Jack of Blades vs Skyler Striker
Nate Nytro: This is it. It is the match that WCF fans have been waiting nearly two years for. It is the decider between The Bastard Clown, Jack of Blades and Skyler Striker.Nikki Venus: That's right. But before this epic match begins, it is important just to tell our new fans that this match is not one that has been thrown together merely to market XIII. These two former World Champion share a history together; a history based on one-upmanship.Nate Nytro: Yes and before this match starts, let's have a look at the tangled web that has been weaved by Skyler Striker and Jack of Blades.The commentators are replaced by a hype video. It is a chronological retelling of the major events of the Skyler-Blades feud set to the haunting power of Sigur Ros' 'Untitled #3 AKA Samskeyti.' The video begins with Blades lifting his newly won Hardcore Title over his head after a gruelling mach with Creeping Death. This is followed by footage of Skyler Striker defeating Danny Vice in 'that' ladder match thus earning the right to be considered the number one contender for that same title. The video moves to the first ever XIII event where it distils the match between Skyler and Blades into a slideshow of brutal manoeuvres and sadistic highlights replete with visual effects for impact. We see Skyler succumbing to Blades' chokehold and the look of disappointment on his daughter’s face. The video's content changes to focus on the subversion of Jade Striker and the mind-games that this allowed Jack to play. The video continues to move through all the important moments these two wrestlers have shared together: Striker beating Blades for possession of both his daughter and the Hardcore belt, Blades returning the favour by purposely pinning Skyler for the tag belts and of course, Skyler Striker defeating Blades for the WCF World Championship. The montage video ends with two separate images merged into one by the denizens of the editing room: Jack of Blades and Skyler Striker standing on opposing turnbuckles raising their respective World Championships.
“Fallen, broken. Simply dissolved into an incomplete thought. An empty shell, cracked, and disfigured. With no remorse, I have been blinded by the darkness. With no disdain, I have received my punishment. And with no haste, I await them.”
Nate Nytro: And here we go…After the words finish, the music of “Fallen Angels” by Ra kicks in as a bright white light flashes over the arena and fades to black again. The lights continue quickly changing between black and white as Skyler Striker enters the stage. A pyrotechnic salvo surrounds him, welcoming him back into active competition. The crowd collectively roar at his very presence establishing that he has indeed been missed.
Nate Nytro: So, Nikki, who do you favour going into this match?Nikki Venus: Well, with all due respect to Skyler Striker, Blades has go to be the favourite. Remember that this is an 'I Quit' match. You do whatever you've gotta do to get your opponent to say those words and Blades…well, Blades has no compunctions over anything. He has no sense of regret, no sense of remorse and that's what this match needs. Just look at what he did to Ellis.Nate Nytro: Fair point but what you've got to remember is that Skyler Striker is not only a former Hardcore Champion but the man who defeated Blades to claim that accolade. Besides that, his seven-year stint in Japan was a smash-mouth baptism of fire for him. It has to be said that Striker is not stepping into an alien environment tonight. Skyler has surprised us once before when fighting Jack of Blades and I wouldn't be shocked if he did it again tonight.Skyler walks down towards the ring dressed in the usual black, unbuttoned shirt and the torn maroon pants. The front-row of the audience rush forward to touch their returning hero. Skyler slaps a few errant hands, making an effort to appease his fans. However, it is obvious his mind is focused on something else. He slides into the ring and as the chorus hits, spreading his arms in a crucifix pose. He holds this, looking into the crowd, and then goes to the turnbuckle, repeating the crucifix pose. The crowd explodes at his posturing fuelled by anticipation for the match and deep-seated respect for ‘The Ace of Hearts.’
Nate Nytro: Wow. The fans have not forgotten Skyler Striker at all. This reception is amazing.As Skyler finishes his posing and Nate his commentary, a thick crimson envelops the arena. The fans, now basked in a sickening red, change their demeanour reacting conversely to how they did as Skyler entered. They know what this change in luminosity signifies. They know that it foreshadows an arrival. And they know, the correct way to respond. Any pockets of support are soon drowned out by a chorus of boos and heckles. However, these in turn are soon suppressed by Ennio Morricone’s classic, 'Das Duell' hitting the speaker system. Jack is back.
