(EAW intro plays.)
(Friday Night Dynasty intro plays. A recap then follows suit of the notable Dynasty matches that took place at Grand Rampage: Milli Banks defeats Shinzo Sasaki, Jamie O’Hara is able to overcome Joso, Michael Machina and Drake Armstrong both retain the championships against Damien Kutcher and MITSU respectively, and Myles successfully retains against Limmy Monaghan. As far as the Grand Rampage match goes, Dynasty’s Jake Smith is able to win, becoming the 2024 winner after last eliminating Gary Daniels.)
(The Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California is shown off before the inside of the arena is showcased. It’s a packed house tonight as Dynasty’s most loyal and enthusiastic fans are all together, ready for a fun night of action! Pyro goes off and the iconic overhead sweeping shot captures the audience in attendance before Stew-O, Jake Mercer, and Flannery McCoy are seen.)
Stew-O: GRAND RAMPAGE WAS QUITE THE SHOW AS THE ROAD TO PAIN FOR PRIDE STARTED OFF WITH A BANG! NOW, WE PRESS ON TOWARDS FIGHTING SPIRIT, WHICH IS JUST THREE SHOWS AWAY!
Jake Mercer: Really? As if the EAW universe wasn’t already buzzing still from Grand Rampage, they won’t have to wait long for the next FPV to come around! They truly are spoiled!
Flannery McCoy: There’s a whole lot of action to look forward to, but until then, we can be content with Friday Night Dynasty and the high-class action that this show consistently puts on!
Stew-O: No doubt about it! Thank you to everyone for tuning in. I am Stew-O, and as always, I am joined by Jake Mercer and Flannery McCoy. Now, let’s kick things off with a person who made their return in the Grand Rampage match!
Stephie Love: Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome my guest at this time… METHUSELAAAAAAH!
Stew-O: And WHAT a way to kick off the first Friday Night Dynasty in Pain for Pride season! The Chairman of EAW returned to active competition in a shock return just one week ago at Grand Rampage, where he came out as the surprise entrant from the #29 spot! He had a dominant showing before Bronson Daniels eliminated him! Tonight, we’ll get to hear from him for the first time since 2023.
(‘Like That (Remix)’ by Kanye West began blaring through the Crypto.com Arena as the crowd rose to their feet and a deafening reaction began reverberating. The mixed reaction leaned mostly towards excited cheers, and the sound got magnified when Methuselah himself stepped foot onto the stage. The Master Builder surveyed the view of the arena and the audience before making his way down the ramp and joining Stephie Love in the ring. He waited to speak as the crowd noise wouldn’t die down; when the noise settled down enough, he cut through it with his voice.)
Methuselah: Salutations, beloved pupils! Nay, your eyes do not deceive you; in both spirit and flesh, your immortal Mahatma Gawdhi, Gawdzilla Khan has returned to the Land of Elite, Extreme, Merchants, Beasts! Prior to uttering a single word of substance, I must perform some housekeeping; as of this very moment, I hereby reinstate the services of one Kensingten Calhoun-Astor and one Richard Grant!
(The crowd erupted with boos, but was immediately overtaken by the noise of ‘Sweet Home Alabama’ by Lynyrd Skynyrd blaring loudly through the speakers. Both Kensingten and Richard appeared on the stage with matching smug grins as they basked in the loathing of the EAW Universe. The pair strut down the ramp and step into the ring, where Kensingten greets Methuselah with a hug and a wide smile. Methuselah himself returns the favor by handing her his microphone, which she immediately uses to begin talking.)
Kensingten Calhoun-Astor: Are you surprised? You should be; after all, that was the point. You had all been wondering who, just WHO, was my secret surprise entrant into the Grand Rampage. No need to wonder any longer, because you’re looking at him!
(She stretches out her arms, presenting Methuselah as her surprise.)
Kensingten Calhoun-Astor: Didn’t I say at Grand Rampage that Tyrone would regret suspending me just for keeping my perfect surprise a secret? I hope it’s clear just how right I was. He suspended me for using my administrative powers to bring back one of the greatest Elitists in wrestling history! Well, who’s laughing now? Certainly not Diamond, and certainly not Tyrone.
Methuselah: When I was last perceived by wrestling fans in public, the Earth was still in its previous orbit of the Sun; we were still amidst the Year of the Water Rabbit. Now here I stand again, in the next orbit cycle, gracing you all with the spiritual insights of a Master Builder in the Year of the Wood Dragon. “How could you disappear for almost a full year, ser?!” I hear my pupils already beginning to ask; hush now, such silly questions are unbecoming of you. Tsk tsk. It is my prerogative to come and go as I please; being in tune with the realm of spirituality and metaphysicality as I (22LP) am, I alone hold the astute mindset to know when my presence is best suited to reignite the flames of passion in your hearts. Question my decision though you may, the mirth and exuberance demonstrated by fans and Elitists alike when #29 was revealed to be your Eternal Caliph revealed the truth hidden betwixt the lies. And even if all the living souls united with incandescent vitriol to rebuke my resurfacing, what would come of it? Would I, Methuselah, be FIRED?
(Methuselah erupted with jovial laughter; however, the tone of the laughter quickly morphed into something cold and cruel. His eyes narrowed with disdain at the very idea of it.)
Methuselah: My appearance at Grand Rampage should serve as no true surprise to any who have followed and admired the EAW product since its marvelous inception, nor even to those who have only begun observing in the past few years. The Grand Rampage event has been from the very beginning the first page in an annual chronicle bookended with Pain for Pride; these chronicles may hold as much significance to the industry as Bhagavad Gita does to the spiritually enlightened. The ‘Pain for Pride season’ as it is colloquially referred to, holds a special place in the hearts of all who call wrestling their homes; even down to the empirical accounting data demonstrating the annual rise in viewership and merchandise sales, the significance of the event is apparent. Both the first page and the last reside eternally within the depths of my mind. Pain for Pride is as intertwined with me as I am with it; one has never existed without the other. From the highest of highs to the lowest of lows, every iteration of Pain for Pride from the first to the most recent has included a match with your Immortal Mahatma. We are bound to each other; no words can describe the depth of my emotions for it. At Pain for Pride, I have experienced my greatest triumphs and joys, yet I have also suffered my greatest sorrows and endured physical and mental agonies that would render a common soul deceased beyond repair. I hold contempt and respect for Pain for Pride in equal quantities; yet one thing that has never changed is my presence in it, and that will not change for Season 17. Two years following my enemy year, I returned to the Land of Elite, Extreme, Merchants, Beasts for a solitary reason: to experience another grand triumph in the main event of Pain for Pride by seizing the World Heavyweight Championship, the ninth world championship of my career.
(An enormous reaction to that statement emanated from the crowd.)
Methuselah: It was not a necessity for me to return in the manner that I did. A mere snapping of my thumb and middle finger would have sufficed in order to catapult the life of our World Heavyweight Champion into the throes of pandemonium and anguish; however, Pain for Pride season does not begin and end with the event itself. Just as connected as I am to it, Grand Rampage holds a direct line to the main event of Pain for Pride; the two events are inseparable, even dating back to the very first. It is well known to all my humble pupils that, despite the magnitude of Gawd’s preeminent and storied career, victory in the Grand Rampage match is one delicacy that even I have yet to taste. Seven different attempts all tragically ended in the same manner, with both my feet touching the ringside floor in unceremonious fashion. I wished to present an eighth attempt to earn a most appropriate victory; the reason for the apposite nature of that hypothetical victory would lead you to think back to the Year of the Water Rabbit, where my gorgeous partner in matrimony, King Kass, accomplished that which I had yet to. Needless to say, I lost track of the time as we celebrated for countless hours within the depths of our privacy chamber. It was only outdone with our celebratory fornication upon BOTH her shoulders being graced with gold and her donning the name of ‘Kass2Belts’. Had I succeeded in my eighth attempt to win Grand Rampage, the Adams family would have held the unthinkable distinction of back-to-back Grand Rampage victories, further etching our name into the foundation of wrestling, even though my DNA is thoroughly intertwined with the very fabric of our sport. Nevertheless, my eyes gazed over the Hublot watch wrapped around my wrist whilst I rested in the recesses of my cryogenic recovery chamber, and I knew it was indeed time for me to execute my vision.
Methuselah: Then came along one Bronson Daniels who decided to spoil it all… in the name of his ‘story’. Bronson Daniels: 8LP, Year of the Wood Dog. ‘The Fallen’, as he has taken to self-referencing. Admittedly, this is one figure in EAW that I am thoroughly unimpressed with. I have once spoken on the psychological effect of losing one’s championship; the reality of no longer holding that hefty gold upon your shoulder has a delayed onset. One always remains of the mindset of being ‘champion’ for some time following the loss. Whether you have truly succeeded or not becomes truly apparent when your brain finally copes with your non-champion status. Bronson Daniels completed his beloved ‘story’ in the Reckless Wiring taking place in the Year of the Water Rabbit; what he fails to understand is that EAW is not an entity that facilitates the telling of stories in the traditional sense. Especially not an insipid story like his, which I’ve seen done countless times in the nearly two decades I’ve run this business. So many wrestlers erroneously designate this promotion as their escapist outlet from the tragic woes of the world; need I reiterate the truth, that EAW is indeed a MICROCOSM of the world and all the inherent implications of that statement? Bronson viewed himself as a storybook hero, slaying the villain at the end of the road to gain the mystical prize known as the World Heavyweight Championship. In a story, that is when you would close the book and allow your spawn to whom you were reading to finally accept the warm embrace of slumber; that is what happens when it is POSSIBLE to close the book. In the Land of Elite, Extreme, Merchants, Beasts, one cannot merely close the book and rest easy with a satisfied smile, knowing that their ‘happy ending’ was achieved. Life, however, marches ever onward, and so too does EAW; without a ‘story’ to ‘finish’, Bronson was left adrift, the motivation having overtaken the majority of his mind no longer existent. The scaffolding that once upheld and reinforced the structure of his mind ceased to be, and he was left vulnerable. All he was left with was this idyllic state of ‘being champion’, which With the onset of his enemy year, the Year of the Dragon on the horizon, Bronson’s reign imploded under the absence of a ‘story’ at Road to Redemption, and he was left burdened with the expectations of an accomplished storybook hero with none of the gold; thus began the test to see if Bronson could withstand the pressure by the time reality set in.
Methuselah: He could not. At every turn, he blamed Jake Smith for his own misfortunes and shortcomings, and the repetition of that fate over the course of many months and failed championship opportunities, the already-feeble structure of his frail mind began to deteriorate. In typical fashion, Bronson was close to the Universe being perfectly aligned for his resurgence. Bronson, an 8LP born amidst the year of the Wood Dog, whose debut was in the 8 Universal Year of the Wood Goat in 2015, heading into 2024 (2+0+2+4=8) as an 8 Universal Year with his same element of Wood, the stars nearly aligned for the utmost cosmic fortune of the triple ‘888’ and the triple Wood element to be delivered unto the Fallen; alas, such tremendous fortune flipped on its head and became negative. Bronson headed into his enemy year, the year of the Wood DRAGON, and the Universe wielded its power accordingly. At Grand Rampage, the same event where Bronson put every ounce of his heart and soul in the erstwhile Gregorian year 2023, where King Kass came out on top, Bronson tried to knock out two birds with one stone. He attempted to flay and vanquish his ‘monster’ in the completion of a brand new ‘story’ whilst redeeming his failure from the previous Grand Rampage. Both birds overtook him like vicious bald-headed eagles, where the accumulative weight of his struggles came crashing down upon him simultaneously as Jake, the very reason for him entering this match, the ‘monster’ he resolutely decided to eliminate from the match, eliminated HIM and WENT ON TO WIN. Such is the nature of Universal Karma, repaying you with tormentous heartbreak after you decided to become a wrench in the divine vision of the Master Builder.
(As Methuselah tore into Bronson Daniels from every angle, Kensingten nodded along with every word, agreeing with Methuselah’s rhetoric, albeit for her own purposes. Suddenly, ‘My War’ by Shinsei Kamattechan began playing through the speakers, interrupting Methuselah’s speech with both the music and the earthshaking cheers of the fans. Bronson Daniels came out with a sullen look on his face, storming down the ramp and entering the ring.)
Jake Mercer: BOOOOOOO! GET THIS LOSER OUT OF HERE!
Flannery McCoy: It looks like Bronson Daniels has heard MORE than enough! The man who eliminated Methuselah from Grand Rampage is coming down here, and he does NOT look happy!
Stew-O: What does he have to say in response to the harsh words of Methuselah?!
(Just as Bronson reaches for a microphone to speak, a collective gasp ripples throughout the crowd as Methuselah lunges forth and delivers a hellacious spear to him, practically breaking him in half.)
Stew-O: OH MY GOD!
Jake Mercer: YEEEESSSSSS! SPEAR! A WELL-DESERVED SPEAR BY METHUSELAH!
Flannery McCoy: Methuselah may not have gotten the chance to hit that spear during the Grand Rampage match, but he got ALL of it here! Bronson looks like he’s been trampled, he can barely move!
(Methuselah looked down at Bronson with disdain for a moment before rolling out of the ring and walking away. Bronson Daniels was left clutching at his ribs in agony as Kensingten and Richard laughed at his misery. The video feed faded away from the segment and went backstage, where Tyrone and Diamond Dixon were watching this all play out on a television screen, looking unhappy with what just transpired.)
(A commercial plays for Fighting Spirit.)
Stephie Love: This match is scheduled for… ONE FALL!
Crowd: ONE FALL!
(‘Duel Of The Fates – Epic Version’ hit the speakers. BRAE makes his way out of the back, posing alongside the symphony playing in the arena. He continues down to the ring, looking as determined as ever.)
Stephie Love: INTRODUCING FIRST… RESIDING IN BRAY COUNTY WICKLOW, IRELAND! WEIGHING IN AT 215 LBS! BRRRRAAAAAEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
Flannery McCoy: BRAE has had a great time here in EAW. He comes off the Grand Rampage which he unfortunately didn’t win of course, but he is looking to rebound and get a victory here tonight!
(‘Lacrimosa – Epic Version’ by Samuel Kim replaces the song playing. Vincent Mondrian steps out of the gorilla position. He poses on the stage before he starts to walk down the ramp towards the ring.)
Stephie Love: INTRODUCING NEXT… FROM LAREN, NETHERLANDS! WEIGHING IN AT 205 LBS! VINCEEEEENT MOOOOOONDRIIAAAAAAAAAANNNNN!
Jake Mercer: Vincent Mondrian was also in the Grand Rampage. He also wants to bounce back and get himself a victory over one of the best new breeds on Dynasty. But both of them have that goal so the better man tonight will take it home!
(Ding! Ding! Ding!)
Stew-O: The bell rings and instantly these two storm towards each other and start to hit each other with right hand after right hand! I think these two are looking to beat the brakes off each other and get a victory out of pure violence!
Flannery McCoy: BRAE and Mondrian are just battering each other in the middle of the ring! They are not making it easy for the other to get anything done here because if you hesitate for even a second, those strikes are going to make you regret not continuing!
Jake Mercer: But Vincent is starting to feel the effects with BRAE’s absolute lunatic mindset starting to take over! He is seeing red from the adrenaline and that vein is popping already! This man is absolutely insane and maybe that’ll be the reason he wins this match. He is not showing any signs of stopping this beatdown.
Stew-O: Vincent is starting to fall back while BRAE is still striking and pushing him backwards into the ropes. And now he grabs the wrist of Mondrian and sends him to the other side of the ring with an Irish Whip! He looks to hit him with a clothesline off the rebound!
Flannery McCoy: Mondrian manages to duck the clothesline but that only causes BRAE to make a rotation AND HIT HIM WITH A DISCUS LARIAT! That nearly decapitated him! It doesn’t shock me that BRAE is going to try and cover Vincent after that move!
OOOONNNEEE!
Jake Mercer: But he only gets a one count out of it! BRAE did a lot of damage but not nearly enough to put down Mondrian! But BRAE isn’t going to let that kick out slow him down. He grabs Mondrian back to his feet for a GERMAN SUPLEX!
Stew-O: And Vincent gets planted in the middle of the ring with that German Suplex! BRAE drags him back up for another one and it connects as well! BRAE is absolutely dominating in the opening stages of this match! He drags him up to his feet and looks to connect a third—
Flannery McCoy: But the adrenaline is starting to set in for Vincent, who is shifting his weight and throwing back elbows to the side of BRAE’s head! He is making that man finally slow down a bit, trying to get that crazy man adrenaline to run out!
