Last week on Ruckus: "These Hands" Roy Fade bested Katsuji Ootsuka to get a shot at the TV title in tonight's opener • the Immortals goaded the International Workrate Consortium into taking their handicap enhanced shot at the tag belts this week, then spooked them good by showing them a massive tombstone with the IWC being born and dying this year on it • Nazir el-Fadal posted a narrow win over Pyotr Caviar in the main event, then not only got stomped out by the Consortium but was the recipient of unlikely saves from Razorblade and the Immortals, the staple gunned foursome clearing the ring of the IWC before engaging in their own multi-level staredowns that left the Immortals holding the ring…
We got a video package to kick off the show that served to take viewers old and new on a trip through the life and times of Mason "Razorblade" Savage in the Quarantine Era, going from being thought of as Mayhem's little buddy to proving himself as a main eventer as last year died down - finally capturing the World Title at Golden Rule then going on a dominant reign as champion before accepting Party Animal's title vs. title challenge for Cruel Summer last month and becoming the first double champion in QCW history by capturing the World TV title from Party –
– but this might be the swan song of the Champ Champ, as Roy Fade overcame 18 others and rival Katsuji Ootsuka to earn a shot at the TV title tonight - and the man Razorblade barely bested at Mayday Payday, Serge Batroc has gotten another crack at the World Heavyweight Championship. With the IWC behind him, could this be Serge's night to bring the biggest prize in QCW to the Consortium's overflowing trophy case? Can Fade ride his momentum into recapturing the TV title? Will it only take one night to turn Savage from conquering hero to titleless zero?
The champ champ says everyone bleeds, but all title reigns bleed out.
The Arena's sold out, the Quaranteers are loud and proud, and an absolute baptism of golden pyro went off to welcome us to this two hour special episode of Ruckus with limited commercial interruptions. A PPV worthy show with four title matches on the docket this evening, but since he's doing double duty and this thing's named after him, let's get Mason out to blow the roof off the dump.
"Unscripted Violence" brought out the man himself, but only with the World TV title around his waist for the opener (we will see the Twelve Pounds of Gold before the evening's over). Savage's face could best be described as steely as he headed to the ring, Steve wondering how he would fare in two title matches against opponents with such different styles. Barely had he finished lifting the TV title overhead when “Pray For Me” brought out the #1 contender & former TV champ “These Hands” Roy Fade, looking confident after throwing a flurry of punches at the camera on the way to the ring. The referee had to stand between them while Duck made the announcements for the title match, and then we were underway...
| • "These Hands" Roy Fade d. Mason "Razorblade" Savage [c] to win the QCW World Television title • |
Upset alert!
Not a gigantic one, but one nevertheless.
It was interesting in the early going seeing how evenly matched they were: Razorblade’s fought himself to the top of the heap and Fade is a Golden Gloves alum, so this was less catch as catch can and more catch this fist with your face. Razorblade started tuning up Roy with some stiff forearm shots as well and halfway through seemed to have things in hand and went for the Soul Crusher; Fade managed to get himself free and made a great counter into an avalanche Russian legsweep that had both men down and put the match on his side of the scale. While both men were rocked until late in the count, Fade got up from it first and went for the Decision seeing Savage down. Mason dodged it at the last second and the impact sent Fade’s neck into the middle rope, which caused a nasty spill that sent him to the floor and bought Savage more time. The champ came back in earnest, picking up some more near falls (one seeing Fade having to grab a rope with his hands to save the match). He again went for the Soul Crusher while Fade fought him off, then he went crashing to the canvas hard solo. Seeing his opportunity, Fade got himself untangled from the ropes then schoolboyed Razorblade, then had the tights, then put his feet on the middle rope for good measure.
