They say you can never go home again.  Well, if your name is Jack Slade, that's damn false.  We're in the Cruncher's hometown, Detroit, Michigan, for a huge instalment of Monday Night Massacre.
    Mike Haggar has promised us a statement concerning the last two weeks.  At first, he admitted to the Scorpion's claims of being a murderer.  After last week, with Cody Simmons taking the blame, will he renege?
    After his siege on the Cruiserweights on Saturday Night Slam Masters, Paul Milo will be fighting in a Four Way Crash against Ultimate Spider, Lantern and the man whose bear he stole, Rokuru.
    West Bronco offered NightClaw II a rematch after Saturday Night Slam Masters.  NightClaw will get a second shot at the North American Title, but one has to wonder what role the Baki Mono and Deadline's force will play.
    We'll also see several huge matches between the participants in this Saturday's Four Way War match.  Doomsday will get his rematch from The Journey, facing off against Biff Slamkovich.  Terry Sky, grudging servant to Simply the Best, takes on Gunloc of the All-Americans.  A four way battle royal will be held between The Flying Scotsman, King Rasta, Chad Hillsman and Ron Grayson, with the winner getting a shot against TV Champ "Jackhammer" Andrew Marshall soon thereafter.  And, in a rematch from SMWA Heatwave last summer, The Siberian Bear Crusher, Zangief, will face off against "Tricky" Rick Clark of StB.
    All that, plus Counterstrike, Cody Simmons and Major Force are all in the building.  With Showdown just six days away, this is going to get crazy.

    Something was going on in the back.  Our cameras caught Biff Slamkovich being tossed into a nearby soda machine by Doomsday.  The Green Monster was devastating his opponent this evening before their match even began!  In the background, we could see the All-Americans brawling with King Rasta and Zangief.  These six will meet at Showdown in that Four Way War match, but still, nothing wrong with kicking the crap out of each other earlier.
    Gunloc and Hillsman had Rasta and Zangief sufficiently busy.  Doomsday grabbed Biff by the hair and tossed him through a set of curtains.  The next shot we saw was Biff rolling on to our stage underneath the SlamVision screen!  Doomsday kicked Biff right in the ribs, the force of the blow rolling Slamkovich down the ramp.  Doomsday followed Biff down and tossed him into the ring.  The bell rang and our first match was underway!

    Doomsday picked Biff up and placed him in the corner.  He smashed Biff with a series of elbows to the side of the head and then backed off.  A big avalanche squashed Biff in the corner.  Doomsday then lifted the Soviet Slam Master up onto the top turnbuckle and wrapped a hand around his throat.  DEATH FROM ABOVE!!!  Doomsday went for a cover.
    1...
        2...
            NO!!!  Kickout!!!  Slamkovich still had plenty left in him, but did he have enough to survive Doomsday's onslaught?  The Big Green picked Biff up and dropped him with a front powerslam.  He then dropped a series of spinning elbowdrops on Biff and went for another cover.  Again, only two.  Doomsday didn't let up, though.  He continued to mercilessly pound and slam Biff all over the mat.  Something had to be done.
    The crowd burst into cheers as Zangief began walking towards the ring.  Quickly, he was tackled by Chad Hillsman, who ran out from the back.  Gunloc and Rasta then made their way into the arena, still brawling all the way.
    Doomsday tossed Biff into the corner once more and went for another avalanche.  Slamkovich got a boot up, staggering Doomsday for a second.  Biff went for a lariat, but Doomsday picked him up for a Gorilla Press.  Biff managed to escape and slide down Doomsday's back for a sunset flip.  Doomsday blocked it and went for a sitdown, but Biff rolled out of the way.  Doomsday hit the mat and, before he could get up, Biff stomped on that injured hand, the one Slamkovich broke all the way back at The Journey.  Doomsday winced in pain, and Biff had a few moments on the offensive.  Using speed and skills, Biff kept on Doomsday's hand while constantly pounding him with an aerial attack.  A leg lariat sent Doomsday outside, at which point Slamkovich flew out with a lariat through the ropes.
    The brawl between Hillsman and Zangief was getting closer to the ring, as was Gunloc vs Rasta.  Biff tossed Doomsday into the steel steps and then saw Hillsman with his back turned.  He nailed Chad with a dropkick, sending him into a thunderous Soviet suplex from Zangief.  Doomsday, in the meantime, had recovered from his meeting with the steel and he walloped Biff with a lariat to the back of the head.  Zangief saw what was happening, but before he could get to Doomsday, Biff had been tossed into the ring where the carnage continued.
    Doomsday dropped Slamkovich with a spinning power bomb and then climbed to the second ropes.  A massive flying elbow was planted across Biff's chest, and that was the beginning of the end.  As the brawl continued outside, Doomsday lifted Slamkovich up and dropped him with the Armageddon!!!  A pinfall was a foregone conclusion at that point.

Doomsday pinned Biff Slamkovich with the Armageddon in 0:05:03.
Rating: *** 1/2

    Zangief tossed Chad Hillsman into the ringposts and then charged into the ring to assist his fallen comrade.  Doomsday and Zangief exchanged some massive punches before Zangief knocked him to the outside with a lariat.
    Gunloc had gained an advantage on Rasta, repeatedly smashing his head into the steel guardrail.  The crowd popped once more as help came Rasta's way...  BOBBY THE MONKEY!!!
    Chad Hillsman ran into the ring and started brawling with Zangief once more, Doomsday was getting up on the outside after Zangief's massive lariat.
    Gunloc hit Rasta with a super kick, but then he found somebody tugging at his hair.  Bobby had climbed up and was attacking Gunloc!  Gunloc tried to get the monkey off his back, but as we all know, that's not an easy thing to do.  Rasta took advantage of the distraction and hoofed Gunloc south of the equator.  Gunloc fell back... and so did Bobby!!!
    Bobby slowly got off the ground, rubbing his head.  Rasta bent down to check on his friend, but was then clobbered from behind by Doomsday!  Bobby looked up and saw a wall of green!  The little guy ran as fast as he could, but he couldn't run fast enough.  Doomsday had him!
    The Green Monster picked Bobby up in one hand and started carrying him to the back.  Bobby was howling and screaming, trying to get free.  He grabbed the first thing he could, Doomsday's mask, and began to pull.  There was a rip, and a corner of Doomsday's hood came off!  Doomsday, realizing what had happened, dropped Bobby and covered his face!  Bobby once again hit the ground hard, but he was okay.  Doomsday, on the other hand, seemed quite worried at what had happened.  He got to the back as quick as he could go.
    In the meantime, Chad Hillsman and Zangief were still kicking the crap out of each other in the ring, while Gunloc and Biff Slamkovich renewed their age-old hostilities outside.  Fleets of security personnel ran to the ring to break the brawls up.
    In the meantime, King Rasta had picked Bobby up and was walking towards the back.  Bobby was pointing frantically at the piece of green cloth he had ripped from Doomsday's face.  Rasta grabbed the cloth, looked at it, and then held it up as a trophy for all to see.  The duo made their way to the back as the brawl was broken up in the ring.

    Backstage, we saw Mike and Jessica Haggar arriving in the arena.  After these past few hellacious weeks, you could be absolutely sure they'd have something important to say... NEXT!

    In the back, we saw King Rasta standing outside of a washroom stall.  Inside, we could hear some squeaking.

RASTA:  Damn, Bobby, mon, hurry up!

    Bobby the Monkey walked out from underneath the stall door.  The green piece of material that he had ripped off of Doomsday was being worn as a bandana!  Rasta looked at his friend and started laughing his head off!

RASTA:  Dat's good, mon!  You keep dat!  Ha!

    Ladies and Gentlemen, Mike Haggar has entered the arena!
    A sold out Joe Louis crowd went nuts as the Icon of the SMWA made his way, his lovely daughter Jessica at his side.  The past few weeks have been hell for the Haggars.  After Scorpion nearly crippled Haggar's Counterstrike partner Johnny Proton, he promised a big revelation.  Two weeks ago, The Scorpion came out and dropped the bomb.  He was the son of a New York City crime lord that Mike Haggar "killed" during his reign as mayor.  Haggar confessed and soon found himself battered by Scorpion.  To his aid came Cody Simmons, his old friend from New York, who showed everybody the truth.  Mike Haggar had covered this entire thing to protect Cody, who took responsibility for the death.
    This didn't sit well with Scorpion.  His whole life having been spent chasing down Haggar, he believed Cody to be a liar.  Scorpion couldn't accept that, after all these years, he might be wrong.  That night, a plan was hatched to separate Counterstrike from Scorpion's destruction of Cody.  A plan foiled by the efforts of Jessica Haggar and her father.  Mike Haggar and Cody reconciled, but that didn't sit well with more than a few people.  In fact, by their actions alone, we could tell Jack Slade and Alexander "The Grater" weren't looking forward to that reunion.
    The weight of the world had to be on Haggar's shoulders.  Hopefully, as he walked into the ring with microphone in hand, he'd be able to relieve a little of that weight tonight.

HAGGAR:  I know everybody here has been fed a lot of information recently, about what I've done or what people think I've done.  I'm going to set the record straight once and for all.  First of all, Scorpion's claim.  Marc Belger, son of the New York crime lord.  You know what, Scorp?  It makes perfect sense to me, and if that's who you are, then I'm sorry, but your dad brought his fate on himself, and that's the end of that.  But even though your dad was in charge of his own demise, one guy pulled the trigger, and it wasn't me.  That man was Cody Simmons.

    The crowd burst into cheers for their new-found hero, Cody.  Haggar gave them a few seconds to calm down, and then continued.

