Post by Jman2k3 on Dec 14, 2023 5:24:31 GMT
Chaos 053
Event Date: December 11, 2023 at 10:00 pm
Returning from the final commercial break of the evening, we go to ringside here in the Delta Center. The crowd is buzzing and, on their feet, knowing there is just one match left on tonight’s card. The camera pans the building of crazy UTAH fans in attendance before coming to a stop at the announcer’s table.
Joe Hoffman: Welcome back to the Delta Center, ladies, and gentlemen. We’ve got a doozy of a main event schedule up next for you before we dive right into our ICONIC PPV.
Benny Newell: I’m feeling very conflicted right now…..I feel like I should go get tested to see if I am on the spectrum. I mean if Michael is….
Joe Hoffman: I figured you’d be excited for this match here tonight…..not to see if you are autistic??
Benny Newell: I am but Lee and Mike are fighting at the moment. I’m all for the Final Alliance but I wish Michael would just come home and put on the jacket…..spectrum or not.
Joe Hoffman: Or one of the newest members of the Final Alliance could completely wreck the main event of ICONIC.
Benny Newell: Ha! That’ll never happen….fuck I just said that shit out loud.
Benny pauses for a moment.
Benny Newell: On the other hand… would make Dan Ryan’s path to becoming HOW World Champion that much easier.
Joe Hoffman: What about Jatt Starr?!
Benny Newell: Dammit Joe! You know I meant Jatt too! I feel like a child of divorce without two separate Christmases!
Joe Hoffman: …And on that note, let’s send it to the ring where Bryan McVay is ready to make the introductions.
The camera shifts away from the announcer’s table as Benny weeps quietly. We focus on Bryan McVay who is standing in the middle of the ring with his microphone in hand.
Bryan McVay: Our following contest is the main event of the evening… and it’s for the HOW WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP!
The crowd begins to cheer wildly and wave their signs in the air.
Bryan McVay: Introducing first…
The opening chords of REO Speedwagon’s “KEEP ON LOVING YOU” hit over the PA system. On the HOV, a giant heart appears to beat to the song.
♫ You should have seen by the look in my eyes, baby
There was somethin’ missin’ ♫
Emerging from the locker room is REAL LOVE Darin Zion, decked out in a pink and purple robe. The words REAL LOVE are printed on the back in sequins. The sequins sparkle in the pink spotlight hitting the smug HOW superstar while he strolls down to the ring. Unphased by the fans heckling him, he swivels his hips, trying to draw the attention of the women. A cocky sneer is painted on his face as he gets down to the end of the entrance ramp.
Benny Newell: GOD of HOW help me!
♫ And I’m gonna keep on lovin’ you
‘Cause it’s the only thing I want to do
I don’t want to sleep, I just want to keep on lovin’ you♫
Bryan McVay: FROM SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA. REAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL LOOOOOOOOOVE DAAAAAAAAARIN ZIIIIIIIIIOOOOOOON!!!!
Joe Hoffman: Could tonight be the night that Darin Zion makes his dreams come true? Could he walk out of the Delta Center tonight winning the one belt that has eluded him here in HOW?
Benny Newell: NO! FUCK NO!
Joe Hoffman: You know that Zion will do anything to make Lee happy, especially since he views him as a father figure. What better way to do that than to bring the HOW World Championship belt back to the Final Alliance?
Benny Newell: I can say that I like or know exactly what has been going on here lately but I do know this. Lee Best would rather shut this whole thing down than live in a world where Darin Zion is the HOW World Champion.
Joe Hoffman: But it’s possible!
Benny Newell: Fuck you, Hoffman. Punt the baby… PUNT THE FUCKING BABY!
Zion throws his robe on the ground, displaying his 8-pack abs. REAL LOVE starts counting them, blowing a kiss to the camera. Sliding into the ring, he poses like a French model, winking to the audience at home. While the bridge finishes, Zion leaps up to his feet. He motions back towards the entrance ramp, taunting his opponent for the evening.
Bryan McVay: And his opponent…
The lights in the arena go black as the sound of bells is heard throughout the arena. Each bell lights up a signal spotlight above the stage and the final bell brings the High Octane Vision to life as
“FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS” by Metallica begins to play.
The video screen lights up and flashes across the screen a Texas flag, with the words, “Texas Born. Texas Bred.” “Texas Forever.“ branded into the flag. The arena bursts the roof off with cheers as the crowd knows who is about to walk out and they are letting him know it by chanting his name. The final image that is displayed across the screen is a giant hand that slowly closes into a FIST as letters slowly appear and form a message and that message reads in bold, capitalized letters… SCOTT STEVENS.
Bryan McVay: From The Great State of Texas, weighing in at 256 pounds…SCOTT! STEEEEEEEVEEEEEEEENS!
The wait is finally over as a spotlight shines towards the top of the entrance ramp as the chorus hits the speakers drawing out the man from Texas and the cheers intensify as Scott Stevens appears from behind the curtain. the Texan stares down at his opponent with an icy glare before slowly raising his right fist high into the air. As he lowers it he gives his opponent the unofficial state bird of Texas to show his true feelings towards them. As Stevens makes it down the aisle, he fist bumps some of his fans while raising a fist at a few of the more vocal bashers.
Joe Hoffman: Scott Stevens with a win tonight could become a three-time HOW World Champion and put to bed all the talk of how his previous two reigns weren’t as legitimate as most other HOW World Championship title reigns.
Benny Newell: This show was named appropriately, Joe. Neither one of these guys could beat Jace Parker Davidson last week but one of them just might leave here tonight as the HOW World Champion. If you’re Dan Ryan and Jatt Starr right now… how are you feeling about this?
Stevens slowly makes his way around the ring never taking his eyes off of his opponent until he reaches the nearest set of ring steps and proceeds to enter the ring. Once inside, Stevens goes to the nearest corner and ascends the ropes; looking out amongst the crowd before raising his fist once more before dropping to the canvas as a loud chant erupts from the crowd.
Bryan McVay: And now… the Champion…
Something special ‘bout me, you can already tell the energy is different.
Confidence is at the highest level, I don’t ever see it dippin’.
Try me if you wanna, guarantee though you gon’ wish you hadn’t did it.
That’s a war that you could never win, but hey, I like the optimism.
WOO!
