Post by Jman2k3 on Dec 31, 2023 9:28:37 GMT
ICONIC 2023
Event Date: December 30, 2023 at 10:00 pm
Michael Lee Best vs. Jatt Starr vs. Scott Stevens
Triple Threat World Championship Match
Post advert the feed comes back to the ringside area here in Allegiant Stadium. The crowd here in Las Vegas is rocking as the camera pans over the audience. After seeing all of the people lucky enough to be here to witness ICONIC live. We focus on the announcer’s table where Joe Hoffman and Benny Newell are ready to call the action.
Joe Hoffman: Welcome back ladies and gentlemen, I don’t think I need to tell you that we’ve got one last match here in 2023 and it’s about to go down here in just a few moments.
Benny Newell: A lot of guys can say a lot of things about what they’ve done in this business or who they have beaten. However, only a select few can say that been in the main event of ICONIC fighting for the richest prize in the industry.
Joe Hoffman: If you saw the Go Home show of Chaos 053, then you know that Scott Stevens pulled off what many thought to be the impossible. He defeated Darin Zion and Michael Lee Best to become–
Benny cuts Joe off.
Benny Newell: Don’t even say it, Joe! I don’t want to fucking hear those words come out of your mouth!
Joe Hoffman: It’s the truth, Benny! We all saw it with our own eyes! I know you might not like it or even accept it but it’s true!
Benny Newell: I reject your reality, Hoffman. For me to acknowledge what you want me to acknowledge is absolute blasphemy. I’d rather go to my grave than say those words out loud. All of this is just a horrible nightmare but it’s almost time for all of us to wake up from it.
Joe Hoffman: In the main event of ICONIC, Jatt Starr… Michael Lee Best… and Scott Stevens will battle to see which man will close out 2023 as the HOW World Champion. Anything you have to say, Benny? Maybe a spoiler you want to toss out to the people here tonight?
Benny Newell: The only thing I’m going to say is this… Michael Lee Best has never lost a match where he was The Challenger for the HOW World Championship. Do with that information what you will.
Joe Hoffman: Starr. Best. Stevens. The main event of ICONIC 2023 is coming your way and it’s about to start, right now!
The camera turns away from the announcer’s table to focus on the ring. Bryan McVay stands in the center with his head held high and his microphone in hand.
Bryan McVay: Ladies and gentlemen… our next match is the MAIN EVENT of ICONIC 2023…
McVay pauses as the crowd starts to buzz.
Bryan McVay: …AND IT’S FOR THE HOW WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP!!!
The crowd roars to life to the point it’s hard to hear yourself think inside of the building. McVay exhales until suddenly the lights dim.
Bryan McVay: Introducing first… The Challenger…
“BACK IN BLACK” by AC/DC begins to blare across the stadium. A golden spotlight shines on the curtain as Jatt Starr emerges. The ramp lights up, spotlight after spotlight, as Jatt stands front and center followed by two other figures.
Bryan McVay: From Havre, Montana, weighing in tonight at 220 lbs. Accompanied to the ring by XPRO Wrestler Hugo Scorpio and Ezster. He is a HOW Hall of Famer, He is the PWA Dual World Tag Team Champion. Representing The Final Alliance… here is THE RULER OF JATTLANTIS JATTTTTT STARRRRRR!!!
Jatt Starr poses with the PWA Dual World Tag Team Championship belts over each of his shoulders. The Rembrandt of Wrestling begins to smugly saunter down the ramp followed by both Hugo and Ezster. He only acknowledges the more attractive ladies in the audience (ages twenty-eight to thirty-five because he is no creepy old man), kissing hands, signing breasts in permanent marker, and the occasional finger gun with a wink. The entire time, Ezster gives Jatt, and any woman that dares even look at Jatt, a glare that could kill.
Joe Hoffman: It looks like Jatt Starr has come prepared here tonight with backup. The question is, are these two here to interfere in the match or are they here to make sure someone like Dan Ryan doesn’t ruin Jatt’s chances of leaving here as the HOW World Champion?
Benny Newell: Have more respect for the HOW Classic than that, you Heathen! We are witnessing perhaps the final match in the career of the last original great in HOW. You’re witnessing history right before your very eyes and you dare talk ill of the man who just happens to be Lee’s favorite wrestler and mine?!
Joe Hoffman: SINCE WHEN?!
Benny Newell: SINCE ALWAYS, DOUCHEHOLE! Jatt might not have always stayed in line but even in times of doubt, he’s always found his way back to exactly where he belongs. Others can complain that Jatt is even in this match, but no one can deny no one’s been as great as long as Jatt Starr has been. You couldn’t write a better ending to the career of Jatt Starr than to have him walk away as the new HOW World Champion.
Jatt Starr walks up the steel ring steps sporting his black and red checkered suit. The Ruler of Jattlantis walks along the ring apron as Ezster devotingly opens the ropes open for him. The Jattlantic City Idol enters the ring and a lone 97Red spotlight shines in the middle of the ring. The Duke of Jattmandu takes a knee and outstretches his arms holding the PWA World Tag Team Championship belts as if he is bathing in the red glow like Andy Dufresne during a rainstorm after escaping Shawshank.
Benny Newell: Someone go and get #JATT3BELTS trending on the Twatter machine!
As the red light fades and the lights come back up, the Sultan of SeaJattle removes his checked suit jacket revealing an old-school Best Alliance t-shirt which he removes, and hands to Hugo on the outside. The Thane of Starrkarth prepares for action as the music fades out.
Bryan McVay: And his opponent…
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 stadium 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. Mike has a look of dead seriousness on his face as he holds a mouthpiece in his right hand.
Bryan McVay: From Chicago, Illinois, weighing in tonight at 235 lbs. He is a HOW Hall of Famer, he is the Greatest Champion in the history of HOW. Representing The Final Alliance… here is The SON of GOD MICHAELLLLL LEEEEEEE BESTTTTT!!!
Mike slides the mouthpiece into place as he makes his way toward the ramp. There is no looking out at the crowd here tonight. No bobbing of his head to the sound of his theme music. No acting like his shit doesn’t stink. 1000% business for the former HOW World Champion.
Joe Hoffman: It’s been a rough few weeks for Michael Lee Best. He won the HOW World Championship belt for the 11th time at the In God’s House PPV but since then? He’s thrown the title belt into a river, he’s rejected his father’s attempts to join The Final Alliance and tore through the competition. That is UNTIL the Go Home show where he was outside of the ring watching someone else raising the HOW World Championship belt into the air.
Benny Newell: NONE of that matters, Joe. Michael is thankfully a part of The Final Alliance and he realizes what he’s done. It’s the most embarrassing loss of his career but still… Michael has made his New Year’s resolution to right the wrongs that should have never happened. Tonight is all about making sure that the richest prize in the business is around the waist is around the waist of the Face of the company.
As he marches toward the ring, Mike does a lap around the ringside area. His eyes fixed on the ring, but more importantly, the man standing in the corner holding the PWA World Tag Team Championship belts. He approaches the apron, rolls under the bottom rope, and bolts to his feet in the ring quickly. Michael makes a beeline to the corner where Jatt is standing and gets into his personal space. Mike stands close enough to Jatt to spot any sleep that might have still been in the corners of his eyes. His jaw is squared tight and he stares a hole in the man that loathes, daring Jatt to do something about it.
Joe Hoffman: Tensions are running high here and the match hasn’t even started yet!
Benny Newell: Only someone who has never been between those ropes would think that the match only begins when the bell rings. No, the match began the moment the card was finalized by Lee Best. Michael is asserting his dominance and trying to throw the HOW Classic off his game.
Starr back at Michael but eventually relents and ducks halfway through the ropes until Boettcher comes over and makes Michael back away from the corner. Mike makes his way to the opposite corner and climbs the turnbuckle. He screams out at the crowd here in Vegas while pounding his chest proudly. Once he hops down, Michael begins stretching and preparing for the beginning of the match as his music begins to quiet and fade away.
Bryan McVay: And now… The Champion…
Benny Newell: BLASPHEMY!!!
The lights in the stadium go black except for the thousands of lights from phones being held in the air as the sound of bells is heard throughout the stadium. Each bell lights up a signal spotlight above the stage and the final bell brings the High Octane Vision to life as “IT’S DARK, AND HELL IS HOT” is heard throughout the stadium and 97 Red-colored fire appears on the screen.
Ain’t no sunshine when it’s on
Only darkness every day
Ain’t no sunshine when it’s on, ’cause when it’s on
You haters know to be gone, every time, ’cause we don’t play
The intro for “NO SUNSHINE” by DMX begins to play as the piano hits its second key in secession before the Dark Man X goes acappella.
“WHO TURNED OUT THE LIGHTS?” is shouted throughout the stadium as the lights turn off before the video screen lights up.
An image of the HOW World Championship, with the words, “Reigning. Undisputed.” “World Champion.“ branded into the title flashes across the screen. The stadium 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 branding iron that slowly presses into the gold below the globe and champion banner as letters slowly appear from the smoke and begin to 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…HE IS A HALL OF FAMER! AND! THE REIGNING! AND DEFENDING! UNDISPUTED! HIGH OCTANE WRESTLING! WORLD! HEAVYWEIGHT! CHAMPION! SCOTTTTT STEEEEEEEVEEEEEEEENSSSSS!!!
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 opponents with an icy glare before slowly raising his right fist high into the air.
STEVENS! STEVENS! STEVENS!
Red, white, and blue pyro explodes on stage representing the Texas flag 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 fists bump some of his fans while raising a fist at a few of the more vocal bashers.
Joe Hoffman: I can assure you all watching at home that you heard correctly and there is nothing wrong with your television screens. Scott Stevens is the HOW World Champion and he’s walking into ICONIC here in Vegas to defend HIS title against two other Hall of Famers in Jatt Starr and Michael Lee Best.
Benny Newell: LIES AND SLANDER, HOFFMAN! Scott Stevens cheated while Bittcher was knocked out and lucked his way into having possession of 97 red.
Joe Hoffman: Because he’s the Champion! A win is a win, Benny, and I want to hear you say that Scott Stevens is the HOW World Champion!
Benny Newell: NEVER IN A MILLION FUCKING YEARS!
Stevens slowly makes his way around the ring never taking his eyes off of his opponents. He makes his way in front of the announcers’ booth while still focused on Jatt and Mike, reaches behind him, and makes sure Benny Newell is flipped off as well. Benny stands out of his seat and takes a swipe at Stevens. The HOW World Champion sidesteps Benny who begins yelling at him.
