(Friday Night Dynasty intro plays. Once that wraps up, a brief montage from last week’s show is highlighted before the shot switches to a live look of the Stade Louis II in Fontvieille, Monaco. The fans cheer, and pyro goes off, before the shot switches to the commentary team.)
Stew-O: Hello again EAW universe, and welcome to another edition of FRIDAY NIGHT DYNASTY! I am Stew-O, and as always I am joined by Jake Mercer and Flannery McCoy! We are now three weeks away from Pain for Pride, and of course, the stakes couldn’t be hire!
Jake Mercer: Absolutely, Stew! And one of those stakes got raised as Joso is in the WHC main event at the show! Buuuuuuuut, a certain someone isn’t happy about that…
(‘When Darkness Falls’ by Killswitch Engage hits. Drake King comes out, mopey and irate as can be. He sighs, and5shakes his head. His frown is visible, and as far as Drake is concerned? He doesn’t care to try and hide it. Not when everything went so wrong for him at Fighting Spirit.)
Stephie Love: Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome at this time, EAW Hall of Famer and the 2025 Grand Rampage winner… DRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAKE KIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIING!
(A close-up shot reveals a small cut line on his nose, along with some faint bruising. King makes his way up the steps and in the ring, already having a microphone within his firm grip.)
Stew-O: Well, at Fighting Spirit, things did not go as Drake King, and Cy Henderson, intended. While both men were not in cahoots, Henderson sought to cost the match for Joso by hitting him with his brass knuckles. Instead, Joso avoided, Cy hit Drake, and that paved the way for Joso to score the win, and with that? Book his ticket to Pain for Pride as a first-time main eventer!
Jake Mercer: Like I said, Cy’s innocent!
(‘When Darkness Falls’ fades off.)
Crowd: BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
(Drake shakes his head, and once again, lets out a long, displeased sigh. He stands still in the middle of the ring. Stunned. Dumbfounded. Pissed.)
(But he speaks.)
Drake King: I don’t even know what to say.
(Another pause. The fans continue to boo, but Drake scowls and carries on.)
Drake King: Now, I know when people say that, they try to be dramatic. They make a big deal out of something so small in the grand scheme of things. Or, really, it makes no sense because they literally say something. However, for the first time in my entire career in EAW, I am shocked, I am aghast, and above all? I’m stunned.
Drake King: You people can say whatever it is you want about me, but you cannot deny the fact that I earned my way to Pain for Pride. I didn’t play any tricks. I didn’t scheme. I did bait people with that little brief spiel, but the whole point was getting these morons to look stupid for ever thinking they could downplay me. People can whine and cry, and some of the Elitists here can make their jokes about being tired of seeing me main event a Pain for Pride, but guess what? I’m not, and the reason I continue to be in that sort of prominent limelight is because I am simply that good. I am the best in the world, and that is never going to change, regardless of which flavor of the season want to delude themself into thinking they can surpass me while I’m still here.
Drake King: At least I decided to take up on Joso’s challenge, as annoying and whiny as he was the entire way through. A part of me could’ve almost respected the fact he wanted to try his hand at beating me, even if it was so foolish and had no feasible legs for said challenge to stand on. And of course, I was on the cusp of defeating him before someone had to get themselves involved when they didn’t need to.
(That’s when Drake looks up at the hard cam.)
Drake King: I’m talking about you, Cy.
(The crowd simmers, sensing that he was serious. Drake continues, and there’s a tinge of venom to his words as he paces around the ring, venting.)
Drake King: Thanks to you and your own stupidity, you cost me the match, and Joso can now feel like an entitled brat since he got that main event. It wasn’t supposed to be this way. I mean, you were never needed! You didn’t need to help me or have whatever sort of business you had handled right there and then. It could’ve waited! But instead, Cy had to be selfish, stupid and reckless. Joso gets his match, but hey—at least he can’t say he was able to beat me. So much for all that talk about how we would’ve had my number back when we first faced off.
Drake King: Either way, I’m not in the camp of looking at silver linings. The fact of the matter is I am annoyed beyond belief. I hate that people are either so inept or insecure that they feel the need to try and ruin things for me. Still, some things will never truly change. I have been targeted, persecuted and ridiculed all because I wanted to make this sport better, this COMPANY better, and so many people made all sorts of baseless accusations demonizing me while they went ahead and showed their hands weren’t as clean as they believed them to be. It’s—
(‘Saint Pablo’ by Kanye West hits. Cy Henderson comes down the ramp, and he immediately does NOT look happy in his own right. He’s armed with a microphone and speaks.)
Cy Henderson: Okay, Drake. See, I was going to let you speak your piece until you decided to throw my name out of your mouth and carried on with the foolishness.
Drake King: Foolishness? Me!?
Cy Henderson: Yes, because in no way was I even trying to help you. I was looking to get rid of Joso for my sake, so you don’t even need to worry about that aspect. However, it was an honest mistake, and instead of realizing that, you wanted to show off your super evil fangs and tell me that I was going to pay.
(Cy gets in the ring.)
Cy Henderson: So if that’s what it’s going to come down to? You might as well go ahead and try it.
(Drake’s eyes widen. However, that budding rage of his returns, and he speaks up.)
Drake King: Trust me, Cy, the last thing you want to do is make any attempts at pushing my buttons. This match was supposed to be between you and me, but look what happened! YOU did this! And if you had stayed away and minded your business, I wouldn’t even BE in this situation!
Cy Henderson: Oh, so it’s all about you, huh? And yet here you are chastizing Joso for acting like a child. Do you not hear yourself, Drake? You sound pathetic. You sound less like a man who is confident about his chances and more like a sniveling fool worried that the odds are a bit more stacked against him.
(That makes Drake glower.)
Drake King: I’m not scared of anything. Not Joso, and certainly not you. I have had stacks placed upon me throughout many periods of my career and I remain. I just don’t like it when people have to meddle in my business.
Cy Henderson: Well, that’s too damn bad, huh? Sometimes, not everything goes in your favor.
Drake King: And you know what’s too bad? That you—
???: BOTH NEED TO SHUT THE FUCK UP!
(The fans come ALIVE the moment Joso makes his appearance! Drake and Cy are annoyed even further, but Joso has had enough of the arguing and was going to set the tone.)
Joso: Listen, ain’t nobody tryna hear y’all waste precious TV time having an unc-off and playing the blame game. At the end of the day, I’m in the match, and that’s what matters. Whether it was your dumbass ego, Drake, or your little “honest mistake,” Cy; it doesn’t change the fact that I walked out with the win. That’s the only part the world’s gonna remember.
Joso: See, this ain’t about whose fault it was. This ain’t about who got robbed or who thinks they’re still owed something. This is about the future. MY future. I told y’all I wasn’t gonna be some footnote in your little story. I warned both of you that Joso wasn’t gonna get passed up by two names that think they’re bigger than the game.
(Joso rolls into the ring now, standing between Drake and Cy. The tension is palpable.)
Joso: And now you’re both standing in my way? Nah. Not at Pain for Pride, and definitely not tonight.
(Cy chuckles, while Drake looks simply offended.)
Drake King: Joso, you simply don’t belong! What part of that don’t you understand?
(Joso’s gaze flickers between them.)
Joso: The part where you think I don’t belong but either of you do.
Cy Henderson: Alright, man, settle do—
Stew-O: OH! WITHOUT WARNING, JOSO EXPLODES WITH A RIGHT FIST TO CY! HE GETS DROPPED! AND JOSO PUNCHES DRAKE AS WELL! HE TEES OFF ON HIM, AND DRAKE TRIES TO COVER UP TO DEFEND HIMSELF!
Jake Mercer: But Cy comes in and levels him with stiff punches of his own! Joso staggers, and Cy runs in with a lariat—
Flannery McCoy: But Joso moves out of the way—AND CY HITS DRAKE WHO JUST GOT UP! Cy looks surprised, but he turns around, and he’s met with a superkick! He goes down and out of the ring! Drake is down, and Joso scoops him up, SPIKING HIM DOWN WITH HEAVEN’S GATE’!!
(Drake rolls out of the ring from the impact of that! Joso stands tall, and the fans chant!)
Crowd: JO-SO! JO-SO! JO-SO!
(Joso glares out to both Cy and Drake. Cy holds his jaw, staring angrily at him, while Drake continues to recover.)
Joso: (off-mic) I’ll see you BOTH AT PAIN FOR PRIDE!
(‘‘LIKE WEEZY’ by Playboi Carti hits, and the final shot alternates between Cy and Drake, who are both sneering at him, before Dynasty fades to commercials.)
(A commercial plays for Raising Cane’s.)
Stephie Love: LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THE FOLLOWING MATCH IS SCHEDULED FOR ONE FALL!
Crowd: ONE FALL!
(‘Daisy’ by Ashnikko began blaring through the speakers to loud boos as Mia Santoro cockily strutted out onto the stage from behind the curtains. She struck a pose before holding her hand to her ear, listening to the volume in the arena, then began sauntering down the ramp with an aura of complete narcissism.)
Stephie Love: INTRODUCING FIRST! Hailing from Key West, Florida, weighing in at 115 pounds… she is THE OBSESSION, MIIIIIIAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! SSSSSAAAAAAAAANTOOOOOOOOOOOOOOROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Stew-O: Mia Santoro, despite it all, continues to exude the same confidence as she always does; she recently had an opportunity to get entered into the Cash in the Vault match at Pain for Pride, but ultimately she came up short and Hans Grayson managed to overcome her in order to make it into the match!
Flannery McCoy: That doesn’t seem to have stopped Mia Santoro, though, who is now marching into battle after Fighting Spirit looking to turn things around in time for Pain for Pride! She’s got a big challenge ahead of her tonight, but it wouldn’t be the first time that Mia managed to overcome a size difference to win the match!
Jake Mercer: She still thinks she should’ve beaten Hans, so there’s no doubt that the Obsession thinks she deserves the world at Pain for Pride; the only question is, will she be able to make it happen? We’ll see how it goes!
(‘Razorface’ by Celldweller began blaring through the speakers to a loud mixed reaction; the arena was plunged into the darkness, with white strobe lights piercing through the darkness in time with the music. As the song progressed, David Gideon Smith emerged from the darkness, with his face obscured by his hood; he performed his Black Blade taunt, causing an eruption of pyro and laser lights to set the stage behind him as he marched down the ramp. He scales up to the top rope, pulling down his hood to survey the arena, before dropping down into the ring, ready for war.)
Stephie Love: AND HER OPPONENT! Hailing from Boston, Massachusetts, weighing in at 250 pounds… he is THE SOVEREIGN… DAAAVID! GIDEOOOOOOOOOOOOOON! SMIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIITH!
Stew-O: What an entrance from the mysterious, menacing man known as David Gideon Smith; he is quite well known in the professional wrestling industry outside of Elite Answers Wrestling, but has had a rough entry into this company thus far. Each match he fights, though, shows him acclimating to EAW and coming closer and closer to victory!
Flannery McCoy: He gave a hell of a fight to Kirk Redwood recently, and knowing how tough Kirk Redwood is, that’s saying something for someone with just a few matches in EAW under their belt! With David’s towering figure and powerful physique, as well as the intense brutality we’ve seen him enact, it’s only a matter of time before he turns things around for himself as well.
Jake Mercer: With the next season just over the horizon, David Gideon Smith has the opportunity to take the world by storm. The same goes for Mia Santoro, who will certainly be looking to earn some championship gold and prove all the haters wrong! Both wrestlers have gone through their struggles this late into the season, but only one will be able to turn it around for some momentum this week! Who’s it going to be? It’s time to find out!
(Ding! Ding! Ding!)
Stew-O: And the match is underway! David Gideon Smith slowly steps out from his corner while Mia Santoro, quicker on her feet, begins circling around him looking for the best entry to take advantage of! This is a real David vs Goliath situation here, with David ironically being the Goliath in this set up; from all accounts, he’s a real student of the game when it comes to straight up grappling, and Mia is going to have to do her best to avoid a direct grappling confrontation with a behemoth like that!
Flannery McCoy: David Gideon Smith goes for a lock up, but Mia Santoro manages to slip between the legs of the Sovereign before scrambling back to her feet! And a sudden side kick launched directly to the back of David Gideon Smith’s knee; expertly executed by Mia Santoro against the larger opponent, causing him to drop to one knee and giving Mia the leverage she needed to begin unleashing strikes on the back of the Sovereign!
Jake Mercer: Forearm smashes galore here as Mia Santoro looks to take David Gideon Smith out before he truly has a chance to unleash his true potential, but suddenly David launches back a heavy back elbow that connected right with the side of Mia Santoro’s head! That certainly left her rocked as David staggered back to his feet before grabbing Mia by the shoulders!
Stew-O: He’s got her clutched and then HURLS her right into the corner that she left out of! Mia Santoro has her back to the turnbuckles as she looks to stagger out of there, but David Gideon Smith runs in like an out of control freight train before smashing right into her with a running shoulder tackle into the corner! She’s got nowhere to go as David Gideon Smith begins unleashing an alternating pattern of knife-edge chops and overhead chops to the chest and head of the Obsession!