The referee missed all three of those things while making the three, and the crowd was livid when the bell was rung. *** ½
Fade celebrated his shady victory, and we would find out through replays that it was even shadier since while struggling in the Soul Crusher, Fade had filched some brass knucks from the top turnbuckle and used them to counter and lay out Razorblade, who was only starting to come to as Fade posed on the buckles yelling at anyone who’d listen about how he’d come back badder than ever and had his belt back to prove it to all the doubters. The referee, seeing Razorblade trying to make it backstage while obviously loopy helped the former champ to the back while announce had the reaction that you might expect, Starr noting that Fade now had QCW’s golden ticket in his hands - with enough defenses, that might not be the only time he beats Razorblade for a title. Steve’s grumbling was cut off when we went
TOTHEBACK~!, where Enya Face was standing by with Scott Warren-Tisch and more importantly Karyn Tisch-Warren ahead of her title shot tonight. Enya asked her what her mindset was going in, and she said that she felt it in the Arena when she and Pookie came in - change is in the air. Everyone thought Razorblade couldn't be beaten? Well, he just was, and everyone would watch the same thing happen to their precious Autumn before the night was over. Her husband gave her love, OnlyFitness and its burgeoning family of products gave her drive, and the Commissioner gave her the opportunity. So tonight she was going to do what she did best: hit a bunch of backbreakers until the thing that snapped was Autumn's title reign - then this place would have a Women's World champion worth celebrating. She walked off confidently, and Scott gave Enya a once over before dropping a completely delusional "fattie!" in her direction, scoffing and leaving to catch up with his wife.
| • "the Wonderful" Rich Ward d. Atum Pharaoh • | The big Egyptian gave Rich fits, but the more experienced Ward was able to stick and move to an extent until he could bring his offense to the forefront and eventually get the duke with his Wonderful Cutter that shook the ring upon impact. **
After getting his hand raised, Rich uncharacteristically walked over to a camera and said something that we couldn't pick up at home, then he turned more directly to the camera and said that if his rotten little turd of a brother was pissed that he lost the War of the Wards, wait, just wait until big brother was the first one of them to earn QCW singles gold. "The countdown's on, Jason. And you know me better than anyone else: if I'm saying it, it's not if…it's when." Rich goosed the crowd for a bigger pop by jumping up to the middle rope & making The Familiar Gesture around his waist.
The announce was reviewing Rich’s win, and wondering which title Rich was going for when suddenly a familiar voice cut off the proceedings.
“People, people, people, QCW is better than this.”
And out sans Arcarsenal strolled Nazir el-Fadal to a monster mixed reaction, one that would only get louder as he said he’d gotten to the Arena late but just in time to see Fade pinch the TV title off of Razorblade. Naz being Naz, of course, he didn’t care about Razorblade losing…but he cared how he lost. Ever since last October…(you could almost see him reliving the moment in his eyes as they hardened) ever since last October, he fought for titles, but he did it to show off his skills. Skills that once flattened Roy Fade FOR the TV title, for those who’d forgotten. And the thing about Naz was that as much as the rabble reviled him, they respected the skills. The more astute out there amongst them realized that in both his major title victories to date in QCW, he’d won cleanly. Fought hard. Maybe not entirely always fairly, but just to get the advantages and opportunities competitors that paled to him got handed on a silver platter by a British butler. So maybe he was too late to do something about the TV title, but he could do something about the World title.
If Scott Holmes didn’t want history to repeat himself, then he had to do something unprecedented, and Naz did too. But what made Naz Naz and Holmes Holmes was that he stepped up, met, and surpassed every big moment, and would put another one up on the board tonight. If Razorblade was going to go against Serge with the World Title on the line, then he wanted to be the special guest referee. Naz laid down the mic on the ramp and headed to the back while the announce had a monster mixed reaction of their own, still trying to figure out what Naz was up to. It sounded like Steve was still in disbelief over Naz’s bizarre code of ethics but was almost sure it had to be a front with Naz involved, and Starr of course upbraided Steve for how naive he was – Nazir el-Fadal has been the same arrogant pot-stirring spotlight hungry asshole he’s always been, and Steve should know better than these people, who should know better to think that Naz is doing anything anywhere EV ER out of the goodness of his shriveled little black heart. Steve threw to commercials, saying that they’d be back in 90 seconds with the second title match of the evening next!
| • Autumn Powers d. "the First Lady of Fitness" Karyn Tisch-Warren (w/Scott Warren-Tisch) to retain the QCW Women's World Championship • | The Notorious KTW is recently back from injury and still hoping to get to the pinnacle of the division as she had in Crush before QCW absorbed it last winter. Smarmy beau in tow, Karyn hoped that her shot at the title would be successful, but she couldn’t quite pull it off here.
