Chapter II: World War - Night One

World War Tournament: Quarter Final

Cutter Driftwood vs. Shaelin Marie O'Hara

Cutter Driftwood came out to a very negative reaction. He simply spit on the mat as if the hatred of the German fans meant nothing to him. O'Hara then came out and didn't even wait for the bell to ring. O'Hara rushed Driftwood and hit him with massive forearm shots. Driftwood shoved her backwards and O'Hara rolled backwards, got back to her feet and was turned inside out with a discus elbow from Driftwood.

Ramona Holiday: "O'Hara is a veteran but Driftwood is perhaps the scariest fucking guy in PANGAEA right now. She needs to be on her game to take this guy down."

Duff Buckley: "Driftwood was in our first ever main event and he won. O'Hara may have had success elsewhere but I think Driftwood may be too much too soon for her."

Driftwood got O'Hara back up and sent her into the ropes, however, O'Hara hit a handspring and bounced off of the ropes. She then came back and connected with a jumping cutter! With Driftwood laid out O'Hara covered but barely got a two count. Driftwood got to his feet with an amused smirk on his face. O'Hara took that smirk off of his face with a shining wizard that got a huge pop from the German fans.

Duff Buckley: "Shaelin Marie O'Hara is on her game here tonight in Germany. Shades of Brooklyn Blake from last week. She is taking the fight to Cutter Driftwood."

O'Hara began to stomp around the ring, feeling her momentum. Driftwood stood and snarled before going for a left hand but O'Hara ducked under it and put Driftwood down with a wheel kick! Driftwood got back to his feet and O'Hara rolled him up for another quick two count. O'Hara got back up and went for a jumping ddt but Driftwood turned it into a fireman's carry and tossed O'Hara over the top rope with her landing hard on the outside.

Ramona Holiday: "As impressive as that was, that was desperation from Driftwood. He needs to stop taking these women lightly and learn that this is an intergender federation. This chicks are deadly."

Duff Buckley: "I completely agree. PANGAEA has signed some of the most impressive female talent in the world and the men on this roster need to not underestimate them."

Refusing to stay down for even a moment, O'Hara got up to the apron but Driftwood was there to meet her with a hard shot to the face. Driftwood went for another but O'Hara ducked and hit Driftwood with a head butt to the mid-section through the ropes. O'Hara then dove over Driftwood and caught him with a sunset flip! Driftwood tried to kick out but the leverage O'Hara applied made it impossible! O'Hara got the three count.

Winner: Shaelin Marie O'Hara (**1/4)

O'Hara rolled out of the ring and the referee raised her hand. Driftwood got up and surprisingly, he smirked. Driftwood clapped for O'Hara but maintained his sinister grin.

Armada vs. Avalon Blake

The next contest was a mismatch to say the least. Avalon Blake hit the ring in a surlier mood than last week which did not bode well for Armada. The latter hit the ring and as soon as the bell sounded Blake went after him. Armada was able to duck under a grapple attempt and hit a few quick kicks to Blake's left knee before retreating.

Ramona Holiday: "This guy is a complete knob. I can't wait for The Weapon to fucking wreck him."

Blake snarled and came at Armada again but again the latter was able to duck under a grapple and hit a few quick kicks to the left knee, this time dropping Blake slightly. Armada hit a quick dropkick to Blake's face and retreated once again. Blake almost went down but shook the shot off and stood. Armada taunted her with a smirk and Blake was sent into rage mode.

Duff Buckley: "Armada has a strategy and it seems to be working. Strike and separate."

Ramona Holiday: "He is much faster but if Blake gets her hands on him it's all over for the video game nerd."

Duff Buckley: "I thought you regarded him as a dual sport athlete, I thought you liked him?"

Ramona Holiday: "Did you not see his Swedish tv interview? The guy is an ass!"

