Fight Grid
( EAW Intro plays. )
( “Welcome To The Party” by Diplo starts up along with Battleground’s intro video starts playing. The camera shows an overall of the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, before it cuts to Clark Ruggerio and Ben Knight. )
Ruggerio: Ladies and gentlemen welcome to Monday Night Battleground where all the hot talent of EAW is served. My name is Clark Ruggerio and I’m joined here by my friend, Ben Knight.
Knight: Good evening people and welcome to the third episode of EAW Battleground. We’re live from the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre here in the Gold Coast, Australia and the atmosphere is lit!
Ruggerio: It sure is and it’s about to get hotter with our main event tonight: Xavier Arnold vs Eric Crane in a Ladder match, where the winner gets 5 points!
( A matchpic of Xavier Arnold and Eric Crane is shown. )
Knight: But before we get into that, let’s get a look at our point table.
( The point table flashes through the screen showing the points of each Battleground competitor. )
Ruggerio: That’s our table before we kick off tonight’s show and there’s Amber Keys.
(The Dirti Diva Amber Keys is backstage in the interview area alone. Standing before the Battleground logo, she has both hands folded in front of herself and is looking into the camera. )
Amber Keys: You know, it’s bad enough that no one remembers me except the bastards who saw fit to run me out of this company in the first place, which I’ll get to in just a second, but not only have I been all but erased, but I come back and what happens? They throw me on Battlground…the developmental brand? Are you kidding me?! Like that jackass Ben Knight says all the time, I’m a former World Champion! I’m the whole reason Empire even exists, as a matter of fact!
(Amber slams her right fist into her left palm.)
Amber Keys: So, is that how it works?! So, because Mr. DEDEDE went on a power trip and ran my name through the mud, try to erase my accomplishments and take away YEARS from my career, and meanwhile you have these bitches on Empire walking around and thinking they’re making history when they don’t have any idea what I went through so they could be seen on the same level as the men! Personal differences and politics have held me back. The EAW management knew they couldn’t keep me down forever, so what do they do? Put me in developmental. That’s alright though, because no one on this pathetic roster is able to touch me. NO. ONE. Then what are they going to do? I won’t be held back any more!
(Angry now, Amber paces before the camera.)
You want a history lesson? (She nods sharply) Alright, maybe then you all will see what an absolute disgrace it is that I’ve been sent to a developmental brand…see, I was in the first ever EAW main event headlined by women…I won the first ever Women’s Championship in that first ever main event. I WAS FIRST! I was in the highest rated segment in EAW history to that point! Hell, I was Tag Team champion too! Before Astraea, before Cam, I was! These idiot women now wanna walk around like they’re the first…little do they know, I was the first. I am the reason they can main event Territorial Invasion, I’m the reason women can compete for men’s titles. You’ve all forgot, you all think I’m just washed up and don’t have it anymore…yet here I am, undefeated since I’ve come back. Pretty soon I won’t be stuck in this developmental filth hole anymore and the world, and especially the Empire roster, is going to see why it should be throwing itself at my feet thanking me, and begging that I forgive them for ever forgetting about the Dirti Diva. History lesson over, I’ve got a match to get ready for.
(Amber walks off screen as the camera fades to black)
( Advertisement: Operation: Doomsday, Live on the EAW Network, 10/20/18. )
( The camera cuts back to the ring where Maria Del Rey is seen standing there. )
( DING! DING! DING! )
Del Rey: The following contest is a triple threat match!
( ‘I fall apart’ by Post Malone starts playing and Osiris comes out like a crazy man frightening the crowd. )
Del Rey: Introducing first from Athens, Ohio, weighing in at 195 pounds, OSSSSIIIIIRIIIIIISSSSS!
Ruggerio: ‘The Vision’ of Battleground makes his entrance first where he’s looking to pick up a big win against two interesting competitors.
( ‘Don’t stop believin’ by Journey blasts through the speakers as Johnny Walker makes his way to the ring with the fans cheering him. )
Del Rey: Introducing next, from Berea, Kentucky, weighing in at 220 pounds, JOHNNYYYYY WAAAAALKEEEEEER!
