(EAW intro plays.)
(A recap is shown of the final moments Voltage had in 2025, across both Road to Redemption and Festival of Lights. After this the camera opens up to the Helsinki Halli Arena in Helsinki, Finland, where tonight’s Sunday Night Voltage is being held. Pyro shoots from the stage, and the fans are seen loudly cheering as the camera cuts to the commentary table, where Rich Russillo, Thadd Blazevich, and Persephone can be seen.)
Rich Russillo: Ladies and gentlemen… Welcome to the FIRST Sunday Night Voltage of 2026! I am Rich Russillo, and with me is Thadd Blazevich and Persephone, on the road to King of Elite!
Thadd Blazevich: Bro, I can’t wait! This tournament is awesome every single year, and with the matchups we’ve got going on, I don’t think things are gonna be different this time around!
Persephone: That’s a shame, because this tournament is usually boring. I really don’t want to sit through this…
(The camera begins to fade towards the stage, and after some time, ‘Pride and Arrogance’ by Takeru Kanazaki hits.)
Crowd: BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(The boos are overpowering the music, but that doesn’t change what the fans are about to witness, as before long, various individuals who appear to be guards begin to walk out to the stage. One of them can be seen carrying the EAW World Championship, which Drake Armstrong won at Festival of Lights. Another one can be seen holding Armstrong’s King of Elite crown, and before long, Drake Armstrong can be seen beginning to walk out to the stage behind them. Drake has a grin on his face, basking in the hatred from the crowd as he stands on the stage.)
Bella Braxton: Ladies and gentlemen… Please welcome the NEWWWWWWWW EAW WORLD CHAMPION… DRAAAKKEEEE AAARRRMMMMSSTTTRRROOOOOONNNNNGGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!
Crowd: BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Persephone: Great, this guy is going to be even more annoying than usual. How did we let this guy win a World Championship?
Rich Russillo: It’s not that anyone “let” him win that title. He beat Adam Lucas, an incredible EAW World Champion in order to do so. I’d say Drake earned this, though you can’t say he didn’t achieve this in controversial fashion.
Thadd Blazevich: Yeah, but dude, it’s not like Drake cares about doing things the right way. All he cared about was winning the title, so I doubt bro even minds all the booing going on. Let’s not forget, this is the same dude that got Hans Grayson’s arm broken. :lupe:
(Drake Armstrong slowly walks down the ramp, making his way to ringside as the loud boos continue. Armstrong walks up the steel steps, and once he enters the ring, he walks towards the center before staring at the crowd with the wide grin still on his face. The men holding the crown and the Championship are in the ring alongside Armstrong, and as Drake spreads his arms to continue taking in the hostile reaction from the crowd, the man holding the Championship wraps it around his waist. At the same time, the other man places the crown on top of Armstrong’s head. After this, one of the remaining guards at ringside hands Drake a microphone, which Drake begins speaking into moments later, directed towards the angry fans.)
Drake Armstrong: What did you expect?
Crowd: BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(Drake just laughs hearing this response, before beginning to speak up once more.)
Drake Armstrong: No, pray tell, WHAT DID YOU EXPECT? Did you all REALLY believe that this year would begin without this Championship around my waist and Voltage anywhere but in the palm of my hand? Is this not the exact fate I told you all that this brand had in store? Did you REALLY believe that a “defeat” at the hands of ToXXXin, a “defeat” that was brought about thanks to the mentally and physically fragile Hans Grayson was ever going to keep me away from what was rightfully mine? I knew that this industry was filled with fools and that many of you weren’t even capable of comprehending the greatness that I brought to this brand, but I didn’t just tell you what was going to happen. I spelled it out for you, and not only were you all still incapable of understanding, but even my supposed “peers” were unable to see what the future held until I was finally raising this Championship in the air. Captain Charisma couldn’t see it. Adam Lucas couldn’t see it. Even the FireHeart couldn’t see it, and his lack of foresight is precisely what cost him an arm.
(As expected, this comment towards Hans Grayson brings about even more boos. However, Drake just brushes this off as he continues.)
Drake Armstrong: Of course, this isn’t all he lacked. He lacked a true desire to succeed, which is why he never stood a chance. It isn’t due to a lack of talent, it’s due to a lack of understanding of what this business is. Not everyone is capable of surviving in a company like this one, and I understand this better than everyone that has spent the entirety of 2025 patiently waiting for the moment my ascension reached a halt, only for it to never arrive. I understand it so well that I made it my mission not to survive, but to make this company my own, and I now have achieved exactly that. It doesn’t matter what any of you were hoping for. It doesn’t matter what anyone backstage was hoping for. I warned Adam Lucas that he’d be overpowered by an Elitist far beyond him, and as you can see, that Elitist is now YOUR EAW World Champion!
(After this, Drake takes his Championship off before raising it in the air, bringing about more boos from the crowd.)
Drake Armstrong: This is the era of Drake Armstrong, so for all of you who choose to tune in every single week, it’d be in your best interest to get used to the sight before you, as this is what Voltage will look like for the foreseeable future. This Championship is mine, and trust me, with Voltage in my possession, I do not intend to let the filth roam freely. My 2025 was filled with success, and trust me, that will continue throughout 2026, even if it means eradicating each and every peasant on this br-
(Suddenly, ‘Everybody Knows (Unstoppable)’ by Royal Deluxe hits. This actually gets a mixed response from the crowd, as while Adam Lucas is far from a fan favorite himself, the fans appear to be glad knowing that Drake’s Championship celebration was interrupted. Drake doesn’t feel the same way however, as he seems annoyed as he looks towards the stage, watching as Adam Lucas walks out holding a microphone in his hand.)
Rich Russillo: Well, it looks like Adam Lucas had no intentions of continuing to sit back and watch this celebration continue! I can’t blame him. Adam lost the EAW World Championship thanks to the usage of Drake Armstrong’s ring. I doubt he’s very happy about that.
Thadd Blazevich: Of course not, but bro, look at Drake Armstrong. I don’t think bro is real happy either seeing his big celebration get cut short like this. I don’t think he was planning to see Adam Lucas tonight.
Persephone: I literally can’t believe I’m even saying this, but I’m glad to see Adam Lucas for once. Anything is better than having to keep listening to Drake Armstrong.
(Adam Lucas walks down to the bottom of the ramp, but once there, he stares at the guards who are standing in front of the ring. Adam doesn’t look impressed by this at all, just staring at Drake Armstrong.)
Adam Lucas: Seriously?
(Drake still isn’t amused, but after a moment begins to speak to the guards.)
Drake Armstrong: Clear the path. I’d like to hear him out.
(After this, the guards at ringside begin to step to the side. Adam Lucas stares at them for a moment, keeping his guard up before slowly beginning to walk to the ring. Adam climbs up the apron before entering the ring, where he stands face to face with Drake Armstrong, with the two guards inside of the ring not far behind.)
Adam Lucas: Just so we’re clear, I’m not stupid. I have no intentions of ending up like Hans Grayson did, but I’m also not going to start a fight for no reason, either. I get it, Drake. You knew you were never going to outwrestle me back at Festival of Lights. I’m the best wrestler on this brand and you were never going to prove me wrong, so you resorted to catching me off guard with that ring the same way you always do once you’re desperate and realize you can’t win on your own. That’s fine. I don’t have to like it, and I don’t. It pisses me off knowing that you got away with what you did, but I can accept it. I can accept that I got screwed over. I can accept that you cheated, I can even accept that you lucked out and managed to beat me for the one and only time you’ll ever be able to. There’s just one part of all this that I refuse to accept.
(After this, Adam takes a step closer to Drake Armstrong, continuing to speak as he says his next words directly to Armstrong’s face.)
Adam Lucas: I refuse to accept that I’m not holding the EAW World Championship.
(Hearing this brings cheers from the crowd, again out of their hatred of the current Champion, but Drake Armstrong doesn’t show much of a reaction to this comment, just giving a slight smirk as Adam continues.)
Adam Lucas: I spent this entire season being the best EAW World Champion possible, and this isn’t just me saying that. I was unstoppable. I took out everyone in my path, and now I’m supposed to just sit back and watch you parade around with my Championship? No, no that’s not going to happen. See Drake, I get it. You win your first World Championship, and you feel like you’re on top of the world. You feel like you’re the greatest to ever do it, and you make the mistake of believing that there is nothing, or better yet nobody who could screw this up for you. I’m only going to give you this one warning, Drake. Don’t get comfortable with that title.
(This on the other hand gets a reaction out of Drake, who appears both annoyed and confused as to what Adam is getting at.)
Drake Armstrong: What are you suggesting?
(After this, it’s Adam who begins to sport a grin.)
Adam Lucas: Really? I thought you’d have picked up on it by now. You screwed me out of my Championship, so I’m not going to let you run around and play Champion for too long before I take back what’s mine. King of Elite is coming up and it’s not like you have a challenger lined up anyway, so I’ll tell you what. I want a rematch, and we’ll see if you can get away with the same tricks twice. Adam Lucas versus Drake Armstrong for the EAW World Championship, what do you say?
(The crowd explodes with cheers, with the fans excited about the potential of a rematch between the two Elitists, especially given how unhappy they were with the outcome of their last match. Drake Armstrong stares at Adam Lucas for a moment after hearing this, before finally he just lets out a sigh.)
Drake Armstrong: Seriously, is that all? If so, you could’ve just gotten to the point rather than waste my time.
Adam Lucas: So, is that a yes?
Drake Armstrong: No, of course not.
Adam Lucas: :francis:
(Immediately, all the excitement is taken away as the fans once again begin to boo. Adam Lucas doesn’t seem to be surprised by this response from Armstrong, but he definitely isn’t impressed by it either.)
Drake Armstrong: I’m confused. What made you even consider approaching me for a rematch? Perhaps it’d be different if someone else walked out here and asked me for a Championship match. While I have no reason to accept any of your challenges, I’m sure there are at least more entertaining options than yourself out there. Did you genuinely believe that was the appropriate way to respond to your failure at Festival of Lights?
Adam Lucas: It’s not that, I guess I just had too much faith that with your Championship victory, you’d be a bit less of a coward.
Drake Armstrong: You lost, Adam. You were unable to defeat me as you promised, so what reason do I have to even entertain the idea of facing you? There are far more interesting options available on the Voltage roster as it currently stands. Options that did not already suffer defeat at my hands only mere weeks ago. The last thing I intend to do is find myself trapped in the past throughout this year, and as far as I’m concerned I achieved everything I needed to against you before 2025 came to an end. You were a fine stepping stone, but now that you’ve fulfilled your purpose, you no longer mean anything to me. I’m not sure why you feel so entitled to a rematch, but you’d be better off turning your attention elsewhere. There is no use wasting your time with another match that’d inevitably end with defeat by the hands of the same man who took this Championship from you to begin with. I have much to do as Champion, so I have no intentions of putting up with you any longer. I was willing to hear you out, but if this is all you have to say, I must ask that you get out of my ring.
(There is a brief staredown between the two, with a frustrated look on the face of Drake Armstrong. Adam Lucas on the other hand does not show the same expression, and after a moment he just shakes his head.)
Adam Lucas: It’s too bad, Drake. I get you have other ideas in mind for this Championship reign and you’re probably in a rush to move on from me as soon as possible, but I don’t really care. Clearly you’ve gotten the wrong idea of what’s going on here.
(Drake Armstrong takes a second and glances at his two guards in the ring before looking back at Adam Lucas.)
Drake Armstrong: What are you on about?
Adam Lucas: I’m glad I got to see just how worried you really are about me coming back for that title, but I didn’t walk out here unprepared. Like I said, I’m not going to accept not holding the EAW World Championship. I spoke to Captain Charisma earlier tonight, and the two of us usually aren’t able to see eye to eye, but even he seemed to agree with me on one thing, and it’s that this isn’t ending with that Festival of Lights match. The truth is, you do have a challenger on your plate and you actually had one all along, so there’s no need to go turning your attention elsewhere. At King of Elite you’re going to put your Championship on the line, and you’ll be doing it against me.
(The crowd explodes with cheers once more, but while the fans are excited by the match ahead, Drake Armstrong is in disbelief, immediately beginning to respond.)
Drake Armstrong: What? What are you talking about?
Adam Lucas: I don’t need to repeat myself, Drake. You made a mistake thinking I was going to sit back and let you walk around with my Championship when you couldn’t even beat me for it on your own accord. I’m coming back for that Championship, so it doesn’t matter whether or not you want a rematch against me. It doesn’t matter if you want me anywhere near that title. You have until King of Elite to prepare yourself, because once the time comes we share the ring, I can guarantee that you’re not going to repeat history.
Drake Armstrong: Do you even understand what you’re doing to yourself? You’re going to suffer yet another defeat, and push yourself even further from the Championship picture. Is that truly what you want?
(Adam just begins to chuckle, keeping a grin on his face as he begins to respond.)
Adam Lucas: King of Elite, Drake. I’ll see you there. When you meet me in the ring you can try as hard as you’d like to keep that promise. Until then, just go ahead and keep that title warm for me.
(Adam Lucas drops his microphone, turning and beginning to leave as ‘Everybody Knows (Unstoppable)’ begins to play once more. He has a smirk on his face knowing that he already had his rematch confirmed for the EAW World Championship. Meanwhile, Drake Armstrong is furious, staring at Adam Lucas as he makes his way out of the ring before beginning to walk up the ramp.)
Rich Russillo: Wow. Adam Lucas will be taking on Drake Armstrong in a rematch for the EAW World Championship at King of Elite, and this is huge! Armstrong isn’t happy about this whatsoever, as not only is Adam getting this rematch, but he had the match made without Drake even knowing!
Thadd Blazevich: I know, bro. I doubt he feels too good about Adam Lucas messing with him like that, but dude, I can’t wait to see the rematch between them! Their last match was already fire. With what happened at Festival of Lights, I can imagine King of Elite will be even more heated.
Persephone: Or even more boring. I know I said I was glad Adam interrupted Drake, but this is not what I wanted at all.
(Adam Lucas turns around, slowly backpedaling up the ramp as he keeps an eye on Drake Armstrong and his guards. Drake Armstrong doesn’t look away from Adam, staring with a cold look on his face as he has clearly been angered by the conversation with him. As Adam makes his way up the ramp, Voltage begins to fade away from ringside.)
(Promotional ad for King of Elite, where Drake Armstrong defends the EAW World Championship against Adam Lucas.)
(We have returned from commercial break and the camera is focused on the ring where Bella Braxton is standing front and center with a microphone in hand as she is ready to start the introductions for Voltage’s first contest.)
Bella Braxton: Ladies and gentlemen, our opening contest is A FIRST ROUND EMPRESS OF ELITE TOURNAMENT MATCH AND IT IS SCHEDULED FOR ONE FALL!
Crowd: ONE FALL!
(‘Mirtazapine’ by Hayley Williams starts playing as Showdown’s Brianna Hill enters the arena to a negative reaction from the crowd. Whatever emotions she is feeling right now are nowhere to be seen as she heads to the ring.)
Bella Braxton: Introducing first! From Cancún, Mexico! Weighing 119 pounds! Here is “THE BUTTERFLY QUEEN” BRIANNA HILL!
Rich Russillo: Here comes Brianna Hill ready for action in her first round Empress of Elite tournament match and she is looking to get back on track after what happened at Road to Redemption.
Persephone: You mean when she colossally fucked up, lost her group’s only title, and then Silas World got sick of her bullshit and gave her the heave ho by beating the shit out of her. Sounds about right.
Thadd Blazevich: Dude, Brianna had a chance to become National Elite Champion, but she was the one who took the fall, therefore causing Harper Lee to lose the title. Now Brianna is on her own and advancing in the Empress of Elite tournament will be a good way for her to get back on track.
(Brianna enters the ring and takes her corner as her music is replaced by ‘So Far So Fake’ by Pierce the Veil starts playing as Candice Blair enters the arena to a neutral, but positive reaction from the crowd. She is ready for this tournament as she heads to the ring.)
Bella Braxton: Introducing her opponent! Residing in Malibu, California! Weighing 130 pounds! Here is “PRINCESS” CANDICE BLAIR!!
Persephone: Here she is! Whores on parade and here’s the Grand Marshall. This is going to be a total disaster.
Thadd Blazevich: I don’t see why because Candice is already a Princess. Now she wants to be the Empress of Elite. Nothing wrong with that.
Rich Russillo: Candice was really close to winning the Extreme Enigma Battle Royal at Road to Redemption and winning this match will get her one step closer to winning the tournament and finally trying to get that elusive title that she wants. But who will advance? We are about to find out!
(Candice enters the ring and takes a corner as her entrance music fades off. The referee checks both competitors before calling for the bell.)
(DING! DING! DING!)
Rich Russillo: Here we go! The first Voltage match of 2026 is underway with Empress of Elite action. Both women are being a little cautious in the opening moments as they circle the ring.
Thadd Blazevich: Bro, I don’t blame them because the stakes are high. One mistake and it could cost you your spot in the tournament.
Persephone: Good. Then I hope they both screw up and get eliminated so there will be less bitches to watch.
Thadd Blazevich: Starting the love early, Persephone. Right now Candice and Brianna lock up in the center of the ring AND BRIANNA GETS THE EARLY ADVANTAGE AS SHE GRABS A HANDFUL OF HAIR AND BRINGS CANDICE DOWN TO THE MAT!!
Rich Russillo: After what happened at Road to Redemption, Brianna is not wanting to leave anything to chance as she is wrenching on the arm of Candice Blair.
Persephone: She is still going to screw something up because that’s all they do is screw stuff up around here because they are all STUPID!!
Rich Russillo: Brianna has control of Candice’s arm BUT CANDICE ROLLS BACK TO GET BACK ON HER FEET! NOW CANDICE DOES A CARTWHEEL TO UNWRENCH HER ARM BEFORE SHE DELIVERS A CLOTHESLINE TAKING BRIANNA DOWN!
Persephone: Told you that Brianna would screw that up. Now we see Candice the ho putting the boots to Brianna the other ho as Brianna tries to roll away. How sad.
Thadd Blazevich: Brianna rolls out onto the apron as the referee forces Candice back to give a little bit of space. BUT CANDICE BREAKS AWAY FROM THE REFEREE–
Rich Russillo: AND SHE DELIVERS A DROPKICK TO BRIANNA’S FACE AND SENDING HER FLYING OFF THE APRON AND CRASHING ON THE FLOOR BELOW!
Thadd Blazevich: Candice is strictly business in this match as Brianna gets back to her feet. Candice is on the apron AS SHE JUMPS AND CATCHES BRIANNA BEFORE TAKING HER DOWN WITH A BEAUTIFUL HEADSCISSOR TAKEOVER THAT ALMOST SEND BRIANNA INTO THE RING STEPS!
Persephone: Damn. It would have been nice to see Brianna crack those steps. Maybe it would have knocked some sense into her because we all know she really doesn’t have any right now.
Thadd Blazevich: Whatever you believe, Persephone, but right now it’s Candice Blair in firm control of this match. Candice walks over to wear Brianna landed and grabs her by the hair to pull her back to her feet AND CRACK HER FACE AGAINST THE STEPS!
Rich Russillo: Candice is not playing around with this match because she has been looking for her first taste of championship gold and this tournament could be her chance and she is going to make the most of it.
Persephone: She can try all she wants, but this Ava skank will screw up once again because that is the only thing that she is good at.
Rich Russillo: As we get back to the match, the referee has started a count as Candice grabs Brianna and rolls her back into the ring before following suit. Brianna has rolled onto her knees to recover BUT CANDICE HITS THE ROPES AND DELIVERS ANOTHER DROPKICK!
Persephone: This time it hit her in the side of the head, which means there is nothing up there to hurt. But this bimbo is going to give it a shot as she rolls Brianna over for a cover. Waste of time.
ONNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEE!
TW–
Thadd Blazevich: Brianna with the quick kickout and Candice pulls Brianna around and locks in a full nelson before adding a grapevine by wrapping her legs around Brianna’s waist.
Rich Russillo: This is an innovative move by Candice and one that we have never seen from her, but sometimes you have to get unique in order to win.
Thadd Blazevich: I think this move is more for torture rather than getting an actual submission meant to force Brianna to expend energy.
Persephone: It’s not effective because it looks stupid. I bet she uses the same move on her boyfriends to keep the date going.
Thadd Blazevich: The referee is right there to see if Brianna really wants to give up this match, BUT BRIANNA IS ABLE TO FIRMLY PLANT HER FEET AND FLIP BACK IN ORDER TO COUNTER INTO A MODIFIED ROLLUP AND CANDICE’S SHOULDER’S ARE DOWN!
ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEE!
TWWWWWWWW–
Rich Russillo: CANDICE QUICKLY LETS BRIANNA FREE AND KICKS OUT! Both ladies get back to their feet as Brianna is quicker to the punch AND DELIVERS A CHOP RIGHT TO THE CHEST!
Persephone: Brianna couldn’t get the pin so she decides to go right to trying to pop some implants. It’s not the stupidest thing that she could do, but we can see how well Candice’s money was spent.
Rich Russillo: Repeated chops to the chest back Candice all the way to the ropes. Brianna whips Candice to the ropes as Candice comes back off the rebound. Brianna puts her head down–
Persephone: AND THE AVA SKANK KICKS BRIANNA RIGHT IN THE CHEST AND FACE! BAHAHAHAHAHA! FIRST EVER IMPLANT POPPER MATCH! LOSER IS THE FIRST TO DEFLATE!
Thadd Blazevich: Dude, you have some serious issues. But Brianna flies back AND CANDICE CLOBBERS HER WITH A CLOTHESLINE TAKING BRIANNA DOWN! Candice grabs Brianna by the hair and turns her around–
Rich Russillo: CANDICE HAS A DOUBLE HANDFUL OF HAIR AND PULLS BRIANNA UP AND NOW BRIANNA IS JUST DANGLING OFF CANDICE’S BACK! THAT IS COMPLETELY ILLEGAL!
Thadd Blazevich: The referee sees it and tells Candice to let Brianna’s hair go, but instead she keeps going and the referee has no choice but to start a count. The referee gets to four before Candice lets Brianna go and Brianna faceplants onto the mat.
Persephone: Keep pulling each other’s hair and we will see what color the roots are because they are both filled with nothing but lies.
Thadd Blazevich: Brianna tries to recover, BUT CANDICE DROPS AN ELBOW RIGHT INTO THE BACK OF BRIANNA’S NECK TO KEEP HER ON THE MAT!
Rich Russillo: Candice is back on her feet as she pulls Brianna back up as well AND BRIANNA COUNTERS WITH A JAWBREAKER TO GET FREE! Candice holds her jaw AS BRIANNA SLAPS CANDICE IN THE FACE!
Persephone: BAHAHAHAHAHAHA! AVA SKANK GOT SLAPPED LIKE THE BITCH SHE IS! DO IT AGAIN!
Rich Russillo: Brianna grabs hold of Candice and whips her to the ropes, BUT CANDICE COUNTERS AND SENDS BRIANNA TO THE ROPES! Brianna comes back AND TAKES CANDICE DOWN WITH A LOU THESZ PRESS!
Persephone: YES! YES! PUNCH THAT BITCH IN THE FACE! REARRANGE HER BOTOX FILLED FEATURES!
Thadd Blazevich: Brianna is throwing right hands into Candice’s head and face as the referee tells her to open up the fist before starting a count. The referee reaches four on the count and Brianna stops the punches.
Rich Russillo: Brianna takes the opportunity to take another cheap shot BY SLAPPING CANDICE IN THE FACE ONCE AGAIN! Brianna is either showing no respect or no intimidation for Candice Blair.
Thadd Blazevich: Brianna pulls Candice back to her feet and lifts her up for the back suplex, BUT CANDICE ROLLS BACK AND LANDS ON HER FEET!
Persephone: Counters everywhere. Just makes these matches so enjoyable to watch and this is the first one of the night… gawd help us all.
Thadd Blazevich: Candice lands behind Brianna and shoves her to the ropes. Brianna comes back off the ropes AND CANDICE DELIVERS A YAKUZA KICK RIGHT TO BRIANNA’S FACE! DUDE, HER HANDS WERE DOWN AND EVERYTHING!
Rich Russillo: Was it just me or did we see something go flying out of Brianna’s mouth. That could have been a knockout boot to the face as Candice goes for the cover!
ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEE!
TWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOO!
THHH–
Persephone: She kicked out. What a shock.
Rich Russillo: Give credit to Brianna for having enough awareness to kick out after that big boot to the mouth, BUT CANDICE KEEPS UP WITH FOREARMS TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD!
Persephone: Don’t give them that much credit. If you combined their IQs, you’d barely get into double digits.
Thadd Blazevich: Yeah. Sure, bro. But look at Brianna keep fighting. She is trying to make it to the ropes to catch a break–
Rich Russillo: AND SHE GOT IT!! BRIANNA MADE IT TO THE ROPES AND THE REFEREE FORCES CANDICE BACK AWAY FROM THE ROPES, BUT CANDICE AGAIN BREAKS AWAY FROM THE REFEREE–
Thadd Blazevich: BUT THIS TIME SHE IS MET WITH A STRAIGHT RIGHT HAND FROM BRIANNA HILL! DUDE, THAT WAS A HELL OF A PUNCH!
Persephone: I will only consider it impressive if it shuts Candice up for the rest of the season. Since she just let out a yell, then it’s not impressive at all. Just end this match.
Thadd Blazevich: Candice was staggered back from the punch to the jaw as Brianna is back to her feet and she gets right in Candice’s face. She is not happy with the treatment she received earlier being bounced around by her hair.
Rich Russillo: Candice was still reeling as Brianna now grabs Candice with a double handful of hair. Brianna kicks her in the gut BEFORE GETTING SOME MOMENTUM AND TOSSING CANDICE ACROSS THE RING BY THE HAIR!
Persephone: BAHAHAHAHA! THESE TWO ARE TREATING EACH OTHER LIKE BITCHES AND IT IS HILARIOUS!! It’s the least they deserve!
Rich Russillo: Will you stop talking like that? These two are World Class competitors with Brianna as a former Specialists Champion. Don’t demean their skills.
Persephone: No I will not because I hate them both. They need to stop acting so stupid and I might tolerate them. Act like my girl Veena. Simple as that.
Thadd Blazevich: One Veena is plenty enough. But Candice has made it back to her feet as Brianna grabs another double handful of hair AND USES HER HAIR TO PULL HER INTO A BACKBREAKER!
Rich Russillo: The point of Brianna’s knee driven into Candice’s spine. Candice is down and Brianna decides to drag Candice by the hair towards the corner.
Thadd Blazevich: They reach the corner and Brianna decides to make the risky climb all the way to the top rope, bro. Brianna is looking to fly, dude.
Persephone: But she is more likely to fail because that’s all going to the top rope ever brings to people. Crashes and burns. Fine with me. The more injuries the better.
Thadd Blazevich: Brianna is on the top rope and she has her balance as SHE LEAPS OFF THE TOP ROPE AND DELIVERS AN ELBOW DROP RIGHT INTO THE HEART OF CANDICE BLAIR!
Rich Russillo: That could have caved Candice’s chest in as Candice lets out a groan of pain and Brianna quickly rolls her over for the cover to advance!
ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEE!
TWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOO!
THHHHHH-
Persephone: She kicked out. Damn.
Rich Russillo: Near fall for Brianna as Brianna stays on the offensive by bringing Candice back to her feet and whips her to the ropes BUT CANDICE AGAIN REVERSES AND SENDS BRIANNA TO THE ROPES!
