Monday, October 31, 2011

Pre-Show 15: Devil's Night!

October 30, 2011 -- Strange things are happening in The Great Arena on the eve of Halloween! With several of the best fighters missing since The War of Thrones, and Ratt seemingly joining their absent ranks, it seems something foul is afoot in the Cheevment Kingdom! The creatures of the night are amassing and they bring with them the promise of doom and gloom! What sinister forces conspire against the fighters of The Union of The Human League? And just what do they want?

Ninja_Mime's desires will be clear when he challenges Mimik in a very special main event -- a fasttracked match for the covetted Undisputed Championship ahead of the all-Duo event at Supercard 15! With a victory over his partner and a long and storied career behind him, is this finally Ninja_Mime's time to shine as a solo hero, or will he take leave as a titless zero? Mimik is on the warpath, cutting down the biggest names in the league with devastating results! It'll be make or break as champion and challenger collide on this eve of infinite possibilities -- the Devil's Night!


15. Mimik (c) d. Ninja_Mime in a convincing +3 Championship defense!
With The Great Arena cleared of the darkness of the Devil's Night, a very special, previously scheduled Undisputed Championship match could be allowed to unfold! The unexpected, sudden rise of Mimik at Feast or Famine has left some questioning the gravity of his reign as Champion, but with an impressive, hard fought defense against ElJobber at War of Thrones, on top of his massive surprise victory over Pestilence at Night of the Barons, and his dramatic decimations of Ratt and The_Purple_Bunny leading to the title win, Mimik has cemented a compelling case for his stay amongst the top tier! Ninja_Mime arrives in the main event with a long list of accomplishments, not the least of which was his reign was Duo Division Champion, held alongside Hokey -- the man he defeated to earn this special opportunity ahead of the all-Duo Supercard 15!

The stage was set for an intriguing clash of dynasties as the two allies of Supercard 6's Team Cr0w faced off. A relationship outside The Great Arena would not influence their approach, reiterating the pure combat that exists between fighters dedicated to the ultimate glory of the Undisputed Championship! That fact no doubt inspired Mimik, who looked to be in fine form despite a well documented afflication with the P-Virus. Ninja_Mime made his candidacy for top billing known, but was slightly out of place, alone in the colosseum. With convincing results, Mimik charged over the challenger, exerting a defeat sufficient enough to register a +3 impact. For a fighter who annihilated opponents in the high twenties, the win was actually a fairly tame affair, in the end!

14. Crow d. Pumpkin Head #1 and slayed the spooky monster!
Still suffering the sting of the loss of his Undisputed Championship and record setting twenty-five match win streak (at Supercard 13) -- Crow is "unstoppable" no more. With a second defeat at the hands of Ratt hanging over him after War of Thrones, Crow has been discombobulated and left in desparate need of a victory! Enter the strange fiendish Pumpkin Head -- a lantern-faced monster intent on spreading illwill across the Devil's Night/Halloween weekend! Breathing flames from his pumpkin-styled head, the creature proved all bark, no bite, no match for Crow! Exploding in a hail of soup and fire, the sinister seasonal menace was quickly vanquished -- unlike the rest of the league!

The win follows a Feast or Famine victory over Pestilence and keeps him on the right path, but blood is in the water, and Crow has many miles to travel before he returns to contention for his beloved Undisputed Championship! Though vulnerable, he has the benefit of a reignited fire of desire and desparation. This could be Crow's greatest weapon, but with a history of becoming impetuous, it may also prove his ultimate undoing. At least, with the creatures of darkness invading the colosseum, The Union of The Human League could count on one of its strongest competitors when it counted!

13. ElJobber d. Maniac Peasant #2969 and slayed the madman!
Developing the reputation of an "Iron Menace" equal to any of the beasts attacking, ElJobber has made a habit of using Pre-Show events as the platform for his MAX Damage challenge. The scenario -- inspired by his +30 impact wins over JoelKatz and MINION at Tournament 8 -- has typically involved singling out lower tier fighters easily susceptible to such a decimation. With only the creatures of the night to choose from, it seems fitting that a flailing, ineffective Maniac Peasant would become ElJobber's prey!

Insanity has spread through the village peasants ever since Lord Mislukking arrived to conquer the realm. Some say the act of domination itself was enough to send them mad, but others claim ancient gods from a time before record sponsored his dark dominion, singing a battle march that echoes in the very minds of these unfortunate souls. Whatever the case, ElJobber made light work of the madman, effortlessly striking him down with ruthless efficiency. As satisfying an end as possible for the now cold, hardened ElJobber.

12. TonyTheTiger d. Swamp Beast #1 but it escaped death!
Not to be mistaken for one of the primal beasts invading The Great Arena -- TonyTheTiger is a fighter who's developed claws in recent months! Proving himself in combat against some of the leagues finest competitors, he has grown from a mere scavenger into a deadly predator! The hunter would become the hunted as TonyTheTiger became the object of aggression from a Swamp Beast -- muck creature from the murkiest corners of the swamps of the Cheevment Kingdom! Slimey and green, the hideous creature would attempt to take a pound of flesh from TonyTheTiger -- only to be cut down to size by ferocious tooth and claw! TonyTheTiger's assault proves enough to drive the Swamp Beast into a puddled retreat, back to the swamps where it can live to fight another day!

11. The_Purple_Bunny d. Vampire #1 and slayed the feral fiend!
Where once vampires lorded over the Cheevment Kingdom night with nobility and grace, a disgusting parody of the Vampire now lurks. Amidst the invading hordes, one of the feral remnants of the hunted species, as desparate and ravenous for blood as any common animal or leech. The first of its kind seen in years is light work for one-half of the Duo Division Champions, The_Purple_Bunny! TPB handled the bloodthirsty monster with a mere modicum of his fullest powers, with the skill and proficiency of any ancient vampire hunter! The_Purple_Bunny will want to show that same aggression at Supercard 15, when he and partner Blaze are forced to defend their title against whosoever scales the treacherous ladder of the Tower of Power! Be it one of the Challenger 7, or one of the ten top ranked teams beneath them, they will face only the best, with the title decided in the final fight of the event! The first time such an event has opened to the Duo ranks!

10. Ghostdragon d. Skeleton Warrior #3134 and slayed the minion!
Ghostdragon proved unlucky to lose at Supercard 14, suffering a surprise defeat at the hands of Porygonix in their post-Battle Royal grudge match. Probably happy to have an outlet for venting, Ghostdragon reversed his fortunes, appearing in his element in battle with yet another invading Skeleton Warrior! The walking deadman restored the reputation of relatively low tier competition, a boneheaded patsy to Ghostdragon's well measured attack. Ghostdragon will be expected to reunite with Pink_Ranger, joining the ranks of the Duo Division once more to take advantage of the first-ever team contest Tower of Power at Supercard 15, next month!

