Wednesday, May 30, 2012

HYPE: Cryptic Messages - What are they?

Cryptic messages have begun appearing within the hallowed halls of The Great Arena, sparking speculation over their true meaning. The messages began appearing over the past week, coloured red and purple, respectively. So far, none of the messages have been directly connected to anything known, but there are a few references that are too obvious to miss.

Red messages (recorded over the past four days):
... THE FRONTLINE...
... EXTINCTION AGENDA...
... CIVIL ACTION...
... INFERNO...
... DEAD OR ALIVE...
... END OF INFINITY...
... WORLDS COLLIDE...
... DARK NIGHT...
... BREAKING POINT...
... HIGHWAY TO HELL...


Purple messages (recorded over the past four days):
THE IMMORTALS ARE TAKING IT BACK!!
... TOWER OF POWER V...
"Looking back at beyond, a final resort." 13:5
... THE RECKONING...
THE WORLD TOUR IS BACK ON!
... ALL-STAR SUMMER SHOWDOWN...
"SEIZE THE DAY!"
"A figure from past, enshrouded in dread." 13:7
THE GREAT ARENA IS NO LONGER YOURS!
... DEAD OR ALIVE...

The names of Pre-Show and Supercard events can be taken from some of the messages, both red and purple. Two names stand out in the red text: Highway to Hell was the name of Pre-Show 13, held back in September 25, 2011, while The Frontline is the name attached to the upcoming Pre-Show 25 (June 10, 2012). Pre-Show 25 will see fighters compete for their right to comprise the Challenger 7 -- the group of unranked, qualifying challengers to the Tower of Power format. Supercard 25: Tower of Power V is right around the corner, schedule June 17.

Other purple messages allude to events, past and future, as well.
Supercard 24: The Reckoning took place May 20, 2012, while All-Star Summer Showdown is the August counterpoint to the biggest show of the year, Ultimate Grand Prix. The last All-Star Summer Showdown, Supercard 11, was voted the best event of 2011, receiving 60% in a poll of Arena icons. The event was memorable for pairing some of the most anticipated rivalries together, in some cases, for the first time.

Dead or Alive is a message repeated in both red and purple. While the syntax appears to be much the same as messages referring to past and future events, there has been no event by that name, nor is there known to be any upcoming. Could this instead be the mandate of some unknown force?

A somewhat threatening tone emerges in the more elaborate purple messages, which, if taken at face value, could refer to a common reference. The Immortals is an unclear term, but the intimation of an intent to take something back -- combined with the claim that The Great Arena is no longer "yours" -- suggests someone, or somethings, with competition. "Seize the day!" is a quote that fits the mantra of this possible threat, if interpreted the right way. Could this somehow relate to a "World Tour"?

It wasn't too long ago TonyTheTiger embarked on a Championship World Tour, facing Union fighters from around the globe. Is the coming Olympic Games somehow related, and is a World Tour potentially linked? Countdown to The Games was launched May 22, beginning a weekly contest of randomized match-ups between world warriors from the League -- preparation for the Olympic Games, coming in August. All-Star Summer Showdown is schedule to take place after the Olympic contest.

Whatever the case, the plot is only beginning to thicken as the next few months draw near.

Breaking News: Mimik Out of Action Again!

Competition has got the better of Mimik today, forcing him onto the sidelines after a surprise mortal injury was sustained. The King of the Battle Royal has had a tumultuous year, beginning strong with victory over Battle Royale 2012, only to fail to capitalize in the Undisputed Championship match it earned him, at Supercard 22: Ultimate Grand Prix 2012. This isn't the first time King Mimik has found himself taken out of the fight. In May, 2011; Mimik was infamously defeated in an unprovoked attack by Shoe.

The stakes of combat have never been more evident than in 2012.
The introduction of the Iron Man Endurance Match at UGP2012 elevated danger to a new level! With rules heavily favouring the elimination of the losing party, the Iron Man match has claimed two competitors in recent months, beginning with Kron at Supercard 23: The Iron Man Cometh (April 29, 2012), and continuing with Ratt, who lost at Supercard 24: The Reckoning (May 20, 2012). Both fighters were the victim of Crow, who in victory, not only claimed his record setting fourth reign as Undisputed Champion, but also the mantle of "Iron Man" -- something that has earned the ire of survivor and "Iron Menace," ElJobber.

While rivalries within the ranks of The Great Arena develop, the elimination of King Mimik has wide ramifications looking into the coming months. Mimik was to have appeared at the upcoming Supercard 25: Tower of Power V, where another bite at the Undisputed Championship would have awaited, had he been successful at fighting from the #9 contenders rung. July promises another Battle Royale opportunity at the second Royal Roulette event [2011], where The King of the Battle Royal could have been a very likely second-chance contention opportunity, as well.

Perhaps most wrenching consequence will occur at the coming contest of The Great Arena's first Olympic Games. His status as the most decorated competitor in the Battle Royal match-type had Mimik firmly placed to represent the United States of America, an odds-on favourite to take the Gold Medal for the all-in fight. Team USA's replacement in the Battle Royal is yet to be determined, with the loss of Kron and Ratt already significantly weakening the superpower dream team.

