The famous guitar solo opening of the Eagles’ classic “Life in the Fast Lane” hits the speakers and the crowd goes bananas! Vito “Metro” Valentino makes his way down to the ringside area, wearing a green, white, and red, short-legged singlet, with black fingerless gloves and white boots with the letters “VV” written in classic cursive handwriting on each side. With a fist in the air, he stops at the steps where the roar of the crowd washes over him like a warm blanket. After pounding the steps three times for good luck, he quickly gets into the ring, ascends a turnbuckle, and raises another fist for the crowd. Climbing back down, he stretches his arms, shoulders, and neck as he awaits the bell to ring.
Moss: Here’s Vito. Looking good here in Classic Wrestling. Up tonight is a tag team match with this man.
“Bombeleo” – Gypsy Kings plays loud and the fans start dancing along. The catchy song picks up and out comes Carlos Ruiz. He smiles and waves to the Classic Wrestling audience before jumping in the ring and removing his sunglasses. He high fives his tag partner.
The music cuts out and quickly is replaced by “March and Fanfare”, sending the crowd into a big chorus of jeers as Randall Schwartz makes his way to the ring, flanked by a pair of local security as he taunts the crowd, threatening to sue anyone who touches him before he approaches the ring. He stops at the apron and smiles because he knows what comes next.
The Japanese National anthem begins playing as Sensei Abe Lincoln steps out onto the stage waving a Japanese flag. Shujin Yama follows behind, in a sparkly white robe bedazzled in red diamantes. They march down to the ring, Yama paying no attention to the crowd while Sensei Lincoln laughs and taunts them. Arriving to the ring, Sensei Lincoln walks up the steps and holds the middle rope down for Yama to step through as he waves Ruiz and Vito out of the ring. He bows in the centre of the ring, as Sensei Lincoln unhooks Yama’s robe. Once freed, he raises his left leg and drops into a dramatic sumo pose while shouting something incomprehensible to both English- and Japanese-speaking audiences. Randall smiles and slides in under the bottom rope.
Moss: All four men are ready for action.
Howley: It looks like the big man is starting out in the ring.
Moss: As well as Vito.
Ding Ding.
Moss: All of these men were involved in the Real Worlds Title tournament, but their dreams ended a little bit earlier than they would’ve liked.
Howley: That’s true but when you look at Yama and Randall, title shots are going to come their way. Bank on it.
Yama and Vito start off the match for their respective teams. Vito walks up to the stoic Yama. Vito swings a forearm to the chest of Yama, who takes the blow to the chest and smiles. He waves for another, and Vito obliges. Once again Yama brushes it off and laughs, much to the chagrin of Vito and the fans in attendance. Vito runs to the ropes, and is immediately leveled by a massive shoulder tackle. Vito rolls to the bottom rope and stares up at Yama.
Moss: You can’t go right at Yama, he’s too big. Too Strong and too menacing. Joe how would you go at someone like Yama.
Howley: Easy… I wouldn’t. I value breathing too much.
Yama reaches down to grab Vito but he scurries between his legs. Rather than go for the outstretched hand of Ruiz, Vito jumps on the back of Yama who blindly leaps back onto his back. Squashing Vito hard into the mat. Yama drags Vito to his corner and climbs to the middle rope. As he’s setting up for his devastating finish Randall tags himself in.
Moss: Bold strategy but Randall there. It seemed like Yama had everything under control.
Howley: Best to keep the big man fresh, plus Randall can handle himself in that ring too, ya know.
Randall waves Yama out of the ring, leaving the big man fuming. Randall plays to the crowd for a moment, before dropping down and going for a pin.
One!
Moss: He had to have known that wasn’t going to work.
Vito kicks out easily but rather than argue with the ref Randall locks in a side headlock. And cranks down, torquing on the neck of his opponent. Vito fights and fights, until both men are on their feet. Vito levies a back elbow to Randall, but it doesn’t get him to release the hold. The second elbow does the trick. Vito grabs a hold of Randall and fires off a fist to the face. The crowd cheers in anticipation of the next blow. Vito reaches back and swings, Randall ducks and shoves Vito into the ropes, both men go for a clothesline. And both land hard on the mat. As the ref begins to count.
Moss: Both men are down.
One!
Two!
Three!
Both men begin to stir.
Four!
Ruiz is stomping on the apron riling up the crowd.
Howley: Quiet Ruiz! No one wants to hear for you, you tiny conquistador!
Five!
Six!
Moss: Both men stirring.
Vito is up to a knee, as is Randall.
Seven!
Moss: Looks like we won’t end in disappointment tonight.
Both men are on their feet, Vito begins to head towards his corner, as Randall grabs him from behind. With a desperate back elbow, Vito makes room between him and Randall. Vito tags in Ruiz, and for some reason Randall doesn’t go for the tag he eggs Ruiz on. Ruiz runs at Randall and takes him down with a leaping clothesline, and quickly hops to his feet to run the ropes again.
Howley: I tell you that Ruiz is one quick little son of a gun, ain’t he?
Moss: He’s also a world class athlete as well.
Howley: That too, I guess.
Ruiz levels Randall with a clothesline, but Randall quickly gets back up to his feet. Randall and Ruiz meet in the middle and Randall gets the upper hand slamming Ruiz to the mat with a thunderous high body slam. Randall jaws at Vito who is now back on the apron, Yama looks on and shakes his head. Ruiz gets back to his feet and a distracted Randall doesn’t notice..
Howley: Turn around Randall!
Ruiz spins Randall around and nails him with Spanish Eyes. Ruiz thinks about going for the cover but Vito calls for the tag. Ruiz agrees and tags in Vito. As Randall begins to drag himself towards his corner.
Howley: Here comes the big man.
Randall reaches out towards Yama.
Yama Drops down off of the apron and begins to walk towards the back.
Howley: WHAT!?! Get back on that apron and help your damn teammate!
Randall buried his face in the mat and slams his fist on the ground. As Vito stalks his prey. Randall rolls over and is met by a boot in the gut. Vito drags Randall to the middle of the ring and locks in the Metro Avenue Deathlock.
Moss: Smart to drag him in the middle to lock in the submission.
Howley: Shut it Moss, if that coward Yama stayed then none of this would be happening…
Moss: But he did and this is where we are right now.
Randall struggles and tries everything to break the hold, but eventually succumbs to the pain, and Taps Out.
Robbins: Here are your winners! VITO VALENTINO AND CARLOS RUIZ!
Moss: Without Yama there to watch his back the pair of Vito and Carlos proved to be just too much! What a preview for what’s to come at SLAM-A-THON! Will one of these men become the first Premier American Champion!?
Howley: How are they going to throw Yama out of the ring is what I want to know!