(EAW intro plays.)
(A recap of last week’s Voltage is shown, displaying the highlights of the night before fading out. After this the camera opens up to the LDLC Arena in Lyon, France, where tonight’s show will take place. Pyro shoots from the stage before the camera pans around to show the cheering fans in attendance, before finally the camera cuts towards the commentary table, where Rich Russillo, Thadd Blazevich and Persephone can be seen.)
Rich Russillo: Ladies and gentlemen… Welcome to the FINAL Sunday Night Voltage before King of Elite! Needless to say this is a big show, and I am excited for what’s to come!
Thadd Blazevich: I can’t wait for King of Elite, bro. Things are gonna get crazy, and I’m really looking forward to seeing how things play out, but first, we got a show tonight, and we have some words from the World Champ!
Persephone: Ugh. This might be the worst way to open up a show ever.
(“Pride and Arrogance” by Takeru Kanazaki takes over the arena’s sound feed as the crowd in Lyon opens a chorus of boos. Masked men begin making their way out at different rates, taking different positions, before the EAW World Champion himself walks out in the usual three-piece suit, carrying the championship over his shoulder.)
Bella Braxton: Ladies and gentlemen… please welcome the EAW WORLD CHAMPIOONNN…. DRAAAKKEEEEE ARMSTROOONNGGG!!!!
Rich Russillo: We’re off to an electric start this Sunday as Drake Armstrong is looking to address his competition for King of Elite one final time! It was one month ago that Drake Armstrong defeated Adam Lucas for the EAW World Champion. Three weeks ago, Adam Lucas interrupted Drake’s celebration, revealing to everybody that he persuaded Captain Charisma into granting him a rematch for the championship. Two weeks ago, the two of them would come out victorious in tag team action, but right after the contest, Adam Lucas would unleash a massive attack on Drake Armstrong, looking to take him out of the picture before the same masked men that broke Hans Grayson’s arm came out to make the save for Armstrong. Then, last week, they put pen to paper on their King of Elite rematch, making it official! Another brawl broke out, between Drake’s thugs and Adam Lucas—Adam would once again be overwhelmed by the numbers, and when he was in position to have his arm broken, Drake Armstrong hesitated, and did not signal for the command for the masked men to act. Now, we are about to hear from the champion for the first time since then!
Thadd Blazevich: You bros know I’m a freak for extreme contests, and the things these two have done to each other in the lead-up to King of Elite have led me to question just what type of punishment they’ll dish out in the match itself! I’m extremely excited for that match, but as things stand, one of these two don’t have to render the other unable to compete by then, and by the way they’ve been at each other’s necks, that is definitely not a guarantee.
Persephone: They’re just two peas of the same pod. Both cowards; unable to come to terms with their own actions and consequences so they get themselves deep in shit which is why the two of them are making attempts at each other’s careers every single week. Not that I don’t love it, of course, I need something like this to make up for the 3 hours of torture I’m put through every week calling this show, but when it’s me, of all people, having to provide a take like this, they should start taking a look in the mirror.
Thadd Blazevich: Watch out… they might hear you.
Persephone: They wouldn’t hit a woman.
(The masked men had surrounded the entire area surrounding the ring, meanwhile Drake Armstrong had made his way into the ring. He takes a second to pose with his arms spread, basking in the crowd’s fumes. An assistant made their way into the ring to hand him a microphone, as his theme song faded away…)
Drake Armstrong: Your days are officially numbered, Adam Lucas. But before I get to the lowborn, I would like to preface a simple fact of like: THE KING does NOT suffer defeat at King of Elite. So much as it is my birthright to rule this world with an iron fist, so much as it is my birthright to stand above you all as the King of The World, it is also my birthright to be cherished, celebrated, and for my career, my legacy to become solidified at such times of year. The King of Elite event happens to be one of them—two years ago, so, so many moons ago, I made my name UNDENIABLE by defeating Cyclone Henderson; sending ripple effects across the entire wrestling world, stamping my name in this industry in an absolute instant, warning each and every wrestler who have dedicated YEARS, even DECADES to their craft that I am coming for their spot, and I am willing to take it by force. Two years ago, I turned the legacy of Cy Henderson into an EXAMPLE. Two years ago, I turned the Cyclone into a drizzle, and this marked the official catalyst to my unparagoned rise to the top of EAW’s inimical ladder.
Drake Armstrong: Last year was even more glorious. Setting my ambitions into motion, I claimed the crown always waiting for me. Etching my name into the annals of history, I had shaken the world by becoming the King of Elite, I made the name ARMSTRONG synonymous with the greatest names to tread upon this wrestling world—just as it already was in each and every other facet of life, further cementing the Armstrong family’s monopolistic legacy. By ruling over the Land of Elite, I arranged each and every single piece on the board under my will. I sent the supposed unbroken to ruin. I made certain I would become World Champion to fulfill my very calling when I was merely “The Future” — and now here I find myself, the King of Elite. The EAW World Champion. Potential, realized.
Drake Armstrong: The King of Elite event is MY stage. And this year, I will send Adam Lucas packing. I will send the “Next Level” levels below. I will solidify myself as an unstoppable force. An unshakeable juggernaut. This jester out to prove me for a fraud, a fluke champion, and while I guffaw at such aberrations, I will entertain this idea merely for the sake of shutting it down in just a week’s time. I am the king of this land, and I am the single man most fit to tackle such a responsibility. In a week’s time, while I will manhandle Adam Lucas, three other men will fight for the right to *attempt* to follow in my footsteps. One of them happens to be the junior captain himself! Each and every single one of those rascals are fighting for the opportunity to match the legacy I’ve set, and while I do not wish to dampen their joy—allow me to be honest: they will fail.
Drake Armstrong: Because I will NEVER be outmatched. I will NEVER be dethroned. I will NEVER be taken off of my throne.
(Drake inches closer to the camera.)
Drake Armstrong: Adam Lucas will just be yet another piece to my tremendous King of Elite legacy once it’s all said and done, and there is nothing he can do to stop that from happening. Why? Because Adam Lucas is arrogant. Because Adam Lucas is far too confident. Because Adam Lucas does not know his place. The erstwhile EAW World Champion has no idea what he gets himself into, yet he keeps on overstepping. Adam Lucas REPEATS his mistake. Under the Armstrong Code of Honor, THAT is considered an act of perfidy. Foolish mistakes that break the confidence are enough to earn banishment, so I would like to use this knowledge to juxtapose the two of us, to make it clear that MY standard lives far beyond his. I have NEVER made the same mistake twice. My blood barely allows mistakes to happen, period, repeated acts? They are signs of weakness.
Drake Armstrong: Oh, Adam Lucas, how you wish to hold control over the narrative. How you push your rhetoric in desperate attempts to make me yield to you. Assuming you’d have your way merely because you sweet talked the same Mr. Matthieu Daniels you rebel against all the time to hand you a rematch. Believing my fate was in your hands merely because I wanted to feed your bloodlust before leaving you to starve to death. Blasphemy. Idiocy. Listen to me: by the time this is all over, all you’ll have accomplished is pushing yourself further away from the picture you once thought was cemented around you.
Drake Armstrong: Last week was a warning you should heed. But in case you are oblivious, I’ll spell it out for you: 1) you make yourself a personal enemy of mine, I have no reason to hold back and not turn you into a spec of dust; 2) compose yourself, and do not dare show your face today. I am aware you are an indignant man who wouldn’t know common sense or courtesy if it slapped him in the face, do not take last week as a sign of mercy, but simply a showcase of my ambition. If YOU, Adam Lucas, make the mistake of getting in my face again, of disrespecting me, or putting your hands on me before we meet inside of the squared circle at King of Elite, I will not HESITATE to make you live a life of leisure under your wife’s care while you have no choice but watch my reign of domination carry onwards. Dare be rash, Adam Lucas, and you WILL join The Fireheart on the sidelines.
Drake Armstrong: One thing I am not is a coward. And if you don’t take it from me, then you’ll have to learn this the hard way. I do not need protection to keep me safe. I do not need my dirty deeds done by third parties. While I certainly take liking to the luxury of convenience, a king is inherently a warlord. Sometimes, not only must I make the tough choices, but I must also enact upon those tough choices myself. For how personal you’ve gotten, Adam Lucas, I cannot, in good faith, let your blood be on anybody’s hands but my own, even if my lovely guards were eager to break you in half and take your arm as a trophy. I dislike disappointing my people, but there is a punishment that must be delivered by my hand on certain occasions, and that is when you disrespect the illustrious Armstrong name. This has become far more personal than it ever should have, and you’re all to blame. You are far too hubristic, and have such a high sense of self-importance that you have upped the ante to levels I simply cannot, in good faith, ignore anymore. I was never out to get your head, I was out to get your championship.
Drake Armstrong: But that has changed.
(Drake’s look briefly moves towards the Armstrong Dynasty ring.)
Drake Armstrong: Now I want your head. And I will get it by my own two hands. Two weeks ago, I conceded my Armstrong Dynasty ring to you, for the sake of victory. You refused. Not because you are this man of honor. Not because you’re one of those fools who play by the rulebook… we both know that is not you. You could not, for the life of you, let your pride allow you to put that ring on your finger. You’re far too proud, and I find that absolutely laughable, when by all means, this ring alone is worth more than your hollow life. You dare disrespect the Armstrong name, then Adam Lucas, at King of Elite in Rome, I will make an EXAMPLE out of you, and unlike you, when I make a promise—I deliver upon it.
(Drake, red in the face, shifts towards the hardcam.)
Drake Armstrong: When you dare swing at the king, you best take his head. For if you miss—
(The tune of “Everybody Knows (Unstoppable)” by Royal Deluxe cuts Drake Armstrong off, and he instantly goes on the defensive, while also directing all the masked guards to guard the entranceway…)
**CRASH!!**
Thadd Blazevich: WOAH DUDE!! ADAM LUCAS JUST SLID IN THE RING AND HIT DRAKE ARMSTRONG WITH A 2X4 WITH BARBED WIRE WRAPPED ALL OVER IT!!
Persephone: Must’ve been the wind… the masked idiots are only now realizing what’s going on.
Rich Russillo: But it seems Adam Lucas came prepared, he’s an armed and dangerous man out for vengeance, ready to take on the entire world at once if that’s what separates him and the EAW World Championship! He’s got a massive chain around his neck, and now he’s fighting off the guards with it!
Thadd Blazevich: BRO IS LITERALLY WHIPPING THESE GUYS WITH THE CHAIN IN ONE HAND, AND THE 2X4 IN THE OTHER!! HE’S FIGHTING OFF THE NUMBERS DISADVANTAGE BECAUSE HE WAS ABLE TO TAKE THE GUARDS BY SURPRISE AND LEAVE THEM WITHOUT A PLAN!!
(As the guards have to rush in few by few, with weapons in hand Adam Lucas is able to fend off the masked men, swinging the 2×4 at smaller groups, while whipping the bigger groups with the chain he has great control over by having wrapped it around his arm.)
(There’s only one masked man left at ringside… who hesitates. Adam Lucas took out everybody else, and now he’s practically stalking the last one, while Drake is out on his stomach, screaming at the thug to jump into the fight…)
(He does. Adam drops the 2×4.)
Rich Russillo: ADAM WRAPPED THE CHAIN AROUND HIS FIST, AND HE’S PUNCHING AWAY AT THE MASKED MAN’S FOREHEAD! BLOOD IS SPILLING OUT OF THE MASK!!
Thadd Blazevich: AND NOW HE JUST PUT THE CHAIN AROUND THE MASKED MAN’S NECK… THE HELL IS HE DOING—
Rich Russillo: OH MY GOD!! HE THREW HIM OVER THE TOP ROPE AND HE’S PRACTICALLY HANGING THAT GUY!!
Thadd Blazevich: BRO IS SQUIRMING AROUND, PROBABLY LOSING MORE AIR DOING THAT!! I CAN’T TELL IF IT’S THE BLOOD BUT HIS EYES ARE LEGIT RED!!
(Adam keeps going for a bit longer, but after the threat has effectively been neutralized, he drops the chain.)
(Then…)
Rich Russillo: OH! IT SEEMS DRAKE HAD ENOUGH TIME TO RECOVER!!!
Thadd Blazevich: HE GOES LOW!!
Rich Russillo: BUT ADAM CATCHES HIS LEG!! AND DRAKE IS BEGGING FOR MERCY NOW!!
(Adam Lucas takes Drake out with a forceful lariat, he then grabs a hold of the barbed wire-wrapped 2×4 and aggressively presses it against Drake’s neck, choking him until he’s *close* to unconsciousness.)
(Then, Adam drops the 2×4. He takes a glance at the EAW World Championship, but picks up the microphone he dropped next to it.)
(Adam crouches next to Drake, forcefully picking up his head and forcing him to look into Adam’s eyes — the same way Drake did a week ago.)
Adam Lucas: I don’t know, Armstrong! You probably should have killed me while you had the chance.
(Adam conveys sarcastically, before getting closer…)
Adam Lucas: Getting rid of me was the only way you could’ve kept me away from my title… too bad you hesitated.
(And closer, until he’s right in Drake’s face.)
Adam Lucas: Now? You reap what you sow.
(Adam drops the microphone and Drake’s head falls flat on the mat as the arena’s silence is deafening.)
Rich Russillo: Wow. Message delivered by Adam Lucas…
Thadd Blazevich: Things have truly boiled, and now I really need to ask the same question I asked before all of this: if these are the lengths these two will go to outside of the match… just *what* are we about to see in a week’s time?
(Adam Lucas can be seen in the distance walking out via the ramp, trampling over the bodies he had manhandled, while Drake remains laid out flat in the ring, with the EAW World Championship next to him before the feed cuts somewhere else.)
(Promotional ad for King of Elite, where Drake Armstrong defends the EAW World Championship against Adam Lucas.)
(The camera pans back to ringside, fading towards the stage as ‘All of the Lights (interlude)’ by Kanye West begins to play. Jon Kelton can be seen beginning to walk out as the fans in attendance boo, but Kelton doesn’t seem to be in a mood to acknowledge the fans, as he storms down the ramp. Jon Kelton makes his way to the ringside area, reluctantly taking a seat next to the commentary table to watch the upcoming match.)
Bella Braxton: Ladies and gentlemen… The following contest is scheduled for ONE FALL!!!
Crowd: ONE FALL!!!
(The camera pans inside of the ring, where a woman can be seen in wrestling gear, seemingly prepared for the match ahead of her as Bella Braxton begins to speak once more.)
Bella Braxton: Already in the ring… From Cocoa Beach, Florida… Weighing in at 113 pounds… MAYA CARTER!!!!
Rich Russillo: Jon Kelton is joining us at ringside tonight as Minerva will be in action, and if you’re Maya inside of the ring, I’d be a bit nervous right now.
Thadd Blazevich: Yeah dude, that’s some really bad luck. Making your debut against Minerva of all people? Yikes, bro.
