Segments - GoW

HAYDEN PHOENIX -

The show returns from commercial as "Welcome Home" by Coheed and Cambria begins to play as fog begins to rise from the entrance way. The lights dim down and two spotlights converge on the curtain as Hayden Phoenix makes his way out to the entrance. He looks more serious than he normally does, and instead of playing to the crowd he makes his way down the ramp right to the ring. He walks up the metal stairs and climbs into the ring. He reaches out towards the ringside crew for a mic as he makes a motion for his music to end...

Phoenix: Last week, Prince Abdullah Assad beat me. I am the type of man that will take a loss if it is earned, but as we all know, nothing that Assad does is earned. Not only did he make sure to get the ref knocked out in our match, but had to knock me out with some brass knucks. As we all saw, I had him pinned and the match was over. Instead of coming out here and crying over spilled milk, I want to do something that seems like it is working for me... issuing a challenge. I want to challenge Assad... to a specialty match of my own forte... and Iron Man Match.

If he is MAN enough, put your money where your mouth is. Accept my challenge Assad. You... me... Iron Mat Match... that way we can really see who the real man is. See, the thing is... you might be able to get one over me and the refs... but this match is my own specialty and it is something that you won't be able to easily taint. I will give you some time... but I am not going away. You won't be able to walk away from this challenge that easy, Prince. I do not plan on going anywhere... so get used to seeing this face.

Hayden tosses the mic and begins to ready for the upcoming match...

West Newhaven: Wow... Phoenix just layed down a challenge to Prince Assad!

Matt Baily: Why would Assad want to beat him again?

West Newhaven: Did you not see the same match that I saw? And listen to what Phoenix had to say?

Matt Baily: What did you just say? I wasn't listening.

West Newhaven: Exactly. So there you have it folks, Hayden Phoenix offering a challenge to Prince Assad in an Iron Man Match.



Brenden Reynalds - The following contest is your opening match of the night, and is scheduled for one fall!

"Fame" by B.o.B as red and white lights flash around the arena. TJ Bryce comes out of the backstage area, a group of guys known as Well Connected (The Lenny and TZone) following close behind. The Lenny is shown holding a Canadian flag up high, TZone holding a red and white microphone. Bryce looks out at the capacity crowd, his debut in The RWD being in front of the biggest crowd it's had so far. The members of the audience who know his reputation begin to boo, others joining along as Bryce turns his attention to the nearest camera. Bryce flashes a wink and a smile before leading his entourage towards the ring.

Brenden Reynalds - Introducing first... From Hamilton, Ontario, Canada and standing 5'10. Weighing in at 212lbs...

"The Canadian Franchise" TJ Bryce!

Matt Baily - Well, here's another hero for you to worship West. TJ Bryce is here at The Gift of Wrestling, and this upcoming match will be a battle between fellow Canadians! Before signing to work in the United States at the age of twenty, Bryce was crowned a very young Heavyweight Champion in Maple Leaf Wrestling. He was also awarded the PWA 2008 Newcomer of the Year award, as well as having previously captured both the FWA Reckless Championship and the Southern State Championship from his tenure in the world of wrestling.

West Newhaven - What a guy! And, you say he's a former Southern State Champion, huh? Sounds like he'll do well here! However, I got to ask something, Matt... How the hell do we keep signing all this Canadian talent when we're based in New Orleans, Louisiana!? Where are they all coming from?!

Matt Baily - I believe that would be from Canada, West.

West makes a sour face at Matt who tries hard not to laugh at his own joke on air. Meanwhile, Bryce has reached the ring and heads over to the stairs. The crowd is now full on booing him as he arrogantly shrugs it off while TZone hops up onto the ring apron. TZone holds the ropes open for Bryce, TJ heading towards the center of the ring and looking out at the arena before hoping onto the nearest turnbuckle and sitting down on top of it. Bryce points to his wrist, signaling his impatience as Referee Paul Anderson makes sure Bryce's ringside accompaniment stays at ringside and Bryce's music starts to fade out.



Bryce cracks his knuckles, Hayden focusing on his opponent as Bryce beckons for him to meet in the middle of the ring. Hayden complies, both men walking to the center where they lock up with a strong collar and elbow tie-up! Bryce gets an early advantage, pushing Hayden into the corner and looking for a chop - Hayden dodging out of the corner and turning the tables with a chop of his own! Bryce holds his chest in pains, Hayden chopping him once more before pulling him out of the corner, grabbing him by the arm and wrenching under it.

Hayden twists and applies pressure, Bryce holding his free hand up and rolling through before reversing the situation, grabbing Hayden's arm and going behind him with a chicken wing. Bryce tries to trip Hayden forward and ground him with the hold, Hayden moving his legs out of the way and hitting some elbows to force Bryce to release him as Hayden hits the ropes - Bryce ducking under Hayden on the rebound - Bryce catching Hayden with an Armdrag - Hayden holding on and pulling Bryce over, Armdragging him instead!

