SINGLES MATCH
Robert Garland Vs Salman Van Dam
Barbara Braman: The following contest is scheduled for one fall and by order of Drew Stevenson is now a No Disqualification match!
“Rules of Nature” by Jamie Christopherson plays over the arena, SVD making his way out of the back to a mixed reaction from the audience. However, most of the audience seems to be on his side, SVD posing at the top of the ramp with a kendo stick in hand while the arena’s lights beam down on the center of the ring. The lights form the shape of the Pakistani flag, SVD showing his proud nature towards his country before heading down the ramp.
Barbara Braman: Making his way to the ring… Now residing in Murray, Kentucky and weighing in at 225lbs, “The Hardcore Icon” Salman Van Dam!
Smith: I’m sure SVD specifically requested that nickname out of the many he’s known for. To give you some background, this match all started due to Salman and Garland’s claims to both be the very best in hardcore wrestling! Egos will be running high and bodies are sure to be put to the test out here tonight, in this No Disqualification match-up!
Bradford: SVD’s walking into a warzone that he’s well familiar with, Smith. However, his opponent is none other than the bringer of justice here in MSW! And, knowing Garland, he’s made this match personal as he’ll likely bring his very unique brand of justice to the crimes of SVD’s insults and pride!
Smith: You want to talk about pride? Robert Garland specifically requested this type of match-up due to, what he feels, SVD stepping on his legacy! And, love him or hate him, the crowd certainly seems to prefer this Hardcore Icon to the arrogant and self absorbed jerk that is The Badger.
SVD has since reached the ring and slides underneath the bottom rope. Van Dam seems shocked at the unusual amount of support and praise he’s receiving from the audience, but revels in it as he does his best to keep them in his corner. After a couple more poses from SVD, the lights cut off and his theme fades to silence, the audience now awaiting the arrival of his opponent as
“Ephemeral” by Insomnium cuts through the atmosphere like a knife!
The crowd has now transitioned to both booing and loud jeering, Robert Garland coming out of the backstage area with a shopping cart full of weaponry. Garland looks out at the audience before completely focusing on SVD, and the camera zooming in on Travis Rech who is carrying both of Garland’s legacy championships while shouting about his client being “truth, justice, and honor.” After a brief staredown, Garland gives off a cocky smile and points to the shopping cart, both men making their way down the ramp as the camera now catches the back of the two men and focuses on the gold lettering on Garland’s jacket which spells out his name.
Barbara Braman: And the opponent! From New Orleans, Louisiana and weighing in at 226lbs… He is one half of one of the two teams for contendership to the MSW Tag Team Championships... Robert “Badger” Garland!
Smith: And I’m sure both he and his partner as ecstatic every time they hear that little bit of information…
Bradford: You’re forgetting, Smith! Part of the deal for this match being made was that Garland promised to work together with Washington as best he could for the duration of the Tag Team Championship Finals. I’d be surprised if both he and Washington don’t walk out of Back to Basics as champions!
Smith: And you believe him, Bradford? You think that Garland’s just going to sweep years of history under the rug for one moment of glory which he’d be sharing with a man he constantly reminds us of his hatred for?! Please! Garland’s doing the exact thing he continuously claims that Washington does! He’s scheming and plotting at every step of the way!
As Garland and Rech reach the ring, Garland parks the shopping cart which is now more closely inspected by the camera. The cart contains items Garland seems to have found in the backstage area: a plunger, coffee mug, staple gun, various cables, and more. Rech helps Garland remove his jacket before heading over to ringside, Garland not breaking his stare with SVD who is now challenging him to enter the ring with his kendo stick raised. After Garland’s music fades out, Garland looks to hop up on the apron…
“Re-Education (Through Labor)” now playing over the arena and instantly changing the clamoring of both boos and cheers to an uproar of praise as Frank Washington walks out of the back! Washington remains at the top of the ramp and smiles down at Garland who is obviously angered by his appearance. Washington poses for the fans and heads down the ramp, his trademarked red coat standing out as he makes his way.
Barbara Braman: And finally, Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome your special guest commentator for this contest! “The Revolutionary” Frank Washington!
Bradford: I don’t agree with this one bit! This is just another scheme like all the one’s Garland has been mentioning in the past! Why is it alright for The MSW staff to constantly put Garland in these situations when all he’s been doing for the company is making it a profit and exposing the true character of some of its top stars!?
Smith: Well, I of course am all for it! It’ll be nice to hear how Washington feels going into Back to Basics firsthand! And, of course, there’s nothing better than a possible equalizer to that shady individual that is Travis Rech!
As Washington passes Garland, the two of them lock eyes and meet face to face. Washington starts talking trash, Garland looking ready to fight… A baseball slide hitting Garland in the back of the head as he goes down and SVD starts the match off!
