Post by Jana Rikar on May 25, 2017 23:21:41 GMT
[/] Newsline- EL PASO, TEXAS [/]
The scene opens to a small office with the DWF logo in the background. Bob Fairchild, in a polo shirt and khakis, sits in an recliner just in front of the logo.
HELLO everybody and welcome, Bob Fairchild here and we have a treat for all of you today on a special edition of the Fair Catch. Today’s Episode of the Fair Catch, recorded on 5/16, is more of a roundtable discussion than just a one on one. With me today are four members of the DWF Staff in Stephi Zucconi, Wonderman Waldo, Jimmy Floyd and my brother, Rusty Fairchild as well as the Boss, Jana Rikar. Thanks to everyone for being here today.
All six sit around a table a model of the Thunderdome, resting on a table in the middle. Each of them sit in another recliner and smiles politely.
This is what we’re all looking forward to here in 2 weeks in El Paso. This is the Thunderdome. So many words to describe the structure -
And none of them good.
The last time the structure was used was St Petersburg, 2004. Myself, Jimmy, Rusty and Bob were all there and it was a maniacal beast to say the least.
Only time I ever saw the Russian Set workers smile was when they were piecing together the structure.
Per the specs, the dome called for 8-10 gauge steel. The Russians only had 20 gauge steel, so it was twice as heavy and had even less forgiveness than expected.
Whose idea was this?
Commissioner Steele
Fitting.
Poshek and Kelley gave the go ahead for the build.
I know that neither of the men that were in the match had ever done anything like this.
And Jana, you knew one of the men very well.
I do. I call him Uncle.
Your uncle, Vince Maverik was the challenger in this match and the stakes were high. The champion, Darkness, had been back and forth with Maverik for the better part of the tour.
Darkness actually won the Title from Chris Comet, back at the Pyongyang debacle.
We’re not supposed to talk about that.
It’s been 13 years, the statute of limitations are over, aren’t they?
So, to set the match up, Maverik and Darkness had been trading battles back and forth, most of them, not involving matches.
Just pier six brawls.
So finally, the stage was set. Maverik demanded a match after his non-title win in Belgrade over Darkness. Darkness wanted Maverik gone bad enough he was willing to give him the title shot for one thing..
His career
Neither man wanted any interference to get in the way and that’s when the Terrordrome was created.
The Domed cage covers the ringside area so that anything inside the rails was fair game, including the plunder under the ring.
Ah yes, Plunder. Nothing better than Plunder.
I just wish the footage was still available. The Archives in Savannah lost most of the video tape footage in the flood after Hurricane Matthew.
Well, we have a surprise for you then, Jana,
Oh?
We found someone who had the raw footage. At the time, the commentary was being dubbed live in Savannah. But the raw footage had no commentary and your uncle had a copy.
Jana’s eyes widen and tears start to fill up inside.
Stephi, Bob, Waldo and Jimmy have been working the last couple of days… for everyone at home and all of us here. Let’s go to the Dvorec Sporta Arena in St. Petersburg Russia, June 4, 2004. Ladies and Gentlemen, Welcome to the Thunderdome.
The six turn their recliners as a large screen appears behind them. The footage begins to play.
Bob Fairchild: Welcome to St Petersburg everyone!
‘Stranglehold’ by Ted Nugent plays as the crowd cheers. Smoke fills the opening as the Defiant-Tron shows a red VM glowing.
Stephi Zucconi: Ladies and Gentleman, this is the Main Event of the evening and is for the DWF Heavyweight Title. First, from Wichita Falls, Texas, standing 6’7” and weighing in at 297 pounds, the Man in Black, Vince Maverik!!!
Walking out the smoke, is the big Texan, dressed in black trunks, black vest, and black boots. He slowly walks down the aisle as the crowd pops.
Wonderman Waldo: Maverik had come back from a major injury just 9 months earlier at the Nightmare Zone. His opponent that night was Big Daddy Mad Dog, who we saw at Shamrock Showdown 2017. Maverik was laid up for nearly 2 months but showed back up at Holiday Hell to help save Big Daddy, and they formed the Beer Drinkers & Hell Raisers Tag Team.
