Kron's bombshell at Pre-Show 11 should have been the birth of a revolution, but atop the beaten form of the resurrected fighter, Menschlich made the boastful claim that he simply unleashed the natural competitive contempt that each and every Arena survivor possesses for one another. A fact seemingly made self-evident by the emergence of challengers who would rather destroy their fellow man than unite against the oppressors working for Lord Mislukking -- conquering ruler of the Cheevment Kingdom.
Genku is one of those men.
A fighter who defeated eleven of his fellows in a scramble to earn a shot at the covetted Undisputed Championship! A fighter who has fought to the top of the mountain before, victorious in the first-ever Tournament, held before any official title existed. This is the fact he seeks to rectify, challenging a Champion who has made it his business to write records and dominate the ranks as utterly as any invading overlord.
The_Purple_Bunny is one of these men.
A growing presence whose legend engulfed The Next Phase challengers of Tournament 7, leading him back from the realm of unliving to a glowing glory that positions him as a future contender for the Undisputed Championship! Though he has achieved much in his return, it is revenge that drives this spirit, a lust for a debt owed in flesh by a man who crossed the line and must pay the price.
ElJobber is one of these men.
Once regarded as the metaphorical conscience of The Great Arena, he was a fighter capable of bridging battle between the emergent top tier and the peloton of the masses. The trust that once defined him was undermined by unfounded accusations of misconduct that saw guilt for his success turn into steely, unfeeling determination. Attempts to answer accusations have only bred more suspicion as ElJobber's purpose becomes one of destruction for his fellow fighters.
Thus; with the biggest card The Great Arena has ever hosted, Supercard 11: All-Star Summer Showdown unites the ranks in combat. On this grandest stage of all, some will choose to be agents of War, while others will fight for the power to fight back and be immortal. This is their story.
15. Cr0w (c) d. Genku in a +4 Championship decimation!
Having earned his shot at Supercard 9 in a twelve-person Battle Royal, Genku is a fighter with one goal in mind! Talking up a big game, Genku showed no signs of intimidation against an Undisputed Champion who has set about demolishing standing records with a reign that has defined by five successful defenses, one hundred cumulative days as Champion, and a win streak of sixteen matches! The Tale of the Tape told an overwhelmingly favourable story about Cr0w, but come showtime, that did little to cool the nerves of a Champion whose luck will eventually have to run out!
The always bashful Genku got right in Cr0w's face, but just as he came up short from the top spot of Tower of Power II, the short-fused Genku was out of his league against Cr0w! The Undisputed Champion commenced a beating, shockingly unphased by a Genku who simply couldn't deliver the hard shots that brought him to a main event match! Cr0w was every bit as cool, calm, and collected that Genku wasn't! To the shock and awe of everyone watching, a sixth Championship defense was written, as Cr0w continued his warpath as the top man in The Great Arena with a +4 decimation against yet another challenger!
As soon as he could, Genku let loose a wild tirade against the heirarchy of The Union of The Human League! The firebreathing fighter denounced the Championship and the League, spewing vitriol in response to a loss that was his and his alone! Genku rejoins the line behind other top contenders, while Cr0w not only eyes off his next defense, but also the chance to extend his win streak into twenty-four fights, an eventuality should he be successful in dominating seven rounds of Tournament 8! Seeded #1 in the first-ever tournament to feature sixteen seeds based on League Ranking, Cr0w will have every opportunity to win his third Tournament in follow-up to his title winning performance at Tournament 5!
14. The_Purple_Bunny d. Shoe in a +9 decimation!
It has been three months since The Great Arena was shocked to learn of the untimely demise of Mimik and The_Purple_Bunny! After returning to the realm of living as the surprise final entrant in the Supercard 9 Battle Royal -- TPB has been biding his time, earning a breakout victory in Tournament 7, whilst waiting for the inevitable All-Star grudge match between he and his killer -- the vile Shoe!
