Singles Match
Theo Vega vs Reed Williams w/Barrel
Referee: Jack Williams
Both competitors waste no time going after each other when the bell rings. T.V. comes out hot out of the gate as he looks to use his size advantage and manages to capture the early momentum. Reed however, not to be outdone manages to strike back with a thumb to the eye to bring The Sin City Slicer’s steam to a screeching halt, taking the opportunity to attack the injured ribs and neck. The Nonparallel takes great pride in taunting and belittling T.V. as he talks trash frequently and often as he drives his knee into his ribs and he manages to get several near falls as he looks to make his foe expend his energy. As Reed locks in a chinlock he drives his knees into his back, wrenching back looking to apply as much pressure as possible the crowd rallies behind Vega, feeding off the crowd he manages to make it back to his feet.
Reed, not ready to give up transitions to a sleeper hold with scissors and manages to bring Vega back down to a knee. Jack Williams seeing him fading rapidly goes to raise Vega’s arm as it drops limply to his side. He raises the arm a second time as it once again falls limp. He raises it one last time it begins to fall limp again, but before the referee can call for the bell he balls his hand into a fist and raises it up. Reed begins to panic as the crowd claps and stomps their feet as T.V. gets back a vertical base and runs backwards full force into the turnbuckle, forcing Reed to finally give. T.V. seeming to catch a second wind quickly turns around and delivers a beautiful belly-to-belly suplex. Reed is quick to hit the brakes and try to get out of T.V.’s way but finds himself dragged back into the fray as The Sin City Slicer roars back to life and displays his technical wrestling acumen over the next several minute much to his peril. Reed however wasn’t quite ready to say goodnight and after taking his fair share of lumps finally manages to find an opening as he hits a running crossbody out of desperation.
After connecting Reed Williams manages to kip up but manages to stumble backwards a few steps towards the turnbuckle as he waits for his opponent to get up. As T.V. rises back to his feet Reed tries to put this match on ice with the Sweet Dreams [Cupcake] superkick but T.V. catches this foot. Reed hops around, shaking his head furiously shouting “NO!” as T.V. scoops him up for the One-Arm Fallaway Slam. T.V. goes for the cover shortly after as Jack Williams drops down to count. 1… 2… THR-
Barrel, having seen enough standing at ringside yanks the referee out of the ring by his pants and slides into the ring. Jack Williams quickly calls for the bell to signal the end to this match.
Winner: Theo Vega via disqualification
Julian Masterson: Here is your winner by disqualification… The Sin City Slicer, Theo Vega!
Alexander Smith: Theo Vega won the match but the war is just getting started!
Mark Robertson: He’s about to regret getting his nose stuck in business that didn’t concern him, retribution is coming. Don’t do the crime if you can’t take the licking afterwards.
Alexander Smith: Crime? Do you hear yourself Mark? He put his neck on the line to stop a gang beat down on Showtime; to do the right thing! Not only is your sense of justice perverted but it’s asinine!
Mark Robertson: And let me ask you something, how did that turn out for him? I saw four of GGW’s Elite raising their stock and taking what rightfully belongs to them. The admiration these fans feel for the wrestlers is fickle but you have no choice but to respect power. Strength in numbers.
As T.V. sits up he sees Jack Williams furious at ringside while Barrel quickly making his way towards him. T.V. manages to evade a big boot and get back to his feet as he connects with several knife edge chops before whipping him to the ropes. He looks to hit a back bodydrop on the rebound but Barrel had other plans as he mowed him down with a big boot. Reed grins as the two quickly begin another 2-on-1 assault in a similar fashion to what they did to Showtime last Gold Rush, stomping him dry into the mat. Their stomps looked to break what were already likely to be bruised ribs as the crowd let the two have it.
SELL OUT! SELL OUT! SELL OUT! SELL OUT! SELL OUT! SELL OUT! SELL OUT! SELL OUT!
Mark Robertson: What a show of disrespect! Not only do they show our Champion the respect he rightfully deserves but they’re keeping the miscreants in line! They do a better job than Hans Vandenberg as far as security goes!
"Pledge Allegiance to the Swag" by T.I. hits the arena as the crowd goes wild Barrel and Reed quickly turn around as Showtime sprints out from the back, bad shoulder and all. Reed goes after Showtime and gets hit with several lefts. Then he goes after Barrel and hits a Snap DDT before kipping up. T.V. is able to get back on his feet and with the odds evened they began to go to work in an effort to clear the ring.
Alexander Smith: Showtime! Showtime has come to return the favor!
Mark Robertson: He’s really just asking for it isn’t he? That shoulder isn’t going to hold up you know.
The crowd boos as the older gentleman; the same one from last week emerges from the crowd and slides into the ring before climbing up on the ring apron. As Showtime goes to run off the ropes he gets caught as the man grabs him by the arm and yanks down at full force causing him to grab his shoulder in pain.
Alexander Smith: That son of a bitch is at it again!
Mark Robertson: Have some respect! That man is Robert Goldstein and he’s a legend here in San Francisco, he hasn’t been seen in many years in active competition. He kept the California territories afloat back in the 80s and early 90s. IC3 was said to have met with this man to get his blessing before opening a promotion in his backyard so give this man the dignity he deserves!