Benny Newell: THAT DOESN’T BELONG TO YOU AND YOU KNOW IT, YOU LONESOME LOSER, TAMPON MUNCHING FUCK!!!
Stevens threatens Benny until Joe has to get to his feet and stand between Benny and the HOW World Champion.
Joe Hoffman: You need to calm yourself down and remember to be a professional, you have a job to do!
Benny Newell: Fuck you, Joe. Seeing him holding that belt has driven me to want to drink again.
Joe Hoffman: ARE YOU DRUNK RIGHT NOW?!
Benny Newell: WHAT? No, I meant to want to drink all of the chemicals under the sink, Joe. However, if Stevens somehow leaves this building tonight with that title, you bet your ass I’m going to drink nonstop until the brain cells that store any memories of Scott Stevens with that belt die a quick and painful death.
Scott then continues his saunter around the ring 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 unfastening his championship and thrusting it upward for the audience to see. Stevens drops to the canvas walks between his challengers and eyeballs each one before ascending the ropes once more and holding the title proudly into the air. Stevens drops to the canvas as a loud chant erupts from the crowd and he goes to his respective corner.
STEVENS! STEVENS! STEVENS!
McVay exits the ring as Boettcher begins to check over each competitor. Jatt hands his titles to Ezster on the outside, Michael slams his fists together anxiously, while Stevens stands there with a knowing smirk on his face. Boettcher takes the HOW World Championship belt away from Stevens and then walks over to show the title to Michael Lee Best. The sight of the title only stirs up a more intense bloodlust inside the SON of GOD. Boettcher walks to the other corner and shows the belt to Jatt Starr who looks down at the title with wide eyes and a look of greed on his face. Boettcher moves to the center of the ring and then holds the HOW World Championship belt high into the air.
Benny Newell: I hope Lee has another new HOW World Championship belt waiting backstage. This one has been tainted with Lonesome Loser cooties.
Boettcher lowers the belt then walks over to the ropes and hands the title off to the timekeeper. The senior referee moves back to the center and points to each wrestler in the match. All three men nod their heads before he calls to the bell to signal the start of this match.
DING DING
Joe Hoffman: TRIPLE THREAT MATCH FOR THE HOW WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP HERE IN ICONIC MAIN EVENT. HERE. WE. GO!
All three men remain in their corners and just stare at each other. The tension in the ring begins to build as each man waits for one of his opponents to make the first move. Tired of waiting, Michael steps out of his corner and then tells both Starr and Stevens to bring it on. Scott and Jatt step out of their corners and then stare at each other. Words are exchanged back and forth between the two men as it appears they are about to come to blows. However, both men turn and look over at the former HOW World Champion. Michael narrows his eyes but both Jatt and Stevens are on him quickly.
Starr and Stevens unleash a furious assault of kicks and punches down on Best. Mike does his best to fight back but the barrage is too much and he’s beaten down to the canvas. Michael curls up and tries to protect himself using his MMA training but his opponents are relentless. Scott and Jatt grab hold of Mike and pull him back up to his feet. Stevens plants a boot to the midsection of the former Champion before both men toss Best over the top rope and down to the stadium floor below. The crowd is silent, not believing what they are seeing as Jatt and Stevens begin trading blows inside the ring.
Michael sits down on the stadium floor and looks up at the ring as he recovers from the previous ambush. Suddenly, Michael begins trembling with anger realizing this is exactly where he was when he lost the HOW World Championship belt on Chaos.
Benny Newell: Scott Stevens has fucked up now!
Joe Hoffman: Jatt Starr helped Stevens toss Michael out of the ring!
Benny Newell: I have no idea what match you’re watching, Joe.
Jatt and Stevens continue to fire away at each other but Michael storms back up to his feet with rage oozing out of every pore. Best slides back into the ring and gets to his feet. He gets in between Jatt and Stevens before pushing Starr down to the canvas. Scott fires a right hand but Mike blocks it and begins to unload of Stevens. Each shot sends Stevens reeling back toward the corner. Best rains down shot after shot before grabbing the top rope as he stomps Stevens down to the canvas. Jatt gets to his feet and rushes toward the corner.
Michael feels him coming and moves out of the way as Starr comes flying in with a shoulder. However, Jatt collides with Stevens who had just managed to pull himself off the canvas. Scott doubles over in pain as Jatt backs away from the corner. Mike comes up from behind Starr and grips a waistlock. Best goes for a belly-to-back suplex but Jatt counters with elbow shots to the side of the head that break his grip. Michael staggers a bit as Jatt turns around and goes for the ManJattan Drop but as he lifts Mike into the air, the SON catches the HOW Classic with a knee to the chin that has him stunned. Michael grabs Jatt and sends him to the canvas with a belly-to-belly suplex. Giving Jatt no time to breathe, Mike gets to his feet and pulls Starr over toward a corner. Michael slams Jatt face-first into the top turnbuckle a few times before lifting him into the air.
The SON of GOD turns Jatt upside down and then hangs him into a tree of woe in the corner by the legs. Starr swings his arms frantically as Michael jogs to the opposite corner. With a head of steam, Best charges out of the corner toward Jatt…
Joe Hoffman: SCOTT STEVENS OUT OF NOWHERE!
Michael goes for a low dropkick to the face of Jatt in the corner but before he can do it, Stevens intercepts him and takes him down to the canvas with a swinging neckbreaker. Mike hits the canvas hard and holds the back of his neck in pain. Stevens sees the opportunity in front of him and then rolls Best onto his back and makes the cover as Boettcher slides in for the count.
Matt Boettcher: ONE
THE SON KICKS OUT IMMEDIATELY AFTER ONE!
Joe Hoffman: You can’t blame Stevens for making the cover there. The chances of getting the three there were low but with Jatt stuck in the corner and Best down, you take any opportunity that you can get.
Benny Newell: The Son kicking out at one ALWAYS brings out the best in wrestling fans….the best of the best…..you could call them elite even.
Joe Hoffman: What are you talking about?!
Benny Newell: For the second show in a row, Scott Stevens tried to come out of nowhere and screw Michael out of the HOW World Championship belt. You might think it’s all shits and giggles having Stevens as the man with that belt but this is the SON of GOD. You do remember that, right? You remember the kind of Hell Michael Lee Best can unleash when he’s been denied not once but twice of something that is rightfully his.
Stevens gets back up to his feet and begins to stomp away at Michael before using his boot to push him under the bottom rope and to the ring apron. Stevens turns his attention to Jatt who is still upside down in the corner. Scott wraps his arms around Starr’s midsection and then frees him from the corner. Stevens holds Jatt over his shoulder and goes for a running powerslam but Starr squirms out of Scott’s grip and lands on his feet behind him. Jatt hooks both of Stevens’ arms and begins to twist him around.
Benny Newell: FALLING STARR!
Joe Hoffman: COUNTERED BY STEVENS!
Scott manages to push Jatt away from him and toward the ropes. Starr hits the ropes but ends up knocking heads with Michael who has pulled himself to his feet on the ring apron. The SON goes flying off the ring apron and into the barricade at ringside. Jatt leans on the top rope holding his head in pain as the World Champion charges. Stevens hits Starr with a clothesline that sends him over the top rope and down to the stadium floor below. Scott hypes up the crowd who once again begin to chant his name.
STEVENS! STEVENS! STEVENS!
The Texan drops to the canvas and then rolls to the outside of the ring. Stevens moves over toward Best and then pulls him to his feet. Before Stevens can capitalize, Mike shoves him away creating a bit of space. The SON uncorks a high kick to the head and lands flush. Stevens staggers about, out of on his feet from the shot until Mike takes all of his rage and runs Stevens head-first into the steel ring post. The sickening sound of a skull hitting metal echoes throughout the building as the crowd groans. Michael isn’t done as he keeps his grip on the Champion’s head and dibbles it off the steel ring post repeatedly until his arms finally grow tired. Stevens collapses in a heap on the stadium floor.
Joe Hoffman: SCOTT STEVENS IS A BLOODY FREAKING MESS ON THE stadium FLOOR!
The HOW World Champion lays face-first in a pool of his own blood as Michael admires his handiwork. Mike begins to turn around but catches a thumb in the eye from Jatt Starr. Blinded, Best staggers a bit until Jatt hits him with the ManJattan Drop on the stadium floor. Jatt grabs Micheal off of the floor and then drags him over to the barricade. Starr pulls Mike to his feet and then hits him with a side Russian leg sweep into the barricade. The back of Best’s head bounces off the barricade but Jatt pulls him to his feet once again. Starr hooks Mike up and then plants him with Starrabian Leg Sweep DDT down onto the ground.
Benny Newell: Years of frustration pour out of Jatt Starr right now as he tries to cave in the skull of The SON of GOD. Stevens is bleeding like it’s shark week and Michael is down and out. Do it, Jatt! Come on!
Jatt takes a moment to catch his breath before he makes his way over to the announcer’s table. Starr begins to throw things around and clear the table of any items.
Joe Hoffman: Jatt has bad intentions and I don’t know if it’s safe anymore here for us, Benny!
Starr clears the table as Joe and Benny get up from their seats. Jatt walks over, grabs hold of Mike, and drags him over to the table. Starr slams Mike head-first onto the table, opening up a cut from his previous move above his right eyebrow. Jatt rolls Michael onto the table and then heads to the ring apron. Starr pulls himself up and then steps through the ropes. Boettcher yells for Jatt to bring the action back to the ring but the HOW Classic ignores him. Jatt goes to the corner and then begins to climb the turnbuckle. The crowd stands on their feet as Starr finds his balance on the top rope.
Joe Hoffman: WHAT THE HECK DOES HE THINK HE’S DOING?!
Benny Newell: JATT STARR IS PROVING TO MICHAEL AND EVERYONE ELSE THAT HE STILL HAS IT!
Jatt looks to the sky quickly before leaping off the rope and puts Mike through the announcer’s table with a flying elbow drop. The crowd erupts from the car crash they just saw at ringside.
HO-LEE SHIT! HO-LEE SHIT! HO-LEE SHIT!
Jatt rolls around on the now-broken announcer’s table holding his elbow in pain. Benny leans over Starr and begins clapping his hands together repeatedly.
Benny Newell: GET UP, JATT! COME ON, YOU CAN DO THIS! GET UP AND GET BACK INTO THE RING. GO WIN THAT HOW WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BELT! BUT PIN STEVENS, NOT MIKE!
Starr groans in pain as he fights and struggles his way back up to his feet while holding his elbow. Jatt looks around and then grabs hold of Best. He slides him back into the ring before sliding in behind him.
Benny Newell: I SAID STEVENS NOT MIKE!