KTW was able to hit Autumn with several impressive looking backbreakers but an oddity in the match changed the shape of it after both women felled each other with near synchronous Yakuza kicks: the appearance of Summer Rose, who neither woman had any love for (in addition to her imploded friendship with Autumn, Summer gave Karyn the injury she’s just now returning from and did it by using her hold against her). Summer merely smiled evilly and circled the ring for the rest of the contest, at one point threatening Scott apparently just for shits and gigs. Summer appearing seemed to rattle Karyn and (heh) power up Autumn, who quickly turned the tide with a series of impactful maneuvers using her strength advantage, and an especially crisp tilt a whirl slam gave the champion the opening she needed to drill Tisch-Warren with the Hazy Shade of Autumn and put another successful title retention in the books. ** ½
Autumn was getting her hand raised while Summer shoved Duck aside and snatched a chair before sliding into the ring with it – then Autumn drilled it into her head with another Hazy Shade that sent Summer flying between the middle and bottom rope to the floor to a huge pop for the Quaranteers, Autumn yelling out victoriously over two bodies. Rose needed to use the ring apron to pull herself up and we would quickly see why afterwards, as she was bleeding from the head off the Shade’s impact. Rose staggered to the back, weakly pointing a finger at Autumn, who was standing on the turnbuckle roaring at her ex-bestie that QCW wasn’t big enough for the both of them and she’d flush Summer’s career away if she had to.
TOTHEBACK~!, where Nazir el-Fadal was…pacing. You could see a myriad of conflicting emotions on his face before he knocked on the door of Commissioner Holmes, who let him in and then almost immediately seemed to regret it. He offered Naz a chair, who declined and opted to sit on the windowsill facing Holmes. Both men stared at each other for a bit before Holmes asked Naz what he was playing at; Naz responded that since Razorblade was the only honest man in QCW besides him, he didn’t need to play any games, and he meant what he said: he wanted to ref the main event.
Holmes asked him why he would want to do a thing like that, and Naz smirked and said “Ratings.”, which got a surprisingly decent pop. Naz further elaborated that he would be calling things down the middle – his shot at the title was secured, and since he feared no man he was going to ruin Holmes’ precious AnIIversary by becoming the first ever two-time World Champion in QCW despite his protests and trying to keep him from the title. So who he took the belt off of didn’t matter to him, but he would say this: people said everything they ever wanted to about him, but when he won belts around here, he did it clean, in the middle. Twice at that, and Allah willing September would bring a third charm. He might not like or even respect Holmes but after all the work he’s done in the past year to make the singles titles mean something, those belts are nearly sa-cred to him. So Holmes could put his fears to bed if he gave him the ref gig for the night; Nazir el-Fadal would do the stripes proud. He then pivoted, saying he was shocked Serge got another shot at the World Title when he had failed at Mayday Payday and come up short in the gauntlet for the TV title a few months ago. Serge was an elite tag wrestler, but when he went for singles gold, he simply didn’t have the pedigree of a…of, well, a Nazir el-Fadal. Holmes sarcastically asked if Naz wanted to horn into Serge’s spot, or given it being Naz, making it a three way dance or triple threat for the belt tonight. Naz demurred, saying that he’d been working all year for a straight up one on one shot at the World Title that somehow only Razorblade was willing to give out, and wouldn’t have if he was just Holmes’ puppet. But Serge has had plenty of chances, and after tonight, if Naz counted him down for the three, maybe he didn’t get another shot.
Holmes and Naz locked eyes, both scanning the other, neither yielding. Holmes said he would think about that and take it under advisement, then noted that he was going to let Naz be ref in the main tonight…and possibly making this Serge’s last shot at a title Naz was obsessed over, which meant that he would be doing multiple favors for the biggest pain in his ass, so if Naz was going to be getting things, than the Commish would be getting something out of Naz in return. Naz sighed and had a “Well, should’ve expected that” look on his face before asking Holmes what he wanted, and Holmes said he wanted Naz in a match next week. Naz asked him why, and Holmes smirked at him and said “Ratings.” to a bigger pop. Naz asked if he was going to have the run the gauntlet, or be in a cage, or…but Holmes cut him off, saying that since Naz was such a precious commodity, he just wanted him in a straight up one on one singles match since the integrity of the ring was so crucial to Mr. el-Fadal. Naz got chesty at that, saying that he’d beaten everyone there was to beat one on one and he feared no one on the roster, so whoever Holmes was feeding him would find out Jihad Time was always right on time. Holmes chortled, then apologized, saying that while Naz’s record was impressive, there was someone on the roster he hadn’t beaten.