9. "The Charmed" Hokey d. Skeleton Warrior #3133 and slayed the minion!
On a night of bad omens, who better to have on the side of light than one of the most fortune finding fighters in the league, "The Charmed" Hokey? More than a match for any mere Skeleton Warrior, the Charmed One attacked the ivory creature with full force, far beyond the half measures displayed in his contender fight at Supercard 14! The Skeleton Warrior was no match for Hokey's might, despite being another powerful variation on its traditionally lowgrade ilk! Will fortune smile as glowingly upon Hokey (and Ninja_Mime) when they fight toward their second Duo Division Championship in the Tower of Power? Only Supercard 15 and The Devil know for sure!

8. Bubble Rossi #771 d. Jammer2Omega in a devastating defeat!
As the posterchild of The Next Phase movement, Jammer2Omega has faced opponents of all types, but never has he bared witness to a nemesis like a Bubble Rossi! Strange and esoteric, these roving spheres once served as additional security for the Royal Family of the Cheevment Kingdom -- elastic bubbles capable of smothering the most powerful of men. Since Lord Mislukking's invasion, however, they have become pale harbingers of doom, threatening anyone who isn't one with the evil overlord.

Somehow entangled with the creatures of the night, a Bubble Rossi becomes one of the colosseum invaders, an unlikely threat amidst the ghouls and ghosts. Jammer2Omega approached the deadly ball with a moderate attack, only to find himself completely overwhelmed by its form conforming smother! Fight though he would, Jammer2Omega could do nothing to escape -- another shock victim of the Devil's Night!

7. DECEPTION d. Infected Peasant #1 and slayed the zombie!
Eager to help who he could, DECEPTION raced into action, attempting to aid what he believed was a wayward peasant lost in the anarchy befalling The Great Arena. Instead, he was confronted by the alarming vision of an innocent man, shrieking in agony and hideously disfigured by the notorious P-Virus! The Infected Peasant suddenly sprang to life, lunging at DECEPTION as if spurred to act by some primal lust for flesh! It was all DECEPTION could do to keep the horror at bay, forced to make a very difficult decision. Recognising the man beneath the gore was gone, replaced by a tortured memory, he made the ultimate decision. Taking no pleasure, DECEPTION released the unfortunate man from his curse. An act of mercy to end a fate worse than death.

6. Floating Viper Head #5 d. Ken in a devastating defeat!
The horrors of the Halloween horde were a diverse many, but few sights could be as unsettling as the disembodied Floating Viper Head! With snakes for hair and a penchant for floating in fast, ebbing motion, the airborne ambush of these menacing spirits makes them notoriously difficult to defeat, and even harder to slay! Ken took up the fight, trying in vein to match the fevered sway of the eerie head with fast and furious fists. Alas; the fanged charge of the Viper Head would get the better of a deeply frustrated Ken! Another devastating defeat for one of the Union's finest!

5. Nemestilae Spider #2 d. CaTigeReptile in a devastating defeat!
As more of the familiar faces of the league arrived to collide with the invading colosseum creatures, it was the charge of CaTigeReptile to deal with one of the smallest, but deadliest threats to dwell in the Cheevment Kingdom wild. Nemestilae Spiders are highly venomous arachnids, typically happened upon by accidental exposure of their trap-door lairs! The fast-moving creature packs a powerful poison in its bite, capable of drastically reducing the powers of any unlucky bitten fighter, over long stretches of time. CTR faced exactly that prospect as she struggled to squash the speedy web-spinner. A single misstep was all it took to feel the fangs of the Nemestilae -- a devastating defeat!

4. nface d. Skeleton Warrior #3132 and slayed the minion!
Another somewhat inexperienced fighter, nface was not far behind McDaniel, just as ready to tackle the boney menace of the Skeleton Warrior tandem! Facing a much less potent Warrior, nface was more than capable of riding the skeletal helter-skelter, in constant control of the anarchic situation. The invading horde would be another monster short, done away deftly by the dashing nface!

3. McDaniel d. Skeleton Warrior #3131 and slayed the minion!
Summoned by The Union; fighters from all ranks of the league arrive to fend off the dark creatures invading the colosseum. First to aid jack4813 in the struggle was McDaniel -- another newcomer, who fearlessly charged into battle, unintimidated by the bizarre vision of an animated Skeleton Warrior menacing the arena! This particular Skeleton Warrior proved to be particularly strong, defying their reputation for being fleshless weaklings! Even at full-power, McDaniel had to put his back into it just to fend off the assault! He did marvellously, rendering the Skeleton a pile of bones!

2. Giant Bat #39 d. jack4813 in a devastating defeat!
As the creatures of the night and forces of darkness flooded the colosseum, a Giant Bat saw fit to bedevil one of the relative newcomers to The Great Arena. In his brief time in the Cheevment Kingdom, jack4813 has shown a lot of promise, battling in and out of competition to further his skills in the pursuit of bringing real change to the fighting ranks. jack4813 has never claimed to be the next Undisputed Champion, but his earnest approach and willingness to learn from other competitors has made him a sentimental favourite. Alas; there would be no sentimentality from the leather wings of the Giant Bat! As other warriors spilled into the colosseum to fight the mounting horde, jack4813 could only succumb to the terrifying might of the enormous wild beast!

1. giandavil d. lita83 in a near-draw Battle for the Bottom!
It looked to be business as usual in the opening bout for Pre-Show 15. The cult phenomenon of the Battle for the Bottom continues to be a unique draw at Pre-Shows across the Great Arena calendar, bringing basement dwelling giandavil into conflict with his nearest league ranked opponent, lita83!

giandavil has struggled to escape the bottom, fighting to standstill draws against Mk_FrEaK (Pre-Show 14) and Queequeg (Pre-Show 13) in previous Battles for the Bottom! A statistical limbo has meant the tied results have been sufficient enough to elevate those previous battlers, while giandavil remains firmly anchored to the bottom of the pile. Thid time looked to be the charm for a highly motivated giandavil, whose odds were even against his incredibly well matched opponent! lita83 took it to the absolute limit, but desire got giandavil over the line by the narrowest of margins!


November 6, The Great Arena plays host to another famous first as the Duo Division takes over the colosseum spotlight! Supercard 15: Tower of Power III will pit the greatest teams in the league against each other in the formation that demands only the fit survive! 7 council selected tandems will first attempt to topple the Tower when the Challenger 7 go from bottom to top, before the Tower of Power turns in on itself in sudden death elimination! At the top, The_Purple_Bunny & Blaze will wait to defend their Duo Division Championships to only the most worthy! Only a fool would miss it!

Monday, October 24, 2011

Supercard 14: War of Thrones!