Joe Hoffman: THIS MIGHT BE OVER HERE IF JATT CAN MAKE A COVER!
Jatt crawls over to Michael to hook the leg and makes the cover as Boettcher slides in for the count.
Matt Boettcher: ONE
Stevens begins to peel himself off the stadium floor, his head leaking blood like a faucet.
Matt Boettcher: TWO
Stevens staggers to a vertical base and turns toward the ring. Unfortunately, he doesn’t see Hugo Scorpio come up from behind him. Hugo grabs Stevens and runs him as hard as he can into the steel ring steps.
Joe Hoffman: HUGO JUST TOOK OUT SCOTT STEVENS ON THE OUTSIDE HERE WHILE BOETTCHER IS COUNTING!
Matt Boettcher: THR–
NO! MICHAEL GETS HIS SHOULDER OFF THE CANVAS BEFORE THE THREE!!!
Benny Newell: Holy shit that was close!
Joe Hoffman: A split second before crowning a new HOW World Champion there but Best got his shoulder up just in time!
Hugo throws a mini fit on the outside as Jatt rolls over and pleads with Boettcher that it was three but the senior referee stands his ground and says it was only two. Jatt storms up to his feet and grabs hold of Mike. He pulls him back to his feet and then goes for the Jattlantian Suplex but Best blocks it. Michael transitions into a single-leg takedown and then applies a kneebar to Starr’s leg. Pain courses through Jatt’s body while he bites his fist to keep from screaming. Mike cranks on the knee as Boettcher asks Jatt if he wants to give it up but Starr refuses. Slowly, but surely, Jatt begins to crawl toward the ropes. Michael keeps a vice-like grip on Jatt’s leg as he continues to try and fight his way to the bottom rope. Starr can’t make it to the ropes and the pain starts to become unbearable.
Thinking quickly, Jatt grabs hold of Boettcher by his referee’s shirt and screams at him that Mike has an illegal hold on his leg. Boettcher looks at Starr like he’s crazy but Jatt howls and insists that the referee look. Against his better judgment, Boettcher checks the hold but with his eyes off of Jatt, it allows Hugo to reach into the ring and pull Starr by the arm to the bottom rope. Jatt kicks his free leg and tells Boettcher that he’s made it to the ropes. The referee turns around and sees that Jatt indeed has the bottom rope in his hands. The referee begins a five count to force Mike to let go of the knee.
Joe Hoffman: Jatt Starr is a master of dirty tactics and used the momentary distraction to allow his companion at ringside to pull him to the bottom rope before he was forced to tap!
Benny Newell: The only thing that Hugo has done is stand by the ring apron offering encouragement and support to Jatt!
Joe Hoffman: You saw him reach into the ring and pull Jatt to the ropes.
Benny Newell: You mean that Hugo reached his arm out and transferred some of his fighting spirit to his friend? That gave HOW Classic the strength to make it to the ropes. Jeez, Hoffman, it’s like you have no idea how best friendship works.
Mike lets go of Jatt’s leg and gets back up to his feet. He uses the back of his hand to wipe some blood from his face before stalking toward his opponent. Michael grabs hold of Jatt’s arm with the bad elbow but Starr wraps the rest of his body around the ropes and refuses to let go. Once again, Boettcher is forced to come over and start a count for Best to let go. Frustrated, Mike lets go and backs up to the center of the ring. He doesn’t however notice that someone is behind him.
Joe Hoffman: How is Scott Stevens on his feet right now?!
Benny Newell: Hugo, you fuckstick! You didn’t finish the job!
Stevens, standing on the ring apron, grabs hold of the top rope with both hands and then launches himself into the ropes. While in the air, he grabs a hold of Best by the neck…
Joe Hoffman: SLINGSHOT TOXIC STING! MIKE BEST IS DOWN AND ALL STEVENS HAS TO DO IS COVER HIM!!!
Benny Newell: NOOOOO! PLEASE NOT AGAIN! SOMEBODY HELP! CALL THE EPU! CALL THE ROCKETTES! CALL THE GHOSTBUSTERS! CALL ANYONE TO COME STOP SCOTT STEVENS FROM RUINING THE HOLIDAYS!!!
Mike Best is down and not moving. Jatt Starr is still wrapped in the ropes and trying to recover. All Stevens has to do is make the cover… but Stevens is down too! His face and chest are covered in blood as he lies face-first on the canvas.
Joe Hoffman: Scott Stevens has lost a lot of blood in this match but somehow, he needs to get over and make the cover while he has the chance.
Benny Newell: OR… we got a medic out here to check on Scott Stevens. Like you said, he’s lost a lot of blood and NO ONE here in Vegas would mind at all if Stevens was stretchered out of the building and deemed unfit to continue.
The crowd begins stomping their feet and making noise trying to rally Stevens back to life. The proud Texan plants his fist onto the canvas and begins to push himself up. Stevens begins to crawl over toward Michael who still isn’t moving. The air in the stadium is sucked out like a vacuum waiting to see if Stevens can make it to Best. Finally, Stevens manages to drape an arm on top of Mike’s chest as Boettcher slides in for the count.
Matt Boettcher: ONE
Matt Boettcher: TWO
Matt Boettcher: THREE!
NO! JATT STARR YANKS STEVENS OFF OF MIKE AT THE LAST POSSIBLE MOMENT!!!
Benny Newell: Oh, thank LEE!
Joe Hoffman: If Stevens was able to make the cover sooner, there would have been no way Jatt Starr would have made it time to break it up.
Benny Newell: Shut your filthy mouth! Jatt Starr always makes it in time!
Jatt grabs hold of Stevens and pulls him to a vertical base. Starr plants a boot to the midsection and then whips Stevens into the corner. However, Stevens manages to reverse the whip and sends Jatt toward the corner. Scott follows in behind Jatt toward the corner. Stevens leaps into the air going for a Stinger Splash but Jatt springboards off the middle rope and catches Scott in midair with a dropkick. Stevens rolls around on the canvas holding his midsection in pain as Starr gets back up to his feet. Jatt gathers up Stevens before hooking him by the neck. Starr lifts Stevens into the air and then plants him with Starrmageddon.
The ring shakes from impact as Starr once again pulls himself up to his feet. Jatt looks around at the crowd and then signals that Scott Stevens is done. Loud boos come from the fans as Starr stalks around the Texan. The PWA Dual World Tag Team Champion has his arms extended and waits patiently as Stevens tries to fight his way back up to his feet.
Benny Newell: All Jatt has to do is hit Stevens with the Falling Starr and he’s as good as HOW World Champion. I told you to get it trending, #JATT3BELTS
Jatt grabs hold of Stevens and goes to twist him around for the Falling Starr but Stevens pushes Jatt away from him. Starr turns around and charges back toward Stevens but Scott catches him and plants him with the Double S Spinebuster down to the canvas.
Joe Hoffman: Great counter by Stevens but can he capitalize?
Stevens pounds his fist repeatedly on the canvas as he fights his way back to a vertical base. Scott grabs hold of Jatt and shoves his head between his legs. Stevens grips Starr by the waist and then lifts him into the air. Stevens goes for a powerbomb but Jatt manages to snake his way out of Scott’s grip and land on his feet behind him. Starr locks Stevens into a sleeper hold before planting him down on the mat with Jattisfaction. Jatt quickly hooks the leg and makes the cover on Scott Stevens as Boettcher slides in for the count.
Matt Boettcher: ONE
Matt Boettcher: TWO
Matt Boettcher: THREE!!!
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…NO! MIKE BEST IS BACK ON HIS FEET AND BREAKS UP THE COUNT!!!
Joe Hoffman: Are you seeing this, Benny?! Mike is literally deadlifting Jatt off of Scott Stevens to break up the count!
Benny Newell: You don’t win 11 HOW World Championship belts without being a beast inside that ring, Joe!
Michael muscles Jatt up and over with a German suplex that plants him awkwardly down to the canvas. The SON gets back up to his feet as Stevens manages to pull himself up to a seated position. Michael charges and then blasts Stevens in the back of the head with a step-up enzuigiri kick. Mike gets back up to his feet but he goes down hard as Jatt cuts him down with a chop block to the back of the knee. Starr gets to his feet and then grabs hold of Michael. Jatt pulls him up to a vertical base but Mike rakes his eyes. Jatt staggers as Michael stomps his leg onto the mat a couple of times trying to get feeling back in it. Mike takes off and heads toward the ropes. He bounces off the ropes and nearly beheads Starr with a running full-weight lariat that turns him inside out.
Mike begins to roar as he pulls himself back up to his feet. The SON is clearly feeling it now and looking to put this one away. Michael turns around and sees Stevens trying to pull himself up off the canvas. With a running start, Best charges toward the man who robbed him of the HOW World Championship belt just weeks ago.
Joe Hoffman: I KNEED A HERO?
We’ll never know if Joe’s prediction is true because Stevens powers his way to his feet and catches Mike before he can act. Stevens launches Mike as high into the air as he possibly can and clubs him with Debbie Does Dallas. The European uppercut lands so hard that Mike’s mouthpiece goes flying out of the ring before he hits the canvas. Stevens drops to one knee, pretty much running on pure instinct alone at this point. However, his rest period is short before Jatt charges in and cuts Stevens in half.
Benny Newell: STARRLITE SEXPRESS! PIN HIM!!!
The spear wipes out Stevens who can barely move at this point. Jatt uses the ropes to pull himself back up to his feet. With labored breathing, Starr grabs hold of Stevens and begins to pull him back up to his feet. Jatt hooks both of Stevens’ arms and begins to twist him around.
Joe Hoffman: JATT’S GONE FOR THE FALLING STARR SEVERAL TIMES IN THIS MATCH BUT CAN HE HIT IT THIS TIME?!
Jatt has Stevens in position but as if it was suddenly Easter Sunday, Mike is miraculously back up his feet. The SON steps forward and blasts Jatt in the face with Hashtag Muted.
Joe Hoffman: HASHTAG MUTED OUT OF DESPERATION AND JATT IS THWARTED!
Benny Newell: BUT THAT KICKS CAUSED JATT TO FALL BACKWARDS WHICH MEANS STEVENS GOT HIT WITH THE FALLING STARR TOO!
Boettcher stands in the center of the ring and looks around as Stevens, Starr, and Best are all laid out on the canvas unable to get back up to their feet. The crowd voices their approval for the war taking place in the ring as Boettcher begins a ten count.
Boettcher reaches the count of seven but none of the competitors look like they are going to be able to beat the count. Scorpio hops up onto the ring apron and yells at Boettcher causing him to stop counting. Boettcher demands that Hugo gets down off of the ring apron but he’s distracted once again and this allows Ezster to slide Jatt his PWA World Tag Team Championship belt.
