MMP Daark Ages

MMP DAARK AGES
Wednesday, January 26, 1999
Target Center -- Minneapolis, MN

MMP Daark Ages is on the air! More than 20, 000 fans are jammed into the Target Center in Minneapolis, MN for tonight's huge PPV event! Commentators Jerry Wood and Ray Brewer are at ringside.

Wood: Welcome, everyone, to MMP Daark Ages! Welcome to the first MMP pay per view event of the new millenium! I'm Jerry Wood alongside Ray Brewer at the sold out Target Center where tonight the MMP looks to step things up a notch or two for 2000. You could almost say that it's a new guard carrying the torch for the MMP as we get set for our first PPV card of the year.

Brewer: But ya know something Wood, it's like the old saying goes. The more things change, the more they stay the same. It's true, we are in a new year and, yes, it's true that over the past couple of months some new names have stepped up and seized the top spots in this company. At the same time though, Wood, men like Daark, men like Hassan Abu Saada, they face the same stiff competition that proved so formidable against the men who preceeded them as champions. The Syndicate has been reformed under the banner of The Cartel. The Cult is as strong as ever, and The Family continues to annoy us all endlessly with their mere presence. It's a new year for sure but, if anything, that just means that all the boys in the back are that much hungrier and that much more motivated to prove that they are the best this business has to over.

Wood: Of course you know our main event tonight is for the MMP world championship. Daark, who did what many thought might never be done by defeating Captain Patrick O'Conner for the world title back at Season's Slayings, puts that belt on the line against a man who knows him, well, possibly better than anyone else in the dressing room, and that is the giant known as Inferno.

Brewer: That's true, Wood. There were a lot of people who felt Inferno was undeserving of this opportunity here tonight at Daark Ages, but consider this. During Daark's last few months as universal champion, who was at his side? Inferno. During all that time Daark was preparing for his shot at O'Conner, who was there to guide him and to study him? That's right, again it's Inferno. There was a time when these two were very close, and if Inferno can use that fact to his advantage, he just may be the man most likely to take the world title away from The Cult here tonight.

Wood: And while the world title is very much in jeopardy tonight, tonight could, at the same time, prove to be a huge event for The Cult. The Destroyer, over seven feet all and nearly five hundred pounds, has what many feel is an excellent chance of walking out of here this evening with the universal title around his waist while The Cult Master will face Aries in what will be a first for the MMP, a "loser must bow" match. Three other championships are on the line as well, but we kick things off tonight with what looks like a bit of a mismatch on paper as The Regulator takes on Ambush. The Regulator, of course, is a former world champion, a former extreme champion, and a former television champion. He is one of the top ranked contenders in the MMP, and is a threat to any MMP championship at any time. Ambush, on the other hand, is still somewhat of an unknown. While he has fared well in his first few matches here, he has yet to step it up to the next level and face some of the top competition in the MMP. The Regulator is as tough as they come, and should be a tough test for the young man from Boston. Well, Ambush is making his way to the ring as we speak, so let's go to the ring as we get things underway here at Daark Ages!!

THE REGULATOR vs. AMBUSH

With Ambush already in the ring, the lights in the arena went out. The Imperial March began to play, and thin, green lights filled the arena. Ambush stood patiently looking out towards the entrance way, but no one came out. He looked over at the referee to ask what was going on, only to see the referee fall flat on his face. The lights came up just as a steel chair struck Ambush across the forehead, putting him down alongside the official. The Regulator had arrived. With no referee around to intervene Reg pulled Ambush up off the canvas and delivered a DDT that drove his opponent skull first into the steel chair that lay on the mat. Reg then went down to the floor and grabbed the timekeeper's bell, which he brought with him back into the ring. A second referee came running down from the back and ordered Reg to put the bell down, sparking an argument between the two men. By now Ambush was staggering back to his feet, but as soon as he was back up Reg turned and nailed him right between the eyes with the bell. The second ref grabbed the bell away, tossed it to the floor, and demanded that the timekeeper ring it to stop the match. He was awarding the match to Ambush as a result of a disqualification. Four more referees came running down from the dressing room to pull Regulator back while both Ambush and the original ref had to be helped to the dressing room.

Wood: What a wild way to kick things off here at Daark Ages! The Regulator is out of control, Ray. What in the world is the matter with him?

Brewer: Why are you asking me, Wood? Why don't you go ask The Regulator himself? He probably wasn't too big on being booked with an unaccomplished rookie on a pay per view. Well, if you ask me, I'd say he got his message across.

Wood: So it will go down in the record books as a win for Ambush, but I don't think...what's that...folks, I'm being told that something is happening backstage...can we get a shot of this...

The camera cuts to a shot backstage. Wolverine, Carnage, and the masked man known as The Annihilator are seen hurrying out of a dressing room and running down the corridor. When the camera approaches the dressing room door and looks inside it spots Benjamin Childs, badly beaten, lying face down on the floor. Two referees come running in to check on Childs as the scene goes back to the arena.

Wood: Looks like Menace 2 Society isn't taking any chances tonight. Wolverine, of course, will go one-on-one with Ben Childs a little later on this evening, and it would appear that Wolverine's new attitude is really setting in. Pre-match sneak attacks never used to be one of his calling cards, but now that he is alligned with Masked Menace X, that all seems to have changed. Speaking of MMX and Menace 2 Society, the television championship is on the line next, only this won't be a run-of-the-mill title defense for MMX. Tonight he'll be facing not one, but BOTH members of The Order. Some interesting stipulations on this match as well. If either member of The Order can secure a fall, Tao Te Ching will be crowned the new MMP television champion. If, however, MMX is able to overcome these tremendous odds and hold onto the belt, The Order will be forced to wrestle in tutus for the next thirty days. A lot on the line for all three men tonight, so let's go back to the ring for more action.

