I Quit
James Nightingale vs. Howard Black
“In the House, In a Heartbeat'' by William Morris begins its slow-burn introduction as the arena falls into darkness upon the sound of the song's iconic piano chords.
Chris Avery: And here we go, Billy. It’s time for the sole match on the card beyond the Havoc rumble.Billy: An appetizer, if you will.Chris Avery: Christ, Billy. Nightingale appears on stage
Chris Avery: There that asshole is.Billy: Nightingale looks in the zone tonight, doesn't he!?Chris Avery: Almost a month ago, the Angel of Death attacked Howard Black. He’s wanted this match, and Howard had said no. That is until last week.The music returns with an edgier tone, accompanied by electric guitar as the arena is now illuminated with blood-red lighting and “The Angel of Death” appears on the ActionTron, again in blood-stained lettering. He continues to stand on the stage. Nightingale cracks his neck from right to left before finally beginning his intimidating march to the ring whilst Alice watches on from the stage, his intense soulless eyes never break away from his destination. His pace quickens as the drumbeat intensifies the unsettling theme music.
Billy: Well, that always seems the way it goes with James Nightingale – you have relatives? You’re gonna fight him.He stops for a moment when he reaches the edge of the ring, before continuing his menacing walk around the outside, marking his territory for the war ahead whilst continuing not to break away his attention from the ring. Nightingale arrives at the side of the ring closest to the hard camera; he tilts his head and climbs up onto the apron before finally pulling his intense gaze away from the ring.
Adilene Floyd: The following contest is an “I Quit” match! Making his way to the ring from The King’s City, England… weighing in at 220 pounds… he is a founding member of The Lost Breed...this is THE ANGEL OF DEATH!!... JAMES NIGHTINGALE!!!As his introduction is being made he slowly removes his entrance mask and drops it to the floor. Just before the music meets its climactic crescendo, he performs a slow throat slash gesture. The crescendo comes and he sprays a red mist into the air whilst throwing his arms out wide to form a crucifix shape as his name is called. His head drops back down as he smiles sadistically to the crowd whilst the red mist falls onto his face, resembling splatters of blood.
He turns slowly and climbs into the ring, marching over to the turnbuckle to his far-right and climbs up onto the second rope. He again performs his signature pose whilst he smiles sadistically at the crowd with his blood-stained face.
Chris Avery: Hopefully we start Havoc off on a positive note and get to see this bastard get the smile wiped off his face.Nightingale jumps down from the turnbuckle, and retreats to his corner, slowly removing his trench coat and T-shirt. He begins to loosen himself up, pulling violently on the ropes. Once he is finally prepared for the match, he begins to pace back and forth inside the ring ready for the fight ahead. The lights in the arena go to black, with only the giant screen above the stage displaying an intensifying oscillator in time with the opening electronic vibrations of “Lost Boys” by Death Grips. The crowd roars with appreciation! As the bass drops and the song goes into full swing, the following splashes across the ActionTron:
"It's Such a Long Way Down"
From the curtain emerges Howard Black.
Adilene Floyd: And his opponent, from Lincoln, NE and weighing 215 lbs... "the Lost Boy" HOWARD BLACK!Howard makes his way down the ramp, his eyes focused on the ring and his attention largely removed from the roar of the crowd around him.
Billy: Man, to think earlier this year the crowds were booing the hell out of Howie. And I didn’t blame them – I was booing him too. But a lot has changed in the past few months, and when you got a no good bastard like James Nightingale going after ya… well, people tend to start remembering why they liked ya.Chris Avery: We’ve had our personal gripes with Howard Black, but in this twilight of his career, he seems to have found a sense of humility. That James Nightingale is coming for him now is an act of pure pettiness and cowardice.At the base of the ring, he looks up and stares into the center of the squared circle. A moment of contemplation passes before he turns and crosses to the stairs, climbing them and entering the ring between the middle and top rope. Once inside, he sweeps his hood from his head crosses the mat to the far turnbuckle. He climbs to the second rope and looks over the crowd, his face stern and stoic. With deliberate purpose, he raises an arm above his head and takes a moment to absorb the crowd reaction.
