FLAMBERGE VS. NOVA
The lights cut out in the arena, and a stormy sky appears on the video screen.
As thunder booms over the speakers and lightning lights up the darkened clouds on-screen, George Clinton’s voice can be heard speaking in soft, reverberating tones.
“Mother Earth is pregnant for the third time…for y’all have knocked her up. I have tasted the maggots in the mind of the universe; but I was not offended, for I knew I had to rise above it all…or drown in my own shit.”
The stormy sky fades, replaced by a field of stars. One of the stars shoots across the screen, and as the field of stars comes together to form the word “NOVA,” Funkadelic’s “Maggot Brain” lilts over the PA system.
At this moment, a spotlight hits the entrance ramp where Nova is knelt, one fist raised in the air. Usually, smoke would be wafting up from the cigarette hanging out of his mouth, swirling iridescently under the hot glare of the spotlight. Not this time, as Nova’s face is clad in a mask with the same deep blue night sky, stars, and lightning bolts that cover his wrestling tights. After a moment, the Risen Star climbs to his feet and makes his way down to the ring, rolling under the bottom rope before standing.
Nick Stuart: Check out that mask on Nova! I’ve heard it was a requirement from Lindsay Troy if he was going to wrestle tonight!
Richard Parker: Added benefit? We don’t have to look at Nova’s mug during the match!
The lights come up.
“Dangereux” by IAM plays to a fairly decent reaction, though not universally positive. His walk to the ring is fairly brisk and he doesn’t react emotionally to fans, anyone in the ring, etc.; pure stone-face. He’ll usually take a steady lap around the outside of the ring before walking up the steps and stepping through the ropes. Fans may occasionally offer him chips or other snack foods, he’d decline them.
DING DING
The two competitors slowly circle each other, eyeing their opposition up. FLAMBERGE stops, shooting Nova a dismissively glare. Nova’s body sags a bit before he looks out to the crowd briefly. FLAMBERGE quickly shoots forward for a double leg, but Nova steps back with similar speed. The Risen Star shakes a finger at his younger foe, FB unfazed. The dance begins once again. FLAMBERGE shoots in again towards the legs. Nova moves back, but finds a hand swiping at his mask! A stiff backhand smacks FLAMBERGE’s outstretched hand away. The young Frenchman goes with the momentum, spinning his body around so keep eyes on Nova.
Nick Stuart: FLAMBERGE tried to go for Nova’s mask! I understand you take a risk every time you step in the ring, but that seems like a pretty cheap move!
Richard Parker: Hey, Nova’s the one who wanted to get in there! The mask may as well say “Hit me right here!” It’s not La pas brillante’s fault that grandpa wanted this match!
Nick Stuart: I think your French might be a bit off.
Richard Parker: My French is impeccable! Kiss my ass, pardon my French.
Tired of the cat and mouse game, Nova steps in and clamps on a headlock in short order. He cranks on it for a second, but FLAMBERGE plants a foot in front of Nova’s and trips him forward to escape. FB looks to get a back mount but Nova scrambles to keep the advantage neutral. FLAMBERGE grabs an ankle. The Starchild twists and pushes FB off with both feet, sending the young man flying backwards from his larger opponent.
Both make an effort to rapidly find their footing. The French phenom tries to press the advantage, charging forward. He’s met with a jumping calf kick from Nova, sending him down to the mat. He looks to twist his legs into a Texas Cloverleaf. FB isn’t having it, looking for some kind of opening or escape. FLAMBERGE manages to pick Nova’s ankle to take the veteran down. Stalemate, once again.
Nick Stuart: Nice little opening there! Both of these men are looking sharp right now.
Richard Parker: Say what you want about Nova; he’s past his PRIME, he smells like salami, his beard has wildlife living in it… He’s still dangerous. He’s still one of the best around. FLAMBERGE needs to have his head on a swivel.
Nick Stuart: No doubt about that, Richard. I’m worried about Nova’s injury, though.
Richard Parker: You should be! FLAMBERGE is a smart kid, vicious too. He knows what he needs to do here.
