Post by Jeff L. on Oct 3, 2024 17:04:03 GMT -5
„Hello and good evening, wrestling fans, we are reporting to you live from the beautiful country of Japan; my name’s Bob Caudle, and my partner, who did not get himself cancelled last time is one Jesse, The Body, Ventura.”
“Smart, Bawhb, real smart here. Now if you wanna be real smart, you might’ve mentioned we are coming to you people from the city of Osaka, here in the Prefectural Gymnasium, and there’s four thousand jampacked rampaging fans in the arena, ready for the next night of the Atlantic Cup. And to see if you’re really ready, TV fans, let’s get right to Mr. Buffer already in the ring!”
#1: Big Van Vader vs “The Crusher” Bam Bam Bigelow
As Michael Buffer made the introductions, the match was on:
The crowd was in awe at the sight of these behemoths; as they circled the ring, the giants stood in the center, before taking a moment to bask in the awe and the cheers from the crowd, as they locked eyes once more. As the crowd expected the titans to lock up, push each other and grunt, Bam Bam just smiled – and jumped six feet in the air – connecting with a marvellous dropkick. The crowd’s jaw, which already fell to their chests, sunk all the way to their toes, as Bigelow cartwheeled in the middle of the ring, and challenged Vader: your turn, big man!
The Mastodon adjusted his mask. He took a step forward, and lowered his eyes, took a deep breath, and as people expected Vader to pull of a high-flying manoeuvre, he made Bam Bam humble with a single Vader Hammer. The crowd booed, but Big Van Vader could care less. He had Bigelow in the corner: crossfaces, clubbing blows, boxing punches; to the face, between the ribs, over to the back of the neck, and under to his abdomen. Now fully in control, he picked up Bam Bam for a bodyslam, and The Crusher shifted his weight and crushed The Mastodon below him.
The high flying heavyweight then performed dropkicks, diving lariats off the second rope, and had Vader hazed, and he clotheslined him over the top rope. Caudle explained on commentary:
“And what a damn shame, this excellent match has to end via DQ, as Bigelow threw Vader over the top rope, and as we know, that is an illegal…”
“Hang on a minute, Bawhb!”, Ventura intervened, “that might’ve been a DQ back where you used to work, but not here! The match continues. Don’t let the ‘Rasslin part of Atlantic ‘Rasslin Connection fool you, we do things differently around here!”.
As Mr. Caudle apologised while returning fire to his colleague color commentator, Bigelow was seen jumping off of the apron, and landing a diving crossbody on Vader, to the oohs and aahs of the crowd. Back in the ring, Bigelow went for a diving headbutt, but Vader moved. Once more the masked giant took control: lariat and a body block did not get the big opponent down, and he mustered his strength for another bodyslam. He picked him up as the crowd roared. However, The Crusher landed on his feet, and went for a bodyslam of his own, as the audience yelled even louder!
Alas, once more, no giant was able to slam the other. Vader connected with a standing headbutt, dazing Bam Bam, and ran the ropes for a Vader Block, before connecting with two Vader Running Splashes. A two count ensued, Vader sent out a swear word, and climbed the second rope. Bigelow evaded the Vader Bomb, and as men were getting up, Bam Bam once more jumped up, and delivered a Gamengiri to Vader. He signalled for the top rope.
Crowd was electric, awaiting for the Diving Headbutt. But Vader was already on his feet! Crusher, therefore, dived off with a crossbody… and Vader made the crowd go nuts as he caught a flying giant with a ring shaking, thunder-like, big man powerslam. The Crusher was now himself crushed off of the thunderous powerslam and his own weight, and was seen clutching his chest and abdomen. Vader waited not; he dragged Bam Bam by his arm, and went to the second rope. He did not bother picking Bigelow up, as he simply finished him off with a devastating Vader Bomb!
#2. Ray Traylor vs Gary Albright
Before the match, Albright was seen visibly distraught. The announcers cued in that this may be due to personal reasons, connected with Albright’s family life, and the details of the circumstances will be addressed after the match.
The next contest was also a showcase of giant men. This one however, started more conservatively, as the men locked up, and the chain wrestling segment was won by the experienced amateur wrestler, Gary Albright. Traylor, the bossman he was, took control with chops and punches, sending Albright off the ropes and connecting with a big boot.
