(EAW intro plays.)
(A recap is shown of last week’s Voltage, highlighting the events of the night including the results of the first round of the King of Elite and Empress of Elite tournament. The camera then transitions to the Žalgirio Arena in Kaunas, Lithuania, where tonight’s Voltage is being held. The fans cheer as the pyro shoots from the stage, and after this, the camera cuts to the commentary team where Rich Russillo, Thadd Blazevich and Persephone are seen.)
Rich Russillo: Ladies and gentlemen… welcome to a very special Sunday Night Voltage! Tonight is a very unique night, as we not only will see an Empress of Elite semi-finals match, but we will also see both Voltage’s quarterfinals AND semi-finals!
Thadd Blazevich: I can’t wait, bro. We are wasting no time, and I bet the change in format has given the quarterfinalists some added pressure, since two of those dudes are gonna have to deal with two matches in one night!
Persephone: This sucks. Even at one hundred percent they can’t wrestle, so at fifty percent? This is going to be terrible.
Rich Russillo: Well, let’s not waste any time! We’re starting this one hot with one of our two quarterfinals matches!
(The camera pans over to Bella Braxton.)
Bella Braxton: THE FOLLOWING CONTEST IS A KING OF ELITE QUARTERFINALS MATCH, SCHEDULED FOR ONE-FALL!
Crowd: ONE FALL!!!!
(‘Kostas’ by Westside Gunn, Conway the Machine & Benny the Butcher begins to blast as the fans get up to cheer. Cody Maverick comes walking out onto the stage with confidence. He heads down to the ring high-fiving fans and talking smack.)
Bella Braxton: INTRODUCING FIRST…FROM LAS VEGAS, NEVADA…WEIGHING IN AT 235 POUNDS…HE IS THE “SIN CITY SUPERSTAR”…COOOOODDDYYY MAAVVVEERRRICCKKKKK!
Thadd Blazevich: And bro, Cody Maverick is heading into this one with a lot of momentum! He is fresh off winning that Enigma Battle Royale and a massive win over Diego Montana just last week! He has a real challenge here in TLA…but he is confident and he is ready to do whatever it takes tonight!
(‘Ambitionz az a Ridah’ by Tupac begins to play as the crowd cheers once more. The lowrider comes rolling onto the stage as TLA drives on out. He stands up in the car and hypes the crowd up before heading down to the ring. He is oozing pride right now but still looks incredibly focused.)
Bella Braxton: AND HIS OPPONENT…RESIDING IN THE POON PALACE IN MIAMI, FLORIDA…WEIGHING IN AT 210 POUNDS…HE IS LA PANTERA SEXUAL…T! L! A!
Rich Russillo: TLA also is coming into this one with an impressive win over Jay Jerry Johnson last week! He is coming into 2026 with a lot of ambition! There is no underestimating just how much TLA wants to get his hands on this crown!
(TLA gets inside the ring and both of these competitors begin talking trash. Both of them are smirking before the referee separates them. He calls for the bell.)
(DING! DING! DING!)
Rich Russillo: And our first quarter-final match of the evening is kicking off here ladies and gentlemen! TLA and Cody Maverick are locking horns tonight! AND RIGHT OFF THE BAT TLA COMES IN WITH A KICK TO THE LEG! He goes for another one, trying to take out the legs of his opponent here! He just spams those kicks and looks for a roundhouse by surprise! Maverick is able to duck underneath it! From behind he grabs his opponent and tries to get him up in the air for the back suplex…but TLA rolls over and gets behind Maverick now! HE LOOKS FOR THE ZIG ZAG BUT MAVERICK SHAKES HIM OFF! We have quite the exchange going on here!
Thadd Blazevich: TLA scrambles back to his feet but my dude Maverick tries to catch him with a forearm smash! TLA is barely able to evade it before sliding underneath the ropes and to the outside! That was smart on his behalf right there! TLA now hops back on the apron and his opponent tries to cut him down with a punch! But TLA ducks underneath that punch, grabs his head and snaps it against the ropes! BRO THEN LEAPS UP ON THE TOP ROPE!
Persephone: And he leaps off, Cody Maverick is able to catch him on his shoulders! He gets him in position for the fireman’s carry…but TLA is able to slip off the shoulders! He shoves Maverick into the corner! Maverick tries to come out swinging…BUT TLA TAKES HIM DOWN WITH THE HURRICANRANA!
Rich Russillo: Maverick is barely able to roll back onto his feet before his opponent is on him very quickly! TLA GETS HIM WITH THE MANDIBLE CLAW! HE HAS HIS FINGERS IN HIS MOUTH, SQUEEZING THOSE NERVES OF MAVERICK! This is a brutal submission move right there! Maverick drops down to a knee but is doing his best to fight back! HE GETS TLA WITH A BOOT STRAIGHT TO THE GUT! AND THEN SPIKES HIS HEAD INTO THE MAT WITH A DDT! Here comes the first cover of the match!
ONE!
TW-
Thadd Blazevich: Well bro, that did not get the job done! TLA was able to kick out before the two count! We still have a long way to go in this quarter final match dudes! Maverick though looks to kick this offense going! He reaches down and drags his opponent up onto a vertical base! HE GETS HIM UP IN THE AIR IN POSITION FOR A POWERBOMB! TLA is in danger here dude!
Persephone: But not for long apparently! TLA is able to reverse it with a hurricanrana, sending his opponent straight to the outside of the ring! Maverick tries to scramble back to his feet before his opponent can captilize…BUT TOO LITTLE TOO LATE! TLA COMES FLYING OUT OF THE RING WITH THE SUICIDE DIVE! He takes his down with the suicide dive!
Rich Russillo: He crushes him right there and then scoops him off the floor! He throws him back inside the ring! TLA climbs up onto the apron….AND THEN LEAPS ONTO THE ROPES! HE LANDS ON HIS OPPONENT WITH THE SPRINGBOARD SPLASH! He hooks the leg for the cover!
ONE!
TW-
Thadd Blazevich: But bro…Maverick gets his shoulder up before the two count! TLA looks surprised but isn’t about to let up here! He grabs his opponent by the arms, dragging him back up to his feet! HE LOOKS FOR THE TIGER SUPLEX…BUT MAVERICK TEARS HIS ARM AWAY! HE THEN ELBOWS HIS OPPONENT IN THE FACE…BEFORE SENDING HIM INTO THE ROPES WITH AN IRISH WHIP! Off the rebound, bro tries for the discus punch but TLA limbos underneath! HE GETS HIM WITH A DROPKICK!
Persephone: It catches him right on the back and sends him stumbling towards the ropes! Maverick now finds himself leaning on that middle rope…a bad position for him to be in. TLA sees the chance here and rushes forward…TIGER FEINT KICK! 305! But Maverick is able to catch the legs! HE TRIES PULLING TLA AWAY FROM THE ROPES BUT TLA KICKS HIM IN THE FACE! He gets back onto his feet and tries to relaunch his offense…BUT MAVERICK GETS HIM WITH A RIGHT HOOK!
Rich Russillo: He once again tries to look for the big move here…lifting his opponent into the air and dropping him down with the spinning scoop slam! From there, he brings TLA up once more and adds some punishment to the mix! He delivers some jabs…AND THEN THE DISCUS LARIAT! But TLA is able to duck underneath it…ZIG ZAG! He drives the back of his opponent’s head into the mat! An excellent counter there by La Pantera Sexual!
Thadd Blazevich: And now bro is looking to dial up the pain here! TLA knows that he will have a match later on tonight so the sooner he finishes this one the better! He makes his way up onto that top rope! Looks like we are going to see TLA fly once again here dude…BUT WAIT! CODY MAVERICK SPRINGS BACK TO HIS FEET! HE MAKES A SPRINT TOWARDS THE TURNBUCKLE AND GETS TO THE TOP IN A SINGLE BOUND! HE THEN THROWS HIS OPPONENT FROM ON HIGH WITH THE AVALANCHE BELLY TO BELLY!
Persephone: TLA just got completely launched there. From up on that top rope to the mat in an instant. Not the landing he was expecting, was it?
Rich Russillo: Cody Maverick goes over to look for the cover…but TLA rolls out of the way! That veteran instinct really came into play there! He might have just bought himself some crucial time! Maverick remains in pursuit, heading to the outside as well now! You can see the ideas swirling in his head now! He picks up TLA and carries him right over to the barricade! There is nothing but ill-intention here! IT LOOKS LIKE HE’S GOING FOR THAT FALLAWAY SLAM INTO THE BARRICADE!
Thadd Blazevich: But TLA wakes up just in time to elbow his opponent in the side of the head! He manages to escape the clutches of Maverick for now dude! Maverick though is quick to shake it off and goes right back after his opponent! He tries to maneuver into a Russian leg sweep, hoping to smash his opponent right up against the steel apron…BUT TLA STOMPS DOWN ON HIS FOOT! AND THEN GRABS MAVERICK’S HEAD AND SMASHES IT RIGHT ON THE APRON! Bro is launching his own retaliation right now…TIGER SUPLEX DUDE! RIGHT ON THE FLOOR!
Persephone: Yikes, Maverick is looking worse for wear after that one. His head and neck just smashed against the floor. TLA now picks him back up and sends him inside the ring!
Rich Russillo: This match has not been going on that long…but there is already so much damage done! These two are tearing each other apart on their way to the next round! TLA looks to get some more damage in here! He grabs the legs of his opponent, trying to tie them in a knot! HE LOOKS FOR THAT LASSO FROM EL PASO…AR15!
Thadd Blazevich: But dude…Maverick is able crawl forward quickly and grabs onto the ropes! That wasn’t in for long bro! The referee separates the two and Maverick now has the chance to recover! BUT NOT FOR LONG AS TLA APPROACHES AND LOOKS FOR THE SWAG SHOT! BUT MAVERICK CATCHES THE SLAP! AND HE GETS HIS OPPONENT WITH A GNARLY RIGHT HOOK! He then switches to body shots, clobbering his opponent into the corner! From there he switches up the strikes again…AND HE LETS A BIG CHOP FLY IN THE CHEST OF TLA!
Persephone: You could hear that one in catering. Maverick is now just unleashing rapid-fire chops into his opponent. And now he sends him across the ring with a bigger irish whip…MAVERICK MEETS HIM THERE WITH A RUNNING CLOTHESLINE!
Rich Russillo: But TLA is able to evade and his opponent collides with the corner! Maverick stumbles out of the corner…AND HE LOOKS FOR THE CARTEL KICK! But Maverick avoids that brutal pele kick and runs off the ropes as TLA gets back onto his feet! HE COMES BACK WITH THE SUPERMAN PUNCH! LIGHTS OUT! That punch catches him right in the side of the head and TLA might have been knocked out here! Maverick goes for the cover!
ONE!
TWO!
Thadd Blazevich: NO BRO! TLA is able to get that shoulder up right at the two count! That was not enough to get the job done dude! Cody Maverick looks disappointed but he knows he cannot waste a moment here! He takes hold of TLA and brings him back up to his feet for a vertical suplex! HE HOLDS HIM UP OVERHEAD, SHOWCASING SOME POWER…BUT TLA DRIVES A KNEE RIGHT INTO THE TOP OF HIS HEAD! TLA lands on his feet and then looks for a dragonrana!
Persephone: But his opponent catches the legs…and now lifts TLA up into the air for a powerbomb! BUT TLA IS ABLE TO GRAB ONTO THE TOP ROPE! Maverick tries to tear him away but TLA is not letting go! He begins driving elbows down into his opponents head! Maverick is forced to drop him down…
Rich Russillo: …AND TLA WASTES NO SECOND WITH A LIGHTNING FAST COMBINATION! He gets him with a forearm, followed by a kick to the knee…FOLLOWED BY A ROUNDHOUSE! Three parts, each one more deadly than the last! And now TLA looks for some larger, more definitive attacks! He makes his way up onto that top rope…and Maverick doesn’t look like he’s going anywhere! TLA DIVES OFF THE TOP ROPE WITH THE 420! HERE COMES THE SHOOTING STAR PRESS!
Thadd Blazevich: BUT HIS OPPONENT ROLLS OUT OF THE WAY DUDE! He lands facefirst on the mat! Maverick is barely able to get back onto his feet but he finds his way there! And now bro closes in on a stunned TLA! He sends him into the ropes with an irish whip! OFF THE REBOUND HE LOOKS FOR THE DEEP END! BUT THE SPINEBUSTER DOES NOT WORK OUT BECAUSE TLA GETS HIM IN THE SIDE OF THE HEAD WITH AN ELBOW! He creates a few feet of distance between them…THEN STEPS FORWARD AND GETS HIM WITH THE VERY MEXICAN UPPERCUT! TLA crawls on top of Maverick for the cover!
ONE!
TWO!
Persephone: Really? MAVERICK KICKS OUT! Damn, this one is still going on? These two really need to put this away. The longer this match goes on, the worse it will be for them in the main event. TLA brings his opponent back to his feet! HE THEN LOOKS FOR ANOTHER COMBINATION! He unleashes a kick to the ribs of his opponent…some rapid fire kicks…BEFORE TAKING HIM DOWN WITH A HURRICANRANA!
Rich Russillo: It sends Maverick rolling and he finds himself in the corner of the ring! HE THEN RUNS FORWARD AND MEETS HIM THERE WITH A RUNNING VERY MEXICAN UPPERCUT! And now TLA lifts him back up and places him onto the top rope! It’s now Maverick who finds himself in the danger zone! TLA climbs up and he looks dangerous! HE THEN LEAPS UP AND GOES FOR A TOP ROPE HURRICANRANA! BUT MAVERICK CATCHES HIM! HE LIFTS HIM UP…POWERBOMB OFF THE TOP ROPE! And now his opponent goes for a cover!
ONE!
TWO!
TH-
Thadd Blazevich: BRO! THAT WAS SO CLOSE RIGHT THERE! TLA was half a second away from not moving on here! But he refuses to stay down! Maverick once again looks disappointed, he needs this one to end soon! He brings TLA back up onto his feet here! MAVERICK BOOTS HIM IN THE STOMACH AND THEN LOOKS FOR THE SIN CITY STUNNER! BUT HIS OPPONENT SHOVES HIM AWAY! Maverick turns back around and looks for a discus clothesline…BUT HIS OPPONENT DUCKS UNDER! TLA FIRES BACK WITH THE CARTEL KICK! The pele kick catches TLA in the head! Bro immediately scrambles for a cover!
ONE!
TWO!
TH-
Persephone: But that was not enough either! Maverick kicks out before the three count! TLA is back on his feet in an instant though, looking to put this way away! He brings him back into position and gets him where he needs to be…MEXICAN DESTROYER!
Rich Russillo: BUT MAVERICK SENDS HIM UP AND OVERHEAD WITH A BACK BODY DROP! A nasty landing there for TLA! Maverick now gets into position as TLA barely gets back onto his feet…RUSSIAN LEGSWEEP! He gets back to his feet and lets all the fans know his name! CODY MAVERICK! HE THEN FOLLOWS THAT UP WITH A MASSIVE LEAPING ELBOW DROP THAT CATCHES TLA RIGHT IN THE CHEST! A beautiful combination there by Maverick!
Thadd Blazevich: And now bro wants to put this one away from him! He scoops him up in that half-nelson…AND HERE COMES THE HIGH ROLLER DUDE! But as he does, TLA is able to counter by rolling him forward with a snapmare! HE THEN GETS HIM WITH A QUICK PUNT TO THE LOWER BACK…BEFORE DRAGGINING HIM UP TO HIS FEET AND HITTING A TIGER SUPLEX! A gnarly combination there bro again by TLA!
Persephone: I am hoping that TLA puts this one away here…since we still have a show to do. He grabs Maverick and hoists him into the air…it looks like he’s looking for his own powerbomb right now! DESMARDE!
Rich Russillo: BUT THE POWERBOMB IS COUNTERED BY MAVERICK WITH A HURRICANRANA OF HIS OWN! Sometimes you have to pull out new tools, especially in times like these! As TLA is scrambling back to his feet…MAVERICK COMES IN WITH THE DEEP END! THE SPINEBUSTER CONNECTS AND HE IMMEDIATELY LOOKS FOR THE COVER! THIS COULD BE IT RIGHT HERE!
ONE!
TWO!
THRE-
Thadd Blazevich: NO! TLA KICKS OUT! Dude, how did he kick out of that one? You can see Maverick is trying to think of what needs to happen next! I think bro has figured it out though…he gets onto his feet and looks out at the fans! HE DRAGS TLA UP TO HIS FEET AND BEGINS BARRAGING HIM WITH PUNCHES! Dude is just hammering away here, laying into TLA with all that he has! TLA is trying to block, but Maverick throws some punches to the face…TLA moves his arms up…AND TAKES A BOOT IN THE GUT! HERE IT COMES! SIN CITY STUNNER!
Persephone: BUT TLA CATCHES THE BOOT! Damn, those reflexes are kind of crazy. HE THEN GETS MAVERICK WITH THE SWAG SHOT! He just pimped slapped his opponent…and THEN HE PULLS HIM IN FOR THE VERY MEXICAN UPPERCUT ONCE AGAIN! But Maverick stumbles back…AND FALLS RIGHT OUT OF THE RING! Really? Be serious right now…
Rich Russillo: TLA had tried to catch before he fell out but he was not fast enough! TLA needs to get to the outside and finish his opponent off here! And that definitely seems to be his intention as TLA stands up on the ropes…what is planning here? WAIT HE BEGINS RUNNING RIGHT ON THEM, BUILDING UP SOME SPEED BEFORE HE LOOKS FOR WALK DA WALK! BUT OUT OF PURE INSTINCT PERHAPS MAVERICK LEAPS UP WITH THE DROPKICK! HE CATCHES TLA WITH IT AND NOW BOTH OF THEM ARE LAID OUT ON THE GROUND HERE!
Thadd Blazevich: Bro, this is an absolutely dire situation for either competitor to be in here! This late in the match, with the amount of damage that both of them have received this just bodes ill dude. Both of them are beginning to stir now, using the barricade to get back up to their feet! Both of them lock eyes with each other…AND NOW HERE COMES THE BRAWL! Cody Maverick comes in swinging and TLA knows better than to take a punch from the Golden Gloves boxer now!
Persephone: TLA manages to shoves the claw down the throat of Maverick! He’s got that mandible claw locked in hard right now and you can see the strength draining from his opponent! Maverick tries to pry it away but TLA has an iron grip here, clearly has no intention of letting go even though they are both outside the ring! Maverick needs to find a way to get out of this or we might even see a double count out…
Rich Russillo: AND MAVERICK GRABS HIS HEAD AND SMASHES IT RIGHT OFF THE BARRICADE! AND NOW HE’S CONTINUING THE BRAWL! He lays into his opponent with some vicious forearm smashes, just driving TLA into the corner barricade now! Meanwhile, the referee is urging them to bring this match back inside the ring! It doesn’t look like either party is acknowledging it though! The referee is now beginning his count!
Referee: ONE!… TWO!… THREE!…
Thadd Blazevich: But the battle wages further on the outside! Maverick now lifts up TLA and tries for the back suplex onto the barricade! BUT TLA flips over it…AND LANDS ON THE OTHER SIDE! HE THEN GRABS CODY’S FACE AND SMASHES IT DOWNWARD! BEFORE LEAPING OVER IT AND LOOKING FOR SOME HEADSCISSORS! A master level takedown there! These dudes are breaking out everything they can tonight! Maverick manages to get back to his feet here…AND TLA IS NOW BACK ON THE OFFENSIVE!
Referee: FOUR!… FIVE!…
Persephone: He breaks out another lightning fast combination of kicks and forearms, trying to wear down his opponent! TLA then tucks Maverick in between his legs! HERE COMES THE MEXICAN DESTROYER ON THE OUTSIDE!
Referee: SIX!… SEVEN!…
Rich Russillo: BUT MAVERICK DRIVES HIM FORWARD RIGHT INTO THE STEEL STEPS! Neither of these two can seem to get a handle on the other right now! The count is still rising and fast! One of them needs to get back inside the ring very, very soon! BUT MAVERICK CLOSES IN AGAIN AND LOOKS FOR THE LIGHTS OUT!
Referee: EIGHT! NINE!
Thadd Blazevich: BUT TLA AVOIDS IT! These two go right back to exchanging blows as we near the end of the count! Maverick finally looks at the referee, realizing what’s going on! HE QUICKLY THROWS TLA INTO THE BARRICADE AND THEN SLIDES INTO THE RING!!! TLA RUSHES TOWARDS THE APRON AS CODY TRIES TO GET BACK OUT TO BREAK UP THE COUNT-
Referee: TEN!!!
(DING! DING! DING!)
(‘Kostas’ by Westside Gunn, Conway the Machine & Benny the Butcher begins to blare out as Cody Maverick just stares outside of the ring, shocked that he was just barely unable to break up the count in time. While Cody won the match, this was not how he wanted to win, and he isn’t happy about it. He slowly gets back up, and while he has his hand raised, he can’t shake the disappointed feeling as TLA watches on, just as unhappy.)
Bella Braxton: LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, HERE IS YOUR WINNER BY COUNT OUT… ADVANCING TO THE KING OF ELITE SEMIFINALS… COOOOODDDDYYY MAAAVVERRRICCKKKKKKKK!
Rich Russillo: Did that…did just happen!? A second week in a row, we have someone moving into the next round thanks to a count out, even after Cody made an effort to break it up! I mean, that was an absolute banger of a bout here ladies and gentlemen! TLA and Cody Maverick brought everything they could here…but Maverick was the one who recognized that count first!
Thadd Blazevich: That is how it is sometimes dude! Matches are won and lost in a single moment! TLA was just one moment too late tonight! Cody Maverick is now heading into our main event! I wonder what his condition might be like though…
(TLA stands up in the ring and gets face to face with Cody Maverick now. The two stare each other down. It looks like they are talking about how it went down, neither one seeming satisfied.)
Persephone: HIT HIM!
Rich Russillo: You can feel the tension in the ring! TLA is definitely not happy after losing the match like that! He wanted to be King of the Elite so badly this year…and that opportunity just slipped through his fingers!
(TLA nods and offers Cody Maverick a handshake instead. Cody Maverick chuckles and accepts it.)
Thadd Blazevich: A sign of respect here from TLA! That could have gone in an entirely different direction here bro! But in the end, these two seem to have settled things! Cody Maverick is moving on…and we wish him the best in the main event!
Persephone: We do?
(One more shot is shown of Cody Maverick and TLA shaking hands, showing one last sign of respect between each other. With this, Voltage begins to fade away from ringside.)
(The camera fades to the backstage area following the opening contest, and backstage, Sofia Clarke can be seen holding a microphone in her hand. She is walking through the hallway of the Žalgirio Arena, when someone appears to catch her eye. She urges for the cameraman to follow as she makes her way over, walking over to one of the newest members of the Voltage roster, Eris Morti. Eris is dressed in her gear for her upcoming match, which is up next as she will be taking on Ashlynn Quinn. Eris appears to be making her way to the stage for this, but Sofia is able to catch up to her before beginning to speak.)
Sofia Clarke: Eris! Eris, do you have a moment?
(Eris stops, thinking for a moment before turning towards Sofia, leaning against the production crate next to her as she waits. She doesn’t say anything, but Sofia takes this as a sign that Eris is at least willing to do the interview.)
Sofia Clarke: Thank you. Last week we saw a big debut from you which ended in shocking fashion, so there are some questions I’d like to ask just so we can all get the chance to get to know you better. Voltage is a very unique brand and you wasted no time trying to get started, so I’d like to know what you’re hoping to achieve here during your first season in EAW.
(Sofia Clarke extends the microphone to Eris, expecting to receive an answer. However, she doesn’t get one. Eris glances over at the camera before turning towards Sofia, disinterest written on her face as she stares at her.)
Sofia Clarke: Alright… Well, if you’d prefer not to answer that, that’s fine. I’ll move onto the next question. After your debut last week you now have a good opportunity on your hands, as you’ll be in action tonight against the former New Breed Champion, Ashlynn Quinn. With King of Elite only weeks away, could you be hoping to find a spot on what would be your first mar-
(Eris doesn’t bother letting Sofia finish the question, choosing to turn her attention back towards her upcoming match. She begins to walk away, leaving Sofia surprised after being cut off like this. However, she catches up to Eris before continuing.)
Sofia Clarke: Wait, it’s rare we see debuts end in a controversial way, so I was just hoping to get some thoughts from you. I’m sure you have something on your mind after the impact you made last week attacking Sayuri Himura.
(Eris stops once more after hearing this. She looks at Sofia, raising an eyebrow in response to her words, before finally beginning to speak.)
Eris Morti: Is that what you think last week was about? Making an impact?
Sofia Clarke: Was it not?
(Eris just shakes her head.)
Eris Morti: Last week wasn’t about me. Not at all. If I were you, I would keep an eye on Sayuri Himura. I have high hopes for her, and if I am lucky, she won’t disappoint.
Sofia Clarke: I’m not sure what you mean. You attacked her after your match together.
Eris Morti: I know, which is why I’m curious what her next move will be. She is new to this company like I am, but this is in her blood. She was born to be a wrestler, so I’d like to see exactly what kind of wrestler she is. I hope that last week was not the final time the two of us cross paths, because I have a feeling the next time will be far more interesting.
???: It seems you’re in luck, then.
(Eris looks to the side, and a smirk slowly forms on her face as Sayuri Himura herself begins to walk into the camera’s view. Himura is clearly not amused by what Eris did to her, but she keeps calm despite her actions last week, staring at Eris with a composed look on her face.)
Sayuri Himura: You are a strange one, aren’t you? I thought tag team victory would be enough to end the night, even if our opponents left much to be desired. However, that wasn’t the case for you. It was clear you weren’t satisfied with the victory, and thanks to this, you made a severe mistake. You felt the need to attack me, and for what reason? You say that this wasn’t for the sake of leaving an impact, that you did not do what you did to further your career, but what was this about, then? Embarrassing me? Is that all you wanted out of your first night with Elite Answers Wrestling?
(Eris stares at Sayuri for a moment, before finally she just sighs, disappointed by her questions.)
Eris Morti: I don’t think it matters what I wanted. I could give you any reason in the book, but it wouldn’t change what I did to you, would it? What’s done is done. Last week we worked well together, and our opponents were decimated in record time. After that we shook hands, and before you knew it your head was being driven into the mat. There is no excuse for that. The only thing that should matter right now is what comes next. I have a match to get to, so if you only interrupted me for the sake of asking me even more pointless questions, I’m afraid we’ll need to cut this short. That was disappointing-
(Eris goes to walk away, but Sayuri steps in front of her, blocking her way. Eris looks surprised by this, but there is a cold look on the face of Sayuri as she continues.)
Sayuri Himura: I’m here to tell you that you should be careful what you wish for. I was unsure of what your intentions were when you attacked me and stained what otherwise was a successful debut, but your actions last week did open my eyes to the kind of individual you truly are, and the kind of company I have entered. I know now that Elite Answers Wrestling is ruthless, and worse, that this is a company without a code. I know better now than to expect respect to come my way, but the worst thing you could have done was grant me that understanding, because I warn you, I will not make the same mistakes twice. What you did last week was something you’ll only be able to get away with once. You chose to make an enemy out of me Eris, and that was a decision I will not take lightly.
(After a moment, Eris just nods to what Sayuri Himura had to say, before finally beginning to respond.)
Eris Morti: I was hoping you’d say something like that. I was wondering whether or not I’d be able to see any fire in someone who lives and breathes by a certain code, but I’m sure you know as well as I do just how easy it is to make promises without the intention to follow through on them. It isn’t enough telling me that you won’t forget what you did. There’s no use telling me you won’t make the same mistake twice, because I’m not such a fool I’d try to pull the same trick twice. As far as I’m concerned, I already did what I wanted to do. I attacked you, and rather than reciprocating your respect, I left you in the care of medics. What do you intend to do about that, Miss Himura? Do you want to fight me? Right here and now?
Sayuri Himura: You won’t have to wait too long to find out. I’m not sure why you’d choose such a way to make your first impression, but since you have, I am going to make sure that your actions are repaid. However, I have no interest in cheap shots or being attacked from behind. You took a shot at me, and next time you do so, I’d like to see how you fare once you no longer have the element of surprise, and you’re instead forced to face me head on, as a true opponent. The two of us may be busy tonight, but on a later date, I don’t suppose you’ll be too busy to face me one on one. I can give you the fight you are looking for, though by the time it is over, I suspect I’ll have made you regret it.
(There are cheers from the crowd after hearing the challenge made by Sayuri Himura.)
Eris Morti: Yeah, I doubt that.
(Sayuri doesn’t react to the remark made by Eris, waiting to see what her answer is regarding the challenge. However, she isn’t forced to wait very long, as Eris begins to speak once more.)
Eris Morti: Still, I look forward to seeing you try. If it is a match you want, I would be happy to face you.
(Eris extends her hand to Sayuri, looking to shake hands as an agreement to face each other in the coming weeks. However, Sayuri doesn’t shake her hand, and instead just glares at Eris knowing that she is being mocked for the attack that came last week after the two shook hands. A smile widens on Eris’ face after noticing this. The two stare at each other, with an intense look on both of their faces as if a fight could break out at any moment, despite the words that have been said between the two beforehand. However, this does not happen, as eventually Eris begins to walk past Sayuri, leaving to get to the ring for her match. Sayuri Himura watches on, maintaining a focused look on her face as the camera fades away from ringside.)
(Promotional ad for King of Elite, where the Empress of Elite finals will take place.)
(Voltage returns to ringside, where Bella Braxton can be seen with a microphone in her hand.)
Bella Braxton: Ladies and gentlemen… The following contest is scheduled for ONE FALL!!!!!
Crowd: ONE FALL!!!!
(‘Deathbed Companion’ by Chelsea Grin hits, and the camera pans to the stage as Eris Morti begins to walk out, making her way to the stage with her arms spread out, not appearing bothered by the confrontation prior to this with Sayuri Himura. The expression on her face is not one that’s readable, but she has a confident walk to the ring as she appears ready for her first singles match in EAW.)
