The summer of 1996.  The rail jumpers.  Fans who would randomly jump over the guardrails and attack Mike Haggar as he came to the ring.  When questioned by police, the jumpers would only say that they were paid by a man who would not show his face.  A man who they could not refuse.
    Weeks later, he arrived.
    Mike Haggar was his target.  With a hatred unlike any seen before, he did his best to destroy Mike Haggar.  With The Great Oni at his side, he threatened Mike Haggar both in and out of the ring.  However, this time was not to be.  With Jack Slade and Alexander "The Grater" at his side, Mike Haggar fought off his foe.  For reasons only known to him, he decided to stop his attacks.  He decided to lay low.  To wait.
    He warred with other SMWA stars, waiting for the perfect time to strike again.  Just when it was time, things became complicated.  The Doomsday Hunters formed.  With Alexander "The Grater" at the helm, two wrestlers were targeted for elimination.  He was one of them.  Mike Haggar was the other.
    The Doomsday Hunters were winning the war until an unholy alliance was formed.  He teamed with his worst enemy, Mike Haggar, in the hopes that, combined, they could end the Doomsday Hunters.
    It was a set-up.  An effort to turn Mike Haggar to the dark side before ending his career.
    Through the efforts of Jack Slade and the traitorous Oni, Mike Haggar stopped short of turning bad.  Still, it was too late.  While Mike Haggar faced Alexander "The Grater" for the World Title, he made his move.  Mike Haggar lost his match and, soon after, lost his Title shots.  He had joined with the Doomsday Hunters.
    Soon after, Jack Slade became involved.  Fighting to give his mentor one last chance, Slade defeated Grater.  A match was made.  It would be Grater and Mike Haggar's fiercest enemy on the same team against Haggar himself.
    Again, the alliance was weak.  Mike Haggar defeated Grater and took the World Title.  Grater's partner... He was banished.  On his final day, he nearly destroyed the Doomsday Hunters single handedly, but was barely stopped short.
    Now, Jack Slade and Mike Haggar are at odds.  Alexander "The Grater" has been played for a fool.  Major Force has become the most efficient force for destruction in the SMWA.  He was pulling the strings.  Now, there will be one final strike.
    Mike Haggar will fall.
    He says so.
    Beware the sting of...
    THE SCORPION!!!!

MCCULLOUGH:  Last night... Last night, I sat down to an... an emergency meeting with several SMWA Officials.  The subject was the return of the Scorpion.  As I'm sure many of you know, Scorpion was forced out of the SMWA after he and Alexander "The Grater" lost a handicap match to Mike Haggar.  However, in light of the current situation, and in spite of various objections from some of the officials... I've...  I've decided that the Scorpion will... will be reinstated immediately.

    WHAT?!?!?!  McCullough was letting Scorpion back in?  That's not his style.  What on earth is going on here?

    Maybe these guys could provide some answers.
    To a horde of boos, The Scorpion and Saul Masters walked side by side to the ring, with Ghost, Kodiak Marmoset and Skarzz bringing up the rear.  These men not only swerved a lot of people on Saturday, but they utterly, methodically and completely destroyed any chance of a Mike Haggar - Jack Slade friendship starting up once more.  They turned Haggar and Slade against one another, and now there may be no hope.
    Major Force piled inside the ring.  Jack McCullough did his best not to make eye contact with anybody.  Kodiak, not being able to contain himself, stood behind McCullough and began to laugh hysterically.  Masters told him to be quiet.
    It became obvious.  Somehow, Major Force has gotten to Jack McCullough!
    Saul Masters grabbed the microphone.

MASTERS:  What can I say.  I lied.  Our Sixth Member wasn't introduced on Saturday.  Scorpion's been here a lot longer.  We do have a Sixth Member, though, and he's right here in this ring.  Isn't that right, Jack?

    McCullough looked up at Masters.  He didn't respond.  It was pretty obvious that he was enjoying this the least out of anybody in that ring.  Masters handed the mic over to the Scorpion.  The masked man, in his deep, gravely voice, began to speak.

SCORPION:  This is power!

    The crowd booed immediately when Scorp started to speak.  They weren't looking for him to brag.  Scorpion didn't seem to care.