With Gary laying chest first on the second rope, Traylor bounced off and delivered the Leapfrog Body Guillotine (the one when he jumps at the back of his opponent as he lays in the second rope, you know the one), and got a two count from it.
Despite his former occupation as a law enforcement officer, Traylor showed no respect for the rules, as he choked Albright on the bottom rope. The ref backed him off, and Ray paintbrushed the staggering Gary. This seemed to piss him off; as Albright quickly switched behind Ray’s back and wrestled him down to the mat once more. As Traylor got up, he found himself on his back once more, as Albright double legged him. From the mounted position, the amateur specialist locked in an armbar, and broke it off only to pick Traylor up for a german suplex.
The crowd was impressed; and Albright continued with the germans. Shaken, Traylor went for a clothesline, only to be caught in a bearhug, before getting launched in the air with a belly to belly overhead suplex. A barrage of throws later, and Albright had no issues with picking a giant up, unlike Vader and Bigelow had. Gary countered one last offensive from Traylor, and hit a vicious, brutal powerbomb for a three count.
After the match was over, Albright did not stay to pander nor to have his hand raised. With his look fixated on the floor, he slowly went to the back.
-------------------------
Before the next match, Ventura informed the fans that Bob Caudle was backstage preparing for an interview with one of the wrestlers: “Now I have no idea how Caudle is gonna get a word out of that wildman… and before you youngsters start coming at me about political incorrectness, this man has not uttered a word ever since he started wrestling, so give me a break, and Bawhb, take it over!”
The feed cut to Caudle backstage, and at his side was one Sika the Samoan. He was dressed respectfully, and stood solemnly, much to the prejudiced color commentator’s surprise, in a dark suit, with a black handkerchief in the right pocket. and wore dark sunglasses, hiding his eyes. He informed everyone that a special member of his family had passed away.
“Muliaiga Anoa'i Amituana'i was someone incredibly important to us. He was not only the reverend in our family, but he was before that…”, Sika stopped, taking a deep breath, “he was my father. You’ve also seen young Gary earlier tonight, he is one of our in-laws, and as grieve smithen as the rest of us. And even though most of our family is taking some days to recollect, I know he’d want me to be here tonight. The first ever ARC show, first Atlantic Cup, and the first ever Samoan to compete in it. I’ll do my best for my ol’ tama, and for the whole island of Samoa.”
Caudle gave his condolences, and with all due respect, asked about his opinion on his tonight’s match. And even more importantly, on his opponent tonight.
“It’s no secret I’m facing a member of my family here tonight. I’m facing Peter Maivia. Now, I can only imagine the pain he’s also going through these days. Mualiaiga was my father, but he was also uncle Peter’s blood brother. The death of our Chief struck us all hard; but me and unc’ Pete will do our best to honor him with a good, fair match here tonight!”.
Crowd cheered as Bob Caudle thanked his interviewee, and sent the fans back to Ventura for the next match.
#3. Wahoo McDaniel vs Johnny Ace
As Wahoo walked out, he pointed a finger to the sky: from one Chief to another, he wished eternal rest on the late Anoa’i chieftain. In the ring, a brash, disrespectful young man was waiting for him.
He waved for McDaniel to knock the pageantry off and step into the ring. Wahoo looked at Johnny, as his brows descended and formed a V-shape on his forehead. Putting his war bonnet aside, Wahoo lunged at Ace. He chopped him multiple times in the corner, before irish-whipping him off the ropes and connecting with a back body drop. The crowd cheered as the disrespectful wrestler got his come-uppance.
Wahoo thanked the crowd, and prepared for a suplex. Johnny used this pause to reverse, and scratch the eyes of The Chief. He landed a clothesline, and a knee drop to him, before locking in a chinlock. Audience clapped Wahoo on, as he fought out of the hold, he was whipped in the corner. Johnny laughed at the old man with his annoying cackle, and as he ran to club him, he found The Chief’s foot in his face. Wahoo jumped on the second rope, removed his straps, pointed with a passionate, determined look at the crowd, and landed a Tomahawk Brainchop off the second rope, securing the win.