Blake charged at Armada and pushed him into the corner. She tried to follow that up with a corner clothesline but Armada evaded it and hit her with a leaping knee strike to the face. He then hit a high roundhouse kick to Blake's face which sent her staggering out of the corner. Armada then climbed to the top rope and hit a missile dropkick which finally but Blake on her back.

Duff Buckley: "This match has been all Armada so far. I don't think anyone expected that."

Armada stood and celebrated like he had won the match with that single move. Blake got back up and shocked Armada with an uppercut. She then sent him into the corner but Armada jumped to the top rope and came back with a Blink Dagger. Blake went down and Armada covered, only getting two when Blake powered out.

Ramona Holiday: "I hate to say this but Blake is looking like shit tonight. This little guy is making her look like a chump."

Duff Buckley: "Everyone can have an off night but a second loss her would really hurt Blake's reputation."

Ramona Holiday: "Daddy will not be pleased. Good thing that his other daughter is wicked talented."

The Weapon scrambled back to her feet, absolutely incensed. She moved towards Armada but got hit with a quick running tornado ddt. Blake was rocked and Armada placed a boot on her chest, attempting a pin. The audience booed and the referee counted. Armada got two and this only served to piss Blake off even more.

Ramona Holiday: "This dude has a fucking death wish."

Blake went to get up but Armada hit her with a surprising snap roundhouse kick to the face. This must have had some serious force as Blake's eyes rolled back into her head and she fell, out cold. Armada, knowing he had a small window to capitalize, climbed to the top rope and nailed a beautiful Divine Rapier. He landed hard on Blake and pinned, getting a three count!

Winner: Armada (**1/4)

After the bell Armada slides out of the ring and looks a little shocked. He then begins doing laps around the ring with his arms in the air. He tries to slap hands with fans in the front row but very few accept.

Armada: "I did it! I killed the beast! I beat a boss fight on my first try!"

As Armada continues doing laps the referee checks on Blake. She is out cold. The referee throws up an X and almost immediately EMTs hit the ring.

Duff Buckley: "Armada has knocked Avalon Blake out. I can't believe I am saying that."

Ramona Holiday: "This company is insanely unpredictable. Who the hell saw that coming?"

Duff Buckley: "He did."

Buckley gestures to Armada who is still running around celebrating. The fans are more concerned with Blake who the EMTs are still working on.

World War Tournament: Quarter Final

Keegan Hightower vs. Vashta Nerada

Up next was the second match in the World War Tournament Quarter Final. Both Hightower and Nerada hit the ring and the bell sounded. Nerada exploded out of the gate, charging at Hightower but the latter quickly escaped the ring which drew a chorus of boos. Nerada gestured for Hightower to get in the ring.

Ramona Holiday: "This guy is such a fucking pussy."

Hightower paced around the ring with a smug look on his face. He stopped in front of the announce table and stared at Ramona Holiday for a moment. He blew her a kiss and smirked which did not impress the colour commentator at all. Holiday flipped Hightower off but it only got a laugh from him.

Ramona Holiday: "Get in the ring you stupid prick."

Hightower just laughs at Holiday but gets laid out as Nerada comes flying through the ropes with a suicide dive. Nerada catches Hightower in the lower back and it sends him right into the announce table. Holiday just leans back with her arms folded, laughing at Hightower.

Ramona Holiday: "What's up now, bitch?"

Duff Buckley: "Ramona we are supposed to be objective."

Ramona Holiday: "I've never been one for following what's expected of me."

Nerada grabbed Hightower and smashed his head off of the announce table. He then led Hightower away and shot him into the guard rail. The referee started the ten count but Nerada didn't care, he charged in and nailed Hightower with a front dropkick into the guard rail which got a big pop from the German fans. Nerada then collected Hightower and rolled him into the ring.

Duff Buckley: "Vashta Nerada is looking pretty good for someone who was powerbombed onto concrete last week."

Ramona Holiday: "Hightower's douchbaggery inspires super human healing in people."