Persephone: Another reversal. Whatever. Brianna leaves her feet and jumps onto the middle rope as she springs off the ropes WITH A SPRINGBOARD CROSSBODY–
Thadd Blazevich: CANDICE BLAIR WITH A HEADBUTT THAT STOPS BRIANNA RIGHT IN HER TRACKS!!
Rich Russillo: Brianna was knocked loopy as Candice backs up and hits the ropes as Brianna makes it back to her feet. When that happens, Candice comes back off the ropes–
Thadd Blazevich: AND CANDICE HITS BRIANNA WITH THE “SPINNING WHEEL”! SPINNING WHEEL KICK CATCHES BRIANNA IN THE FACE AS CANDICE QUICKLY FALLS INTO THE COVER!
ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEE!
TWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOO!
THHHHHHHHHHHRRREEEEEEEE!
Persephone: OH COME ON!!!
Thadd Blazevich: BRIANNA KICKS OUT AT TWO!! NEAR FALL FOR THE PRINCESS AS SHE WAS LESS THAN A COUNT AWAY FROM ADVANCING IN THE TOURNAMENT!
Rich Russillo: Candice thought she had it there, but this match continues on as Candice brings Brianna back to her feet and whips her to the corner. Brianna hits the turnbuckle hard as Candice runs full speed–
Persephone: AND THE BITCH USES HER BRAIN FOR ONCE AND HITS BRIANNA WITH A RUNNING UPPERCUT IN THE CORNER! PIGS ARE FLYING AND HELL JUST FROZE OVER!
Rich Russillo: Brianna comes stumbling out of the corner as Candice catches her with forearms to the face. Repeated forearms send Brianna back until she reaches the ropes.
Persephone: This is the excitement that comes from matches like this. If the show starts like this, I don’t wanna see how low of a bar the rest of the match set.
Thadd Blazevich: Negative as always, Persephone. But Candice whips Brianna to the ropes. Brianna comes back as Candice kicks her in the gut and grabs her by the head–
Rich Russillo: BRIANNA LIFTS CANDICE IN THE AIR AND BLOCKS THE DDT ATTEMPT AND JUST TOSSES CANDICE OFF OF HER AND CANDICE LANDS CHEST FIRST ON THE MAT!
Thadd Blazevich: Candice didn’t have a good landing as Brianna is right there bringing Candice back to her feet. Brianna hooks both of Candice’s arms and lifts her up in the air BEFORE DROPPING HER WITH “THE GRUDGE”! TIGER DRIVER CONNECTS!
Persephone: YES!! THE AVA BITCH WAS DROPPED ON HER HEAD! I hope that her neck was broken, but it probably wasn’t. It sucks but we have a cover now. LET THE MATCH END!!
ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEE!
TWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOO!
THHHHHHHHHHHRRREEEEEEEE!
Thadd Blazevich: CANDICE KICKS OUT AT TWO! THAT WAS A VERY CLOSE NEAR FALL FOR BRIANNA HILL RIGHT THERE AS SHE ALMOST ADVANCES IN THE EMPRESS OF ELITE TOURNAMENT!
Rich Russillo: Brianna doesn’t look happy at the moment as she pounds the mat with frustration that she can’t put away Candice Blair in this matchup.
Persephone: So we are witnessing a bitch throw a bitch fit. That’s her own fault. What she needs to do is stop being a spoiled brat and win the damn match. It’s not that hard.
Rich Russillo: Brianna is staying on the offensive as she rolls Candice onto her stomach and PULLS BACK ON THE HAIR! THAT’S ALMOST LIKE A SURFBOARD STYLE MOVE USING THE HAIR!
Persephone: AND THIS DAMN REFEREE IS RUINING EVERYTHING!! Why in the hell is the referee starting a count. Just let them beat the hell out of each other. It is so damn annoying.
Thadd Blazevich: The referee reached four on the count AND BRIANNA JUST STOMPS ON THE BACK OF CANDICE’S HEAD AND SENDS HER FACE FIRST INTO THE MAT!!
Rich Russillo: Candice could have a broken nose right here, but Brianna doesn’t care. She pulls Candice back to her feet AND LIFTS HER UP IN THE AIR AND DROPS HER WITH A SAITO SUPLEX!
Thadd Blazevich: Candice was almost dropped on her head off the suplex and she is barely moving at the moment as Brianna once again drags Candice by the hair right over to the corner as Brianna decides to once again
Persephone: As amusing as it is to see that Ava bitch being dragged around, this is starting to get boring. Also, this Brianna bitch is starting to get really fucking greedy. I hope she screws up this time.
Thadd Blazevich: Persephone always hoping for the worst in matches like this as Brianna has her balance on the top rope AS SHE LAUNCHES HERSELF OFF THE TOP ROPE WITH A MODIFIED CANNONBALL SENTON–
Rich Russillo: NOBODY HOME OFF THE SENTON AS CANDICE ROLLED OUT OF THE WAY AT THE LAST SECOND FORCING BRIANNA TO LAND SPINE FIRST ON THE MAT!!
Persephone: BAHAHAHAHAHAHA! I TOLD YOU! I told you that she was going to screw up and that’s exactly what happened. Now she’s in horrible pain and might have just cost herself the match.
Rich Russillo: That was an ugly landing by Brianna Hill as Candice Blair has made it to her feet as she uses the ropes for leverage. As Brianna is recovering, Candice has climbed up and onto the second rope.
Persephone: Oh here we go again. Why in the hell would she try to do the same stunt that somebody else just screwed up not two minutes ago. Did the hair dye soak into her brain or what? Nevermind. I am talking about an Ava. They are all stupid!!
Thadd Blazevich: Be that as it may, Brianna is starting to get back on her feet as Candice is waiting for the moment that she does. Candice is laser focused on Brianna right now.
Rich Russillo: Brianna has made it back to feet. She is on spaghetti legs as she turns around to the corner where Candice is standing AS CANDICE JUMPS OFF THE SECOND ROPE–
Thadd Blazevich: CANDICE GRABS BRIANNA’S HEAD AND SWINGS AROUND BEFORE SPIKING BRIANNA DOWN WITH “STARLIGHT”! CANDICE GOT ALL OF THAT TORNADO DDT! BRIANNA IS DOWN AND CANDICE ROLLS HER OVER AND GOES FOR THE COVER! WILL THE PRINCESS BE ONE STEP CLOSER TO BECOMING EMPRESS?!?
ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEE!
TWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOO!
THHHHHHHHHHHRRREEEEEEEE!
Persephone: I HOPE THIS MATCH IS OVER! RING THE BELL!! YAY!
Rich Russillo: BRIANNA GOT THE SHOULDER UP! SHE GOT THE SHOULDER UP! THE REFEREE IS TELLING CANDICE THAT IT WAS ONLY A TWO COUNT!
Persephone: SON OF A BITCH!! THAT REFEREE IS FULL OF CRAP! THEY DON’T KNOW HOW TO COUNT!
Thadd Blazevich: That was a dangerously close near fall right there and Candice can’t believe it. Candice really thought she had it there but this match continues on.
Rich Russillo: Candice still has control of the match as she slowly gets back to her feet as she pulls Brianna up as well as Candice gets Brianna into the powerbomb position.
Persephone: For gawd’s sake. Super Skank looks to be going for “Castles Crumbling”. SHE GOES FOR THE CANADIAN DESTROYER–
Rich Russillo: BRIANNA WAS ABLE TO COUNTER WITH A BACK BODY DROP! CANDICE LANDED ON HER FEET BUT SHE LANDED FUNNY ON HER ANKLE!
Persephone: Ava Ho is trying to stay on both her feet but Brianna hits the ropes AND DELIVERS A MODIFIED BASEBALL SLIDE DROPKICK TO THE BACK OF THE KNEE TAKING HER DOWN!
Thadd Blazevich: Brianna is back on her feet as she backs up BEFORE RUNNING FULL SPEED BACK TO CANDICE–
Rich Russillo: AND CONNECTS WITH “HITS DIFFERENT”! SHINING WIZARD CAUGHT CANDICE RIGHT IN THE SIDE OF THE HEAD! CANDICE FALLS TO THE MAT AND BRIANNA QUICKLY ROLLS HER OVER INTO THE COVER!
ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEE!
TWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOO!
THHHHHHHRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEE!
(DING! DING! DING!)
(“Mirtazapine” starts playing again as Brianna rolls off of Candice. The crowd is booing as Brianna sits on the mat to catch her breath as Bella Braxton announces the final decision of the match.)
Bella Braxton: Here is your winner… AND ADVANCING IN THE EMPRESS OF ELITE TOURNAMENT… BRIANNA HILL!!
Rich Russillo: What a great way to kick off Sunday Night Voltage with amazing tournament action. These two really fought tooth and nail for the sake of victory and it showed with a beautiful match.
Persephone: Beautiful my ass. Everything about this match is ugly including the people in it.
Thadd Blazevich: There is nothing ugly, bro. We just witnessed two of EAW’s finest going to war for the sake of advancing in the prestigious Empress of Elite tournament.
(Brianna is back on her feet as the referee raises her arm in victory, and Brianna snatches back quickly as the referee goes to check on Candice. Brianna celebrates in the ring for a moment before leaving the ring.)
Persephone: Yeah yeah yeah good for her. Get them out of the ring so we can end the show quicker.
Thadd Blazevich: Brianna made a statement here in this match but you have to give it up to Candice Blair. She fought like the veteran she is and could have won the match on numerous occasions, but it just wasn’t meant to be.
Rich Russillo: Candice continues to prove that she is improving with each match, but it wasn’t enough tonight as Brianna Hill advances in the Empress of Elite tournament. Congratulations to Brianna on the hard fought victory.
(The final shot shows Brianna soaking in her victory at the top of the entrance ramp with a smug look on her face before cutting to Candice, who is sitting in the ring looking extremely annoyed and disappointed as the camera shot cuts elsewhere.)
(Voltage returns to the backstage area where EAW Fight Grid correspondent, Molly Waters, is standing by. She smiles at the camera and raises the microphone up to her glossy pink lips.)
Molly Waters: At Road to Redemption, there was a title change when Clayton Golde defeated Ashlynn Quinn for the New Breed Championship. That marked Clayton’s first ever title here in EAW, but there was to be no rest for the wicked as they say. The following week at Festival of Lights, Clayton would have to defend against Voltage newcomer, NICK., who won the right to compete for the belt back at F*ck Your Thanksgiving.
(Molly pauses a moment to let her words sink in before she continues.)
Molly Waters: Clayton and NICK. had a fantastic match and all signs seemed to point to NICK. pulling off a massive upset and ending Clayton’s reign before it could even get started.
???: Then Ashlynn Quinn happened.
(Molly looks to the left and the camera zooms out. Standing beside her with an aloof expression on his face is none other than NICK.)
(Molly nods her head in agreement with NICK.’s words.)
Molly Waters: And then Ashlynn Quinn happened. It appeared as if the former champion was looking to help NICK. secure the win, but that didn’t pan out quite as Ashlynn had hoped for. NICK., you were unfortunately caught up in the crosshairs and I can’t imagine you’re feeling particularly happy with what went down at Festival of Lights.
NICK.: Nah, I’m definitely not happy and I’ll get into that in a sec. First though, I want to touch on the start I’ve had here in EAW. I don’t think anyone expected me to really come out, guns blazing, and looking to make an immediate impact, but that’s exactly what I’ve done. I know the talent I possess, how good I am, and I can say with confidence that it’s only a matter of time before I do get my hands on a championship. Finishing runner-up in the Extreme Enigma Memorial Battle Royale was nice and all, but I knew I had a title shot on the horizon so I steeled myself for that. There’s nothing nice about Clayton Golde and how he conducts himself, and yeah, he’s a disgrace to the New Breed Championship and to EAW as a whole, and I had him dead to rights.
(NICK. scowls as he relives what happened at the end of the match.)
NICK.: I’ll never understand what went through that idiot’s head and why she felt the need to get involved, but it happened. It happened and I’m pissed about it, and in case you’re wondering, Molly. Ashlynn’s got a receipt coming to her.
Molly Waters: I was definitely going to ask you how you were going to proceed with what happened at Festival of Lights.
(NICK. shrugs rather nonchalantly, but his eyes are pretty cold at the moment. He was on track to continue his momentum, win his first ever title with only a handful of matches under his belt, and all of that was spoiled thanks to Ashlynn.)
NICK.: All’s fair on Voltage, right? I think Ashlynn’s gotta know that I’m coming for her, and I’m not gunna hold anything back. Don’t care if she’s been here longer than me, has some powerful boyfriend who thinks he’s lord of the ring, or whatever else she’s got going on. I don’t need people fuckin’ with me and getting in my business. It’s that simple.
???: Ugh!
(Ashlynn Quinn walks into the scene, having not been far away. She’s heard everything NICK. has had to say so far and she’s clearly not impressed. She stands in front of him and Molly with her hands on her hips and she just shakes her head.)
Ashlynn Quinn: Ohmygosh NICK.! Get over it, k? Like hello! Don’t you know that we leave 2025 in 2025?? You were totally in the way and I apologized! Like imagine being so salty that you wanna hold a grudge from last year? That’s kind of lame.
(NICK. narrows his eyes at Ashlynn and looks down his nose at her. She’s got her chin lifted in a defiant manner, almost like she is daring NICK. to try and contradict her right now. Unfortunately for Ashlynn, that’s exactly what NICK. has decided to do.)
NICK.: The fact you thought I was just going to let this go is ‘lame’, Ashlynn, and if you were in my shoes, you’d feel the same exact way.
(Ashlynn looks down at NICK.’s feet and makes a disgusted face over the fact he’s wearing a pretty nice pair of Jordans.)
Ashlynn Quinn: Okay ew. I would literally never wear such a tacky pair of shoes, like literally ever, so don’t even try and make me put myself in them, so to speak. Secondly, if you are so great, why didn’t you just finish that incel off earlier in the match? I mean, everyone seems to think that you are some big deal and have this bright future or whatever, but if that were true, then you wouldn’t have even needed help to win! But you totally did and it didn’t work out, and seriously?
(Ashlynn gives NICK. a pointed look.)
Ashlynn Quinn: That’s YOUR fault.
(NICK. points at himself.)
NICK.: MY fault?
(Ashlynn sighs and stomps her foot in frustration.)
Ashlynn Quinn: Yes! That is literally what I said. Do you have a hearing problem or are you just like stupid?
(It’s very clear that NICK. is starting to lose his patience with this whole situation and Molly takes that as her cue to quietly slip away.)
NICK.: I get that we see this situation differently, although you seem to be the one who is leaning towards the delusional side of the events, but I’m not going to let your shitty behavior go unchecked.
Ashlynn Quinn: Ew. You sound like some kind of abusive boyfriend right now.
(NICK. simply rolls his eyes, not even surprised Ashlynn would say something so outrageous.)
NICK.: Actually I sound like someone who basically had his first championship won and had it ripped away. You, of all people, should understand why I feel the way I do.
Ashlynn Quinn: What makes you think that?
(This time, a smirk crosses NICK.’s face and he shuffles his weight from one foot to the other.)
NICK.: You spent years attempting to win a championship, competing for almost every belt on whatever brand you happened to be on. It was a struggle for you to finally break through and win something of merit, and knowing you went through all of that, you still felt the need to thwart someone else’s progress.
(Ashlynn’s face flushes with anger, even though she can’t really argue the fact she had her own struggles. She flips her hair off her shoulders and glares at NICK., speaking to him through gritted teeth.)
Ashlynn Quinn: I. Was. Trying. To. Help. You. I’m not sure what’s getting lost in translation here?? It didn’t work out how I wanted. I mean trust me, I’m not exactly fond of you, but do you literally think I want to see something like Clayton Golde hold a title I poured my entire being into?? He is going to do nothing but drag down the value of the New Breed Championship and my whole thing was, if NICK. wins, at least I can keep a much better eye on the title since you’re on Voltage and all. That way it’s easier for me to take action when you eventually screw up.
NICK.: You really are a narcissistic asshole if that’s what truly went through your head during my match. You don’t have to worry about me screwing anything up, because I came here to become one of the best. I didn’t come here to get involved in drama or anything like that, but since you decided, on your own, to put yourself in my path, you’ll have to pay the price for that.
Ashlynn Quinn: If you’re like trying to sound intimidating or whatever, it’s so not working. I may have struggled in the past but I finally got to the place I deserved to be. Do yourself a favor and like leave 2025 in 2025, weirdo. We both have clean slates now, so it’s so whatever. I’m not gunna waste my time worrying about you or whatever you think it is you’re gunna do about all this. As far as I’m concerned, this conversation is literally the only one we need to have about what happened at Festival of Lights. K?
(NICK. stares hard at Ashlynn, and unlike her, he isn’t willing to just let things go. However, Ashlynn doesn’t bother giving him time to reply.)
Ashlynn Quinn: Now if you will excuse me, I have to go find Kai and make sure he is ready to compete tonight. My kewt boi is in the main event and he is going to like end that uggo Kelton’s chances of completing his story which is something I literally can’t wait to see. So ya know, bye.
(Ashlynn rolls her eyes at NICK. and throws up the ‘L’ for ‘loser’. Nick purses his lips as he watches the blonde bombshell saunter off without a care in the world. Once Ashlynn disappears from view, NICK. shakes his head and heads in the opposite direction as the scene backstage fades from view.)
(Promotional ad for King of Elite, where the Empress of Elite tournament finals will take place.)
(Moments later, the Voltage broadcast would slowly transition away from the booming Finnish crowd, as our vision heads onwards to the backstage hallways.)
(Marble flooring, white brick walls, posters of historic events throughout the venue’s history plastered across every strip of the hall. Prestige. Grand, booming history. With each venue came culture, legacies and memories; further encouragement for the Elitists of today to add their own to the walls of each arena and stadium they compete in.)
(The camera slowly pans over to Daniella Atlas and Selina Reyes discussing something to one another, the topic barely audible over the cameras. Perhaps it wouldn’t be important to what our attention has been drawn to. If it was? It certainly wouldn’t be any longer. The clacking of boots on the aforementioned marble floor became increasingly louder as they approached, with Daniella and Selina turning to make eye contact with them who was approaching.)
(Into the shot stepped none other than EAW Hall of Famer, and founder of ToXXin; Minerva. Their eyes lit up with far more intrigue, all things considered involving Friday. Minerva nodded, with approval.)
Minerva: I see the two of you have been busy.
(Selina smirked.)
Selina Reyes: Why wouldn’t we be?
Daniella Atlas: Always desiring to advance, mon chéri.
(Minerva smiled back.)
Minerva: I’m glad. Though, it is something we’ll have to talk about. Nothing bad, of course…
(She cleared her breath.
Minerva: First thing’s first, I believe it is important to address what just happened a few days ago. I’m not upset. Not in the slightest. Frankly, I’m ever so slightly shocked. I have spent years crossing paths with Rex McAllister and Raven Roberts alike. Raven especially has been an Elitist I simply could not get away from no matter what stage of my career I’ve reached. I have done some cruel things to her just as she has towards me, and in turn I’ve been able to witness exactly what happens when you take aim at the targets on their back. We brought out the worst in each other, and these are the kinds of Elitists you’ve put yourselves in front of. Elitists that I have had wars with. No matter what may have occurred between us as opponents I can’t deny that they are threats, thus I find it incredibly impressive that, without flinching, the both of you went out there to cost Rex on Dynasty, even managing to keep it a secret from me. After all that’s what I’ve been aiming for us to accomplish, for the both of you to accomplish; those are the steps that I have been hoping to see us make. Progress isn’t linear, neither is professional wrestling, it’s moments like that I wanted to focus on, those steps I wanted you to learn from. Truly, you have a lot to be proud of…
(She pauses, Daniella and Selina are clearly proud of themselves, no doubt…)
Minerva: But I do question… are you both ready for this?
(Their proud expressions turn to confusion.)
Minerva: Don’t get me wrong, you both know how talented you are and how much I truly, TRULY believe in the two of you – managing to get yourselves a Unified Tag Team Championship opportunity at King of Elite is an opportunity practically anyone would desire, all things considered. Given who the Champions are, you should also know that I’d very much enjoy seeing you take the Championships for yourselves. But it’s as I said, girls. Progress isn’t linear. The correct steps don’t always mean you’re going to be heading in the right direction forever. And frankly, I do feel as if I have more to teach, or at the very least, bring to your attention…
(Daniella and Selina’s eyes dart towards one another, the previous hint of confusion only growing, though they aren’t concerned, they’re clearly not too sure where Minerva is actually going with this.)
Minerva: Specifically, I want to talk about Road To Redemption.
Selina Reyes: But, we won didn’t we?
Daniella Atlas: A victory against Team War Games is no joke.
(Minerva nods.)
Minerva: You are correct. It is no joke. It’s impressive, though I’m not entirely satisfied with how that match played out. I get it, not every match is going to go your way, the same goes for any competition, combat sports or not – however that dissatisfaction cannot go hand-in-hand with complacency. We cannot look back at that dissatisfaction and immediately assume the next time will be different, the next performance will feel far more comfortable, more dominant; that’s something you have to craft out for yourselves. You have to grab your opportunities by the throat, your hard work and talent isn’t enough to get you there on its own, especially against the likes of Fire & Ice. I’ve spent most of my career opposing them one way or another and very few of those matches would end without blood being spilled, so I would be lying to you if I told you that taking the Championships from them is an easy task. They became Unified Tag Team Champions for the first time almost six years ago. They are still competing at that high level. Team War Games is an impressive victory, but Fire & Ice are experienced, deadlier, greater. If I’m not satisfied with Road To Redemption, there’s work to be done.
(Daniella and Selina once again share a glance at one another. Their confused expression slowly fades to humility and acceptance, a visual breath leaving their bodies simultaneously. They trusted Minerva and her words, they trusted her opinion. All they could do was nod their heads.)
Daniella Atlas: I understand, chère, and I agree. Road To Redemption did not play out ideally. While the victory is telling, we could have done far better, we can do far better, the levels we may reach as a unit reaches far beyond the performance we all had at Road To Redemption. We are better than that and I know we all understand that. The challenge we made to Fire & Ice wasn’t a challenge made with blind faith. We knew what we were setting ourselves up for and I can assure you – WE can assure you – that we only took that opportunity up for the sole reason that we know we are ready for it. You do not need to have your doubts, Minerva, though your concern is much appreciated. We can assure you that we know exactly what we’re getting ourselves into, just as we know that we are perfectly capable of dealing with it.
Selina Reyes: Road To Redemption doesn’t speak to us as a group, and I think it’s very telling that even with a victory under our books we’re still holding that event under a microscope, because we won’t ever stop chasing perfection until we grab it. Fire & Ice are good, we wouldn’t have made that decision ourselves if we weren’t ready, and I think you know that. You were shocked, surprised, you watched it with glee, with pride, with excitement. That’s because you knew that we were just inching closer to proving why this unit actually started to work out in the first place. Starting as enemies to where we have become, and there’s no intention of slowing down either. We’re moving at a comfortable yet rapid pace, developing week by week, and there is nothing that’s going to stand between us and gold.
(Minerva hums in approval.)
Daniella Atlas: I know that speaking in absolutes is misfortune, however, I can guarantee that by King of Elite we’ll have brought the Unified Tag Team Championships to ToXXXin, mon chéri. That is a promise we intend to keep, and there’s no plans on breaking it. We made our decision with that in mind.
(Minerva’s head nodded. She did like what she was hearing. She really, truly did. There was a reason why she formed this group to begin with – even beyond the talent that Daniella and Selina no doubt possessed, high potential and a limitless ceiling even before the concept of ToXXXin ever came to anyone’s mind; this motivation and desire to reach higher and higher plains is exactly why Minerva feels as if the three have struck gold. If they truly, truly believed that they would see a drastic improvement ever since Road To Redemption, she had absolutely no reason to doubt them.)
Minerva: I am glad. Promises are tough to not break. I hope you know that. I’m sure you do. You wouldn’t be making them if you didn’t plan on going through with it, thus, I trust the both of you to knock it out of the park. If you’re going to guarantee those Championships coming home to ToXXXin, then you best make sure that happens, and get prepared for perhaps the biggest match of your careers thus far. Fire & Ice was always going to be a tough one. You’re going to have to prepare, and prepare well.
Daniella Atlas: We know. That’s to be expected. If we had it any other way then this whole thing would be somewhat boring, wouldn’t it?
Selina Reyes: The higher you go the harder it gets. Of course we’re preparing.
(Minerva smirked.)
Minerva: Then I guess you’re gonna have to get used to preparing and training even harder than you already do. Come. Follow. We have much to discuss about this match.
Selina Reyes: I’m sure.
Daniella Atlas: Of course, fleur noire.
(As they all smirk together, Minerva leads the two down the hallway, stepping further and further away, until they are eventually out of frame, even the mumblings of their voices became inaudible. There was no way to eavesdrop on what their gameplan truly would be.)
(Moments later, Voltage began to fade back to ringside…)
(Voltage returns to ringside.)
Bella Braxton: THE FOLLOWING CONTEST IS A KING OF THE ELITE FIRST ROUND MATCH SCHEDULED FOR ONE FALL!!!!
(‘RUNITUP’ by Tyler, The Creator ft. Teezo Touchdown begins to play as the crowd begins to boo. The ever-confident Cosmo Goldworthy emerges onto the stage with a cocky smile on his face. He swaggers down to the ring.)
Bella Braxton: INTRODUCING FIRST…FROM OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA…WEIGHING IN AT 220 POUNDS…HE IS COSMO “MONEY MO” GOLLLDDDWWOOOORTTTHHYYY!
Rich Russillo: Here comes an ambitious young elitist in Cosmo Goldworthy who is hoping to get into the next round of the King of the Elite tournament! Getting a win over his opponent will carry some huge momentum heading into 2026!
(‘Invincible’ by Pop Smoke begins to blast now as the crowd switches to cheering. Chris Elite makes his way out onto the stage looking ready to seize this opportunity. He smiles at the fans slightly but is focused on winning this match as heads down.)
Bella Braxton: AND HIS OPPONENT…FROM BROOKLYN, NEW YORK…WEIGHING IN AT 210 POUNDS…HE IS ‘GAWD GIVEN GREATNESS’…CHHHHRRIIIISSSS ELIIITTEEEEE!
Thadd Blazevich: Road to Redemption did end the way bro wanted it to! Tonight is another opportunity for Chris Elite though as he competes in this first round match! You know that he wants to kick off this year right!
(Elite gets to the ring and Goldworthy gets in his face quickly to talk smack. Elite doesn’t seem fazed by this but does seem amused. The referee sends them both to their corners and calls for the bell.)
(DING! DING! DING!)
Rich Russillo: That’s the bell and this match is now officially underway! And it looks like Money Mo wants to start this year off hot! He rushes right towards Chris Elite and looks for a pump kick! Elite is easily able to avoid that one, seeing it coming from a mile away! He grabs his opponent from behind and sends him into the ropes with an Irish whip! Off the rebound he looks for a discus lariat…but Goldworthy ducks underneath it and keeps building up some speed! HE GOES TO TAKE HIM WITH A JUMPING KNEE! BUT ELITE BLOCKS IT! HE THEN MAKES HIM PAY WITH A MASSIVE UPPERCUT! SNOOZE!
Thadd Blazevich: Bro that was a gnarly impact there! He nearly took his head off with that opening salvo! Goldworthy stumbles backwards from the impact and ends up in the corner! He’s met there by Chris Elite who tosses some right hands his way, followed by some big stomps to get him in a seated position! Elite then heads back across the ring…AND THEN COMES RUSHING TOWARDS HIS OPPONENT! AND BRO LOOKS FOR THAT HAWK ‘EM! DOUBLE KNEES COMING RIGHT AT GOLDWORTHY! But Goldworthy slips out of the ring at the last second dude! He then grabs the leg of Elite and drags him out there too!
