Abaddon's Pit Stage 2

[Vladimir Strife]

(MD, Jaggeroth, Matt Turnbull and Hayden move on to stage 2)

[M BISON]

Metal Dragon, Hayden HardKore, and Matt Turnbull all wait on the top of the cage, the first two sitting on one knee while the third chooses to stand, for the final man to emerge from the hellish prison below them. With several battered wrestlers below him, Jaggeroth grabs the roof and climbs over, sailing a sea of boos onto the steel surface. The Time Killer flops onto the roof, weary but relieved that he has managed to advance to the second phase of the match.

"And here we go! Stage 2 is set! Dragon, Hayden, Turnbull, and Jaggeroth are your final four!"

"Jaggeroth would certainly be the favorite if everyone were fresh, but the three other guys have had a few seconds to gather themselves. That and the fact that they're all staring a hole into the big man really stack the odds against him."

"Yeah, and I don't think there are many people that these three guys would rather throw from a great height than him, either."

Matt Turnbull is the first to go after the heavyweight, running toward him and stomping on the masked man's back. The two GHW legends also join in to the delight of the crowd, three wrestlers now slamming their soles into Jaggeroth's body. The maelstrom of stomps decimates the victim, rendering him motionless after a few seconds. The trio of middleweights stop for a moment before the Jackass looks at Turnbull, points down at Jaggeroth, and makes a throwing motion with his arms, signifying that he wants to cut this match down to three people quickly. Matt and Hayden both grab Jag's and try to pull him up, but the Time Killer instinctively grasps the chain linking of the roof to stay put. Try as they might with a couple of attempts, the two lighter wrestlers are unable to pry the resilient Psycho King from the base that he lies on. All the while, Metal Dragon lurks near the two cooperative fan favorites, waiting for an opportunity to cue himself into the action. When Hayden gives up on trying to move Jaggeroth, he backs away, smoothly into the grasp of the Man of Golden Words. MD slips his left arm under that of his fellow southpaw, creating a half nelson before reaching his right arm across to lock his right hand on his left forearm. Knowing exactly what is planned, Hayden swings his head back to smack his skull right into the bridge of Dragon's nose. The former Dragon's Rage Champion is slightly dazed, allowing HardKore to slip his leg behind MD's and begin tripping him up. Dragon loses his balance and focus enough for Hayden to slip out of the move and immediately turn to face his longtime nemesis. The New Zealander lifts MD up by the legs before falling to one knee and dropping Dragon's crotch onto that very knee, executing an Inverted Atomic Drop that makes its recipient cringe in pain while falling onto the steel mesh he stood on.

"So THAT'S how wine is made!"

"Don't mention that... Brings back lots of bad memories... Okay, a few good ones too."

"I'd rather you not share them."

"Like there was this one time that I got some chocolate syrup and a really tight leash-"

"CUT IT OUT!"

Jaggeroth begins getting up, which Turnbull notices and begins attempting to stop. Matt the Man delivers some clubbing blows to the Time Killer's upper back, but they are absorbed by the psychopath. Jag answers with a stiff fist to Matt's stomach, doubling him over briefly as Jaggeroth stands straight up. Jag grabs the young wrestler's hair and pulls him to an upright position, then slams a hard punch into his face. Turnbull abruptly falls onto the steel, but gets back up. The crowd cheers the resilience of MT, even if only due to the fact that he's not Jaggeroth. Unfortunately for Turnbull, all he meets is another grab of the hair and an even harder punch to the face, sending him right back down. Hayden steps back from the handiwork he crafted on MD just as Jaggeroth turns around. The Time Killer waits for the high-flying Jackass to notice him, and his wish is soon granted as HardKore turns in his direction. The two-time GHW tag champion charges and stretches an arm out, delivering a Clothesline that strikes Hayden in the throat and knocks him onto his back.

Matt Turnbull gets back up, irritated but determined. Breathing heavily, he shouts "COME ON!" at Jaggeroth with fire in his eyes. Jag turns around and approaches the spunky young wrestler, winding up a huge punch and swinging it only to have his legs trapped and his whole body suddenly thrown down by a Drop Toe Hold. Turnbull scrambles to his feet and quickly drops to one knee, landing that kneecap on Jaggeroth's ribs. The Time Killer flinches from the attack, then rolls away and begins getting up. Turnbull pursues the heavyweight only for the crafty Psycho King to reach behind his legs and take him down quickly. A smirk surely under his mask, Jaggeroth keeps his hold on Matt's legs as he gets up and steps to the side, back now facing a nearby turnbuckle. The Nebraskan leans back, slinging Turnbull toward the padded corner where he smashes into it face-first. The slingshot having been effective in rendering his current adversary groggy, Jag springs up and turns Matt around so that the two men face each other. Jaggeroth then shoves Turnbull to the ropes, where the middleweight hooks his arms on the top of the three for balance. The Time Killer takes a deep breath before bumrushing, swinging a Clothesline at Turnbull that connects and flips him over the top rope.

"Turnbull's gone! The Psycho King gets another victim!"