SCORPION:  You thought you were safe, didn't you, Mike?  You thought you were done with me.  Dead wrong.  I'm a demon you just can't avoid.  It's like trying to avoid your shadow.  You can hide in the dark all you like, but once the truth hits, it's the end.  I'm back to finish the job.

    Scorpion gave Major Force a look before continuing.

SCORPION:  I'm sure that you and Jack, in your Phoenix hospital beds, are asking how?  It's simple, Mike.  Everybody has something they want.  A wrong they need righted.  A need that must be fulfilled.  That's what I've provided these men.  For Kodiak, I provided peace of mind through a name.  Bill Vance.  Kodiak's next door neighbour.  The man who, just two weeks ago, had his name given to Mercer police, implicating him in the murder of Kodiak's parents.  He signed a confession a day after his arrest.  For Ghost... There was an unfortunate, misguided investigation going on in the Northwestern United States.  It seems somebody long accused Ghost of burning down a house there.  The investigation was closed a few days ago.  And for Saul Masters, it was simple.  He wanted power.  That's what he has.  Wouldn't you agree, Commissioner?

    The masked man approached McCullough.  He actually wanted a response.

MCCULLOUGH:  For now.

SCORPION:  For as long as he wants.  It's very simple, Commissioner, and the rest of you.  If you can find the one thing that a person holds dear, one thing close to their heart, you can control them as long as you like.  I'm not here to control Major Force.  They're here to help me, and I'm here to help them.  But there was one man who I could not deal with.  Alexander "The Grater"

    Surprisingly, some fans began to cheer.  Probably because they knew it wouldn't be long before Grater tried to tear Major Force apart.

SCORPION:  Just so you don't stay up nights worry, Saul Masters was the only man who knew I was involved in this.  When I appeared on Saturday, it was as  much a surprise to Major Force as it was to you.  They didn't know why they were beating you.  They only knew they had to.  See, Grater, I've been planning this since your screw-ups cost me my spot in the SMWA.  When Skarzz was entered in Wild Card, I knew he could win.  Who his partner was really didn't matter.  It just so happened that it was you.  And you were useful.  There isn't any doubt about that.   But I wasn't going to have you on my team any longer than I had to.  Look at yourself, Grater.  Sarge X's Platoon crumbled.  Your alliance with Haggar crumbled.  The Doomsday Hunters got smart and kicked you out, but they were already crumbling.  And it was you that caused me to be kicked out, that cost me my chance at revenge.  A team with you is a team that won't win for long.  Still, you'll have to be dealt with.  You will be my first target of many.  I'm here to accomplish my own goals.  To do that, certain people must be... dealt with.

    Scorpion gave a look back at McCullough, insinuating something, for sure.

SCORPION:  Take Simply the Best.  Saul Masters asked a very simple favour of you four.  Keep Terry Sky out of his business.  And I know he paid you well.  You'll have to learn a lesson in keeping your end of the deal, boys.  We will have no problems teaching you.  Then, you can go do what Saul paid you for in the first place.

    StB is already in disarray.  Scorpion knows he can make threats like that... there isn't really a coherent StB that can fight back.

SCORPION:  And while we're on the subject, Terry Sky.  Money is power, isn't it, Terry?  We have the money.  You have no power.  I don't know what kind of insane quest you're on, but if I were you, I'd worry about the day you had to deal with us rather than Simply the Best.   You don't realize the favour we're doing you.

    A chant of "Hardknocks" echoed through the crowd.  Unfortunately, Terry Sky took a very hard knock on Saturday, when he was smashed in the face with a steel pipe by Ghost.  There would be no Hardknocks tonight.
    Scorpion continued with his evil tone.

SCORPION:  Jack Slade.

    The crowd again erupted.  Scorpion waited for a second, then continued.

SCORPION:  For a small time thief, you've caused me a lot of problems.  If it weren't for you, I could have turned Mike Haggar into a villain as the World watch and then crushed him before he even realized what was happening.  But you... You cost me that chance.  You've interfered over and over and over.  I didn't come here so some punk from Detroit could bother me.  So, from now on, you'll have a very big problem on your hands.  Skarzz.  Because, right this minute, Skarzz is playing is Wild Card.  And he only has one shot on it.  The World Heavyweight Title.  I know you're in a hospital bed in Phoenix, so it won't be tonight.  We've picked a bigger stage.  At The Journey in March, you'll defend that World Title against Skarzz.  Make your peace now.