Bella Braxton: Introducing first… From Parts Unknown… Weighing in at 130 pounds… EERRRRRIIIIIIISSSSSSSSS MMMMMMOOOOORRRRRRRRRRTTTIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rich Russillo: Eris Morti is a woman we don’t know much about, but she definitely had quite the debut last week as she would attack her own tag team partner after their victory. She definitely seems to be one to watch out for, so let’s see how she fares against a more established name.
Thadd Blazevich: Can’t forget bro, it looks like Eris already has a lot on her plate with her and Sayuri Himura getting a match between each other made! Hopefully she’s able to stay focused for this match, ‘cause it could be a good one.
Persephone: Really? A total nobody is facing Ashlynn Quinn of all people and you think this has any chance of being good? You really are an idiot.
(‘Tears’ by Sabrina Carpenter follows, and as the fans boo, Ashlynn Quinn begins making her way out to the stage. Ashlynn takes a moment and looks in the ring, shaking her head as she doesn’t seem to be impressed by her opponent. Ashlynn just brushes her off as she makes her way to the ring, keeping a confident look on her face as she also seems ready for this match, sure that she’ll be able to defeat the new Elitist.)
Bella Braxton: And her opponent… From Los Angeles, California… Weighing in at 115 pounds… AAAAASSHHHLLYYNNNNNNNNNN QQUUUUIIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rich Russillo: Ashlynn Quinn has had problems with NICK over the last few weeks, but she will need to put that aside for tonight as she has a match against this new talent! Judging from the words these two had for each other, this might not be the most friendly of matches.
Thadd Blazevich: Ashlynn Quinn is real talented, but she lost the New Breed Championship at Road to Redemption and now she’s looking to bounce back. This could be her time to do that, but I wouldn’t underestimate someone we still know nothing about, dude.
Persephone: I would. If there was anything worthwhile with “Eris” we’d already know about it, wouldn’t we? If Ashlynn is gonna win, at least do it quickly.
(Ding! Ding! Ding!)
Rich Russillo: AND HERE WE GO! Ashlynn Quinn takes on the newcomer Eris Morti in the opening contest! Ashlynn Quinn doesn’t look too impressed by her opponent making her singles debut, meanwhile Eris is urging Ashlynn to bring it on! The two Elitists slowly begin to circle the ring- BEFORE FINALLY THEY BEGIN TO LOCK UP!
Thadd Blazevich: Eris Morti is able to take control of the arm before beginning to twist it- but Ashlynn rolls onto her back before dragging Eris down with an arm drag! Eris rolls to her feet as Ashlynn goes to get back up, BUT ASHLYNN SWEEPS THE LEG OF ERIS BEFORE GOING FOR A QUICK PIN!
ONE-
Persephone: But Eris is able to bridge out of it, and- ew. What the hell is she doing?
Rich Russillo: Eris just broke into a spiderwalk, crawling backwards away from Ashlynn! Ashlynn looks like she’s not sure what she just saw, but Eris turns back onto a knee with an amused look on her face, seemingly knowing that she just caught Ashlynn off guard. Both Elitists get back up- AND NOW THEY LOCK UP ONCE AGAIN! ERIS NOW WITH A HEADLOCK ON ASHLYNN, POSSIBLY TAKING ADVANTAGE OF HER CONFUSION!
Thadd Blazevich: Ashlynn doesn’t look like she’s planning to stay rattled for long though bro! She grabs onto one of Morti’s arms before breaking the headlock, AND SHE’S ABLE TO APPLY A HAMMERLOCK ON MORTI- BEFORE SLAPPING ERIS IN THE BACK OF THE HEAD! Ashlynn showing the newcomer some disrespect while she maintains the hammerlock. She’s not showing any remorse here, dude.
Persephone: Yeah, but what does that matter? Eris was able to slowly turn her way out of the hammerlock before rolling out of it like Ashlynn did, only she got all the way back to her feet. Now we’re back to square one as they just got themselves into another collar and elbow.
Rich Russillo: NOT FOR LONG THOUGH, AS ERIS DELIVERS A KNEE TO THE MIDSECTION OF ASHLYNN! Ashlynn doubles over, AND ERIS DROPS AN ELBOW DOWN ONTO THE BACK OF QUINN’S HEAD! Ashlynn drops to her knees and holds the back of her head in pain, BUT ASHLYNN IS QUICK TO CAPITALIZE AS SHE PULLS ASHLYNN UP INTO A BIT OF A FRONT FACELOCK, BEGINNING TO DRIVE REPEATED ELBOWS INTO THE BACK OF HER HEAD AND HER NECK! ERIS HAS IMMEDIATELY RAISED THE AGGRESSION LEVEL OF THIS MATCH!
Thadd Blazevich: Yeah dude, and Ashlynn is forced to take a step back, shoving Eris away before backing into the ropes! Ashlynn holds onto the ropes so Eris is forced to let go of her- AND NOW AS SOON AS ERIS TRIES TO GO BACK ON THE OFFENSIVE, ASHLYNN DUCKS AND PULLS HER DOWN INTO A SCHOOL GIRL ROLL UP!
ONE!
TWO!!
Thadd Blazevich: ERIS IS OUT OF IT- BUT SHE IMMEDIATELY GETS CAUGHT WITH A SUPERKICK, SENDING ERIS FLYING INTO THE CORNER AND DOWN INTO A SEATED POSITION! Ashlynn wastes no time running in, AND SHE FOLLOWS THAT SUPERKICK UP WITH A BRONCO BUSTER!!!! Yikes, bro. It looks like Ashlynn is looking to humiliate the newcomer tonight!
Rich Russillo: Ashlynn leaves the corner, taunting the crowd with a large grin on her face! She drags Eris out of the corner by her foot after this before beginning to drag her up by the hair after this- AND ASHLYNN JUST SLAPS ERIS IN THE FACE, CAUSING ERIS TO FALL BACK INTO THE ROPES! Ashlynn Quinn appears to be in control of this one, utilizing her own unique brand of offense here! Eris is leaning against the ropes, AND NOW ASHLYNN SEEMS TO HAVE SOMETHING IN MIND, AS SHE RUNS THE ROPES-
Thadd Blazevich: BUT ERIS WAS ABLE TO INTERCEPT IT WITH A JUMPING BIG BOOT!!! THAT ONE CAME OUTTA NOWHERE AND STUNNED ASHLYNN- AND NOW ERIS FLOORS HER WITH A DISCUS CHOP!! Eris must not have been cool with Ashlynn trying to humiliate her! Eris goes to capitalize- BUT ASHLYNN ROLLS OUT OF THE RING, LANDING ON HER FEET BEFORE GRABBING ERIS BY THE LEG! ASHLYNN PULLS ERIS BY THE LEG, TAKING HER OUT OF THE RING! Eris lands on her feet though- AND SHE QUICKLY TURNS AND CONNECTS WITH AN ELBOW SMASH! Ashlynn was dazed by that one bro, AND NOW ERIS GRABS HER BEFORE SENDING HER TOWARDS-
Persephone: NOPE! ASHLYNN TURNED IT AROUND, AND THE ROOKIE GOT SENT CRASHING INTO THE STEEL STEPS! Ashlynn holds her jaw for a moment after that elbow, but the new girl clearly got the worse end of that one. Maybe that means the match will be able to end soon. That’s what I’m hoping for, at least.
Rich Russillo: Ashlynn Quinn makes her way over to Eris as she tries to use the apron to get back up, AND ASHLYNN SLAMS ERIS’ FACE AGAINST THE APRON BEFORE SENDING HER BACK INTO THE RING! Eris holds her shoulder as Ashlynn makes her way back into the ring, and now Ashlynn waits as Eris slowly pushes herself back to a knee. It looks like Ashlynn might have something big in mind here. She’s been able to find an answer to Eris’ hard hitting style so far, and I think she’s looking to end this before she can face much more of it! ASHLYNN RUNS TO THE ROPES AS ERIS GETS BACK UP, FOR BAD & BOUJEE!
Thadd Blazevich: BUT ERIS CATCHES ASHLYNN BY THE WAIST, PLANTING ASHLYNN WITH A GERMAN SUPLEX!!! A HUGE GERMAN SUPLEX CONNECTS BY ERIS, AND NOW ERIS MAINTAINS THE WAISTLOCK AS SHE TURNS OVER TO A KNEE, TRYING TO GET BACK UP! Eris shakes off the pain in her arm for a moment before locking the waistlock back in, and now she starts getting back up while dragging Ashlynn up! This match has been wild bro- AND NOW LOOK!
Rich Russillo: ASHLYNN IS HITTING ERIS WITH BACK ELBOWS, TRYING TO STOP HER FROM CONNECTING WITH THE GERMAN SUPLEX! SHE IS THROWING THEM WILDLY, BUT SHE LANDS A COUPLE THAT CAUSE ERIS TO SLOWLY LOSE HER GRIP ON HER!
Thadd Blazevich: BUT ERIS ADAPTS TO THE SITUATION, AND TRANSITIONS TO A DRAGON SUPLEX TO ONCE AGAIN PLANT ASHLYNN ON THE BACK OF HER HEAD! Wow, bro. Ashlynn inadvertently rolled to her knees, and she’s holding the back of her head in pain. Meanwhile, I think Eris is really starting to get into this one, dude! Eris pushes herself up before rushing over to Ashlynn, AND SHE PULLS HER UP BEFORE CONNECTING WITH A GNARLY RIPCORD LARIAT! ERIS NOW WITH A COVER!
ONE!
TWO!!
Thadd Blazevich: AND ASHLYNN IS ABLE TO KICK OUT! Eris doesn’t waste any time taking advantage of this though, pulling Ashlynn into a front facelock before hooking the arm all while she gets back up! Eris now, LIFTING ASHLYNN UP! BRO, I THINK SHE’S LOOKING FOR THE DAGGER-
Persephone: BUT ASHLYNN SLIPS OUT OF IT! Eris turns towards her- AND ASHLYNN CONNECTS WITH THE RUNNING KNEE! THAT JUST KNOCKED ERIS’ LIGHTS OUT, AND ASHLYNN FOLLOWS IT UP WITH THE GERMAN SUPLEX! NOSTYLIST CONNECTS, AND ASHLYNN MAINTAINS THE BRIDGE FOR THE COVER TO HOPEFULLY END THIS MATCH!
ONE!
TWO!!
THRE-
Rich Russillo: AND ERIS IS ABLE TO KICK OUT, JUST BEFORE THREE!!!! Ashlynn doesn’t look happy there, and it looks like she had to kinda play the same game as Eris Morti as she just dumped Eris right onto her neck! This has been a physical match, possibly filled with even more violent action than Ashlynn intended to get out of this as the more experienced competitor.
Thadd Blazevich: Well, Ashlynn has something in mind here bro, and it looks like she’s not about to take her foot off the gas! Ashlynn makes her way out to the apron before beginning to climb out to the top rope, and dude, whatever she has in mind gotta be something big. She’s been grabbing the back of her head a lot, bro.
Persephone: Well with all that time she’s wasting worrying about her neck, she’s just giving the newbie more time to recover.
Rich Russillo: Ashlynn makes it to the top rope nonetheless- BUT BEFORE SHE CAN MAKE A MOVE, ERIS RUNS IN BEFORE SHOVING ASHLYNN’S LEGS OUT FROM UNDER HER!!! Eris takes a breather as she leans against the ropes, before finally she starts climbing up top! This match has definitely taken its toll on both of these two Elitists, but it looks like Eris may have found herself an opening as she has made it to the top rope! Eris now possibly looking for a superplex-
Thadd Blazevich: BUT SHE DOESN’T GET IT EASILY BRO, AS ASHLYNN JUST PULLED HER LEGS OUT FROM UNDER HER, DROPPING ERIS DOWN ONTO THE TOP ROPE AS WELL! Both women are seated on the top rope facing each other! Ashlynn hits Eris with a forearm, BUT ERIS RESPONDS WITH AN ELBOW, CAUSING ASHLYNN TO FALL BACK! Ashlynn was dazed by that one- BUT SHE RESPONDS WITH ANOTHER FOREARM, THIS ONE CAUSING ERIS TO FALL INTO A TREE OF WOE POSITION! Ashlynn takes a moment, probably to try and think of her next move-
Rich Russillo: BUT IT’S NOT SAFE FOR HER JUST YET, AS ERIS IS ABLE TO SLOWLY PULL HERSELF BACK UP!!! ERIS IS ABLE TO PUT HER CORE STRENGTH ON DISPLAY- AS SHE CONNECTS WITH ANOTHER HUGE ELBOW!! ERIS HOOKS ASHLYNN AFTER THIS, BEFORE LIFTING ASHLYNN OFF OF THE TOP ROPE WITH THE SPIDER SUPERPLEX, HANGING ON THE TOP ROPE!!!! WHAT A MOVE BY ERIS, WHO LIFTS HERSELF OFF OF THE TOP TURNBUCKLE BEFORE DROPPING DOWN ONTO THE MAT RIGHT INTO THE SAME SPIDER CRAWL FROM BEFORE AS SHE WAITS FOR ASHLYNN TO GET BACK UP!
Thadd Blazevich: Ashlynn Quinn slowly begins to stumble back up, AND NOW ERIS RUNS IN FOR THE-
Persephone: NO, ASHLYNN CATCHES ERIS WITH AN ENZUIGIRI!!! ERIS IS STUNNED, GIVING ASHLYNN TIME TO GET BACK TO HER FEET AS ERIS STUMBLES AROUND!
Rich Russillo: BUT AS SOON AS ASHLYNN GETS BACK UP, SHE IS MET WITH A DISCUS BOOT TO THE JAW, SENDING ASHLYNN BACKPEDALING INTO THE ROPES!
Thadd Blazevich: BUT ASHLYNN REBOUNDS WITH A HURRICANRANA, DROPPING ERIS!!! ERIS STUMBLES INTO THE CORNER OF THE RING, AND NOW ASHLYNN PUSHES HERSELF BACK UP! Ashlynn might’ve just taken control of this one, bro! Ashlynn now running in-
Persephone: BUT ERIS CATCHES ASHLYNN, PLANTING HER WITH A URANAGE!!
Rich Russillo: Ashlynn goes rolling away from the corner after that, but she isn’t safe yet! ERIS NOW RUNNING OFF THE ROPES BEFORE CHARGING IN AT THE GROUNDED ASHLYNN QUINN, AND SHE JUMPS UP FOR THE METEOR-
Thadd Blazevich: BUT SHE ENDS UP FLYING RIGHT INTO THE FOOT OF ASHLYNN QUINN, WHO WAS ABLE TO GET THE BOOT UP BEFORE ERIS COULD CONNECT!!! ERIS GOES DOWN, AND DUDE, BOTH ELITISTS ARE NOW DOWN AND OUT ON THE MAT!!! Bro, this match has been radical! What an awesome showcase this has been for both women!
Persephone: Eh. It hasn’t been that good.
Rich Russillo: Ashlynn Quinn is using the ropes to pull herself up. Eris starts to slowly push herself up at the same time- BUT ASHLYNN IS ABLE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE SITUATION, CONNECTING WITH A SPRINGBOARD DISASTER KICK TO DROP ERIS BACK DOWN TO HER KNEES! Ashlynn pushes herself back up quickly- though you can tell she’s feeling the pain in her back and her neck as she immediately slows down! She has control right now though, AND AS ERIS PUSHES HERSELF UP SHE PUTS IT TO USE, HITTING ERIS WITH A SUPERKICK!
Thadd Blazevich: Eris was rocked by that one bro, and now it looks like Ashlynn might’ve just gotten an idea! Ashlynn starts to run the ropes, AND BRO, IT LOOKS LIKE SHE’S GONNA TAKE A PAGE OUTTA THE BOOK OF DYNASTY’S WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMP, BRO! ASHLYNN REBOUNDS OFF THE ROPES A FEW MORE TIMES, GOING FOR THE BESTIE SP-
Persephone: SPEAR, BUT NOT BY ASHLYNN!!!! THAT IDIOT WASTED ALL THAT TIME RUNNING THE ROPES, ONLY TO GET CAUGHT OFF GUARD WITH A SPEAR FROM ERIS MORTI!!! ERIS PULLS HERSELF ON TOP OF ASHLYNN FOR THE COVER!!!
ONE!
TWO!!
THRE-
Rich Russillo: BUT THIS ONE IS STILL NOT OVER, AS ASHLYNN GETS THE SHOULDER UP!!! This right here is exactly why Ashlynn is a former New Breed Champion! Eris slowly sits off of Ashlynn, and you can tell this has been a hard fought match for her the way she’s holding her shoulder, but to my surprise, she doesn’t look upset about that kickout. It looks like she may not have a problem with this match continuing, even if that does leave a competitor like Ashlynn a great chance of getting back into this.
Thadd Blazevich: Eris slowly drags Ashlynn back up, AND SHE HITS ASHLYNN WITH A NASTY FOREARM TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD! She’s been really targeting that spot and the back throughout this match, dude. Ashlynn dropped back down to her knees after that forearm, and now Eris is using this time to capitalize! She pulls Ashlynn back up, BEFORE LIFTING HER UP ONTO HER SHOULDERS! I THINK ERIS MIGHT BE LOOKING FOR A POWERBOMB, BROS!
Rich Russillo: BUT ASHLYNN DOESN’T LET THAT HAPPEN!! SHE JUMPS AND TURNS HERSELF INTO AN ELECTRIC CHAIR POSITION, BEFORE DRIVING ERIS HEAD FIRST INTO THE MAT WITH A HUGE POISONRANA! ERIS IS DOWN AND OUT, AND ASHLYNN WAS ABLE TO FIND HERSELF WITH A HUGE OPENING! Ashlynn Quinn has been with EAW for a while now and has been through some seriously tough matches. It looks like that experience may have gotten her the victory tonight! Ashlynn grabs Eris by the arm before dragging her back up, AND I THINK WE KNOW EXACTLY WHAT SHE’S LOOKING FOR! ASHLYNN IS GOING FOR RED BOTTOMS-
(Suddenly, ‘Kendrick, Clae & Cole’ by Marques Clae hits, drawing a huge reaction from the crowd.)
Rich Russillo: UH OH!
Thadd Blazevich: I DIDN’T EXPECT THIS ONE, BROS!
Ashlynn Quinn: (off-mic) No no NO!
(NICK can be seen walking out to the stage, and he wastes no time heading down the ramp as the fans cheer. Ashlynn Quinn is forced to let go of Eris Morti thanks to this, preparing for the possibility that she’ll have to get into a fight with NICK.)
Rich Russillo: NICK IS HERE, AND WE KNEW THAT THE ISSUES BETWEEN THESE TWO HAD YET TO BE RESOLVED, BUT I CAN’T SAY I WAS EXPECTING THIS!
Thadd Blazevich: NICK jumps onto the apron- AND ASHLYNN SWINGS AT HIM, BUT BRO JUMPS RIGHT OFF THE APRON WITH A SMILE ON HIS FACE! Ashlynn is just yelling at bro to back off while he keeps a smirk on his face- BUT WAIT! ASHLYNN NEEDS TO LOOK OUT!
Persephone: THE BED OF NAILS!!! NICK WASN’T TRYING TO FIGHT, HE WAS DISTRACTING ASHLYNN SO THIS WOULD HAPPEN!
Rich Russillo: ASHLYNN JUST GOT DUMPED ON HER HEAD, AND NOW ERIS REBOUNDS OFF THE ROPES BEFORE JUMPING ONTO ASHLYNN WITH THE METEOR, RIGHT ONTO THE BACK OF THE HEAD! ERIS TURNS ASHLYNN OVER BEFORE COVERING HER, THANKS TO THE ASSIST FROM NICK!!!
ONE!
TWO!!
THREE!!!
(Ding! Ding! Ding!)
Bella Braxton: Ladies and gentlemen here is your winner…. EEEEEEERRRRRRRIIIIIIISSSSSSSS MMMMMMMOOOORRRRRRRTTIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!!!!!!!!!
(‘Deathbed Companion’ begins to play once more as Eris Morti slowly rolls off of Ashlynn Quinn. She takes a moment before beginning to sit up, but once she does, she looks over at NICK. She doesn’t appear to be amused that he played a part in the match, but eventually she just shakes her head before slowly pushing herself back to her feet, having her hand raised by the referee before beginning to leave the ring.)
Rich Russillo: That was such a back and forth contest between the two ladies, who I’d argue may have had an even more heated match than expected. Ultimately it looked like Ashlynn may have been able to pull this one out, but NICK cost her the match, clearly not over what happened at Festival of Lights.
Thadd Blazevich: Yeah dude, and thanks to that, Eris Morti’s first singles win was against a former New Breed Champ! That’s a big win, though a controversial one, too. Still, congratulations to Eris Morti!
(As Eris leaves the ring, the camera pans to NICK, who is still at ringside. He is staring at Ashlynn Quinn with a satisfied look on his face, all while Ashlynn slowly begins to stir, holding the back of her head as she gets to her knees. Ashlynn rests against the ropes, but she stared at NICK, furious over what he just did.)
Rich Russillo: Ashlynn Quinn doesn’t look happy, and I can’t say that’s a surprise. It doesn’t look like things are over between these two.
Thadd Blazevich: Things might get heated between those two, dude. If it was bad before, it’s definitely only gonna get worse now.
Persephone: Whatever. I’m just glad the match is over. What a waste of time.
(NICK begins to backpedal up the ramp, having done everything he set out to and satisfied with the outcome. He keeps the smirk on his face while Ashlynn Quinn argues with the referee, before turning and looking back at NICK, still frustrated with the result of the match. While one last shot of Ashlynn with an angered look on her face is shown, Voltage begins to fade from ringside.)
(The scene opens backstage where Voltage correspondent, Sofia Clarke, is standing by. She has a huge smile on her lovely face as she waits for her cue to begin.)
Sofia Clarke: Ladies and gentlemen, we have a huge night planned here for Voltage and we’ve just gotten started. Cody Maverick has advanced to the King of Elite semifinals with a count-out victory over the Hall of Famer, TLA, while tension continues to simmer between former New Breed Champion, Ashlynn Quinn and the newcomer NICK. NICK. cost Ashlynn her match against Eris Morti just moments ago but right now, I have a special guest joining me. Here to talk about all the things going on surrounding her is none other than the incredible and talented Hall of Famer Minerva!
(The camera zooms out and Minerva is seen standing to Sofia’s left. She twirls a strand of bright orange hair around her black polished finger and smirks.)
Sofia Clarke: Minerva, thank you for joining me.
Minerva: Of course.
Sofia Clarke: Last week you made quite the statement to end Voltage. After Jon Kelton defeated Kai Rabeaux to advance to the King of Elite quarterfinals, you laid Kelton out with your finisher and had a message for him. Do you care to repeat that?
(Minerva actually yawns, much to Sofia’s surprise. It’s as if the very idea of Jon Kelton bores her and she waves a dismissive hand in the air.)
Minerva: A statement? Laying Jon Kelton out is NOT a statement, because who is he to me? I told him, quite simply, to keep his name out of my mouth. There was nothing more to it than that.
Sofia Clarke: Do you care to elaborate?
Minerva: Truthfully? Not particularly. Kelton is not worth my time nor my energy, but I was not going to allow his words to go unchecked. ‘Loose lips sink ships’ and I am not someone who lets things slip through the cracks. I gave Kelton a warning last week because he needs to know that Minerva is always listening, and I’m content to leave it at that. My focus right now is ToXXXin and making sure Daniella and Selina are ready for the challenge Fire & Ice are going to present to them at King of Elite.
Sofia Clarke: You seemed surprised they made a move like that last week.
(It was a statement and not a question, and Minerva grinned at that.)
Minerva: Let’s use the term ‘pleasantly surprised’. As someone who’s dealt with Rex and Raven for many years, I know how tough they are and how difficult it is to beat them. I wasn’t sure that my girls were ready to challenge for the Unified Tag Team Championships right away but they proved me wrong. I think it’s safe to say that they learned from the match at Road to Redemption and they’re eager to prove themselves. I wouldn’t have invested my time in them if I didn’t believe they were the future of this business. Selina hasn’t touched gold yet, but the sky’s the limit for her. As for Daniella, we’ve already seen flashes of brilliance from her. I have no doubt that come King of Elite, they’ll be crowned the new Unified Tag Team Champions and I can’t wait to see it.
Sofia Clarke: Fire & Ice will be at ringside tonight as ToXXXin takes on Jay Jerry Johnson and Cosmo Goldworthy. Are you worried they may try and interfere in the match?
(Minerva scoffs.)
Minerva: I’ll be at ringside. Fire & Ice have no choice but to be on their best behavior.
(Sofia goes to ask another question but a surprised look crosses her face. The camera shot widens and the crowd inside the arena starts to boo. Jon Kelton steps into the frame and he narrows his eyes directly at Minerva.)
Jon Kelton: Not worth your time?
(Minerva’s facial expression turns to one of boredom.)
Minerva: I guess you didn’t learn your lesson last week after all.
Jon Kelton: Here’s the thing, Minerva. I’m on the cusp of having my greatest season to date and I’m tired of respect not being put on my name. People like you think you’re above everyone else and that no one else can possibly break into the upper echelon of this business. That’s the type of deluded viewpoint that I’m ready to expunge because whether you want to admit it or not, I was well on my way to becoming a world champion until I threw it all away for that ungrateful piece of shit.
(Kelton scowls as he mentions the man he put on the self. However Minerva continues to look unmoved.)
Minerva: What does any of this have to do with me?
Jon Kelton: You tell me. You’re the one who seems to have taken what I said last week personally. You laid me out after I beat Rabeaux.
(Minerva actually has to laugh.)
Minerva: Actually the antics of Ashlynn Quinn and NICK. helped you beat Rabeaux and there’s no other way for you to try and twist that, and here’s something you need to know about me, Kelton. I’m not like everyone else. I’m not going to sit back and let people run their mouths about me and about ToXXXin. I get that you seem to believe you’re the face of this brand now but why? How? You’re not the EAW Champion and long after Bronson was gone from that chamber thanks to you, you still got beat at the end. A new year doesn’t mean a nEw KeLtOn. It just means that you are going to continue doing what you always do and that’s picking fights you aren’t capable of finishing.
(Minerva steps up, getting directly into Kelton’s face.)
Minerva: Absolutely NO ONE believes that Bronson Daniels held YOU back. If anything, it was the other way around, and I’m not saying that just to drive a knife further into your heart. I’m saying that as someone who came into the company AFTER you and surpassed you ten times over. Winning a world championship may very well happen for you one day. If Terry Chambers can do it, ANYONE can, but you’re not going to use my name in an attempt to prop yourself up. You should be glad that I decided to only give you a warning.
(Kelton narrows his eyes.)
Jon Kelton: You know, you are someone that I have respect for as a competitor but this season, your antics and your attitude leave a lot to be desired. I think this whole thing with ToXXXin is just smoke and mirrors for you because after last season, it’s obvious that you have lost a step or two. The Minerva of old wouldn’t need two other people by her side in order to make good on her threats. She would have gotten in that ring and just taken what she wanted. What happened to THAT Minerva?
(Minerva chuckles not even having the energy to feel insulted since these words were coming from a man who had never once held a world championship in his hands.)
Minerva: THAT Minerva is dead and gone, and you know what? When Methuselah told me I was more or less a shadow of myself last season, that stung. When someone like that seeks to tear you down, the words they speak may have some merit. Of course, I proved him wrong on that at Pain for Pride, and everyone knows that last year I held a lot back. In a way, I am grateful for that lesson learned because last season taught me a valuable lesson.
(Kelton raises a skeptical eyebrow.)
Minerva: I learned to stop holding myself back. So many people got used to me competing hard and following the rules, and that made them complacent. That lulled everyone into this false sense of security that had them actually second guessing me. That’s insulting and quite frankly, a slap in the face to everything I have done to make myself a Hall of Famer. It’s people like you, those who have yet to even scratch the surface of my accomplishments, that have grown bold enough to throw threats at me. I am not the one, Kelton, and if you want to continue to push me and not take what I said to you last week seriously, then it’s your funeral.
(Minerva flips her hair off her shoulder.)
Minerva: It damn sure won’t be mine.
(Minerva turns and goes to walk off, but Kelton seizes her by the arm. The fans inside the arena gasp as Minerva whirls around, fire flashing in her normally icy blue eyes. Kelton squeezes her arm and brings his face close to hers.)
Jon Kelton: You think you’re frustrated? I’m the one who’s frustrated. I’m sick and tired of people like you, people who think they’re so much better than me because of their awards and titles, looking down on me and spitting on my name. What I did to Bronson Daniels is just the beginning Minerva, and if I were you, I would stay the fuck out of my way.
(Kelton lets go of Minerva’s arm and storms off, leaving ‘The Black Rose’ absolutely stunned. After a moment, Minerva looks down at the fingerprints Kelton left on her pale skin and she shakes her head. The look on her face is one of pity as she purses her lips.)
Minerva: What a fool you are, Jon Kelton. What a fool.
(The camera lingers on Minerva for a bit before Voltage slowly fades into a commercial break.)
(Promotional ad for King of Elite, where Drake Armstrong defends the EAW World Championship against Adam Lucas.)
(We have returned from commercial break and we see that Bella Braxton is standing in the ring with a microphone in hand as she is ready to start the introductions for the next match.)
Bella Braxton: Ladies and gentlemen! This next contest is scheduled for ONE FALL!
Crowd: ONE FALL!
Bella Braxton: AND IT IS A QUARTERFINALS MATCH IN THE 2026 KING OF ELITE TOURNAMENT!
(“Invincible” by Pop Smoke begins to play as Chris Elite enters the arena to cheers from the crowd. Elite looks ready for action as he heads to the ring. He has a focused look on his face, knowing that the King of Elite tournament could give him the chance to become a two-time World Champion.)
Bella Braxton: Introducing first and making his way to the ring! From Brooklyn, New York! Weighing 210 pounds! Here is “GAWD! GIVEN! GREATNESS!” CHRIS ELITE!
Rich Russillo: Here comes Chris Elite as he heads to the ring for quarterfinal action. Last week on Voltage, Chris Elite advanced to the quarterfinals by the skin of his teeth with a countout victory over Cosmo Goldworthy.
Persephone: He got lucky last week, but luck won’t happen for him twice in a row. He better be ready to fight and I better get ready to get bored.