(‘Blood, Milk & Sky’ by White Zombie hits, and as Minerva begins to walk out, Jon Kelton grows even more frustrated. Minerva has a smirk on her face as she reaches the stage, staring directly at Jon Kelton, who is still not fully recovered from last week’s events. Minerva walks down the ramp, slowly turning her attention back towards her opponent as she approaches the ringside area.)
Bella Braxton: And her opponent… From Bucharest, Romania… Weighing in at 122 pounds… MMMMMIIIIIIIIINNNEEEERRRVVVAAAA!!!!!!!!
Rich Russillo: Mienrva and Jon Kelton have been going back and forth for weeks, and things have just been getting more and more heated between the two. Kelton may still be suffering the effects of that attack last week, but that’s not what tonight is about, as he now has the chance to see Minerva in action up front.
Thadd Blazevich: Dude isn’t happy at all, but we know how scary Minerva can be! Stuff like that is to be expected, which is why… This might be a pretty rough night for the newcomer.
Persephone: So, how long are we expecting this to go? Over or under three minutes?
(Ding! Ding! Ding!)
Rich Russillo: Here we go! The two Elitists begin to circle the ring… AND MAYA ATTEMPTS TO GO AFTER MINERVA WITH A LARIAT- BUT MINERVA DUCKS UNDER IT-
Thadd Blazevich: AND THERE’S THE DEVIL’S TOUCH RIGHT AWAY, DROPPING MAYA TO THE MAT!!! Not a good first move right there bro, but I see what the strategy was! Maya tried to surprise Minerva with a hot start, but Minerva immediately shut her down! Minerva now dragging Maya up, and she props her up into the corner, hanging her arms over the ropes. What’s she thinking about here?
Persephone: A SECOND DEVIL’S TOUCH!!!!! Wow, tonight might be the worst night Kelton could’ve sat at ringside for a Minerva match, because I’m pretty sure she’s about to torture the rookie.
Rich Russillo: Maya is already clearly unconscious, BUT MINERVA DELIVERS AN UPPERCUT WHILE SHE’S STILL PROPPED UP IN THE CORNER, AND SHE FOLLOWS THIS UP WITH KNEES TO THE MIDSECTION, JUST DEALING NONSTOP PUNISHMENT UNTIL THE REFEREE FINALLY REACHES THE COUNT OF FIVE! Minerva backs off briefly to avoid the disqualification, but Maya still has not moved after those two superkicks to open up the match! She’s not in good shape right now, and it seems Minerva is not done with her just yet!
Thadd Blazevich: Minerva hits Maya with a clothesline, BEFORE SCOOPING HER UP AND PLANTING HER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RING WITH A SCOOP SLAM!! Honestly dude, I think Maya might already be done. Minerva could probably pin her and win the match right now.
Persephone: Then why hasn’t she yet??
Thadd Blazevich: :lupe: Probably because Kelton is here at ringside. She definitely knows bro is still heated from what she did last week, and now she’s making a serious statement by making him watch as she just destroys her opponent tonight!
Rich Russillo: Well I suppose there’s no better way to send a message than by letting your actions do the talking! Minerva drags Maya up by her hair, BEFORE CONNECTING WITH A GERMAN SUPLEX! SHE DUMPS MAYA ON THE BACK OF HER HEAD, AND NOW MINERVA TURNS BEFORE BEGINNING TO DRIVE ELBOWS INTO THE BACK OF THE HEAD! MINERVA WITH ELBOW AFTER ELBOW, AND I’M STARTING TO THINK THE REFEREE IS GOING TO HAVE TO CALL THIS!
Thadd Blazevich: BUT MINERVA DOESN’T GIVE ‘EM THE CHANCE! SHE GETS TO HER FEET AND PULLS MAYA UP TOWARDS A FRONT FACELOCK, AND NOW SHE STARTS DROPPING ELBOWS DOWNWARDS ONTO MAYA’S HEAD, ALL WHILE MAYA JUST FALLS DOWN ONTO HER KNEES, NOT EVEN ABLE TO STAND ON HER OWN! Minerva finally stops with the elbows, BUT ONLY SO SHE CAN PULL MAYA BACK IN, AND NOW LIFT HER UP IN THE AIR!
Rich Russillo: ATLAS FALLS!!! IT WAS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THIS HAPPENED, AND I BELIEVE IT’S SAFE TO SAY THIS ONE IS OVER!!! MINERVA JUST DISMANTLED HER OPPONENT TONIGHT, AND NOW SHE JUST HOOKS THE LEG FOR THE COVER!
ONE!
TWO!!
THREE!!!
(Ding! Ding! Ding!)
Bella Braxton: Ladies and gentlemen, here is your winner…. MMMMIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNEEERRRRRRRRVVVVAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!
(Minerva gets back to her feet as ‘Blood, Milk & Sky’ begins to play once more. She has a smirk on her face after the victory, especially knowing that Jon Kelton had to watch it all unfold. However, Kelton looks furious as he watches Minerva have her hand raised, and as Minerva celebrates her victory, Kelton gets out of his seat, making his way towards the timekeeper’s area.)
Rich Russillo: Well what can you say? We said before the match that Minerva is a dangerous first opponent, and this was exactly why. Minerva didn’t just go for the victory, which she may have achieved within seconds. She put Maya through hell, all while her King of Elite opponent watched.
Thadd Blazevich: And I’m not gonna lie bro, I think last week was enough to tell me she might have even worse planned at King of Elite. Jon Kelton has a tough match on his plate, that’s for sure.
Rich Russillo: He sure does, but for now we-
Jon Kelton: ENOUGH!!
(Jon Kelton can be heard yelling into a microphone he picked up, with his voice strained following the injury he suffered to the throat. Jon Kelton storms into the ring as Minerva’s entrance music fades out, as the two King of Elite opponents go face to face.)
Jon Kelton: Do you have… ANY idea what you did last week…? I know you think that it was just another night… That you could just stab me in the throat, leave me in a condition where I shouldn’t have even been facing Adam Lucas, and just move on, but no… I didn’t forget what you did. I can’t forget, because thanks to you I can barely speak. You tried to leave a hole in my throat, but Minerva I am only going to give you one warning… You should have ended me while you had the chance. You should have made sure you got rid of me when you attacked me. The last thing you should’ve done was allow this match to happen… Because when we get in the ring at King of Elite, I’m going to do far worse than anything you’ve thrown at me. If you really think you sent some sort of message with this… Trust me, you haven’t seen anything yet.
(The fans boo, but as Jon Kelton stares at Minerva with a cold look in his eyes, the grin on Minerva’s face widens, clearly amused by the anger on his face she slowly walks towards the ropes, gesturing towards the timekeeper’s area as she extends her hand out. She is handed a microphone soon after, and begins to speak.)
Minerva: I warned you that this wasn’t something you wanted, didn’t I? If you were so concerned about what would come from the encounters between us, you should have avoided starting this fight from the very beginning. You had the chance to prevent this, Jon. You could have saved yourself from the punishment you received last week and the punishment you’ll receive at King of Elite. You could have walked into King of Elite in a very different position, but you willingly abandoned that opportunity, and now you are facing the consequences for it. That is your problem to deal with, and unfortunately it is far too late for you to say you don’t want to do this. You dug your own grave, and what happens at King of Elite will be your own doing.
Jon Kelton: Are you serious..? Of course, I should’ve expected this… You really are delusional, Minerva. You have to be if you actually believed for even a second… That I’d just let you have your way after you stabbed me in the throat. Do you think I’d be taking back my words, just because you attacked me…? No, I meant what I said… I am going to dominate this brand… I’m going to make Voltage mine, and I will run through you and the rest of your group if I have to… Minerva, don’t fool yourself. You’re not going to be in the ring with… Maya Carter, at King of Elite. You’re not going to be in the ring with a punching bag, or any sort of newcomer… You’ll be in the ring with the reason Bronson Daniels is no longer here. You’ll be in the ring with someone who has already derailed the career of a multiple-time World Champion… Tell me, what makes you think I can’t do it again?
Minerva: It’s the fact that you’re a fool, and you made the mistake of drawing my attention. I never intended to move on from what I did last week, or hope that you forget. The fact that you’re speaking the way you are right now should serve as a reminder of what I did for every single day of your recovery process. I want you to remember what I am capable of, because even the bare minimum was enough to leave you scarred, so you should be able to understand exactly what that means for your future. A future that’ll see you stand across the ring from me with no choice but to fight until you can fight no longer. This is no longer a matter of making a statement. The time is approaching that you are meant to go to war with me, only that’s not what this will be. You will end our match in a pool of blood, and the regret you face when your promises lead you only to further suffering will be the consequence not only for your poor decisions, but for the arrogance you still have yet to let go of.
(Jon Kelton just stares at Minerva for a moment, with an almost disgusted look on his face after what he has heard from her. However, he is able to calm himself down after a moment, before beginning to respond.)
Jon Kelton: Arrogance?
Minerva: That’s right. You are arrogant, which is the only reason you are even standing in the ring with me right now. You can’t win, Jon. You may have been able to deliver a severe injury to Bronson Daniels, but do you really believe that guarantees you any sort of success against myself? He and I are not the same, and I have no intentions of allowing my season to be derailed for any reason, least of all for the sake of validating your ego. I have my own plans, and those plans do not end with our match at King of Elite, so yes. You are arrogant, and that arrogance will lead you to a most undesirable result.
Jon Kelton: Right… You *would* think that this is arrogance… You got your way last week, so you must think you actually proved something… You don’t get it, Minerva. You don’t even realize what’s about to happen, but that’s fine. If you’re going to set yourself up for failure, so be it… Minerva, I told you what I am going to do. I’m going to make sure you pay for what you did last week, and that I keep the promise I made at the beginning of this year. I am the most dangerous man this brand has to offer, and you’re not going to stop me… You can try, and you can even try to repeat what you just did to that rookie, but you are going to experience the kind of pain that you can’t forget, and that starts… With you feeling the same pain that I did.
(These words pique Minerva’s interest, as she quickly responds.)
Minerva: Really? And how do you plan to achieve that?
(After this, Jon Kelton puts his hand in his pants pocket.)
Jon Kelton: It’s simple… You’re going to suffer, just like I did.
Rich Russillo: JON KELTON JUST PULLED A PEN OUT OF HIS POCKET, AND HE SWINGS IT RIGHT AT MINERVA’S THROAT!!!!!
Thadd Blazevich: BUT MINERVA ROLLS OUT OF THE RING BEFORE HE COULD CONNECT!!! DUDE, KELTON JUST TRIED TO GIVE MINERVA A TASTE OF HER OWN MEDICINE WITH A STAB TO THE THROAT! SHE JUST BARELY GOT OUTTA THERE!!! IT’S A GOOD THING SHE SAW THAT COMING BRO, OR WE MIGHT NOT HAVE EVEN HAD A KING OF ELITE MATCH!!!
(Minerva had a large grin on her face as she slowly backpedals towards the ramp area, knowing that she had Kelton’s attack scouted and was able to avoid it. Jon Kelton on the other hand is furious, slamming his microphone on the mat out of frustration.)
Jon Kelton: (off-mic) I’M GOING TO DESTROY YOU AT KING OF ELITE, DO YOU HEAR ME!?
(Jon Kelton continues to yell at Minerva to the best of his ability, all while Minerva just laughs, amused seeing the rage coming from her King of Elite opponent, especially now that he wasn’t able to get the payback he was looking for.)
Rich Russillo: Jon Kelton is heated, and I can see why. He tried to leave Minerva with the same injury he received last week, but Minerva had it scouted, and thanks to this Kelton has yet to get the revenge he wants. He still has King of Elite though, and from the looks of it, this is getting personal.
Thadd Blazevich: Well dude, that’s bound to happen when people start stabbing each other! This has gotten seriously violent, and it makes me wonder what’s gonna happen once they’re actually facing each other.
Persephone: It better be good. I saw a lot of blood last week. If I don’t get more of that at King of Elite, I’ll be seriously disappointed.
(Jon Kelton continues to yell at Minerva, and she just watches on, maintaining the grin she had previously as she remains on the ramp. There is one last staredown between the two Elitists, both ready for King of Elite, as finally Voltage begins to fade away from ringside.)
(Promotional ad for King of Elite, where Minerva and Jon Kelton face off.)
(Sunday Night Voltage continues as ‘Thoughts of a Dying Atheist’ by Muse begins to blast through the P.A. system, and Jay Jerry Johnson emerges from the stage. He looks fine considering the attack that happened, but he still looks quite pissed off. He receives a positive reaction from the crowd as he looks in both directions before making his way down the aisle.)
Bella Braxton: Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome… JAY JERRY JOHNSON!!
Rich Russillo: Jay is here tonight, ladies and gentlemen, and all we can say is this man is quite pissed, and for good reason. We saw what happened weeks ago, when he was in this ring fighting Selina Reyes and Daniella Atlas, teaming up with Cosmo Goldworthy. It was near the end of that match that a masked assailant emerged from out of nowhere and attacked Jay!
Thadd Blazevich: Yeah, Rich, the masked attacker went straight for Jay’s knee, which was already damaged throughout the match, with a steel pipe! Then busted him open, smashing his head onto the steel ring post! It was a heinous attack for sure, and the fact that we don’t even know who it is just makes it even more frustrating. It was a serious one, but thankfully Jay is back this week and should be cleared now as he looks to participate in the Divide and Conquer match at King of Elite next week.
Persephone: If anyone should be general manager up until Shock Value, it should be me. I would make this show more interesting.
Thadd Blazevich: I don’t know about that, broski, I think that fat guy in the crowd got a better booked show than you do.
Persephone: Shut up, Thadd.
(Jay continues making his way down to the ring as he stares at the ring post for a few seconds, remembering what that attack did to him as he climbs the ring steps and enters through the ropes. He gets tossed a microphone by a ringside official as his music begins to fade off. Jay stands in the middle of the ring as he begins to speak.)
Jay Jerry Johnson: As you all know, I was attacked two weeks ago here on Voltage during my tag team match facing off against ToXXXin. It all happened outside this ring near the entrance, and it annoys me that I was the subject of an attack and left with a further damaged knee and bloody mess right on my face. Despite how bad it may have seemed weeks ago, I have had time to recover, and I have been cleared for competition, but I’m still not satisfied with that. I’m not satisfied that whoever did this was hiding themselves under a mask and was able to get away with it. They were able to smash my head into that ring post and still not be caught.
(Jay pauses for a second as he recollects himself and his thoughts as he continues to speak to the crowd and to those watching at home.)
Jay Jerry Johnson: I know that Captain Charisma takes attacks like this very seriously, especially when they’re attackers whose identities are mysterious. Like, it’s one thing to attack from behind, and I find out right then and there who that coward is, but to hide yourself from me and the rest of the world is next-level cowardice. Now, I had no intentions of getting into anything personal when this year started because I had my focus on championship gold, championships like the Hardcore Championship, which I was supposed to compete in a gauntlet match for before this attacker wanted to inflict pain on me. I wanted to focus on getting back into World Championship contention, that was my focus, but things have changed. I have to put that on the back burner because of the person who wanted to try to end me a couple of weeks back, who wanted to send a direct message to me. They did that, and I’m sure they didn’t want me already cleared for competition this soon because they clearly didn’t do a good enough job yet.
