Saturday Night Slams '99 09/25

September 25, 1999

”THE CANADIAN PIMP” OUIJA LULLABYE vs. “AMAZING” ANDREW PETERS

Lullabye was introduced first, coming out to his new entrance music, Santana’s “Smooth”. He was wearing the MMP-Canada Great Northern Championship belt around his waist and was accompanied by three of his “girls”. Peters then made his way out with Amanda, but before he got to the ring, a mysterious attacker ran out from the dressing room and nailed him over the back of the head with a scepter. The man was later identified as one of Hassan Abu Saada’s slaves, evidently sent to attempt to injure Peters before the pentagon match at Vindication. As Peters was struggling to his feet, Lullabye grabbed the mic:

Lullabye: "Peters, if been with my ho all week. Now her daddy Grant Lindsay is in the house, and if he sees me pimpin her out, he's gonna have my ass back up in Canada some more defending this damn title! Now just pay up, we will head back to the hotel, and you can pick out one of these three hos."

After hearing his opponent’s words, Peters flew into a rage. He charged the ring, ducked Lullabye’s clothesline attempt, kicked the pimp in the midsection and delivered a swinging neckbreaker. Peters was relentless, delivering a series of kneedrops to the body before pulling Lullabye up and applying an abdominal stretch. Ouija shouted in agony as Peters cinched the hold on tighter. One of his girls got up on the apron to try and help out her boss, but Peters saw her coming and released the hold, turning it into a leg sweep that rocked Lullabye’s head hard against the canvas. Not wasting any time, Peters quickly slapped on the Antagonizer. Knowing that he was beaten, Lullabye tapped out to give Peters his first win in the MMP.

MMP Saturday Night Slams is on the air! The MMP Coliseum is sold out in anticipation of tonight’s big event with more than 15, 000 rowdy fans on hand. Commentators Jerry Wood and Steve Lewin are at ringside.

Wood: Welcome, everyone, to MMP Saturday Night Slams! I’m Jerry Wood, joined this week by Steve Lewin, filling in for Ray Brewer who tonight will serve as the special guest referee for the tag team championship match pitting the Upstanding Citizens against Super Cupid and John Korso. That’s just one of four title matches we have scheduled for you tonight on the final SNS show before we head to Indianapolis for the huge Vindication pay per view event.

Lewin: That’s right, Jerry, we will see many of the participants in Wednesday’s genocidal warfare match in action here tonight in preparation of that huge event. We’ve already touched on Richards, Joker’s Child, and Korso, but lets not forget that both Captain Patrick O’Conner and Daark, two more participants in Wednesday’s main event, will also put their respective championships on the line this evening. Also on tap tonight is the first TV title defense for new champion Brick Stevens, who won the title last week under some very controversial circumstances, as he puts the belt up against former midwestern champion Soul Crusher.

Wood: But let’s not forget tonight’s headline match, a match the wrestling world has been talking about all week long. It looks like the demise of The Syndicate is officially here as The Bootlegger and “Stunning” Steve Simon will face off one on one in our feature contest this evening. We get things underway with the first of four title matches. Brick Stevens and Soul Crusher kick things off here on Saturday Night Slams.

MMP Television Championship Match
BRICK STEVENS (C) vs. SOUL CRUSHER

The challenger made his way to the ring first. As “Symphony of Destruction” played over the loudspeaker, Soul Crusher made his way slowly to the ring carrying a bag of groceries, drawing a somewhat mixed reaction from the crowd. Brick Stevens then came out, accompanied by the entire CWO. He was wearing red, white, and black attire with the word “earthquake” written across the front. China Town Lee was wearing a strangely painted jacket and was waving around a busted old megaphone. Brick got in the ring and started jumping around in a circle, causing the ring to shake significantly, but when he finished he stood in the middle of the ring trying desperately to catch his breath. Soul Crusher, looking quite impatient, nailed Brick with a running clothesline that knocked the big man off his feet. Brick went down hard. Soul Crusher then grabbed his bag of groceries and started cramming food down Brick’s throat as he covered him for the three count to capture the title. The referee presented Crusher with the belt, but his celebration was short lived. Charging out from the back came George Achica, who slid into the ring and started hammering on Crusher with vicious shots to the kidneys. He then grabbed the new TV champ and nailed a spinning face slam before walking off.