Dropping back to the mat, he crosses to his corner and removes his sweatshirt and crucifix necklace, which he gives a kiss before carefully storing it away. Turning back to the ring, he wait for the match to begin, leaning back in repose until the bell rings.
Chris Avery: These two are ready! This crowd is ready!Billy: Kick his ass, Howie!DING DING DING!
Even after the bell rings, the two men spend a moment in their corners, staring across the ring from one another. The face of Howard Black is cold, glaring, and intense – James Nightingale is a picture of utter serenity. They advance slowly and deliberately, the Angel of Death in an almost saunter. As the two come to the center of the ring, he offers a lock-up. The smile doesn’t leave his face, even when Howard Black responds to the offer with a smack across his face.
Billy: SHITFIRE!Chris Avery: There is NO RESPECT from Howard Black to this man! The 2020 Wrestler of the Year is NOT here to have a friendly competitive match!Nightingale turns his cheek with the blow, his brow furrowing as the smile seems to only intensify. Turning back, he reaches up to rub the reddened cheek, but when the Lost Boy throws a right, that hand quickly shoots up to coil like a snake around the arm and pull it into his armpit, before he steps forward to trip Black and bring him to the ground.
Chris Avery: Incredible technical display by James Nightingale! A cerebral competitor who few truly appreciate the technical prowess of, but this is textbook ring psychology, Billy.Nightingale moves lighting quick, wrenching the arm back into an armbar. Black rolls onto his back, throwing a grapevine around Nightingale’s waist and applying a quick crossface of his own. After getting his legs under him, Nightingale pushes up to somersault himself over and ontop of Black, rolling to his feet with the hold the released.
The two men find themselves on their bases – a side headlock takedown by Black transitions to a triangle choke from Nightingale, which Black then rolls through and twists up to put his lanky opponent in a modified Boston Crab.
Billy: GOLLY! These two’re like two octopuses fighting!Nightingale reaches for the bottom rope and grabs it with both hands, pulling himself out of the hold and outside of the ring. As he uses the ropes to pull himself up and recover on the apron, Howard runs to the opposite ropes and rebounds, charging forwards and spearing Nightingale to the outside!
Chris Avery: HIGH RISK, HIGH REWARD! Howard Black taking it to Nightingale!The two men on the floor, Black quickly mounts Nightingale and begins raining down punches on him. Nightingale puts up a guard, but it has little protection against the merciless pummeling fists of the Lost Boy. The Angel of Death finally finds respite as he’s able to dodge a punch, sending Howard’s fist directly into the mat.
Billy: YIKES! That’s gotta hurt!As Howard recoils, shaking out the pain in his hand, Nightingale reaches up and claws his pointer and middle finger directly in Howard’s eyes. It’s enough to completely disorient his opponent – Nightingale easily shoves him off and retreats around the outside, taking a moment to recover. His eyes lighting up with malevolence, he looks under the ring and reaches for something.
Chris Avery: Uh oh, Billy, I don’t like where this is going.Billy: We’ve seen Nightingale use this on NATE – use this on Howie himself – that damn thing never even gets cleaned, gotta give you all kind of infections!Nightingale twirls the barbed wire-wrapped bat in his hand, whistling “You Can Fly!” from Peter Pan as he stalks around the ring. His opponent apparently unaware of his approach, he cocks the bat back and swings as he approaches from behind Howard.
Chris Avery: HE DUCKS! Howard Black demonstrating that veteran ring awareness!The bat bounces harmlessly off the ring post, Nightingale’s arms seeming to vibrate with it. Black goes low, wrapping his arms around Nightingale’s waist and hoisting him up!
Billy: SHITFIRE! He just dropped Jimmy chest-first onto that barbed wire bat!Nightingale rolls over, droplets of blood already beginning to form on his chest from the puncture wounds left by the barbed wire. Black is quick to capitalize, grabbing the bat from ground and going for Nightingale’s face like a cheese grater! Nightingale reaches up, grabbing the bat himself, and struggling to keep it away.