    Skarzz against Jack Slade at The Journey?  What a match!  Scorp wasn't concerned with patting himself on the back, though.  He had one more man to go.

SCORPION:  Mike Haggar.

    The crowd again burst into cheers, as if to spite Scorpion.  They knew he hated Haggar, whatever the reason.  They were trying to get under his skin.
    For the first time, Scorpion's voice seemed to perk up with rage.

SCORPION:  Mike Haggar.  I'm going to make this simple for you.  I have a plan.  I'm here to destroy you, and I've planned that destruction down to every last detail.  Everybody has something inside them that can be manipulated.  Even you, mighty mayor.  I will take everything that's dear to you.  I will humble you in front of the entire World.  And then, as you're crippled on the mat, at your lowest point ever, I will rip out the darkest parts of your soul for everybody to see.  I don't plan on being here long, Mike.  My plan is just that good.  So come back soon, Mike Haggar.  Fight me, like you always have.  Return and let the very divinity of Hell itself destroy you.  There's only one way this will play out, Mike.  My way.  Whether you like it or not.  The first time, I let you go.  The second time, I overestimated my partner and underestimated you.  Now, you have no allies, no friends, nothing left.  In other words, you have no chance.  So come back soon, Mike.  Come back and be DESTROYED!!!

    With that, Major Force's music started up again.  Scorpion and Saul Masters led the troops away.  A psychologically beaten Jack McCullough stood in the ring and watched his corrupters leave.
    Scorpion is here and he means business.

    We do have an excellent show for you tonight, and it's bound to get even hotter than it is now.
    Kodiak Marmoset will defend his TV Title against "Big Oz" Grant Redstone.
    Andrew Marshall, fresh off his brutalization of his former Steelworks partner, Rod Emerson, is here to take down Teknos.
    We have been informed that NightClaw, who made his stunning return on Saturday, will be here tonight to shed some more light on the Baki Mono situation.
    Simply the Best is here.  Even Cody and Grayson.
    And, in a rematch of sorts from the weekend, Biff Slamkovich has signed to once again take on the censored Chad Hillsman.  We saw a different, fiercer Biff Slamkovich on Saturday, a Biff Slamkovich that succeeded in breaking Doomsday's hand.  Chad Hillsman could be in trouble.
    Nick Jones was backstage.

JONES:  Fans, you saw it just seconds ago.  Jack McCullough seems to have been corrupted by Major Force.  Well, our questions are not going to go unanswered, because I will have an interview with our SMWA Commissioner when we return.

    We went to a series of commercials.  Then, Jones was backstage with McCullough.

JONES:  Welcome back to Massacre, fans.  I'm here with SMWA Commissioner Jack McCullough, and Commissioner, I've got to ask you, why?  Why did you lift the ban on Scorpion?

MCCULLOUGH:  I'm here to talk about the Tag Team Titles.

JONES:  Look, sir, a lot of people are going to think you've sold out.  Saul Masters called you his Sixth Member, for God's sake!  Is it true.

MCCULLOUGH:  I'm here to talk about the Tag Team Titles, Jones.  Not Major Force.

JONES:  But...

MCCULLOUGH:  As of last night, the SMWA World Tag Team Titles were vacated as a result of Secrets on Saturday.  As a result, there will be a Tag Team Tournament to crown new Champions.  The first match is tonight.  Overcompensators Anonymous.... against.... against...  against Simply the Best members Ron Grayson and Cody Simmons.

JONES:  What?  But they were beating each other to death on Saturday night!!!  Now you're forcing them to team up?

MCCULLOUGH:  I'M not forcing anybody, Jones.

JONES:  So Major Force wants this match?

MCCULLOUGH:  I've said my piece.

    With that, a visibly angry Jack McCullough left Jones in the back.
    Jack McCullough just made a match teaming two men who were trying to beat the crap out of each other on Saturday night.  Ron Grayson and Cody Simmons aren't going to get along.
    Either Jack McCullough isn't thinking straight... or somebody else is thinking for him.
    Either way, we had a match we needed to get to.