MMP Television Championship
Handicap Match
MASKED MENACE X (C) vs. THE ORDER

MMX came to the ring wearing a new mask to replace the one that had been stolen by The Bootlegger on the previous Saturday Night Slams card, but the look of confidence on his face could not be concealed. As he stepped through the ropes Dragonfly offered a handshake to his outnumbered opponent, but before MMX could accept or decline he was met with a superkick to the back. It was clear from the beginning that MMX would have a very difficult time holding up under the pressure of a 2-on-1 assault. The Order dragged him over and tied him in the ropes, leaving MMX essentially helpless as both of his opponents pounded him repeatedly with rights and lefts to the head. A clothesline from Tao Te Ching finally freed MMX, but it sent him over the top and out to the floor in the process. Tao followed him out, slamming the champion head first into the steel post before sending him back into the ring where Dragonfly was waiting. MMX stumbled back to his feet, only to be taken over by a huracanrana from Dragonfly, who was then quick to ascend to the top rope where he delivered his patented senton splash. He went for a cover, but Tao slid back in and asked Dragonfly to allow him to score the fall. Since a pin by either man would give Tao the belt Dragonfly had no reason to refuse, and relinquished the cover. Tao pulled MMX up and rolled him into a small package for the 1..2...3 to capture his first MMP championship. The referee then raised Tao's hand in victory and presented him with the title belt, but Tao wasn't finished yet. He snatched the belt away from the official and proceeded to whip MMX repeatedly across the back with the leather strap. It wasn't until the ref threatened to reverse his decision and return the belt to MMX that Tao pulled off and went back to the dressing room with his partner to celebrate the victory.

Wood: One title match down, one new champion crowned here at Daark Ages! Tao Te Ching is your new MMP television champion, and one has to wonder if this could be a sign of things to come here tonight in Minneapolis.

Brewer: Well, have a look at the lineup. We've still got Inferno, Death, Virus Richards, and The Destroyer all challenging for titles here tonight, and I don't think there's anyone out there who would argue that any one of those men is incapable of capturing championship gold. Virus and Destroyer are both multiple time champions, and Inferno and Death are two of the highest ranked contenders in the MMP to have never tasted gold, so I'd venture to say that they're probably the hungriest of all. We could see a major shakeup in the title picture here tonight.

Wood: Up next we've got a match that we alluded to only moments ago, pitting former allies turned bitter enemies Wolverine and Benjamin Childs head-to-head momentarily. Longtime fans of the MMP don't need to be reminded of this feud. Wolverine and Childs, then known as Dr. No Limit, entered the MMP at roughly the same time in late 1998. They would battle several times over the next few months before a brief alliance in Captain Patrick O'Conner's group known as The Untouchables. After that association collapsed the two men faced each other several more times, trading the midwestern and television titles back and forth on more than one occasion. Tonight they do battle for the first time in the new year, but as we saw earlier from Wolverine's savage backstage attack, the hatred between these two men is as strong as ever. Who will get the early upper hand in 2000?

BENJAMIN CHILDS vs. WOLVERINE

Wolverine came to the ring first with The Annihilator, looking as though he knew that the match was well in hand after his attack on Childs backstage. His impressions seemed accurate as Childs was obviously still feeling the effects of the assault as he slowly made his way to the ring, wearing an old Untouchables t-shirt. He slapped high-fives with fans along the entrance way before pulling two tables out from under the ring and setting them up, stacked one on top of the other at ringside. He then climbed into the ring, and was ready for Wolverine's attempt at an early attack. Childs blocked Wolverine's right hand and countered with one of his own, followed by another and yet another, backing Wolverine up into the ropes. He sent Wolverine off the far side but Wolverine was able to reverse the whip, lowering his shoulder as Childs rebounded off and sending him over with a back bodydrop. Wolverine waited for Childs to get back to his feet and nailed him with a running dropkick that put him right back down. Again Childs got up but this time he was met with a clothesline that sent him over the top rope and out to the floor. Not wanting to let his opponent have a chance to recover, Wolverine stepped through the ropes and out onto the apron. He jumped off with a double axhandle blow but Childs countered, throwing a fist into Wolverine's midsection as he landed, knocking the wind out of the Menace 2 Society member. Childs, who was now getting his second wind, grabbed Wolverine by the back of the head and slammed him into the steel safety rail before picking him up in the air and dropping him throat-first across the same barricade. With the crowd cheering his every move Childs pulled Wolverine over and set him up for a piledriver. He would only get Wolverine half way up, though, before the Detroit native was able to re-plant his feet and backdrop Childs over, slamming him down hard to the concrete floor. Wolverine then quickly rolled Childs back into the ring before getting up on the apron and climbing to the top rope. He waited patiently on top for Childs to get back to his feet, and when he did Wolverine dove off with an impressive flying bodypress...a move that Childs countered into a powerslam! Wolverine's back rocked off the canvas, and Childs was quick to follow up. He grabbed Wolverine by the head and tried to hook on a dragon sleeper. Wolverine fought hard and tried to pull his head out of Childs' grasp, but it looked like Childs would get the hold applied. Eventually Childs gave up on trying to put the sleeper on and simply delivered a big forearm blow to his opponent's forehead before pulling him to his feet and sending him off the ropes for a spinebuster! The sound of the slam could be heard all througout the arena, and Childs sensed it was time to finish Wolverine off. He rolled Wolverine over towards the edge of the ring and out onto the lower of the two stacked tables that he had set up just prior to the match. Wolverine lay motionless as Childs climbed to the top rope, but before Childs could jump off, The Annihilator reached up and grabbed Childs' leg, causing him to lose his balance and straddle himself on the top rope. The ref ran over and shouted at Annihilator to get away from the ring, but his interference had given Wolverine an opening that he desperately needed. He rolled off the table back into the ring, and before Childs could regroup on the top, Wolverine climbed up to meet him. He hoisted Childs up on his shoulders and jumped off the top with the Michigan Death Driver. Childs' head was jammed into the canvas and Wolverine rolled him over and covered him for the three count and the victory.