The Hungering Darkness got up onto the apron and sized Hightower up. Nerada hit a springboard off of the apron, turned in mid-air and took Hightower down with a moonsault. Nerada then took hold of Hightower's head and laid into him with big rights and lefts. Nerada then dropped a severe elbow to Hightower's head. Then another. And another. Hightower is busted open.

Ramona Holiday: "Oh yes! Sweet justice!"

Duff Buckley: "Hightower is not going to care for this at all."

Ramona Holiday: "Good. Fucking Nancy."

Nerada takes hold of Hightower and attempts his standing shiranui but Hightower shoves him into the ropes and wrecks him with a clothesline. Hightower then touches his forehead and sees that he is bleeding. His usual smug expression is nowhere to be found, it's now an expression of horrified rage.

Duff Buckley: "Uh oh."

Hightower gets Nerada up and hits him with furious rights and lefts. Hightower then hits Nerada with a knee to the mid-section and spikes him on his head with a harsh ddt. Hightower stands up and drops a knee onto Nerada's lower back, targeting his injury from the last event. Nerada rolls around on the mat in agony.

Duff Buckley: "There it is. That powerbomb from Avalon Blake hurt Nerada and Hightower now has his target."

Hightower hits a few well placed stomps to Nerada's lower back before getting him up. Hightower grabs Nerada by the chin with one hand and wipes the blood off of his own forehead with the other.

Keegan Hightower: "Look what you did! Look what you did to my face!"

Hightower then slaps Nerada with his blood stained palm, putting the luchadore down.

Keegan Hightower: "You don't even care! Because you don't have a face!"

Hightower then continues with stomps to Nerada's lower back before getting him up and whipping him into the corner. Nerada hits hard and is hung up in the corner, facing the audience. Hightower charges in and hits a hard knee to Nerada's lower back. Hightower then lifts Nerada up and sits him on the top rope.

Duff Buckley: "If Hightower hits this, it could spell the end for Vashta Nerada."

Ramona Holiday: "If this bitch advances I may puke. On him."

With Nerada on the top rope, Hightower sets up for a top rope back suplex. Nerada is able to fight out of it on the top rope and turn to face Hightower. Nerada hits him with some big shouts and then a hard elbow to the forehead. Nerada hits a half dozen elbows to Hightower's war wound before Hightower falls backwards onto the mat. Nerada then comes off with his Darkness Falls double foot stomp and Germany roars in approval. Nerada covers and gets the three count.

Winner: Vashta Nerada (****)

Right as the bell sounds Ramona Holiday jumped up at the announce table, clapping and cheering. Nerada left the ring in celebration as Hightower looked up from the mat. He stared at Holiday at the announce table through his crimson mask and glared. Holiday was all smiles.

World War Tournament: Quarter Final

[Single Match]

Cesar Salazar vs. Jake Mandell

It was then time for the third quarter final match in the World War Tournament. Mandell wasted no time coming at Salazar as he laid into him with big forearm shots. When Salazar tried to cover up Mandell hit him with a knee thrust to the mid-section and put him on his back with a hip toss. Mandell stomped around the ring like a caged dog.

Ramona Holiday: "Jake Mandell used to be a big admirer of Cesar Salazar's work but now he is offended that the veteran is taking up space on the PANGAEA roster."

Duff Buckley: "I think that he has a point. Salazar is not the competitor he once was and PANGAEA is about hungry athletes with a desire to prove themselves."

When Salazar got up Mandell caught him with an elbow to the face. Mandell then took hold of the back of Salazar's head and hit him with another elbow. Then a third. Mandell then shoved Salazar off into the ropes and on the latter's return Mandell floored him with a giant big boot. With Salazar down Mandell kicked him in the side of the head in a show of disrespect. The German fans let Mandell know what they thought of him but he did not care in the least.

Duff Buckley: "A disrespectful boot from Jake Mandell. He's looking to make his name off of Salazar. What a feather in his cap it would be for Mandell to not only beat Salazar to advance, but to destroy him."