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Tournament 14: A Fighter For Europe

Tournament 14: A Fighter Four Europe - Round 1 (May 21, 2012):
1. Leroy (GBR) d. EasterBunny (NTL) [+1]
2. "The Rising Star" Dez-Burnett (GBR) d. Red_Spaniard (ESP) [+1]
3. nif (GBR) d. Zentile (POR) [+1]
4. Tyrant-Cenobite (GBR) d. giandavil (ITA) [+1]
5. "The Red Cyclone" Shen_DuHBK (ITA) d. AcidicWonder (GBR) [+1]
6. Liam (GBR) d. Zmoke (FIN) [+1]
7. ArtemisFlow (FIN) d. "Big John" Bofh (POL) [+1]
8. Nephrite (CRO) d. Chromatose (HUN) [+1]

Round 2 (May 22, 2012):
1. "Rising Star" Dez-Burnett (GBR) d. Leroy (GBR) [+1]
2. Tyrant-Cenobite (GBR) d. nif (GBR) [+2]
3. "Red Cyclone" Shen_DuHBK (ITA) d. Liam (GBR) [+1]
4. Nephrite (CRO) d. ArtemisFlow (FIN) [+1]

Semi Finals (May 23, 2012):
1. Tyrant-Cenobite (GBR) d. "Rising Star" Dez-Burnett (GBR)
2. "Red Cyclone" Shen_DuHBK (ITA) d. Nephrite (CRO) [+1]

Fighter For Europe Final (May 23, 2012):
1. "Red Cyclone" Shen_DuHBK (ITA) d. Tyrant-Cenobite (GBR) [+1]

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Supercard 24: The Reckoning

14. Crow (c) d. Ratt in an Iron Man Death Match. [-1up] [23min 33secs] [Undisputed Championship]
13. m0s & Knickxasawrrrr (c) d. The_Purple_Bunny & Jade [+2] [Duo Division Championship]
12. Violent`J & Marz d. Damo & DeathScepter [+2]
11. "The Iron Menace" ElJobber d. King Mimik [+29]
10. "The Charmed" Hokey d. SubMan799 [+2]
9. "The Pacific Connection" Oozaru & Banging d. CaTigeReptile & TonyTheTiger [+1]
8. Jason Shamrock d. The Great Genku [+4]
7. Ninja_Mime d. Ghostdragon [+1]
6. Ken & Bee_07 d. chaos_Drone & Loopster [+1]
5. DECEPTION & Onryo d. Porygonix & xtactics [+1]
4. "The Prodigy" nface d. NightHawk [+1]
3. Jammer2Omega d. jack4813 [+1]
2. Shen_DuHBK (#11) eliminated Dez-Burnett (#4) to win the 16-fighter Battle Royal.
- 1. nif (#5) elim. Bofh (#3)
- 2. nif (#5) elim. Nephrite (#1)
- 3. Red_Spaniard (#10) elim. Zentile (#2)
- 4. Chromatose (#14) elim. nif (#5)
- 5. Tyrant-Cenobite (#6) elim. Leroy (#9)
- 6. Shen_DuHBK (#11) elim. Chromatose (#14)
- 7. Tyrant-Cenobite (#6) elim. giandavil (#8)
- 8. Tyrant-Cenobite (#6) elim. Zmoke (#12)
- 9. Shen_DuHBK (#11) elim. Red_Spaniard (#10)
- 10. Tyrant-Cenobite (#6) elim. ArtemisFlow (#7)
- 11. Shen_DuHBK (#11) elim. EasterBunny (#15)
- 12. Shen_DuHBK (#11) elim. Liam (#16)
- 13. Shen_DuHBK (#11) elim. AcidicWonder (#13)
- 14. Shen_DuHBK (#11) elim. Tyrant-Cenobite (#6)
- 15. Shen_DuHBK (#11) elim. Dez-Burnett (#4)
1. CCShadow & Scott-Howell d. Murdoink & Baraka_MK [+2]

Sunday, May 13, 2012

Pre-Show 24: European Doubles

14. Violent`J d. Knickxasawrrrr and DaMo [+4/-3/-1]
13. m0s d. Loopster and chaos_Drone [+11/-9/-2]
12. "The World Warrior" TonyTheTiger d. Steven Oozaru [+1]
11. "The Prodigy nface d. Zentile [+1]
10. Artanix & foahchon d. Politics & Menas [+2]
9. STEROLIZER & JRF d. EasterBunny & ArtemisFlow [+1]
8. Jerrod & Killswitch d. Hidin & Learn [+1]
7. Nephrite d. Zmoke and Bofh [+1/--/-1]
6. Chromatose d. Red_Spaniard and Leroy [+1/--/-1]
5. Rockey316 d. Celeste [+1]
4. Intel and jaytea fought to a complete standstill!
3. Shen_DuHBK & Jason_Voorhees d. Casselman & Shadaloo [+1]
2. avenger45 d. JUST_A_TARKATAN and Chryo_Spyder [+2/-1/-1]
1. NovaStarr & Poasty d. Liam & nif [+1]