Wood: Wolverine pulls it out here at Daark Ages, but if you ask me he was only seconds away from going down to defeat at the hands of Ben Childs, and probably would have done exactly that if not for the outside interference from The Annihilator.

Brewer: Hey Wood, you know I've never been much of a Wolverine fan, but I really think that Childs has no one to blame for the loss tonight than himself. He'd already been attacked backstage, he'd already seen The Annihilator come to the ring with Wolverine, but what does he do? He tries to act like a big shot and comes to the ring without back- up of his own. It was a stupid mistake that no respectable pro would have made, and it cost him. It's his own fault.

Wood: Hey, since when is it a sign of stupidity to try and win a match on your own like a man? Sure, Ben Childs probably could have used Zane or Charles out here to watch his back, but he wanted to prove that he didn't need anyone on the outside to win a match. Unfortunately for him it didn't work out that way, but you can't fault a man for his integrity. You could learn a thing or two from a man with the character of a Ben Childs, Ray. We've got more championship action coming your way next, this time it's a title that both Ben Childs and Wolverine have held on multiple occasions in the past, and that's the MMP midwestern championship. Hot Crimson recently became a repeat winner of that championship back at Season's Slaying when he outlasted fifteen other superstars to win the tournament almost a month ago, but tonight he faces his toughest challenger since recapturing the gold, the newest member of The Cult, the man known only as Death. Death has never held a title in the MMP before, but many feel that this will be his best opportunity to date to put a stop to that streak. Will The Cult add another championship to their collection, or will The Organization, which has already acquired the TV title here tonight, maintain their stranglehold on the championship picture?

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

The challenger was introduced first, and came to the ring with his partner in the new Dominion of Doom tag team, the reigning MMP world champion and the namesake for tonight's event, Daark. Hot Crimson, though, would not be alone, as the midwestern champion was accompanied by his stablemates, The Order. The Dragonfly and the new TV champion Tao Te Ching didn't stay in the picture for long, though, as even before they could get down to the ring they were stopped by an attack from behind by Harbinger and The Destroyer! The two-time former tag team champions were partially held off by Crimson's coming to the aid of his allies, but Death and Daark soon joined in the fight as well, leaving all seven men brawling in the runway. Eventually Crimson got his hands on Death and nailed his challenger with a forearm to the jaw before dragging him down to the ring and rolling him in under the bottom rope. A group of referees came down to usher Harbinger, Destroyer, and The Order back to the dressing room, but for some reason they allowed Daark to go back to the ring to stand in Death's corner. Daark's presence, though, did very little for Death in the early going. The challenger was floored by a boot to the face from Crimson as he bounced off the ropes, and then found himself on the receiving end of a corkscrew elbowdrop from the champion. With Death down Crimson mounted his opponent and started choking him with his bare hands, blatantly breaking the rules despite the fact that he was only inches away from the official, who quickly stepped in to break the hold. Crimson shifted his offense and went for a dragon sleeper, but just as was the case for Ben Childs in the earlier match, the midwestern champion was unable to get the hold applied. Death raked his opponent across the eyes to escape his grasp before delivering a clothesline that sent Crimson over the top rope to the floor. He followed Crimson out and didn't give the champ any time to regroup, slamming him into the post right away and then stomping him against the steel steps. The referee began to administer his ten count before Daark climbed up on the apron and grabbed the official's attention, forcing him to lose track of his cadence. While the ref was distracted Death pulled back the mats that were covering the hard wooden floor and set Crimson up for a piledriver. He got Crimson up and sat down at an incredible speed, planting Crimson's skull against the exposed floor before pulling the man up and rolling him back into the ring. With a boot across Crimson's throat Death proceeded to choke the champion in much the same manner as Crimson had done to him earlier in the match, but the referee was again quick to step in and put a stop to the violation. Death complied with the official's instructions and released the hold, but that didn't put a stop to his offense. Pulling Crimson back to his feet Death whipped the man off the far side ropes and caught him with a side suplex, driving him hard into the canvas. He rolled over and covered Crimson for the 1..2...Crimson kicked out! Death couldn't believe that he didn't win the match right there, but before he could plead his case, the referee's attention was turned to something happening in the runway. Harbinger, Destroyer, and The Order were still going at one another, and the fight had spilled back into the arena! While the ref tried to order the four men away, Daark climbed up on the apron on the far side. Death Irish whipped Crimson towards his tag team partner, who delivered a spinning heel kick. Unnoticed by Daark, however, was the fact that Crimson had reversed the whip, and thus it was Death taking the kick right in the back of the head! Death staggered forward, right into a boot to the midsection from Crimson followed by the double-arm DDT. Crimson pulled the ref back over before making the cover for the 1...2...3, securing his status as midwestern champion for another night.

Wood: Hot Crimson retains the midwestern championship with a little help, albeit inadvertently, from the world champion.

