Note: You can find ALL (?) the stories by all authors in order in their original versions HERE - thanks for the link, Mangler!
Texas College Championship Wrestling 48
Who is number one?
In the TCCW gym, one of the best features was the three large saunas and two large whirlpools. It made relaxing after a hard practice an enjoyable experience.
The heavyweight hunk was alone in the sauna, eyes closed, when he heard the door open. He peeked out and saw a familiar face. He smiled and moved forward, hand extended. It was taken and the studs hugged like old friends.
"Hey, long time no see. Welcome back to action, I managed to catch the match. It was great to see you wrestling again, buddy." The studs sat on the bench beside each other and relaxed again, sweat pouring down their ripped torsos, their towels soaked within seconds.
"Thanks, it felt awesome. I'm actually glad the guys did what they did. I needed a real brutal test to get back into it."
"Well, you sure as heck got it. Those assholes should pay, though."
"Naw, they got caught up in the moment."
"What? You're not seriousy over it?"
"I am, I am. They're good guys. They saw their friend get trashed in the ring and reacted. We're cool now."
"Shit, Cody, you're a better man than me. So when are you getting your title back?"
Cody just laughed for a moment. He eventually replied, "We'll see, we'll see. Have to get Rusty to agree to face me first. And that won't be easy. I think Kevin'll do everything he can to stop it."
"True."
"Besides, Mike, there are a lot of guys around here now. Who's to say I'm even number one anyway?"
Mike nodded. It was true, there were a lot of heavyweights and none really stood out as number one. TCCW was just way too competitive, although none of the studs would complain about it. Almost all of them liked the idea of tough competition.
Mike and Cody were joined by Dane and Pat. The four wrestlers discussed the situation. Word was that people were asking for a four corner match to resolve the number one contender issue in another division. Talk turned to who would be the four if the heavyweights did it.
Cody said, "Well, what about the new guys? Do they keep their old records?"
Mike said, "That's not fair, if they do. They faced different wrestlers. I think they start fresh. Who knows what a 4-1 record in TPW means, anyway?"
"It means you're tough." The four TCCW studs turned to see Clay at the sauna door. He turned to go, planning on going into another room and leaving the TCCW heavies to their own devices.
Cody stood up and ushered him into the sauna. The men shook hands and calm was restored. Cody made sure everyone knew each other. Mike introduced himself. When Clay and Mike shook hands, it was obvious there was tension. They were both the same size, give or take an inch and a pound. They were both ripped, which was obvious with both of them stripped in the sauna.
This wasn't a TCCW-TPW thing, it was two tough wrestlers seeing a new rival.
Mike smirked and said, "You're a middleweight, right?"
Clay bounced his pecs, which were his pride and joy, and kept up the pressure in the handshake. He replied, "Guess again, bean pole," referring to Mike's lean body.
Cody stood up and came between the hunks. Dane and Pat were laughing at the display of bravado. Mike and Clay moved to the bench, but both knew their paths would cross in the ring really soon.
Clay and Mike had settled down. Mike kept his cocky attitude, but issued an apology.
"No offense meant by my comment, dude. I really DON'T know what your records mean. That's why I don't think we should be bumped to make room. Sorry if I sound like a jerk."
Clay leaned back and put his hands behind his head. His impressive lats fanned out and his sweat-drenched muscles glistened in the light. He was pumped from his workout and it showed. He liked Mike's attitude and could tell they'd be friends. But first, he couldn't wait to pummel Mike into submission for his middleweight crack.
Clay nodded, accepting the apology. He said, "It's okay. I get that this is tough on everyone. I'm a lot less defensive since Cody and I talked. But it's unfair for us to be newbies. Actually, it's okay for me. I never actually wrestled as a heavyweight. I was under 200 until two months ago." Mike snorted and smiled. Clay's eyes narrowed, but he let it go. He wished he hadn't admitted that. He continued, "But Terry and Jackson wrestled for a long time to get good records. Now their back at square one."
Pat said, "It's definitely hard to get the four best guys when none of us know who they are. Terry is definitely tough and so is Jackson. I'd definitely give one of them a spot in the four corner match."
"But only one," Mike stated.
"What's this about a four corner match?" Clay asked.Cody explained that they were discussing holding a four corner matches to determine the new number one contender. They had been discussing how to do it in the HW category when Clay had walked in.
Clay looked at Mike. "That's why you said you wanted to know what the records meant. You're afraid we'll take your spot. You have the third or the fourth best record?"
