For months, The Great Arena has been gripped by warring philosophies.
Sparked by the manipulations of Ares Menschlich and feverishly opposed by "born again" Kron, the nature of a world of combat has been muddled with the legitimacy of Lord Mislukking's reign and the Barons' domination over The Great Arena. At Pre-Show 14, ElJobber split the difference, professing the virtues of the purity of battle. Denying violence as crime in a world defined by fighting, ElJobber controversially steps into the #1 contenders spot, even while paving a new way forward for The Union of The Human League!
On October 23, The Great Arena will be belong to the people, leaving behind the Night of Barons as a new age of battle is embraced, and the focus returns to the many thrones of power! For Mimik, the transition is smooth, continuing out of his successful battles against the Barons, to become a personal war to defend the greatest throne of them all, The Undisputed Championship! Against the "Iron Menace" ElJobber, Mimik will look to turn the tables of maximum damage, following the shock dominations he inflicted at Feast or Famine on his way to becoming Champion!
Partners will war for the throne of supremacy when Hokey and Ninja_Mime face each other for only the second time, with a chance to fight for the Undisputed Championship adding fuel to their friendly fire. Cr0w and Ratt will be much less cordial, fighting for a throne of pride, each with an eye toward the same Undisputed chair all others chase.
Supercard 14: War of Thrones (October 23, 2011)
1. ElJobber versus Mimik (c) for the Undisputed Championship!
He's been chasing the Championship since winning Battle Royale 2011 and locked up with some of the biggest names in The Great Arena, but "The Iron Menace" ElJobber has never achieved his goal of reigning supreme! ElJobber has been one of the few fighters to subscribe to a philosophy of combat throughout tensions with Baron of War, Ares Menschlich. How will he fare when he attempts to undo the rapid rise of the only "chosen" fighter to win on the Night of Barons? He's blitzed the competition, denying the Feast or Famine lottery by demolishing the likes of Ratt and The_Purple_Bunny on a warpath toward the championship -- now Mimik steps up to confirm his place with a first big defense! MAX Damage will be on the agenda as two of the arena's heaviest hitters collide!
2. "The Charmed" Hokey versus Ninja_Mime to name #1 Contender.
As a combination they have been one of the most dominant pairings to reign over the Duo Division! Together, they own an impressive seventy-day reign as Duo Division Champions, with a victory in Tournament 9: Grand Slam [Doubles] adding to their acclaim, and runner-up honors in Tournament 6 reaffirming top status! Individually, Hokey and Ninja_Mime have remained in stead with the upper echelon of competition, regular fixtures of the unofficial top ten ranks, and stalwarts of elimination battles. Evenly matched in all respects, the famous pairing have only met each other in battle in a single destined clash, randomly drawn in the first round of Tournament 7! With contention for the Undisputed Championship riding on the line, the two fighting friends become friendly rivals again in what's sure to become another instant classic!
3. "The Unstoppable" Cr0w versus "The Iron Man" Ratt
With a matter of mere weeks separating them from the highest accolade of The Great Arena, "The Unstoppable" Cr0w and "The Iron Man" Ratt are the most recent reigning, and only historic two-time Undisputed Champions! With his unfathomable twenty-five match win streak broken by Ratt at Supercard 13: The Spirit of Vengeance, Cr0w still has vengeance in mind, seeking to defend a throne that is no longer his! The Iron Man may have done well to dethrone a Champion many believed would reign for months to come, but he could not fend off the Feast or Famine feats of a rampaging Mimik, whose success claimed a defenseless Ratt after just one week. It'll be a blockbuster rematch when Cr0w and Ratt meet to settle a grudge, avenge a loss and fight back toward the greatest throne of them all -- the Undisputed Championship!
4. Artanix & foahchon versus The_Purple_Bunny & Blaze (c)
With an impressive victory over the red-hot new arrangement of CCShadow & Scott-Howell, Artanix & foahchon earned their way into Championship contention at Pre-Show 14: All That's Fair! Two of the longest serving battlers of The Great Arena, it is an honor long overdue, but their rise to contender status comes at the most inconvenient of times! The_Purple_Bunny & Blaze have forged a modest record in their brief time as Duo Division competitors, but with Blaze's rapid rise to the title in only a month of competition, they have fast become one of the most intimidating combinations in the league! It'll be a true test of grit when the old and new collide in yet another spectacular Duo Division Championship bout amidst the War of Thrones!
5. Genku versus Kron
"Born again" with a renewed sense of purpose, Kron has become a spiritual leader for the oppressed masses that make up The Union of the Human League. After exposing Ares Menschlich as grand manipulator, Kron's efforts to fight the power led to a Night of Barons and a night of disappointment! Leading a chosen foursome against the avarice professed by the Baron of War, Kron teamed with the likes of Genku in a losing battle against overwhelming forces. With everything he stands for being called into question, Kron is now pitted against one of his chosen followers, the highly motivated arch-nemesis of Death and an unsuccessful continuant of the campaign Kron began!
6. TonyTheTiger versus DECEPTION
Exploding out of the contenders battle royal at Supercard 13: Spirit of Vengeance -- DECEPTION gets an opportunity to even the score against the man who eliminated him! TonyTheTiger has been sharpening his claws, developing a growing reputation as a fiersome competitor on the verge of the next big step toward the top! He very nearly went the distance, entering an unenviable #1 to be second runner-up to the eventual battle royal winner. Can he outlast the fan-favourite once again? Rankings will be in mind as top ten hopefuls collide!