The Great Arena was with The_Purple_Bunny every step of the way as he entered into a clinical dismantling of his nemesis! It was a dominant TPB who delivered an excess of force, ripping and tearing at a Shoe who could barely defend himself! It was the ultimate catharsis, a dish best served three months cold, with a whole lot of success ramping up to it! As much as the public execution provided personal satisfaction for The_Purple_Bunny and his supporters, it also sets him up as one of the top contenders in the fighting league, sure to be next in line for a shot at the Undisputed Championship barring a stand-out performance at Tournament 8!
13. Kron d. ElJobber in a comprehensive return!
With his shock return from the realm beyond delivering a bombshell of truth at Pre-Show 11, Kron probably had more on his mind than the first-ever match between he and ElJobber! Having been manipulated by the occult influence of Ares Menschlich, Kron was one of the faction leaders at the Arena bifurcating event, Supercard 6: Team Cr0w vs Team Kron. Despite an obvious desire to seek revenge against the figure who ultimately led to his exile and downfall -- Kron found the Baron of War's philosophy of combat being embraced by an ElJobber who is a changed man!
It was during his domination of the ranks at Tower of Power II that ElJobber went from fan-favourite "conscience" of The Great Arena, to a calculating competitor interested only in earning a shot at the Undisputed Championship. Seeing a returned Kron as the perfect opportunity, ElJobber shrugs off accusations of misconduct by decimating his accuser, Tyrant-Cenobite, despite uncovering no new revelation from the Pre-Show 11 beat down.
The first-time meeting between the two stars turned into a motley affair as they engaged in a down and dirty grapplefest! There was nothing elegant about the fight as ElJobber attempted to grind out a victory against his hugely powerful opponent! It won't be remembered as a fine technical display, but in his return to man-on-man league competition, Kron secures an impressive victory under extreme duress! Both fighters will place well in Tournament 8 seeding, but each has his demon to bare in the race for gold -- a fact that will no doubt prove significant for both as they enter competition in September! Then again, a rematch seems inevitable...
12. Ratt d. Toryn in a shock +18 annihilation!
If Ratt is to be regarded as the "heart" of The Great Arena, then Toryn must be an appendage quite a distance lower! Tensions between the pair have been mounting outside competition as Toryn regards Ratt's success with bitter envy, but the collision between these two All-Star former champions was really set up with a staggering +20 decimation as part of the Tower of Power II!
It can't be forgotten that Ratt defeated Toryn for the Undisputed Championship at the original Tower of Power, a fact that may have infact motivated Toryn's ire against the fan-favourite fighter. It was a history that the heel of the situation would hope to learn from, but as has been seen so many times before, "The Iron Man" Ratt is not so easily dismissed!
Toryn looked absolute outclassed as Ratt unleashed an All-Star whooping not far from his Supercard decimation! The rematch rated at another devastating +18 on the impact scale as Ratt swatted Toryn from one side of The Great Arena to the other! The crowd couldn't help but love the hero's triumph -- a huge win heading in to Tournament 8, where Ratt will be one of the top two seeds dependant on the Championship match result!
11. Hokey & Ninja_Mime (c) d. DaMo & DeathScepter in a comprehensive Duo Division Championship defense!
They earned the right to challenge with a massive win at Pre-Show 11 against SubMan799 & Casselman, but even the bizarre and unpredictable duo of DaMo & DeathScepter had to be intimidated by the presence of a Championship tandem that has only lost a single match -- the original title bout held at the conclusion of Tournament 6!
Despite a reputation for being somewhat unorthodox, it was a very conventional show of strength that revealed D&D were more than ready for the challenge! The well oiled machine of Hokey & Ninja_Mime wasn't going to be easily rattled, but even they would have to succumb to a show of brute force that overwhelmed their individual accumen! Fortunately for them, the power play by DaMo & DeathScepter wasn't powerful enough to overwhelm their own golden defense! Fighting at the peak level of the Duo Division -- the Champions seemed inspired by the powerful assault, giving it back in kind to deliver a surprisingly comprehensive win against upstart challengers!
The impressive victory marks the first successful defense for the Duo Division Champions, who won the titles from then-winners, Pink_Ranger & Ghostdragon, just one week after they won them. Granted a full month of preparation due to their solo endeavours, the Champions were able to reunite after being forced to fight in the random draw for Tournament 7! Their next challenge will come at Supercard 12, where they will take on the close second team of DECEPTION & Onryo in September!