Jake Mercer: Mondrian now reaches between his legs and sweeps BRAE’s own legs out from under him and rotates him onto his stomach to lock in an STF on the Imperial Symphony! He is hurting BRAE while also trying to preserve his own breath! Smart choice after what he just went through!
Stew-O: BRAE is trying to get out of this as fast as he can. He inches closer and closer to the ropes. He reaches out his hand but Vincent lets go off the STF and grabs the arm for a LeBell Lock instead! What a genius move by Mondrian!
Flannery McCoy: But BRAE is still desperate to get out of the submission! He is clawing Vincent’s hands but the grip is just too strong to overpower right now! But BRAE manages to roll over to the side and holds onto Mondrian for a roll-up pinfall!
OOOONNNEEE!
TTWWWWOOO!
Jake Mercer: But Vincent kicks out and pulls BRAE into a Triangle Choke as he still has that arm in his grasp! But the Imperial Symphony has his feet on the mat and is starting to lift him off the mat TO PLANT HIM BACK DOWN WITH A MASSIVE POWERBOMB
Stew-O: BRAE stumbles back towards the ropes after being forced to be in so many submission moves. He must be tired right now… WAIT NO! HE IS CALLING FOR IT AS HE WALKS BACK OVER TO THE GROUNDED VINCENT MONDRIAN AND LOOKS TO BASH HIS SKULL IN WITH THE RED DEATH!
Flannery McCoy: BUT HOLY! DID YOU SEE HOS VINCNET COUNTERED THAT INTO A KIMURA LOCK OUT OF NOWHERE?! That was insane! BRAE is forced to be in another submission hold by Mondrian, but I don’t think the Imperial Symphony is going to allow that for long! HE SIMPLY YANKS HIS ARM FREE!
Jake Mercer: You can break your arm doing that. But this man is running on the same insanity he is known for and I don’t think he cares about that at all. He is now using that very same arm that is hurt to start bashing Vincent with mounted forearms!
Stew-O: BRAE gets up after a few seconds of battering Vincent with forearms. He drags him to his feet and hooks his head under his arms! He is looking to plant him with a massive Snap Suplex! He drags him right back after and now hooks the arms for a Butterfly Suplex!
Flannery McCoy: Both of those suplexes landed and BRAE has got Vincent in a good position now! He grabs his legs and locks him into that ‘Brigid End’ Texas Cloverleaf! He has Mondrian locked into it and it doesn’t seem like he has any intention of letting go until he taps!
Jake Mercer: But the technical wrestling side of Mondrian takes over as he grabs BRAE’s legs and pulls them out from under him and holds onto them as BRAE falls over to get him into a Boston Crab! He has him in a painful hold yet again!
Stew-O: But BRAE is turning it around as he turns onto his stomach and manages to push him away into the ropes! But Vincent bounces off them and runs back at BRAE and rolls right into a JACKKNIFE ROLL-UP AS HE LOOKS TO END IT RIGHT HERE WITH THAT SURPRISE!
OOOONNNNEEEE!
TTTWWWWOOOO!
TTTTHHHHRRR—
Flannery McCoy: BUT BRAE KICKS OUT OF THE MOVE! BOTH OF THEM MAKE IT TO THEIR FEET! BRAE WITH A MASSIVE LARIAT! BUT VINCENT USES THE MOMENTUM TO DROP BACK AND BOUNCES OFF THE ROPES AND BOTH OF THEM THROW ANOTHER LARIAT AT THE SAME TIME! BOTH OF THEM FLOORED!
Jake Mercer: BOTH OF THEM GET UP AT THE SAME TIME AND RUN AT EACH OTHER AGAIN! THE SAME THING! BOTH OF THEM WITH SIMULTANEOUS LARIATS! BOTH OF THEM MAKING EACH OTHER GO TO THE MAT ONCE MORE! THESE TWO ARE RUNNING ON NOTHING BUT PURE WILL AND HEART!
Stew-O: AND NOW THEY GET BACK UP AGAIN! THEY RUN AT EACH OTHER AGAIN! ANOTHER DOUBLE LARIAT! But this time they both were too weak to take each other down with it because of the fatigue setting in! But Mondrian and BRAE are going for it again!
Flannery McCoy: But neither go down yet again! They both stumble to the corner! BRAE and Vincent spot each other and they both have fire in their eyes… THEY RUN TOWARDS EACH OTHER AND LOOKS FOR ANOTHER DOUBLE LARIAT— ‘MORRIGAN’ OUT OF NOWHERE! BRAE USED THE CHANCE TO HIT HIS FINISHING MOVE! HE GOES INTO THE COVER!
OOOOONNNNNEEEE!
TTTWWWWWOOOOO!
TTTTHHHRREEEEEE!
(Ding! Ding! Ding!)
Stephie Love: HERE IS YOUR WINNER… BRRRRAAAAAAEEEEEEEEE!
Jake Mercer: BRAE is a madman! He goes that extra length every single time and it has brought him a lot of success! Including tonight’s match! He made Vincent bring it all but ended up bringing even more than that! He saw that opening and took it!
(BRAE gets up after the bell rings with an intense look on his face. He gets his hand raised by the referee as his theme starts to play through the arena. The scene fades out with the Imperial Symphony getting on the ropes to pose while Vincent tries to recover from the match.)
(A commercial plays for Chipotle.)
(The camera returns to the arena and it is silent for a few moments before ‘Pride and Arrogance’ by Takeru Kanazaki starts playing and Drake Armstrong enters the arena to loud boos from the crowd. He doesn’t really care what the crowd thinks as he pats the Interwire Championship around his waist before heading to the ring.)
Stephie Love: Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the EAW Interwire Champion… “THE FUTURE” DRAKE ARMSTRONG!
Stew-O: Here comes the Interwire Champion and there is no doubt that he is in a very good mood after Grand Rampage last week.
Jake Mercer: He made sure that the Armstrong Era of the Interwire Championship stayed alive at Grand Rampage as he successfully defended the Interwire Championship against that goofball MITSU!
Flannery McCoy: That “goofball” really took it to the Interwire Champion was close to winning it, but it was not meant to be. Right now, it looks like Drake Armstrong no doubt has something to say.
(Drake walks by the timekeeper’s area and grabs a microphone from Stephie before entering the ring. Once in the ring, Drake takes off the title belt and holds in the air to the sounds of the jeering crowd. He puts the belt on his shoulder as his music fades off and he brings the microphone to his mouth.)
Drake Armstrong: Ladies and gentlemen, I am proud to be standing here in this ring STILL your Interwire Champion!
(Drake has a smile on his face as he once again holds the Interwire Championship in the air for the arena to see… and that just makes the crowd boo him even louder.)
Drake Armstrong: Thank you very much. Right now, I am so pleased that I FINALLY managed to get that annoying pest MITSU off of my back.
(The crowd starts to cheer at the mention of MITSU’s name. Drake rolls his eyes at the crowd’s reaction and lets them get it out of their system before he continues speaking.)
Drake Armstrong: Yeah, yeah. You guys can cheer him all you damn well please, but it doesn’t take away from the fact that MITSU was a pest. He was just some annoying scum that wouldn’t seem to go away… but it was satisfying to see MITSU get exactly what he deserved and that was me putting his sorry ass down on the mat in defeat.
Drake Armstrong: I hope that everybody was watching at Grand Rampage because let my beating of MITSU serve as a little lesson for when you show the CHAMP any sort of insolence.
Drake Armstrong: Now don’t misunderstand anything. I am more than welcome to defend the Interwire Championship, but you all just need to realize that I hold this Interwire Championship to the highest regard. To the highest of standards, class, and dignity. I won’t, and I repeat WON’T, stoop down to anybody’s level.
Drake Armstrong: But being the fighting Champion that I am, I am going to push past that pain in the ass MITSU and get right down to business. Right now, I am curious as to who is going to step up to the plate and become my next challenger.
Drake Armstrong: Now I know that there are a lot of people who really want their chance to face me for MY Interwire Championship and I am more than ready and more than happy to welcome them down to the ring to try their luck.
Drake Armstrong: But let me go ahead and tell everybody this now. It’s not going to be easy to take this title away from me. It’s not gonna be as easy as snapping your fingers and POOF the title is yours. This isn’t some damn fantasy world.
Drake Armstrong: This is real life and it is going to take a hell of a lot more than some magic wish to dethrone me as Champion. If you don’t realize that now, then you are for sure going to realize it at the same time as MITSU did… when it was TOO LATE! That’s because I am on my way to becoming the GREATES–
(Drake is immediately cut off by the sound of ‘Lord Knows’ by Drake (feat. Rick Ross) playing through the arena. Drake is wondering what the hell is going on as he looks towards the entrance ramp and sees Cody Maverick entering the arena to a mixed reaction from the crowd.)
Flannery McCoy: Well, it looks like we have another batter ready to step up to the plate in the “Sin City Superstar” himself, Cody Maverick.
Jake Mercer: Why now, Cody? It sucks when I have two people who I enjoy watching getting ready for battle and facing each other.
Stew-O: Drake did say that ANYBODY could step up to the champ and everybody knows that when it comes to singles Championship glory, there are no friends. Let’s see what Cody has to say.
(Cody has a smirk on his face as we now see that he has a microphone in hand. His entrance music fades off as Cody is now ready to address the champion.)
Cody Maverick: You know what, Drake? You’re right. You are not like any other opponent.
Drake Armstrong: Well I am glad you agree with me. As you should.
Cody Maverick: Hold on there, rich guy. Let me finish. You aren’t like any other opponent because you are the reigning Interwire Champion and that feat in itself is definitely something to write home about, but you are also one hell of a competitor…
Cody Maverick: …but that’s what makes all of this so much more enticing for me.
Drake Armstrong: Of course. The aura that a Championship has exudes an irresistible force that brings any opponent out and ready to battle.
Cody Maverick: Look, I can admit that the last few months have been a little on the rough side. Believe me, I am nowhere near happy about continuous finishes in second or third place. Oh no. You better believe that I am looking to go all the way this time and I can’t think of a better way to do that…
(Cody points towards the ring and right at Drake.)
Cody Maverick: …is to DEFEAT YOU, DRAKE ARMSTRONG, FOR THE INTERWIRE CHAMPIONSHIP!!
(Drake had an intrigued look on his face before he starts to smile with a look of amusement on his face.)
Drake Armstrong: Look, Cody, that’s fine and dandy and all that stuff, but I am going to be honest with you. I really don’t see the value in a competitor like you in the same way that you see value in me. That’s where our differences show.
(Cody had a look of annoyance on his face, but he knew that Drake would act like that, so he quickly shrugs it off before he speaks.)
Cody Maverick: Is that so, Drake? Now what makes you think that I have no value as a competitor?
Drake Armstrong: Isn’t it obvious, Cody? First off, you said it yourself. You haven’t exactly had the best run of luck in recent months. At that rate, a match against you wouldn’t last very long. Secondly, we come from two different worlds. I come from the world where I can afford the best that money can buy to make me the best competitor I can be. You?
Drake Armstrong: You come from the underground boxing world and used to fighting in alleys. No class. No sophistication.
Cody Maverick: That might be so, but money won’t stop me from kicking your ass.
Drake Armstrong: Sure you could. But you do realize that if you step into the ring with me that this is just going to be another title defense for The Future, right?
Cody Maverick: You know what? How about you shut the hell up for a second. I am done listening to you just write me off as another notch on your belt. I know it and I think that you know it too. You know that I am the most deserving person to challenge you for the Interwire Championship.
Drake Armstrong: Look. This little banter is absolutely pointless. If you want a match so damn bad, then so be it. You’ve got your match.
(The crowd cheers at the announcement of a future Interwire Championship match.)
Drake Armstrong: Just know exactly what you are signing up for.
Cody Maverick: You’re damn right I do. But the real question is do YOU know what you’re signing up for?
(After that remark, Cody drops the microphone and heads to the back. Drake is not happy that Cody had the audacity to make that kind of remark.)
Stew-O: There you have it. Drake Armstrong now knows who his next challenger is and I think that Cody Maverick has succeeded in getting under the skin of the Champion. This is going to be very interesting.
Jake Mercer: It certainly will be. However, we have word that Michael Belfort is sitting down with a very special guest, so take it away, Michael!
(The final shot has Drake Armstrong still in the ring with an annoyed look on his face as he is still looking at the entrance ramp after Cody left. He is clutching tightly onto the Interwire Championship as the camera fades elsewhere.)
(Backstage, Michael Belfort can be seen sitting on a chair within a room. Donning a smile, he looks right at the camera as he speaks.)
Michael Belfort: EAW Universe, thank you for tuning in. Right now, I am here with an Elitist who has truly metamorphosed from a budding star to a bonafide one, spending all of this season to solidify their name. I am taking about none other than Milli Banks.
(The fans in the arena cheer as the shot switches to capture Milli Banks sitting right across from Michael, grinning in her own right.)
Milli Banks: I like how you said that.
Michael Belfort: You do?
Milli Banks: Of course. It always feels good to get gassed up like that. After all, as the one true Supernova of EAW, I am the rightful star that I am, and that is on period.
Michael Belfort: Well, Milli, you certainly are, especially after the work you’ve put in. You went from a near record-breaking reign with the Specialists Championship to being the first-ever Iron Survivor winner along with Michael Machina. I mean, did you ever envision yourself to have the success that you’ve had thus far?
Milli Banks: Chiiiile, I am definitely a dreamer, but when I look back on some of the things I have been able to do, it’s definitely mind-blowing. I mean, making history, coming close to breaking records, it definitely leaves me surprised! But I always knew I had what it took to really go far. I made it my mission to make sure that for my sophomore year, I was going to take off, and now, I’m damn near at the top.
Michael Belfort: You certainly are. You’ve accomplished a great deal of things so far in your young career, but there’s still one thing left for you to tick off your list, isn’t there?
(Milli gave a teasing smirk.)
Milli Banks: Do I? I meeaaaaaaan, I guess I do, huh?
Michael Belfort: Come now, Milli, no need to be so coy. You know exactly what I mean.
(Milli chuckles.)
Milli Banks: Of course I do, it’s only the most important thing I have left to accomplish, isn’t it?
Michael Belfort: Let’s get into that. Obviously, aside from you being the inaugural Iron Survivor winner, you also earned yourself a world championship match of your choosing, any time and any place. You can go after any of the four world championships in EAW. I’m sure you’ve had plenty of time to think about which one you’re going after, and quite frankly, the whole world wants to know: have you reached your decision?
(Milli looks at Michael for a moment, smirking once again.)
Milli Banks: I sure did. Definitely gave it a lot of thought and attention. I knew I always wanted to be a world champion and felt like I was ready to take that next step. It’s not something I took lightly whatsoever. However, after much time and thinking some things through….
(Milli pauses for some added dramatic effect.)
Milli Banks: Wanna give me some drum rolls?
Michael Belfort: Really?
Milli Banks: If you can be so kind. 😌
Michael Belfort: Sure.
(Michael goes ahead and repeatedly taps his knees, mirroring a drum roll. Milli laughs a bit before speaking once again.)
Milli Banks: …. I’m gonna cash in my opportunity and go after the Universal Women’s Championship at Pain for Pride.
(The fans in the arena nearly explode after hearing that. Michael’s own eyes widen slightly upon that blockbuster of a news.)
Michael Belfort: Wow! So, at Pain for Pride, it’s set?
Milli Banks: Yep. I’m next. In fact, speaking of that championship, it’s gonna be on the line at Fighting Spirit, right? Harper versus Minerva? So I think I’ll go ahead and watch the match to see who I’ll be facing for that beautiful championship soon enough.
Michael Belfort: Well, that’s certainly quite the news!
Milli Banks: It sure is, but you know what’s going to be even bigger news? When I take down whoever enters Pain for Pride as champion and become the new Universal Women’s Champion.
Michael Belfort: You certainly are confident. At any rate, ladies and gentleman, you heard it here first: Milli Banks will be challenging for the Universal Women’s Championship. Milli, thank you for taking the time to sit down with me and share this news with me.
Milli Banks: No problem, Big Mike. Thanks for having me.
(Milli flashes her signature megawatt smile before the camera fades back to ringside. The crowd is still buzzing from the huge announcement!)
Stew-O: And just like that, Milli Banks has booked her ticket to destiny! At Pain for Pride, she will compete for the Universal Women’s Championship! The question is, who will she face? Minerva or Harper Lee?
