Downfall vs Johnny Bacchus
Tracy Wolfson: The following is scheduled for ONE FALL! Introducing first, weighing in at 220 lbs... one-half of the AW Tag Team Champions... DOWNFALL!!
The arena lights dim, as the crowd goes silent and a blazing neon-red Anarchy symbol appears on the tron, which then transitions into the symbol becoming the A in Downfall's name. Then, as the jumbotron begins playing images of shots of Downfall hitting various kicks and signature moves, the opening drum rhythm to "Mainlining Murder" begins.
"Don't touch me baby your fingertips, they feel like pins across my skin
Just light another cigarette so I don't regret, inviting you over
Well don't hold my hand or I'll punch your face
I'm a hungry rat in this hole I waste
There's no blood to taste in this awful place
I'm mainlining murder!
I'm mainlining murder!!"
As the music is kicking in harder, Downfall's head is bowed, and he kneels one knee on the stage, tracing the fingers of his right hand across the ramp, then he slowly raises his head to look at the ring. He then shoots his fist towards the ring and shouts out to the crowd. The arena lights brighten, and then, he begins his walk down to the ring, holding his arms out to take in the reaction of the crowd. He's earned a respectful pop from the smart marks in the crowd.
However, this time, as Downfall stares at the ring, he cracks his neck to the side, but there's a solemn look in his eye. Almost a pause, before he seems to steel himself, and his demeanor becomes gunslinger-cold. As he climbs on the apron, hanging on and pivoting towards the entrance, he slowly extracts the Tag title belt from around his waist, and moving with the economy of motion and fluidity of a shark, he raises the belt in the air with one hand, and brings his other hand up to motion to the back, telling his opponent to come out and get it. Downfall gets in the ring, drapes the title belt in front of him, and stands there in front of it, with the clear message being that he is going to tear Johnny, and anyone who steps up to them for their Tag titles, apart completely without hesitation.
Chris Avery: Downfall is in rare form tonight, he's always intense, but tonight he's staring a hole in the entrance ramp and daring his challenger to make his way down.Billy: Some might call it macho posturing or bravado, but I think that he just subscribes to the prison mentality of always showing you're the biggest cock in the yard, and that makes me deathly afraid of sharing a weight room with him!Chris Avery: I think that Downfall and Dionysus realize that they have multiple viable competitors for their Tag titles forming a line to face them at Evolution, and he sees tonight as a must-win to make a statement.Tracy Wolfson: And his opponent... weighing in at 225 lbs... "RASCAL KING" JOHNNY BACCHUS!!
"Flagpole Sitta" by Harvey Danger hits on the PA, but as the curtain parts, Johnny Bacchus walks straight out to the stage. Not playing to the crowd, at all. Ash Blake is next to him, but Ash is also keeping an eye on Johnny as if she's watching his performance, stoically and pragmatically. Johnny is wearing black leather, jacket, pants. As Johnny steps towards the ring, a sullen, hushed look comes over his face, and he has his hands in his pockets, but as Johnny stares into the ring, he seems to be mentally assessing what he needs to do and where he needs to go for this match. Johnny stares at his opponent, waiting for him, and his mouth firms into a stern line and he slides in the ring.
Chris Avery: Johnny is usually too colorful and outspoken for words... but he's giving a very different vibe tonight, too. This is a big, serious match for him, and there's none of his usual spectacle. All black, all serious, all business.Billy: But... but where's the monkeys? Where's the Russian tanks and commie flags? This Bacchus is intense!Chris Avery: Bacchus has shown he will bring the fight in a big way. He wants to push things to the next level to take on the veteran Downfall!The bell sounds and Johnny and Downfall take a second to stand five feet apart, not moving. Downfall looks from Johnny, to Ash Blake standing at ringside, before he motions for Ash to watch how he massacres her boy (who would've called Downfall making a Godfather reference?) and he slowly, caustically, brings two fingers up like a gun barrel and places it right between the eyes of Johnny, before dropping his thumb-hammer and finishing the pantomime of pulling the trigger. Johnny, eyes squinting with anger, slaps Downfall's hand away. Downfall, rather than be shocked or surprised, smirks coldly.
