(ICW logo.)
(Pics of Adam and Erica flash up, Adam getting a few boos, Erica a pop.)
(Fade up on Adam and Erica in the office.)
04: You're a laughing-stock, Adam. EXPLOSION is a laughing-stock, Adam! And because of that, I'M a laughing-stock. And I don't like that. You got your ass handed to you last week by that Tony, and that was not only embarrassing for YOU...it was embarrassing to the company! Adam, he hasn't been in a ring in MONTHS! You just beat Ed Moorhouse at Iconicide! (Huffs.) Look, starting tonight, you have to pull your act together and Explosion needs to start kicking ass again, or else...
03: Or else what?! Huh? You think I don't KNOW what people are saying about me? You think I'm HAPPY this show is being embarrassed by a little upstart company like Chaos? You think I'm just going to sit around and do nothing? No way. Tony himself called me the new Big Shot, and I'm going to prove it. Starting tonight, Adam Laskowski is the ONLY Big Shot in ICW...and I'm going to make damn sure that Aggression and Chaos are stomped into the ground. I'm going to take Explosion to number one again, I'm going to take control of my wrestlers again, and...I'm going to start...by settling a few scores with a few "lucky" guys tonight.
04: (Smiling.) Ha ha. Now, THAT'S the Adam I was LOOKING for!
03: Tonight, the Legend...becomes ALL TOO REAL.
(ICW: Explosion intro video and theme! Fireworks blast us into the arena, and fast, panning shots show a packed house of screaming fans!)
Mean Mark: Welcome to ICW Explosion, I'm Mean Mark Clemson and with me as always is my broadcast colleague, the great Jerry "The King" Lawler!
K: What a night, Mark! I can already feel it! Tonight, Adam's going to pull this place together again. We've had Horsemen running around, ECW guys attacking eachother backstage...even a little HLA in the ring from the Angel Champion, Victoria, and her good friend, Trish Stratus! Tell you the truth, if he just lets those two come out here for 2 hours, I bet the ratings would pick up REAL fast!
MM: Can't say I disagree with you on that one, King, but remember...we're about great wrestling on this show, and there's plenty of that tonight! Folks, already announced is that tonight is the start of a tag team tournament for the Duo Divison Championship! The winners of this tournament, and anyone can enter as a team, will face the Paynes at the next Explosion PPV, coming up in 5 weeks! And King, I'm curious just who's signing up! The Darkness is gone, and badly missed in that division. The Paynes are joke champions, and Adam has done his best, in my opinion, to weaken the other tag teams in the federation to make them easier meat for the Paynes when he handed them the titles!
K: Strong words there, Mark! But you do have a point, it'll be interested to see just who still has the testicular fortitude, if I may quote Mick Foley, to make it all the way through this grueling tournament! And THEN face Lucifer and Daymian! Maybe they didn't earn the belts, Mark, but they're definitely the real deal in the ring.
(Jerry Lynn theme.)
MM: They have been great champions in the past, and we'll see if they'll prove that again at the PPV, but for now we have our first match of the evening, and this one's starting off in a big way, as Jerry Lynn challenges Raven for the Fusion Title! He's been very impressive in recent weeks, all through that great Best of 5 Series with RVD!
K: Which he lost. He can't beat the Raven, Mark! He's been almost killed in all of his title defenses by Tommy Dreamer or some other ECW nutjob!
(Raven theme!)
MM: Well, you may be underestimating him, King, but we'll see now!
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Fusion Championship:
Raven (c) v. Jerry Lynn
---------------------------------
The two meet in the ring, and are fighting and fighting and fighting. Man, they sure are fighting. A lot. And good, too.
No, no. A bit more detail. Lynn has the speed advantage, but Raven has the power, and he catches Lynn in a mistake, capitalizing as Lynn misses a dropkick off the top and hitting a big DDT to take control.
Lynn doesn't really get much control back. Raven pretty much runs the match after that, getting the pin after his finisher. Raven retains his Fusion Title! Lynn, though good, is again jobbed. Raven looks good in gold, though.
================================================
Tag Team Tournament, Duo Entry!
