SAGE PONTIFF vs. ADAM ELLIS
“Satori Part II” by Flower Travelin’ Band echos over there PA system, signaling the arrival of ‘The Bodhisattva of Transformative Experience’, Sage Pontiff. He strides out, arms spread wide. He walks to one side of the stage, offering a prayer and bow to the crowd. He moves to the other side, doing the same.
Pontiff casually strides down the ramp, occasionally pausing to chat with the audience or offer a prayer. He gets to the ring, rolling under the bottom rope and inside. He takes in the annoyed reaction from the crowd. He smiles and strides over to a corner. He rests an elbow on the top rope and flings his legs upward. He’s now laying across the corner, relaxing until his opponent makes his entrance.
Garrett Biggs’ “Mama Didn’t Raise No…” plays over the sound system and on the video screen, a video plays showing a series of wrestling trophies on a dresser next to an old high school football uniform that has ‘Ellis’ on the back.
An acoustic guitar plays and the vocals begin.
“Mama didn’t raise no… quitter- guaranteed to get the job done.”
Adam Ellis and Ginny Van Lear walk out from the back hand in hand and stand on the stage.
“She didn’t raise no SOB who that can’t back himself up – been known to throw a good punch.”
The video screen shows a series of action shots of Ellis from his various matches
“And this ol’ boy gets going when the going gets tough- sundown to sun up.”
Dressed in a t-shirt, jeans, and her feet wrapped in tape the former MMA prodigy nods her head causing her bright red hair to flip, and raises her left hand…
“Need a man with a helping hand – he’s always got one to lend.”
…and then brings it down as the chorus and full instrumentation hits- complete with pyro.
“Oh, I might be a little rough around the edges”
Adam’s wearing a pair of plain blue wrestling shorts. He starts forward down the ramp towards the ring followed by Van Lear.
“From the outside lookin’ in it might seem helpless.”
The couple reaches the ring. Adam holds the rope open so Ginny can slide through.
“I’ve been blessed with a strong backbone – I never coulda made it on my own”
Adam joins her in the ring.
“But if there’s one thing that I know – Momma didn’t raise no…”
Adam climbs up the top turnbuckle and holds up his arms
Nick Stuart: We’ve got an intriguing matchup between two of the newer members of PRIME here, Richard!
Richard Parker: That we do, Nick. Both guys are the same height, but Sage is giving up a bit of beef to Adam Ellis.
Nick Stuart: That could certainly play a factor in this battle.
Richard Parker: It could, but there’s something about Sage. I think he’s got a couple of tricks up his sleeve. Adam Ellis better be on his toes!
The crowd buzzes as the two circle each other. Ellis steps forward, but Sage calmly takes a step back and smirks. Another step forward, another subtle retreat. Both Ellis and the crowd show minor impatience with Sage. Pontiff turns towards the crowd and motions for them to calm down. He coolly steps forward. Adam goes to meet him, looking to engage in a lock up. Sage has other ideas, as he sends a mid kick to Adam’s ribs, stunning him!
Pontiff moves quick, snapping Ellis over with an arm drag. He recovers rapidly, but is flung back over with another arm drag. This time, Adam sits up but doesn’t climb to his feet. Sage squats down to look him in the eyes. He gives the Warrensburg native a smile and prayer hands. Ellis rolls his eyes while shaking his head and climbs to his feet.
Nick Stuart: Sage Pontiff showing off that quickness.
Richard Parker: He sure is. The kid can move when he feels like it!
Nick Stuart: I think he might be taking Ellis a bit too lightly. Adam is an accomplished athlete! He’ll have Pontiff tied up on the mat in no time if he’s not careful.
Richard Parker: Mind games, Nick! He’s got him right where he wants him!
Ellis recovers and again goes for the collar and elbow tie-up, successfully this time. He clamps on a side headlock in short order. Ellis wrenches on it, causing Pontiff to flail his arms wildly. Ellis gets a bit too complacent, allowing The Bodhisattva of Transformative Experience to slip out behind him.
Sage takes this opportunity to fling forward with a wheel kick, smacking Ellis between the shoulder blades! Adam stumbles forward, discombobulated. Pontiff dashes towards the ropes springboarding off with a leg lariat that knocks Ellis to the ground!
