Few fighters in The Union can claim to have lived as many lives as Kron!
There when competition began with Tournament 1 -- Kron was quick to establish himself as one of the top stars of the League; runner-up to Crow in the final battle of Tournament 2: Quest for a Champion, before becoming the second Undisputed Champion by defeating his arch-rival just nineteen days after the Tournament 2 crowning, at Supercard 1! The image of Kron as Champion has faded over time, but his legend has remained a sporadic constant within the walls of The Great Arena.
His legendary feud with Crow led Kron through many different phases, early on. At UGP2011, the pair were remarkably unlikely allies, united in the pursuit of a common enemy. At Supercard 6, Kron had his first taste of being a general of men, drafting an army to fight Team Crow in a bifurcation of allegiances within the Union! Defeated, Kron would became a desperate man, fighting a last ditch effort during War for the Kr0wn, only to reach a new low in the role of exile. Months of wandering without direction would lead Kron to his darkest hour, a mourned memory at Supercard 9.
Pre-Show 11: Truth or Consquences saw Kron return in his most radical new form, bringing with him secrets learned in the realm beyond. Kron became a prophet, revealing the secret machinations of Ares Menschlich -- Baron of War responsible for much of the former Champion's path throughout 2011. Kron would once again assume the role of leader, this time summoning chosen fighters charged to resume the fight against the Barons of Mislukking that had once brought he and Crow together. In his final passionate days, Kron became a desparate man again, a harbinger, daring to open a pandoras box he discovered in the realm beyond -- an old spirit of vengeance known only as Michael Lucifer. It was his last act before once again returning to the afterlife, destroyed in mad battle with Lord Mislukking!
It was the arrival of Michael Lucifer that first brought TheNomad to The Great Arena.
Though shrouded in mystery, TheNomad is another man who has clearly lived many lives, speaking a foreboding gospel of fire and lightning at the mere mention of the Lucifer name. Unable to curtail the return of The Spirit of Vengeance, TheNomad remained, watching as the warriors of The Union cheered the dark strangers victory over Ares Menschlich. January 29, 2012; TheNomad finally made his move, stepping out from the shadows he had retreated to, to make a surprise entry in Battle Royale 2012! It was here that kindred spirits first clashed -- Kron, born once again after winning a Spirit Bowl Battle Royal at Pre-Show 19 that restored him to the realm of living.
Over the course of the forty-man Battle Royale; Kron and TheNomad engaged in a mounting feud, similarly determined, mirror images of light and dark. Their battle would prove a mere prelude, neither man responsible for the others elimination in the annual brawl. Pre-Show 20 would be their formal introduction, the pair brought together in a solo clash claimed by Kron. Theirs was a long hard road only beginning, however. At Supercard 21, both men failued to secure victory in a three-way match won by Violent`J -- another mysterious newcomer claiming to have a connection with TheNomad! On the way to becoming Runner-Up, Violent`J would eliminate TheNomad from Tournament 12: Grand Prix Warm-Up -- but not before TheNomad secured a Second Round elimination of Kron with convincing results!
Caught in the tide of events neither can fully comprehend, "Born Again" Kron and TheNomad will attempt to settle their scores with a third deciding match at Ultimate Grand Prix 2012 - Test of the Best! It will be the ultimate opportunity for Kron to asset himself in this latest regeneration as a contender, once more, but that possibility is a two-way street! It's another blockbuster main event booked in for April, when The Great Arena plays host to the biggest event of all time!
Supercard 22: Ultimate Grand Prix 2012 - Test of the Best Card:
1. King Mimik versus Crow (c) for the Undisputed Championship!
2. "The Iron Man" Ratt versus "The Iron Menace" ElJobber in an Iron Man Endurance match!
3. "Mr. Daruma" m0s & "Y2K" Knickxasawrrrr vs The Great Genku & ShingoEX (c) in a grudge match for the Duo Division Championships!
4. Year of the DaMo versus "The Charmed" Hokey in a blockbuster grudge bout!
5. "Born Again" Kron versus TheNomad in a loaded 1-1 deciding match!
6. Grand Prix Battle Royal featuring Violent`J, Ninja_Mime & DeathScepter!
Ultimate Grand Prix 2012 - Test of the Best takes place April 1st!
Stay tuned as more UGP announcements come to fruition! The hype is huge!
Showing posts with label RPCheev. Show all posts
Showing posts with label RPCheev. Show all posts
Monday, March 19, 2012
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!
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!
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!
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!
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!
Monday, October 3, 2011
Supercard 13: Spirit of Vengeance!
October 2, 2011 -- On the Night of Barons, all hope seemed lost. A rebellion was launched, but what was the cost? Beaten by War, his "chosen" left in defeat. Kron's battle for truth would seem incomplete. Looking back at beyond, a final resort. A Spirit of Vengeance was what he was taught. A figure from past, enshrouded in dread. Forgotten long ago, sleeping as though dead. Walking a Highway to Hell, all dressed in black. Be forewarned, Michael Lucifer is coming back.
12. Ratt d. Cr0w (c) in a streak-ending +17 destruction of the Champion!
With a streak of twenty-five straight wins that include two tournament victories and seven championship defenses: "The Unstoppable" Cr0w has established himself as more than simply an Undisputed Champion! Representing the ultimate challenge in The Great Arena, his reign has taken on mythic proportions, inviting the brave and the bold of the fighting ranks to earn their right to challenge and break the streak! Ratt is a contender who has been there before, not just in a failed attempt to defeat the champion (Supercard 8), but as the title holder who surrendered the belt to Cr0w early in his terrific reign of terror, the result of victory at Tournament 5: War for the Kr0wn. That win itself was the follow on to yet another earlier encounter, where Ratt defeated Cr0w in their first encounter, to rise through the Tower of Power to become Undisputed Champion for the first time.
Even with this impressive recent record against Ratt -- to say nothing of a string of victories that included a punishing defense against The_Purple_Bunny at Supercard 12 -- "The Unstoppable" Cr0w has been far from over confident. Where reluctance and tension have been evident in the past, the Champion has this time virtually prophecized his own doom, a fact well elaborated upon in championship previews. Would this be part of an elaborate tactic to unshake the "Iron Man" Ratt, or would the undying spirit of the former-champion continue the trend of change that saw Hokey & Ninja_Mime lose their Duo Division titles, while Ares Menschlich was unstuck by Lucifer?
Night of the Barons delivered Cr0w his most dominant victory as champion, but just as SC12 had suddenly arranged everything in its right place, Supercard 13 would see that it all fell apart! As if to fulfill Cr0w's most grim expectations, his strength appeared sapped, the dream run at a heartbreakingly empty end. Ratt was in fine form for his big shot, but it was like a lamb to the slaughter. Seemingly spent, Cr0w crumbled before a shocking +17 decimation, not quite equal, but completely opposite to his last white hot defense. Cr0w's place in history is assured. His domination over the Undisputed Championship took it to a prestigious new level, adding a layer of intrigue unlikely to be soon rivaled. Victorious over Tournament 5 and Tournament 8 during his twenty-five fight win streak, Cr0w earns a place on record that may never be toppled. Of course, history will now remember Ratt as the man who broke the streak! A feat befitting of this "Iron Man," whose never-say-die attitude embodies the spirit to rise to these challenges, no matter how overwhelming they may be.
11. Mimik (#12) d. m0s (#13) to win the 16-person Battle Royale [26:05].
While Ares Menschlich offered a shortcut to the Undisputed Championship in the form of his lethal lottery, a sixteen-person Battle Royal would be the legitimate ticket toward top contender status! A rare opportunity, sixteen intertwined opponents were selected throughout the week, one of those being Tyrant-Cenobite, who was surprisingly absent from the final list in a repeat of the Supercard 4 incident that he famously accused ElJobber of perpetrating.
For the fighters who arrived through a random draw as expected, it was to be a fast paced contender brawl! TonyTheTiger (#1) had a hard slog of it, the unlucky fighter who drew #1, but managed to fight his way through the field with an impressive four eliminations in a twenty-five minute stint, taking him as far as the final three! Ken (#6) ran a respectable fifteen minutes, dominating old Battle Royal opponent STEROLIZER (#7) in his return to an embarassing forty-four second appearance. Toryn (#9) would do even better, however, lasting barely a single second, taken out of the battle as quickly as he appeared by DECEPTION (#4).
Porygonix (#14) was a surprise feature of the final four, nudging out Ghostdragon (#16) in a twist of fate. "Mr. Daruma" m0s (#13) would do his best as the last man standing against Mimik (#12), but Mimik's impressive charge through the ranks -- following his solitary "chosen" victory against Praga Conquette at Supercard 12: Night of the Barons -- continues unabated! As the new #1 contender, Mimik will ironically forego a clash with Baroness of Pestilence, Conquette, instead reserved a possible Championship match if he can beat the winner of Ares Menschlich's lottery!
10. Michael Lucifer d. Ares Menschlich in a +4 decimation!
As the Baron of War, Ares Menschlich has gone mostly unchallenged in his occasional outings. Having famously opted to forfeit out of his Tournament 1 (in time for the finals) due to lack of competition, he has gone unopposed in The Great Arena, suffering only one or two rare defeats outside it. A major proponent in the proliferation of combat as a means of finding peace in a post-invasion Cheevment Kingdom -- Menschlich has walked a fine line between administrator and enemy of the people of The Union of The Human League. His claim that there are no friends within the fighting ranks sparked antagonism for its justification for his manipulation of the league, which brought about the split of Supercard 6, and led to the brief exile of many fighters. Second only to Lord Mislukking, the Baron of War has earned the vengeance of many, not the least of which was Kron, who learnt the truth during his time in the realm beyond.
Once, Michael Lucifer had been much like Ares Menschlich. Covetting the purity of combat, Lucifer reigned over his own arena of fighting, many years ago. His story stretches deep into the past, with tales of a baptism by lightning, feuds with other forgotten warriors of the past, and a reign as champion as dominant as Cr0w's. A monolithic figure who grew weary with the endless cycle of violence he attracted, he disappeared for years, fading like dust in the wind, a forgotten spirit of vengeance. Discovered to have become a reclusive member of the 7 Masters, he is compelled to return once more, in the service of vengeance as Kron's ultimate trump card in the battle with the Barons!
Solemn and silent, Michael Lucifer returned. Looking down upon the Baron of War through blackened eyes, the years showed on the face of this tired Spirit of Vengeance. Any prospect of fatigue would rapidly dissipate as the battle between titans began! Ares Menschlich may have amassed significant powers, but against an opponent he knows nothing about, his art of war was for moot. If Kron's intent was to inspire hope through the recruitment of this power, then it was a terrifyingly effective choice. Michael Lucifer exhibited a strength drawn from the ages, powerful enough to threaten even Lord Mislukking, should the time ever arise! The time was now for Ares Menschlich -- and it came with a +4 decimation the likes of which the Baron of War had never seen!
The dirty deed done; Michael Lucifer left in silence, leaving behind the bloodied visage of the Baron of War as a graphic image worth a thousand very loud words. Uncharacteristically shaken, Ares Menschlich announced an almost desperate act! As if to respond to the shock decimation with a 'trump card' of his own, he announced a lethal lottery open to any fighter in The Great Arena! This draw would be a risk/reward lottery for a special October 9 event, intended to prove that the fighting ranks would always take the path of least resistance, condemning their fellows in the quest for glory. His lottery would grant the winner a match against the unofficial #1 contender, with the Undisputed Champion then facing the winner. For those unfortunate enough to miss out on this opportunity, a battle with Praga Conquette would await.