    Kodiak was knocked loopy by the Flying Scotsman on Saturday, but he still managed to come away with a victory in the TV Title match after that encounter.  But no matter who he beats, what he does, there's still one chant that follows him around no matter where he goes.
    Loser.
    It was here tonight, too, as Kodiak came to the ring to face the always dangerous Australian, Grant Redstone.  Redstone can beat almost anybody in the SMWA.  He just needs to be having an on night.
    Power vs Speed one more time.  Another chance for Kodiak to prove he's a winner.
    The bell rang...

    Kodiak used his speed to his advantage early on, avoiding Redstone's grip, thus avoiding his suplexes.  Kodiak used a few dropkicks, some ranas and landed a standing moonsault for an early count.  Redstone didn't have any trouble kicking out, though.
    Kodiak continued with his speed until Redstone caught him on a flying clothesline attempt and took him down with a belly-to-belly suplex.  Redstone cranked it into his higher gear, plugging away with his suplex offence until Kodiak was finally able to escape, snagging Redstone in a Victory roll for a close count.
    The rest of the match was fought quite evenly.  Redstone was able to gain control by using his power, but a reversal here or there by Kodiak would always put the ball back in his favour.  Redstone hit a side suplex and followed up with a powerslam.  Kodiak ducked a lariat, hit a spinebuster and dropped an elbow.
    Near the end of the match, Redstone was in control and charged into the corner after Kodiak with a football tackle.  Kodiak moved and Redstone smacked his head on the top turnbuckle.  Kodiak hit a guillotine move, snapping Redstone's neck back.  He then started stomping his foot on the ground.  He was signalling for the finisher.
    The crowd erupted into cheers.  Kodiak stopped.  He seemed to think they were cheering for him.  He turned to the crowd and gave them all a salute.
    Unfortunately for Kodiak, he didn't know Alexander "The Grater" was on his way to the ring!!!
    Kodiak turned his attention back to Redstone, not even realizing that Grater was at ringside.  Saul Masters tried to grab the referee, trying to tell him that Grater was going to get involved.  The ref ended up focusing on Masters.
    Kodiak went for the Finisher again, but Grater grabbed his ankle and Kodiak tripped onto the mat.  Kodiak turned around to confront Grater, but Grater was ready for him.  In his other hand, he had the TV Title Belt!  He smashed Kodiak in the head, and Kodiak stumbled back into the ring.  Grant Redstone, up and well, grabbed Kodiak in a vertical suplex and fell forwards, smashing Kodiak's face into the mat!  Cover!
    1...
        2...
            3!!!

Grant Redstone pinned Kodiak Marmoset after a front-layout suplex in 0:12:42.
Rating: *** 3/4
(Grant Redstone won the SMWA Television Title.)

    New Champion!!!  But Grater wasn't going to let anybody celebrate.  He a mic, tossed it in the ring, then grabbed a chair, chased Redstone from the ring and stood over the fallen Kodiak.  Grater picked up the mic, went down on one knee, stuck the chair in Kodiak's throat and began to press down... hard!!!  Saul Masters tried to get in the ring, but the Grater spoke.

GRATER:  You take one more DAMN STEP and Kodiak aint gonna have a windpipe!  Back up!!!

    Masters backed away.  There were lots of boos as Scorpion appeared at the entrance to the ring.  He, too, had a mic.

SCORPION:  Did you want our attention, Al?

GRATER:  DAMN RIGHT!!!  You think you can get away with what you did on Saturday?  Huh?  You DAMN IDIOT!!!  Tryin' to be - Kodiak, you stop squirmin'.  You keep it up, I'll push harder - Tryin' to be all smart from the shadows, can't face me man to man.   DAMN SCARED!!!  Am I right?

SCORPION:  I don't have the time to listen to some big speech from you, Al.  What do you want?

GRATER:  I want your DAMN MASKED ASS!!!

SCORPION:  Fine.  The Journey good for you?

GRATER:  Huh?

SCORPION:  I just accepted your challenge, Al.  Is that all?

