DING...DING...DING!!!

The bell rings as the referee brings the two men into the centre of the ring. Clearly there is very little love lost between these two as both men appear to be remembering their long heated rivalry than their short lived partnership. JHalc is particularly giving Michaels an ear full, but all he gets in return is that cheeky grin of his. Michaels nods his head sarcastically and takes a few steps backs. JHalc is forced to do the same by the ref, before he gives the all clear for the two men to fight! Instantly the two men jolt forwards, like two raging bulls and collide in a Collar and Elbow Tie Up, both struggling for position. It quickly ends as both men shove the other away, before a momentary stare down and a second charge into the lock up. This time JHalc has it scouted and moves out of the lock up, twisting Michaels left arm with him. In quick retaliation, Michaels rolls out of the hold and then applies it back to JHalc, who then instantly replies by bowing under Michaels' arm and reversing the hold into a Half Nelson, before quickly capturing him in a side headlock.

Cedar:
"...and JHalc quickly snaps into a headlock, as the two men continue the feeling out process of this match."

Dennis:
"Clearly neither man wants to give the other an advantage in the early going here."

With The Jack of Heart's headlock barely even locked in, The Showstealer places all his weight upon him and backs him into the ropes, bouncing him off. The former World Heavyweight Champion rebounds off the opposite set, as Michaels dives down onto his stomach forcing JHalc to leap over him and rebound off the ropes a second time. Michaels jumps back up and leaps into the air, Dropkicking him flush in the face to the delight of the crowd! JHalc drops to the mat, holding the bridge of his nose while David jumps back up to his feet. JHalc quickly rolls out of the ring before his opponent gets a chance to keep on the offensive, as the fans deliver a smattering of boos. The referee pushes Michaels back and is told to be patient, to which Michaels obliges...for now.

Cedar:
"Beautiful Dropkick from David Michaels - he doesn't look as though he's lost a beat in his time away Adam!"

Dennis:
"...eh, well I'll give him that. He looks to be tremendous condition that's for sure."

JHalc wanders round the ring, gathering his bearings and making sure his nose isn't out of joint. The ref then leans through the ropes and tells him to get back in, with JHalc telling him to shut up in reply. The man in black and white then begins his mandatory ten count, before it's broken at two as Michaels climbs onto the ring apron and leaps off, catching JHalc in the face once more as he turns round with an Axe Handle Smash. JHalc drops to the floor, holding his nose once again, before being picked up by Michaels and rolled into the ring. Michaels follows him in and makes a loose cover.

1...Kick out!

Knowing he was never going to win the match so early, Michaels picks Jay back up and pushes him over to the corner. He then leans into him and attempts to whip him across the ring. JHalc quickly reverses it and sends Michaels shooting over instead...but Michaels hasn't read the script! As he gets to the corner, he rapidly climbs up it with his feet and leaps off looking for a blind Crossbody...but instead JHalc nails him in mid air with a Dropkick of his own, nailing him right in the gut, returning the favour from only moment earlier! Michaels crashes to the mat in agony, as his gut feels like it's been hit with a hammer.

Cedar:
"...oh what a Dropkick from JHalc this time! Michaels' high risk attempt just did not pay off."

Dennis:
"You see, that's the problem with David Michaels - he takes to many risks and he had zero need to go to that place this early on. Now his early advantage has vanished into thin air..."

JHalc immediately rolls HBK over, hooking the far leg.

1...
2...
Kick out!

Much like Michaels moments earlier, he knew a victory was never going to come from that. So JHalc clambers back up to his feet dragging his hurting opponent up with him. He checks his nose once more to truly make sure it's not bleeding and then pushes Michaels into the corner. Michaels squirms over, holding his gut, before JHalc walks in and delivers a stiff right gut shot with a closed fist. A second shot is sent directly to it's target, before the ref tells him to get out of the corner. The Main Event bats him away before pulling Michaels up and driving his shoulder directly into his hurting abdomen instead. David yells out in pain, as JHalc thrusts his shoulder forwards several times. JHalc stands up straight as the ref tells him to get out of the corner a second time. He holds his arms up  in innocence, before grabbing holding of Michaels' left arm and successfully whipping him across the the ring to the opposite corner. Michaels whacks the turnbuckles hard, but doesn't get a moment to rest, as JHalc charges across after him and about two feet in front of his long time rival, leaps into the air shooting his legs to the left side and nails a Running Corner Clothesline (Miz style). He connects with tremendous force, causing him to fall forwards to the mat while JHalc smiles to the fans as he sits on the second rope. Half the crowd cheer, while the other half boo. Either way, JHalc generates a reaction from the fans as Michaels struggles upon on fours behind him.

Cedar:
"...and JHalc hits the Clothesline. Michaels is looking down and out here."

Dennis:
"JHalc has created a weakness and is now working on it. Your little Showstealer might not be in a good-a shape as you first thought, Cedar!"

With the crowd still pulled either way for The Jack of Hearts, he stands on the apron and holds onto the top rope, waiting for his opponent to get him, taunting him as he does. Still holding his stomach, David Michaels slowly struggles back up to his feet, turning around when at a vertical base. At the same time, JHalc leaps up onto the top rope and springboards off, flying through the air and hitting Michaels flush in the face with a Flying Forearm Smash! The crowd give off mixed reactions once more, as both men land on the mat, Michaels laid out flat in the centre of the ring. JHalc rolls over and makes a loose cover.