(The crowd cheers as Jay continues to speak on the person who laid that attack on him weeks ago as he says…)
Jay Jerry Johnson: I don’t know who attacked me, and I don’t know why they attacked, but I am not afraid of a fight, especially not from the person hiding behind a mask. If they want to come down to the ring and attack me again, they can be my guest! If they want to make another example out of me, they can try because I’m standing right here, right now, ready for a fight! Is that what you want, mystery attacker? Is that what you’re looking for? Because that’s a reason that I can see you having, and looking for a fight is what you were basically asking for when you struck that lead pipe to the back of my knee, and when he smashed my head onto that ring-post. So I am more than willing to give you what you want, mystery attacker, so indulge me with your presence and confront me in the middle of this ring!
(Jay seems fired up as he puts his microphone on and looks to be ready for a fight! The crowd is going ecstatic as they want to see a brawl between Jay and whoever attacked him as they wait in anticipation. Jay looked around the ring, waiting to see if someone was going to show up, but after a minute or so the crowd began to boo as they realized no one seemed to be coming out.)
Rich Russillo: Can’t be that shocked the attacker isn’t here, and Jay looks quite pissed that they didn’t answer him tonight. He wanted to fight this attack so badly, assuming that’s what they were looking for, but it turns out the attacker is a no-show tonight on Voltage.
Thadd Blazevich: Huge bummer for sure, we wanted a fight, broski!!
Persephone: For once, I actually agree with you.
(Jay picks up the microphone as he continues talking, clearly annoyed that the attacker didn’t show up.)
Jay Jerry Johnson: This person seems to be an even bigger coward than I imagined. That’s a shame because whoever did this could have really made their mark tonight, could have shown everyone here tonight what exactly they are made of, and instead it confirms to me that they are just a cowardly individual who thinks they can just walk away scot-free from nailing a vicious attack on me. So let me tell everyone that despite you not showing up, this is far from over.
(The crowd cheers this line from Jay as he continues to speak as he says…)
Jay Jerry Johnson: I’m going to find who this attacker is, and again, I know Captain Charisma and Eden Sinclair are conducting their own investigation, but trust me… I’m going to know who that attacker is one way or another. I have a match next week at King of Elite, in a Divide and Conquer match. While my opportunity at competing for the Hardcore title was taken away by this attacker… It opens up another avenue for me to join, another angle for me to get one step closer to figuring out who the hell this attacker really is, as whoever emerges from Divide and Conquer as the last person remaining will get to be general manager of Voltage up until Shock Value. I will get that opportunity, and when I figure out who attacked and who decided they wanted to mess with Jay Jerry Johnson, they are going to make sure they regret EVER attacking me.
(Jay drops the microphone as his music begins to play as he had said when he needed to say something regarding the person who attacked him and the match he has next week at King of Elite.)
Rich Russillo: Well said from Jay here tonight, and by the looks of it, he’s determined to win that Divide and Conquer match next week at King of Elite. The power of holding a position like being the general manager, even if it’s up to Shock Value, is still a noteworthy thing to have in your arsenal.
Thadd Blazevich: I believe it when Jay, bro, says he’s going to find out soon enough who attacked and why they did it. It sucked that whoever did it couldn’t even show up tonight to fight him, which I think set Bro off even more. That attacker could send Jay into recovery for even more time if it were any more serious, but thankfully he’s cleared to compete, and he’s going to do whatever it takes to walk out of King of Elite next week as the last one remaining in Divide and Conquer, bro.
Persephone: I wanted a fight. Come on, attack! Jay’s other knee is healthy. Go for that!
Thadd Blazevich: He’s not showing up, broski.
(Jay leaves the ring as he heads to the back as Sunday Night Voltage continues forward.)
(Promotional ad for King of Elite, where Dr. Bethany Blue defends the Hardcore Championship against Kai Rabeaux.)
(Smoke starts to fill the arena as ‘REVIVER’ by MY FIRST STORY blares throughout it to flickering lights, and Sayuri walks through it onto the stage area. The crowd are behind her, cheering as she came out, and Sayuri forms a slight grin on her face as she looks all over, taking in the reaction before continuing to saunter down the ramp in street clothes unique to her with the flash and flamboyance, clearly having something to get off her chest.)
Bella Braxton: Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome… SAYURI HIMURA!
Rich Russillo: Sayuri’s one week away from her big match at King of Elite where she’ll face Eris Morti. These two debuted together, teaming up against two local competitors in the area before the real story came afterwards with Eris Morti laying waste to Sayuri Himura. Obviously, Sayuri wasn’t going to take that lying down, and things have escalated since then.
Thadd Blazevich: Yeah, and last week, Sayuri got her measure of revenge on Eris Morti after their tag match against Diego and Clayton. Left her laying with a “Sayornara” knee strike that could’ve broken Eris’ jaw. Luckily, I’m told Eris is cleared, and still good to go for King of Elite.
Rich Russillo: But if that doesn’t set the tone for how their match is going to be, then I don’t know what does. It’ll be brutal, hard-hitting, intense, but… strangely, I don’t think either woman wants it any other way. They anticipate the challenge thrown at them for King of Elite, and to be each other’s first real test here in Elite Answers Wrestling.
Persephone: Please, I’m anticipating one thing at the event, and that’s when the bell rings to symbolize it’s over. Speaking of, Sayuri’s about to do her whole spiel, and I can’t wait for that to be over too.
(Sayuri enters the ring, and walks to the right hand side, getting a mic handed to her by a stagehand at ringside, to where she walks to the center. ‘REVIVER’ by MY FIRST STORY slowly fades out in the background as she calmly paces back and forth, allowing the crowd to pipe down before speaking.)
Sayuri Himura: So… King of Elite. My first marquee event in Elite Answers Wrestling. You’re told, there’s only one chance to make a good first impression, and while some consider it my tag match with Eris Morti a few weeks ago, I see things a bit differently. I see it as my match against Eris Morti instead, because that’s when you’ll learn fully the type of competitor I am under pressure, facing someone of similar standing to me. Both new, both with something to prove, and both in our biggest tests yet as elitists. Meant to prepare us for what lies ahead, which in either of our cases, could be an EAW New Breed Championship match against either Diego Montana or Clayton Golde. To me, the champion doesn’t matter, and I’m sure the same statement echoes true for you too, Eris. It’s a huge opportunity regardless, and one that I intend to make the most of. But let’s go back to earlier, because I mentioned King of Elite, and it being my first marquee event match, something I expect to have plenty of throughout my time here as an elitist, but one thing I didn’t expect is: how. How I’d get here, and how I’d have already made an enemy on day one in Eris, who caught me off guard with her actions. But I’m not someone who makes the same mistake twice, and it’s gonna be hard for Eris or anybody else to take advantage of me again. Because I no longer believe respect will just come my way in EAW, I realize not everybody works off a code like I do, not everyone carries themselves with honor, and that’s fine.
Sayuri Himura: As my code doesn’t constrict to just turn the other cheek, and allow these injustices to keep happening. Quite the opposite, actually. Bushidō is not about weakness; it is about justice. It is about the swift and decisive correction of a wrong. And that is exactly what I did the last time she and I teamed with one another. Eris sought to embarrass me, and use my name to elevate her own standing. So when I struck her down, I was not abandoning my principles. I was merely enforcing them. I was ensuring that you understood that in this world, every action has a consequence, and I am the one who delivers them. Last week I made sure that your debt was paid, and now as we enter King of Elite, we will do what we should have from the very beginning, and face each other as true opponents. That being said, with no blindsides, no more cheap shots, no more “can they coexist” matches between us… we’ll find out who the better woman is straight up, and once the dust settles, you’ll find the one warrior left standing is: me. By then, I’ll have to ask if THIS is what Eris wanted, and if she’ll carry that same tune afterwards.
(Sayuri turns her attention to the stage as ‘Deathbed Companion’ by Chelsea Grin plays Eris Morti out to a chorus of boos, and she stands on the stage with a microphone in hand. Eris looks to Sayuri in the ring with a very slight grin on her face, almost amused, and waits for her music to die down before speaking.)
Eris Morti: Hi, Sayuri. I just wanted to come out here, and… set the record straight.
(Eris starts walking down to the ring, slowly.)
Eris Morti: You’re so of the belief that I attacked you in order to embarrass you, or elevate my own name up the pecking order, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Though, I can’t blame you for making the same mistake as many others, thinking you know me, thinking you have me figured out when the truth is: you don’t.
(Eris starts walking up the steps, and enters the ring, standing across from Sayuri.)
Eris Morti: And when you’ve barely got a grasp of my motivations, how well do you think you know my abilities inside this ring? I bet you don’t even understand why I’m out here right now, Sayuri, because this might shock a few people. But I’m pleasantly surprised by what you did to me last week, attacking me after the bell…
(Eris moves her jaw around slightly, still feeling the effects of that knee.)
Eris Morti: Of course, I did it first. But I’m glad that you took the initiative to respond, and get a match made between us at King of Elite. Though, I’m a little disappointed you settled for just a basic, everyday match. After everything, I thought you’d have wanted to hurt me just a little bit more… but I guess not. I guess you’re stuck to that code, even in spite of your own wants and needs sometimes. But at King of Elite, regardless the stipulation, it’ll still be hell on Earth for you going up against a competitor like me, and at this rate it is only a matter of time before this revenge plot of yours blows up right in your face.
(Sayuri isn’t rattled by Eris’ words.)
Sayuri Himura: You’re right. King of Elite very well may be hell on Earth, but it’s hell I’m ready to walk through, and you’re disappointed by my choice of match type. But maybe it’s because you couldn’t break me, you couldn’t force me into making an emotion fueled decision, because then I’ll already be entering with a disadvantage: anger. You want me to be like you and lose control of everything I am capable of, but despite everything, Eris, I’m not angry. I’m determined to get past you, and fulfill the prophecy that’s been written for me by becoming a Champion.
Eris Morti: Very well. Can’t say I didn’t warn you. But it’s clear that neither my words, nor my actions are getting through to you. Not yet. But at King of Elite, maybe it’s your tune that’ll change once the dust gets settled. Once you learn that your way of thinking now… isn’t going to get you anywhere, but continuously blindsided, and stepped over by opponents the likes of me. At King of Elite, to slay a monster, you’ll have to be a monster, and the way things are looking… I just don’t think you’re capable.
Sayuri Himura: Enough. You said yourself, Eris. Your words aren’t going through, and I don’t imagine mine are having the same effect over you. It’s clear that our philosophies on life are vastly different from another, but if there’s one thing we can agree on, it’s that our words aren’t getting us anywhere, so why keep wasting our time with them?
(Eris shrugs.)
Eris Morti: I guess you’re right.
(Eris smashes Sayuri with the microphone, staggering her a bit.)
Rich Russillo: OOH! ERIS JUST SMASHED SAYURI WITH THAT MICROPHONE! BUT SAYURI DRIVES ERIS BACK INTO THE CORNER! REPEATEDLY DRIVING HER SHOULDER INTO ERIS’ GUT!
Thadd Blazevich: YEAH, GIVING ERIS EXACTLY WHAT SHE WANTS! A FIGHT!
Persephone: Hell, giving me what I wanted! This was getting kinda boring!
Rich Russillo: SAYURI STARTS TO UNLOAD WITH RIGHT HANDS ONTO ERIS IN THE CORNER AS SHE DOES HER BEST TO COVER UP! BUT ERIS EXPLODES WITH A DOUBLE LEG TAKEDOWN! REIGNING DOWN WITH RIGHTS OF HER OWN!
Thadd Blazevich: SAYURI TURNS IT AROUND, AND MOUNTS ERIS WITH RIGHTS! BUT ERIS SHOVES HER OFF! MORTI SCRAMBLES BACK TO HER FEET, UP AGAINST THE ROPES, AND GETS CLOTHESLINED OVER THE TOP BY SAYURI!
Rich Russillo: BUT ERIS LANDS ON HER FEET, AND DRAGS SAYURI TO THE OUTSIDE! ERIS CHUCKS HER HEAD FIRST INTO THE STEEL STEPS!
(Eris drops down to both knees, and delivers right hands on a downed Sayuri, who tries to cover up before security gets involved to drag Eris away. But that’s when Sayuri jumps up, and starts scoring with rights on a restrained Eris before more security floods out to restrain her too!)
Rich Russillo: SECURITY ARE OUT TO SEPARATE THESE TWO WOMEN, THINGS HAVE GOTTEN WAY OUT OF HAND!
Thadd Blazevich: FANS ARE CHANTING “LET THEM FIGHT!” BUT ITS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN! THESE TWO WILL HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL KING OF ELITE TO PICK THIS BACK UP!
(The camera cuts backstage to Captain Charisma and Eden Sinclair in their office, looking very pleased as they observe from a monitor. Sayuri is fighting to try to get at Eris Morti, intensity in her eyes. Meanwhile, Eris is doing the same, albeit with a smile on her face whilst bleeding a bit from the nose as the camera fades elsewhere.)
(The camera cuts backstage to the interview area where Sofia Clarke is standing, holding a Voltage themed microphone in hand while sporting a smile on her face, prepared to start the interview as she begins speaking.)
Sofia Clarke: Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome my guest at this time… the man who’ll be facing Clayton Golde at King of Elite for his New Breed Title… Diego Montana.
(Diego walks into frame with a big, goofy smile on his face, and it’s clear that last week hasn’t affected his psyche at all. Neither are the boos, which are being reigned down upon him HARD in Lyon, France!)
Diego Montana: Hey, Sophie, what’s up?
(Diego casually places his arm around her shoulder like a friend, but she gently removes it instead, finding the situation awkward.)
Sofia Clarke: Uhm… it’s Sofia.
(Diego just scoffs in response.)
Diego Montana: Pfft… Sophie, Sofia. Tomayto, tomahto. Same thing, really. Also, if we’re pointing out flaws, you forget to mention the “Hardest Ese Ever” Diego Montana, or I would’ve taken the “Highkey New Breeder.” Maybe “next New Breed Champion” as well, but you know what? It’s okay, I forgive you.
(It’s clear that Diego’s behavior is already starting to annoy her, but Sofia Clarke grits through it for now, deciding to remain professional as she briefly closes her eyes before reopening them.
Sofia Clarke: Right… Diego, I’m a little shocked to see you standing here in such high spirits after what transpired last week between you and Clayton Golde.
(Diego feigns confusion.)
Diego Montana: What happened last week?
(Finally, it “hits him.”)