Mike didn't reply, but Clay kept his eyes on him. Clay quickly figured out from the silence that Mike did NOT have the third or fourth best record. In fact, it was obvious from the uneasy silence that his record wasn't very good.
It was Clay's turn to get cocky, "That's okay, sport, you don't have to share your record. At least you've wrestled, right?"
Mike nodded. his face red. He would get Clay in the ring and he would enjoy pinning him. Dane, Cody and Pat were all enjoying the tension. It was cool to see a new rivalry develop.
Pat chimed in, "So what should we do? Propose the match, then wait until they announce who's in it and just live with the consequences?"
Dane said, "What else can we do?"
Clay said, "Well, we did something once in TPW when the old champ suddenly went off to one of the WWF's farm system federations without warning the league. It might be cool to try and it worked well in a situation like this. There was no clear favorite. No one could agree who deserved the belt. All we had was a bunch of heavyweights and no champion."
Clay explained and the four TCCW heavyweights nodded. It was a great idea. They would propose it right away.
*****
Texas College Championship Wrestling 49
The Announcement
The heavyweights were excited about what was coming up. The announcement had been made that a tournament for the heavyweight championship was under way.
All the wrestlers knew it would be a four-corner match and were excited to see who would be chosen.
*****
Just prior to the announcement, the Commissioner asked Terry and Ryan to talk to him. He said, "I am assuming you young men will forego your match to participate, correct?"
Terry agreed, but Ryan surprised them both. "No. I could have the title any time I want. I don't want to give up my shot at this loser," he said, pointing at Terry, "I don't trust him to re-sign."
Terry said bitterly, "Fine. Just more incentive for me to kick your fat ass."
*****
The Commissioner stood in front of the assembled wrestlers. He said, "I know most of you have heard that we are getting our own television show each Saturday at 11am. Just another milestone for TCCW! The best part is, it's not just local. We're on statewide, men!"
The wrestlers cheered and applauded. The federation had done well recently, selling out very show, but television meant a huge audience and tapes of real matches. TCCW was already drawing the attention of a lot of larger wrestling associations. Television changed everything for the better.
The Commissioner said, "To launch, we're going to have a tournament to decide the number one contender in the heavyweight class. It should be an exciting event for TCCW and give people a good perspective of what we're all about. It's the perfect launch vehicle. It'll be our version of a pay-per-view. In fact, there's camera crews here now, filiming this announcement for the first episode,
"I would like to thank some of you for your suggestions on who should be involved. It speaks to your skill that so many of you are deserving of consideration. I'd like to thank a group of young men who came up with the format we are going to use. It is a variation on something that was done in Texas Professional Wrestling and we are adapting it for our use. We think it will be very exciting for all concerned.
Lon called out, "We know it's the four corner match format and all the details. Just tell us the names!" The other wrestlers all chimed in, agreeing. All they wanted was the names.
The Commissioner cleared his throat, "Well, all right. I asked the guys who proposed it not to tell anyone, but since you all know, we'll get to it. So without further ado, here are the combatants that will face one another:
"Anton, Steve, Pat and Lon!"
What? The crowd went into an uproar. They couldn't believe they were the four. The Commissioner tried to restore order. In desperation, Clay jumped onto the dais and whistled loudly. Cody jumped up beside him and whistled, too.
Together, they restored some order. The Commissioner was confused at the reaction. Oh well, it might make for good television anyway.
"Cody, you can't think that's cool!" Lance said.
Cody said, "Let the man finish, let the man finish. Sorry, sir, but we didn't tell anyone the details. Everyone just assumed it would be a four-corner match like the other divisions."
The Commissioner thanked Clay and Cody for restoring order. He said, "I'm sorry, guys, for doubting that you could keep the secret." He turned to the assembled throng and said, "I guess you hadn't heard the whole story. I assumed when you said you knew the plan, that you really knew the plan.
"We ARE having a four-corner match. And the participants are Anton, Lucien, Pat and Lon. But that is only one of four matches.
"There will be four four-corner matches, each one producing one winner. The winner will then proceed to a second match at the end of the night against the other three winners.
"In order to keep things fair, Rusty will also have to fight on Saturday."
The wrestlers were stunned, but excited. That meant 18 of the 24 heavyweights would be involved and have a shot!
"Now, the first grouping will be: Anton, Steve, Lon and Pat. Group two will be: Cody, Clay, Roby and Lucien. Group three will be: Dane, Mike, Jake and Doug. And finally, group four will be: Bastian, Jackson, Lance and Bill. Guys, move into your groups for the cameras."
The wrestlers assembled. There was a lot of natural tension with these groups, so it wasn't hard to act hostile for the cameras. The Commissioner had deliberately separated friends and put rivals together.