October 23, 2011 -- Let ElJobber's proclamation ring out through all the land -- there is no greater incentive than the will to fight! For months, The Great Arena has been locked in philosophical debate between the spiteful accusations of avarice and corruption by Ares Menschlich, and the altruistic opposition of the "born again" Kron and his chosen allies! Intertwined in the conquests of Lord Mislukking and the tensions between Barons and the Union of the Human League, this struggle must come to an end, punctuated by the rememberance of everything the league was built on!

On October 23, The Great Arena will belong to the people, leaving behind the Night of Barons, as a new age of battle is embraced, and the focus returns to the many thrones ruled by the men and women who choose to fight for them! For Mimik and all who aspire to greatness, the grandest throne of them all is the Undisputed Championship -- a prize Mimik fought long and hard to reach, decimating man and Baron alike! Alas; decimations have become something of a specialty for "The Iron Menace" ElJobber, who will attempt to make Mimik a member of his MAX Damage Boot Camp on the way to his first reign as champion!

For The_Purple_Bunny & Blaze, the throne of the Duo Division Championship will be a harsh new test, begun by Artanix & foahchon but soon to be waged from all sides as the entire league attempts to dethrone them from their Tower of Power! Then there's Hokey and Ninja_Mime -- charmed partners who once held the Duo throne, but will battle each other for the right to claim the one true prize! Team Agaper and Team Ops fight for a throne of pride, with SmokeRulz soon to be a casualty of their fatal attraction! The War of Thrones will be fought at every level, by every fighter, but little does The Union of The Human League know -- this is just the beginning...!


14. Mimik (c) d. ElJobber in a close fought Championship defense!
Having danced with contention regularly over the past few months, ElJobber saw himself waiting for an eventual shot against Crow in the hopes of ending the streak, whilst claiming the title. The Feast or Famine special event accelerated ElJobber's return to title contention, but completely changed the game by introducing Mimik as the new Undisputed Champion! Mimik has been on the warpath, emerging triumphant over Pestilence at Night of the Barons, before utterly destroying lottery winner The_Purple_Bunny and former champion Ratt, setting up a clash of two of The Great Arena's heaviest hitters! Could ElJobber bring his MAX Damage to the main event, or would Mimik give him a taste of his own punishing medicine?

It would turn out to be one of the most tense Championship matches in recent memory! Neck and neck, champion and challenger showed no signs of relenting, their body and mind possessed by the pursuit of victory and everything it would entail. All questions of philosophy melted away in the white hot furnace of competition, leaving only the purity of combat between two spectacular specimens! Every attempt to find an advantage by ElJobber was deftly countered by Mimik, and vice versa! With the colosseum transfixed by this expert exchange of battle maneuvers, it truly seemed as if the league might bare witness to its first title fight draw!

Entering the dying stages of this tooth and nail scramble, it was the Champion who showed true grit! ElJobber may have had a long and winding journey, but Mimik has danced with opportunity only so many times! It was only his second attempt that produced Championship gold and he would not be so easily denied, even by a fighter as powerful as ElJobber! Down to the wire, ElJobber could do no more, buckling to the mighty will and strength of Mimik -- still Undisputed Champion!

13. Ninja_Mime d. Hokey to become #1 contender to the Undisputed Championship.
In one of the most anticipated matches of the evening, friends would become rivals in an exciting test to name a new number one contender! Together they have been one of the most impressive teams to hold the Duo Division Championships, but the individual acclaim of "The Charmed" Hokey and Ninja_Mime can not be easily forgotten. As stalwarts of The Great Arena, each has enjoyed a measure of success, never quite rising to the apex of the mountain. At Tournament 7, fate had it that they would fight each other for the first time, randomly drawn in a First Round match that ultimately went in favour of Hokey. Together they avenged their T6 finals loss, fighting through a field of thirty-two teams to claim Tournament 9: Grand Slam [Doubles]. Now, they face each other for the second time in an attempt to cap one of their careers with the biggest prize in the league - the Undisputed Championship!

Representing a friendly rivalry, in contrast to the many grudge matches on the card, it was always to be a fairly cordial affair. Entering in to a technical contest, neither fighter appeared to be going all out, instead keeping something in reserve with respect for the chances of the winner. Luck would leave the equation as the traditionally charmed Hokey went evenly head-to-head, toe-to-toe into an eventual reversal of fortunes. This time around, the match-up would go in the favour of Ninja_Mime!

Traditionally the less celebrated of the two, Ninja_Mime now has the opportunity to become the first fighter in the history of the league to claim both the Duo Division and Undisputed Championships! Hokey will no doubt be there to cheer his partner on in the pursuit of the feat, which will occur in a special Pre-Show 15 main event match, held ahead of the all-Duo affair, Supercard 15: Tower of Power III. Win, lose, or draw, Ninja_Mime will no doubt reunite with his partner to look to grab the double in another exciting first-time event, November 5!

12. Ratt d. Crow in a solid win.
With two of the biggest names in The Great Arena combining for a marquee event, it was impossible to ignore the cliche of "the unstoppable force meeting the immovable object!" "The Unstoppable" Crow had cut a swath through the ranks, unleashing a record setting twenty-five match win streak across seven title reigns and two tournaments! It truly seemed as if no fighter in The Great Arena would be able to stop the most dominant champion in history, but one man was destined to challenge that! "The Iron Man" Ratt has made a name for himself as an enduro competitor, famously competing in three matches in a single Ultimate Grand Prix weekend, which included winning a thirty-fighter battle royal! He was one of the victims of Crow's phenomenal reign as Undisputed Champion, but the second time proved the charm, resulting in a spectacular destruction of Crow at Supercard 13: Spirit of Vengeance!

Celebrations would be cut early for the second historic two-time Undisputed Champion; a conspiracy of events fasttracking Mimik beyond Ares Menschlich's Feast or Famine Lethal Lottery, to deliver a second destruction in as many weeks, and a new Undisputed Champion! Crow undoubtedly would have loved the opportunity to reclaim the covetted title whilst doing so, but would instead have to settle for a simple war of evening the score -- revenge for the loss of the streak!

Any time two of the league's most powerful competitors collides in special, but there was an extra element of electricity in the air! Each fighter showed a tremendous ability to recover from severe defeats, but Ratt's reputation as an "Iron Man" appeared to be on show, the more recent champion looking the fresher of the two. The Arena shook to its foundation as old rivals exchanged blows, the fire of desparation flickering in Crow's attack for the first time in a while! Crow bitterly hoped to strike his opponent down, but no amount of disdain could overcome the charging assault of "The Iron Man" Ratt! He battled through Crow's offense, destroying his defense in the process, to charge home to a solid win over the fallen champion!

A second defeat returns the sense of vulnerability to Crow, even if he remains one of the most powerful fighters in the arena, "unstoppable" or not. A change in character seemed to be emerging in Ratt, as well. An uncharacteristic air of arrogance presented itself in celebrations as he lorded the victory over Crow. With competition as active as ever, both fighters will have a wait ahead of them before they have a shot to reclaim the Undisputed Championship for a third time.