Diego Montana: Ohhh, you’re talking about Eris and Sayuri beating us or whatever, right? Something that wouldn’t have happened if Clayton held onto Eris tight like I had asked him to, so I could hit her with a right on par with Tyson, Ali, and Frazier all combined, but… he didn’t, and because of that, one thing led to another. He got knocked off the apron, and long story short, I got pinned. But it isn’t the first time, and won’t be the last I get screwed over by other people’s mistakes. Besides, what’s one loss to somebody who’s challenging for the New Breed Championship in one week anyway? You really think that loss to Eris and Sayuri’s going to matter once Bella Braxton announces “your winner of the match, and the NEW EAW New Breed Champion… Diego Montana!” Do you?
(Diego briefly waits for a response from Sofia, but she doesn’t bother trying to poke holes in his logic.)
Diego Montana: Exactly.
(Diego cockily smiles, full of himself more than usual at this moment.)
Sofia Clarke: Okay, well… if you are able to secure the championship away from Clayton, then that does mean you’ll be crossing paths with either woman once again, given their match at King of Elite earns them a shot at it.
(Diego simply shrugs.)
Diego Montana: Okay, and? Am I supposed to be intimidated? I expected them to gun for me after King of Elite, because quite frankly, you know what they say, Sofia. The ladies just can’t stay away from “El Diablo Guapo” for long, and in this case, it’s a “title shot.” But let’s be honest, we both know the real reason why they’re after me, and that’s because they can’t get enough. I hear I’m irresistible to most women, and part of that is because of the stache, don’t you think?
(Diego confidently strokes the stache with both his index and middle finger, making Sofia Clarke extremely uncomfortable.)
Sofia Clarke: Uh…
(Diego points his finger up, shushing her.)
Diego Montana: Shh… Shh… I get it. Sofia, you don’t have to answer because “professionalism” and all that, but… we both know. However, getting back to the root of your question, and what this whole thing is all about… I’m actually forward to potentially facing either Eris or Sayuri in the near future, because it means righting something that should’ve never happened in the first place. Neither Sayuri or Eris would’ve defeated me had it actually been a singles match, because I’m a singles competitor, and what happened afterwards is further proof why.
Sofia Clarke: Yeah, that’s actually another thing I wanted to discuss with you. Because after the match had concluded, Clayton got into the ring, and looked as if he was going to help you up, but then bit the “C’est La Vie” instead. You were left laying, and it didn’t look good… with your mutual respect for each other imploding… hence- again, why I’m a little bit shocked at your behavior this evening.
(Again, Diego just shrugs. Not seeing what the big deal is.)
Diego Montana: Seriously, who is writing these questions? First, you’re asking me about my loss to Sayuri and Eris last week, then you’re asking about Clayton Golde attacking me after the match? Like, who cares about any of this? Only thing it’s exposed is that Clayton Golde’s don’t got nearly the loyalty, or cojones like one, Diego Montana. Ask my friends from college, and they’ll tell you. But it’s a real bitch move for Clayton to attack me in the manner he did, especially after I thought there was a connection between us, homie. I thought we were both locked in, and on the same page for last week… but I guess not. Though, it is what it is. I’m not gonna shed any tears over it. At King of Elite, I’m just going to get even… and Clayton Golde may be like me in many ways in terms of aura, presence, machismo, but if that’s the case… he should’ve seen this coming with the fact I’m not a pushover either. I’m certainly no coward, and with the two of us standing face-to-face at King of Elite, I’m definitely gonna smack him around a few times, so he can get the message.
(Diego chuckles, softly.)
Diego Montana: Then after that, I’ll add insult to injury by taking his title, and Diego Montana doesn’t commit himself to many women, but I might have to make an exception in case of the New Breed, because that’s one of the prettiest lil jawns I’ve ever laid my eyes on, and the best part about it is: always getting a glimpse back at my own reflection. The reflection of perfection, if you will. But enough about my dashing good looks, because I’m more than just a sly, handsome devil. I’m also talented, and contrary to whatever these pendejos say out in the crowd-
(Diego’s cut off as the crowd fills the arena with boos, but he brushes them off.)
Diego Montana: Oh, boo all you want! You know it’s true. Contrary to what ANY of you have to say, I have earned this championship opportunity, and you know why? By making every moment count, by pushing talent like Cody Maverick over the finish line, and getting him to the King of Elite finals with this Latino inferno. It’s about time I’ve been rewarded, and acknowledged as someone carrying the Voltage brand on his back since arriving here. For a while, I even made Chiyo Gedo relevant before I spanked him in our last match together, and I’m about to be what everybody is talking about King of Elite. Clayton’s actions from last week have only increased the need for you to tune in, and watch as this is better than Godzilla vs Mothra, Rocky vs Drago, even Mario vs Bowser. Some are going as far to call it the TRUE main event for King of Elite, and who am I to argue? It’s a battle for the centuries, one that I intend to win by any means necessary, no matter what it takes. I will get the job done, and I imagine that Clayton’s telling himself the same thing. But while he was maybe one step ahead of me last week, he won’t be next week. It isn’t often I slip up, but when I do, it isn’t a mistake I make twice. There’s a reason I made both the football and wrestling team, Sofia, and no, it isn’t the fact I’m extremely muscular.
(Diego flexes both biceps, to which Sofia Clarke isn’t very impressed, but he’s so caught up in his own world to notice.)
Diego Montana: It’s because of the fact I’m coachable as well. You don’t have to tell me twice that I’ve did something wrong, because I’ll already have adjusted by then, and that’s the difference between me and other new breeders. I’m improving at a pace most people can’t keep up with, especially Clayton. Because I’m going to outwrestle, outclass, and most importantly, outSHINE him… all until I’m crowned your New Breed Champion. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got some preparation to do… unless you’ve got some more questions for me, because I could hang around you all day, girl.
(Diego double raises his eyebrows at Sofia, flirting.)
Sofia Clarke: Nope, I think that’s all the questions I have for today. 😐
Diego Montana: Aw, you sure?
Sofia Clarke: Positive. Please go, and prepare for your match.
Diego Montana: If you say so. Just know, once the victory celebration takes place afterwards… you’re invited.
(Diego clicks his tongue while winking before heading off as Sofia Clarke looks repulsed with the camera fading elsewhere afterward.)
(The camera cuts to a local female talent inside of the ring, pacing back and forth as a generic instrumental plays in the background. It’s clear that she’s focused, and determined to leave here with a victory tonight. Not endearing herself to fans either as she yells out to them. Meanwhile, Bella Braxton’s voice can be heard in the background.)
Bella Braxton: THE FOLLOWING CONTEST IS SCHEDULED FOR… ONE FALL!!
Crowd: ONE FALL!!
Bella Braxton: Introducing first! Already in the ring! Hailing from Lyon, France, weighing in at 115 pounds… CLARA VALMONT!!
(Clara throws both fists up, garnering a small negative reaction from the crowd, who reacts more positively for Diamond Dixon as “Nice To Meet Yah” by Asian Doll blares throughout the arena. Diamond Dixon then struts onto the stage, sporting her usual swagger, and walks down the ring, high fiving fans a few fans along the way. But once reaching the end of the ramp, Diamond Dixon does stop to lower her shades a bit, and gives Clara an up-down momentarily, seemingly unimpressed before continuing her stride.)
Bella Braxton: And her opponent! Hailing out of Houston, Texas, weighing in at 176 pounds… SHE IS THE CROWN JEWEL… DIAMOND DIXON!!
Rich Russillo: Well, this is an odd one. Diamond Dixon seems to have the crowd behind her… more than the person actually from here. But from what I’ve heard, Clara’s been spreading the word around town about her plans for this match. Hoping to secure an EAW contract by defeating Diamond Dixon, so she can get the hell out of France.
Thadd Blazevich: All I can say, bro, is good luck. After last week, Diamond seems more focused than ever to make an impact, and take that next step in her career.
Persephone: I mean, third time’s the charm, right? Oh, brother. Could you imagine if Diamond Dixon loses here? It’d be hilarious, but I’m realistic enough to acknowledge… highly unlikely. Goodnight, Clara whatever the rest of your name is.
(Diamond removes her entrance coat, and the referee checks with both competitors in opposing corners before signaling for the bell.)
(DING! DING! DING!)
Rich Russillo: The bell has rung, and this match is officially underway! Diamond Dixon! Clara Valmont! Diamond exits her corner, and starts closing in on Clara, who backs into hers… Clara Valmont tries to slip past Dixon, but gets caught, and thrown BACK into the corner by Dixon! DIAMOND TAKES A SWING- BUT OH! Clara ducks underneath it!
Thadd Blazevich: Diamond Dixon finds herself in the corner, and Clara backs to the middle. Performing JUMPING JACKS to taunt Dixon!
(Diamond nods her head, realizing that’s how she wants to play it, and exits the corner.)
Persephone: Clara should enjoy her fifteen minutes of fame now, because she might have just sped it up.
Rich Russillo: Diamond to lock up with Clara in the center- but Clara had other plans! Leaping up to grab Diamond in a standing side headlock instead, and wrenches on the hold momentarily! BEFORE DIAMOND SIMPLY POWERS OUT OF IT BY SHOVING HER TOWARDS THE ROPES! CLARA REBOUNDS BACK, AND INTO A SHOULDER TACKLE! FLOORING HER WHERE SHE STANDS!
Thadd Blazevich: Clara scrambles to a knee in the corner, taken aback by the overwhelming strength and power of Diamond Dixon, who she tries to beg off BEFORE DIXON CHARGES HER IN THE CORNER! BACKING VALMONT INTO IT FOR A BIEL HALFWAY ACROSS THE RING!
Rich Russillo: Clara picks herself up in the opposite corner, and Diamond Dixon builds momentum for a RUNNING SPLASH! SQUISHING VALMONT BETWEEN HER BODY WEIGHT AND THE CORNER, THEN IRISH WHIPS HER BACK INTO THE OPPOSITE CORNER!
Thadd Blazevich: However, Clara looks to go up and over in the corner! ONLY TO GET CAUGHT ON DIAMOND DIXON’S SHOULDER! CLARA HANGS ONTO THE TOP ROPE FOR DEAR LIFE, BUT DIAMOND RIPS HER AWAY, AND CLARA SLIPS OUT THE BACK! CLARA SCORES WITH A KICK TO THE KNEE, AND STARTS BACKING DIAMOND UP AGAINST THE ROPES WITH PUNCHES! CLARA GOES FOR AN IRISH WHIP-
Rich Russillo: BUT DIAMOND IS TOO STRONG, HOLDING ONTO THE TOP ROPE WITH ONE HAND, AND SHIFTS THE MOMENTUM ON CLARA! CHUCKING HER OVER THE TOP ROPE INSTEAD! BUT CLARA CATCHES HERSELF ON THE APRON, AND DROPS DIAMOND THROAT FIRST ACROSS THE TOP ROPE AS SHE TURNED AROUND INTO A HOTSHOT!
Persephone: Wait, she’s actually scoring offense? I didn’t expect her to get this far.
Thadd Blazevich: Going off that look on her face, I doubt CLARA was expecting to get this far as she climbs to the top rope! Diamond’s doubled over in the center of the ring, struggling to breathe as Clara flies off the top rope— AND INTO A SPEAR!!! SIGNATURE SPEAR BY DIAMOND DIXON KNOCKS CLARA OUT OF MID AIR!!
Rich Russillo: AND DIXON QUICKLY DRAGS HER BACK UP TO DELIVER THE… “FACELIFT!” FACELIFT CONNECTS ON CLARA VALMONT, AND DIAMOND ROLLS HER OVER FOR THE COVER!
ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHHHHHHHHHRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
(DING! DING! DING!)
Bella Braxton: HERES YOUR WINNER… DIAMOND DIXON!!
(Diamond Dixon rises off the cover, and gets her hand raised in victory to a loud ovation from the crowd as “Nice To Meet Yah” by Asian Doll begins to play.)
Rich Russillo: And there you have it, folks! Diamond Dixon picks up the victory this evening!
Persephone: Shocker.
(Diamond doesn’t look too satisfied, however, and once the referee releases her hand, she sticks her hand out through the middle rope, requesting a microphone, which she soon gets handed to her by a stagehand. Diamond walks to the center, and does the “cut it out” hand gesture.)
Diamond Dixon: Cut the music! Cut the music!
(Diamond’s request is fulfilled as “Nice To Meet Yah” by Asian Doll fades out in the background. Diamond sarcastically checks her heart rate while standing over Clara writhing in pain on the ground.)
Diamond Dixon: Look, did somebody time that? Because I barely broke a sweat out here! How long did it last? Three minutes? Maybe five minutes at best? France, I hate to do one of y’all people like that, but she was just asking for it, so I had to make her pay. I’m sure you understand, given y’all don’t like her either. But even after a win like that, something’s buggin’ me. I just returned from hiatus, and… that’s the best you got? Sorry not sorry, but Clara Valmont isn’t exactly the caliber of opponent I’m looking to work with. I’m here for some actual competition, somebody that’ll actually make me sweat, somebody that’ll actually put up a fight. I mentioned it last week, but I’m not back so I can just float on by with wins over nobodies and former champions. I’m back, so I can become a champion myself. This isn’t like my first run! I’m DONE with facing bottom of the barrel talent. Going forward, I demand better competition.
Diamond Dixon: Because it’s like this, I’ve got a chip on my shoulder a mile wide. When you think of Diamond Dixon, you think of “potential.” I have all this untapped “potential.” Well, I’m ready to prove it’s more than that. That I’m not someone who “can be” great, but is great, and can carry an entire division on her back if she has to. But it won’t take me four to five years to get there. No, I’m ready to get the wheels in motion now, hence why I put the entire locker room on notice last week. I told them verbatim, “I want all the smoke,” thinking it’d prompt someone to step up. But it’s been a week, and all I’ve gotten…
(Diamond lets the silence sit for a moment.)
Diamond Dixon: Exactly. Radio silence. So, either people in the back are afraid of me, or they’re just not hearing me, so allow me to repeat myself before this turns into a whole issue. Because trust me, Diamond Dixon uncaged is the last thing y’all want running around back there, but if it’s what I gotta do to get taken seriously, then so be it. I’ll start people out left and right if I have to, but I’m hoping it doesn’t have to come to that. I’m hoping somebody is man or woman enough to step to me in the back, and become my first victim as we begin the road to Pain for Pride, the biggest event of not just the season, but the year. An event that I will play a huge part in, because mark my words: over the next few months, Diamond Dixon is going to start kicking some ass around here, and moving up the ranks fast. Remember, this doesn’t end until I’m champion, so this image you’re seeing right now?
(The camera highlights the fact Diamond Dixon is still standing over Clara’s body as she writhes in pain on the mat.)
Diamond Dixon: Yeah, get used to it.
(Diamond Dixon flicks the mic down onto Clara’s stomach, knocking the wind out of her on the ground, and Dixon poses over her body as “Nice To Meet Yah” by Asian Doll starts up again. With that, the camera fades backstage to Cosmo Goldworthy watching on a monitor, stroking his chin. It’s clear he was watching the whole time, and a smirk begins to form on his face. No doubt getting an idea the camera fades elsewhere.)
(Commercial for Redbull with Jake Smith.)
