[A short promo video about the rivalry between Hardaway and Gabriel Gambino. It includes clips from their match in St. Ives with Frontier. As the video ends and the camera comes back to the arena, Tonight by Toby Mac begins to play. CJ Osborne steps out from behind the curtain onto the stage. He’s dressed in a pure white suit with. A blue Oxford shirt with the top button unbuttoned sits underneath the jacket. The black belt and shoes have been polished to shine in darkness. The ensemble is completed by the gold Rolex on his right wrist. He looks around at the crowd for a moment before walking to the ring.]
Baxter: What the hell is he doing out here? We are supposed to be witnessing Gambino slaughter GFC Champion, Kevin Hardaway. Instead we have to see this guy?
Kendra: Please welcome the special guest announcer, MWA Executive Director, CJ Osborne!!
Poe: That’s why he is out here.
Baxter: We have to hear his nonsense? Great!
Regi: If I remember correctly he is on the record saying if he did commentary next to you, you would be fired in 17 seconds. Think he’ll follow through on that?
Poe: We can only hope.
Baxter: HEY!!!
[CJ circles the ring glad-handing a few fans on his way. He makes his way over to the commentary booth before he takes a seat in the extra chair that has seemingly popped up out of nowhere.]
Baxter: It’s great to see you Mr. Osborne. I hope you are enjoying your night so far.
Poe: Really?
Regi: Are you really that surprised?
Baxter: What are you two talking about?
CJ: Probally about you trying to be a kiss-ass.
Baxter: Oh… I mean, I’m not sure what you’re talking about.
Regi: Right…
Ding! Ding! Ding!
Poe: Here we go!
Baxter: I think I just wet myself!
Kendra: The following contest is for the GFC WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIIIIIIIIP! And it will be contested inside of a STEEL CAGE!
[The house lights drop suddenly, leaving only a lone spotlight atop the entrance ramp. The MillenniumScope lights up to show a single warrior riding into battle. Just as the warrior gets to his enemies the picture fades, THE CONQUEROR in blood red replacing it. The opening beat to Linkin Park’s “Papercut” (instrumental version) begins to play over the PA system.]
Kendra: Introducing first, the challenger… From Los Angeles, California, weighing in at 227 pounds… “The Conqueror”… GABRIEL GAMBIIIIIIINO!
[When the beat drops, the MillenniumScope begins to play clips of various Gambino matches. GABRIEL GAMBINO, in block letters, appears in between clips, alternating with “THE CONQUEROR”. By now, most of the crowd is on their feet, many cheering and more than a few still booing.]
Poe: For the first time in a long time, this crowd is giving Gambino a warm welcome!
Baxter: It’s about time they realized Gambino is GOD! And the next GFC World Champion!
Regi: Not if Kevin Hardaway has anything to say about that!
CJ: Sometimes I wonder about you, Kent. I really do.
[After what seems like an eternity, Gabriel steps out from behind the curtain and into the spotlight. He stands there motionless, staring out into the cheering crowd, as red and white strobe lights begin to alternate around the arena. He is dressed in a white t-shirt, a black spartan helmet with red feathers on top on the front, and “I Came, I Saw, I Conquered” in red writing on the back. Underneath, also in red writing is #bestwrestlerintheuniverse. A pair of black and red neoprene elbow sleeves adorn his elbows, and his wrists are both wrapped heavily with white tape. Black trunks with his spartan helmet logo and “The Conqueror” in red on the back are accompanied by two black kneepads, and a pair of high black boots. His dark brown hair is slicked back, and his goatee his neatly trimmed.]
Baxter: Best wrestler in the universe! I love it!
Poe: Gambino poking a little fun at both himself and Hardaway with that one.
[Gabriel slowly begins to walk towards the ring, turning around with his arms outstretched about halfway down the ramp. The crowd pops upon seeing the bottom of the shirt. He continues to walk backwards for a few more steps before turning around, continuing his march to the ring with a purpose.]
Regi: I must admit, I don’t think I’ve ever seen Gambino more focused than he is right now.
Baxter: He wants to prove he’s the BEST!
CJ: That man is delusional, Kent! Don’t get me wrong. He has some talent, but he clearly is nowhere near the best in the world and certainly not the Universe.