"Wait a minute, Ray!"

Matt Turnbull did indeed get hit by the move and ejected from the squared circle created at the top of the cage, but managed to grab the bottom rope on the way down to prevent a hellish fall. Jaggeroth has already turned his back, figuring that his work was done with Matt. Turnbull begins the struggle to get back onto the apron of the makeshift ring while Jag turns his attention to his two other opponents. Now standing, Hayden throws a kick at the Psycho King, but it is caught. The Jackass quickly swings his free leg up to attempt an Enzuigiri, but that is ducked. Already in a precarious position with his back to Jaggeroth and one of his legs trapped, Hayden's situation is made worse by the fact that Metal Dragon is now up and looking right at him. The Time Killer simply lets MD do his dirty work, shoving HardKore toward the technician. The Man of Golden Words wraps his arms around Hayden's midsection before exploding back, flipping the New Zealander overhead and making him crash onto the roof of Abaddon's Pit.

"Belly-to-Belly Suplex! Hayden had no way out of being hit by that!"

"Metal Dragon and Jaggeroth had a brief tag team title run in GHW recently, so they have some cohesion if they ignore the fact that they completely hate each other. No idea why a hunk like Dragon would hang around that... thing... Probably just because it added gold to his resume."

As Hayden and MD both lie on the mat in a daze, Jaggeroth turns around because he senses that something is wrong. Indeed, Matt Turnbull now stands on the other side of the ropes, grinning like a pest that can't be killed. The Time Killer stomps over to the edge of the ring with a balled fist, cocking his arm back as he nears. The punch is interrupted mid-delivery when Turnbull quickly ducks and drives his shoulder into Jaggeroth's midsection, bending him over slightly. Matt stands up and grabs the heavyweight's hair, then looks at the corner of the ring and walks in its direction. Upon reaching his destination, MT grabs the turnbuckle post with his free hand and slams Jag's head into the padding, making the big man stumble back. Turnbull then hastily climbs, getting to the top and looking down at the deluded Jag. The Man jumps with a crooked arm, landing his chest on Jaggeroth's shoulder while that arm wraps around his head. Matt leans his body to the side, forcing Jaggeroth to spin around before the middleweight leans back to pull the Nebraskan forward. Jag's head is planted into the cage roof as the crowd cheers.

"Jaggeroth thought that guy was eliminated, but instead he just gave the big man a Tornado DDT!"

"That sneaky snake!"

"What, have you been hanging out with Oliveira lately?"

"I wish."

TBC

[Tamatoa Harikoa]

With three men scattered over the floor and across the ring, Turnbull is the only left on his two feet. The very sight of three EVPW long-time legends at his feet send shockwaves of courage and determination through the youngster. Breathing heavily from his efforts, and still counting his lucky stars after his near elimination, Turnbull reaches down to pick up the first body that he comes across. Grabbing his opponent by his long hair, he yanks the Psycho King to his feet, ducking down to flick the Time Killer onto his shoulders in an Alabama Slam position. The youngster turns about, nearing the ropes of the side of the cage-top ring. He flicks his shoulders forward, looking to fling the heavyweight over the top and out of the match.

Before he can do so, Turnbull feels a well trained arm creeping up between the inner part of his thighs, brushing against the black material of his kneepads. Before the young Matthew can realise what is a out to happen, Metal Dragon's arm had already wrenched upwards to barrage the family jewels. As the low blow connects, Matt's attention is unsurprisingly drawn away from the elimination of the heavyweight Jaggeroth, giving the big man a chance to topple Turnbull into the very ropes that he had attempted to throw Jag over. Dragon smiles at his handywork, as the youngster's hands reach down to cup his "sensitive area", Matt almost curling up into a fetal position to protect himself from further punishment.

~~Jimmy Pate~~
Turnbull almost had Jaggeroth's number, it could have been all over, but Metal Dragon once again comes to the rescue of an unlikely ally.

~~Ray White~~
Some nights, I see Metal Dragon riding to my rescue JP...

~~Jimmy Pate~~
And some things should be left in your head Ray.
One thing's for sure though, with MD and Jaggeroth seemingly on the same page, Hayden and Matt Turnbull had better do something or both of their nights are going to end early.

[/center]

Jaggeroth and Metal Dragon continue to exert their dominance over Abaddon's Pit, both taking to poor Matt Turnbull with a series of stomps and boots that leave "The Man" battered and bruised. As the pair continue in their quest to stomp Matt a new asshole, the fourth competitor rears his weary head back into the picture, sneaking up behind his long time nemesis, Metal Dragon and crouching down in waiting like a tiger crawling through the reeds as it stalks its prey. MD steps backward, leaving Jaggeroth to continue taking the fight to the youngster.

Seizing his opportunity against the unsuspecting MD, Hayden leaps up behind him and grabs a hold of Dragon's shoulders, pulling him backwards. As Hayden drags him toward the canvas, he drives his knees into MD's back. The pair hit the floor of the mat and Hayden's knees plunge into the soft flesh. Dragon's eyes shoot wide open, his eyeballs threatening to pop out of their sockets. The air is expelled out of his lungs, sending MD into convulsions atop the Abaddon's Pit structure.