7. Ghostdragon versus Porygonix
Another exciting grudge bout to burst forth from the contenders battle royal of Supercard 13 -- the vengeance will continue to spilleth over! Ghostdragon has turned his fortunes around, rising from underrated cult status to become one of the newest satellite challengers to the top prize! The battle royal should have been his ticket to the big time, paid for by a generous random draw that delivered him last in the line-up of entrants! Alas; it was Porygonix who surprised everyone to squash GD's Championship hopes! Pride will be on the line as they meet up in a fiersome grudge match!
8. Hidin & Learn versus Politics & Menas
The organized ranks of The Union of The Human League are perpetually obligated to defend their position against battling rivals, but there comes a time when competition fades away into something more brutal and personal! Few wars have been as storied as the battle waged over the past few months between Team Agaper and Team Ops! Escalating to a series of three matches at Supercard 13, the feuding factions seemed to have decided superiority with a 2-1 split to the fighting faithful, but where there are two sides as big as these, there are always more rivals! Politics & Menas have become a star feature of Team Agaper's line up, but the webmasters of Team Ops will throw something new their way when Hidin & Learn return to earn more experience in a clash of the second tier!
9. CCShadow & Scott-Howell versus SubMan799 & Casselman
It was a split that shocked The Great Arena, but Scott-Howell's union with CCShadow has delivered him to the status unachieved alongside former partner, Murdoink. Having narrowly missed out on a contenders shot at the Duo Division Championships (via Pre-Show 14), CCShadow & Scott-Howell will strike while the iron is hot, continuing their quest for top honors! SubMan799 & Casselman have struggled against the tide of a dense field of competition, but will gladly rise to the challenge of a rankings opportunity, resuming the feud that began with Howell & Murdoink!
10. Toryn versus Ken
Few fighters have been so desperate for glory, yet so unable to obtain it! Fighting furiously toward the Undisputed Championship he lost way back in April, Toryn continues his bitter and clueless quest to succeed at the expense of his fellows. With a solid performance in the Supercard 13 contenders battle royal adding to his satellite contender status, Ken has shown uncanny ability to stay in touch with the top ranks! A longtime favourite of The Great Arena, Ken becomes the perfect shortcut in the eyes of Toryn -- a fighter in desperate need of a comeback after his 1 second elimination at SC13!
11. SmokeRulz versus ZachAngel versus Leroy
After unfolding into a three-match series at Supercard 13 -- the on-going war between Team Agaper and Team Ops seemingly came to an end. SmokeRulz may have developed a reputation as a three-way match specialist, but he'll have a whole new challenge laid out ahead of him when he's placed between the leaders of feuding factions, ZachAngel and Leroy! Will the third man finally broker peace between the webmasters and the fighting faithful, or is this war about to claim a little collateral damage?
12. Murdoink & Baraka_MK versus Liam & nif
Betrayed and beaten, Murdoink & Baraka_MK narrowly missed out on the better half of their blood feud with Scott-Howell & CCShadow (at Supercard 13)! Ready to hit the road running, the hot new duo will throw their gauntlet back into the Duo Division ring, keen to earn their way to contention in a clash against the seasoned partnership of Liam & nif! Fists will fly in this old fashioned two-on-two, the boastful Brits eager to make the best of their opportunity against the legend and his new partner!
13. CaTigeReptile versus plfx
The exhibition classes open up as plfx provides opportunity to CaTigeReptile, whose top rankings hopes remain alive, despite a poor performance during the Supercard 13 battle royal! With one of the most impressive debut records -- said to be provided as part of a clandestine experiment -- plfx will not be written off as any mere formality! The Next Phases will be in full force as stars are made, the kind of opportunity you'll only find in the one true Great Arena!
14. m0s & Nemesis316 versus Tyrant-Cenobite & queve
Emerging as peripheral contenders, "Mr. Daruma" m0s & Nemesis316 will look to expand their Duo Division credentials in a match-up against Tyrant-Cenobite & queve. Embroiled in scandal since Ultimate Grand Prix 2011, Tyrant-Cenobite is making his return after being violently taken out of a scheduled appearance in the Supercard 13 battle royal -- result of an attack launched by arch-rival, ElJobber! It was ElJobber who was accused of an identical attack in April, but details remain unclear -- a trademark of the slippery T-C/queve combination that will give m0s & Nemesis316 a run for their dominant dollar!
15. Jammer2Omega versus Pink_Ranger
The Next Phase explodes as outsider contenders collide in a massive match-up! Jammer2Omega has spent his career on the edge, vying for a top spot as the posterchild of The Next Phase movement! Pink_Ranger has enjoyed success as a champion and tournament winner, considered by many to be the undisputed queen of combat! It'll be an old fashioned high intensity clash as bragging rights, rankings and contention get split between two incredibly dynamic battlers!
October 23, 2011 is the time, The Great Arena is the place! Supercard 14: War of Thrones, where ElJobber hopes to claim his first Undisputed Championship from new power, Mimik! PLUS! Hokey and Ninja_Mime face-off in a highly anticipated second meeting; Cr0w looks to avenge his streak against Ratt; and Artanix & foahchon fight for Duo Division gold! The_Purple_Bunny & Blaze will have one eye set on November 6, where the Duo Division Championships will be contested for the very first time in a special Tower of Power ladder! Also on the horizon -- The Devil's Night! Stay tuned!
Monday, October 17, 2011
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 10, 2011
Special Event: Feast or Famine!
October 9, 2011 -- August 7th was the day everything changed for The Great Arena!
Pre-Show 11: Truth or Consequences saw the return of Kron from the realm beyond. He brought with him revelations of an occult conspiracy to manipulate the competitive drive in every fighter, a divide and distract strategy perpetrated by Ares Menschlich on behalf of Lord Mislukking. Designed to divert the powers of the best fighters into a civil war, the manipulation resulted in a bifurcation of the League at Supercard 6: Team Cr0w vs Team Kron, as well as the subsequent exile of fighters and War for the Kr0wn -- all fit distractions while the Four Barons disappeared into the background!
