(EAW intro plays.)
(A recap is shown of last week’s Sunday Night Voltage. The highlights showcase the major events of the night before fading out as always. The camera then opens up to the Mabee Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and pyro shoots from the stage. The fans are on their feet cheering before the camera transitions over toward the commentary table, where Rich Russillo, Thadd Blazevich and Persephone are seated.)
Rich Russillo: Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Sunday Night Voltage! Territorial Invasion is right around the corner, and tonight we’re going to get our first real look at the teams representing all three brands!
Thadd Blazevich: Dude, I’m stoked! Brand Warfare, Divide and Conquer, War Games, we’ve got a lot coming our way, bro. Everybody wants their brand to come out on top, and tonight they finally get a chance to show what they’ve got!
Persephone: Wonderful. Brand loyalty. Exactly what I was hoping to spend my night hearing about.
Rich Russillo: Well, let’s cut to the ring, because Captain Charisma and Eden Sinclair are already standing alongside Dynasty General Manager Tyrone Montgomery and Showdown General Manager Kennedy Street!
(The camera transitions to the ring, where Captain Charisma and Eden Sinclair stand at the forefront, with Kennedy Street and Tyrone Montgomery alongside them.)
Captain Charisma: Welcome to Voltage!
Crowd: WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
Captain Charisma: Territorial Invasion is almost here, and over the past few weeks all three brands have put together their teams for Brand Warfare, War Games and Divide and Conquer. Everyone knows who they’ll be fighting alongside and who they’ll be standing across the ring from, but before we get to Territorial Invasion, we want to see just how prepared these teams really are.
Eden Sinclair: Talent is obviously important, but matches like these require more than that. You need to know that the people beside you can put their own issues aside and work toward the same goal, especially when the other two brands are waiting to take advantage of any problems your team might have. Some of these teams already have chemistry, while others still have things to work through, and these next two weeks will give them all the chance to see exactly where they stand.
Captain Charisma: We already saw how quickly things can get out of control when all three War Games teams crossed paths last week. Damon Lazarus, Auburn Ware and Saori Aizen have their own issues, and things only got worse once BRAE, Cy Henderson and Kirk Redwood arrived, followed by Pandora Paisley, Jon Kelton and Damien Kutcher. If that was any indication, War Games is going to live up to its name, and all three teams are going to need to be ready for what’s coming.
Eden Sinclair: Brand Warfare brings its own challenges, but Raven Roberts knew exactly what she was looking for when she put together Voltage’s team. Raven, Eris Morti, ARIA, Candice Blair and Ashlynn Quinn all have their own reasons for wanting to win, while ARIA, Candice and Ashlynn already know how to work together. Raven understands they don’t all need to be best friends as long as they’re working toward the same result. Then we have Carmen Sánchez, Cynthia Valice and Avril Williams in Divide and Conquer, who have already agreed to work together until the rules eventually force them to fight amongst themselves.
Captain Charisma: Every team has something to prove, so over the next two weeks, we’re going to give them that opportunity. Voltage is hosting the first round of matches tonight, and next week Dynasty and Showdown will have their turns. This gives everyone a chance to compete alongside their teammates, work through whatever problems they might have, and make sure they’re truly ready before Territorial Invasion.
Eden Sinclair: By the time Territorial Invasion arrives, there won’t be any excuses. Everyone will have had the chance to get on the same page, and these matches will let each team learn a little more about the people they’ll be depending on when it really matters. Once Territorial Invasion arrives, we’ll find out which brand actually put together the best teams.
Captain Charisma: And obviously, we expect that brand to be Voltage.
(Kennedy Street raises her microphone with a smile.)
Kennedy Street: Of course you do, honey. Kennie would expect nothing less when Voltage gets the home-field advantage tonight, but don’t start celebrating yet. Showdown has put together three teams Kennedy is very confident in, and when Territorial Invasion comes around, they’re going to show everyone exactly why.
Captain Charisma: I figured you’d say that.
Kennedy Street: Because Kennie knows her roster. Halsey Neel and Mia Santoro put together one hell of a Brand Warfare team with Akari Kiyoko, Rex McAllister and KELIN. Pandora Paisley, Jon Kelton and Damien Kutcher clearly aren’t afraid of anybody heading into War Games, and even if Clayton Golde and the Adonis Brothers have their issues, Kennie expects them to figure those out when it matters. Nobody on Showdown wants to walk into Territorial Invasion just to take part, honey. They want to win, and Kennie expects them to do exactly that.
(Tyrone Montgomery chuckles before raising his own microphone.)
Tyrone Montgomery: Well, since we’re all bragging now, I guess it’s my turn. Dynasty won Brand Warfare last year, and I plan on seeing us do it again. KASAI earned the captaincy alongside Brianna Hill, Effy McAvoy, Chris Elite and Daryl Kinkade, BRAE is leading Cy Henderson and Kirk Redwood into War Games, and Yanni Killbrew, TFK and AKIZA have Divide and Conquer covered. I know what all of them are capable of, so yeah, I like my chances.
Kennedy Street: Hold on, honey. That is a LOT of confidence coming from someone who just had to call his entire roster into a meeting because they couldn’t stop tearing each other apart.
(The crowd reacts as Tyrone turns toward Kennedy.)
Kennedy Street: Kennedy’s just pointing out the obvious. Talent has never been Dynasty’s problem, but getting all of those egos to behave themselves long enough to accomplish something together? That might be a different story, especially when some of the people you’re trusting have spent more time fighting each other than working together.
Captain Charisma: She has a point. Effy McAvoy, Chris Elite and Daryl Kinkade have history, and the same can be said for BRAE, Cy Henderson and Kirk Redwood. Those are some pretty complicated teams you’re trusting to represent Dynasty, especially after everything that’s been happening over there lately.
Kennedy Street: So be honest with us, Tyrone. Do you actually trust them to put all of that aside, or are you just praying they don’t implode before Territorial Invasion?
(Tyrone looks between the two before laughing and shaking his head.)
Tyrone Montgomery: See, I knew this was gonna happen. I come to Voltage trying to be professional, maybe wish everybody luck, and suddenly we’re holding an intervention about my roster.
(The crowd laughs.)
Tyrone Montgomery: Look, I know Dynasty has been crazy lately. I’m the one who had to call everybody into a meeting and tell them that if they couldn’t get their shit together, I was gonna start taking money out of their pockets and sending people home. So yeah, I know some of these people have problems with each other, and after everything that’s happened, I’d be lying if I said there wasn’t a little uncertainty on my end. I’m not expecting Chris and Daryl to suddenly become best friends, and I don’t think Cy, BRAE and Kirk are gonna start taking friendship photos together, but they don’t have to. When Territorial Invasion comes around, they just need to understand what’s at stake and remember who they’re representing, because whatever issues they have with each other can wait when Voltage and Showdown are standing across from them. I know how talented my roster is, and when these matches actually matter, I expect them to pull through. If anything, these next two weeks are their chance to prove that I’m right to trust them, and I fully expect them to take advantage of it.
(Tyrone turns toward Kennedy with a grin.)
Tyrone Montgomery: Besides, Kennie, before we start worrying about Dynasty imploding, didn’t you just admit Clayton Golde and the Adonis Brothers already have problems of their own?
(Kennedy’s smile fades slightly as the crowd reacts.)
Kennedy Street: Now, now, Tyrone… don’t try and point the direction back at me! While it is true that the Adonis Brothers and Clayton Golde aren’t exactly seeing eye to eye when it comes to Divide and Conquer, Kennie can assure you those problems will not be detrimental to Showdown’s success at Territorial Invasion. They know what’s at stake, and Kennedy expects them to put their differences aside when it matters.
(Kennedy turns her attention toward Captain Charisma.)
Kennedy Street: And if we’re going to start talking about problems within teams, honey, Voltage’s War Games team might have some problems of its own if their captain isn’t careful. Damon Lazarus, Auburn Ware and Saori Aizen haven’t exactly been the picture of harmony themselves, so nobody standing in this ring has a perfect team.
Captain Charisma: I never said we did.
Kennedy Street: Good, because if we’re being honest, when Kennedy looks at the teams that have been put together for matches like Brand Warfare and War Games, you would be foolish to bet against Showdown. No offense to either of your teams, honey, but Kennie knows exactly what she has. Damon Lazarus can keep calling Showdown inferior competition all he wants, but saying it doesn’t make it true.
(Captain Charisma looks toward Kennedy before responding.)
Captain Charisma: I mean… perhaps Damon Lazarus raised a valid point.
(Kennedy gives Captain Charisma a look as the crowd reacts.)
Captain Charisma: Obviously there’s some bias on my end, but I truly believe that if anyone is going to come out on top at Territorial Invasion, it’s going to be Voltage. We aren’t immune to having issues, and I’m not going to stand here pretending Damon, Auburn and Saori have been completely on the same page, but I trust them to work through it, just like I trust Raven’s Brand Warfare team and Carmen, Cynthia and Avril in Divide and Conquer. At the end of the day, all three of us believe in the people representing our brands, and now they’re going to have the opportunity to back that belief up in the ring. We’ll see what happens tonight before Dynasty and Showdown get their opportunities next week, and after that, there won’t be much left to do besides settle everything at Territorial Invasion.
(Tyrone nods, while Kennedy maintains a confident smile.)
Captain Charisma: So until then, I wish you both good luck, and may the best brand win.
Kennedy Street: Kennie agrees with you. Good luck, honey, and may the best brand win!
Tyrone Montgomery: Yeah, one hundred percent. Good luck to you both, and may the best brand win.
(The General Managers share a nod of acknowledgment, keeping things civil despite the competitive back-and-forth. Tyrone Montgomery is the first to leave the ring, followed by Kennedy Street, while Captain Charisma and Eden Sinclair remain behind for a moment before making their exit as well.)
Rich Russillo: WOAH! This is going to be a chaotic couple of weeks between these brands, and it all begins tonight! We’ll be seeing representatives from War Games, Brand Warfare and Divide and Conquer in action as Voltage hosts the first of these matches on the road to Territorial Invasion!
Thadd Blazevich: Yeah, bro, this is gonna be wicked! Everybody thinks their team is the best, dude, and now we finally get to see them prove it!
Persephone: Yeah, it’s cool, I guess.
(The segment soon fades out as we transition elsewhere here on Sunday Night Voltage.
(It was another miserable week for Auburn Ware, one that had seemingly become a common trend for her this entire season up to this point. Last week was awful, and what happened on Dynasty a couple of days prior certainly didn’t do much to ease her nerves. If anything, it felt as though her place on this team was determined by forces beyond her control, and it was never going to be anything that she chose to take in stride. As much as she tried to block it out of her mind, she knew that there was no getting out of this, and that the best she could do was make a good thing out of a bad situation… if there was any of that left in the first place.)
(But ultimately, that remains to be seen.)
(She walked through the halls of the Mabee Center, her eyes narrowed as she glanced down at the ground. The reason that she was here was much to her disdain, but she also wasn’t just going to allow anyone to get the better of her and force her to hide away; no, that wasn’t how she operated. She accepted a long time ago that she was never the type of woman to take shit from anyone, and if she wasn’t going to be left alone? That’s fine. Bring the fight to them for all she cares. But as her inner thoughts clashed with each other, a voice broke through.)
???: Another one of those days, hm?
(Auburn didn’t need to know who it was; she glanced up and was immediately met with Saori Aizen. The door to the locker room of Damon Lazarus was already open, with the Specialists Championship leaning against the doorframe, a blank expression on her face.)
Auburn Ware: I don’t need a welcoming party.
Saori Aizen: But it appears to me you need to calm down, Auburn. Just relax. This is a place of partnership, isn’t it? We are meant to be working together.
Auburn Ware: And you haven’t done a good job of showing that now, haven’t you? Get the fuck out of my way.
Saori Aizen: No, no, not this time, lover girl. We need to come to an understanding, or else how are we going to get anywhere? How are we going to win War Games? How are we going to accomplish *your* dreams? It appears to me that you do not want to work together.
Auburn Ware: And why would I? Be so fucking honest with yourself and get a grip, Saori. I joined this team against my will, and it seems like the only thing that has happened since then is you and your little fuck buddy thinking you can just do whatever you want. I’m not here because I want to be Saori, and you need to understand that the less you say about it, the better.
(Saori lingered with a brief smirk on her face as she shook her head, allowing Auburn’s words to simmer for a moment.)
Saori Aizen: You’re not going to get anywhere if you continue to repress your feelings. When has that ever done anyone any good?
(Auburn stared at the other woman for a moment. There were a lot of ways she could react at the moment; there was definitely one thing she wanted to do. In her mind, the third time was the charm when it came to finally killing Saori, and her right hand, that was at her side, actually twitched in anticipation of snatching Saori by the neck. This didn’t go unnoticed by the Specialists Champion, and a sardonic smile spread across her face.)
Saori Aizen: Tch. You truly never learn. Even now you wish to eliminate me, thinking you would have a free path to the man who sleeps in my bed. It doesn’t work that way, and for someone who used to come across as intelligent, you truly have nothing much inside of that pretty head. Damon and I are a united front, determined to bring this team of ours to victory once War Games commences. I would have thought after the events of last week, and so far this week, you would have come to understand that, but it appears I have been mistaken.
(For a brief moment, Auburn allowed herself to picture it. She wanted nothing more than to live in a world where Saori Aizen ceased to exist, and Damon was free for her to pursue. Granted, it still wasn’t a fairytale, but if there was something she knew for sure in her, it was that Damon had some type of interest in her.)
Saori Aizen: You do understand that when I speak to you, I expect you to look at me.
(The moment, of course, vanished after that. If Damon was willing to let Saori speak to her like this, while preaching team unity, then he didn’t truly give a damn about her well-being. Auburn pressed her full lips together in a firm line and instead of lashing out like she wanted to, she spun on her Converses and went to walk away.)
(And then Saori put her hands on her Auburn…)
(Saori’s grip was firm on Auburn’s upper arm, and that triggered someone inside the young brunette. She whirled around, poised to strike, but someone gripped her other arm.)
Damon Lazarus: That’s enough.
(Auburn glanced over, her eyes quick to bat as they met Damon Lazarus, who had been watching the entire time. Fortunately, his locker room was left entirely ajar during the entire conversation, and he had been listening in while he prepared for his match later in the night, something that he found accusatory every time he appeared on Voltage. It seemed that everywhere he looked, Auburn and Saori had an issue with one another.)
Damon Lazarus: The last thing I need right now is my teammates coming to blows. You’ve already done enough damage, and I’m damn sure gonna uphold that this doesn’t continue to be a thing going forward. I’ve let you have your liberties, but you’re gonna learn quickly that you’re playing by *my* rules.
(Damon had a glare on his face, one that didn’t mark any form of amusement despite what was considered contemporary in terms of his reaction. Saori beamed as she continued to look at Auburn, who was practically fuming, but Damon didn’t share her sentiment.)
Damon Lazarus: That goes for you too.
Saori Aizen: Huh?
(Damon reared his head toward Saori, who had a brief look of bewilderment.)
Damon Lazarus: If you’re gonna be the one that exacerbates these issues, then maybe I made a mistake bringing you onto my team. I’ve entertained these games long enough, but when it gets in the way of my career, that’s when I start to have issues, and I don’t care who you are… you’re not gonna get in the way of my career. Do I make myself clear?
(There’s a moment of silence, as if Saori is contemplative of what is being said right now. But after some time, the only thing that she can muster is a nod.)
Saori Aizen: Yes.
Damon Lazarus: Good.
(Damon doesn’t say another word. He continued to have a grip on Auburn’s arm as he forcefully dragged her away from the scene. The two of them turned a corner, away from Saori, as Damon pushed her in front of her. There was a moment, a tense stare as their eyes locked with one another. After he calmed himself down, Damon crossed his arms.)
Damon Lazarus: If you have anything to say, then you better say it now.
Auburn Ware: If you’re looking for me to apologize, then it’s not happening.
Damon Lazarus: I will say this one more time. If you have anything to say, then you better say it. Now.
(While Damon’s face remained stern, his eyes softened just slightly. Auburn felt contrite in that moment and looked down at her hands. As it seemed to be with the two of them, Damon lifted her chin, refusing to allow her to look at anything other than him. Auburn’s cheeks heated, but it wasn’t because she was flustered. It was because just moments ago, Saori had spoken to her like she owned her.)
Auburn Ware: I have no expectations when it comes to you, because I already know you’re going to treat me like shit. But what I’m not going to do is spend the next two weeks…? Is be spoken down to by BOTH of you, and do your bidding… If, if that’s the dynamic you expect, then I don’t want to be on this team. War Games may very well be my dream match, and something I have always wanted to compete in—but you two aren’t running me out of EAW. There will be other opportunities, and I will take the thought of that over whatever the fuck this is turning out to be…
(There was no bite to Auburn’s voice. There was no emotion. She was speaking softly, but with her own sort of conviction.)
Auburn Ware: I mean that, Damon.
(Damon tilted his head, allowing himself to think for a moment.)
Damon Lazarus: I know.
(There wasn’t any vitriol in his voice, and it was something that Auburn had to shake off; he merely kept his eyes locked on her as he went on.)
Damon Lazarus: And I can’t have you walking out on this team, because I chose you first for a reason. It may feel like every single week since the season started you’ve had my presence hanging above you like an albatross, but trust that it was for a reason. When I did what I did to you, it was to make you better, and maybe that’s not an excuse, and maybe it’s not gonna change *anything* about how you feel inside, but I knew exactly the type of competitor that you were going to become once I cut you loose, and it turned you into a woman who I know is going to help me, win this goddamn match. And you’re not gonna go back to square fucking one, and start holding out on me again just because someone looked at you the wrong way, and decided to treat you with disdain; you’re gonna do what I asked of you.
(Damon paused for a moment, allowing his words to sink in.)
Damon Lazarus: And you’re not gonna do it because I told you so; you’re gonna do it because you know that you can. Dynasty and Showdown fucked around with the wrong people, and I’m not gonna bring it back to them by myself; I need you and Saori to lock the fuck in and give them a reason to fear us. And you’re gonna do it for your sake.
(It was the most sensible and most human conversation that Auburn had ever had with Damon, and she almost appeared to be distrustful of it. Damon didn’t care about that, because he knew his words had gotten into her head and she would have a lot to think about. If Damon had come to have at least one guarantee when it came to Auburn, it’s that she would have a million questions racing through her mind at any given time. He stroked his thumb along her jaw before pulling his hand away and smirked as a pretty blush spread across her cheeks. Instead of humiliating her about it, he decided to keep the tone of the conversation going.)
Damon Lazarus: Do you understand me?
(There was a small hesitation from her, but Auburn did nod. Having settled that, Damon crossed his arms.)
Damon Lazarus: Anything else?
(Auburn scuffed the toe of her shoe against the floor, but didn’t break eye contact with him.)
Auburn Ware: Are you going to handle Saori?
(Damon chuckled.)
Damon Lazarus: You think I haven’t already? She got the message loud and clear. I know she’s not stupid, she’s quite intelligent, and she knows better than to bite the hand that feeds. This isn’t the situation that she wants to be in right now, but she knows better than to cross me, because that’s when she makes it worse.
(Auburn continued to stare at him, maybe it wasn’t the idea that she wasn’t convinced, but it was certainly going to be easier said than done.)
Damon Lazarus: And *you* know better than to doubt me when I’ve gotten this far on my own terms. So for your question whether or not she’s going to be “handled”, I don’t expect her to step out of line going forward.
Auburn Ware: Okay.
(Auburn resigned herself to the situation and started to walk away. Before he could stop himself, Damon grabbed her and she closed her eyes, willing the electricity between them to finally fade. He pulled her back against him, hands on both of her shoulders.)
Damon Lazarus: Prove yourself to me.
(Damon squeezed her shoulders tightly before releasing her. He brought his down across her backside, hard enough to shock her, and cracked his neck.)
Damon Lazarus: Behave yourself—meet Saori and I at guerilla when it’s time.
(Damon didn’t wait for a response because he knew now that there would be no pushback. He had given Auburn just enough to earn some of her trust, and everything else was going to be a piece of cake.)
(Voltage faded away.)
(The camera cuts to Bella Braxton in the ring.)
Bella Braxton: THE FOLLOWING CONTEST IS A TRIPLE THREAT MATCH SCHEDULED FOR… ONE FALL!!
Crowd: ONE FALL!!
(‘Rompe’ by Daddy Yankee hits to a loud reaction from the crowd as Carmen Sánchez makes her way onto the stage alongside Cynthia Valice and Avril Williams! Carmen flashes a grin before heading down the ramp, exchanging a few high-fives with fans along the way as Cynthia and Avril follow behind.)
Bella Braxton: Introducing first! Accompanied by Cynthia Valice and Avril Williams! Hailing from Reno, Nevada, weighing in at 102 pounds… SHE IS “EL TIGRE”… CARMEN SÁNCHEZ!!
Thadd Blazevich: Carmen’s got Cynthia and Avril backing her up tonight, bro, and these three are gonna be carrying the flag for Voltage in Divide and Conquer at Territorial Invasion!
Rich Russillo: Carmen has been determined to make Voltage proud, and tonight gives her the opportunity to build some momentum heading into one of the biggest matches of her career.
Persephone: I don’t care which brand wins. I just hope they destroy each other getting there.
(‘Steel Haze (Where Truth Meets)’ by Kota Hoshino begins to play as AKIZA emerges onto the stage to boos from the crowd, flanked by Yanni Killbrew and TFK. AKIZA pays little attention to the reception as she marches down the ramp, keeping her focus on the ring while Yanni and TFK follow behind.)
Bella Braxton: Accompanied by Yanni Killbrew and TFK! Hailing from Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, weighing in at 143 pounds… SHE IS THE “QUEEN VERMILLION”… AKIZA!!
Rich Russillo: AKIZA will be representing Dynasty at Territorial Invasion alongside Yanni Killbrew and TFK, and tonight she has an opportunity to send a message on behalf of the red brand.
Thadd Blazevich: Yeah, dude. There’s definitely some brand pride at stake here, and I don’t think AKIZA plans on letting Carmen give Voltage anything to celebrate tonight.
(‘Betty (Get Money)!’ by Yung Gravy hits to loud boos as golden smoke begins pouring across the stage. Clayton Golde emerges through the smoke alongside Adonis and Artemis Jones, spreading his arms with a smug grin before making his way down the ramp.)
Bella Braxton: And finally! Accompanied by Adonis and Artemis Jones! Hailing from his Golden Compound in Romania, weighing in at 210 pounds… HE IS THE “GOLDEN GOD”… CLAYTON GOLDE!!
Thadd Blazevich: And here comes Showdown, bro! Clayton’s got Adonis and Artemis with him tonight, so all three brands are represented around that ring!
Rich Russillo: Exactly, and that’s what tonight is all about. Voltage, Dynasty and Showdown all have something to prove with Territorial Invasion approaching, and this triple threat is our first glimpse of that competition tonight.
Persephone: And somehow Showdown decided this guy was the one they wanted representing them. Good luck with that.
(The referee signals for the bell as each competitor stands in their respective corners.)
(DING! DING! DING!)
Rich Russillo: Here we go! This triple threat match is officially underway, giving us a sneak preview of what’s to come at Territorial Invasion! CARMEN SÁNCHEZ VERSUS CLAYTON GOLDE VERSUS AKIZA! And none of them are alone tonight, with Cynthia Valice and Avril Williams in Carmen’s corner, Yanni Killbrew and TFK backing AKIZA, and Adonis and Artemis Jones at ringside for Clayton! Keep in mind, there are no disqualifications, meaning any of them can get involved if need be! For now, though, it looks like everyone’s content to let this play out clean as each competitor steps out of their respective corner. All three begin sizing each other up in the center of the ring, circling cautiously as no one seems eager to make the first move just yet.
(Boos fill the arena as Clayton Golde rolls out underneath the bottom rope, wanting no part of this match so early, and raises both hands innocently at ringside. Carmen and AKIZA stare daggers at him as AKIZA marches toward the ropes, demanding that Clayton get back inside, but Golde has absolutely no interest.)
Persephone: Oh my God, get back in the ring. We have enough people out there already without you joining them.
(Clayton points over AKIZA’s shoulder, prompting her to spin around toward Carmen, who was feigning an attempt to sneak up on her from behind! Carmen raises both hands with a smirk after getting “caught” before pointing back and forth between herself and AKIZA, gesturing that they should go at it as the two prepare for a lockup.)
Thadd Blazevich: OH, FROM BEHIND! CLAYTON PICKS HIS SPOT, SHOVING AKIZA STRAIGHT INTO CARMEN AND CAUSING THE TWO TO KNOCK HEADS! Carmen goes down, trying to shake out the cobwebs, while AKIZA drops to all fours after that collision!
Rich Russillo: AKIZA regains her footing, rising back to both feet while still stunned from that head on collision, but Clayton doesn’t give her a second to recover before swooping in from behind— SCHOOL BOY! GOLDE ROLLS UP AKIZA!
ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Thadd Blazevich: WAIT, CARMEN! CARMEN’S BACK UP, AND SHE COMES FROM BEHIND WITH AN O’CONNOR ROLL ON CLAYTON, PULLING HIM RIGHT OUT OF THE SCHOOL BOY! Dude, we’ve got one pin turning straight into another!
ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Rich Russillo: CLAYTON KICKS OUT, SENDING CARMEN FORWARD— RIGHT INTO AKIZA! AKIZA was sitting up at the perfect time, and she catches Carmen immediately with a SMALL PACKAGE!
ONNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Rich Russillo: TWO COUNT! Carmen escapes, and all three competitors scramble back to their feet! Just like that, we’re almost right back where we started, with Carmen, AKIZA, and Clayton finding themselves in another standoff!
Thadd Blazevich: Yeah, and who’s gonna make the first move— OH, IT’S CLAYTON! Clayton swings wildly with a clothesline at Carmen, but CARMEN DUCKS UNDERNEATH AND SHOVES CLAYTON STRAIGHT INTO AKIZA! Both competitors are on spaghetti legs after that collision, struggling to stay upright— AND CARMEN STEPS OFF CLAYTON TO COMPLETE A HURRICANRANA ON AKIZA! WHOA! Dude, that was slick!
Persephone: :roman: Can’t say I’ve seen something like that before.
Rich Russillo: AKIZA slides underneath the bottom rope, dropping to a knee against the apron to recover, which leaves just Carmen and Clayton inside the ring! CLAYTON CATCHES CARMEN WITH A KICK TO THE GUT… and pulls her into a standing side headlock! Golde’s slowing things down now, bringing this match to a pace that favors him.
Persephone: Yeah, which is slow and boring, apparently.
Thadd Blazevich: Clayton wrenches on that headlock in the center of the ring, but Carmen manages to shove him off toward the ropes! Golde rebounds and BARRELS INTO CARMEN WITH A SHOULDER TACKLE! Clayton floors her— BUT CARMEN KIPS RIGHT BACK UP TO HER FEET LIKE IT WAS NOTHING!
(Clayton looks around momentarily as the crowd cheers that impressive display of athleticism from Sánchez—)
Rich Russillo: CLAYTON WITH A BOOT TO THE GUT! He catches Carmen before she can capitalize and backs her against the ropes for an Irish whip! Clayton drops down as Carmen rebounds— BUT CARMEN CARTWHEELS OVER HIM TO AVOID BEING TRIPPED UP AND BACKFLIPS ONTO HER FEET! Clayton pops back to his and throws a right hand, but Carmen blocks it before locking her hand with his!
Thadd Blazevich: CARMEN USES HER FREE HAND TO CRACK CLAYTON WITH AN OVERHAND CHOP! Sánchez keeps hold of that hand as she runs up the ropes in the corner— SPRINGBOARD TORNADO DDT! CARMEN SPIKES CLAYTON INTO THE MAT!
Rich Russillo: Clayton Golde sits up from the impact, and the lights might be on, but there’s nobody home as Carmen starts crawling toward him for the cover— BUT CLAYTON HAS ENOUGH WHEREWITHAL TO ROLL OUT UNDERNEATH THE BOTTOM ROPE! Golde lands on his feet at ringside, barely able to keep himself standing! Carmen was just too late and pulls herself up with help from the ropes, staring daggers at a stunned Clayton before turning around against them— AS AKIZA SLIDES BACK INSIDE THE RING BEHIND HER!
Thadd Blazevich: AKIZA CHARGES IN— BUT RUNS RIGHT INTO A BOOT! AKIZA staggers back slightly before doubling over, and Carmen comes charging in— SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMB! CARMEN DRIVES AKIZA INTO THE MAT AND KEEPS HER FOLDED UP FOR THE COVER!
ONNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHH—
Rich Russillo: KICKOUT! AKIZA kicks out and crawls into the corner, using the ropes to pull herself back to her feet! Carmen moves to a knee, keeping a close eye on AKIZA as she recovers… BEFORE CHARGING IN! BUT AKIZA LIFTS CARMEN STRAIGHT UP INTO THE AIR AND LAUNCHES HER BACK TOWARD THE MIDDLE WITH A FREE FALL DROP! Carmen rises to her feet favoring her ribs, and AKIZA sees the opening— SHOOTING OUT OF THE CORNER WITH A RUNNING BIG BOOT!
Thadd Blazevich: Carmen goes down and rolls to all fours, trying to shake out the cobwebs while favoring her jaw, which might’ve been knocked loose by that kick! AKIZA’s taken control now, and she doesn’t plan on letting Carmen catch her breath! She pulls Sánchez back to her feet and CLOCKS HER WITH A RIGHT HAND! Carmen stumbles into the corner, and AKIZA follows her in before sending her across to the opposite corner with an Irish whip!
Rich Russillo: AKIZA TAKES OFF AFTER CARMEN— BUT SÁNCHEZ DOUBLE JUMPS TO THE TOP ROPE AND BACKFLIPS RIGHT OVER HER! Carmen lands on her feet and rolls back through as AKIZA turns around in the corner! CARMEN RUSHES IN— BUT AKIZA SHOOTS OUT OF THE CORNER, AND CARMEN CRASHES BACK FIRST INTO THE TURNBUCKLES! AKIZA runs past her, turns around in the center of the ring, and immediately comes charging back!
Thadd Blazevich: AKIZA GOES FOR A MONKEY FLIP— BUT CARMEN BLOCKS IT! Sánchez plants her feet and refuses to budge before spinning around, seating AKIZA on the top turnbuckle— AND CARMEN CATCHES HER WITH A ROPE-ASSISTED ENZUIGIRI! AKIZA IS ROCKED UP TOP, AND NOW CLAYTON GOLDE SLIDES BACK INTO THE RING!
Rich Russillo: Clayton swings for a clothesline— BUT CARMEN DUCKS UNDERNEATH, AND CLAYTON GETS CAUGHT WITH A BOOT TO THE JAW BY AKIZA! Golde turns away, doubling over and favoring his jaw as Carmen charges toward him— BUT CLAYTON LAUNCHES HER OVER HIS HEAD WITH AN ALLEY-OOP! Carmen manages to catch herself on the top rope right in front of AKIZA— BUT AKIZA SHOVES HER OFF! CARMEN PLUMMETS TO RINGSIDE AND LANDS HARD ON HER SIDE!
(Cynthia and Avril immediately kneel down beside Carmen, checking on her at ringside.)
Thadd Blazevich: AKIZA turns her attention back toward the ring— AND CLAYTON SPRINGS UP WITH A DROPKICK! AKIZA tumbles down to ringside, BOUNCING OFF THE APRON ON THE WAY DOWN before dropping to all fours on the floor!
Rich Russillo: Clayton backs toward the center of the ring, watching AKIZA and possibly lining her up for something— BUT CARMEN SUDDENLY JUMPS BACK TO HER FEET AT RINGSIDE! Sánchez climbs onto the apron and SPRINGBOARDS IN WITH A HURRICANRANA!! CLAYTON GETS SENT ACROSS THE MAT BEFORE SLIDING OUT UNDERNEATH THE BOTTOM ROPE, dropping to a knee against the apron!
Thadd Blazevich: CARMEN POPS BACK TO HER FEET, AND SHE’S GOT AKIZA IN HER SIGHTS AS SHE PULLS HERSELF UP AT RINGSIDE! Sánchez takes off and SLINGSHOTS OVER THE TOP ROPE WITH A CROSSBODY— BUT AKIZA ROLLS THROUGH WITH CARMEN IN HER ARMS! AKIZA somehow makes it back to her feet while cradling Sánchez before popping her up into position— VERTICAL SUPLEX ON THE OUTSIDE!! CARMEN CRASHES HARD ONTO THE FLOOR, AND JUST LIKE THAT, AKIZA SHUTS DOWN ALL OF THAT MOMENTUM!
Persephone: Well, that’s one way to make sure she stops flying around everywhere.
Rich Russillo: Carmen sits up, arching her back in pain after that landing before AKIZA pulls her to her feet and rolls Sánchez back inside the ring! AKIZA follows her in and immediately hooks the leg for a cover!
ONNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Thadd Blazevich: SHOULDER UP! Carmen stays alive, but AKIZA doesn’t give her any room to recover, sitting Sánchez up and locking in a rear chinlock! Smart move here. AKIZA can wear her opponent down while catching her own breath at the same time. But this crowd is starting to rally behind Carmen, willing her back into this match, and Sánchez is responding as she starts working her way back to her feet!
Rich Russillo: Carmen powers back to a vertical base, feeding off that energy as she drives an elbow into AKIZA’s gut! AND ANOTHER! AKIZA’s grip is starting to loosen— BUT SHE SHUTS DOWN CARMEN’S RALLY WITH A STRONG BODY SLAM! Sánchez gets planted, and AKIZA looks over her shoulder to spot Clayton crawling back onto the apron… BEFORE KNOCKING HIM RIGHT BACK OFF WITH A BIG BOOT!
(Clayton is sprawled out at ringside while Adonis and Artemis Jones surround him, impatiently gesturing for Golde to get back up!)
Thadd Blazevich: Clayton’s out of the picture again, leaving AKIZA alone in there with Carmen. That’s the name of the game in a triple threat, man. Divide and conquer. :mjgrin:
Persephone: Ugh, did you have to do that?
Thadd Blazevich: I mean, the opportunity was right there, bro.
Persephone: Whatever.
Rich Russillo: AKIZA turns her attention back to Carmen, pulling her up to a vertical base— BUT CARMEN EXPLODES WITH A BODY SHOT! THEN ALTERNATES HANDS FOR ANOTHER! Sánchez is trying to fight her way back into this— BUT AKIZA SHUTS HER DOWN WITH A HEAVY SLAP ACROSS THE FACE, KNOCKING CARMEN PRONE TO THE CANVAS! If there’s one area where AKIZA has a clear advantage, it’s her striking. She had a career in MMA before stepping into professional wrestling, and that experience makes her extremely dangerous in these close exchanges!
Thadd Blazevich: Carmen pushes herself up to all fours, but AKIZA grabs her from behind and hauls her up for a BACK SUPL— NO! CARMEN BLOCKS IT! Sánchez starts raining elbows down across the back of AKIZA’s neck, forcing her to let go! AKIZA is stunned as Carmen breaks free and takes off toward the ropes— BUT AKIZA GRABS THE BACK OF HER WAISTBAND AND REELS HER RIGHT BACK IN!
Rich Russillo: BACK SUPL— NO! CARMEN COUNTERS WHILE BEING LIFTED WITH A TILT-A-WHIRL HEADSCISSORS TAKEDOWN! AKIZA goes tumbling underneath the bottom rope before pulling herself up on the apron— AND CARMEN KNOCKS HER RIGHT BACK OFF WITH A RUNNING SINGLE LEG DROPKICK! AKIZA hits the floor and starts stirring back to her feet at ringside while Carmen gets the fans behind her inside the ring, urging them to make some noise as SHE TAKES OFF TOWARD THE ROPES!
Thadd Blazevich: Carmen was going to bounce off, presumably looking to come back with a suicide dive— BUT CLAYTON GRABS HER ANKLE FROM RINGSIDE AND YANKS HER LEG OUT FROM UNDER HER! CARMEN DROPS FACE FIRST ONTO THE CANVAS! Golde just picked his spot again, dude, and Carmen never even saw him coming!
Rich Russillo: Carmen pushes herself up to all fours, favoring her nose before rolling toward the center of the ring as Clayton Golde re-enters! Clayton stands over Carmen, talking trash while Sánchez grabs at his gear, possibly trying to use him to pull herself back to her feet. But Clayton decides to help her up himself— ONLY TO DROP CARMEN WITH A NECKBREAKER! GOLDE FLOATS OVER INTO THE COVER!
ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Rich Russillo: KICKOUT! Carmen gets the shoulder up and rolls over to all fours, trying to shake the cobwebs from her head!
(Clayton stands over Carmen once again, cockily pushing at her head with his boot as he continues to taunt her.)
Clayton Golde: (off-mic) Yeah, not so impressive now, are you? Come on, do a flip or something.
(Carmen rises to a knee, and Clayton shoves his boot into her face with enough force to turn her head to the side, drawing a collective “ooh” from the crowd at the blatant disrespect! Carmen looks visibly annoyed as she moves a strand of hair out of her face and rises back to her feet, while Clayton arrogantly spreads his arms to the crowd before turning his attention back to her.)
Clayton Golde: (off-mic) Oh, what? You got a problem with that? Come on then, I’m standing right here. DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!
Rich Russillo: OH! YOU WANTED HER TO DO SOMETHING, CLAYTON?! SHE DID! CARMEN JUST CRACKED HIM ACROSS THE CHEST WITH AN OVERHAND CHOP, AND THAT ONE ECHOED THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE ARENA!
Persephone: :mjlol: I guess that’s the one good thing about Clayton Golde being here. I get to watch him get hurt!
Rich Russillo: Clayton staggers back, gritting his teeth as he struggles through the pain, and Carmen marches right after him— BUT CLAYTON CATCHES HER WITH A KICK TO THE GUT! DDT! GOLDE SPIKES CARMEN HEAD FIRST INTO THE CANVAS!
(Carmen sits up holding her head, but Clayton quickly lays her flat before planting a boot on her chest for a nonchalant cover, cockily flexing his biceps!)
ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
(Clayton immediately takes his boot off Carmen’s chest upon seeing AKIZA slide back into the ring, putting both hands up as he tries to talk her down.)
Clayton Golde: (off-mic) Whoa, whoa, easy! We don’t have to do this. You saw what I just did to her!
(That doesn’t deter AKIZA, who begins marching straight toward him—)
Thadd Blazevich: OH, HE’S RAKING THE EYES! Clayton rakes the eyes of AKIZA before chucking her out through the middle rope! Carmen pulls herself up in the corner, and Golde positions himself in the opposite one before CHARGING IN WITH A RUNNING STINGER SPLASH! Clayton follows by sending Carmen across to the other corner and rushes in for ANOTHER SPLASH IN THE CO— OH NO!
Rich Russillo: CARMEN EVADES IT! Sánchez slips out through the middle rope and onto the apron, leaving Clayton to collide face first with the top turnbuckle! Golde staggers backward before doubling over as Carmen climbs to the top rope— AND CARMEN FLIES OFF WITH A TORNILLO… INTO AN ARM DRAG!
Thadd Blazevich: CARMEN TAKES CLAYTON OVER! Golde rolls through to a knee as AKIZA slides back into the ring, and Carmen takes off right past her! Sánchez bounces off the ropes— NO! AKIZA POPS CARMEN STRAIGHT UP INTO THE AIR! BUT CARMEN USES THE HEIGHT TO CATCH CLAYTON WITH A FRONT MISSILE DROPKICK JUST AS HE GETS BACK TO HIS FEET! Golde rolls out of the ring, and Carmen quickly scrambles back to hers!
Rich Russillo: Carmen takes off again, DUCKING UNDER A CLOTHESLINE FROM AKIZA! Sánchez hits the ropes, comes back— AND DUCKS UNDER A BACK ELBOW NEXT! Carmen heads for the ropes a third time, building more momentum with every pass— “TROMPO!” THE TWISTING RUNNING CROSSBODY CONNECTS! CARMEN STAYS ON TOP OF AKIZA FOR THE COVER!
ONNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHHHHHHHHRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEE—
Persephone: Oh, come on!
Thadd Blazevich: AKIZA KICKS OUT! The kickout forces Carmen to roll off, but neither woman wastes much time! AKIZA scrambles back to her feet while Carmen uses the ropes to pull herself up— AND CARMEN SIDESTEPS AKIZA AS SHE CHARGES IN! AKIZA GOES OUT THROUGH THE MIDDLE ROPE, AND CARMEN IMMEDIATELY BOUNCES OFF THE OPPOSITE SET— SUICIDE DIVE ONTO CLAYTON AT RINGSIDE!
Rich Russillo: AND CARMEN ISN’T DONE! Sánchez slides straight back into the ring, takes off toward the other side— TOPE CON HILO ONTO AKIZA! CARMEN WIPES HER OUT AS WELL, RIGHT IN FRONT OF US!
Thadd Blazevich: Carmen’s on fire right now as she rolls back inside the ring! Clayton has slid back in himself and is pulling himself up in the corner, with Carmen stalking him from across the ring… BEFORE CHARGING IN! BUT CLAYTON GETS THE BOOT UP! Sánchez gets caught in the face, giving Clayton the opening to hop onto the top rope— BUT CARMEN COMES RIGHT BACK WITH A RUNNING ROPE-ASSISTED GAMENGIRI TO THE FACE!
(Carmen sees Clayton stunned on the top turnbuckle and shrugs before lifting him off the corner into a fireman’s carry! Carmen struggles beneath Clayton’s weight as she slowly inches her way toward the center of the ring…)
Persephone: Hurry up… before your legs give out.
Rich Russillo: CLAYTON FIGHTS HIS WAY FREE WITH SHARP ELBOWS TO THE JAW! Golde drops off Carmen’s shoulders, but Sánchez slips behind him and locks her hands around his waist! REAR WAISTLOCK— BUT CLAYTON BACKS TOWARD THE ROPES AND FLINGS CARMEN OVER HIS SHOULDER WITH A WRISTLOCK TAKEOVER! Carmen rolls straight through to her feet and charges as Clayton gets back up— RUNNING EUROPEAN UPPERCUT!
Thadd Blazevich: THAT KNOCKS CLAYTON BACK INTO THE ROPES! Carmen grabs hold of him and looks to send Golde across to the opposite set— BUT CLAYTON REVERSES THE IRISH WHIP! Carmen gets sent toward the ropes instead, and Clayton follows right behind her with A RUNNING BACK ELBOW BEFORE SHE CAN EVEN REBOUND! Carmen is rocked as Clayton races toward the opposite set of ropes— BUT CARMEN CATCHES HIM WITH A FLYING FOREARM BEFORE HE CAN FULLY BOUNCE OFF!
Rich Russillo: Carmen goes to take off toward the opposite ropes again, BUT CLAYTON CHASES AFTER HER! Sánchez sees him coming and turns around in the center of the ring— FEINTING A SUPERKICK! Clayton immediately covers his head, but Carmen changes levels and GOES LOW WITH A SUPERKICK TO THE KNEE! GOLDE DROPS TO ONE KNEE— AND CARMEN FOLLOWS WITH A SPIN KICK TO THE FACE!
Thadd Blazevich: CLAYTON COLLAPSES PRONE TO THE MAT! Carmen quickly rolls him onto his back and lays across Golde for the cover!
ONNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Rich Russillo: AKIZA! AKIZA COMES FROM BEHIND AND DEADLIFTS CARMEN RIGHT OFF THE COVER— ARCANA ARCADIA!! DEADLIFT BRIDGING GERMAN SUPLEX! CARMEN GETS DUMPED ON HER SHOULDERS, AND AKIZA HOLDS THE BRIDGE!
ONNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHHHHHHHHHRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEE—
Rich Russillo: KICKOUT! CARMEN KICKS OUT! AKIZA loses the bridge as Carmen rolls away, and now all three competitors are down! The wear and tear is starting to show after the pace these three have been keeping!
Persephone: I swear, this match has had about twelve chances to end already.
Thadd Blazevich: All three competitors rise back to their feet, barely able to stand… BUT CLAYTON FIRES A JAB AT AKIZA! AKIZA ANSWERS WITH A JAB TO CARMEN! Clayton catches AKIZA with another jab— AND CARMEN CRACKS CLAYTON ACROSS THE FACE WITH A RIGHT HOOK! AKIZA fires back with another jab to Carmen, staggering her into the corner! AKIZA starts making her way toward Sánchez—
Rich Russillo: BUT CLAYTON COMES FROM BEHIND WITH A SCHOOL BOY! AND HE’S GOT A HANDFUL OF TIGHTS THIS TIME!
ONNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Rich Russillo: CARMEN SNATCHES CLAYTON OFF OF HER— BUT OH! CLAYTON JUST— HE JUST KICKED CARMEN IN HER LOWER EXTREMITIES! Carmen immediately drops to a knee, and Clayton grabs hold of her before CHUCKING HER OUT THROUGH THE MIDDLE ROPE! Golde turns his attention back to AKIZA, hauling her up— AND PLANTS HER WITH THE GOLDE PILL!!
Thadd Blazevich: ROTATING FLATLINER CONNECTS! AKIZA IS DOWN, CARMEN IS OUT OF THE RING, AND CLAYTON GOES FOR THE PIN!
ONNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHHHHHRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
(DING! DING! DING!)
Bella Braxton: HERE IS YOUR WINNER… CLAYTON GOLDE!
(Clayton Golde quickly rolls out of the ring as a furious Carmen slides back inside! Clayton retreats to the end of the ramp, where the Jones Brothers join him on either side to celebrate as “Betty (Get Money)!” by Yung Gravy plays in the background. Carmen remains in the ring, still in pain as she stares daggers at Clayton, while Cynthia and Avril come over to comfort her. Meanwhile, Yanni and TFK look on disappointed from ringside.)
Rich Russillo: Clayton Golde steals this one! Carmen was seconds away from breaking that pin up, but Clayton made sure she couldn’t, and that gave him all the time he needed to put AKIZA away!
Thadd Blazevich: Dude, you can hate how he did it, but Clayton picked his spots all match and it paid off! Showdown walks away with the first win in this Territorial Invasion preview!
Persephone: Good for them. Can we move on now?
(Clayton continues celebrating at the top of the ramp alongside Adonis and Artemis Jones, smugly pointing back toward the ring as Carmen remains visibly frustrated with the result. AKIZA slowly begins to recover with Yanni and TFK checking on her, while Cynthia and Avril stay beside Carmen as the camera fades elsewhere.)
(Sunday Night Voltage continues as we cut to the office of Captain Charisma! We see him and Eden having a conversation with one another, having quite the productive talk as the camera picks up what they’re saying.)
Captain Charisma: –And the announcement that was made to kick off the show? It’s already gone down with an explosive triple threat match between Clayton, Carmen and AKIZA! That’s what I like to see on Voltage. Nothing better than providing the audience one hell of a show, and we still have that stacked main event as well!
Eden Sinclair: When it comes to our odds of winning Territorial Invasion… I have no doubt in my mind Voltage is going to get that done no matter what. Speaking of TI, is there something we need to add to the show in terms of what we’re providing?
Captain Charisma: I’m not too sure–
(Before Captain Charisma could say anything in response, he gets interrupted with a knock on the door that kills his train of thought. He exhales as he gives a smile, looking toward the door as he shouts out…)
Captain Charisma: It’s open!
(The office door gets pushed open as the camera pans over to reveal a very frustrated Igon Mordren! The crowd in the arena boo immediately upon seeing him as The Warden looks directly toward Captain Charisma and Eden, clearly not in the greatest of moods after what happened.)
Igon Mordren: A week has gone by and this mistake has still not been corrected!
Eden Sinclair: Please tell me it’s not about the opportunity I gave you last week…
Igon Mordren: It very well is, Eden! As I said last week I could wipe the floor with the competitors in that match, none of them can lace my damn boots… but that’s the problem. I shouldn’t even be in the same ring as those buffoons to begin with! I am not a New Breeder whatsoever! I am the greatest wrestler on this planet and I am above playing babysitter for a bunch of infants who are still learning the basics of this sport. I mean you’re putting the best wrestler right now in the ring with somebody who might break his leg trying to counter a wristlock, you know how absurd that sounds??
Eden Sinclair: I already told you last week that it would be an incredible opportunity considering what the winner would get–
Igon Mordren: But I’m the standard of professional wrestling, I am what others are looking to reach even if it’s an impossible mountain. It is disrespectful to me, it is disrespectful to the sport I love, and it is disrespectful to the sacred mat that I enter, being treated like I’m a New Breeder. I will have to share the ring with someone who will be a deer in the headlights once they share the privilege of being in the ring with the Warden!
Captain Charisma: I-
???: Excuse me, is it okay if I enter?
(All of a sudden, we heard a voice coming from the door as Igon was continuing with his rant towards Voltage management. Captain Charisma answers as he says…)
Captain Charisma: Yeah it’s no problem, come right in!
(The camera pans over to reveal Sayuri Himura who gets a positive reaction from the crowd in the arena. She passes right by Igon who looks offended that Sayuri would not only interrupt him while he was complaining to the management but completely pass him by.)
Igon Mordren: Can’t you see that I’m clearly talking to these two right now? How dare you try to interrupt me?
Captain Charisma: Actually Igon, I asked Sayuri to come here tonight because I know that she’s looking for a path of her own towards Territorial Invasion. Her match last week against Selina Reyes may not go down exactly how she envisioned, but I have the perfect match for her to be involved in at Territorial Invasion!
Igon Mordren: What match could that exactly be?
Captain Charisma: I’m adding her to the New Breed scramble!
(This gets a positive reaction from the crowd as Sayuri seems grateful and honoured with the opportunity at hand. Meanwhile, Igon looks furious that she was just added to a match that he doesn’t even want to be in.)