~~Jimmy Pate~~
Lungblower by the Jackass!
The veteran looks to even the odd, starting with his long time rival.

~~Ray White~~
Hayden and Metal Dragon have a long history, and there is bound to be any number of unanswered questions and unfinished business between the pair. I like to think that me and Hayden go way back aswell...

~~Jimmy Pate~~
I don't think that the Jackass will share your sentiment Ray, I really don't.

[/center]

With MD out of the way, and Turnbull crawling away to safety from Jaggeroth's heavy blows, Hayden takes his fight to the Masked Psycho. The veteran swings an arm wildly, looking to send Jaggeroth out of the ring with a Short Armed Clothesline, but again the Time Killer escapes elimination by ducking his large frame under the Cruiserweight's swing, before lifting Hayden effortlessly up into the air in a Military Press. To send a message of his dominance to the wily veteran, Jaggeroth drops his lightweight opponent onto his shoulder, listening as Hayden's back cracks on the shoulder bone.

With that, Jag lifts the Jackass into the air again, tossing him to what very much looks like his demise. Hayden floats over the rope, and looks to sail all the way down to the waiting arena floor below him, but grabs the top rope in the process and swings his feet so that he sails back into the ring, in between the top rope and second rope. Before either Hayden or Jaggeroth realise what had happened, Hayden had proceeded to slam feet first into the abdomen of the Psycho King, taking the heavyweight off his feet and sending him sailing backwards through the air and flat onto his back. Hayden stands shakily to his feet, holding the small of his back, injured in the attempted Military Press Elimination. Wearily, he approaches Jaggeroth, the big man by now seething with anger at the veteran's persistence.

~~Ray White~~
Wow, that was an impressive display of awareness by Hayden HardKore! I really thought he was done for that time.

~~Jimmy Pate~~
Awareness... stroke of luck... Either way, Hayden is still in this match. I could definitely see daylight between him and the ring, before the Jackass was able to somehow pull himself back into the ring.

~~Ray White~~
It takes alot to keep Hayden HardKore down. I should know, I've been trying to just get him down for years!

[/center]

Jaggeroth is quick to stagger to his feet, eyeballing Hayden as he does so. Hayden waits patiently, the veteran in him knowing that patience is often a virtue in this business. Across the ring, Matt Turnbull had also begun to stagger to his feet, his lip cut and bleeding from the Metal Dragon, Jaggeroth onslaught earlier. All four men had squared off evenly, with all four saving their own asses from elimination already. Something had to break, sometime, somehow.

TBC

[Vladimir Strife]

(Jaggeroth is Eliminated.)

[M BISON]

Hayden and Turnbull once again focus on Jaggeroth, approaching him from both sides. Jaggeroth steps forward and delivers a boot to Turnbull's stomach, doubling him over as MD comes in for the assist. The Man of Golden Words grabs Matt's hair and waistband, then turns him around to face the ropes and begins running with him in tow. Hayden and Jaggeroth trade chops while Dragon attempts to toss the least experienced of the four wrestlers over the top rope, but Turnbull shows resilience by grabbing the uppermost rope to prevent his elimination. Matt enacts his own agenda, throwing an elbow backward into the chest of Metal Dragon, knocking the EVPW original back slightly. Turnbull then immediately jumps onto the second rope and leaps from it with a bent arm, flying toward MD and slamming the same elbow into his face. Dragon is knocked flat on his back, the steel sending a shockwave of pain through his whole body as it does to every man who lands on it.

Meanwhile, Jaggeroth has predictably gained the upper hand in the duel of chops, having now forced Hayden into a corner where he grasps the throat of the Jackass. Having squeezed for a good few seconds, Jag turns around and lifts HardKore up before tossing him onto the cage roof. A weary Hayden stirs, trying to get up, and is assisted via Jaggeroth pulling his hair. The Psycho King shoves the ragdoll-resembling Hayden toward the ropes, then steps forward and swings an arm forward to attempt a Clothesline, but it is ducked by the wary New Zealander. The former KOTDM Champion emerges and turns along with Jaggy, the two now standing face to face for one split-second, until Hayden jumps and kicks both feet out. Jaggeroth is hit in the chest by both soles, making him stumble back and fall between the top and middle rope. The Nebraskan Terror lands on the steel apron, clutching the middle rope for dear life. The spectators all cheer, trying to channel some energy back into the exasperated Hayden HardKore so that he may eliminate Jaggeroth. The two vastly different wrestlers both get to one knee simultaneously, breathing heavily as dizziness sets in for both of them. The Psycho King and the Jackass get to their feet at the same time, but are not looking each other in the eyes at first. Hayden raises his head and takes a deep breath, and as Jaggeroth does the same, all he sees is a fist heading straight at him. The next sensation that the heavyweight experiences is one of his jaw shifting to the side as two knuckles bury themselves into them, forcing his teeth to clatter together briefly as his descent backwards begins. The crowd creates a huge roar, one that only increases in volume as Jaggeroth crashes through the multitude of tables set up under the barbaric structure.