Brewer: It looked to me like Death had the match well in hand. He controlled a good part of the offense, and Crimson desperately needed a big break if he hoped to get back into things. Luckily for him he got that break, as you said Wood from a very improbable source, and as a result he's still the champion.

Wood: It's two-for-two tonight for The Organization with Hassan Abu Saada's universal title defense still to come, but in the meantime it's back to the drawing board for The Cult, who will have to get past this defeat in a hurry as they still have four big matches here to come at Daark Ages. The first of those four matches is up next in what some are calling the biggest mismatch of the evening as The Bootlegger, representing The Cartel, does battle with The Cult Master's loyal, but very bizarre, follower known as Harbinger. Again, this is quite as mismatch on paper if you only look at what these two men have accomplished in singles competition. The Bootlegger held the universal championship for nearly six months in 1999, while Harbinger has yet to score a win over a top-rated star when competing in one-on-one matches. Don't forget, though, that Harbinger is a two- time former tag team champion, and if you will recall back to last year, Harbinger scored nearly all of the singles victories that he has amassed over his career during the time when the 1999 tag team championship tournament was going on. Of course as you know the 2000 tournament is currently underway, and there are a lot of guys backstage that are a little more wary of Harbinger than usual, saying that he has that extra-crazed look in his eye once again now that the tag team championship could be his once again. If you ask me, I wouldn't want to be Gene Barlotta heading into the match tonight.

THE BOOTLEGGER vs. HARBINGER

The Bootlegger came to the ring first, accompanied by his two ASSociates, Passion and Rage. The vile Italian barely had enough time to make it to the ring, though, as Harbinger was anxious to get the match going and did not wait for his introduction before tearing down the aisle after his opponent. The Destroyer solemnly followed his partner down the aisle, but was surprised when he saw that Barlotta was, in fact, ready for Harbinger's preemptive strike. Bootlegger intercepted Harbinger with a boot to the midsection, putting an immediate halt to Harbinger's early rush. A DDT drove Harbinger head first into the canvas. Bootlegger was in complete control in the early going, and he knew it. He mockingly started slapping Harbinger repeatedly across the back of the head, telling Harbinger that his methods would be useless tonight as Bootlegger had just received a rabies shot. Bootlegger then sent Harbinger off the far ropes and caught him on the rebound with a high knee that connected squarely with Harbinger's forehead and knocked the untamed man to the canvas. Harbinger never had a chance to regroup, as as soon as he had hit the mat Bootlegger was pulling him back up again, this time hoisting him in position for a fallaway slam. Out of absolute desperation Harbinger reached up and raked his fingernails across Bootlegger's eyes, enabling him to fall free from the Italian's grasp. While Bootlegger was temporarily blinded Harbinger hopped on his back and rode him into the canvas, rolling him over and digging his teeth deep into Bootlegger's forehead and tearing at the flesh until the sight of a thin stream of crimson could be seen coming from Barlotta's forehead. Not finished there Harbinger grabbed Bootlegger by the hair and dragged him over to the far ropes, draping the man's neck across the bottom strand and pressing down with the full force of his weight on the back of the head. Bootlegger could be heard gasping for air as Harbinger pulled back on the top rope for extra added support, and if not for the referee stepping in to break the illegal hold, Harbinger could well have choked the man unconscious. Harbinger sat back in the corner and listened to instructions from Destroyer while Bootlegger slowly stumbled back to his feet with the aid of the ropes. As soon as Bootlegger was up Harbinger moved in once more, this time delivering a kick to the midsection and a face buster, much to the delight of the sold out crowd in Minneapolis. Then, with Bootlegger down and in bad shape, Harbinger took his assault to the air. He stepped out of the ring and climbed to the top, but rather than waiting for Bootlegger to get up and delivering his Omen bulldog, Harbinger dove off immediately with a flying splash, a splash that landed squarely on Bootlegger's knees, which were brought up as protection at the last second. Harbinger rolled awkwardly over Bootlegger's seemingly lifeless body, and Barlotta was on the attack once again. He caught Harbinger with a kneedrop right across the throat, holding it in position as a chokehold. The referee ordered the break, but Bootlegger refused, insisting that he would hold the choke as long as Harbinger had choked him earlier in the match. Even after the referee told him that he had been holding the choke longer than Harbinger had, Bootlegger was still reluctant to break. He had an obvious look of disgust on his face for the referee and the rule he was trying to enforce, but that didn't stop him from continuing to work on Harbinger. Again he sent Harbinger off the ropes, and this time he caught him with a hand around the throat, lifting him up for a chokeslam. Just before Bootlegger could drive the wild man into the canvas, Harbinger shot out his right foot and caught Bootlegger with a low blow! Bootlegger was forced to relinquish his grip, and collapsed to his knees while Harbinger began breathing heavily, trying to get a second wind. The Destroyer strongly encouraging Harbinger from the outside, leaving the big man vulnerable to an attack from Inferno, who came running in from the crowd and assaulted the big man from behind! Inferno slammed Destroyer into the steel ring post and began working on the giant's legs with repeated martial arts kicks. The referee's attention was soon drawn to the brawl on the outside, and left him paying no regard to the match, where Harbinger was poised to take over again. He charged Bootlegger with a big clothesline, but the Italian ducked under and nailed Harbinger with a solid right hand to the back. Harbinger stopped in his tracks and dropped to his knees in pain. A close-up camera shot revealed the reason...Bootlegger had a pair of brass knuckles in his hand. With Harbinger's latest comeback attempt thwarted, Bootlegger took advantage right away, picking the man up and nailing the Heart's Desire!! He swatted the ref in the back to get his attention before making the cover on Harbinger and scoring the three count.

