UNIVERSAL TITLE MATCH:

BRANDON YOUNGBLOOD (C) vs. IMPULSE

Lights.

Cheers.

Cannonball.

“HEY HEYYYYYY!!!!!
HEY HEYYYYYY!!!!!”

Nick Stuart: I’ve been looking forward to this one all night, Richard! Impulse and Brandon Youngblood arguably gave the match of the tournament up to Culture Shock, and we’ve been waiting for the rematch ever since! 

Richard Parker: And I’m glad it’s come true, the last thing I’d wanna see is Cancer Jiles defending the strap. And let’s not forget that Impulse nearly got upset bbyt Tapioca Puddings of all opponents. Regardless, the last few meetings between Youngblood and Knox have felt a little testy. I think we’re going to see battle tonight.

As Impulse enters the arena with Cally a step behind, he stops for a moment to appreciate the size and volume of the crowd that’s here to see him wrestle in his biggest opportunity in PRIME so far. He takes a deep breath and taps his fist against his chest in a sign of appreciation and acknowledgement of their reaction.

Cally, on the other hand, is the same as ever, waving, blowing kisses, with a smile that never fades. She has what looks like a small cooler bag over her shoulder.

Nick Stuart: The Champion made the comment at ReViVal 10 that this would be a brutal match, possibly trying to shake Impulse’s confidence – or Cally’s. And that could be a way to gain the psychological edge. 

Richard Parker: She’s a cute kid but if Knox wants to have her at ringside, he’s gotta face the fallout.

The hardcore wrestling fans among the PRIMEates appear to be out in full force tonight, with Impulse taking his time to get to the ring to slap every outstretched hand – which appears to be all of them. Having had experience in this field, Cally makes sure to stay close by him, and she seems to have almost as many requests for a second or two of time. 

Fist bumps as they hit the ringside area, Impulse slides under the bottom rope and climbs to the middle of the middle, facing the hard camera with a fist in the air.

Nick Stuart: The challenger looks ready, Richard! He’s giving up height, weight, and experience to the Universal Champion, but I would be hard pressed to underestimate his resolve! 

Richard Parker: Brandon Youngblood underestimates Impulse, he loses the title. Guaranteed, but guaranteed he knows that. Why is she coming this way? 

His train of thought is broken up by Cally, stopping in front of the table and dropping her bag down on top of it. 

Cally: Didn’t get your order tonight, Richie! 

Nick Stuart: “Richie?”

She opens the bag. 

Shaker. Gin. Glass. Gin in shaker, shake it up. Gin in glass, bottle of olives. Spear three, in the glass, and serve.

Twenty seconds. 

Cally: Tip your servers! 

And with that, she slides into the ring and puts a reassuring hand on Impulse’s back as he stretches out, listening to Timo’s instructions.

Nick Stuart: Well then.

Richard Parker: I’m almost afraid to taste it.

The PRIMEview shifts from the ring to the backstage locker rooms, the percussive beat of “Trust Me” by Brad Fiedel powering through the MGM Grand Garden Arena sound system. The capacity crowd rises to their feet as a door explodes open, roaring when they see the PRIME Universal Champion, Brandon Youngblood, step on the other side.

The mood and tenor changes, as inside the arena the lights have dimmed. All attention is paid to the screen, the stride of the Tower of Babel resolute, his expression focused and intense. The vaunted Universal Championship belt is slung over his shoulder, held in place with a clasped hand.

Nick Stuart: And as they say…things just got real awfully fast.

Richard Parker: Notice he doesn’t have a martini in his hand.

Nick Stuart: The Universal Champion, Brandon Youngblood, day eighty-five of his reign. Could tonight be the last? The last time Brandon was in the ring with Impulse, it took everything he had, and a bit of controversy, to survive.

Richard Parker: You going to tell that to his face? Because I’m sure he’d love to hear that, Nick.