Confronted, the Baron of War professed an innocence by virtue of exposing what was already there. He accused the fighting ranks of ultimately being out for themselves alone, with no true sense of honor or allegiance. He scoffed any suggestion that fighters would serve a higher ideal at their own expense. Kron did his best to dispel these claims by gathering his "chosen" allies, but defeat on the Night of Barons opened the doors to exactly what Ares Menschlich proclaimed. With hope fleeting, Kron unleashed the Spirit of Vengeance, but even as War tasted rare defeat, his claims were coming true.
Now, with the opportunity for an easy shot at the Undisputed Championship on the line, Ares Menschlich attempts to offer definitive proof. A feast or famine lottery promises rapidfire contention to any fighter willing to submit themselves to the truth of their desparation -- while the rest of the entrants suffer the risk of infection at the hands of Baroness of Pestilence, Praga Conquette!
7. Mimik d. Ratt (c) in a shocking +27 decimation of the Champion!
He has a reputation for being an "Iron Man" ready to answer any challenge, but even Ratt had to be a little bit unhappy about defending his title just one week after winning it, under these very unusual circumstances. For Mimik, it would be the opportunity that has eluded him for so long. A top contender in months passed, obstacles frequently rose to keep Mimik away from the top spot, but with his performance at Night of the Barons and impressive victory in the sixteen-person contender battle royal, there would be no denying or questioning the legitimacy of his rise to the Undisputed Championship! Not even Ares Menschlich could take anything away from him -- a pre-established contender who benefitted in no special way from the Feast or Famine lottery!
The "Iron Man" looked woeful in his first defense of the Championship -- a stark contrast to the confident warrior who took down "The Unstoppable" Cr0w at Supercard 13! Totally unable to mount a defense, Ratt walked in to another staggering Mimik onslaught, resulting in a baffling +27 impact, a rampage the likes of which has never been seen! Mimik writes a new chapter in the record books, but who will he face come Supercard 14, October 23rd? Odds certainly seem to be in the favour of ElJobber, but with Ratt and Cr0w eager to become the first three-time champions, its anyones guess!
6. Mimik d. The_Purple_Bunny in a punishing +24 decimation!
Given that he was the only member of the "chosen" to win his battle with a Baron at Supercard 12 (against Pestilence), it made poignant sense that Mimik would skip confrontations with Conquette to go straight to the lottery winner, as the #1 contender! His lucky opponent -- The_Purple_Bunny, challenger who suffered a punishing defeat in his first contention of the Undisputed Championship, at Night of the Barons! TPB supplemented his loss by capturing the Duo Division Championships at Supercard 13, but clearly would take any opportunity to capture the biggest prize in the league.
Unfortunately for The_Purple_Bunny, it would be a disturbing case of deja vu as Mimik turned up the heat with a power nobody expected! A noted sufferer of the P-Virus infection courtesy of his many battles with Pestilence, Mimik defied the odds, punishing TPB for his aspirations, once again, with a shocking +24 impact! For purists, the victory no doubt defended the sanctity of the Undisputed Championship, to be contested by a well earned #1 contender, rather than a lottery winner.
5. Cr0w d. Praga Conquette
At the end of a record breaking twenty-five match win streak as Undisputed Champion, it was little wonder that Cr0w would try his luck at a fasttrack shot at a rematch! Having enjoyed a reign of seven successful defenses that lasted over five months, the former champion will have to wait before he gets his return shot, unlucky a second time as he misses out on the Feast or Famine freebie.
Having once promised to eradicate Famine from The Great Arena, Cr0w is the heavy hitting fighter the "chosen" have been waiting for, but is he selfless enough to do it? Ares Menschlich would probably perceive his desparation to reclaim the title as confirmation of the contrary. Fortunately for Cr0w, the Baron of War was the least of his worries, battling below his weight in a continuation of the poor performance that cost him the title at Supercard 13! Menschlich would've made him pay, but with a modest performance, Cr0w slinks past Praga Conquette, probably keen to resume the winning.
4. ElJobber d. Praga Conquette in convincing fashion! [+2 impact]
Throughout the entire debate of combat ethics, ElJobber has made no bones about his intentons to pursue the Undisputed Championship with ruthless dedication. The victim of public opinion amidst speculation and accusation about his involvement in another issue regarding fighter manipulation, ElJobber has become an agent for the Baron of War, battling Kron across two Supercards, whilst seeking to inflict MAX Damage after taking a cold edge from his performance at Tower of Power II.
Already one of the top contenders in the unofficial rankings, ElJobber had little to lose by entering the Feast or Famine lottery. Arriving with all his powers at the ready, a convincing victory awaited, even if the impact were a more modest +2 to Genku's potent +3. ElJobber has been chasing the title since the beginning, but it remains a particularly elusive goal for the 2011 Battle Royale winner. Far more elusive than victory against the Baroness of Pestilence!
3. Genku d. Praga Conquette in convincing fashion! [+3 impact]
Remaining one of the most dedicated of the "chosen," Genku has gone to great lengths to wage a personal vendetta against the Four Barons. After suffering a bitter defeat against Sinvida Von Grimm (Death) at Night of the Barons, he took the opportunity to challenge m Bez Busshitsu (Famine) (at Supercard 13), a target perceived as softer than the higher ranked fiends. Genku's pursuit of the Undisputed Championship is well noted and no doubt provided great lure for the Feast or Famine lottery, but it was a win-win for a combatant keen to take a pound of flesh from the Barons!