Jake Mercer: Only one way to find out, and we’ll have to wait a few more weeks before we get our answer!
Flannery McCoy: What an announcement! I definitely look forward to seeing that match. Speaking of matches, let’s go ahead and jump to our next one, which begins right now!
Stephie Love: The following contest is scheduled for ONE FALL!
Crowd: ONE FALL!
(‘Under The Tree’ by SiM hits the speakers of the arena to an explosion of boos as Shisui Tategami would make his way onto the stage. He looked focused and determined to win tonight, as he would then begin to make his way down the ramp and toward the ring.)
Stephie Love: Introducing first! From Kyoto, Japan, weighing in at 180 pounds, he is The ‘BANISHED DEVIL!!!’ SHISUI TATEGAMI!!!!!!
(Then, ‘Monsters’ by Current would hit the speakers next as the crowd continued to boo, and Rory Slate was next to make her way out. She looked just as focused as Shisui Tategami, looking to bounce back in a huge way as she made her way down the ramp.)
Stephie Love: And his opponent! From Chicago, Illinois, weighing in at 138 pounds, she is The ‘WINDY CITY SADIST!!!’ RORY SLATE!!!!!!
(DING! DING! DING!)
Stew-O: Here we go! As the bells sound, Shisui Tategami starts to get around the ring a bit, trying to learn how Rory Slate moves, closing into the middle of the ring and closing in on her left!
Flannery McCoy: It forces Slate to move to her right, quickly reaching out to grab onto Shisui’s arm, but Tategami pulls back in time, grabbing onto Slate’s! He quickly forces her up into a Fireman’s Carry, aiming to connect with a Detonation Kick to knock Rory off her game early!
Jake Mercer: But, Slate pushes herself down onto the mat, before rolling Shisui up quickly! The first cover of the match!
ONEEEEEEEEEEEE!
TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Stew-O: But Shisui gets out just in time! And in the race to get back to their feet, it’s Rory who gets there first, going behind Shisui and grabbing onto his waist, before lifting him over her head with a German Suplex!
Flannery McCoy: She plants Tategami on his neck, but does not let go of the hold, weaving together a set of moves as she forces him up, back onto their feet! Moving her arms up, she puts Shisui into a Full Nelson, before once again driving him onto the mat with a Dragon Suplex!
Jake Mercer: And she holds onto the move, bridging right into the cover!
ONEEEEEEEEEEEE!
TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Stew-O: But once again, Shisui forces himself out of the pin attempt, saving himself from losing and Rory starts to get in a groove! Being forced to let go of the Suplex, she stares at Tategami as he rolls out of the ring to regroup!
Flannery McCoy: Yeah, but she does not plan on waiting for long! Starting to get her feet moving, she runs towards the ropes, bouncing off of them, BEFORE SOARING THROUGH THE MIDDLE ROPE WITH A SUICIDE DIVE, SENDING TATEGAMI INTO THE BARRICADE!
Jake Mercer: Rory Slate starting to deliver big early on in this match, her drive to beat Shisui again after beating him in the six man tag a few weeks ago really showing. And so far, Shisui has been on nothing but the defensive! It’s clear to see who is the favorite right now.
Stew-O: Picking up Tategami, she grabs on to the wrist of Shisui, looking back at the barricade as she starts to gain an idea of what she wants to do next! Backing him up a bit, she moves forward, before flinging him into the barricade back first!
Flannery McCoy: But Rory has not finished yet! Adhering to the referee’s ten count, she quickly rolls into the ring, before rolling back out to force a recount. It gives Tategami time to regroup, but it does not matter, because Slate is still completely on the offense, pulling him back onto his feet again!
Jake Mercer: But it seems that Shisui has been given too much time to regroup, because as Rory lifts him up and onto his feet, he pushes her back first into the ring post! Rory immediately falls to her knees, and Tategami is not allowing her any rest, looking to get back into this match as he picks her up and throws her into the ring!
Stew-O: Tategami needed that one, because it looked like you could have counted him out almost immediately in this one! He slides back into the ring, before waiting and biding his time as Slate brings herself back onto her feet!
Flannery McCoy: Once she’s up, Shisui drives his boot into Slate’s midsection, he quickly starts to lift her up into a powerbomb position, before driving her into the turnbuckles with a Buckle Bomb!
Jake Mercer: And, he also looks to weave in a combination of his own, because when she bounces off of the turnbuckles and back onto her own feet, he delivers one more boot to her midsection, hooking onto both of her arms, and tucking her head in! He lifts Rory up, before planting her down with one huge Package Piledriver! He drives her head first onto the mat, before going into his own pin attempt!
ONEEEEEEEEEEEE!
TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Stew-O: But Slate gets her shoulder up before the referee can count to three! Shisui does not get angry, more so he starts to nod his head at the ref and continues on, regaining some breath in the process! He is starting to slow the match down, keeping it to his own pace right now!
Flannery McCoy: But that does not mean he is not going to wear out Rory Slate before she can try and get back into this match! He starts to move over her, turning Slate onto her back, before locking in the Rings Of Saturn, maybe hoping for a quick submission to end this match!
Jake Mercer: But Rory manages to roll out of it before it can be fully locked in! He gets back to his feet as does Rory, as Rory goes to swing at him, but Shisui ducks and goes behind before capturing Rory, and he looks to throw her over with a massive german suplex, but Rory Slate lands on her feet! Rory Slate flips out of it and she lands on her feet!
Stew-O: And Shisui doesn’t notice this as he gets back up to his feet and turns around, and runs into an enziguri by Slate! Enziguri by Slate connects! She quickly gets back up, AND SHE BRINGS SHISUI IN, SHE’S LOOKING TO END THIS MATCH WITH ‘GTFO!’
Flannery McCoy: Shisui escapes from it and he sends Slate back into the corner! He quickly backs away, before rushing back in, leaping into the air with a huge jumping clothesline into the corner and Slate looks to be out from that! But I don’t think Shisui is done yet, as he brings her out of the corner, and hooks onto her, and he looks to be ending this match!
Jake Mercer: AND HE MIGHT DO EXACTLY THAT FLANNERY, AS TATEGAMI SPRINGBOARDS OFF THE ROPES AND DROPS RORY SLATE WITH THE SPRINGBOARD CUTTER! ‘IZANAGI’ CONNECTS AND SHISUI ROLLS SLATE OVER AND INTO THE COVER!
ONEEEEEEEEEEEE!
TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Stew-O: ANOTHER KICK OUT FROM RORY SLATE MANAGES TO KEEP HERSELF ALIVE IN THIS MATCH! Rory is proving that she has it in her to keep fighting here and I don’t think Shisui likes that whatsoever, as he looks to be growing more and more frustrated from it! He mounts back onto Rory, and begins to strike her with jabs of lefts and rights, forearms and so much more as Rory Slate can’t even get her guard up to protect herself from it!
Flannery McCoy: The referee has to rip Shisui off of Rory, but he tries to push the referee away! Shisui is a man possessed right now! He runs back in and he begins to stomp Rory Slate out even more, and Slate just can’t protect herself in this situation whatsoever!
Jake Mercer: And now look! Shisui backs into the corner as Rory tries to gain her composure, and it looks like he is setting up in order to end this match once and for all! Rory starts to get up to her knees… AND SHISUI TATEGAMI RUNS IN FOR THE KILL!!! THE HIDDEN BLADE!!! ‘TOTSUKA BLADE’ CONNECTS!
Stew-O: NO IT DOESN’T! RORY SLATE MOVED OUT OF THE WAY! Shisui goes crashing into the mat as he is hurt! Rory starts to get back up to her feet and she notices that she has created a much needed opening for herself and now she needs to get back into this match! Shisui starts to stumble back up to his feet as he turns around, but falls right into a dropkick from Rory! They both get up, and then a clothesline from Rory to take Shisui right back down to the mat!
Flannery McCoy: And Rory is going to catch him with yet another clothesline on their way back up and Shisui crumbles back into the mat again! Rory drags him back up to his feet, and she looks for yet another ‘GTFO’ but Shisui transitions out of it! Headbutt from Tategami!
Jake Mercer: Slate is dazed once again as Shisui gets back up to his feet, before springboarding off of the ropes for another ‘Izanagi’ BUT RORY CAUGHT HIM! RORY HELD ON BEFORE LIFTING SHISUI UP AND HOOKING ONTO HIM, BEFORE JUST THROWING HIM OVER WITH A HUGE SNAPDRAGON SUPLEX! OUCH!
Stew-O: Shisui just got dropped on his head and he looks to be in a world of pain, but as he starts to get back up to his feet, he gets captured by Rory Slate, as she kicks him in the midsection! Shisui doubles over as Rory runs off the ropes, AND SHE CONNECTS WITH ‘FIFTY SHADES OF VENGEANCE!’ THE MARTI-KNEES CONNECT TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD!
Flannery McCoy: AND RORY WASN’T DONE, AS SHE YANKS SHISUI BACK UP, BEFORE SHE CONNECTS WITH THE ‘GTFO!!’ IT CONNECTS THIS TIME AND RORY SLATE ROLLS OVER INTO THE COVER! THIS IS FOR THE WIN!
ONEEEEEEEEEEEE!
TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
TTHHHRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEE!
(DING! DING! DING!)
Stephie Love: HERE IS YOUR WINNER! RORY SLATE!
(‘Monsters’ would hit as Rory Slate pushes off of Shisui Tategami. She gets back up to her feet and has her arm raised into the air in victory as she begins to celebrate.)
Stew-O: What a win for Rory Slate tonight, and a huge bounce back!
Flannery McCoy: Shisui Tategami tried his hardest, but in the end it just wasn’t enough as Rory Slate walks out of Friday Night Dynasty with a victory under her belt. Congratulations to Slate!
(Friday Night Dynasty would fade into a commercial ad break.)
(A commercial plays for Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance.)
(As Friday Night Dynasty faded back onto the air, ‘True Love’ by CFO$ would begin to hit the speakers to an explosion of boos and cheers, as The Jaded Hearts; Sienna Jade and Kassidy Heart made their way out onto the stage. They both had smirks on their faces, after their return at Grand Rampage by getting involved in the match between NICHOLISM and The British Invasion after being screwed out of the Unified Tag Team Championships back at Operation: Doomsday, and now? They had a whole lot to get off of their chest. They made their way down the ramp, grabbing microphones before entering into the ring as ‘True Love’ would then fade out from there, and the crowd anticipated what was to come next, and what they were going to end up speaking about and speaking on. Clearly, they were just as ready to speak their own minds.)
Stew-O: Here are the Jaded Hearts, who made their return last week at Grand Rampage after being unceremoniously taken out by the British Invasion during the Unified Tag Team Championship match against NICHOLISM. They made their presence know during the tag title match at Grand Rampage, gaining their revenge by taking Halsey Neel and Pandora Paisley out in a similar manner. However, both teams’ actions have inadvertently added an asterisk to two of NICHOLISM’s biggest wins as a team, and Alex and Ruler have already made their displeasure known about the situation. Now, it looks like Kassidy and Sienna are ready to state their piece.
Jake Mercer: The tag division certainly has had a lot of twists and turns happening, and there’s no doubt that the Jaded Hearts, British Invasion, and the defending tag team champions NICHOLISM will meet up in the ring at some point. With so much to prove and so much going on, it’s only inevitable!
Flannery McCoy: Absolutely. I’m sure the Jaded Hearts will let the whole world know too how they feel, but if I had to guess? It must feel pretty good to put the division on notice yet again.
(Kassidy and Sienna look to each other before speaking.)
Kassidy Heart: Well?
Sienna Jade: Did you think we would be gone forever?
Kassidy Heart: After we were just robbed at Operation: Doomsday?
Sienna Jade:And NOT get our very much needed revenge?
Kassidy Heart: On NICHOLISM?
Sienna Jade: OR DEFINITELY The British Invasion?
Kassidy Heart: …
Sienna Jade: …
(They both begin to die of laughter.)
Sienna Jade: Y’all are more stupid than I thought! Literally! Like, a couple of weeks ago, yeah, I was questioning the status of The Jaded Hearts, if we were ever going to be seen in an EAW ring ever again, as a tag team, or in general, just the two of us. But nah. Y’all were really fooled by that! We were NEVER going to leave. We were NEVER going to go down, or back away, or give up. You all know it’s true, we were robbed out of the Unified Tag Team Championships at Operation: Doomsday, we were robbed out of our gold, we were robbed out of the win. We had NICHOLISM beat. Those two emo fucks, Alex Myers and Ruler? They didn’t stand a chance against us. They were never going to stand a chance against us. Yet they were able to walk out of Operation: Doomsday with those Tag Team Championships, but did they beat us clean? Nope. Did they pin either of us without the needed help, of two other people, or the black mist? Nope. So like I said, we were robbed. And we were always going to get our revenge in the end.
Kassidy Heart: You should’ve seen the looks on their faces just last week when we went out of our way to interfere in their OWN match and destroy both teams involved, because the truth is? None of them can compare to us. None of them are on our level and they never will be. NICHOLISM, the only reason the two of you have been Tag Team Champions? Is because of Halsey Neel and Pandora Paisley. The British Invasion. Those fucking snakes. And yet, why am I even acting surprised? Of course they were going to find a way to try and get attention. They’re attention seekers. They’re validation seekers. Always have been, always will be. That is why they need group after group just to be able to feel like they mean something. But what was done at Operation: Doomsday, when The Jaded Hearts had Alex Myers and Ruler beaten, when we had them at our feet begging for mercy? The actions of The British Invasion? Couldn’t have been any worse decision. It couldn’t have been any stupider to do what they had set out to do on that night just because they didn’t want to face off against us.
Sienna Jade: It was stupid of them to interfere in our match in the manner that they did, and at Operation: Doomsday, the only thing that Pandora Paisley and Halsey Neel really ended up doing? Was digging two big, fat graves right alongside each other, as well as two other graves for the paper champions that are currently carrying around those title belts. Soon enough, they will be dumped off into them along with their pitiful careers. They will be taken care of and they will be gotten rid of and I would just be so glad if it was to happen by the hand of Kassey-poo and I myself. But we already know that is EXACTLY what is going to happen! When it comes to The British Invasion and The Jaded Hearts? They aren’t even close to being on our level. They don’t hold a torch to us. They don’t know what it is like to be one of the greatest tag teams in this generation. A tag team of the decade. Multiple time tag team champions. This is OUR company, and they’re just living in it but soon enough? We’ll get rid of them once and for all!
Kassidy Heart: But let’s not forget the two poor excuses of Elitists that they helped on that night.
Sienna Jade: Oh, how could I possibly forget about the two of them, Kass?
Kassidy Heart: I mean, it IS easy to forget two nobodies. :mjlol:
(Sienna then looks back into the hard camera, as she would continue to speak.)
Sienna Jade: Where do I even begin with NICHOLISM? It’s such a disappointing and sad little run that they have had going for themselves right now. The only reason they ever even got a shot against us in the first place at Operation: Doomsday was because they were replacing KAI-ZEN after they had seemingly fallen apart. That was all they were supposed to be. Replacement challengers. And yet, the replacement challengers… became replacement champions! That’s right, they’re on their filler arc right now. They’re filler champions. Paper champions. The only reason they’re holding the gold is BECAUSE of The British Invasion. They’re both nothing but pretenders who are chasing validation much like Pandora and Halsey. They are nothing but two Elitists who should’ve never been given any right to compete here in the first place!
Kassidy Hearts: I hope they have had their fun carrying the Unified Tag Team Championships around for us, because the time for games is going to come to a slow, painful, pitiful end and it is all going to be their fault for thinking that they could ever carry those championships in the first place and be looked upon as some sort of saints, as some sort of revolutionizers, like they could actually fix this company, like they could fix the tag team division. That isn’t how this works. The only way this company will ever be fixed and the tag team division will be fixed is with one of the strongest tag teams in the history of this company being at the top and that is The Jaded Hearts, and we are going to make our way back to the top so we can take back what was rightfully ours in the first place. But to do that, we need to set out the challenge, we need to make it official, and you know what? That is exactly what we are going to do. Because we want those championships back. And there is nothing they can say about it.
Sienna Jade: So here’s how it is going to go.
Kassidy Heart: It will be NICHOLISM.
Sienna Jade: Versus The Jaded Hearts.
Kassidy Heart: At Fighting Spirit.
Sienna Jade: FOR THE UNIFIED TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS!