Nick Stuart: A last second shift of his shoulder off a bridging suplex. Brandon has said he wants five more minutes. That his reign as Universal Champion still lingers in doubt until he clears this one hurdle. Impulse wants the answer to his own question…was it a fluke? Was he the one that was lucky, or was he on the way to Culture Shock if he didn’t make one simple mistake?

He moves, undaunted, through the locker room hallway. The hallway transitions from locker room doors to the backstage, to the metal supports and the black drapery making up the lead to the entrance ramp. The Universal Champion never wavers, always looking forward on the path he is on. 

Nick Stuart: This isn’t a blood feud. It’s a challenge of who is the better wrestler. These two men take pride in the craft, the sport of professional wrestling. Beyond championships, beyond controversies…this match up is about something else; pride.

Richard Parker: When you get into those weeds, it IS a blood feud. They might not want to hurt the other, but they’re going to look at the other with resentment. ‘The fact that this guy has the audacity to even challenge me in my ring like we are equals’. You can give handshakes and flowers and all that nonsense, but at the end of the day, if you’re competing at the highest level, there is a demand from the self to prove you’re better.

As he neared the steps leading to the Argyle Position, the camera stops, now shooting his back as he ascends and turns, his hand throwing back the curtain. He disappears, the cameraman lingering, the soundtrack having reached its final beats. The fans are ready. And as the show goes back to the arena, we can see the fever pitch is about to reach another level in a few short moments.

The first time ended in controversy.

A lingering question.

Tonight, only answers.

BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD
SKULLS FOR THE SKULL THRONE
LET THE GALAXY BURN

“Bloodsport (World Domination)” by HEALTH. A wall of dominant noise surges through the arena, an absolutely raucous ovation erupting within the MGM Grand Garden Arena as Brandon Youngblood appears on the entrance ramp, bathed in flickering crimson and white lights.

Nick Stuart: A raucous ovation for the Universal Champion!

Richard Parker: It’s so loud I can barely think! They’re shaking my damn martini!

There is no pause from the Universal Champion to soak in his cheers, instead, with purpose, The Last Diamond marches to the ring, his eyes toward Impulse and Calico Rose. His oppressive scowl of intensity says it all. Cally reassures the Marathon Man that he’s got this, to not get psyched out, but he never wavers, even as the gooseflesh rippling up his arms may note otherwise. This very well could be his one shot, and not only that, his one chance to ascend to the top of a promotion he gladly calls home. A foreign concept after resented employment from the litany of companies he’d wrestled in before.

All that stands in his way is the very embodiment of PRIME.

Nick Stuart: Neither man wavers here. Not even Cally. The Unfinished Business Tour of Brandon Youngblood is about to begin its final stop, and there is no place you’d rather be if you’re a fan of professional wrestling!

Perhaps her reassurances aren’t for Randall, but rather, herself. Brandon’s words, his claim of what this match would entail, carried with it an air of dread. She grabs hold of Impulse, kissing his cheek, whispering in his ear. The messenger isn’t important. The message is.  

There is no walking along the ringside area, no slowdown as the Universal Champion stomps his way up the steps and into the ring. Once inside, Youngblood begins pacing around the outside perimeter of the ring, his eyes locked on Impulse the entire time. Regardless, Vince Howard is ready to let the PRIMEates know.

Vince Howard: LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, OUR NEXT MATCH IS SCHEDULED FOR ONE FALL WITH A SIXTY MINUTE TIME LIMIT, AND IS FOR THE UNIVERSAL!!! CHAAAMPIONSHIIPPP!!!!

RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!

Vince Howard: The Challenger! Hailing from New York, New York! His record stands at five wins, one loss! Standing five feet, ten inches tall and weighing in at one-hundred ninety-one pounds!! He is your NUMBER ONE CONTENDER!!!!!

A rise from the crowd, and Impulse throws one arm in the air to The Garden.

