Joe Hoffman: Well folks, as we get things cleared up
here at ringside, let's take you back on what can only be described as the
tumultuous journey that the Faze Brothers have been on since debuting as a
tag team at the last HOW pay-per-view ICONIC. Let's take a look.
As Joe directs our attention to the HOV, it fires up with video clips of Griffin
and Ryan Faze that have been taken over the past several months. First
and foremost, the formation of Alpha Beta Slam is shown as Ryan Faze is revealed
to have an identical twin brother in defeating and outsmarting Hall of Fame
announcer Benny Newell at ICONIC. Upon seeing this, Benny doesn't take
too kindly to this reminder and responds by taking several swigs from his official
March 2 Glory flask.
Up next on the screen, we see the duo pledge their commitment to Brotherhood;
looking hopeful in their quest to win the Tag Team titles from Twisted Reality
before ultimately falling short in their opening round Invitational match. Devastation
is emphasized as Scottywood pins Ryan Faze and additional footage is shown
of him being admitted to Cook County Memorial Hospital, having suffered a coma
as a result of his overdose on painkillers.
Furthermore, their suffering is highlighted even more so as Griffin is shown
being pinned by Aceldama after what was an unexpectedly close battle over the
World title; all of which is capped off by the knockout boot to Ryan's head
by CRIP from Appalachian Wrestling.
On the upside, the "Phenomenal One's" incapacitation proved to be
the beginning of his brother Griffin's success in HOW as a more optimistic
feel to the video package is underlined. Highlights of Griffin's victories
over Jason Midnight and the Maurako Family take display, however, any sense
of optimism that is portrayed from these matches lasts only briefly as a more
negative feel takes its place. Quickly, the tension between the two identical
twin brothers becomes evident.
Fighting with each other because of identical goals and aspirations, the Faze
Brothers would square off in a Fraternity House Brawl that saw Griffin defeat
Ryan to advance to the Knockout stage of the Best Invitational. The
fans wince and stir as gruesome clips of that match are shown, especially during
the point where Griffin crashes his brother through a sliding glass door. Ryan
is shown lying motionless in a pool of his own blood before the video package
transitions to Griffin's victory over Erites Kallisten; perhaps the last highlight
before Griffin is shown rendered unconscious from Ethan Cavanaugh's "Tyneside" choke
hold.
This is the final image that we're left with; Griffin's refusal to give up
to the submission and his dream of winning the HOW World title. As the
HOV turns back to a live shot of the arena, Joe welcomes us back with the ring
now cleared from the previous match.
Joe Hoffman: Certainly, we can all try to sympathize
what the Faze Brothers have been through recently, but if the ABS Party Bus
gives us any indication of things to look forward to with the tag team, then
perhaps there is some light at the end of the proverbial tunnel... wouldn't
you say Benny?
Benny Newell: Huh? What? Sorry. I
keep thinking about that chick that we saw earlier in the show... whatsername
again? Cadence? Fuck, I think she works Thursday evenings at the
Crazy Horse Too. Ah, well... DRINK!!
Suddenly, the eruption of Breaking Benjamin's "Phase" throughout
the speaker system brings life back into the Kallisten Coliseum, as the playing
of the tune can only mean one thing.
Joe Hoffman: Ladies and Gentlemen, the news broke early
this week over on HOWrestling.com and we are now coming to see it LIVE here
on Turmoil... the return of Alpha Beta Slam! We've seen them go from
inseparable from each other to intolerable and back again, but whatever the
case may be this time around, it's good to see the Faze Brothers together again
after weeks and weeks of tension nearly tore them apart for good.
The "Phenomenal One" Ryan Faze is first out from the curtain; the
crowd roaring on their feet as he begins making his way down the entrance ramp. Slapping
hands along the way, he pauses about half-way down to see Griffin emerge, flanked
by about a dozen gorgeous strippers that accompanied them in the ABS Party
Bus. Benny is speechless as they all make their way past the announce
table.
All celebrations aside, Griffin and Ryan are the only ones to enter the squared
circle where they're each handed a microphone by Bryan McVay.
Ryan Faze: Thank you ladies... Please... don't let this
interrupt your fun with each other. Do wait for us back at the bus.
Nudging his brother's arm, Griffin shoots Ryan a glare forcing the "Phenomenal
One" to put forth a more serious tone.
Ryan Faze: AHEM! Right. Sorry, Griff. In
all seriousness, what I meant to say was THANK YOU to each and every one of
you fans...
The fans can only cheer in response as Ryan appears genuine in his address. He
takes a moment to give them their due before continuing.
Ryan Faze: ...you all stood by me when I reached the
lowest of the low, and not just the lowest point of my career, but the lowest
point of my entire life. I hit rock bottom. I was a terrible role
model for the young Phenomenal Fan Nation out there. And worst of all,
I took you all for granted. So please, I come before you tonight asking
you all for your forgiveness. After all I've done, I can honestly say
I don't deserve it... but for what it's worth, I wholeheartedly apologize.