Second in rank but looking bottom in strength, Praga Conquette struggled to compete with the wile assault of Genku! In rare form, Genku probably wished he could've exhibited such strength in his battles with Death and Famine. There would be no regrets for Genku at the Feast or Famine, however, as he struck with sufficient force to take a rare +3 impact from the crafty Baroness of Pestilence!
2. Praga Conquette d. m0s
The parade of unfortunates continued, "Mr. Daruma" m0s emerging as the next victim of the Feast or Famine lottery! Already reported to be suffering from a significant infection with the P-Virus, it was a considerable risk for even the odds-defying two-time Daruma 7 champion -- a fact Ares Menschlich probably took as great confirmation of his beliefs. Relying on a contingency of a good fight, m0s had every chance to break even, but the Baroness of Pestilence put up as good as she got, capitalizing on the existing infection to take the victory.
1. Praga Conquette d. Jax in a solid +2 victory.
Having become a very active participant in battles in and out of the arena, it must have come as a small shock that Jax would try his luck in the Feast or Famine lottery. Unfortunately for him, the risk would go beyond a simple drubbing at the hands of the #1 contender, instead, an opening battle with the Baroness of Pestilence! For fighters in the lower ranks, the threat of the P-Virus is no trivial matter, but those were the risks and Jax knew it!
Not surprisingly, it was a confident performance to open the account for Praga Conquette. The Baroness of Pestilence was well in control, unphased by the modest assault of a fighter who has made lengths to rise above his station, but was still no match for one of the Four Barons. A +2 impact was to be a lucky result from a beating that could've been much more punishing for an unlucky lottery entrant.
Pre-Show 11: Truth or Consequences saw the return of Kron from the realm beyond. He brought with him revelations of an occult conspiracy to manipulate the competitive drive in every fighter, a divide and distract strategy perpetrated by Ares Menschlich on behalf of Lord Mislukking. Designed to divert the powers of the best fighters into a civil war, the manipulation resulted in a bifurcation of the League at Supercard 6: Team Cr0w vs Team Kron, as well as the subsequent exile of fighters and War for the Kr0wn -- all fit distractions while the Four Barons disappeared into the background!
Confronted, the Baron of War professed an innocence by virtue of exposing what was already there. He accused the fighting ranks of ultimately being out for themselves alone, with no true sense of honor or allegiance. He scoffed any suggestion that fighters would serve a higher ideal at their own expense. Kron did his best to dispel these claims by gathering his "chosen" allies, but defeat on the Night of Barons opened the doors to exactly what Ares Menschlich proclaimed. With hope fleeting, Kron unleashed the Spirit of Vengeance, but even as War tasted rare defeat, his claims were coming true.
Now, with the opportunity for an easy shot at the Undisputed Championship on the line, Ares Menschlich attempts to offer definitive proof. A feast or famine lottery promises rapidfire contention to any fighter willing to submit themselves to the truth of their desparation -- while the rest of the entrants suffer the risk of infection at the hands of Baroness of Pestilence, Praga Conquette!
7. Mimik d. Ratt (c) in a shocking +27 decimation of the Champion!
He has a reputation for being an "Iron Man" ready to answer any challenge, but even Ratt had to be a little bit unhappy about defending his title just one week after winning it, under these very unusual circumstances. For Mimik, it would be the opportunity that has eluded him for so long. A top contender in months passed, obstacles frequently rose to keep Mimik away from the top spot, but with his performance at Night of the Barons and impressive victory in the sixteen-person contender battle royal, there would be no denying or questioning the legitimacy of his rise to the Undisputed Championship! Not even Ares Menschlich could take anything away from him -- a pre-established contender who benefitted in no special way from the Feast or Famine lottery!
The "Iron Man" looked woeful in his first defense of the Championship -- a stark contrast to the confident warrior who took down "The Unstoppable" Cr0w at Supercard 13! Totally unable to mount a defense, Ratt walked in to another staggering Mimik onslaught, resulting in a baffling +27 impact, a rampage the likes of which has never been seen! Mimik writes a new chapter in the record books, but who will he face come Supercard 14, October 23rd? Odds certainly seem to be in the favour of ElJobber, but with Ratt and Cr0w eager to become the first three-time champions, its anyones guess!
6. Mimik d. The_Purple_Bunny in a punishing +24 decimation!
Given that he was the only member of the "chosen" to win his battle with a Baron at Supercard 12 (against Pestilence), it made poignant sense that Mimik would skip confrontations with Conquette to go straight to the lottery winner, as the #1 contender! His lucky opponent -- The_Purple_Bunny, challenger who suffered a punishing defeat in his first contention of the Undisputed Championship, at Night of the Barons! TPB supplemented his loss by capturing the Duo Division Championships at Supercard 13, but clearly would take any opportunity to capture the biggest prize in the league.
Unfortunately for The_Purple_Bunny, it would be a disturbing case of deja vu as Mimik turned up the heat with a power nobody expected! A noted sufferer of the P-Virus infection courtesy of his many battles with Pestilence, Mimik defied the odds, punishing TPB for his aspirations, once again, with a shocking +24 impact! For purists, the victory no doubt defended the sanctity of the Undisputed Championship, to be contested by a well earned #1 contender, rather than a lottery winner.
5. Cr0w d. Praga Conquette
At the end of a record breaking twenty-five match win streak as Undisputed Champion, it was little wonder that Cr0w would try his luck at a fasttrack shot at a rematch! Having enjoyed a reign of seven successful defenses that lasted over five months, the former champion will have to wait before he gets his return shot, unlucky a second time as he misses out on the Feast or Famine freebie.
