October 15, 2011 -- With his influence revealed as agent provocateur responsible for league bifurcation leading to Supercard 6: Team Cr0w vs Team Kron -- Ares Menschlich thrust a defense of accusation upon the fighters of The Union of the Human League. Suggesting their prediliction for avarice and self-interest was the true cause of the disruption, the Baron of War's manifesto ultimately became the battleground for a conflict of philosophy, furiously opposed by the "born again" Kron.
Irrevocably intertwined with the violent occupation of the Cheevment Kingdom by Lord Mislukking and his invading forces -- the debate took on the tone of Good vs Evil. Can anyone truly say that the will to challenge is in itself an act of evil, though? Does the persistent drive that propels men and women into combat -- be it for personal gain, reprisal, or something more -- defile the purity of the league or its organized competition? Or does this undercurrent of personal narrative simply provide a contrast to the higher ideals of the fist?
One fighter standing on the side of War has been ElJobber: a combatant already ostracized from the favoured ranks by an accusation entrenched in the philosophical debate. Condemned for an alleged attack on Tyrant-Cenobite at Supercard 4 -- he became the villain the people demanded, striving to inflict maximum damage against his opponents, transforming from battling conscience to cold, hard competitor! In the ultimate fulfillment of destiny designed, ElJobber even went so far as to perform the exact act he was accused of, robbing Tyrant-Cenobite a scheduled opportunity to enter the battle royal of Supercard 13 -- a true, unapologetic act of vengeance!
As the leading contender awaiting an Undisputed Championship match at Supercard 14; ElJobber invites renewed scrutiny for his actions, but does so with a bold declaration! The Great Arena is the home of competitive fighting -- and everyone who enters it knows what they're there for. So do not condemn those who would engage in battle, for it is the very essence of why all are here. To expect any less than an attack is to corrupt the truth of combat. Not the other way around...
If Ares Menschlich hoped to prove something by offering a shot for the Undisputed Championship to fighters who submitted themselves to the Feast or Famine risk/reward lottery, he didn't count on a dominant performance by legitimate number one contender, Mimik! Continuing the march of success begun at Night of the Barons, Mimik proved that the sanctity of competition is alive and well in The Great Arena, no matter the lengths taken by the surrounding contenders!
A War of Thrones is coming to The Great Arena, where men and women will fight for themselves and those who believe as they do. It will be a war waged in earnest, as pure as any in the days that preceded it. A curious brand of peace has been found through the detente between The Union and Menschlich. An agreement founded in competition, upon the traditions of All That's Fair...
12. ElJobber d. NightHawk in a +10 destruction!
If a willingness to face any challenger had made Ratt an "Iron Man" of The Great Arena, then ElJobber's desire to challenge weaker fighters in his 'MAX Damage Challenge' for a top rated +30 impact had rendered him an "Iron Menace!" Despite losing the support of the audience that regarded him with fond trust, ElJobber's competitive drive has again carried him to the top of the league, earning a shot against newly crowned Undisputed Champion, Mimik! ElJobber had been on a collision course with seemingly unstoppable champion, Cr0w, but it was the iron will of Ratt that toppled that mighty obstacle of a twenty-five match winstreak. Intent on making his own point about the nature of fighting, ElJobber embraces the unsubstantiated claims of arch-rival Tyrant-Cenobite, seeking one last maximum victory before moving on to the goal that has eluded him since January!
This week's unlucky victim was NightHawk -- a competitor who made a name for himself in and around All-Star Summer Showdown as part of a trio of closely matched competitors who've otherwise struggled to solidify their place within the fighting ranks. Paling in comparison to the power and experience of ElJobber, NightHawk arguably never stood a chance, fortunate just to avoid the slaughter already felt by +30 victims like queve (Pre-Show 12), JoelKatz (Tournament 8: Third Round), and MINION (Tournament 8: Second Round)! ElJobber would have to make do with a comparatively modest +10 destruction of his opponent -- far from an adequate forecast for his clash with a Champion whose recent victories included +24 and +27 demolitions on the way to title gold!
It'll be an epic encounter as ElJobber meets Mimik for the Undisputed Championship in the main event of Supercard 14: War of Thrones! Also on the card will be Tyrant-Cenobite -- the man who has levelled months of accusation toward ElJobber, only to be unabashedly attacked prior to the Battle Royal at Supercard 13! He'll return to team with queve against the rising combo of m0s & Nemesis316!