Sayuri Himura: I appreciate the opportunity, Captain Charisma. It will be a privilege to compete in a match like this at Territorial Invasion and get myself one step closer to a championship opportunity by winning this scramble match–
Igon Mordren: Seriously??? Is this the pathetic garbage we display here on Voltage? What weight does a match like a “New Breed” scramble even have if people are being thrown into the match even after losing their previous opportunity! Like we might as well add every loser in this brand’s existence and add them to this match if we’re going to allow mediocrity to decay this sport–
???: Please do everyone a favor and just shut up!
(Before Igon can continue any longer and provoke Sayuri with what he’s saying, Reylin Aloali’i barges into the office of Captain Charisma as he interrupts him. He doesn’t take too kindly to what Igon is ranting about as he says to him…)
Reylin Aloali’i: I was just passing by the hallway and somehow, I could still hear you complaining and whining! Like, you really are just annoying aren’t you? I’m just tired of hearing you bitch and moan about being in this match or that it’s disrespectful that you’re competing in this with New Breeders. If you’re looking for a threat to find in a match, come my way and I’ll smack you right across the face and get the chance to shut you up for good. So don’t worry, Captain Charisma, you can add whoever you want in this match… regardless of who gets added… I’m still winning the whole thing.
(Reylin then looks towards Sayuri who has heard enough coming from both of them as she responds by saying…)
Sayuri Himura: You should be careful how you speak about me, Reylin Aloali’i. While I can respect your tenacity and attitude of winning this scramble match, I can assure you that it will be a tougher hill for you to climb now that I have been added to this match. This journey in EAW has been filled with many hurdles but I won’t be taken lightly by either you or Igon Mordren. I may have lost against Selina Reyes as you mentioned, a result I’m not proud of but I won’t let that setback stop me from continuing to compete for opportunities. You both have suffered losses you are not proud of either, and as competitors you move forward and learn from the hardships that come from this business. I’m not mediocre, I pride myself on perfection and I’m certainly more gracious with this chance to get a title match from winning this scramble match unlike you.
Igon Mordren: I shouldn’t be in this match to begin with! I shouldn’t be in a match full of “New Breeders” when that is not my level of expertise. I should be competing with the top-tier talent of this brand and instead I got absolute bums like Reylin targeting me, trying to make an impact on MY expense. This is now the best wrestler in the world who should be treated and now I have two individuals on my neck because I simply value myself more than being infested in some cockroach scramble match with nobody even close to my level!
Sayuri Himura: Really? From what I’ve seen, he was close to your level if not even at the same level as you are, Igon Mordren. You claim to be superior to all of us and yet you’re complaining about the same match… perhaps you don’t want to be exposed when being in the same ring as me. I have honor and respect for this sport as much as you and I don’t show the same level of ignorance you’re displaying right now.
Reylin Aloali’i: Yeah I’ll beat your ass some more, I don’t mind doing it again at Territorial Invasion. You’re an annoying ass bitch that needs to be put down and if you want to continue to be a bitch then go right ahead, you’ll show everyone that you’re not the greatest wrestler in the world, that you’re nothing more than a fraud.
(This back and forth between all three competitors was enough for Igon to throw his hands up and walk out of the general manager’s office. Both Reylin and Sayuri look at each other before Reylin also leaves the office. Sayuri looks back at Captain Charisma and Eden Sinclair and tells them.)
Sayuri Himura: Again thank you for the opportunity, I will make the absolute best out of it. Sayonara!
(Sayuri soon leaves as Captain Charisma and Eden Sinclair look at each other. The Voltage Commissioner says to her…)
Captain Charisma: Yeah… It’s going to be one crazy scramble match
(The segment then fades as we transition elsewhere on Voltage.)
(A commercial is shown for Droplogged featuring known larper Hans Grayson.)
(The camera returns to ringside, but before anything else can happen, “Life is Short, O Brave Girl” by Hanabie suddenly blasts throughout the arena.)
(The crowd immediately erupts into boos as Miku Sakai storms through the curtain with a microphone already in her hand. Kiko Sakai is nowhere to be seen, and Miku does not seem interested in waiting for an introduction as she marches toward the ring.)
Miku Sakai: SHUT THE FUCK UP!
(The response only grows louder, which causes Miku to stop halfway down the ramp and glare around the arena.)
Miku Sakai: I SAID SHUT THE FUCK UP! You people have had an entire fucking week to laugh, celebrate, post your stupid little clips and act like you watched the greatest upset in human history because Kai Rabeaux managed to pin me in a tag team match. Congratulations. You had your fun.
(Miku continues toward the ring before sliding underneath the bottom rope.)
Miku Sakai: Now shut up and listen to me, because LAST WEEK WAS A FLUKE!!!!
(The crowd erupts once again, and Miku immediately begins pacing.)
Miku Sakai: Yes! A fucking fluke! I don’t care what Kai says. I don’t care what anybody backstage says. I don’t care how many times they replay it. Kai Rabeaux got lucky.
Miku Sakai: I spent half that match dealing with Bronson Daniels as my partner, which should qualify me for some kind of fucking humanitarian award by itself. Drake Armstrong and Bronson were fighting all over ringside, everybody was tagging themselves in whenever they felt like it, and in the middle of all that bullshit Kai happened to catch me at the right time.
(Miku holds up one finger.)
Miku Sakai: One time. He countered one move, and got me for three bullshit seconds.
(Miku mockingly applauds.)
Miku Sakai: Incredible. Somebody call the fucking Hall of Fame.
(The boos continue as Miku rolls her eyes.)
Miku Sakai: Do you know what didn’t happen last week? Kai didn’t take my championship match away. Kai didn’t change Territorial Invasion. Kai didn’t suddenly become some unbeatable fucking god because he caught me once.
Miku Sakai: I’m still the number one contender! I’m still walking into Territorial Invasion with a Hardcore Championship match! And I’m still walking out with that title!
(The crowd jeers as Miku points toward the entrance stage.)
Miku Sakai: So if Kai wants to jerk himself off because he pinned me last week, fine. Enjoy it. Print the picture. Frame it. Put it next to the championship and stare at both of them every night while you still have the chance.
Miku Sakai: Because Territorial Invasion isn’t some fucking tag match where everybody is running around doing whatever they want. It’s you and me. And once I take that title from you, nobody is going to give a shit what happened last week.
(“The Promised Consort” by Shoi Miyazawa suddenly interrupts Miku. The boos become even louder as Kai Rabeaux walks onto the stage with the Hardcore Championship secured around his waist. Unlike Miku, Kai appears entirely composed. He slowly looks around the arena before focusing on Miku and raising his microphone.)
Kai Rabeaux: Are you finished?
Miku Sakai: Not even fucking close.
(Kai gives her an unimpressed look before beginning to make his way down the ramp.)
Kai Rabeaux: Naturally. I suspected seven uninterrupted days of humiliation would produce something much louder than introspection.
Miku Sakai: Humiliation!?
Kai Rabeaux: You believed the course of your career had finally changed. You got this delusion into your mind that merely possessing a championship opportunity had already elevated you beyond the failures that preceded it.
(Kai stops at ringside.)
Kai Rabeaux: Then you entered the ring with the champion you intend to dethrone.
(Kai looks down at the Hardcore Championship.)
Kai Rabeaux: And I pinned you.
(Miku shakes her head furiously.)
Miku Sakai: In a tag match!
Kai Rabeaux: You continue repeating that as though it alters what occurred.
(Kai climbs onto the apron and enters the ring.)
Kai Rabeaux: You were not pinned by Drake Armstrong. Bronson Daniels did not accidentally fall upon you. There was no disqualification, no count-out and no conspiracy responsible for your failure.
Kai Rabeaux: I stopped you. I dropped you with the Kingstone Piledriver.
(Kai steps closer.)
Kai Rabeaux: And you did not get back up.
(Miku stares at him.)
Miku Sakai: Wow. You remember the match. Gold fucking star.
Kai Rabeaux: I remember it because it required so little effort to understand.
Miku Sakai: Oh, fuck you.
Kai Rabeaux: You may call last week a fluke as many times as necessary to make yourself comfortable, Miku, but a fluke would suggest something unlikely occurred.
(Kai slightly tilts his head.)
Kai Rabeaux: There is nothing unlikely about me defeating you.
(The crowd boos as Miku takes a step toward him.)
Miku Sakai: You are really enjoying this shit, aren’t you?
Kai Rabeaux: Of course.
Kai Rabeaux: You spent all this time waiting for another championship opportunity. You finally acquired one through circumstances charitable enough that another person had to ensure you remained unconscious long enough to win it, and before you could even reach Territorial Invasion, you lost to the champion.
(Miku’s expression immediately darkens.)
Miku Sakai: I beat Bronson, I earned my place.
Kai Rabeaux: Kiko Sakai struck Bronson Daniels in the skull with a tire iron while you were incapable of protecting yourself.
Miku Sakai: And whose hand got raised!?
Kai Rabeaux: Yours.
(Kai smiles.)
Kai Rabeaux: Much like a child may receive an award after someone else completes the project.
Miku Sakai: You smug, hypocritical fucking—
Kai Rabeaux: That is precisely the point, Miku.
(Kai raises a hand, cutting her off.)
Kai Rabeaux: You survive entirely through technicalities and then become enraged when reality refuses to accommodate the version of yourself you have constructed.
Kai Rabeaux: Bloodsport provided you a championship opportunity. Last week provided you a preview.
(Kai removes the Hardcore Championship from his waist.)
Kai Rabeaux: Territorial Invasion will provide you the conclusion.
(Kai raises the championship between them.)
Kai Rabeaux: You were never going to hold this.
(Miku stares at the title.)
Miku Sakai: You know what’s funny?
(Miku looks back up at Kai.)
Miku Sakai: You keep talking about me like I’m some pathetic charity case, but you’re the one standing here trying this hard to convince me that one pin means the entire fucking match is already decided.
Kai Rabeaux: I need to convince you of nothing.
Miku Sakai: Bullshit. If I was as hopeless as you say, you wouldn’t need to come out here and give me a fucking dissertation about it.
(Miku steps closer until they are nearly face-to-face.)
Miku Sakai: You pinned me last week. Fine. I said it.
(Miku spreads her arms.)
Miku Sakai: Happy?
(Kai’s expression doesn’t change.)
Miku Sakai: It still doesn’t fucking matter. Because you don’t get to cash that pin in at Territorial Invasion. You don’t start our match with me already beaten. You have to do it again.
Miku Sakai: One-on-one. When I know exactly what I’m dealing with. When the only thing I give a shit about is ripping that championship out of your hands. And I don’t have a shit stain of a tag partner dragging me down.
Kai Rabeaux: And there lies your delusion.
(Kai calmly lowers the championship.)
Kai Rabeaux: You believe preparation will bridge a gap that has nothing to do with preparation. This is not a matter of catching you by surprise. I am stronger than you. I am superior to you. I have already proven capable of defeating you, and unlike the many unfortunate champions whose names have preceded mine, I have elevated this championship beyond the reach of people such as yourself.
Miku Sakai: “People such as myself…”
Kai Rabeaux: Perennial underachievers.
(Miku’s jaw tightens.)
Kai Rabeaux: You speak of becoming champion again as though the passage of time has created some inherent entitlement to gold. It has not. The years since your last championship are not evidence of perseverance. They are evidence.
Miku Sakai: Evidence of what?
Kai Rabeaux: That you are precisely where you belong.
(The crowd reacts loudly.)
Kai Rabeaux: I am not simply another Hardcore Champion waiting for the inevitable successor. I am the greatest champion this title has ever known.
Kai Rabeaux: I have already demonstrated exactly how far I am willing to go to preserve what belongs to me, and I find it almost insulting that after everything I have done, you believe your story of hardship somehow ends with you taking this championship from me.
(Miku gives Kai a bitter laugh.)
Miku Sakai: Oh, I don’t think I’m taking it because I’ve had a hard life. I’m taking it because I want the fucking thing. And unlike all those other times everybody loves bringing up, I finally have exactly what I wanted.
(Miku points at Kai.)
Miku Sakai: You.
(Miku points toward the championship.)
Miku Sakai: That.
Miku Sakai: And one match separating the two of us.
Kai Rabeaux: One match you have already demonstrated you cannot win.
Miku Sakai: Last week was—
Kai Rabeaux: A fluke?
(Kai laughs.)
Kai Rabeaux: Spare me the redundancy.
Kai Rabeaux: You could not even reach Territorial Invasion without losing to me. Your great resurgence lasted barely long enough to survive a single week before I reminded you exactly what you are.
(Kai takes another step forward, looking down at Miku.)
Kai Rabeaux: You may have stumbled past Bronson Daniels with your sister holding your hand. But the Hardcore Championship was always beyond your reach. Because it belongs to someone greater than you could ever hope to become.
Miku Sakai: You wanna know what I hope to become?
(Kai waits.)
Miku Sakai: Hardcore Champion.
(Miku grins.)
Miku Sakai: Everything after that is just going to be me enjoying how fucking miserable you are about it.
Kai Rabeaux: Then I pity you even more than I did before.
Miku Sakai: Keep your fucking pity.
Kai Rabeaux: Gladly.
Crowd: OOOOHHHHHH!!!!
(The crowd erupts as Kai drops to his knees, the Hardcore Championship falling from his hand. Kiko Sakai is revealed standing directly behind him after driving a brutal kick between his legs.)
Miku Sakai: THERE SHE FUCKING IS!
(Miku laughs and drops her mic before she immediately launches herself at Kai, tackling him to the canvas and unloading with punches as Kiko calmly steps back.)
(Miku grabs Kai by the hair and repeatedly drives his face into the mat before dragging him back up and throwing him shoulder-first into the ring post.)
(Kai stumbles away from the corner, only for Miku to rush him and drive a knee into his face. Kai drops back to the canvas.)
Miku Sakai: (Off mic) GREATEST FUCKING CHAMPION EVER, RIGHT!?
(Miku starts stomping wildly at Kai as he attempts to cover himself.)
(Kiko picks the Hardcore Championship up from the canvas and holds it out toward her sister.)
(Miku stops. She looks at Kiko. Then at the championship. Miku slowly smiles. Kiko gives the slightest nod before handing it to her. Miku waits for Kai to push himself onto his knees before smashing the Hardcore Championship across his face and sending Kai crashing into the canvas.)
(Miku stands over him with the championship raised above her head as the crowd rains down boos. Kiko stands beside her, completely composed as Miku picks up the microphone again.)
Miku Sakai: Get a good fucking look.
(Miku drops the championship onto Kai’s chest.)
Miku Sakai: Because at Territorial Invasion, I’m not giving it back.
(Miku and Kiko step through the ropes as “Life is Short, O Brave Girl” begins playing again. The sisters begin making their way up the ramp together while Kai remains down in the ring.)
(After several moments, Kai slowly pulls himself toward the ropes. He grabs his championship with one hand and the discarded microphone with the other.)
Kai Rabeaux: MIKU!
(Miku and Kiko stop near the stage and turn around.)
(Kai is gasping for air as he speaks into the microphone.)
Kai Rabeaux: You… have made… a very grave mistake.
(Kai grips the Hardcore Championship tightly.)
Kai Rabeaux: At Territorial Invasion, I will destroy both of you!!!
(Miku laughs before raising both middle fingers toward Kai. Kiko remains beside her, staring back at the Hardcore Champion with an analyzing eye.)
(The final shot shows Kai still down in the ring clutching his championship while the Sakai sisters stand together on the stage.)
(Commercial for Friday Night Dynasty.)
(The camera pans to ringside, where Bella Braxton is seen with a microphone in her hand.)
Bella Braxton: Ladies and gentlemen… The following contest is a fatal four way match scheduled for ONE FALL!!!!
Crowd: ONE FALL!!!
(‘Tears’ by Sabrina Carpenter begins to play, and the fans cheer as Ashlynn Quinn makes her way out to the stage. She has a confident smile on her face as she looks out to the crowd, both still excited about being able to take part in Brand Warfare, and ready for tonight’s action as she begins heading down the ramp.)
Bella Braxton: Introducing first!… from Los Angeles, California… Weighing in at 115 pounds… AAASSSHHHLLYYYNNNNNN QQQUUUIIIIIIINNNNNNNN
Rich Russillo: Ashlynn Quinn had a big night last week, as she found herself as a member of Voltage’s Brand Warfare team! Needless to say, this is a perfect chance for her to show just what she’ll bring to the team, because I won’t lie, she has a very difficult challenge ahead of her.
Thadd Blazevich: She does, but Ashlynn’s had a hell of a glow up, dude. She seems more comfortable with taking on challenges like this now, and that’s awesome! That kind of shift in energy could be the deciding factor for her, especially with the good performances we’ve had as of late.
(‘My Own Summer’ by Deftones follows, bringing out boos as Selina Reyes makes her way to the stage. There is a brief staredown between Selina and Ashlynn given their history, but behind Selina’s more composed and stoic expression is confidence, not even acknowledging the hostile reception. Slowly, Selina begins walking down to the ring.)
Bella Braxton: Next! Representing ToXXXin!… Residing in San Antonio, Texas… weighing in at 117 pounds… SSSSSEEEEEEELLIIIIIIIIIINNAAAA RRRRREEEEEYYYYYEEESSSS!!!!!!
Rich Russillo: While Ashlynn found herself in Brand Warfare, Selina gained the chance to potentially take a step closer to singles gold. She is now in a number one contendership match for the Specialists Championship, and if she can win tonight, you have to imagine she’s in perfect shape to win at Territorial Invasion.
Thadd Blazevich: I see the logic, and I can’t disagree. Selina got a gnarly win against Sayuri, but three opponents at once is tough. This match is gonna be chaotic, and trying to navigate that might be Sayuri’s biggest test before TI.
(‘Nice To Meet Yah’ by Asian Doll is the next song to play, and this receives another loud, but more mixed reception. Diamond Dixon begins to make her way out to the ring, and despite everything going on with Cosmo Goldworthy, including last week’s attack, she is able to keep her focus on tonight’s match, not letting it get to her. She starts heading down the ramp, saying a few words off mic as she approaches the ring.)
Bella Braxton: Next on her way to the ring!… from Houston, Texas… weighing in at 176 pounds… DDDIIIIIIAAAAMMOOONNNDDDDD DDDDDDIIIIIIXXXXOONNNN!!!!!
Rich Russillo: Diamond Dixon on the other hand has been dealing with more personal matters, as I think it’s safe to say things have heated up between her and her former ally, Cosmo Goldworthy. Diamond is the strongest competitor in this match bar none, but can she keep her focus on the match itself?
Thadd Blazevich: So far it looks like it, but we won’t know ‘till that bell rings. For now let’s just hope for the best, ‘cause Diamond is a super tough competitor and a win like this with this type of competition gotta do some good for her. She probably has a point to prove too given… y’know, and a Diamond with a chip on her shoulder has to be dangerous.
(Finally…)
(‘Sweet Caroline’ by Neil Diamond hits!)
Persephone: The hell?
Rich Russillo: Oh, what is this!?
(The fans begin to mumble, not even sure what to think about the return of this old entrance music. Time passes, and sure enough, Caroline begins to make her way out to the stage. She is dressed in her old gear accompanying her old music, and for a moment she grabs her head, turning away as if she’s fighting something, even nearly dropping to a knee.)
(However… That fighting stops. Caroline turns, with nothing but a smile that, at this stage of her career, feels uncharacteristically bright. She begins to clap, encouraging the fans to join in on it as she cheerfully heads down the ramp. Meanwhile, all three Elitists at ringside watch on in confusion, basically speechless by what they’re witnessing.)
Bella Braxton: Um… Making her way to the ring… From Paducah, Kentucky… Weighing in at 109 pounds… S… S– SWEEEEEETT…. CCAAAAARROOOOOLLLIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINNNEEEE!!!!!
Rich Russillo: We saw the… The circumstances Caroline went through prior to this match. I suppose you can call this a punishment from “Belial”, but… I don’t even know what to say. The Caroline we knew for the past few years was a bit unsettling, yet somehow, this blast from the past might just creep me out even more.
Thadd Blazevich: Couldn’t agree more, bro. Everything about this whole situation with Belial and Jake has been pretty scary if you ask me. Even the other three competitors look kinda freaked out. Needless to say, I have no clue what’s gonna happen here.
(Ding! Ding! Ding!)
Rich Russillo: The bell rings and here we go! This match is underway, and SELINA REYES HAS CHARGED DIRECTLY AT DIAMOND DIXON! She meets her with a forearm to the face as she begins to connect with a barrage of strikes that push her into the corner.
Persephone: But what the fuck is happening at the center of the ring?
(Ashlynn Quinn looked to charge directly at Caroline, but before she could.)
Caroline: (Off-Mic) Oh my GOD! Ashlynn, I am such a HUGE fan!
Ashlynn Quinn: (Off-Mic) Uh…
Caroline: (Off-Mic) I just wanted to wish you good luck!
(Caroline held out her hand with a smile, Ashlynn continuing to look in bewilderment.)
Thadd Blazevich: It seems Ashlynn wants none of that! She tries to swing at Caroline-
Rich Russillo: But Caroline ducked under BEFORE LANDING AN ENZUIGIRI! Ashlynn rolls out of the ring as Caroline rushes back up- AND SELINA GRABS HER FROM BEHIND, BEFORE LIFTING HER FOR A GERMAN SUPLEX! It doesn’t work out though, as Caroline is able to flip out of it BEFORE JUMPING AND LANDING A DOUBLE FOOT STOMP TO THE BACK, RIGHT WHEN SELINA WAS GETTING BACK UP! Caroline rushes back to her feet, having taken down two of her opponents already!
Thadd Blazevich: BUT AS SOON AS SHE TURNS, SHE’S MET WITH A CLOTHESLINE FROM DIAMOND!! I don’t know what’s going on with Caroline, but she doesn’t seem to have lost the fact that she’s a serious threat, bro! And we’re gonna be seeing that for sure. But Diamond’s the biggest competitor in the match, and that’s totally gonna be a problem! Diamond drags Caroline back up, AND SHE THROWS CAROLINE INTO THE ROPES- BUT CAROLINE JUMPS AND CATCHES THE MIDDLE AND TOP ROPES, HOLDING ONTO ‘EM! Diamond now comes running in lookin’ for a big boot-
Persephone: But Caroline swings herself back into the ring to avoid the boot, before landing a dropkick to the free leg that drops Diamond.
Rich Russillo: Diamond goes down and Caroline runs to the ropes– AND SHE WENT FOR A SPRINGBOARD MOONSAULT, BUT DIAMOND WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE WAY! Caroline crashes onto the mat before popping back up– AND ASHLYNN SLIDES BACK INTO THE RING, JUMPING UP AND CATCHING CAROLINE WITH A POISONRANA! Ashlynn makes it back into the match in huge fashion as Caroline rolls back to her feet, stumbling into the corner in a daze! Ashlynn rushes back up as Diamond gets back up as well, AND SHE RUNS IN–
Thadd Blazevich: BUT DIAMOND POPS ASHLYNN OVER HER HEAD– AND RIGHT INTO AN UPPERCUT BY SELINA!! Selina makes it back into the match too, and dude, this is getting chaotic already! Diamond takes advantage of the situation and grabs Selina, USING A BIEL THROW TO SEND HER INTO CAROLINE IN THE CORNER! Diamond quickly runs in, AND SHE DELIVERS A SPLASH TO BOTH SELINA AND CAROLINE! Diamond turns and grabs Ashlynn while she’s still dazed, PULLING HER UP FOR A POWERBOMB!
Persephone: BUT ASHLYNN IS ABLE TO FLOAT OVER AND PULL DIAMOND NOW WITH A SUNSET FLIP! THANK GOD THE MATCH IS ALREADY GONNA END!
OOOONNNEEE!!!
TTTTWWWOOO–
Rich Russillo: BUT DIAMOND LIFTS UP AND PULLS ASHLYNN DOWN INTO A PIN OF HER OWN!
OOONNNNEEE!!!
TTTTTT–
Rich Russillo: BUT SELINA LANDS A BUZZSAW KICK TO DIAMOND’S HEAD, CAUSING HER TO ROLL OFF OF ASHLYNN! Ashlynn sits up as Selina runs off the ropes, AND NOW SELINA USES THE OPPORTUNITY TO LAND A RUNNING METEORA!! SELINA HOOKS THE LEG FOR A PIN OF HER OWN!!!
OOOONNNNEEEE!!!
TTTTTTW–
Thadd Blazevich: BUT CAROLINE RUNS IN, DRIVING A DROPKICK INTO THE BACK OF SELINA’S HEAD!! Selina falls forward and rolls to the apron!
Rich Russillo: Caroline takes the opportunity to drag Ashlynn back up, AND I THINK SHE MAY BE LOOKING FOR A NORTHERN LIGHTS SUPLEX! SHE LIFTS ASHLYNN UP– BUT ASHLYNN IS ABLE TO PULL HERSELF BACK DOWN TO HER FEET! ASHLYNN GOES TO LIFT CAROLINE UP FOR A BRAINBUSTER– BUT CAROLINE SLIPS OUT OF ASHLYNN’S GRASP AND LANDS BEHIND HER! Caroline now shoving Ashlynn forward, BUT ASHLYNN JUMPS ONTO THE MIDDLE ROPE, CONNECTING WITH A SPRINGBOARD DISASTER KICK! That caused Caroline to stumble to the opposite side of the ring, and now Ashlynn goes to run in!