The arena lights dim as the opening words of “PANDEMONIUM” by NF resonate through the venue, heralding the arrival of the SON OF GOD, Michael Lee Best. The always-polarizing wrestling veteran steps out slowly onto the stage, making his way toward the ramp. He stares out into the crowd as he bobs his head to the sweet jams of his own entrance music.
Bryan McVay: From Chicago, Illinois… he is an HOW Hall of Famer. He is the current reigning and defending HOW WORLD CHAMPION! MIKE BEST!!!
As he saunters toward the ring, Mike makes a big show of making sure the camera gets a good zoomed-in shot as he flips the bird, displaying his Hall of Fame ring prominently. He approaches the apron, rolling under the bottom rope and standing to his feet in the ring. Michael slowly makes his way toward his corner, stretching and preparing for the beginning of the match as his music begins to quiet and fade away.
Joe Hoffman: The Champion looks as confident as ever but is he perhaps… too confident here tonight in this match? Could the 11-time HOW World Champion have his mind already focused on ICONIC and not this match here tonight?
Benny Newell: You know what, Joe? Michael is still THE SON. He still has the last name BEST and that means he’s going to wreck these two fools here tonight. Fuck Stevens, Fuck Zion, and fuck any other of these junior league Final Alliance members. Michael will win and HOPEFULLY between now and ICONIC, GOD and KNEESUS will bury the hatchet.
McVay exits the ring as Boettcher tries to gather the HOW World Championship belt from Mike. The Champion snatches the belt away from Boettcher’s hands and tells him that this is HIS title and it’s going to stay with HIM.
Benny Newell: You tell him, Michael!
Boettcher sighs and talks to both challengers as Mike hands off his belt to the outside. The crowd starts buzzing as the senior referee walks to the center of the ring. Once everyone is ready, Boettcher calls for the bell to signal the start of this match.
DING DING DING
Like a bolt of lightning, Zion charges out of his corner and makes a beeline for Mike. Darin raises his arm going for a clothesline but Best sidesteps and pushes Zion toward the corner. Darin hits the turnbuckle pad chest-first hard. He staggers backward but Mike is on him quickly and takes him down to the canvas with a belly-to-back suplex. Zion hits the back of his head hard on the canvas as Mike pulls himself back up. However, Stevens catches Mike before he regains his vertical base and runs through him with Don’t Mess With Texas. The running knee tumbler with the knee brace catches Mike flush on the temple and sends him crashing down to the canvas.
Joe Hoffman: Stevens just caught Mike Best with that running knee and Best might be out right now! Stevens needs to go ahead and make the cover now before Zion gets back up to his feet.
Benny Newell: You think it’ll be that easy to beat Michael Lee Best for the HOW World Championship belt? Not in 1,000 lifetimes and 10,000 bad Scott Stevens gimmicks!
Mike is clearly rocked but instead of making the cover, Stevens mounts himself on top of the Champion and begins raining down forearm and elbow shots to the fact. Best tries to put up his guard but Stevens has him reeling. A few hard shots find their way through but suddenly Stevens is dragged off of Mike. Stevens storms up to his feet and stares at Zion who is yelling at him. Zion tells Stevens that he’s the one that’s going to beat Mike and Stevens argues back with him. Zion steps forward then shoves Stevens with both arms and turns up the argument to eleven.
Joe Hoffman: It’s broken down already between Stevens and Zion here. Darin hasn’t forgotten that last week it was Stevens hitting Zion and knocking him off of the ring apron that cost them the match against Jace.
Benny Newell: And this is why neither one of these dipshits will ever beat Mike Best tonight for the HOW World Championship belt. Daddy issues and Lonesome Losers do not make for what a HOW World Champion should look like.
Stevens and Zion continue to bicker which gives Mike Best time to pull himself back up to his feet. Zion takes notice and points over toward Mike who is leaning against the turnbuckle. Both men put their issues on the backburner before Stevens whips Zion toward the corner. Unfortunately, just like earlier, Mike manages to move out of the way and Zion hits the turnbuckle chest-first a second time. Stevens charges in this time and then leaps into the air for a Stinger Splash but Mike sidesteps that too. Stevens’ body crashes hard into the back of Zion in the corner. Darin falls to the canvas and rolls out of the ring. Mike catches Stevens and hits him with a side Russian leg sweep down to the canvas. Best transitions quickly and puts Stevens’s leg with the brace into a knee bar.
Joe Hoffman: Great rebound to get back into this match by the Champion. He’s working on the knee of Scott Stevens while Zion is on the outside of the ring. However, that earlier knee and the shots him Stevens has managed to bust Mike open here.
Benny Newell: Stevens got a cheap shot but now that Zion is on the outside, Mike is back to dictating this match. Not only is he going to take Stevens’s leg home with him but he’s brought himself some time to recover with this move.
Boettcher drops down and asks Stevens if he wants to submit but Stevens shakes his head no. Scott begins to try and drag himself to the ropes but Mike has the knee bar locked in deep. Zion manages to pull himself up to the ring apron and sees that Best has Stevens grounded. Zion springboards to the top rope then leaps off and connects with an elbow right to the heart of the Champion. The impact causes Mike to let go of the knee bar as he rolls on the canvas in pain. Darin gets to his feet and begins laying the boots on Mike while screaming at him about how he’s ungrateful. Zion grabs hold of both of Mike’s arms and pulls them backward. Darin raises his boot into the air and then hits Best with a curb stomp that sends him face-first to the mat. Zion wastes no time in dropping to the canvas and locking in The Love Handle.
Joe Hoffman: Zion has The Love Handle locked in here in the center of the ring on Mike Best! Could this be it?!
Benny Newell: Get the fuck up, Stevens! Do something! I swear to Lee if Zion becomes the HOW World Champion…
Boettcher asks Mike if he wants to give up but Best spits in the referee’s face as a response. Zion pulls back on the hold but Stevens rises to his feet and makes his way over. Instead of blasting Darin in the back of the head, Stevens grabs hold of Best’s legs and applies a modified Arachnophobia. Stevens sits back on the sharpshooter which causes Michael to scream in pain.
Benny Newell: When I said do something, I didn’t mean that, asshole!!!!
Joe Hoffman: Both challengers have the Champion locked in a submission but if you’re Boettcher? Who do you declare the winner if Mike submits here?!
