DING DING DING

Both men are inside the ring. The intimidating World Champion Maddox stands on one corner while the demented Shade stands on the other. Shade is pretty beaten down thanks to his match earlier against an impromptu opponent, which turned out to be none other than the returning Robert Chapman. Maddox Paine stands on one corner, completely fresh. Shade is hurt, so he knows taking Maddox on in a straight fight won't work for him; he needs to be sneaky. He does exactly this by darting forward at Paine, who didn't expect him. Shade leaps up and shoves him back into the turnbuckle, forcing him into a bad position as he begins to pummel away with very fast rights and lefts. Paine crouches into the corner as the demented, relatively-smaller man goes berserk. Referee Jack Hammer quickly leaps up and shoves him back, but Shade is ignoring him completely, trying to keep the match at his pace to try and even out the fact that he's hurt. Eventually, the referee begins to count. “1!” “2!” “3!” - He then pulls back on Shade again, who really doesn't want to let go. Maddox continues to block his body as Shade thrashes away. After a “4!” count, Shade realizes he needs to let go, or he's going to get disqualified.

Cedar: “Shade is just going all out on the world champ!”

Miles: “Get him, Shade! Get that fucker!”

Shade backs off for a few seconds, but those few seconds are enough to super-charge Maddox into charging forward and kick him in the sternum. Shade bends over as Maddox then clubs him on the back with a hard right forearm. Shade curls up and extends his body up, showing the pain of that blow. Before he has time to react, the World Champ swings a giant left lariat, driving him right to the mat. Paine gives a big roar as Shade works his way up to his feet. Maddox then tucks his head under Shade's arm and then charges towards the turnbuckle before slamming him back-first into it. Paine then pulls back and shoves himself forward, driving his right shoulder into “The Ultimate Synner's” ribs. Once, twice, three times, four, five. He begins to rapidly thrust his shoulder into the demented man's ribcage as he is against the turnbuckle. Jack Hammer now turns his scolding towards the world champ as he begins to try and pull him off. Maddox angrily backs off as Shade leans in the turnbuckle in pain, tending to his hurt mid-section. He is still hurting all over from his earlier match, so this is not doing him any favors either.

Cedar: “...and now Maddox right back on top of things!”

Miles: “C'mon Ref! Stop being biased! Pull that giant sack of shit away from Shade!”

Maddox quickly moves back into position before Shade is able to capitalize on anything and he tucks his head under Shade's arm and does the same to Shade's head before thrusting him upwards onto the turnbuckle, seating him on the top rope for an early high-risk maneuver. He tries to follow him up there as he steps onto the middle turnbuckle, but before he can get too high up, Shade throws a big headbutt, fighting back. The demented former number one contender to the Hardcore title begins to throw big time right hands, forcing Paine to back away off the top rope. As he drops down to the ring, he lands on his feet groggily. Shade works his way up to his feet on the top turnbuckle as he regains momentum. Shade leaps forward at full speed before the World Champ can react, and drops him to the mat as he flicks his right arm into Paine's neck for a beautiful flying clothesline! The “Ultimate Synner” covers Maddox Paine.

“1!”

“2!” – Kickout, at 2.

Cedar: “...Shade with a high risk and high reward move!”

Miles: “Too bad it didn't do the fuckin' job. Shade, stop fucking around, dammit!”

Shade knew that wouldn't end it, but he went for the quick pin anyway. Paine sits up on his ass as Shade is now in full control of this match. Shade quickly hooks an arm around Maddox's neck and begins to pull backwards, getting him with a chin lock right off the bat. A submission isn't going to do much at this point, but Shade can only hope. Paine quickly begins to sly himself up to his feet. Maddox works his way up as Shade continues to put pressure on his chin from behind him. Seeing as they're about the same height, Shade has no problem keeping the world champ locked into that chin lock despite “The Titan” standing up on two feet. Eric Goodman stands outside the ring urging his friend and client to get his shit together ASAP. Maddox quickly sees an opening he doesn't usually get due to his opponents always being much shorter, and he quickly runs forward – towards the ring ropes. Maddox then ducks, forcing Shade to fly right over him using his own momentum, and fly out through the middle rope before landing right outside the ring! The fans begin to cheer for their beloved Maddox Paine as he just flung the crazy competitor all the way out.