And he didn’t think even the almighty Nazir el-Fadal could find a way to beat THE REVENANT.
Huge roar from the crowd as Naz leaned back in a little bit of shock. Holmes offered that if Naz was too scared, he could just use one of the senior referees tonight for the main and there was no shame in backing down from a fight wi–Naz cut him off and asked again if the terms were that he’d ref the main tonight and have to deal with the Rev next week. Holmes concurred. Naz hopped up off the windowsill, peered at Holmes as if he’d never seen him before, then offered a handshake. Holmes looked at Naz as if he’d never seen him before, waited a couple of beats, then took it. Naz went to leave, but stopped at the door on the way out before casting a look back at Holmes and offering up a small smile.
“If there’s anything I’ve proven to you over the past couple of years, it’s that I can handle a main event.” Holmes went to say something, but Naz walked through and shut the door behind him, then looked a little agog (probably over having to figure out a game plan for the Rev next week) before you could see his face briefly settle, then the wheels start turning. el-Fadal went off down the hall, and we went back to the ring.
| • "the Voice of Freedom" Drake Tremble d. Caballero Verde • | Former three time QCW champion and proud anti masker Tremble has made his return not just to make QCW Great Again but to try and humble any foreign wrestlers. Having set his sights on the luchadores, Tremble made it 2 for two against the Caballeros, though Verde threw a scare into him with a couple of nearfalls. But Tremble survived, used his power advantage and put things away with his Truth Bomb (because what else would you call a backbreaker driver?). **
Backstage to a place we’d never been before: the referee’s locker room (doesn’t look to be too much bigger than a closet, but yunno), where Nazir el-Fadal was taking the stares in kind as he asked for a large, something to show off his biceps. Well, maybe a medium…and then he was spun around and face to face with the International Workrate Consortium. You could see the alert meter go up on a couple of the zebras in the background as Jason the Terrible upbraided Naz, asking him why he was getting involved in their affairs especially when they had the tag team titles to win coming up next. Nazir said the blame for that rested with their boy Serge, who he tried to talk some sense into a few weeks ago when he was teeing off on Razorblade post-match and didn’t listen. So he had to make an example of Young Pyotr, something that caused a crowd pop, Caviar to seethe and get in Naz’s face, and Naz to grin wryly. Naz looked up and noted that Pytor looked a lot different last week when he was on his back for the three count, and Caviar lunged at Naz and the refs and the Consortium had to play uneasy peacemaker to stop a brawl from breaking out. After the testiness settled a bit, it was Serge who got in Naz’s face, saying if he was pulling one of his schemes, so be it – but it would not be at his expense, or the Consortium’s. If he tried any of his typical American garbage the Consortium would put him in the ICU. Naz’s response was two-fold: to call himself an extraordinary American that was garbage free, and in the immortal words of the Commissioner “If you lose this, don’t come crying to me about it afterwards.” Hey, that reminded Naz, speaking of immortal: he’d ask what they wanted on their tombstone, but it was already made. Serge turned redder than a third of the French flag as Jason got back in Naz’s face and said this wasn’t over. Naz nodded at the youngster with a Jennifer Lawrence GIF on his face as the Consortium slowly left the locker room and headed to the ring. Naz shook his head as they retreated, then turned back around to try and get a loaner shirt.
The semi main event bowed after that with the Consortium coming out in almost a diamond formation - big Pyotr in the front, Jason the Terrible & Anton Stahl behind him, and a couple paces behind them Serge Batroc, which piqued the interest of the announce with him in the main event next in possibly his last shot at the World title. Starr pointed out that it might take him two straight matches & under an hour to do what Razorblade accomplished in becoming a double champion, and the Consortium might have all the titles and power going forward in QCW.
Lights off.