HAGGAR:  I do know that Cody and Jess had feelings for each other way back then.  It was more than feelings, too.  Belger's death...  We all knew the risks.  It was a vigilante operation, and there I was, mayor of New York City, acting above the law.  To this day, I'll say that the means justified the end, but I'll never be proud of it.  Still, once it all went down, I had two choices.  I could let Cody take the blame and ruin the lives of two kids, or I could find another fall guy...  myself.  We all know what I did, we all know who took the blame, and we all know who Scorpion blames.  You know what, Scorpion?  Don't blame me.  Don't blame Cody, or Jessica, or anybody else.  If there's one man to blame for what happened in New York, it was your dad, a man who stole, lied, murdered and did everything else to advance himself at the expense of others.  Frankly, I find it damn sad that you're trying to avenge a man who never caused anything but pain.  And you're so damn obsessed that you won't even begin to shift the blame.  I'm your man.  I'm your scapegoat.  I don't care.  You know what, though?  I'll deal with you later.  Right now, there's somebody else I need to deal with.  Cody, we know you're here, so get out here, because I have something to say.

    The crowd started buzzing once more, waiting for Cody to come out.  Haggar had just lambasted Scorpion, but to the shock of everybody, Scorp hadn't come out just yet.  It was Cody's turn.

    StB is no longer at his side.  He's made enemies of the most dangerous force ever assembled in the SMWA.  He's a man looking for forgiveness.  On the last one, maybe Mike and Jessica Haggar could offer Cody Simmons some help.
    Joe Louis soon broke into a chant of "Cody" as Simmons made his way to the ring.  Two weeks, an asshole no more.  Simmons wore an expectant face.  He didn't know what to expect once he got into that ring.  All he knew was that it would have a big impact on his life.
    Cody climbed through the ropes and stood across the ring from his long-time friend.  Mike Haggar took a breath and then let the world know what was going on.

HAGGAR:  Cody...  You've caused me a lot of pain.  You and I both know that I didn't have to do what I did.  I could have thrown you to the wolves, Cody, and gone on to have a perfectly normal life.  There's only one reason I didn't, and that was Jessica.  I saw something in you back in New York, Cody.  I saw a fine young man who my daughter loved, and that was important to the both of us.  I took a big fall for you, Cody.  I stepped down as the Mayor of New York so you could have a normal life with Jessica.  So what did you do?  You ran away.  I gave up my life for you and my daughter, and you ran away.

    Mike Haggar's voice was getting very harsh at this point.  Cody was having trouble keeping eye contact with Haggar, but he was still listening.  He didn't protest.  This was something he had coming to him for a while.

HAGGAR:  I had every reason to turn you in, Cody.  Every reason in the world.  I gave up my life so you could have yours, and you kick me in the face by running off.  But I held out hope.  I held out hope that, maybe someday, you'd come back, and maybe you'd set things right.  Well, Cody, you came back alright.  When you showed up last summer, you didn't cause anything but pain to a whole lot of people.  I thought maybe, just maybe, the young guy from New York would show up and apologize, that he'd fess up to me at least.  But no.  What did you do, Cody?  You went after my daughter again, only this time you had no right.  You weren't who you were, and she had moved past you.  You come back and, this time, it was almost like you were trying to wreck our lives.  If there was ever a time I could have let the world know what happened, it was then.

    There was another angry pause.  Mike Haggar was letting it all boil to the surface here.  All of Cody's past transgressions were being put forward.  What now, though?

HAGGAR:  You know why I didn't, Cody?  Two reasons.  One, I've always been a guy to own up to what I've done.  When I took the fall, that was it.  That was all.  I would have spent the rest of my life like that, because it was my decision.  I give my word, I stick to it.  I make a mistake, I don't run away.

    Haggar was noticeably angered.  This was seeming less and less like a happy reunion and more and more like a talking down.  After last week's handshake, this was strange indeed.

HAGGAR:  There was another reason though.  I kept hoping that, somewhere, that young man I once knew hadn't been destroyed.  I didn't want you to own up, Cody, because I took that fall a long time ago and didn't need it re-entering my life.  All I wanted you to do is to be a man.  Last week, I finally saw that.  You've caused a lot of hurt, Cody.  When I shook your hand last week, I still wasn't sure whose hand I was shaking.  I'm still not sure.  But you've gone and stepped into my war, kid.  Truth is, if you hadn't stepped forward, I still would have kept my mouth shut.  But if you hadn't stepped forward, I probably wouldn't be standing here right now.  So what I'm saying, Cody, is that I still don't know if I can trust you like I did before, but I think I can trust you to fight on my side.  So if you're willing to prove that to me, you can fight with the Counterstrike.

    Mike Haggar was welcoming Cody back!  The alliance had become official!  Haggar and Simmons, together again after all these years!!!

    Oh boy.
    Jack Slade, wearing sunglasses, scheduled to have his orbital socket operated on next Tuesday and sporting his cracked forearm, and Alexander "The Grater", ribs still heavily taped up, made their way to the ring.  The hometown crowd was blowing the roof off for the Cruncher, but Slade looked anything but happy.  The disapproving look he had on his face last week carried right over to his entrance.  Grater, as usual, looked pissed.
    Grater got into the ring first after snatching the microphone from our ring announcer.  Jack Slade was close behind.

GRATER:  There aint no damn way in Hell I'm lettin' some damn murderin', lyin' son-of-a-bitch in Counterstrike, Mike!  You bring that jackass in, I'm out!  YOU GOT THAT!!!

    Slade went to Grater and grabbed the microphone.  Grater wouldn't let go.

SLADE:  Let me handle it, Al.

GRATER:  Get yer damn hands off the mic 'fore I crack your damn skull open again, Slade.

SLADE:  Trust me, okay.  I'll handle it.

    Grater took a second, and then he let go.  Slade had the mic, and he was going to use it.

SLADE:  I've got a whole city that'll back me up on this one, Mike.  This is wrong, wrong, wrong!  After years of being a runaway and months of being an asshole, you're willing to let this guy back?  You're willing to forgive him?  Do you even remember what happened last fall?  Do you, Mike?  Our friendship going to Hell can be directly linked to this moron sticking his ugly face back into our business!  Dammit, Jess, if this guy had never showed up, we'd probably be together right now still!  And you two are willing to just shove this under the rug?

CODY:  Okay, that's enough, Slade.

    Cody broke right in on Slade.  This was going to get hot.

CODY:  Look, I'm not proud of what I've done in the past, and I don't need to be reminded of it, because I have to face up to it every time I look in the mirror.  I've apologized to Mike, I've apologized to Jess, so I guess it's your turn.  I'm sorry for every....

SLADE:  Oh, I'm sorry, I'm sorry.  Gee, Cody, that just makes it all better, doesn't it?  Here that, Al?  Cody's sorry.  Everything's coming up frickin' roses!  You think sorry erases anything, Cody?  You think sorry makes it all better?  Mike, I don't know what kind of snow job this guy's pulled on you, and I sure don't know what the Hell you're thinking, Jess, but...

JESSICA:  Jack, shut up!!!

    Whoa!  So much for Jess sitting by and keeping silent.

JESSICA:  You know, you're trying to act like the good guy, here, but if I remember, you broke up with me because you didn't want to have to deal with our "shadow", wasn't that right?  How is that any different than what Cody did?  Huh, Jack?

SLADE:  It's different, Jess...  It's...

JESSICA:  Yeah, real different.  Both of you guys ran off because you couldn't deal with what my dad did for both of you.  Cody couldn't deal with my dad bailing him out of the biggest jam of his life.  You, Jack?  You couldn't deal with the fact that, if it weren't for my dad, you probably wouldn't be where you are today.

SLADE:  Hey...

JESSICA:  You know it as well as I do, Jack.  We helped build you, and when it got too hot, you ran off on some... some macho ego trip.  At least Cody had the guts to apologize for what he did.  You're being a petty kid about this whole thing and you know it.

SLADE:  Petty?  You're calling what we had petty?

JESSICA:  No, what we had was better than you could ever realize, Jack.  Cody was scared off.  You left because your ego couldn't handle sticking around.

SLADE:  You are being such a bitch right now.

    The next thing we heard was a massive smack as Mike Haggar slugged Jack Slade right in the face!  Slade staggered back to the ropes.  He made a move for Haggar... but Jessica stood right in his way.
    The mic was on the ground.  Grater picked it up and you could bet he wasn't going to use it to play peacekeeper.

GRATER:  Damn if he aint right, Mike!

HAGGAR:  Oh, shut up, Al.  You've lied, cheated and backstabbed more than anybody in this sport, so where do you get off?

GRATER:  I damn well never tossed anybody out of a damn building!  I aint never killed nobody!  I've done some damn bad stuff, but nothin' that bad!

CODY:  Hey, you got a problem with me, you tell me, Grater.

GRATER:  Okay, I got a problem with all three of yer damn stupid asses.

JESSICA:  So why don't you just swear some more about it?

GRATER:  Shut the Hell up...

HAGGAR:  Back off, Grater...

    And as Counterstrike is once more on the verge of crumbling, Major Force rear their head.
    The entire Major Force crew stepped into the arena, Commissioner McCullough included.  Scorpion and Saul Masters headed them up, Master with the mic first.

MASTERS:  The house of cards slowly topples to the ground.  Look at you four.  Pathetic.  Look at us.  You think you four have any chance in Hell?  What do you think, Marc?

    Saul Masters handed the mic off to Marc Belger, the Scorpion.  Detroit burst into a chorus of boos as the masked man lifted the mic to his mouth.

SCORPION:  You've picked one Hell of a crew, Mike.  This is going to be easier than I ever thought.  I mean, look at all of you.  Mike, you and Cody don't trust each other.  I know Grater and Slade don't trust each other.  You try to bring Cody in as a fourth member?  Good plan.  I can tell already that he's loved by all.  Four men, eager to fight.  And then there's us.  Waiting for Saturday, for all eight of us to step into the ring in Toronto.  Then again, with things as they are right now, why wait?  I've been talking to our esteemed Commissioner, and it seems as if he's set up a little match.  Showdown's been pushed forward, Haggar.  All eight of us, one ring.  But not in two teams.  No.  Four teams.  We'll split ourselves up in twos.  It'll be interesting to see which combinations you come up with, won't it?

