Francesca De La Cruz
(The scene fades into EAW correspondent Kathy Kush with a huge smile on her face. Next to her is pre-show analysis, Jake Mercer. Both of them are sat down behind the same news anchor desk as yesterday. You can sense the excitement between the two of them. Probably because Pain for Pride is around the corner.)
Kathy Kush: Welcome to the another installment of Pain for Pride Rewind! I am Kathy Kush! Joining alongside me today is pre-show analysis, Jake Mercer! Glad to have you on, Jake!
Jake Mercer: I’m glad to be here. Can you feel the excitement in the air, Kathy? Pain for Pride is in nine days. It should be hitting everyone from the Elitists to the fans to even us that this event is happening and there is no stopping it!
Kathy Kush: I am glad for you to be joining you all with looking back at Pain for Pride matches that had us in awe, tears, excitement and or even anger. There is no doubt that we will be feeling this emotions going into what is being called the biggest Pain for Pride in this Elite Answers Wrestling’s twelve year history! I don’t know how we continue to top this spectacle from the previous years. There is no doubt that this year will be anymore different!
Jake Mercer: I know, it sounds repetitive, but I think this Pain for Pride will be the best one yet. This is the most media we have ever done. This is the most anticipated that this company has been. I said it — you can feel the excitement in the air. This is gonna be amazing.
Kathy Kush: Yesterday, Sofia Clarke and I started things off by looking back on the match that was voted as the 2018 Match of the Year. We went back to Pain for Pride XI with Diamond Cage vs. Rex McAllister in a 2 out of 3 Falls match for the EAW Championship! A match, which gave us the story of Cage finally capturing the championship after about a year of trying to make it to the top of the mountain! It showed Rex McAllister’s never say die attitude. But, I gotta ask: what is your favorite Pain for Pride match, Jake?
Jake Mercer: Honestly, one of my favorite Pain for Pride matches was one I was fortunate to call. Xavier Williams vs. Mr. DEDEDE at Pain for Pride IX. :wow: One of the best openers in recent memory. There was no better way to begin Pain for Pride IX than with one of the most anticipated matches on the card! This was a match made for the upper card, so I was a shocked that it opened, but man, weren’t we all open for a treat? If there was any man in the company then that could have knocked Mr. DEDEDE off his pedestal, it would have been Xavier Williams. I was rooting for Xavier to take down Mr. DEDEDE. This was a match that we were captivated with and set the bar for all the matches after it to surpass. Throughout the match, both men were doing their best to push the other to their breaking point. It became a matter of who was going to break first. On one hand, people were happy of the triumph of Mr. DEDEDE winning. But, there were some people in the crowd that felt the devastation that Xavier felt after this match. It still kinda breaks my heart just thinking about it. :mjcry:
Kathy Kush: Today, we go back to 2016 with the opener of Pain for Pride IX —Xavier Williams defending the Hall of Fame Championship against Mr. DEDEDE! The Best in the World vs. The Best Ever! Ladies and gentlemen, enjoy this replay which was nominated for Match of the Decade!
(The scene fades into Pain for Pride IX in Miami Stadium in Miami, Florida.)
( DING! DING! DING! )
Ring Announcer: THE FOLLOWING CONTEST IS SCHEDULED OR ONE FALL…. AND IS THE MATCH DUBBED “THE BEST IN THE WORLD VS. THE BEST EVER”, TO BE CONTESTED FOR THE HAAALLLLL OFFF FAAAAAAAME CHAMPIOOONNNSHIIIPPPPP!!!
( “Feedback” by Kanye West hits. )
( Smoke gathers at the top of the stage, and Mr. DEDEDE rushes through the smoke wearing his signature trenchcoat over his ring gear as he takes in the energy of the stadium. Tarah Nova walks out alongside him. )
Ring Announcer: INTRODUCING FIRST… ACCOMPANIED BY TARAH NOVA; FROM DENVER, COLORADO, WEIGHING IN TONIGHT AT 224 POOOOOOUUNNNNNDS….. “THE GAWD”, MMMMISSTEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRR DEEEEEEEEE DEEEEEEEEEEE DEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!
( DDD stops at the center of the ramp and throws up his double corna taunt as pyro rockets up from the stage, and fireworks shoot up from the top of the stadium and into the sky. Following this, DDD and Tarah continue their way to the ring. )
Kawajai: BY MANY ACCOUNTS, HE IS THE BEST EVER. MAKING HIS NINTH STRAIGHT PAIN FOR PRIDE APPEARANCE, A 6 TIME WORLD CHAMPION, 6 TIME MATCH OF THE YEAR AWARD WINNER, TWO TIME ELITIST OF THE YEAR, AND POSSIBLY THE BIGGEST REASON THERE IS A PAIN FOR PRIDE 9! I COULDN’T IMAGINE ANY BETTER WAY TO START THIS TREMENDOUS SPECTACLE, THAN WITH THE GAWD!
Mercer: He’s said he’s more prepared for this match than he’s been for any other match in his career! The accolades cannot be ignored, the greatness cannot be denied, but it is a steep, steep hill for this man to climb tonight. How deep into the will is Mr. DEDEDE going to have to go in order to leave Pain for Pride as Hall of Fame Champion, and better than the Best in the World???
(DEDEDE stands in the ring with his eyes locked up the ramp as the lights slowly shut down throughout the arena as a single spotlight shines down onto the center of the stage. A shroud of white smoke begins to cover the stage and the ramp as a piano with Steven Tyler seated in front of it begins to rise through the stage. He begins to play as the lights throughout the arena suddenly turn back on, revealing glass statues of HRDO, Jaywalker, CM Banks, Lethal Consequences, Y2Impact and the Heart Break Gal.)
“Everytime that I look in the mirror…”
“All these lines in the face a getting clearer…”
“The past is gone….”
“It went back like, dust to dawn…”
(“Dream On” continues to play as Xavier Williams slowly makes his way through the curtain to a THUNDEROUS amount of both cheers and jeers with a sledgehammer in hand.)
“Isn’t that the way…”
“Everybody’s got their dues in life to pay…”
(Xavier Williams stands next to the first statue: HRDO before smashing the sledgehammer through it and it shatters.)
“I know, nobody knows, where it comes and where it goes…”
“I know, everybody sins, you got to lose to know how to win…”
(Xavier Williams slowly makes his way down to the next statue: Jaywalker, and once again it shatters. Xavier continues to makes his way through the statues, smashing through Banks, Lethal Consequences, Impact and HBG, before standing at the bottom of the ramp and dropping the hammer.)
Kawajai: All of the people that DDD has faced at past Pain for Pride’s…
Mercer: XAVIER WILLIAMS SENDING THE MESSAGE THAT THERE IS NO ONE FROM DEDEDE’S PAST THAT COMPARED TO WHAT STANDS BEFORE THE MAN NOW! THE BEST IN THE WORLD! THE HALL OF FAME CHAMPION! THE ALPHA! THE OMEGA! AND LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, IF YOU DIDN’T HEAR ME THE FIRST TIME LET ME SAY IT AGAIN!! THE BEST!! BEST!! BEST!! BEST IN THE WORLD!!
Ring Announcer: AND INTRODUCING THE CHAMPION FROM DETROIT, MICHIGAN, WEIGHING IN TONIGHT AT 215 POUNDS!!!! HE IS THE SELF PROFESSED “BEST IN THE WORLD!!”… HE IS THE REIGNING AND DEFENDING HALL OF FAME CHAMPION!!!!!! XAAAAAVVVVIIIEEEEEEERRRR WIIIIIIIIIILLLLLLLLIIIIAAAMMSSSSSS!!!!!
(Xavier stands on the apron, both DEDEDE’s and the Hall of Fame Champion’s eyes locked on each other. Xavier Williams makes his way into the ring and slowly backs into his corner as “Dream On” cuts, leaving only the crowd’s atmosphere to be heard. Xavier Williams gives the Hall of Fame Championship one last kiss before handing it to the referee. The referee shows the championship to Mr. DEDEDE before making his way back to the middle of the ring and raising it high into the air. The referee hands the championship to the time keeper before calling for the bell.)
(DING! DING! DING!)