Flannery McCoy: The brutality of David Gideon Smith is on full display here as he forcefully drags Mia Santoro out from the corner and begins lifting his arm out straight from the side before raising it up and performing a rarely seen MONGOLIAN CHOP to the side of Mia Santoro’s throat! Such precise and calculated offense by David Gideon Smith sends Mia Santoro into a coughing fit as she falls to the canvas!
Jake Mercer: David Gideon Smith looks down at Mia Santoro before leaping up, looking to perform a jumping knee drop with all 250 pounds of his body weight onto the body of Mia Santoro – BUT SHE MANAGED TO ROLL OUT OF THE WAY! That landing must have hurt like HELL for David Gideon Smith; the bigger they are, the harder they fall, as they say!
Stew-O: David has his knee clutched in pain as Mia Santoro rolls out from the ring; that only seems to anger David Gideon Smith as he rolls out of the ring to give chase to Mia Santoro, who ran to the side of the ring where our commentator desks are! David Gideon Smith runs after her, but Mia Santoro suddenly jumps onto my commentary desk here! David screeches to a halt but it’s too late as he’s already within range; Mia Santoro launches herself off of my desk and connects with the Sovereign with a leaping thrust kick that sends David back first into the ring post!
Flannery McCoy: Wow, you could see how the back of his head connected with the steel post right there, and that absolutely knocked the Sovereign silly! Clever move by Mia, using the environment to her advantage in order to overcome the height and weight disadvantage that she has in this match, and it seems to be paying dividends as she scrambles up to her feet while David clutches the back of his head, staggering forward as he tries to shake off the pain!
Jake Mercer: Mia doesn’t let up on the offense, though, as she climbs onto the apron as David starts to recuperate from the damage; once she’s up there, she launches herself towards the back of David Gideon Smith, landing right where she wanted to before wrapping her arms around his throat and locking in a sudden sleeper hold on the Archdragon! The oxygen has been cut off from the brain of David who tries shaking her off, but Mia is holding on with all of her strength!
Stew-O: David Gideon Smith stops trying to shake her off and instead grabs her arms, using all of HIS strength to pry her arms off of his throat, but with the power being sapped from him due to the sleeper hold, Mia isn’t making it easy! Soon enough, David is able to get it done, now holding both of Mia’s arms with his own hands before ducking down and launching her back-first down onto the ringside floor!
Flannery McCoy: From how tall David Gideon Smith is, that was practically an iconoclasm from him right there! Falling back first off of David’s back would be like falling back first off of the top turnbuckle! Mia arches her back in pain after that connects, but David shows no mercy, just anger at the damage Mia inflicted on him thus far; he fires off a penalty kick to knock her from the seated position she just rose to back down onto her back before leaping up and executing that jumping knee drop right to the midsection of the Obsession!
Jake Mercer: The impact of that maneuver is apparent from the pained expression on Mia Santoro’s face, but she doesn’t get a moment to recuperate because David Gideon Smith returns to the offense, dragging her up from the floor with a gut wrench hoist before launching her overhead with a deadlift gut wrench suplex! You said it, he’s a real student of the game and he’s showing that off right now with his grappling acumen!
Stew-O: He won’t be able to get a victory out here, though, and he knows that as he forcefully drags Mia Santoro up to a standing position and rolls her into the ring before rolling in himself! Upon getting back into the squared circle, he immediately reaches over and grabs Mia’s leg, hooking it as the referee slides by to count the pin!
ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
TWOOOOOOOOO-
Flannery McCoy: But Mia Santoro is able to kick out right at the two count, possibly causing some frustration to emanate from David Gideon Smith at the resilience of Santoro! He doesn’t let it show on his face, though, keeping a cold expression as he rises to his feet with malicious intent in his eyes!
Jake Mercer: That’s the look of a cold blooded killer, and that’s exactly what he’s planning on doing as he reaches over and grabs the head of Mia Santoro, dragging her up to her feet before giving a stiff kick to the midsection to force her to double over! He pushes her head between his quads before reaching down and hoisting her up onto his shoulders!
Stew-O: I think he’s going for something big here, AS HE ELEVATES HER! HE’S GOING FOR HIS SIGNATURE MANEUVER, THE ESCHATON POWERBOMB! WILL IT CONNECT?! HE LAUNCHES HER DOWN, BUT WAIT, MIA SANTORO JUST ARCHED HER BACK AND REVERSED IT INTO A HURRICANRANA! MIA JUST LAUNCHED DAVID GIDEON SMITH FORWARD WITH THAT MAKESHIFT HURRICANRANA, AND THAT CAUSED DAVID’S HEAD TO COLLIDE WITH THE MIDDLE TURNBUCKLE!
Flannery McCoy: IT LOOKS LIKE MIA SANTORO HAD IT SCOUTED OUT AHEAD OF TIME AS SHE MANAGED TO TURN IT AROUND BEFORE SHE WAS DRIVEN INTO THE MAT BY THAT DANGEROUS ESCHATON POWERBOMB! David Gideon Smith is on his knees with his head still pressed against the middle turnbuckle, clearly reeling from the damage! I mean, the turnbuckle is padded but it’s still a solid surface; it’s like getting launched head first into a brick wall!
Jake Mercer: Mia Santoro looks at how David Gideon Smith is kneeling and immediately gets an idea to try to turn things around in her direction! She quickly rushes to the opposite corner of where David Gideon Smith is before rushing forward back towards David, who begins to rise back to his feet!
Stew-O: He’s not able to get to his feet in time, though, because Mia Santoro launches herself forward with a dropkick that connects right with the hip of David Gideon Smith! That dropkick actually launches David forward, right between the turnbuckles until his head collides with the steel post! Now THAT is some creative offense by Mia Santoro, using David’s height to his disadvantage as she manages to make sure his head reaches all the way past to hit that steel! Without a doubt, David is reeling right now, and this may be Mia’s chance to take home the win!
Flannery McCoy: David slowly drags himself out from between the turnbuckles with his head clutched in pain, and Mia Santoro wastes no time in dragging him away from the ropes before connecting with a superkick to the same knee she targeted earlier! That causes him to drop to a kneeling position once more before she follows right up with a ROUNDHOUSE KICK TO THE JAW!
Jake Mercer: THAT’S HER SIGNATURE COMBO, TWO FOR THE ROAD! THAT ROUNDHOUSE KICK VERY WELL MAY HAVE KNOCKED DAVID GIDEON SMITH OUT, AND MIA SANTORO IS BANKING ON THAT AS SHE REACHES FOR THE LEG SHE’S BEEN TARGETING AND HOOKS IT, TRYING TO ELEVATE ALL OF HER CHANCES OF WINNING HERE TONIGHT! THE REFEREE SLIDES BY FOR THE COUNT!
ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Stew-O: BUT IT WASN’T ENOUGH! DAVID GIDEON SMITH WAS ABLE TO KICK OUT, AND NOW MIA SANTORO IS SLAPPING THE MAT WITH IMMENSE FRUSTRATION! SHE REALLY THOUGHT SHE HAD IT! SHE’S NOT GIVING UP YET, THOUGH, AS SHE RUNS OVER TO THE CORNER AND BEGINS TO CLIMB UP! IT LOOKS LIKE SHE’S GOING HIGH RISK HIGH REWARD HERE AS SHE AIMS TO GET THE VICTORY AT ANY COST!
Flannery McCoy: SHE’S RIGHT AT THE TOP AS SHE SIGNALS FOR HER FINISHING MANEUVER, CHASE THE FEELING! IT’S ALL OR NOTHING HERE AS SHE LAUNCHES HERSELF OFF THE TOP, LOOKING TO CONNECT WITH THAT DIVING LEGDROP–
Jake Mercer: OH MY GOD! THE UN|MAKER! INCREDIBLE AGILITY ON DISPLAY BY DAVID GIDEON SMITH AS HE MANAGED TO QUICKLY SCRAMBLE UP AND LAUNCHED HIMSELF AT MIA JUST AS SHE LAUNCHED HERSELF TOWARDS HIM, AND THEN HE CONNECTED WITH THAT DEVASTATING SUPERMAN ELBOW IN MID-AIR TO COUNTER THE DIVING LEGDROP! MIA SANTORO JUST DROPPED LIKE A BAG OF POTATOES, AND DAVID DRAGS HER AWAY FROM THE ROPES BEFORE HOOKING THE LEG!
ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
(Ding! Ding! Ding!)
(“Razorface” by Celldweller began blaring through the speakers once again to a big reaction as David Gideon Smith rolled off of Mia Santoro before slowly staggering up to his feet and raising his arms in the air with a menacing expression on his face.)
Stephie Love: HERE IS YOUR WINNER… DAVID GIDEON SMITH!
Stew-O: Just weeks before Pain for Pride, we see David Gideon Smith pick up his first victory here at Elite Answers Wrestling with an absolutely BRUTAL climax! This is the David Gideon Smith we’ve heard so much about from the wrestling scene around the world, and now he’s coming into his own and showing us exactly why he was as feared as he was!
Flannery McCoy: Mia Santoro put in a big effort tonight to turn things around, but ultimately the disadvantage was too much as David managed to use his heavy grappling and striking offense to cut her off and take home the victory for himself!
Jake Mercer: And with the new season just around the corner, David Gideon Smith can use this victory as a platform to raise his stocks even higher until he achieves what he set out to do here in Elite Answers Wrestling! Congratulations on a first victory, with many more likely to come!
(The video feed lingered on David Gideon Smith’s victory celebration as Mia Santoro came to and looked on in disappointment and frustration before the feed faded to black.)
(A commercial plays for South of Midnight.)
(As Dynasty comes back from commercial, we are immediately greeted with “Let Me Hear” by fear and loathing in las vegas blared the speakers.)
Stew-O: And Saori Aizen is out here, and let’s be honest here, no matter how deep the strive she makes, this season has proceeded without its misfortune..
Flannery McCoy: Saori has had ups, and she has had downs. But she will blame those downs on one specific individual, if you were to ask her who was at the fault of it.. she would tell you, Daniella!
Jake Mercer: I think the both of them just come together and create a magnetism of toxicity, they shouldn’t be within the same realm of one another, ever.
(Saori entered the ring, pacing around with frustration and anger proving immense. She stopped to look at the crowd, as she begun speaking..)
Saori Aizen: If everything had gone perfectly to plan, none of this would even be happening right now. I would be in the Main Event of Pain For Pride facing Bea Valentine for the Universal Women’s Championship, and in return to that, I would be thriving more than ever. But instead, that isn’t what is happening, instead the worst case scenario has plagued me. What is the worse case scenario…? I should have handled the issue a long time ago, but it’s been fathomably impossible to do.. Daniella Atlas..
(Saori frantically paced around the ring, shaking her head.)
Saori Aizen: I promised that I would not let what happened between myself and her get in between the No Way Out match, but it didn’t work. Things continued to get in the way, Daniella continues to be a leech of circumstances, as she continues to sink her teeth deep into my unnecessary business. And Daniella? Decides to be the biggest idiot in the room. Purposely costing herself in the moment, for some reason Daniella just can’t let it go. This is her second time pulling off this charade of nonsense, because Grand Rampage seemingly wasn’t enough. This ends once and for all however, I have to move forward. I can’t allow a continuation of Daniella over and over again. I cannot allow her to be this clouding nightmare that keeps me from reaching where I know that I am supposed to be.. Daniella, if you know what is best for you, you come and meet me face to face. Right here, right now..
(Saori spoke loudly as she stood there with the microphone waiting for Daniella, and she didn’t have to wait long. “Vortex” by Jinjer hit the speakers.)
Stew-O: Ask and you shall receive, here comes Daniella Atlas almost directly at the cue of the arriving call!
Flannery McCoy: And to be honest, she doesn’t really look that upset over what occurred.. I guess if there is anything, she has satisfaction knowing Saori lost.
Jake Mercer: That is some true divine hatred right there, but it definitely isn’t the recipe for your Elite Answers Wrestling dreams to come true..
(Daniella made her way to the ring, rolling into it as she looked at Saori.. the two having a face off, before Daniella spoke..)
Daniella Atlas: I heard what you had to say cherie, and to be honest with you — do I really regret much? If you want the short answer, no. Because I feel like knowing I won’t be able to Main Event Pain For Pride, it stings. But I do feel better knowing that you also had a shot at the main event, and I took that away from you.
(Daniella smirked as she paced around the ring at the misfortune of Saori Aizen.)
Daniella Atlas: I’ll be more happy to sit here and rub that in your face than sulk in my defeat. I know for a fact that eventually, I will be in that main event, give it due time.
(Saori was angered now, as the angering was blistering and higher than ever.)
Saori Aizen: Stop it! I don’t want to hear this from you. I had a solution, I am sick of you. You are sick of me. We both are sick of one another, so I figured it out.. Daniella Atlas, I want to end this once and for all. I want a match against you at Pain For Pride..
(Saori was serious about business, Daniella looked at her, simply chuckling.)
Daniella Atlas: Hmph, mon dieu cherie, I guess deeply, I expected a lot more difference from you. You are the one that put out the challenge, out of all the people that possibly could have.. Are you sure, like.. I am giving you a chance here. Do you truly want to enter this match against me at Pain For Pride..? How many times have we repeatedly done this same song and dance.. and how does it end every.. single.. time?