Thadd Blazevich: Dude, the match hasn’t even started yet and you are already complaining. You just need to sit back and relax and watch this King of Elite tournament action.
(Chris enters the ring and takes a neutral corner before “All of the Lights (interlude)” by Kanye West starts playing as Jon Kelton enters the arena to loud boos from the crowd. Kelton is focused on this tournament match as he heads to the ring, ignoring the hostility from the crowd.)
Bella Braxton: Introducing his opponent! Residing in Dallas, Texas! Weighing 205 pounds! Here is “THE FLAW OF THE WORLD” JON KELTON!
Persephone: The Flaw of the World is the most fitting nickname I have ever seen an Elitist have. Look at Kelton! He is a giant flaw and he’s going to do it again tonight.
Thadd Blazevich: Last week, Jon Kelton faced Kai Rabeaux in the first round and defeated him to advance in the tournament and he has another tall task in the quarterfinals with Chris Elite, dude.
Rich Russillo: Very high stakes in this match. The winner of this match will advance into the Semifinal round to be held later on tonight. The loser is gone. Who will be the second semifinalist for Voltage? We are about to find out!
(Kelton enters the ring and takes a corner before his entrance music fades off. The referee checks both competitors before calling for the bell.)
(DING! DING! DING!)
Rich Russillo: Here we go with our second quarterfinal match of the evening. One of these men will be going to the semifinals.
Thadd Blazevich: There’s a standoff in the middle of the ring right now and, dude, if we had a tale of the tape between these two they are virtually equal in height and weight.
Persephone: And intelligence. Can’t forget that. They are both pretty stupid.
Thadd Blazevich: Now both men decide to lock up in the center of the ring and as expected, we have a stalemate.
Rich Russillo: They are both trying to overpower the other but in a head on battle of in ring superiority.
Persephone: If it was a battle of wits, both these idiots would be gone.
Rich Russillo: Elite and Kelton are trying to get the advantage with the lock up as they try to muscle the other to the ropes.
Persephone: They are still locked up but now they lower their stances. Ok. Whatever. I mean what the hell is that going to do besides make them look really stupid.
Thadd Blazevich: Both men are still tied up still trying to gain the advantage but they are moving themselves to the ropes–
Rich Russillo: BOTH MEN FALL THROUGH THE ROPES AND CRASH ONTO THE ARENA FLOOR! THAT WAS AN UGLY TUMBLE THESE TWO TOOK!
Thadd Blazevich: Shows how much of a stalemate this match turned out to be early on. Both men are not willing to give an inch.
Persephone: Sadly, neither of them landed on their heads, so they can continue the match. Damn!
Thadd Blazevich: Elite and Kelton are shaking off the cobwebs of what happened outside the ring. The two men glare at each other as they roll back into the ring to stop the referee’s count.
Rich Russillo: Elite slides into the ring AND KELTON JUST STARTS WAILING ON HIM! KELTON PULLS ELITE TOWARDS THE CENTER OF THE RING AND JUST STARTS THROWING LEFTS AND RIGHTS TO THE HEAD AND FACE OF CHRIS ELITE!
Persephone: There is nothing to hurt up there in that bald man’s head. But naturally, the referee decides to be a buzzkill and start a count. Ridiculous!!
Rich Russillo: The referee reaches four on the count and Kelton opens up the fists. Kelton grabs Elite by the head BEFORE TAKING HIM UP AND OVER WITH A SNAP SUPLEX BEFORE FLOATING OVER FOR A COVER!
ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEE!
Persephone: Of course he kicked out. If Kelton thought that would be enough, then he is being more stupid than usual.
Thadd Blazevich: What you need to remember is that the winner of this match does not get a lot of time to rest and recover before they have to compete again later tonight in the semifinals so the more damage done to them, the better it would be for the opposition.
Rich Russillo: Kelton is staying on the offensive and whips him to the ropes BUT ELITE REVERSES! Kelton goes for the ride BUT HE JUMPS ONTO THE SECOND ROPE–
Thadd Blazevich: KELTON TURNS AROUND AND LEAPS OFF THE SECOND ROPE AND COUNTERS WITH A SPRINGBOARD CLOTHESLINE! Elite is down on the mat as Kelton hits the ropes AND COMES BACK FOR A LEG DROP–
Persephone: BAHAHAHAHA! NOBODY HOME AND KELTON ENDS UP IN A POSITION HE IS USED TO… FLAT ON HIS ASS!
Thadd Blazevich: Dude, no ankles sprained where he landed as Elite gets back to his feet and hits the ropes AND COMES BACK WITH A DROPKICK RIGHT TO THE FACE! KELTON TURNED INSIDE OUT AND SENT TOWARDS THE ROPES!
Rich Russillo: Elite tries to stay on the offensive as he goes right towards Kelton AND KELTON WITH A DROP TOE HOLD SENDING ELITE THROAT FIRST INTO THE MIDDLE ROPE!
Persephone: Maybe it will shut him up for a while because he is so annoying to listen to.
Rich Russillo: Anyways, Elite gets back to his feet but he is holding his throat in pain AS KELTON GRABS HIM AROUND THE WAIST BEFORE LIFTING HIM UP AND OVER WITH A RELEASE GERMAN SUPLEX!
Persephone: Elite’s bald head just bounced off the mat as he is turned inside out. That was amusing to watch. Hopefully it stays this way and this match will end as quickly as possible.
Thadd Blazevich: Kelton grabs Elite and whips him to the corner and Elite hits the turnbuckles hard. Now Kelton comes running full speed towards the corner–
Rich Russillo: “SNOOZE”! CHRIS ELITE CAUGHT KELTON RIGHT IN THE JAW WITH THAT UPPERCUT AND THAT COULD BE A KNOCKOUT SHOT EARLY ON IN THE MATCH!
Thadd Blazevich: Kelton is on spaghetti legs at the moment as he goes back towards the corner, BUT ELITE HAS HIS LEGS AROUND HIS NECK AND COUNTERS WITH A HEADSCISSORS SENDING HIM FOR A RIDE!
Persephone: Don’t see Elite doing stuff like that and there’s a good reason for that as well. It wasn’t very pretty.
Thadd Blazevich: He wants to go back to the King of Elite finals and it would be Chris Elite’s first King of Elite finals appearance since 2022.
Rich Russillo: Kelton finds his way back to his feet AND CHRIS ELITE COMES BACK WITH A CLOTHESLINE THAT SENDS KELTON RIGHT OVER THE TOP ROPE AND KELTON HITS THE FLOOR IN FRONT OF US!!
Persephone: AGAIN! These idiots could try and kill each other on any other part of the ring, but they always seem to find our side of the ring. GO AWAY ASSHOLES!
Rich Russillo: Kelton landed hard on the floor, but he is still aware enough to start getting back to his feet.
Persephone: Oh this is going to be exciting. I can hardly wait.
Thadd Blazevich: Elite is building up momentum as he hits the ropes on the far side. Elite goes full speed to the other side of the ring as Kelton gets back on his feet-
Rich Russillo: ELITE LAUNCHES HIMSELF THROUGH THE ROPES AND TAKES KELTON BACK DOWN TO THE FLOOR WITH A SUICIDE DIVE!
Thadd Blazevich: Listen to the crowd applaud Chris Elite after that high risk move! You have to believe Minerva is watching and is quite pleased.
Persephone: Bet that’s the only way Baldy can please the crazy bitch.
Thadd Blazevich: Dude, are you jealous that you don’t have a man or something?
Persephone: Say that again and I will end you. Don’t try me!
Rich Russillo: Elite is on his feet as he grabs Kelton back to his feet—
Persephone: CHRIS ELITE DID SOMETHING RIGHT FOR ONCE AND SENT KELTON RIGHT INTO THE STEEL RING POST! BAHAHAHAHAHA! Did you all hear the ding his head made on impact? That’s a song I can listen to over and over.
Rich Russillo: Kelton grabbed onto the bottom rope so he could stay on his feet, but he had to be feeling that shot with the ring post.
Persephone: Not really he has no brains so he’ll sadly be able to continue the match.
Thadd Blazevich: Elite grabs Kelton and throws him back in the ring before getting on the apron. Kelton is currently looking at the lights AS ELITE SPRINGS ONTO THE TOP ROPE–
Rich Russillo: AND COMES OFF IT WITH A SPRINGBOARD LEG DROP ACROSS THE THROAT! ELITE PULLS KELTON AWAY FROM THE ROPES AND GOES FOR THE COVER!
ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEE!
TWWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOO!
TH-
Thadd Blazevich: KELTON KICKS OUT AT TWO AS HE HOLDS HIS THROAT IN PAIN AS ELITE DECIDES TO RETURN THE FAVOR AND START POUNDING HIS FIST INTO KELTON’S SKULL!
Persephone: Why do these idiots feel like it’s necessary to punch the skull? If you are going to go for a headshot, a baseball bat or a lead pipe would suffice.
Thadd Blazevich: Then they get disqualified and the match ends right before it can get started.
Persephone: So what’s your point?
Rich Russillo: As we get back to the match, Elite had to stop the punches after the referee started a count to open up the fists. Now Elite once again brings Kelton to his feet and whips him to the ropes.
Persephone: BORING! Either way, Kelton comes back off the ropes and Elite goes for a discus lariat–
Rich Russillo: KELTON DUCKS OUT OF THE WAY AT THE LAST SECOND BEFORE STOPPING IN HIS TRACKS! Kelton forcibly turns Elite around–
Persephone: Kelton grabs him by the head AND DROPS HIM WITH THE TWIST OF FATE! HA! ELITE KISSES THE CANVAS BY FORCE!
Thadd Blazevich: These two are both very experienced in the ring so it will be easy to expect the momentum to change numerous times in this match. Now Kelton is in control of the match as he rolls Elite onto his stomach.
Rich Russillo: Kelton hits the ropes again AND HE LEAVES HIS FEET AGAIN AND THIS TIME HE HITS THE LEG DROP ACROSS THE BACK OF THE NECK! THAT WAS DANGEROUS AS HE ROLLS ELITE OVER AND HOOKS THE LEG FOR THE COVER!
ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEE!
TWWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOO!
THHHHHHHHHHH–
Thadd Blazevich: ELITE GETS THE SHOULDER UP AT TWO! BUT THAT WAS EXACTLY WHAT KELTON WANTED!
Persephone: Any idiot could have seen that coming. It’s like seeing a giant hole in the ground and still falling into the trap.
Thadd Blazevich: Either way, Kelton shoves Elite back onto his stomach. Kelton grabs the arm AND KELTON HAS THE CROSSFACE LOCKED IN!!
Rich Russillo: SUBMISSION HOLD APPLIED AND ELITE IS IN THE CENTER OF THE RING! THE REFEREE IS RIGHT THERE TO SEE IF ELITE WANTS TO GIVE IT UP HERE!
Persephone: He won’t. Nobody ever wants to give up a match. They’re all too damn stubborn for their own good. But Kelton is pulling that neck back pretty far. If he breaks his neck, then I might tolerate him.
Rich Russillo: There is a lot of pressure being put on Elite’s head and neck right now due to Kelton completely torturing him in that submission.
Persephone: Oh please. They won’t know what real torture is until they are forced to watch a crappy match like this.
Thadd Blazevich: We are starting to see the pain in Elite’s face as he is trying to find a way to get free of this crossface–
Rich Russillo: HE’S CRAWLING! ELITE IS SCRATCHING AND CLAWING HIS WAY TO THE ROPES IN ORDER TO GET A BREAK AND FORCE KELTON TO LET THE SUBMISSION GO!
Thadd Blazevich: INCH BY INCH! EVEN WITH ONE ARM, ELITE IS SHOWING THE WILL TO WIN BY TRYING TO GET OUT OF THE CROSSFACE!
Persephone: It won’t work! It never does.
Thadd Blazevich: YOU MIGHT BE WRONG AS ELITE IS ONLY ABOUT A FINGERTIP AWAY FROM THE ROPES-
Rich Russillo: KELTON SAW HOW CLOSE IT WAS AND STARTS TO ROLL ELITE BACK TOWARDS THE CENTER OF THE RING–
Persephone: NO WAY!
Rich Russillo: HOW DID HE DO THAT?
Persephone: DUMB FUCKING LUCK!
Thadd Blazevich: AS KELTON WAS ROLLING ELITE BACK, ELITE IN A DESPERATION MOVE STUCK HIS FEET ON THE ROPES AND THAT WAS THE BREAK THAT ELITE NEEDED!
Rich Russillo: The referee tells Kelton to let the submission go before starting a count before Kelton breaks the submission on four.
Thadd Blazevich: Elite is down on the mat as Kelton brings him back on his feet and whips him to the ropes. Elite comes back and KELTON LIFTS HIM UP FOR THE SPINEBUSTER–
Persephone: ELITE COUNTERS WITH A MODIFIED DDT! HA! He should have seen that coming.
Thadd Blazevich: Elite is up and Kelton is down as Kelton rolls on his back–
Rich Russillo: AND ELITE LAUNCHES HIMSELF DOWN AND HITS THE “OPP SPOTTER”! WHAT A SHOT TO THE JAW AS ELITE FALLS INTO THE COVER!
ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEE!
TWWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
THHHHHHHHHHRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
Persephone: HE KICKED OUT! DAMN IT!!
Rich Russillo: That was a very close near fall as Elite quickly brings Kelton back to his feet AND HITS THE BOZO SILENCER! HOLY CRAP WHAT A SHOT! Elite with another right hand as he whips Kelton to the ropes as Elite hits the opposite set.
Persephone: This is going to be very stupid.
Thadd Blazevich: ELITE LAUNCHES HIMSELF LOOKING FOR THE “ALIMIGHTY PUSH” BUT KELTON SAW IT COMING AND LEAPFROGGED OVER ELITE! HOLY CRAP!
Rich Russillo: Elite keeps going towards the ropes as he rebounds back towards the center of the ring–
Thadd Blazevich: AND HE RUNS RIGHT INTO THE “GALICK GUN”! SUPERKICK BY KELTON AND ELITE’S HAND WERE DOWN IN EVERYTHING! ELITE COULD BE DOWN AND OUT AS KELTON GOES FOR THE COVER!
ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEE!
TWWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
THHHHHHHHHHRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
Persephone: OH YOU HAVE GOT TO BE JOKING ME!
Thadd Blazevich: ELITE KICKED OUT! THAT WAS A VERY CLOSE NEAR FALL!! AND KELTON CAN’T BELIEVE IT! HE THOUGHT HE HAD IT HERE!
Rich Russillo: Kelton thought he was on his way to the semifinal match right there and he is not happy that Elite is still in this match.
Persephone: We are about to see him throw a temper tantrum in the middle of the ring. I hope so because that would be absolutely hilarious.
Rich Russillo: I am glad you are amused by all of that, but Kelton isn’t amused right now because he is wanting to end this match once and for all.
Persephone: Oh I hope to gawd this match does end quickly because it has gone on for far too… OH COME ON! ARE YOU SERIOUS? WHY THE HELL ARE YOU HERE?
Thadd Blazevich: What the hell are you talking about?
(The camera cuts to the entrance ramp where we see Minerva sauntering down the ramp with a smile on her face. Kelton sees Minerva and immediately gets pissed off.)
Rich Russillo: Here comes Minerva! Part of me is not surprised that she has made her way out to the ring for this match considering what has been going on between Kelton and Minerva as well as Elite and Minerva.
Thadd Blazevich: After that confrontation before the match, this might not be good, bro. What is she gonna do?
Persephone: What she needs to do is get the fuck out of here!
(Minerva reaches ringside and Kelton is staring daggers at Minerva and he is getting angrier by the second.)
Jon Kelton: (off-mic) WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE? YOU DON’T BELONG AT RINGSIDE!!
Minerva: (off-mic) What? I am just here to watch my man.
(She sees Elite getting back to his feet and leans over to blow him a kiss.)
Thadd Blazevich: Well as of right now, Minerva is being on her best behavior as she is there to support her man, Chris Elite.
Rich Russillo: Intentional or not, it did lead to a distraction that gave Chris Elite more than enough time to capitalize as Elite grabs Kelton by the head and gets him in position.
Persephone: Stop showboating and get on with it!
Rich Russillo: Elite has Kelton AND QUICKLY SPINS DOWN AND PLANTS KELTON WITH THE “DEAD ROSES”! KELTON WENT FACE FIRST INTO THE MAT AS ELITE ROLLS KELTON OVER AND GOES FOR THE COVER!
ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEE!
TWWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
THHHHHHHHHHRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
Persephone: ARE YOU KIDDING ME RIGHT NOW?
Thadd Blazevich: KELTON KICKED OUT!! THAT WAS SO CLOSE! I HONESTLY THOUGHT THAT ELITE HAD IT RIGHT THERE!
Rich Russillo: If you look at Elite, so did he. But the referee says that was a two count.
Thadd Blazevich: Elite isn’t very happy at the moment, but Minerva is keeping a very emotionless look on her face as this match continues on.
Persephone: Isn’t this just so exciting. Keep beating the hell out of each other before I go crazy.
Thadd Blazevich: That’s exactly what Chris Elite is doing right now as he brings Kelton back to his feet and throws some right hands until Kelton is backed into the ropes. Elite then whips Kelton to the other side—
Rich Russillo: KELTON REVERSES! Elite is the one sent to the ropes and now he comes back AND KELTON LIFTS HIM UP AND DRIVES HIM INTO THE MAT WITH A SPINEBUSTER! HE HIT IT THIS TIME!
Persephone: About time he did something right but Elite is pulled to his knees by Kelton until Kelton hits the ropes. Good gawd!
Rich Russillo: Kelton comes back off the ropes AND CATCHES ELITE WITH THE KNEE TO THE FACE!! “THE DEVIL MADE ME DO IT” WAS A DIRECT HIT! WHAT A SHOT!
Persephone: It wasn’t that impressive, but if it ends the match, it won’t make me scream. Kelton gets his head out of his butt and goes for the cover!
ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEE!
TWWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
THHHHHHHHHHRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
Thadd Blazevich: DID HE GET IT? THAT LOOKED LIKE A THREE COUNT!
Rich Russillo: IT WAS ONLY A NEAR FALL! THE REFEREE IS CALLING IT A TWO COUNT AND KELTON POUNDS THE MAT IN FRUSTRATION!
Persephone: This is ridiculous. The referee is counting slow on purpose because they get paid more if the matches go longer.
Thadd Blazevich: Call it what you want, but this has been an amazing match between these two competitors, but dude, I think that Jon Kelton is ready to finish this match once and for all… what is going on?
Rich Russillo: Chris Elite is holding his nose. Chris Elite might have a broken nose off of that knee that he took from Kelton just a moment ago. The referee is right there to check on Chris Elite.
Persephone: Oh my gawd! What a big bald baby! A little blood and a broken nose never hurt anybody.
Thadd Blazevich: That is just frustrating Kelton like no other because this has just stopped the match right in its tracks–
(CRACK!!)
Rich Russillo: WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?
Thadd Blazevich: THAT WAS MINERVA!! MINERVA SNUCK INTO THE RING WITH THE RING BELL AND CRACKED KELTON IN THE SPINE WITH THE BELL! MINERVA SLIDES OUT OF THE RING COMPLETELY UNDETECTED!! OH COME ON!!
Persephone: What an idiot.
Thadd Blazevich: Now Elite is back on his feet and we see that there’s not a damn thing wrong with his nose. This was a ruse, dude!
Rich Russillo: Kelton is on his knees after being hit with the ring bell AND ELITE GOES TO KELTON AND HITS THE BOX OFFICE SMASH!!
Thadd Blazevich: KELTON WAS RECOVERING FROM THE BELL SHOT, DUDE! HE HAD NO IDEA THAT THE KICK WAS COMING AND IT CAUGHT KELTON RIGHT IN THE SIDE OF THE HEAD!
Rich Russillo: IT’S ACADEMIC AT THIS POINT! KELTON HAS BEEN KNOCKED OUT COLD AND ELITE GOES INTO THE COVER! ELITE IS GOING TO STEAL IT HERE!!
ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEE!
TWWWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOO!
THHHHHHHHHHRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEE!
(DING! DING! DING!)
(“Invincible” starts playing again as Chris rolls off of Kelton. He is on the mat catching his breath as Minerva looks on, extremely pleased as Bella Braxton announces the final decision of the match.)
Bella Braxton: Here is your winner… AND ADVANCING TO THE SEMIFINALS OF THE KING OF ELITE TOURNAMENT… CHRIS ELITE!
Rich Russillo: What a match between these two intense competitors. This match could have honestly gone either way, but Chris Elite comes away with the win. Would you call that an upset?
Persephone: You can call it whatever you want, but I am just gonna call the match OVER… thank gawd.
(Elite is back on his feet as the referee raises his arm in victory before checking on Kelton as Elite celebrates his victory in the ring.)
Thadd Blazevich: Dude, Kelton seemed to have the match in hand, but thanks to Minerva and the ring bell, Kelton’s chances of winning were killed off.
Rich Russillo: That is two weeks in a row that Minerva got the one up on Jon Kelton. Last week it was to make a statement. This week, it cost Jon Kelton the King of Elite tournament.
(As Kelton comes to and starts to get back to his feet, Elite rolls out of the ring and gets face to face with Minerva. Minerva puts her hand on Elite’s chest as she looks up and plants a deep kiss to Elite’s lips and he quickly returns the favor. While they are outside the ring making out, Kelton is back on his feet and he is extremely pissed off.)
Persephone: Good gawd. These two are shoving their tongues down each other’s throats. What a disgusting spectacle. Get a damn room!
Thadd Blazevich: Dude, to the victor go the spoils, I guess.
Rich Russillo: That is certainly one way to celebrate as Chris Elite goes to the Semifinal match later on tonight. Kelton is angry, but this win belongs to Chris Elite. Congrats again to Chris Elite for the victory.
(The final shot shows Elite and Minerva still making out at ringside before cutting to Kelton, who is seething with complete anger as the camera shot cuts elsewhere.)
(Sunday Night Voltage continues forward as we cut to the backstage area, where we see ARIA standing by looking at the camera. She appears to be in her street attire, looking a little disappointed based on the result that occurred last week in her Empress of Elite opening round match. We hear Rich Russillo from the commentary desk as he says to everyone watching from home…)
Rich Russillo: At this time, I believe ARIA has something she wants to say regarding her Empress of Elite match last week, and as requested, this time to say to everyone here tonight. The floor is yours, ARIA, take it away!
(ARIA is still looking disappointed, but still serious and focused as she begins to speak to everyone, not just in the arena but also those watching at home as well.)
ARIA: Thanks, Rich, and thank you to Captain Charisma and Eden Sinclair for allowing me to speak here and say what I need to say. What happened last week was something I was very frustrated with, not with anyone or somebody… but with my own body, with my own physical pain that I had when fighting Anna Wautier in the first round of the Empress of Elite tournament. I landed awkwardly on my right shoulder after being thrown out through the middle rope. I can’t blame Anna for what happened there; it was unfortunate timing. That was what happened during this match, and that was what ultimately led to me being able to defeat Wautier last week and not advance to the next round of the Empress of Elite tournament.
(ARIA pauses for a moment, recollecting her thoughts and what she’s going to say next as she continues…)
ARIA: Road to Redemption was something that deeply frustrated me when I was so close to winning that match, so close to winning a match that I had won before to become EAW Specialist Champion, all before a certain someone interfered and cost me that opportunity. So, combine that with the misfortune of being injured in my last week against Anna… You can see how frustrated I am about that, and I regret how much the injury played a part in my not being able to advance in the tournament. If there is some good news to share with everyone here tonight, it’s that I am fine now. I have been cleared to compete, and the injury I suffered last week isn’t really bothering me at this very moment.
(Fans cheer from this good news from ARIA as she continues to speak to them and towards the camera.)
ARIA: It’s the best-case scenario for me, I’m not out of action for a significant amount of time like Hans Grayson, for example, and can continue to compete on this brand and fight for more opportunities. Road to Redemption was an opportunity that was destroyed by an outside party, but since I took care of that outside party before their match to compete for $500,000, I don’t think they will be a problem in the opportunity I will have next week to compete in the Hardcore Title contendership match! To all the fans that support me, the opportunity I have next week is to make up for the disappointing loss I suffered last week against Anna. No injury, no Saori to stop me because that Hardcore Championship that Bethany has had on her shoulder since last April intrigues me a lot. She has defeated many competitors, who, despite their best efforts, weren’t able to put away Bethany for one reason or another. So to have my name in the group of talent that are vying for the chance of fighting for that Hardcore title on the line seems way up my alley. It’s a great opportunity for me to take that step into earning my second championship here in EAW, and whatever field there is to fight me, to want that same chance… I will be 100% ready for them.
(The fans in the arena cheer loudly for ARIA’s determination to be next in line to face Dr. Bethany Blue and her Hardcore Championship as ARIA is starting to feel herself. She continues to speak…)
ARIA: I have had plenty of losses, plenty of failures, but even when I felt lost, even when I felt like I was at rock bottom, I emerged right back up as a phoenix from the ashes, and I have continued to bring the fight again and again, even with a smile on my face. You achieve everything you desire by becoming better than what nature is supposed to be, and the opportunity that is staring right in the face, I refuse to let it slip away from me once more. My shoulder is ready, my arm is ready, and my whole body is ready for whoever steps in my way–
???: Is your body ready to face someone like me?
(ARIA looks confused but turns to her right as the camera pans over as well to reveal none other than Candice Blair standing by. The crowd gives a positive reaction to Candice Blair as she appears to be in her ring gear, as she has a match later tonight against Sayuri Himura. ARIA cracks a smile as Candice continues to speak towards ARIA.)
Candice Blair: First things first, I want to say it was unfortunate how your match last week against Anna Wautier turned out, and the injury you had, coming at a bad time. Things like that suck very much, but when one door closes for you, another opens, but you’re not the only one who’s looking for that same door, because I, too, will be in the Hardcore title contenders match next week.
(Fans inside Žalgirio Arena cheer for this announcement from Candice Blair as another name enters the Hardcore title contenders match next week. ARIA seems impressed that Candice is also a part of the match, as she responds to her by saying…)
ARIA: I appreciate the empathy coming from you, Candice, and if you’re going to be in this match next week, then you best believe I’m going to be ready for it no matter what. Our matches last week didn’t go exactly as planned, but now we both have a chance of writing that wrong and becoming number one contenders for that Hardcore Championship.
(Candice nods in agreement with ARIA as she responds to her by saying…)
Candice Blair: You hit the nail right on the coffin, ARIA, so yeah, it looks like I’ll see you there because I’m not just interested in the prospect of facing you next, but also the prospect of taking on the person that did what she did to Saori Aizen at Road to Redemption. That interests me a lot.
(ARIA has an intrigued look on her face at what Candice just said as she responds to her.)
ARIA: I already told Sofia this last week, but I really had no regrets about attacking Saori. I reached my breaking point with her when she interfered in my match inside the Extreme Elimination Chamber. I wasn’t going to sit back and let that slide. I had had enough, and I think you understand that quite well, Candice.
Candice Blair: That’s why I agree with you, ARIA, Saori got what she deserved at Road to Redemption. The way she conducted herself towards others, the violent war and torment she had put me through when I fought, and the issues that had stemmed between you and me… it was only going to end one way, and the fact that it was you, ARIA, that did that, I’m very impressed by that. You are right that everyone has a breaking point, everyone has enough of dealing with the bullshit that other people put them through at some point, and they stand up for themselves. That’s the right attitude someone should have for having to deal with someone as psychotic as she was.
ARIA: I’m glad what you saw interested you, Candice.
Candice Blair: And I’m glad you did what you did to Saori, so with that being said… good luck next week, because if there is anyone that is going to win that match and face Bethany for her championship, it’s me. I will accomplish what I have set this season, and that’s to become champion, and if it interferes with your quest to earn your second championship, then so be it.
(Candice extends her hand out as ARIA looks at her and responds to what she just said by saying…)
ARIA: I wouldn’t want it any other way. Good luck to you as well, because I have the same intention of winning that match just as much as you do.
(ARIA shakes Candice’s hand as the two performers wish each other good luck. The shake would last for a few seconds before they release it, and Candice walks out of the frame and out of the scene. ARIA stands there with a determined look on her face as the segment fades off, as we transition elsewhere in the arena here on Sunday Night Voltage.)
(A commercial is seen for McDonalds.)
(Sunday Night Voltage continues as we head back to the ring, where we hear ‘COMO CAPO’ by Clave Especial ft. Fuerza Regida blasts through the P.A System as out comes Diego Montana! The crowd in the arena boo him loudly as Diego seems to shrug it off and begins flexing on the stage. The fans in the arena boo even louder as Diego walks himself down the aisle.)
Bella Braxton: Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome… DIEGO MONTANA!!!
Rich Russillo: The fans here in the arena are not happy to see Diego, and with good reason, as while he wasn’t able to defeat Cody Maverick last week to advance in the King of Elite tournament, he does have himself a New Breed Championship match against Clayton Golde at King of Elite. A match that… no one really wants to see win, given how decisive both men are in their own ways.
Thadd Blazevich: Absolutely, bro, the crowd would rather both men lose somehow than see either of them win, but unfortunately there must be a winner between the two, and the match they’ll have at King of Elite will be one to look out for, as despite facing each other, the two of them were sharing Modelos on Showdown, seemingly liking the fact that they’ll be across the ring from each other at King of Elite.
Persephone: Oh god, I think I’m going to be sick. The battle of the incels, the battle of the smelly and disgusting pricks, and the fact that it is going to be on King of Elite just makes it a lot worse. The only people who are excited for this match are those who use 4chan in their free time and Thadd.
Thadd Blazevich: Don’t put me in the same tier as those guys, dude.
Persephone: Shut up.
(Diego continues making his way down to the ring, not caring what the fans at ringside are chanting at him or saying to him. Diego slides into the ring and proceeds to ask for a microphone from a ringside official. They toss one over to Diego, to which his music begins to fade, and the boos are even more apparent. Diego wastes no time, though, and begins to speak to everyone here tonight on Voltage.)
Diego Montana: Last week didn’t go exactly my way when fighting Cody Maverick; in fact, things should have gone my way anyway because of how smart I was. LIKE DAMN! You wish all of you were me right now, being a smarter individual than you all could ever be!
