NATE COLTON vs. DUSK
Nick Stuart: Well, PRIMEates, that was an interesting exchange, and now we take the action back to the ring where the veteran, Dusk, looks to bounce back from a tough setback at Great American Nightmare, where he fell to Phil Atken.
Richard Parker: Really, it’s Dusk’s own fault. He shouldn’t have been looking to score payback on Phil Atken for Culture Shock. Move on, and really, move out of everyone else’s way! Larry Tact had it right: Dusk needs to give his last pound of flesh to PRIME and ship out.
Nick Stuart: These fans would heartily disagree, Richard. They love Dusk and don’t want to see him go, much less by the hands of a disgruntled and petty man like Larry Tact. Meanwhile, Nate Colton would like to get back in the winning track, himself. Although he did not come away victorious at Great American Nightmare, he also wasn’t pinned by GREAT SCOTT, who came away with a Five Star title shot.
Richard Parker: Whatever, Nick. You can put a sympathetic spin on it, but Nate couldn’t get a Dub that would have put him in the Five Star title match. On top of that, he couldn’t end the insane scourge that is sweeping PRIME, in one GREAT SCOTT. I’m hoping Rezin can hold it together to take care of that in the Main Event, but Nate should go back and nestle a bosom or whatever the Colton family does to soothe their losses.
Nick Stuart: I think the antidote would be a win, Richard, and Nate is aiming to do just that against the seasoned vet, Dusk. Let’s kick this one off with Vince in the ring!
Vince Howard: Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is scheduled for one fall with a thirty minute time limit. Introducing first…
The opening guitar riff of “Death Grip” by Watt White sounds throughout the arena’s sound system, alerting fans to popup from their seats with an ovation for PRIME’s grizzled veteran, who strides out from the Argyle Position and makes his way towards the ring as he is serenaded with a familiar chant.
DUSK! DUSK! DUSK! DUSK!
Richard Parker: I don’t think these PRIMEates could be any more faithfully boring and predictable than cheering this old timer.
Nick Stuart: They don’t get tired of it, nor should you be tired of hearing it, Richard. They’re showing respect and admiration for someone who’s been in the ring longer than we’ve been calling matches here.
Richard Parker: Is that supposed to impress me? Anyway, my commentary is riveting whereas Dusk moves like a sloth man.
Dusk gets into the ring and applauds the fans in return for their support. As Timo Bolamba walks over to give Dusk the usual pre-match schpiel, the music fades and is replaced with a classic rock riff, signaling the beginning of “Tryin'” by the Eagles. Moments later, Nate Colton emerges from the arena’s entrance with his raised high, to cheers of his own from the crowd. He shows off his blue satin jacket— his family name emblazoned on the back; his first name stitched on the front.
Nick Stuart: Speaking of riveting, Nate Colton has that and more with his potential range of outcomes in PRIME. With his background grounded in wrestling, I’m excited to see what he can do against the long tenured Dusk.
Richard Parker: I wish I could be optimistic here, but I’m afraid this kid is going to have the green behind his ears show against a crafty cockroach who won’t be stamped out for good.
Nick Stuart: That seems a bit harsh, Richard.
Richard Parker: So is having to watch Dusk for as long as I have!
As the younger Colton family member makes haste towards the ring, he’s sure to high five any fans who reach an outstretched hand for some interaction. Dusk allows him space to enter without interruption, and Nate climbs the steps, ducks between the top and middle ropes, and enters the ring.
Nick Stuart: The fans should be in for a competitive match between these two, and I’m looking forward to it myself.
Richard Parker: I bet this is right up your alley, Stuart. You need someone to jolt your life with a little excitement. Then you’ll realize this snoozefest isn’t good enough for PRIME.
Nick Stuart: Agree to disagree, Richard. I think wrestlers like Dusk and Nate are representative of how PRIME has and will continue to be about what happens in the ring.
Richard Parker: Okay, but there’s so much they won’t do in the ring that makes it interesting!