"POWER OF THE SOUTHPAW! JAGGEROTH IS DONE FOR!"

"Yes! Eliminate the ugly one first! This is reason number 1,003 why I love Hayden!"

Hayden simply falls back, landing in a seated position on the steel, exhaustion forcing him to take a moment to collect himself. Metal Dragon and Matt Turnbull, meanwhile, refuse to offer each other such solace, now tied up in a test of strength. Turnbull tries to bully the veteran to the ropes with a burst of adrenaline, instead being sidestepped and stumbling forward. Matt turns around just as MD jumps and swings both arms down, knuckles of his pinkie fingers simultaneously striking The Man's trapezius muscles. Turnbull gasps in pain and drops to his knees due to the Mongolian Chop, only motivating Dragon to become relentless in his offense. MD goes down to one knee and grabs Turnbull's hair, then quickly slams the youngster's face into the steel that they kneel on. Matt lies face down on the roof of Abaddon's Pit in a daze, and is shown no mercy as Dragon picks his head up and begins slamming his facial features into the steel repeatedly.

"There's the brutality of Metal Dragon! You know, no matter how much he's changed over the years, he still can have a mean streak and knows how to wear someone down!"

"Yeah, I bet he'd wear me out."

"Was that really necessary, Ray?"

Satisfied that he has formed a few guaranteed future bruises on his victim's face, MD slowly lifts Turnbull's head up one last time before throwing it onto the metal roofing. The former Dragon's Rage Champion gets up and turns around to see Hayden HardKore standing on the other side of the ring. Dragon glances around and sees that Jaggeroth is out of the match now, and offers a simple golf clap of appreciation as the two GHW legends advance toward one another. Metal Dragon throws a foot out, kicking the Jackass in the midsection. The leg stays off of the surface, instead turning and throwing a quick round kick toward the doubled-over Kiwi's head, but the kick is ducked as MD swings around. With his opponent's back now exposed, Hayden swiftly stands up and runs forward, jumping and putting a hand on the back of Dragon's head. The two men both fall forward, but the Man of Golden Words has a much less pleasant fall, karma instantly paying back what he did to Matt Turnbull moments ago as his face meets the steel. Hayden quickly scrambles to his feet after delivering the Facebuster while MD clumsily gets up in a daze, Hayden cocking his right arm back. HardKore throws a right-handed haymaker, but it is ducked before Dragon weaves behind him and grabs his left arm. Hayden is turned around before his arm is twisted, MD ducking under it to do so before turning him around again and whipping him to the ropes. The Jackass runs to the ropes and leans into the trio of cords, bouncing off and returning only to meet the stiff shoulder of the Stone Orchard alumni. Hayden falls onto his back in the center of the ring as Dragon runs toward the ropes that face Hayden's side, bouncing off of them and running toward the New Zealander. Metal Dragon jumps over his familiar foe and continues running until he hits the opposite ropes, also recoiling from them. Hayden, however, has sprung up and quickly counters whatever intentions that the Metallic One may have. Hayden puts his arm under one of MD's and slings him over with a smooth Armdrag.

The Jackass gets up and runs to the ropes as well, but has to change his plans when Dragon rolls toward him. HardKore leaps over the 220-pounder only to suddenly see a recovered Matt Turnbull leaping and spinning in midair to hit both legs across his torso. Hayden is knocked down by the Leg Lariat, and the Philly native rolls away before getting to his feet. The vindictive newcomer walks over to Metal Dragon and pulls him to his feet, immediately unleashing a flurry of punches to the former Orchard Stoner that send him reeling toward the corner. The crowd cheers as Turnbull continues delivering punches, only now in a place where MD has nowhere to stumble to and nowhere to seek refuge. Matt pounds away for a few more seconds, letting the umpteenth punch connect with some part of Dragon's head, then he backs away to allow his prey to stumble forward. MD receives a kick to the stomach upon exiting the corner of the ring, then his leg is hooked and his head tucked under an arm before Turnbull lifts him up and falls back. The Man of Golden Words hits the steel back first, then Matt lets go, MD immediately putting his hand on the point where his back connected with the Pit's roof. As Turnbull gets up, Hayden HardKore reaches his feet as well and charges at the 230-pounder, jumping with an outstretched arm to take young Matt down with a Jumping Clothesline. Both athletes get up at the same time, albeit the recipient of the last move being quite befuddled after that sudden attack. Hayden spins and thrusts a leg toward Turnbull's stomach, but the kid from the Land of Cheesesteak catches it. Matt spins Hayden around, suddenly turning the tables before he steps forward and throws a Clothesline of his own, this one sending the Jackass over the top rope. As all seems lost for one second, HardKore recovers by catching the middle rope and hanging with nothing under his feet briefly.

"Another near elimination! This time it's Hayden HardKore who hangs by a thread!"

"He hangs well, so I hear."