Thadd Blazevich: BUT THAT DOESN’T EXACTLY GO TO PLAN EITHER BRO, AS CAROLINE JUST LIFTED ASHLYNN OVER HER HEAD TO SEND HER OUT TO THE APRON! Ashlynn lands out on the apron, and I think she got a lil lucky to have managed to land on her feet! Ashlynn collects her bearings, BUT UNFORTUNATELY FOR HER, SELINA REYES IS ON THE APRON WITH HER! Selina grabs Ashlynn from behind and hooks the arms, BEFORE DELIVERING A SNAP DRAGON SUPLEX ON THE APRON! Dude, Ashlynn landed head first onto the hardest part of the ring! I can’t be surprised to see her fall off the apron like that!
Persephone: Selina Reyes pulls herself back to her feet, but Caroline connects with a kick to the midsection! Selina doubles over, and Caroline jumps onto the bottom rope before using the ropes to help her float over Selina, looking for a powerbomb off the apron as she lands at ringside.
Rich Russillo: BUT SELINA HOLDS ONTO THE TOP ROPE! She frees her leg before kicking Caroline in the back of the head, causing her to stumble away. Selina now running to the end of the ring, climbing up to the top rope as Ashlynn starts pushing herself up, elbowing Caroline in the ribs!
Thadd Blazevich: Diamond Dixon is on the apron on the other side of the turnbuckles though, and she hits Selina with a right hand! Diamond starts to climb the turnbuckles, hitting Selina with a second right hand to keep her dazed! Diamond makes it to the top rope, meanwhile Caroline and Ashlynn are starting to fight at ringside! Selina Reyes is at Diamond’s mercy right now bro, and dude, it doesn’t look like Diamond has the best intentions right now! Diamond grabs Selina while both are on top, AND SHE THROWS SELINA OFF OF THE TOP ROPE, SENDING HER CRASHING DOWN ONTO ASHLYNN AND CAROLINE!!!
Rich Russillo: This has been a very good match so far, as Diamond Dixon just managed to take the upper hand! Diamond’s power and size definitely gives her an interesting advantage over her opponents, and we’re seeing her put that to use in a way that shows exactly what has made her such a stellar competitor. Diamond pulls herself back down to the apron before dropping down to ringside, and now she waits to see who’ll manage to find their way back up after that insane move!
Thadd Blazevich: It looks like Ashlynn is the one to do so– AND THANKS TO THAT, ASHLYNN IS WIPED OUT WITH A PUMP KICK, SENDING HER BACK AND INTO THE BARRICADE!!! Ashlynn immediately goes back down, and now Diamond sends Selina Reyes back into the ring, knowing that she’s gotta be the one in the worst shape right now after that fall! Diamond is moving with urgency, and I don’t blame her! In a wild four way like this, that’s what she’s gonna need! Diamond follows Selina into the ring, waiting for her to show signs of life as she knows this could be her chance to put her down!
Persephone: Selina Reyes starts to somehow find her way back to her feet, AND DIAMOND FINALLY STARTS RUNNING THE ROPES, LOOKING FOR ANOTHER PUMP KICK!
Rich Russillo: BUT SELINA IS ABLE TO PUT HER ARMS UP, JUST BARELY CATCHING THE LEG AS SHE MOVES OUT OF THE WAY! That was a close call for Selina– WHO FOLLOWS UP BY DELIVERING A DRAGON SCREW LEG WHIP, TAKING DIAMOND DOWN TO THE MAT!! Selina gets back to her feet, but she stumbles for a moment and has to use the ropes to maintain her balance. Can’t say I’m surprised given what she just went through, but look at where Diamond is!
Thadd Blazevich: Diamond rolled into the corner, pulling herself into a seated position! Selina sighs while grabbing at her back, but she pushes herself off the ropes before backing into the corner opposite from Diamond! Selina now running in, AND SHE CONNECTS WITH THE KNOCKOUT SMASH!!!! DIAMOND DIXON WAS JUST WIPED OUT WITH THAT ONE, AND NOW SHE FALLS OUTTA THE CORNER! Selina stumbles out, before just falling in for the cover!
OOOONNNNEEEEE!!!!
TTTTTTWWWWOOOO!!!!!
TTTTTTHHHHRRRRR–
Persephone: WIDOW SPLASH ONTO SELINA!!! WHERE THE HELL DID SHE COME FROM!?!?
Rich Russillo: DIAMOND TOOK OUT ASHLYNN WITH THE PUMP KICK, BUT NOT CAROLINE!! CAROLINE HAD JUST ENOUGH IN HER TO PULL HERSELF UP TOP, BEFORE BREAKING UP THAT PIN WITH A HUGE WIDOW SPLASH!!! That was an amazing move from Caroline, and even though we know she’s not exactly the… same Caroline, we know she has been one hell of a threat this season, possibly more than she has ever been! Selina Reyes just rolled off of Diamond Dixon after that one, but it doesn’t look like Caroline is letting up!
Thadd Blazevich: You’re right about that one! Instead, SHE FLIPS AND CONNECTS WITH A STANDING VERSION OF DARK HALLOWS!!! THOSE WERE TWO HUGE MOVES BACK TO BACK BY CAROLINE, AND NOW SHE HOOKS THE LEGS OF SELINA REYES!!!! THE MATCH COULD BE OVER RIGHT HERE BROS!!
OOOOONNNNNNEEEEE!!
TTTTWWWWOOOOOOO!!!
TTTTHHHRREEEEEEEEE!!!
Persephone: Oh come on, you can’t be serious. ASHLYNN QUINN JUST PULLED CAROLINE OUT OF THE RING!!! First the pin gets broken up, now Ashlynn comes back from the dead and pulls Caroline off of the cover. How do things like this keep happening? Just end the match already, I’m sure all of you have better things to do right now!
Rich Russillo: Caroline stumbles after being pulled out of the ring, AND ASHLYNN SMASHES HER FACE ONTO THE APRON! Ashlynn looks a bit concerned that won’t keep Caroline down, so she grabs onto Caroline BEFORE SENDING HER INTO THE BARRICADE! Caroline hits the barricade back first and drops to the mat, and now Ashlynn quickly pulls herself onto the apron as Diamond Dixon starts to pull herself back up! Diamond makes it back to her feet, AND NOW ASHLYNN ROLLS INTO THE RING, CONNECTING WITH THE TREND SETTER!!! DIAMOND GOES DOWN, AND ASHLYNN HOOKS THE LEGS NOW THAT EVERYONE IS DOWN!!!
OOOONNNNEEEE!!!!
TTTTTWWWWWOOOOO!!!
TTTTTTHHHHRRREEEEEE!!!
Rich Russillo: BUT DIAMOND POPS THE SHOULDER UP!! THIS ONE IS NOT OVER!!!
Thadd Blazevich: Ashlynn can’t believe it! She’s in full disbelief, but it’s the truth bros! This match is still on, and all Ashlynn can do is push herself back up and wait for her opponent to get back up! She calls for Diamond to get back to her feet, and lucky for her it seems Diamond is doing just that! Problem is, Selina Reyes is starting to get back up as well, as is Caroline at ringside! Ashlynn is gonna have to make a move fast… AND SHE DOES! SHE RUNS TO THE ROPES, BEFORE LOOKING TO CATCH DIAMOND WITH BAD AND BOUJEE!!!!
Persephone: BUT DIAMOND CATCHES HER!! DIAMOND CAUGHT ASHLYNN BEFORE SHE COULD GO FOR THE SPRINGBOARD CUTTER, AND NOW DIAMOND HOLDS HER UP BEFORE TURNING AROUND– AND THROWING ASHLYNN AT SELINA!!
Rich Russillo: BUT ASHLYNN DELIVERS A HURRICANRANA TO SELINA, MAKING USE OF THE SITUATION TO WIPE SELINA OUT!! Ashlynn returns to her feet–
Thadd Blazevich: BUT CAROLINE IS ON THE APRON, HITTING ASHLYNN WITH A RIGHT HAND THAT TURNS ASHLYNN AROUND–
Rich Russillo: AND DIAMOND CONNECTS WITH A BIG BOOT!! Ashlynn was seriously rocked by that one, and Diamond just takes a moment, still reeling from the Trend Setter! Diamond grabs Ashlynn though, AND SHE LIFTS ASHLYNN UP INTO A GORILLA PRESS!!
Thadd Blazevich: I think that hesitation might’ve been bad for Diamond though, as Ashlynn found just enough of an opening to slip back down onto her feet! Ashlynn now, DELIVERING A DROPKICK TO THE BACK OF DIAMOND! Diamond goes stumbling into the ropes before leaning onto the middle rope, AND CAROLINE TRIES TO MAKE USE OF THIS AS SHE GOES FOR A BOOT TO THE SIDE OF DIAMOND’S HEAD– BUT DIAMOND IS ABLE TO MOVE OUT OF THE WAY!!
Persephone: Meaning Caroline hit nothing but air. Ashlynn comes running in at the same time– BUT DIAMOND MOVES, AND SHE SENDS ASHLYNN RIGHT INTO CAROLINE WITH A “BESTIE SPEAR” OFF THE APRON!!!!
Rich Russillo: WHAT THE HELL JUST HAPPENED!?!? ASHLYNN BEING FORCED TO ADAPT TO DIAMOND MOVING WITH AN ALMOST IMPULSIVE SPEAR OFF THE APRON, WIPING OUT HERSELF AND CAROLINE!!! DIAMOND QUICKLY SLIDES OUT OF THE RING, GRABBING CAROLINE BEFORE SENDING HER BACK INTO THE RING! Diamond stomps on Ashlynn to keep her down, and now she follows in, GOING FOR THE COVER TO STEAL THE VICTORY!!!
OOOONNNNNNEEEE!!!
TTTTTWWWWOOOOO!!!!
TTTTHHHRRREEEEEEE!!!
Thadd Blazevich: BUT LOOK AT THAT, DUDE!!! CAROLINE WAS ABLE TO GET THE SHOULDER UP!!!
Persephone: And now Sweet Caroline has rolled her sincere ass out of the ring, leaving Diamond Dixon to rise back up with a look of anger on her face, knowing that she was close to getting the win there.
Rich Russillo: Selina Reyes on the outside quickly tries to take advantage of the situation with Caroline, but she begins to fight back as the two of them start to trade blows! Meanwhile Ashlynn Quinn is beginning to shake herself awake, as she slowly starts to recover up to her feet after being taken out earlier.
Thadd Blazevich: But she’s going to have to come to her senses quickly, bro! Because Diamond Dixon has her eyes set on her and is looking to make sure that this match is completely won! She’s waiting for Ashlynn to get back up to her feet, and the former New Breed Champion is not going to like what waits for her! AS SHE’S SET UP FOR FACELIFT BY DIAMOND DIXON-
Persephone: Oh brother. Someone grabs Diamond by the ankle before she can grab Ashlynn and pulls her out of the ring…
Rich Russillo: AND IT’S COSMO GOLDWORTHY! COSMO IS SWINGING PUNCHES WILDLY INTO THE FACE OF DIAMOND, AND HE’S LOOKING TO GET HIS DUE AFTER EVERYTHING THAT DIAMOND HAS DONE RECENTLY! COSMO GRABS DIAMOND BY THE HEAD, SLAMMING HER AGAINST THE ANNOUNCER’S TABLE!
Thadd Blazevich: BUT DIAMOND FIRES BACK AND NAILS HIM WITH A KNEE TO THE ABDOMEN, BEFORE RUNNING HIM FORWARD AND SLAMMING HIM AGAINST THE CORNER BARRICADE! The two of them are continuing to fight, but we need to focus back on this match!
(Caroline slowly rises up to her feet at ringside, and she has an opportunistic look on her face as she sees that the field has been cleared out, but as she’s about to slide back into the ring…)
Persephone: Oh BROTHER! Here comes this idiot again.
(Caroline gets whipped right back around as she comes face-to-face with…)
Jake Smith: We need to talk.
(But to his surprise, this isn’t the Caroline that he wants to see.)
Caroline: W- who…
(Jake’s eyes flutter as he looks at Caroline… clearly not the Caroline that he wants to see right now.)
Jake Smith: No-
(*Snap*)
(As Jake blinks his eyes, he’s teleported away. In a place that he has already become accustomed to, in the underbelly of hell, he stands across from Belial and Caroline. Caroline, to her relief, has been brought back to her current form for the time being.)
Belial: Now is all this pointless bickering going to cease now that you two finally have the chance to talk amongst yourselves…?
Jake Smith: …
Belial: What’s wrong? I gave you what you wanted, human. You wanted to meet her face-to-face, and this is how you repay me for connecting you two?
Jake Smith: Not this way…
Caroline: Then what way, Jake? Even though this was meant to be your reckoning it seems you’re still getting what you want in spite of that, so why complain?
(Caroline approaches Jake, pressing a finger into his chest.)
Caroline: Or is it because you’re so used to getting pampered and cradled that you’ll cry at the sight of a little fire?
(Jake keeps a straight face.)
Jake Smith: I want you to know…
Caroline: What??? That you care?! That I mean something to you?! Those sentiments are GONE, Jake. And what I need you to do right now is suck it up and move on, because what’s done is done, and what happens between the two of us is going to change our lives forever and nothing is going to stop that from happening.
Jake Smith: I care…
Caroline: Do you REALLY care for me, Jake?! Or do you care about preserving your humanity and stopping yourself from being a slave to the devil-
Jake Smith: I CARE ABOUT YOU! IT’S YOU! IT’S **ALWAYS** BEEN YOU!
(Silence is what follows after that, but as that happens.)
Belial: Well, I’ve had my fill. We can finish this squabble another time.
Caroline: …
(Jake simply doesn’t say anything else, as he closes his eyes… and he’s back on Voltage. Sweet Caroline is back, but after being brought back into the past, pathetic version of herself, tears stream down on her face as she crumbles down to her knees.)
(Jake doesn’t say anything else as he backpedals, turning around and making his way back up the ramp without a second glance.)
Rich Russillo: I don’t know what just happened but Caroline seems to be out of commission in this match!
Persephone: Who knows what happens on this stupid fucking brand anymore.
Thadd Blazevich: Chillax, bro. Selina Reyes has made her way back into the ring, and it seems as though she herself was rummaging through everything that just happened as she was briefly distracted, but realizes the opportunity that she has…
Rich Russillo: BUT ASHLYNN JUST TOOK HER DOWN FROM UNDERNEATH! INSIDE CRADLE PIN ATTEMPT!
OOONNNEEE!!!
TTTTWWWWOOOO!!!!
TTTTTHHHHHHRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!
Thadd Blazevich: SELINA’S HAND IS GRABBING ONTO THE BOTTOM ROPE!
…
Rich Russillo: BUT THE REFEREE DOESN’T SEE IT! HE CALLS FOR THE BELL!
(DING! DING! DING!)
(‘Tears’ begins to play through the speakers of the arena, as the crowd cheers loudly for Ashlynn Quinn who shoots up to her feet with a smile on her face. She raises her hands high into the air to a roar as the referee raises her hand up. Selina looks distraught as she looks over at the referee, saying that she had her hand on the bottom rope, but it’s too late.)
Bella Braxton: Here is your winner… ASHLYNN QUINNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thadd Blazevich: What a win for Ashlynn, bro! In a huge match with big stakes against some tough competition, she would come out on top, even if this was full of shenanigans leading up to it.
Persephone: No.
Rich Russillo: But in the end, ahead of Territorial Invasion she would find herself at the top! Congratulations!
(Ashlynn made her way out of the ring as the camera focused on everything else. Selina looks pissed, Diamond and Cosmo are still being broken up, and Caroline has her face buried in her hands. Voltage then begins to fade out.)
(Commercial for Saturday Night Showdown.)
(The camera returns to ringside, and before long, ‘The Leaving Song Pt II’ by AFI begins to play. The crowd explodes with cheers as the camera pans towards the stage, and Hans Grayson begins walking out. Hans is wearing his EAW World Championship, and while he nods looking towards the cheering fans in attendance, it is clear that he’s still bothered by what occurred last week, when Jay Jerry Johnson cost him his match against Jake Smith.)
Bella Braxton: Ladies and gentlemen… Please welcome the EAW World Champion… HANS GRAYSON!!!
(Hans walks down the ramp, lacking any smile as he reaches ringside. Once there, Hans begins to make his way towards the timekeeper’s area, retrieving a microphone before finally sliding into the ring. ‘The Leaving Song Pt. II’ begins to fade out after this, leaving Hans in the middle of the ring, just shaking his head for a moment as he thinks. He doesn’t look towards the fans, instead remaining in his own head as he goes back to everything that has already happened between him and his World Championship challenger. After some time, he begins to speak.)
Hans Grayson: You know, every time something like this happens, I tell myself I’ll be prepared the next time. I’ll be ready for it. I tell myself to not be so surprised about stuff like this, and I’m not. I’m not surprised at all. I’m annoyed. Frustrated, but not surprised. I know what’s going on. I know what I have, and I know that as long as I have this title people are going to try as hard as they can to figure out a way to throw me off my game and take this out of my hands. I have a target on my back. It comes with the territory and maybe at first, I didn’t understand that as much as I should’ve. Raven Roberts helped me fix that, so when Jay made it clear that all bets were off and respect was going to have to be thrown out the window I knew what that meant… but that doesn’t mean I’m going to be anyone’s punching bag.
(The fans loudly cheer for this statement, and Hans continues.)
Hans Grayson: Jay, it’s fine if you want to go down the same lane as everyone else, but if that’s what you’re going to do you should probably take a second to consider what actually happened to those before you. Raven pulled out all the stops. Attacks, low blows, she did everything she possibly could to try to catch me off guard and at Bloodsport we faced each other in a match that allowed her to do all of that and more. She had the freedom to do whatever she wanted and in the end none of that was enough to make it past me, because when it came down to it I *was* ready, just like I was at Pain for Pride. If you want to think of yourself as an exception to the rule, that’s fine. I’m not going to tell you that you don’t stand a chance, or that you shouldn’t have bothered challenging me. Just know this, Jay. If you’re going to fire a shot at me, don’t expect me not to fire back.
(Hans takes a moment, before turning towards the stage.)
Hans Grayson: Now, why don’t you come out here so we can handle this face to face?
(Hans waits as the cheers continue, until finally ‘Once Then We’ll Be Free’ by Wisp begins to play. Jay Jerry Johnson begins to walk out, already holding a microphone in his hand as he stares at the Champion. Jay’s face remains stoic, keeping composure despite last week’s events. Not wasting any time, Jay begins to walk down the ramp.)
Rich Russillo: Well, this is what Hans wanted. He called Jay out, and I don’t blame him considering Jay cost him last week. It’s been an interesting development to say the least.
Thadd Blazevich: Agreed, bro. What Triple J did wasn’t cool, but we also know Hans has had a target on his back since winning the title. Not like this is the first time this has happened.
Persephone: Yeah so maybe Hans should stop crying whenever it does happen. Either get him back or shut up.
(Jay walks the steel steps, before stepping onto the apron and entering the ring. The fans cheer seeing the staredown between the two Elitists, and as Jay’s entrance music fades out, he begins to speak.)
Jay Jerry Johnson: Hans, don’t get me wrong. I understand. You’re tired of the struggle that comes with this place, as am I. While you’ve been targeted by those who’ve stabbed you in the back, I’ve had to deal with personal grudges and squandered opportunities. I don’t believe either of us are too fond of how the last few months have played out, but there is one difference that lies between us and it is the Championship you wear around your waist. As you said, you have a target on your back. You have what everyone wants, and when coming for the top prize you can’t afford to play it safe and allow an opportunity of this magnitude to go to waste. You have to bring everything you have. You have to throw the Champion off track. You have to make sure he isn’t ready for you, so it’s like I said, Hans. This isn’t personal. I’m just doing what I must.
Hans Grayson: Right, and doing what you have to do means doing the exact same thing Raven did?
Jay Jerry Johnson: Well, I haven’t kicked you below the belt or raked your eyes, have I?
(Hans doesn’t respond to this, and Jay continues, keeping a calm look on his face.)
Jay Jerry Johnson: My plan isn’t to become a coward and sacrifice any integrity I have for a Championship. My plan is to treat you like what you are. My opponent. An enemy. The only thing standing in the way between me and becoming World Champion. You’re the wall blocking me from my goals, and if you really wish to reach those goals you’ll do whatever’s necessary to make it past that wall, because you can’t afford to be forced to let go of what you desire merely because you were afraid of destruction. You’re free to feel however you do about that, but if you’re expecting an apology out of me this conversation is a waste of time. I want the Championship, so I won’t be holding back. It is better you accept this now.
Hans Grayson: I already accepted it when I was getting pinned by Jake Smith thanks to you. The thing is, acceptance, understanding, none of that really matters right now. What makes you think I’m going to let you get away with that? I know why you’re doing this, but an explanation doesn’t change what you did. Even if I can understand where you’re coming from, even if I have been in your shoes and know what it’s like to constantly miss out on opportunities, it doesn’t change that you crossed a line. If you want to treat me like an enemy you can, but this isn’t going to be one sided and you might not like how this ends once I start returning the favor.
(More cheers follow, and Hans stops speaking after this, just staring at Jay with a focused look on his face. Jay begins to approach Hans after, choosing not to back down from these words.)
Jay Jerry Johnson: Do your worst, Hans. I’m not telling you not to retaliate. From the beginning I was preparing for whatever you could throw at me, so I didn’t do what I did last week thinking that I would be allowed to leave unscathed. However, I will let it be known that I don’t fear you or whatever you may do. You can attack me. You can cost me a match. You can do what you want, but if we’re to go to war then I plan to come out of that war with my hand raised, and my newly won EAW Championship held high. That’s what this is about, and all it’ll ever be about in my eyes. The stakes are high enough, and stakes like this deserve everything we can possibly offer.
Hans Grayson: Then bring that to the ring! Do it when it actually matters! Costing me matches isn’t going to get you this Championship.
Jay Jerry Johnson: Do you think I don’t know that? It isn’t that simple.
Hans Grayson: Then what’s the point? You can make your excuses but until you can actually prove they’re going to change this for you, that’s all they are. Excuses, because even if you’re not hitting low blows or fighting dirty, you’re still taking shots you didn’t need to take. You’re still crossing a line unnecessarily, and making this more than it ever needed to be.
Jay Jerry Johnson: And as I said, I have no intentions to apologize for that. You don’t have to understand, but ultimately you will have to face me at Territorial Invasion and when that happens I believe I’ll be ready for whatever you have to offer. I am certain I understand what you’ll bring to Territorial Invasion, because every time you’re challenged and your opponents treat their matches against you as the fights they’re meant to be, you’re taken by surprise. You’re shocked, more than you’re supposed to be. More than you allow yourself to say you are.
Hans Grayson: Yet so far, I’ve walked away with the victory every time.
Jay Jerry Johnson: Right. I suppose that’s the part that’ll just have to change. I’ll see you at Territorial Invasion, Hans.
(There is one more shot of the two men, staring face to face with an intense look on both of their faces. The fans cheer as they notice the tension between the two men, neither one of them moving after the words they had just shared with each other. No more words are said between them, with both having said everything they needed to.)
Rich Russillo: HEADBUTT BY HANS!!!
(The fans cheer loudly, as Jay is caught off guard and sent stumbling back a bit, holding his face.)
Rich Russillo: THE CHAMP MANAGED TO CATCH JAY OFF GUARD, LANDING A HEADBUTT BEFORE HE COULD EVEN WALK AWAY! IT LOOKS LIKE HANS HAD ENOUGH, AND ONE THING IS CLEAR! HE IS LOOKING FOR SOME PAYBACK! Jay stumbled after that headbutt, AND NOW HANS WASTES NO TIME, RUNNING IN FOR A HUGE FLAMING PUNCH!!!
Thadd Blazevich: TRIPLE J IS DROPPED TO THE MAT, AND BRO WAS JUST FLOORED BY THE WORLD CHAMP! Hans obviously isn’t too happy about that loss to Jake knowing Jay went out of his way to screw him over, and it looks like Jay’s gonna have to pay for all that now!
Persephone: Finally. We’re done with the yapping.
Rich Russillo: Jay holds his jaw as he starts to stumble to his feet, clearly dazed after that Flaming Punch! He managed to find his way back up, but Hans is waiting for him!
Thadd Blazevich: JAY SWINGS AT HANS, BUT HANS WAS ABLE TO DUCK UNDER IT BEFORE GRABBING BRO FROM BEHIND! Hans turns Jay around, BEFORE PLANTING HIM WITH THE IMPERIAL FLAME!!!
(The fans cheer as Hans Grayson pushes himself back to his feet, and Hans takes a moment, looking down at Jay with a noticeably frustrated look on his face. He just shakes his head, annoyed with how everything has played out since last week.)