Kawajai: The atmosphere I feel right now… it’s something that you only feel a few times in your life if you’re lucky. The first Elitist of the Year against the last Extremist of the Year. The Best in the World against The greatest performer that this business has ever known to lace up a pair of wrestling boots. Xavier Williams against Mr. DEDEDE… both men just standing in their respective corners, soaking every piece of this in. Both the Hall of Fame Champion and the six time World Champion slowly making their way to the middle of the ring, nose to nose; eye to eye. The two exchanging words, but I have no idea what they’re saying. Which man is going to throw the first punch… big smile crosses the face of Xavier Williams as Mr. DEDEDE as they take a step back and slowly begin to circle around the ring; I’ve been waiting for this from the moment that the match was announced. HERE WE GO! The two locking up and Mr. DEDEDE takes the advantage, twisting and wrenches the arm. Xavier dropping down to a knee as DEDEDE applies more pressure, but Xavier beautifully transitions into a hammerlock! DEDEDE wasting no time, firing back with an elbow to the side of the head, stunning the Hall of Fame Champion. DEDEDE with enough time to break free from the grip of Xavier Williams and transitions behind the champion. DEDEDE looking to take the Hall of Fame Champion down with a belly to back suplex, but Xavier’s able to land of his feet. DEDEDE turns around – STRAIGHT INTO A ROUNDHOUSE TO THE SIDE OF THE HEAD! No, DEDEDE just able to duck underneath and locks the waist! German Suplex! No, Xavier Williams uses his leg to block! Xavier swings back for an elbow of his own, but DEDEDE ducks underneath and tries to take the champion overhead with a Northern Lights Suplex, but Xavier hits him in the chest with a hard knee! Xavier able to fight his way back down to his feet and drives the point of his knee into the stomach of Mr. DEDEDE; Xavier looking to take DEDEDE down with a neckbreaker, but DEDEDE counters with a backslide!
ONE!!…
Mercer: Xavier using the momentum to roll through and takes control with a front facelock! DEDEDE trying to fight his way back to his feet, but Xavier drives the point of the knee into the top of the head. DEDEDE’s stunned as Xavier’s able to transitions around to the back of the former World Champion and isolates the right arm, driving his elbow into the top of the shoulder. DEDEDE trying to work his way into a seated position, but Xavier transitions back around into the front facelock and once again drives the point of the knee into the top of the head. Neither of these men seem to be willing to give their opponent and inch in this match. DEDEDE able to break the grip of Xavier Williams and twists out and applies a front facelock of his own. Xavier able to quickly fight his way up to a knee, but DEDEDE takes him down with a snap suplex! DEDEDE not releasing his grip, dragging a stunned Xavier Williams back up to his feet and transitions behind the champion! DEDEDE looking to send Xavier overhead with a German Suplex, but Xavier uses the leg to block again. DEDEDE driving Xavier chest first into the ropes and looks to roll back into a pin, but Xavier latches onto the top rope! The momentum sends DEDEDE back and he rolls through – STRAIGHT INTO A SUPERKICK! DEDEDE catches the leg and sweep the free one from under the champion! Dragon Screw! DEDEDE keeping a hold of that leg – SHARPSHOOTER!! DEDEDE LOOKING FOR A SHARPSHOOTER, BUT XAVIER QUICKLY DRAG HIMSELF TO THE BOTTOM ROPE! That devious hint of a smile crossing the face of the challenger as Xavier Williams rolls over to the corner. Xavier getting back to a knee as DEDEDE tells him he was that close to submitting the champion on the grandest stage of them all in the opening moments of this match.
Kawajai: I think that the champion is beginning to understand what he’s facing tonight; it’s nothing like anything he’s faced in the past. Xavier getting back to his feet and the two waste little time, locking up once more. This time it’s Xavier Williams who gains the advantage with a side headlock. DEDEDE quickly pushes Xavier into the ropes, gaining momentum and is able to free himself. Xavier hitting the ropes on the opposite side of the ring – and rebounds straight into back body drop! Xavier lands on his feet AND LIFTS DEDEDE UP ONTO HIS SHOULDERS THE MOMENT THAT HE TURNS AROUND!! GO TO SLEEP!! NO, DEDEDE JUST ABLE TO PUSH HIMSELF OFF THE BACK OF THE SHOULDERS OF THE CHAMPION!! A smile crossing the face of the champion as he’s more than willing to let the challenger know how close he was to putting that nail into the coffin. Neither Xavier Williams and Mr. DEDEDE able to gain complete control over the other. DEDEDE getting back to his feet and offers the Hall of Fame Champion a test of strength, which Xavier hesitantly accepts. The Hall of Fame Champion’s hand meeting DEDEDE’S, but DEDEDE cuts him off with a kick to the stomach! Xavier caught the leg! Xavier spins DEDEDE around AND CATCHES HIM FLUSH ON THE JAW WITH A BEAUTIFUL DROPKICK! DEDEDE rolling over to the corner, holding his jaw as Xavier Williams backs into the opposite. DEDEDE stumbles back to his feet AND XAVIER WILLIAMS CRUSHES HIM INTO THE CORNER WITH A RUNNING EUROPEAN UPPERCUT! DEDEDE trying to shake out of the cobwebs as he clutches onto the top ropes with both hands, obviously stunned. Xavier Williams with a standing European Uppercut to the cornered DEDEDE! Another! Another! Another! Four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten! Xavier Williams relentlessly fires away at the challenger before dragging him out of the corner and taking him down with a neckbreaker! Xavier Williams getting back to his feet as the arrogant smile returns to his face.
Mercer: Xavier Williams knows how good the man is and he’s not afraid to show it in the slightest! Xavier dropping an elbow to the heart of DEDEDE – it’s been awhile since we’ve seen the man do this! Repeated Elbow drops to the heart of the challenger! Xavier running his fingers through his hair as he takes a deep breathe, soaking in the atmosphere before leaping high into the air and dropping one last big time elbow straight to the chest of the six time World Champion! Xavier Williams holds his elbow across the chest for a pin, but DEDEDE gets the shoulder up before one. Perhaps the arrogance came to hurt the champion there. Xavier laughing as he gets back to his feet, shaking his head; DEDEDE pushing himself back to a vertical base as the Hall of Fame Champion stalks. DEDEDE’s up and he’s met by a stiff spinning back kick to the stomach! DEDEDE dropping back down to a knee and Xavier drives the bottom of his boot into the back of the head of the challenger with a Scissors Stomp! DEDEDE stumbling back to his feet – WHAT A DISCUS FOREARM TO THE JAW! DEDEDE stumbling back into the ropes as Xavier Williams looks to send him up and over with a clothesline! BUT DEDEDE PULLS DOWN THE TOP ROPE AND XAVIER IS SENT OVER AND TO THE OUTSIDE! Xavier landing on his feet – BUT LOOK OUT! VINTAGE DEDEDE! XAVIER WILLIAMS TAKEN DOWN BY A FLYING DEDEDE AS THE REFEREE BEGINS TO COUNT!
ONE!!… TWO!!… THREE!!…
(The camera cuts to a slow motion replay as Mr. DEDEDE leaping over the top rope and connecting with that Vintage DEDEDE.)
Kawajai: Both men are down; DEDEDE still obviously feeling the effects of the opening minutes of this matchup, but wastes as little time as he can, dragging the Hall of Fame Champion back up and rolls him back into the ring. DEDEDE shooting the half, but this time it’s Xavier Williams who gets the shoulder up before one. DEDEDE looking a little shocked, possibly believing that he was going to get a little more out of that pinning predicament. Xavier sitting up and DEDEDE applies a chinlock! Xavier trying to quickly push himself back to his feet and is able to do so. Xavier able to position himself behind the challenger and looks to take him down with a Back Suplex! DEDEDE flipping back and lands on his feet! DEDEDE falling back into the ropes as Xavier turns around – AND ALMOST HAS HIS TAKEN OFF FROM A BICYCLE KICK FROM THE CHALLENGER! Xavier falling down into a heap as Mr. DEDEDE slowly begins to circle the champion. DEDEDE driving the boot into the right arm of the Hall of Fame Champion. A boot to the right knee! A boot the left knee! Now one to the left arm! The hint of a smile returning the face of DEDEDE before he drops the knee across the bridge of the nose! DEDEDE looking to pick the champion apart! Xavier shaking his head as he rolls onto his stomach and pushes himself back onto his hands and knees. DEDEDE dragging Xavier Williams back up to a vertical base; Xavier trying to fight back with a forearm, but DEDEDE cuts him off with a knee to the stomach! DEDEDE grabbing the arm of the Hall of Fame Champion and whips Xavier Williams into the corner! DEDEDE lining up the champion and connects with a running forearm! Xavier Williams stumbles out of the corner as DEDEDE hits the ropes and takes him down with a spinning heel kick! Both Xavier Williams and DEDEDE thus far have been wrestling risk free; doing whatever they can to make sure that they don’t make the first mistake. Xavier Williams holding his jaw as DEDEDE shoots the half!
ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!… TWOOOOOOO-KICKOUT!!
Mercer: Xavier Williams able to get the shoulder up just before two! The counter wrestling in this match has been nothing but outstanding, but DEDEDE has taken complete control. Xavier slowly rolling across the ring into the corner as DEDEDE stalks. Xavier pushes himself back to his feet and DEDEDE meets him with a stiff chop of the chest! DEDEDE grabbing the arm of the champion and whips him across the ring AND DRIVES THE SHOULDER INTO THE STOMACH OF THE HALL OF FAME CHAMPION LIKE AN ABSOLUTE FREIGHT TRAIN! NO, XAVIER JUST USES THE TOP ROPE TO PULL HIMSELF OUT OF THE WAY AND DEDEDE CRASHES SHOULDER FIRST INTO THE CORNER POST! DEDEDE caught in the corner before finally dropping to the outside; you can see by the look in the eyes of Xavier Williams, he’s found his opening. Xavier slowly rolling under the bottom rope as DEDEDE drags himself up as he clutches at that arm! DEDEDE’s back to a knee and Xavier Williams hits him with the shoulder with what may have been one of the hardest kicks I’ve seen in years!
ONE!… TWO!… THREE!… FOUR!…
Kawajai: DEDEDE almost curling over in pain, defiantly pushing himself back up, but Xavier with another unforgiving kick to that injured arm! DEDEDE almost curls over again, but still defiantly pushes himself back up – BUT XAVIER WILLIAMS GRABS HIM AND SENDS HIM CRASHING SHOULDER FIRST INTO THOSE STEEL STEPS! DEDEDE BOUNCES AWAY CLUTCHING AT THAT SHOULDER AS XAVIER WILLIAMS SLOWLY STALKS! Xavier dragging the steel steps out as DEDEDE uses that one good arm to pull himself back to his feet with the help of the barricade. Xavier Williams grabbing a handful of the challenger’s hair and pulls him up the steps! DEDEDE trying to fight away with a right hand to the midsection of the champion, but Xavier cuts him off with a European Uppercut which connects flush on the jaw. Xavier Williams pulls DEDEDE in and traps the arm in that inverted hammerlock BEFORE TAKING DEDEDE OVERHEAD WITH AN ARM TRAP SNAP SUPLEX OFF THE STEEL STEPS! XAVIER WILLIAMS HAS FOUND HIS OPENING AND LIKE A SHARK THAT SMELLS BLOOD, ATTACKS IT UNRELENTINGLY!
FIVE!… SIX!…
Mercer: Xavier Williams getting back to a knee as DEDEDE rolls away while clutching onto that shoulder; Xavier rolls into the ring and back out, breaking the referee’s count.
ONE!… TWO!… THREE!… FOUR!…
Mercer: DEDEDE pushing himself back to a knee AND XAVIER WILLIAMS DRIVES BOTH FEET INTO THE SIDE OF MR. DEDEDE SENDING HIM SHOULDER FIRST INTO THE BARRICADE WITH A RUNNING FRONT DROPKICK! DEDEDE GRITTING HIS TEETH AS HE CONTINUES TO CLUTCH AT THAT SHOULDER; THERE HAS TO BE SERIOUS DAMAGE DONE! A DISLOCATED SHOULDER; A BROKEN ARM – XAVIER WILLIAMS HAS SEEMED TO COMPLETELY TAKE THAT RIGHT ARM OUT OF PLAY!
FIVE!… SIX!… SEVEN!…
Kawajai: That sick smile crossing the face of the champion as he watches his challenger struggle in front of thousands. Xavier Williams grabbing the steel steps and slightly drags them out; DEDEDE using that one good arm to pull himself back up, but Xavier with another brutal kick to that right arm. Xavier grabbing the arm of DEDEDE and grabs him over to the steel steps… you can’t think he’s going to do what I think he is. NO – NO, DON’T DO IT XAVIER! WE SEEN HIM DO THIS TO JAMIE O’HARA BACK IN NOVEMBER! XAVIER TRAPPING THE ARM OF DEDEDE IN BETWEEN THE STEEL STEPS AND THAT STEEL RINGPOST! IF THERE ISN’T SERIOUS DAMAGE DONE TO THE ARM OF DEDEDE NOW, IT’S CERTAINLY GOING TO BE DONE IF XAVIER DOES THIS! THE REFEREE TRYING TO STOP XAVIER, BUT XAVIER PUSHES HIM ASIDE – AND DRIVES BOTH FEET INTO THE STEEL STEPS! DEDEDE’S ARM HAS TO BE BROKEN! NO! DEDEDE JUST, JUST ABLE TO PULL HIS ARM FREE! THERE WAS NOTHING MORE THAN INCHES IN IT!
(The camera cuts to a replay of Xavier Williams trying to crush the arm of Mr. DEDEDE between the steel steps and the ringpost, and DEDEDE freeing himself just in time.)
Kawajai: You can see how close Xavier Williams was from doing some SERIOUS damage to the arm of the former six time World Champion! A scowl crossing the face of Xavier Williams as DEDEDE tries to get the blood flowing to that arm. Xavier Williams with ANOTHER kick to that arm, but this time DEDEDE fights through what has to be excruciating pain AND FIRES BACK WITH A STRAIGHT SLAP TO THE CHEST! MY GOD, I ALMOST FELT THAT ONE MYSELF! Xavier fires back with another kick BUT DEDEDE WITH ANOTHER STRAIGHT SLAP TO THE CHEST – YOU CAN ALREADY SEE SOME OF THE BLOOD VESSELS IN THE CHEST OF XAVIER WILLIAMS HAVE BROKEN! DEDEDE POPS UP WITH A HEADBUTT TO THE JAW! Xavier’s stunned and stumbles back into the steel steps – AND DEDEDE WITH A ROLLING BIG BOOT SENDING XAVIER CRASHING BACK OVER THE STEPS!
EIGHT!… NINE!…
Mercer: DEDEDE just breaking the referee’s count and rolls back into the bottom rope to the outside.
ONE!… TWO!… THREE!… FOUR!…
Mercer: The back of Xavier Williams caught the edge of the steel steps as he fell backward; blood beginning to flow from a NASTY gash on his back. DEDEDE desperately trying to get that arm back to a point where it’s usable. That right arm just hangs – that shoulder has to be dislocated. DEDEDE hitting his own arm, trying to get some feeling back as Xavier Williams drags himself back up! BUT LOOK AT DEDEDE! DEDEDE CHARGES AND LEAPS OFF THE STEEL STEPS, TAKING THE HALL OF FAME CHAMPION WITH A CLOTHESLINE! NO! XAVIER CUTS HIM OFF WITH A DROPKICK STRAIGHT TO THAT ARM! DEDEDE LANDING BADLY; NO MATTER WHAT HE TRIES TO DO, XAVIER CUTS HIM STRAIGHT OFF! DEDEDE clutching straight back at the arm, slamming that good arm on that thin padding that covers the concrete flooring out of pure frustration.
FIVE!… SIX!… SEVEN!… EIGHT!…
Kawajai: Xavier Williams making his way up onto the apron, the face that once carried that arrogant smirk as turned to a look of nothing less than pure focus and determination. DEDEDE uses that good arm to push himself back up to his feet AND THE MOMENT HE DOES, XAVIER WILLIAMS MEETS HIM WITH A SICKENING PENALTY KICK THAT CONNECTS DIRECTLY TO THE SIDE OF THE HEAD OF THE CHALLENGER! THE PURE VELOCITY BEHIND THAT KICK ALMOST CAUSING MR. DEDEDE TO LAND ON THE BACK OF HIS HEAD! Xavier breaking that count again, there’s absolutely no chance of the man taking a countout victory tonight. The hint of a smile crossing the face of Xavier Williams as he takes a look out at the thousands and thousands in attendance – AND XAVIER WILLIAMS CHARGES AND LEAPS OFF THE APRON, DRIVING BOTH FEET INTO THE CHEST OF THE CHALLENGER WITH A DOUBLE FOOTSTOMP!