Maverik climbs into the ring then looks up at the Thunderdome. He backs into a corner as ‘Cochise’ by Audioslave plays. The crowd boos as Blue and Yellow Lights shine throughout the arena. Maverik stands in the ring as Darkness walks out in front of the Defiant-Tron.
Stephi Zucconi: And his opponent, from Denver, Colorado, standing 6’3” and weighing in at 252 pounds, the DWF Heavyweight Champion… This is Darkness!!!
Darkness holds up the DWF Title as he walks down the aisle.
Jimmy Floyd: Darkness was a former US Army Ranger from Denver, double tough and a mean streak as broad as his back. He won the title from Chris Comet, who we saw back in Pensacola, counter the Comet Flame Moonsault into a tombstone piledriver, which he adopted as his new finisher, the Dark Driver, to go along with his top rope elbow that he called the Dark Drop.
Darkness climbs into the ring as the referee stands between the two. The cage slowly lowers and is secured around the guardrails. The referee takes the DWF Title and holds it up then carries it with him out of the ring, handing it to Chairman Andrews at ringside The ref walks out the padlocked door and calls for the bell.
Bob Fairchild: And we’re underway here in Saint Petersburg.
The crowd boos as Darkness nails Maverik with a quick kick to the gut. Darkness grabs a side headlock. Maverik pushes Darkness back and sends him to the ropes. Darkness hits a shoulderblock.
Bob Fairchild: Maverik has got a slight weight advantage but Darkness has plenty of power to know the big Texan down.
Darkness comes back off the ropes. Maverik drops down. Darkness comes back off the ropes and Maverik hits a burning hammer. Darkness backs up. Maverik hits another burning hammer and Darkness goes over the top rope to the floor but lands on his feet.
Bob Fairchild: Two big Hammers by Maverik.
Maverik runs to the far ropes. He springs off of them and goes for a suicide dive. Darkness catches and redirects Maverik into the cage. Darkness picks up Maverik and throws him into the cage like a javelin. Maverik’s busted open as Darkness looks under the ring.
Bob Fairchild: This is not what Maverik wanted.
Wonderman Waldo: But his career is on the line and in this match, you had to pull out all the stops. Now Darkness is going to try to take him out permanently.
Darkness pulls out a table and sets it up on the floor. Maverik gets to back to his feet and holds onto the cage. Darkness grabs Maverik and rams him head first into the cage. He lays Maverik on the table and walks up the apron. Darkness rushes towards Maverik and lands an elbow smash off the apron on Maverik, driving him though the table!
Bob Fairchild: Good lord!
Wonderman Waldo: Maverik has got to be busted open inside as well as his forehead.
Darkness gets up slowly and lifts Maverik. He tosses Maverik into the ring. The crowd is starting to boo Darkness.
Jimmy Floyd: Darkness is loving this.
Darkness slides into the ring. Darkness gets a huge smile on his face. He picks up the bloody Maverik. Maverik lands a right hand to the gut. Maverik lands another right hand. Darkness lands a clubbing forearm to Maverik. Darkness whips Maverik into the ropes. Darkness goes for a clothesline but Maverik gets a crucifix into a float over DDT and takes Darkness to the mat.
Wonderman Waldo: Great counter by the challenger.
Maverik charges and nails a rising Darkness with a mafia kick. Maverik slides to the outside and goes under the ring. Maverik look around and climbs out of the ring. Maverik looks under the ring and pulls out a fire extinguisher. Maverik slides in the ring and waits for Darkness. Darkness gets to his feet and Maverik sprays Darkness in the face.
Bob Fairchild: Maverik’s found an equalizer!
Darkness staggers away trying to clear his eyes. Maverik chases after him and hits Darkness in the back with the extinguisher. Darkness drops to a knee and Maverik lands another shot to the head, busting open Darkness.
Wonderman Waldo: More blood flows in Saint Petersburg
Darkness rolls out of the ring. Maverik climbs to the top rope. He leaps and nails Darkness in the head with the fire extinguisher. Darkness collapses to the floor.
Bob Fairchild: Darkness was just knocked loopy.
Maverik tosses the extinguisher and grabs Darkness. He slams Darkness’s head into the steel steps. Maverik reaches under the ring and pulls out a table. He grabs Darkness, but Darkness nails him with a quick elbow to the gut and then slams him headfirst into the ringpost. Maverik holds his head in pain. Darkness picks up Maverik and places him on the table. Darkness quickly gets up on the apron and climbs to the top turnbuckle.