Lucifer is the third renegade member of the 7 Masters to appear in The Great Arena, following in the footsteps of Grandmaster Wah Hung-Shen and Aquilluxborg Hydroxybot! The 7 Masters have remained largely uninvolved since one of their number fell to Lord Mislukking during his rise and conquest. It remains assumed that hostilities with Mislukking extend to their number, but with only three of their order known, it goes without saying that agendas are as mysterious as the identity of their fellows.
9. The_Purple_Bunny & Blaze d. Hokey & Ninja_Mime (c) in a convincing win!
Since winning the Duo Division Championships in July (Pre-Show 9); Hokey & Ninja_Mime have lived a charmed existence. Defeating all challengers who've come before them -- the immensely dominant duo seemed fit to form a win streak comparable to the record setting solo champ, Cr0w! Their own record an impressive 15-1; Hokey & Ninja_Mime have even successfully done away with the one team to take their number, Pink_Ranger & Ghostdragon -- former champions who missed out on a rematch in their contender clash with the challengers, The_Purple_Bunny & Blaze!
Buoyed by The_Purple_Bunny's rapid rise to the top through Tournament 7; the challengers have a unique and brief pedigree that allowed them to leapfrog many of the top duos in the league, emerging as a major threat to the indomitable champs! Barely a month since her debut during Tournament 8: Grand Slam [Singles], Blaze has blazed a trail, setting her up as one of the fastest rising competitors to enter The Great Arena in any capacity! Combining with longtime friend and partner, TPB, Blaze contributes to what is truly one of the most intriguing combos to come about in recent times, destined to go above and beyond their Second Round exit from T9!
They might have paled during Tournament 9: Grand Slam [Doubles] -- an event eventually won by Hokey & Ninja_Mime -- but The_Purple_Bunny & Blaze would not disappoint with the top prize on the line! The stars were aligned for change as TPB & Blaze unleashed a shocking decimation upon their opponents, luck nowhere to be seen for the otherwise impressive Hokey & Ninja_Mime! Against any other combination, the champions would likely have found themselves retaining. TPB & Blaze confirm every suspicion about their potential, wildly powerful with their powers combined, even if the impact of victory kept to the standard, modest single notch! It is the end of an era, but the beginning of an intriguing new chapter for the Duo Division Championships!
8. CCShadow & Scott-Howell d. Murdoink & Baraka_MK in a narrow blockbuster finish!
The story of their collapse began at Tournament 9: Grand Slam [Doubles], but it was Scott-Howell's callous victory over partner Murdoink (at Supercard 12) that confirmed the split of a combination widely considered the original product that gave us the Duo Division. Unable to secure the success expected of them, they collapsed, turning inward during the disappointment of T9. On this Highway to Hell, Howell and Murdoink revealed new partners at Pre-Show 13, seeing victories alongside CCShadow and Baraka_MK, respectively. The confirmation of this new chapter would inevitably bring former allies back into conflict, with the shock twist of a grander plan underlying Howell's betrayal as he teams with old friend and ally, CCShadow. Certain to be part of their sinister machinations -- the Duo Division Championships, sure to be a step closer with a win over Murdoink & BMK!
The two "new" combinations proved to be shockingly closely matched, befitting of the bitter feud! Undeniable was the captained importance of Howell and Murdoink, who lent serious Duo Division credibility to their less tested partners. Baraka_MK pushed his less-than obscure muscle behind the previously defeated Murdoink, but a sinister unity seemed present between CCShadow & Scott-Howell. Against the best wishes of the crowd, it would be they who would capture a big win, edging out their counterparts by the narrowest of margins! What ever the winners' plans might be, it would be clear they would go unchallenged -- for now.
7. ElJobber d. Kron in a massive hard fought battle!
A fighter of immense potential; Kron has taken the task of challenging Ares Menschlich and his fellow Barons in a crusade against overwhelming odds. This war of philosophy has spread beyond the revelation that Menschlich used his occult influence to tear the fighting ranks apart (at Supercard 6), spreading to renewed hostilities between "chosen" members of The Union of The Human League, who put themselves in the firing line to prove there is more at work within the ranks than a primitive self-interested compulsion to fight. Some fighters are happy to reinforce Menschlich's claim that there are no allies in battle. Fighters such as ElJobber, who has taken a razor sharp focus as he pursues a path of maximum impact on the way to the much sought Undisputed Championship.
This indulgence of raw, unfeeling combat pushed ElJobber to meet Kron for the first time ever at Supercard 11: All-Star Summer Showdown! In the service of the Baron of War, ElJobber fell in an exciting but comprehensive win for then-returning Kron. Now, with the battle against War commissioned to a secret warrior known as Michael Lucifer -- Kron is forced to again take up the challenge of the calculated battler -- ElJobber desperate to gain a victory over his newest rival!
The walls of The Great Arena would shake as these two immensely powerful fighters exhibited the near full extent of their abilities! The sequel to their first encounter would be every bit the blockbuster, going a step further than the original as ElJobber made an impressive challenge to the man who bested him in their first outing! Separating the two would be a mammoth task, both incredibly closely matched despite the high level competition! In the end, you might say it was ElJobber who had more to fight for. Going into overtime, the closely matched rivals exploded in a final exchange, with Kron coming up short, despite his incredible efforts. The victory not only secures ElJobber the win he so desired, but ideally positions him for another shot at the covetted Undisputed Championship!
6. Artanix & foahchon d. SubMan799 & Casselman in a close match.
The Duo Division has been electric since the conclusion of the thirty-two team elimination bracket of Tournament 9: Grand Slam [Doubles]! Teams Agaper and Ops might have made for a compelling division unto themselves earlier in the event, but the competition demands a whole lot more than just two factions going at it! SubMan799 & Casselman have shaken off rookie status as their pursuit for Championship gold has developed into a more complete effort to round out their game. Reaching for that level, the pair set their sights on seasoned veterans, Artanix & foahchon, who themselves have taken steps toward immortality and arena glory!
Escalating the quality of duo competition beyond even those earlier performances, these two top teams made their case for greatness! Aspirations would have to wait, however, as SubMan799 & Casselman found themselves up against a team hitting their stride. Artanix & foahchon matched up well, led by an Artanix who has been in rare form since Tournament 7! In a well contested clash, the winners secured a close fought, but decisive result.
5. Bez Busshitsu d. Genku.
With a 3-1 spread against Kron's "chosen" -- the conclusion of Supercard 12: Night of the Barons left a dystopian feeling in the air. Kron would announce his intent to unleash his ultimate trump card, the titular Spirit of Vengeance from another time that would strike in the name of the people, but the marquee comeuppance promised to Ares Menschlich would only stretch so far. For Genku, the battle with the Four Barons has been a long and personal one, stretching back to March when he was driven to throw himself on the sword of Lord Mislukking (outside competition), only to be resurrected as one of his number, a Revenant puppet for the guarded Baron of Death, Sinvida Von Grimm.
An attempt at payback resulted in punishing rebuttal as Genku once again came face-to-face with the wicked Baron of Death, a cold and unfeeling monster with the power to decimate even the strongest in the League. This powerful defeat at Supercard 12: Night of the Barons left Genku defeated, but relatively unscathed and burning with the desire to fight back against these tyrants who've ruled the Cheevment Kingdom with intimidation and terror. Genku, though a member of Kron's chosen, would subscribe to no philosophy of selflessness. His motivation would be pure and simple and honest, a rage that would resort to a challenge against any of their number, if it meant a pound of flesh!
Going up against Bez Busshitsu, the first Baron (of Famine); Genku hoped to get some payback against an unwanted former partner, while also improving his chances at an all important victory. It is said that Busshitsu is the weakest of Mislukking's Horsemen, but alas, the once frail and feeble fiend has fed to the gills on the nutrition of others. Ballooned to new strengths, Famine is now a formiddable foe, and he demonstrated it with pleasure against a mid-strength Genku!
The Baron of Famine flicked and flecked at his opponent, doing a fine impression of a fighter in control of the fight, even though he had to fight for every inch. It seemed the fight with Death had taken something out of Genku, but even so, he was against able to mount a defense that would allow Bez Busshitsu nothing to boast in the conclusion of his victory. Genku may have lost the fight, but he would walk away from the fight far from defeated.
4. ZachAngel & Angelia d. Leroy & Mark in a close match.
With the stakes all tied up, it would be up to the leaders of the two groups to resolve what has become a major feud within the ranks of The Union of The Human League. Opposites destined to find each other in the battlefield as if by the will of fate itself; these members of Team Agaper and Team Ops have already gone head-to-head on several occasions prior! As recent as Pre-Show 13, ZachAngel struck a decisive blow against Leroy, fighting back to rectify a duo loss witness at Supercard 12! Before that, it was Supercard 11: All-Star Summer Showdown, where victory also went the way of Mark and Leroy, against ZachAngel and Angelia. After so many battles, after such a long feud, with their fellows becoming wrapped up in an ever expanding rivalry, could this truly be the end? The final note struck from something somehow related, but never identifiable as a Spirit of Vengeance?
Stepping up the fray to a level ever so slightly higher than even the previous encounter -- the captaining teams of Team Agaper and Team Ops took the fight to its logical conclusion! At the apex of their representing teams, the combinations elevated their game beyond anything known of them. It was hard, it was fast, it wasn an intense and bitter battle of inches, each fought for furiously. With the scoreboard even at 1-1, it was the Agaper faithful, ZachAngel & Angelia, who found a second wind, a divine boost in the dying moments of overtime. Hard fought, but even more convincing than their precursors, ZachAngel & Angelia sent the winning blow echoing throughout the arena. 2-1 would be the final countdown to Team Agaper -- a hard fought, oh so close victory for an emerging force within the fighting ranks!
3. Politics & Menas d. Celeste & ScottK in a narrow conclusion.
Moving up the chain from their Supercard 13 predecessors; the combinations of Team Agaper's Politics & Menas and Team Ops' Celeste & ScottK proposed a different class, all together. With a tour in The Great Arena that included appearances by both teams in Tournament 9: Grand Slam [Doubles] -- the action promised to be far more complex, and steeped in experience and skill, than anything their teammates displayed earlier on. Given their history in a near-draw encounter at Pre-Show 12, the rematch had blockbuster potential all over it!
Indeed, both teams showed why they're a cut above their predecessors! As if spurred on by the bitter rivalry boiling between both groups, the duos exhibited a stainless steal cleanliness in their approach that went beyond anything expected based on their previous encounter! Both teams looked good, but it was Politics & Menas who showed signs of cashing in on the potential that had been brewing in their previous outings! Their combination would not only produce a ever so slightly more convincing win over their Team Ops opponents, this time, but also send a jolt of electricity through their hopes to become Duo Division Champions any time in the future! 1-1 in this inadvertent series!
2. Hidin & Learn d. MinnyBean & rxvt in a narrow conclusion.
Competition between the ranks of Team Agaper and Team Ops has been a feature of several Supercard and Pre-Show events for some months. Tensions between the two factions appeared to arise out of nowhere, but the chemical differences between the fighting faithful and their administrative counterparts have seen fit to unfold one of the biggest wars The Great Arena has ever seen! Escalation would deliver three Duo Division battles to Supercard 13 as ZachAngel and Leroy & Mark pilotted their respective groups into the first all-out assault against one another!