    A Four Way Crash tonight!  With Major Force and Counterstrike as participants!  Wow!
    Jack Slade shot right back at Scorpion, effectively playing into his hands.

SLADE:  Well, I guess me and Al will see you later tonight.

HAGGAR:  Dammit, Jack...

SLADE:  Don't say it, Mike.  I've beat sense into your head before, so maybe I can do it tonight when it comes to this idiot.

HAGGAR:  It's exactly what he wants.

SLADE:  Funny, it's what I want, too.

SCORPION:  Then I'm happy I can oblige, Jack.  We'll see you tonight.

    Major Force began moving towards the back.  Their music started up.  Jessica Haggar wasn't going to let them go.

JESSICA:  You stop right there you twisted son-of-a-bitch!

    Jessica's voice caught Scorpion's attention.  The masked man turned around, but he ordered the rest of Major Force to keep going to the back.

SCORPION:  Jessica.

JESSICA:  You know, I always hear you talking about being "the Divinity of Hell".  You like your old texts, Belger?  I've always prefered the one about the Sins of the father being repaid through the son.  I know exactly what you're doing, and it's not going to work.  God help me, if I have to get into that ring myself on Saturday, we'll be at four strong, I swear it.

SCORPION:  You want to talk about the sins of the father?  What about yours?  Trust me, Jessica, I know all about the sins of your father.  And trust me.  The debt he owes to my family will be repayed in the blood of your team right there.  See you tonight...  Jessie.

    Major Force's music kicked back up and Scorpion walked on back.  Jessica Haggar turned around to see a ring sharply divided, Alexander "The Grater" and Jack Slade on one side, Cody Simmons and her father on the other.  Jessica stood right in the middle, keeping both sides from fighting.  She knows what has to be done, and this isn't it.
    Backstage, we saw Paul Milo gearing up for his four-corners Cruiserweight match.

    We went backstage once more, where intrepid SMWA reporter Nick Jones was waiting with Alexander "The Grater".

JONES:  Grater, the challenge has been laid down, and by the signs of it, accepted.  You and Jack Slade teaming up in a Four Way Crash against the other members of Counterstrike and Major Force.  However, I have a question which needs an answer.  What is your problem with Cody Simmons?

GRATER:  What the damn Hell do you mean?

JONES:  Well, I mean you just seem like the last guy who'd have moral issues...

GRATER:  Dammit, Jones, shut up!  I'll admit, I aint got many moral hang-ups, but I got some, and killin's one of 'em.  Scorp's damn dad was in a wheelchair, and while I don't feel sorry for the guy, ya don't toss a guy in a wheelchair out a damn window.  That's worse than anything I've ever done, and I aint gonna be a part of that.  Counterstrike aint worth it if I gotta get in some damn family blood feud.  That answer yer damn question, Jones?

    Grater walked right off before Jones could reply.  However, oddly enough, three men walked right by Jones at the same time as Grater was leaving.  Ultimate Spider, Lantern and Rokuru... walking to the ring together?  They had a match against each other next, with Paul Milo in there and...
    Oh.  Well, then.

    It's absolutely amazing how one man has managed to unite a division.
    Paul Milo has been on a personal vendetta over the past few weeks, stealing Rokuru's prized Teddy Bear and assaulting any and all silly cruiserweights.  The problem?  Milo is just one man against a legion of Cruiserweights.  And hate can be a powerful bonding force.
    Ultimate Spider, Lantern and Rokuru walked to the ring together, stepped through the ropes and shook each others hands.  The bell rang.  The match started.  Simple as that.
    Our camera went to the back, and we saw Paul Milo lying unconscious on the floor!
    Looks like it's just a triangle match now.

    These three Cruisers took their time getting this thing going.  Any mistake early can cost a man in a match like this.  Eventually, Rokuru and Spider began to form somewhat of a team, double teaming Lantern.  Rokuru stuck to the mat while Spider would hit the occasional flying move.  After beating on Lantern a while, Rokuru went to put him away with a Fisherman's suplex.  Spider broke the count with a senton, sparking a fight between Rokuru and Spider.  Lantern broke into the fray, hitting Spider in the back of the head with a superkick, sending him outside.
    Lantern and Rokuru, old rivals, put together a little bit of the old magic with Lantern dominating most of the fray.  After stringing together a series of good takedowns, Lantern floored Rokuru with a spin kick.  A springboard rana nearly resulted in a three, as did a vicious jumping neck snap.  Lantern was in firm control, and after dropping Roku with a bodyslam, he made his way to the top.  However, Spider was up off the floor and on that top turnbuckle.  A massive missile dropkick put Lantern down.  Spider and Rokuru then began fighting in the middle of the ring, with Rokuru getting the edge after ducking a flying forearm and flattening Spider with a Yakuza kick!
    Roku tossed Lantern back to the outside and focused his assault on Spider.  The Teddy Bear of Destruction dipped into his high-impact moves, stringing in a few higher-risk moves.  He dropped Spider with a backdrop driver and then nearly got the duke with a springboard splash!  Spider was then put in the corner and Rokuru hit him with a series of kicks to the midsection.  From behind came Lantern, who clobbered Rokuru with a forearm to the back of the head.
    What followed was a three way trading of moves that was remarkably hard to keep up with.  Lantern took Rokuru down with a back suplex, but was then nailed by a dropkick from Spider, who Rokuru then took down with a drop toehold, locking on an anklelock immediately after.  Lantern broke the hold with a kick to the face.  He picked Rokuru up for a power bomb and dropped him onto Spider!  The action was getting heated.  In a beautiful spot, Lantern tossed Rokuru over the top ropes, but Rokuru held on and stood up on the apron.  Spider then came up from behind Lantern and hit a bulldog, kicking Rokuru off the apron in the process.  Spider then jumped onto Rokuru with a Flying Tarantula!  Both men were down, and Lantern took his shot.  He went for a plancha, hitting both men!  He then went under the ring and grabbed a table!
    Lantern placed Spider on the table and then grabbed at Rokuru.  Rokuru nailed a Hotshot on the steel guardrail, stunning Lantern.  Rokuru put Lantern on the table, on top of Spider, and then climbed onto the apron.  Taking a running start, he hit a running sitdown splash onto both men, sending everybody through the table!
    Unfortunately for Rokuru, his ankle twisted badly on the landing, and he was down in a lot of pain.  Spider and Lantern were winded.  The referee had no other option but to count to ten.

Triangle Match:
Ultimate Spider and Lantern and Rokuru battled to a triple countout in 0:09:39.
Rating: **

    The Cruisers had put a lot of effort into working together to take out Milo.  Seems only fair they should all share the victory... or loss.
    Joe Louis exploded into boos as the man the Cruisers had taken out minutes ago, The Legacy, Paul Milo, made his way down the to the ring, looking none too happy.  He was holding something, what appeared to be a steel pipe, and it looked like he had every intention of using it.  He approached the three downed Cruiserweights and walked right past Lantern and Spider, who were both still out.  Rokuru, on the other hand, was starting to get up.  A scowl crossed Paul Milo's face, and he took aim, blasing Rokuru in the back of the leg.  The Teddy Bear of Destruction fell in obvious pain.  Milo stood over him, pipe in hand, and then walked past to the announcers table.  He grabbed the microphone.

MILO:  Bad move, guys.  Rokuru...  I'm promising you, moron.  You're not going to see any other piece of Teddy again!

    "The Iron Fence" by Phobos cranked over the PA and Paul Milo walked his way to the back, the three other Cruiserweights left lying on the ground.
    Looks like the gang attack didn't have the effect that Milo wanted.
    In the back, we saw Terry Sky and Rick Clark walking.

SKY:  I still can't believe you're making me do this.

CLARK:  Believe it, Terry-Boy.  You know you can't do anything about it.

SKY:  You know I'm teaming with Highland Hell on Saturday, right?

CLARK:  No you're not, because if you do, you're fired.

SKY:  Fine.  Fire me.

CLARK: ....  You're bluffing.

    Coming back from commercials, we were treated to a quick shot of our computer centre, providing live internet updates on SMWA.com.  Walking up to the computer came one Paul Milo, looking pissed as hell.

MILO:  You using this?

INTERNET GUY:  Well...  Yeah.

MILO:  Not anymore.  Move over.

INTERNET GUY:  But, I've got to update....

    Milo didn't wait for the guy to finish.  He picked the internet guy up by the collar and tossed him aside.  Milo then sat down and began typing.  What on earth was he doing?
    With Milo typing away, we went to a few clips from last week, where Terry Sky was brawling with Gunloc of the All-Americans while his StB mates were being brutalized by the other opponents in the big Four Way Crash for the Tag Team Titles.  Sky's reluctance to help the team he is reluctantly a part of prompted Rick Clark to no-so-reluctantly put Sky into a match with Gunloc tonight.  Clark wants Sky to know just who is in charge, but if Sky was serious about his involvement with Highland Hell in Saturday's upcoming War match, then measures like this might be as effective as an one-legged ass in a man kicking contest.  You know what I'm talking about...

    Gunloc came to the ring first, and it looked like he was still shaking off the effects of the massive brawl that started the night off.  At his side was "The All-American" Chad Hillsman, presumably to lend moral support....  Right.  Still, with Slamkovich and Zangief in the back, would you want to be without a teammate in the back?
    Terry Sky came out next, getting the cheers in spite of the asshole standing on his right side... Rick Clark, obviously.  Sky was acknowledging the cheers, but he was having fun, too.  A couple of times on the way down, he'd point at Rick Clark while standing on his blind side.  The crowd would boo, Clark would look over, and Sky would try to look innocent.
    Really, the longer this indentured servant thing lasts, the more defiant Sky seems to be getting.  Maybe his threat about joining the Highland Hell team on Saturday isn't empty.
    Sky jumped into the ring and loosened up.  The ref rang the bell...