"Rusty's match on Saturday will be a non-title match against Gerritt. Gerritt will be fighting for a shot at the title. If he wins, he gets a title shot after the four-corners matches. One week later, the winner of the four-corners match will face Rusty for the title."
Reaction was fast and furious. There were only 6 heavyweights left out of the action. Brian, James and Todd understood why. They had little or no record. But Jeff had a legitimate shot. Unfortunately he would be away for Spring Break and was excluded.
And Ryan and Terry had opted out, so there was very little debate on their exclusion.
This was like a TCCW version of March Madness! The list was complete. Barring any other complications, there would be a total of seven heavyweight matches on Saturday, including Terry and Ryan's match.
*****
Texas College Championship Wrestling 50
Anton (HW) versus Lon (HW) versus Pat (HW) versus Steve (HW)
Chapter One
INTRODUCING FIRST, FIGHTING OUT OF THE NORTH CORNER, 23-YEARS OLD, 5'11" TALL AND WEIGHING IN AT 203 POUNDS, WEARING THE GRAY TRUNKS, HERE IS ANTON!
Anton marched confidently. It had been some time since his last match, but he was definitely ready to wrestle. He had long wanted a chance to fight for the championship belt, but something always happened.
Now was his chance to get his match and get it more than a month before he might have otherwise.
The football player entered the ring to loud applause. He was a fan favorite in TCCW, especially after his defeat of the giant Ryan, not once, but twice in the same night.
Anton flexed his muscles, tossed his head back-and-forth and bounced in preparation. He was up against tough competition, but he felt confident. He suspected it would come down to him and Pat at the end if he let the match takes its course.
NEXT, MAKING HIS WAY TO THE EAST CORNER, 22-YEARS OLD, 6' TALL, WEIGHING IN AT 219, WEARING THE BLACK BIKE SHORTS, HERE IS LON!
Lon came jogging out. He was inexperienced in TCCW, but he had a great attitude. He got polite applause, reinforcing his underdog status. While Anton, Pat and Steve had all fought big matches, Lon was a virtual unknown.
He knew the deck was stacked against him, but he also knew that he had more talent than people suspected. He hoped that the other three would focus on each other, leaving him to ride until the end where he could show his stuff.
AND NOW, IN THE WEST CORNER, 21-YEARS OLD, 6'1" TALL, WEIGHING IN AT 227 POUNDS, WEARING THE PURPLE TRUNKS, HERE IS PAT!
Pat ran out, his muscles heaving as he charged forward. Pat was no stranger to big matches, having fought for the title several times since TCCW's inception. He knew that he had had more than his fair chances and was determined not to fail again.
Pat slid under the bottom rope and stood up, flexing for the crowd. He received thunderous applause from them.
Pat warmed up, pulling out his broad shoulders on the rope and slowly jogging in place to get the blood flowing. He reached down and tied up his trunks, eager for Steve to emerge so this thing could get on. Dane and Cody had told him to go after Steve, despite his own feelings that Anton was the bigger threat.
Eventually they convinced him. He would eliminate Steve, then Anton. It was his best shot at winning.
AND THE FINAL PARTICIPANT IN THIS PRELIMINARY MATCH, MAKING HIS WAY TO THE SOUTH CORNER, 24-YEARS OLD, STANDING 6'3" TALL AND WEIGHING 230 POUNDS, WEARING THE RED, WHITE AND BLUE SHORTS, HERE IS STEVE!
The last competitor was also the only one to be booed. Steve was a great looking stud, one of the most popular guys in school. Girls in the crowd screamed and he smiled. He knew that he was a player.
Steve was the biggest stud in the match, both in height and weight. He knew that he could dominate these other studs. He regretted not being in the same quad as Bastian, whom he owed a severe beating, but this would do.
He knew that he had the skill and the power to win this whole thing. He knew Kevin was having issues with him, so what better way to teach the little punk a lesson than to take the belt from Rusty, the star of the Posse?
Steve's one big problem right now was his run of bad luck in TCCW. He was determined to turn things around. He wasn't going to let anything stand in his way!
Chapter Two
The wrestlers had drawn lots to determine the order. Lon and Steve were to start. Lon was disappointed to be out first, but he had a plan. He would fight and then go for the quick tag. He figured no one would bother tagging him back in.
For his part, Steve could not have cared less whether he started or not. He was only upset to see Lon emerge to start things off. Like Pat and Anton, he considered Lon the weakest link. He planned on saving Lon until the end.