(The fans continue to boo Diego as he continues.)
Diego Montana: So yeah, King of Elite, I didn’t advance, but Cody Maverick got very lucky in our match, and if he ends up losing to Kelton, which he will… Is he going to be back at Square One while I’m here? I already secured myself a New Breed Championship match with a good guy, with great intentions, with a great mindset… the man who took the New Breed title away and ended the horror that was Ashlynn Quinn as the champion… Clayton Golde!!!
(The fans boo even louder as Diego continues to speak to the crowd that is not liking hearing him talk whatsoever.)
Diego Montana: WHY ARE YOU BOOING THAT? Is it because you guys didn’t drink some Modelo with us? Yeah, that’s probably why you guys wanted some bubbly with the Highkey New Breeder and The Modern Day Midas??
(Fans boo even louder as Diego shrugs it off and once again continues to speak.)
Diego Montana: You people just don’t know success until it chokes you out, and that’s what Clayton Golde got on him, real shit. Like Ashlynn Quinn, she was hating me right from the start, never allowing me to face her for the New Breed Championship, and as soon as Clayton got that title, I challenged him to a match for that title… he accepted right away. That’s a true champion, that’s all I’m saying, and we are going to have a banger at King of Elite. Diego Montana vs. Clayton Golde, you already know how much money that’s going to make. Everyone is going to be talking about stealing the weekend from all those other bums that have to follow us, because trust me, we both are going to bring the best out of each other.
(The fans continue to boo Diego as he recollects his thoughts for a few seconds before continuing.)
Diego Montana: Don’t let that sign be though that I’m just going to have this match just to have it, nah nah nah. I intend to walk out of my match as King of Elite as the New Breed Champion and bring some REAL gold here to Voltage. Clayton is a good guy, no doubt about it, but he ain’t going to be walking out of that match with his championship still in his possession cuz I’m taking that title and showing it off to all those fine-ass mamis… certainly not ones that are from around here.
(The fans are irate with Diego as it looks like Diego was almost done, however… ‘Betty (Get Money)!’ by Yung Gravy plays in the arena as the New Breed Champion has arrived here on Voltage. The crowd boos louder for him as Clayton has a big smirk on his face as he wears a very douchebag-like outfit someone could wear as he parades around with his title before making his way down to the ring.)
Persephone: Oh god, he’s here too. I’m going to vomit real quick.
Rich Russillo: New Breed Champion has made his presence here tonight on Voltage and looks to speak with his upcoming opponent, Diego Montana. I’m sure Clayton will have some nice words for Diego, even if Diego still implied he’s going to beat the current champion and take his title at King of Elite.
Thadd Blazevich: Let’s see what bro-bro has to say.
(Clayton walks down to the ring and picks up a microphone that was placed on the steel steps as he enters in between the ropes and is now face-to-face with Diego. The music fades off as Clayton begins to speak to Diego.)
Clayton Golde: First off, it’s great hearing from someone that I actually respect, and I’m glad you see me as a real champion compared to that fraud Ashlynn Quinn. All these people can boo me because they’ll never know how to be me, and you, Diego, actually understand me. You’re a man with great taste, a man who knows what he wants compared to all the fat pigs standing in the stands right now. You’ll champion yourself, the same way those who have mocked me tried to do, the matrix that tried to get rid of me… They failed, and they will fail on seeing you not succeed…. One thing that I’m going to disagree with on your thought is that you are bringing this title back to Voltage. My reign is off to a hot start. I just became a champion only a month back at Road to Redemption, defeated NICK in my first defense, and it’s been going amazingly. As great as it is that I found an opponent that really interests me, and I know the match will be anything better than what’s on the card…. If you think my reign is just going to end just like that… I’m sorry, man, but that’s not how I see it.
Diego Montana: That’s cool, homie, I feel you. You don’t want your party to stop. I get that, but I ain’t to let this match be one for you to add as a statistic for your reign. I’m aiming to become a champion. I’m aiming to hold that title that you have right now and shove it into the face of those who tried to mock me the same way they mocked you. So while you have your eyes on retaining… I ain’t going to make it easy for you, man.
Clayton Golde: You’ll be a challenge, Diego. I’m not saying it’s going to be easy beating you, but I ain’t a stepping stone either. 2026 is the year of Golde, and I’m going to make this championship mean something, make it bigger than it has ever been before. That’s Clayton Golde’s experience, and you’re going to get your first taste of that at King of Elite, bro… because there’s no way I’m losing here.
Diego Montana: I guess we’ll see at King of Elite… Don’t worry, though, bro, I’ll still invite you to my after-party when I win that title.
(Diego drops his microphone as he says his final words to Clayton after a somewhat friendly back-and-forth. Both Clayton and Diego share a nod as it looks like Clayton is about to leave…)
Rich Russillo: CLAYTON CHARGES RIGHT AT DIEGO WITH A CHEAP SHOT WITH HIS TITLE!!!
Thadd Blazevich: BUT DIEGO BRO DUCKS UNDERNEATH!! DIEGO SAW THAT COMING AS THE CROWD WAS SHOCKED!
(Diego and Clayton share a staredown as one tries to get one over on the other, but Diego sees it coming! The segment ends with both leaving the ring while still staring at one another as Voltage cuts into a commercial break.)
(A commercial is seen for Roney Supreme, starring Ronan Malosi.)
(Sunday Night Voltage returns to show a pan around of the Žalgirio Arena as, almost immediately, the sounds of ‘Somebody Get Me A Doctor’ by Van Halen are heard blaring through the speakers. The crowd immediately reacts negatively as the camera pans to the stage, revealing the Hardcore Champion, Dr. Bethany Blue, making her way out from the backstage area. She has a smug expression on her face as she takes a brief scan around, before then beginning to make her way down the ramp and toward the ring.)
Bella Braxton: Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome… the EAW HARDCORE CHAMPION!!!!!!!!!!! DR. BETHANY BLUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rich Russillo: As we all already know, slowly but surely, the competitors in the contendership gauntlet for Bethany’s Hardcore Championship have slowly been revealed. With us already knowing Kai Rabeaux, ARIA, Candice Blair, Jay Jerry Johnson, and Cosmo Goldworthy are in the fold. Earlier today, the additions of TLA and Jon Kelton were confirmed, and our main event later tonight will confirm whether it will be Cody Maverick or Chris Elite!
Persephone: Sounds like a fucking headache.
Thadd Blazevich: Well, that’s not something you need to wrap your mind around, and more so, a concern for our Champion, bro! She’s coming out to the ring to give her thoughts on the matter, but at the end of the day, we know only one person can come out on top! And depending on who it is, that could mean trouble for her, dude!
(Bethany makes her way up the steps and onto the apron as she enters through the ropes and into the ring. She makes her way over and takes a microphone from the ringside area while ‘Somebody Get Me A Doctor’ begins to come to a close. As she makes her way toward the center of the ring, with a smirk on her face, she then begins to speak.)
Dr. Bethany Blue: I don’t get it. For the past week and the entirety of the time that I’ve been in this hellhole of a town, the ONLY thing that I’ve heard is of this Hardcore contendership gauntlet. And for someone as gifted an Elitist as I am, I couldn’t understand what the big deal is. But then it clicked for me… They want me to be worried.
(Bethany pauses as she laughs to herself, shaking her head with disdain before going on.)
Dr. Bethany Blue: And you see, that much I don’t understand. Why should I be worried about a contendership match that is essentially a recycling bin for those who couldn’t make it in the tournaments? The incompetent, the unprepared, all of them in this big mush of a match. And as I looked through the names, I didn’t see potential challengers. Why should I? I saw a patient list of not only chronic deficiencies, but people that I’ve already diagnosed! So many of those names in this gauntlet I’ve already beaten! So why in the world should I be losing sleep over this? Captain Charisma and Eden Sinclair said it themselves, I am one of the most dominant Hardcore Champions that this company has EVER seen. Since Grand Rampage, I have done nothing but run through the competition, and I have no intentions of stopping simply because they decided to put their best foot forward in FINALLY finding someone that can give me a challenge.
(Bethany shakes her head in mild disappointment before raising her microphone.)
Dr. Bethany Blue: But you know what, I’ll give it the time of day. Let’s dissect these “threats” that you’ve lined up for me. TLA, a man I already diagnosed, treated, and discharged at Road To Redemption. A man who had so many chances to stop what he claimed was an “injustice” toward him, and he failed! So why does he deserve another opportunity is beyond me. I hope he loses. Then you have Jon Kelton. A man desperately clinging to relevancy off the coattails of others, and now that he’s all on his own, he couldn’t handle the King of Elite tournament, and I highly doubt he’s going to hack it in my division either. He’s just asking for disappointment, but hey, he’s right at home with all the rest of the bottomdwellers in this match.
(Bethany continues to run through the participants in her head, slowly pacing back and forth.)
Dr. Bethany Blue: Kai Rabeaux is a name I’ve heard so much about. How much potential he has, how much skill he has, and more importantly… how much his 24/7 Contract factors into MY plans. People think that they see the writing on the wall, how perfect would it be if he swiped this Hardcore Championship right from my hands with or *without* this contendership match. Needless to say, I’m not moved. I’m not intimidated by a thought like that, as I haven’t been my entire career. So if he wants to try and make a name at my expense, then he’d better know what he’s getting into, because if he doesn’t, he’s going to be left with nothing. And ARIA, sigh… What a waste of space on this brand. Someone who hasn’t done anything of importance in all her years here, subjected to being a first-round Empress of Elite exit, and now here. I’m not even going to waste my time here. She should’ve been disposed of a long time ago, but if her heart tells her to keep fighting, then simply put… I’ll finish the job.
(Bethany pauses as she sarcastically rolls her eyes, before continuing.)
Dr. Bethany Blue: Then all the others. Cosmo Goldworthy and Candice Blair, two peas of the same pathetic pod. Seemingly never able to garner success for themselves, believing in their right mind that this match is going to be the one for them when it’s never been the case. Why even bother trying to give them the time of day? It’s not like any of them are going to be able to go the distance anyway, and if they do… Well, then you know how things are going to end up. And then we have Jay Jerry Johnson, someone who has gotten opportunity after opportunity in the past, ESPECIALLY against me, and has failed. And since that encounter, I’m sure you know what’s happened since then. Multiple World Championship opportunities, all amounting to failure at the hands of my husband. And now, after once again losing out on another, he decided to take another swing at trying to beat me. C’mon, I don’t even need to say how pathetic that looks.
(Bethany chuckles as she turns toward the stage, gesturing toward it.)
Dr. Bethany Blue: And then we have the unknown variable. The grand loser of Cody Maverick versus Chris Elite later tonight will be the final person participating in this gauntlet match. And I think you already know what I’m about to say about this… It doesn’t matter! Either one of them, whether it be the sensational grand sum of nothing that is Chris Elite and his lackluster Hall of Fame career, or Cody Maverick, the man who has never meant anything to this brand or, quite frankly, anywhere else, they’re all going to fall swiftly at my hands. None of this makes a difference, none of it matters. I’m giving them more credit than they deserve simply by entertaining the idea that they’re going to survive the gauntlet. But all I can tell you for certain is one thing, and that is the fact that I am going to be walking out of King of Elite still your Hardcore Champion, because trust me when I say, my job is far from finished. I’m not just planning to hit the one-year mark on my title reign, I’m not just planning to go the rest of the season, I’m planning to go the ENTIRE YEAR. And I know so many people have a problem with that, but let’s face it, there is absolutely NOTHING that you’re going to be able to do about it.
(Bethany cackles as she adjusts her title over her shoulder.)
Dr. Bethany Blue: Whoever survives that gauntlet of rejects isn’t winning a golden ticket; they are winning an appointment with the cruelest practitioner in the game. I will take their hope, I will surgically remove their ambition, and I will leave them exactly where I found them: unconscious and irrelevant. Send them all. Line them up. Because the Doctor isn’t just in… she’s ready to pull the plug on all of them.
(Bethany slams her microphone down to the ground, and almost immediately, she takes her title and raises it into the air to the negative reaction of the crowd. ‘Somebody Get Me A Doctor’ begins to play through the speakers of the arena once more as she basks in the negative reaction that she’s getting, before ultimately beginning to turn around and make her way out of the ring. The last shot seen is her making her way up the ramp as Sunday Night Voltage fades to elsewhere.)
(A commercial is shown for the Hardcore Contendership Gauntlet next week on Voltage.)
(Shortly, we return back to the ringside area, where Fire & Ice are seated in front of the announcers table. The crowd roars, only for us to hear a familiar voice…)
Bella Braxton: The following contest is scheduled for… ONE FALL!
Crowd: ONE FALL!
(‘RUNITUP’ by Tyler, The Creator ft. Teezo Touchdown would play through the speaker system, as the self proclaimed ‘Gold Standard of EAW’ would step through the curtains. Perhaps in his best form so far in his career this season, Cosmo Goldworthy aims to pick up a huge victory tonight against the students of an EAW Hall of Famer. Though, he can’t do it alone. As he marches down the ramp, ‘Thoughts of a Dying Atheist’ by Muse would replace his theme song – yet another Elitist with a bright future. The record-tying two-time EAW Interwire Champion stepped through the curtains, ever the more determined with each passing month. He has overcome hurdle after hurdle, after hurdle. Tonight is one more night to prove his worth.)
Bella Braxton: Introducing first… ‘The Gold Standard of EAW’ and ‘The Artist’… Cosmo Goldworthy, and Jay Jerry Johnson!!!!!
(Cosmo slid into the ring, as Jay marched up the steps. They weren’t making their entrances together, this wasn’t a permanent allyship, this wasn’t anything more than business. The same cannot be said about their opponents, however. ‘Blood, Milk & Sky’ by White Zombie blared through the arena, as the trio of Minerva, Daniella Atlas and Selina Reyes made their appearances. Minerva stood between the two competitors for tonight, she began to lead her troops down to the ring. She had faith in her companions, and tonight was an opportunity for them to display what they’re all about in this new domain of theirs.)
Bella Braxton: And their opponents… accompanied by EAW Hall of Famer Minerva… they are the team of Selina Reyes, and Daniella Atlas… TOOOOXXXXIIIIINNNN!!!!!
(Selina and Daniella both made their way into the ring together. Jay and Cosmo were both as determined as they were. Both sides needed this win, both sides needed the momentum.)
(…But only one side can get it.)
(As Minerva’s theme dies down, the bell would then ring…)
(DING! DING! DING!)
Thadd Blazevich: And the bell has rung, brah; Selina and Jay start this match off with a collar-and-elbow tie-up! Two technical wrestlers going at it, however Jay immediately takes the advantage, using his height, weight and experience to put this brosette down with a side headlock takeover!!
Rich Russillo: Don’t expect anything quite so flashy just yet, these two don’t seem to plan on going at 100 miles per hour – they absolutely are planning on their technical prowess doing all of the talking!
Persephone: Can they technical prowess their way out of the ring please?
Thadd Blazevich: Now I will say bro, this may have been a mistake on Jay’s end! While you still need strength to engage in mat wrestling, The Oryx Brosette stands a much better chance on the ground than she does standing!
Rich Russillo: Not wrong there, Thadd, as Selina manages to hook her leg around Jay’s head, applying a grounded headscissors here – something I know Jay is going to learn from in due time, so long as Selina doesn’t manage to keep him down on the mat! Jay is the more technically refined of the two, though it doesn’t matter how superior your ability is when the superior tactician gets a chance to shine! We’ll just have to see how Jay responds!
Thadd Blazevich: Pretty freakin’ well I might say, yo! Using his flexibility and his long legs to his advantage, Jay contorts his body in order to pull himself back to a standing base! Selina doesn’t seem as if she’s letting go of that headscissors though!
Rich Russillo: She may not have a choice, as Jay bridges over, pushing her shoulders against the mat!
OOOOOOOOONNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEE–
Rich Russillo: Smooth and quick escape, though all it has done is give Jay the opening he needed! Jay looks to apply a triangle choke–
Thadd Blazevich: Yet smooth & slick Selina escapes with style, quickly applying a kneebar to Triple J!! The man who calls himself ‘Benny of all Bones’ is about to either tap, or his bones snap!
Rich Russillo: Maybe not! Jay intertwines his leg with Selina’s, preventing her from being able to get the full torque on the kneebar! His crossed legs are doing him favours–
Thadd Blazevich: But no defense, brah! Selina rolls the two over, now seemingly going for a Sharpshooter–
Rich Russillo: But again, Jay’s flexibility and length allows him to tuck beneath Selina’s legs, escaping any and all pressure! Wrapping his legs around her head now…
Thadd Blazevich: Spinning headscissors takedown! Selina flips onto her back, but Jay isn’t done! He places his feet at both sides of Selina’s head, and twists his body!!
Rich Russillo: That can’t be good for Selina’s neck; it appears like Jay has found a target! If that Triangle Choke wasn’t going to work while Selina’s neck was movable, why not force a torn muscle, preventing her from twisting her head to slip out!
Thadd Blazevich: Not a bad idea, biggest bro – humongous bro – though it looks like Jay has other ideas!
Rich Russillo: Jay hooks at the arm, and pulls her to the mat – Gannosuke Clutch!!!!!! Cover!!!
OOOOOOOOONNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!
TTTTTTTWWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOO!!!!
Thadd Blazevich: And we’re already at a two-count brah; that just goes to show how quickly the game can change! Damaging the neck, then forcing Selina into a pinning hold where she is forced to kick out directly with her neck muscles is genius from Jay!
Rich Russillo: That’s the technical prowess I was talking about, though Selina certainly isn’t down and out! I still wouldn’t advise Jay to take this to the mat…
Thadd Blazevich: Maybe he won’t, Rich; placing Selina in the corner, Jay now begins to hammer down huge knife-edge chops at Selina’s chest – her bodysuit may be protecting her from flesh-on-flesh contact, however the impact isn’t going to change!
Rich Russillo: You can tell by the wince on her face the moment Jay hit her! He notices, and he goes for it again! Though it doesn’t seem like he’s finished targeting the neck!
Thadd Blazevich: Jay runs to the opposite corner, rebounding here, looking to connect with a Puroresu-style corner big boot–
Rich Russillo: Selina sidesteps! Jay’s leg hooks over the ropes, and Selina looks to take advantage!
Thadd Blazevich: Rope-hung kneebar! That’s illegal, brah! But it sure is effective!
Rich Russillo: I highly doubt the referee is going to let this last much longer!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
FOUR!
Rich Russillo: Selina breaks at the count of four! Jay is already feeling the damage done to his knee here, and Selina’s gameplan is now taking full effect! She hooks the leg here…
Thadd Blazevich: And a bit of Puroresu from Selina now! Dragon Screw Legwhip sends Jay crashing to the mat; though that isn’t the last!
Rich Russillo: That’ll do damage to the knee alright, but not as badly as this Dragon Screw! The legwhip was as much of a takedown as it was to damage the knee – but this one is ALL knee! Dragon Screw straight to the mat!
Thadd Blazevich: Jay is wincing in pain, gritting his teeth, that was the one that got him! Seems like Selina’s limb work was the first to pay off, bro!
(Selina grabs Jay by the leg, pulling him closer to her corner. She reaches out to Daniella.)
(TAG!)
Rich Russillo: Now here steps her ToXXXin partner, former Specialists Champion Daniella Atlas is here to do even more damage!
Thadd Blazevich: You’re not getting any Puroresu with this one, brah! This is gonna be some French-catch mixed with some British Strong Style; from Lucha and Puro with Selina, now European wrestling with Daniella!
Rich Russillo: And she immediately shows that start contrast with a huge boot to the side of the jaw! She’s not here to do any lock-ups, she’s not here to technically work limbs; the European brawling has been unleashed!
Thadd Blazevich: Daniella is punishing Jay with those grounded kicks to the chest, equally as mocking as it is brutal! Trying to carve the shape of her boot into the chest of her opponent!
Rich Russillo: European wrestling has taken much inspiration from Catch-Wrestling and Strong Style, incorporating elements from Japan, as well as professional wrestling’s predecessor, Lancashire-style wrestling! The difference between Catch-as-Catch-Can and this, however?
…**THUD!**
Rich Russillo:… That :yikes:
Thadd Blazevich: While Daniella applied a Lancashire Half Nelson, she immediately swung her huge boot into the chest of Jay Jerry Johnson once again! She’s not wearing kickpads either, brah!
Rich Russillo: Cosmo is dying to burst into this match, gripping the tag rope, stomping his feet! The Lithuanian crowd is joining in, clapping along, looking to rally up Jay Jerry Johnson!
Thadd Blazevich: Jay is crawling to his corner– but Daniella stops him, grabbing onto his leg! One crushing stomp to the knee later, and Jay’s momentum has completely fallen apart! Daniella lifts Jay up, looking for ‘South of Heaven’–
Rich Russillo: Though Jay manages to slide off Daniella’s back, stumbling into the corner!
Thadd Blazevich: Selina grabs a hold of Jay–
Rich Russillo: ‘PRETERNATURAL’ LARIAT!! HE SENSED HER LOOMING OVER HIS SHOULDER, AND COMPLETELY TAKES HER HEAD OFF WITH THAT CRUSHING LARIAT! SELINA FLIPS TO THE RINGSIDE AREA–
Thadd Blazevich: BUT HERE COMES DANIELLA WITH A BICYCLE KICK–
Rich Russillo: JAY SIDESTEPS! DANIELLA’S KICK MISSES, AND NOW HE STUMBLES TO THE CORNER–
Thadd Blazevich: DANIELLA ISN’T GOING TO LET HIM ESCAPE THAT QUICKLY, SEEMINGLY GOING FOR A GERMAN SUPLEX–
Rich Russillo: JAY LANDS ON HIS FEET! HIS KNEE IMMEDIATELY IS IN LOTS OF PAIN, BUT IT ISN’T GOING TO STOP HIM! JAY SPRINTS TOWARDS DANIELLA–
Thadd Blazevich: STEP-UP PENALTY KICK! DANIELLA IS TAKEN DOWN, BUT SO IS JAY!
(Jay crumbles to the floor, holding onto his hurt knee. Gritting his teeth once more, he pounds the mat, rallying the crowd up behind him.)
Thadd Blazevich: NOW BIGGEST BRO CRAWLS TO THE CORNER, AND COSMO IS FIRED UP! HE WANTS THE TAG! HE NEEDS THE TAG!
Rich Russillo: JAY LEAPS!!!
…
…
Thadd Blazevich: BUT SELINA WITH A HURRICANRANA TO COSMO OFF THE APRON PREVENTS JAY FROM MAKING THE TAG! JAY RETURNS TO HIS FEET…
Rich Russillo: ‘INAMORATA’!!! THE LARIAT SENDS JAY CRUMPLING ONTO HIS NECK, BUT DANIELLA ISN’T DONE! SHE HOOKS HIS HEAD, TAKING HIM TO THE CENTER OF THE RING…
Thadd Blazevich: BEFORE DRIVING HIM INTO THE MAT WITH A HUGE FALCON ARROW!!! JAY LOOKS OUT OF IT, AS DANIELLA COVERS!
Rich Russillo: BUT HERE COMES COSMO–
Thadd Blazevich: NO HE DOESN’T! SELINA GRABS HIS LEG!!!!
OOOOONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!
TTTTTTTTTWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!
Rich Russillo: COSMO KICKS HER OFF! HE LEAPS…
THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!
…
…
…
…
Rich Russillo: AND SUCCEEDS! COSMO KEEPS IT ALIVE FOR HIS TEAM!
Thadd Blazevich: BUT HERE COMES SELINA! SPRINTING COSMO’S WAY, LOOKING TO CLOTHESLINE HIM OUT THE RING!!
Rich Russillo: COSMO DUCKS! ‘READY TO DIE’!!! TORNADO KICK SENDS SELINA CRASHING!
Thadd Blazevich: DANIELLA ISN’T GOING TO LET THAT SLIDE THOUGH! SHE CONNECTS WITH A KICK TO THE GUT, NOW LIFTING HIM UP FOR A POWERBOMB!!
Rich Russillo: ‘ANIMUS’!!! THE NIAGARA DRIVER!!
Thadd Blazevich: ‘DANCE MACABRE’!!! DANIELLA LIFTED HIM INTO THE AIR, AND COSMO USED IT AS SOME SORT OF SPRINGBOARD, CONNECTING WITH THE DDT!!!
(The crowd roars, shocked by what just transpired, with Cosmo scurrying back to his corner.)
(Jay pulls himself together as much as he can, making his way towards Cosmo…)
(He leaps…)
Rich Russillo: SELINA STOPS HIM! SHE HOOKS THE LEG, AND DRIVES HER ELBOW INTO HIS INJURED KNEE!
Thadd Blazevich: SHE’S LOOKING FOR A SIGNATURE MOVE OF HER OWN HERE, GOING FOR THE POISONRANA–
Rich Russillo: BUT JAY BRINGS HER DOWN WITH ‘YKHM LAST LOVE’!!! SELINA IS OUT OF IT, AND NOW HE FINALLY TAGS IN COSMO!
(TAG!)
Rich Russillo: COSMO HAS BEEN ITCHING FOR THIS, DANIELLA IS JUST BACK TO HER FEET, AND COSMO DROPS HER RIGHT BACK DOWN WITH A SPRINGBOARD CLOTHESLINE!
Thadd Blazevich: SHE WON’T BE GOING DOWN THAT EASILY THOUGH, BRO! SHE PULLS HERSELF BACK UP, IN WHICH COSMO – AFTER HITTING THE ROPES – CONNECTS WITH A TILT-A-WHILE FACEBUSTER!
Rich Russillo: AND HE’S NOT DONE HERE! HE LIFTS DANIELLA UP TO HER FEET, PULLING HER ONTO HIS SHOULDERS! DEATH VALLEY DRIVER IN THE CENTER OF THE RING! IT’S OVER!
OOOONNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!
TTTTTTTTTWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!
Thadd Blazevich: KICK OUT!
(Finally; a large exhale from the audience.)
(The quick speed at which the match progressed became overwhelming, the tension building and building, before being cut off the moment Daniella’s arm lifted up. The tension may have been cut, but Cosmo’s momentum hasn’t.)
(We cut to Fire & Ice, standing at ringside, with the EAW Unified Tag Team Championships over their shoulders. They seem impressed with Cosmo.)
(Minerva, on the other hand, begins to bark orders at Daniella and Selina. She desired far more dominance than what she would have liked at Road To Redemption, and for a while in this match, she got what she wanted. Daniella and Selina dictated the pace of the bout, all the while keeping Cosmo on the outside, though Cosmo refused to let his partner be isolated like that.)
(He struck, and he changed the wave of momentum in this match entirely. He had Daniella and Selina scrambling – he thrived in that chaos, using it as an opportunity to deliver heavy hitter after heavy hitter, and change the entire flow of this tag team contest. While Jay may have been isolated and picked apart, fresh legs are now in this match – figuratively and literally.)
Thadd Blazevich: All credit goes to Cosmo here, as he lit a spark in this match brah! He kept it alive for his team, and now he’s gunning for the win!
Persephone: Speaking of guns, I wonder how the barrel of a gun tastes right now – might test it out the longer I have to listen to you.
Rich Russillo: Cosmo is pulling himself to his feet here, as he irish whips Daniella into the corner! Swiftly, he follows it up with a huge running forearm smash, doing further damage to an already hurting woman! Daniella is groggy, and now Cosmo aims to follow it up with a huge bulldog–
Thadd Blazevich: But Daniella holds onto the tights, pulling Cosmo back in for a German Suplex!
Rich Russillo: Cosmo counters with the O’Connor Roll, returning to his feet– Full Nelson Facebuster!!! He slams Daniella to the ground, now deadlifting her back to a standing base, looking for ‘Ecstacy of Gold’ –
Thadd Blazevich: But Brosette counters with an armdrag while she’s in the air! Cosmo rolls to his feet, Daniella charges–
Rich Russillo: ‘BLACK DEATH’!!!!!
Thadd Blazevich: DENIED! COSMO HITS THE ROPES, LOOKING FOR ANOTHER ‘DANCE MACABRE’–
Rich Russillo: SELINA! OPEN PALM STRIKE TO THE NOSE, AS COSMO IS JUST ABOUT TO SPRINGBOARD OFF THE ROPES! COSMO DROPS DOWN, AND NOW SELINA LOOKS TO TAG IN!
(TAG!)
Thadd Blazevich: DANIELLA LIFTS COSMO UP READY FOR ‘ANIMUS’ ONCE MORE, THOUGH THIS TIME, SELINA IS GOING TO MAKE SURE HE CAN’T COUNTER, AS SHE CLIMBS THE TOP ROPE!! DIVING CROSSBODY, ALONGSIDE ‘ANIMUS’!!!!!!
Rich Russillo: COVER BY SELINA!!!!!!
OOOONNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!
TTTTTTTTTTWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!
TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT–
Rich Russillo: JAY JERRY JOHNSON BREAKS IT UP! DOUBLE FOOT STOMP TO THE BACK OF SELINA, USING THAT FORWARD MOMENTUM TO TAKE OUT DANIELLA WITH A ‘PRETTY VISITOR’!!! LEAPING CUTTER, JAY SAVES IT FOR HIS TEAM!!!
Thadd Blazevich: What a dynamic offensive maneuver, bro! But Selina isn’t happy! Being used as a springboard like that no doubt hurt, now connecting with a Poisonrana to Jay!!!
Rich Russillo: The momentum sends Jay back to his feet, stumbling into the corner, but he’s dazed! Selina now looks to capitalize, by finishing off Cosmo–
Thadd Blazevich: Tossing him into the ropes, aiming for a ‘Punjabi Fly’ –
Rich Russillo: Though Cosmo flips to his feet, a tilt-a-whirl over Selina, before looking for ‘Money Talks’!!! The Unprettier!!!
Thadd Blazevich: No! Another poisonrana!!! Cosmo stumbles back into the corner, alongside Jay!
