MMP Best of the Best is on the air! The Civic Arena in Pittsburgh, PA is packed with nearly 20, 000 fans in attendance for tonight's mega PPV spectacular. Commentators Jerry Wood and Ray Brewer are at ringside.

Wood: Welcome, everyone, to MMP Best of the Best! I'm Jerry Wood alongside Ray Brewer where tonight, in front of this capacity crowd in Pittsburgh, we will see five championships decided, including that huge main event for the MMP world title as champion Captain Patrick O'Conner defends the belt against Super Cupid of The Congregation.

Brewer: This has the makings of being a huge night for The Congregation. Not only does Super Cupid have a chance to bring the world title back into the fold for the group from Quincy, but Ouija Lullabye and Scooter have a shot at Virus Richards and the tag team championship later on here tonight. It's been almost a year since The Congregation has been on top of the tag team division here in the MMP, but in a two-on-one match like we've got tonight, I'd say there's a good chance they could come away with the gold here this evening.

Wood: Of course it's already been a big day for the MMP here in Pittsburgh. Earlier this morning I had the good fortune of attending the official induction of Captain Patrick O'Conner into the MMP Hall of Fame, and things can only get better with the outstanding lineup we have for you here tonight. Daark meets Dr. No Limit in a casket match for the universal title. Wolverine and Masked Menace X, now a former member of The Family, look to settle their rivalry once and for all as they do battle for the TV belt. And of course we have the finals of the Hall of Fame tournament here tonight, with the winner getting a shot at the world title in a little over two weeks on Hardcore Saturday Night live from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Masked Menace X will face the winner of our opening bout here in Pittsburgh later tonight in the finals. We kick things off with The Destroyer and Malice going head-to-head in the semi- finals.

Hall of Fame Tournament Semi-Finals
THE DESTROYER vs. MALICE

The first man to enter the arena for Best of the Best was Malice, drawing a huge ovation from the crowd as he made his way out. He was once again wearing his "Hall of Fame Champion" t-shirt and, of course, had his camera around his neck. The sounds of Rage Against the Machine soon put a damper on Malice's entrance, indicating the arrival of The Destroyer. Destroyer had a large entourage out with him for this match, joined by a large group of Cult minions who were lead not only by Harbinger, but also by the reigning MMP universal champion, Daark. Malice took right after the big man as soon as he stepped through the ropes, not waiting for the bell to sound. Destroyer attempted a clothesline but Malice ducked out of the way, catching Destroyer as he turned around with a hard boot to the midsection. Malice pounded on the big man right away, driving repeated elbows into the big man's back as he stood doubled over. With Destroyer slowed Malice looked to pick up the pace, whipping Destroyer off the ropes and trying to take him over in a powerslam, but Malice quickly realized that his planned power attack wouldn't do him any good against a man the size of Destroyer. Malice got Destroyer up, but couldn't hold his opponent's 500-plus pound frame. Destroyer dropped on top of Malice and nearly scored a quick victory with Malice getting a shoulder up at the last minute. The former extreme champion capitalized quickly on Malice's mistake, pulling Malice up to his feet only to drive a hard elbow into his opponent's jaw. Malice was sent back hard against the turnbuckle where Destroyer cornered him, driving hard knees to the midsection and more elbows to the face. A look of superior confidence crossed Destroyer's face as he continued, and it was clear that the Cult minions, as well as Harbinger, sensed that victory was at hand. Destroyer whipped Malice off the ropes and went for a big clothesline, but again Malice was able to duck out of the way. He continued off the far ropes and dove back at Destroyer, catching the big man by surprise with a flying headbutt. The big man didn't go down but he was dazed, allowing Malice to bounce off the ropes again and drive him into the canvas with a bulldog headlock. Destroyer didn't stay down, shooting quickly back to his feet. Malice, though, didn't let up on him and delivered a big running clothesline that sent Destroyer flying over the top rope to the floor. The battle continued on the outside with Malice grabbing Destroyer from behind and running him into the post. Destroyer got a hand up to block the shot and delivered an elbow to the midsection of Malice before slamming him face first into the steel steps. Malice grabbed his face in pain and staggered around the outside only to be picked up in a gorilla press slam by Destroyer, who unceremoniously dropped Malice over the top rope back into the ring. With the minions encouraging him Destroyer stalked back into the ring and picked Malice up for a powerbomb. Just as Destroyer got him in position, Malice clamped his fingers right into Destroyer's face, driving his long nails into his opponent's flesh! Destroyer released the powerbomb and Malice landed on his feet, holding on with all he had, trying to bring the big man down. A boot below the belt finally brought Destroyer down to his knees, and from there it was easy for Malice to wrestle the big man down flat. He quickly mounted his opponent, holding the Painful Pleasure as the ref counted the three. Malice immediately let go of the hold as the decision was announced and ripped off his t-shirt. He wiped some of his customary black lipstick off onto the shirt and tossed it into the crowd before making his way to the back to prepare for the finals.