Mandell flipped off the German crowd and then dropped a series of knees on the side of Salazar's head. Mandell then put his elbow into the side of Salazar's head and began grinding away, knowing of Salazar's various head injuries from the past. Mandell then backed up, hit the ropes and treated Salazar to a running stomp to the head.

Ramona Holiday: "So...is Salazar going to get any offence in?"

Duff Buckley: "At this rate he may not leave the ring alive."

With Salazar up, Mandell sent him hard into the corner and followed it up with a big corner clothesline. With Salazar trapped Mandell started hitting him with a flurry of shots to the body and to the head. Salazar did his best to cover up but was ultimately saved by the referee's five count. Mandell then hit a huge wind up slap that dropped Salazar. This got serious heat from the German audience.

Duff Buckley: "Wow Jake Mandell really has no love for the 4th Generation Legend."

Salazar pulled himself up to his feet and Mandell advanced. Salazar momentarily came back to life, catching Mandell with a drop toe hold into the middle turnbuckle. This only served to anger the younger competitor. Mandell turned and charged, looking for a clothesline but Salazar evaded it. Mandell turned and went for another but Salazar evaded it again. This happened a third time but directly after, Mandell caught Salazar with a superkick that sent a tooth out of Salazar's mouth and into the sixth row.

Ramona Holiday: "Someone in the fourth row just got one hell of a souvenir."

Duff Buckley: "Please don't make a joke about Germans and taking teeth."

Ramona Holiday: "They didn't really take teeth. They took gold fillings. They weren't complete monsters."

Duff Buckley: "Ramona."

Ramona Holiday: "Okay they were pretty bad."

Angered by Salazar's slipperiness, Mandell mounted him and started laying into him with shots. Salazar had no choice but to grab the bottom rope and the referee broke it up. Mandell got off of Salazar but gave him one extra shot for good measure. Mandell then pulled Salazar to the middle of the ring. The latter tried to sit up but when he did Mandell has hit the ropes and nailed Salazar with a running Yakuza kick.

Duff Buckley: "This is becoming increasingly hard to watch."

Salazar's mouth was filled with blood at this point and the liquid began oozing out like the beginnings of a volcanic eruption. Blood ran down either side of Salazar's mouth as Mandell climbed to the top rope. Without any posturing, Mandell leapt off of the top rope and drove an elbow into Salazar's chest. This shot blood out of Salazar's mouth into the air with a large glob landing on the mat to the left of his head.

Ramona Holiday: "Two Salazar matches in PANGAEA and both have seen bloodshed."

Duff Buckley: "Your point?"

Ramona Holiday: "It's great!"

Sensing that he could finally put to the veteran away, Mandell got Salazar up. Mandell held Salazar up and took note of this broken, bloody and nearly beaten shade of his former self. Mandell then flipped Salazar off and yelled "Go fuck yourself!"...

Ramona Holiday: "What a charmer!"

...before turning his opponent inside out with a spinning discus lariat. Salazar did a half rotation and landed on his face before Mandell pinned. The referee was coming down for the three count when Salazar got his foot on the bottom rope.

Duff Buckley: "Salazar saves himself again. How long can this continue?"

Ramona Holiday: "Until he dies of blood loss or a giant punch."

Mandell rubs his head in frustration and called out for the end. Salazar stood, bloody and fucked as Mandell ran and went for his KTFO! but at the last second Salazar was able to transition it into a Texas cloverleaf! The audience could not believe it. Salazar wrenched back with all of his might but Mandell refused to quit. The hold was locked in for a good few minutes before the referee called for the bell, Mandell refused to tap and eventually passed out.

Winner: Cesar Salazar (****1/4)

Duff Buckley: "Cesar Salazar barely escaped this match with a victory."

Ramona Holiday: "But he won. That's all that matters. Now he moves on to the semi finals where he will likely die in the ring."

