Post by Jman2k3 on Jun 8, 2021 3:40:07 GMT
War Games 2021
Event Date: June 6, 2021
HOFC Championship Match
The HOTv logo gives way and we cut to a live overhead shot over the USS Octane as the feed for War Games officially begins.
The feed circles the ship until we slowly zoom in to deck level.
The lights are low surrounding the octagon, as the camera pans around the crowd amassed high atop the USS Octane. Politely seated around all sides of the cage, the Japanese HOW fanbase eagerly await the beginning of the contest. As final safety checks are made along the octagon, we cut down to Benny and Joe at the desk, as they introduce the first of two matches here tonight.
Joe Hoffman: Welcome to the annual summertime High Octane Wrestling PPV….WAR GAMES!!! I am Joe Hoffman and as always I am joined by Benny Newell.
Benny Newell: Those with thin skin will be tested tonight. There have been rumors swirling all day today that tonight is the last ever War Games and potentially the last HOW PPV and if that is the case I plan on going out in the blaze of glory that Lee has been mentioning for years.
Joe Hoffman: There is no denying that those rumors are out there. There is truly only one man that knows that for sure and that is Lee Best. We only have two matches tonight and both have huge implications in the careers of everyone that is participating tonight.
Benny Newell: No fucking shit. It is War Games. People might be more sensitive than ever here in the world of High Octane so those folks better just turn their fucking heads. Tonight there will be blood….tonight there will be potential deaths….and I am not talking about all the semen that LT has been swallowing all day…..
Joe Hoffman: Ok enough of that…….first we have action on the USS Octane and then we end the night with a solitary 18 man match inside the Tokyo Dome. But before we get there careers are on the line here first in the HOFC Championship match between Michael Lee Best, the champion, and his challenger Scott Stevens. When you think about Michael Best’s most heated HOW rivalries of all-time, you probably think about Maximilian Kael. You might remember his marathon matches with Rhys Townsend, or his infamous best of three with John Sektor. You might even think about the rivalry that spawned them all– the relationship between the Son of God and the GOD of HOW, Lee Best himself. But someone you might not think about right away… is Scott Stevens.
Benny Newell: It’s not a rivalry, Joe. Lee versus Kostoff. Max versus Jatt. Lindsay Troy versus turning back into a pumpkin at exactly midnight. These are rivalries. Mike Best has been stuffing Scott Stevens into lockers for a fuckin’ decade, Joe. It’s not a rivalry. It’s therapy that Stevens is gonna need before he can get boners again.
Joe Hoffman: I think you have an inaccurate memory of history, Benny. While perhaps his stock has been on the decline, Scott Stevens was recruited to HOW in 2012 by Michael Lee Best himself, as an up and coming prospect from Legacy Pro Wrestling. Scott Stevens is a two time HOW World Champion, and one of those victories was a clean win over Michael Lee Best himself, in the main event of ICONIC.
Benny Newell: Yeah, ICONIC 2015. Fucking six years ago. This is the best we can find for Mike Best, God of HOFC? I can’t listen to you hype this fucking match. This isn’t a title match, it’s a mercy killing.
Joe Hoffman: Like it or not, Benny, Scott Stevens has had a storied HOW career. We’re talking multiple reigns as ICON Champion, LSD Champion, Tag Team Champions, World Championships… he won a War Games match, Benny. Several years of bad fortune may have muddied his legacy, but Scott Stevens and Michael Lee Best has been a hell of a rivalry for neary ten full years. Tonight is the culmination of a decade, and only one man will walk out of that cage with not only the HOFC Championship, but with his career intact.
Benny Newell: It’s not a retirement match. It’s a funeral.
Joe Hoffman: We shall see, Benny. From where I’m sitting, tonight is an opportunity for Scott Stevens to overcome ten years of adversity in HOW and cash in on the biggest win of his career. And if he can’t? Well, then it’s all over… but that sure as hell seems like the right motivation to turn things around, doesn’t it?
Benny Newell: Mike Best is unstoppable. He comes from great genetic stock. Hasn’t been beaten in HOFC in over ten years. Yawn, Hoffman. Don’t need to sell it. They already bought the PPV.
As Benny and Joe argue it out, “A Country Boy Can Survive” by Hank Williams Jr. begins to blast over the overpowered sound system on the USS Octane. The otherwise quiet, polite crowd in Tokyo suddenly gets on their feet, absolutely losing their minds for the veteran Scott Stevens as he steps out from behind the HOFC entrance area wearing a seemingly familiar attire. Attired in trunks and a vest emblazoned with the colors of his home state, Stevens is wearing the attire that he first wore in HOW nearly ten years ago.
Benny Newell: Holy. Fucking. Shit.
Joe Hoffman: …is Scott Stevens a legend in Japan?!