Vince Howard: THE MARATHON MAN!! IIIIIIIMPUUULLLSSEEE!!!

Cally screams for RK at ringside, turning to the crowd and lifting her arms up and down. Impulse surrenders a small smile, but it’s short lived to train his eyes back to the Tower of Babel.

Vince Howard: And his opponent…

The MGM Grand begins to swell. 

Vince Howard: From Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, standing six feet, three inches, and weighing in at two-hundred and eighty pounds!!

The rafters start to shake.

Vince Howard: He is UNDEFEATED in the ReVival Era, and your REIGNING UNIVERSAL CHAMPION!!!!

The PRIMEates crescendo with a deafening din, and The Last Diamond slowly lifts the Universal Championship belt overhead with one hand, with heavy eyes locked on his opponent’s.

Vince Howard: BRANDON!!! YOOOOOUUUUNNGGGBLOOOOOODDDD!!!!!!

RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!

Timo collects the belt from the Champ, hoisting it overhead and showing it to all corners of the bellowing arena. He hands it off ringside, checks in with the competitors, then calls for the bell.

DING DING

A long staredown. Chins up. Shoulders back. Feet rooted. The Marathon Man and The Last Diamond give the MGM Garden ample time to settle their rolling appreciation.

Nick Stuart: You nearly taste the tension, partner! And speaking of which, how’s that martini?

Richard Parker: It’s…strong. But you’re right. If there were any pleasantries left, they’re out the window.

As the din steadies, Youngblood is first to take a step, crouching slightly and strafing to his right. Impulse returns in kind, side-stepping counter clockwise and at the ready. Two gladiators waiting for the moment to strike. A lunge forward from the Champion, easily side-stepped from the Challenger. Another feint, and Impulse refuses to bite, light on his feet as he hops back. Youngblood lowers his stance, hands out and ready to grapple. Impulse responds in similar fashion, though cautiously.

Nick Stuart: Impulse taking a defensive approach to start this match. A controversial finish at ReVival 5 must be looming in his mind. He won’t want to make any mistakes.

Richard Parker: Nothing controversial about it. Shoulders were down, and the count hit three.

A fake to the right, then a hard lunge from the Champ, shooting for RK’s waist, but the swift opponent side-steps, taking advantage with a forearm just under Youngblood’s ear. Impulse thumps him with another, and the Tower of Babel pivots, staying calm while taking the hit. He goes for another grab, but Knox spins away from his grasp.

Nick Stuart: More defense from The Marathon Man, avoiding the Champ’s grip.

Richard Parker: Can’t argue that tactic. What do you even DO when BY gets ahold of you?

Youngblood pursues, bursting forward quicker. Another dodge from Randall, retreating to the next corner. Another half-lunge, and another skip away. A third attempt forces Impulse to jump into the ropes to evade Brandon’s grasp, using the rebound leap and throw his legs around the Champ’s head.

Nick Stuart: And Knox makes a move! Looking for the takedown!

BY is able to stop the momentum and keep himself from going over, using his size advantage to try and wrap up The Marathon Man. Impulse is ready however, and quickly swings his legs around, his feet hitting the ground and allowing him to pivot and spin away from the Tower of Babel’s grip. However, as he re-balances, Youngblood advances and wraps him up stomach to stomach, lifting up and to the side, slamming Impulse hard to the mat.

Nick Stuart: Belly to belly suplex from Youngblood! Finally able to catch Knox!!

Richard Parker: About time we saw a little action!

Youngblood mounts the challenger, throwing a few stiff elbows and taking advantage of his size. Impulse squirms, arms up to block the assault. The Champ eventually relents, and opts to plant his feet and pull Impulse with him. A powerful headlock sinches Knox in, who fights to pull BY’s bicep away from his skull. Youngblood adjusts his feet to counter Randall’s efforts, wrenching him left and right to maintain control.

Richard Parker: God, it’s like a shark with a seal!