#4. Peter Maivia vs Sika the Samoan
Peter Maivia, the blood brother of the late Chief, walked out to the ring. Waiting for him was Jesse Ventura, with a mic in his hand:
“Firstly, Mr. Maivia, please take our sincere condolences, the Chief obviously meant a lot to a lot of wrestlers here. Speaking of them, we had Sika earlier here tonight, and I suppose you echo his sentiments: the respect for the Chief comes first, and the competition here in the Cup second. What are your thoughts?”.
Maivia’s eyes were fixed at the floor, unblinking, but with a strange focus and a determined look, as he retorted: “That man was my blood brother. We may’ve not been related in biological sense, but he was my blood brother. I aim to continue where he left off, and take care of The Aiga: the family. I will take care of Sika, and Afa his brother, their children; of Albright and his family. I will take The Chief’s Ula Fala, the crimson necklace of royalty, and continue the tradition.”
At this point, Sika the Samoan walked out, stepping in front of his uncle.
“It is good that you came out here, nephew”, Maivia continued, before taking a red necklace from the hands of a ringside technician, “here, take the Ula Fala and bestow it upon my shoulders. It’s what he would’ve wanted”.
Sika was appalled.
“Uncle, my father was laid to rest not a few days ago. You dare to speak of inheritance, of necklaces and royalty, as the family grieves?”.
Maivia answered with a smile: “Do not disrespect your elders, and especially not your Chief, your matai. Lay the necklace, and lay down for me. Matai orders so.”, and he handed the necklace to Sika.
Sika was even more shocked than before: his uncle, his father’s own blood brother was claiming chiefdom in the middle of the family’s grief. And the fact that he asked neither Afa, the older son of Mualiaiga, nor him, Sika, his brother, about this, set afire a flame in Sika’s eyes. He handed the Ulu Fala.
But he handed it to the technician who brought it, and demanded the match to start. As Ventura escaped the ring, Peter Maivia’s calm expression changed to anger, and the uncle and the nephew lunged at each other.
Sika got the better of his uncle early on; vicious punches and slaps sent Maivia to the corner, and Sika almost DQed himself, only to gain self-control, and went back to Maivia. But the uncle set the nephew’s chest ablaze with stiff overhand slaps, and threw Sika out to ringside.
Out there, he sent him pillar to post to guardrail, before slamming him on the ringside floor. Sika was clutching at his back, as the crowd booed Maivia, who was nonetheless relentless. He knocked Sika’s head on the post, and rolled him back in. When Maivia noticed blood on Sika’s forehead, he stopped. He approached his nephew, his blood brother’s son, and with a concerned look reached for his bloodied forehead, almost as a healer reaches for the wound.
But Sika retaliated, punching his uncle down. Now in control, a bodyslam was followed with a running splash for a two count. Sika lifted Peter up, and went for a thrust kick. Peter caught his foot, spun him around, and landed a clothesline which sent both Samoans down.
Both family members were on their knees, and they locked eyes together. Sika’s look was one of grief, and shock, and almost of pleading. The gaze of Maivia was focused, unrelenting, and certain. Maivia stood up on his feet, and looked at Sika. Sika’s head finally bowed, and Maivia smiled. He raised his hands up in the air… and received a headbutt in his abdomen. Crowd was wild as Sika jumped across the ring nailing crossbodies and jumping forearms. He pointed to the top rope, and climbed it. He stood up there, soaked in the crowd’s energy, and with a tear in his eye, looked at his uncle for a second. He took a deep breath, and finally vaulted himself for a leap of faith.
But Maivia evaded. With an angry face he shot Sika off the ropes, and landed a ring-shaking Samoan Drop. A three count then ensued. The crowd was silent as Maivia stood in the ring, waiting for Sika to get up. As Sika did, Maivia’s gaze of certainty matched his expectation: Sika was to bow.
But Sika the Samoan did not; he rolled out of the ring, with Maivia still looking on, as Bob Caudle wished goodnight to the wrestling fans in front of the screen.