Joe Hoffman: Hugo and Ezster have paid dividends for Jatt here tonight but Boettcher needs to get them out of here and take back control of his match.
Benny Newell: BITTCHER is a notorious slow counter and all Hugo is doing is making sure he calls this match fairly.
Joe Hoffman: Do you not see Ezster handing Jatt Starr his Championship belt?!
Benny Newell: She’s an innocent girl, Joe. Hasn’t she already been through enough without your accusations?
Michael is the first to pull himself back up to his feet while Boettcher is still distracted. Slowly, Best staggers over to the corner and grabs hold of Jatt. Mike pulls him to his feet but gets blasted in the face with the PWA World Tag Team Championship belt. Michael hits the canvas hard as Jatt quickly rolls him out of the ring and gets rid of the Championship belt. Hugo holds up his hands in surrender and hops down off the apron. Jatt falls to the canvas and acts like nothing happened as Boettcher turns back around.
Benny Newell: You can be talented, you can have dominant DNA coursing through your veins but nothing beats experience!
Joe Hoffman: Jatt Starr cleaned Mike’s clock with that belt and now he’s pretending his still hurt after all that.
Benny Newell: Are you insinuating that Jatt hasn’t suffered in this match?
Joe Hoffman: You know what I mean, Benny!
Boettcher begins to count again but this time Jatt gets back up to his feet much quicker. Starr marches his way over toward Stevens and then grabs hold of both of his legs. Jatt goes to hit Scott with Starr’s Knee and Crotch but Stevens uses the power in his legs to kick Jatt away and down to the canvas. Starr gets back up to his feet and charges toward Stevens but Scott catches him coming in. Stevens lifts Jatt over his shoulders and then plants him down to the canvas with Houston We Have A Problem. Hugo begins to panic on the outside of the ring as Ezster tries to check on Starr. Stevens falls to the canvas and is unable to get up. Boettcher drops down and checks on the Champion but Ezster slides Jatt the other PWA World Tag Team Championship belt.
Joe Hoffman: And there she goes again giving Jatt yet another weapon as soon as he’s in trouble here.
Benny Newell: Those title belts are precious to Jatt and poor Ezster is just offering Jatt a look at them for inspiration!
Stevens waves off Boettcher and then fights his way back up to his feet. Jatt is on his feet in the corner but has his back turned away from Stevens. Scott reaches out and grabs hold of Starr by the shoulder. Stevens spins Jatt around who raises the title belt into the air to blast Stevens but the Champion dodges and Starr blasts Boettcher with the belt.
Benny Newell: LEEDAMMIT BITTCHER! THIS IS EXACTLY HOW STEVENS RUINED CHRISTMAS ON CHAOS AND NOW IT’S HAPPENING ALL OVER AGAIN!
Joe Hoffman: The referee is down and even though Jatt knocked him out. This still spells bad news for Scott Stevens.
Starr is in shock for a moment but spins around with the belt. It’s all for naught as Stevens drops down and hits Jatt with a low blow that causes him to drop the PWA World Tag Team Championship belt. Jatt falls to the canvas in pain as Stevens gets back up to his feet. Scott grabs a hold of Jatt’s head and then places it over the Championship belt. Stevens backs away to a neutral corner and then gets a running start. Jatt tries to pull himself off the canvas but Stevens leaps up and hits Starr with a curb stomp right onto the belt. Jatt’s body goes limp but Stevens grabs hold of him and pulls him back up. Scott shoves Jatt’s head between his legs and then grabs hold of him by the waist. Stevens lifts Starr into the air and then…
Joe Hoffman: GAME CHANGER ONTO THE CHAMPIONSHIP BELT!!!
Benny Newell: I SWEAR TO LEE, IF BITTCHER CAUSES THIS LOSER TO WALK OUT OF HERE WITH THAT BELT AGAIN I’M GONNA…
Instead of finishing that sentence, Benny reaches into his pocket and pulls out a flask.
Benny Newell: FUCK IT!
Benny leans back and takes a drink from the flask as Stevens gets back up to his feet. Scott grabs hold of Boettcher and then drags him over toward Jatt. Stevens hooks the leg and makes the cover on Starr as Boettcher slowly begins to count.
Matt Boettcher: ONE
Matt Boettcher: TWO
Matt Boettcher: THREE!!!!
Bryan McVay rises to his feet with this microphone but it’s a moment too soon as Boettcher is yanked out of the ring before the three. Stevens raises his head and looks around confused before he sees Michael Lee Best sending the senior referee crashing into the steel barricade. Mike turns around and flips the double bird toward Stevens who is livid.
Joe Hoffman: I can’t believe you’re doing that, Benny!
Benny Newell: Everything is better when I’m drinking. Just look, Michael spared us another day having to deal with Stevens wearing that belt. So, if Kneesus wants me to drink then you bet your fucking ass I’m going to get tore up from the floor up!
Mike slides back into the ring as the fight is on between him and Stevens. Both men are completely brutalized and barely standing but are swinging for the fences with each shot. Michael buries a knee to the midsection for Stevens and then grabs a hold of him. The SON carries Stevens over his shoulders and then hits him with a GTS knee shot to the face that sends him crumpling down to the canvas. Before Mike can drop down for the cover, Jatt races in and takes Best down with Art Starr-Knee Jatt gets up to his feet and begins to order Hugo and Ezster around while Boettcher is still down. Hugo grabs hold of the HOW World Championship belt and slides it into the ring to Jatt. Ezster goes over and begins to shake Boettcher trying to get him conscious again. Starr grabs the Championship belt and stares down at it in his hands as Mike slowly begins to pull himself back up. Jatt charges toward and blasts Mike across the face with the HOW World Championship belt. Michael hits the canvas like a ton of bricks as Jatt tosses the title belt. Jatt hooks the leg and makes the cover on Mike as Hugo grabs Boettcher. Hugo tosses Boettcher back into the ring and he begins to slowly count.
Matt Boettcher: ONE
Matt Boettcher: TWO
Matt Boettcher: THREE!!!!
DING DING DING!!!
NOOOOOOO!!!! BOETTCHER WAVES OFF THE BELL BECAUSE MIKE GOT HIS FOOT ON THE BOTTOM ROPE!!!!
Joe Hoffman: JATT JUST WON THE HOW WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BELT BUT BOETTCHER SEEN HIS FOOT ON THE ROPES AND NOW THE MATCHES CONTINUES!!!
Jatt is furious over the fact that neither Hugo nor Ezster bothered to push Mike’s foot off of the ropes. Starr grabs hold of Mike and drags him away from the ropes. Jatt hooks both legs and makes the cover again as Boettcher begins to count.
Matt Boettcher: ONE
Matt Boettcher: TWO
Matt Boettcher: THREE!!!!
NOOOOOOOOOO!!! SCOTT STEVENS PLOWS THROUGH JATT STARR WITH A RUNNING KNEE TUMBLER TO BREAK UP THE COUNT!!!
Benny Newell: THANK FUCK FOR SCOTT–
Benny pauses for a moment.
Benny Newell: NOPE, CAN’T SAY IT, STILL NOT SHIT-FACED ENOUGH!
Benny continues drinking as Stevens grabs hold of Jatt and pulls him up to his feet. Scott lifts Starr into the air and then tosses him over the top rope sending him crashing down onto Hugo and Ezster. All three crash down to the stadium floor as Stevens turns around. Mike begins struggling his way off of the canvas but Scott grabs hold of him by the neck. Stevens pulls Michael to his feet and keeps his grip on his neck.
Stevens begins to trash-talk Mike and tell him that this time his Hubris will have nothing to do with him losing another match against him. Stevens leaps into the air…
Joe Hoffman: TOXIC STING!!!
Benny Newell: COUNTERED!!!
Michael pushes Stevens away before he can hit his finisher. Stevens turns around but hits a kick to the temple from Best that doubles him over like a slinky going down a flight of stairs. Mike grabs Stevens but the head and then shoves it between his legs. The SON grips Stevens by the air and lifts him off the canvas.
Joe Hoffman: GAME CHANGER BY MICHAEL LEE BEST TO SCOTT STEVENS!
Benny Newell: FUCK YES! BEAT THAT FRAUD WITH HIS OWN MOVE!
Stevens gets spiked down to the canvas hard with the piledriver. Mike gets back up to his feet and then backs up into the corner. The SON takes a stance while urging Stevens to get back up to his feet. The HOW World Champion fights and struggles to get back up as Mike bolts out of the corner.
Joe Hoffman: I KNEED A HERO!!!
Benny Newell: BALL GAME!!! IM SO FUCKING HARD RIGHT NOW!!!
Instead of making the cover, Mike leans down and grabs hold of Stevens. He pulls the Texan back up to a seated position before trash-talking him right back. Michael lets go of Stevens and then backs away into the ropes. The SON pulls down his knee pad before getting a running start once again.
Joe Hoffman: I KNEED A HERO X2!!!!
The sound of bone-on-bone impact at a high velocity echoes through the crowd as Stevens collapses down to the canvas. Michael hooks the leg and makes the cover on Stevens as Boettcher slides in for the count.
Matt Boettcher: ONE
Outside of the ring, Hugo and Ezster get back to their feet and see the cover being made inside of the ring.
Matt Boettcher: TWO
Hugo grabs The Ruler of Jattlantis and pulls him up to his feet.
Matt Boettcher: THREE!!!!!
NOOO!!! HUGO TOSSES JATT INTO THE RING TO BREAK UP THE COUNT BEFORE THE THREE!!!!
…BUT A SPLIT SECOND TOO LATE!!!!
DING DING DING!!!
Benny Newell: FUCK YES! HOFFMAN I’M SO HAPPY I COULD BEND YOU OVER HIS CHAIR AND FUCK YOU LIKE A 97 RED ROSTER MEMBER ON A MCKENNA BLUE CARD! PRAISE THE SON! PRAISE GOD! ALL HAIL THE 12-TIME HOW WORLD CHAMPION!!!
Benny raises his flask into the air but Hoffman snatches it from him.
Joe Hoffman: GIVE ME THAT THING!
Joe turns up the flask and begins drinking much to Benny’s surprise.
Bryan McVay: Here is your winner… AND THE NEWWWWW HOW WORLD CHAMPION! MICHAELLLLL LEEEEEE BESTTTTTT!!!
Fireworks erupt around the stadium and confetti falls from the heavens as The Son of GOD once again reclaims his throne.
We get a final shot of Mike putting the Championship on his shoulder and smirking into the camera as 2023 comes to a close for High Octane Wrestling.
