hair."
Truth
Wayne:
"Which is exactly why I love this match."
Harrison
enters the ring and paces impatiently.
His music
fades.
A moment
later, Caesar King's music hits.
The crowd
responds with a mixture of boos and laughter.
Caesar
steps onto the stage wearing his trademark grin.
Ryan
Mercer:
"And here comes the man who may actually be enjoying this."
Truth
Wayne:
"That's because he's insane."
Caesar
points toward Harrison and laughs before beginning his walk to the ring.
Ryan
Mercer:
"I don't think Caesar has taken this seriously for one second."
Truth
Wayne:
"Which somehow makes him even more dangerous."
Harrison
is visibly irritated as Caesar slowly circles the ring.
Caesar
finally climbs onto the apron and wipes an imaginary tear from his eye while
looking at Harrison's facial hair.
The crowd
laughs.
Ryan
Mercer:
"Oh, that's not helping."
Truth
Wayne:
"No. No, it is not."
Caesar
steps through the ropes and removes his jacket.
Across the
ring, Harrison looks ready to explode.
Ryan
Mercer:
"This one has been brewing for months."
Truth
Wayne:
"And in a few minutes, somebody's barber becomes the most important person
in Greenville."
The
referee gives final instructions as Harrison and Caesar immediately begin
jawing at one another.
The
tension is palpable.
The bell
is about to ring.
For nearly
forty-six minutes, Harrison Marks and Caesar King turned one of the most
ridiculous stipulations in HCW history into one of the most vicious fights of
the year.
Neither
man wanted to be remembered as the wrestler who lost his facial hair.
And
neither man was willing to give an inch.
The
opening minutes were frantic as both competitors came out swinging. Caesar's
speed and unpredictability kept Harrison guessing, while Harrison answered with
his superior power and aggression.
Ryan
Mercer:
"For two men who claim not to like each other, they're certainly familiar
with one another."
Truth
Wayne:
"That's because they've spent months driving each other insane."
Caesar
gained the early advantage with a series of devastating 1916 Reverse DDTs and
his signature striking offense. Several times he caught Harrison flush with the
Dreamcast Jumping Corkscrew Roundhouse, drawing gasps from the crowd.
But
Harrison refused to stay down.
Every time
Caesar built momentum, Harrison answered with a back suplex, a backbreaker, a
European uppercut, or the crushing Wasteland.
The match
quickly became less about winning and more about surviving.
As the
minutes passed, both men began abandoning any pretense of sportsmanship.
Threats
toward Honest Abe.
Low blows.
Attempts
to bend the rules.
Even
outside interference teases.
Anything
that could gain an advantage.
Ryan
Mercer:
"I knew this was personal, but this is becoming downright ugly."
Truth
Wayne:
"And that's why it's great."
Midway
through the contest, Caesar looked moments away from victory after an Avalanche
Bloody Sunday nearly ended the match.
The crowd
counted along.
One!
Two!
No!
Harrison
barely escaped.
Ryan
Mercer:
"I thought that was it!"
Truth
Wayne:
"So did Caesar!"
The
near-fall only intensified the hatred.
What
followed was a war of attrition.
For every
Sheerdrop Brainbuster from Caesar, Harrison answered with a back suplex.
For every
Coup de Grace attempt, Harrison found a way to fight back.
For every
shortcut Harrison took, Caesar seemed willing to take one of his own.
At one
point Harrison attempted to introduce a steel chair into the equation.
Later both
men found themselves outside the ring after Harrison deliberately tried to
disrupt Caesar's rhythm.
Neither
competitor cared about appearances anymore.
They only
cared about avoiding humiliation.
Ryan
Mercer:
"This isn't about winning a match anymore."
Truth
Wayne:
"It's about keeping your face the way it looked when you walked into the
building."
The deeper
the match went, the louder the crowd became.
Every
near-fall generated a bigger reaction than the last.
At
twenty-five minutes, Caesar connected with another devastating 1916 and nearly
scored the victory.
At
thirty-one minutes, he did it again.
Still
Harrison survived.
The
frustration began to show on both men's faces.