The rules for the heavyweights were once the first guy was eliminated, the two wrestlers outside the ring would enter and square off, giving the wrestler whom got the pin or submission a well-deserved breather.
The bell rang and the match was under way. Steve and Lon circled the ring. Steve walked slowly and confidently, his broad shoulders shifting up and down, back and forth as he looked for his opportunity.
The wrestlers moved closer and Steve seized the moment. He moved in quickly and Lon had no choice but to lock up. The wrestlers pushed against each other, Lon's muscles throbbing as he tried to move Steve.
But Steve was unmovable. Steve turned Lon around and pushed him back hard into the corner. Lon had let up, too, because Steve was directing him exactly where he wanted to go, as well. Lon hit the corner hard, but his muscle wall held. Lon looked over his shoulder and saw Pat standing beside him. He smiled and slapped Pat's hand.
Pat nodded as the ref signaled the tag. He slipped between the ropes and walked in cautiously. Steve was a powerhouse, to be sure, but Pat was no slouch either. He had broad shoulders, powerful arms and large pecs. And despite a thin layer that hid his abs, they were as solid as anyone's.
And Pat felt that he had the experience advantage. Steve's troubles were no secret.
Steve stopped circling and raised his hands. Pat shook his head and said, "You think I'm crazy?"
Steve shrugged and said, "No tricks. Just figured since you're one of the only guys I respect in this league, it'd be cool to match strength."
Pat hesitated. He was excited to test his power against Steve's, but trusting Steve was a mistake he did not want to make. But something in Steve's tone encouraged Pat. Pat slowly extended his arms and accepted the challenge. That brought a smile to Steve's face. He couldn't wait to put down the mighty Pat.
Once both wrestlers had committed, there was no stopping them. Their hands locked together immediately, seemingly fused as they squeezed for the advantage.
The two wrestlers let out grunts and the contest was on! Pat was giving up two inches, but only three pounds. The crowd rose to their feet to better see the result. Their faces were red as their biceps swelled. Pat felt his hands going back, Steve's strength was more than he had expected. Pat's forearms quivered as Steve powered him down.
Pat stumbled forward and the wrestlers banged pecs. Steve was grimacing, but proud to be winning. He said, "This was too easy, guess I was wrong about you, Patty."
Pat sneered at the insult, but could not reply. He steeled his will, desperate to turn the tide.
Chapter Three
"This was too easy, guess I was wrong about you being a match for me."
Pat sneered at the insult, but could not reply. He knew Steve was right, the blond behemoth HAD dominated since the first seconds. Pat steeled his will and focussed all his strength. He stepped back and drove forward, using his bulging chest to slam into Steve's leaner, but rock hard, chest muscles.
Steve grunted and was momentarily winded. In that moment, Pat thrust his hands upwards and gained some ground! Steve was shocked as he looked up and saw Pat's hands forcing his back. Steve smiled and screamed, "YES!"
Pat smiled as Steve seemed to enjoy being given a contest.
In their corners, Anton and Lon were happy, too. Let the two muscle studs tire themselves out. It would only make things easier for the smaller men.
The two powerhouses were back even and had remained so for another four full minutes. They were obviously straining badly. Both men were tiring and it was coming down to technique. Despite Pat's advantage on the canvas, Steve was much more experienced in contests of strength.
Steve's height and strength advantage became more obvious. He forced Pat back again. This time there was no push back. Pat was drained, his arms shaking as he was forced backwards.
Pat's back arched back, then the force became too much. He felt his legs quaking and he dropped to one knee, then two. Steve had a huge smile on his face as he watched Pat's muscles fail under his force.
Pat struggled to rise, but the wrestlers were covered in sweat and had soaked the mat. As Pat pushed on the canvas, his foot slipped and he fell back, dragging Steve on top of him!
Steve fell forward and crashed down on Pat's chest. Pat moaned as Steve slid over top of him and used their tight grip to schoolboy pin him to the mat.
Steve slid forward, his knees pinning Pat's shoulders down. Pat strained to lift the 230 pounder off him, as the ref counted.
ONE!
Pat's legs thrashed helplessly as he tried to bridge upwards, but again his feet slipped in the puddle of sweat from the lengthy struggle. He crashed back to the mat.
"You're not getting up!" Steve said, as he looked into the eyes of Pat. Pat gritted his teeth. He wouldn't go out this way, not losing on a contest of strength!
TWO!
Pat continued to strain to free himself at two, knowing he had only one second to do something, or his dream of being heavyweight champ would be over!
Chapter Four
"You're not getting up!" the muscle stud said, as he looked into the eyes of the conquered slab of beef beneath him.