[Gabriel stops at the bottom of the ramp, taking in the menacing cage. A Cheshire cat-like smirk creeps across his face as he begins to circle outside the ring. Upon reaching the far side of the ring, he stops, staring directly into the eyes of CJ Osborne. He stands there momentarily, smirking at his nemesis, before slowly continuing his walk around the ring.]
Poe: Already some tense moments here, and the match hasn’t even started yet!
CJ: He should worry about Mr. Hardaway, and not about me Porkchop.
[Gabriel marches up the steps and enters the ring. He moves to the far turnbuckle, climbing the second rope and carefully lifting his right foot to the top rope. He stands with his arms stretched to the sky as the crowd showers him with cheers, and the occasional boo. He keeps this pose, turning his head to stare down CJ Osborne once more, before hopping down and readying himself for the match.]
Kendra: His opponent, from Baltimore, Maryland. Weighing in at 236 pounds, he is the GFC Heavyweight Champion…. KEVIN HARDAWAY!!!!!!
[Chaney Can’t Quite Riff Like Helmet’s Page Hamilton by Evergreen Terrace begins to play as Kevin Hardaway steps out with the GFC Championship belt strapped around his waist.]
Poe: You have to respect a man who volunteers to defend a newly won title like this.
CJ: I agree.. I mean if the roles were reversed would Gambino do the same thing?
Baxter: Of course he would!
Regi: Cause he has never shown signs to not trust him?
Poe: To be fair the same can be said about every single guy in the back.
[The cage begins to lower around the ring as Hardaway rolls under the bottom rope into the ring. As the cage lowers Gabe returns his attention to CJ Osborne. Gabe is so focused on CJ that he either ignores or doesn’t hear the bell ring, signifying the start of the match. Hardaway takes advantage of this distraction and dropkicks Gabe in the back sending him crashing into the steel structure.]
Regi: Seems your presence is a real bother to the challenger tonight.
CJ: He better get his head in the game if he plans on having any shot on winning this match.
Baxter: He really can’t let the presence of a man he hates bother him like that. How can Gabe expect to win this match and prove himself if he is letting a little thing like CJ doing commentary throw him off?
Regi: You do realize that Gabe actually watches the shows?
CJ: No one has ever accused Kent of being the sharpest tool in the shed.
[Hardaway pulls Gabe up, but Gabe shoves him away and goes charging in. Hardaway manages to sidestep the charging Gabe and sends the challenger face first into the mat with a drop toe hold. Gabe pounds the mat in frustration as he get back up. The Champion smiles cockily as he taunts his challenger. Gabe rushes at Hardaway cocked and loaded for a clothesline. Hardaway ducks then takes off like a gunshot towards the other side of the ring as both return and meet in the middle as Hardaway levels Gabe with a leaping clothesline of his own. Gabe gets right back up but Hardaway is waiting on him as he delivers a standing dropkick that nails Gabe right on the chin again knocking him down. Gabe takes his time getting back up as he holds his chin. Hardaway feels overconfident in the early moments and takes time to pose to the fans, allowing Gabe to explode with a clothesline. Hardaway scrambles to his feet in time to catch a dropkick from Gabe.]
Poe: There’s some fight in Gambino after all.
Regi: I would hope so. This is his chance to prove he is as good as he says.
[Gabe shoves Hardaway into the ropes, but it’s reversed as Hardaway sends Gabe to the far side of the ring. Hardaway catches Gabe for a suplex, but Gabe comes down behind him catching the champion with a reverse DDT. Gabe picks Hardaway up and whips him into his corner with some authority. The ring shakes upon impact as Gabe doubles Hardaway pleasure by clotheslining him in the back of the head sending him back out of the corner a couple of steps. Gabe grabs Hardaway by the head and slams him face first into the cage. Gabe holds Hardaway’s face into the mesh and rubs it against the cage for a few moments before letting Hardaway fall to the mat. Gabe turns his attention again to the Executive Director sitting ringside.]
CJ: All the trash talk in the world isn’t going to help him win this match.
Baxter: Perhaps he feels you are trying to distract him.