Nikki Venus: It appears as if Jack of Blades has gone back to his first theme.The camera quickly pans upwards to the top of the entrance ramp. There stands a hooded figure foregrounded against a waterfall of red sparks. As the firework display begins to die down, the figure raises his right hand clutching the raincoat at his left pectoral. As the final sparks sputter out, the figure, in one swift motion, tears the raincoat from his person. The revelation? Jack of Blades in his ring gear carrying that mad, rictus smile. Two flaming pyres complete the pyrotechnic display as Blades begins his sojourn to the ring.
Nate Nytro: Just like how the crowd haven't forgot Skyler Striker, they seem to have a pretty good memory when it comes to Jack of Blades.Nikki Venus: Indeed. A cacophony of boos now filling the arena.We get a small close-up of Skyler Striker, trying to burn a hole in his opponent's head through sheer force of glare alone, before returning to Blades' entrance. Now at the ring, Blades slides through the bottom rope spending a few moments on the canvas as if he were acclimatising himself to his surroundings. Satisfied, he picks himself up with a charismatic spin of the heels.
Nate Nytro: Look at Skyler. Not taking his eyes off Jack for a second.To complete the theatrics, Blades launches himself onto the second rope of a turnbuckle. From this elevated position, Blades simply smiles at the crowd while a torrent of rose petals fall from the ceiling.
Nate Nytro: Blades, ever the performer.Satisfied that he has supplied a potent enough entrance, Blades jumps from the turnbuckle and turns to face Skyler Striker. The referee uses his person to form a barrier between the two combatants as the ring announcer gets on with his job.
Ring Announcer: The following match will be contested under 'I Quit' stipulations meaning that falls will count anywhere and no holds will be barred. The only way for a competitor to win this match is to get their opponent to audibly speak the words 'I quit.'Blades nods his head as if to agree with the terms while Skyler just stares at his opponent.
Ring Announcer: And now, standing to my left, weighing in at 220 pounds. He is a former WCF World and Hardcore Champion. He is the victor of the WCF classic. He is 'The Ace of Hearts.' He is Skyler Striker.The crowd explodes; a 'Skyler Striker' chant is attempted.
Ring Announcer: And, on my right…The boos begin already.
Ring Announcer: Weighing in at 244 pounds, he is a WCF Grand Slam Champion. He is 2006's Wrestler of the Year. He is 'The Master Manipulator.' He is 'The Bastard Clown.' He is Jack of Blades.Nate Nytro: God knows how Corey pulled off this match.Nikki Venus: It wasn't just Corey, you know?Nate Nytro: Yeah, I know.The crowd is electric. They cannot wait any longer. And, they don't have to. The referee calls for the match to be started. It begins.
Nate Nytro: Here we go.The bell rings. The match is on. The two wrestlers begin to circle each other, both adopting fighting stances. They move around the ring looking to find some weakness in the other.
Nate Nytro: It looks like they are going for an MMA approach.As Nate says this, Blades runs forward hoping to tackle Skyler. His opponent, however, warns him off with a quick kick. The kick only glances Jack of Blades but it is still enough to warn him off. At first, Blades looks surprised at Skyler's resilience before shrugging it off with a smile.
Nikki Venus: Just a little warning from Skyler there.The two wrestlers begin to circle each other again. They move in time with each other. Skyler takes a step; Blades takes a step. However, the clockwork routine is soon broken by Blades launching himself forwards at Skyler. Skyler tries to fire off enough kick but Blades merely dodges it, tackling Skyler’s other leg. With Skyler grounded, Blades applies a body scissors before unleashing a flurry of fists.
Nate Nytro: The ol' 'ground and pound' tactic.Absorbing punch after punch, Skyler eventually throws his arms up in a guarding position. Blades continues with his assault but eventually realises that a limited amount of his attacks are breaking through. Consequentially, he jumps from his position and hits a legdrop on the grounded Striker.
