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 51
Clay (HW) versus Cody (HW) versus Lucien (HW) versus Roby (HW)
Chapter One
INTRODUCING FIRST, FIGHTING OUT OF THE NORTH CORNER, 22-YEARS OLD, 5'10" TALL AND WEIGHING IN AT 202 POUNDS, WEARING THE BABY BLUE TRUNKS, HERE IS CLAY!
Clay came running out of the back. It was his official TCCW debut, although many remembered his dirty play against Cody in a match against Jackson.
Booing started right away. Although there were many cheers for the handsome blond stud, they were drowned out quickly. Clay ignored them and jumped into the ring. He flexed his arms as he stretched them out and bounced his pecs nervously.
He looked sheepishly at the crowd, embarrassed to be so despised so quickly. He wanted to scream, "I'm a good guy, I really am," but he knew it would be futile. Only through good wrestling could he change their minds.
NEXT, MAKING HIS WAY TO THE EAST CORNER, 23-YEARS OLD, 6' TALL, WEIGHING IN AT 209, WEARING THE YELLOW TRUNKS, HERE IS CODY!
The booing turned to cheering as the star of TCCW, Cody, ran out in his yellow trunks. The crowd loved Cody and he smiled broadly as he trotted down the aisle. Cody made a trip around the ring and shook hands. He loved TCCW fans; they made everything possible with their generous donations at the free Saturday shows.
Cody slipped under the ropes. He looked so much more imposing than 209-pounds, his weight belying his big muscles. Cody had heard the booing and felt badly for Clay. He went over and shook Clay's hand. Cody and Clay talked and Cody leaned in close. He whispered, "Don't worry about the fans, they can change on a dime."
Clay laughed and nodded and gave Cody a slap on the back. He appreciated the words of encouragement more than Cody could know. It also changed some minds in the crowd. Cody was, after all, the victim in all of this. If he could forgive Clay, then they should, too.
Besides, a real TCCW heel was coming out next. He would deserve all their booing much more than Clay!
AND NOW, IN THE WEST CORNER, 21-YEARS OLD, 5'10" TALL, WEIGHING IN AT … 252 POUNDS … WEARING THE BURGUNDY SINGLET, HERE IS LUCIEN!
Lucien had arrived in TCCW at the beginning when he had weighed in at 252-pounds. Since there was no other division higher than heavyweight, no one ever bothered to weigh him again. It was not mandatory for heavyweights, unless they were close to the 200-pound threshold.
Lucien clearly was not in danger of slipping below that any time soon.
Some of other guys were curious to see how much muscle they had packed on, get their fat percentages tested by the trained staff and keep a running tally of weight and measurements. For those men, their measurements were incredibly accurate.
For others, like Lucien, they were more like guesses now. No one really knew how much he weighed, but it was a heck of a lot more than 252-pounds.
Lucien waddled out. He was a large and unkempt wrestler who would have much rather been eating and socializing with his buddy Jordan than wrestling. Only his innate enjoyment of bullying smaller men made him participate. It was fun to toss them around and to beat them in the ring.
Lucien walked into the ring and flexed for the crowd. This drew even more booing, but also some laughter. Lucien made his way to his corner without acknowledging Cody or Clay.
AND THE FINAL PARTICIPANT IN THIS PRELIMINARY MATCH, MAKING HIS WAY TO THE SOUTH CORNER, 23-YEARS OLD, STANDING 6'2" TALL AND WEIGHING 224 POUNDS, WEARING THE RED TRUNKS, HERE IS ROBY!
Once again, the crowd changed quickly. The booing of Lucien was done and the cheering for Roby began. Roby was a great looking young buck with a winning personality and great charisma, unmatched by any other heavyweight, except maybe Cody.
The crowd followed the former champion to the ring, letting him know how much they appreciated him.
Roby's muscles were pumped to the max. He had done a quick set of pushups and squats before the match to warm-up. Roby wanted his title back and he was confident he could do it.
This would be a tough match for the crowd with Cody and Roby in it. Both men were used to being the most popular stud in a match. This time, if it came down to them, it was anyone's guess who would have their favor.
Cody and Roby's eyes met. They knew that it might come down to them, as former champs. They had never settled who was the better wrestler and there seemed no better time than now.
*****
Chapter Two
The four wrestlers were brought to the middle of the ring and made to shake hands. Lucien eyed Clay who was watching the men get ready
Lucien asked Clay, "Little dude, do you know how lucky you are? Roby and Cody are former champs. We're all going after them. Then they're going to go after me. You can just sit here and walk on through. No one will even remember you're in the match."
Clay looked at him and shrugged. What could he say in response? It was true. He had no track record at all. He knew that the only reason he was in the match was because the TCCW officials thought his impressive MW record was a heavyweight record. He thought, "I should have corrected them. I shouldn't be here." But he then shook those thoughts out of his head. He had every right to be there. He was a good wrestler. And he would prove he deserved to be in this match.
The bell rang and the men took their positions.
Cody and Roby had to begin the match, leaving Lucien and Clay free to watch. Lucien was pleased to be on the sidelines. He knew that he could win this, but not if he was ganged up on or in the match for a long time. Endurance was not his strong suit.
The two former champs circled in the ring. The only other time they had wrestled, Cody had been hurt prior to the match by a vindictive Dane. But now Cody felt great, especially coming off his win over the tough Jackson.
Roby also felt good. He had gotten over his loss to Rusty and was feeling healthy and strong. Cody and Roby eyed each other warily. Then, suddenly, SLAP, they locked up. Cody's hand moved quickly behind Roby's thick neck and Roby's did the same to Cody.