Nick Stuart: I don’t know if that’s the right comparison, but Youngblood’s pulling no punches tonight!

Impulse, firm in The Last Diamond’s grasp, throws a hard elbow into the stomach. A second, then a third, and just when Youngblood is ready to release, he hooks a leg inside RK’s and sends the back of his head to the mat.

Nick Stuart: Stiff Russian Legsweep! Youngblood going for an early pin!

ONE!

TWO!

T…KICKOUT!

A shoulder up from The Marathon Man is not unexpected, and Youngblood mounts him once more, smothering him from a side-mount. A handful of forearms lead to a couple knees to the obliques. An elbow keeps Impulse dizzy, and the Champ wraps him around the midsection, deadlifting him up and sending him overhead.

Nick Stuart: Youngblood with the grip around Impulse, deadlift him up with ease. Heaving him back, OH! Belly to back suplex to The Marathon Man!

Richard Parker: Suplex Daddy getting it going!! Another pin!

Youngblood drops down for another cover, and Head Referee Balomba starts the count.

ONE!

TWO!

TH…KICKOUT!

Nick Stuart: Shoulder up! Impulse won’t let this one slip away early!!!

Again, Youngblood stays on task, and Cally shows some concern from the sidelines, biting a lip before slapping the mat to cheer Impulse on. Youngblood drives another knee, another forearm, and again stands up the Marathon Man.

Nick Stuart: Impulse to his feet, Youngblood gripping the wrist and whipping him off the ropes. Knox off the ropes, the Champ ducking low for a backdrop…Impulse with the hurdle! 

Landing clean on his feet, RK bounds off the ropes again towards Youngblood as he turns. Impulse slides low, scissoring his legs for a legsweep and toppling the Tower of Babel.

Nick Stuart: And a response from Knox!! A baseball slide takedown brings the Champ to the mat!

Close to the ropes, Impulse rolls quickly to the apron, gripping the top rope as he pops to his feet, then after a hop and a slingshot, flys over the top rope to catch the standing Youngblood with a clothesline.

RAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!

Nick Stuart: SLINGSHOT CLOTHESLINE! Impulse finding his window and taking the shot!

Richard Parker: He’s gonna have to keep that up, playing possum will only get him so far.

Impulse catches his breath for a quick moment, but the Champ is quick to roll to a knee. Randall is quicker, however, popping to his feet and dropping Youngblood’s head to the mat with a legdrop across the back of his neck, following up with another. Then, taking advantage of the momentum, takes Youngblood by the leg and lifts it back over his hip, squatting down as the Champ growls in pain.

Nick Stuart: And The Marathon Man locks in a single leg Boston Crab on the previously injured knee!!

Richard Parker: Oooh man, I hope that thing has held up well enough!

Youngblood seethes, slamming a fist into the ground. Impulse holds on tight, squatting lower and pulling back harder. Timo drops down to address The Last Diamond, who keeps shaking his head.

Nick Stuart: Cancer Jiles notoriously did everything he could to destroy that knee at ReVival 7, and The Last Diamond recovered in timely fashion! And now that same knee is in the grasp of The Marathon Man! 

Richard Parker: Youngblood’s blood vessels are about to burst, look at his eyes!!

Wild-eyed, Youngblood crawls forward on his forearms, bit by bit. Impulse has no choice but to shuffle with him to maintain the hold. Balomba follows as BY grits his teeth, fighting his way to the ropes.

Nick Stuart: The Champ clawing for the ropes!!!! He needs to get there quick!

He’s only a couple feet away, reaching forward but just short. Impulse does his best to drag him further back into the ring, but another surge forward and a lunge of the arm gives Youngblood the distance necessary to wrap his hand around the bottom rope.

And naturally, Knox elects to hold on a little longer.

Nick Stuart: And The Universal Champion holds on a little longer!!

Richard Parker: And so does Impulse!