Knight: Johnny Walker picked up a very important win last week in a triple threat match, in his debut. That is a good sign for him as he shows potential talent that the main brands should pick up!
( “It Had To Be This Way” by Jamie Christopherson starts playing and Caden Walker makes his way to the ring getting huge boo’s by the crowd. )
Del Rey: And last but not least, from Auckland, New Zealand, weighing in at 230 pounds, CAAAADEEEEN WALKEEEEEEER!
Ruggerio: Making his debut tonight, Caden Walker is not the usual wrestler you see around. We’re yet to see what he is about but I think he’s going to do great things during his time here.
( DING! DING! DING! )
Knight: We’re underway as all three man staring at eachother BEFORE CADEN AND OSIRIS TEAM UP TO TAKE JOHNNY WALKER OUT OF THE RING, HOWEVER OSIRIS SLAPS CADEN HARD AND CADEN FELT DISRESPECTED AND YOU CAN SEE THAT ON HIS FACE! KNIFE EDGE CHOP BY CADEN! DID YOU HEAR THE IMPACT? HOLY BABY JESUS THAT MUST’VE HURT FOR SURE. KICK TO THE GUTS BY CADEN AND HE ATTEMPTS THAT SWINGING NECKBREAKER, BUT OSIRIS BLOCKS HIM AND A SNAPMARE BY OSIRIS.
Ruggerio: Osiris gets the headlock in holding it tight, and Caden tries to power out of the lock, but he can’t. Osiris throws some punches to Caden’s face and Caden can’t hold for too long…
Knight: Johnny Walker from behind with a hard kick to the back of Osiris! Walker with a scoop slam and then bouncing off the ropes CONNECTING WITH A DROPKICK ON OSIRIS! But hey, Caden get’s Osiris’ legs up!
Ref: ONE! TWO!
Ruggerio: Johnny Walker is there to break it up! Caden Walker attempts a punch to Johnny, but Johnny blocks it and connects with one of his own. Now Johnny with another big right hand AND LIFTS CADEN UP! BODY SLAM! HOWEVER OSIRIS IS UP AND CHARGES TOWARDS JOHNNY, BUT JOHNNY WITH A SUPERKICK RIGHT ON THE JAW OF OSIRIS! JOHNNY GETS CADEN UP AND CONNECTS WITH A FALLAWAY SLAM, BUT HE’’S NOT DONE YET AS HE FOLLOWS IT WITH A RUNNING ELBOW DROP!
Knight: JOHNNY IS WAITING FOR CADEN TO GET ON HIS FEET, BUT FROM BEHIND OSIRIS WITH A ROLLUP ON JOHNNY!
Ref: ONE! TWO!
Knight: KICKOUT BY JOHNNY! BUT NOW IT’S CADEN WITH A ROLL-UP ON OSIRIS!
Ref: ONE! TWO! THR-
Knight: ANOTHER KICKOUT, HOWEVER JOHNNY GRABS CADEN FROM HIS FEET AND LOCKS THE LIONTAMER IN! CADEN HAS NO ESCAPE AND OSIRIS IS STILL RECOVERING! THIS COULD BE IT! CADEN DESPERATELY TRYING TO MAKE IT TO THE ROPES BUT JOHNNY ISN’T LETTING IT GO! CADEN IS ABOUT TO TAP! HE IS ABOUT TO TAP!
Ruggerio: BUT OSIRIS IS FINALLY THERE IN THE LAST SECOND TO BREAK THINGS UP! OSIRIS STOMPS JOHNNY OUT OF THE RING AS HE WAITS FOR CADEN TO GET ON HIS FEET… HE DOES… ACCESS DENIED! THE DISCUS LARIAT CONNECTS, BUT OSIRIS ISN’T DONE AS HE CLIMBS TO THE TOP ROPE LOOKING FOR THE SWANTON BOMB! CADEN IS KNOCKED OUT COLD, HE CAN’T MOVE!
Knight: WATCH OUT FOR JOHNNY WHO COMES FROM OUT OF NOWHERE! JOHNNY PUNCHES THE HOLY HELL OUT OF OSIRIS WHO IS OUT! HE SWITCHES POSITION WITH OSIRIS… OH MY LORD, PLEASE DON’T… BASTARD DRIVER 93!!!! IT’S OVER! UNBELIEVABLE!!! THERE IS THE COVER!
