LARRY TACT vs. PHIL ATKEN
We come back from commercial to Nick and Richard sitting at the announce table.
Nick Stuart: Up next we have Larry Tact taking on the debuting Phil Atken. Phil is new to PRIME, but is no stranger to the squared circle. Larry is looking to get on tract by picking up his first victory. Should be an interesting contest.
Richard Parker: Wait, did you just say tract instead of track?
Nick Stuart: I don’t think I did.
Richard Parker: I think you did.
“(I Want to be The One) To Watch You Die” by The Megas begins to boom all over the sound system, heralding the arrival of The Proprietor of The Glue Factory himself, Philip Martin Atken. The veteran athlete steps out and heads directly to the center of the entrance way, not paying much mind to the reaction of the crowd at the MGM Grand. Atken is quickly joined at his side by his Chief of Security, the seven foot monster known as Hank. The tandem begin their march towards the ring with clear purpose and clarity of mind.
Richard Parker: Did you know that Hank was once called Laser? I think he was living on a boat at the time.
Nick Stuart: Really?
Richard Parker: Hell if I know.
Upon reaching the ring, Atken leaps up on top of the apron and the camera catches him giving a small little self satisfied smirk to himself as he wipes his boots on the edge of the canvas. Chief of Security Hank holds open the ring ropes and allows his boss to enter the ring. Hank takes his place in the corner of the ring as Atken gladly welcomes the referee to check him for any contraband items.
Richard Parker: He doesn’t look fifty-seven to me.
Nick Stuart: No?
Richard Parker: Fifty-six
Nick Stuart: Of course.
“Pieces of Man” by Drown plays over the arena speakers as the lights cut out. Royal blue lights flicker on the stage while golden spotlights scan the crowd. They settle on centerstage where Larry Tact now stands. He opens his arms and puffs out his chest, soaking in the crowd’s reaction before bellowing and making his way down the ramp, the spotlight following him.
Nick Stuart: Oh look, Larry know’s a group of young fans sitting ringside.
As he walks, Larry critiques some fans at ringside with petty insults before arriving to the ring, glaring at his opposition. He pulls himself up using the ropes and walks slowly along the apron before wiping his boots and entering the ring. He stretches using the ropes before bouncing from side-to-side.
Nick Stuart: Hey, what happened to Vince Howard?
Richard Parker: Impromptu bathroom break. Hank scared the shit out of him. Guess it’d be more of a costume change then, huh? Poor guy.
Timo Bolamba calls both men to the center of the ring, quickly runs down the rules, and then in somewhat of a surprise sends the massive monster simply known as Hank to the back for doing Vince dirty. Phil protests the decision, but it is to no avail.
DING DING!
Nick Stuart: And just like that we’re underway! Look at how much bigger Larry Tact is than Phil Atken. Are we sure Timo didn’t send the wrong guy to the back?
The two lock up in the center of the ring. Larry uses his size advantage to quickly push Atken into the corner, and then slaps him across the chest a couple times, lighting up The Humble Proprietor.
RIchard Parker: I bet they heard them over in Scotland Yard.
Tact swiftly scoops up the Stumpy Scottish Bull as he drunkenly stumbles his candied cardinal colored chest out of the corner, and then stiffly powerslams him onto the mat. The native New Yorker holds the finish for a quick cover.
ONE
TWO
Atken powers out much to the dismay of Tact. The two quickly get to their feet, and lock up in the center of the ring once more. Atken uses his vast years of mat prowess to slip behind the much larger Tact. He hides in his shadow for a second before wrapping his little T-rex arms around Larry’s waist.
Nick Stuart: Is this guy drunk? Tact must have eight inches and fifty pounds on him!
Richard Parker: He is Scottish so chances are…
Atken’s face is flush red, like he’s had too much Scotch to drink. With all his might he hoists his much larger opponent into the air, and after a second of hanging out at the bar, he German suplexes him as if they were the same size.
Nick Stuart: Crazy Scottish strength there!
Richard Parker: Crazy Scottish OLD man strength is more like it. Plus he’s probably drunk. Beer muscles can make a man do crazy things. Trust me.
Nick Stuart: WAIT! In a show of one upmanship Atken holds the finish!
Timo quickly drops down to count…
ONE
TWO
KICKOUT.
Tact wrangles out at the count of two. Then, once again, both men find their feet and clash in the center of the ring. Instead of locking up this time around they resort to throwing rights and lefts. After neither can gain an advantage, Tact tackles Phil to the mat, and the two start to roll around while exchanging rib and kidney shots. Eventually, they roll out of the ring and both go thump on the outside.
Nick Stuart: Stiff landing there.
Richard Parker: Something, something, bar room brawl and glue.
Timo reaches a count of five before Tact is able to get to his feet. He lands a few stiff kicks before picking up Atken and throwing him back into the ring between the top and second ropes.
Nick Stuart: PURE power from Tact! That was impressive!
Richard Parker: It looked like, and would appear that Larry got the better of the prior exchange. He used to break boards if I’m not mistaken.
Atken rolls around on the mat, grabbing at his back in agony. Tact slides in the ring behind him stopping Timo’s count. He eyes up his opponent and moves in for the kill. He goes to reach down and take not so much a seat atop Larry’s Throne, but when he does Phil manages to surprise him with a quick roll up.
ONE
TWO
NOT SO FAST!
Tact powers out after almost falling victim to the surprise pin. He slaps the mat in frustration, and steams his way over toward Atken who is still prone on the mat. Larry goes to stand in his throne once more, but Atken’s old Scottish senses again flare up, and he manages to desperately twist his way into a rear naked choke.
Nick Stuart: That’s THE SHOTGUN! And Atken has got it synched in! I can’t believe it. Tact looked like he had this match won a second ago!
Richard Parker: And with him struggling to break free like he is, well, I have to believe it’s only making things worse for him.
Timo is right there checking on things. Atken wrenches back with all his might. Tact’s face is red, and getting more Scottish by the second. He is struggling to get to the ropes, or find a way out of the hold.
Nick Stuart: I can’t believe he’s still hanging in there! Crazy willpower here by Tact!
And then, of course because of the announcer’s jinx, Larry Tact taps out.
Richard Parker: Way to go, Nick. Don’t worry. I won’t tell him.
DING DING DING!
Timo calls for the bell. Atken FINALLY releases the hold and pushes Tact off of him. The Proprietor of The Glue Factory stands almost tall in the center of the ring with his hand raised in debut victory.
Richard Parker: Hopefully Vince makes it back out here and hasn’t decided to take the night off. Just saying, I shit my pants too if that is the case.
Nick Stuart: Well I’m glad we’re not going right to another match. We’ll see you all right after this commercial with some words from Impulse!