Cedar: “Beautiful show of technicality and ring awareness displayed by our World Champ!”

Miles: “Shaaaade! Stop it, you're gonna let him win, dammit!”

Shade rolls on his side outside the ring as he tries to work his way back up to his feet. Paine has already stepped outside as he stands on the ring apron a few feet away from Shade. As soon as “The Ultimate Synner” notices, Maddox has already sprinted towards him. Paine leaps up as high as he can off the ring apron, getting a good amount of air, and he swings a big right hand right into the forehead of Shade, hitting a beautiful flying punch off the ring apron to the outside! The fans cheer again for Maddox, showing their approval for this high risk move. Eric Goodman claps in approval and nods his head, giving Maddox a bit more encouragement. Paine brings his opponent back up to his feet as the referee begins to count them both out. Paine grabs the back of Shade's head and bashes him face-first into the steel steps, just for good measure. After, he grabs his head again and pulls him towards the barricade area. Fans in the front row begin to cheer for their beloved Maddox destroying Shade. Paine swings a big right hand, punching Shade in the face, as the “Master of Syn” lays back on the barricade, almost touching the fans. Maddox does an unorthodox move as he then swings his right palm up and slaps Shade right across the chest with a monstrous chop. Shade moans loudly as he begins to stumble forward. He walks, groggily, towards the announcers table area of the outside as Jack Hammer is at “4!”

Miles: “Ahh, no no no. Don't fucking come this way!”

Cedar: “Shade is doing everything possible to try and avoid the World Champ.”

Shade nears the announcers table as Paine follows. Maddox grabs the back of his head and once again sends him face-first into something, this time it's the announcers table. Shade's skull bounces off nastily as he ricochets backwards. Maddox then quickly raises him up onto his shoulder, looking for an unexpected signature spinebuster! However, Shade is suddenly brought to life. He elbows Maddox repeatedly and then wiggles off, landing next to The Titan. Shade charges towards the ring and slides in under the bottom rope as Hammer reached a count of “8!” - Maddox sprints towards the ring as well, but Shade takes advantage of his frantic scurrying. Shade charges towards the ring ropes, bounces back, and before Maddox can fully slide into the ring, kicks both feet forward, driving Maddox in the face with a low front-dropkick. Paine rolls onto his back off the impact as Shade pounces, not wanting to waste any opportunities. The “Terror of Death” mounts the world champion and begins to swing away with very quick hard right hands. Jack Hammer tries to keep him off, scolding Shade and explaining to him that closed-fist blows are illegal. Shade gives no shits. He continues to attack the world champ despite the referee trying to pull him off.

Cedar: “Shade needs to be careful! If he continues upsetting the referee, he might just get disqualified!”

Cedar: “I call bias, Cedar. If that were Maddox doing the punching, Hammer wouldn't say shit!”

Shade makes sure to capitalize on Maddox's predicament by quickly pulling him back up to his feet. Despite being smaller, Shade is by no means a small man. He uses his size to fight back against the bigger man, not wanting to lose the advantage. Shade quickly scoops Maddox up in a big show of strength, and then slams him back down to the mat with a big time scoop-slam. The demented, bipolar man quickly goes for the pin.

“1!”

“2!” - Kickout.

Shade is upset, but he continues to take advantage. As Maddox kicks out, he manages to sit up on his ass. Not exactly a good thing, as Shade quickly grabs a hold of both of his big arms and presses his knee against the center of his back, locking in a beautiful bow and arrow lock. Maddox begins to scream, as he is once again in a bad predicament. Shade yells a bunch of obscenities at the “Toughest of the Tough” as Paine can only sit there and feel his back get pressed against Shade's knee.