Ref: ONE! TWO!
Ruggerio: CADEN CRAWLS TO BREAK THE COVER!
Ref: THREEEEEE!
( DING! DING! DING!)
Del Rey: Here is your winner, JOHNNYYYYYY WALKEEEEEEER!
( Johnny gets on his feet celebrating as the ref raises his hand up in the air, while Caden can’t believe what just happened. )
Knight: What an unbelievable match this was! Osiris is still knocked out from that Bastard Driver 93 from the top rope. Crazy what Johnny is ready to do just for that W.
Ruggerio: Two matches, two wins, Johnny Walker is surely going to make a name for himself here in EAW! From what I’ve seen, I’ve been impressed so far.
Knight: Keep an eye on Johnny, he surely isn’t done here.
( Commercial break. )
( The camera fades in backstage where Chase Vantigon gets Xavier Arnold in an interview. Xavier looks bothered and angry at the same time, but Chase doesn’t mind that and goes on. )
Vantigon: Mr. Arnold, how do you feel about you match against Eric Crane tonight?
Xavier: How do you think I feel? I feel annoyed. I feel bothered. I could’ve been facing someone much better tonight, but Eric is blindfolded by his jealousy. He is mad that I’m getting success and he’s not. I beat him before, what’s the point on doing it again? Facing him in a ladder match? No problem at all. I can beat him anywhere, anytime.
Vantigon: The winner of this match as we got informed, gets 5 valuable points. This could get you a step away from getting back on the main roster.
Xavier: Exactly. That’s the point. I need this win for two reasons. To shut Eric’s damn mouth and to get closer to the main roster contract. Unlike him, I’m not planning on staying here forever. I’ve got much more things I’d rather do, believe me. I may have not done what I expected to do in the past, but now I feel refreshed and it’s going to be much more better. Long live the Kaiser!
Vantigon: Mr. Arnold… Mr. Arnold…
( Xavier leaves away as Vantigon stays there disappointed as the camera fades to black. )
( The camera cuts back to ringside. )
(“Roar” by Katy Perry hits as the crowd begins to cheer. Constance Blevins walks out onto the stage as she makes her way down to the ring. She gives some of the fans high fives as she goes.)
Maria Del Rey: The following contest is scheduled for one fall. Introducing first, from Baltimore, Maryland… CCOONNNSTTANNNCEE BLEEVVINNNS!
(‘Easy Target’ by Blink 182 begins to play as Amber Keys emerges onto the stage. The crowd gives a negative reaction to her presence as she walks towards the ring to face her opponent.)
Maria Del Rey: And her opponent, from Bronx, New York…. AAMMMMBBERRR KEEYYYSSS!
(Ding! Ding! Ding!)
Ruggerio: Here we go with singles action on Battleground. Both Blevins and Keys are hopeful for a win here tonight. They circle one another as they look for any weaknesses to exploit. Blevins strikes first as she throws a punch at Keys. Keys manages to block with her arm and responds with a kick to the gut. She throws several strikes of her own to knock back Blevins. Blevins prepares to fight back but Keys delivers an eye rake! What a dirty move!
Knight: Blevins grabs her eye in pain. AMBER DELIVERS A KNEE RIGHT TO HER MIDSECTION! SHE NOW PULLS HER ON HER SHOULDERS AND THROWS HER OVER FOR A QUICK FIREMAN’S CARRY SLAM! SHE DROPS DOWN AND HITS EN ELBOW ONTO THE CHEST OF BLEVINS! She goes to the feet of Constance Blevins and grabs her by each of her legs. She now stomps her right in the gut. Amber now proceeds to pull her towards the corner. A smile crosses Amber’s face as she launches Blevins! BLEVINS FLIES FACE FIRST RIGHT INTO THE TURNBUCKLE! SHE STUMBLES AROUND AND KEYS TAKES ADVANTAGE ONCE AGAIN! SHE GETS IN FRONT OF HER… HURRICANARANA! IT HITS AND SHE TRANSITIONS IT INTO A PIN ATTEMPT!