The
confident grin that Caesar wore during his entrance slowly disappeared.
The anger
Harrison brought to the ring only intensified.
By the
forty-minute mark, both men were exhausted.
Their
strikes lacked the snap they carried earlier.
Their
movements became slower.
But
neither man would quit.
Ryan
Mercer:
"How much more can these two possibly have left?"
Truth
Wayne:
"Apparently enough to keep trying to ruin each other's lives."
The
closing moments felt inevitable.
One
mistake.
One
opening.
One
opportunity.
After
surviving yet another exchange, Caesar finally created the opening he had spent
nearly an hour searching for.
He hoisted
Harrison into the air.
Ryan
Mercer:
"No..."
Truth
Wayne:
"YES!"
Caesar
drove Harrison down with the Prince's Throne Fireman's Carry Gutbuster.
The crowd
erupted.
One.
Two.
Three.
The bell
rang.
Ryan
Mercer:
"HE GOT HIM!"
Truth
Wayne:
"Caesar King survived!"
After
forty-six grueling minutes, Caesar King had finally defeated Harrison Marks.
The arena
erupted as Caesar rolled off his opponent and collapsed onto the canvas.
Across the
ring, Harrison stared blankly at the lights.
The
reality was beginning to sink in.
He hadn't
just lost the match.
He had
lost the wager.
Ryan
Mercer:
"Oh no."
Truth
Wayne:
"Uh-oh."
Caesar
slowly sat up and looked directly at Harrison.
The grin
returned.
Bigger
than ever.
Ryan
Mercer:
"I think Caesar just remembered the stipulation."
Truth
Wayne:
"And Harrison just did too."
The crowd
began buzzing with anticipation as Caesar climbed to his feet and pointed
toward Harrison's facial hair.
As Caesar
King's hand was raised, referee Honest Abe immediately exited the ring.
A few
moments later he returned carrying a folding chair, a barber's cape, and a set
of electric clippers.
The crowd
erupted.
Ryan
Mercer:
"Oh boy."
Truth
Wayne:
"This is why people buy tickets."
Harrison
Marks remained seated on the canvas for a moment.
Frustrated.
Embarrassed.
Defeated.
Finally,
he slowly climbed to his feet.
The crowd
buzzed as Honest Abe positioned the chair in the center of the ring.
To
Harrison's credit, there was no argument.
No attempt
to flee.
No attack.
He had
agreed to the stipulation.
Now he
would honor it.
Harrison
sat down in the chair.
The crowd
applauded.
Ryan
Mercer:
"I may not agree with a lot of what Harrison Marks does, but he's handling
this with dignity."
Truth
Wayne:
"That's because he knows there's no way out."
Honest Abe
draped the barber's cape around Harrison's shoulders.
Across the
ring, Caesar could barely contain his laughter.
The grin
on his face grew larger with every passing second.
The
clippers buzzed to life.
The crowd
cheered.
Several
long passes later, Harrison's trademark facial hair was gone.
The arena
erupted.
Ryan
Mercer:
"And there it is."
Truth
Wayne:
"I almost don't recognize him."
Honest Abe
removed the cape and stepped aside.
Harrison
slowly stood up.
For a
moment it looked like he might say something.
Instead,
he simply glared at Caesar.
Caesar
laughed.
Harrison
shook his head and exited the ring.
The crowd
gave him a respectful reaction as he made his way up the aisle.
Meanwhile,
Caesar remained in the ring pointing and laughing.
Ryan
Mercer:
"He's going to get himself punched."
Truth
Wayne:
"Not tonight."
After a
few more moments of celebration at Harrison's expense, Caesar finally climbed
through the ropes and headed backstage himself.
A few
minutes later, the camera cut backstage.
Inside Max
McGillicutty's office, both Harrison Marks and Caesar King stood on opposite
sides of the room.
Neither
looked happy to be there.
Max
McGillicutty:
"All right. That's enough."
The two
immediately started talking over one another.
Max
McGillicutty:
"Enough."
Both men
fell silent.
Max
McGillicutty:
"You wanted your match."