Their free hands slapped down on the other's arm. It was a standard professional lock up. Roby and Cody pushed against each other. It was important to both to deal with the demons the other raised for them.
Cody was thinking, "I'll prove that you can't beat a healthy me," while Roby was thinking the opposite. Roby knew his title reign had been sullied by Cody's beating.
UGH! UGH!
The men were straining, their faces red and the veins popping off their muscles. They pushed and pulled, each trying to gain the advantage desperately. Despite Roby's size advantage, Cody held firm. It was a true isometric press, as each former champ felt like he was pushing against a brick wall.
The crowd cheered as the show of force was continuing. Both men were too stubborn to admit they couldn't dominate this simple test of strength. Finally, after a minute of dancing and no progress, Cody thrust forward, driving Roby back one step!
Roby stepped back, but steeled his will. He was not going to give in to Cody. Not now, not ever.
Another minute passed. Another thrust and Roby was driven back a second step. Then a third. And then, bang, his back hit the corner. The referee told Cody to break, which he did cleanly.
Cody backed off, feeling his point proven. But Roby was not going to let this stand. He charged out and the men locked up again! Another three minutes passed and again, no movement.
Finally, Cody paused for another thrust, but Roby was ready. In the split second Cody took to relax and then thrust, Roby pushed first. Cody was taken back into the corner in short order. Like Cody, Roby felt he had proved a point. He broke cleanly and had a slight smirk on his face.
By this point of the first match, Pat had already been eliminated, but in this match, they had only managed two lock ups.
Cody moved out of the corner, his face and muscles red and his torso drenched in sweat. His arms felt a little weak, but not terrible. He could see that Roby was winded, too.
The men circled again, ready to resume their growing rivalry.
*****
Chapter Three
The two powerful studs were getting ready for another round. After a week of being told that each other was the biggest threat, Cody and Roby were bound and determined to outlast the other. Cody and Roby were circling, each more determined than ever to eliminate the other.
The crowd was cheering for both, energizing both men and making them forget about their fatigue. At 23-years old, both men were very into being cheered. Although skilled in the ring, they were still guys with egos that made them act irrationally.
As they moved to lock up for a third time, Cody ducked under Roby's outstretched arms and moved behind him. Without wasting even a second, Cody wrapped his arms around Roby's waist and lifted!
Roby felt himself going up and over, but there was very little he could do about it. Cody flipped him in the belly-to-back suplex and slammed Roby's shoulders into the mat!
The thick wall of muscles and heavy traps on Roby protected him, but he was still dazed as his head smacked down. Before he could react, Cody was rolling them over and pulling Roby up, again! Cody dragged Roby's 224-pounds of muscle up like it was nothing.
Cody lifted again and plowed Roby's shoulders to the mat with the exact same suplex maneuver! Roby really felt it that time and went slightly limp. Cody flipped them over again and released the grip.
Cody scrambled to his feet and measured Roby up. He dropped a big elbow to Roby's upper back, further breaking down the muscle. Cody slid his leg over Roby's back and straddled his hips. Cody lay down atop Roby and forced his arms under Roby's.
Roby realized what was about to happen, as he felt Cody's weight across his back and his arms sliding in. Roby immediately pulled his arms down, blocking Cody's full nelson attempt.
Cody forced his arms forward, trying to impose his will on the bigger stud, but the dark-haired stud reacted in time. Roby brought his elbow up and back, hammering Cody's side. He repeated the move and Cody was forced off him. Roby rolled to the side and got to his knees quickly as Cody scrambled up, too.
The wrestlers were back even, although Roby's shoulders were feeling tight. He knew that he had to get the advantage this time. Cody was too good to spot moves to. "Only one battle lost, only one battle," Roby said to himself, reinforcing his confidence. But Roby knew that if Cody had cinched in that full nelson the war could have been over.
Cody was shaking out his arms, crouched over in an amateur stance. He was getting a lot more serious about the match. Roby came forward again to lock up. This time, as they approached, it was Roby who moved first. He lifted his boot and caught Cody square in the midsection!
Cody doubled over and Roby clamped on a side headlock. Cody grunted, but before he could do anything else, Roby dropped down, planting Cody with a huge DDT!
Cody's head went down, smashing into the mat, while Roby slid off him. Roby grabbed Cody's wrists and pulled his arms up. At the same time, Roby placed one boot in the middle of Cody's broad back. Roby yanked up on the muscular limbs and wrenched them hard.
Cody grimaced as his powerful arms were forced upwards against his will. Cody's legs flailed uselessly as Roby exerted his dominance. Roby pulled hard, but Cody's arms still had some power left. He resisted instinctively and fought to protect his shoulders.
The referee was down, asking Cody if he wanted to submit. The reply was an emphatic "no." Cody had regained his wits from the surprise DDT and was strongly resisting Roby now.
However, the bigger wrestler had leverage and Cody knew he had to act fast. With all due speed, he pressed up with his legs, managing to slide his knees under his hips. The immediate impact was more pain, as he contorted at an unusual angle.
But with his second move, a twist then thrust up, he managed to throw Roby's boot from his back and reposition himself on his knees. Roby struggled to maintain the hold as Cody rose to his feet. Cody summoned all his strength and pulled his arms forward, but Roby managed to resist. Roby kept Cody's arms behind him.
Cody again pulled, but this time as he separated his arms, Roby was ready. He let Cody get part way, something that drew Roby closer in behind Cody. When he was close enough, Roby placed a boot on the back of Cody's knee and forced the man back to his knees!