Persephone: Oh great, already on the outside here. And now Goldworthy grabs his opponent and tosses him into the barricade! He heads back inside the ring…and wow…this certainly seems like an idiotic move. HE DIVES OUT OF THE RING WITH THE SUICIDE DIVE!
Rich Russillo: AND CHRIS ELITE INTERCEPTS WITH AN UPPERCUT! My god at that speed, he might have knocked Goldworthy out! He scrapes him off the floor and sends him back inside the ring! He makes a climb right up onto that top rope! Goldworthy got his chance to fly and now it’s time for Elite to do the same! HE COMES DOWN WITH THE FROG SPLASH!
Thadd Blazevich: NO BRO! HIS OPPONENT IS ABLE TO GET THE KNEES UP! THEY ARE DRIVEN RIGHT INTO THE ABDOMEN OF ELITE! He bounces off of Goldworthy uses the ropes to drag himself up to his feet! He then approaches Elite…AND TAKES HIM DOWN WITH THE GUILLOTINE CHOKE! A brutal maneuver there dude! Goldworthy is switching things up to attempt to choke him out early on here! At the very least, he is going to do some serious wear and tear!
Persephone: But of course, it doesn’t seem like he’s going to tap. He wouldn’t this early in the match! Instead, Chris Elite tries to lift his opponent back onto his feet! He manages to roll over onto his stomach and somehow rise up! HE THEN CHARGES AND SLAMS GOLDWORTHY INTO THE CORNER TURNBUCKLES! The hold is released!
Rich Russillo: And now Elite drags him out of the corner and provides some punishment! HE GETS HIM WITH THE BOZO SILENCER! That was a slap that could be heard all the way in the bathrooms here tonight! He then picks him up onto his shoulders, getting him in position for that fireman’s carry! WE MIGHT SEE THE MOMENT OF CLARITY! HE DROPS HIM OFF HIS SHOULDERS AND GOES FOR THE ROUNDHOUSE! But no! Cosmo is able to duck underneath it! He grabs his opponent by the waist and tries to get him up for the German suplex but to no avail! Elite answers with an elbow to the face!
Thadd Blazevich: And now bro is running the ropes to build up some speed! He makes the attempt at the pounce…AND HE GETS ALL OF IT DUDE! HE LAUNCHES HIS OPPONENT ACROSS THE RING WITH THAT SHOVE! Goldworthy lands roughly and struggles to get back up to a vertical base! It doesn’t seem like he’s going to have a fun time now as Chris Elite hooks the arms! HE GETS HIM IN POSITION AND SPIKES HIM DOWN ON HIS HEAD AND NECK! BACKSLIDE DRIVER RIGHT INTO A PINFALL!
ONE!
TW-
Persephone: And that doesn’t work out the way he wanted it to. Goldworthy is able to kick out right before a two count. It looks like there is a lot more to go in this King of Elite match. Elite now wants to keep this momentum going. He drags him up over his head and gets him in position for a powerbomb! HE HOLDS HIM UP HIGH!
Rich Russillo: But Goldworthy begins punching down! He has no intention of getting smashed into the mat here! He manages to strike his opponent over and over again until he’s dropped down safely! Elite is looking rough after that vicious string of punches…AND GOLDWORTHY GETS HIM WITH ANOTHER! GIGANTIC RIGHT HAND CATCHES ELITE! Goldworthy now picks him up and lifts him for the brainbuster! BUT ELITE KNEES HIM IN THE HEAD AND ESCAPES!
Thadd Blazevich: Elite is back on offense here as he tries to take his opponent down with a northern lights suplex! All he finds though is an elbow right to the side of the head! He’s shoved away and Goldworthy closes that gap in an instant with a gnarly roundhouse kick! He nearly took his entire head off with that one! Elite almost falls down to the mat but his opponent catches him! He wants to do more damage than that here! HE GETS HIM UP ONTO HIS SHOULDERS AND BEGINS MARCHING HIM AROUND THE RING! It’s pretty obvious that bro is looking for that Death Valley Driver…AND HERE IT COMES!
Persephone: But Chris Elite lands on his feet! HE THEN CONNECTS WITH THAT HEAD SHOT! The pele kick catches Goldworthy right on the forehead! He stumbles back into the ropes…AND HE THEN LOOKS FOR A CLOTHESLINE TO SEND HIM OUT OF THE RING! But Goldworthy is able to dodge out of the way at the last possible moment and sends Elite to the outside! He builds up some speed…AND THEN CONNECTS WITH THE SUICIDE DIVE!
Rich Russillo: WOW! He actually got it this time! He just crushed his opponent with that one! He now picks him up and drags him over to the apron! Goldworthy smashes the skull of Elite right off of that steel and then sends him back inside! Once he’s there, he brings up to his feet…AND SPIKES HIM DOWN WITH THE URANAGE! A nice move there from Goldworthy and now he hooks the leg for the cover!
ONE!
TW-
Thadd Blazevich: But bro does not get the desired result! That shoulder comes up before a two count! Goldworthy does not like that one bit! Once again he goes back into submission mode! He places him in the crossface now! Look at the way he’s pulling back on that head and neck, doing whatever he can to make his opponent suffer! Elite tries to pry the fingers off of him but it seems that Goldworthy’s grip is iron here!
Persephone: It would be really funny if Elite tapped out here but I have a feeling that’s not going to be the case. In fact, he begins crawling towards the ropes…desperately trying to escape this brutal submission hold…AND HE GETS THERE! He manages to put his finger on the bottom rope and now the official is calling for a break!
Rich Russillo: Goldworthy doesn’t seem happy about that in the slightest! He releases the hold and gets back to his feet! He waits until his opponent is back on theirs before coming in for the implant DDT! He tucks his head in but Elite manages to swirl out of it! INSTEAD HE SCOOPS HIS OPPONENT AND LOOKS TOWARDS THE CORNER TURNBUCKLES! HE GOES FOR THAT 44 BULLDOG! GOLDWORTHY GOES HEAD FIRST INTO ONE OF THOSE TURNBUCKLES AND THAT COULD SPELL THE END THERE! How is he even going to know what venue he’s in after that one!
Thadd Blazevich: And now bro keeps on going! Chris drags his opponent up and lifts him up onto his shoulders! He has Cosmo in a reversed fireman’s carry here…which means only one move can follow this up! BRO GOES FOR THE HOURS IN SILENCE! THE REVERSE DDT!
Persephone: But he blocks the knee and lands on his feet! Goldworthy gets him with a question mark in return! He then sends him into the corner with an irish whip! He meets him there with a running dropkick right to the chest! The very impact makes him stumble backwards out of the corner clutching where he was stricken…AND HE GETS TAKEN DOWN FROM BEHIND WITH A RUSSIAN LEGSWEEP!
Rich Russillo: A brutal combination there and there’s so much more to come! Goldworthy drags him up onto his feet and gets him into position for the Tiger Suplex 85’! HERE COMES THE ECTASY OF GOLD! But his opponent is able to counter, landing on his feet once again! HE THEN GETS HIM WITH A BRUTAL UPPERCUT! He follows that up by bringing him onto his shoulders another time! HE GETS HIM WITH THAT FIREMAN’S CARRY INTO THE ROUNDHOUSE! A MOMENT OF CLARITY FOR GOLDWORTHY!
Thadd Blazevich: BRO JUST GOT HIS HEAD NEARLY KICKED OFF THERE! And now he drags him up onto his feet! He gets him into position for the Dead Roses…BUT GOLDWORTHY SLIPS OUT AND SHOVES HIM AWAY! Goldworthy then takes a few steps back as his opponent turns around…HE DELIVERS A KICK STRAIGHT TO THE STOMACH OF HIS OPPONENT! HE THEN FOLLOWS THAT UP WITH AN AXE KICK RIGHT TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD! That was gnarly! He then hooks the leg and goes for a cover!
ONE!
TWO!
Persephone: But that doesn’t get the job done! Chris Elite is able to kick out right at the two count! Damn, Cosmo does not look happy about that at all. He really wants to move onto the next round! He drags his opponent back up to his feet and gets him into position for the Goldworthy Special…which means he look for another submission from the butterfly suplex!
Rich Russillo: BUT ELITE IS ABLE TO TWIST OUT OF IT! HE THEN GETS HIS OPPONENT WITH ANOTHER MASSIVE SNOOZE! As his opponent’s head snaps back, Elite leaps up and grabs…BRINGING IT BACK DOWN TO THE MAT WITH A JUMPING DDT! He now looks for a cover of his own, hoping to draw this match to a close!
ONE!
TWO!
Thadd Blazevich: NO BRO! This one isn’t over yet! Goldworthy kicks out right at the two! Elite gets right back up onto his feet, he’s going to keep his momentum going here! He begins strutting across the ring, approaching his opponent with a smile as the crowd cheers Elite on! HE THEN GETS HIM WITH THAT PEOPLE’S MOONSAULT! From there…he takes hold of his opponent and lifts him up! A lot of power from this dude right now…but he wants to kick this new year off with a bang! HE TRANSITIONS HIM UP FOR A SIT OUT POWERBOMB!
Persephone: And now Goldworthy gouges the eyes of his opponent! Damn, he is avoiding this powerbomb like the plague. He’s dropped down back to his feet and he immediately gets Elite with a massive spinning back elbow! It stuns Elite for a moment while he runs the ropes…GOLDWORTHY COLLIDES WITH THE SHOULDER TACKLE!
Rich Russillo: He stands above his opponent now, looking to add even more damage to the mix! He stomps on him viciously…then climbs on top and begins hammering down fists! Goldworthy is being completely relentless at the moment! He then drags him back to his feet and gets him in position for the back suplex! HE GOES UP WITH IT…AND ELITE ROLLS OFF THE SHOULDERS AND LANDS BEHIND GOLDWORTHY! He goes to the ropes and leaps off the middle one…FLYING UPPERCUT STRAIGHT INTO THE JAW OF GOLDWORTHY! Elite might have knocked him completely out with that one!
Thadd Blazevich: Bro, this is not the position you want to be in here! Goldworthy looks out of it as Elite just interrupted all that momentum he was building! Elite looks to keep up his own, lifting him back up to his feet and gets him into position for that Hammerlock DDT! I think we are about to see the Face Value here bro…BUT GOLDWORTHY IS ABLE TO TWIST OUT OF IT! HE TRIES TO GET HIS OPPONENT WITH A SCORPION KICK BUT ELITE AVOIDS IT! BRO FIRES OFF WITH THE DISCUS LARIAT AND CONNECTS WITH ALL OF IT!
Persephone: Damn, he was turned inside out from that one. Goldworthy hits the ground hard once again, failing to rally there. Elite decides that this is a moment to put it all away. Someone has to. He makes his way back up onto that top rope! It seems like this audience really wants to know what might come next as they cheer him on…AND HERE COMES AIMIN FOR THE MOON!
Rich Russillo: But Goldworthy rolls out of the way! Elite lands face first on that mat and that must have hurt! He scrambles back up to his feet but seems to be stunned from impact! Goldworthy on the other hand is pulling himself back up in the corner…he sees the opportunity here and by God is he going to seize it! HE GETS HIM WITH THE TORNADO KICK! READY TO DIE! That right there might be the end of this bout as he hooks the leg for the cover!
ONE!
TWO!
TH-
Thadd Blazevich: THIS DUDE JUST KICKED OUT OF THAT! Goldworthy can hardly believe it bro! He looks down at Elite and then up at the referee who shows him his fingers! Shock turns to rage fairly quickly as Goldworthy tries for another submission move! This time he tries to get in the Fujiwara armbar but Elite is able to snatch the bottom rope before it can be fully applied! The referee immediately breaks up the hold, which seems to irritate Goldworthy even further! HE DROPKICKS ELITE IN THE SIDE OF THE HEAD BEFORE HE CAN FULLY STAND!
Persephone: That was a bit of a cheap shot but you know…fair. Someone needs to end this match. Goldworthy seems to have that very intention as he lets Elite fall back towards the center of the ring. He heads out onto the apron and watches his opponent carefully…he knows exactly what he wants to do next…HE FLIPS OVER THE ROPES AND LOOKS FOR THAT GOLD RUSH!
Rich Russillo: BUT ELITE LEAPS FORWARD WITH THE HEADBUTT! OPP SPOTTER! He intercepts his opponent perfectly there! Elite now drags his arm over the chest of Goldworthy looking for the cover! Is this it?
ONE!
TWO!
TH-
Thadd Blazevich: BUT NO! Somehow this one still is not over dude! Goldworthy manages to kick out of that brutal headbutt! Elite seems surprised, hoping that it would end there! But now he has to dig down even deeper to put this one away! He waits for Goldworthy to move into better positioning, sitting up now! HE THEN LOOKS FOR THAT BOX OFFICE SMASH!
Persphone: But Goldworthy decides to be a pain in the ass instead. He rolls away from it before it can connect and goes right under the bottom rope. Looks like he just escaped certain doom there.
Rich Russillo: Doom could still be what follows here! Chris Elite is not about to let him stay out there for very long! HE BUILDS UP SOME SPEED AND THEN COMES FLYING OUT OF THE RING WITH A SUICIDE DIVE! He crashes down on Goldworthy there! Seems like things are not about to go any way for Goldworthy as Elite goes to throw him back inside the ring! They get near the apron…AND GOLDWORTHY SMASHES ELITE’S FACE RIGHT OFF OF IT! He stumbles away from the ring and collapses near onto the barricade!
Thadd Blazevich: It seems like the referee is about to start his count here! They need to bring this one back inside the ring! Elite recognizes that and shakes off the blow! Dude heads over to his opponent and tries to force him back up onto his feet…BUT GOLDWORTHY FLIPS THE SCRIPT AND CHARGES HIM STRAIGHT INTO THE BARRICADE! Elite clutches his lower back in pain and now a brawl between these two begins to really break out! They begin trading blows here on the outside!
Crowd: ONE! TWO! THREE!
Persephone: Do these guys know where a match is supposed to take place? Because it really doesn’t seem like either one of them at this moment is understanding they need to be back inside the ring.
Rich Russillo: It seems like both of them are focused on beating the tar out of one another here. Goldworthy seems to have noticed that count beginning and tries to break away to get inside! But Elite grabs his arm and he’s not about to let him go anywhere! HE PULLS HIM BACK OVER FOR A BITCH MAKER! He then tries to head back inside the ring himself…
Crowd: FOUR! FIVE! SIX!
Thadd Blazevich: BUT NO BRO! GOLDWORTHY SEIZES HIM AND GETS HIM WITH A KNEE TO THE SPINE! HE THEN LIFTS HIM UP ONTO HIS SHOULDERS…IT LOOKS HE’S GOING TO HIT A DEATH VALLEY DRIVER ON THE OUTSIDE HERE! But Elite has zero intention of being slammed onto the hard floor here! He manages to get off the shoulders and tries to shove Goldworthy away! BUT GOLDWORTHY CATCHES HIM WITH AN ELBOW TO THE FACE! The clock is running down on these two and neither one of them is close to that ring!
Crowd: SEVEN! EIGHT! NINE!
Persephone: Can one of these idiots just get back inside? The count is getting pretty high now. Are these two actually so dumb that they don’t know how to get in the ring? These two just keep fighting on the outside, meanwhile we’re already at a nine count. Looks like we’ll have a double count out!
Rich Russillo: BUT ELITE NOTICES THIS AND MAKES ONE FINAL RUN TOWARDS THE RING! HE SLIDES UNDERNEATH THE BOTTOM ROPE!!!!
Thadd Blazevich: AND COSMO GOLDWORTHY DOES THE SAME!!!!
Referee: TEN!!!!
(DING! DING! DING!)
(Both Elitists appear to be inside of the ring as the bell rings, leaving the fans shocked about what just occurred.)
Thadd Blazevich: Bro what just happened? Did Goldworthy not make it in time? It looks like the referee is handing his decision to Bella Braxton right now.
(The referee points towards the two Elitists while speaking to Bella, and after a moment, Bella nods before beginning to speak.)
Bella Braxton: HERE IS YOUR WINNER AS A RESULT OF A COUNT-OUT… ADVANCING TO THE NEXT ROUND OF THE KING OF ELITE TOURNAMENT…
Bella Braxton: CCHHHRRRIIISSS ELLLIIITTTEE!
(‘Invincible’ by Pop Smoke begins blaring as the referee raises the arm of Chris Elite. The fans are surprised, but a replay is shown after this. While both men were able to slide into the ring, Cosmo Goldworthy slid in just after Chris, causing him to miss the count of ten. Cosmo appears to be furious seeing this, just staring at Chris Elite.)
Rich Russillo: I…can’t believe that just happened here folks! Cosmo Goldworthy was half a second too late! That was a very good match between these two Elitists! I mean, I thought either of them could take it tonight! But in the end, it was half a second that decided this victory!
Persephone: Does Cosmo Goldworthy look a little pissed off to you guys too?
Thadd Blazevich: AND GOLDWORTHY AMBUSHES THE CELEBRATING ELITE FROM BEHIND! Bro is expressing his discontent with that result as physically as he can! He keeps savagely stomping and punching his opponent before dragging him up onto his feet…HE RUNS THE ROPES LIKE A BAT OUT OF HELL! AND THEN HE BISECTS ELITE WITH THE COLDEST WINTER! Dude just speared him in two there!
Rich Russillo: Cosmo Goldworthy is not moving on in King of the Elite but he made a statement here tonight nonetheless! You have to wonder what is going to happen next for this elitist?
(The final shot shows Goldworthy standing above Elite, staring him down as the camera fades.)
(Promotional ad for King of Elite, where the King of Elite finals will take place.)
(The camera returns from the commercial and opens to cheering fans inside the arena.)
Bella Braxton: Ladies and gentlemen… in honor of the new year beginning, we want to take a moment tonight to highlight new beginnings here in EAW!!!
Crowd: WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
Bella Braxton: So with that in mind… the following contest is a tag team match… FEATURING FOUR EAW ELITISTS MAKING THEIR DEBUTS!!!
Crowd: WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
(The camera turns and we see a pair of wrestlers already in the ring, a man and a woman. The man is highly muscular like a bodybuilder and wearing a half pink, half neon green singlet while posing for the camera. The woman has pigtails and wears a neon green top with pink tights and boots, she poses in the corner and blows a large bubble with her chewing gum that pops.)
Bella Braxton: Introducing first, from Los Angeles, California… the team of Max Static and Vivi Vandal… MAIN CHARACTER ENERGYYYYYYYY!!!
Persephone: Main Character Energy? These two couldn’t look more like the base models of a create a character mode if they tried.
Thadd Blazevich: Hey don’t be a hater, bro! Everyone starts somewhere and this is a big opportunity for Max and Vivi! We’ll have to see what they’re made of here tonight!
Rich Russillo: That we will! This is a rare chance for us to possibly see the future of this industry laid out in front of our eyes all at once! The question is simply what Main Character Energy can bring to the table!
(“Reviver” by My First Story then hits the speakers as a woman with black, purple, and white braided hair walks out onto the stage, taking a look around at the crowd before making her way down the ramp with a grin on her face.)
Bella Braxton: AND THEIR OPPONENTS! Introducing first, making her way to the ring from London, England by way of Yokohama, Japan… SAYURRRRIIIIII HHIIIIIMMMUURRRRAAAAAAA!!!!
Rich Russillo: And speaking of anticipated debuts! Sayuri Himura has spent years training around the world and working her way through the developmental system to get better! And clearly it paid off as she impressed the coaches enough to get the nod for this special call up here tonight!
Thadd Blazevich: Right on, bro! They say she’s almost like a modern day samurai or something! Very big on the whole bushido code thing! I can’t wait to see what she brings to the table here on Voltage!
Persephone: Just what we need around here. More annoying slags trying to appeal to the weeby ass incels at home. Ugh. First we get the dollar store Barbie in the ring and now this.
(Sayuri high fives a few fans on her way down the ramp before sliding into the ring, standing a bit in front of her corner, watching and sizing up her opponents.)
(“Deathbed Companion” by Chelsea Grin hits the speakers now as a blonde woman wearing strappy black gear and a red trench coat steps out onto the stage. She eyes around at the arena before walking down the ramp, her head high with the coat flowing seamlessly behind her.)
Bella Braxton: And her partner… making her way to the ring from Parts Unknown…ERIS MORRRRRTTTIIIIIII!!!!!!
Thadd Blazevich: And here is a big one for us bros! Eris Morti is a veteran in her own right around the world! But she vanished from the world of pro wrestling back in 2024! But now she is back and on the biggest stage in the entire industry for the very first time as she steps into EAW!
Persephone: You sure she didn’t just wander in here trying to find a vampire bar or something?
Rich Russillo: Eris is a major prospect for EAW and she has the potential to do great things here on the Voltage brand! Not many wrestlers get the chance to wrestle in EAW so it make sense that such an opportunity would lure her out of her hiatus! Time to see what she can do and how much that time away impacted her skills!
(Eris climbs the steps and goes through the ropes. She looks around, silently scoffing at the look of Max and Vivi before turning and removing her coat, draping it across the corner turnbuckle where a ringside official reaches up and grabs it.)
(DING! DING! DING!)
Rich Russillo: The referee has called for the bell and this special match of debuts is underway! Both teams have a quick discussion of who will start this match, and it looks like we will get an opening contest between Vivi Vandal and Eris Morti!
(Vivi and Eris move towards the center of the ring. But suddenly Vivi stops. She blows another bubblegum bubble until it pops and yells at Eris.)
Vivi Vandal: (Off mic) JUST QUIT NOW! TODAY IS ALL ABOUT US! WE ARE THE MAIN CHARACTERS!
Thadd Blazevich: Wow bro! Vivi really wants the world to know— ERIS MORTI WITH A POWERFUL PUNCH RIGHT ACROSS THE JAW OF VIVI VANDAL! VIVI IS KNOCKED DIRECTLY TO THE MAT! AND ERIS IS STANDING OVER HER! AND NOW ERIS IS STOMPING A HOLE INTO VIVI VANDAL! VIVI ALMOST LOOKS LIKE SHE’S CHOKING!
Persephone: On her gum or on her career? Eh. It’s probably both.
Rich Russillo: Well whatever is going on, Viví is in. Trouble here! Eris loves to fight and she is taking that fight to Vivi Vandal! Vivi is looking desperate for an escape! But Eris grabs her by one of those pigtails and is pulling her up for something here! THE UNDERGROUND! THE GOTCH STYLE PILEDRIVER CONNECTS AND VIVI VANDAL IS OUT COLD!
Thadd Blazevich: BUT MAX STATIC HAS ENTERED THE RING! AND HE CHARGES DIRECTLY AT ERIS—
Persephone: BUT HE GETS INTERCEPTED BY SAYURI! SHE HITS MAX WITH A MISSILE DROPKICK TO THE KNEE! MAX IS STUMBLED BACK! HE FALLS TO ONE LEG! AND SAYURI COMES OFF THE ROPES! SAYONARA! THE ARRIVEDERCI KNEE LIFT CONNECTS ACROSS THE JAW OF MAX STATIC!
Rich Russillo: AND THAT IS NOT ALL! SHE PULLS MAX UP BY THE ARM! SHE GETS HIM TO A WOBBLY BUT VERTICAL BASE! AND NOW SHE TWISTS INTO POSITION! THE WEB OF THE SPIDER LILY! HER MODIFIED OCTOPUS HOLD SUBMISSION! ITS LOCKED IN TIGHT!
Thadd Blazevich: AND LOOK AT ERIS BRO! SHE PULLS VIVI VANDAL IN AND APPLIES HER OWN SUBMISSION! ANOXIA! THE KATAHAJIME CHOKE IS LOCKED IN! SIMULTANEOUS SUBMISSIONS APPLIED BY ERIS AND SAYURI! MAX AND VIVI ARE BOTH FADING ALREADY! THEY CAN’T LAST LIKE THIS!
(The referee looks around, the obvious chaos of the match getting out of hand so quickly that he looks flustered. But he looks between both submission holds before finally…)
(DING! DING! DING!)
Bella Braxton: Here are your winners… by submission… THE TEAM OF SAYURI HIMURA AND ERIS MORTIIIIIIIIIII!!!!
(“Deathbed Companion” hits the speakers again as Sayuri and Eris each release their holds and their opponents drop to the mat, unconscious. The referee then stands between them and raises both of their arms.)
Rich Russillo: Well it’s hard to call a match where there were no tags a tag team match, but excellent timing and chemistry displayed in that short span from Sayuri and Eris! And both of them let the world know exactly how much power they pack in their arsenals and these two are going to be forced to be reckoned with!
Thadd Blazevich: Yeah bro! These two are definitely going to be ones to watch as time goes on! They have a bright future ahead of them as they get their proper EAW careers started! And by the looks of this match maybe a solid future in the tag division! Sorry to say, may not be the same for Main Character Energy!
Persephone: You mean the two bland ass NPC’s that just shat the bed on international broadcast? Yeah I don’t see them retaining any full time contracts.
(Sayuri and Eris each celebrate briefly in the ring before turning to face each other. Sayuri extends a hand to Eris who takes it and they shake in celebration of their victory. Sayuri then turns to leave the ring.)
Rich Russillo: ERIS JUST BLASTED SAYURI FROM BEHIND! A MASSIVING SHOT TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD AND SAYURI JUST WENT DOWN! ERIS GRABS SAYURI BY THE HEAD! THE UNDERGROUND! GOTCH STYLE PILEDRIVER! ERIS MORTI PLANTS SAYURI HIMURA INTO THE MAT! SAYURI IS NOT MOVING!
Thadd Blazevich: Well so much for the tag team run I mentioned! What the hell is Eris doing bro?!? Why would she do that to Sayuri right after they just won working together?!?
Persephone: To finally give me some entertainment! That was already more fun than anything that happened in that match we just watched!
(Eris looks down at Sayuri, almost glaring at her. After a moment, Eris turns and rolls out of the ring before making her way up the ramp pausing at the stage to turn and loon again at Sayuri. Medics rush into the ring to check on Sayuri, checking her for a neck injury as the cameras fade.)
(Commercial for the College Football Playoffs. The greatest moments of Fernando Mendoza’s life before he is condemned to hell as a Las Vegas Raider.)
(Following the commercial, Voltage begins to fade to the backstage area. The camera opens up to a room backstage, and here, Jon Kelton can be seen. The fans loudly begin to boo as soon as they see him, booing even more than usual following Kelton’s events at Road to Redemption, where he injured Bronson Daniels and caused his elimination in the EAW World Championship Chamber. Despite the result of the match, Jon Kelton has a smirk on his face as he stares at the camera, beginning to speak.)
Jon Kelton: It’s funny, isn’t it? A year ago, I was entering the King of Elite tournament and honestly? I think I could’ve won. I had the ability. I could’ve gone all the way, and ultimately it could’ve been me walking out at the start of the night with the EAW World Championship instead of Drake Armstrong. That didn’t happen though, and it’s because I was too busy being dragged into a fight I shouldn’t have needed to be involved with. I could’ve remained focused on my own career, but I didn’t, and it’s because I was too busy doing what I always did and worrying about Bronson Daniels. There was a time where my career was basically being haunted by Bronson. I couldn’t do anything without my connection to him screwing me over, and instead of understanding everything I sacrificed, he went and he became an even bigger problem. Well, guess what?
Jon Kelton: That problem has been handled.
(The boos return, even louder than before. The fans are disgusted seeing Kelton take pride in his brutal attack at Road to Redemption, which has taken Bronson Daniels out of action indefinitely. Kelton just shakes his head, continuing as he drops the smirk that was on his face.)