1...
2...
Shoulder up!

The Jack of Hearts quickly sits up and slaps his hands quickly three times right in the face of the referee and receives a belittling in return. JHalc shrugs him away and picks Michaels up, along with himself. He quickly whips The Showstealer across the rings, bouncing him off the ropes. As he returns towards him, JHalc drops down to one knee and grabs Michaels around the waist, locking in a Bear Hug. JHalc squeezes with all his might, as Michaels yells out in pain. Instantly, the David Michaels fans begin to clap in order to help their returning star.

Cedar:
"JHalc is really attempting to exploit that hurting abdomen from earlier on. Just like you said, Adam, he's created a weakness and now he's going to exploit it in every way possible...and I can't remember the last time JHalc used a Bear Hug of all things!"

Dennis:
"That's because he doesn't! The only way to perhaps beat someone who knows you extremely well is to pull out moves that you don't normally use."

The claps for Michaels become louder and louder, as JHalc's grip become tighter and tighter. Slowly, but surely, Michaels begins to respond to the fans, getting onto his feet and shaking his right arm in resurgence. JHalc shakes his head wanting the fans to stop. But they don't and Michaels manages to slowly twist around in the Bear Hug and whack Jay in the face. The grip loosens. A second shot loosens it further, before a third and final shot breaks it altogether. Michaels then opens up with a Knife Edge Chop to JHalc's chest, delivering another two as the fans give off the mandatory "WOOO!" in unison. JHalc is forced to the ropes, as David leans into him and attempts to whip him across. JHalc quickly reverses it and Michaels goes racing across the ring instead. Michaels runs back off the ropes and ducks a Clothesline attempt, rebounding back a second time and ducking a wild Back Hand, before hitting the ropes a final time, leaping through the air and hitting a Flying Forearm Smash directly to the already hurting nose of JHalc! The crowd leaps up with cheers, as both men land on their back gaining some air.

Cedar:
"...and Michaels hits the big Flying Forearam, as the crowd goes wild for The Showstealer. Can Michaels turn it around here?"

Dennis:
"He has to. He's been on the defensive for too long now."

As the referee reaches the count of six, David Michaels bursts into life, nipping up from his back and onto his feet. Michaels' face looks furious, as he looks to the crowd for energy. He then turns round and grabs the head of a recovering JHalc, placing it between his legs and moving backwards towards the corner. Then, in one swift and unexpected motion, Michaels pops his hips and lifts JHalc up in a Powerbomb. But instead of slamming him down on his back, Michaels continues the momentum and sends him flying over his head with an Ally Oop Facebuster. JHalc wasn't expecting this himself and is unable to block his face smashing into the top turnbuckle! The crowd all jump to their feet, giving off a massive "OHHHH!" with the angle JHalc's head goes after the impact. JHalc snaps backwards and crashes to the mat below, knocked out for a few moments. Michaels rolls around from his back and hooks the far leg the best he can.

1...
2...
Shoulder up!

Michaels looks up, holding three fingers in disbelief, as the fans start a quick "HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT!" chant.

Cedar:
"I've never seen anything like that! Michaels nearly broke JHalc's neck with that move."

Dennis:
"...and I thought JHalc was being unpredictable with a damn Bear Hug!"

Both men lay on the canvas starting to feel the match heavily. As a large "LET'S GO MICHAELS!" chant surges around the arena, the show cuts off to a quick commercial break while both men begin to recover.



The show returns with some action taking place in between.

Cedar:
"..aaaand welcome back to Vendetta ladies and gentlemen, as you see David Michaels attempting to recover from a move that went horribly wrong for him on the outside. Lets show you what happened."

Replays begins to show JHalc heading to the outside of the ring after that Ally Oop, attempting to recover, while Michaels clambers back up to his feet and charges across the ring. He leaps through the middle and top rope, looking to hit a Suicide Dive, only for JHalc to move out of the way at the last second and letting Michaels collides head and shoulder first into the security barrier.

Dennis:
"I tell ya' Cedar, if that didn't finally knock some sense into the buffoon, nothing will!"

JHalc informs the ref to count faster, who is at seven already while Michaels is leaning on the ring apron barely able to recognise just where in the blue hell he is. Eventually, at the count of nine, Michaels clambers back onto the ring apron and through the middle and top rope. Before he can get the chance to get into the ring fully, The Jack of Hearts jogs across, grabs the head of his opponent and pulls him out so that he's hanging on the ropes via his legs. JHalc than snaps back and drives Michaels skull into the canvas with sickening authority via a DDT, quieting the crowd that were cheering for David getting back into the ring. Michaels lays face down on the mat motionless. The former Death Sentence member then pushes Michaels onto his back and hooks the near leg, the crowd not hoping for much.

1...
2...
Shoulder up!