    ...and Rick Clark jumped up onto the apron, wanting to talk to Sky.  Sky turned around and started bickering with Clark, effectively turning his back to Gunloc.  GL wasn't about to waste that big of an opening.  He let loose a super kick.  Sky, however, showed us his brains one more time, ducking down.  Gunloc ended up kicking Clark in the mush and, when he turned around, Sky nailed him with a legsweep faceslam!  He followed up with a splash and scored a near fall.  Once Rick Clark had picked himself off the crash mats outside, he saw his underling firmly in charge of the bout.
    Sky went at Gunloc with a series of ground moves, mixing between brawling and wrestling.  He knew a surprise advantage would last only so long against a man the caliber of Gunloc, and Sky was right.  After an irish whip to the corner, Gunloc sprung out with a savate kick which floored Hardknocks.  With Sky stunned, Gunloc started to put forward his power advantage.  The Loose Cannon wouldn't give Sky and inch to breathe, tossing him around like a small child.  An inverted power bomb nearly put Sky out for the count and, when Hardknocks got up off the mat, we could see that Sky's nose was bleeding.
    Still, Terry Sky wasn't done.  Ducking a Gunloc clothesline, Sky hit a dropkick to Gunloc's knee.  Keeping on the target, Sky was able to hold the lead for a few moments before Gunloc caught an attempted Thez Press, tossing Sky down with a spike slam!  Gunloc's power had once again put him on the top, and he was planning on staying there.  GL really began to pour it on, nearly scoring another pinfall with a powerslam.  After a few more moments, GL switched tactics and went up to the top ropes.  He nailed a prone Sky with a diving headbutt and went for a cover.  Again, two count.
    Gunloc kept pressing his advantage.  He went for another spike slam, but this time Sky was ready.  He managed to push off on GL, landing on his feet and then hitting a front layout suplex!  The crowd came alive as Hardknocks started to put on the finishing touches.  He hit a super kick and then went up to the top ropes.  A flying cross body block resulted in a two count for Sky.
    Chad Hillsman was through with this.  Started yelling at Sky from ringside, and the hot-tempered Hardknocks responded with a verbal barrage of his own.  Jumping up onto the apron to help Sky was... RICK CLARK?  Clark seemed to be demanding that Hillsman be taken away from ringside.  What was Clark doing?
    It became obvious seconds later.  Gunloc flattened Sky with a bulldog, and Chad Hillsman rolled into the ring.  He picked Sky up in DVD position and dropped him with the Stars and Bars.  Quickly, the All-American jumped outside and Gunloc made the cover...
    But the referee was still distracted with Clark, who was now off the apron, telling the ref to get back into the match!  Clark was trying to cost Sky the match, but every second the ref spent with him, the plans went south.  Finally, the ref turned around, saw the pin and made the count.
    1...
        2...
            NO!!!  Terry Sky was livid as Gunloc kicked out!  Gunloc was fairly pissed at the delay in the count as well.  He jawed with the referee for a second and then went back to Sky.  He picked him up and was FLATTENED by a jumping DDT!  Sky got back to his feet and climbed onto the second turnbuckle.  Flying elbowdrop!  Sky let the crowd know what was coming up next, and nobody was going to stop it.  Gunloc was scooped up and dropped on his head.  LIGHTS OUT!!!
    1...
        2...
            3!!!

Terry Sky pinned Gunloc with the Lights Out in 0:09:01.
Rating: *** 3/4

    Terry Sky takes the match, in spite of interference from Chad Hillsman and his own cornerman, using that term loosely.  However, he wasn't going to get any time to enjoy the victory.  Chad Hillsman stormed the ring and blasted Sky with a lariat to the back of the head.  Hillsman began pounding on the tired Sky.  Rick Clark, in the meantime, smiled and walked away!  Rick Clark was leaving Terry Sky to be battered, and it didn't surprise anybody one single bit.
    Clark made it into the back.  Gunloc, recovered from the Lights Out, got up and began to pound on Sky with his partner.  Things weren't looking too good for Hardknocks.

    Well, they were looking better now.
    The Flying Scotsman and Angus Wallace, the two remaining members of Highland Hell, charged down to the ring.  The All-Americans bolted at the sight of the Highlanders.
    Angus and the Scotsman stood over the fallen Terry Sky for a second.  Then, to the joy of the Detroit crowd, THEY HELPED HIM UP!  Detroit was cheering as Highland Hell had just routed the All-Americans AND saved Terry Sky from a beating!
    Sky looked at his "saviours" for a moment.  Angus began to walk away from the ring, while The Flying Scotsman simply motioned for Sky to come to the back.
    Sky followed!  Wow!  For all this time, we assumed that any talk he had of teaming with Highland Hell was just talk... but now!
    What's Rick Clark going to do when he sees this?

    Backstage, Nick Jones was standing with SMWA SuperStar and Counterstrike shite-disturber, "The Cruncher" Jack Slade.

JONES:  Jack Slade, we've already talked to Alexander "The Grater" about tonight's four way match, pitting you and him against Major Force and the other two members of Counterstrike...

SLADE:  Other two members?  Since when was Cody a member, Jones.  Let's get one thing straight.  I know Mike Haggar, and I know that sometimes, he just doesn't think straight.  Remember a while back, Mike?  When Scorpion fooled you into teaming with him?  Who was it that was right?  Who was it that beat some sense into your thick, New York skull?  It was me, Mike, and if you think tonight will be any different, then you've got another thing coming.  It's either me or Cody, Mike.  It's Crunch Time.

    We come back to clips from moments ago, when Terry Sky was saved from an All-American beating by Highland Hell, perhaps strengthening his claims that he will team with the Highlanders this Saturday.  That action could literally be the end of Sky's career, as Clark holds complete control of Sky's contract and can terminate it any time he'd like.
    We went back to the StB dressing room, where Rick Clark was throwing quite the little fit as Ron Grayson and Jerry Kent looked on.

CLARK:  He's fired!  That's it, the idiot's fired!

KENT:  Rick...

CLARK:  Why else would Highland Hell save him, Jerry?

GRAYSON:  Let's go get 'em.

KENT:  Nobody's going anywhere, guys.  Rick, you're dealing with Zangief tonight.  Grayson, you deal with your battle royal.  I'm going to go find Sky and bring him back.

CLARK:  Then what the Hell are you waiting for, Jerry?

KENT:  I'm going to expect an apology for that when I come back, Rick.

    With that, Jerry Kent left the StB dressing room, Ron Grayson and Rick Clark still stewing.  Actually, Kent didn't seem too happy, either, but that seems to be par for the course with StB these days.  Highland Hell had already stolen Ron Grayson's girl.  Now they've stolen Rick Clark's bitc....  well, you know.

    As NightClaw came down to the ring, we were treated to clips from the last Saturday Night Slam Masters, where Bronco had his title saved for him by interference from Amatsu Mikaboshi and the Baki Mono.  Their interference against NightClaw allowed Bronco to gain the duke.  Much to the young champion's credit, he offered NightClaw a rematch.  That brings us to here.
    NightClaw's reception was fairly positive, but nothing overwhelming.  West Bronco, on the other hand, got quite the reaction.  The tough-as-nails North American Champ has been winning folks over ever since taking the TV Title months ago, and Detroit seems to be no exception.  He's a tough talker and a tough fighter.  He's also looking to tear a chunk out of NightClaw tonight.
    Both men entered the ring innocuously enough.  As the bell rang, NightClaw bowed in respect to Bronco.  Bronco then offered a handshake.  Looked like we were going to have a sportsmanly contest here.

    The tempo of this match was set earl.  Bronco wasn't charging into a confrontation with an accomplished martial artist like NightClaw, while that's exactly what NightClaw was going for.  Much to Bronco's credit, he knew his limits on this one.  He waited for his opening and then put all his power into a big lariat.  The move stunned NightClaw, and Bronco was able to put together a darn fine offensive series for a few minutes.  Claw fell victim to a big neckbreaker, Bronco's always impressive rana and a big flying lariat from the top ropes.  The Claw was in serious trouble, but he was far from done.
     Perhaps pressing his all-out attack just a bit too long, Bronco played to the crowd for just a second before charging at NightClaw, who was in the corner.  NightClaw booted Bronco in the face and then planted him with a corkscrew dropkick.   Bronco got back up but was floored by a spinning back heel kick to the jaw.
    NightClaw then went to work, launching his incredible martial arts attack.  Kick after kick had Bronco suffering large.  Even if he managed to block a blow, Claw was ready with a backup assault.  He drilled Bronco with a faceslam for a near fall and followed that up with a vicious jumping DDT that nearly snapped Bronco's neck in two.  The North American champ was hanging tough, but he needed an opening.
    NightClaw obliged.  He went for a Frankensteiner, which Bronco almost instictively turned into a power bomb.  Both men were down, and Claw managed to get to his feet first.  He grabbed Bronco by the hair, but Bronco responded with a couple of hard shots to the stomach.  NightClaw doubled over, and Bronco quickly hit a big double underhook suplex, putting him back in control of the bout.  Claw kept trying to get up, but Bronco hit lariat after lariat.  After seven, NightClaw stopped getting up.  Bronco dropped a running knee and went for the cover.
    Two count.
    The lights in the arena began to flicker on and off.  Bronco paused to notice what was going on, but he didn't let it distract him.  He locked a clawhold onto NightClaw, but Claw quickly fought back, breaking the hold with a stiff forearm.  He went for a roundhouse kick, but Bronco ducked.  A boot to the stomach was followed by a DDT, and Bronco was signalling for the Tombstone!
    The lights in the arena went out, followed by the ever familiar crashes of thunder and lightning.  The Baki Mono were coming to the ring once more, and you could bet that their target wouldn't be West Bronco.
    For a few moments, the darkness in the arena persisted.  Some light was restored at ringside, and we could see what was happening.  At the urging of Zists and Iznami, Amatsu Mikaboshi, Teioh and Zuzanow were kicking the living stuffing out of NightClaw on the outside.  The ref saw what was going on, and had no choice but to call it.