Jon Kelton: I won’t pretend that I’m pleased about what happened inside of the Extreme Elimination Chamber, because I’m not. Losing that match was infuriating, but it’d be a lie to pretend that the match was a waste of time, because what I was able to take away from that match was something I’ve been trying to reach for far too long now, and that’s freedom. I spent over a year tied down to Bronson Daniels, and it was in that very structure that I once gave up my own aspirations for the sake of bailing him out, all so he could render it meaningless by handing Donovan Duke the Answers World Championship. I couldn’t thrive while I’m being tied next to someone who wanted the worst for me as long as he was able to succeed at my expense, and his refusal to let me do what’s best is exactly what caused him to turn against me. Bronson wouldn’t leave me alone, and in the Extreme Elimination Chamber I finally did it. I got him away from me, but that’s not all I did. See, I know by now you’re all probably hoping that Bronson is able to make his grand return. You’re probably waiting for him to sneak up on me any minute now, but that’s not happening. Not this time.
Jon Kelton: Bronson Daniels is going to be gone for a long time, and that’s all thanks to me. I did everything I promised I would do, but that’s not all. I did what I needed to do, and with him out of the picture, what do you think this means for the rest of the Voltage roster? I’m finally able to enjoy life without Bronson Daniels waiting at every corner to screw things over for me, so now that I’m not being dragged around and I’m free to do as I please, I’m ready. I’m ready to do what I should have already accomplished years ago. I’m ready to reach the pinnacle and get what I deserve, and you already know what that is. It didn’t happen at Road to Redemption, but a World Championship will be in my hands soon enough, and this tournament is my road to accomplishing exactly that. I’m not spending the rest of my season putting up with a guy who didn’t seem to serve any other purpose besides trying to hold me back. The only thing I’m concerned about right now is making an impact. The kind of impact you can’t ignore.
(Kelton has a focused look on his face, turning his attention away from Bronson Daniels as he focuses on what’s ahead of him, which is the King of Elite tournament.)
Jon Kelton: In just a few moments I’ll be heading out there to face Kai Rabeaux, and let’s just make one thing clear before that happens. That match is only going to be the beginning. I don’t have too much history with Kai Rabeaux. He hasn’t been a massive part of my season the same way Elitists like Drake Armstrong, Bronson Daniels or Adam Lucas were. However, he’s in my way. He was unlucky enough to be the first opponent I faced in the King of Elite tournament, so when I go out there, there’s no use expecting any other result. No matter who I was put up against, I was leaving this match with the victory. This entire tournament will be mine, so you might as well get ready to call me King.
(This causes the boos to continue, as while Kai Rabeaux is not a fan favorite himself, Kelton’s words tonight have only drawn even more hatred from the crowd following the injury of Bronson Daniels.)
Jon Kelton: I get it. Kai Rabeaux is Mr. 24/7. Probably the least experienced War Games winner EAW has ever had. He’s done a lot in his year here and that’s good for him, but I’m not here just to play second fiddle for anybody. I’m here to finally stand at the top of the mountain and reach the heights I’ve known I was capable of reaching for ages now. This is where everything finally starts to work in my favor. Making it past Kai is my main priority tonight but it is far from my biggest goal, and I can assure you all of that, because the next six months of my career may just be the biggest yet. I’m not just thinking about tonight. I’m thinking about who I’ll be facing in the next rounds of this tournament. I’m thinking about who I’ll be facing in the King of Elite finals. I’ll be thinking about what Voltage will look like for the rest of the season, because trust me, the second half of this season will look far different from the first half.
Jon Kelton: It doesn’t stop at King of Elite, either. Voltage has an entire roster full of people who all think they’re the best, and guess what? They’re not safe, either. Drake Armstrong is the EAW World Champion right now so I’m keeping my eyes on him, but that’s not all. TLA, Adam Lucas, Dr. Bethany Blue, none of them realize the kind of talent this brand really has to offer because while they’ve had all the time in the world to go after whatever they want, I had a thorn in my side that just refused to be removed. Bronson wanted me pushed to the side and for the first half of the season he achieved exactly that, but that’s done now.
Jon Kelton: I see what’s going on around here, and I can assure you that change will come very soon. Minerva even started her own group for the sake of dominating the roster, but if she knows what’s best for her and the rest of ToXXXin, she’ll proceed with caution heading towards the rest of this season. The days of her or anyone else trying to turn this brand into their own personal playground are over, because as far as I’m concerned each and every one of you have targets on your backs, and I’m not stopping until my path leads me to the one thing I have been missing throughout my entire career.
Jon Kelton: I have spent too long putting my own goals to the side so everyone else can be happy, but I won’t be the kind of Elitist that lives in the past and wastes the rest of my career worrying about what could’ve been. Not when I just turned things around and guaranteed a better future for myself. For too long I’ve been forced to sit back and watch, or better yet, pass up on the perfect opportunities so somebody else can have it in my place. I don’t have any intentions of doing so going forward. Going forward I intend to make Voltage my show, and that starts with me running through this entire tournament and getting what I deserve.
(The fans begin to loudly boo, but Jon Kelton doesn’t care. He gets out of his seat, walking out of the camera’s view as he has said everything he needed to. As Jon Kelton leaves the area in preparation for his match, Voltage begins to fade away from the scene.)
(Voltage returns to ringside, where Bella Braxton could be seen with a microphone in her hand.)
Bella Braxton: Ladies and gentlemen… The following contest is a King of Elite First Round match, AND IT IS SCHEDULED FOR ONE FALL!!!!
Crowd: ONE FALL!!!!
(‘Thoughts of a Dying Atheist’ by Muse hits, causing a mostly positive reception to come from the crowd as Jay Jerry Johnson begins to walk out to the stage. Jay has a focused look on his face, knowing that this is his chance to eventually fight for the EAW World Championship once more. Jay wastes no time, beginning to walk down the ramp.)
Bella Braxton: Introducing first… From Chicago, Illinois… Weighing in at 223 pounds… JAAAAYYYYY JEEERRRYYYYYYY JJJJJJOOOOOOOOHHHHNNNSSSOOOOONNNNNNN!!!!!!!!!
Rich Russillo: Jay Jerry Johnson is ready to try to advance in the King of Elite tournament. This could very well be the step he needs to become a World Champion, but it won’t come easy.
Thadd Blazevich: Well of course not, dude. TLA is a real tough dude, but that’s what’s gonna give us a fire match. Triple J has done some real impressive things, so with the stakes this high, I think he could pull through.
Persephone: Jay Jerry Johnson is boring as hell, so I can’t imagine him as King of Elite.
(‘Ambitionz az a Ridah’ by Tupac follows, and before long TLA can be seen making his way out to loud cheers. TLA has a smirk on his face as he looks around at the fans in attendance, but a focused look appears on his face, knowing that he has a big opportunity ahead of him as he begins to walk down the ramp. TLA high fives some of the fans on his way to the ring.)
Bella Braxton: And his opponent… From Tlaxcala, Mexico… Weighing in at 210 pounds… TTTTTTT!!!! LLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!! AAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!
Rich Russillo: TLA has made it to the finals of the King of Elite tournament before, but could this be the year where he wins? We’ll need to find out, but this is only the first round, and he doesn’t have a simple opponent.
Thadd Blazevich: I can’t wait to see how this one is gonna go, dude. This could literally end in any way. Tournament matches are so awesome!
Persephone: Well let’s just get this over with. I can’t see these two giving me a match worth watching.
(Ding! Ding! Ding!)
Rich Russillo: AND BOTH ELITISTS ARE READY TO GET THIS ONE STARTED! TLA and Jay Jerry Johnson circle the ring before rushing towards each other- AND JAY IS ABLE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE BY DROPPING DOWN AND HOOKING TLA FOR A SCHOOL BOY ROLL UP!
ONE-
Rich Russillo: BUT TLA IMMEDIATELY KICKS OUT OF IT, AND HE FOLLOWS UP BY GRABBING JAY’S LEGS AND ROLLING FORWARD ON TOP OF JAY FOR A PIN OF HIS OWN!
ONE-
Thadd Blazevich: JAY KICKS OUT AND BOTH DUDES GET BACK TO THEIR FEET-
Rich Russillo: BUT TLA LEAPS OVER JAY, USING THE OPPORTUNITY TO PULL JAY INTO A SUNSET FLIP PIN!
Thadd Blazevich: JAY IS ABLE TO COUNTER IT THOUGH! TRIPLE J LIFTED HIMSELF UP ON TOP OF TLA, HOLDING THE LEGS FOR A PIN!
Rich Russillo: BUT TLA PULLS JAY BACK DOWN, AND THE SUNSET FLIP PIN IS BACK IN!
ONE!
Thadd Blazevich: BUT JAY IS ABLE TO KICK OUT, ROLLING BACK TO HIS FEET BEFORE BACKPEDALING INTO THE ROPES! TRIPLE J RUNS IN, AND BRO GOES FOR A PENALTY KICK- BUT TLA IS ABLE TO DUCK UNDER IT BEFORE RUSHING BACK TO HIS FEET! Jay turns around, AND NOW TLA LEAPS UP AND CATCHES BRO WITH A HURRICANRANA! THIS HAS BEEN AN INCREDIBLY FAST PACED MATCH SO FAR BRO, AND I THINK TLA IS LOOKING TO KEEP UP THE HEAT!
Persephone: Jay stumbles into the corner of the ring after one of the most obnoxious sequences of events I have ever seen, and now TLA runs in looking to capitalize. Jay was able to prevent that though, lifting TLA over the top rope. TLA landed on the apron though, and thanks to that he was able to catch Jay off guard with a forearm, forcing Jay to stumble backwards.
Rich Russillo: TLA now, LOOKING FOR A SPRINGBOARD CLO- WAIT, NO! TLA WAS LOOKING FOR A SPRINGBOARD CLOTHESLINE, BUT JAY WAS ABLE TO MOVE AND GRAB TLA BY THE LEG! TLA LANDS ON THE MAP HARD, AND NOW JAY HOLDS ONTO TLA’S LEG BEFORE DROPPING A KNEE ONTO TLA’S CALF! JAY NOW DROPPING DOWN, AND HE APPLIES A CALF SLICER ON TLA!!! TLA IS TRAPPED IN A SUBMISSION RIGHT AFTER A PAINFUL KNEE DROP TO THE CALF, BUT WILL TLA ALLOW HIMSELF TO STAY THERE FOR LONG!? JAY WAS ABLE TO CHANGE HIS APPROACH AND COUNTER TLA’S AGILITY WITH A MORE METHODICAL APPROACH, BUT WILL IT PAY OFF!??
Thadd Blazevich: NOT YET IT WON’T! TLA WAS ABLE TO PULL JAY CLOSER TO HIM A BIT, BEFORE HITTING HIM WITH ELBOWS TO THE BACK OF HIS HEAD! Yikes, bro. TLA had to hurt his leg even more there, yanking on that submission more just to pull Jay closer. Still, he’s free and I think that’s enough for this dude! TLA stumbles back to his feet, as does Jay- AND NOW TLA HITS JAY WITH A FOREARM, BACKING HIM OFF SO HE CAN USE THE TIME TO TRY AND SHAKE OFF THE LEG DAMAGE!
Persephone: JAY DOES THE SMART THING THOUGH, BY RESPONDING BY RUSHING IN AND KICKING TLA IN THE CALF! TLA lifts his leg up and holds it in pain, but Jay uses the opportunity to grab TLA from behind. Jay goes for a German suplex- but TLA starts to frantically throw back elbows to knock Jay off of him. It doesn’t work though, AND JAY IS ABLE TO DROP TLA ONTO THE BACK OF HIS HEAD WITH THE GERMAN SUPLEX! If only that were enough to end the match. I really don’t want to be here any longer than I already have.
Rich Russillo: Jay drags TLA back up, AND JAY BEGINS TO DROP ELBOWS DOWN INTO THE SIDE OF HIS NECK! JAY IS GETTING AGGRESSIVE NOW AFTER THAT FIRST SUBMISSION DIDN’T WORK- BUT TLA ISN’T DONE FIGHTING BACK JUST YET, AS HE TURNS AND GRABS JAY BEFORE CONNECTING WITH A JAWBREAKER! Jay is stunned by that one, AND NOW TLA BEGINS TO LIMP- BEFORE BREAKING INTO A FULL SPRINT TOWARDS THE ROPES!
Thadd Blazevich: TLA SPRINGBOARDS OFF THE MIDDLE ROPE WITH ONLY HIS GOOD LEG, TURNING AND CONNECTING WITH A SPRINGBOARD VERY MEXICAN UPPERCUT!!!! TRIPLE J GOES DOWN, BUT BRO, DID YOU SEE THAT??? TLA JUST SPRINGBOARDED OFF THE MIDDLE ROPE WITH ONE LEG!! THAT WAS AWESOME FROM TLA, WHO NOW QUICKLY PULLS HIMSELF IN FOR THE COVER!!
ONE!
TWO!!
THR-
Persephone: BUT FOR SOME REASON, JAY JERRY JOHNSON WAS ABLE TO KICK OUT! That’s annoying. I genuinely don’t get why we need to watch a TLA and Jay Jerry Johnson match, but whatever. TLA uses the ropes to pull himself up before making his way out to the apron, and I think his plan is to go up top and finish the job, but he’s climbing a bit slower than usual. I guess those shots to the leg did their job after all.
Rich Russillo: And I think that may have just saved Jay Jerry Johnson, who is able to turn and slowly push himself to all fours! Jay is still hurting from that uppercut, BUT HE’S ABLE TO PUSH HIMSELF TO THE CORNER, ATTACKING AT TLA’S BAD LEG SO THAT HE GETS STUCK ON THE TOP ROPE! Jay takes a moment to catch his breath and recover from that uppercut, before beginning to climb up to the top rope. Is Jay looking for a top rope superplex??
Thadd Blazevich: I think so, dude! Jay is lifting TLA up for it- BUT LOOK! TLA IS ABLE TO GIVE JAY A TASTE OF HIS OWN MEDICINE, SWEEPING THE LEG! THIS CAUSED JAY TO DROP DOWN ON THE TOP ROPE, CAUSING HIM TO FALL INTO A TREE OF WOE POSITION! Uh oh, this isn’t looking good for Triple J! Jay is trying to slowly pull himself up, grabbing onto the ropes to raise his head- BUT I DON’T THINK THAT’S THE BEST IDEA RIGHT NOW, BRO!
Persephone: TLA JUMPS OFF THE TOP ROPE, CONNECTING WITH A DOUBLE FOOT STOMP TO THE FACE OF JAY! TLA lands in the ring, and Jay just collapses onto the mat. I wish TLA would go for a pin now since he only has one leg, but whatever.
Rich Russillo: TLA slowly pushes himself up before backing into the opposite corner, meanwhile Jay Jerry Johnson has pulled himself into a seated position in the corner he was already in. TLA is forcing himself to get moving despite his leg pain, AND NOW HE RUNS IN BEFORE CONNECTING WITH THE DOUBLE KNEES! JAY JERRY JOHNSON WAS ROCKED BY THAT ONE, BUT TLA DOESN’T APPEAR TO BE FINISHED JUST YET! He drags Jay Jerry Johnson closer towards the middle of the ring, BEFORE BEGINNING TO POSITION HIM FOR THE MEXICAN DESTROYER!
Thadd Blazevich: BUT TRIPLE J ISN’T LETTING THAT HAPPEN, BRO! HE DROPS TLA WITH A DOUBLE LEG! JAY NOW SETTING UP FOR A FIGURE FOUR-
Persephone: BUT TLA COUNTERS THIS BY PULLING JAY INTO AN INSIDE CRADLE!
ONE!
TWO!!
Rich Russillo: JAY JERRY JOHNSON KICKS OUT!! Both men make their way back to their feet-
Thadd Blazevich: AND THERE’S THE DRAGONSLAYER!!! TRIPLE J JUST KICKED TLA RIGHT IN THE TEMPLE, AND NOW JAY FALLS DOWN ONTO TLA FOR THE COVER!!
ONE!
TWO!!
THR-
Thadd Blazevich: BUT IT AIN’T OVER YET, BROS!!!!! TLA WAS ABLE TO GET THE SHOULDER UP!!! That was a close one right there, dude. Jay Jerry Johnson is gonna have to figure out some other way to win, but you know what? I think he’s got it figured out! Jay gets up before grabbing him by the bad leg, AND TRIPLE J NOW DROPS AN ELBOW ONTO THE CALF! HE DELIVERS A SECOND ONE, AND BRO, IT’S LOOKING BAD FOR TLA RIGHT NOW! With Jay moving like this, TLA is gonna be a bit limited, isn’t he?
Rich Russillo: Jay begins to pull TLA back up, AND I THINK JAY MAY HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR A SUPLEX THERE- BUT TLA WAS ABLE TO GROUND HIMSELF BEFORE BEGINNING TO PUNCH JAY IN THE RIBS! JAY RESPONDS WITH A KNEE TO THE MIDSECTION THOUGH, AND NOW HE LIFTS TLA UP BEFORE DROPPING HIM WITH A BRAINBUSTER!!! JAY GETS BACK TO HIS FEET, AND TLA IS LOOKING LIFELESS RIGHT NOW! THIS COULD BE THE BEST CHANCE JAY HAS TO PUT THIS ONE AWAY AND HE KNOWS IT, SO HE DRAGS TLA UP BEFORE LIFTING HIM FOR THE YKHM LAST LOVE!!!
Thadd Blazevich: BUT HE DOESN’T GET IT, DUDE!!! TLA WAS ABLE TO COUNTER WITH A HEADSCISSORS, SENDING TRIPLE J RIGHT INTO THE MIDDLE ROPE! TRIPLE J IS IN A BAD SPOT RIGHT NOW, BUT WORSE FOR HIM, YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THIS MEANS! TLA GETS BACK UP, AND HE DOESN’T LET THE PAIN GET TO HIM AS HE TAKES OFF RUNNING THE ROPES! TLA NOW WITH THE 305, USING HIS GOOD LEG TO KICK TRIPLE J RIGHT IN THE FACE! TLA FOLLOWS IT UP WITH A SPRINGBOARD SPLASH, FOLLOWING IT UP BY HOOKING THE LEGS!
ONE!
TWO!!
THREE-
Persephone: UGH! SOMEHOW IT’S STILL NOT OVER EVEN AFTER THAT!! Seriously, what is going on right now!?
Rich Russillo: TLA sits up and grabs his leg in pain. I can’t say I am shocked all things considered, as Jay has definitely done some serious damage. TLA is gonna have to think of some way to keep Jay down before Jay can continue to apply pressure. He starts getting back to his feet, trying his best not to put too much pressure on that bad leg, and now slowly he is trying to drag Jay back up, but at this point Jay seems to basically be deadweight.
Thadd Blazevich: Can’t forget about that bad leg either, bro. Trying to lift 200 plus pounds of deadweight with one leg can’t be too easy, can it? TLA keeps trying though, and slowly he is able to get Triple J back to a knee-
Rich Russillo: BUT JAY JERRY JOHNSON TAKES ADVANTAGE OF THIS, LIFTING TLA UP BEFORE QUICKLY DROPPING HIM WITH HEAVEN’S FEEL!!!! WHAT THE HELL??? WAS JAY JERRY JOHNSON PLAYING POSSUM??? HE JUST DROPPED TLA ON HIS HEAD WITH ONE OF THE BIGGEST MOVES IN HIS ARSENAL!!!
Thadd Blazevich: I DON’T THINK IT’S THAT HE WAS PLAYING POSSUM! TLA JUST GAVE BRO A LIL TOO MUCH TIME TO RECOVER, AND TRIPLE J MADE THE MOST OF IT! TLA IS DOWN AND OUT DUDE, AND NOW JAY IS SLOWLY PULLING HIMSELF OVER TOWARDS TLA!
Persephone: JAY IS ABLE TO GET AN ARM OVER TLA! FINALLY! THE MATCH IS ACTUALLY GONNA END NOW!
ONE!
TWO!!
THREE!!!
Rich Russillo: BUT IT STILL ISN’T OVER YET!!
Persephone: WHAT? WHY??
Rich Russillo: IT’S BECAUSE TLA WAS ABLE TO GET HIS FOOT ON THE BOTTOM ROPE!!! TLA KEPT THIS MATCH ALIVE, AND IT’S ALL THANKS TO THE POSITIONING!
Thadd Blazevich: Triple J can’t believe it! He thought this match was over, and I can’t say I blame him! This dude has brought everything he possibly could to this match and it somehow just isn’t enough. At this point you gotta wonder what more he could do to keep TLA down. TLA on the other hand has been giving Triple J an insane fight, somehow working around the fact that Jay started the match off targeting the leg! That’s gotta be that veteran experience coming into play, bro. Not to mention, Jay was in too much pain to go for the pin as soon as he wanted to.
Persephone: Alright, this is pissing me off. I don’t know why we’re still here. This literally isn’t even the last match of the night, what are we doing?
Rich Russillo: Jay Jerry Johnson gets back to his feet, AND HE JUST GRABS TLA BY BOTH ARMS BEFORE BEGINNING TO STOMP AWAY AT HIS FACE! JAY JERRY JOHNSON WITH STOMP AFTER STOMP, JUST THROWING EVERYTHING HE CAN AT TLA IN AN EFFORT TO JUST PREVENT TLA FROM FIGHTING BACK AT ALL! AT THIS POINT, I DON’T SEE HOW TLA COULD HAVE ANYTHING LEFT!
Thadd Blazevich: Jay lets go of TLA, but only so bro could drag him back up and lift him up to the top rope! Jay might wanna be careful, though! Last time bro tried to go high risk it didn’t work out too well. Still, he is making his way up to the middle rope, and he is slowly lifting TLA up! Hold on… No way, is he going for what I think he is?
Persephone: I THINK HE IS, AND THANKFULLY, A MOVE LIKE THIS WOULD ACTUALLY END THE MATCH! HE’S GOING FOR AN AVALANCHE VERSION OF HEAVEN’S FEEL!!!
Rich Russillo: BUT TLA DOESN’T LET THAT HAPPEN!!! HE FALLS OVER JAY’S BACK AND LANDS ON THE MAT, LOOKING FOR AN AVALANCHE SUNSET FLIP BOMB-
Thadd Blazevich: BUT HE CAN’T GET IT!!! TLA FELT THE PAIN IN HIS LEG ON THAT LANDING AND HESITATED, GIVING TRIPLE J ENOUGH TIME TO MAKE A MOVE! Jay delivers a punch to the head of TLA, forcing TLA to back off! TLA SEEMS TO HAVE A PLAN FOR THAT THOUGH, AS BRO QUICKLY GRABS JAY’S LEG BEFORE YANKING IT OUT FROM UNDER HIM, DROPPING JAY FACE FIRST INTO THE TOP TURNBUCKLE! That was a nice move from TLA right there, bro!
Rich Russillo: And he’s not done there! TLA grabs Jay as soon as he turns around, AND HE TRIES TO LIFT JAY UP FOR A POWEBOMB- BUT JAY ISN’T LETTING IT HAPPEN! HE PULLS HIMSELF BACK DOWN BEFORE GOING RIGHT BACK AFTER THAT LEG! JAY PULLS THAT LEG OUT FROM UNDER TLA, AND NOW JAY TURNS HIM OVER BEFORE APPLYING AN ANKLE LOCK! JAY JERRY JOHNSON HAS THE ANKLE LOCK APPLIED, AND THIS IS BAD FOR TLA! JAY IS GOING BACK TO WHAT HE FEELS IS NECESSARY TO WEAKEN TLA, AND THIS IS BAD FOR TLA! THIS MIGHT JUST BE IT!
Thadd Blazevich: AH MAN, THIS ISN’T LOOKING GOOD, BRO! JAY HAS THAT HOLD LOCKED IN TIGHTLY, AND BRO, I DON’T KNOW IF TLA IS GONNA BE ABLE TO MAKE IT OUTTA THIS ONE! IF BRO TAPS OUT NOW, TRIPLE J IS GONNA BE HEADED TO THE NEXT ROUND OF THE KING OF ELITE TOURNAMENT! THIS COULD BE THE PERFECT CHANCE TO EVENTUALLY WIN THE EAW WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP, BUT ONLY ONE OF THESE DUDES CAN TAKE THAT NEXT STEP RIGHT NOW, AND IT’S NOT LOOKING LIKE TLA IS GONNA BE THE ONE TO DO IT!
Persephone: PLEASE TAP OUT! I DON’T REALLY CARE WHO WINS THE MATCH, I JUST WANT IT TO HURRY UP AND END!
Rich Russillo: WELL, TLA ISN’T LETTING THAT HAPPEN SO EASILY! HE WAS ABLE TO ROLL FORWARD, SENDING JAY JERRY JOHNSON OFF OF HIM! BOTH MEN ROLL BACK TO THEIR FEET- AND TLA IS ABLE TO TURN AND DROP JAY WITH A HUGE DISCUS LARIAT! THAT’S NOT THE KIND OF MOVE WE’D NORMALLY SEE FROM TLA, BUT HE’S WASTING NO TIME ADAPTING TO HIS INABILITY TO UTILIZE HIS AERIAL MOVES! This is coming down to the wire right now!
Thadd Blazevich: TLA gets back up, but bro immediately is forced to take weight off of his leg! Jay Jerry Johnson is slowly starting to use the ropes to get back up, but we already saw just how bad of an idea that was earlier in the match! Jay is leaned up on the middle rope again, AND IT LOOKS LIKE IT’S TIME FOR THE SEQUEL, BRO! TLA STARTS TO RUN AS MUCH AS HE CAN SO HE CAN BOUNCE OFF THE ROPES, BEFORE FINALLY HE IS ABLE TO CHARGE IN FOR A SECOND 305!!!
Rich Russillo: BUT IT’S UNABLE TO CONNECT THIS TIME, AS JAY WAS ABLE TO PREPARE HIMSELF FOR IT! JAY BACKED UP BEFORE IT COULD HIT, AND AS SOON AS TLA LANDED BACK IN THE RING, JAY PULLED HIM DOWN INTO ANOTHER SCHOOL BOY ROLL UP!
ONE!
TWO!!
THREE-
Rich Russillo: NO! THAT WAS ALMOST IT, BUT TLA WAS ABLE TO KICK OUT-
Persephone: ONLY SO JAY CAN GRAB THE LEG ONCE MORE, AND APPLY A SECOND ANKLE LOCK! THERE WE GO! DO SOMETHING USEFUL FOR A CHANGE AND ACTUALLY MAKE THE MATCH END! I’VE BEEN TIRED OF WATCHING THESE TWO GO AT IT FOR AGES NOW!
Rich Russillo: TLA STILL DOESN’T ALLOW IT, THOUGH! THIS TIME HE IS ABLE TO TURN ONTO HIS BACK, WASTING NO TIME SO THAT JAY IS UNABLE TO APPLY THE HOLD TIGHTLY! TLA KICKS JAY OFF OF HIM- BUT JAY RUNS RIGHT BACK IN-
Thadd Blazevich: AND INTO ANOTHER INSIDE CRADLE!! THESE TWO ARE PULLING OUT ALL THE STOPS, BRO!
ONE!
TWO!!
Thadd Blazevich: BUT NONE OF ‘EM ARE WORKING!!!! TRIPLE J WAS ABLE TO KICK OUT JUST BEFORE THREE, AND SOMEHOW IT LOOKS LIKE THIS MATCH IS STILL GOING EVEN AFTER ALL THAT!