The crowd cheers with joy, as the returning David Michaels gets his shoulder up at the last second, giving himself at least temporary hope in this contest! JHalc can't believe it and is beginning to lose the plot a little bit. He jumps up to his feet and gets right in the face of the ref, demanding that he count much faster. The referee argues back, not tolerating any BS from the wrestlers. JHalc gets so annoyed, he decides the best course of action in this situation....is to shove the ref on his ass! After which he yells something at him again, before turning around and focusing on a David Michaels who is trying his hardest to get back up and shake off those cobwebs. Sick of waiting even just for a few moments, the recently unpredictable JHalc surges forwards and brings Michaels up from his knees, kicking him in the gut and placing his head between his legs. His eyes widen open, as he raises his arms into the air and yells to the booing fans "R...J...B!" before popping his hips and lifting Michaels up into the air and seating him onto his shoulders. JHalcs wanders forwards a few steps, before going in for the kill. He pushes Michaels up and looks to nail the final part of his finishing move...but out of nowhere, Michaels, using JHalc's momentum, twirls his legs around his head, before grabbing that head with his left arm and drilling it into the mat with an elaborate, but effective, Deja Vu DDT!

Dennis:
"Holy crap! What the heck was that?!"

Cedar:
"What a reversal from the RJB to the DDT!"

Dennis:
"JHalc sure as hell didn't see that one coming!"

The two men, once again, lay on the canvas both out cold. The crowd begins to get behind Michaels, who is trying to gather his bearing after spinning himself around so quickly. JHalc lays on his back next to him with no sign of movement, his eyes somewhat glazed over. Eventually, Michaels begins to slowly crawl away from JHalc and over to the ropes. The crowd don't understand why he didn't make the cover. They continue to ponder over it while David flops through the ropes and onto the ring apron, slowly pulling himself up via the ropes in the process. He walks across the apron and to the turnbuckle, before sluggishly climbing up to the top one. The fans rise to their feet, as a dizzy Showstealer looks to go in for the kill on this one. He gains his balance and looks down to the middle of the ring. Michaels then leaps off the top turnbuckle and flies through the air, connecting with his trademark Elbow Drop directly to the heart of JHalc. The crowd roars as Michaels hits the move and goes for the cover.

1....
2....
Shoulder up!

David Michaels can't believe it! JHalc looked down and out after that DDT, let alone nailing the Elbow Drop after it. Michaels gives the ref a pleading look, but it's not going to change the two count.

Cedar:
"Michaels is in disbelief he didn't get the three there. I'm not sure JHalc new exactly what he was doing when he kicked out it."

Dennis:
"Fairly certain it was instinct, as he still looks like he's taken a trip to Mars right about now..."

Being the resilient guy that he is, David Michaels gets back up to his feet, slowly, and walks back over to the corner he just leaped from. He turns around and then leans on his left side, taking a few moments to catch his breath. Then, turning his head to the right, he looks at a slowly recovering Jack of Hearts and motions for his long time rival to get back up to his feet. The crowd pick up on what's going on here, as Michaels begins to pound his right boot in the canvas at a methodically slow pace. JHalc begins to get to his feet, seemingly not having a clue about the situation that is unfolding behind him. David Michaels' boot begins to stomp faster and faster into the mat and as JHalc hobbles around, Michaels bursts into life and sidesteps across the ring launching that same boot into the air. The crowd begins to cheer anticipating the sickening connection of some Sweet Chin Music...but it doesn't happen! JHalc was suckering Michaels into it and grabs the leg instead. Michaels is left hopping on his left leg, as JHalc smiles at him and then twists him around a full 360 degrees. As a stunned Michaels comes back to face him, JHalc suddenly leaps into the air and catches Michaels around the head with both of his legs. He wraps them together, almost in a figure four position around the back and drops to the canvas, locking in his The Killing Joke aka Flying Triangle finishing hold! JHalc squeezes down hard with his left hand on the horizontal leg, causing Michaels considerable pain as he attempts to stay on his legs with JHalc applying all this pressure.

Cedar:
"Michaels is in a dangerous situation here, as JHalc has been using this move for literally years meaning he's a master at locking it in!"

Dennis:
"Well this match has been like this all night. Just when one of them thinks they are about to hit something big, the other counters it! Michaels should just tap. He has no hope..."

JHalc applies as much pressure as his body will allow him, while Michaels struggles around trying to break free. Finally, Michaels makes one big attempt to sing his body round and get his legs on the ropes. But JHalc completely dead weights it and Michaels legs merely smash into the canvas and Michaels is completely out of energy. The referee gets down on one knee and begins to ask Michaels if he wants to give up. Despite looking worryingly lifeless, he gives out the signal with his eyes that he doesn't want to quit, but the ref begins to think otherwise. If he won't give up, maybe he'll just pass out? JHalc begins to yell "TAP OUT!" at the top of his lungs, as the ref begins to raise up David's right hand, letting go and watching it drop to the mat. The ref picks up the arm and watches it drop for a second straight time. The fans begin to look worried, as David Michaels really isn't looking his best at this very moment. The ref raises the arm up for a third time and lets go. The arm is just about to hit the mat when it stops in it's tracks! The crowd cheers, as that very arm starts to move around with life. He thrusts his legs into life and just as the fans think he going for the ropes again, he pops them upwards and sends his whole body flopping over JHalc, bridging him in an incredibly awkward pin.

1...
2....
Kick out!

JHalc releases the hold at the last second, furious at how it was reversed. Michaels crawls over to the ropes and begins to pull himself up, as JHalc clambers up himself at a much quicker pace, turning round and looking at him with sheer anger. As Michaels pulls himself up with the ropes, the ref comes between them (facing Michaels) and begins to ask if he is OK. JHalc then, being the creator of chaos, runs forwards and shoves the referee in the back, knocking him face first into The Showstealer! Michaels tumbles back to the mat, as the ref goes shooting to the left like he's been shot by five million bullets in one second. The crowd don't understand.