(The crowd ERUPTS into an explosion of cheers! Kassidy and Sienna both look at each other and smirk… but Kassidy was not done, not just yet. She had more to say.)
Kassidy Heart: Oh, and one more thing…
Crowd: :lupe:
Sienna Jade: Ooh! What is it?
Kassidy Heart: Yeah, I’m pulling rank. British Invasion will be BANNED from Fighting Spirit!
Crowd: !!!!!
Kassidy Heart: That’s right. Thanks to my hubbycakes, Daddy Gawd himself, The British Invasion are officially going to be banned from all of Fighting Spirit. No IFs or BUTs about it. I have never had to do this before, but lessons need to be learned sometimes, and I promise that The British Invasion aren’t going to be the only team to understand that, but they sure are going to be the first. After Fighting Spirit, you will see The Jaded Hearts ONCE AGAIN as the EAW Unified Tag Team Champions. And that?
Sienna Jade: IS A SPOILER!
Stew-O: WAIT, DID WE HEAR THAT CORRECTLY?! BRITISH INVASION ARE BANNED FROM FIGHTING SPIRIT!
Jake Mercer: Well, so much for what I said earlier! Jaded Hearts aren’t playing any games!
Flannery McCoy: You know it’s serious when Kassidy has to go down this route. Still, it’s perhaps for the better. Without the British Invasion getting involved, that allows for a clear, decisive winner. At Fighting Spirit, we’ll know for sure which of these two teams is truly better than the other!
(Just like that, ‘True Love’ would hit the speakers again as Kassidy and Sienna both dropped their microphones. They made their leave, as Dynasty faded elsewhere.)
(Friday Night Dynasty returns to show the backstage area of the Crypto.com Arena. The camera focuses on an Elitist who is seen making their way through the halls, with the shot revealing it to be none other than Ms. Extreme as the crowd gives a loud reaction to the former Women’s Champion as she makes her appearance. She obviously is not very happy after the events of Grand Rampage, and that’s made known through the expression on her face. So it doesn’t really soothe her nerves to be stopped by someone as she looks over to see who it is.)
Michael Belfort: Ms. Extreme, do you mind giving your thoughts for a moment?
(Michael gives an unsettled smile, clearly noticing her body language right now. Even though he doesn’t get a response, he continues to speak.)
Michael Belfort: … I just wanted to get your thoughts on the Grand Rampage Marquee Event and, more specifically, your performance in the Grand Rampage match itself.
(Once again, doesn’t really help the situation as Ms. Extreme gives a piercing glare at Michael. He backs off slightly as she takes a moment to compose herself before simply sighing and looking down at the floor before opening her mouth.)
Ms. Extreme: I’m tired, Michael. I’m tired.
(Ms. Extreme, from there, moves past him and leaves the scene, saying only those few words and leaving Michael Belfort standing by himself. He looks toward the camera with an awkward smile on his face.)
Michael Belfort: Uh, back to you guys…
(The camera pans out as it’s the last shot seen before Friday Night Dynasty then transitions to elsewhere.)
Stephie Love: The following contest is scheduled for one fall!
Crowd: ONE FALL!
(“Loose Change” (instrumental version) by The Alchemist began to play throughout the arena. Emerging slowly from the curtain was Shinzo Sasaki. He stood on the apron, looking at the crowd of people hyped for this match-up. He puts his hand on his chin and pops his neck. Laser focus in his eyes as he makes his walk to the ring.)
Stephie Love: Introducing first! From Kobe, Japan! Weighing in at 220 pounds! SHINZO SASAKI!
(Shinzo’s music fades out and “Geto’s True Identity” by Yoshimasa Terui hits to cheers from the crowd. Chiyo Gado makes his way out to the ring. He has a confident look on his face, ready for this upcoming match against Shinzo Sasaki. Shinzo watches on as Chiyo heads down the ramp.)
Stephie Love: And his opponent! From Osaka, Japan, weighting in at 170 pounds! CHIYO GADO!
(DING! DING! DING!)
Flannery McCoy: The match started, and right away, Shinzo is pushing Chiyo into the corner! Showcasing that strength, locking Chiyo down in that corner, but the referee forces him to break up contact. Gado can collect himself now, looking to lock up with Sasaki! Shinzo can grab that arm, wrenching up on it like he’s trying to snap it off and now pulling Chiyo down to his knees, continuing to put pressure on that arm!
Jake Mercer: Getting technical now, Shinzo is getting behind Chiyo and trying to get a hold of both arms — most likely trying to get an extension! Getting it all the way! Stretching out those arms, his shoulder blades are kissing right now! But Chiyo isn’t looking to go out quickly, managing to power out of the stretch, guiding Shinzo around slowly…and reversing the hold on him! Now Sasaki is getting a taste of his own medicine! Getting him on the ground and pulling those arms back and together! Tell him if you want to get technical, he can get technical! Even if he isn’t that good at it.
Stew-O: Shinzo is still fighting this hold, getting back up to a vertical base but still not finding a way to BREAK the hold! Chiyo showcases his strength, showing that the holds he implements won’t be easily countered, and- WOAH! Shinzo is rolling forward and a quick kip-up! He managed to free his arm from the tortuous pull, managing to flip himself around and grab Chiyo from behind! Going for a backdrop- NO CHIYO FLIPS OUT! Shinzo goes for a chop, but it’s blocked! Chiyo goes for a roundhouse kick, but it’s DUCKED!
Flannery McCoy: That’s what we call doing your homework; if he were a second late, he would have been knocked out! Just the way that high kick was moving would have been an immediate nap for Shinzo. Both men now lock hands, a Greek-Roman knuckle lock, testing each other’s strength. Shinzo might be the bigger man in the match, but Chiyo ensures that doesn’t play a factor. It was showing him and everybody that no matter how strong you might be, he will be able to keep up. But now, it looks like Shinzo’s power is too great!
Jake Mercer: Shinzo managed to push Chiyo on his back! Using leverage, putting his leg behind the knee, now his shoulders are on the mat!
ONE!
…
Jake Mercer: KICKOUT! He lifted that one shoulder off the mat, but again, Shinzo was forcing his shoulder back to the mat!
ONE!
…
Jake Mercer: ANOTHER KICKOUT! Chiyo refusing to be overpowered, and WOAH- a nice kip up by Chiyo! He continues to test his strength against Shinzo- BUT SHINZO DROPS TO HIS BACK AND HITS CHIYO WITH A MONEY FLIP! Hands still locked! Chiyo goes in for a pin! Can he steal it?
ONE!
…
Stew-O: Getting that arm up again! Shinzo has been trying to get him to submit, but Chiyo denies him. Once again, Chiyo gets back up with a kip-up! Trying to hit Shinzo with a double-hand “Northern Lights” suplex, but Shinzo denies it! Gado doesn’t seem to care about going for a monkey flip of his own! Unfortunately, I could not get it- BUT I was MANAGING TO LEAP INTO A HURRICANRANA! Breaking the knock lock, running to the ropes, and flipping off the back of Shinzo! Sasaki goes for a chop, but Chiyo quickly blocks it!
Flannery McCoy: Sasaki is getting frustrated, charging in on Chiyo! But instead, he gets hit with a swift arm drag! Shinzo once again gets back to his feet and tries to do a chop, but Chiyo again blocks it! Shinzo is running into yet another arm drag! Shinzo stands up again, looking for the chop- wait, fake out? Chiyo drops his guard- (CHOP!) GIVE HIM A SMALL WINDOW TO HIT THAT CHOP! Sending Chiyo straight to the ground! A chop like that will put hair on your chest, especially from someone like Shinzo, who seems to hit harder whenever we see him come out here.”
Jake Mercer: Shinzo is picking him up in the corner, going for an Irish whip! Chiyo gets to the other side but uses the ropes to catch some air and gets behind Shinzo! Doing a front roll, now bouncing back into a Hurricanrana! Throwing him across the ring practically! Yet he’s not done, Chiyo with another kip up INTO A PERFECT DROP KICK! Showing some great athleticism against Shinzo’s size and strength. Now he’s sliding into the cover, hooking the leg, looking for a victory off that dropkick! Can he get it?
ONE!
…
Stew-O: Another KICKOUT at one! Chiyo will have to give much more in this match to walk out victorious! Shinzo is standing up and getting caught with a stiff forearm smash! Nearly knocking a tooth out! Standing him stumbling into the corner! Chiyo is leaning him against the ropes AND GIVING HIM A MASSIVE CHOP OF HIS OWN! Chiyo controls this match, backing away from Shinzo and running right at him! Shinzo quickly moved out of the way, throwing him through the middle ropes! Chiyo manages to catch himself, but Shinzo quickly grabs Chiyo in a headlock!
Flannery McCoy: Trapping that head, not allowing him to go anywhere- OH! It’s a hard shot to the jaw with that European uppercut! I’m slumping Chiyo over now, turning him around for HUGE NECKBREAKER! HANGMAN NECK BREAKER FROM THE MIDDLE ROPE! That did a number on Chiyo, which can completely paralyze you if something goes wrong! But Shinzo does not care much about his opponent’s condition; he wants to win this match! Going for a pin!
ONE!
…
TWO!!
…
Jake Mercer: Chiyo is managing to get his shoulder up! But by the looks of it, he has taken a lot of damage to that neck! It doesn’t look too good for Chiyo! But it is a perfect opportunity for Shinzo to grab Chiyo and lift him in half, Nelson! But Chiyo is throwing back elbows! Trying to fight out of the hold! Managing to break it and looking to escape- NOPE! Chiyo pulled him back, looking to get this half-Nelson suplex off! But Chiyo isn’t sitting ideally! Slamming a back elbow to the jaw of Shinzo! Finally, breaking the hold! Chiyo off the ropes with a handspring, looking for a big move- NO FOREARM TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD! Taking him down! Once again, Shinzo goes back to the half-Nelson position! Lifting him and tossing him with a HALF-NELSON RELEASE SUPLEX!
Stew-O: Shinzo is not letting up, bouncing off the ropes and towards the kneeling Chiyo! Hitting him with a spinning European uppercut! Shinzo systematically targets that neck! Now, taking advantage, hooking the legs, trying to put away Chiyo!
ONE!
…
TWO!!
…
THREE—
Flannery McCoy: CHIYO KICKING OUT! Shinzo is getting frustrated, trying to figure out what he wants to do! What does he need to do to put Chiyo away for good? He might have a light bulb going off, lifting Chiyo, and it seems like he will put him onto the top rope!
Jake Mercer: I don’t know what he’s thinking, but no moves start on the top rope that doesn’t hurt! Shinzo tries to climb up with him, but Chiyo throws back elbows! I’m trying to prevent the maneuver, but Shinzo is adamant about locking this move in! Shinzo finally managed to lock in the half Nelson! Both are standing up on that top rope! Don’t tell me Shinzo is going for that half-Nelson suplex from the top ropes! This could take years of Chiyo’s career! Which doesn’t seem like a problem that Shinzo cares about! AVALANCHE HALF NELSON SUPLEX! WAIT NO! CHIYO MANAGING TO FLIP OUT! LANDING ON HIS FEET!
Stew-O: Shinzo realizes what happened! Charging at Chiyo- BUT IS THROWN OVERHEAD WITH A SUPLEX INTO THE CORNER! He landed hard, and Chiyo even looked shocked! But he needs to get his head back into the game and lock in on Shinzo. He’s calling him up! He is looking for the finish! UNEXPECTED WHIPLASH! ROLLING CUTTER!!!
Flannery McCoy: NO! SHINZO PUSHING HIM OFF! CHIYO TURNS AROUND AND IS GRABBED BY SHINZO! GETTING BUT IN POSITION FOR THE POISON PILL! NAILING HIM! QUICKLY COVERING HIM!
ONE!
…
TWO!!
…
THREEEE!!!
(DING! DING! DING!)
Stephie Love: HERE IS YOUR WINNER…SHINZO SASAKI!
Jake Mercer: A hard-fought and competitive match for both of these competitors! It could have gone either way, but one mistake managed to tip victory in favor of Shinzo!
Stew-O: Shinzo can now build some momentum after the Grand Rampage, looking to continue to climb the mountain to the top of Dynasty. This was a good way of making those strides to the top!
(The referee raises Shinzo’s hand as the camera lingers on Chiyo, still grabbing the back of his neck. The final shot was Shinzo snatching his arm away from the referee and exiting the ring as the scene fades to black.)
(A commercial plays for EAW 2K24.)
(The camera cuts to a wide shot of the Crypto.Com Arena, 21,000 fans in attendance, who each jump out their seat as ‘Number One’ by Shirō Sagisu & Hazel Fernandes plays to a largely positive reaction. From there, Limmy Monaghan exits through the curtain shortly after, wearing a suit with sunglasses. Despite his loss at Grand Rampage, Limmy remains cool, calm, and collected as he saunters down to the ring, high fiving a few fans along the way.)
Stephie Love: Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome… LIMMY MONAGHAN!
Jake Mercer: I’ve been waiting all night for this, you guys! Wondering when we’d get an appearance from The Czar, the Limitless, the Man O’War, The Final Boss, NUMBER ONE… LIMMY MONAGHAN!
Flannery McCoy: Jeez, you did a better job introducing him than Stephie Love.
Jake Mercer: Sorry, I’ve just been excited to hear what the goat is going to say!
Stew-O: We can tell. But it’s a sentiment I think we all share. Everyone has been looking to hear from Limmy following his loss against Myles at Grand Rampage.
Flannery McCoy: Speaking of, what a match that was! Those two put it all on the line in hopes of leaving that night with World Heavyweight Championship!
Jake Mercer: I’ll have to agree with you there, Flannery. Despite the wrong winner, it was one of hell of a match. Mave Deltzer went as far to rate it four and a half stars!
Stew-O: Really? He looked at that match, and thought it wasn’t five?
Jake Mercer: I try not to question the man, Stew.
Stew-O: :wow: Regardless, Limmy Monaghan has hit the ring, and let’s hear what he has to say.
(Limmy enters the ring, and walks to the right side, sticking his hand out through the middle rope before being handed a microphone by a stagehand. Limmy heads to the center of the ring as ‘Number One’ by Shirō Sagisu & Hazel Fernandes slowly fades out in the background. Despite this, the crowd fill the arena with chants.)
Crowd: LIMMY! LIMMY! LIMMY!
(Limmy nods, acknowledging the love before speaking into the microphone.)
Limmy Monaghan: At Grand Rampage, I had one goal in mind, that was to regain the World Heavyweight Championship, and cement my legacy here in Elite Answers Wrestling. Though, that didn’t exactly go to plan, did it?
(Limmy looks down, and pauses briefly.)
Limmy Monaghan: At Grand Rampage, Myles… you were the better man. I offer no excuses for coming up short. You promised to beat me, and you did. For that, you have my utmost respect. Myles, you are still the World Heavyweight Champion, and have remained at the top of the mountain here on Friday Night Dynasty. While it stings… that, I just have to accept… for now.
(Limmy looks into the camera when saying this, addressing Myles directly, and smirks.)
Limmy Monaghan: Because don’t think that this is over between the two of us, don’t think that our paths won’t eventually cross again, and when they do… it’ll be me walking out with my hand raised. Not you. Luckily, you’ve got a while before that happens, because as it stands… I’m at the back of the line. So, that begs the question… what’s next for me? What’s next for Limmy Monaghan?
(Limmy looks around to the audience, who are interested in finding out themselves.)
Limmy Monaghan: Well… I don’t know. I don’t know what is next for me, but I know-
(Limmy looks to the stage in confusion as ‘Walking on Sunshine’ by Katrina and The Waves cuts him off. Ronan Malosi makes his way onto the stage, sporting his typical smug smile, despite being eliminated in quick fashion by Methuselah at Grand Rampage.)
Jake Mercer: DNDUDJDUDNDHDJ IT MUST BE MY LUCKY DAY! BOTH LIMMY MONAGHAN AND RONAN MALOSI SHARING THE SAME RING! WHO WOULDVE THOUGHT?!
Flannery McCoy: Jake, you might be the SOLE person excited for that.
Stew-O: Yeah, I’m not sure what Ronan Malosi is doing out here… but I suppose we’re going to find out.
Flannery McCoy: I can’t believe he still has that smile on his face following Grand Ranpage.
Jake Mercer: That’s part of the Malosi Mindset, Flannery! I wish that more could adopt it! If you think positive, then positive things will happen to you! At Grand Rampage, Ronan Malosi was number 30! Do you think that was a coincidence? That was a byproduct of the Malosi Mindset!