Representing the less tested of the bunch, Hidin & Learn looked like easy pickings for MinnyBean & rxvt, even in spite of MB's relative inexperience and a long history of defeats suffered by rxvt. It was those defeats that may have very well taken a toll on the combination, ambushed by the freshness of the Team Ops assault! Hidin & Learn fought beyond their weightclass, executing with a clean efficiency that left the faithful searching for answers from above. First blood would go to Team Ops, a 1-0 lead in their inadvertent best-of-three scenario.
1. SmokeRulz d. DaMo & xtactics in a gruelling 3way.
?He's been making a name for himself as a specialist of the three-way match type, but against a couple of seasoned pros like DaMo and xtactics, could a fighter as fresh as SmokeRulz expect to exert any kind of experienced-based dominance? That was the test in the Vengeance opener, which saw the trio in an exhibition bout with its own pattern of intrigue to play out. Afterall; three-way combat has begun to emerge as something of an artform, demanding a dimension of additional depth to standard one-on-one battles. Strategies that see a single party isolated in the early stages mean there is a lot to consider in any one encounter -- and that would absolutely be true here!
A top ranking competitor who sometimes sneaks under the radar -- DaMo seized on an early opportunity as xtactics began to emerge as the weak link. SmokeRulz progressed with an air of confidence, afforded time to strategize while DaMo took xtactics out of the equation. The move clearly energized DaMo, but it was still SmokeRulz who managed to fend off any signs of fatigue, increasing his own powers to a degree that left DaMo the loser in a fast-paced war of attrition. Another valuable win for the three-way king!
Unofficial Rankings Update:
It was to be a night of vengeance, but instead, it was a night of change!
The dominant and unchallenged would finally be toppled as The Great Arena seemed to shed its skin in a single, dramatic shake! The_Purple_Bunny recovers well from his punishing rejection from the Undisputed Championship, picking up a fine consolation with Blaze in the form of the Duo Division Championships. Their victory set the tone for the event, unseating the seemingly unstoppable combo of Hokey and Ninja_Mime, who don't look likely to suffer too much for their loss -- still in the hunt for solo glory in a now uncertain picture.
It goes without saying that Ratt's defeat of Cr0w has completely rewritten the domain of the possible, returning an element of unpredictability to a championship field in danger of becoming stale. Cr0w will assume his place in history, while fighters keen to take their shot do so with renewed energy! After fighting his way from a generous entry point to take out the Battle Royal, Mimik is a well deserved number one contender. TonyTheTiger, the other Battle Royal competitor to make a case for himself, continuing a similar ascension that has seen TTT become one of the top predators of The Great Arena! He's positioning himself well for a future assault, but nobody is as hot as Mimik right now! Nobody!...
... Except maybe ElJobber has kept himself in the hunt for the Undisputed Championship, and after picking up an impressive victory against Kron, lurks right on the periphery heading toward Ares Menschlich's special "Feast or Famine" event. Menschlich was, of course, another one of the dominants toppled, worthy of note even if it was one non-Union fighter taking down another.
Intent on proving the lowest truths about the fighting ranks, October 9 will unveil the fighters who submitted to a "lethal lottery" for a chance to compete for the Undisputed Championship! Feast or Famine will be the special event, where one lucky winner will face Mimik for the right to challenge "The Iron Man" Ratt for the Undisputed Championship -- while the rest suffer for their avarice at the hands of the disease spreading Praga Conquette -- Baroness of Pestilence!
Then the winners face the fallout of Feast or Famine as they countdown to Supercard 14 -- October 23! The action is coming thick and fast as the year begins to count down. PLUS! October 30 promises something dark and disturbing as whispers of the Devil's Night begin to spread!
His pale skin was striped black, scorched by gods when he journeyed the Earth long ago. It was his education, his rite of passage. Tattooed into his flesh by lightning and cooled in rain... In my youth, I dared to challenge him. I thought it was fun and game, a perfect opportunity to make my name as a champion. How wrong I was. How wrong I was... I remember the war between the brothers. Mirror images, they fought within the flickering flame itself. Abel fought well, but his brother was always stronger... Always... You would be mistaken, to think this Spirit of Vengeance could be a tool in your war. Yea, he may help you at first, but he will not discriminate. He will not stop. He will not go back in the bottle so easily. Is it really worth it?... What makes you think he will even come? It has been many years since he was seen, or heard. The highway to hell is long! Do you think he'd really walk it for you ? Even Marz would struggle to pull that off!... It was nine years, in August, that it all started for me, but I suppose it's been longer than that. Maybe he knows. Maybe he really is coming back... I am The Nomad. I warn you.Kron's ultimate trump card against the Baron of War is unleashed as The Spirit of Vengeance comes to The Great Arena! Kron can't afford to be distracted, though, as he fends off the challenge of War's disciple, ElJobber! Challengers will be in abundance at Supercard 13 as Ratt takes a second shot at ending the record setting reign of "The Unstoppable" Cr0w, while The_Purple_Bunny & Blaze do their best to unthrone the charmed combination of Hokey & Ninja_Mime! All this -- plus fierce feuds and a sixteen-person contender battle royale!
12. Ratt d. Cr0w (c) in a streak-ending +17 destruction of the Champion!
With a streak of twenty-five straight wins that include two tournament victories and seven championship defenses: "The Unstoppable" Cr0w has established himself as more than simply an Undisputed Champion! Representing the ultimate challenge in The Great Arena, his reign has taken on mythic proportions, inviting the brave and the bold of the fighting ranks to earn their right to challenge and break the streak! Ratt is a contender who has been there before, not just in a failed attempt to defeat the champion (Supercard 8), but as the title holder who surrendered the belt to Cr0w early in his terrific reign of terror, the result of victory at Tournament 5: War for the Kr0wn. That win itself was the follow on to yet another earlier encounter, where Ratt defeated Cr0w in their first encounter, to rise through the Tower of Power to become Undisputed Champion for the first time.
Even with this impressive recent record against Ratt -- to say nothing of a string of victories that included a punishing defense against The_Purple_Bunny at Supercard 12 -- "The Unstoppable" Cr0w has been far from over confident. Where reluctance and tension have been evident in the past, the Champion has this time virtually prophecized his own doom, a fact well elaborated upon in championship previews. Would this be part of an elaborate tactic to unshake the "Iron Man" Ratt, or would the undying spirit of the former-champion continue the trend of change that saw Hokey & Ninja_Mime lose their Duo Division titles, while Ares Menschlich was unstuck by Lucifer?
Night of the Barons delivered Cr0w his most dominant victory as champion, but just as SC12 had suddenly arranged everything in its right place, Supercard 13 would see that it all fell apart! As if to fulfill Cr0w's most grim expectations, his strength appeared sapped, the dream run at a heartbreakingly empty end. Ratt was in fine form for his big shot, but it was like a lamb to the slaughter. Seemingly spent, Cr0w crumbled before a shocking +17 decimation, not quite equal, but completely opposite to his last white hot defense. Cr0w's place in history is assured. His domination over the Undisputed Championship took it to a prestigious new level, adding a layer of intrigue unlikely to be soon rivaled. Victorious over Tournament 5 and Tournament 8 during his twenty-five fight win streak, Cr0w earns a place on record that may never be toppled. Of course, history will now remember Ratt as the man who broke the streak! A feat befitting of this "Iron Man," whose never-say-die attitude embodies the spirit to rise to these challenges, no matter how overwhelming they may be.
11. Mimik (#12) d. m0s (#13) to win the 16-person Battle Royale [26:05].
While Ares Menschlich offered a shortcut to the Undisputed Championship in the form of his lethal lottery, a sixteen-person Battle Royal would be the legitimate ticket toward top contender status! A rare opportunity, sixteen intertwined opponents were selected throughout the week, one of those being Tyrant-Cenobite, who was surprisingly absent from the final list in a repeat of the Supercard 4 incident that he famously accused ElJobber of perpetrating.
For the fighters who arrived through a random draw as expected, it was to be a fast paced contender brawl! TonyTheTiger (#1) had a hard slog of it, the unlucky fighter who drew #1, but managed to fight his way through the field with an impressive four eliminations in a twenty-five minute stint, taking him as far as the final three! Ken (#6) ran a respectable fifteen minutes, dominating old Battle Royal opponent STEROLIZER (#7) in his return to an embarassing forty-four second appearance. Toryn (#9) would do even better, however, lasting barely a single second, taken out of the battle as quickly as he appeared by DECEPTION (#4).
Porygonix (#14) was a surprise feature of the final four, nudging out Ghostdragon (#16) in a twist of fate. "Mr. Daruma" m0s (#13) would do his best as the last man standing against Mimik (#12), but Mimik's impressive charge through the ranks -- following his solitary "chosen" victory against Praga Conquette at Supercard 12: Night of the Barons -- continues unabated! As the new #1 contender, Mimik will ironically forego a clash with Baroness of Pestilence, Conquette, instead reserved a possible Championship match if he can beat the winner of Ares Menschlich's lottery!
| Entry #1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 #7 #8 #9 #10 #11 #12 #13 #14 #15 #16 | Fighter TonyTheTiger Jammer2Omega GreenLantern DECEPTION SlumDunk Ken STEROLIZER Pink_Ranger Toryn DeathScepter plfx Mimik m0s Porygonix CaTigeReptile Ghostdragon | Elim. #14 #1 #2 #6 #3 #9 #4 #7 #5 #10 #8 -- #15 #13 #11 #12 | Eliminator Mimik TonyTheTiger TonyTheTiger TonyTheTiger Ken Mimik Ken TonyTheTiger DECEPTION Mimik DeathScepter WINNER Mimik m0s Porygonix Porygonix | Enter Time [07:20:05] [07:20:10] [07:21:35] [07:23:06] [07:24:36] [07:26:06] [07:27:36] [07:29:07] [07:30:37] [07:32:07] [07:33:37] [07:35:08] [07:36:38] [07:38:08] [07:39:38] [07:41:09] | Exit Time [07:45:37] [07:23:30] [07:25:24] [07:34:53] [07:26:51] [07:41:17] [07:28:20] [07:36:04] [07:30:37] [07:41:34] [07:38:35] [07:46:10] [07:46:10] [07:44:12] [07:42:54] [07:43:44] |
10. Michael Lucifer d. Ares Menschlich in a +4 decimation!
As the Baron of War, Ares Menschlich has gone mostly unchallenged in his occasional outings. Having famously opted to forfeit out of his Tournament 1 (in time for the finals) due to lack of competition, he has gone unopposed in The Great Arena, suffering only one or two rare defeats outside it. A major proponent in the proliferation of combat as a means of finding peace in a post-invasion Cheevment Kingdom -- Menschlich has walked a fine line between administrator and enemy of the people of The Union of The Human League. His claim that there are no friends within the fighting ranks sparked antagonism for its justification for his manipulation of the league, which brought about the split of Supercard 6, and led to the brief exile of many fighters. Second only to Lord Mislukking, the Baron of War has earned the vengeance of many, not the least of which was Kron, who learnt the truth during his time in the realm beyond.