ONE!… TWO!… THREE!…
Mercer: Xavier Williams dragging Mr. DEDEDE back to his feet and rolls him under the bottom rope; DEDEDE trying to push himself back up, BUT XAVIER WILLIAMS SLINGSHOTS OVER THE TOP ROPE AND BRINGS ALL THAT BODY WEIGHT DOES ACROSS THE CHEST WITH A HILO! All in the one motion shoots back back to his feet and hits the ropes AND DROPS A JUMPING ELBOW STRAIGHT TO THE HEART OF MR. DEDEDE! WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THAT XAVIER WILLIAMS WOULD HAVE THIS KIND OF CONTROL OVER MR. DEDEDE ON THE STAGE DEDEDE HAS RULED FOR YEARS! Xavier Williams shooting the half!
ONEEEEEE!E!!! TWOOOOO-KICKOUT!
Mercer: DEDEDE getting the shoulder up just before two, but Xavier Williams hooks the injured arm and drives the point of the elbow into the top of the shoulder! DEDEDE trying to fight free, but this time Xavier Williams drives the elbow into the side of the ribs! DEDEDE yells out in pain AS XAVIER WILLIAMS TRIES TO TRANSITION INTO THAT CROSS ARMBREAKER! DEDEDE LOCKS THE HANDS, BUT YOU HAVE TO WONDER HOW MUCH STRENGTH HE HAS LEFT IN THAT ARM! DEDEDE pushing Xavier Williams back up onto his shoulders!
ONEEEEE!!!! TWOOOOO!!!
Kawajai: NO, XAVIER WILLIAMS IS ABLE TO BREAK THE GRIP OF DEDEDE AND USES HIS LEGS TO FORCE DEDEDE BACK DOWN TO THE CANVAS! DEDEDE IS TRAPPED! HE’S TRYING TO REACH OUT TO THE ROPES; COULD YOU IMAGINE IF MR. DEDEDE WAS FORCED TO SUBMIT AT PAIN FOR PRIDE! DEDEDE ROLLING BACK, BUT HE MAY HAVE JUST GIVEN XAVIER WILLIAMS EVEN MORE ROOM TO PULL THAT ARM BACK! THAT ARM COULD BREAK AT ANY MOMENT! DEDEDE ROLLS BACK FORWARD AND IS ABLE TO LOCK THE HANDS! DEDEDE PUSHING XAVIER BACK ONTO HIS SHOULDERS AGAIN!
ONEEEEEE!!!!! TWOOOOOO!!!!
Kawajai: OH MY!!! DEDEDE POWERS XAVIER WILLIAMS UP AND DRIVES HIM BACK DOWN INTO THE CANVAS!! THAT LOOKS TO HAVE HURT THAT HALL OF FAME CHAMPION, BUT HE REFUSES TO RELEASE THE ARM! DEDEDE POWERS XAVIER WILLIAMS BACK UP; YOU CAN SEE BY THE FACE OF DEDEDE, HE’S IN ABSOLUTE EXCRUCIATING PAIN – AND DEDEDE DRIVES THE HALL OF FAME CHAMPION BACK DOWN AND NOW XAVIER WILLIAMS RELEASES THE ARM! DEDEDE just rolling away clutching at that shoulder, finally given some breathing room and the chance to recover. Xavier already rolling onto his hands and knees and begins to push himself back to his feet. DEDEDE trying to do the same, but seems to be struggling. Xavier’s the first back to his feet as DEDEDE makes his way back to a knee AND AGAIN XAVIER WILLIAMS WITH ANOTHER VICIOUS KICK TO THE RIGHT ARM OF MR. DEDEDE! DEDEDE slamming his fist into the canvas as Xavier looks on shaking his head. DEDEDE defiantly pushing himself back up AND XAVIER WILLIAMS ALMOST SLAPS THE TASTE OUT OF HIS MOUTH! Xavier Williams hitting the ropes AND MR. DEDEDE ALMOST TAKES HIS HEAD OFF WITH A CLOTHESLINE! Xavier Williams stumbles back to his feet and DEDEDE meets him with a STIFF, STIFF chop to the chest! Another! ANOTHER! ANOTHER! ANOTHER!
Mercer: DEDEDE backing Xavier Williams into the corner and hits him in the jaw with a straight right hand! DEDEDE grabbing the arm of Xavier Williams and sends him across the ring into the opposite corner AND FOLLOWS IT UP WITH AN ELBOW TO THE SIDE OF THE JAW! A stunned Xavier Williams woozily stumbles out of the corner AND DEDEDE TAKES HIM DOWN WITH A RUNNING BIG BOOT! DEDEDE giving the Hall of Fame Champion no room to recover AND DROPS THE LEG ACROSS THE HEAD AND NECK OF XAVIER WILLIAMS! DEDEDE shooting the half!
ONEEEEE!!! TWOO–KICKOUT!
Mercer: Xavier Williams quickly getting the shoulder up BUT DEDEDE GRABS THE ARM AND USES IT TO TURN XAVIER ONTO HIS STOMACH! DEDEDE LOOKING FOR A CROSSFACE, BUT XAVIER WILLIAMS IS DOING EVERYTHING HE CAN TO BLOCK IT! DEDEDE HAS THE ARM TRAPS AND IS TRYING TO LOCK THOSE HANDS… AND DOES! CRIPPLER CROSSFACE IS LOCKED IN! MR. DEDEDE REARING BACK AT THE HEAD WITH THE HALL OF FAME CHAMPION, WHO’S FORCED TO ATTEMPT TO INCH HIMSELF CLOSER TO THE BOTTOM ROPE! XAVIER WILLIAMS TRYING TO DRAG HIMSELF ACROSS THE RING, INCH BY INCH AS DEDEDE APPLIES AS MUCH PRESSURE AS HE PHYSICALLY CAN! OH MY!! XAVIER WILLIAMS’ SPINE IS ALMOST BENDING LIKE A FREAKING ACCORDION! XAVIER WILLIAMS ROLLING DEDEDE OVER ONTO HIS SHOULDERS!
ONEEE!!!!! TWOOO!!!!
Kawajai: DEDEDE RELEASES THE HOLD AND THE TWO SCRAMBLE BACK TO THEIR FEET, BUT DEDEDE IS A STEP AHEAD! XAVIER WILLIAMS SWINGS FOR A WILD CLOTHESLINE, BUT DEDEDE DUCKS UNDERNEATH AND HITS THE BACK ROPE! XAVIER SWINGS WITH A BACK ELBOW BUT DEDEDE DUCKS UNDER AGAIN – AND DEDEDE TAKES THE CHAMPION DOWN WITH A VICIOUS LARIAT! NO, XAVIER WILLIAMS USES THE BOOT TO BLOCK THE LARIAT! XAVIER WILLIAMS PULLS THE LEGS FROM UNDER MR. DEDEDE AND STACKS HIM UP!
ONEEEEE!!!!!!!! TWOOOOOO!!!!!!
Mercer: NO, DEDEDE POWERS OUT AND XAVIER WILLIAMS CARTWHEELS OUT OF IT! XAVIER HITS THE ROPES AS DEDEDE SCRAMBLES BACK TO HIS FEET! DEDEDE LEAPFROGS OVER THE REBOUNDING CHAMPION, WHO HANDSPRINGS OFF THE ROPES – INTO THAT CUTTER! NO, DEDEDE CUTS HIM OFF AND CATCHING HIM ON HIS SHOULDERS IN THAT ELECTRIC CHAIR POSITION— BUT XAVIER WILLIAMS SPIKES DEDEDE ON THE TOP OF HIS HEAD WITH A REVERSE HURRICANRANA! THE MOMENTUM WHIPPING DEDEDE BACK UP ONTO HIS FEET AND INTO THE CORNER; POSSIBLY THE ONLY THING KEEPING THE MAN STANDING! XAVIER WILLIAMS SHOOTING BACK TO HIS FEET AND HITS THE OPPOSITE CORNER… BEFORE BURSTING BACK AND HITS A YAKUZA KICK THAT COULDN’T CONNECT ANY MORE CLEANLY! DEDEDE STUMBLES OUT OF THE CORNER AS XAVIER WILLIAMS PULLS HIM IN! XAVIER WILLIAMS LOOKING FOR THAT BRAINBUSTER— BUT DEDEDE!!! OH MY GOD!! DEDEDE POWERS XAVIER WILLIAMS UP INTO THE AIR AND CONNECTS WITH A VERY EUROPEAN UPPERCUT!! I CAN’T BELIEVE IT! DEDEDE FALLS INTO THE COVER!