Impulse releases The Last Diamond at the count of five, offering no resistance to Timo Balomba. Brandon pulls himself upright, shaking his leg out for a moment, but a chop across the chest interrupts him. 

Nick Stuart: A sharp chop across the chest from Knox! He doesn’t want to lose his momentum!

The chop gives Youngblood pause, almost offended at the notion, until RK chops him across the chest again.

Richard Parker: That might be a mistake…

A wince from the Tower of Babel, and Knox follows with a third stiff chop. And then, with absurd impact, Youngblood responds with an absolutely eardrum-popping knife edge chop to The Marathon Man, flattening him to his back in an instant.

OOOOHHHHHH!

Nick Stuart: OOOOH MMYYYYY!!!! AN ABSOLUTELY WICKED KNIFE EDGE TO IMPULSE!!

Richard Parker: (coughing) Oh…oh man…I just choked on an olive…

The Champ drops down for a mount, a barrage of forearms and elbows ensue as Impulse covers up. Back to their feet, Youngblood whips RK hard into the turnbuckle, charging behind and clobbering him with a big lariat into the corner.

SMACK

OOOOHHHHHH!

Nick Stuart: And ANOTHER bone-cracking chop from the Champion! What a sound!!

The strike is easily audible throughout the arena, nearly busting Knox open. He leans over, clutching at his chest and in visible pain. Cally covers her mouth on the side, eyes wide with concern. The Champ pulls Impulse away from the corner, hucking him across the ring with another whip and sending him slamming into the turnbuckle.

Nick Stuart: Youngblood chucking RK across the ring, BIG slam into the corner. The Champ charging forward, looking for another lariat…IMPULSE OVER HIS HEAD!! An incredible show of athleticism!!!

Impulse, digging down deep, manages to leverage himself off the ropes over the charging Youngblood, twisting 180 and landing on his feet behind him. He wraps the larger man up, and with a big breath and mighty hoist, heaves the Tower of Babel over and and crashes him to the mat.

Nick Stuart: AND A BELLY-TO-BACK SUPLEX ON THE LAST DIAMOND!! 

Richard Parker: Youngblood has almost 100 pounds on him!! How do you get a guy like that over your head???

It’s a rumble in the MGM Grand. BY’s heavy body stirring a moment after the impact and Impulse still wincing in pain from the devastating knife edge chops. Cally smacks the apron with both hands, electric after the huge suplex and once again throwing her hands up for the crowd to join her. First to his feet is Knox, fighting through the pain. He throws himself against the ropes, catching Youngblood in the teeth with a baseball slide before he can get up.

Nick Stuart: A baseball slide from Knox and a little dental work for the Champ. RK to his feet, Youngblood standing and checking his lip. Impulse waiting…dropkick!!

Youngblood reels, stumbling away and into the corner after Impulse connects the standing dropkick. RK kips up to his feet quickly and rushes in, leaping to connect a jumping forearm smash across Youngblood’s face. Another follows, just before Impulse leaps to connect another standing dropkick to the Universal Champion in the corner. 

Nick Stuart: And another!! Impulse is on fire!!

Richard Parker: The Champ better get it together quick! Impulse is dangerous when he finds his flow!!

Youngblood stumbles forward after the leaping strike, and Randall Knox, with all his strength, dips and hoists the 280 pound Brandong Youngblood over his shoulders, barely keeping balance before tilting him to the mat with a hefty, gravity-assisted Samoan drop.

OOOOHHHHHH!

Nick Stuart: WHAT A SHOW OF STRENGTH FROM IMPULSE!! HE GOES FOR THE COVER!!

 RK hooks a leg, looking for a pin, and Timo Bolamba is ready for the count.

ONE!

TWO!

TH…KICKOUT!

Nick Stuart: SHOULDER UP!!!!

Richard Parker: And the Champ! Says! NO!!