Wood: It's Malice! Malice has defeated The Destroyer, and now will go on to face Masked Menace X later tonight for the Hall of Fame tournament and the right to face the world champion at Hardcore Saturday Night in Edmonton! I know Malice hates to hear this, but this has to be considered yet another upset on the improbable rise of this impressive newcomer.

Brewer: What makes this so impressive is the run of success that Destroyer has had over the past few months. Consider for a moment that, since September 1, Destroyer has defeated Psychotic Sam and The Ryno in hardcore matches. He defeated John Korso and Aries in the first two rounds of the tournament. He toppled The Bootlegger in an inferno match. For Malice to beat a man of Destroyer's standing really says a lot about how far he has come since joining the MMP only a couple of months ago.

Wood: Another thing to consider is that, going into the match with Masked Menace X later on tonight, Malice will be the fresher of the two men. While MMX is battling Wolverine for the TV title, Malice will be in the back getting ready for that big tournament final match. That could very well play a significant role in determining who goes on and who goes home as we wrap up the Hall of Fame tournament here tonight. Up next it's the first of five title matches we have on the card here tonight in Pittsburgh as Hot Crimson, who quite frankly was a lucky man to escape Saturday Night Slams last weekend with the midwestern title still around his waist, puts the belt on the line against Hyoga, a man who is coming off an impressive victory over Tao Te Ching. Let's go to the ring.

MMP Midwestern Championship Match
HOT CRIMSON (C) vs. HYOGA

With Hyoga already waiting in the ring, Hot Crimson made his way down flanked by a large group of Cult minions, led by the rabid Harbinger and the giant Inferno. As Crimson stepped through the ropes Hyoga was all over him, nailing the midwestern champion with an avalanche as he entered near the corner. Crimson collapsed against the buckle and Hyoga went to work on him, laying into his opponent with a series of chops to the chest. With Crimson off guard early, Hyoga pulled him out and delivered a snap suplex, slamming Crimson down hard on the canvas. Then, as Crimson got up, Hyoga clamped both hands around the champion's throat, lifting him high up in the air with a chokehold. The referee started to count immediately trying to force Hyoga to break, but even before the five count Crimson broke free on his own by raking his opponent's eyes. Hyoga was temporarily blinded, allowing Crimson to connect with a Russian legsweep. Crimson then took over control of the match, stomping Hyoga repeatedly before hooking his legs and catapulting Hyoga into the turnbuckle. Hyoga stumbled backwards and fell to the canvas, where Crimson locked on a half crab, isolating Hyoga's left leg. The ref got down to see if the challenger wanted to give up but Hyoga, knowing the importance of the match, refused to tap out. He slowly crawled his way over and eventually reached out and grabbed the bottom rope, causing the referee to order Crimson to break. The champion, however, was not happy. An argument broke out between Crimson and the official, allowing Hyoga to get back into the match. While the discussion continued, Hyoga came up on Crimson from behind and nailed him with a German suplex! He bridged up to keep his shoulders off the canvas and held Crimson down for the 1...2...Crimson kicks out! Crimson snapped back to his feet and charged at Hyoga with a clothesline, but the challenger ducked and slapped on a sleeperhold. Using his size to his advantage, Hyoga leaned down on Crimson's head and neck, adding extra pressure to the move. Crimson looked to be going down, and the referee quickly got in to check on the man. He raised Crimson's arm, and it fell once. It fell twice. It fell...Crimson shoots the arm up on the third try, showing that he was still in the match. Then, with all the strength Crimson could muster, he rushed backwards against the turnbuckle, crushing Hyoga against the corner and breaking the hold. Hyoga stumbled out and was caught with a boot to the midsection. Crimson then hooked Hyoga's arms and went for his double-arm DDT, but Hyoga blocked it. He then rolled Crimson into a small package for the 1...2... the pile repositioned slightly and this time the ref counted the 1...2...3!!! Hyoga jumped up and raised his fist in the air, celebrating his victory. The celebration came to a sudden end, though, when the referee grabbed the belt and awarded it to Hot Crimson, who was declared the winner. Crimson left the ring with the Cult, leaving Hyoga to contemplate the startling decision.

Wood: Hot Crimson retains the midwestern title here tonight, but he came within an eyelash of become another name on the long list of former midwestern champions. I really thought Hyoga had won the title there when the bell sounded at the end of the match.

Brewer: It's clear that Hyoga thought that as well, but watch the replay, Wood. You see that slight shift in the roll up? Check out the reverse angle. You'll see that Crimson clearly has his shoulder up, but Hyoga's shoulders are down. Good call by the referee. Better luck next time, Hyoga.

Wood: When the final lineup for Best of the Best was announced, many fans were excited to hear of the addition of a steel cage match between The Joker's Child and Christian Antimarius. When Joker stole the extreme title from Masked Menace X last weekend, many advertisers started promoting an extreme title match on tonight's card between Joker and his former ally Antimarius. We have since learned, however, that the title will not be on the line tonight. It seems that since Masked Menace X had fulfilled the title defense obligation for tonight by voluntarily defending the belt on SNS last weekend, Joker could not be forced to put the belt on the line in tonight's match. So after all the controversy over the past week, we end up exactly where we started with a steel cage match, no titles, between the new extreme champion The Joker's Child and a former titleholder in Antimarius. The crew has just about finished errecting the cage, so let's go back to the action here in Pittsburgh.