--------------------------------------------------
(Erica is in the ring, announcing the start of the Tournament! She has a table set up, a paper and a pen in her hand.)
04: Any teams who wish to be in the Tag Team Tournament for a shot against the Paynes at the next big PPV, please come to the ring now! It doesn't even have to be a team who has paired together before. It can be anyone, just as long as there are two of you! HOWEVER...I can only select 6 teams! The first round is next week, so be ready to rumble!
Hardy Boyz
Dudleys
Second Wind
Hype
Dreamer/Tazz
Undertaker/Big Show
Benoit/Orton
(They all come out and sign up. There's already some heat between a few tag teams standing there. Tazz and Dreamer glare at the Dudleys as they leave the ring, the Hardy Boyz laugh at Michaels and Flair, calling them old men and whatnot, Benoit and Orton are talking smack on everyone...stuff like that. Erica is pleased with the turnout, thanks everyone as they sign up.)
04: Okay, that comes to 7 teams. So, I'm sorry, but 2 of your guys are going to have to go. Anyone going to volunteer to step down?
(Nothing.)
04: That's fine, I didn't think so. I guess we'll just have to settle this the old-fashioned way...with a match! Orton, since I still hate your Horseman guts for what you did to me and the Icons, I'm going to put you and Benoit in a match against one of these teams tonight to determine which will be in the tournament! And just to make it interesting...hmm...how about...
(Matt and Jeff are still acting like children, bugging HBK and Flair.)
04: ...HARDYS! Since you seem so confident, you must think you're ready to take on all comers in this one! And I'm not one to disappoint, so tonight, it'll be the Hardy Boyz against Chris Benoit and Randy Orton, the Horsemen, to see who wins a spot in the tournament. In fact, it'll be for who gets to be in the first match of the tournament next week, against one of these great tag teams out here!
(POP! Hardys are psyched, and Horsemen are pissed.)
================================================
In the back, Raven runs into the Horsemen. He stands, face to face with Douglas, staring.
SD: Nice win tonight. In fact...better hold on tight to that Fusion Title you got there, Birdman. Because it's as far as you'll be getting around here as long as we're around.
R: You think you scare me? You think the Raven cares what stunts you try to pull?
SD: Yes, actually, the Shane does. The Shane Douglas DOES thing you care what stunts the Shane Douglas tries to pull on the Raven. He knows you're burning with jealousy because YOU didn't have the brains to pull off what he pulled off! He knows you resent that he's instantly a main attraction in Explosion...and he knows...you regret not teaming with him when he gave you the chance.
R: Regret this. (Tears into Douglas, it pulled off by the Dudleys who arrive on-scene!)
SD: (Holding his jaw from a stiff first punch.) I'll tell you what you'll regret...that your goons over there didn't let you finish the job once I go out there tonight and become the Prime Champion!
================================================
(HORSEMEN THEME!) The Four Horsemen come out, booed hugely by the crowd. They enter the ring, flashing "four" signals all around, and Douglas takes a mic.
SD: I'm not here to F*CK around anymore. I want that damn Prime Title, and I want it NOW. With the Horsemen behind me, no one can stop me from taking it, so, Kidman...get out here so I can kick your scrawny little rookie ass all over this arena!
(BOOOO!!!)
(Surrounded by Benoit, Van Dam and Orton, Douglas is an imposing figure, a ring general with years of experience, an acid tongue and a shrewd mind for business. However, those won't be necessary, because...)
(ICON THEME! Adam heads out, Duo Champion Paynes at his sides.)
03: Listen up, Horsemen. I'm taking charge of my show again, okay? I'm not dealing with Ed or Tony anymore, Iconicide is over. The Legend is back, and there are going to be some changes around here, and they're gonna' start with the DISBANDING OF THE FOUR HORSEMEN!
(POP! Horsemen shake their heads and laugh, mocking Adam in the ring.)
03: Sure, laugh it up. But you watch, I'll have you at eachother's throats, yet. But how about tonight, I start by giving you a match after all, Shane?
SD: Against Billy Kidman, for the Prime Title tonig--
03: A Prime Title match, you say? Douglas, it seems to me you haven't wrestled much lately, you've just been running your mouth. So you have to prove to me you deserve to have that title shot. That's why I've decided you'll get your match against Kidman...if you win a qualifying match later tonight!