Rich Russillo: Hans Grayson just got some good payback, but I can only imagine things will only escalate from there. We know how things tend to get here on Voltage, especially when the World Championship is concerned. Jay pretty much laid it all out for us, there’s no limits when it comes to the World title.
Thadd Blazevich: Dude, there’s no telling what’s gonna happen between these two. Both of ‘em have been fed up in their own ways, and now tensions are rising and things are getting a lot more wild. This type of opportunity totally brings everything out of people, I’ll tell you that.
(Hans just begins to exit the ring, not bothering to stick around any longer after laying out Jay. The Champion makes his way out of the ring, and he begins heading back up the ramp as the fans continue to cheer. The camera shows one last shot of Jay Jerry Johnson, who remains laid out as Voltage fades away from ringside.)
(Promotional ad for Territorial Invasion, where Hans Grayson defends the EAW World Championship against Jay Jerry Johnson.)
(Voltage returns to the familiar tune of “Run Into Flowers” by M83, accompanied by one of EAW’s premier athletes in Bronson Daniels, crowd jumping on their feet as always. Bronson takes a moment, nodding his head, and allowing himself to embrace the crowd’s reaction after a rocky few months.)
Bella Braxton: Please welcome at this time… EAW HALL OF FAMER, BRONSON DANIELS!!
Persephone: Death, taxes, Bronson Daniels depression season.
Thadd Blazevich: I mean, come on. Bro is really going through it sometimes. Maybe he needs to get back on the greens… would chill him out a good bunch, maybe we’d become friends- who knows what similarities there may be!
Persephone: I think he’s good.
Rich Russillo: While it’s true that not everything has gone well for Bronson recently, things may just start to ramp up now, last week Captain Charisma confirmed a triple threat match for Territorial Invasion: Bronson Daniels vs. Drake Armstrong vs. Daniella Atlas, and the winner of that earns a shot at the EAW World Championship! This could be the shot that turns it all around. Bronson’s always been known to shock the world.
(As Bronson enters the ring and his music fades, he requests a microphone, which he receives. Bronson takes a deep breath, before raising it.)
Bronson Daniels: Another one for the road, eh?
(Bronson briefly shows a stiff smile over a tightened jaw. He clears his throat, looking around the packed arena, fans cheering him on despite everything that’s been going on recently.)
Bronson Daniels: Well, I appreciate the enthusiasm but I’m not so excited myself. A long time ago being granted an opportunity to hopefully contend for the EAW World Championship while doing virtually nothing with all other opportunities would’ve had me fired up and locked in, but that childlike courage in me is gone now. I’m not that excited about it. I don’t have some fancy ass plan to win that triple threat, some fancy ass way of beating Hans Grayson if I get there. The more I think about this the less I wanna do so, which is crazy ‘cause… I still can’t let go of this sport. At all.
Bronson Daniels: Even if these days just feel like mundane tasks with a great toll on the body to accompany them, I can’t say my love for this thing is gone. If anything, it feels like proof that my flame will never dwindle. As shit as this industry has made me feel in the past few months, I’d genuinely rather tear my body apart and deal with society’s worst outcasts than live the “normal” life.
(Bronson chuckles.)
Bronson Daniels: I’m not sure how much I deserve this, after all, I “lost” out on an opportunity at Bloodsport. I opted to take myself out of the Grand Rampage match. Couldn’t win the title at Fighting Spirit. It hasn’t gone great for me, so I cannot blame anybody for thinking I don’t really deserve all this cuddling. Frankly, I don’t think I do either, but we’re here now. It can be a step forward. A superficial one, really, but it’s a step forward. I can win any match on any given night even if things haven’t been going my way recently. It didn’t come how I expected it. It won’t erase everything that happened this year. But it’s a step forward.
Bronson Daniels: I’m not giving Drake Armstrong an opportunity to rebuild his lost empire. And I don’t plan on letting Daniella Atlas take this chance from me either. Her involvement’s interesting, but it definitely sticks out like a sore thumb. It could work to her advantage; it could not. Who knows. I understand she wants to humble Drake Armstrong. Hell, I do too. But the best way to humble Drake Armstrong is by—
(“The Clincher” by Chevelle blasts…)
Bronson Daniels: —snatching victory from him…
(Bronson exhales.)
(Daniella Atlas methodically emerges on the stage, her presence carrying an element of undeniable chaos, yet also a sense of serenity that almost relates Daniella and Bronson in its own confusing way. The two glance at each other, partially aware of that gut feeling, but both are more focused on the moment. Bronson’s frustration was evident. Daniella, meanwhile, stepped forward with determination.)
Thadd Blazevich: Ohhhh things are about to heat up!
Persephone: No, they’re not. Bronson is a coward, and Daniella doesn’t have Minerva with her, so she’ll pretend she has a code of honor.
Thadd Blazevich: Bruh, do you like anything?!
Persephone: Yes. Murder.
Rich Russillo: You know reading the expression on Bronson, I’m wondering if he’s more frustrated that he got interrupted, or that Daniella just became an added variable to what was already combustible tension between him and Drake Armstrong. Her inclusion did start with Drake bumping into her and Selina Reyes, and you can only imagine how it deteriorated from there! Drake is methodical, but you have to wonder how intentional this all really was?
Persephone: He’s an arrogant kid who takes credit for everything. He didn’t mean for this shit to happen, but he will find a way to twist it in his favor. Duh.
(Daniella enters the ring, having come out with a microphone already in hand. She gives Bronson an analytical stare, knowing it’s quite the challenge, though her confidence doesn’t falter — it’s quite the opposite, actually.)
(She grins, bringing the microphone up to the level of her lips.)
Daniella Atlas: You are a man who wears his heart on his sleeve — commendable, yet to an extent it is the cause of that which has been manifested in your life. A double-edged blade, one that I know quite well considering… I’ve blurred the lines between Dani, the person, and Daniella, the warrioress at precarious times, leading me towards a softened version of myself.
Daniella Atlas: Bronson Daniels, in spite of the fact that it feels necessary for me to stand up to Drake Armstrong after the attitude he displayed, this opportunity is ultimately one of great significance above all. You have grown apathetic to the roots of this sport, the reason we all compete, you’ve questioned your existence in this place as a cause of all you had gone through, but you are alone in your mentality, and that is one thing you must understand. I have attained great amounts of gold in just the span of two years, and I wish not to slow down following the vast improvements I’ve implemented unto my craft. I want to become the EAW World Champion.
Daniella Atlas: Even with all of these wildflowers guiding me towards confusing directions, I have not lost sight of the importance of such opportunities and the impact they can have on my career. Last Territorial Invasion was a defeat at the hands of the then-Universal Women’s Champion. Douze mois plus tard, I feel ready to undertake this journey again. One you’ve been on. One even that hack, Armstrong, has been on. I aim to surpass you alike, and bring gold to my ToXXXin family.
Bronson Daniels: Family… I—-
(“Pride and Arrogance” by Takeru Kanazaki begins to blast, stopping Bronson in his tracks. Drake Armstrong walks on the stage as exquisitely dressed as always, with a microphone already in his hand. He cues to cut the music, while looking right at Bronson.)
Drake Armstrong: Former Elysian, I will get to you in just a second. I am aware you do not like being neglected, left to sulk in the shadows, though there are not many words left to spare. You remain stubborn with your featherweight ideology that’s only led you to despair.
Bronson Daniels: Dr—
Drake Armstrong: Aht.
(Bronson rolls his eyes.)
(Armstrong moves his attention elsewhere as he makes his way down the ramp.)
Drake Armstrong: Daniella Atlas, you possess such insufferable gall for effectively landing yourself one victory away from becoming the next challenger for the EAW World Championship… merely by taking advantage of this brand’s flimsy politics, and over something as petty as you and your wretched friend *standing in my way*.
Daniella Atlas: …Pardon?
Drake Armstrong: Oh, do not play the fool with me. You’ve little reason to be placed in this circumstance besides pure fortuity. It only proves my point about our *lovely* Commissioner, but Mr. Daniels over here would beg to disagree!
Drake Armstrong: So let us make matters clear, Daniella Atlas, if becoming a World Champion was your priority — and that is a big “if” considering… everything… — now was certainly the wrong time to chase the alluring desire of the EAW World Championship specifically. Frankly, for as long as I may be on this brand, it shall be the wrong time, but…. If only…
(Drake climbs on the apron…)
Drake Armstrong: If ONLY there was another World Championship on this brand that I could not compete for…
(And enters the ring.)
Drake Armstrong: But you do not possess those guts, do you? Despite holding significantly better chances trying to use what you’d learned against your only latest “mentor”, you would rather walk into the pits of hell. You would rather feel on your skin just why I am proclaimed the King of The World—
Bronson Daniels: Okay, I think I heard enough. Maybe if you were considerate for once and didn’t act like you owned the place, you wouldn’t have a conspiracy angle to go at, but that’s exactly the issue, right? You sure love it when you pit people against each other, but when your attitude bites you, then here you are, squirming like the little sociopathic manchild you are.
Daniella Atlas: I suppose that applies to you no differently, Bronson. Your attitude has always bitten you, yet you remain relentless in spite of it all. You and Drake stand on opposite sides, yet a deeper look unravels an unsettling truth: the differences between the two of you are only limited. You will both double down ‘til the end of times. It is… très mignon… however, you are both well aware neither will prevail, for a radical venture eventually places one in solipsism.
Bronson Daniels: Excuse me? I would *never* be anything like Drake—
Drake Armstrong: That is precisely the issue, former Elysian rat.
Daniella Atlas: Enough of this kindergarten nonsense. Should you wish to fight it out yourselves, simply forfeit this opportunity, but neither of you will do as such. Therefore, I would like to remind both of you that you are not alone at the top as you’d wish you were. After the trials I have faced, the people who have hardened me, and those who have taken me under their wing, I feel prepared. This crucible… has led me here, and I will not let petty fights stand in the way of glory.
Drake Armstrong: …Glory. Curious. Glory to whom, Atlas? Yourself, or “The Black Rose”?
Daniella Atlas: …How about both?
Drake Armstrong: Precisely the issue. Sitting between two stools. Avarice and loyalty. But it cannot be both. They do not act in cohesion. Never. Minerva’s nailed loyalty into your skull, so that you can serve her avarice. She did right, whereas Bronson did not with the other Elysian lackwit. Your unwilling embrace of selfishness is precisely your Achilles’ heel… This… gullibility that only aches and aches further.
Drake Armstrong: You can not break free, can you? From what has been programmed into you, like a weapon. From Minerva’s own sweet nothings. From the “flower’s” presence within your thoughtscape…
Daniella Atlas: Je ne peux te laisser sombrer… que jusqu’à une certaine limite!
(Armstrong smirks.)
Thadd Blazevich: OH! DANIELLA HEARD ENOUGH! SHE SWINGS FOR DRAKE ARMSTRONG’S SKULL, BUT I THINK THAT’S JUST WHAT DRAKE WANTED!
Rich Russillo: INDEED! DRAKE DUCKED, AND THAT STRIKE HIT BRONSON INSTEAD!!
Persephone: Bronson isn’t taking it lightly, even though it’s extremely fucking obvious what happened. He’s striking right back at Daniella, trying to overwhelm her with strikes! But Daniella isn’t gonna go down so easily.
Rich Russillo: Armstrong joins in on the fun, but when Bronson and Daniella realized this, they turned their attention right to Drake! Talk about backfiring!
Thadd Blazevich: Daniella and Bronson are taking Drake on a ride of strikes! A kick from Bronson! A kick from Daniella! Forearm from Bronson! Another kick by Daniella! Right hand by Bronson! An elbow to the mouth from Daniella!
Rich Russillo: Armstrong is left dazed—AND NO HESITATION FROM DANIELLA!! PICKS BRONSON UP FOR SOUTH OF HEAVEN!!!
Thadd Blazevich: BUT BRONSON GETS OUT OF THE PUMPHANDLE POSITION AND MANAGES TO TURN IT INTO A REVERSE RANA!!
Rich Russillo: OFF THE ROPES, BUILDING UP STEAM!!! MICKE—- INAMORATAAA!!!! DANIELLA TURNS BRONSON UPSIDE DOWN!
Persephone: Drake isn’t far behind! He strikes Daniella! Daniella’s still got some fight in her though, you go girl I guess!
Rich Russillo: Armstrong’s wingspan advantage helps him get the better of the strike exchange!
Thadd Blazevich: But Daniella doesn’t fail to adapt and use kicks instead! Multiple kicks to the lower section make Armstrong goggy— AND NOW A HEADBUTT!!
Rich Russillo: THE TIDES HAVE SHIFTED! DANIELLA HAS ARMSTRONG IN THE SOUTH OF HEAVEN, BUT DRAKE RESISTS!!! HE USES HIS BODY TO GET DANIELLA OFF THE GROUND VIA AN ARM DRAG TAKEDOWN, AND—-
Thadd Blazevich: **MICKEY I KNOCKED YOUR HEAD OFF!!!!!!!!**
Rich Russillo: STRIKES DANIELLA!! ARMSTRONG GOT OUT OF THE WAY IN THE NICK OF TIME!!!
Thadd Blazevich: AND EVEN AMIDST ALL THAT CHAOS, BRONSON KNEW THAT DIDN’T QUITE GET EVERYONE!! OFF THE ROPES HE GOES FOR SOME MOMENTUM—MICKEY I—
Rich Russillo: IMMACULATE BLADE!!! BRONSON IS DOWN, AND THE ONLY MAN LEFT STANDING IS DRAKE ARMSTRONG!!
(Drake shares a look of bitterness towards Bronson and Daniella alike. He does not want praise, or adulation. This was business as usual, no matter how complicated it got.)
(With that, Armstrong simply leaves the ring, warning shot fired, as Voltage fades elsewhere.)
(Commercial for Lanterns.)
(The camera cuts to Bella Braxton inside the steel cage.)
Bella Braxton: THE FOLLOWING CONTEST IS A STEEL CAGE MATCH! WHERE THE ONLY WAY TO WIN IS BY PINFALL, SUBMISSION, OR ESCAPING THE CAGE WITH BOTH FEET TOUCHING THE FLOOR
(‘Ghost Myself’ by DIAMANTE hits to a loud mixed reaction from the crowd as Raven Roberts emerges onto the stage, joined by ARIA, Candice Blair, Ashlynn Quinn, and Eris Morti! Raven takes a moment to look out at the crowd before turning her attention toward the steel cage, making her way down the ramp while the rest of Team Voltage follows behind.)
Bella Braxton: Hailing from Louisville, Kentucky, now residing in Atlanta, Georgia, weighing in at 122 pounds… SHE IS “THE BIRD OF PREY”… RAVEN ROBERTS!!
Rich Russillo: Raven Roberts will be captaining Voltage’s Brand Warfare team at Territorial Invasion, and tonight she has a chance to build some momentum for herself and the team she put together!
Thadd Blazevich: Yeah, but this is a gnarly way to do it, bro! Raven’s stepping inside a steel cage with Chris Elite AND her own husband, so she’s gonna have to put that marriage aside if she wants to walk out with the win tonight!
Persephone: Hopefully she puts the marriage aside permanently.
(‘In Control’ by YoungBoy Never Broke Again hits as Chris Elite steps onto the stage to a mixed reaction from the crowd, with KASAI, Brianna Hill, Effy McAvoy, and Daryl Kinkade joining him! Chris takes a moment to survey the arena before heading down the ramp toward the cage, with his Dynasty teammates following behind.)
Bella Braxton: Hailing from Brooklyn, New York, weighing in at 210 pounds… HE IS “GAWD GIVEN GREATNESS”… CHRIS ELITE!!
Thadd Blazevich: Chris is coming into this one representing Dynasty, dude, and after everything we heard from Tyrone Montgomery earlier tonight, this is another chance for Dynasty to show they can deliver when they’re put against the other brands!
Rich Russillo: Chris Elite has made it clear that he’s willing to do whatever it takes to get back to the position he once held in EAW, and a victory over Raven Roberts and Rex McAllister tonight would certainly help his cause, especially with Brand Warfare approaching!
(‘Power’ by The Score hits to another loud reaction as Rex McAllister walks out onto the stage alongside Halsey Neel, Mia Santoro, Akari Kiyoko, and KELIN! Rex wastes little time making his way toward the ring, acknowledging some of the fans along the way as his Showdown teammates follow him toward the steel cage.)
Bella Braxton: Hailing from Sea Isle, New Jersey, now residing in Atlanta, Georgia, weighing in at 238 pounds… HE IS “THE LIONHEART”… REX MCALLISTER!!
Rich Russillo: And here comes Showdown! Rex McAllister will be part of their Brand Warfare team at Territorial Invasion, which means all three brands are represented inside this steel cage tonight!
Thadd Blazevich: And there’s a whole lot going on here, bro! Rex and Raven might be married, but they’re representing opposite brands at Territorial Invasion, and Chris Elite is standing right between them representing Dynasty! Tonight, there’s no teammates to fall back on. It’s every Elitist for themselves!
Persephone: Great. Lock three people I can’t stand in a cage and somehow I’m still expected to care which one wins.
(The referee signals for the bell as each competitor stands in their respective corners.)
(DING! DING! DING!)
Rich Russillo: Ooh, I’m excited for this one, guys! Raven Roberts, Chris Elite, and Rex McAllister, ALL LOCKED INSIDE A STEEL CAGE! It doesn’t get much better than that! And keep in mind, this isn’t even our main event! Later tonight, we’ll see Damon Lazarus, Cy Henderson, and Jon Kelton face off in a “Captain’s Choice” triple threat match!
Persephone: Yeah, yeah. They know what’s happening on the show. Get to calling the action!
Rich Russillo: :wow: Fine! We’ve got a standoff to start things off, with nobody eager to make the first move just yet as all three competitors size each other up.
(Rex and Raven eventually drop their guards and casually approach one another, talking things over while occasionally pointing toward Chris Elite in the corner, seemingly coming to the mutual decision that they should focus on him first.)
Thadd Blazevich: Well, dude, that spells trouble for Chris Elite! He’s already outnumbered, and being trapped inside a steel cage with a married couple definitely isn’t helping his chances!
(Chris Elite remains backed into the corner with his guard up, staring daggers at the pair like a cornered animal ready to strike while cursing under his breath. Seeing where this is headed, Chris suddenly spins around and starts quickly scaling the cage in the corner!)
Rich Russillo: AND CHRIS ELITE’S TRYING TO MAKE A BREAK FOR IT! If your feet touch the ground, it’s over, and Rex and Raven know that as they both race over to stop him! Rex grabs hold of Chris’ belt and YANKS HIM DOWN FROM THE TOP ROPE! Chris lands on his feet— BUT EATS A RIGHT HAND FROM RAVEN! Elite turns around and staggers straight into Rex, WHO CATCHES HIM WITH A RIGHT HAND OF HIS OWN!
Thadd Blazevich: Chris stumbles back toward Raven— AND SHE DROPS HIM WITH ANOTHER RIGHT HAND! Elite crawls over to the ropes, using them for assistance to pull himself back up before Rex and Raven close in for a DOUBLE IRISH WHIP! Chris gets sent toward the ropes and rebounds back— RIGHT INTO A DOUBLE FLAPJACK!
Rich Russillo: Chris rolls into the corner as Rex pops back to his feet, turning his back to Raven— AND SHE IMMEDIATELY SWOOPS IN WITH A SCHOOL GIRL! RAVEN ROLLS UP REX!
ONNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Thadd Blazevich: KICKOUT! Rex scrambles back to his feet and swings wildly at Raven with a clothesline— BUT RAVEN DUCKS UNDERNEATH AND RUNS OFF THE ROPES! Rex looks for a hip toss as Raven comes back— BUT RAVEN COUNTERS BY FRONT FLIPPING ONTO HER FEET AND REVERSES WITH AN ARM DRAG OF HER OWN!
Rich Russillo: Rex rolls through to his feet as Raven scrambles back to hers— DROPKICK! Raven knocks Rex down, but McAllister is quickly back up as Roberts rebounds off the ropes— CALF KICK! RAVEN TAKES REX DOWN AGAIN, AND SHE IS FIRED UP TO START THIS MATCH!
Thadd Blazevich: That brief alliance between Fire and Ice didn’t last long, did it? Rex and Raven are no strangers to facing one another, and when it comes down to it, they’re both gonna do whatever they have to do to beat the other!
Rich Russillo: Like I mentioned, Raven is fired up— BUT SHE TURNS AROUND INTO A RUNNING CLOTHESLINE FROM CHRIS ELITE! CHRIS RUNS RIGHT OVER RAVEN WITH THAT CLOTHESLINE, AND ELITE HAS RE-ENTERED THE EQUATION!
Persephone: Ugh, I can’t stand Chris, but I’ll cheer for anybody who knocks Raven or Rex on their ass.
Thadd Blazevich: Chris Elite is bringing some serious intensity to start this one off! He clearly isn’t happy with how things went down in the opening moments, and now he’s focused as he pulls Rex McAllister back to his feet! Chris grabs hold of the back of Rex’s neck— AND CHUCKS HIM FACE FIRST INTO THE UNFORGIVING STEEL! REX DROPS BACK DOWN TO THE MAT, FAVORING HIS FACE AFTER THAT COLLISION!
Rich Russillo: Chris immediately marches over to Raven Roberts and pulls her back up— BEFORE THROWING HER FACE FIRST INTO THE STEEL AS WELL! Raven meets a similar fate to Rex, crashing face first into the cage wall before dropping to the mat! This is smart by Chris, taking full advantage of the environment surrounding him, and now he saunters back over to Rex! Elite stands McAllister up once more— AND THROWS HIM FACE FIRST INTO THE CAGE WALL AGAIN!
Thadd Blazevich: Rex turns around and manages a few steps before collapsing back down to the mat, clutching at his head! Chris turns his attention back to Raven and drags her up to a vertical base by the hair— BEFORE THROWING HER FACE FIRST INTO THE CAGE WALL AGAIN! Raven goes down as well, and Chris immediately turns his attention back toward Rex…
Persephone: Oh my God, do something else already! Grind their faces into the steel, choke them with the ropes, I don’t care! Get creative!
Rich Russillo: Chris pulls Rex back up and looks to drive him face first into the steel again— BUT REX GETS HIS HANDS UP TO BLOCK IT! McAllister catches Chris with a back elbow to the abdomen before following up with A RIGHT HAND THAT STAGGERS ELITE BACK! Rex backs Chris into the corner and sends him across with a STRONG IRISH WHIP TO THE OPPOSITE CORNER! Elite staggers out after impact— AND REX LAUNCHES HIM WITH A BACK BODY DROP!
Thadd Blazevich: Chris sits up slightly, favoring his back as Rex walks toward him— BUT RAVEN COMES FROM BEHIND WITH A RUSSIAN LEGSWEEP! SHE TAKES REX DOWN AND FLOATS STRAIGHT OVER INTO THE COVER, HOOKING THE LEG!
ONNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Rich Russillo: SHOULDER UP! Rex starts rolling away as Raven looks to stay on him— BUT HER ATTENTION SHIFTS TO CHRIS AS HE STARTS CLIMBING THE CAGE WALL! Raven rushes over and grabs hold of his ankle to stop him! Chris is desperately trying to shake her off— BUT RAVEN LEAPS UP AND CLUBS HIM ACROSS THE LOWER BACK!
Thadd Blazevich: That stuns Chris long enough for Raven to climb onto the top rope with him! RAVEN STARTS FIRING SHOOT KICKS INTO THE LIVER! Chris Elite is struggling to keep his balance on that top rope as Raven grabs the back of his head, LOOKING TO SLAM HIM FACE FIRST INTO THE CAGE WALL! BUT CHRIS DROPS OFF THE TOP ROPE AND GRABS RAVEN’S LEG, YANKING IT OUT FROM UNDER HER!
Rich Russillo: RAVEN DROPS THROAT FIRST ACROSS THE TOP ROPE BEFORE CRASHING DOWN TO THE MAT! Roberts is coughing and struggling for air as she writhes in pain! Chris likes what he sees before turning his attention toward Rex, who has risen to a knee in the center of the ring! Elite has cruel intentions in mind as he CHARGES IN WITH A— OH!
Thadd Blazevich: REX JOLTS TO HIS FEET AND SCOOPS CHRIS UP INTO A FIREMAN’S CARRY! Rex staggers back a bit, bringing Chris close enough to grab the top rope and hang on for dear life with both hands— BEFORE ELITE GRABS HOLD OF THE STEEL CAGE! Chris climbs off Rex’s shoulders and onto the top rope!
Rich Russillo: CHRIS IS TRYING TO CLIMB OVER THE STEEL CAGE! But Rex climbs onto the top rope himself and drags Chris Elite back down level with him— AND CHRIS EXPLODES WITH A RIGHT HAND! ELITE STARTS HAMMERING REX WITH RIGHTS, BACKING HIM INTO THE CORNER AS BOTH MEN BALANCE PRECARIOUSLY ON THE TOP ROPE!