Steel Cage Match
THE JOKER'S CHILD vs. CHRISTIAN ANTIMARIUS

With Antimarius already waiting in the cage, Joker made his way down with a large contingent of Family members behind him. He was accompanied as always by Ponch and the mystery woman, but also had the CWO coming behind him to watch his back. Joker passed his cigar and the extreme and tag championship belts to Ponch as he entered the cage with baseball bat in hand. The cage door locked behind Joker and Antimarius charged at the new extreme champ with a clothesline, but Joker saw him coming and delivered a wicked shot to the ribs as Antimarius rushed in. Antimarius went down hard and Joker kept hammering, driving repeated shots into the back with the bat before tossing the lumber aside. With Antimarius badly beaten and slow to respond, the CWO started climbing the cage. Joker dragged Antimarius out to the center of the ring and applied a Boston crab, but as he turned and sat down he saw Leonard "Cup" Cooper, apparently somewhat inebriated, fall from the top of the cage and hit hard on the canvas only a few feet away. Up near the top of the cage China Town Lee was shouting at Mr. Beumont, Welfare William, and Hobo Richard to hurry up and get in the cage, but they all refused to climb, saying they were scared. Joker released the hold on Antimarius and stormed over to the CWO, yelling at them to get their act together and stop embarrassing him. While the argument was going on Antimarius got back to his feet, but Joker quickly turned and put him down again with a running clothesline. Cup, apparently thinking this was his match, crawled over and covered Antimarius. Antimarius kicked out and tossed Cup into the wall of the cage, but by the time he got back after Joker, Ponch had passed Joker a stun gun. Antimarius grabbed Joker by the back of the head, but the extreme champ simply turned and jammed the stun gun right into Antimarius' chest. He went down quickly and lay spasming on the canvas as Joker walked over to the door and demanded that it be opened. The referee opened the door and Joker stepped out to the floor to win the match.

Wood: An impressive first outing for Joker as extreme champion. Even though the title was not on the line, he still made short work of Christian Antimarius, a former extreme champion in his own right. Do you think this will at all hurt Antimarius' chances of securing an extreme title shot?

Brewer: No. Not at all. In fact, I think this match might have actually improved Antimarius' chances of getting a title shot. Everybody in the MMP knows that The Joker's Child is a spineless coward. He won't give a title shot to anyone who he thinks might actually have a chance at beating him. He'll probably think that Antimarius is no match for him after tonight, and if I know Joker at all, that'll probably mean that Antimarius can have as many title shots as he wants.

Wood: That's an interesting observation, Ray. Joker has already been stripped of one title for trying to get out of his mandatory title defenses. I don't think he'd be likely to let that happen again, but given his history, you never know what he'd do to hang onto the belt. We've got another title match up next, this time for the tag team championship. Last Saturday Virus Richards became the only man in MMP history to officially hold the MMP world tag team championship by himself when he won the four way ladder match with more than a little help from Malice and Aries. Tonight is his first defense as the official sole-holder of the title and, although the belts are currently in the possession of The Joker's Child, the ownership of those straps hangs in the balance when Virus faces The New Muff Divers in a handicap match.

MMP Tag Team Championship
Handicap Match
VIRUS RICHARDS (C) vs. THE NEW MUFF DIVERS

Virus came to the ring first, minus the tag belts that had been stolen by The Joker's Child, but with his new bodyguard, Aries. His opponents then made their entrance as clown music played in the background. In a mockery of the MMP extreme champion, Scooter was dressed in full clown attire. He demanded a mic:

Scooter: Virus, I'm sick and tired of carrying this team! Damn it! Im the GOD OF PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING! THE PRINCE OF PORN! BOZO'S BITCH!! Now tell me who your hero is!"

 While Scooter was talking, Ouija pulled a tire iron out from under his shirt, nailing Scooter across the back with it. He then pulled Scooter up and delivered a pedigree. Ouija ripped off his Congregation shirt and picked up the mic himself:

Ouija: Richards, me and you go way back. We are two of the original "Syndicate" of the MMP. Ive been held back ever since I joined the damn Congregation! When I joined there was money to be made, and women to pimp. Now what is there? The chance to wrestle mid-card matches?!? Screw that and screw the Congregation! I know where the money is really at, and so do you Virus. Just think about."

 Ouija spit on Scooter and left the ring. Virus looked at Ouija with a look of disbelief, then started laughing to himself as he pulled Scooter up. He hooked Scooter in the Ryno Horn, driving him face first into the canvas for a second time before making the cover and scoring the three count.

Wood: Well, I guess you could say that Virus Richards' first title defense was a successful one, but at the same time it looks like Ouija Lullabye is out of The Congregation after turning against Scooter in what was supposed to be their big opportunity to bring the tag team championship back to the group here at Best of the Best.