Wood: Well, it comes as no surprise, but we have a new MMP television champion in Soul Crusher. I know that backstage Ray Brewer is going to be happy now that the CWO’s brief title reign has come to an end here on SNS.

Lewin: I think the entire world realized that Brick’s victory last week was nothing but a fluke, and it was only a matter of time before he lost the title. Nobody actually gave him a chance against Soul Crusher this week and, as was to be expected, we have a new TV champ for the second week in a row.

Wood: That’s one match down and one new champion. Will the trend continue into our next match? Hyoga goes into this one the decided underdog, but he has looked much better in recent weeks than he did in his early MMP days. Has he improved enough to take the universal championship from Daark? Let’s find out…

MMP Universal Championship Match
DAARK (C) vs. HYOGA

Many people thought Daark might be underestimating Hyoga going into tonight’s match, but the universal champion put that notion to rest in the early going as he tore into Hyoga with incredible ferocity. Nailing Hyoga with a series of chops and thrusts to the throat, Daark was taking over on the challenger in the early moments. Hyoga was reeling, showing his obvious inexperience in such high profile matches. Daark nailed him with a spinning heel kick of the ropes before connecting with a sommersault splash and making the cover. The champion hooked the leg, but Hyoga kicked out at two. With Hyoga trying to come up with a new gameplan on the fly, Daark stayed focused and caught the challenger with a DDT before climbing to the top rope. Hyoga lay prone in the middle of the ring and Daark came off with a diving headbutt, but the challenger showed that he wasn’t done yet and rolled out of the way, causing Daark to hit hard head-first on the canvas. The mistake gave Hyoga the opening he desperately needed, and the challenger started putting some offense together for the first time. He pulled Daark up and whipped him into the corner, pressing his boot firmly across the champion’s throat, draining the life out of Daark’s body while Hyoga caught a much-needed breather. The referee stepped in and began administering a count, forcing Hyoga to break the hold rather than be disqualified. It didn’t matter, because Hyoga had regained his composure and was starting to put his plan into action. Tossing Daark off the ropes, Hyoga caught him with a big boot to the face on the rebound before whipping him again into the corner. This time, Hyoga followed him in slowly and climbed the buckle, peppering Daark with punches as the crowd counted along. After delivering the tenth blow, Hyoga jumped down and delivered a flying lariat that knocked Daark through the ropes and out to the floor. Following his opponent out, Hyoga slammed Daark into the safety rail and the steel steps before rolling him back in and setting him on the top rope for a superplex. Hyoga got Daark set, but the ever-aware universal champion hooked his leg under the second buckle to block the move, sending Hyoga off and causing him to land hard on the canvas. After taking a second to get himself set, Daark came off the top with a flying elbow, crushing Hyoga’s sternum under the force of the blow. The match was swinging back in Daark’s favor, and the fans knew it. Pulling Hyoga up, Daark connected with a reverse neckbreaker and a running powerslam before locking the challenger in the Purgatory sharpshooter. Hyoga fought towards the ropes, but it was in vain. Daark had positioned him right in the center of the ring, and Hyoga had no choice but to tap out. As the referee called for the bell, several Cult minions started making their way down to the ring with branding tools in hand. Despite the referee’s insistence, Daark refused to break the hold. One of the minions took out the referee and, while Daark held Hyoga in place, the others used the tools to brand the symbol of The Cult on Hyoga’s back. Daark then released the hold and the minions led the way back to the dressing room for their victorious mentor. A couple of additional referee’s came out to help the match official and Hyoga, but before Hyoga could clear the area, Aries’ music played over the loudspeaker. The former world, universal, and extreme champion made his way down to the ring, still walking with the assistance of a cane after the injuries he had suffered at the hands of Psychotic Sam. Climbing in the ring behind Hyoga, Aries nailed him across the back with his cane before delivering the Godly Drop! He shouted some words at Hyoga before making his way to the back.

Wood: Well I guess that answers our question about just how far Hyoga has come since making his debut several months ago. He had a brief offensive spurt during the match, but Daark controlled the majority of the action, solidifying his hold on the universal championship.