(The camera fades back in from commercial, settling on the stage as the low hum of the crowd rolls through the arena, panning over the raucous fans.)
(“I2I” by Magnolia Park hits. The crowd rises as Rex McAllister and Raven Roberts step through the curtain, the Unified Tag Team Championships over their shoulders. They look around at the cheering fans but they don’t pose. They don’t play to the crowd. They walk straight to the ring with focused expressions and step through the ropes as their music fades.)
Rich Russillo: There they are. Fire & Ice, the Unified Tag Team Champions, and after everything that’s happened over the last few weeks, you can feel the weight they’re carrying with them right now.
Thadd Blazevich: Yeah, bro. These are the champs who got left bleeding in this ring and didn’t forget a second of it.
Persephone: Good. That usually makes for better conversations. Usually these two are here just to give lame ass speeches no one asked for.
(Rex stands in the center of the ring, microphone in hand.)
Rex McAllister: For most of this season, we kept our conversations focused because we believed the ring was the only place that really needed to hear from us. Titles don’t come from speeches. They come from hours that nobody sees, from matches that don’t make highlight reels, from nights where you walk back through the curtain knowing you didn’t just win, you survived. That’s how these Championships were built. Not on moments. Not on interruptions. On repetition. On pressure. On showing up every time this division called. Over the last few weeks, though, the conversation changed. Not because the division changed, but because two people decided that being seen mattered more than being tested. Daniella Atlas and Selina Reyes didn’t just step into our path. They stepped into our calendar, our matches, our opportunities. Last week on Voltage. Two weeks ago on Dynasty. Every time there was a moment that didn’t belong to them, they found a way to stand in it anyway. You can call that momentum. You can call that dominance. You can call it whatever makes it feel justified. But from where we’re standing, all it’s done is make this heavier than it ever needed to be. You haven’t proven that you’re ready for these Championships. You’ve only proven how badly you want them. So we’re standing here now because we want to hear that choice from you directly. Not through an attack. Not through a distraction. Not through someone else’s business. From you.
(Raven lifts her microphone, her voice tight, controlled, and unmistakably edged.)
Raven Roberts: And I want to be very clear before either of you decide to walk out here and turn this into another performance. This isn’t about history. It’s not about Minerva. It’s not about brand lines or past chapters or who’s crossed whose path before. This is about you two standing on our side of the division and convincing yourselves that noise is the same thing as proof. Rex and I have said all year that we are here for any challenge that steps up. But you two have gone beyond a challenge, you’ve crossed more lines than you understand. I watched you last week. I watched you take pride in leaving us in this ring and telling yourselves that was dominance. I watched you on Dynasty step into someone else’s match and tell yourselves that was momentum. And what I see isn’t a team that’s ready for what comes next. I see a team that’s trying to skip the part where you find out what it actually costs to hold onto something like this. You don’t get to borrow our fight and call it your progress. If you want these, you don’t take them through disruption. You take them through us. So if you’re going to come out here tonight, come out here and say it. Say that you believe what you’ve done is enough. Say that you believe the last few weeks somehow changed what’s waiting for you at King of Elite. And say it to our faces.
(“Duel” by JINJER hits. The arena fills with boos as Daniella Atlas and Selina Reyes step onto the stage, microphones in hand, eyes locked on the ring as they make their way down the ramp.)
Rich Russillo: And there’s ToXXXin. Daniella Atlas and Selina Reyes, back in the same ring with Fire & Ice after everything that’s already gone down between them the last few weeks!
Thadd Blazevich: And with how this has gone the last few weeks, this one has a recipe to get out of hand fast, bro! The champions are confident, but ToXXXin may be the greatest challenge that they’ve faced so far!
Persephone: At least now nobody can pretend this is just talk. Otherwise I’m taking a nap.
(Daniella and Selina step through the ropes and stand across from Rex and Raven. Selina raises her microphone first.)
Selina Reyes: You want to hear our choice? Here it is. We didn’t walk into your world to be subtle, and we didn’t step onto your show to make friends. We came because we saw Champions who were comfortable. Champions who believed that what they’d already built was going to protect them from what was coming next. You keep saying we haven’t proven anything. That all we’ve done is make noise. But noise is what happens when something hits hard enough to be felt, and you felt it. On Voltage. On Dynasty. Every time we decided that waiting our turn wasn’t an option. We’re not here to convince you we’re ready. We’re here to tell you that at King of Elite, we’re going to do whatever it takes to make sure those Championships come back with us to ToXXXin, whether you believe in us or not.
Daniella Atlas: You talk about proof like it only exists in neat little lines on a record. Wins. Losses. Defenses. Reigns. Proof isn’t always something you can write down, cherie. Sometimes it’s something you carry. Sometimes it’s something you remember every time you walk back into this ring and realize that the people standing across from you aren’t here to admire what you’ve built. They’re here to take it apart. You say we’ve made things worse for ourselves instead of better. But from where we’re standing, all we’ve done is make sure this isn’t just another defense for you. We made it heavy. We made it uncomfortable. We made it something you can’t walk into thinking this is business as usual. Because if you do, that’s when you fall.
Selina Reyes: You keep talking like we’re standing at the bottom, looking up at something we don’t understand. We’re not lost in the climb. We chose it. We bled for it. And we didn’t come this far just to hesitate when the ground disappears beneath our feet. You call that recklessness. We call it knowing exactly what we are willing to give up to take what you’re standing on.
Raven Roberts: Rex and I said all year that we will take any challenge that steps up. That part hasn’t changed. What’s changed is you. Because now you didn’t just step up, you made it personal. So understand this clearly. When you reach for these Championships, you’re not just getting a match you asked for. You’re getting a fight we are going to enjoy. We’re going to carry this division like we always have, and I’m going to take a very specific pleasure in beating the piss out of ToXXXin while we do it.
Daniella Atlas: Then make it heavy, cherie. Make it unforgiving. We didn’t come here to admire what you’ve built. We came here to stand where you’re standing and make sure you remember exactly how you lost it.
(Rex answers, his voice firm and grounded.)
Rex McAllister: You didn’t make this matter. These Championships mattered long before you decided to put your hands on us. What you did was make sure that when King of Elite comes around, this isn’t about competition anymore. It’s about consequences. You tried to attack on Dynasty. You tried to turn someone else’s night into your platform. And after all of that, after every shortcut and every disruption, the only thing you’ve really done is make us owe you. And we don’t forget what we owe. At King of Elite, there’s no one to hide behind. No one to pull into the middle of it. No one to make it messy and call that momentum. There’s just two teams, a bell, and the reality of finding out which one can still stand when the bell rings for the end.
(Raven follows, her voice lower, sharper.)
Raven Roberts: You keep telling yourselves that what you’ve done should’ve silenced our doubts. It didn’t. It focused them. Because if the only way you believe you can stand in this division is by stepping into other people’s moments, then what happens when there’s nowhere else to step? What happens when it’s just the four of us, a ring, and the truth of who can actually hold onto this when there’s no one else around to tilt the ground in your favor? There is a difference between a champion and a challenger. One of you is carrying this division. The other is trying to take it. And very soon, you’re going to learn exactly how wide that gap really is.
(Selina and Daniella share a glance, both smirking to one another before looking back at the champions.)
Selina Reyes: Then enjoy the view from the top of that mountain.
Daniella Atlas: Because you’ll be falling off it soon enough, mes amis.
(Slowly, Rex and Raven raise the Unified Tag Team Championships high. The crowd erupts as the four stand locked in place.)
Rich Russillo: Fire & Ice. ToXXXin. The Unified Tag Team Championships are on the line at King of Elite! And it promises to be a brutal battle!
Thadd Blazevich: I’m surprised it stayed this civil tonight, bro! But I doubt King of Elite feels the same!
Persephone: I hope someone dies for making me sit through all this without one punch thrown.
(The camera pulls back on the staredown, champions holding the gold high, challengers standing their ground, before fading out to the next segment.)
(Commercial for Dragon Ball Super: The Galactic Patrol.)
(Sunday Night Voltage continues forward as ‘Kendrick, Clae & Cole’ by Marqus Clae comes on, and NICK comes out as he gets a positive reaction from the crowd here in Lyon, France. The LDLC arena is amped for the arrival of NICK, who appears to be wearing a grey hoodie with sweatpants as he looks around, locked in for what he has next week at King of Elite. He then marches his way to the ring…)
Bella Braxton: Please welcome at this time…. NICK!!!
Rich Russillo: NICK is here tonight on Voltage, and let’s just say he’s ready for what he has next week as he looks to battle the woman who has cost him the New Breed title, Ashlynn Quinn. These two have been in each other’s throats since the Festival of Lights Christmas show, and now we’ve reached a breaking point that is going to culminate at King of Elite! It’s an exciting one, isn’t it, Thadd?
Thadd Blazevich: For sure, Rich, bro. NICK and Ashlynn have been thorns in each other’s sides, whether that was NICK’s presence distracting Ashlynn from getting a win or Ashlynn costing NICK and Kai their match… It all came to a head last week when Ashlynn took Milli’s Universal Women’s title and smashed it right on NICK’s head! NICK doesn’t seem all too happy about it, and he wants to make sure he deals with Ashlynn at King of Elite.
Persephone: Ashlynn Quinn getting under your skin is crazy.
Thadd Blazevich: I mean, I get under your skin somehow, broski, like I don’t even do anything that-
Persephone: NEVERMIND!!
Rich Russillo: Anyways… Let’s hear what NICK has to say here tonight in Lyon!
(NICK continues making his way down to the ring as he climbs the ring steps and enters in between the ropes. He gets tossed a microphone by a ringside official as his music begins to fade off. NICK stands in the middle of the ring as he begins to speak about Ashlynn…)
NICK: Of course, that bitch had to use Milli’s title and crack that right on the back of my head. Of course, she would do that, but according to Ashlynn, it’s never her fault. I’m just blaming her for my setbacks when she has been the reason this whole thing has devolved into what it is now. King of Elite is a week away, and the pleasure that I’m going to get by getting into the ring with Ashlynn and beating her down is going to be all so worth it because I had Clayton down for the count. I had Clayton in position, and if it wasn’t for her, I would be standing here as the New Breed Champion, but I’m not. You can all thank Ashlynn for that; her carelessness is what cost me this title, and using another championship to attack the back of my head is just going to give even more satisfaction when you are put under the dirt by me and finally put an end to my problems with her.
(NICK stops for a moment as he takes a breather, as the crowd cheers for him. He continues on to speak as he says…)
NICK: Initially, when I came here to EAW, I didn’t really care about her. Sure, she seemed annoying and obnoxious, but she wasn’t a problem to me; she wasn’t someone that I was actively having issues with. She was the champion, and my focus was on becoming the New Breed Champion, a title that has been held by future legends and greats in this sport. I have been fighting my whole life, and I was going to make sure I was going to fight my way until I reached my goals here in this company. Soon enough after Road to Redemption, she lost that title to Clayton Golde, but again, I didn’t care about it because my focus was on that championship, but she had to ruin it by getting involved in my championship match. Since then, things have been heated between us, and there have been things where she had to get involved in my business, and to be honest with y’all, I want to end this next week. I’m going to make sure she deserves everything that’s coming her way at King of Elite and–
(Before NICK could say anything else, ‘Tears’ by Sabrina Carpenter begins to play as Ashlynn Quinn comes out, who gets a negative reception by those in the crowd here tonight in Lyon. Ashlynn doesn’t seem to be pleased and even looks annoyed at what NICK is saying as he walks down the aisle.)
Rich Russillo: Now here comes Ashlynn Quinn, and I can imagine she didn’t want to hear anymore from NICK regarding their whole situation and their match next weekend at King of Elite. She accepted the match last week, then attacked NICK following her loss to Miku Sakai, which again highlights the issue between the two elitists.
Thadd Blazevich: NICK, bro, should be a little worried, Ashlynn could surprise him again or something.
Persephone: Maybe I’ll surprise you with a knuckle sandwich?
Thadd Blazevich: I don’t think that type of surprise exists…
Persephone: I hate you…
(Ashlynn walks towards the ringside area as she picks up a microphone that was placed on the steps and enters the ring! Her music fades off as the fans continue to boo her here tonight! Ashlynn begins to speak as she says to NICK.)
Ashlynn Quinn: Oh… my… gosh… YOU’RE STILL WHINING ABOUT THAT??? As if somebody just can’t realize the situation on their own and just admit when they are wrong about something. You have been here for only a couple of months, and already you have gotten yourself into a situation that didn’t need to escalate any further. I have to hear from you whine and whine about how I accidentally cost you your championship, and now I have to deal with you getting involved in my matches, watching away like the little uggo you are. Like, ughhh, YOU are the reason for the problems I have been having to start this year, NICK, with my match against Miku, my match against Eris, and now with Kai-Kai!!
(Ashlynn takes a moment before she shouts out…)
Ashlynn Quinn: MY LIFE WAS BETTER BEFORE YOU GOT HERE!!!!!!
Ashlynn Quinn: You are the absolute, and this match shouldn’t even be happening in the first place. It’s not even going to fix your problem of becoming the New Breed Champion, but no matter the result… You still will have no title around, but even with that… I’m not going to let you win this. I’m not going to let some wannabe tough guy from a place called Detroit get the better of me, especially when you keep bothering me and ruining my life!!
(NICK responds to Ashlynn as he tells her…)
NICK: It’s not my fault you’re some crazy lunatic. I’m surprised it took Kai this long to realize how crazy you are. Our tag match could have been something where you didn’t get involved, and you still did because whatever is going on inside your head clearly isn’t processing anything. You lost your New Breed Championship, and again, it’s not my fault you can’t get over losing to him and getting involved in my business. I have every right to voice my anger and frustration with you, and this time next week, I’m going to make sure you’re going to feel everything that I bring to the dance and see you get what you truly deserve.
Ashlynn Quinn: That stupid incel shouldn’t be holding on to that title, and neither should you.
NICK: I would be the one holding it right now if it wasn’t for you, so again, don’t blame me for everything that is going wrong in your life. I’m going to write about the wrong that happened to me and then move on to bigger and better things than Ashlynn Quinn. So please, prepare however you want to, when I’m done dealing with you… I can move towards my goals and aspirations that I want in this company.
Ashlynn Quinn: Trust me, uggo, you won’t like what I will bring to King of Elite because as much as you find me annoying, obnoxious, and whatever ugly insult you come up with… I was a champion here in Elite Answers Wrestling. Does being some tough guy give you more merit? AS IF! The result isn’t going to be the one you like, Nick, and I can promise that to everyone here… You are going down at King of Elite.
(Ashlynn drops the microphone and proceeds to leave the ring as both NICK and Ashlynn leave that heated conversation pissed off and angry towards each other. Ashlynn makes her way to the back as the fans continue to boo her.)
Rich Russillo: An explosive back-and-forth between these two. It will be very interesting to see who walks out of this match as the winner.
Thadd Blazevich: Can’t wait for it, honestly.
Persephone: I don’t.
(NICK then begins to leave as the segment then fades off as Sunday Night Voltage continues forward.)