Youngblood’s arm is thrust high into the air, defying the count. Randall Knox catches his breath while on his knees, wheels turning in his head as what to do next. He looks to Cally at ringside for support. 

And then he looks up top.

Nick Stuart: It looks like Knox is looking topside!

Richard Parker: Against The Last Diamond, you have to use every piece of your tool set.

However, before any thoughts of high flying come to fruition, The Marathon Man takes the opportunity to mount the downed Youngblood himself, keeping the Tower down with a volley of forearms. Then, with swift efficiency, throws himself to his back while wrapping up Youngblood’s arm, locking in an efficient armbar. 

Nick Stuart: Maybe not!! An armbar attempt from Knox!!

Richard Parker: If the knee won’t break, maybe the elbow will!! But I don’t think he’ll have the leverage!

The Last Diamond grits his teeth and flexes his arm in, keeping Impulse from locking it out completely, his size and strength advantage the only thing saving him from a perfectly executed submission. Youngblood shifts his hips, looking for ropes to grip, but they’re too center ring to reach. So he keeps pulling his arm in against the wrenching Randall Knox. 

Nick Stuart: Not a good place for the Champ right now, the ropes are too far away!!

Richard Parker: But Impulse can’t lock it out! Youngblood’s keeping that elbow bent with everything he has!

Realizing the joint won’t give, Knox releases the hold, leaving Youngblood center-ring and clutching his elbow. Meanwhile, The Marathon Man scurries to the corner, hopping up to the top and prompting the PRIMEates of the MGM Grand to pull out their phones.

Nick Stuart: And now Impulse takes to the sky!!

Richard Parker: Watch out, Youngblood!!

With a deep breath he leaps, and gainers into the air among the screens and flashbulbs.

Nick Stuart: Knox in the air! Flipping around!! NOBODY HOME!!

Richard Parker: BIG MISS!!

Nobody home indeed. The Champ rolls to his stomach out of harms way as the splash from Impulse’s Shooting Star Press meets nothing but canvas. Impulse clutches his stomach while BY catches his breath, propped on his forearms. The crowd rises and roars, urging the competitors to continue. Youngblood finds a knee for support, and Knox clutches the middle rope. Each inching their way to standing positions.

Nick Stuart: These two are going HARD! Looking somewhere for an upper hand!!

Richard Parker: Speaking of hands…

Once on his feet, Youngblood takes measured steps to the ropes to meet Impulse, saying “hello again” with an open-palm CLAP against the ear. Impulse reels, almost dropping back to his knees, but responds with a chop against the chest, forcing Youngblood to take a step back. An overarm club to RK’s shoulders, and a stiff elbow into Brandon’s gut, then a bear hug from The Universal Champion, gripping The Marathon Man Tight and working to lift him off the ground.

Nick Stuart: The Champ has RK wrapped up! This is the LAST place Impulse wants to be!

Richard Parker: Impulse is gonna be a couple inches taller after that bear hug!

Youngblood maintains the hold, RK’s arms stuck within the squeeze of Suplex Daddy’s. BY takes the opportunity to deliver a stiff headbutt to RK’s skull, followed by another. Then another, before The Champ hurls him back to the mat with a heavy THUD.

Nick Stuart: BELLY TO BELLY SUPLEX! YOUNGBLOOD WITH THE COVER!

ONE!

TWO!

THRE…KICKOUT!

RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!

Nick Stuart: AND IMPULSE WON’T GO DOWN!!

Growling at his challenger and at the defiant arm in the air, Youngblood is viscous as he stands, wrenching Knox along with him. A push against the ropes and Youngblood assists the momentum, throwing Impulse across the ring and into the ropes. The Marathon Man rebounds, and a ducking Youngblood explodes upward and catapults him through the air, an one-and-a-half spin leaving Knox to hammer into the mat face first.

OOOOOOOOHHHHHH!!!

Nick Stuart: HUUUUUGE BACKDROP!! 

