RFW Classic #001

The following was originally published in 2015 as part of the original Rapid Fire Wrestling.

Rapid Fire Wrestling Episode One

Staff

Promoter: Jim “The Rebel” Rogers

Ring Announcer and Interviewer: Jade

Commentary: Shawn Roberts

Jade comes down to ringside to audience applause. She grabs a microphone and climbs into the ring. She welcomes everyone to the first episode of Rapid Fire Wrestling. She introduces Jim “The Rebel” Rogers as a Masters of Wrestling Original and owner of RFW. The crowd cheers as Jim Rogers appears from the entrance and makes his way to the ring, slapping hands with the fans alongside the entrance walkway. He climbs into the ring and hypes up the crowd before taking the microphone from Jade, who steps back into a corner.

Rogers thanks the audience for coming. He says it’s been a dream of his to give something back to the wrestling world and this is it. He says that he misses the old days of MoW and he wants to bring back some of the magic with RFW. He says it’s going to be a fun ride. RFW is built to be free flowing so they are going to break some barriers.

First, Rogers says he will sit at ringside at every show to make quick decisions and prevent unnecessary breaks in the action. Second, the rules are minimized. If the action spills outside of the ring, wrestlers have until the count of twenty to get back in the ring before being disqualified. This provides a little more room for action outside of the ring. Other disqualifications can occur in the event of outside interference, striking a referee, refusing to break invalidated holds by the count of five, and the use of foreign objects while inside of the ring ropes. Foreign objects are allowed outside the ring. No holds are barred. The crowd cheers.

Rogers waits for the applause to quiet and then says there is one more thing. Unlike MoW, RFW will have women on their roster. The audience begins to cheer again and he smiles and says to wait a minute because there is more. There is no men’s division and women’s division. It is an inter-gender promotion. The audience exclaims with surprise and timid excitement. Rogers smiles and remarks that we will see how this goes.

Finally, Rogers says that because this is Rapid Fire Wrestling, it would be wrong to waste time which is why the RFW Championship will be decided tonight in a tournament, which begins now. He hands the microphone back to Jade and exits the ring, taking a seat between the announcer’s table and the timekeeper.

“This is going to be really interesting! There is a lot of energy in this place. I’ve been in a lot of promotions throughout my career but I’ve never participated in something as unusual as this. Jim Rogers is either a lunatic or a genius. Both? Can that be a thing?”

Jade introduces the competitors of the first match. Out first is Andre Jordan. The audience boos him right off the bat because of his swagger and smug look on his face. Next, Jade introduces Mark Blood and the audience cheers loudly. Blood walks out to ring pumping up the crowd on his way. He gets into the ring and steps onto the second turnbuckle to pose. Jordan rolls his eyes as he waits for Blood to get into position.

First Round Tournament Match

Andre Jordan vs. Mark Blood

Jordan’s strength comes into play early on, keeping Blood from making much offense. Blood fights his way back into the match by finding an opening and taking Jordan out at the knees. Blood works on Jordan’s legs as the match progresses. Jordan starts to make a comeback but Blood manages to stay ahead of him and locks on a Boston Crab. Jordan drags himself toward the ropes but Blood pulls him back into the middle of the ring, tightens the hold and leans back. Andre Jordan taps out giving Mark Blood the victory.

“Nice opening match! Mark Blood is bringing a new energy to his game here in RFW with this sound victory. I am curious to see if he can keep that razor focus as the night goes on. Andre Jordan showed that he knows how to use his strength to his advantage. I think he has a bright future here.”

Mark Blood is celebrating in the ring. Jade announces him as the winner and then approaches him for a quick interview. She asks Blood what brought him to RFW. Blood says he needed to make a change in his career and saw RFW as a great place to prove himself. He says that he vows to be RFW Champion and help carry the promotion to greatness.

Blood leaves the ring and Jade announces the competitors for the next tournament match. Cate Stiles comes out first. She keeps her eyes locked on the ring as she approaches. Next is Jessie Vega. Vega is full of energy as she sprints to the ring and does a quick lap inside the ropes. She throws out a peace sign to the audience before taking her place in the corner. The bell rings.