Cedar:
"What the hell is JHalc doing?!"

Dennis:
"He's lost is Cedar...now what is he doing?!"

While Michaels is done, JHalc wanders out of the ring. He walks over to the time keepers area and shoves him out of the way, taking the chair he sat upon and folds it shut. JHalc then slides back into the ring and smashes the chair into the mat in anger. He yells at David, demanding he gets back up to his feet, which he eventually does while the ref squirms around on the mat. As Michaels does struggle back up, JHalc launches forwards swinging the chair at his head. But David Michaels, cat like, ducks down completely missing the chair shot attempt. Both men then turn around and WHAM - Sweet...Chin...Music! The crowd goes literally wild, as Michaels sends his right boot directly into the chair which smacks JHalc square in the face. Both men tumble to the mat, before Michaels crawls over and pushes the chair out of the ring, giving a cheeky...yet groggy..."shhhh!" motion tot he crowd with his index finger, before he hooks the far leg and the referee makes a complete meal of the recovery.

1......
2....................
3!!!

DING...DING...DING!!!



Watts:
"Here is your winner...The Showstealer...DAVIDDDDD MICHAELSSSSSSS!!!"

Cedar:
"Michaels hits the Sweet Chin Music and gets the three count!"

Dennis:
"What the hell was JHalc thinking?!"

Cedar:
"He appeared to lose complete patience with Michaels and try to cheat his way to victory, but it didn't pay of for the Jack of Hearts!"

Dennis:
"Well this is ridiculous...Michaels uses the steel chair and gets the win. Typical."

Cedar:
"Are you blind? JHalc brought the chair into the ring!"

Dennis:
"So? He didn't use it, did he?"

As those two continue to ever bicker about pretty much everything, Michaels begins to sit up to the joy of the audience. The camera shows a tiny trickle of blood starting to come down the forehead of a knocked out JHalc. David Michaels slowly brings himself to his feet, as the hurting referee raises his right arm in victory. Michaels grins, as he pushes his soaking wet hair to the back of his head. While the ref wanders away to go seek medical assistance, Michaels begins to slowly applaud the fans and waves to some in the far rows that, by pure coincidence, brought HBK signs with them. Michaels looks down at JHalc, who is now attempting to roll onto his side, and just smirks shaking his head before heading over to the ropes and out of the ring. The show then cuts to an in-house commercial for XWA merchandise, before the show gets ready for the Intercontinental Title bout between Drake Dysfunction and the defending champion, Dominik Diveraz.

-----

(OOC: I am really rusty due to being away for I dunno' how many months and it's nowhere as good as it could be, but I think I did OK. Chances are I completely got JHalc's character wrong, so if I did, my bad. Just want to say thanks to Ian for trusting Jay with booking this match, as I know he refused to tell you it was me.)

Bell sounds. David and Jay start to circle around the ring, both with smirks on their faces. They are no strangers to each other in the ring and the fans reach a fever pitch as the two men finally come together in the center with a David Michaels grabbing JHalc with a collar-and-elbow tie-up. David initially tries to pull Jay down towards the mat but Jay takes a step back to counter David's weight. Jay tries to turn away to break the hold but David is much too experienced to let him go that easily. By quickly adjusting his hold David pulls Jay into a side headlock position. JHalc starts firing elbows into David's ribs, which cause him to start backing up to the ropes. Michaels allows himself to fall back into the ropes, and when he rebounds from them, instead of letting go of Jay's head he spins his feet and takes him across his body with a takedown. The force separates the two men, and they are both back up in the blink of an eye. The smirk on David's face has turned into a smile, while the smirk has disappeared entirely from JHalc's. David raises his arms into the air again, signaling for another lock up attempt. Jay rolls his eyes, but raises his arms anyways as the two come together. David reaches for Jay as the two come within reach, but JHalc drops his arms and shoves him violently backwards and into the ropes. Jay waits for David to come sprinting off the ropes, and isn't disappointed. In the center of the ring JHalc leap frogs his opponent, and David heads to the ropes on the other side. As the two meet in the center of the ring, Jay catches David with a hip toss that takes him to the ground on his rear. David goes to get up, but Jay crashes down on him, putting a stiff knee in his back and locking in a cross face aimed at pulling the smirk off his face.

Dennis:
It looks like Jay is starting to lose it already.

Cedar:
Apparently this isn't going to be just another friendly contest between these two.

David raises his arms in the air, and the fans immediately get behind him with their cheers. Jay wrenches back on David's face,  trying to tighten his grip, but in doing so, pulls a little to his left side. David uses the turn to his advantage, turning his body with JHalc, and getting to his side. Quickly, Jay adjusts his grip into a side headlock, as not to lose his offensive position. The crowd gets louder as it is now David's turn to light up Jay's ribcage with a series of elbows as he fights back up to one knee. David uses his planted knee to push himself up to get his foot nearest to JHalc planted, but Jay immediately dead weights him to force him down. David doesn't try to fight the momentum back towards the ground, and instead grabs a hold of Jay's arms and pulls him down with him. David's knee hits the canvas, and Jay's jaw smacks against the top of his head. Jay releases his hold and springs up, instinctively holding his jaw. David tries to create space by shoving Jay backwards, but only propels him into the ropes. As Jay comes sprinting back towards him, David can't move out of the way before he is nailed with a shoulder block. David turns onto his stomach, and Jay runs towards the opposite set of ropes, planning to rebound and knock him back down. David shows his speed though, not only getting up, but leapfrogging Jay as he comes off the ropes. Jay's runs through to the other side, but hooks his arms around the ropes to avoid whatever offense David had in mind for him on the return.  Instead, Jay comes away from the ropes with his hands held up in the air for another lock up. David lifts his arms, but then before they can connect, ducks under Jay's outstretched arms and goes behind him. Jay turns, but is cut in half by a kick to his ribs. David immediately follows up with an Irish whip that sends Jay into the corner chest first. The impact on the turnbuckles draws a collective wince from the crowd, and Jay staggers backward , covering his chest with both hands when David ducks behind and hooks Jay's leg before rolling him up into the pin attempt.