He pointed
toward Caesar.
Max
McGillicutty:
"You won."
Then
toward Harrison.
Max
McGillicutty:
"You paid the price."
Max folded
his hands on the desk.
Max
McGillicutty:
"The point has been made."
Neither
man looked convinced.
Max
McGillicutty:
"I'm telling both of you right now."
He looked
at Harrison.
Then
Caesar.
Max
McGillicutty:
"Move on."
The
tension remained thick.
Max
McGillicutty:
"No sneak attacks. No revenge schemes. No more weeks of this."
Max
pointed toward the door.
Max
McGillicutty:
"You've settled it."
Neither
man said a word.
Max
McGillicutty:
"Now let it go."
The camera
lingered for a moment as Harrison and Caesar stared at one another.
Then both
men reluctantly turned and walked out of the office in opposite directions.
Ryan
Mercer:
"Perhaps that's the end of it."
Truth
Wayne:
"I wouldn't bet money on that."
The
broadcast headed to commercial.
[Commercial
Break]
The
broadcast returns to ringside where Ryan Mercer and Truth Wayne are seated at
the commentary desk.
Ryan
Mercer:
"Welcome back to HCW Supershow. What a night it's been already."
Truth
Wayne:
"Harrison Marks got shaved. I'd call that a successful evening."
Ryan
Mercer:
"Somehow I knew that would be your takeaway."
Truth
Wayne:
"Look, Ryan, Max McGillicutty says the feud is over."
Ryan
Mercer:
"You don't believe him."
Truth
Wayne:
"Of course not. Have you ever met wrestlers?"
The crowd
laughs.
Ryan
Mercer:
"Well, whether it's over or not, we still have one huge match left
tonight."
Truth
Wayne:
"Now we're talking."
Ryan
Mercer:
"The HCW Television Championship."
Truth
Wayne:
"And don't forget the most important person involved."
Ryan
Mercer:
"Dirty Dick Albano?"
Truth
Wayne:
"Dirty Dick Albano."
Ryan
Mercer:
"The man carrying a guaranteed Television Championship opportunity."
Truth
Wayne:
"Somewhere in this building he's probably smiling."
The camera
cuts to the ring where Tony "Echo" Calibur stands ready.
Tony
Calibur:
"Ladies and gentlemen, it is now time for our MAIN EVENT of the
evening!"
The crowd
erupts.
Tony
Calibur:
"This contest is scheduled for one fall and is for the HCW TELEVISION
CHAMPIONSHIP!"
A loud
cheer fills the arena.
Freedom
Fighter Flash emerges onto the stage to a tremendous ovation.
Tony
Calibur:
"Introducing first, the challenger... from Liberty City, USA... weighing
in at 225 pounds... FREEDOM FIGHTER FLASH!"
Flash
pumps a fist into the air as the crowd responds loudly.
Ryan
Mercer:
"What an opportunity for Freedom Fighter Flash."
Truth
Wayne:
"What an opportunity to get disappointed."
Flash
slaps hands with fans on the way to the ring before climbing onto the apron and
entering through the ropes.
Ryan
Mercer:
"Flash has fought his way into this championship opportunity."
Truth
Wayne:
"And now he has to take the title away from one of the smartest
competitors in HCW."
Flash
climbs the turnbuckles and acknowledges the crowd one final time.
His music
fades.
A shower
of boos immediately fills the Palmetto Championship Arena.
The Rich
Athlete emerges onto the stage wearing an extravagant custom robe.
The
Television Championship is fastened securely around his waist.
Beside
him, Ruth Heartless applauds enthusiastically as though royalty has just
arrived.
TheRich
Athlete slowly turns in a complete circle, allowing every side of the arena to
admire him.
The Rich
Athlete:
"WOOOOOO!"
The crowd
boos even louder.
Tony
Calibur:
"And his opponent, accompanied by Ruth Heartless... from Beverly Hills,
California... weighing in at 242 pounds... he is the HCW TELEVISION CHAMPION...
THE RICH ATHLETE!"
The Rich
Athlete struts across the stage.
Another
pose.