Both men continue to try and break Mike Best in half as Boettcher continues to check with the Champion. Slowly, Mike begins to fade from the pain of both holds. Stevens notices this and immediately lets go of his legs. Scott hits Zion with a punt kick to the side of the head causing him to release the hold on Mike. Zion holds his head on the canvas as Mike rolls to the outside of the ring to recover. Stevens pulls Zion back up and gets him into a waistlock. Scott lifts Darin up and over with a release German suplex but Zion lands on his feet! Stevens scrambles back up to his feet quickly but Zion catches him with a zig-zag down to the mat. Scott hits hard as Zion hooks the leg and makes the cover.
Boettcher: ONE
Boettcher: TWO
NO! STEVENS KICKS OUT BEFORE THE THREE!
Joe Hoffman: We were one second away from having Darin Zion as the new HOW World Champion!
Benny Newell: No, we didn’t! Don’t even give these people false hope like that. There will never be a headline that reads Darin Zion wins the HOW World Championship belt in Mormon country!
Zion gets back up to his feet then turns and races toward the ropes. Stevens pulls himself off of the mat as Darin bounces off the ropes. Zion goes for a slingblade but Scott catches him and plants him down to the canvas with authority.
Joe Hoffman: DOUBLE S SPINEBUSTER!
The ring quivers a bit from the impact of the spinebuster before Stevens gets back up to his feet. Scott looks around and then decides to step through the ropes and begin to climb the turnbuckle.
Benny Newell: What the fuck is he think he’s doing?!
Joe Hoffman: With Darin Zion down and Mike Best still on the outside, it looks like Stevens is headed to the high-rent district!
Stevens makes it to the top rope and signals for a five-star frog splash but his leg gets yanked out from under him. Scott gets crotched along the top turnbuckle by Mike Best who has made his way back up to ring apron. Mike blasts Stevens with a high kick to the head that sends him crashing off the turnbuckle and down to the canvas.
Joe Hoffman: Stevens’s efforts were cut short there by the Champion who has asserted himself back into this match!
Benny Newell: Stevens gonna Stevens, Joe.
Mike steps through the ropes as Zion begins to stir. Best grabs hold of Darin and begins to blast him MMA-style punches, elbows, and knees that have Zion reeling. Best grabs hold of Darin and then whips him into the turnbuckle spine-first hard. Mike turns and bounces off the ropes as Zion staggers out of the corner. Best decapitates Darin with a full-weight running lariat that turns him inside out before hitting the mat.
Benny Newell: Stick a fork in Zion, he’s done!
Mike shakes out his arm a bit and then wipes the blood from his head. He turns his attention to Stevens who begins to pull himself up. Best charges and blasts Stevens with a running knee strike to the head of his own. Scott crumbles down to the canvas from the receipt from the World Champion. Darin staggers back to his feet then races up behind Mike trying to catch him off guard. Zion leaps into the air for another zig-zag but Mike counters with a single arm throw that sends Zion down to the canvas. Darin uses the ropes to pull himself back up to his feet as Mike charges. However, Zion manages to pull down the top rope and sends Mike crashing to the arena floor.
Benny Newell: That’s cheating! Do your job, Bittcher!!!
Darin races to the other side of the ropes as Mike begins to stir on the outside. Zion leaps through the ropes and then wipes out Best with a suicide dive that has the crowd on their feet.
Joe Hoffman: DARIN ZION TAKES FLIGHT!
Benny Newell: Can’t win the title on the outside of the ring!
Zion gets up to his feet and poses for the crowd that is going ape shit. Darin grabs hold of Mike off the arena floor and then runs him spine-first into the side of the ring apron. Zion rolls Mike under the bottom rope back into the ring. Darin climbs up onto the ring apron but Stevens catches Zion with Remember The Alamo right under the chin. Darin flies off the ring apron and crashes into the steel barricade.
Joe Hoffman: STEVENS JUST CAUGHT ZION OFF GUARD WITH THAT SUPERKICK!
Benny Newell: And this is just the beginning of the end, Joe. He’s alone with Michael in the ring… it’s academic now.
Stevens turns around and then grabs hold of Best off of the canvas. Scott pulls him back up to his feet and then tosses him up into the air. On the way down, Stevens blasts the Champion with Debbie Does Dallas. The European uppercut bends Mike’s head back in an awkward position as he falls to the canvas. Stevens quickly grabs Best once again and then shoves his head between his legs.
Joe Hoffman: STEVENS GOT ALL OF THAT DEBBIE DOES DALLAS EUROPEAN UPPERCUT AND IT LOOKS LIKE HE’S ABOUT TO PUT MICHAEL AWAY HERE!!!
Scott grips Best by the waist and lifts him into the air for a powerbomb Michael manages to counter and lock Stevens into The FiveTime-Out.
Benny Newell: WHAT DID I TELL YOU, JOE?!?! THE BEGINNING OF THE END! STEVENS HAS FUCKED AROUND AND NOW HE’S FINDING OUT WHAT A REAL WORLD CHAMPION LOOKS LIKE!!!
Best has Stevens wrapped tight as Boettcher asks Stevens if he wants to give it up. Scott screams no but he’s a long way away from the ropes. Mike continues to yank on the hold as Stevens falls to one knee. Stevens begins to fade very quickly but Zion rushes into the ropes and plows through both Mike and Stevens before Scott can tap out.
Joe Hoffman: ZION AT THE LAST SECOND JUST SAVED THIS MATCH!!!
Zion charges and hits Mike with Hammer Of Love as he tries to regain a vertical base. Best falls to the canvas but Stevens begins to stir. Zion turns around and blasts Stevens with a buzzsaw kick to the back of the head that floors him. Darin focuses back on Michael who is fighting his way off of the canvas. Zion gets a full head of steam and then charges forward. Darin blasts Best with a running Yakuza kick to the face in the corner. Mike hits the canvas hard but Zion hooks the leg and makes the cover hooking both legs.
Boettcher: ONE
Boettcher: TWO
Boettcher: THREE!
NO! MICHAEL POWERS HIS SHOULDER OFF THE CANVAS MILISECONDS BEFORE THE THREE!!!!
Joe Hoffman: WAS THAT THREE?! DID DARIN ZION JUST BECOME THE HOW WORLD CHAMPION?!?!!?
Benny Newell: NOPE! NEVER!!! MICHAEL KICKED OUT BEFORE THE THREE COUNT! ZION HAD HIS BEST CHANCE AND STILL CAME UP SHORT!!!