Rich Russillo: The two are using one another to keep themselves standing up, though Selina is going to try and change that! She sprints forward with the ‘Alamo Knee’–
Thadd Blazevich: Denied, brah! Jay shoves Cosmo forward, and he collides with Selina–
**CRASH!**
Rich Russillo: WHO COLLIDES WITH THE REFEREE! THE REFEREE IS DOWN, BUT SELINA DOESN’T EVEN NOTICE! SHE USES THE MOMENTUM TO HIT THE ROPES–
Thadd Blazevich: ‘ALAMO KNEE’!!! ‘ALAMO KNEE’ TAKES COSMO GOLDWORTHY DOWN TO THE FLOOR!
Rich Russillo: NO TIME TO REACT THOUGH! JAY SPRINTS OVER, AND SCOOPS HER UP! LOOKING FOR ‘HEAVEN’S FEEL’! –
**CRACK!**
Thadd Blazevich: WHAT THE HELL, BRO???
Rich Russillo: WHO ON EARTH IS THAT???
(Jay immediately crumbles to the ground, holding onto his knee – a steel pipe having been swung into the already damaged limb. Meanwhile, both Fire & Ice as well as Minerva look onward, in sheer confusion.)
Rich Russillo: A MASKED AND HOODED PERSON JUST SWUNG A PIPE INTO THE BACK OF JAY’S KNEE; WE HAVE NO IDEA WHAT’S GOING ON HERE!
(Jay, too, has no idea what’s going on; he has yet to even comprehend what has just occurred. His first and foremost thoughts all have to do with protecting his knee, he has no idea how or what happened.)
Rich Russillo: THIS INVADER IS NOW KNEELING BESIDE JAY, SWINGING HAMMERFISTS DOWN INTO HIS EYEBROW!
(Fist after fist after fist; this person continues to hammer down their bare knuckles right above the eye of Jay Jerry Johnson, beating the tired and bruised pro-wrestler blue. Though, they don’t intend to stop there.)
Rich Russillo: WHAT NEXT???
Thadd Blazevich: LOOKS LIKE THEY’RE TRYING TO MAKE THE MOST OUT OF THIS SHORT TIME FRAME, AS THEY THROW JAY TO THE OUTSIDE, QUICKLY FOLLOWING SUIT! THEY’RE NOT JUST HERE TO SCREW JAY OVER, THEY WANT TO CRIPPLE HIM!
Rich Russillo: GRABBING HIS HEAD– NO, NO NO! THEY THROW HIM FACE-FIRST INTO THE RING POST, AND JAY CAN’T GET HIS HANDS UP TO PROTECT HIMSELF!!!
Thadd Blazevich: PLACING THEIR HAND AT THE BACK OF HIS HEAD, NOW THEY START TO SLAM BRO INTO THE STEEL POST OVER, AND OVER, AND OVER–
Rich Russillo: THERE’S A DAMN SPLATTER OF BLOOD ON THE POST!!!
(Blood begins to pour down from Jay’s face, and at an alarming rate; this isn’t your average crimson mask, this cut isn’t superficial. Jay is in immediate danger. This isn’t a scratch wound.)
Rich Russillo: SOMEBODY GET HELP, THIS IS TOO MUCH!
(Like clockwork, the security finally makes their way down, sprinting towards the assailant–)
Rich Russillo: OH CHRIST, THIS HORDE OF SECURITY OFFICERS AREN’T EVEN ENOUGH TO STOP THIS! THIS… DEMON… THEY’RE LAYING THEM OUT, ONE AFTER ANOTHER, WITH HUGE CRUSHING PUNCHES!
Thadd Blazevich: THEY LOOK UNSTOPPABLE OUT THERE, SOMEONE HAS TO GET CONTROL OF THIS!!!
(The masked assailant then turns back to Jay, kneeling above him, driving their sharp elbow into the open wound – punches bruise, elbows slice. They’re looking to open the wound even wider.)
(Though, it wouldn’t last long. Finally, security would get a hold of this person.)
(They struggled, though it wasn’t for long; the audience hailing down boos, as they’re carried away.)
(And then… an uneasy hush.)
Rich Russillo: Jay needs medical assistance right now…
(The security scoop Jay up. They have no time to waste, accompanied by the doctors, they aim to get Jay some help.)
(Fire & Ice make their way to the ramp. They watch as Jay is carried away, just barely clinging to consciousness.)
(Minerva, on the otherhand…)
(Minerva is conducting a storm.)
Rich Russillo: Oh no, in face of all the chaos; we forgot that the match is still going!
Thadd Blazevich: The match is still going, as Selina now tags Daniella in! This isn’t good, brah!
(Daniella scoops Cosmo off the mat, placing him in a pumphandle hold…)
(Selina then waits in the corner, looking to run…)
Rich Russillo: What on earth could this be?
Thadd Blazevich: I don’t know, Rich, but this might end it!
(Selina charges…)
Rich Russillo: ‘ALAMO KNEE’ WHILE DANIELLA HOLDS COSMO IN THE AIR…
Thadd Blazevich: DROPPING HIM DOWN INTO ‘SOUTH OF HEAVEN’!!!!! DANIELLA DROPS DOWN INTO THE COVER!
OOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!
TTTTTTTTTWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
TTTTTTTHHHRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!
(DING! DING! DING!)
Bella Braxton: Here are your winners… Selina Reyes… Daniella Atlas…. TTTTTOOOOOOOOOXXXXXXXXXXIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(‘my mind is a mountain’ by Deftones hits the speakers, as the entire audience erupts into a chorus of boos – albeit confused, just as confused as the competitors and the Elitists at ringside.)
Thadd Blazevich: That was a phenomenal tag contest that took such a sour ending, brah! Who knows how it would have panned out? Jay managed to out-smart Selina a second time, using Cosmo as a battering ram, before looking to connect with his finishing maneuver; that’s when it all went wrong!
Rich Russillo: For all intents and purposes, had that referee not taken a fall, we would have seen a disqualification! Though part of me thinks whoever attacked Jay may not actually care about that result…
Thadd Blazevich: Judging by their expressions, ToXXXin appear to be just as confused as us, bro! I don’t think it’d be fair to take anything away from their performance!
Rich Russillo: Maybe not, Thadd! Perhaps marred by interference, they showed competitiveness and chemistry in that ring tonight, no doubt about it!
(But then… the crowd roars in cheers.)
Rich Russillo: …Speaking of competitiveness and chemistry!!!!
(The Unified Tag Team Champions step forth.)
Rich Russillo: Fire & Ice now come face-to-face with Selina and Daniella!!!!
(The Champions and Challengers stand their ground. Staring daggers through one another’s souls.)
(Regardless of the result tonight, Daniella and Selina showed competency, they showed they can compete in this division.)
(…What better way to truly determine if that’s true, than against the Unified Tag Team Champions?)
Rich Russillo: That right there, ladies and gentlemen! That is–
…
Thadd Blazevich: WHAT ON EARTH, BRAH???
…
Rich Russillo: FINAL ATONEMENT!!!!! JON KELTON SPRINTS DOWN THE RAMP, AND CONNECTS WITH A HUGE SPEAR ON MINERVA!!!!
Thadd Blazevich: SHE SCREWED HIM OUT OF A WIN EARLIER TONIGHT, THESE TWO HAVE BEEN AT ODDS RECENTLY; WE CAN’T BE TOO SURPRISED!!
Rich Russillo: SELINA AND DANIELLA HAVE JUST NOTICED WHAT’S GOING ON, LOOKING TO COME TO MINERVA’S AID–
…
Thadd Blazevich: ‘TALON’ TO SELINA!! ‘REX EFFECT’ TO DANIELLA!!!!!!
Rich Russillo: ALL THREE MEMBERS OF TOXXIN ARE DOWN AND OUT!!!!!
(Fire & Ice regroup, standing tall above Daniella and Selina. Their attention doesn’t leave the ring, their focus is entirely on their challengers.)
(The camera, however, pans to the outside…)
(With a microphone in hand, Kelton kneels above Minerva.)
Jon Kelton: You stupid, stupid woman. I understand you feel like this is “your” brand. It isn’t. You were never going to get away with what you’ve done to me.
(He pauses…)
Jon Kelton: I’m tired of being screwed out of opportunities, I’m tired of chances falling out of my hands, due to no fault of my own…
(He groans, a hint of a growl in his voice.)
Jon Kelton: I’m not going to let this go unpunished, Minerva. I hereby forfeit my right to compete in the Hardcore Gauntlet.
(The crowd is stunned, completely shocked at that revelation.)
Jon Kelton: That isn’t a priority to me anymore. Plans have changed.
(One final pause…)
Jon Kelton: Because I’m putting an end to you. And I’m doing it at King of Elite.
(Another gasp from Lithuania, as Jon Kelton drops the microphone on Minerva’s chest.)
(Backtracking up the ramp, his focus doesn’t leave her downed body.)
(Bombshell, after bombshell, after bombshell all in one match…)
(But Kelton got the last laugh.)
(Moments later… Voltage fades away to commercial break.)
(Commercial for the movie Avengers: Doomsday, in theaters this year.)
(The camera cuts to Bella Braxton in the ring.)
Bella Braxton: THE FOLLOWING CONTEST IS A SCHEDULED FOR… ONE FALL!!
Crowd: ONE FALL!!
(‘REVIVER’ by MY FIRST STORY plays to a positive reaction from the fans, and Sayuri Himura makes her way onto the stage area. While focused, she grows a smile on her face as she soaks in the atmosphere before putting her game face on, sauntering down the ramp with a look of focus and determination ahead of her clash with Candice Blair.)
Bella Braxton: Introducing first! Residing out of Yokohama, Japan, weighing in at 125 pounds…SHE IS THE YŪREI…SAYURI HIMURA!!
Thadd Blazevich: Here’s Sayuri Himura, fresh off her debut match last week, teaming alongside Eris Morti, who… immediately made a statement by taking Sayuri out after the match.
Rich Russillo: Yeah, and after earlier we now know those two will meet somewhere down the line in what I imagine will be a pretty heated match. But tonight, she’ll have to focus on Candice Blair.
Thadd Blazevich: Oh, for sure. Candice no slouch, bro, and I’m sure looking to bounce back in a big way after her defeat last week to Brianna Hill.
(‘So Far So Fake’ by Pierce the Veil plays next, and Candice Blair walks out with fans in attendance equally behind her as she strikes a pose on the stage area. Blair blows kisses to fans in the arena, and high fives them on her way down to the ring with Sayuri Himura watching on from the ringside area, awaiting the challenge.)
Bella Braxton: And her opponent! Residing out of Malibu, California, weighing in at 130 pounds…SHE IS PRINCESS CANDICE BLAIR!
Rich Russillo: Candice Blair’s been at this for longer, she’s been competing at a high level for longer, and it’s clear that Sayuri is the underdog heading into this match.
Thadd Blazevich: I imagine Sayuri has been watching tape, preparing herself well for Candice Blair. Candice doesn’t have as much to go off, and it’s going to be harder as a result.
Persephone: Candice already lost to Brianna last week, I would LOVE to see her follow that up by losing to a rookie this one. :mjlol:
(The referee signals for the bell as both competitors stand in opposing corners.)
(DING! DING! DING!)
Rich Russillo: The bell has rung, and it’s time for Sayuri’s first singles match in Elite Answers Wrestling. I’m interested to see fare against one, Candice Blair, who has been around for quite some time, and definitely has the experience over her. However, maybe Sayuri’s training will come into play, and guide her to victory in what’s bound to be a hard-hitting match.
Thadd Blazevich: Both women circle each other to start off, and tease a test of strength, but nothing goes down there as Sayuri shoots for a single leg takedown instead! Candice saw it coming, and stuffed it! Grounding Himura on all fours with a front facelock, but Sayuri twirls out, and reverses! Grounding Candice herself with an arm wringer that she transitions into a hammerlock, applying pressure to the arm and shoulder joint!
Rich Russillo: Candice rises to a seated position, and turns herself toward Sayuri before slipping behind for a rear waistlock! Sayuri rises from a knee, and to her a feet- BUT CANDICE IMMEDIATELY SENDS HER BACK DOWN WITH A RELEASE REAR WAISTLOCK TAKEDOWN, AND DROPS IMMEDIATELY INTO A GROUNDED FRONT FACELOCK AGAIN!
Persephone: Relax, it wasn’t that exciting. Jesus.
Thadd Blazevich: It was certainly unexpected, and Sayuri’s in a world of trouble as Candice tightens that front facelock, forcing Sayuri into retreat as she quickly shuffles over by the ropes, hooking her leg on the bottom! The referee interjects with a five count, wanting Candice to break the hold!
Referee: ONE! TWO!
Rich Russillo: Candice breaks the hold, and backs away, giving Sayuri some reprieve as she gets her bearings together, and quickly returns to a vertical base. Now, both women circle each other for a second time, and engage in a collar and elbow tie-up! Center of the ring! Sayuri gets the upper hand, barring the arm before wringing it to gain control of the wrist!
Thadd Blazevich: But Candice reverses into an arm wringer of her own, and transitions it into a hammerlock! SAYURI BREAKS IT WITH A STIFF BACK ELBOW! Staggering Candice as she makes her way over toward the ropes!
Rich Russillo: Sayuri marches toward her, and grabs hold of Candice while she was leaned up against the ropes, favoring that jaw. Sayuri drags Candice back to the center of the ring, and grounds her with a side headlock takedown! But Sayuri doesn’t maintain the advantage for long as Candice uses those legs of hers to escape with a headscissors!
Persephone: Oh, the many creeps that would kill to be in this position as Candice tightens her hold around the head and neck. God, I wish Sayuri would tap right here, right now, but it can never be that easy.
Thadd Blazevich: Sayuri tries to alleviate the pressure with a front neck bridge, and manages to push her head out from in between the legs of Blair. Sayuri LUNGES at Candice for a grounded side headlock- but Candice lays flat to avoid it, and Sayuri tries scrambling back to her feet! However, gets grabbed in a grounded front facelock again as she could only get to all fours.
Rich Russillo: Sayuri returns to both feet, and Candice transitions into an arm wringer- BUT SAYURI CATCHES HER OFF GUARD WITH A KICK TO THE GUT! DOUBLING CANDICE OVER! I think Sayuri is looking to change her approach, and starts standing Candice upright, potentially to line her up for another strike- BUT CANDICE BEATS HER TO THE PUNCH! EXPLODING WITH A KNIFE EDGE CHOP TO THE CHEST!
Thadd Blazevich: Sayuri staggers into the corner, and Candice closes the distance between them for ANOTHER knife edge chop across the chest! Pain is etched across Sayuri’s face as she marches toward the nearest corner, trying to create some space and separation from Candice. But it isn’t going to be that easy as Candice follows her there, hot on the heels of Himura, and blasts her with a THIRD knife edge chop across the chest!
Rich Russillo: Again, that visibly stung- BUT SAYURI RESPONDS BACK WITH A BOOT TO THE FACE! TURNING CANDICE AROUND, AND KNOCKING HER DOWN TO ONE KNEE AS SHE TRIED TO STAGGER AWAY!
Persephone: About time these two are picking up the pace.
Rich Russillo: You can definitely feel this match kicking into another gear slightly as both women have been hammering each other HARD with strikes. Sayuri stands Candice up, and delivers a KNIFE EDGE CHOP TO THE CHEST! Candice staggers into the corner, having gotten a taste of her own medicine there by Sayuri, who approaches her in the corner, connecting with a SECOND KNIFE EDGE CHOP!
Thadd Blazevich: Candice walks over to a nearby corner, following a similar path to Sayuri Himura moments ago, trying to create distance. Sayuri goes after her, but walks RIGHT INTO A KNIFE EDGE CHOP BY CANDICE! CATCHING HER BY SURPRISE! Sayuri wasn’t expecting that one from Candice, and staggers to the center before doubling over.
Rich Russillo: Candice walks over, and wrings her arm before hitting a SHOULDER BLOCK! Sayuri drops to a knee, and gets brought back up for another twist of the arm- BUT SAYURI FIGHTS BACK WITH A KNEE TO THE MIDSECTION! SHE GOES TO FOLLOW THAT UP WITH A ROLLING ELBOW!
Thadd Blazevich: BUT CANDICE BLOCKS WITH HER FOREARMS, AND LANDS A FOREARM ON HIMURA AFTERWARDS! FOLLOWING THAT UP WITH A KNIFE EDGE CHOP ACROSS THE CHEST THAT LEANS SAYURI UP AGAINST THE ROPES FOR AN IRISH WHIP!
Rich Russillo: SAYURI GETS FLOORED WITH A RUNNING BACK ELBOW BY CANDICE, WHO DROPS INTO THE PIN!
ONNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Rich Russillo: Two count! Sayuri sits up, and gets immediately grabbed into a rear chinlock by Candice! Slowing the match down to her pace, and forcing Sayuri to expend valuable energy as she powers back to her feet. Loosening the grip of Candice with repeated back elbows to her midsection, finally managing to break it on that last one!
Persephone: Thank God. This cunt was about to put me to sleep with her methodical wrestling.
Thadd Blazevich: Candice doubles over, and Sayuri drags her to the center for a suplex! BUT CAN ONLY LIFT CANDICE UP SLIGHTLY BEFORE SHE BLOCKED IT, AND SHIFTED THE MOMENTUM WITH A SNAP SUPLEX OF HER OWN! FLOATING OVER INTO THE COVER AS THIS COULD BE IT!
ONNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Rich Russillo: Kickout! Sayuri got the shoulder up, BUT CANDICE IMMEDIATELY TRIES TRANSITIONING INTO A CROSSFACE! BUT SAYURI QUICKLY INCHES HER WAY OVER FOR A ROPE BREAK, GETTING HER FOOT ON THE BOTTOM ROPE AS CANDICE BLAIR IS FORCED TO RELEASE THE HOLD! BARELY ABLE TO LOCK IT IN, AND DO THE DAMAGE SHE WANTED AS THE REFEREE PRIED HER OFF!
Thadd Blazevich: Sayuri uses the ropes to pull herself up to a knee, and Candice walks over to lean her up against them for an Irish whip! BUT SAYURI STOPS HERSELF FROM REBOUNDING BACK, HOOKING HER ARM ON THE TOP ROPE, AND ROLLS OUT UNDERNEATH THE BOTTOM ROPE!
Rich Russillo: Candice gets too close to the ropes, however, and GETS DRAGGED OUT UNDERNEATH THE BOTTOM BY SAYURI! WHO GOES TO SLAM HER FACE FIRST OFF THE ANNOUNCE TABLE COVER- BUT CANDICE TURNS IT AROUND LAST MINUTE, AND SLAMS SAYURI ON IT INSTEAD! DROPPING HER TO A KNEE!
Thadd Blazevich: CANDICE PULLS HER INTO POSITION FOR A “CASTLES CRUMBLING” IN FRONT OF OUR ANNOUNCE TABLE! GOING TO SPIKE SAYURI RINGSIDE ONTO THE FLOOR!
Persephone: YES! KILL HER!
Rich Russillo: NO, WAIT! SAYURI COUNTERS WITH A BACK BODY DROP, AND FOLLOWS THAT UP BY SENDING CANDICE SHOULDER AND HEAD FIRST INTO THE STEEL STEPS! SAYURI SENSES AN OPENING, AND DRAGS CANDICE BACK TO HER FEET! ROLLING HER INSIDE THE RING BEFORE ROLLING IN HERSELF, AND LINES CANDICE UP FROM THE CORNER AS SHE MAKES IT UP TO ALL FOURS!
Thadd Blazevich: RUNNING SINGLE LEG DROPKICK TO THE SIDE OF CANDICE’S FACE AS SAYURI QUICKLY CRAWLS INTO THE COVER! HOOKING THE LEG!
ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Thadd Blazevich: Kickout! But Sayuri lifts Candice back to her feet for a BODY SLAM, and runs off the ropes for an ELBOW DROP! Once again, hooking the leg for a cover!
ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Thadd Blazevich: Shoulder up!
Persephone: Yes, because a body slam, and elbow drop was totally going to get the job done. 🙄
Rich Russillo: I think Sayuri knew it wouldn’t, but wanted to make Candice expend precious energy, something Candice was looking to do earlier. Now, it appears the shoe’s on the other foot with Sayuri firmly in control over Candice.
Thadd Blazevich: Sayuri pulls Candice up to her feet, and directs her toward the corner where she bounces Blair FACE FIRST off the top turnbuckle! Look into the eyes of Candice, and you can see she’s rattled, bro!
Rich Russillo: Something Sayuri plans to take full advantage of as she brings her toward the center, and hooks Candice up for a SUPLEX- BLOCKED! Sayuri went for a suplex earlier, and got blocked! Here, it’s happening again as Candice drops her weight down! Sayuri tries it again, but Candice blocks the attempt for a second time!
Thadd Blazevich: Candice starts battling back with shots to the rib cage, and goes to shift the momentum like she did earlier with a suplex! BUT SAYURI HAD IT SCOUTED THIS TIME AROUND, AND BLOCKS IT! SAYURI’S HOLDING HER WEIGHT DOWN, AND BLASTS CANDICE REPEATEDLY WITH KNEE LIFTS TO THE MIDSECTION!
Rich Russillo: NOW, SAYURI GOES TO HOIST CANDICE UP IN POSITION FOR THE SUPLEX! BUT CAN ONLY GET HER HALFWAY OFF THE GROUND BEFORE CANDICE BLOCKS IT ONCE MORE, AND TRIES REVERSING WITH A SUPLEX! MANAGING TO HOIST SAYURI UP FULLY THIS TIME, BUT ONLY BRIEFLY BEFORE HIMURA DROPPED BACK DOWN TO HER FEET TO BLOCK IT!
Thadd Blazevich: SWITCHING STRATEGY ON THE FLY, CANDICE SLIPS BEHIND HER, AND TRANSITIONS INTO A BACK SUPLEX!
Persephone: Ugh, I thought that exchange would never end.
Rich Russillo: Candice definitely had to work for that back suplex to go through, and both women slowly make it back to their feet. Being neither to the punch as it’s at the same time, and Candice scores the first strike with a KNIFE EDGE CHOP ACROSS THE CHEST! CANDICE ISNT DONE, AND FOLLOWS THAT UP WITH ANOTHER! …AND ANOTHER! STUNNING SAYURI UP AGAINST THE ROPES, AND CANDICE REBOUNDS OFF THE OPPOSITE SET TO DELIVER-
Thadd Blazevich: OOH! SAYURI HALTED HER MOMENTUM WITH A BATTERING RAM HEADBUTT IN THE CENTER, DOUBLING CANDICE OVER AS SHE BOUNCES OFF THE ROPES FOR AN AXE STOMP TO THE BACK OF CANDICE’S HEAD! JOLTING HER BACK UPRIGHT, AND LEAVING HER OPEN FOR A ROLLING ELBOW!
Rich Russillo: ROLLING ELBOW TO CANDICE’S JAW, AND HER KNEES IMMEDIATELY BUCKLED AS SHE MELTED DOWN TO THE MAT! WITH SAYURI FALLING DOWN INTO THE COVER, HOOKING THE LEG! SHE MIGHT HAVE KNOCKED CANDICE OUT THERE! PUTTING HER FULL BODY INTO THAT ELBOW!
ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHHHHHHHHHRRRRRRRRRR-
Thadd Blazevich: ALMOST! SAYURI ALMOST SCORED THE PINFALL VICTORY OVER CANDICE THERE, BUT I THINK BLAIR HAS JUST ENOUGH LEFT IN THE TANK TO KICKOUT!
Persephone: :noah:
Rich Russillo: Sayuri rises to both knees, contemplating her next move as Candice reaches out to her, and it’s clear she isn’t all there. She may not know where she is at this moment after that stiff elbow to the jaw, and Sayuri stands her up before backing Candice into the corner for a KNIFE EDGE CHOP ACROSS THE CHEST!
Thadd Blazevich: Candice groggily staggers out from the corner, but clings to the ropes, and Sayuri easily catches up to her for a HUGE RIGHT HAND! Candice almost dropped there, but luckily, had the ropes to help her stand up.
Rich Russillo: Candice stumbles into the corner, and Sayuri connects with another right hand! But that might have been enough to fire Candice up as she gets RIGHT in Sayuri’s face, telling her to bring it on! SAYURI TAKES HER UP ON THAT CHALLENGE, AND DELIVERS A RIGHT HAND BETWEEN THE EYES!
Thadd Blazevich: CANDICE IS ON WOBBLY LEGS, AND GETS KNOCKED BACK INTO THE CORNER WITH ANOTHER RIGHT HAND! SAYURI’S UNLOADING WITH RIGHTS IN THAT CORNER AS CANDICE DOES HER BEST TO COVER UP!
Rich Russillo: CANDICE HAS SUNKEN DOWN TO THE SECOND TURNBUCKLE, AND SAYURI REPEATEDLY DRIVES HER KNEE INTO CANDICE’S HEAD UNTIL THE REFEREE INTERVENES! PULLING SAYURI AWAY BRIEFLY BEFORE SHE SLIPS PAST HIM! CHARGING UP TO DELIVER ANOTHER RIGHT HAND TO CANDICE IN THE CORNER!
Persephone: Sayuri’s relentless, and it’s exactly what the Ava-Cunt deserves! Cmon, knock her block off already!
Thadd Blazevich: Sayuri directs Candice to the center, and Candice can barely stand as Sayuri starts to build momentum! RUNNING OFF THE ROPES FOR A- “GOLD RUSH!” SAYURI GOT CAUGHT WITH THE “GOLD RUSH!” DISCUS CLOTHESLINE BY CANDICE!
Rich Russillo: BUT MAYBE CANDICE DIDNT GET ALL OF IT, OR PERHAPS SAYURI’S RUNNING OFF INSTINCT AS SHE’S QUICKLY BACK TO HER FEET, AND STUMBLES BACK INTO THE CORNER! CANDICE USES THE ROPES FOR ASSISTANCE, STUMBLING TO HER FEET AS SHE WINDS UP IN THE OPPOSITE CORNER TO SAYURI!
Thadd Blazevich: CANDICE SHOOTS OUT WITH A RUNNING EUROPEAN UPPERCUT! NO DOUBT JACKING SAYURI’S JAW AS SHE SENDS HER INTO THE OPPOSITE CORNER- OR AT LEAST ATTEMPTED TO AS SAYURI TURNED IT AROUND! SENDING CANDICE INTO THE CORNER INSTEAD!
Rich Russillo: SAYURI CHARGES IN- BUT RUNS STERNUM FIRST INTO THE TOP TURNBUCKLE INSTEAD AS CANDICE CATCHES HER WITH A PENDULUM KICK! STUNNING SAYURI MOMENTARILY BEFORE CLIMBING TO THE TOP ROPE- NO, WAIT! CANDICE COULD ONLY GET TO THE SECOND BEFORE A “IZANAMI” CONNECTED FROM SAYURI!
Thadd Blazevich: CANDICE TUMBLES UP AND OVER THE TOP ROPE, BACK INSIDE THE RING! SEVERELY ROCKED BY THAT SPINNING BACKFIST, AND SAYURI SPRINGS INTO ACTION! HOOKING CANDICE UP FOR THE “MUKANJYO” CENTER OF THE RING!
Persephone: Finally, it’s over.
Rich Russillo: NOT QUITE! AS SAYURI LIFTED CANDICE UP, SHE FOUND A WAY TO SLIP BEHIND HER, AND GRABS SAYURI IN A REAR WAISTLOCK! MAYBE LOOKING FOR A GERMAN- BUT SAYURI FIGHTS HER WAY OUT OF IT WITH AN ELBOW! HARD BACK ELBOW BREAKS THE GRIP OF CANDICE, AND HIMURA RUNS OFF THE ROPES!
Thadd Blazevich: BUT CANDICE SIDESTEPS WHATEVER SHE HAD PLANNED, AND KICKS THE BACK OF SAYURI’S LEG OUT! ALMOST SENDING HER FLYING THROUGH THE MIDDLE ROPE, BUT HIMURA NARROWLY GRABS ONTO THE ROPE INSTEAD TO TRY AND SKIN THE CAT!
Rich Russillo: BUT CANDICE SAW WHAT SHE WAS DOING, AND DELIVER A SUPERKICK WHILE SAYURI WAS UPSIDE DOWN! CAUSING HER TO GO TUMBLING DOWN RINGSIDE ONTO ALL FOURS, AND CANDICE RUNS OFF THE ROPES! BUILDING MOMENTUM FOR A SUICIDE DIVE!!
Thadd Blazevich: BIG SUICIDE DIVE BY CANDICE, AND SAYURI GETS ROLLED BACK INSIDE THE RING! GETTING PULLED INTO POSITION FOR… “CASTLES CRUMBLING!!” CANDICE MOVES INTO THE COVER! HOOKING THE LEG!
ONNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHHHHHHHRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
(DING! DING! DING!)
Bella Braxton: HERES YOUR WINNER… CANDICE BLAIR!
(Candice releases the cover, and sits up with a proud grin on her face as ‘So Far So Fake’ by Pierce the Veil echoes throughout the arena. The referee helps Candice Blair up, and raises her hand in victory. During this, Candice holds the back of her head for a moment, still feeling the effects of that match as she is forced to lean against the ropes.)
Rich Russillo: Wow! That was a great singles debut performance from Sayuri Himura, but “Castles Crumbling” was all she wrote as Candice Blair picks up the win over Sayuri!
Thadd Blazevich: Sayuri Himura may not have won tonight, but for her first one on one match? I think Sayuri showed out, bro. I wonder how she’ll do against Eris.
Rich Russillo: Those two still have an axe to grind so I look forward to seeing it, but for right now, it’s Candice Blair’s moment. Congratulations to her on the win!
(During Candice’s celebration, the camera cuts backstage, revealing Eris Morti who appears to have been watching the match. She doesn’t look pleased with the result though, sporting a disgusted look on face after Sayuri Himura’s loss as she just walks away. The camera cuts back to ringside, and Candice continues celebrating in the ring as the camera fades elsewhere.)
(Commercial for the game Overwatch 2 with Jake Smith.)
(The camera cuts to Bella Braxton in the ring.)
Bella Braxton: THE FOLLOWING CONTEST IS A SEMI-FINALS MATCH IN THE EMPRESS OF ELITE SCHEDULED FOR… ONE FALL!!
Crowd: ONE FALL!!
(“DEATH OF A MAGICAL GIRL” by sm3rki plays to a mixed reaction from fans as KASAI wastes no time making her way out to the stage. She looks ready ahead of her match with Caroline, and has a sinister grin on her face en route to the ring, eager to battle.)