11. Ninja_Mime d. Toryn in a comprehensive +7 victory.
Following his ally and partner into singles competition; Ninja_Mime makes his return to the solo ranks, looking to secure a similar stake in the scramble toward the Undisputed Championship. A steady fixture of the top five league ranks and unofficial top ten contenders, Ninja_Mime exits his record setting seventy day reign as one half of the Duo Division Champions (with Hokey) with a whole lot of steam, in spite of the title loss. In his way stands a fighter whose desperate attempts to secure victory have gone down in infamy, typified by some of the least respected tactics of shortcuts and mayhem. Having held the title before during a brief stint in April, Toryn looks to use Ninja_Mime as the launching pad for his return to the top spot!
Just like his "charmed" partner, Ninja_Mime was a little rusty on his own, but in complete control of his opponent, never the less. Toryn's envious attempts to imitate the success of his contemporaries saw him running headlong into failure, a crushing +7 impact underscoring his lack of skill. Those keen to comapre the closely affiliated former-Duo Division Champions might have speculated that Mime was a fraction off the pace of Hokey, but the significant damage dealt adds dimension to the argument that will be settled at Supercard 14! Hokey got the better of Ninja_Mime in the famous first round of Tournament 7, but will have the chance to settle the score in a friendly clash of rivals at Supercard 14: War of Thrones! Championship contention cannot be far away!
10. Hokey d. Shoe in a comprehensive result.
As one of the top ranked fighters in the League, Hokey has enjoyed a charmed existence in both solo and duo competition. Coming fresh off an impressive seventy days as one half of the Duo Division Champions (with Ninja_Mime); Hokey returns his focus to Undisputed Championship contention -- a claim well within his reach despite the tandem loss at Supercard 13. Providing the perfect stepping stone back into the singles stakes is Shoe -- a tournament winner whose rapid rise has resulted in a likewise descent, the product of a dastardly turn that removed Mimik and The_Purple_Bunny from competition, for a time. Eager to use Hokey's rising star as his own means of propulsion back to the top, Shoe takes full advantage of the philosophical to and fro that scratches the surface of his own indiscretions, while Hokey engages in an unspoken race against his former partner.
Never in danger, Hokey was overwhelmingly in control, completely unchallenged by a Shoe who has never been the same since a complete karmic collapse. "The Charmed" Hokey was not quite at his best, but managed to comprehensively dominate his opponent, preordained victory in spite of a failure to convert into any significant impact rating on Shoe. The win bolsters Hokey's entry into the singles ranks, a return that will run parallel to a similar campaign launched by former partner and friend, Ninja_Mime. The former Duo Division Champions will become literal competitors at Supercard 14, friends as rivals in a rematch of their classic first round encounter at Tournament 7!
9. Artanix & foahchon d. CCShadow & Scott-Howell in a compelling clash.
Emerging as headline contenders within the blistering ranks of the Duo Division, the combinations of CCShadow & Scott-Howell and Artanix & foahchon arrive at Pre-Show 14 with the chance to claim a shot at the Duo Division Championships at Supercard 14, the following week. Both teams secured their spot on the back of storied careers within the two-man competition, bolstered by a vital victory at Supercard 13! For CCShadow & Scott-Howell, it was a personal affair when they got the better of the splintered counterpart combination of Murdoink and his new partner, Baraka_MK. It would be a more formal affair for Artanix & foahchon, business-like when they fended off the best attempts of hard working next phase competitors, SubMan799 & Casselman. Two different journeys leading irrevocably toward a shot against recently crowned (at SC13) Duo Division Champions, The_Purple_Bunny & Blaze!
With a history dating all the way back to Supercard 4: 2011 Ultimate Grand Prix -- Scott-Howell was plenty prepared for anything Artanix & foahchon might throw at he and his partner! Howell and new partner, CCShadow, have enjoyed a whirlwind success since partnering up, but experience might have had a role to play in the contenders comedown that unfolded in this compelling match-up. Artanix & foahchon were impressive in their collective effort, showing the cohesion and maturity of a champion team coming together in their prime. CCShadow & Howell were in the game all the way, but lacked the poetic stamina Howell & Murdoink displayed in their encounters with the pair. An impressive victory for Artanix & foahchon, a long time coming for competitors who've as yet missed out on opportunities to challenge for the Duo Division titles. They'll have their work cut out for them, though! The_Purple_Bunny & Blaze are shaping up to be a dominant combination, underscored by Blaze's unprecedent rise to power, her title coming just one month after her debut!