TWO!
Pat continued to strain to free himself at two, knowing he had only one second to do something, or his dream of being heavyweight champ would be over!
THREE!
The count was over. Pat had been pinned, eliminated in just under 7 minutes. Steve rolled off him, the ref parting their hands, which were locked together. Steve shook out his hands as he watched Pat, his big torso rising and falling with every breath.
Pat covered his face in shock and shame at having been eliminated first. He couldn't believe it. But Steve had beaten him with only his strength, not through trickery or any other excuse. Pat tried to blame his slipping, but ultimately, he had to admit the truth.
He had been thoroughly dominated.
Pat felt a hand pat his big chest. He looked up and saw Steve, with hand extended. Pat accepted and was lifted to his feet. Steve said, "I was right about you. You are one of the only guys worth my time here."
Pat smiled weakly at the compliment, but it didn't change the facts. He was eliminated. Pat slid between the ropes and walked down the aisle as the ref ushered Steve out and Lon and Anton in.
It was time for round two.
*****
Lon and Anton circled in the ring. They had watched the entire first fall and had not spent even an ounce of energy in the past seven minutes.
Lon bounced back and forth. Anton shook out his shoulders. Seconds later, they locked up in a collar-and-elbow. Anton and Lon strained as Lon used his size advantage to push the football star into the corner. Lon moved into Anton, driving his knee into Anton's abs. The ref counted to five and Lon honored the count.
Outside the ring, Steve was shaking out his arms. They were drained, his battle with Pat had taken more out of him than he had let on. He watched Lon handle Anton and hoped that the two struggled against each other and didn't tag him in.
To help his cause, Steve called out, "C'mon, Anton, you said Lon didn't deserve to be here! Now prove it, big mouth!"
Lon looked at Steve in shock, then in fury at Anton. He drove forward again ramming his knee into the football star. He put all his weight behind it and the air rushed out of Anton.
Lon drove in again, dropping his knee slightly, low blowing Anton. Anton's eyes nearly popped out of his head and he fell forward, gasping. He muttered, "You prick!" but Lon ignored the insult. He would prove who deserved to be there and who didn't!
Lon measured Anton's back and dropped down with a double axe handle. Anton moaned and fell down flat on the mat. Lon stomped him hard, hammering his back hard. Anton tried to crawl away, but Lon was relentless. Finally Anton saw Lon lifting his right boot again. He reached out and clutched Lon's left ankle.
Anton used his deceptively strong arms to pull Lon's grounded foot out from under him. Lon fell back onto his tailbone, jarring him. Anton scrambled up and delivered his own double axe handle to Lon's chest. He wrapped his powerful arm over Lon's head and squeezed the headlock hard.
Anton stood, dragging Lon with him and looked at Steve. Anton said, "That was cheap." Steve smirked and shrugged, obviously proud of himself. Anton turned to Lon, ready to use his advantage.
Chapter Five
The crowd was into the match now. The first fall had been both surprising and over before they knew it. Now Anton was being more methodical. He put all his strength into the headlock and dragged Lon to the middle of the ring.
Lon moaned in the hold, his head being crushed tightly as he was pulled along the mat. He leveled two hard forearms into Anton's back, solidly landing them, but not moving Anton at all. Finally, with the third forearm, Anton's grip loosened and Lon forced his head out.
Lon rose to face Anton, only to be met with a big clothesline! Anton had turned and immediately driven forward, delivering so much force that he went down to the mat, as well. Anton grabbed Lon by the hair and pulled him to his feet. He lifted Lon up and slammed him down, hard!
The ring shook as Anton put all his might behind the big slam. Lon moaned as Anton dragged him to his feet again. Anton pushed Lon into the ropes and threw him off, sending him across the ring. Anton ran forward and leapt into the air, hammering Lon with a devastating shoulder block!
Anton's football training was showing, as Lon crashed backwards, Anton atop him. Lon landed hard and his head bounced up then crashed onto the mat, dazing him. Anton rolled to the side, but not before landing two hard fists to Lon's abs.
Lon was ailing, as Anton covered him. Lon managed to kick out. Anton held him down again, but whispered, "Get ready to roll to your right and tag me in. Steve's gonna be flying in."
Lon kicked out again, getting his shoulder up under Anton's lazy pin.
Anton slid to his feet and tagged Steve. As Steve started to enter, Anton slapped the top turnbuckle and smiled at Steve. Steve nodded back. He leapt to the top in one smooth move and carefully balanced on top.