Poe: Hate to agree with Kent, but um… Yeah!
CJ: I’m only out here to get a closer look at what I think should be a great match. My being out here has zero to do with my history with Gabe.
Regi: You can see why people might think otherwise?
CJ: That’s on them.
[Gabe motions for Hardaway to stand up as he looks for a clothesline. Hardaway finally makes it back to his feet as Gabe comes rushing in. Hardaway sees him coming and lowers his head. Standing too close to the ropes for anything else he delivers a back body drop sending him crashing into the cage wall. Gabe slumps to the floor. Hardaway drags Gabe to the center of the ring before falling on him for a pin, but Gabe kicks out right after the two count. Hardaway’s not fazed by not getting the pinfall moves quickly back to his feet as he pulls Gabe back up into position for a suplex. Gabe struggles to get to his feet and Hardaway bounds from the ropes and goes for a knee to the side of the head, but Gabe spins out and sweeps the challengers leg from behind. Hardaway is completely off balance and lands flat on his back as a result. Gabe leaps to his feet and quickly springs off the second rope to give himself extra air for a leg drop. Gabe hooks the leg for a pin.]
1..
2.. Kickout
Baxter: So close!!!!
Poe: Still doesn’t count.
CJ: I’ll say this; it does look like Gabe has learned some new moves.
[Both men are starting to feel the effects of the match, but at this point neither man will allow themselves to show any form of weakness. Gabe explodes with a hard right hands that knocks Hardaway back. Before he can make a move Gabe is landing another hard right and a left. Hardaway manages to block one and return the favor. The two men begin trading punches with neither one willing to give an inch. Gabe is the first to change it up and nail Hardaway in the gut with his knee. Gabe bounces off the ropes, but end up running in Hardaway’s knee. A side headlock and the champion have got the clear advantage. Gabe retaliates with shots to the midsection but Hardaway takes him over nicely with a side suplex. Gabe is quick to his feet, firing back with more punches before slinging Hardaway into the ropes and follows him in catching him with another knee to the midsection. Hardaway goes down hard, and Gabe follows up with a stunning enziguri that nearly takes the champion’s head off.]
Poe: Hardaway might be out cold from the kick to the head.
Baxter: Climb Gabe Climb like the wind!!!
CJ: Seriously?
Regi: We have to deal with him every show.
Poe: Kevin Hardaway is moving!! Can he stop Gabe from getting out of the ring?
[Hardaway pulls himself up and makes his way toward Gambino, who is climbing the cage wall. Gabe spots him and decides to leap off the wall and takes Hardaway down with a flying clothesline. Gabe with the pin 1..2.. Kickout!! Gabe glares at the ref for a moment before pulling the champion to his feet. Gabe whips Hardaway across the ring, goes for a clothesline, but Hardaway ducks beneath it. Gabe misses a second clothesline, only to fall victim to a spinning heel kick from the champion. Hardaway quickly gets to his feet as Gabe scrambles to his own; Hardaway connects with a dropkick. He presses his advantage as Gabe gets to his feet; Hardaway with an Irish whip, followed up with a clothesline of his own. Gabe scrambles to his feet once more; Hardaway catches Gabe with another clothesline. Hardaway shoves Gabe against the ropes then attempts to whip him across the ring; Gabe counters, appears to be going for a whip of his own, only to yank back on Hardaway’s arm, throwing him against the cage wall. Putting a small cut over the champion’s right eye.]
Regi: Now we are starting to see the brutality of this kind of match.
[Gabe pulls the champion to his feet then whips him into the ropes. A boot to the midsection makes way for a swinging neck breaker before Gabe covers him.]
1..
2. Kickout!!
[Gabe pulls Hardaway to his feet then sends him face first into the cage again. Gabe sits Hardaway up, only to kick him hard in the chest with a roundhouse kick. Hardaway pulls Gabe to his feet then whips him into the nearest corner before gaining a running start. He connects with a jumping forearm that staggers him. Gabe whips Hardaway across the ring, builds a head of steam then leaps in the air, catching Hardaway with a high knee. Gabe puts Hardaway down with a running bulldog out of the corner. Gabe pulls him up into a seated position, only to back into the ropes then knock him back down on his back with a low dropkick to the chest. Gabe tries to covers Hardaway.]
