*Minos exits. Puffer and Mobley discuss who should start the match. Depth finishes his meditation and heads toward Warrick. They discuss how the match should start, Warrick's cigarette bouncing up and down atop his bottom lip. We see him say, "Fine by me." He steps through the ropes, onto the apron. Depth remains in the ring. Puffer pleads his case with a very excited Mobley. Mobley responds, "Alright, you got it, kid." He steps onto the apron. The bell rings *

Rockwell: Looks like we're getting Puffer and Depth to start things off!

Hood: About time!

*Puffer does some stretching. Warrick laughs and rolls his eyes, "Geezus, what a [censored]. Let me in there." Depth doesn't mind, extending his hand. Warrick tags in. Depth this the apron. Warrick, inside the ring, removes what's left of his cigarette...he flicks it across the ring at Puffer. It hits him in the chest. The fans go "ooohhh". Puffer frowns, looking down at the ash mark on his right peck. *

Rockwell: Complete disrespect!

Hood: Especially when you consider that Puffer has emphysema

Rockwell: Does he really?

Hood: How should I know? But if he did, that would explain the lack of success in big matches.

Rockwell: Stop making stuff up!

*Over it all, Puffer snaps and charges Warrick. Unfortunately, Warrick is too big, too strong, he snares Puffer and wrangles him into a side head lock. Smiling, he yells, "Oh, I got him! I got the little guy!" Puffer tries to break free, but Warrick's grip is too tight. Puffer musters the energy to throw Warrick off balance and shove him into the ropes...he tries whipping Warrick free, off the ropes...but Warrick retains his grip and only tightens it. Puffer grunts while Warrick nods and smiles, saying, "I got this. Too easy." *

Rockwell: Warrick seems to be having fun in there...he'd better not take Puffer too lightly.

Hood: Please, Puffer's all time record is something like 16-500.

Rockwell: What are you talking about, he's got 16 wins in GCWA alone.

Hood: I know. That was factored into my calculations.

*Puffer drops to one knee. Warrick wrenches the hold, really working the neck. Puffer fights back to both feet and manages to bully Warrick into the ropes. He tries whipping him off again...but once again, Warrick retains the hold, applying more pressure. Derek slaps the top buckle and yells, "Fight back!" He claps his hands, trying to get the fans behind Puffer. Warrick, using his left arm to hold Puffer's head, violently rubs Puffer's hair with his right hand, mocking the detective. The fans boo. The act fills Puffer with anger which fuels some power...enough power to push Warrick back into the ropes. For a third time he tries whipping Warrick free...but this time, Warrick retains the hold and tosses Puffer over to the mat, retaining the side headlock. Puffer's face is a dark shade of red, it's irritated, and he's having trouble breathing. Warrick, meanwhile, is just chilling. The ref asks Puffer if he wants to give it up...he gets a stern ‘no' in response. Warrick responds, "Stay there, this won't last long." *

Rockwell: We might be witnessing the longest side head lock in GCWA history.

Hood: Nah, I bet Shane Donovan had one that lasted longer.

Rockwell: You do research on a side head lock?

Hood: Nope. I just remember Shane Donovan being boring as fuck.

*The ref hovers over Puffer, anticipating a submission. Puffer continues to refuse. Warrick wrenches and wrenches, the pressure is about as intense as possible without popping the dude's head off. Puffer's eyes begin to close, blending into his puce face. His arms start to go limp. Mobley stares, kinda blankly, at his partner, wondering "Is this it? Is my return match going to end in under five minutes via a side head lock?" He stomps the mat, claps...does whatever he can to wake Puffer up. The ref grabs Puffer's arm...he lifts it up...he drops it...the arm doesn't hit the mat! It reaches out and grabs the ref by the shirt, for some leverage. Using it, Puffer manages to roll over...Warrick, holding onto the lock, goes with him into a pin. The ref recovers, starts to count, but Warrick kicks out before his hand can hit the mat. Puffer, finally free, struggles to his feet...his face remains beet red...he looks at Mobley. He hurries toward his partner, but Warrick reaches out, snaring him by the head and regaining the side head lock. This takes the wind out of the crowd. "NOT AGAIN" one fan is overheard yelling. Warrick drags Puffer around the ring, his head in that side head lock, twisting, jerking, turning...bullying the good detective, letting him know who the dominant force is *

Rockwell: Dang it! I thought Puffer was finally free.