Cody cursed himself for falling for such a simple trick. Again, Roby had him in trouble. Cody steadied himself. His shoulders were starting to cramp, he knew that he had to act fast.
Cody lifted one foot and planted it on the mat. He made a move as if trying to rise. When Roby adjusted to block, Cody reversed direction, pushing hard and driving back!
Roby was pushed back, slamming hard into the corner. He lost his grip on Cody's shoulder as pain went up into his aching upper back. Showing his ring savvy, Cody lifted his boot back and mule kicked the unprepared Roby in the abs. Cody staggered forward and turned to face Roby.
Roby was hunched over; his unflexed abs had really caved with the kick. Despite Roby's pain, he charged forward, ready to flatten Cody with a clothesline. Cody had gotten out of his hold, but Roby was determined to keep up the punishment until Cody was eliminated!
*****
Chapter Four
Despite Roby's pain, he charged forward, ready to flatten Cody with a clothesline. Cody had gotten out of his hold, but Roby was determined to keep up the punishment until Cody was eliminated!
As Cody turned, he was ready, though. The ring veteran, with 24 singles matches under his belt, ducked and Roby went over him harmlessly.
As Roby passed over Cody, Cody brought his knee upwards and planted it right into Roby's abs, just above the waistband of his red trunks. When Roby doubled over, Cody moved beside him and wrapped an arm around his head. Cody pulled hard, swung Roby's head around, delivering the swinging neckbreaker with tremendous efficiency.
Roby was left kicking the mat in frustration and clutching his neck as he lay on his back. Cody rolled atop Roby and covered him, but Roby kicked out at two. Cody pulled Roby up to a sitting position and, from behind, drove two big boots into Roby's thick upper back and neck!
Cody's area of attack had been consistent and relentless. While Roby had gone after his arms, Cody had gone after Roby's neck and upper back. He hoped to lock on a full nelson-scissors combo that would get the submission. But on a guy like Roby that would take a lot of prep work to break down his muscle!
With Cody stomping his shoulders, Roby rolled away and deftly moved to his feet. As he did, Cody charged, hitting hard with a clothesline that sent him crashing back onto his shoulders again. Cody immediately rolled Roby over and dropped an elbow across his shoulders.
Roby was ailing, there was no doubt, but he kept fighting. He knew that he only needed a moment to recoup. Roby staggered to his feet and looked for Cody.
Cody had climbed to the second rope in the corner. When Roby turned, he leapt off, clutching Roby's head and pulling him backwards back to the mat! Roby crashed down hard. Cody propped him up and landed another stomp to his back.
Cody felt his boot sink into the muscle and he knew it was time. Cody dropped down and slid his arms under Roby's, ready to put him away. He forced his hands forward to cinch on the full nelson.
Roby again recognized the move and had the presence of mind to react. He held his arms down and drove with his feet, pushing himself and Cody backwards. Roby landed atop Cody in the ring and rolled away.
Cody had not been seriously hurt by the move, but he had lost his opportunity for the finisher. As he rose, Roby summoned his strength and charged. He quickly grabbed Cody's left arm and twisted it in an arm bar. Cody's shoulder moaned as Roby returned to punishing the shoulder.
Cody slapped his shoulder in frustration. Roby was a powerful man and was really applying the pressure on Cody. Cody dropped to one knee as his arm was torn apart. He grimaced in pain, his face showing the fatigue of this grueling match.
Roby held the arm bar for a while then stepped over the arm. Roby leapt up and crashed down on Cody's arm with his butt, sending shockwaves of pain into the yellow-trunked man. Cody felt his left shoulder giving, but Roby's last move had given him an opening. Cody turned, bringing right arm forward. Using his position - left arm between Roby's legs, right arm at his back - Cody lifted and tossed Roby clumsily over him.
Roby felt himself leave the ground then fractions of a second later crash onto the mat as Cody flipped him! He lost his grip on Cody's arm and Cody rolled him up to pin him.
The referee got to two before Roby broke free. The crash onto the mat had winded him again and he staggered to his feet in time to see Cody hitting the ropes. Cody had charged the ropes to put down Roby once and for all!
As Cody came of the ring to finish the wobbly Roby off, he leapt into the air. Roby, though, was not a novice in the ring either. He recognized the move and prepared.
As Cody went up, Roby braced and caught him in midair! The momentum of the two wrestlers carried them over and Roby executed a great powerslam! Cody's 209-pounds crashed down with Roby's 224-pounds right on top of him!
Cody was knocked out momentarily, but Roby could not capitalize. He sat back, trying to wake up, trying to react.
From the back, Jake was screaming, "Tag, tag, tag!"
Roby and Cody were both wasted in the ring, exhausted from their back-and-forth battle. It was twenty minutes into the match and it was still unclear who would survive to the second fall!
*****
Chapter Five
From the back, the combatants' friends had moved out. Jake was screaming, "Tag, tag, tag!"
Through the fog in his head, Roby heard his closest friend's voice. He stumbled back, leaving Cody lying in the middle of the ring. Roby fell into the corner, his energy drained. He felt a hand slap his back and struggled to rise.
Roby got to his hands and knees and looked up. He had made it to the corner and the slap was a tag. Roby looked up, but saw no one in the corner. He heard the metal connections of the ring creak and he looked further up. It was then that he saw two white boots on the top turnbuckle.
Lucien had tagged Roby. The heavy-set man had climbed to the top rope and was precariously balanced on the top! Roby's eyes went wide, as he feared that Lucien was going to fall right on top of him. Roby rolled through the ropes as Lucien jumped!