10. TonyTheTiger d. Ghostdragon in a close encounter!
He was decimated at the hands of TonyTheTiger during Tournament 7 Quarter Finals, and with a mounting reputation for last minute choking, Ghostdragon had plenty to prove in this All-Star grudge rematch!
TonyTheTiger was once known as a scavanger, ready to take the short way toward Championship contention, but at Tournament 7, the ultimate opportunist became a predatory force within the league ranks! Decimating his opponents with little regard, TTT fell short of winning against The_Purple_Bunny, exhibiting a competitive spirit that represents a total transformation of his position within The Great Arena! Polarizing in their approach to the match, it seemed as if TonyTheTiger would run away with it -- but that simply was not to be!
TTT looked a little lethargic, but was clearly going to be challenged by a Ghostdragon fighting for T8 seeding and the respect that so often eludes him! GD was convincing in his assault, taking it right to the wire, but TonyTheTiger, pressed against the wall, proved he had claws when it counted the most! It was only by a whisker that TonyTheTiger was able to pull out another important victory, no doubt a gauling consolation for Ghostdragon, who enters Tournament 8 with the knowledge that he once again lost it at the crucial moment!
9. DECEPTION & Onryo d. SubMan799 & Casselman
SubMan799 & Casselman may have been casualties of a comprehensive contender match at Pre-Show 11, but they remain one of the respected top ranking teams of the booming Duo Division! Matched against the second ranked DECEPTION & Onryo, it looked to be a second-chance draw in this unofficial contender clash for the Duo Division titles!
Favourite status went out the window as the match-up stood to rise to the occasion! As a tandem, SubMan799 & Casselman continued their coming of age, standing as a legitimate threat to the 5-2 team-up positioned before them! The epic stoush stopped any fighter from standing out as all four went to war over their rite to challenge the All-Star Duo Division winners of the marquee! In the end, it was the better rated team of DECEPTION & Onryo that emerged victorious, but SubMan799 & Casselman put in a performance that rates them far from losers. The Duo Division remains one of the highlights of the Supercard as DECEPTION & Onryo move on to face to the winner of the Championship headliner, knowing full well they'll have plenty of competition, win or lose!
8. Porygonix d. Jammer2Omega in a comprehensive win.
As the posterchild of the "Next Phase" movement, Jammer2Omega has had a lot of pressure to shoulder despite a relatively recent rise to prominence. Porygonix has emerged as one of the critics of J2O's longevity, doubting his ability to win the big matches even in spite of a loss to him in the Third Round of Tournament 7! Arguably more interested in elevating himself, Porygonix challenges J2O in a Next Phase All-Star rematch!
It would have been a prime opportunity to dismiss claims about his ability, but alas, something truly was working against Jammer2Omega from within! The rising star appeared at a fraction of full power, relatively light work for a Porygonix who showed expected signs of life. J2O held off any kind of severe punishment, but was still dealt a comprehensive defeat by a fighter who has been taking every opportunity to return to the spotlight he'd left for quite some time. Porygonix has prospered since unexpectedly stepping in to the spotlight at Supercard 9 and is going from strength-to-strength, while J2O has left with big questions to answer!
7. Mimik d. Pink_Ranger in a +3 decimation!
Revealed as the occult catalyst for Supercard 6: Team Cr0w vs Team Kron, Ares Menschlich claimed his interference merely brought out the competitive contempt that lies within every fighting individual. As former teammates with Team Cr0w, Pink_Ranger and Mimik's clash for ratings superiority seemed to be the proof that Menschlich was right -- that the ranks within The Great Arena would just as soon destroy each other, as they would his nefarious master, Lord Mislukking!
With the Baron of War no doubt delighted by their clash, the "First Lady of Fighting" met the Tournament 3 winner in an epic encounter! Knowing another tournament lies right around the corner, rankings stakes have been given new meaning, pushing the pair to fight for much more than another stat in the win column!