Hood: Nope. The dude can't take advantage of opportunity. I think that's painfully obvious at this point.

Rockwell: Perhaps this is too much for The Good Detective. Perhaps he isn't who we all hoped he'd be.

Hood: Finally! Now you're talking some sense.

*Jack throws a kidney shot. He tries lifting Warrick up for a side suplex...but Warrick is too strong for Puffer to lift up. Annoyed, Warrick begins punching Jack in the face, while retaining the side head lock. "Stupid, little, fucking, bitch!" punch punch punch. Puffer's knees grow weak. Warrick stops punching and looks at his fist. He sees some blood and smiles. He bullies Puffer back into a corner, charges out, with that side head lock and leaps into the air, smashing Puffer face first into the mat with a bulldog. Puffer rolls over onto his back, his nose looks busted. He tries to suck some air down...but before he can, Warrick smothers him once again with the side head lock. The fans boo vociferously. "STOP WITH THE SIDE HEAD LOCK, C'MON!" *

Rockwell: Okay, now this might be the longest side head lock in GCWA history.

Hood: I mean, maybe. But Warrick is way more charismatic than Shane Donovan so it doesn't FEEL like the longest side head lock in GCWA history.

Rockwell: Boy, you really hate Shane Donovan.

Hood: I hate a lot of people, Rockwell.

*Warrick squeezes with murderous intent. Its as though he's trying to end the match. Puffer's movements slow. His face is covered in sweat, a bit of blood, and about as red as a face can naturally become. Mobley is beside himself, "Do something! Fight back! C'mon!" Puffer's arm slowly reaches up. Warrick is smiling, mocking Derek. Puffer's hand grabs Warrick by the face and pulls on his nose. "Fuck!" Warrick yells. Puffer then goes for the eyes...he tries gauging them. The ref just watches, kinda surprised. The fans pop! Warrick, deciding his eye is more important, releases the head lock! The fans go wild! Mobley claps his hands, "There ya go!" Puffer struggles to one knee, his face still red and sweat soaked. Warrick, on his feet, feels around his eye and nose, making sure his aesthetics are still pleasing. Relieved, he turns to anger...he turns to Puffer. "That was a bitch ass move, Puffer." He charges The Good Detective. Puffer ducks the charging bull. Warrick runs into the corner, stunned...he staggers back. Puffer, on his feet, jumps up and drop kicks Warrick in the back of the head!! Warrick stumbles back into the corner, this time he remains in the corner, hunched over the top buckle. The crowd is going wild! Puffer, back on his feet, rushes in with a HUGE splash! "PUFFER! PUFFER!" Derek claps along, keeping the crowd going *

Rockwell: Jack Puffer has turned this around! He's hanging with Warrick Hill!

Hood: This is disgusting.

Rockwell: He's learning how to survive, Hood! He's learning how to compete at the highest level!

Hood: Give me a break. The guy nearly submitted to a side head lock. Let's pump the fucking brakes.

*Puffer spins Warrick around and delivers a series of knife edged chops...each one worse than the previous. He whips Warrick across the ring...Warrick slams into the opposite corner. Puffer charges, leaps up and knees Warrick under the chin. He backs away...Warrick stumbles toward him. Puffer kicks Warrick in the gut and drops him with an Implant DDT! Warrick is down! Warrick is down! Puffer rolls him over for a pin!! The crowd is jumping up and down...Mobley leans forward, excited. Puffer hooks the leg...the ref slides in for the count. 1! 2! KICK OUT!!! *

Rockwell: Warrick kicked out!

Hood: Geezus...that was way too close.

Rockwell: Stay on him, Jack! You're close!

*Back on his feet, Puffer waits for Warrick to rise. Warrick reaches his feet...he's staggering, stumbling. Puffer dives in, looking to lift Warrick for a spinebuster...but Warrick delivers a crushing sledgehammer to Puffer's back. Puffer drops to one knee...Warrick snares a handful of Jack's hair and jerks his head back...he looks at Puffer in the eyes and delivers a straight right hand across Puffer's jaw. Puffer collapses to the mat, lying awkwardly on his side. Warrick, on his feet, stumbles toward his team's corner, tagging Depth in. "Finish that bitch off," he yells, taking the apron. Depth enters *

Rockwell: I think Warrick had enough of Puffer...he got shook, as the kids say.