NightClaw II defeated West Bronco by disqualification in 0:13:17.
Rating: ** 1/2
(West Bronco retained the SMWA North American Title.)

    Bronco grabbed the referee by the collar and began yelling at him as Deadline, Oni and the Dark Storm ran down to the ring to fend off Amatsu and the Baki Mono.  After a brief scuffle, Deadline and his troops had the Baki Mono on the run once more.  They all turned their attention to the just attacked NightClaw.
    In the meantime, West Bronco was absolutely livid.  He walked over to the announce table and grabbed his title belt.  He then looked over at Deadline and his troops.  It was a look of pure distain, pure ice.  Bronco looked at his belt, and then at the men on the other side of the ring.  Slowly, he began walking.  Bronco walked right up to Deadline and his men.  He stopped.  Oni was helping NightClaw up, while the Dark Storm and Deadline were looking to the back.  None of them were even acknowledging he was there.
    You could tell Bronco didn't like that.
    With one swift motion, Bronco took his title belt and smashed it into the back of Oni's head, sending both him and NightClaw to the ground.  The Dark Storm recieved the same treatment.  Bronco wasn't stopping.  He took his title belt and smashed it right into the back of Deadline.
    The monstrous Deadline turned around and looked right at Bronco, like Bronco had tapped him on the shoulder.  A lesser man would have been intimidated, but Bronco didn't give a  damn.  He pulled the belt back for one more shot.
    Deadline didn't let the shot get close.  In one swift motion, he grabbed Bronco's throat and choke slammed him hard to the ground.  Deadline glanced at the downed Bronco for a few moments before giving the rest of the men a signal.  He walked to the back, and the others followed, leaving West Bronco down on the ground in obvious pain.
    Obviously, Bronco wasn't pleased about having his rematch ruined by more interference.  Doesn't look like it's a problem he'll be able to take up with Deadline, though.
    Backstage, Nick Jones was about to have words with the scourge of the Cruiserweights.

JONES:  Paul Milo, we saw you at our internet location earlier.  What on earth were you doing on the net?

MILO:  Let me put it to you this way, Jones.  This Saturday at Showdown, Rokuru isn't going to be the only guy wanting a "piece" of his bear.

    What?
    We then saw a shot of Andrew Marshall getting himself psyched up.  Coming up next, four men would vie for a shot at his TV Title.  Who would it be?

    Backstage, we saw the Flying Scotsman and Monica coming out of the Highland Hell dressing room, talking and laughing... and right behind them was Terry Sky!!!

SKY:  Well, best of luck, Graeme.

SCOTS:  Thanks there, Terry.  Ya know, yer not such a bad feller after all?

SKY:  That's what I tried to tell you last fall...

SCOTS:  Ah-hawww!

    Scots and Terry Sky shared a little laugh before somebody rudely interupted.

KENT:  That's right, Sky.  Get it all out while you can.

    Jerry Kent had arrived on the scene, looking just about as pleased as his StB counterparts.  The Flying Scotsman started walking towards Kent, but Sky waved him off!

SKY:  It's okay, Graeme.  I'll handle this...  Go ahead, get to the ring.

    The Scotsman paused for a second, but he eventually backed down.  Monica at his side, The Flying Scotsman walked away from the confrontation.

KENT:  You wanna tell me what that was about?

SKY:  I thought I made that clear?

    Four men in an over the top rope battle royal, the winner recieving a TV Title shot right after a short commercial break.  We'll see all four of these men in that big twelve man War match this Saturday at Showdown, so we can call this match yet another preview.
    The Flying Scotsman came out first, the lovely Monica at his side... the Monica that used to belong to one of his opponents in this bout, the newly dubbed "All-Star", Ron Grayson.  Oddly enough, as Chad Hillsman made his way to the ring, we went back to Ron Grayson, who was in the StB dressing room with Rick Clark... and the recently returned Terry Sky and Jerry Kent.

SKY:  I told you, Rick.  I'm teaming with Highland Hell...

CLARK:  Oh, come off it, Terry.  You don't have the balls and you know it.

GRAYSON:  Um, guys...

KENT:  You expect us to believe you're taking an active role in the suicide of your own career?

SKY:  Nice line, Jerry.  You been thinking of that since you walked me here?

GRAYSON:  I've gotta go...

CLARK:  Those guys hate you, anyway.

SKY:  Hated, Ricky.

GRAYSON:  Bye...

    The argument in the StB dressing room continued as Ron Grayson went out the door.  In the arena, King Rasta's music was just finishing up.  Next up, it was time for the All-Star.  Ronnie stepped into the arena, took one look at Monica draped all over the Scotsman, and sprinted to the ring.  He slid under the bottom ropes and went toe-to-toe with McGaw, officially starting this match.

    As Chad Hillsman and King Rasta started to do battle on the other side of the ring, Grayson realized what a mistake he had made.  He was fighting with passion, but he was also fighting against one of the most talented, hard hitting brawlers in the SMWA today.  It didn't take long for Scots to assert his dominance with a couple of big right hands, putting Grayson down on the mat.  The Scotsman then straddled Grayson and pounded on him some more.
    Chad Hillsman made an early attempt to throw Rasta over the top, but the Monkey Man was able to block the attempt and floor Hillsman with a low blow.  Rasta pounced on Hillsman with a running kneedrop before biting him in the face.  Rasta got up and saw Scotsman on the other side of the ring.  Without hesitation, Rasta charged him and knocked him off of Grayson with a shoulder tackle... only to jump onto Grayson and start pounding on him!
    As Rasta and Grayson went at it, Chad Hillsman decided it was time to get a little revenge for earlier in the night.  With the Flying Scotsman a bit dazed, Hillsman connected with a big lariat, putting Scots down on the ground.  Scots got back up, but a kneelift pushed him back into the corner.  Hillsman assaulted the former Toughman Champ with a series of rights and lefts, before putting him up top and hitting a big superplex.
    Rasta had Grayson locked up for a German suplex but, in the middle of the move, Grayson managed to turn around in the air and land on his feet, instead of his head, which would have hurt a lot more, believe you me.  Grayson hit a faceslam to get the edge on the big Rasta man.
    After some more tussling, the partners switched again.  Grayson, having enjoyed the edge on Rasta, snuck up behind Hillsman and hit him with his trademarked slingshot back suplex.  That was the set-up, and Grayson went up top for the Shooting Star Legdrop.  However, Hillsman wasn't quite ready to be hit with that move.  He got up to his feet and punched Grayson in the gut, causing him to fall on the top ropes.  Another shot sent Grayson to the floor, thus putting him out of the match.

        x Hillsman threw out Grayson in 0:06:07

    In the meantime, Rasta had just nailed the Scotsman with a DDT, and he saw his opening.  Hillsman's back was turned, so Rasta went right at him.  A few punches had Hillsman reeling, but not badly enough.  Rasta went for a lariat, but Hillsman ducked, and Rasta went flying to the outside.... while on the other side of the ring, Ron Grayson had found Monica.

        x Hillsman threw out Rasta in 0:06:20

    Hillsman turned around and ate a big foot from the Scotsman.  The Scotsman then heard Monica and Grayson arguing on the outside.  Turning his attention away from the All-American, The Scotsman got himself right in the argument, telling Grayson in no uncertain terms to back off.
    It was just the break that Hillsman needed.  While the Scotsman was distracted, Hillsman climbed up to the top ropes and, quickly, hit the Scotsman with a flying karate chop.  The move staggered the Scotsman and, with a little push from Hillsman, sent him over the top ropes.
    Andrew Marshall, meet your opponent.

        x Hillsman threw out Scotsman after a flying karate chop in 0:06:43

No-Countout-No-DQ-4-Man Battle Royal:
Chad Hillsman won a 4-man Battle Royal:
Rating: ****

    Outside, Ron Grayson had already begun laying the boots to the fallen Scotsman.  Angus Wallace was already running to the ring when we cut to the back, where we saw Zangief walking down a hallway.  Looks like Hillsman could be in trouble.

    Well, the commercial break had been a busy time.
    Angus Wallace and The Scotsman were still at ringside, doing a number on Ron Grayson.  That situation was slowly drawing to a close, though, as Rick Clark and Jerry Kent of StB ran down to the ring to even up the odds.
    In the ring, the Eastern Powers had arrived, but so had Gunloc, and that battle was raging.  Hillsman was looking a little worse for wear, as he had just taken a Siberian Bear Crusher from Zangief, who had now turned his attention to Gunloc, who was having his own troubles with Biff.
    In the back, we saw a footrace.  King Rasta was running after Doomsday... who again had Bobby the Monkey!!!  Bobby was struggling to get free, but to no avail, and Rasta couldn't catch Doomsday before they reached the parking lot.  Doomsday ran up to a truck, pulled out the driver and drove away with Bobby the Monkey!!!  MONKEY NAPPING!!!
    As all the carnage went on, Nick Jones had an interview with the TV Champ, who was supposed to be having a match!

JONES:  Andrew Marshall, looks like your title defense is off.

MARSHALL:  Excuse me, Jones?  Off?  All I see are a bunch of idiots fighitng in MY ring during MY match time.  So I'm going to take MY belt and, you know what, you sure as hell are going to see another win for Andrew Marshall.

    With that, Andrew Marshall left the interview position and, within seconds, was on his way into the ring.  Walking right past the StB/Highland Hell brawl, Marshall stepped into the ring and blasted Zangief with the TV Title belt!  Biff Slamkovich was next to go, and then the hurting Gunloc was tossed over the top to the floor.  Marshall told the timekeeper to ring the bell and called for a referee.  The bell rang, and even though Chad Hillsman was down, our match had started!