As Steve went to fly in, Anton swung his right arm, knocking Steve's foot off the turnbuckle! Steve fell down, the turnbuckle crushing him between the legs. He let out a quiet moan as Anton grabbed him by the neck. Anton placed his other hand on Steve's abs and lifted, throwing him over onto his back. Steve sailed over, flipping in air and crashing onto his back.
Lon rolled to his right, closer to the corner, letting Steve sail over top of him. Lon rolled towards Anton and slapped his outstretched hand! Anton leapt in and jumped on top of Steve's narrow lower back. He slid his hands under Steve's arms and locked his fingers in a full nelson.
Steve realized something was happening and started struggling, but it was too late. Anton locked his fingers together and pulled upwards!
Steve moaned and the crowd cheered as Anton slapped on the combination full nelson, camel clutch that had defeated Ryan. Steve moaned and thrashed, but he was held tightly. He could not bring his arms down and his abs and chest were aching from the failed splash.
Anton cranked back, trying to hold the big muscle stud in his finishing hold. It was hard, Anton felt that Steve might be even stronger than Ryan, if that was possible.
Steve was not surrendering. He would not give in! He knew the heavyweight belt should be his and he would have it. Steve's chin was pressed tightly on his chin as he felt woozy. The hold was affecting him tremendously.
The referee asked Steve if he wanted to submit.
"NO!" came the cry. Steve would be damned if he would give in to this wimp. Steve flexed his muscles and pulled down fast and hard to break the full nelson, but to no avail.
Anton cranked back harder, pulling back with all his might, his hands pressing on the back of Steve's neck. Steve moaned in pain, his face red. His mouth dropped open and he drooled as he had not the energy to swallow.
"Do you want to submit?" the referee asked.
"No, no, no!" Steve said.
Chapter Six
"Do you want to submit? the referee asked, again.
Anton was frustrated. He could not believe how stubborn Steve was. Anton felt his arms tiring from suspending Steve's broad shoulders, heavy pecs and mighty arms aloft. Steve was still struggling as Anton felt his grip loosening.
This time it was Anton's turn to mutter, "No!" as he tried to hold on. If Steve got loose, Anton wondered how he could ever win this match!
"Do you want to submit? the referee asked, again. This time, no response.
The ref could not lift Steve's arms very far, because Anton had them tied up. But he checked for some sign of consciousness. The referee lifted his arm from the elbow - once, twice and a third time the arm fell.
The arm fell limp every time.
The ref tapped Anton and said, "He's out." Anton unlocked his grip, letting Steve fall face first to the mat. Anton tried to shake out his arms. They ached horribly. He stumbled to the corner opposite Lon, waiting for the next round. When he saw Lon, he saw the fatigue in Lon from the earlier beating, but he also saw determination.
Lon was tired and sore, Anton and Steve had really taken it to him. But he had made it through. Lon knew that he was the underdog, but he was hell bent to win this match.
*****
Steve woke up and was ushered out of the ring. He was dazed, but he had not submitted. The crowd clapped for him, knowing that he had put on a good performance. Steve heard, "Hold on, I'll get him."
Steve felt two strong arms under him holding him up. He said, "Thanks, Rusty."
"It's me, Pat." Steve looked back. He was surprised and confused. He got his feet under him and stood.
"Where's Kevin and the Posse?"
Pat just shrugged. It was tough to tell someone about the Posse. Pat had been a member for a while. It was something you had to experience. Steve was feeling stronger. He said, "I'll be fine," and marched to the back.
Pat followed as the bell rang for the final fall.
*****
The bell rang, leaving Anton and Lon to battle for a spot in the big match. Both knew they would have a leg up, as they would have more time to rest than their competitors if they made it.
But the first problem was making it.
Anton and Lon moved in. Lon was still sore from the earlier work, but he had recovered for the most part. Anton's arms were feeling weak after holding Steve for so long. But Anton had long wanted to fight for the title and now was his chance.
Lon said, "So you don't think I deserve to be in this match?"
Anton said, "Don't be an idiot. I never said that, Steve was just playing with your mind. And I got a low blow out of it."
Lon flushed red, embarrassed at having fallen for such an old trick. Anton smirked at Lon's blushing, which only made Lon angry. Without warning, he drove his boot upwards, planting it deep into Anton's wide open midsection!
Anton grunted and bent over as Lon's boot cut through his unflexed muscles. Lon dropped to one knee and lifted his forearm under Anton's chin, shocking the favorite. Anton fell back onto his tailbone as Lon closed in to dish out more abuse ...
Chapter Seven
It was down to two wrestlers and the tension was thicker than Lucien's midsection.