ONEEE! TWOOOOOO!
Ruggerio: Blevins manages a kick out! Keys is eager to continue to deliver this punishment. She stands over Blevins while she pulls herself up. Constance managers to get to a vertical base and Keys rocks her with an elbow to the face. Keys now steps out onto the apron while grabbing on to Blevins. She holds her throat right at the rope… SHE HOPS OFF THE APRON AND PULLS BLEVINS DOWN RIGHT ON THE TOP ROPE AS SHE DOES SO! Blevins goes down as Keys enters the ring. She rolls Blevins onto her side and delivers a kick straight into her back!
Knight: Keys proceeds to walks towards the corner. She ascends to the top rope where she stands perched and ready to fly. SHE LEAPS AND THERE’S A MOONSAULT ONTO BLEVINS… NO BLEVINS GETS HER KNEES UP! CONSTANCE QUICKLY GETS BACK TO HER FEET TO TAKE ADVANTAGE! SHE GOES TO THE TOP ROPE AS KEYS BEGINS TO GET UP WHILE CLUTCHING HER MIDSECTION! BLEVINS LEAPS AND CONNECTS WITH A MISSLE DROP KICK! AMBER KEYS GOES DOWN AND OUT OF THE RING! The force of that move knocked her right under the bottom rope! Constance isn’t letting up yet!
Ruggerio: Keys gets up as she stumbles on the outside. Blevins was waiting! SHE BOUNCES OFF THE ROPES AND ACROSS THE RING…. SUICIDE DIVE! BLEVINS THROWS CAUTION TO THE WIND AND USES HER BODY AS A WEAPON! SHE CRASHES RIGHT INTO AMBER KEYS AS BOTH OF THEM GO DOWN! Both women definitely aren’t feeling too well after that. Blevins manages to pull herself up. She starts by picking up Amber Keys and slamming her face first into our table! She delivers a punch that rocks her. Blevins now pulls Keys in… SHE LIFTS HER UP AND BRINGS HER DOWN FOR A SUPLEX RIGHT ON TOP OF OUR TABLE!
Knight: Keys instantly reacts as she came down hard! Blevins now pulls her off the table and rolls her into the ring. Constance gets back into the ring. Keys pulls herself to her knees and Blevins approaches her… ROUND HOUSE KICK! SHE MAY HAVE BEEN KNOCKED OUT AFTER THAT! RIGHT TO HER SKULL! CONSTANCE NOW APPROACHES KEY AND THIS MATCH COULD BE OVER!
ONEEEE! TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Ruggerio: A KICK OUT! AMBER KEYS STAYS ALIVE IN THIS MATCH AND BLEVINS DIDN’T EXPECT THAT KICK OUT! She now tries to pull her up… AND KEYS SLAPS HER RIGHT IN THE FACE! BLEVINS IS STUNNED AND KEYS COMES AT HER! ENZUIGIRI! WHAT A MOVE AS IT TAKES DOWN BLEVINS! Amber Keys earns a moments reprieve but not for long as Blevins begins to stir. AMBER KEYS GOES TO THE ROPES AND SPRING BOARDS JUST AS BLEVINS WAS GETTING UP! A SPRING BOARD BODY SPLASH!
Knight: Amber Knight pulls herself up as she takes a few steps back. Constance Blevins stumbles to her feet…AMBER ALERT! THE RUNNING SPEAR! CONSTANCE SIDE STEPS IT THOUGH! SHE GRABS AMBER FROM BEHIND AND TAKES HER DOWN WITH A GERMAN SUPLEX! SHE PULLS HER UP ONCE MORE AND GOES FOR ANOTHER ONE! IT CONNECTS! BLEVINS RELEASES HER! SHE PULLS HERSELF IN FOR A DDT! BUT BLEVINS COUNTERS WITH SEVERAL SHOTS TO THE RIBS! SHE BREAKS FREE AND BLEVINS CHARGES BACK AT HER AS SHE BACKS AWAY! CLOTHESLINE BY BLEVINS… BUT AMBER DUCKS IT! SHE RUNS OFF THE ROPES AND BLEVINS SPINS AROUND… AMBER ALERT! THE RUNNING SPEAR CONNECTS AND SHE COVERS!