As Bryce hits the mat, he works quickly to get back to his feet, Hayden hopping back up as well as they once again move into a lock up!

Matt Baily - Already an exciting back and forth from these two! Both of these technical wrestlers seem well matched!

West Newhaven - Must be something in the water in Canada. Maybe we should get more talent from there after all...

Bryce manages to take Hayden over from the tie-up with a headlock takedown. Bryce looks for an elbow drop - Hayden rolling out of the way and hopping to his feet as Bryce hits the floor. Hayden quickly jumps up for a leg drop on his downed opponent - Bryce sitting up fast as Hayden lands on his tailbone! Bryce rolls back and over to Hayden, grabbing a hold of him in his seated position and locking in a headlock from behind. Bryce keeps the hold tight, Hayden looking for a way to get free as Referee Anderson asks if he'll submit!

Matt Baily - TJ Bryce is looking to work the head of Hayden Phoenix to soften him up for his finisher. It's a good plan, but Hayden is quite the submissions wrestler! While it may look good for Bryce now, if he continues to try and beat Hayden at his own game, he may just be on the losing end of this match!

West Newhaven - Are we even watching the same match!? TJ's got Hayden beat, right here and right now! Much like his match up with Assad, Hayden's going to fail! Maybe TJ should take on Prince Assad next! Maybe he could defend his country's honor, unlike Kruzer and Hayden!

Almost as if fueled West's comments, Hayden seems to be fighting even more to get to his feet. Bryce tries to keep him in place, Hayden slowly fighting back to his feet where he hits a few elbows to Bryce's gut before breaking free and taking Bryce down with a Russian Leg Sweep! Hayden rolls through, pulling Bryce up and once again grabbing him by the arm and twisting behind him with a hammerlock, floating back to the front and suplexing him over and to the mat! Hayden covers!



Hayden pulls Bryce up once again, whipping him into the corner and chasing after - Bryce running up and flipping over, landing behind Hayden as Hayden turns and Bryce looks for a dropkick - Hayden catching him and pushing him down where he goes for the Figure Four! Hayden fights to lock the hold in, Bryce kicking him off and rolling back to his feet - Bryce runs in, Hayden pulling him onto his shoulders for a powerbomb - Bryce rolling forward for a sunset flip - Hayden rolling through and looking for a kick once he gets to his feet - Bryce ducking down and kipping up as both men go for a dropkick - Both missing and hitting the mat, pushing themselves up and both missing a second dropkick, getting up once more and participating in a stand-off! The crowd applauds both men, Hayden and Bryce looking a bit out of breath.

Matt Baily - Excellent! What a show The Gift of Wrestling has been so far! These two are really putting on a performance and these fans are showing their respect!

West Newhaven - Since when has wrestling been about respect?! It's about winning, and nothing else! You know, I really though better of TJ Bryce. I had high hopes for this one...

As Hayden and Bryce continue standing across from one another, Hayden shows some sportsmanship, extending a hand to his opponent as Bryce looks down at it and moves in to shake - Slapping Hayden across the face and running into the corner, running back out at his opponent and hitting the Bryce Check (Sick Kick)! The crowd boos loudly at Bryce's actions as Bryce covers!



West Newhaven - Now that's what I'm talking about! TJ Bryce has that superstar attitude after all! Get him Bryce, make your place known in The RWD!

Matt Baily - What a coward! What a dastardly move! It seems Bryce really does only care about himself! These fans were ready to accept him, and he turned his back on all of them with that cheap shot!

Bryce pulls Hayden up, taking him down with a scoop slam and pointing to the top rope. TJ climbs up, his entourage cheering him from the sidelines as the crowd boos loudly and Bryce measures his opponent... Jumping off with a Double Foot Stomp - Hayden moving as Bryce lands on his feet instead, holding his knee as Hayden grabs him from behind and takes him down with a German Suplex! Hayden holds his arms to the side, palms facing up as he turns them facing down and flips Bryce over... Grabbing at Bryce's legs and locking in the Phoenix Lock (Inverted Sharpshooter)!

Matt Baily - Phoenix has it locked in, Bryce is trapped! TJ Bryce might be forced to submit!

West Newhaven - Come on Bryce, fight out of it!

Referee Anderson is in position to call for a submission, Bryce screaming out in pain as The Lenny hops onto the apron and causes Anderson to head over and yell for him to get down! Hayden lets go of his submission attempt, turning towards both Anderson and The Lenny as trying to get the ref's attention back as TZone tosses his megaphone into the ring and Bryce catches it... Getting back to his feet and hobbling on spaghetti legs... Hayden turning - Ducking under the megaphone swing as - *Smack!* - Bryce hits The Lenny! Lenny goes down, Bryce turning back as Hayden moves in - Bryce quickly falling down to the mat and rolling to the outside! The crowd boos, TJ calling for TZone to help him pick The Lenny up as the three start to walk back up the entrance way! The crowd boos, Hayden left in the ring alone as the referee counts...