Jimmy Floyd: What is Darkness planning?
Darkness leaps and tries a top rope elbow, but Maverik roll off the table and Darkness crashes through the table. The crowd pops loudly as Maverik staggers up and then falls to the floor. Both men lay on the floor in obvious pain.
Wonderman Waldo: How much more can these two guys take?
Bob Fairchild: Especially when the idea is climb out through the top.
Maverik grabs Darkness and rolls him into the ring. Maverik grabs a chair and slides in the ring. Maverik walks towards Darkness, who pulls himself up with the ropes. Darkness charges and nails Maverik with a mafia kick. Maverik drops the chair. Darkness smiles and picks up the chair. Darkness lands a chairshot on the hand of Maverik. Maverik falls into the corner. Darkness lays down the chair and grabs Maverik’s hand, sliding it underneath the chair. He jumps up onto the ropes and then lands a double stomp on Maverik’s hand. The crowd groans as Maverik grimaces in pain , holding his broken hand.
Bob Fairchild: That’s not gonna help Maverik! He’s gotta climb out of the Thunderdome!
Darkness gets to his feet quickly and pulls up Maverik. Darkness whips Maverik into the ropes. Belly to Belly Suplex on Maverik landing on the chair
Jimmy Floyd: Look at that hand!
The hand of Maverik shows fingers going in 3 different directions as Darkness sets up one chair and then picks up Maverik. He goes for a powerbomb, but Maverik rakes the eyes on the way up and takes Darkness over in a hurricanrana.
Wonderman Waldo: Desperate counter by Maverik!
Both men get up and trade punches. The crowd cheers for each punch landed. Maverik hits a couple swift punches and whips Darkness into the ropes. Maverik misses a clothesline. Darkness comes back off the ropes and they knock heads, both men hitting the mat.
Bob Fairchild: Both men are out of it.
Both men, bloodied, slowly get to their feet. They trade fists and chops, both men are staggering. Maverik lands a kick to the gut. He whips Darkness into the ropes. Maverik misses the West Texas Lariat! Darkness stops, sets and hits a superkick. Maverik falls backwards into the ropes and gets his arms tangled.
Wonderman Waldo: UH OH!!
Darkness slides out of the ring and grabs a chair. He taps the chair and gets a huge smile on his face. Maverik tries to pull his arms away. Darkness slides into the ring and looks at Maverik. He taps the chair on the mat.
Bob Fairchild: DON’T DO IT!!
Darkness winds up and waffles Maverik with a sick chairshot. The chair hangs from around Maverik’s neck as he slumps near unconsciousness. The crowd explodes in boos as Darkness holds his hands up in triumph.
Jimmy Floyd: OH MY GOD!!!
Maverik slumps and falls free from the ropes. He drops to the mat out cold. Darkness rolls out of the ring and pulls a ladder and a table from under the ring. He slides one then the other into the ring.
Bob Fairchild: WHAT THE HELL IS DARKNESS DOING!?!
Wonderman Waldo: Jimmy, has Darkness lost his mind?
The crowd start to yell and boo as Darkness sets up the table then props the ladder against the corner up against the cage. Darkness slowly climbs up the ladder heading towards the cage. He reaches up and grabs the cage as the crowd pops. Darkness looks around then looks down into the ring as Maverik holds up his broken hand, flipping him off with a broken middle finger!
Jimmy Floyd: He’s taunting Darkness who’s just a few feet from the opening in the top!
Darkness is enraged and looks at this position then at Maverik below him. Darkness sways slightly then lets go of the cage, dropping an elbow drop from 15 feet up onto the chest of Maverik!
Wonderman Waldo: Dark Drop from the Heavens!!
Jimmy Floyd: and I think Maverik broken in half!!!
Both men lie on the mat as the crowd is stunned in silence. Darkness slowly gets up to his feet, shaking his elbow. He pulls Maverik up, who’s spitting up blood. Darkness mocks Maverik and signals for the West Texas Lariat.
Bob Fairchild: He’s going to take out Maverik with his own move??