Chris Avery: He may just be ready to use the master’s tools against him!As the barbed wire gets nearer to his face, the Angel of Death throws a knee into Black’s groin. The Lost Boy’s eyes practically roll back – and his grip relaxes on the bat. Nightingale rips it away and jabs it hard into his opponent’s sternum, causing the Lost Boy to stumble off.
Chris Avery: Oof! That’ll knock the wind out of you!Nightingale tosses the bat aside and stalks after his disoriented opponent, taking him down with a bulldog. Nightingale keeps the headlock applied, wrenching Howard Black’s neck in an ugly manner.
Referee: Howard, do you quit?
The Lost Boy sputters but shakes his head defiantly. Nightingale seems to take particular glee and wrenches it harder, mutter inaudible taunts at Howard Black. After a moment of pain, Howard is able to lock his arms around Nightingale’s waist.
Billy: He’s getting back!Howard gets his legs beneath him. He’s able to push himself up to a slow standing position, dragging Nightingale with him.
Billy: There’s that tenacity Howie is so known for!He lifts Nightingale off the ground and delivers an Atomic Drop! The shot to the tailbone causes Nightingale to release the headlock, and Black retains the waistlock and wrenches Nightingale back for a German Suplex directly into the ring apron!
Chris Avery: Oh my god! A rough landing for Nightingale there!The Lost Boy pushes hair out of his face as he stands over Nightingale. He pulls the Angel of Death back to his feet, cock back, and delivers a vicious Mollywhop across his face!
Billy: SHITFIRE!Chris Avery: At this point, Howard is just beating the crap out Nightingale.Now, Howard grabs Nightingale by the back of the head with a handful of hair. He rolls him into the ring and slides in pursuit, taking Nightingale’s wrist in his.
Chris Avery: HERE IT COMES!Howard takes a moment to savor the cheers in the air. He looks down to the front row of the crowd, his eyes falling on someone and his gaze hardening. The showboating ceases – he goes to a knee and begins to lock in the Kimura.
Chris Avery: SMALL PACKAGE! NIGHTINGALE REVERSING THE KIMURA WITH A SMALL PACKAGE!Billy: There’s no pins in this match!Chris Avery: That’s not the point, Billy! The point was to avoid that Kimura Lock, and James Nightingale has just done so!It’s a simple and efficient trick to disorient the Lost Boy, and Nightingale wastes no time getting to his feet and delivering a huge discus elbow to Howard’s head as he recovers!
Chris Avery: AS DAYLIGHT DIES! That just wrecked him!Howard’s legs give out from under him as if made of jelly. A trickle of blood flows from the temple where Nightingale’s elbow made contact. The Angel of Death rises to his feet, taking a moment run his fingers along the spatter of blood on his forearm and elbow. He taps his fingers together and smears the blood around on them, enjoying the sight. A referee checks on Howard Black.
Chris Avery: This doesn’t look good, Billy.Billy: No. That shot was rough – looks like the ref thinks so, too. Hope Howie’s okay…The Lost Boy’s eyes seem glazed. He attempts to push himself up a few times, but his coordination and balance are off.
Referee: Howard, are you alright? Can you say something?
Chris Avery: This doesn’t look good at all. His bell may be totally rung.Visibly dissatisfied, the referee turns away from Black. He strides deliberately toward the Time Keeper, his arms raising to throw up an X… until the Angel of Death intercepts him, grabbing the referee by the collar of his shirt and forcing him into the corner.
James Nightingale: Did he say “I Quit”? Are these matches able to end this way?!Nightingale’s eyes are wide and wild – the referee is at a loss for words.
James Nightingale: It’s not over until he says “I Quit”! Now do your job!Nightingale whips the referee into the middle of the ring as he paces over to Howard, his face a mask of devilish glee. He reaches down to take a handful of Howard’s hair, yanking his head up to look at the referee.
James Nightingale: Go on, Howard. Say it: “I Quit.”The Lost Boy’s eyes still seem distant and foggy. His mouth moves, but his speech is slurred and unintelligible. Nightingale violently puts him back down, practically bouncing his head off the mat like a basketball as he wheels back to the ref. The Angel of Death’s face is a mask of psychotic joy.