“Killed By Death”.
In the darkness, only one thing played on the Quarantron: footage of the mass grave the Immortals made for them last week while wind pushed some leaves across it.
Lights on with a side of screaming Duck.
THWACK! THWACK!
And an undead conchairto later, goodnight, Pyotr Caviar!
The Tracksuit Tsar became one with the canvas as everyone in the Arena freaked the eff out in a multitude of directions, Einherjar putting the bad mouth on Caviar before getting swarmed by Jason the Terrible and Anton Stahl - with the Revenant and Serge throwing hands, the ref had no choice but to call for the bell. It took a while to settle the match down into a straight one on one as the match was handicap but not tornado, Starr noting that it was pretty brilliant of the champs to take out the IWC’s biggest threat before the bell could ring, but they were still at a 3-2 deficit.
| • the Immortals [c] d. the International Workrate Consortium in a handicap match to retain the QCW World Tag Team championships • |
Yet the champs stayed the champs.
Despite ultimately coming out on top it took everything they had in them to prevail, as even with Caviar taken out for most of the match the Consortium used their advantage to isolate Einherjar on their side of the ring, employing tags so quick that at one point Steve compared them to a revolving door as Anton, Jason and Serge kept handing off punishment to a teammate. At one point Einherjar started fighting all three of them to try to get out of their corner, somehow managed to do so, and then got absolutely floored by a monster Russian sickle from the big Ruskie. That was enough for the Revenant, who vaulted into the ring and gave Caviar a taste of his own medicine with a huge pump knee strike that sent the Russian flying to the floor. The Rev started to try to drag Einherjar towards their corner so he could make the tag, then got waylaid by the rest of the Consortium.
Then something unexpected happened.
“New Born” by Muse came on over the speakers, and flanked by their Tiki God out came the Women’s World Tag Team Champions, the Game Changers. The Consortium looked up at the runway when they should have been looking at their opponent, as the Rev took advantage of the moment to do the drag and tag, then started putting the Consortium’s meesters on their keesters, clearing house and chokeslamming all of them with his Red Right Hand, getting the biggest pop for getting Caviar up and planting him with a ring rattler. Serge got a running start and charged him as best he could once he recovered, but he walked right into a vicious uraken from Einherjar that cut him off.
With Serge and Pyotr out of sorts, it was Jason & Anton vs. the tag champs. The tag champs won, eventually putting Jason through Death’s Door as the Game Changers came down to ringside. A three count later, and the Immortals, somewhat surprisingly, had kept their undefeated streak alive. *** ½
The ring and ringside were littered with Consortium bodies (one of whom was up next in the main event) for the Game Changers to maneuver around as they continued the night of surprises by getting in the ring – and getting in the faces of both the Immortals. The crowd started buzzing and then cheering as Beckett Carpenter looked over them both, then held up her share of the titles, Ashley quickly following suit. With smiles too far to be considered friendly, the Immortals held up their own tag titles, and suddenly both sets of tag champs were exchanging words, probably recipes or something.
Queue Cee Dub chants were rocking the Arena before we went TOTHEBACK~! one last time tonight with Enya Face out to welcome the QCW World Heavyweight Champion, Mason "Razorblade" Savage! That got the roar of the night, and The Champ came upon the scene with his eyes clearly searching the backstage area. Enya Face started to ask about him losing the TV title earlier but Razorblade started running off before she could finish the question, and it took a couple beats for them to catch up to Razorblade…
…who had just caught up to Naz. Razorblade pointed his finger in Naz's face, saying he'd already had a crappy night and if Naz tried to make it worse by screwing him out of the World Title, forget AnIIversary, Naz wouldn't live to see Sunday morning. Naz smiled and said that was real wise, threatening the ref right before the match. He went to turn to the ring as Arcarsenal started to play over the PA, but Razorblade grabbed Naz by the shoulder and spun him around. Razorblade again pointed his finger at Naz, and Naz swatted it away before almost hissing to let him do his job tonight and that he didn't need to screw Razorblade over tonight when he could beat him at AnIIversary…unless, of course, it was Serge's reign he was going to end come next month. Naz smiled evilly and looked at Razorblade before saying "One way or another, everything that's mine comes due in time." Razorblade started to reiterate that if Naz screwed him over and helped Serge out tonight - but Naz was already heading through the curtain to ref.