Wood: The Bootlegger survives here tonight at Daark Ages, but you have to admit Ray that Harbinger gave him all he could handle and then some before the combination of the distraction by Inferno and the brass knuckles enabled Gene Barlotta to escape with a victory.

Brewer: It just goes to show you that The Bootlegger always has a plan. Whether it's against the top ranked man in the MMP or against a frothing flunky like Harbinger makes no difference. I seriously doubt that Gene thought he would need to call upon his backup plan tonight, but a win is a win is a win, and Bootlegger picked up what he was looking for here tonight.

Wood: Folks the MMP extreme championship will be on the line next as Psychotic Sam defends the championship that he has now held on five separate occasions against a man who has amassed more victories than any other wrestler in the history of the Midwestern Mayhem Promotion, and I'm speaking of course about Virus Richards. We know of Sam's prowess in these hardcore matches, but Virus remains an unknown commodity in this environment. We've seen him in a number of situations over the years, but his limited experience in the no disqualification realm could make him something of a longshot to capture the gold here tonight. We send you, for now at least, back to the ring for our next contest.

MMP Extreme Championship
Falls Count Anywhere Match
PSYCHOTIC SAM (C) vs. VIRUS RICHARDS

The challenger was introduced first, but he didn't make it far before the champion made his presence felt. Sam came running out from the dressing room almost immediately upon Virus' arrival and nailed him in the back of the head with the championship belt, dropping the challenger face first to the concrete floor. He then slammed Virus into the safety rail before dragging him down towards the ring. Virus managed to interrupt Sam's attack with a kick to the midsection, and a quick hiptoss into the steel ring steps slowed the champion down long enough for Virus to get his second wind. While Sam remained down on the floor Virus reached under the ring and started pulling on something. A few moments later he pulled the object fully out...a bag of kitty litter! He ripped the bag open, grabbed a handful of it's contents and, after waiting for Sam to get back to his feet and turn around, tossed the kitty litter right in Sam's eyes! Sam started swinging wildly trying to get a hold of Virus, but with the litter impeding his vision he couldn't see if he was hitting anything or not. With his opponent incapacitated Virus grabbed a chair away from the timekeeper and folded it up before jamming it hard into Sam's midsection. Then, with Sam doubled over, Virus held the chair a couple of inches away from Sam's face and delivered a big punting-style kick to the chair, jamming it right into the face of his opponent. The referee had since joined the two men on the outside, but since this was a no disqualification match, he was powerless to do anything but count the fall. While Sam rolled around on the floor in pain Virus called the referee over and began critiquing his conduct during the earlier matches, offering him pointers on how better to call a match in the name of fair play and sportsmanship. The self-inflicted distraction would prove costly for Virus, as his conversation with the official drew his attention away from the fact that Sam was back on his feet. Before Virus could react Sam charged Virus and nailed him with a big running clothesline that sent both men over the safety rail and in amongst the spectators. The two men then fought all the way up the aisle towards one of the exit signs, but before they could reach the doorway Sam raked Virus' face and grabbed a beverage away from one of the spectators. He slammed the drink against Virus' head before throwing him into the door, sending the challenger out of the arena and into the lobby of the Target Center. Virus crawled a short way down the hall before turning and sitting with his back parallel against the wall. Sam stalked in slowly, but before he could get an offensive move in Virus reached up, grabbed him around the midsection, and pulled him hard forward, driving Sam face first through a glass fire hose case. Sam fell to the floor while Virus remained down. It would be the challenger who got to his feet first, though, and with the glass covering shattered, the fire hose was left unprotected. Virus grabbed the hose and pulled it off the reel, using it to choke Sam while the champ squirmed to get away. Sam eventually pulled himself free from the choke, but it took nearly all the strength he had left in his body to do so and thus he was easy pickings for Virus, who dragged him down the aisle towards the concession stand where he delivered a hiptoss that sent Sam crashing through the condiments table. Ketchup, mustard, and little packets of sugar went flying as Sam fell to the floor, drawing the few fans who were purchasing refreshments to get a closer look at the action. Security was quick to emerge from the dressing room area to keep the spectators back, but they didn't stop Virus, who was relentless in his pursuit of the championship. He reached down to pull Sam up once again, but this time he was met with a wicked shot from a full ketchup can to the head that sent the Cartel member stumbling back against the wall. When he moved in again Sam held the can up and, using the pump-spray on the top of the can, squirted ketchup into Virus' eyes, blinding the challenger just as he had done to Sam earlier in the match. Unable to identify his surroundings, Virus knocked over a cart and stumbled into the kitchen area, sending the three women working the booth hurrying into the back room. Sam soon caught up to the challenger and took him over with a hiptoss, sending him right into two trays of beer. Sam went for a quick cover, but Virus was able to kick out after only two, although he was still wiping frantically to try and clear the ketchup from his eyes. He apparently succeeded in doing just that, as he was then able to stop Sam with a forearm shot to the head. A second forearm backed Sam up, allowing Virus to open the fridge. He waited patiently for Sam to charge, and when he did Virus whipped the heavy metal door back into Sam's face, sending Sam flying back in the direction from wence he came. Virus then slowly plodded over to Sam and pulled him back towards the fridge, balancing Sam's head on the bottom shelf and lightly shutting the door on it. He took three steps back and dropkicked the door, crushing Sam's skull between the door and the rest of the fridge unit. Virus pulled Sam out and made the cover, but this time it was Sam kicking out just in the knick of time, forcing the match to continue. Undaunted, Virus pulled Sam up and pulled him down the hall towards one of the arena's regular souvenir booths which was locked, not open for business during wrestling events. Virus smashed the glass case with his foot and reached in, pulling out a Minnesota Wild hockey stick and a roll of white athletic tape. He turned back to Sam but was met with a rake of the face which was followed almost immediately by a trash can to the top of the head. Virus went down like a ton of bricks, and Sam disappeared behind a curtain. When he re-emerged he was dragging a table, which he set up near the wall. He pulled Virus up on the table, hooked the head, and delivered the Psychotic Smash...but it was only Sam that went through the table. Virus had reached out at the last moment and grabbed onto a pipe along the wall to maintain his balance, while Sam crashed to the floor. The challenger reacted quickly, grabbing the roll of athletic tape and taping Sam to a piece of the broken table. He then climbed up on the ledge of the broken souvenir case and jumped off with his patented frog splash. Virus made the cover and hooked both legs for the three count to capture his first extreme championship.