First Round Tournament Match

Cate Stiles vs. Jessie Vega

Stiles and Vega appear to be evenly matched in the early stages. Both women trade offense while they feel each others’ offense out. Stiles manages to get Vega to the mat and begins to work on her right leg with a variety of close strikes and leg locks. Vega manages to slip away and subdue Stiles with some forearm smashes followed by a swinging neckbreaker. Vega throws Stiles into the ropes but is surprised by a sudden springboard dropkick by Stiles. Stiles goes back to the ankle. This time she stomps on Vega’s leg. Vega tries to fight back to her feet but Stiles keeps her grounded and applies an ankle lock in the middle of the ring. Vega scratches at the mat and writhes in pain as she tries to get out of the hold. Vega is forced to submit. Stiles keeps the ankle lock on after the bell rings but releases the hold before the referee counts to five. She stands over Vega while Jade announces her as the winner and the referee raises her hand.

Jade asks Cate Stiles how she feels about competing against men in this tournament. Stiles says it doesn’t matter who gets in the ring with her, they will all end up like this as she looks down at Jessie Vega, who is being checked out by the referee. Stiles leaves the ring. Vega walks backstage with assistance from the referee.

“Yow! That woman has a mean streak in her! She has a statement to make here in RFW and she just started with Jessie Vega. I hope Vega is alright. She put up a good effort in this match.”

Jade announces King Donovan to the ring for the next match. Donovan comes to the ring slowly, putting off the audience with his swagger, furry cape, and sunglasses.

“Interesting get up. And what black dude thinks a bleached mohawk is stylish? I know I’ve had some odd hair over the years but this tops all of ’em.”

King Donovan steps into the ring and gives a smug look to the crowd before taking his corner. Out next is Vito DeFazio. He bobs his head to the music and he walks down to the ring and slides under the ropes. He asks Jade for the microphone. He asks the crowd if they are enjoying themselves. The audience cheers back. DeFazio says the night is going to get even better because the Fozzman cometh to take the RFW Championship. Just as he finishes that statement, King Donovan blasts him with a clothesline from behind. The referee calls for a bell to start the match as Jade quickly exits the ring.

First Round Tournament Match

King Donovan vs. Vito DeFazio

King Donovan destroys Vito DeFazio with an array of power moves. DeFazio barely mounts an offense before Donovan drops him to the mat with a full nelson slam and pins him for the victory.

“You know what? You walk around with your cape and mohawk all you want. You’ve earned it.”

Jade declares King Donovan the winner of the match. She approaches Donovan for an interview, asking him how he feels about the competition here tonight. In an English accent, King Donovan says that he came here from his hometown of London looking for a challenge and so far, he hasn’t seen one. He feels insulted that the RFW Championship isn’t just handed to him now. Jim Rogers is seen chuckling at ringside at the absurd comment. Donovan leaves the ring.

Jade introduces the final competitors in the tournament. First out is Cole Arcane. He walks to the ring with his hoodie over his head and responding positively to some of the audience members. Once inside the ring, he unzips his hoodie, throws it out of the ring and checks the tape on his hands as he takes his corner. Next out is Rex Anarchy. He holds both fists in the air as he stands at the entrance. He walks down to the ring yelling at some fans on his way. He steps into the ring and angrily says something to Arcane before going to his corner. The bell rings.

First Round Tournament Match

Cole Arcane vs. Rex Anarchy

Both men feel each other out in the early going, repeatedly locking up and trading off control. Arcane has a slight speed advantage over Anarchy and uses it to his advantage. Arcane is in control of the match until Anarchy uses an eye gouge to break the momentum. Arcane falls back against the ropes and Anarchy clotheslines him over the top to the floor. Anarchy follows to the outside and immediately throws Arcane into the ring steps. Anarchy pulls out some kendo sticks from under the ring and picks one up. Arcane sees the other ones on the floor and quickly grabs one. Both men go at it, using the kendo sticks as if they were in a sword duel. Arcane manages to get past a block and the cane smacks against the side of Anarchy’s ribs. Arcane goes nuts with the kendo stick, leaving Anarchy curled up in a defensive position. Arcane drops the stick and goes to roll Anarchy back in but it is reversed and Arcane gets thrown into the steel barricade. Anarchy rolls back into the ring and waits for the referee to count out Arcane. Before the twenty count, Arcane rolls back into the ring. The match continues.