The two draw close again, but FLAMBERGE acts with haste. He starts cutting at Nova’s left thigh with low kicks. Nova groans, his leg buckling more and more with each successive kick. FB shoots in with a single leg, grabbing the targeted limb before sweeping out the right leg. FLAMBERGE grapevines the leg and applies a modified heel hook. The Risen Star does his best to turn his leg to keep some amount of pressure off his limb.
Nova manages to roll the pair to the ropes. Timo starts the count for the break.
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
FOUR!
FLAMBERGE breaks the hold just in time. He ignores the earful he receives from Timo and kicks at the still downed Nova’s left leg. Knowing he has the advantage, FB looks out to the crowd with what can best be described as aloof disdain. FLAMBERGE drapes the Starchild’s left leg over the middle rope. He stomps on it a few times before wrenching on the tied up limb. Timo again jumps on FB with the count. Again, the count is broken just in time. Timo steps in between the wrestlers. The look he shoots FLAMBERGE a death glare, with the prospect refusing to look into the referee’s eyes. In the meantime, Nova has slipped out to the ring floor.
Nick Stuart: FLAMBERGE is really pushing his luck here!
Richard Parker: He sure is! He’s not in good with “On The Take” Timo, so he can’t expect any leeway.
Nick Stuart: That’s ridiculous! How can you attack the integrity of PRIME’s head official like that with a straight face?!
Richard Parker: It’s easier than you think.
FLAMBERGE slides out of the ring to stalk the wounded Nova. After a moment to measure up his target, FB charges forward. He waited too long. Nova has turned around by the time FLAMBERGE draws close. In one fluid motion, the Risen Star chucks his younger adversary overhead with a T-Bone Suplex! FLAMBERGE bounces as if he were shot out of a cannon without preparation.
Both men lay on the floor… Nova clutches his leg while FB desperately grabs at his back. Timo implores both men to get back into the ring before starting his count.
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
Nova starts using the ring apron to get to his feet…
FOUR!
FIVE!
FLAMBERGE crawls to the ring steps, steadying himself.
SIX!
SEVEN!
FLAMBERGE deftly slides himself into the ring.
EIGHT!
Nova manages to pull himself onto the apron. The crowd applauds as the veteran swings his leg into the ring… Only to start vehemently jeering. FLAMBERGE had sprung to his feet and just chop blocked Nova’s draped leg! The Starchild crumples to the apron, howling in pain.
Nick Stuart: Oh man! That just looked nasty!
Richard Parker: The kid suckered him in! I’m telling you, he’s going to be a world champion in the near future!
FLAMBERGE drags Nova back into the ring from the apron. He wraps his legs around the bad left leg, stretching forward and lacing his arms under Nova’s left arm while locking in a choke. After a long second in the hold, FB unlocks his hands and starts trying to rip off Nova’s mask! The Risen Star thrashes around wildly, making it hard for FLAMBERGE to get a solid grip on the facial armor. In his thrashing, Nova catches the side of FB’s head with an elbow.
FLAMBERGE rolls off, his bell clearly rung. He stumbles to his feet and staggers towards Nova, trying to keep the pressure on. He grabs him under the jaw to try and pull Nova to his feet. The Starchild seems to dead weight FLAMBERGE, leading the Frenchman to let him drop to the mat. A few lazy kicks to the head and FB tries to pick Nova up again. Nova EXPLODES up and blasts FLAMBERGE with a clothesline!
Nick Stuart: What a shot from Nova!
Richard Parker: Cheater! He’s cheating!
Nick Stuart: What?! That was one hundred percent clean and legal!
Richard Parker: He, uh… Nova gouged the eyes!
Nick Stuart: That doesn’t make any kind of physical sense.
Nova drags himself over to the prone FLAMBERGE. He locks in the Horizontal Face-Pull LongestNameEver (Arm trapped crossface). The phenom struggles for an escape; he’s too far from the ropes, Nova has himself expertly positioned and the bigger athlete is making great use of his size advantage.FLAMBERGE does his best to start shifting his body a bit closer to the Starchild.