Nate Nytro: Clever.The Bastard Clown soon picks himself up, taunting the crowd as he does so. The sick smile creeps back on his face as he realizes that he just bested and outsmarted Skyler Striker in terms of grappling. Blades' celebration, however, is short-lived as Striker bounds from his supine position and dropkicks him from behind. He follows this up with an Irish Whip forcing Blades into a turnbuckle. Skyler runs after him.
Nikki Venus: Tackling Skyler isn't going to be enough to keep him down.Jack meets the intended turnbuckle with prodigious impact. However, Blades still has enough wits about him to realise that Striker is charging at him from behind. As such, Striker is met with a sharp elbow from The Bastard Clown. Blades attempts to follow this up with an Olympic Slam but Skyler falls out of it and applies a Butterfly Lock from behind.
Nate Nytro: An effective hold from Skyler there. He can turn it into German Suplex or simply squeeze the life from Blades.Before Skyler can follow up on Nate’s advice however, Blades turns around applies a Front Chancery. The pair struggle to gain control of the grapple with Skyler eventually forcing Blades into the ropes. They remain there for a few moments before it comes apparent to both competitors that neither is gaining an upper hand. They simultaneously relinquish their holds and tentatively move away from each other. That is until Skyler quickly and harshly slaps Blades across the face. The crowd collectively 'ooohs' at the impact.
Nikki Venus: Another a little warning from Skyler there.Blades let out a small smile at Skyler's tenacity before charging at him with a powerful clothesline. Skyler dodges it and instead re-applies the Butterfly Hold around Blades' waist. As he does so, Skyler brings his foot into the knee-pit of Jack’s left leg bringing Jack into a crouching position.
Nikki Venus: Skyler is attempting to draw all the air from Blades' lungs.Skyler continues to apply pressure to Jack's chest slowly drawing the life out of his opponent. Blades falls further to the ground before valiantly twisting around and bringing Skyler down to the floor with a Crippler Crossface. With Skyler now trapped in the middle of the ring suffering from a submission manoeuvre, Blades demands the referee “Ask him!”
Nate Nytro: First submission attempt of the match.The referee complies with Jack's wishes asking Skyler whether he has suffered enough. Skyler responds with a few grunts before a very definite ‘No!’ Skyler's persistence merely encourages Jack to apply further pressure. After a few moments of this, Skyler, in an impressive display of strength, manages to pick himself up off the ground with Blades still attached. Now completely upright, Skyler jumps backwards, bringing Blades down to the canvas with an inventive Samoan Drop. The pair manage to get to their feet almost simultaneously although Jack is slightly quicker in doing so. Using this tiny advantage, Blades quickly applies a Front Chancery and pelts the captive Skyler with a flurry of alternating knees. Blades then finishes the job off by tossing his opponent over his shoulder with a Neck Lock Suplex. However, the aerodynamic Skyler manages to land on his feet with little strain
Nikki Venus: Great display from Skyler there.Angered by his opponent's superior reflexes, Blades once again charges Skyler this time with a Bionic Elbow. However, like before, Skyler merely dodges it and grapples Jack from behind. With this third effort at a Butterfly Lock, Skyler realizes that Blades will probably find his way out of the hold and instead pushes him into a nearby turnbuckle. Turnbuckle and shoulder connect and the impact is deafening. Clutching his shoulder in agony, Blades moves from the corner only to be met with a Spinning Calf Kick from Skyler that drives him over the top rope. Feeling the momentum, Skyler also finds his way to the outside jumping over the ropes with a Senton straight onto the crumpled heap that is Jack of Blades.
Nate Nytro: It was only a matter of time before Skyler Striker got airborne.The camera catches the mess of the two bodies for a few moments. It soon becomes apparent that Skyler is going to recover his bearing before Blades. Now compos mentis, Skyler goes underneath the ring apron and slides a table into the ring. A velvet bag is also thrown over the top rope before Skyler returns to the ring's underbelly. Skyler's attention is consumed entirely by his search so much so that he doesn’t acknowledge Blades creep up on him from behind. However, the item that Skyler was looking for soon becomes apparent as it is wrapped around Blades' head. A baseball bat. Blades falls to the ground as Skyler apes a few home-run swings.