Chris Avery: Downfall is making it known to Ash Blake, perhaps his biggest rival in AW, that he's going to take Johnny down, the same way he's put her down before.Billy: But Downfall is out here alone, and Ash Blake is here in Johnny's corner! How does that play out?Chris Avery: Johnny seems to be trying to push Ash towards better angels lately... and honestly, if there was someone who's more prone to bending the rules or reverting to the old him, it's Downfall. I could be wrong tho.As the crowd is going berserk, splitting a "DOWNFALL" and "CHIMP MODE" chant, the two circle each other before locking up. Downfall calls for a collar/elbow tieup, but Johnny snakes a knee into his midsection. Johnny begins clubbing Downfall over the back. Johnny whips Downfall to the ropes, only to have it reversed. Downfall whips Johnny off the rope, and when he swings for a clothesline Johnny ducks in turn. Downfall turns around and begins getting peppered. Johnny backs Downfall up into the corner and begins peppering him. Downfall reverses, throwing Johnny into the corner and unloading on him with rights. The ref, gets in between them, forcing Downfall to break out of the corner. Downfall backs off, holding his hands up innocently. As he comes back towards Johnny, Johnny gives him a thumb to the eye. Downfall stumbles back, blinded. Johnny grips Downfall by the hair and bounces his head off the top turnbuckle a few times. Downfall slumps in the corner, and Johnny backs up, looking for a corner splash. Downfall moves out of the way, and Johnny hits the turnbuckle.
Chris Avery: I think Johnny was a bit too eager there!As soon as Johnny turns around, Downfall pounds him with a right hand, making Johnny turn away, and Downfall clenches on with a side headlock. Johnny flails his arms for a second, before he reaches around and elbows Downfall off. He begins to fight back with right hands, and he boots Downfall in the gut. He grips Downfall by the hair and walks him over, going to slam his face off the top turnbuckle, but Downfall blocks. Johnny attempts to bounce Downfall's head off the turnbuckle again, but Downfall blocks, elbows Johnny off, and then he bounces Johnny's head off the turnbuckle. Johnny stumbles away, and Downfall grips his head, pulls him back over, and bounces his head off the turnbuckle three more times. Then, he pulls Johnny out to the middle of the ring and lifts him up, holding him in the air before bringing him down with a vertical suplex. Downfall floats over into a cover.
The ref: One... Kickout.
Downfall boots Johnny a few times, then mounts him with a few right hands. Downfall quickly gets to his feet, backs up to the ropes and runs off, hitting a jumping knee drop across the forehead of Johnny. Then, Downfall drops into a cover.
The ref: One... Kickout.
Chris Avery: Looks like Downfall is looking for quick falls, perhaps looking to take Johnny out of his comfort zone.Downfall lifts Johnny up and gives him a few right hands, backing Johnny to the ropes. He whips Johnny off the ropes and on the return he takes him down with a back body drop. Johnny gets to his feet, and Downfall takes him down with a clothesline. Johnny gets back to his feet, but Downfall walks him over to the corner and bounces his head off the turnbuckle. Downfall then fires away at Johnny with back elbows, then right hands, taking Johnny down to a sitting position. Downfall starts stomping Johnny, but the ref tries to grip his arm and pull him away but Downfall flings his shoulder away and turns back to Johnny, as he lays more stomps to the midsection. Then he turns away, as he holds a fist up to the crowd, drawing a pop, and Downfall backs up halfway across the ring, and then comes in for a running corner knee strike which connects. Downfall clubs Johnny over the back, gripping him by his hair and slinging him out of the corner to the mat. He goes to lift Johnny up only to be caught by a harsh slap that sends spit flying out of his mouth, and sends Downfall turning away.