Zion looks at Boettcher and shoots three fingers into the air but Boettcher waves it off and tells Darin it was only two. Darin gets to his feet and signals that he’s going to end Mike Best. Zion grabs hold of Michael as he fights his way off the canvas and goes for Tough Love but Best counters by pushing Darin off of him. Mike shoved Darin hard enough to cause him and Boettcher to crash head-first into each other.
Joe Hoffman: BOETTCHER IS DOWN AND ALL THREE MEN ARE STILL IN THE RING!!!
Boettcher holds his head on the canvas as a stunned Zion turns around. Mike reaches out and rakes Darin in the eyes blinding him. Zion staggers trying to regain his vision as Mike takes a moment to recover. Best lines Zion up and charges forward…
Benny Newell: I KNEED A HERO!!!
Joe Hoffman: NO! ZION SAW HIM COMING!!!
Zion stops Mike’s momentum with a thumb to the eye. Best staggers but Darin hits him with an enzigiri kick to the back of the head that takes him down. As Zion gets back up to his feet, Stevens comes up quickly and then grabs a hold of him…
Joe Hoffman: TOXIC STING!!!
Benny Newell: NO! COUNTER!!!
Before Stevens can hit the move, Zion launches Stevens over the top rope and down to the arena floor below. Scott hits the arena floor hard as Zion turns around and focuses on Mike who is still on the canvas. Darin looks out at the crowd here in Utah and then begins to pull down one of his kneepads.
Joe Hoffman: ZION SAID EARLIER THIS WEEK THAT HE WAS GOING TO BEAT MIKE BEST BY DOING HIS OWN MOVE BETTER THAN HIM! ARE WE GOING TO SEE IT HERE?!?!
Benny Newell: NO FUCKING CHANCE IN HELL THAT ZION LANDS THIS! THERE IS NO WAY THIS FOOL IS GOING TO HIT MIKE WITH THE MOVE THAT HE MADE FAMOUS!!!
Zion gets a wild look in his eyes and then charges forward. Darin leaps into the air and goes for Love Potion No. 69 or his version of I KNEED A HERO but Mike dodges at the last second and Zion crashes and begins in the corner.
Benny Newell: I FUCKING TOLD YOU!!!
Joe Hoffman: DARIN TRIED TO ADD INSULT TO INJURY HERE BUT MIKE MOVED OUT OF THE WAY AND NOW ZION IS IN BIG TROUBLE!!!
Mike pulls himself up to his feet with a certain anger and swagger in his body language. Best marches over to the opposite corner, trash-talking the entire way before turning his focus to Zion. Mike lines Darin up and then charges forward…
Joe Hoffman: I KNEED A HERO CONNECTS!!!
Benny Newell: BALL FUCKING GAME!!! ALL IS RIGHT WITH THE WORLD!!!
Mike gets up to his feet after caving in Zion’s skull but notices that Boettcher hasn’t fully recovered. The brief pause allows the third man in this match to slide in behind him.
Joe Hoffman: LOW BLOW BY SCOTT STEVENS TO MIKE BEST!!!
Benny Newell: DISQUALIFY HIM!!!
Michael doubles over in pain from the shot by Stevens. Scott grabs hold of Mike and then tosses over the top rope and down to the arena floor. Stevens grabs Boettcher by the arm and drags him across the canvas before making the cover on Zion.
Boettcher: ONE…
Benny Newell: WHY THE FUCK IS HE COUNTING?!?!?! STEVENS CHEATED!!!
Boettcher: TWO…
Benny Newell: KICK THE FUCK OUT ZION!!!!
Boettcher: …THREE!
Benny Newell: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DING DING DING
Joe Hoffman: SCOTT STEVENS JUST PINNED DARIN ZION AFTER MIKE HIT HIM WITH I KNEED A HERO!!! WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR THE MAIN EVENT OF ICONIC?!?!?!
The crowd is going nuts as we get a shot of Michael Lee Best lying on his side holding his groin as Stevens turns wide eyed towards Mike on the arena floor……
Bryan McVay: HERE IS YOUR WINNER… AND NEWWWWW–
Before McVay can finish the statement the sound of the one word that makes everyone’s blood run cold blasts from the speakers….
UNDEADDDDD!!!
Closing Time
The music immediately stops as Lee makes his way onto the entrance ramp.
The whole arena is in complete and utter shock as all attention turns towards the GOD of HOW, who has a brand new 97Red World Championship over his shoulder, and is flanked by the PWA Co World Tag Team Champions, Dan Ryan and Jatt Starr, with their belts in tow as well.
Jatt is to the right of Lee and Ryan to the left as all three men stare down at the ring.
The camera zooms in and we see that Ryan is holding a Best Alliance jacket in his hands.
Stevens starts to exit the ring but Lee raises his hand and stops the man.
Lee Best: Hold the fuck on Stevens…..
Stevens turns back towards the center of the ring where Boettcher is still holding his head in pain and Zion is unmoving.
The camera pans out and we see Michael now up to one knee and he now sees the trio at the top of the ramp.
The Son of God then looks up at Stevens who is completely unsure of what is going on, before slowly rising up to his feet.
Mike turns his back to Stevens and to the ring in general and begins slowly walking up the ramp towards his Father.
The crowd and announcers are dead silent as the camera follows Best up the ramp…..the Hall of Famer wincing in pain with each step.
He finally makes it to the top and looks up at his Lee and specifically at the brand new 97Red World Championship on his shoulder.
With a heavy sigh Mike reaches out his right hand and slowly takes the Final Alliance jacket from Ryan and walks directly between Lee and Ryan and makes his way to the back without a word.
Lee can be seen smirking that infamous Best smirk as he looks on at Stevens in the middle of the ring.
As the Son slowly disappears behind Lee and into the backstage area with his Jacket, Lee pats the World Championship and turns around and starts towards the back as well.
Jatt and Ryan fall in behind him.
Joe Hoffman: Folks…..it is official…..your ne–
WHACK
Joe stops midsentence as everyone turns towards the ramp and we see Jatt Starr standing over Dan Ryan.
The HOV comes to life above the men and we see a replay of Jatt spinning his unsuspecting tag team partner and nailing him head first to the steel with his Falling Starr finisher.
The camera zooms in on Jatt as he slowly bends down and picks up the other Tag Team Championship belt.
He smiles as he puts a belt over each shoulder and heads to the back as a still dead silent crowd watch on.
Joe Hoffman: FOLKS WE ARE OUT OF TIME……..BUT WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR ICONIC!!!!
?
Benny Newell: SCOTT STEVENS IS THE FUCKING CHAMP!!!?