Nikki Venus: Hey, batter, batter! Hey, batter, batter!Blades' lifeless form is thrown underneath the bottom rope with Skyler soon joining him in the ring baseball bat and all. Rather than frenzy Blades with the piece of sporting equipment, Skyler waits until his opponent reaches his feet before driving the metal bat into his opponent's skull. With Blades grounded once again, Skyler takes the opportunity to push the makeshift weapon into Jack’s throat. With Blades now choking, the referee is forced to ask Blades if he wants to quit. Blades only answers with a few gasps and splutters. As Skyler continues to add pressure, Blades manages to muster enough strength to raise his legs upwards and wrap them around Skyler's neck. Skyler and Blades are now both applying and suffering the effects of a chokehold.
Nate Nytro: Skyler and Blades are choking the life from one another. Simultaneously.Nikki Venus: Yeah. Skyler is trying to crush Jack's windpipe with the aid of that baseball bat but Blades has locked in an unorthodox Triangle Choke. One of them has to give eventually.Nikki's words ring true as it appears Blades' hold is slightly more effective. Attempting to both maintain his posture and the inventive choke, Skyler soon tires and falls closer to the floor. Jack uses his opponent's fatigue to roll out of Skyler’s offence, taking the baseball bat with him. Blades then proceeds to return the favour so to speak by driving the baseball bat into Skyler's head as if he were bunting a poorly produced pitch. With the fan favourite grounded, Blades proceeds to earn the ire of the audience by mimicking a few practice swings.
Nikki Venus: There are so many things that you can do with a baseball bat.Nate Nytro: Yeah, just ask Shannan when she gets back.Skyler begins to stir eventually dragging himself up to a crouching position. However, any further progress is prevented by a baseball bat being drawn into Skyler's throat. Another choke, another line of questioning from the referee. No, Skyler does not want to quit. Jack keeps the baseball bat in place attempting to further weaken his opponent. The lack of oxygen presents itself with a variety of visual signifiers. Blue face. Drooping eyes. Shallow breathing. And yet, with one last burst of energy, Skyler manages to force himself through the ropes bringing Blades with him.
Nate Nytro: Lucky escape there for Skyler.Skyler rolls around on the floor trying to force some air into his lungs. Blades, on the other hand, is fully restored with baseball bat in hand. Getting his fill of the stale air around him, Skyler turns around only to see the aluminium bat forcefully launched his head. However, it isn’t too difficult for a man of Skyler's skill to avoid who replies to the attack by driving a Superkick into Jack's chin. With the roles now reversed, Skyler removes some of the protective matting on the floor revealing nothing but cold, hard concrete. Skyler then moves over to Blades positioning him in a Snap Suplex position. In one swift movement, Blades is left supine on the concrete patch clutching his back.
Nikki Venus: Lovely sharp suplex from Skyler there.As Blades attempts to soothe the pain emanating from his sciatic nerves, Skyler grabs him by his lanky hair. Dragging him into his legs, Skyler lifts Blades into a piledriver position. The crowd explodes at the possibility of seeing Blades' skull being flattened as cranium meets concrete. However, their excitement is short-lived as Blades manages to counter Skyler's grapple bringing him down to the ground with a Cutter.
Nate Nytro: An act of desperation from Blades there.With Skyler eating concrete, Blades manages to pick himself up. While on his feet, he takes a few moments to observe Skyler's broken state before burying himself underneath the ring. He returns to view a few moments later carrying a bag similar to the one that Skyler threw into the ring earlier. The mystery of its contents is soon unravelled as Blades moves over to a nearby set of steel steps and tips out a torrent of thumbtacks onto its surface. He then proceeds to order the referee to remain by the steel stairs while he drags Skyler to his feet. A quick chop to the chest gives Blades full control over Skyler's person.
Nate Nytro: Jesus Christ, what's Blades got planned?Nate is soon given an answer as Blades drags Skyler over to the stairs. With a sudden crisp move, Skyler is driven head-first into the thumbtack covered stairway.
Nikki Venus: Oh my God!A few well-timed shots of fans looking on aghast before the camera returns to the action. It captures a second meeting between Skyler's cranium and the steel stairs. On this attempt, however, Blades demands that the referee do his job.