ONEEEE! TWOOOOOOOOO! THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
(Ding! Ding! Ding!)
(‘Easy Target’ by Blink 182 begins to play as Amber Keys begins to get to her feet. She then begins to celebrate.)
Maria Del Rey: HERE IS YOUR WINNER… AMMBERR KEEYSSS!
Knight: What a big win here for Amber Keys on Battleground! She pulled off a great move with that spear at the end to seal the victory.
Ruggerio: Constance Blevins almost pulled out the victory herself as there were moments it seemed she had it in hand. But congratulations to Amber Keys.
Knights: I’m going to be excited to finally see her on Empire! I’m sure she will do great things.
( Advertisement: EAW 2k19 LEGEND EDITION )
( Camera fades in backstage showing Ian Ross and Amber Keys having a chat together. )
Ian Ross: Congratulations on your win tonight!
Amber: Thank you so much, Ian. Means a lot to me.
Ian Ross: You’ve had only a few matches in here but you’re the most impressive one to have step foot in here yet. I think you’re going to do great things on Empire. Make us proud.
Amber: What did you expect? I’m a veteran after all, don’t forget that, Ian. However thanks for the kind words, I’ll surely do my best and make Empire my territory.
Ian Ross: I hope so! I’ll see you soon.
Amber: Goodbye!
( Ian leaves away as Amber has a grin on her face and releases a deep breath before the camera fades to the ring. )
(Maria Del Rey stands in the center of the ring, ready to call the next match.)
Maria Del Rey: The following contest is set for one fall!
Crowd: ONE FALL!
Maria Del Rey: Introducing first, weighing in at two hundred and eleven pounds and hailing from Malibu California, “The Green Diamond” Jack Haze!
(“Revolution” by the Beatles plays as Jack makes him way to the ring.)
Clark Ruggiero: Jack Haze made a very impressive debut last week, coming up a little short, but he’s looking to make up for that here tonight!
Ben Knight: Jack is an interesting character to say the least, but the triple threat rules are chaotic for anyone. Let’s see how he does in a one on one situation.
Maria Del Rey: Introducing his opponent, weighing in at one hundred and twenty one pounds, hailing from Dallas Texas, “The Dallas Dime” Ana Somnia!
(“Beggars (Feat. Diskord)” by Krewella plays as Ana Somnia walks to the ring.)
Clark Ruggiero: Here is a young woman in Ana Somnia who hit the gate running, but ran into troubled waters when she faced off against Amber Keys. She is hoping to get some momentum back this week, Ben.
Ben Knight: She absolutely is, Clark, but I think she’s going to have some trouble, word from backstage is that a thumb injury took time away from her training and to be honest she does not look to be one hundred percent here tonight!
(The referee calls for the bell, signalling the start of the match.)
DING!DING!DING!
Clark Ruggiero: Jack focuses on Ana as he moves forward, perhaps looking for a collar and elbow tie up. Ana tries to use her superior speed to out maneuver Haze, but Emerald Jack catches her around the waist and flattens the Texas Tornado with a German suplex!
Ben Knight: OH! That’s exactly the kind of thing that is affected by not training this week, it will throw off your timing, and can lead to costly mistakes like that! Jack bounces off the ropes…basement dropkick to the side of Ana’s head! Somnia tries to roll away, but Jack lifts her to her feet! Looks like he’s going for the body slam here, Clark!
Clark Ruggiero: NO! She catches him in a small package! Jack kicks out before the referee can get into position, though, and wags a finger in the face of Ana. It’s going to take a lot more than that to beat the Nowhere Man! Seemingly already frustrated, Ana rushes forward, but is flattened by a clothesline from Jack who seems to be almost toying with her now. I think he can end this basically anytime he wants to!