Atlantic Cup Night 2 results:
Big Van Vader def. Bam Bam Bigelow (15:42)
Gary Albright def. Ray Traylor (12:24)
Wahoo McDaniel def. Johnny Ace (06:30)
Peter Maivia def. Sika (14:24)
Atlantic Cup table (following Night 2):
Block A
Race 3
G. Briscoe 3
Afa 0
Abdullah 0
Block B
Hansen 3
J. Briscoe 3
Robinson 0
BDJ 0
Block C
Vader 3
Albright 3
Bigelow 0
Traylor 0
Block D
Maivia 3
Wahoo 3
Sika 3
Ace 0
“Smart, Bawhb, real smart here. Now if you wanna be real smart, you might’ve mentioned we are coming to you people from the city of Osaka, here in the Prefectural Gymnasium, and there’s four thousand jampacked rampaging fans in the arena, ready for the next night of the Atlantic Cup. And to see if you’re really ready, TV fans, let’s get right to Mr. Buffer already in the ring!”
#1: Big Van Vader vs “The Crusher” Bam Bam Bigelow
As Michael Buffer made the introductions, the match was on:
The crowd was in awe at the sight of these behemoths; as they circled the ring, the giants stood in the center, before taking a moment to bask in the awe and the cheers from the crowd, as they locked eyes once more. As the crowd expected the titans to lock up, push each other and grunt, Bam Bam just smiled – and jumped six feet in the air – connecting with a marvellous dropkick. The crowd’s jaw, which already fell to their chests, sunk all the way to their toes, as Bigelow cartwheeled in the middle of the ring, and challenged Vader: your turn, big man!
The Mastodon adjusted his mask. He took a step forward, and lowered his eyes, took a deep breath, and as people expected Vader to pull of a high-flying manoeuvre, he made Bam Bam humble with a single Vader Hammer. The crowd booed, but Big Van Vader could care less. He had Bigelow in the corner: crossfaces, clubbing blows, boxing punches; to the face, between the ribs, over to the back of the neck, and under to his abdomen. Now fully in control, he picked up Bam Bam for a bodyslam, and The Crusher shifted his weight and crushed The Mastodon below him.
The high flying heavyweight then performed dropkicks, diving lariats off the second rope, and had Vader hazed, and he clotheslined him over the top rope. Caudle explained on commentary:
“And what a damn shame, this excellent match has to end via DQ, as Bigelow threw Vader over the top rope, and as we know, that is an illegal…”
“Hang on a minute, Bawhb!”, Ventura intervened, “that might’ve been a DQ back where you used to work, but not here! The match continues. Don’t let the ‘Rasslin part of Atlantic ‘Rasslin Connection fool you, we do things differently around here!”.
As Mr. Caudle apologised while returning fire to his colleague color commentator, Bigelow was seen jumping off of the apron, and landing a diving crossbody on Vader, to the oohs and aahs of the crowd. Back in the ring, Bigelow went for a diving headbutt, but Vader moved. Once more the masked giant took control: lariat and a body block did not get the big opponent down, and he mustered his strength for another bodyslam. He picked him up as the crowd roared. However, The Crusher landed on his feet, and went for a bodyslam of his own, as the audience yelled even louder!
Alas, once more, no giant was able to slam the other. Vader connected with a standing headbutt, dazing Bam Bam, and ran the ropes for a Vader Block, before connecting with two Vader Running Splashes. A two count ensued, Vader sent out a swear word, and climbed the second rope. Bigelow evaded the Vader Bomb, and as men were getting up, Bam Bam once more jumped up, and delivered a Gamengiri to Vader. He signalled for the top rope.
Crowd was electric, awaiting for the Diving Headbutt. But Vader was already on his feet! Crusher, therefore, dived off with a crossbody… and Vader made the crowd go nuts as he caught a flying giant with a ring shaking, thunder-like, big man powerslam. The Crusher was now himself crushed off of the thunderous powerslam and his own weight, and was seen clutching his chest and abdomen. Vader waited not; he dragged Bam Bam by his arm, and went to the second rope. He did not bother picking Bigelow up, as he simply finished him off with a devastating Vader Bomb!
#2. Ray Traylor vs Gary Albright
Before the match, Albright was seen visibly distraught. The announcers cued in that this may be due to personal reasons, connected with Albright’s family life, and the details of the circumstances will be addressed after the match.
The next contest was also a showcase of giant men. This one however, started more conservatively, as the men locked up, and the chain wrestling segment was won by the experienced amateur wrestler, Gary Albright. Traylor, the bossman he was, took control with chops and punches, sending Albright off the ropes and connecting with a big boot.
With Gary laying chest first on the second rope, Traylor bounced off and delivered the Leapfrog Body Guillotine (the one when he jumps at the back of his opponent as he lays in the second rope, you know the one), and got a two count from it.