Event Date: December 30, 2023 at 10:00 pm
Michael Lee Best vs. Jatt Starr vs. Scott Stevens
Triple Threat World Championship Match
Post advert the feed comes back to the ringside area here in Allegiant Stadium. The crowd here in Las Vegas is rocking as the camera pans over the audience. After seeing all of the people lucky enough to be here to witness ICONIC live. We focus on the announcer’s table where Joe Hoffman and Benny Newell are ready to call the action.
Joe Hoffman: Welcome back ladies and gentlemen, I don’t think I need to tell you that we’ve got one last match here in 2023 and it’s about to go down here in just a few moments.
Benny Newell: A lot of guys can say a lot of things about what they’ve done in this business or who they have beaten. However, only a select few can say that been in the main event of ICONIC fighting for the richest prize in the industry.
Joe Hoffman: If you saw the Go Home show of Chaos 053, then you know that Scott Stevens pulled off what many thought to be the impossible. He defeated Darin Zion and Michael Lee Best to become–
Benny cuts Joe off.
Benny Newell: Don’t even say it, Joe! I don’t want to fucking hear those words come out of your mouth!
Joe Hoffman: It’s the truth, Benny! We all saw it with our own eyes! I know you might not like it or even accept it but it’s true!
Benny Newell: I reject your reality, Hoffman. For me to acknowledge what you want me to acknowledge is absolute blasphemy. I’d rather go to my grave than say those words out loud. All of this is just a horrible nightmare but it’s almost time for all of us to wake up from it.
Joe Hoffman: In the main event of ICONIC, Jatt Starr… Michael Lee Best… and Scott Stevens will battle to see which man will close out 2023 as the HOW World Champion. Anything you have to say, Benny? Maybe a spoiler you want to toss out to the people here tonight?
Benny Newell: The only thing I’m going to say is this… Michael Lee Best has never lost a match where he was The Challenger for the HOW World Championship. Do with that information what you will.
Joe Hoffman: Starr. Best. Stevens. The main event of ICONIC 2023 is coming your way and it’s about to start, right now!
The camera turns away from the announcer’s table to focus on the ring. Bryan McVay stands in the center with his head held high and his microphone in hand.
Bryan McVay: Ladies and gentlemen… our next match is the MAIN EVENT of ICONIC 2023…
McVay pauses as the crowd starts to buzz.
Bryan McVay: …AND IT’S FOR THE HOW WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP!!!
The crowd roars to life to the point it’s hard to hear yourself think inside of the building. McVay exhales until suddenly the lights dim.
Bryan McVay: Introducing first… The Challenger…
“BACK IN BLACK” by AC/DC begins to blare across the stadium. A golden spotlight shines on the curtain as Jatt Starr emerges. The ramp lights up, spotlight after spotlight, as Jatt stands front and center followed by two other figures.
Bryan McVay: From Havre, Montana, weighing in tonight at 220 lbs. Accompanied to the ring by XPRO Wrestler Hugo Scorpio and Ezster. He is a HOW Hall of Famer, He is the PWA Dual World Tag Team Champion. Representing The Final Alliance… here is THE RULER OF JATTLANTIS JATTTTTT STARRRRRR!!!
Jatt Starr poses with the PWA Dual World Tag Team Championship belts over each of his shoulders. The Rembrandt of Wrestling begins to smugly saunter down the ramp followed by both Hugo and Ezster. He only acknowledges the more attractive ladies in the audience (ages twenty-eight to thirty-five because he is no creepy old man), kissing hands, signing breasts in permanent marker, and the occasional finger gun with a wink. The entire time, Ezster gives Jatt, and any woman that dares even look at Jatt, a glare that could kill.
Joe Hoffman: It looks like Jatt Starr has come prepared here tonight with backup. The question is, are these two here to interfere in the match or are they here to make sure someone like Dan Ryan doesn’t ruin Jatt’s chances of leaving here as the HOW World Champion?
Benny Newell: Have more respect for the HOW Classic than that, you Heathen! We are witnessing perhaps the final match in the career of the last original great in HOW. You’re witnessing history right before your very eyes and you dare talk ill of the man who just happens to be Lee’s favorite wrestler and mine?!
Joe Hoffman: SINCE WHEN?!
Benny Newell: SINCE ALWAYS, DOUCHEHOLE! Jatt might not have always stayed in line but even in times of doubt, he’s always found his way back to exactly where he belongs. Others can complain that Jatt is even in this match, but no one can deny no one’s been as great as long as Jatt Starr has been. You couldn’t write a better ending to the career of Jatt Starr than to have him walk away as the new HOW World Champion.
Jatt Starr walks up the steel ring steps sporting his black and red checkered suit. The Ruler of Jattlantis walks along the ring apron as Ezster devotingly opens the ropes open for him. The Jattlantic City Idol enters the ring and a lone 97Red spotlight shines in the middle of the ring. The Duke of Jattmandu takes a knee and outstretches his arms holding the PWA World Tag Team Championship belts as if he is bathing in the red glow like Andy Dufresne during a rainstorm after escaping Shawshank.
Benny Newell: Someone go and get #JATT3BELTS trending on the Twatter machine!
As the red light fades and the lights come back up, the Sultan of SeaJattle removes his checked suit jacket revealing an old-school Best Alliance t-shirt which he removes, and hands to Hugo on the outside. The Thane of Starrkarth prepares for action as the music fades out.
Bryan McVay: And his opponent…
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 stadium 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. Mike has a look of dead seriousness on his face as he holds a mouthpiece in his right hand.
Bryan McVay: From Chicago, Illinois, weighing in tonight at 235 lbs. He is a HOW Hall of Famer, he is the Greatest Champion in the history of HOW. Representing The Final Alliance… here is The SON of GOD MICHAELLLLL LEEEEEEE BESTTTTT!!!
Mike slides the mouthpiece into place as he makes his way toward the ramp. There is no looking out at the crowd here tonight. No bobbing of his head to the sound of his theme music. No acting like his shit doesn’t stink. 1000% business for the former HOW World Champion.
Joe Hoffman: It’s been a rough few weeks for Michael Lee Best. He won the HOW World Championship belt for the 11th time at the In God’s House PPV but since then? He’s thrown the title belt into a river, he’s rejected his father’s attempts to join The Final Alliance and tore through the competition. That is UNTIL the Go Home show where he was outside of the ring watching someone else raising the HOW World Championship belt into the air.
Benny Newell: NONE of that matters, Joe. Michael is thankfully a part of The Final Alliance and he realizes what he’s done. It’s the most embarrassing loss of his career but still… Michael has made his New Year’s resolution to right the wrongs that should have never happened. Tonight is all about making sure that the richest prize in the business is around the waist is around the waist of the Face of the company.
As he marches toward the ring, Mike does a lap around the ringside area. His eyes fixed on the ring, but more importantly, the man standing in the corner holding the PWA World Tag Team Championship belts. He approaches the apron, rolls under the bottom rope, and bolts to his feet in the ring quickly. Michael makes a beeline to the corner where Jatt is standing and gets into his personal space. Mike stands close enough to Jatt to spot any sleep that might have still been in the corners of his eyes. His jaw is squared tight and he stares a hole in the man that loathes, daring Jatt to do something about it.
Joe Hoffman: Tensions are running high here and the match hasn’t even started yet!
Benny Newell: Only someone who has never been between those ropes would think that the match only begins when the bell rings. No, the match began the moment the card was finalized by Lee Best. Michael is asserting his dominance and trying to throw the HOW Classic off his game.
Starr back at Michael but eventually relents and ducks halfway through the ropes until Boettcher comes over and makes Michael back away from the corner. Mike makes his way to the opposite corner and climbs the turnbuckle. He screams out at the crowd here in Vegas while pounding his chest proudly. Once he hops down, Michael begins stretching and preparing for the beginning of the match as his music begins to quiet and fade away.
Bryan McVay: And now… The Champion…
Benny Newell: BLASPHEMY!!!
The lights in the stadium go black except for the thousands of lights from phones being held in the air as the sound of bells is heard throughout the stadium. Each bell lights up a signal spotlight above the stage and the final bell brings the High Octane Vision to life as “IT’S DARK, AND HELL IS HOT” is heard throughout the stadium and 97 Red-colored fire appears on the screen.
Ain’t no sunshine when it’s on
Only darkness every day
Ain’t no sunshine when it’s on, ’cause when it’s on
You haters know to be gone, every time, ’cause we don’t play
The intro for “NO SUNSHINE” by DMX begins to play as the piano hits its second key in secession before the Dark Man X goes acappella.
“WHO TURNED OUT THE LIGHTS?” is shouted throughout the stadium as the lights turn off before the video screen lights up.
An image of the HOW World Championship, with the words, “Reigning. Undisputed.” “World Champion.“ branded into the title flashes across the screen. The stadium 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 branding iron that slowly presses into the gold below the globe and champion banner as letters slowly appear from the smoke and begin to 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…HE IS A HALL OF FAMER! AND! THE REIGNING! AND DEFENDING! UNDISPUTED! HIGH OCTANE WRESTLING! WORLD! HEAVYWEIGHT! CHAMPION! SCOTTTTT STEEEEEEEVEEEEEEEENSSSSS!!!
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 opponents with an icy glare before slowly raising his right fist high into the air.
STEVENS! STEVENS! STEVENS!
Red, white, and blue pyro explodes on stage representing the Texas flag 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 fists bump some of his fans while raising a fist at a few of the more vocal bashers.
Joe Hoffman: I can assure you all watching at home that you heard correctly and there is nothing wrong with your television screens. Scott Stevens is the HOW World Champion and he’s walking into ICONIC here in Vegas to defend HIS title against two other Hall of Famers in Jatt Starr and Michael Lee Best.
Benny Newell: LIES AND SLANDER, HOFFMAN! Scott Stevens cheated while Bittcher was knocked out and lucked his way into having possession of 97 red.
Joe Hoffman: Because he’s the Champion! A win is a win, Benny, and I want to hear you say that Scott Stevens is the HOW World Champion!
Benny Newell: NEVER IN A MILLION FUCKING YEARS!
Stevens slowly makes his way around the ring never taking his eyes off of his opponents. He makes his way in front of the announcers’ booth while still focused on Jatt and Mike, reaches behind him, and makes sure Benny Newell is flipped off as well. Benny stands out of his seat and takes a swipe at Stevens. The HOW World Champion sidesteps Benny who begins yelling at him.
Benny Newell: THAT DOESN’T BELONG TO YOU AND YOU KNOW IT, YOU LONESOME LOSER, TAMPON MUNCHING FUCK!!!