    Can't really say how much of a match it was, as Andrew Marshall spent the first ten seconds just trying to get a barely conscious Hillsman to his feet.  When he did, Marshall planted him with a big Jackhammer before dropping a few fists.  Hillsman was then whipped into the turnbuckle and nailed with a lariat.  Marshall put Hillsman up on the middle buckle, followed him up and nailed him with a flying powerslam.  That was the end of that noise.

Andrew Marshall pinned Chad Hillsman after a flying powerslam in 0:00:45.
Rating: *
(Andrew Marshall retained the SMWA Television Title.)

    A still angry Marshall got up and turned right into a spinning lariat from Zangief, who had climbed back into the ring as the count was being registered.  Marshall went down hard, but Zangief wasn't through with him.  As Biff Slamkovich climbed into the ring, Zangief picked up the Jackhammer and dropped him hard with the Siberian Bear Crusher!  Then, to add that extra insult to injury, Biff Slamkovich came off the top ropes with the Hammer Splash!
    StB and Highland Hell were still brawling on the outside as the Easter Powers left for the back, having torn a chunk out of the All-Americans and now Andrew Marshall.
    We went to the back again, where we saw King Rasta kicking the crap out of a random car in the parking lot.  Doomsday was gone, and so was Rasta's monkey... lord knows what's going to happen now.

    Back from commercial, we went to John Lee and Tony B at ringside, who were giving us a little bit of a status update.

LEE:  Welcome back, folks.  For those of you expecting to see Zangief against Rick Clark, don't worry, you'll still get to see that, we just need to clear up some of the mess that just happened.  I want to take you back to what happened just a couple of minutes ago, though.  Well, here's the clip and...  Look at that.  How could Doomsday do something like that?

B:  Like what?  It's a monkey, Lee.  Why does everybody go so crazy whenever something happens to that flea-bitten monkey?

LEE:  Dammit, Tony, that's somebody's pet.

B:  Well, it was Rasta's...

LEE:  Oh, that's not funny.  I can only wonder what Doomsday's going to do to that monkey.

B:  Wanna know what I think?

LEE:  No, not really.

    There was some scuffling heard at the announcers table.

LEE:  What do you want?

MARSHALL:  I WANT SOME DAMN RESPECT, LEE!!!!  I'M THE TV CHAMPION!!!  I'M THE HOTTEST THING ON TV TODAY!!!  Did you see what I had to put up with?  I was supposed to have a match.  I was doing my job, Lee, the damn job they pay me for, and I gotta fight off a couple of dumb Ruskies to get to some racist American SOB that nobody likes!  ME!  The TV Champion!!!  Does that seem right to you, Lee?

LEE:  Well... Uh, it happens...

MARSHALL:  Oh, shut your fat trap.  I'm sick and tired of it happening, and I'm going to do something about it.  Titan!  Brand!  It's going to be JUST the three of us on Saturday, or so help me God, you're never going to hear the last of Andrew Marshall.  I'm leaving the rest of this crap all behind.  Take your stupid headset back...

    Marshall dropped his headset and went to the back, leaving Lee and B alone again.

B:  Happy guy, huh?

LEE:  That's the TV Champ for ya...  Folks, this Saturday, Andrew Marshall squares off against "Titan" Tim Redbury and The Dark Brand for a shot at West Bronco's North American Title at Crash Carnival '99.  Nick Jones is standing in the back with the champ.

JONES:  Thanks, John.  West Bronco...

BRONCO:  Hold on, Jones, just let me talk.  Now, earlier tonight, I was doin' NightClaw a favour.  I beat him on Saturday, but I'll damn well admit it wasn't clean, so I gave the boy a rematch.  And what happens?  Same as Saturday, the damn Baki Mono get involved.  Now, I'm gettin' sick of this.  This goes to Baki Mono, that black-and-white moron Deadline and anybody else.  I don't want no part of yer feuds, got that?  You do your thing, but you do it on your own time.  Now, this Saturday, I got three guys goin' after a shot at my belt.  I want ta go against someone who's damn well deservin', so here's what I'm doin'.  I'm appointin' myself the special guest enforcer for the match.  That means aint nothin' happenin' in that match but those three guys beatin' the crap out of each other, and that's that.  Anybody got a problem with that, you come on down to that ring and I'll guarantee ya that you'll get ALL BUCKED UP!!!

    We went back to the StB dressing room, where Rick Clark was getting ready for his match with Zangief... and where Terry Sky was just hanging out.

SKY:  Too bad about Marshall, eh?

CLARK:  What the hell are you talking about?

SKY:  I just figured he could have hit a few more people with that belt, that's all...

CLARK:  Listen to you.  Talking all tough.

SKY:  It's not talk, Rick.  I'm teaming with Highland Hell this Saturday.

CLARK:  You know, Terry, you're not fooling anybody with that.

SKY:  Wrong, Ricky.  I'm fooling somebody.

    With that, Terry Sky stood up and left the dressing room.  Rick Clark looked a bit confused.

SKY:  You coming?  Or am I walking you to the ring alone?

    It was a classic when we saw it last summer.  Zangief and Rick Clark, at what may have ben the highest points of their careers.  Zangief was the top contender for the World Title, while Rick Clark was the unlikely titlist after upsetting Mike Haggar.  Things have changed significantly since then, with both men getting embroiled in some vicious feuds, but these are still the same competitors.  This should be a good one.
    Rick Clark's music started up, and things were more than a little bit negative.  Terry Sky, walking at his side, seemed to be getting some good reactions, but Clark just couldn't get anything going.  Reaction's been mixed on Clarkie ever since he took Sky as his servant, and with Sky constantly going that extra mile to one-up him, things don't look much better for Tricky Rick on the popularity front.  One thing's for sure - Rick Clark is out for himself, and a lot of the fans don't quite know how to react to that.
    The rant is still there, though.  Clark got into the ring and brought the microphone... and Terry Sky...  with him.

CLARK:  Detroit knows who is Simply the Best!  Big Red, you and me've done this dance before, and I know you got Chef Biffardee at your side for this one, but I've got Terry Sky... and if you believe the yahoo, he's got Highland Hell on his side.  Thing is, Terry's been dipping into that brown paper bag again (Clark makes a drinking motion), so Zangief, you see, it's just you and me, Terry makes three...  But if you still can't figure out what I'm talking about, I've got three little letters that will make it all that much clearer for ya!  S!  t!  B!

    Again, mixed response from Detroit.  Clark's funny, but he's far from likeable.
    The building gave a huge pop for Zangief, however.  It wasn't the first time he was out this evening, having been involved in almost any match involving anyone from the War encounter coming up this Saturday.  At his side, his World Tag Team Title partner, Biff Slamkovich, there to keep others from getting involved in the match.
    You can be pretty sure Biff isn't going to have to worry about Terry Sky.
    Zangief got in, the bell rang, we had a big ass match.

    It started as a wrestling encounter, and that's where Clark was able to assert his dominance.  Few can touch Tricky Rick on the mat, and though Zangief isn't any slouch technically, he's just not up to Clark's standards on wrestling.  Using his combination of science and speed, Clark effectively contained Zangief for the first three minutes until Zangief was able to power his way out of a top wristlock.  Clark bounced off the ropes, ducked a Zangief lariat and then nailed Big Red with a flying forearm shot.  Zangief went down and Clark dropped a senton on him for a quick two count.
    Clark was able to keep control for a few more moments, but a big dropkick by Zangief sent him into the corner, where Clark was then crushed by an avalanche.  Zangief hooked Clark up in a delayed vertical suplex and then went for a cover.  Two.
    The match then once again turned to the technical, but this time, it was Zangief's power keeping Clark grounded.  Mixing in a high-impact move every once so often, Zangief was slowly taking the match away from Clark.  A big Soviet suplex nearly got the three, as did a flying elbowdrop by Zangief.  However, Clark wasn't done.  Zangief went to the top again, but this time Clark met him and took him down with a big superplex.  Tricky went back up top, waited for Zangief to get back up and then blasted him with a flying dropkick.  Using quick strike tactics, Clark was able to keep control.  Finally, he locked on an STF in the center of the ring.  Zangief wasn't going to get out of this one.
    Or so Clark thought.  After being locked in the hold for almost a minute, Zangief started fighting back and miraculously managed to get to the ropes, forcing a break.  Clark picked Zangief up and went for the Sky-Driver.  Zangief blocked the move and responded with a front suplex, stunning both men.  Slowly, both men regained their feet.  Clark started slugging away at Zangief and then went for a Frankensteiner, which Zangief turned into a vicious power bomb!  Things were back in Zangief's favour.
    The Big Russian was all over Clark at this point.  A DDT nearly got him a three, as did a vicious spinning Tombstone.  Clark was whipped into the corner.  Zangief charged at him but Clark raised his knee.  Zangief staggered back and Clark charged, but Zangief caught him by the waist and hit a big spike slam!  Unfortunatley, the ref caught a bit of the move and went down in a heap.
    Right on cue, The All-Americans charged into the ring.  Biff Slamkovich was there to meet them, and a four way brawl errupted.  Rick Clark was the forgotten man, and he didn't mind.  He took a breather in the corner, waiting for some kind of opening.
    The crowd came alive again as Angus and the Flying Scotsmam of Highland Hell charged on down to the ring.  Terry Sky gave the two Highlanders a salute as they ran by and pulled the All-Americans from the ring, chasing them off within seconds.  Zangief and Biff looked a bit confused, but they weren't going to worry about it.   Biff left the ring.  Clark made a charge at Zangief, but Zangief responded with a spinning lariat.  Then, Zangief gave the signal for the Siberian Bear Crusher!
    Suddenly, Terry Sky leapt into the ring and stood right in front of Zangief!  He tapped Zangief on the chest and told him to stand back for a second.  Sky walked over to Rick Clark and offered him a hand up.  Clark accepted, not sure what was going on.  Sky brought Clark to his feet and then LEVELED HIM WITH A SUPERKICK!!!  Sky picked Clark up and tossed him to Zangief.  Zangief hooked him in the Bear Crusher as Sky revived the referee.  Zangief made the cover, the ref crawled over...
    1...
        2...
            3!!!