1!

Kickout!

Dennis:
David tried to catch him by surprise!

Cedar:
He is a ring veteran, he knew it wouldn't be that easy.

After the kickout, Jay unfolds himself and David gets back up, now with his back close to the corner. David pounces on Jay, trying to keep on the offensive as he grabs hold of Jay's head. David hooks the right arm of JHalc and lifts him up into the air for a suplex. As he lifts him, David pivots his feet so that his back is to the center of the ring. As David takes him over, Jay tries to free himself by kicking his legs, but it is too late and he crashes to the mat with his tailbone hitting first. Jay immediately pops off the mat with his back arched and pain plainly shown on his face. David turns, and tries to force Jay's shoulders back to the mat, but Jay leans forward and rolls out of his reach. Reaching forward, and grabbing the ropes, Jay starts to pull himself up to his feet, but David is already on top of him, nailing him in the lower back with a closed fist. David grabs his adversary's arm, and sets him up for another whip, this time into the far corner, but Jay holds his grip as David pushes him past, and sends David to the corner instead. It's David's turn to smack chest first into the turnbuckle, but Jay wasn't far behind him. David staggers backwards, bouncing off the turnbuckle padding, and JHalc hits a running bulldog that almost forces David's head into the bottom turnbuckle.

Cedar:
Dangerous move by JHalc that could have really turned out bad for David Micheals.

Dennis:
I think he was actually aiming for that bottom turnbuckle and David just got lucky by being too far away.

Jay rolls away from the corner, still holding his lower back from the effects of David's offense. "The Show Stealer" David Michaels shakes his head, trying to ignore the ringing in his ears as he reaches up for assistance from the turnbuckles. He grabs the bottom one, and gets up to one knee, and then gets up to both knees and he reaches the second one. Jay is already up behind him though, and seems to be sizing up his prey. David gets to a standing position and turns away from the turnbuckle as Jay comes rushing towards him with a full head of steam. David spins out of the way as Jay lowers his head for the tackle and Jay is instead thrown shoulder first into the ring post above the middle turnbuckle pad. Not even a second after Jay crashes into the post, David hits the mat and rolls under the ropes and outside the ring.

1!

Jay pushes himself away from the ring post, and is now hanging over the middle rope by his waist. David sends a brutal right hand that catches Jay right in the temple.

2!

A second shot from David lands in the same spot, and JHalc seems to be out of it. David locks his arms around the neck of his opponent and pulls him out of the ring. Jay has the presence of mind to keep hold of the bottom ring rope, and lands back first on the apron.

3!

David brings down a heavy forearm across the chest of JHalc that drives all of the air out of his lungs, and follows with a second one before Jay can even attempt to refill them with air. Jay tries turn away, and roll into the ring but David grabs him by the feet and pulls him off the apron.

4!

Jay hits the floor, barely able to get his hands up to protect himself from landing face first. David reaches down and grabs him by the back of the head with both hands and drags him up to his feet.

5!

Jay gets both of his feet under him, and David tries to hook him up for another suplex, but Jay smacks his arms away before hitting him with a thumb to the eye. David reaches up to his face, but Jay grabs his left hand in desperation, and attempts to whip him into the barricade.

6!

David isn't as caught off guard by the whip as much as he was the thumb in the eye, and maintains his hold on JHalc's wrist, turning the tables and sending him towards the barricade instead. Jay's feet can't move fast enough to keep up with his momentum and he leans forward, tucking his head before crashing into the barricade shoulder first in what was almost an inverted position.

7!

David looks up at the referee, who screams at him to bring it back into the ring. Jay tries to pull himself together on the floor, and ends up getting help in the form of David, once again, pulling him back to his feet.

8!

David glares at the referee as he propels JHalc towards the ring, and onto the apron once again. With a shove, Jay is in the ring, and the referee stops counting as David is quick up to the apron himself. David steps through the ropes, and ducks under the top rope, just enough to officially break the count before he steps back out onto the apron. This infuriates the official, but David isn't even looking at the ring anymore. Instead, he has turned his attention to the crowd, and fires them up as he pats his right elbow pad. Everyone in attendance knows what he is calling for, and the place goes absolutely wild when he turns to the turnbuckle and climbs up to the top. The brief moments that he was connecting with the crowd allow Jay time to get back to his feet, but it is all for nothing as David leaps from the top rope just as he turns around. JHalc is leveled with an elbow that catches him right in the chest, and all of David's weight comes down with it. He drives Jay to the mat with the and lands in a seated position next to him. Without hooking the leg, David falls over Jay for another pinning effort.

1!

2!

Shoulder Up!