11. The_Purple_Bunny & Blaze (c) d. Artanix & foahchon in a solid Championship defense.
With a big win against CCShadow & Scott-Howell at Pre-Show 14: All That's Fair, the longlived combination of Artanix & foahchon finally booked themselves a shot at the covetted Duo Division Championships! With Duo competition reaching fever pitch, they would have their work cut out for them against a combo showing signs of having the greatest potential of any tandem to rise through the ranks! The_Purple_Bunny & Blaze may not have had the unbeatable streak of other teams, but their highest highs have shown signs of dominating all who oppose them, an intimidating start to a title reign that began a mere month after Blaze made her Great Arena debut, at Tournament 8.

To finally reach the height of the Championship was a milestone unto itself, but Artanix & foahchon surely would have liked to have completed the fairytale end by winning the belts Alas; it was a total stonewalling as the high riding team reached the stark realization of the potential caliber of the reigning champions! The_Purple_Bunny & Blaze showed signs of struggling with their cohesion, but still powered their way through their well respected opponents! Artanix & foahchon's history may go back to the earliest days of Duo competition, but experience simply couldn't cut it against the heavy hitting combo of TPB and Blaze! The very convincing win sends a scary message to the rest of the ranks who will line up for Tower of Power III this November! Waiting at the top of the ladder will be a team that, on the right day, can beat any of the sixteen teams who will combine to make the Tower and Challenger 7 fields!

- Kron versus Genku did not occur.
For the third time in the evening, events were interrupted by the absence of a scheduled competitor. Genku had been set to face-off against the spiritual leader of the "chosen," of which Genku had been a member, but instead, it was only Kron who appeared in The Great Arena for his match. Genku joins a list of missing fighters that included Tyrant-Cenobite, queve, Nemesis316, m0s, and Toryn. Reasons behind the string of absence would no doubt be a plot to thicken at some point in the near future, the growing list putting an end to any obvious speculation about rivalries or known conspiracy.

10. TonyTheTiger d. DECEPTION in convincing fashion. [+2 impact]
After threatening Cr0w's "Unstoppable" streak during the Fourth Round of Tournament 8; the man called DECEPTION has been on a speculative rise. TonyTheTiger is another competitor well known for his elevating status, fighting with ferocity through the Next Phase ranks to arrive at the foot of the greatest throne of them all -- his ultimate goal -- the Undisputed Championship! With DECEPTION's elimination key to TonyTheTiger's impressive twenty-five minute stay in the Supercard 13 contender battle royal, the stage is set for a classic rematch, with two careers ready to benefit!

Unfortunately for DECEPTION, he was unable to rally the kind of challenging performance he mustered during T8! TonyTheTiger looked comfortable, controlling his opponent throughout the match to set up a convincing finish. Despite the loss, DECEPTION walks away with a vital chapter added to his developing saga. TonyTheTiger, of course, walks more immediately toward bigger and better things, sure to be an outsider contender in the eyes of the council.

9. Porygonix d. Ghostdragon.
Working hard to reach the summit of the top contenders, Ghostdragon suffered a bitter setback in roughly two and a half minutes thanks to Porygonix! Supercard 13 provided the stage for opportunity with a sixteen-man contender battle royal, where GD entered in the fortuitous number sixteen position, only to be shockingly eliminated by the lurking danger, Porygonix! Eager to extract some old fashioned payback and secure his spot in the big time, the former Duo Division Champion takes the fight to a one-on-one encounter, where the odds should favour him!

The grudge challenge seemed like a calculated strategy for Ghostdragon, but it was a glimpse of the old GD that undid that plan! Porygonix showed tremendous tenacity, unshaken by Ghostdragon's motivation and reputation aquired through the Duo ranks. Distant rivals in the two-fighter stakes, it was a much closer affair in solo competition, Ghostdragon struggling to exert his fullest strength against a wiley competitor. Against expectation, Porygonix once again provided the upset!

8. Politics & Menas d. Hidin & Learn in a close fought match.
The battle between Team Agaper and Team Ops has been well documented, stretching across several months and multiple Supercard events to include a sandwiched three-way earlier between faction leaders. This on-going War of Thrones has teased conclusion, but instead found ways to perpetuate by expansion and twisting new iterations of the two team line-ups. Politics & Menas have played a vital roll in their team's fight, providing the base for the 2-1 match team victory at Supercard 13! With their eyes set on the upcoming Tower of Power III, Team Ops' match winners, Hidin & Learn, rise to the occasion to spoil the broth, and win one back for the webmasters!

With the weight of their respective teams riding on them, the winners from Supercard 13 matched up exceptionally well! Politics & Menas may have the slightly more formiddable reputation, but Hidin & Learn were able to shrug any intimidation factor completely off! It was hard, close quarters battle in the most traditional sense! With absolutely nothing between the two teams, it was Politics & Menas who were able to scrap to a conclusion by the narrowest of margins! A blockbuster brawl!

7. SubMan799 & Casselman d. CCShadow & Scott-Howell in a close fought match!
They spent their earliest days in The Great Arena chasing a match with Scott-Howell and then-partner, Murdoink. Howell may have forged a powerful new alliance with CCShadow, but that hasn't curbed the aspirations of the electrifying Next Phase combination, SubMan799 & Casselman! Still seeking the challenge of the most seasoned competitors in the Duo Division, the pair gladly throw their stakes into the colosseum, well aware of the looming promise of Supercard 15: Tower of Power III -- where the Duo Division Championships will be contested in the unique, rankings inspired ladder formation!

Scott-Howell & CCShadow are well on their way to setting a new standard for tandem fights, but with their chemistry still formulating, their aspirational energy was enough to give SubMan799 & Casselman a significant competitive edge in a hard fought battle! The exciting win sets SubMan799 & Casselman in the best possible position for Tower of Power III, the special event where the top ten teams will face seven hopeful challengers in a ladder elimination run!

6. SlumDunk d. JRF & STEROLIZER in a close fought match.
With colosseum crowd baying for action, three fighters more than willing to take advantage of the opportunity flooded the arena for an emergency match! STEROLIZER is an ego that needs no introduction, infamous for his boastful claims and dubious results. SlumDunk and JRF have held association with STEROLIZER in the past, suffering the fool who would seek to hold them down to his own benefit! JRF and SlumDunk were both successful graduates of the Battle for the Bottom phenomenon, which STEROLIZER feels convinced he pioneered. Arriving for what seemed inevitably to become a three-way contest, STERO would no doubt look to use them to launch himself into a spotlight he is convinced he already occupies!