Zangief pinned Rick Clark with the Siberian Bear Crusher in 0:14:06.
Rating: *** 3/4

    Outside, Highland Hell cheered on!  Terry Sky jumped out of the ring and exchanged handshakes with Highland Hell!  Could it be any more official, Clark?
    Zangief and Biff Slamkovich walked right by Ron Grayson and Jerry Kent of StB as they headed to the back.  Grayson and Kent helped Clark up as Highland Hell and Sky celebrated at ringside.  Clark was stunned, but he knew what had happened.  He demanded a microphone, and he got one.  This was strike three, no doubt.

CLARK:  Hey, Terry?  This is going to feel REAL good.... YOU'RE FIRED!!!

    Joe Louis Arena burst into boos!  That was it!  Terry Sky's final strike!  He was gone...
    AND HE WAS SMILING???
    Sky walked over to the announcers table and grabbed another microphone.

SKY:  Well, nice working for ya, Rick.  See you Saturday.

    Um, no you won't, Terry, because you've been fired.  What was Sky getting at?  That was the question Clark wanted answered.

CLARK:  I don't think you heard me, jackass.  (Showing it to Sky in sign language) You are FIRED!!!

SKY:  I heard you, Rick.  I'll see you Saturday.

    What?
    Terry Sky and Highland Hell left the ring all smiles, in spite of the fact that Terry Sky was now officially out of the SMWA and Highland Hell were without a tag team partner yet again.
    What on earth were they smiling about?
    As we pondered that question, we saw Major Force coming out of their dressing room, united as one with our main event minutes away.
    A separate camera shot showed Alexander "The Grater" walking beside Jack Slade, also ready for action in our main event.
    Finally, we saw the re-united Mike Haggar and Cody Simmons, Jessica Haggar at thier side, coming to the ring.
    Four Way Crash... COMING UP NEXT!!!

RA:  Ladies and Gentlemen...  The following contest is a Tag Team Four Way Crash Match, scheduled for one fall...

RA:  Introducing first...  Being led to the ring by Saul Masters...  Kodiak Marmoset and Ghost...  Skarzz and the Scorpion...  MAJOR FORCE!!!

    The Scorpion and his crew recieved no love from the Detroit crowd.  This was Jack Slade's turf, and even though he was acting like an immature high schooler, the crowd was still behind him.  A few unrulies tossed their beer cups at Scorp and the Force, but Scorpion calmly ducked.  A cup of beer did hit Kodiak, who immediately lost it and started screaming at the crowd.  Saul Masters calmed his angry charge and got him going to the ring.
    Interesting to note that, even though Ghost and Kodiak will technically be facing off against Scorpion and Skarzz, Major Force came to the ring as a team.  Ten to one that Counterstrike won't come out as a team.

RA:  Their opponents...  First, representing Counterstrike and being led to the ring by Jessica Haggar...  "THE STREETFIGHTING STUD" CODY SIMMONS and MIKE HAGGAR!!!

    Can you really represent a group that's all but crumbled?
    Mike Haggar and Cody didn't get a bad reception, but the crowd was definitely playing favourites.  Any other day, they might cheer Haggar.  Cody?  Who knows.  But they're saving up their reaction for the next team.
    Mike Haggar and Cody jumped into the ring and were immediately jumped by Major Force!  This was an opening, a chance to get Haggar and Simmons in a two on one situation.  Haggar and Cody fought back, but the odds just weren't in their favour.
 

    Here comes the home town team.
    Alexander "The Grater" and Jack Slade charged down to the ring, Grater's ribs still taped up, Slade with his arm wrapped up and his face protector.  With these two in the ring, Counterstrike struck back hard and fast, and within second, Major Force was on the floor.  The bell rang... and it was just Counterstrike in the ring.
    Shockingly, nobody made a move.  The moment of tension was broken by Skarzz charging back into the ring and cracking Mike Haggar with a big lariat to the back of the head.  As Haggar and Skarzz went at it, the referee tried to usher everybody back to their respective corners.  Eventually, order was restored... with the exception of the massive fight happening in the middle of the ring.
    Not often does Mike Haggar have to face down a stronger man, but that was the case here.  Skarzz was overpowering Haggar, and any attempts Haggar made to brawl back proved fruitless.  Skarzz was in that zone where nothing could hurt him.
    To Haggar's aid came Cody Simmons.  Distracting Skarzz with a dropkick, Cody gave Haggar enough time to recover and hit a big lariat on Skarzz.  Skarzz stumbled into a Cody DDT and, though he quickly got up, he was soon staggered by a double dropkick from these two.  Haggar knocked Skarzz to the outside.  Scorpion came over to assault his foe, but Cody was quick to pull off the save.  Haggar booted Skarzz in the midsection and dropped him with a piledriver on the floor.
    Of course, Skarzz didn't stay down long, but oh well...
    Haggar waited for Skarzz to get up onto the apron before suplexing him into the ring.  A quick tag was made to Cody... who ran right into a Skarzz choke slam.  Skarzz dropped a few elbows onto Cody before letting the Scorpion into the ring.
    Scorpion went right at Cody.  Whether Cody was or wasn't responsible for the demise of Scorpion's father, Scorpion was still pissed off.  Measuring each shot, Scorp battered the young street fighter about the ring with vicious kicks and elbow shots before nearly scoring the fall with a German suplex.  Scorp went for another one, but Cody managed to fight his way out with a series of elbows before taking Scorp down with a Frankensteiner.  Quickly, Simmons made it to the Counterstrike corner...
    ... and tagged Jack Slade!  Slade didn't know what to think of Cody tagging out to him, but he sure didn't look too happy.  Slade climbed into the ring and stood face to face with the Scorpion... and then Slade pointed to the corner.  He didn't want Scorp in the ring.  He wanted the World Champion, the man who took his belt.  He wanted Skarzz!
    Scorpion was more than willing to help Slade out, but before Skarzz could even climb over the top ropes, Slade nailed him with a flying forearm smash, knocking the big man to the floor.  A baseball slide later, the action was on the floor.
    Slade was all over Skarzz, but once again, the big man wasn't feeling much pain.  Slade went for a DDT on the floor, but Skarzz heaved him into the ring steps to counter.  The Destroyer than picked up a chair and took a swing at Slade's head.  Fortunately, Slade ducked.  He hit Skarzz with a dropkick to the knee and then knocked him into the ring apron.  Slade went into the ring, and Alexander "The Grater" came up from behind Skarzz, "helping" him in.  Slade hit Skarzz with a legsweep faceslam and then tagged Grater in.
    Grater straddled his former tag team partner and began laying rights into the side of his head.  He picked Skarzz up and nailed him with a big vertical suplex... from which Skarzz sprung up and nailed Grater with a boot to the skull.  Scorpion wanted back in, and Skarzz obliged him.  Scorpion was greeted by a big lariat from Grater!
    Big Al was letting a lot of anti-Scorpion issues out in this one, pounding the masked one with avalanches, elbows and a massive side suplex.  Scorpion was then put on the top ropes.  Grater hooked him by the throat and drilled him with the Death From Above.  After dropping a knee for good measure, Grater tagged out... TO GHOST!!!
    Ghost seemed hesitant to get into the ring.  Even though Major Force are presenting the unified front, they'll have to lock up if the situation dictates.  Ghost was sporting about it, though.  He helped Scorpion up to his feet, and then there was a handshake between the two.  A lock-up was followed by Ghost irish whipping Scorpion to the ropes.  Scorpion reversed... and Ghost immediately tagged out to Grater!
    Pissed as usual, Grater clobbered Ghost with a forearm to the side of the head before storming into the ring after Scorpion.  This time, though, Scorpion was ready, ducking a Grater clothesline and nailing Big Al with a savate kick right under the jaw.  Grater was subjected to a massive beating by all the members of Major Force.  A DDT by Ghost.  A DVD by Scorpion.  A side slam by Skarzz.  Kodiak Marmoset then had his shot, nailing Grater with a cradle suplex for a near fall.  Kodiak picked Grater up and whipped him into the ropes.  Out of nowhere, he let the Big V fly.  Grater ducked, bounced off the ropes, and then collided right into Kodiak.  Both men were down.
    The referee started to count, and at six, both men started moving.  Grater managed to find his corner and tag Jack Slade.  Kodiak didn't find his corner.  He tagged out to Cody Simmons!
    Mike Haggar tried to stop Simmons from getting into the ring, but it was all in vain.  Simmons and Slade met in the middle of the ring, and the two former rivals for Jessica Haggar's affection laid into each other like it was nobody's business.  Punch after punch, kick after kick, these two wouldn't stop.  Slade started to get the upper hand, but Cody ducked a superkick and then nailed Slade with the Dead End!  Slade fell down dazed and Cody made the cover.
    Two and a half before Grater made the save.
    Cody went to his corner and tagged in Mike Haggar.  Haggar didn't want in, and it showed.  He slowly got into the ring and advanced on Slade.  He picked him up by the hair... and Slade nailed Haggar with a spinebuster bomb!  Still reeling from the effects of Cody's devastating combo, Slade tagged out to Alexander "The Grater"!
    It was business as usual for these two foes, with Grater gaining the edge in the ensuing brawl.  Mike Haggar was knocked outside.  Grater climbed onto the apron, got to the middle ropes and hit his beautiful Asai moonsault, nearly knocking Mike Haggar cold.  Grater reached under the ring and produced a table.  Cody Simmons ran over to Grater in an attempt to stop him, but he was cut off by Jack Slade.  Kodiak Marmoset made a move to join the fight, but Scorpion stopped him.  If Counterstrike was going to fight, let them fight.
    Grater hooked Haggar up in suplex position.  It was time for the Doomsday Tornado!  Grater went to get Haggar up, but Haggar blocked it!  He punched Grater in the ribs, causing the grip to be broken.  Haggar then scooped Grater up on his shoulder and drove him through the table with a powerslam!  The move took a lot out of both men, but Haggar was first up.  Grater was rolled into the ring and then tagged out by Kodiak Marmoset!
    Haggar came through the ropes, looking a bit surprised that Kodiak was in there.  He charged with a lariat, but Kodiak ducked and ran off the ropes.  He went for a cross body, but Haggar countered with a big powerslam, spiking Marmoset to the mat!  Kodiak was reeling from the move, and Haggar wasn't going to let up.  He pounded Kodiak with right after right.  Kodiak escaped a vertical suplex, jumping onto Haggar's shoulders for a victory roll attempt, but Haggar fell backwards, sending Kodiak to the mat.  In a last, desperate move, Kodiak tried to hit the Big V, but Haggar caught his boot and shoved Kodiak back.  He fell right into the Scorpion!
    Not wasting a second, Scorpion made the tag and went right at his nemesis.  These two blood rivals traded punch after punch, neither man going down.  Kodiak jumped back in, hitting Haggar with a forearm, to which Haggar responded with a boot to the jaw.  Mike turned around and was nailed by the WHIPTAIL!!!  Before Scorp could even contemplate a cover, Alexander "The Grater" ran into the ring and nailed him with a lariat.
    Scorpion got up and saw Grater.  Not the man he had expected to make a save, and that pissed Scorpion off.  He yelled something at Grater, and then walked right past him, effectively letting him have his spot in the match.  However, before leaving, Scorp hit Grater with a spin kick to the back of the head.  Both Haggar and Grater were down, and Haggar was the first one to make the tag, letting Cody Simmons back into the match.
    Cody went at Grater fists a fire, but it was a two-hundred pound man pounding on a three-hundred pound man.  Grater was able to fight back, and he fought back hard, nailing Cody with a vicious power bomb.  Grater dropped a series of elbows on Cody before going for a cover, getting only a two count.  He picked Simmons up and whipped him into the ropes.  Cody held on to the ropes, but he was clobbered by Skarzz, who tagged himself in.
    Grater went right at Skarzz, but he soon found himself locked by the throat.  Skarzz lifted Grater up for a choke slam... but Cody came from behind and hit Skarzz with a low blow!  The move had enough of an impact to force Skarzz to drop Grater.  Skarzz turned to face Simmons, who responded with a dropkick.  The move didn't faze Skarzz, but it distracted him long enough for Grater to come up from behind with a lariat.  Skarzz stumbled into Cody who hit jumping DDT, taking Skarzz down!
    Cody got up and looked at Grater, who didn't seem too pleased to have Cody in there.  Still, he wasn't killing him yet.  Cody ducked out of the ring, and Skarzz and Grater went at it.
    Grater nailed Skarzz with a backdrop driver and then a running powerslam.  He whipped Skarzz into the ropes for a backdrop, but Skarzz blocked the move, nailing Grater with a vicious power bomb.  Skarzz was relentless in his attack afterwards and, in an incredible display of his strength, he military pressed the three hundred and sixty pound Grater over his head a few times before dropping him.  Skarzz didn't go for the cover.  He went up top.  Skarzz was going to the top rope!
    Grater wasn't going to let that happen.  He struggled up to his feet and fell into the ropes, causing Skarzz to crash down.  Grater went up to the middle ropes and, the second time this match, he hit the Death From Above!  Skarzz hit the mat hard, and neither man was quick to get up.  They both started to rise, and Skarzz swung with a big lariat.  Grater dropped him with a dropkick.  He stood up and looked for a tag.
    HE TAGGED SIMMONS!!!
    Cody seemed a bit shocked, but he didn't wait around.  He charged right after Skarzz and started feeding him some of the quickest punches ever seen.  Skarzz didn't care.  He planted a big boot in Cody's stomach and hit him with a spinning power bomb!  Cody fell to the mat hard, but before Skarzz could follow up, Mike Haggar charged into the ring, nailing Skarzz with a flying shoulder tackle.  Skarzz reeled back and bounced off of the ropes into a boot to the gut by Haggar.  Quickly, Haggar hooked him up for the ride and dropped him with the Screwdriver!  Scorpion immediately charged into the ring, followed by Ghost and Kodiak.  Grater and Slade weren't far behind, and the ring was full of humanity!
    Haggar and Scorpion soon spilled to the outside, separating themselves from the rest of the brawl.  Kodiak went for the Big V again, but like all the other times this match, it was ducked.  Grater knocked Kodiak over the top ropes with a lariat and followed him out.  Jack Slade knocked Ghost into the corner before turning his attention to Skarzz.  The giant received a swift Spiked DDT, but before Slade could capitalize, Ghost hit him with a thrust kick to the back of the head.  Slade hit the mat.  Ghost grabbed him, hung him upside down in a corner and began pounding.
    With Skarzz down, Cody saw his chance.  He went up to the top ropes and waited.  Skarzz got up, and Cody flew off with a double axhandle.  Skarzz caught Cody, heaved him onto his shoulder and planted him with the Skarring!!!  Cody was rolled  over, and the pin was made.
    1...
        2...
            3!!!

