CONTRACT vs LIKENESS RIGHTS
XAVIER REID vs ?????? ??????
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'Cochise' by Audioslave hits the sound system and the self-righteous Xavier Reid emerges from through the split screen. He proceeds down the aisle and to the squared circle, prepped and ready to compete against whoever his mystery opponent is. He tugs upon the middle rope, testing the elasticity of the ring, while waiting for the revelation of his opponent.
Tim Timmons: "Here comes Mr. Copyright Infringement himself, Xavier Reid, to the ring. He has quite some issue with Mr. Manning recently and all for a contract.”
William Masters: "Well, we all saw what happened to Buck Evans because of Manning. Xavier Reid is just trying to have himself be heard, seen and known.”
Tim Timmons: "...because of Manning? Seriously? In the end, Manning has booked this singles bout with Reid going head-to-head with a mystery opponent and I don't even know who it is.”
William Masters: "I love mysteries. I've been trying to guess who Reid's opponent will be since last Shatter Point. I definitely even figured it out!”
Tim Timmons: "And who'd you come up with?”
William Masters: "I've ran through some sources and I'm confident saying that Xavier Reid's opponent will be...long time CZW competitor SHAWN WATERS!!”
Silence seems to fall over the EWA audience in anticipation for who is to challenge Reid. Lights dim – the explosive choir chorus of 'Power' by Kanye West hits the sound system. It is not long before Xavier Reid's opponent is revealed.
Tim Timmons: "RONNIE MCNEIL!”
William Masters: "Well DUH! That's what I said. Ronnie McNeil!”
Tim Timmons: "I'm pretty sure you just said Shawn Waters.”
William Masters: "Nope.”
Tim Timmons: "Well, Reid is going to wish it was Shawn Waters once he is in the ring with McNeil. This man is high impact. It's going to be a real test to see if Reid can overcome this powerhouse.”
William Masters: "Seriously? With Reid's speed, it should be no problem. THEN Reid will have his EWA contract.”
McNeil slides in under the ropes – but before he can reach his feet, Reid has descended upon him with a barrage of boots. Referee Chris Young signals for the bell and the match is officially underway.
Tim Timmons: "Reid is trying to get the advantage at the start of the match, but McNeil is fighting up to his feet. There's a a few exchanges: Reid with a boot, McNeil with a forearm shot, Reid with another boot and then McNeil responds with a nice chop.”
William Masters: "You call matches better than Daniels. Maybe it's a good thing he got axed by Nick Alexander!”
Tim Timmons: "Thanks—but look at that! Collar-and-elbow tie-up and McNeil gets the advantage, slinging Reid into the ropes. BAD IDEA! Reid picks up speed, bounds off the ropes, and there's a cross body block! NO! McNeil catches him, shifts weight and DOWN WITH A POWERSLAM! Huge move, huge move!”
No cover is attempted and McNeil drags Reid up to a knee. Any further attempt to lift Reid is blocked and Reid quickly steps through, bringing McNeil's shoulders down across the canvas with a school-boy roll-up! Chris Young slides down into position and checks the pin:
ONE.
TWO.
Tim Timmons: "Kick-out! McNeil is not so easily defeated.”
William Masters: "Manning wants to basically own Reid, but look at that! He's just so damn fast.”
Masters remarks about Reid's speed and rightfully so. Reid and McNeil lock-up once more, but it is short lived. McNeil sends Reid towards a corner turnbuckle and follows close behind, hoping to land a huge shoulder block. The move is telegraphed, allowing Reid to tip-up off the turnbuckle and land behind an unsuspecting McNeil. Quickly, Reid tears him down with an arm drag and then follows up with a nicely landed drop-kick just above the chin.
Tim Timmons: "McNeil back to his feet. Throws a clothesline. Reid ducks and heads to ropes. McNeil backs up and BAM! That's a nice back elbow and Reid is taken off his wheels.”
One solid boot is to follow, landed into Reid's gut and forcing him to slouch over. McNeil quickly applies a standing head scissor and hauls Reid upwards. Powerbomb by McNeil – no! Reid counters, slipping down from McNeil's shoulders and going for a DDT – NO! McNeil does not fall, but instead rushes across the ring with Reid in hand and drives his opponent into the corner turnbuckle.
William Masters: "Huge sandwich in the corner! It's peanut butter on rye.”
Tim Timmons: "Yes, Reid is definitely feeling that! ...and no, it's nothing like peanut butter on rye.”