Across the ring, Clay had the best vantage point. Lucien had struggled to get up the ropes, but he had been surprisingly quick. The five-count on Roby was not even over yet.
When Lucien took off, the room went electric.
KA-BOOM!
Lucien landed, splashing down with a perfect bellyflop, a move he obviously had experienced doing!
Under him was Cody, coughing and sputtering after being crushed by the awesome move! Cody felt tremendous pain as he lay under Lucien. Cody's hard muscled body was quivering under the flabby Lucien.
The referee moved forward to check on Cody, worried for the wrestler's safety. He momentarily forgot to count, until Lucien said, "Count, ref, count!"
The referee realized what he should have been doing and slapped the mat - once, twice, but not a third time!
In his arrogance, Lucien was not even trying to keep Cody down. Cody had enough wiggle room and enough ring experience to instinctively raise his shoulder! More pain shot through him and he wished he had not twisted, but he had just reacted to a count being placed on him.
Another round of coughing and sputtering continued as Lucien rolled off Cody. Lucien rose to his feet and he charged the corner where an exhausted Roby was just hanging on the top rope, not even out of the ring yet.
Lucien slapped him across the head and said, "That's my tag, ref."
The referee acknowledged the tag. Lucien clutched Roby in a bearhug! Roby was shocked as Lucien locked on the tight grip! The referee was counting to five. At the last moment, Lucien spun, moved across the ring and dove down. Lucien, with Roby in his arms moved over the prostate form of Cody. He smiled as he thought about destroying two heavyweight champs at the same time.
KA-BOOM!
Lucien drove all his weight on top of Roby in a supreme belly-to-belly suplex! Roby was forced into the mat, his ailing upper back taking the brunt of the 260-pounds of force that slammed on top of it.
The referee tapped Lucien's shoulder and ordered him out of the ring. Lucien stood, leaving Roby as the legal man, but in no position to do anything. As he turned and saw Cody till clutching his midsection, Lucien faked a trip and leapt into the air, crashing down on Cody again, mini-splashing him hard!
Lucien staggered up and fell back, landing right on top of Roby, who had rolled over in an effort to stand! Lucien landed right on his upper back, driving him into the mat and knocking him out with the force.
The referee threatened to DQ Lucien, but Lucien claimed it was an accident. Lucien rose off Roby on the far side of the ring from his corner, right beside Clay. He smirked at Clay, whose shocked face reflected the crowd's reaction, too.
Lucien walked straight back to his corner, stepping on Roby's back and Cody's stomach on the way! He exited the ring and looked at the angry referee. Lucien said, "Shouldn't you be counting to ten about now?"
The referee was furious but turned to the carnage and did his job. He started the ten-count as neither legal man was moving in the ring.
HW: In the Back
*** This conversation takes place right after the second lock up at the end of Chapter 2 ***
In the back, Dane, Jake, Doug and Mike were watching. Beside them was Gerritt. Gerritt was feeling low. He had sprained his wrist inline skating and now had lost his shot against Rusty, who benefited with a night off. Gerritt felt good enough to wrestle, but was prevented by TCCW officials.
Gerritt was Roby's oldest friend in TCCW; Jake was his closest. Dane was Cody's best friend. They were watching to ensure that nothing like happened to Anton and Pat happened to their friends. With Lucien in the match, everyone knew that the other Heavyweight Heels - Trace, Kale and Ryan - and Jordan, Lucien's best friend, could be lurking.
Mike asked, "What are they doing?"
"Being idiots," Dane replied. He was pissed at Cody for being stupid. Roby and Cody were clearly tiring. They had been exerting such force. Their arms hung slightly limp, their pumps decreasing from fatigue.
Jake said, "I don't get it. Why can't Cody get past the fact that Roby beat him? Fuck, he's going to ruin both their chances just because of his ego."
Dane bristled and replied, "Uh, Roby is the one pushing this. He just had to lock up again and prove that he is as good as Cody. The real question is, why is Roby so insecure about not being Cody!"
"What?" Gerritt chimed in. "What match are you watching? I'm so tired of TCCW being turned into CW - Cody Wrestling. You guys seem to feel Cody is entitled to be champ. Now, he's in there, hell bent to prove he's better than Roby. Even if it costs them both this match."
Mike said, "That's not fair. Cody doesn't think that way. He just wants to win. It's Roby that has targeted Cody. If it wasn't, then Roby would have just tagged after getting shown up like a chump in the first lock up."
"Chump?" Jake was incredulous. He lunged at Mike, but Gerritt held him back.
Gerritt said, "C'mon guys. Look, sorry to tell you guys this but it's obvious everyone loves Cody, so he'll get a shot no matter what. He'll get a shot handed to him at some point."
Dane smirked, but there was no humor in his voice as he said, "You're one to talk, Gerritt. If not for your injury, you'd be fighting Rusty with a shot just handed to you."
Gerritt wanted to belt Dane at that moment. He made a step towards Dane and the men locked stares. Gerritt figured he could deck Dane fast with his bad hand. Dane would never expect it.
As Gerritt's fist tightened, it was Doug, the least involved of the five men, that solved things. He was a boxer and knew the telltale signs of an impending punch. Gerritt was clearly ready to strike.
Doug moved between them and said, "Look guys, like Dane said, they're BOTH being idiots. Let's not fight until we enter the ring."
Dane reluctantly nodded. Doug was right. There was no sense in getting into it now. But when this was done, no matter the outcome, Jake and Gerritt would regret badmouthing Cody. He would make sure of it.
Gerritt decided that if Roby couldn't get the shot, he hoped it was Dane or Cody. He would love to get the belt from one of them. But either way, Gerritt was going to meet up with them soon.