Nova tries to shift away while keeping the hold tight. Despite his best effort, Nova can’t keep a good gap. FB gets close enough to kick away at the bad left leg. After a few, Nova has to relent and release the hold. He manages to stay on top of FLAMBERGE, sending some heavy forearms to the upper back and neck. Nova wills himself to his feet, bum leg dragging.
The Starchild pulls FLAMBERGE up to his feet. The Frenchman breaks the grip, sending yet another hard kick to Nova’s left lower appendage. Nova crumples slightly, but remains standing. FLAMBERGE goes to the well once too often… Another attempted stiff kick is dodged by Nova. The surprised FB is snatched, the Risen Star planting him with No Value! Nova drags himself over for the cover!
ONE!
TWO!
KICKOUT!
Nick Stuart: What anticipation from Nova! He just about pulled this one out!
Richard Parker: A wounded Nova is still dangerous! FLAMBERGE needs to refocus if he’s going to get the win here!
Nick Stuart: That’s going to be easier said than done. You know Nova won’t let up, bad wheel or not.
As Nick said, Nova doesn’t give FLAMBERGE much room to breathe. He grabs FB in a waistlock, pulling him up. Up and over, FLAMBERGE is dropped backwards with a German Suplex. Nova holds on and rolls. A second German. Still holding on. A third German. Grip still strong.
FLAMBERGE is in trouble. He’s groggy, but still has enough wits to know he doesn’t want to eat a fourth German. He manages to slip his hands between Nova’s grip and his body. The struggle lasts briefly, as FLAMBERGE does find a way to break the Risen Star’s grip. In one smooth motion, FB hooks an arm and takes Nova over with a brutal komi goshi throw! He lands on top, making a dazed cover!
ONE!
TWO!
KICKOUT!
Nick Stuart: A wonderful counter from FLAMBERGE! He was reeling, but somehow found enough wits to pull out that throw!
Richard Parker: You’re damn right, Nick! Lesser men would have probably fallen to that move! Shows you just what Nova is made of.
Nick Stuart: What would you call that throw, Rich?
Richard Parker: I’d call it YOUR job, Nick! I’m here to provide insider insight the yokels at home wouldn’t understand, not tell someone about a ¾ half nelson flipping jujubolamba driver!
The two men lay on the mat for a moment, nearing the end of their reserves. They struggle to their knees. FLAMBERGE sneers at the masked Nova, sending a hard slap to the face. The Starchild slumps for a moment, but returns fire quickly. FLAMBERGE reels, almost falling onto his back. He roars back himself, sending another vicious slap to Nova. The Risen Star fires back. Back and forth, they trade angry shots.
In the end, the mask seems to have given Nova a slight advantage. He starts stringing multiple slaps together. Advantage – Nova. He slowly climbs to his feet, sending shots to the side of FLAMBERGE’s head as he does. He drudges the younger competitor to his feet. Another stiff Nova slap rocks FLAMBERGE, who stumbles back before being bounced back by the ropes. Again, Nova blasts FLAMBERGE. Again, FB lurches backwards only to be propelled back by the ring ropes. Nova scoops the battered FLAMBERGE up into a fireman’s carry.
Nick Stuart: I think the end is near!
Richard Parker: No! Come on, FLAMBERGE! No surrender!
FLAMBERGE manages to shoot a hand out to grab the top rope. Nova does his best to yank FB away from the sanctuary of the ring ropes. A second attempt sees FLAMBERGE’s grip weaken, but still holds on. A third finally gets the pair free, but FB is able to slip behind in the chaos. But that’s not the biggest happening here. As FLAMBERGE is ripped away from the ropes, he not only slipped behind but his free hand?…
It yanked the mask off of Nova’s face. The Starchild whips around, but takes a shot to the bad leg yet again. Nova can’t help but clutch at the compromised limb. That leaves an opening for FLAMBERGE to launch a jumping roundhouse kick right to the exposed face of Nova! The Starchild collapses to the mat, holding his face in agony. FB is quick to capitalize with a cover!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
DING DING DING
Nick Stuart: Wow! FLAMBERGE manages to steal one from Nova under less than honorable means!
Richard Parker: What are you talking about?! That was fair! That was clean! FLAMBERGE did nothing wrong!