The crowd is losing their mind, screaming for Scott Stevens in a fashion that is absolutely not ironic. For his part, Stevens doesn’t look surprised in the slightest– a wry smirk appears in the corner of his mouth, as he makes his way down to the octagon and steps inside of the cage.
Benny Newell: This doesn’t make any sense! Why Stevens? WHY IS HE BIG IN JAPAN?
Joe Hoffman: Scott Stevens is a star all over the world! HOW might not treat him with a lot of respect, but Scott Stevens has held over forty championships across the globe. There’s a reason Lee Best booked this match as only one of two on the War Games card– whether you like it or not, this is a big match.
The crowd is roaring, as Stevens takes off his vintage vest and tosses it over the cage and out into the crowd. Fans respectfully but frantically lobby to grab hold of it, as Stevens takes his corner and begins talking to the other Stevens in this match– referee Rick Stevens, veteran HOFC official.
HALLLLLLELUJAH!
HALLLLLLELUJAH!
HALLELUJAH! HALLELUJAH!
HALLEEEEEEEELUJAH!
The roar of the crowd is stifled, overpowered by the chorus of angels that introduce us to Hanzel und Gretyl’s “HELLAlujah”. A fog rolls out from behind the HOFC entrance, the arrogance and pageantry in full effect as HOW HOFC Champion Michael Lee Best makes his way out from behind the curtain, with the HOFC Championship over his shoulder.
He steps slowly out from behind the curtain, his expression cold as he stares down at the cage and raises the title high over his head with one arm.
Joe Hoffman: It’s impossible to argue that on paper, this is about the most advantage a champion can have. Michael Best is fighting in his favored match type, in a division he has not lost a match in for over ten years. He has arguably torn through nearly every competitor that he has faced since the return of HOFC, and he fights at his best with everything to lose.
Benny Newell: Don’t bother with “buts”, Hoffman. That’s the fucking GOAT. Greatest of all time, isn’t even worth arguing about.
Joe Hoffman: Hard to argue, Benny. He has the credentials. But Scott Stevens has beaten him before on a grand stage, and with less on the line– tonight, these men fight for EVERYTHING, and they will stop… at nothing.
Michael quietly enters the cage, giving the HOFC Championship a quick little kiss and handing it off to Rick Stevens. He walks past Stevens, giving him a venomous side-eye as the champion takes his corner and begins stretching his knees out to prepare for the fight.
Rick holds the belt high into the air, before passing the belt out and allowing the cage to be locked up right. Once both men have nodded their head and confirmed that they’re ready to fight, Rick Stevens calls for the bell– he sets the five minute timer, and this one is underway.
DING DING
The first round begins, as both men take a few steps out of their respective corners. They stop dead a few feet from one another, though, as Stevens and Best lock eyes in the center of the cage.
Joe Hoffman: A calm before the storm.
Benny Newell: Mike is giving Stevens a last few minutes to enjoy being a HOW wrestler before he stamps that pink slip with a knee, Joe. Don’t read into it.
Slowly, the two competitors begin to circle. Best feigns a right hand and Stevens guards, but immediately the champion laughs and points at his own head, letting everyone know that he’s playing games with Stevens. This gets a boo from the crowd, albeit a polite one. Stevens shakes his head and raises his arm into the air, taking a step back himsel. Michael scowls, as he hears the crowd lose their GODDAMNED MINDS for Japanese wrestling legend Scott Stevens.
*CRACK!*
In a sudden loss of composure, Michael Best rails Stevens in the side of the head with a wild open hand, staggering the challenger as the crowd boos much louder this time. The champion quickly takes a defensive step backward, though, looking uncomfortable with having lost his cool in the moment.
Joe Hoffman: That. That’s where this rivalry has always existed, Benny. For all of his accomplishments, and championships, and accolades, Michael Lee Best has never been able to entirely overcome Scott Stevens. Never truly gotten over that loss from 2015– he might be the only man who thinks about it more than Stevens himself. For as much as Michael likes to pretend to be in control out there, something about Scott Stevens makes him lose his composure. And that’s how you lose championships.
Benny Newell: It’s also how you lose your fucking life, Joe. Don’t forget, the Son of God promised a murder here tonight.
Shaking off the blow, Stevens glances at the round timer– they’ve already wasted two minutes into the first round trying to establish mental dominance. The Scorpion decides not to waste any more time, and he charges the champion in a bull rush. Best is expecting a barrage of fists– it’s surprising when Stevens shoots for the legs, and he takes the champion to the ground with relative ease, since he wasn’t ready for it!
The crowd roars, as Stevens begins to bring down blows to the grounded Michael Best, smashing elbows into the protective shell of the champion’s arms. Best rolls to his side, trying to defend against the blows, but Stevens isn’t quitting– he grabs hold of one of Michael’s arms, trying to grab a kimura and end this one in the first round!