"So does Reeves."

"Why aren't we on TV anymore, again?"

Making the same mistake that Jaggeroth did earlier in thinking that his work on this specific wrestler was done, Matt turns around and begins focusing on Metal Dragon. On his hands and knees, MD stares at the mat, in a trance where he feels each individual bead of sweat dripping down his face as though it were blood. Turnbull grabs Dragon's hair with one hand, then swings his free arm overhead to club his fellow technician in the upper back. Matt then yanks MD to his feet and wraps his arm around the former New Age Champion's head, then grabs the waist of his tights to begin attempting a Suplex. Dragon feels himself being pulled up, but resists and firmly stands his ground. MD then delivers a fast punch to Turnbull's ribs, loosening the hold of the Suplex attempt. Another fist into the ribcage allows Dragon to slip loose, then he instantly swings his forearm up to slam a European Uppercut into Turnbull's jaw. Matt the Man hits the steel hard, sitting up after his fall in a delirious state that does not cease when he is immediately pulled to his feet by MD. Dragon turns Matt around and wraps one arm around his waist, the other arm going under the Pennsylvanian's thigh. At that moment, Turnbull comes to his wits and takes his turn to resist an attempted Suplex, this one of the Belly-to-Back variety. By now, Hayden HardKore has climbed onto the apron and had a few seconds to survey the action. The Jackass, confident that this is his time to make his presence known once again, grabs the top rope and jumps as high as he can. After balancing on that very top rope for a split-second, just long enough to leap off of it, Hayden flies through the air. HardKore flips forward once, a somersault before both of his feet kick forward and connect with Matt's face. The impact provides just enough momentum for Dragon to have a successful second attempt at the move he was attempting, and so he falls back with the newcomer in his clutches. Hayden HardKore and Metal Dragon softly land on the steel roof while Matt Turnbull's landing is brutal, the point of impact being his neck and shoulders. The fans reach a fever pitch after seeing the amazing double-team move, slowly fading into a "This match rules!" chant.

"Belly-to-Back thanks to Hayden's beautiful Missile Dropkick! The veterans had some teamwork there, even though it's no secret they hate each other!"

"Yeah, but you know, I'd be willing to bet you money that Hayden and Dragon are looking to be the final two in this match!"

"I wouldn't accept that bet because you're most likely right, Ray!"

TBC

[Vladimir Strife]

(Matt Turnbull is eliminated. Hayden and MD, you two have til Tuesday night to fight.)

[Tamatoa Harikoa]

As the chant echoes around the arena, the noise deafening to the ears. Metal Dragon slinks his way back to his feet. He is breathing heavily, yet keeps on moving, his eyes trained on the most vulnerable of the two targets before him. He is still bent over and crooked when he reaches Matt Turnbull, hoisting the youngster to his feet. With a grunt of effort, he leans the dazed Turnbull against the ropes, before simply flipping his legs over his head, flinging him over the ropes like a a mobster would toss a dead body over the side of a boat on a cold winters morning.

With "Matt the Man" still in lala land, Turnbull simply flops out of the ring and is halfway down his descent when the muffled yell escapes his lips. The cry is not one of terror, more of frustration, but nevertheless is cut short when Turn bull's now flailing carcass slams through the bed of tables placed to either break his fall or his neck, which ever the case may be.

The reaction around the arena sees the packed gymnasium rise as one to their feet, as all realise what this means for the match at hand. The crowd are split almost directly down the center, with half of the crazed fans cheering the name of Metal Dragon and the other half voicing their undying support for the Jackass. All know that the next person to be eliminated spells the end of the hellacious Abaddon's Pit, and all know that the two veterans in the ring will not go quietly into the night, more so they would bite, claw and gouge their way to victory, at any cost.

~~Jimmy Pate~~
Here we are folks. One of the most exciting endings in the history of Abaddon's Pit is in the cards tonight, with the squaring off of two EVPW and GHW veterans... Hayden HardKore versus Metal Dragon.

~~Ray White~~
It is the kind of thing that dreams are made of JP!

~~Jimmy Pate~~
Ray, I really don't want to know what your perverted dreams are made of.
I've waited too damned long for this, and I'm not going to let you ruin it.

[/center]

The next few moments seems to take an hours, the unfolding of which takes an eternity. Hayden pushes the rest of the way to his feet, finding room to stand, albeit on shaky legs. His weathered body aches and his face screams of a hard fought night, yet his eyes burn with determination and fight, the old man not having had enough yet. Metal Dragon, who had watched the demise of "Matt the Man", spins his body around. His shoulders rest momentarily on the ropes before he pushes his body back into the ring properly. The two old hands stare off across the ring, the whole history of their rivalry plaguing at their minds and memories as they intently watch what the other is doing. Both men nod at each other, the mutual respect they have for the other evident despite their hatred. Neither man wants to rush in and make a mistake that would cost him what he had fought so hard for, and neither man is willing to budge and let the other win; hence the momentary stalemate.