Nate heads directly to his corner and undoes his jacket, showing off his gear– white trunks that reach his upper thigh with a blue stripe down the side, white boots with blue trim, white MMA gloves, and blue elbow and knee pads. After handing his jacket to a ring attendant, he makes another appeal to the fans, then stretches in the corner while he mentally prepares for his opponent. He is given the rundown by Bolamba before the Senior Referee does a final check of both competitors, and motions to the timekeeper.
DING DING
As the two step to the middle of the ring, it is Nate who reaches out a hand for a traditional test of strength. Dusk regards him cautiously for a moment before giving a short nod and locking hands with the equally statured and slightly bulkier Colton, who immediately pressures Dusk, pushing him back a couple steps. Nate attempts to torque the arms of Dusk downward, but the veteran fights back as the crowd throws the weight of their support behind him. It’s rewarded with Dusk pushing back and forcing Nate all the way to one knee, as both men exclaim from exertion. Dusk looks to continue pushing downward, but it’s Nate who battles back and more than evens things out, in fact turning the tide on Dusk for a moment. The Elder Statesman sees what’s happening and decides to tuck his head under one of Nate’s arms, sending him up and over with a Northern Lights Suplex with a bridge.
ONE!
TWO!
Kickout at two.
Nick Stuart: A conventional start to this one sees Dusk take the early edge with a well worn Northern Lights Suplex. Nate gets a taste of what’s in store.
Richard Parker: You know, long long ago, Dusk would have done craftier things than sneak a move into a test of strength. How far he’s fallen.
Dusk grabs Nate’s head and brings him up in a side headlock, which Nate is quick to push him off and into the ropes. Dusk comes back and floors Nate with a Shoulder Block that surprises the bigger Colton. Dusk follows up with an elbow drop and then brings Nate up again, slinging an arm over his shoulder and landing Colton on his knee with a Gutbuster. Nate hits the mat on his back and Dusk is there to drop a knee into his midsection before making another cover.
ONE!
TWO!
Kickout again.
Richard Parker: Better rename this place Polite Routine Interlocking Mundane Exhibition because we have a lot of holds and counters to stomach with these two traditional turds.
Nick Stuart: Richard, can we keep this a little more high brow? PRIME is about all different styles and matchups. Let’s enjoy the high level of competition.
Richard Parker: High. Now there’s a state I could get behind to endure this.
DUSK! DUSK! DUSK! DUSK!
Richard Parker: Oh keep it to yourselves, yokels!
Despite Richard’s protests, the PRIME faithful do as they please. Hearing the crowd behind him, PRIME’s Elder Statesman brings Nate up by the arm and bores his shoulder into the midsection of the younger man, clearly targeting a specific area– Once. Twice. Three Times. Dusk then sends Colton to the ropes with an Irish whip— Reversal! Nate twists his body and it’s Dusk who smacks into the corner. Colton immediately follows in with a clothesline that rocks Dusk before Nate goes body-to-body and sends Dusk careening into the opposite corner with enough force to sends him staggering back out as Colton comes charging with a Running Forearm that knocks Dusk down. The Elder Statesman isn’t flat-back for long, as he rolls to his knees and stands too quickly for Nate to go for a cover. Dusk throws a haymaker that Nate ducks under, hooking Dusk for a Back Suplex. Dusk refuses to stay down and swings again at Nate as he rises. Colton manages to corral the arm Dusk took a swing with and wrenches it around, halting the veteran momentarily. The youth of the Colton family then transitions into a hammerlock for a few seconds, moving Dusk towards the center of the ring before slipping next to him and hooking a leg with his own for a Russian Leg Sweep. Nate immediately rolls back over to Dusk and twists him up with an Inside Cradle.
Nick Stuart: Nate trying to pull a fast one!
ONE!
TWO!
Kickout by Dusk.
RAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!
Nick Stuart: A good try by Nate, who scores a two count and looks to build some more momentum to put him over the top.
Richard Parker: I’m going to tell Troy I need hazard pay for the PTSD these people are giving me with these reactions.
Nick Stuart: I thought you were just asking for a more lively experience, Richard.
Richard Parker: I’d like to see some life in the ring, but these PRIMEates should take a page from Japan and sit quietly!