Nick Stuart: Nice leg lariat there from Pontiff!
Richard Parker: He took a chance and it paid off. Kind of the opposite of you with the slots at the casino!
Nick Stuart: I wish I could say you’re wrong, but you’re not.
Sage quickly mounts Ellis, pounding him with a headbutt. Another follows, then another. Pontiff pauses, a devilish grin on his face. He folds house hands together, drawing boos from the unhappy audience. He goes for a fourth headbutt, but is met with a forearm to the jaw from the prone Ellis!
Another forearm knocks Sage off the mount and onto his backside. Ellis wrangles him down, locking in a modified STF! Elvis Nixon goes in to check for the submission, getting a negative from Sage. In between screams of pain, Pontiff… smiles?
Nick Stuart: Is he smiling?
Richard Parker: Hoooo boy, that kid ain’t right!
Nick Stuart: It’s certainly unnerving, watching someone seemingly enjoy getting beaten up.
Richard Parker: You usually have to pay for such a thing!
Pontiff tries to drag the two towards the ropes, with little luck. Ellis tightens up the facelock, causing more screams of agony from Sage. Pontiff’s arm raises, looking like he might tap! The crowd starts to buzz louder! Sage reaches that hand back to gouge Adam’s eyes! Ellis groans and releases the hold. Ginny Van Leer makes her displeasure with the cheating known to Elvis, who’s already warning Pontiff not to push his luck. Sage offers a prayer and an apology, not looking entirely sincere while doing so.
He gets to his feet, dropping a leg across Adam’s throat! Pontiff strolls over to the ropes, climbing onto the apron. As Ellis recovers, Pontiff jumps up onto the ropes. He wobbles though, almost losing his balance! He hurriedly flings himself off, but Adam has recovered at this point. He sidesteps the desperate Pontiff, grabbing the stumbling opponent with a waistlock. Ellis flings Sage backwards with a German Suplex, bridging for the pin!
ONE!
TWO!
KICKOUT!
Nick Stuart: Big move from Ellis! Picture perfect on that bridge, but Sage isn’t quite done yet!
Richard Parker: Pontiff better get his head back in the game! Ellis might be from Buckfutter, Nowhere but the guy has talent!
Ellis wastes no time pushing his advantage. He pulls Sage to his feet before sending him right back to the mat with a snap suplex! Adam jogs over to the corner, climbing to the top rope. He pauses for just a moment before flying off with an elbow drop! He forgoes a cover, backing up and taking a squat stance.
As Sage stumbles to his feet, Ellis charges. He jumps up in the air and rocks Pontiff’s jaw with a Superman Punch! Sage flies backward and onto the canvas. Adam tries to scurry over for a cover, but Sage tumbles out of the ring and onto the arena floor!
Nick Stuart: Oh man! That’s some bad luck for Adam Ellis. He might’ve had this won!
Richard Parker: Was it bad luck or did Sage take in his surroundings and get out of there?
Nick Stuart: I’m gonna go with bad luck. Sage has no idea where he is right now!
Pontiff crawls, using the time keeper’s table to get himself up. He leans on it to recover as Ellis is in hot pursuit. He grabs Pontiff, chucking him back into the ring. Once there, Adam fires up the crowd before closing in on Pontiff. He grabs his legs, looking to lock in his patented Elevated Boston Crab!
Sage knows he’s in trouble and starts to struggle. Looking for any escape, he reaches up and again rakes Adam’s eyes! This draws Ginny onto the apron to object. Nixon goes over to get her down. While that situation is going on, Sage reaches into his pocket…
*CRACK!*
Nick Stuart: What?! Pontiff just smashed Ellis in the jaw with the bell hammer! When did he even get that?!
Richard Parker: He must’ve grabbed it when he was resting on the time keeper’s table! I told you the kid was smart!
Sage tosses the hammer out of the ring just before Nixon turns around. He frantically waves Elvis over and goes for the cover!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
There’s no ring bell, for obvious reasons.
Nick Stuart: That’s ridiculous! Sage Pontiff should be ashamed of himself!
Richard Parker: Hey Nick, a win’s a win!