Thadd Blazevich: Chris keeps backing Rex into the corner with those right hands— BUT REX CATCHES HIM WITH A KICK TO THE GUT! Chris doubles over, allowing Rex to grab hold of him… AVALANCHE SWINGING NECKBREAKER! AVALANCHE SWINGING NECKBREAKER! BOTH DUDES COME CRASHING DOWN TO THE CANVAS! Rex took a nasty landing himself, though, and he can’t even capitalize after hurting himself in the process!
Rich Russillo: Chris Elite wisely rolls away from Rex with whatever wherewithal he has left as McAllister struggles to recover, slowly pushing himself up to all fours… but Raven Roberts is back on her feet as Rex rises to a knee! Raven used the ropes for assistance to pull herself up, and she staggers forward before gesturing for Rex to bring it on, barely steady on spaghetti legs!
Persephone: Oh, brother. Here we go. Rex and Raven staring each other down like anybody actually cares which one of them wins this little showdown.
Thadd Blazevich: Rex rises to his feet, and RAVEN SWINGS FOR A CLOTHESLINE! BUT REX DUCKS UNDERNEATH AND BOUNCES OFF THE ROPES— LARIAT TAKEDOWN! Raven quickly uses the ropes to pull herself back up, only to turn around into A CALF KICK! Roberts goes down again and crawls toward the corner as Rex rallies the crowd behind him, feeding off their energy before making his way to the opposite corner!
Rich Russillo: Rex has Raven lined up, AND CHARGES IN WITH A STEP-UP KNEE STRIKE IN THE CORNER! Roberts is rocked as Rex short-arms her out of the corner— FALLAWAY SLAM HALFWAY ACROSS THE RING! Rex kips right back up to his feet as Raven rolls into the opposite corner, using the ropes to drag herself back up! McAllister sees her getting vertical and CHARGES IN WITH A RUNNING CLOTHESLINE IN THE CORNER!
Thadd Blazevich: Rex transitions right into a running bulldog— BUT RAVEN SHOVES HIM OFF AT THE LAST SECOND! OPEN YA MATA!! CHRIS ELITE BLASTS REX WITH THE BICYCLE KNEE STRIKE! BUT REX IS STILL STANDING! BARELY, BUT HE’S STILL UP! Chris takes off toward the ropes, BUT REX GETS A SECOND WIND AND RUNS OFF THAT SAME SET! Elite realizes Rex is behind him and turns around in the center of the ring— REX FLOATS OVER! REX EFFECT!!
Rich Russillo: NO! CHRIS REVERSES INTO A NORTHERN LIGHTS SUPLEX! BUT ELITE ISN’T FINISHED! Chris rolls through, keeps hold of Rex and DEADLIFTS HIM OFF THE MAT… BRAINBUSTER!! REX GETS SPIKED, BUT SOMEHOW SITS UP AFTERWARD! McAllister is completely groggy, with no clue where he is— AND CHRIS LEAPS UP! BOX OFFICE SMASH!! THE HOUSE CALL CONNECTS TO THE SIDE OF THE HEAD! REX GOES DOWN, AND CHRIS ELITE MIGHT HAVE THIS WON AS HE STARTS CRAWLING INTO THE COVER!
Persephone: No, you idiot! LOOK!
Thadd Blazevich: CHRIS STOPS HIMSELF AT THE LAST SECOND! Elite was about to make the cover, but he finally notices what Persephone did— RAVEN ROBERTS IS HALFWAY OVER THE TOP OF THE CAGE! RAVEN COULD BE SECONDS AWAY FROM WINNING THIS MATCH! Chris springs into action, running up the ropes and GRABBING HOLD OF RAVEN BEFORE SHE CAN MAKE IT FULLY OVER THE TOP! Elite hangs onto her for dear life as he starts climbing up there himself!
Rich Russillo: Chris joins Raven at the top— AND SLAMS HER FACE FIRST OFF THE TOP OF THE CAGE! RAVEN IS JOLTED INTO A SEATED POSITION UP THERE WITH CHRIS, AND NOW BOTH OF THEM ARE PERCHED DANGEROUSLY AT THE TOP OF THAT STEEL CAGE!
Persephone: Oh no, they’re both sitting on top of the cage! Somebody could lose their balance and fall all the way down to the floor! That would be absolutely terrible… :mjgrin:
Thadd Blazevich: RAVEN WINDS BACK AND DELIVERS A RIGHT HAND! BUT CHRIS FIRES BACK WITH ONE OF HIS OWN! RIGHT HAND FROM ROBERTS! RIGHT HAND FROM CHRIS! RAVEN IS TEETERING— AND CHRIS GETS HIMSELF OVER THE TOP OF THE CAGE! Elite just has to climb down, but that’s easier said than done as Raven grabs hold of him before climbing back down onto the top rope!
Rich Russillo: CHRIS IS HANGING UPSIDE DOWN OVER THE TOP OF THE CAGE! Raven has him in position for a suplex, but Chris is hanging on for dear life, kicking his feet as he desperately tries to escape her clutches! BUT LOOK AT THIS! REX IS CLIMBING UP AS WELL! McAllister joins Raven on the top rope, and now the two work together— TO SUPLEX CHRIS ELITE OFF THE TOP OF THE CAGE!! ALL THREE COME PLUMMETING DOWN TO THE MAT!!
Thadd Blazevich: Rex is down! Chris is down! Raven is down! All three competitors just crashed from that height, but Raven is already beginning to stir! Roberts crawls over to the ropes and uses them for assistance to pull herself back up before climbing onto the top rope, hoping to scale the cage wall again! Raven starts climbing and gets halfway over the top— BUT REX MCALLISTER JUMPS TO HIS FEET! Rex hurriedly climbs onto the top rope and DRAGS RAVEN BACK DOWN WITH HIM!
Rich Russillo: Raven fights back, CATCHING REX WITH A BACK ELBOW TO THE MIDSECTION THAT KNOCKS HIM OFF THE TOP ROPE AND ONTO HIS FEET! McAllister drops to a knee before rising again alongside Chris, with both competitors stunned… AND RAVEN LEAPS OVER TO ANOTHER SIDE OF THE RING! ROBERTS SPRINGBOARDS OFF THE TOP ROPE— ROUNDHOUSE KICK!!
Thadd Blazevich: BUT REX SAW IT COMING FROM HIS WIFE AND DUCKS UNDERNEATH! Raven solely connects with Chris, wiping Elite out before scrambling back to her feet! Rex comes charging in with a clothesline— BUT RAVEN CATCHES HIM AND GETS HIM INTO POSITION! T-BONE SUPLEX!! SHE PLANTS REX AND HOOKS THE LEG FOR THE COVER AS MCALLISTER KICKS HIS FEET, DESPERATELY TRYING TO BREAK FREE!
ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHHHHHHRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEE—
Rich Russillo: SHOULDER UP! REX GETS THE SHOULDER UP JUST IN TIME! Raven rolls off as both she and Rex turn onto their bellies, the wear and tear of this steel cage match beginning to show on both competitors!
Persephone: They’re exhausted? Who cares? There’s three of them. Somebody get up and finish this already.
Rich Russillo: That’s exactly what Chris Elite is trying to do! He’s climbed his way onto the top rope, but he’s moving visibly slower thanks to the wear and tear I mentioned! Raven stirs to all fours and takes notice before rushing back to her feet— AND RAVEN YANKS CHRIS OFF THE TOP ROPE! Elite lands on his feet, but Raven immediately grabs hold of him and DRIVES HIM FACE FIRST INTO THE STEEL CAGE WALL!
Thadd Blazevich: Chris drops to the mat, writhing in pain as Raven climbs onto the top rope! Roberts is trying to scale the cage wall herself, but she’s moving just as sluggishly as Chris was moments ago… AND THAT GIVES ELITE JUST ENOUGH TIME TO PULL HIMSELF UP WITH HELP FROM THE ROPES! Chris reaches up and PEELS RAVEN OFF THE TOP ROPE INTO POSITION FOR A POWERBOMB!
Rich Russillo: CHRIS ELITE HAS RAVEN UP— AND CHUCKS HER INTO THE CAGE WALL WITH A POWERBOMB!! RAVEN CRASHES INTO THE STEEL BEFORE SLIDING DOWN THE WALL, FOLDED UP LIKE AN ACCORDION! THAT WAS BRUTAL! Chris turns his attention toward Rex as McAllister stirs back to his feet, and Elite shoots out of the corner for a— DROP TOE HOLD!
Thadd Blazevich: REX CATCHES CHRIS WITH THE DROP TOE HOLD AND IMMEDIATELY TRANSITIONS INTO AN STF! STF BY REX, OR AS HE PREFERS TO CALL IT, THE REX LOCK! REX HAS THE REX LOCK CINCHED IN, AND CHRIS IS TRAPPED! IF ELITE TAPS HERE, THIS MATCH IS OVER!
Rich Russillo: CHRIS RAISES HIS HAND! Elite is considering it as Rex cranks back on the hold— BUT CHRIS THINKS TWICE! Instead, Elite starts dragging himself toward the cage door! CHRIS IS GRITTING THROUGH THE PAIN, CRAWLING TOWARD THAT DOOR WITH REX STILL HANGING ONTO THE REX LOCK!
Chris Elite: (off-mic) OPEN THE DOOR! OPEN THE FUCKING DOOR! COME ON!
(The referee opens the door, and Chris tries to crawl out underneath the bottom rope! But as he does, the rope digs into Rex’s throat, causing McAllister to cough before eventually being forced to release The Rex Lock!)
Thadd Blazevich: REX RELEASES THE HOLD! CHRIS ELITE MIGHT DO IT! HE MIGHT ESCAPE! Chris’ body is already halfway out of the ring— BUT REX GRABS HOLD OF HIM AND DRAGS CHRIS BACK INSIDE! McAllister immediately makes a play for the open door himself, trying to crawl out underneath the bottom rope— BUT CHRIS GRABS HIS LEG! Elite hangs on before DRAGGING REX BACK INSIDE THE RING! McAllister rolls onto his back and SHOVES CHRIS AWAY WITH BOTH FEET!
Rich Russillo: CHRIS SCRAMBLES TO HIS FEET, AND SO DOES REX— JUMPING DDT!! MCALLISTER PLANTS CHRIS ON HIS HEAD! Rex starts crawling into the cover, but Raven intervenes, pulling him back to his feet for a right hand— THAT REX BLOCKS! AND MCALLISTER FIRES BACK WITH A RIGHT OF HIS OWN! Rex backs Raven against the ropes with a flurry of right hands before SENDING HER ACROSS THE RING WITH AN IRISH WHIP!
Thadd Blazevich: BUT RAVEN LEAPS ONTO THE TOP ROPE— AND HOPS ONTO THE TOP OF THE CAGE! REX SEES HER GETTING AWAY! McAllister runs up the ropes in the corner and desperately tries to drag Raven back down— BUT ROBERTS STARTS BOOTING HIM REPEATEDLY IN THE FACE! Rex drops off the top rope, AND RAVEN CLIMBS OVER THE TOP OF THE CAGE! SHE’S OVER! SHE JUST HAS TO CLIMB DOWN— BUT THE CAGE DOOR! THE CAGE DOOR IS OPEN!
(Chris called for the cage door to open as he begins crawling underneath the bottom rope, desperately trying to escape before Raven can climb down!)
Rich Russillo: CHRIS! CHRIS IS ABOUT TO ESCAPE— BUT RAVEN KICKS THE CAGE DOOR RIGHT INTO HIS FACE!! Elite gets caught flush, and his chance to escape is ripped away in an instant!
(Chris rolls back toward the center of the ring alongside Rex, and the two begin struggling back to their feet. Raven looks down at both men from above, causing her to second guess climbing down… before actually climbing back up onto the corner at the top of the cage!)
Persephone: What?! Is she stupid?!
Thadd Blazevich: I have no clue what she’s thinking here, bros. She had the match won!
Rich Russillo: Chris and Rex have gotten back to their feet… AND LOOK AT RAVEN!! RAVEN FLIES OFF THE TOP OF THE CAGE— RAVEN’S WINGS!!!
Thadd Blazevich: OH MY GOD!!
Rich Russillo: SPIRAL TAP FROM THE TOP OF THE STEEL CAGE ONTO BOTH MEN!! RAVEN WIPES OUT CHRIS! SHE WIPES OUT REX! AND SHE WIPES HERSELF OUT IN THE PROCESS! ALL THREE COMPETITORS ARE DOWN AFTER THAT INSANE LEAP, WITH RAVEN LYING IN THE RUBBLE ALONGSIDE THEM!
Thadd Blazevich: BUT LOOK! THERE’S SIGNS OF LIFE FROM RAVEN! Roberts is barely moving after throwing caution to the wind, but she struggles to roll herself onto her belly… AND DRAPES AN ARM OVER REX’S CHEST! THAT’S ALL SHE CAN MANAGE!
ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Rich Russillo: WAIT A SECOND! KELIN!! KELIN JUST GRABBED HOLD OF THE CAGE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE— AND HE’S TRYING TO RIP THE DAMN THING OPEN!
(KELIN grabs the cage door with both hands and pulls on it as hard as he can! The door starts coming loose, forcing the referee to stop the count and turn toward him!)
Thadd Blazevich: DUDE, WHAT THE HELL?! KELIN SAW REX WAS ABOUT TO GET PINNED AND JUST RIPPED THAT DOOR RIGHT OFF THE HINGES!! THE CAGE DOOR IS DOWN!
(The cage door falls to the floor, and KELIN quickly enters the cage! Raven barely has time to get onto her knees before KELIN moves toward her— BUT ARIA, CANDICE BLAIR, ASHLYNN QUINN, AND ERIS MORTI ARE ALREADY COMING THROUGH THE OPENING AFTER HIM!)
Rich Russillo: AND HERE COMES VOLTAGE! RAVEN’S BRAND WARFARE TEAM ISN’T LETTING KELIN GET AWAY WITH THIS— BUT NOW HALSEY NEEL, MIA SANTORO, AND AKARI KIYOKO ARE COMING INTO THE CAGE BEHIND HIM! SHOWDOWN HAS HIT THE RING!
Persephone: Oh, good. We finally found a way to make this match even more crowded.
Thadd Blazevich: AND DYNASTY ISN’T STANDING AROUND WATCHING EITHER! KASAI, BRIANNA HILL, EFFY MCAVOY, AND DARYL KINKADE ARE RUSHING INSIDE! BRO, EVERYBODY IS GOING AT IT!
(A huge brawl breaks out inside the cage! KELIN trades shots with ARIA while Halsey Neel and Candice Blair start fighting nearby! Mia Santoro tackles Ashlynn Quinn into the ropes as Akari Kiyoko trades strikes with Eris Morti! On the other side, KASAI, Brianna Hill, Effy McAvoy, and Daryl Kinkade immediately join the fight!)
Rich Russillo: THIS HAS COMPLETELY BROKEN DOWN! VOLTAGE! DYNASTY! SHOWDOWN! ALL THREE BRAND WARFARE TEAMS ARE TEARING EACH OTHER APART INSIDE THE STEEL CAGE!
(The referee quickly signals toward the timekeeper before throwing both hands in the air.)
(DING! DING! DING! DING! DING!)
Rich Russillo: AND THE REFEREE HAS SEEN ENOUGH! HE’S THROWING THIS MATCH OUT! THERE IS NO WINNER!
Persephone: Finally. Best decision he’s made all night.
(The bell does nothing to stop the fight. Raven slowly gets back to her feet and joins her Voltage teammates, throwing herself into the brawl despite everything she has already taken. Rex recovers enough to stand with Showdown while Chris Elite joins Dynasty, and all three brands keep swinging at anyone from the other side.)
Thadd Blazevich: Forget the match, dude! This is Territorial Invasion coming early! Nobody gives a damn about the bell anymore!
(Security quickly rushes down the ramp and enters through the broken cage door, trying to get between all three teams. More officials follow as they slowly begin pulling everyone apart, with members of each brand still shouting and trying to reach past security.)
Rich Russillo: We need everybody separated before somebody gets seriously hurt! Security is doing everything they can right now, and it looks like they’re finally starting to get some control over this!
(The Dynasty and Showdown teams are slowly forced out through the broken cage door and toward the ramp, while security keeps them away from Voltage. KELIN continues shouting back toward Raven and the others as he is pulled away, while Chris Elite argues with officials as Dynasty is escorted in the other direction.)
Thadd Blazevich: And it looks like they aren’t taking any chances, bro! Dynasty and Showdown are being escorted straight out of the arena! After what just happened, they don’t want either team anywhere near Voltage for the rest of the night!
Persephone: Good. Throw Voltage out too while you’re at it.
Rich Russillo: What was supposed to be a preview of Territorial Invasion has ended in complete chaos! Raven Roberts, Rex McAllister, and Chris Elite never got to settle this match, but if tonight is any indication, Brand Warfare is going to be absolute mayhem!
(The camera shows Raven and the rest of Voltage standing inside the damaged steel cage as security continues forcing Dynasty and Showdown farther up the ramp. Raven watches them leave while catching her breath, with the rest of her team standing around her as the scene fades elsewhere.)
COMMERCIAL
(Sunday Night Voltage returns as the camera focuses on a pan-around shot of the Mabee Center. The sounds of ‘Somebody Get Me A Doctor’ by Van Halen begin to play through the speakers as Dr. Bethany Blue comes out, before it transitions to ‘Ambitionz az a Ridah’ by Tupac as TLA follows behind him. La Farmacia make their entrance as the crowd erupts into cheers, and after a moment, they both begin to make their way down the ramp.)
Bella Braxton: Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome… the EAW UNIFIED TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS!!!!!!!!! TLA AND DR. BETHANY BLUE… LA FARMACIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rich Russillo: Last week was certainly satisfying for the Champs, as they handled business on both Showdown and Voltage against their future challengers, CATACLYSM.
Thadd Blazevich: Indeed bro! After laying them out on Saturday, TLA would face Ryan Joseph Wilson on Voltage, where he would end up coming out on top. As we saw, neither Ryan nor Vincent Mondrian were very happy about that, but they’re going to have to deal with it and focus on the bigger picture.
Persephone: The bigger picture is that they got their ass beat; I don’t know where you’re going with this. But whatever, maybe they have a chance.
(Bethany and TLA both make their way into the ring as ‘Ambitionz az a Ridah’ begins to come to a close. As they grab microphones from the ringside area, they take a moment before beginning to speak.)
TLA: ¿Qué pasó?! Yo Campeonados are in da house!
(The crowd once again erupts into cheers as the Champions begin to speak. After a moment of letting them get their reaction in, they go on.)
TLA: You know what’s been going down, vatos! La Farmacia have got their work cut out for them with our next challengers, the devious CATACLYSM team, but we ain’t fazed. They ain’t fuckin’ around, but they boutta see real quick who the biggest hustlers in the tag team division are, and if they think that they’re the best? Then they’re not gonna know what hit ‘em, just like what happened last week when I beat the shit outta that bitch boi Ryan Wilson.
Dr. Bethany Blue: And while we can say a lot, we also know, at the same time, they’re not the tag team to overlook. As long as they have Silas Mason in their corner cheering them on, then anything can happen, and that’s something that we have to be ready for. But rest assured, after all the battles that we have waged over the years, that is something that the two of us are more than prepared to go up against no matter what ends up happening. But let’s get down to business.
(Bethany shifts her body toward the stage as she continues to speak.)
Dr. Bethany Blue: We’re calling you out, CATACLYSM, but not just to have any old back and forth; no, we want to up the ante.
(The crowd murmurs in anticipation, as Bethany looks over at TLA, who smirks.)
TLA: You wanna fuck around and see who da best tag team is? Well, you messed with the wrong hombres if you tryna do that. We don’t just want to fight you in any match, nah, if you wanna bring the fight to our casa, then we gonna take you there, because we want this match to be a POON PALACE BRAWL, ORALÉ!
(There’s a resounding amount of cheers in approval for this as both Bethany and TLA are seen looking pretty proud of themselves. Bethany raises her microphone to speak, but before she can say anything else…)
Dr. Bethany Blue: I-
???: NO! NO! ABSOLUTELY NOT!
(The crowd boos loudly, almost immediately knowing who’s making their way out, as the camera goes over to reveal an irate Silas Mason heading out, with Ryan Joseph Wilson and Vincent Mondrian following closely behind.)
Rich Russillo: What an announcement we just got, and by the looks of things, it doesn’t seem like the challengers are very open to the idea.
Persephone: Since when did we start letting bald people sway our opinion? Why the fuck do they need to listen to him???
Thadd Blazevich: Well, bro, it’s up to them whether or not they’re going to accept this challenge, but by the looks of it, this is certainly a thrilling concept by TLA and Bethany. I can’t wait to see what’s gonna happen!
(As CATACLYSM reaches the bottom of the ramp, Silas raises his mic once more, continuing on.)
Silas Mason: ABSOLUTELY NOT! Over my dead body do I allow something like that to happen. Are you insane??? What’s done is done, and your inevitable demise has been set. What makes you think that we’re just going to abide by your unfair stipulations that you try to put up?
TLA: Don’t tell me you being pussy, gringo.
Silas Mason: No, I’m not being “pussy”, stop making up narratives! You know what this is?!
(Silas quickly climbs onto the apron as he enters into the ring, CATACLYSM following closely behind. The manager then approaches the two of them, pointing an accusatory finger as he speaks.)
Silas Mason: You KNOW that your title reign is in danger and that it won’t be long before Vincent Mondrian and Ryan Wilson take those away from you, so you know what you decide to do? You go out of your way to try and give yourself an unfair advantage, bend the rules, and use their pride as a way of trying to justify it and get us to accept, but we’re better than that. These two are unlike any of the idiots that you’ve faced before that would’ve allowed this to happen. If you think that this is going to stand, then you’re kidding yourself into believing that you have any semblance of control over the situation right now.
Dr. Bethany Blue: Well, contrary to what you may believe, I don’t think there’s an unfair advantage here. In fact, I think we’re helping the two of them, even if you don’t deserve such a courtesy. Explain it to them, amigo.
TLA: Ain’t nothing wrong with a little poon in your life, hombres. If you bitchless just say so, but don’t try and say that we not thinking about the two of you. Nah, we knew that your asses wouldn’t accept it if you ain’t get anything out of it yourself. If anything, we letting y’all have the chance to fight however you want; ain’t no rules at the Poon Palace, we can get our freak on. And La Pantera Sexual ain’t the type of mfer to judge your freak if you know what I mean. :mjlit:
Dr. Bethany Blue: No harm, no foul. So, if you ask me… the two of you want these titles, don’t you? Well, if you want them so badly, then you should be willing to fight for them under any circumstances. Circumstances which, by the way, don’t even work that badly against you, might I add. But I suppose that Silas Mason here wants to impose something that just isn’t true, so you can continue living in that lie if it makes you feel better.
Silas Mason: This is ridiculous, don’t listen to them. This is exactly what they want you to think-
TLA: Yeah, homie, we ain’t talkin’ to you anymore.
(Silas looks offended, but TLA and Bethany completely glance over him, looking at both Ryan and Vincent who are watching what is being said intently.)
Dr. Bethany Blue: You two knew exactly how this was going down, and considering that you’ve been here for years, Ryan, this shouldn’t be a foreign thing to you. And even though Vincent can’t entirely say the same for himself, we also know that he’s never been the type of person to back down from a fight. So this might seem like it works against you, and I suppose that nothing that we say is going to really convince you, but if there is anyone who should be willing to do this, then it’s you two, unless… you’d rather just give up your title match and make this a complete waste of time.
TLA: Cuz we ain’t changin’ our minds. And in case you realized, we the Champs, so we got the power around here, si?
(Ryan and Vincent don’t respond immediately, clearly pondering over this, because as much shit as they could give them right now for suggesting something as ridiculous of a stipulation as this… they couldn’t deny that they were right; what reason did they have to back down from a fight when CATACLYSM as a team has gotten this far?)
Silas Mason: You’re not going to ignore me when I’m talking to you. I’m not changing my mind on this! This works AGAINST CATACLYSM, and the last thing that I am going to do is jeopardize Vincent and Ryan’s chances of winning the Tag Titles because the two of you want to get your jokes in, absolutely not! If you want to do this, then you do it on your own time, not ours! Tell them!
(Silas gestures to Ryan and Vincent, who briefly glance at one another. Sometimes words don’t need to be exchanged, and in CATACLYSM’s case, that’s how it was. They both turned back to the Champions.)
Ryan Joseph Wilson: We’ll do it.
Silas Mason: Yes- wait, WHAT?!
(The crowd erupts into thunderous cheers, both TLA and Bethany looking at one another with smiles on their faces, knowing that this is a job well done.)
Silas Mason: Are you crazy?!
Ryan Joseph Wilson: I know you have our best interests in mind, but you’re playing into their hand. I don’t want there to be any misconceptions about how CATACLYSM feels about this match, and no matter what happens, it is still going to mark the end of La Farmacia’s Unified Tag Team Championship reign.