Having once promised to eradicate Famine from The Great Arena, Cr0w is the heavy hitting fighter the "chosen" have been waiting for, but is he selfless enough to do it? Ares Menschlich would probably perceive his desparation to reclaim the title as confirmation of the contrary. Fortunately for Cr0w, the Baron of War was the least of his worries, battling below his weight in a continuation of the poor performance that cost him the title at Supercard 13! Menschlich would've made him pay, but with a modest performance, Cr0w slinks past Praga Conquette, probably keen to resume the winning.
4. ElJobber d. Praga Conquette in convincing fashion! [+2 impact]
Throughout the entire debate of combat ethics, ElJobber has made no bones about his intentons to pursue the Undisputed Championship with ruthless dedication. The victim of public opinion amidst speculation and accusation about his involvement in another issue regarding fighter manipulation, ElJobber has become an agent for the Baron of War, battling Kron across two Supercards, whilst seeking to inflict MAX Damage after taking a cold edge from his performance at Tower of Power II.
Already one of the top contenders in the unofficial rankings, ElJobber had little to lose by entering the Feast or Famine lottery. Arriving with all his powers at the ready, a convincing victory awaited, even if the impact were a more modest +2 to Genku's potent +3. ElJobber has been chasing the title since the beginning, but it remains a particularly elusive goal for the 2011 Battle Royale winner. Far more elusive than victory against the Baroness of Pestilence!
3. Genku d. Praga Conquette in convincing fashion! [+3 impact]
Remaining one of the most dedicated of the "chosen," Genku has gone to great lengths to wage a personal vendetta against the Four Barons. After suffering a bitter defeat against Sinvida Von Grimm (Death) at Night of the Barons, he took the opportunity to challenge m Bez Busshitsu (Famine) (at Supercard 13), a target perceived as softer than the higher ranked fiends. Genku's pursuit of the Undisputed Championship is well noted and no doubt provided great lure for the Feast or Famine lottery, but it was a win-win for a combatant keen to take a pound of flesh from the Barons!
Second in rank but looking bottom in strength, Praga Conquette struggled to compete with the wile assault of Genku! In rare form, Genku probably wished he could've exhibited such strength in his battles with Death and Famine. There would be no regrets for Genku at the Feast or Famine, however, as he struck with sufficient force to take a rare +3 impact from the crafty Baroness of Pestilence!
2. Praga Conquette d. m0s
The parade of unfortunates continued, "Mr. Daruma" m0s emerging as the next victim of the Feast or Famine lottery! Already reported to be suffering from a significant infection with the P-Virus, it was a considerable risk for even the odds-defying two-time Daruma 7 champion -- a fact Ares Menschlich probably took as great confirmation of his beliefs. Relying on a contingency of a good fight, m0s had every chance to break even, but the Baroness of Pestilence put up as good as she got, capitalizing on the existing infection to take the victory.
1. Praga Conquette d. Jax in a solid +2 victory.
Having become a very active participant in battles in and out of the arena, it must have come as a small shock that Jax would try his luck in the Feast or Famine lottery. Unfortunately for him, the risk would go beyond a simple drubbing at the hands of the #1 contender, instead, an opening battle with the Baroness of Pestilence! For fighters in the lower ranks, the threat of the P-Virus is no trivial matter, but those were the risks and Jax knew it!
Not surprisingly, it was a confident performance to open the account for Praga Conquette. The Baroness of Pestilence was well in control, unphased by the modest assault of a fighter who has made lengths to rise above his station, but was still no match for one of the Four Barons. A +2 impact was to be a lucky result from a beating that could've been much more punishing for an unlucky lottery entrant.
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!
Sunday, October 2, 2011
HYPE: Ratt/Cr0w Supercard 13 Preview!
It has become an anticipated ritual. Battles for the Undisputed Championship are always amongst the most scrutinized, but never before has a phenomenon been witnessed that compares to the twenty-five match winning streak, seven championship defenses, and two tournaments as that of the current record setting, reigning Undisputed Champion -- "The Unstoppable" Cr0w!
At Supercard 13: The Spirit of Vengeance (October 2, 2011) the Undisputed Champion will defend his belt against a challenger he knows very well! "The Iron Man" Ratt was one of the seven challengers to come up short, the most recent being The_Purple_Bunny, a contender whose momentum came to a crashing end in Cr0w's most dominant defense to date! The Iron Man has fought his way back to the top of the pile, but what are his chances? Lets try to find out!
Cr0w (c) d. The_Purple_Bunny - Supercard 12: Night of the Barons (Sep. 18)
As already mentioned, Cr0w took a surprisingly strong stance against The_Purple_Bunny when he defended the Championship to the first-time contender at Supercard 12. That is the only match Cr0w has added to his record since last month's Championship preview, which included details of his big win at Tournament 8: Grand Slam [Singles]!
Highlighting the diversity of fighters and the many opportunities offer to the Championship; Ratt has walked a very different path to that of the last challenger. As a former-champion, Ratt looks to become the second two-time title holder, following in the footsteps of Cr0w himself. As a stalwart of Pre-Show competition, Ratt has become one of the most storied fighters in League, noteworthy for his never-say-die attitude and determination to meet every obstacle with gusto -- the very fact that earned him the "Iron Man" moniker when he fought three matches in one Grand Prix weekend -- including a twenty-person Battle Royale that he won!
That "Iron Man" spirit saw Ratt -- whilst Champion -- enter Tournament 5: War for the Kr0wn under the guise of Darkrai, in an effort to prove his worth against a full field of one hundred and twenty-eight, rather than wait for a single winner, as was organized for the then-champion! Other highlights include famously conquering the first Tower of Power, defeating Cr0w before he took out Toryn to become the Undisputed Champion for the first time! He has competed with all of the biggest names in The Great Arena, overcoming the likes of Genku, Bez Busshitsu and Toryn in tense feuds.