Lewin: Daark now heads into Vindication on a winning streak, defeating Onyx Cooper and Hyoga in defense of the title over the past two weeks. He may very well need all the momentum he can get, as he and The Cult Master will face a very tough test in the first tier of genocidal warfare when they face the unlikely duo of The Joker’s Child and “Stunning” Steve Simon.

Wood: Another participant in the PPV main event that we have not yet mentioned tonight is the reigning midwestern champion Dr. No Limit. His title is not on the line tonight, but he will be in action, providing opposition for a man who, like Andrew Peters, is making his MMP debut here this evening. DNL and Malice are set to go one-on-one.

DR. NO LIMIT vs. MALICE

As Malice was making his way down to the ring, he was suddenly met with a shot from behind by someone in the crowd. The man soon let his identity be revealed. It was DNL, striking Malice in the back of the head with the midwestern championship belt. Malice went down hard, giving DNL the quick upper hand. As he climbed over the safety rail, DNL held the MW belt under his leg and delivered a legdrop on the floor before dragging Malice down to the ring. He slammed Malice into the ring post before rolling him into the ring. Perry Sanders then made his way out, grabbing the MW belt and carrying it down to the ring, setting it in the corner where he stood cheering on DNL. The midwestern champion was in total control early on, tossing Malice off the ropes and nailing him with a big boot to the face. As if acting on cue, Perry pulled a table out from under the ring and set it up on the floor as DNL tossed Malice into the corner and nailed a running avalanche. With Malice down, DNL shouted out to Perry on the floor to get out of the way and he pulled his opponent up in position for a powerbomb. Carrying Malice over to the ropes, DNL dropped him over the top with a powerbomb that sent Malice crashing right through the table to the floor! The crowd cheered loudly and, while the ref admonished DNL for the use of the table, Perry rolled Malice back into the ring. The midwestern champion then grabbed his opponent and delivered the Limit Driver for the pin. DNL, however, wasn’t finished there. He shouted for Perry to toss him a chair, grabbing the steel and ramming it into Malice’s leg again and again. DNL then grabbed the rookie and dragged him over to the corner, applying a figure four leglock around the ringpost. Several referees had to be called out to pull DNL off, sending him back to the dressing room to a loud chorus of boos.

Wood: A decisive victory here tonight for DNL, but Steve I have to ask, do you have any idea what he was thinking with that post-match ambush?

Lewin: I don’t understand that either, Jerry. It was somewhat uncharacteristic for DNL to attack a beaten man after the match. Could this be a sign of some kind of attitude change in the midwestern champion, and how will this effect his relationship with O’Conner? The Captain has never been one to resort to this kind of action.

Wood: That’s a very valid point, Steve. I have to say I expected a much better performance out of Malice here tonight. He came into the MMP very highly touted and was said to have impressed a number of people at the training facility prior to making his debut. Perhaps he’ll be able to rebound and put up a better showing come Vindication. And speaking of O’Conner, it’s time for the MMP world championship to be decided. The Captain puts the title on the line against Leonard “Cup” Cooper up next.

MMP World Championship Match
CAPTAIN PATRICK O’CONNER (C) vs. LEONARD “CUP” COOPER

"Sweet Home Alabama" blared over the loudspeakers as Leonard "Cup" Cooper made his way down riding a black horse. He was trying to sell "Hyoga is Universal Champion" t-shirts to fans in the crowd, but nobody was buying. He was followed by Rusty, his manager, and a pig with tusks. They got down to ringside and Cup tied his horse to the ringpost as O'Conner came out, accompanied by Zane and Charles. As O'Conner entered, Tao Te Ching came out of the front row and hopped up on the ring apron, distracting the referee. Cup took off his hat, bladed himself, and pulled out a small nightstick from his overalls. He then laid down in the middle of the ring, feigning unconsciousness. This was an obvious attempt to get the Captain disqualified, but O’Conner would have none of it. He kicked the nightstick out to the floor and violently pulled Cup to his feet, hitting him with a devastating headbutt before delivering his patented three suplex series. By the time the referee had turned away from Tao, O’Conner already had Cup locked in his old finisher, the Argentinian backbreaker. Cooper lasted only a few seconds before submitting. O’Conner dropped Cup to the canvas, shouting ”Take a good look Barlotta. That's nothing compared to what I have for you” as he did so. As the final bell sounded, two men were seen pushing a casket down to ringside. On top of it was a wreath that read “RIP Paulina”. O’Conner quickly jumped out to the floor to investigate. When he opened the casket, Daark sprung forth from the box and started hammering on the Captain. He slammed O’Conner into the coffin, but Zane and Charles were quick to surround the world champion, causing Daark to make a hasty exit through the crowd.