Once, Michael Lucifer had been much like Ares Menschlich. Covetting the purity of combat, Lucifer reigned over his own arena of fighting, many years ago. His story stretches deep into the past, with tales of a baptism by lightning, feuds with other forgotten warriors of the past, and a reign as champion as dominant as Cr0w's. A monolithic figure who grew weary with the endless cycle of violence he attracted, he disappeared for years, fading like dust in the wind, a forgotten spirit of vengeance. Discovered to have become a reclusive member of the 7 Masters, he is compelled to return once more, in the service of vengeance as Kron's ultimate trump card in the battle with the Barons!
Solemn and silent, Michael Lucifer returned. Looking down upon the Baron of War through blackened eyes, the years showed on the face of this tired Spirit of Vengeance. Any prospect of fatigue would rapidly dissipate as the battle between titans began! Ares Menschlich may have amassed significant powers, but against an opponent he knows nothing about, his art of war was for moot. If Kron's intent was to inspire hope through the recruitment of this power, then it was a terrifyingly effective choice. Michael Lucifer exhibited a strength drawn from the ages, powerful enough to threaten even Lord Mislukking, should the time ever arise! The time was now for Ares Menschlich -- and it came with a +4 decimation the likes of which the Baron of War had never seen!
The dirty deed done; Michael Lucifer left in silence, leaving behind the bloodied visage of the Baron of War as a graphic image worth a thousand very loud words. Uncharacteristically shaken, Ares Menschlich announced an almost desperate act! As if to respond to the shock decimation with a 'trump card' of his own, he announced a lethal lottery open to any fighter in The Great Arena! This draw would be a risk/reward lottery for a special October 9 event, intended to prove that the fighting ranks would always take the path of least resistance, condemning their fellows in the quest for glory. His lottery would grant the winner a match against the unofficial #1 contender, with the Undisputed Champion then facing the winner. For those unfortunate enough to miss out on this opportunity, a battle with Praga Conquette would await.
Lucifer is the third renegade member of the 7 Masters to appear in The Great Arena, following in the footsteps of Grandmaster Wah Hung-Shen and Aquilluxborg Hydroxybot! The 7 Masters have remained largely uninvolved since one of their number fell to Lord Mislukking during his rise and conquest. It remains assumed that hostilities with Mislukking extend to their number, but with only three of their order known, it goes without saying that agendas are as mysterious as the identity of their fellows.
9. The_Purple_Bunny & Blaze d. Hokey & Ninja_Mime (c) in a convincing win!
Since winning the Duo Division Championships in July (Pre-Show 9); Hokey & Ninja_Mime have lived a charmed existence. Defeating all challengers who've come before them -- the immensely dominant duo seemed fit to form a win streak comparable to the record setting solo champ, Cr0w! Their own record an impressive 15-1; Hokey & Ninja_Mime have even successfully done away with the one team to take their number, Pink_Ranger & Ghostdragon -- former champions who missed out on a rematch in their contender clash with the challengers, The_Purple_Bunny & Blaze!
Buoyed by The_Purple_Bunny's rapid rise to the top through Tournament 7; the challengers have a unique and brief pedigree that allowed them to leapfrog many of the top duos in the league, emerging as a major threat to the indomitable champs! Barely a month since her debut during Tournament 8: Grand Slam [Singles], Blaze has blazed a trail, setting her up as one of the fastest rising competitors to enter The Great Arena in any capacity! Combining with longtime friend and partner, TPB, Blaze contributes to what is truly one of the most intriguing combos to come about in recent times, destined to go above and beyond their Second Round exit from T9!
They might have paled during Tournament 9: Grand Slam [Doubles] -- an event eventually won by Hokey & Ninja_Mime -- but The_Purple_Bunny & Blaze would not disappoint with the top prize on the line! The stars were aligned for change as TPB & Blaze unleashed a shocking decimation upon their opponents, luck nowhere to be seen for the otherwise impressive Hokey & Ninja_Mime! Against any other combination, the champions would likely have found themselves retaining. TPB & Blaze confirm every suspicion about their potential, wildly powerful with their powers combined, even if the impact of victory kept to the standard, modest single notch! It is the end of an era, but the beginning of an intriguing new chapter for the Duo Division Championships!
8. CCShadow & Scott-Howell d. Murdoink & Baraka_MK in a narrow blockbuster finish!
The story of their collapse began at Tournament 9: Grand Slam [Doubles], but it was Scott-Howell's callous victory over partner Murdoink (at Supercard 12) that confirmed the split of a combination widely considered the original product that gave us the Duo Division. Unable to secure the success expected of them, they collapsed, turning inward during the disappointment of T9. On this Highway to Hell, Howell and Murdoink revealed new partners at Pre-Show 13, seeing victories alongside CCShadow and Baraka_MK, respectively. The confirmation of this new chapter would inevitably bring former allies back into conflict, with the shock twist of a grander plan underlying Howell's betrayal as he teams with old friend and ally, CCShadow. Certain to be part of their sinister machinations -- the Duo Division Championships, sure to be a step closer with a win over Murdoink & BMK!
The two "new" combinations proved to be shockingly closely matched, befitting of the bitter feud! Undeniable was the captained importance of Howell and Murdoink, who lent serious Duo Division credibility to their less tested partners. Baraka_MK pushed his less-than obscure muscle behind the previously defeated Murdoink, but a sinister unity seemed present between CCShadow & Scott-Howell. Against the best wishes of the crowd, it would be they who would capture a big win, edging out their counterparts by the narrowest of margins! What ever the winners' plans might be, it would be clear they would go unchallenged -- for now.
7. ElJobber d. Kron in a massive hard fought battle!
A fighter of immense potential; Kron has taken the task of challenging Ares Menschlich and his fellow Barons in a crusade against overwhelming odds. This war of philosophy has spread beyond the revelation that Menschlich used his occult influence to tear the fighting ranks apart (at Supercard 6), spreading to renewed hostilities between "chosen" members of The Union of The Human League, who put themselves in the firing line to prove there is more at work within the ranks than a primitive self-interested compulsion to fight. Some fighters are happy to reinforce Menschlich's claim that there are no allies in battle. Fighters such as ElJobber, who has taken a razor sharp focus as he pursues a path of maximum impact on the way to the much sought Undisputed Championship.
This indulgence of raw, unfeeling combat pushed ElJobber to meet Kron for the first time ever at Supercard 11: All-Star Summer Showdown! In the service of the Baron of War, ElJobber fell in an exciting but comprehensive win for then-returning Kron. Now, with the battle against War commissioned to a secret warrior known as Michael Lucifer -- Kron is forced to again take up the challenge of the calculated battler -- ElJobber desperate to gain a victory over his newest rival!
The walls of The Great Arena would shake as these two immensely powerful fighters exhibited the near full extent of their abilities! The sequel to their first encounter would be every bit the blockbuster, going a step further than the original as ElJobber made an impressive challenge to the man who bested him in their first outing! Separating the two would be a mammoth task, both incredibly closely matched despite the high level competition! In the end, you might say it was ElJobber who had more to fight for. Going into overtime, the closely matched rivals exploded in a final exchange, with Kron coming up short, despite his incredible efforts. The victory not only secures ElJobber the win he so desired, but ideally positions him for another shot at the covetted Undisputed Championship!
6. Artanix & foahchon d. SubMan799 & Casselman in a close match.
The Duo Division has been electric since the conclusion of the thirty-two team elimination bracket of Tournament 9: Grand Slam [Doubles]! Teams Agaper and Ops might have made for a compelling division unto themselves earlier in the event, but the competition demands a whole lot more than just two factions going at it! SubMan799 & Casselman have shaken off rookie status as their pursuit for Championship gold has developed into a more complete effort to round out their game. Reaching for that level, the pair set their sights on seasoned veterans, Artanix & foahchon, who themselves have taken steps toward immortality and arena glory!
Escalating the quality of duo competition beyond even those earlier performances, these two top teams made their case for greatness! Aspirations would have to wait, however, as SubMan799 & Casselman found themselves up against a team hitting their stride. Artanix & foahchon matched up well, led by an Artanix who has been in rare form since Tournament 7! In a well contested clash, the winners secured a close fought, but decisive result.
5. Bez Busshitsu d. Genku.
With a 3-1 spread against Kron's "chosen" -- the conclusion of Supercard 12: Night of the Barons left a dystopian feeling in the air. Kron would announce his intent to unleash his ultimate trump card, the titular Spirit of Vengeance from another time that would strike in the name of the people, but the marquee comeuppance promised to Ares Menschlich would only stretch so far. For Genku, the battle with the Four Barons has been a long and personal one, stretching back to March when he was driven to throw himself on the sword of Lord Mislukking (outside competition), only to be resurrected as one of his number, a Revenant puppet for the guarded Baron of Death, Sinvida Von Grimm.
An attempt at payback resulted in punishing rebuttal as Genku once again came face-to-face with the wicked Baron of Death, a cold and unfeeling monster with the power to decimate even the strongest in the League. This powerful defeat at Supercard 12: Night of the Barons left Genku defeated, but relatively unscathed and burning with the desire to fight back against these tyrants who've ruled the Cheevment Kingdom with intimidation and terror. Genku, though a member of Kron's chosen, would subscribe to no philosophy of selflessness. His motivation would be pure and simple and honest, a rage that would resort to a challenge against any of their number, if it meant a pound of flesh!
Going up against Bez Busshitsu, the first Baron (of Famine); Genku hoped to get some payback against an unwanted former partner, while also improving his chances at an all important victory. It is said that Busshitsu is the weakest of Mislukking's Horsemen, but alas, the once frail and feeble fiend has fed to the gills on the nutrition of others. Ballooned to new strengths, Famine is now a formiddable foe, and he demonstrated it with pleasure against a mid-strength Genku!
The Baron of Famine flicked and flecked at his opponent, doing a fine impression of a fighter in control of the fight, even though he had to fight for every inch. It seemed the fight with Death had taken something out of Genku, but even so, he was against able to mount a defense that would allow Bez Busshitsu nothing to boast in the conclusion of his victory. Genku may have lost the fight, but he would walk away from the fight far from defeated.
4. ZachAngel & Angelia d. Leroy & Mark in a close match.
With the stakes all tied up, it would be up to the leaders of the two groups to resolve what has become a major feud within the ranks of The Union of The Human League. Opposites destined to find each other in the battlefield as if by the will of fate itself; these members of Team Agaper and Team Ops have already gone head-to-head on several occasions prior! As recent as Pre-Show 13, ZachAngel struck a decisive blow against Leroy, fighting back to rectify a duo loss witness at Supercard 12! Before that, it was Supercard 11: All-Star Summer Showdown, where victory also went the way of Mark and Leroy, against ZachAngel and Angelia. After so many battles, after such a long feud, with their fellows becoming wrapped up in an ever expanding rivalry, could this truly be the end? The final note struck from something somehow related, but never identifiable as a Spirit of Vengeance?
Stepping up the fray to a level ever so slightly higher than even the previous encounter -- the captaining teams of Team Agaper and Team Ops took the fight to its logical conclusion! At the apex of their representing teams, the combinations elevated their game beyond anything known of them. It was hard, it was fast, it wasn an intense and bitter battle of inches, each fought for furiously. With the scoreboard even at 1-1, it was the Agaper faithful, ZachAngel & Angelia, who found a second wind, a divine boost in the dying moments of overtime. Hard fought, but even more convincing than their precursors, ZachAngel & Angelia sent the winning blow echoing throughout the arena. 2-1 would be the final countdown to Team Agaper -- a hard fought, oh so close victory for an emerging force within the fighting ranks!