Joe Hoffman: Scott Stevens taking control early, and keeping it– the champion likes to keep things standing out there, and he couldn’t have seen this coming.
Benny Newell: Dipshit Texas Brawler knows a fucking DOUBLE LEG? This is bullshit. This should have been given to the defense during disclosures. WE WEREN’T PREPARED! MISTRIAL!
Michael brings a stiff forearm down onto the bridge of Stevens’ nose, and then another. He’s trying to knock Stevens silly before he can lock in the kimura, which would effectively force him to either tap out or break his own arm. He brings down a third forearm, and this one at least shakes the Scorpion loose– Michael uses his legs to push himself away, and then scrambles back up to his feet and backs up into the cage for balance.
There is the slightest nod of respect from the champion, but it is quickly replaced by a look of utter rage as Stevens stares back at him. Stevens doesn’t give him a moment to breathe, charging the cage— this time when he shoots for the legs, however, the champion is ready. Michael Best soccer kicks him in the center of the face about as hard as you can kick a man, sending him sprawling to the canvas in a heap!
Joe Hoffman: JESUS!
Benny Newell: It’s Kneesus, Joe. Get it right. This is over.
Stevens tries to pull himself up on adrenaline alone, but struggles as he’s disoriented from being railed directly in the face. He scampers onto shaky legs, but still throws a wild clothesline at the champion, trying to catch him off guard.
*CRACK!*
Stevens collides with the cage, smashing his hand against the steel, as Best sidesteps the telegraphed attack and shakes his head. He puts a boot to the back of Stevens’ knee, taking him down to a kneeling position as the HOFC Champion takes a few steps backward… the crowd buzzes, as he lines up for the knee that ends them all.
With a battlecry, Michael charges forward, but he’s suddenly stopped by Rick Stevens as the bell rings! The first round is over!
DING DING DING!
The crowd can’t believe it, but neither can Michael Lee Best! He argues with Rick Stevens, his longtime friend, as the old school ref tells him that he needs to take his corner. The champion doesn’t seem content with this, though, and he suddenly shoves Rick aside. Charging anyway, Best’s knee cracks directly into the back of Stevens’ skull, sending him face first into the cage at high velocity. I Kneed A Hero connects in a big way, and Stevens is fucking OUT.
Joe Hoffman: OH MY GOD! What in the hell did Michael Best just do? The round was over! Stevens was defenseless! I know there are no disqualifications in HOFC, but Jesus Christ, maybe there ought to be! How are we supposed to continue this fight?
Benny Newell: Oh come on, Joe… this is probably a trap he set. He WANTED Mike to murder him from behind and possibly break his neck. It was his PLAN!
The crowd is quiet, looking on with concern as Michael finally takes his corner. Trainers and medical staff are checking on Stevens, looking to see if he can continue, as Michael ices his shoulder where Stevens tried to grab the kimura in the first round. Stevens finally manages to get to his feet with assistance, but he can barely stand in his own corner as Rick Stevens speaks with the medical staff about their options.
Joe Hoffman: Stevens looks like he wants to continue, but I just don’t see it happening, folks. Even in a retirement match, you have to consider long term effects, and that was a hell of a shot to the back of the skull. Even if Stevens could manage to come back from that, we might be looking at significant injury here.
Benny Newell: Don’t turn this into some “Stevens is so tough, what a hero” Joe Hoffman speech. He’s too dumb to know he’s beat, don’t humor him. People humoring Scott Stevens is how we got here today.
Despite the advice of the medical staff, and the urgings of Rick Stevens, the challenger assures them that he’s ready to compete and aggressively shoves away the help that he’s receiving. He yells at Rick to put five more minutes on the clock, and a hesitant referee calls for the bell to begin round two.
DING DING
Scott Stevens nearly falls out of the corner as the second round begins, still on wobbly legs from what is definitely a severe concussion. The wild Texan might be shaken, but he’s still ready to fight. He beckons for the champion to come at him again, and now the crowd is even louder behind him.
Mike Best: You’re done, Scott.
The words sound concerned, but the smirk on the face of the champion tell a different story. He slowly saunters toward Stevens, urging him to throw a punch.
Stevens swings wildly, but can barely stay on his feet. He’s fucking hurt. Michael easily dodges the punch, and gives Stevens a boot to the stomach that sends his back into the cage again. The crowd boos, but Stevens charges in with a big right hand…
…and Michael dodges it again.
This time, Michael takes a hard step back, and breaks his MMA-only protocol for seemingly the first time in his HOFC career. He shuffles forward and nails a superkick right under the jaw of Scott Stevens, bringing an even BIGGER boo from the crowd as he uses Stevens’ own signature move against him.
Mike Best: REMEMBER THE ALAMO, BITCH.
Stevens hits the canvas, splayed out like a piece of meat, as Rick Stevens begins the count.
1…..
2…….