Brewer: Is this going to be an annual tradition at Best of the Best? I remember last year in New York Ouija Lullabye had a shot at the tag team championship and turned against his partner, that inbred imbecile Pitbull, someone who, for the record, was run out of the MMP after losing a PPV match against yours truly. To be honest, though, I don't believe this Congregation split for one second. I've seen it too many times before. If I were Virus Richards, I wouldn't trust Lullabye as far as I could throw him.

Brewer: Now now, calm down Ray. You're starting to let your past with Super Cupid and Ouija Lullabye get in the way of objectivity again. Well, that last match didn't prove to be much of a contest, but I'm sure our next bout will more than make up for it. Daark defeated DNL in defense of the universal title several weeks ago, but after all that has happened to DNL in the past couple of weeks - with the injury to Perry Sanders, and then the triple-teaming last week on SNS - he has a lot of reasons to be motivated going into this match. Can DNL pull off the upset? Not if The Cult has anything to say about it. Let's go to the ring for the casket match.

MMP Universal Championship
Casket Match
DAARK (C) vs. DR. NO LIMIT

DNL was the first man introduced, accompanied by Zane and Charles. He was also carrying a trash can filled with weapons, obviously looking to take advantage of the no-disqualification nature of the match. As Zane and Charles set up DNL's trademark table on the outside the champion made his way down, but he wasn't without backup of his own as the towering Inferno followed closely behind Daark. DNL wasn't about to waste any time getting the match underway. As soon as Daark stepped through the ropes DNL was all over him, pounding the universal champ's back repeatedly with a steel chair. Daark struggled to regain his feet but DNL wouldn't allow it, tossing aside the chair only to pull a baseball bat out of his can, ramming it down into the back of Daark. With the champion hurting early on, DNL applied a version of O'Conner's Captain's Bridge, a camel clutch with the ball bat positioned under Daark's chin. Daark reached out for the ropes, but his efforts were in vain. He wasn't able to force the break and DNL, sensing that an early victory might be within his grasp, relinquished the hold. The challenger didn't stop, though, and instead picked Daark up for a powerbomb. He walked Daark over to where Zane and Charles had set up the table earlier in the match, but just before he could drop Daark over the top to the table below, the champion got in a desperation thrust to the throat that caused DNL to slow his attack. Another shot enabled Daark to get free from DNL's grasp and land on his feet. While DNL turned his back, doubled over and grabbing his throat, Daark was able to catch his second wind as he leaned against the ropes for support. He waited until DNL turned around and, when he did, he floored his bigger adversary with a flying lariat. Both men were down momentarily, but Daark slowly managed to get back to his feet first. DNL wasn't far behind, charging at Daark with a clothesline. Daark ducked, and caught DNL with a boot to the midsection that was quickly followed with a DDT. As DNL lay face first down on the canvas Daark climbed to the top rope where he nailed a flying elbow across DNL's back. Knowing that he needed to keep the big man down Daark then went to work on his opponent's legs, yanking DNL's legs hard apart with a wishbone splitter and then dropping a series of elbows across his left knee. The universal champion was definitely in control of the match and DNL, who had lost his last couple of matches, was reeling. Again waiting for DNL to get to his feet, Daark stood patiently in the corner, almost as if he was stalking his opponent. When DNL had regained his vertical base Daark charged at him, going for an inverted bulldog, but amazingly DNL caught him in mid air. With Daark in his arms DNL slowly made his way over to the edge of the ring before dropping Daark over the top with a powerbomb, sending him crashing through the table on the outside! The crowd burst into cheers as splinters and pieces of the table scattered around ringside. DNL quickly followed Daark to the floor, slamming him into the ringpost before sending him back into the ring. As he followed, DNL grabbed a bag of thumbtacks out of his trashcan and scattered them all over the canvas. He pulled Daark up and hooked him for an inverted legsweep, but Daark blocked it and lifted DNL up in the air with a suplex, dropping him down hard onto the bed of tacks. Daark was up first, but having landed on the tacks himself, he was definitely in rough shape. DNL was writhing in pain as Daark rolled him over towards the edge of the ring. He prepared to roll DNL out when he demanded that the casket be opened. When it was opened, Captain Patrick O'Conner lept out and nailed Daark in the face with his shileleagh club! O'Conner had been hiding inside the casket all along! The sight of O'Conner startled Inferno, bringing the big man rushing into the ring to protect Daark. The two former allies traded punches back and forth, spilling out to the floor where they continued their battle all the way back to the dressing room. In the meantime, DNL was struggling back to his feet. Daark lay prone in the middle of the ring nearly unconscious as DNL moved in. The challenger pulled Daark over and opened the casket, shoving the Cult member inside. He slammed the lid...Daark got a foot up! Daark saved his title at the last second by getting his right foot to stop the lid from coming down all the way. DNL pounded on Daark's chest to try and get him to let go, but Daark wasn't finished yet. Another thrust to the throat backed DNL off, just enough for Daark to escape the casket, allowing the match to continue. The two men stayed after each other, now battling out on the arena floor. DNL whipped Daark into the steps but Daark, maintaining his composure, held onto DNL's arm as he went and instead of hitting the steps, he jumped up and landed on his feet on the top step. He quckly pulled DNL in and hooked the Whispered Prophecy, nailing his tornado DDT on the arena floor! Daark shouted over at the referee for the casket to be opened and he pulled DNL over, clotheslining the big man into the bed and slamming the lid. The exhausted universal champion collapsed to the floor as the bell rang and the winner was announced. A quartet of Cult minions came running out from the back present Lord Daark with his universal belt and assist him in getting back to the dressing room.