The crowd: Oooooooh!
Chris Avery: What a shot from Johnny!Billy: Disrespectful af, LOVE this for them!Downfall wipes his face and, he slowly looks back over his shoulder with blazing eyes. He rushes in hotheadedly and begins to trade punches with Johnny. Downfall takes the advantage and tosses Johnny into the ropes, dropping him with a drop toe hold followed by the side headlock. Johnny shoves him forward into the ropes and sends him over with a belly to back suplex. Downfall rolls around on the mat, holding his neck. Johnny goes for an elbow drop but Downfall moves. Downfall, rising to his feet like some kinda Terminator, takes him over with a swinging neckbreaker. He lifts Johnny back up and tosses him into the ropes. Johnny grabs the top rope, stopping his momentum. Downfall charges towards the ropes, but as he gets close Johnny lifts him over the third rope. Downfall grabs the ropes lands safely on the apron. Johnny bounces into the ropes but Downfall slingshots over the top rope and nails a spinning wheel kick! He goes for the pin.
The ref: One... Kickout!!
Johnny kicks out. Downfall grimaces in frustration, and cuts a miffed look over at Ash Blake to see her reaction. Ash is watching, businesslike and professionally analytical as always. Downfall sneers as he grips Johnny, lifts him up and tosses him into the corner. He gives Johnny a quick corner splash and attempts a second one but Johnny ducks out of the way. Johnny quick drop kicks the knee out from under him, causing Downfall to take a knee. He sends him over with a short DDT from the kneeling position and goes for the pin.
The referee: One...
Two... Kickout.
The Rascal King continues swarming Downfall with knees and clubs to the back of the head, street-fighting him like he's either a riot-gear cop in Seattle or someone that took his hot dog. Johnny forces him up and back down with a belly to belly suplex. Johnny rolls Downfall over and hyperextends his arm with an inverted armbar with wristlock. Downfall battles to the bottom rope quickly before it can get too far in. Johnny breaks the hold and delivers a few stiff kicks to the shoulder. The referee breaks up the tactics and allows Downfall to get to his feet. Johnny quickly clubs him over the back of the head, following it up by placing Downfall's throat on the middle rope and choking him. Downfall flails his arms, as his wind is cut off. The ref begins warning Johnny, who has his knee buried in Downfall's back and is pushing with all his might as he pulls on the top rope for leverage. The ref begins a five-count to disqualification, and Johnny breaks at three. Then Johnny goes back to choking Downfall on the ropes.
Chris Avery: Johnny may still be following the rules, but he's making sure to match Downfall's aggressive energy!Billy: Downfall doesn't even lose that energy when he leaves the ring, I tried to take the last donut in catering before him once and he told me that he was going to take a mop from the janitor's closet and "turn me into a popsicle!" I was so afraid I let the last raspberry creme slip from my fingers!Johnny backs up, runs off the ropes, and turns, going for a Sweet Sixteen discus punch, but Downfall ducks it! Downfall takes the back of Johnny, and immediately drills him with a snap dragon suplex with such ferocity that Johnny lands on his neck, and rolls onto his stomach, holding his neck and collarbone, eyes opening up with a pained and shocked expression! Downfall tips a look back at Ash, as if to say, "Come get ya boy", and, snarling ferociously, he lifts Johnny back up by the hair. He flings Johnny into the corner, and unloads a blistering chop to the chest. Johnny holds his chest and groans. Downfall, merciless, tears open Johnny's shirt by the neck so that Johnny's chest is exposed and Downfall lands several more blistering chops that they could hear all the way back in Japan, 1998. Downfall, working uncomfortably snug, jerks Johnny out by his hair and walks him forward, putting in more strong-style work and slapping the piss out of Johnny front-hand and backhand, but when Downfall rotates for a spinning backfist Johnny comes to life with a headbutt. Downfall blinks, falls back a step, and comes forward only for JOHNNY to begin firing up and lacing him with slaps and chops! A stinging shot to the eardrum! A chop to the chest! A backfist! Downfall falls back into the ropes, covering up, and he stumbles forward... Johnny floats behind him and gives him a Trey Bouchet-approved German suplex! INTO a bridging pin!!