Hardly surprising, it was STEROLIZER who took the brunt of the early combat. SlumDunk -- his most recent Battle for the Bottom borne rival -- took it to the "1 Second Wonder" with gusto! The clash was destined to be a dense exchange, not just for the even skill level of the competitors, but for the rarity of the Supercard opportunity! With STEROLIZER quickly out of the picture, SlumDunk continued to ride the momentum, while JRF looked sluggish entering the all-important second half. SlumDunk powered through a fatiguing JRF, who could not maintain the pace.

Toryn versus Ken did not occur.
Revealing a new degree of conniving and envy, the always controversial Toryn was to reignite his campaign to the Undisputed Championship at the expense of steadfast favourite and outsider contender, Ken. Instead, The Great Arena was left with questions as a pre-scheduled Supercard match failed to occur for the second time in the night. Ken was ready and willing to take it on, but Toryn was nowhere to be seen, adding a new dimension of questioning to the earlier absence of Tyrant-Cenobite, queve, m0s and Nemesis316! Not only does this raise questions about Toryn, but also throws a hiccup in the progress of Ken's rise back to the challengers list!

5. SmokeRulz d. Leroy & ZachAngel in a gruelling three-way.
Over several months, SmokeRulz has developed a reputation for a specialist skill when confronting the unique make-up of a three-way battle. He may have secured several wins under these unusual circumstances, but never has SmokeRulz found himself between a pair of rivals as storied and bitter as ZachAngel and Leroy! Representing the captaincy of Teams Agaper and Ops, these two otherwise unrelated faction leaders have found a strange magnetism in their make-up, stretching a heated rivalry from August's All-Star Summer Showdown, to now! Colliding in spite of Agaper's 2-1 team wins at Supercard 13 -- ZachAngel and Leroy would be the rock and hard place to sandwich SmokeRulz!

Not surprisingly, it was that bitter feud that completely dominated the opening stages of the match-up. SmokeRulz had a ticket to ride as ZachAngel and Leroy went toe-to-toe, fighting furiously toward the first elimination! Leroy looked a little lukewarm, but had the goods over a ZachAngel who just looked out of sync. With the spiritual leader of Team Agaper out of the way, Leroy was riding high on a wave of momentum -- but SmokeRulz had all the freshness in the world to deal with the Ops assault! Rock solid in his defense, SmokeRulz shrugged off the convincing advances of Leroy, to deliver a well earned counterstrike that once again confirmed his status as The Great Arena's best three-way specialist! With Leroy ultimately joining him on the losers list, you've got to suspect there might be more in store for the feuding factions of Team Agaper and Team Ops!

4. Murdoink & Baraka_MK d. Liam & nif.
Still suffering the vengeful sting of a near-miss against Supercard 13 arch-rivals, Scott-Howell & CCShadow; Murdoink & Baraka_MK were keen to strike out against anyone moving within the Duo Division. Always on the look out for the next score, Liam & nif would be the perfect patsys to a rampaging pair of would-be contenders! The UK double have become a solid part of the Duo stakes, but still lack the legitimate skill and experience of a teaming legend like Murdoink! Continuing to mesh quite well with his newest partner, Murdoink led he and Baraka_MK to a solid victory over Liam & nif, who could at least walk away without being shamed. With CCShadow & Scott-Howell riding their SC13 success in an upward direction toward Championship gold, however, there'll be many miles travelled before Murdoink & Baraka_MK sleep! To be sure!

3. CaTigeReptile d. plfx.
In a relatively short time, plfx has become something of a cult figure in The Great Arena, garnering attention for his unlikely pattern of success. Outweighed in experience by CaTigeReptile, plfx would never the less match-up quite well with his opponent, possessing one of the best win-loss records the league has seen! No slouch herself, CaTigeReptile would show few signs of intimidation against the wiley competitor, riding the crest of the Next Phase with gusto! Both fighters presented a compelling case, but it was that extra determination and extra miles in the arena that pushed CaTigeReptile over the line in a great match.

2. kororaa d. jess in a close fought match.
Eager to take advantage of the opportunity, two of the leagues fighting femmes stepped into the Supercard spotlight, filling in for an emergency match-up! kororaa has found herself aligned with Team Agaper outside The Great Arena, while jess has been a rare fixture in events. With nothing to lose and plenty to gain, both fighters gave it their all in the impromptu clash! Very evenly matched, it could have gone either way, but in the end, kororaa had the edge of experience and status!

- m0s & Nemesis316 versus Tyrant-Cenobite & queve did not occur.
Assumptions quickly turned to ElJobber as The Great Arena waited in vein for the scheduled Duo Division clash. Both teams failed to emerge, reminding many of another time ElJobber was scheduled for an Undisputed Championship match: it was infamously at Supercard 4: Ultimate Grand Prix 2011 that Tyrant-Cenobite first failed to appear for a contender battle royal -- a situation reprised at Supercard 13, where ElJobber again staged a sneak attack to prevent T-C from competing! Although m0s & Nemesis316 also failed to appear for the fight, few could suspect anything other than another assault by the MAX Damage "Iron Menace."

1. Jammer2Omega d. Pink_Ranger.
It was to be a massive start to the War of Thrones, two hot peripheral contenders vying for a top spot in a high pressure environment! Falling slightly behind her partner in the solo stakes, Pink_Ranger would seek to reestablish herself on the right path; while Jammer2Omega looked to springboard off the former-Duo Division Champion, ideal for resuming his Next Phase chase of top contender status! The intensity of the situation was self-evident and seemed to get the better of both fighters, ever so slightly. Even fighting below their absolute potential, neither competitor would be willing to conceed defeat, leading to a compelling clash! Jammer2Omega had a fraction more when it counted, earning a solid win in a thrilling opener!


Unofficial Rankings Update:
Surviving a titanic struggle to retain the Championship, it's Mimik who ultimately remains with buttock firmly planted in throne! The War of Thrones had its fair share of winners, however, taking the decision out of the hands of the council where top contention was considered! Ninja_Mime takes top honors with his impressive and somewhat unexpected victory over partner and pal, Hokey! Ever the charmed one, Hokey keeps his eye on the prize and his foot in the contender list, a lurking danger to Mimik (or his partner, should he do the deed and become Champion, October 30th)!

ElJobber may be gone, but won't be so easily forgotten! Unlucky in his fourth attempt to capture the title, ElJobber will probably have to sit it out for a little while, but a blockbuster performance ensures he remains on the periphery for future shots. Ratt too is a recent passing fancy, whose impressive second consecutive win over Crow keeps him in very good stead for a Championship rematch! Genku will probably be another fighter looking for a rematch, bumped completely out of the unofficial top ten after failing to show up for his match against Kron -- still seen as a satellite contender himself, despite losing steam in his campaign against Ares Menschlich!