(Promotional ad for King of Elite, where Ashlynn Quinn faces NICK.)
(Sunday Night Voltage returns to show a pan-around shot of the LDLC Arena, as the crowd murmurs in anticipation for what is to come. And it’s not very long before the sounds of ‘Somebody Get Me A Doctor’ by Van Halen begin to blare through the speakers. The camera then goes over to show Dr. Bethany Blue as she’s seen making her way out from the backstage area. She has the Hardcore Championship over her shoulder as she takes a look 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: We saw what happened last week, and more importantly, we saw what came of that massive Hardcore Championship Gauntlet. Six Elitists had the opportunity of a lifetime, and when it all came down to it, despite all their efforts, only one walked out, and that ended up being Kai Rabeaux. And that’s certainly an interesting situation, don’t you think?
Thadd Blazevich: Kai Rabeaux is not only the 24/7 Contract Holder, but now he has the chance to become the Hardcore Champion without even using the contract. How rad is that for him?! I think that this is a massive opportunity, and if he plays his cards right, Kai could certainly walk out of this one getting more than he expected out of this season.
Persephone: I think I’m good. Lesser of two evils, I’d rather Bethany have that title.
(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’ then begins to come to a close. As she heads toward the center of the ring, she takes a brief moment before beginning to speak.)
Dr. Bethany Blue: Last week, I watched what Captain Charisma and Eden Sinclair claimed to be a “massive opportunity.” A Hardcore Gauntlet match to determine who was going to be my Number One Contender, consisting of rejects and losers who could never hack it in the main event scene. Something that was designed to find me the best possible challenger for my title, a last-ditch effort to truly give me a fight when I’ve already beaten everyone that has been thrown my way on this roster. And needless to say, I’m not impressed. I could go on and on about the quality of talent in that Gauntlet, I could run them all down and say how little all of them mean to me, but I’m sure that’s very self-explanatory. Right now, I’m here to talk about the person who walked out of the carnage with their hand raised… and that just so happened to be Kai Rabeaux.
(The crowd doesn’t react any differently to the 24/7 Contract Holder’s name being said, as boos continue to resound from them. Bethany chuckles as she continues with what she has to say.)
Dr. Bethany Blue: So let’s talk about it. Let’s talk about this big star that I’ve heard the world about. The man who is going to lead this company into the future. He’s already done a lot since arriving at this company. He’s won the 24/7 Battle Royal, and he helped Team Voltage win War Games. On paper, his resume is starting to look almost… competent. But let’s look at the reality of what happened in that ring last week. Kai didn’t walk through fire to get me. He didn’t fight through the entire Gauntlet to earn the right to compete for my Championship. He didn’t outwrestle an entire field of competitors at their peak performance. No. Kai Rabeaux walked out at the very end and picked the bones of a carcass.
(Bethany can’t help but smirk at that, as he shakes his head.)
Dr. Bethany Blue: It’s pathetic, honestly. And while I wouldn’t want to imagine a reality where TLA manages to squirm himself into an undeserving title match against me, I’m woman enough to admit that he was the one who fought through hell in order to get there. All Kai did was beat a version of TLA that was already half-dead. Broken, battered, and barely able to stand. And while he’s surely able to hang his hat on that and sleep peacefully at night, let me be the one to say that is not a victory. You’re just doing half the work to get there. And now, with all of that in mind, with all of that taken into consideration, you honestly believe that any of that is going to amount to a win against me? Does that warrant me even giving you the time of day in the first place?! Get the fuck out of here with that bullshit.
(Bethany scoffs as she adjusts her title over her shoulder, letting it glimmer under the spotlight as she raises her microphone.)
Dr. Bethany Blue: Kai is not the type of Elitist that can beat me. A guy like that relies on being in the right time and the right place, but when you step into the ring with me? None of that matters. There is simply no right time for you, because my time is absolute. From where I’m standing, last week’s Gauntlet was nothing more than a waste of everyone’s time. It was a diagnostic test that gave us a false positive. Kai, can I ask you something? Do you honestly think that you’ve earned this? Do you think that you’re ready to add the Hardcore Championship to your little collection? I think you need a heavy, heavy dose of reality. And the next opportunity, which just so happens to be at King of Elite next week… I’m going to be the one to administer it.
(The crowd continues to boo as Bethany takes her title and raises it proudly in the air. Before she can do it for any longer, though, ‘Burn In My Light’ by Mercy Drive immediately begins to play up. The crowd begins to boo even louder as the camera goes from the ring to the stage to show Kai Rabeaux as he makes his way out. He has a smug look on his face as his eyes are directly on Bethany inside the ring. As he basks in the reaction he’s getting tonight, he begins to make his way down the ramp and toward the ring.)
Rich Russillo: If there’s one thing that Bethany and Kai can certainly agree on, it’s the fact that Kai doesn’t care how he won the Hardcore Gauntlet. What matters is that he got there, and now he has the opportunity to add a title to his trophy case. And unlike what the Champion thinks, I am certain that Kai is very confident in himself to be able to get the job done.
Persephone: It’s going to be funny seeing him bitch and moan.
Thadd Blazevich: Hold on, I think Kai has a chance, dude! But it’s going to take a lot out of him, a lot more than he’s ever given inside of an Elite Answers Wrestling ring. Bethany isn’t just any opponent; she is the best of the best. And if he’s looking to be the anomaly in her title reign, he’s going to need something big, bro.
(Kai makes his way up the steps and onto the apron as he enters through the ropes and into the ring. He makes his way over and takes a microphone from the ringside area while ‘Burn In My Light’ begins to come to a close. As he turns around and approaches Bethany, he takes a moment before beginning to speak.)
Kai Rabeaux: You speak as though my actions last week are going to justify your reasoning to believe I’m going to lose at King of Elite. And I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it was never going to make a difference in the first place. It never mattered if TLA was standing on his own two feet or buried six feet in the ground; whether I was first or last in the Gauntlet, I was still going to win. I was still going to be standing here right in front of you, with the inevitability of becoming the new Hardcore Champion. You can attribute my success to luck, or you can say that the fruits of my labor are rotten, solely because what you saw last week was an introduction to my work for you. But there is a reason that I am in this position in the first place. While the rest of my opponents may have been incompetent, there is a reason that I am in this position that I’m in now, even with a guaranteed Championship opportunity.
(The crowd continues to boo as Bethany has a straight look on her face, listening to what Kai has to say.)
Kai Rabeaux: So it seems as though we’re cutting the formalities, we’re truly getting into this and telling each other how little we both mean in our ambitions and our goals. You’ve given me my credit and that fateful “but,” and now I’m looking to do the same for you. You’ve done everything that you possibly could as Hardcore Championship; you’ve sent that title to a completely new stratosphere, and that is something that you could hang your hat on. But your time as Champion was bound to end from the moment that I became a potential challenger. And I want you to know that, for as much grandstanding and arrogance that seeps from your mouth, it was never going to make a difference. Next week, I take what is mine and prove that 2026 is the year of The Overlord once I become a Champion in this company, thanks to the opportunities that I have earned.
(Bethany scoffs at this, as she can’t help but roll her eyes.)
Dr. Bethany Blue: Is this really what we’re doing right now? We’re giving ourselves false hope and praying that it’ll pay off in the end? I never said that you weren’t good, Kai. Sure, you may have lucked yourself out of that situation, but I don’t doubt that you would’ve been able to win this in any given scenario; that doesn’t really matter to me. The fact of the matter is that no matter who came out of this Gauntlet match, they were all going to end up losing to me, regardless, simply put. And that is not because none of you are lesser than me, even though there is an argument for that, it is because I am simply on a whole other level.
(Bethany tilts her head as she eyes her title briefly before continuing.)
Dr. Bethany Blue: I am only a few months away from a full year as Champion, and I made a promise that it was going to stay that way, no matter who tried to stop that. And really, out of all the people to try and stop me, you’re not the kind that can get it done. And pretty soon, you’re going to have to be the one to come to terms with that before your ego takes a massive hit thanks to me next week at King of Elite.
(Kai crosses his arms for a brief moment, as if thinking about what he’s going to do next. And while there’s a tinge of unhappiness on his face thanks to her comments, he replies.)
Kai Rabeaux: Other people’s delusions never cease to amaze me. Wake up, Bethany. Wake up from this dream that you’ve lulled yourself into and face the prophecy that has been put in front of you. The Overlord is not merely a man who bends the knee to anyone; no, I make others bend the knee to me. No matter how big or small they are, no matter if they hold a Championship or they don’t, all fall to me no matter what. So if you wish to claim such a thing and hold onto it, then be my guest. But just know that none of that is going to cease what I am going to do to you in order to make sure that title ends up around my waist. And even at your best, you’re not going to be able to stop that.
Dr. Bethany Blue: Please. You’ve gotta be kidding me. If this is really the future of this company, then I insist this place goes into the gutter before they let you take the reins. You don’t belong anywhere near my title, and THAT’S the prophecy that you need to face. It would be in your best interest to leave right now. Walk out with your dignity and don’t turn around.
(Kai can’t help but chuckle at this, but surprisingly… He obliges. He turns around and looks to make his way out of the ring, as Bethany drops her microphone down to the ground, shaking her head as she takes her title and raises it into the air. After a moment, though… Kai pauses.)
Rich Russillo: AND HERE WE GO! KAI RABEAUX TURNS AROUND AND CLOCKS BETHANY RIGHT AGAINST THE FACE! BETHANY STAGGERS BACKWARD AND FALLS AGAINST THE ROPES, BUT KAI IMMEDIATELY RUSHES FORWARD AND CONNECTS WITH A CLOTHESLINE TO SEND HER OVER THE TOP ROPE AND OUT OF THE RING!
Thadd Blazevich: SHIT JUST HIT THE FAN, BRO! BETHANY MAKES HER WAY BACK UP TO HER FEET, AS KAI TURNS AROUND AND RUNS TO THE ROPES AND BACK! SHOOTING THROUGH AND GOING FOR A SUICIDE DIVE- BUT BETHANY MANAGES TO LUNGE FORWARD AND CONNECT WITH A STRIKE DIRECTLY TO THE FACE!
Persephone: BETHANY GRABS HIM BY THE HEAD AND YANKS HIM OUTSIDE OF THE RING, AND SHE IMMEDIATELY TURNS KAI AROUND AND SENDS HIM FLYING SHOULDER FIRST INTO THE BARRICADE! THE CHAMPION THEN PICKS HIM UP, BEFORE FOLLOWING THAT UP BY SENDING HIM INTO THE RINGPOST NOW! HE’S BEING RAGDOLLED THE FUCK OUT BY A WOMAN HALF A FOOT SMALLER THAN HIM!
Rich Russillo: KAI ROLLS HIMSELF BACK INTO THE RING, TRYING TO GET HIS WITS ABOUT HIM IN RETREAT! AND BETHANY IMMEDIATELY SLIDES BACK IN AS SHE GOES FOR A STRIKE- BUT KAI CONNECTS WITH A KNEE! KAI THEN GRABS A HOLD OF BETHANY AND SENDS HER TOWARD THE ROPES- BUT BETHANY MANAGES TO TURN IT AROUND AND SEND KAI INTO THE ROPES INSTEAD!
Thadd Blazevich: KAI GOES FOR A CLOTHESLINE- BUT BETHANY DUCKS UNDER THAT AS SHE GOES FOR THE ‘TJD’!
Persephone: BUT KAI DUCKS UNDER THAT AND RUNS TO THE ROPES! BEFORE LEAPING OFF AND CONNECTING WITH THE ‘CRYSTAL KINGDOM CUTTER’! BETHANY IS KNOCKED THE FUCK OUT AS SHE TRIES TO MAKE HER WAY BACK UP TO HER FEET-
Rich Russillo: BUT KAI FINISHES HER OFF WITH A ‘BLADE OF BABYLON’ DIRECTLY TO THE FACE! STATEMENT MADE BY THE OVERLORD TO THE HARDCORE CHAMPION JUST A WEEK BEFORE KING OF ELITE!
(Kai makes his way up to his feet with a frustrated expression on his face. He looks down at the unconscious Bethany before scooping up the Hardcore Championship, taking it and raising it high into the air as the crowd erupts into a loud negative reaction. It’s the very last shot scene as ‘Burn In My Light’ begins to play back up and Sunday Night Voltage fades to elsewhere.)
(The camera transitions to a room backstage. Jay Jerry Johnson can be seen in front of the camera, still not pleased following what occurred weeks ago. Still, he has had time to recover and turn his attention towards the upcoming Divide & Conquer match coming at King of Elite, and he now has a focused look on his eyes as he begins to speak.)
Jay Jerry Johnson: I’ve had the time to think about what it’d mean for me. Becoming the general manager of this brand. To be honest, it’s not the opportunity I was looking for back when I first returned to this brand. I was focused on advancing my career and taking the next steps towards either the Hardcore Championship or the EAW World Championship, so I never would’ve expected for an opportunity such as this to occur. Taking control of Voltage would likely open the door for whichever opportunities I’d like, but is that really how I’d want to use this opportunity?
(Jay takes a moment to think, before ultimately shaking his head, seemingly coming up with an even better use of the opportunity.)
Jay Jerry Johnson: No, not right now at least. I’m sure the power may prove itself useful in other ways, but if I’m going to have all of the privileges that come with being the general manager, I want what I have been missing for the past two weeks. I want justice, and I want answers. I was attacked weeks ago and we still have yet to find out exactly who is responsible for that attack. That needs to change, and if being the general manager of Voltage grants me even more options to force the coward out of hiding, then that’d be great. I have no intention of continuing to wait for the attacker to reveal himself when they’d clearly prefer to remain hidden, so when I win the Divide & Conquer match and become the general manager of this brand, I may just need to think of a way to force the attacker to reveal themselves. I’m sure this wouldn’t be too difficult. As the general manager you have the ability to do many things, including making decisions that affect careers. It won’t be long before I find this attacker. That much I can guarantee.
(After this, a smirk forms on the face of Ja Jerry Johnson.)
Jay Jerry Johnson: Once that problem has been dealt with, and I’ve had the chance to deal with this attacker, I don’t believe it matters what I do as the general manager. This match is an opportunity for me to do better, and to climb to a point where I’m able to find the justice I have been waiting for. Anything after that is a bonus, and whether that bonus means creating opportunities or merely looking to put on an entertaining show, I believe I’ll need to wait and see. I believe it should be an interesting experience nonetheless, and it’s one that I look forward to.
(After these words from Jay Jerry Johnson, Jay stops speaking, showing a colder look to the camera, which is enough to show how serious he is about taking out the mysterious attacker. After this, the camera fades away from Jay Jerry Johnson.)
(The camera then pans to Chris Elite, who seems to be in a separate location of the arena. Chris seems to be thinking about the match ahead of him, as while the Divide & Conquer match isn’t what he had in mind for King of Elite, the opportunity to become general manager has certainly piqued his interest.)