Wood: So Daark retains the universal title, but I think most fans will agree that that casket match was one of the most exciting contests we have seen here in 1999 in the MMP. Both men really gave it their all, and it could have gone either way.

Brewer: Yeah, it really could have gone either way, Wood. DNL gave everything he had here tonight and was literally inches away from pulling off what people at this time last year would have said was impossible in capturing the universal title. Daark didn't win tonight, he survived. Just barely.

Backstage the cameras pick up a shot of Masked Menace X's dressing room as a delivery man is approaching with a large wooden crate. He knocks the door and, when MMX answers, says he has a delivery for him. Remembering the last time someone delivered a crate to him, MMX grabs a baseball bat from behind the door before signing for the package and opening up. He winds up, but this time it is actually Mini Menace inside. MMX and Mini turn their back on the delivery man and start talking, but the delivery man tossed his hat aside and nailed MMX in the back of the head with his metal clipboard. The delivery man was Wolverine! He pulled MMX up and slammed his right arm not once, but twice in the dressing room door before taking off, leaving Mini Menace to get medical attention for MMX.

Wood: It looks like the television champion isn't taking any chances going into his big title defense coming up here in just a few moments. Ever since defeating MMX back in the spring, Wolverine hasn't fared well against his arch-rival in singles competition. Tonight is a big night for MMX, first with the TV title match against Wolverine and then later on the finals of the Hall of Fame tournament against Malice for a shot at the world title on December 4. But before we get to that it's Wolverine and Masked Menace X looking to settle their feud once and for all, with Wolverine's TV belt at stake.

MMP Television Championship Match
WOLVERINE (C) vs. MASKED MENACE X

The TV champ made his entrance first, drawing a loud ovation from the sold out crowd in Pittsburgh. Before he could even make it to the ring MMX came running out from the back and hit Wolverine in the back of the head with the ECWA title belt. MMX, wearing a t-shirt that read "Wolverine the Michigan Jobber", was clearly looking to get the match over with quick, given that he had to come back to face Malice shortly following this contest. He slammed Wolverine head first into the steel steps before rolling him in into the ring. Thunderous boos came down from the crowd as MMX gloated in his early triumph. The challenger then rolled in under the bottom rope, but by that time Wolverine had gotten back to his feet and was ready for him. He stomped MMX repeatedly in the ribs, driving him into the canvas with each blow. Pulling MMX up, Wolverine whipped him into the far corner where he delivered a series of shoulderblocks to the midsection that sucked the wind right out of the challenger. After a pair of Wolverine right hands connected with MMX's jaw, the champ pulled MMX out to the center of the ring and applied an armwringer on the same arm that he had slammed in the dressing room door earlier in the evening. Then, with MMX's concentration on his bad arm, Wolverine grabbed the challenger around the neck and delivered a swinging neckbreaker. Wolverine was relentless in his attack, isolating MMX's hand and hitting three consecutive kneedrops before pulling him back up and delivering a hammerlock slam, dropping the full brunt of MMX's weight on his bad arm beneath him. Desperately needing a chance to regroup MMX rolled out to the floor and started pacing around the ring to rethink his strategy. Wolverine, however, didn't let him stay out there alone for very long. He quickly followed MMX to the outside and spun him around, but MMX met him with a thumb jabbed right to the eye. MMX then slammed Wolverine head first into the announce table before hitting a neckbreaker of his own out on the concrete floor. After shaking his injured arm to try and get some feeling back in it, MMX pulled Wolverine up and rolled him back into the ring. He charged Wolverine with a clothesline as Wolverine was getting up, but the champ ducked underneath and caught MMX with a short clothesline of his own. Before MMX could recover he hooked his legs and slingshot MMX into the turnbuckle, causing the challenger to hit head first on the corner pad. With his opponent dazed Wolverine grabbed him from behind and nailed a t-bone suplex. Amazingly, though, MMX landed on his feet. Wolverine stopped to pump up the crowd before turning around and, when he did, he was caught with a hard kick to the midsection from MMX followed by the X-Plex. Wolverine kicked out, but by the time he did it was too late. The ref had made the three count, and Masked Menace X had captured the television championship for the second time. He slid out of the ring quickly and grabbed the belt from the timekeeper before hurrying back to the dressing room.

Wood: We have our first new champion crowned here at Best of the Best, and it's Masked Menace X. MMX has now become the first two-time TV champion in MMP history with the win here tonight, and you'd have to say he has momentum on his side as he heads into his matchup with Malice later on tonight in the finals of the Hall of Fame tournament.