Bella Braxton: Introducing first! Hailing out of Amani, Kagoshima, Japan, weighing in at 145 pounds…SHE IS THE MATRIACH…KASAI!!
Thadd Blazevich: It’s the Empress of Elie semi-finals, and while neither woman in the match are exactly fan favorites, you won’t want to miss this.
Rich Russillo: No, because KASAI is laser focused ahead of her match, and so is Caroline I imagine, which should result in an amazing clash of styles between the two.
Thadd Blazevich: Clash of styles, indeed. Caroline’s incredible agility, and KASAI’s striking.
(‘Living Dead Girl’ by Rob Zombie plays next, causing boos to come from the fans as Caroline saunters down to the ring with a stoic expression on her face. She is surrounded by dark lighting and fog similar to shadows, as she slowly but surely walks down the ramp, all while KASAI waits for her inside of the ring.)
Bella Braxton: And his opponent! Residing amongst the shadows, weighing in at 109 pounds…SHE IS THE QUEEN OF SHADOWS… CAROLINE!!
Rich Russillo: I swear, Caroline never doesn’t freak me out.
Thadd Blazevich: You and me both, dude.
Persephone: Pussies.
Rich Russillo: What? It’s eerie, especially her gaze that hasn’t been taken off KASAI in a minute. Like I said, laser focus from both women.
(The referee signals for the bell as both competitors stand in opposing corners.)
(DING! DING! DING!)
Rich Russillo: The semi-finals in the Empress of Elite tournament is officially underway as both women circle to start off here, and Caroline almost closed the distance, but KASAI caught her with an inside kick to the leg! Caroline staggers back into the corner, and favors said leg.
Thadd Blazevich: Caroline shakes it out, making sure she’s still good to go before circling around KASAI once more. It’s clear Caroline’s irritated after that kick, and looking for a bit of revenge.
Persephone: When isn’t this bitch irritated?
Thadd Blazevich: That’s a good point.
Rich Russillo: Caroline starts closing the distance on KASAI once again, and swings wildly with a right hand- BUT KASAI DUCKS UNDERNEATH, AND CATCHES CAROLINE WITH A KIDNEY PUNCH! That one stung as Caroline walks into the corner, rubbing her lower back in pain. So far, Caroline hasn’t been able to land a single maneuver on KASAI, who has been quick and elusive to start this one off, using that striking prowess to her advantage.
Thadd Blazevich: Yeah, and Caroline’s strength isn’t that. It’s in her agility and acrobatics, which she’ll have to rely on against KASAI.
Rich Russillo: That is, once the opening presents itself. KASAI’s done a great job at frustrating her opponent early, and Caroline slowly makes her way toward her, approaching with caution this time around. It’s looking like the two will lock hands for a test of streng- NO, WAIT! KASAI CATCHES CAROLINE WITH A KICK TO THE GUT INSTEAD, AND FOLLOWS THAT UP WITH A RIGHT HANDED SHOT BETWEEN THE EYES!
Thadd Blazevich: CAROLINE FALTERS A BIT, AND KASAI KEEPS THE PRESSURE ON WITH BOXING STYLE BODY BLOWS! BACKING CAROLINE INTO THE CORNER BEFORE-
(Caroline sticks her torso out through the middle rope, forcing the referee to intervene, and drag KASAI away from her.)
Thadd Blazevich: Caroline was getting overwhelmed by the strikes there, and found a way to create separation. However, the referee can’t keep KASAI at bay for long as she charges at Caroline in the corner- WITH CAROLINE SIDESTEPPING WHATEVER SHE HAD PLANNED, AND SENDING HER INTO THE CORNER INSTEAD!
Rich Russillo: CAROLINE BLASTS KASAI WITH A FOREARM, AND MAY HAVE TURNED THE MOMENTUM IN HER FAVOR AS SHE RUNS OFF THE ROPES FOR A- WHOA! KASAI SHOT OUT OF THE CORNER, AND BROUGHT CAROLINE’S MOMENTUM TO A SCREECHING HALT WITH A ROLLING LEG SWEEP! ROLLING LEG SWEEP BY KASAI SENDS CAROLINE DOWN TO THE MAT, AND SHE FACEPLANTS ON THE CANVAS!
Thadd Blazevich: KASAI POPS TO HER FEET AS CAROLINE RISES TO ALL FOURS, AND RUNS OFF THE ROPES TO DELIVER A BICYCLE KNEE STRIKE TO THE SIDE OF HER HEAD- HOWEVER, CAROLINE EVADED IT! QUICKLY SLITHERING OUT UNDERNEATH THE BOTTOM ROPE INSTEAD!
(KASAI stuck her torso out through the middle rope, trying to get a hold of Caroline’s hair, but she snatches herself away from KASAI’s clutches. Caroline leans back against the announce table, getting her wits together after everything endured thus far while KASAI backs to the center with a sinister smile on her face, beckoning Caroline back inside the ring.)
Persephone: Caroline’s gotta figure out something, and figure out something fast, because KASAI’s had her number to start this one off. :mjlol:
(Caroline stares at KASAI, remaining calm as she seems to have thought of a plan and looking as if she’ll slide back inside the ring-)
Rich Russillo: Caroline went to slide back inside the ring, but slithered back out as she saw KASAI marching towards her. USING THIS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE, AND DRAGS HER OUT UNDERNEATH THE BOTTOM ROPE! CAROLINE SWINGS WILDLY TO DELIVER A RIGHT HAND- BUT KASAI DUCKS UNDERNEATH, AND TAGS CAROLINE WITH A SHOOT KICK ACROSS THE CHEST AFTER SHE WOUND UP LEANED UP AGAINST THE APRON!
Thadd Blazevich: Caroline staggers forward slightly before dropping to a knee, and KASAI rolls her back inside! Going to enter the ring herself through the middle rope- BUT CAROLINE CATCHES HER WITH A BIG RUNNING DROPKICK AS SHE ONLY GOT HALFWAY INTO THE RING, AND KASAI TUMBLES BACK INSIDE DOWN TO THE MAT! WITH CAROLINE POUNCING ON TOP OF HER TO DELIVER RIGHT HANDS!
Rich Russillo: RIGHT HANDS, EVEN MIXING SOME HAMMERFISTS IN THERE! CAROLINE SAW HER OPPORTUNITY, AND TOOK IT! UNLEASHING A FLURRY ONTO KASAI BEFORE GRINDING HER FOREARM ACROSS KASAI’S FACE, SMEARING SOME OF THE FACE PAINT!
Persephone: About time she took control. It was getting a little sad.
Thadd Blazevich: KASAI’s striking prowess was fairing her well to begin with, but Caroline’s opportunism has opened a gateway! However, she can’t go overboard as the referee begins counting! Caroline has been unrelenting with her assault, and could get herself disqualified from the tournament!
Referee: ONE! TWO! THREE!
Rich Russillo: Caroline finally dismounts from KASAI, and slingshots off the bottom rope for a STOMP TO THE CHEST! FOLLOWING THAT UP WITH ANOTHER ONE! Caroline drags KASAI back up to her feet, and roughly sends her into the corner for a KNIFE EDGE CHOP ACROSS THE CHEST! It’s clear Caroline has amped up both her aggression and intensity, something she’ll need against this new version of KASAI, and drags her to the middle for a SNAP SUPLEX!
ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Thadd Blazevich: Shoulder up! KASAI got the shoulder up, as expected. It’ll take a lot more than a snap suplex, but Caroline is successfully wearing her opponent down with offense like this as she grabs hold of KASAI’s arm, and rolls her onto her belly.
Rich Russillo: Caroline has KASAI prone on the canvas with that arm pinned down, and performs a handstand KNEE DROP onto it! KASAI writhes around on the canvas in pain, favoring that arm as she sits up, and gets brought back to her feet by Caroline for an arm wringer! Caroline’s just gained control of the wrist with a wristlock, and YANKS on that arm of KASAI!
Thadd Blazevich: Careful. With enough force, you can rip the shoulder out of its socket doing that.
Persephone: :gladbron: I’ve never wanted something more badly in my entire life then. Cmon, Caroline, I know you can pull harder than that!
Thadd Blazevich: :roman:
Rich Russillo: It’s clear yanking the arm had its effect over KASAI, who fights back with a FOREARM! Though, it’s still not enough to break that wristlock from Caroline, and she wrings KASAI’s arm a second time before yanking on it! Dropping KASAI down to a knee while still keeping hold of that wristlock, and KICKS HER IN THE FACE WITH A BIG BOOT!
(KASAI’s knocked down by that big boot from Caroline, and scoots back against the ropes while keeping that damaged arm close to her side, not using it at all.)
Thadd Blazevich: Uh-oh. KASAI’s hit a wall, that being the ropes, and can no longer back herself away from Caroline as the “Queen of Shadows” ominously closes in, lifting Caroline back to her feet.
Rich Russillo: Caroline leans her against the ropes, and connects with ANOTHER knife edge chop across the chest! KASAI staggers into the nearby corner, and Caroline marches over, hot on her opponent’s heels. Caroline grabs the back of KASAI’s head- AND LIVES TO REGRET IT AS KASAI UNCORKS WITH A SHOT TO THE RIB CAGE!
Thadd Blazevich: Caroline wasn’t expecting that, and KASAI fights her way out of the corner with more shots to the rib cage! Backing Caroline to the center of the ring before she EXPLODES with a knee to the midsection on KASAI! KASAI dropped to a knee, and no doubt got the wind taken out of her as Caroline stands her up, backing KASAI against the ropes for an irish whip!
Rich Russillo: KASAI rebounds back, and GETS CAUGHT WITH A DROPKICK! RIGHT ON THE BUTTON! KASAI sits up slightly, favoring her nose- but Caroline lays her back down for a pin! Hooking the leg!
ONNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Rich Russillo: Just a two count as KASAI stays in it! But she’s endured tons of punishment from Caroline so far, and gets dragged over to the ropes where Caroline hangs her across the middle. Pressing her knee down on the back of KASAI’s neck, and using it to CHOKE her as the referee gets involved with a five count in the background!
Referee: ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR! FI-
Rich Russillo: Caroline used all of that five count before releasing, and KASAI rises to a knee, but you can see her coughing. She’s struggling for air after being choked.
Persephone: Yeah, if only Caroline did use all of that five count, and then some. I would’ve at least found entertainment from KASAI going lifeless.
Thadd Blazevich: That’d probably be pretty traumatizing more than anything.
Persephone: For weak-minded people like you, maybe.
Thadd Blazevich: Perhaps sane people, bro.
(The referee finishes admonishing Caroline for disregarding the rules, and she makes her way over to KASAI, smugly using her boot to push a kneeling KASAI’s head, dropping her down to all fours as she crawls to the center.)
Rich Russillo: Caroline’s in control, but arrogance might be her undoing as she pushes KASAI’s head with her boot a second time. This fires KASAI up as she scrambles to her feet, and BLASTS Caroline with a vicious forearm! That one staggered Caroline slightly, and KASAI goes to stay on her- BUT CAROLINE EXPLODES WITH A KICK TO THE MIDSECTION!
Thadd Blazevich: Right as it looked like Caroline was losing control, she immediately draws it back in her favor as KASAI’s doubled over, and Caroline chucks her out through the middle rope! KASAI lands on her feet, but Caroline’s already building momentum for “NO ESCAPE!” KASAI GOT SPIKED ON THE OUTSIDE WITH THAT SUICIDE DIVE DDT!
Rich Russillo: CAROLINE SCRAMBLES TO HER FEET AS KASAI’S SPRAWLED ON THE OUTSIDE, AND HASNT MOVED AN INCH SINCE “NO ESCAPE” CONNECTED! CAROLINE DRAGS KASAI BACK TO HER FEET, AND ROLLS HER INTO THE RING FOR A COVER AS SHE CRAWLS IN!
ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHHHHHHHHRRRRRRRR-
Rich Russillo: KICKOUT! KASAI MANAGED TO KICKOUT! POPPING THE SHOULDER UP LAST MINUTE, AND CAROLINE EVEN HAD TO CHECK IF THAT WAS THREE WITH HOW CLOSE THE COUNT CAME!
Thadd Blazevich: Whoa, I don’t think anyone expected Caroline to bust that out so early, and I think that’s part of why it worked! Catching her opponent off guard, and nearly scoring the victory there!
Persephone: Seriously, I’m with Caroline on this one. Is the ref sure that wasn’t three? I think he should’ve called the match right there!
Thadd Blazevich: I wonder why…
Rich Russillo: KASAI stirs to all fours, and Caroline grabs a handful of hair before directing KASAI into the corner. Caroline keeps her pinned there before whipping her into the opposite, and CHARGING IN WITH- OH NO! KASAI GOT BOTH FEET UP, BUT CAROLINE CAUGHT THEM, AND- AND GETS SHOVED BACK BY KASAI WITH THEM!
Thadd Blazevich: CAROLINE ROLLS THROUGH TO A KNEE AS KASAI HOPS TO THE MIDDLE ROPE! CAROLINE POPS TO HER FEET, AND RUSHES HER! BUT KASAI LEAPS OVER CAROLINE’S HEAD, AND ROLLS THROUGH TO HER FEET! CAROLINE TURNS AROUND FULLY, AND CHARGES OUT FROM THE CORNER AT KASAI!
Rich Russillo: KASAI WENT FOR A KNEE STRIKE, BUT CAROLINE SLIPS BEHIND HER FOR A REAR WAISTLOCK! FROM THERE, KASAI PERFORMS A STANDING SWITCH, SLIPPING BEHIND CAROLINE HERSELF! CAROLINE SLAPS BOTH HANDS OF KASAI TO BREAK HER GRIP, AND SPINS AROUND WITH A JUMPING TWISTING ENZIGURI! BUT KASAI DUCKS UNDERNEATH, AND CAROLINE BELLY FLOPS ONTO THE CANVAS!
Thadd Blazevich: Caroline rises up to all fours, and KASAI reaches down! Wrapping her arms around Caroline’s waist as she drags her up to a vertical base- BEFORE CAROLINE ESCAPES WITH AN ARM DRAG! FLINGING KASAI UP AND OVER HER BODY AS SHE DROPS TO A KNEE! BOTH COMPETITORS POP BACK TO THEIR FEET, AND KASAI FIRES THE FIRST SHOT OFF WITH A ROUNDHOUSE KICK!
Rich Russillo: Caroline stumbles over to the ropes, and leans up against them for assistance to stand as KASAI CHARGES IN! GETTING SENT UP AND OVER CAROLINE’S SHOULDER TO THE OUTSIDE WITH A BACK BODY DROP! KASAI HIT FACE FIRST ON THE APRON HER WAY DOWN, AND CLUTCHES AT HER MOUTH IN PAIN!
Thadd Blazevich: Caroline rolls out underneath the bottom rope, going after KASAI on the outside, and rolls her back into the ring.
Persephone: Why? She could’ve just won by countout.
Rich Russillo: I guess Caroline wants something a little more decisive, and with the odds in her favor currently, it’s hard to say she won’t get there.
Thadd Blazevich: Caroline slides back in after KASAI, who crawls into the corner, and sits herself down in it. Caroline closes in, and delivers multiple STOMPS to KASAI’s chest! Pressing her boot into KASAI’s jaw afterwards!
Rich Russillo: The referee pries Caroline off from KASAI, who stirs up to all fours, and uses the ropes for assistance in getting back to her feet. Caroline slowly saunters toward KASAI, and gets caught with a RIGHT HAND! It didn’t have her usual strength behind it, and might have angered Caroline more than anything as she marches back toward KASAI-
Thadd Blazevich: WHO UNLEASHES A FLURRY OF RIGHT HANDS ONTO CAROLINE, BACKING HER UP TOWARDS THE CENTER OF THE RING— BEFORE CAROLINE CONNECTS WITH A KICK TO THE GUT FROM OUT OF NOWHERE, DOUBLING KASAI OVER ONCE AGAIN, AND BACKING HER AGAINST THE ROPES FOR AN IRISH WHIP!
Rich Russillo: CAROLINE WENT FOR A DROPKICK AS KASAI CAME REBOUNDING BACK, BUT THERE WAS NOBODY HOME AS KASAI HOOKED BOTH ARMS ONTO THE TOP ROPE! CAROLINE BELLY FLOPPED ONTO THE CANVAS AGAIN, FAVORING HER RIBS AS SHE RISES TO ALL FOURS, AND KASAI COMES FROM BEHIND WITH A DEADLIFT GERMAN SUPLEX ATTEMPT!
Thadd Blazevich: BUT CAROLINE SCRAMBLES TO BOTH FEET INSTEAD, AND DESPERATELY REACHES FOR THE ROPES BEFORE REACHING BACK TO GRAB KASAI IN A STANDING SIDE HEADLOCK! PUNCHING HER SQUARE BETWEEN THE EYES TO BREAK THAT REAR WAISTLOCK!
Rich Russillo: KASAI STAGGERS BACK, AND CAROLINE TRIES CHARGING TOWARDS HER- BUT EATS A BIG BOOT FOR HER TROUBLES! CAROLINE STAGGERS BACK AGAINST THE ROPES, AND REBOUNDS OFF INTO A CLOTHESLINE FROM KASAI- BUT CAROLINE SAW IT COMING, AND COUNTERS WITH A CRUCIFIX… DRIVER! THOUGHT SHE WAS GOING FOR A CRUCIFIX PIN, BUT DID THE DRIVER INSTEAD, AND HOLDS IT FOR A COVER!
ONNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHHHHHHHHH-
Thadd Blazevich: KICKOUT!
Persephone: Good grief. How much longer?
Thadd Blazevich: Only time will tell, but it looks like KASAI’s running off fumes as Caroline drags her up to a vertical base, and sends her into the corner for a RUNNING FOREARM BEFORE ROLLING HER TO ALL FOURS, AND CAROLINE CLIMBS OUT ONTO THE APRON! LINING KASAI AS SHE STIRS BACK TO HER FEET FOR A SPRINGBOARD-
Rich Russillo: KASAI DUCKED UNDERNEATH WHATEVER CAROLINE HAD PLANNED THERE, AND CAROLINE ROLLS THROUGH TO HER FEET! CHARGING KASAI WITH A RIGHT HAND! BUT KASAI BLOCKS IT, AND SCORES WITH ONE OF HER OWN! CAROLINE TRIES FOR ANOTHER RIGHT HAND, BUT KASAI BLOCKS THAT ONE TOO, AND SCORES WITH A RIGHT HAND!
Thadd Blazevich: CAROLINE IS STUNNED MOMENTARILY AS KASAI GRABS HOLD OF HER, BUT KASAI GETS SHOVED BACK AGAINST THE ROPES WHERE SHE REBOUNDS OFF WITH A RUNNING FOREARM!
Rich Russillo: KASAI RUSHES BACK TO HER FEET, AND GETS DROPPED WITH A RUNNING BACK ELBOW! AGAIN, CAROLINE IS BACK TO HER FEET, AND SWINGS WILDLY! KASAI DUCKS UNDERNEATH TO DELIVER A KIDNEY SHOT, AND FOLLOWS THAT UP WITH A KICK TO THE INSIDE OF HER LEG! THEN A ROLLING LEG SWEEP THAT DROPS CAROLINE DOWN TO ALL FOURS AS SHE RUNS OFF THE ROPES FOR A SLIDING KNEE STRIKE!
Thadd Blazevich: CAROLINE IS ROCKED AS SHE SPUN OUT TO A SEATED POSITION, AND SLOWLY MAKES IT BACK TO HER FEET! BUT KASAI STARTS RISING TO HERS AS WELL, STALKING CAROLINE AS SHE SMELLS BLOOD IN THE WATER BEFORE CHARGING FORWARD, AND SPRINGING OFF THE MIDDLE ROPE WITH A MOONSAULT! KASAI STAYS PRESSED ON TOP OF CAROLINE, AND HOOKS ONE LEG FOR THE COVER!
ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHHHHHHHHRRRRRRRRR-
Rich Russillo: CAROLINE KICKS OUT, AND STIRS TO A KNEE! BUT KASAI GRABS HER FROM BEHIND WITH A REAR WAISTLOCK, AND GETS DRIVEN BACK INTO THE CORNER! SQUISHING KASAI BETWEEN HER AND THE TURNBUCKLES! HOWEVER, KASAI KEEPS HOLD OF THE REAR WAISTLOCK, AND CAROLINE HAS TO DRIVE HER BACK INTO THE CORNER A SECOND TIME TO FULLY BREAK IT!
Thadd Blazevich: Shows how relentless KASAI is as Caroline staggers to the center, and turns around- ONLY FOR KASAI TO SHOOT OUT OF THE CORNER, AND CATCH CAROLINE IN A VICTORY ROLL!
ONNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Rich Russillo: CAROLINE TURNS IT AROUND, ROLLING ON TOP OF KASAI WITH A HANDFUL OF TIGHTS!
ONNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHHHH-
Rich Russillo: CAROLINE ALMOST GOT THE WIN THERE, BUT KASAI KICKS OUT! CAROLINE ROLLS THROUGH TO HER FEET AS KASAI RUSHES TO HERS, AND CAROLINE RUNS OFF THE ROPES- BUT RUNS RIGHT INTO A ROUNDHOUSE KICK THAT SPINS HER AROUND FOR A BRIDGING GERMAN SUPLEX!
ONNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHHHHHHHHHRRRRRRRR-
Thadd Blazevich: STILL NOT ENOUGH!
Persephone: At least KASAI seems to be finally ready to end it, though.
Rich Russillo: KASAI’s gesturing for Caroline to get up as she slowly stirs to her feet, and GOES TO SPIN AROUND FOR THE “MATRICIDE!” BUT CAROLINE DESPERATELY CLUNG TO HER FROM BEHIND WITH A REAR WAISTLOCK MID SPIN!
Thadd Blazevich: BUT KASAI CHARGES TOWARD THE ROPES, AND DROPS DOWN FOR CAROLINE TO GO FLYING OUT THROUGH THE MIDDLE ROPE! KASAI STARTS RUNNING OFF THE ROPES FOR A SUICIDE DIVE, BUT GETS CAUGHT WITH A FOREARM BY CAROLINE!
(KASAI staggers back to the center, and drops to a knee with the referee checking on her. But while his back is turned, the crowd reaction rises as Joso jumps the barricade, and grabs Caroline from behind as she attempted re-entering the ring.)
Rich Russillo: JOSO! JOSO JUST SENT CAROLINE FACE FIRST INTO THE RINGPOST, AND ROLLS HER BACK INSIDE THE RING!
(Joso drops down, and lays on his side in front of the apron, playfully and smugly gesturing for the crowd to keep quiet as he’s out of the referee’s view.)
Rich Russillo: REFEREE HAS NO IDEA WHAT HAPPENED AS CAROLINE GROGGILY RISES TO HER FEET, AND KASAI PUSHES PAST HIM TO DELIVER A “MATRICIDE!” DAMN NEAR KNOCKING CAROLINE’S HEAD CLEAN OFF AS SHE DROPS INTO THE COVER!
ONNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHHHHHHHHHRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
(DING! DING! DING!)
Bella Braxton: LADIES AND GENTLEMEN HERE IS YOUR WINNER… ADVANCING TO THE EMPRESS OF ELITE FINALS… KASAI!!
(KASAI rises to her feet as “DEATH OF A MAGICAL GIRL” by sm3rki plays to a mixed reaction. KASAI gets her hand raised in victory as Joso hops back over the barricade, and watches on from the crowd with a satisfied expression on his face, getting Caroline back.)
Rich Russillo: KASAI WINS, AND SHE WILL BE ADVANCING TO THE EMPRESS OF ELITE FINALS!!! That was a huge win for KASAI, but we can’t deny that she had a bit of help there.
Thadd Blazevich: I’m sure Caroline knew Joso wasn’t going to take her costing him his chance in the King of Elite tournament lying down, but I don’t she expected him to strike here!
Rich Russillo: Not at all! Joso gets one over on Caroline, and KASAI ever the opportunist, takes advantage!
(Joso backpedals away from the barricade, satisfied with what he’s done as Caroline stirs in the corner of the ring. KASAI continues celebrating as the camera fades elsewhere.)
(Voltage cuts to the backstage area. A very salty Ashlynn Quinn is seen pouting as she stands in front of a monitor. It’s been a rough night for her, to say the least. NICK. cost her a match that in her mind she should have won, and she’s not looking forward to being a ringside when he teams up with her beau, Kai. Having showered and made herself presentable after her match, Ashlynn folds her arms across her chest as she waits for Kai. The 24/7 Contract holder walks up a few seconds later and at the sight of him, Ashlynn instantly brightens. She puts a smile on her face and she whistles.)
Ashlynn Quinn: You look AHHHHHH-MAZING!
(Kai smirks and the couple give one another a quick kiss.)
Ashlynn Quinn: Is it like weird you’re going to be competing against that ogre Drake this time around?
Kai Rabeaux: It’s not an ideal situation, all things considered. I’d rather not be involved in whatever this is between NICK. and yourself, especially when next week I have what is apparently being called a ‘Hardcore Gauntlet’ to prepare for.
(Ashlynn gags at the mention of NICK.’s name.)
Ashlynn Quinn: I can honestly say that I hate that uggo with like literally every fibre of my being. Who knew he would be so totally salty over the fact I literally tried to help him win the New Breed Championship? I mean most people would like be grateful and stuff, but not this lame. I’m sorry you’re being forced to team with him.
Kai Rabeaux: I am, too. I would rather be in the King of Elite tournament but thanks to this situation, I’m now on the outside looking in. I wanted that type of power and unfortunately, it was taken away from me.
(Ashlynn at least has the decency to look sheepish.)
Ashlynn Quinn: I already apologized multiple times for all that, but I’ll say it again. I’m sorry NICK. is such a sore loser and I’m really sorry he doesn’t understand that you leave what happened last year… in last year.
(Kai’s expression remains neutral, which isn’t lost on Ashlynn.)
Kai Rabeaux: You know, I don’t really like dragging business into our personal life, but I’m going to be honest with you, Ash. I’m disappointed in you right now.
(Ashlynn points at herself.)
Ashlynn Quinn: Me? I don’t understand??
(Kai sighs.)
Kai Rabeaux: I understand reacting badly to a loss, especially to someone as disgusting as Clayton Golde. You didn’t deserve that and he certainly does not deserve to hold a championship that you fought so hard to obtain.
Ashlynn Quinn: Ohmygod! Right?? I am so glad you understand that, babe! Let me add that to the list of reasons why I just adore you so much!
Kai Rabeaux: But…
(Ashlynn frowns.)
Ashlynn Quinn: Ugh. Is this about to be a lecture??
(Kai ignores her comment and decides not to comment on her haughty tone of voice.)
Kai Rabeaux: You should have left things alone at Festival of Lights. You didn’t need to get involved in that match because look at the ramifications that’s had not just for you, but for me as well. King of Elite was important to me, Ash, and because of your actions, I was taken out of the tournament. It’s hardly a consolation to be thrown into a gauntlet match, but I’m trying to see the silver lining to that. I could earn a championship shot without having to use my contract, and that’s something I could certainly use to my advantage. It’s not entirely ideal, but it is what it is.
(Ashlynn purses her lips and narrows her eyes up at Kai.)
Ashlynn Quinn: Okay so you’re really just annoyed that you lost because you allowed yourself to get distracted by what was going on at ringside.
(Kai raises an eyebrow.)
Kai Rabeaux: Please don’t twist the narrative.
Ashlynn Quinn: I mean, you’re literally putting your loss on me, when we all know anything can and will happen in EAW. Are you not capable of tuning out the noise or whatever? You didn’t have to like pay attention to what was going on or whatever. Besides, you literally ASKED me to accompany you to the ring.
(Kai nods, conceding that particular point.)
Kai Rabeaux: You’re right, I did, and quite frankly, that was probably a mistake on my part.
(Ashlynn opens her mouth to reply, but shuts it. That comment stung a little bit and she takes a deep breath.)
Ashlynn Quinn: I see.
(Kai sighs and places his hands on her shoulders. Ashlynn doesn’t pull away but she’s not exactly happy right now, either.)
Kai Rabeaux: The last thing I want to do is hurt your feelings, Ash, but maybe we shouldn’t mix business with pleasure. I know it hurts to lose the New Breed Championship, but look at all the other opportunities you could potentially have now. The Specialists Championship and the Universal Women’s Championship are two titles you are absolutely capable of holding and when I do win the Hardcore Championship, I would gladly accept your challenge if you wanted to step up.
(A tiny smile forms on Ashlynn’s face, but that’s quickly replaced with one of doubt.)
Ashlynn Quinn: The last time I faced someone I was super close with I lost my best friend.
(Ashlynn’s voice is soft and Kai knows she is referring to Veena Adams. He pulls Ashlynn close and runs his hand up and down her back.)
Kai Rabeaux: She wasn’t truly your friend, Ashlynn. Real friendship is able to survive situations like that. Competing for the Answers World Championship never tore Veena and Milli apart, did it? Another example is Jamie O’Hara and Cameron Ella Ava. They clashed multiple times over the world championship and their relationship only got stronger. They respected one another more because of how like-minded they are.
Ashlynn Quinn: Maybe… either way, you clearly don’t want me around you while we are at work.
(Luckily, Kai is a patient man.)
Kai Rabeaux: I just think for right now it’s better if we handle our own business. I probably shouldn’t have jumped the gun and asked you to be at ringside for my match. I should have taken into consideration that you had other things going on and let you deal with that. I should have remained focused on beating Kelton, and not let anything take me away from that. If our situations were reversed, I wouldn’t want to take your attention away from your opponent. I wouldn’t want to be a distraction for you.
(Ashlynn remains quiet. She doesn’t agree with what Kai is saying at all but she doesn’t wish to fight with him either. She pulls away from him and folds her arms across her chest.)
Ashlynn Quinn: So basically what you’re saying is that you like don’t want me anywhere near you, not even tonight despite the fact you are teaming with someone who is my mortal enemy, who is literally going to screw you over just to like mess with me. So I can’t even be there to watch your back.