Vincent Mondrian: Doing this at TLA’s place won’t change anything for us. You two think that you’re the ones in control??? Not by a fucking long shot. The two of us have been itching to prove from the get-go that there’s only one great tag team in this company, and it’s not either of you; it’s CATACLYSM, and as long as it meant getting to those beautiful titles, then it didn’t matter who we were going to be up against. We prepared for this to be different, to be unlike anything that we’ve ever done before, and you’re right about one thing, and it’s the fact that we’re up for the challenge. But we’re more up for it than you could have anticipated, because regardless, this is going to mark the end for you, just as Ryan said.
(La Farmarcia have an amused expression on their faces as they respond.)
TLA: See! We knew you two would rub them braincells together and come to an agreement! Orale! You right tho, it ain’t boutta make a difference the typa lucha we compete in, we still boutta beat dem asses.
Dr. Bethany Blue: You can say what you want to say about it being an inevitability, but until you have the positive track record that we do winning titles like these, then it’s not exactly going to be the most convincing thing in the world to try and change our minds like this. We apologize for having a little fun at our expense, but the two of you aren’t really doing much to make a dent, and while I’m sure your Unified Tag Team Championship dreams are alive and well, it’s not going to make a difference as TLA said.
Ryan Joseph Wilson: You can say that now, but we promise that regardless of the circumstances, those Unified Tag Team Championships are coming to CATACLYSM. We’re used to this, especially when it comes out of individuals like yourselves, doing whatever you can to chop us down in order to make yourselves feel better, but that was never going to work, and you know it.
Vincent Mondrian: All we have to tell you is wait and see, and when I say you have no idea what CATACLYSM has up our sleeves, I mean it. Then, and only then… will we make our worthy ascension to the very top, taking our throne at the spot that WE deserve.
(Vincent drops his microphone down to the ground as ‘BFG Division’ by Mick Gordon begins to play through the speakers of the arena. TLA and Bethany look at one another with smirks before taking their titles and raising them into the air. Vincent and Ryan approach them, staring the two of them down, while Silas Mason looks distraught that they would actually go through with a stipulation like that. The very last shot seen is CATACLYSM and La Farmacia staring one another down as Sunday Night Voltage begins to fade to elsewhere.)
(Commercial for Spider-Man: Brand New Day with Jake Smith.)
(Voltage returns to the iconic tune of “7 rings” by Ariana Grande which sends the crowd in a frenzy over the appearance of the Showdown star. Veena Adams walks out, styled glamorously from head to toe, her eyes gleaming with fire and determination as she confidently marches towards the ring.)
Thadd Blazevich: For those who missed Showdown… and like, why would you, Veena—
Persephone: Thadd, I hardly even watch Voltage and I commentate for the brand.
Thadd Blazevich: Um, fair enough, but for Persephone and everybody else out of the loop, last night’s Showdown opened in a super hype manner, with the Universal Women’s Champion Minerva announcing that these two will go toe-to-toe against each other at Territorial Invasion inside of “The Dollhouse”.
Persephone: The what now…?
Rich Russillo: If I have it right, The Dollhouse will be a structure split in two, one side will represent Minerva, and the other will center around Veena Adams. Of course, the aesthetics will match the respective individuals, but above that, so will the fighting environment!
Thadd Blazevich: If I wasn’t excited before, then I definitely am now!
(Veena calmly climbs the steel steps with her high heels, and enters the ring. The song fades, and she receives a microphone. Her intention is pretty clear, she’s doubling down after last night.)
Veena Adams: Heyyyy Voltage!! You get me again, which I’m sure is like super super amazing for all the fans out there because I’m really not trying to spend more time than I have to in the crazy house. 😭
Veena Adams: After last night, I thought it would be right I pay Voltage another visit. I’m like totally riding a high after laying Minerva out, but I also have things to say that cannot wait an entire week! I knowww just how Minerva is gunna feel about the fact I’m out here because she thinks she owns the place, but guess what! I don’t really care! I may as well be Minerva’s boss all things considered and if I wasn’t a nice and classy girl then I would deffo use that to my advantage.
Veena Adams: But I have become such a like, great and awesome and super talented wrestler, that I don’t really need to do that! I don’t need to be in control of everything, because I’m me, and I make things happen now. Like Minerva literally has Joso moving like her little dog and being sooooo annoying just ‘cause—after all, he didn’t beat Bea, and he is nooot beating Millz. :mjlol: So what’s the point?!
Veena Adams: There is one thing I really wanna make clear though, Minerva. I want no more extra fluff, at least for tonight. Millz can do her own thing, Joso can get his ass beat :troll:, your other girls can worry about whatever they’ve got going on. This should just be between Minerva and Veena Adams. Nothing else standing in our way. Nothing else intertwining. Because I want a proper talk, and I want you to see just how little I fear your bluffs and that kewwwt little stip you revealed last night!
Veena Adams: I mean, come on. How was a match called “The Dollhouse” eveeerrr NOT gonna work in my favor! Look, I’ve done a whole lot in my career. I’ve prevailed in a bunch of crazy matches! Hell in a Cell, Temple of Trials, War Games- actually, a lotta caged matches now that I think about it. This pretty little face has bled, and these petite hands have gotten real dirty. Going through this sort of stuff, embracing even the craziest of environments is part of what made me the Veena you know today!
Veena Adams: And likeeeee, I get this will have a more psychological focus compared to other things, but trust me cutie pie, you spend two years with Silas Mason trying to pull strings without much pushback, and your mental fortitude becomes unbreakable! Plus, I’m gonna have my own side! Minerva can do all her angsty emo things, maybe a ripped picture of Millz since she’s sooo obsessed :mjlol: which, come on, is totes not scaring me! But my side is gonna be sooooooo cute.
Veena Adams: I’m a Barbie Girl… and we’re gonna have theeee best tea party. I’m gunna dress you really well Minerva, maybe I’ll rake your eyes with a doll! The ideas are FLOWING and I’m almost getting excited, which I’m sure is far from what you wanted. So, I will literally get serious for you… a match like this was NEVER gunna make me back down, and that title reign of yours, Minerva? It’s coming to an end in a few weeks, so I really hope you prepare for that—
(The riff of “Blood, Milk & Sky” by White Zombie abruptly interrupts Veena. Minerva steps on the stage with the Universal Women’s Championship over her shoulder, and an orange rose in her hand. She slowly looks around with a cocky smile on her face despite Showdown’s less ceremonious events, and makes a beeline for the ring.)
Rich Russillo: Minerva has reached a new level — which is surprising to say when it’s Minerva we’re talking about, but the bar goes higher and higher. Ever since winning the Grand Rampage, she’s truly been a woman on a mission. She brutalized Milli Banks at Pain For Pride to win her fourth World Championship. She got the winning pinfall at Bloodsport to keep the title in her grasp against ARIA, Candice Blair, and Ashlynn Quinn. And now, on the topic of Ashlynn Quinn, she looks towards taking down Ashlynn’s former mentor in Veena Adams!
Thadd Blazevich: Things have gotten personal really quick between these two but I cannot be surprised! Whether it’s the bitter feud between her and Milli Banks, who is Veena Adams’ best friend, or even War Games two years ago, it felt inevitable that things were bound to heat up!
(Minerva twirls the rose before leaving it on the apron. She steps into the ring, and an intense staredown comments. Veena’s body language shows attitude. Minerva, however, opts to remain methodical.)
Minerva: You’ve certainly reached quite the echelon in the past couple of years. Unfortunately, that tremendous improvement did not quite reach the brain. “The Dollhouse” does not exist with the idea of scaring you off. It never did. It exists with the idea of embedding you into my domain, and taking your own over. That cute “Barbie Girl” decor, I will splatter with your blood. Your loveliest memory, I wish to turn into your darkest trauma.
Minerva: Perhaps when you’re of the same family tree as one Ryan Adams, covering your ears and playing with dolls is all you can do, but when I warned you, I did not bluff. I merely gave you the opportunity to retain what you look back upon fondly. Your Heaven will become your Hell, and I will certainly revel in the moment.
Minerva: The Dollhouse shall be a glimpse into “Minerva”. Yes, it will be psychological. Yes, you will rue it. Because it is something you could never grasp. How can one handle such roughness when they grew up getting whatever they wanted? I was born in a post-communist country, I was often famished because the people still feared they had to ration food even after twenty years of “freedom”. I was often taught to not be outspoken, so as to not risk getting sent to die in the mines, as if they were all still listening, even when I immigrated to Texas. You see, privileged harlot, there are some things you just cannot forget. That you can not grow out of.
Minerva: Be it a land’s lingering trauma, or a pair of parents that loved you and the rest of my siblings to the ends of the earth but scrounged to survive, having to do favors to the local justice in order to keep out of trouble, women like you who would make fun of my looks and shun me for what I represent, even from the very first day I walked into the EAW as a pariah, so that only two choices are beared in front, either you may grow numb to this pain. Or, at best, embrace it. You wish to fight for the dignity of Milli Banks. You wish to step up to me. You wish to enter my territory, make a statement on my turf, and disregard all my *kind* warnings. Very well, that is your choice. But you never knew the extent of this choice, did you? You never quite considered the weight of my words. There is no denying the bad blood between Milli Banks and I… I’d brutalize her and everyone close to her hundreds of times over. So if that is the burden you wish to carry, then you *will* be carrying it without constraint.
Minerva: You will see why I loathe Milli Banks. You will learn why War Games was so bitter for me… while you celebrated without a worry. You will learn every machination of my mind, as I want you to, but that will not grant you an advantage. It will make you my most brutal killing. Nothing you say or do will change what is coming at Territorial Invasion, for what looms on the horizon is something I *know* you cannot handle.
Veena Adams: 🙄 Well, it like sucks you’ve lived a shitty life and everything, but why is this my problem??
Minerva: Truly spoken like a spoiled brat.
Veena Adams: It may be inconsiderate but is it wrong?? Look, I’m not going out here taking my anger out on people because Uncle Ryan got super tough with me in the name of “training”, or because my parents were often more concerned with business calls and whatever than me! Poor household or rich, we all go through our own things but one thing I didn’t let it do is define me, and trust me, Minerva, you have NO idea how difficult it is to leave the shadow of this last name!
Veena Adams: Maybe you should like seek therapy or whatevs! Heard it does wonders! That way, you don’t need to use other talented girls as shields for your insecurity. You wouldn’t need to take your anger out on other people who haven’t really done anything to you. You wouldn’t need to be sleeping around with whichever man flirts with you once! It’s absolutely cool to be angry because I’m pretty darn angry myself too at times but I don’t unleash it senselessly in the way you do.
Veena Adams: Like, you beat Millz at Pain For Pride, you made it super fucking personal and I should literally kill you for that, but you did it, you got that title back, you got your vengeance, so why are you still going with this super obsessive angle?? If you’re still so worried about War Games — as if your team wasn’t comprised of the two people who hurt you the fucking most :mjlol: — then why don’t you punish Joso for getting involved—
Minerva: I already have.
Veena Adams: I just… did not need to know that. 😐
Minerva: You asked. Your ignorance is quite sanctimonious, Veena. You do not hold the right to speak to me as comfortably as you have just now, though I am glad you have. I can see exactly what there is to shatter in that belief system of yours. I can see just what parts still reek of entitlement. Just where that narcissism still lingers. Therapy cannot help somebody like you or I. But I do believe The Dollhouse will be rather therapeutic. That entitlement, that savior complex, that ego, that narcissism, *and your happiness alike*, will all be beaten out of you. Best you may do is fight it. I am more than glad to oblige in what you wish for, and to break your confidence once you are torn apart in The Dollhouse.
Minerva: Then, perhaps, when your own Achilles’ heel is exposed… you may follow in those same footsteps you try so hard to escape from. It’s in your wicked blood, after all.
Veena Adams: What in the world are you—
Minerva: What did *he* call me, Veena?
Veena Adams: I don’t care what Uncle Ryan called you, Minerva! I’m not him!
Minerva: That remains to be seen.
Veena Adams: Didn’t you LITERALLY beat him??
Minerva: It wasn’t enough, Veena. Not even *you* will be enough. But you will still be one hell of a consolation. A better one than he was, I reckon…
Veena Adams: Just what is your proble—
(SMACK!!!)
(A kick to the ankle catches Veena by surprised, tripping her down on one knee without much balance.)
(Minerva unbuckles the Universal Women’s Championship and aims it’s golden plate at Veena…)
(But as she charges, a drop toe hold from Veena sends her down just in time, buying Veena a bit of time.)
(A slight limp is in her step, but once adrenaline begins to surge, that won’t matter very much.)
(She takes the championship dropped on the mat. Taking a good look at it, she grabs a hold of the very end of it.)
(WHIP!!! WHIP!!! WHIP!!!! WHIP!!!!!!! WHIP!!!!!!!!)
(And she uses the championship belt as just that — a belt. Smacking her stomach as Minerva can only screech in pain.)
(Veena shakes her head, tossing the title aside, as she embraces the chaos. She climbs over Minerva, and begins to unleash a flurry of strikes. Minerva holds her hands up defensively, holding out just long enough that at the exact moment Veena’s strikes lose intensity, Minerva is quick to turn around the position in her favor. Mounted on top now, Minerva crashes her forearm into Veena’s jaw. Veena’s head recoils to the side, and Minerva lowers her head…)
(**AS SHE BITES ON VEENA’S EAR UNTIL A WOUND FORMS.**)
(Veena screams. Minerva rises to her feet.)
(She looks down at the hurt Veena… she looked into her eyes… *and they still had life.*)
(It wasn’t enough.)
(Minerva grabs Veena’s leg and rips off her heels.)
(Then, she agonizingly drags her up to a kneeling position.)
(With the shoe’s heel in hand…)
(**SMACK!! SMACK!! SMACK!! SMACK!!!!!! SMACK!!!!! SMACK!!!!!! SMACK!!!!!! SMACK!!!!!!**)
(Veena plummets to the ground, blood pouring out of her forehead and mixing with her blonde hair.)
(Her head plunged on its own, slipping away from Minerva’s palm. She wasn’t moving.)
(Minerva is satisfied.)
(She picks up the championship, and gives Veena a final glance.)
Minerva: (off-mic) “Gypsy whore”. That is what he called me. I will never forget it.
(Minerva throws the title over her shoulder, and grabs the rose she left on the apron, making her exit.)
(Doctors quickly surround Veena, while Voltage fades away.)
(Promotional ad for Territorial Invasion, where Minerva defends the Universal Women’s Championship against Veena Adams.)
(The camera returns to ringside, where Bella Braxton is seen with a microphone in her hand.)
Bella Braxton: Ladies and gentlemen… The following contest is a triple threat… And the Captain’s Choice is… A DEATHMATCH!!!!!
(‘P.O.V’ by Clipse and Tyler the Creator is the first entrance music to play, and Cy Henderson begins to walk out, though not on his own. BRAE and, reluctantly, Kirk Redwood join Cy on the stage, and already the tension is apparent. However, Cy just keeps his focus on the match ahead, choosing not to bother letting past rivalries get to him for the time being.)
Bella Braxton: Representing team Dynasty… accompanied by BRAE and Kirk Redwood… from New York City, New York… weighing in at 240 pounds… CCYYYYYYYYYYYYYY HHEEEEENNNDDEERRRSSSOOONNNNN!!!!!!
Rich Russillo: We have ourselves a Deathmatch! This is going to be a good one, especially given all the names involved tonight. Right now we have a team with history, and that history isn’t very good between them. However, they’re going to have to put that all behind them by Territorial Invasion, and now’s the chance to get used to each other’s presence as Cy is in action!
Thadd Blazevich: Cy is one of the best there is, so I gotta give it to ‘em. That’s a good get for team Dy on Tyrone’s part. It’s not gonna be easy putting a guy like him down.
(‘All of the Lights (Interlude)’ by Kanye West is next, bringing out Jon Kelton. Kelton is joined by Pandora Paisley and Damien Kutcher, and unlike team Dynasty, there is no tension between these three. Jon Kelton nods as he stares at Cy Henderson. Kelton, Paisley and Kutcher share a few words from the stage, before Kelton heads to the ring.)
Bella Braxton: Representing team Showdown… accompanied by Pandora Paisley and Damien Kutcher… residing in Dallas, Texas… weighing in at 205 pounds… JJJJJOOOOOOONNN KKKKKEEEELLLLLLTTTOOONNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!
Rich Russillo: Team Showdown is the one team where there’s absolutely no… “internal drama” attached, so we’ll see how that manifests in their in-ring performances. Kelton is going solo tonight though, and while things have changed since Pain for Pride, I don’t think he’s lost the chip on his shoulder he’s had since betraying Bronson.
Thadd Blazevich: Of course not. That hunger is part of what makes Kelton a threat, and maybe it’s something Damon and Cy gotta watch for.
(‘Until It Sleeps’ by Metallica is the final entrance music to hit, and slowly, Damon Lazarus walks to the stage. He is joined by Auburn Ware and Saori Aizen, but as one could expect, neither are thrilled sharing each other’s presence. Despite this, as well as the events from earlier in the night, they join Damon Lazarus as he takes his time walking down the ramp. Not a word is said between the three, and Damon’s face remains calm despite the circumstances.)
Bella Braxton: Representing team Voltage… accompanied by Auburn Ware and Specialists Champion Saori Aizen… from Knoxville, Tennessee… weighing in at 285 pounds… DDDDAAAAAAAAMMMOONNNNNN LLLAAAAAAAAAAAAZZAAARRRUUUUUUUUSSSS!!!!!!!
Rich Russillo: I am sure both Saori and Auburn– Auburn especially, aren’t happy about having to do this. However, it seems Damon has them in check after earlier, so things should go much smoother tonight given the circumstances. This is Damon’s match, and as we said before, I think this is a very interesting match between three very experienced competitors.
Thadd Blazevich: We saw how things got earlier. Hopefully Damon can keep focused and bring the win home to Voltage, ‘cause we know how dangerous bro can be. I mean, he’s the one that chose this stip to begin with! This could get scary.
(Ding! Ding! Ding!)
Rich Russillo: FINAL ATONEMENT!!!
Thadd Blazevich: MELLOTRON SCRATCH!!!!!
(The fans are immediately shocked as Damon Lazarus connects with the scoop powerslam, countering the spear attempt. Damon quickly returns to a knee, staring at Cy Henderson who keeps a calm look on his face. Damien Kutcher and Pandora Paisley watch at ringside, not happy to see Kelton taken out and watching with concern.)
Persephone: … What just happened?
Rich Russillo: WOW! Talk about a hot start, as Jon Kelton tried to strike quickly only for Damon to have that attempt scouted!
Thadd Blazevich: Bro, look at everyone’s faces! I don’t think anyone was expecting this to get so wild that quickly, as Kelton just got taken the hell out!
Rich Russillo: He sure did, and Damien and Pandora can’t be too thrilled about it! That is NOT what you want in the early stages of a match like this, as Damon now returns to his feet, meeting Cy Henderson in the center of the ring as both men begin to pick up the pace!
Thadd Blazevich: AND THERE’S THE LOCK UP! Cy traps Damon in the headlock as Kelton rolls out to the apron, BUT DAMON RUNS TO THE ROPES AND BOUNCING CY OFF OF EM! Cy bounces off of the ropes, AND RIGHT INTO A SHOULDER BLOCK BY DAMON! Cy goes down, and before he can recover Damon traps bro in a grounded headlock, keeping Cy on the mat! This has been an intense start, dudes!
Persephone: Intense? It’s a triple threat deathmatch and Damon Lazarus STILL found a way to slow it down. What are we doing here??
Rich Russillo: Cy uses a headscissors to force Damon off of him, and now Damon turns to escape that as both men get up– ALLOWING CY TO TAKE DAMON DOWN WITH AN ARM DRAG! Damon stumbles back to his feet and inadvertently backpedals into the ropes! He bounces off– RIGHT INTO A SHOULDER TACKLE!! CY TAKES HIM DOWN WITH THE SHOULDER TACKLE AND DAMON FINDS HIS WAY BACK UP– BEFORE BEING TAKEN DOWN WITH A SECOND ONE! Cy now waiting for Damon to get back up–
Thadd Blazevich: BUT DAMON DOESN’T GO FOR A STRIKE, INSTEAD POUNCING ON CY WITH A THESZ PRESS!! Damon lands a few clean shots before being shoved off by Cy– BUT AS SOON AS BOTH MEN RUSH BACK TO THEIR FEET, CY IS MET WITH A LARIAT! Cy stumbles back up, AND A SECOND ONE CONNECTS! These two are starting to pick up the pace now as Damon waits for Cy to get up, possibly looking for a second Mellotron Scratch– BUT A BIG BOOT FROM BIG CY STOPS DAMON FROM GETTING HIS HANDS ON HIM, AND DAMON TURNS AROUND–
Rich Russillo: RIGHT INTO A SPRINGBOARD KNEE STRIKE FROM OUT OF NOWHERE BY JON KELTON!! That knee causes Damon to stumble into the ropes, meanwhile Kelton stops for a moment after landing, grabbing at his back after getting hit with the Mellotron Scratch!
Thadd Blazevich: Unfortunately for bro that lack of movement allowed Cy to quickly swoop in and go for a German suplex– BUT KELTON FLIPS ON IT! HE’S BARELY ABLE TO LAND ON HIS FEET, AND HE QUICKLY PULLS CY UP, BEFORE PLANTING HIM WITH A ROLLING CUTTER!! CY GOES DOWN, AND JON KELTON IS BACK WITH A VENGEANCE RIGHT NOW!!!
Persephone: Which is… probably the most ridiculous statement I have heard in my entire commentating career. At least top 5.
Rich Russillo: Kelton is immediately dragged back up by Damon as Lazarus attempts to throw him into the ropes, BUT KELTON TURNS IT AROUND, SENDING DAMON THROUGH THE ROPES AND OUT TO RINGSIDE!
Thadd Blazevich: Damon landed on his feet near BRAE and Kirk, who clear out as they notice Jon Kelton scaling the ropes! Damon turns back to the ring, AND KELTON DIVES, WIPING OUT LAZARUS WITH A CROSSBODY!!!! JON KELTON IS ON FIRE RIGHT NOW BRO, IMMEDIATELY MAKING UP FOR THAT BRUTAL START! Kelton pushes himself into a seated position while holding his ribs, while Damien and Pandora rush over to make sure bro’s good and nobody lays a hand on him.
Persephone: Which unfortunately, nobody does. Not that it would cause a DQ, it’d just be funny.
Rich Russillo: Kelton digs under the ring and pulls out a few things! A bag of thumbtacks are thrown in the ring, as is a barbed wire covered chair and a barbed wire bat! Kelton slides into the ring now with a spiked 2×4, AND HE SWINGS IT AT CY– BUT THAT’S A NO GO, AS CY IS ABLE TO CATCH AND HOLD ONTO KELTON! CY HAS KELTON IN HIS GRASP, AND HE DELIVERS AN EXPLODER SUPLEX!!! Huge move by Cy, kneecapping Kelton’s momentum just like that! Kelton starts to pull himself towards the corner before using the ropes to get back up, and Cy just shakes his head, and I think he just said Kelton should’ve just stayed down.
Thadd Blazevich: Kelton isn’t listening to all that, though! Bro has dragged himself to his feet, AND NOW CY RUNS IN– BUT KELTON IS ABLE TO GET A BOOT UP! It hits Cy in the jaw, AND NOW KELTON QUICKLY PULLS HIM IN, POSSIBLY TRYING TO LIFT HIM FOR A SUPLEX INTO THE TURNBUCKLES– BUT CY PULLS HIMSELF DOWN, BEFORE POWERING KELTON UP AND DELIVERING A GOURDBUSTER, CAUSING KELTON TO DROP STOMACH FIRST ONTO THE TOP ROPE!!! Dude, that was just nasty from Henderson! Kelton is still hanging on the ropes, AND NOW CY JUST PICKS UP THE 2X4, BEFORE SMASHING IT ONTO THE BACK OF KELTON’S HEAD, DROPPING KELTON ONTO THE MAT! KELTON ALREADY SUFFERED THE MELLOTRON SCRATCH EARLIER, THIS COULD BE A QUICK ONE!!
OOOONNNNEEEE!!!
TTTTTWWWOOOOO!!!!
Rich Russillo: BUT CY DOESN’T GET TO STAY ON KELTON FOR TOO LONG, AS DAMON JUST DRAGGED HIM OUT OF THE RING! Damon now grabbing Cy from behind before lifting him up, AND DELIVERING A BACK SUPLEX DROP ONTO THE APRON! Damon is back in this one, although it looks like he’s still a little dazed from Kelton’s offense! Cy rolls off of the apron and stumbles back into Damon’s grasp, and Damon just drags Cy over towards our table BEFORE DELIVERING A BACK SUPLEX DROP ONTO IT!
Thadd Blazevich: Damon just shakes his head before turning, and noticing Kelton still in the ring! Damon walks over– AND INSTEAD OF ENTERING THE RING, BRO DRAGS KELTON BACK OUT, BEFORE DELIVERING ANOTHER BACK SUPLEX DROP ONTO THE APRON, THIS TIME TO KELTON! Damon just takes a moment to admire all the destruction, as we’re for real just seeing three totally different types of wrestlers go at it right now!