Dane and Jake relaxed but did not shake hands. The last thing either wanted was to get into their friends' battles. They turned their attention to the ring, hoping their friends would smarten up BEFORE they eliminated each other!
*****
Chapter Six
The match had hardly seemed like a four-corner match at all, as the two studs lay on their backs in the ring. Their muscular bodies were quaking from the punishment and neither was moving, other than the rising and falling of their red, battered chests that showed they were still breathing.
After a few more seconds, Roby and Cody were both lying on the mat, although now moaning and groaning. Cody was coughing and trying to recoup, while Roby was rolling from side-to-side.
The ref had no choice. He started a ten-count on both men. ONE!
Lucien wondered what the odds of both men being counted out was. It had been his plan, but he wondered if it would work. He knew that it would make it easy on him to just face Clay. TWO!
Across the ring, Clay was wondering the same thing. Cody looked dead and Roby didn't look much better. The two former champs had wasted a ton of energy fighting each other before being splashed and crushed by Lucien three times. THREE!
Clay and Lucien looked at each other at the same moment, both thinking the same thing. But while Lucien regarded this as exactly what he wanted, Clay was questioning whether this was good or bad. Clay had never fought anyone like Lucien before, since he had been a middleweight until recently. FOUR!
Lucien smiled wickedly. Clay got a shiver. He was suddenly more concerned about facing Lucien than an ailing Roby. He knew how to wrestle someone like Roby. Clay reached out to tag Roby, but he was too far away. Lucien looked down and knew that he could in fact reach Cody if he put his considerable bulk on the top rope. FIVE!
But Lucien hesitated. If he tagged Cody he could pin Roby now and then let Clay handle Cody, who would be easy pickings. Lucien studied Cody's ripped physique, trying to discern what would be left in the tank. Cody was obviously damaged goods right now. SIX!
But how many times had Cody proven that he could defy the odds. Lucien withdrew his hand and moved to the other side of the ringpost, further away from Cody. SEVEN!
It was too big a risk to let Cody tag. Clay was calling out to Roby, but the big stud was not reacting. Clay thought, "I must be crazy. Maybe Lucien has the right idea. If I can't beat him, then I don't deserve a title!" EIGHT!
Roby finally rolled over. He stretched out his hand and came close to the corner. But Clay's hand was no longer there. He had moved away, letting Roby struggle on his own. Clay thought, "Sorry, Roby, but getting rid of you and Cody is too good…" NINE!
Lucien and Clay held their breath as Cody made a last ditch effort to rise. So did Roby. The ref seemed to hold back as both men reached their hands and knees … almost!
THUD!
Roby and Cody collapsed back to the mat.
TEN!
And the two favorites, Cody and Roby were eliminated. They had worked so hard on each other that they had cost themselves their shot.
Lucien was into the ring immediately. The ref said, "Hold on! They've got to get out of the ring first." He moved to assist Roby.
Lucien smiled. He grabbed Cody by his hair and dragged him to his knees. Lucien slapped Cody across the face, waking him. Lucien lifted his huge leg and positioned his boot on Cody's chest. Lucien kicked out, his boot pushing on Cody's pecs and sending him back out of the ring.
The referee had helped Roby and missed Lucien's assault on Cody. Roby was back on his haunches, breathing and trying to clear his head. It hadn't completely sunk in yet, but he knew he was gone. He couldn't believe it.
Pat gone first in his match. And now him and Cody gone first. This tournament was not kind to favorites. He had known that the format was stacked against men with reputations, but he had done it to himself. He and Cody had been trying to prove something instead of trying to win.
THWACK!
Roby was shocked as a large paw smacked the side of his head, sending him sprawling out of the ring to the floor below. The muscle stud rolled onto his side, under the bottom rope and onto the floor hard. He rolled from side to side, his sweat covered physique glistening in the fluorescent light.
Roby felt two hands under him. It was Jake's large hands and familiar grip. Across the ring, Dane had helped up Cody and was escorting him back.
With the ring cleared, Lucien said, "Get in here little man. Time to see some action."
Clay slipped through the ropes fearlessly. It would be a cold day in Hell before he showed fear to Lucien. Clay pointed over the referee and said, "Those guys gave it their all. They didn't deserve what you did. But you deserve what I'm going to do to you!"
Lucien smirked at Clay's bravado, "Bring it on, boy, bring it on!"
*****
Chapter Seven
Clay charged ahead, ready to lock up with the massive Lucien. Never having wrestled anyone like Lucien before, Clay resorted to what he knew. He had sparred with Terry and Jackson, so he did have some frame of reference.
But fighting Lucien was completely different than anyone else, as Clay quickly discovered.
Lucien was strong, surprisingly so. As the wrestlers locked up, Lucien pulled Clay into a headlock immediately. Clay tried to power out of the hold, but Lucien simply moved all his weight into Clay. In seconds, the 202-pound Clay was toppled sideways, unable to stabilize the weight. Clay went down hard onto the mat, with Lucien's bulk landing on top of him; his head still locked in the vice-like hold.
Clay squirmed under Lucien, but had trouble moving the weight. He moaned in pain as he heard the referee count one on his shoulders.
ONE!
Clay thrust his arm to the side and flailed for the rope, managing barely to grab hold. The referee noticed and tapped Lucien to break the hold. Lucien complied and rolled to the side. He made his way to his feet as Clay lifted himself up.
Clay realized that he would have a lot of trouble moving 260-pounds around the ring. He could not get onto the mat with Lucien.