Stevens threatens Benny until Joe has to get to his feet and stand between Benny and the HOW World Champion.
Joe Hoffman: You need to calm yourself down and remember to be a professional, you have a job to do!
Benny Newell: Fuck you, Joe. Seeing him holding that belt has driven me to want to drink again.
Joe Hoffman: ARE YOU DRUNK RIGHT NOW?!
Benny Newell: WHAT? No, I meant to want to drink all of the chemicals under the sink, Joe. However, if Stevens somehow leaves this building tonight with that title, you bet your ass I’m going to drink nonstop until the brain cells that store any memories of Scott Stevens with that belt die a quick and painful death.
Scott then continues his saunter around the ring 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 unfastening his championship and thrusting it upward for the audience to see. Stevens drops to the canvas walks between his challengers and eyeballs each one before ascending the ropes once more and holding the title proudly into the air. Stevens drops to the canvas as a loud chant erupts from the crowd and he goes to his respective corner.
STEVENS! STEVENS! STEVENS!
McVay exits the ring as Boettcher begins to check over each competitor. Jatt hands his titles to Ezster on the outside, Michael slams his fists together anxiously, while Stevens stands there with a knowing smirk on his face. Boettcher takes the HOW World Championship belt away from Stevens and then walks over to show the title to Michael Lee Best. The sight of the title only stirs up a more intense bloodlust inside the SON of GOD. Boettcher walks to the other corner and shows the belt to Jatt Starr who looks down at the title with wide eyes and a look of greed on his face. Boettcher moves to the center of the ring and then holds the HOW World Championship belt high into the air.
Benny Newell: I hope Lee has another new HOW World Championship belt waiting backstage. This one has been tainted with Lonesome Loser cooties.
Boettcher lowers the belt then walks over to the ropes and hands the title off to the timekeeper. The senior referee moves back to the center and points to each wrestler in the match. All three men nod their heads before he calls to the bell to signal the start of this match.
DING DING
Joe Hoffman: TRIPLE THREAT MATCH FOR THE HOW WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP HERE IN ICONIC MAIN EVENT. HERE. WE. GO!
All three men remain in their corners and just stare at each other. The tension in the ring begins to build as each man waits for one of his opponents to make the first move. Tired of waiting, Michael steps out of his corner and then tells both Starr and Stevens to bring it on. Scott and Jatt step out of their corners and then stare at each other. Words are exchanged back and forth between the two men as it appears they are about to come to blows. However, both men turn and look over at the former HOW World Champion. Michael narrows his eyes but both Jatt and Stevens are on him quickly.
Starr and Stevens unleash a furious assault of kicks and punches down on Best. Mike does his best to fight back but the barrage is too much and he’s beaten down to the canvas. Michael curls up and tries to protect himself using his MMA training but his opponents are relentless. Scott and Jatt grab hold of Mike and pull him back up to his feet. Stevens plants a boot to the midsection of the former Champion before both men toss Best over the top rope and down to the stadium floor below. The crowd is silent, not believing what they are seeing as Jatt and Stevens begin trading blows inside the ring.
Michael sits down on the stadium floor and looks up at the ring as he recovers from the previous ambush. Suddenly, Michael begins trembling with anger realizing this is exactly where he was when he lost the HOW World Championship belt on Chaos.
Benny Newell: Scott Stevens has fucked up now!
Joe Hoffman: Jatt Starr helped Stevens toss Michael out of the ring!
Benny Newell: I have no idea what match you’re watching, Joe.
Jatt and Stevens continue to fire away at each other but Michael storms back up to his feet with rage oozing out of every pore. Best slides back into the ring and gets to his feet. He gets in between Jatt and Stevens before pushing Starr down to the canvas. Scott fires a right hand but Mike blocks it and begins to unload of Stevens. Each shot sends Stevens reeling back toward the corner. Best rains down shot after shot before grabbing the top rope as he stomps Stevens down to the canvas. Jatt gets to his feet and rushes toward the corner.
Michael feels him coming and moves out of the way as Starr comes flying in with a shoulder. However, Jatt collides with Stevens who had just managed to pull himself off the canvas. Scott doubles over in pain as Jatt backs away from the corner. Mike comes up from behind Starr and grips a waistlock. Best goes for a belly-to-back suplex but Jatt counters with elbow shots to the side of the head that break his grip. Michael staggers a bit as Jatt turns around and goes for the ManJattan Drop but as he lifts Mike into the air, the SON catches the HOW Classic with a knee to the chin that has him stunned. Michael grabs Jatt and sends him to the canvas with a belly-to-belly suplex. Giving Jatt no time to breathe, Mike gets to his feet and pulls Starr over toward a corner. Michael slams Jatt face-first into the top turnbuckle a few times before lifting him into the air.
The SON of GOD turns Jatt upside down and then hangs him into a tree of woe in the corner by the legs. Starr swings his arms frantically as Michael jogs to the opposite corner. With a head of steam, Best charges out of the corner toward Jatt…
Joe Hoffman: SCOTT STEVENS OUT OF NOWHERE!
Michael goes for a low dropkick to the face of Jatt in the corner but before he can do it, Stevens intercepts him and takes him down to the canvas with a swinging neckbreaker. Mike hits the canvas hard and holds the back of his neck in pain. Stevens sees the opportunity in front of him and then rolls Best onto his back and makes the cover as Boettcher slides in for the count.
Matt Boettcher: ONE
THE SON KICKS OUT IMMEDIATELY AFTER ONE!
Joe Hoffman: You can’t blame Stevens for making the cover there. The chances of getting the three there were low but with Jatt stuck in the corner and Best down, you take any opportunity that you can get.
Benny Newell: The Son kicking out at one ALWAYS brings out the best in wrestling fans….the best of the best…..you could call them elite even.
Joe Hoffman: What are you talking about?!
Benny Newell: For the second show in a row, Scott Stevens tried to come out of nowhere and screw Michael out of the HOW World Championship belt. You might think it’s all shits and giggles having Stevens as the man with that belt but this is the SON of GOD. You do remember that, right? You remember the kind of Hell Michael Lee Best can unleash when he’s been denied not once but twice of something that is rightfully his.
Stevens gets back up to his feet and begins to stomp away at Michael before using his boot to push him under the bottom rope and to the ring apron. Stevens turns his attention to Jatt who is still upside down in the corner. Scott wraps his arms around Starr’s midsection and then frees him from the corner. Stevens holds Jatt over his shoulder and goes for a running powerslam but Starr squirms out of Scott’s grip and lands on his feet behind him. Jatt hooks both of Stevens’ arms and begins to twist him around.
Benny Newell: FALLING STARR!
Joe Hoffman: COUNTERED BY STEVENS!
Scott manages to push Jatt away from him and toward the ropes. Starr hits the ropes but ends up knocking heads with Michael who has pulled himself to his feet on the ring apron. The SON goes flying off the ring apron and into the barricade at ringside. Jatt leans on the top rope holding his head in pain as the World Champion charges. Stevens hits Starr with a clothesline that sends him over the top rope and down to the stadium floor below. Scott hypes up the crowd who once again begin to chant his name.
STEVENS! STEVENS! STEVENS!
The Texan drops to the canvas and then rolls to the outside of the ring. Stevens moves over toward Best and then pulls him to his feet. Before Stevens can capitalize, Mike shoves him away creating a bit of space. The SON uncorks a high kick to the head and lands flush. Stevens staggers about, out of on his feet from the shot until Mike takes all of his rage and runs Stevens head-first into the steel ring post. The sickening sound of a skull hitting metal echoes throughout the building as the crowd groans. Michael isn’t done as he keeps his grip on the Champion’s head and dibbles it off the steel ring post repeatedly until his arms finally grow tired. Stevens collapses in a heap on the stadium floor.
Joe Hoffman: SCOTT STEVENS IS A BLOODY FREAKING MESS ON THE stadium FLOOR!
The HOW World Champion lays face-first in a pool of his own blood as Michael admires his handiwork. Mike begins to turn around but catches a thumb in the eye from Jatt Starr. Blinded, Best staggers a bit until Jatt hits him with the ManJattan Drop on the stadium floor. Jatt grabs Micheal off of the floor and then drags him over to the barricade. Starr pulls Mike to his feet and then hits him with a side Russian leg sweep into the barricade. The back of Best’s head bounces off the barricade but Jatt pulls him to his feet once again. Starr hooks Mike up and then plants him with Starrabian Leg Sweep DDT down onto the ground.
Benny Newell: Years of frustration pour out of Jatt Starr right now as he tries to cave in the skull of The SON of GOD. Stevens is bleeding like it’s shark week and Michael is down and out. Do it, Jatt! Come on!
Jatt takes a moment to catch his breath before he makes his way over to the announcer’s table. Starr begins to throw things around and clear the table of any items.
Joe Hoffman: Jatt has bad intentions and I don’t know if it’s safe anymore here for us, Benny!
Starr clears the table as Joe and Benny get up from their seats. Jatt walks over, grabs hold of Mike, and drags him over to the table. Starr slams Mike head-first onto the table, opening up a cut from his previous move above his right eyebrow. Jatt rolls Michael onto the table and then heads to the ring apron. Starr pulls himself up and then steps through the ropes. Boettcher yells for Jatt to bring the action back to the ring but the HOW Classic ignores him. Jatt goes to the corner and then begins to climb the turnbuckle. The crowd stands on their feet as Starr finds his balance on the top rope.
Joe Hoffman: WHAT THE HECK DOES HE THINK HE’S DOING?!
Benny Newell: JATT STARR IS PROVING TO MICHAEL AND EVERYONE ELSE THAT HE STILL HAS IT!
Jatt looks to the sky quickly before leaping off the rope and puts Mike through the announcer’s table with a flying elbow drop. The crowd erupts from the car crash they just saw at ringside.
HO-LEE SHIT! HO-LEE SHIT! HO-LEE SHIT!
Jatt rolls around on the now-broken announcer’s table holding his elbow in pain. Benny leans over Starr and begins clapping his hands together repeatedly.
Benny Newell: GET UP, JATT! COME ON, YOU CAN DO THIS! GET UP AND GET BACK INTO THE RING. GO WIN THAT HOW WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BELT! BUT PIN STEVENS, NOT MIKE!
Starr groans in pain as he fights and struggles his way back up to his feet while holding his elbow. Jatt looks around and then grabs hold of Best. He slides him back into the ring before sliding in behind him.
Benny Newell: I SAID STEVENS NOT MIKE!
Joe Hoffman: THIS MIGHT BE OVER HERE IF JATT CAN MAKE A COVER!