3………
Stevens rolls to one side, but he’s clearly not with us right now. He’s concussed, and a dead-on-target superkick didn’t help matters.
4………..
5…………..
Stevens pushes himself up to an arm, trying to save himself a second round knockout in the single most important match of his life.
6……………..
7………………….
Joe Hoffman: Stevens is almost up… I can’t decide if I want him to get up, or stay down and protect himself, folks.
Benny Newell: Fuck it, Scott. GET UP. It ends when you quit breathing.
8………………………
Stevens makes it to two feet, albeit wobbly ones. Rick Stevens declares the match still live, as a livid looking HOFC Champion stares on from his corner. He roars in anger, charging for Stevens with a vicious clothesline from behind, but the roaring scream tips off the challenger– Stevens throws his body out of the way, narrowly avoiding the maneuver, and sending Mike Best face first into the steel cage!
Michael stumbles backward, and Stevens grabs hold of him in reverse DDT position from behind. Scott drives the head of the champion into the canvas, and the crowd EXPLODES!
Joe Hoffman: Scorpion Death Drop! You gotta be kidding me! HOLY SHIT! We have a match!
Benny Newell: GET UP, HOLY FUCK, NO NO NO NO NO!
Scott Stevens stumbles back to his feet, feeding on the energy from the crowd as he finally manages to swing the momentum back in his favor. The HOW World Champion slowly pulls himself back up off the ground, but Stevens isn’t finished yet. He adjusts his knee brace, and suddenly charges for the champion once he’s back to a kneel, smashing into the side of MIchael’s head with a Knee Trembler of his own!
Scott Stevens: DON’T MESS WITH TEXAS…. Bitch.
Michael slumps into the ground, as Rick Stevens makes the count.
1….
2……
Michael grabs the leg of Rick Stevens, yelling at him for help getting up. Obviously the referee can’t comply.
3………
4………….
The champion grits his teeth, rolling to the cage and using the steel to pull himself up slowly.
5……………..
6…………………..
Getting back to his feet, Michael stares daggers into the face of Scott Stevens. He starts jawing off at the challenger, daring him to come try that again. Stevens shows no fear, stepping toward the champion, and now both men are nose to nose as the crowd is ramping up quite a bit beyond just casual observers!
Joe Hoffman: A scare for the champion, as Scott Stevens pulls yet another old trick out of the bag to try and stay alive out there. Still convinced this is going to be a one-sided contest, Benny? This is only round two!
Benny Newell: Stevens eats the knee in round three, clean knockout. Bet me a million dollars, Joe. I have successfully called the finish to every one of Mike’s matches for a YEAR.
Stevens throws a right hand, but Best throws one back. And another. And another. The crowd gets louder for each exchange, and now both men are throwing brutal, stiff punches that leave them standing on adrenaline alone! Best shoves Stevens backward into the cage, holding him in the clinch as he takes a moment to catch his breath.
Stevens struggles to get free, but a stiff knee to the midsection stops him in his tracks. He doubles over, and now trapped in a cage clinch, Michael begins to drive brutal looking lifting knee strikes to the skull. Stevens can’t escape, and the world begins to go dark as Rick Stevens leans in to check for consciousness.
DING DING DING!
Joe Hoffman: STEVENS SURVIVES THE ROUND! THAT’S THE BELL!
Benny Newell: Why does this fucking moron NEVER QUIT?!
Rick Stevens steps in and tries to separate the two men, as trainers pour into the cage to put distance between them. It takes some effort to pry them apart, but a raging Michael Best is forced back to his corner as Stevens is attended to on the other side of the ring. A gash has opened in his forehead, leaving the Texan a mask of crimson.
Somehow, the rush of blood only seems to fuel Stevens, who wipes a bit away from his lip and stands up straight in his corner. The third round is going to be all Stevens, and business is finally picking up as the crowd joins him in a warcry.
DING DING.
Straight out of the bell, Stevens can barely see through the mask still pouring down his face. He doesn’t care, though– he lets out a murderous howl as he drives for the HOW HOFC Champion, colliding as hard as he can with–
Benny Newell: I KNEED A HERO, MOTHERFUCKER!
Joe Hoffman: ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! NO WAY!
Kicking off the cage, the HOFC Champion is ready for the half-blind charge of the challenger, and he collides his Hall of Fame knee directly into the temple of Scott Stevens. The air seems to collectively leave every lung in the arena, as Stevens slumps lifelessly to the mat, laid out completely unconscious.
Rick Stevens goes through the motions of a count, but it’s over.
DING DING DING!
The crowd is in awe, shocked by the surprise finish as Michael snatches the HOFC Championship and holds it high above his head. The USS Octane is eerily quiet as staff attend to Scott Stevens, who has just been officially retired from HOW by his longtime nemesis.
Winner and STILL HOFC Champion: Michael Lee Best via knockout, in round three.