Lucien was thinking the same thing, but with the opposite conclusion. He knew that if he could get on top of Clay, Clay would be in big trouble. Lucien knew that the little 202-pounder could not budge him. Lucien was feeling more confident than ever.
Clay was back on his feet and circling Lucien. As Lucien moved forward, Clay backed up. Lucien was slowly pinning him into the corner, Clay realized. He moved the opposite way quickly, turning Lucien around. Clay was back in the larger side of the ring with more space to maneuver.
Lucien charged in, extending his arms to cover as much area as possible. Clay was caught off guard by the charge. He raised his boot, but it sunk into Lucien's midsection harmlessly as Lucien charged through it!
Lucien forced Clay into the corner, squashing him between the turnbuckles and his bulk. Clay moaned as he felt himself being compressed. At the referee's five-count, Lucien let Clay breathe again. Lucien stepped back and Clay breathed deep.
Lucien had hold of the top rope on either side of Clay to prevent escape. He used his grip to pull forward and splash Clay again! Lucien repeated the move twice more! When Lucien was forced back by the ref, Clay fell to the mat, sitting in the corner winded.
His back and front torso was aching from the splashes. As Lucien came forward to dish out more punishment, Clay thrust out a boot, catching Lucien on the knee. Lucien staggered back and Clay scrambled up. He charged the ropes and came off them fast.
Lucien reached out to grab Clay as he came off, but Clay had other ideas. Instead of the usual cross body block that Lucien was expecting, Clay slid down and delivered a fast dropkick to Lucien's knee!
Lucien grunted and reached down, his leg aching. Clay rose to his feet quickly and charged the ropes behind Lucien. He dove forward, slamming a shoulder block into the back of Lucien's knee! Lucien toppled back, his leg aching from the abuse.
Clay hopped to his feet and he stomped on Lucien's knee twice. The fat on Lucien's leg jiggled wildly as he did. Clay reached down and lifted Lucien's giant limb. He sized him up and then dropped an elbow on the inside of Lucien's knee!
As Clay came down, he wrenched hard on Lucien's ankle. Lucien moaned but kept his wits about him. Clay was lying between his legs. Lucien saw Clay's back before him and knew what to do.
Lucien brought his good leg in and slammed it into Clay's side. Clay let go of Lucien's bad leg on impact. Lucien wrapped his ankles together and squeezed hard! Clay realized his predicament too late! He was caught in a powerful scissors hold. Lucien lifted his torso up to a sitting position. He hammered a series of fists into Clay's rippling back! Clay tightened his back and tried to move out of the scissors, but it was no use. He cried out as Lucien pummeled him between the shoulder blades again and again.
Clay sagged, the combination wearing him down. The referee asked him if he wanted to submit, but he refused to.
Lucien knew that the fat on his legs kept his scissors from being a really tough hold, but all he wanted was to keep the quick little wrestler in one place. And he had done that. Lucien released the scissors and slid around. Clay moved to rise, but Lucien leapt forward and bulled him down again.
With Lucien on top, Clay was in deep trouble. He felt Lucien moving his bulk over his chest and face. Clay knew he was being pinned.
If he didn't act fast, this was it!
HW: In the Locker Room
The wrestlers were sitting in the locker room in somewhat of a daze. There was a crowd of heavyweights all gathered, too.
Everyone was in a bit of shock over the events of the match. Dane said to Cody, "Are you okay?"
Cody nodded. He said, "Shit, I can't believe how badly I screwed up. You gotta win this Dane." Dane nodded. With Pat and Cody both going out first in their matches, his confidence was a little low.
"Yeah, Dane, you gotta win this otherwise we'll have to scrap the whole event and do it again," Gerritt said from across the lockers. He was tending to Roby's shoulders, massaging them to relieve the pain from Cody's attack.
"What the hell does that mean?" Cody asked.
Gerritt was near shaking with anger, "It is amazing how you decide that we need a big event to determine the next shot when I have the next shot. If it wasn't you or your buddies then it is no one, right?"
"Screw you, Gerritt. You didn't have a match signed."
"Rusty's five weeks are nearly up. I'm the only heavyweight with a winning record who has never had a shot. I talked to the Chairman. I would have had the next shot."
"Woulda, coulda, shoulda, but didn't. Cry to someone else," Dane spat out. He was furious at the implication of favoritism.
Roby said, "Come on, guys. It is a little coincidental that as soon as none of your friends are number one that you insist on this four-corner deal. You either were trying to steal Gerritt's shot or you just didn't even notice that he was number one. Either way, you guys only think about yourselves. Pure and simple."
Cody stood up gingerly, "We didn't INSIST on anything. It was an idea. The other divisions were doing it, so we thought it might be cool. And thanks to Clay, practically everyone got a shot. How are we the bad guys here?"
Gerritt replied, "Because, like always, it all comes down to getting you or Dane or whoever else you decide into the spotlight. Everyone knows that you are the TCCW mascot. You are the one on the flyers and featured on the morning shows promoting our new television show."
"You sound like that middle chick from the Brady Bunch. Cody, Cody, Cody," Dane mocked.
"F you, Dane." It was Trace standing in the corner, "Clay and Lucien are out there right now battling and all you two can worry about is yourselves. You got no respect for the rest of us. If you did, you'd be watching that match. But no, once Cody is outta the match, that's it. We should call the fucking tournament."
Dane's mouth was hanging open and Gerritt was laughing. "Shut up, Gerritt," Trace replied, pointing at him, "You aren't any better. You guys act like you are the nice guys, the team players, you all get along. But this is the real side of you all."