Both men move almost in sync with the other, starting off across the ring toward their long-time nemesis. The Metallic One is first to swing his arms in offense, as the pair charge at each other. MD lines the Jackass up and lunges forward with a DragonFire, looking to take the Jackass clean out of his boots, but the sprightly legend sees Dragon's finisher coming and springs high into the air, leapfrogging the incoming train-wreck of a move. Dragon hits the roof of Abaddon's Pit, having no target to hit, and slides harmlessly to the side, stopping just short of the ropes. Frustratedly, MD is quick to push himself to his feet once again, his expression now turned into a nasty snarl. Hayden, knowing that time is of the essence, is on top of MD before the "Man of Golden Words" can gain a solid footing. The New Zealand Warrior hurls himself at his battered nemesis, stepping off the bent knee of the Nashville native and swinging a vicious knee to collide with the side of Dragon's head, sending MD toppling sideways into the ropes in the process.

~~Ray White~~
Hayden almost kneed a hole in Metal Dragon's head with that one. Scrambled his brains a bit, I expect.

~~Jimmy Pate~~
A perfectly executed Shining Wizard from the Jackass, after an energetic display of avoiding pain from the Metallic One's DragonFire.

[/center]

Metal Dragon tries to stammer to his feet, stumbling under weary legs, his vision blurred from the lightning quick knee from his rival. He forces himself to a vertical base before Hayden can attack him once more, swinging an arm at MD and looking to send him packing for good. Dragon's legs are flung high into the air, threatening to pass the point of no return and send him tumbling out of the ring, like Matt Turnbull before him, yet the Metallic Legend kicks his feet wildly in the hopes of bringing himself back safely to the ground, and it works. Soon, MD's feet are safely back on the roof of Abaddon's Pit. Below him, the waiting tables below him are still hungry for their final victim, yet they will have to wait just a little longer.

Hayden dashes off across the ring once more, bounding into the ropes on the opposite side, hoping that a full head of steam will help him to finally send Dragon packing. MD is barely off the ropes when Hayden flings himself at the staggered Nashville boy once more, this time flinging his body round in an attempted Spinning Wheel Kick, threatening to take Dragon's head clean off its neck. MD had shaken enough of the effects of the Kiwi's onslaught off to see Hayden coming and ducks under the move, flicking his shoulder upwards at just the right time to fling Hayden into the air and over the ropes, turning the table on the wily veteran. Hayden can do little but clutch at the top rope, landing both of his feet firmly on the apron around the side of the ring. He breathes a large sigh of relief at saving himself once more, yet he knows that the danger is far from over.

~~Jimmy Pate~~
Metal Dragon just will not die. He refuses to lose and Hayden now has his work cut out for him.

~~Ray White~~
Work cut out?
Metal Dragon is winding up for the killing blow, as far as I can see, Hayden is done for.

~~Jimmy Pate~~
It 'aint over till its over Ray. Who knows what is going to happen for this match to end. The whole damned arena will burn down before these two are done with each other!

[/center]

With his opponent now in a similar predicament as him before, Metal Dragon now backs up afew steps. He dashes forward, leaping into the air to dropkick Hayden off the apron, but the veteran leans back on the apron, his head and neck hanging high above the empty nothingness, dodging the oncoming Dropkick and letting MD crash to the roof of the structure once more. Metal Dragon stands to his feet, but the small opening gives the Jackass the chance to slink a single leg inside the ring. He is just bringing his second leg inside to meet the first when Metal Dragon comes in for a second swoop.

TBC MD

[M BISON]

Just as Hayden's other leg enters the makeshift steel ring, Dragon jumps once more and throws another Dropkick. Unlike the last one, this extension of the legs connects with the chest of the Jackass, flipping the lighter man over the top rope. However, Hayden HardKore hangs onto that rope like a gymnast on the balance beam, his body simply traveling in an almost complete circular path before his legs hit the side of the cage. The high-flyer from New Zealand climbs onto the steel apron while MD gets up. The EVPW original rushes forward in an attempt to knock Hayden off, only for the smaller man to duck down and thrust a shoulder into the Tennessean's midsection. The 30-something cruiserweight then stands up straight and performs a front flip over the top rope, grabbing Dragon's waist as he flips over to make MD's body sling back and hit the cage's roof back-first. After the perfect Sunset Flip, Hayden lands in a sitting position, but shifts his legs around to stand up with the Metallic One's legs in his grasp. HardKore wastes no time in leaning back to slingshot MD over him and send his fellow GHW legend soaring toward the ropes. Dragon's body travels between the top and middle rope, but he manages to grasp the middle one on his way out of the ring to avoid a hellish drop through tables. Catching his breath, MD sits on his knees on the apron while his arms remain wrapped around the rope that saved his presence in this match once again. The Man of Golden Words slithers back into the squared circle and collapses onto the steel, its cold temperature slightly comforting to his drained body.

"In the past few minutes, we've had plenty of moments where we've believed that it could be over. Looks to be an even playing field now."

"Those ropes are really a wrestler's best friend in a match like this. I like to think I'm a close second for the moral support I provide."