Brewer: I think it's fair to say that both MMX and Malice have momentum on their side going into the final match coming up in a few minutes. Both have defeated top opponents already here tonight, but Malice has been resting up for well over an hour now while MMX is just making it back to the dressing room as we speak after his match. If he has any injuries that need attending to, he won't have a chance to get that done before he has to come back out here. I think Malice has to be favoured heading into the final round.

Wood: Of course tournaments are a part of the history of the Best of the Best event. As longtime fans of the MMP will recall, this event last year was presented as a joint venture between the MMP and the now-defunct Global Wrestling Federation, and at that event we saw a one-night tournament to crown the MMP/GWF grand champion. That championship was later unified with the MMP world title when Masochrist won a unification match at the end of 1998. The finals of the tournament that night saw two men who would go on to become MMP Hall of Famers meet in singles competition for the first and, up until now, the only time. Tonight is the rematch that has been a year in the making as Psychotic Sam, the man who is now in possesion of the long retired grand championship belt, takes on the man who defeated him for the title in the tournament a year ago, Masochrist.

PSYCHOTIC SAM vs. MASOCHRIST

"Wait and Bleed" by Slipknot played over the loudspeaker as Masochrist made his way down to the ring, carrying a mysterious box with a sheet over it. He set the box in the corner as the music changed to "Space Farm" by Primus, introducing Psychotic Sam. Sam was accompanied by Mike the Giant Retard and a robed Saint, who were carrying the usual assortment of Family items. Sam walked around ringside passing out blank pieces of paper, asking the fans to vote for him for King of Spain on December 7, while Mike got in the ring and asked Maso if it was still OK for him to come over and "surf the web". Maso nailed Mike with a right hand that sent him down to the floor, but while he was distracted Sam rushed in the ring with Marbels and nailed Maso in the back. He hit Maso again before carefully passing Marbels to Saint on the outside. Sam flew at Maso with a jump kick, but the two-time world champion stepped out of the way, causing Sam to straddle himself on the top rope. He collapsed back into the ring, allowing Masochrist to take over the offense early. Seeing that Sam's leg was already hurt Maso went to work on his opponent's lower limb, stomping repeatedly on the knee before dropping a big elbow. The Saint got up on the apron and called the referee over, but Masochrist had seen these tactics before and he quickly went over and knocked Saint off the apron with a right hand, sending Saint crashing into the safety rail. In the meantime, however, Mike had passed Sam A. J. the Bat, formerly known as Loui Slugger. While the referee was yelling at Saint to stay out of the match, Sam snuck up on Maso from behind and nailed him across the bat before tossing the bat to the outside. Maso went down hard and Sam got right in his face, screaming at his opponent:

Sam- I am going to be King of spain. NOT YOU I AM KING, I AM KING. Obey my comand I am king.

 At this point Pablo started making his way down towards the ring, but Sam didn't even notice him. He was busy trying to convince the referee to vote for him as King of Spain. While Sam's back was turned, Pablo shoved Maso's box in to him. Maso, who was just getting back to his feet, walked over and handed the box to Sam, telling him it was to help his campaign. Sam pulled the sheet off the top, but inside was a dead, stuffed squirrel! Sam threw the box away and started screaming, but he was quickly silenced by a boot to the face from Masochrist. He went down hard, but Maso didn't stop there. He pulled Sam up and delivered a powerbomb, but before he could make the cover Mike ran back in the ring. The ref cut him off before he could get to Maso, but this allowed Saint to sneak in from behind. He spun Maso around and from inside his robe shot a fireball right into Maso's face! Maso grabbed his face in agony and Saint quickly ran back to the outside, proclaiming that he had just witnessed an act of God. While Maso was blinded Sam got up and delivered the Psychotic Smash. He then rolled Maso over and covered him for the three count.

Wood: Psychotic Sam wins the rematch against Masochrist here tonight at Best of the Best, perhaps avenging the loss that he suffered against Maso at this very same event exactly one year ago.

Brewer: This is a big win for Psychotic Sam. Masochrist hasn't been the same since he returned to the MMP a couple of months ago, but his name still carries behind it a big- time reputation in this business. If Sam's going to push O'Conner to get a crack at the world title, a win of this magnitude can only further his argument. As for this King of Spain nonsense, if you ask me that might just be enough to warrant keeping Sam from EVER getting a shot at the world title. The last thing the MMP needs is some nutjob world champion running around claiming to be the monarch of a European nation.

Wood: We've got two matches left here at Best of the Best, and both will have a major bearing on the immediate future of the MMP world title. Still to come we have Patrick O'Conner defending the belt against Super Cupid, but up next we will decide who will be the first man to get a shot at the champion after tonight when we go to Edmonton for Hardcore Saturday Night on December 4. Masked Menace X takes on Malice in the finals of the Hall of Fame tournament!