Stew-O: Can’t say that the number 30 spot did him much good, however.
Jake Mercer: Nonsense! He lasted longer than people like Ryan Wilson, Terry Chamber, Scott Diamond, and Jack Ripley!
Flannery McCoy: You must’ve stole that from his Twitter.
Jake Mercer: Yes! You should follow him! He’s an inspiration to us all!
Flannery McCoy: :wow:
(Ronan enters the ring, and passes by Limmy, giving him a :notbad: nod, admiring The Czar’s fashion sense. Ronan sticks his hand through the middle rope, and is handed a microphone as well from a stagehand. Now, Ronan stands face-to-face with Limmy in the center of the ring, waving and pointing towards fans, who he delusionally believes are cheering him. Lastly, Ronan goes in for a hug on Limmy, but Limmy puts his hand up, stopping Ronan from doing so. Regardless, Ronan doesn’t take it personal, and laughs it off before speaking into the microphone.)
Ronan Malosi: Hey, little buddy. I was just passing by, and… thought this would be the perfect opportunity to catch up! I mean, it’s been a while… friend. 😃
(Limmy cracks a smile, amused.)
Limmy Monaghan: Friend? No offense, Ronan, but when did the two of us become friends?
(Ronan chuckles, and points to Limmy while looking out toward the audience.)
Ronan Malosi: This guy, amirite? 😅 You’ve got jokes! Listen, you look to be in need of some inspiration, especially following Grand Rampage, because… you lost. In turn, you disappointed, and you disappointed these fans. Deep down, behind that cold exterior, you probably feel like a gigantic loser right now.
(Limmy sarcastically points to himself like “me?” Still amused by this whole thing.)
Ronan Malosi: If it makes you feel any better, Grand Rampage didn’t necessarily go my way either. You may have saw, but… Methuselah speared me while I wasn’t ready, then… then TLA picks the scraps.
(Momentarily, Ronan looks annoyed recounting Grand Rampage, but the smile quickly returns to his face.)
Ronan Malosi: But it’s okay! It’s not about how many times you get knocked down, it’s about how many times you get back up. Limmy, you’ve gotten back up from worse. Remember when Andre Walker beat you within an inch of your life, and put you on the shelf? Because I do! 😆 Despite that, you’re still here! After Grand Rampage, I’m still here. The two of us got back on our horse, and are thriving as a result! See, that’s what the Malosi Mindset is all about!
Limmy Monaghan: Is it?
Ronan Malosi: Yes! See, I believe there’s a Malosi Mindset within you. Somewhere buried deep down inside, and once you unlock it, then you WILL defeat Myles! I believe in you, buddy.
Limmy Monaghan: :gladbron: You believe in me? Wow… Ronan… I don’t know what to say.
Ronan Malosi: I do. You’re welcome. Listen, if it’s a Malosi Mindset you’re looking for, then I can help you with that. I can teach you to be bigger, badder, and stronger than you once were. What do you say?
(Ronan extends his hand, and the crowd starts chanting “no!” in protest.)
Ronan Malosi: See? They’re chanting “yes, yes, yes!”
Limmy Monaghan: I don’t know, Ronan. Look, I’m kinda fine on my own… without you.
Ronan Malosi: Nonsense! Without me, you lost to Myles. Without me, you’ll… probably lose again. With the Malosi Mindset, I can help you in so many ways. First, I can ground you. Limmy, your ego is out of control. In fact, your ego is part of why you lost. With the Malosi Mindset, I can snap you back to reality. Starting with that nickname, no one actually believes you’re “Number One” around here. Besides, the only reason you have any claim towards that name is because Andre Walker isn’t here.
(Limmy smirks to himself, starting to grow tired of Ronan shtick now. Though, Ronan keeps the smile on his face, unaware at how backhanded his comment.)
Limmy Monaghan: You know what, Ronan? Maybe I do need to adopt more of a Malosi Mindset.
(Limmy shakes his hand, but keeps it going for an extra amount of time, which even makes Ronan confused.)
Ronan Malosi: Hey, uh, Limmy, you can let go now.
(Limmy chuckles briefly before kicking Ronan in the gut-)
Stew-O: KICK TO THE GUT- PEDIGREE! LIMMY WITH THE OUTER HEAVEN ON RONAN MALOSI!
Jake Mercer: OH, CMON! WHY CANT TWO GOATS CO-EXIST?!
Flannery McCoy: You can’t say that Ronan didn’t have it coming.
(Ronan lies sprawled out on the canvas, unconscious as Limmy Monaghan leaves the ring, and backpedals up the ramp as the camera fades elsewhere.)
Stephie Love: Ladies and gentlemen, this is a triple threat match set for ONE FALL!
Crowd: ONE FAAAAAAALL!
(‘Lord Knows’ by Drake featuring Rick Ross began playing as a mixed reaction erupted from the crowd! Cody Maverick barged out from behind the curtains and started marching down to the ring with an arrogant swagger to his step, trash talking as he stormed down to the ring.)
Stephie Love: INTRODUCING FIRST! Hailing from Las Vegas, Nevada, weighing in at 235 pounds… he is the Sin City Superstar… COOOOOOOOOODYYYYYYYYYYYY! MAAAAAAAAAAAAAVERIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIICK!
Stew-O: And here comes one of the brightest New Breeds in the company today! The Sin City Superstar had what many consider to be a star-making performance at Grand Rampage, where he was able to fight toe to toe with far more experienced wrestlers; not only did he fight his way into the final 8, but he holds the distinction of eliminating none other than Donovan Duke, EAW’s longest reigning National Elite champion and longest reigning champion overall!
Jake Mercer: The future certainly seems bright for Cody Maverick, and tonight he gets the opportunity to follow up on the momentum built from his Grand Rampage performance in triple threat action against MITSU and his frequent rival, Mig De Decker! Will he be able to come out on top and start off his road to Pain for Pride with victory?
(‘Out of the Black’ by Royal Blood began blaring through the speakers and the crowd began booing as Mig De Decker walked out onto the stage with a cocky look on his face. He posed before storming down the ramp and joining Cody Maverick in the ring.)
Stephie Love: AND HIS OPPONENT! HAILING FROM BRUSSELS, BELGIUM, WEIGHING IN AT 187 POUNDS… HE IS THE BELGIAN WRESTLING MACHINE… MIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIG! DEEEEEEEEEEEEE! DECKERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!
Flannery McCoy: Mig De Decker has had a tough time as of late, coming short at Grand Rampage like the rest; tonight, though, he heads into this triple threat match in an attempt to turn his fortunes around and start his journey to Pain for Pride on the right foot!
Stew-O: Needless to say, Mig is very familiar with the competition tonight. MITSU being his former KAI-ZEN stablemate and Cody being a fellow New Breed rival in their attempts to capture the New Breed Championship! With such familiarity with both opponents, I think Mig De Decker holds a good chance of employing wrestling excellence and walking out of this match victorious!
(‘il vento d’oro’ by Yugo Kanno began blaring through the arena speakers as MITSU walked out onto the stage to cheers from the audience! The Golden Doyen tagged the front row fans on his way down the ramp, getting the EAW Universe hyped up as he rolled into the ring where Cody and Mig awaited him.)
Stephie Love: AND THEIR OPPONENT! HAILING FROM SOKA, SAITAMA, JAPAN, WEIGHING IN AT 187 POUNDS… HE IS THE GOLDEN DOYEN, MITSUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!
Flannery McCoy: MITSU is coming off the heels of a tremendous Interwire Championship match against Drake Armstrong; while he was unable to come out with the coveted gold on his shoulder, MITSU proved himself with an undeniably amazing performance against the champion.
Jake Mercer: Are you kidding me?! MY Interwire Champion made him tap out, good performance or no good performance!
Stew-O: I don’t think anyone is denying the result of the match, but with the fight he brought last week, it’s safe to say that MITSU’s momentum has not been hindered. He’s heading into this triple threat match looking to rise up from defeat and recalibrate his way into Pain for Pride! All three men are raring to go, it’s about time the match commenced!
(Ding! Ding! Ding!)
Stew-O: And the match is underway! The three competitors begin circling the ring in a ritualistic beginning to the match, waiting to see who’s going to make the first strike! Ultimately, it’s Cody Maverick who does so, immediately lunging towards Mig De Decker, faking him out with a spin before following through with a complete discus punch, knocking him back up against the ropes! He charges forward and lights his rival up with a flurry of strikes with those educated fists of his; word to the wise, never get into a punch-off with a former Golden Gloves boxer like Maverick!
Flannery McCoy: He looks to follow up with a lariat, but he backs up into MITSU, who immediately capitalizes on Cody’s confusion by latching on a waist lock! Cody swings his elbow back in an attempt to break free, but MITSU is able to duck his head; suddenly, the Golden Doyen lifts Cody clean off the mat, and LAUNCHES him back with a tremendous release German suplex! The Sin City Superstar crashes down on the opposite end of the ring.
Jake Mercer: Before MITSU can follow up, though, Mig De Decker comes up from behind and latches on a waist lock of his own against his former KAI-ZEN stablemate! This time, though, there was no German suplex as MITSU was instead taken down! A wrestler’s wrestler like Mig De Decker is known for chain grappling like this, and it’s on full display here, folks! Mig continues the assault with some stiff looking forearm strikes to the back of MITSU’s head, before he floats over and applies a grounded front facelock!
Stew-O: It appears as though Mig is attempting to transition the front facelock into a guillotine choke, but MITSU is doing everything he can to prevent Mig’s forearm from making it against his throat to commence the choke! They struggle for a moment in this locked-up state before Mig begins launching knee strikes accommodated by the front facelock! This seems to subdue MITSU, not enough to apply the guillotine choke, but to begin lifting him up for a vertical suplex!
Flannery McCoy: MITSU starts to get off his feet, but LOOK! CODY FROM BEHIND, APPLYING A WAIST LOCK TO MIG DE DECKER! Mig has already begun throwing MITSU back with a suplex, but now Cody is hurling Mig back with a German suplex to pay him back! Mig goes flying and MITSU flies even further as a result, as both men crash down with two simultaneous suplexes. Mig De Decker rolls out of the ring, leaving MITSU and Cody alone. The Sin City Superstar is the only competitor on his feet at the moment, and he forces MITSU up to his feet as well before throwing him up against the corner!
Jake Mercer: With MITSU still stunned by that extended suplex, Cody takes advantage as he climbs up onto the second rope! Looking down at MITSU, he begins lobbing punches from that elevated position straight to the dome of the Golden Doyen! Punch after punch, strike after strike, the Sin City Superstar is going OFF!
Stew-O: Cody seems to do a bit of flaunting to the crowd as he grandiosely prepares one final punch; however, before it’s able to land, MITSU ducks underneath Cody’s legs and gets behind him, causing the punch to miss! Before Cody can get down to turn around, MITSU jumps up and brings his knee up against Cody’s back! Body men fall down, with Cody landing roughly against MITSU’s knee in a single-knee backstabber! The Sin City Superstar is sent rolling as he clutches at his back in pain; meanwhile, MITSU staggers up, holding his head after having been bashed so ruthlessly.
Flannery McCoy: He measures Cody up, who is able to stagger back to his feet a few moments after; the moment he does, however, MITSU knocks him inside out with a VICIOUS northern lariat! Maverick gets toppled back down to the mat, where the Golden Doyen keeps up the pressure with a flurry of grounded knee strikes to the side of Cody’s head! The Sin City Superstar is getting knocked silly, and that only gets worse as MITSU gets to his feet and performs a jumping knee drop!
Jake Mercer: It looks like he’s about to follow up with something more, but MIG suddenly rushes back into the fray, catching MITSU by surprise from behind as he lifts him up, turns around, and DROPS the Golden Doyen with a back suplex right onto the body of Cody Maverick! MITSU rolls off of Cody, who’s looking worse for wear as he rolls away and falls out to ringside; now Mig glowers down at MITSU, looking more motivated than ever as he begins stomping his former teammate out!
Stew-O: He rolls MITSU over onto his back, where Mig De Decker grabs a hold of his legs and hoists MITSU up onto his shoulders! Some admirable power on display as Mig is successfully able to lift MITSU up from that grounded position; Mig DROPS MITSU with a powerbomb and folds his legs overhead in a pinning predicament!
ONEEEEEEE!
TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Flannery McCoy: But MITSU is able to kick out! Mig keeps his hold on the legs strong, though, as he flips MITSU over with them and IMMEDIATELY transitions into a classic Boston crab! MITSU is left struggling as his legs get wrench overhead; he’s doing everything he can to hold steady and not be forced to tap, but Mig is certainly making it hard!
Jake Mercer: MITSU begins trying to crawl for the ropes, scratching and clawing against the mat as he does so; however, just as soon as the ropes get within arms’ reach, Mig De Decker yanks him away and back to the center of the ring!
Crowd: MIT-SU! MIT-SU! MIT-SU!
Stew-O: And you can hear the EAW Universe live in attendance chanting for the Golden Doyen; he certainly looks to be in deep pain, but he hears the crowd chanting his name and gathers himself! He pushes off the mat with both hands, forcing Mig to lose his leverage to a great extent. Finally, he’s able to roll onto his back and forcefully kick Mig off! Mig gets sent stumbling back into the ropes as MITSU frantically tries to get up!
Flannery McCoy: Mig De Decker bounces off the ropes, however, and sprints back to MITSU with a single-leg basement dropkick knocking MITSU down to a knee! Mig kips up and latches on a front facelock before PLANTING MITSU with a DDT to the kneeling opponent! Mig hooks the legs once again!
ONEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Jake Mercer: But MITSU kicks out at two again!
Stew-O: Some impressive resiliency on display by the Golden Doyen after demonstrating how great his offense can be against the Sin City Superstar, but Mig De Decker’s assault has been relentless thus far! Mig is looking rather frustrated at MITSU’s kickout; he gets to his feet and rolls his shoulder, signaling for something even more tremendous!
Flannery McCoy: The crowd continues cheering for MITSU, but just as soon as he makes it to his feet and turns around, Mig De Decker KNOCKS HIM OUT with a VICIOUS Bullhammer strike, which he refers to as the Blood Hammer! MITSU collapses to the mat, clutching his jaw in pain while Mig backs up and takes aim! What’s he going for here?!
Jake Mercer: MITSU once again staggers to his feet, more slowly and agonizingly than before; as soon as he turns around, Mig De Decker rushes forth WITH THE MKO KICK!
Stew-O: NO, MITSU IS ABLE TO DUCK JUST IN TIME, CAUSING MIG’S LEG TO GET CAUGHT UP IN THE ROPE! He’s able to break free, but MITSU is standing there waiting, ready to capitalize! He grabs that very same leg and lifts him HIGH up into the air! FLAPJACK! MITSU HITS THE FLAPJACK ONTO THE TOP TURNBUCKLE, CAUSING MIG’S HEAD TO BOUNCE OFF!
Flannery McCoy: Before Mig can even fall back to the ground, MITSU LATCHES ON THE WAIST LOCK! A GERMAN SUPLEX ONTO MIG DE DECKER, BUT MITSU HOLDS ON! WITH THE WAIST STILL CLUTCHED, HE GETS BACK TO HIS FEET AND UNLEASHES A SECOND GERMAN SUPLEX! THE CROWD IS GOING WILD AS MITSU MAY HAVE THIS IN THE BAG!
Jake Mercer: A THIRD GERMAN SUPLEX FROM THE GOLDEN DOYEN, AND THIS TIME HE CLUTCHES THE WRIST OF THE BELGIAN WRESTLING MACHINE!
Stew-O: He spins him out and goes for DOYEN’S DOMINION! WAIT, NO, CODY MAVERICK SLIDES BACK INTO THE RING JUST AS THE MOVE HITS, AND HE HITS MITSU WITH THE SUPERMAN PUNCH! LIGHTS OUT! LIGHTS OUT!
Flannery McCoy: That superman punch sent MITSU crashing back to the mat as he rolls away in agony, leaving Cody Maverick and Mig De Decker, who just took some MAJOR offense from the Golden Doyen! Cody locks in a front facelock to Mig as he throws his feet up onto the top rope; I think we know what this is!
Jake Mercer: THE MONEYMAKER! THE TOP-ROPE DDT LANDS AND MIG’S HEAD IS DRIVEN INTO THE MAT WITH RECKLESS ABANDON! Cody feels the energy in the air as he hypes himself up! With Mig grabbed by the hair, Cody forces him onto his feet and doubles him over with a gut kick! IT’S TIME!