Kai Rabeaux: I don’t really think NICK. has it in him to betray me and if he does, then he will suffer the consequences. I will handle whatever it is NICK. does or does not do. I would appreciate it if you stayed in the back and just let me handle what’s going on.
(Kai rakes a hand over his jaw.)
Kai Rabeaux: Circumstances that led to this match aside, it’s a great opportunity for me to defeat the former and current world champs. I have respect for Drake as a man and professional, but he’s my opponent, and I’m not going to take this chance for granted. He may very well find himself on the receiving end of a cash-in sooner or later, and I won’t hesitate to put him down for the three count.
(Ashlynn has more or less tuned Kai out now.)
Ashlynn Quinn: Mm. So you really think I could be Universal Women’s Champion?? That title would look pretty amazing on me.
(Ashlynn pauses for a moment.)
Ashlynn Quinn: Milli Banks certainly needs someone better than that salty loser Miku Sakai to like step up and challenge her, right? I mean, we all know that Miku can’t get the job done and she hasn’t held an actual championship in like a thousand years. Like I don’t know why she thinks now is her time or whatever because like L-O-L.
Kai Rabeaux: I’m going to take this as a sign that we’re on the same page.
(Ashlynn shrugs a shoulder.)
Ashlynn Quinn: I mean, sure. Whatever. If you want to deal with nick. then by all means, do whatever! But like can you make sure he knows to leave me alone going forward because if he even tries to cost me another match then there will be like Hell to pay for him. I’m so sick of people mistaking my kindness for weakness. Let a girlie breathe!
(Kai somehow refrains from rolling his eyes.)
Kai Rabeaux: I’ll see you here after the match?
(Ashlynn bats her eyes at Kai and nods. Kai smiles and presses a kiss to her forehead before heading off in the direction of the guerilla area.)
(Voltage fades to commercial break.)
(Commercial for the new film Marty Supreme with Hans Grayson.)
(Back at ringside, “Pride and Arrogance” by Takeru Kanazaki hits as the tone of the arena in Kaunas changes completely. The scenery of the arena creates an orange & gold show of lights as a backcloth, while the crowd instantly drowns the stage in boos.)
(Moments later, Drake Armstrong entered with the EAW World Championship firmly wrapped around his waist, and beneath the title, an embroidered bomber jacket made of the finest silk, as part of his preferred walkout look for “simpler” matches such as this one.)
Bella Braxton: LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THE FOLLOWING CONTEST IS A TAG TEAM MATCH, SCHEDULED FOR ONE FALL….
Crowd: ONE FALL!!!
Bella Braxton: INTRODUCING FIRST… FROM SCARSDALE, NEW YORK… WEIGHING IN AT 235 POUNDS… “THE KIIIIINNGGG OF THE WOOORLLLDD”…. AND THE REIGNING EAW WORLD CHAMPION… DRAAAKEEEEE!!!! ARMSTROONNGGG!!!
Crowd: BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!
(With Drake having actually made his presence and the ringside announcer calling his name, the decibels of the crowd would grow even louder, and would not stop until—)
(“Everybody Knows (Unstoppable)” by Royal Deluxe interrupts Drake’s entrance before he could even be done. The crowd would be less displeased, but remained mixed as they don’t like Adam Lucas, while some just appreciated the disrespect towards Armstrong he pulled.)
Bella Braxton: AND HIS PARTNEEER…. FROM NEW YORK, WEIGHING IN AT 238 POUNDS, “NEXT LEVEEELLL”…. ADAAAAMMMM!!! LUCASSS!!!!
(Adam isn’t here for any theatrics; he bolts right down to the ring, walking past Drake Armstrong, in the process, who remained on the ramp, perhaps still processing the interruption, or perhaps wanting some explanations. Once in the ring, Adam just puts his fist up, then paces himself in the corner, awaiting his opponents.)
(“Kendrick, Clae & Cole” by Marqus Clae then blasts to a mixed reception from the audience, and not long after, NICK would make his way out to the ring in the usual boxing shorts, nonchalantly pacing down to the ring.)
Bella Braxton: AND THEIR OPPONENTS… FIRST!! FROM DETROIT, MICHIGAN, WEIGHING IN AT 215 POUNDS…. EEEELLLL CASTIGAAADOOORRRR… NICK!!!
(In the meantime, Drake disappointingly made his way to the ring between the entrances, seeing as NICK walked past the ramp with no Drake Armstrong in sight. Soon after, his theme song would be replaced by “Burn in My Light” by Mercy Drive, and right back to booing the crowd goes.)
(Kai Rabeaux walks out onto the spotlight on the stage, posing, and basking in his own glory to the audience’s dismay.)
Bella Braxton: ANNNDDDD LAST, HIS PARTNER, FROM NEW YORK CITY… HE IS THE 24/7 CONTRACT HOLDER… THE FOREEERUNNNERRRR… KAAAAIIII!!!! RABEAAUUUUXX!!!
(Once in the ring, Kai would pose on the turnbuckle, before taking off his entrance gear, ready for battle.)
(DING! DING! DING!)
(With the bell ringing, the EAW World Champion begins to methodically tread towards the man standing in front of him, NICK…)
Rich Rusillo: AND NICK WASTES NO TIME! He gets right into Drake’s face, and he’s talking trash to the EAW World Champion!
Persephone: It’s just too bad the cameras can’t pick up on what he’s saying, but at least I’ll enjoy Adam Lucas in the corner having the time of his life seeing the champion confronted like this.
Thadd Blazevich: Dude, Drake clearly isn’t taking this well either. After all, this is considered an “act of threesome” from a “peasant” like NICK!
Persephone: The fuck did you say?
Rich Russillo: I think he meant “an act of treason.”
Thadd Blazevich: Bro, that’s what I said!
Rich Russillo: I guess. But let’s take our attention back to the action inside of the ring, Drake is trying his hardest to ignore NICK, but he’s had enough!
Thadd Blazevich: Drake just pushed NICK the hell out of his face, and now he’s brushing all the filth from NICK off of him! BUT LOOK OUT! NICK AIN’T HERE TO PLAY!
Rich Russillo: SPINBACK!!!
Thadd Blazevich: But the World Champ isn’t letting his guard down so easily! He moves out of the way of that flying forearm smash just in time, but I don’t think he’s taking NICK having an itching palm in this one so lightly! Dude’s pissed, and he gives NICK zero time to recover, going for a chinlock right away while the rook was still trying to get back to his feet.
Persephone: I truly could not care less to do my homework on Drake Armstrong of all people, but my notes here tell me he performs at absolute peak physical strength, having invested amounts of money Thadd can’t even read into his body. I can’t say I’m surprised NICK is struggling to get out of the hold despite his own decent physique. But who knows, maybe this is what the difference is between cheap “gymbro” steroids and actually beneficial ways to keep your body as strong as possible.
Thadd Blazevich: Hey dude, I’m sure NICK works hard and pumps hours into the gym as well.
Persephone: What I’m getting at is that some things are just for show, and as somebody with taste, I just want guys like NICK to know no woman is looking at them.
Thadd Blazevich: And you know NICK is looking at you how?
Persephone: You should watch your tone, weirdo.
Thadd Blazevich: I’m calling the action how it is! NICK seems extremely focused on finding a way out of Armstrong’s hold right now, as he keeps on throwing elbows into his stomach, but Drake looks too focused to think about letting go regardless of how much the attacks may hurt!
Rich Russillo: NICK doesn’t care about the attitude either, he just hit him with the most powerful strike yet and that breaks the hold! Now that he’s out, he’s throwing jabs at the champion, which manages to stagger him back into his corner!
(TAG!!)
Persephone: Hah! Adam Lucas has seen enough and just tagged himself in; he throws some words towards Drake’s way, which is very likely all trash talk. Adam’s been underestimating his opposition for this week so I’m curious to see how he fares now. Maybe he gets his butt kicked too.
Rich Russillo: Well you don’t have to wait for too long as Adam’s firing right out of the gate with strikes right to the head of NICK! He’s not exactly here for the sake of entertaining this match between two makeshift tag teams but would instead prefer to just get his hands on Drake. You gotta wonder if the disrespect that started piling up has fueled him to show both NICK and Kai that he still runs the show despite losing his World Championship, or if he’s partially bringing the fight for the fun of it!
Thadd Blazevich: Adam’s strikes are enough to get NICK on the defensive here, as he’s just got his hands up without any room to strike back. Now that he’s all staggered, Adam Lucas goes straight at him with a jumping dropkick, and just like that the momentum is fully on his side.
(With some time to breathe, Adam Lucas condescendingly moves his gaze towards Drake Armstrong.)
Adam Lucas: (off-mic) Was that so difficult, “champ?”
(Drake just gives a dismissive smirk in response; meanwhile, on the other side of the ring NICK is looking for an opening to recover, while Kai Rabeaux is desperately itching to get into the swing of things in this match.)
(Hesitantly and without much of a choice, NICK starts to crawl toward Kai, but the former EAW World Champion takes heed of this, grabbing a hold of NICK’s leg and dragging him back towards the center!)
Thadd Blazevich: Y’all, Adam really is in control of this one, as not only did he just deny NICK an opportunity to get the fresher Kai in the bout, but he also locked in a standing ankle lock on “El Castigador”!
Rich Russillo: NICK is in a world of pain here, nowhere near the ropes after Adam just dragged him right towards the center of the ring, but I’m sure he thinks it’s too early to even think about tapping out! He keeps on fighting, trying to get some proper footing on at least his free leg, and there’s not much Adam can really do about that unless he lets go of the hold—which doesn’t seem to be something he has in mind. I think he’s hellbent on putting the hurt on NICK here!
Persephone: Well, Adam’s stupidity might come to cost him as NICK has gained a bit of footing here—AND HE QUICKLY USES IT TO LEAP UP AND KICK THE CRAP OUT OF HIM WITH THE HEALTHY LEG, WHICH FREES HIM OF ADAM LUCAS’ HOLD!
Thadd Blazevich: Welp, it seems like the damage may have been done, though. NICK would prefer to keep on fighting rather than to let Kai in, but he may not have a choice; his leg desperately needs some time to recover! But he swallows his pride and starts crawling to Kai before the opportunity runs out again!
Rich Russillo: AND ADAM TAKES NOTICE AND GOES STRAIGHT FOR NICK—
(TAG!!!)
Rich Russillo: —BUT HE’S LATE!!! Kai Rabeaux is now the legal man in this match, and he throws all caution to the wind, going straight for Adam Lucas! The two are throwing strikes at each other, one after the other!
Thadd Blazevich: Adam sees a quick opportunity, and goes straight for a rolling punch, hoping to get Kai staggered, but the fresh Kai sees it coming and ducks right under! Now it’s Kai with a hard-hitting kick straight to Adam Lucas’ chest that gets him!
Rich Russillo: Adam is dazed for long enough after that one! The noise of that kick rang throughout the entire arena, wow! And now he follows that up with a superkick— BUT NO! ADAM DUCKS UNDER AND GOES STRAIGHT FOR A CLOTHESLINE—
Thadd Blazevich: SO DOES KAI!!
Persephone: Welp, these two had the same idea, and now they laid one another out in the middle of the ring. The crowd seems to be into this as if we haven’t seen something like this happen a thousand times before, but whatever…
Rich Russillo: Well, seeing as both of the men are down on the mat, the referee begins to count…
ONNEEE!!! TWOOO!!! THREEE!!!!
(Kai’s eyes open, starting to make sense of what’s going on right now.)
FOOUUURRR!!! FIVEEE!!! SIIIXXX!! SEVEENNN!!!!
(Adam’s starting to show signs of life, but in the meantime, Kai has crawled towards the ropes, being able to use them to leverage himself… and now he’s eyeing the former EAW World Champion for something big!)
Rich Russillo: Adam’s on one knee… AND KAI CHARGES TOWARDS HIM!! BLAAADDDEE OOFFFF—-
Thadd Blazevich: LEVEL UP!!!!!!!!!!!!! THIS ALL FEELS LIKE DEJA VU!!
Rich Russillo: BUT LOOK AT THIS! KAI IS RESISTING, GRABBING A GOOD HOLD OF ADAM’S HEAD AND THROWING PUNCHES RIGHT AT HIM SO HE CAN’T FINISH HIM WITH THE POP–UP POWERBOMB!!
(It would indeed feel like Deja Vu as it’s the exact sequence of the Blade of Babylon being countered into the Level Up with which Adam Lucas would defeat Kai Rabeaux on Voltage back in August… except Kai isn’t willing to let Adam Lucas put him down the same way he once did all those months back.)
Rich Russillo: Adam Lucas can’t get Kai to flinch whatsoever, and this ends up going into Kai’s favor as he gets out of the powerbomb position with a frankensteiner!
Thadd Blazevich: I wonder how surprised Adam is that it didn’t work this time around. He doesn’t see too highly of Kai really, but at this point, who does Adam see much in??
Persephone: Nobody. And he would be right if he wasn’t living in his own world where only he and his ugly wife mattered. Still, Kai isn’t exactly the most incompetent guy on this roster, and his own pride wouldn’t let him fall to the same move twice.
Rich Russillo: The latter is indeed very true. We’ve seen Kai adapt through many tough situations in his time here, and this one is no different! Now, with redemption on his mind for their last bout, he’s seizing the opportunity… Adam rolled all the way to the apron, and a focused Kai follows him. He’s stalking the former champ like prey, like a venomous snake in the grass!!
Thadd Blazevich: And as soon as Adam’s shown signs of recovery, Kai makes a leap for the middle turnbuckle!! Going for— CRYSTAL KINGDOM CUTTER—
Rich Russillo: BUT HE DIDN’T TAKE INTO ACCOUNT WHICH SIDE OF THE RING HE WAS ON, AS DRAKE ARMSTRONG FROM THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THAT TURNBUCKLE JUST SMACKED KAI RIGHT ACROSS THE FACE! SO MUCH FOR THE MUTUAL RESPECT THESE TWO SUPPOSEDLY HAD!!
Persephone: And holy shit! :mjlol: Kai took a horrendous fall all the way down to the ringside mat, hitting his back on the apron in the process. On the other side of the ring, NICK is irate; he’s trying to get in the ring to get a piece of Drake and even things out, but the referee isn’t letting that happen.
(NICK’s attempt to help would further work against his team, as the referee’s distraction with NICK would give Drake the opportunity to do more damage. He makes his way towards the downed Kai, and eyes Adam Lucas, who just made sense of what just happened.)
(With a stern look at his enemy-turned-reluctant-partner, Drake hands Adam Lucas the Armstrong Family Ring—the same ring Drake himself used to put an end to Adam’s EAW World Title reign.)
Drake Armstrong: (off-mic) End this.
(Adam Lucas hesitates, while Drake Armstrong’s patience is running thin, knowing that the referee could turn around at any second.)
Drake Armstrong: (off-mic) End. This.
(Adam scoffs.)
Adam Lucas: (off-mic) I’d rather be in the grave before I ever think about putting that dirty thing around my finger.
(Adam’s dismissal infuriates Drake. Not because Adam refuses to cheat, but rather because he has too much self-respect, or, in Drake’s eyes, too much pride to even think about putting around his finger the same ring that cost him the EAW World Championship, and furthermore, the same ring that is a symbol of the Armstrongs’ values, built upon oppression and inequity. Despite Adam’s carefree attitude, even he has limits for how low he’d succumb, and even he stands for something.)
(Adam slaps Drake’s hand away, sending the ring rolling across the ringside floor. Then, the former World Champion sends Kai back into the ring, before following after him, seizing up the opportunity to end the match.)
(TAG!!!)
Thadd Blazevich: YO, DRAKE ARMSTRONG JUST TAGGED HIMSELF IN, RIGHT AS ADAM LUCAS WAS ABOUT TO PUT AN END TO THE MATCH!! AND NOW HE’S TAKING MATTERS INTO HIS OWN HANDS AFTER THE DISRESPECT ADAM GAVE NOT JUST HIM, BUT THE ENTIRE ARMSTRONG DYNASTY!! THINGS HAVE GONE PERSONAL BETWEEN THESE TWO BROS!!
Persephone: And now they’re arguing! Nothing makes sense between whatever they’re saying because they’re just speaking over each other! Finally, something decent!
Rich Russillo: Well, you’re not having too much fun, because the referee just started counting Adam Lucas out for being in the ring since he’s now the illegal partner!!
ONE!! TWO!! THREE!! FOUR!!
Persephone: Drake is screaming at him to not be an idiot! :mjlol: And eventually, he throws his hands up and just gets back on the apron. God forbid these referees allow fun for once.
Rich Russillo: Now Drake Armstrong is finally gonna get the opportunity to finish this one, he picks Kai up—AND GOES FOR THE “DEATH PENALTY”!!!
Thadd Blazevich: But bro had too much time to recover! He resists his way out of the Gotch-style Tombstone Piledriver, and goes for a big boot right to the face of the EAW World Champion! Now he’s bouncing off the ropes, and goes for Redlined!!
Rich Russillo: Drake is quick to duck under the Northern Lariat though, and now these two are finally face-to-face!
(Kai takes a moment.)
Kai Rabeaux: (off-mic) So much for “respect,” huh?
Drake Armstrong: (off-mic) Rules of hard play are essential in warfare, Kai. No matter who stands across from me.
Thadd Blazevich: It seems Kai’s quite pissed at the cheap shot Drake took while he was ready to put away Adam Lucas, so Kai goes for a cheap shot of his own and throws a right at Drake that’s enough to daze him temporarily!
Rich Russillo: And now he’s raking at the King of Elite’s face, and there’s not much Drake can do here since that punch turned him right around!
Thadd Blazevich: AND SPEAKING OF CHEAP SHOTS! BRO JUST POKED AT THE CHAMP’S EYES!! THE REF COULDN’T SEE ANYTHING!!
Kai Rabeaux: (off-mic) Well, then you shouldn’t mind this.
Persephone: These guys are all pieces of shit. :mjlol: Kai’s got Armstrong in the corner now though, and he dashes forward!
Thadd Blazevich: HOLLOW POINT!! THE RUNNING HIGH KICK’S GOT ARMSTRONG ALMOST DONE FOR!! KAI KNOWS THIS VERY WELL, AS HE BOUNCES OFF THE ROPES!!
Rich Russillo: BLAADDEEE OF BABYLOONNN!!!!!!! KAI RABEAUX WITH THE COVER!!
…
Kai Rabeaux: (off-mic) COOUNNTTT!!!!
Rich Russillo: But… the referee is not counting…?
Thadd Blazevich: Oh. Look!
(Adam Lucas enters the ring. He quickly tagged himself in while Drake was lined up for Kai’s “Hollow Point.” While Kai is desperately trying to end this, Adam just stands over him.)
(Then he leaps.)
Thadd Blazevich: CURB STOMP!!!!
Rich Russillo: OR BETTER YET—CONCUSSION PROTOCOL!! ADAM LUCAS JUST HIT KAI WITH HIS WIFE’S MOVE! AND SPEAKING OF THE LUCAS NAME, HE GOES STRAIGHT FOR THE “LUCAS LOCK”!! THE SHARPSHOOTER IS LOCKED IN, AND KAI IS DONE FOR!!
Thadd Blazevich: BRO IS ABSOLUTELY FRIED HERE! HE’S GIVING ME A RUN FOR MY MONEY IN THAT REGARD!! KAI IS SCREAMING FOR HIS LIFE, WITH NO WAY OUT!!
Persephone: Well, Kai’s not a quitting bitch, so he quickly realizes the only way out of this is to try and crawl to the ropes, so he tries his absolute hardest to do just that!!
Rich Russillo: Little by little… Kai Rabeaux is fighting through the pain to get out of this one, knowing that’s his only way out! The match is down to just these two, and as things seem, Adam is the one holding all the cards here!
Thadd Blazevich: Wait. It is just these two in sight. Drake rolled out of the ring— AND BRO USES THE OPPORTUNITY TO TRY AND GO AFTER NICK, BUT HE’S PREPARED! DRAKE GRABBED HIS LEG- BUT NICK KICKS HIM AWAY, BEFORE DROPPING DRAKE WITH A DIVING CLOTHESLINE!!!!!
Rich Russillo: The Champ goes down, and now—
(Suddenly, ‘Tears’ by Sabrina Carpenter hits, causing the fans to react with shock as Aahlynn Quinn begins to stroll out to the stage. During this, Kai Rabeaux is able to kick his way out of the Lucas Lock, before catching Adam with a right hand. He turns to the stage as Adam drops to a knee, and both Kai and NICK. are in disbelief as they watch Ashlynn walk down the ramp.)
Persephone: I thought she was told to stay in the back??
Rich Russillo: Yeah, so much for that! Ashlynn Quinn is here!
(Ashlynn makes it down the ramp, and Kai immediately pulls himself to the ropes as NICK. walks towards the ramp, with both men visibly annoyed.)
Kai Rabeaux: (off-mic) Really!?
(Ashlynn ignores Kai’s words, staring at NICK. as he approaches Ashlynn.)
NICK.: (off-mic) Bro, what are you doing!? Are you stupid!? We’re in the middle of a match!
???: (off-mic) I don’t care! You really expect me to trust you with Kai-Kai!? All you do is get in our way, I don’t trust him whatsoever!
NICK.: (off-mic) Are you serious!? Why should I care!?
Ashlynn Quinn: (off-mic) UMM… BECAUSE YOU’RE A WEIRDO SORE LOSER WHO CAN’T LEAVE US ALONE! YOU’RE GONNA SCREW HIM OVER JUST TO MESS WITH ME!!
NICK.: (off-mic) BRO, GET THE HELL OUTTA HERE! I DON’T HAVE TIME FOR THIS!!!
(Adam Lucas pushes himself back up after all of this, but Kai Rabeaux is able to hold him off with an elbow, sending Adam shoulder first into the ring post. After this, Kai turns back to Ashlynn.)
Kai Rabeaux: (off-mic) Ash, just leave! We can handle this later!
Persephone: Omglulz NICK was just busy with Ashlynn while Kai is fighting for his life! This guy is a horrible tag partner, and she is a horrible partner period. They’re so busy arguing that they don’t even realize he is fighting for his life with Adam Lucas!
Thadd Blazevich: Kai makes his way over towards Adam Lucas- BUT DRAKE ARMSTRONG IS AT RINGSIDE AWAY FROM ASHLYNN AND NICK, AND HE GRABS KAI’S BOOT!!! KAI GETS DISTRACTED BY THIS- AND LOOK AT THAT BRO! ADAM CAPITALIZES, TAKING KAI DOWN WITH A LARIAT! ADAM NOW LOOKING FOR ANOTHER ATTEMPT AT THE LUCAS LOCK!!!
Rich Russillo: BUT IT DOESN’T LOOK LIKE HE’S GONNA GET IT!!! LOOK, I THINK NICK HAS FINALLY HAD ENOUGH OF ASHLYNN!
(Eventually, NICK. ignores Ashlynn Quinn, brushing her off as he jumps back onto the apron. Kai notices this, and he uses his last bit of energy to fight back.)
Thadd Blazevich: Kai kicks Adam with both of his boots, and he notices NICK with his arm out, ready for the tag! Kai makes his way to his team’s corner…
Ashlynn Quinn: (off-mic) HEY, FREAK!! YOU DON’T JUST IGNORE ME!!
Persephone: HAHAHAHAH!!! ASHLYNN JUST PULLED NICK OFF THE APRON, NOT LETTING HIM FOCUS ON THE MATCH AT ALL!! SHE’S DESPERATE TO KNOW WHY NICK COST HER EARLIER ON LIKE IT’S NOT COMPLETELY OBVIOUS!!! THE BEST PART?? SHE SEEMS TO HAVE JUST FUCKED “KAI-KAI” OVER IN THE PROCESS!!!
NICK.: (off-mic) ARE YOU SICK IN THE HEAD?? GET OUT OF HERE!
Ashlynn Quinn: (off-mic) YOU GET TO WRESTLE WHEN I TELL YOU YOU CAN WRESTLE!!
NICK.: (off-mic) YOUR “HUBBY” NEEDS BAILING OUT, GET THE FUCK OUT OF MY WAY!! NOBODY ASKED YOU TO COME OUT HERE!!
Ashlynn Quinn: (off-mic) AND NOBODY ASKED YOU TO BE AN ANNOYING USELESS UGGO!!
(Back inside the ring, Kai is beside himself at the absurdity of what’s going on, knowing that this is exactly what he told Ashlynn not to do. Behind him, a recovered Adam is nearly salivating, stalking Kai like a monster seeking its prey.)
(Without a choice, Kai turns around, and charges at Adam Lucas.)
Rich Russillo: LEVEL UP!!! ADAM LUCAS CAUGHT KAI OFF GUARD, AND NOW HE’S HOOKING THE LEG!!
OOONNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!
TWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
THRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!
(DING!!! DING!!!! DING!!!!)
(“Everybody Knows (Unstoppable)” by Royal Deluxe starts blaring in the Žalgirio Arena as Adam Lucas rises above Kai Rabeaux in victory.)
Ashlynn Quinn: (off-mic) Oh.
Persephone: That’s just… hilarious. Kai tried so hard to not lose to the same move Adam Lucas beat him with last time… just to lose to the same move anyways!! And because of his girlfriend on top of that!!! Absolute CINEMA!!
Thadd Blazevich: And sis, on top of that, Ashlynn actually has no idea what she’s just done! It took Adam Lucas’ theme song to take her out of whatever mania she was in, because only now she realizes what she just did, and she’s absolutely stunned!!
Persephone: SPINBACK!!! :mjlol: !!! At this point, NICK doesn’t even give a damn anymore!! He just laid Ashlynn out and is completely done with this!!
Thadd Blazevich: Well, bro’s gone, but I don’t think the drama is over yet.
(NICK begins to storm off, shaking his head after laying out Ashlynn Quinn. He is furious at what transpired, but he knows that there’s nothing else he could do at this point. Back in the ring, Adam’s hand would be raised in victory. Normally, he would think it’s the referee… but as he turns to look…)
(It was Drake Armstrong raising his hand.)
(Adam doesn’t even think about it.)
Rich Russillo: ADAM LUCAS LOW BLOWS DRAKE ARMSTRONG!!
Thadd Blazevich: WOW!! THERE GOES MY ADAM & DRAKE BESTIES PREDICTION FOR 2026!! BRO JUST KICKED HIM RIGHT IN THE BALLS, AND NOW HE’S— HE’S HEADING FOR US??
Persephone: No, dumbass. He’s just taking a chair. Anyway, you got some popcorn?
Thadd Blazevich: Uh. I got brownies?
Persephone: Nevermind.
Rich Russillo: He’s not just taking a chair. He took as many as he could carry from the timekeeper’s area…
Thadd Blazevich: DRAKE MANAGED TO GET UP ON ONE KNEE, BUT IT DOESN’T MATTER, BECAUSE ADAM INSTANTLY JUST HIT HIM RIGHT IN THE HEAD WITH A CHAIR, BRO’S HEAD LITERALLY PIERCED THE CHAIR, THE PLATE YOU’RE MEANT TO SIT ON WENT UP FLYING SOMEWHERE, AND THE SKELETON IS STUCK AROUND HIS NECK!!!
Rich Russillo: NOW THE WORLD CHAMPION IS BUSTED OPEN!! BUT ADAM LUCAS COULDN’T CARE LESS, HE’S LAYING IT ON HIM WITH ANOTHER CHAIR! AGAIN, AND AGAIN, AND AGAIN!! I LOST COUNT BY NOW HOW MANY TIMES HE STRUCK HIS BACK WITH THAT CHAIR!!
Thadd Blazevich: That thing doesn’t even look like a chair anymore!! The plate isn’t even attached to the chair anymore!! Bro destroyed another chair on Drake, and the scars on his back definitely show it!!
Rich Russillo: Now he takes that broken plate, and lays Drake’s head beneath it. He makes a run for the ropes—
Thadd Blazevich: CONCUSSION PROTOCOL!!!!! ADAM LUCAS JUST CURB STOMPED DRAKE ARMSTRONG FACE FIRST INTO THAT COOKED CHAIR!! BRO, HIS FACE IS FULL OF BLOOD!! WHEN ADAM SAID HE’D BEAT THE BRAKES OFF DRAKE THE SECOND HE GOT THE CHANCE, HE WASN’T LYING!!
Rich Russillo: Oh no… He’s— He’s not done yet.
Persephone: Yeah, he’s still got a few chairs left. It would be a shame if they were just left there, and he knows it as well as I do! He kicks away that plate that’s got Drake’s face embedded onto it at this point, and places a fresh chair under his head this time around.
Thadd Blazevich: Oh god. He’s got another chair now. And he’s lying over Drake like he was a dead body.
Persephone: The crowd doesn’t even know how to react. Adam Lucas is a piece of shit, but Drake Armstrong may be a bigger piece of shit!
Rich Russillo: Lucas… brings the chair up over his head—CON-CHAIR-TOO—-
…
…
…
Persephone: DAMNIT!!!! SOMEONE JUST TACKLED ADAM LUCAS!!
Thadd Blazevich: AND MULTIPLE MASKED PEOPLE ARE JUMPING IN THE RING TRYING TO BEAT UP ADAM!! BUT HE’S FIGHTING BACK, BRO IS JUST SWINGING THAT CHAIR WHEREVER!!
Persephone: Of couuursseee “the Armstrong Defensive Force” just had to show up and ruin things…
Rich Russillo: But it’s not just those guys we saw lay out Hans Grayson at Road To Redemption, actual security personnel is on the way, and they’re trying to separate Armstrong’s masked guys and Adam Lucas, who is seeing red and is beating up everybody standing in the way between Drake and him!
Thadd Blazevich: But the numbers are too much to handle, and Adam is eventually swarmed out of the ring by security!! Bro’s still trying to fight back b—
Rich Russillo: Oh no.
(Adam would fight his way towards the announcer’s area. Thadd was suddenly cut off because Adam just yanked his headset off, bringing the microphone close to his mouth.)