We get a final overhead shot of the champion aboard the USS Octane as we cut away.
Event Date: June 6, 2021
HOFC Championship Match
The HOTv logo gives way and we cut to a live overhead shot over the USS Octane as the feed for War Games officially begins.
The feed circles the ship until we slowly zoom in to deck level.
The lights are low surrounding the octagon, as the camera pans around the crowd amassed high atop the USS Octane. Politely seated around all sides of the cage, the Japanese HOW fanbase eagerly await the beginning of the contest. As final safety checks are made along the octagon, we cut down to Benny and Joe at the desk, as they introduce the first of two matches here tonight.
Joe Hoffman: Welcome to the annual summertime High Octane Wrestling PPV….WAR GAMES!!! I am Joe Hoffman and as always I am joined by Benny Newell.
Benny Newell: Those with thin skin will be tested tonight. There have been rumors swirling all day today that tonight is the last ever War Games and potentially the last HOW PPV and if that is the case I plan on going out in the blaze of glory that Lee has been mentioning for years.
Joe Hoffman: There is no denying that those rumors are out there. There is truly only one man that knows that for sure and that is Lee Best. We only have two matches tonight and both have huge implications in the careers of everyone that is participating tonight.
Benny Newell: No fucking shit. It is War Games. People might be more sensitive than ever here in the world of High Octane so those folks better just turn their fucking heads. Tonight there will be blood….tonight there will be potential deaths….and I am not talking about all the semen that LT has been swallowing all day…..
Joe Hoffman: Ok enough of that…….first we have action on the USS Octane and then we end the night with a solitary 18 man match inside the Tokyo Dome. But before we get there careers are on the line here first in the HOFC Championship match between Michael Lee Best, the champion, and his challenger Scott Stevens. When you think about Michael Best’s most heated HOW rivalries of all-time, you probably think about Maximilian Kael. You might remember his marathon matches with Rhys Townsend, or his infamous best of three with John Sektor. You might even think about the rivalry that spawned them all– the relationship between the Son of God and the GOD of HOW, Lee Best himself. But someone you might not think about right away… is Scott Stevens.
Benny Newell: It’s not a rivalry, Joe. Lee versus Kostoff. Max versus Jatt. Lindsay Troy versus turning back into a pumpkin at exactly midnight. These are rivalries. Mike Best has been stuffing Scott Stevens into lockers for a fuckin’ decade, Joe. It’s not a rivalry. It’s therapy that Stevens is gonna need before he can get boners again.
Joe Hoffman: I think you have an inaccurate memory of history, Benny. While perhaps his stock has been on the decline, Scott Stevens was recruited to HOW in 2012 by Michael Lee Best himself, as an up and coming prospect from Legacy Pro Wrestling. Scott Stevens is a two time HOW World Champion, and one of those victories was a clean win over Michael Lee Best himself, in the main event of ICONIC.
Benny Newell: Yeah, ICONIC 2015. Fucking six years ago. This is the best we can find for Mike Best, God of HOFC? I can’t listen to you hype this fucking match. This isn’t a title match, it’s a mercy killing.
Joe Hoffman: Like it or not, Benny, Scott Stevens has had a storied HOW career. We’re talking multiple reigns as ICON Champion, LSD Champion, Tag Team Champions, World Championships… he won a War Games match, Benny. Several years of bad fortune may have muddied his legacy, but Scott Stevens and Michael Lee Best has been a hell of a rivalry for neary ten full years. Tonight is the culmination of a decade, and only one man will walk out of that cage with not only the HOFC Championship, but with his career intact.
Benny Newell: It’s not a retirement match. It’s a funeral.
Joe Hoffman: We shall see, Benny. From where I’m sitting, tonight is an opportunity for Scott Stevens to overcome ten years of adversity in HOW and cash in on the biggest win of his career. And if he can’t? Well, then it’s all over… but that sure as hell seems like the right motivation to turn things around, doesn’t it?
Benny Newell: Mike Best is unstoppable. He comes from great genetic stock. Hasn’t been beaten in HOFC in over ten years. Yawn, Hoffman. Don’t need to sell it. They already bought the PPV.
As Benny and Joe argue it out, “A Country Boy Can Survive” by Hank Williams Jr. begins to blast over the overpowered sound system on the USS Octane. The otherwise quiet, polite crowd in Tokyo suddenly gets on their feet, absolutely losing their minds for the veteran Scott Stevens as he steps out from behind the HOFC entrance area wearing a seemingly familiar attire. Attired in trunks and a vest emblazoned with the colors of his home state, Stevens is wearing the attire that he first wore in HOW nearly ten years ago.
Benny Newell: Holy. Fucking. Shit.
Joe Hoffman: …is Scott Stevens a legend in Japan?!