Lon closed in on Anton. He was the underdog and everyone started to pull for him. Lon had been oft overlooked in TCCW, but no more, as he had outlasted both Pat and Steve, two strong, tough wrestlers. If he could pin Anton, it would put him over the top!
Lon towered over Anton, who was shaking the cobwebs from his head. He drove down, slamming his forearm into Anton's stomach. When Anton curled up, Lon sideswiped him in the face with his elbow, sending him back onto the mat.
Lon slid over Anton's legs, pinning them down. He balled his large fists and rained down fists into Anton's abs, weakening the muscles and causing Anton to writhe violently on the mat.
Within seconds Anton's abs had gone from hard and tanned to soft and red. Anton went limp, his shoulders hitting the mat as he moaned in pain. The referee started his count.
"One," his hand slapped the mat. Anton raised his right shoulder. Lon let up on the punches and slid beside Anton. He slammed two more fists into Anton's raw stomach before standing. Once upright, Lon landed two boots into Anton's stomach and moved off.
Anton rolled to the side, recuperating from the hard shots that had ravaged his midsection. He rose to his hands and knees and looked at the mat, gathering himself. Anton saw a shadow beside him, but before he could react, Lon dropped a double axe handle onto the back of his head, driving his face into the mat, hard.
The blond underdog grabbed Anton's foot to the middle of the ring and rolled him over. Lon hooked a leg and the ref counted the pin.
ONE!
Anton rolled slightly to the left, but not enough to raise his shoulder. The movement made Lon buckle down and hold Anton down harder. He did not intend on letting the football star recover.
TWO!
Anton thrashed wildly this time, he knew he was close to losing. Lon was equally committed to winning. He held Anton down firmly and tightly, desperately forcing his shoulders down.
UGH!
Anton thrust his leg out, breaking the hook and raising his shoulder just as the referee's hand approached "three." Lon slapped the mat in frustration. He could not believe Anton had kicked out. Lon re-pinned Anton, this time pulling even harder on him, but again Anton kicked out at two.
Lon cursed, but rolled off Anton. He grabbed Anton's hair, roughly pulled him to his feet (drawing ire from the ref) and shoved him into the corner. Lon hammered an elbow into the side of Anton's head, dazing him again.
Lon then ran across the ring. He lined up Anton in the corner and charged. Lon went halfway across the ring, then leapt into the air, flying the remainder and slamming down hard into the corner!
Unfortunately he landed on the turnbuckle, not Anton. Anton had slipped down and avoided the splash. Lon's head collided with the ringpost in a loud thud as he fell forward. Lon hung limply over the top turnbuckle, the wind out of him as Anton lay on the mat below.
The match was continuing and now the playing field was level. It was anyone's guess as to who would win!
Chapter Eight
Both competitors were out of it as the crowd cheered. Lon was draped over the top rope and Anton was sprawled on the mat.
Lon pushed himself off the top turnbuckle and fell back onto the mat. He shook his head and reached to the middle rope. With a tremendous heave, Lon dragged himself to his feet. He noticed his midsection, which was aching and completely red.
But worse was his head. He felt it with his free hand and looked at his hand. No blood, at least. He had smacked it pretty hard on the ringpost in his failed splash attempt.
Lon summoned his strength and heaved himself to his knees. Finally he was in a kneeling position. He reached to the top rope and pulled himself to his feet. Lon turned to pull Anton off the mat.
Unfortunately for Lon, Anton was off the mat, waiting to strike. As Lon turned, he was hammered across his chest and sent into the ropes. Anton grabbed his wrist and hurled him across the ropes.
As Lon came off the ropes, Anton drove forward, leveling him with a huge shoulder block. The move was especially devastating after Lon's impact with the turnbuckle and was completely out of it as he hit the mat.
Anton rolled off him and flipped him over. Anton sat down, straddling Lon's lean back. He slipped his hands and arms under Lon's and locked on another full nelson. Lon moaned as he was stretched out and back, Anton lifting his torso from the mat.
"Do you submit?" the referee asked Lon, knowing that Anton's full nelson/camel clutch combination was one of the toughest moves in TCCW.
Lon bravely resisted, yelling, "NO!"
Anton cranked back, his arms still fatigued from holding the powerful Steve up. He grimaced and tightened his grip as he felt Lon's lean hard muscles straining to break the full nelson. Lon moaned in the hold. He tried to think of an escape, any escape, but was lost.
Lon's pecs bulged and his arms throbbed as he pressed against the smaller wrestler's submission hold. Lon felt like he had come too close to just give in. But his shoulders were aching, his chin was pressed tightly against his chest and his back was being pulled back against it's will.