The audience was a bit perplexed by Salazar's quick victory and really couldn't believe it. Salazar didn't even have time to enjoy it as he fell back onto the mat, exhausted and hurt.

World War Tournament: Quarter Final

[Single Match]

Olethros vs. Pedro Gonzales

The match began and Gonzales was trepidatious at first but as soon as the bell rang Olethros was coming for him and there was nowhere to run. Gonzales chose to just go for it and attempted a quick diving rollup much like he did with that other guy. However Olethros saw it coming. 

Ramona Holiday: "Sorry Gonzales, I really don't see that working with someone like Olethros."

Duff Buckley: "I do believe that even attempting that has just infuriated Olethros."

Olethros grabbed Gonzales' arm and hauled him to his feet. Olethros took Gonzales by the throat and lifted him high into the air. Olethros then dropped Gonzales across his knee and the audience collectively gasped. Gonzales landed incredibly awkwardly and howled in agony.

Duff Buckley: "The Spinal Shock from Olethros nearly just broke Gonzales' back."

Gonzales pulled himself up using the ropes and Olethros advanced on him. Gonzales hit a toe kick to Olethros' mid-section but Olethros simply launched him over the top rope with one hand. Not one to waste time, Olethros exited the ring and took hold of Gonzales. The referee tried to get them back in the ring but Olethros took Gonzales and hip tossed him into the guard rail. Gonzales lands upside down and on his head.

Ramona Holiday: "Oh yeah. Olethros is pissed. Who the hell decided to make this the main event? Two weeks in a row we have had severe mismatches headlining the card."

Duff Buckley: "And last week it was the best match on the show."

Ramona Holiday: "This week it surely will not be. A match involves at least two wrestlers. There is only one in this match. And he's straight out of a Wes Craven movie."

Olethros got Gonzales up and slid him into the ring. The blood thirsty fans in Germany were actually supporting this car wreck. Olethros entered the ring and went after Gonzales but Gonzales hit him with a hard palm strike to the face. Olethros ate it and kept coming so Gonzales hit another.

Ramona Holiday: "This kid needs to go back to Bueno Mart. What he's doing right now? That's no bueno."

Olethros grabbed Gonzales by the throat and lifted him up for another chokeslam but Gonzales was able to fight out of it. Gonzales hit Olethros with a knee to the chin that broke The Murder Machine's grip. Gonzales landed on his feet and then actually hit an impressive high kick to Olethros' face which temporarily rocked him.

Duff Buckley: "Signs of life from Pedro Gonzales!"

Ramona Holiday: "Just lay down kid! This guy is fucking homicidal."

Gonzales started hitting Gonzales with whatever he could. He hit a big knee to Olethros' gut and went for a suplex but Gonzales couldn't get Olethros' weight over. Instead Olethros reversed it and went for a suplex of his own but Gonzales did a full front flip and landed on his feet!

Duff Buckley: "This kid is full of surprises."

Ramona Holiday: "He's full of bad ideas. Him and Cesar Salazar mixed together might make a good wrestler but separate...it's going to be hard for either of them to survive."

Gonzales landed behind Olethros, charged and hit the ropes. On his return Olethros evaded him and hit the ropes himself. On Olethros' return he absolutely fucked Gonzales up with the Kinetic Crash. With Gonzales broken under Olethros' weight, the latter covered. At the last second Gonzales was able to get his foot on the bottom rope which earned him a decent pop from the audience.

Ramona Holiday: "Stay down. What do you think is going to happen? Do you actually think you'll win?"

The Murder Machine got Gonzales to his feet and sent him into the corner. Olethros then charged in and nailed Gonzales with a running throat thrust. This sent Gonzales over the top rope but Gonzales landed on the apron. Olethros reached over the top rope and tried to bring Gonzales in the hard way but Gonzales did a flip and landed on his feet. Gonzales then took Olethros over with a hip toss and quickly hit him with a drop kick to the face.