Appreciating the hardened resolve of Dusk, Nate is undeterred as he brings the Elder Statesman back to standing. Nate looks to lock in an Abdominal Stretch, but is a bit lackadaisical and soon finds himself flopping to the canvas from a Hip Toss counter by Dusk. Nate pops back up and lands a forearm to the face of Dusk, who was leaning in and takes it flush. He stumbles back a couple steps and Nate lashes him with a knife-edge chop. He then backs Dusk against the ropes for another. He moves Dusk’s arm from his reddening chest and goes for a third chop, only finding air! Dusk evades underneath and places Nate against the ropes to deliver a series of chops of his own. Colton recoils and moves to a corner with his face telling the story of stinging pain he feels. Dusk follows and lands a deep forearm shot to the abdomen of Nate before leaning down and thrusting in with his shoulder, burying Colton against the turnbuckle. Colton has the air taken out from his lungs, which allows Dusk to lift him without resistance to sit on the top turnbuckle.
Nick Stuart: Dusk looking to go high risk here, not always something he chooses to do.
Richard Parker: Maybe the old bag still has a little spirit to live dangerously in him!
Dusk aims a forearm to the midsection of Nate again, but finds Colton returning fire with a forearm. Dusk tries again for a chop, but Nate swipes it away and flicks his boot up with a toe kick that lands on Dusk’s chin. PRIME’s Elder Statesman is turned around after being surprised with that blow, and Nate sees the opening. He stands on the second rope and leaps over Dusk, grabbing his neck and nearly turning Dusk inside-out with a Super Snapmare!
Nick Stuart: You don’t see that one everyday!
Richard Parker: Dusk getting flashbacks to the whiplash Hank laid on him! Maybe this kid ain’t half bad. But can he actually put this old dog down?
The PRIMEates gasp as the force of rotation is so great, it sends Dusk ricocheting off the mat and back to his feet. As he turns in a daze, Nate is right there to grab Dusk and drills him back down with an Exploder Suplex! Nate rolls over to cover Dusk!
ONE!
TWO!
THR— NO! Dusk slips a shoulder up.
RAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!
Nick Stuart: Nate scores a nearfall, but he’s learning firsthand how tough it is to put away a proud PRIME veteran like Dusk.
Richard Parker: Incredibly, Dusk actually seems to want to continue suffering. If I were him, I’d let this end before my brain juices start leaking out from my ears.
Nick Stuart: Exactly my point, Richard. Dusk is too proud to give up like that.
Richard Parker: Wait, no, I’d like to change my answer!
The PRIMEates hang onto each moment seeing their veteran fan favorite, but we also hear a smattering of “NATE!” chants in appreciation of the young man’s taking the fight to the Elder Statesman. Colton waits on Dusk to stand as he spreads his arms wide to his body, looking like he’s ready to put a finishing touch to this match. When Dusk is up, he sees Nate’s arms wrapping him up for a Colton Clutch! Instinctively, Dusk senses the peril he’s in and jolts Nate with several back elbows to the head. Nate tries to hold on but Dusk manages to turn around and land a knee to Colton’s unprotected ribs, doubling over his younger opponent. Dusk wastes no time driving Nate’s head down with a DDT to the mat! Dusk forgoes a pinfall attempt, instead standing and heading off the ropes as Nate rolls onto his back. When young Colton sits up, he finds Dusk sailing towards him with a Shining Wizard. Dusk stands again, the PRIMEates buzzing as they sense something in the works. Nate uses the ropes to pull himself up and when he finally does, he turns to find Dusk’s boot compacting his midsection with a Superkick! Feeling the adrenaline from the PRIME faithful’s burst at the first one, Dusk fires a second Superkick to the head of Colton and Dusk covers!
Nick Stuart: A chain of signature Superkicks by Dusk!
ONE!
TWO!
Richard Parker: Kickout you little brat!
THREE?
…
NOO! Nate flails a shoulder up moments from the three!
Richard Parker: What would these guys do without my guiding voice?
Nick Stuart: I’m pretty sure he didn’t hear you there.
Richard Parker: Pretty sure, but not 100% sure! Good enough for me to take credit.