Hood: Please, stop quoting kids. Next thing I know you'll tell me you have a TicTac.

Rockwell: It's TikTok and, now that you mention...

Hood: Stop talking.

*Upon entering, Depth stares at his former partner. Puffer, on his belly, begins the slow, painful crawl toward Mobley's outstretched arm. Rather than impede his progress, Depth watches. Warrick seems confused by his action, "Yo! Kick him or something, man!" *

Rockwell: Curious act here by Depth.

Hood: Is he having a senior moment?

Rockwell: I don't think he's old enough for one of those.

Hood: True. That isn't Ace in there.

*Puffer continues the slow crawl. "What the fuck, man?" Warrick yells. Depth reaches down and grabs Puffer's arm...he drags The Good Detective toward Mobley. Warrick throws his arms in the air, "Whatever, it's your fuckin career." Depth throws Puffer into Mobley's hand. The ref signals for the tag. Mobley, a bit confused, doesn't question the gift and steps into the ring. The atmosphere picks up. The legend is back inside the ropes, ready for competition *

Rockwell: Strange indeed.

Hood: Not really. I think Depth wants to beat Mobley. He doesn't gain much from beating Puffer. But by beating Mobley...

Rockwell: That does make sense...a little ambitious, but it makes sense.

*Inside the ropes, Mobley eyes his competition. He gets it. He knows what Depth is up to. The Thriller welcomes the challenge. The two men lock up! "MOBLEY! MOBLEY!" chants fill the arena. Derek tries a side head lock...but Depth isn't going to suffer Jack's fate. He slides out of it and shoves Derek from behind. Mobley hits the ropes and bounces off...he drops Depth with a shoulder block. Depth nips up. Mobley hits the ropes again...Depth leap frogs but Mobley catches him, spins around and drops Depth with a Spinebuster!! The crowd goes wild. *

Rockwell: Derek's experience seems to be trumping Depth's youth and aggression.

Hood: Fuckin old guys always suppressing the up and comers.

Rockwell: Well, it's not over yet.

*On the apron, Warrick is being taunted by fans. "Puffer had you beat!" "You got beat up by Puffer!" Growing agitated, Warrick's jaw tightens. He looks across the ring at Puffer, who is back on his feet, leaning over the top rope, sucking wind. "Fuck him," Warrick says, hopping off the apron and walking around the ring. Inside the ring, Derek rips Depth from the mat and whips him into a corner...John E hits hard. Derek charges...but stops. Depth puts his feet up in anticipation, but Derek catches them, yanks Depth out of the corner and does an Airplane Spin. The crowd is pleased, clapping and cheering. After several rotations, Derek falls backwards, catapulting Depth into the nearest corner...he hits face first on the top buckle before staggering backward. Mobley rolls him up. The ref slides in. 1! 2! KICK OUT!! *

Rockwell: Close, but not quite.

Hood: Fuckin Mobley...really hate him.

Rockwell: Don't be angry because he's got the type of ring awareness that champions are made of...that X-Factor. A non-quantifiable trait that separates champions from legends.

Hood: Shut the fuck up

*Finally returning to what appears to be a normal disposition, Puffer eyes what's going on in the ring and starts to encourage, "Go Derek..." Before he can finish, his legs are swept out from under him by Warrick! Puffer drops and lands chin first on the apron. He stumbles around, holding his chin. Warrick sizes him up before running him over with a lariat! Puffer turns inside out, landing hard on his back. Warrick stomps the shit out of Puffer, furious over the mockery...trying to kick the man into oblivion. The fans at ringside boo. Mobley, meanwhile, isn't paying attention...instead, he's posing for the fans while Depth remains on the ground, struggling to his feet *

Rockwell: Warrick is destroying Puffer!

Hood: And look at Puffer's ‘partner'...he couldn't care less.

Rockwell: He's simply unaware, Hood. Don't hate on Derek because he's enjoying, perhaps, his final in ring moment in the sun.

Hood: Fuck him. He's entitled, arrogant and doesn't give a shit about anybody but himself.