ONEEEE!!!!!! TWOOOOOOO!!!!!
Mercer: XAVIER WILLIAMS ROLLS HIM OVER AND ONTO HIS SHOULDERS WITH A CRUCIFIX PIN!
ONEEEEEEEEE!!!!! TWOOOOOOOO!!!! THREEEE-KICKOUT!!
Mercer: DID HE GET HIM?!
Kawajai: WOOOOW!!!! DEDEDE JUST KICKED OUT OF THE SURPRISE PIN FROM THE HALL OF FAME CHAMPION!! BOTH MEN ARE DOWN, BUT EVERY SINGLE PERSON IN THIS ARENA ARE ON THEIR FEET FOR THESE TWO MEN! Both men sitting up and take a look at each other; never man letting the other getting best of each other, and the scary part is that I don’t think this thing is even close to being finished, not while the two of them can still physically breathe. Both men dragging themselves back to their feet; Xavier’s up first and hits DEDEDE in the jaw with a forearm! DEDEDE fires back with one of his own! Xavier with another! DEDEDE fires back! Xavier! DEDEDE! Xavier! DEDEDE! XAVIER! DEDEDE! XAVIER! DEDEDE! THESE TWO MEN JUST FIRING AWAY; NEITHER MEN GOING TO STOP UNTIL THE OTHER FALLS! XAVIER! DEDEDE! XAVIER! XAVIER! XAVIER! XAVIER! DEDEDE FALLS BACK INTO THE ROPES – AND CONNECTS WITH A BEAUTIFUL DISCUS FOREARM STUNNING THE CHAMPION! XAVIER FALLS BACK INTO THE ROPES AND FIRES BACK WITH ANOTHER FOREARM! DEDEDE’S ON WOBBLY LEGS AND XAVIER WITH ANOTHER! ANOTHER! ANOTHER! XAVIER WITH A KNEE TO THE STOMACH AND IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWS IT UP WITH A SCISSORS STOMP! XAVIER WILLIAMS HITTING THE ROPES – BUT DEDEDE CUTS HIM OFF WITH A ROUNDHOUSE KICK! XAVIER WILLIAMS IS STUNNED! DEDEDE WITH A SPINNING BACKFIST! XAVIER DUCKS UNDERNEATH AND HOOKS DEDEDE!
Mercer: REGALPLEX! DEDEDE LANDS ON HIS FEET AND FALLS INTO THE CORNER! Xavier Williams scrambles back to his feet— SPPEEEEEAAAAARRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!! HOLY (CENSORED)!!!!! XAVIER WILLIAMS CAUGHT HIM IN A FRONT FACELOCK AND USES THE MOMENTUM TO TAKE HIM DOWN TO THE CANVAS! WHAT A COUNTER! XAVIER WILLIAMS TRYING TO FLOAT OVER INTO THE CROWN OF THORNS, BUT DEDEDE’S TRYING TO FIGHT IT! XAVIER WILLIAMS DRIVES THE POINT OF THE KNEE INTO THE TOP OF THE HEAD OF THE CHALLENGER! ANOTHER! ANOTHER! XAVIER WILLIAMS FINALLY FLOATING OVER INTO THE BRIDGE! MR. DEDEDE’S TRAPPED! DEDEDE’S IN BIG TROUBLE, HE NEEDS TO FIND THE ROPES! FORTUNATELY HE DOESN’T HAVE FAR TO GO, BUT IT’S WHETHER HE IS ABLE TO LAST THAT LONG! XAVIER WILLIAMS PULLING BACK AT THE HEAD OF DEDEDE… DEDEDE’S FINGERTIPS AWAY!! XAVIER FLOATS BACK OVER AND ALLIGATOR ROLLS DEDEDE BACK INTO THE MIDDLE OF THE RING – BUT DEDEDE USES THE TIME TO TWIST OUT OF IT! CROSSFACE! XAVIER WILLIAMS IMMEDIATELY ROLLS DEDEDE OVER ONTO HIS SHOULDERS, AND DEDEDE RELEASES THE HOLD! Both men scrambling back up to their feet, Xavier’s a step ahead of DEDEDE!
Xavier: SUPERKICK!!!!!!
Kawajai: DEDEDE COVERS UP!
Xavier: Just kidding.
Kawajai: XAVIER WILLIAMS WITH A KICK TO THE TOP OF THE KNEE OF DEDEDE, AND FOLLOWS IT UP WITH A RUNNING DROPKICK TO THE SIDE OF THE HEAD! Xavier Williams doing look finished as he springboards off the middle rope! LIONSAULT! DEDEDE GETS THE KNEES UP! Xavier Williams clutching at his ribs as DEDEDE gets back to his feet; Xavier stumbles back and DEDEDE lifting him up onto his shoulders, into that Electric Chair position! Xavier Williams with elbows to the top of the head of the challenger, but DEDEDE DROPS XAVIER WILLIAMS THROAT FIRST ACROSS THE TOP ROPE! Xavier Williams grabbing at his throat AND DEDEDE DRIVES BOTH KNEES INTO THE BACK AND TAKES HIM DOWN WITH A BACKSTABBER! The momentum flipping Xavier back over as DEDEDE kips up back to his feet! DEDEDE making his way onto the apron and begins to make his way up to the top rope. DEDEDE makes his way up top, but somehow Xavier’s there to meet him! Xavier with a forearm, and then a headbutt! DEDEDE fires back with a headbutt! Another! ANOTHER! XAVIER’S STUNNED, ONLY ONE HAND KEEPS HIM ON THE THAT MIDDLE ROPE! DEDEDE WITH A FOREARM AND XAVIER STUMBLES BACK, BUT LANDS ON HIS FEET! DEDEDE trying to steady himself – BUT XAVIER WILLIAMS USES THE TOP ROPE FOR LEVERAGE AND ALMOST TURNS DEDEDE’S LIGHTS OUT WITH AN ENZIGURI! DEDEDE’s hung up on the top rope as Xavier Williams regains his bearings; these two men going at one hundred miles an hour!
Mercer: Xavier making his way back up to the middle rope as DEDEDE tries to push himself up, shaking his head, obviously dazed. Xavier Williams lifting DEDEDE back up and hits him with a forearm, and then a European uppercut. Xavier Williams takes a look out at the thousands in attendance as the hint of a smile crosses his face. DEDEDE seated up on the top as Xavier moves up one more step! Xavier’s looking to send DEDEDE crashing back down with something huge! SUPER HURRICANRANA! DEDEDE SENT CRASHING FROM THE TOP DOWN TO THE CANVAS! NO!! DEDEDE BLOCKING IT!! XAVIER WILLIAMS IS IN A BAD, BAD POSITION!! DEDEDE POWERING XAVIERBACK UP— OH MY GOODNESS!! SITOUT POWERBOMB OFF THE TOP ROPE!! XAVIER WILLIAMS IS IN A BAD WAY AFTER THAT RING RATTLING POWERBOMB! DEDEDE HOLDS THE PIN!
ONEEEEEEE!!!!!! TWOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!! THREEEEEEEEE—KICKOUT!!!
Mercer: NO, XAVIER KICKS OUT! XAVIER WILLIAMS JUST GETS THE SHOULDER UP BEFORE THREE!!
(A replay of a birdseye view of the Sitout Powerbomb and kickout is shown. DEDEDE just lies back as Xavier rolls onto his stomach.)