Duff Buckley: "Listen to Germany! They are getting behind Pedro Gonzales!"

Ramona Holiday: "I'm glad they like him. It's great that they are all here for his funeral."

The last round of offence only served to get Olethros angry. He got up and decided that it was time to put Gonzales away but Gonzales was fired up. Bueno Mart's Favourite Son let out an uncharacteristic primal howl and charged. Gonzales nailed Olethros with a jumping knee to the chin that knocked The Murder Machine back into the corner. 

Duff Buckley: "More signs of life from Pedro Gonzales! This could be a Miracle in Munich!"

Ramona Holiday: "Don't call it that. It's going to be Murder in Munich."

Duff Buckley: "You need to have more faith Ramona."

Ramona Holiday: "Duff, I love you. I respect you. But if you ever tell me how to live my life again I will shove your own dick into your eye socket."

Gonzales ran in to the corner and jumped up for a monkey flip, however, Olethros hung on to him, turned around and sat Gonzales on the top rope. Olethros then hit him with a throat thrust and climbed up to the top rope with him. Olethros tried to take Gonzales off of the top rope but slipped!

Duff Buckley: "This is it! This is Gonzales' opening!"

With Olethros trying to regain his position Gonzales hit him with a head butt that sent Olethros off of the top rope onto his back. Gonzales had no plan when he jumped off the top rope but a jumping knee bomb is what he came up with and it was super effective! Gonzales landed hard on Olethros and covered.

Ramona Holiday: "Holy fuck! The little freak actually hit a big move!"

Duff Buckley: "Gonzales could be about to pull off a massive upset."

Olethros was able to kick out and Gonzales was fired up. Olethros got back up to his feet and Gonzales charged. Olethros tried to get him with a grapple but Gonzales dove behind him and nailed the roll up! Olethros was able to kick out at two and was angrier than ever. 

Duff Buckley: "Pedro Gonzales has Olethros shook!"

Both men were back to their feet and Olethros charged with a big boot. Gonzales was able to evade it and catch Olethros with a crucifix pin--attempt. Olethros held on and a small "CRUSH. KILL. DESTROY." chant started up from the English speaking members of the audience.

Ramona Holiday: "R.I.P. in peace Pedro Gonzales."

Duff Buckley: "That's redundant."

Ramona Holiday: "I don't know what that means so I am going to assume that it's a personal attack."

Olethros marched around the ring and nailed Gonzales with a C.K.D. Olethros let out a snarl and got back to his feet. He grabbed Gonzales again and dropped him with a second C.K.D. for good measure. Olethros then covered with authority for the three count.

Winner: Olethros (****1/2)

Olethros stood over Gonzales and yelled something inaudible to him. Olethros then went to walk away but stopped before exiting the ring. Olethros then looked back at Gonzales with murder in his gaze.

Duff Buckley: "Get out of there Pedro!"

Ramona Holiday: "He's already dead. He's not going anywhere."

Gonzales can barely stand when Olethros grabbed him. Olethros slapped Gonzales in the face a few times before he set him up for a third C.K.D. But before Olethros could drop him Cesar Salazar ran down to the ring from the back. Salazar slid into the ring and Olethros let Gonzales go.

Ramona Holiday: "How many Mexicans does Olethros have to kill today? Figure it out boys."

Olethros and Salazar came face to face but instead of concern himself with the stare down, Salazar turned his attention to Gonzales. Olethros stared at both of them for a moment before going to leave. That lasted a hot second before Olethros turned around and hit Salazar with a pump kick to the back of the head.

Duff Buckley: "Oh come on! Salazar just came out to help the kid."

Ramona Holiday: "And now he'll pay for it. Don't fuck with Olethros' business."

Olethros got Salazar up and planted him on top of Gonzales with a C.K.D. The audience then completely turned on Olethros as The Murder Machine stood over both men, signifying coming one step closer to being at the top of the mountain.