*Depth reaches one knee, Derek grabs him by the hair, yanking him to his feet. Depth shoves Mobley off and throws a superkick. But, Mobley catches it...he spins Depth around and hooks him around the waist...he tosses Depth over his head with a Release German Suplex!! Depth hits hard and tumbles over his head, coming to rest in a corner...back of his head against the bottom buckle. Mobley pops back to his feet and stomps around the ring, clapping, getting the fans up...they all respond aside from the front row of spectators trying to get him to help Puffer. Warrick throws Puffer head first into the barricade before continuing to stomp The Good Detective. He throws a few soccer kicks into Puffer's face. The fans are irate...they reach over, touching Warrick...trying to get him to stop. This...well, is not a good idea. *

Rockwell: Those fans had better watch it.

Hood: Yea, that's like sticking your hand inside the lion's den. Not smart.

*Warrick lashes out upon feeling a few foreign hands touch him. He throws fists, nailing any and every fan within striking distance. He's in an all out brawl with the front row, laying people out while Puffer is down, at his feet. Meanwhile, inside the ring...Derek pulls Depth from the corner, back to his feet. He hooks him for The Thriller *

Rockwell: The Thriller! Derek is going to hit The Thriller!

Hood: What a fuckin waste

*Hooked, Depth realizes what's coming and throws a few elbows into Derek's ear. Mobley loses his grip. Depth shoves Mobley back before charging ahead with a roaring elbow...but Derek ducks! Depth stumbles forward. Spinning around, Derek locks in a Full Nelson...Depth jumps up, placing his feet on the middle rope and kicking backward, falling on top of Mobley. This results in a pin attempt. The ref slides in...the crowd gasps with building shock...1! 2! KICK OUT!! *

Rockwell: Whoa! John E Depth nearly pulled off the upset of his life!

Hood: Dude's hanging in there...meanwhile Puffer is getting mauled.

Rockwell: Again, that is NOT Puffer's fault.

*Finally, the fans who aren't laid out on the floor back away, giving the maniacal Warrick some space. Warrick, fists raised and eyes ablaze, hesitates for a moment before dropping to his knees and choking the life out of Puffer. He curses, he shouts...he wishes ill on Puffer's children and Puffer's children's children before tiring out and releasing Jack's damaged windpipe. He stands, looking down at Puffer...a half smile forms, feeling satisfied over dishing out his revenge. He turns toward the ring to see Depth hanging with Mobley and says, "We got this." He heads back to his team's corner *

Rockwell: Puffer might as well be eliminated from this one.

Hood: I guess we'll see just how legendary Mobley is...he's basically in a handicap match.

Rockwell: If anybody can pull this off, it's The Thriller.

*Depth scrambles to his feet...Mobley rises to his in a far more composed manner. Depth dives at Mobley, looking to take him down, but Mobley's base is too strong. He blocks the attempt and fires a few stiff forearms into Depth's back. He yanks Depth to his feet and whips him into a corner...Depth hits hard and comes staggering out. Derek engulfs him and throws him across the ring with a belly to belly. Depth hits hard. Mobley pops back up to his feet, charged up...the fans are on their feet "THRILLER! THRILLER!" He stalks Depth...who is on all fours, reaching for his impacted spine. Mobley throws a huge soccer style kick into Depth's ribs, knocking him over onto his back. Depth tries sitting up...Mobley aids in the process, snaring him by the hair and peeling the man off the mat, to his feet. He shoves him into the ropes...Depth ricochets off...Mobley reaches out, looking to hook the Thriller. He has it hooked! He lifts Depth up...but Depth, apparently having studied the move, manages to wiggle free at the apex! He drops to his knees and crawls away, diving forward and tagging Warrick into the match *

Rockwell: Managing to avoid Derek's finishing move a second time, John E Depth has now tagged Warrick Hill into the match.

Hood: And here we go...time for Warrick to prove to everyone watching who the better wrestler really is.

Rockwell: He may not like the outcome, Hood.