As one half of the Duo Division Champions, The_Purple_Bunny is a modest #7, still recovering from a thrashing at the hands of both Crow and Mimik, in recent title opportunities. Ghostdragon won't have to deal with anything of that sort, upset by Porygonix, who steals his spot, despite GD's speculative holding as a would-be contender. TonyTheTiger makes for another compelling case, strong winner over DECEPTION, whose threats to go solo are still alive, even as TTT cashes in on a predatory instinct developed throughout Tournament 7 (and beyond). Honors to Jammer2Omega and SmokeRulz, and Ken, who got short sheeted by no fault of his own! Be sure to keep your eye on some of the fighters who otherwise might not have appeared had certain participants not appeared, too. One man's passing fancy is another man's ticket to the big time in the greatest sport of them all!
Champion: Mimik
#1 Ninja_Mime
#2 Ratt
#3 ElJobber
#4 Hokey
#5 TonyTheTiger
#6 Crow
#7 The_Purple_Bunny
#8 Kron
#9 Porygonix
#10 Jammer2Omega
The War of Thrones has returned focus to the fighting ranks, but not all have embraced the renewed charge. Several fighters remain missing from The Great Arena without a trace, just when the League will need them most! Dark shadows grow longer and deeper in The Great Arena as October 30 nears and an occult fog threatens to overtake the Cheevment Kingdom! It'll be a night to remember when Pre-Show 15: Devil's Night rolls along! Ninja_Mime will challenge Mimik in a very special, early match for the Undisputed Championship! With golden opportunity handed to him, can Ninja_Mime put a stop to the rampaging reign of the only man to beat the Barons at Supercard 12?

Then -- with solo standings catered to, the Duo Division will be front and centre for Supercard 15: Tower of Power III! The reigning Champions will sit atop a tower of ten in this unique title match arrangement, forced first to fend off the advances of the pre-selected Challenger 7, before the tower turns in on itself in elimination toward the top prize -- The_Purple_Bunny & Blaze's title!

With so much action building, you can't possibly want to be anywhere else!

Monday, October 17, 2011

Schedule: The War for the Throne!

For months, The Great Arena has been gripped by warring philosophies.
Sparked by the manipulations of Ares Menschlich and feverishly opposed by "born again" Kron, the nature of a world of combat has been muddled with the legitimacy of Lord Mislukking's reign and the Barons' domination over The Great Arena. At Pre-Show 14, ElJobber split the difference, professing the virtues of the purity of battle. Denying violence as crime in a world defined by fighting, ElJobber controversially steps into the #1 contenders spot, even while paving a new way forward for The Union of The Human League!

On October 23, The Great Arena will be belong to the people, leaving behind the Night of Barons as a new age of battle is embraced, and the focus returns to the many thrones of power! For Mimik, the transition is smooth, continuing out of his successful battles against the Barons, to become a personal war to defend the greatest throne of them all, The Undisputed Championship! Against the "Iron Menace" ElJobber, Mimik will look to turn the tables of maximum damage, following the shock dominations he inflicted at Feast or Famine on his way to becoming Champion!

Partners will war for the throne of supremacy when Hokey and Ninja_Mime face each other for only the second time, with a chance to fight for the Undisputed Championship adding fuel to their friendly fire. Cr0w and Ratt will be much less cordial, fighting for a throne of pride, each with an eye toward the same Undisputed chair all others chase.

Supercard 14: War of Thrones (October 23, 2011)
1. ElJobber versus Mimik (c) for the Undisputed Championship!
He's been chasing the Championship since winning Battle Royale 2011 and locked up with some of the biggest names in The Great Arena, but "The Iron Menace" ElJobber has never achieved his goal of reigning supreme! ElJobber has been one of the few fighters to subscribe to a philosophy of combat throughout tensions with Baron of War, Ares Menschlich. How will he fare when he attempts to undo the rapid rise of the only "chosen" fighter to win on the Night of Barons? He's blitzed the competition, denying the Feast or Famine lottery by demolishing the likes of Ratt and The_Purple_Bunny on a warpath toward the championship -- now Mimik steps up to confirm his place with a first big defense! MAX Damage will be on the agenda as two of the arena's heaviest hitters collide!

2. "The Charmed" Hokey versus Ninja_Mime to name #1 Contender.
As a combination they have been one of the most dominant pairings to reign over the Duo Division! Together, they own an impressive seventy-day reign as Duo Division Champions, with a victory in Tournament 9: Grand Slam [Doubles] adding to their acclaim, and runner-up honors in Tournament 6 reaffirming top status! Individually, Hokey and Ninja_Mime have remained in stead with the upper echelon of competition, regular fixtures of the unofficial top ten ranks, and stalwarts of elimination battles. Evenly matched in all respects, the famous pairing have only met each other in battle in a single destined clash, randomly drawn in the first round of Tournament 7! With contention for the Undisputed Championship riding on the line, the two fighting friends become friendly rivals again in what's sure to become another instant classic!

3. "The Unstoppable" Cr0w versus "The Iron Man" Ratt
With a matter of mere weeks separating them from the highest accolade of The Great Arena, "The Unstoppable" Cr0w and "The Iron Man" Ratt are the most recent reigning, and only historic two-time Undisputed Champions! With his unfathomable twenty-five match win streak broken by Ratt at Supercard 13: The Spirit of Vengeance, Cr0w still has vengeance in mind, seeking to defend a throne that is no longer his! The Iron Man may have done well to dethrone a Champion many believed would reign for months to come, but he could not fend off the Feast or Famine feats of a rampaging Mimik, whose success claimed a defenseless Ratt after just one week. It'll be a blockbuster rematch when Cr0w and Ratt meet to settle a grudge, avenge a loss and fight back toward the greatest throne of them all -- the Undisputed Championship!

4. Artanix & foahchon versus The_Purple_Bunny & Blaze (c)
With an impressive victory over the red-hot new arrangement of CCShadow & Scott-Howell, Artanix & foahchon earned their way into Championship contention at Pre-Show 14: All That's Fair! Two of the longest serving battlers of The Great Arena, it is an honor long overdue, but their rise to contender status comes at the most inconvenient of times! The_Purple_Bunny & Blaze have forged a modest record in their brief time as Duo Division competitors, but with Blaze's rapid rise to the title in only a month of competition, they have fast become one of the most intimidating combinations in the league! It'll be a true test of grit when the old and new collide in yet another spectacular Duo Division Championship bout amidst the War of Thrones!

5. Genku versus Kron
"Born again" with a renewed sense of purpose, Kron has become a spiritual leader for the oppressed masses that make up The Union of the Human League. After exposing Ares Menschlich as grand manipulator, Kron's efforts to fight the power led to a Night of Barons and a night of disappointment! Leading a chosen foursome against the avarice professed by the Baron of War, Kron teamed with the likes of Genku in a losing battle against overwhelming forces. With everything he stands for being called into question, Kron is now pitted against one of his chosen followers, the highly motivated arch-nemesis of Death and an unsuccessful continuant of the campaign Kron began!