Referee: Do you want to quit?Skyler Striker: No!Skyler’s resilience forces Blades' hand once more. More thumbtacks become embedded within Skyler's forehead.
Nate Nytro: One errant thumbtack and Skyler could be blinded.Nikki Venus: Two errant thumbtacks. Skyler has two eyes.Referee: Do you want to quit?Skyler Striker: N…n…no!Blades rears Skyler's head back for a fifth impact. In a crisp sweep, Skyler's skull is once again brought down to the steel steps. The power of this reintroduction, however, is so prodigious that the Skyler bounces away from Blades' grapple. Completely disorientated, Skyler attempts to rip the thumbtacks from his forehead. Blades merely watches on from behind as an insidious grin creeps onto his face.
Nate Nytro: Skyler's forehead is just completely destroyed. It looks like a pin cushion.The cameraman positions himself so as to capture the full magnitude of Skyler's injury. He claws at his forehead with the same desperate vigour as an animal trying to gnaw off a wounded appendage. His hands are soon stained crimson as he pulls out tack after tack. The camera meanwhile catches Blades in the background sizing Skyler up for a Spear. A few members of the crowd shout out warnings to their hero only to find him completely unresponsive. He swings around in his haze only to see a charging Jack of Blades.
Nikki Venus: Jack is looking to break Skyler in half.A collision looks inevitable. That is until Skyler, in a moment of pure athleticism, jumps onto the apron and then launches himself at Blades bringing him down to the concrete with an amazing Tornado DDT. A 'Holy Shit' chant is soon pervasively filtered across the crowd.
Nate Nytro: I don’t think Jack is ever going to find a hat that fits him ever again after that move.Skyler manages to stagger to his feet before Blades but is still suffering from Jack’s impromptu attempt at forehead piercing. He is also handicapped by the fact that the blood from his open wounds has run into his eyes. However, with this being said he does manage to roll Blades underneath the bottom rope and launch the top half of those same steel stairs into the ring with him. Skyler takes a few moments to steady himself before entering the ring as well.
Nikki Venus: What's Skyler got planned?Fire, Nikki. Skyler has fire planned. This becomes apparent as he moves over to the table that was previously placed in the ring and places that against a turnbuckle. He then retrieves the black bag that was also found under the ring at the match’s beginning. The bag’s contents? Lighter fluid and a box of matches. The result? Flaming table.
Nate Nytro: Fire. Fire bad!With the table now ablaze, Skyler quickly rushes the recovered Jack of Blades hammering him with fists. Blades merely laughs as each punch rains down on his frame.
Skyler Striker: Say it. Say it!Nothing but laughter.
Skyler Striker: Fine.Hooking Jack’s legs Skyler drags his victim across the ring before placing him across the steel stairs. Skyler's intentions become apparent. The steel steps are there to act as a pivot so that Blades can be catapulted into the fiery MDF surface of the table. Still holding Blades legs, Skyler lies in the opposite direction and intimates to the referee that Blades should be asked the golden question.
Referee: Do you want to continue?Skyler Striker: Quit! Quit, you bastard, quit!The laughter continues. As such, Blades finds himself airborne and careering into the flaming piece of architecture prepared by Skyler. The crowd explodes. Jack rolls around in complete agony clutching his face, mirroring Skyler's efforts to detack himself. Skyler merely looks on. If you look close enough at the Fatebringer, there is a chance you could see a sick smile crawl onto his face that would not look out of place on Jack of Blades. It appears both wrestlers have an appreciation of schadenfreude.
Nikki Venus: Not only will Jack never be able to wear a hat again but after that, I doubt he has eyebrows.Blades, trying to rub the pain away from his face, cavorts and convulses around the place eventually forcing himself through the ropes and into the second ring.
Nate Nytro: It looks as if Blades is doing his level best to create some distance between him and Skyler.Skyler soon closes the distance by launching himself onto the top rope of the first ring, jumping onto the barbed wire equivalent of the second ring and then finally onto Blades with a Springboard Legdrop. Running on pure adrenaline, Skyler soon finds himself on his feet and signalling to the audience that “It’s over.”