*Face to face, the former best friends size one another up. Derek seems poised, ready for Warrick to make the first move. Warrick, on the other hand, is fired up, talking shit. He points out Puffer, motioning toward the comatose detective. Derek barely looks his way, confident it won't matter. Warrick suddenly smacks Derek across the face...he fires a backhand immediately after before lunging forward and ripping at Derek's face. The fans boo. The ref runs in, trying to regain control. Mobley tries fighting Warrick off, but he's too strong, bullying Derek into a corner...his team corner, which is now empty. Dealing with the threat of a DQ, Warrick removes his hands from Derek's face. The ref sighs with relief...a brief moment of relief before Warrick dives in with a head butt, smashing his forehead into Derek's nose and chin. Derek's is shaken. Warrick lifts repeated knees into Derek's upper abdomen, knocking the wind from his lungs. The fans, at first booing, try cheering for Derek *

Rockwell: Warrick is all over Derek Mobley!

Hood: Twenty years of pent up frustration. He's going to decimate The Thriller.

Rockwell: It doesn't look good...but Mobley has always overcome the odds in his career.

*Lurched forward, the wounded Mobley gasps for air. Warrick delivers a wicked forearm uppercut, sending him standing straight up, into the corner. Warrick cuts through Derek's chest with a knife edged chop. Derek leans forward only to get blasted across the face with a right haymaker. His arms, draped over the ropes, keep him from falling. Warrick palms Mobley's chin and straightens him back up...he peppers him with several slaps before spitting in his face. The fans BOOOO. Warrick responds by grabbing Mobley and hurling him into the middle of the ring with a sloppy and violent looking hip toss. Derek hits hard...the momentum takes him toward Warrick and Depth's corner. A veteran himself, Warrick begins to distract the referee as Depth takes advantage, sticking his foot in Derek's throat, choking the Hall of Famer *

Rockwell: Ref! C'mon!

Hood: Hey, that's what happens when you team with a loser. Two against one...live with it.

Rockwell: At least give the guy a chance!

Hood: He had his chance...he could have sided with Depth. But, nooooo...he had eyes for Puffer. What a fucking moron.

*The ref, overhearing the rise in anger from the crowd, turns around. Depth quickly pulls his foot back onto the apron. The ref eyes the situation suspiciously, wondering why Derek is holding his throat and coughing. Warrick comments, "Dude picked up smoking during retirement. Nasty habit. Get the fuck out of my way." Shoving the ref aside, Warrick marches toward his downed opponent. He delivers a vicious stomp into Mobley's chest before grabbing his arm and dragging him into the center of the ring. Raising his arms high, he goes for an arrogant pin, placing his foot atop Derek's chest. The ref counts. 1! KICK OUT! *

ockwell: That's not gonna work, I don't care how much you beat on Derek Mobley.

Hood: Would have been awesome, though.

Rockwell: No, it would not have been ‘awesome'.

*Warrick shrugs. He didn't really believe it would work either, but he liked the idea of trying. Fighting back to his feet, Mobley shows the heart of a champion. Warrick kinda chuckles, backing away. Derek reaches his feet...Warrick leans into the ropes before sprinting forward and flying through the air nailing THE JOINT!! Mobley collapses to the mat! The crowd quiets down, once again – stunned. Warrick, seated on the mat, laughs, checking his forearm...he frowns – no blood. Oh well, he crawls over, making the pin. 1! 2! 3...KICK OUT!! *

Rockwell: Derek kicked out! He kicked out of Warrick's finisher!

Hood: This fuckin guy, I swear. JUST STAY DOWN YOU GLORY HOG

Rockwell: What a champion! What a legend!

*Pissed, Warrick punches the mat. He directs his anger toward Derek, grabbing him by the head and repeatedly slamming the back of his skull against the mat. Derek becomes disoriented. Warrick rises, bringing the wobbly Mobley with him. Placing both hands into Derek's chest, Warrick gives him a violent shove. He stumbles back...if it weren't for the corner, he'd fall to the mat...but the buckles and ropes catch him...slouched down, he hangs in the corner. Warrick charges forward, delivering a huge knee lift into Derek's face. Dragging Derek forward, Warrick grabs him by the back of the head and drives him, face first, into the mat with an X-Factor. Mobley is face down on the mat. Warrick wastes no time in returning to his feet *

Rockwell: He's moving with conviction this time. The tomfoolery has expired.

Hood: Yea, well, things don't die quietly. They fight like hell right at the end...Warrick's got to stave off this last gasp effort by Mobley.

Rockwell: I can't argue that.