Chris Avery: Sometimes, all of the analytical color commentary insight in the world I can give to a sequence of moves is just... "Jesus Fuck. Ow. His fucking neck. Ouch."Billy: These boys are throwing bombs at each other so nuclear that they're setting off Geiger counters!The referee: One...
Two... Kickout.
Johnny doesn't rest after they both pop free from the German bridge, beating Downfall over the back and head with some wild shots, and goes to lift him up. Slapping Downfall over the back of the head, Johnny grips him in a waistlock, going for a more emphatic German suplex, but Downfall allows himself to be thrown overhead and he pops to his feet out of it behind Bacchus... Downfall clinches Johnny in a waistlock, as if attempting for a German of his own. Johnny, wise to how to get out of a suplex (thanks Trey) runs forward into the ropes as if to bounce back, but Downfall isn't thrown backwards, Downfall releases the waistlock clamp and instead, catches Johnny and aggressively takes him in to a rear naked choke a la Minoru Suzuki, a standing choke that is nonetheless meant to just crank harder until the opponent is flailing limply. Downfall wrenches the rear-naked choke in, aggressively barking at Johnny "Go to sleep, go to sleep" and forcing/pulling him down to the mat, as the fast and strong application of the choke is basically rag-dolling Johnny. Downfall waits until Johnny is falling limply to the mat before he releases the hold to transition into lifting Johnny up for a cradle piledriver. Before Downfall can get the move in, Johnny grips his legs with all the strength he has. Downfall pounds on Johnny's back, but Johnny flips him overhead with a backdrop out of it, and Downfall hits the mat. Johnny sinks to all fours, the damage from the rough choke making him gasp and try to will some energy back into his limbs, as Downfall holds his back and rolls back to a seated position. Downfall goes to lift Johnny up, but Johnny surprises him by kicking his leg out. Johnny then takes Downfall up and gives him his own cradle piledriver, which due to a legal action by Lissie Hope is now under new consideration for a name! Downfall's head is spiked into the mat!
Chris Avery: Did you see that?? Johnny just hit Downfall with his own move!Billy: Things are getting personal and they're pulling deep!The referee: One...
Two... Kickout.
Johnny yells, showing that fire and he motions for Downfall to get up. Downfall takes a minute to grimace and hold his neck, but he staggers up, using the ropes. Johnny runs at Downfall, attempting the loose sleeper catch into the makeshift slingblade, but Downfall powers out of it, throwing Johnny over his shoulder with an application of judo and dumping Johnny! Downfall grips Johnny and uses their arms to link them together as if for a shortarm, then pulls Johnny in with an arm wrench; he hammerlocks the right arm behind Johnny and holds it with his left, then uses his free right hand to swing for a devastating lariat that catches Johnny with such force that Johnny leaves his feet, and Downfall follows through all the way to his knees.
Chris Avery: That way that Downfall hit on that Babylon Burning... it's been a long time since he's been fighting with such spite, with such invective.Billy: This is getting deeper than just the Tag Titles, although that's a big part of it! Lots of words have been exchanged between these two and they have a lot of pride on the line in this one!Downfall stands, staring down at Johnny with murder in his eyes. Finally, a Rubicon seems to be crossed as Downfall begins looking from Johnny, to Ash Blake. Johnny is laid out on the mat, and Downfall snarls, and as if the years are rolling back, he begins slowly peeling off his shirt, like he used to waaaay back in the day before hitting a high flying move; Downfall flings his tank-top in Ash Blake's direction, almost making a show of it for Ash, and begins ascending the turnbuckle. He sets himself, and then flies off, looking for a moonsault, however at the last second Johnny rolls out of the way and Downfall hits chest first on the mat. Downfall begins rolling around holding his chest, and Johnny takes the opportunity to slide in and quickly roll through with an Oklahoma rollup pin.