James Nightingale: See?! He’s not done yet, the match continues!Chris Avery: This can’t be legal.Billy: Sick. Just sick. Who gives a damn about the rules, ref, show some backbone and call the damn match!Nightingale turns back to Howard, who is crawling towards his corner. A hard stomp comes down on the Lost Boy’s ankle. Nightingale grinds his heel into the pinned ankle before delivering another step. Howard cries out in pain, pulling his leg to his chest in an anemic defense. Finally in the corner, Howard tries to pull himself up, but he seems too disoriented. After attempting to put weight on the damaged ankle, he crumples to his knees, and a thunderous dropkick to the face ricochets his head off the middle turnbuckle.
Howard Blacks lays crumpled in the corner, unconscious. As the referee turns to once more make the call, Nightingale stares daggers through him. The ref’s face blanches, and he immediately backs down.
Billy: Cowardice. Pure goddamn cowardice.Nightingale pulls Howard back up by a handful of hair and delivers a slap of his own to Howard’s face. As Howard goes back down, Nightingale wraps a rear naked choke and cinches it in.
Chris Avery: Thank god – now this can end.Howard violently coughs and wheezes in the hold, his hand coming up to limply tap out against Nightingale’s forearm. As the ref sees it and calls it, Nightingale lets go and rises to his feet once more, charging the ref again.
James Nightingale: THAT’S. NOT. THE RULES. HE HAS TO SAY “I QUIT”!The sick joy is gone from the Angel of Death’s face. He turns back to Howard and sits on his chest, an ugly right punch cracking Howard across the side of the face. Nightingale cups the Lost Boy’s head in his left hand, holding it in place as a second shot smashes into Howard’s nose and mouth.
A third.
A fourth.
Howard tries to reach up to stop Nightingale, but the hand is swatted away easily.
A fifth.
A sixth.
Howard’s face is beginning to swell, and his forehead has been busted open. Blood is now beginning to cake onto James Nightingale’s fist as he delivers punch after punch against his helpless opponent.
Chris Avery: SOMEBODY DO SOMETHING!As Howard’s light fades, Nightingale pulls him up and begins to wrap Howard’s arm for the Kimura. The rage has once again fluctuated back to manic joy as Nightingale giggles to himself. But suddenly, the Angel of Death hesitates. His eyes have trailed down Howard’s arm to the surgery scar on his right elbow. A light seems to go off as Nightingale lets go of Howard and slides to the outside.
Billy: I can’t… I can’t do this anymore Chris. I’m sorry. I’ll be back for Havoc.From under the ring, James Nightingale retrieves a chair. He twirls it in his grasp, once more whistling, “You Can Fly!” He slides into the ring and opens it up… then slides Howard’s arm into it.
James Nightingale: Last chance, Howard – do you quit?The Lost Boy struggles weakly, his eyes still glazed and head still swimming. He seems utterly unaware of what’s transpiring, and his mouth is too choked with blood to respond regardless. The serene smile returns to Nightingale’s face.
James Nightingale: Well, if you insist.He stands back up, testing his boot on the leg of the chair. And it’s in that moment, he’s distracted by the form of a woman jumping the barricades.
Chris Avery: That’s… that’s Howard’s wife, Sarah…The woman slides into the ring, practically throwing herself between Nightingale and her husband, trying somehow to shield the bloodied Howard Black.
Sarah Black: Leave him alone! He quits!Tears are running down her cheeks. She stares up at the Angel of Death, her brilliant blue eyes shot red and pleading.
Sarah Black: Please… He quits.Nightingale stares coolly at her. He removes his foot from the chair as the woman on her knees before him cradles the bloody and broken body of his prey. James Nightingale turns away from her and walks to the ropes. As he passes the ref, he stops.
James Nightingale: Ring the bell.The referee does not hesitate to signal.
DING DING DING
“In the House, In a Heartbeat” hits the P.A. Nobody cheers or boos. The crowd watches in silence as James Nightingale climbs out of the ring and adjusts himself, hardly batting an eye as EMTs rush past him towards his broken opponent.
Chris Avery: I think I’m at as much a loss of words as everyone here in Chicago. We’ll be going to commercial momentarily. Take a moment to compose yourselves – it’s Havoc when we return.