Saori Aizen: I am more than certain, you have held me back for so long. I am tired of you trotting around and acting as if you own the very ground that we walk upon. If anyone can finally put you in your place and shut you up for good— it is me! I promise, I will put you in your place for good at Pain For Pride, Daniella.
(Daniella laughs very loudly, as she just couldn’t believe the tough tale that Saori Aizen was telling, crossing her arms..)
Daniella Atlas: Hmph, whatever you wish to believe then. But, you know something?
(Daniella proceeded to SHOVE Saori backwards, Saori was knocked back, as Daniella stood there laughing some more..)
Daniella Atlas: You better be careful what you wish for..
(Daniella would turn around and look away from Saori.)
Stew-O: Blatant disrespect from Daniella to Saori Aizen being almost unreal. Especially after she laid out the challenge at Pain For Pride like she did, AND NOW WAIT A SECOND! SAORI ATTACKS DANIELLA AS SHE WAS LEAVING THE RING! SAORI IS GOING UNLEASHED!
(Anger set in Saori as you could simply see it in her eyes. Saori punched Daniella continuously!)
Flannery McCoy: BUT DANIELLA IS STARTING TO GET HER HITS IN AS WELL, THESE 2 WOMEN GOING ABSOLUTELY PANDAEMONIUM ON ONE ANOTHER!
Jake Mercer: AND SECURITY IS FLOODING THE RING AND PULLING THE TWO WOMEN OFF ONE ANOTHER! Sheesh!
(Daniella and Saori were yanked off one another, as the two of them stood there flooded with anger.)
Stew-O: Well, it seems as if we have even more developments at Pain For Pride and well— this fight is going to be insane!
(Saori had a death stare in her face, as Daniella was still kind of laughing, Saori only continuing to dig herself deeper into the hole Daniella personally felt she was in. That was the final shot from there as Dynasty went elsewhere.)
(A commercial plays for Avengers: Doomsday, featuring the entire EAW roster doing improv backstage since the movie got delayed.)
(Back from commercials, Saori is by the commentary team, still irate. In the ring, ‘Vortex’ by Jinja plays, and Daniella Atlas smirks.)
Stephie Love: Ladies and gentlemen, the next contest is scheduled for ONE FALL! Introducing first and already in the ring! From Dunkirk, France, she is the ‘Black Flame’…. DAAAANIELLAAAAAA AAAAAATLAAAAAS!!!
(‘RUNITUP’ by Tyler, The Creator ft. Teezo Touchdown then plays next. Cosmo Goldworthy steps out, rubbing his hands together and having a cocky smile to him as he’s ready to go. He makes his way to the ring and enters it.)
Stephie Love: And her opponent! From the Golden State, he is COSMO ‘MONEY MO’ GOOOOLDWOOOOOOORTHY!!!!
(DING DING DING!)
Stew-O: The bell rings, and this match is underway! Daniella Atlas and Cosmo Goldworthy are more than ready to get things started so that their Pain for Pride journeys are kickstarted with a win. The question is, though: which one of them will emerge victorious?
Saori Aizen: Ideally, neither.
Jake Mercer: We’ll know for sure soon because both engage one another in a collar-and-elbow tie-up… and Cosmo is just a step quicker, sending Daniella down with the double-armed drag! Atlas pops right back up, and Cosmo runs in, looking to catch her off guard! He tackles her down—
Flannery McCoy: —No! Daniella grabs him by his head, trapping him and planting her feet against the canvas to prevent herself from going down! Goldworthy tries to slip away, but Daniella moves quickly. Snap grounded headlock has him on the mat now, and Daniella wrenches at the head, looking to maintain firm control here. Cosmo looks around, seemingly formulating a plan in his mind on how to escape.
Stew-O: Cosmo knows he can’t remain stationary for too long. He places his hands on her forearms. He pries away… and it looks like it’s working! Her grip is loosening…
Jake Mercer: But she’s able to reaffirm it, and she gets up, taking Cosmo along with her. She switches stances. Knee to the gut! That was a sharp one with no give, and Cosmo definitely felt the effect of that, judging by how much he’s wincing. I wouldn’t want to be on the receiving end of that!
Flannery McCoy: A lot of power and tactfulness behind Daniella’s moves. She grabs Cosmo and whips him into the ropes. He bounces from the rebound, and she hawks him down! CLOTHESLINE!
Stew-O: MISSED! Cosmo ducked underneath it and came back from hitting the opposite set of ropes! Daniella throws another clothesline his way, but he grabs that arm and whips her into the ropes this time! Daniella is back and CLOCKS HIM WITH THE BIG BOOT!
Jake Mercer: Foot is caught! Daniella frowns and takes a swat at him, but Cosmo pushes her down and she rolls backward. She gets up—DROPKICK! That catches her clean in the face!
Stew-O: Cosmo worked faster, and it paid dividends. He works just as quickly, going for the first pinfall of the match!
Saori Aizen: Heh. At least he isn’t a complete moron.
Referee: ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
Stew-O: Only nets him the one count, but Cosmo works quickly again; he takes the arm and drops to a knee, locking in an armbar to try and make things uncomfortable for Daniella in this situation! She grimaces.
Saori Aizen: Hmph.
(Saori falls silent as she truly studies what’s happening in the ring.)
Jake Mercer: Oh, someone seems mighty interested now instead of apathetic. :adpeek:
Saori Aizen: Hush.
Jake Mercer: Mb. 😔
Flannery McCoy: Good grip from Cosmo, but Daniella has no intentions of remaining idle. She works her way back up to her feet, and Cosmo is hit with a sharp elbow to the gut! He winces from that and tries to readjust his grasp, but that gives her enough space to back up! Forearm smash to the face! Goldworthy staggers and Daniella LEVELS him with a short-arm clothesline! He goes down!
Stew-O: Power coming into play there, and it’s being showcased even more as Atlas yanks him up and puts him on her shoulders. She marches to the center of the ring, poised to send him crashing down.
Jake Mercer: Cosmo has enough awareness to fight back, though! Elbows of his own hit her on the side of her head! Daniella hisses as she can’t defend herself in this position! She lets go, and Cosmo slides down, spinning her around—Oof! That was like a, what, an uppercut palm strike or something to the chin!? Either way, that ROCKED her, and Cosmo takes off to the ropes… SPRINGBOARD CLOTHESLINE!
Flannery McCoy: Kind of upstaging Daniella there with his own version of that move!
Saori Aizen: Wouldn’t be surprised if the fool feels insecure about that. She has quite the thin skin.
Stew-O: Daniella just tried to sit back up, but Cosmo pushed her down. Lateral press!
Referee: ONNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
Stew-O: Kickout. Not enough to end the match, but it does give Cosmo the opportunity to remain ahead of the curve. He takes Daniella up and over with a suplex! Nothing flashy, but certainly effective!
Jake Mercer: But speaking of flashy, he comes to his feet with a kip-up and leaps up! Elbow drop! That gets her right in the chest, and you can see how much of her wind that took out from her! She sits up again, and COSMO CHOPS HER DOWN WITH A SUPERKICK! Wow!
Flannery McCoy: Yeah, that shot was nasty! Now, Cosmo grabs her by the arm and pulls her closer towards the corner. He climbs up, looking to take a risk if it means it’ll pay off for him.
Saori Aizen: … Heh. Foolish woman.
Stew-O: Daniella is beginning to stir, though. She sees what Cosmo is attempting to do, and she forces herself to come to a stand. She storms towards the corner and climbs up! She reaches him! Gets him with a punch!
Jake Mercer: That stops his rally! Cosmo is hit, but he fires back with one of his own! Daniella wobbles, and hangs on to the top rope to prevent herself from falling! Good awareness there—
(CRACK!!)
Flannery McCoy: JESUS! SHE THREW EVERYTHING INTO THAT HEADBUTT!
Stew-O: And Cosmo slinks down into a seated position! He looks dazed! Daniella shakes off the cobwebs and she gathers back her senses. With Cosmo in the perfect spot, she grabs him and goes to set him up!
Jake Mercer: Only one way for Cosmo to go! :damn:
Flannery McCoy: And Daniella… stops! Cosmo has hold of the top rope!
Saori Aizen: How does he still have the presence of mind to do that?
Stew-O: Your guess is as good as ours, Saori! Daniella tries to raise him again, but Cosmo keeps his grip and blocks her attempt with his leg! He isn’t budging! And Daniella has had it! She lets go and fires off with a CHOP ACROSS HIS CHEST! Cosmo grimaces in pain! The fans here definitely felt that one too, judging by their reaction!
Jake Mercer: Yeesh. That was like a goddamn brick. Daniella grabs Cosmo one more time, and rises to her feet! She’s standing at the top with him!
Flannery McCoy: This really might be disastrous!
Stew-O: Not the sort of position you want to ever be in! Daniella lifts him and falls backwards—AND DOWN SHE GOES!!
Saori Aizen: Oh…?
Jake Mercer: WHAT THE HELL?!! COSMO GOLDWORTHY COUNTERS WHAT LOOKED LIKE A DOUBLE-HANDED BOMB WITH A DOUBLE-FOOT STOMP!! DANIELLA LAYS SPLAT AGAINST THE MAT, AND THE FANS ARE GOING ABSOLUTELY BERSERK FOR THAT!!
Flannery McCoy: Insane doesn’t even begin to describe it! That counter took a bit out of Cosmo to accomplish, but… he comes to a stand! He makes his way to the corner, and he waits for Daniella to get up—if she is even able to do so after that god-awful fall she was the victim of!
Stew-O: Daniella Atlas stirs, but she’s much slower and lethargic! Her gaze has a glossed-over look to it!
Saori Aizen: She hit the back of her head. No surprise there.
Jake Mercer: That she did, and that’s what makes this whole thing even worse for her! But this is great for Cosmo, who gets his timing right and comes in hot! TORNADO KICK!!
Stew-O: HE GETS IT ALL! DANIELLA ATLAS GOES DOWN IN A HEAP AFTER GETTING HIT WITH ‘READY TO DIE’!!
Flannery McCoy: That may be all she wrote! Cosmo goes and covers, hooking BOTH legs for added leverage!
Referee: ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
Referee: TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Referee: THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE—
Stew-O: KICK OUT! BUT A NARROW ONE!!
Saori Aizen: Hmph.
Jake Mercer: Well, that was impressive! Even with the horrible landing and eating the brunt of ‘Ready to Die,’ Daniella Atlas was able to lift her shoulders and power out of that! But she falls back down onto the mat on her side, clearly hurting from taking those massive maneuvers back-to-back! Cosmo looks a bit frustrated, believing he had it right there, but he isn’t sulking. He gets up, and Money Mo’ is back at it, stomping down on her!
Flannery McCoy: Yeah, Daniella is in bad shape here. And of course, Cosmo talks a bit of smack, telling her that she isn’t ready for what’s gonna come to her!
Saori Aizen: Such an arrogant pissant… but then again, so is Daniella, so they cancel each other out. 😌
Stew-O: Cosmo forces her up, and he nails her with a jab! Then another! And ANOTHER! Daniella can’t defend herself here, and Cosmo takes it a step further with that push kick, making her stumble and rebound from the ropes! ROUNDHOUSE KICK LANDS FLUSH! Daniella drops to a knee, and Cosmo springs to action! PUMP KICK! Down she goes AGAIN!
Jake Mercer: Cosmo leads her back up one more time, though! He has something in mind! He gets a tight hold of her head and lifts her up! IMPLANT DDT!!
Stew-O: Cosmo gets all of that to connect, and he gets another pin attempt!
Referee: ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
Referee: TWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Referee: THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE…!
Stew-O: But once again, it’s not enough to definitively put this match away in his favor!
Jake Mercer: Cosmo’s not happy! He shakes his head and mumbles something to himself, but he needs to act fast! He gets up and takes Daniella along one more time. He traps both of her arms, and this could be him setting up for that tiger suplex he calls ‘Ecstasy of Gold’!
Flannery McCoy: …But Daniella is showing signs of life! She squirms, resisting against the hold, and Cosmo can’t lift her up! Cosmo knees her in the chest, and she drops to a knee! Now, he does it again—
Stew-O: No dice! She spun out of that one and LANDS A DISCUS BIG BOOT! Cosmo takes a tumble… but he shoots back up and races at her! CLOTHESLINE—
Jake Mercer: MISSED! DANIELLA DUCKED—AND SHE HAS HOLD OF HIS ARM! SHE SPINS HIM THROUGH! ‘INAMORTA’!!
Flannery McCoy: HE DUCKS THAT ONE, AND HE POPS UP WITH AN ENZUIGIRI! DANIELLA GOES DOWN! COSMO HEADS OUT TO THE APRON AND HAS HIS HANDS ON THE TOP ROPE, YELLING AT HER TO GET UP! DANIELLA ATLAS MIGHT BE SEEING THE LIGHTS SOON!
(The camera briefly cuts to Saori, who has a cruel smirk on her face.)
Stew-O: Heat check time! Daniella staggers, and Cosmo flips up and over! ‘GOLD RUSH’!!
Jake Mercer: INTO A RUNNING ‘INAMORATA’!! HOLY CRAP!!!