Ben Knight: He may have heard you, Clark, looks like Jack is setting Ana up…VIOLATOR!The bicycle knee catches Ana under the chin, stunning her! Jack’s not done yet…BLUE DREAM! ANA IS OUT! Jack makes the cover as the referee gets into position!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
( DING! DING! DING! )
Clark Ruggiero: Jack Haze has pinned Ana Somnia! Looks like you were right, Ben, about Ana’s training this week, that just goes to show how important it is to make time for what is important!
Maria Del Rey: Here is your winner by pinfall, Jack Haze!
(“Revolution” plays as Jack makes his way up the ramp, slapping the fans hands on his way.)
Knight: An important victory for Jack Haze, a win which could put him back on track after a defeat last week.
Ruggerio: Jack Haze is one of the most important members of this roster and he’s proved it tonight in a great match he had. Let’s see if he will be able to keep the pace.
(Commercial for the new ASUS air tablet, featuring Raven Roberts breaking one over a bitch’s head)
( The camera shows an overall view of the arena where the fans look hyped about the main event of the night and the ladders are placed ringside. )
(Maria Del Rey stands in the middle of the ring looking up at the briefcase hanging high above the ring.)
Maria Del Rey: Ladies and gentlemen the following contest is the Main Event of the evening and is a Ladder Match! The winner of this match will receive five points and be that much closer to a main roster contract! Introducing first weighing in at two hundred and thirteen pounds, hailing from Long Island, New York…Eric Crane!
(“Back from the Dead” by Skillet plays as Eric Crane walks down the stage with a canvas bag slung over his shoulder. Largely ignoring the booing crowd, he places the bag by the ringside and crawls into the corner to wait on his opponent.)
Clark Ruggiero: What is Eric Crane carrying in that bag, Ben? What devious plan is in that twisted head of his?
Ben Knight: I don’t know, Clark, but what i do know is that this feud has been boiling since the very first episode of Battleground where Eric and Xavier fought for a chance to face Raven Roberts and win the EAW New Breed Championship. Xavier won that match, but failed to capture gold. Since then Eric has been on a mission to destroy the Kaiser!
Clark Ruggiero: Jealousy is what is driving Eric, Ben, plain and simple.
Maria Del Rey: Introducing his opponent, weighing in at two hundred and nineteen pounds and now residing in Newark, New Jersey, The Kaiser Xavier Arnold!
(“The Final Countdown” by Europe plays as Xavier makes his way to the ring. Once he reaches ringside her walks around to where Eric placed the bag and kicks at it, causing Eric to dive towards him. Laughing, he makes his way back around and enters the ring on his side, waiting in his corner.)
Ben Knight: The Rhine Rebel has made an impact in a big way since the debut of Battleground! He’s already challenged a champion and not seeks to add to his point total tonight with a huge five points! Clark, I think the future is very bright for one Xavier Arnold.
Clark Ruggiero: I would have to agree, but I would also hope that he hasn’t overlooked the volatile violence of Eric Crane. The Possessed Pugilist is a very game competitor and will do everything within his power to win tonight!
(The referee hangs the briefcase as both competitors stalk their corners like caged beasts. After the prize is raised to the rafters, the official calls for the bell.)
( DING! DING! DING! )
Clark Ruggiero: Eric Crane charges across the ring at Xavier Arnold! He rushes him into the corner and is pummeling the Kaiser with almost flailing arms, causing Arnold to cover up under the barrage! Seeking to do further damage, Crane leaves the ring, grabbing Xavier by the foot, tripping him in the process, and drags him so that both legs are straddling the ring post…ERIC WRAPS XAVIER’S LEG AROUND THE POST! Xavier grabs his leg in pain as Eric is wrenching the leg around the post!
Ben Knight: Sound strategy indeed from Eric Crane! Taking your opponent’s legs out is always a sound strategy, but it especially is in a ladder match! Eric releases Xavier’s leg…HE GRABS A CHAIR AND SWINGS…NO! Xavier manages to just pull his leg out of the way at the last moment, and the chair wraps around the ring post! Arnold is now outside the ring, limping slightly from the damage he’s taken thus far, and grabs Crane. He slams Eric’s head into the ring apron! THat’s the hardest part of the ring, Clark!