Stew-O: SIN CITY STUNNERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR! CODY IMMEDIATELY HOOKS THE LEG!
ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Flannery McCoy: OH, MITSU SLIDES BACK IN LOOKING TO BREAK IT UP!
THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
Jake Mercer: BUT IT’S TOO LATE!
(Ding! Ding! Ding!)
(‘Lord Knows’ by Drake featuring Rick Ross began playing once again as Cody Maverick’s video lit up on the titantron! The crowd had both cheers and boos for the result of this match as Cody’s wrist was raised by the referee! The Sin City Superstar continued his celebration over Mig, who had his jaw clutched in agony.)
Stew-O: After his tremendous performance at Grand Rampage, Cody Maverick was able to continue the momentum on his road to Pain for Pride with a victory in this triple threat match! Both of his opponents gave great performances as well, but tonight belongs to the Sin City Superstar!
Flannery McCoy: MITSU was inches away from being able to break up the pin, but a single second too long is what separated a potential victory from this defeat for the Golden Doyen. Nevertheless, with this great showing from both him and the Belgian wrestling machine, there may still be some light at the end of the tunnel just yet!
(The video feed slowly faded to black as Cody celebrated his win while MITSU looked on in disappointment.)
(The camera cuts backstage to the interview area where Michael Belfort is seen smiling with a microphone in hand.)
Michael Belfort: Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome my guest at this time… Michael Machina.
(The crowd gives a mixed reaction as Michael Machina steps into frame, carrying the New Breed Championship over his shoulder while wearing street clothes. Michae looks down at his New Breed Championship before turning full attention over to Michael Belfort.)
Michael Belfort: First off, thank you for joining me. Second, congratulations on another successful title defense against Damien Kutcher at Grand Rampage. I just wanted to get your thoughts following that match.
Michael Machina: My thoughts? My thoughts are this: at Grand Rampage, Damien Kutcher put up a good fight. Hell, he almost had me at times, but how’d the fight end? That’s right, it ended with me running right through him with a spear, and honestly…
(Michael cracks a smug grin while chuckling to himself.)
Michael Machina: I’m not surprised. See, I tried to warn Damien for weeks that this little endeavor wouldn’t end well for him. Not when I’m this close 🤏 to breaking Andre Walker’s record, and etching my name in the history books forever… but did he listen to me? No. Instead, he opted to run his mouth, hurling every threat in the book my way, all of which amounted to… nothing. Hence why I’m laughing, because it’s funny. It’s funny that people keep expecting anything different when it comes to me. Because for a while, it’s been the same story. A new challenger steps up, and I put them down. Don’t expect that story to change. Especially if you come into a match with me, and have the same attitude as Damien did.
(Michael shakes his head.)
Michael Machina: At Grand Rampage, I heard commentary refer to him as confident. Tell me, does Damien seem like a confident person to you?
(Michael Belfort doesn’t provide an answer, not realizing it isn’t rhetorical, leaving Machina to stare a hole into him, feeling offended that he was ignored.)
Michael Machina: Hey, are you deaf? I asked you a question.
(Michael Belfort nervously shrugs, visibly intimidated by Michael.)
Michael Belfort: Y-Yeah, I’d say that Damien Kutcher is pretty… pretty confident in himself.
(Machina returns to an amused grin.)
Michael Machina: Oh, how easy he’s got you, the announce team, and the rest of the EAW universe fooled, because that wasn’t confidence. What he displayed heading into our match was pure ignorance. The guy preferred to dish out history lessons rather than focus on the monster in front of him, but I get it. I get why he had to rely on bringing up my history, because if we do the same with Damien Kutcher, not much is there. In a short time, it’s safe to say that I’ve made an impact. Clearly.
(Michael Machina gestures toward the New Breed Championship.)
Michael Machina: But what’s the impact Damien Kutcher has made? What’s the most impressive thing he’s done? I’m hard pressed on finding an answer, because the way he got given a title match against me wasn’t impressive either. He needed Kennedy Street to just hand it to him. I’ve never had a thing handed to me, I’ve earned everything I have here in Elite Answers Wrestling. Damien Kutcher has never, and could never walk a mile in my shoes. He’s not on my level, and Grand Rampage proved it.
(Michael Belfort nods.)
Michael Machina: Those are some strong words, but with that being said, and Damien Kutcher in the rear view mirror following Grand Rampage, I have to ask… what’s next for you?
(Michael Machina thinks to himself for a moment.)
Michael Machina: What’s next, huh?
???: Perhaps I can answer that.
(Michael Machina is cut off by a voice from off-screen, who walks into frame, and reveals himself to be Vincent Mondrian, who stands opposite of Michael Belfort, face-to-face with Michael Machina. Though, Vincent is still visibly banged up from his match with BRAE earlier, rubbing his jaw in pain.)
Vincent Mondrian: BRAE packs one hell of a punch. But this isn’t about him, this is about me and you. Michael, you’ve been a great New Breed Champion, and have everybody lining up to take that title from you. Granted, it’s easier said than done. However, I’m willing to test my abilities in that ring against you. I want a match for the New Breed Championship.
(Vincent taps the title before Michael swats his hand away. The two stare daggers into one another briefly, the tension rising as the fans cheer, showing their want to see this match, but Michael speaks up, clearly amused by this all, showing zero fear of a match with Vincent.)
Michael Machina: So, let me get this straight, you want a title match with me, and you want it… right after you lost earlier tonight to BRAE? Really, what’s stopping me from giving him the shot, and not you?
(Machina looks to Vincent, curious.)
Vincent Mondrian: Simple. Unlike BRAE, I came to you first, so he can wait his turn. Besides, I’m not exactly asking for a title match, Machina. I’m demanding it.
(The crowd can be heard “ooh’ing” in the background. Meanwhile, Michael remains unmoved.)
Michael Machina: Is that so?
Vincent Mondrian: Yeah, it is. You’re a fighting champion, aren’t you? So, why the hesitation? Scared that I’m going to beat you?
Michael Machina: No, that’s the last of my concerns, and while I am a fighting champion, I’m also not one to purposely waste my time either.
Vincent Mondrian: Well, whether you want to face me for that title or not, I’m getting an opportunity sooner rather than later.
(Machina chuckles.)
Michael Machina: Sure thing, pal. Whatever you say. If you really want a title match against me, then you’ll just live to regret it, and come out empty handed like everybody else. Sure, it’s your dream to be a champion here, but I’ll quickly turn that into a nightmare. This is nothing more for you than a death wish.
(Vincent Mondrain watches on as Michael Machina walks off, and the camera tracks Machina as he does so. Suddenly, while walking down the hallway, Machina crosses paths with BRAE, and the crowd reaction rises even louder than last time. Machina and BRAE look around, hearing the chants of “yes!” from the fans. Finally, BRAE speaks up with a smirk.)
BRAE: You’re right, what is stopping you from giving me an opportunity?
(BRAE walks past Michael Machina, who is left to think before shrugging it off, and continuing to walk away as well while the camera fades elsewhere.)
(A commercial plays for the re-release of Spider-Man 2. Toby still clears Andrew, by the way.)
(‘Enemy Strike’ by Yuki Hayashi hits, eliciting a loud range of reactions from the crowd. Myles enters, his championship adorning his shoulder. A confident and content smirk settles along his face as yet again, he remains the man standing at the top of the competition on Dynasty.)
Stephie Love: Ladies and gentleman, introducing at this time, the EAW World Heavyweight Champion… MYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYLES!
Stew-O: Defense number three is in the books for Myles, who defeated Limmy Monaghan this past weekend at Grand Rampage. It was an absolute war, and after the history he has shared with Monaghan, Myles can definitively state that he is the better man. He remains the world heavyweight champion, and he is proud of that fact.
Jake Mercer: Oh, it was bittersweet to witness. My Limmy put up an amazing effort, but it just wasn’t meant to be. 😔 Still, Myles is more than worthy of carrying the red brand on his back. He is a world champion’s world champion, and he has proven that consistently throughout his time here in EAW. There’s just no slowing down from him.
Flannery McCoy: A world champion’s world champion — that’s honestly the best way to describe him. No one does it like Myles. He makes every title he holds matter, and he is the definitive leader of our brand. At this rate, one has to wonder if there will even come a day where someone dethrones him and takes the mantle for himself. He’s just been unstoppable ever since he’s won the title.
(Myles makes his way to the ring and gets inside. He’s handed a microphone. His theme fades, but he soaks in the atmosphere, not letting the feeling slip past him. The crowd continues to react loudly to him before he eventually speaks up.)
Myles: Right now, there should be no doubts. My position cannot be questioned. My worth cannot be denied. No matter the challengers and the challenges they may present themselves as, I remain standing on my own two feet, and with the gold to prove that I am truly one above all. So far, those who were supposed to slay me have been unable to get the job done. Jake Smith and Bronson Daniels couldn’t get the better of me. A motivated Ms. Extreme couldn’t tear me apart. And last week? A hungry Limmy Monaghan who was looking to reclaim his spot was unable to snatch the proverbial crown from my head. Instead, I dropped him hard on his, and I got to walk away from Grand Rampage as your EAW World Heavyweight Champion, still uncontested, still undisputed, still the absolute peak of this business, and no one can argue otherwise.
Myles: At this rate, it does make me wonder if there will ever be a worthy successor. Perhaps I have set the bar too high? Perhaps I have ushered forth a new level of dominance to the point where no Elitist can conceivably reach me. I am untouchable. I am undeniable. Is it cocky to say? Perhaps. However, I dare any of you to point and tell me an Elitist on this brand that is more than capable of tearing me down.
(Myles stands for a moment, eyeing the fans.)
Myles: … Exactly. There is none. People can talk about their big threes, who is shoulder-to-shoulder with one another, but there is only one Myles, and no one can match up to me. Every since I captured this championship, I have been on a warpath far greater than the ones I have been on in the past. I have elevated myself, rekindling my own drive and hunger to places they have never reached before, and in turn, many Elitists have fallen coming for my head. It isn’t for the lack of trying or heart. Rather, they simply cannot compare to me. They cannot outdo me. I am the best Elitist in this company today, and no one can say the same thing about themself without looking incredibly stupid. But me? No, not I. I am the biggest, credible threat here, and while that should have a huge target on my back, I don’t find myself sitting on pins and needles, on the constant lookout for people hunting me down. I’m the one doing the hunting. I’m the one checking out the so-called competition through my scope. I’m the one with my finger steady on the trigger, and I’m the one not missing a single shot. But everyone else? They don’t stand a chance. Many have tried, but many have failed, and quite frankly, I don’t see that changing anytime soon. As far as I’m concerned? I may reign as champion until the day I decide to retire.
(He shrugs.)
Myles: It’s a far more probable reality. Who else can take me on? Jake Smith? He’s walking right into another match full of heartbreak for him. Joso? He has a bright future, but it’s not one that will eclipse my own. I can beat anyone that stands in my way, and at this rate, no one is going to prove otherwise. I have remained at the top for this long, and as far as I’m concerned, it’s going to remain that wa—
Stew-O: WAIT, WATCH OUT, WATCH OUT, WATCH OUT!!
(All of a sudden, the fans go crazy.)
Stew-O: OH MY GOD! SOMEONE CAME FROM BEHIND AND JUST LAID OUT MYLES! THEY’RE STOMPING DOWN REPEATEDLY, BUT WHO IS IT?!!
Jake Mercer: CAN’T YOU SEE??? IT’S SOSA HENDERSON! SOSA CAME INTO THE RING AND MADE HIS PRESENCE KNOWN! HE CAUGHT MYLES COMPLETELY OFF GUARD, AND HE HAS HIM RIGHT WHERE HE WANTS HIM TO BE!
Flannery McCoy: MYLES WONDERED IF THERE WAS ANYONE WHO COULD TAKE HIM DOWN, AND HE GOT HIS ANSWER!
Stew-O: AND NOW, SOSA STOPS HIS ATTACK TO BRING MYLES UP….
Jake Mercer: BANG!!! ‘STOLE YOUR BITCH’!!! HE WIPES OUT MYLES WITH THE RKO, LAYING HIM OUT!!
(SOSA stands over the downed Myles, being met with a loud reaction. SOSA then turns his head towards the microphone on the mat, along with the championship. Crouching down, he picks the title up along with the mic. His words are simple.)
SOSA Henderson: I got next, and I’m coming for you.
(SOSA slams down the mic with authority before shooting up, raising the world heavyweight championship up high.)
Stew-O: OH MY! SOSA HAS MADE HIS DECLARATION OF INTENT KNOWN! HE’S COMING AFTER MYLES NEXT!
Jake Mercer: TALK ABOUT MAKING A STATEMENT! COULD SOSA BE THE ONE TO DETHRONE MYLES?!
(SOSA tosses the championship down onto Myles before exiting. He motions to his own waist, saying that he’s gonna win. Myles slowly recovers in the ring, staring daggers into SOSA as he lays on the mat, holding onto his head. The final shot shows a smirking SOSA Henderson before Dynasty fades elsewhere.)
(A commercial plays for Persona 3: Reload, featuring Milli Banks, Drake Armstrong and Michael Machina exploring Tartarus and taking out shadows.)
(The camera returns to the ring where Stephie Love is ready to make the introductions for the next match.)
Stephie Love: Ladies and gentlemen, this next contest is scheduled for ONE FALL!
Crowd: ONE FALL!
(‘2024’ by Playboi Carti starts playing as Joso enters the arena. He looks ready for action as he heads to the ring.)
Stephie Love: Introducing first and making his way to the ring! From The Bronx, New York! Weighing 206 pounds. Here is THE 2024 KING OF ELITE! “THE NEW ERA” JOSO!
Stew-O: Here comes Joso as he heads to the ring for singles action and he certainly had a monumental match last week against Jamie O’Hara.
Jake Mercer: JOSO DON’T MISS! But sadly, didn’t pick up the victory at Grand Rampage. He did earn Jamie’s respect, though, and that’s a feat in itself.
Flannery McCoy: The King of Elite did earn the Hall of Famer’s respect, but will it lead to Joso getting back on track with a victory here tonight in this match. That’s considering that Joso is about to face a man who is holding a title that Joso once held.
(Joso enters the ring and takes his corner as his theme is quickly replaced by ‘Pride and Arrogance’ by Takeru Kanazaki. Seconds later, the Interwire Champion Drake Armstrong enters the arena to boos from the crowd. He holds his Interwire Championship in the air proudly as he heads to the ring.)
Stephie Love: Introducing his opponent! From Scarsdale, New York! Weighing in at 245 pounds! Here is the EAW INTERWIRE CHAMPION! “THE FUTURE” DRAKE ARMSTRONG!
Jake Mercer: This is going to be tough. I enjoy both the Armstrong Era and the Era of Joso, so I don’t want to see either of them lose this match.
Flannery McCoy: But it’s gotta happen. Where Joso lost at Grand Rampage, Drake Armstrong successfully defended his title against a very game MITSU! As we saw earlier tonight, there’s no doubt that Cody Maverick will be watching this match very closely
Stew-O: A battle between two rising stars of Dynasty and EAW as a whole. Who will leave victorious? Will it be the reigning Interwire Champion or a former Interwire Champion? We are about to find out.
(Drake enters the ring and holds his title in the air before handing the belt to the referee. He takes his corner as his entrance music fades off. The referee checks both competitors before calling for the bell.)
(DING! DING! DING!)
Stew-O: Here we go with our main event match of the evening! Joso and Drake Armstrong don’t waste any time by locking up in the center of the ring and it’s the Interwire Champion who gets the early advantage.
Jake Mercer: They are both amazing competitors and ushering in their respective eras. This is going to be a very even battle, so I hope everybody is in for the long haul.
Flannery McCoy: Drake has the early advantage with a side headlock before DRAKE SNAPS HIM OVER AND DOWN TO THE MAT! Drake still has the headlock applied and he has Joso grounded for the moment.
Stew-O: BUT JOSO SHOWING THE FLEXIBILITY SKILLS WITH A KIP UP THAT GETS HIM FREE FROM THE SIDE HEADLOCK AND BOTH MEN ARE BACK TO THEIR FEET! Standoff in the center of the ring and we are back to square one.