Cedar:
I am not sure whether to call that an elbow drop or a clothesline.

Dennis:
Whatever it was it was almost enough to put JHalc away.

David sits up with the smile still on his face. Jay turns over onto his stomach, creating a little space between the two. The referee is in David's face telling him that the count was only two, and David waves him off, not arguing the count. David turns around as he rises to his feet and grabs the back of JHalc's neck before he can get any further away. He pulls Jay up to his knees, and goes to the side headlock position. At first, Jay simply hangs by his head, and the referee has to check to make sure he isn't quitting. Apparently that is enough to snap him back to life, as he gets his foot on the mat and starts to push David up. Jay sends an elbow to David's stomach, and follows it with another. Both shots straighten David up, and Jay takes advantage by slipping under his arms and getting out of his hold. He runs to the ropes after slipping David's grasp and rebounds back towards him. His offensive is short lived though, as he is cut off with an inverted atomic drop from Michaels. Jay's arms go down to protect his crotch from another shot, but that only leaves him open for David to drop him to the mat with a DDT. The crown of Jay's head spikes the mat, and the rest of his body folds in half before slumping over on his side. David takes a second to rest before sitting up and checking out the damage he has done to his opponent. He seems to waste another second looking out to the crowd, and then he finally pushes himself up. David goes straight to the corner, and steps outside the ropes, against the advisement of the referee. He looks back out to the crowd again before signaling for the elbow drop for a second time. He climbs the turnbuckle, but Jay has turned over onto his stomach, just out of reach. Jay pushes himself up off the mat slowly, as David lifts his hands up in the air and raises himself to his full height on the top rope. The fans get up out of their seats in excitement, and Jay uprights himself, but backs up into David's path. Now only waiting for his prey to turn around, David leans forward, ready to leap. Jay turns back towards him, and Michaels takes to the air. He leaps off the top rope, but as he does Jay leaps into the air as well. Jay extends his legs towards David, who is suspended helplessly in the air. The dropkick hits David square in the chest, and the two men are sent sprawling to the mat.

Dennis:
That's why they call it high risk.

Cedar:
High reward for JHalc though, that could be the start of a turn-around.

Both are struggling back to their feet. As David struggles to force air back into his lungs, Jay is trying to find the strength to stand up straight. The two men are back to back with each other but have more than two feet between them. David turns away from the ropes that were helping to stabilize him, and Jay turns on his heel back towards his opponent. David Michaels tries to strike first, throwing his arm out and almost diving forward for a clothesline, but JHalc ducks under it. David turns back, raising his arms in defense, but Jay only grabs it before taking David over with an arm drag. David's back bounces off the mat, and he rolls to his feet. As he stands his momentum pushes him back off of the ropes and towards Jay who is ready and waiting with another arm drag. This time David is prepared for it. Jay goes to hook his arm, but David instead dives at him with a shoulder block that takes both men to the ground. Jay rolls away to the adjacent set of ropes, and out onto the apron while David forces himself back up. "The Show Stealer" heads to the ropes opposite of Jay and rebounds off of them to pick up speed, he then slides on the mat towards Jay and kicks him off the apron with a baseball slide. David lays on his back, trying to catch his breath while the referee starts to count Jay out.

1!

2!

3!

David sits up to see that Jay still hasn't gotten up off the floor on the outside.

4!

David stands up and walks over to the ropes behind the referee.

5!

David pushes the official out of the way, and tries to duck under the ropes, but is pulled back by the referee and told to back away.

6!

Jay starts to move, getting both hands on the ring skirt, and pulling himself up towards the apron. The referee is now in a heated debate over whether David is allowed to step outside the ring, giving "The Jack of Hearts" more time to get himself together.

7!

JHalc leans against the apron and reaches up for the bottom rope. David shoves the referee out of the way and reaches down over the top rope to give him a hand. Jay is yanked up to his feet, and the referee doesn't dare try to break up the fight this time. David drags Jay's dead weight up to a standing position and then hooks him up for a suplex. David reaches over the ropes with his free hand and grabs the waist of Jay's shorts and then lifts him clear over the ropes. Jay allows himself to go along for the ride up, but before David can bring him down, Jay twists his body to the side, and kicks his legs. Instead of going straight down the hard way, David is forced to his side and Jay is dumped into the ring, landing on his feet. Already off balance, but trying to stay on the offensive Michaels goes for a punch but Jay hooks the arm and leaps forward. He release David's arm while he is in the air in exchange for a grip on his neck. As he gets his grip he dead weights David and drive his head into the mat with the float over DDT.

1!

Kickout right at 2!

Dennis:
Back and forth these two go.

Cedar:
It seems like we are seeing a little more life out of JHalc now though!

Following the powerful kickout from David that left little doubt in anyone's mind that he was still the fresher man, both men rise to their feet and move to square off against each other once again. David takes the first swing once more, and lands a stiff right hand to Jay's jaw. The shot is returned, however, in the form of an open handed thrust to David's throat that nearly closes his windpipe. David turns away, and Jay rushes in without thought. It's now Jay's turn for an errant punch and David Michaels finds himself in the drivers seat. Jay's missed opportunity puts his back to David and "The Show Stealer" doesn't waste any time countering. David grabs Jay by the shoulders and pulls him down backwards as he raises his knees into Jay's back. The backstabber takes the wind out of Jay's sails, but draws a huge reaction from the crowd. David doesn't waste his time with a pinfall either, feeling the electricity in the air, and feeding off of it. When he gets to his feet, it isn't in pursuit of JHalc but instead, towards a corner where he grabs hold of the top rope and waits. The ovation is unanimous, and David stomps his foot on the mat for the first time, bringing in a load of cheers. Jay slowly rises to his feet, holding his lower back with one hand, and facing the opposite side of the ring from David who brings his foot down to the mat for a second time. Jay hears the stomp, and is deafened by the ovation that follows it. He turns to look over his shoulder at David, who at once charges towards him, but Jay suddenly backs away into the opposite corner causing David to stop in his tracks as the smirk comes back to Jay's face.