Nate Nytro: Skyler, looking to finish this now.Nate's words ring true as Skyler picks up Jack's legs and uses them to turn The Bastard Clown over onto his stomach. A thousand flashlight bulbs and a coy look from Skyler into the audience tell the story. Skyler Striker has applied The Lockdown. The same move that caused Jack to relinquish his World Championship.
Nikki Venus: Déjà vu!Nate Nytro: Yeah. Jack couldn’t escape this the last time. He better have learnt something over these past two years. Otherwise, it is lights out.Skyler continues to recline backwards increasing the pressure. Blades' body is torqued in such a fashion that the area that is suffering the most is the small of his back; the place that had absorbed most of the impact from Skyler's Snap Suplex onto the concrete. The referee quickly drops to the mat trying to discern whether Blades is requesting the match to be stopped. The cameraman manages to achieve a money shot. Blades in close-up. His sinister laughter now replaced by a series of sharp grunts and groans.
Nate Nytro: Blades is going to have to do something.In desperation, Blades manages to clutch and tug at the referee's shirt hoping to gain some leverage. However, while in normal circumstances Blades would have little trouble overpowering the official, his current predicament means that the referee has little difficulty swatting his arm away. Blades is truly stuck. The only way to get the pain to stop is to submit to it. His arms raises and hovers over the mat. His mouth hangs open as he deliberates whether to speak those fateful words. The crowd are on edge.
Nikki Venus: Skyler's got it!Not just yet, Nikki. A primal scream emerges from Jack’s throat as his raised arm extends backwards and grabs one of Skyler's legs. In one epic motion, Jack pulls himself up from the mat crossing Skyler's legs as he does so. The roles have been reversed. Skyler Striker is now stuck in Blades’ submission finisher, The Judgment Day Jolt.
Nate Nytro: He countered it! He countered it!It is now Skyler who is screaming for dear life. The referee quickly changes his focus turning his attention to the grounded Skyler.
Referee: Are you fit to continue?Skyler Striker: Shut up!Blades' smile has returned and it only increases as the music of Skyler's wails continue. Skyler makes a valiant effort to crawl forward but Jack simply increases the tension on Skyler’s back. A pool of blood has emerged around Skyler's head; the product of his obliterated forehead.
Nate Nytro: This is it. Skyler is stuck in the middle of the ring. He has got no chance.Nikki Venus: You said that about Blades a few moments ago.Believing that if Blades can counter such a move, then he can too, Skyler reaches backwards with his hands to try and effectuate some sort of reversal. Jack attempts to separate Skyler's legs from his torso for even thinking such a thing. Realizing that he is firmly trapped, the only thing Skyler can do is bite down on the canvas. The reasoning for this? To take his mind off the pain. To prevent Blades from taking any pleasure from his screams. To stop himself from speaking those two magic words.
Nikki Venus: It's over.Once again, Nikki speaks too soon. After a few more wrenches of his back, Skyler simply goes limp. Passed out from the pain, he never said the words 'I quit'’ No longer able to gather any perverse pleasure from his opponent’s tortured grunts and pleas, Jack simply relinquishes the hold and stares at the lifeless Skyler.
Nikki Venus: Is it over?Nate Nytro: Well, Skyler never said that he quit nor did he give any kind of sign to suggest that he submitted. So, no, it’s not…Observing the situation, Blades turns to the referee. The official confirms that the match is still on-going. After whispering something to the effect of “Son of a bitch”, Blades forcibly lifts Skyler up from behind. Nothing but dead weight, Skyler soon finds himself returned to the canvas and the puddle of his own blood as Blades hits the Ubermensch.
Nate Nytro: Adding insult to injury there.Blades slides underneath the bottom rope and buries himself underneath the rope apron. He emerges with two steel chairs. One is sent over the top rope, one is brought in with Blades under his arm. In the ring, Skyler is waiting to greet him. However, the blood from his forehead has now impaired his vision so much that he can only let out a few hopeless swings. Dodging them all, Blades brings Skyler down to the canvas with a sharp shot to the stomach and then an Impact DDT onto the steel chair.