Chris Avery: NO! DOWNFALL CRASHED AND BURNED!Billy: Downfall, in the heat of the moment, went for one of his older moves the way he used to, perhaps informing of a well-established flaw in his mindset that occasionally haunts him!Chris Avery: Time's arrow shoots ever forward!The ref: One...
Two... Kickout.
Johnny scoops Downfall up off the mat and he drives him down with a rib breaker. Downfall rolls out of the ring clutching his midsection. Johnny climbs out after Downfall, chasing him like a cat on a mouse, and he quickly lays the boots to Downfall’s ribs. Johnny lifts Downfall up and he rams him back first into the guardrail. The ref is counting both men out. Johnny lifts Downfall up and he doubles him over with a hard kick to the gut. Johnny grabs a hold of his opponent and he throws him onto the concrete floor with a double underhook suplex. Johnny lifts Downfall up and he rolls him into the ring. Johnny doesn't go for the cover, instead wraps his legs around Downfall’s midsection and he applies a leg scissors. Downfall yells in pain as Johnny applies the pressure to his softened midsection. The ref asks if Downfall gives up, but he vehemently shakes his head no. Downfall tries to inch towards the ropes, but as he reaches out, Johnny squeezes harder. Downfall tries to fight off the pain. Downfall reaches for the ropes again, sliding closer. Downfall reaches out one final time and he gets a hold of the bottom rope. The ref orders Johnny to let go, but he refuses, so she begins a count to disqualification. Johnny hangs on as long as he can, then lets go and he gets a harsh verbal warning from the ref. Johnny brushes him aside and he drags Downfall to the corner, then, riding a spike of adrenaline... Johnny sprints to the OTHER corner, opposite Downfall, clambers up the ringpost like a spider-monkey, sets himself... and flies off with a Coast to Coast dropkick, plowing into Downfall seated in the corner! Camera lights flash, catching Johnny in mid-flight, and as he hits Downfall, Downfall spills out, his head whiplashing, and he falls. Johnny rolls Downfall over...
Chris Avery: GREAT LEAP FORWARD!!!The referee: One...
Two...
Thre- Kickout!
Johnny, winded by the exertion of jumping from way the hell over there, takes a few moments to take in some big, gasping lungfuls of air. Downfall is groggy from the boots to the mush, and he shakes his head. At length, Johnny rolls over, slowly pulling Downfall up. Johnny takes extra seconds to lift them both up, and he sets Downfall up on unsteady legs, before running off the ropes... Johnny goes for a Discus Falcon punch, but Downfall catches him on his shoulders! Johnny is moved into fireman's carry position! Downfall is on wobbly legs, but all he has to do is fall to his back and drop Johnny onto the Godkiller! Johnny suddenly breaks free of the unsteady fireman's carry with a vicious poke to the eyes, and he flows around Downfall's back, turning it into a sloppy catch sleeper slam! Both men are down!
Chris Avery: And he's calling for it... Sweet Sixteen incoming... NO! Downfall catches him! Downfall's trying to set him up! Downfall's nearly got him in position... he's calling for the Godkiller... NO! Johnny reverses! Johnny REVERSES INTO THE GOD DAMN FETCH THE GUILLOTINE!Billy: The fans are off their fucking nuts for that breathtaking sequence of twenty seconds!!Exhausted, Johnny scoots over and uses his upper body to push Downfall from his side onto his back, and he slumps over. The ref leaps in for a cover as the crowd excitedly counts along.
The referee and the crowd: One...
Two...
Three... Kickout!