3. Politics & Menas d. Celeste & ScottK in a narrow conclusion.
Moving up the chain from their Supercard 13 predecessors; the combinations of Team Agaper's Politics & Menas and Team Ops' Celeste & ScottK proposed a different class, all together. With a tour in The Great Arena that included appearances by both teams in Tournament 9: Grand Slam [Doubles] -- the action promised to be far more complex, and steeped in experience and skill, than anything their teammates displayed earlier on. Given their history in a near-draw encounter at Pre-Show 12, the rematch had blockbuster potential all over it!
Indeed, both teams showed why they're a cut above their predecessors! As if spurred on by the bitter rivalry boiling between both groups, the duos exhibited a stainless steal cleanliness in their approach that went beyond anything expected based on their previous encounter! Both teams looked good, but it was Politics & Menas who showed signs of cashing in on the potential that had been brewing in their previous outings! Their combination would not only produce a ever so slightly more convincing win over their Team Ops opponents, this time, but also send a jolt of electricity through their hopes to become Duo Division Champions any time in the future! 1-1 in this inadvertent series!
2. Hidin & Learn d. MinnyBean & rxvt in a narrow conclusion.
Competition between the ranks of Team Agaper and Team Ops has been a feature of several Supercard and Pre-Show events for some months. Tensions between the two factions appeared to arise out of nowhere, but the chemical differences between the fighting faithful and their administrative counterparts have seen fit to unfold one of the biggest wars The Great Arena has ever seen! Escalation would deliver three Duo Division battles to Supercard 13 as ZachAngel and Leroy & Mark pilotted their respective groups into the first all-out assault against one another!
Representing the less tested of the bunch, Hidin & Learn looked like easy pickings for MinnyBean & rxvt, even in spite of MB's relative inexperience and a long history of defeats suffered by rxvt. It was those defeats that may have very well taken a toll on the combination, ambushed by the freshness of the Team Ops assault! Hidin & Learn fought beyond their weightclass, executing with a clean efficiency that left the faithful searching for answers from above. First blood would go to Team Ops, a 1-0 lead in their inadvertent best-of-three scenario.
1. SmokeRulz d. DaMo & xtactics in a gruelling 3way.
?He's been making a name for himself as a specialist of the three-way match type, but against a couple of seasoned pros like DaMo and xtactics, could a fighter as fresh as SmokeRulz expect to exert any kind of experienced-based dominance? That was the test in the Vengeance opener, which saw the trio in an exhibition bout with its own pattern of intrigue to play out. Afterall; three-way combat has begun to emerge as something of an artform, demanding a dimension of additional depth to standard one-on-one battles. Strategies that see a single party isolated in the early stages mean there is a lot to consider in any one encounter -- and that would absolutely be true here!
A top ranking competitor who sometimes sneaks under the radar -- DaMo seized on an early opportunity as xtactics began to emerge as the weak link. SmokeRulz progressed with an air of confidence, afforded time to strategize while DaMo took xtactics out of the equation. The move clearly energized DaMo, but it was still SmokeRulz who managed to fend off any signs of fatigue, increasing his own powers to a degree that left DaMo the loser in a fast-paced war of attrition. Another valuable win for the three-way king!
Unofficial Rankings Update:
It was to be a night of vengeance, but instead, it was a night of change!
The dominant and unchallenged would finally be toppled as The Great Arena seemed to shed its skin in a single, dramatic shake! The_Purple_Bunny recovers well from his punishing rejection from the Undisputed Championship, picking up a fine consolation with Blaze in the form of the Duo Division Championships. Their victory set the tone for the event, unseating the seemingly unstoppable combo of Hokey and Ninja_Mime, who don't look likely to suffer too much for their loss -- still in the hunt for solo glory in a now uncertain picture.
It goes without saying that Ratt's defeat of Cr0w has completely rewritten the domain of the possible, returning an element of unpredictability to a championship field in danger of becoming stale. Cr0w will assume his place in history, while fighters keen to take their shot do so with renewed energy! After fighting his way from a generous entry point to take out the Battle Royal, Mimik is a well deserved number one contender. TonyTheTiger, the other Battle Royal competitor to make a case for himself, continuing a similar ascension that has seen TTT become one of the top predators of The Great Arena! He's positioning himself well for a future assault, but nobody is as hot as Mimik right now! Nobody!...
... Except maybe ElJobber has kept himself in the hunt for the Undisputed Championship, and after picking up an impressive victory against Kron, lurks right on the periphery heading toward Ares Menschlich's special "Feast or Famine" event. Menschlich was, of course, another one of the dominants toppled, worthy of note even if it was one non-Union fighter taking down another.
Champion: RattAt the behest of Ares Menschlich the game changes in unexpected ways!
#1 Mimik
#2 ElJobber
#3 Cr0w
#4 The_Purple_Bunny
#5 Hokey
#6 Ninja_Mime
#7 TonyTheTiger
#8 Genku
#9 Kron
#10 Ken
Intent on proving the lowest truths about the fighting ranks, October 9 will unveil the fighters who submitted to a "lethal lottery" for a chance to compete for the Undisputed Championship! Feast or Famine will be the special event, where one lucky winner will face Mimik for the right to challenge "The Iron Man" Ratt for the Undisputed Championship -- while the rest suffer for their avarice at the hands of the disease spreading Praga Conquette -- Baroness of Pestilence!
Then the winners face the fallout of Feast or Famine as they countdown to Supercard 14 -- October 23! The action is coming thick and fast as the year begins to count down. PLUS! October 30 promises something dark and disturbing as whispers of the Devil's Night begin to spread!
Monday, September 26, 2011
Pre-Show 13: Highway to Hell!
September 25, 2011 -- As the Night of Barons drew to a close, the chosen would leave in defeat, their crusade against oppressors thwarted. Kron learned in his time beyond of more than was being spoken by these oppressors, who scheme and manipulate to maintain their tenuous grip on power. Dedicated to the fight for a free and glorious future, he remains steadfast in defeat, bolstered by all that he has learned in his long career. With hope seemingly lost, he holds on to a final trump card. A whispered name as much an ancient force of nature as a final vessel of hope for those who disprove Ares Menschlich's claim that the people are too greedy and feeble to do what's right.
The Great Arena continues, where competition within the fighting league dares to prove everything Ares Menschlich proclaims to be right. Contenders walk this path with a view to confirm their place in the pantheon of winners, the illustrious few who have reigned over their fellows. Ratt prepares for the chance to make history; Pink_Ranger & Ghostdragon chase their second shot at glory; The_Purple_Bunny & Blaze arrive for something new; Mimik looks to even the score on the back of a moral victory -- the only one to have struck one of the Barons down!
While the people compete, Kron reaches deep into the past. He calls to the name that ruled over an arena not unlike this one, many years ago. He ignores the warnings of Nomads, who feuded with the spirit, only to watch it consume and destroy all who crossed its path. At Supercard 13, the Spirit will be unleashed. This is the final moment before his return. This is the Highway to Hell...
0. Kron announced the coming of a "Spirit of Vengeance" to deal with Ares Menschlich!
Kron's crusade against the Four Barons of Lord Mislukking has been a gruelling contest for the "chosen" fighters who've joined his cause. Despite the conquering nature of Lord Mislukking's arrival in the Cheevment Kingdom, a working peace has been found by some, who would happily live in squalor amidst the ruins of what could have been a magnificent place. Kron returned from the world beyond with the revelation that Ares Menschlich had manipulated the powers-that-be, encouraging them to act in strange and spiteful ways that defied the logic of circumstances. Some would be fine with this, but Kron, willing to make the difficult decision, chose to challenge these flawed and unimpressive conditions. With the information he was presented, he made the call that had to be made -- a change had to come!
Despite his best efforts to quash the oppresive malaise inflicted on the Cheevment Kingdom, his efforts proved fruitless. Now, returning from defeat at Supercard 12: Night of the Barons, he arrived in The Great Arena to reveal his trump card -- the kind of accountability only conceivable in mysticism and occult consequence. Drawing upon the contacts he had made and the knowledge he had gained, he announced the coming of a warrior who was thought to have faded away, many years ago.
Kron revealed he had made a pact with a force powerful enough to challenge even Lord Mislukking himself! Quoting an ancient name, he reached deep into the past, to a time before The Great Arena, when warriors did battle for pride and glory. Having conversed with The Nomad -- a former Champion and rival whose words were of warning -- Kron learned the necessary secrets to inspire the "Spirit of Vengeance" to return. With finger extended metaphorically toward the callous Baron of War, as if casting accusation upon him, he made his intentions known. Ares Menschlich had done a terrible thing to the people of The Union of The Human League. Incensed by the indignation of his actions and his unwillingness to repent, Kron issued a final proclamation -- "Michael Lucifer is coming!"
15. Blaze & The_Purple_Bunny d. Pink_Ranger & Ghostdragon in a comprehensive +2 win!
Representing two of the major percentage players of the Duo Division; former Champions, Pink_Ranger & Ghostdragon, were the perfect pairing to pit against whirlwind Next Phase challengers, Blaze & The_Purple_Bunny! PR & GD outlasted their counterparts as runners-up to the title holders in the Tournament 9: Grand Slam [Doubles] Final, but would struggle to claim an expected win against a duo with as much momentum as Blaze & TPB! Blaze has joined the ranks as one of the most active competitors in and out of the arena, blazing a trail towards a power far beyond her brief time within the ranks!
It had the makings of a main event blockbuster! The power exhibited by both teams reminded that they were in a class of their own! Pink_Ranger and Ghostdragon showed plenty of experience and skill in their approach to the fight, but the X-factor of Blaze's rising star, coupled with The_Purple_Bunny's own success as a Next Phase graduate (via Tournament 7 victory), seemed to give them an electricity their opponents couldn't match! Blaze & The_Purple_Bunny would not disgrace the former champs, but with a +2 impact and a decimating performance, they would well and truly declare themselves the #1 contenders to the Duo Division Championship!
Just as Ratt will face a difficult task against a dominant champion, so too will the Duo Division competitors! Hokey & Ninja_Mime remain a charmed combination, extending their own win streak with total victory over the T9 Grand Slam -- a rare honor above and beyond the DD title! It will be one compelling encounter as the Duo Division continues its white hot glow as the centrepiece of competition!
14. Ratt d. Bofh in a close fought match!
For five long months, "The Unstoppable" Cr0w has proven to be one of the most daunting tasks in The Great Arena! Reigning over the Undisputed Championship with a staggering twenty-five match win streak, including six Championship defenses and tournament wins in T5 and T8, there can be no greater test of a fighters worth than this challenge. Ratt will do exactly that, stepping into the spotlight to take a second shot at this phenomenal challenge. The renowned "Iron Man" missed out at Supercard 8 when he pulled up short in an epic encounter with Cr0w. Keen to prepare, he issues his famous Pre-Show Open Challenge to any fighter willing to go one-on-one with the fearless favourite!