8. plfx d. nif & bfk in an incredibly close fought three-way!
Search for a common thread between plfx, bfk and nif and you'll find one simple theme: success! While their individual entry into the upper ranks has produced mixed results since debut, all three enjoyed immediate impact as rookie winners in their first few fights! Pitted against each other in a compelling three-way test, they confirm an interesting theory that has been whispered within The Great Arena in months past: someone within the league council is conducting experiments with certain fighters. Exactly what this mysterious project entails remains unknown, but it does seem that all three fighters had some interaction with it, clandestine and unknown, though it may have been.
There was nothing mysterious about the equal footing shared between the three fighters! All three looked incredibly closely matched, on the verge of a three-way tie! Unfortunately for bfk, he was the first to crack, however, succumbing to an elimination assault from nif. The effort necessary to break the stalemate took a lot out of nif, while plfx showed signs of building up a head of steam! plfx, who enjoyed the longest streak of success, proved his superiority, emerging with a convincing win! What the powers-that-be made of the result remains to be seen...
7. m0s & Nemesis316 d. Porygonix & xtactics in a +2 duo decimation!
With a battle royal performance at Supercard 13 that included elimination of both CaTigeReptile and Ghostdragon; Porygonix set himself up as a surprise upstart within the satellite ranks. A stalwart of The Great Arena, Porygonix has flirted time and again with something big, but often struggled to follow through. He'll face an opponent who overcame a similar reputation when he meets Ghostdragon in a grudge match at Supercard 14. To prepare for the former Duo Division champion, it seemed only logical that Porygonix would reteam with xtactics to clash with a major threat to the tandem ranks -- the spirited combo of m0s & Nemesis316!
Since combining with m0s for Tournament 9: Grand Slam [Doubles], Nemesis316 has been privy to a ticket to ride! The Great Arena rookie has enjoyed one of the most complete starts to a career, benefitting from the power and experience of the two-time Daruma 7 arcade champion! Despite their best efforts, Porygonix & xtactics looked out of their depth against the threatening up-and-comers, a storied combination that has struggled to convert experience into victories. m0s & Nemesis316, however, continue to look like a combination destined for greater things -- a pair with great potential to challenge their Championship counterparts, The_Purple_Bunny & Blaze.
6. giandavil and Mk_FrEaK fought to a complete standstill.
They may be the lowest ranked fighters in the league, but the intrigue provided by a Battle for the Bottom has become a regular affair, elevating these lovable losers to cult status. Relegated to the bottom tier after losing to SlumDunk at Pre-Show 12, giandavil hit a statistical limbo after tying with Queequeg (Pre-Show 13), a result sufficient enough to elevate Queequeg without offering the same benefit to giandavil. With Mk_FrEaK inheriting second-last position, it would be another closely matched clash between league morts -- and another crushing blow to the ego of giandavil!
For the very first time in Battle for the Bottom history, the bottom ranked competitor failed to escape his position without losing for a second consecutive time. giandavil looked solid for a fighter of his status, but Mk_FrEaK would prove so evenly matched, the pair would fight to a standstill, forcing the clash into a draw! Just as it had for Queegqueg, the result boosts Mk_FrEaK above the bottom rung, but a win-loss-draw priority keeps giandavil firmly rooted, damned to wait for his next opponent in the Battle for the Bottom!
5. SmokeRulz d. Mark & Liam in a comprehensive finish.
The addition of a single fighter seems like a small change, but ever since the three-way contest was introduced at Supercard 7, it has created a unique set of circumstances that has invited an element of unpredictability into the strategy of even the most seasoned fighters! With a string of successes, SmokeRulz has shown a unique aptitutde for enduring the multi-prong assault that comes with the multi-man match. Coming off another three-way victory at Supercard 13, the triple threat specialist looks to hone his craft in yet another chain formed by seasoned competitors, Mark and Liam!