Johnny slumps off Downfall, holding his face in his hands. Now Johnny looks over at Ash, who is just watching him with her arms slightly folded. If there is a little crease in Ash' brow of concern or any kind of feeling for Johnny's performance, it's otherwise inscrutable, but Johnny looks to Ash, then to Downfall, and nods his head to himself. Johnny grits his teeth, and he starts getting himself fired the hell up! He is shaking with energy as he slaps the mat, getting to his knees, then to his feet, and pacing around the ring. But for once, Johnny isn't gloating or being a little shit. Johnny finally peels off his ruined black shirt, throwing it into the crowd.
Chris Avery: Johnny is hulking the hell up before our eyes!Indeed, eyes tell the story; For example, Johnny's eyes are opened up aggressively and he yells out for Downfall to get up, and when Downfall slowly starts pulling himself up Johnny stalks him, standing a distance across the ring and perched. Downfall stumbles on spaghetti legs, turning in a circle, and when he turns around to face Johnny, Johnny does a spin kick, going for a Trouble in Paradise... but WAIT! It's blocked! Downfall picks the leg in midair, turns it into a nasty dragon screw that bangs Bacchus to the mat and draws cringes from the fans in the front row, and Downfall floats in to an incredibly painful-looking Lebell lock! Johnny's eyes now tell a story of agony, bugging out of his head as Downfall suddenly cinches in the crossface!
Chris Avery: It's time!! Johnny is calling for KING'S DEAD! He -Billy: WAIT JUST A DAMN SECOND!Chris Avery: Downfall blocks it! Downfall throws Johnny to the mat... and he's floating him over... NO!Billy: YES!!Chris Avery: BAD WOLF IS LOCKED IN! JOHNNY IS TRAPPED IN THE BAD WOLF!!Johnny howls in pain. Unfortunately, Downfall isn't letting him move, even though Johnny is trying to scoot across the canvas. The ropes are a good foot away. Downfall pulls back on his hands under Johnny's chin while keeping the arm trapped, so hard that Johnny's chin and posture begin to bend like a bow. Johnny's free hand searches vainly for purchase. The crowd is going livid, with dueling "YES"/"NO" chants as Johnny's hand wavers and for several long seconds it appears he may tap. Downfall, his part as the aggressive, brutish dickhead in full effect, barks in Johnny's ear for him to TAP. Johnny spends a moment struggling, and his head begins to go limp from the pain, his hand begins to fall limp... but Downfall snarling TAP in his ear again makes Johnny's hand begin rising as if by it's own accord... the hand rises into Downfall's field of view slowly... and JOHNNY DEFIANTLY RAISES HIS MIDDLE FINGER! Downfall's eyes fix on the middle finger and widen with outrage and a little bit of incredulity!
Chris Avery: BACCHUS THROWING IT IN DOWNFALL'S FACE! BACCHUS WILL NOT DIE!!Downfall, absolutely incensed lets go of Bad Wolf, and he looks from Bacchus to Ash, keeping control of the wrist of Bacchus as he points to his old nemesis, talking shit to her and saying "This your boy, huh?" Then, Downfall manipulates the fingers, pulling Johnny's wrist so that hand with the upraised middle finger is right in Ash Blake's view and then Downfall takes Johnny's index fingers in both of his fists and wishbones them, snapping the fingers in a manner that makes the crowd wince and draw in a sympathetic "Ooooh"... Johnny flops and rolls around, holding his hand in pain. Downfall, being just, like, so mean right now makes it even worse by bringing his boot down menacingly and squishing the wrist and hand as it's laying on the mat. Johnny, tears in his eyes from the pain, slaps the mat with his free hand. Downfall grips Johnny by the hair, pulling him up so that Johnny looks him in the face...