It perhaps should have come as no shock that an old arch-rival would emerge to take advantage of the opportunity. "Big John" Bofh and Ratt have a history of dislike, and with Ratt's big Championship match just one week away, the chance to spoil Ratt's chances of glory, whilst boosting his own, were too rich for willing challenger!
As a fighter with far less reputation backing him, it seemed as if ambition would get the better of Bofh. Perhaps inspired by the surprising efforts of Vultyrex earlier in the card, Bofh took a serious fighter to the #1 contender, rising way above his weight class! The Iron Man found himself having to call upon every facet of endurance as he was ambushed by the quality of assault. Never once stopping to rue the self-made threat to his title hopes, Ratt fought tooth and nail, exhibiting the never say die attitude that has won him so many fans! The scare only adds to the pressure, however, of the long odds he'll face at Supercard 13, when he attempts to avoid becoming win number twenty-six, for Cr0w!
13. CCShadow & Scott-Howell d. Shoe & ShingoEX in a +6 decimation!
Responsible for turning his back on Murdoink at the end of Tournament 9; "Sugar" Scott-Howell has become a bitter "spice," uniting with old ally CCShadow to form a new union hot on the heels of his Supercard 12 solo victory. Having secretly reunited with CCShadow prior to the break-up; Howell moves forward, just as keen as his former teammate to rewrite his name in the contention stakes for the Duo Division Championships! In a classic case of one-upmanship, Howell immediately follows his former partner, clashing with the combination of former T4 winner, Shoe, and his partner, ShingoEX!
Shoe's descent continued as CCShadow & Scott-Howell made a bold declaration of their claim to the Duo Division, unleashing a whopping +6 impact on their hapless foes -- a decimation particularly significant in the two-man field! The win sends a clear message to Howell's former partner, the split pairings on an inevitable collision course as the days count down to Supercard 13!
12. Murdoink & Baraka_MK d. Tyrant-Cenobite & queve by a narrow margin!
The Night of the Barons delivered a demoralizing blow to the efforts of Kron and his "chosen four," but Supercard 12 would go down in history for destroying more than the hopes of rebels. Since the beginning of the Duo Division in March, at Supercard 3, the combination of Scott-Howell and Murdoink have been regarded fondly as the original Great Arena team. Difficulties to convert since the induction of Championships caused tensions between the fan-favourite combo, and after forging an otherwise impressive career as one of the top teams, they ended as they began, fueding!
From the ashes of the fan-favourite combo comes two new teams, spitefully formed in opposite as Murdoink finds an old friend and ally in elusive Great Arena stalwart, Baraka_MK! Keen to make an impact as soon as possible, they clash with Tyrant-Cenobite & queve, each still wearing the bruises of their encounters with ElJobber, but keen to bounce back in their own quest to find success within the two-man ranks.
The dreams of Tyrant & queve would have to wait as debuting favourites made their first official statement of intent, registering a close fought victory! Murdoink & Baraka_MK will no doubt enter the fiercely competitive world of the Duo Division with the ever elusive Championships reflected in one eye, but as would quickly become evident, they would have competition from rivals...
11. Mimik d. Vultyrex in a close fought match!
Without a doubt the biggest upset claimed during Tournament 8: Grand Slam [Singles]; Mimik had a lot to prove in a grudge bout rematch with his First Round opponent, Vultyrex! Snuffed out in the Second Round by Poasty, it seemed as if Vultyrex was indeed going to remain filed under "shock winner," unable to sustain a measure of success against more moderate opponents than the high ranked contender. Or at least, that's what everyone thought, until the pair stepped onto the Highway to Hell for another go around!
Despite bouncing back at Supercard 12 with a promising victory (the only one struck for "the good guys") against the Baroness of Pestilence, Praga Conquette -- Mimik would once again be tested by the unassuming challenge of Vultyrex! Locked up in mortal combat, Mimik showed the unmistakable signs of fatigue associated with the dreaded P-Virus, but even with his afflictions considered, was again a shock sparring partner for the otherwise low tier fighter. With the glory of the Night of Barons win dangerously close from slipping from his fingers, Mimik rallied to pull victory from his unlikely nemesis! The win no doubt gets a monkey off Mimik's back, keeping him in the running for bigger and better things as promised by his heroic triumph against Pestilence, but an element of doubt must surely remain for this one-time runner-up to the Undisputed Championship.
10. SlumDunk d. STEROLIZER in a close fought match!
Never one to be overshadowed by even the highest ranked competitors, STEROLIZER returns to The Great Arena with no uncertainty about his goals to keep any rising stars in check. Having been the progenetor for the Battle for the Bottom pasttime, STERO was not about to allow SlumDunk the opportunity to overtake him on a path to success he blazed many moons ago. Intent on proving his total superiority over the recently risen bottom ranker (who beat giandavil at Pre-Show 12), STERO boldly predicts MAX Damage for his opponent. Oh, STERO...
Undeniably close matched, it would be one of those days for STEROLIZER. Ever the proclaimer of bold delusions of grandeur, STEROLIZER's self-aggrandizing was about to bite him in the "bottom" in the worst way. Riding his recent success, SlumDunk rebuked STERO's attempts at domination, far from a passive customer in a maximum impact car wreck! Despite the bold prophecy against his name, SlumDunk indeed fought through the tie to score another victory over his predecesor!
9. m0s & Nemesis316 d. Liam & nif in a comprehensive +4 win!
It was at Tournament 9: Grand Slam [Doubles] that Nemesis316 joined the fighting ranks with a team-up that has produced incredible results! m0s & Nemesis316 made an impact with their run to the Semi Final stages of T9, but with competition in the Duo Division as white hot as ever, would still need to put in the hard work if they were to earn for themselves a shot at the covetted DD Titles!
A team with less bombastic results, but no less ambition, has been Liam & nif -- a tandem of fellows whose opinions of themselves haven't quite matched up with the rate of success that resulted in a modest First Round exit from the Duo Division "Doubles" Tournament! Eager to snuff the flame of a rising competitor to their own advantage, Liam & nif gladly rise to the challenge of a Pre-Show encounter against "Mr. Daruma" and the percentage playing newcomer, Nemesis316.
The ensuing battle would be akin to an execution -- a one-sided affair totally owned by the hopeful contenders, m0s & Nemesis316! Unleashing a rare decimation upon their tandem opponents that finished with a +4 impact, the combo showed clear signs of Championship potential! Liam & nif nurse their wounds, but with a Duo Division contender match at the end of the Highway to Hell, m0s & Nemesis316 begin making plans for the future!
8. giandavil and Queequeg fought to a complete standstill!
Intrigue typically dictates that the top of the card be dominated by the most successful fighters, but as has become a phenomenon of the Pre-Show experience, it is the Battle for the Bottom that has opened up a strange new world of bizarre intrigue! With several bottom ranking fighters turned over, it was up to giandavil to challenge his nearest rival, Queequeg, for the chance to salvage dignity and success from a flagging career. giandavil inherited his charge at Pre-Show 12, where SlumDunk broke a losing streak of 0-8! Possessing a record half as embarassing as SD's (0-4), giandavil could only hope to take his own destiny in his hand, and make a fate of overdue success.
In theory, the object of any fight, is to win. In the most spectacular of circumstances, the best giandavil could hope for, was to not lose! So totally and evenly matched, the two lowest ranked fighters would make mocking history, engaging in their Battle of the Bottom to a bitter draw! Unable to be separated from Queequeg; giandavil would take the bitter consolation of a tie, remaining the lowest ranked fighter by virtue of a weighted ranking system based on wins and losses. Queequeg, on the other hand, would rise from his draw, an added insult for the Bottom Battler! Better luck next time, giandavil!
7. ElJobber d. rxvt in a +13 destruction!
Once the favoured conscience of The Great Arena, ElJobber has become a very different fighter since accusations from Tyrant-Cenobite fingered him as rogue attacker! As if to fulfill the still as yet unsubstantiated claims of his accuser, and the philosophical antagonisms of Ares Menschlich; ElJobber has become an unconcerned menace to the ranks of The Union of the Human League! No longer an inspiring bridge between the top and bottom, ElJobber has become the "Iron Machine" to Ratt's "Iron Man," fighting to obtain the kind of MAX Damage he inflicted upon queve (Pre-Show 12), JoelKatz (Tournament 8: Third Round) and MINION (Tournament 8: Second Round)!
Ripe for his MAX Damage challenge; ElJobber pinpointed rxvt -- a member of Team Agaper who has experienced hard luck since the earliest days of The Great Arena. When ElJobber was allegedly launching a spiteful attack against Tyrant-Cenobite; rxvt was toiling away in a fruitless Supercard 4 grudge match, hoping to vent frustrations of a vital defeat, against Mark! If new frustrations were of any interest to rxvt, he'd find them in spades, avoiding the sting of the sought MAX Damage, but still forced to suffer a painful +13 impact against an opponent way above his class!
On the periphery of Championship contention, ElJobber moves forward with an unpredictable path! Hellbent on collecting maximum damage on his way to the ever elusive Undisputed Championship, he remains a member of The League in the pocket of the Baron of War, Ares Menschlich! Having tied up with anti-Mislukking activist, Kron, at All-Star Summer Showdown, you've got to wonder what part ElJobber will play when the recently returned revolutionary unveils his surprise trump card to strike back against the dominant Four Barons!
6. ZachAngel d. Leroy in a close fought match!
August has seen an escalation in tensions between the warring factions of Team Agaper and Team Ops -- groups loyal to ideals and associations specific to their collectives. The battle continues to be focused around the spiritual leaders of each group, but has spread to include others within their charge. Supercard 12 provided ZachAngel and Leroy an opportunity to continue the bitter ties with tandem partners in tow, but the fierce fight, won by Leroy & Mark, was but a Second Act stoking of the fires! Returning to The Great Arena, ZachAngel demanded opportunity to extract a singles win from Leroy, all the while tensions seemed to point to a fullscale war between the entirety of both teams!
To say Angelia's absence would be an unburdening for ZachAngel would be a gross under estimation of Angelia's fighting potential, but the leader of the fighting faithful was certainly able to call upon a greater power in his solo encounter. It cannot be said that this was a one-sided affair -- Leroy brought everything he had to the close fought encoutner, but ZachAngel had what was needed to go the distance! Despite being an impressive win, it seems clear neither team is about to back down any time soon!
5. plfx d. Shizuma & NightHawk in a narrow fought conclusion!
The Supercards may be reserved for the biggest stars and most heated feuds, but its the Pre-Show that provides a true preview of The Next Phase of contenders. With each developing a cult following for their own brand of grit and determination; Shizuma, NightHawk and plfx proposed an intriguing collective for an exhibition three-way battle. Shizuma and NightHawk are notable for having struggled to match their fond regard with competitive success, a contrast to plfx, who has developed quite a following through Pre-Show appearances that took him to a brief undefeated streak!
The trio proved incredibly well matched from the get-go, equal in their desire to pick up a valuable win under unique conditions. As tends to be the case in fights of this type, NightHawk was the first man to begin to falter. Despite his famous history with the match type, which included victory at Pre-Show 9 and a major rematch at the All-Star Summer Showdown, NightHawk could not hold up against the mounting assault of a similarly powered plfx! plfx continued the barrage, building momentum that saw him take a tense exchange of blows to Shizuma! The sparks flew, but when the embers died down, it was plfx who picked up another win in The Great Arena!