Darkness whips Maverik into the ropes and goes for a clothesline. Maverik ducks under the clothesline then stops. Darkness turns and Maverik kicks him in the gut. Maverik hooks Darkness and lands the MaverikPlex on the table. The table doesn’t break as Darknes screams out.
Wonderman Waldo: Jackhammer Suplex by the Man in Black but Darkness landed on the back edge of the table when it didn’t break.
Darkness holds his back as Maverik gets to a knee. Darkness leans against the ropes then turns towards Maverik. Maverik charges and hits a West Texas Lariat, sending Darkness over the ropes and down onto the floor. A huge pop from the crowd as Maverik drops down to his knees. He looks up at the ladder and slowly gets to his feet.
Bob Fairchild: Vince has his chance!
Maverik pulls himself up the ladder with one hand then reaches to the top. He hooks the cage with his good hand and slowly works towards the opening. Darkness pulls himself up with the apron then looks around. He sees Maverik climbing the few feet towards the opening.
Wonderman Waldo: Maverik’s having to hook his bad arm around the cage to the opening. But he’s taking a ton of time.
Darkness scrambles up the ladder and reaches the top as Maverik hooks his bad arm through the cage just in front of the opening. Darkness grabs Maverik’s ankle as both men holds onto the cage
Jimmy Floyd: They’re both 15 feet up!!
Maverik kicks at him as he holds on with one arm, loosening the grip of Darkness. Darkness sets his feet on the cage then leaps off and grabs Maverik around the waist as the crowd gasps.
Bob Fairchild: Maverik’s holding himself and 250+ pounds of Darkness with one arm hooked in the cage.
Darkness tries to shift his weight to pull Maverik. Maverik lifts up his knee, cracking Darkness in the jaw. Darkness staggers with his grip.. Maverik hits another knee to the chin and Darkness slides down to his ankles. Darkness holds on for dear life as Maverik drives his foot over and over into the face of Darkness, finally breaking his grip. Darkness falls from Maverik’s ankle and crashes through the table in the ring!
Wonderman Waldo: SON OF A BITCH!!!
The crowd pops as Maverik reaches up with his good hand and grabs the opening of the Thunderdome. He moves his arm and pulls himself through the cage to stand on top. The bell rings as the crowd pops.
Stephi Zucconi: The Winner of the Match… and NEWWWWWWWW DWF Heavyweight Champion!.. VINCE,,,,,, MAVERIK!!!!!
The crowd explodes in cheers as Maverik stands on top of the domed cage. ‘Stranglehold’ plays as he slowly edges his way down the outside of the cage. Kimona runs down from the backstage area and stands at ringside.
Kimona, the consort for Maverik at the time, is now at ringside to applaud her man winning the DWF Title for the 2nd time.
Chairman Andrews holds the DWF title in his hands as Maverik reaches the bottom. EMT’s rush in from the unlocked cage and check on Darkness, who hasn’t moved since his crash through the table. Kimona walks up to Maverik and hugs him close as the crowd applauds.
I remember this moment. Jimmy, you, Rusty, and I were backstage when this happened.
What happened?
Just watch.
Andrews hands the title to Maverik. Maverik looks around at the crowd and holds the title up with his good hand. He then looks at Kimona and smiles. Maverik looks at Andrews, placing the title at his feet. Kimona hooks her arm around the waist of Maverik as they walk back up the aisle. Andrews is stunned and the crowd goes silent. The footage fades.
He left the title?
He left it all.
That was his last match.
So either way it was going to be his last match?
Only two people knew that.
Kimona and Uncle Vince.
From there, the Title was held up and a new champion was crowd at the Barcelona show later in the summer in the Inquisition Match.
Which was going to be the main even for Resurrection but with the size of that monstrosity, it wasn’t available.
Well, the Barcelona show was in a soccer stadium to be fair.
Everyone turns their recliners back around to the front, Jana is wiping her eyes and smiling as Stephi consoles her, also smiling.
I never saw that match before and I only remember Uncle Vince working a couple matches. It was nice to see that.
And we hope everyone at home enjoyed it as well. That’s all we have time for today on this episode of the Fair Catch. For Stephi, Waldo, Jimmy, Rusty and the Boss, I’m Bob Fairchild, we’ll see you … at Resurrection.