Billy: Oh, dip.And Johnny spits in Downfall's eye! Downfall flinches back, spittle running down his cheek, and he glares at Johnny, who is on all fours on the mat, and Johnny snarls "Fuck you!" Downfall actually shows a flash of good humor as he lets out a short chuckle, wiping his cheek off with a tiny smile and saying softly "Oh fuck me huh". Then, frenzied, the wolf comes out. He swarms Johnny, technique out the window as he rains down fists on the back of the head until Johnny stops moving. Downfall hauls Johnny up by his hair so roughly that he's near to tearing hair out, but he's past the point of caring as he yanks Johnny up and throws him into the ropes. Johnny, however, comes out of the ropes and drives into Downfall with a heated elbow strike that rocks Downfall! For a moment, Downfall totters, and it looks like he's going to go down! But then... Downfall shoots forward, and lands a right hand that knocks Johnny silly! Johnny stumbles backwards... then returns with a right hand!
Chris Avery: It's breaking down into a straight-up brawl! These two are done holding back!Billy: ...In what world were these MF's holding back BEFORE?With each successive hit, the crowd can feel the aggression in an ebb and flow. The wind-up, the powerful burst, and the expense of energy that rocks the opponent like a wave crashing into the shore. These two are hitting each other with right hands so hard your momma will feel it from the other room... and they don't stop. Downfall with a right hand, Johnny stumbles! Johnny comes back with a right, Downfall is reeling! Downfall answers with a right! Johnny with a right! Johnny begins firing up, peppering Downfall with heated right hands so fast... and furious... that Downfall's pace slows, and Johnny backs into the ropes... but he runs forward into a BEAST KICK FROM DOWNFALL!
Johnny doesn't leave his feet... but he falls back, barely able to stand, and he tumbles back. The ropes catch him and stop his fall, spring him back up, and he pops back to life... and Downfall steps forward to meet him but he is hit by a SWEET SIXTEEN!
Now it's Downfall's turn to fall backwards, stunned and dazed into ropes that keep him on his feet, and he stumbles up out of the ropes and charges in, going for the LOCK, STEP & GONE... but Johnny moves out of the way! Downfall crashes and burns on the mat!
Now Johnny, shaking the cobwebs out, sets himself in the corner, going for King's Dead again... He spies Downfall on the mat, and starts calling for the curb stomp. Johnny stamps his foot, "tuning up the band" and Downfall is on all fours... but Johnny is in mid-motion when Downfall, with a burst of speed you wouldn't believe, gets fully to his feet, cuts the distance between them and meets a charging Johnny with a shotgun dropkick that not only sends Johnny flinging backwards like a pinball into the corner, but it throws Downfall onto a flat back bump as well! The crowd explodes in amazement, and Downfall, shaken from the sudden collision that his dropkick turned into, looks shell-shocked as he tries to crawl on his stomach, looking disoriented. Johnny is holding his back in the corner. The crowd is starting a chant to the rafter for both men, "THIS IS AWESOME!" but the referee has to lean in to check on both men to see if they can still compete.
Chris Avery: DOWNFALL AND BACCHUS HAVE BURNED IT DOWN TONIGHT! WHAT A BATTLE!!Billy: YOU'RE TELLING ME! SHITFIRE! THE CALLBACKS TO THEIR HISTORY! THE COUNTERS! THE BRUTAL HITS! THEY'RE PUTTING IT ALLLL OUT THERE!Johnny is barely able to make it to his feet, and he is having to cling on to the referee just to keep himself from falling over. Downfall sees Johnny's back, but Downfall is dazed as well, and Downfall bounces his leg a little bit, his mouth forming a line, and Downfall steps forward and throws a superkick with all of the energy he has left. However, Johnny sees it coming out of the back of his eye, and he ducks out of the way, falling on to all fours. The Beast Kick instead for the ducking Johnny hits the referee instead! The referee is knocked down, and rolls to the apron, out of it. Downfall put all of the energy he had left into that Beast Kick, and he falls forward like a tree! For a long moment, Downfall, Johnny, and the ref are all down, in various sequences of fatigue or unconsciousness... and then...
A jagged line rips down the middle of the Action-Tron, leaving the left side pink and the right side blue. A silhouette of Regan Voorhees appears on the left, with a silhouette of Jill Park on the right. Word balloons appear over both their heads, followed by voiceovers.