That question lingers as we fade to black.
Event Date: December 11, 2023 at 10:00 pm
Returning from the final commercial break of the evening, we go to ringside here in the Delta Center. The crowd is buzzing and, on their feet, knowing there is just one match left on tonight’s card. The camera pans the building of crazy UTAH fans in attendance before coming to a stop at the announcer’s table.
Joe Hoffman: Welcome back to the Delta Center, ladies, and gentlemen. We’ve got a doozy of a main event schedule up next for you before we dive right into our ICONIC PPV.
Benny Newell: I’m feeling very conflicted right now…..I feel like I should go get tested to see if I am on the spectrum. I mean if Michael is….
Joe Hoffman: I figured you’d be excited for this match here tonight…..not to see if you are autistic??
Benny Newell: I am but Lee and Mike are fighting at the moment. I’m all for the Final Alliance but I wish Michael would just come home and put on the jacket…..spectrum or not.
Joe Hoffman: Or one of the newest members of the Final Alliance could completely wreck the main event of ICONIC.
Benny Newell: Ha! That’ll never happen….fuck I just said that shit out loud.
Benny pauses for a moment.
Benny Newell: On the other hand… would make Dan Ryan’s path to becoming HOW World Champion that much easier.
Joe Hoffman: What about Jatt Starr?!
Benny Newell: Dammit Joe! You know I meant Jatt too! I feel like a child of divorce without two separate Christmases!
Joe Hoffman: …And on that note, let’s send it to the ring where Bryan McVay is ready to make the introductions.
The camera shifts away from the announcer’s table as Benny weeps quietly. We focus on Bryan McVay who is standing in the middle of the ring with his microphone in hand.
Bryan McVay: Our following contest is the main event of the evening… and it’s for the HOW WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP!
The crowd begins to cheer wildly and wave their signs in the air.
Bryan McVay: Introducing first…
The opening chords of REO Speedwagon’s “KEEP ON LOVING YOU” hit over the PA system. On the HOV, a giant heart appears to beat to the song.
♫ You should have seen by the look in my eyes, baby
There was somethin’ missin’ ♫
Emerging from the locker room is REAL LOVE Darin Zion, decked out in a pink and purple robe. The words REAL LOVE are printed on the back in sequins. The sequins sparkle in the pink spotlight hitting the smug HOW superstar while he strolls down to the ring. Unphased by the fans heckling him, he swivels his hips, trying to draw the attention of the women. A cocky sneer is painted on his face as he gets down to the end of the entrance ramp.
Benny Newell: GOD of HOW help me!
♫ And I’m gonna keep on lovin’ you
‘Cause it’s the only thing I want to do
I don’t want to sleep, I just want to keep on lovin’ you♫
Bryan McVay: FROM SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA. REAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL LOOOOOOOOOVE DAAAAAAAAARIN ZIIIIIIIIIOOOOOOON!!!!
Joe Hoffman: Could tonight be the night that Darin Zion makes his dreams come true? Could he walk out of the Delta Center tonight winning the one belt that has eluded him here in HOW?
Benny Newell: NO! FUCK NO!
Joe Hoffman: You know that Zion will do anything to make Lee happy, especially since he views him as a father figure. What better way to do that than to bring the HOW World Championship belt back to the Final Alliance?
Benny Newell: I can say that I like or know exactly what has been going on here lately but I do know this. Lee Best would rather shut this whole thing down than live in a world where Darin Zion is the HOW World Champion.
Joe Hoffman: But it’s possible!
Benny Newell: Fuck you, Hoffman. Punt the baby… PUNT THE FUCKING BABY!
Zion throws his robe on the ground, displaying his 8-pack abs. REAL LOVE starts counting them, blowing a kiss to the camera. Sliding into the ring, he poses like a French model, winking to the audience at home. While the bridge finishes, Zion leaps up to his feet. He motions back towards the entrance ramp, taunting his opponent for the evening.
Bryan McVay: And his opponent…
The lights in the arena go black as the sound of bells is heard throughout the arena. Each bell lights up a signal spotlight above the stage and the final bell brings the High Octane Vision to life as
“FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS” by Metallica begins to play.
The video screen lights up and flashes across the screen a Texas flag, with the words, “Texas Born. Texas Bred.” “Texas Forever.“ branded into the flag. The arena bursts the roof off with cheers as the crowd knows who is about to walk out and they are letting him know it by chanting his name. The final image that is displayed across the screen is a giant hand that slowly closes into a FIST as letters slowly appear and form a message and that message reads in bold, capitalized letters… SCOTT STEVENS.
Bryan McVay: From The Great State of Texas, weighing in at 256 pounds…SCOTT! STEEEEEEEVEEEEEEEENS!
The wait is finally over as a spotlight shines towards the top of the entrance ramp as the chorus hits the speakers drawing out the man from Texas and the cheers intensify as Scott Stevens appears from behind the curtain. the Texan stares down at his opponent with an icy glare before slowly raising his right fist high into the air. As he lowers it he gives his opponent the unofficial state bird of Texas to show his true feelings towards them. As Stevens makes it down the aisle, he fist bumps some of his fans while raising a fist at a few of the more vocal bashers.
Joe Hoffman: Scott Stevens with a win tonight could become a three-time HOW World Champion and put to bed all the talk of how his previous two reigns weren’t as legitimate as most other HOW World Championship title reigns.
Benny Newell: This show was named appropriately, Joe. Neither one of these guys could beat Jace Parker Davidson last week but one of them just might leave here tonight as the HOW World Champion. If you’re Dan Ryan and Jatt Starr right now… how are you feeling about this?
Stevens slowly makes his way around the ring never taking his eyes off of his opponent until he reaches the nearest set of ring steps and proceeds to enter the ring. Once inside, Stevens goes to the nearest corner and ascends the ropes; looking out amongst the crowd before raising his fist once more before dropping to the canvas as a loud chant erupts from the crowd.
Bryan McVay: And now… the Champion…
Something special ‘bout me, you can already tell the energy is different.
Confidence is at the highest level, I don’t ever see it dippin’.
Try me if you wanna, guarantee though you gon’ wish you hadn’t did it.
That’s a war that you could never win, but hey, I like the optimism.
WOO!
The arena lights dim as the opening words of “PANDEMONIUM” by NF resonate through the venue, heralding the arrival of the SON OF GOD, Michael Lee Best. The always-polarizing wrestling veteran steps out slowly onto the stage, making his way toward the ramp. He stares out into the crowd as he bobs his head to the sweet jams of his own entrance music.