Mercer: What is willing these two men on; it doesn’t seem to matter what the other does, they continue to dig deeper and deeper. DEDEDE pushing himself back to his feet as Xavier Williams slowly, gingerly pushes himself back to his hands and knees. DEDEDE making his way into the corner, that arm doesn’t seem to be giving him the same trouble that it once did. DEDEDE stalks, we all know what he has in mind, but this time it seems different. There are few times throughout his entire career that I’ve seen Mr. DEDEDE THIS focused. He man staring a hole through the Hall of Fame Champion as he wills himself back to his feet. Stay down, Xavier! You’re not going to like what’s waiting for you! XAVIER’S UP! SPEEEEAAARRRR!!!!! NO, XAVIER CAUGHT HIM IN THAT FRONT FACELOCK AGAIN!! BUT THIS TIME DEDEDE SAW IT COMING AND TWISTS OUT OF IT BEFORE THE HALL OF FAME CHAMPION CAN TAKE HIM DOWN! DIAMOND CUTTER!! NO!! XAVIER WILLIAMS CUTS HIM OFF– SLEEPER HOLD! XAVIER WILLIAMS HAS THAT SLEEPER LOCKED IN AND WRAPS HIM LEGS AROUND THE WAIST OF THE CHALLENGER! AFTER WHAT THESE TWO MEN HAVE GONE THROUGH TONIGHT, WHAT COULD DEDEDE HAVE LEFT IN THE TANK! DEDEDE QUICKLY BEGINNING TO FADE, TRYING TO REACH OUT OF THE ROPES! DEDEDE DROPPING DOWN TO A KNEE AS XAVIER WILLIAMS SCREAMS FOR THE CHALLENGER TO GIVE UP!
Kawajai: DEDEDE REFUSES TO GIVE UP, SHOOTING BACK TO HIS FEET AND DRIVES XAVIER WILLIAMS BACK FIRST INTO THE TURNBUCKLES, POSSIBLY ONLY PURE INSTINCT! DEDEDE shaking his head as he stumbles forward and Xavier Williams bursts out of the corner! WHAT A LARIAT! NO, DEDEDE DUCKS AND CATCHES THE ARM!! XAVIER WILLIAMS IS SWUNG AROUND – DIAMOND CUTTER! THIS TIME IT CONNECTS! DEDEDE FLOATING BACK OVER AND HOOKS THE LEGS OF XAVIER WILLIAMS! DEDEDE ARCHING BACK… METH LOCK! XAVIER WILLIAMS IS TRAPPED IN THAT METH LOCK! DEDEDE PULLING BACK AT THE HEAD OF XAVIER WILLIAMS WITH EVERYTHING HE HAS! XAVIER WILLIAMS REFUSING TO QUIT; THE MAN SAID IT HIMSELF! XAVIER WILLIAMS WOULD RATHER DIE THAN LOSE TO DEDEDE TONIGHT! BUT XAVIER HAS A LONG WAY TO GO AND I DON’T KNOW TOO MANY MEN THAT COULD ENDURE THIS MOVE FOR TOO LONG! XAVIER WILLIAMS INCHES HIMSELF CLOSER TO THE ROPES; EACH SCRATCH, EACH CLAW GETTING SMALLER AND SMALLER! XAVIER’S STARTING TO FADE; THE PAIN MAY BE TOO MUCH!
Mercer: COME ON, XAVIER!! YOU CAN’T LOSE LIKE THIS!! YOU’RE THE BEST IN THE WORLD!! THE BEST IN THE WORLD DOESN’T GIVE UP!! FIGHT!!
Kawajai: XAVIER WILLIAMS LOOKS TO BE OUT!! WE COULD BE ABOUT TO CROWN A NEW CHAMPION! DEDEDE APPLYING EVEN MORE PRESSURE AS THE REFEREE RAISES THE ARM OF XAVIER WILLIAMS!!!
ONEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!
Kawajai: IT DROPS!! XAVIER WILLIAMS IS LIFELESS!! THE REFEREE RAISING THE ARM OF XAVIER WILLIAMS AGAIN!!
TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!
Kawajai: IT DROPS AGAIN!! ONE MORE TIME AND WE HAVE A NEW HALL OF FAME CHAMPION!!
THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!
Kawajai: IT DROPS!! WE HAVE A NEW CHAMPION!!!!!
Mercer: NO!! NO, XAVIER JUST, JUST KEEPS THE ARM UP!! THE HALL OF FAME CHAMPION IS STILL IN IT!! XAVIER WILLIAMS DEFIANTLY CONTINUES TO FIGHT ON!! XAVIER WILLIAMS DRAGGING HIMSELF CLOSER THE ROPES!! HE’S SO CLOSE… HE GETS THERE!! HE GETS ONE FREAKING FINGER ON THE BOTTOM ROPE AND DEDEDE IS FORCED TO RELEASE THAT METH LOCK!!
Kawajai: How much did that just take out of the champion; the man COULDN’T have any more in the tank, and I think that Mr. DEDEDE knows that. DEDEDE pushing himself back up onto his knees as the arm of Xavier Williams drops back down to the canvas, both men absolutely exhausted. Xavier Williams slowly, slowly pushing himself back up onto his hands and knees as DEDEDE just stands over the champion. DEDEDE telling the champion to stay down, that this fight is over, but I can’t see Xavier Williams waving up the white flag, not after what the two of these men have been through tonight. One man is walking out of this. Xavier Williams grabbing the tights of DEDEDE, using them to drag himself back up. DEDEDE grabbing a handful of the hair of the Hall of Fame Champion, lifting Xavier Williams back up – WAIT A MINUTE, XAVIER WILLIAMS PUSHES DEDEDE AWAY! SUPERKICK?! NO, DEDEDE SEEN IT COMING, CATCHING THE BOOT OF THE CHAMPION AND SWINGS HIM AROUND! SPINNING BACKFIST! DEDEDE CONNECTS FLUSH WITH A SPINNING BACKFIST TO THE JAW; XAVIER FALLING BACK INTO THE ROPES, THE ONLY THING KEEPING THE MAN STANDING, BUT HE REBOUNDS STRAIGHT INTO A ROUNDHOUSE KICK! NO, XAVIER WILLIAMS DUCKS UNDERNEATH— ROLLING ELBOW!!!! XAVIER WILLIAMS WITH A ROLLING ELBOW TO THE BACK OF THE SKULL – THE HALL OF FAME CHAMPION PUT EVERYTHING HE HAD INTO THAT ONE!
Mercer: XAVIER WILLIAMS DOESN’T ALLOW THE CHALLENGER TO FALL, PULLING HIM IN! REGALPLEX! MR. DEDEDE DROPPED RIGHT ON THE TOP OF HIS HEAD! XAVIER WILLIAMS PUSHING HIMSELF BACK TO HIS FEET AND LOOK AT THE EYES OF THE CHAMPION! THEY’RE THE EYES OF A MAD MAN! SOMEHOW DEDEDE PUSHES HIMSELF BACK UP ONTO HIS HANDS AND KNEES – AND XAVIER WILLIAMS PUNTS HIM RIGHT ON THE TOP OF THE HEAD WITH THAT HEADSHOT! THE FORCE PUSHES DEDEDE BACK UP ONTO HIS KNEES, BUT HE LOOKS STUNNED, POSSIBLE OUT OF IT! XAVIER WILLIAMS POWERS DEDEDE UP AND TAKES HIM OVER WITH THAT NORTHERN LIGHTS SUPLEX! XAVIER FLOATS BACK OVER AND… THE STRENGTH OF THIS MAN SHOCKS ME EVERY TIME I SEE HIM DO THIS!! XAVIER WILLIAMS DEADLIFTING MR. DEDEDE BACK UP INTO THE AIR AND DRIVES HIM BACK DOWN WITH THAT SHEERDROP BRAINBUSTER! BOTH MEN JUST LYING THERE… AND XAVIER WILLIAMS KIPS BACK UP TO HIS FEET!! XAVIER WILLIAMS DEMANDING, SCREAMING, BEGGING DEDEDE TO GET BACK UP, BUT I DON’T KNOW IF THE MAN PHYSICALLY CAN! DEDEDE TRYING TO SIT UP, BUT HE JUST FALLS BACK DOWN ON HIS SIDE, THE MAN IS ABSOLUTELY SPENT!! XAVIER WILLIAMS SPACES BACK AND FORTH, HE CAN TASTE IT!! HE KNOWS THAT HE HAS DEDEDE ON THE EDGE!! DEDEDE SLOWLY, SLOWLY, SLOWLY PUSHING HIMSELF UP ONTO HIS HANDS AND KNEES!!