6. TonyTheTiger versus DECEPTION
Exploding out of the contenders battle royal at Supercard 13: Spirit of Vengeance -- DECEPTION gets an opportunity to even the score against the man who eliminated him! TonyTheTiger has been sharpening his claws, developing a growing reputation as a fiersome competitor on the verge of the next big step toward the top! He very nearly went the distance, entering an unenviable #1 to be second runner-up to the eventual battle royal winner. Can he outlast the fan-favourite once again? Rankings will be in mind as top ten hopefuls collide!

7. Ghostdragon versus Porygonix
Another exciting grudge bout to burst forth from the contenders battle royal of Supercard 13 -- the vengeance will continue to spilleth over! Ghostdragon has turned his fortunes around, rising from underrated cult status to become one of the newest satellite challengers to the top prize! The battle royal should have been his ticket to the big time, paid for by a generous random draw that delivered him last in the line-up of entrants! Alas; it was Porygonix who surprised everyone to squash GD's Championship hopes! Pride will be on the line as they meet up in a fiersome grudge match!

8. Hidin & Learn versus Politics & Menas
The organized ranks of The Union of The Human League are perpetually obligated to defend their position against battling rivals, but there comes a time when competition fades away into something more brutal and personal! Few wars have been as storied as the battle waged over the past few months between Team Agaper and Team Ops! Escalating to a series of three matches at Supercard 13, the feuding factions seemed to have decided superiority with a 2-1 split to the fighting faithful, but where there are two sides as big as these, there are always more rivals! Politics & Menas have become a star feature of Team Agaper's line up, but the webmasters of Team Ops will throw something new their way when Hidin & Learn return to earn more experience in a clash of the second tier!

9. CCShadow & Scott-Howell versus SubMan799 & Casselman
It was a split that shocked The Great Arena, but Scott-Howell's union with CCShadow has delivered him to the status unachieved alongside former partner, Murdoink. Having narrowly missed out on a contenders shot at the Duo Division Championships (via Pre-Show 14), CCShadow & Scott-Howell will strike while the iron is hot, continuing their quest for top honors! SubMan799 & Casselman have struggled against the tide of a dense field of competition, but will gladly rise to the challenge of a rankings opportunity, resuming the feud that began with Howell & Murdoink!

10. Toryn versus Ken
Few fighters have been so desperate for glory, yet so unable to obtain it! Fighting furiously toward the Undisputed Championship he lost way back in April, Toryn continues his bitter and clueless quest to succeed at the expense of his fellows. With a solid performance in the Supercard 13 contenders battle royal adding to his satellite contender status, Ken has shown uncanny ability to stay in touch with the top ranks! A longtime favourite of The Great Arena, Ken becomes the perfect shortcut in the eyes of Toryn -- a fighter in desperate need of a comeback after his 1 second elimination at SC13!

11. SmokeRulz versus ZachAngel versus Leroy
After unfolding into a three-match series at Supercard 13 -- the on-going war between Team Agaper and Team Ops seemingly came to an end. SmokeRulz may have developed a reputation as a three-way match specialist, but he'll have a whole new challenge laid out ahead of him when he's placed between the leaders of feuding factions, ZachAngel and Leroy! Will the third man finally broker peace between the webmasters and the fighting faithful, or is this war about to claim a little collateral damage?

12. Murdoink & Baraka_MK versus Liam & nif
Betrayed and beaten, Murdoink & Baraka_MK narrowly missed out on the better half of their blood feud with Scott-Howell & CCShadow (at Supercard 13)! Ready to hit the road running, the hot new duo will throw their gauntlet back into the Duo Division ring, keen to earn their way to contention in a clash against the seasoned partnership of Liam & nif! Fists will fly in this old fashioned two-on-two, the boastful Brits eager to make the best of their opportunity against the legend and his new partner!

13. CaTigeReptile versus plfx
The exhibition classes open up as plfx provides opportunity to CaTigeReptile, whose top rankings hopes remain alive, despite a poor performance during the Supercard 13 battle royal! With one of the most impressive debut records -- said to be provided as part of a clandestine experiment -- plfx will not be written off as any mere formality! The Next Phases will be in full force as stars are made, the kind of opportunity you'll only find in the one true Great Arena!

14. m0s & Nemesis316 versus Tyrant-Cenobite & queve
Emerging as peripheral contenders, "Mr. Daruma" m0s & Nemesis316 will look to expand their Duo Division credentials in a match-up against Tyrant-Cenobite & queve. Embroiled in scandal since Ultimate Grand Prix 2011, Tyrant-Cenobite is making his return after being violently taken out of a scheduled appearance in the Supercard 13 battle royal -- result of an attack launched by arch-rival, ElJobber! It was ElJobber who was accused of an identical attack in April, but details remain unclear -- a trademark of the slippery T-C/queve combination that will give m0s & Nemesis316 a run for their dominant dollar!

15. Jammer2Omega versus Pink_Ranger
The Next Phase explodes as outsider contenders collide in a massive match-up! Jammer2Omega has spent his career on the edge, vying for a top spot as the posterchild of The Next Phase movement! Pink_Ranger has enjoyed success as a champion and tournament winner, considered by many to be the undisputed queen of combat! It'll be an old fashioned high intensity clash as bragging rights, rankings and contention get split between two incredibly dynamic battlers!


October 23, 2011 is the time, The Great Arena is the place! Supercard 14: War of Thrones, where ElJobber hopes to claim his first Undisputed Championship from new power, Mimik! PLUS! Hokey and Ninja_Mime face-off in a highly anticipated second meeting; Cr0w looks to avenge his streak against Ratt; and Artanix & foahchon fight for Duo Division gold! The_Purple_Bunny & Blaze will have one eye set on November 6, where the Duo Division Championships will be contested for the very first time in a special Tower of Power ladder! Also on the horizon -- The Devil's Night! Stay tuned!

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Pre-Show 14: All That's Fair

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!

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!

Monday, October 10, 2011

Special Event: Feast or Famine!

October 9, 2011 -- August 7th was the day everything changed for The Great Arena!
Pre-Show 11: Truth or Consequences saw the return of Kron from the realm beyond. He brought with him revelations of an occult conspiracy to manipulate the competitive drive in every fighter, a divide and distract strategy perpetrated by Ares Menschlich on behalf of Lord Mislukking. Designed to divert the powers of the best fighters into a civil war, the manipulation resulted in a bifurcation of the League at Supercard 6: Team Cr0w vs Team Kron, as well as the subsequent exile of fighters and War for the Kr0wn -- all fit distractions while the Four Barons disappeared into the background!