Clark Ruggiero: Indeed so, Ben! Xavier drives his forearms into the back of Crane who responds by throwing a back elbow that catches the Kaiser just below the eye! Arnold stumbles back against the barricade and Eric takes his arm…IRISH WHIP, NO! REVERSED! XAVIER ARNOLD WHIPS ERIC INTO THE STEEL STEPS! Crane lives up to his namesake and flies over the steps, crashing in a heap on the other side! Perhaps sensing an opportunity, Xavier grabs one of the many ladders folder along the ring side and lifts it like a battering ram…HE CRASHES THE LADDER INTO ERIC CRANE!!! That shot went right to the head, and Crane drops to the floor in a heap!
Ben Knight: There is zero give in those ladders, I can tell you that for sure! Xavier is trying to end the match early and slides into the ring with the ladder! After checking the position of the briefcase he positions it and starts the climb, but Eric isn’t done yet! He manages to roll into the ring and half stumbles to the ladder, clubbing Xavier across the back with forearm shots! Xavier drops off the ladder and the two start firing forearm shots at each other! The sides of both men’s faces are starting to welt from the onslaught!
Clark Ruggiero: LOW BLOW FROM ERIC CRANE! In the middle of the flurry of forearms he pulled out the great equalizer and kicked Xavier right between the uprights! Bad luck for him, though, Xavier falls onto the ladder, knocking it over! Xavier is trying to regroup while leaning on the knocked over ladder and Crane rolls out of the ring! Looks like he’s rummaging under the ring for an implement of violence! As he is doing so, Xavier manages to return to his feet and leans through the ropes, trying to grab Crane by the head…KENDO STICK TO THE HEAD FROM CRANE! XAVIER GRABS HIS FOREHEAD IN SHOCK AS BLOOD BEGINS TO OOZE FROM BETWEEN HIS FINGERS! Crane rolls back into the ring and swings again, catching Arnold in the ribs, raising an angry welt! The Rhine Rebel is reeling from the rapid shots of Crane! Xavier, trying to escape the punishment, rolls out of the ring and begins searching for a weapon of his own, Ben, this is turning into an absolute war!
Ben Knight: You’re right there, Clark, neither man wants to leave anything behind for this match! Arnold has found a weapon of his own now, though, it seems he has found a chair folded beneath the ring and pulls it our, smacking it against the ring apron in anticipation of hitting Crane! Eric, hot on the heels of Arnold, backs off when he sees the chair and seems to be rethinking his strategy, but Xavier isn’t giving him any time, he swings and catches Eric on top of the head with the chair, causing Crane to drop the kendo stick and crumple onto the apron! XAVIER ISN’T FINISHED! HE BRINGS THE CHAIR DOWN AGAIN AND AGAIN ON CRANE! He’e raining chair shots to the head and upper back of the Possessed Eric Crane! No stranger to punishment, Crane still is reeling from the effects of this absolute beatdown at the hands of the Artist of Suffering! Xavier backs Crane to the corner, hits him with one more chair shot to keep him stunned then tosses down the chair…SUPERKICK! XAVIER ARNOLD HITS A SUPERKICK ON ERIC CRANE AS HE LEANS AGAINST THE RING POST! Crane’s head had nowhere to go and he drops to the ground looking shell shocked!
Clark Ruggiero: Xavier senses that the time is now, and rolls into the ring, picking up the knocked down ladder. Quickly wiping the blood from his face, he sets the ladder up and starts to climb to the top, slowed by the beating from the kendo stick he took previously. Meanwhile, on the outside, Crane has crawled to that canvas bag he carried to the ring and clutches it like a child. He pulls himself up using the ring apron, and rolls into the ring, collapsing in the corner as he looks up at the Kaiser climbing the ladder. Seemingly pushing himself forward, he stumbles forward and dumps the bag on the mat….IT’S THOUSANDS OF THUMBTACKS! Tiny metal points of light are glittering on the mat as they fall from that bag that Crane brought to the ring! Xavier looks down with concern and moves a little quicker on the ladder as Crane is pulling himself up now too!