Adam Lucas: ARMSTTRROOOONGGG!!!! It may not be now. It may not be today. Not even tomorrow. Maybe not next week. BUT ONE DAY, ARMSTRONG, ONE DAY!! ONE DAY, I’LL MAKE SURE YOU’RE DEAD, AND I’LL BE RIGHT THERE, READY, EXCITED TO PISS ON YOUR WORTHLESS GRAVE THE DAY IT FINALLY HAPPENS!!——
(Adam threatens Drake, voice gasping and all, before throwing the headset on the ground and making his way out through the crowd. Meanwhile, in the ring, private medical personnel employed by Drake Armstrong would make their way down to check on him and escort him out while some of the masked men made sure to retrieve the Armstrong Family ring dropped earlier on. A shot of the ring would be the last thing seen before the feed cut to commercial.)
(Promotional ad for King of Elite, where the King of Elite finals will take place.)
(Voltage returns to ringside, where Bella Braxton can be seen with a microphone in her hand.)
Bella Braxton: Ladies and gentlemen… The following contest is a King of Elite semifinals match, and it is scheduled for ONE FALL!!!!
Crowd: ONE FALL!!!
(‘Kostas’ by Westside Gunn, Conway the Machine & Benny the Butcher begins to play once again, and the fans cheer as Cody Maverick begins to slowly make his way out to the stage. Cody has a very focused look on his face, knowing that despite what occurred earlier, this is still the chance he needs to make it to the King of Elite finals.)
Bella Braxton: Introducing first… From Las Vegas, Nevada… Weighing in at 235 pounds… COOOOOOODDDYYYYYYYY MAAAAAAAAVVVVVVEERRRRRRIIIIIIIICCCCKKKKKK!!!!!!
Rich Russillo: These two need no announcement right now. We already saw them in action earlier, and what they achieved earlier is exactly why they’re here right now! Cody Maverick is focused, and he’s not looking to let his injuries from his match against TLA get to him.
Thadd Blazevich: I can’t wait for this one, bro. Cody Maverick’s been on a real good run in this tournament so far, but will he be able to make it past Chris Elite? This won’t be easy, that’s for sure.
Persephone: It won’t be good, either.
(‘Invincible’ by Pop Smoke follows, and similarly, Chris Elite begins to walk out with a focused look on his face. Much like Cody, Chris doesn’t appear to be at one hundred percent, but Chris doesn’t let this get to him. He knows that this is his opportunity to return to the World Championship picture so, he wastes no time making his way down the ramp, ready for this match.)
Bella Braxton: And his opponent… From Brooklyn, New York… Weighing in at 210 pounds… CHRRIIIIISSSSSAS EEEEELIIIIIIIIIITTEEEE!!!!!!
Rich Russillo: Chris Elite is here, and what makes this semifinals match so interesting is that if you remember, Chris Elite and Cody Maverick have history dating back all the way to the Draft. Ironically enough, that all had to do with the EAW World Championship as well.
Thadd Blazevich: Yeah, dude. It seemed like they may have been able to put their beef aside for Brand Warfare since then, but now they’re going back at it, and the stakes are pretty high!
Persephone: Thankfully both men are walking into this hurt, so this probably won’t last more than five minutes.
(Ding! Ding! Ding!)
Rich Russillo: AND THE KING OF ELITE SEMIFINALS MATCH IS UNDERWAY! Both Elitists circle the ring, and I for one am interested in seeing how they navigate this match knowing that they’ve both already competed in a match earlier in the night. Neither man could possibly be at one hundred percent, and that fact might just cause them to have to change their approach.
Thadd Blazevich: YOU WERE RIGHT ABOUT THAT ONE BRO, AS CODY JUST RAN INTO CHRIS AND RAMMED HIM INTO THE TURNBUCKLES! CODY HAS TRAPPED CHRIS IN THE CORNER, AND HE RAMS HIS SHOULDER INTO HIS GUT WITH A FEW SHOULDER THRUSTS! Cody Maverick now backing off, but only so he could start stomping at Chris! That was a hot start by Cody Maverick!
Persephone: I guess.
Rich Russillo: Cody backs off, and Chris starts pulling himself out of the corner, BUT CODY GRABS CHRIS AND PULLS HIM INTO A KNEE TO THE MIDSECTION! Cody grabs Chris and sends him into the ropes with an Irish whip, but Chris grabs onto the ropes to stop himself from bouncing off! Chris saves himself early on, as it looks like he has already caught onto Cody’s strategy to capitalize on Elite’s fatigue before his own could catch up to him! Cody did have the earlier match, so this might just be the right move!
Thadd Blazevich: Cody waits for Chris to get away from the ropes, and now the two dudes start circling the ring once again! Chris holds his gut- AND CODY TRIES TO CHARGE IN AGAIN- BUT CHRIS AVOIDS IT THIS TIME BEFORE CONNECTING WITH A KNIFE EDGE CHOP! Cody definitely felt that one, bro! Chris grabs Cody, AND HE HITS HIM WITH A FOREARM! ANOTHER ONE NOW! A THIRD! CODY IS THE ONE BACKED INTO THE CORNER THIS TIME- AND CHRIS CONNECTS WITH A SECOND CHOP! Looks like the tables have turned, dude!
Rich Russillo: Chris takes Cody out of the corner with a snapmare, AND CHRIS CONNECTS WITH A DROPKICK TO THE BACK OF THE SEATED CODY MAVERICK’S HEAD! Cody holds the back of his head in pain, and Chris quickly goes to take advantage, getting Cody into a grounded headlock as in a rare series of events, Chris Elite is actually looking to keep the pace slow! I’m interested in seeing how this one goes with them having to adapt to the punishment they’ve already taken earlier. It’s not gonna be simple.
Thadd Blazevich: Cody Maverick is able to push himself up to a knee, but Chris isn’t letting go of the headlock just yet! He keeps the hold locked in as Cody makes it back to his feet, AND NOW CODY LIFTS CHRIS OFF THE MAT- BUT CHRIS ROLLS BACKWARDS AND ONTO HIS FEET- OH NO! DUDE, CHRIS LANDED ON HIS FEET, BUT ALL THAT DAMAGE EARLIER CAUSED HIM TO HESITATE ON LANDING AND BRIEFLY DROP TO A KNEE! IT WAS BRIEF, BUT CODY WAS ABLE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT AND DROP HIM WITH A CLOTHESLINE!
Persephone: Chris gets back to his feet, and Cody connects with a second clothesline. Chris gets back up again, and Cody connects with a jab. He’s able to land two more, before dropping Chris with a discus lariat. Chris stumbles into the corner, but I don’t really know how. These two already competed in a match. At this point Chris should already be done for. Why didn’t Cody just go for the cover?
Rich Russillo: Probably because Chris still had enough to get back up, as you can see.
Persephone: Whatever.
Rich Russillo: Anyways, Cody Maverick goes running in while Chris is in the corner, BUT CHRIS IS ABLE TO GET THE BOOT UP! Cody stumbles away and Chris pulls himself onto the middle rope- BUT CODY RUNS IN, FORCING CHRIS TO JUMP OVER CODY AND ROLL TO HIS FEET! Chris is back to his feet and he runs towards Cody- BUT CODY CATCHES CHRIS WITH A SCOOP SLAM! CODY WASTES NO TIME RUNNING THE ROPES!
Cody Maverick: (off-mic) CO-DY MAVERICK!!!!
Rich Russillo: AND THERE’S THE ELBOW DROP BY CODY MAVERICK!!!!! CHRIS STUMBLES BACK TO HIS FEET, AND CODY HAS HIM LINED UP!!!!
Thadd Blazevich: SIN CITY STUNNE- NO! CHRIS IS ABLE TO PULL CODY INTO A SCHOOL BOY ROLL UP!!! HE’S GONNA STEAL IT!!!
ONE!
TWO!!
Thadd Blazevich: CODY KICKS OUT- BUT LOOK AT THAT, BRO! CHRIS JUST RETURNED THE FAVOR FOR EARLIER, DROPPING CODY WITH A DISCUS LARIAT OF HIS OWN! CODY MAVERICK IS DOWN, AND DUDE, THESE TWO ARE WASTING NO TIME TRYING TO WIN THIS MATCH! They know that they’re both not at a hundred percent, so they’re trying to win by any means necessary! It’s a smart strategy, I can’t lie.
Persephone: Hopefully that means this match won’t take long. Cody is down on the mat, and I think Chris just got an idea.
Rich Russillo: Chris Elite runs the ropes before stopping next to Cody Maverick, AND THERE’S THE PEOPLE’S MOONSAULT!!!! CHRIS ELITE SAYING THAT TWO CAN PLAY THIS GAME, ONLY HE FOLLOWS THAT MOONSAULT UP WITH A PIN, HOOKING THE LEGS!
ONE!
TWO!!
TH-
Rich Russillo: BUT CODY MAVERICK IS OUT AGAIN! I don’t blame Chris for the frequent pins, though! He is forcing Cody to use up his energy, and we already know just how tough Cody’s first match of the night already was!
Thadd Blazevich: Cody slowly sits up, BUT CHRIS IS QUICK TO RUN THE ROPES AND CONNECT WITH A PENALTY KICK TO THE CHEST! Chris is doing a real good job of switching up his strategy, bro! He’s hitting some fire moves on Cody right now! Chris drags Cody back up before kneeing him in the chest, AND NOW CHRIS SENDS CODY SHOULDER FIRST INTO THE RING POST! CODY DROPS DOWN TO HIS KNEES, AND CHRIS RUNS IN BEFORE SPRINGBOARDING OFF THE MIDDLE ROPE AND DELIVERING A VICIOUS STOMP TO CODY’S BACK! Chris takes a second to hold his stomach, but dude, if this is how he’s gonna work through the pain I think he has a great shot here!
Persephone: Cody drops down to a seated position in the corner, and now Chris Elire starts to back away. Is he gonna leave? I’d be glad if so.
Rich Russillo: Not exactly! He just needed to make some space, SO HE CAN DO THIS! CHRIS ELITE RUNS IN, BEFORE CHARGING INTO CODY MAVERICK WITH HAWK EM!!! THE DOUBLE KNEES CONNECT ON CODY MAVERICK, AND CHRIS ELITE HAS BEEN ALL OVER CODY IN THE LAST FEW MOMENTS! Chris Elite wants to make it to the finals, and this could be his chance to do exactly that!
Thadd Blazevich: Little problem there, bro! Cody Maverick rolled out of the ring! That was probably the best thing bro could’ve done in that situation, as he just saved himself from what was looking like a serious beatdown from Chris Elite. Chris pushes himself back up, and dude, I don’t think either of these men are able to go at the pace they’d like to! Chris sees Cody starting to get up though, AND IT LOOKS LIKE HE HAS HIS MIND MADE UP! HE RUNS THE ROPES, BEFORE FLYING OUTTA THE RING WITH A TOPE CON HILO!!!!
Persephone: NOPE! CODY MAVERICK JUST GOT OUT OF THE WAY!! Chris is able to catch himself on the landing, BUT CODY JUMPS AND DROPS HIM WITH A NECKBREAKER! GREAT! NOW COUNT OUT THEM OUT REFEREE!!
Rich Russillo: I don’t think there’s any point in that! Cody is already using the apron to pull himself up, and now he grabs Chris before sending him into the ring! Cody takes a moment to compose himself before following behind, and it looks like he might’ve just turned this one around as he goes after Chris!
Thadd Blazevich: Cody Maverick grabs Chris as Chris stumbles back to his feet, AND CODY CONNECTS WITH A SIDEWALK SLAM!! NOW IT’S CODY’S TURN TO HOOK THE LEG!
ONE!
TWO!!
THR-
Thadd Blazevich: AND THIS MATCH IS STILL NOT DONE BRO, AS CHRIS ELITE WAS ABLE TO KICK OUT BEFORE THREE! Cody just shakes his head, and dude, these two are not messing around. They’re taking some big shots at each other but so far nothing has been enough! Cody gets back to his feet, and he starts to drag Chris Elite back up. I wonder what bro’s thinking here.
Persephone: Cody lifts Chris and places his legs, and I guess Cody is about to go for that dumb Moneymaker move that he does.
Rich Russillo: It looks like that may in fact be the case- BUT HE’S NOT GONNA GET IT SO EASILY, AS CHRIS IS ABLE TO THROW SOME PUNCHES AT CODY, BEFORE FINALLY PUSHING OFF OF CODY BEFORE CODY COULD APPLY THE FRONT FACELOCK! Cody stumbles back, and now Chris is able to start setting himself up on the top rope! I don’t know what Chris has in mind here, but this could be risky!
Thadd Blazevich: AND I THINK WHAT WE’RE SEEING RIGHT NOW IS THAT RISK, BRO! CODY MAVERICK JUST RAN UP THE TURNBUCKLES BEFORE GRABBING CHRIS ELITE, AND HE’S ABLE TO CONNECT WITH A HUGE SUPERPLEX!!! BRO, WHAT WAS CODY THINKING?? THESE TWO ARE AT LESS THAN A HUNDRED PERCENT, YET CODY STILL JUST PUT BOTH HIMSELF AND CHRIS ELITE THROUGH A HUGE SUPERPLEX, PLANTING BOTH MEN DOWN ON THE MAT! I don’t know how either dude is gonna be able to keep going, bro. This has been a wild match. Even if they didn’t already have a match earlier, something like this still woulda put this match at risk!
Persephone: And that move was so stupid that Cody can’t even go for the cover.
Rich Russillo: Cody Maverick slowly rolls over towards the ropes, grabbing onto them before starting to pull himself back to his feet slowly but surely. Cody waits for Chris Elite to get back to his feet, likely using the opportunity to recover from the damage. Chris Elite starts to push himself back to a knee, holding his back at the same time after that superplex! Chris slowly stumbles back to his feet, AND NOW CODY RUNS IN FOR LIGHTS OUT-
Thadd Blazevich: NO! CHRIS IS ABLE TO AVOID IT!! CODY TURNS AROUND AND CHRIS QUICKLY GRABS HIM FOR DEAD ROSES- BUT CODY WAS ABLE TO SLIP OUT OF BROS GRASP! CODY BACKPEDALS INTO THE ROPES BEFORE REBOUNDING OFF-
Rich Russillo: BUT CHRIS RUSHES IN AND CATCHES CODY WITH OPEN YA MATA!!! THE KNEE DROPS CODY MAVERICK, AND BOTH MEN COLLAPSE DOWN ONTO THE MAT! CHRIS WAS ABLE TO DO A GREAT JOB ADJUSTING THERE, AND THANKS TO THAT CHRIS WAS ABLE TO LAY OUT CODY MAVERICK! CHRIS NOW, PULLING HIMSELF ON TOP OF CODY FOR THE COVER!
ONE!
TWO!!
THREE!!!
Thadd Blazevich: NO SIR, THIS ONE’S NOT DONE YET BRO! Crazy as it sounds, these two are still kicking out as Cody Maverick is still in this one! Chris sits up, and dude does not look happy whatsoever. He pushes himself back to his feet, and bro, you gotta wonder what’s next if you’re Chris right now.
Persephone: I don’t know, give up maybe? It’s not like he needs this match. I don’t think anyone wants to see Chris Elite back in the World Championship picture in 2026, anyway. Might as well just give up now.
Rich Russillo: Well, I don’t think that’s the plan! Chris Elite is looking at the top rope, and as risky as it sounds, it seems like that’s the plan! Chris Elite heads out to the apron before beginning to climb up top, and whatever the case, this could be really bad for someone! Neither man is walking into this with much in the tank, so they can’t afford to take too many big shots!
Thadd Blazevich: Well bro, it looks like one is coming anyway! AIMIN FOR THE MOON!!!
Persephone: NOPE! CODY MAVERICK JUST GOT THE KNEES UP, AND NOW CHRIS ELITE LOOKS LIKE A COMPLETE IDIOT FOR GOING FOR THAT MOVE! What happened to avoiding all the high flying moves?
Rich Russillo: I think Chris gave up on that when he realized Cody wasn’t staying down from his other moves! Unfortunately, that risk did not pay off as Cody just saved himself!
Thadd Blazevich: Chris Elite rolls off of Cody Maverick as Cody slowly starts to push himself back up. Cody grabs onto the ropes to balance himself since he’s still hurt… AND CHRIS USES THE OPPORTUNITY TO TRY AND RECOVER FROM THAT LAST MISTAKE! HE RUSHES IN FOR A CLOTHESLINE- BUT CODY IS ABLE TO LIFT BRO UP AND OVER THE TOP ROPE! Chris Elite is able to land on the apron as Cody stumbles away though, AND NOW CHRIS JUMPS UP FOR A-
Persephone: LIGHTS OUT!!! I DON’T KNOW AND I DON’T CARE WHAT CHRIS WAS ABOUT TO GO FOR, BECAUSE CODY MAVERICK JUST SHUT HIM DOWN WITH A SUPERMAN PUNCH, KNOCKING CHRIS OFF THE APRON AND OUT TO RINGSIDE! Cody collapses down to a knee, and honestly? Now would be a really good time for the referee to start counting. Chris looks pretty knocked out. This is the perfect time for the match to end.
Rich Russillo: Cody Maverick doesn’t want to win that way though, so after taking a breath, he slowly rolls out to the apron! He rests there for a moment, before finally getting off the apron and going after Chris Elite. It’s been very surprising seeing the way things have managed to heat up between these two despite the fact that they have already been in matches. It just goes to show how much both men want to enter the King of Elite finals and earn the right to eventually get a World Championship match whenever they want!
Thadd Blazevich: Cody grabs Chris and slowly drags him back up, and bro drags him over towards us, BEFORE SLAMMING ELITE’S FACE INTO OUR TABLE! Chris stumbles away towards the barricade, but Cody is right on bros tail and he knees him in the midsection, BEFORE PULLING HIM BACK AND SLAMMING CHRIS INTO THE BARRICADE! Chris drops down to all fours, and remember, bro just got hit with Lights Out! He’s in a real bad spot right now, so I can’t really blame him for having a hard time right now. Cody drags Chris up, AND I THINK BRO IS AIMING FOR THE RING POST-
Persephone: BUT CHRIS ELITE FREES HIMSELF BY SHOVING CODY FORWARD, SENDING CODY FACE FIRST INTO THE POST!
Rich Russillo: Cody stumbles backwards, dropping to a knee momentarily! Cody takes a moment to collect himself before turning back to his opponent- BUT ONCE HE DOES, HE’S MET WITH A DIVING CLOTHESLINE OFF THE APRON! CHRIS ELITE PULLED HIMSELF ONTO THE APRON WHILE CODY WAS STILL DAZED FROM THE RING POST, AND THANKS TO THAT CHRIS WAS ABLE TO GET THE UPPER HAND! Chris stumbles back to his feet and rests against the barricade for a moment, before grabbing Cody and sending him into the ring!
Thadd Blazevich: Chris climbs back onto the apron, but it looks like bro isn’t looking to keep going down that high risk path! Chris gets back into the ring, and bro backs into the corner of the ring, waiting for Cody to get back up! I don’t think that’s all, though. Bro is definitely also using the time to recover, and I don’t blame him one bit after everything he has been through tonight. Cody Maverick slowly finds his way back up, AND NOW CHRIS RUNS IN FOR THE OPP SPOTTER!!!
Persephone: NO! CODY MOVED OUT OF THE WAY, CATCHING CHRIS IN SOME SORT OF MODIFIED BACK SUPLEX! I don’t know what else to call it. It looked ugly as hell, but it was enough to lay Chris out so I guess it worked.
Rich Russillo: That was a desperation move from Cody Maverick, but it worked perfectly as he was able to stay in this one! Cody turns and pushes himself to all fours, likely thinking about what his next move will be as this has been an extremely back and forth contest. Cody slowly pushes himself back up, and I think he might have something in mind.
Thadd Blazevich: Yeah, but first Cody takes a moment, dropping to a knee to catch his breath as he’s still hurting from that damage not too long ago. Cody looks at Chris Elite for a moment before looking at the ropes, and bro just shakes his head. I don’t know what he has in mind, but this might be a bad idea.
Persephone: Cody Maverick pushes himself back to his feet before running to the ropes- WHAT THE!?
Rich Russillo: CODY MAVERICK JUST LANDED ON CHRIS ELITE WITH A SPRINGBOARD MOONSAULT!!!!
Thadd Blazevich: WOW!! DUDE, THAT WAS INSANE!!! CODY JUST CONNECTED WITH A HUGE SPRINGBOARD MOONSAULT, AND I THINK BRO MUST’VE BEEN PROVING A POINT RIGHT THERE, SHOWING EVERYONE WHAT HE CAN STILL DO EVEN AFTER EVERYTHING HE’S BEEN THROUGH TONIGHT! CODY STAYS ON TOP OF CHRIS, BARELY HOOKING THE LEG FOR THE COVER!
ONE!
TWO!!
THREE!!!
Thadd Blazevich: BUT CHRIS IS JUST BARELY ABLE TO GET THE SHOULDER UP, KEEPING THIS ONE ALIVE! Cody just slowly rolls off of Chris Elite, and dude, I am in disbelief. I don’t even know what to say at this point.
Rich Russillo: Cody Maverick is slowly crawling towards the corner, using the turnbuckles to start trying to pull himself back up. He’s struggling, but I’d imagine Chris Elite is in a worse state right now. Cody gets back to his feet slowly, and he grabs Chris by the arm before pulling him back to his feet. Cody now lifting Chris into a fireman’s carry, and it looks like he has something else planned-
Thadd Blazevich: BUT CHRIS BEGINS TO ELBOW CODY IN THE SIDE OF THE HEAD! CHRIS WITH ELBOW AFTER ELBOW TO CODY, DOING EVERYTHING HE CAN TO FORCE CODY TO LET GO OF BRO!
Rich Russillo: CODY ENDS UP LETTING GO OF HIM, AND CHRIS LANDS ON HIS FEET- BEFORE GIVING CODY A TASTE OF HIS OWN MEDICINE! CHRIS LIFTS CODY UP INTO A FIREMAN’S CARRY OF HIS OWN- BUT CODY ISN’T LOOKING TO TAKE A BIG HIT, EITHER! CODY BEGINS TO DELIVER ELBOWS OF HIS OWN, AND GIVEN THE SIZE DIFFERENCE IT DOESN’T TAKE TOO MANY BEFORE CHRIS IS FORCED TO GIVE UP ON WHATEVER HE WAS THINKING! Cody drops back down to the floor, AND NOW CODY LIFTS CHRIS UP ONTO HIS SHOULDERS, LOOKING FOR A POWERBOMB!!
Thadd Blazevich: CHRIS BEGINS TO DELIVER REPEATED PUNCHES INTO THE HEAD OF CODY THOUGH, AND BRO MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO DELIVER THE POWERBOMB AFTER ALL! CHRIS JUMPS UP AND OVER CODY MAVERICK- AND HE DROPS DOWN BEFORE ROLLING CODY UP INTO A SCHOOL BOY!
ONE!
TWO!!
TH-
Thadd Blazevich: CODY MAVERICK IS ABLE TO KICK OUT, BUT CHRIS IS THE FIRST TO GET BACK TO HIS FEET, AND HE LOOKS FOR A ROUNDHOUSE KICK- BUT CODY WAS ABLE TO DUCK UNDER IT BEFORE IT COULD CONNECT! Chris sends a kick forward in response- BUT BRO ISN’T ABLE TO CONNECT WITH THAT EITHER, AS CODY CAUGHT IT!
Rich Russillo: CODY GETS BACK TO HIS FEET WHILE HOLDING CODY’S LEG, AND HE SPINS CHRIS AROUND- BUT CHRIS USES THE OPPORTUNITY TO JUMP UP AND CONNECT WITH AN ENZUIGIRI! Cody drops down to a knee while Chris gets back to his feet, and Chris grabs Cody by the arm before sending Cody crashing back first into the turnbuckles! Chris takes a moment, BEFORE FINALLY HE RUNS IN! CHRIS LOOKS FOR AN UPPERCUT- BUT CODY YOU WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE WAY, CAUSING CHRIS TO CRASH INTO THE TURNBUCKLES HIMSELF!
Thadd Blazevich: Cody quickly capitalizes after this, AS HE HITS CHRIS WITH A CLOTHESLINE IN THE CORNER! Chris falls out of the corner, and now Cody heads out to the apron. Bro is heading up to the top rope, and this isn’t something you see from Cody Maverick very often, but both of these dudes are pulling out all the stops right now because they know that this is their best chance to make it to the King of Elite finals! Cody is up to the top rope, but what could he be going for?
Persephone: I don’t think it matters what he was going for, because Chris just shoved Cody’s legs out from under him. At this point it feels like these two are just doing anything to stop this from ending.
Rich Russillo: Chris did that out of desperation, but it clearly worked! That was very close right there, BUT THANKS TO THAT OPPORTUNITY, CHRIS IS ABLE TO HIT CODY WITH A RIGHT HAND! Cody Maverick was rocked by that one, and I think Chris is gonna use this opportunity for something big! He begins to slowly back up, but I’m not too sure what he’s thinking about here.
Thadd Blazevich: WOAH, I THINK I HAVE A GOOD IDEA OF WHAT! CHRIS RUNS IN, AND HE RUNS UP TURNBUCKLES BEFORE TAKING CODY MAVERICK OFF THE TOP ROPE WITH AN AVALANCHE FRANKENSTEINER!!!! CODY FLIES OFF THE TOP ROPE AND ONTO THE MAT, AND BRO, HOW THE HELL ARE THESE TWO STILL DOING STUFF LIKE THIS AT THIS POINT!? I didn’t think either of these two would still even be able to move after everything they dealt with tonight, but somehow here they are still going! This is insane, but now look. Chris Elite has the upper hand, and he might be looking to put this one away!
Persephone: It’s about time. I don’t know why I am being forced to sit through a match between Chris Elite and Cody Maverick, but it needs to end soon.
Rich Russillo: I think that took pretty much everything out of Chris Elite, but he’s not giving up just yet! Chris turns and crawls his way over to the ropes, knowing that at this point he’s gonna need to use them to get back to his feet. Chris begins pulling himself back up, and it’s like Thadd said. Chris is ready to put this match to rest.
Thadd Blazevich: Chris Elite slowly walks towards Cody Maverick, and bro slowly drags Cody Maverick up, BEFORE LIFTING HIM UP INTO A TORTURE RACK! I THINK CHRIS ELITE IS SETTING UP FOR SOMETHING HERE, AND I DON’T THINK WE EVEN NEED TO GUESS WHAT THAT IS!
Persephone: THAT’S RIGHT, CHRIS IS FINALLY GOING FOR A MOVE THAT MIGHT ACTUALLY END THE MATCH! CHRIS DROPS CODY OFF OF HIS SHOULDERS FOR THE HOURS IN SILENCE-
Rich Russillo: BUT HE DOESN’T GET IT!
Persephone: ARE YOU KIDDING ME? WHAT NOW!?
Rich Russillo: THAT WAS AS CLOSE OF A CALL AS POSSIBLE! CODY WAS ABLE TO TURN AROUND AS CHRIS DROPPED HIM OFF HIS SHOULDERS, CATCHING THE KNEE!!!
Thadd Blazevich: CHRIS ELITE CAN’T BELIEVE IT, BRO! HE WAS SURE HE HAD THIS MATCH WON, BUT CODY MAVERICK JUST GOT A HUGE COUNTER IN- AND THAT’S NOT ALL!!!! BRO GRABS CHRIS AND SENDS HIM INTO THE ROPES- BEFORE LIFTING CHRIS UP AND PLANTING BRO WITH THE DEEP END!!!!! THE DEEP END CONNECTS, AND BRO, CODY MAVERICK HAS COMPLETELY TURNED THIS ONE AROUND! I THOUGHT HE WAS COOKED AFTER THAT FRANKENSTEINER, BUT THIS ONE ISN’T OVER JUST YET!
Persephone: CODY MAVERICK FORCES HIMSELF BACK TO HIS FEET, AND HE WAITS AS CHRIS ELITE SLOWLY STARTS TO STUMBLE BACK TO HIS FEET!
Rich Russillo: CODY MAVERICK GRITS THROUGH THE PAIN, GRABBING CHRIS ELITE BEHIND BEFORE DROPPING HIM WITH THE HIGH ROLLER!!!!!!! THE HIGH ROLLER CONNECTS ON CHRIS ELITE, AND CHRIS IS DOWN AND OUT!!!!! THAT TOOK EVERYTHING! EVERYTHING CODY HAD LEFT WENT INTO THAT MOVE, AND THAT MIGHT’VE BEEN ENOUGH TO GET IT DONE! CODY MAVERICK PULLS HIMSELF ON TOP OF CHRIS, GETTING AN ARM OVER HIM FOR THE COVER TO MAKE IT TO THE KING OF ELITE FINALS!!!!
ONE!
TWO!!
THREE!!!
(Ding! Ding! Ding!)
Bella Braxton: Ladies and gentlemen, here is your winner… Advancing to the King of Elite finals… COOOOOOOOODDDDDDDDDDDYYYYYYYYYY MMMMMMMMMMMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAVVVVEEEEERRRRRIIIIIIIICCCCKKKKK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(‘Kostas’ hits once more, and the crowd explodes with cheers as Cody Maverick slowly rolls off of Chris Elite. He breathes heavily, having used everything he had to win that match. He takes a while to even sit up, but once he does, he just shakes his head, knowing that he was able to get past his two matches and make it to the King of Elite finals.)
Rich Russillo: CODY MAVERICK DID IT!!!! CODY WAS ABLE TO ADVANCE TO THE KING OF ELITE FINALS, AND WHAT A MATCH WE GOT OUT OF IT! That was fantastic, and an extremely earned victory for Cody who had to pull out all the stops for that one!
Thadd Blazevich: Bro, we saw everything in this match. We even saw a Cody Maverick springboard moonsault! These two weren’t messing around. Chris Elite nearly had it won too, but Cody Maverick just wasn’t letting that happen.
Persephone: Why did that take so long? These two literally already wrestled tonight. That shouldn’t have taken so long.
Rich Russillo: It just goes to show how much this match meant to these two. Congratulations to Cody Maverick, who just picked up an incredible victory!
(Cody Maverick slowly uses the ropes to get back to his feet, before finally he is able to have his hand raised by the referee. The fans cheer loudly, and Cody Maverick holds his midsection, still taking a moment to recover from that tough match. After this Cody climbs to the middle rope, staring at the fans in attendance. As Cody Maverick celebrates his victory, Voltage begins to fade to black.)
(EAW logo buzzes.)