*Mobley tries returning to his feet...he gets to all fours before falling back to the mat. Warrick stands over him, in total control. Finally, he reaches down, snaring Mobley by the hair and pulling him up. He delivers another crushing head butt that renders Derek's legs to noodles. He hooks Derek for The Thriller! He hoists Derek up, spins around and DRILLS him into the mat with THE THRILLER!! Mobley is down! Warrick hooks the leg. The ref slides in...1! 2! 3...NO! KICK OUT!!! *

Rockwell: Whew! Man, if Mobley had lost to his own finisher that would have been -

Hood: Fuckin sweet

Rockwell: No, not sweet. It would have been a tragic end to a great career.

Hood: Well, that's your opinion and it sucks.

*Eyeing the ref, Warrick questions the count. The ref is staunch in his servitude. Warrick notices Mobley moving around...he knows he doesn't have much time, he's got to stay aggressive. He's seen Mobley fight back from worse more than most. Rising, he brings Mobley along with him...both standing...he whips Derek into a neutral corner before charging in and driving a forearm into Derek's head. He delivers multiple forearms to Mobley's head, softening him up for a second and, likely, final joint. Mobley's head bobbles back and forth *

Rockwell: Warrick looking to hit his patented flying forearm – The Joint a second time in this match. If he does, I fear it's all over.

Hood: BRING IT ON, WARRICK! Put his ass down!

*Shaking his tired forearm, Warrick ceases with the pounding and leads Derek into the center of the ring. Mobley stands, barely. Warrick hits the ropes, he bounces off, flies through the air and his THE JOINT!!! Derek's body simply collapses to the mat. Warrick pounds the mat with his fist in celebration...he hurries over, hooking both legs. The ref slides in. 1...2...3!! NO!! HUGE KICK OUT!! THE CROWD GOES WILD *

Rockwell: Derek kicked out...with authority!

Hood: The fuck is this shit.

Rockwell: He's THRILLERING UP!!

Hood: I'm gonna puke

*Jumping up and down, the arena is on fire. The fans are frenzied. Mobley is, in fact, THRILLERING up. Warrick, seated on his ass, looks on in shock as Derek reaches one knee, fired up. Warrick rushes to his feet. He punches Derek in the face, but this only encourages Derek to reach his feet. Warrick rears back, throwing a haymaker...but Derek catches his fist and throws Warrick back into a corner. The crowd cheers. Warrick is reeling. Mobley charges in with a HUGE splash...the crowd responds by yelling "OOOOHHHH!!" Derek unleashes a flurry of punches...Warrick shoves him away, stumbling toward the center of the ring. The look in his eyes is one of desperation *

Rockwell: Realization has struck. Warrick can't beat Derek...he simply can't.

Hood: And now, I hate everything. This fuckin sucks

Rockwell: That's why Derek is a legend and Warrick, well, is not.

*Spotting Depth in the corner, who has his arm stretched out, Warrick reaches, desperately to make the tag, but Derek snares him by the hair, spinning him around and hammering him with a right hand. Warrick wobbles, he's about to crash. Derek lunges forward, hooking Warrick for the Thriller. Warrick struggles, trying to break free...in doing so, they rotate positions, Derek's back to Depth. Warrick extends his free hand as far as he can while Derek re-establishes his grip. Depth reaches in and TAGS Warrick!! Derek lifts Warrick up, he spins around and DRILLS Warrick into the mat with The Thriller!!! The crowd goes wild!!! Derek hooks the leg, anticipating a count...but it doesn't come...he looks up at the ref, confused *

Rockwell: Warrick tagged Depth! Turn around, Derek...TURN AROUND

Hood: Don't blow this, Depth...don't fucking blow this.

*Derek rises and turns around...Warrick rolls out of the ring. Depth lunges forward and grabs Derek's head for ROUGH CUT!! But Derek shoves him off!! The crowd cheers. Depth slams into the corner and turns around, stunned. Derek hooks him for THE THRILLER! He hoists Depth up...but Depth breaks free, landing behind Derek! Derek turns around and is hooked and dropped with ROUGH CUT!!! The crowd is in stunned silence...save for a few who reach over the railing to wake Puffer up, but Warrick crawls over, shoving them away and diving on top of Puffer. Depth covers Mobley...the ref slides in...1! 2!.....3!!!!! The bell rings...the crowd is stunned with silence *

Minos: Here are your winners...Warrick Hill and...JOHN E DEPTH!!!