SD: What kind of sh*t are you trying to pull, Laskowski?
03: Language, language, Shane. And that's MISTER Laskowski to you from now on. No, no, you'll get your shot against Kidman for the Prime Title if you win one simple match tonight. Being a big, strong, leader of men like yourself, a "ring general," you should have no problem beating BOTH OF THE PAYNES IN A HANDICAP MATCH!
(POP!!!!!!!!111 Douglas is pissed, Paynes pound fists together and point at Douglas, pumped for the match!)
SD: SCREW THAT! ADAM, I DEMAND A PRIME TITLE SHOT TONIGHT!
03: I don't care WHAT you demand, Douglas. The simple fact is that this is MY show, and you'll do what I tell you because I'm the boss. And you're nothing but a lowlife hiding behind three guys who are ALL BETTER THAN YOU!
(OOOOOH!!!!)
(Horsemen point to Douglas to show he's the "man," denying it without words.)
03: Douglas, good luck with your qualifying match tonight. And guys...enjoy your time together...it won't be long before I KILL THE FOUR HORSEMEN!
(POP! Icon theme hits and Adam waves mockingly to Douglas and the angry Horsemen screaming in the ring on his way backstage.)
(Commercial.)
================================================
Tag Team Tournament Qualifying Match:
Benoit/Orton v. the Hardy Boyz
---------------------------------------------
3 Horsemen are in qualifying matches tonight, I just realized. Anyway, that's no big deal. The Hardys come out to a big pop first, and do their goofy dance all the way to the ring. The Horsemen theme hits, and the booing begins immediately. Orton and Benoit make their way to the ring, and the match starts with Orton and Jeff Hardy in the ring first.
A great tag team match, as all four men are obviously very good, especially in this setting. Lots of near-falls, fast action, great spots, and solid technical and aerial wrestling throughout. Very impressive!
In the end, Benoit has the Crossface locked on to Matt Hardy, and out of the back, Ric Flair runs in! He distracts the ref, and Shawn Michaels runs in from the crowd, behind the ref's back, and kicks Benoit off of Hardy. Benoit gets up to be hit with the Sweet Chin Music, and goes down and out. Matt crawls to make the tag to Jeff as Micheals runs outside the ring and Orton yanks the ref around to complain. Jeff comes in, runs over to clothesline Orton out of the ring, and goes to the top for a Swanton Bomb on Benoit! 1, 2, 3! The Hardy Boyz win and will be in the Tag Team Tournament, starting next week!
They look out to Flair and HBK, all smiling, knowing they only helped out so they could get their hands on eachother in that Tournament!
That, and it's the Horsemen. Everyone hates them. Especially Ric Flair!
Hardys win!
================================================
(In the back, Erica is in the office, writing, while Adam watches the TV.)
03: HA HA! Excellent! Everything's working out perfectly, Erica. I KNEW the Horsemen would jump at the chance to win more gold, and I checked beforehand to find out how many other teams would be in the Tournament. Plug in the 6-team limit and you got yourself an easy screwjob for two of the Four Horsemen, ha ha!!! All I have to do is set things up, then sit back and watch them crumble under the pressure!
04: Adam, I have to admit...I'm really impressed with you tonight! You're really kicking some Horseman ass, and this tournament was a great idea. It'll get the Duo Division moving again, put more boys in the ring and more butts in the seats!
03: I told you the Legend was back! And this is just the beginning, Crusher! In fact, I have to make sure everything's ready for the Chris Jericho Show, premiering tonight on Explosion!
(Adam runs out, happily. Erica raises her eyebrows, looking interested in ol' Adam.)
(Commercial.)
================================================
(BREAK THE WALLS DOWN!!) Chris Jericho, the Future, the Lionheart, the Living Legend, the Highlight of the Night, the Ayatolla of Rock and Rolla, Y2J, etc...heads to the ring, decked out in a shiny, pink outfit, all smiles. The set of the Chris Jericho Show is standing in the ring, and looks pretty cool. He has a Jerichotron, a desk and a guest couch, like on a talk show. Jericho gets a good pop as he poses on the apron before stepping through the ropes.