Four Corners Match:
Major Force (Skarzz and The Scorpion) defeated Major Force (Ghost and Kodiak Marmoset), Counterstrike (Alexander "The Grater" and Jack Slade),
and Counterstrike (Cody Simmons and Mike Haggar) when Skarzz pinned Simmons with the Skarring in 0:20:22.
Rating: ****

    The match was over, but the fight wasn't.  Grater went for his Asai moonsault, but Kodiak moved out of the way, and Grater crashed onto the floor outside the ring.
    Mike Haggar and Scorpion were fighting further up the aisle.  Saul Masters got involved, nailing Haggar from behind with the handle of his whip.  Haggar was hurting, but Jessica Haggar made sure Masters wasn't going to be a factor after that.  She turned Masters around and nailed him in the groin!
    Jack Slade was still hanging upside down, the blood rushing to his injured head.  Ghost was choking him down with his boot.  Skarzz went over to Slade, kicking Cody to the outside first, and got the Cruncher to his feet.  The World Champion picked Slade up by the throat and drilled him with a thunderous choke slam.
    Scorpion noticed Jessica and made a move for her, but Mike Haggar quickly stopped him with a vicious lariat.
    Cody Simmons crawled over to the announcers table and grabbed a steel chair.  He saw Kodiak Marmoset beating on Grater.
    Skarzz gave the signal.  Time for the Skarring!
    Haggar and Scorpion continued brawling in the aisle, Mike Haggar taking Scorpion headfirst to the guardrail.
    Cody Simmons clobbered Kodiak in the back of the head with the chair, sending Kodiak sprawling to the floor.
    Skarzz picked Slade up off of the mat and put him on his shoulder.  Slade has a fractured orbital socket.  If Skarzz could hit the Skarring, he'd more than likely do permanent damage to Jack Slade.
    Quickly, Cody Simmons charged into the ring.  He clobbered Ghost with the chair and, as Skarzz went to complete his move, grabbed Slade's ankle, pulling him off of Skarzz's shoulder.  Slade fell to the mat, but he was otherwise unharmed.  Skarzz turned to face Cody and met a face full of steel chair!  It didn't faze him.  Cody let loose another shot.  Nothing.
    Alexander "The Grater" charged into the ring, wielding a chair of his own.  Cody hit a third chair shot, which was promptly followed by a shot by Grater!  Then a shot by Cody!  Then a shot by Grater!  These two were playing tennis with Skarrz's skull, but he wouldn't go down.  Still, was staggering.  Finally, a running shot by Cody put Skarzz on his back and sent him to the outside!
    Scorpion whipped out his telescopic nightstick and took a swing at Haggar.  Haggar blocked the blow and forced the weapon away from Scorpion!  Scorpion was cranked right in the skull with the metal rod!
    Jack Slade was slowly getting to his feet in the ring.  Using the ropes, he pulled himself to his feet.  He saw Grater and Cody, locked in a staredown, each holding a chair.  Grater caught a glimpse of Haggar and Scorpion duking it out in the aisle, with Skarzz, Kodiak and Ghost making their way towards the fight!.  He dropped his chair and left the ring, but not before giving Cody a PAT ON THE BACK!!!
    Grater charged over to Mike Haggar, who looked more than a little shocked.  Together, the two chased Major Force away.  It wasn't much of a fight, as Scorpion was obviously in retreat mode on this one.  He backed Major Force up to the ramp and held fast.
    Jack Slade looked at Cody, still holding his steel chair.  He then looked at the chair on the ground.  Cody, knowing what he had to do, dropped his chair and kicked it from the ring.  He then pointed at the chair Grater had left behind, as if he was giving Slade permission to smash his head in.  Then, Cody made the counter-offer.  He offered his right hand to Slade.
    Jessica Haggar, Mike Haggar and Alexander "The Grater" climbed into the ring.  For whatever it was worth, those three were almost standing like a team.  All eyes were on Slade.  The Cruncher looked at Grater.  Grater sheepishly shrugged his shoulders, letting us know where he stood.
    Counterstrike had four members.  Slade was the only hold out.  He took another look at Cody's hand before demanding the microphone from ringside.  The Detroit crowd hushed as Jack Slade was about to speak.

SLADE:  ...  Alright, Simmons.  This Saturday, you get to play with the big boys.

    The Detroit crowd exploded!!!  Jack Slade was letting Cody in!!!  Cody had saved his ass, and now he was in Counterstrike!
    On the ramp, Scorpion and his troops looked on.  Kodiak reacted in disgust, as did Saul Masters.  Even Skarzz and Ghost looked unhappy with the news.  The only man who wasn't reacting was Scorpion.  The masked menace was keeping his cool on this one.
    Counterstrike was back together... and you could almost imagine Scorpion smiling beneath that mask of his.