Richard Parker: Check your teeth, Knox!

The Last Diamond follows after the impact, crouching to lock Knox into a half-nelson and dragging him upright.

Nick Stuart: And the half-nelson is locked in! This could be it!!

Richard Parker: It has to be, Knox is getting battered!

Impulse goes flying ass-over-tea kettle, landing hard on his shoulders and back-rolling to his stomach. Youngblood pivots on a knee and rolls Impulse over to his back, looking for the pin.

ONE!

TWO!

THREE…KICKOUT!

Nick Stuart: And ANOTHER shoulder up!!! Unbelievable!!

Richard Parker: Where does this guy find it? 

Brandon’s chest heaves heavily, that defiant arm of Impulse once again thrust into the air. A frustrated growl leads to a mount, smothering him with an onslaught of elbows and forearms. Impulse turns over to avoid the barrage, giving Youngblood the opportunity to lock him up from the back, and after a strong deadlift up, The Universal Champ seconds the Number One Contender overhead with a German suplex. Knox hits the mat hard on his shoulders and base of the neck, back-rolling over and landing in a seated position in the corner. 

Nick Stuart: Another big suplex from Youngblood! How many can Knox take??

Richard Parker: Suplex Daddy doing what he does best, Nick!

Youngblood meets him in the corner as Impulse struggles to stand. A couple stiff elbows keep The Marathon Man dazed. BY drags him center, then shoves him off the ropes. He cocks back and drives forward looking for a lariat….

OOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHH!!!!!!!

…but meets the sole of his opponent’s boot against his jaw.

Nick Stuart: OOOOOOOOH MY GOODNESS!!!!!! SUDDEN IMPACT!!! SUDDEN IMPACT FROM IMPULSE!!

Richard Parker: Where did that come from!!?? He must have cracked a few teeth!!!

The Garden rumbles. The Tower of Babel toppled and collapsed to the floor after the swat to the jaw. Impulse falls against the ropes for support, absolutely exhausted. Calico Rose is going nuts ringside, begging RK to finish the job. ‘Pulse digs deep into those legendary reserves, dropping to his knees to hook the leg.

Nick Stuart: This may be it!! We may have a new champ!! Bolamba with the count!!

ONE!

TWO!

THRE…SHOULDER UP!!!

RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!

Nick Stuart: AND YOUNGBLOOD WON’T GO DOWN!!!

Richard Parker: That is INSANE!

Knox tilts his head back in disbelief, eyes closed and breathing heavily. Youngblood’s arm reaches stiff into the sky. Randall looks to Cally with a nod, forces himself to his feet, and gets back to work. Impulse wraps the Champ’s head up in a headlock from a knee. Youngblood, woozy, pulls a leg underneath, trying to stand. Knox stands, maintaining the hold, then runs toward the corner leaping onto the buckle, spinning back into the ring, slamming Youngblood back to the mat.

Nick Stuart: Beautiful maneuver from Impulse! He needs to keep the pressure if he’s going to get the three count!

Youngblood on his back, Impulse rolls to the apron, slingshotting over the top to connect a leg drop. Off the ropes and he drops a forearm across his face. Keeping the train rolling, a hop off the middle rope and jumping backward lands a press across BY’s chest. Youngblood rolls to his side, clutching his abdomen and getting to a knee, only to find Impulse wrapping him up and planting the top of his head with a DDT.

Nick Stuart: And the hits keep on coming!! It looked like Youngblood had Impulse battered and beaten, but The Marathon Man has absolutely surged!!

Richard Parker: How did he kick out of that suplex, how did he pull off that superkick??

Back upright, Knox pushes Youngblood into the ropes. A chop to the chest, a forearm to the jaw, keeping the Champ from recovering. A heavy push against the ropes and Knox heaves the Tower’s frame across the ring. Youngblood rebounds, and is met with a spinning wheel kick to send him back to the mat. Rejuvenated, Impulse hops up, eyeing the downed Champion, breathing heavily.