William Masters: "No! That's what Ronnie McNeil calls that move. Peanut Butter on Rye!”
Tim Timmons: "Yes, you are definitely making this up and—WAIT! McNeil's putting Reid up onto the top turnbuckle. He's crawling up top too. What are we going to see here?”
Reid tries fighting McNeil off, but to no avail. McNeil latches his arms around Reid's frame tight and hauls him overhead with a huge belly-to-belly suplex from the top rope. Reid lands with a resounding thud. He quickly holds his lower back, feeling the punishment of the move. McNeil is quick to collect him, forcing Reid back to the canvas and hooking the outside leg.
Tim Timmons: "Lateral press!”
ONE.
TWO...
William Masters: "NO! Reid slips out.”
Tim Timmons: "No, you mean he really slips out! Reid is leaving the ring.”
Indeed – Xavier Reid is leaving the ring. He slips out beneath the bottom rope and moves to ringside, attempting to catch his breath. McNeil looks on diligently, letting Reid collect himself. Fans react in protest as the match comes to a stand-still. To break the reaction from the fans, McNeil makes a move to leave the ring as well. However, as soon as he nears the ropes, Reid bounds up onto the apron, catches a hold of McNeil's head and then drops down – snapping McNeil's throat across the top rope.
The shot causes McNeil to stagger backwards, allowing Reid enough time to bounce back up to the apron and then launch himself into the ring with a springboard missile drop-kick! McNeil is taken off his feet and Reid quickly covers:
William Masters: "Reid could be receiving his contract right now!”
Tim Timmons: "ONE!”
TWO....
THRREEE!!!
Tim Timmons: "Wait, no! McNeil kicked out. My God that was a close kick-out.”
Reid responds by quickly regaining his vertical base and then dropping a kick to the side McNeil's skull. Reid then hooks an arm and rolls McNeil up with a La Magistral Cradle! McNeil's shoulders are trapped against the canvas:
ONE!!
TW—NO!
Tim Timmons: "McNeil powers out and he doesn't look happy. He is back to his feet and just laying into Reid with right after right after right! Reid is back pedaling fast and there's a nice Gutwrench Suplex by McNeil. Reid's taken down and McNeil is not hesitant in locking on a Triangle Choke! Reid struggles to get free or reach a rope, but McNeil has great ring position.
William Masters: "All of Reid's hopes and dreams could be extinguished in a matter of moments. KEEP FIGHTING! You have a contract to win!!!”
Tim Timmons: "Well, McNeil has that Triangle on real secure. I've been on the receiving end of that in the past and it's brutal.”
Chris Young is quick to check if Reid wishes to submit. He also checks his responsiveness which is fine.
Tim Timmons: "Reid's really fighting to get free from that hold.”
William Masters: "What do you think Mr. Manning is thinking right now?”
Tim Timmons: "Probably go McNeil!”
William Masters: "Well, he ain't saying much right now for sure cause Reid is getting free.”
Knowing he cannot keep Reid trapped any longer, McNeil releases the hold and eagerly suplexes Reid with a belly-to-back. No chance for retaliation is given as McNeil locks on a side headlock and grounds Reid once more.
Tim Timmons: "McNeil is showing us a pure wrestling side tonight. He is keeping Reid grounded and landed some high impact moves. That's what it is needed to beat a guy like Reid.”
William Masters: "Of course McNeil did his homework. I'm sure he'll get a fat bonus if he beats Reid here tonight for Manning.”
Reid fights up from the ground, though McNeil retains the hold. Once Reid reaches his feet, he shifts his weight and pulls McNeil up onto his shoulders in a fireman's carry position. McNeil still has a hold of Reid's head though his grip is weaker. One solid elbow is given to the side of Reid's head as an attempt at a Death Valley Driver is blocked. McNeil is able to slip behind Reid and lock his arms around the waist, hauling him over with a German Suplex and bridging up for the pin.
ONE!
TW—NO!
Reid kicks out and promptly slides to the outside.
Xavier Reid: "Enough of this bullshit.”
Leaning over the guard railing, Reid rips a steel chair out right from under a member of the audience. He looks enraged as he turns—right into McNeil! McNeil responds with a huge Mongolian Chop and dazes Reid, forcing him to drop the steel chair. McNeil is now the one who pulls his opponent up onto his shoulders!