Bryan McVay: From Chicago, Illinois… he is an HOW Hall of Famer. He is the current reigning and defending HOW WORLD CHAMPION! MIKE BEST!!!
As he saunters toward the ring, Mike makes a big show of making sure the camera gets a good zoomed-in shot as he flips the bird, displaying his Hall of Fame ring prominently. He approaches the apron, rolling under the bottom rope and standing to his feet in the ring. Michael slowly makes his way toward his corner, stretching and preparing for the beginning of the match as his music begins to quiet and fade away.
Joe Hoffman: The Champion looks as confident as ever but is he perhaps… too confident here tonight in this match? Could the 11-time HOW World Champion have his mind already focused on ICONIC and not this match here tonight?
Benny Newell: You know what, Joe? Michael is still THE SON. He still has the last name BEST and that means he’s going to wreck these two fools here tonight. Fuck Stevens, Fuck Zion, and fuck any other of these junior league Final Alliance members. Michael will win and HOPEFULLY between now and ICONIC, GOD and KNEESUS will bury the hatchet.
McVay exits the ring as Boettcher tries to gather the HOW World Championship belt from Mike. The Champion snatches the belt away from Boettcher’s hands and tells him that this is HIS title and it’s going to stay with HIM.
Benny Newell: You tell him, Michael!
Boettcher sighs and talks to both challengers as Mike hands off his belt to the outside. The crowd starts buzzing as the senior referee walks to the center of the ring. Once everyone is ready, Boettcher calls for the bell to signal the start of this match.
DING DING DING
Like a bolt of lightning, Zion charges out of his corner and makes a beeline for Mike. Darin raises his arm going for a clothesline but Best sidesteps and pushes Zion toward the corner. Darin hits the turnbuckle pad chest-first hard. He staggers backward but Mike is on him quickly and takes him down to the canvas with a belly-to-back suplex. Zion hits the back of his head hard on the canvas as Mike pulls himself back up. However, Stevens catches Mike before he regains his vertical base and runs through him with Don’t Mess With Texas. The running knee tumbler with the knee brace catches Mike flush on the temple and sends him crashing down to the canvas.
Joe Hoffman: Stevens just caught Mike Best with that running knee and Best might be out right now! Stevens needs to go ahead and make the cover now before Zion gets back up to his feet.
Benny Newell: You think it’ll be that easy to beat Michael Lee Best for the HOW World Championship belt? Not in 1,000 lifetimes and 10,000 bad Scott Stevens gimmicks!
Mike is clearly rocked but instead of making the cover, Stevens mounts himself on top of the Champion and begins raining down forearm and elbow shots to the fact. Best tries to put up his guard but Stevens has him reeling. A few hard shots find their way through but suddenly Stevens is dragged off of Mike. Stevens storms up to his feet and stares at Zion who is yelling at him. Zion tells Stevens that he’s the one that’s going to beat Mike and Stevens argues back with him. Zion steps forward then shoves Stevens with both arms and turns up the argument to eleven.
Joe Hoffman: It’s broken down already between Stevens and Zion here. Darin hasn’t forgotten that last week it was Stevens hitting Zion and knocking him off of the ring apron that cost them the match against Jace.
Benny Newell: And this is why neither one of these dipshits will ever beat Mike Best tonight for the HOW World Championship belt. Daddy issues and Lonesome Losers do not make for what a HOW World Champion should look like.
Stevens and Zion continue to bicker which gives Mike Best time to pull himself back up to his feet. Zion takes notice and points over toward Mike who is leaning against the turnbuckle. Both men put their issues on the backburner before Stevens whips Zion toward the corner. Unfortunately, just like earlier, Mike manages to move out of the way and Zion hits the turnbuckle chest-first a second time. Stevens charges in this time and then leaps into the air for a Stinger Splash but Mike sidesteps that too. Stevens’ body crashes hard into the back of Zion in the corner. Darin falls to the canvas and rolls out of the ring. Mike catches Stevens and hits him with a side Russian leg sweep down to the canvas. Best transitions quickly and puts Stevens’s leg with the brace into a knee bar.
Joe Hoffman: Great rebound to get back into this match by the Champion. He’s working on the knee of Scott Stevens while Zion is on the outside of the ring. However, that earlier knee and the shots him Stevens has managed to bust Mike open here.
Benny Newell: Stevens got a cheap shot but now that Zion is on the outside, Mike is back to dictating this match. Not only is he going to take Stevens’s leg home with him but he’s brought himself some time to recover with this move.
Boettcher drops down and asks Stevens if he wants to submit but Stevens shakes his head no. Scott begins to try and drag himself to the ropes but Mike has the knee bar locked in deep. Zion manages to pull himself up to the ring apron and sees that Best has Stevens grounded. Zion springboards to the top rope then leaps off and connects with an elbow right to the heart of the Champion. The impact causes Mike to let go of the knee bar as he rolls on the canvas in pain. Darin gets to his feet and begins laying the boots on Mike while screaming at him about how he’s ungrateful. Zion grabs hold of both of Mike’s arms and pulls them backward. Darin raises his boot into the air and then hits Best with a curb stomp that sends him face-first to the mat. Zion wastes no time in dropping to the canvas and locking in The Love Handle.
Joe Hoffman: Zion has The Love Handle locked in here in the center of the ring on Mike Best! Could this be it?!
Benny Newell: Get the fuck up, Stevens! Do something! I swear to Lee if Zion becomes the HOW World Champion…
Boettcher asks Mike if he wants to give up but Best spits in the referee’s face as a response. Zion pulls back on the hold but Stevens rises to his feet and makes his way over. Instead of blasting Darin in the back of the head, Stevens grabs hold of Best’s legs and applies a modified Arachnophobia. Stevens sits back on the sharpshooter which causes Michael to scream in pain.
Benny Newell: When I said do something, I didn’t mean that, asshole!!!!
Joe Hoffman: Both challengers have the Champion locked in a submission but if you’re Boettcher? Who do you declare the winner if Mike submits here?!