Confronted, the Baron of War professed an innocence by virtue of exposing what was already there. He accused the fighting ranks of ultimately being out for themselves alone, with no true sense of honor or allegiance. He scoffed any suggestion that fighters would serve a higher ideal at their own expense. Kron did his best to dispel these claims by gathering his "chosen" allies, but defeat on the Night of Barons opened the doors to exactly what Ares Menschlich proclaimed. With hope fleeting, Kron unleashed the Spirit of Vengeance, but even as War tasted rare defeat, his claims were coming true.

Now, with the opportunity for an easy shot at the Undisputed Championship on the line, Ares Menschlich attempts to offer definitive proof. A feast or famine lottery promises rapidfire contention to any fighter willing to submit themselves to the truth of their desparation -- while the rest of the entrants suffer the risk of infection at the hands of Baroness of Pestilence, Praga Conquette!

7. Mimik d. Ratt (c) in a shocking +27 decimation of the Champion!
He has a reputation for being an "Iron Man" ready to answer any challenge, but even Ratt had to be a little bit unhappy about defending his title just one week after winning it, under these very unusual circumstances. For Mimik, it would be the opportunity that has eluded him for so long. A top contender in months passed, obstacles frequently rose to keep Mimik away from the top spot, but with his performance at Night of the Barons and impressive victory in the sixteen-person contender battle royal, there would be no denying or questioning the legitimacy of his rise to the Undisputed Championship! Not even Ares Menschlich could take anything away from him -- a pre-established contender who benefitted in no special way from the Feast or Famine lottery!

The "Iron Man" looked woeful in his first defense of the Championship -- a stark contrast to the confident warrior who took down "The Unstoppable" Cr0w at Supercard 13! Totally unable to mount a defense, Ratt walked in to another staggering Mimik onslaught, resulting in a baffling +27 impact, a rampage the likes of which has never been seen! Mimik writes a new chapter in the record books, but who will he face come Supercard 14, October 23rd? Odds certainly seem to be in the favour of ElJobber, but with Ratt and Cr0w eager to become the first three-time champions, its anyones guess!

6. Mimik d. The_Purple_Bunny in a punishing +24 decimation!
Given that he was the only member of the "chosen" to win his battle with a Baron at Supercard 12 (against Pestilence), it made poignant sense that Mimik would skip confrontations with Conquette to go straight to the lottery winner, as the #1 contender! His lucky opponent -- The_Purple_Bunny, challenger who suffered a punishing defeat in his first contention of the Undisputed Championship, at Night of the Barons! TPB supplemented his loss by capturing the Duo Division Championships at Supercard 13, but clearly would take any opportunity to capture the biggest prize in the league.

Unfortunately for The_Purple_Bunny, it would be a disturbing case of deja vu as Mimik turned up the heat with a power nobody expected! A noted sufferer of the P-Virus infection courtesy of his many battles with Pestilence, Mimik defied the odds, punishing TPB for his aspirations, once again, with a shocking +24 impact! For purists, the victory no doubt defended the sanctity of the Undisputed Championship, to be contested by a well earned #1 contender, rather than a lottery winner.

5. Cr0w d. Praga Conquette
At the end of a record breaking twenty-five match win streak as Undisputed Champion, it was little wonder that Cr0w would try his luck at a fasttrack shot at a rematch! Having enjoyed a reign of seven successful defenses that lasted over five months, the former champion will have to wait before he gets his return shot, unlucky a second time as he misses out on the Feast or Famine freebie.

Having once promised to eradicate Famine from The Great Arena, Cr0w is the heavy hitting fighter the "chosen" have been waiting for, but is he selfless enough to do it? Ares Menschlich would probably perceive his desparation to reclaim the title as confirmation of the contrary. Fortunately for Cr0w, the Baron of War was the least of his worries, battling below his weight in a continuation of the poor performance that cost him the title at Supercard 13! Menschlich would've made him pay, but with a modest performance, Cr0w slinks past Praga Conquette, probably keen to resume the winning.

4. ElJobber d. Praga Conquette in convincing fashion! [+2 impact]
Throughout the entire debate of combat ethics, ElJobber has made no bones about his intentons to pursue the Undisputed Championship with ruthless dedication. The victim of public opinion amidst speculation and accusation about his involvement in another issue regarding fighter manipulation, ElJobber has become an agent for the Baron of War, battling Kron across two Supercards, whilst seeking to inflict MAX Damage after taking a cold edge from his performance at Tower of Power II.

Already one of the top contenders in the unofficial rankings, ElJobber had little to lose by entering the Feast or Famine lottery. Arriving with all his powers at the ready, a convincing victory awaited, even if the impact were a more modest +2 to Genku's potent +3. ElJobber has been chasing the title since the beginning, but it remains a particularly elusive goal for the 2011 Battle Royale winner. Far more elusive than victory against the Baroness of Pestilence!


3. Genku d. Praga Conquette in convincing fashion! [+3 impact]
Remaining one of the most dedicated of the "chosen," Genku has gone to great lengths to wage a personal vendetta against the Four Barons. After suffering a bitter defeat against Sinvida Von Grimm (Death) at Night of the Barons, he took the opportunity to challenge m Bez Busshitsu (Famine) (at Supercard 13), a target perceived as softer than the higher ranked fiends. Genku's pursuit of the Undisputed Championship is well noted and no doubt provided great lure for the Feast or Famine lottery, but it was a win-win for a combatant keen to take a pound of flesh from the Barons!

Second in rank but looking bottom in strength, Praga Conquette struggled to compete with the wile assault of Genku! In rare form, Genku probably wished he could've exhibited such strength in his battles with Death and Famine. There would be no regrets for Genku at the Feast or Famine, however, as he struck with sufficient force to take a rare +3 impact from the crafty Baroness of Pestilence!

2. Praga Conquette d. m0s
The parade of unfortunates continued, "Mr. Daruma" m0s emerging as the next victim of the Feast or Famine lottery! Already reported to be suffering from a significant infection with the P-Virus, it was a considerable risk for even the odds-defying two-time Daruma 7 champion -- a fact Ares Menschlich probably took as great confirmation of his beliefs. Relying on a contingency of a good fight, m0s had every chance to break even, but the Baroness of Pestilence put up as good as she got, capitalizing on the existing infection to take the victory.

1. Praga Conquette d. Jax in a solid +2 victory.
Having become a very active participant in battles in and out of the arena, it must have come as a small shock that Jax would try his luck in the Feast or Famine lottery. Unfortunately for him, the risk would go beyond a simple drubbing at the hands of the #1 contender, instead, an opening battle with the Baroness of Pestilence! For fighters in the lower ranks, the threat of the P-Virus is no trivial matter, but those were the risks and Jax knew it!

Not surprisingly, it was a confident performance to open the account for Praga Conquette. The Baroness of Pestilence was well in control, unphased by the modest assault of a fighter who has made lengths to rise above his station, but was still no match for one of the Four Barons. A +2 impact was to be a lucky result from a beating that could've been much more punishing for an unlucky lottery entrant.