Wood: Another championship has changed hands at Daark Ages, this time with Virus Richards capturing the MMP extreme title from Psychotic Sam. This has been a big night for The Cartel so far with both Bootlegger and Richards securing victories. Steve Simon is not scheduled to compete here tonight, but we know that the fourth member of the group, Inferno, is only minutes away from making this a Cartel night as he challenges Daark for the world title. Things are really looking up for The Cartel heading into that big match.

Brewer: Ya know Wood, I'm really starting to get tired of this extreme championship division. It's a rip off for the fans in the building, it's repetitive and predictable, and it's got nothing at all to do with wrestling. The people in Minneapolis have paid good money to see the matches here tonight, yet they get stuck watching the action on television screens? What does that say about the benefits of being at a live event. And come on Wood, even you have to admit...ketchup and mustard? What in the hell do ketchup and mustard have to do with wrestling? I'll tell you what...not a damn thing! If they're showing this event in the intensive care unit at the rest home tonight, I know Harry Simon's out there and he'll agree with my every word. Purists like to call this garbage wrestling, and I'm starting to agree with them.

Wood: I know you're the type of guy who would rather watch a three-hour match from the 1920s full of headlocks and takedowns, Ray, and while those matches definitely have a place in our history, it's not what the fans of today want to see. They want to see tables, they want to see chairs...I guess they want to see ketchup and mustard, and both Virus Richards and Psychotic Sam gave them a hell of a show here tonight in what could be the best match we've seen so far in 2000. Well, The Family is going to have to regroup and regroup in a hurry as we've come to that point in the evening where it's time for the "loser must bow" match. Aries, a two-time former world champion and the self-proclaimed "God of war", goes one on one with The Cult Master, who simply claims that he is the Lord Almighty himself. I, for one, don't believe him and I'm sure most of you at home feel the same way, but nevertheless both men are eager to solidify their claims of divinity here at Daark Ages. The loser must bow before the winner in our next contest.

Loser Must Bow Match
THE CULT MASTER vs. ARIES

With The Joker's Child and members of the CWO at his side, the massive Aries made his way to the ring, set to participate in his first match since becoming a member of The Family. The Cult Master's customary long entrance procession soon followed, with Daark, Harbinger, and The Destroyer all lining the aisle as their leader approached the ring. While the ceremony was taking place the CWO ran up the aisle and attacked the Cult members who, as would be expected, had little trouble in disposing of the band of transients, hammering them to the floor before a group of referees could be brought out to take them away. The distraction seemed to serve it's purpose, though, as it drew The Cult's attention away from The Joker's Child, who had used this opportunity to crawl under the ring. The Cult Master took control in the early going, hammering Aries with a pair of European uppercuts that backed him into the ropes. With the match now underway and no threat of the extra referees sending him to the dressing room, Joker slid out from under the ring to watch the action. Cult Master whipped Aries off the ropes but it was reversed, with Aries sending Cult Master off the far side. Just as Cult Master hit the ropes Joker reached up with the lit end of his customary cigar and jammed it into Cult Master's back, leaving a bright red burn mark from where it had made contact. Cult Master fell to his knees as Joker laughed out loud, but the laughter would soon vanish when Joker realized that The Cult Master's followers were still at ringside. Harbinger and Destroyer surrouned him and immediately went to work hammering the former midwestern champion into the ground. The two men then pulled Joker up and started dragging him up the aisle, taking turns delivering right hands to the head and kicks to the body. Aries shouted out at the men to unhand Joker, but all his yells did was distract him from the task at hand. Cult Master was back to his feet by this point and caught Aries off guard with a solid right hand to the back. A kneelift then found it's mark in the same region of the body, and Cult Master whipped Aries off the ropes. Again Aries was able to reverse the move, and this time he went for a big boot as Cult Master came off. Cult Master ducked, but Aries almost looked like he expected that would happen and immediately brought a big elbow down across the back Cult Master's head. Aries was quick to follow up, pulling Cult Master to his feet and delivering a solid forearm shot to the head before whipping him into the far turnbuckle. The big man measured Cult Master as the slowly moved in and drove elbow after elbow into the side of Cult Master's face. With Cult Master dazed Aries picked his opponent up and walked him out towards the middle of the ring where he planted him with a big sidewalk slam. He then dropped an elbow across the sternum. Rather than going for the cover, though, Aries got back to his feet and used a blatant chokehold to try and wear his opponent down further, pressing down with his boot and putting the full pressure of his near 400-pound frame down across Cult Master's windpipe. The referee stepped in and began to administer the count and Aries, not wanting to have to bow before his opponent as a result of a disqualification, relinquished the hold at the last minute. He pulled Cult Master up once again and sent him off the ropes, again going for the big boot to face. Cult Master ducked again, just as he had done before, except this time he caught Aries with a spear to the back before the big man could counter. Aries went down awkwardly clutching his back, and Cult Master took full advantage. With Daark still on the outside keeping watch Cult Master pulled Aries over to the corner and repeatedly slammed the big man's legs against the steel post, rolling back into the ring just before the referee's ten count could be completed. He continued his work on Aries' legs by dragging him out towards the center of the ring and applying a Boston Crab. Although Aries was able to use his incredible size to reach out and grab the ropes to force the break, the damage had been done. The "Beast from Greece" was slow to get up despite the aid of the ropes, enabling Cult Master to do further damage with a chop block to the back of the legs. Aries fell to his knees once more, and by this point Cult Master was in total control. He grabbed Aries by the head and pulled him away from the ropes before using every ounce of strength remaining in his body to lift Aries up and deliver a brainbuster! The force of a man as big as Aries falling directly on their head could nearly break a man's neck, but that wasn't what Cult Master needed. All he needed was a three count, and after rolling Aries over and tightly hooking the leg he got exactly that. The Cult Master was declared the winner, and Daark was the first man in the ring to congratulate his leader. Aries was very slow getting back to his feet, but Cult Master remained in the ring, waiting for the salute that was now owed him. The big man initially refused to bow, but when the referee informed him that he would be suspended if he didn't live up to his contract, Aries offered a quick bow before heading dejected back to the locker room.