With extensive experience in the Duo Division; Mark and Liam both brought a special perspective to the unusual clash. Would it be enough to turn the tables against the experienced SmokeRulz? In the earliest stages of the match, it was certainly hard to tell. With a history of team opposition, Liam and Mark went toe-to-toe, leaving SmokeRulz in the dust as they collided in a closely contested exchange!
Liam found himself on the elimination end of the stand-off, giving Mark plenty of momentum to confront SmokeRulz with! Alas; SmokeRulz' reputation as a tough customer under these circumstances is more than hype, and even with a cold confrontation, the three-way specialist looked comfortable against Mark. The conclusion was academic, another solid win for the Next Phase up-and-comer!
4. McDaniel d. Jironobou in a narrow result.
With the chance to begin a legend written in the colosseum stone of The Great Arena, two more fighters rise to the occasion of exhibition combat! McDaniel and Jironobou are two lesser known fighters within the league, having joined the ranks only recently. Like any of their seasoned contemporaries, however, they remain eager to earn the win that will propel them to the heights offered to the top challengers! With some success already under his belt, McDaniel showed a solid base for attack, benefitting from a less impressive start by Jironobou. The fight was anyones for the taking, but in the end, Jironobou continued to disappoint, fighting under par to hand McDaniel a well performed, close fought result.
3. nface d. rxvt in a narrow result.
A curious match-up of consonants and vowels -- relative newcomer and surprise package, nface, would find himself squared up against a fighter who has been his polar opposite, the terminally unsuccessful rxvt! With potential to pick up a rare victory, rxvt no doubt hoped to follow in the footsteps of Jerrod & MINION -- but his rookie opponent would prove much less accomodating!
Despite a relatively short career in The Great Arena, (begun in July, at Destination Duo), nface has made a steady practise of building a cult status on wins within the lower ranks. Despite signs of a potential comeback, rxvt has simply been unable to overcome the crushing streak of defeats that have claimed him since the April Grand Prix season. Both fighters move forward with uncertain futures, free to design a destiny of their own, based on the successes they find!
2. Jerrod & MINION d. killswitch & flameshang in a narrow victory.
With unique intensity, the fighters of the duo division can attest to the joys of organized battle with particular experience! Representing the relatively untested; killswitch & flameshang provide fresh eyes to the ranks, plenty happy to indulge a philosophy of aggression in order to take advantage of their match-up with Jerrod & MINION! The more seasoned combination have struggled to find success within a dense field of highly motivated combos, matching up surprisingly well against their rookie opponents! Even so, experience would be no incidental factor in the battle. There could be no taking anything away from killswitch & flameshang, who took it down to the wire, but Jerrod & MINION have been overdue their first victory -- acquired at Pre-Show 14!
1. FunGuyInTheVan d. Jax in convincing fashion.
Fighting from the exhibition ranks, two of The Great Arena's hottest active challengers looked keen to kick things off in the Pre-Show opener! FunGuyInTheVan and Jax have been sparring regularly in addition to league competition, but it was clear and present that FunGuyInTheVan had enjoyed the more robust improvement. As one of the less experienced fighters, FGITV put in a notably solid performance, bundling Jax up in a convincing finish! It's the kind of win that reminds all of the purity that exists in the pursuit of excellence, where every fighter stares toward a common goal -- victory!
October 23, 2011 sees The Great Arena play host to another massive main event as Supercard 14: War of Thrones delivers another massive card! Newly crowned Undisputed Champion, Mimik, will make his first defense when he faces ElJobber in a test of wills and philosophy! Will the upstart champ survive his first defense, or will the "Iron Menace" claim another MAX Damage win?
Recovering from an attack by ElJobber, Tyrant-Cenobite & queve meet m0s & Nemesis316 in another intriguing match-up from the Duo Division ranks, while the Championships are contested by Artanix & foahchon, number one contenders to face The_Purple_Bunny & Blaze! Contention will no doubt be in mind when former-champs and standing pals, Hokey and Ninja_Mime, put their partnership aside in a classic clash of friendly rivals!
PLUS! Ghostdragon meets Porygonix in a blockbuster grudge match! Recently dethroned champion, Cr0w, looks to get a little payback against the man who broke his streak, Ratt; the "chosen" Genku finds himself matched up against born again Kron; and so much more!
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