Despite his former occupation as a law enforcement officer, Traylor showed no respect for the rules, as he choked Albright on the bottom rope. The ref backed him off, and Ray paintbrushed the staggering Gary. This seemed to piss him off; as Albright quickly switched behind Ray’s back and wrestled him down to the mat once more. As Traylor got up, he found himself on his back once more, as Albright double legged him. From the mounted position, the amateur specialist locked in an armbar, and broke it off only to pick Traylor up for a german suplex.
The crowd was impressed; and Albright continued with the germans. Shaken, Traylor went for a clothesline, only to be caught in a bearhug, before getting launched in the air with a belly to belly overhead suplex. A barrage of throws later, and Albright had no issues with picking a giant up, unlike Vader and Bigelow had. Gary countered one last offensive from Traylor, and hit a vicious, brutal powerbomb for a three count.
After the match was over, Albright did not stay to pander nor to have his hand raised. With his look fixated on the floor, he slowly went to the back.
-------------------------
Before the next match, Ventura informed the fans that Bob Caudle was backstage preparing for an interview with one of the wrestlers: “Now I have no idea how Caudle is gonna get a word out of that wildman… and before you youngsters start coming at me about political incorrectness, this man has not uttered a word ever since he started wrestling, so give me a break, and Bawhb, take it over!”
The feed cut to Caudle backstage, and at his side was one Sika the Samoan. He was dressed respectfully, and stood solemnly, much to the prejudiced color commentator’s surprise, in a dark suit, with a black handkerchief in the right pocket. and wore dark sunglasses, hiding his eyes. He informed everyone that a special member of his family had passed away.
“Muliaiga Anoa'i Amituana'i was someone incredibly important to us. He was not only the reverend in our family, but he was before that…”, Sika stopped, taking a deep breath, “he was my father. You’ve also seen young Gary earlier tonight, he is one of our in-laws, and as grieve smithen as the rest of us. And even though most of our family is taking some days to recollect, I know he’d want me to be here tonight. The first ever ARC show, first Atlantic Cup, and the first ever Samoan to compete in it. I’ll do my best for my ol’ tama, and for the whole island of Samoa.”
Caudle gave his condolences, and with all due respect, asked about his opinion on his tonight’s match. And even more importantly, on his opponent tonight.
“It’s no secret I’m facing a member of my family here tonight. I’m facing Peter Maivia. Now, I can only imagine the pain he’s also going through these days. Mualiaiga was my father, but he was also uncle Peter’s blood brother. The death of our Chief struck us all hard; but me and unc’ Pete will do our best to honor him with a good, fair match here tonight!”.
Crowd cheered as Bob Caudle thanked his interviewee, and sent the fans back to Ventura for the next match.
#3. Wahoo McDaniel vs Johnny Ace
As Wahoo walked out, he pointed a finger to the sky: from one Chief to another, he wished eternal rest on the late Anoa’i chieftain. In the ring, a brash, disrespectful young man was waiting for him.
He waved for McDaniel to knock the pageantry off and step into the ring. Wahoo looked at Johnny, as his brows descended and formed a V-shape on his forehead. Putting his war bonnet aside, Wahoo lunged at Ace. He chopped him multiple times in the corner, before irish-whipping him off the ropes and connecting with a back body drop. The crowd cheered as the disrespectful wrestler got his come-uppance.
Wahoo thanked the crowd, and prepared for a suplex. Johnny used this pause to reverse, and scratch the eyes of The Chief. He landed a clothesline, and a knee drop to him, before locking in a chinlock. Audience clapped Wahoo on, as he fought out of the hold, he was whipped in the corner. Johnny laughed at the old man with his annoying cackle, and as he ran to club him, he found The Chief’s foot in his face. Wahoo jumped on the second rope, removed his straps, pointed with a passionate, determined look at the crowd, and landed a Tomahawk Brainchop off the second rope, securing the win.
#4. Peter Maivia vs Sika the Samoan
Peter Maivia, the blood brother of the late Chief, walked out to the ring. Waiting for him was Jesse Ventura, with a mic in his hand:
“Firstly, Mr. Maivia, please take our sincere condolences, the Chief obviously meant a lot to a lot of wrestlers here. Speaking of them, we had Sika earlier here tonight, and I suppose you echo his sentiments: the respect for the Chief comes first, and the competition here in the Cup second. What are your thoughts?”.