Flannery McCoy: Drake looks ready to lock up again, BUT JOSO WITH A RIGHT HAND THAT STAGGERS THE INTERWIRE CHAMPION BACK! Joso follows that up with forearm strikes that send Drake back to the ropes.
Jake Mercer: Drake is on the ropes and it looks like Joso is going to whip Drake to the other side, BUT HE FAKES DRAKE OUT AND KICKS HIM IN THE GUT! DRAKE WAS SENT THROUGH THE ROPES AND HE TUMBLES OUT TO THE FLOOR!
Stew-O: Drake manages to catch himself and land on his feet here on the outside, BUT HERE COMES JOSO WITH A SUICIDE DIVE, BUT DRAKE WAS ABLE TO SLIDE INTO THE RING–
Jake Mercer: JOSO LOOKED TO BE LEAPING INTO TROUBLE, BUT HE CAUGHT THE ROPES AT THE LAST SECOND AND SPIN HIMSELF BACK INTO THE RING TO AVOID DISASTER! Great ring awareness by Joso.
Flannery McCoy: BUT DRAKE COMES BACK AND CLOBBERS JOSO IN THE BACK OF THE NECK SENDING HIM INTO THE ROPES! Joso stumbles back into Drake Armstrong–
Stew-O: WHO PICKS HIM UP AND TAKES HIM DOWN WITH A GERMAN SUPLEX! JOSO DROPPED ON THE BACK OF HIS NECK! Drake is not fooling around in this match as he grabs Joso and brings him back to his feet.
Jake Mercer: Drake brings Joso towards one of the corners AND BUILDS UP A LITTLE MOMENTUM BEFORE TOSSING JOSO ACROSS THE RING WITH THE BIEL THROW! POOR JOSO LOOKING LIKE A FRISBEE!
Flannery McCoy: Joso crashed and burned on the other side of the ring after that throw and now the Interwire Champion is putting the boots to the King of Elite before Joso quickly rolls out onto the apron.
Stew-O: Joso is trying to catch a breather as the referee is telling Drake to back away from the ropes as Joso makes it back to his feet. DRAKE BREAKS AWAY FROM THE REFEREE AND GETS BACK TO JOSO–
Flannery McCoy: Joso grabs Drake by the back of the neck AND HE DROPS TO THE APRON CATCHING DRAKE’S THROAT ACROSS THE TOP ROPE! Drake is holding his throat as Joso gets back to his feet.
Jake Mercer: JOSO SPRINGS UP TO THE TOP ROPE AND LEAPS OFF THE TOP ROPE! Joso grabs Drake’s neck AND TAKES HIM DOWN WITH A SPRINGBOARD NECKBREAKER!
Stew-O: Drake’s neck snapped hard against the mat and Joso is starting to build up some momentum in this match as he grabs Drake by the neck and brings him back to his feet AND CATCHES HIM UNDER THE CHIN WITH AN UPPERCUT THAT KNOCKS DRAKE BACK INTO THE CORNER!
Jake Mercer: The Interwire Champion is in the turnbuckle as JOSO COMES RUNNING IN AT FULL SPEED BEFORE LEAVING HIS FEET AND CATCHING DRAKE WITH A EUROPEAN UPPERCUT!
Flannery McCoy: That could have loosened a few of Drake’s teeth as Drake holds his jaw in pain. Drake comes out of the corner and Joso doubles him over with a boot before applying a facelock–
Stew-O: JOSO LIFTS DRAKE UP AND OVER WITH SUPLEX! Drake is down as Joso hits the ropes before coming back AND LEAVING HIS FEET–
Jake Mercer: JOSO WITH A RUNNING VERSION OF THE SHOOTING STAR PRESS! DIRECT HIT BY THE KING OF ELITE AS HE LANDS RIGHT ON DRAKE’S RIBS BEFORE HE HOOKS THE LEG FOR THE COVER!
ONNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEE!
TWWWWWW—
Flannery McCoy: DRAKE POWERS OUT AT ONE! Drake got his shoulder up AND JOSO GRABS DRAKE’S ARM TRYING TO TORQUE IT AND APPLY A MODIFIED ARMBAR!
Stew-O: Joso changes position AND THE ARMBAR IS APPLIED! EARLY SUBMISSION MOVE APPLIED AND JOSO IS REALLY PULLING THAT ARM BACK! If Drake isn’t careful, Drake’s arm and shoulder could be pulled out of their socket.
Flannery McCoy: But Drake still has the power advantage at this point and time in the match as he manages to get back to his feet! Drake manages to change position enough that Joso’s shoulders are down on the mat.
Jake Mercer: But the referee isn’t able to start a count BECAUSE DRAKE USES THAT POWER TO LIFT JOSO OFF THE MAT! GREAT STRENGTH BY THE INTERWIRE CHAMPION AS JOSO IS UP IN THE AIR–
Stew-O: AND DRAKE DROPS JOSO DOWN WITH A MODIFIED URANAGE SLAM THAT FORCES JOSO TO RELEASE THE HOLD! Great way to get his arm free as Drake tries to shake away any of the damage that Joso caused.
Jake Mercer: Being a member of the Armstrong family means that he can afford the finest training that money can buy, so there’s no doubt that Drake’s body is in tip top condition to endure damage like that.
Flannery McCoy: After winning the title, Drake is showing that he is more than just talk and that he can really go in the ring. Joso is still down on the mat and Drake rolls him over AND APPLIES A FULL NELSON!
Stew-O: I don’t think this is meant to make Joso submit, I think it’s just to torture Joso as long as he can. It might be a while because Joso is on his stomach on the mat. Drake has a smile on his face as the referee is checking to see if Joso wants to give it up–-
Jake Mercer: DRAKE DECIDES TO PUT MORE TORTURE ON POOR JOSO AND FLIPS OVER AND NOW HAS JOSO IN A MODIFIED VERSION OF THE CATTLE MUTILATION SUBMISSION!
Flannery McCoy: THAT IS PUTTING EVEN MORE PRESSURE ON JOSO’S SHOULDERS! Drake has his feet planted firmly and he still has that bridge perfectly in place. Joso needs to think of a way to get free or this match will end early.
Stew-O: Joso is trying to fight out of the submission, but Drake is using his power and size advantage expertly that is neutralizing Joso.
Flannery McCoy: LOOK AT THIS! JOSO MANAGES TO GET SOME MOMENTUM AND FLIP OVER AND BRIDGE OVER DRAKE! THAT FORCES DRAKE DOWN TO THE MAT AND HIS SHOULDERS ARE DOWN!
ONNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEE!
TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOO!
THHHH—
Jake Mercer: DRAKE GETS HIS SHOULDER UP! THE KICKOUT FORCES DRAKE TO RELEASE THE HOLD! That was a very interesting little rollup by the King of Elite and it was just enough to free him from the submission.
Stew-O: Got to love the innovative offense from these two competitors and now these two are back to their feet. Joso was a little bit quicker as he was ready for Drake and when Drake was up HE DELIVERED A DROPKICK THAT SENDS DRAKE TO THE ROPES ONCE MORE!
Jake Mercer: Drake is resting on the ropes, but Joso is ready once more AS JOSO DELIVERS ANOTHER DROPKICK THAT SENDS THE ARMSTRONG ERA OVER THE TOP ROPE AND CRASHING TO THE FLOOR! REMEMBER THAT JOSO! DON’T! MISS!
Flannery McCoy: Drake is on the floor once more and this time he has to pick himself off the floor as he was not able to catch himself.
Stew-O: Drake is slowly getting back to his feet after that landing on the floor and I think that Drake is about to end up in a huge mess of trouble right now. He’s back to his feet–
Jake Mercer: THIS TIME JOSO FLIES THROUGH THE ROPES AND TAKES THE INTERWIRE CHAMPION DOWN WITH A BEAUTIFUL SUICIDE DIVE! It’s moves like that Suicide Dive that makes Joso a very dangerous competitor.
Flannery McCoy: Joso willing to put his body on the line at any given moment in the match if it brings him one step closer to victory. Right now, Joso is back to his feet and he grabs hold of Drake and brings him back to his feet as well.
Stew-O: Joso using some extra force as he whips Drake Armstrong to the ring AND DRAKE GOES FACE FIRST INTO THE STEEL RING POST! UGLY IMPACT BY THE INTERWIRE CHAMPION!
Flannery McCoy: You mentioned earlier how Drake isn’t playing around in this match, but as you can see, neither is Joso. Neither man really wants to lose this match as we get closer to Pain for Pride.
Jake Mercer: Poor Drake is holding his head in pain after hitting the post, but he walks right into Joso, WHO MUSTERS UP SOME POWER OF HIS OWN AND DROPS DRAKE WITH A BELLY TO BELLY SUPLEX!
Stew-O: Joso pulling out moves he normally doesn’t use, but anything to win. Drake is holding his back on the floor as the referee is making a count in the ring. Joso needs to get Drake back into the ring or else this match is going to end in a count out.
Jake Mercer: I think that Joso heard the count going on in the ring, so he grabs Drake and rolls him back into the ring before getting on the apron. Drake hasn’t moved after being rolled into the ring.
Flannery McCoy: Joso sees another opportunity to get risky AS HE ONCE AGAIN SPRINGS UP TO THE TOP ROPE BEFORE HE GOES FOR THE SPRINGBOARD 450 SPLASH–
Stew-O: NOBODY HOME AS DRAKE MANAGES TO GET OUT OF THE WAY AT THE LAST SECOND AND THAT LEADS TO JOSO CRASHING AND BURNING ON THE MAT!
Jake Mercer: Ohhh. I hate seeing these two fight since they are two of my favorites, but it is in the spirit of competition that this must be done. Joso is holding his ribs after missing the 450 Splash.
Flannery McCoy: Drake is back up to his feet as he quickly gets to Joso and brings him to his feet in the gutwrench position. DRAKE LIFTS JOSO UP IN THE AIR–
Stew-O: AND DRIVES HIM DOWN WITH A SITOUT POWERBOMB! JOSO LANDS HARD ON THE MAT ONCE AGAIN! HIS HEAD AND NECK SNAPPING HORRIBLY AS THE INTERWIRE CHAMPION STACK UP THE KING OF ELITE FOR THE COVER!
ONNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEE!
TWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOO!
THHHHHHHHRRRRRREEEEEE–
Flannery McCoy: JOSO KICKS OUT AT TWO AND DRAKE DOES NOT LOOK HAPPY! Joso has barely moved after kicking out AND DRAKE IS JUST PUNCHING JOSO IN THE BACK OF THE NECK!!
Jake Mercer: I understand that desperate times call for desperate measures but there is no need to punch him that hard in the back of the head! There’s the referee there to tell Drake to open up the fists.
Stew-O: The referee reaches four on his count and Drake stops with the punches or else he would have been disqualified on five. Drake has hold of Joso and whips him to the ropes. Joso rebounds off the ropes–
Jake Mercer: AND DRAKE LEAVES HIS FEET AND TAKES THE KING OF ELITE OFF OF HIS WITH A LARIAT! RIGHT UNDER THE CHIN! I don’t know about you, but I think this has been a very hard fought match.
Stew-O: I will agree with you. It has been a great match as right now, Drake has once again brought Joso back up to his feet and hoists Joso onto his shoulder AND RUNS HIM TOWARDS THE CORNER–
Jake Mercer: AND HE SENDS JOSO FACE FIRST INTO THE TOP TURNBUCKLE WITH THE SNAKE EYES! Joso’s face gets up close and personal with the corner as he stumbles back into Drake.
Flannery McCoy: Drake picks Joso back up and slams him into the corner and now Joso is upside down in the Tree of Woe position. Now Drake is on the apron and he is climbing up to the top turnbuckle.
Stew-O: That only means one thing. Drake is looking to deliver a course in “Drakenomics”. Drake is now on the top turnbuckle, trying to get his balance as Joso is trying to find a way to get free.
Flannery McCoy: It might be too late as Drake is ready to jump and Joso has nowhere to go AS DRAKE IS LOOKING TO FINISH THE MATCH WITH SOME “DRAKENOMICS”–
Jake Mercer: JOSO GOT HIS FEET FREE! JOSO GOT OUT OF THE TREE OF WOE! JOSO KICKS DRAKE IN THE KNEECAP AS HE FLIPS BACK OUT OF THE CAMERA AS DRAKE LOSES HIS BALANCE–
Stew-O: AND DRAKE HAS AN UGLY LANDING ON THE TOP TURNBUCKLE AND THE WAY HE LANDED MEANS THAT NO LITTLE DRAKES WILL BE COMING ANYTIME SOON!
Jake Mercer: Drake is certainly feeling that one as he leans forward after impact. But that might have been a mistake as Joso grabbed hold of Drake as he rolled forward and DRAKE IS NOW UPSIDE DOWN!
Stew-O: JOSO TAKES DRAKE AND WALKS HIM TO THE CENTER OF THE RING AND GETS DRAKE IN POSITION BEFORE HE DROPS DOWN AND PLANTS HIM!
Jake Mercer: “CRIMSON PEAK” BY THE KING OF ELITE JOSO! THAT’S HIS VERSION OF THE STYLES CLASH AND HE GOT ALL OF IT! DRAKE GOES FACE FIRST AND JOSO ROLLS HIM OVER FOR THE COVER!
ONNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEE!
TWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOO!
THHHHHHHHHRRRRRREEEE!
Flannery McCoy: DRAKE KICKS OUT AT TWO! OH WOW! THAT WAS VERY CLOSE! The referee was coming down for the three count and Drake just kicked out with all his might and this match continues on.
Stew-O: Even though Drake kicked out, Joso is ready to follow up with another move that could possibly finish the match.
Flannery McCoy: Drake is still down on the mat as Joso is back on his feet and he grabs Drake and hoists him in the air.
Jake Mercer: Joso trying to hook up Drake’s legs because he is no doubt looking for his version of the Package Piledriver. Is Drake going to be sent to “Heaven’s Gate”!
Stew-O: LOOK! DRAKE IS TRYING TO KICK FREE OF THE PILEDRIVER AND HE FINALLY DOES! DRAKE IS FREE OF THE PACKAGE PILEDRIVER AND NOW HE LIFTS JOSO UP!
Jake Mercer: Drake walks Joso back to the center of the ring AND HE JUST WHIPS HIM DOWN WITH THE ALABAMA SLAM! GOOD GAWD! WHAT FORCE IT TOOK FOR DRAKE TO TOSS JOSO!
Flannery McCoy: Joso bounced hard off the canvas as he holds his face in pain. He could have broken his nose when he hit the mat, but we can see he’s alright. No blood is always a good sign.
Stew-O: Right now, Drake could care less if he caused any bodily harm. Joso is trying to recover as quickly as he can, but Drake is right there and he wants to finish this match as quickly as he can.
Flannery McCoy: Drake grabs hold of Joso and hoists him to his feet, BUT JOSO SOMEHOW MANAGES TO TRY AND BUILD UP AN OFFENSE AS HE COUNTERS WITH A JAWBREAKER!
Jake Mercer: Drake’s jaw bounces off the top of Joso’s head as Joso backs up to the ropes AND RUNS FULL SPEED TOWARDS THE INTERWIRE CHAMPION–
Stew-O: BICYCLE KNEE STRIKE RIGHT IN THE JAW! JOSO CERTAINLY DIDN’T MISS THAT ONE! Joso backs up and hits the ropes again AND DUCKS THE CLOTHESLINE ATTEMPT FROM DRAKE!
Jake Mercer: Joso quickly stops in his tracks before Drake can turn around AND HE DELIVERS THE BACKSTABBER! DOUBLE KNEES TO THE SPINE OF DRAKE ARMSTRONG!
Flannery McCoy: The force of the move bounces Drake back to his feet. Joso is back on his feet as Drake turns around AND JOSO WITH A ROUNDHOUSE KICK TO THE TEMPLE!
Stew-O: Drake could be out on his feet and Joso is right there as he gets Drake on his shoulders in the fireman’s carry!
Jake Mercer: Drake needs to fight out of this before Joso can hit the powerslam or this could be the end of the match for the Interwire Champion.
Flannery McCoy: Joso is trying to set up for RUNAWAY, BUT DRAKE FIRES ELBOWS INTO THE SIDE OF JOSO’S HEAD AND DRAKE IS FINALLY ABLE TO GET FREE OF THE FIREMAN’S CARRY!
Stew-O: Drake is behind Joso and Drake hooks in a half nelson and a half chicken wing BEFORE LIFTING JOSO IN THE AIR AND DROPPING HIM WITH THAT COMBINATION SUPLEX! “NATURAL TALENT” BY DRAKE ARMSTRONG AS HE BRIDGES UP FOR THE COVER!
ONNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEE!
TWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOO!
THHHHHHHHRRRRRREEEEEE
Jake Mercer: JOSO KICKS OUT! JOSO GOT THE SHOULDER UP AND BROKE THE BRIDGE FROM DRAKE! OH GOODNESS! THIS HAS BEEN A VERY CLOSE MATCH SO FAR!
Stew-O: Both men have hit big moves in this match and still have not been able to put the other. That’s a strong testament from both men for how badly they both wanna win this match.
Flannery McCoy: If you look in the ring right now, you can see a little bit of frustration appearing on his face as he wonders what else he has to do in order to put away the King of Elite.
Jake Mercer: Drake just needs to keep a cool head and that’s what it looks like he is doing as he grabs Joso and lifts him up in the air for the “Death Penalty”! DRAKE IS LOOKING FOR THE PILEDRIVER–
Stew-O: JOSO MANAGES TO COUNTER WITH A MODIFIED HURRICANRANA THAT TAKES DRAKE UP AND OVER! Drake is back to his feet AND JOSO DOUBLES DRAKE OVER AND LIFTS HIM UP IN THE AIR!
Flannery McCoy: RIGHT INTO “HEAVEN’S GATE”! THE PACKAGE PILEDRIVER CONNECTS AND DRAKE WAS SPIKED RIGHT ON HIS HEAD! THE INTERWIRE CHAMPION ISN’T MOVING AS THE KING OF ELITE ROLLS DRAKE OVER AND HOOKS THE LEG FOR THE COVER!
ONNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEE!
TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOO!
THHHHHHHRRRRREEEEEEE!
(DING! DING! DING!)
(‘2024’ starts playing again as Joso rolls off of Drake. He is sitting on the mat to catch his breath as Stephie Love announces the final decision of the match.)
Stephie Love: Here is your winner… THE KING OF ELITE JOSO!
Stew-O: What a match between two of Dynasty’s hottest stars. They both once again showed the world why they are in the positions they are in right now.
Flannery McCoy: This match could have gone either way with the intensity they both brought to this match, but it was a former Interwire Champion who defeats the current Interwire Champion.
(Joso is back to his feet as the referee raises his arm in victory before they go to check on Drake. Joso takes one last look at Drake before he leaves the ring and heads up the entrance ramp.)
Jake Mercer: As happy as I am that Joso won the match, I can’t help but feel bad that Drake Armstrong had to lose. It hurts my soul.
Flannery McCoy: Drake did put up an amazing effort and fight in the match and was close to winning the match on a few occasions, but it wasn’t enough tonight as Joso walks away with the win.
Stew-O: The Interwire Champion fought hard, but at the end of the day, it is the King of Elite who picks up a huge victory here tonight on Dynasty. Congratulations once again to Joso on the win.
(The final shot has Joso standing at the top of the entrance ramp celebrating his victory before cutting to Drake, who is sitting in the ring and he looks annoyed and angry that he lost the match as the camera cuts elsewhere.)
(A commercial plays for Deadpool and Wolverine.)
(Friday Night Dynasty returns to show Stephie Love, as she is seen standing at the center of the ring with a smile on her face and a microphone in hand. After a moment with the crowd quieting down, she begins to speak.)
Stephie Love: Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome… the WINNER of the 2024 GRAND RAMPAGE MATCH!!!!!!!!!! ‘THE PROCESS’… JAAAAAKEEEEEEEEEEEE SMMMIIITTTTHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(‘Stop Breathing (Burn In My Light Intro)’ by Playboi Carti is heard blasting through the speakers as the crowd erupts into absolutely thunderous boos in response. An explosion of pyro is seen coming from the stage as out walks Jake Smith, who is seen making his way out with the biggest smirk in the world on his face. He looks around at the crowd which showers him in negativity, before he boasts himself, spreading his arms out as, once again, another array of pyro comes firing out from behind him.)
Jake Mercer: This is the greatest day in all of Friday Night Dynasty’s history. When my name twin is successful, we are all successful. :wow:
Stew-O: Well I can’t deny that Jake has struck gold coming out here tonight on Dynasty, because as we all saw last week, he became the winner of the 2024 Grand Rampage match. He entered in at #5, the same number as last year’s winner Kassidy Heart, and went all the way to the end where he eliminated Gary Daniels to win the match entirely.
Flannery McCoy: And now Jake is en route to become a two-time Pain For Pride main eventer and face a World Champion of his choosing. While we’re not exactly sure if he’s making his way out tonight to give us his decision, what we are sure of is that he’s going to make it known that he is on top of the world right now with absolutely nobody to stop him. And honestly, I can’t really say that he’s wrong.
(Jake makes his way up the steel steps as he climbs up the turnbuckles to the top rope. He spreads his arms out as the pyro behind him continues to go off. He’s laughing his ass off as he climbs off onto the canvas, making his way across the ring before scaling up the top rope. He does his signature pose, spreading his arms out one more time, as ‘Stop Breathing (Burn In My Light Intro)’ begins to come to a close. Jake, from there, takes a microphone from the ringside area as he heads toward the center of the ring, taking a deep breath before loudly exclaiming…)
Jake Smith: I TOLDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(Obviously, the crowd isn’t very receptive to this as Jake spreads his arms out, only to be met with loud boos to follow. He doesn’t seem to be very affected by it though, as he continues to speak from there.)
Jake Smith: Last week I walked into the Chase Field Arena with the entire world believing that I couldn’t do it. No matter the amount of effort that I put in, no matter how much more I had to offer in comparison to the rest of the competition, Jake Smith was never, EVER, going to get past this specific hurdle. I’ve had to talk to 28 other people and hear their perspectives on the matter, and the general consensus was while I had made myself pretty damn successful in Elite Answers Wrestling, there was one thing that I was never seemingly able to do and that was winning the Grand Rampage match. They were quick to immediately push even the idea of that away, and do you know what that sounded like to me? It didn’t faze me in the slightest, because that sounded like what everyone had already said time after time again when it came to my career. They said that I couldn’t do this and that I couldn’t do that, and look what happened. Each time I define what seems to be insurmountable odds, and I create my own path. I manufacture my own legacy while others have it handed right into the palm of their hands.
Jake Smith: You can say what you want to say about me and not once will I deny you of that, but one thing that you can NEVER deny is the fact that I am a fucking winner. You can never deny the fact that the caliber of Elitist I compete at is one that will never be touched. People are so quick to chastise me and put me beneath all of my peers for a number of reasons, whether that be for my inabilities or my attitude or whatever, they’re all so quick to sweep me under the rug. But that changes from here on out. The perception of myself and what I do not just on this brand but in this entire company is simply not going to be ignored anymore, because I’m going to give you a choice. I’m far from done, and I think that should’ve been made known from the get-go. Now that I am en route to my destiny as an Elitist which I have promised from the very beginning I am most definitely, without a shadow of a doubt, not letting go of that. So many people have wanted it to mark the end of me, that this would be it, and I would have nothing to stand on. But despite that here I am, and I can’t say this enough, but I told you so.
(Jake paces around with a shit-eating grin on his face, just taking a moment to let it all soak in before he continues on.)
Jake Smith: Last year when I lost the Answers World Championship to Adam Lucas at Pain For Pride, a lot of people expected that to be it for me. They had said that I had hit my ceiling as an Elitist and that I wasn’t going to go any further than that, and from that day on I worked tirelessly, and relentlessly in order to make sure that did not become a reality. I did everything that I possibly could no matter the cost to secure that future for myself as an Elitist. Even though I faced countless losses. From Road To Redemption in the Extreme Elimination Chamber for the World Heavyweight Championship when Myles swiped my legs from underneath me right at the finish line. To King of Elite in the following triple threat match for the title against him and that scum Bronson Daniels. Needless to say, it’s been a long and hard road to this point, but what matters is the fact that I’m here. Everything that you could’ve used against me before this was and is completely null and void. Right before your very eyes, is a Jake Smith who, scarily enough, is about to live up to everything that he said he would. Right now, you see a man who is one step away from doing what few people are able to do in this company and that is become a two-time World Champion. There’s nothing that can change that. But now that leads me to my decision…
(The crowd goes quiet, as Jake thinks about what he’s going to say next.)
Jake Smith: I mean, the possibilities are endless right? Who can I face for their World Championship in the main event of Pain For Pride? I mean, I could take a trip over to Sunday Night Voltage, I could face someone who I’ve never had the opportunity to face in a one-on-one situation, let alone for a major title, Charlie Marr.
(The crowd boos as he mentions the name of the EAW Hall of Famer, a man who has run roughshod on Voltage since the beginning of the year.)
Jake Smith: Or perhaps, I could go back to “The House That Jake Smith Built”, Saturday Night Showdown, “The Jake Smith Show”, and I could go on a conquest to become a two-time Answers World Champion. I could face someone whom I’m very familiar with in the form of Chef Viz, that sounds nice.
(The crowd then proceeds to cheer at this.)
Jake Smith: Or, we could go with the obvious. If he hypothetically gets past the hurdle of SOSA Henderson, the World Heavyweight Champion could be in my crosshairs. Myles, the man who beat me twice already this Season, and is about to headline another consecutive Pain For Pride main event, I have some unfinished business with him. Thankfully, you’re not going to have to wait much longer, because I have made my decision…
(Jake bows his head down as the crowd once again goes quiet.)
Jake Smith: At Pain For Pride, I will be facing-
(‘Tupac Back’ by Meek Mill ft. Rick Ross blasts through the speakers.)
Stew-O: WHAT THE HELL?!
Jake Mercer: HOW DARE HE! WE WERE SO CLOSE! WE WERE ABOUT TO SEE WHO JAKE SMITH WAS FACING AT PAIN FOR PRIDE! CURSE YOU…
Flannery McCoy: CY HENDERSON???
(The crowd here tonight in Los Angeles along with the 2024 Grand Rampage winner are pleasantly surprised as the camera goes over to show Cy Henderson as he makes his way out to the stage. He has a smile on his face as he spreads his arms out, hyping up the crowd here tonight before looking toward the ring. He takes a moment to soak in the atmosphere before making his way down the ramp.)
Stew-O: Well despite what happened last week at Grand Rampage, that does not seem to have dampened the Hall of Famer’s mood, and not only that, he’s back on Friday Night Dynasty! What is he doing out here?
Flannery McCoy: The better question is what business does he have with Jake Smith? We know that when Jake first returned, they had their encounters, but tonight, he’s here and he looks to confront the former World Champion just a week after the biggest win of his career!
Jake Mercer: Cy… how could you betray us like this…
(Cy slides into the ring, raising his hands into the air to the roar of the crowd as ‘Tupac Back’ begins to come to a close. He has a smile on his face once more as he makes his way over and takes a microphone from the ringside area. He looks at Jake, nodding his head before beginning to speak.)
Cy Henderson: First of all, Jake, I would like to give you my congratulations on winning the Grand Rampage match. Being a former winner back in 2010 myself, I know it’s not an easy task, which is why you have my respect for such a feat.
(Cy holds out his hand for a handshake, to which Jake quickly accepts.)
Jake Smith: Thank you, Cy, that means a lot coming from you.
Cy Henderson: You’ve done well for yourself, I think anyone can see that, and most of all I’m happy for you. But that’s not why I’m out here tonight, that’s not the reason why I’m back here on Friday Night Dynasty. While I could be one of the hundreds of people who have already personally congratulated you, I’m here for another reason, and that… is to challenge you.
(The crowd cheers for this as Jake raises an eyebrow, looking confused by this. He slowly raises his microphone up as he looks to respond.)
Jake Smith: Look, Cy, I respect you, and I respect you a lot. I looked up to you at one point, and even now I still do. So trust me when I say this, you don’t want this.
(The crowd boos loudly, as Cy understands where Jake is coming from, listening intently to what he has to say before he continues.)
Jake Smith: Maybe in another lifetime, another reality, but certainly not now. You’ve done a great job since your return establishing yourself as an Elitist who is in it for the long haul, and you’ve taken back your spot at the very top, and rightfully so. But when you’re faced with a competitor like myself, no matter how much experience you have, it’s not going to help you. This isn’t the Cy Henderson of old, someone who could not only go toe to toe with the very best but also beat him, you are who you are now, and while that’s nothing to be ashamed of… it’s certainly not going to be enough to beat Jake Smith and I hope you understand that.
(Cy, surprisingly, despite the backhanded comment by Jake, keeps his composure. He takes a moment before responding to him.)
Cy Henderson: I know we’ve had enough of the history lessons, but do you remember when you first returned to Friday Night Dynasty this Season? When you came back your immediate goal was to take out the person that had injured you in the first place, Andre Walker. But there was a problem, and that was that Ronan Malosi was helping him, and he was preventing you from making it an even playing field with him. So you know what you did? You contacted me, and I came in, and I handled Ronan while you faced Andre. Remember, Jake, you still owe me.
(Instead of immediately responding to that, Jake pauses for a moment, allowing that a moment to process in his head. It seems like he’s considering that for a short time, but shakes his head regardless.)
Jake Smith: Maybe another time, Cy, I promise. But right now, the goal is different and that is becoming a two-time World Champion.
(Jake looks like he’s about to turn around and leave, but Cy quickly stops him by speaking up.)
Cy Henderson: Alright, enough of the games. You don’t need to show respect to me because you look up to me or whatever, we know exactly who you are, Jake. You have no reason to be nice to me when you haven’t done that to anyone in the past year.
(Jake stops as he turns around, once again looking confused by this, more than last time perhaps. He crosses his arms as he lets Cy continue to speak.)
Cy Henderson: I don’t want the Jake Smith who’s going to walk away from a challenge against me “for my own good”, I want the merciless killer that we’ve borne witness to the entirety of 2024. The ruthless, downright evil one who is at his worst right now but seemingly wants to play coy when he’s right in front of me. I want that Jake, are you going to give that to me?
(The look changes on Jake’s face, and it’s made apparent quickly that he’s not taking very kindly to this. But once again, he makes it known that his mind is somewhere else right now.)
Jake Smith: You want me to be blunt with you? I have better things to worry about right now than this. My mind is on one thing and one thing only and that is Pain For Pride.
(Jake steps forward, getting into Cy’s face.)
Jake Smith: So I’m going to give you one more chance to leave.
(The crowd boos loudly at this and Cy just simply shakes his head. The tension is clearly rising and it’s clear what Jake is trying to hint at, but Cy just isn’t buying it right now.)
Cy Henderson: You don’t need to give me a chance… because I’m not going to give you a choice.
Stew-O: ‘CALAMITY’!
Flannery McCoy: CY JUST GRABBED A HOLD OF JAKE AND TORE HIM IN HALF WITH THE GORE! CY HENDERSON WANTS A FIGHT AND HE’S NOT GIVING JAKE A CHOICE BUT TO GIVE HIM ONE!
Jake Mercer: OH MY GOD NO! JAKE GET UP! FIGHT BACK! OH MY GOD THIS IS HORRIBLE!
Stew-O: JAKE IS INDEED GETTING BACK UP TO HIS FEET AND RIGHT NOW HE HAS ABSOLUTELY ZERO CLUE WHERE HE IS RIGHT ABOUT NOW! CY IS LYING IN WAIT AS HE LUNGES FORWARD!
Flannery McCoy: AND LIFTS JAKE OFF OF THE GROUND INTO THE ‘RISING TIDE’! THE BURNING HAMMER DROPS JAKE DOWN ONTO HIS HEAD AND SO MUCH FOR A CELEBRATION! BECAUSE HE’S OUT COLD THANKS TO THE EAW HALL OF FAMER!
(Cy immediately gets back up to his feet, looking down at Jake with a disappointed look on his face as ‘Tupac Back’ begins to play up once more.)
Jake Mercer: :mjcry:
Stew-O: Statement made tonight by Cy Henderson making his return to the Dynasty brand, calling for war against the 2024 Grand Rampage winner Jake Smith tonight to end the show! What a Dynasty as we are on the road to Fighting Spirit, on behalf of my broadcast colleagues Flannery McCoy and Jake Mercer, I’m Stew-O, signing off!
(The last shot seen is Cy dropping down and leaving the ring and making his way up the ramp, eyeing Jake one more time who hasn’t moved once from his position inside of the ring. It’s from there that Friday Night Dynasty then begins to completely fade to black.)
(EAW logo buzzes.)