Kawajai: XAVIER WILLIAMS GRABBING DEDEDE AND DRAGS HIM BACK UP ONTO HIS KNEES!!
Xavier: That’s God.
Kawajai: KING’S FALL!!!!!!! WHAT A SUPERKICK TO THE FORMER SIX TIME WORLD CHAMPION!!! XAVIER WILLIAMS HOOKS BOTH LEGS!!!!!
ONEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!! TWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! THREEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!
KICKOUT!!!!!!
Kawajai: WHAT?! DEDEDE KICKED OUT?!
(The crowd roars as Xavier Williams stares at DEDEDE in complete disbelief as he slowly pushes himself back and sits in the corner.)
Kawajai: THE FACIAL EXPRESSION ACROSS THE FACE OF THE HALL OF FAME CHAMPION TELLS THE ENTIRE STORY!! XAVIER WILLIAMS HIT DEDEDE WITH HIS BEST SHOT AND IT WASN’T ENOUGH TO KEEP THE MAN DOWN!! DEDEDE SAID THAT WE WERE GOING TO GET MORE THAN WE THOUGHT POSSIBLE TONIGHT – HE SAID THAT HE WAS GOING TO BE SUPERHUMAN AND I DO NOT DOUBT IT IN THE SLIGHTEST!! Xavier just shakes his head, I think what the man faces tonight has just finally began to set in. Xavier Williams is going to have to go above and beyond to walk out with that Hall of Fame Champion; to walk out as undoubtedly, the Best in the World. DEDEDE slowly rolling onto his stomach and tries to push himself back up onto his hands and knees. I don’t know what’s keeping this man going, but at this point I don’t know what’s going to keep this man down. Blood dripping from the mouth of the challenger… and he’s laughing? DEDEDE turning his head towards the champion and laughs through that bloodstained smile. It’s as if he’s asking the champion if that’s the best he’s got. Xavier reaches up and grabs the top rope, pulling himself back up to his feet as DEDEDE forces himself back to a knee. Xavier Williams slowly walking towards the champion.
Xavier: Stay down.
Kawajai: Xavier Williams places his boot across the side of the head of DEDEDE and pushes him back down. DEDEDE defiantly pushing himself back up to his hands and knees again, but again Xavier Williams uses the boot to push himself back down.
Xavier: Stay down.
Kawajai: Xavier Williams shaking his head, DEDEDE refuses to stay down as Xavier reaches down and grabs a handful of the challenger’s hair and pulls him up to his feet – AND DEDEDE WITH AN OPEN HANDED SLAP TO THE FACE OF THE HALL OF FAME CHAMPION!
Mercer: HE MAY HAVE JUST MADE THE BIGGEST MISTAKE OF THE MAN’S STORIED CAREER! XAVIER WILLIAMS HAS SNAPPED; XAVIER DRAGGED DEDEDE BACK TO HIS FEET AND BEGINS TO DRIVES THAT KNEE INTO THE STOMACH OF THE CHALLENGER! XAVIER WILLIAMS WITH A SPINNING BACKHAND WITH THE LEFT AND SWINGS HIS RIGHT ELBOW BACK, CONNECTING FLUSH TO THE SIDE OF THE HEAD!! XAVIER FOLLOWS IT UP WITH A STIFF KICK TO THE STOMACH – AND THEN ALMOST TAKES DEDEDE’S HEAD OFF WITH A SWINGING ENZIGURI! DEDEDE DUCKS AND XAVIER WILLIAMS HITS THE CANVAS; XAVIER SCRAMBLING BACK TO HIS FEET, BUT THE MOMENT HE DOES DEDEDE SWEEPS HIS LEGS FROM UNDER HIM!! DEDEDE LOOKING FOR THAT INVERTED SHARPSHOOTER, BUT XAVIER WILLIAMS IS FIGHTING IT! BOOT TO THE SIDE OF THE HEAD OF THE CHALLENGER! ANOTHER! DEDEDE STUMBLING BACK INTO THE ROPES, THEY KEEP HIM STANDING AS XAVIER SHOOTS BACK UP! DEDEDE SWINGS FOR A WILD CLOTHESLINE, BUT XAVIER DUCKS UNDERNEATH AND CATCHES THE ARM, SWINGING HIM AROUND!! XAVIER LIFTING DEDEDE UP ONTO HIS SHOULDERS!!!! HE HAS HIM SET!!! GO TO SLEEP!!!!! NO, DEDEDE FIGHTING IT!! ELBOW! ELBOW! ELBOW! ANOTHER! ANOTHER! DEDEDE FIGHTING IT WITH EVERYTHING HE CAN PHYSICALLY MUSTER! XAVIER DROPPING DOWN TO A KNEE AS DEDEDE SLIDING BACK DOWN ONTO HIS FEET! XAVIER WILLIAMS STUMBLES BACK UP TO A VERTICAL BASE! THE CHAMPION IS STUNNED – AND DEDEDE DRIVES THE BACK OF HIS KNEE INTO THE BACK OF THE SKULL OF THE HALL OF CHAMPION!!
Kawajai: THIS IS DEDEDE’S OPENING!! XAVIER WILLIAMS COULD BE OUT ON HIS FEET!! OH MY GOD!! SPEAR!! SPEAR!! SPEEEEAAAARRRR!!!!!!! DEDEDE LIKE A FREIGHT TRAIN, ALMOST BREAKING THE HALL OF FAME CHAMPION IN HALF! I DON’T THINK THAT I’VE SEEN DEDEDE HIT THAT SPEAR AS IMPACTFULLY IN MY LIFE!! DEDEDE NEEDS TO COVER, BUT THAT LOOKS TO HAVE BEEN THE LAST THING IN THE TANK!! BOTH MEN ARE DOWN; NEITHER MAN HAS MOVED AN INCH!! THE REFEREE DOESN’T KNOW WHAT TO DO!! BOTH THESE MEN HAVE LEFT ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING OUT THERE TONIGHT AND GOD KNOWS WE DON’T WHAT TO SEE THIS THING END BY A COUNTOUT!! THE REFEREE FORCED TO BEGIN THE COUNT!!
ONE!!…. TWO!!… THREE!!…
Kawajai: DEDEDE SLOWLY, SLOWLY BEGINNING TO STIR; THE HALL OF FAME CHAMPION HASN’T MOVED A MUSCLE SINCE THAT SPEAR!! DEDEDE ROLLING ONTO HIS STOMACH, TRYING TO DRAG HIMSELF INTO THE COVER, BUT HE DOESN’T SEEM TO HAVE THE STRENGTH LEFT!
FOUR!!… FIVE!!…
Mercer: XAVIER WILLIAMS FINALLY BEGINNING TO STIR AS DEDEDE REACH OUT, BUT HE’S STILL TOO FAR AWAY TO DRAG HIMSELF INTO THE COVER!! I can’t believe this… Xavier Williams rolls onto his stomach; whether he still has enough wherewithal, or whether it was just instinct, it’s stopped the challenger from capitalizing on one hell of a spear! DEDEDE trying to pushes himself up to his hands and knees as the Hall of Fame Champion pushes himself onto his own. DEDEDE forcing himself onto his knees as Xavier tries to do the same, but clutches down at his ribs. What damage did that spear do? Xavier finally getting back to his feet and DEDEDE meets him with a forearm! Xavier with one of his own! DEDEDE with another! Xavier with another! DEDEDE! Xavier! DEDEDE! Xavier! DEDEDE! Xavier! These two men firing away again! Both men fighting back to their feet as this war for control continues! No matter what they’re going through; no matter the pain, neither man willing to back down or surrender! DEDEDE with a HUGE shot that rocks the champion! Xavier falling back into the ropes and fires back with a STIFF shot of his own! DEDEDE falling back into the ropes and fires back with another! The ropes the only thing seemingly keeping both men upright! Xavier looks to fire back with another – BUT DEDEDE CUTS HIM OFF WITH ANOTHER FOREARM! ANOTHER FOREARM! FOUR! FIVE! SIX! SEVEN! EIGHT! NINE! TEN!