Rich Russillo: BOTH MEN ARE ABLE TO PUSH THEMSELVES BACK TO THEIR FEET- AND NOW TLA IS ABLE TO CONNECT WITH A FOREARM! TLA is choosing not to deliver many more attacks utilizing his legs from the looks of it, and I don’t blame him given the circumstances! Jay was still rocked by that forearm though, BUT HE IS ABLE TO CONNECT WITH AN ELBOW SMASH! TLA IS STUNNED- BUT HE RESPONDS WITH A HUGE FOREARM THAT SENDS JAY BACKPEDALING INTO THE ROPES!
Thadd Blazevich: JAY BOUNCES OFF OF THE ROPES THOUGH, AND HE RESPONDS WITH A JUMPING KNEE!!! THAT TOOK EVERYTHING OUT OF TRIPLE J, AND BRO DROPS TO A KNEE WHILE TLA FALLS BACKWARDS INTO THE ROPES!
Rich Russillo: BUT AS HE BOUNCES OFF OF THEM, HE’S ABLE TO CONNECT WITH THE MEXICAN DESTROYER!!!! THE MEXICAN DESTROYER CONNECTS ON JAY JERRY JOHNSON, AND I DON’T THINK HE EXPECTED THAT ONE! TLA WAS ABLE TO CATCH JAY OFF GUARD THANKS TO THE FACT THAT HE REBOUNDED OFF THE ROPES, AND I THINK THAT MAY HAVE JUST BEEN THE KILLSHOT! TLA DOESN’T HAVE MUCH LEFT IN HIM, BUT HE’S JUST BARELY ABLE TO PULL HIMSELF ON TOP OF JAY FOR THE COVER TO ADVANCE TO THE NEXT ROUND!!!
ONE!
TWO!!
THREE!!!
Thadd Blazevich: TRIPLE IS ABLE TO PUSH THE SHOULDER UP!!!
(Ding! Ding! Ding!)
Rich Russillo: BUT IT WAS JUST BARELY TOO LATE!!!!
(Jay Jerry Johnson’s shoulder drops back down to the mat, as he got the shoulder up only just after the three count. TLA rolls off of Jay, and ‘Ambitionz az a Ridah’ by Tupac hits once more as the fans begin to cheer. TLA slowly sits up, still exhausted from the match he just had. Still, he gives a grin as he was able to advance to the next round of the tournament.)
Bella Braxton: Here is your winner, advancing to the next round of the King of Elite tournament… TTTTTTTTTT!!!!! LLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!
Rich Russillo: WOW! Jay Jerry Johnson almost caused this match to continue, but the damage the Mexican Destroyer dealt was just barely too much! That was an insane match, but in the end, TLA made it through to the next round of this tournament!
Thadd Blazevich: That match was radical, dude. I had no idea who was gonna win all throughout that match, but in the end TLA was able to make it through. Awesome match, man.
Persephone: Alright, you’re overdoing it. It wasn’t that good.
Rich Russillo: Well in the end, TLA just scored a huge win, and if matches like this are what this tournament has in store, these are going to be an exciting next few weeks. Congratulations to TLA!
(TLA slowly pushes himself back to his feet, being careful not to put too much pressure on his foot after the grueling match he had just competed in. After this, TLA has his hand raised by the referee, while Jay Jerry Johnson sits in the corner of the ring, both recovering from that match and disappointed by how things turned out. As TLA celebrates his victory, Voltage begins to fade away from ringside.)
(The camera cuts backstage to the interview area with Sofia Clarke standing there, holding a Voltage themed microphone in hand while sporting a smile on her face, prepared to start the interview as she begins speaking.)
Sofia Clarke: Ladies and gentlemen, my guest at this time… ARIA.
(ARIA walks into frame with a focused expression on her face, garnering a warm reception from the crowd in Helsinki, Finland. Something she takes a moment to acknowledge with a slight grin on her face before turning her attention fully to Sofia for whatever questions she might ask.)
Sofia Clarke: ARIA, huge night ahead of you as it’s round one in the Empress of Elite tournament where you’ll take on Dynasty’s Anna Wautier, another fan favorite, and someone equally determined to win this, possibly even more as she looks to make a name for herself here. But first, I wanted to ask you about Road to Redemption. Something still on everyone’s mind at the moment, partially because of what you did to Saori Aizen at said event. Shall we take a look?
(ARIA expected this question to come up, and calmly nods.)
ARIA: Sure.
(Both ARIA and Sofia look toward off-screen as a recap plays, highlighting ARIA’s vicious assault on Saori at Road to Redemption, attacking her from behind with a claw hammer, striking Saori in the back of her head with it. But she didn’t stop there, and bashed Saori in the skull with that claw end of it before piledriving Saori into light tubes, damaging her neck in the process! Not even Captain Charisma could stop ARIA from her onslaught, and security rushed onto the scene with medics, tending to a seriously injured Saori, who was taken out from the Extreme Enigma Battle Royale as a result. The camera cuts back to ARIA and Sofia in the interview area. Sofia seems off-put from watching that footage back, but ARIA seems neither proud nor regretful for her actions.)
Sofia Clarke: An unusually vicious side of you we seen there, but I have to ask: over the break, are there any… regrets for your actions?
(ARIA ponders for a minute while the crowd chants “NO!” in the background, believing Saori had it coming somewhat, and quiets down for the answer once ARIA simply shrugs, and shakes her head.)
ARIA: No. Sofia, everyone has a breaking point. I said that to Captain Charisma, and I’m saying that to you now. At Road to Redemption, I reached mine with Saori. Look, I wanted things to be over after F*ck Your Thanksgiving, but she couldn’t leave well enough alone. She attacked me from behind on the go-home show, and said this somehow wasn’t over between us, that I should watch my back, because I wouldn’t know which corner she’s looking around. But if you ask me?
(ARIA snickers a bit.)
ARIA: Saori should take her own advice. She should’ve been watching her own back, especially after costing me MY chance at the Universal Women’s Championship, Sofia. Tell me, what did she think was going to happen? That I was going to sit back, and continue being her punching bag? No. I stood up for myself, and in such a way that led to Saori getting stretchered out of the arena that night, getting cost her chance to compete in the Extreme Enigma Battle Royale. It’s a shame too, because that’s a lot of money she missed out on. But hey, Cody Maverick is $500,000 dollars richer! :mjgrin:
(The crowd pops for that.)
ARIA: It couldn’t be a more deserving guy, or more deserving woman for that matter to be in the predicament she’s in currently. I mean, Saori’s likely in a hospital bed somewhere, potentially plotting her revenge against me. But let’s be honest, we both know that isn’t coming for a very, very long time. Even then, if Saori does choose to come after me, and still hasn’t learned her lesson from our previous encounters, I’ll be glad to teach her another one. But hopefully, she takes this time to reflect, and eventually, move on. Because I have. Tonight, it isn’t about Saori Aizen. It’s about what she took from me at Road to Redemption. My dream of becoming the Universal Women’s Champion. In the Extreme Elimination Chamber, I was close. My determination carried me to the final three, and I had Ms. Extreme dead to rights. It was about to be down between just me and Milli Banks. That is until what happened… happened, obviously. But despite Saori’s interference costing me the match, I’m able to at least walk away with something positive out of it. That night proved I have what it takes to hang in there with top female competitors from each brand, and that I’m capable of holding the Universal Women’s Championship. But to do so, I have to win the Empress of Elite tournament in order to get another crack at it, or at least the soonest crack at it before somebody else does, and potentially elevates their career at my expense.
ARIA: This tournament won’t be easy, but nothing worth having ever is. It’ll be stacked to the brim with talent from each brand, all vying for the same thing, one of the most coveted prizes in our sport, and even if I make it past Anna tonight, the competition level is only increasing from there. But I can’t let this opportunity slip through my fingertips because of it. I have to give this tournament everything I got, because if not, then somebody else will, and surpass me because of it. But everything I got has gotten me pretty far in the past. Not just in the Extreme Elimination Chamber, but when winning the Specialists Championship. Now, I’m looking to take that next step in my career, and Wautier Anna stands in my way of that. She’s an obstacle in my path of salvation, and I have to get through her.
Sofia Clarke: Speaking of, you both went through a lot at Road to Redemption. Obviously, the Extreme Elimination Chamber is no joke, and definitely lives up to its name, being one of the most barbaric matches in EAW history. But Anna went up against one of the most intense Elitists we have in BRAE, and held her own pretty nicely, almost walking away with the Interwire Championship at times. She brought the Champ to his limits, and would you say that prepares her for you ahead of tonight’s match?
ARIA: I guess anything can happen, right? In the world of Elite Answers Wrestling, anything is possible. Your circumstances can change within a snap of a finger—
(ARIA snaps her fingers to accentuate the point.)
ARIA: —like that. But Wautier Anna is walking into this tournament already at a disadvantage. She’s walking into our match at a disadvantage, but in an unforgiving landscape, none of that matters. You’re expected to turn into either diamond or dust.Anna brought the fight to BRAE at Road to Redemption, but in the end, she lost. Tonight, I’m expecting a similar outcome. She’ll bring the fight to me out there, and I want her to do nothing less, because I live for matches like this. I live to be tested. But in the end, she’ll lose, and that’s not to be arrogant or disparage her in any way. It’s simply having confidence in my own abilities. Not entering the match with the idea I’ll already lose in mind, but that I’ll rise to the occasion, and become exactly who I need to be to advance. Not just against her, but against everyone I face in this tournament, who I see the exact same. Not as friends or allies, but as warriors. Warriors that I must overcome. Becoming the Universal Women’s Champion gives me the opportunity to inspire, it gives me the name to forever etch my name into the history books, and becoming Empress of Elite holds a similar stake. Again, I cannot— no, I will not let this opportunity slip through my fingertips. Wautier Anna, I’ve given you a peek of my mindset heading into tonight’s match, and I’ll give you one last look into my eyes before it as well.
(ARIA stares daggers into the camera, feeling that Anna is somewhere watching off-screen, highlighting her focus and determination.)
ARIA: Look for an ounce of weakness, because you won’t find it, and the same goes for mercy out there tonight. My advice to you? Stay alive.
(ARIA gives one last glance towards Sofia, and simply nods with respect before walking off as the crowd are firmly behind her, leaving Sofia alone to address the camera.)
Sofia Clarke: Wow. Strong words from ARIA heading into tonight’s match, and you don’t want to miss that clash between her and Anna Wautier. But first, it’s Cody Maverick vs Diego Montana in round one of the King of Elite tournament. I look forward to seeing that as we head back to the ring.
(Anna warmly smiles at the camera while it fades elsewhere, preparing for our next aforementioned match between Cody Maverick and Diego Montana.)
(Voltage returns to ringside.)
Bella Braxton: THE FOLLOWING CONTEST IS A KING OF ELITE FIRST ROUND MATCH SCHEDULED FOR ONE FALL!!
(‘Kostas’ by Westside Gunn, Conway the Machine & Benny the Butcher begins to play as the arena here in Finland explodes with cheers! Cody Maverick emerges from the stage with as much presence as one can have as he makes his way to the ring!)
Bella Braxton: INTRODUCING FIRST…FROM LAS VEGAS, NEVADA… WEIGHING AT 235 POUNDS… HE IS THE “SIN CITY SUPERSTAR”…CODY MAVERICK!!!
Rich Russillo: Cody Maverick has arrived for his match tonight and if we want someone who has major momentum here in 2026, look no further than the man who won the Extreme Enigma Battle Royal a few weeks back at Road to Redemption. Cody earned himself the cash prize that comes from winning this match and now he has his attention towards the King of Elite tournament!
Thadd Blazevich: Absolutely Rich! Cody Maverick is all eyes on winning this tournament and becoming a world champion. King of Elite gets not only you into a place in history, but a shot at a world title along with it.
Persephone: He’s got money now, if I were him I would just go on vacation and buy his way into a world title.
Thadd Blazevich: But Cody bro doesn’t operate that way.
Persephone: Shut up nerd!
(Cody gets into the ring as he poses with the fans cheering him on! He waits in his corner as his music fades off. Soon, we hear ‘COMO CAPO’ by Clave Especial ft. Fuerza Regida, begins to play in the arena as the fans start to boo. Out comes Diego Montana who looks focused himself as he heads towards the ring.)
Bella Braxton: NEXT…FROM ARLINGTON, TEXAS…WEIGHING AT 199 POUNDS…”EL DIABLO GUAPO”…DIEGO MONTANA!!!
Persephone: EWWWWW!
Rich Russillo: Now here comes Diego Montana, a man that is still looking to prove himself here in this company. Diego has said 2025 was just warm up for him and that 2026 will be where his hard work will begin to pay off. Perhaps we will see that hard work on display against Cody Maverick here tonight. Let’s just hope drinking matcha doesn’t negatively affect him.
Thadd Blazevich: Diego bro says he’s going to smack the dog of Cody bro let’s see if he does that here tonight and advance in this tournament.
( Diego enters the ring and hits some obscene gestures towards the crowd before going to his corner. The music begins to fade off as the referee signals for the bell…)
(DING! DING! DING!)
Rich Russillo: The match comes underway here as Cody Maverick and Diego Montana begins circling each other and–
Thadd Blazevich: Diego bro immediately goes to the outside! Bro did not want to do a standard collar and elbow and instead rolled out to the outside to show off the crowd here tonight that does not like Diego whatsoever!
Persephone: Oh great stalling in the first few seconds of the match, how riveting!!
Rich Russillo: BUT DIEGO SHOULDN’T HAVE DONE THAT CODY ROLLS OUT TO THE OUTSIDE AND TOO WHACKS DIEGO RIGHT IN THE BACK OF HIS HEAD!! Diego falls towards our announce table as Cody grabs a hold of Diego’s head and begins smacking right into our announce table!! AND THE CROWD IS CHANTING ALONG!!
Crowd: ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR! FIVE! SIX! SEVEN! EIGHT! NINE!
(Cody hoists Diego up as the crowd waits in anticipation for the final smack… )
Crowd: TEN!!!
Thadd Blazevich: I’m sure that put Diego bro right in his place as now Cody Maverick sends Diego back into the ring!! Cody slides back into the ring and– SMALL PACKAGE ROLLUP FROM DIEGO!!!
Referee: ONEEEEEEE!
Referee: TWOOOOOO!
Referee: THREEEEE-
Persephone: Cody kicks out just in time, could you imagine if that was it right there? That’d genuinely be embarrassing. Well, Diego almost outsmarted Cody but Cody was able to kick out, I guess.
Rich Russillo: Cody goes straight into a mounted position and is delivering punches to the face of Diego. With every one of those punches you can hear that thud being heard in the arena as Cody gets right back up as he runs from the ropes and back and lands a Jumping Elbow Drop!!!
Thadd Blazevich: Cody bro isn’t done there as he picks Diego back up and– LIFTS HIM UP!!! HE GOES FOR AN ARGENTINE BACKBREAKER!!!! THE MOVE CONNECTS AS DIEGO WRITHES IN PAIN FROM THAT MOVE!! CODY RUSHES IN FOR THE COVER!!!
Referee: ONEEEEEEE!
Referee: TWOOOOOO!
Persephone: Fuck off, Diego gets the shoulders up in time. Maybe he saw some matcha powder lying around and gained him some energy.
Rich Russillo: Perhaps Persphone, as now Cody brings Diego back up to his feet and goes for a vertical suplex and—
Thadd Blazevich: DIEGO BRO MANAGES TO GET OUT OF IT!!! AND HE ROLLS OUT OF THE RING AGAIN!!! CODY ISN’T LETTING HIM GET AWAY AS HE ROLLS OUT AS CODY STARTS CHASING DIEGO OUTSIDE AROUND THE RING!!
Persephone: HAHAHAH! LOOK AT DIEGO RUN LIKE A MOUSE! YEAH KEEP RUNNING CUNT!
Rich Russillo: Diego slides back into the ring and so does Cody but Diego begins stomping at Cody’s back as he enters as this trick of running away from Maverick may have been a smart strategy from Diego Montana!! The crowd boos this tactic as Diego once again showboats to the crowd, flexing whatever muscles he has.
Thadd Blazevich: Diego grabs a hold of Cody’s head and now locks in a headlock as he looks to tire him down and slow this match down to a pace that’s more comfortable to Diego bro. Diego is squeezing the life out of Cody Maverick here as the fans are trying to rally Sin City Superstar back up from his feet!
Persephone: If I was Cody I would try and get out of this predicament as fast as he can, this is looking a little embarrassing for him.
Rich Russillo: Cody is fighting it off as the crowd here tonight are rooting him behind as Cody starts to get up from his feet and— MANAGES TO TRANSITION INTO A BACK BODY DROP TO DIEGO!!! DIEGO SCREAMING IN PAIN AS CODY BRINGS DIEGO BACK UP TO HIS FEET AND–
Thadd Blazevich: CODY BRO DELIVERS A POWERBOMB TO DIEGO!!! HE GOES FOR THE COVER!!!
Referee: ONEEEEEEE!
Referee: TWOOOOOO!
Persephone: Diego gets his shoulders up as he once again rolls out of the ring. He’s already done that three times already in this match, this dude just loves to play cat and mouse does he.
Rich Russillo: I think this time though he’s just trying to avoid another hit of offence from Sin City Superstar himself as Cody Maverick rolls out as well and clobbers an unsuspecting Diego with a Knife Edge Chop to his back!! You can hear it echo in the arena as Cody picks Diego up and–
Thadd Blazevich: FALLAWAY SLAM INTO THE BARRICADE!! DIEGO GOES BACK FIRST AS HE LOOKS LIKE HE’S WHINCING IN PAIN!
Persephone: He looks like such an idiot. Can this match hurry up and end?
Rich Russillo: Cody is now bringing Diego towards us AND ONTO THE ANNOUNCE TABLE!!! DIEGO GETS SMACKED RIGHT ON THE TABLE AGAIN AS CODY DRAGS HIM UP ON OUR TABLE!
Thadd Blazevich: Cody bro brings Diego up as he has him in position for a Powerslam!!! Cody might end this guy’s whole life bro as Cody has him in position and–
Persephone: DIEGO ESCAPES!! HE DROPS TO THE GROUND AND–
Rich Russillo: HE SWIPES THE LEGS OF CODY AS CODY HITS THE ANNOUNCE TABLE FACE FIRST!!!!! DIEGO HAS PULLED ANOTHER TRICK OUT OF HIS SLEEVE AND CAUGHT CODY WITH A SURPRISE SWEEP! NOW SEE SOME BLOOD TRICKLING DOWN CODY’S NOSE AS DIEGO QUICKLY GETS BACK INTO THE RING!!! The fans are not happy with this at all as now Diego once again starts showing to the crowd, with even more flexing of his “biceps”
Diego Montana: (off-mic) KADOOSH, KADOOSH, KADOOSH!!
Thadd Blazevich: I’m sure Cam Newton is loving that from Diego right now.
Persephone: We only give that grace to young elitists.
Rich Russillo: Anyways the referee is making his count will Cody Maverick make back in time? Diego clearly will take any win necessary to advance in the King of Elite tournament including a countout win.
Referee: ONE!
Referee: TWO!
Referee: THREE!
Referee: FOUR!
Referee: FIVE!
(Cody is getting back up on his feet, with a bloody nose being very visible.)
Referee: SIX!
Referee: SEVEN!
Referee: EIGHT!
Referee: NINE—
Rich Russillo: CODY MAKES IT JUST IN TIME!!! SLIDES RIGHT BACK INTO THE RING BEATING THE COUNT AS DIEGO IS LIVID! DESPITE SOME OFFENCE BEING TAKEN TO HIM, HE HAS BEEN PLAYING STRATEGIC GAME WITH CODY MAVERICK IN THIS MATCH.
Thadd Blazevich: Agreed broski, you can feel however you want to feel about Diego but in this match it is shown that perhaps he’s more talented then we thought from what we are seeing from thus far.
Persephone: Oh shut the fuck up you dickrider.
Rich Russillo: Cody is still lying on the mat face first as Diego shoots up the top rope and– LANDS A MOONSAULT TO CODY MAVERICK!! IT CONNECTS RIGHT ON THE BACK OF CODY MAVERICK AS THE REFEREE MAKES THE COUNT!!!
Referee: ONEEEEEEE!
Referee: TWOOOOOO!
Thadd Blazevich: CODY BRO GETS THE SHOULDERS UP!!! DIEGO IS ONCE LIVID THAT CODY IS STILL IN THIS MATCH!!! DIEGO WASTES NO TIME AS NOW– HE’S APPLYING A CROSSFACE SUBMISSION TO THE SIN CITY SUPERSTAR!!! DIEGO IS GOING TO MAKE CODY TAP OUT OR PASS OUT FROM THE PAIN!!! SOME BLOOD HAS ALREADY BEEN LOST DUE TO THE FACE FIRST COLLISION ON OUR ANNOUNCE TABLE TO CODY AS HE SCREAMS IN AGONY!!!
Persephone: The chud has it locked in, I guess Cody’s gotta tap out here…
Rich Russillo: NOT QUITE PERSEPHONE!! CODY ISN’T GIVING UP!!! HE MAKES A FIST WITH HIS RIGHT HAND AND SMACKS IT THE GROUND AS THE CROWD ARE ONCE AGAIN CHEERING HIM ON!! AS– CODY SHIFTS HIS BODYWEIGHT AS NOW HE HAS DIEGO’S SHOULDERS PIN TO THE GROUND! THE REFEREE GOES FOR THE COUNT!!!
Referee: ONEEEEEEE!
Referee: TWOOOOOO!
Thadd Blazevich: DIEGO BRO KICKS OUT! But in the process he has let go of the crossface submission and it allows Cody Maverick to escape from this position as he gets back up from his feet and nails a punch right across Diego’s face!!! DIEGO RESPONDS BACK WITH A SLAP OF HIS OWN TO CODY MAVERICK!! IT ROCKS HIM AS DIEGO RUNS FROM THE ROPES AND BACK–
Persephone: BUT JUST AS HE BOUNCED OFF THE ROPES CODY SCOOPED HIM UP, AS MAVERICK LANDS A TILT A WHIRL POWERSLAM TO DIEGO!!! DIEGO LANDS HARD ON THE GROUND AS CODY GOES FOR THE COVER!!!
Referee: ONEEEEEEE!
Referee: TWOOOOOO!
Referee: THREEEE–
Rich Russillo: DIEGO KICKS OUT!! CODY IS A LITTLE ANNOYED BUT HE KNOWS MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE TO PUT DOWN DIEGO IN THIS MATCH! Cody stated before this match that he wants to be the man that beats Drake Armstrong for the EAW World title and he can do that by winning King of Elite and earning himself that title opportunity at his own discretion. If he wants that luxury he has to beat Diego Montana tonight! Diego rolls himself into the corner as Cody begins stomping right on his head! The fans count along with the stomps Cody is doing to Diego!!!
Crowd: ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR! FIVE! SIX! SEVEN! EIGHT! NINE! TEN!!
Thadd Blazevich: TEN STOMPS TO DIEGO BY CODY BRO AS THE SIN CITY SUPERSTAR IS FEELING HIMSELF RIGHT HERE RIGHT NOW BROSKI!!! CODY GOES BACK TO DIEGO AS HE LIFTS HIM ONTO THE TOP ROPE!! CODY GETS TO THE TOP ROPE AS WELL AS IT LOOKS LIKE HE MAY BE GOING FOR A SUPERPLEX TO DIEGO!!
Persephone: BUT THAT RAT HEADBUTTS CODY FORCING HIM TO DROP TO FLOOR AS MAVERICK IS NOW ON ONE KNEE!! DIEGO SEES HIS OPENING AS HE GOES FOR A CROSSBODY AND–
Rich Russillo: CODY CATCHES DIEGO!! HE PLACES HIM INTO A FIREMAN’S CARRY POSITION AND–
Thadd Blazevich: DIEGO GETS OUT OF IT AND LANDS A POISIONRANA TO CODY MAVERICK!!! DIEGO QUICKLY HEADS TO THE TOP ROPE AND SHOWBOATS WITH EVERY FIBER OF HIS BEING–
Persephone: LANDS THE LATIN LOVER SPLASH!!! THE FROG SPLASH CONNECTS AS DIEGO MAKES THE COVER!!!!
Referee: ONEEEEEEE!
Referee: TWOOOOOO!
Referee: THREEEE–
Rich Russillo: CODY GETS THE SHOULDERS UP!!!! DIEGO IS IRATE AS HE STARTS COMPLAINING TO THE REFEREE THAT WAS A THREE COUNT!! THAT WAS SO CLOSE!!! CODY ALIVE IN THIS MATCH AS DIEGO BRINGS CODY BACK TO HIS FEET AND TRIES TO LIFT HIM UP FOR A LATINO INFERNO AND–
Thadd Blazevich: CODY BRO GETS OUT AND IS BEHIND DIEGO AND SWEEPS HIS LEGS!! HE GRABS A HOLD OF HIS WAIST AND– LANDS A WHEELBARROW GERMAN SUPLEX TO DIEGO MONTANA!
Persephone: DIEGO IS STUNNED BUT STILL ON HIS FEET AS CODY MAVERICK BOUNCES OFF THE ROPES AND BACK—
Rich Russillo: LIGHTS OUT!!! THE SUPERMAN PUNCH CONNECTS TO DIEGO MONTANA AS CODY MAVERICK GOES FOR THE WIN!!!
Referee: ONEEEEEEE!
Referee: TWOOOOOO!
Referee: THREEEE–
Thadd Blazevich: DIEGO BRO KICKS OUT!!! CODY BRINGS DIEGO BACK UP AS HE NAILS HIM RIGHT IN THE MIDSECTION AND GOES FOR THE SIN CITY STUNNER– BUT DIEGO PUSHES CODY OFF HIM!! CODY BOUNCES OFF THE ROPES AND TURNS BACK TO DIEGO–
Persephone: AND IS NAILED WITH A SLINGBLADE!!! CODY GOES FOR THE MAT AS DIEGO HEADS TO THE OPPOSITE CORNER AND WAITS FOR CODY TO MOVE HIS UP SLIGHTLY AS HE RUNS TOWARDS HIM AND–
Rich Russillo: RUNNING DOUBLE FOOTSTOMP!!!! DIEGO HOOKS THE LEG AS THE REFEREE MAKES THE COUNT!!!
Referee: ONEEEEEEE!
Referee: TWOOOOOO!
Referee: THREEEE–
Thadd Blazevich: KICK OUT FROM MAVERICK BROSKI!!! AS DIEGO LOOKS EXHAUSTED AS THAT WASN’T ENOUGH TO PUT CODY DOWN FOR GOOD IN THIS MATCH! THE CROWD HERE TONIGHT IN FINLAND ARE GOING CRAZY!
Persephone: Diego slowly gets up from his feet as he looks at Cody and once again… he’s heading towards the top rope! These guys just suck don’t they as Diego might be looking for another Latin Lover Splash and–
Rich Russillo: CODY LUNGES HIMSELF TO THE ROPES AS DIEGO GOES DOWN GROIN FIRST!!! CODY MEETS HIM THERE AS CODY EXCHANGES FOREARM SHOTS WITH DIEGO!!! LEFTS AND RIGHTS AS CODY IS LOOKING FOR A SUPERPLEX BUT ONCE AGAIN DIEGO KICKS HIM!! CODY GOES BACK TO THE GROUND AS DIEGO STANDS BACK UP ON THE TOP ROPE AND–
Thadd Blazevich: AND CODY JUST DID A TOP ROPE BOX JUMP!!! HE MEETS DIEGO THERE AGAIN AND– LANDS AN AVALANCHE BELLY TO BELLY SUPLEX!!!! THE FANS ARE GOING WILD AS CODY CRAWLS HIS WAY OVER TO DIEGO FOR THE COVER!!!!
Referee: ONEEEEEEE!
Referee: TWOOOOOO!
Referee: THREEEEEE-
Persephone: FUCK OFF!