"I GIVE," Lon yelled, signaling his submission and Anton's ultimate victory.
Anton released the hold and let Lon collapse under him.
'YOUR WINNER ... ANTON!"
Anton's arm was raised in victory, but Anton resisted celebrating. He knew that he had only completed step one. He still had a long way to go.
Lon writhed on the mat and managed to rise to his hands and knees. He heard the cheers and, once again, they were not for him. He had yet to have his hands raised and it was depressing. He knew he was skilled. He knew he was strong. But somehow, he always screwed it up.
Lon felt a hand on his shoulder. It was Anton, offering a shake. Anton said, "Good match, you almost had me."
Lon stared up at Anton who was standing before him while he knelt. Lon said, "Is that supposed to make me feel better? That I actually gave you, the great, undefeated Anton, a match? Way to rub it in. You won, I lost."
Anton was surprised. He said, "It's not like that, dude. This is just fun."
Lon looked up and said, "Is this fun?" Without warning, Lon drove his arm up, slamming it between Anton's legs! The low blow dropped Anton immediately.
Lon rose ready to prove himself. He was not a loser.
He was not a loser.
Chapter Nine
Lon rose to his feet. He grabbed Anton's legs and lifted them into the air.
Lon drove his boot between Anton's parted legs, slamming his boot in Anton's gut. He did it again. He then stepped through the legs with one leg and wrapped Anton's ankles together. Lon twisted, turning Anton over.
When Lon sat back, Anton was trapped in a perfect sharpshooter! Anton moaned and slapped the mat helplessly as Lon sat back and pulled up hard! Anton's back was wrenched as Lon went crazy. The referee tried to break the grip, but Lon was unrelenting. The 219-pound blond was more powerful than the young man reffing the match.
Anton was near tears from the hold, which he had been in for over a minute. Finally, out of the back, Pat and Steve came. Pat slid in first and nailed the back of Lon's head with a clothesline, sending him sprawling.
Lon released the hold as he fell. He hit down and rolled across the mat. Pat said, "What the hell are you doing?"
Lon smirked and pointed threateningly at Pat, "Stay out of this, man. Anton was mocking me and nobody mocks me. I may not have a great record, but I'm tough!"
Pat said, "Dude, calm down. I'm sure he was not doing that. Relax."
Lon visibly relaxed and Pat reached out to help him up. Instead, Lon drove forward and plowed his elbow into Pat's crotch! Again, Lon had leveled a top heavyweight with a low blow! Pat fell back and received the same treatment of stomps that Anton had. Just as quickly, it was Pat who found himself in a sharpshooter!
Pat slapped the mat. He looked up to see where Steve was. He said, "Steve, help!"
Pat saw Steve's boots in front of his face. He looked up Steve's ripped legs, red, white and blue trunks and incredible torso. Steve said, "I'm a little busy right now, bud."
Pat looked up and saw what was keeping Steve busy ...
*****
While Pat had been talking to Lon, Steve had used the moment to exact a little revenge. Anton's cheap win had infuriated him. The move was dirty and had cost Steve another loss.
Steve dragged Anton up. He held Anton on his feet, Steve's arms under Anton's, holding him steady. Steve whispered, "Congrats, Anton."
Anton was about to say thanks when he felt himself going up. Steve had dropped down and was laying Anton over his shoulders! Steve lifted in one smooth move, stretching Anton out in a cruel backbreaker! Anton flailed in the hold, his back aching from Lon's move.
It was then that Steve heard Pat's call for help ...
*****
With Pat helpless and defeated in the sharpshooter, Steve circled around, still carrying the 203-pound Anton like he weighed nothing. He came face-to-face with Lon. He said, "I like your style, bud. You proved your point."
Lon smirked. He released the sharpshooter, leaving Pat a broken mess on the mat. Steve turned to the side, putting Anton's hanging head in front of Lon. Lon reached out and grabbed Anton's face and said, "Good luck next round." He bitchslapped the winner hard. "Thanks," Lon said to Steve.
Steve shrugged, causing even more pain for Anton. Steve dropped Anton to the mat on top of Pat and the two blond hunks made their exit.
*****
In the back, every heavyweight had been too busy prepping to know what happened. When they saw Anton and Pat dragged into the locker room by Elton, Stephen, Bryan and a visiting Daryl, a bunch of them asked, "Wow, who won that match?"
Daryl said, "Anton did. Poor guy."
The heavyweights looked confused but had to get back to prepping for their own matches.
THE END
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