Kawajai: DEDEDE JUST FIRING AWAY AT THE DEFENSELESS CHAMPION! Xavier Williams is on jelly legs as DEDEDE lines him in up AND ALMOST KNOCKS THE HALL OF FAME CHAMPIONS TEETH DOWN HIS THROAT WITH A ROARING ELBOW! SUPERKICK?! XAVIER WILLIAMS CUT HIM OFF WITH A SUPERKICK! SOMEHOW DEDEDE REMAINS ON HIS FEET— END OF HEARTACHE!! ZIG ZAG TO MR. DEDEDE!! DEDEDE BLOCKS IT!! DEDEDE CLUTCHING ONTO THE TOP ROPE AND XAVIER WILLIAMS IS SENT CRASHING BACK DOWN TO THE MAT!! XAVIER STUMBLES BACK UP…. DEDEDE HAS HIM SET!!! BAH GAWD ALMIGHTY!!!!! GRAND SLAM!!! WHAT A RING RATTLING GRAND SLAM TO THE HALL OF FAME CHAMPION!! THIS HAS TO BE OVER!!! DEDEDE ROLLS ONTO HIS BACK… AND KIPS BACK UP TO HIS FEET!!! YOU COULDN’T THINK…
Mercer: HOLY (CENSORED)!!!! HOLY (CENSORED)!!!!! HOLY (CENSORED)!!!!! ARE YOU READY, KAWAJAI!!! WE HAVEN’T SEEN THIS IN YEARS!!!!! I THINK… I THINK IT’S TIME!!! THESE THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE IN ATTENDANCE HAVE EXPLODED!! DEDEDE STANDS OVER THE MOTIONLESS BODY OF XAVIER WILLIAMS AND SLOWLY BEGINS TO PULL DOWN THAT ELBOW PAD AND THROWS IT INTO THE CROWD!! I CAN’T BELIEVE IT, KAWAJAI!!! THE GAWD HAS RETURNED ON THE GRANDEST STAGE OF THEM ALL!!!!!! HERE IT IS!! THE MOST ELECTRIFYING MOVE IN SPORTS AND FEDERATIONS!! THE BOTTOMLESS… ELBOW!!! OH MY GOD, IT CONNECTS!! DEDEDE HOOKS THE LEG!!
ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!! TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!! KICKOUT!!!!!!
Kawajai: I… CAN’T BELIEVE IT! XAVIER WILLIAMS GOT HIS SHOULDER ABOUT HALF AN INCH OFF THE CANVAS, JUST, JUST ENOUGH TO BREAK THE COUNT! DEDEDE IS ALMOST PULLING HIS HAIR OUT; HE THOUGHT IT WAS THREE, I THOUGHT IT WAS THREE, BUT THE HALL OF FAME CHAMPION MANAGED TO FIND SOMETHING TO WILL THAT SHOULDER UP!! DEDEDE just sitting there; he reached deep down into his bag of tricks with that Bottomless Elbow, what more is the man going to have to do. DEDEDE looking over at the corner, possible thinking of the one of the few things that has brought him so much justice in the past. Xavier Williams’ eyes completely glazed over as he slowly begins to stir; DEDEDE making his way back to his feet and calls the champion back to his feet.
Mercer: I never once thought that I would say it, but you can feel the Hall of Fame Championship slipping from the hands of Xavier Williams. You can feel that claim of being the Best in the World being ripped away. Both men have left absolutely EVERYTHING out there tonight and they both have to be one big move away from this thing being over. DEDEDE almost stoic; the man is completely focused, blocking out everything around him. This is what the man has made a career out of – moments like this, matches like this. Heart, determination, everything that has made DEDEDE great throughout his entire career showcased on the biggest stage of them all. Xavier Williams gingerly making his way back to a knee as DEDEDE drags him back to his feet AND DROPS HIM BACK DOWN WITH ANOTHER GRAND SLAM!!! THIS HAS TO BE OVER, BUT DEDEDE DOESN’T GO FOR THE PIN, INSTEAD SLOWLY ROLLING UNDER THE BOTTOM ROPE ONTO THE APRON!! DEDEDE WANTS TO MAKE SURE THAT THE MAN STAYS DOWN; DEDEDE WANTS TO PUT THAT FINAL NAIL INTO THE CASKET!! DEDEDE DRAGGING HIMSELF BACK UP AND NOW HAS TO MAKE THAT LONG CLIMB TO THE TOP!! DEDEDE FORCING HIMSELF UP, EACH STEP MORE DIFFICULT THAN THE LAST!! DEDEDE FINALLY GETS TO THE TOP AND GAINS HIS BALANCE!! THE CHALLENGER HUFFING, PUFFING, WHEEZING AS THE HINT OF A SMILE CROSSES HIS FACE!! HE CAN TASTE IT!! THE CHAMPION HASN’T MOVED AN INCH!! OH MY GOD!! OH MY GOD!! OH MY GOOOOOODDDD!!!! CORKSCREW!!! NORTH!!! STAR!!!!! CORKSCREW SHOOTING STAR PRESS!!!
Kawajai: XAVIER ROLLS OUT OF THE WAY, BUT DEDEDE LANDS ON HIS FEET!! XAVIER WILLIAMS SHOOTING BACK UP AS DEDEDE TURNS AROUND — WIDOWMAKER!!!!!! DEDEDE DODGES!! XAVIER TURNING AROUND AS DEDEDE HITS THE ROPES… SPEAR!! SPEAR!! SPEAR!! DEDEDE ALMOST CUTTING XAVIER WILLIAMS IN HALF WITH EVERYTHING HE CAN STILL PHYSICALLY MUSTER!! DEDEDE HOOKS THE LEG!!
ONEEEEEEE!!!!! TWOOOOOOOO!!!!!! THREEEEEEEEE!!!!!!
(DING! DING! DING!)
(“Feedback” – Kanye West hits as Mr. DEDEDE slowly rolls off of Xavier Williams and is handed the Hall of Fame Championship.)
Kawajai: HE DID IT!!!! HE DID IT!! MR. DEDEDE IS THE NEW HALL OF FAME CHAMPION!!
Ring Announcer: THE WINNER OF THIS MATCH…. AND THE NEWWWWWWWWW HALL OF FAME CHAMPION!!!!!!!! MISTER… DE… DE… DE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
( Tarah Nova rushes into the ring to hug and kiss a weary, barely conscious Mr. DEDEDE. DDD does all he can to struggle to his feet, and the ref raises his arm as he raises the HOF title with his other arm. )
Mercer: NO!! HOW?! XAVIER WILLIAMS IS THE BEST IN THE… HE COULDN’T HAVE LOST!!
Kawajai: NOT ANYMORE, MERCER!! YOUR MAN – YOUR GUY, THE SELF PROFESSED “BEST IN THE WORLD” HAS FALLEN AGAINST THE GAWD ON THE GRANDEST STAGE OF THEM ALL!! XAVIER HAS LOST THE HALL OF FAME CHAMPION, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY THE THING HE SAID HE CHERISHED MORE THAN ANYTHING!! THAT TITLE – THE RIGHT TO CALL HIMSELF THE BEST IN THE WORLD HAS DIED TONIGHT IN FRONT OF MILLIONS!!
(DEDEDE stands on the turnbuckle as Xavier Williams painfully pushes himself back into the corner, physically frustrated as he drops his head.)
Kawajai: You can see in the face of the former champion of how much this actually meant to the man; a year of preparation leading to the man falling inches short.
(Xavier drags himself under the bottom rope and begins to limp back up the ramp as DEDEDE looks on. Xavier looks back over his shoulder as DEDEDE raises the Hall of Fame Championship before continuing to make his leave with Tarah.)
Mercer: I can’t believe this…
Kawajai: WHAT AN OPENING TO THE FIRST DAY OF PAIN FOR PRIDE, AS WE OPEN THE SHOW WITH THIS INSTANT CLASSIC, AND A VICTORY FROM THE BEST EVER! AND LADIES AND GENTLEMEN IF THAT WAS ANYTHING TO GO BY, THIS EVENT MAY GO DOWN AS THE GREATEST EVER!!
(DEDEDE continues to celebrate as Xavier Williams walks backstage before cutting away.)