Both men continue to try and break Mike Best in half as Boettcher continues to check with the Champion. Slowly, Mike begins to fade from the pain of both holds. Stevens notices this and immediately lets go of his legs. Scott hits Zion with a punt kick to the side of the head causing him to release the hold on Mike. Zion holds his head on the canvas as Mike rolls to the outside of the ring to recover. Stevens pulls Zion back up and gets him into a waistlock. Scott lifts Darin up and over with a release German suplex but Zion lands on his feet! Stevens scrambles back up to his feet quickly but Zion catches him with a zig-zag down to the mat. Scott hits hard as Zion hooks the leg and makes the cover.
Boettcher: ONE
Boettcher: TWO
NO! STEVENS KICKS OUT BEFORE THE THREE!
Joe Hoffman: We were one second away from having Darin Zion as the new HOW World Champion!
Benny Newell: No, we didn’t! Don’t even give these people false hope like that. There will never be a headline that reads Darin Zion wins the HOW World Championship belt in Mormon country!
Zion gets back up to his feet then turns and races toward the ropes. Stevens pulls himself off of the mat as Darin bounces off the ropes. Zion goes for a slingblade but Scott catches him and plants him down to the canvas with authority.
Joe Hoffman: DOUBLE S SPINEBUSTER!
The ring quivers a bit from the impact of the spinebuster before Stevens gets back up to his feet. Scott looks around and then decides to step through the ropes and begin to climb the turnbuckle.
Benny Newell: What the fuck is he think he’s doing?!
Joe Hoffman: With Darin Zion down and Mike Best still on the outside, it looks like Stevens is headed to the high-rent district!
Stevens makes it to the top rope and signals for a five-star frog splash but his leg gets yanked out from under him. Scott gets crotched along the top turnbuckle by Mike Best who has made his way back up to ring apron. Mike blasts Stevens with a high kick to the head that sends him crashing off the turnbuckle and down to the canvas.
Joe Hoffman: Stevens’s efforts were cut short there by the Champion who has asserted himself back into this match!
Benny Newell: Stevens gonna Stevens, Joe.
Mike steps through the ropes as Zion begins to stir. Best grabs hold of Darin and begins to blast him MMA-style punches, elbows, and knees that have Zion reeling. Best grabs hold of Darin and then whips him into the turnbuckle spine-first hard. Mike turns and bounces off the ropes as Zion staggers out of the corner. Best decapitates Darin with a full-weight running lariat that turns him inside out before hitting the mat.
Benny Newell: Stick a fork in Zion, he’s done!
Mike shakes out his arm a bit and then wipes the blood from his head. He turns his attention to Stevens who begins to pull himself up. Best charges and blasts Stevens with a running knee strike to the head of his own. Scott crumbles down to the canvas from the receipt from the World Champion. Darin staggers back to his feet then races up behind Mike trying to catch him off guard. Zion leaps into the air for another zig-zag but Mike counters with a single arm throw that sends Zion down to the canvas. Darin uses the ropes to pull himself back up to his feet as Mike charges. However, Zion manages to pull down the top rope and sends Mike crashing to the arena floor.
Benny Newell: That’s cheating! Do your job, Bittcher!!!
Darin races to the other side of the ropes as Mike begins to stir on the outside. Zion leaps through the ropes and then wipes out Best with a suicide dive that has the crowd on their feet.
Joe Hoffman: DARIN ZION TAKES FLIGHT!
Benny Newell: Can’t win the title on the outside of the ring!
Zion gets up to his feet and poses for the crowd that is going ape shit. Darin grabs hold of Mike off the arena floor and then runs him spine-first into the side of the ring apron. Zion rolls Mike under the bottom rope back into the ring. Darin climbs up onto the ring apron but Stevens catches Zion with Remember The Alamo right under the chin. Darin flies off the ring apron and crashes into the steel barricade.
Joe Hoffman: STEVENS JUST CAUGHT ZION OFF GUARD WITH THAT SUPERKICK!
Benny Newell: And this is just the beginning of the end, Joe. He’s alone with Michael in the ring… it’s academic now.
Stevens turns around and then grabs hold of Best off of the canvas. Scott pulls him back up to his feet and then tosses him up into the air. On the way down, Stevens blasts the Champion with Debbie Does Dallas. The European uppercut bends Mike’s head back in an awkward position as he falls to the canvas. Stevens quickly grabs Best once again and then shoves his head between his legs.
Joe Hoffman: STEVENS GOT ALL OF THAT DEBBIE DOES DALLAS EUROPEAN UPPERCUT AND IT LOOKS LIKE HE’S ABOUT TO PUT MICHAEL AWAY HERE!!!
Scott grips Best by the waist and lifts him into the air for a powerbomb Michael manages to counter and lock Stevens into The FiveTime-Out.
Benny Newell: WHAT DID I TELL YOU, JOE?!?! THE BEGINNING OF THE END! STEVENS HAS FUCKED AROUND AND NOW HE’S FINDING OUT WHAT A REAL WORLD CHAMPION LOOKS LIKE!!!
Best has Stevens wrapped tight as Boettcher asks Stevens if he wants to give it up. Scott screams no but he’s a long way away from the ropes. Mike continues to yank on the hold as Stevens falls to one knee. Stevens begins to fade very quickly but Zion rushes into the ropes and plows through both Mike and Stevens before Scott can tap out.
Joe Hoffman: ZION AT THE LAST SECOND JUST SAVED THIS MATCH!!!
Zion charges and hits Mike with Hammer Of Love as he tries to regain a vertical base. Best falls to the canvas but Stevens begins to stir. Zion turns around and blasts Stevens with a buzzsaw kick to the back of the head that floors him. Darin focuses back on Michael who is fighting his way off of the canvas. Zion gets a full head of steam and then charges forward. Darin blasts Best with a running Yakuza kick to the face in the corner. Mike hits the canvas hard but Zion hooks the leg and makes the cover hooking both legs.
Boettcher: ONE
Boettcher: TWO
Boettcher: THREE!
NO! MICHAEL POWERS HIS SHOULDER OFF THE CANVAS MILISECONDS BEFORE THE THREE!!!!
Joe Hoffman: WAS THAT THREE?! DID DARIN ZION JUST BECOME THE HOW WORLD CHAMPION?!?!!?
Benny Newell: NOPE! NEVER!!! MICHAEL KICKED OUT BEFORE THE THREE COUNT! ZION HAD HIS BEST CHANCE AND STILL CAME UP SHORT!!!
Zion looks at Boettcher and shoots three fingers into the air but Boettcher waves it off and tells Darin it was only two. Darin gets to his feet and signals that he’s going to end Mike Best. Zion grabs hold of Michael as he fights his way off the canvas and goes for Tough Love but Best counters by pushing Darin off of him. Mike shoved Darin hard enough to cause him and Boettcher to crash head-first into each other.