Jatt crawls over to Michael to hook the leg and makes the cover as Boettcher slides in for the count.
Matt Boettcher: ONE
Stevens begins to peel himself off the stadium floor, his head leaking blood like a faucet.
Matt Boettcher: TWO
Stevens staggers to a vertical base and turns toward the ring. Unfortunately, he doesn’t see Hugo Scorpio come up from behind him. Hugo grabs Stevens and runs him as hard as he can into the steel ring steps.
Joe Hoffman: HUGO JUST TOOK OUT SCOTT STEVENS ON THE OUTSIDE HERE WHILE BOETTCHER IS COUNTING!
Matt Boettcher: THR–
NO! MICHAEL GETS HIS SHOULDER OFF THE CANVAS BEFORE THE THREE!!!
Benny Newell: Holy shit that was close!
Joe Hoffman: A split second before crowning a new HOW World Champion there but Best got his shoulder up just in time!
Hugo throws a mini fit on the outside as Jatt rolls over and pleads with Boettcher that it was three but the senior referee stands his ground and says it was only two. Jatt storms up to his feet and grabs hold of Mike. He pulls him back to his feet and then goes for the Jattlantian Suplex but Best blocks it. Michael transitions into a single-leg takedown and then applies a kneebar to Starr’s leg. Pain courses through Jatt’s body while he bites his fist to keep from screaming. Mike cranks on the knee as Boettcher asks Jatt if he wants to give it up but Starr refuses. Slowly, but surely, Jatt begins to crawl toward the ropes. Michael keeps a vice-like grip on Jatt’s leg as he continues to try and fight his way to the bottom rope. Starr can’t make it to the ropes and the pain starts to become unbearable.
Thinking quickly, Jatt grabs hold of Boettcher by his referee’s shirt and screams at him that Mike has an illegal hold on his leg. Boettcher looks at Starr like he’s crazy but Jatt howls and insists that the referee look. Against his better judgment, Boettcher checks the hold but with his eyes off of Jatt, it allows Hugo to reach into the ring and pull Starr by the arm to the bottom rope. Jatt kicks his free leg and tells Boettcher that he’s made it to the ropes. The referee turns around and sees that Jatt indeed has the bottom rope in his hands. The referee begins a five count to force Mike to let go of the knee.
Joe Hoffman: Jatt Starr is a master of dirty tactics and used the momentary distraction to allow his companion at ringside to pull him to the bottom rope before he was forced to tap!
Benny Newell: The only thing that Hugo has done is stand by the ring apron offering encouragement and support to Jatt!
Joe Hoffman: You saw him reach into the ring and pull Jatt to the ropes.
Benny Newell: You mean that Hugo reached his arm out and transferred some of his fighting spirit to his friend? That gave HOW Classic the strength to make it to the ropes. Jeez, Hoffman, it’s like you have no idea how best friendship works.
Mike lets go of Jatt’s leg and gets back up to his feet. He uses the back of his hand to wipe some blood from his face before stalking toward his opponent. Michael grabs hold of Jatt’s arm with the bad elbow but Starr wraps the rest of his body around the ropes and refuses to let go. Once again, Boettcher is forced to come over and start a count for Best to let go. Frustrated, Mike lets go and backs up to the center of the ring. He doesn’t however notice that someone is behind him.
Joe Hoffman: How is Scott Stevens on his feet right now?!
Benny Newell: Hugo, you fuckstick! You didn’t finish the job!
Stevens, standing on the ring apron, grabs hold of the top rope with both hands and then launches himself into the ropes. While in the air, he grabs a hold of Best by the neck…
Joe Hoffman: SLINGSHOT TOXIC STING! MIKE BEST IS DOWN AND ALL STEVENS HAS TO DO IS COVER HIM!!!
Benny Newell: NOOOOO! PLEASE NOT AGAIN! SOMEBODY HELP! CALL THE EPU! CALL THE ROCKETTES! CALL THE GHOSTBUSTERS! CALL ANYONE TO COME STOP SCOTT STEVENS FROM RUINING THE HOLIDAYS!!!
Mike Best is down and not moving. Jatt Starr is still wrapped in the ropes and trying to recover. All Stevens has to do is make the cover… but Stevens is down too! His face and chest are covered in blood as he lies face-first on the canvas.
Joe Hoffman: Scott Stevens has lost a lot of blood in this match but somehow, he needs to get over and make the cover while he has the chance.
Benny Newell: OR… we got a medic out here to check on Scott Stevens. Like you said, he’s lost a lot of blood and NO ONE here in Vegas would mind at all if Stevens was stretchered out of the building and deemed unfit to continue.
The crowd begins stomping their feet and making noise trying to rally Stevens back to life. The proud Texan plants his fist onto the canvas and begins to push himself up. Stevens begins to crawl over toward Michael who still isn’t moving. The air in the stadium is sucked out like a vacuum waiting to see if Stevens can make it to Best. Finally, Stevens manages to drape an arm on top of Mike’s chest as Boettcher slides in for the count.
Matt Boettcher: ONE
Matt Boettcher: TWO
Matt Boettcher: THREE!
NO! JATT STARR YANKS STEVENS OFF OF MIKE AT THE LAST POSSIBLE MOMENT!!!
Benny Newell: Oh, thank LEE!
Joe Hoffman: If Stevens was able to make the cover sooner, there would have been no way Jatt Starr would have made it time to break it up.
Benny Newell: Shut your filthy mouth! Jatt Starr always makes it in time!
Jatt grabs hold of Stevens and pulls him to a vertical base. Starr plants a boot to the midsection and then whips Stevens into the corner. However, Stevens manages to reverse the whip and sends Jatt toward the corner. Scott follows in behind Jatt toward the corner. Stevens leaps into the air going for a Stinger Splash but Jatt springboards off the middle rope and catches Scott in midair with a dropkick. Stevens rolls around on the canvas holding his midsection in pain as Starr gets back up to his feet. Jatt gathers up Stevens before hooking him by the neck. Starr lifts Stevens into the air and then plants him with Starrmageddon.
The ring shakes from impact as Starr once again pulls himself up to his feet. Jatt looks around at the crowd and then signals that Scott Stevens is done. Loud boos come from the fans as Starr stalks around the Texan. The PWA Dual World Tag Team Champion has his arms extended and waits patiently as Stevens tries to fight his way back up to his feet.
Benny Newell: All Jatt has to do is hit Stevens with the Falling Starr and he’s as good as HOW World Champion. I told you to get it trending, #JATT3BELTS
Jatt grabs hold of Stevens and goes to twist him around for the Falling Starr but Stevens pushes Jatt away from him. Starr turns around and charges back toward Stevens but Scott catches him and plants him with the Double S Spinebuster down to the canvas.
Joe Hoffman: Great counter by Stevens but can he capitalize?
Stevens pounds his fist repeatedly on the canvas as he fights his way back to a vertical base. Scott grabs hold of Jatt and shoves his head between his legs. Stevens grips Starr by the waist and then lifts him into the air. Stevens goes for a powerbomb but Jatt manages to snake his way out of Scott’s grip and land on his feet behind him. Starr locks Stevens into a sleeper hold before planting him down on the mat with Jattisfaction. Jatt quickly hooks the leg and makes the cover on Scott Stevens as Boettcher slides in for the count.
Matt Boettcher: ONE
Matt Boettcher: TWO
Matt Boettcher: THREE!!!
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…NO! MIKE BEST IS BACK ON HIS FEET AND BREAKS UP THE COUNT!!!
Joe Hoffman: Are you seeing this, Benny?! Mike is literally deadlifting Jatt off of Scott Stevens to break up the count!
Benny Newell: You don’t win 11 HOW World Championship belts without being a beast inside that ring, Joe!
Michael muscles Jatt up and over with a German suplex that plants him awkwardly down to the canvas. The SON gets back up to his feet as Stevens manages to pull himself up to a seated position. Michael charges and then blasts Stevens in the back of the head with a step-up enzuigiri kick. Mike gets back up to his feet but he goes down hard as Jatt cuts him down with a chop block to the back of the knee. Starr gets to his feet and then grabs hold of Michael. Jatt pulls him up to a vertical base but Mike rakes his eyes. Jatt staggers as Michael stomps his leg onto the mat a couple of times trying to get feeling back in it. Mike takes off and heads toward the ropes. He bounces off the ropes and nearly beheads Starr with a running full-weight lariat that turns him inside out.
Mike begins to roar as he pulls himself back up to his feet. The SON is clearly feeling it now and looking to put this one away. Michael turns around and sees Stevens trying to pull himself up off the canvas. With a running start, Best charges toward the man who robbed him of the HOW World Championship belt just weeks ago.
Joe Hoffman: I KNEED A HERO?
We’ll never know if Joe’s prediction is true because Stevens powers his way to his feet and catches Mike before he can act. Stevens launches Mike as high into the air as he possibly can and clubs him with Debbie Does Dallas. The European uppercut lands so hard that Mike’s mouthpiece goes flying out of the ring before he hits the canvas. Stevens drops to one knee, pretty much running on pure instinct alone at this point. However, his rest period is short before Jatt charges in and cuts Stevens in half.
Benny Newell: STARRLITE SEXPRESS! PIN HIM!!!
The spear wipes out Stevens who can barely move at this point. Jatt uses the ropes to pull himself back up to his feet. With labored breathing, Starr grabs hold of Stevens and begins to pull him back up to his feet. Jatt hooks both of Stevens’ arms and begins to twist him around.
Joe Hoffman: JATT’S GONE FOR THE FALLING STARR SEVERAL TIMES IN THIS MATCH BUT CAN HE HIT IT THIS TIME?!
Jatt has Stevens in position but as if it was suddenly Easter Sunday, Mike is miraculously back up his feet. The SON steps forward and blasts Jatt in the face with Hashtag Muted.
Joe Hoffman: HASHTAG MUTED OUT OF DESPERATION AND JATT IS THWARTED!
Benny Newell: BUT THAT KICKS CAUSED JATT TO FALL BACKWARDS WHICH MEANS STEVENS GOT HIT WITH THE FALLING STARR TOO!
Boettcher stands in the center of the ring and looks around as Stevens, Starr, and Best are all laid out on the canvas unable to get back up to their feet. The crowd voices their approval for the war taking place in the ring as Boettcher begins a ten count.
Boettcher reaches the count of seven but none of the competitors look like they are going to be able to beat the count. Scorpio hops up onto the ring apron and yells at Boettcher causing him to stop counting. Boettcher demands that Hugo gets down off of the ring apron but he’s distracted once again and this allows Ezster to slide Jatt his PWA World Tag Team Championship belt.