Tim Timmons: "Oh NO! This should do it!!!!”
MAGIC CITY DRIVER ONTO THE FLOOR!!!!
Tim Timmons: "Maybe McNeil gets an even bigger bonus if he kills Reid!”
Dragging Reid's lifeless body up and rolling him into the ring is a huge feat for McNeil to accomplish, but he does so. McNeil then tosses the steel chair into the ring as well and follows. McNeil lays the chair down across the canvas near a corner then goes to collect Reid. Reid still appears out cold as McNeil takes him to the corner and sets him up onto the top turnbuckle.
Tim Timmons: "We could see that Musclebuster that McNeil calls the Flashing Lights!”
Securing his grip upon Reid, McNeil begins to step back – clearly attempting Flashing Lights! HE DOES IT!
Tim Timmons: "NO! Reid wiggles free, slips down behind McNeil with a nice neck-breaker onto that chair!”
No cover attempt is made. Reid bounds off the middle rope instead, now ricocheting off with a nice moonsault which connects. He NOW applies the cover:
ONE!
William Masters: "TWO!”
…
THRE—NO!
Tim Timmons: "Narrowly missing the pin-fall! But, Reid isn't about to let that stop him. He takes off to the ropes once more. McNeil's up. McNeil throws a clothesline – DUCKED! Reid – full head of steam – and Spinning Heel Kick! It connects! Wait, no McNeil's back up. Reid still with a ton of momentum, yet there's McNeil trying to match that speed! Reid leaps up top from the mat...wow! Spins back, twisting and catches McNeil with a flying head-scissors!”
William Masters: "Impressive as Hell he is!”
Tim Timmons: "Reid goes for a pin, but – look at McNeil's tenacity! He will not stay down. Reid can't even get a one count after that...and McNeil is fighting his way back up!”
Blow after blow is landed into Reid's abdomen, rattling his cage while McNeil is able to get back to his feet. Just as he reaches that vertical stance, one solid forearm shot is driven into Reid's jaw. It causes him to spin and--
Tim Timmons: "Pele kick out of nowhere! Reid drops McNeil and rolls over for a pin!”
ONE.
TWO.
THR—NO!
Forcing a shoulder up, McNeil shows that he has a ton of fight left in him. Exhaustion is crippling both men – but both men want to fight on; and fight they shall!
It takes several moments before either man is back up to their feet. Reid attempts an Irish whip, but McNeil blocks and pulls Reid forward instead with a short-armed clothesline. After dragging Reid back up to his feet, McNeil scoops him up and drops Reid back down with a slam. One solid elbow is driven downward, landing across Reid's chest and McNeil covers:
Tim Timmons: "ONE!”
TWO!!!
William Masters: "Nope! Reid kicks out. This has been a struggle for both men. There's been a ton of actual wrestling in this bout and I'm surprised to not see...wait...never mind.”
Tim Timmons: "Reid's got that chair from earlier and–"
WHAM!
The chair bend slightly as he chucks it into McNeil's head. McNeil stands dazed for a moment and before he can collapse onto the canvas, Reid grapples his him – hauling him up for a suplex. NO!
William Masters: "BRAINBUSTER!”
Tim Timmons: "My God! Reid's heading to the top rope. He could fly!”
William Masters: "X Marks the Spot, baby!”
Reid flies – twisting in mid-air for his impressive Corkscrew 450 Splash.
...and Reid connects...
...with McNeil's knees!
Tim Timmons: "Looks like either Ronnie was playing possum or the spirit of Buck Evans and every luchadore down in Mexico that Reid has wronged is surging through him. Reid is in a whole heap of trouble! McNeil sets that chair up in the middle of the ring. It can barely stand after the beating it has taken today, but there he goes. McNeil pulls Reid up and DOWN! VERY NICE back-breaker across the upright chair, using the chair's seat rather than a knee.”
William Masters: "Doesn't look like McNeil's done. He's gonna make Reid pay...pay for just wanting to be here, with us, in EWA.”
Tim Timmons: "McNeil's going for another back-breaker, but...wow. These two are just going to town. Seriously. It's like these two have hated each other for years how eager they are to maim the other.”
William Masters: "I don't even know who is winning right now. They're just exchanging punches and chops.”
Tim Timmons: "There's Reid with a kind of under-handed tactic. He just raked the eyes of McNeil! McNeil's blind.”