Wood: O’Conner retains the world title, but can you believe the gall of Daark? What kind of man would exploit the death of another man’s wife for personal gain? I know there’s a long history of hatred between O’Conner and The Cult, but this is going way over the line.

Lewin: I’m inclined to agree. That was a purely shameful display from Daark. I just hope that O’Conner doesn’t give in to what I’m sure was the motivation for that move – a world title shot for Daark. The MMP should suspend that man for doing something like that.

Wood: I’m sure the Captain will extract his own form of revenge in due time, but for now we go back to the ring for the fourth and final title match of the evening. The tag team championship is on the line with Virus Richards and The Joker’s Child putting the titles up against the very unlikely duo of John Korso and Super Cupid with our broadcast colleague Ray Brewer serving as the special referee.

MMP Tag Team Championship Match
UPSTANDING CITIZENS (C) vs. SUPER CUPID & “CORRUPT” JOHN KORSO

Special Guest Referee
RAY BREWER

The champions made their way to the ring first. They were accompanied by Ponch, Michael, and the mysterious woman in the black dress that had been with him in his interviews over the past few weeks. Brewer went over the instructions while Korso and George were introduced. The ref didn’t pay Korso the same courtesy, grabbing the mic from the ring announcer:

Brewer: OK, Korso, here’s the deal. I’m going to keep this real simple for ya, Johnny Boy. If you step so much as one millimeter out of line, I’ll run you out of this building so fast it’ll make your head spin. You’ve been running your mouth quite a bit lately, choker, now it’s time to see if you can back it up. I’ll be watching you…very closely…

Brewer was then interrupted when Super Cupid appeared on the giant video wall:

Cupid: "Hey Rey, remember a few months ago when I talked you into infesting some MMP funds into that thing with taking Club Takitoff national? Well I just inked the deal a few minutes ago here in St. Louis at Congregation towers! We are going to have a strip bar in every mall in every major City!!! Ive sent the jet to the airport for you to fly out. By the way Korso, Richards, and JC, Im one step ahead of you all, all the time."

Brewer: Hey, Cupid, I don’t know where you got the money to take that little dive of yours national. Didn’t you have to borrow starting capital from Mr. Beumont to get the last one off the ground? Anyways, there’s no way any of that cash came from me. No matter how many times you begged me for that exact amount, I never gave you one thin dime. I do want to thank you, though, thank you for proving to the world exactly how much courage The Congregation has. But hey, if you want to throw The Congregation’s last tag title shot away like that, be my guest. I remember one time you told me that “one step ahead” was Quincy code for “I quit”. I guess that means you quit on this here match. Your winners, BY SUBMISSION, and still tag team champions, Virus Richards and The Joker’s Child! Congratulations, Cupid, your chances at getting the belts back just took one up the backside. Congrats to you, too, Korso. Nice choice of a partner, there, Johnny…

Before Brewer could continue, Korso lunged at him and delivered the Hollow Point! He then kicked Brewer out under the bottom rope before grabbing the mic:

KORSO: RICHARDS! The only reason you and that grease painted pile of donkey snot leave here tonight as champions is because you supply RAY BREWER his weekly fix of ROGAINE! What happened here tonight means absolutely NOTHING as far as I'm concerned. Nothing has changed. I'm STILL the undisputed LEADER of the SYNDICATE and you can consider yourself SUSPENDED from MY organization.

VIRUS: Ya know something, KORSO, this bullsh*t has gone on just about long enough. JC, take the stooges out of here. This is SYNDICATE business.