1..
2.. Kickout!
[Gabe, undaunted, pulls Hardaway to his feet. Gabe whips Hardaway into the far corner then charges. Hardaway moves out of the way at the last possible second, forcing Gabe into the corner chest-first. When Gabe staggers backward, Hardaway catches him with a modified neck breaker from behind.]
Poe: That’s a desperation move from Hardaway.
Regi: Right now, it’s looking like Gabe is giving the champion all that he can handle.
CJ: Finally showing the potential everyone has been talking about for years.
Baxter: Do I sense some resentment?
Poe: Might be smart for you to keep yo mouth shut from now on.
[Hardaway drags himself off the mat and leans in the corner as he notices he has blood coming out of him. He stares momentarily at his hand before he starts to climb the cage. The blood distraction gave Gabe enough time to begin to get up and go after Hardaway. The champion is pulling himself up to go over the top, but Gabe is able to grab a foot and pull him back down. Gabe clubs Hardaway in the back as Hardaway tries to balance himself on the top rope. The two trade chops and punches that don’t quite meet their marks thanks to trying to balance themselves on the top rope. Hardaway manages to block one and uses the upper hand to slam Gabe’s head into the steel piping that lines the top of the cage. Gabe is woozy, but manages to hold on and avoid falling; prompting Hardaway grab Gabe’s head a second time and again slam it into the piping.]
CJ: I think Gambino is bleeding.
Baxter: What? How dare that no-good foreigner!
Poe: Kevin Hardaway is from Baltimore, you fool!
[Gabe flops backward landing on his back in the ring. Hardaway shuffles over to the corner turnbuckle and looks down at Gabe before leaping off for what looks like version of a frog splash, but only finds the hard canvas as Gabe manages to roll out of the way. The two push themselves up around the same time allowing Gabe to kick Hardaway hard in the gut and land The Fongul (Angels Wings).]
Baxter: IT’S OVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!
[Gabe slowly rolls Hardaway over and goes for the pin.]
1….
2….
…Kickout
Poe: WOW!!
Baxter: WHAT?!?!?! Impossible!!
[Gabe sits back on his knees and stares at the referee in shock as the ref reiterates it was a two count. Gabe starts to climb a corner to try and get out of the cage, but Hardaway is not far behind as he desperately grabs at Gabe’s feet. Gabe kicks Hardaway off sending him back a few steps, giving Gabe room to leap off the corner for a cross body block, but Hardaway seeing it or just happens to fall. Sending Gabe crashing to the mat. Hardaway pulls Gabe to his feet, but Gabe shoves him off and throws a wild punch that Hardaway easily dodges and comes up behind Gabe and lifts him for the Angelina’s Crossing (Rack Bomb).]
Regi: Could this be it?
Baxter: NO!!!!!
[Hardaway with the cover.]
1….
2….
…. Kickout by Gabe!
Baxter: YES! YES! YES!
CJ: What happened to being unbiased and professional?
Regi: Have you ever listened to this guy?
Poe: This match is easily living up to the hype.
[Both men are now on all fours and crawling toward each other. Near the center of the ring, both get up on their knees. Gabe catches Hardaway with a hard left-handed slap to the face. Hardaway fires back with an open-handed chop to the chest. Gabe answers with a left-armed Euro uppercut. Hardaway responds with another open-handed chop. With each successive blow, the crowd responds. Hardaway and Gabe continue trading blows in the center of the ring. Standing now, their blows are growing in force: Hardaway’s right hand forces Gabe to take a couple steps back. Gabe responds with a left that forces Hardaway a couple steps back. Both men run to opposite sides of the ring, hitting the ropes then charging at each other. Each man attempts a clothesline, colliding in the center of the ring and collapsing on their backs on the mat.]
CJ: They’re wearing each other out in there!
Poe: Tha price you pay fo’ competin’ in a cage match! That steel is an equalizer… Works just as well fo’ one as it does tha other… Ain’t doin’ either one of ‘em ANY favors.