Wood: I guess this means that The Cult Master is now the "true god" of the MMP, although I'm sure this victory will do little to change the opinions of many MMP fans, or federation employees for that matter.

Brewer: Wood, this is one of those very rare occasions where you and I are actually in agreement. If you ask me, this whole feud was pointless. The Cult Master wins, so now what? He's gonna keep claiming to be God? What changed? Not a damn thing. Look, if you want to try and convince people that you are the Almighty, get a bunch of your goons into a trailor and drive around the south preaching the gospel. It's the more conventional way of spreading such nonsense, and it's easier to convince a bunch of hungover hillbillies on a Sunday morning than it is to try and confuse an informed wrestling fan.

Wood: Our next contest is for the universal championship, and it pits not only two men, but two factions meeting head-on for that prestigious title. The Organization has been quite successful already tonight with not only Hot Crimson retaining the midwestern championship but also with Tao Te Ching capturing the TV title in the handicap match, but at the same time The Cult is coming off a huge win with their leader The Cult Master defeating a Hall of Famer in Aries. Momentum is riding on both sides as Hassan Abu Saada prepares to defend the belt against the giant known as The Destroyer!

MMP Universal Championship Match
HASSAN ABU SAADA (C) vs. THE DESTROYER

Destroyer came to the ring with Daark, Harbinger, and a trio of Cult minions, all out there to ensure that no interference take place in the match as Joker's Child had attempted to do during the previous matchup. Hassan, though, had plenty of backup of his own, and was escorted to the ring by the reigning midwestern champion Hot Crimson as well as The Order. Both men were eager to get the match going, and neither waited for the opening bell. Hassan tore into Destroyer with a series of chops across the chest, but the challenger simply absorbed those opening blows and dropped Hassan with a sambo takedown. Using a technique often employed by his opponents Destroyer went to work on Hassan's leg, wrenching back on the knee twice before turning the man over in a half crab. With nearly 500 pounds putting pressure on the leg and back Hassan knew it was essential that he get to the ropes quickly and he did, using his height to his advantage to reach out and grab the bottom strand. The referee called for the break and Destroyer complied almost immediately, not wanting to risk losing his title shot to a disqualification. He pulled Hassan back to his feet, but was quickly met with a rake of the eyes from the champion, who then backed Destroyer into the corner. Pressing his forearm in hard against Destroyer's throat Hassan tried to simply drain the life out of his adversary, but the referee was quick to step in. Hassan, however, was not as willing to follow the official's instructions, and seemingly pressed even harder during the count. It wasn't until Harbinger jumped up on the apron and threatened Hassan that the champion broke the hold, leaving Destroyer somewhat winded and slumped in the corner. While Destroyer tried to regroup Hassan reached down and hoisted Destroyer up, getting him just high enough off the ground that he could sit Destroyer on the top rope. He then climbed up and positioned Destroyer for a superplex, but the mighty challenger caught Hassan with a forearm to the jaw that caused the Egyptian to lose his footing on the ropes and stumble back to the canvas. Destroyer quickly jumped down and used another takedown to drop Hassan again. He then isolated the man's leg and pulled him over to the ropes where, with the leg balancing on the middle strand, Destroyer delivered a pair of short vertical splashes right across the knee. Destroyer jumped up to deliver a third splash, but was caught with a foot in the back from Hassan that shoved him through the ropes and out to the floor. Destroyer was more startled than injured, though, and was quickly back to his feet and climbing back into the ring. When he stepped through the ropes Hassan was already up and waiting for him, delivering a forearm smash to the back of the head. He whipped the challenger across the ring into the far corner and delivered a crushing avalanche, followed almost immediately after by a second! Destroyer looked ready to collapse and stumbled out towards the center of the ring where Hassan locked on a cobra clutch. Destroyer was having trouble maintaining his balance, and soon collapsed to one knee. The ref moved in to check on the big man, but Destroyer was still in it. He waved the ref off and fought hard to regain his footing. He couldn't fight Hassan enough to stand back up, but he did manage to shoot his right arm out and grab the middle rope to force the break. The referee quickly stepped in and pulled Hassan off, remembering that the Egyptian had refused to break a choke on his earlier instructions. Insulted that the official would take such action against him Hassan stood towering over the referee and began screaming at him, but the distraction gave Destroyer the opening he needed. After finally getting back to his feet Destroyer nailed Hassan with a kick to the back followed by an inverted chokeslam! He then rolled Hassan over and made the cover for the 1..2...3! The bell sounded and Destroyer's music played, but the referee frantically waved it off, realizing that Hassan's foot had been on the bottom rope as he made the count. He quickly explained what had happened to Destroyer, who was undeniably furious with the call. Destroyer then walked over and went to pick Hassan up again, but was met with a low blow for his trouble. The champion then delivered a quick DDT before applying a camel clutch. Destroyer lunged out for the ropes, but they were out of his reach. With a near 500-pound man pulling back on his neck, Destroyer couldn't hold out forever. The referee got down to check, and when he saw that Destroyer was no longer responding he stopped the match and awarded the decision to Hassan.

