Jake Diamond vs. Rhaps - 200 Light Tube Deathmatch

[Jake Diamond]

Jake’s Contract: evpw.proboards91.com/index.cgi?board=cntracts&action=display&thread=269

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Jimmy Pate and Ray White sit silently in their announce booth until Jimmy shoots Ray a surprised and concerned look. Rather confused himself, he looks over at Jimmy's sheet and is just as shocked. It isn't until a somewhat surprisingly familiar riff echoes throughout the arena that the audience are brought into the surprise. With everyone well aware that Jake had suffered a serious injury the week before, the shock of him even showing up tonight is enough but participating in a match makes for a perfect awkward silence. The entrance tunnel fills up with sparks and the silhouette of Jake Diamond appears through it.

“If you're having girl problems I feel bad for you son,
I've got 99 problems but a bitch ain't one!"

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Jake Diamond comes out of the tunnel to quite the ovation. Wearing long black wrestling pants with numerous designs all over them and a vest covered in signature insignias, Jake brushes back his long, shaggy brown hair with his hand but retorts it away quickly as the sharp sensation shoots back down his body. With the chants of his name heard from the audience Jake, rather unusually, simply walks to one side of the entrance stage then to the other before carefully and slowly making his way down the entrance ramp. Even confused to his presence, Izzy Wright doesn't know what to say until the time keeper leans over and tells her the rather startling news.

Izzy Wright: "... Alright... Wait, what? If you say so... Uhm, ladies and gentlemen the following contest has been personally implemented by Rhaps himself and it is a two-hundred light tube deathmatch!"

Jimmy Pate: "What in Gods name is going on here? We learned at the last show after the main event that Jake not only suffered a concussion but also fractured his skull and yet Rhaps decided to shove him in a match?! This is ridiculous!"

Ray White: "Why would the Safety Ranger do something like this? In fact it's not safe at all! Oh boy, my sexy little Jakey Pooh had better be careful..."

Meanwhile, Jake begins to walk down the entrance ramp with his eyes set on the ring where there are somewhere around two hundred light tubes are leaned against the barbed wire that will be serving as ropes in this match. He tries to play around with the audience but even the slightest movement hurts him and he totally ignores his usual display of the diamond cutter taunt and continues down the ramp like an old man on ice.

IW: “Introducing first; he hails from the ‘Second City,’ Chicago, Illinois and weighs in tonight at two hundred and twenty-two pounds! He is The Savior of EVPW! Ladies and gentlemen, he is 'The Future' JAKE DIAMOND!"

On any other day Jake would've ran up the ring steps and hopped easily over the ropes but today is rather peculiar. He casually and calmly makes his way up the steps and, uncharacteristically, drops down to both knees gently before laying flat on his stomach and rolls under the bottom rope. Looking around at the fans as he climbs into the ring like some kind of rookie, Jake sees the obvious concern on everyone's face and decides to kick his ass into gear. After planting both feet in the ring, careful enough to not knock over the light tubes, he takes an energetic near stumble forward before immediately shooting his arms out to his sides in his signature crucifix pose. He let's out a loud yell in agony as the sudden movement feels like he took off his own head but the audience interprets it otherwise and cheers out loud with him. This time lacking the pyros, Jake removes his vest and hands it off to the official in the ring. Jake stands stationary and patiently in the middle of the ring with the look of a warrior spread across his face. This time, rather than thinking about a strategy to use against Rhaps, he thinks about how sore he'll be after the match and if his injury will be worse. He removes the thought from his head and tries to concentrate and waits like an outnumbered samurai prepared for his fall but willing to take everyone down with him.

RW: "I'm worried Jimmy, I mean what if Jake got another concussion in this match? That could be fatal!"

JP: "I... I don't know what to say Ray. Yes Jake is risking it but he's too damn stubborn to back down from a fight, especially against the likes of Rhaps. Although, as much as it's doubtful, Jake is the master of the light tube and concussion or not I think he'll do just fine..."

TBCB: Rhaps

[Rhaps]

Many in the audience cast worried glances towards the Saviour of EVPW as he sways dangerously on the spot. Jake shakes his head, urging his body to fight against his current condition, thus proving to his fans once again that the spirit was willing but his body had taken the brunt of much offense in recent weeks. His loyal fans stand up and openly applaud him, the arena breaking out into various patters of applause. The effect is intoxicating as more and more fans join in and soon the two thousand strong crowd are on their feet, the thunderous noise of clapping reverberating through the entire building. Jake is overcome by such a reaction and he nods humbly. In the height of the noise the lights in Lockdown Hall instantly dim and Psychosocial by Slipknot thunders into life. Jake raises his head and a determined look is beset on his facial features. His previous encounters with the Rhapsitastic One run through his head and the ways he guaranteed victory over the SIC Monster. Similar ideas now burst forth in the haven of destruction that was his mind. He openly grins to himself in spite of the injuries, the promise of putting Rhaps down for the third time consecutively almost too tantalising to sit this match out.

JP: Look at Jake, Ray. He's been injured to horrific lengths and we were informed that he was in serious condition last week and we can see the effects of the triple threat title match. And in spite of having the best reason for ducking out of this match, he sits and waits for his opponent to join him in the ring. Now that's a man with true heart and determination for this business. In the past I haven't liked the arrogance of that man but now I am humbly honoured to be in his presence.

Ray: Why do you do that Jimmy? You take something at its face value and you read so much hidden meaning into everything. Just enjoy the fact that Jake said no to Rhaps' attempt to daunt him and now he's back to duel with the devil. And in Rhaps' own words, we'll certainly see who, out of these two men, is the one to blink first at the end of this historic encounter.

Izzy Wright: And introducing his opponent. Hailing from Canterbury, England and weighing in tonight at 219 pounds. He is the devil, the beast unleashed, the tormentor of lost souls. Rhaps.

Rhaps appears from backstage, the former fan favourite receiving a vehemently negative reaction from this very pro-Jake crowd. Rhaps doesn't react to the torrent of boos being showered in his direction, his eyes merely locked on the target in front of him. There is no showmanship this week. Rhaps knew that Jake Diamond may be injured be he was still a fierce competitor between the ropes and that he'd have to bring his very best to the squared circle for this encounter to have any hopes at toppling his singles undefeated streak. The Safety Ranger pauses in his progress to the ring, looking both left and right at the relatively small audience amassed around the entire expanse of the ring. He looks down at his attire and points to Jake Diamond, sending a very visual message to his opponent. Rhaps dons black knee length shorts with a hellfire design and a similar T-shirt accompanying this. Rhaps points to himself, indicating that he is the devil and Jake is the damned soul ready to be judged in the carnage to come. The lights shimmers off of the light bulbs as Rhaps passes by, causing the SIC Maniac to grin maliciously with evil intent. He pads to the ring apron, staring up at it before bunching his leg muscles. He leaps smoothly into the air and lands atop the apron. Rhaps ducks through the ropes and stands in front of Jake, hatred for each other coursing in waves. The ring bell sounds behind them, indicating the beginning of the match.

TBCB Jake Diamond.