Y2J: Welcome to the first edition of the Chris Jericho Show!
(Pop!)
Y2J: Look at this set! Very fitting of the Highlight of the Night, wouldn't you say?
(Pop.)
Y2J: Let me just take my seat here...okay! My first guest on the Co Jo Show is a man who has been unbeatable for quite a while, and a man many say is invincible! He simply won't die, and I aim to get to the bottom of this mystery, so ladies and gentlemen, please welcome...KANE!
(Boos as Kane's theme hits, fire erupts, and the monster stalks down to the ring, Paul Bear close behind!)
PB: Greeeeetiiiiiings, Chris Jerichoooooooo!! And allllll of youuuuuuuuu out there...behold the man who will NEVER BE DEFEATED, THE UNBEATABLE MONSTERRRRRRRRR...KAAAAAAAAAAAAAANE! WA-HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!
(BOO!! Kane sits, silently, motionless.)
Y2J: Thanks, Paul. But if you don't mind, I want to talk to that assclown on the sofa next to you, so would you please...SHUT THE HELL UP!
(Pop!)
(Bearer is enraged, makes a goofy scrunched-up face, and points in Jericho's face.)
PB: Now, you listen to ME! I control this man's every move! At the snap of my fingers (he snaps), Kane will rise from that seat and cripple you for the rest of your life, boy!
(Kane makes the "throat slit" signal, BOOOOOO!!)
Y2J: (Slaps Bearer's hand out of his face.) Dammit, I told you to butt out, assclown! Kane! You hear me, you red retard?!
(OOOH!)
(Kane looks up at Jericho quickly.)
Y2J: Oh, that got your attention, didn't it?! Yeah, don't like when people point out just how imperfect you are. You know, some of us aren't afraid of you. Some of us just think you're hiding behind your mystique and Paul Bearer for that winning streak! Yeah, that's right. Kane is nothing but a FRAUD!
(Pop! Kane is pissed, stands up, huffing, puffing, blowing houses down!)
PB: Kane, calm down! You have more important matters to attend to tonight! We're here about the Prime Titl--(Kane grabs Bearer's mic!
K: LISTEN, JERICHO. I'm a freaking MONSTER. I'll kill any man in the ring with me, and if you think you can end my streak...you thought WRONG. This is your first...AND LAST...warning. Lay off, or you'll be LAID OUT!
(Boo!!!! Bearer likes the intensity, encourages Kane.)
Y2J: Oh. Well. Sorry you feel that way, I'll...I'll lay off. I won't say another word to you, in fact.
(Jericho walks back around his desk to boos, then FLIPS OFF KANE! BIG POP!)
(Kane, enraged, leaps over the desk and tackles Jericho, the two brawl on the mat! Jericho gets the best of him somehow, using his quickness, when they stand back up, to knock Kane down to the mat and take off out of the ring to a pop! Kane, sitting up, grabs for a mic.)
K: You want a match?! Jericho...YOU GOT IT, RIGHT HERE, TONIGHT!!
(POP!! Jericho nods, smiling, and launches insults at Kane as he heads up the ring. Kane, pissed, begins tossing Jericho's set-pieces around after Jericho is gone, picking up the desk over his head and SLAMMING it down, shattering it to splinters in the middle of the ring!)
Mark: Will Chris Jericho be able to defeat this unholy creature? We'll find out tonight, don't go away, folks, when we come back...Shane Douglas gets his ASS kicked by the Paynes!
K: Never! He'll win and you know it!
(Commercial.)
=============================================
Prime Title Shot Qualifying Handicap Match:
Shane Douglas v. The Paynes
-------------------------------------------
Shane Douglas comes out with Benoit (with his ribs taped after the Hardy match earlier), Orton and Van Dam, looking pissed, cursing at fans. They boo them heavily, but the boos turn to cheers when the ref tells the other Horsemen not involved in the match to go backstage! Douglas is pissed, in ref's face screaming, but he stops and a chill runs through him when he hears the Payne theme hit! They get a good pop, and come down, Duo Titles over their shoulders. Douglas clears out of the ring until they are done playing to the crowd, and he climbs back in and holds the ref's sleeve and points to the Paynes, complaining until one of them leaves the ring. He's playing total coward-heel, and getting tons of heat. Crowd is WAY behind the Paynes, the face heels.