GRATER:  Well...  YOU DAMN BETTER GIVE ME SOMETHING TONIGHT!!!

SCORPION:  Fine.  Put your Title on the line against Ghost.  Can you stop choking Kodiak now?

    Grater looked long and hard at Scorpion.  He violently removed the chair from Kodiak's throat and stood up.  Kodiak began coughing on the mat.

GRATER:  I'm gonna whoop all your DAMN ASSES!!!

SCORPION:  No you won't.

    And with that, Scorpion disappeared into the back.  Grater, a bit dumbfounded as to how the whole situation turned out, left the ring.  Saul Masters entered the ring and tended to the fallen Kodiak, avoiding Grater very carefully.
    So now, we had Grater vs Scorpion signed for The Journey.  Scorp said Grater would be his first target.  After that, it's all Haggar.

    We went backstage, where Gunloc was looking for somebody.  Then he found him.

GUNLOC:  Ah, McCullough.  I was looking for you.

MCCULLOUGH:  Why don't you get out of my face, Gunloc?

GUNLOC:  I've got something I need you to pass for me.

MCCULLOUGH:  What makes you think I'd help you?

    A voice came from off camera.

GHOST:  It may not be your choice, Commissioner.  What did you have in mind, Soldier?

    We took another commercial, and we were back in Major Force's dressing room.  Skarzz was sitting in a corner.  Ghost and Scorpion were conferring, with Jack McCullough there, too.  However, our focus was mostly on Kodiak Marmoset, cursing, coughing and yelling as Saul Masters tried to calm him down.

KODIAK:  *COUGH*  I'm going to *WHEEZ* kill that s-s-son of a BITCH!!!  *COUGH*  Th-*HACK*  My TV Title, Saul.  MINE!!! *COUGH*  Tell him to overturn it!

MASTERS:  Why would you want the TV Title when we can get you something bigger?

KODIAK:  *COUGH*  Wha?

SCORPION:  Suck it up, Kodiak.  Saul, what do you think of the Gunloc proposal?

MASTERS:  Could be useful.

SCORPION:  Absolutely.  What do you think, Commissioner?

    Jack McCullough still didn't look happy.  He responded with just a hint of sarcasm.

MCCULLOUGH:  Gee, I didn't know you cared.

SCORPION:  I don't.  I was just being nice.

    There was a slamming on the dressing room door.

CLARK:  Open this mother...

KENT:  Open the door... NOW!!!

    Saul Masters opened the dressing room door.  On the other side, a very upset Jerry Kent and Rick Clark.

MASTERS:  What now?

CLARK:  Don't what now me.  I've had it with you sons-of-bitches!

KENT:  What's the deal, Masters?  Getting McCullough to put Grayson and Cody together.

MASTERS:  I thought they were a team?

KENT:  Shut up!  Cancel the match, dammit!

SCORPION:  Saul, wasn't part of your bargain that these two had to stay out of our business.

CLARK:  And you had to stay out of ours, you masked freak!

MASTERS:  I suggest you stop talking, Clark.

CLARK:  I suggest you shut up!  I'm sick of being screwed with.

SCORPION:  If you had kept up your end of the bargain, Clark, we wouldn't be "screwing" with you.  If Grayson and Simmons don't want to wrestle, don't have them show up for the match.  Your problems aren't ours.

KENT:  You're doing this because you KNOW they don't get along and because we'll have to deal with it.  Well, Scorp, how are we supposed to stop Terry Sky for you if StB is falling apart?

SCORPION:  Kent, I don't care how.  Just do it.  Consider tonight a reminder.

CLARK:  And if we refuse?

SCORPION:  Trust me, Clark.  Do not refuse.

    There was a staredown between the StB leaders and Major Force.  We broke the tension by going to Nick Jones, who had Andrew Marshall with him.

JONES:  I'm here with "Jackhammer" Andrew Marshall, a man who brutally assaulted...

MARSHALL:  A complete lose!  What are you going to ask me, Jones?  Why?  Because I was sick of being stuck with some dried up eighties throwback for a tag partner, that's why.  I wanted to get ahead, so he had to stay behind.  Steelworks wasn't my idea.  I had something good going before that.  I was a contender.  And I'm going to be one again.  Tonight, I'm going to beat Teknos within an inch of his stupid life and, next week, Emerson, you bring your old butt back and I'll pound you down, too!