Nick Stuart: Both men down, and… wait, what’s Dusk thinking here?
Dusk mounts Colton and gator rolls him over, then slides his arms under Nate’s, squeezing and rolling him back for the ANACONDA CHOKE!\
Richard Parker: Nooo! Not that!
Nick Stuart: Fluid roll into the submission attempt by Dusk! Does he have it locked in?
Nate bridges and puts Dusk on his shoulders!
Richard Parker: Yes that! Do it!
ONE!
TWO!
THRE— NO!
Dusk releases the hold and gets his shoulder up.
Nick Stuart: A great counter to Dusk’s finishing submission, with Colton just about scoring a three count.
Richard Parker: Almost doesn’t count. Finish off this codger! And stop chanting his name!
DUSK! DUSK! DUSK! DUSK!
The PRIMEates begin clapping in unison for both competitors. They spot the veteran rising first, albeit a bit slower than at the start of the match. Nevertheless, this has become the new normal for Dusk, fighting for every advantage, looking to gain an edge to close hard-fought matches out in this era of PRIME. While he awaits Nate, who is only beginning to stir, he turns his head at a disturbance in the stands and the sound of a less-than-supportive fan standing in an aisle near the barricade.
Larry Tact: OLD MAN DUSK, YOU NEED YOUR WALKER? I’VE GOT SOME PEDIALYTE AND WARM COLD RIGHT HERE FOR YA!
Nick Stuart: Where did Larry Tact come from? He has no business in this match.
Richard Parker: He’s the only one willing to call Dusk out on how selfish and outdated he is, Nick. He’s the one we need to bravely vanquish this windbag once and for all!
Dusk shakes his head and scoffs at Tact. Yet as the Elder Statesman brushes off the taunts and reaches down for Colton, those precious seconds were just what Nate needed. Playing possum, he rolls up Dusk!
ONE!
Nate releases at one, unconventionally not forcing a kickout. As the two get back up, Nate has a moment’s headstart and uses it. He sees Dusk shoot up with another Superkick aimed at the midsection area, and Nate rolls around it to end up behind his opponent. He bends him back by the neck and latches on with a Dragon Sleeper. That, too, is short-lived as Nate skillfully transitions again, lifting Dusk up and over with an INVERTED SUPLEX! The mat batters the incoming Dusk, while Nate pops up with a focus. He rolls Dusk up and pulls him into a rear waistlock, then traps Dusk’s arms. PRIME’s Elder Statesman tries to shoot a back elbow.
Nick Stuart: Dusk can’t connect with a back elbow. He’s in trouble here!
Richard Parker: Don’t let his brittle limbs squirm out of this!
Dusk finds himself trapped by a Colton family trademark. One that’s been honed for years, passed along for as long as Nate Colton has lived.
He knows it well.
Nick Stuart: COLTON CLUTCH SUPLEX!! Dusk is unable to counter as Nate slams him to the mat!
Richard Parker: If this young fool knows what’s good for him, pin him!
Unbeknownst to Nate, he complies with Richard’s instructions, sliding over Dusk and hooks a leg while Timo slides in for a count.
ONE!
TWO!
…
THREE!
DING DING DING
Vince Howard: Your winner of this match… NATE COLTON!
Nick Stuart: This match was about at a stalemate until Larry Tact had to show up in the crowd with a couple barbs. Unfortunately, the unexpected intrusion caught Dusk’s attention just long enough. For Nate Colton, that chance was too good to pass up.
Richard Parker: Thanks for stating the obvious, Nick. For once, Nate made a smart decision for his PRIME career, and showed he’s got something between the ears. Hopefully he remembers Larry’s generous spirit.
Nick Stuart: I highly doubt Tact was doing anything more than antagonizing Dusk. In his mind, Larry believes Dusk deserves to be punished, despite the fact this man has given his body and soul to PRIME. It’s really despicable if you ask me.
Richard Parker: Thankfully, nobody did!
Nick Stuart: Even though it probably wasn’t the circumstances either wanted, Nate Colton comes away with a tough win and deserves credit for it. I’m hearing we have something brewing backstage, so let’s take it in back!