Rich Russillo: DIEGO HAS HIS FOOT ON THE BOTTOM ROPE!! YET ANOTHER DISPLAY OF IN RING IQ BEING AT DISPLAY FROM DIEGO MONTANA SOMEHOW!! He managed to not use his energy for kickout and recognized the ropes near him forcing the cancellation of that pinfall attempt from Cody. Cody looks beyond frustrated as the crowd is loving this match right now between these two competitors.
(Both Cody and Diego slowly back on their feet as they began trading shots.)
Thadd Blazevich: HERE WE GO BROS!! CODY LANDS A CHOP TO DIEGO!!! DIEGO FIRES BACK WITH A PUNCH!!! CHOP FROM CODY!!! PUNCH FROM DIEGO!!! BACK AND FORTH THEY GO AS THE CROWD CHEERS EVERYTIME CODY LANDS A CHOP AND BOOS EVERYTIME CODY PUNCHES HIM!!! DIEGO GOES FOR FAKE PUNCH AND CATCHES CODY OFF GUARD AND KICKS HIM RIGHT IN THE FACE!!!
Persephone: CODY IS STUNNED AS DIEGO THEN NAILS HIM WITH A SUPERKICK!!! CODY IS EVEN MORE STUNNED BUT STILL ON HIS FEET SOMEHOW AS DIEGO TURNS CODY AROUND AND– HE’S GOING FOR A GERMAN SUPLEX!!
Rich Russillo: BUT CODY ELBOWS DIEGO RIGHT IN THE FACE AND SWITCHES POSITIONS WITH HIM AND LANDS ANOTHER BACK BODY DROP!!! DIEGO INSTANTLY GETS BACK BUT IS MET WITH A RUSSIAN LEGSWEEP!!! CODY ROLLS BACK AND IS UP ON HIS FEET AND HE SHOUTS AND POINTS INTO THE AIR!!!
Cody Maverick: (off-mic) CO-DY MAVERICK!
Rich Russillo: JUMPING ELBOW DROP CONNECTS!!!! THE CROWD IS BALLISTIC FOR SIN CITY’S FINEST BUT ONCE AGAIN THE INSTINCTS OF DIEGO MONTANA HELPS HIM AS HE ROLLS TO THE APRON! AVOIDS BEING COVERED FOR A PINFALL FROM CODY MAVERICK!
Thadd Blazevich: Cody follows him to the apron as he picks DIEGO UP INTO A FIREMAN’S CARRY AND IF HE LANDS SOMETHING HERE IT MIGHT BE ENOUGH FOR HIM TO DEFEAT DIEGO HERE TONIGHT!!!!
Persephone: LOOK YOU IDIOT!! ESCAPES FROM THE FIREMAN’S CARRY AND– LANDS A JUMPING KNEE TO CODY MAVERICK!!!!! CODY COLLPASES ONTO THE APRON AS THAT NOSE IS EVEN MORE BLOODY THEN BEFORE AS DIEGO HOLDS CODY’S UP AND–
Rich Russillo: HE CATAPULTS HIM INTO THE RINGPOST!!! CODY GOES FACE FIRST AS HE DROPS TO THE GROUND BEFORE!!! DIEGO LOOKS BACK AT CODY MAVERICK AND–
Thadd Blazevich: METROPLEX CITY BOY!!!! THE DOUBLE JUMP MOONSAULT CONNECTS TO THE OUTSIDE TO CODY MAVERICK!!! SOMEHOW DIEGO MANAGED TO CONNECT THE DOUBLE JUMP MOONSAULT FROM STEEL THAT’S HOLDING THE RING POST AND TURNBUCKLES TOGETHER AS DIEGO GETS BACK INTO THE RING!!
Persephone: This idiot is demanding the referee to start counting again and I don’t if Cody Maverick is going to make it back this time.
(Cody is out cold as the referee makes his count…)
Referee: ONE!
Referee: TWO!
Referee: THREE!
Referee: FOUR!
Referee: FIVE!
(Cody is still not moving as Diego may have found a way to win this match and advance into this tournament…)
Referee: SIX!
Referee: SEVEN!
(Cody is slowly getting back but is in a lot of pain as Diego keeps shouting at the referee to count faster and faster!!)
Referee: EIGHT!
Referee: NINE!
(Cody has risen but will make it back in time…)
Referee: TE–
(….)
(….)
(….)
Rich Russillo: CODY MAVERICK GETS BACK IN TIME!!!!! THE CROWD IS CHEERING HIM ON AS THAT WAS SO CLOSE!! DIEGO NEEDED AN EXTRA SECOND AND HE COULD HAVE BEEN ADVANCING TO THE TOURNAMENT!!! DIEGO IS IRATE AS CODY MAVERICK HAS MADE BACK INTO THIS RING!!
Thadd Blazevich: DIEGO BRO IS NOW STOMPING THE HELL OUT OF CODY!!!! DIEGO IS GOING TO DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO WIN THIS MATCH AND JUDGING BY WHAT WE SAW, IT DIDN’T MATTER IF IT WAS GOING BY WITHIN THIS RING OR A COUNTOUT WIN. DIEGO NOW BRING CODY UP AND IRISH WHIPS HIM INTO THE CORNER!!
Persephone: Diego from the opposite end as Cody in position as he goes for a Running Dropkick into the corner and–
Rich Russillo: CODY MOVES OUT THE WAY!!! DIEGO LANDS FEET FIRST ONTO THE TURNBUCKLE AS CODY GOES FOR A CRUCIFIX PIN!! DIEGO’S SHOULDERS ARE DOWN AS THE REFEREE COUNTS!!!
Referee: ONEEEEEEE!
Referee: TWOOOOOO!
Referee: THREEEEEE-
Thadd Blazevich: Diego bros gets his shoulders up as he gets back up and– IS MET WITH THE DEEP END!!! THE SPINEBUSTER CONNECTS FROM CODY MAVERICK AS HE HOOKS THE LEG!!!!
Referee: ONEEEEEEE!
Referee: TWOOOOOO!
Referee: THREEEEEE-
Persephone: Bastard…
Rich Russillo: DIEGO KICKS OUT BUT CODY WASTES NO LITTLE TIME AS HE RUNS TO THE ROPES FOR A SPRINGBOARD MOONSAULT!!!
Thadd Blazevich: BUT DIEGO BRO PUTS HIS KNEES UP!!! CODY IS HOLDING ON TO HIS STOMACH!!! CODY MAVERICK BROSKI IS FEELING THAT PAIN AS DIEGO GRABS A HOLD OF CODY’S HEAD, LAUNCHES HIMSELF INTO THE ROPES– FOR A SPRINGBOARD DDT!!! THE MOVES CONNECTS AS DIEGO QUICKLY BRINGS CODY TO THE APRON!!
Persephone: He looks to have the Sin City Superstar in position for the LIVIN LIKE DIEGO ROPE ASSISTED PILEDRIVER!!! DIEGO TRIES FOR IT AND–
Rich Russillo: CODY MAVERICK WITH ALL HIS STRENGTH PUSHES DIEGO OFF!! DIEGO LANDS FACE FIRST ON THE MAT AS HE QUICKLY GETS UP– BUT IS MET WITH A SLINGSHOT SHOULDER BLOCK!!! DIEGO IS DOWN AS CODY MAVERICK IS FEELING HIMSELF!!!
Thadd Blazevich: Cody bro brings Diego into the top corner and lies him down and– CONNECTS WITH THE MONEY MAKER!!! THE TOP ROPE DRAPPING DDT CONNECTS TO DIEGO MONTANA!!!! THE CROWD IS ON THEIR FEET!!!!
Persephone: Could this be it? Could this match finally be over, THANK GOD FOR THE MAVERICK???
Rich Russillo: Cody Maverick is tired but he’s still standing even with a bloody nose and all as he waits for Diego to get back on his feet! He and everyone else waits in anticipation as the audience here starts clapping slowly as Diego slowly gets up…
Thadd Blazevich: Diego broski isn’t even going to know how painful this is going to be.
Persephone: I hope he feels all that pain.
Rich Russillo: DIEGO IS BACK UP AND CODY TURNS HIM AROUND! KICK TO THE GUT AND BANG!!! THE SIN CITY STUNNER CONNECTS TO DIEGO MONTANA!!! CODY HOOKS THE LEG AS THE REFEREE MAKES THE COUNT!!
Referee: ONEEEEEEE!
Referee: TWOOOOOO!
Referee: THREEEEEE!
(DING! DING! DING!)
Bella Braxton: HERE IS YOUR WINNER…AND ADVANCING TO THE NEXT ROUND OF THE KING OF ELITE TOURNAMENT… CODY MAVERICK!!!
(‘Kostas’ by Westside Gunn, Conway the Machine & Benny the Butcher begins to blast the P.A System as Cody Maverick emerges as the winner. Cody Maverick with a bloody nose advances as his arm gets raised by the referee in a well fought victory against Diego Montana. The fans cheer on Cody Maverick as he celebrates while an annoyed Diego Montana looks on ringside.)
Thadd Blazevich: An amazing victory by Cody bro!! A great fight pitting these two elitists and again what Diego did in this match cannot be understated. He showed signs of brilliance broski! Managing to do things to almost win this match whether that was from pinfall, submission, or even a countout win. Many people may not like that but Diego was going to do anything to win no matter what.
Rich Russillo: Maybe he’s more talented than we all thought but in the end, It was Cody Maverick who was the better competitor with a satisfying Sin City Stunner to get himself the win and move on to the next round of the King of Elite tournament. Congrats to Cody Maverick on this well earned win!
Persephone: Nice… now I need some water.
(The camera pans to Cody Maverick who has made his way to the stage area as he does his signature pose and celebrates with the crowd as this would be the final scene before Voltage fades away from ringside.)
(The scene opens up backstage and more specifically to Captain Charisma’s office. He is seen sitting behind his desk with a serious look across his handsome face. He doesn’t waste any time when it comes to speaking and clears his throat.)
Captain Charisma: Very little surprises me these days, but when Hans Grayson was attacked by a group of thugs at Road to Redemption, I found myself unsure of what to say. It wasn’t terribly shocking that Drake Armstrong revealed himself to be behind the attack, but having his goons break Hans’ arm took things to an entirely different level. I am well aware of the history these two men have and it was always going to be a delicate situation with both of them on Voltage vying for the EAW Championship, but I didn’t think things would go this far.
(The Voltage Commissioner sighs.)
Captain Charisma: It would be hypocritical of me to reprimand Drake in any capacity, so I won’t be doing that. Voltage has always been the brand where you take care of your business by any means necessary and I don’t foresee that changing as long as I’m at the helm of it. That being said, the timetable for Hans Grayson’s return remains unknown.
Captain Charisma: He was taken straight to Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans after the incident before being transferred to UAB in Birmingham, which is the home of the world renowned Andrews Sports Medicine and Orthopedic Center. He was attended to by Dr. Kathleen McKeon, who specializes in hand and wrist surgeries. As a former collegiate athlete at Yale, Dr. McKeon knows how important it is to maintain function and flexibility in your hands, and that’s exactly the type of surgeon Hans needed. Hans had surgery on December 15 to fix his broken hand and arm, which had been nearly shattered.
Captain Charisma: Several plates and screws were used to put Hans’ right hand back together, and a metal plate was inserted into his forearm as well. I don’t have any more details on the extent of his injuries, but he is resting comfortably in Birmingham, and has already started the rehabilitation process with his right arm.
(Captain Charisma folds his hands together and shakes his head.)
Captain Charisma: As we all witnessed, it was Hans’ dominant arm that was damaged thanks to the attack. His finisher is dependent upon full use of his right arm, and at this time, it isn’t yet known whether or not Hans will regain full use of it. His team of doctors at UAB are optimistic and Dr. McKeon is an excellent surgeon. I am optimistic and hopeful that we will see Hans Grayson back inside the ring before Season 19 comes to an end, but only time will tell. Now with that being said, let’s get back to the show.
(Captain Charisma smiles and the scene inside the office slowly fades to black.)
(A commercial for Zepbound plays starring the corpse of Xander Payne. It took dying to wake him up and realize he was one hamburger away from a heart attack.)
(Voltage returns and this time we are taken to another backstage area. The 24/7 Contract Holder, Kai Rabeaux, is seen standing in front of a monitor, getting himself mentally prepared for his main event match against Jon Kelton. Beside him, scrolling through her phone, is Ashlynn Quinn. If she’s annoyed by her confrontation with NICK. earlier in the night she’s not showing it. In fact, she seems pretty bubbly at the moment, as evidenced by the lustful looks she keeps shooting Kai.)
Ashlynn Quinn: You look amazing, babe! I know you’re totally gunna beat that uggo later on.
Kai Rabeaux: That is the plan. A King of Elite crown on my head and a 24/7 Contract in my pocket? I become the most powerful man in all of EAW. I could not have written a better script for myself in terms of my ascension.
Ashlynn Quinn: Absolutely! I have a question though! I mean, I have wanted to like ask you this for a min but we totally did the whole holiday thing and who really wants to think about work when they’re off? Ewww!
(Kai looks at Ashlynn and smiles.)
Kai Rabeaux: What’s your question?
(Ashlynn shoves her phone into the back pocket of her designer jeans and twirls a strand of platinum blonde hair around her finger.)
Ashlynn Quinn: Well, when all that chaos was going on with Drake and Hans, and those creepy mafiosos, why didn’t you use that diversion to sneak up behind Adam and use the contract? I mean, Drake’s crown doesn’t allow for a match to happen immediately, so you could have like totally stolen his moment, like he did Hans’.
(Kai nods his head, knowing that Ashlynn’s question is a fair one, and she’s likely not the only one wondering why he didn’t take advantage of the situation.)
Kai Rabeaux: Coming to know those two pretty well over the last five months or so, it was inevitable that something was going to happen at Road to Redemption. Tension had been building for weeks and I can not be surprised it ended up costing me in the end. That being said, those two have their own issues to settle and I simply wish to keep myself away from their situation. The expiration date on my contract is Pain for Pride, so there is plenty of time for me to pick my perfect moment. It simply wasn’t at Road to Redemption because that would have been going for a rather low hanging fruit, do you not agree?
(Ashlynn chews on her bottom lip, not sure of how to answer.)
Kai Rabeaux: Look at it from this perspective, Ash. Hans is injured now and according to Captain Charisma, his return is unknown. When and if he does return, his focus will be strictly on Drake Armstrong. Drake’s already used his King of Elite crown and has become the champion, so that is one less obstacle for me to deal with, and quite frankly, so is Hans. When those two find themselves tangled up with one another, perhaps I will make a move. But for now?
Ashlynn Quinn: For now you focus on becoming King for Elite.
(Kai leans down and brushes a chaste kiss across her full lips.)
Kai Rabeaux: I focus on becoming King of Elite.
(Ashlynn wraps her arms around Kai’s waist and rests her head on his chest.)
Ashlynn Quinn: I really, really want to see you like humiliate Kelton. I have NEVER liked that uggo and he tried to make my life hell on Showdown a couple of years ago. He actually tried to make everyone’s life a total hell and he is the last person who deserves to be in any championship picture.
Kai Rabeaux: Believe me, I agree. I never suspected Elysium was in it for the long haul. Eventually egos rear their ugly heads and having a front row ticket to their downfall has certainly been entertaining. I am sure Jon Kelton believes that with Bronson Daniels eliminated for the time being, he can finally spread his wings and fly, but you know what happens when one flies too close to the sun.
Ashlynn Quinn: They burn.
Kai Rabeaux: Exactly right, Ash. They burn. Kelton has been notorious for flying too close to the sun, throughout the entirety of his career, and once tonight is done and in the books, he will find himself back at the drawing board. In terms of Voltage, I do not see anyone capable of keeping me from claiming a spot in the final, and as for the other brands?
(Kai scoffs.)
Kai Rabeaux: No one from Dynasty nor Showdown phases me. In fact, I would willingly step up to anyone because I know that when I do get to the final, I will be unbeatable. It is all but written that I am the greatest athlete EAW has ever seen, and having not one, but two cash-in opportunities is something I plan to make sure I have. I don’t need them, of course, but I like power.
(Ashlynn beams up at her beloved.)
Ashlynn Quinn: And I like a powerful man. I know that you are going to make good on your words, babe. You always do. There is no one better than Kai Rabeaux and this year is yours for the taking. I totally believe that and I can’t wait to see you shine later on tonight!
(A cocky smirk crosses Kai’s face.)
Kai Rabeaux: Perhaps you’d like to join me?
(Ashlynn pulls away from Kai and pretends to grab at her imaginary pearls.)
Ashlynn Quinn: Moi?
(Kai chucks her playfully under the chin.)
Kai Rabeaux: Mm. Why not have a front row seat to watch your future King of Elite?
Ashlynn Quinn: You definitely don’t have to ask me twice! It would be like an honor to watch my perfect boyfriend destroy someone I truly can’t stand!
(Kai seems pleased with Ashlynn’s answer and she laces her arm through his. Together, the two of them start talking about Kai’s actual strategy to win the match as Voltage fades away from the area.)
(The camera cuts to Bella Braxton in the ring.)
Bella Braxton: THE FOLLOWING CONTEST IS AN EMPRESS OF ELITE FIRST ROUND MATCH SCHEDULED FOR…ONE FALL!!
Crowd: ONE FALL!!
( ‘asthma’ by BELLRING Shoujo Heart plays to a mixed reaction from fans, mostly leaning towards positive as Anna Wautier makes her way onto the stage, and takes a deep breath, focusing ahead of her match with ARIA as she makes her way down the ramp, high fiving a few fans along the way.)
Bella Braxton: Introducing first! Hailing out of Yokohama, Japan, weighing in at 142 pounds…SHE IS THE THORN PRINCESS…ANNA WAUTIER!!
Thadd Blazevich: Anna Wautier had an impressive performance at Road to Redemption, bro, and I’m eager to see how she’ll follow that up against ARIA.
Rich Russillo: Really, she’ll just need to bring the same things she did against BRAE in their match. BRAE’s just about the peak of intensity, and if you can survive him, you can survive almost anyone.
Thadd Blazevich: True, I’m expecting some technical, hard-hitting from both women.
(‘God Shattering Star’ by Takashi Baba blasts throughout the arena, and ARIA makes her way onto the stage area, jumping up and down while staring daggers at Anna in the ring. ARIA takes a moment to soak in the crowd reaction before marching down to the ring.)
Bella Braxton: And her opponent! Hailing out of Phoenix, Arizona, weighing in at 130 pounds…ARIA!!
Rich Russillo: ARIA shocked the world with her actions at Road to Redemption, but has no remorse for them, and it’s hard to fully blame her.
Thadd Blazevich: No, Saori did poke the bear, and reaped the consequences of it. But ARIA’s putting that behind her, and focusing on the bigger picture.
Persephone: Here’s hoping she keeps some of that crashout energy to make her less boring.
(The referee signals for the bell as both competitors stand in opposing corners.)
(DING! DING! DING!)
Rich Russillo: Alright, it’s ARIA versus Dynasty’s Anna Wautier. Both sides seem focused to start this off, looking to advance past round one in the Empress of Elite tournament. Which, while difficult within itself, is the easy part. The hard part is: the competition level increasingly rising. But as we know, nothing worth having comes easy. Look what BOTH the Empress and King of Elite tournaments have done for careers. Most recently, Bea Valentine as she took on-
Persephone: We get it. Now, can you stop talking everyone’s ears off?
Rich Russillo: :kyrie:
Thadd Blazevich: Don’t listen to her, bro. I thought you were doing great.
Rich Russillo: Uh… thanks, Thadd.
Thadd Blazevich: You’re welcome, dude! But ARIA and Anna have exited their respective corners, so it’s probablyyy best we call the match.
Rich Russillo: Right… after some circling, Anna and ARIA have engaged in a collar and elbow tie-up! Some jockeying for position takes place, but neither are able to get the upper hand, and break the collar and elbow— before immediately jumping right back into it!
Thadd Blazevich: Anna wrenches on the hold, but ARIA presses down on the back of her knee, dropping her to one. From there, ARIA gains control of the wrist with a wristlock! Anna powers back to her feet, and quickly reverses into an arm wringer! Gaining control of ARIA’s wrist, and pulling her into a standing side headlock takedown!
Persephone: Yawn. This match is already boring me.
Rich Russillo: Persephone, they… they just started.
Persephone: And?
Rich Russillo: I’m… not going to elaborate on that as ARIA rolls Anna onto her back, and floats over into a grounded side headlock of her own! Anna’s in trouble, but manages to make it back to her feet, and bounces ARIA off the ropes to escape! ARIA REBOUNDS BACK INTO AN ARM DRAG! BOTH WOMEN SCRAMBLE TO THEIR FEET-
Thadd Blazevich: BUT ANNA RUNS RIGHT INTO AN ARM DRAG HERSELF! ARIA TURNED THE TABLES THERE, AND BOTH WOMEN RUSH BACK TO THEIR FEET! BUT THIS TIME, ANNA CATCHES ARIA WITH ANOTHER ARM DRAG AS SHE RAN RIGHT INTO IT! AGAIN, BOTH WOMEN ARE QUICKLY BACK TO THEIR FEET, AND ANNA ALMOST RAN INTO AN ARM DRAG! BUT HAD IT SCOUTED THIS TIME AROUND!
(Anna swiped her arm away last minute before ARIA could hook it, and she turns her back momentarily with both hands raised up.)
Rich Russillo: The back of ARIA’s head ricocheted off the mat, and Anna’s feeling one step ahead early on as ARIA rises up to a knee. From there, Anna quickly gets her head back in the game, and charges! BUT ARIA BAITED HER IN! ANNA RAN RIGHT INTO ANOTHER ARM DRAG, TRANSITIONED INTO AN ARMBAR!
Thadd Blazevich: ARIA has Anna grounded, but not for long as she returns to her feet, and escapes said armbar with an arm drag! ARIA’s instantly back up, and gets caught with a HIP TOSS! Immediate drop into a cover by Wautier!
ONNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
Rich Russillo: Barely a one count as ARIA kicks out with authority, and both scramble back to their feet! ARIA RUNS INTO ANOTHER HIP TOSS BY WAUTIER! AGAIN, IMMEDIATE DROP INTO THE COVER!
ONNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
Rich Russillo: Again, same result! One count! But Anna quickly grabbed ARIA in a rear chinlock as she tried getting up- however, ARIA transitioned it into a grounded hammerlock! Being one step ahead of Anna this time! What the hammerlock does is: apply tons of pressure on the arm and shoulder joint. You can see the discomfort shown on Anna’s face.
Persephone: Wow, and I was looked at as a madman for saying this match doesn’t interest me. Just look at what they’re doing! It’s a bunch of rolling around grappling. Nobody wants to see that.
Thadd Blazevich: I don’t know, Persephone, the crowd has been with them every step of the way thus far.
Persephone: Oh, please. Our fans will eat up anything. I insult them on a daily basis, and they’re still here.
Rich Russillo: In a way… true. But it just speaks to the loyalty of our fanbase.
Persephone: Whatever.
Thadd Blazevich: Anna moves to a seated position while still placed in the hammerlock, and rises back to a vertical base afterwards. ARIA wrenches the hold, and doubles Anna over slightly from the pain. ARIA transitions into another wristlock before shortly after that, an armbar.
Rich Russillo: Anna backs ARIA against the ropes, and whips her off! ARIA rebounds back, and Anna ducked early for a back body drop! BIG MISTAKE AS ARIA COUNTERS WITH A PUNT KICK TO THE CHEST! Anna staggers over by the ropes, and clutches at her chest- BEFORE ARIA CHARGES IN! HOWEVER, SHE GETS SIDESTEPPED, AND THROWN OUT THROUGH THE MIDDLE ROPE!
Thadd Blazevich: ARIA LANDED AWKWARDLY ON HER ARM, PERHAPS MORE TO COME ON THAT LATER AS SHE CLUTCHES HER SHOULDER! ARIA’S RISEN UP TO A KNEE, BUT ANNA IS BUILDING MOMENTUM! RUNNING OFF THE ROPES FOR A SUICIDE DIVE CROSSBODY! BUT ARIA ROLLS THROUGH, AND HAS ANNA IN A CRADLE!
Rich Russillo: ARIA WALKS UP THE STEPS WITH ANNA CRADLED IN HER ARMS, AND LIFTS HER UP INTO A MILITARY PRESS! CHUCKING HER INTO THE RING BEFORE CLIMBING TO THE TOP ROPE, AND FLYING OFF WITH A 450 SPLASH!
Thadd Blazevich: OH NO! ANNA MOVED OUT THE WAY, AND ARIA LANDED DIRECTLY ON THAT SHOULDER AGAIN!
(ARIA immediately rolls out of the ring, and to a knee as she clutches her injured shoulder with the referee rolling out to check on her. He’s pondering calling the match, but ARIA is insistent she can still go, despite the clear damage done.)
Persephone: Of course, “fighting spirit” from ARIA fighting through a clear injury. But I call it plain stupid.
Thadd Blazevich: Yeah, it might come back to bite ARIA.
(Anna patiently waits inside the ring, allowing ARIA to slowly re-enter with her damaged arm she’s trying to move much as she gingerly slides underneath the bottom rope, standing off against Anna.)
Thadd Blazevich: OH! ARIA SWUNG WILDLY WITH THAT CLOTHESLINE, TRYING TO CATCH ANNA OFF GUARD! BUT WAUTIER DUCKS UNDERNEATH IT, AND ARIA BOUNCES OFF THE ROPES! DROP DOWN BY ANNA, FORCING ARIA TO HURDLE OVER HER BODY! ARIA REBOUNDS OFF THE ROPES A SECOND TIME AS ANNA POPS BACK TO HER FEET, AND LEAPFROGS OVER ARIA’S HEAD!
Rich Russillo: BUT LESTRADE HALTS HER MOMENTUM SHORT BEHIND ANNA, AND SHOVES HER TOWARD THE ROPES! ANNA REBOUNDS BACK INTO A LEAPFROG, AND ARIA FOLLOWS IT UP WITH A DROPDOWN! I WAS EXPECTING ANNA TO BOUNCE OFF THE ROPES A THIRD TIME, BUT SHE SLID OUT UNDERNEATH THE BOTTOM ROPE INSTEAD!
Thadd Blazevich: Anna taunts ARIA from the outside, and ARIA charges the ropes! SLINGSHOTTING HERSELF UP AND OVER THE TOP AT ANNA! BUT CATCHES HERSELF ON THE APRON AS ANNA ROLLS BACK INTO THE RING, PLAYING A GAME OF CAT AND MOUSE WITH ARIA! WHO SPRINGBOARDS BACK INTO THE RING!
Rich Russillo: ANNA TRIED RUSHING HER! BUT ARIA LEAPED OVERHEAD, AND ROLLED THROUGH A KNEE! LUNGING INTO A DROPDOWN AS ANNA BOUNCES OFF THE ROPES, AND ANNA ROUNDS OFF OVER THE BODY OF ARIA! WHO POPS BACK TO HER FEET, AND GETS CAUGHT WITH AN ARM DRAG! TRANSITIONED INTO AN ARMBAR!
Thadd Blazevich: ARIA landed on that arm earlier when tumbling through the middle rope, and Anna’s doing the smart thing by targeting it, applying pressure potentially for the “Hanayome No Tansu!” However, ARIA grits through the pain, and returns to her feet, but gets backed against the ropes by Anna for an irish whip! ARIA SLIDES THROUGH THE LEGS OF WAUTIER AFTER REBOUNDING BACK, AND POPS TO HER FEET BEHIND HER! EXPLODING WITH A DROPKICK!