T.V. turns around to see Goldstein on the outside and goes to rush to Showtime’s aid arriving a little too late as the man throws up his hands. As T.V. turns around Reed Williams connects with a superkick out of nowhere.Mark Robertson: Sweet Dreams, Cupcake! Ha ha ha!
Like a bunch of sharks smelling blood in the water they flock to Showtime as the three repeatedly stomp on and target the bad shoulder. The crowd begins to throw trash into the ring and then at the ramp as Drew Stevenson slowly emerges in a custom tailored suit, carrying the Golden Gate Championship like one would carry a valued possession with his arm cradled and held against his chest.Alexander Smith: And here comes that damn Stevenson to finish the job. I bet he wanted nothing to do with Theo Vega or Showtime at 100%, he just has to swoop in like a vulture!
As Drew entered the ring, Showtime who was in a crazy amount of pain from his shoulder tried to reach up and grab at him—causing Drew to kick his arm away like he was discarding an irritating insect. Pointing at Showtime, Drew shouted in Reed and Barrel’s direction.
“PICK HIM UP! PICK HIS SORRY ASS UP!”
Alexander Smith: C’MON DREW! THIS IS UNNECESSARY!
Mark Robertson: HA! This is TOTALLY necessary! Golden Gate Wrestling’s roster needs to know who the bosses around here is, and it surely isn’t Showtime and Theo Vega!
Reed reached down and grabbed hold of Showtime’s bad arm, all as Barrel grabbed his bad arm, putting up some resistance, it allowed Goldstein to jump forward and clock Showtime between the eyes, knocking him out slightly all as Drew moved in and shoved the Golden Gate Wrestling Championship in his face—all as he was shouting down at him with spit flying out of his mouth onto Showtime’s face.
“YOU’LL NEVER GET THIS YOU UNWORTHY SON OF A BITCH! WE’LL TAKE YOU OUT JUST LIKE FRANK, YOU UNDERSTAND ME!? YOU’RE NOTHING, YOU’RE FLASH IN THE PAN!”
Each time Drew shouted and put more pressure with the title on Showtime’s face, Showtime would get another spike of adrenaline and try to surge out but Goldstein would lay a whoopin’ on him with hard right hands that even Showtime’s coconut skull couldn’t handle.
Alexander Smith: Something needs to be done about these four, they’re ruining the GGW!
Mark Robertson: Tough love Alex, tough love. If Drew and company don’t put their foot down and let the roster know there’s rules and a pecking order, it’d be total chaos! It’d be like Wal-Mart on Black Friday!
Alexander Smith: Nonsense! Drew Stevenson already took out Frank Washington and now he’s looking to want to eliminate Showtime—Drew Stevenson is scared of competition, he doesn’t want anyone around that proves a challenge to him for the GGW Championship! What a coward he is!
The crowd jumped to their feet though as with the group of men having their attention focused on Showtime, it allowed Theo Vega to get to his feet. Rushing towards Drew, Goldstein shoved the champ out of the way causing Drew to stumble forward and scuffed his designer shoes. Goldstein was forced into the corner by a second-wind having Theo Vega, all as the crowd had a roar of approval, but it wasn’t until the numbers came once again came into effect with Barrel clobbering Theo from behind with a huge forearm across the back of the head, all as Reed went low and chopped Theo’s knee out under him, dropping him down. Goldstein bounced off of the ropes and threw a knee into TV’s injured ribs, dropping the man all as Drew Stevenson turned, looking as annoyed as possible and pointed to Vega, all as he pointed his thumbs up.“LIFT HIS ASS UP!”
Once again, much like they did with Showtime, Barrel, Reed and Goldstein picked an injured Theo Vega up, Drew rubbed the cuff of his shirt on the title and launched himself forward with the GGW Title and DRILLED Theo Vega across the face! The thud of the gold and leather bouncing off of Vega’s skull echoed through the arena as the crowd begun to let off a chorus of boos for the systematic destruction of two of their favorites. Drew turned around with a smile, all as he called for a mic, being handed one, he turned around and popped his chin out in pride.
Drew Stevenson: I told you morons once, I had aces up my sleeve.. and that’s exactly what this is. At the last Gold Rush, it was the beginning of a new era, one marked by excellence. In this industry, much like with life—those fortunate enough to find others like themselves tend to band together and by doing that, they’re able to conquer. It’s a theory of life, the great stick with the great.. the scrubs.. stick with the scrubs. But in our case? In the case of the ELITE stick with the ELITE!”
Alexander Smith: As if Stevenson couldn’t toot his own horn anymore, do we really need to listen to this?!
Mark Robertson: SHHH!