Nate Nytro: Blades obviously has something in store for Skyler.That 'something' becomes apparent as Jack rests Skyler's skull onto one steel chair before raising the second over his head. It comes hurtling down with a sickening sound.
Nikki Venus: One-man-con-chair-to!Jack of Blades: Ask him, you overpaid hack!Referee: Do you want to quit? Do you want the match to end?Skyler Striker: N…nnn…n.nnn.no!Skyler's resistance is met with a second con-chair-to. The question is asked again.
Skyler Striker: No…A third. Another puddle of blood has emerged around Skyler's head. The referee goes to ask Skyler again but Blades' doesn’t even bother to wait for an answer. A fourth.
Referee: Are you ok to continue?Jack of Blades: Say it, you stupid bastard!Skyler Striker: Go to hell!A fifth con-chair-to. This one is driven by pure malice. Immediately after the moment of impact, Skyler's body begins to convulse with a series of paroxysms
Nate Nytro: Jesus, it looks as if Skyler has gone into shock.Knowing that once again an answer won't emerge from Skyler's mouth, Blades simply throws the steel chair away throw him. He then paces around the ring before demanding that a stagehand bring him a microphone. He complies.
Nate Nytro: What is going on?With microphone in hand, Blades lowers himself to Skyler's level grabbing him by the neck and bringing him face-to-face. He slaps him across the cheeks a few times with his spare hand as if to encourage some response.
Jack of Blades: Listen to me. Listen to me! I should have known that you wouldn't break under physical pressure. I knew you'd resist every chair shot, every punch, every submission manoeuvre. So, I decided to take same advice from an old proverb. “In war, true soldiers go not for the body or the mind but the heart.” I'm pretty sure Sun Tsu said that. Him or the Green Goblin…I'm not entirely sure.Blades lets out a small laugh in between gasps for air.
Jack of Blades: Just remember, you brought this on yourself. Bring her out!Blades signals to the top of the ramp. For a few moments, nothing of note happens. And then it becomes suddenly apparent what Jack's master plan was. Out comes Dysphoria physically dragging Jade Striker by the hair.
Nate Nytro: Oh God! Stop this. Stop this now.Jade struggles the entire way down the ramp eventually breaking free from Dysphoria’s grasp as she reaches ground level. However, she is stopped dead in her tracks when she notices her father's broken body lying supine in the ring. This shock to the system allows Dysphoria to once again manhandle Skyler’s daughter. She tosses the young girl through the ropes and follows quickly behind. Stuck in the ring with Jack of Blades and his beau, Jade Striker has no other option but to cry.
Nate Nytro: We need somebody out here now. Security guards, staff members, wrestlers, popcorn vendors. Anybody who can stop this from happening.Nikki Venus: I know this is an 'I Quit' match and all but there are certain things that you cannot do. And this…this is one of them! What the hell did Corey and I do allowing this match to happen?Dysphoria tosses Jade to Blades who catches her by the throat. With one hand, he raises her off the ground and with the other, he brings the microphone to his mouth.
Jack of Blades: Hi Jade! Remember me? Because I sure as hell remember you. You see, I'm like an elephant in that regard. I remember everything. People’s names. Birthdays. Anniversaries. Sledgehammers to the head.At this, Blades tosses Jade through the ropes and into the other ring. Before following her, he hands the microphone to Dysphoria who situates herself on Skyler's back. With Skyler barely stirring, she raises his head upwards to observe the action happening in the opposite ring. She then raises the microphone to Skyler's lips.
Nate Nytro: Oh God! I think I know what's happening. CAN WE PLEASE GET SOMEONE DOWN HERE?With Skyler watching prone from the other ring, Blades approaches Jade with a menacing glare in his eyes. She makes an effort to escape by diving underneath the ropes but Jack simply drags her back into the centre of the ring. A few seconds later and Jade is being held upside down, her legs crossed. She too is suffering the effects of The Judgment Day Jolt.