Another
strut.
Another—
The Rich
Athlete:
"WOOOOOO!"
Ryan
Mercer:
"I don't think he's in any hurry to get to the ring."
Truth
Wayne:
"Why should he be? Look at him."
Ryan
Mercer:
"Look at him?"
Truth
Wayne:
"Television Champion. Custom robe. Smartest manager in the business.
That's success."
Ruth
points proudly at the championship while The Rich Athlete continues his slow
walk toward the ring.
Every few
steps he stops to show off.
Every few
steps the crowd boos.
The Rich
Athlete:
"WOOOOOO!"
Ryan
Mercer:
"The people here in Greenville cannot stand him."
Truth
Wayne:
"Jealousy is an ugly thing."
Upon
reaching ringside, The Rich Athlete wipes his feet on the apron before entering
the ring.
He
immediately climbs the nearest turnbuckle and spreads his arms wide.
The Rich
Athlete:
"WOOOOOO!"
The boos
rain down from every corner of the arena.
Ruth
applauds from ringside as if witnessing a masterpiece.
Ryan
Mercer:
"He certainly doesn't lack confidence."
Truth
Wayne:
"When you're this good, why would you?"
The Rich
Athlete climbs down and slowly removes the championship from around his waist.
Before
handing it over, he polishes the center plate with his wrist tape and admires
his reflection.
Ryan
Mercer:
"That title means everything to him."
Truth
Wayne:
"Of course it does. It proves he's better than everyone else."
Ruth
carefully takes the robe while Rich Athlete takes one final look around the
arena.
The Rich
Athlete:
"WOOOOOO!"
The crowd
responds with a deafening chorus of boos as the champion prepares for the main
event.
The HCW
Television Championship main event was everything the Greenville crowd hoped it
would be.
Freedom
Fighter Flash came into the match determined to finally capture singles gold,
while The Rich Athlete entered with all the confidence of a man who believed
the championship already belonged to him.
From the
opening bell, Flash used his speed and athleticism to keep the champion off
balance.
A
breathtaking 630 Senton Bomb brought the crowd to its feet almost immediately.
Ryan
Mercer:
"Flash came to win!"
Truth
Wayne:
"Everybody comes to win. The question is whether they can beat The Rich
Athlete."
The
champion responded the way he always did.
Methodically.
Patiently.
And with
just enough arrogance to make everyone in the building want to see him lose.
The Rich
Athlete repeatedly targeted Flash's legs, connecting with shin breakers and
slowing the challenger's explosive offense whenever possible.
Whenever
Flash built momentum, the champion found a way to interrupt it.
A
headlock.
A pectoral
chop (WOOO).
A
Seven-Figure Suplex.
Everything
The Rich Athlete did had a purpose.
Ryan
Mercer:
"The champion is trying to take away Flash's speed."
Truth
Wayne:
"That's called having a game plan."
Flash
refused to back down.
A Reverse
Spike Hurricanrana nearly turned the match around.
A Tiger
Driver generated another huge reaction from the crowd.
An
Over-the-Shoulder Neckbreaker Drop sent the champion stumbling.
Each
comeback brought the audience further into the match.
Ryan
Mercer:
"The people believe this could be Flash's night!"
Truth
Wayne:
"That's because they never learn."
The
turning point came when Ruth Heartless began inserting herself into the
contest.
First, she
distracted the challenger by pointing out an apparent weakness.
Later, she
created an even bigger opening.
As Flash
appeared ready to mount another rally, Ruth produced a canister of hairspray
and sprayed it directly into his face while Honest Abe's attention was
elsewhere.
The crowd
erupted in boos.
Ryan
Mercer:
"Oh, come on!"
Truth
Wayne:
"What? Maybe she was helping with his hair."
Ryan
Mercer:
"You cannot be serious."
The Rich
Athlete immediately capitalized.
He hurled
Flash from the ring and continued attacking while the challenger struggled to
regain his bearings.
Moments
later, Ruth again inserted herself into the action, verbally antagonizing Flash
from ringside and helping keep the challenger off his game.
By this
point the crowd was furious.