    We knew Steelworks were in trouble.  But most folks figured Andrew Marshall and Rod Emerson would at least wait until a loss before breaking up.  Instead, it was at Secrets.  Marshall had obviously planned the break-up for Saturday, and that's when Cody Simmons and Ron Grayson decided to fight each other rather than Steelworks.  So, Marshall went ahead anyway and beat the crap out of Emerson.  Nice guy, that Andrew Marshall.  He got quite a few boos as he made his way to the ring.
    Teknos is definitely a good technical wrestler (pardon the pun) and one of the best flyers around, but he's got to deal with the awesome, explosive strength of one Andrew Marshall.  When Marshall talks about pounding somebody down, he means it.  Those arms of him can do some major damage.
    The bell rang...

    Marshall tried to grab Teknos, but to no avail.  Teknos was too fast and he was able to trip up Marshall repeatedly.  A few monkey flips, spinning headscissors and a Frankensteiner that took Marshall outside, and it began to look like turning on Rod Emerson was a mistake.  However, once outside, Marshall took control, driving Teknos hard into the rail.
    Inside, it was more of the same.  Marshall hooked up Teknos and nailed him with four consecutive belly-to-belly suplexes before going for a pin attempt.  Two count.  Marshall kept up his power, with a double underhook piledriver, a running powerslam and a series of lariats.  Teknos tried to chop his way back, but Marshall merely grabbed him by the legs and nailed him with an inverted atomic drop.  He then ran off the ropes and flattened Teknos with a reverse clothesline.  He went for another cover.  Two count.
    Marshall kept up his onslaught.  At this point, it seemed like he was just toying with Teknos.  He him him with a Jackhammer, but he made a very sloppy cover and Teknos got out.  A German suplex wasn't held very tight.  Marshall looked to be having fun taking Teknos out.
    Teknos finally managed to get the advantage, nailing Marshall with a spinning heel kick before nailing an inverted atomic drop of his own.  A series of dropkicks put Marshall down and Teknos bounced off the ropes.  Marshall side stepped, grabbed the running Teknos and planted him on his knee with a stomach breaker!!!  Marshall then picked a winded Teknos up and placed him on the top turnbuckle.
    Out of desperation, Teknos grabbed Marshall and hit a tornado DDT!!!  Marshall went down and a still hurting Teknos slowly made his way to the top ropes.  He gave the crowd a signal and then went for the Teknostar!!! He hit!!!
    1...
        2...
    NO!!! Kickout!!!
    Teknos ran off the ropes... and right into another inverted atomic drop.  Marshall quickly picked Teknos up and planted him with the De-Facer.  That was it.

Andrew Marshall pinned Teknos with the De-Facer in 0:08:36.
Rating: ** 3/4

    The solo Andrew Marshall was looking good in his first match since the break-up of Steelworks.
    We went backstage to the Simply the Best locker room.  Cody was on one side.  Ron Grayson was on the other.  Jerry Kent and Rick Clark were having fun playing referee.

CLARK:  Guys, these are the World Tag Team Titles.

CODY:  I don't care.

GRAYSON:  Yeah, I'm not teaming with somebody I can't trust.

CODY:  Oh, you're one to talk.

KENT:  Do you realize the piece of trash you two let get between you.

CODY/GRAYSON:  HEY!!!

CLARK:  Please, guys.  She'd do any guy with an insertable extremity.

    Everybody looked a little taken aback by the crudeness of Rick Clarks' comment.

CLARK:  What?   .... Screw you guys, I've had a bad week.

    Coming back from Commercial, we had a SMWA Tag Team Title Tournament Match!  Plus, the brackets have been released!  Here they are!
 

Overcompensators Anonymous Ron Grayson & Cody Simmons The All-Americans The Philadelphia X-Treme Machine Dark Storm Fuerza Dragon Highland Hell The Air Raiders

??? ??? ??? ???

Finals at SMWA's The Journey

    Our first match in the Tournament might be the one that doesn't take place.