Nova sits up, disappointed in his loss.
A section of the Amway Center crowd begins to murmur, their focus shifting away from the conclusion of FLAMBERGE’s battle with the Risen Star.
Richard Parker: The heck is happening up there?
Nick Stuart: Looks to be some disturbance near one of the fan exits…
After a moment, arena lights shift over to the crowd. In the ring Nova adjusts his protective face-mask and stares out towards the now-lit throng of fans, who clear space and back away as a figure steps from the shadow of the exit tunnel into the stands.
Nick Stuart: PAXTON RAY!!
Richard Parker: You’re kidding me…
Nick Stuart: He said it earlier, Richard! Whether before the match, after the match, or during it, he was gonna ‘finish the damn job’…looks like he settled on after!
As Ray’s visage is broadcast over the PRIME*View screens, the fans shower boos on the Bayou Butcher, while also clearing back a perimeter around him as he continues to move slowly through the rows of seats in the general direction of the ring.
Nick Stuart: The PRIME faithful really letting Ray have it here…while also keeping their distance!
Richard Parker: I’ve called our fans idiots on more occasions that we have time to revisit right now, Nick…but I think they have the right idea this time!
Ray pauses some distance from the ringside area. In the ring, Nova takes a step towards the ropes, clenching his gloved fists, and the crowd noise swells.
Nick Stuart: The Risen Star clearly ready for revenge here, Richard!
Richard Parker: Well I’ve never claimed that one had a functioning synapse in his brain, Nick…and if he did, some poor schlub is probably still working a paint scraper to get it off the wall of that hallway back in Tampa!
After a moment’s pause, Nova extends an arm…and waves Ray on.
The crowd erupts.
Nick Stuart: He’s telling Ray to come on down!!
Richard Parker: We may need to clear out for this one…
The fans cheer and jump around the Bayou Butcher, who remains still, eyes locked on Nova in the ring.
He doesn’t budge.
Nick Stuart: Ray doesn’t appear to accept the invite…
Richard Parker: First time for everything?
Ray shakes his head, and a hateful sneer spreads over his face before his extends his own right arm, and waves Nova on to him.
Nick Stuart: Ray is calling Nova out into the crowd!
Richard Parker: Phew…I’ll unpack.
Nova pauses only briefly to consider Ray’s counter-offer before giving a quick nod and stepping through the ropes.
The crowd pops again, whipped by now into a frenzy.
Nick Stuart: THE STARCHILD OBLIGES!! HE’S HEADED TO MEET RAY IN THE CROWD!
Richard Parker: If I’m in the crowd, I’m high-tailing it, Nick! The ticket isn’t worth the medical bills!
Nova hops down onto the ringside mat and climbs over the guardrail into the first row of fans. They cheer him on, some touching his arms or patting his back as he wades through towards Ray’s position further up in the stands. For his part, Ray begins stomping down through the rows in response, shoving some slow-moving fans aside in the process.
Nick Stuart: THEY’RE ON A COLLISION COURSE!
Only a few rows from each other, fans part ways to clear a direct path, and as Nova leans into a full sprint, Dametreyus steps in front of him, catching him with his arms out. A sea of PRIME security, several Enemigos sprinkled throughout, floods the crowd between Nova and Ray.
Nick Stuart: And this one looks to be headed off at the pass before we get to a full-on brawl in the crowd, Richard!
Richard Parker: From the safety of our announce booth I have to say I’m disappointed, Nick!
Ray flings one unfortunate security guard aside into the crowd and levels another with his forearm, but as Dametreyus squares up in front of Nova, one hand pressed back against the Risen Star’s chest, Ray simply shakes his head and takes a step back towards the exit tunnel. Nova’s eyes are still trained on him, but he makes no move around his old friend. On the entrance ramp, Lindsay Troy and Wade Elliott can be seen at the edge of the curtains, monitoring the situation.
Nick Stuart: The Queen got wind of this fast enough and clearly wasn’t about to let this situation devolve any further.
Richard Parker: She never lets us have any fun!
As security continues to swirl around the men gathered in the audience, the feed cuts to commercial.