[Hardaway is the first to sit up. He crawls toward a corner of the cage, trying to shake off the cobwebs. Gambino is laid out, still out of it after the clothesline. Hardaway gets to his feet slowly, using the ropes for the assist. Chest heaving, Hardaway leans back in the corner, his eyes locked on Gambino. Gambino rolls over then gets up on all fours. Hardaway runs and leaps, looking for an elbow drop; Gambino rolls out of the way, forcing Hardaway to crash and burn. Hardaway scrambles to his feet, attempts another elbow drop, but Gambino has moved out of the way once again. Gambino scrambles to his feet while Hardaway favors his right elbow. Gambino pulls Hardaway off the mat then tries to ram him face-first into the cage. Hardaway blocks. Gambino tries once more; Hardaway blocks then responds with an elbow to the midsection. Hardaway rams Gambino face-first into the cage. With the crowd firmly behind him, Hardaway pulls Gambino up by the hair then runs with a handful of hair, shoving Gambino toward the cage. Gambino collides with steel that barely gives and it’s clear that he’s been busted wide open. Business unfinished at this point, Hardaway pulls Gambino up once more then runs him into the cage for a third time.]
Baxter: HARDAWAY IS TRYING TO KILL GAMBINO IN THERE!!
Poe: That’s the way these matches work, Kent.
[Hardaway grabs two hands full of Gambino’s hair then pulls him up. Leading him to the cage, Hardaway rakes Gambino’s face across the chain links, the focus being on the already lacerated forehead of the challenger.]
CJ: These matches aren’t for the squeamish or the faint of heart. They’re designed for punishment. You add a championship to the mix and things can go sour in a hurry.
[Hardaway looks down on the fallen Gambino with a sick grin on his face. He looks up toward the crowd then raises his arms in the air. Hardaway goes to the nearest corner then climbs to the top rope. Crouched there, he keeps his eyes affixed to Gambino. Looking out toward the crowd, he shakes his head then looks above before pointing upward. The crowd roars its approval.]
Poe: What tha hell…?!
CJ: Looks like Hardaway wants to make sure to steal the show here tonight…
[Hardaway climbs up the cage then straddles it. Carefully, he maneuvers himself so that he can crouch on the top of the cage.]
Baxter: YOU’VE GOTTA BE KIDDING ME!!!!
Poe: THAT’S A LONG WAY UP!!
[On the mat, Gambino seems completely out of it. His face is the proverbial crimson mask as he forces himself onto his hands and knees. Pushing himself up, he’s unaware of Hardaway’s position; Hardaway stands, all eyes affixed to him as he does so. Gambino stands, looking around to find his opponent. He turns toward the corner; Hardaway sees his spot then leaps off the cage. He catches Gambino with a cross body block, but Gambino rolls through, using Hardaway’s momentum against him. Referee Pedro Diaz quickly drops into position.]
1…!
2…!
[Gambino grabs a handful of trunks, mooning Hardaway for all of the crowd to see.]
3!!
Baxter: YES!!! YES, YES, YES, YES, YES!!!!
Poe: AWWWWWWWWW, SNAP!!!
[Hardaway is on his knees, most of his ass hanging out for all to see. Gambino, a grin on his face, is having his hand raised by Pedro.]
Kendra: Ladies and gentlemen… Here is your winner… And the NEW GFC Champion… GABRIEL GAMBINO!!!!
[Hardaway grabs Pedro, trying to plead his case and grabbing his trunks as he tries to explain what happened. Gambino’s music is playing while a replay of Hardaway’s splash from the top of the cage is shown.]
Poe: Straight up… Who’d have thought it…? It was a HELL of a move from Hardaway, but Gambino countered it… The extra handful of trunks sho’ didn’t hurt, either.
Baxter: I didn’t see any trunk-pulling! That’s a bold-faced lie!
[Pedro hands the championship to Gambino, who clutches it as if his life depends on it. Meanwhile, Hardaway, dejected, especially given the way that he lost the match, looks on in disbelief.]
Regi: Nobody will be able to live with Gambino now!!
Baxter: Gabriel Gambino… The Conqueror… The Best Wrestler On The Planet… And now… GFC Champion!!
[Gambino continues to celebrate in the ring as the camera switches to a shot in the Media Area.]