And then, looking up top once more, he heads to the turnbuckle.

Nick Stuart: Knox looks to the skies once more!!

Knox climbs, the Arena bellowing for another spectacle. Youngblood stirs, elbows pushing into the mat for leverage. Impulse squares himself up, and takes another deep breath, before taking flight.

Nick Stuart: Another Shooting Star Press!! This could be it for the Champ!!

A high arcing gainer. Flashbulbs capture the graceful image as he reaches his peak.

But the Champ has rolled to a knee.

Nick Stuart: Youngblood is up!!!

Richard Parker: Oh JESUS…

As Impulse almost finishes his rotation, The Last Diamond lunges upward, catching The Marathon Man’s abdomen against his shoulder with perfect timing, and finishing with an awful, thundering slam to the mat, flattening the challenger with crushing force.

OOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nick Stuart: GOOD GOD!!! SPINEBUSTER!! A SICKENING SPINEBUSTER!! CAUGHT FROM MID-FLIP!!!

Richard Parker: WHAT THE FU…

Impulse lays splayed out, unmoving. Youngblood on his hands and knees in front of him, gassed out and trying to his best to find oxygen. Cally sands shell-shocked ringside. And the MGM Grand is an absolute mad house.

Nick Stuart: I can’t believe what I just saw!! Youngblood somehow set himself up to catch Impulse just as he came around from the Shooting Star Press!

Richard Parker: Did you hear that?? His back must be broken!

Knox reaches an arm up aimlessly, barely conscious at this point. The Champ staggers to his feet, breathing fire through his nostrils in sharp bursts. The end is near. 

Almost.

Nick Stuart: But the Champ. Isn’t. Done.

Richard Parker: Look away, Cally. 

The Tower of Babel stalks over behind Impulse’s head, reaching down to hook his arms and pull his body upright. Unfortunately, The Marathon Man can’t offer much of a fight as Youngblood locks him into a half nelson. With a roar and an explosive drive through his legs, The Universal Champion heaves back and sends Knox over, landing him high-angle against the back of his skull amongst the frenzying, bloodthirsty roars of the MGM Garden Arena.

Nick Stuart: A second half-nelson suplex!

Richard Parker: That’s it. It has to be!

Sitting up from the mat, and knowing the work is done, The Last Diamond pivots around to a knee before laying across Impulse’s unmoving body, hooking the leg and making very, very sure that those shoulders are flat on the mat. Timo, per usual, is ready for the count.

ONE!!

TWO!!

THREE!!!!

RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHH!!

DING DING DING

Vince Howard: YOOOOUURRRR WINNER!!! AAANDDDD STIIILLLLL UNIVERSAL CHAMPION…BRRRAAAAANDONNN! YOOOUUNNNGGBLLOOOOOODDDD!!!!!!

Helth’s “World Domination” hits the arena hard once more. Cally has dove into the ring almost before Vince Howard can finish announcing the victor. Youngblood stands, giving her room. Timo receives the Universal Title from ringside, presenting it to the defending champion, who grips the strap in one hand and throws it into the air with a mighty roar.

Nick Stuart: AND THE DIAMOND AGE CONTINUES! BRANDONG YOUNGBLOOD WITH THE VICTORY!!

Richard Parker: 7 and 0, baby!!

Nick Stuart: That wraps up the first half of Great American Nightmare!! Your Universal Champion remains atop his Skull Throne!! We’re taking a brief intermission, and get yourselves ready for the second half!! TWO Number One Contender matches! The battle for the Intense Championship! And the finale to Survivor, with the Blue Live Crew up against Fighting for Nora for the tag belts!! We’ll be right back!

As we start to fade out, The Universal Champion makes his rounds, meeting each ringpost with feet on the bottom ropes and the belt in the air. One more skull for the Skull Throne, and another notch in the Diamond Age.