Rich Russillo: ARIA HURRIES INTO THE COVER! THIS COULD BE IT!
ONNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Rich Russillo: Kickout at two!
Persephone: Oh, brother. That means there’s more.
Rich Russillo: ARIA gives Anna no room to breathe following that kickout, and gets her in a rear chinlock! ARIA’s wearing down her opponent, keeping her grounded, something she hasn’t gotten much opportunity to do throughout this match up.
Thadd Blazevich: Anna gets back to her feet in the rear chinlock, but ARIA stops her from mounting offense with a knee to the midsection! ARIA then follows that up with a body slam! PLANTING Anna Wautier on the canvas for a STANDING MOONSAULT! Picture perfect by ARIA! Hooking the leg deep!
ONNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Rich Russillo: Kickout! But ARIA remains on the attack! No wasted movement as she stands Anna up in a front facelock- BUT LIVES TO REGRET IT AS ANNA DRIVES HER BACK FIRST INTO THE CORNER! PROCEEDING TO DRIVE HER SHOULDER INTO ARIA’S MIDSECTION A FEW TIMES! NO DOUBT KNOCKING THE WIND OUT OF HER!
Thadd Blazevich: With ARIA softened up, Anna goes to throw her into the opposite corner- BUT ARIA REVERSES AT THE LAST MINUTE! SENDING ANNA INSTEAD! BUT WAUTIER GOES UP AND OVER IN THE CORNER, SLIPPING BEHIND HER FOR A REAR WAISTLOCK! BUT IT WONT BE THAT EASY AS ARIA SLIPS BEHIND HER WITH A STANDING SWITCH! NOW, ARIA HAS IN A REAR WAISTLOCK OF HER OWN!
Rich Russillo: BUT ANNA REACHES THROUGH HER LEGS, AND GRABS HOLD OF ARIA’S LEG! PULLING IT OUT FROM UNDERNEATH HER, DROPPING ARIA BACK FIRST ONTO THE CANVAS! ANNA KEEPS HOLD OF THE LEG, AND TURNS AROUND TOWARDS HER- BUT EATS A BOOT TO THE FACE WITH ARIA’S FREE LEG!
Thadd Blazevich: THAT ROCKED HER A BIT! STAGGERING ANNA BRIEFLY, WHO WALTZES RIGHT INTO A KIP UP HURRICANRANA! WHOA! CREATIVE MOVE THERE BY ARIA!
Rich Russillo: BOTH WOMEN MAKE IT BACK TO THEIR FEET, AND ANNA WALKS RIGHT INTO AN ARM DRAG FROM LESTRADE! ARIA TRANSITIONS IT INTO AN ARMBAR, AND ONCE AGAIN, HAS ANNA GROUNDED!
Persephone: Jesus, how many times are going back to this?
Thadd Blazevich: Anna’s attempting to get out of this one early, and rises back to her feet- but gets taken right back down with another arm drag whilst in that armbar!
Rich Russillo: Anna’s starting to grow a bit frustrated, but keeps her determination intact as she powers to her feet again, backing ARIA up against the ropes for an irish whip to escape! ANNA WENT FOR A BACK ELBOW! BUT ARIA DUCKED UNDERNEATH IT, AND BOUNCED OFF THE ROPES AGAIN FOR A TILT-A-WHIRL HEADSCISSORS TAKEDOWN!
Thadd Blazevich: THOUGH, THAT ONLY STUNNED ANNA, WHO IS ALREADY MAKING IT BACK TO HER FEET! BUT ARIA ISNT FAR BEHIND, AND GOES TO FOLLOW IT UP WITH A HURRICANRA- NO! ANNA DROPPED HER TO HER KNEES IMMEDIATELY WITH A SNAP KNEELING POWERBOMB! STACKING ARIA UP FOR THE THREE COUNT!
ONNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Rich Russillo: KICKOUT! ARIA stays in it, but rolls outside the ring to create space and seperation from Anna- BUT WONT FIND IT OUT THERE AS WAUTIER RUNS OFF THE ROPES FOR A SUICIDE DIVE! BUT POPS BACK TO HER FEET, AND SLIDES INTO THE RING ONCE MORE! RUNNING OFF THE ROPES AGAIN FOR A SUICIDE SENTON!! WIPING OUT ARIA!
Thadd Blazevich: ANNA IS FIRED UP, AND ROLLS ARIA BACK INSIDE THE RING! ARIA GROGGILY MAKES IT TO HER FEET, BUT GETS DUMPED HIGH ANGLE WITH A BACK SUPLEX! ANNA CAME FROM BEHIND, AND A COVER IS MADE!
ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Thadd Blazevich: Kickout!
Persephone: In a perfect world, that was a three. Alas, this isn’t a perfect world.
Rich Russillo: Anna stands ARIA back up, and ARIA starts fighting back with shots to the rib cage! But Anna cuts her off with a knee to the abdomen! Doubling her over for a NECKBREAKER! Hook of the leg!
ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Rich Russillo: NO! ARIA stays in it, getting the shoulder up! Anna storms to her feet, and drags ARIA to a vertical base! Lifting her up for a BODY SLAM! Anna just planted ARIA close to the ropes, and SPRINGBOARDS OFF THE MIDDLE- NO, WAIT! ARIA! ARIA RUSHED BACK TO HER FEET, AND SHOVED ANNA UP AND OVER THE ROPE! DUMPING HER TO THE OUTSIDE AS ANNA HIT BACK FIRST ON THE APRON HER WAY DOWN!
Thadd Blazevich: Anna’s on all fours ringside, clutching her back in pain as ARIA collects herself inside the ring. Anna uses the ring apron for assistance to pull herself up- BUT ARIA CATCHES WAUTIER WITH A WRECKING BALL DROPKICK THAT TURNS HER AROUND! ANNA GOT TURNED AROUND, AND IS DOUBLED OVER FROM THAT DROPKICK AS ARIA SLINGSHOTS OVER THE TOP!
Rich Russillo: SLINGSHOT CROSSBODY ON THE BACK OF ANNA’S HEAD AND NECK! BUT THE HIGH RISK DIDNT GO UNPUNISHED AS ARIA LANDED ON HER SHOULDER AGAIN! NOW, BOTH COMPETITORS DOWN ON THE OUTSIDE AS THE REFEREE BEGINS COUNTING!
Referee: ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR! FIVE!
Thadd Blazevich: ARIA beats the count, rolling back inside the ring!
Persephone: Yeah, now if only this ref would count a bit faster, so we can wrap this up with a conclusive winner.
Referee: SIX! SEVEN! EI-
Rich Russillo: Anna beats the count herself! Rolling back inside the ring- but right into the clutches of ARIA, who stands her up, and knocks her back into the corner with a FOREARM! Anna is rocked, and ARIA’s moving a bit gingerly on account on that arm, but irish whips Anna to the opposite corner! ARIA CHARGES IN WITH A RUNNING EUROPEAN UPPERCUT! JACKING ANNA’S JAW!
Thadd Blazevich: AND ARIA GRABS ANNA IN POSITION FOR A “PHOENIX CUTTER!” TRYING TO WALK WITH ANNA OUT THE CORNER, BUT ANNA HOOKS HER ARM ONTO THE TOP ROPE! PREVENTING ARIA FROM DOING SO, AND EVENTUALLY, PUSHES HER OFF BEFORE ROLLING OUT UNDERNEATH THE BOTTOM ROPE TO THE APRON!
Rich Russillo: Anna rises to a knee on the apron, trying to shake the cobwebs out of her head, but ARIA follows her out there. HOWEVER, ANNA BAITED HER IN FOR A KICK TO THE GUT! NOW, LOOKING TO DO SOME REAL DAMAGE WITH A SUPLEX ON THE APRON! BUT ARIA BLOCKS IT! HOOKING HER LEG ON THE BOTTOM ROPE, AND SHIFTS THE MOMENTUM WITH A SUPLEX OF HER OWN ON THE APRON!
Persephone: Anna’s getting some free chiropractic adjustment this match.
Thadd Blazevich: Yeah, and courtesy of the apron as ARIA hops back onto it, and lines Anna up as she stirs ringside… ARIA BUILDS MOMENTUM FOR A- ANNA! ANNA ROLLS BACK INTO THE RING, AVOIDING WHAT SHE HAD PLANNED! BUT ARIA TRIES SPRINGING BACK INTO THE RING- TO WHICH ANNA THROWS HERSELF AT THE TOP ROPE! CAUSING ARIA TO LOSE BALANCE, AND GET HUNG UP ON THE TOP ROPE!
Rich Russillo: ARIA FALLS OFF, AND GOT THE WIND KNOCKED OUT OF HER AS SHE CLUTCHES HER STOMACH ON ALL FOURS! ANNA QUICKLY SWOOPS IN! AND GRABS ARIA IN A FRONT FACELOCK- BUT GETS DRIVEN BACK FIRST INTO THE CORNER! ARIA CREATES A BIT OF DISTANCE, AND RUSHES IN! BUT EATS A BOOT FROM ANNA!
Thadd Blazevich: ARIA STAGGERS BACK ON WOBBLY LEGS! AND ANNA SHOOTS OUT OF THE CORNER FOR A SUNSET FLIP! BUT ARIA KEEPS HER BALANCE, AND SITS DOWN ON ANNA’S CHEST! HOOKING BOTH LEGS FOR A PINFALL!
ONNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Thadd Blazevich: ANNA REVERSES THE PIN, AND NOW ARIA HAS BOTH SHOULDERS DOWN!
ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWW-
Rich Russillo: ARIA EXPLODES OUT THE COVER, BUT ANNA IMMEDIATELY TRANSITIONS INTO A CROSSFACE! USING THAT DAMAGED ARM TO HER ADVANTAGE! APPLYING PRESSURE ON THE SHOULDER AND NECK AREAS! AS SHE PULLS BACK ON THE CROSSFACE WITH ALL HER MIGHT!
Persephone: Save everybody’s time, and tap already!
Thadd Blazevich: ARIA WONT GIVE UP THAT EASILY, AND INCHES HER WAY TO THE ROPES! GETTING HER FOOT ON THE BOTTOM! FORCING ANNA TO BREAK THE SUBMISSION!
(Anna releases the crossface, and gets backed away by the referee while ARIA recovers, sitting up against the bottom rope while favoring her shoulder. From there, Anna brushes past the referee, and-)
Rich Russillo: OOH! ANNA JUST BLASTED ARIA IN THE FACE WITH A RUNNING DROPKICK TO THE FACE! HER HEAD WHIPLASHED OFF THE IMPACT! AND ANNA POPS TO HER FEET! DRAGGING ARIA TO THE CENTER WHERE SHE SETS UP FOR A “MODERN TRAGEDY!” ATTEMPTING IT URANAGE STYLE!
Thadd Blazevich: BUT ARIA FIGHTS HER WAY OUT OF IT WITH MULTIPLE ELBOWS! REALIZING IF ANNA HITS THIS, SHE’S LIKELY DONE! ANNA’S ON SPAGHETTI LEGS, BUT EXPLODES WITH A KNIFE EDGE CHOP! ATTEMPTING TO REGAIN CONTROL OVER THE SITUATION!
Rich Russillo: ARIA FELT THAT ONE, AND IT TAKES HER A MOMENT TO SHRUG IT OFF BEFORE HITTING A KNIFE EDGE CHOP OF HER OWN! KNIFE EDGE CHOP IN RETALIATION BY ANNA! AND THERES A KNIFE EDGE CHOP BY ARIA, INSTANTLY FOLLOWED UP WITH A STEP-UP ENZIGURI THAT SENDS ANNA STAGGERING INTO THE CORNER!
Thadd Blazevich: ARIA CRAWLS OVER TO THE OPPOSITE CORNER, AND PULLS HERSELF UP IN IT! BUT ANNA GETS A SECOND WIND, AND CHARGES AT ARIA! BUT SHES ONE STEP AHEAD, AND SIDE STEPS! ANNA HITS FACE FIRST INTO THE FLIES FIRST INTO THE TOP TURNBUCKLE, AND ANNA TURNS AROUND! STAGGERING INTO A BIG CLOTHESLINE!
Rich Russillo: ANNA RUSHES BACK TO HER FEET, AND GETS DROPPED WITH A BACK ELBOW! AGAIN, ANNA IS BACK TO HER FEET, AND GETS CAUGHT WITH ANOTHER CLOTHESLINE! THOUGH, SHE’S PERSISTENT! POPPING BACK TO HER FEET, AND GETTING FLOORED WITH ANOTHER BACK ELBOW!
Persephone: I guess Anna has a kink for punishment, and scrambles to her feet, staggering back into the corner.
Thadd Blazevich: ARIA DASHES IN- BUT ANNA SENDS HER UP AND OVER HER SHOULDER! ARIA CATCHES HERSELF ON THE APRON, AND BLASTS ANNA WITH A FOREARM AS SHE TRIED FOR A RIGHT HAND! ARIA SPRINGS OFF THE TOP ROPE- ANNA TRIED TO RUSH HER! BUT ARIA LEAPS OVERHEAD, LANDING ON HER FEET, AND GOES TO HANDSPRING OFF THE ROPES FOR A “PHOENIX INJECTION!”
Rich Russillo: BUT ANNA INTERCEPTS IT WITH A RUNNING PENALTY KICK TO THE BAD ARM! ARIA WRITHES IN AGONY, AND ANNA RUSHES TO SET HER UP FOR THE “HANAYOME NO TANSU!” INVERTED ARMBREAKER, AND THAT SHOULDER MIGHT HAVE FULLY GONE OUT THE SOCKET AS ARIA RISES BACK TO HER FEET!
Thadd Blazevich: ARIA SWINGS WILDLY WITH A CLOTHESLINE! BUT GETS CAUGHT IN POSITION FOR “MODERN TRAGEDY!” ANNA STARTED HOISTING HER- BUT ARIA TURNS IT INTO A VICTORY ROLL!
ONNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHHHHHHRRRRRRR-
Rich Russillo: ALMOST! ARIA ALMOST GOT THE VICTORY THERE! BUT ANNA KICKED OUT, AND STAGGERS BACK INTO THE CORNER! ARIA CHARGES IN, BUT EATS A BACK ELBOW FOR HER TROUBLES! ANNA HOPS TO THE MIDDLE ROPE, SITTING ATOP THE TOP TURNBUCKLE- BUT ARIA CONNECTS WITH A ROPE-ASSISTED ENZIGURI!
Thadd Blazevich: ARIA GRABS ANNA IN POSITION FOR A CUTTER, AND ANNA FLIES OFF THE MIDDLE ROPE FOR A “PHOENIX CUTTER!” SECOND ROPE “PHOENIX CUTTER” AND ARIA MIGHT HAVE THE VICTORY AS SHE SHOOTS THE HALF! USING ONLY ONE ARM HERE!
ONNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHHHHHHRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEE-
Rich Russillo: SHOULDER UP! BUT NO WASTED MOVEMENT FROM ARIA AS SHE DRAGS ANNA BACK TO HER FEET, TRYING TO SET HER UP FOR THE “TRUE TO THE NAME!”
Thadd Blazevich: BUT SHE CANT FULLY HOOK THE FISHERMAN SETUP ON ACCOUNT OF HER ARM- AND ANNA SHIFTS INTO POSITION FOR THE “MODERN TRAGEDY!” OUT OF NOWHERE BY ANNA, AND SHE CRAWLS INTO THE COVER! HOOKING THE LEG!
ONNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHHHHHHRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
(DING! DING! DING!)
Bella Braxton: HERE’S YOUR WINNER… ADVANCING TO THE NEXT AROUND OF THE EMPRESS OF ELITE TOURNAMENT, ANNA WAUTIER!
(Anna releases the cover, almost in slight shock at scoring the upset, flash win over ARIA, and gets her hand raised in victory by the ref as she rises to her feet with ‘asthma’ by BELLRING Shoujo Heart playing in the background. Meanwhile, ARIA lies on the canvas, still dazed from that “Modern Tragedy,” but favoring her injured arm also.)
Rich Russillo: She did it! Anna pulled off the upset over ARIA!
Thadd Blazevich: Yeah, but thanks to a bit of assistance from ARIA’s injured arm she hurt early into the match.
Rich Russillo: The referee did check on ARIA, but she was adamant on continuing, and I wonder if that was a mistake on her part.
Persephone: Uh, you think? Look what happened! Anna came onto our turf, and just beat one of our elitists! Ugh!
Rich Russillo: No matter the case, I can only hope that injury isn’t too serious, and that this doesn’t derail the rest of ARIA’s season. For now, congratulations to Anna Wautier!
(Anna continues celebrating her win, meanwhile a few medics come to make sure ARIA is okay. They continue to check on her as the camera fades elsewhere.)
(Commercial for Elden Ring: Nightreign with Michael Machina and Damien Kutcher.)
(Sunday Night Voltage returns as ‘Self Help Tape’ by Moses Sumney is playing through the speakers of the arena. The crowd is cheering loudly as the camera goes over to the ring to show Voltage Commissioner Captain Charisma and Eden Sinclair standing side-by-side. Both of them have microphones in their hands and smiles on their faces as the crowd begins to quiet down, and the Hall of Famer’s theme begins to fade out. After a good moment, Captain Charisma raises his microphone and begins to speak.)
Captain Charisma: How’s everyone doing here tonight in Helsinki?!
(The crowd inside the arena cheers loudly in response to the blatant pandering, before they go on.)
Eden Sinclair: We hope you’re having a great time on the very first Sunday Night Voltage of 2026, and what a show it’s been! We’ve had two Empress of Elite first-round matchups, three King of Elite first-round matchups, and in just mere moments, we’re going to have our main event and final first-round matchup, which pits Kai Rabeaux and Jon Kelton against one another in what is going to be a barnburner of a match! All on the road to our very first tri-branded Marquee Event of the season, King of Elite!
Captain Charisma: But right now, we shift away from the King of Elite tournament, and we talk about a title on the Voltage brand that has become synonymous with dominance, that being the Hardcore Championship held by Dr. Bethany Blue. Since she won it at Grand Rampage, Bethany has been a very dominant Champion, and every single person who has stepped in her path has ended up being swiftly pushed aside on her way to becoming the greatest holder of the title ever. So it’s only fitting that to kick off the new year, we talk about the future of that title, and what it is, you may ask?
(Captain Charisma and Eden Sinclair look at one another with smirks, before Eden raises her microphone.)
Eden Sinclair: All we have to say for now is that you should be keeping a very close eye on the King of Elite tournament, as once the Voltage side of the tournament concludes and the finals are set, a match will be made between EVERYONE who didn’t advance to the finals. And once this match is set, the winner will face Dr. Bethany Blue at King of Elite for the Hardcore Championship! Certainly one that you’re not going to want to miss!
(The crowd inside the arena erupts at this announcement as both Captain Charisma and Eden Sinclair look quite satisfied by this. But it’s not long before they get the inevitable interruption, as the sounds of ‘Somebody Get Me A Doctor’ by Van Halen begin to blare through the speakers of the arena, the crowd erupting into a negative reaction as the camera goes over to reveal Hardcore Champion Dr. Bethany Blue as she’s seen making her way out from the backstage area. She has a smug look on her face as she takes a brief look around, before then beginning to make her way down the ramp and toward the ring.)
Rich Russillo: What a bombshell of an announcement! We know the talent pool on the Voltage side of the King of Elite tournament, so to see that they’ll all have a chance to compete for the Hardcore Championship is something that Bethany is going to have to keep her eye on, no matter how dominant she feels after a landmark title defense against TLA at Road To Redemption. But at the same time, the stats don’t lie.
Thadd Blazevich: And the stats show that Dr. Bethany Blue has been one hell of a Champion, bro! Captain Charisma was right. Bethany has been dominant, and nobody has been able to dethrone her yet. Is there a reality where someone might be able to do it if they win this match to qualify for the title shot at King of Elite? Perhaps. But they’re going to have to be at their best if they want to beat a Champion like Bethany at her own game.
Persephone: I feel like we’re just wasting our time here. You’re going to lose the King of Elite tournament just to give yourself a participation trophy, facing one of the most annoying Champions that this game has ever seen; you might as well just be setting yourself up. Is it really that difficult just to FIND a challenger, Captain Charisma?! I REALLY DON’T WANT TO BE THE ONE WHO HAS TO SIT THROUGH THIS!
(Bethany makes her way up the steps and onto the apron as she enters through the ropes and into the ring. Captain Charisma and Eden step aside so that Bethany can take her title and raise it high up into the air. The boos continue to sound out, before she turns around and makes her way over, snatching a microphone from the ringside area while ‘Somebody Get Me A Doctor’ begins to come to a close. She turns around and makes her way toward the center of the ring, taking a brief moment to let the announcement sink in, before she then begins to speak.)
Dr. Bethany Blue: Is this really what it has come to?
(Bethany takes a moment to process this before letting out a condescending laugh. She shakes her head as she goes on.)
Dr. Bethany Blue: I have to admit, standing in the back and listening to what can be called a “groundbreaking” announcement… I really found all of this fascinating. Perhaps, as Captain Charisma said, this is a testament to how dominant I’ve been as a Champion, to watch this all play out and witness the lengths that management now has to go through, the hoops you are willing to jump, just to find a pulse capable of standing across the ring from me. Maybe this is your idea of good television, maybe this is you just getting desperate because there genuinely is nobody else that can face me. All of you have just realized that the competition is bare because, quite frankly, I have already cleared it out.
(Bethany shrugs her shoulders, staring at the hard camera before she proceeds to go on.)
Dr. Bethany Blue: You are talking about the King of Elite tournament. You are talking about the supposed “best” of Sunday Night Voltage fighting for an opportunity to reach the finals, to scratch and claw to reach their dreams of becoming a World Champion in this company. And yet, your grand solution for the Hardcore Championship is to take the scraps, the rejects, the failures, the Elitists who weren’t good enough to advance, who choked under the pressure, who proved they are second-rate… and you want to bundle them up into a little consolation match to see which one gets the privilege of being dissected by me. That’s a slap in the face, not to them, but to the most dominant Champion that Elite Answers Wrestling has ever seen. That’s a slap in the face to the greatest female wrestler that this company has ever had the chance to bear witness to. I have elevated this title to the very top of the mountain, and I will continue to do that, and if you really think even for a second that something like this is going to make a dent in my title reign, then you have me mistaken; in fact, you might not even know me at all.
(Bethany wags her finger as she continues.)
Dr. Bethany Blue: Look at all the names on the Voltage roster, look at everyone I have discharged from my title division. I have beaten people a lot better than what this bracket has to offer. I have surgically removed every single threat that has made the deadly mistake of stepping into my ring, so really, I have to ask, what’s the point? Why are we, as a management team, delaying the inevitable? You are giving them a placebo, you are feeding them false hope, making them believe that winning a redemption match gives them a fighting chance against a flawless Doctor. No, no…
(Bethany once again begins to shake her head as she slowly starts to pace the ring while she speaks.)
Dr. Bethany Blue: But let’s be clear about the prognosis. It doesn’t matter which one of those losers crawls out of that match. It doesn’t matter who you scrape off the bottom of the barrel to face me at King of Elite, because the result will be identical to every other match that I’ve had since I won this title at Grand Rampage. I win. I am marching toward history. I am stepping closer and closer to a full calendar year as the Hardcore Champion. A year of dominance. A year of excellence. And there isn’t a single soul in that tournament, winner or loser, who has the credentials to revoke my license. So go ahead. Play your little games. Sift through the garbage to find me a challenger. Just make sure they know one thing: that whenever the time comes to step up to the plate, the Doctor is always in, and King of Elite is going to end up being no different.
(Bethany drops her microphone down to the ground and raises her title high into the air as ‘Somebody Get Me A Doctor’ begins to play through the speakers once more. Captain Charisma and Eden are in the corner, looking impressed by the declaration from the Champion, as Bethany turns around without a second glance and makes her way out of the ring. The last shot seen is Bethany making her way up the ramp with the title resting on her shoulder as Sunday Night Voltage fades to elsewhere.)
(Commercial for the new film Marty Supreme with Jake Smith. In theaters now.)
(Sunday Night Voltage returns as Bella Braxton is seen standing by with a microphone in hand as she begins to speak.)
Bella Braxton: The following is a first-round match in the King of Elite tournament scheduled for…
Crowd: ONE FALL!!!
(‘Burn in My Light’ by Mercy Drive begins to play through the speakers of the arena as the crowd begins to boo loudly, the camera goes over to show Kai Rabeaux as he’s seen making his way out from the backstage area. Ashlynn Quinn is seen following behind him as she’s talking him up, but Kai has a confident expression as he makes his way down the ramp.)
Bella Braxton: Introducing first, accompanied by Ashlynn Quinn… from New York City, New York… weighing in at 230 pounds… he is the 24/7 CONTRACT HOLDER… ‘THE FORERUNNER’… KAI RABEAUX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rich Russillo: After a disappointing Road To Redemption loss, Kai Rabeaux ended the new year winning both the Rookie of the Year and Next Up in 2025 awards at the Year-End Awards, and it’s certainly a damning statement heading into the new year. Now he focuses entirely on the King of Elite tournament, and it seems like he has some help in that.
Thadd Blazevich: Ashlynn Quinn at ringside is going to play a huge factor, dude, and it’s certainly not going to bode well for his opponent if she happens to feel the need to help her win. I guess we’re just going to have to see.
Persephone: Whatever ends the match faster, I’m not complaining.
(‘All of the Lights (Interlude)’ by Kanye West begins to play through the speakers as there are resounding boos for Jon Kelton, who is seen making his way out from the backstage area. He has a serious expression on his face as he takes a moment before heading down to the ring.)
Bella Braxton: And his opponent… residing in Dallas, Texas… weighing in at 205 pounds… ‘THE FLAW OF THE WORLD’… JON KELTON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Persephone: Okay, seriously, this motherfucker has a new theme every week.
Rich Russillo: Jon Kelton made it to the final three of the Extreme Elimination Chamber before ultimately getting eliminated, and you can tell getting that close yet so far to the EAW World Championship left a sour taste in his mouth. With his Bronson Daniels problem handled, it seems like his focus is on making sure he gets closer than ever in 2026.
Thadd Blazevich: It’s a big goal, but I have hope for him, bro. Maybe he’ll be able to bring it home. I guess we’re just going to have to see. All I know right now is that he has a huge hill to climb in the form of Kai Rabeaux.
(DING! DING! DING!)
Rich Russillo: The bell has rung, and our main event is officially underway! The last of our four King of Elite first-round matches is set, as Jon Kelton, a man who was insanely close to being able to call himself a World Champion at Road To Redemption, is out for blood as he faces the 24/7 Contract Holder Kai Rabeaux, and this is bound to be a good one-
Thadd Blazevich: KAI JUST SPRINTED OUT OF THE CORNER AND NAILED KELTON WITH A ‘HOLLOW POINT’ RIGHT TO THE FACE!
Persephone: Oh, thank God. I think Ashlynn Quinn just had the same reaction as I; this match is over. 🙏
Rich Russillo: KELTON DIDN’T SEE IT COMING AND THE HIGH KICK CONNECTS FLUSH AGAINST THE FACE! He’s deadweight, but Kai immediately pushes him against the corner as he rolls backward, setting him up, AS HE RUSHES TOWARD HIM AND CONNECTS WITH A SECOND ‘HOLLOW POINT’! HE’S TRYING TO CLOSE THIS ONE OUT EARLY!
Thadd Blazevich: BUT KELTON MANAGES TO DUCK OUT OF THE WAY OF THAT JUST IN TIME AND AVOIDS IT! Dude, he was nearly toast there! Kai quickly turns around, TRYING TO KICK KELTON- BUT KELTON MANAGES TO GRAB A HOLD OF HIM AND LIFTS HIM INTO THE AIR, DROPPING HIM DIRECTLY DOWN ONTO THE GROUND WITH A CAPTURE SUPLEX!