4. SmokeRulz d. brandogg in convincing fashion! [+2 Impact]
The Great Arena is the melting pot wherein combatants hone their craft and fight for immortality as they forge a legend. Sometimes, however, this Highway to Hell is paved with good old fashioned grudges, and that's exactly what spurred SmokeRulz to issue a challenge to an old acquaintance arriving in the Cheevment Kingdom. Making his debut with the league, brandogg was an old enemy, a firebrand torturer who SmokeRulz owed more than a few points of impact to. Having sharpened his skills as a three-way fight specialist, SmokeRulz was a fighter unfamiliar to his one-time nemesis. brandogg, completely out of his depth under the intense conditions of The Great Arena, paled in comparison to SmokeRulz! The league rookie had no answers for SR's attack, suffering +2 damage and an overdue defeat! The win, while not SmokeRulz' most impressive, etches an important moment in his progression as fights beyond The Next Phase to join the pantheon of stalwarts in the upper ranks!
3. Jax d. sucka in a close fought match!
It is by decree of The Union of The Human League that active competitors be called upon at regularly schedule intervals to test their might, but the Cheevment Kingdom is a world in flux, filled with tension and disdain for the oppressive forces that fill it. Representing the inevitable 'extra corricular' bouts that break out, Jax and sucka arrive on the Highway to Hell to test their might against each other, having honed their skills by scoring cheevs and beating on minions! Still relatively green, the pair matched up well, but there would be no draw as Jax flexed some muscle to get the job done in a close fought match. A solid entry giving motion to the grunt ranks!
2. J-Spit d. bfk by a narrow margin!
With a cult following that's supported him to a string of victories, bfk looked like a safe bet when he stepped into The Great Arena with relative newcomer, J-Spit! The fight would be anything but academic, however, as the Grand Slam debut looked to avenge his First Round loss with an unexpected win! The pair proved incredibly evenly matched, but it was indeed J-Spit who was able to inch bfk out with an impressive display of endurance and strength! A surprising outcome, but far from the shock bombshell promised to hit competition courtesy of Kron!
1. nface d. UNdiscovered in convincing fashion! [+2 Impact]
With the Night of Barons passed, The Great Arena reopens to accomodate the fighting forces of The Union of the Human League! As hungry for glory as the most seasoned veteran, the likes of UNdiscovered and nface open proceedings, undaunted by the threats that hang over the thirteenth Pre-Show card!
Coming off a crushing grudge match debut at Pre-Show 12, UNdiscovered had plenty to prove in his subsequent return to competition. A relatively brief history positioned nface as the perfect patsy, but his few successes were enough to adequately prepare him for the rookie assault. nface looked comfortable as he dismissed his opponent, rising to an impressive +2 impact in the opening win!
Shock! Awe! Threat! Supercard 13: Spirit of Vengeance is coming!
Kron summons a powerful figure from the times before The Great Arena! Michael Lucifer arrives to do battle with Ares Menschlich, as the ideals of war and vengeance collide! PLUS: Ratt takes the ultimate test when he faces the most dominant Undisputed Champion history has ever seen -- "The Unstoppable" Cr0w! The Duo Division Championship goes on the line when The_Purple_Bunny & Blaze challenge dominant title holders in Hokey & Ninja_Mime! All this, plus much more!
The Great Arena continues, where competition within the fighting league dares to prove everything Ares Menschlich proclaims to be right. Contenders walk this path with a view to confirm their place in the pantheon of winners, the illustrious few who have reigned over their fellows. Ratt prepares for the chance to make history; Pink_Ranger & Ghostdragon chase their second shot at glory; The_Purple_Bunny & Blaze arrive for something new; Mimik looks to even the score on the back of a moral victory -- the only one to have struck one of the Barons down!
While the people compete, Kron reaches deep into the past. He calls to the name that ruled over an arena not unlike this one, many years ago. He ignores the warnings of Nomads, who feuded with the spirit, only to watch it consume and destroy all who crossed its path. At Supercard 13, the Spirit will be unleashed. This is the final moment before his return. This is the Highway to Hell...
0. Kron announced the coming of a "Spirit of Vengeance" to deal with Ares Menschlich!
Kron's crusade against the Four Barons of Lord Mislukking has been a gruelling contest for the "chosen" fighters who've joined his cause. Despite the conquering nature of Lord Mislukking's arrival in the Cheevment Kingdom, a working peace has been found by some, who would happily live in squalor amidst the ruins of what could have been a magnificent place. Kron returned from the world beyond with the revelation that Ares Menschlich had manipulated the powers-that-be, encouraging them to act in strange and spiteful ways that defied the logic of circumstances. Some would be fine with this, but Kron, willing to make the difficult decision, chose to challenge these flawed and unimpressive conditions. With the information he was presented, he made the call that had to be made -- a change had to come!
Despite his best efforts to quash the oppresive malaise inflicted on the Cheevment Kingdom, his efforts proved fruitless. Now, returning from defeat at Supercard 12: Night of the Barons, he arrived in The Great Arena to reveal his trump card -- the kind of accountability only conceivable in mysticism and occult consequence. Drawing upon the contacts he had made and the knowledge he had gained, he announced the coming of a warrior who was thought to have faded away, many years ago.
Kron revealed he had made a pact with a force powerful enough to challenge even Lord Mislukking himself! Quoting an ancient name, he reached deep into the past, to a time before The Great Arena, when warriors did battle for pride and glory. Having conversed with The Nomad -- a former Champion and rival whose words were of warning -- Kron learned the necessary secrets to inspire the "Spirit of Vengeance" to return. With finger extended metaphorically toward the callous Baron of War, as if casting accusation upon him, he made his intentions known. Ares Menschlich had done a terrible thing to the people of The Union of The Human League. Incensed by the indignation of his actions and his unwillingness to repent, Kron issued a final proclamation -- "Michael Lucifer is coming!"
15. Blaze & The_Purple_Bunny d. Pink_Ranger & Ghostdragon in a comprehensive +2 win!
Representing two of the major percentage players of the Duo Division; former Champions, Pink_Ranger & Ghostdragon, were the perfect pairing to pit against whirlwind Next Phase challengers, Blaze & The_Purple_Bunny! PR & GD outlasted their counterparts as runners-up to the title holders in the Tournament 9: Grand Slam [Doubles] Final, but would struggle to claim an expected win against a duo with as much momentum as Blaze & TPB! Blaze has joined the ranks as one of the most active competitors in and out of the arena, blazing a trail towards a power far beyond her brief time within the ranks!
It had the makings of a main event blockbuster! The power exhibited by both teams reminded that they were in a class of their own! Pink_Ranger and Ghostdragon showed plenty of experience and skill in their approach to the fight, but the X-factor of Blaze's rising star, coupled with The_Purple_Bunny's own success as a Next Phase graduate (via Tournament 7 victory), seemed to give them an electricity their opponents couldn't match! Blaze & The_Purple_Bunny would not disgrace the former champs, but with a +2 impact and a decimating performance, they would well and truly declare themselves the #1 contenders to the Duo Division Championship!
Just as Ratt will face a difficult task against a dominant champion, so too will the Duo Division competitors! Hokey & Ninja_Mime remain a charmed combination, extending their own win streak with total victory over the T9 Grand Slam -- a rare honor above and beyond the DD title! It will be one compelling encounter as the Duo Division continues its white hot glow as the centrepiece of competition!
14. Ratt d. Bofh in a close fought match!
For five long months, "The Unstoppable" Cr0w has proven to be one of the most daunting tasks in The Great Arena! Reigning over the Undisputed Championship with a staggering twenty-five match win streak, including six Championship defenses and tournament wins in T5 and T8, there can be no greater test of a fighters worth than this challenge. Ratt will do exactly that, stepping into the spotlight to take a second shot at this phenomenal challenge. The renowned "Iron Man" missed out at Supercard 8 when he pulled up short in an epic encounter with Cr0w. Keen to prepare, he issues his famous Pre-Show Open Challenge to any fighter willing to go one-on-one with the fearless favourite!
It perhaps should have come as no shock that an old arch-rival would emerge to take advantage of the opportunity. "Big John" Bofh and Ratt have a history of dislike, and with Ratt's big Championship match just one week away, the chance to spoil Ratt's chances of glory, whilst boosting his own, were too rich for willing challenger!
As a fighter with far less reputation backing him, it seemed as if ambition would get the better of Bofh. Perhaps inspired by the surprising efforts of Vultyrex earlier in the card, Bofh took a serious fighter to the #1 contender, rising way above his weight class! The Iron Man found himself having to call upon every facet of endurance as he was ambushed by the quality of assault. Never once stopping to rue the self-made threat to his title hopes, Ratt fought tooth and nail, exhibiting the never say die attitude that has won him so many fans! The scare only adds to the pressure, however, of the long odds he'll face at Supercard 13, when he attempts to avoid becoming win number twenty-six, for Cr0w!
13. CCShadow & Scott-Howell d. Shoe & ShingoEX in a +6 decimation!
Responsible for turning his back on Murdoink at the end of Tournament 9; "Sugar" Scott-Howell has become a bitter "spice," uniting with old ally CCShadow to form a new union hot on the heels of his Supercard 12 solo victory. Having secretly reunited with CCShadow prior to the break-up; Howell moves forward, just as keen as his former teammate to rewrite his name in the contention stakes for the Duo Division Championships! In a classic case of one-upmanship, Howell immediately follows his former partner, clashing with the combination of former T4 winner, Shoe, and his partner, ShingoEX!
Shoe's descent continued as CCShadow & Scott-Howell made a bold declaration of their claim to the Duo Division, unleashing a whopping +6 impact on their hapless foes -- a decimation particularly significant in the two-man field! The win sends a clear message to Howell's former partner, the split pairings on an inevitable collision course as the days count down to Supercard 13!
12. Murdoink & Baraka_MK d. Tyrant-Cenobite & queve by a narrow margin!
The Night of the Barons delivered a demoralizing blow to the efforts of Kron and his "chosen four," but Supercard 12 would go down in history for destroying more than the hopes of rebels. Since the beginning of the Duo Division in March, at Supercard 3, the combination of Scott-Howell and Murdoink have been regarded fondly as the original Great Arena team. Difficulties to convert since the induction of Championships caused tensions between the fan-favourite combo, and after forging an otherwise impressive career as one of the top teams, they ended as they began, fueding!
From the ashes of the fan-favourite combo comes two new teams, spitefully formed in opposite as Murdoink finds an old friend and ally in elusive Great Arena stalwart, Baraka_MK! Keen to make an impact as soon as possible, they clash with Tyrant-Cenobite & queve, each still wearing the bruises of their encounters with ElJobber, but keen to bounce back in their own quest to find success within the two-man ranks.
The dreams of Tyrant & queve would have to wait as debuting favourites made their first official statement of intent, registering a close fought victory! Murdoink & Baraka_MK will no doubt enter the fiercely competitive world of the Duo Division with the ever elusive Championships reflected in one eye, but as would quickly become evident, they would have competition from rivals...
11. Mimik d. Vultyrex in a close fought match!
Without a doubt the biggest upset claimed during Tournament 8: Grand Slam [Singles]; Mimik had a lot to prove in a grudge bout rematch with his First Round opponent, Vultyrex! Snuffed out in the Second Round by Poasty, it seemed as if Vultyrex was indeed going to remain filed under "shock winner," unable to sustain a measure of success against more moderate opponents than the high ranked contender. Or at least, that's what everyone thought, until the pair stepped onto the Highway to Hell for another go around!