Joker, Ponch, Michael, and the woman all then left the ringside area, leaving Virus, Korso, and George behind.

KORSO: I have NOTHING to discuss with you RICHARDS. You're SUSPENDED indefinately... and that FINAL!

VIRUS: John, you just never learn, do you? There is a very distinct difference between power and authority in this business, and since you just don't seem to understand what I mean, I'm going to explain it to you one more time. You, my friend, have all the authority in the world...over that big lumbering imbecile beside you. When it comes to men like myself and GENE BARLOTTA, you have NO authority, and unless you have authority over things or persons that matter, YOU HAVE NO POWER. Johnny boy, YOU have NO power in the MMP, and you have even less power in the SYNDICATE. I created The SYNDICATE. I extended my hand to you back in February, and I carried you through more down months than up. Without MY backing, you'd be nothing...

KORSO: I shouldn't even give this conversation credence by responding but I'll humor you by poking holes in your revisionist history. It was ME who approached YOU about forming the SYNDICATE. I brought you back from obscurity, you two-bit punk... and just like every other "never-has-been" from your generation you have NO GRATITUDE. NO RESPECT. NO LOYALITY. I was hoping that you would've followed the lead from GENE BARLOTTA. GENE has been one of my finest employees. He NEVER steps out of line and always follows orders. You, on the other hand, have no concept...

The "Corrupt One" is interrupted by "Kashmir" by Led Zeppelin suddenly blasting over the loudspeakers. The villainous BOOTLEGGER slithers out of the backstage area like a reptile. He is accompanied by some of the loudest boos to ever be heard on an MMP television broadcast and the stunningly beautiful BOOTLEGGERETTES at his side. As he heads down to ringside, he pulls a microphone out of seemingly thin air and turns to his women.

BOOTLEGGER: Girls, this is SYNDICATE business. I have no need for scenery today, go stare at the marble tiles on the floor of the lockerroom.

VERONICA jumps for joy and runs off. BETTY pauses for a second, fingering a taser gun and staring back at KORSO and VIRUS, but she soon exits as well. DAPHNE remains for a few moments, eyeing KORSO with a poisonous stare before she too leaves. BOOTLEGGER laughs before entering the ring. he takes the time to shake VIRUS' hand but doesn't even acknowledge KORSO until he at last lifts the microphone again to his lips.

BOOTLEGGER: Employee, JOHN? Let me get one thing straight with you, you pathetic waste of human tissue.....

The vile one steps right up to KORSO, looking down on him with an intense stare.

BOOTLEGGER: I AM NO ONE'S EMPLOYEE!!!!! .... Ok well, with the exception of GRANT LINDSAY.... but you know what I mean. What happened to you, KORSO? I mean you were once one of my best COATTAIL RIDERS!!!!! Man you were right up there with COOPER and WORTH as my chief butt-cheek shiner.... and then I leave you alone for two weeks and you snap on me. What was it, man? Was it the fact that you can't get within fifty yards of O'CONNER without dropping to the mat and begging to be pinned? Or maybe it was losing the World title the GODDAMN night after it was handed to you?

BOOTLEGGER turns his back on KORSO and begins to walk around the ring as he speaks into the mic.

BOOTLEGGER: Now, I really don't mind you calling yourself the boss or even selling my boat... heck a welfare collecting peon like you needs to make his money somehow. What really pisses me off is the fact that you've turned our innocent little STEVIE SIMON into a friggin' monster. I mean, there was a kid with potential, he could walk the walk, he could talk the talk and hell, in five or six years maybe we can take him out drinking too. And now what's left... or better yet, what's going to be left when I'm through with the little mama's boy tonight?

VOICE: Spare us, goon.

Steve Simon walks out on the entranceway, mic in hand and Kristin by his side.

SSS: First of all, Barlotta, keep your sputtering, nonsensical mouth shut like a good inferior. Virus, Korso, hell, even you, ya big Samoan creampuff. Let the Stunning One enlighten each and every one of you. I don't give a damn about your Syndicate. Korso, Virus, you two want it? Go ahead and fight over it like two infants battling over a Barbie doll. Every single one of you envies me, envies the talent I have, and the myriad skills that are my birthright. The Syndicate needs me -- the ineptitude of your collective wrestling skills is an eyesore to discriminating fans everywhere. The real question, though, is: does Steve Simon need the Syndicate? No.