*DING DING DING*
Washington makes his way to the announcement table, SVD letting fly a few stomps as Rech yells at him and the crowd cheers loudly! SVD quickly heads over to the shopping cart, starting to toss some of the weaponry into the ring as Washington gets on one of the headsets.
Smith: It's a pleasure to have you at ringside Frank.
Frank Washington: Glad to be here, I'm looking forward to how this match turns out.
Bradford: I bet you are, you just want to see Garland take some abuse in the middle of that ring and cheat him out of a victory again.
Frank Washington: I'm having a great day, thanks for asking Bradford. I'm just out here to watch two of the world's best hardcore wrestlers go at it one on one. Remember Robert Garland was the one who requested this match to become a no disqualification match so if you want to point the finger at anyone Bradford point it at the man you claim is "justice".
With SVD in control early, and the ring now flooded with objects, SVD heads back over to Garland who stands back up and hits a hard left hand! SVD is sent reeling back, Garland following with a knee to SVD’s gut and a hard clubbing blow to his back as he’s doubled over. Garland keeps on the offense, grabbing SVD and tossing him viciously into the barricade around ringside! SVD hits the wall with a hard
*THUD*, Garland now making space as he enters the ring and challenges the audience’s reaction with both arms outstretched in a very Washington-like pose. The fans reject him, Garland now rummaging through the objects as SVD gets back to his feet on the outside.
Frank Washington: Can't beat the original but imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. He should stop wasting his time and focus on the match if you ask me. Sal and I have a little bit of history together down in Knoxville and having personally teamed with him several times at live events he's the kind of competitor that will make you pay dearly for giving him time to recover.
Smith: Well he's not called the Hardcore Icon just for show. His ring work is impressive but he's just downright maniacal when you give him free reign over the rules.
Frank Washington: Absolutely but to be fair so is Robert Garland. As much as I can't stand that asshole he's as dangerous as they come in a hardcore environment, hell I have first hand experience fighting him at Best of the Best as well as the infamous Wal Mart brawl back in 2010.
Bradford: Yet you conveniently forget that Garland is Truth and Justice! Way to stay impartial Washington! You just want to see him fail don't you?
SVD gets into the ring, Garland now wielding a plunger and swinging wildly - SVD ducking under and hitting the ropes… Second swing, ducked under! - SVD bouncing back! - A Jumping Clothesline grounding Garland! SVD keeps on the offense, stomping away again before lifting Garland back to his feet… Suplex attempt… Blocked by Garland! SVD hits a few right hands to Garland’s gut before trying again and lifting Garland up - Garland falling back to his feet and reversing the situation! A rough looking Suplex now sends SVD to the mat where he consciously rolls back to the outside only to have Garland follow him out.
Garland grabs SVD by the head on the outside, slamming it off of the apron before stepping on SVD’s foot and hitting another hard left! Garland grabs SVD’s head again and looks to follow up, but turns to stare at Washington as both men near the announce table. Washington stands up, addressing Garland.
Frank Washington: How does it feel to be fed to the sharks for once? Any regrets Badger boy?
Robert Garland: Stay out of this, asshole!
Frank Washington: You're telling
me to stay out of this? What about all the times where you blindsided me or left me out to dry? You've become exactly what you claim to crusade against! You're not "justice", you're a fraud!
SVD recovers while both men argue, his head still in Garland’s hands as he battles back with a few elbow shots! Garland is forced to let go, SVD following the elbows with a stiff kick to Garland’s midsection before grabbing Garland and, this time, tossing him into the barricade! The audience cheers for The Hardcore Icon, SVD reaching into the ring and grabbing the staple gun before making his way over to the nearest group of fans.
SVD! SVD! SVD! SVD!
After a short conversation with a few of the fans in the front row, and while Garland is still recovering, SVD manages to talk them into handing over one of their cardboard signs. Van Dam thanks them, walking over to where Garland is and kicking him while he’s downed. Van Dam drops the sign and staple gun and gets in a mounted position, Garland’s back resting on the barricade as a flurry of rights and lefts hit him over the head. SVD now grabs Garland by the hair, getting behind him and receiving the audience’s approval as he looks to staple the sign to Garland’s forehead! The camera focuses to show the sign reading “
Washington Is My Hometown Hero!” Garland now recovered a bit and trying to push SVD off as he lowers the gun and Garland grabs it with both hands!
Bradford: This is absolutely disgusting! How dare SVD!
Frank Washington: Hey put a few more staples in him Sal, make sure that sign sticks!
Bradford: You're taking pleasure in this aren't you, you flaming hypocrite!