Persephone: Unfortunately, this match is not over. Thanks for giving me false hope, guys. But Kai is stumbling up to his feet like an idiot now, and the even stupider Kelton is looking to take advantage as he grabs a hold of him by the head and pulls him in, hooking the arms, AND GOING FOR ‘CHANGE THE FUTURE’!
Rich Russillo: BUT KAI MANAGES TO BREAK HIS ARMS FREE! He then proceeds to wrap them around the waist of Kelton, LIFTING HIM AS HE DROPS HIM DOWN ONTO THE CANVAS WITH A NORTHERN LIGHTS SUPLEX! Kai pins his shoulders directly down onto the mat as the referee slides down for the early pin attempt!
OOONNNEEE-
Thadd Blazevich: BUT KELTON IMMEDIATELY KICKS OUT! And you can see him roll out of the ring, trying to reset, as this match has clearly not started in his favor so far.
Persephone: But Kai isn’t that stupid, he’s not going to let Kelton go scot-free, he leaves through the ropes to stalk on the apron, waiting for Kelton to come around, AS KAI RUSHES FORWARD AND GOES FOR AN APRON PENALTY KICK DIRECTLY TO THE CHEST- NOPE! KELTON MANAGES TO GRAB A HOLD OF THE ANKLE JUST IN TIME!
Rich Russillo: Kai is trying to shake himself free, BUT KELTON MANAGES TO SWIPE HIS LEG AND FORCE KAI TO LAND FACE FIRST ON THE APRON AS HE TUMBLES DOWN TO THE RINGSIDE AREA! The referee is yelling at them to get back into the ring, but it doesn’t seem like Kelton is listening right, AS HE RUNS KAI FORWARD AND SENDS HIS SHOULDER DIRECTLY INTO THE BARRICADE!
OONNEE!!
TTWWOO!!
Thadd Blazevich: Kelton may have the advantage now, dude, but you can see the fatigue kicking in thanks to the fast start to this match. Kai might have played the long game in this one! Kelton makes his way over and picks Kai up again, as he grabs him, TRYING TO SEND HIM INTO AN IRISH WHIP TOWARD THE STEPS- BUT KAI MANAGES TO GAIN HIS FOOTING BACK AS HE TURNS HIM AROUND AND THROWS KELTON INTO THEM INSTEAD- But Kelton manages to stop himself just in time as he puts his hands out in front of him!
TTHHRRRREEEE!!
FFOOUURR!!
Persephone: Kai doesn’t look too happy, seems a little pissed off at that, AS HE RUSHES FORWARD AND TRIES TO TAKE OUT KELTON FROM UNDERNEATH-
(CRASH!)
Rich Russillo: BUT KELTON MANAGES TO MOVE OUT OF THE WAY OF THAT AS HE SENDS KAI SHOULDER FIRST INTO THE STEPS INSTEAD! The Forerunner nearly completely takes off the top half of the steel steps with the impact of his collision at full speed, and you can tell that he’s hurt! The look on Ashlynn Quinn’s face on the ringside tells all, but she’s forced to stand back as the two of them battle it out. Kelton staggers away as he takes a short breather, knowing that he can’t let his foot off the gas pedal for too long here!
Thadd Blazevich: Kelton turns himself around, as Kai is bringing himself up to a seated position against the steps, and this isn’t going to bode well for him if this connects! AS KELTON RUSHES FORWARD AND GOES FOR A RUNNING KNEE STRIKE TO SMASH HIS HEAD AGAINST THE STEEL STEPS!
(BANG!)
Persephone: OUCH! KAI PULLS HIMSELF OUT OF THE WAY, AND KELTON’S KNEE COLLIDES WITH THE STEPS AT FULL SPEED! Bitch looks hurt! And Kai swoops in and takes advantage, as he immediately grabs a hold of the leg, BEGINNING TO PUNCH THE SHIT OUT OF IT REPEATEDLY!
FFIIVVEE!!
SSIIXX!!
Rich Russillo: KELTON IS CRYING IN PAIN AS HE COLLAPSES TO THE GROUND! Kai may have found a target to sink his teeth into, but for right now, he’s rolling into the ring, biding his time and allowing himself a moment to breathe, perhaps not looking to beat Kelton by countout, but rather create distance between the two for the time being while The Flaw of The World seems to be hurt on the outside.
SSEEVVEENN!!
EEIIGGHHTT!!
Thadd Blazevich: Kelton finally manages to bring himself up and roll into the ring, slowly dragging himself up to his feet as he tries to retaliate against Kai! BUT KAI ALREADY HAS A HOLD OF HIM, AS HE LIFTS HIM AND DROPS HIM DOWN DIRECTLY ONTO THE MICHINOKU DRIVER! KELTON IS DOWN, AND KELTON IMMEDIATELY PINS HIS SHOULDERS DOWN ONTO THE MAT!
OOONNEEE!!!
TTTTWWWWOOOO-
Persephone: FUCK! Kelton kicks out. You can see him still clutching onto that right knee; it must hurt like a motherfucker right now. But Kai is immediately looking to take advantage of that, as he grabs a hold of his leg and rolls him through, AS HE LOCKS IN A SINGLE-LEG BOSTON CRAB! KELTON IS SCREAMING LIKE A GIRL RIGHT NOW AS HE CLAWS AT THE CANVAS, TRYING TO FIND A WAY OUT OF THIS SITUATION! JUST TAP OUT!
Rich Russillo: It may not be the submission to do Jon Kelton in, but it’s certainly going to be enough to inflict more damage on that already hurt right knee that Kai Rabeaux is focusing on! Kelton is doing everything that he can to try and crawl himself to the ropes, but Kai is putting so much pressure on it that it doesn’t seem like it’s going to be an easy task! Kelton is almost there, AS HE REACHES HIS ARM OUT AND TRIES TO GRAB A HOLD OF THE BOTTOM ROPE!
Thadd Blazevich: But Kai releases the hold! He grabs a hold of the leg of Kelton and begins to drag himself toward the center of the ring, once again trying to lock in the hold- But the relief of pressure was enough for Kelton to regain his wits about him, as he begins to connect with repeated boots to the chest of Kai! Trying to get him to let go of his grip!
Persephone: Kai is forced to let go as he falls against the ropes, and this gives a wounded Kelton enough time to get up to his feet. Kai rushes forward, AS HE TRIES TO GO FOR A CLOTHESLINE ATTEMPT DIRECTLY TO THE HEAD- But Kelton manages to duck under that! Kai tries to keep that momentum going through as he runs the ropes, rebounding, BUT IT’S KELTON WHO MANAGES TO CATCH HIM WITH A HUGE DROPKICK DIRECTLY TO THE CHEST THAT TAKES HIM DOWN TO THE GROUND!
Rich Russillo: Kai is hurt as he tries to make his way up to his feet, but Kelton is already running to the ropes and back- KAI TRIES TO COUNTER WITH A BACK BODY DROP- BUT KELTON MANAGES TO SPIN IT AROUND AS HE GRABS HIM BY THE HEAD AND CONNECTS WITH A TORNADO DDT!
Thadd Blazevich: Kelton is making his way up to his feet, and look at the energy that’s radiating out of him, bro! The crowd is reacting negatively, but Kelton doesn’t care; he knows that he has a chance right here! Kai staggers up to his feet one final time, as he tries to retaliate, sending a strike directly to his head- But Kelton manages to duck under that as he heaves him up onto his shoulders, TURNING HIM AROUND AS HE RUSHES HIM TOWARD THE TURNBUCKLES WITH A SNAKE EYES ATTEMPT-
Persephone: BUT HE TOOK TOO MUCH OF A RISK! HIS BUM KNEE GAVE OUT! WHAT A LOSER! Kelton collapses to the ground, AND KAI TAKES ADVANTAGE AS HE CONNECTS WITH A HARD CHOP TO THE BACK TO FORCE HIM BACK UP! KAI NOW PUSHES AWAY AS HE SETS HIM UP!
Rich Russillo: LEAPING OFF OF THE ROPES AND NAILING JON KELTON WITH A ‘CRYSTAL KINGDOM CUTTER’! THE SPRINGBOARD CUTTER CONNECTS AND PLANTS HIM DOWN FACEFIRST! AND KAI IS QUICK TO ROLL HIM OVER AND PIN HIS SHOULDERS TO THE GROUND! GOING FOR THE PIN ATTEMPT!
OOONNNEEE!!!
TTTTWWWWOOOO!!!!
TTTTTTHHHHHHRRRRRR-
Thadd Blazevich: NO! KELTON MANAGES TO KICK OUT AS HE SHOWS SIGNS OF LIFE! Kai sits up, and you can see the frustration beginning to set in, but he knows that wasn’t going to be enough to put him away just yet. Kelton is beginning to recover, but at the same time, it looks like Kai is too! He has his eyes set!
Persephone: AS HE RUSHES TO THE ROPES AND GOES FOR A SECOND ‘CRYSTAL KINGDOM CUTTER’ TO JON KELTON!
Rich Russillo: BUT KELTON JUST CAUGHT HIM WITH A JUMPING NECKBREAKER TO TAKE HIM DOWN TO THE GROUND! KELTON QUICKLY THROWS HIS ARM OVER HIM AS HE PINS HIS SHOULDERS TO THE MAT!
OOONNNEEE!!!
TTTTWWWWOOOO!!!!
Thadd Blazevich: BUT KAI QUICKLY KICKS OUT! Ashlynn Quinn breathes a sigh of relief as Kai slowly begins to rise to his feet, but at the same time, Jon Kelton is too! Kai stumbles back as he turns himself around!
Persephone: AS KELTON GRABS A HOLD OF HIM AND GOES FOR ANOTHER ATTEMPT AT ‘CHANGE THE FUTURE’!
Rich Russillo: BUT KAI MANAGES TO UNWIND HIMSELF AS HE GRABS A HOLD OF THE WRIST, PULLING HIM IN AND GOING FOR A SHORT-ARM CLOTHESLINE-
Thadd Blazevich: BUT KELTON MANAGES TO DUCK UNDER THAT AS HE KEEPS A HOLD OF THE WRIST, UNWINDING HIM AS HE PULLS HIM INTO A ‘GALICK GUN’! SUPERKICK CONNECTS RIGHT AGAINST THE JAW OF KAI AND SENDS HIM BACKWARD AGAINST THE ROPES! HE MANAGES TO KEEP HIMSELF UP!
Persephone: KAI RUSHES FORWARD AND TRIES TO RECOVER WITH A CLOTHESLINE DIRECTLY TO THE HEAD-
Rich Russillo: BUT KELTON FOLLOWS THAT UP AS HE LEAPS THROUGH THE AIR AND CONNECTS WITH ‘THE DEVIL MADE ME DO IT’! THE SINGLE LEG KNEE STRIKE HITS AS KAI RABEAUX IS DROPPED DOWN TO THE GROUND! AND AFTER THAT BARRAGE OF BIG MOVES, QUICKLY GOES FOR THE PIN ATTEMPT AS THE REFEREE STARTS THE COUNT! COULD THIS BE IT?!
OOONNNEEE!!!
TTTTWWWWOOOO!!!!
TTTTTHHHHHRRRRRRRRRRREEE-
Thadd Blazevich: BUT KAI MANAGES TO KICK OUT! It just wasn’t enough to keep The Forerunner down, and it’s not going to be enough just yet to advance Jon Kelton to the next round. Both of these men need to advance in the King of Elite tournament so badly, but the bad news is that only one of them can do it! And it’s clear that both of them are going to be giving it their all to take that next leap in their careers, bro!
Persephone: In a perfect world, neither of them makes it to the next round, but whatever. Kelton makes his way back up to his feet, as he knows that he needs to finish this off quickly, and please do. Take me out of my misery before it’s too late.
Rich Russillo: Kai is up to his feet as Kelton rushes to the ropes, AS IT LOOKS LIKE HE’S GOING FOR ‘FINAL ATONEMENT’! THE SPEAR!
Thadd Blazevich: ‘HOLLOW POINT’!
Persephone: KAI MANAGES TO RECOVER JUST IN TIME TO RUSH FORWARD AND CONNECT WITH THE HIGH KICK TO KAI AGAINST THE ROPES! KAI THEN TURNS AROUND AND RUNS THE ROPES AND BACK AS HE TRIES TO GAIN MOMENTUM!
Rich Russillo: BUT KELTON MANAGES TO GRAB A HOLD OF HIM AND HOOK THE ARMS, SPINNING AROUND AS HE DROPS HIM DIRECTLY DOWN ONTO HIS HEAD WITH ‘CHANGE THE FUTURE’! BOTH OF THEM ARE LAID OUT ON THE GROUND IN EXHAUSTION, AND WHAT A WAR IT HAS BEEN!
Thadd Blazevich: Kelton is trying to reach out and go for the pin, but you can see after everything that they’ve gone through in this match that it’s one hell of a struggle! He can’t, and it gives Kai the chance to roll himself under the bottom rope and onto the apron, creating distance between the two of them and allowing himself the chance to make his way back up to his feet.
Persephone: But at the same time, Kelton is beginning to make his way up to his feet as well, and the last thing that he’s going to do is go silently! He makes his way over and tries to grab a hold of Kai, BUT KAI MANAGES TO BREAK FREE AS HE NAILS HIM WITH A ROPE-ASSISTED ENZUGIRI RIGHT TO THE FACE!
Rich Russillo: Kelton stumbles back, but Kai reaches out and grabs a hold of him by the head before dragging him over the top rope and onto the apron as well! And now both of them are in a precarious position at the edge of the ring! Kai is trying to send strikes, but Kelton isn’t exactly keen on letting up himself, as he’s trying his best to send some of his own back! Kai tries to go for a huge strike- BUT KELTON MANAGES TO GRAB A HOLD OF HIM AND DRIVE HIS KNEE DIRECTLY INTO HIS ABDOMEN!
Thadd Blazevich: Kelton now doubles Kai over as he pulls him in, hooking his arms, and he couldn’t be thinking about going for this on the apron, right?! KELTON IS LIFTING HIM, AND IT SEEMS LIKE HE’S GOING FOR A LIFTING DOUBLE UNDERHOOK FACEBUSTER ONTO THE RING APRON!
Persephone: NO! HIS SHITTY KNEE GAVE OUT! KELTON IS FORCED TO LET GO AS HE FALLS TO A KNEE! AND NOW KAI RABEAUX IS LOOKING TO TAKE ADVANTAGE!
(THUD!)
Rich Russillo: AS HE GRABS A HOLD OF JON KELTON BY THE HEAD AND SPIKES HIM DOWN ONTO THE APRON WITH A HUGE DDT!
Thadd Blazevich: Both of them tumble down hard onto the ring mat, and despite Kai being the one who connected the move, it seems like he’s equally as tired as Kelton right now, and is struggling to try and make his way back up to his feet. Kai is trying his best to use his remaining energy to bring up Kelton, as he’s slowly rolling him under the bottom rope and into the ring! And now Kai is making his way inside himself, as Ashlynn Quinn is cheering him on!
Persephone: Kai Rabeaux is adjusting his elbow pad as he falls against the corner, and it seems like he’s making it painfully obvious what he’s trying to go for here, so if he hits this, Jon Kelton is really fucking stupid. Kelton is slowly beginning to gain consciousness as he brings himself up to a kneeling position, but Kai has his eyes set!
Rich Russillo: AS HE RUSHES FORWARD AND GOES FOR A ‘BLADE OF BABYLON’ ATTEMPT! SWINGING ELBOW DIRECTLY TO THE BACK OF KELTON’S HEAD TO TAKE HIM DOWN TO THE GROUND!
Thadd Blazevich: BUT KELTON MANAGES TO SEE IT COMING JUST IN TIME TO DUCK UNDER IT AND LIFT KAI OFF OF THE GROUND! KAI IS THRASHING HIMSELF AROUND, TRYING TO ESCAPE, BUT KELTON JUST RUSHED FORWARD, CONNECTING WITH A LAWN DART TO COMPLETELY WIPE OUT THE 24/7 CONTRACT HOLDER!
Persephone: Kai is grabbing his face in pain as he stumbles up to his feet, and it looks like Kelton has his eyes set on something here! With the last bit of energy that he has left, he quickly turns himself around and runs to the ropes and back!
Rich Russillo: ‘FINAL ATONEMENT’! THE SPEAR TO KAI RABEAUX CONNECTS!
Thadd Blazevich: BUT AS IT DOES, THE IMPACT SENDS KAI TUMBLING DOWN ONTO THE CANVAS AND OUT OF THE RING! KAI LANDS HARD AT THE RINGSIDE AREA BUT, MOST IMPORTANTLY, THAT MEANS THAT KELTON CAN’T GO FOR THE PIN! HIS ONE CHANCE TO CLOSE THIS MATCH OUT FOR GOOD WAS THWARTED WITH THE PERHAPS GENIUS OF KAI RABEAUX COMING INTO PLAY!
(Ashlynn Quinn quickly hurries over to help Kai Rabeaux up to his feet, as she yells at the referee that she’s not doing anything of harm. Jon Kelton looks annoyed inside the ring as he drops his head down to the ground in exhaustion, before slowly doing everything that he can right now to will himself back up to his feet.)
Persephone: Kai immediately slides himself back into the ring, but that was a stupid move as Kelton pounces on him, immediately beginning to stomp down repeatedly on his spine to try and make sure that he’s done with here! He knows that he’s close, but at the same time, he can’t let his emotions get the better of him, or it could very well be what costs him this match!
Rich Russillo: Kai tries to crawl away as Kelton continues his relentless assault! But he’s clutching a hold of the bottom rope, which forces the referee to come in and break it up! Kelton relents, only to grab a hold of Kai and drag him back up to his feet toward the center of the ring- BUT KAI CONNECTS WITH A STRONG SHOT DIRECTLY TO THE ABDOMEN!
Thadd Blazevich: Kelton stumbles back, but he shakes it off, AS HE IMMEDIATELY THROWS ONE BACK AT THE FACE OF KAI RABEAUX! And now it seems like these two are going to hit their best shot at one another right here! KELTON! KAI! KELTON! KAI! KELTON! KAI! OH! KELTON WITH A KNEE STRIKE!
Persephone: Kelton turns around and runs to the ropes, BUT AS HE GOES FOR A STRIKE, KAI TURNS UNDER IT! KELTON MANAGES TO RUN TO THE OTHER SIDE- ONLY FOR KAI TO RUSH FORWARD AT FULL SPEED AND LEVEL HIM WITH A HARD LARIAT DIRECTLY TO THE FACE, WHICH DROPS HIM TO THE CANVAS!
Rich Russillo: Kai immediately grabs a hold of Kelton and begins to bring him back up to his feet, and you can feel the energy that’s coming back into him as he mounts this comeback! HE GRABS A HOLD OF HIM AND LIFTS HIM, AS HE TRIES TO DROP HIM WITH A BRUTAL MICHINOKU DRIVER ONTO THE CANVAS-
Thadd Blazevich: BUT KELTON MANAGES TO FLIP OVER! HE LANDS BEHIND KAI BEFORE JUMPING UP AND ROLLING HIM INTO A BACKSLIDE PIN! THE REFEREE SLIDES DOWN AS HE GOES FOR THE COUNT! COULD THIS BE IT?!
OOONNNEEE!!!
TTTTWWWOOOOO!!!!!
Persephone: FUCK! Kai kicks out, and now both of them are making their way back up to their feet now and looking to continue the action and continue my despair.
Rich Russillo: Kelton rushes forward, BUT HE’S STOPPED WITH A KICK TO THE ABDOMEN BY KAI RABEAUX! Kai grabs a hold of him and pulls him underneath, before lifting him off the ground! HE’S GOING FOR IT! ELEVATED LIGER BOMB ATTEMPT!
Thadd Blazevich: BUT KELTON JUST PUSHED OFF OF THE SHOULDERS AS HE RUNS TO THE ROPES AND BACK! KAI TURNING HIMSELF AROUND!
Persephone: AS KELTON LEAPS THROUGH THE AIR AND GOES FOR YET ANOTHER ‘FINAL ATONEMENT’ TO KAI RABEAUX!
Rich Russillo: BUT KAI ISN’T GOING TO GET FOOLED BY THAT AGAIN! HE MANAGES TO JUMP OVER IT JUST IN TIME AS KELTON ROLLS FORWARD AND TRIES TO GET BACK UP TO HIS FEET! BUT AS KELTON DOES, KAI RUSHES FORWARD AND NAILS HIM WITH A BIG BOOT DIRECTLY TO THE FACE, WHICH DROPS HIM DOWN TO THE GROUND!
Thadd Blazevich: And now Kai is making his way over, grabbing a hold of the leg, and it looks like he’s trying to lock that injured right knee into a submission hold once again! BUT KELTON IS TRYING HIS BEST TO FIGHT BACK! HE’S USING HIS FREE LEG TO BOOT HIM IN THE FACE REPEATEDLY, BUT KAI IS TRYING TO TURN INTO THAT BOSTON CRAB PRESUMABLY AGAIN! BOTH OF THEM ARE STRUGGLING FOR THE UPPER HAND HERE!
Persephone: BUT KELTON JUST GOT IT, AS HE GRABS KAI BY THE HEAD AND ROLLS HIM UP INTO AN INSIDE CRADLE PIN!
OOONNNEEE!!!
TTTTWWWWOOOO!!!!!
Rich Russillo: KAI KICKS OUT QUICKLY AS BOTH OF THEM SCRAMBLE UP TO THEIR FEET!
Thadd Blazevich: KAI GOES FOR A SWING TO THE FACE- BUT KELTON MANAGES TO DUCK UNDER THAT, HE GOES FOR A BIG BOOT OF HIS OWN- BUT KAI MANAGES TO STEP BACK AND GRAB A HOLD OF THE LEG, BEFORE HE SPINS IT AROUND AND GRABS HIM FROM BEHIND, AS HE LIFTS HIM AND GOES FOR A GERMAN SUPLEX-
Persephone: BUT KELTON MANAGES TO LAND ON HIS FEET! KAI SCRAMBLES UP AND GOES FOR A KICK-
Rich Russillo: BUT KELTON MANAGES TO DUCK UNDER AS HE TURNS AROUND, STEPPING FORWARD AND CONNECTING WITH THE ‘GALICK GUN’ DIRECTLY TO THE FACE! SUPERKICK SENDS KAI BACKWARD AGAINST THE CORNER, AND NOW KELTON IS TAKING THE CHANCE TO RUSH FORWARD AS HE GOES FOR A CLOTHESLINE-
Thadd Blazevich: BUT KAI MANAGES TO DUCK UNDER IT JUST IN THE NICK OF TIME! Kai manages to push forward as Kelton collides with the corner chest-first! He turns himself around, ONLY FOR KAI TO SPRINT FORWARD AT FULL SPEED AND CONNECTING WITH A ‘HOLLOW POINT’ DIRECTLY TO THE CHEST!
Persephone: Kelton nearly falls to the ground, but Kai holds him up as he shoves him against the corner, rolling backward as he steps back, RUSHING FORWARD AND CONNECTING WITH A SECOND ‘HOLLOW POINT’! Ashlynn Quinn is making me uncomfortable at ringside with how giddy she’s getting, but regardless, it looks like Kai Rabeaux is looking to close this match out.
Rich Russillo: Kai then lifts Kelton, looking to spin around here! AS HE GOES FOR A ‘KINGSTONE PILEDRIVER’ ATTEMPT!
Thadd Blazevich: BUT KELTON MANAGES TO FLIP OVER IT AS HE RUNS TO THE ROPES AND BACK!
Persephone: ‘THE DEVIL MADE ME DO IT’ CONNECTS! RUNNING SINGLE LEG KNEE STRIKE TAKES KAI RABEAUX DOWN TO THE GROUND! AND NOW WE’RE FINALLY LOOKING TO CLOSE THIS FUCKING MATCH!
Rich Russillo: BUT BEFORE KELTON CAN SET KAI UP FOR ‘FINAL ATONEMENT’! ASHLYNN QUINN IS JUMPING ON THE APRON! SHE’S YELLING AT KELTON TO GET HIS ATTENTION AS BOTH OF THEM START TO ARGUE! AND IT SEEMS LIKE THE FORMER NEW BREED CHAMPION IS ABOUT TO COST JON KELTON THE MATCH!
Thadd Blazevich: WAIT! LOOK! BEFORE KELTON CAN GET DISTRACTED MUCH FURTHER, ASHLYNN QUINN JUST GOT YANKED OFF OF THE APRON AS SHE’S SMACKED FACE FIRST AGAINST THE APRON!
Persephone: IT’S THAT FUCKING IDIOT NICK! ASHLYNN TRIES TO LUNGE AT HIM, BUT NICK JUST MOVED OUT OF THE WAY AND JUMPED THE BARRICADE, AND HE’S GOADING HER ON, AND ASHLYNN IS FOLLOWING SUIT! IT SEEMS LIKE HE CAME OUT HERE TO STOP HER FROM RUINING THIS MATCH!
Rich Russillo: Kai is recovering in the corner as he’s trying his best to realize what happened, but I think he sees that at the same time, the distraction has been thwarted! He’s trying to shout at Ashlynn to come back, but it seems like it’s no use as he’s forced to turn himself back around and focus on this match!
Thadd Blazevich: BUT JON KELTON RUSHES FORWARD AND CONNECTS WITH A ‘FINAL ATONEMENT’!
Persephone: THANK GOD THE SPEAR CONNECTS! KELTON IMMEDIATELY DROPS DOWN AS HE HOOKS THE LEG TO GO FOR THE PIN!
OOONNNEEE!!!
TTTTWWWWOOOO!!!!
TTTTTHHHHHRRRRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!
(DING! DING! DING!)
(‘All of the Lights (Interlude)’ begins to play through the speakers of the arena as the crowd boos loudly. Jon Kelton slowly pulls himself off of the unconscious Kai Rabeaux, slowly making his way back up to his feet as he takes a good moment to compose himself, before the referee makes their way over and raises his hand in victory.)
Bella Braxton: Here is your winner, and advancing to the semifinals of the King of Elite tournament… JON KELTON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rich Russillo: Jon Kelton has done it! After an intended interference to try and cost him the match, he stands tall here tonight thanks to the help from NICK and now makes his way to the semifinals of the King of Elite tournament, one step closer to seizing another World Championship opportunity under his belt.
Thadd Blazevich: And really a commendable win by Kelton if I do say so myself- OH!
Persephone: SOMEONE JUST ATTACKED KELTON FROM BEHIND! FINALLY, WE’RE TAKING HIM OUT FOR GOOD!
Rich Russillo: IT’S MINERVA! SHE MOUNTS ON TOP OF KELTON AND BEGINS TO UNLOAD WITH FURIOUS PUNCHES TOWARD HIS FACE! KELTON JUST GOT OFF A MATCH! HE’S COMPLETELY DEFENSELESS RIGHT NOW! SHE GRABS A HOLD OF HIM AND BRINGS HIM UP TO HIS FEET!
Thadd Blazevich: BEFORE TAKING HIM DOWN AGAIN WITH ‘ATLAS FALLS’!
(Kelton is completely wiped out as Minerva brings herself up to a kneeling position. She tilts her head as she looks down at him, beginning to speak.)
Minerva: (Off-Mic) You should probably keep my name out of your mouth going forward.
(Minerva makes her way up to her feet, raising her arms into the air as she stands over the body of Jon Kelton. It’s the very last shot seen before Sunday Night Voltage begins to fade to black.)
(EAW logo buzzes.)