Miles: “Tap motherfucker, tap!!”

Cedar: “Shade has managed to get this match rolling in his favor once again!”

The fans begin to rhythmically clap, trying to get Paine up and running. Maddox feels the intensity of the clapping audience, as well as his manager, who stands outside the ring and tries to get Paine riled up. Maddox begins to shake wildly, showing signs of life. Paine quickly pulls his arms backwards as far as he can without hurting himself too much, and then he thrusts forward, sending the smaller man into a front-flip over his shoulder, freeing himself from the hold. Both men scramble up to their feet as the fans begin to get riled up, noticing that Maddox is back up on his feet and he is ready to fight. Paine bounces off the ropes and charges towards his opponent... only to get dropped right back to the mat, courtesy being hit in the face with the soles of two feet, ala a beautiful dropkick by Shade. Maddox hits the mat and lies on his back, the enthusiasm shown by the fans is dead, once again. Shade chuckles, as he has managed to keep the upper hand, which is exactly what he wants. Shade pulls the groggy Maddox up to his feet slowly, not wanting to waste any time. He then lifts the larger man up onto his shoulder and wraps both arms around the lower back of the World Champ, executing a surprising bear hug! Shade, despite being the smaller man, gets the bigger man into a bear hug, and it's effective. Maddox feels the pain of being squeezed tightly on his already-attacked back. Shade is showing impressive ring awareness with this.

Miles: “Look at that, a bear-fucking-hug! What else does Shade have planned for Mad Dicks?”

Cedar: “Very unexpected to see a bear-hug being applied to someone larger than the attacker, but Shade isn't small either. Maddox isn't used to dealing with people like Shade.”

Maddox moans and cringes as Shade puts more and more pressure on him. Paine tries to wiggle out of it, but Shade is putting too much pressure on him. “The Terror of Death” makes a demented face as the camera catches a quick view of it. One has to wonder what is going on in his mind as he continues to squeeze the life out of the world champ. Goodman quickly begins to clap, attempting to get the fans back on Paine's side. The fans are quick to comply as they begin to follow the claps. Paine instantly becomes riled up again. Shade yells “NO! SHUT UP!” but it's too late. Paine is shaking wildly again, and the fans are completely behind him. Shade quickly drops Paine to the ground on his feet, unexpectedly, and then he drives a big back-knee into the ribs of Maddox. The Titan doubles down as Shade quickly pulls him up and then lifts him right up flat across his back onto his shoulders. He then drops down to two knees, hitting Maddox with his signature Fireman's Carry Backbreaker which he calls the “SYN Cleanse.” Shade instantly goes for the pin.

“1!”

“2!” - Kickout at 2!

Cedar: “And Shade is right back on top of Maddox...”

Miles: “Paine doesn't stand a chance! He should just quit now! And retire. Forever.”

Despite the expected kickout, Shade has once again killed Maddox's momentum. The fans are starting to get tired of hoping, as they continue to be let down. Shade rakes Maddox up to his feet, looking to continue the onslaught. Shade quickly raises him up and presses him against the ropes. He grabs a hold of his arm and uses his strength to pull the world champ backwards, whipping him across the ring. Shade plants himself in the middle of the ring and bends over, waiting for Maddox to come back to drive him with an overhead toss. Maddox quickly springs to life, almost literally, as he sees an opening. The World Champ quickly tucks his knee under the face of Shade before jumping up and then slamming his foot down, planting Shade with a huge Knee Facebuster! Shade bounces up, remaining on his feet. Maddox backs away off the impact, bouncing on the ropes once again. Paine leaps into the air, as he runs forward, driving the outer side of his right knee directly into Shade's face, hitting a signature Running Knee Lift! Shade drops to the mat, but he is woken up. He springs up to life, getting right back up to his feet, albeit groggy from the hit to his face. He stumbles around a bit, right into an expecting Maddox, who quickly raises him up on to his shoulder before slamming him as hard as he can, straight back into the mat, with a huge Standing Spinebuster, hitting Shade with a third signature move!