Simon is interrupted by a screaming fan, holding out a picture of him, along with a Sharpie. Uncharacteristically, he accepts the picture, signing it and returning it with a smile before turning his attention back to the men in the ring.

SSS: Man by man. Korso, wake up and smell the sewage the Syndicate has become under you, little man. You're a nobody in that ring, as we've all seen repeatedly. Take your fat-assed charge and hike it to the independent feds. Virus, I have to admit, I respect you. That doesn't mean I've forgotten your poor reffing job in my TV title match, though. When I ascend to my throne as World champion, you'd better run and hide like the coward you are. And Gene. I have no words for you, greaseball --I'm saving what I have to say to you for later tonight. I need none of you. Maybe all I need...

Kristin leans on SSS's shoulder. Smiling, he glances at her with warm eyes.

SSS: Maybe all I need... is family. And what you need, Syndicate, is a miracle. Good luck, you'll need it.

He tosses the mic into the crowd, signs another hasty autograph, and makes his way to the back.

VIRUS: Good move Simon. You might as well hop on the express train back to the GWF, because without the support of yours truly, you never would have made it in this company to begin with. Who was it that first extended his hand to you? When you first made an impact on this fed, who was it that got you the spot? It was me, Steve. The greatest tag team wrestler the MMP has ever seen took you in as a partner, and you were on the right path. If I had turned my head the other way, you wouldn't be the "Stunning" Steve Simon you are today. Hell boyo, you'd be lucky to be "Stupendous". I made you, Simon, just the same as I made Korso, but you know something, I'm sick of this. As of THIS VERY SECOND, I am declaring The Syndicate dead. Johnny boy, you want to talk about probation and suspensions? Well, you can consider your ass FIRED as of today. Take that big lumbering oaf Curious George with ya, too. And Steve, guess what? Remember how Gene was talking about welfare collecting peons? Add yourself to to the list. YOU'RE OUT TOO!

Just then ONYX COOPER appears from out of the back, microphone in hand.

COOPER: All I have to say is,... "you all a bunch of schmucks to me. Look at you all bickering like a bunch of school girls on who is the leader, who founded the group, who can whipe their arse better, yady, yady, shit. Continue your baby games putzes, Igot bigger things to worry about. Joining the Syndicate didn't bring me any good, and leaving it won't do anything either. Ya like every stable I've ever been in, all talk. Till later, ya stupid mooks.

Cooper leaves...

VIRUS: Good, now that Onyx has gallopped off to protect his Lucky Charms, it's time to put The Syndicate to rest once and for all. Gene, I must say you are the only one who never let me down, who never let The Syndicate down. I always knew where you stood. As I leave this ring tonight, with yet another victory under my belt I might add, I offer you my hand one final time. You and I were the only ones who elevated the team. We were the only ones who could ever defeat Old Pegleg. I'll support your effort, but if you falter, I won't hesitate to claim that title myself.

Virus leaves, but stops halfway up the aisle and turns briefly back towards the ring.

VIRUS: It will be mine, even if it means pushing you down to the bottom of the barrel...

KORSO (flabbergasted): Fa-Fa-Fa-Fired?!?! No one FIRES JOHN KORSO. No one!

GEORGE (in a confused aside to KORSO)Boss, is imbecile a bad thing? Boss?

KORSO, frustrated, then turns to beat on RAY BREWER some more. The whole time screaming "NO ONE FIRES ME!" GEORGE picks up the mic and addresses the departing Bootlegger and SSS.

GEORGE: Nice to see you Mr. Barlotta. SSS? Brah, where can I get one of those Samoan creampuffs you was talking about?

GEORGE turns back to the ring action.

GEORGE: Boss, you need some help?

GEORGE joins Korso in his attack, pounding on Brewer until a large group of MMP security comes running out to subdue Korso and George.

Wood: What a vicious attack! Korso and Achica will be fined and suspended I’m sure as a result of that attack on Ray Brewer, but the bigger story here is that The Syndicate, long considered one of the top supergroups the MMP has ever seen, is dead.