There were a couple moments of silence, and then Razorblade got bleeped. Bow howdy, did he get bleeped.
As Naz was finally coming out in the stripes, the announce brought you next week's hype tonight:
🌟 Still pissed off about the loss of the Women's World Tag Team championships, the Forbidden Book Club look for revenge in trios action against their rivals, the Game Changers 🌟
🌟 Roy Fade has planned a celebration to mark his being the first two time TV champ, but he's also going to have to defend that belt 🌟
🌟 And since we're about to see him in zebra stripes for the main event, Nazir el-Fadal had to accept the Commissioner's deal – it's entirely possible that he won't make it to AnIIversary after the monstrous half of the World Tag Team champions the Revenant gets done with him 🌟
"Unscripted Violence" came on over the PA and Razorblade marched to the ring, already seething and getting right back in Naz's face as Serge and the Consortium recovered. Honestly, Razorblade spent most of Duck's introductions pacing. Serge spent them freaking out once it was announced it was a Last Stand match where he would officially never get another shot at the World title if he failed in his chance here. And in the background, Nazir el-Fadal's face betrayed nothing. To his credit he patted both men down before the match and found nothing, though both match participants had words for him.
| • Mason "Razorblade" Savage d. Serge Batroc to retain the QCW World Heavyweight Championship (special guest referee Nazir el-Fadal; by losing this Last Stand match, Serge can no longer compete for the QCW World Heavyweight Championship • |
Naz…actually reffed it down the middle, which is just going to bring up a bunch more questions. He also kicked out the other members of the Consortium in the first third of the match after Serge had gotten the upper hand and dumped Razorblade to the outside. (The other IWCers were circling The Champ but hadn't actually laid hands on him, thus making them even more livid when they got ejected.)
Serge was obviously rattled by this and got in Naz's face for the next couple of minutes afterwards, Starr wondering how he was living in a world where Nazir el-Fadal got to judge the morality of other people. As the match went on, Serge got a slight upper hand and dusted Razorblade with a rolling European uppercut that set up the Arc de Triomphe. But not only did Savage get a toe to the ropes, Naz spotted it and broke off his count.
That got Serge back in his face, but Naz angrily kicked at the ropes and told Serge to get back to the match. Serge did but despite his best efforts, couldn't find a way back to the Arc while Razorblade caught up to then surpassed the Frenchman, Razorblade putting a button on the proceedings by countering an Arc attempt by landing on his feet and knocking Batroc loopy with an enzui rolling forearm smash that set up the Valhalla of QCW finishers, the Soul Crusher. Naz slid into position on the oinfall and made a fair count, because as we all know by now the Soul Crusher is bulletproof.
Razorblade let out a loud, wordless growl of satisfaction over retaining the World title and gaining a split on the evening as Naz called for the bell and asked for the belt. Wordlessly, Serge disgustedly took off his wrist tape and threw it off as he started the long titleless walk to the back. The Consortium seemed to be wondering whether to go after their rivals in the ring or catch up to Serge but eventually chose the latter, Razorblade! chants rocking the Arena.
Duck handed the title over to Naz, who suddenly stood unmoving in the corner of the ring with his old belt. It clearly had a hypnotic effect on the One Man Jihad, el-Fadal staring down at it and gently caressing some of the jewels he'd put into it before the HEY! hit the fan, and Naz wheeled around to see Razorblade standing there with his arms outstretched on the corner of WTF and Gimme It. Naz shook his head, and actually seemed to apologize a couple of times (?!) before handing Savage the World title and moving them closer to the center of the ring before raising his hand and announcing him as the winner.
But while Naz was facing the crowd, Razorblade was glaring him down the entire time. After a few beats, Naz seemed to realize what was going on and slowly turned his gaze to Razorblade.
That didn't last long, as Naz's nose quickly twitched as his eyes lingered on the World Heavyweight championship, Razorblade getting furious and raising it in the air and Naz's leer at it never breaking as the announce went into overdrive hyping up them for the Twelve Pounds at AnIIversary from the Arena next month when the credits span started to take us off the air until next Friday.