Hall of Fame Tournament Finals
MASKED MENACE X vs. MALICE

Both men were obviously feeling the effects of their matches earlier in the evening and were looking to end things quickly. Neither man wasted any time in locking up but surprisingly it was MMX, who had just come off a hard fought match with Wolverine, getting the early advantage. He wrestled Malice into a side headlock before whipping him off the far ropes. MMX leapfrogged over Malice as he came back the first time, and on the second rebound he surprised Malice with a superkick to the jaw. Malice went down hard but MMX stayed on him, pulling him back to his feet only to take Malice down again, this time with a simple armdrag that led into an armbar. MMX didn't keep the advantage for long, though, and Malice soon powered back to his feet, spinning out of the armbar and whipping MMX to the far corner. The new TV champ hit hard against the buckle. The force seemed to knock the wind out of him, giving Malice an opening. Malice followed MMX in and repeatedly drove his knees into the midsection before grabbing MMX by the head and tossing him out to the center of the ring. MMX landed in a seated position and lurched forward, only to be caught with a kick to the back of the head from his charging adversary. Malice then got down and straddled himself on MMX's chest, blatantly choking MMX with his bare hands right in front of the referee. The ref began to administer the five count, but Malice didn't seem to care. He kept choking MMX until the official finally had no choice but to physically pull Malice off his opponent, drawing a warning that if Malice tried something like that again he'd be disqualified. The intervention of the official didn't phase Malice, who continued with his gameplan. After catching MMX with an inverted vertical suplex, he locked the TV champ in a Boston crab. Given the pounding that MMX had taken only moments earlier from Wolverine, many in attendance thought this would be it for MMX. The former Family member, though, had a lot of fight left in him and managed to make his way to the ropes and force the break. Remembering the referee's earlier warning Malice was quick to release the hold, but he wasn't about to let MMX use the ropes to catch a breather. He pulled MMX up and attempted an impaler DDT, but MMX blocked it by wrapping his right leg around Malice's left leg, and then caught his startled opponent with a boot to the gut followed by a DDT of his own. He then slapped on a crossface chicken wing. Malice quickly worked his way to the edge of the ring and wrapped his legs around the bottom rope to force the break, and again the referee had to get involved in the action and force the break of a submission hold. MMX, though, didn't respond quite the same as Malice had done earlier. He got right in the referee's face, arguing that Malice hadn't been forced to break that quickly when he had been choking MMX earlier in the match. MMX wound up to deliver a right hand to the man in the stripes, but the ref shot his hand up and warned MMX that if he touched him he would stop the match and MMX would lose his chance at a title shot. Luckily for the ref this was enough to stop MMX, who then turned to go back after his opponent. He grabbed Malice and whipped him to the far turnbuckle before calling the referee over. Then, with the referee right beside him, MMX got his boot up and pressed it firmly against Malice's throat. The official started his count, but as Malice had done earlier MMX refused to break. The ref tried to pull MMX off, but while this was happening Malice shot a forearm uppercut right into MMX's groin. The TV champ stood doubled over in pain and Malice was quick to capitalize, nailing MMX with a gutwrench powerbomb. Both men were down, and again the ref began to count. MMX was the first man up, getting to his knees at about six. Malice soon followed, and the match continued. MMX turned to face his opponent, and Malice shot out his hand for the Painful Pleasure, but MMX ducked and grabbed Malice's legs, taking him down to the canvas. He then slingshot Malice back into the turnbuckle. Malice struck head first on the ring post behing the buckle and stumbled backwards. MMX spun him around and delivered a boot to the gut before connecting with the X-Plex. The ref got down and counted the 1...2...3 to give MMX the win and the tournament title. As the decision was announced the ref tried to raise MMX's hand, but the TV champ pulled his hand away. He stomped Malice a couple of times in the back before heading out to celebrate.

Wood: A very succesful night indeed here at Best of the Best for Masked Menace X. First he defeats Wolverine for the television championship, and now he has captured the Hall of Fame tournament and will go on to face the winner of the O'Conner/Super Cupid match for the world title at Hardcore Saturday Night in Edmonton coming up in two weeks time.

Brewer: You've got to give MMX credit, he defeated two top flight opponents tonight. Wolverine has been around the MMP a long time and has been moderately succesful himself, while Malice has been arguably the top newcomer to join the ranks of the MMP in quite some time. MMX beat them both, and leaves here tonight with one championship belt around his waist and a chance to add the biggest one of them all to his collection on December 4 up in the great white north.

Wood: Well folks, it all comes down to this. It's main event time here at Best of the Best in Pittsburgh. Super Cupid made few waves when he first returned to action in the MMP a couple of months ago, but certainly caught the attention of the entire wrestling world when he stole the ring of MMP world champ Captain Patrick O'Conner's late wife Paulina. The move paid off for Cupid, who instantly launched himself into the position of challenger for the world title here tonight, although many feel that tonight could be little more than payback time for the Captain. Let's go back to the ring for our feature bout here at Best of the Best!