The complete path of the challenger is one of the longest and most impressive:
Ratt d. KittyKat - Round 1, Tournament 1 (Jan. 4)
Ratt d. rxvt - Round 2, Tournament 1 (Jan. 4)
Ratt d. Scott-Howell - Round 3, Tournament 1 (Jan. 5)
Ratt d. Ninja_Mime - Round 4, Tournament 1 (Jan. 5)
Ratt progressed through Quarter Final due to a bye.
Toryn d. Ratt - Semi Final, Tournament 1 (Jan. 5)
Ratt d. Mimik - Round 1, Tournament 2: Quest for a Champion (Jan. 8)
Ratt d. buragas - Round 2, Tournament 2: Quest for a Champion (Jan. 8)
Ratt d. Toryn - Round 3, Tournament 2: Quest for a Champion (Jan. 9)
DeathScepter d. Ratt - Quarter Final, Tournament 2: Quest for a Champion (Jan. 9)
Ratt d. DECEPTION - Pre-Show 1: Battle Royale 2011 Qualifiers (Jan. 23)
ElJobber d. Ratt - Battle Royal, Supercard 1: Battle Royale 2011 (Jan. 30)
Ratt d. Baraka_MK - Pre-Show 2: Champion's Revenge (Feb. 12)
Toryn d. Ratt - Battle Royal, Supercard 2: Triple Double/The Eliminator (Feb. 21)
R.Genku d. Ratt - Supercard 3: The Long Hard Road (Mar. 13)
Ratt d. Ken - Open, Pre-Show 3: Road to Redemption (Mar. 20)
Bez Busshitsu (Famine) d. Ratt - Pre-Show 3: Road to Redemption (Mar. 20)
Ken & Ratt d. m0s & STEROLIZER - Pre-Show 4: Grand Prix Warm-Up (Apr. 2)
Ratt d. Shoe - Battle Royal, Supercard 4: 2011 Ultimate Grand Prix (Apr. 3)
Ratt d. R.Genku - Supercard 4: 2011 Ultimate Grand Prix (Apr. 3)
Ratt d. ThirtyThr33 - Open, Pre-Show 5: Challenge Tower Qualifiers (Apr. 10)
Bez Busshitsu (Famine) d. Ratt - Pre-Show 5: Challenge Tower Qualifiers (Apr. 10)
Ratt d. Cr0w - Supercard 5: Tower of Power (Apr. 17)
Ratt d. Toryn (c) - Supercard 5: Tower of Power (Apr. 17)
R.Genku d. Ratt - Supercard 5: Tower of Power (Apr. 17)
Bez Busshitsu (Famine) d. Ratt - Supercard 5: Tower of Power (Apr. 17)
Ratt (c) d. Toryn - Open, Pre-Show 6: Bitter Peace (Apr. 24)
Ratt & Genku d. Famine & Pestilence - Supercard 6: Team Cr0w vs Team Kron (May 1)
Ratt (c) d. Genku - Supercard 6: Team Cr0w vs Team Kron (May 1)
Darkrai (Ratt) d. KombatKid - Round 1, Tournament 5: War for the Kr0wn (May 10)
Darkrai (Ratt) d. BoringErik - Round 2, Tournament 5: War for the Kr0wn (May 11)
Darkrai (Ratt) d. Baraka_MK - Round 3, Tournament 5: War for the Kr0wn (May 12)
Darkrai (Ratt) d. Genku - Round 4, Tournament 5: War for the Kr0wn (May 13)
Darkrai (Ratt) d. The_Purple_Bunny - Quarter Final, Tournament 5: War for the Kr0wn (May 14)
Kron d. Darkrai (Ratt) - Semi Final, Tournament 5: War for the Kr0wn (May 15)
Cr0w d. Ratt (c) - Tournament 5: War for the Kr0wn (May 15)
Ratt d. TonyTheTiger & Hokey - Supercard 7: Bird's Eye View (May 22)
Kron d. ElJobber & Ratt - Supercard 7: Bird's Eye View (May 22)
Kron d. Ratt - Special: The Rapture and the Madness (May 29)
Ratt d. ElJobber - Pre-Show 8: Queen's Court Rules (Jun. 12)
Cr0w (c) d. Ratt - Supercard 8: Corporeal Punishment (Jun. 19)
STEROLIZER d. Ratt - Supercard 9: Royal Roulette (Jul. 17)
Ratt d. JRF - Open, Pre-Show 10: Tower II Qualification (Jul. 24)
Ratt d. Toryn - Supercard 10: Tower of Power II (Jul. 31)
ElJobber d. Ratt - Supercard 10: Tower of Power II (Jul. 31)
Ratt d. STEROLIZER - Pre-Show 11: Truth or Consequences (Aug. 7)
Ratt d. Toryn - Supercard 11: All-Star Summer Showdown (Aug. 14)
Ratt d. Mandijadeee - Round 1, Tournament 8: Grand Slam [Singles] (Sep. 1)
Ratt d. titsos - Round 2, Tournament 8: Grand Slam [Singles] (Sep. 3)
Ratt d. Onryo - Round 3, Tournament 8: Grand Slam [Singles] (Sep. 6)
Ratt d. DeathScepter - Round 4, Tournament 8: Grand Slam [Singles] (Sep. 8)
Ratt d. Ken - Quarter Final, Tournament 8: Grand Slam [Singles] (Sep. 9)
Ratt d. ElJobber - Semi Final, Tournament 8: Grand Slam [Singles] (Sep. 10)
Cr0w d. Ratt - Final, Tournament 8: Grand Slam [Singles] (Sep. 10)
Ratt d. SixArmedSamurai - Open, Pre-Show 12: Grand Slam Aftermath (Sep. 11)
Bez Busshitsu (Famine) d. Ratt - Supercard 12: Night of the Barons (Sep. 18)
Ratt d. Bofh - Open, Pre-Show 13: Highway to Hell (Sep. 25)
There can be no denying that Ratt has everything it takes to become Undisputed Champion, but his recent record against Cr0w is not generous. Since defeating Cr0w on his way to the title at Supercard 5, Ratt has suffered three defeats, two of them in Championship situations. The most recent was in the final of of Tournament 8: Grand Slam [Singles], which otherwise delayed Ratt's contention for the title until this coming match, October 2nd.