Persephone: Are we? All I see are three old guys trying to convince us they still got it. I like the blood and weapons so far, though. Let’s get more of that.
Rich Russillo: Damon makes his way back over towards Cy now that Kelton’s been taken care of– BUT CY FIGHTS BACK WITH A SUDDEN PUNCH TO THE RIBS! Damon takes a step back, and now Cy lands a right, catching Damon in the jaw! Damon stumbles and Cy follows in, but Damon lands a punch of his own, and that caught Cy good! Now Cy sends one back, and we’re just having a real back and forth here as Kelton rolls off of the apron!
Thadd Blazevich: Both dudes are really going at it, and both of ‘em are starting to brawl their way over towards the timekeeper’s area! Both Cy and Damon are right in front of the barricade, AND DAMON TRIES TO CATCH DAMON WITH AN UPPERCUT– BUT CY MOVES, BEFORE GRABBING THE RING BELL AND HITTING DAMON IN THE HEAD WITH IT! Damon was rocked by that one! Cy goes to follow up– but Damon grabs him and sends him back first into the barricade!
Persephone: AND KELTON RUNS IN, CLOTHESLINING CY OVER THE BARRICADE AND INTO THE TIMEKEEPER’S AREA! I don’t know why he went for Cy there. He’s not the one that threw him on the apron.
Rich Russillo: I don’t think that was about preferences, it was about finding an opening! Damon goes to grab Kelton, but Kelton throws an elbow out to knock Damon back! Kelton now quickly grabbing him, AND HE THROWS DAMON FACE FIRST INTO THE RING POST! Damon stumbles and drops to a knee momentarily, AND KELTON GRABS DAMON, SLAMMING HIS FACE ONTO THE APRON! Kelton sends Damon back into the ring before quickly following behind, and now he’s waiting for Damon to find his way back up! Kelton has something in mind– AND THERE IT IS! TWIST OF FATE– NO! DAMON SPINS OUT OF IT!
Thadd Blazevich: CTE!!!!
Rich Russillo: NO! KELTON IS ABLE TO SHOVE DAMON OFF OF HIM! Damon turns around to Kelton– AND KELTON WENT FOR THE GALICK GUN, BUT DAMON CAUGHT THE LEG! Damon turns Kelton around before scooping him up, AND HE LIFTS KELTON FOR AN OLYMPIC SLAM, BUT KELTON ISN’T LETTING THAT HAPPEN! He’s able to slip out of that one, AND KELTON CLOBBERS DAMON IN THE BACK OF THE HEAD WITH A FOREARM! Kelton rushes into the corner of the ring now, and he has something big in mind! Damon Lazarus is starting to push himself back up, AND NOW KELTON COMES CHARGING IN!
Thadd Blazevich: THE DEVIL MADE ME DO IT!!! THE RUNNING KNEE CONNECTS, AND LOOK!! KELTON UNLOADED THE THUMBTACKS WHILE HE WAS STILL IN THE RING, AND DAMON FELL RIGHT ONTO ‘EM!! NOW KELTON HOOKS THE LEGS!! DON’T TELL ME BRO’S ABOUT TO GET SHOWDOWN A HUGE WIN!!
OOOOONNNNEEEEE!!!
TTTTTTTWWWWOOOOO!!!
TTTTHHH–
Persephone: BUT DAMON GETS THE SHOULDER UP!! I’m glad. Now we get to see more weapons, and more importantly I didn’t have to see Jon Kelton win a match.
Rich Russillo: Well this one isn’t over just yet! There’s still more to go, and it looks like Kelton knows this as he starts pulling himself up top, looking for the move that might put this match away!
Thadd Blazevich: Damon Lazarus starts finding his way back to his feet, and I think we all know what this means! KELTON JUMPS OFF THE TOP ROPE FOR THE LAW OF EQUIVALENT EXCHANGE!!
Rich Russillo: BUT DAMON JUST THROWS THAT BARBED WIRE STEEL CHAIR AT HIS FACE!!! Damon falls back and catches the ropes to keep himself up, and Kelton just fell back and dropped onto the middle rope! That was a good counter from Damon right there. He may be known for that CTE, but he’s experienced enough to know how to find an opening in any situation!
Thadd Blazevich: Damon drags Kelton back up, AND HE JUST GRABS THE BARBED WIRE BAT, SWINGING IT INTO KELTY’S MIDSECTION! Kelton drops to the mat, and Damon just shakes his head, like bro’s trying his best to shake off the pain as he backpedals into the corner! Damon holds his jaw for a sec, but something tells me Kelton might be in the worse situation!
Persephone: Kelton starts pushing himself up to all fours, AND DAMON RUNS IN FOR IN ABSENTIA!!
Rich Russillo: BUT KELTON MOVES OUT OF THE WAY! Kelton rushes back to his feet as Damon turns–
Thadd Blazevich: AND CY SLIDES INTO THE RING BEHIND KELTON, BEFORE SHOVING HIM INTO DAMON!! Damon stumbles into the corner of the ring, as does Kelton! Cy now running in for a clothesline, BUT KELTON DUCKS IT, CAUSING CY TO ONLY HIT DAMON WITH THE CLOTHESLINE! Damon drops to knee after all the damage! Kelton runs into the opposite corner, and he’s amping himself up! Cy backpedals before turning away from the corner, AND NOW KELTON CHARGES IN FOR THE FINAL ATONEMENT!!!
Persephone: BUT CY WAS ABLE TO CATCH HIM!!
Rich Russillo: CY USED HIS SIZE TO HIS ADVANTAGE, CATCHING KELTON INTO A FACELOCK BEFORE THE SPEAR COULD CONNECT!! CY PUSHES KELTON DOWN BEFORE LIFTING KELTON UP ONTO HIS SHOULDERS, AND NOW HE RUNS IN BEFORE THROWING KELTON INTO THE SET OF TURNBUCKLES OPPOSITE DAMON WITH A BUCKLE BOMB!!! Cy grabs Kelton by the arm and drags him out of the corner, BEFORE PULLING HIM INTO LOST TIME ONTO THE THUMBTACKS!! THE SPINNING SIDE SLAM CONNECTS, AND CY GOES FOR THE COVER WHILE DAMON IS STILL REELING!
OOOOONNNNNEEEEEE!!!
TTTTTTWWWWWOOOOOOO!!!!
TTTTTHHHHRRRRREEEEEE–
Thadd Blazevich: BUT DAMON ISN’T DONE JUST YET! HE WAS ABLE TO BREAK UP THE PIN WITH THE SPIKED 2X4!!!! Cy screams out in pain, falling off of the cover!
Rich Russillo: This has been a wild match, I have to say! Damon starts dragging Cy Henderson back up, AND CY CATCHES DAMON WITH A RIGHT HAND! Damon stumbles a slight bit which gives Cy the room to push himself up, BUT DAMON THIS TIME RETALIATES WITH A KICK TO THE MIDSECTION! Damon now grabbing Cy, pulling him into the corner and rips off the turnbuckle pad, before slamming Cy’s face into the exposed turnbuckle! Cy stumbles and Damon grabs the opportunity to pull him into a front facelock before heading to the ropes! He’s trying to set him up for Blackest Eyes!
Thadd Blazevich: BUT CY DESPERATELY STARTS THROWING PUNCHES AT DAMON’S RIBS! He lands shots to both the ribs and the gut, slowly weakening bro’s grip shot by shot until Damon finally lets go! Cy now lands a shot to the jaw, but this time Damon fights back with one of his own! Both dudes are once again starting to brawl, BUT DAMON SURPRISES CY WITH AN UPPERCUT! Cy fights back with a kick to the gut, AND NOW HE TRIES FOR THE CYCLONE LARIAT– BUT NO SIR, HE DOESN’T GET IT!
Persephone: Damon ducked under it, and now he’s… lifting Cy up for an electric chair?? Is Damon being paid extra tonight or something?
Rich Russillo: No that’s actually something Damon does regularly– BUT THAT’S NOT CONNECTING THIS TIME AROUND! Cy managed to pull himself off of Damon’s shoulders and land back on his feet, AND HE USES THE OPPORTUNITY TO BEGIN LIFTING DAMON ONTO HIS OWN SHOULDERS! THIS IS IMPRESSIVE BY CY GIVEN HOW BIG OF A MAN DAMON IS, BUT I THINK WHAT’S MORE IMPRESSIVE IS THE MOVE HE’S LOOKING FOR!
Thadd Blazevich: THAT’S RIGHT, BRO! CY IS GOING FOR THE RISING TIDE!!!
Rich Russillo: FINAL ATONEMENT!!!!!
Thadd Blazevich: :krabs:
Persephone: Oh come on.
Rich Russillo: CY WAS GETTING READY TO PLANT DAMON WITH THE RISING TIDE, BUT WHILE HE STILL HAD DAMON ON HIS SHOULDERS AND WAS DEFENSELESS, KELTON USED EVERYTHING HE HAD LEFT TO CUT CY IN HALF WITH THE FINAL ATONEMENT!!! CY GOES DOWN, AND THAT MIGHT’VE BEEN EVERYTHING KELTON HAVE! HE CAN’T EVEN TURN TO PIN CY YET!
Thadd Blazevich: BUT LOOK WHO CAN!! THAT SPEAR CAUSED DAMON TO INADVERTENTLY FALL ON TOP OF CY, AND THAT’S A COVER!!! DAMON MIGHT JUST WIN THIS MATCH OFF OF KELTON’S SPEAR!!!
OOOOONNNNNNEEEEEEE!!!!!
TTTTTTWWWWOOOOOOOO!!!!
TTTTTTTHHHHHRREEEEEEEEEE!!!!
Rich Russillo: BUT KELTON IS ABLE TO SHOVE DAMON OFF OF CY, SAVING THE MATCH!!!
Thadd Blazevich: Kelton is breathing heavily as Damon rolls, and he just shakes his head, pushing himself back up with everything he has in him. There has barely even been a moment to breathe for these dudes, so there’s no telling how little bro really has left. Everyone at ringside can’t feel great either with all that added pressure, but bro can’t afford to lose focus now!
Persephone: Kelton shakes his head for a moment, BEFORE RACING TO THE ROPES, AND GOING FOR A LIONSAULT!!!!
Rich Russillo: CTE!!!
Thadd Blazevich: DUDE, ARE YOU SERIOUS!?!?
Rich Russillo: DAMON WAS ABLE TO PUSH HIMSELF UP WHILE KELTON WAS GOING FOR THE LIONSAULT, ALLOWING HIM TO CATCH KELTON OUT OF THE AIR WITH CTE!!! KELTON WAS JUST PLANTED WITH THAT ONE, AND REMEMBER, CY DIDN’T ACTUALLY LAND THE RISING TIDE!! DAMON STILL HAD ENOUGH IN HIM TO MAKE THAT HUGE MOVE, AND LEAVING DAMON IN ANY CONDITION TO CONTINUE MIGHT’VE BEEN A FATAL MISTAKE! DAMON HOOKS THE LEG TO GET A HUGE WIN FOR VOLTAGE!
OOOONNNNEEEEE!!!!!
TTTTTTWWWWOOOOOO!!!!
TTTTTHHHRRREEEEEEEEE!!!!
Rich Russillo: BUT CY USES EVERYTHING HE HAS JUST TO TURN OVER, ALLOWING HIM TO CLUB DAMON IN THE BACK TO BREAK UP THE PIN!!!
Thadd Blazevich: Wow, dude. Positioning might’ve genuinely saved the match there, ‘cause Cy couldn’t even jump at Damon for the pin break! I think it’s safe to say this match has taken everything it possibly can out of these three, but I don’t know. Damon has a pretty scary look on his face seeing Cy still has life left in him, and he backs into the corner! I don’t think we even need to ask what for!
Persephone: Come on. Just kick Cy’s head off!
Rich Russillo: DAMON RUNS IN FOR IN ABSENTIA!!
Thadd Blazevich: BUT CY GETS OUT OF THE WAY, AND HE FALLS BACK INTO THE ROPES– EXCEPT HE USES THIS TO HIS ADVANTAGE TO GAIN MOMENTUM! HE SPEEDS UP, AND I THINK BRO’S LOOKING FOR CALAMITY!!!
Rich Russillo: EXCEPT DAMON TURNS AND JUMPS FOR ANOTHER CTE!!!
Thadd Blazevich: WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT CY WAS PREPARED FOR!!! HE WAS JUST BARELY ABLE TO STOP HIMSELF IN HIS TRACKS, ALLOWING HIM TO CATCH DAMON AND LIFT HIM ONTO HIS SHOULDERS!!! NO WAY!! US CY ACTUALLY ABOUT TO HIT THIS!?!?
Persephone: I CAN’T BELIEVE I’M SAYING THIS, BUT HE IS!!
Rich Russillo: RISING TIDE!!! THE RISING TIDE CONNECTS ON DAMON LAZARUS, ONTO THE REMAINING THUMBTACKS!!!!
Thadd Blazevich: BUT DAMON ROLLS OUT OF THE RING!!! CY TRIED AS HARD AS HE COULD TO PULL HIMSELF OVER TO DAMON BEFORE THAT COULD HAPPEN, BUT CY WAS JUST IN TOO MUCH PAIN TO ACTUALLY DO SO! He already took the Final Atonement only moments ago! I think everything we just saw was more of a last burst of energy than anything else! Cy is totally mad, but I don’t think that anger overshadows the wear and tear he’s taken!
Rich Russillo: Cy just uses the opportunity to pull himself towards the ropes, grabbing onto them as he struggles, pulling himself up to a knee! Cy turns and spots Jon Kelton, seeing that Kelton hasn’t recovered yet from CTE! We have been seeing an unbelievable triple threat tonight by three of the Elitists that’ll meet inside War Games, but you have to wonder how much these men have left to give after the bombs they’ve hit each other with. At this point, I genuinely think the match may have already ended if not for these pin breaks. I just don’t see how anyone can be in any shape to kick out of anything else.
Thadd Blazevich: Which is bad news for Kelton, ‘cause bro is in Cy Henderson’s sights, and Damon Lazarus is still out at ringside!
Persephone: Cy Henderson rolls out of the ring in pursuit of Damon. Damon’s using our table and the assistance of Saori to help him find his way up, and I don’t know what Cy has planned but I don’t like how close all this is happening to me.
Rich Russillo: Cy Henderson comes charging in, AND HE GOES FOR A– WOAH!!!
*CRASH!!!!*
Rich Russillo: DAMON LAZARUS JUST LIFTED CY HENDERSON OVER HIS HEAD, CAUSING CY TO CRASH THROUGH OUR TABLE WITH A BACK BODY DROP!!
Thadd Blazevich: DUDE! This match has been insane! Damon can barely even stand dude. He immediately stumbles away and grabs onto the barricade, meanwhile Cy was just laid out! I don’t even know what to say, bro. Damon is taking a moment to breathe after everything that just happened–
*CRACK!*
Thadd Blazevich: BUT WHILE HE WAS DOING THAT, JON KELTON MANAGED TO RUN IN WITH A TOOLBOX, SENDING DAMON OVER THE BARRICADE AND INTO THE CROWD AREA! The toolbox falls into the crowd with Damon, and it looks like it might’ve broken open on impact!
Persephone: Damon is down on the other side of the barricade, and Kelton looks spent. He’s literally taking forever just to move.
Rich Russillo: Kelton sighs, shaking his head as he slowly starts to push himself off the barricade! Kelton turns around–
Thadd Blazevich: AND CY HENDERSON GORES KELTON THROUGH THE BARRICADE!!! CALAMITY CONNECTS, TAKING KELTON THROUGH THE BARRICADE AND INTO THE CROWD WITH DAMON!!!
Rich Russillo: Now everyone is in a similar position as they’re all laid out near each other, BUT DAMON GRABBED A HAMMER, TAKING IT TO CY’S HEAD! Cy drops back to the floor immediately, and now Damon digs into the spilled toolbox, grabbing a nail before putting it to the back of Cy’s head!
Thadd Blazevich: AND DAMON STARTS TO HAMMER THE NAIL INTO CY’S HEAD!! OH GOD!! HE HITS THE NAIL! AGAIN! AND AGAIN! DUDE, THIS IS NASTY!
Rich Russillo: AND NOW DAMON JUST GRABS THE NAIL BEFORE HE COULD GO ALL THE WAY IN, BEFORE RIPPING IT OUT OF CY’S HEAD, CAUSING ALL THE BLOOD TO SPILL OUT!! This has been brutal!! Damon uses the barricade to pull himself up, before grabbing Cy and throwing him further into the crowd!
Thadd Blazevich: Damon grabs Jon Kelton before starting to drag him up, BUT OUT OF DESPERATION KELTON PICKS UP A SCREWDRIVER, AND HE STABS IT INTO DAMON’S CALF!!! Damon stumbles back in pain, AND KELTON RIPS OUT THE SCREWDRIVER BEFORE TRYING TO SWING AT DAMON’S MIDSECTION!
Persephone: BUT DAMON CATCHES THE ARM, BEFORE DRAGGING KELTON UP AND KNEEING HIM IN THE MIDSECTION! Damon goes to follow up–
Rich Russillo: ONLY KELTON WAS ABLE TO PICK UP A WRENCH WHILE GETTING DRAGGED UP, AND HE HITS DAMON IN THE HEAD WITH IT, SENDING HIM STUMBLING BACK! Damon stumbles further into the crowd as Cy finds his way up, AND CY KNEES DAMON IN THE MIDSECTION, BEFORE SENDING DAMON EVEN FURTHER!
Thadd Blazevich: Kelton grabs one of the fan’s chairs in the meantime, folding it up before WHACKING CY IN THE BACK WITH IT!!!! Cy stumbles forward, and dude, these three are all covered in blood and are just making their way further and further into the crowd!
Persephone: Damon stops at the steps, AND KELTON HITS HIM WITH THE CHAIR! Damon starts making his way up the steps, meanwhile Cy wrestles the chair away from Kelton, BEFORE THROWING IT AT HIS FACE!
Rich Russillo: Cy follows Damon up the steps, and the two make it to the first elevated section of the crowd as Jon Kelton trails behind, recovering from the chair shot! Things are definitely getting more than out of hand here, and I think they know it!
(During the action in the crowd, all of the remaining War Games participants watch on. Pandora Paisley and BRAE are the closest to the open area near the fallen barricade, trying to see how their teammates are doing. Damien and Kirk aren’t far behind. Auburn is on the other side of the ring, meanwhile Saori is near the group of Elitists gathered to watch, taking note of the position they’re in and the opportunity presented.)
Thadd Blazevich: Not just them bro. Look at everyone at ringside. BRAE and Pandora had made their way towards the remains of the barricade, and you gotta wonder if they’re concerned for their–
Rich Russillo: WOAH!!!
Thadd Blazevich: WHAT THE HELL!?!? SAORI AIZEN JUST ATTACKED PANDORA PAISLEY FROM BEHIND!!!!
Persephone: Oh, that’s interesting.
Rich Russillo: SAORI WITH A RIGHT TO BRAE AFTER THAT– BUT DAMIEN IMMEDIATELY GOES AFTER THE SPECIALISTS CHAMPION! BRAE SHOVES PAST DAMIEN TO TRY AND FIGHT BACK– BUT DAMIEN ELBOWS BRAE OFF OF HIM, ONLY FOR KIRK REDWOOD TO JOIN IN AND PUNCH DAMIEN IN THE FACE!!!
Thadd Blazevich: PANDORA GETS UP AND GRABS SAORI WHILE SHE’S DISTRACTED WITH THE CHAOS– AND SHE SENDS SAORI CRASHING INTO AUBURN, WHO DIDN’T EVEN WANNA GET INVOLVED IN THIS!! BOTH WOMEN GO DOWN, AND AUBURN DOESN’T LOOK TOO THRILLED AS SHE GETS UP!
Persephone: She pushes Saori off of her before going after Pandora with a double leg takedown, meanwhile the three actually in a match are fighting right over a ledge. If they fall over that railing they’ll sadly live since they’re not that high up, but they’re going crashing right into a table.
Rich Russillo: Meanwhile a huge brawl has started at ringside, all thanks to Saori Aizen who clearly wanted to take advantage of everyone’s guard being down! One thing we tend to forget is just how cunning and opportunistic she can be, even in situations like this!
Thadd Blazevich: Damon grabs Kelton, BUT KELTON LANDS A PUNCH TO THE RIBS! Cy punches Kelton away after, AND HE TRIES TO JUST THROW DAMON OVER THE RAILING, BUT DAMON STOPS HIMSELF WITH AN ELBOW TO THE TOP OF THE HEAD!
Rich Russillo: MEANWHILE AUBURN WARE HAS MANAGED TO SEND PANDORA INTO THE STEEL STEPS, ALL WHILE SAORI SLIDES INTO THE RING, BEFORE FLYING AT BRAE WITH A SUICIDE DIVE!! Saori has a smirk on her face, clearly confident that this is going to end how she wants–
Thadd Blazevich: BUT THERE’S DAMIEN KUTCHER WITH A BIG BOOT!
Rich Russillo: Saori goes down– BUT KIRK IS QUICK TO GO BACK ON THE OFFENSIVE! HE BLINSIDES DAMIEN WITH A FOREARM, AND NOW HE GRABS HIM BEFORE SLAMMING HIM FACE FIRST INTO THE RINGPOST! Kirk holds onto him, and now he just starts repeatedly bashing him with the post!
Thadd Blazevich: Auburn makes her way over, glaring at Saori with a face full of disgust before kicking BRAE in the midsection! She reluctantly tries to get BRAE away from Saori, BUT BRAE TURNS IT AROUND, SENDING AUBURN INTO THE CHAIRS NEAR THE TIMEKEEPER’S AREA, AS BELLA GOT OUT OF THE WAY!
Persephone: Pandora is dragging herself back up, and she has a nice gash on her forehead after colliding with the steps.
Rich Russillo: She doesn’t look happy at all. She is storming her way around the ring while Kirk Redwood starts to bust open Damien Kutcher’s head with those ring post shots, AND PANDORA GRABS THE BARBED WIRE CHAIR FROM INSIDE OF THE RING, BEFORE THROWING IT AT KIRK’S HEAD!!
Thadd Blazevich: KIRK GOES DOWN, AND NOW PANDORA GOES RIGHT FOR SAORI AS SHE GETS UP! THOSE TWO START FIGHTING WHILE BRAE AND AUBURN GO AT IT, AND–
*CRASH!*
Persephone: Ohhh wow.
Rich Russillo: OH MY GOD!?!?
Thadd Blazevich: DAMON, CY AND KELTON!!! ALL THREE DUDES ENDED UP GOING OVER THE RAILING, AND THEY ALL JUST WENT THROUGH THE TABLE!!!
Rich Russillo: ALL THREE PARTICIPANTS IN THE MATCH CRASHED THROUGH THAT TABLE, MEANWHILE JUST LOOK AT RINGSIDE!!! AUBURN AND BRAE ARE STILL FIGHTING! SAORI AND PANDORA ARE FIGHTING LIKE CRAZY, AND THEY’VE SPILLED INTO THE CROWD, TOO!!!
Thadd Blazevich: Damien starts pushing himself up, and he shakes his head, annoyed after Kirk Redwood busted him open. He grabs that chair Pandora threw at bro, AND HE GOES TO SWING IT AT KIRK, BUT KIRK CATCHES IT! BOTH DUDES ARE STRUGGLING FOR THE CHAIR– BUT DAMIEN KICKS KIRK IN THE MIDSECTION BEFORE SWINGING IT AT HIS BACK!
Persephone: So what now? Are we supposed to just sit here all night!? I mean I like all the blood and death and destruction but I don’t want to be stuck next to Thadd for another eight hours!
Rich Russillo: Well we are running out of time, and it doesn’t look like things are getting any better! Damon, Cy and Kelton are all pretty much unable to move, as they’ve taken basically everything out of each other tonight!
Thadd Blazevich: Dude, are we gonna have to end Voltage here!?
Persephone: What!? But who’s gonna win the match!?!?
Rich Russillo: I don’t know if there IS a match anymore! The three competing are done, everyone at ringside is fighting, and the referee is just at a loss for words. I think we’re gonna need to get security out here. This brawl is getting wild, and at this point it’s only a matter of time before someone gets hurt like the three in the match did!
Thadd Blazevich: Too late for that. Look how many of ‘em are already bloody! This has been one of our most wild endings to Voltage in a while, and dude, if this is getting crazy now… What’s gonna happen at Territorial Invasion!?
(Before long, anyone and everyone that can show up begins to. Medical personnel and security guards alike rush into the various scenes unfolding. They rush to the aid of the men in the triple threat, do their best to reach Saori and Pandora, and race to ringside to break up the ongoing fights there. Most of this is in vain, but this struggle is the last thing shown as, on a shocking note, Voltage begins fading to black.)
(EAW logo buzzes.)