Flannery McCoy: WOW! JUST AS SOON AS COSMO LANDED ON HIS FEET, DANIELLA EXPLODED WITH A BURST OF ENERGY TO TAKE HIM OUT! COSMO GOT FLIPPED INSIDE OUT! DANIELLA IS DOWN ON THE MAT… BUT SHE COMES TO HER KNEES AND SCREAMS, SLAMMING HER HANDS DOWN ONTO THE CANVAS TO HYPE HERSELF UP!! THIS MAY BE IT!
(And that same smirk on Saori quickly fades away.)
Stew-O: Daniella is up! She forces Cosmo up! He shows no restraint as she grabs his arms and lifts him up into the air..! ‘SOUTH OF HEAVEN’!!
Jake Mercer: Pumphandle slam sends him down, and Money Mo might be bankrupt! Daniella pins him with all of her might!
Referee: ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
…
Referee: TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
…
Referee: THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!
(DING! DING! DING!)
(‘Vortex’ by Jinjer plays. Daniella sits up, grabbing the back of her head in pain, but the referee takes hold of her free arm and raises it, declaring her the winner!)
Stephie Love: Here is YOUR winner… ‘The Black Flame’, DAAAANIIIIIEEEELLAAAAAA AAAAAAAATLLLAAAAAAAAAAAAS!!!
Stew-O: An impressive win after an impressive match here tonight on Dynasty! Daniella Atlas pulled through in the end to pick up some steam as we get closer to Pain for Pride! Cosmo put up a fight and even landed an insane counter that almost paved the way for him to nab the win for himself, but Daniella wanted it more, and she proved that. Congratulations to her!
Jake Mercer: For sure. A—
(Saori scoffs and shakes her head as she gets up. She leaves the ringside area, glaring daggers at Daniella. Daniella could sense her and the feeling, of course, was mutual. She snarls at her, but Saori fans her off. Some words are exchanged, but the camera can’t pick up on the bit of jaw-jacking from the two.)
Flannery McCoy: Yeah, things are never going to die down between those two. As for Cosmo, we’ll see how he’ll be able to fare before the season ends. It may be disappointing, but with the effort shown, he’ll be able to leave a strong impression in the near future!
(Cosmo is by ringside, clutching his own head, not at all happy with the outcome. The final shot shows Saori walking away, and Daniella watching on as Dynasty fades to commercials.)
(A commercial plays for the NBA, featuring Milli Banks crashing the fuck out after the Knicks’ Game 1 choke job to the Pacers.)
(Fading elsewhere, Michael Belfort stands backstage with a microphone in hand. The camera pans to BRAE, who stands tall, calm, and focused with a quiet intensity behind his eyes.)
Michael Belfort: Hello, EAW universe! I’m Michael Belfort, and with me is a familiar face, who is none other than the current number-one contender for the Interwire Championship: BRAE!
BRAE: And as always, thank you for having me, Michael. One of the few interviewers that doesn’t make me feel as if my brain is going to blister.
Michael Belfort: I just do the best I can with my job. Now, Pain for Pride. The biggest show of the year. You’re on the cusp of another career-defining moment, with a golden opportunity to leave as the Interwire Champion. What’s running through your mind as the lights draw closer?
BRAE: Focus. That’s all I’ve got on my mind. Not the pageantry. Not the pyro. Not the politics. Just the fight. This business is already bloated with people who want to talk their way into a legacy, but me? I carve mine with every win earned and every opportunity I make due on.
Michael Belfort: You certainly do seem calm about the whole thing, especially since this is your second Pain for Pride match. Then again, when you won your first one last year by toppling the phenom Michael Machina who is the longest-reigning New Breed champion of all time, I suppose pressure doesn’t rattle you like it does most.
BRAE: Oh, I still feel it, certainly. However, I don’t treat it as something that has to be dreaded. To me, pressure is a tool. You either use it to sharpen yourself… or you let it fold you, and when you allow for that to consume your mind, it becomes your enemy—
???: Bro shut up about that Jedi nonsense, damn.
(BRAE’s demeanor instantly shifts as he rolls his eyes. Turning his attention to the left of him, he sees that Chris Elite has arrived, Interwire title on his shoulder.)
BRAE: May I help you?
Chris Elite: Yeah, you can help me by shutting the hell up and quitting the monk routine. Every time you talk, it’s like listening to one of them corny Instagram motivational reels, and I’m supposed to believe that’s the guy I’m defending my title against? Miss me with that “pressure is a tool” Jedi Knight energy.
(BRAE slowly tilts his head, unimpressed. His tone stays calm, but there’s a blade behind his words now.)
BRAE: You’d prefer I scream into the mic and play the same tired song everyone else does? Or be like you and promise that things will change until you somehow luck your way into a title match that’s convenient for you?
(That makes Chris frown.)
Chris Elite: Luck? LUCK!? How was I lucky? I picked my shot and called it, and guess what? It paid off. I’m a grand slam champion, just when people wanted to be funny and write me off as some washed hall of famer who should’ve quit, but maybe if you were smart like me, the roles would be reversed by now… NOT!
BRAE: Someone sure seems a touch bothered. Your insecurities are showing, Chris. If what I say didn’t rattle something in you, you wouldn’t be standing here right now ready to try and be the loudest dog in the room.
(BRAE smirks.)
BRAE: But I suppose in your case? It’d be more akin to being the biggest bitch here.
(Chris is shocked. Even Michael’s mouth parts open. However, Chris… smiles. He chuckles. Nods his head.)
Chris Elite: Okay man, okay…
(SMACK!!)
(Chris SLAPS BRAE across the face—hard enough to echo down the hallway! Michael instantly recoils in shock, stumbling backward out of frame as chaos begins to boil over! In an instant, BRAE explodes forward, driving Chris back into the wall with a violent double-leg takedown! The Interwire Title clatters to the floor as fists fly; stiff shots are being thrown all around! Chris scrambles, throwing elbows to break free, but BRAE is all over him, unloading a barrage of punches to his ribs and shoulders!)
???: Hey! HEY! Both of you, cut it OUT!
(Officials and security sprint into frame, desperately trying to pull the two men apart! Chris shoves one guard aside and lunges at BRAE again, catching him with a forearm across the face before being yanked back by two producers. BRAE fires back with a wild boot that nearly connects before being restrained by three security members of his own. From there, the camera fades away from the chaotic scene as Chris and BRAE are being held apart from one another…)
Stew-O: Wow! That escalated quickly! Chris thought he could talk some trash, but BRAE showed he wasn’t having any of it!
Jake Mercer: Oh, boy. Fireworks are going to pop off at Pain for Pride, that’s for sure!
Flannery McCoy: Definitely heightening things, but speaking of Pain for Pride, let’s go ahead and take a special look at the Cash in the Vault match, showcasing our own in Hans Grayson and Kirk Redwood!
(The video begins with Hans Grayson dethroning Drake Armstrong at Pain for Pride 17 and winning the Interwire Championship. The roaring of the crowd is heard as Hans is seen raising the Interwire Championship high above his head. Then, it pans to Hans in the confessional.)
Hans Grayson: At the two previous Pain for Prides I’ve competed in, I have walked out with championship gold. At Pain for Pride 16, it was the New Breed Championship. At Pain for Pride 17, it was the Interwire Championship. Now, I am looking to keep this undefeated streak going for myself by stepping into Cash in the Vault and walking out with a briefcase that has created so many World Champions. From Donovan Duke to Myles to Jake Smith, it’s had a huge success rate. You win the briefcase, you have control of your destiny. You can decide when and where you can cash in the briefcase. One of the things that makes this a highly-looked after match for Pain for Pride. This is exciting for me because this is going to be my first time competing in the match. For the past couple of years, I have watched the match from the back. I’ve seen Elitists put their bodies on the line, risking it all to retrieve that briefcase. All for the sake of calling themselves a World Champion in the future. Of course, I want to add my name to the list. I am willing to do anything that it takes to make sure that I’m the only man standing on top of the ladder and getting my hands on the briefcase.
(The video continues with Hans Grayson’s reign as Interwire Champion. We see Hans’ four month Interwire Championship reign. We see clips of his title defenses against the likes of Shinzo Sasaki, Kirk Redwood and Chris Elite.)
Hans Grayson: This season began great for me. I won the Interwire Championship. I am extremely grateful that I was able to hold a championship that has catapulted a lot of the Elitists into the World Championship picture. The most recent example was Jay Jerry Johnson, who faced Cy Henderson at Fighting Spirit. I was hoping to keep that Interwire Championship a bit longer, but hit a roadblock at Super Dynasty back in October.
(A small clip of Hans Grayson versus Vincent Mondrian at Super Dynasty begins to play on the screen. It would surprisingly lead to Vincent winning the Interwire Championship from Hans. It shows Vincent celebrating with the title and Hans looking a combination of surprise and disappointment at the loss.)
Hans Grayson: I’m not going to lie, but the loss to Vincent Mondrian caught me off guard. I was so confident that Vincent was going to be another roadblock that I was able to overcome, but Impact would use it as an opportunity to screw me out of the title. Once reality had set in and I was no longer Interwire Champion, I had to accept it. I had to pick myself up and move forward. I didn’t let that stop me from progressing up the ranks on the Dynasty roster. I knew that I needed to continue my rise to the World Championship. I’m not going to lie and say that the post-Interwire Championship has been the greatest for me. I’ve experienced a couple of tough losses on my part. Couldn’t win the Extreme Elimination Chamber. Couldn’t win Iron Survivor at Operation: Doomsday. I couldn’t win against Brian Daniels.
(Then, the video progresses as it shows some of Hans Grayson’s brightest moments in various matches such as the Iron Survivor Challenge, Extreme Elimination Chamber and his match against Brian Daniels at Grand Rampage.)
Hans Grayson: All of these losses that I’ve accumulated over the past season and yet, I refuse to let it deter me. I can’t stop. I won’t stop. Becoming World Champion is something that I am still looking to accomplish. I’m already a former New Breed Champion and Interwire Champion; becoming Mr. Cash in the Vault sounds fitting to me. No, it’s not an ego thing. I’ve worked hard for everything that I have been able to accomplish and that’s why Cash in the Vault is so fascinating to me. It’s emblematic of my steady climb to the top of EAW and I absolutely believe that when I reach it, I am going to be the absolute best with a guaranteed World Championship shot.
(The final shot is of Hans Grayson with his hand raised after a match with a smirk on his face.)
…
(The video begins with Kirk Redwood at Pain for Pride 17, where he was able to defeat two former World Champions in Terry Chambers and Scott Diamond. The surprise and shock of the crowd are seen all around as Kirk has his arm raised in victory. Then, it pans to Kirk in the confessional.)
Kirk Redwood: Despite all the odds against me, I brought Scott Diamond down to his knees with ‘Anti-Tank Bullet’ and back to the retirement home. I sent Terry Chambers back to the hole that he crawled out of. No sledgehammer or steel chair was enough to bring me down. I was aware of what everyone had to say. People had to give their two cents on the matter. People had to address their shock and surprise. I knew what was up even before all of that. It’s been like that my entire life. I knew that the odds were always going to be against me. That there’s always going to be doubt surrounding me. It’s the same thing going into this match. I know that I am going to be the dark horse in the field, but I don’t care. The doubt is something that I’m used to, but I’ve used it as fuel to spite every conniving fucker who thought that I wasn’t going to get far and here I am.
(The video continues with Kirk Redwood’s season on the Dynasty brand. His matches with Chris Elite and Drake Armstrong. We also see clips of him going after championships—the Interwire Championship at Territorial Invasion. A similar clip to what was seen in Hans Grayson’s video. We also see him entertain the idea of becoming World Heavyweight Champion by competing in the ‘Iron Survivor Challenge’ at Operation: Doomsday and the Grand Rampage match.)
Kirk Redwood: I’ve had my first opportunities at being a World Champion this season. That’s a lot further than anyone would have thought. I competed in Iron Survivor. I competed in Grand Rampage. Sounds pretty fucking good for this ex-convict alcoholic who was dropped by his former tag team partner, huh? I entertained the possibility of winning my first singles championship. And, I’m not going to lie, seeing Solomon Stane win the Hardcore Championship back on Voltage has made that need to get that singles championship stronger. I will not stop until that happens. I realize the magnitude of this match. This match could completely change my entire life. Not just for my life, but for my girlfriend and little girl. Something that we’ve talked about for the longest time. Something that I have promised those two since I first came into Elite Answers Wrestling. For the longest time, I have been a loaded gun. I had no target. I just shot at anyone who came at me. At some point, it becomes dull. It becomes dull with having no sense of purpose. It becomes dull with having no goals to where you want the bullets to land. This season, something has completely changed. I have a goal. I have something to kill for. I have a reason to fire those bullets.
(Clips play some of the brightest moments in Kirk Redwood’s matches against the likes of Chris Elite, Drake Armstrong and Hans Grayson. With some of the clips, it demonstrates Kirk’s evolution from not having any particular goal to finding a goal and sticking with it. It displays his mean (or meaner) streak out in the open.)