Drew Stevenson: What you see in front of you right now, what you see-
Before Drew could finish, Showtime tried to fight again, but was caught from the side with a superkick from Reed, before he could drop- Barrel grabbed him from behind the head and threw him out of the ring, all as Goldstein had managed to kick Vega out beneath the bottom rope.Drew Stevenson: .. before I was so rudely interrupted! What you see standing in this right is the greatest example of ELITE bonding with other ELITE! Robert.. Goldstein.. a legend in California, a man that has set the tone for career after career—a man that has given blood, sweat and tears and none of it appreciated, because why should you? Why should you appreciate a man like Robert Goldstein who’s nothing but Grade A, one-hundred percent class?! Not only did he revolutionize the Professional Wrestling on the West Coast, but he did it by beating everyone and anyone put before him!
Mark Robertson: So true! So true! Drew is speaking the gospel right now!
Drew Stevenson: Robert Goldstein represents an era of Professional Wrestling that is untouchable, and everything Robert Goldstein stands for.. I personify today.
Alexander Smith: As much as I can’t stand hearing Stevenson talk.. he’s not lying.
Mark Robertson: Of course not! Drew would never tell a lie! He’s like George Washington!
Alexander Smith: Oh give me a BREAK!
Drew Stevenson: You see, everything Robert Goldstein has done, all of his attributes, I have managed to put into one.. fine, physical specimen. I’m the envy of men everywhere, whether it be the regular working class nobodies up to the corporate big-wigs, because I am Drew Stevenson and I am The Emerald! I’m royalty, I am the best damned Professional Wrestler on the planet and I’ve proved that time and time again! When you take all of the accolades, all of the title reigns, all of the Hall of Fame nods and you add that to having a mind made for this industry, you get me.. you get the Golden Gate Wrestling Heavyweight.. Champion.
Hoisting the GGW Championship in the air, letting the crowd get their licks in with boos and jeers, it brought a smile across Drew’s face all as Goldstein gave Drew a round of applause.Drew Stevenson: Goldstein and I are ELITE, but you can’t continue the cycle without looking to the future- and the future when I decide I’m done, when Goldstein hangs his boots up is bright.. due to a man like Barrel…
The ominous, tattooed big man looked on in Drew’s direction, all as he let his jet black hair fall in front of his face. Barrel was a big man, he towered over Drew all as Drew wasn’t some undersized peon.Drew Stevenson: Barrel.. Six foot eight, three hundred and twenty pounds of bad-ass, pissed off rebel, ladies and gentlemen, this is a nuclear weapon! I made it perfectly clear that when I go to war, I pull out all the stops and there’s nothing like having your finger on the little red button with the threat of sending someone into a state of constant radiation. Showtime and Theo Vega learned that! Thaddeus Stone?! Shawna Martinez?! They found out the hard way that ELITE doesn’t come in just the form of technical supremacy, but it comes in all shapes and sizes.. and you bet your ass that Barrel fits that!
Goldstein slapped Barrel across the back, all as the man’s eyes were cold and unforgiving. Drew moved past Barrel and Goldstein as he stood in front of Reed Williams, Reed moved his hair out of his eyes and took a deep breath as he let off a cocky smirk.
Drew Stevenson: .. and Reed Williams. If I had a cauldron and needed to make the next big professional wrestler, a man that could even dethrone myself, I’d add the ingredients into that pot and the end result would be this kid—The Nonpareil. That nickname is fitting as I’ve watched your career kid, no one in your generation can touch you, you’re hands down one of a kind. I am The Emerald, but you Reed? You’re the diamond in the rough, you’re the gift that this industry needs to thrive! You’re cocky, you’re hungry, but most importantly.. You’re ELITE.
Alexander Smith: .. I’ve never seen someone as obnoxious as this man in my life.
Mark Robertson: Look in the mirror sometime!
Drew Stevenson: You see ladies and gentlemen, this.. this is the ELITE. We are everything you wish you could be, we’re the point of envy of every guy in our industry.. they want to be us. They want to have the charm and class—they want the sophistication of Robert Goldstein! They want the technical prowess of yours truly! They want the attitude and intimidation of Barrel! They want the charisma, confidence and raw ability of Reed Williams but they will NEVER have it!
The crowd boo’d louder and louder, but the four men in the ring weren’t phased, not after Drew Stevenson putting things straight. Turning to the camera, Drew adjusted the GGW Title on his shoulder and nodded once more.Drew Stevenson: See, at the end of the day—we know you’re not in our class. Showtime.. Frank Washington.. Theo Vega, Frankie Cocheese, Gnat.. It doesn’t matter, you may be good, but you’re not ELITE. So when it’s all said and done and when we roll you over and leave you flat like a pancake on your back.. when you’re waken from your medically induced coma wondering what train hit you, you need to remember something.. Remember that at the end of the day.. you.. just.. weren’t.. good.. enough. We are in a class above you.. as we are the Elite 4, God’s Gift to Professional Wrestling!
With that said, “I’m the Man” by Aloe Blacc sounded over the PA.. all as what we now know as The Elite 4 stood in the ring, all with their arms up in the air in unison. Barrel was at the far end, next to him with the GGW Championship elevated in the air was Drew Stevenson, next to Drew was Robert Goldstein and to Goldstein’s right was Reed Williams. With the camera panning out on the four men, the hand symbol they now rocked, four fingers up—the index, middle, ring and pinky with the thumb tucked was a symbol of greatness, one that the GGW would come to know and respect.