Kale chimed in, "It's funny how you two went after one another and never even paid attention to Clay or Lucien. That's how cocky you bastards are."
Bastian said, "They're right. Pat and Steve watched the end of their match. They showed class. You guys showed nothing."
Dane was looked at Bastian and said, "You in this, too?"
Bastian shrugged, "I got my own opinion. I always do. I've been a lone wolf in TCCW since the beginning. I know how hard it is to get anywhere when you aren't on the right "team." Doug, me and Anton are going to stick together. But that's it. I'm on no one else's side."
Trace said, "Screw this, I'm watching Lucien crush Clay. They deserve someone to pay attention to 'em."
Trace stormed out of the locker room, followed by Kale. James, Brian and Todd all followed suit, shaking their heads.
Bill said, "Wow, that was heavy."
Brian shrugged, "Who cares? We're still left out of it. I doubt anyone even knows we were there."
The heavyweight ranks were more fractured than ever, with emotions raw. There were the few solo wrestlers, without any faction. But most were now hunkered down in their packs of three or four. This tournament was creating more division, as the truth was coming out.
The TPW men, Clay, Jackson and Terry, had come in united and remained united. Cody, Dane and Pat were as tight as ever, with Mike hanging on. Bastian, Anton and Doug were also of one mind group. Gerritt, Roby and Jake were, too. The Heavyweight Heels, Lucien, Ryan, Trace and Kale remained tightly knit. And despite a lot of friction, Kevin kept the heavyweights in the Posse in line, Rusty, Lance and Steve. Now Lon and Steve had struck up a friendship and were talking about tagging together if Steve could get Lon in the Posse.
That left guys like Bill, Brian, James, Todd and Jeff without anyone watching their backs. A position they were finding less tenable as they got left off card after card.
It was anyone's guess as to which groups could settle their differences on their own and which ones would settle them in the ring.
*****
Chapter Eight
Dominance was difficult thing to establish in TCCW, but it was being done in spades now.
Lucien had planted his large posterior over Clay's chest and face. Lucien looked down Clay's lean-muscled body. The abs looked so inviting. Lucien picked his spot, a little bit of soft tissue just above the baby blue waistband.
Lucien drew back his fists and pummeled them into his helpless opponent. Clay's shoulders were pinned, but the referee saw the smothering as a choke. He started a five-count to get Lucien off. Lucien ignored him and just hammered more fists into the soft underbelly.
Clay moaned in agony, his abs being torn asunder. When the referee reached five, Lucien lifted his ass and knelt, his large shins still pinning Clay's shoulders to the mat. The referee had no choice but to count.
ONE!
Clay struggled, but had very little leverage. He worked his muscles hard and was determined not to be pinned so easily. Clay lifted his legs, forcing his abs muscles to work despite the burning and he wrapped them on a shockedLucien's head.
TWO!
Clay managed to pull Lucien to the left and raise his right shoulder to avoid the three-count. The crowd cheered.
Lucien effortlessly swatted Clay's legs to the side. Lucien rose off Clay and grabbed a handful of hair. He pulled Clay to his feet and stood beside him. He reached over Clay's red abs and grabbed his side. With his other hand, Lucien clutched Clay's leg and hoisted!
Clay was lifted up, hanging parallel to the mat with his back down. He was waist high and knew what was next. Before he could react, Lucien dropped down, crushing him with a sidewalk slam! Clay arched his back up to relieve the pressure. As he did, Lucien was already on his feet. He delivered a splash, although it was more of a flop as Lucien could barely jump off the mat.
Clay felt the air go out of him again. His back and abs had really been punished. Lucien could do more damage in fewer moves. Still, Lucien's singlet was drenched in sweat. Endurance was not his strong suit.
Lucien dragged Clay to his feet again and hurled him across the ring into the corner. Clay slumped but managed to stay on his feet.
Lucien charged into the corner, ready to crush the resilient Clay. Clay hung on the top turnbuckle helplessly. Clay's throbbing arms were limp and his bulging pecs sagged as he hung there. He had never been so crushed in his life.
If this is what heavyweights went through every match, Clay thought he might want to consider a diet. He moaned, his blond head hanging down, his chin on his chest.
Clay had the best conditioning of any of his friends. He could outlast Jackson and Terry any day of the week. But now he knew what exhaustion was. Lucien had taken everything he had in him.
Well, not everything.
Lucien roared from across the ring. Despite the punishment he had dished out, Clay was still in the match. Lucien decided it was time to put the handsome blond stud away. Lucien had wanted to punish Clay, something that he had accomplished in spades.
But there was more to Lucien's abuse than just winning a match.
Lucien hated Clay. He knew that little guys like Clay who looked like Abercrombie and Fitch models had the easy life. Lucien saw it with his best friend Jordan, a good looking stud who got anything he wanted.
"Well," Lucien smirked, "I don't think too many of the girls will be looking at you after this match!"
Lucien charged at full speed towards Clay, his eyes focused on the prize - Clay's ripped physique squashed between the turnbuckle and Lucien's 260-pounds of pure mass.
"RRROOOOAAARRRR!" Lucien yelled.
The roar was loud and powerful. Loud enough in fact that it woke Clay out of his daze. He heard the thundering footsteps approaching.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
The crowd noise was deafening as they watched Lucien charging. If he connected, it was certain doom for young Clay!
*****
Chapter Nine
As Lucien "ran" forward, Clay reacted instinctively. He used his awesome endurance to raise his feet off the mat. His abs screamed under the blanket of red welts as he forced them to lift his feet. This was an exercise Clay did every day to strengthen his midsection, but it had never been more important than now.