Wood: What a match between two of the biggest and the best in the MMP. Hassan Abu Saada retains the universal title, but only after more than a little controversy. I'm not sure Hassan got his foot on the ropes in time to break the count. I think Destroyer may have been robbed of the universal title here tonight.

Brewer: Well Wood, there are a million clich�s about opinions, and I don't need to sit out here and recite them all to you. The fact is that you have a headset, not a striped shirt, so your viewpoint is ultimately irrelevant. I don't care much for Hassan Abu Saada's warped and perverted lifestyle, but I'm not a big fan of Destroyer's blasphemy either. Neither man is a true champion if you ask me.

Wood: I didn't ask you, but I guess I should have known you'd share your opinion regardless. Folks, it's time for the MMP world championship to be decided. Daark makes his first PPV title defense since winning the title back at Season's Slayings as he takes on the Cartel giant known as Inferno. There have been a lot of people backstage, The Joker's Child in particular, who didn't feel Inferno was worthy of this opportunity, that there were more deserving challengers out there that should have had a shot at Daark's title. But as we discussed at the top of the show, no one in that dressing room knows Daark as well as Inferno does. All the months they spent side-by-side as Cult allies could give Inferno the insight he needs to capture the game's biggest prize. We're about to find out if that's the case, so let's send you back to the ring for our main event.

MMP World Championship Match
DAARK (C) vs. INFERNO

Daark was accompanied to the ring for his big title defense by his Dominion of Doom tag team partner Death. As soon as the two men stepped into the ring, Inferno's phoenix blazed overhead. The challenger didn't waste any time coming to the ring, though, as he came running down the aisle at full speed and dove into the ring. He charged the champion with a lariat even before the opening bell but Daark ducked out of the way and countered with a vicious chop to the chest. A second chop followed, and then a third, backing Inferno into the corner turnbuckle. While the action continued members of The Family made their way through the crowd to a group of empty front row seats where they sat throughout the match heckling the contest, trying to instigate chants of "boring" in the crowd. Daark glared at the men on the outside momentarily before charging in and going for a big elbow in the corner, but Inferno slid out of the way at the last second, and Daark caught nothing but turnbuckle. The challenger quickly capitalized, whipping Daark across the ring into the opposite corner and charging in with a big knee to the midsection. After a couple of punches to the side of the head Inferno grabbed the world champ and hoisted him up in the air, tossing him half way across the ring with an impressive press slam. Inferno was dominant over Daark, and it looked like the title was slipping away from the champion more and more with each passing second. Daark stumbled back to his feet, and Inferno snapped after him with a superkick, but the champ ducked down at the last second, causing Inferno's kick to miss the mark, leaving him to straddle himself on the top rope. Inferno slumped off and staggered back, right into a reverse legsweep from Daark. With the big man down Daark went to work on Inferno's legs, dropping repeated elbows across the joint before applying a figure four leglock. Inferno lunged backward for the ropes, but they looked to be out of his reach. With one final reach he managed to grab the bottom strand to break the hold, breathing a sigh of relief as the ref stepped in. On the outside The Family remained in the front row, still shouting obscenities at the men in the ring, focusing on Inferno who Joker still claimed was a waste of a world title match. Daark didn't pay them any mind as he climbed to the top rope, and as Inferno pulled himself back to his feet, the champ came flying off with a missile dropkick. Inferno fell backwards head over heels, and as Daark got up he motioned for Death to climb up on the apron. Death obliged and reached over the top rope, grabbing Inferno and holding him in place while Daark backed up across the ring. The champ came charging in with a flying splash, but Inferno dropped down out of the way and Daark crashed into Death. Death fell off the apron and hard into the safety rail, while Daark stumbled back into Inferno, who lifted him into a standing backbreaker. The big man carried Daark out towards the middle of the ring, but once it was clear that Daark wasn't going to give it up Inferno dropped him down in the middle of the ring. He made a belt motion around his waist before giving the sign for the All Nighter. Inferno pulled Daark up and lifted him high in the air...but Daark countered with a DDT! The challenger was driven head first into the mat, and Daark wasted no time going from there to the Purgatory sharpshooter!! Inferno couldn't hold on for long and soon tapped out, surrendering the match to Daark. The celebration was short lived, though, as a man in a hooded sweatshirt hopped over the safety rail from the front row. He floored Death with a forearm to the back of the head before sliding into the ring and doing the same to Daark. Pulling the hood back the man revealed himself to be The Bootlegger! Bootlegger dragged Daark over to the corner where he delivered the Ultimate Desire before grabbing the world title belt from the referee. He held the title high above his head as the screen fades to black.

� 1997 cnes@king.igs.net

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