Joe Hoffman: Hugo and Ezster have paid dividends for Jatt here tonight but Boettcher needs to get them out of here and take back control of his match.
Benny Newell: BITTCHER is a notorious slow counter and all Hugo is doing is making sure he calls this match fairly.
Joe Hoffman: Do you not see Ezster handing Jatt Starr his Championship belt?!
Benny Newell: She’s an innocent girl, Joe. Hasn’t she already been through enough without your accusations?
Michael is the first to pull himself back up to his feet while Boettcher is still distracted. Slowly, Best staggers over to the corner and grabs hold of Jatt. Mike pulls him to his feet but gets blasted in the face with the PWA World Tag Team Championship belt. Michael hits the canvas hard as Jatt quickly rolls him out of the ring and gets rid of the Championship belt. Hugo holds up his hands in surrender and hops down off the apron. Jatt falls to the canvas and acts like nothing happened as Boettcher turns back around.
Benny Newell: You can be talented, you can have dominant DNA coursing through your veins but nothing beats experience!
Joe Hoffman: Jatt Starr cleaned Mike’s clock with that belt and now he’s pretending his still hurt after all that.
Benny Newell: Are you insinuating that Jatt hasn’t suffered in this match?
Joe Hoffman: You know what I mean, Benny!
Boettcher begins to count again but this time Jatt gets back up to his feet much quicker. Starr marches his way over toward Stevens and then grabs hold of both of his legs. Jatt goes to hit Scott with Starr’s Knee and Crotch but Stevens uses the power in his legs to kick Jatt away and down to the canvas. Starr gets back up to his feet and charges toward Stevens but Scott catches him coming in. Stevens lifts Jatt over his shoulders and then plants him down to the canvas with Houston We Have A Problem. Hugo begins to panic on the outside of the ring as Ezster tries to check on Starr. Stevens falls to the canvas and is unable to get up. Boettcher drops down and checks on the Champion but Ezster slides Jatt the other PWA World Tag Team Championship belt.
Joe Hoffman: And there she goes again giving Jatt yet another weapon as soon as he’s in trouble here.
Benny Newell: Those title belts are precious to Jatt and poor Ezster is just offering Jatt a look at them for inspiration!
Stevens waves off Boettcher and then fights his way back up to his feet. Jatt is on his feet in the corner but has his back turned away from Stevens. Scott reaches out and grabs hold of Starr by the shoulder. Stevens spins Jatt around who raises the title belt into the air to blast Stevens but the Champion dodges and Starr blasts Boettcher with the belt.
Benny Newell: LEEDAMMIT BITTCHER! THIS IS EXACTLY HOW STEVENS RUINED CHRISTMAS ON CHAOS AND NOW IT’S HAPPENING ALL OVER AGAIN!
Joe Hoffman: The referee is down and even though Jatt knocked him out. This still spells bad news for Scott Stevens.
Starr is in shock for a moment but spins around with the belt. It’s all for naught as Stevens drops down and hits Jatt with a low blow that causes him to drop the PWA World Tag Team Championship belt. Jatt falls to the canvas in pain as Stevens gets back up to his feet. Scott grabs a hold of Jatt’s head and then places it over the Championship belt. Stevens backs away to a neutral corner and then gets a running start. Jatt tries to pull himself off the canvas but Stevens leaps up and hits Starr with a curb stomp right onto the belt. Jatt’s body goes limp but Stevens grabs hold of him and pulls him back up. Scott shoves Jatt’s head between his legs and then grabs hold of him by the waist. Stevens lifts Starr into the air and then…
Joe Hoffman: GAME CHANGER ONTO THE CHAMPIONSHIP BELT!!!
Benny Newell: I SWEAR TO LEE, IF BITTCHER CAUSES THIS LOSER TO WALK OUT OF HERE WITH THAT BELT AGAIN I’M GONNA…
Instead of finishing that sentence, Benny reaches into his pocket and pulls out a flask.
Benny Newell: FUCK IT!
Benny leans back and takes a drink from the flask as Stevens gets back up to his feet. Scott grabs hold of Boettcher and then drags him over toward Jatt. Stevens hooks the leg and makes the cover on Starr as Boettcher slowly begins to count.
Matt Boettcher: ONE
Matt Boettcher: TWO
Matt Boettcher: THREE!!!!
Bryan McVay rises to his feet with this microphone but it’s a moment too soon as Boettcher is yanked out of the ring before the three. Stevens raises his head and looks around confused before he sees Michael Lee Best sending the senior referee crashing into the steel barricade. Mike turns around and flips the double bird toward Stevens who is livid.
Joe Hoffman: I can’t believe you’re doing that, Benny!
Benny Newell: Everything is better when I’m drinking. Just look, Michael spared us another day having to deal with Stevens wearing that belt. So, if Kneesus wants me to drink then you bet your fucking ass I’m going to get tore up from the floor up!
Mike slides back into the ring as the fight is on between him and Stevens. Both men are completely brutalized and barely standing but are swinging for the fences with each shot. Michael buries a knee to the midsection for Stevens and then grabs a hold of him. The SON carries Stevens over his shoulders and then hits him with a GTS knee shot to the face that sends him crumpling down to the canvas. Before Mike can drop down for the cover, Jatt races in and takes Best down with Art Starr-Knee Jatt gets up to his feet and begins to order Hugo and Ezster around while Boettcher is still down. Hugo grabs hold of the HOW World Championship belt and slides it into the ring to Jatt. Ezster goes over and begins to shake Boettcher trying to get him conscious again. Starr grabs the Championship belt and stares down at it in his hands as Mike slowly begins to pull himself back up. Jatt charges toward and blasts Mike across the face with the HOW World Championship belt. Michael hits the canvas like a ton of bricks as Jatt tosses the title belt. Jatt hooks the leg and makes the cover on Mike as Hugo grabs Boettcher. Hugo tosses Boettcher back into the ring and he begins to slowly count.
Matt Boettcher: ONE
Matt Boettcher: TWO
Matt Boettcher: THREE!!!!
DING DING DING!!!
NOOOOOOO!!!! BOETTCHER WAVES OFF THE BELL BECAUSE MIKE GOT HIS FOOT ON THE BOTTOM ROPE!!!!
Joe Hoffman: JATT JUST WON THE HOW WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BELT BUT BOETTCHER SEEN HIS FOOT ON THE ROPES AND NOW THE MATCHES CONTINUES!!!
Jatt is furious over the fact that neither Hugo nor Ezster bothered to push Mike’s foot off of the ropes. Starr grabs hold of Mike and drags him away from the ropes. Jatt hooks both legs and makes the cover again as Boettcher begins to count.
Matt Boettcher: ONE
Matt Boettcher: TWO
Matt Boettcher: THREE!!!!
NOOOOOOOOOO!!! SCOTT STEVENS PLOWS THROUGH JATT STARR WITH A RUNNING KNEE TUMBLER TO BREAK UP THE COUNT!!!
Benny Newell: THANK FUCK FOR SCOTT–
Benny pauses for a moment.
Benny Newell: NOPE, CAN’T SAY IT, STILL NOT SHIT-FACED ENOUGH!
Benny continues drinking as Stevens grabs hold of Jatt and pulls him up to his feet. Scott lifts Starr into the air and then tosses him over the top rope sending him crashing down onto Hugo and Ezster. All three crash down to the stadium floor as Stevens turns around. Mike begins struggling his way off of the canvas but Scott grabs hold of him by the neck. Stevens pulls Michael to his feet and keeps his grip on his neck.
Stevens begins to trash-talk Mike and tell him that this time his Hubris will have nothing to do with him losing another match against him. Stevens leaps into the air…
Joe Hoffman: TOXIC STING!!!
Benny Newell: COUNTERED!!!
Michael pushes Stevens away before he can hit his finisher. Stevens turns around but hits a kick to the temple from Best that doubles him over like a slinky going down a flight of stairs. Mike grabs Stevens but the head and then shoves it between his legs. The SON grips Stevens by the air and lifts him off the canvas.
Joe Hoffman: GAME CHANGER BY MICHAEL LEE BEST TO SCOTT STEVENS!
Benny Newell: FUCK YES! BEAT THAT FRAUD WITH HIS OWN MOVE!
Stevens gets spiked down to the canvas hard with the piledriver. Mike gets back up to his feet and then backs up into the corner. The SON takes a stance while urging Stevens to get back up to his feet. The HOW World Champion fights and struggles to get back up as Mike bolts out of the corner.
Joe Hoffman: I KNEED A HERO!!!
Benny Newell: BALL GAME!!! IM SO FUCKING HARD RIGHT NOW!!!
Instead of making the cover, Mike leans down and grabs hold of Stevens. He pulls the Texan back up to a seated position before trash-talking him right back. Michael lets go of Stevens and then backs away into the ropes. The SON pulls down his knee pad before getting a running start once again.
Joe Hoffman: I KNEED A HERO X2!!!!
The sound of bone-on-bone impact at a high velocity echoes through the crowd as Stevens collapses down to the canvas. Michael hooks the leg and makes the cover on Stevens as Boettcher slides in for the count.
Matt Boettcher: ONE
Outside of the ring, Hugo and Ezster get back to their feet and see the cover being made inside of the ring.
Matt Boettcher: TWO
Hugo grabs The Ruler of Jattlantis and pulls him up to his feet.
Matt Boettcher: THREE!!!!!
NOOO!!! HUGO TOSSES JATT INTO THE RING TO BREAK UP THE COUNT BEFORE THE THREE!!!!
…BUT A SPLIT SECOND TOO LATE!!!!
DING DING DING!!!
Benny Newell: FUCK YES! HOFFMAN I’M SO HAPPY I COULD BEND YOU OVER HIS CHAIR AND FUCK YOU LIKE A 97 RED ROSTER MEMBER ON A MCKENNA BLUE CARD! PRAISE THE SON! PRAISE GOD! ALL HAIL THE 12-TIME HOW WORLD CHAMPION!!!
Benny raises his flask into the air but Hoffman snatches it from him.
Joe Hoffman: GIVE ME THAT THING!
Joe turns up the flask and begins drinking much to Benny’s surprise.
Bryan McVay: Here is your winner… AND THE NEWWWWW HOW WORLD CHAMPION! MICHAELLLLL LEEEEEE BESTTTTTT!!!
Fireworks erupt around the stadium and confetti falls from the heavens as The Son of GOD once again reclaims his throne.
We get a final shot of Mike putting the Championship on his shoulder and smirking into the camera as 2023 comes to a close for High Octane Wrestling.