Frank Washington: You're damn right I am but at least SVD only pulled a staple gun out instead of a real gun. I'm not going to take anything away from his ability in the ring and I'm certainly not going to dispute his long standing reputation in hardcore matches but I never made any claims that I was out here to cheer Badger on or support him. Shoe's on the other foot now, karma's a bitch Bradford. At least I'm honest about it, you're supposed to be unbiased but clearly that's not the case with your ongoing love affair with Bryce Manning.
SVD continues, now hitting Garland with the staple gun before putting it in place and pulling the trigger! The sign is now clipped on, Garland yelling out in pain as SVD hits one more kick before heading back towards the ring while Rech seemingly passes something to Garland who looks at his manager out of the corner of his eye. SVD’s now returning to his opponent, an electrical cable in hand as Garland does his best to hide the object… Before spraying the fire extinguisher blindly towards SVD!
SVD is sent reeling back as tries to cover his face, Garland now livid and getting to his feet - Hitting SVD with the extinguisher to the gut, and then pulling the sign off while SVD falls to the floor! Garland takes time to read the sign, his forehead trickling a little bit of blood down his face. With a large fit of rage and after seeing what the sign said, Garland now aggressively lifts SVD and tosses him back in the ring and under the bottom rope.
Smith: Garland is just simply pissed off now having read that sign. That might have damned SVD in the long run.
Frank Washington: I'm not so sure. He's definitely fired up but you can guarantee he's not going to be thinking clearly, if Sal is smart about this he could turn it to his advantage.
Bradford: If? That's a huge understatement.
Garland is angrier than ever, stomping away at SVD after following him in and looking around on the mat before finally settling on his next piece of equipment. The audience boos, Garland picking a fork up from off of the ground and lifting SVD up by the hair. Garland gets behind SVD, kneeing him in the back a few times before pulling his head back and raising the fork. Garland yells out at the crowd
”Are you not entertained!?" before inching the fork into SVD’s forehead and causing his opponent to bleed! Garland moves the fork around a bit as the tips remain in SVD’s forehead, SVD now yelling out in pain and Garland now tossing the fork aside and throwing SVD down stiffly and onto his face! SVD bounces hard off the mat, Garland checking his own forehead again before flipping SVD onto his back and going for the pin.
One!
Tw- Kickout by SVD!
Smith: Despite all the abuse each man has endured, SVD STILL managed to kick out before the count of two. Unbelievable.
Bradford: He's got fortitude I'll give him that, but he should just make it easy on himself and lay down. The longer he fights Garland the more abuse he's going to take.
Frank Washington: Both men are taking plenty of abuse but they're veterans of the hardcore style. They know the risks, they know the dangers involved with this style. I can't say that I'm a fan of hardcore wrestling, it's not a recipe for a long and healthy career. Hell I dropped a hardcore belt in the trash one time before I got kicked out of Canada but with all of that aside neither man is going to drop until they can't continue any further. If nothing else I can definitely respect the sheer determination and drive to endure the hell they're putting each other through.
Garland gives SVD a look of contempt, slowly pulling him back up to his feet as more blood runs down his face. Garland takes some extra time to insult SVD on the way up, his words seemingly hitting a nerve as SVD returns the favor with a sudden low blow! Garland cups himself, and falls to his knees, SVD now shouting at Garland as he grabs for the kendo stick he entered the arena with. As Garland remains on his knees, SVD violently hits Garland across the back, Garland perking up a bit before receiving another shot which is followed by a third! Garland leans on the ropes, SVD rallying the crowd behind him as Rech tries to assist Garland once more, sliding him a pair of brass knuckles - Which SVD stops with his foot!
Rech looks beside himself, SVD now grabbing for them and readying a knockout punch while Garland starts to rise. With the match currently in his favor, SVD points to Garland who is now on his knees, then to the brass knuckles, and finally towards the nearest turnbuckle, making it clear that he's looking to deliver a final blow before heading to the corner and climbing to the top rope. The audience is in a frenzy as SVD readies himself...
Bradford: He's going to give him a damn concussion with those brass knuckles from that elevation!
Frank Washington: Travis Rech is all about making money, even at the expense of a man he calls his friend. When Garland is on the ropes he'll try to bend and break every single rule in the book to give him an edge because his check depends on it. He gets away with it a lot but this time its going to backfire in a disastrous way.
SVD measures Garland as Garland finally gets back up, Van Dam looking for a top rope variation of the Superman Punch and coming down fast -
Brain Damage connecting from out of nowhere as Garland's leg comes up and his foot connects with the in-air Van Dam! The match looks finished, Garland falling over Van Dam with a cover!
One!
Two!
Thre- NO!