Owning a 3-1 win record over Ratt should, you would think, bolster the Champion into a position of confidence, but the build to Supercard 13 has seen Cr0w at his least confident. Even after inflicting a shocking +24 impact on The_Purple_Bunny at Supercard 12, Cr0w has begun prophecizing his own defeat. Some might speculate that the effort required to defeat TPB, resulting in spectacular results, actually saw Cr0w give everything he had in a blaze of glory that may have left him spent. Others might question whether this unlikely level of doubt is just a tactic, a strategy designed to position "The Unstoppable" as an underdog against his immensely popular opponent, whilst lulling Ratt into a false sense of security.
It is clear -- with each subsequent victory, Cr0w comes closer to a defeat. The pressure of a twenty-five match win streak, which has extended through seven successful championship defenses, has been an immense burden to shoulder for the Champion. We have certainly speculated about, and witnessed, that stress manifest itself in the past. Is it finally reaching breaking point? Cr0w would certainly have everyone believing so!
October 2 is the scene when the Undisputed Championship will go on the line at Supercard 13: The Spirit of Vengeance! Cr0w chases a staggering twenty-sixth straight win and eighth title defense, while Ratt seeks a second bite at the ultimate prize! Don't miss it!
At Supercard 13: The Spirit of Vengeance (October 2, 2011) the Undisputed Champion will defend his belt against a challenger he knows very well! "The Iron Man" Ratt was one of the seven challengers to come up short, the most recent being The_Purple_Bunny, a contender whose momentum came to a crashing end in Cr0w's most dominant defense to date! The Iron Man has fought his way back to the top of the pile, but what are his chances? Lets try to find out!
Cr0w (c) d. The_Purple_Bunny - Supercard 12: Night of the Barons (Sep. 18)
As already mentioned, Cr0w took a surprisingly strong stance against The_Purple_Bunny when he defended the Championship to the first-time contender at Supercard 12. That is the only match Cr0w has added to his record since last month's Championship preview, which included details of his big win at Tournament 8: Grand Slam [Singles]!
Highlighting the diversity of fighters and the many opportunities offer to the Championship; Ratt has walked a very different path to that of the last challenger. As a former-champion, Ratt looks to become the second two-time title holder, following in the footsteps of Cr0w himself. As a stalwart of Pre-Show competition, Ratt has become one of the most storied fighters in League, noteworthy for his never-say-die attitude and determination to meet every obstacle with gusto -- the very fact that earned him the "Iron Man" moniker when he fought three matches in one Grand Prix weekend -- including a twenty-person Battle Royale that he won!
That "Iron Man" spirit saw Ratt -- whilst Champion -- enter Tournament 5: War for the Kr0wn under the guise of Darkrai, in an effort to prove his worth against a full field of one hundred and twenty-eight, rather than wait for a single winner, as was organized for the then-champion! Other highlights include famously conquering the first Tower of Power, defeating Cr0w before he took out Toryn to become the Undisputed Champion for the first time! He has competed with all of the biggest names in The Great Arena, overcoming the likes of Genku, Bez Busshitsu and Toryn in tense feuds.
The complete path of the challenger is one of the longest and most impressive:
Ratt d. KittyKat - Round 1, Tournament 1 (Jan. 4)
Ratt d. rxvt - Round 2, Tournament 1 (Jan. 4)
Ratt d. Scott-Howell - Round 3, Tournament 1 (Jan. 5)
Ratt d. Ninja_Mime - Round 4, Tournament 1 (Jan. 5)
Ratt progressed through Quarter Final due to a bye.