Despite bouncing back at Supercard 12 with a promising victory (the only one struck for "the good guys") against the Baroness of Pestilence, Praga Conquette -- Mimik would once again be tested by the unassuming challenge of Vultyrex! Locked up in mortal combat, Mimik showed the unmistakable signs of fatigue associated with the dreaded P-Virus, but even with his afflictions considered, was again a shock sparring partner for the otherwise low tier fighter. With the glory of the Night of Barons win dangerously close from slipping from his fingers, Mimik rallied to pull victory from his unlikely nemesis! The win no doubt gets a monkey off Mimik's back, keeping him in the running for bigger and better things as promised by his heroic triumph against Pestilence, but an element of doubt must surely remain for this one-time runner-up to the Undisputed Championship.
10. SlumDunk d. STEROLIZER in a close fought match!
Never one to be overshadowed by even the highest ranked competitors, STEROLIZER returns to The Great Arena with no uncertainty about his goals to keep any rising stars in check. Having been the progenetor for the Battle for the Bottom pasttime, STERO was not about to allow SlumDunk the opportunity to overtake him on a path to success he blazed many moons ago. Intent on proving his total superiority over the recently risen bottom ranker (who beat giandavil at Pre-Show 12), STERO boldly predicts MAX Damage for his opponent. Oh, STERO...
Undeniably close matched, it would be one of those days for STEROLIZER. Ever the proclaimer of bold delusions of grandeur, STEROLIZER's self-aggrandizing was about to bite him in the "bottom" in the worst way. Riding his recent success, SlumDunk rebuked STERO's attempts at domination, far from a passive customer in a maximum impact car wreck! Despite the bold prophecy against his name, SlumDunk indeed fought through the tie to score another victory over his predecesor!
9. m0s & Nemesis316 d. Liam & nif in a comprehensive +4 win!
It was at Tournament 9: Grand Slam [Doubles] that Nemesis316 joined the fighting ranks with a team-up that has produced incredible results! m0s & Nemesis316 made an impact with their run to the Semi Final stages of T9, but with competition in the Duo Division as white hot as ever, would still need to put in the hard work if they were to earn for themselves a shot at the covetted DD Titles!
A team with less bombastic results, but no less ambition, has been Liam & nif -- a tandem of fellows whose opinions of themselves haven't quite matched up with the rate of success that resulted in a modest First Round exit from the Duo Division "Doubles" Tournament! Eager to snuff the flame of a rising competitor to their own advantage, Liam & nif gladly rise to the challenge of a Pre-Show encounter against "Mr. Daruma" and the percentage playing newcomer, Nemesis316.
The ensuing battle would be akin to an execution -- a one-sided affair totally owned by the hopeful contenders, m0s & Nemesis316! Unleashing a rare decimation upon their tandem opponents that finished with a +4 impact, the combo showed clear signs of Championship potential! Liam & nif nurse their wounds, but with a Duo Division contender match at the end of the Highway to Hell, m0s & Nemesis316 begin making plans for the future!
8. giandavil and Queequeg fought to a complete standstill!
Intrigue typically dictates that the top of the card be dominated by the most successful fighters, but as has become a phenomenon of the Pre-Show experience, it is the Battle for the Bottom that has opened up a strange new world of bizarre intrigue! With several bottom ranking fighters turned over, it was up to giandavil to challenge his nearest rival, Queequeg, for the chance to salvage dignity and success from a flagging career. giandavil inherited his charge at Pre-Show 12, where SlumDunk broke a losing streak of 0-8! Possessing a record half as embarassing as SD's (0-4), giandavil could only hope to take his own destiny in his hand, and make a fate of overdue success.
In theory, the object of any fight, is to win. In the most spectacular of circumstances, the best giandavil could hope for, was to not lose! So totally and evenly matched, the two lowest ranked fighters would make mocking history, engaging in their Battle of the Bottom to a bitter draw! Unable to be separated from Queequeg; giandavil would take the bitter consolation of a tie, remaining the lowest ranked fighter by virtue of a weighted ranking system based on wins and losses. Queequeg, on the other hand, would rise from his draw, an added insult for the Bottom Battler! Better luck next time, giandavil!
7. ElJobber d. rxvt in a +13 destruction!
Once the favoured conscience of The Great Arena, ElJobber has become a very different fighter since accusations from Tyrant-Cenobite fingered him as rogue attacker! As if to fulfill the still as yet unsubstantiated claims of his accuser, and the philosophical antagonisms of Ares Menschlich; ElJobber has become an unconcerned menace to the ranks of The Union of the Human League! No longer an inspiring bridge between the top and bottom, ElJobber has become the "Iron Machine" to Ratt's "Iron Man," fighting to obtain the kind of MAX Damage he inflicted upon queve (Pre-Show 12), JoelKatz (Tournament 8: Third Round) and MINION (Tournament 8: Second Round)!
Ripe for his MAX Damage challenge; ElJobber pinpointed rxvt -- a member of Team Agaper who has experienced hard luck since the earliest days of The Great Arena. When ElJobber was allegedly launching a spiteful attack against Tyrant-Cenobite; rxvt was toiling away in a fruitless Supercard 4 grudge match, hoping to vent frustrations of a vital defeat, against Mark! If new frustrations were of any interest to rxvt, he'd find them in spades, avoiding the sting of the sought MAX Damage, but still forced to suffer a painful +13 impact against an opponent way above his class!
On the periphery of Championship contention, ElJobber moves forward with an unpredictable path! Hellbent on collecting maximum damage on his way to the ever elusive Undisputed Championship, he remains a member of The League in the pocket of the Baron of War, Ares Menschlich! Having tied up with anti-Mislukking activist, Kron, at All-Star Summer Showdown, you've got to wonder what part ElJobber will play when the recently returned revolutionary unveils his surprise trump card to strike back against the dominant Four Barons!
6. ZachAngel d. Leroy in a close fought match!
August has seen an escalation in tensions between the warring factions of Team Agaper and Team Ops -- groups loyal to ideals and associations specific to their collectives. The battle continues to be focused around the spiritual leaders of each group, but has spread to include others within their charge. Supercard 12 provided ZachAngel and Leroy an opportunity to continue the bitter ties with tandem partners in tow, but the fierce fight, won by Leroy & Mark, was but a Second Act stoking of the fires! Returning to The Great Arena, ZachAngel demanded opportunity to extract a singles win from Leroy, all the while tensions seemed to point to a fullscale war between the entirety of both teams!
To say Angelia's absence would be an unburdening for ZachAngel would be a gross under estimation of Angelia's fighting potential, but the leader of the fighting faithful was certainly able to call upon a greater power in his solo encounter. It cannot be said that this was a one-sided affair -- Leroy brought everything he had to the close fought encoutner, but ZachAngel had what was needed to go the distance! Despite being an impressive win, it seems clear neither team is about to back down any time soon!
5. plfx d. Shizuma & NightHawk in a narrow fought conclusion!
The Supercards may be reserved for the biggest stars and most heated feuds, but its the Pre-Show that provides a true preview of The Next Phase of contenders. With each developing a cult following for their own brand of grit and determination; Shizuma, NightHawk and plfx proposed an intriguing collective for an exhibition three-way battle. Shizuma and NightHawk are notable for having struggled to match their fond regard with competitive success, a contrast to plfx, who has developed quite a following through Pre-Show appearances that took him to a brief undefeated streak!
The trio proved incredibly well matched from the get-go, equal in their desire to pick up a valuable win under unique conditions. As tends to be the case in fights of this type, NightHawk was the first man to begin to falter. Despite his famous history with the match type, which included victory at Pre-Show 9 and a major rematch at the All-Star Summer Showdown, NightHawk could not hold up against the mounting assault of a similarly powered plfx! plfx continued the barrage, building momentum that saw him take a tense exchange of blows to Shizuma! The sparks flew, but when the embers died down, it was plfx who picked up another win in The Great Arena!
4. SmokeRulz d. brandogg in convincing fashion! [+2 Impact]
The Great Arena is the melting pot wherein combatants hone their craft and fight for immortality as they forge a legend. Sometimes, however, this Highway to Hell is paved with good old fashioned grudges, and that's exactly what spurred SmokeRulz to issue a challenge to an old acquaintance arriving in the Cheevment Kingdom. Making his debut with the league, brandogg was an old enemy, a firebrand torturer who SmokeRulz owed more than a few points of impact to. Having sharpened his skills as a three-way fight specialist, SmokeRulz was a fighter unfamiliar to his one-time nemesis. brandogg, completely out of his depth under the intense conditions of The Great Arena, paled in comparison to SmokeRulz! The league rookie had no answers for SR's attack, suffering +2 damage and an overdue defeat! The win, while not SmokeRulz' most impressive, etches an important moment in his progression as fights beyond The Next Phase to join the pantheon of stalwarts in the upper ranks!
3. Jax d. sucka in a close fought match!
It is by decree of The Union of The Human League that active competitors be called upon at regularly schedule intervals to test their might, but the Cheevment Kingdom is a world in flux, filled with tension and disdain for the oppressive forces that fill it. Representing the inevitable 'extra corricular' bouts that break out, Jax and sucka arrive on the Highway to Hell to test their might against each other, having honed their skills by scoring cheevs and beating on minions! Still relatively green, the pair matched up well, but there would be no draw as Jax flexed some muscle to get the job done in a close fought match. A solid entry giving motion to the grunt ranks!
2. J-Spit d. bfk by a narrow margin!
With a cult following that's supported him to a string of victories, bfk looked like a safe bet when he stepped into The Great Arena with relative newcomer, J-Spit! The fight would be anything but academic, however, as the Grand Slam debut looked to avenge his First Round loss with an unexpected win! The pair proved incredibly evenly matched, but it was indeed J-Spit who was able to inch bfk out with an impressive display of endurance and strength! A surprising outcome, but far from the shock bombshell promised to hit competition courtesy of Kron!
1. nface d. UNdiscovered in convincing fashion! [+2 Impact]
With the Night of Barons passed, The Great Arena reopens to accomodate the fighting forces of The Union of the Human League! As hungry for glory as the most seasoned veteran, the likes of UNdiscovered and nface open proceedings, undaunted by the threats that hang over the thirteenth Pre-Show card!
Coming off a crushing grudge match debut at Pre-Show 12, UNdiscovered had plenty to prove in his subsequent return to competition. A relatively brief history positioned nface as the perfect patsy, but his few successes were enough to adequately prepare him for the rookie assault. nface looked comfortable as he dismissed his opponent, rising to an impressive +2 impact in the opening win!
Shock! Awe! Threat! Supercard 13: Spirit of Vengeance is coming!
Kron summons a powerful figure from the times before The Great Arena! Michael Lucifer arrives to do battle with Ares Menschlich, as the ideals of war and vengeance collide! PLUS: Ratt takes the ultimate test when he faces the most dominant Undisputed Champion history has ever seen -- "The Unstoppable" Cr0w! The Duo Division Championship goes on the line when The_Purple_Bunny & Blaze challenge dominant title holders in Hokey & Ninja_Mime! All this, plus much more!
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