"Yeah, Ray, you're a walking USO show."

Face to face, the two remaining combatants begin rising to their feet. Now with both on one knee, Dragon throws a punch that connects with Hayden's jaw. HardKore is fazed slightly, but is able to answer by grabbing MD's hair and throwing a punch of his own to the temple. The Jackass stands up and begins pulling his opponent up by the head, but another punch from the Metallic One comes in and buries itself in his ribcage. Hayden doubles over, and MD quickly scrambles to his feet to wrap his arm around the Kiwi's head. The former Dragon's Rage Champion wastes no time as he spins around and falls onto his back, jarring Hayden's neck on the way down with a Swinging Neckbreaker. Both competitors lie on the roof of the structure once again. Back to square one, Dragon rolls onto his stomach and grabs his foe's hair, pulling Hayden up to a sitting position. MD then sits on his knees to the side of his fellow KOTDM-holder, taking a deep breath before he swings an arm horizontally. Metal Dragon's palm connects with HardKore's chest, creating a loud pop that is audible to the whole audience and making the victim grimace in pain. MD now climbs to his feet and begins pulling his adversary up with him.

The lighter of the two men is shoved into the corner, then his wrist is grabbed. Dragon leans back as he pulls on the arm of his opponent that he holds, slinging Hayden across the ring in the direction of the opposite turnbuckle. MD chases his opponent, expecting the lighter man to simply bounce off of the padding and end up in his clutches. To the dismay of the American, Hayden instead grabs the ropes and quickly jumps onto the top turnbuckle, then soars off while performing a backflip. Metal Dragon comes to a screeching halt as Hayden's body hits his chest-to-chest, then both men crash down to the roof of the Pit. The Moonsault leaves the former Dragon's Rage Champ crushed while a revitalized Hayden rolls away and a new burst of adrenaline allows him to get up.

"That Moonsault turned the tables again! This match hasn't been extremely bloody, but it has certainly taken a HUGE toll on everyone involved!"

"That's the truth, Jimmy! They, of course, can certainly get a free massage from me after the show to relieve the pain, though!"

"I don't think they'll take you up on that."

"But I have soft hands!"

As Hayden gets to a vertical base, he immediately flips forward and lands in a seated position, leg landing across MD's throat. Dragon's whole body convulses once upon impact while the Jackass rolls backward and gets to his feet. Hayden HardKore still offers his opponent no rest, stepping forward and falling down with a bent arm, elbow landing right on Dragon's face. The Jackass gets up once more and steps through the ropes, walking along the apron to reach the corner from the outside. Hayden begins climbing while his fans roar in approval, MD meanwhile slowly trying to get up. The slow ascent of both men is completed, with the New Zealand native looking down at his groggy prey finally standing on two feet. HardKore springs from his perch and his legs go akimbo, looking for what seems to be a Seated Senton. Hayden's thighs land on MD's shoulders, but the wary Man of Golden Words reacts quickly and throws his opponent forward instead of allowing himself to be pushed down. The Jackass's back hits the turnbuckle padding courtesy of the sudden Buckle Bomb, but the cruiserweight catches himself on the ropes and holds them. Like the Buckle Bomb prevented the match from possibly being lost for MD, catching himself on the ropes to prevent vulnerability to another move proves to be another example of veteran instinct preserving the man it inhabits. Despite intense pain now flooding through his back, Hayden jumps onto the top turnbuckle and leaps off. HardKore performs a somersault in midair before his body tilts to the side and his legs hit across MD's face and chest, taking the middleweight down with him.

"Air mail!"

"These two guys are gonna kill each other before the night is over! Flying Leg Lariat answering that Buckle Bomb, and both men are seeming to block out all the pain! I think they've forgotten about what you get for winning this match by now, Ray! They just now are busting their asses to beat each other!"

"That might be possible, Jimmy. Remember, the last time that Metal Dragon faced off with the REAL Hayden HardKore, he got screwed out of TWO belts thanks to Brian Commonwealth sticking his nose in!"

TBC or end of match (If you post again, I'll ask Vlad whether he's judging based on all of phase 2 or just the final two people and post depending on his answer. Though hopefully it's all of phase 2 because that makes more sense, and that way I don't have to write any more. )

[Tamatoa Harikoa]

Both men lie near the center of the ring, chests heaving in tandem; bodies enervated from the hell that is Nexus. Around the arena, the fans are all standing to attention, their seats long since forgotten as the match draws ever closer to its inevitable end. Having gotten the better of their last exchange, Hayden is first to move, kipping up from his bed atop the cell roof so that he is standing on his own two shaky feet. His body feels the strain of every step, every breath and every action. Through winced eyes, he spies his nemesis lying face toward the ceiling of the Solid Core Gymnasium, his arms folded across his chest like during a burial rites ceremony. With all that is left within him, Hayden hoists his opponent to his feet once more.