Toryn d. Ratt - Semi Final, Tournament 1 (Jan. 5)
Ratt d. Mimik - Round 1, Tournament 2: Quest for a Champion (Jan. 8)
Ratt d. buragas - Round 2, Tournament 2: Quest for a Champion (Jan. 8)
Ratt d. Toryn - Round 3, Tournament 2: Quest for a Champion (Jan. 9)
DeathScepter d. Ratt - Quarter Final, Tournament 2: Quest for a Champion (Jan. 9)
Ratt d. DECEPTION - Pre-Show 1: Battle Royale 2011 Qualifiers (Jan. 23)
ElJobber d. Ratt - Battle Royal, Supercard 1: Battle Royale 2011 (Jan. 30)
Ratt d. Baraka_MK - Pre-Show 2: Champion's Revenge (Feb. 12)
Toryn d. Ratt - Battle Royal, Supercard 2: Triple Double/The Eliminator (Feb. 21)
R.Genku d. Ratt - Supercard 3: The Long Hard Road (Mar. 13)
Ratt d. Ken - Open, Pre-Show 3: Road to Redemption (Mar. 20)
Bez Busshitsu (Famine) d. Ratt - Pre-Show 3: Road to Redemption (Mar. 20)
Ken & Ratt d. m0s & STEROLIZER - Pre-Show 4: Grand Prix Warm-Up (Apr. 2)
Ratt d. Shoe - Battle Royal, Supercard 4: 2011 Ultimate Grand Prix (Apr. 3)
Ratt d. R.Genku - Supercard 4: 2011 Ultimate Grand Prix (Apr. 3)
Ratt d. ThirtyThr33 - Open, Pre-Show 5: Challenge Tower Qualifiers (Apr. 10)
Bez Busshitsu (Famine) d. Ratt - Pre-Show 5: Challenge Tower Qualifiers (Apr. 10)
Ratt d. Cr0w - Supercard 5: Tower of Power (Apr. 17)
Ratt d. Toryn (c) - Supercard 5: Tower of Power (Apr. 17)
R.Genku d. Ratt - Supercard 5: Tower of Power (Apr. 17)
Bez Busshitsu (Famine) d. Ratt - Supercard 5: Tower of Power (Apr. 17)
Ratt (c) d. Toryn - Open, Pre-Show 6: Bitter Peace (Apr. 24)
Ratt & Genku d. Famine & Pestilence - Supercard 6: Team Cr0w vs Team Kron (May 1)
Ratt (c) d. Genku - Supercard 6: Team Cr0w vs Team Kron (May 1)
Darkrai (Ratt) d. KombatKid - Round 1, Tournament 5: War for the Kr0wn (May 10)
Darkrai (Ratt) d. BoringErik - Round 2, Tournament 5: War for the Kr0wn (May 11)
Darkrai (Ratt) d. Baraka_MK - Round 3, Tournament 5: War for the Kr0wn (May 12)
Darkrai (Ratt) d. Genku - Round 4, Tournament 5: War for the Kr0wn (May 13)
Darkrai (Ratt) d. The_Purple_Bunny - Quarter Final, Tournament 5: War for the Kr0wn (May 14)
Kron d. Darkrai (Ratt) - Semi Final, Tournament 5: War for the Kr0wn (May 15)
Cr0w d. Ratt (c) - Tournament 5: War for the Kr0wn (May 15)
Ratt d. TonyTheTiger & Hokey - Supercard 7: Bird's Eye View (May 22)
Kron d. ElJobber & Ratt - Supercard 7: Bird's Eye View (May 22)
Kron d. Ratt - Special: The Rapture and the Madness (May 29)
Ratt d. ElJobber - Pre-Show 8: Queen's Court Rules (Jun. 12)
Cr0w (c) d. Ratt - Supercard 8: Corporeal Punishment (Jun. 19)
STEROLIZER d. Ratt - Supercard 9: Royal Roulette (Jul. 17)
Ratt d. JRF - Open, Pre-Show 10: Tower II Qualification (Jul. 24)
Ratt d. Toryn - Supercard 10: Tower of Power II (Jul. 31)
ElJobber d. Ratt - Supercard 10: Tower of Power II (Jul. 31)
Ratt d. STEROLIZER - Pre-Show 11: Truth or Consequences (Aug. 7)
Ratt d. Toryn - Supercard 11: All-Star Summer Showdown (Aug. 14)
Ratt d. Mandijadeee - Round 1, Tournament 8: Grand Slam [Singles] (Sep. 1)
Ratt d. titsos - Round 2, Tournament 8: Grand Slam [Singles] (Sep. 3)
Ratt d. Onryo - Round 3, Tournament 8: Grand Slam [Singles] (Sep. 6)
Ratt d. DeathScepter - Round 4, Tournament 8: Grand Slam [Singles] (Sep. 8)
Ratt d. Ken - Quarter Final, Tournament 8: Grand Slam [Singles] (Sep. 9)
Ratt d. ElJobber - Semi Final, Tournament 8: Grand Slam [Singles] (Sep. 10)
Cr0w d. Ratt - Final, Tournament 8: Grand Slam [Singles] (Sep. 10)
Ratt d. SixArmedSamurai - Open, Pre-Show 12: Grand Slam Aftermath (Sep. 11)
Bez Busshitsu (Famine) d. Ratt - Supercard 12: Night of the Barons (Sep. 18)
Ratt d. Bofh - Open, Pre-Show 13: Highway to Hell (Sep. 25)
There can be no denying that Ratt has everything it takes to become Undisputed Champion, but his recent record against Cr0w is not generous. Since defeating Cr0w on his way to the title at Supercard 5, Ratt has suffered three defeats, two of them in Championship situations. The most recent was in the final of of Tournament 8: Grand Slam [Singles], which otherwise delayed Ratt's contention for the title until this coming match, October 2nd.
Owning a 3-1 win record over Ratt should, you would think, bolster the Champion into a position of confidence, but the build to Supercard 13 has seen Cr0w at his least confident. Even after inflicting a shocking +24 impact on The_Purple_Bunny at Supercard 12, Cr0w has begun prophecizing his own defeat. Some might speculate that the effort required to defeat TPB, resulting in spectacular results, actually saw Cr0w give everything he had in a blaze of glory that may have left him spent. Others might question whether this unlikely level of doubt is just a tactic, a strategy designed to position "The Unstoppable" as an underdog against his immensely popular opponent, whilst lulling Ratt into a false sense of security.
It is clear -- with each subsequent victory, Cr0w comes closer to a defeat. The pressure of a twenty-five match win streak, which has extended through seven successful championship defenses, has been an immense burden to shoulder for the Champion. We have certainly speculated about, and witnessed, that stress manifest itself in the past. Is it finally reaching breaking point? Cr0w would certainly have everyone believing so!
October 2 is the scene when the Undisputed Championship will go on the line at Supercard 13: The Spirit of Vengeance! Cr0w chases a staggering twenty-sixth straight win and eighth title defense, while Ratt seeks a second bite at the ultimate prize! Don't miss it!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)