Kirk Redwood: This is my match. This is my victory. This is my story. I have been waiting for a long fucking time to end this story and it doesn’t end until I become World Champion. In the meantime, I can’t wait to make everyone else miserable by forcing them to see the literal antithesis of what an Elitist should stand high on the proverbial mountaintop. I’m going to win and while pretty boy Hans, with the dashing smile and the typical force charisma, can have fun being a rep…
(It pans to studio shots of Hans Grayson being the pretty white boy that he is. His curly blonde locks. His dashing smile. His toned body. Beautiful blue eyes. All the charm that would make any woman or man fold. It goes back to Kirk Redwood in the confessional.)
Kirk Redwood: …I am going to have fun with being a winner.
(The video ends with a Kirk Redwood studio shot, looking as intense and intimidating as he possibly can.)
Stephie Love: Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is scheduled for ONE FALL!
Crowd: ONE FALL!
(‘Burn in My Light’ by Mercy Drive hits the PA speakers and Kai Rabeaux sways out from the back with a cocky demeanor. He trudges down the ramp, allowing the fans to take a moment to bask in the glory that he brings. Kai takes his time headed into the ring, climbing the middle rope and throwing his arms out forward to pose.)
Stephie Love: Introducing first, from New York City, New York, weighing in at 230 pounds, “THE FORERUNNER” KKKKAAAIIIII! RRRAABBBEEAAAUUUXXXXX!!!
Flannery McCoy: Kai Rabeaux was unable to make himself the number one contender to the Interwire Championship at Pain For Pride—but he has very little to be upset about, considering he wasn’t the one pinned. This is a clear cut chance to redeem Super Dynasty.
Stew-O: However, losses like that can still get in your head. How happy is Kai about losing? Not happy at all. Hopefully he can use that to fuel him, rather than allowing it to break him.
(Betty (Get Money)!’ by Yung Gravy begins playing and it immediately prompts nothing but boos from the crowd, as Clayton Golde charges out with his paid valet and gold smoke filling the stage. Golde berates the booing fans, and makes his way down to the ring.)
Stephie Love: His opponent, from An Undisclosed Location in Romania, weighing in at 210 pounds… He is “THE GOSPEL” CLAYTTTOOONNN! GOOOLLLDDDEEEEEE!!
Stew-O: Despite some recent shortcomings, like failing to mark his ticket for Pain For Pride by winning that fatal four way at Super Dynasty, Clayton Golde remains a reliable name and a tough opponent for anyone that comes his way.
Jake Mercer: That’s precisely what he’s here to do for the uprising Kai Rabeaux tonight, be an obstacle that he can’t climb over. Clayton wants to remain successful, and to do so, he’s going to need to tap into his experience and instincts to get there.
(DING DING DING!)
Stew-O: Rabeaux and Golde wasting no time pacing around the ring, trying to get a feel for each other. A tight collar & elbow tie-up from both men as they jockey for position. Clayton swings behind into a headlock, but Kai wraps his hands around his waist and brings him to the ropes. He tries to shoot him off across the ring, but Clayton skids to the center of the ring, still locking the headlock in. Golde slowly brings Rabeaux down to a knee, wrenching it in with all of his might. Kai rises to his feet with Clayton, and deadlifts him up into a back suplex–
Jake Mercer: Only for Clayton to backflip behind Rabeaux, landing on his feet! Kai has no idea initially, but he gets the memo when Clayton applies another side headlock and this time with a headlock takeover! A strong showcase from Golde right now, who definitely has a lot to prove. But Kai snaps him down into a headscissors! Clayton grits his teeth, slowly rolling around on the canvas. He wraps his arms around the legs of Rabeaux and flips into a jackknife pinfall—no! Rabeaux wraps his arms around the waist and slowly bridges them up, twisting around for what may be a backslide!
Stew-O: As he begins to power Golde down, it doesn’t last very long as Clayton flips over his back and once again gets that headlock in! Rabeaux is struggling to just get out of a routine headlock and it may be a long night for him as a result. However, Kai brings him off to the ropes and sends him off! He finally snaps free and as Golde bounces off, Rabeaux with a big time shoulder block! Kai hits off the ropes to captialize, but Clayton rolls in an attempt to trip him … and Kai drops down into a grounded headlock!
Flannery McCoy: He’s turned this match around in his favor! Clayton slaps the mat, shaking his head. Kai pulls back on the neck, really trying to take Clayton out of it. Both of these men have had some really aggressive and vicious headlocks—it’s not the fact that this is a routine move but they are genuinely trying to rip each other’s head off and prove a point to anyone watching right now. Pain For Pride is on the horizon and both men need to show what they’re made of before it’s too late…
Jake Mercer: And Rabeaux has tons of aggression to be working with right now! Clayton slowly rises, reaching up for Rabeaux’s head… it’s a good thing Kai has no hair—because that’s a go-to reversal for Clayton. He moves his hands closer to the face of Kai, AND HE CLAWS AT HIS EYES! Kai yells out in agony, releasing the hold as Clayton quickly grabs his head and twists him around, spinning into a neckbreaker that drops him right on the canvas! The referee reprimands Clayton for his actions, but it’s extremely apparent that he doesn’t care about what the referee feels as long as he gets ahead in this match!
Referee: (off-mic) Watch the eyes, Clayton!
Clayton Golde: (off-mic) Tell him to keep his face away from my fingers!
Flannery McCoy: Clayton slowly rises to his feet and as Kai nurses at his neck, he adds insult to injury with a big knee drop to the side of his neck. Kai gets hit hard there and he holds at his neck once again, slapping the canvas. Clayton rises to his feet and steps back, dropping into ANOTHER knee drop to the side of the neck! Kai sits up, holding at the neck, and now Clayton with another headlock! This time in seated position, and once again, he is doing everything in his power to truly twist this match into his favor and so far it’s been working! Kai reaches out for the ropes, gasping out in pain.
Stew-O: He wants to punish Rabeaux and to his credit, he’s been doing a good job so far. Kai slowly mounts his way up to his feet, sending an axe handle into the gut of Golde! Another axe handle! And Clayton is beginning to release! Kai runs backwards, sending them both backfirst into the turnbuckles! Clayton releases the hold and both stagger out of the corner. Clayton comes towards Kai, who scoops him up for a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker! Clayton is holding at his back in deep pain right now and Kai drops forward, hooking the leg for the pinfall! This may be it!
OOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEE—
Jake Mercer: NO! Golde kicks out! Kai shakes his head. He rises to his feet and drags Clayton up with him. He nails him with a big knife edge chop to the chest, then he takes the wrist and swings underneath, scooping him up for a back suplex right in the center of the ring! Kai sits up, dusting his hands off. He rolls over and rises to his feet, pulling Clayton up. The work’s not finished for him just yet, as he now grabs him into a front facelock and sets him up for a snap suplex in the center of the ring, but Clayton stalls it! Clayton sends a punch to the body, and then another one! He takes the arm of Kai and twirls underneath, hooking his arm around the neck for a russian legsweep, but Kai drops down, sending Clayton over his shoulder!
Stew-O: Clayton stumbles into the turnbuckles and Kai rushes forward, looking for that ‘HOLLOW POINT’ KICK TO THE JAW! Clayton ducks though, and Kai gets caught up on the top rope! Clayton takes advantage and places his hands onto the shoulders of Kai, bringing him off with a rope hung backstabber! Kai bounces off the knees of Clayton, falling backwards onto his face! Clayton sees an opportunity and he quickly rolls out to the apron. Rabeaux is still laid out on the canvas and the referee is checking on him, I mean, that was an absolutely unforgiving landing! His back and neck have to be killing him!
Flannery McCoy: I’m sure that they are. But meanwhile, Golde is preparing himself on the apron. He slowly makes his way to the turnbuckles and climbs the bottom rope, then the middle rope, and now he’s all the way up top! Kai is still flat on his face and Clayton steadies himself, looking around to the booing crowd. He places a finger on his mouth, doing his best to shush them so he can focus himself, and HE DIVES OFF THE TOP ROPE WITH A BEAUTIFULLY EXECUTED 450 LEGDROP TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD! RIGHT ON THE NECK WHICH HE’S BEEN TARGETING! Kai’s body twitches! He’s completely out of it, and Clayton nudges him onto his back with his head, hooking the legs for the cover!
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!
TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO—
Stew-O: But it’s still not enough! Rabeaux finds a way to jolt his shoulder up in the air before the count of three! Clayton thought he had it won there and he even looks at the referee in confusion, but the referee maintains that was just a two count! Clayton slaps the mat, shaking his head. Kai is still down on the canvas, trying his hardest to recover, but I’m not sure how you can even do such a thing when Golde is coming down at that speed on the back of your head. Clayton slowly drags Kai up, but Kai collapses back down to the ground. Clayton looks down at him and laughs, looking around at the crowd.
Clayton Golde: (off-mic) This is who they think is next up?! Are you fucking kidding me???
Jake Mercer: Clayton getting ahead of himself right now. The match is in his favor but he still needs to compose himself. He contemplates pulling Kai back up, but instead he leaves the ring and heads to the corner. Clayton slowly makes his way up to the turnbuckle, and he wants to go for it again! And considering Kai is laid out on the canvas, he has all the time in the world to pull it off and wrap this one up! I just hope he doesn’t take too long though… Clayton is enjoying relishing in the crowd’s dislike for him, but here he is! OFF THE TOP FOR A SECOND—
Flannery McCoy: KAI SHOOTS UP TO HIS FEET AND HE SHAKES THE ROPES! CLAYTON LOSES HIS BALANCE AND FALLS TO A CROUCHED POSITION ON THE TURNBUCKLE! Clayton holds at his groin in agony, meanwhile Kai is rubbing the back of his neck, trying to endure the pain. He nails Golde with an elbow to the jaw! Kai then climbs the middle rope and starts clobbering Clayton’s back! He grabs him in a front facelock and slowly, but surely, begins to move his way up to the top rope. Repeated punches to the body by Clayton, though! He’s trying to do everything in his power to shove Kai back down to the ground!
Stew-O: But Kai is bringing Clayton up to his feet along with him! That front facelock is still in tight! AND HE HOISTS HIM UP HIGH IN THE AIR! CLAYTON IS DESPERATELY FLAILING HIS LEGS AND TRYING TO GET FREE! Look at the power of Rabeaux, doing this despite the bad neck… and he finally brings him down to the canvas with a massive SUPERPLEX! The entire ring shook off the impact of both men hitting the ground, and now all Rabeaux has to do is move over and make the cover—but no! He’s not done there!
Jake Mercer: Kai slowly pulls himself up to his feet, his neck killing him! He drags Clayton up and he quickly runs off the ropes! ‘REDLINED!’ THE LARIAT BRINGS GOLDE DOWN TO THE CANVAS! Rabeaux hooks the legs, looking for the victory!
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!
TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
TTTTTTTTTTTHHHHHHHHHHHHHHRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR—
Jake Mercer: CLAYTON BARELY KICKS OUT! That was a very close call and he just broke free at the last second! Kai falls over, slapping the mat. I know that he’s not happy about that! How could anyone be?! He had the victory in his hands, but Golde won’t go down that easily. Kai tries to rise—but he crumbles against the ropes. He’s trying to rush himself back up to his feet, which is a poor idea given the damage done to the neck. He’s still forcing himself to push through all of that pain, and Clayton is laid out. Kai reaches down for him, slowly dragging him up…
Kai Rabeaux: (off-mic) Big mouth, but you can’t always back it up.
Stew-O: Kai shoves Clayton backwards, and he bounces off the ropes for the ‘BLADE OF BABYLON’–NO! Clayton ducks under and elbows the back of Kai’s neck! Kai falls to his knees and Clayton hooks the head from an inverted position, slowly bringing him up! HE LEAPS IN THE AIR! ‘C’EST LA VIE!’ NO! KAI SLIPS FREE AND CLAYTON FALLS INTO A SEATED POSITION! RIGHT ON THAT SPINE! Kai quickly runs the ropes, wasting no time!
Flannery McCoy: AND THE ‘BLADE OF BABYLON’ CONNECTS THIS TIME! ELBOW RIGHT TO THE JAW! AND GOLDE IS KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS! Kai slowly positions himself, hooking the leg and planting the shoulders down to the canvas as the referee slides to the count!
OOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!
TTTTTTTTTTTTTTWWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
TTTTTTTTTTTHHHHHHHHHHHHHHRRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!
(DING DING DING!)
Stephie Love: Here is your winner of this match, KKAAAIIIII!! RAABBBEAAAUUUXXXXX!!!
(Kai rolls off of Clayton, clutching the back of his neck. The referee helps him up to his feet and takes his arm, raising it up. Kai slaps his arm away from the ref and looks down at Clayton, wanting to stand tall on his own. Kai says something to Clayton that can’t be picked up, but it’s clear his point has been made.)
Stew-O: Despite Clayton’s best efforts, it’s clear that Kai is on the rise here on Dynasty and that’s yet another victory to get him on track.
Jake Mercer: We’ve been monitoring the rise of Rabeaux closely these last couple of months and he continues to pass with flying colors. Tough luck for Clayton, but it happens.
Flannery McCoy: That’s one way to describe it. We’re not going to hear the end of this for weeks! Nothing but the best of luck to both men as we near Pain For Pride, though…
(A commercial plays for Saturday Night Showdown!)