    Wally B and The California Kid came out first, acting stupid, the Kid thinking that there was some sort of beach in Denver, with Wally B looking like he was going to hold somebody in the crowd up... while dancing that awful dance.  These two are a couple of characters, all right.  They're a young team that has shown some flashes of *gasp* talent.  And they're up against a team that they could very well beat.
    The StB theme started up.   Out came Ron Grayson and Cody Simmons... with Jerry Kent standing in the middle!  Kent looked none too pleased.  After all, he has a match upcoming with "Jumbo" Jack Flap at some point in time, and he'd probably like to address that.  Instead, he's playing guidance counsellor.
    Going in to the ring, it was Jerry Kent who had the microphone.  Neither Cody or Grayson made a move for it.  They weren't even making eye contact.

KENT:  Okay, boys.  You can't possibly tell me, no matter how much you don't like each other, that you can't beat these two losers.  So, from the Daredevil, the Streetfighting Stud and... well, no, that bitch is gone... this is Jerry Kent wishing good luck, God speed and for God's sakes, guys, at least pretend to be a tag team for a few minutes!!!

    Ron Grayson started the match off for StB against The California Kid.  The Kid was WAY overmatched on this one.  Grayson took him down early with a few suplexes and a spinning leg lariat before climbing to the top rope.  It looked like we were going to see the Shooting Star Legdrop!!!  It looked like StB might just win this thing!
    There were a series of catcalls and dirty words coming from the aisle... MONICA WAS HERE!!! The woman that drove the wedge between Ron Grayson and Cody Simmons was standing in the aisle, eyeing both of her "men".
    Grayson climbed down from the top turnbuckle and tried to get outside.  Cody saw that happening and punched Grayson hard in the jaw!  Grayson staggered back and into a cradle from the Kid!!!
    1...
        2...
            NO!!! Kickout!!! The Kid took Grayson down with a dropkick and made the tag.
    In the meantime, Cody Simmons had jumped off the apron and was approaching Monica.  Jerry Kent grabbed him, trying to keep him focused on the match.  Cody would have none of it.  Monica was enjoying every minute of this thing.  She practically begged Cody to go after her, and he almost did.  Kent wouldn't let him, though, and those two started arguing.  Monica approached the duo.
    Back in the ring, the Kid had just nailed Grayson with a reverse hurricanrana from the top rope and Wally B followed up with a flying elbowdrop.  O.A. were doing a great job on Grayson and it looked like they could take this thing.
    Monica tried to get between Jerry Kent and Cody, and that's when Jerry Kent went off.  "Get away from us you slut!" were his exact words.  Cody didn't like the idea  of Monica being called a slut, and he started arguing the point with Kent.  Monica grabbed Cody's arm and started stroking it.  Kent grabbed her and told her to back off, that she had no business here.
    Meanwhile, the Kid had Ron Grayson in a catapult move.  He shot him up to his feet and Wally B came off the top rope with the Flyin' Fly Guy.  He went for the pin.
    1...
        2...
            3!!!  WTF!?!?!?

SMWA Tag Team Title Tournament Quarterfinal
Overcompensators Anonymous defeated Simply the Best (Cody Simmons and Ron Grayson) when B pinned Grayson with the Flyin' Fly Guy in 0:05:15.
Rating: **

    The Overcompensators had just defeated Simply the Best!!!   Wally B and The California Kid were ecstatic in the ring.  Those two were dancing up a storm!
    Jerry Kent heard the official announcement and his head nearly popped off.  He looked at the ring, saw a victorious Kid and Wally, and Jerry Kent snapped.  He charged the ring and attacked both men, who weren't quite ready to deal with an angry Rebel.
    Ron Grayson had rolled out of the ring and saw Cody and Monica making moves on each other.  He lost it, ran over to Cody and tackled him to the ground.  Those two started trading hard punches on the ground!
    Rick Clark ran out from the back while Jerry Kent left the ring.  Kent grabbed Cody, Clark got a hold of Grayson and they did their best to hold them back.  Unfortunately, for Kent and Clark, Monica was  right in the middle.  Cody and Grayson were hard to hold.
    Quite literally, Monica had come between Ron Grayson and Cody Simmons again.  Only this time in a... positive way?  No.  Probably not.