Dennis:
JHalc may have just dodged a bullet there.

Cedar:
May have? The smirk on his face says he definitely saw Michaels' best shot coming right for him.

Jay comes out of the corner still grinning, but David doesn't quite understand what is so funny. Michaels runs towards him and leaps into the air, hitting the flying forearm smash before Jay knows what has hit him. David lifts his legs, and rolls back on his shoulders before the kip-up but turns to see that Jay is up too. David goes on the attack again, sending a kick to JHalc's gut, that gets caught before it can land. David uses Jay's grip on his leg as a stabilizer, and leaps into the air, trying to connect with an enziguri but Jay ducks the kick. David finds himself caught in the worst possibly position and Jay keeps hold of his leg with one hand, grabs the waist of David's pants with the other and lifts him up slightly before dropping him down with a wheelbarrow face smash that gets some cheers from the crowd. JHalc knows that his window for offense is small, and turns to the ropes as soon as he sees David turn over onto his back instinctively. Jay barely gets his feet under in enough time to leap to the middle rope. He lands on it sketchily, but it has no effect on the outcome, which is a picture perfect lionsault that connects before David Michaels can get his legs up to block it. Jay springs back up, holding his chest and falling back against the ropes. David sits up after the impact before holding his chest and falling back down onto his side in the fetal position. JHalc is breathing heavily, and knows that he has to stay on offense. He pushes off the middle rope with his back and pushes himself up to his feet. Once close enough, he reaches down and grabs a handful of David's hair, pulling him up into a powerbomb like position. Jay holds up his left hand to the crowd, in the form of a J, and then gets his grip on David and hoists him into the air.

Cedar:
He's looking for The RJB here!

David finds himself flipping onto the right shoulder of JHalc as he is lifted, and at once tries to break free. Jay has his arms hooked under David's but David manages to find enough wiggle room to send an elbow to the back of Jay's head. It lands solidly enough and David drops back to back with JHalc. Given only a second to think David reaches back and grabs Jay's head before falling back and bringing him down with a neckbreaker. David throws his arm over top of Jay while he's down.

1!

Shoulder up right at 2!

Dennis:
That was a life-saving counter.

The two men are down, and the referee checks on each of them individually before looking to ringside for a call. With no other choice, he lowers his hands to both men to make any sort of motion and gets no response. He raises his arms to make the count-out but Michaels comes to life, and brings the crowd with him in the form of a kip-up. The referee stands in the ring just as disbelieving as the fans in attendance. David goes nuts from the energy and sets himself up in the corner again he stomps his foot, and that brings JHalc to life on the mat. He stirs, getting to a knee before David slams his foot down for a second time. Jay is up on his feet, and feels the ground shake beneath him when David's foot is dropped for a third time. David waits for Jay to turn, and takes two steps forward as he does, extending his boot right for the jaw, but at the last second Jay pulls himself out of the way. David's foot misses him by mere inches, and the fans collectively gasp. JHalc is the only one not surprised, and the only one in opportune position. David's foot doesn't even make it back down to the mat before he is thrown backwards by a German suplex.

Cedar:
That's twice he has managed not to get hit by Sweet Chin Music.

Jay pushes David away from him and crawls to the nearest set of turnbuckles. The corner that David just turned up the band in, are now Jay's target. David's world is still flipped upside down when Jay's hand reaches the bottom turnbuckle. He pulls himself up by it, and drags the rest of his body up as well, begging for a second wind to help him get up to the top. As he gets to his feet, and steps through the ropes and out to the apron, he looks over his shoulder to see David being brought back to life by the fans. He brings his other foot through the ropes, and takes the the first step in his ascent to the top ropes by stepping on the middle buckle. Jay steps up to the top with his other foot, and looks down to see David on his hands and knees. JHalc looks down to sure his footing on the top rope, but right in that moment, David explodes off the mat and slams into the ropes, causing Jay to fall down to a sitting position on the top. David sends a right hand that rocks Jay back on the turnbuckle, and gives David a window to climb up to the middle rope. He sends another show to JHalc's cheekbone, but pulls Jay back in. David throws Jay's arm up over his neck, and locks up Jay's head. He pulls backwards, trying to wrench all 200+ pounds of JHalc from the top turnbuckle, and fails. With his free hand, David sends a few blows into Jay's ribcage, and then grabs him by the waist of his shorts to pull him from the turnbuckle a second time.

Dennis:
Michaels is trying to go superplex but I don't think he can lift the dead weight.

Cedar:
Jay was struggling to carry himself up there, now Michaels can't get him down.