Lucien's eyes went wide as he saw Clay's size 12 boots lift off the ground. Lucien could not have stopped even if he wanted to. He was moving as fast as he could and had to follow through.
Lucien braced for impact by puffing out his bouncing chest. But Clay was smarter than that. He didn't just raise his feet to Lucien's chest; he kept lifting. As Lucien charged in, Clay's boots slammed into Lucien's face, stopping him dead! Lucien's body passed harmlessly under Clay, they withdrew.
The crowd gasped as Lucien stopped. Clay's feet dropped down, the most important leg lift of his life had done the trick.
Lucien was motionless for a split second then took two steps backwards. It was unclear how much he had been hurt. Lucien just stood there as Clay dropped his feet down to the mat. Clay was exhausted. He didn't think he could go on.
With another Herculean effort, the blond stud lifted his feet from the ground again! He raised them even with Lucien's chest. Clay thrust his feet forward and kicked the stunned and stationary Lucien hard! Lucien staggered back and toppled onto the mat, landing hard on his back.
Clay stumbled forward. He reached down and raised one of Lucien's tree trunk-sized legs. Clay stepped over it, bending it behind his own leg. Clay then reached down and raised Lucien's other leg. With his last ounce of strength, Clay cinched in the hold.
A figure-four leg lock was applied and Lucien screamed immediately in pain.
Clay applied the pressure, trying desperately to bend Lucien's legs. Clay hoped this would be enough. He squeezed down hard, but he knew his squeezing lacked the authority it usually had.
Lucien slapped the mat in frustration, then realized the other slap he heard was not an echo, but the referee counting his shoulders. Lucien raised his right shoulder and avoided the count out.
Lucien tried to roll, flopping back and forth, his pure white bulk resembling a Beluga whale more than a wrestler. Lucien moaned and groaned, swinging his shoulders. But Lucien's lack of training was catching up with him. Despite his size, Lucien did not have the abdominal muscles needed to pull hi legs over. He got one half roll, then had to flop back.
Lucien's moves were slow and predictable. He rolled to the left then the right. Clay had ample opportunity to react and defend his position. Lucien was sweating profusely as he realized that his legs were going to break if he didn't do something.
"Do you submit?" the referee asked Lucien.
No answer.
"Lucien, do you submit?" At that moment, Clay put his palms on the mat and lifted his upper body off the mat, increasing his leverage and the pain! He bounced up and down, driving shooting spikes of pain through Lucien.
"Lucien, do you submit?"
*****
Chapter Ten
"Lucien, do you submit?" At that moment, Clay put his palms on the mat and lifted his upper body off the mat, increasing his leverage and the pain! He bounced up and down, driving shooting spikes of pain through Lucien.
"I GIVE! PLEASE, RELEASE THE GOD DAMNED HOLD!"
The referee signaled the bell. Lucien was continuing to scream as Clay struggled to release the hold. But he lacked the strength to do so. The referee returned and assisted, finally freeing Lucien, who rolled to the side, almost in tears from the powerful submission hold.
Clay stumbled to his feet and had his arm raised, the first time as a heavyweight in TCCW. He smiled. Even though Cody and Roby's poor decisions had helped him in this bout, he knew that he had earned it.
Clay looked back at Lucien. He saw Lucien sliding under the ropes and a smaller blond trying to help. But it was obviously too much. Clay lowered his arm, thanked the ref and slid under the ropes.
Jordan was under Lucien's left arm, trying to stabilize him. Jordan pleaded, "Come on, work with me here, eh?"
Lucien only moaned. All of a sudden, Lucien felt someone under his right arm. Jordan noticed the difference and looked to the side. Lucien did, too.
It was Clay, supporting Lucien on the way back to the locker room.
Clay smiled, "Thanks for the match. You had me reconsidering a career in heavyweights for most of it."
Jordan sneered, "What makes you think it'd be any easier in the middleweights? You got lucky."
Clay replied, "Lucky? Please. No middleweight can dish out the punishment Lucien gave me."
Jordan replied, "Don't be so sure. I bet there are lots of middleweights who can take you." Jordan was over 180-pounds himself. Clay had a very slight weight advantage, not enough to worry about.
In between them, Lucien had his feet under him again. He lifted his weight from their shoulders, freeing them to jaw at each other. Jordan and Clay traded barbs, until finally, Clay said, "Listen, you wanna go? Is that it?"
Jordan nodded. "Any time, any place."
"Hey, Jordan, get in line. There are heavyweights waiting for a shot at this guy, too." Jordan and Clay turned to see Mike standing, arms crossed, eager to head out for his match, which was up next.
Jordan was about to say something when he heard, "JORDAN!" Jordan turned and saw Lucien hobbling away. He moved to catch up with his friend.
Jordan looked at Clay and poked him in the chest, "Watch your step, Mr. Heavyweight. We're not done."
Jordan raced down the hall to see Lucien. Clay shook his head. He knew that he should have kicked Jordan's ass right then, but realized that what he had done was the smart play.
He thought to himself, "Clay, you won. You've got another match tonight. Don't let these idiots rattle you."
Mike brushed passed him, making sure to bump him; "I'm going to win this match. Then next round, I'm going to take you out."
Clay nodded. Mike's bravado was beginning to irritate him. Clay replied, "Not now, Mike. I'm sore and I'm pissed. Get out of my face or I'll drop you right now. Why don't you try to make it past the first fall before you mouth off."
Clay stomped off, planning to rest and get a massage to ease his aching muscles, leaving Mike to think of all the snappy comebacks he would have said.
THE END
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