Anarchy continues to assault Arcane. Anarchy sets up for a fisherman suplex but Arcane manages to slip free and surprise him with a northern lights suplex. Arcane takes advantage and goes for a pin. Anarchy kicks out. As he tries to get to his feet, Anarchy is quickly dropped with a DDT. Arcane goes for another pin and gets the victory.

“Big win for Cole Arcane! Anarchy is a former world champion. Good instincts on this kid’s part. That’ll get you places. Something tells me that Rex Anarchy isn’t going to stay quiet, though.”

Jade announces Cole Arcane as the winner and then asks him how it feels to move forward in the tournament. Arcane looks Jade over before responding. He says Jade is looking good tonight and then says moving forward in the tournament is huge for him. He says he will win the tournament and take home the RFW Championship. He tells Jade that he’ll see her at his after party. Jade smiles as Arcane walks away.

“The dark, brooding kid’s not a shy one, is he?”

Jade says the semi-finals are coming up right now. She introduces Mark Blood and then Cate Stiles. Both competitors stand in their corners, staring at each other. Stiles looks more tenacious than Blood as he looks a little apprehensive about the situation.

“I see some hesitation in Mark Blood. This is where things get really interesting! We’re venturing into new frontier with this match, people. Blood is going to have to focus, and quick! Ms. Stiles looks like she’s going for the jugular the moment the bell rings.”

Semi-finals Tournament Match

Mark Blood vs. Cate Stiles

The bell rings. Cate Stiles walks right up to Mark Blood and taunts him. She gives him a quick jab that he blocks but just stands there. She bounces back and forth on her feet begging him to hit her. She smirks and then goes for a kick to the side of Blood’s ribs. He blocks it instinctively, locking her leg against him. He shoves Stiles to the mat and quickly tries for a Boston crab. Stiles slides away and then comes at him full force. They lock up. Blood pushes both of them toward the middle of the ring. Stiles kicks Blood’s knees, trying to get him down. He again catches her leg and flips her to the mat. He backs off while Stiles looks up at him. She smiles, realizing he’s too nervous to go all in. She gets to her feet and they lock up again. This time, Blood applies a headlock and tries to wear Stiles down. Stiles manages to reach the ropes and the referee tells Blood to let go of the hold. As soon as he does, Stiles blasts him with a forearm to the face. Blood staggers back and Stiles attacks with a springboard dropkick. Stiles takes over the match, attacking Blood’s leg.

“Mark Blood is having trouble adapting to a female opponent! This is big for Cate Stiles! She knows exactly what to do with this advantage.”

Blood is whipped into the ropes. On the rebound, Stiles goes for a low drop kick to the shin. Blood yelps as he drops to the mat. Stiles quickly applies the ankle lock. Blood tries to fight out of the hold. He manages to crawl to the ropes to break the hold. Stiles waits until the referee is about to disqualify her before letting go of the hold. She circles around Blood as he tries to regroup. Just as he is trying to get to his feet, she charges at him. At the last moment, he sees Stiles coming and monkey flips her. He hops up, gingerly standing on the leg that was in the ankle lock. Stiles runs at him again but he catches her and slams her with a belly-to-belly suplex. He gets to his feet with a noticeable change in demeanor. He quickly goes back at Stiles and takes control of the match, working on Stiles back. Blood tries to setup a Boston crab once again but Stiles slips out right as she is being turned over and reverses it into another ankle lock. Blood tries to get to the ropes again but Stiles manages to pull him back to the middle. In a last ditch effort, Blood squirms enough to loosen the hold. He slips out, clips Stiles out at the feet and manages to apply a Boston crab. Stiles tries to fight out of it or get to the ropes but is unable to do either and is forced to submit. Blood immediately lets go of the hold when the bell rings.