    Backstage, our cameras caught Ghost talking to Gunloc.

GHOST:  The rules, soldier, are that you don't leak the word.  We'll be the ones to let everybody know.

GUNLOC:  But it's all official?

GHOST:  Yes.

GUNLOC:  Great.  I owe you guys.

    Gunloc offered his hand.  Ghost refused, and Gunloc left.  Ghost watched the happy Gunloc walk off, and it looked like he was actually cracking some kind of smile.

GHOST:  Yes.  You will.

    We went to a commercial.  When we came back, a camera was backstage, focused on the StB dressing room.  We couldn't see inside, but we could definitely hear the yelling.  StB is having problems.
    Ringside, the lights in the arena went dark.  Suddenly, without warning, the four ringposts spewed a blue fire!  And NightClaw was standing in the ring!  He had saved Oni from a beating by the Baki Mono at Secrets, and numerous times before.  But why?  Last time we saw Oni and NightClaw before Secrets, Oni had left NightClaw lying in a bloody heap in the ring after a vicious attack with a quarterstaff.  Why was NightClaw helping Oni?
    With any luck, we'd get an explanation.

NIGHTCLAW:  I have not returned.  Truthfully, I have never been here before.

    What?

NIGHTCLAW:  Many of you may remember the NightClaw from a few years past.  He was not the first.  The NightClaw legacy has run for a thousand years, with a new man taking a hold of the power each generation.  The old NightClaw, who Oni left for dead in a ring such as this one... was my mentor.  The legacy of the NightClaw is simple - to find those most worthy of combat and to defeat them.  This isn't why I've been called.  Oni, I've been called by the same defender who called you.  We have the same goals.  The destruction of the Baki Mono.  With that in mind, at this moment, I challenge Teioh!

    Teioh!  The man who started it all for the Baki Mono!  NightClaw... or is it NightClaw II?... is going to work with Oni, the same man who nearly crippled his mentor.
    The lights went dark.  Teioh and Zists came out.  We had a match!!!

NightClaw II
vs
Teioh w/ Zists

    Teioh got into the ring and the fight quickly got underway.  We knew what we could expect from Teioh.  NightClaw, on the other hand, is a new commodity.  He'd have a different set of rules than the original.
    NightClaw took a few of Teioh's stiff chops before managing to block one.  He then connected with an elbow to Teioh's arm before nailing him with a back fist.  NightClaw then nailed Teioh with several kicks to the midsection.  Teioh blocked one but NightClaw was quick to respond with an enzuigiri.  Teioh was getting worked over hard.
    NightClaw went for a power bomb, but Teioh had some tricks left.  He managed to reverse the move into a Frankensteiner.  Teioh kicked NightClaw in the ribs a few times before picking him up and hitting an atomic drop, followed by a dropkick to the back.  NightClaw bounced off the ropes and ducked a high kick by Teioh.  On the rebound, he nailed Teioh with a Frankensteiner!  Teioh got up and was nailed with a big thrust kick.  NightClaw then hooked Teioh's arms and hooked him up for the Tiger Suplex!
    And Zists runs into the ring!!!  He nailed Teioh in the back with the shadow staff!  DQ!

NightClaw defeated Teioh by disqualification in 0:02:06.
Rating: 3/4*

    Quickly, the rest of the Baki Mono came down to the ring.  Before they could get there, though, the lights in the arena went out.  There was a blinding flash of light, and Oni was in the ring!!!  He attacked Teioh and Zists, knocking them from the ring, and then the lights went out again.  Another blinding flash, the lights then came up.
    The Baki Mono stood alone.
    Oni had just repaid NightClaw for previous saves.  Now, it's two men against a veritable army.  Should be an interesting war.
    The defender?  By all accounts, we're getting closer.

    Backstage, Chad Hillsman was talking to one of our tech guys.

HILLSMAN:  Does this microphone work?

TECH GUY:  Yes sir, but I can't let you use it.

HILLSMAN:  Try and stop me.

    Hillsman took the mic and left!  Chad Hillsman, who is still supposed to be censored, made his way to the ring with a microphone in hand!  And we were going to commercials!