Pink_Ranger was one of the fighting few to emerge with a victory from the Challenger 7 at Supercard 10, but appeared wildly outmatched against the former tournament winner! Mimik looked to be in fine form, absolutely dominant in his return from a drubbing at the same event! The dominant victory not only ensures a top spot in the league ranks, but also boosts Mimik's grip on contention for the Undisputed Championship -- a position he narrowly missed as runner-up to Genku in the Supercard 9 contender Battle Royal!
6. NovaStarr d. Dolce by a narrow margin!
Ever since Supercard 7, NovaStarr has had a chip on her shoulder! Eager to assert herself as a dominant female, she tracked Dolce through a series of matches, including their ill fated Duo dash at Supercard 8! Suffering the indignity of a near-draw at the following Supercard 9, it was put up or shut up time for NovaStarr in this grudge match!
The fiery fighting femme brought a new level to her game as she tackled the defense of Dolce! If it was a decimation NovaStarr was hoping for, however, she'd be sorely disappointed. Dolce was able to run blow for blow for the majority of the match, once again taking the battle to a close fought conclusion. Perhaps wanting it just that little bit more, NovaStarr extended herself in ways she was unable to in the previous clash, slogging her way to a long sought victory over her arch-nemesis!
As antagonist, NovaStarr brings a certain degree of closure to the enduring feud with her win, but by taking it in yet another narrow fought decision, you couldn't call it a certain ending for the rivalry shared by this unique pair. Both will no doubt move forward in their exploits, but the war between NovaStarr and Dolce may yet escalate in the unknown future.
5. GreenLantern d. Piccolo & NightHawk in a close fought blockbuster three-way rematch!
They might not be the most recognisable names in The Great Arena, but their three-way clash at Pre-Show 9 set a tension-filled standard for the unique match type. Battling to an almost three-way draw, Piccolo, NightHawk and GreenLantern were hand picked for a special rematch on the grand stage of the All-Star Summer Showdown!
The trio didn't disappoint, engaging once again in a blockbuster clash of evenly matched powers! A surprising turn saw the original winner, NightHawk, fade early as GreenLantern and Piccolo elevated their game above the lagging fighter. With NightHawk being gradually forced out of the match, the remaining pair went hard at it, once again going neck-and-neck! It was by the barest minimum of margins that GreenLantern was able to battle his opponent into submission, turning the tables to emerge victorious! A massive win for the relative rookie!
4. Ken d. CaTigeReptile
They have both been top ten ranking superstars with hot prospects for contention, but the shifting sands of competition in The Great Arena have swept aside the legacy of Ken and CaTigeReptile to varying degrees. Up and down, both fighters have struggled to cling to the top ranks, while upstart fighters within The Next Phase have put pressure on their status, threatening to surpass them as relics of a former revolution.
As opponents, the pair appeared refreshed, fighting with a determination fitting of their early appearance in this prestigious event! With gusto, they clashed, zigging and zagging in opposition with a lot to gain and even more to lose. While you couldn't call it a domination, it was Ken who bounced back from defeat as one of the Tower of Power II Challenger 7 to assert himself as a force still to be reckoned with! CTR will never be unwelcome within The Great Arena, but a string of defeats since her Supercard 7 Battle Royal win have cost her dearly.
3. Artanix & foahchon d. Scott-Howell & Murdoink
With a monumental fifteen matches across the card, Supercard 11 had to be described as the biggest event The Great Arena has seen! The claim impeaches the standard setting Grand Prix of Supercard 4, where the biggest show of its time set the stage for a career defining clash between Scott-Howell & Murdoink and Artanix & foahchon in one of the earliest Duo Division clashes!
Supercard 4 saw the affectionately regarded 'original team' exert their dominance, but "Sugar" Scott-Howell & Murdoink have experienced a lull in their success during this most crucial period. Capitalizing on the twist of fortunes, Artanix & foahchon set out to rewrite the rules of this classic Duo Division rivalry! Following on from his Semi Final solo success in Tournament 7, Artanix blasted his foes, fighting with foahchon to a shockingly convincing win over the Duo favourites! The stunning result retains pressure on Scott-Howell & Murdoink as they drift farther from contention for the Duo Division Championships they were expected to win prior to their shock First Round exit from Tournament 6! A stark contrast to the on-the-rise Artanix and his partner, foahchon!