Ryan
Mercer:
"The Rich Athlete doesn't need this kind of help."
Truth
Wayne:
"Then why refuse it?"
Flash
somehow continued fighting.
Twice he
kicked out.
Twice he
kept the dream alive.
But the
damage was beginning to accumulate.
The
champion could sense it.
The Rich
Athlete trapped Flash once more and drove another devastating Shin Breaker into
the challenger's leg.
This time
there was no escape.
One.
Two.
Three.
The bell
rang.
Ryan
Mercer:
"And The Rich Athlete retains the Television Championship."
Truth
Wayne:
"Of course he does."
The
champion immediately rolled away from the challenger and demanded his
championship.
Boos
rained down from every corner of the arena.
Ruth
Heartless applauded enthusiastically as Honest Abe handed the title back to The
Rich Athlete.
Ryan
Mercer:
"Flash gave everything he had tonight."
Truth
Wayne:
"And everything he had wasn't enough."
The Rich
Athlete climbed the turnbuckle and raised the Television Championship high
above his head.
The
Rich Athlete:
"WOOOOOO!"
The crowd
responded with deafening boos.
Ryan
Mercer:
"The Rich Athlete remains Television Champion..."
Truth
Wayne:
"Which means somebody backstage should be paying very close
attention."
The Rich
Athlete continued celebrating in the ring while Ruth Heartless applauded from
ringside.
The
Television Champion climbed another turnbuckle.
The
Rich Athlete:
"WOOOOOO!"
The boos
grew even louder.
Then
suddenly...
The
crowd's reaction changed.
A mixture
of boos and anticipation swept through the arena.
Ryan
Mercer:
"Wait a minute..."
Dirty Dick
Albano appeared at the top of the entranceway.
The
contract case was in his hand.
Pierre
Boulay walked beside him.
Truth
Wayne:
"YES."
The Rich
Athlete immediately stopped celebrating.
His eyes
locked onto the contract.
Ryan
Mercer:
"Business just picked up."
Dirty Dick
slowly made his way toward the ring.
Not
running.
Not
rushing.
Almost
enjoying every second of it.
The crowd
buzzed as Pierre pointed toward the Television Championship.
Inside the
ring, Ruth Heartless stepped in front of The Rich Athlete and began shouting
toward the aisle.
Truth
Wayne:
"Look at this. The champion suddenly isn't smiling."
Dirty Dick
climbed onto the apron.
Then
entered the ring.
The
contract case never left his hands.
The crowd
grew louder.
Ryan
Mercer:
"Is he doing it?"
Truth
Wayne:
"Do it."
Dirty Dick
slowly walked directly toward Honest Abe.
The
referee looked uncertain.
The Rich
Athlete looked furious.
The crowd
began chanting.
Dick
looked down at the contract case.
Then up at
the championship.
Then back
at the case.
The
tension became unbearable.
Ryan
Mercer:
"He's thinking about it."
Truth
Wayne:
"He should be."
Dirty Dick
slowly opened the case.
The crowd
exploded.
Pierre
began laughing.
Ruth
Heartless looked horrified.
The Rich
Athlete took a step backward.
Then
another.
Dirty Dick
reached into the case.
The crowd
reached a fever pitch.
And
then...
He
stopped.
A giant
grin spread across his face.
Truth
Wayne:
"Oh, that's beautiful."
Dirty Dick
slowly closed the case.
The crowd
erupted with a mixture of cheers and boos.
Ryan
Mercer:
"He's not cashing in!"
Truth
Wayne:
"No. He's torturing him."
Dirty Dick
pointed directly at the Television Championship.
Then
pointed at his contract case.
Then
pointed back at The Rich Athlete.
The
message was clear.
Anytime.
Anywhere.
Pierre
Boulay applauded enthusiastically.
The Rich
Athlete was livid.
Dirty Dick
laughed.
Then he
turned around and exited the ring.
Ryan
Mercer:
"He never intended to cash in."
Truth
Wayne:
"Of course he didn't."
Ryan
Mercer:
"Then why come out here?"