The crowd is losing their mind, screaming for Scott Stevens in a fashion that is absolutely not ironic. For his part, Stevens doesn’t look surprised in the slightest– a wry smirk appears in the corner of his mouth, as he makes his way down to the octagon and steps inside of the cage.
Benny Newell: This doesn’t make any sense! Why Stevens? WHY IS HE BIG IN JAPAN?
Joe Hoffman: Scott Stevens is a star all over the world! HOW might not treat him with a lot of respect, but Scott Stevens has held over forty championships across the globe. There’s a reason Lee Best booked this match as only one of two on the War Games card– whether you like it or not, this is a big match.
The crowd is roaring, as Stevens takes off his vintage vest and tosses it over the cage and out into the crowd. Fans respectfully but frantically lobby to grab hold of it, as Stevens takes his corner and begins talking to the other Stevens in this match– referee Rick Stevens, veteran HOFC official.
HALLLLLLELUJAH!
HALLLLLLELUJAH!
HALLELUJAH! HALLELUJAH!
HALLEEEEEEEELUJAH!
The roar of the crowd is stifled, overpowered by the chorus of angels that introduce us to Hanzel und Gretyl’s “HELLAlujah”. A fog rolls out from behind the HOFC entrance, the arrogance and pageantry in full effect as HOW HOFC Champion Michael Lee Best makes his way out from behind the curtain, with the HOFC Championship over his shoulder.
He steps slowly out from behind the curtain, his expression cold as he stares down at the cage and raises the title high over his head with one arm.
Joe Hoffman: It’s impossible to argue that on paper, this is about the most advantage a champion can have. Michael Best is fighting in his favored match type, in a division he has not lost a match in for over ten years. He has arguably torn through nearly every competitor that he has faced since the return of HOFC, and he fights at his best with everything to lose.
Benny Newell: Don’t bother with “buts”, Hoffman. That’s the fucking GOAT. Greatest of all time, isn’t even worth arguing about.
Joe Hoffman: Hard to argue, Benny. He has the credentials. But Scott Stevens has beaten him before on a grand stage, and with less on the line– tonight, these men fight for EVERYTHING, and they will stop… at nothing.
Michael quietly enters the cage, giving the HOFC Championship a quick little kiss and handing it off to Rick Stevens. He walks past Stevens, giving him a venomous side-eye as the champion takes his corner and begins stretching his knees out to prepare for the fight.
Rick holds the belt high into the air, before passing the belt out and allowing the cage to be locked up right. Once both men have nodded their head and confirmed that they’re ready to fight, Rick Stevens calls for the bell– he sets the five minute timer, and this one is underway.
DING DING
The first round begins, as both men take a few steps out of their respective corners. They stop dead a few feet from one another, though, as Stevens and Best lock eyes in the center of the cage.
Joe Hoffman: A calm before the storm.
Benny Newell: Mike is giving Stevens a last few minutes to enjoy being a HOW wrestler before he stamps that pink slip with a knee, Joe. Don’t read into it.
Slowly, the two competitors begin to circle. Best feigns a right hand and Stevens guards, but immediately the champion laughs and points at his own head, letting everyone know that he’s playing games with Stevens. This gets a boo from the crowd, albeit a polite one. Stevens shakes his head and raises his arm into the air, taking a step back himsel. Michael scowls, as he hears the crowd lose their GODDAMNED MINDS for Japanese wrestling legend Scott Stevens.
*CRACK!*
In a sudden loss of composure, Michael Best rails Stevens in the side of the head with a wild open hand, staggering the challenger as the crowd boos much louder this time. The champion quickly takes a defensive step backward, though, looking uncomfortable with having lost his cool in the moment.
Joe Hoffman: That. That’s where this rivalry has always existed, Benny. For all of his accomplishments, and championships, and accolades, Michael Lee Best has never been able to entirely overcome Scott Stevens. Never truly gotten over that loss from 2015– he might be the only man who thinks about it more than Stevens himself. For as much as Michael likes to pretend to be in control out there, something about Scott Stevens makes him lose his composure. And that’s how you lose championships.
Benny Newell: It’s also how you lose your fucking life, Joe. Don’t forget, the Son of God promised a murder here tonight.
Shaking off the blow, Stevens glances at the round timer– they’ve already wasted two minutes into the first round trying to establish mental dominance. The Scorpion decides not to waste any more time, and he charges the champion in a bull rush. Best is expecting a barrage of fists– it’s surprising when Stevens shoots for the legs, and he takes the champion to the ground with relative ease, since he wasn’t ready for it!
The crowd roars, as Stevens begins to bring down blows to the grounded Michael Best, smashing elbows into the protective shell of the champion’s arms. Best rolls to his side, trying to defend against the blows, but Stevens isn’t quitting– he grabs hold of one of Michael’s arms, trying to grab a kimura and end this one in the first round!
Joe Hoffman: Scott Stevens taking control early, and keeping it– the champion likes to keep things standing out there, and he couldn’t have seen this coming.