“What a match! Mark Blood had to overcome two opponents in this match. Cate Stiles and himself. Stiles won’t be moving on in this tournament but she put up a great fight. This could have gone either way in those closing moments. Both wrestlers deserve applause for this one. Give it up!”

Mark Blood shakes his ankle and steps lightly on it as Jade announces him the winner and the referee raises his hand. He immediately goes over to Cate Stiles, who is trying to get to her feet. He helps her up and she steps back. He says something to her, points to the crowd, makes a clapping motion with his hands, and points to her. He says something else and holds out his hand. Stiles puts her hands on her hips and stares at Blood’s handshake offer. She steps up to him, looks him in the eye, and slaps his hand away. Stiles walks up to Jade, grabs her wrist hard, and brings the microphone up to her mouth. Jade winces. Stiles tells Blood that he had better win the RFW Championship tonight because this isn’t over and she intends to kill two birds with one stone. She will take him out and win the championship at the same time. Stiles leaves the ring. Mark Blood checks on Jade, who is holding her wrist. She motions that she is ok and Blood leaves the ring.

Jade takes a moment to regain her composure and then introduces the competitors in the next semi-finals match. King Donovan comes out followed by Cole Arcane. Arcane says something to Jade, who nods and smiles. He takes his corner. The bell rings.

Semi-finals Tournament Match

King Donovan vs. Cole Arcane

Both men lock up in the middle of the ring. Donovan pushes Arcane back. Arcane immediately responds with a clothesline. Donovan falls to the mat and Arcane quickly takes advantage. Arcane controls the match, working on Donovan’s back. Arcane goes for a DDT but Donovan lifts him up and drops him chest-first on the ropes. Arcane bounces back first to the mat and Donovan follows up with mounted punches. Donovan takes control of the match and goes for a full nelson slam, but Arcane slips free before it can be locked in. Both men trade blows back and forth in the middle of the ring. Arcane starts to take over with a flurry of punches. Donovan is reeling. Arcane runs off the ropes and goes for a clothesline but Donovan ducks and quickly comes from behind with a full nelson slam. Donovan goes for a pin and gets the win.

“King Donovan with another convincing victory on his way to the finals against Mark Blood. Good showing tonight for Cole Arcane. He’s got nothing to be ashamed of tonight.”

Jade announces King Donovan the winner. He stands triumphantly in the middle of the ring while the referee holds his arm up. Donovan leaves the ring. Cole Arcane shakes his head as he tries to get up. He stands, rubbing the back of his neck. He appears frustrated. As he is leaving the ring, he glances at Jade, who is discreetly clapping for him.

Jade announces to the audience that there is one more match before the championship match. She introduces the competitors. Maria Estrella comes out to the ring first. She is energetic as she comes to the ring, slapping hands with the audience on her way to the ring. She slides into the ring and blows a kiss to the audience before taking her corner. Out next is Mysterie, a masked wrestler who seductively dances at the entrance way before strutting to the ring. She takes her corner. The bell rings.

Maria Estrella vs. Mysterie

Both women lock up. Mysterie pushes herself back and does a quick twirl dance, confusing Estrella, who glances out at the crowd as if looking for an answer. Mysterie takes advantage of the distracted Maria Estrella with a spear, followed by a standing moonsault. Mysterie takes control of the match. Mysterie uses a variety of fast paced attacks off the ropes. Estrella finds a moment to counter with a clothesline, breaking Mysterie’s momentum. Estrella works Mysterie’s knees, trying to keep her grounded. Mysterie is thrown into the ropes and on the rebound she avoids Estrella, sliding behind her and hitting a backstabber out of nowhere. Mysterie goes for a pin but only gets a two count. Estrella quickly rolls out of the way and pulls herself up using the ropes. Mysterie drop kicks Estrella, who tumbles out of the ring. As Estrella is standing up outside the ring, Mysterie does a summersault over the ropes onto her. Both women lay on the floor as the referee begins a twenty count.