Daymian, the black-fleshed, white costumed creature, enters first. Douglas takes it to him right away, taking an early advantage. Lucifer breaks a pinfall attempt by stomping the back on Douglas' head hard, and Daymian has an opening to come back. He begins a beat-down of Douglas so constant, vile and high-impact that the crowd starts chanting for the Brothers Payne, and Lucifer enters to help out after a quick tag. Douglas's lifeless body lies in the center of the squared circle, and each Payne goes to a different turnbuckle across the ring. Lucifer hits a big elbow across the chest of Douglas, while Daymian nails a HUGE leg drop onto his opponent's stomach and thighs. Ouch...
So, Douglas' beating continues, Lucifer toying with Douglas, until he hits his finisher for the 1, 2 -- Lucifer picks Douglas back up! Crowd pops. He hits ANOTHER finisher, then tags in Daymian, who Gorilla Press Slams Douglas, then hits a 450 from the turnbuckle, to a HUGE ovation and the 1, 2, 3. Douglas has been creamed, and the other Horsemen now run down to settle the score. The Paynes clean house, and the foursome ends up dragging Douglas to the back, cursing the Paynes the whole time. We go to commercial on a shot of Lucifer and Daymian celebrating in the ring, cupping their ears in Hogan-esque fashion! Funny, amazing...the fans LOVE the paynes!
(Commercial.)
===============================================
Grudge Match
Kane v. Chris Jericho:
-------------------------------
Back from commercial, Jericho's theme is still playing, he's already in the ring, on a mic. He's pissed about Kane destroying his desk, and he's going to have to KICK HIS ASS EVEN HARDER after that! (POP!!)
(KANE THEME!)
Kane's out, comes to the ring, Bearer with him as always, whispering tips in his ear on occasion.
Jericho charges Kane as he raises his arms to launch the pyro flames from the turnbuckles, and the crowd erupts as he launches a flurry of punches to the big man's head down on the mat! Jericho gets up, runs to the ropes, hits a LIONSAULT right away, and covers for the 1, 2 and the BIG kick out from Kane, who actually pushes Jericho off of him, launching Y2J a few feet away. (Boo.)
Jericho keeps the speedy offense coming, and Kane is getting little offense in. Y2J dominates, and Kane is laid out in the center of the ring again. Jericho goes for the Lionsault again, only to be tripped-up by Bearer! Jericho spills to the mat, leg caught up in the ropes, and Kane sits up!
Kane staggers over, picks up Jericho, and holds him upside-down for a Tombstone to thunderous boos! He nails the Tombstone for the 1, 2, 3 on Jericho and the win after an exciting match that had the crowd on the edge of their seats, hoping for Jericho to pull of the win against the Big Red Machine!
Bearer is happy, climbing in, hopping around Jericho and laughing at him. He orders Kane to continue the beating, and Kane picks up Jericho for a SICK CHOKESLAM! BOOOOOO!!! Bearer orders another, and Kane sets Y2J up, but...(DEAD MAN WALKING!)...the UNDERTAKER RUNS IN FOR THE SAVE!!! Taker beats down Kane, who rolls out of the ring to join Bearer, who fled when he heard the theme start. Taker calls for a mic.
UT: Kane...YOU PIECE OF SH*T! NEXT WEEK, YOU AND ME...BROTHER VERSUS BROTHER...IF ANYONE'S GOING TO BEAT YOU, IT'S GOING TO BE ME, AND I'M NOT GONNA' REST UNTIL YOU OR THAT DAMN DARK POWER IS DESTORYED! Whichever comes first...
(POP as the Taker's theme hits again, Kane and Bearer exit, Bearer yelling the whole way up the ramp that Taker's done-for, Kane's going to kill him, etc. Taker, in the ring, helps Jericho up, and we fade out on shots of Taker glaring at his brother and vice-versa! Taker v. Kane, next week on Explosion! Good night, everyone!)