Kickout by Van Dam!Smith: SVD KICKED OUT! HE KICKED OUT!
Frank Washington: Never count Salman Van Dam out until it's over. He'll keep coming back for more, quit isn't a word in his vocabulary.
Garland looks like he can't believe it, a look of shock remains on his face as Rech holds his head on the outside with a wide eyed expression! The crowd continues to cheer for Salman Van Dam!
Crowd: Hard-core I-con! *Clap! Clap! Clap-Clap-Clap!* Hard-core I-con! *Clap! Clap! Clap-Clap-Clap!*
Garland, obviously bothered by this chant, looks to continue as SVD seems to catch a second wind and wraps both arms around Garland's neck!
SVD pulls Garland back down to the mat, locking in the
IconVise Grip! Garland is stranded in the middle of the ring, Van Dam yelling for Garland to tap out as Garland reaches around for another weapon to help him escape. With everything just out of reach, Garland struggles but slowly looks to be fading... Before forcing himself back to his feet - SVD keeping the hold locked in an falling backwards to turn it into a Hell's Gate variation!
Garland remains standing, but hunched over as SVD refuses to let go! Garland fights back by trying to lift SVD up and hits a sloppy looking powerbomb, SVD still holding on as Garland looks for a second powerbomb - And runs out of energy, fully ensnared by the hold and slowly passing out!
Frank Washington: And that pendulum swings back the other way once again. The IconVise Grip is one of the deadliest submission holds in all of professional wrestling, very few men have escaped the hold.
Bradford: He's strangling the life out of him, he's going to turn cherry red and burst a blood vessel at this point!
Smith: He's out, SVD has completely cut off the oxygen supply to his body.
The referee, who's had little involvement with this match thus far, moves in to check on Garland. The Badger seems completely knocked out, the referee now in position to call for the bell -
*SMACK!*Travis Rech is now in the ring, a chair shot thudding off of SVD as he's forced to release the hold and Garland slumps over and looks to catch his breath. Rech hits SVD once more, Salman covering his face as Frank Washington seems to have seen enough!
Frank Washington: It's been fun but I have a certain "hobo" to evict...
Washington removes his headset, Rech noticing as Frank slides into the ring and chases him out. Washington follows behind, both men running towards the backstage area as Garland and SVD are left on the mat with the audience still in a frenzy. The crowd claps loudly and the arena is in an uproar, Van Dam and Garland slowly rising at about the same time and at the same pace.
Smith: SVD had the match won, he had Robert Garland beat! Now this match is going to continue without outside interference as it should've been from the very beginning.
Bradford: I don't get the big deal Smith, it's a No Disqualification match, anything and everything is legal. Travis Rech was operating clearly and completely within the scope of the rules.
With both men now back to their feet, clearly on their last legs and the arena now cleared of distractions, SVD hits a hard right hand which Garland returns with a left of his own! Right from SVD! Left from Garland! Right! Left! Right! Le-Right! Right! Right! SVD backs Garland towards the ropes, kicking some objects aside as looks to send Garland accross - Reversal from Garland as SVD is whipped hard! - Lariat attempt ducked under by SVD on the rebound, Garland spinning around as Van Dam bounces back again - A Discus
Global Lariat catching Van Dam as SVD is sent viciously to the ground!
Garland gets the cover again, clearly tired and worn out as the audience boos loudly!
One!
Two!
-
Three!
*DING DING DING*
Smith: It's over, finally it's over. Robert Garland got the victory but at what cost? How is he going to be able to compete in two weeks for the tag team championship in this kind of condition?
Bradford: Frank Washington will have to get off his lazy ass and do his job for the team, you heard the man! Garland got his wish so he'll play nice for the tag title match.
Smith: You must be the only person in the world that actually believes that. It wouldn't surprise me if Garland used this as a cover to bow out of the tag match and leave Frank alone in a handicap match.
Bradford: Garland is Truth, always remember that! Do you think he'd lie to Talent Relations about that?
With the contest now over, the referee checks on both men, Garland able to get back to his feet as SVD remains on the mat. Garland pushes the referee back and spits on the ground, wiping his face from the bit of now drying blood as he leaves between the ropes and the audience remains furious at his victory. The jeering and boos remain the only thing heard, Garland raising his arm and looking out of breath at the top of the ramp before heading backstage. The referee is now checking on SVD, Salman Van Dam receiving a very positive reaction now that Garland has left. Once SVD slowly gets to his feet, he seems to refuse help leaving the ring, the audience cheering loudly for him as he too makes his way to towards the back while being still bloodied but seemingly reveling in the atmosphere. SVD limps his way up the ramp, slowly and in pain as the match finally fades to completion and the ring is now being readied for the next contest and we take a quick break.