Chris Elite: Hey I’m not about to lie, I’m not gonna act like I’m looking forward to teaming up with Triple J again, and I definitely don’t give a fuck about Cosmo, even if I’m only working with them temporarily. This whole Divide & Conquer thing just isn’t for me, but shit, I’m not about to act like that whole general manager thing isn’t interesting. I already had my time with the Gawd contract and I know y’all remember what I was able to do with that, so getting to be the GM and run shit around here for a month? Yeah, that could be fun. Still, I know how this goes. I gotta win this whole match if I wanna get that, and honestly, the hardest part of this is just gonna be trusting Jay and Cosmo to do their parts. Once that’s over with this match is as good as mine, so the rest of y’all don’t even need to worry about what you’d do as general manager, ‘cause you’re not even gonna get the opportunity.
(Chris Elite thinks a bit more about all of the possibilities that could come from him being the general manager, and he smiles before beginning to speak.)
Chris Elite: I think I got some good ideas for that GM spot already. It’s a lot of shit I don’t like that’s been going on around here and there’s a lot of people I don’t like either so there’s already a lot for me to do with the month I’ll have, but let’s not get confused. You already know what I want. I been saying it since the season started and I’ll gladly repeat it for you once again. I want the World Championship, and I’ll do whatever I gotta do to get it. If that means making use of the power I’ll get as the GM that’s cool, but I guess we’ll see when we get there. I don’t plan to lose the Divide & Conquer match, so I’ll have an entire month to do what I want and make sure things go my way for a change. I was around the last time the GM spot was handed out, and I’m not like New Eden. I don’t give a fuck about removing Elimination Chambers or anything like that. All I see is an opportunity to turn things around for the next month, and I’m not gonna let that go to waste.
(After Chris is done speaking, he gets up and begins to leave the area with a confident look on his face, ready for King of Elite. After this, the camera begins to fade away from Chris Elite.)
(The camera then transitions to a new location entirely, opening up to the hallways backstage in the LDLC Arena. Here, Cosmo Goldworthy can be seen, and he has a large grin on his face. He looks confident ahead of the Divide & Conquer match, not allowing his previous losses to get to him for the time being as he seemingly already has plans.)
Cosmo Goldworthy: Look, I’m not about to lie and pretend I didn’t want to win that gauntlet. It should be me facing Bethany at King of Elite and it’s not, but you know what? I’m not about to let that stop me. I’m ready. I’m not playing around, so if I gotta work with Chris Elite and Jay Jerry Johnson for a little while and make it through this Divide & Conquer match, fine. I’ll make it work, because y’all know what I’m after right now. I’m here to make an impact. I’m here to turn things around and make sure that I’m able to end this season the right way. I didn’t come to this brand just to keep fumbling when the lights are brightest. It’s about time that I start making good on my promises and getting where I wanna be, and that starts with me first getting a big marquee win. The kind of win that could change my career entirely, or better yet, change this brand entirely.
(Cosmo laughs, and it seems he already has ideas in mind for the event that he becomes general manager.)
Cosmo Goldworthy: I know what’s on everyone’s mind, and it’s not the Divide & Conquer match. It’s what comes after it. “What happens if you become general manager?” That’s the big question, right? Well for starters it’s not an “if” in my case, but “when” I become general manager? Trust me, I got things in mind. I already know what I want, but you don’t need to know what that is.
Cosmo Goldworthy: All you guys need to know is that I intend to win the Divide & Conquer match, and when I do, things are gonna be looking different around here. It’s one thing to make an impact as a rising star around here, but how many people can say they changed this entire brand this early into their careers? I’m not just in this to get a normal win. I’m about to shock you guys, and I mean that. History is gonna be made soon enough, so you guys can go ahead and get the headlines ready now, ‘cause I already told you how the Divide & Conquer match is gonna end. I’m walking out with the win, and when I come back to Voltage after King of Elite is over you guys are gonna be calling me your new GM.
(Cosmo Goldworthy has a wide grin on his face as he says these words, confident in his ability to win the Divide & Conquer match. He begins to walk away from the area, pushing the camera away as it fades away.)
(The camera then transitions over to show TLA in the gym. He’s in a wrestling ring, running the ropes and getting his cardio in, before stopping as he spots the camera. He rolls under the bottom rope, throwing a towel over his neck and taking a sip of his water, before speaking.)
TLA: Yoyoyo, what’s good, amigos! Yo boi is working his ass off in the finest gyms that Italy can offer, gettin’ ready for that big King of Elite event in a way only a real hustler can. But I guess before we begin, we gotta talk about el elefante in the room. I ain’t gonna make excuses, what happened in the Hardcore Gauntlet happened. And while I ain’t very happy about it, that’s for sure, if there’s one thing my performance showed, it’s that I got dat endurance. I can go all night with no breaks if you know what I mean. :mjgrin: And that’s what we gonna need if we wanna try and bring home that Divide & Conquer, ese. It’s gonna be real nice being the General Manager of Voltage. I’ve always wanted an office job, and I guess we gonna see what the big deal is about. Big suit walkin’ around the building. But to do that, I’m gonna have to win this thing. Pero that ain’t nothing new tho. All I gotta do is show that a real hustler gonna put in that unmatched trabajor that ain’t nobody gonna be able to catch up to.
(TLA shrugs his shoulders with a smile on his face, before he goes on with what he has to say.)
TLA: It don’t matter if it’s my opponents or my own teammates, shiiiii, we boutta run through all them opps if it means getting what we deserve around here. We gonna throw down that heat, and ain’t nobody gonna be able to say shit about it. I got a chance to face some of the people in this match in the Hardcore Gauntlet, and as you saw, we whipped dat culo. So needless to say, we boutta make sure that we finish the job, and when we get in that office, we boutta make some real decisions around here. Yessir, we ain’t fucking around in this bitch. This entire season there’s been a lot of tomfoolery afoot, lots of screwing around and fucking each other over like what happened against Adam Lucas. But when I got the pen, trust that ain’t gonna be happening frfr.
(TLA nods his head, a prideful look on his face.)
TLA: Next week at King of Elite, we coming in and we hitting them with that fine ass lucha libre, some real luchadore shit that’d make El Rey proud. We comin’ in with that fuego 🔥🔥🔥, and ain’t nobody gonna stop La Pantera Sexual when he all hyped up and ready to go. So homie, it don’t matter to me who try to stop me, send anyone you want. But trust that only one person gonna come out on top, and that’s the baddest vato on the planet. Orale!
(TLA rolls back into the ring as he continues his reps, with that being the last shot seen before the camera transitions elsewhere.)
(The camera pans over to a separate location, where ARIA can be seen. ARIA has taken some time to think about the possibility of becoming general manager, but for now her main priority appears to be the Divide & Conquer match, as she can be seen with a focused look on her face.)
ARIA: I couldn’t win the gauntlet last week and that’s a shame, but King of Elite has presented me with a new challenge, and I’m looking forward to seeing what this one may present. TLA and Candice Blair are both great talents and I believe they’ll make good teammates in the Divide & Conquer match, even if there will eventually come a time where I’ll need to abandon them and focus on my own victory. It’ll be a good experience, and it’s one I intend to bring my all to. This year has not started the way I hoped for it to. An injury held me from continuing in the Empress of Elite tournament and in the Hardcore gauntlet, TLA was able to outsmart me. I’ll need to give this match my all to prevent King of Elite from turning out the same way, and when that’s over, I suppose I’ll have the opportunity to finally answer the question.
ARIA: What will I do as general manager?
ARIA: It’s what everyone seems to be wondering, and I don’t blame them. This isn’t just a Championship shot or anything of the sort. This is the chance to run the entire brand for a month, doing whatever we please. Giving an Elitist such an opportunity isn’t something that one would normally expect, so I’m sure this announcement caught all of us by surprise.
ARIA: Honestly, I’m not sure what I would do. I don’t think I’m opposed to the idea of testing my own ability to run Voltage. It wasn’t too long ago that I had suffered attacks at the hands of Saori Aizen following an unneeded betrayal from her, and I know that I am not the only one to go through situations like this. Even recently it’s been happening, so maybe I could prevent that, or at the very least make sure it doesn’t happen as frequently. It’s only a possibility though, and I believe the most interesting part of being general manager is just how many possibilities there will be. I can’t do it all without first winning the Divide & Conquer match though, so I can guarantee that I’ll bring my very best, and Candice, TLA, should this match come down to the three of us, just know that I don’t intend to have a repeat of last week. I’m here for the victory, and I know I have what it takes to achieve it this time.
(ARIA finishes speaking, having said all she needed to say as she keeps the calm look on her face ahead of King of Elite, looking to remain focused. With these words, the camera begins to fade away from ARIA and transition elsewhere.)
(Finally, the camera transitions over to Candice Blair, who seems to be preparing for King of Elite next week. Candice knows how big of an opportunity this is and seems to be focused on making sure she is able to win the Divide & Conquer match, but she does stop for a moment, looking towards the camera as she begins to speak.)
Candice Blair: Throughout this season I’ve had opportunities to both test myself and push myself as a competitor, and I appreciate that, but I’m also not content. I don’t want to slow down or stay stagnant when there’s still so much more for me to do, so seeing that I’m in a match like this Divide & Conquer, I don’t plan to take it lightly. I lost some big matches that I really didn’t want to leave empty handed so far, and now’s my chance to take some good steps towards rectifying that. I’ll be working with ARIA and TLA for the first portion of the match, and you know what? I’m fine with that. I don’t mind sharing the ring with them, but I am sure they both know that things won’t stay that way permanently. Eventually the numbers are gonna start winding down, and when everyone else gets eliminated from this match, I want to be the one that leaves as the winner. It won’t be easy, but I wouldn’t expect it to be. It’s time for me to not just stay on track, but push myself further and get a big win for myself. Maybe once that’s all over, then I can start to think about what I’ll do as general manager.
(Candice smirks, before beginning to weigh her options should she become general manager.)
Candice Blair: Honestly I can see a number of things I’d do as general manager, but really I think my main priority is finding ways to keep doing what I’ve been hoping to do for a while now. I want to better myself and make the most out of the opportunities I can get, so while it wouldn’t be my only contribution as general manager, I don’t think it would be so bad using the chance to make sure those opportunities come my way. It’s not every day something like this comes around after all, and I know the rest of my opponents are thinking the same thing. Whoever wins this match has the chance to not just do whatever they want with Voltage, but give themselves whatever opportunities they want. This is a rare chance, and a chance like this is something I don’t intend to pass up on. I don’t need to run Voltage like some sort of tyrant. I just want to take a few steps forward, and chances are, Divide & Conquer may just be that first step.
(Candice flashes a smile, before turning and beginning to leave the frame, looking to regain her focus heading towards the Divide & Conquer match. After this, the camera begins to fade away from Candice Blair.)
(Promotional ad for King of Elite, where the Divide & Conquer match will take place.)
(Sunday Night Voltage returns to show a shot of LDLC Arena, and almost immediately, the crowd is met with ‘Lowlife Princess’ by BIBI, which causes them to erupt into loud boos. Almost immediately, the camera pans over to the stage to show Miku Sakai as she makes her way out. She has a smirk mixed with almost a level of disgust as she makes her entrance, taking a moment to bask in the atmosphere before then beginning to make her way down the ramp.)
Bella Braxton: Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome… THE ‘ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE’… MIKU SAKAI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rich Russillo: In just a week, Miku Sakai is looking to win her first World Championship in this company, getting the chance of a lifetime against the defending Universal Women’s Champion, Milli Banks. And it’s certainly an opportunity that she’s been keen on showing the world just how ready she is for it, as she once again made a statement ahead of King of Elite to Milli a couple of days ago on Friday Night Dynasty.
Thadd Blazevich: She knocked Milli the fuck out! And while that’s something she’s surely happy that she did, we know that it’s not something that Milli is going to stand for herself. It’s certainly interesting to see how things are playing out, but it’s all about to culminate real soon, and tonight, Miku is out here to give her final words.
Persephone: Can we just make this quick and get her the hell out of here before her shrill voice gives me a headache? Can we make sure that Milli isn’t backstage either while we’re at it?
(Miku 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 ‘Lowlife Princess’ proceeds to come to a close. She heads toward the center of the ring, as the crowd quiets down to listen to what she has to say.)
Miku Sakai: Yeah, of course, you idiots shut up when a real great gets on the mic. And rightfully so, because the next time you see me in a Voltage ring, it is going to be with the Universal Women’s Championship, and I think all of you know that. You can rub your two braincells together to get through your fucking skulls that I’m going to make a mockery out of that dumb whore Milli Banks, and I’m going to take the title that should’ve been mine a long time ago if it wasn’t for me being screwed out of EVERYTHING that I deserve. This has been a long time coming, so excuse me if I’m going a little slow right now. I just want to take all of this in.
(Miku pauses as she closes her eyes, embracing the moment as she mentioned.)
Miku Sakai: Ahhhhh, yeah, that feels fucking GREAT. A lot of people have a lot of things to say, and I’m only half-listening to them. They think that I have some sort of death wish by challenging Milli Banks for the title; they really think that I’m stirring up something FIERCE by embarrassing her every chance that I get, and really are we fucking surprised?! Everything I touch turns to gold, I’m like Midas but better, and everything that I’ve done to that bitch has been the most important moments of her LIFE. Getting the absolute shit beaten out of her by Miku Sakai is something that only a few get the privilege of. People PAY to see that shit! So if you really think that I’m stupid enough to do all of this and NOT walk out as a World Champion, then you must think I’m anything like you. But I’m not, because I’m a fucking GENIUS.
(Miku spreads her arms out, taking a circle around as the crowd continues to shower her in boos.)
Miku Sakai: I didn’t need to unnecessarily fight for an opportunity that I already deserve. I didn’t need to jump through hoops like everyone else has in order to get to the spot that I’m in. KASAI might have screwed me out of my Empress of Elite spot just like everyone else seems like they want to do, try and bend me over and fuck me in the ass, but I didn’t need that! Because who would’ve thought all you need to do is demand a title shot and get handed your win on a silver platter, BECAUSE NONE OF YOU HAVE THE BRAIN CAPACITY TO FUCKING DO THAT. You could never comprehend my moves because you never would’ve been able to think about such a thing. And now, while everyone is working their ass off, next week all I’m gonna do is waltz right in and take that title. It’s absolutely idiotic for someone as DUMB as Milli Banks to think that she has any sort of chance of stopping that. Get the fuck out of here with that bullshit.
(Miku shakes her head in disappointment. As she snickers to herself, she raises her microphone and looks to speak further… But that’s before ‘You Are Stronger’ by Lyn Inaizumi begins to play through the speakers to loud cheers from the crowd. The camera then goes over to show Milli Banks as the Universal Women’s Champion makes her way out. She has her title around her waist, certainly not looking too happy with what went down on Dynasty, and she doesn’t waste time beginning to make her way down the ramp and toward the ring.)