Benny Newell: Dipshit Texas Brawler knows a fucking DOUBLE LEG? This is bullshit. This should have been given to the defense during disclosures. WE WEREN’T PREPARED! MISTRIAL!
Michael brings a stiff forearm down onto the bridge of Stevens’ nose, and then another. He’s trying to knock Stevens silly before he can lock in the kimura, which would effectively force him to either tap out or break his own arm. He brings down a third forearm, and this one at least shakes the Scorpion loose– Michael uses his legs to push himself away, and then scrambles back up to his feet and backs up into the cage for balance.
There is the slightest nod of respect from the champion, but it is quickly replaced by a look of utter rage as Stevens stares back at him. Stevens doesn’t give him a moment to breathe, charging the cage— this time when he shoots for the legs, however, the champion is ready. Michael Best soccer kicks him in the center of the face about as hard as you can kick a man, sending him sprawling to the canvas in a heap!
Joe Hoffman: JESUS!
Benny Newell: It’s Kneesus, Joe. Get it right. This is over.
Stevens tries to pull himself up on adrenaline alone, but struggles as he’s disoriented from being railed directly in the face. He scampers onto shaky legs, but still throws a wild clothesline at the champion, trying to catch him off guard.
*CRACK!*
Stevens collides with the cage, smashing his hand against the steel, as Best sidesteps the telegraphed attack and shakes his head. He puts a boot to the back of Stevens’ knee, taking him down to a kneeling position as the HOFC Champion takes a few steps backward… the crowd buzzes, as he lines up for the knee that ends them all.
With a battlecry, Michael charges forward, but he’s suddenly stopped by Rick Stevens as the bell rings! The first round is over!
DING DING DING!
The crowd can’t believe it, but neither can Michael Lee Best! He argues with Rick Stevens, his longtime friend, as the old school ref tells him that he needs to take his corner. The champion doesn’t seem content with this, though, and he suddenly shoves Rick aside. Charging anyway, Best’s knee cracks directly into the back of Stevens’ skull, sending him face first into the cage at high velocity. I Kneed A Hero connects in a big way, and Stevens is fucking OUT.
Joe Hoffman: OH MY GOD! What in the hell did Michael Best just do? The round was over! Stevens was defenseless! I know there are no disqualifications in HOFC, but Jesus Christ, maybe there ought to be! How are we supposed to continue this fight?
Benny Newell: Oh come on, Joe… this is probably a trap he set. He WANTED Mike to murder him from behind and possibly break his neck. It was his PLAN!
The crowd is quiet, looking on with concern as Michael finally takes his corner. Trainers and medical staff are checking on Stevens, looking to see if he can continue, as Michael ices his shoulder where Stevens tried to grab the kimura in the first round. Stevens finally manages to get to his feet with assistance, but he can barely stand in his own corner as Rick Stevens speaks with the medical staff about their options.
Joe Hoffman: Stevens looks like he wants to continue, but I just don’t see it happening, folks. Even in a retirement match, you have to consider long term effects, and that was a hell of a shot to the back of the skull. Even if Stevens could manage to come back from that, we might be looking at significant injury here.
Benny Newell: Don’t turn this into some “Stevens is so tough, what a hero” Joe Hoffman speech. He’s too dumb to know he’s beat, don’t humor him. People humoring Scott Stevens is how we got here today.
Despite the advice of the medical staff, and the urgings of Rick Stevens, the challenger assures them that he’s ready to compete and aggressively shoves away the help that he’s receiving. He yells at Rick to put five more minutes on the clock, and a hesitant referee calls for the bell to begin round two.
DING DING
Scott Stevens nearly falls out of the corner as the second round begins, still on wobbly legs from what is definitely a severe concussion. The wild Texan might be shaken, but he’s still ready to fight. He beckons for the champion to come at him again, and now the crowd is even louder behind him.
Mike Best: You’re done, Scott.
The words sound concerned, but the smirk on the face of the champion tell a different story. He slowly saunters toward Stevens, urging him to throw a punch.
Stevens swings wildly, but can barely stay on his feet. He’s fucking hurt. Michael easily dodges the punch, and gives Stevens a boot to the stomach that sends his back into the cage again. The crowd boos, but Stevens charges in with a big right hand…
…and Michael dodges it again.
This time, Michael takes a hard step back, and breaks his MMA-only protocol for seemingly the first time in his HOFC career. He shuffles forward and nails a superkick right under the jaw of Scott Stevens, bringing an even BIGGER boo from the crowd as he uses Stevens’ own signature move against him.
Mike Best: REMEMBER THE ALAMO, BITCH.
Stevens hits the canvas, splayed out like a piece of meat, as Rick Stevens begins the count.
1…..
2…….
3………
Stevens rolls to one side, but he’s clearly not with us right now. He’s concussed, and a dead-on-target superkick didn’t help matters.