The pair stand in a compromising position for an age, Dragon's body slumped over Hayden's shoulders as a wounded soldier would over the shoulders of a medic, yet Hayden does not have healing in his mind. He takes three large deep breaths, summoning up the strength for what he is about to do, then lifts the "Man of Golden Words" onto his shoulders, positioning him in a Samoan Drop position. His eyes spot the turnbuckle, and the twinkle returns to the face of the Jackass. Around the arena, fans instantly know what is about to happen and the split crowd chime in their thoughts ever so audibly. Hayden staggers over to the turnbuckle, with the weight of both men on his shoulders. Metal Dragon has still not moved, his body locked in position by what looks like sheer willpower alone.

~~Jimmy Pate~~
Hayden looks like he has had enough. Spying the turnbuckle, I think that the Jackass is ready to end this right now.

~~Ray White~~
He's going for his Super Samoan Drop JP. Am I the only one who finds this move just a little bit hot?

~~Jimmy Pate~~
Frankly Ray, yes you are.
Ladies and gentlemen, piss in a bag if you need to but do not avert your eyes for a second... One way or another, something big is about to happen.

[/center]

Hayden's foot reaches the bottom rung of the turnbuckle, the sole of his Chuck Taylor gracing the padded steel thankfully while Hayden contemplates his ascent to the heavens. The stillness seems to shake the sleeping Dragon, his body twisting into life. Without warning, the Nashville born battler had swung himself forward, landing on the top turnbuckle in a seated position, before the old timer can react to his rival's thoughts. By the time that the cruiserweight legend had gotten his wits about hi, the tables had turned and his nemesis had already begun to get the smaller man in position, hoisting him up to his level, before slipping his head in between the legs of the Jackass. Hayden tries to battle out of the move with left and right fists to the head of his long time rival, but to no avail. Before long, he is lifted high into the air, Metal Dragon standing on the second turnbuckle as he struggles to hold the Electric Chair position.

MD steadies himself, all the while having to deal with the persistence and never say die fighting back of a relentless Kiwi, pummeling the top of his skull with both fists as hard as he can. Dragon tosses the annoyance aside, ignoring the brutal blows, before tossing the New Zealander forward. Hayden soars through the air, knowing that the landing is not going to be sweet. The Jackass hits the roof of Abaddon's Pit hard, face first, taking a chunk of skin and flesh along with him, the roof acting like a giant cheese grater. Metal Dragon recomposes himself, still finding himself on the second turnbuckle, and lines the Jackass up to finish him off.

~~Ray White~~
Wha?
How on earth did he manage that?
Metal Dragon was as good as gone, and now somehow, it is the Jackass who has a busted face and is bleeding all over the roof of the cell.

~~Jimmy Pate~~
Look at those eyes Ray, Our Man of Golden Words is not done just yet. Both of these men are going to be feeling the flow-on from Abaddon's Pit for some time, I can assure you, both physically and emotionally.

~~Ray White~~
You're saying that they aren't going to like each other after this? Well thats news to me...
Where have you been for the last two years JP? Maybe love will bring them together, I have just the thing!

~~Jimmy Pate~~
Nobody in this arena wants to see your "thing" Ray, so just sit your ass down.

[/center]

Before Hayden has a chance to settle, Metal Dragon is already leaping off the turnbuckle, his knees aimed at the battered skull of the 30-something veteran. What MD doesn't notice is the momentum that Hayden is carrying, enough to roll him forward, head over heels till he finds himself standing on his feet once more. With his skull bleeding, and glazed over eyes wondering what on earth had just transpired for him to be on his feet again, the New Zealand Jackass barely even notices the 220lb body of his arch nemesis slam into the floor at his feet. Md winces in pain as his knees make the first impact, before he too rolls forward and onto his feet.

The deafening clang of a fully grown man dropping from the sky and landing just in front of him is enough to wake Hayden up out of his slumber. By the time that MD had rolled forward to recover from his missed "Bad Touch" Hayden was crouched and ready. This time he feels the adrenaline flowing through his veins, the only thing left powering his weathered body. This time Metal Dragon practically rolls onto his shoulders, and Hayden is all to happy to help him out. Before MD has the chance to struggle more, Hayden had locked his shoulders, neck and legs in place to secure him in the Samoan Drop position once more. The second time around, Hayden does not waste time getting to the turnbuckle, nor does he waste time composing himself before climbing to the highest of highs.

~~Jimmy Pate~~
This time, maybe!
Hayden looking for the Super Samoan Drop once again.

~~Ray White~~
If he hits this, I might just have to show him my version of the Super Samoan Drop. It involves a softer landing, alot less clothing and s handful of feathers.

~~Jimmy Pate~~
Oh the sick things that must be going on in that peanut sized brain of yours Ray. Just make sure they stay there.

[/center]

Metal Dragon is little more than a passenger on the ride to the top of the turnbuckle, and Hayden looks out over Abaddon's Pit with a smile on his face as he secures his footing, teetering atop the turnbuckle once again. He takes a deep breath, blinking a long lasting blink before opening his eyes once again. It looks like home, it smells like home... It IS home.
Nodding in approval, Hayden jumps forward off the turnbuckle and into the air...

TBC