Ben Knight: This match just took a turn for the extreme as Eric Crane is moving to catch up with Arnold! He stuns him with a punch between the rungs to Xavier’s gut, then Crane pulls himself level with Xavier! The Kaiser nails Crane with a right hand, but it’s blocked by Eric who slams his forehead into Xavier’s nose! ARNOLD IS ABOUT TO FALL BACKWARD OFF THE LADDER! NO! He catches himself at the last moment and grabs Eric’s head before slamming him head first into the top of the ladder! Crane’s nose is busted! Blood is running down the front of his mouth and chin! Crane grins like a maniac, blood staining his teeth…it’s almost as if the blood has energized him! He grabs a handful of Xavier’s hair and drives his fist into the temple of Arnold! Clark, This is still anyone’s match, Eric Crane is taking it to the Kaiser tonight, he wants to prove a point!
Clark Ruggiero: That’s right, and speaking of points, there are about a thousand of them waiting below for whichever of these two are unlucky enough to fall into them! Xavier Arnold, already a bleeding, is taking a battering at the hands of Crane at the top of the ladder! OHMIGOD! CRANE HOOKS ARNOLD’S TIGHTS…SUPERPLEX OFF THE LADDER!!!!! BOTH MEN GO CRASHING INTO THE THUMBTACKS BELOW!!
Crowd: HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT!
Clark Ruggiero: It looks as if Crane took the brunt of it, though, as he rolls in pain you can see thumb tacks sticking into his back and head, leaving pinpricks of blood on the mat in his wake! Xavier is shaking on the mat from the impact, thumb tacks sticking in his arm and back! Benjamin Knight, I have never witnessed such brutality in a match! These two men want this more than their own personal well being, it seems!
Ben Knight: That’s right Clark, that’s what victory means to these two! Anything short of a win is failure and neither of these two men are willing to accept that here tonight! Eric Crane is pulling himself to his feet, how is this man still moving!? He checks the positioning of the ladder and starts making his way upward, seeking to claim those five points! Xavier is also starting to stir, albeit a bit more slowly, and is crawling across the thumb tacks, a large patch of which are stuck in his bicep! This is it, these two men are literally crawling up the ladder to claim the prize that hangs above them, Clark, this is why Battleground was created, these two young lions are seeking to prove themselves to not just this capacity audience, but to the EAW management, they want to prove they belong here!
Clark Ruggiero: They absolutely do, Ben, and both men are leaving this ladder and ring a bloody mess as they are doing everything within their power to stop the other from winning! Eric has reached the top of the ladder, but he sees Xavier and wisely braces himself and throws a punch through the rungs, catching the jaw of the Rhine Rebel! It’s not enough, though, as Arnold pulls himself even and throws a chop, blistering the chest of Crane! It seems like Crane senses his moment, however, and drives a hard fist into the face of Arnold only for Xavier to return with one of his own! CRANE! ARNOLD! CRANE! ARNOLD!
Crowd: THIS IS AWESOME! THIS IS AWESOME! THIS IS AWESOME!
Clark Ruggiero: THESE TWO ARE PULLING NO STOPS AS THEY BATTLE ATOP THE LADDER, BUT NEITHER MAN SEEMS TO HAVE THE ADVANTAGE!
Ben Knight: Not so fast, Clark, Xavier has murderous intent in his eyes…HE GRABS THE THUMB TACKS FROM HIS BICEP AND SHOVES THEM INTO THE FACE OF ERIC CRANE!!! CRANE CLUTCHES HIS FACE AND FALLS BACKWARD OFF THE LADDER! ARNOLD CLIMBS THE RUNG…HE HAS THE BRIEFCASE…YES HE PULLS IT DOWN!!
(The referee calls for the bell.)
( DING! DING! DING! )
Del Rey: Here is your winner… XAVIEEEEER ARNOOOOOOOLD!!!
Clark Ruggiero: A bloody Xavier Arnold is sitting on the top rung of the ladder holding the briefcase as he looks down on the fallen Eric Crane who is being seen to by the ringside medics!
(“The Final Countdown” begins to play as Arnold raises the briefcase in victory, still seated atop the ladder.)
Ben Knight: What an amazing display! That’s all the time we have for this week, though, for Clark Ruggiero, I’m Ben Knight, thank you for joining us and have a great evening!
(EAW logo buzzes)