Truth
Wayne:
"Because now The Rich Athlete gets to spend every day wondering when it
happens."
Dirty Dick
and Pierre backed up the aisleway.
The Rich
Athlete stood in the ring clutching the Television Championship tightly against
his chest.
For
perhaps the first time all night...
The
champion looked genuinely concerned.
Truth
Wayne:
"That right there is a professional."
Ryan
Mercer:
"I think you just found your new favorite wrestler."
Truth
Wayne:
"I'm considering it."
The final
image before the show signed off was The Rich Athlete staring up the
entranceway while Dirty Dick Albano proudly held the contract case high above
his head.
The camera
returns to Ryan Mercer and Truth Wayne at the commentary desk as the crowd
continues buzzing from Dirty Dick Albano's appearance.
Ryan
Mercer:
"What a night it has been here at HCW Supershow."
Truth
Wayne:
"And what a way to end it."
Ryan
Mercer:
"We saw Freedom Fighter Justice overcome Dirty Dick Albano, though
Albano's guaranteed Television Championship opportunity remains very much
alive."
Truth
Wayne:
"Justice won the match. Dirty Dick won the night."
Ryan
Mercer:
"We heard from Jack Lumber, who announced that he successfully defeated
Abaddon in NPCW and will defend the Convergent Championship on July 4th."
Truth
Wayne:
"And apparently he's ready for Lilith too."
Ryan
Mercer:
"Valeria Vex shocked the wrestling world by submitting Heritage Women's
Champion Korbi Kong."
Truth
Wayne:
"And earned herself a title match on June 28th."
Ryan
Mercer:
"Dominic Marconi pushed World Champion Zack Brown to the absolute
limit."
Truth
Wayne:
"Then somehow got rewarded for losing."
Ryan
Mercer:
"Zack Brown disagreed."
Truth
Wayne:
"Apparently."
Ryan
Mercer:
"Caesar King defeated Harrison Marks in a forty-six-minute war and
Harrison paid the price."
Truth
Wayne:
"I still can't believe he sat in that chair."
Ryan
Mercer:
"And in our main event, The Rich Athlete successfully retained the
Television Championship against Freedom Fighter Flash."
Truth
Wayne:
"But he didn't leave comfortable."
The camera
briefly shows The Rich Athlete still standing in the ring with Ruth Heartless.
Ryan
Mercer:
"No, he didn't."
Truth
Wayne:
"Because somewhere out there is Dirty Dick Albano."
The crowd
reacts.
...
A moment
later, a special promotional graphic suddenly appears on the screen...
The screen
fades back in to a professionally produced movie poster.
STRIPES
2: REVEILLE AND RELOADED
STARRING OWEN ZESTWELL
COMING DECEMBER 2026
The crowd
reacts with a mixture of cheers and laughter.
Ryan
Mercer:
"Before we leave tonight, it appears Owen Zestwell's upcoming film now has
an official release date."
Truth
Wayne:
"I'm telling you, Ryan, that movie doesn't exist."
Ryan
Mercer:
"We've seen the poster."
Truth
Wayne:
"Anyone can make a poster now."
Ryan
Mercer:
"Not everyone."
Truth
Wayne:
"Ryan, I could have an AI make a poster of me winning an Oscar by
lunchtime."
Ryan
Mercer:
"And would that make it real?"
Truth
Wayne:
"No, but it'd have just as much evidence behind it as this movie."
Ryan
Mercer:
"Owen was actually there."
Truth
Wayne:
"Ryan, it's 2026. I can type three words into an AI program and get a
poster of you fighting a dinosaur on the moon."
Ryan
Mercer:
"That's oddly specific."
Truth
Wayne:
"I've already done it."
Ryan
Mercer:
"You need a hobby."
Truth
Wayne:
"I have one. I'm investigating this movie."
Ryan
Mercer:
"On
behalf of everyone here at HCW, thank you for joining us for this special
edition of HCW Supershow."
"For Truth Wayne, I'm Ryan Mercer. Goodnight from Greenville."
The poster
remains on screen for a few more seconds before the broadcast finally comes to
an end.
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