2. m0s d. SmokeRulz & Chiefin in a solid win.
The first of two exhibition three-way match-ups could only be described as very unpredictable and highly combustible! The legend of "The Upset Machine" Chiefin has been well assured with some shocking big wins early in his career, but he could only be regarded as fledgling in comparison to former upstart and Great Arena stalwart, m0s! SmokeRulz is no veteran, but his experience in three-way matches has earned him the reputation of being something of a specialist in the unique situation, and added a special ingredient to this intriguing opener.
That ability to account for the multiple variables of two opponents saw SmokeRulz asserting himself in close quarters combat with The Upset Machine! Chiefin showed the competitive drive that has made him a rising star of The Next Phase, but it was to be a situation calling for experience. That factor went on deep into the match as m0s showed signs of mounting an incredible enduro style fight to the finish! What began as a close struggle ended in a comprehensive push to the finish, m0s enjoying no signs of fatigue in his big game win! An important result for the former top ten challenger!
1. Leroy & Mark d. ZachAngel & Angelia in a narrow win!
Since the crowning of Champions at Tournament 6, the Duo Division has been an absolute hotbed of tag team competition! Keen to pick up a valuable win in the All-Star opener, emerging members of the fighting faithful of Team Agaper, ZachAngel & Angelia, met up against their Team Ops DD counterparts, Leroy & Mark!
Both teams have enjoyed moderate success at their own level, making this a well matched combination from the outset. The science of their opposition did not fail to delight, sending the pairs into a flurry of fierce fisticuffs as they battled for an all important next win. Leroy & Mark were able to hold on with just a little more grit than their opponents, making it evens all around as the winners improved their Duo record to 3-3, while Agaper's finest settled for a 2-2 history. Both teams will be grateful for the experience as they head forward into the Duo stakes!
The All-Star Summer Showdown ensures the All-Stars remain present and accounted for in a refreshed version of the unofficial top ten! The_Purple_Bunny's meteoric rise through T7 and decimation of Shoe position him as most likely to challenge for the Undisputed Championship in September, providing somebody else doesn't make a compelling case for themselves in the upcoming 128-fighter tournament!
Ratt and ElJobber both eye-off rematches against the dominating Champion, Kron marches back into The Great Arena with renewed potential as a contender! A string of defeats against Cr0w, culminating in their match at Pre-Show 7, seemed to strike Kron from contention, but as one of the few fighters powerful enough to actually defeat the record-setting Champ, he might be the instrument of final resort! A factor that will no doubt come to play in Genku's perspective of things, as he drifts back to fourth after missing out on a double-chance at Tower of Power II.
With a decimating victory over Pink_Ranger, Mimik remains in contention, while TonyTheTiger claws his way toward the shot with a legitimacy that has been lacking in his previous visits. Toryn clings to contention by his fingertips as Porygonix, Ken, Artanix and m0s make cases for themselves. The Duo Division Champions remain fixtures of the scenery, secure after their first defense of the tandem titles.
Champion: Cr0w
#1 The_Purple_Bunny
#2 Ratt
#3 ElJobber
#4 Genku
#5 Kron
#6 Mimik
#7 Hokey
#8 Ninja_Mime
#9 TonyTheTiger
#10 Toryn
The All-Star Summer Showdown has delivered a final set of league ranked top sixteen combatants! They will sit at the ends of mini-brackets as one hundred and twenty-eight fighters return to The Great Arena for the opportunity to fight toward victory in the first-ever sixteen seeded tour! Tournament 8 begins August 29 and will run for two weeks, twisting around a second week Tournament 9 Duo competition that will conclude at Pre-Show 12 on Sunday, September 11!
The action is heating up! Who are the seeded fighters with optimum opportunity to battle through the randomly drawn ranks? This will be revealed and more as we count down toward another epic encounter in organized competition!
No comments:
Post a Comment