“Hi, Jill."“Hi, Regan.”The silhouettes vanish, the divided screen turning from black to white, a single word spread all the way across in pink letters.
AFFLUENZA
“Black Sheep” kicks in and golden pyro erupts from the stage, blanketing the entry way in a cloud of white smoke. Jill Park and Regan Voorhees come walking down to the ring. Downfall is starting to push himself up on all fours, recovering first, and he sees Jill and Regan parading down to ringside, flashing big smiles and showing off their expensive bling and fashion to the people at ringside, and they keep a wide berth around the side of the ring Ash Blake is on... but they stop at the apron, and both of them look at Downfall. Wicked smiles cross their faces.
Chris Avery: No! Dammit, no, Downfall and Bacchus were having an all-time classic match out here, what do these two heartless culture-vultures want out here??Billy: They have made their hatred for both the Vanguard AND Ash Blake pretty plain lately... it's like some kinda super-hatred at this point! More to the point, they want Tag gold to accessorize their outfits!Regan and Jill smirk at Downfall, and then, with him too weak to fight back, they grab him by his legs and haul him out of the ring. Regan and Jill each take a side of Downfall by the back of his head and pants, and throw him bodily into the side of the ring steps, hitting with a LOUD crash! Downfall groans and holds his shoulder. Ash Blake makes no move to help Downfall at all. Regan and Jill, smiling coldly, pick Downfall back up by his hair from each side and throw him, just as hard into the steel guardrail! Downfall stumbles out, holding his back and shoulder, and he stumbles forward then drops to his knees. Jill and Regan then get on either side of Downfall, grip an arm... and they each hit him on either side with a knee, squashing him with the BTE Trigger!
Chris Avery: Dammit! Enough is enough! Affluenza are taking advantage of the referee being down and mugging the hell out of Downfall! Someone stop this!Billy: Here comes Dionysus, running from backstage with the steel chair!Indeed, Dionysus is running down the ramp at top speed, now that he sees his partner is in need of rescuing. Jill, noting that the damage is done, rolls Downfall limply into the ring, and Regan and Jill exit up the ramp, keeping their distance from Dionysus, who stops, looking over at Downfall, worriedly.
In the ring, Johnny Bacchus is using the ropes to pull himself up, and he sees Downfall is down. He looks confused, thinking it was his doing, but he sees Jill and Regan up the ramp, waving jauntily and smiling at him. Jill blows him a kiss, even. Johnny groans and throws his arms out, hating Affluenza for putting him in this position. He holds his head in a "what am I supposed to do" manner before he grits his teeth and drops down for a cover.
Chris Avery: This is a disgrace. This is an utter disgrace, it puts a black mark on this match.Billy: Jill Park and Regan Voorhees have really made their presence felt tonight, and you can tell that Bacchus hates to win this way... it wasn't his doing!The referee, coming to, weakly crawls over. The crowd is booing loudly as the ref counts with a shaky hand...
The referee: One........
Two..........
Three!
Ding Ding Ding
Tracy Wolfson: Here is your winner... JOHNNY BACCHUS!
"Flagpole Sitta" hits on the PA, and Johnny looks down at the canvas, a disappointed and very angry look on his face. He quickly rolls out of the ring, as Ash Blake looks on after him. Ash tries to call after Johnny, as if maybe to cheer him up that he won, but Johnny ain't having none of it and he walks up the ramp, as Jill and Regan smile and laugh at him. Downfall, coming to, is very pissed off at how he was cheated, glaring up at Jill and Regan on the stage.
Jill an Regan make title sign motions around their waists, and Downfall, gritting his teeth from the pain, nonetheless shoots up to his feet angrily. Downfall and Dion stand together, defiantly holding up their Tag titles.
Chris Avery: This whole situation brewing between all of the factions around the Tag titles is turning into an ugly, bitter affair on multiple fronts. Who knows how much crazier things are going to get by Evolution??