“Whoa! That was crazy! That blur of color that just crashed into Maria Estrella was Mysterie. Both women are sprawled out on the floor. Can either one get up from that?”

The audience is going crazy as both women start to get to their feet. Estrella grabs hold of Mysterie’s hair and bashes her head into the ring apron. She hoists Mysterie up over her shoulder and drives her into the floor with a running powerslam. Mysterie squirms on the floor, clearly hurt from the impact. Estrella gets up and rolls Mysterie into the ring. Estrella approaches Mysterie who surprises her with a kick to the face. Estrella stumbles back against the turnbuckle. Mysterie gets up and goes for a splash in the corner but Estrella slips out of the way. Mysterie bounces off of the corner ropes and tries to land on her feet but Estrella grabs her from behind and hits a reverse DDT. Maria Estrella covers for a pin and gets the victory.

“What a match! What! A! Match!”

Jade announces Maria Estrella the winner of the match. She celebrates with the audience before leaving ringside.

Jade waits for the crowd to quiet down and then says it is time for the RFW Championship Tournament finals and the main event of the evening. Mark Blood comes out to the ring. Next out is King Donovan. Both men stand in the middle of the ring. Jim Rogers comes into the ring holding the RFW Championship belt. Jade hands him a microphone and he tells both wrestlers that he wishes them both the best of luck. He says both men will make history tonight but only one will be remembered as the first ever RFW Champion. He holds the title belt over he head as both Blood and Donovan look up at it.

“I’m getting goose bumps. These two fought hard to get to this point. Not just tonight but over their entire careers. It comes down to this match. I can’t wait. Someone ring that bell!”

Rogers leaves the ring as Jade formally introduces both men once again. She leaves the ring and the referee calls for the bell.

Tournament Final Match

Mark Blood vs. King Donovan

Both men lock up in the ring and test each other. Donovan has a strength advantage and uses it to take early lead of the match. Donovan works on wearing down Blood’s neck and arms. Blood tries to find an opening to mount some offense but can’t find one. Donovan throws Blood out of the ring and waits for him to come back in. He throws Blood into a corner and crushes him with a clothesline. Blood falls to the mat and Donovan drives a boot into Blood’s upper back. Donovan goes for a powerbomb but Blood pulls out a hurricanrana reversal. Blood starts making a comeback. He mounts Donovan and clubs him with a series of punches. Donovan rolls Blood off of him and starts to get to his feet. Blood runs off the ropes and hits a drop kick. He runs off the ropes again and hits a big clothesline. Donovan is down on the mat. Blood climbs the turnbuckle and waits for Donovan to start getting up. He jumps off the top turnbuckle with a double axe handle. He connects but tweaks the ankle that was attacked in the previous match. He stumbles back a bit and then limps for a moment while he shakes it off. Donovan sees this and spears Blood at the legs. Donovan immediately starts attacking Blood’s leg. He drags Blood to the corner of the ring, leaving his legs dangling around the ring posts on the outside. Donovan slides out of the ring and grabs a chair. He slams the chair into Blood’s leg, crushing it between the chair and the ring post. Blood yells out and quickly pulls himself back toward the middle of the ring. Donovan smiles as he walks around the ring, plotting his next move.

“Mark Blood is still feeling some effects from his last match and King Donovan is taking full advantage of the situation. Mark could have a broken leg, or knee, or something after that chair shot. That sounded awful from where I’m sitting.”