Reid drops to a knee, using this opportunity to rest, but he could never plan for what he is about to watch. As McNeil staggers blindly, referee Chris Young checks to see if McNeil is okay. Mistaking Young for Reid, he hits him with his variation of a Diamond Cutter called Flawless! The move can come out of nowhere at any time...but this time it was at the wrong time!
Tim Timmons: "WHAT?! Official Chris Young is out and Reid is loving it!”
McNeil attempts a cover on Young and Reid drops down and begins to slap the canvas.
One.
TWO!
When Reid should be hitting the mat for a third time, he instead lands a horrendously loud shoot kick to McNeil's skull. McNeil collapses onto the mat and Reid seizes his opportunity. He retrieves the steel chair and to the utter disgust of the fans begins to place the chair around the right ankle of Ronnie McNeil!
Tim Timmons: "He can't do that! HE CAN'T!”
William Masters: "He can and he has and he will. Don't you remember Buck Evans and what happened to him? The same is about to happen to Ronnie McNeil!”
Climbing up to the top rope, Xavier Reid points out to the crowd and then down to the unconscious McNeil's ankle. He begins to shout out loudly, calling out to Manning knowing that he is watching this match closely.
Xavier Reid: "Frankie Manning! All you had to do was give me a contract! Instead, you put me in this match. Now, YOU are responsible for another one's injury!”
Reid's intentions are a double foot stomp onto the chair. He goes to soar and the camera pans out, catching sight of a huge Mexican Flag unfurling as it is held by an individual running towards the ring. Reid does not even see the person – not even as the long pole holding the flag slams into his back! The strike sets Reid off balance and he falls into the ring, missing McNeil, from the turnbuckle!
Tim Timmons: "Someone just saved McNeil!”
William Masters: "That's Mike King! What the Hell?”
Tim Timmons: "We know Reid has some bad history with the Mexican promotions.”
William Masters: "What does that have to do with Mike King – he's from Long Island!”
Tim Timmons: "He is as luchadore as you can get here in EWA, but we'll have to see.”
King pulls the chair off from McNeil's leg and swiftly slams it across the back of a rising Xavier Reid. The shot forces a loud scream of anguish to escape Reid's lungs. Repeated kicks are driven into Reid's body as he tries to stand. But, King does not allow it. He is on a rampage, even dropping a few drop-kicks into Reid; and then King simply repositions the chair on the mat, applies a standing head-scissor on Reid and follows with a double underhook!
Tim Timmons: "Martinete Especial...”
William Masters: "...on the steel chair!”
Xavier Reid is done. Reid lays sprawled out over the canvas when Mike King drapes the Mexican Flag over his lifeless husk. At this time, McNeil is beginning to stir. His eyes lift and he sees only Reid out cold on the mat. As McNeil crawls over and covers Reid with a weak lateral press, King wakes the referee and drags him over to catch sight of the pin.
Chris Young counts:
ONE!
William Masters: "TWO!!!”
THREE!
Tim Timmons: "One-two-three! That is it! Ronnie McNeil just won his first match here in EWA! Both of these men deserve a round of applause. My God that was a match.”
Masters: It was a disaster! Xavier Reid is now not only without a contract, but all because of the damn Mike King. I usually LIKE Mike, what the hell was he thinking?
Timmons: Well as we said before he may have been sticking up for the Mexican Promotions he loves so much,
Masters: Well he's in EWA now god damn it, and he just cost us one of the best damn talents around
In the ring Ronnie is making his way to the back as the fans cheer him on at the top of the ramp he looks back down as the screen splits and holds up an arm in victory before disappearing to the back. The Mexican flag starts to move as Xavier comes alive. In one fluid move the flag is torn off and Xavier rolls to his knees. Taking a few seconds to get his wind back he looks down at the flag beside him and up at the ramp. Realisation dawns and he thumps his fists on the canvas, grabbing up the flag he tear it in two, throwing the shards away. He raises to his feet, adrenaline pumping through him and rushes up the side of the ramp to the back through the setup area
Masters: I wouldn't want to be Mike King when Xavier gets back there.
Timmons: I think he can handle himself, he certainly did there
Masters: Yes, with a blindside attack. Manning has to realise that that was completely unfair and offer X the contract anyway... maybe not, in fact I wouldn't put it past manning to have sent King out here himself. He did get a shot at the amazing Chris Johnsons championship tonight without doing anything to earn it.
Timmons: Okay Mr. Paranoia. On with the show.
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