GFC Commonwealth Championship
“Conquistador” fires up over the PA system, bringing a vast majority of the fans in attendance to their feet. Sylar Drake comes through the curtain, stopping to look around the arena and take in a deep breath before smiling to himself and making a loud shout, throwing a single fist into the air. He jogs down to the ring, returning the handslap of several fans at ringside on his way down. Drake slides into the ring, and climbs right to his feet. He crosses the ring once or twice, keeping rhythm as he runs across the ring and hits the ropes. He stops and turns, doing a couple of deep dips with the top rope as leverage. Kicking out his feet and stretching, Drake appears all business as he awaits his opponent’s arrival.
“Dr. Wily Part One” is second to play. The curtain is split to reveal Szalinski, who holds the GFC Commonwealth Championship out in front of his face as he walks a few steps down. This gets a major eruption of cheers from the crowd. Brydon Talinsdale is right beside, careful not to step too far into the spotlights pointed at Szalinski. Madman looks back to speak briefly at Brydon when he lowers the belt, and the two talk strategy the entire way down the ramp. Madman reaches out to slap hands during the conversation as well, trying to reach every fan possible. Szalinski climbs up to the apron, bouncing over the top rope into the ring. He jumps to his corner, doing his signature invisible-controller button mashing by using the edges of his Commonwealth belt as the controller. He holds the belt high over his head, getting many a cheer, before stepping down and handing the belt to the referee, then flinging his leather jacket off and to the side. The ring anouncements are now made, with no time wasted.
“Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest will be fought under Commonwealth Rules, and it is for the GFC Commonwealth Championship! Introducing first, the challenger…Sylar Drake! And his opponent, the GFC Commonwealth Champion…Madman Szalinski!”
Before the bell sounds, Szalinski approaches Sylar’s corner, reaching his hand out. This handshake is met with a smile, as both men wish good luck to each other. Szalinski makes a final point and a grin at Sylar while backing into his corner, not in disrespect but in jest. Sylar returns this with a half-serious “come at me” gesture, quickly returning to grab the top rope and squat deeply a few times. The bell finally rings to begin the first round.
Drake takes an early advantage by taking Madman’s back repeatedly after scouting Madman’s offense as he attempts to work the arm. After two minutes, Szalinski switches up and reverses a side headlock to go low, taking a leg. This nets him some success for a few seconds, until he tries standing up while still holding the leg. Sylar is able to roll him up into a cradle, and again reach a standing base, staying there for the rest of the round. Szalinski is thwarted attempting a single leg takedown as well as a Russian leg sweep that follows his only successful arm ringer attempt of the round. Glancing away, Madman taps Sylar’s fist lightly.
Cursing in the corner, Brydon tries to reassure Szalinski of his gameplan. Meanwhile, Drake keeps his eyes on Madman. The second round begins with Madman charging in at full speed, and receiving a very high back bodydrop for his troubles. From here on out, the round consists of Szalinski failing to gain any significant advantage over Sylar Drake. Attempts to target the back, ribs, legs, and arms are all thwarted by Drake, who attempts little offense for himself due to the repeated strikes and grapples by Madman. Growing more and more frustrated, Szalinski actually kicks the bottom rope and yells at one point, the round ending shortly after. Madman merely storms away from Drake, not offering a sign of respect at the end of this round.
Madman calls Sylar a “crafty little fuckfart” while Brydon again tries calming down his client. Sylar Drake opts to remain standing rather than sit on the provided stool during the break in the second and third rounds. He makes a couple of motions towards his waist, stating that he may be well on his way to capturing the GFC Commonwealth Championship. The third round begins with Szalinski charging in once again, but stopping just short of Sylar as he lets his head down. This allows Madman to drill him with a step-in European uppercut that puts Sylar back into the corner…and for lack of a better word, really pisses him off!
Drake shoves Szalinski back into his own corner, holding his jaw. Madman comes out and slaps Drake across the other side of the face, keeping his palm stiff and his fingers curled. Madman stands in place, waiting for Sylar to recover. Drake regains his balance and simply tackles Madman, pushing him back with a flurry of elbows and closed fists (most of which are aimed for the rib cage.) Szalinski uses a jiu-jitsu guard to roll over, but Drake merely stands and drops Madman back down with a spinebuster, getting the first ten-count of the match; which ends at four with a livid Szalinski jumping out of the way as Drake goes for a two-step-and-jump Shooting Star Press, missing by inches! Madman immediately jumps in, starting to lay in unprotected shots from a rear mount to the point that the referee admonishes him. Szalinski makes the point of “Is my fist closed? Is it hitting him? What do you care?” Madman has to stop himself and apologize to the referee, rubbing his forehead to calm himself down briefly. When he turns back to Sylar, he is met with a flying lariat. However, Drake doesn’t move from the canvas after he lands the manoeuvre. As fans speculate, it becomes clear when the referee begins a ten count that although Sylar hit Madman hard, he also landed on his own head after landing on the mat.
At four, Madman reaches a hand to the sky. At five, Drake’s eyes start to flutter as Szalinski’s hand drops, followed by a distinct “SHIT!” At six, Brydon yells “GET UP!” and starts to pound the apron, which gets the fans joining in as well. Throughout seven and eight, the fans stomp away on the bleachers and pound at whatever makes noise…yet neither man moves an inch. The ref counts to nine, and a large gasp begins to swell through the crowd…and just as the referee’s tounge begins to sound the “t” in ten…the bell rings! The match continues! It takes several more seconds for either man to roll, much less get to all fours. Brydon approaches Madman, who assures that he is fit to finish the match. Sylar Drake is also able to convince the referee that he is also able to continue the match, and the fourth round soon begins.
The two are slow out of their corners at the start of round four, and when they do step out they circle each other while they continue to regain their breath. The crowd are chanting both their names, eager for them to go at it again. And after a moment the two do hook up in the middle of the ring. Sylar gets a knee up into the gut of Madman, then connects with an elbow. He whips Madman into the ropes, but instead of bouncing back Szalinski drops to a knee and falls to the canvas. He’s running on empty here, that much is clear. Drake drags him back to his feet and goes for a Butterfly Brainbuster, but he doesn’t seem to have the strength left in him and both men collapse to the canvas again.
Talinsdale tries to get the crowd behind Madman, they clap rhythmically and chant his name, although a section of the Braehead Arena is chanting for Sylar Drake. The two get back to their feet again, albeit wobbly. SUPERKICK FROM SYLAR! Madman bounces off the ropes, LARIAT TURNS SYLAR INSIDE OUT!! Cover… 1…2… NO!!! UNBELIVABLE!
Madman pulls himself to his feet using the ropes, as does Sylar. Madman charges in again, Sylar ducks and gets him up onto his shoulders. He’s going for the Starlight Special (Genkonitteki)! He moves Madman into an almost Tombstone-esque position but before he drops to the mat Madman begins to wriggle his legs and tries to escape. He manages to slide back off Drake’s shoulder. Drake turns round. SCOOPSTONE!!! 1…2…3!!!
Your winner, and still GFC Commonwealth Champion, Madman Szalinski!