(The Friday Night Dynasty video feed shifted over to a wide-shot of the audience before ‘I2I’ by Magnolia Park began blaring through the speakers to a loud reaction as Fire and Ice’s entrance video lit up the titantron; Raven Roberts and Rex McAllister marched out from behind the stage curtains with an upset expression on both of their faces. They began storming their way down the ramp towards the ring.)
Stephie Love: Please welcome at this time… FIRE! AND! ICE!
Stew-O: We’ve been waiting to see what these two were going to say after the controversial events that took place at Fighting Spirit!
Flannery McCoy: When it looked like victory and the tag team championships were just one move away for the legendary duo, ready to take down British Invasion and get the tag titles right before Pain for Pride, Jon Kelton shocked the world by interfering in their match and actually WINNING them the match… by disqualification!
Jake Mercer: It doesn’t take a genius to see what Kelton was looking to accomplish, considering he made it so that his girlfriend could continue reigning as the tag team champion and march into the biggest show of the year with the gold around her waist!
Stew-O: British Invasion certainly looked conflicted at how the match ended, but nobody can take back what happened; Fire and Ice already got some payback later the same night when they cost Kelton – and Bronson, by extension – the opportunity to main event Pain for Pride for the Answers World Championship! Now it’s time to see what they have to say!
(Rex and Raven stepped into the ring through the ropes and received microphones from the ringside staff before they began to speak their minds.)
Raven Roberts: Is anybody here surprised by how the fatal four way for the Answers World Championship opportunity turned out after what happened with OUR match? Let’s cut through all the bullshit and call the finish of that match what it was: payback. We simply gave Elysium a receipt for what Jon Kelton did to us; didn’t wait months, didn’t wait weeks, we saw the opportunity in that very show and took it.
Rex McAllister: See, I do my best to always keep a cool and level head, and I know how hard that can be when you’re in a profession like this where wrestlers act out and get involved with matters that they had no business interfering in… but what happened with our tag team match was absolutely stupid, and it has me completely pissed off. This close to Pain for Pride? Are you serious?
Raven Roberts: They know. EVERYONE knows how hard we’ve been working to get our heads back into the game and show this generation exactly why Fire and Ice was so feared during our first run in the first place. We’re both legends in our own right, and when we fight together with the type of synergy that we have, we’re unstoppable. And we WERE unstoppable! British Invasion was ten seconds away from losing the EAW Unified Tag Team Championships to us, and WE were ten seconds away from walking into Pain for Pride as the reigning and defending champions! But NO! Because of JON KELTON!
Rex McAllister: At the end of the day, we did WIN the match… but what’s the point of a tag team championship match if you win and still don’t have any gold to show for it?! We did what we set out to do when we reunited the team; we went through the grind, we beat everyone that we needed to beat, but all of that hard work and honest effort went to waste. WHY?
Raven Roberts: Because of some dumbass soap opera bullshit that’s been going on over in Showdown? Let me spell it out for you: we don’t give a FUCK about who is who’s girlfriend. We don’t CARE about it. Why are we getting screwed over because of relationship drama happening in another brand? How the hell did they think that was GOING to end up for them? Screw us over in the biggest opportunity we’ve had all year, and then they could just waltz on to their match and do their best to achieve their dreams after they ruined ours?!
Rex McAllister: And look, I GET the notion of a man doing anything he can for his beloved. But if Jon Kelton wanted to protect Pandora’s reign so damn bad, he could just team up with her! The last thing that WE would ever do is cheat somebody else out of a hard-fought win, but you know what they say… turnabout is fair play. Jon Kelton proved that he’s just as awful as he was when he was going around calling himself the “Devil” and trying to look like the big bad around here.
Raven Roberts: But he’s not, Rex; all he proved is that he’s just a snot-faced brat that screwed everything up for himself AND for his “brother”. It sucks for Bronson Daniels that he ended up choosing Kelton over success, but when you team up with a dumbass like that, you’re going to end up getting caught in the crossfire of HIS consequences. Kelton asked for it when he screwed us over, and we just gave him exactly what he asked for.
Rex McAllister: One last thing… if anybody thinks that we’re going to give up after what happened at Fighting Spirit? If anybody thinks that we’re just going to let the tag titles stay where they are? Then you don’t know what Fire and Ice stands for. The fact of the matter is that we still WON that match, we still BEAT the tag team champions, and in a just world, we would have that gold around our waists at this very moment.
Raven Roberts: We aren’t going to let it end like this. We’re not going to end this season without becoming tag team champions. We don’t care what British Invasion or Elysium have to say about it, because when Fire and Ice set our sights on something… we stop at nothing until we get it.
(‘I2I’ by Magnolia Park began blaring through the speakers again as Fire and Ice said those parting words.)
Stew-O: Some strong words by Fire and Ice there and some very justified anger by both of them; it looks like Fire and Ice aren’t ready to let go of their tag team championship dreams just yet… what does this say about the titles at Pain for Pride?
Flannery McCoy: We’ll just have to wait and see the aftermath of this declaration! British Invasion and Elysium are both sure to be listening, and it’s only a matter of time before this entire situation blows up!
(The video feed lingered on Fire and Ice after their speech before fading to black.)
(Friday Night Dynasty returns to show the backstage area of the Stade Louis II as the camera focuses on Dynasty Backstage Correspondent Michael Belfort, who is seen standing by with a microphone in his hand and a smile on his face. He takes a moment to let the shot pan in and the crowd settle down before beginning to speak.)
Michael Belfort: Welcome back, and what a Friday Night Dynasty it’s been so far! We are just moments away from our main event of the night featuring Jay Jerry Johnson and Brian Daniels, but right now, please welcome my guest at this time… he is the King of Elite, Drake Armstrong!
(The camera pans over as Drake Armstrong is seen making his way into the scene. He’s dressed in a two-piece suit with the King of Elite crown over his head and a smirk on his face as he looks over at Michael, who continues to speak.)
Michael Belfort: Drake, thank you for joining me.
Drake Armstrong: It’s a privilege to interview the King of Elite, so I assume you have come with your best questions.
Michael Belfort: Well, I’ll certainly try!
(Drake looks at him with disgust, shaking his head, but regardless, lets him continue.)
Michael Belfort: It was a fantastic Fighting Spirit Marquee Event last week with some great matches from all three brands. Now I know that you weren’t on the card, but is there anything that you’ve kept your eye on, maybe as Pain For Pride grows near?
Drake Armstrong: Kept my eye on? Don’t be ridiculous, Michael, do you believe that with my busy schedule and at the fast rate that the Armstrong Dynasty empire continues to grow, that I would take the time to watch Fighting Spirit if I were not on it? In case you care to ask, I have kept myself quite busy in the meantime, not being on the card did not mean anything to me, knowing that it was merely an appetizer ahead of the full course, which is Pain For Pride. And you ask if I should be scouting someone to face them there? No, no, they should be watching me, they should be chomping at the bit to challenge me and my greatness, I do not need to keep an eye on peasants that I automatically look down on, thank you very much.
Michael Belfort: Well, do you have your eyes on using the King of Elite opportunity that you gained? Maybe a shot at a World Championship to end the season?
(Drake scoffs, once again shaking his head at such an idiotic question.)
Drake Armstrong: You must be foolish to keep me on a timer, Belfort. I have never felt like I was in a rush to take my ascension to greatness, because I know, regardless of the amount of time that I take, it is still going to end one way, and that is with me holding a World Championship. Now, is going after something like the World Heavyweight Championship preferable for a Pain For Pride match? Maybe. But interjecting myself into something like Cy Henderson versus Joso versus Drake King is stupid of me. If I am to get an opportunity at a World Championship, then I am going to get it in a singles match, where the odds are most in my favor, and I’m not going to be meddled with by any outside forces. Destiny is in my hands, not anyone else’s, and that’s something that you need to recognize before trying to assume such things.
???: Or maybe… You’re scared.
(The crowd inside the arena hears the familiar voice and gives a loud reaction as the camera goes over to show Jay Jerry Johnson as he makes his way into the scene. He smirks as he looks at Drake, who is visibly confused as to why his interview was interrupted.)
Drake Armstrong: Is there any reason as to why you are here?
Jay Jerry Johnson: What’s with all the hostility? You and I are former tag team partners, and we beat Cy Henderson and Brian Daniels together, which in turn, helped me get an opportunity at the World Heavyweight Championship at Fighting Spirit.
Drake Armstrong: Which you ended up losing. What is the point?
Jay Jerry Johnson: The point is that I took that shot, I seized the opportunity when it was right in front of me, while you? You’re using biding your time as an excuse? If you were so confident in yourself, then you would’ve taken the shot immediately, and you would be a World Heavyweight Champion right now. You know what would end the season best? If you capitalized on your earnings and you went even bigger, but instead, here you are, not even knowing what your Pain For Pride trajectory is going to be.
Drake Armstrong: And can’t you say the same for yourself? Don’t you understand that this is a feeble argument for someone like you to make? Someone who never mattered in the first place? You have a match to focus on, so how about you focus on that?
Jay Jerry Johnson: I’m just saying, I’d be careful what I’d say, it certainly would be humiliating if the King of Elite got embarrassed by someone like me. Someone you claim doesn’t mean anything to you in the first place. :troll:
Drake Armstrong: Shoo-
(Drake stops himself as he turns. Brian Daniels is seen making his way toward Gorilla Position through the backstage hallway. He eyes the two of them as he pauses his shadow boxing, specifically looking at Jay.)
Brian Daniels: Not surprised. You’ve got your head focused elsewhere. All this animosity and all you’ve done is prove me right. You’d better back it up in the ring.
Drake Armstrong: All these people in my interview, will you get out?!
Brian Daniels: I’ve got my eye on you, too. You do anything in this match that stops me from beating Jay tonight, then I’ll kick your head in, too.
(Brian continues to make his way through the hallway as Jay looks pissed off at this, shaking his head and storming the opposite direction to cool off. Michael Belfort scoots back into the scene as he looks at Drake, who is visibly annoyed.)
Drake Armstrong: This interview is OVER.
(Drake turns around and storms out of the scene himself as it’s the last shot seen before Friday Night Dynasty then begins to fade to elsewhere.)
(The camera cuts to Stephie Love in the ring.)
Stephie Love: The following main event contest is scheduled for one fall!
Crowd: ONE FALL!
(‘Mayoi Uta [Song of the Lost Star]’ by MyGO!!! can be heard throughout the speakers as Jay Jerry Johnson emerges from the back with the confidence etched across his expression. The audience responds loudly to his arrival as he gives the nod, focused on the match ahead as he heads down the ramp from there.)
Stephie Love: Introducing first! From Chicago, Illinois, weighing in at 223 pounds… JAY JERRYYYYYYYYYY JOHNSON!!!
Stew-O: Jay Jerry Johnson is looking to garner the momentum he needs that will keep him on a steady path with Pain for Pride looming ahead, which has warranted him enough resolve to be focused in an immense match against this EAW Hall of Famer ahead!
Flannery McCoy: He’s got his work cut out for him tonight as his opponent will be looking to make a fierce example out of Jay on his own pursuit toward Pain for Pride, but this will be a test for both elitists as Jay wants to garner all of the victory tonight!
(‘Dragonborn’ by Jeremy Soule can be heard blaring throughout the speakers as the audience reacts loudly for the return of Brian Daniels. Daniels emerges from the back with a smile on his face, gazing outward to the crowd before making his way down the ramp as he’s prepared for the match to come.)
Stephie Love: Introducing his opponent! From New York City, New York, weighing in at 195 pounds… BRIAAAAAAAAAAAN DANIELS!!!
Stew-O: And here we have the multi-time World Champion here in EAW, as Brian Daniels has arrived. Brian Daniels is looking to make a sizable amount of momentum appear here against the two-time Interwire Champion!
Jake Mercer: No doubt that Brian Daniels is looking to have a true battle with Jay Jerry Johnson, who I don’t doubt will be looking to return those sentiments as this match is about to go underway, with Pain for Pride inching closer & closer!
(DING! DING! DING!)
Stew-O: AND WE’RE OFF! The main event of Dynasty has kicked off as Brian Daniels takes on Jay Jerry Johnson in what looks to be a very game match-up between two men who are focused on all of the momentum that they can garner ahead of Pain for Pride! These two men have their sights set onto one another as this is a match that can truly cultivate itself into an immense clash between elitists with all of the skill set in the world! They each emerge from their corners, focused on one another as they pace around the ring while refusing to back away from one another. These two have both been able to have an efficient week of retorts toward each other as their passion was shown through verbal means, but now is time to saddle up & let all of that be heard within these very ropes!
Flannery McCoy: As Daniels is immediately reaching down under!! Johnson is trying to keep himself elevated as he is refusing to keep himself suppressed for too long while Daniels is doing everything that he can to take Jay downward, swiftly dropping Johnson to the mat back first as he;s now has a hold of his foot! Daniels is lifting his foot upward as he has a strong hold over it, trying to contort this ankle while firm on one knee, keeping Johnson from garnering any sizable pursuit while he has this much control for himself early on!