Another round of cheers ensues as some people in the audience are even seen
tearing up upon seeing Ryan owning up to his faults. Trying not to tear
up himself, Ryan turns toward his brother.
Ryan Faze: And Griffin... brother. Hell, my best
friend....
Suddenly, a "Faze of HOW" chant breaks out for Griffin Faze; one
that surprisingly sees Ryan step aside to let his brother soak in the moment
for all he's accomplished thus far in his young career.
Ryan Faze: You hear these fans, bro? You deserve
every ounce of their respect. Out of everyone... I owe you the
biggest apology of all. When my life was spinning out of control, you
were there for me every step of the way... even when I kept telling you to
'fuck off' for all the success you were experiencing throughout the Invitational. I'll
be the first one to admit to you, live here on Turmoil, that I was jealous;
jealous of the man that ultimately saved my life...
This time, a "Thank You Griff" chant busts out as Ryan continues.
Ryan Faze: ...and for that, I thank you.
No longer holding back their emotions, the Faze Brothers share a touching embrace
with each other as the fans continue to cheer them on for reconciling their
differences.
Benny Newell: Good Lord! Can't they just suck
each other's cocks later so we can go party with those bitches heading back
to the Party Bus?
Joe Hoffman: Will you stop if for just one minute, Buff? Truly,
this is one of those rare moments in wrestling; a touching display of emotion
between two of the most dedicated members of our roster... brothers in arms.
Slowly but surely, the cheers die down allowing Griffin to regain his composure
and take his turn on the microphone.
Griffin Faze: Alright, alright, alright... now that
we've got that out of the way, we can finally get down to why we're really here...
and that's business. See, it was only a few days ago that my
brother and I decided to pay a visit to PWX to reclaim what's rightfully ours...
Ryan Faze: And by 'ours', he means Alpha Beta Slam's...
not just aitch-oh-dubbya's.
Griffin Faze: Oh, how right you are Ryan. Unfortunately,
our little 'visit' failed to go as planned, leaving us empty-handed... something
that I can guarantee you WON'T happen at March 2 Glory.
Pausing intentionally to raise the suspense level of his announcement, Griffin
lets the crowd buzz for a moment before finally deciding to fill them in.
Griffin Faze: Just because I failed to win the Invitational,
doesn't mean I'm going to hang my head around here like a little bitch. See,
my brother and I simply can't let go of the fact that we PROVED we are better
than our current Tag Team champions - two pathetic, worthless men that have
barely lifted a finger to try and reclaim the titles back to HOW's possession
- the Maurako Family. Think about it for a second... how absolutely fitting
is it that in just a few moments, you're about to witness our own Tag Team
titles being defended with no gold to show for the winner?
The crowd boos, showing their disapproval of the Maurako Family's lack of passion
for reclaiming the titles.
Griffin Faze: You'd think there'd be a little bit more
effort from the Maurakos, wouldn't you? But no... there too busy jacking
off over Mario's World title to realize how important defending the
honor of those titles is to this company... something that Ryan and I are taking very seriously. Tell
'em, Ry...
Ryan Faze: In 11 days, the High Octane Tag Team titles
will be up for grabs at March 2 Glory. In 11 days, two rival
teams from rival federations will be in that match, trying to disgrace the
honor of HOW and our Tag Team division - which is why in 11 days, Alpha Beta
Slam will be leaving Rome, Italy as your new High Octane Wrestling
Tag Team Champions!!!
The crowd bursts out in cheers, wanting nothing more than to see ABS fulfill
their proclamation at March 2 Glory.
Joe Hoffman: What a huge announcement here
on Turmoil!
Still, everyone - including the ever-curious Joe Hoffman - is left to speculate
how and why they've been added to the match.
Griffin Faze: Let's be honest... regardless of what
he's done in the past, Lee would - ahem - "kill" for this
company and has always had the back of his roster when it comes what's important
to him. Since he owed Ryan a favor, we're going to give him one back
when we bring the Tag Titles back home! So to the Hierarchy... to Valora...
to Bill-Man or whatever the fuck he wants to be called... consider this your
warning. And to Cool Reality and whoever comes away with a victory in
this next match... don't be jealous for when ABS are the ones wearing the gold
in Rome.
Dropping their microphones, the Faze Brothers each take to a turnbuckle to
play up to the fans that are cheering them on relentlessly in support of their
goal of winning the Tag Team titles.
Joe Hoffman: You heard it hear first, folks! Alpha
Beta Slam has been added to the March 2 Glory Tag Team title match!
Benny Newell: For all that talk, they'd better not fuck
this up now that HOW has the rival federations outnumbered, 3 teams to 2.
Joe Hoffman: The real question is will those teams'
egos get in the way of our efforts to get back the gold? It will all
be answered at March 2 Glory, but for now, we've got to take yet another commercial
break before the Tag Team titles...
Benny Newell: ...or lack thereof...
Joe Hoffman: ...are on the line. Stay tuned!