MMP World Championship Match
CAPTAIN PATRICK O'CONNER (C) vs. SUPER CUPID

Super Cupid was introduced first, drawing one of the loudest rounds of jeers in recent MMP history. He was in new attire tonight, wearing a gold singlet with black gloves and black boots. The jeers, however, quickly turned to cheers as the longest reigning MMP world champion in history made his way to the ring. O'Conner was accompanied by George and Thomas, but also walking slowly behind him was the trio of Dr. No Limit, Zane, and Charles. Despite the obvious injuries that DNL had suffered during his match with Daark, he was at ringside to provide the backup for O'Conner that the Captain had offered during the casket match earlier in the card. Rage was burning in O'Conner's eyes as he handed the belt over to the referee, possibly for the last time. Cupid tried to offer the Captain a handshake as the bell rang, but O'Conner would have none of it and immediately nailed Cupid with a spear. The Captain stayed right on top of Super Cupid, laying into him with crosses to the jaw, stopping only when the referee threatened to disqualify him. O'Conner let up, but only to turn the focus of his attack. He then began driving knees into the upper torso of Cupid, driving Cupid all the way out to the floor. Cupid paced around the outside trying to regroup, to re-think his strategy, but all the delay did was add fuel to O'Conner's fire. O'Conner followed Cupid out to the floor, but the challenger was ready for him. He raked the Captain's eyes as he jumped down to the concrete, and then whipped him hard into the steel safety rail. Cupid backed up to the ring apron, only to nail O'Conner with a spinning heel kick that sent the champion over the rail and into the first row of fans. Cupid was getting his second wind and with O'Conner down on the concrete, Cupid hopped the rail and got back in the ring, climbing quickly to the top rope. As O'Conner was getting back to his feet Cupid lept off the top, nailing O'Conner with a moonsault that sent both men even further back into the crowd. For the first time in a long time, the crowd cheered one of Cupid's moves, finding it hard not to show their appreciation for such an impressive manuever. O'Conner was in rough shape, and Cupid knew it. He could sense the world title within his grasp. Pulling O'Conner back over the railing, Cupid brushed aside some of Wood and Brewer's papers before laying O'Conner on the announce table. Then, with the champion lying motionless on the table, Cupid climbed to the top rope once again. This time, he came off the top with the Cupid's Arrow! Both competitors went crashing through the table, landing on the cold, hard floor below. The referee, already out on the floor, began to administer the ten count, but he was easily drowned out by the roaring crowd. Super Cupid was back to his feet first and, though moving slowly and in obvious pain, he looked to be in better shape than his opponent. He quickly rolled O'Conner back into the ring and went for an immediate cover for the 1...2...O'Conner shot his right arm up at the last second to break the count! Cupid fell off in disbelief. He thought he had the match won, but the delay on the outside may have cost him. Now breathing heavily, Cupid pulled O'Conner back to his feet and whipped him across the ring towards the turnbuckle. O'Conner reversed the whip, sending Cupid to the corner, but the Captain appeared to injure himself in the process. The champ fell to the canvas again, this time clutching his arm in pain. The referee moved in to see if he could continue, and O'Conner insisted that he would go on. With things looking even better in his favor, Super Cupid moved in slowly, mocking his injured opponent. He pulled O'Conner up and went for a big right hand, but the champion ducked out of the way and hooked Cupid with his patented triple suplex combination! Knowing that this was usually a prelude to the Celtic Cross Cupid, outside the view of the referee and O'Conner, used his last ounce of strength to slip something into his mouth. As predicted O'Conner locked on his finishing move, but as soon as the referee got down to ask Cupid if he wanted to quit, the challenger, spit a strange black mist into the official's face! The ref went down and rolled all the way to the other side of the ring, holding his face in excruciating pain. O'Conner looked concerned, but knowing the backup he had on the outside, he kept the Cross applied. With the referee down Masochrist started making his way down the ramp with a tire iron in hand, but he was cut off by George Achica! The big Samoan got right in Maso's path, but received a tire iron in the forehead for his trouble. While Maso was dealing with George, though, DNL came up on him from behind and delivered a forearm blow to the back, strong enough to make Maso drop the iron. George desperately threw himself on the iron to keep it away from Masochrist as Maso and DNL battled in the runway. On the other side of the ring Scooter came running in from the crowd and slid into the ring, but Zane and Charles quickly caught up to him, grabbing him by the ankles just before he could get to O'Conner and Cupid, pulling him out to the floor. DNL's associates hammered away on Scooter, leaving Cupid all alone in the ring and trapped in the Celtic Cross. Cupid seemed as though he was waiting for help, but that help never arrived. He slowly started to fade. With chaos going on all around the ring, The Family came running out en masse to get in on the action. Psychotic Sam, The Joker's Child, Soul Crusher, The Saint, and The CWO were all there. Some attacked Maso and DNL, while others ambushed Zane, Charles, and Scooter. Sam, in the meantime, ran around the ring and grabbed O'Conner's world title belt away from the timekeeper, proclaiming himself the champion as he ran back to the dressing room. The action continued all around, but O'Conner never relinquished the Celtic Cross. Finally, as EMTs were helping get the referee out of the ring, a second official came out from the back. He checked to see if Cupid wanted to give up, and when he got no response, the match was over! Captain Patrick O'Conner retained the MMP world title! The timekeeper explained to O'Conner what had happened to the belt, but the Captain didn't seem to care. Of more priority to him was helping his friends fight off The Family and The Congregation, which he did valiantly as the screen fades to black.

© 1997 mmpwrestling@yahoo.com

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