King Donovan climbs back into the ring, standing over Mark Blood who is curled up on his side, clutching his knee. Donovan bends down to grab Blood but is surprised when Blood rolls him up with a small package. Donovan kicks out at a two count. Donovan gets up and angrily comes at Blood again but is met with an elbow to the head. Donovan stumbles back and Blood gets to his feet. He hobbles forward, hitting Donovan with a flurry of karate chops. Donovan’s back goes against the ropes and Blood body splashes into him, sending both men over the ropes. Donovan hits the floor but Blood catches the top rope and hangs on, landing gracefully. Blood pulls King Donovan up and slams his face into the steel barricade several times. Donovan begins to bleed from the forehead, coloring his mohawk red. Blood drags him over to the announce table and hammers him with several forearm smashes. He throws Donovan’s head into the announce table and then rolls him on top of it. Shawn Roberts stands up and backs away.

“I don’t like where this is going.”

Mark Blood limps over to the ring and climbs onto the apron. He looks at Donovan and over at the turnbuckle. The audience begins to get on their feet and cheer. Blood climbs the turnbuckle. He surveys the table and then leaps off. He lands on Donovan, crushing the table in the process. Papers and wood splinters go flying as both men lay there motionless.

“No!!! My doodles! I mean… my notes!!! This looks bad. Both of them look to be completely incapacitated. Mark Blood may have gone too far here. This may have backfired on him.”

The referee continues his twenty count while both men lay there in the mess of the destroyed table. A piece of paper with a sketch of a bi-pedal horse wearing a three piece suit is stuck to Mark Blood’s back. Shawn Roberts carefully peels it off of him and pockets it, looking to see if anyone noticed in the process.

Mark Blood begins to move. He rolls off of King Donovan and begins to drag himself to the ring apron. He grabs hold of the top of the apron and starts to pull himself up. Before he can slide into the ring, Donovan grabs his leg, preventing him from getting back in the ring. The referee counts to twenty and rings the bell. The crowd is in a frenzy of confusion and excitement. Blood kicks Donovan off of him and crawls into the ring. He begins talking to the referee. Donovan manages to get into the ring as well and the three men begin to argue with each other. Jim Rogers climbs into the ring and settles everyone down. He motions to Jade, who walks over to the ring apron and is given some instruction by Rogers. Jade gets on the microphone and says that the match has ended in a double countout, with no winner. The crowd begins to boo. She continues by saying that because of the importance of this match, it will continue. The crowd erupts into cheers. Blood and Donovan stare each other down before taking their corners. The referee waits for Rogers to leave the ring and then calls for the bell to restart the match.

Both men lock up in the middle again. Blood transitions it into a headlock and then a takedown to the mat. He works on Donovan’s lower back with holds, stomps, and elbow drops. Blood attempts a Boston crab but Donovan squirms out of it. As Blood approaches him, Donovan kicks him in the knee, stopping him in his tracks. King Donovan quickly gets up, locks Blood in a full nelson slam and goes for the pin. Mark Blood is unable to kick out by the three count giving King Donovan the victory.

“That was an unbelievable effort by both men. This one pushed both of these warriors to their limits. There’s blood all over the place. My announce table is destroyed. Both men look like they’ve been through a war. And they have. King Donovan is the RFW Champion. All I have to say is that I feel like I am a winner, having gotten to watch all of the action in the ring tonight. It’s anyone’s guess as to what is going to happen from here but we’re going to find out together. Good night, everybody!”

King Donovan is on his knees in the middle of the ring, catching his breath. Jade announces him as the winner and new Rapid Fire Wrestling Champion. King Donovan gets to his feet and the referee raises his arm. Jim Rogers climbs into the ring with the title belt. He shows it to Donovan and then hands it to him. Donovan holds the title belt over his head and then climbs the turnbuckles, posing with the belt. Rogers claps for him and then leaves the ring. Mark Blood limps backstage, looking disappointed. Just before going through the curtain, he takes a long look back at the victory celebration in the ring.

News

King Donovan wins RFW Championship tournament, becoming the promotion’s first champion. He will appear in the next episode to address the RFW fans.

Mark Blood was sent to a medical facility for observation following the main event match. He was treated and released with no significant injuries.

Jessie Vega was sent to a medical facility for observation following her match with Cate Stiles. She suffered a mild ankle sprain but is cleared to compete and will not miss any action.

New wrestlers will debut in the next episode.