Cedar: “Maddox just came back to life with authority! And look at this roaring crowd, showing all their approval!”

Miles: “No no no no! Shade, please. Don't let him beat you!”

Maddox gives a big roar, the crowd follows along. He then looks out towards the turnbuckle, eyeing his next opportunity. The World Champ steps outside the ring onto the apron, he walks over to it and then begins to ascend. He is going to attempt his signature diving leg drop! As Maddox ascends the top rope, he stands high above everyone else. He gives another big roar, pandering to his crowd. But instantly, Shade leaps up with those few seconds, and he drops Maddox right on his ass on the top turnbuckle. Paine moans as he bends forward a bit. Shade quickly pulls Maddox forward, forcing him to dangle on the top rope in a bad position. Despite the fans not liking Shade over Maddox, they have no choice but to cheer, as this very loved move is about to be executed. Shade holds Maddox as Paine is hung on the top rope. Shade then tosses him upwards before leaping up in a very impressive show of athleticism as he then plants both feet on the back of Maddox's head and stomps his face into the ground, hitting him with a beautiful rope-hung curb stomp – or as he, and everyone else, calls it, FUCKING BLASPHEMY! The fans give a huge mixed reaction, as Paine is completely out of it, but that was a beautiful move.

Cedar: “Oh my! What an excellent move Shade just hit.”

Miles: “Let's hope this is enough to put that big cunt away. Pin him, Shade!”

Shade doesn't fail to comply, as he drags Maddox to the center of the ring and pins him.

“1!”

“2!”

“3!” - NO! Maddox jumps out at the last second!

The fans roar in approval. Shade is really frustrated and he begins to pound the mat angrily. “NO NO NO!” he screams. He angrily shakes his head and then bashes it against the ring mat. While that wasn't his strongest move, he still expected that move to end it. He knows he only has one more option, his finisher. Shade is tired and angry, but he is intent on finishing this match. Shade pulls Maddox up to his feet once again. He rakes him upwards and then sits him on the top rope in a show of strength. Despite being tired, he is intent on finishing this match in a strong way. He grabs a hold of Maddox's chin as he wraps his arm around it in a cutter position. Maddox is almost lifeless from the curb-stomp, so there isn't much he can do to fight back. Shade gives a big, wild, crazy scream to show that he is ready to end this. He runs forward and is ready to his his rope hung stunner, or as he calls it, Syn Drive! But Maddox springs to life once again, working his way out of it, mainly due to the fans trying to rile him up again. Paine leaps forward and both men land on their feet. Maddox shoves Shade forward with all his strength. “The Terror of Death” goes chest-first into the turnbuckle roughly, and as he bounces back, Maddox quickly bounces himself on the ropes behind him. He sprints forward at full speed and leaps into the air into a groggy Shade, nailing him with his Striking Spear! The fans go berserk as Maddox might have this match won!

“1!”

“2!”

“3!”

DING DING DING!

Watts: “The winner of this match as a result of a pinfall... Maddox Paine!”

Cedar: “Maddox wins! Maddox wins!”

Miles: “NO!!! That was bullshit! NO!!!”

Cedar: “You have to give credit where credit is due, Miles. This was a great match, and one must assume Shade's earlier match against Rob Chapman must have played a huge role in this.”

Miles: “Maddox is a pussy. He had to face someone who already had a match. What a sneaky fuck.”

Paine is greeted by his manager, Eric Goodman. Despite being hurt, he is completely fine. Maddox and Goodman exit the ring as Eric carries the world title in his hands for Maddox. Both men begin to march up the ramp as they raise their arms in the air for a victory pose. The fans give another big cheer as Shade may be crippled inside the ring. Shade is face-down on the mat but has regained some consciousness. All he can think of as he lies on the mat is how he can continue this. What is happening to him? How did he lose? Is this the end of Shade? He lies on the mat and ponders as his face is the final shot of the camera before the show cuts to a final commercial break.