Lewin: I wonder what this will mean for the genocidal warfare match at Vindication. As it stands right now, the final match is to go on until members of only one faction remained in the ring. What will this mean for the former Syndicate members? I guess we’ll find out on Wednesday night.

Wood: Two men involved in that match are Onyx Cooper and The Cult Master, and those two men are set to go one-on-one here tonight in a small preview of what could be to come at the PPV. Let’s go back to the ring!

ONYX COOPER vs. THE CULT MASTER

Onyx Cooper came out first, drawing a light ovation from the fans who were starting to warm to him after he left The Syndicate earlier in the evening. The lights then went out and The Cult Master’s entrance began. Harbinger, Daark, and The Destroyer, along with many Cult followers, led the way down during their leader’s long procession, which seemed to be getting on Cooper’s nerves with it’s length. After slowly stepping through the ropes, Cult Master quickly changed up his pace and charged right at Cooper, nailing him with a series of chops and European uppercuts that caught Onyx off guard and backed him into the corner. Cult Master didn’t have the upper hand for long, as a rake of the eyes from his adversary caused his vision to blur, giving Cooper a chance to get his offense going. Realizing his opponent’s size advantage Cooper picked up the pace, stomping repeatedly on Cult Master’s right foot and nailing him with a pair of dropkicks to put Cult Master down. The leader of The Cult bounded back to his feet, only to be taken down once again, this time with a flying headscissor that Cooper held on the canvas, clenching his legs hard around Cult Master’s throat. Cooper wrenched back with more and more pressure, but Cult Master’s height advantage made it possible for him to reach out and wrap his legs around the bottom rope, forcing the ref to break the hold. Before Cooper could follow up, Cult Master rolled out to the floor where he was surrounded by his supporters, many eager to offer their support to their leader in any way possible. Cult Master paced around the ring for several minutes while Onyx caught a breather in the corner, waiting for his opponent. When Cult Master finally rolled back in Cooper was all over him, catching him with a boot to the midsection before running the corner for a tornado DDT. Cult Master, however, was not in as rough shape as he let on and he blocked the move, tossing Cooper half way across the ring. Onyx stumbled back to his feet, but was met with a thunderous headbutt from Cult Master, who then picked his opponent up and spun him around in a powerslam before applying a camel clutch. The bigger man had countered Cooper’s speed attack and had slowed the match down to a virtual stand still. As he pulled back on Cooper’s head and neck, Cult Master ordered the referee to ask Onyx if he wanted to quit, all the while basking in the support of his many followers on the outside. When Cooper repeatedly refused to give up, however, Cult Master became frustrated. Releasing the camel clutch, he jumped in the air to deliver a short vertical splash to Cooper’s back, but Onyx rolled over and got a knee up, catching Cult Master squarely in the groin. Cult Master collapsed to all fours, and Cooper was getting his second wind. After pulling himself up with aid of the ropes, Cooper jumped on Cult Master’s back and applied a standing Pinch. Cult Master started getting back to his feet with Cooper on his back, but as time passed it was clear that the move was taking effect. Cult Master slowed significantly and looked like he was out on his feet, but Cooper didn’t want to wait and used the top turnbuckle as a springboard, pushing forward and driving Cult Master face first into the canvas. He then climbed to the top turnbuckle and went for a flying elbow across the back of the neck, but much to Cooper’s surprise, Cult Master rolled out of the way at the last second and Onyx hit the canvas hard. With the Cult members on the outside looking on with pride, Cult Master pulled Onyx up off the canvas and delivered a piledriver before setting Cooper on the top rope for the Final Prayer. Just then, a large group of people in hooded robes made their way down to the ring. Tossing their robes aside, they were revealed to be several of Cooper’s women from the Shadowlands Hotel. They dashed right in amongst the Cult members, creating quite a situation on the outside. The disturbance on the floor distracted Cult Master’s attention for a moment, but he soon turned back to his opponent. As he went to follow Cooper to the top to execute his devastating finisher, Onyx flew off the top rope with the Edge bulldog! The stunned crowd errupted as Onyx rolled Cult Master up for the 1…2…3!!