Nikki Venus: This is…It's just sickening.Blades has positioned himself so that he shares perfect eye contact with Skyler. Just staring at him. Smiling as Skyler's daughter screams for release. Skyler, however, still is not fully aware of the situation. A situation that is about to change with the arrival of a familiar figure from the crowd.
Nate Nytro: That's Jesper…Jesper Reisert. Jack's henchman. I thought this could not got any worse.Nikki Venus: Wait. Look he's pleading for his boss to let her go. He's trying to pull him off of her.Nate Nytro: Well, we know that when Jade lived with Blades, she developed a bond with Jesper. It seems that bond is still there. Anyway, thank Christ for someone being proactive. Even if he is a complete idiot.Blades simply ignores Jesper's nudges and pleas. He just stares at Striker with the move still in place. The idiot savant tries harder to reason with his employer. Blades simply tries harder to snap Jade in two. At this point, Skyler is beginning to come to his senses. Realising what is happening to his offspring, he makes a valiant effort to pull himself free of Dysphoria but the match has taken his toll. He remains where he is.
Dysphoria: Say it and she goes free!
Skyler Striker:…Jack of Blades: Say it, you bastard.Skyler Striker: I…I…I…….I…Jack of Blades: SAY IT!Skyler Striker: I quit. I…quit.And just like that, Blades lets Jade fall to the floor free of his grasp. She simply begins to weep as Das Duell begins to play over the speaker system. Blades' reaction is quite different, however. He falls to his knees and ecstatically panders to the crowd's hatred of him. Aware of Skyler’s inevitable desire for retribution, Blades' celebration is short-lived as he quickly removes himself from the ring and enters the crowd. Dysphoria does the same. Jesper, however, falls to the floor and tries to tend to Jade.
Nate Nytro: There are just no words…In my entire career, I have never…Well, I can't even say anything about it.Blades takes his concubine by the hand and they force their way through the crowd. A barrage of food stuffs is launched at them by the irate fans. It still doesn't stop Blades' smile. Meanwhile, in the ring, Skyler has crawled through the barbed wire and the ropes to see the damage done to his daughter. Seeing her lying there causes him to break down uncontrollably. Jesper is still in the ring, unsure of what to do. The crowd, as a collective, attempt to do the only thing they can do and shout out words of support.
Nikki Venus: We all knew Blades was sick in the head but I don't think any of us thought that he would go this far.Skyler continues to hug his daughter rocking back and forth with grief. She will be fine, there is no doubt about that. But a father should never have to see his child suffer so. And, because of this, Skyler's grief soon turns to anger. The look on his face changes completely. The anger rising in him permeates the crimson mask. His focus? Jesper Reisert.
Nate Nytro: Calm yourself, Skyler. Jesper tried to help.Nikki Venus: This time. He tried to help this time.Jesper raises his hands as if to try and soothe Skyler Striker. It doesn't work. A quick kick to gut and an application of the Final Revolution means that Jesper is laid out on the ground. The camera quickly cuts to Dysphoria and Jack in the crowd watching on. At seeing Jesper being attacked, Dysphoria attempts to go back but is prevented by Blades pulling her by the arm. We return to the ring only to capture Skyler Striker launch from the top rope with a Skyler High Dive onto Jesper.
Nikki Venus: Revenge is a dish best served with high-impact flying manoeuvres.Picking himself up off the floor and cradling his daughter, Skyler moves through the ropes and proceeds to move up the ramp. Almost every audient is on their feet applauding the Fury Crusader.
Nate Nytro: A standing ovation for Skyler. This should not be seen as a defeat. He did what any loving father would have done.As Skyler reaches the ramp's apex, he turns around. Jade has come to her senses slightly and is clinging onto her father. Skyler cranes his head taking in the response the arena is giving him. He raises his hand in appreciation. The applause is immense.
After a few moments of posturing, he moves behind the curtain leaving the cameraman to cut to Blades and Dysphoria in the crowd staring at the ring where Jesper lies. The smile hasn't left Jack's face.
Nikki Venus: Nikki Venus: I don't think tonight was about victory for Blades. Like he said, this match was all about proving to the fans, and to himself, that he had no limits. And with all due respect to Skyler Striker, he did just that. The bastard did just that.