David releases his grip and starts firing left and right hands at Jay, who puts his arms up to protect himself. Jay manages to shrug off most of the shots, and when David goes to tie him back up, Jay puts all his energy into a shove. David falls back from the turnbuckle, and rolls backwards after he hits the mat. He is quick to get back to his feet, but Jay has other plans in mind. He plants one foot on the top of the turnbuckle and half-dives, half-falls off the top turnbuckle, hitting David with a crossbody. The two smack the mat, hard but not enough to stop the momentum. David allows Jay to roll over him, and rolls through into a cradle position.

Dennis:
HE COUNTERED IT!

1!

2!

Kickout at 2 1/2!

Cedar:
Only two! I thought he had the damn thing won!

The kick out created space, and both men get back up from the mat, albeit slowly. Jay is the first one to throw a strike this time, sending a left hand that misses its mark, by a lot. David fires back with a chop across Jay's chest, but that only ignites fire in Jay's eyes. Jay steps forward and cuts Michaels in half with a kick to the midsection and pulls him into a powerbomb position. He doesn't even bother signaling for his finisher this time, instead just powering David up into the air, and then stalling for a second to turn him over. Jay rolls his shoulders and releases his grip so that he can grab David's head on the way down, and David finally makes his move. As he turns, he pushes Jay's head away, and avoids his grip, landing on the ground behind him.

Dennis:
Now its David Michaels with the reversal!

David Michaels takes a couple steps away, and waits for Jay to turn towards him. This time there wasn't going to be any tuning up the band, instead there was just going to be sweet chin music. Jay turns, and as he does, he falls to his knees in an attempt to avoid the contact he knew was coming. David adjusts his aim, and takes one stutter step forwards before crushing Jay in the side of the head with a superkick that sends him to the edge of the ring.

Cedar:
He about kicked his damn head off!

David dives down to the mat, and rolls Jay's shoulders away from the ropes and covers his arm so he can't reach out for them.

1!

2!

3!

The referee tries to stop his hand before he slaps the mat a third time, but couldn't. The fans deafening cry of "3" made the referee's count irrelevant. The official  stands up pointing to the ropes, he screams at the timekeeper not to ring the bell, and motions that the match isn't over. David sits up, thinking that the match is won, only for the official to get in his face and tell him the count didn't matter. David turns away in disbelief to see that Jay's leg is clearly under the rope. He slaps the mat in frustration knowing that it should be over.

Dennis:
JHalc apparently has blind, dumb luck on his side tonight.

Cedar:
There was no way he was kicking out of that!

Not letting himself be swept away in the matter, David pushes himself up from the mat as the referee checks and makes sure that Jay is able to stay in the match. JHalc pushes the referee away, but rolls the rest of the way under the ropes. David   comes to the ropes as well, and the referee tries to separate the two, but gets pushed off by Michaels as well. David reaches over the top rope and grabs Jay by the head. He starts to lift him up, and Jay pulls himself up by the ropes so to take the pressure off of his neck.  Jay gets his hand on the top rope, and David sends a fiery right hand that lands without even an attempt at defense. Jay's eye immediately starts to swell, and that is before the second shot hits the same spot, with Jay losing grip of the top rope with one hand. He staggers like he is going to fall off the apron, but David reaches out and grabs his wrist.  That was the opportunity that Jay was waiting for. With David off balance and reaching for him, Jay grabs him and pulls him down on the ropes as he drops to the floor. David gets hung up by his neck, and propelled when Jay's weight is no longer holding him down. David turns from the ropes and reaches up at his neck, wanting to force his esophagus back open. Jay pulls himself up onto the apron with the ropes and waits for David to turn back towards him. "The Show Stealer" doesn't keep him waiting long, he turns, only to see Jay spring up to the top rope. He raises his arms to push him while he is in the air, but plays right into JHalc's plan. Jay grabs him by the same arm he had used to hang him on the ropes, and lets his legs fall onto David's shoulders.

Cedar:
TKJ!

Dennis:
This is gonna hurt.

No sooner that Adam Dennis gets out the last syllable, Jay's weight causes David to fall forward. Jay wrenches David's arm as they fall towards the mat, and from the moment they hit, David's air supply is cut off. Jay's only concern upon hitting the mat hard was not losing his grip on David's wrist, and, in that, he succeeds. David gives a violent kick of his legs, trying to free himself, but is too far away from the ropes in all directions. He puts his feet on the mat, and tries to lift Jay off the ground, and succeeds in creating enough space to catch a breath. Jay yanks him back down though, and then arches his back, doubling the pressure and causing David to fall back down to the mat. David pushes forward, trying to rock Jay back on his shoulders, and finds success. The referee is in perfect position to make the count.

1!

2!

Jay leans hard to his left to get his shoulder off the canvass, and does so with half a count left to spare. When the count doesn't come, Jay feels David's fight fade out, followed by a gentle tap on his left leg. The referee sees the tapout and calls for the bell.

DING DING DING

Watts:
Ladie and gentlemen, your winner via submission JHalc!

Jay releases his hold and pushes David away. He only half hears his music playing in the background over the sea of boos flooding towards him.

Cedar:
It wasn't pretty, but he's done it.

Dennis:
It's been four years coming, but JHalc has finally beaten David Michaels.

The referee tries to lift JHalc's hand into the air, but Jay pulls himself away and rolls over to the side of the ring. A group of officials is making sure that David is alright, as Jay slips off the apron and takes to giant steps back onto the ramp. The show cuts to commercial after a quick shot of Jay's exhausted face, but with the smirk still on it.