Joe Hoffman: BOETTCHER IS DOWN AND ALL THREE MEN ARE STILL IN THE RING!!!
Boettcher holds his head on the canvas as a stunned Zion turns around. Mike reaches out and rakes Darin in the eyes blinding him. Zion staggers trying to regain his vision as Mike takes a moment to recover. Best lines Zion up and charges forward…
Benny Newell: I KNEED A HERO!!!
Joe Hoffman: NO! ZION SAW HIM COMING!!!
Zion stops Mike’s momentum with a thumb to the eye. Best staggers but Darin hits him with an enzigiri kick to the back of the head that takes him down. As Zion gets back up to his feet, Stevens comes up quickly and then grabs a hold of him…
Joe Hoffman: TOXIC STING!!!
Benny Newell: NO! COUNTER!!!
Before Stevens can hit the move, Zion launches Stevens over the top rope and down to the arena floor below. Scott hits the arena floor hard as Zion turns around and focuses on Mike who is still on the canvas. Darin looks out at the crowd here in Utah and then begins to pull down one of his kneepads.
Joe Hoffman: ZION SAID EARLIER THIS WEEK THAT HE WAS GOING TO BEAT MIKE BEST BY DOING HIS OWN MOVE BETTER THAN HIM! ARE WE GOING TO SEE IT HERE?!?!
Benny Newell: NO FUCKING CHANCE IN HELL THAT ZION LANDS THIS! THERE IS NO WAY THIS FOOL IS GOING TO HIT MIKE WITH THE MOVE THAT HE MADE FAMOUS!!!
Zion gets a wild look in his eyes and then charges forward. Darin leaps into the air and goes for Love Potion No. 69 or his version of I KNEED A HERO but Mike dodges at the last second and Zion crashes and begins in the corner.
Benny Newell: I FUCKING TOLD YOU!!!
Joe Hoffman: DARIN TRIED TO ADD INSULT TO INJURY HERE BUT MIKE MOVED OUT OF THE WAY AND NOW ZION IS IN BIG TROUBLE!!!
Mike pulls himself up to his feet with a certain anger and swagger in his body language. Best marches over to the opposite corner, trash-talking the entire way before turning his focus to Zion. Mike lines Darin up and then charges forward…
Joe Hoffman: I KNEED A HERO CONNECTS!!!
Benny Newell: BALL FUCKING GAME!!! ALL IS RIGHT WITH THE WORLD!!!
Mike gets up to his feet after caving in Zion’s skull but notices that Boettcher hasn’t fully recovered. The brief pause allows the third man in this match to slide in behind him.
Joe Hoffman: LOW BLOW BY SCOTT STEVENS TO MIKE BEST!!!
Benny Newell: DISQUALIFY HIM!!!
Michael doubles over in pain from the shot by Stevens. Scott grabs hold of Mike and then tosses over the top rope and down to the arena floor. Stevens grabs Boettcher by the arm and drags him across the canvas before making the cover on Zion.
Boettcher: ONE…
Benny Newell: WHY THE FUCK IS HE COUNTING?!?!?! STEVENS CHEATED!!!
Boettcher: TWO…
Benny Newell: KICK THE FUCK OUT ZION!!!!
Boettcher: …THREE!
Benny Newell: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DING DING DING
Joe Hoffman: SCOTT STEVENS JUST PINNED DARIN ZION AFTER MIKE HIT HIM WITH I KNEED A HERO!!! WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR THE MAIN EVENT OF ICONIC?!?!?!
The crowd is going nuts as we get a shot of Michael Lee Best lying on his side holding his groin as Stevens turns wide eyed towards Mike on the arena floor……
Bryan McVay: HERE IS YOUR WINNER… AND NEWWWWW–
Before McVay can finish the statement the sound of the one word that makes everyone’s blood run cold blasts from the speakers….
UNDEADDDDD!!!
Closing Time
The music immediately stops as Lee makes his way onto the entrance ramp.
The whole arena is in complete and utter shock as all attention turns towards the GOD of HOW, who has a brand new 97Red World Championship over his shoulder, and is flanked by the PWA Co World Tag Team Champions, Dan Ryan and Jatt Starr, with their belts in tow as well.
Jatt is to the right of Lee and Ryan to the left as all three men stare down at the ring.
The camera zooms in and we see that Ryan is holding a Best Alliance jacket in his hands.
Stevens starts to exit the ring but Lee raises his hand and stops the man.
Lee Best: Hold the fuck on Stevens…..
Stevens turns back towards the center of the ring where Boettcher is still holding his head in pain and Zion is unmoving.
The camera pans out and we see Michael now up to one knee and he now sees the trio at the top of the ramp.
The Son of God then looks up at Stevens who is completely unsure of what is going on, before slowly rising up to his feet.
Mike turns his back to Stevens and to the ring in general and begins slowly walking up the ramp towards his Father.
The crowd and announcers are dead silent as the camera follows Best up the ramp…..the Hall of Famer wincing in pain with each step.
He finally makes it to the top and looks up at his Lee and specifically at the brand new 97Red World Championship on his shoulder.
With a heavy sigh Mike reaches out his right hand and slowly takes the Final Alliance jacket from Ryan and walks directly between Lee and Ryan and makes his way to the back without a word.
Lee can be seen smirking that infamous Best smirk as he looks on at Stevens in the middle of the ring.
As the Son slowly disappears behind Lee and into the backstage area with his Jacket, Lee pats the World Championship and turns around and starts towards the back as well.
Jatt and Ryan fall in behind him.
Joe Hoffman: Folks…..it is official…..your ne–
WHACK
Joe stops midsentence as everyone turns towards the ramp and we see Jatt Starr standing over Dan Ryan.
The HOV comes to life above the men and we see a replay of Jatt spinning his unsuspecting tag team partner and nailing him head first to the steel with his Falling Starr finisher.
The camera zooms in on Jatt as he slowly bends down and picks up the other Tag Team Championship belt.
He smiles as he puts a belt over each shoulder and heads to the back as a still dead silent crowd watch on.
Joe Hoffman: FOLKS WE ARE OUT OF TIME……..BUT WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR ICONIC!!!!
?Benny Newell: SCOTT STEVENS IS THE FUCKING CHAMP!!!
?That question lingers as we fade to black.