West Newhaven - What a noble guy! TJ Bryce is more worried about his friend's well-being than anything else!

Matt Baily - Is that really what you're seeing here? Bryce is leaving because his sneak attack plan didn't work out in his favor!

West Newhaven - Man, Matt! You're always so quick to judge! TJ Bryce knows he could have gotten the victory, but his pals come first!






Brenden Reynalds - Here is your winner... By count-out! "The Rising" Hayden Phoenix!

Hayden looks annoyed at his opponent's choice to walk, the crowd cheering nonetheless as Hayden tries his best to get over it and poses for the fans. The chanting continues as Hayden leaves the ring and heads to the back, the show cutting away form the ring...

The show is back on air as backstage, just before the Schneider-Harlan bout, “Perfectly Sane” Maxwell Schneider appears to be gradually making his way to the gorilla position when his manager The #1 Hit-Maker Johnny Bonecrusher approaches him. Whist Schneider is manic, The Johnny appears to be more on the reserved side for once.

“Why, Mr. B., yer lookin’ positively glum!”

Johnny seethes at his man’s lack of empathy. “Yeah, well, in case you haven’t NOTICED, The Fold’s not been DOING that well since we formed!”

Schneider furrows his brow and scratches at his head. “This ain’t about that whole gettin’ our team dis-QUALIFIED last time, is it?”

“Nooooo!” Johnny says sarcastically. “Why WOULD it? But seriously, I’ve made my peace with that, and the end result is at LEAST something Cocheese won’t forget for a LONG time to come!”

“Which is good,” Schneider retorts, “‘Cuz I STILL ain’t done with that punk! I’ve got another good SEVENTY matches left in me with that guy! HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA HA-”

Johnny interrupts The Portland Madman, “Not NOW, Schneider!”

Schneider pouts at the killjoy.

Johnny shakes his head, “Aw, quit your Marilyn Munroe routine, you’re supposed to be a hardcore dervish! An ultra-violent tempest! A barbaric one-man Mongol Horde! And a walking talking natural disaster like YOU requires a BADGE to represent that honour! No title in the RWD can best represent your… eccentric personality. So, after the recklessly merciless beating you gave Cocheese, I talked to a guy who knew a guy, who owed a favour to a guy who was willing to TRANSFER said favour to Yours Truly for some free tickets to future RWD shows and some merch.”

Schneider backs up a bit, can’t stand still, and starts to build up a level of excitement akin to a kid on Christmas Day.

“Wh-wh-wh-what’s goin’ on here?” he asks with a toothy grin.

“Wellllll,” Johnny says as he motions for some guy to come into the shot and hand him a sack. “I just wanted to award you with a li’l somethin’-somethin’ before you went off to wrestle Ray.”

Johnny, at a painfully slow pace reaches into the bag, pulls it closer to the opening of the sack, but then stops, “Now, I don’t want you using this on Ray, you got me?”

Schneider feverishly shakes his head and says, “No, no, no, no, no, no, no!”

Johnny inhales deeply as he gives Schneider the stink-eye. “All right, then. Now since you’ve been keeping the tradition of hardcore and old school alive in the 21st Century, I, Johnny Bonecrusher, being of sound *snicker* mind and body, present you with… THIS:”

And he finally yanks out the surprise:


Schneider shudders with pseudo-orgasmic excitement he hasn’t felt in a LONG time. His eyes, wide as saucers, never once take his eyes off the gift, and when Johnny hands it over to him, he brings it right up to his face.

“THIS, Maxwell, is the OFFICIAL unofficial Brass Knuckles Championship. Consider it an early Christmas present!”

“Brass. Knuckles. Championship.” Schneider says. “Brass. KNUCKLES. Championship! “

He then smiles widely at Johnny, and moves slowly towards him, arms outstretched..

Johnny puts up his hands, “No no no, wait a sec-”

But before he knew it, Schneider had embraced him with excessive force. All Johnny could do is grunt and squirm, before he just said fuck it and embraced his man back.

“All right… all right… ALL RIGHT ALREADY!” Johnny barked. This prompted Schneider to finally let go. “Now, go on out there and welcome Ray Harlan back to the RWD, in a way only YOU can pull off!”

Schneider nodded excitedly, “Absolutely, absolutely! Wish me luck!”

Then Schneider started to continue his trek to the gorilla position.

“Luck.” Johnny said. “And I SAID, don’t you go using that title on-”

But Schneider was already long since gone. He shook his head and chuckled, “Merry Christmas, Maxwell Schneider.”