4………..
5…………..
Stevens pushes himself up to an arm, trying to save himself a second round knockout in the single most important match of his life.
6……………..
7………………….
Joe Hoffman: Stevens is almost up… I can’t decide if I want him to get up, or stay down and protect himself, folks.
Benny Newell: Fuck it, Scott. GET UP. It ends when you quit breathing.
8………………………
Stevens makes it to two feet, albeit wobbly ones. Rick Stevens declares the match still live, as a livid looking HOFC Champion stares on from his corner. He roars in anger, charging for Stevens with a vicious clothesline from behind, but the roaring scream tips off the challenger– Stevens throws his body out of the way, narrowly avoiding the maneuver, and sending Mike Best face first into the steel cage!
Michael stumbles backward, and Stevens grabs hold of him in reverse DDT position from behind. Scott drives the head of the champion into the canvas, and the crowd EXPLODES!
Joe Hoffman: Scorpion Death Drop! You gotta be kidding me! HOLY SHIT! We have a match!
Benny Newell: GET UP, HOLY FUCK, NO NO NO NO NO!
Scott Stevens stumbles back to his feet, feeding on the energy from the crowd as he finally manages to swing the momentum back in his favor. The HOW World Champion slowly pulls himself back up off the ground, but Stevens isn’t finished yet. He adjusts his knee brace, and suddenly charges for the champion once he’s back to a kneel, smashing into the side of MIchael’s head with a Knee Trembler of his own!
Scott Stevens: DON’T MESS WITH TEXAS…. Bitch.
Michael slumps into the ground, as Rick Stevens makes the count.
1….
2……
Michael grabs the leg of Rick Stevens, yelling at him for help getting up. Obviously the referee can’t comply.
3………
4………….
The champion grits his teeth, rolling to the cage and using the steel to pull himself up slowly.
5……………..
6…………………..
Getting back to his feet, Michael stares daggers into the face of Scott Stevens. He starts jawing off at the challenger, daring him to come try that again. Stevens shows no fear, stepping toward the champion, and now both men are nose to nose as the crowd is ramping up quite a bit beyond just casual observers!
Joe Hoffman: A scare for the champion, as Scott Stevens pulls yet another old trick out of the bag to try and stay alive out there. Still convinced this is going to be a one-sided contest, Benny? This is only round two!
Benny Newell: Stevens eats the knee in round three, clean knockout. Bet me a million dollars, Joe. I have successfully called the finish to every one of Mike’s matches for a YEAR.
Stevens throws a right hand, but Best throws one back. And another. And another. The crowd gets louder for each exchange, and now both men are throwing brutal, stiff punches that leave them standing on adrenaline alone! Best shoves Stevens backward into the cage, holding him in the clinch as he takes a moment to catch his breath.
Stevens struggles to get free, but a stiff knee to the midsection stops him in his tracks. He doubles over, and now trapped in a cage clinch, Michael begins to drive brutal looking lifting knee strikes to the skull. Stevens can’t escape, and the world begins to go dark as Rick Stevens leans in to check for consciousness.
DING DING DING!
Joe Hoffman: STEVENS SURVIVES THE ROUND! THAT’S THE BELL!
Benny Newell: Why does this fucking moron NEVER QUIT?!
Rick Stevens steps in and tries to separate the two men, as trainers pour into the cage to put distance between them. It takes some effort to pry them apart, but a raging Michael Best is forced back to his corner as Stevens is attended to on the other side of the ring. A gash has opened in his forehead, leaving the Texan a mask of crimson.
Somehow, the rush of blood only seems to fuel Stevens, who wipes a bit away from his lip and stands up straight in his corner. The third round is going to be all Stevens, and business is finally picking up as the crowd joins him in a warcry.
DING DING.
Straight out of the bell, Stevens can barely see through the mask still pouring down his face. He doesn’t care, though– he lets out a murderous howl as he drives for the HOW HOFC Champion, colliding as hard as he can with–
Benny Newell: I KNEED A HERO, MOTHERFUCKER!
Joe Hoffman: ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! NO WAY!
Kicking off the cage, the HOFC Champion is ready for the half-blind charge of the challenger, and he collides his Hall of Fame knee directly into the temple of Scott Stevens. The air seems to collectively leave every lung in the arena, as Stevens slumps lifelessly to the mat, laid out completely unconscious.
Rick Stevens goes through the motions of a count, but it’s over.
DING DING DING!
The crowd is in awe, shocked by the surprise finish as Michael snatches the HOFC Championship and holds it high above his head. The USS Octane is eerily quiet as staff attend to Scott Stevens, who has just been officially retired from HOW by his longtime nemesis.
Winner and STILL HOFC Champion: Michael Lee Best via knockout, in round three.
We get a final overhead shot of the champion aboard the USS Octane as we cut away.