Rich Russillo: Even though Miku seems to be quite pleased with her handiwork, I think we can all agree that Milli Banks was never going to take that lying down. She’s walking into her first title defense as a two-time Women’s Champion, and the last thing she’s going to do is let Miku Sakai play spoiler to what she feels she’s deserved for a long time.
Thadd Blazevich: Milli knows what she’s up against, and she certainly knows that Miku isn’t going to let another opportunity slip through her fingers either, but these are situations that she thrives in. Against the very best that this business has to offer, and each time she constantly raises the bar. So, needless to say, this is going to be a fight to prove a lot.
Persephone: And I don’t give a fuck about it. But I guess I really don’t have a choice, right? So, woo, let’s go, Milli. Let’s go, Miku.
(Milli 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 as ‘You Are Stronger’ then begins to come to a close. As she turns around and approaches Miku, she has a serious expression on her face as she raises her microphone and begins to speak.)
Milli Banks: It’s funny, you claim that you’re a genius for everything that you’ve done to me. You claim to have rattled me and done something that nobody else has been able to do. All of that in mind, you stand here, and the only thing you prove to me is that you really struggle to read the room. Yes, you did something that you’ve seemingly done a million times these past couple of weeks, and you laid me out, and you know what? Considering everything you’ve accomplished in your career, that is probably the crowning achievement of Miku Sakai up to this point. But the problem lies in the fact that you are acting like this, as if you are the first person to do it. You think that a little blindside attack is going to get to my head, and that you’re just going to pick the bones of whatever is left and take advantage of me because you presume me to be weak.
(Milli shakes her head, taking a step forward.)
Milli Banks: But we all know from the moment that I walked into this company, I’ve had a target on my back. Everyone has done everything that they can just to get a taste of the spotlight that I live in. And guess what? They all thought they were going to be the exception. They all thought they were going to be the person to finally humble Milli Banks. But my last reign proved that isn’t how I operate, and I have absolutely no intention of changing the narrative now. You’re not the first person, and you’re certainly not going to be the last, because I have the fullest intentions of making sure that this reign continues beyond King of Elite, and everyone else in this division is going to be chomping at the bit to make sure that they get next. If you knew what was best for you, the last thing that you should’ve done was attack me.
Miku Sakai: You’ve gotta be fucking kidding me right now. Are you really comparing me to all the trash that you’ve faced in your career? You think that I’m like any of them?! I’m a fucking Goddess! Of course not! That was your first mistake, Milli, and unfortunately for you, you’ve run out of chances, so that’s gonna be your last. I am not some desperate flavor of the month, I’m Miku fucking Sakai. I am the smartest woman in this ring, and for the past couple of weeks, I’ve done nothing but lay waste to you and show why I am going to take what I deserve, and it’s what’s around your waist. You can call it whatever you want, you can use it to paint whatever dumbass picture you want to, but all I saw was you… absolutely helpless. And it’s funny, it’s going to pan out the same way next week.
Milli Banks: Helpless? That’s what you call it? No. What you saw was a moment. A fleeting moment that you are going to hold onto for the rest of your life because it is the closest you are ever going to get to beating me. You think attacking me was smart? It was the stupidest thing you could have done. All you guaranteed for yourself is that when I’m finally able to get my hands on you at King of Elite, I’m not just going to beat you… I’m going to embarrass you. And once I retain my Universal Women’s Championship, I’m going to show that you woke up the one person in this industry that you cannot afford to piss off.
Miku Sakai: You talk so much for someone who got dropped. Waaa waaa I’m a little bitch baby who got laid out! CRY SOME MORE! You think your little resume scares me? Just because you’re some two-time Universal Women’s Champion, I’m really supposed to give a shit about anything that you’re saying?! Do you know who the hell you’re looking at?! You’re looking at the future of this company. You’re looking at the woman who’s going to end your little run of luck before it can even start. And when you continue to bitch and moan about it, I’m going to finally rid myself of the injustices that have occurred this season and take my place at the very TOP.
Milli Banks: Oh yeah?
Miku Sakai: FUCK YEAH-
Rich Russillo: OH! AND MILLI JUST CONNECTED WITH THE MICROPHONE DIRECTLY TO THE TEMPLE OF MIKU SAKAI! SHE TAKES HER DOWN TO THE GROUND! AND NOW MILLI TRIES TO GRAB A HOLD OF HER AND BRINGS HER BACK UP TO HER FEET!
Thadd Blazevich: AS SHE SETS HER UP FOR ‘NORTH STAR’!
Persephone: BUT MIKU MANAGES TO SLIP OUT OF IT AND GET THE FUCK OUT OF THERE! SMART SHIT!
(Miku stumbles down to the ringside area as she looks back, laughing hysterically as she eyes Milli, who certainly looks pissed that she wasn’t able to get her back for what she did. Milli picks back up her title, yelling at Miku, but she’s certainly not listening.)
Miku Sakai: (Off-Mic) YEAH, BITCH! CRY! CRY ABOUT IT! AT KING OF ELITE, THERE’S GONNA BE A NEW UNIVERSAL WOMEN’S CHAMPION!
(Miku continues to trash-talk as she backpedals up the ramp, beginning to take her leave. The last shot is the two of them continuing to trade words with one another, with Milli insisting Miku get back into the ring so they can end this properly, all while Sunday Night Voltage begins to fade to elsewhere.)
(Promotional ad for King of Elite, where Miku Sakai faces Milli Banks for the Universal Women’s Championship.)
(Voltage returns to the ringside area, before ‘Kostas’ by Westside Gunn, Conway the Machine & Benny the Butcher hits. The crowd explodes with cheers before the camera fades towards the stage, where Cody Maverick can be seen beginning to walk out to the stage. Cody holds a microphone in his hand, and he looks towards the fans in attendance while on the stage, nodding towards them before beginning to walk down the ramp.)
Rich Russillo: Cody Maverick is here ahead of one of the biggest matches of his entire career, as he has made it to the finals of the King of Elite tournament. We heard his words last week, so I think we already know just how much this means to Cody.
Thadd Blazevich: And I think he has a real good chance of winning, bro. He’s been at the top of his game during this tournament, and we already know this dude has history with both the former and current EAW World Champ! This could be it.
Persephone: Somehow things just keep getting worse. Cody Maverick, Drake Armstrong, Adam Lucas, one-armed Hans Grayson, I don’t think I want to see any of these people as World Champion.
(Cody Maverick walks down the ramp, making it to ringside as he walks up the steel steps. Cody enters the ring, and as ‘Kostas’ fades out, the fans can be heard continuing to cheer. Cody looks around at the crowd, before finally he stops in the center of the ring, beginning to speak.)
Cody Maverick: Look, I’m not gonna lie to any of you. Back at the start of the season I thought I was ready to win the EAW World Championship. I thought it was my time and that I’d punch my way to that title, but I didn’t do that. I didn’t get what I wanted, and this isn’t about being screwed over, or held down, or anything like that. Nah, I’m not here to make excuses, and by this point you all should already know that that’s not who I am. Fact is I just didn’t have the best season, which is why I went from challenging for the EAW World Championship to losing to Miku Sakai and missing out on the chance to even enter the Extreme Elimination Chamber. It was frustrating. It’s the kind of setback you know you’re better than. The kind of setback where if you told me I’d be putting up with that a year after I beat the soon-to-be Answers World Champ at the previous Road to Redemption, I’d laugh in your face. I didn’t do any laughing heading into the Extreme Enigma Battle Royale, though. It was all business for me, and I think every single one of you here tonight already knows how that went.
(Cody takes a moment and shakes his head, looking past the losses he suffered throughout the first half of the season as he continues.)
Cody Maverick: I won a second consecutive Road to Redemption match, but I wasn’t about to stop there, because the second half of this season to me is about way more than just taking the next step and making the most of an opportunity. It’s about picking up my own slack and giving the world a reminder of who I really am. I’m not just the guy who had a hell of a National Elite Championship reign last year. I’m the guy that walked into this company with a chip on my shoulder, and no matter how many mistakes I made there was one thing that didn’t change, and it’s that I’m not the type of guy who’ll ever be content with staying in place. I knew I had a great career ahead of me. All I needed to do was work for it, and that’s what I’m doing. I didn’t leave Road to Redemption, sit back and relax after a good win. No, I walked into this tournament and I kept the momentum rolling. I kept stacking up wins, and I made sure that when the King of Elite finals came around there was one name guaranteed to be there, and that’s Cody Maverick.
(The fans in attendance loudly cheer hearing these words from Cody, who continues as he slowly begins to pace around the ring with a focused look on his face.)
Cody Maverick: I’m not gonna act like the road here was easy, ‘cause it wasn’t. None of this was simple, and with any wrong move it might not have even been me standing here right now, but none of that changes the fact that I made it. I made it to the King of Elite finals, and now it’s not time for me to take a step back. It’s not time for me to celebrate making it this far. No, it’s time for me to step my game up again and keep my foot on the gas, because things aren’t getting easier from here. Nah, they’re just gonna get a hell of a lot more difficult, because I’m not the only one who had to work their way up to this point. I’m not the only one who had to climb up the ladder, and I know I’m not the only one who wants to leave King of Elite with that crown more than anything else. I’m not about to get in the ring with just anybody. I’m about to get in the ring with two of the hungriest guys on the roster. I’m about to get in the ring with two guys I already have experience with. Two guys I’ve already been in the ring with, but two guys I have never faced in the state they are in right now.
Cody Maverick: I’m serious about this because I know this isn’t just about to be a normal match that I can walk into and expect to wipe the floor with my competition. This is gonna be a fight, the kind of fight that not everyone gets to say they’ve won. Look over the years. Look at the kind of talent who’ve won the King of Elite tournament in just the last few years. This is a special kind of history, and it’s exactly the kind of history I’m ready to go and add my name to. Still, I know it’s gonna be tough, and you have my opponents to thank for that.
(The cheers continue, directed towards both BRAE and Akari Kiyoko, who have both been fan favorites on their own brands. There is a brief smirk from Cody after hearing this, but this doesn’t last long as he maintains his focus on the match ahead.)
Cody Maverick: Last week I took the time to speak with my opponents, so I know they’re ready. I know they want this, and who am I to tell them they don’t? I’ve been in the ring with BRAE time and time again. So many times that I think I know the guy pretty well, but during the time we’ve spent away from each other all he’s done is grow and better himself as a competitor. He has become an even bigger threat, and it’s the kind of threat that I can’t afford to take lightly when everything’s on the line. BRAE knows that I’m not the type to back away from a fight though, and I bet he also knows that the version of me he faced all that time ago isn’t even half of who I am now. He’s not the only one who took the time to better themselves, and at King of Elite I’m more than willing to show him just how far I’ve come, only now this is about way more than proving a point. This is about making sure that all of the growth, all of the hard work, all of the setbacks actually meant something. This is the kind of match I needed and I’m not ashamed to use that word, ‘cause I made the most of the mess I’ve been left with this season, and now at King of Elite, I will do everything in my power to take that crown.
(Cody walks towards the ropes and points towards one of the cameramen at ringside, who points the camera towards Cody’s face. Staring at the camera, Cody continues.)
Cody Maverick: Listen. You’re the Interwire Champ for a reason BRAE and I won’t deny that, but I wouldn’t be who I am if I let that bother me. I heard everything you said and I saw what it took for you to make it to this match, and all that’s done is motivate me further. All it’s done is help me make sure I’m at the top of my game and I’m better than I’ve ever been, because that’s what it takes to succeed in a place like this, and I’m not waiting for my turn at the top.
Cody Maverick: Same can be said to you Akari. I’m sure you remember the last time you and I stepped in the ring. It was back in Brand Warfare, and I’m not gonna lie, back then I didn’t think you were ready. I thought you weren’t there yet and I said as much to you directly, but I’m not gonna ignore the work you put in since then. I’m not gonna act like these last few months didn’t happen just to make me feel better about my chances, ‘cause I don’t need that. You worked hard to get here and good on you for that. I respect that you weren’t comfortable with staying in one spot and I definitely respect the fact that you decided you’d actually climb up the ladder on your own rather than being a coward like some of the other people on your brand, but who do you think I am? You think I’m the type of guy that’d just sit back and let you walk over me because you want to win? I’m here to become King, so when I enter that ring I’m not gonna care that you’ve never been a Champion. The only thing I’m gonna be interested in is putting you down, and sending both you and BRAE back to your shows empty handed.
Cody Maverick: Akari, you’re great. You did good over on Showdown and I’m sure you still have a good year ahead of you, but that year doesn’t start with you winning that crown at my expense. It doesn’t start with you stepping over me and winning the King of Elite tournament. This is mine to win, and you, BRAE, I’m not expecting either of you to step out of my way. I’m gonna push you out of the way, and get what I’ve waited over six months for.
(Cody walks away from the camera, looking back at the fans as he slowly backpedals back to the center of the ring.)
Cody Maverick: All season long the EAW World Championship has had a target on it. People have been waiting for their chances to cash in, and at Festival of Lights Drake Armstrong took his shot and won. I have history with Adam Lucas. I have history with Drake Armstrong, hell I’ve been in the ring with both Hans Grayson and Kai Rabeaux. I’m ready for whoever ends up leaving King of Elite with that Championship, so all I’m gonna ask is that you guys be a little patient, ‘cause I’m coming. I’m one match away from having the opportunity, and when I get that opportunity, I’m not gonna do what I did at the start of the season and run straight into a brick wall thinking I was ready. I’m gonna do what I have spent the last few weeks doing. I’m gonna prepare myself for the next step. I’m gonna make sure that I’m ready, and I’m gonna make sure that when I return to Voltage and you all call me King, it won’t be for no reason. I’m becoming a World Champion soon enough, and it all starts NOW!
(Cody slams his microphone down to loud cheers from the crowd, and Cody Maverick stares at the audience with a fired up look on his face as ‘Kostas’ begins to play once more, showing everyone in attendance just how ready he is for the King of Elite finals.)
Rich Russillo: Well, you heard him! Not much more needs to be said, because Cody made himself as clear as possible. He is ready now to become a World Champion, but his road to make it there isn’t complete without first winning the King of Elite tournament.
Thadd Blazevich: Cody Maverick’s been on fire lately, and we know how tough the competition is, so if he’s this confident, I think bro might be able to pull it off. Either way, I can’t wait to see what happens.
Persephone: All this guy does is make promises then lose and embarrass both himself and the entire Voltage brand. What’s gonna be so different this time around?
Rich Russillo: Well you’ve already seen his fantastic performance during this tournament, even with Hall of Famers in his way. We’ll need to see whether or not Cody can go all the way, but thankfully we won’t have to wait too long! Next week we’ll have all of our answers, as we rejoin you all for King of Elite!
(Cody Maverick slowly leaves the ring, walking back down the steel steps as the camera follows. Cody backpedals up the ramp, sharing a few more words off-mic as he promises to leave King of Elite with the crown, speaking towards the fans in the front row who are fully behind him. With one more shot of the focused look on Cody’s face as he backpedals up the ramp, Voltage begins to fade to black.)
(EAW logo buzzes.)