Maivia’s eyes were fixed at the floor, unblinking, but with a strange focus and a determined look, as he retorted: “That man was my blood brother. We may’ve not been related in biological sense, but he was my blood brother. I aim to continue where he left off, and take care of The Aiga: the family. I will take care of Sika, and Afa his brother, their children; of Albright and his family. I will take The Chief’s Ula Fala, the crimson necklace of royalty, and continue the tradition.”
At this point, Sika the Samoan walked out, stepping in front of his uncle.
“It is good that you came out here, nephew”, Maivia continued, before taking a red necklace from the hands of a ringside technician, “here, take the Ula Fala and bestow it upon my shoulders. It’s what he would’ve wanted”.
Sika was appalled.
“Uncle, my father was laid to rest not a few days ago. You dare to speak of inheritance, of necklaces and royalty, as the family grieves?”.
Maivia answered with a smile: “Do not disrespect your elders, and especially not your Chief, your matai. Lay the necklace, and lay down for me. Matai orders so.”, and he handed the necklace to Sika.
Sika was even more shocked than before: his uncle, his father’s own blood brother was claiming chiefdom in the middle of the family’s grief. And the fact that he asked neither Afa, the older son of Mualiaiga, nor him, Sika, his brother, about this, set afire a flame in Sika’s eyes. He handed the Ulu Fala.
But he handed it to the technician who brought it, and demanded the match to start. As Ventura escaped the ring, Peter Maivia’s calm expression changed to anger, and the uncle and the nephew lunged at each other.
Sika got the better of his uncle early on; vicious punches and slaps sent Maivia to the corner, and Sika almost DQed himself, only to gain self-control, and went back to Maivia. But the uncle set the nephew’s chest ablaze with stiff overhand slaps, and threw Sika out to ringside.
Out there, he sent him pillar to post to guardrail, before slamming him on the ringside floor. Sika was clutching at his back, as the crowd booed Maivia, who was nonetheless relentless. He knocked Sika’s head on the post, and rolled him back in. When Maivia noticed blood on Sika’s forehead, he stopped. He approached his nephew, his blood brother’s son, and with a concerned look reached for his bloodied forehead, almost as a healer reaches for the wound.
But Sika retaliated, punching his uncle down. Now in control, a bodyslam was followed with a running splash for a two count. Sika lifted Peter up, and went for a thrust kick. Peter caught his foot, spun him around, and landed a clothesline which sent both Samoans down.
Both family members were on their knees, and they locked eyes together. Sika’s look was one of grief, and shock, and almost of pleading. The gaze of Maivia was focused, unrelenting, and certain. Maivia stood up on his feet, and looked at Sika. Sika’s head finally bowed, and Maivia smiled. He raised his hands up in the air… and received a headbutt in his abdomen. Crowd was wild as Sika jumped across the ring nailing crossbodies and jumping forearms. He pointed to the top rope, and climbed it. He stood up there, soaked in the crowd’s energy, and with a tear in his eye, looked at his uncle for a second. He took a deep breath, and finally vaulted himself for a leap of faith.
But Maivia evaded. With an angry face he shot Sika off the ropes, and landed a ring-shaking Samoan Drop. A three count then ensued. The crowd was silent as Maivia stood in the ring, waiting for Sika to get up. As Sika did, Maivia’s gaze of certainty matched his expectation: Sika was to bow.
But Sika the Samoan did not; he rolled out of the ring, with Maivia still looking on, as Bob Caudle wished goodnight to the wrestling fans in front of the screen.
Atlantic Cup Night 2 results:
Big Van Vader def. Bam Bam Bigelow (15:42)
Gary Albright def. Ray Traylor (12:24)
Wahoo McDaniel def. Johnny Ace (06:30)
Peter Maivia def. Sika (14:24)
Atlantic Cup table (following Night 2):
Block A
Race 3
G. Briscoe 3
Afa 0
Abdullah 0
Block B
Hansen 3
J. Briscoe 3
Robinson 0
BDJ 0
Block C
Vader 3
Albright 3
Bigelow 0
Traylor 0
Block D
Maivia 3
Wahoo 3
Sika 3
Ace 0