Wood: What a match! Back and forth action all the way through and, just when it looked like The Cult Master was ready to pull the upset, Cooper pulls of an Edge out of nowhere and wins it.

Lewin: Not a good sign for The Cult Master heading into the PPV. As we discussed earlier, he and Daark will have their hands full with Joker and Simon. One has to wonder how tonight’s performance will weigh on his mind heading into that huge Hell in a Cell tag team match up.

Wood: Earlier tonight we saw the official dissolving of The Syndicate right before our very eyes. We’re now set for tonight’s main event, which will pit two former Syndicate members one on one against each other for the very first time. The Bootlegger and Steve Simon are set to do battle here on SNS.

THE BOOTLEGGER vs. “STUNNING” STEVE SIMON

Simon made his way out first with Kristin, receiving somewhat of a warmer welcome than he was accustomed to. The Bootlegger came down to ringside accompanied by all three Bootleggerettes and three armed polce officers. As he entered, he grinned at the ref and demanded a microphone before turning to face SSS.

BOOTLEGGER: "Ah, SSS, how the mighty have fallen. How could you, son?"

The vile Italian turned to face the audience with a wry grin.

BOOTLEGGER:"During the course of the previous week I have been witness to the disturbing case of Mr. STEVE SIMON here. This man who I and my cohorts in the now defunct SYNDICATE so unselfishly leant a hand to. This man who then sadly let us all down.... in more ways than one. I am warning you at home that what I am about to show you is deeply disturbing and I suggest you usher your children to another room for the next few moments..... folks in the back, please play the videotape."

Bootlegger then pointed up to the video wall as a tape began to play. From a high corner angle, we see an overhead view of a very familiar hospital room. Sure enough, there's Steve Simon's father sitting up in the bed, shaking off the effects of a half year-long coma. Our audio is grainy: we never hear the knock on the door. His mother answers the door. Steve Simon walks in, TV belt draped over his shoulder. After a few brief moments of conversation, his doomed father staggers over to Simon and accosts him verbally. We see Simon's face transform horribly, as he slams the title belt into the back of his father's unprotected head. Ignoring his mother's protests, he calmly flattens her with another swing of the belt. He spits on both bodies before strolling back out, TV belt over his shoulder.

BOOTLEGGER: "Officers, do your duty and take this ... HORRIBLE...horrible man away!!!"

The police stepped up to SSS and arrest him. They read him his rights and dragged him off after handcuffing him. BOOTLEGGER remained in the ring shaking his head in mock shame.

BOOTLEGGER: "What a shame.... he was such a good boy.. Ref!! Go ahead and raise my hand."

OFFSCREEN VOICE: "Hold on ONE SECOND, BARLOTTA!!!"

A second group of police officers appeared and headed down to ringside. BOOTLEGGER looked on in surprise, the microphone forgotten. One of the officers pulled out a warrant and grabbed the microphone out of the vile Italian's hand.

OFFICER: "You, GENE BARLOTTA are also under arrest!!! Cuff him, men."

BOOTLEGGER snatches the microphone away and backs away from the advancing cops.

BOOTLEGGER: "Wait, wait, wait, peons!!! ON WHAT CHARGES!!!?????"

OFFICER: "For the kidnapping and abduction of one PAULINA O'CONNER!!!! Take him away, boys!!!! We got you this time, BARLOTTA!!!"

BOOTLEGGER: "WHAT!!!!??? THIS IS PREPOSTEROUS!!!! GET YOUR FILTHY PAWS OFF ME YOU DAMN DIRTY PLEIBEIANS!!!!"

The cops happily handcuffed the BOOTLEGGER and dragged him off.

BOOTLEGGER: "I want MY LAWYER!!! YOU WILL ALL BURN FOR THIS!!!!!! I SWEAR IT!!!!"

The sold out crowd flew into a thunderous chorus of boos, realizing that the police had just taken away their main event. The last officer in the ring turned towards the crowd.

OFFICER: "Thank you very much, people, have a nice day."

The fans then began to boo even louder, and began pelting the ring with litter – cups of beer, popcorn bags, and anything else they could find. The cops took off quickly as the screen fades to black.

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