Jake Mercer: However, as Daniels is looking to subvert all of Jay’s control that he can possibly muster by applying an emphatic heel hook–Jay thinks quickly! He sends repeated kicks into the chest of Brian Daniels before he can even have the slightest chance of applying the heel hook that he was just looking for! Now Daniels is trying to bring himself back upward as he does not want to lose sight of Johnson, which can pan out very poorly for himself if he allows Jay any more room to recover. Brian looks to turn his gaze back toward Jay–but Johnson is quick to drop Brian downward onto the mat as he has hold of his legs!!
Stew-O: As Jay is trying to shift Brian Daniels around and into a Boston Crab submission from here!! Exactly how he managed to do so against Daniels from the last time that they faced off in a tag team encounter some weeks ago right here on Dynasty! Jay is trying to turn Brian over to the best of his ability yet Daniels is doing his very best to hold out in spite of Johnson looking to keep flipping him over!!! TILL DANIELS SENDS A KICK OF HIS OWN OVER THE CHEST OF JAY JERRY JOHNSON! The kicks continue to follow suit from here as Jay is being placed under the pressure from Brian Daniels!
Flannery McCoy: Each kick is being nailed directly across the chest of Jay to the point that Johnson has no choice but to let go from here! The referee is keeping a precise watch of the two as they have been focused on one another ever since this match has kicked off!! Johnson is clutching onto his own chest as he is now bringing himself back into proper form before Daniels can retort back, emphasizing his gaze back onto Daniels as he now treads toward him–
Jake Mercer: BUT A SUDDEN KICK ACROSS THE CHEST OF JAY KEEPS HIM AT BAY!! Brian nails that kick with authority as Jay absolutely felt every single bit of that kick from the EAW Hall of Famer! Daniels keeps his eyes set on Johnson and he has a specific look within his gaze, as I don’t doubt for a second that he is encouraging all of the pressure that can possibly be given in this match from Jay Jerry Johnson as well!
Stew-O: With Jay looking toward him and seemingly in agreement–HE SENDS A KICK OF HIS OWN ACROSS THE CHEST OF BRIAN DANIELS!! A rather stiff kick as well, as Daniels is clutching onto his own chest afterwards as that was a kick that could not be masked under any expression of hiding the pain away! Even so, it seems Daniels is welcoming all of this pressure that can be dished out toward him from Jay! Brian now returns back to form, and he doesn’t shy away from SENDING ANOTHER KICK OF HIS OWN ACROSS THE CHEST OF JAY! WITH GREAT EFFECT!
Flannery McCoy: Jay can’t even help but back himself away briefly as he is now shaking his own head, struggling to keep himself upward as strongly as he hoped but still not shying away from the EAW Hall of Famer nonetheless! The two-time Interwire Champion keeps his gaze set on Brian Daniels, with absolutely no intentions of slowing himself down as he is ready to return the favor.. AS A KICK SPRAWLS ACROSS THE CHEST OF BRIAN DANIELS UNDER THE SAME MANNER!
Jake Mercer: Daniels winces a bit as the kick caught him with authority, forcing Daniels to back away a bit while maintaining all of his stance as this looks to continue–AS DANIELS SENDS A STRONG KICK OF HIS OWN ACROSS HIS CHEST!! Jay keeps himself standing as he is shaking his head vigorously, refusing to be put down here as this is the pressure that he is specifically asking for against an elitist of Daniels’ very caliber!
Stew-O: AS HE RETURNS WITH A KICK OF HIS OWN!! DANIELS DOES THE SAME!! JAY JERRY JOHNSON WITH ANOTHER!! EACH MAN IS GOING BACK & FORTH WITH THESE KICKS AS THEIR CHESTS ARE SWELLING UP CONSIDERABLY!!! Daniels sends a fierce kick that causes Johnson to soon back away into the ropes, rebounding forward as Daniels is now aiming for a kick WHICH MAY LAND ACROSS HIS TEMPLE–
Flannery McCoy: TILL JAY CATCHES THE LEG OF DANIELS DURING HIS ATTEMPT–AND NAILS A DRAGON SCREW THAT TWISTS DANIELS’ RIGHT LEG DOWNWARD INTO THE CANVAS!!! Daniels is immediately clutching onto his own right leg as that dragon screw was enough to send all of the pain shooting directly through his leg! Jay is now bringing himself upward, and he sees that there is an immense opportunity here as Brian has been exposed with a vulnerable leg! Johnson is rushing himself over as he is now taking immediate hold of his right leg!
Jake Mercer: AS HE SETS BRIAN’S FOOT ONTO THE BOTTOM ROPE–BEFORE STOMPING REPEATEDLY!!! Each stomp imposing far more pressure onto his leg than the last!!! Brian is trying to ward off all of this pressure to the best of his own ability but this is becoming a greater struggle with as far as the two-time Interwire Champion is willing to go! The referee is counting down as Jay continues to mount this offense while he can, only stopping himself just before the count of five as he has found a crucial opening in this match! Johnson is now dragging Daniels over to the middle of the ring as his intentions are clear as day!
Stew-O: AS HE TURNS DANIELS OVER FOR THE SINGLE-LEG BOSTON CRAB!!! ALL OF THE PRESSURE ONTO THE BAD LEG HERE! Brian is grimacing in pain as this is all causing him enough trouble to have the referee quickly asking if he can continue! But Daniels is shaking his own head repeatedly as he refuses to allow Jay to beat him in this manner! Brian is trying his best to scout around and see if there is any other route to go! Daniels continues to shake his own head vigorously as he begins to make the crawl! He is dragging his own bodyweight alongside Jay Jerry Johnson as well!!! Jay is shaking his own head here as Brian is moving closer toward the ropes!
Flannery McCoy: But now Jay is trying to drag Daniels back over, and he turns right around in order to do so as Daniels is forced to turn himself around as well–IN ORDER TO SEND REPEATED KICKS ACROSS THE JAW OF JOHNSON!!! Brian is kicking away as he is refusing to allow any room for Johnson to continue applying all of his own offense as Jay is forced to let go! The referee keeps an eye on Daniels while he is rising upward, with Johnson shaking himself off from the kicks that Brian just sent his way! Johnson rushes himself toward Brian as he looks for a boot–
Jake Mercer: SPINNING BACK FIST FROM BRIAN DANIELS DROPS JAY JERRY JOHNSON WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT! Johnson stumbles back and against the mat as Daniels now drops to a knee, ensuring that the pressure is not applied to his right leg as he is nodding to himself emphatically! Daniels is now looking to bring himself over to Jay before he can get himself back up to his own two feet! He remains behind Johnson as his opponent is in this seated position, trapping his leg over Johnson’s arm as he’s looking to keep him at bay!
Stew-O: WITH EACH ELBOW LANDING FLUSH OVER THE SHOULDER OF JAY! ELBOW AFTER ELBOW APPLYING THE PRESSURE AS THIS IS A STRUGGLE FOR JOHNSON!! Daniels is making sure that he is getting ample return through each elbow, refusing to slow down for a single second as this is panning out for the worse for Johnson! Jay is finding himself in all of the trouble that can possibly be provided here as there has been no visible attempt at another retort! Daniels is now looking to shift Johnson around and into an even worse manner as well–
Flannery McCoy: AS WE SEE THE FUJIWARA ARMBAR APPLIED BY DANIELSON!!! Jay is feeling the agony here after being nailed directly into the shoulder repeatedly with how Daniels has now left Johnson extremely vulnerable to the pressure here! Johnson is struggling immensely, trying to reach his own arm toward the rope to the best of his own ability but this is becoming tougher to manage with how Daniels is wrenching his arm back further! Brian is nodding to himself as the referee is keeping a precise watch of Jay, as Johnson may be moments away from giving in to the submission!!
Jake Mercer: ‘TILL JAY PROCEEDS TO SHIFT HIS BODYWEIGHT OVER AND SEND DANIELSON INTO A PIN ATTEMPT!!! HIS SHOULDERS ARE DOWN AS WE ARE THIS DEEP INTO THE MATCH WITH THE REFEREE NOW COUNTING AWAY ON THE PIN FROM JOHNSON!
ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!
TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
THR–
Stew-O: DANIELS ESCAPES THE PIN!!! But Jay keeps a hold of his leg as he sends a DOWNWARD ELBOW onto the knee!!! The right knee taking all of the brunt force that comes with being applied constant pressure as Johnson acts upon the maneuver accordingly! Danielson tries to reach over to stop Johnson from applying any further damage toward the right leg–BUT JAY IS SHIFTING THIS MATCH INTO ANOTHER GEAR!
Flannery McCoy: AS WE SEE THE MODIFIED GORILLA CLUTCH FROM JAY JERRY JOHNSON!!! A brutal submission is being applied as Jay is wrenching all of the weight over the back of Brian Daniels while contorting his worsened leg in unison! Johnson is keeping this submission locked in for about as long as he possibly can without slowing himself down for a second! Daniels is trying to escape from this submission to the very best of his own ability but this becoming all the more tiring for Daniels to get himself out of!
Jake Mercer: BUT LOOK! DANIELS IS TRYING TO MAKE THE CRAWL!! Brian Daniels is crawling in spite of the pressure that he is going through as Jay is trying to lock the submission with greater reach! Now Johnson is emerging upward into a stance, trying to drag Brian away from any side and toward the middle of the ring with as much wherewithal that he can muster here–TILL DANIELS SHIFTS HIS WEIGHT TO ROLL THROUGH AND CAUSE JAY TO BE BOLSTERED THROUGH THE ROPES!! HE CRASHES ONTO THE RINGSIDE FLOOR AS WELL!
Stew-O: JAY COLLAPSES ONTO THE FLOOR! This is immense for Brian Daniels as he’s able to create that separation between himself and Jay as this match continues to set that standard of who can suppress the other!! Brian is bringing himself upward, as he’s looking ahead toward Johnson who is recovering on the outside, but this does not sit well with Daniels! He wants to ensure there is no chance of recovery for Jay as this match continues to rage on! Daniels rushes toward the ropes OPPOSITE OF JAY BEFORE REBOUNDING & BACK TOWARD HIM—
Flannery McCoy: SUICIDE DIVE FROM BRIAN DANIELS ONTO JAY JERRY JOHNSON!!! WOW!!! Johnson is taken back first into the barricade as he’s slumping against the barricade as well!!! Daniels is quickly bringing himself upward, and grabbing a hold of Johnson as he tosses him into the ring before sliding back inside as well! Brian Daniels sees that Jay is rising to his feet, as he looks to take advantage in his own right here BY RUSHING FORWARD TOWARD JOHNSON!!!
Jake Mercer: AS THE RUNNING LEG LARIAT ROCKS JAY IMMENSELY & KNOCKS HIM BACK DOWN ONTO THE CANVAS!!! DANIELS RUSHES TOWARD JAY FOR THE COVER, HOOKING THE LEG AS THE REFEREE COUNTS AWAY!!
ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!
TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
THREE—
Stew-O: NOT ENOUGH!!! JAY IS STILL IN THIS!!!! Johnson is able to keep himself alive in this match as he truly is refusing to keep himself from defeat in this battle against the former multi-time World Heavyweight Champion! Daniels is sitting himself upward, and he’s coming to understand exactly how much fight is left residing within the former Interwire Champion who refuses to face that loss by now! Daniels is rerouting his positioning as he takes hold of Jay’s arm, and HE’S LOOKING TO FINISH THIS MATCH!
Flannery McCoy: AS HE’S LOOKING FOR THE ‘FOURTH SEAL’!!! THE CROSSFACE IS SPRAWLING ALONG BUT JAY IS MAINTAINING ALL OF HIS ENERGY AS HE KEEPS A FOREARM TO BLOCK BRIAN FROM APPLYING THE SUBMISSION!! Daniels is doing everything that he possibly can to make this submission go through but this is becoming difficult to muster up with how Jay is defending himself—
Jake Mercer: AS JAY SHIFTS HIS WEIGHT TO PLACE DANIELS’ SHOULDERS INTO THE MAT AGAIN!!! THE PIN!!!
ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!
TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
THR—
Stew-O: KICK OUT!!! BRIAN DANIELS ROLLS UPWARD TO HIS FEET AT THE NICK OF TIME TO KEEP HIMSELF IN THIS MATCH—
Flannery McCoy: ‘TILL JAY RUSHES FORWARD & SPIKES HIM DOWN WITH ‘SPRECHOR CROSSLINE’!!!!! OVER CROSS DDT SENDS DANIELS INTO THE CANVAS AS JAY IS HOOKING THE LEG HERE TO END THIS MATCH!!!
ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!
TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
THREEEEEEEE—
Jake Mercer: NO! NOT ENOUGH!!! DANIELS DOES NOT GIVE IN! BOTH MEN ARE STAYING IN THIS MATCH AS THEY ARE NOT STAYING DOWN!!! JAY & BRIAN EACH ARE SLOWLY RISING, AS THEY’RE NOW BUTTING HEADS, GRITTING THEIR TEETH AS THEY BEGIN TO MAKE THEIR RISE! THESE TWO ARE NOT WILLING TO LET THIS MATCH END UNTIL—
Stew-O: WHAT THE—DRAKE ARMSTRONG!!! HE JUST LAID OUT BOTH BRIAN DANIELS & JAY JERRY JOHNSON!!! THE REFEREE THROWS OUT THE MATCH!!!
(DING! DING! DING! DING! DING!)
Stephie Love: Ladies and gentlemen, this match has been ruled… A NO CONTEST!!!
Flannery McCoy: BUT WHY??!? NOW DRAKE IS STOMPING DOWN ONTO BRIAN DANIELS WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT HERE!!! HE HAS JUST RUINED THE CULMINATION OF A GREAT MAIN EVENT!
Jake Mercer: AND NOW HE STOMPS DOWN ONTO JAY JERRY JOHNSON! THE STOMPS ARE BEING PLACED INTO JOHNSON AS THE REFEREE IS TRYING TO WARD ARMSTRONG AWAY!!! NOT THE BEST END TO DYNASTY!
(Drake Armstrong stands in his lonesome with Daniels & Johnson’s match ruined by his involvement, as the audience boos loudly while the King of Elite grins to himself.)
Stew-O: ‘FIST OF FURY’!!!! DRAKE ARMSTRONG IS DROPPED BY A KNOCKOUT HOOK AS HE DROPS TO THE CANVAS BY…
Flannery McCoy: IMPACT!!!!! IMPACT IS BACK!!!! IMPACT HAS ARRIVED AND LAID OUT ARMSTRONG!!!
Jake Mercer: WHAT THE HELL IS HE DOING HERE?!? ARMSTRONG IS DROPPED AND IMPACT IS THE ONE STANDING TALL TONIGHT ON DYNASTY!!!!
(The audience blows the roof off of the arena as Impact makes his return, standing above Drake Armstrong as he looks ahead with a small grin on his face. With the scene of the three elitist laid out, as the EAW Hall of Famer stands on his own with the scene fading.)
(A commercial plays for Sunday Night Voltage.)
( “Blood Milk, & Sky” by White Zombie echoes throughout the Stade Louis II. Minerva jerks the curtain, stands on the stage to take in the atmosphere before marching down to the ring, all while keeping a rockhard demeanor. )
Stew-O: It has been a week since we saw what went down between Methuselah and Minerva at Fighting Spirit. Our chairman on the board, was on the cusp of thwarting the Pain for Pride main event for the EAW World Championship by establishing himself as the undisputed challenger, but this was to the chagrin of Minerva.
Flannery McCoy: Minerva gave Methuselah a reminder the only way that he could understand, through blood and suffering. It was a stern reminder that his plans at Barcelona does not include the EAW World Championship, but better yet, a dance with The Black Rose and the entire world of professional wrestling has been in a trance wondering on how we continue from here.
Stew-O: If this continues, then it will only escalate further from here, and I am actually surprised Methuselah is allowing Minerva to even make it to the ring after the way she outstaged him in Rome at Fighting Spirit. But before we see what Minerva has to say, let’s see why we’re here in the first place.
( REPLAY: THIS PAST WEEKEND – Fighting Spirit 2025 ) 9
Methuselah: Whatever they end up doing, though, it will not involve the EAW World Championship, rest assured. What you see is what you get; watch the next match carefully, as will I. As a matter of fact, I will take a seat right at ringside so that I can PERSONALLY have this contract signed the moment after the bell rings.
(Methuselah cackled into the microphone before stepping out of the ring through the ropes and walking down to ringside, where he ordered the bell keeper to unfold a steel chair for him to sit on. The Awakened Sensei sat still as a rock, with murmurs echoing throughout the crowd in confusion… before, suddenly, they started to cheer.)
???: …
(A figure clad in a hoodie rose from behind the barricade on the audience side, looming over Methuselah like a shadow. Suddenly–)
Minerva: (off-mic) You thought you could just say NO?!
Rich Russillo: THE BLACK ROSE JUST AMBUSHED METHUSELAH WITH SATAN’S KISS BEFORE THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH, AND NOW SHE’S GIVING HIM A MAJOR BEATDOWN AS SHE STOMPS HIS HEAD INTO THE SIDE OF OUR COMMENTATOR’S DESK OVER AND OVER! THIS IS MADNESS!
Persephone: THIS IS AMAZING! I HOPE SHE CRIPPLES HIM!!
Rich Russillo: METHUSELAH IS FRANTICALLY SCRAMBLING UP, STILL REELING FROM THE IMPACT OF SATAN’S KISS, BUT–
Persephone: THE DEVIL’S TOUCH! MINERVA’S DEVASTATING VERSION OF THE SUPERKICK JUST CONNECTED TO THE FOREHEAD OF METHUSELAH ELEVATION, AND THAT CAUSES METHUSELAH TO FALL – WAIT, NO, HE DOESN’T GET THE CHANCE!
Rich Russillo: MINERVA GRABS HIM BY THE FACE BEFORE HE COULD FALL OVER! SHE’S… SHE’S LOCKING IN THE STIR OF ECHOES! HER MOST DEVASTATING MANEUVER! THAT IRON CLAW IS LOCKED INTO THE FACE OF THE CHAIRMAN, AND HER NAILS ARE PIERCING HIS SKIN, CAUSING BLOOD TO POUR FROM FIVE DIFFERENT SPOTS OF THE CHAIRMAN’S FACE!
Persephone: :ahh: blood
Rich Russillo: SHE GETS THE LEG BEHIND METHUSELAH’S LEG AND DROPS HIS HEAD TO THE RINGSIDE FLOOR WITH THAT STO, COMPLETING THE STIR OF ECHOES! SHE’S STILL GOT THE IRON CLAW LOCKED IN, TWISTING HER HAND LEFT AND RIGHT AS THE BLOOD KEEPS POURING! WHERE IS THE SECURITY?!
Persephone: SHE LOOKS OVER AND SEES THAT CONTRACT! SHE STORMS OVER AND GRABS IT… OH MY GOD! MINERVA JUST… LITERALLY WIPED HER ASS WITH THE CONTRACT! AND NOW SHE’S TEARING IT INTO A MILLION PIECES, SCATTERING THE SHREDS OF THE CONTRACT ALL OVER THE BODY OF METHUSELAH! THIS BITCH HAS COMPLETELY CRASHED OUT TO START OFF FIGHTING SPIRIT AND I LOVE IT!!
Minerva: (off-mic) You thought you could wipe your ass off ME? ME?! FUCK YOU!
Persephone: AND A SPIT TO THE FACE OF THE CHAIRMAN! I DON’T THINK WE’VE SEEN METHUSELAH HUMILIATED LIKE THIS IN A LONG TIME! FINALLY, THE SECURITY IS RACING OUT HERE AND FORCEFULLY SEPARATING MINERVA FROM METHUSELAH BEFORE SHE CAN DO ANY MORE DAMAGE… BUT THE DAMAGE IS ALREADY DONE! I’M SERIOUSLY SO TURNED ON RIGHT NOW I COULD KISS YOU, RICH!!!
Persephone: WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS?! IS THE OLD SACK OF SHIT GOING TO JUST LET THIS STAND? HE DIDN’T EVEN GET THE CONTRACT SIGNED FROM THE CHAMPION!
(The recap ends with a quick flash of Minerva’s actions, ending in a slow-motion shot of Minerva standing tall over the mangled Methuselah. )
( It returns to the gleam in Minerva’s eyes, as she admires her own handiwork at Fighting Spirit. Minerva circles back to the center of the ring with microphone in hand. She moves it closer to her mouth, but before she could say her first words, she notices the crowd’s chants louden. )
Crowd: MI-NER-VA! MI-NER-VA! MI-NER-VA! MI-NER-VA!
( Minerva lightly smirks at the crowd before finally speaking. )
Minerva: It was two weeks ago in this squared circle where I made my intentions known. Despite all of the misfortune this season, not only will my involvement at Pain for Pride 18 be a given, but it will have epic implications. The type of implications that will change the fabric of this industry forever. Implications that will etch me into the annals of this company… as a legend. I have always had faith in the mindset that in order to be this thing, you’ve got to beat it to become it, and that’s why throughout my time here in Elite Answers Wrestling, I’ve never cowered, I have never shown fear in surrounding myself with the best of the best, which is why I made that challenge.
Minerva: A match at Pain for Pride 18 against one of the most conniving, and treacherous to ever grace this business, Methuselah. A challenge that made its round around the world of professional wrestling. It’s one that not your normal elitist would make, but if there’s one thing that we’ve learned, is that I am not normal. But, of course, Methuselah brushed it away. He rejected the challenge as if it was nothing, flicking me away like a bug, and that is something that I could not accept because I REFUSE TO BE DENIED!
( The crowd cheers in support of Minerva’s defiance. )
Minerva: You made a gargantuan mistake in believing that saying “no” was an option available to you. Dismissing me with such arrogance, offering lesser alternatives, and choosing to force yourself into a conversation you’ve long been excluded from. You exploited your own authority and power to write a contract to put yourself into the EAW World Championship main event at Pain for Pride, and that wasn’t written out of merit, but out of cowardice. You tried, you tried, to get away from me, but I want you to understand that no matter how many contracts you make, no matter how far you run away from me, you cannot hide, and I will follow you to the depths of hell.
Minerva: You can take your absurd conquest for gold, your aspirations to overthrow the “Machine,” your smug, nonchalant, uncaring, and belittling attitude and SHOVE THEM UP YOUR ASS!
Minerva: I.. can see it! I can see through your dismissals! In your “disinterest” in me! You’re trying to save face.. and it’s so pathetic… It’s clear as day. You are scared of me. The idea of waging war with “The Black Rose,” frightens you because I know you’ve seen what these people have seen in the past couple of months. This new side of me has been a force to be reckoned with. I have DELVED into deeper pits! I have TAPPED into darker dimensions! I AM NOT WEAK! I AM THE BEST I HAVE EVER BEEN! AND I WILL BE EVEN GREATER ONCE I VANQUISH WHO IS CONSIDERED THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME… HAHAHAHA! HA… HA… ha…
Minerva: It’s only a matter of time.. that Methuselah meets his own personal hell..
( The crowd cheers for Minerva, rallying behind her words of valor but before Minerva continues to speak, their support turns into displeasure as Methuselah pops up on the titantron, shrouded in darkness via satellite. He isn’t his usual smug self, rather sneering and grimacing towards the camera as he obviously isn’t happy with the way he was treated at Fighting Spirit. )
Methuselah: Today.. is May 23, 2025 A.D. A quixotic evening, rather perilous in the host of this templatic nation, but still holds relevance as on the way to Pain for Pride. This is a day that should be spent to sharpen my bladery, to crystallise myself in an aura of assiduity. A time only well spent, in the anticipation of “Gawd” being personally handed my EAW World Championship. However, this is far distant from the reality we have found ourselves in. Adam Lucas beat “The Placeholder” to establish himself as a contender for “The Machine,” in lieu of “your ascended Mahatma,” and that has left me in a trance. The main event is absent from my presence, and it is at no fault of my competence, or power. It was initiated by grating petals of irrelevance, who elect to meddle in my business to keep themselves afloat, with the belief that “The Awakened Sensei” graces her presence at Pain for Pride with charity.
Methuselah: This is not the case, but seeing how my warranted admission into the EAW World Championship match at Pain for Pride putrefies in the bottom of a landfill in Rome as little scraps, plans have changed. Although, what is stopping me from undoing your vile work, and steering us back onto course, to fix the main event by making it a triple threat, or removing Adam Lucas altogether. Nothing can, and nothing ever will stop “Gawd” from flexing his power, but my interest has piqued in other areas.
Methuselah: I’ve deemed it appropriate for my inevitable acquisition of the EAW World Championship to be adjourned.. for now.. because the disrespect displayed to your “Gawd” at Fighting Spirit is a call for repercussions, and I will exercise my power to offer an answer that could help soothe your inadequate spirit.
Methuselah: An answer to your challenge… and your destiny at Pain for Pride will be of two. Your gypsy lips wrapped and enveloped around my throbbing propagator, with “The Black Rose” quivering and withering away like a little puny heathen in the shadows of Barcelona.
( The crowd boos loudly as Methuselah seemingly dances around Minerva’s challenge yet again. Minerva’s nose starts to scrunch as Metheuslah’s mouth creeps up into a smile. )
Methuselah: Shall I remind you… I am the chairman.. and I answer to nobody, least of all you. Go elsewhere in pursuit of eminence because “Gawd” is far out of your reach and of legend where you are not worthy to share a grand stage with. Minerva shall not get what she desires, she shall not bear any fruits, but that does not mean Pain for Pride will not see “Gawd” because do not fret, he always plans, and he will save Pain for Pride from the calamities it is shaping up to be.
( The connection terminates and it transitions to the enraged and furious expression on Minerva’s face. Her nose flares, nose scrunches, and lips pull back while the Monaco audience shares the same unhappiness towards Methuselah’s answer. )
Stew-O: Well, I guess there you have it. Just when you thought that Minerva found a way to speak Methuselah’s language and convince him with that gruesome attack at Fighting Spirit, he still isn’t agreeing to her challenge at Pain for Pride.
Flannery McCoy: This might not be a good idea for the Chairman, because what Minerva pulled at Fighting Spirit might be a preview of what she is willing to do to award her the answer that she believes he deserves…
( The last shot is a close-up shot of Minerva snarling in rage. )
